bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryopreserved platelets in bleeding management in remote hospitals: A clinical feasibility study in Sweden
Authors: Wikman Agneta , Diedrich Beatrice , Björling Karl , Forsberg Per-Olof , Harstad Anna-Maria , Henningsson Ragnar , Höglund Petter , Sköld Hans , Östman Lars , Sandgren Per
Published: January 2023

Background

Balanced transfusions, including platelets, are critical for bleeding patients to maintain hemostasis. Many rural hospitals have no or limited platelet inventory, with several hours of transport time from larger hospitals. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using cryopreserved platelets that can be stored for years, in remote hospitals with no or limited platelet inventory.

Material and methods

Three remote hospitals participated in a prospective study including adult bleeding patients where platelet transfusions were indicated. Cryopreserved platelets were prepared in a university hospital, concentrated in 10 ml, transported on dry ice, and stored at −80°C at the receiving hospital. At request, the concentrated platelet units were thawed and diluted in fresh frozen plasma. The indications, blood transfusion needs, and laboratory parameters pre- and post-transfusion, as well as logistics, such as time from request to transfusion and work efforts in preparing cryopreserved platelets, were evaluated.

Results

Twenty-three bleeding patients were included. Nine patients (39%) were treated for gastrointestinal bleeding, five (22%) for perioperative bleeding, and four (17%) for trauma bleeding. The transfusion needs were 4.9 ± 3.3 red blood cell units, 3.2 ± 2.3 plasma units, and 1.9 ± 2.2 platelet units, whereof cryopreserved were 1.5 ± 1.1 (mean ± SD). One patient had a mild allergic reaction. We could not show the difference in laboratory results between pre- and post-transfusion of the cryopreserved units in the bleeding patients. The mean time from the order of cryopreserved platelets to transfusion was 64 min, with a range from 25 to 180 min.

Conclusion

Cryopreserved platelets in remote hospitals are logistically feasible in the treatment of bleeding. The ability to have platelets in stock reduces the time to platelet transfusion in bleeding patients where the alternative often is many hours delay. Clinical effectiveness and safety previously shown in other studies are supported in this small feasibility study.
Role of hospitals in recovery from COVID-19: Reflections from hospital managers and frontliners in the Eastern Mediterranean Region on strengthening hospital resilience
Authors: Ravaghi Hamid , Khalil Merette , Al-Badri Jehan , Naidoo Antoinette Vanessa , Ardalan Ali , Khankeh Hamidreza
Published: January 2023

Background

COVID-19 highlighted the critical role that hospitals play throughout the prolonged response and continuous recovery stages of the pandemic. Yet, there is limited evidence related to hospitals in the recovery stage, particularly capturing the perspectives of hospital managers and frontliners in resource-restrained and humanitarian settings.

Objective

This paper aims to capture the perspectives of hospital managers and frontliners across the Eastern Mediterranean Region on (1) the role of hospitals in recovering from COVID-19, (2) Hospitals' expectations from public health institutions to enable recovery from COVID-19, (3) the Evaluation of hospital resilience before and through COVID-19, and (4) lessons to strengthen hospital resilience throughout the COVID-19 recovery.

Methods

A multi-methods approach, triangulating a scoping review with qualitative findings from 64 semi-structured key-informant interviews and survey responses (n = 252), was used to gain a deeper context-specific understanding. Purposeful sampling with maximum diversity supported by snowballing was used and continued until reaching data saturation. Thematic analysis was conducted using MAXQDA and simple descriptive analysis using Microsoft Excel.

Findings

In recovering from COVID-19, hospital managers noted hospitals' role in health education, risk reduction, and services continuity and expected human resource management, financial and material resource mobilization, better leadership and coordination, and technical support through the provision of updated clinical evidence-based information from their public health institutions. Qualitative findings also indicated that hospital managers attributed considerable changes in hospitals' resilience capacities to the pandemic and suggested that strengthening hospitals' resilience required resilient staff, sustainable finance, and adaptive leadership and management.

Conclusion

Hospitals are the backbone of health systems and a main point of contact for communities during emergencies; strengthening their resilience throughout the various stages of recovery is critical. Hospitals cannot be resilient in silos but rather require an integrated-whole-of-society-approach, inclusive of communities and other health systems actors.
Oral hygiene practices in nurseries (0-3 years) in the cities of Pavia and Vigevano
Authors: Segù Marzia , Baroni Laura , Bertuzzi Federica , Preda Camilla
Published: January 2023

Aim

This study was conducted to evaluate attention to and knowledge of oral care in children aged 0–3 years, on the basis of data collected from early years educators working with this age group. Information was also collected about the oral hygiene practices adopted in nurseries and the types of food provided, with the aim of increasing knowledge and raising awareness of this topic.

Materials and methods

A questionnaire was created using the “Google Forms” program and sent to all the 47 nurseries in the city of Pavia and Vigevano.

