bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A linguistic analysis of dehumanization toward substance use across three decades of news articles
Authors: Giorgi Salvatore , Habib Daniel Roy Sadek , Bellew Douglas , Sherman Garrick , Curtis Brenda
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Substances and the people who use them have been dehumanized for decades. As a result, lawmakers and healthcare providers have implemented policies that subjected millions to criminalization, incarceration, and inadequate resources to support health and wellbeing. While there have been recent shifts in public opinion on issues such as legalization, in the case of marijuana in the U.S., or addiction as a disease, dehumanization and stigma are still leading barriers for individuals seeking treatment. Integral to the narrative of “substance users” as thoughtless zombies or violent criminals is their portrayal in popular media, such as films and news.

Methods

This study attempts to quantify the dehumanization of people who use substances (PWUS) across time using a large corpus of over 3 million news articles. We apply a computational linguistic framework for measuring dehumanization across three decades of New York Times articles.

Results

We show that (1) levels of dehumanization remain high and (2) while marijuana has become less dehumanized over time, attitudes toward other substances such as heroin and cocaine remain stable.

Discussion

This work highlights the importance of a holistic view of substance use that places all substances within the context of addiction as a disease, prioritizes the humanization of PWUS, and centers around harm reduction.
Assessing the cost-effectiveness of annual COVID-19 booster vaccination in South Korea using a transmission dynamic model
Authors: Choi Wongyeong , Shim Eunha
Published: November 2023

Introduction

We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of South Korea’s planned annual coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster campaign scheduled for October 2023.

Materials and methods

An age-structured mathematical model was used to analyze the public impacts and cost-effectiveness of vaccination across three vaccination strategies: uniform allocation and prioritizing those over 65 or those over 50 years old. We calculated the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) from both healthcare and societal perspectives. The maximum vaccine cost for cost-effectiveness was also identified.

Results

Our analysis highlights the cost-effectiveness of South Korea’s annual COVID-19 vaccination program in mitigating health and economic impacts. The most cost-effective strategy is uniform vaccine allocation, offering the lowest incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) at US$ 25,787/QALY. However, with a relatively high attack rate, the strategy prioritizing individuals over 65 years emerges as more cost-effective, lowering the ICER to US$ 13,785/QALY. Prioritizing those over 50 was less cost-effective. All strategies were cost-saving from a societal perspective, with cost-effectiveness being more sensitive to vaccine price than to its effectiveness.

Discussion

Our results imply a potential strategy shift in current vaccination plan, with uniform vaccine distribution being more cost-effective than prioritizing older adults. Early estimation of viral transmissibility and vaccine effectiveness is crucial in determining the most cost-effective vaccine allocation approach.
A comprehensive review of microbial contamination in the indoor environment: sources, sampling, health risks, and mitigation strategies
Authors: Chawla Hitikk , Anand Purnima , Garg Kritika , Bhagat Neeru , Varmani Shivani G. , Bansal Tanu , McBain Andrew J. , Marwah Ruchi Gulati
Published: November 2023

The quality of the indoor environment significantly impacts human health and productivity, especially given the amount of time individuals spend indoors globally. While chemical pollutants have been a focus of indoor air quality research, microbial contaminants also have a significant bearing on indoor air quality. This review provides a comprehensive overview of microbial contamination in built environments, covering sources, sampling strategies, and analysis methods. Microbial contamination has various origins, including human occupants, pets, and the outdoor environment. Sampling strategies for indoor microbial contamination include air, surface, and dust sampling, and various analysis methods are used to assess microbial diversity and complexity in indoor environments. The review also discusses the health risks associated with microbial contaminants, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and their products in indoor air, highlighting the need for evidence-based studies that can relate to specific health conditions. The importance of indoor air quality is emphasized from the perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic. A section of the review highlights the knowledge gap related to microbiological burden in indoor environments in developing countries, using India as a representative example. Finally, potential mitigation strategies to improve microbiological indoor air quality are briefly reviewed.
Idobata-Nagaya: a community housing solution for socially isolated older adults following the great East Japan earthquake
Authors: Abe Toshiki , Saito Hiroaki , Moriyama Nobuaki , Ito Naomi , Takita Morihito , Kinoshita Yuri , Ozaki Akihiko , Nishikawa Yoshitaka , Yamamoto Chika , Zhao Tianchen , Sato Mika , Tsubokura Masaharu
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the living environment of socially isolated older adults has become a pressing concern. In response, Nagaya, a collective housing program, was established in Soma City, Fukushima, Japan to address social isolation among older adults and support their long-term health. This study aimed to identify characteristics of individuals in Nagaya and examine the sustainability of this initiative.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of residents who were relocated to Nagaya, emphasizing their characteristics, the continuity of their stay in Nagaya, and their care certification levels, using data up to December 31, 2022. We employed Kaplan–Meier curves to analyze the duration for which residents continued to reside in Nagaya and the time leading up to the requiring care-level certification.

