bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transforming medical equipment management in digital public health: a decision-making model for medical equipment replacement
Authors: Huang Luying , Lv Wenqian , Huang Qingming , Zhang Haikang , Jin Siyuan , Chen Tong , Shen Bing
Published: January 2024

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving field of digital public health, effective management of medical equipment is critical to maintaining high standards of healthcare service levels and operational efficiency. However, current decisions to replace large medical equipment are often based on subjective judgments rather than objective analyses and lack a standardized approach. This study proposes a multi-criteria decision-making model that aims to simplify and enhance the medical equipment replacement process.

Methods

The researchers developed a multi-criteria decision-making model specifically for the replacement of medical equipment. The model establishes a system of indicators for prioritizing and evaluating the replacement of large medical equipment, utilizing game theory to assign appropriate weights, which uniquely combines the weights of the COWA and PCA method. In addition, which uses the GRA method in combination with the TOPSIS method for a more comprehensive decision-making model.

Results

The study validates the model by using the MRI equipment of a tertiary hospital as an example. The results of the study show that the model is effective in prioritizing the most optimal updates to the equipment. Significantly, the model shown a higher level of differentiation compared to the GRA and TOPSIS methods alone.

Discussion

The present study shows that the multi-criteria decision-making model presented provides a powerful and accurate tool for optimizing decisions related to the replacement of large medical equipment. By solving the key challenges in this area as well as giving a solid basis for decision making, the model makes significant progress toward the field of management of medical equipment.
Serum CIRP increases the risk of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery
Authors: Feng Zhe , Cao Xiantong , Zhao Changying , Niu Jialan , Yan Yang , Shi Tao , Hao Junjun , Zheng Xinglong
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent perioperative complication. The underlying mechanisms of cardiac surgery-associated AKI are still not completely elucidated. Cold-induced RNA-binding protein (CIRP) has been subsequently found to be regulated by various stress conditions. During cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), the host is subjected to hypothermia and inadequate organ perfusion, resulting in an upregulation of CIRP secretion. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of elevated extracellular CIRP level as a contributing factor in the development of AKI.

Methods

A total of 292 patients who underwent cardiac surgery were retrospectively enrolled and their serum samples were collected preoperative and postoperative. Demographic data, intraoperative data, in-hospital outcomes, and the occurrence of AKI were also collected for the patients. The correlation between CIRP and intraoperative procedures, as well as its association with postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

Results

In multivariable analysis, higher ΔCIRP (p = 0.036) and body mass index (p = 0.015) were independent risk factors for postoperative AKI. Meanwhile, patients with postoperative AKI exhibited lower survival rate in 2-year follow-up (p = 0.008). Compared to off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery, aortic dissection and other surgery showed higher ΔCIRP, measuring 1,093, 666, 914 and 258 pg/mL, respectively (p < 0.001). The levels of ΔCIRP were significantly higher in patients who underwent CPB compared to those who did not (793.0 ± 648.7 vs. 149.5 ± 289.1 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between ΔCIRP levels and the duration of CPB (r = 0.502, p < 0.001). Patients with higher CIRP levels are at greater risk of postoperative AKI (OR: 1.67, p = 0.032), especially the stage 2–3 AKI (OR: 2.11, p = 0.037).

Conclusion

CIRP secretion increases with prolonged CPB time after cardiac surgery, and CIRP secretion is positively correlated with the duration of CPB. Cardiac surgeries with CPB exhibited significantly higher levels of CIRP compared to non-CPB surgeries. Elevation of CIRP level is an independent risk factor for the incidence of AKI, especially the severe AKI, and were associated with adverse in-hospital outcomes.
Insights into the biodegradation of polycaprolactone through genomic analysis of two plastic-degrading Rhodococcus bacteria
Authors: Zampolli Jessica , Vezzini Daniele , Brocca Stefania , Di Gennaro Patrizia
Published: January 2024

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is an aliphatic polyester often utilized as a model to investigate the biodegradation potential of bacteria and the involved catabolic enzymes. This study aims to characterize PCL biodegradative metabolic potential and correlate it to genomic traits of two plastic-degrading bacteria—Rhodococcus erythropolis D4 strain, a new isolate from plastic-rich organic waste treatment plant, and Rhodococcus opacus R7, known for its relevant biodegradative potential on polyethylene and similar compounds. After preliminary screening for bacteria capable of hydrolyzing tributyrin and PCL, the biodegradation of PCL was evaluated in R. erythropolis D4 and R. opacus R7 by measuring their growth and the release of PCL catabolism products up to 42 days. After 7 days, an increase of at least one order of magnitude of cell number was observed. GC-MS analyses of 28-day culture supernatants showed an increase in carboxylic acids in both Rhodococcus cultures. Furthermore, hydrolytic activity (~5 U mg−1) on short/medium-chain p-nitrophenyl esters was detected in their supernatant. Finally, a comparative genome analysis was performed between two Rhodococcus strains. A comparison with genes annotated in reference strains revealed hundreds of gene products putatively related to polyester biodegradation. Based on additional predictive analysis of gene products, gene expression was performed on a smaller group of genes, revealing that exposure to PCL elicits the greatest increase in transcription for a single gene in strain R7 and two genes, including that encoding a putative lipase, in strain D4. This work exhibits a multifaceted experimental approach to exploit the broad potential of Rhodococcus strains in the field of plastic biodegradation.
IntelliCage: the development and perspectives of a mouse- and user-friendly automated behavioral test system
Authors: Lipp Hans-Peter , Krackow Sven , Turkes Emir , Benner Seico , Endo Toshihiro , Russig Holger
Published: January 2024

