bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a Combined Intradialytic Exercise Training Program on Functional Capacity and Body Composition in Kidney Transplant Candidates
Authors: Michou Vasiliki , Davioti Michaela , Syrakou Niki , Liakopoulos Vasilios , Deligiannis Asterios , Kouidi Evangelia
Published: January 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to gradual muscle mass loss, which is strongly associated with lower functional capacity, which limits a patient’s daily activities. The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of a 4-month intradialytic exercise program on the functional capacity and body composition of kidney transplant (KT) candidates. Twenty-nine male patients on hemodialysis (HD) waiting for a kidney transplant, with a mean age of 53.86 ± 9.56 years old and BMI 27.11 ± 5.55 kg/m2, were randomly assigned into the following two groups: A (nA = 15 HD patients), who followed a 4-month intradialytic exercise program combining aerobic and resistance training, with a supervised, progressively increasing workload, and B (nB = 14 HD patients), who continued to receive usual care. At baseline and the end of the study, the KT candidates underwent a 6-min walking distance (6-MWD), and a 10-repetition sit-to-stand test (10-STS) to access physical function, a handgrip strength (HGS) test to evaluate the muscle strength of the non-fistula hand. Moreover, the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed to assess body composition indices, such as body fat (BF), body fat mass index (BFMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), body cell mass (BCM), basal metabolic rate (BMR), extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), total body water (TBW) and phase angle (PhA). Following the exercise program, group A showed favorable improvements in HGS (from 26.59 ± 9.23 to 28.61 ± 9.58 kg, p < 0.05) and 6-MWD (from 427.07 ± 7.66 to 468.16 ± 11.39 m, p < 0.05). Intergroup results from 6-MWD showed a statistically significant difference (Δp = 0.04), at the end of the study. Moreover, group A results from BIA revealed a significant increase of BMR by 2.4% (p < 0.05), ECW by 3.6% (p = 0.01), ICW by 3.8% (p = 0.01), TBW by 4.1% (p = 0.01), lean mass by 2.7% (p = 0.01), and PhA by 13.3% (p = 0.04), while a reduction in BF by 5.0% (p = 0.01) and BFMI by 6.6% (p = 0.03) was also noticed. At the end of the study, group A showed statistical differences in BMR (Δp = 0.01), BMR/BW (Δp = 0.01), dry lean (Δp = 0.01), and PhA (Δp = 0.03), compared to the group B. Linear regression analysis in group A after training showed positive correlations between HGS and both PhA (r = 0.52, p = 0.04) and FFMI (r = 0.64, p = 0.01), and a strong negative correlation between 6-MWT and BF (r = −0.61, p = 0.01). In conclusion, a 4-month intradialytic exercise program can enhance body composition and some physical parameters in HD patients awaiting kidney transplantation.
Development of Subsea Pipeline Buckling, Corrosion and Leakage Monitoring
Authors: Du Fengming , Li Cong , Wang Weiwei
Published: January 2023

Oil and gas exploration is a sector which drives the global economy and currently contributes significantly to global economic development. The safety of subsea pipelines is deeply affected by factors such as pipeline buckling, corrosion and leakage. Once a subsea pipeline is seriously leaking or damaged, it will cause a lot of waste of resources at light level, and it will cause explosions in severe cases, resulting in heavy casualties and huge economic losses, and at the same time, seriously damaging the surrounding ecological environment. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to problems related to the buckling, corrosion and leakage of submarine pipelines. This paper consists of a literature review of the latest research about buckling, corrosion and leak detection.
Variational Bayesian Inference Time Delay Estimation for Passive Sonars
Authors: Ding Feilong , Chi Cheng , Li Yu , Huang Haining
Published: January 2023

In passive sonars, distance and depth estimation of underwater targets is often limited by the accuracy of time delay estimations. The estimation accuracy of the existing methods of time delay estimation is limited by the uniform discrete grid (signal sampling rate). When a true time delay is out of the grid, the estimation accuracy deteriorates due to the mismatch between the real-time delay and the discrete grid. This paper proposes a new method for time delay estimation, which realizes the time delay estimation under the framework of variational Bayesian inference. The proposed method is grid-less, that is, continuous in the time domain. Unlike the popular grid-less compressive time delay estimation method, this method does not require parameter adjustment, and can automatically estimate the number of time delays, noise variance, and amplitude variance. The simulation results showed that the performance of the proposed method was superior to the reference state-of-the-art time delay estimation methods.
Development of Mechanical Pipe-Connection Design for DEMO
Authors: Milushev Viktor , Azka Azman , Mittwollen Martin
Published: January 2023

