bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning degradation-aware visual prompt for maritime image restoration under adverse weather conditions
Authors: He Xin , Jia Tong , Li Junjie
Published: April 2024

Adverse weather conditions such as rain and haze often lead to a degradation in the quality of maritime images, which is crucial for activities like navigation, fishing, and search and rescue. Therefore, it is of great interest to develop an effective algorithm to recover high-quality maritime images under adverse weather conditions. This paper proposes a prompt-based learning method with degradation perception for maritime image restoration, which contains two key components: a restoration module and a prompting module. The former is employed for image restoration, whereas the latter encodes weather-related degradation-specific information to modulate the restoration module, enhancing the recovery process for improved results. Inspired by the recent trend of prompt learning in artificial intelligence, this paper adopts soft-prompt technology to generate learnable visual prompt parameters for better perceiving the degradation-conditioned cues. Extensive experimental results on several benchmarks show that our approach achieves superior restoration performance in maritime image dehazing and deraining tasks.
Short-term growth of octocorals Swiftia exserta and Muricea pendula in a mesocosm
Authors: Lange Kassidy , Etnoyer Peter
Published: April 2024

To optimize fragmentation approaches for restoration applications, this study assessed fragmentation size influences on health and growth rates of mesophotic octocorals. Growth rates for Swiftia exserta (n=6) and Muricea pendula (n=9) were determined using photogrammetry in a mesocosm over a 90-day trial. No significant difference was found in growth between fragmented size classes (3, 6, and 12 cm) (S. exserta p=0.156, M. pendula p=0.393). There was a significant difference (p=0.013) in growth rates between species, with faster annual growth (mean ± SE) for S. exserta (1.490 ± 0.399 cm/year) than for M. pendula (0.550 ± 0.228 cm/year). Fragments from healthy source colonies remained healthy, while fragments from an unhealthy colony experienced tissue loss. Healthy colonies may successfully be used for fragmentation in laboratory propagation, though optimal fragment size for restoration remains debatable. Use of laboratory-based propagation techniques to recover injured species may require better understanding of factors influencing growth.
Plumbagin inhibits fungal growth, HMGB1/LOX-1 pathway and inflammatory factors in A. fumigatus keratitis
Authors: Cong Fan , Gu Lingwen , Lin Jing , Liu Guibo , Wang Qian , Zhang Lina , Chi Menghui , Xu Qiang , Zhao Guiqiu , Li Cui
Published: April 2024

To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects of plumbagin (PL) in Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) keratitis, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), time-killing curve, spore adhesion, crystal violet staining, calcium fluoride white staining, and Propidium Iodide (PI) staining were employed to assess the antifungal activity of PL in vitro against A. fumigatus. The cytotoxicity of PL was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8). The impact of PL on the expression of HMGB1, LOX-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and ROS in A. fumigatus keratitis was investigated using RT-PCR, ELISA, Western blot, and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay. The therapeutic efficacy of PL against A. fumigatus keratitis was assessed through clinical scoring, plate counting, Immunofluorescence and Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining. Finally, we found that PL inhibited the growth, spore adhesion, and biofilm formation of A. fumigatus and disrupted the integrity of its cell membrane and cell wall. PL decreased IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels while increasing IL-10 expression in fungi-infected mice corneas and peritoneal macrophages. Additionally, PL significantly attenuated the HMGB1/LOX-1 pathway while reversing the promoting effect of Boxb (an HMGB1 agonist) on HMGB1/LOX-1. Moreover, PL decreased the level of ROS. In vivo, clinical scores, neutrophil recruitment, and fungal burden were all significantly reduced in infected corneas treated with PL. In summary, the inflammatory process can be inhibited by PL through the regulation of the HMGB-1/LOX-1 pathway. Simultaneously, PL can exert antifungal effects by limiting fungal spore adhesion and biofilm formation, as well as causing destruction of cell membranes and walls.
A case report of typical well-differentiated papillary mesothelial tumor diagnosed by internal thoracoscopy and literature review
Authors: Guo Jian , Lv XiaoHui , Zhang Wei , Dong Fang , Li Lei , Liu Juan , Li Bing
Published: April 2024

We report a case of well-differentiated papillary mesothelial tumor (WDPMT) diagnosed using internal thoracoscopic biopsy in a patient who has suffered from recurrent pleural effusions for over 35 years together with a history of elevated CA125. We hope to provide a case for the diagnosis of this rare benign and preinvasive pleural tumor and recommend that internal thoracoscopy may be a good choice in these recurrent pleural effusion patients especially for those minimal lesions not easily detected using CT scan.
A disproportionality analysis of FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) events for ticagrelor
Authors: Pan Yunyan , Wang Yu , Zheng Yifan , Chen Jie , Li Jia
Published: April 2024

Background:

Ticagrelor is a commonly used antiplatelet agent, but due to the stringent criteria for trial population inclusion and the limited sample size, its safety profile has not been fully elucidated.

Method:

We utilized OpenVigil 2.1 to query the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database and retrieved reports by the generic name “ticagrelor” published between 1 October 2010 and 31 March 2023. Adverse drug events (ADEs) were classified and described according to the preferred terms and system organ classes in the Medical Dictionary of Regulatory Activity. Proportional reporting ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR) and Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN) were used to detect signals.