Results

Of 65 people who moved to Nagaya after the disaster, 30 people (46.2%) continued to live there, 21 (32.3%) died during their stay, and 14 (21.5%) moved out. The overall duration of occupancy averaged 6.39 years (SD 3.83 years). The proportion of requiring care-level certification occurrences per person-year was 0.0577 for those without care certification and 0.3358 for those with requiring support level at the time of moving in.

Conclusion

In summary, Nagaya-style communal housing may offer suitable living environments for older adults with diverse needs during disasters and serve as a valuable tool for developing public policies in aging societies.
FAIR+E pathogen data for surveillance and research: lessons from COVID-19
Authors: Neves Aitana , Cuesta Isabel , Hjerde Erik , Klemetsen Terje , Salgado David , van Helden Jacques , Rahman Nadim , Fatima Nazeefa , Karathanasis Nestoras , Zmora Pawel , Åkerström Wolmar Nyberg , Grellscheid Sushma Nagaraja , Waheed Zahra , Blomberg Niklas
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has exemplified the importance of interoperable and equitable data sharing for global surveillance and to support research. While many challenges could be overcome, at least in some countries, many hurdles within the organizational, scientific, technical and cultural realms still remain to be tackled to be prepared for future threats. We propose to (i) continue supporting global efforts that have proven to be efficient and trustworthy toward addressing challenges in pathogen molecular data sharing; (ii) establish a distributed network of Pathogen Data Platforms to (a) ensure high quality data, metadata standardization and data analysis, (b) perform data brokering on behalf of data providers both for research and surveillance, (c) foster capacity building and continuous improvements, also for pandemic preparedness; (iii) establish an International One Health Pathogens Portal, connecting pathogen data isolated from various sources (human, animal, food, environment), in a truly One Health approach and following FAIR principles. To address these challenging endeavors, we have started an ELIXIR Focus Group where we invite all interested experts to join in a concerted, expert-driven effort toward sustaining and ensuring high-quality data for global surveillance and research.
Shared decision making in sarcopenia treatment
Authors: An Kang , Wu Zengxiang , Qiu Yu , Pan Mengjia , Zhang Lin , An Zhenmei , Li Shuangqing
Published: November 2023

The implementation of shared decision making (SDM) in management of sarcopenia is still in its nascent stage, especially compared to other areas of medical research. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the importance of SDM in older adults care. The current study overviews general SDM practices and explores the potential advantages and dilemmas of incorporating these concepts into sarcopenia management. We present common patient decision aids available for sarcopenia management and propose future research directions. SDM can be effectively integrated into daily practice with the aid of structured techniques, such as the “seek, help, assess, reach, evaluate” approach, “making good decisions in collaboration” questions, “benefits, risks, alternatives, doing nothing” tool, or “multifocal approach to sharing in shared decision making.” Such techniques fully consider patient values and preferences, thereby enhancing adherence to and satisfaction with the intervention measures. Additionally, we review the barriers to and potential solutions to SDM implementation. Further studies are required to investigate measurement and outcomes, coordination and cooperation, and digital technology, such as remote SDM. The study concludes that sarcopenia management must go beyond the single dimension of “Paternalism” choice. Integrating SDM into clinical practice offers promising opportunities to improve patient care, with patient-centered care and partnership of care approaches positively impacting treatment outcomes.
Technologies evolution in robot-assisted fracture reduction systems: a comprehensive review
Authors: Kou Wei , Zhou Peiqing , Lin Jihong , Kuang Shaolong , Sun Lining
Published: November 2023

Background: Robot-assisted fracture reduction systems can potentially reduce the risk of infection and improve outcomes, leading to significant health and economic benefits. However, these systems are still in the laboratory stage and not yet ready for commercialization due to unresolved difficulties. While previous reviews have focused on individual technologies, system composition, and surgical stages, a comprehensive review is necessary to assist future scholars in selecting appropriate research directions for clinical use.

Methods: A literature review using Google Scholar identified articles on robot-assisted fracture reduction systems. A comprehensive search yielded 17,800, 18,100, and 16,700 results for “fracture reduction,” “computer-assisted orthopedic surgery,” and “robot-assisted fracture reduction,” respectively. Approximately 340 articles were selected, and 90 highly relevant articles were chosen for further reading after reviewing the abstracts.

Results and Conclusion: Robot-assisted fracture reduction systems offer several benefits, including improved reduction accuracy, reduced physical work and radiation exposure, enhanced preoperative planning and intraoperative visualization, and shortened learning curve for skill acquisition. In the future, these systems will become integrated and practical, with automatic preoperative planning and high intraoperative safety.
The value of pre-transplant coronary angiography findings in kidney transplant candidates at high risk for cardiovascular disease
Authors: Morená Leela , Al Jurdi Ayman , Adam Eduardo Leal , Verhoeff Rucháma , Palsson Ragnar , Ribas Guilherme Taborda , Hullekes Frank , Cohen Bucay Abraham , Elias Nahel , Riella Leonardo. V.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of mortality after kidney transplantation. Whether pre-transplant screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic kidney transplant candidates (KTCs) is beneficial is unclear.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating post-transplant cardiovascular events in 192 high-risk KTCs who underwent pre-transplant CAD evaluation. The study aimed to identify risk factors associated with finding severe CAD on pre-transplant angiography, and to assess the relationship between screening strategies and post-transplant cardiovascular events.