Maintenance of the DEMO breeding blanket includes the removal and replacement of plasma-facing components. To access the breeding blanket, multiple coolant pipes need to be removed to allow access to the tokamak. As an option to reduce downtime and increase maintenance speed, the pipe-connection concept is developed to allow the removal of multiple pipes at the same time using a remotely operated mechanical connection. The remotely operated multi-pipe Mechanical Pipe Connection (MPC) needs to fulfil multiple requirements, such as high operating temperature and high external forces while at the same time maintaining an acceptable level of sealing between the high-pressure fluid and vacuum surroundings. In addition to the external conditions, the pipes of multiple sizes and fluids are connected in a manifold configuration. Although this will reduce the overall time required to operate the mechanical pipe connection when compared to multiple single-pipe connections, this will introduce additional forces and stresses due the interaction between pipe flow (e.g., simultaneous high- and low-temperature fluid pipes on the same manifold) through the manifold flange. The requirements and the boundary conditions of the multi-pipe MPC are taken into consideration during the design process of MPC. The design process is carried out to find the optimum form and size to allow the mechanical function of the pipe connection during the maintenance phase while withstanding the extreme operating conditions that the MPC will face the during operational phase. The resulting design will then be analyzed using numerical methods to assess the capability of the MPC designs.
Bioeconomy—A Systematic Literature Review on Spatial Aspects and a Call for a New Research Agenda
Authors: Grossauer Franz , Stoeglehner Gernot
Published: January 2023

Over the last 10 to 15 years, bioeconomy (BE) has evolved to a widely accepted alternative to the dominant use of finite raw materials around the globe. One of the essential prerequisites for the sustainable implementation of this future-oriented economic system is the consideration of spatial framework conditions. This review assesses whether spatial aspects are addressed in the scientific discourse on the bioeconomy. Between 2010 to 2021, 8812 articles were published dealing with the thematic field of bioeconomy. Using a keyword list covering themes related to spatial issues, 107 articles were identified. It was possible to demonstrate that spatial aspects are rarely discussed and large research gaps are evident. These gaps relate, for example, to the development of planning instruments for the protection of agricultural land or the assessment of the influence of intensification of agriculture on biodiversity or the multifunctionality of landscapes. In addition, the social aspects of transitioning to a bioeconomy, the role of regional planning with respect to decentralised versus centralised models, and the influence of policy and governance to foster a sustainable transition process and to avoid land use conflicts are all topics which need to be addressed in research. Based on these results, a research agenda was developed covering these and further issues to enable a sustainable spatial implementation of different forms of bioeconomy.
Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs and Spatial Pattern Optimisation under Different Land Use Scenarios: A Case Study in Guanzhong Region, China
Authors: Sun Yijie , Li Jing , Ren Zhiyuan , Yang Feipeng
Published: January 2023

Understanding the complex interactions (i.e., trade-offs and synergies) among ecosystem services (ESs) and exploring land use optimisation are important to realize regional ecological governance and sustainable development. This study examined Guanzhong Region, Shaanxi Province, as the research object. We established 12 future land use scenarios and projected the future land use patterns under the future climate change scenarios and local development policies. Next, we assessed the four main ecosystem services—carbon sequestration (CS), habitat quality (HQ), soil conservation (SC), and food supply (FS) by using related formulas and the InVEST model. Furthermore, the production possibility frontier (PPF) was used to measure trade-offs and synergistic relationships among ESs, and extract the optimal ES group under the different target needs. The results are as follows: (1) In the future 12 land use scenarios of 2050 in Guanzhong Region, forested land increased evidently in the RCP2.6 ecological protection scenario (18,483.64 km). In the RCP6.0 rapid urban development scenario, construction land showed evident expansion in the central and northeastern areas (4764.52 km2). (2) Compared with the ESs under the future multiple scenarios, CS and HQ achieved the maximum value in the RCP8.5 ecological protection scenario. In the RCP2.6 ecological protection scenario, the amount of SC was the largest (3.81 × 106 t). FS in the RCP2.6 business as usual scenario got the maximum value (18.53 × 106 t). (3) By drawing the optimal PPF curve of multiple scenarios in 2050, trade-off relationships were found between FS and CS, HQ, and SC, and synergistic relationships were found between CS, HQ, and SC. Next, the optimal ES groups under the fitted curve were selected by comparing with the ESs of 2018, and adjusting the land use areas and spatial pattern to finally optimise the relationships between ES and achieve the best land use spatial pattern.
Productivity and Efficiency of Community Gardens: Case Studies from the UK
Authors: Caputo Silvio , Schoen Victoria , Blythe Chris
Published: January 2023

The extensive and burgeoning literature on the productivity of urban farms and gardens is largely focused on measures of crop yield and resource use, with little offered to date on their contribution to social productivity and sustainability. This paper suggests that evaluation of urban agriculture should consider all types of resource consumption and productivity simultaneously. The research reported here used a citizen science approach to collect data from seven community gardens and one community farm in London, UK in the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. The paper examines the many variables that impact the sites’ overall performance, highlighting the complex nature and relationship between the many benefits and outcomes of urban farms and gardens. Data are presented on crop yield, equivalent fruit and vegetable portions, input use (including water and fertilizer), journeys made to the garden by volunteers, social benefits, and social outreach. Results show very mixed levels of crop and social productivity, depending on the organizational structure and agenda of the various sites included in the study. With no clear pattern emerging, this paper suggests that the evaluation of citywide productivity, often based on projections of small data samples, may not be reliable. By ensuring that training opportunities for volunteers are made available, higher resource efficiency as well as higher productivity could be attained.
Reduction in Water Erosion and Soil Loss on Steep Land Managed by Controlled Traffic Farming
Authors: Macák Miroslav , Galambošová Jana , Kumhála František , Barát Marek , Kroulík Milan , Šinka Karol , Novák Petr , Rataj Vladimír , Misiewicz Paula A.
Published: January 2023