Results

Twenty establishments agreed to take part in the research. Assessment of knowledge and of awareness of oral care among early years educators caring for children in the age range 0–3 years revealed variability and some confusion. The results showed a general lack of attention to oral care in the period before the milk teeth appear, as well as limited use of gauze swabs. There was generally some use of educational play focusing on this issue, albeit not daily across all the nurseries participating in the survey. Nurseries rarely had the support of a professional dental hygienist to raise awareness among early years educators and parents.

Conclusions

The findings obtained through this study indicate that, in the area surveyed, there is a lack of widespread knowledge and awareness of oral prevention in young children, and of the oral hygiene maintenance techniques to use in this age group. This suggests a need to develop preventive protocols to improve knowledge and awareness of children's oral health among the adults who care for them.
Symbiotic effectiveness of Bradyrhizobium strains on soybean growth and productivity in Northern Mozambique
Authors: Kyei-Boahen Stephen , Savala Canon Engoke Norris , Muananamuale Carlos Pedro , Malita Carlos , Wiredu Alexander Nimo , Chibeba Amaral Machaculeha , Elia Patrick , Chikoye David
Published: January 2023

Inoculation of soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] with rhizobia strains is a low-cost investment which can increase yields of smallholder farmers in Mozambique. The performance of fourBradyrhizobiumstrains was evaluated to identify the best strain to inoculate soybean grown in different agro-ecologies. Field experiments were conducted in three ecological zones in 2018 and 2019 using soybean variety Zamboane inoculated withBradyrhizobium diazoefficiensstrain USDA 110,B. japonicumstrains USDA 136, USDA 442 and WB74, and a non-inoculated control in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Indigenous rhizobia populations at the sites ranged from 9.0 x 101to 2.2 x 103cells g−1soil. All four strains increased nodulation, but USDA 110 was superior at two sites with low native rhizobia population, whereas USDA 442 and WB74 were the best at the site with relatively high native rhizobia population. On an average, the strains doubled the number of nodules and increased the dry weight up to 5.8-fold. Inoculation increased shoot dry weight and N content at podding, plant biomass, and number of pods plant−1across sites but the effects of the strains on seeds per pod, and 100-seed weight were inconsistent. Shoot N content did not differ among inoculant strains and ranged from 15.70 g kg−1in the control to 38.53 g kg−1across inoculation. All four strains increased soybean grain yield across sites in 2018 but USDA 110 outperformed the other strains and was also the best at one of the two sites in 2019. Grain yield responses associated with USDA 110 ranged from 552 kg ha−1(56%) to 1,255 kg ha−1(76%). Positive correlations between nodule dry weight plant−1and seed yield, and number of pods plant−1and grain yield were observed. The gross margin ranged from $343.50–$606.80 ha−1for the control, but it increased to $688.34–$789.36 when inoculants were applied. On an average, inoculation increased gross margin by $182.57-$395.35 ha−1over that of non-inoculated control in 2018 but drought stress in 2019 reduced the benefit. The results demonstrate that USDA 110 was the best inoculant strain and has the potential of increasing smallholder productivity and net returns.
Perioperative systemic therapies for non-small-cell lung cancer: Recent advances and future perspectives
Authors: Lampridis Savvas , Scarci Marco
Published: January 2023

The mainstay of treatment for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is surgical resection. Traditionally, chemotherapy has been used perioperatively in locally extensive disease to improve the oncologic outcomes of surgery, with a 5-year absolute survival benefit of approximately 5%. In recent years, immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy have shown excellent results in the treatment of locoregionally advanced and metastatic NSCLC, replacing chemotherapy as first-line treatment in certain cases. Consequently, researchers have been increasingly investigating the use of immunotherapy or targeted therapy in combination with surgery for the treatment of early-stage disease. This growing research interest has resulted in several published and ongoing studies of various size and design. In this mini review, we provide a succinct and up-to-date overview of recently published, phase 3 randomized clinical trials on adjuvant and neoadjuvant immunotherapy or targeted therapy for NSCLC. We subsequently discuss some important unresolved clinical issues, including the optimal duration of treatment, scheduling with respect to surgery, and potential combinations of different systemic therapies. Finally, we reference large, randomized, phase 3 studies that are currently in progress and may give answers to those and other clinical questions.
Connecting livestock disease dynamics to human learning and biosecurity decisions
Authors: Bucini Gabriela , Clark Eric M. , Merrill Scott C. , Langle-Chimal Ollin , Zia Asim , Koliba Christopher , Cheney Nick , Wiltshire Serge , Trinity Luke , Smith Julia M.
Published: January 2023

