bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility exploration of GSH in the treatment of acute hepatic encephalopathy from the aspects of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and mechanism
Authors: Hu Kangrui , Xu Yexin , Fan Jiye , Liu Huafang , Di Chanjuan , Xu Feng , Wu Linlin , Ding Ke , Zhang Tingting , Wang Leyi , Ai Haoyu , Xie Lin , Wang Guangji , Liang Yan
Published: June 2024

Our previous study highlighted the therapeutic potential of glutathione (GSH), an intracellular thiol tripeptide ubiquitous in mammalian tissues, in mitigating hepatic and cerebral damage. Building on this premise, we posited the hypothesis that GSH could be a promising candidate for treating acute hepatic encephalopathy (AHE). To verify this conjecture, we systematically investigated the feasibility of GSH as a therapeutic agent for AHE through comprehensive pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and mechanistic studies using a thioacetamide-induced AHE rat model. Our pharmacodynamic data demonstrated that oral GSH could significantly improve behavioral scores and reduce hepatic damage of AHE rats by regulating intrahepatic ALT, AST, inflammatory factors, and homeostasis of amino acids. Additionally, oral GSH demonstrated neuroprotective effects by alleviating the accumulation of intracerebral glutamine, down-regulating glutamine synthetase, and reducing taurine exposure. Pharmacokinetic studies suggested that AHE modeling led to significant decrease in hepatic and cerebral exposure of GSH and cysteine. However, oral GSH greatly enhanced the intrahepatic and intracortical GSH and CYS in AHE rats. Given the pivotal roles of CYS and GSH in maintaining redox homeostasis, we investigated the interplay between oxidative stress and pathogenesis/treatment of AHE. Our data revealed that GSH administration significantly relieved oxidative stress levels caused by AHE modeling via down-regulating the expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and NF-κB P65. Importantly, our findings further suggested that GSH administration significantly regulated the excessive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress caused by AHE modeling through the iNOS/ATF4/Ddit3 pathway. In summary, our study uncovered that exogenous GSH could stabilize intracerebral GSH and CYS levels to act on brain oxidative and ER stress, which have great significance for revealing the therapeutic effect of GSH on AHE and promoting its further development and clinical application.
Chemokine ligand 14 correlates with immune cell infiltration in the gastric cancer microenvironment in predicting unfavorable prognosis
Authors: Lu Bing , Shi Jiawen , Cheng Tong , Wang Congshuo , Xu Manyu , Sun Pingping , Zhang Xiaojing , Yang Lei , Li Peng , Wu Han , Kuai Xiaoling
Published: June 2024

Objective

Gastric cancer (GC) is the world’s third-leading cause of cancer-related mortality; the prognosis for GC patients remains poor in terms of a lack of reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and immune therapy response prediction. Here, we aim to discover the connection between chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14) expression in the gastric tumor microenvironment (TME) and its clinical significance and investigate its correlation with immune cell infiltration.

Methods

We assessed CCL14 mRNA expression and its interrelation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TILs) using bioinformatics analysis in gastric cancer. CCL14 protein expression, TILs, and immune checkpoints were detected by multiple immunohistochemistry analyses in gastric cancer tissue microarrays. Then, we conducted statistics analysis to determine the association between CCL14-related patient survival and immune cell infiltration (p < 0.05).

Results

We found that the CCL14 protein was separately expressed in the carcinoma cells and TILs in stomach cancer tissues. The CCL14 protein was related to tumor differentiation and tumor depth and positively correlated with the presentation of LAG3 and PD-L1 in gastric cancer cells. In addition, the CCL14 protein in the TILs of gastric cancer tissues was related to Lauren’s type cells, T cells (CD4+ and CD8+), and CD68+ macrophages in the TME. Kaplan–Meier survival and multivariate analyses showed that the CCL14 expression in gastric cancer cells was an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusion

Our study illustrated that CCL14 is a poor prognosis biomarker in gastric cancer, which may be associated with the potential for immunotherapy.
A chromosome-level genome assembly of Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis)
Authors: Yang Ying , Liu Jin Feng , Jiang Xian Feng
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Pseudocydonia sinensis, also known as Chinese quince, is a perennial shrub or small tree highly valued for its edibility and medicinal properties.

Method

This study presents the first chromosome-level genome assembly of P. sinensis, achieved using HiFi sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding technology.

Results

The assembly resulted in a high-quality genome of 576.39 Mb in size. The genome was anchored to 17 pseudo-chromosomes, with a contig N50 of 27.6 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 33.8 Mb. Comprehensive assessment using BUSCO, CEGMA and BWA tools indicates the high completeness and accuracy of the genome assembly. Our analysis identified 116 species-specific genes, 1196 expanded genes and 1109 contracted genes. Additionally, the distribution of 4DTv values suggests that the most recent duplication event occurred before the divergence of P. sinensis from both Chaenomeles pinnatifida and Pyrus pyrifolia.