Results:

The number of ADE reports with ticagrelor as the primary suspect drug was 12,909. The top three ADEs were dyspnea [1824 reports, ROR 7.34, PRR 6.45, information component (IC) 2.68], chest pain (458 reports, ROR 5.43, PRR 5.27, IC 2.39), and vascular stent thrombosis (406 reports, ROR 409.53, PRR 396.68, IC 8.02). The highest ROR, 630.24, was found for “vascular stent occlusion”. Cardiac arrest (137 reports, ROR 3.41, PRR 3.39, IC 1.75), atrial fibrillation (99 reports, ROR 2.05, PRR 2.04, IC 1.03), asphyxia (101 reports, ROR 23.60, PRR 23.43, IC 4.51), and rhabdomyolysis (57 reports, ROR 2.75, PRR 2.75, IC 1.45) were suspected new adverse events of ticagrelor.

Conclusion:

The FAERS database produced potential signals associated with ticagrelor that have not been recorded in the package inserts, such as cardiac arrest, atrial fibrillation, asphyxia, and rhabdomyolysis. Further clinical surveillance is needed to quantify and validate potential hazards associated with ticagrelor-related adverse events.
Recent advances in neural mechanism of general anesthesia induced unconsciousness: insights from optogenetics and chemogenetics
Authors: Gao Hui , Wang Jingyi , Zhang Rui , Luo Tao
Published: April 2024

For over 170 years, general anesthesia has played a crucial role in clinical practice, yet a comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the induction of unconsciousness by general anesthetics remains elusive. Ongoing research into these mechanisms primarily centers around the brain nuclei and neural circuits associated with sleep-wake. In this context, two sophisticated methodologies, optogenetics and chemogenetics, have emerged as vital tools for recording and modulating the activity of specific neuronal populations or circuits within distinct brain regions. Recent advancements have successfully employed these techniques to investigate the impact of general anesthesia on various brain nuclei and neural pathways. This paper provides an in-depth examination of the use of optogenetic and chemogenetic methodologies in studying the effects of general anesthesia on specific brain nuclei and pathways. Additionally, it discusses in depth the advantages and limitations of these two methodologies, as well as the issues that must be considered for scientific research applications. By shedding light on these facets, this paper serves as a valuable reference for furthering the accurate exploration of the neural mechanisms underlying general anesthesia. It aids researchers and clinicians in effectively evaluating the applicability of these techniques in advancing scientific research and clinical practice.
Design of a kilohertz repetition rate, low-emittance S-band photoinjector
Authors: He Tianhui , Shan Lijun , Wang Hanbin , Xiao Dexin , Zhou Kui , Li Peng , Wang Jianxin , Xu Hanxun , Zhou Zheng , Li Ming , Wu Dai
Published: April 2024

Low-emittance photoinjector-enabled cutting-edge scientific instruments, such as free-electron lasers, inverse Compton scattering light sources, and ultrafast electron diffraction, will greatly benefit from the improved repetition rate. In this paper, we proposed a specifically designed S-band radio frequency (RF) photoinjector to obtain low emittance and kilohertz (kHz) high-repetition rates simultaneously. By lowering the gradient, much lower RF power is needed to feed the electron gun, and then the heat problem is much easier to handle. Meanwhile, by optimizing the length of the gun’s first cell from the normal case of 0.6-cell to 0.4-cell, the launch phase and the extraction field are significantly improved, thus ensuring the generation of low-emittance electron beams. In our design, the proposed 1.4-cell RF gun can work effectively under different field gradients ranging from 30 MV/m to 100 MV/m. For a standard case of 60 MV/m, 2.5 MW peak RF power with μs level pulse width is sufficient, thus offering the feasibility of improving the repetition rate to kHz level with a standard 5 MW irradiation klystron. In addition, simulated electron beams with a low emittance of 0.29 mm.mrad@200 pC can be generated by this proposed photoinjector, showing that this high-repetition rate injector holds the potential to deliver high-quality beams comparable to those of state-of-the-art S-band photoinjectors. Combining the merits of low emittance and high-repetition rate, this proposed photoinjector will provide a new possibility for future free-electron laser facilities operating at repetition rates ranging from kHz to tens of kHz.
Strain-controlled electrophysiological wave propagation alters in silico scar-based substrate for ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Willems Evianne , Janssens Koen L. P. M. , Dekker Lukas R. C. , van de Vosse Frans N. , Cluitmans Matthijs J. M. , Bovendeerd Peter H. M.
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Assessing a patient’s risk of scar-based ventricular tachycardia (VT) after myocardial infarction is a challenging task. It can take months to years after infarction for VT to occur. Also, if selected for ablation therapy, success rates are low.

Methods: Computational ventricular models have been presented previously to support VT risk assessment and to provide ablation guidance. In this study, an extension to such virtual-heart models is proposed to phenomenologically incorporate tissue remodeling driven by mechanical load. Strain amplitudes in the heart muscle are obtained from simulations of mechanics and are used to adjust the electrical conductivity.

