bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Pre-Induction Ultrasound Parameters and the Bishop Score to Determine Whether Labor Induction Is Successful
Authors: Milatović Stevan , Krsman Anita , Baturan Branislava , Dragutinović Đorđe , Ilić Đorđe , Stajić Dragan
Published: July 2024

Background and Objectives: The incidence of labor induction is steadily increasing worldwide. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasound parameters and their mutual correlation and to analyze the parameters’ predictive capability in assessing the success of labor induction. The secondary goal was to assess patients’ tolerability and acceptance of transvaginal ultrasound and digital gynecological examination. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational follow-up study included 252 women selected for labor induction. The transvaginal ultrasound examination measured the posterior cervical angle, cervical length, the length and width funneling of the cervix, the distance between the head of the fetus and the external uterine os, and the position of the fetal occiput. After the ultrasound, a digital vaginal examination was performed (according to the Bishop score), and the women were asked to rate their perception of pain for each procedure. Results: The most common indication for labor induction was post-term pregnancy (57.59%), and the most common method of labor induction was oxytocin with amniotomy (70%). The results showed that a significant independent prediction of vaginal delivery could be provided based on the Bishop score and cervical length. Other investigated ultrasound parameters, the length and width of the funneling of the cervix (p < 0.001), the fetal head stage (p < 0.001), and the size of the posterior cervical angle (p < 0.05), showed statistical significance in relation to the success of labor induction. Patients reported lower discomfort and pain during transvaginal ultrasound examination (mean score 2, IQR 3) compared to digital examination (mean score 5, IQR 4), with p < 0.001. Conclusions: The results imply that the assessment of ultrasound parameters before induction of labor is necessary to predict the outcome and reduce the possibility of complications. In terms of tolerability and choice by the patients, the transvaginal ultrasound examination was better rated than the vaginal gynecological examination.
Multiorgan Toxicity from Dual Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy, Resulting in a Complete Response—A Case Report
Authors: Astašauskaitė Skaistė , Kupčinskaitė-Noreikienė Rita , Zaborienė Inga , Vaičiūnienė Rūta , Vanagas Tomas , Pranys Darius , Poškienė Lina , Juozaitytė Elona
Published: July 2024

Immunotherapy treatment with checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to a breakthrough in the treatment of oncological diseases. Despite its clinical effectiveness, this treatment differs from others, such as cytotoxic chemotherapy, in that it causes immune-related adverse events. This type of toxicity can affect any organ or organ system of the body. We present a literature review and a rare clinical case from our clinical practice, in which a patient with metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma was treated with a single dose of dual checkpoint blockade (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1)) and simultaneously diagnosed with colitis, hepatitis, and nephritis. After early immunosuppressive treatment with the glucocorticoids, complete organ function recovery was achieved. The follow-up revealed a sustained complete response lasting more than a year.
Mixed-Matrix Organo–Silica–Hydrotalcite Membrane for CO2 Separation Part 2: Permeation and Selectivity Study
Authors: Bünger Lucas , Kurtz Tim , Garbev Krassimir , Stemmermann Peter , Stapf Dieter
Published: July 2024

This study introduces an innovative approach to designing membranes capable of separating CO2 from industrial gas streams at higher temperatures. The novel membrane design seeks to leverage a well-researched, high-temperature CO2 adsorbent, hydrotalcite, by transforming it into a membrane. This was achieved by combining it with an amorphous organo-silica-based matrix, extending the polymer-based mixed-matrix membrane concept to inorganic compounds. Following the membrane material preparation and investigation of the individual membrane in Part 1 of this study, we examine its permeation and selectivity here. The pure 200 nm thick hydrotalcite membrane exhibits Knudsen behavior due to large intercrystalline pores. In contrast, the organo-silica membrane demonstrates an ideal selectivity of 13.5 and permeance for CO2 of 1.3 × 10−7 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 at 25 °C, and at 150 °C, the selectivity is reduced to 4.3. Combining both components results in a hybrid microstructure, featuring selective surface diffusion in the microporous regions and unselective Knudsen diffusion in the mesoporous regions. Further attempts to bridge both components to form a purely microporous microstructure are outlined.
An Insight into the Varying Effects of Different Cryogenic Temperatures on the Microstructure and the Thermal and Compressive Response of a Mg/SiO2 Nanocomposite
Authors: Johanes Michael , Mehtabuddin Sarah , Venkatarangan Vishal , Gupta Manoj
Published: July 2024

