bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurse-led digital health program for home blood pressure monitoring in stroke patients: protocol for a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhang Wei , Mei Zubing , Feng Zaibang , Li Bin
Published: July 2024

Background

Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke recurrence in stroke patients. Home blood pressure monitoring, facilitated by digital health technologies and led by nurses, may improve blood pressure control in this high-risk population. However, the evidence is not yet conclusive. This study protocol outlines a pooled analysis of the current literatures to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led digital health programs for home blood pressure monitoring in stroke patients.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a comprehensive search of some major electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL) and trial registries for randomized controlled trials evaluating nurse-led digital health programs for home blood pressure monitoring in stroke patients. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts, review full-text articles, extract data, and assess risk of bias using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0). The primary outcome measures will be changes in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline to the end of the intervention period. Secondary outcomes include adherence to the program, patient satisfaction, and stroke recurrence. Data will be pooled and analyzed using meta-analysis techniques, if appropriate.

Discussion

This study will provide comprehensive evidence on the effectiveness of nurse-led digital health programs for home blood pressure monitoring in stroke patients. The findings could have substantial implications for clinical practice and health policy, potentially informing the development of guidelines and policies related to hypertension management and stroke prevention.

Conclusion

By pooling the results of randomized controlled trials, this study will offer a robust evidence base to inform clinical practice and health policy in the context of stroke patients. Despite potential limitations such as heterogeneity among studies and risk of publication bias, the rigorous methodology and comprehensive approach to data synthesis will ensure the reliability and validity of the findings. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and potentially at relevant conferences.

Registration DOI

https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/59XQA.
Burnout and personality factors among surgical area nurses: a cross sectional multicentre study
Authors: Velando-Soriano Almudena , Pradas-Hernández Laura , Membrive-Jiménez María José , Suleiman-Martos Nora , Romero-Béjar Jose L. , De La Fuente-Solana Emilia Inmaculada , Cañadas-De La Fuente Guillermo Arturo
Published: July 2024

Objective

To determine levels of burnout among surgical area nurses in Andalusia (Spain), to identify the phase of burnout in each participant and to consider its relationship with sociodemographic, occupational variables and personality factors considered.

Data source

Data were collected by means of questionary. All nurses working in the surgical area on the date of data collection participated in the study. Sociodemographic and related to work variables were addressed in the questionnaire. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Educational-Clinical Questionnaire: Anxiety and Depression (CECAD). Psychological personality variables were assessed using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), adapted for a Spanish population. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).

Study design

Multicentre, cross-sectional, quantitative study carried out from August to October 2021.

Data analysis

Descriptive analysis, Student’s t-test for independent samples, Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression were performed with SPSS 25.0.

Data extraction methods

The study sample consisted of 214 surgical area nurses at 23 hospitals in Andalusia (Spain). Sociodemographic, occupational and personality variables were studied using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Educational-Clinical Questionnaire: Anxiety and Depression. The STROBE statement guidelines were applied.

Principal findings

29.4% of the nurses in the sample presented high levels of emotional exhaustion, 25.7% suffered from depersonalization and 28% had low levels of personal accomplishment. These three dimensions were significantly correlated with the NEO-FFI subscales (neuroticism, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness and extraversion), and with all the anxiety and depression items considered. Agreeableness was a statistically significant predictor (p < 0.001) for all three dimensions of burnout.

Conclusion

Nurses in the surgical area present high levels of Burnout. There is evidence that relates Burnout to personality factors and socio-demographic variables.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of antimicrobial resistance awareness among healthcare workers in India: a systematic review
Authors: Rana Shweta , Kaur Karuna Nidhi , Narad Priyanka , Walia Kamini , Saeed Shazina , Chandra Amrish , Shannawaz Mohd , Singh Harpreet
Published: July 2024

Objectives

The study was conducted to identify and compile gaps in the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) regarding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) among healthcare workers in India.

Methods

A systematic review of published literature from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases was conducted in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria focused on studies evaluating KAP toward AMR among various healthcare workers in India without restricting context to specific diseases. We included articles published from inception to December 2023.

Results

Following the inclusion criterion, 19 studies were selected for the review. The study has a cumulative sample size of 4,544 healthcare providers across India. We found that doctors and medical students have significant knowledge about AMR, followed by nurses and pharmacists. However, the attitudes toward AMR were higher among informal providers, followed by doctors and medical students. The study also observed a gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application of AMR principles among healthcare providers in India.

Conclusion

The study highlights the need for targeted training and policy interventions to bridge the gap between KAP regarding AMR. Healthcare providers can significantly contribute to mitigating AMR threat by improving KAP related to AMR. This systematic review provides a foundation for developing and implementing effective evidence-based strategies to enhance AMR containment in India.
Endoscopy-assisted high cervical anterolateral retropharyngeal approach to clivus: a cadaveric study
Authors: Cicek Caner , Orhun Ömer , Cevik Orhun Mete , Rzayeva Lala , Güdük Mustafa , Usseli Murat İmre , Aksoy Mehmet Emin , Emel Erhan , Pamir M. Necmettin , Bozkurt Baran
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The surgical management of pathologies involving the clivus and craniocervical junction has always been considered a complex procedure because of the deeply located surgical targets and the surrounding complex neural and vascular anatomical structures. The most commonly used approaches to reach this area are the transnasal, transoral, and transcervical approaches.

