bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extending the IFC-Based bim2sim Framework to Improve the Accessibility of Thermal Comfort Analysis Considering Future Climate Scenarios
Authors: Richter Veronika Elisabeth , Syndicus Marc , Frisch Jérôme , van Treeck Christoph
Published: November 2023

Future weather scenarios significantly affect indoor thermal comfort, influencing people’s well-being and productivity at work. Thus, future weather scenarios should be considered in the design phase to improve a building’s climate change resilience for new constructions as well as renovations in building stock. As thermal comfort is highly influenced by internal and external thermal loads resulting from weather conditions and building usage, only a dynamic building performance simulation (BPS) can predict the boundary conditions for a thermal comfort analysis during the design stage. As the model setup for a BPS requires detailed information about building geometry, materials, and usage, recent research activities have tried to derive the required simulation models from the open BIM (Building Information Modeling) Standard IFC (Industry Foundation Classes). However, even if IFC data are available, they are often faulty or incomplete. We propose a template-based enrichment of the BPS models that assists with imputing missing data based on archetypal usage of thermal zones. These templates are available for standardized enrichment of BPS models but do not include the required parameters for thermal comfort analysis. This study presents an approach for IFC-based thermal comfort analysis and a set of zone-usage-based templates to enrich thermal comfort input parameters.
A Strong Maximum Principle for Nonlinear Nonlocal Diffusion Equations
Authors: Hartland Tucker , Shankar Ravi
Published: November 2023

We consider a class of nonlinear integro-differential equations that model degenerate nonlocal diffusion. We investigate whether the strong maximum principle is valid for this nonlocal equation. For degenerate parabolic PDEs, the strong maximum principle is not valid. In contrast, for nonlocal diffusion, we can formulate a strong maximum principle for nonlinearities satisfying a geometric condition related to the flux operator of the equation. In our formulation of the strong maximum principle, we find a physical re-interpretation and generalization of the standard PDE conclusion of the principle: we replace constant solutions with solutions of zero flux. We also consider nonlinearities outside the scope of our principle. For highly degenerate conductivities, we demonstrate the invalidity of the strong maximum principle. We also consider intermediate, inconclusive examples, and provide numerical evidence that the strong maximum principle is valid. This suggests that our geometric condition is sharp.
Evaluation of Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Diagnostic Tools in the Assessment of Histological Healing
Authors: Jucan Alina Ecaterina , Gavrilescu Otilia , Dranga Mihaela , Popa Iolanda Valentina , Mihai Ioana-Ruxandra , Mihai Vasile-Claudiu , Stefanescu Gabriela , Drug Vasile Liviu , Prelipcean Cristina Cijevschi , Vulpoi Radu-Alexandru , Barboi Oana-Bogdana , Ciortescu Irina , Mihai Catalina
Published: November 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two types of chronic intestinal disorders: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In long-standing ulcerative colitis disease activity, histological persistent inflammation has been linked to an increased risk of relapse, and long-term corticosteroid use, even when endoscopic remission is reached. In Crohn’s disease, the discontinuous nature of lesions and transmural inflammation have limited the standardized histological assessment. The current evidence from research proposes that besides clinical and endoscopic healing, the achievement of histological healing constitutes an endpoint to assess disease activity and remission in IBD patients concerning better long-term disease outcomes. Histological alterations may persist even in the absence of endoscopic lesions. For these reasons, new advanced techniques promise to revolutionize the field of IBD by improving the endoscopic and histologic assessment, disease characterization, and ultimately patient care, with an established role in daily practice for objective assessment of lesions. This review outlines the importance of including microscopic evaluation in IBD, highlighting the clinical benefits of a deep state of disease remission using validated diagnostic methods and scoring systems for daily clinical practice.
Azadiradione, a Component of Neem Oil, Behaves as a Superoxide Dismutase Mimic When Scavenging the Superoxide Radical, as Shown Using DFT and Hydrodynamic Voltammetry
Authors: Sakib Raiyan , Caruso Francesco , Belli Stuart , Rossi Miriam
Published: November 2023

The neem tree, Azadirachta indica, belongs to the Meliaceae family, and its use in the treatment of medical disorders from ancient times to the present in the traditional medical practices of Asia, Africa and the Middle East is well-documented. Neem oil, extracted from the seeds of the fruit, is widely used, with promising medicinal benefits. Azadiradione, a principal antioxidant component of the seeds of A. indica, is known to reduce oxidative stress and has anti-inflammatory effects. To directly measure the antioxidant ability of neem oil, we used Rotating Ring Disk Electrode (RRDE) hydrodynamic voltammetry to quantify how it can scavenge superoxide radical anions. The results of these experiments show that neem oil is approximately 26 times stronger than other natural products, such as olive oil, propolis and black seed oil, which were previously measured using this method. Next, computational Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods were used to arrive at a mechanism for the scavenging of superoxide radical anions with azadiradione. Our work indicates that azadiradione is an effective antioxidant and, according to our DFT study, its scavenging of the superoxide radical anion occurs through a reaction mechanism in which azadiradione mimics the antioxidant action of superoxide dismutase (SOD). In this mechanism, analogous to the SOD enzymatic reaction, azadiradione is regenerated, along with the production of two products: hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. This antioxidant process provides an explanation for azadiradione’s more general and protective biochemical effects.
Macrophage-Based Microrobots for Anticancer Therapy: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives
Authors: Nguyen Van Du , Park Jong-Oh , Choi Eunpyo
Published: November 2023