This study for the first time reports that insights into microstructure and thermal and compressive responses can be best achieved following exposure to different cryogenic temperatures and that the lowest cryogenic temperature may not always produce the best results. In the present study, a Mg-SiO2 biocompatible and environment-friendly nanocomposite was synthesized by using the Disintegrated Melt Deposition method followed by hot extrusion. Subsequently, it was subjected to four different sub-zero temperatures (−20 °C, −50 °C, −80 °C, and −196 °C). The results reveal the best densification at −80 °C, marginally improved ignition resistance at 50 °C, the best damping response at −80 °C, the best microhardness at −50 °C, and the best compressive response at −20 °C. The results clearly indicate that the cryogenic temperature should be carefully chosen depending on the property that needs to be particularly enhanced governed by the principal requirement of the end application.
Bearingless Inertial Rotational Stage for Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Osuna Eva , Zambudio Aitor , Ares Pablo , Gómez-Navarro Cristina , Gómez-Herrero Julio
Published: July 2024

We introduce a novel rotational stage based on inertial motion, designed to be lightweight, compact, and fully compatible with atomic force microscopy (AFM) systems. Our characterization of this stage demonstrates high angular precision, achieving a maximum rotational speed of 0.083 rad/s and a minimum angular step of 11.8 μrad. The stage exhibits reliable performance, maintaining continuous operation for extended periods. When tested within an AFM setup, the stage deliveres excellent results, confirming its efficacy for scanning probe microscopy studies.
Airborne Natural Total Field Broadband Electromagnetics—Configurations, Capabilities, and Advantages
Authors: Prikhodko Alexander , Bagrianski Andrei , Kuzmin Petr
Published: July 2024

The airborne electromagnetic system MobileMT exploits natural fields in a broadband frequency range with offset measurements of magnetic and electric field variations. It was introduced in 2018 and has since been developed in various configurations, each tailored to meet the demands of different exploration tasks, varied terrains, and geoelectrical conditions and support time-domain data with controlled primary field sources. There are four distinct airborne systems: the original MobileMT; the lighter configuration, MobileMTm; the configuration for a drone carrier, MobileMTd; and the innovative time-domain AFMAG hybrid, TargetEM. The paper describes the technical features of each system, their differences and inherent strengths, the optimal usage conditions, and insights into their applications under different conditions across various exploration tasks. Several field case studies are provided to support the natural field electromagnetics capabilities of recovering geological structures in a wide depth range, beginning from the near surface, and address the impact of parasitic IP effects on time-domain data.
Machine-Learning Approaches in N Estimations of Fig Cultivations Based on Satellite-Born Vegetation Indices
Authors: Martínez-Macias Karla Janeth , Martínez-Sifuentes Aldo Rafael , Márquez-Guerrero Selenne Yuridia , Reyes-González Arturo , Preciado-Rangel Pablo , Yescas-Coronado Pablo , Trucíos-Caciano Ramón
Published: July 2024

Nitrogen is one of the most important macronutrients for crops, and, in conjunction with artificial intelligence algorithms, it is possible to estimate it with the aid of vegetation indices through remote sensing. Various indices were calculated and those with a correlation of ≥0.7 were selected for subsequent use in random forest, gradient boosting, and artificial neural networks to determine their relationship with nitrogen levels measured in the laboratory. Random forest showed no relationship, yielding an R2 of zero; and gradient boosting and the classical method were similar with 0.7; whereas artificial neural networks yielded the best results with an R2 of 0.93. Thus, estimating nitrogen levels using this algorithm is reliable, by feeding it with data from the Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index, Transformed Chlorophyll Absorption Reflectance Index, Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index/Optimized Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index, and Transformed Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index/Optimized Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index
Gas-Phase Photocatalytic Transformations of Nitric Oxide Using Titanium Dioxide on Glass Fiber Mesh for Real-Scale Application
Authors: Tomaš Marija , Radetić Benjamin , Radetić Lucija , Benjak Paula , Grčić Ivana
Published: July 2024

In this paper, the degradation of nitric oxide (NO) in an annular laboratory reactor is presented. Preliminary experiments were performed in an annular reactor (AR) under simulated solar irradiation. Titanium dioxide (TiO2 P25) was used as a photocatalyst and immobilized on glass fibers mesh (GM) by the sol–gel method prepared from commercially available materials. The aim of the experiments was to remove NO from the air stream. The initial rate constant of the NO photocatalytic degradation was recognized to follow mass-transfer-controlled first-order kinetics. The results confirmed the photocatalytic reduction of NO to molecular nitrogen (N2) and oxidation to nitrate. Therefore, the preliminary results obtained in this work are used for the development of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model (COMSOL Multiphysics v6.2). CFD calculations provide a good basis for sizing reactors at the semi-pilot and pilot levels for both indoor and outdoor air purification systems.
Highly Soluble β-Glucan Fiber Modulates Mechanisms of Blood Glucose Regulation and Intestinal Permeability
Authors: Marcobal Angela M. , McConnell Bruce R. , Drexler Riley A. , Ng Katharine M. , Maldonado-Gomez Maria X. , Conner Alexandria M. S. , Vierra Cory G. , Krishnakumar Nithya , Gerber Hannah M. , Garcia Jada K. A. , Cerney James P. , Amicucci Matthew J.
Published: July 2024