Results: The mechanics-driven adaptation of electrophysiology resulted in a more heterogeneous distribution of propagation velocities than that of standard models, which adapt electrophysiology in the structural substrate from medical images only. Moreover, conduction slowing was not only present in such a structural substrate, but extended in the adjacent functional border zone with impaired mechanics. This enlarged the volumes with high repolarization time gradients (≥10 ms/mm). However, maximum gradient values were not significantly affected. The enlarged volumes were localized along the structural substrate border, which lengthened the line of conduction block. The prolonged reentry pathways together with conduction slowing in functional regions increased VT cycle time, such that VT was easier to induce, and the number of recommended ablation sites increased from 3 to 5 locations.

Discussion: Sensitivity testing showed an accurate model of strain-dependency to be critical for low ranges of conductivity. The model extension with mechanics-driven tissue remodeling is a potential approach to capture the evolution of the functional substrate and may offer insight into the progression of VT risk over time.
Effects of lithium isotopes on sodium/lithium co-transport and calcium efflux through the sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger in mitochondria
Authors: Bukhteeva Irina , Rahman Fasih A. , Kendall Brian , Duncan Robin E. , Quadrilatero Joe , Pavlov Evgeny V. , Gingras Michel J. P. , Leonenko Zoya
Published: April 2024

The effects of lithium (Li) isotopes and their impact on biological processes have recently gained increased attention due to the significance of Li as a pharmacological agent and the potential that Li isotopic effects in neuroscience contexts may constitute a new example of quantum effects in biology. Previous studies have shown that the two Li isotopes, which differ in mass and nuclear spin, have unusual different effects in vivo and in vitro and, although some molecular targets for Li isotope fractionation have been proposed, it is not known whether those result in observable downstream neurophysiological effects. In this work we studied fluxes of Li+, sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) ions in the mitochondrial sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger (NCLX), the only transporter known with recognized specificity for Li+. We studied the effect of Li+ isotopes on Ca2+ efflux from heart mitochondria in comparison to natural Li+ and Na+ using Ca2+-induced fluorescence and investigated a possible Li isotope fractionation in mitochondria using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our fluorescence data indicate that Ca2+ efflux increases with higher concentrations of either Li+ or Na+. We found that the simultaneous presence of Li+ and Na+ increases Ca2+ efflux compared to Ca2+ efflux caused by the same concentration of Li+ alone. However, no differentiation in the Ca2+ efflux between the two Li+ isotopes was observed, either for Li+ alone or in mixtures of Li+ and Na+. Our ICP-MS data demonstrate that there is selectivity between Na+ and Li+ (greater Na+ than Li+ uptake) and, most interestingly, between the Li+ isotopes (greater 6Li+ than 7Li+ uptake) by the inner mitochondrial membrane. In summary, we observed no Li+ isotope differentiation for Ca2+ efflux in mitochondria via NCLX but found a Li+ isotope fractionation during Li+ uptake by mitochondria with NCLX active or blocked. Our results suggest that the transport of Li+ via NCLX is not the main pathway for Li+ isotope fractionation and that this differentiation does not affect Ca2+ efflux in mitochondria. Therefore, explaining the puzzling effects of Li+ isotopes observed in other contexts will require further investigation to identify the molecular targets for Li+ isotope differentiation.
What supports and services post COVID-19 do children with disabilities and their parents need and want, now and into the future?
Authors: Pozniak K. , Swain A. , Currie G. , Doherty-Kirby A. , Grahovac D. , Lebsack J. , Campbell W. , Humphreys C. , Patterson S. , Raha S. , Whitley J. , Kraus de Camargo O.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Children and youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs, and their families, have been uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the voices of children themselves are still not well represented in the existing literature.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive study used a combination of visual methods and interviews to learn about the experiences of Canadian children with disabilities (n=18) and their parents (n=14) during the COVID pandemic and into the post-pandemic period. Data collection was carried out between January and July 2023. The aim was to identify the supports and services children and families need at present and moving forward.

Results

Families’ pandemic experiences were complex and nuanced. For many, the pandemic complicated and disrupted everyday activities and supports. These disruptions were largely buffered by parents. However, some families also identified unexpected benefits. Key themes pertaining to present and future needs included the need for services that are flexible; consistent; conducive to relationship-building; comprehensive; coordinated across sectors; and designed to support the needs of the whole family.

Discussion

Implications for policy and practice are outlined.
Association of the barriers of pharmaceutical care perceived by clinical pharmacists and occupational stress in tertiary hospitals of China
Authors: Zhang Yu , Huang Yuankai , Xi Xiaoyu
Published: April 2024

Objective

As an important member of the healthcare team, clinical pharmacists’ occupational stress will lead to a decline in the quality of pharmaceutical care. According to person-environment fit theory, barriers of pharmaceutical care perceived by clinical pharmacists may be a potential factor influencing occupational stress. This study aimed to assess the association between the specific barriers of pharmaceutical care perceived by clinical pharmacists and their occupational stress in China.