Material and Methods

This approach was performed unilaterally on five cadaver heads and bilaterally on one cadaver head.

Results

We described a modified endoscope-assisted high cervical anterolateral retropharyngeal approach in which each stage of the procedure was demonstrated on human cadavers in a step-by-step manner using endoscopic camera views. This approach was broken down into nine steps. The neurovascular structures encountered at each step and their relationships with each other are demonstrated.

Discussion

The advantages and disadvantages of our modified approach were compared to the conventional transcervical, transoral, and endoscopic endonasal approaches.
Machine learning algorithms predict canine structural epilepsy with high accuracy
Authors: Flegel Thomas , Neumann Anja , Holst Anna-Lena , Kretzschmann Olivia , Loderstedt Shenja , Tästensen Carina , Gutmann Sarah , Dietzel Josephine , Becker Lisa Franziska , Kalliwoda Theresa , Weiß Vivian , Kowarik Madlene , Böttcher Irene Christine , Martin Christian
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Clinical reasoning in veterinary medicine is often based on clinicians’ personal experience in combination with information derived from publications describing cohorts of patients. Studies on the use of scientific methods for patient individual decision making are largely lacking. This applies to the prediction of the individual underlying pathology in seizuring dogs as well. The aim of this study was to apply machine learning to the prediction of the risk of structural epilepsy in dogs with seizures.

Materials and methods

Dogs with a history of seizures were retrospectively as well as prospectively included. Data about clinical history, neurological examination, diagnostic tests performed as well as the final diagnosis were collected. For data analysis, the Bayesian Network and Random Forest algorithms were used. A total of 33 features for Random Forest and 17 for Bayesian Network were available for analysis. The following four feature selection methods were applied to select features for further analysis: Permutation Importance, Forward Selection, Random Selection and Expert Opinion. The two algorithms Bayesian Network and Random Forest were trained to predict structural epilepsy using the selected features.

Results

A total of 328 dogs of 119 different breeds were identified retrospectively between January 2017 and June 2021, of which 33.2% were diagnosed with structural epilepsy. An overall of 89,848 models were trained. The Bayesian Network in combination with the Random feature selection performed best. It was able to predict structural epilepsy with an accuracy of 0.969 (sensitivity: 0.857, specificity: 1.000) among all dogs with seizures using the following features: age at first seizure, cluster seizures, seizure in last 24 h, seizure in last 6 month, and seizure in last year.

Conclusion

Machine learning algorithms such as Bayesian Networks and Random Forests identify dogs with structural epilepsy with a high sensitivity and specificity. This information could provide some guidance to clinicians and pet owners in their clinical decision-making process.
Distribution Characteristics and Prediction of Temperature and Relative Humidity in a South China Greenhouse
Authors: Wei Xinyu , Li Bin , Lu Huazhong , Guo Jiaming , Dong Zhaojie , Yang Fengxi , Lü Enli , Liu Yanhua
Published: July 2024

South China has a climate characteristic of high temperature and high humidity, and the temperature and relative humidity inside a Venlo greenhouse are higher than those in the atmosphere. This paper studied the effect of ventilation conditions on the spatial and temporal distribution of temperature and relative humidity in a Venlo greenhouse. Two ventilation conditions, with and without a fan-pad system, were studied. A GA + BP neural network was applied to predict the temperature and relative humidity in fan-pad ventilation in the greenhouse. The results show that the temperature in the Venlo greenhouse ranged from 15.8 °C to 48.5 °C, and the relative humidity ranged from 24.9% to 100% during the tomato-planting cycle. The percentage of days when the temperature exceeded 35 °C was 67.3%, and the percentage of days when the average relative humidity exceeded 70% was 83.7%. The maximum temperature differences between the three heights under NV (Natural Ventilation) and FPV (Fan-pad Ventilation) conditions were 3.4 °C and 4.5 °C, respectively. The maximum relative humidity differences between the three heights under NV and FPV conditions were 8.4% and 21.7%, respectively. The maximum temperature difference in the longitudinal section under the FPV conditions was 3.2 °C, while the relative humidity was 11.4%. The cooling efficiency of the fan-pad system ranged from 16.6% to 70.2%. The non-uniform coefficients of the temperature under the FPV conditions were higher than those under the NV conditions, while the nonuniform coefficients of the relative humidity were the highest during the day. The R2, MAE, MAPE and RMSE of the temperature-testing model were 0.91, 0.94, 0.11, and 1.33, respectively, while those of relative humidity model were 0.93, 2.83, 0.10, and 3.86, respectively. The results provide a reference for the design and management of Venlo greenhouses in South China.
Energy and Protein Requirements of Growing Lambs in Colombian Highlands
Authors: Avellaneda Yesid , Mancipe Edgar , Vargas Juan , Manriquez Diego
Published: July 2024