β-glucans found in cereal grains have been previously demonstrated to improve blood glucose control; however, current understanding points to their high viscosity as the primary mechanism of action. In this work, we present a novel, highly soluble, low-viscosity β-glucan fiber (HS-BG fiber) and a preclinical dataset that demonstrates its impact on two mechanisms related to the prevention of hyperglycemia. Our results show that HS-BG inhibits the activity of two key proteins involved in glucose metabolism, the α-glucosidase enzyme and the SGLT1 transporter, thereby having the potential to slow starch digestion and subsequent glucose uptake. Furthermore, we demonstrate in a multi-donor fecal fermentation model that HS-BG is metabolized by several different members of the gut microbiome, producing high amounts of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), known agonists of GPR43 receptors in the gut related to GLP-1 secretion. The production of SCFAs was verified in the translational gut model, SHIME®. Moreover, HS-BG fiber fermentation produces compounds that restored permeability in disrupted epithelial cells, decreased inflammatory chemokines (CXCL10, MCP-1, and IL-8), and increased anti-inflammatory marker (IL-10), which could improve insulin resistance. Together, these data suggest that the novel HS-BG fiber is a promising new functional ingredient that can be used to modulate postprandial glycemic responses while the high solubility and low viscosity enable easy formulation in both beverage and solid food matrices.
The Planetary Health Diet and Its Association with Asthma and Airway Inflammation in School-Aged Children
Authors: Rodrigues Mónica , Padrão Patrícia , Castro Mendes Francisca , Moreira André , Moreira Pedro
Published: July 2024

Poor dietary choices have been rising concurrently with an increase in asthma prevalence, especially in children. Dietary indexes that simultaneously measure the healthiness and sustainability of dietary patterns have emerged to address the dual concerns of human and planetary health. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate adherence to a sustainable dietary pattern and its impact on airway inflammation and asthma. In this study, 660 school-aged children (49.1% females, 7–12 years) were considered. A cross-sectional analysis was performed to assess the association between diet and asthma and airway inflammation according to overweight/obesity. Diet was evaluated through the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI). Higher scores represent a healthier and more sustainable diet. Three definitions of asthma were considered based on a self-reported medical diagnosis, symptoms, asthma medication, measured lung function, and airway reversibility. Airway inflammation was assessed by exhaled fractional nitric oxide (eNO). We considered two categories of body mass index: non-overweight/non-obese and overweight/obese. The associations between diet with asthma and airway inflammation were estimated using adjusted binary logistic regressions. The odds of having airway inflammation decreased with the increase in PHDI score. Moreover, children in the non-overweight/non-obesity group in the fourth quartile of the PHDI had lower odds of having airway inflammation compared to children in the first quartile. Our study indicates that a healthier and sustainable diet is associated with lower levels of eNO, but only among children without overweight/obesity.
The Effect of Probiotics on the Management of Pain and Inflammation in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies
Authors: Moyseos Maria , Michael Jenny , Ferreira Nuno , Sophocleous Antonia
Published: July 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Recently, research has focused on the role of intestinal microbiome dysbiosis in OA. The aim of this study was to systematically review randomized intervention clinical studies investigating the effect of probiotics on the management of OA-related pain and inflammation. Pre-clinical studies and non-randomized trials were excluded. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Study quality was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB2) tool and the Risk of Bias in N-of-1 Trials (RoBiNT) scale. RevMan was used for the meta-analysis. Outcome measures assessed self-reported pain, stiffness and impediment, and serum hs-CRP. Three studies, with 501 participants, were considered eligible for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. A significant reduction in symptoms across all outcomes measured, except stiffness, was evident with Lactobacillus casei Shirota. However, all other probiotics reviewed did not seem to have any effect on the measured outcomes. Pre-clinical evidence, along with the RCTs reviewed, suggests that probiotics of the Lactobacillus strains might be of use for managing pain and inflammation in OA. Considering the small number of studies included in the present review and the possible risk of bias, we conclude that further studies on the role of probiotics in humans with OA are warranted.
Satisfaction Paradoxes in Health Behaviors: Contrasting Patterns across Weight, Physical Activity and Dietary Habits
Authors: Muaddi Mohammed A. , Makeen Anwar M. , Gosadi Ibrahim M. , Jareebi Mohammad A. , Alharbi Abdullah A. , Bahri Ahmed A. , Ryani Majed A. , Mahfouz Mohamed Salih , Albasheer Osama , Ali Suhaila A. , Arishi Abdulmajeed A. , Alsam Fatima A. , Alqassim Ahmad Y.
Published: July 2024