Method

A field-based questionnaire survey of tertiary hospitals was conducted in 31 provincial administrative regions in mainland China using a multi-stage stratified sampling method. Data on occupational stress, barriers of pharmaceutical care perceived by clinical pharmacists and other factors of job stress were collected using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire and a self-administered instrument. The instruments have undergone multiple rounds of pilot investigations, and their reliability is acceptable. Ordinary least squares regression was used to evaluate the association of the perceived barriers and other factors with their occupational stress.

Result

A total of 625 clinical pharmacists from 311 tertiary hospitals in China (response rate = 84%) participated. Perceived resource dimension barriers (p = 0.00) and self-improvement dimension barriers (p = 0.01) were associated with increased occupational stress of the participants. In addition, clinical pharmacists with senior professional titles and engaged in neurology and ICU have higher occupational stress.

Conclusion

By removing barriers to pharmacists’ resources and self-improvement, it is possible to better meet the work needs of clinical pharmacists and may effectively reduce occupational stress, thereby improving the quality of pharmaceutical services.
Active labour market policies in emerging adulthood may act as a protective factor against future depressiveness: an analysis of the long-term trajectories of depressive symptoms in the Northern Swedish Cohort
Authors: Virtanen Pekka , Nummi Tapio , Westerlund Hugo , Östergren Per-Olof , Janlert Urban , Hammarström Anne
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Drawing upon the framework of life course epidemiology, this study aligns with research on the mental health consequences of significant social transitions during early adulthood. The focus is on the variation in initial labour market attachment and the development of depressiveness, assuming that a firm attachment is associated with decreasing depressiveness.

Methods

The baseline investigation of the studied cohort (n = 1,001) took place during their final year of compulsory schooling at age 16. Follow-up surveys were conducted at ages 18, 21, 30, and 43. Depressiveness was measured with a five-item score. Multiple trajectory analysis, incorporating five labour market statuses observed over seven half-year periods from ages 18 to 21, was employed to categorize the cohort into six distinct groups. Among these, ‘All-time education,’ ‘From education to employment,’ ‘Education and employment,’ and ‘From employment to education’ were considered to demonstrate firm labour market attachment. Meanwhile, ‘Active labour market policy’ and ‘Unemployment’ represented less firm attachment.

Results

The trajectory of depressive symptoms among the total cohort from age 16 to age 43 exhibited a ‘broken stick’ pattern, reaching its lowest point at age 21. This pattern was evident in all groups classified as having a firm attachment. A substantial decrease in depressiveness was also observed in the relatively weakly attached ‘Active labour market policy’ group, whereas no ‘broken stick’ pattern emerged in the ‘Unemployment’ group. The disparities in the levels of depressiveness observed at age 21 remained relatively stable across the measurements at ages 30 and 43.

Discussion

The results were as expected, except for the observed improvement in mental health within the ‘Active labour market policy’ group. Supported labour market attachment during emerging adulthood can enhance mental well-being similarly to regular mainstream attachment. In terms of policy recommendations, the consistently high levels of depressiveness within the ‘Unemployment’ group underscore the importance of reducing long-term and repeated unemployment in young age. The findings regarding the ‘Active labour market policy’ provide evidence of the intervention’s benefits. While the primary goal of these measures is to create jobs for the unemployed, they also include elements that contribute to participants’ mental health.
Malaria elimination: situation analysis of cases in India, the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India, and district Mandla of Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Singh Mrigendra P. , Bharti Praveen K. , Rajvanshi Harsh , Sahu Ram S. , Jayswar Himanshu , Anvikar Anup R. , Lal Altaf A.
Published: April 2024

India contributed approximately 66% of the malaria cases in the WHO South-East Asia region in 2022. In India, approximately 44% of cases have been reported to be disproportionately contributed by approximately 27 districts.1 A comparative analysis of reported malaria cases between January 2017 and December 2022 was performed in Mandla district, which is the site of a model malaria elimination demonstration project (MEDP) in Madhya Pradesh (MP), India. Compared to 2017, the decrease in malaria cases in Mandla from 2018 to 2022 was higher than MP and the rest of the country. The reduction of cases was significant in 2018, 2019, and 2021 (p < 0.01) (Mandla vs. MP) and was highly significant during 2018–2022 (p < 0.001) (Mandla vs. India). Robust surveillance and real-time data-based decisions accompanied by appropriate management, operational controls, and independent reviews, all designed for resource optimisation, were the reasons for eliminating indigenous malaria in Mandla district. The increase in infection rates during the months immediately following rains suggests that surveillance, vector control, and case management efforts should be specifically intensified for eliminating imported and indigenous cases in the near-elimination districts to work towards achieving the national elimination goal of 2030.
Associations between monitor-independent movement summary (MIMS) and fall risk appraisal combining fear of falling and physiological fall risk in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Choudhury Renoa , Park Joon-Hyuk , Banarjee Chitra , Coca Miguel Grisales , Fukuda David H. , Xie Rui , Stout Jeffrey R. , Thiamwong Ladda
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Fall Risk Appraisal (FRA), a process that integrates perceived and objective fall risk measures, serves as a crucial component for understanding the incongruence between fear of falling (FOF) and physiological fall risk in older adults. Despite its importance, scant research has been undertaken to investigate how habitual physical activity (PA) levels, quantified in Monitor-Independent Movement Summary (MIMS), vary across FRA categories. MIMS is a device-independent acceleration summary metric that helps standardize data analysis across studies by accounting for discrepancies in raw data among research-grade and consumer devices.