Determining the nutritional requirements of lambs is necessary to formulate balanced rations and contribute to sustainable sheep production systems. However, limited information is available regarding the nutritional requirements of growing lambs in the Colombian highlands. Twenty-two Romney Marsh males were used. Initially, four lambs were slaughtered at 20 kg body weight (BW). The remaining 18 lambs were distributed into two groups, according to BW (light: 20 BW and heavy: 30 kg BW). Lambs were randomly allocated into one of three different nutritional schemes, according to voluntary intake (no restriction, and 25 and 50% restriction). All the animals received a totally mixed ration. When a voluntary-fed lamb gained 10 kg BW, the two other lambs restricted to 25 and 50% were slaughtered and dissected into components to determine protein and gross energy concentration. Energy and protein accumulation were analyzed through regression analysis. The net energy for maintenance was 82.3 kcal/kg BW0.75, while the energy efficiencies for maintenance and gain were 0.72 and 0.29, respectively. Crude protein for maintenance was 1.78 g/kg BW0.75, and the nitrogen efficiencies for maintenance and gain were 0.41 and 0.27, respectively. The maintenance requirement of energy was greater, while protein was similarly related to values reported in the literature; however, the efficiency of energy and protein use was lower in growing lambs. These results suggested that estimating energy and nitrogen requirements for growing lambs must be adjusted in Colombian highland conditions.
Bayesian Meta-Analysis: Impacts of Eating Habits and Habitats on Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Composition and Growth in Cultured Fish
Authors: Wu Yuanbing , Rashidpour Ania , Metón Isidoro
Published: July 2024

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) offer protective benefits against various pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis, obesity, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Marine fish and seafood are the primary sources of n-3 LC-PUFAs in the human diet. However, the inclusion of fish oil in aquafeeds is declining due to limited availability, fluctuating prices, sustainability concerns, and replacement with vegetable oils. While comprehensive narrative reviews on the impact of substituting fish oil with vegetable oil in aquafeeds exist, quantitative studies are relatively scarce and mainly focused on comparing the source of vegetable oils. Herein, we employed, for the first time, a Bayesian meta-analysis approach, collecting research data from 81 articles to quantitatively analyze the effects of dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels on the n-3 LC-PUFA composition and growth performance in cultured fish. Our findings indicate that with the exception of herbivorous fish, dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels significantly affect the EPA and DHA levels in the livers and muscles of carnivorous, omnivorous, freshwater, and marine fish. Additionally, the growths of freshwater and herbivorous fish were less affected by changes in dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels compared to that of carnivorous and marine fish.
Lupin Seed Supplementation as a Functional Feed Additive: In Vitro Ruminal Gas, Methane and Carbon Dioxide Production, Fermentation Kinetics, and Nutrient Degradability
Authors: Morsy Tarek A. , Kholif Ahmed E. , Adegbeye Moyòsore J. , Olafadehan Olurotimi A. , Gouda Gouda A. , Fahmy Mahmoud , Chahine Mireille
Published: July 2024

The inevitable enteric gas emission from ruminants is considered a modern-day problem from an environmental perspective. Addressing this problem requires nutritional approaches such as the use of phytogenic additives in ruminant diets. In this regard, lupin seed (LS) can be a useful additive due to its phytochemical constituents. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed supplementation as a functional and sustainable feed additive in sheep diet (50:50 concentrate-to-forage ratio) on in vitro gas production (GP; mL/g DM), methane (CH4; mL/g DM) and carbon dioxide (CO2; mL/g DM) emissions, fermentation parameters, and nutrient degradability (g/kg DM incubated). Gas production and CH4 were measured per gram of incubated dry matter (DM), degradable DM (dDM), degradable neutral detergent fiber (dNDF), and degradable acid detergent fiber (dADF). Lupin seeds were included at 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2% of the diet. The seeds contained 3.27% essential oils (DM basis), with eucalyptol as the main phytochemical. The highest GP per gram of DM and dDM was observed (p < 0.01) with 2.0% LS supplementation level. While 1.0% LS had the highest GP per gram of dNDF, 0.5% lupin diet had the highest GP per gram of dADF. Asymptotic GP and CH4 emissions linearly and quadratically increased (p < 0.01) with increasing LS level, while lag time decreased. Despite increased CH4 production, the proportion of CH4 in total biogas was lower (p = 0.008) for LS treatments than the control, with the 0.5% LS showing the lowest CH4 proportion. Production of CO2 increased with lupin seed treatments, with 0.5% LS producing the highest proportion (p = 0.027). Degradability of DM, NDF, and ADF was greater (p < 0.01) for the high LS supplementation level, while 0.5% supplementation level decreased ADF degradability. Total short-chain fatty acids, acetic acid, and propionic acid increased (p < 0.05) with LS supplementation level, leading to a reduced acetate:propionate ratio. Rumen pH decreased (p = 0.036) with LS supplementation, while ammonia-N decreased (p = 0.045) and estimated metabolizable energy increased (p < 0.001) linearly. Calculated microbial protein synthesis (p = 0.005) and gas yield (p = 0.047) increased with LS supplementation level. LS supplementation at 2.0% of diet (DM basis) increased GP and CH4 emission (mL/g DM) and enhanced nutrient degradability, suggesting its potential use as a functional feed additive for ruminants when supplemented at a 2.0% level into diet.
Attachment as the Catalyst for the Attribution of Complex Cognition and Emotion to Companion Cats
Authors: Vonk Jennifer , Bouma Esther M. C.
Published: July 2024

