bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of a Bacillus-Based Probiotic on Sow and Piglet Performance in Two Production Cycles
Authors: Mazur-Kuśnirek Magdalena , Lipiński Krzysztof , Jørgensen Jens Noesgaard , Hansen Lea Hübertz Birch , Antoszkiewicz Zofia , Zabielski Romuald , Konieczka Paweł
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Bacillus-based probiotic diets on reproduction performance, fecal scores, microflora, and economic factors in lactating sows and suckling piglets across two productive cycles. A total of 96 sows, reared in a continuous farrowing system for two full cycles, were divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. Sows were fed a basal diet without the probiotic or a diet supplemented with viable bacterial spores. At seven days of age, control group piglets were offered standard creep feed, whereas piglets in the experimental (probiotic) group received a diet containing the probiotic fed to their dams. Sows receiving probiotic-supplemented diets were characterized by significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) average daily feed intake in lactation, lower (p ≤ 0.01) body weight (BW) loss during lactation, and reduced loss of backfat thickness as well as higher body condition score after lactation. Dietary probiotic supplementation increased (p ≤ 0.01) birth weight, total creep feed consumption, litter weight gain, and piglet weaning weight. The probiotic also improved (p ≤ 0.01) overall fecal scores, decreased total E. coli count on day seven and Clostridium perfringens count (trend) in sucking piglets. The total feed cost per weaned piglet was lower in the experimental (probiotic) group. Supplementing the diet with a probiotic containing Bacillus strains improved the reproductive performance of sows and the performance and health of piglets.
Evaluation of Antiviral Activity of Ivermectin against Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus in Rabbit Model
Authors: Wang Chen , Chen Yingyu , Chen Xi , Hu Changmin , Chen Jianguo , Guo Aizhen
Published: October 2023

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) caused by bovine herpes virus 1 (BoHV-1) can lead to enormous economic losses in the cattle industry. Vaccine immunization is preferentially used to decrease its transmission speed and resultant clinical signs, rather than to completely stop viral infection. Therefore, a drug effective in treating IBR is urgently needed. Our previous work demonstrated that ivermectin significantly inhibited viral replication in a cell infection model. This study aimed to investigate its antiviral effects in vivo by using a rabbit infection model. The viral inhibition assay was first used to confirm that ivermectin at low concentrations (6–25 nM) could reduce viral titers (TCID50) significantly (p < 0.001) at 24 h post-infection. In rabbits, ivermectin was administrated with one to three doses, based on the recommended anti-parasite treatment dosage (0.2 mg/kg bodyweight) through subcutaneous injection at different days post-infection in the treated IBRV infection groups, while non-treated infection group was used as the control. The infected rabbits showed hyperthermia and other clinical signs, but the number of high-fever rabbits in the ivermectin treatment groups was significantly lower than that in the non-treated infection group. Furthermore, in ivermectin treatment groups, the cumulative clinical scores correlated negatively with drug doses and positively with delay of administration time post-infection. The overall nasal shedding time in ivermectin-treated groups was two days shorter than the non-treated challenge group. At the same time point, the titer of neutralizing antibodies in the treatment group with triple doses was higher than the other two-dose groups, but the difference between the treatment groups decreased with the delay of drug administration. Correspondingly, the serious extent of lung lesions was negatively related to the dosage, but positively related to the delay of drug administration. The qPCR with tissue homogenates showed that the virus was present in both the lung tissues and trigeminals of the infected rabbits. In conclusion, ivermectin treatment had therapeutic effect by decreasing clinical signs and viral shedding, but could not stop virus proliferation in lung tissues and trigeminals.
Analyzing Escalator Infrastructures: A Pilot Study in Santiago Metro
Authors: López Ariel , Tapia Anibal , Seriani Sebastian
Published: October 2023

The behavior of passengers in urban railway stations (i.e., metro stations) is dependent on environmental, cultural, and temporal factors. This affects how escalator infrastructures are used, with some passengers standing on one side of the steps to allow others to walk and, in other cases, others standing or walking on both sides of the steps. In this research, escalator infrastructures were studied to better understand the relationship between different conditions and passenger behaviors through a method based on video cameras, passenger detection techniques, and a simulation framework. The results indicate that passenger behavior could affect escalator infrastructure as it varies significantly depending on the time of day, type of station, local culture, and other environmental factors. The implications of these findings for the planning and design of the infrastructure of railway stations are discussed, and practical recommendations are proposed to improve the efficiency of escalator usage in urban railway stations.
STRP-DBSCAN: A Parallel DBSCAN Algorithm Based on Spatial-Temporal Random Partitioning for Clustering Trajectory Data
Authors: An Xiaoya , Wang Ziming , Wang Ding , Liu Song , Jin Cheng , Xu Xinpeng , Cao Jianjun
Published: October 2023