The acceleration of animal disease spread worldwide due to increased animal, feed, and human movement has driven a growing body of epidemiological research as well as a deeper interest in human behavioral studies aimed at understanding their interconnectedness. Biosecurity measures can reduce the risk of infection, but human risk tolerance can hinder biosecurity investments and compliance. Humans may learn from hardship and become more risk averse, but sometimes they instead become more risk tolerant because they forget negative experiences happened in the past or because they come to believe they are immune. We represent the complexity of the hog production system with disease threats, human decision making, and human risk attitude using an agent-based model. Our objective is to explore the role of risk tolerant behaviors and the consequences of delayed biosecurity investments. We set up experiment with Monte Carlo simulations of scenarios designed with different risk tolerance amongst the swine producers and we derive distributions and trends of biosecurity and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) incidence emerging in the system. The output data allowed us to examine interactions between modes of risk tolerance and timings of biosecurity response discussing consequences for disease protection in the production system. The results show that hasty and delayed biosecurity responses or slow shifts toward a biosecure culture do not guarantee control of contamination when the disease has already spread in the system. In an effort to support effective disease prevention, our model results can inform policy making to move toward more resilient and healthy production systems. The modeled dynamics of risk attitude have also the potential to improve communication strategies for nudging and establishing risk averse behaviors thereby equipping the production system in case of foreign disease incursions.
A review of foodborne Toxoplasma gondii with a special focus on its prevalence in Pakistan from 2000 to 2022
Authors: Qamar Warda , Alsayeqh Abdullah F.
Published: January 2023

Third-world countries have a higher prevalence of food-related disorders than developed nations. Millions of people in underdeveloped countries are seriously at risk from the potential water supply contamination with protozoan diseases. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the important protozoans causing diseases in livestock and humans. Despite the standard tests for diagnosing this parasite and different treatment methods, the spread of these parasites is uncontrollable and rising every year due to other management disorders. In this review, we summarize etiopathogenesis and prevalence in Pakistan. We looked for papers reporting the seroprevalence of T. gondii in people and animals between 2000 and 2022 in different databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Pakistan's domestic animals (sheep and goats, horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, and buffaloes), domestic pets (cats and dogs), poultry and rodents, and humans were gathered. According to the findings, sheep had an estimated pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii that varied from 11.20 to 26.50 %, and goats from 24.50 to 38.40%. Whereas in buffalo the opposite trend was followed, and the prevalence was observed is 0% in 2022, in horses, donkeys, and mules, only one study was reported according to which a high prevalence was observed in mules (28.60%) followed by donkeys (23.50%) and horses (23.50%), in cats 38.5% prevalence was observed in a recent study and in dogs 28.43% observed, and in humans from 22 to 60%. Human beings are found to be the most affected species showing high prevalence among all. According to our findings, animals and pets not only serve as a reservoir for the parasite but also serve as a direct route for human infection with T. gondii. The diagnostic techniques used in the observed studies were mostly serological testing whereas only a few studies have only been observed with molecular testing. To know the exact pattern of the disease for its control, the trend of molecular and advanced testing should be adopted as it is more reliable. Moreover, to decrease the transmission chances of T. gondii to humans, it is crucial to manage T. gondii infections in non-human species.
Shared decision-making practices and patient values in pharmacist outpatient care for rheumatic disease: A multiple correspondence analysis
Authors: Hirata Ikkou , Hanaoka Shunsuke , Rokutanda Ryo , Funakoshi Ryohkan , Hayashi Hiroyuki
Published: January 2023

Purpose: To investigate the value-to-value relationships, relationship between values and patient background, continuation rate of treatment after shared decision-making (SDM), and disease status in order to clarify the values involved in drug therapy decisions for patients with rheumatic disease.

Methods: We investigated patient values (efficacy of drug therapy [effectiveness], safety, economics, daily life, and other) and the continuance rate and disease status of treatment after 6 months in 94 patients with rheumatic disease aged ≥18 years who made decisions with pharmacists and physicians in the pharmacy outpatient clinic between September 2019 and April 2021. Multiple correspondence and K-means cluster analyses were performed to show the relationship between values and basic patient information.

Results: Among the selected patients, 87% and 47% selected effectiveness for multiple selections and single selection, respectively. Effectiveness was at the center of the graph; three clusters containing other values were placed around it. History of allergy or side effects caused by biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors were in the safety cluster. The non-usage history of biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors was in the economic cluster.

Conclusion: Effectiveness was the most important factor for patients with rheumatic disease; the values that patients consider important may shift from effectiveness to other values based on each patient’s subjective experience with the treatment and/or the stage of life in which they were treated. It is important to positively link patient values and information about the treatment plan in shared decision-making while establishing rapport with the patient.
Experimental Study and Simulation of Pull-In Behavior in Hybrid Levitation Microactuator for Square-Shaped Proof Masses
Authors: Mamleyev Emil R. , Lee Chun Him , Korvink Jan G. , Kohl Manfred , Poletkin Kirill V.
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study of the pull-in phenomenon in the hybrid levitation microactuator (HLMA), in which square-shaped proof masses (PMs) of different sizes, namely, length sides of 2.8 and 3.2 mm and thicknesses of 25 and 10 μm were electromagnetically levitated. The pull-in actuation of the square-shaped PMs was performed by the electrostatic force generated by the set of energized electrodes and acting on the bottom surface of the PMs along the vertical direction. The pull-in parameters, such as pull-in displacements and the corresponding applied pull-in voltages, were measured with the developed setup. The experimental measurements showed that the pull-in actuation is nonlinearly dependent on the size and mass of the PMs and a levitation height. In particular, it was found that PMs levitated within a height range from 140 to 170 μm can be stably displaced within a range of 30 μm. The results of measurements were extensively simulated with the developed analytical model by means of the quasi-FEM method. The direct comparison of the results of simulation and measurements showed a very good agreement between the theory and experiments.
Integrated Magnetic Management of Stored Angular Momentum in Autonomous Attitude Control Systems
Authors: Colagrossi Andrea
Published: January 2023