Macrophages, which are part of the mononuclear phagocytic system, possess sensory receptors that enable them to target cancer cells. In addition, they are able to engulf large amounts of particles through phagocytosis, suggesting a potential “Trojan horse” drug delivery approach to tumors by facilitating the engulfment of drug-hidden particles by macrophages. Recent research has focused on the development of macrophage-based microrobots for anticancer therapy, showing promising results and potential for clinical applications. In this review, we summarize the recent development of macrophage-based microrobot research for anticancer therapy. First, we discuss the types of macrophage cells used in the development of these microrobots, the common payloads they carry, and various targeting strategies utilized to guide the microrobots to cancer sites, such as biological, chemical, acoustic, and magnetic actuations. Subsequently, we analyze the applications of these microrobots in different cancer treatment modalities, including photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and various synergistic combination therapies. Finally, we present future outlooks for the development of macrophage-based microrobots.
Multiparametric MRI in Era of Artificial Intelligence for Bladder Cancer Therapies
Authors: Akin Oguz , Lema-Dopico Alfonso , Paudyal Ramesh , Konar Amaresha Shridhar , Chenevert Thomas L. , Malyarenko Dariya , Hadjiiski Lubomir , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat , Goh Alvin C. , Bochner Bernard , Rosenberg Jonathan , Schwartz Lawrence H. , Shukla-Dave Amita
Published: November 2023

This review focuses on the principles, applications, and performance of mpMRI for bladder imaging. Quantitative imaging biomarkers (QIBs) derived from mpMRI are increasingly used in oncological applications, including tumor staging, prognosis, and assessment of treatment response. To standardize mpMRI acquisition and interpretation, an expert panel developed the Vesical Imaging–Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS). Many studies confirm the standardization and high degree of inter-reader agreement to discriminate muscle invasiveness in bladder cancer, supporting VI-RADS implementation in routine clinical practice. The standard MRI sequences for VI-RADS scoring are anatomical imaging, including T2w images, and physiological imaging with diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Physiological QIBs derived from analysis of DW- and DCE-MRI data and radiomic image features extracted from mpMRI images play an important role in bladder cancer. The current development of AI tools for analyzing mpMRI data and their potential impact on bladder imaging are surveyed. AI architectures are often implemented based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs), focusing on narrow/specific tasks. The application of AI can substantially impact bladder imaging clinical workflows; for example, manual tumor segmentation, which demands high time commitment and has inter-reader variability, can be replaced by an autosegmentation tool. The use of mpMRI and AI is projected to drive the field toward the personalized management of bladder cancer patients.
Sustained Nrf2 Overexpression-Induced Metabolic Deregulation Can Be Attenuated by Modulating Insulin/Insulin-like Growth Factor Signaling
Authors: Gumeni Sentiljana , Lamprou Maria , Evangelakou Zoi , Manola Maria S. , Trougakos Ioannis P.
Published: November 2023

The modulation of insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) is associated with altered nutritional and metabolic states. The Drosophila genome encodes eight insulin-like peptides, whose activity is regulated by a group of secreted factors, including Ecdysone-inducible gene L2 (ImpL2), which acts as a potent IIS inhibitor. We recently reported that cncC (cncC/Nrf2), the fly ortholog of Nrf2, is a positive transcriptional regulator of ImpL2, as part of a negative feedback loop aiming to suppress cncC/Nrf2 activity. This finding correlated with our observation that sustained cncC/Nrf2 overexpression/activation (cncCOE; a condition that signals organismal stress) deregulates IIS, causing hyperglycemia, the exhaustion of energy stores in flies’ tissues, and accelerated aging. Here, we extend these studies in Drosophila by assaying the functional implication of ImpL2 in cncCOE-mediated metabolic deregulation. We found that ImpL2 knockdown (KD) in cncCOE flies partially reactivated IIS, attenuated hyperglycemia and restored tissue energetics. Moreover, ImpL2 KD largely suppressed cncCOE-mediated premature aging. In support, pharmacological treatment of cncCOE flies with Metformin, a first-line medication for type 2 diabetes, restored (dose-dependently) IIS functionality and extended cncCOE flies’ longevity. These findings exemplify the effect of chronic stress in predisposition to diabetic phenotypes, indicating the potential prophylactic role of maintaining normal IIS functionality.
Effects of Everolimus in Modulating the Host Immune Responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Raien Anmol , Davis Sofia , Zhang Michelle , Zitser David , Lin Michelle , Pitcher Graysen , Bhalodia Krishna , Subbian Selvakumar , Venketaraman Vishwanath
Published: November 2023