Trajectory clustering algorithms analyze the movement trajectory of the target objects to mine the potential movement trend, regularity, and behavioral patterns of the object. Therefore, the trajectory clustering algorithm has a wide range of applications in the fields of traffic flow analysis, logistics and transportation management, and crime analysis. Existing algorithms do not make good use of the temporal attributes of trajectory data, resulting in a long clustering time and low clustering accuracy of spatial-temporal trajectory data. Meanwhile, the density-based clustering algorithms represented by DBSCAN are very sensitive to the clustering parameters. The radius value Eps and the minimal points number MinPts within Eps radius, defined by the user, have a significant impact on the clustering results, and tuning these parameters is difficult. In this paper, we present STRP-DBSCAN, a parallel DBSCAN algorithm based on spatial-temporal random partitioning for clustering trajectory data. It adopts spatial-temporal random partitioning to distribute balanced computation among different computing nodes and reduce the communication overhead of the parallel clustering algorithm, thus improving the execution efficiency of the DBSCAN algorithm. We also present the PER-SAC algorithm, which uses deep reinforcement learning to combine the prioritized experience replay (PER) and the soft actor-critic (SAC) algorithm for autotuning the optimal parameters of DBSCAN. The experimental results show that STRP-DBSCAN effectively reduces the clustering time of spatial-temporal trajectory data by up to 96.2% and 31.2% compared to parallel DBSCAN and the state-of-the-art RP-DBSCAN. The PER-SAC algorithm also outperforms the state-of-the-art DBSCAN parameter tuning algorithms and improves the clustering accuracy by up to 8.8%. At the same time, the proposed algorithm obtains a higher stability of clustering accuracy.
Stress Levels and Hormonal Coupling and Their Relationship with Sports Performance in an Elite Women’s Volleyball Team
Authors: Miguel-Ortega Álvaro , Fernández-Landa Julen , Calleja-González Julio , Mielgo-Ayuso Juan
Published: October 2023

The testosterone–cortisol ratio is a concept in human biology that refers to the balance between testosterone, the main anabolic steroid, and cortisol, another steroid hormone. The two hormones are said to be habitually positively “coupled”. Increases or decreases in testosterone tend to be associated with corresponding increases or decreases in cortisol, and vice versa. The present study explored hormone coupling and its relationship to stress levels in the sport performances of an elite women’s volleyball team. (1) Aim: to assess the testosterone–cortisol concentration dynamic over 16 weeks and its link to sport performance in elite female volleyball players (height: 1.8 ± 0.1 m; 24.2 ± 2.7 years; playing experience 15 ± 2.8 years; years played at elite level 4.2 ± 2.2; testosterone–cortisol index time 1: 3.9 vs. time 2: 4.3) (n = 11). (2) Methods: blood samples (hormones among other biochemical parameters) and sports performance measurements (aerobic and anaerobic power among other tests) were taken from members of an elite women’s volleyball team over 16 weeks of competition. (3) Results: female volleyball players showed patterns of hormonal change and adaptation to stress. (4) Conclusions: the current investigation demonstrated that elite female volleyball players have higher basal levels of testosterone and cortisol than normal healthy women. The impact of training and competition is clearly reflected in the levels of T. Cortisol levels increase at the beginning of training and remain elevated throughout the season, but without significant changes.
Developing an Advanced Software Requirements Classification Model Using BERT: An Empirical Evaluation Study on Newly Generated Turkish Data
Authors: Yucalar Fatih
Published: October 2023

Requirements Engineering (RE) is an important step in the whole software development lifecycle. The problem in RE is to determine the class of the software requirements as functional (FR) and non-functional (NFR). Proper and early identification of these requirements is vital for the entire development cycle. On the other hand, manual identification of these classes is a timewaster, and it needs to be automated. Methodically, machine learning (ML) approaches are applied to address this problem. In this study, twenty ML algorithms, such as Naïve Bayes, Rotation Forests, Convolutional Neural Networks, and transformers such as BERT, were used to predict FR and NFR. Any ML algorithm requires a dataset for training. For this goal, we generated a unique Turkish dataset having collected the requirements from real-world software projects with 4600 samples. The generated Turkish dataset was used to assess the performance of the three groups of ML algorithms in terms of F-score and related statistical metrics. In particular, out of 20 ML algorithms, BERTurk was found to be the most successful algorithm for discriminating FR and NFR in terms of a 95% F-score metric. From the FR and NFR identification problem point of view, transformer algorithms show significantly better performances.
Converting Concurrent Range Index Structure to Range Index Structure for Disaggregated Memory
Authors: Koo Bonmoo , Hwang Jaesang , Park Jonghyeok , Kim Wook-Hee
Published: October 2023

In this work, we propose the Spread approach, which tailors a concurrent range index structure to a range index structure for disaggregated memory connected via RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access). The Spread approach leverages the concept of tolerating transient inconsistencies in a concurrent range index structure to reduce the amount of expensive RDMA operations. Based on the Spread approach, we converted Blink-tree, a concurrent range index structure, to a range index structure for disaggregated memory called RF-tree. In our experimental study, RF-tree shows comparable performance to Sherman, a state-of-the-art and carefully crafted range index structure for disaggregated memory.
Asynchronous Hierarchical Federated Learning Based on Bandwidth Allocation and Client Scheduling
Authors: Yang Jian , Zhou Yan , Wen Wanli , Zhou Jin , Zhang Qingrui
Published: October 2023