Autonomous spacecraft operations are at the front end of modern research interests, because they enable space missions that would not be viable only with ground control. The possibility to exploit onboard autonomy to deal with platform management and nominal housekeeping is thus beneficial to realize complex space missions, which could then rely on ground support only for the mission-critical phases. One routine operation that most spacecraft must perform is stored angular momentum management to maintain fully usable momentum exchange actuators. The execution of this activity may be scheduled, commanded from the ground, or automatically triggered when certain thresholds are reached. However, autonomous angular momentum management may interfere with other primary spacecraft operations if executed with a dedicated and separate system mode. This paper presents the magnetic management of stored angular momentum, integrated with the main attitude control system. The system design and implementation are intended for autonomous spacecraft, and it can be operated without significant ground support. The paper describes the system architecture and the attitude control laws integrated with the magnetic angular momentum management. Specifically, the capability of the autonomous system to keep the internal angular momentum far from the saturation and far from the zero-crossing levels is highlighted. The performance of an example attitude control system with four reaction wheels and three magnetic torquers is presented and discussed, with the simulation results at model-in-the-loop (MIL) level.
Plants for Fitness Enhancement of a Coffee Leaf Miner Parasitoid
Authors: Calderón-Arroyo Carolina , Togni Pedro H. B. , Pantoja Gabriel M. , Saenz Angela S. , Venzon Madelaine
Published: January 2023

The enhancement of pest control through the conservation of natural enemies in agricultural fields is called conservation biological control. One of the strategies used on this system is to introduce or manage plants that can provide food for natural enemies. We assessed the effect of feeding resources on the fitness of a coffee leaf miner parasitoid, Proacrias coffeae Ihering (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), by evaluating the effect of different nectar resources on the survival of P. coffeae. To do so we used three flowering plants: Bidens pilosa, Galinsoga parviflora, and Varronia curassavica, and the leguminous shrub, Senna cernua Balb. H.S. Irwin & Barneby which produces extrafloral nectar. When feeding on the floral nectar of V. curassavica and on the extrafloral nectar of S. cernua the parasitoids increased their survival, however, no significant differences were found when feeding on B. pilosa and G. parviflora. We evaluated the effect of extrafloral nectar of S. cernua on the egg load of P. coffeae and found an increase in their egg load when exposed to the extrafloral nectar and with increasing age. Our results show the potential of V. curassavica and S. cernua as nutritional resources to enhance the fitness of the parasitoid P. coffeae, by increasing their survival. Based on the research study, it is evident that the introduction of feeding resources for P. coffeae in the coffee agroecosystem will increase their fitness as a potential biocontrol agent by enhancing their survival and reproductive potential.
The Phytochemical Synergistic Properties of Combination of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction and Cynara cardunculus Extract in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Maiuolo Jessica , Mollace Rocco , Bosco Francesca , Scarano Federica , Oppedisano Francesca , Nucera Saverio , Ruga Stefano , Guarnieri Lorenza , Macri Roberta , Bava Irene , Carresi Cristina , Gliozzi Micaela , Musolino Vincenzo , Cardamone Antonio , Coppoletta Anna Rita , Barillaro Andrea , Simari Virginia , Salvemini Daniela , Palma Ernesto , Mollace Vincenzo
Published: January 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered one of the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality. NAFLD is a cluster of liver disorders that includes the accumulation of fat in the liver, insulin resistance, diffuse steatosis, lobular inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and, in the latter stages, liver cancer. Due to the complexity of the disease and the multifactorial basis for the development of liver dysfunction, there is currently no unique drug treatment for NAFLD and the pharmacological options are inconclusive. In recent years, natural products have been studied for their potential beneficial effect in both preventing and treating fatty liver and its consequences in both local and systemic effects related to NAFLD. In particular, bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF), which is rich in natural polyphenols, and Cynara cardunculus wild type (which contains large quantities of sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid derivatives and luteolin) have both been investigated in both pre-clinical settings and clinical studies showing their effect in counteracting NAFLD-related health issues. In the present review we summarize the experimental and clinical evidence on the effect of BPF and Cynara extract alone or in their combination product (Bergacyn®) in NAFLD. In particular, data reported show that both extracts may synergize in counteracting the pathophysiological basis of NAFLD by inhibiting lipid accumulation in liver cells, oxidative stress and inflammation subsequent to liver syeatosis and, in the latter stages, liver fibrosis and tissue degeneration. Moreover, due to its powerful vasoprotective effect, the combination of BPF and Cynara extract (Bergacyn®) leads to improved endothelial dysfunction and cardioprotective response in both animal models of NAFLD, in veterinary medicine and in humans. Thus, supplementation with BPF and Cynara cardunculus extract and their combination product (Bergacyn®) represent a novel and potentially useful approach in preventing and treating NAFLD-associated complications.
Seed Priming Applied to Onion-Like Crops: State of the Art and Open Questions
Authors: Pagano Andrea , Macovei Anca , Xia Xianzong , Padula Gregorio , Hołubowicz Roman , Balestrazzi Alma
Published: January 2023