Objective: This cross-sectional study explores the associations between MIMS (volume and intensity) and FRA in a sample of older adults in the United States.

Methods: We assessed FOF (Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International), physiological fall risk (balance: BTrackS Balance, leg strength: 30-s sit-to-stand test) and 7-day free-living PA (ActiGraph GT9X) in 178 community-dwelling older adults. PA volume was summarized as average daily MIMS (MIMS/day). PA intensity was calculated as peak 30-min MIMS (average of highest 30 non-consecutive MIMS minutes/day), representing a PA index of higher-intensity epochs. FRA categorized participants into following four groups: Rational (low FOF-low physiological fall risk), Irrational (high FOF-low physiological fall risk), Incongruent (low FOF-high physiological fall risk) and Congruent (high FOF-high physiological fall risk).

Results: Compared to rational group, average MIMS/day and peak 30-min MIMS were, respectively, 15.8% (p = .025) and 14.0% (p = .004) lower in irrational group, and 16.6% (p = .013) and 17.5% (p < .001) lower in congruent group. No significant differences were detected between incongruent and rational groups. Multiple regression analyses showed that, after adjusting for age, gender, and BMI (reference: rational), only irrational FRA was significantly associated with lower PA volume (β = −1,452.8 MIMS/day, p = .034); whereas irrational and congruent FRAs were significantly associated with lower “peak PA intensity” (irrational: β = −5.40 MIMS/day, p = .007; congruent: β = −5.43 MIMS/day, p = .004).

Conclusion: These findings highlight that FOF is a significant barrier for older adults to participate in high-intensity PA, regardless of their balance and strength. Therefore, PA programs for older adults should develop tailored intervention strategies (cognitive reframing, balance and strength exercises, or both) based on an individual’s FOF and physiological fall risk.
Evaluating the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in adults with sickle cell disease during the Omicron period of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Aldecoa Kim Abbegail Tan , Macaraeg Chef Stan L. , Arsene Camelia , Krishnamoorthy Geetha , Chng Tiffany , Cherry Garrett , Chowdhury Nabila , Clark Ryan , Deeb Dana , Deptula Lisa , Dietz Grey , Eto Ewomamobuho , Golston Victoria , Lawson Landon , Mbionwu Chioma , Okponyia Obiefuna , Orejuela Jennifer , Qipo Thomaidha , Raut Sumit , Goodman Judie
Published: April 2024

Background and aims

The Omicron variant, one of the variants causing the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), was first identified in November 2021 and became the predominant variant in 2022. Although causing less severe disease, this variant and its subvariants have been associated with increased transmissibility and limited protection despite vaccination and prior infection. Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are particularly at greater risk of severe illness and death, and studies regarding the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination have been limited in this population. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during this period among individuals with SCD and to examine various factors that can influence the likelihood of COVID-19 infection and severity among SCD individuals.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of adult patients (≥18 years) with SCD who had emergency and inpatient encounters between January 1 and December 31, 2022. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to determine the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine among this population.

Results

The study found that COVID-19 vaccination lowered the infection risk among SCD individuals by over 70% if they have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The study also found that individuals with SCD and a history of acute chest syndrome were over 3 times more likely to have a COVID-19 infection diagnosis than those without a history of acute chest syndrome.

Conclusion

The study confirms the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine among individuals with SCD during the Omicron period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Scientists Use Webcams to Track Human Gaze
Authors: Evdokimov Anatolii , Enikeeva Alina , Luby Paean , Robbins Arryn
Published: April 2024

Eye tracking is a technology that can record people’s eye movements and tell scientists what people look at on screens or out in the world. Scientists use eye tracking to understand what people notice or remember; marketing researchers who create ads use eye tracking to see what type of ads or products capture people’s attention; and video game designers use eye tracking to see what parts of a game are confusing to players, so designers can fix the game. Eye-tracking equipment can be expensive and time consuming for researchers to use, so is there another way to record eye movements without buying an eye tracker? There is! Computer scientists can use a computer-based method called machine learning to turn an everyday webcam into an eye tracker. They can even do this with mobile phones! In this article, you will learn about how eye trackers work and the advantages of disadvantages of using webcams to track eyes.
Mechanisms in sociology—a critical intervention
Authors: Döllinger Dominik
Published: April 2024