Federated learning (FL) offers a promising solution in edge computing to overcome bandwidth limitations and privacy concerns associated with traditional cloud-based training. However, current FL methods often suffer from transmission delay and excessive communication resource usage. In this paper, we introduce an innovative asynchronous hierarchical FL approach based on bandwidth allocation and client scheduling. Specifically, we propose an efficient algorithm that dynamically assigns clients to edge servers based on client mobility during training and accelerates parameter uploading while taking into account the remaining bandwidth of the edge servers. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, particularly in scenarios with frequent client mobility. This research strongly supports the application of FL in edge computing and underscores the crucial role of resource allocation in addressing communication resource constraints and reducing the training time of FL.
Inter-Blockchain Communication Message Relay Time Measurement and Analysis in Cosmos
Authors: Essaid Meryam , Kim Jungyeon , Ju Hongteak
Published: October 2023

This research presents a novel method to assess inter-chain message relay time in the Cosmos blockchain network, which employs the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol for blockchain interoperability. While inter-chain transactions in Cosmos lag behind intra-chain transactions, this research conducts a thorough performance evaluation, emphasizing message relay time across diverse Cosmos chains. The results show a strong association between inter-chain transaction frequency and overall transaction processing speed (TPS), underscoring the inherent trade-off between scalability and compatibility in inter-chain communication protocols. A thorough understanding of inter-chain transaction performance is essential for advancing interoperability and improving cross-blockchain network designs. As a result, this research improves our understanding of Cosmos’ functionality and provides insightful recommendations for boosting the effectiveness and scalability of inter-chain communication. The study also sheds light on message delivery patterns in the Cosmos ecosystem, showing that IBC message relay time has an average duration of 55.448 s and is distributed lognormally. Notably, the time between the commitment of the IBC RecvPacket transaction and the commitment of the IBC Acknowledgement transaction (R to A time) considerably impacts the effectiveness of message transmission, which causes delays in the IBC message relay process.
Torrential Hazards’ Mitigation Measures in a Typical Alpine Catchment in Slovenia
Authors: Sodnik Jošt , Mikoš Matjaž , Bezak Nejc
Published: October 2023

Different sediment-related disasters due to torrential hazards, such as flash floods, debris flows, and landslides, can occur in an Alpine torrential catchment. When protecting infrastructure and human lives, different structural and non-structural protection measures can be used to mitigate permanent and future risks. An overview of the mitigation measures constructed near the Krvavec ski resort in northwest Slovenia (Central Europe) is presented. In May 2018, an extreme debris flood occurred in this area, causing significant economic damage. After the May 2018 event, different field investigations (i.e., geological and topographic surveys) and modeling applications (e.g., hydrological modeling, debris flow) have been conducted with the purpose of preparing the required input data for the design of protection measures against such disasters in future—due to climate change, more disasters are expected to happen in this torrential watershed. The mitigation includes the restoration of local streams, the construction of a large slit check dam for sediment retention, the construction of several smaller check dams and the construction of 16 flexible net barriers with an estimated ~8000 m3 retention volume for controlling in-channel erosion in steep torrential streams. Additionally, in order to observe and monitor potential future extreme events, an extensive monitoring system has been established in the investigated area. This monitoring system will cover measurements of flexible net corrosion, the estimation of concrete abrasion at check dams, periodical geodetic surveys using small drones (UAV), hydro-meteorological measurements using rainfall gauges and water level sensors. The recent extreme floods of August 2023 also hit this part of Slovenia, and this combination of technical countermeasures withstood the event and prevented large amounts of coarse debris from being transported to the downstream section and devastating infrastructure, as was the case in May 2018 during a less extreme event. Therefore, such mitigation measures can also be used in other torrential catchments in the Alpine environment.
Analysis of the Influence of Initial Stress on the Bandgap Characteristics of Configuration-Controllable Metamaterials
Authors: Yao Fei , Wang Jixiao , Fu Qiang , Zhang Hongyan
Published: October 2023

Configuration-controllable metamaterials are a kind of metamaterials whose bandgaps can be effectively adjusted through configuration control, but the configuration changes also produce initial stress. In this paper, the distribution of the initial stress of the configuration-controllable metamaterial under axial displacement and the influence of initial stress on the band gap characteristics of the structure were analyzed using numerical and experimental methods. The results show that initial stress has a significant influence on the bandgap characteristics, and the position and width of the bandgap change with the magnitude of the initial stress. The bandgap distribution of the structure after considering the initial stress is more consistent with the reported experimental results. The influence of initial stress on bandgap cannot be ignored. When the compressive loading displacement is 10 mm, the frequency range of the first bandgap is 262 Hz–310 Hz and that of the second bandgap is 394 Hz–405 Hz. And the frequency range of the first and second bandgaps will be converted into 254 Hz–291 Hz and 391 Hz–400 Hz when considering initial stress. The initial stress generated by compression deformation reduces the frequency of the structural bandgap. The beginning and ending frequencies of the first bandgap will move toward low frequencies, and the first bandgap will close when the compression displacement reaches 30 mm. The initial stress generated by tensile deformation increases the frequency of the structural bandgap. The beginning and ending frequencies of the first bandgap move toward high frequencies, and the bandgap will close when the tensile displacement is 30 mm.
Seismic Behavior and Modeling of Ductile Composite Steel-Trussed Concrete Beam to Column Joints
Authors: Di Cesare Antonio , Belviso Prospero , Ponzo Felice Carlo , Vitone Giovanni
Published: October 2023