(1) Background: Obesity, a poor diet, and inactivity are major health issues among Saudi youth. However, satisfaction with unhealthy lifestyles could impede change. This study assessed lifestyle factors and related satisfaction among Saudi university students. (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1957 students at Jazan University completed surveys on demographics, physical activity, dietary habits, and 10-point satisfaction scales for weight, activity, and diet. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the associations between behaviors and satisfaction. (3) Results: Overweight/obesity prevalence was 25.45%, and only 26.67% of the subjects met activity guidelines. Many of them exhibited poor dietary habits. Despite unhealthy behaviors, some expressed high satisfaction, especially regarding their diets. Subjects with a normal BMI had the highest weight satisfaction. Activity satisfaction increased with higher activity levels. Dietary satisfaction was minimally impacted by healthfulness. Males and higher incomes were correlated with greater satisfaction. (4) Conclusions: A concerning paradox exists between unhealthy lifestyles and satisfaction among Saudi university students, particularly regarding their diets. Multicomponent interventions informed by behavior change theories and employing motivational techniques are urgently needed to address this disconnect and facilitate positive behavior change.
The Combined Effects of the Most Important Dietary Patterns on the Incidence and Prevalence of Chronic Renal Failure: Results from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Mendelian Analyses
Authors: Huang Yanqiu , Xu Shiyu , Wan Tingya , Wang Xiaoyu , Jiang Shuo , Shi Wentao , Ma Shuai , Wang Hui
Published: July 2024

Background: We aimed to comprehensively assess the relationship of specific dietary patterns and various nutrients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression. Methods: The observational study data were from the NHANES 2005–2020. We calculated four dietary pattern scores (healthy eating index 2020 (HEI-2020), dietary inflammatory index (DII), alternative mediterranean diet (aMed), and dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH)) and the intakes of various nutrients and defined CKD, CKD—very high risk, and kidney dialysis. Associations between dietary patterns and nutrients and disease were assessed by means of two logistic regression models. Two-sample MR was performed with various food and nutrients as the exposure and CKD, kidney dialysis as the outcome. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to verify the reliability of the results. Results: A total of 25,167 participants were included in the analyses, of whom 4161 had CKD. HEI-2020, aMed, and DASH were significantly negatively associated with CKD and CKD—very high risk at higher quartiles, while DII was significantly positively associated. A higher intake of vitamins and minerals may reduce the incidence and progression of CKD to varying degrees. The MR results, corrected for false discovery rates, showed that a higher sodium intake was associated with a higher prevalence of CKD (OR: 3.91, 95%CI: 2.55, 5.99). Conclusions: Adhering to the three dietary patterns of HEI-2020, aMed, and DASH and supplementing with vitamins and minerals benefits kidney health.
Mice Condition Cephalic-Phase Insulin Release to Flavors Associated with Postoral Actions of Concentrated Glucose
Authors: Glendinning John , Archambeau Alix , Brouwer Lillian , Dennis Alyson , Georgiou Kiriaki , Ivanov Jessica , Vayntrub Rochelle , Sclafani Anthony
Published: July 2024

Rats can condition cephalic-phase insulin responses (CPIRs) to specific sounds or times of the day that predict food availability. The present study asked whether mice can condition a CPIR to the flavor of sapid solutions that produce postoral glucose stimulation. To this end, we subjected C57BL/6 mice to one of six experimental protocols. We varied both the duration of the five training sessions (i.e., 23 h or 1 h) and the nature of the training solution. In Experiment 1, consumption of a 0.61% saccharin solution was paired with IG co-infusion of a 16% glucose solution. In Experiments 2–6, the mice consumed a training solution containing a mixture of 0.61% saccharin + 16% glucose, 32% sucrose, 32% maltodextrin, flavored 32% maltodextrin, or 16% maltodextrin. We subsequently asked whether consumption of any of these fluids conditioned a CPIR to a test solution that produced a similar flavor, but which did not elicit a CPIR in naïve mice. The mice did condition a CPIR, but only to the solutions containing 32% maltodextrin. We attribute this conditioning to postoral actions of the concentrated maltodextrin solutions.
Colorimetric Study on Burnt Teeth and New Diagnostic Tool in Forensic Dental Identification: The Carbodent Scale
Authors: Nuzzolese Emilio , Aliberti Matteo , Di Vella Giancarlo
Published: July 2024

Background: Teeth are the anatomical tissue with the highest resistance to the action of chemical and physical agents. This is one of the reasons that make teeth particularly useful in the identification process of skeletonized and carbonized human remains. The aim of this research is to analyze the colorimetric changes in the enamel of teeth subjected to high temperatures to develop a reproducible colorimetric cataloging method. Methods: Six groups of 21 human teeth extracted from private clinics and from a Dental School for therapeutic reasons were used and subjected to three temperature ranges in a laboratory furnace: 400 °C, 700 °C, and 1000 °C. For each temperature, two time periods of 20 min and 60 min were chosen. Each group of dental elements was analyzed using a dental spectrophotometer to extract the colorimetric data of the crown. The obtained color coordinates were subsequently converted into Red–Green–Blue (RGB) values. The two predominant colors were also selected to create average colorimetric values, which demonstrate the change in color hue according to temperature. The groups of teeth subjected to 20 min at 400 °C exhibited a dark gray coloration, while the teeth subjected to 20 min at 700 °C showed a general increase in color brightness with beige–blueish hues. Results: The teeth subjected to 20 min at 1000 °C displayed progressively lighter shades with pinkish reflections. The teeth subjected to 60 min at the same temperatures demonstrated a general increase in brightness, making differentiation more challenging, except for the group of teeth burned at 400 °C, which showed light gray–blueish tones. Conclusions: This study further supports the existing literature on the correlation between colorimetric shifts in carbonized teeth and the maximum temperature reached, providing valuable assistance to forensic pathology and the forensic dental identification of burnt human remains. Additionally, this research has led to the development of a standardized colorimetric patented scale for the observation and examination of burnt human teeth.
Non-Surgical Bleeding and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) Syndrome after TURP Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Eraky Akram M. , Rubenstein Sidney C. , Khan Adnan , Mokhtar Yasser , Gregorich Nicole M.
Published: July 2024

Patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery can develop TURP syndrome and post-TURP bleeding. Post-TURP bleeding can be surgical, from arteries or venous sinuses, or non-surgical, due to coagulopathy preventing clot formation. Non-surgical post-TURP bleeding may be due to high concentrations of urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the urine that cause fibrinolytic changes and increase bleeding risk. Urine urokinase and tPA may have both local and systemic fibrinolytic effects that may prevent blood clot formation locally at the site of surgery, and cause fibrinolytic changes systemically through leaking into the blood stream. Another post-TURP complication that may happen is TURP syndrome, due to absorption of hypotonic glycine fluid through the prostatic venous plexus. TURP syndrome may present with hyponatremia, bradycardia, and hypotension, which may be preceded by hypertension. In this case report, we had a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who developed both TURP syndrome and non-surgical post-TURP bleeding. These complications were transient for one day after surgery. The local effect of urine urokinase and tPA explains the non-surgical bleeding after TURP by preventing clot formation and inducing bleeding. Coagulation studies showed fibrinolytic changes that may be explained by urokinase and tPA leakage into the blood stream. In conclusion, non-surgical bleeding after TURP can be explained by the presence of fibrinolytic agents in the urine, including urokinase and tPA. There is a deficiency in existing studies explaining the pathophysiology of the fibrinolytic changes and risk of bleeding after TURP. Herein, we discuss the possible pathophysiology of developing fibrinolytic changes after TURP. More research effort should be directed to explore this area to investigate the appropriate medications to treat and prevent post-TURP bleeding. We suggest monitoring patients’ coagulation profiles and electrolytes after TURP because of the risk of developing severe acute hyponatremia, TURP syndrome, fibrinolytic changes, and non-surgical bleeding. In our review of the literature, we discuss current clinical trials testing the use of an antifibrinolytic agent, Tranexamic acid, locally in the irrigation fluid or systemically to prevent post-TURP bleeding by antagonizing the fibrinolytic activity of urine urokinase and tPA.
Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Cancer—The Selection of Synthetic Photosensitizers
Authors: Aebisher David , Serafin Iga , Batóg-Szczęch Katarzyna , Dynarowicz Klaudia , Chodurek Ewa , Kawczyk-Krupka Aleksandra , Bartusik-Aebisher Dorota
Published: July 2024

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising cancer treatment method that uses photosensitizing (PS) compounds to selectively destroy tumor cells using laser light. This review discusses the main advantages of PDT, such as its low invasiveness, minimal systemic toxicity and low risk of complications. Special attention is paid to photosensitizers obtained by chemical synthesis. Three generations of photosensitizers are presented, starting with the first, based on porphyrins, through the second generation, including modified porphyrins, chlorins, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and its derivative hexyl aminolevulinate (HAL), to the third generation, which is based on the use of nanotechnology to increase the selectivity of therapy. In addition, current research trends are highlighted, including the search for new photosensitizers that can overcome the limitations of existing therapies, such as heavy-atom-free nonporphyrinoid photosensitizers, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) or photosensitizers with a near-infrared (NIR) absorption peak. Finally, the prospects for the development of PDTs are presented, taking into account advances in nanotechnology and biomedical engineering. The references include both older and newer works. In many cases, when writing about a given group of first- or second-generation photosensitizers, older publications are used because the properties of the compounds described therein have not changed over the years. Moreover, older articles provide information that serves as an introduction to a given group of drugs.
Pharmacokinetics and Enterohepatic Circulation of 2-(Quinoline-8-carboxamido)benzoic Acid (2-QBA) in Mice
Authors: Jeon Ji-Hyeon , Jeon So-Yeon , Baek Yeon-Ju , Park Chan-E , Choi Min-Koo , Han Young Taek , Song Im-Sook
Published: July 2024