IntelliCage for mice is a rodent home-cage equipped with four corner structures harboring symmetrical double panels for operant conditioning at each of the two sides, either by reward (access to water) or by aversion (non-painful stimuli: air-puffs, LED lights). Corner visits, nose-pokes and actual licks at bottle-nipples are recorded individually using subcutaneously implanted transponders for RFID identification of up to 16 adult mice housed in the same home-cage. This allows for recording individual in-cage activity of mice and applying reward/punishment operant conditioning schemes in corners using workflows designed on a versatile graphic user interface. IntelliCage development had four roots: (i) dissatisfaction with standard approaches for analyzing mouse behavior, including standardization and reproducibility issues, (ii) response to handling and housing animal welfare issues, (iii) the increasing number of mouse models had produced a high work burden on classic manual behavioral phenotyping of single mice. and (iv), studies of transponder-chipped mice in outdoor settings revealed clear genetic behavioral differences in mouse models corresponding to those observed by classic testing in the laboratory. The latter observations were important for the development of home-cage testing in social groups, because they contradicted the traditional belief that animals must be tested under social isolation to prevent disturbance by other group members. The use of IntelliCages reduced indeed the amount of classic testing remarkably, while its flexibility was proved in a wide range of applications worldwide including transcontinental parallel testing. Essentially, two lines of testing emerged: sophisticated analysis of spontaneous behavior in the IntelliCage for screening of new genetic models, and hypothesis testing in many fields of behavioral neuroscience. Upcoming developments of the IntelliCage aim at improved stimulus presentation in the learning corners and videotracking of social interactions within the IntelliCage. Its main advantages are (i) that mice live in social context and are not stressfully handled for experiments, (ii) that studies are not restricted in time and can run in absence of humans, (iii) that it increases reproducibility of behavioral phenotyping worldwide, and (iv) that the industrial standardization of the cage permits retrospective data analysis with new statistical tools even after many years.
Enhancing satiety and aerobic performance with beer microparticles-based non-alcoholic drinks: exploring dose and duration effects
Authors: Cahuê Fábio Luiz Candido , Maia Paola D. D. S. , de Brito Luan Ribeiro , da Silva Victor Paulo Ferreira , Gomes Diego Viana , Pierucci Anna Paola T. R.
Published: January 2024

Beer is an alcoholic beverage, rich in carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins and polyphenols, consumed worldwide as a social drink. There is a large number of beer styles which depends on the ingredients and brewing process. The consumption of beer as a fluid replacement after sport practice is a current discussion in literature. A non-alcoholic pale-ale microparticles-based beverage (PABM) have been previously designed, however, its phenolic profile and ergogenic effect remain unknown. Thus, this study aims to verify the ergogenic potential (increase of running performance) of PAMB in male Wistar rats. Beer microparticles were obtained by spray drying and beverages with different concentrations were prepared in water. Wistar rats were subjected to a training protocol on a treadmill (5 times/week, 60 min/day) and daily intake of PABM (20 mg.kg-1 or 200 mg.kg-1) or water by gavage. Chlorogenic acid was found to be the main component in the phenolic profile (12.28 mg·g-1) of PABM analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. An increase in the aerobic performance was observed after 4 weeks in the 20 mg.kg-1 group, but the same dose after 8 weeks and a higher dose (200 mg.kg-1) blunted this effect. A higher dose was also related to decrease in food intake. These data suggest that PABM can improve satiety and aerobic performance, but its effect depends on the dose and time of consumption.
Advances in genetic factors of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Jiang Xiaowei , Liu Fuyun , Zhang Mingxuan , Hu Weiming , Zhao Yufeng , Xia Bing , Xu Ke
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study offers a bibliometric analysis of the current situation, hotspots, and cutting-edge domains of genetic factors of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods

All publications related to genetic factors of AIS from January 1, 1992, to February 28, 2023, were searched from the Web of Science. CiteSpace software was employed for bibliometric analysis, collecting information about countries, institutions, authors, journals, and keywords of each article.

Results

A cumulative number of 308 articles have been ascertained. Since 2006, publications relating to genetic factors of AIS have significantly increased. China leads in both productivity and influence in this area, with the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences being the most productive institution. The most prolific scholars in this field are Y. Qiu and Z. Z. Zhu. The publications that contributed the most were from Spine and European Spine Journal. The most prominent keywords in the genetic factors of AIS were “fibrillin gene”, “menarche”, “calmodulin”, “estrogen receptor gene”, “linkage analysis”, “disc degeneration”, “bone mineral density”, “melatonin signaling dysfunction”, “collagen gene”, “mesenchymal stem cell”, “LBX1”, “promoter polymorphism”, “Bone formation”, “cerebrospinal fluid flow” and “extracellular matrix”.