The notion of the mechanism is one of the most popular and widely used concepts in science and sociology is no exception. This paper problematizes the widespread and often uncritical use of the term “mechanism” in contemporary sociology. Drawing on the mechanistic worldview associated with leading figures of the scientific revolution, the paper emphasizes the impact of mechanistic thinking on the societal rationalization process identified by Max Weber and the Frankfurt School. The analysis suggests that mechanisms, when applied to sociological theories, may uncritically reproduce a cultural fetish of the rational society with potentially dehumanizing consequences. The author advocates for a critical reflection on the cultural and historical context of mechanisms, urging sociologists to view them not merely as analytical tools but as active contributors to the creation and shaping of social worlds erected on a belief in instrumental reason.
Inversion of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the Yellow River Wetland of Shaanxi Province using field in situ hyperspectroscopy
Authors: Nie Leichao , Qu Keying , Cui Lijuan , Zhai Xiajie , Zhao Xinsheng , Lei Yinru , Li Jing , Wang Jinzhi , Wang Rumiao , Li Wei
Published: April 2024

Soil nitrogen and phosphorus are directly related to soil quality and vegetation growth and are, therefore, a common research topic in studies on global climate change, material cycling, and information exchange in terrestrial ecosystems. However, collecting soil hyperspectral data under in situ conditions and predicting soil properties, which can effectively save time, manpower, material resources, and financial costs, have been generally undervalued. Recent optimization techniques have, however, addressed several of the limitations previously restricting this technique. In this study, hyperspectral data were taken from surface soils under different vegetation types in the wetlands of the Shaanxi Yellow River Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve. Through in situ original and first-order differential transformation spectral data, three prediction models for soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents were established: partial least squares (PLSR), random forest (RF), and Gaussian process regression (GPR). The R2 and RMSR of the constructed models were then compared to select the optimal model for evaluating soil content. The soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus content models established based on the first-order differential had a higher accuracy when modeling and during model validation than those of other models. Moreover, the PLSR model based on the original spectrum and the Gaussian process regression model had a superior inversion performance. These results provide solid theoretical and technical support for developing the optimal model for the quantitative inversion of wetland surface soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus based on in situ hyperspectral technology.
Microsatellite instability and mismatch repair protein deficiency: equal predictive markers?
Authors: Nádorvári Maja L. , Lotz Gábor , Kulka Janina , Kiss András , Tímár József
Published: April 2024

Current clinical guidelines recommend mismatch repair (MMR) protein immunohistochemistry (IHC) or molecular microsatellite instability (MSI) tests as predictive markers of immunotherapies. Most of the pathological guidelines consider MMR protein IHC as the gold standard test to identify cancers with MMR deficiency and recommend molecular MSI tests only in special circumstances or to screen for Lynch syndrome. However, there are data in the literature which suggest that the two test types may not be equal. For example, molecular epidemiology studies reported different rates of deficient MMR (dMMR) and MSI in various cancer types. Additionally, direct comparisons of the two tests revealed relatively frequent discrepancies between MMR IHC and MSI tests, especially in non-colorectal and non-endometrial cancers and in cases with unusual dMMR phenotypes. There are also scattered clinical data showing that the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors is different if the patient selection was based on dMMR versus MSI status of the cancers. All these observations question the current dogma that dMMR phenotype and genetic MSI status are equal predictive markers of the immunotherapies.
Transformer Encoder Enhanced by an Adaptive Graph Convolutional Neural Network for Prediction of Aero-Engines’ Remaining Useful Life
Authors: Ma Meng , Wang Zhizhen , Zhong Zhirong
Published: April 2024

Accurate prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) plays a significant role in ensuring the safe flight of aircraft. With the recent rapid development of deep learning, there has been a growing trend towards more precise RUL prediction. However, while many current deep learning methods are capable of extracting spatial features—those along the sensor dimension—through convolutional kernels or fully connected layers, their extraction capacity is often limited due to the small scale of kernels and the high uncertainty associated with linear weights. Graph neural networks (GNNs), emerging as effective approaches for processing graph-structured data, explicitly consider the relationships between sensors. This is akin to imposing a constraint on the training process, thereby allowing the learned results to better approximate real-world situations. In order to address the challenge of GNNs in extracting temporal features, we augment our proposed framework for RUL prediction with a Transformer encoder, resulting in the adaptive graph convolutional transformer encoder (AGCTE). A case study using the C-MAPSS dataset is conducted to validate the effectiveness of our proposed model.
Integrating Crop Modeling and Machine Learning for the Improved Prediction of Dryland Wheat Yield
Authors: Li Zhiyang , Nie Zhigang , Li Guang
Published: April 2024

One of the crucial research areas in agricultural decision-making processes is crop yield prediction. This study leverages the advantages of hybrid models to address the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and management factors to achieve more accurate crop yield forecasts. Therefore, this study used the data of wheat growth environment, crop management, and historical yield in experimental fields in Anding District, Dingxi City, Gansu Province from 1984 to 2021 to construct eight machine learning models and ensemble models. Furthermore, Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM), machine learning (ML), and APSIM combined with machine learning (APSIM-ML) were employed to predict wheat yields in 2012, 2016, and 2021. The results show that the APSIM-ML weighted ensemble prediction model, optimized to minimize the MSE, performed the best. Compared to the optimized ML and APSIM models, the average improvements in the RMSE, RRMSE, and MBE for the test years were 43.54 kg/ha, 3.55%, and 15.54 kg/ha, and 93.96 kg/ha, 7.55%, and 104.21 kg/ha, respectively. At the same time, we found that the dynamic flow of water and nitrogen between the soil and crops had the greatest impact on wheat yield prediction. This study improved the accuracy of dryland wheat yield prediction in Gansu Province and provides technical support for the intelligent production of dryland wheat in the loess hilly area.
Antibiofilm and Immune-Modulatory Activity of Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol in Oral Environments—In Vitro Study
Authors: Garzón Hernan Santiago , Loaiza-Oliva Manuela , Martínez-Pabón María Cecilia , Puerta-Suárez Jenniffer , Téllez Corral Mayra Alexandra , Bueno-Silva Bruno , Suárez Daniel R. , Díaz-Báez David , Suárez Lina J.
Published: April 2024