The quinoline alkaloid 2-(quinoline-8-carboxamido)benzoic acid (2-QBA), which is isolated from Aspergillus sp. SCSIO06786, a deep sea-derived fungus, has been suggested as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. We developed an analytical method for 2-QBA using a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in mouse plasma, in which a protein precipitation method for the sample preparation of 2-QBA in mouse plasma was used due to its simplicity and good extraction recovery rates (80.49–97.56%). The linearity of the calibration standard sample, inter- and intraday precision and accuracy, and stability of three quality control samples were suitable based on the assessment criteria and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of the 2-QBA was 1 ng/mL. A pharmacokinetic study of 2-QBA was performed in mice divided into oral (2.0, 5.0, and 15 mg/kg) and intravenous (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) administration groups. The absolute oral bioavailability (BA) range of 2-QBA was calculated as 68.3–83.7%. Secondary peaks were observed at approximately 4–8 h after the oral administration of 2-QBA at all doses. The elimination half-life of the orally administered 2-QBA was significantly longer than that of the intravenous 2-QBA. In addition, glucuronide metabolites of 2-QBA were identified. They were transformed into 2-QBA using the β-glucuronidase treatment. Furthermore, the 2-QBA was readily absorbed from the jejunum to lower ileum. Taken together, the secondary peaks could be explained by the enterohepatic circulation of 2-QBA. In conclusion, the reabsorption of orally administered 2-QBA could contribute to the high oral BA of 2-QBA and could be beneficial for the efficacy of 2-QBA. Moreover, the simple and validated analytical method for 2-QBA using LC-MS/MS was applied to the pharmacokinetic study and BA assessments of 2-QBA in mice and would be helpful for subsequent pharmacokinetic studies, as well as for evaluations of the toxicokinetics and pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic correlation of 2-QBA to assess its potential as a drug.
Preparation of an Antibacterial Branched Polyamide 6 via Hydrolytic Ring-Opening Co-Polymerization of ε-Caprolactam and Lysine Derivative
Authors: Mao Xiaoyu , Liu Wei , Li Zeyang , Mei Shan , Zong Baoning
Published: July 2024

In this study, we successfully realized the hydrolytic ring-opening co-polymerization of ε-caprolactam (CPL) and lysine derivative. A novel antibacterial modified polyamide 6 with a branched structure was obtained after the quaternization of the co-polymers. The co-polymers exhibited a significant increase in zero shear viscosity, melt index and storage modulus at the low frequency region. The quaternized co-polymers displayed thermal properties different from pure PA6 and good mechanical (tensile) properties. The antibacterial activity of the quaternized co-polymers depends on the quaternary ammonium groups’ incorporated content. At 6.2 mol% incorporation of quaternary ammonium groups, the strong antibacterial activity has been introduced to the co-polymers. As the quaternary ammonium groups approached 10.1 mol%, the antibacterial polymers demonstrated nearly complete killing of Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram negative). The above research results provided a new approach for the study of high-performance nylon.
Practices and Attitudes of the Research and Teaching Staff at the University of Split about the Online Encyclopedia Wikipedia
Authors: Duić Mirko
Published: July 2024

The goal of this study was to investigate the practices and attitudes of the research and teaching staff at the University of Split (Croatia) about the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. The method of a questionnaire-based survey was used to gain insights related to this topic. During February 2024, the survey was completed by 226 respondents. The results show that almost all respondents read Wikipedia articles and believe that the level of their accuracy is quite high. Almost half of the respondents strongly agree with the statement that it would be desirable for faculty staff to write Wikipedia articles with the aim of spreading knowledge about topics from their professional fields. However, a very small number of respondents participated in writing articles for Wikipedia. Also, the respondents answered that to them, the greatest motivations to write articles on Wikipedia would be if this activity were evaluated for the advancement to a higher work position and the correction of errors in Wikipedia articles. It was also found that most respondents are not very familiar with how Wikipedia works or how to add new content to it. These and other insights from this study can be used to conceive and initiate various activities that can contribute to greater participation of scientific and teaching staff of higher education institutions in writing quality content on Wikipedia, as well as activities that can contribute to a better familiarization with the principles and procedures to write and enhance its content. Other research methods, such as interviews with scientific and teaching staff of higher education institutions, could be used to acquire further, more detailed answers related to this topic.
The Daoist Art of the Bedchamber of Male Homosexuality in Ming and Qing Literature
Authors: Zhang Wanrong
Published: July 2024

The Daoist art of the bedchamber (fangzhong shu 房中術) constitutes a form of cultivation practice with the objective of promoting health and longevity through sexual techniques, generally applied within heterosexual contexts. However, with the evolution of male homosexuality culture during the Ming and Qing dynasties, depictions of the art of the bedchamber related to male homosexuality emerged in the literature of that era. This art was imaginatively traced back to Laozi and his disciple Yin Xi 尹喜. The sources explained the beneficial outcomes of these techniques by referring to classical Chinese cosmology: underage males were considered to have yin energy in their bodies, a condition similar to that in females, aligning with the fundamental principles of the heterosexual art of the bedchamber. Serving as a religious interpretation of emerging cultural trends rather than representing a new cultivation technique, this fictive art legitimizes homosexual practices among males, particularly those adhering to Daoism.
ARCHIMEDE—An Innovative Web-GIS Platform for the Study of Medicanes
Authors: Kushabaha Alok , Scardino Giovanni , Sabato Gaetano , Miglietta Mario Marcello , Flaounas Emmanouil , Monforte Pietro , Marsico Antonella , De Santis Vincenzo , Borzì Alfio Marco , Scicchitano Giovanni
Published: July 2024