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (P13K/AKT/mTOR) pathway plays a key role in tuberculosis (TB) pathogenesis and infection. While the activity levels of this pathway during active infection are still debated, manipulating this pathway shows potential benefit for host-directed therapies. Some studies indicate that pathway inhibitors may have potential for TB treatment through upregulation of autophagy, while other studies do not encourage the use of these inhibitors due to possible host tissue destruction by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) and increased infection risk. Investigating further clinical trials and their use of pathway inhibitors is necessary in order to ascertain their potential for TB treatment. This paper is particularly focused on the drug everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor. One of the first clinical trials sponsored by the Aurum Institute showed potential benefit in using everolimus as an adjunctive therapy for tuberculosis. Infection with tuberculosis is associated with a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation towards glycolysis. The everolimus arm in the clinical trial showed further reduction than the control for both maximal and peak glycolytic activity. Compared with control, those receiving everolimus demonstrated increased lung function through forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) measurements, suggesting that everolimus may mitigate inflammation contributing to lung damage.
Vegetation Analysis of the Area Surrounding a Wild Nest of Stingless Bees Tetragonula laeviceps (Smith, 1857) in Sumedang Regency, West Java
Authors: Withaningsih Susanti , Lubay Valerie , Rozi Fakhrur , Parikesit Parikesit
Published: November 2023

Indonesia is a mega biodiversity country that has a very abundant diversity of plants. Plant diversity is inseparable from the role of insects that help to pollinate them. One such insect is the stingless bee Tetragonula laeviceps, a bee that has a relatively small-to-medium body size and does not have a sting. Sumedang Regency is one of the regencies in the province of West Java; most of the Sumedang area consists of mountains and has protected forest areas with high biodiversity. The purpose of this study is to determine the biodiversity index of the vegetation around the Tetragonula laeviceps wild nests. Data collection is carried out using the method of inventory and systematic checkered lines, with a total plot of 320. The results of the study show that the vegetation is composed of 229 plant species from 75 families. The most dominant vegetation type with the highest value of KR, FR, DR, and INP in all plant categories is the Aren tree species (Arenga pinnata). The Shannon–Wiener diversity index in this tree category is 3186, the pole category is 3107, the sapling category is 3418, the seedling category is 3657, and the understory plants category is 3409, with all of the plant categories included in the high-diversity category.
Drone with Mounted Thermal Infrared Cameras for Monitoring Terrestrial Mammals
Authors: Larsen Hanne Lyngholm , Møller-Lassesen Katrine , Enevoldsen Esther Magdalene Ellersgaard , Madsen Sarah Bøgh , Obsen Maria Trier , Povlsen Peter , Bruhn Dan , Pertoldi Cino , Pagh Sussie
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the use of a drone equipped with a thermal camera for recognizing wild mammal species in open areas and to determine the sex and age of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreoulus) in a 13 km2 moor in Denmark. Two separate surveys were conducted: (1) To achieve drone images for the identification of mammals, the drone was tested around a bait place with a live wildlife camera that was often visited by European badger (Meles meles), stone marten (Martes foina), European hare (Lepus europaeus), roe deer and cattle (Bos taurus). The thermal images of wild animal species could be distinguished by their body measures when the drone filmed with the camera pointed perpendicular to the ground in an altitude range of 50–120 m. A PCA ordination showed nonoverlapping body characteristics and MANOVA showed that the combined body measures used were significantly distinctive F = 6.8, p < 0.001. The reactions and behavioral responses of the different species to the altitude and noise of the drone were also tested in this place. (2) On a 13 km2 moor, a drone was used for a population study of deer. Red deer and roe deer were counted and separated by body measures. Red deer individuals could, at the right altitude, be separated into adults and calves, and males and females. Body length was the most conclusive body measure, and therefore a reference measurement in the field is recommended. The frame thermal images were effective in species recognition and for use in population studies of deer, and are thought to be more time-efficient and less invasive than traditional methods. In autumn, the number of stags and the life stage of red deer, as well as the distribution of deer in different types of vegetation, could be determined.
Modelling and Research on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Goal-Based Attack and Defence Game for Infrastructure Networks
Authors: Li Zhe , Liu Jin , Dong Yibo , Ren Jiaqi , Li Weili
Published: November 2023