Results

At five years post-transplant, cardiovascular events occurred in 23.9% of subjects. Prior CAD history and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% were associated with higher odds of finding severe CAD on pre-transplant angiography. Severe CAD on angiography was associated with a higher risk of early cardiovascular events within six months of transplantation. However, coronary intervention in KTCs with severe CAD was not associated with lower rates of post-transplant cardiovascular events.

Conclusion

Pre-transplant coronary angiography to identify severe CAD is of highest yield in KTCs with a history of CAD or an LVEF < 50%. Our findings indicate that the identification of severe CAD in KTCs has prognostic significance for the early post-transplant period. Optimization of medical therapy in these high-risk KTCs may improve post-transplant cardiovascular outcomes.
Plant Slime: How Plants Use Sticky Sugars
Authors: Faehn Corine , Galloway Andrew , Krause Kirsten
Published: November 2023

Slime is fun to play with—it is gooey, squishy, slippery, stretchy, and sticks to everything. But did you know that almost all plants make some kind of slime? Similar to how you can make slime at home using glue, plant slime is made of sticky sugars that can act like glue. This slime helps plants in many ways: it protects them from drying out, it helps them take up nutrients from the soil, and it shields plants from toxic materials that could damage them. But plant slime can also help plants climb up walls, stick to other plants, and interact with other organisms in the environment. In this article, we explain how plants use sticky slime to survive in various environments, and even how we can use this slime to make better materials and clean up our environment.
What is Culture?
Authors: Naik Akshata R. , Baker Stephanie , Mohiyeddini Changiz
Published: November 2023

In this article, we will explain what culture is and why it is such a complex concept. Culture encompasses many aspects of human life, such as shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors. Cultures often vary by region or location, and they can change and evolve over time. Socialization, the process of learning to adapt one’s thinking, behavior, skills, and attitudes to fit into a society, is an important way passed on between people as they develop from childhood into adulthood. Finally, we will discuss an important psychological process termed as acculturation, which describes how immigrants and others who move to new locations respond and adapt to new cultures. Studying culture is important especially in today’s globalized world where our interaction is not just limited to people from our own culture. Understanding different cultures helps us admire and approve of people belonging to a different cultural system than our own thus fostering collegiality.
Wavelets: Mathematical Tools for Image Analysis
Authors: Daubechies Ingrid
Published: November 2023

Mathematics is very human—we all enjoy using our brains, thinking, making connections, and checking to see if our conclusions are true. For me, mathematics is also a way to experience creativity, which is what makes me happy. In this article, I want to share this delight with you, through the story of wavelets. Wavelets are mathematical tools that my colleagues and I developed, which are very useful in analyzing images and other signals like medical scans or audio files. I hope that, by the end of this article, you will see that mathematics is much more interesting and diverse than memorizing formulas and performing calculations. It is a creative endeavor that advances society and can make our lives richer and more beautiful.
Empowering stroke survivors beyond inpatient rehabilitation: the STRIDE program
Authors: Cassidy Jessica M. , Fitzgerald Ryan , Vaughn Rachel M. , Geib Anna , Marquie Maureen , Trei Anna Claire , Morrison Blaise , Lewek Michael D. , Baratta John M.
Published: November 2023

Objective

The timeframe from hospital discharge to the commencement of outpatient therapies represents a crucial yet often overlooked period in post-stroke recovery. We designed an eight-week post-stroke management program (STRIDE, Stroke Management Training and Inpatient Rehabilitation Discharge Education) targeting individuals discharging from an inpatient rehabilitation facility to home. The primary aims of this pilot study were to determine STRIDE feasibility and participant engagement.

Methods

Participants with first or recurrent stroke were enrolled. Each week, participants monitored and recorded their daily activity, completed a 15-min educational module and quiz, and partook in weekly and biweekly communication with a fellow participant and STRIDE coordinator, respectively. Feasibility was evaluated by successful initiation of STRIDE and enrollment of the target population. We also assessed participant adherence and conducted semi-structured exit interviews.

Results

Of the 99 individuals screened, 20 individuals were enrolled (7 females, 28.6 ± 15.7 days post-stroke). Several participants were unable to begin the program (n = 6) or complete the program (n = 4). Overall, participants completing at least 1 week of STRIDE (n = 14) demonstrated adherence with education module and quiz completion and communication with the STRIDE coordinator. Participant feedback from interviews was largely positive, underscoring the value of STRIDE during early post-stroke recovery.