Controlled traffic farming (CTF) is used to confine soil compaction to the least possible area of the field, thereby achieving economic and environmental benefits. In the context of climate change, soil erosion is one of the most discussed topics, and there is a research gap in understanding the effects of CTF on soil erosion in Central Europe. The aim of this work was to show the potential of CTF to reduce water erosion, in terms of water runoff and soil loss on steep land. A 16 ha experimental field with a CTF technology implemented since 2009 at the Slovak University of Agriculture was used in this research. Three traffic intensity locations were selected and watered using a rainfall simulator. The results showed that the soil which had not been wheeled for 12 years had the lowest water runoff: its intensity after 20 min of simulated rain was 10 times lower compared to the multiple traffic treatment. The soil loss, expressed as the total soil sediments collected after 35 min, in the no traffic area was lower by 70%, compared to the soil with one-pass treatment and only 25% of the loss in the multiple traffic areas. These results show that CTF can significantly reduce soil loss through water runoff on steep land.
Land Administration As-A-Service: Relevance, Applications, and Models
Authors: Bennett Rohan Mark , Donovan Jerome , Masli Eryadi , Riekkinen Kirsikka
Published: January 2023

The ‘as-a-Service’ (aaS) concept of the IT sector is suggested to reduce upfront and ongoing costs, enable easier scaling, and make for simpler system upgrades. The concept is explored in relation to the domain of land administration, with a view to examining its relevance, application, and potential adaptation. Specifically, these aspects are analysed against the long-standing problem of land administration system maintenance. Two discrete literature reviews, a comparative analysis, and final modelling work constitute the research design. Of the 35 underlying land administration maintenance issues identified, aaS is found to directly respond to 15, indirectly support another 15, and provide no immediate benefit to 5. Most prominent are the ability of aaS to support issues relating to financial sustainability, continuous innovation, and human capacity provision. The approach is found to be already in use in various country contexts. It is articulated by the UNECE as one of four scenarios for future land administration development. In terms of adaptation, the 4-tier framework from Enterprise Architecture—consisting of Business, Application, Information, and Technology layers—is used to model and describe five specific aaS approaches: (i) On Premises; (ii) Basic Outsourcing; (iii) Public Private Partnership; (iv) Fully Privatised; and (v) Subscription. Several are more theoretical in nature but may see future adoption. Each requires further development, including case analyses, to support more detailed definitions of the required underlying legal frameworks, financial models, partnerships arrangements, data responsibilities, and so on. Decisions on the appropriate aaS model, and the application of aaS more generally, are entirely dependent on the specific country context. Overall, this work provides a platform for land administration researchers and practitioners to analyse the relevance and implementation options of the aaS concept.
Towards a Typology of wh-Doubling in Northern Italian Dialects
Authors: Munaro Nicola , Poletto Cecilia
Published: January 2023

In this work we examine the distribution of wh-in-situ and short (i.e., clause internal) wh-doubling in Northern Italian dialects with the purpose of showing that wh-in-situ and wh-doubling are not unitary phenomena, since they are subject to different distributional properties across dialects. We show that wh-doubling cannot be reduced to a single analysis but rather corresponds to a family of phenomena which have in common the basic procedure of feature doubling, within which the copying mechanism applies to different subsets or packages of features and is constrained in different ways. Furthermore, some types of doubling correspond in their distribution with some types of wh-in-situ, which shows that the two phenomena must be related and that different types of wh-in-situ are the null counterpart of different types of wh-doubling. However, in the languages in which wh-in-situ is generalized, wh-in-situ has nothing to do with wh-doubling.
Test Study of the Bridge Cable Corrosion Protection Mechanism Based on Impressed Current Cathodic Protection
Authors: Yao Guowen , He Xuanbo , Liu Jiawei , Guo Zengwei , Chen Pengyu
Published: January 2023