Network attack and defence games are gradually becoming a new approach through which to study the protection of infrastructure networks such as power grids and transportation networks. Uncertainty factors, such as the subjective decision preferences of attackers and defenders, are not considered in existing attack and defence game studies for infrastructure networks. In this paper, we introduce, respectively, the attacker’s and defender’s expectation value, rejection value, and hesitation degree of the target, as well as construct an intuitionistic fuzzy goal-based attack and defence game model for infrastructure networks that are based on the maximum connectivity slice size, which is a network performance index. The intuitionistic fuzzy two-player, zero-sum game model is converted into a linear programming problem for solving, and the results are analysed to verify the applicability and feasibility of the model proposed in this paper. Furthermore, different situations, such as single-round games and multi-round repeated games, are also considered. The experimental results show that, when attacking the network, the attacker rarely attacks the nodes with higher importance in the network, but instead pays more attention to the nodes that are not prominent in the network neutrality and median; meanwhile, the defender is more inclined to protect the more important nodes in the network to ensure the normal performance of the network.
College Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Prior to and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: McLafferty Margaret , Ward Caoimhe , Walsh Colum P. , O’Neill Siobhan , Bjourson Anthony J. , McHugh Rachel , Brown Natasha , McBride Louise , Brady John , Murray Elaine K.
Published: November 2023

Student mental health was a growing concern globally prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic and associated restrictions on the psychological wellbeing of college students. Baseline data were collected pre-pandemic in September 2019 among students attending a university in Northern Ireland and an Institute of Technology in the Republic of Ireland. Surveys were also conducted with this cohort during the pandemic, at the start of the academic years 2020 and 2021 (499 students fully completed all three waves). A follow-up survey was conducted at the end of their third year, in summer 2022 (n = 229). High levels of mental health problems were already present among students commencing college. The subsequent pandemic had a very negative impact on student’s academic experience and other aspects of life. Rates of depression (PHQ-9) increased significantly from the onset of the pandemic and remained high. Anxiety (GAD-7) initially decreased but then escalated at the end of college. The study highlights the importance of early intervention and makes recommendations for addressing the needs of students during times of stress. Additional supports may be required to deal with the long-lasting impact of the pandemic.
Design of a 0.4 V, 8.43 ENOB, 5.29 nW, 2 kS/s SAR ADC for Implantable Devices
Authors: Lakshmi Posani Vijaya , Musala Sarada , Srinivasulu Avireni , Ravariu Cristian
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a 9-bit differential, minimum-powered, successive approximation register (SAR) ADC intended for implantable devices or sensors. Such applications demand nanowatt-range power consumption, which is achieved by designing the SAR ADC with a proposed bootstrap switch, bespoke split-capacitive DAC, customized comparator and a modified dynamic bit-slice unit for SAR logic. The linearity of the ADC is improved by introducing a bootstrap switch with a low clock feedthrough and threshold voltage variations along with the disseminated attenuation capacitor in the split-capacitive DAC. The dynamic comparator is customized to be simple in terms of the number of transistors to gain the advantage of low power and is also designed to have a low dynamic offset voltage. The stacking concept is embedded in the bit-slice unit of SAR logic to achieve reduced leakage power. This paper is concerned with how to contribute to low power consumption in all the aspects possible related to the implementation of the SAR ADC. With a 0.4 V supply and at 2 kS/s, the proposed ADC achieves an SNDR of 52.52 dB and a power consumption of 5.29 nW, resulting in a figure of merit (FOM) of 7.66 fJ/conversion-step.
Direct Torque Control for Series-Winding PMSM with Zero-Sequence Current Suppression Capability
Authors: Su Zhicong , Zuo Yuefei , Lin Xiaogang
Published: November 2023

The series-winding permanent-magnet synchronous motor (SW-PMSM) has the merits of high output power and excellent control performance, as does the open-winding permanent-magnet synchronous motor (OW-PMSM). Meanwhile, it can greatly reduce the number of power devices. However, due to the existence of the zero-sequence path, zero-sequence current occurs, which can cause additional losses and torque ripples. Thus, this paper proposes a novel direct torque-control strategy for the SW-PMSM with zero-sequence current suppression capability (ZSCS-DTC). First, the series-winding topology (SWT) and the voltage vector distribution in the SW-PMSM drives are analyzed. Secondly, the basic DTC (B-DTC) scheme for the SW-PMSM is investigated, and the defects of zero-sequence current open-loop control in the B-DTC scheme are revealed. Thirdly, a new voltage vector synthesis scheme is proposed for suppression of zero-sequence current while ensuring bus voltage utilization. A switching table is reconstructed with the newly synthesized voltage vectors. On this basis, a ZSCS-DTC scheme for the SW-PMSM is proposed based on zero-sequence current closed-loop control so that electromagnetic torque, stator flux linkage and zero-sequence current can be controlled simultaneously. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed ZSCS-DTC scheme for the SW-PMSM drives is verified.
AI to Train AI: Using ChatGPT to Improve the Accuracy of a Therapeutic Dialogue System
Authors: Gabor-Siatkowska Karolina , Sowański Marcin , Rzatkiewicz Rafał , Stefaniak Izabela , Kozłowski Marek , Janicki Artur
Published: November 2023