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study on a ductile beam-column connection between a composite reinforced concrete truss (CRCT) beam and a reinforced concrete (RC) or concrete-filled tube (CFT) column subjected to bending and shear loads. Two experimental models with different beam-column joint testing schemes, extracted from the same prototype three-dimensional structure designed according to the rules of the capacity design provided by seismic code, were subjected to quasi-static cyclic tests by applying gravitational loads and the horizontal seismic force. The main objective of this paper is to verify the ductile behavior of both specimens experimentally and to simulate the experimental global and local responses by nonlinear static analysis, considering different modeling approaches. The comparison between the experimental and numerical results highlights, for both models considered, the ductile and dissipative capacity of the connection system, designed following the criteria of the hierarchy of resistances proposed by the current Italian code. The results of different experimental setups demonstrate that the tests can be repeated and the results can be reproduced by means of simple nonlinear models.
Clinical and Radiographic Follow-Up of Full-Arch Implant Prosthetic Rehabilitations: Retrospective Clinical Study at 6-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Nagni Matteo , Pirani Filippo , D’Orto Bianca , Ferrini Francesco , Cappare Paolo
Published: October 2023

Aim: the aim of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate clinically and radiographically full-arch implant prosthetic rehabilitations supported by six axial implants or four implants placed according to the All-on-Four protocol. Materials and methods: Patients in need of immediately loaded full-arch implant prosthetic rehabilitations of one or both arches were considered. Follow-up visits were performed one week after surgery, at 3 and 6 months and then once a year for the next 6 years to record implant survival, peri-implant parameters, marginal bone loss, bone cortical thickness and possible muscular, articular and prosthetic complications. A satisfaction evaluation questionnaire was also made available to all patients at the end of the follow-up period. Results: A total of 30 patients with total edentulism of one or both arches or need for avulsion of residual impaired teeth were enrolled for this study and underwent implant prosthetic rehabilitation on four or six implants. The overall implant survival rate at the six-year follow-up was 98.09%. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between implant site and higher plaque and bleeding index in the posterior site. The extent of keratinized tissue was statistically superior in anteriorly located implants. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the values of bone-marginal levels as a function of time. The vestibular and palatal/lingual bone cortices were preserved, with an increasing trend in the apical direction. Regarding muscular and articular complications, the results of this study showed statistically significant differences between the mean values recorded in male and female subjects, while the most frequently encountered problems during the clinical evaluation were the presence of joint clicks and pain in the masseter muscles. Two of the patients examined showed problems with mandibular latero-deviation and prosthetic fracture. Conclusion: within the limitations of the present study, immediate implant-retained prosthetic rehabilitations supported by six axial implants or four fixtures placed according to the All-on-Four method could represent a valid therapeutic alternative to provide edentulous patients with restoration of masticatory function and aesthetics and promote their acceptance.
Aleijadinho’s Mestiço Architecture in Eighteenth-Century Brazil: Inventing Brazilian National Identity via a Racialized Colonial Art
Authors: Ammann Laura
Published: October 2023

Antônio Francisco Lisboa (Aleijadinho) is arguably the most famous Brazilian colonial artist, known for his Baroque sculptures and architecture. The reception of his life and work, which often centered on biographical aspects such as his mestiço identity and his disability, conferred him a mythological positioning in Brazilian history. From the first sources from the 19th century to the modernist reappraisal of the Colonial Baroque in the 1920s, Aleijadinho became a foundational figure in the construction of Brazil’s post-colonial nationhood. This article contributes to the understanding of the mythification of Aleijadinho, paying special attention to how his mestiço identity was articulated in the essays of the Brazilian modernist Mário de Andrade.
Seasonal and Day–Night Variations in Carbonaceous Aerosols and Their Light-Absorbing Properties in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Su Jiannan , Zhang Runqi , Liu Bowen , Tong Mengxue , Xiao Shaoxuan , Wang Xiaoyang , Zhao Qilong , Song Wei , Talifu Dilinuer , Wang Xinming
Published: October 2023