Conclusion

This analysis provides the frontiers and trends of genetic factors in AIS, including relevant research, partners, institutions and countries.
Anti-platelet aggregation activities of different grades of Angelica sinensis and their therapeutic mechanisms in rats with blood deficiency: insights from metabolomics and lipidomics analyses
Authors: Shen Xue , Wu Yangyang , Chen Ping , Bai Yuwei , Liu Yanan , Jiang Yihan , Zhang Yawen , Yang Zhigang
Published: January 2024

In traditional Chinese medicine, the radix of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (RAS) is mainly used to replenish and invigorate the blood circulation. This study investigated anti-platelet aggregation activities were used by New Zealand rabbits, and high-performance liquid chromatography data were obtained to determine the spectrum–effect relationship for different commercial grades of RAS. Plasma and urine metabolites were examined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the role of these metabolites in a rat model of blood deficiency (BD). Plasma and spleen metabolites were additionally examined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography plus Q-Exactive tandem mass spectrometry-based lipidomics to clarify the mechanisms of RAS in treating BD. The third grade of RAS exhibited the best activity in replenishing and invigorating blood in vitro and in vivo. Ferulic acid, ligustilide, senkyunolide I, uridine, and guanine are quality markers of anti-platelet aggregation activity. Based on the metabolomics results, 19 potential biomarkers were screened in plasma, and 12 potential metabolites were detected in urine. In lipidomics analyses, 73 potential biomarkers were screened in plasma, and 112 potential biomarkers were screened in the spleen. RAS may restore lipid metabolism by regulating disorders of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid metabolism (thereby improving energy metabolism), and arachidonic acid metabolism (thereby promoting blood circulation). These results provide a deeper understanding of the effects of different grades of RAS and a scientific reference for the establishment of grading standards and for the clinical use of RAS.
Fluorescence imaging for the anterior segment of the eye
Authors: Herzog Joshua M. , Sick Volker
Published: January 2024

Diagnostic technologies for the anterior segment of the eye, especially for hard-to-diagnose diseases such as microbial keratitis, are still lacking. Although in vivo confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography are becoming more widely applicable to a variety of conditions, they are often prohibitively expensive, require specialized training and equipment, and are intrinsically insensitive to chemical changes. Here, ultraviolet-fluorescence imaging is proposed as a new technique to aid in investigation of the anterior segment. In this work, a novel two-color line-of-sight fluorescence imaging technique is described for imaging of the anterior segment. The technique is applied to seven ex vivo porcine eyes to illustrate the utility of the technique. The image data was used to estimate an effective fluorescence quantum yield of each eye at 370 nm. The eyes were then inoculated with bacteria to simulate microbial keratitis, a common sight-threatening infection, and the measurement was repeated. A simplified fluorescence-extinction model was developed to describe and analyze the relative intensities of the eye and biofilm fluorescence. Overall, the technique appears to have utility in clinical practice and with proper development may be suitable for detecting chemical changes in the eye, or the presence of foreign matter; however, further investigation is needed to develop the technique and analysis procedures into a quantitative diagnostic tool.
“Calculating faces”: can face perception paradigms enrich dyscalculia research?
Authors: Baulina Maria , Kosonogov Vladimir
Published: January 2024

Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is a subtype of learning disabilities, which is characterized by lower mathematical skills despite average intelligence and average or satisfactory performance in other academic areas. It is not fully understood how such deficits emerge in the course of brain development. When considering the mechanisms of dyscalculia, two domain-specific systems are distinguished. The Approximate Number System (ANS) is related to the approximate estimation of large sets, and the Object Tracking System (OTS) is responsible for subitizing, that is, the exact quantification of small sets. In recent years, the multiple-deficit framework has become increasingly popular. On the one hand, it explains the impairment of certain general cognitive functions in children with DD, such as executive functions, attention, visual-perceptual discrimination, processing speed, and rapid scanning of visual information. On the other hand, it provides a theoretical basis for explaining the simultaneous occurrence of the different types of other comorbid conditions (such as dyslexia and ADHD) and the relationship between them. We suggest that the face recognition could be considered as another, probably impaired function in dyscalculic individuals. We highlight several brain areas involved both in numerical and facial processing: intraparietal sulcus (IPS), fusiform gyrus (FFG), and hippocampus (HC). We consider the possibility of expanding the scope of dyscalculia research by application of face perception paradigms.
Preparing mental health providers for the future: the case for moving beyond the elective telehealth course to integrating telehealth training throughout the curriculum
Authors: Wibberly Kathy Hsu
Published: January 2024