In this work, we present the use of one artificial intelligence (AI) application (ChatGPT) to train another AI-based application. As the latter one, we show a dialogue system named Terabot, which was used in the therapy of psychiatric patients. Our study was motivated by the fact that for such a domain-specific system, it was difficult to acquire large real-life data samples to increase the training database: this would require recruiting more patients, which is both time-consuming and costly. To address this gap, we have employed a neural large language model: ChatGPT version 3.5, to generate data solely for training our dialogue system. During initial experiments, we identified intents that were most often misrecognized. Next, we fed ChatGPT with a series of prompts, which triggered the language model to generate numerous additional training entries, e.g., alternatives to the phrases that had been collected during initial experiments with healthy users. This way, we have enlarged the training dataset by 112%. In our case study, for testing, we used 2802 speech recordings originating from 32 psychiatric patients. As an evaluation metric, we used the accuracy of intent recognition. The speech samples were converted into text using automatic speech recognition (ASR). The analysis showed that the patients’ speech challenged the ASR module significantly, resulting in deteriorated speech recognition and, consequently, low accuracy of intent recognition. However, thanks to the augmentation of the training data with ChatGPT-generated data, the intent recognition accuracy increased by 13% relatively, reaching 86% in total. We also emulated the case of an error-free ASR and showed the impact of ASR misrecognitions on the intent recognition accuracy. Our study showcased the potential of using generative language models to develop other AI-based tools, such as dialogue systems.
Data-Driven Advancements in Lip Motion Analysis: A Review
Authors: Torrie Shad , Sumsion Andrew , Lee Dah-Jye , Sun Zheng
Published: November 2023

This work reviews the dataset-driven advancements that have occurred in the area of lip motion analysis, particularly visual lip-reading and visual lip motion authentication, in the deep learning era. We provide an analysis of datasets and their usage, creation, and associated challenges. Future research can utilize this work as a guide for selecting appropriate datasets and as a source of insights for creating new and innovative datasets. Large and varied datasets are vital to a successful deep learning system. There have been many incredible advancements made in these fields due to larger datasets. There are indications that even larger, more varied datasets would result in further improvement upon existing systems. We highlight the datasets that brought about the progression in lip-reading systems from digit- to word-level lip-reading, and then from word- to sentence-level lip-reading. Through an in-depth analysis of lip-reading system results, we show that datasets with large amounts of diversity increase results immensely. We then discuss the next step for lip-reading systems to move from sentence- to dialogue-level lip-reading and emphasize that new datasets are required to make this transition possible. We then explore lip motion authentication datasets. While lip motion authentication has been well researched, it is not very unified on a particular implementation, and there is no benchmark dataset to compare the various methods. As was seen in the lip-reading analysis, large, diverse datasets are required to evaluate the robustness and accuracy of new methods attempted by researchers. These large datasets have pushed the work in the visual lip-reading realm. Due to the lack of large, diverse, and publicly accessible datasets, visual lip motion authentication research has struggled to validate results and real-world applications. A new benchmark dataset is required to unify the studies in this area such that they can be compared to previous methods as well as validate new methods more effectively.
Improvement of Road Instance Segmentation Algorithm Based on the Modified Mask R-CNN
Authors: Wan Chenxia , Chang Xianing , Zhang Qinghui
Published: November 2023

Although the Mask region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) model possessed a dominant position for complex and variable road scene segmentation, some problems still existed, including insufficient feature expressive ability and low segmentation accuracy. To address these problems, a novel road scene segmentation algorithm based on the modified Mask R-CNN was proposed. The multi-scale backbone network, Res2Net, was utilized to replace the ResNet network, and aimed to improve the feature extraction capability. The soft non-maximum suppression algorithm with attenuation function (soft-NMS) was adopted to improve detection efficiency in the case of a higher overlap rate. The comparison analyses of partition accuracy for various models were performed on the adopted Cityscapes dataset. The results demonstrated that the modified Mask R-CNN effectively increased the segmentation accuracy, especially for small and highly overlapping objects. The adopted Res2Net and soft-NMS can effectively enhance the feature extraction and improve segmentation performance. The average accuracy of the modified Mask R-CNN model reached up to 0.321, and was 0.054 higher than Mask R-CNN. This work provides important guidance to design a more efficient road scene instance segmentation algorithm for further promoting the actual application in automatic driving systems.
Edge AI for Early Detection of Chronic Diseases and the Spread of Infectious Diseases: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Badidi Elarbi
Published: November 2023