Carbonaceous aerosols (CAs), including elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC), have become the dominant component in PM2.5 in many Chinese cities, and it is imperative to address their spatiotemporal variations and sources in order to continually improve air quality. In this study, the mass concentrations and light absorption properties of EC and OC in PM2.5 were investigated at diverse sites in Guangzhou, in the winter of 2020 and the autumn of 2021, using the DRI Model 2015 thermal–optical carbon analyzer. The results showed that total EC and organic matter (OM = OC × 1.8) could account for nearly 30% of the PM2.5 mass concentrations. Secondary production was the most important source for OC, with secondary OC (SOC) percentages in the OC as high as 72.8 ± 7.0% in autumn and 68.4 ± 13.1% in winter. Compared to those in 2015, OC and EC concentrations were reduced by 25.4% and 73.4% in 2021, highlighting the effectiveness of control measures in recent years. The absorption coefficient of brown carbon at 405 nm (babs,BrC,405) decreased by over 40%, and the mass absorption coefficient (MAC) at 405 nm of total carbon (TC) decreased by over 30%. EC and OC concentrations and the light absorption of black carbon (babs,BC,405) showed no significant diurnal differences in both autumn and winter mainly because the reduction in anthropogenic emissions at night was compensated by the lowering of the boundary layer. Differentially, babs,BrC,405 was significantly lower during daytime than at night in autumn, probably due to the daytime photobleaching effect. The sources of EC, OC, BC, and BrC were preliminarily diagnosed by their correlation with typical source markers. In autumn, babs,BrC,405 might be related to biomass burning and coal combustion, while babs,BC,405 were largely related to vehicle emissions and coal combustion. In winter, babs,BrC,405 was closely related to coal combustion.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Small Extracellular Vesicles in Alleviating Arthritic Progression by Restoring Macrophage Balance
Authors: Zhang Bin , Lai Ruenn Chai , Sim Wei Kian , Lim Sai Kiang
Published: October 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and damage, often associated with an imbalance in M1/M2 macrophages. Elevated levels of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages have been linked to a therapeutic response in RA. We have previously demonstrated that mesenchymal stem/stromal cell small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs) promote M2 polarization and hypothesized that MSC-sEVs could alleviate RA severity with a concomitant increase in M2 polarization. Here, we treated a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) with MSC-sEVs. Relative to vehicle-treated CIA mice, both low (1 μg) and high (10 μg) doses of MSC-sEVs were similarly efficacious but not as efficacious as Prednisolone, the positive control. MSC-sEV treatment resulted in statistically significant reductions in disease progression rate and disease severity as measured by arthritic index (AI), anti-CII antibodies, IL-6, and C5b-9 plasma levels. There were no statistically significant differences in the treatment outcome between low (1 μg) and high (10 μg) doses of MSC-sEVs. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that concomitant with the therapeutic efficacy, MSC-sEV treatment increased anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages and decreased pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages in the synovium. Consistent with increased M2 macrophages, histopathological examination also revealed reduced inflammation, pannus formation, cartilage damage, bone resorption, and periosteal new bone formation in the MSC-sEV-treated group compared to the vehicle group. These findings suggest that MSC-sEVs are potential biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that can help slow or halt RA joint damage and preserve joint function.
Bacterial Tyrosinase Inhibition, Hemolytic and Thrombolytic Screening, and In Silico Modeling of Rationally Designed Tosyl Piperazine-Engrafted Dithiocarbamate Derivatives
Authors: Zahoor Ameer Fawad , Hafeez Freeha , Mansha Asim , Kamal Shagufta , Anjum Muhammad Naveed , Raza Zohaib , Khan Samreen Gul , Javid Jamila , Irfan Ali , Bhat Mashooq Ahmad
Published: October 2023

Piperazine is a privileged moiety that is a structural part of many clinical drugs. Piperazine-based scaffolds have attracted the attention of pharmaceutical and medicinal scientists to develop novel, efficient therapeutic agents owing to their significant and promising biological profile. In the current study, an ecofriendly ultrasonic-assisted synthetic approach was applied to achieve a novel series of 1-tosyl piperazine dithiocarbamate acetamide hybrids 4a–4j, which was evaluated for in vitro tyrosinase inhibition and thrombolytic and hemolytic cytotoxic activities. Among all the piperazine-based dithiocarbamate acetamide target molecules 4a–4j, the structural analogs 4d displayed excellent tyrosinase inhibition efficacy (IC50 = 6.88 ± 0.11 µM) which was better than the reference standard drugs kojic acid (30.34 ± 0.75 µM) and ascorbic acid (11.5 ± 1.00 µM), respectively, which was further confirmed by in silico induced-fit docking (IFD) simulation Good tyrosinase activities were exhibited by 4g (IC50 = 7.24 ± 0.15 µM), 4b (IC50 = 8.01 ± 0.11 µM) and 4c (IC50 = 8.1 ± 0.30 µM) dithiocarbamate acetamides, which were also better tyrosinase inhibitors than the reference drugs but were less active than the 4d structural hybrid. All the derivatives are less toxic, having values in the 0.29 ± 0.01% to 15.6 ± 0.5% range. The scaffold 4b demonstrated better hemolytic potential (0.29 ± 0.01%), while a remarkably high thrombolytic chemotherapeutic potential was displayed by analog 4e (67.3 ± 0.2%).
An Innovative Solution Based on TSCA-ViT for Osteosarcoma Diagnosis in Resource-Limited Settings
Authors: He Zengxiao , Liu Jun , Gou Fangfang , Wu Jia
Published: October 2023