Mediterranean hurricanes, also known as medicanes, can cause significant damage to coastal communities. Consequently, they have been the subject of intense study in recent decades. Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and Web-GIS applications are essential for processing and analyzing geographic data from various sources, particularly in the field of spatial planning. Due to their ability to integrate heterogeneous information, these tools can provide experts with a comprehensive overview of relevant geospatial data. Here, we present ARCHIMEDE, a relational geodatabase connected to an open-source Web-GIS platform focused on Mediterranean hurricanes that contains data from recent research on these extreme weather phenomena. These datasets comprise climatic and oceanographic data obtained from remote sensing techniques as well as seismic and geomorphological data obtained from field observations. Consequently, this Web-GIS platform can enhance our understanding of Mediterranean cyclones by relating the physical properties of these natural phenomena with their impacts on coastal regions. ARCHIMEDE is an innovative tool for the dissemination of geographic information to stakeholders, researchers, and decision-makers, offering valuable support for the development of robust coastal management strategies aimed at mitigating the challenges posed by Mediterranean hurricanes.
Winter Wheat Mapping Method Based on Pseudo-Labels and U-Net Model for Training Sample Shortage
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , You Shucheng , Liu Aixia , Xie Lijian , Huang Chenhao , Han Xu , Li Penghan , Wu Yixuan , Deng Jinsong
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the semantic segmentation model has been widely applied in fields such as the extraction of crops due to its advantages such as strong discrimination ability, high accuracy, etc. Currently, there is no standard set of ground true label data for major crops in China, and the visual interpretation process is usually time-consuming and laborious. The sample size also makes it difficult to support the model to learn enough ground features, resulting in poor generalisation ability of the model, which in turn makes the model difficult to apply in fine extraction tasks of large-area crops. In this study, a method to establish a pseudo-label sample set based on the random forest algorithm to train a semantic segmentation model (U-Net) was proposed to perform winter wheat extraction. With the help of the GEE platform, Winter Wheat Canopy Index (WCI) indicators were employed in this method to initially extract winter wheat, and training samples (i.e., pseudo labels) were built for the semantic segmentation model through the iterative process of “generating random sample points—random forest model training—winter wheat extraction”; on this basis, the U-net model was trained with multi-time series remote sensing images; finally, the U-Net model was employed to obtain the spatial distribution map of winter wheat in Henan Province in 2022. The results illustrated that: (1) Pseudo-label data were constructed using the random forest model in typical regions, achieving an overall accuracy of 97.53% under validation with manual samples, proving that its accuracy meets the requirements for U-Net model training. (2) Utilizing the U-Net model, U-Net++ model, and random forest model constructed based on pseudo-label data for 2022, winter wheat mapping was conducted in Henan Province. The extraction accuracy of the three models is in the order of U-Net model > U-Net++ model > random forest model. (3) Using the U-Net model to predict the winter wheat planting areas in Henan Province in 2019, although the extraction accuracy decreased compared to 2022, it still exceeded that of the random forest model. Additionally, the U-Net++ model did not achieve higher classification accuracy. (4) Experimental results demonstrate that deep learning models constructed based on pseudo-labels exhibit higher classification accuracy. Compared to traditional machine learning models like random forest, they have higher spatiotemporal adaptability and robustness, further validating the scientific and practical feasibility of pseudo-labels and their generation strategies, which are expected to provide a feasible technical pathway for intelligent extraction of winter wheat spatial distribution information in the future.
Robust Landslide Recognition Using UAV Datasets: A Case Study in Baihetan Reservoir
Authors: Li Zhi-Hai , Shi An-Chi , Xiao Huai-Xian , Niu Zi-Hao , Jiang Nan , Li Hai-Bo , Hu Yu-Xiang
Published: July 2024