In the wake of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and the consequent surge in telehealth adoption, the mental healthcare landscape has undergone a profound transformation propelled by rapid technological advancements. This paradigm shift necessitates a fundamental re-evaluation of the training methodologies for mental health providers. To effectively leverage the potential of telehealth and empower mental health professionals with the requisite skills for utilizing digital tools, a comprehensive integration of telehealth into graduate program curricula is imperative. This article proposes practical strategies for seamlessly incorporating telehealth into both the theoretical and practical facets of graduate education. These strategies encompass a holistic understanding of technological platforms, ethical considerations, legal and regulatory frameworks, cultural competence, digital equity challenges, as well as clinical assessment and therapeutic approaches. The author concludes by issuing a call to action, urging mental health professions training programs and their accrediting bodies to proactively redefine their approach, ensuring mental health providers are adequately prepared for the future.
Neuromodulation to guide circuit reorganization with regenerative therapies in upper extremity rehabilitation following cervical spinal cord injury
Authors: Balbinot Gustavo
Published: January 2024

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a profoundly debilitating condition with no effective treatment to date. The complex response of the central nervous system (CNS) to injury and its limited regeneration capacity pose bold challenges for restoring function. Cervical SCIs are the most prevalent and regaining hand function is a top priority for individuals living with cervical SCI. A promising avenue for addressing this challenge arises from the emerging field of regenerative rehabilitation, which combines regenerative biology with physical medicine approaches. The hypothesis for optimizing gains in upper extremity function centers on the integration of targeted neurorehabilitation with novel cell- and stem cell-based therapies. However, the precise roles and synergistic effects of these components remain poorly understood, given the intricate nature of SCI and the diversity of regenerative approaches. This perspective article sheds light on the current state of regenerative rehabilitation for cervical SCI. Notably, preclinical research has yet to fully incorporate rehabilitation protocols that mimic current clinical practices, which often rely on neuromodulation strategies to activate spared circuits below the injury level. Therefore, it becomes imperative to comprehensively investigate the combined effects of neuromodulation and regenerative medicine strategies in animal models before translating these therapies to individuals with SCI. In cases of severe upper extremity paralysis, the advent of neuromodulation strategies, such as corticospinal tract (CST) and spinal cord stimulation, holds promise as the next frontier in enhancing the effectiveness of cell- and stem cell-based therapies. Future preclinical studies should explore this convergence of neuromodulation and regenerative approaches to unlock new possibilities for upper extremity treatment after SCI.
A bibliometric and visualization study of global research trends in sacral Tarlov cyst from 2000 to 2022
Authors: Lu Yang , Bao Luyao , Wang Nan , Chen Shuang , Qian Yuzhang , Gu Jun , Kang Ran , Xie Lin
Published: January 2024

Background

Symptomatic sacral Tarlov cyst (STC) exerts a significant negative impact on the patient's quality of life, highlighting the significance of the increasing number of studies on STC. However, bibliometric analyses in this research field are scarce. Thus, this study aims to provide a comprehensive knowledge structure and identify the research trends of STC through bibliometrics.

Methods

Articles related to STC from 2000 to 2022 were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection database. VOSviewer 1.6.16, CiteSpace 6.1.6, GraphPad Prism 8.2.1 and R-package “bibliometrix” were used to analyse the data and generate knowledge maps.

Results

A total of 930 studies on STC from 2000 to 2022 were included. The findings revealed a consistent yet upward trend in the number of annual publications in this field. The United States, China and Turkey were the most prolific and influential countries contributing to this field, with the University of Illinois, the University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standards & Technology being the most notable research institutions. Key journals include World Neurosurgery [Impact Factor (IF) = 2.210], Journal of Vascular Surgery (IF = 4.860) and Journal of Neurosurgery-Spine (IF = 3.467). Additionally, Tarlov Mj, Tarlov E and Zachariah Mr exhibit the highest number of publications, making them the leading authors in this field. A twenty-year retrospection of research trends using keyword analysis reveals four principal directions, namely “definition”, “pathogenesis”, “diagnosis” and “treatment”. Currently, therapeutic surgical intervention is the key treatment for this disease, with future treatments primarily hinging on minimally invasive methodologies rooted in microendoscopic and endoscopic techniques.

Conclusion

This pioneering, comprehensive scientific bibliometric study provides a holistic summary of STC research trends and hot spots spanning the past 22 years. The results identify existing research frontiers and chart maps for future studies, serving as a valuable reference for scholars vested in this field.
Board Gender Diversity and Firm Performance: An Analysis of the Causal Relationship in Spanish Listed Companies
Authors: García-López María-Jose , Pacheco-Olivares Maria Rosario , Hamoudi Hamid
Published: January 2024