Identifying and managing osteosarcoma pose significant challenges, especially in resource-constrained developing nations. Advanced diagnostic methods involve isolating the nucleus from cancer cells for comprehensive analysis. However, two main challenges persist: mitigating image noise during the capture and transmission of cellular sections, and providing an efficient, accurate, and cost-effective solution for cell nucleus segmentation. To tackle these issues, we introduce the Twin-Self and Cross-Attention Vision Transformer (TSCA-ViT). This pioneering AI-based system employs a directed filtering algorithm for noise reduction and features an innovative transformer architecture with a twin attention mechanism for effective segmentation. The model also incorporates cross-attention-enabled skip connections to augment spatial information. We evaluated our method on a dataset of 1000 osteosarcoma pathology slide images from the Second People’s Hospital of Huaihua, achieving a remarkable average precision of 97.7%. This performance surpasses traditional methodologies. Furthermore, TSCA-ViT offers enhanced computational efficiency owing to its fewer parameters, which results in reduced time and equipment costs. These findings underscore the superior efficacy and efficiency of TSCA-ViT, offering a promising approach for addressing the ongoing challenges in osteosarcoma diagnosis and treatment, particularly in settings with limited resources.
Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA at 1 Month after Kidney Transplantation Relates to HLA Class II Eplet Mismatch Load
Authors: González-López Elena , Ocejo-Vinyals Javier Gonzalo , Renuncio-García Mónica , Roa-Bautista Adriel , San Segundo Arribas David , Escagedo Clara , García-Saiz María del Mar , Valero Rosalía , García-Berbel Pilar , Ruíz San Millán Juan Carlos , Rodrigo Emilio
Published: October 2023

Kidney transplantation is the preferred therapeutic option for end-stage renal disease; however, the alloimmune response is still the leading cause of renal allograft failure. To better identify immunologic disparities in order to evaluate HLA compatibility between the donor and the recipient, the concept of eplet load has arisen. Regular kidney function monitoring is essential for the accurate and timely diagnosis of allograft rejection and the appropriate treatment. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) has been proposed as a potential biomarker of acute rejection and graft failure in kidney transplantation. The proportion of plasma dd-cfDNA was determined in forty-two kidney patients at 1 month after transplantation. A total of eleven (26.2%) patients had a dd-cfDNA proportion of ≥1.0%. The only pretransplant variable related to dd-cfDNA > 1.0% was the HLA class II eplet mismatch load, mainly the HLA-DQB1 eplet mismatch load. Furthermore, dd-cfDNA was able to discriminate the patients with antibody-mediated rejection (AbMR) (AUC 87.3%), acute rejection (AUC 78.2%), and troubled graft (AUC 81.4%). Increased dd-cfDNA levels were associated with kidney allograft deterioration, particularly rejection, as well as a greater HLA class II eplet mismatch load. Consequently, combining dd-cfDNA determination and HLA eplet mismatch load calculation should improve the assessment of the risk of short- and long-term allograft damage.
Circulating and Urinary Concentrations of Malondialdehyde in Aging Humans in Health and Disease: Review and Discussion
Authors: Tsikas Dimitrios , Tsikas Stefanos A. , Mikuteit Marie , Ückert Stefan
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a major and stable product of oxidative stress. MDA circulates in the blood and is excreted in the urine in its free and conjugated forms, notably with L-lysine and L-serine. MDA is the most frequently measured biomarker of oxidative stress, namely lipid peroxidation. Oxidative stress is generally assumed to be associated with disease and to increase with age. Here, we review and discuss the literature concerning circulating and excretory MDA as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation in aging subjects with regard to health and disease, such as kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, and COVID-19. (2) Methods: Scientific articles, notably those reporting on circulating (plasma, serum) and urinary MDA, which concern health and disease, and which appeared in PubMed were considered; they formed the basis for evaluating the potential increase in oxidative stress, particularly lipid peroxidation, as humans age. (3) Results and Conclusions: The results reported in the literature thus far are contradictory. The articles considered in the present study are not supportive of the general view that oxidative stress increases with aging. Many functions of several organs, including the filtration efficiency of the kidneys, are physiologically reduced in men and women as they age. This effect is likely to result in the apparent “accumulation” of biomarkers of oxidative stress, concomitantly with the “accumulation” of biomarkers of an organ’s function, such as creatinine. How free and conjugated MDA forms are transported in various organs (including the brain) and how they are excreted in the urine via the kidney is not known, and investigating these questions should be the objective of forthcoming studies. The age- and gender-related increase in circulating creatinine might be a useful factor to be taken into consideration when investigating oxidative stress and aging.
Exploring the Prevalence of PTSD in Hand Trauma: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: Ghițan Alexandra Florinda , Gheorman Veronica , Ciurea Marius Eugen , Gheorman Victor , Dinescu Venera Cristina , Ciurea Ana Maria , Militaru Felicia , Popa Romeo , Țenea-Cojan Tiberiu-Ștefăniță , Udriștoiu Ion
Published: October 2023