Cultivation of onion and onion-like crops has become a challenge in the context of climate change and innovative solutions are needed to support breeders as well as farmers, starting from the crucial issues of seed quality. Seed priming is routinely used to enhance germination performance and seedling resilience. Although common for radish, tomato, carrot or head cabbage seeds, the technique has been less popular for onion-like crops. This review provides a state-of-the-art picture of the scientific and technological advances that have so far contributed to enhance seed germination and vigour in onion-like crops. A brief description of the different types of priming approaches is provided whereas attention is focused on the following: (i) the impact of seed priming in terms of improved germination, seedling development and resilience to environmental stresses; (ii) the concept of seed quality hallmarks translated from model plants to the genus Allium; (iii) the drawbacks that currently impair the fully exploitation of seed priming in this specific sector of the agrifood chain.
The Relationship between Core Rhizosphere Taxa and Peanut Nodulation Capacity under Different Cover Crop Amendments
Authors: Leng Ke , Liu Jia , Li Guilong , Wang Ping , Zhou Panling , Sun Mingzhu , Liu Kailou , Zhang Jinyi , Ma Tingting , Xiang Xingjia
Published: January 2023

Adequate exploitation of legume–rhizobia symbiosis for nitrogen fixation may help to alleviate the overuse of chemical nitrogen fertilizer and aid in sustainable agricultural development. However, controlling this beneficial interaction requires thorough characterization of the effects of soil rhizosphere microorganisms, especially core taxa, on the legume–rhizobia symbiosis. Here, we used Illumina sequencing to investigate the effects of cover crop (Raphanus sativus L. and Lolium perenne L.) residue on the rhizosphere soil microbial community and peanut nodulation ability. The results indicated that Raphanus sativus L. amendment (RS) significantly increased soil available phosphorus (AP) content and peanut nodulation ability, while the Lolium perenne L. amendment (LP) had no noticeable impact on peanut nodulation. LP and RS significantly elevated bacterial and rhizobial diversity, reduced fungal diversity, and shifted microbial community structure (bacteria, 14.7%, p = 0.001; rhizobia, 21.7%, p = 0.001; fungi, 25.5%, p = 0.001). Random forest analysis found that the core rhizosphere taxa, sharing similar ecological preferences, were the primary drivers of peanut nodulation. By least squares regression, soil AP content was found to be positively correlated with the relative abundance of key ecological clusters. Furthermore, RS was found to promote peanut nodulation by increasing the relative abundance of critical rhizosphere taxa. Overall, our findings emphasize that core microbial taxa might play an essential function in the modulation of legume nodulation and provide scientific evidence for the effective management of the plant microbiome.
The Effect of Decreased Antipseudomonal Drug Consumption on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Incidence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles over 9 Years in a Lebanese Tertiary Care Center
Authors: El-Basst Rima , Saliba Sanaa , Saleh Lama , Saoud Nicolas , Azar Eid , Zalloua Pierre , Chamieh Amanda
Published: January 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE) is intrinsically resistant to numerous classes of antimicrobials such as tetracycline and β-lactam antibiotics. More epidemiological surveillance studies on the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of PAE are needed to generate clinically significant data and better guided therapeutic options. We describe and analyze in a retrospective study the epidemiologic trends of 1827 Pseudomonas spp. isolates (83.5% PAE, 16.4% Pseudomonas sp., and 0.2% Pseudomonas putida) from various clinical specimens with their resistance patterns to antimicrobial consumption at a tertiary medical center in Lebanon between January 2010 and December 2018. We report a significant drop in the incidence of PAE from sputum (p-value = 0.05), whereas bloodstream infection isolation density showed no trend over the study period. We also registered a minimal but statistically significant drop in resistance of Pseudomonas to certain antibiotics and a decrease in the consumption of antipseudomonal antibiotics (p-value < 0.001). Only 61 PAE isolates from a total of 1827 Pseudomonas cultures (3.33%) were difficult to treat, of which only one was a bacteremia. Interestingly, we found that the carbapenem susceptibility of Pseudomonas was unaffected by the decrease in their consumption. These results augur that antimicrobial pressure may not be the sole contributor to resistance emergence. Finally, antimicrobial stewardship seems to have a positive impact on nosocomial epidemiology.
A Green Lipophilization Reaction of a Natural Antioxidant
Authors: Pappalardo Valeria , Ravasio Nicoletta , Falletta Ermelinda , De Rosa Maria Cristina , Zaccheria Federica
Published: January 2023