Applying a mixed theoretical approach, this paper addresses the causal relationship between the presence of women on steering committees (SC) and in senior management positions and the firm’s stock return, measured through the price–earnings ratio (P/E). To do so, we disaggregate the composition of the boards of 27 IBEX 35 companies over the period 2018–2021 by gender and type of female director and analyze the relationship between the number and proportion of women on the SC, their distribution by category, and the P/E. The sample contains a total of 108 observations, and its structure follows a panel data methodology. Validation of the working hypotheses was carried out using Poisson logistic regression. The results indicate a positive and significant relationship between stock returns and the percentage of women on the SC. The results also indicate that stock returns are not significantly affected by the category distribution of female directors.
Challenges and Alternatives of Herbicide-Based Weed Management
Authors: Nath Chaitanya Prasad , Singh Ravi Gopal , Choudhary Vijay K. , Datta Debarati , Nandan Rajiv , Singh Sati Shankar
Published: January 2024

Weeds are the most severe and widespread biological constraint on agricultural production systems and cause damage to cropped and non-cropped lands. They reduce crop yield and degrade the quality of the produce, besides raising the cost of production. The intensification of agriculture in the Green Revolution era attracted chemical fertilizers and dwarf varieties coupled with mono-cropping and irrigation practices, which enhanced crop-associated weeds and the widespread use of herbicides for easy control. Pesticides may kill many organisms, both target and non-target species, in the environment, causing an imbalance in the ecosystem. Despite the significant increase in productivity, the environmental repercussions of industrial agriculture, characterized by the use of high-yielding crop varieties and the extensive application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, have prompted a quest for more sustainable agricultural practices worldwide. One potential alternative lies in innovative approaches that draw upon ecological insights gleaned from studying natural ecosystems. These approaches aim to create “ecologically intensive” agro-ecosystems. Developing ecologically intensive agro-ecosystems necessitates a deep understanding of the biological dynamics within ecosystems and the integration of traditional agricultural knowledge held by local farmers. Considering the potentiality of appropriate weed management technologies to substantially improve crop productivity, there is an opportunity for the development, popularization, and adoption of effective, economical, and eco-friendly weed management technologies.
Research on Bacterial Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance in the Dairy Farm Environment in a Part of Shandong Province
Authors: Cui Yuehui , Song Kaimin , Liu Xiaoting , Xu Huiling , Wang Xiaozhou , Cheng Guodong , Zheng Pimiao , Liu Jianzhu
Published: January 2024

Antimicrobials are extensively utilized in dairy farms to prevent and control diseases in cattle. However, their use contributes to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial-resistant genes (ARG), and these can be transmitted to the environment. Regular monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is crucial for implementing effective mitigation strategies. This research aimed to assess the environmental microbial species present on dairy farms in Shandong Province and characterize the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolates. Five dairy farms located in Shandong Province were selected, representing the prevalent large-scale farming patterns in the area. Sampling took place from April to June 2022, with a total of 223 isolates collected from various environmental locations within each farm (bedding, sports field, and milking parlor). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization—time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was employed to identify the species of the clinical isolates. The main pathogens isolated were Aerococcus viridans (5.38%, n = 12), Corynebacterium xerosis (4.93%, n = 11), and Acinetobacter lwoffii (4.03%, n = 9). Among the bacterial isolates, resistance to lincomycin was highest at 91%, and 88% were resistant to sulfadiazine. Antimicrobial resistance genes were detected in only a small proportion of the isolates, the most common of which was sul1. These findings highlight the necessity for careful evaluation of antimicrobial usage in maintaining their effectiveness in human medicine. Understanding the microbial species present and their antimicrobial resistance profiles aids in focusing efforts toward sustainable antimicrobial use and safeguarding human health.
Cherries with Different Geographical Origins Regulate Neuroprotection in a Photoperiod-Dependent Manner in F344 Rats
Authors: Manocchio Francesca , Bravo Francisca Isabel , Helfer Gisela , Muguerza Begoña
Published: January 2024

The photoperiod is the main environmental cue that drives seasonal adaptive responses in reproduction, behavior, and metabolism in seasonal animals. Increasing evidence suggests that (poly)phenols contained in fruits can also modulate seasonal rhythms. (Poly)phenol-rich diets are associated with an improvement in cognitive function and neuroprotection due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. However, it is unknown whether cherries affect neuroprotection in a photoperiod-dependent manner. To test this, F344 rats were exposed to L6 (6 h light/day), L12 (12 h light/day) and L18 (18 h light/day) photoperiods and fed a standard chow diet supplemented with either a control, lyophilized cherry 1 or cherry 2 with distinctive phenolic hallmarks. Physiological parameters (body weight, eating pattern index (EPI), testosterone, T4/T3) and hypothalamic key genes (Dio2, Dio3, Raldh1 and Ghrh) were strongly regulated by the photoperiod and/or fruit consumption. Importantly, we show for the first time that neurotrophs (Bdnf, Sod1 and Gpx1) in the hippocampus are also regulated by the photoperiod. Furthermore, the consumption of cherry 2, which was richer in total flavonols, but not cherry 1, which was richer in total anthocyanins and flavanols, enhanced neuroprotection in the hippocampus. Our results show that the seasonal consumption of cherry with a specific phenolic composition plays an important role in the hippocampal activation of neuroprotection in a photoperiod-dependent manner.
Evaluation of Agricultural Soil-Improving Zeolite for Improving Irrigation Water Quality
Authors: Núñez-Gómez Dámaris , Legua Pilar , Lidón Vicente , Conesa Agustín , Martínez-Nicolás Juan José , Melgarejo Pablo
Published: January 2024