Conclusions

These findings support the feasibility of an initiated multi-faceted stroke management program. Participant dropout was a limitation and serves as a consideration when designing future iterations of STRIDE. With the long-term goal of promoting autonomy and investment in one's continued recovery beyond the inpatient setting, STRIDE bridges the transition from hospital to home.
Prevention of implant-associated spinal infections: the GAID-protocol
Authors: Przybyl Joanna Maria , Hegewald Aldemar Andres
Published: November 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the GAID-Protocol, a bundle of intra- and postoperative infection prevention measures, to reduce implant-associated infections in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation. These preventive measures are organized into a protocol that includes recommendations for four critical areas of implant protection (acronym GAID): Gloves, Antiseptics: sodium hypochlorite/hypochlorous acid (NaOCl/HOCl), Implants and Drainage-use in large wounds.

Methods

We performed a single-site retrospective review of cases undergoing posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation for primarily degenerative spinal diseases before and after implementation of the GAID-Protocol that was specifically designed to protect against implant-associated infections. The primary outcome was postoperative wound complications requiring surgical intervention, with a particular focus on infectious spondylitis/discitis.

Results

230 cases were included: 92 (Group A) before and 138 (Group B) after protocol implementation. Overall, wound complications requiring surgical intervention occurred in 7.6% patients in Group A and in 3.6% patients in Group B (p = 0.2297). Of these, infectious spondylitis/discitis was present in 5.4% in Group A and in none of Group B (p = 0.0096). The ratio of infectious spondylitis/discitis to other wound problems was 71% to 29% in Group A, while it was 0% to 100% in Group B (p = 0.0278). The mean time interval between the first revision surgery for wound complications and hospital discharge was significantly different, 38 days SD 20.3 in Group A and 14.4 days SD 8.6 in Group B (p = 0.0442).

Conclusions

In our study, adherence to the GAID-Protocol resulted in a shift from severe to significantly less severe and easier to treat wound complications. Adoption of the GAID-Protocol might contribute to the reduction of implant-associated infections.
Estimating the time of infection for African swine fever in pig farms in Korea
Authors: Yoon Hachung , Son Youngmin , Kim Kyung-Sook , Lee Ilseob , Kim Yeon-Hee , Lee Eunesub
Published: November 2023

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and lethal disease with characteristics of hemorrhagic fever. ASF outbreaks in pig farms significantly damage the entire pork industry. Understanding the transmission dynamics of ASF is crucial to effectively respond. Notably, it is important to know when the infection started on the outbreak farm. This study aimed at establishing a procedure for estimating the time of infection on pig farms affected by the ASF outbreak in Korea. The protocol for sampling to detect ASF virus infection, the estimation of the time interval between infection and detection, and the estimation of the infection stage parameters for the simulation model were described. After infection, fattening sheds (9.8 days in median) had the longest detection time compared with pregnant (8.6 days) or farrowing sheds (8.0 days). The intervals were 8.8 days for farrow-to-finisher farms, 7.0 days for farrow-to-weaning farms, and 9.5 days for fattening farms. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into ASF outbreaks in pig farms thus, improving the disease control ability.
How Do Older Adults in a Sub-Saharan African Community Perceive and Cope With Their Disability? An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Ani Judith Ifunanya , Batisai Kezia , Ntoimo Loretta F. C. , Isiugo-Abanihe Uche C.
Published: November 2023

Objective: The study explored the perceptions and coping strategies employed by older adults in a Sub-Saharan African community in relation to their disabilities.

Methods: The research utilized an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis methodology and conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of households. The study recruited a total of 36 older adults aged 65 years and above, aiming to capture a diverse range of insights and perspectives within the Sub-Saharan African community.

Results: Three interrelated themes pertaining to the perception of disability emerged: the impact of old age, disabilities caused by diseases, and disabilities attributed to external factors such as witchcraft. In coping with disability, two interrelated themes emerged: pragmatic coping strategies and unpragmatic coping strategies.

Conclusion: This study offers valuable insights into the nuanced perception of disability and coping mechanisms utilized by older adults within the Sub-Saharan African community. By exploring their lived experiences, the findings contribute to a better understanding of the challenges they face. These insights have important implications for policy development and public health initiatives.
Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks
Authors: Bucci Roberta , De Amicis Ippolito , Parrillo Salvatore , Robbe Domenico , Carluccio Augusto
Published: November 2023

Good sperm production is a notable requirement for subjects intended for reproduction, particularly in endangered species, and it has been demonstrated that in horse stallions, this is correlated to testicular volume. The present study, which involved Martina Franca jacks, aimed to determine whether, also in this endangered breed, there is a correlation between the total sperm number (TSN) and testicular volume. Testes were measured with both ultrasound and a caliper. Testicular volume was calculated using two different formulas: one representing the volume of an ellipsoid and one developed to describe round-shaped testicles. The average sperm concentration was 380.14 ± 254.58 × 106/mL, while the average TSN was 16.34 ± 7.76 × 109. Our findings evidenced a significant correlation (r > 0.75; p < 0.05) only between sperm production and the volume calculated with the formula V (cm3) = 33.57 × H − 56.57 for round-shaped testes. Moreover, significance was evidenced only for data obtained with ultrasound (VTs-us 315.03 ± 25.83 cm3) but not with caliper. In conclusion, testicular volume can be suggestive of good fertility in Martina Franca jacks; thus, this parameter could be considered when selecting breeding animals.
Comparison of Subcutaneous versus Intramuscular Dexmedetomidine–Midazolam–Ketamine–Morphine (DMKM) Mixture as Chemical Restraint for Endoscopic Sex Determination in Aldabra Giant Tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea)
Authors: Masi Marco , Vetere Alessandro , Casalini Jacopo , Corsi Flavia , Di Ianni Francesco , Nardini Giordano
Published: November 2023