A natural antioxidant, widely spread in plants, chlorogenic acid (CGA), can be lipophilized through a heterogeneous, non-enzymatic, catalytic process. Thus, sulfonic resins under no solvent conditions allow to obtain a series of esters in up to 93% yield through reaction of CGA with fatty alcohols of different chain length. The reaction takes place in one single step under mild conditions with conversions up to 96% and selectivity up to 99%. Product recovery in high purity was very easy and the esters obtained were fully characterized with spectroscopic techniques and through the DPPH test to verify the preservation of antioxidant activity. According to this test, all of them showed increased activity with respect to the parent acid and anyway higher than butylated hydroxyanisole. An in-silico method also suggested their very low toxicity. The increased lipophilicity of the esters allows their formulation in cosmetic and nutraceutic lipid-based products.
Isolation and Identification of Limosilactobacillus reuteri PSC102 and Evaluation of Its Potential Probiotic, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Ali Md. Sekendar , Lee Eon-Bee , Lim Suk-Kyung , Suk Kyoungho , Park Seung-Chun
Published: January 2023

We isolated and characterized Limosilactobacillus reuteri PSC102 and evaluated its probiotic, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. We preliminarily isolated 154 candidates from pig feces and analyzed their Gram nature, morphology, and lactic acid production ability. Based on the results, we selected eight isolates and tested their ability to produce digestive enzymes. Finally, we identified one isolate using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, namely, L. reuteri PSC102. We tested its probiotic properties in vitro, including extracellular enzyme activities, low pH and bile salt tolerance, autoaggregation and coaggregation abilities, adhesion to Caco-2 cells, antibiotic susceptibility, and hemolytic and gelatinase activities. Antioxidant activity was determined using 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt radical scavenging and reducing power assays. The antibacterial activity of this strain and its culture supernatant against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli were evaluated using a time-kill assay and disk diffusion method, respectively. L. reuteri PSC102 exhibited tolerance toward low pH and bile salt and did not produce harmful enzymes or possess hemolytic and gelatinase activities. Its intact cells and cell-free extract exhibited potential antioxidant activities, and significantly inhibited the growth of enterotoxigenic E. coli. Our results demonstrate that L. reuteri PSC102 is a potential probiotic candidate for developing functional feed.
Prediction Research on Irregularly Cavitied Components Volume Based on Gray Correlation and PSO-SVM
Authors: Zhang Xin , Jiang Yueqiu , Zhong Wei
Published: January 2023

The use of a micro-compressed air-volume-detection method to detect the volume of irregularly cavitied components has the characteristics of multi-variable coupling and nonlinearity. To solve this problem, a volume-prediction model of irregularly cavitied components based on gray correlation and a particle-swarm-optimization support-vector machine is proposed. In this paper, the gray-correlation method was used to extract the detection parameters that have the greatest correlation with the cavity volume. On the basis of the obtained detection parameters, the SVM algorithm was used to build an irregularly cavitied components volume-prediction model. During model training, since the regression accuracy and generalization performance of the SVM model depend on the proper setting of its two parameters (the penalty-parameter C and the kernel-parameter σ), and especially on the interaction of the parameters, this paper presents an optimal-selection approach towards the SVM parameters, based on the particle-swarm-optimization (PSO) algorithm. Experiments showed that the prediction model can better predict the volume of irregularly cavitied components, and the prediction accuracy was high, which played a guiding role in intellectual nondestructive testing of the volume of the irregularly cavitied components.
RGCLN: Relational Graph Convolutional Ladder-Shaped Networks for Signed Network Clustering
Authors: Song Anping , Ji Ruyi , Qi Wendong , Zhang Chenbei
Published: January 2023

Node embeddings are increasingly used in various analysis tasks of networks due to their excellent dimensional compression and feature representation capabilities. However, most researchers’ priorities have always been link prediction, which leads to signed network clustering being under-explored. Therefore, we propose an asymmetric ladder-shaped architecture called RGCLN based on multi-relational graph convolution that can fuse deep node features to generate node representations with great representational power. RGCLN adopts a deep framework to capture and convey information instead of using the common method in signed networks—balance theory. In addition, RGCLN adds a size constraint to the loss function to prevent image-like overfitting during the unsupervised learning process. Based on the node features learned by this end-to-end trained model, RGCLN performs community detection in a large number of real-world networks and generative networks, and the results indicate that our model has an advantage over state-of-the-art network embedding algorithms.
HAL Training in Spinal Cord Injured Patients: A Narrative Review of 10 Years Experience
Authors: Brinkemper Alexis , Grasmücke Dennis , Yilmaz Emre , Schildhauer Thomas Armin , Aach Mirko
Published: January 2023