With a progressively decreasing availability of water for irrigation, the utilization of lower agronomic quality water sources is becoming more prevalent. Compounds such as sodium and boron, due to their impact on crop development and production, are gaining significance in these water sources. Finding novel methods to immobilize these compounds in irrigation water is a top priority in the global agricultural sector. This study focused on exploring the potential of natural zeolite, commonly used as a soil improver and as a sorbent for sodium and boron in natural agricultural waters. The zeolite exhibited favorable properties, including a surface area of 40 m2/g and a cation-exchange capacity of 1.8 mg/g. Using a central composite factorial design, the zeolite’s capacity to remove sodium and boron from irrigation water was investigated. The results demonstrated significant efficiency in boron removal, while sodium removal was limited, with occasional desorption episodes. Response surface analysis revealed optimal conditions for the removal of each cation. Additionally, adsorption kinetics and pH effects were explored, emphasizing the influence on sodium sorption. Kinetic models were applied, and the pseudo-first-order model proved suitable for describing the sorption kinetics. These findings enhance our understanding of zeolite efficacy in irrigation water purification, emphasizing the complexity of cation interactions in “complex” solutions.
A Stacking Model-Based Classification Algorithm Is Used to Predict Social Phobia
Authors: Li Changchang , Xu Botao , Chen Zhiwei , Huang Xiaoou , He Jing (Selena) , Xie Xia
Published: January 2024

University students, as a special group, face multiple psychological pressures and challenges, making them susceptible to social anxiety disorder. However, there are currently no articles using machine learning algorithms to identify predictors of social anxiety disorder in university students. This study aims to use a stacked ensemble model to predict social anxiety disorder in university students and compare it with other machine learning models to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model. AUC and F1 are used as classification evaluation metrics. The experimental results show that in this dataset, the model combining logistic regression, Naive Bayes, and KNN algorithms as the first layer and Naive Bayes as the second layer performs better than traditional machine learning algorithms. This provides a new approach to studying social anxiety disorder.
Responsible AI in Farming: A Multi-Criteria Framework for Sustainable Technology Design
Authors: Mallinger Kevin , Baeza-Yates Ricardo
Published: January 2024

The continuous fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous farming machinery (e.g., drones and field robots) provides a significant shift in the daily work experience of farmers. Faced with new technological developments, many risks and opportunities arise that need to be carefully translated into technological requirements to enable a sustainable production environment. Analyzing the complex relationship between social, ecological, and technological dependencies is a crucial step to understanding the different perspectives and systemic effects of technological functionalities. By providing a comprehensive overview of the state of the art, this article qualitatively analyzes the potential impact of AI on the autonomy of farmers and the technological developments to mitigate the risks. Fair data management practices, transparent AI approaches, and designs for an intuitive user experience are presented as key mechanisms for supporting responsible model development. Based on the defined social, technological, and ecological challenges in AI development, the knowledge to provide a high-level framework for the responsible creation of AI technologies is further systematized. By focusing on the multifaceted relationships and their effects on the autonomy of farmers, this article exemplifies the complex design decisions that must be faced in creating trustworthy and responsible AI tools.
Study on Optimal Pile Length in Load Section of Double-Row Buried Pile under Overtopping Failure Mode
Authors: Li Xunchang , Wang Mingming , Yang Wei , Xu Rui , Pang Xuqing
Published: January 2024

An anti-slide pile is a common landslide control measure. Compared with the full-length pile whose top extends to the ground, the buried pile is more optimal in internal force distribution, saves material and has remarkable economic benefits. At present, there is a lack of in-depth theoretical analysis on the pile length of the load section of double-row buried piles. In order to establish the design calculation method of pile length in the load section of double row buried piles, this paper is based on the failure mode of overtopping. The design equation of load section pile length is obtained by using the transfer coefficient and limit equilibrium method. Taking a landslide in Yan’an City, Shaanxi Province, China, as an example, the reliability and economics of double-row buried piles are verified by comparing the treatment effects of single-row, double-row and double-row buried piles, and the engineering design is completed. The results show that the landslide control project using the design calculation method can meet the requirements of slope stability and at the same time save a quarter of the material compared with the double row of full-length piles. The engineering example proves the rationality and practicability of the design method and provides engineering reference value for the use of the double-row buried anti-slide pile structure in large-scale landslide treatment.
Research on Vibration Comfort of Non-Motorized Lane Riding Based on Three-Axis Acceleration
Authors: Li Yuecheng , Xu Liangjie , Huang Xi , Xiao Hao
Published: January 2024