Edge AI, an interdisciplinary technology that enables distributed intelligence with edge devices, is quickly becoming a critical component in early health prediction. Edge AI encompasses data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) using machine learning, deep learning, and federated learning models deployed and executed at the edge of the network, far from centralized data centers. AI enables the careful analysis of large datasets derived from multiple sources, including electronic health records, wearable devices, and demographic information, making it possible to identify intricate patterns and predict a person’s future health. Federated learning, a novel approach in AI, further enhances this prediction by enabling collaborative training of AI models on distributed edge devices while maintaining privacy. Using edge computing, data can be processed and analyzed locally, reducing latency and enabling instant decision making. This article reviews the role of Edge AI in early health prediction and highlights its potential to improve public health. Topics covered include the use of AI algorithms for early detection of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer and the use of edge computing in wearable devices to detect the spread of infectious diseases. In addition to discussing the challenges and limitations of Edge AI in early health prediction, this article emphasizes future research directions to address these concerns and the integration with existing healthcare systems and explore the full potential of these technologies in improving public health.
Methods of Extinguishing Fires in Objects with High Voltage
Authors: Betuš Miroslav , Konček Martin , Šofranko Marian , Čambal Jozef , Ondov Marek
Published: November 2023

In this study, based on a real fire in an object intended to produce electricity, the method of fire extinguishing by fire protection units with components of the Integrated Rescue System was characterised. The goal was to examine the effectiveness of extinguishing the mentioned type of fire in cooperation with other components of the Integrated Rescue System and the effectiveness of the intervention, where the priority task was the rescue of people from a fire-endangered building with forces and resources deployed in the vicinity of the fire. In the study, the time factor of the arrival of individual components, material and technical equipment, and security was also considered and, based on calculations, the possibilities of the starting units to extinguish the fire and ensure the evacuation of people in the building. Subsequently, after evaluating and examining all possibilities, conclusions were chosen and determined from the results at the place of the intervention and recommendations were defined for future fires in similar objects.
The Extraction and Impact of Essential Oils on Bioactive Films and Food Preservation, with Emphasis on Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities—A Review
Authors: Khan Sohail , Abdo Abdullah , Shu Ying , Zhang Zhisheng , Liang Tieqiang
Published: November 2023

Essential oils, consisting of volatile compounds, are derived from various plant parts and possess antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Certain essential oils are utilized for medicinal purposes and can serve as natural preservatives in food products, replacing synthetic ones. This review describes how essential oils can promote the performance of bioactive films and preserve food through their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Further, this article emphasizes the antibacterial efficacy of essential oil composite films for food preservation and analyzes their manufacturing processes. These films could be an attractive delivery strategy for improving phenolic stability in foods and the shelf-life of consumable food items. Moreover, this article presents an overview of current knowledge of the extraction of essential oils, their effects on bioactive films and food preservation, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of using them to preserve food products.
Statistical Dissection of the Genetic Determinants of Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Genes with Multiple Associated Rare Diseases
Authors: Lazareva Tatyana E. , Barbitoff Yury A. , Nasykhova Yulia A. , Pavlova Nadezhda S. , Bogaychuk Polina M. , Glotov Andrey S.
Published: November 2023

Phenotypicheterogeneity is a phenomenon in which distinct phenotypes can develop in individuals bearing pathogenic variants in the same gene. Genetic factors, gene interactions, and environmental factors are usually considered the key mechanisms of this phenomenon. Phenotypic heterogeneity may impact the prognosis of the disease severity and symptoms. In our work, we used publicly available data on the association between genetic variants and Mendelian disease to investigate the genetic factors (such as the intragenic localization and type of a variant) driving the heterogeneity of gene–disease relationships. First, we showed that genes linked to multiple rare diseases (GMDs) are more constrained and tend to encode more transcripts with high levels of expression across tissues. Next, we assessed the role of variant localization and variant types in specifying the exact phenotype for GMD variants. We discovered that none of these factors is sufficient to explain the phenomenon of such heterogeneous gene–disease relationships. In total, we identified only 38 genes with a weak trend towards significant differences in variant localization and 30 genes with nominal significant differences in variant type for the two associated disorders. Remarkably, four of these genes showed significant differences in both tests. At the same time, our analysis suggests that variant localization and type are more important for genes linked to autosomal dominant disease. Taken together, our results emphasize the gene-level factors dissecting distinct Mendelian diseases linked to one common gene based on open-access genetic data and highlight the importance of exploring other factors that contributed to phenotypic heterogeneity.
The Impact of Non-Adherence to Antihypertensive Drug Therapy
Authors: Gardezi Syed Karam Mustafa , Aitken William W. , Jilani Mohammad Hashim
Published: November 2023