Sex identification through coelioscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to determine the sex of chelonians by directly visualizing their internal reproductive organs. An adequate anaesthesiologic plan is essential to guarantee patient immobilization and proper analgesia during the entire surgical procedure. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a combination of dexmedetomidine (0.05 mg/kg), midazolam (1 mg/kg), ketamine (8 mg/kg), and morphine (1 mg/kg) (DMKM) randomly delivered intramuscularly (IM) or subcutaneously (SC) in twenty-one Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) into the right antebrachium for celioscopic sex identification. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and body temperature (BT) were measured, along with the skeletal muscle tone of the thoracic and pelvic limbs, neck retraction reflex, palpebral reflex, and jaw tone every 15 min. The anaesthesiologic plan was considered to be adequate at the loss of the thoracic and pelvic limb retraction reflexes. After a 45 min interval, if the anaesthetic plan was deemed insufficient for the celioscopic procedure, a 5 mg/kg dose of propofol was administered intravenously into the subcarapacial venous plexus. At the end of the procedure, atipamezole (0.5 mg/kg) and flumazenil (0.05 mg/kg) were administered intramuscularly into the left antebrachium as reversal agents. Both HR and RR decreased from baseline to both 15 and 30 min. Due to the persistence of thoracic and pelvic limb retraction reflexes 45 min after DMKM administration, 6/11 (55%) cases in the SC group required the additional administration of propofol, in contrast to only 1/10 (10%) cases in the IM group (p = 0.05). The recovery times were comparable between the successfully induced animals in the IM and SC groups. In this study, the intramuscular administration of a DMKM combination quickly produced chemical restraint, suitable for celioscopic sex determination.
Comparative Analysis of PRNP Gene Indel Polymorphism and Expression among Zhongdian Yellow Cattle, Zhongdian Yak, and Their Hybrids
Authors: He Xiaoming , Memon Sameeullah , Yue Dan , Zhu Junhong , Lu Ying , Liu Xingneng , Xiong Heli , Li Guozhi , Deng Weidong , Xi Dongmei
Published: November 2023

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a fatal disease in cattle caused by misfolded prion proteins and linked to indel polymorphisms in the promoter and intron 1 of the PRNP gene. The aim of this study was to determine the allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies of PRNP indel polymorphisms and to investigate the effect of PRNP gene expressions of 23 bp and 12 bp indels via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in Zhongdian Yak (Bos-grunniens) (YK), Zhongdian Yellow cattle (Bos-taurus) (YC), and Zhongdian Yakow (Bos-primigenius taurus × Bos-grunniens) (PK). Resultant high allelic frequencies were found in 23− and 12+, while haplotype frequencies were very low in 23+/12 in YK, YC, and PK. PRNP expression was higher in the +−/−− diplotype of the PK and (mean ± SE) was 3.6578 ± 1.85964. Furthermore, two variable sites were investigated—a 23 bp indel polymorphism holding AP1 binding site and a 12 bp indel polymorphism holding SP1 binding site. Additionally, reporter gene assays revealed a link between two proposed transcription factors and lower expression levels of the +/+ allele compared with the −/− allele. The expression level of PRNP was shown to be dependent on two indel polymorphisms in the bovine PRNP promoter, which includes binding sites for RP58 and SP1 transcription factors. These findings raised the possibility that the PRNP genotype may contribute to the high variation in PRNP expression.
Characterization of Vasoreactivity in a Semi-Arboreal Snake, the Tokara Habu (Protobothrops tokarensis)
Authors: Ootawa Tomoki , Wu Siyuan , Sekio Ryoya , Smith Henry , Islam Md. Zahorul , Nguyen Ha Thi Thanh , Uno Yasuhiro , Shiraishi Mitsuya , Miyamoto Atsushi
Published: November 2023

Vasoreactivity is relatively well documented in terrestrial snakes but has previously been investigated in only one semi-arboreal snake species. Consequently, the extent to which vasoreactivity is common across snake taxa or varies by habitat is unclear. The Tokara habu (Protobothrops tokarensis) is a semi-arboreal snake endemic to only two small adjacent Japanese islands, and hence a useful species for further investigation of vasoreactivity. We evaluated responses to known vasoactive substances in thoracic aortas isolated from Tokara habu. Under resting tension, noradrenaline and angiotensin II induced concentration-dependent contraction, but acetylcholine, serotonin (5-hydroxytriptamine; 5-HT), and isoproterenol induced relaxation followed by contraction. Histamine and rattlesnake bradykinin had no effect. Experiments with receptor-specific antagonists suggest that M1 and M3 receptors are involved in the acetylcholine-induced response; 5-HT1, 5-HT2, and 5-HT7 receptors in the serotonin-induced response; and β1 and β2 adrenoceptors in isoproterenol-induced relaxation. This is the first report on such response patterns in snakes (including serotonin- and isoproterenol-induced relaxation). Nitric oxide may be involved in acetylcholine-induced relaxation but not in the responses to serotonin or isoproterenol. In contrast to the uniform vasoreactivity observed in terrestrial snakes, the vasoreactivity of semi-arboreal snakes may be governed by diverse regulatory mechanisms.
Service States and Reliability Analysis of Low-Voltage Circuit Breaker Overload Protection Considering the Safety Margin
Authors: Li Kui , Peng Xianfeng , Hu Bokai
Published: November 2023