To enhance cycling comfort, a critical investigation of vibration effects in non-motorized bicycle riding is essential, focusing on road characteristics and traffic features. The analysis of how these elements influence cycling vibrations identified 13 key factors. This study utilized non-motorized bicycle lanes in Wuhan City for empirical research. Three-axis accelerometers were attached to riders’ torsos to measure vibration comfort levels. The observed road segments ranged from slightly to relatively uncomfortable. This study employed the random forest algorithm and logistic regression to analyze the influencing factors further. Six factors emerged as significant in affecting cycling comfort: the existence of dedicated non-motorized bicycle lanes, the lack of a physical barrier between non-motorized and motorized traffic, cycling speed, road surface irregularities, parking areas within non-motorized lanes, and bicycle type. This research offers valuable insights into non-motorized bicycle lane usage and contributes to the development of urban non-motorized bicycle infrastructure, supporting sustainable urban transportation.
Expression of Inflammatory Genes in Murine Lungs in a Model of Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension: Effects of an Antibody-Based Targeted Delivery of Interleukin-9
Authors: Heiss Judith , Grün Katja , Singerer Isabell , Tempel Laura , Matasci Mattia , Jung Christian , Pfeil Alexander , Schulze P. Christian , Neri Dario , Franz Marcus
Published: January 2024

Background: Pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifactorial process driven by inflammation and pulmonary vascular remodeling. To target these two aspects of PH, we recently tested a novel treatment: Interleukin-9 (IL9) fused to F8, an antibody that binds to the extra-domain A of fibronectin (EDA+ Fn). As EDA+ Fn is not found in healthy adult tissue but is expressed during PH, IL9 is delivered specifically to the tissue affected by PH. We found that F8IL9 reduced pulmonary vascular remodeling and attenuated PH compared with sham-treated mice. Purpose: To evaluate possible F8IL9 effects on PH-associated inflammatory processes, we analysed the expression of genes involved in pulmonary immune responses. Methods: We applied the monocrotaline (MCT) model of PH in mice (n = 44). Animals were divided into five experimental groups: sham-induced animals without PH (control, n = 4), MCT-induced PH without treatment (PH, n = 8), dual endothelin receptor antagonist treatment (dual ERA, n = 8), F8IL9 treatment (n = 12, 2 formats with n = 6 each), or with KSFIL9 treatment (KSFIL9, n = 12, 2 formats with n = 6 each, KSF: control antibody with irrelevant antigen specificity). After 28 days, a RT-PCR gene expression analysis of inflammatory response (84 genes) was performed in the lung. Results: Compared with the controls, 19 genes exhibited relevant (+2.5-fold) upregulation in the PH group without treatment. Gene expression levels in F8IL9-treated lung tissue were reduced compared to the PH group without treatment. This was the case especially for CCL20, CXCL5, C-reactive protein, pentraxin related (CRPPR), and Kininogen-1 (KNG1). Conclusion: In accordance with the hypothesis stated above, F8IL9 treatment diminished the upregulation of some genes associated with inflammation in a PH animal model. Therefore, we hypothesize that IL9-based immunocytokine treatment will likely modulate various inflammatory pathways.
Pharmacological Approaches Using Diabetic Drugs Repurposed for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Adem Muna A. , Decourt Boris , Sabbagh Marwan N.
Published: January 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are chronic, progressive disorders affecting the elderly, which fosters global healthcare concern with the growing aging population. Both T2DM and AD have been linked with increasing age, advanced glycosylation end products, obesity, and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance in the periphery is significant in the development of T2DM and it has been posited that insulin resistance in the brain plays a key role in AD pathogenesis, earning AD the name “type 3 diabetes”. These clinical and epidemiological links between AD and T2DM have become increasingly pronounced throughout the years, and serve as a means to investigate the effects of antidiabetic therapies in AD, such as metformin, intranasal insulin, incretins, DPP4 inhibitors, PPAR-γ agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors. The majority of these drugs have shown benefit in preclinical trials, and have shown some promising results in clinical trials, with the improvement of cognitive faculties in participants with mild cognitive impairment and AD. In this review, we have summarize the benefits, risks, and conflicting data that currently exist for diabetic drugs being repurposed for the treatment of AD.
Comparative Study between the Diagnostic Effectiveness of Brain SPECT with [123I]Ioflupane and [123I]MIBG Scintigraphy in Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Villena-Salinas Javier , Ortega-Lozano Simeón José , Amrani-Raissouni Tomader , Agüera-Morales Eduardo , Caballero-Villarraso Javier
Published: January 2024