The cable system is an important bearing element of a bridge with stay cables or slings and a matter of major concern in the safety of the bridge structure. Bridge cables are vulnerable to corrosion induced by leakage and soaking during their service life. To solve this problem, and based on the idea of proactive control by means of the impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) of bridge cables, this study designs and develops an ICCP system device for bridge cable protection. In this study, an accelerated corrosion test was conducted to test the ICCP system of steel wires inside the cables and the cables under acid rain conditions. The corrosion protection behavior of ICCP was analyzed to reveal the corrosion protection mechanism of bridge cable ICCP. The results show that in the cable ICCP system, the impressed current generated by a more negative voltage may improve the efficiency of corrosion protection, but an excessively negative voltage may cause hydrogen embrittlement of the cable steel wire due to overprotection. The rational range of −1.13 V to −1.15 V was set as the result of the overall consideration. Within this range, the cable is subject to the joint protection of ICCP and sacrificial anode cathodic protection (SACP). Corrosive products can delay the development of cable corrosion to a certain degree; the SACP protection efficiency of the galvanized coat reduces gradually with corrosion development; and cable ICCP protection efficiency increases gradually. The ICCP for cable corrosion protection is transformed from joint protection using both a sacrificial anode and impressed current into protection, mainly using an impressed current.
A Rank Model of Casting Non-Conformity Detection Methods in the Context of Industry 4.0
Authors: Ulewicz Robert , Czerwińska Karolina , Pacana Andrzej
Published: January 2023

In the face of ongoing market changes, multifaceted quality analyses contribute to ensuring production continuity, increasing the quality of the products offered and maintaining a stable market position. The aim of the research was to create a unified rank model for detection methods in the identification of aluminium casting non-conformities, in line with the paradigms of the fourth industrial revolution. The originality of the model enables the creation of a rank for the effectiveness of total inspection points allowing for the optimisation of detection methods. Verification of the model was carried out against the production process of aluminium casting. The model included the integration of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods and the analysis of critical product non-conformities, along with the determination of the level of effectiveness and efficiency of inspection points. The resulting ranking of detection methods indicated the NDT method as the most effective, which was influenced by the significant detection of critical non-conformities and the automation of the process. The study observed little difference in the visual inspection and measurement efficiency parameters, which was due to the identifiability of non-conformities with a lower degree of significance and the low level of inspection cost. Further research will look at the implications of the model in other production processes.
Editorial on the Topic “New Research on Detection and Removal of Emerging Pollutants”
Authors: Núñez-Delgado Avelino , Zhang Zhien , Bontempi Elza , Coccia Mario , Race Marco , Zhou Yaoyu
Published: January 2023

With the Topic “New Research on Detection and Removal of Emerging Pollutants” (https://www [...]
Ant-Inspired Bionic Design Method for the Support Structure of the Fengyun-3 Satellite Payload Infilled with Lattice Structure
Authors: Li Hang , Liu Ruiyao , Wang Haijun , Xin Renlong , Xu Zhenbang , Yu Zhenglei
Published: January 2023

Owing to their high design freedom and excellent performance, lattice structures have shown outstanding capabilities and great potential in aeronautics and astronautics fields. In this paper, we propose a method to construct lattice structures by parameterizing biological features. An ant-leg configuration is used as the bionic object to generate a bionic lightweight design with a gradient lattice structure. To achieve the above goal, an innovative optimization method combining topology optimization, size optimization, and a bionic lattice structure is proposed in this paper. Taking the support structure of the Fengyun-3 satellite payload as the research object, this optimization method is applied to optimize the design. Further, the reconstructed optimization model and the original model are simulated to evaluate and compare the structural performance. The simulation results show that when combined with bionic lattice structure and structural optimization, the method can achieve the lightweight design goal while ensuring the stiffness and strength of the structure. The results demonstrate that the application of a bionic lattice design in a lightweight design has feasibility and expectable potential.
Assessment of a Fully Renewable Generation System with Storage to Cost-Effectively Cover the Electricity Demand of Standalone Grids: The Case of the Canary Archipelago by 2040
Authors: Rivera-Durán Yago , Berna-Escriche César , Córdova-Chávez Yaisel , Muñoz-Cobo José Luis
Published: January 2023

The change towards a clean electric generation system is essential to achieve the economy decarbonization goal. The Canary Islands Archipelago confronts social, environmental, and economic challenges to overcome the profound change from a fossil fuel-dependent economy to a fully sustainable renewable economy. This document analyzes a scenario with a totally renewable generation system and with total electrification of the economy for the Canary Islands by 2040. In addition, it also shows the significant reduction in this fully renewable system when an optimized interconnection among islands is considered. This scenario consists of a solar PV system of 11 GWp, a wind system of only 0.39 GWp, a pumped storage system of 16.64 GWh (2065 MW), and a lithium-ion battery system of 34.672 GWh (3500 MW), having a system LCOE of 10.1 cEUR/kWh. These results show the certainty of being able to use an autonomous, reliable, and fully renewable system to generate and store the energy needed to dispense with fossil fuels, thus, resulting in a system free of greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity market. In addition, the proposed system has low energy wastage (less than 20%) for a fully renewable, stand-alone, and off-grid system.
XAIR: A Systematic Metareview of Explainable AI (XAI) Aligned to the Software Development Process
Authors: Clement Tobias , Kemmerzell Nils , Abdelaal Mohamed , Amberg Michael
Published: January 2023