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties and the immune modulatory activity of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) on oral bacteria and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF). Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed by propidium iodide flow cytometry on fibroblasts derived from the periodontal ligament. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CBD and CBG for S. mutans and C. albicans and the metabolic activity of a subgingival 33-species biofilm under CBD and CBG treatments were determined. The Quantification of cytokines was performed using the LEGENDplex kit (BioLegend, Ref 740930, San Diego, CA, USA). Results: CBD-treated cell viability was greater than 95%, and for CBG, it was higher than 88%. MIC for S. mutans with CBD was 20 µM, and 10 µM for CBG. For C. albicans, no inhibitory effect was observed. Multispecies biofilm metabolic activity was reduced by 50.38% with CBD at 125 µg/mL (p = 0.03) and 39.9% with CBG at 62 µg/mL (p = 0.023). CBD exposure at 500 µg/mL reduced the metabolic activity of the formed biofilm by 15.41%, but CBG did not have an effect. CBG at 10 µM caused considerable production of anti-inflammatory mediators such as TGF-β and IL-4 at 12 h. CBD at 10 µM to 20 µM produced the highest amount of IFN-γ. Conclusion: Both CBG and CBD inhibit S. mutans; they also moderately lower the metabolic activity of multispecies biofilms that form; however, CBD had an effect on biofilms that had already developed. This, together with the production of anti-inflammatory mediators and the maintenance of the viability of mammalian cells from the oral cavity, make these substances promising for clinical use and should be taken into account for future studies.
Comparative Efficacy of Continuous Ceftazidime Infusion vs. Intermittent Bolus against In Vitro Ceftazidime-Susceptible and -Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm
Authors: El Haj Cristina , Agustí Eugènia , Benavent Eva , Soldevila-Boixader Laura , Rigo-Bonnin Raül , Tubau Fe , Torrejón Benjamín , Esteban Jaime , Murillo Oscar
Published: April 2024

Background: As the anti-biofilm pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) properties of antibiotics are not well-defined, we have evaluated the PK/PD indices for different regimens of ceftazidime (CAZ; with/without colistin) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. Methods: We have used the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Biofilm Reactor with two susceptible (PAO1 and HUB-PAS) and one resistant (HUB-XDR) strains of P. aeruginosa. The regimens were CAZ monotherapies (mimicking a human dose of 2 g/8 h, CAZ-IB; 6 g/daily as continuous infusion at 50 mg/L, CAZ-CI50; and 9 g/daily at 70 mg/L, CAZ-CI70) and CAZ-colistin combinations. Efficacy was correlated with the CAZ PK/PD parameters. Results: CAZ-CI70 was the most effective monotherapy against CAZ-susceptible strains (Δlog CFU/mL 54–0 h = −4.15 ± 0.59 and −3.05 ± 0.5 for HUB-PAS and PAO1, respectively; p ≤ 0.007 vs. other monotherapies), and adding colistin improved the efficacy over CAZ monotherapy. CAZ monotherapies were ineffective against the HUB-XDR strain, and CAZ-CI50 plus colistin achieved higher efficacy than CAZ-IB with colistin. The PK/PD index that correlated best with anti-biofilm efficacy was fAUC0–24h/MIC (r2 = 0.78). Conclusions: CAZ exhibited dose-dependent anti-biofilm killing against P. aeruginosa, which was better explained by the fAUC0–24h/MIC index. CAZ-CI provided benefits compared to CAZ-IB, particularly when using higher doses and together with colistin. CAZ monotherapies were ineffective against the CAZ-resistant strain, independently of the optimized strategy and only CAZ-CI plus colistin appeared useful for clinical practice.
The Application of Laser-Scanning 3D Model Reconstruction Technology for Visualizing a Decommissioning Model of the Heavy Water Research Reactor
Authors: Li Wensi , Zhang Yu , Li Ruizhi , Zhang Lijun , Zhang Xingwang , Li Hongyin , Nie Peng , Zhang Shengdong
Published: April 2024