Background: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease. It has a fast progression, so early diagnosis is decisive. Two functional imaging tests can be involved in its diagnosis: [123I]Ioflupane SPECT and [123I]MIBG scintigraphy. Our aim is to comparatively analyze the diagnostic performance of both techniques. Methods: 46 patients (24 males and 22 females) with MSA underwent [123I]Ioflupane SPECT and [123I]MIBG scintigraphy. In each of these techniques, qualitative assessment was compared with quantitative assessment. Results: SPECT visual assessment was positive in 93.5% of subjects (S = 95.24%; PPV = 93.02%). A cut-off of 1.363 was established for overall S/O index (S = 85.7%, E = 100%). Visual assessment of scintigraphy was positive in 73.1% (S = 78.57%, PPV = 94.29%). For the delayed heart/medistinum ratio (HMR) a cut-off of 1.43 (S = 85.3, E = 100%) was obtained. For each unit increase in delayed HMR, the suspicion of MSA increased by 1.58 (OR = 1.58, p < 0.05). The quantitative assessment showed an association with the visual assessment for each technique (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Both tests are useful in MSA diagnosis. Comparatively, we did not observe a clear superiority of either. Striatal and myocardial deterioration do not evolve in parallel. Qualitative assessment is crucial in both techniques, together with the support of quantitative analysis. Delayed HMR shows a direct relationship with the risk of MSA.
Biomaterials-Based Antioxidant Strategies for the Treatment of Oxidative Stress Diseases
Authors: Perez-Araluce Maria , Jüngst Tomasz , Sanmartin Carmen , Prosper Felipe , Plano Daniel , Mazo Manuel M.
Published: January 2024

Oxidative stress is characterized by an increase in reactive oxygen species or a decrease in antioxidants in the body. This imbalance leads to detrimental effects, including inflammation and multiple chronic diseases, ranging from impaired wound healing to highly impacting pathologies in the neural and cardiovascular systems, or the bone, amongst others. However, supplying compounds with antioxidant activity is hampered by their low bioavailability. The development of biomaterials with antioxidant capacity is poised to overcome this roadblock. Moreover, in the treatment of chronic inflammation, material-based strategies would allow the controlled and targeted release of antioxidants into the affected tissue. In this review, we revise the main causes and effects of oxidative stress, and survey antioxidant biomaterials used for the treatment of chronic wounds, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases (focusing on cardiac infarction, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and atherosclerosis) and osteoporosis. We anticipate that these developments will lead to the emergence of new technologies for tissue engineering, control of oxidative stress and prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress.
“Extended Descriptive Risk-Averse Bayesian Model” a More Comprehensive Approach in Simulating Complex Biological Motion Perception
Authors: Misaghian Khashayar , Lugo J. Eduardo , Faubert Jocelyn
Published: January 2024

The ability to perceive biological motion is crucial for human survival, social interactions, and communication. Over the years, researchers have studied the mechanisms and neurobiological substrates that enable this ability. In a previous study, we proposed a descriptive Bayesian simulation model to represent the dorsal pathway of the visual system, which processes motion information. The model was inspired by recent studies that questioned the impact of dynamic form cues in biological motion perception and was trained to distinguish the direction of a soccer ball from a set of complex biological motion soccer-kick stimuli. However, the model was unable to simulate the reaction times of the athletes in a credible manner, and a few subjects could not be simulated. In this current work, we implemented a novel disremembering strategy to incorporate neural adaptation at the decision-making level, which improved the model’s ability to simulate the athletes’ reaction times. We also introduced receptive fields to detect rotational optic flow patterns not considered in the previous model to simulate a new subject and improve the correlation between the simulation and experimental data. The findings suggest that rotational optic flow plays a critical role in the decision-making process and sheds light on how different individuals perform at different levels. The correlation analysis of human versus simulation data shows a significant, almost perfect correlation between experimental and simulated angular thresholds and slopes, respectively. The analysis also reveals a strong relation between the average reaction times of the athletes and the simulations.
Steel Strip Surface Defect Detection Method Based on Improved YOLOv5s
Authors: Lu Jianbo , Zhu Mingrui , Ma Xiaoya , Wu Kunsheng
Published: January 2024

Steel strip is an important raw material for the engineering, automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries. However, during the production process, the surface of the steel strip is prone to cracks, pitting, and other defects that affect its appearance and performance. It is important to use machine vision technology to detect defects on the surface of a steel strip in order to improve its quality. To address the difficulties in classifying the fine-grained features of strip steel surface images and to improve the defect detection rate, we propose an improved YOLOv5s model called YOLOv5s-FPD (Fine Particle Detection). The SPPF-A (Spatial Pyramid Pooling Fast-Advance) module was constructed to adjust the spatial pyramid structure, and the ASFF (Adaptively Spatial Feature Fusion) and CARAFE (Content-Aware ReAssembly of FEatures) modules were introduced to improve the feature extraction and fusion capabilities of strip images. The CSBL (Convolutional Separable Bottleneck) module was also constructed, and the DCNv2 (Deformable ConvNets v2) module was introduced to improve the model’s lightweight properties. The CBAM (Convolutional Block Attention Module) attention module is used to extract key and important information, further improving the model’s feature extraction capability. Experimental results on the NEU_DET (NEU surface defect database) dataset show that YOLOv5s-FPD improves the mAP50 accuracy by 2.6% before data enhancement and 1.8% after SSIE (steel strip image enhancement) data enhancement, compared to the YOLOv5s prototype. It also improves the detection accuracy of all six defects in the dataset. Experimental results on the VOC2007 public dataset demonstrate that YOLOv5s-FPD improves the mAP50 accuracy by 4.6% before data enhancement, compared to the YOLOv5s prototype. Overall, these results confirm the validity and usefulness of the proposed model.