Companion cat caregivers ascribe complex emotions and cognitions to their cats, and these attributions are greater with a stronger attachment to their animals. We compared attributions of emotional and cognitive complexity to cats in cat caregivers and non-caregivers. We measured attitudes toward animals, belief in animal minds, caregivers’ strength of attachment, and attachment style with a particular companion cat in 448 university students, of whom 251 had owned a cat. We asked the extent to which respondents thought that cats were capable of expressing primary and secondary emotions and cognitive capabilities. Caregivers significantly differed from non-caregivers only in the attribution of primary emotions. Belief in animal minds predicted the attribution of secondary emotions and cognition. For caregivers only, avoidant attachment style was negatively associated with the attribution of primary emotions, whereas attachment strength was positively associated with the attribution of secondary emotions and cognition. These abilities may have greater discriminatory power as most respondents ascribe primary emotions to cats, perhaps for anthropomorphic reasons. Housing conditions (indoor and outdoor) were not associated with attributions, suggesting that bonds are more important than time spent together within the home in predicting the attribution of emotional and cognitive complexity in cats.
Monosymmetros Cephalothoracopagus Tetrabrachius and Tetrapus Piglets with Syndromic Evolution
Authors: Marc Simona , Crăciun Ioan Claudiu , Sicoe Bogdan , Savici Jelena , Boldura Oana Maria , Paul Cristina , Otavă Gabriel , Văduva Cristina , Stancu Adrian
Published: July 2024

Conjoined twins are rare congenital malformations that have been reported in mammals. Two different cases are presented in this study. Case No. 1 features monocephalic, thoracopagus-conjoined twin piglets with anencephaly and palatoschisis of the Pietrain breed, and case No. 2 features monocephalic, thoracopagus conjoined twin piglets with palatoschisis and bifid root tongue of a mixed breed. These cases were examined using post-mortem and computed tomography (CT) examinations. In both cases, the conjoined symmetrical twins had a single head, one neck, and fused thoracic cavities, while the abdominal cavities were separated. Similarly, in both cases, they had four forelimbs and four hindlimbs and duplicated foramen magnum. During CT examination, in case No. 1, severe abnormalities were observed in the skull and vertebral column. In the left twin, occult dysraphism was seen from the C2 vertebra until the end of the vertebral column, and in the right twin, from the C3 vertebra until the end of the state vertebral level. In case No. 2, the oral cavity contained a tongue with a bifid root connected with one hyoid bone, and the soft palate presented a small cleft. During CT examination, the parietal bone and the occipital bones were partially duplicated. This case also presented occult dysraphism, but only in the cervical vertebrae, C1–C6 for the left twin and C1–C5 for the right twin. In both cases, abnormalities of the internal organs were revealed during necropsy. Conjoined twins with multiple congenital anomalies presented here enhance our understanding of the various clinical forms of conjoined cases in veterinary medicine.
Safety of Gonadal Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Geriatric Dogs with Chronic Disease
Authors: Jeung So-Young , An Ju-Hyun , Kim Sung-Soo , Youn Hwa-Young
Published: July 2024

Ensuring the safety of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a fundamental requirement in clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the safety of using gonadal tissue-derived MSCs (n = 10) compared to the commonly utilized adipose tissue-derived MSCs (n = 9) in geriatric dogs with chronic diseases. All participants received allogeneic MSC therapy, and no allergic reactions due to allogeneic cell immunogenicity were noted. Both groups showed no adverse changes in physical exams or hematological parameters before and after therapy. Importantly, there were no instances of tumor formation or growth post-treatment in either group. The findings demonstrated that dogs treated with gonadal tissue-derived MSCs experienced no clinical adverse effects. However, clinical adverse effects were reported in one case of adipose tissue-derived MSC therapy. Despite limitations in monitoring beyond one year and constraints due to a small and diverse patient group, this pioneering study validates the safe use of gonadal tissue-derived MSCs in aged companion animals. It underscores the potential of utilizing tissues from neutering procedures to advance regenerative medicine and expand cell banks and therapy options for companion animals.
Rape Myths and Verdict Systems: What Is Influencing Conviction Rates in Rape Trials in Scotland?
Authors: Curley Lee John , Lages Martin , Sime Pamela J. , Munro James
Published: July 2024