The performance of low-voltage circuit breaker overload protection degrades slowly during service, and the service state cannot be simply described as a normal state or a fault state. To address this problem, a method is proposed to classify the operating state of low-voltage circuit breaker overload protection, taking into account the safety margin of action characteristics and a Markov-process-based operating state transfer model is established to accurately describe its actual service state. By analyzing the degradation of the overload protection performance of circuit breakers and simulating the state transfer with different operating conditions using circuit breaker reliability levels and operating time as the main variables, the change law of the service state with service time is determined. The method is not only applicable to the analysis and evaluation of circuit breakers with different reliability levels but also has guiding significance for improving the safe operation of distribution grid systems.
Online Fast Charging Model without Lithium Plating for Long-Dimensional Cells in Automotive Applications
Authors: Wang Yu , Mao Shuoyuan , Chen Quanwei , Chen Fei , Zhang Xue , Ouyang Minggao , Han Xuebing , Zheng Yuejiu
Published: November 2023

The internal negative electrode potential in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is intricately linked to the lithium-ion intercalation and plating reactions occurring within the cell. With the expansion of cell sizes, the internal negative electrode potential distribution gradually becomes inconsistent. However, the existing negative electrode potential estimation models and fast charging strategies have not yet considered the impact of consistency, and the model estimation accuracy will be greatly influenced by different temperatures and charging rates. This study proposes an online lithium-free fast charging equivalent circuit model (OLFEM) for estimating the negative electrode potential terminal voltage and developing fast charging strategies of long-dimensional LIBs in real vehicles. This study employs distributed reference electrodes integrated into long-dimensional LIBs and compares the negative electrode potential measured in the vicinity of both the negative and positive tabs. Subsequently, based on the lowest negative electrode potential point, model parameters were obtained at different temperatures and charging rates. This model is further verified under different operating conditions. Finally, a fast-charging strategy without lithium plating is developed in real-time based on the negative electrode potential estimated by the model. The results demonstrate that long-dimensional cells exhibit a lower negative electrode potential on the positive tab side. Across various temperatures and charging rates, the calibrated model achieves a negative electrode potential estimated error within 25 mV, and the estimation error for terminal voltage is within 5 mV. The proposed fast-charging method prevents lithium plating and charges the cell up to 96.8% within an hour. After 100 cycles, the cell experiences a capacity degradation of less than 2%, and the disassembly results indicate that no lithium precipitation has occurred. The methods outlined in this study provide valuable insights for online fast charging of large-dimensional batteries without lithium plating.
Primary-Frequency-Regulation Coordination Control of Wind Power Inertia and Energy Storage Based on Compound Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Ma Suliang , Xin Dixi , Jiang Yuan , Li Jianlin , Wu Yiwen , Sha Guanglin
Published: November 2023

The increasing proportion of wind power systems in the power system poses a challenge to frequency stability. This paper presents a novel fuzzy frequency controller. First, this paper models and analyzes the components of the wind storage system and the power grid and clarifies the role of each component in the frequency regulation process. Secondly, a combined fuzzy controller is designed in this paper, which realizes the cooperative control of frequency regulation considering wind power running state, battery energy management, and power grid stability. Finally, this paper establishes typical operation scenarios of various time scales to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed control strategy.
Towards Effective Emotion Detection: A Comprehensive Machine Learning Approach on EEG Signals
Authors: Ul Hassan Ietezaz , Ali Raja Hashim , Abideen Zain ul , Ijaz Ali Zeeshan , Khan Talha Ali
Published: November 2023

Emotion detection assumes a pivotal role in the evaluation of adverse psychological attributes, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. This study undertakes an exploration into the prospective capacities of machine learning to prognosticate individual emotional states, with an innovative integration of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals as a novel informational foundation. By conducting a comprehensive comparative analysis of an array of machine learning methodologies upon the Kaggle Emotion Detection dataset, the research meticulously fine-tunes classifier parameters across various models, including, but not limited, to random forest, decision trees, logistic regression, support vector machines, nearest centroid, and naive Bayes classifiers. Post hyperparameter optimization, the logistic regression algorithm attains a peak accuracy rate of 97%, a proximate performance mirrored by the random forest model. Through an extensive regimen of EEG-based experimentation, the study underscores the profound potential of machine learning paradigms to significantly elevate the precision of emotion detection, thereby catalyzing advancements within the discipline. An ancillary implication resides in early discernment capabilities, rendering this investigation pertinent within the domain of mental health assessments.
Competitive Perceptrons: The Relevance of Modeling New Bioinspired Properties Such as Intrinsic Plasticity, Metaplasticity, and Lateral Inhibition of Rate-Coding Artificial Neurons
Authors: Andina Diego
Published: November 2023