Hand trauma is a common and debilitating condition that can have significant physical, functional, and psychological effects on individuals. This study used a case–control design to investigate the frequency and factors associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of individuals with complex hand and forearm injuries. Our hypothesis suggests that demographic data, among other factors, influences the intensity of PTSD symptoms measured by the PCL-5 scale three months post-surgery. This study included 166 individuals, 142 males and 24 females, with an average age of 42.14 years (SD = 12.71). Our study found significant associations between symptoms of PTSD and various demographic and clinical factors. PTSD symptoms were observed in females, individuals from specific regions, and certain socio-professional groups. Furthermore, educational attainment and personal background have been identified as significant factors in the development of PTSD. The role of trauma type was crucial, amputees and fractures were more prone to developing PTSD. A strong link was found between increased symptoms of PTSD and negative postoperative outcomes, including amputation of necessity and the need for additional surgery. The absence of family support exacerbates the psychological distress of trauma survivors. The findings highlight the intricate nature of PTSD development and underscore the significance of a comprehensive postoperative treatment strategy encompassing psychological assessment and support.
Development of a Magnetoresistive-Based Wearable Eye-Tracking System for Oculomotor Assessment in Neurological and Otoneurological Research—Preliminary In Vivo Tests
Authors: Donniacuo Aniello , Viberti Francesca , Carucci Mario , Biancalana Valerio , Bellizzi Lorenzo , Mandalà Marco
Published: October 2023

Over the past 20 years, several eye-tracking technologies have been developed. This article aims to present a new type of eye tracker capable of producing detailed information on eye and head movements using an array of magnetoresistive detectors fixed on the patient’s head and a small magnet inserted into a contact lens, adapted to the curvature of the cornea of the subject. The software used for data analysis can combine or compare eye and head movements and can represent them as 2D or 3D images. Preliminary data involve an initial patient who was asked to perform several tasks to establish the accuracy, reliability, and tolerance of the magnetic eye tracker and software. The tasks included assessment of saccadic eye movements and pursuit, “drawing” alphabetic shapes or letters, and reading. Finally, a Head Impulse Test (HIT) was performed to estimate the VOR gain, comparing the standard deviation established via vHIT with that established via this magnetic eye tracker (mHIT). This prototypical device is minimally invasive, lightweight, relatively cheap, and tolerable, with a high degree of reliability and precision. All these characteristics could lead to the future use of the magnetic eye tracker in neurological and otoneurological fields.
Current Challenges in the Diagnosis of Progressive Neurocognitive Disorders: A Critical Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Primary and Secondary Care
Authors: Abbatantuono Chiara , Alfeo Federica , Clemente Livio , Lancioni Giulio , De Caro Maria Fara , Livrea Paolo , Taurisano Paolo
Published: October 2023

Screening for early symptoms of cognitive impairment enables timely interventions for patients and their families. Despite the advances in dementia diagnosis, the current nosography of neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) seems to overlook some clinical manifestations and predictors that could contribute to understanding the conversion from an asymptomatic stage to a very mild one, eventually leading to obvious disease. The present review examines different diagnostic approaches in view of neurophysiological and neuropsychological evidence of NCD progression, which may be subdivided into: (1) preclinical stage; (2) transitional stage; (3) prodromal or mild stage; (4) major NCD. The absence of univocal criteria and the adoption of ambiguous or narrow labels might complicate the diagnostic process. In particular, it should be noted that: (1) only neuropathological hallmarks characterize preclinical NCD; (2) transitional NCD must be assessed through proactive neuropsychological protocols; (3) prodromal/mild NCDs are based on cognitive functional indicators; (4) major NCD requires well-established tools to evaluate its severity stage; (5) insight should be accounted for by both patient and informants. Therefore, the examination of evolving epidemiological and clinical features occurring at each NCD stage may orient primary and secondary care, allowing for more targeted prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment of both cognitive and functional impairment.
Phenomenological Changes Associated with Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Cognitive Appraisal Model of Recovery
Authors: Acevedo Nicola , Castle David , Bosanac Peter , Rossell Susan
Published: October 2023

The current scientific enquiry of deep brain stimulation (DBS) does not capture the breadth of DBS-induced changes to an individual’s life. Considering that DBS is applied in severe and complex cases, it is ethically and clinically necessary to consider the patient perspective and personally relevant outcomes. This lived experience investigation of people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) undergoing DBS aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of DBS-induced effects associated with OCD psychopathology. Six patients and six carers completed semi-structured open-ended interviews. A blended approach of interpretative phenomenological, inductive, and thematic analysis techniques was employed. Profound psychopathological changes were expressed; individuals felt more alive, had improved cognitive affective control, greater engagement in the world, and were able to manage their OCD. Through suppression of the condition, self-constructs were able to re-emerge and develop. A framework describing the progression of phenomenological changes, and a theoretical model describing changes in the cognitive appraisal of intrusions influencing recovery are proposed. This is the first identified qualitative investigation of DBS-induced changes in psychiatric patients and carers. Findings have implications for patient education and recovery models of OCD, and scientific understanding of DBS effects.
Digital Transformation of Building Permits: Current Status, Maturity, and Future Prospects
Authors: Ataide Mariana , Braholli Orjola , Siegele Dietmar
Published: October 2023