To provide a summary and overview of the use of Hybrid Assistive Limb in spinal cord injured patients over the past 10 years. A review of the literature was performed via Web of Science and PubMed using the search terms “Hybrid assistive limb” or “HAL“ or “wearable robot“ or “exoskeleton” and “SCI” or “spinal cord injury” by two of the authors. Relevant articles were then studied in full text. Our review of the literature found 21 articles that met the inclusion criteria of this narrative review including 344 participants. Articles were sorted into two general categories: (1) clinical trials, and (2) single-case or two-case reports. The vast majority of patients improved functionally, showing increased walking distances, walking speeds, and endurance. In addition, a variety of other advances were described, such as temporary decrease in spasticity, improvement in bladder and bowel management, pain reduction, and change in muscle activity. Even though there is no uniform application of HAL training in people living with SCI the current study situation suggests that many patients could benefit from this innovative training within their means.
Investigations on Pressure Broadening Coefficients of NO Lines in the 1←0 Band for N2, CO2, Ar, H2, O2 and He
Authors: Agarwal Sumit , Seifert Leopold , Zhu Denghao , Shu Bo , Fernandes Ravi , Qu Zhechao
Published: January 2023

A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS)-based spectrometer employing a mid-infrared (Mid-IR) interband cascade laser (ICL) was developed and used to determine pressure broadening coefficients of two NO absorption transitions at 1914.98 cm−1 and 1915.76 cm−1 in the fundamental (1←0) band (R11.5 Ω1/2 and Ω3/2) for CO2, N2, Ar, O2, He, and H2. For the first time, a reliable and consistent set of six different pressure-broadening coefficients for the NO line has been measured by a consistent approach covering pressures from 100 to 970 mbar at a temperature of 294 K. Air pressure broadening has been calculated based on N2 and O2 coefficients. The stated pressure-broadening coefficients for N2, CO2, Ar, H2, O2, He, and Air have relative errors in the 0.5–1.5% range. For CO2 and H2, broadening results of NO (1←0) band (R11.5 Ω1/2 and Ω3/2) lines are reported for the first time. The results are also compared to previously available literature data. It was found that the broadening coefficients for O2 and Air are in agreement with literature values, whereas results for Ar and He show larger differences.
Design Principles of a Mixed-Reality Shopping Assistant System in Omnichannel Retail
Authors: Jain Shubham , Obermeier Gabriele , Auinger Andreas , Werth Dirk , Kiss Gabriel
Published: January 2023

New digital technologies furnish retail managers with new means to enhance consumer experiences in omnichannel retailing. Conceptual academic literature and industry emphasize the promising use of immersive digital displays and their potential benefits for retailers. In this research, we present the design of a personal shopping assistance system that is based on optical see-through mixed-reality technology. Microsoft HoloLens 2 was leveraged as the archetype to realize this novel system, facilitating consumer information search and decision making. The design incorporates various shopping assistance elements (i.e., product information, reviews, recommendations, product availability, videos, a virtual cart, and an option to buy). Users can interact with these elements with gesture-based inputs to navigate through the interface. A qualitative study with 35 participants was conducted to collect users’ feedback and perceptions about the mixed-reality shopping assistant system. Derived from the qualitative feedback, we propose seven design principles that aim to support future designs and developments of mixed-reality shopping applications for head-mounted displays in omnichannel retail: rigor, informativeness, tangibility, summary, comparability, flexibility and holism.
Random Orthogonal Search with Triangular and Quadratic Distributions (TROS and QROS): Parameterless Algorithms for Global Optimization
Authors: Tong Bruce Kwong-Bun , Sung Chi Wan , Wong Wing Shing
Published: January 2023

In this paper, the behavior and performance of Pure Random Orthogonal Search (PROS), a parameter-free evolutionary algorithm (EA) that outperforms many existing EAs on the well-known benchmark functions with finite-time budget, are analyzed. The sufficient conditions to converge to the global optimum are also determined. In addition, we propose two modifications to PROS, namely Triangular-Distributed Random Orthogonal Search (TROS) and Quadratic-Distributed Random Orthogonal Search (QROS). With our local search mechanism, both modified algorithms improve the convergence rates and the errors of the obtained solutions significantly on the benchmark functions while preserving the advantages of PROS: parameterless, excellent computational efficiency, ease of applying to all kinds of applications, and high performance with finite-time search budget. The experimental results show that both TROS and QROS are competitive in comparison to several classic metaheuristic optimization algorithms.
Digitalization Trend and Its Influence on the Development of the Operational Process in Production Companies
Authors: Adamczak Michal , Kolinski Adam , Trojanowska Justyna , Husár Jozef
Published: January 2023