This article supports the relevance of modeling new bioinspired properties in rate-coding artificial neurons, focusing on fundamental neural properties rarely implemented thus far in artificial neurons, such as intrinsic plasticity, the metaplasticity of synaptic strength, and the lateral inhibition of neighborhood neurons. All these properties are bioinspired through empirical models developed by neurologists, and this in turn contributes to taking perceptrons to a higher potential level. Metaplasticity and intrinsic plasticity are different levels of plasticity and are believed by neurologists to have fundamental roles in memory and learning and therefore in the performance of neurons. Assuming that information about stimuli is contained in the firing rate of the connections among biological neurons, several models of artificial implementation have been tested. Analyzing their results and comparing them with learning and performance of state-of-the-art models, relevant advances are made in the context of the developing Industrial Revolution 4.0 based on advances in Machine Learning, and they may even initiate a new generation of artificial neural networks. As an example, a single-layer perceptron that includes the proposed advances is successfully trained to perform the XOR function, called the Competitive Perceptron, which is a new bioinspired artificial neuronal model with the potential of non-linear separability, continuous learning, and scalability, which is suitable to build efficient Deep Networks, overcoming the basic limitations of traditional perceptrons that have challenged scientists for half a century.
Is Anosognosia for Left-Sided Hemiplegia Due to a Specific Self-Awareness Defect or to a Poorly Conscious Working Mode Typical of the Right Hemisphere?
Authors: Gainotti Guido
Published: November 2023

This review aimed to evaluate whether the association between ‘anosognosia for hemiplegia’ and lesions of the right hemisphere points to a special self-awareness role of the right side of the brain, or could instead be due to a working mode typical of the right hemisphere. This latter viewpoint is consistent with a recently proposed model of human brain asymmetries that assumes that language lateralization in the left hemisphere might have increased the left hemisphere’s level of consciousness and intentionality in comparison with the right hemisphere’s less conscious and more automatic functioning. To assess these alternatives, I tried to ascertain whether anosognosia is greater for left-sided hemiplegia than for other disorders provoked by right brain lesions, or whether unawareness prevails in tasks more clearly related to the disruption of the right hemisphere’s more automatic (and less conscious) functioning. Data consistent with the first alternative would support the existence of a specific link between anosognosia for hemiplegia and self-awareness, whereas data supporting the second option would confirm the model linking anosognosia to a poorly conscious working mode typical of the right hemisphere. Analysis results showed that the incidence of anosognosia of the highly automatic syndrome of unilateral neglect was greater than that concerning the unawareness of left hemiplegia, suggesting that anosognosia for left-sided hemiplegia might be due to the poorly conscious working mode typical of the right hemisphere.
A Single Dose of PEG-Asparaginase at the Beginning of Induction Not Only Accelerates MRD Clearance but Also Improves Long-Term Outcome in Children with B-Lineage ALL
Authors: Popov Alexander , Henze Günter , Roumiantseva Julia , Bydanov Oleh , Belevtsev Mikhail , Verzhbitskaya Tatiana , Movchan Liudmila , Tsaur Grigory , Lagoyko Svetlana , Zharikova Liudmila , Myakova Natalia , Litvinov Dmitry , Khlebnikova Olga , Streneva Olga , Stolyarova Elena , Ponomareva Natalia , Novichkova Galina , Fechina Larisa , Aleinikova Olga , Karachunskiy Alexander
Published: November 2023

This report presents the results of the assessment of MRD response by multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) with regard to the randomized use of pegylated asparaginase (PEG). In this study, PEG was randomly administered at a dose of 1000 U/m2 on day 3 of induction therapy in children with B-lineage ALL. Methods. Conventional induction therapy consisted of dexamethasone, vincristine, and daunorubicin. MRD data was available in 502 patients who were randomized at the start of induction therapy, standard-risk (SR) patients into three (conventional induction without PEG, induction with additional PEG and with PEG but without daunorubicin) and intermediate-risk (ImR) patients into two groups (with additional PEG and without PEG). Results. The single administration of PEG resulted in a significantly higher proportion of rapid responders, in SR patients even when no anthracyclines were used for induction. In the SR group, the event-free survival of the MFC-MRD fast responders was similar in the PEG− and PEG+ arms (92.0 ± 3.1% vs. 96.2 ± 1.5%, respectively), and the same unfavorable trend was observed for MFC-MRD slow responders (57.5 ± 12.3% vs. 66.7 ± 15.7%, respectively). Results were similar in ImR patients: (94.3 ± 3.2% vs. 95.1 ± 2.4%, for fast responders and 63.3 ± 7.6% vs. 78.1 ± 7.9%, for slow responders in PEG− and PEG+ arms, respectively). However, there is a large difference between the proportion of MFC-MRD slow responders in the PEG− and PEG+ groups (18.3% vs. 5.2% for the SR group and 44.2% vs. 25.0% for the ImR group). Conclusions. Therefore, early use of PEG-ASP not only leads to an accelerated reduction of blasts, but also to an excellent outcome in a significantly larger proportion of patients in both risk groups.
Adjuvant Radiation in Resectable Node-Positive Merkel Cell Carcinoma in the Immunotherapy Era: Implications for Future and Ongoing Trials
Authors: Riviere Paul , Dornisch Anna M. , Sanghvi Parag , Mell Loren K.
Published: November 2023