Medication non-adherence is a major healthcare barrier, especially among diseases that are largely asymptomatic, such as hypertension. The impact of poor medication adherence ranges from patient-specific adverse health outcomes to broader strains on health care system resources. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database was used to retrieve Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ data pertaining to blood pressure (BP) medication adherence, socio-economic variables, and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes across the United States. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the change in total CV deaths as a function of non-adherence to BP medications. For every percent increase in the non-adherence rate, the total number of CV deaths increased by 7.13 deaths per 100,000 adults (95% CI: 6.34–7.92), even after controlling for the percentage of residents with access to insurance, the percentage of residents who were eligible for Medicaid, the percentage of residents without a college education, median home value, income inequality, and the poverty rate (p < 0.001). There is a significant association between non-adherence to BP medications and total CV deaths. Even a one percent increase in the adherence rate in the United States could result in tens of thousands of preventable CV deaths. Based on recently published CDC data, this could also have a tremendous impact on health care costs. This provides compelling evidence for increased efforts to improve adherence.
Correlation between Health and eHealth Literacy and a Healthy Lifestyle: A Cross-Sectional Study of Spanish Primary Healthcare Patients
Authors: García-García David , Bazán María Julia Ajejas , Pérez-Rivas Francisco Javier
Published: November 2023

Background: Health literacy and eHealth literacy play a crucial role in improving a community’s ability to take care of themselves, ultimately leading to a reduction in disparities in health. Embracing a healthy way of living is vital in lessening the impact of illnesses and extending one’s lifespan. This research delves into the link between the health and eHealth literacy levels of individuals accessing primary healthcare services and investigates how this relates to adopting a health-conscious lifestyle. Methods: The approach involves a cross-sectional examination carried out at a healthcare facility in the Madrid region of Spain, focusing on adult patients who are in need of primary care nursing services. Health and eHealth literacy and a healthy lifestyle were measured using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ), and the “PA100” questionnaire, respectively. Results: Only some of the dimensions of the HLQ and eHLQ were significantly related to a healthy lifestyle, predominantly with a very low or low relationship. Dimension three of the HLQ and dimension five of the eHLQ acquired more importance and were positioned as positive predictors of a healthy lifestyle. Conclusions: This study helps comprehend the relationship between health and eHealth literacy and a healthy lifestyle, which provides information that contributes to understanding the factors that might have a higher impact on lifestyles.
Physicians’ Words, Patients’ Response: The Role of Healthcare Counselling in Enhancing Beneficial Lifestyle Modifications for Patients with Cardiometabolic Disorders: The IACT Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tsiampalis Thomas , Kouvari Matina , Belitsi Vasiliki , Kalantzi Vasiliki , Androutsos Odysseas , Bonoti Fotini , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B. , Kosti Rena I.
Published: November 2023

Background: Preventive cardiology aims to educate patients about risk factors and the importance of mitigating them through lifestyle adjustments and medications. However, long-term adherence to recommended interventions remains a significant challenge. This study explores how physician counselling contributes to successful behavior changes in various aspects of lifestyle. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in Greece in 2022–2023 included 1988 participants. Validated questionnaires assessed patients’ characteristics, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices. Results: The findings revealed that patients who received lifestyle advice from physicians demonstrated increased compliance with the Mediterranean diet and a higher involvement in physical activity. Notably, they were also less likely to be non-smokers. Importantly, physicians’ recommendations had a more pronounced association with adherence level to the Mediterranean diet compared to other lifestyle behaviors. Additionally, specific dietary components like cereal, legume, and red meat consumption were significantly associated with physicians’ guidance. Conclusions: This study highlights the complex relationship between patients’ cardiometabolic health, lifestyle decisions, and healthcare professionals’ guidance. The substantial influence of physicians on Mediterranean diet adherence underscores the necessity for a multidisciplinary healthcare approach. Collaborative efforts involving physicians, dietitians, and fitness experts can offer comprehensive support to patients in navigating the intricate landscape of cardiometabolic health.
TFIIB-Related Protein BRP5/PTF2 Is Required for Both Male and Female Gametogenesis and for Grain Formation in Rice
Authors: Chen Guangna , Hu Hongliang , Chen Xinhui , Chen Jialuo , Wang Siyi , Ning He , Zhu Cheng , Yang Su
Published: November 2023

Transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) is a general transcription factor for RNA polymerase II, exerting its influence across various biological contexts. In the majority of eukaryotes, TFIIB typically has two homologs, serving as general transcription factors for RNA polymerase I and III. In plants, however, the TFIIB-related protein family has expanded greatly, with 14 and 9 members in Arabidopsis and rice, respectively. BRP5/pollen-expressed transcription factor 2 (PTF2) proteins belong to a subfamily of TFIIB-related proteins found only in plants and algae. The prior analysis of an Arabidopsis atbrp5 mutant, characterized by a T-DNA insertion at the 5′ untranslated region, demonstrated the essential role of BRP5/PTF2 during the process of pollen germination and embryogenesis in Arabidopsis. Using a rice transformation system based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we have generated transgenic rice plants containing loss-of-function frameshift mutations in the BRP5/PTF2 gene. Unlike in the Arabidopsis atbrp5 mutant, the brp5/ptf2 frameshift mutations were not transmitted to progeny in rice, indicating an essential role of BRP5/PTF2 in both male and female gamete development or viability. The silencing of rice BRP5/PTF2 expression through RNA interference (RNAi) had little effect on vegetative growth and panicle formation but strongly affected pollen development and grain formation. Genetic analysis revealed that strong RNAi silencing of rice BRP5/PTF2 was still transmissible to progeny almost exclusively through female gametes, as found in the Arabidopsis atbrp5 knockdown mutant. Thus, reduced rice BRP5/PTF2 expression impacted pollen preferentially by interfering with male gamete development or viability. Drawing upon these findings, we posit that BRP5/PTF2 assumes a distinct and imperative function in the realm of plant sexual reproduction.
Identifying N6-Methyladenosine Sites in HepG2 Cell Lines Using Oxford Nanopore Technology
Authors: Arzumanian Viktoriia A. , Kurbatov Ilya Y. , Ptitsyn Konstantin G. , Khmeleva Svetlana A. , Kurbatov Leonid K. , Radko Sergey P. , Poverennaya Ekaterina V.
Published: November 2023

RNA modifications, particularly N6-methyladenosine (m6A), are pivotal regulators of RNA functionality and cellular processes. We analyzed m6A modifications by employing Oxford Nanopore technology and the m6Anet algorithm, focusing on the HepG2 cell line. We identified 3968 potential m6A modification sites in 2851 transcripts, corresponding to 1396 genes. A gene functional analysis revealed the active involvement of m6A-modified genes in ubiquitination, transcription regulation, and protein folding processes, aligning with the known role of m6A modifications in histone ubiquitination in cancer. To ensure data robustness, we assessed reproducibility across technical replicates. This study underscores the importance of evaluating algorithmic reproducibility, especially in supervised learning. Furthermore, we examined correlations between transcriptomic, translatomic, and proteomic levels. A strong transcriptomic–translatomic correlation was observed. In conclusion, our study deepens our understanding of m6A modifications’ multifaceted impacts on cellular processes and underscores the importance of addressing reproducibility concerns in analytical approaches.
Glucose Transport and Utilization in the Hippocampus: From Neurophysiology to Diabetes-Related Development of Dementia
Authors: Yonamine Caio Yogi , Michalani Maria Luiza Estimo , Moreira Rafael Junges , Machado Ubiratan Fabres
Published: November 2023

The association of diabetes with cognitive dysfunction has at least 60 years of history, which started with the observation that children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), who had recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia and consequently low glucose supply to the brain, showed a deficit of cognitive capacity. Later, the growing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and dementia in aged populations revealed their high association, in which a reduced neuronal glucose supply has also been considered as a key mechanism, despite hyperglycemia. Here, we discuss the role of glucose in neuronal functioning/preservation, and how peripheral blood glucose accesses the neuronal intracellular compartment, including the exquisite glucose flux across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and the complex network of glucose transporters, in dementia-related areas such as the hippocampus. In addition, insulin resistance-induced abnormalities in the hippocampus of obese/T2D patients, such as inflammatory stress, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial stress, increased generation of advanced glycated end products and BBB dysfunction, as well as their association with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, are addressed. Finally, we discuss how these abnormalities are accompained by the reduction in the expression and translocation of the high capacity insulin-sensitive glucose transporter GLUT4 in hippocampal neurons, which leads to neurocytoglycopenia and eventually to cognitive dysfunction. This knowledge should further encourage investigations into the beneficial effects of promising therapeutic approaches which could improve central insulin sensitivity and GLUT4 expression, to fight diabetes-related cognitive dysfunctions.
Environmental Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Gandhi Sheiphali , Tonelli Roberto , Murray Margaret , Samarelli Anna Valeria , Spagnolo Paolo
Published: November 2023

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common and severe of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, is a chronic and relentlessly progressive disease, which occurs mostly in middle-aged and elderly males. Although IPF is by definition “idiopathic”, multiple factors have been reported to increase disease risk, aging being the most prominent one. Several occupational and environmental exposures, including metal dust, wood dust and air pollution, as well as various lifestyle variables, including smoking and diet, have also been associated with an increased risk of IPF, probably through interaction with genetic factors. Many of the predisposing factors appear to act also as trigger for acute exacerbations of the disease, which herald a poor prognosis. The more recent literature on inhalation injuries has focused on the first responders in the World Trade Center attacks and military exposure. In this review, we present an overview of the environmental and occupational causes of IPF and its pathogenesis. While our list is not comprehensive, we have selected specific exposures to highlight based on their overall disease burden.