The task of landslide recognition focuses on extracting the location and extent of landslides over large areas, providing ample data support for subsequent landslide research. This study explores the use of UAV and deep learning technologies to achieve robust landslide recognition in a more rational, simpler, and faster manner. Specifically, the widely successful DeepLabV3+ model was used as a blueprint and a dual-encoder design was introduced to reconstruct a novel semantic segmentation model consisting of Encoder1, Encoder2, Mixer and Decoder modules. This model, named DeepLab for Landslide (DeepLab4LS), considers topographic information as a supplement to DeepLabV3+, and is expected to improve the efficiency of landslide recognition by extracting shape information from relative elevation, slope, and hillshade. Additionally, a novel loss function term—Positive Enhanced loss (PE loss)—was incorporated into the training of DeepLab4LS, significantly enhancing its ability to understand positive samples. DeepLab4LS was then applied to a UAV dataset of Baihetan reservoir, where comparative tests demonstrated its high performance in landslide recognition tasks. We found that DeepLab4LS has a stronger inference capability for landslides with less distinct boundary information, and delineates landslide boundaries more precisely. More specifically, in terms of evaluation metrics, DeepLab4LS achieved a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 76.0% on the validation set, which is a substantial 5.5 percentage point improvement over DeepLabV3+. Moreover, the study also validated the rationale behind the dual-encoder design and the introduction of PE loss through ablation experiments. Overall, this research presents a robust semantic segmentation model for landslide recognition that considers both optical and topographic semantics of landslides, emulating the recognition pathways of human experts, and is highly suitable for landslide recognition based on UAV datasets.
An Automated Machine Learning Framework for Adaptive and Optimized Hyperspectral-Based Land Cover and Land-Use Segmentation
Authors: Vali Ava , Comai Sara , Matteucci Matteo
Published: July 2024

Hyperspectral imaging holds significant promise in remote sensing applications, particularly for land cover and land-use classification, thanks to its ability to capture rich spectral information. However, leveraging hyperspectral data for accurate segmentation poses critical challenges, including the curse of dimensionality and the scarcity of ground truth data, that hinder the accuracy and efficiency of machine learning approaches. This paper presents a holistic approach for adaptive optimized hyperspectral-based land cover and land-use segmentation using automated machine learning (AutoML). We address the challenges of high-dimensional hyperspectral data through a revamped machine learning pipeline, thus emphasizing feature engineering tailored to hyperspectral classification tasks. We propose a framework that dissects feature engineering into distinct steps, thus allowing for comprehensive model generation and optimization. This framework incorporates AutoML techniques to streamline model selection, hyperparameter tuning, and data versioning, thus ensuring robust and reliable segmentation results. Our empirical investigation demonstrates the efficacy of our approach in automating feature engineering and optimizing model performance, even without extensive ground truth data. By integrating automatic optimization strategies into the segmentation workflow, our approach offers a systematic, efficient, and scalable solution for hyperspectral-based land cover and land-use classification.
A Priori Estimation of Radar Satellite Interferometry’s Sensitivity for Landslide Monitoring in the Italian Emilia-Romagna Region
Authors: Vecchi Enrica , Tavasci Luca , Giorgini Eugenia , Gandolfi Stefano
Published: July 2024

The InSAR technique is known to be a powerful tool for precise monitoring of wide areas in terms of displacements. It is conceivable to also use this technique to monitor landslide areas, but geometrical distortions due to ground morphology and land cover could make InSAR processing ineffective for such applications. Because of the computational burden of InSAR processing, it is important to have preliminary knowledge about the possible suitability of the technique for the inspected area before acquiring and processing the data. This paper aims to perform a preliminary analysis of the InSAR sensitivity for the specific case of landslide monitoring. A new approach is proposed considering aspects specific to landslide displacements, which are basically tangent to the slope direction. Pre-processed coherence maps were used to account for the impact of land cover. The whole analysis can be carried out without acquiring cumbersome SAR datasets and can be used as a preliminary step. The Italian Emilia-Romagna region has been considered as the study area, with landslide areas accounting for more than 12% of its territory. The outcomes show that the inspected area has favourable morphological conditions, mainly thanks to its mild slopes and the limited number of landslides facing north, but the land cover has a strong negative impact on the InSAR sensitivity. Nevertheless, 7.5% of the landslide areas have promising conditions for monitoring using radar interferometry.
Histogram-Based Edge Detection for River Coastline Mapping Using UAV-Acquired RGB Imagery
Authors: Walusiak Grzegorz , Witek Matylda , Niedzielski Tomasz
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a new approach for delineating river coastlines in RGB close-range nadir aerial imagery acquired by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aimed at facilitating waterline detection through the reduction of the dimensions of a colour space and the use of coarse grids rather than pixels. Since water has uniform brightness, expressed as the value (V) component in the hue, saturation, value (HSV) colour model, the reduction in question is attained by extracting V and investigating its histogram to identify areas where V does not vary considerably. A set of 30 nadir UAV-acquired photos, taken at five different locations in Poland, were used to validate the approach. For 67% of all analysed images (both wide and narrow rivers were photographed), the detection rate was above 50% (with the false hit rate ranged between 5.00% and 61.36%, mean 36.62%). When the analysis was limited to wide rivers, the percentage of images in which detection rate exceeded 50% increased to 80%, and the false hit rates remained similar. Apart from the river width, land cover in the vicinity of the river, as well as uniformity of water colour, were found to be factors which influence the waterline detection performance. Our contribution to the existing knowledge is a rough waterline detection approach based on limited information (only the V band, and grids rather than pixels).