Currently, over 100 nuclear power units globally have been in operation for more than 40 years. Hindered by the limitations of computer technology at the time, these nuclear facilities lack detailed electronic drawings. Activities such as equipment replacement and process circuit system modifications during operation result in discrepancies between paper drawings and actual conditions. Given the complexity and irreversibility of nuclear facility decommissioning activities, virtual simulation technology is often employed before the decommissioning process begins to assist in designing and validating decommissioning plans. Consequently, the creation of high-precision 3D models is crucial for subsequent decommissioning designs. Through innovatively utilizing laser-scanning 3D model reconstruction technology in the reconstruction of the model of China’s first heavy water research reactor undergoing decommissioning, this paper provides an overview of the process of laser-scanning 3D model reconstruction and its application in reconstructing the heavy water research reactor model. Using a 3D laser scanner, four decommissioning areas of the heavy water research reactor, including the reactor building, secondary water pump room, ventilation center, and low-level radioactive wastewater storage tank area, were subjected to 3D laser scanning. The acquired point cloud data from 572 scanning stations were processed using point cloud processing software for denoising, stitching, and triangulation. The triangulated model was then imported into modeling software for 3D reconstruction, ultimately establishing a digitalized model of the heavy water research reactor suitable for subsequent decommissioning simulation and design.
An Efficiency Boost for Genetic Algorithms: Initializing the GA with the Iterative Approximate Method for Optimizing the Traveling Salesman Problem—Experimental Insights
Authors: Alkafaween Esra’a , Hassanat Ahmad , Essa Ehab , Elmougy Samir
Published: April 2024

The genetic algorithm (GA) is a well-known metaheuristic approach for dealing with complex problems with a wide search space. In genetic algorithms (GAs), the quality of individuals in the initial population is important in determining the final optimal solution. The classic GA using the random population seeding technique is effective and straightforward, but the generated population may contain individuals with low fitness, delaying convergence to the best solution. On the other side, heuristic population seeding strategies provide the advantages of producing individuals with high fitness and encouraging rapid convergence to the optimal solution. Using background information on the problem being solved, researchers have developed several population seeding approaches. In this paper, to enhance the genetic algorithm efficiency, we propose a new method for the initial population seeding based on a greedy approach. The proposed method starts by adding four extreme cities to the route, creating a loop, and then adding each city to the route through a greedy strategy that calculates the cost of adding every city to different locations along the route. This method identifies the best position to place the city as well as the best city to add. Employing local constant permutations improves the resultant route even more. Together with the suggested approach, we examine the GA’s effectiveness while employing conventional population seeding methods like nearest-neighbor, regression-based, and random seeding. Utilizing some of the well-known Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) examples from the TSPLIB, the standard library for TSPs, tests were conducted. In terms of the error rate, average convergence, and time, the experimental results demonstrate that the GA that employs the suggested population seeding technique performs better than other GAs that use conventional population seeding strategies.
FSM-BC-BSP: Frequent Subgraph Mining Algorithm Based on BC-BSP
Authors: Leng Fangling , Li Fan , Bao Yubin , Zhang Tiancheng , Yu Ge
Published: April 2024

As graph models become increasingly prevalent in the processing of scientific data, the exploration of effective methods for the mining of meaningful patterns from large-scale graphs has garnered significant research attention. This paper delves into the complexity of frequent subgraph mining and proposes a frequent subgraph mining (FSM) algorithm. This FSM algorithm is developed within a distributed graph iterative system, designed for the Big Cloud (BC) environment of the China Mobile Corp., and is based on the bulk synchronous parallel (BSP) model, named FSM-BC-BSP. Its aim is to address the challenge of mining frequent subgraphs within a single, large graph. This study advocates for the incorporation of a message sending and receiving mechanism to facilitate data sharing across various stages of the frequent subgraph mining algorithm. Additionally, it suggests employing a standard coded subgraph and sending it to the same node for global support calculation on the large graph. The adoption of the rightmost path expansion strategy in generating candidate subgraphs helps to mitigate the occurrence of redundant subgraphs. The use of standard coding ensures the unique identification of subgraphs, thus eliminating the need for isomorphism calculations. Support calculation is executed using the Minimum Image (MNI) measurement method, aligning with the downward closure attribute. The experimental results demonstrate the robust performance of the FSM-BC-BSP algorithm across diverse input datasets and parameter configurations. Notably, the algorithm exhibits exceptional efficacy, particularly in scenarios with low support requirements, showcasing its superior performance under such conditions.
Dynamic Downsampling Algorithm for 3D Point Cloud Map Based on Voxel Filtering
Authors: Lyu Wenqi , Ke Wei , Sheng Hao , Ma Xiao , Zhang Huayun
Published: April 2024

In response to the challenge of handling large-scale 3D point cloud data, downsampling is a common approach, yet it often leads to the problem of feature loss. We present a dynamic downsampling algorithm for 3D point cloud maps based on an improved voxel filtering approach. The algorithm consists of two modules, namely, dynamic downsampling and point cloud edge extraction. The former adapts voxel downsampling according to the features of the point cloud, while the latter preserves edge information within the 3D point cloud map. Comparative experiments with voxel downsampling, grid downsampling, clustering-based downsampling, random downsampling, uniform downsampling, and farthest-point downsampling were conducted. The proposed algorithm exhibited favorable downsampling simplification results, with a processing time of 0.01289 s and a simplification rate of 91.89%. Additionally, it demonstrated faster downsampling speed and showcased improved overall performance. This enhancement not only benefits productivity but also highlights the system’s efficiency and effectiveness.