The Scottish verdict system includes three verdicts: ‘guilty’, ‘not guilty’ and ‘not proven’. Politicians propose that the three-verdict system is partially to blame for the low conviction rate of rape, whereas research suggests that rape myths may be having a larger impact. To test the effects of varying verdict systems (guilty, not guilty and not proven; guilty and not guilty; a series of proven and not proven verdicts) and rape myths on juror verdicts. A total of 180 participants answered questions regarding their acceptance of rape myths using the Acceptance of Modern Myth and Sexual Aggression (AMMSA) scale. They then watched a staged rape trial filmed in a real courtroom and reached a verdict. Participants also provided longer-form answers on which thematical analysis was conducted. The main findings are as follows: (1) The special verdict system leads to a higher conviction rate than the other systems when rape myth acceptance is controlled for. (2) The higher the rape myth acceptance, the more favourably the accused was perceived and the less favourably the complainer was perceived.
Bond Behavior and Failure Mechanisms of the Interface between Engineered Cementitious Composites and Shaped Steel
Authors: Pan Jiaojiao , Huang Zhenbin , Lu Tingting , Deng Mingke
Published: July 2024

Due to their excellent ductility and crack-control ability, engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) combined with shaped steel can produce steel-reinforced engineering cementitious composite (SRECC) structures which exhibit significant advantages in prefabricated buildings. The interface bond behavior is the base for the cooperative working performance of the shaped steel and ECC. This study included push-out tests of one ordinary concrete control specimen and ten ECC specimens. The various parameters were the ECC compressive strength, fiber volume content, cover thickness, and the embedded length of shaped steel. The bond stress–slip curves at the loading and free end were obtained, and the effects of various parameters on the characteristic points of curves were analyzed. The results indicated that the ordinary concrete specimen failed in brittle splitting, with the cracks completely penetrating the surface of the specimen. Due to the fiber-bridging effect in ECCs effectively preventing the development and extension of cracks, the shaped steel at the free end was obviously pushed out, and the surrounding matrix maintained good integrity after testing finished. For ECC specimens, bond or splitting-bond failure occurred, exhibiting outstanding ductility. Compared with the ordinary concrete specimen, the standard ultimate and residual bond strength of ECC specimens improved by 37.9% and 27.4%, respectively. Besides the increase in ECC compressive strength, the fiber volume content and cover thickness had a significant positive influence on the ultimate and residual bond strength, whereas the effect of the embedded length was the opposite. Finally, the calculation equations of characteristic bond strength were proposed, and the calculated values matched well with the experimental values.
Controlling Seepage Flow Beneath Hydraulic Structures: Effects of Floor Openings and Sheet Pile Wall Cracks
Authors: Farouk Mohamed
Published: July 2024

Using one opening (filter) within the floors of hydraulic structures is a known technique to relieve the seepage effects on their floors. In this study, a new method to control seepage flow by using two identical filters instead of one was tackled numerically. A comparative analysis of using one versus two filters was conducted for different thicknesses of the permeable stratum, apron size (b), filter length, and sheet pile wall depths. Results indicate that two filters are considerably more effective than using one where the overall uplift force, the maximum potential head, and the hydraulic exit gradient downstream of the floor are reduced to 42–56%, 42–51%, and 66–76%, respectively, compared to one filter, while slightly increasing seepage flow by 1–7%. Many reasons can lead to horizontal openings (cracks) appearing along the sheet pile walls beneath hydraulic structures. The current study tackled their effects on seepage flow for the first time and examined their impact on the floor. A crack in the upstream sheet pile wall can increase total uplift forces by up to 40%, while a crack in the downstream sheet pile wall can increase the hydraulic exit gradient by up to 230%
Green Skepticism? How Do Chinese College Students Feel about Green Retrofitting of College Sports Stadiums?
Authors: Hou Yuyang , Chen Sen , Zhang Yujie , Yao Zhening , Huang Qian
Published: July 2024

This paper examined the factors influencing Chinese college students’ psychological perceptions of green retrofitting of college sports stadiums. It focused on the roles of green skepticism, future rational cognition, and future perceptual cognition. A total of 551 college students from five universities in Xi’an were tested. The results indicated that college students’ green skepticism, future rational cognition, future perceptual cognition, and psychological perceptions of green retrofitting of college sports stadiums were at a moderate level and that green skepticism had a significant and negative influence on college students’ psychological perceptions of green retrofitting of college sports stadiums. Green skepticism was a significant negative predictor of environmental values (β = −0.183, p < 0.001), natural empathy (β = −0.164, p < 0.001), and moral elevation (β = −0.187, p < 0.001). In addition, future rational cognition and future perceptual cognition served as parallel mediators in the college students’ psychological perceptions of green retrofitting of stadiums. It is notable that the mediating effect of future rational cognition was greater than that of future perceptual cognition. The findings indicate that resolving green skepticism and enhancing transparency and trust are crucial for enhancing college students’ psychological perceptions and the behavioral benefits of green retrofitting of college sports stadiums. Furthermore, the facilitating effect of future rational cognition and future perceptual cognition assists college students in making more rational and ethical decisions and in garnering broad support for environmental actions.
Seismic Response and Collapse Analysis of a Transmission Tower Structure: Assessing the Impact of the Damage Accumulation Effect
Authors: Nie Pingping , Liu Haiqing , Wang Yunlong , Han Siyu
Published: July 2024