Currently, explainability represents a major barrier that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is facing in regard to its practical implementation in various application domains. To combat the lack of understanding of AI-based systems, Explainable AI (XAI) aims to make black-box AI models more transparent and comprehensible for humans. Fortunately, plenty of XAI methods have been introduced to tackle the explainability problem from different perspectives. However, due to the vast search space, it is challenging for ML practitioners and data scientists to start with the development of XAI software and to optimally select the most suitable XAI methods. To tackle this challenge, we introduce XAIR, a novel systematic metareview of the most promising XAI methods and tools. XAIR differentiates itself from existing reviews by aligning its results to the five steps of the software development process, including requirement analysis, design, implementation, evaluation, and deployment. Through this mapping, we aim to create a better understanding of the individual steps of developing XAI software and to foster the creation of real-world AI applications that incorporate explainability. Finally, we conclude with highlighting new directions for future research.
A Relaxed Inertial Tseng’s Extragradient Method for Solving Split Variational Inequalities with Multiple Output Sets
Authors: Alakoya Timilehin Opeyemi , Mewomo Oluwatosin Temitope
Published: January 2023

Recently, the split inverse problem has received great research attention due to its several applications in diverse fields. In this paper, we study a new class of split inverse problems called the split variational inequality problem with multiple output sets. We propose a new Tseng extragradient method, which uses self-adaptive step sizes for approximating the solution to the problem when the cost operators are pseudomonotone and non-Lipschitz in the framework of Hilbert spaces. We point out that while the cost operators are non-Lipschitz, our proposed method does not involve any linesearch procedure for its implementation. Instead, we employ a more efficient self-adaptive step size technique with known parameters. In addition, we employ the relaxation method and the inertial technique to improve the convergence properties of the algorithm. Moreover, under some mild conditions on the control parameters and without the knowledge of the operators’ norm, we prove that the sequence generated by our proposed method converges strongly to a minimum-norm solution to the problem. Finally, we apply our result to study certain classes of optimization problems, and we present several numerical experiments to demonstrate the applicability of our proposed method. Several of the existing results in the literature in this direction could be viewed as special cases of our results in this study.
A QCA Analysis of Knowledge Co-Creation Based on University–Industry Relationships
Authors: Pocol Cristina Bianca , Stanca Liana , Dabija Dan-Cristian , Câmpian Veronica , Mișcoiu Sergiu , Pop Ioana Delia
Published: January 2023

This research aims to identify typologies of companies willing to cooperate with universities to foster knowledge co-creation and ease knowledge transfer to students within courses, training, communities of practises, etc., regardless of the business sector they are active in. To implement the research scope, we rely on the qualitative comparative analysis method (QCA). Interactions between causal factors within the university–industry relations, and knowledge co-creation have been examined. The results obtained indicate two typologies. Type 1 includes companies oriented towards supporting interactions with universities based on education, research, student placements, training, and community services such as consultancy, and product development. These acknowledge both the necessity of creating platforms to establish more ties with universities and the importance of alumni connections to develop effective campus management. Type 2 includes companies that are not interested in understanding or supporting the mission of universities in society, not developing ties with universities, and generating only a superficial interaction, which hinders their involvement in the creation of knowledge with universities. From a managerial perspective, this paper highlights the relationship between universities and industry and how this could contribute to increased resilience for a society facing unexpected challenges, such as the global crisis related to COVID-19 and the present state of international political instability.
Some Companions of Fejér Type Inequalities Using GA-Convex Functions
Authors: Latif Muhammad Amer
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we present some new and novel mappings defined over 0,1 with the help of GA-convex functions. As a consequence, we obtain companions of Fejér-type inequalities for GA-convex functions with the help of these mappings, which provide refinements of some known results. The properties of these mappings are discussed as well.
Lattice-Based Lightweight Quantum Resistant Scheme in 5G-Enabled Vehicular Networks
Authors: Al-Mekhlafi Zeyad Ghaleb , Al-Shareeda Mahmood A. , Manickam Selvakumar , Mohammed Badiea Abdulkarem , Qtaish Amjad
Published: January 2023

Both security and privacy are central issues and need to be properly handled because communications are shared among vehicles in open channel environments of 5G-enabled vehicular networks. Several researchers have proposed authentication schemes to address these issues. Nevertheless, these schemes are not only vulnerable to quantum attacks but also use heavy operations to generate and verify signatures of messages. Additionally, these schemes need an expensive component RoadSide Unit (RSU)-aided scheme during the joining phase. To address these issues, we propose a lightweight quantum-resistant scheme according to the lattice method in 5G-enabled vehicular networks. Our proposal uses matrix multiplication instead of operations-based bilinear pair cryptography or operations-based elliptic curve cryptography to generate and verify signatures of messages shared among vehicles. Our proposal satisfies a significant reduction in performance, which makes it lightweight enough to handle quantum attacks. Our proposal is based on 5G technology without using any RSU-aided scheme. Security analysis showed that our proposal satisfies privacy and security properties as well as resists quantum attacks. Finally, our proposal also shows favorable performance compared to other related work.
Pseudo-Poisson Distributions with Concomitant Variables
Authors: Arnold Barry C. , Manjunath Bangalore G.
Published: January 2023