Building permits ensure construction meets codes and regulations, but the traditional permitting process is often complex and inefficient. This perspective paper examines the current state and maturity of digitizing and automating building permits. We studied current permit workflows and the recent literature to identify digitization opportunities like online portals, automated code-checking, and data integration. Most jurisdictions are only in the early digital stages, focused on implementing electronic document management and online portals. Some leading cities have piloted more advanced capabilities like automated code compliance checking, but widespread adoption lags. The greatest challenges exist around fragmented IT environments, data integration, organizational inertia, and failing to adapt to technological advancements, such as the example of AI. Achieving higher digital permitting processes requires optimized data sharing, instant feedback loops, and automation-enabled plan reviews. While pockets of innovation exist, mainstream adoption lags behind visionary potential. Realizing the future permitting paradigm demands open data standards, configurable software infrastructure, and organizational commitment to digitize end-to-end. This paper presents regulators and innovators with a perspective framework to evolve permitting towards smarter, faster, and more integrated digital systems and strategies.
Numerical Study on Seismic Behavior of Demountable Joints Consisting of Reinforced Concrete Columns and Steel Beams
Authors: Cai Jianguo , Deng Zhong , Li Wei
Published: October 2023

In this study, three new types of demountable connections, consisting of reinforced concrete columns and steel beams, are proposed, and their seismic performance is investigated through the use of cyclic loading tests. The test results reveal that these three demountable RCS joints show good seismic performance, in which the ductility coefficients of specimens RCS-1 and RCS-2 are improved by 69% and 109%, respectively, compared with the reference group of RCS-0 specimens. Various parameters, such as the beam flange thickness, bolt strength, and connecting steel strength, were analyzed using the finite element software ABAQUS 2021 to determine the effect of these parameters on the seismic performance and behavior of the connections. The results also show that the three demountable RCS joints are very sensitive to the variation in beam flange steel thickness, while the connector steel strength and bolt type have very little effect on the joint load-carrying capacity. In addition, different current theoretical approaches for calculating the shear bearing capacity in the panel zone of joints are discussed.
Embodied Carbon in Australian Residential Houses: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Illankoon Chethana , Vithanage Sadith Chinthaka , Pilanawithana Nethmin Malshani
Published: October 2023

Embodied carbon is a buzzword in the construction industry. Australia is committed to achieving Net Zero 2050 targets, and minimizing embodied carbon (EC) is inevitable. Owing to the population growth, there will be a significant demand for residential construction. Therefore, the material consumption in residential construction should be evaluated and proper strategies should be in place to minimize EC. The aim of this research is to undertake a preliminary study of EC in the Australian residential sector, with an emphasis on new residential home construction. This research presents a preliminary study on EC in residential buildings in Australia. Three case study residential buildings were used in this study. All three case studies are single -story residential units, with a gross floor area between 200 and 240 m2. One Click LCA software was used to calculate the EC. The EC of three case study residential homes is between 193 and 233 kgCO2e/m2. Based on the findings of this study, ‘other structures and materials’ contribute to a large amount of EC in residential construction. Concrete and aluminum are considered significant contributors to EC. Therefore, it is vital to either introduce low-EC material to replace aluminum windows or introduce various design options to minimize the use of aluminum in windows. There are various sustainable concretes available with low EC. It is essential to explore these low-EC concretes in residential homes as well. This research identifies the importance of adopting strategies to reduce the carbon impact from other sources, including concrete. It is also essential to consider the EC through transportation related to construction and promote locally sourced building materials in residential construction. Therefore, the results of this research indicate the necessity of reducing raw material consumption in Australian residential construction by implementing approaches such as a circular economy in order to circulate building materials throughout the construction supply chain and reduce raw material extraction.
Experimental Vibration Analysis in the Knowledge Process of a Historic Confined Masonry Building
Authors: Tripepi Concetta , Saitta Fernando , Clemente Paolo , Buffarini Giacomo , Bongiovanni Giovanni
Published: October 2023

Experimental vibrational analysis is used in the knowledge process of a historic building, made of confined masonry, a construction system suggested in the reconstruction after the 1915 earthquake at Avezzano, Italy. The building was the primary subject of the usual experimental campaign to verify the structural geometry, the characteristics of the materials and the permanent loads. Then, a detailed experimental vibration analysis was carried out. Data were analysed both in the frequency and in the time domains. This combined approach allowed us to point out the importance of the floor deformability on the dynamic behaviour of the structure. A finite element model was set up using the equivalent frame method and calibrated on the basis of the experimental vibrational analysis results. The constitutive law of the confined masonry was fine-tuned, following the literature and present standard suggestions. The pushover analyses allowed us to uncover the behaviour factor of the structure and the seismic safety index, which was found to be quite low and very similar to that obtained via a response spectrum analysis.