This paper delves into the impact of the damage accumulation effect, which leads to the degradation of material strength and stiffness, on the seismic resistance of transmission towers. Building upon the elastic–plastic finite element theory, a mixed hardening constitutive model is derived for circular steel tubes, standard elements in transmission towers, incorporating the damage accumulation effect. A user material subroutine, UMAT, is created within the LS–DYNA framework. The program’s validity and reliability are established through axial constant–amplitude loading tests on single steel tubes. The subroutine is employed to conduct the incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) of an individual transmission tower and to contrast it with the structure utilizing the Plastic Kinematic material model, assessing the discrepancies in tower top displacements and segment damage indices (SDIs) at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. The results shows that the Plastic Kinematic model inflates the seismic performance of the transmission tower. When considering the damage accumulation effect in structural failure, the damage index of the members increases, leading to a reduction in both the structural strength and stiffness. The dynamic response in the plastic phase becomes more pronounced, and the onset of structural failure is accelerated. Consequently, structural analysis under seismic conditions should account for the damage accumulation process. Through the delineation of member and segment damage, the extent of damage to transmission tower segments can be quantitatively assessed. Subsequently, the ultimate load–bearing capacity and the most vulnerable location of the transmission tower can be ascertained. Finally, this paper provides a detailed analysis of the transmission tower collapse process under seismic action and summarizes the mechanism of collapse for the structure.
An AprilTags-Based Approach for Progress Monitoring and Quality Control in Modular Construction
Authors: Liu Jindian , Ergan Semiha , Zhang Qilin
Published: July 2024

Traditional approaches to modular construction progress monitoring and quality control with stringent and tight tolerances for on-site and off-site assembly processes are usually based on 3D laser scanning, but the high equipment costs associated with acquiring point clouds have economic ramifications. This paper provides the details of a new and inexpensive method through the integration of AprilTags and an ordinary phone. By using AprilTags instead of QR codes to label modules, progress management is achieved through the rapid identification and association of multiple modules based on a single image. Moreover, a virtual multi-view vision algorithm based on AprilTags is proposed to generate 3D reverse models of the construction site; the quality result can be acquired by comparing the offset and rotation values of the reverse model and the BIM model. Finally, all the algorithms are validated through comparing the reverse models with the reference models made with 3D printing and 3D laser scanning, which verifies the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.
Study on the Bearing Capacity of the Polyethylene Pipe–Cured-In-Place Pipe Liner Composite Structure under External Pressure
Authors: Wang Xinyi , Zeng Cong , Yan Xuefeng , Zhang Peng
Published: July 2024

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology is used to repair deformed municipal polyethylene (PE) pipes caused by design flaws, construction issues, or external loads. However, research on CIPP for PE pipes is limited, restricting its broader application. This research focuses on the mechanical response characteristics and failure modes of the composite PE pipe–CIPP liner structure under external loads. Using experimental setups involving comparative test groups with different diameters and wall thickness ratios (DR values, defined as the ratio of the pipe’s outer diameter to its wall thickness), this study evaluates the effects of the liner’s elastic modulus, the bonding effectiveness at the PE pipe–CIPP liner interface, and the initial ovality of the pipes on the load-bearing capacity. The experimental results reveal that CIPP liners substantially enhance the stiffness and load-bearing capacity of PE pipes, with improvements ranging from 200% to nearly 500% depending on the pipe’s DR value. A novel ring stiffness prediction model is also introduced and validated against the experimental data. This model provides a theoretical framework for understanding the complex interactions at the PE pipe–CIPP liner interface and aids in designing more resilient urban drainage systems.
Study on the Influence of Wind Fairing Parameters on the Aerodynamic Performance of Long-Span Double-Deck Steel Truss Suspension Bridge
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Long , Yao Gang , Wu Bo , Wang Dawu , Yu Hui , Qu Hao
Published: July 2024