It has been argued in Arnold and Manjunath (2021) that the bivariate pseudo-Poisson distribution will be the model of choice for bivariate data with one equidispersed marginal and the other marginal over-dispersed. This is due to its simple structure, straightforward parameter estimation and fast computation. In the current note, we introduce the effects of concomitant variables on the bivariate pseudo-Poisson parameters and explore the distributional and inferential aspects of the augmented models. We also include a small simulation study and an example of application to real-life data.
Allogeneic Umbilical Cord-Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hyaluronate Composite Combined with High Tibial Osteotomy for Medial Knee Osteoarthritis with Full-Thickness Cartilage Defects
Authors: Park Yong-Beom , Lee Han-Jun , Nam Hyun-Cheul , Park Jung-Gwan
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Although the effects of cartilage repair in patients who are undergoing high tibial osteotomy (HTO) remains controversial, cartilage repair may be required for the full-thickness cartilage defect because of a concern of lower clinical outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical outcome and cartilage repair following implantation of allogeneic umbilical cord-blood-derived MSCs (UCB-MSCs)–hyaluronate composite in patients who received HTO for medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) with full-thickness cartilage defect. Materials and Methods: Inclusion criteria were patients with a medial knee OA, a full-thickness cartilage defect (International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade IV) ≥  3 cm2 of the medial femoral condyle, and a varus deformity  ≥  5°. The full-thickness cartilage defect was treated with implantation of an allogeneic UCB-MSCs–hyaluronate composite following medial open-wedge HTO. Visual analogue scale for pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were assessed at each follow-up. Cartilage repair was assessed by the ICRS cartilage repair assessment system at second-look arthroscopy when the plate was removed. Results: Twelve patients (mean age 56.1 years; mean defect size: 4.5 cm2) were included, and 10 patients underwent second-look arthroscopy during plate removal after a minimum of 1 year after the HTO. At the final follow-up of mean 2.9 years (range; 1–6 years), all clinical outcomes had improved. At second-look arthroscopy, repaired tissue was observed in all cases. One case (10%) showed grade I, seven (70%) cases showed grade II, and two (20%) cases showed grade III according to ICRS cartilage repair assessment system, which meant that 80% showed an overall repair assessment of “normal” or “nearly normal”. Conclusion: Allogeneic UCB-MSCs-HA composite implantation combined with HTO resulted in favorable clinical outcome and cartilage repair in all cases. These findings suggest that UCB-MSCs-HA composite implantation combined with HTO would be a good therapeutic option for patients with knee OA and full-thickness cartilage defects.
Is Preoperative Adrenal Insufficiency Screening Necessary for Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery Patients?
Authors: Manosroi Worapaka , Atthakomol Pichitchai
Published: January 2023

Background: The association between adrenal insufficiency (AI) and the treatment outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery patients has been little reported. The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence of AI and to compare the post-surgical outcomes of patients with perioperatively treated AI and patients with a normal adrenal response. Methods: A 1.5-year prospective study was conducted in 98 patients scheduled for cardiothoracic surgery. Patients were categorized as either AI or normal-adrenal-response patients. Those with AI were treated with stress doses of glucocorticoid perioperatively. The post-surgical outcomes of patients with AI and of those with a normal adrenaline response were analyzed using multivariable analysis. Results: The overall incidence of AI was 34.7%. There were no statistically significant differences in post-surgical outcomes, including prolonged hospital stay, postoperative infection, prolonged inotropic drug use and relative AI, between the two groups. Only the rate of hyperglycemia requiring insulin infusion was significantly higher in the AI group than in the non-AI group (OR = 14.15, 95% CI = 1.44–138.60, p = 0.02). Conclusions: The proper diagnosis and management of AI can result in surgical outcomes in AI patients comparable to those of normal-adrenal-response patients. Non-life-threatening hyperglycemia requiring insulin infusion was found only in the AI group.
Influence of Temperature during Freeze-Drying Process on the Viability of Bifidobacterium longum BB68S
Authors: Sang Yue , Wang Jian , Zhang Yongxiang , Gao Haina , Ge Shaoyang , Feng Haihong , Zhang Yan , Ren Fazheng , Wen Pengcheng , Wang Ran
Published: January 2023