The subject of digitization is currently very widely described. Implementing digitization is a complex task and there are many variants of its implementation. The authors of this article asked themselves what current trends affect the digitization of processes and what factors resulting from the characteristics of production enterprises affect the development of operational processes. The CAWI method was used in the study. In the analysis of the results, the following methods were used: Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS), Mood’s Median Test, or visualization using a box plot. The analysis of the results allowed us to conclude that the development of operational processes of production enterprises is related to digitization trends, but this relationship is not direct. It is necessary to link digitalization trends with software development trends. The conducted research also indicated that there are company characteristics that determine the degree of use (absorption) and the perception of significance for digitalization trends. These characteristics are the type of a company and the age of a company.
Research Status and Development Trend of Wastewater Treatment Technology and Its Low Carbonization
Authors: Li Demin , Wang Zhaoyang , Yang Yixuan , Liu Hao , Fang Shuai , Liu Shenglin
Published: January 2023

With the rapid development of the social economy, the demand for water resources is gradually increasing, and the corresponding impact of water pollution is also becoming more severe. Therefore, the technology of sewage treatment is developing rapidly, but corresponding problems also arise. The requirements of energy conservation and emissions reduction under the goal of carbon neutrality and dual carbon pose a challenge to the traditional concept of sewage treatment, and there is an urgent need for low-carbon sewage treatment technology aiming at energy conservation, consumption reduction and resource reuse. This review briefly introduces conventional sewage treatment technology and low-carbon sewage treatment technology, and analyzes the research status and development trend of low-carbon sewage treatment technology in detail. The analysis and comparison of conventional and low-carbon sewage treatment technologies is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the practical engineering application of low-carbon sewage treatment technologyto achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. It is of great significance to promote the sustainable development of society and the economy.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of AppliedMath in 2022
Authors:   AppliedMath Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Vascularized Tissue Organoids
Authors: Strobel Hannah A. , Moss Sarah M. , Hoying James B.
Published: January 2023

Tissue organoids hold enormous potential as tools for a variety of applications, including disease modeling and drug screening. To effectively mimic the native tissue environment, it is critical to integrate a microvasculature with the parenchyma and stroma. In addition to providing a means to physiologically perfuse the organoids, the microvasculature also contributes to the cellular dynamics of the tissue model via the cells of the perivascular niche, thereby further modulating tissue function. In this review, we discuss current and developing strategies for vascularizing organoids, consider tissue-specific vascularization approaches, discuss the importance of perfusion, and provide perspectives on the state of the field.
Multi-Layered Non-Local Bayes Model for Lung Cancer Early Diagnosis Prediction with the Internet of Medical Things
Authors: Hussain Ali Yossra , Chinnaperumal Seelammal , Marappan Raja , Raju Sekar Kidambi , Sadiq Ahmed T. , Farhan Alaa K. , Srinivasan Palanivel
Published: January 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) has been influential in predicting major diseases in current practice. The deep learning (DL) technique is vital in monitoring and controlling the functioning of the healthcare system and ensuring an effective decision-making process. In this study, we aimed to develop a framework implementing the IoT and DL to identify lung cancer. The accurate and efficient prediction of disease is a challenging task. The proposed model deploys a DL process with a multi-layered non-local Bayes (NL Bayes) model to manage the process of early diagnosis. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) could be useful in determining factors that could enable the effective sorting of quality values through the use of sensors and image processing techniques. We studied the proposed model by analyzing its results with regard to specific attributes such as accuracy, quality, and system process efficiency. In this study, we aimed to overcome problems in the existing process through the practical results of a computational comparison process. The proposed model provided a low error rate (2%, 5%) and an increase in the number of instance values. The experimental results led us to conclude that the proposed model can make predictions based on images with high sensitivity and better precision values compared to other specific results. The proposed model achieved the expected accuracy (81%, 95%), the expected specificity (80%, 98%), and the expected sensitivity (80%, 99%). This model is adequate for real-time health monitoring systems in the prediction of lung cancer and can enable effective decision-making with the use of DL techniques.
The Global Influence of Sodium on Cyanobacteria in Resuscitation from Nitrogen Starvation
Authors: Burkhardt Markus , Rapp Johanna , Menzel Claudia , Link Hannes , Forchhammer Karl
Published: January 2023

Dormancy and resuscitation are key to bacterial survival under fluctuating environmental conditions. In the absence of combined nitrogen sources, the non-diazotrophic model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 enters into a metabolically quiescent state during a process termed chlorosis. This state enables the cells to survive until nitrogen sources reappear, whereupon the cells resuscitate in a process that follows a highly orchestrated program. This coincides with a metabolic switch into a heterotrophic-like mode where glycogen catabolism provides the cells with reductant and carbon skeletons for the anabolic reactions that serve to re-establish a photosynthetically active cell. Here we show that the entire resuscitation process requires the presence of sodium, a ubiquitous cation that has a broad impact on bacterial physiology. The requirement for sodium in resuscitating cells persists even at elevated CO2 levels, a condition that, by contrast, relieves the requirement for sodium ions in vegetative cells. Using a multi-pronged approach, including the first metabolome analysis of Synechocystis cells resuscitating from chlorosis, we reveal the involvement of sodium at multiple levels. Not only does sodium play a role in the bioenergetics of chlorotic cells, as previously shown, but it is also involved in nitrogen compound assimilation, pH regulation, and synthesis of key metabolites.