A long-span double-deck steel truss suspension bridge is easy to produce vortex-induced vibration (VIV) at low air velocity, which affects bridge service life. Additional aerodynamic measures play a role in suppressing VIV by changing the aerodynamic shape, which is a common control method. As the main aerodynamic measure to suppress the VIV response, wind fairing is widely used in engineering practice. In order to obtain the optimal additional position and shape parameters of the fairing, Huangjuetuo Yangtze River Bridge is the research target. Through the combination of a wind tunnel test and numerical simulation, the VIV response of the original and fairing section is studied. Based on data analysis, it is revealed that these additional fairings to the upper chord can significantly reduce the VIV response. When the shape parameters of the fairing are h/D = 1/4 and l/D = 1, the VIV inhibition efficiency is the highest, which can reach 65.51%. By analyzing the flow distribution, it can be seen that VIV is caused mainly by vortex separation in the upper bridge board area. Although this wind fairing does not change the original vortex shedding forms, it changes the first separation point and movement direction of the airflow, making the vortex scale generated by the airflow smaller and the vorticity lower, thus effectively suppressing VIV.
Fibroblasts Promote Resistance to KRAS Silencing in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Oliveira Susana Mendonça , Carvalho Patrícia Dias , Serra-Roma André , Oliveira Patrícia , Ribeiro Andreia , Carvalho Joana , Martins Flávia , Machado Ana Luísa , Oliveira Maria José , Velho Sérgia
Published: July 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) responses to KRAS-targeted inhibition have been limited due to low response rates, the mechanisms of which remain unknown. Herein, we explored the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) secretome as a mediator of resistance to KRAS silencing. CRC cell lines HCT15, HCT116, and SW480 were cultured either in recommended media or in conditioned media from a normal colon fibroblast cell line (CCD-18Co) activated with rhTGF-β1 to induce a CAF-like phenotype. The expression of membrane stem cell markers was analyzed by flow cytometry. Stem cell potential was evaluated by a sphere formation assay. RNAseq was performed in KRAS-silenced HCT116 colonospheres treated with either control media or conditioned media from CAFs. Our results demonstrated that KRAS-silencing up-regulated CD24 and down-regulated CD49f and CD104 in the three cell lines, leading to a reduction in sphere-forming efficiency. However, CAF-secreted factors restored stem cell marker expression and increased stemness. RNA sequencing showed that CAF-secreted factors up-regulated genes associated with pro-tumorigenic pathways in KRAS-silenced cells, including KRAS, TGFβ, NOTCH, WNT, MYC, cell cycle progression and exit from quiescence, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune regulation. Overall, our results suggest that resistance to KRAS-targeted inhibition might derive not only from cell-intrinsic causes but also from external elements, such as fibroblast-secreted factors.
Collection of Rare Peripheral Nerve Tumors—Insights from the German Registry
Authors: Grübel Nadja , Antoniadis Gregor , Uerschels Anne-Kathrin , Gembruch Oliver , Marschal Vera , Deininger Stefanie , König Ralph , Pala Andrej , Bremer Juliane , Dengler Nora F. , Reuter Melanie , Wirtz Christian Rainer , Pedro Maria Teresa
Published: July 2024

The most common peripheral nerve tumors are of a benign nature and include schwannoma or neurofibroma. In rare cases, other tumors or non-tumorous lesions can mimic peripheral nerve tumors clinically or radiologically. Based on data from the multicentric German Peripheral Nerve Tumor Registry (PNTR), which encompasses current information on 315 surgically treated patients from three high-volume centers, we present 61 cases of rare tumors and lesions that mimic tumors associated with peripheral nerves. This cohort displays considerable heterogeneity, featuring a broad spectrum of morphological features and biological potentials. Histopathological diagnoses include various intrinsic peripheral nerve tumors such as malignant peripheral nerve tumors (MPNSTs) (n = 13), perineurioma (n = 17), and hybrid nerve sheath tumors (HPNSTs, comprising schwannoma/perineurioma and schwannoma/neurofibroma) (n = 14), as well as atypical neurofibromatous neoplasm with unknown biological potential (ANNUBP) (n = 1). Additionally, the cohort encompasses extrinsic tumorous lesions like lymphoma (n = 3), lymphangioma (n = 2), hemangioma (n = 2), solitary fibrous tumor (n = 2), metastatic disease (n = 1), and single cases of other rare tumor entities (n = 6). An overview of the underlying pathology, imaging features, and clinical presentation is provided, with a brief description of each entity. A definitive preoperative differentiation between benign peripheral nerve tumors and rare intrinsic and extrinsic tumors is often not possible. Clinical examination and subtle imaging clues can at least indicate the possibility of a rare entity. The basic requirement is close cooperation between radiologists, neurologists, neuropathologists, and neurosurgeons at a specialized center to develop a multidisciplinary concept and offer the patient the best therapeutic approaches.
Exploring the Role of GITR/GITRL Signaling: From Liver Disease to Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Papadakos Stavros P. , Chatzikalil Elena , Vakadaris Georgios , Reppas Lampros , Arvanitakis Konstantinos , Koufakis Theocharis , Siakavellas Spyros I. , Manolakopoulos Spilios , Germanidis Georgios , Theocharis Stamatios
Published: July 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and presents a continuously growing incidence and high mortality rates worldwide. Besides advances in diagnosis and promising results of pre-clinical studies, established curative therapeutic options for HCC are not currently available. Recent progress in understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) interactions has turned the scientific interest to immunotherapy, revolutionizing the treatment of patients with advanced HCC. However, the limited number of HCC patients who benefit from current immunotherapeutic options creates the need to explore novel targets associated with improved patient response rates and potentially establish them as a part of novel combinatorial treatment options. Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR) belongs to the TNFR superfamily (TNFRSF) and promotes CD8+ and CD4+ effector T-cell function with simultaneous inhibition of Tregs function, when activated by its ligand, GITRL. GITR is currently considered a potential immunotherapy target in various kinds of neoplasms, especially with the concomitant use of programmed cell-death protein-1 (PD-1) blockade. Regarding liver disease, a high GITR expression in liver progenitor cells has been observed, associated with impaired hepatocyte differentiation, and decreased progenitor cell-mediated liver regeneration. Considering real-world data proving its anti-tumor effect and recently published evidence in pre-clinical models proving its involvement in pre-cancerous liver disease, the idea of its inclusion in HCC therapeutic options theoretically arises. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence supporting targeting GITR/GITRL signaling as a potential treatment strategy for advanced HCC.
A Novel Pyrazole Exhibits Potent Anticancer Cytotoxicity via Apoptosis, Cell Cycle Arrest, and the Inhibition of Tubulin Polymerization in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Borrego Edgar A. , Guerena Cristina D. , Schiaffino Bustamante Austre Y. , Gutierrez Denisse A. , Valenzuela Carlos A. , Betancourt Ana P. , Varela-Ramirez Armando , Aguilera Renato J.
Published: July 2024