Maintaining optimum temperature during freeze-drying is crucial to ensuring the viability of strains. In this study, we evaluated the effect of pre-freezing, sublimation and desorption temperatures on the viability of Bifidobacterium longum BB68S (BB68S). Moreover, we examined the water content, water activity, enzyme activities, and scanning electron microscope of BB68S to explore mechanisms underpinning the effect of temperature on viability. Our analyses revealed the highest survival rates of BB68S collected after pre-freezing and sublimation drying at −40 °C (94.9 ± 2.2%) and −10 °C (65.4 ± 3.8%), respectively. Additionally, response surface methodology demonstrated that the optimum conditions for freeze-drying of BB68S were pre-freezing temperature at −45.52 °C and sublimation temperature at −6.58 °C, and the verification test showed that survival rates of BB68S could reach 69.2 ± 3.8%. Most of the vitality loss occurred during the sublimation drying phase. Further studies showed that different sublimation temperatures affected water content and activity, β-galactosidase, lactate dehydrogenase, Na+-K+-ATP and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP activities. In conclusion, the temperature during freeze-drying, especially sublimation temperature, is a key factor affecting the survival rate of BB68S, and the vitality loss during freeze-drying process might be due to compromised cell membrane integrity and permeability.
Antimicrobial Activity of Ligilactobacillus animalis SWLA-1 and Its Cell-Free Supernatant against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Its Potential Use as an Alternative to Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Lee Hong-Jae , Lee Joong-Bok , Park Seung-Yong , Choi In-Soo , Lee Sang-Won
Published: January 2023

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and the spread of antimicrobial resistance among various bacteria are major threats to the global community. Due to the increased failure of classical antibiotic treatments against MDR bacterial infections, probiotics and their antimicrobial compounds have been suggested as promising alternatives to deal with MDR bacteria. Various strains of lactic acid bacteria have been reported to produce antagonistic molecules against pathogens. A new strain of Ligilactobacillus animalis, L. animalis SWLA-1, isolated from the feces of healthy dogs, shows strong antimicrobial activity against not only common pathogens but also MDR bacteria. In this study, we compared the antimicrobial activity of L. animalis SWLA-1 with that of other lactobacilli and antibiotics using an agar spot assay. Additionally, a novel spot inhibition index was developed and validated to quantitively evaluate the inhibitory activities of lactobacilli and antibiotics. A competitive coculture assay of L. animalis SWLA-1 with MDR bacteria further demonstrated its antibacterial activity. Furthermore, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of L. animalis SWLA-1 and its stability under various conditions in vitro. We found that L. animalis SWLA-1 and its CFS are potential alternatives to classic antimicrobial agents.
Optimization of Submerged Culture Parameters of the Aphid Pathogenic Fungus Fusarium equiseti Based on Sporulation and Mycelial Biomass
Authors: Zhao Xueyi , Chai Junfa , Wang Fang , Jia Yanxia
Published: January 2023

Fusarium equiseti (JMF-01), as an entomopathogenic fungus, can effectively control agricultural pests and has the potential to be a biocontrol agent. To promote mycelial growth and sporulation, we investigated the optimal submerged culture conditions for F. equiseti. In this study, we used the single-factor method and Box–Behnken design and determined the virulence of the submerged culture against Myzus persicae after optimization. As a result, the highly significant factors affecting the spore concentration of strain JMF-01 were the primary inoculum density and the initial pH, and the highly significant factor affecting the mycelial biomass was the medium-to-flask ratio. The highest mycelial biomass value was 0.35 g when the incubation time was 5.68 days, the initial pH was 5.11, the medium-to-flask ratio was 0.43, and 1 mL of the primary inoculum with spore density of 0.97 × 107 conidia/mL was added. When the incubation time was 6.32 days, the initial pH was 4.46, the medium-to-flask ratio was 0.35, the primary inoculum density was 1.32 × 107 conidia/mL of 1 mL, and the highest spore concentration of 6.49 × 108 blastospores/mL was obtained. Compared with the unoptimized medium conditions, the optimized submerged culture had the highest mycelial biomass and spore concentration, which were 3.46 and 2.06 times higher, respectively. The optimized submerged culture was highly pathogenic toward M. persicae, reaching a 95% mortality rate. Our results provide optimal submerged culture conditions for F. equiseti and lay the basis for later research to expand production for pest control.
Detection of Old and New World Relapsing Fever Borreliae in Ornithodoros Ticks Collected from Warthog Burrows in Zambia
Authors: Qiu Yongjin , Chambaro Herman M. , Sato Kozue , Squarre David , Simulundu Edgar , Kajihara Masahiro , Changula Katendi , Simbotwe Manyando , Harima Hayato , Ndebe Joseph , Moonga Ladslav , Nakao Ryo , Takada Ayato , Hang’ombe Bernard Mudenda , Sawa Hirofumi , Kawabata Hiroki
Published: January 2023