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a cutaneous malignancy often treated with surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). In the node-positive setting, adjuvant RT reduces the risk of locoregional recurrence, but historical data suggest that distant failure is a persistent issue and often fatal. This has prompted new efforts to intensify treatment in these patients with the addition of neoadjuvant or adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. However, newer diagnostic techniques have led to stage migration in patients with previously subclinical metastatic disease; consequently, preventing locoregional recurrence may be a higher priority in node-positive MCC patients than was previously believed. Recent trials in node-positive MCC, such as ADMEC-O, have had lower rates of adjuvant RT utilization in treatment versus control arms, which may have attenuated the observed effect of adjuvant immunotherapy. The low utilization of adjuvant RT may have also resulted in a higher recurrence rate in patients who did not have a complete response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in the CHECKMATE 358 trial. Altogether, these are important considerations for ongoing and future immunotherapy trials in MCC and may affect the interpretation of their results. Ongoing clinical trials may determine which patients are at low risk of recurrence when treated with immunotherapy and whether adjuvant RT could be omitted in select patients.
Influence of C60 Nanofilm on the Expression of Selected Markers of Mesenchymal–Epithelial Transition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Sosnowska Malwina , Kutwin Marta , Zawadzka Katarzyna , Pruchniewski Michał , Strojny Barbara , Bujalska Zuzanna , Wierzbicki Mateusz , Jaworski Sławomir , Sawosz Ewa
Published: November 2023

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process in which epithelial cells acquire the ability to actively migrate via a change to the mesenchymal phenotype. This mechanism occurs in an environment rich in cytokines and reactive oxygen species but poor in nutrients. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the use of a fullerene C60 nanofilm can inhibit liver cancer cell invasion by restoring their non-aggressive, epithelial phenotype. We employed epithelial and mesenchymal HepG2 and SNU-449 liver cancer cells and non-cancerous mesenchymal HFF2 cells in this work. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to determine the content of glutathione and transforming growth factor (TGF) in cells. We measured the total antioxidant capacity with a commercially available kit. We assessed cell invasion based on changes in morphology, the scratch test and the Boyden chamber invasion. In addition, we measured the effect of C60 nanofilm on restoring the epithelial phenotype at the protein level with protein membranes, Western blotting and mass spectrometry. C60 nanofilm downregulated TGF and increased glutathione expression in SNU-449 cells. When grown on C60 nanofilm, invasive cells showed enhanced intercellular connectivity; reduced three-dimensional invasion; and reduced the expression of key invasion markers, namely MMP-1, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-4. Mass spectrometry showed that among the 96 altered proteins in HepG2 cells grown on C60 nanofilm, 41 proteins are involved in EMT and EMT-modulating processes such as autophagy, inflammation and oxidative stress. The C60 nanofilm inhibited autophagy, showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, increased glucose transport and regulated the β-catenin/keratin/Smad4/snail+slug and MMP signalling pathways. In conclusion, the C60 nanofilm induces a hybrid mesenchymal–epithelial phenotype and could be used in the prevention of postoperative recurrences.
Diffuse Gliomas with FGFR3-TACC3 Fusions: Oncogenic Mechanisms, Hallmarks, and Therapeutic Perspectives
Authors: Picca Alberto , Sansone Giulio , Santonocito Orazio Santo , Mazzanti Chiara Maria , Sanson Marc , Di Stefano Anna Luisa
Published: November 2023

In 2012, whole-transcriptome sequencing analysis led to the discovery of recurrent fusions involving the FGFR3 and TACC3 genes as the main oncological driver in a subset of human glioblastomas. Since then, FGFR3-TACC3 fusions have been identified in several other solid cancers. Further studies dissected the oncogenic mechanisms of the fusion protein and its complex interplay with cancer cell metabolism. FGFR3-TACC3 fusion-driven gliomas emerged as a defined subgroup with specific clinical, histological, and molecular features. Several FGFR inhibitors were tested in FGFR3-TACC3 fusion-positive gliomas and proved some efficacy, although inferior to the results seen in other FGFR3-TACC3 fusion-driven cancers. In this review, we summarize and discuss the state-of-the-art knowledge resulting from a 10-year research effort in the field, its clinical implications for glioma patients, the potential reasons for targeted therapy failures, and the perspective of emerging treatments.