In this study, we screened a chemical library to find potent anticancer compounds that are less cytotoxic to non-cancerous cells. This study revealed that pyrazole PTA-1 is a potent anticancer compound. Additionally, we sought to elucidate its mechanism of action (MOA) in triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cytotoxicity was analyzed with the differential nuclear staining assay (DNS). Additional secondary assays were performed to determine the MOA of the compound. The potential MOA of PTA-1 was assessed using whole RNA sequencing, Connectivity Map (CMap) analysis, in silico docking, confocal microscopy, and biochemical assays. PTA-1 is cytotoxic at a low micromolar range in 17 human cancer cell lines, demonstrating less cytotoxicity to non-cancerous human cells, indicating a favorable selective cytotoxicity index (SCI) for the killing of cancer cells. PTA-1 induced phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase-3/7 activation, and DNA fragmentation in triple-negative breast MDA-MB-231 cells, indicating that it induces apoptosis. Additionally, PTA-1 arrests cells in the S and G2/M phases. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed that PTA-1 altered the expression of 730 genes at 24 h (198 upregulated and 532 downregulated). A comparison of these gene signatures with those within CMap indicated a profile similar to that of tubulin inhibitors. Subsequent studies revealed that PTA-1 disrupts microtubule organization and inhibits tubulin polymerization. Our results suggest that PTA-1 is a potent drug with cytotoxicity to various cancer cells, induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and inhibits tubulin polymerization, indicating that PTA-1 is an attractive drug for future clinical cancer treatment.
Fat Phagocytosis Promotes Anti-Inflammatory Responses of Macrophages in a Mouse Model of Osteonecrosis
Authors: Deng Zhuo , Kim Harry K. W. , Hernandez Paula A. , Ren Yinshi
Published: July 2024

Osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head (ONFH) is a devastating bone disease affecting over 20 million people worldwide. ONFH is caused by a disruption of the blood supply, leading to necrotic cell death and increased inflammation. Macrophages are the key cells mediating the inflammatory responses in ON. It is unclear what the dynamic phenotypes of macrophages are and what mechanisms may affect macrophage polarization and, therefore, the healing process. In our preliminary study, we found that there is an invasion of macrophages into the repair tissue during ON healing. Interestingly, in both ONFH patients and a mouse ON model, fat was co-labeled within macrophages using immunofluorescence staining, indicating the phagocytosis of fat by macrophages. To study the effects of fat phagocytosis on the macrophage phenotype, we set up an in vitro macrophage and fat co-culture system. We found that fat phagocytosis significantly decreased M1 marker expression, such as IL1β and iNOS, in macrophages, whereas the expression of the M2 marker Arg1 was significantly increased with fat phagocytosis. To investigate whether the polarization change is indeed mediated by phagocytosis, we treated the cells with Latrunculin A (LA, which inhibits actin polymerization and phagocytosis). LA supplementation significantly reversed the polarization marker gene changes induced by fat phagocytosis. To provide an unbiased transcriptional gene analysis, we submitted the RNA for bulk RNA sequencing. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis revealed that the top upregulated genes were related to anti-inflammatory responses, while proinflammatory genes were significantly downregulated. Additionally, using pathway enrichment and network analyses (Metascape), we confirmed that gene-enriched categories related to proinflammatory responses were significantly downregulated in macrophages with fat phagocytosis. Finally, we validated the similar macrophage phenotype changes in vivo. To summarize, we discovered that fat phagocytosis occurs in both ONFH patients and an ON mouse model, which inhibits proinflammatory responses with increased anabolic gene expression in macrophages. This fat-phagocytosis-induced macrophage phenotype is consistent with the in vivo changes shown in the ON mouse model. Our study reveals a novel phagocytosis-mediated macrophage polarization mechanism in ON, which fills in our knowledge gaps of macrophage functions and provides new concepts in macrophage immunomodulation as a promising treatment for ON.