Relapsing fever (RF) is an arthropod-borne disease caused by Borrelia spirochete, which is one of the major public health concerns in endemic regions including Africa. However, information on Borrelia spirochetes is limited in Zambia. Here, we investigate the Borrelia spirochetes harbored by Ornithodoros ticks in Zambian National Parks. We analyzed 182 DNA samples pooled from 886 Ornithodoros ticks. Of these, 43 tested positive, and their sequence revealed that the ticks harbored both Old and New World RF borreliae. This research presents the first evidence of Old-World RF borreliae in Zambia. The New World RF borreliae detected herein differed from the Candidatus Borrelia fainii previously reported in Zambia and were closely related to the pathogenic Borrelia sp. VS4 identified in Tanzania. Additionally, Borrelia theileri was recently reported in Zambia. Hence, at least four different Borrelia species occur in Zambia, and the organisms causing relapsing fever there might be more complex than previously thought. We empirically confirmed that real-time PCR with TaqMan minor groove binder probes accurately and simultaneously detected both Old and New World RF. In this manner, they could facilitate quantitative analyses of both types of RF borreliae. Subsequent investigations should endeavor to isolate the aforementioned Borrelia spp. and perform serosurveys on patients with RF.
Microplastics in Freshwaters: Implications for Aquatic Autotrophic Organisms and Fauna Health
Authors: Badea Madalina Andreea , Balas Mihaela , Dinischiotu Anca
Published: January 2023

Microplastics (MPs) represent small plastic particles with sizes between 1 μm and 5 mm, are insoluble in water, andclassified as primary (these are originally produced in small sizes) or secondary (the result of the degradation of plastic) types. MPs accumulate in all ecosystems, including freshwater environments, where they are subjected to degradation processes. Due to their ubiquitous nature, freshwater ecosystems, which have a vital importance in human life, are permanently subjected to these small plastic particles. In this context, MPs pollution is considered to be a global issue, and it is associated with toxic effects on all the elements of the freshwater environment. In this review, we present, in detail, the main physical (density, size, color, shape, and crystallinity) and chemical (chemical composition and modification of the MPs’ surface) properties of MPs, the mechanism of biodegradation, and the consequences of autotrophic organisms and fauna exposure by focusing on the freshwater environment. The toxicity mechanisms triggered by MPs are related to the critical parameters of the particles: size, concentration, type, and form, but they are also dependent on species exposed to MPs and the exposure route.
Muscle Activation during the Squat Performed in Different Ranges of Motion by Women
Authors: Cabral Lissiane Almeida , Lima Leonardo Coelho Rabello , Cabido Christian Emmanuel Torres , Fermino Rogério César , Oliveira Saulo Fernandes Melo , Medeiros Alexandre Igor Araripe , Barbosa Luis Fabiano , Souza Thiago Mattos Frota de , Banja Túlio , Assumpção Cláudio de Oliveira
Published: January 2023

Purpose: To analyze the muscle activation of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), gluteus maximus (GM), and biceps femoris (BF) in concentric and eccentric actions in the squat at 90° and 140° range of motion. Methods: Thirty-five women (32.9 ± 7.4 years; 64.5 ± 11.5 kg; 1.63 ± 0.1 m; BMI: 24.2 ± 2.9 kg/m2; %fat: 24.9 ± 6.5%) experienced exercise for at least eight weeks. Electrodes were positioned in standardized locations. The signals were acquired by an A/D SAS1000 V8 converter and the electromyographic activity normalized in the percentage of the highest produced value (%RMS). The data were analyzed using repeated measures two-way ANOVA, with effect size (η2) and differences calculated in percentage points (∆ p.p.). Results: The RF (p = 0.001; ∆ = 5.1 p.p.) and BF activation (p = 0.020; ∆ = 4.0 p.p.) was higher at 90° in the eccentric action. The RF showed an interaction between the range of motion and %RMS, with a large effect size (F = 37.9; p = 0.001; η2 = 0.485). The VL activation was higher at 140° (p = 0.005; ∆ = 3.9 p.p.) in the concentric action and higher at 90° (p = 0.006; ∆ = 3.7 p.p.) in the eccentric action, with a large effect size significant interaction (F = 21.3; p = 0.001; η2 = 0.485). The GM activation was higher at 90° in the concentric (p = 0.020; ∆ = 5.4 p.p.) and eccentric action (p = 0.022; ∆ = 41 p.p.). Conclusions: The biarticular muscles were influenced by the squat range only in the eccentric action of the movement, while the monoarticular muscles were influenced by the squat in both concentric and eccentric muscle action.
Applications for Colon Organoid Models in Cancer Research
Authors: Munro Matthew J. , Tan Swee T. , Gray Clint
Published: January 2023

Organoids are 3D organ-like structures grown from stem cells in vitro that mimic the organ or disease from which they are derived. Due to their stem cell origin, organoids contain a heterogeneous population of cells reflecting the diversity of cell types seen in vivo. Similarly, tumour organoids reflect intratumoural heterogeneity in a way that traditional 2D cell culture and cell lines do not, and, therefore, they show greater promise as a more relevant model for effective disease modelling and drug testing. Tumour organoids arise from cancer stem cells, which contribute to many of the greatest challenges to cancer treatment, including therapy resistance, tumour recurrence, and metastasis. In this review, we outline methods for generating colon organoids from patient-derived normal and tumour tissues. Furthermore, we discuss organoid biobanking, applications of organoids in disease modelling, and a range of platforms applicable to high-throughput drug testing, including apical-out/reverse-polarity colon organoids.