Discussion

The assembly of this high-quality genome provides a valuable platform for the genetic breeding and cultivation of P. sinensis, as well as for the comparison of the genetic complexity of P. sinensis with other important crops in the Rosaceae family.
Small target tea bud detection based on improved YOLOv5 in complex background
Authors: Wang Mengjie , Li Yang , Meng Hewei , Chen Zhiwei , Gui Zhiyong , Li Yaping , Dong Chunwang
Published: June 2024

Tea bud detection is the first step in the precise picking of famous teas. Accurate and fast tea bud detection is crucial for achieving intelligent tea bud picking. However, existing detection methods still exhibit limitations in both detection accuracy and speed due to the intricate background of tea buds and their small size. This study uses YOLOv5 as the initial network and utilizes attention mechanism to obtain more detailed information about tea buds, reducing false detections and missed detections caused by different sizes of tea buds; The addition of Spatial Pyramid Pooling Fast (SPPF) in front of the head to better utilize the attention module’s ability to fuse information; Introducing the lightweight convolutional method Group Shuffle Convolution (GSConv) to ensure model efficiency without compromising accuracy; The Mean-Positional-Distance Intersection over Union (MPDIoU) can effectively accelerate model convergence and reduce the training time of the model. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method achieves precision (P), recall rate (R) and mean average precision (mAP) of 93.38%, 89.68%, and 95.73%, respectively. Compared with the baseline network, our proposed model’s P, R, and mAP have been improved by 3.26%, 11.43%, and 7.68%, respectively. Meanwhile, comparative analyses with other deep learning methods using the same dataset underscore the efficacy of our approach in terms of P, R, mAP, and model size. This method can accurately detect the tea bud area and provide theoretical research and technical support for subsequent tea picking.
It’s not just what you say: the impact of message tone on intra-party endorsements
Authors: Vizcarrondo Tom , Minooie Milad
Published: June 2024

This study expands previous research on political endorsements by focusing on the tone of the endorsement, rather than the endorser or the presence/absence of any endorsement at all. Using a 2×2 experimental design and a sample of 906 registered voters from a midwestern U.S. state, this study measures the effect of positive and negative endorsements on the voter perceptions of the endorsee, endorser, and unendorsed candidate during a partisan primary election campaign. Results support the idea that positive endorsements generally improve voters’ attitudes toward the endorsee and the endorser and negative endorsements generally hurt voters’ perception of the unendorsed candidate. Further interaction analyses show that factors such as a voter’s existing enthusiasm for politics, government, and politicians can moderate the effect of endorsements. The findings are in line with the proposition of the Social Judgment Theory and support the existing literature on the effect of endorsements.
Long-term forgetting is independent of age in healthy children and adolescents
Authors: Pellegrini Felizia , Uebelhardt Nina , Bigi Sandra , Studer Martina , Nocco Luana , Wingeier Kevin , Lidzba Karen
Published: June 2024

Introduction

In clinical neuropsychology, the phenomenon of accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) has advanced to be a marker for subtle but clinically relevant memory problems associated with a range of neurological conditions. The normal developmental trajectory of long-term memory, in this case, memory recall after 1 week, and the influence of cognitive variables such as intelligence have not extensively been described, which is a drawback for the use of accelerated long-term forgetting measures in pediatric neuropsychology.

Methods

In this clinical observation study, we analyzed the normal developmental trajectory of verbal memory recall after 1 week in healthy children and adolescents. We hypothesized that 1-week recall and 1-week forgetting would be age-dependent and correlate with other cognitive functions such as intelligence and working memory. Sixty-three healthy participants between the ages of 8 and 16 years completed a newly developed auditory verbal learning test (WoMBAT) and the WISC-V intelligence test (General Ability Index, GAI). Using these tests, 1 week recall and 1 week forgetting have been studied in relation to GAI, verbal learning performance, and verbal working memory.

Results

Neither 1-week recall nor 1-week forgetting seems to be age-dependent. They are also not significantly predicted by other cognitive functions such as GAI or working memory. Instead, the ability to recall a previously memorized word list after 7 days seems to depend solely on the initial learning capacity.

Conclusion

In the clinical setting, this finding can help interpret difficulties in free recall after 7 days or more since they can probably not be attributed to young age or low intelligence.
Diagnosis of ADHD using virtual reality and artificial intelligence: an exploratory study of clinical applications
Authors: Oh Soohwan , Joung Yoo-Sook , Chung Tai-Myoung , Lee Junho , Seok Bum Joon , Kim Namuk , Son Ha Min
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is based on clinical evaluation of symptoms by a psychiatrist, referencing results of psychological tests. When diagnosing ADHD, the child’s behavior and functionality in real-life situations are critical components. However, direct observation by a clinician is often not feasible in practice. Therefore, such information is typically gathered from primary caregivers or teachers, which can introduce subjective elements. To overcome these limitations, we developed AttnKare-D, an innovative digital diagnostic tool that could analyze children’s behavioral data in Virtual Reality using Artificial Intelligence. The purpose of this study was to explore the utility and safety of AttnKare-D for clinical application.

Method

A total of 21 children aged between 6 and 12 years were recruited for this study. Among them, 15 were children diagnosed with ADHD, 5 were part of a normal control group, and 1 child was excluded due to withdrawal of consent. Psychological assessments, including K-WISC, Conners CPT, K-ARS, and K-CBCL, were conducted for participants and their primary caregivers. Diagnoses of ADHD were confirmed by child and adolescent psychiatrists based on comprehensive face-to-face evaluations and results of psychological assessments. Participants underwent VR diagnostic assessment by performing various cognitive and behavioral tasks in a VR environment. Collected data were analyzed using an AI model to assess ADHD diagnosis and the severity of symptoms.

Results

AttnKare-D demonstrated diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.893 when compared to diagnoses made by child and adolescent psychiatrist, showing a sensitivity of 0.8 and a specificity of 1.0 at a cut-off score of 18.44. AttnKare-D scores showed a high correlation with K-ARS scores rated by parents and experts, although the correlation was relatively low for inattention scores.

Conclusion

Results of this study suggest that AttnKare-D can be a useful tool for diagnosing ADHD in children. This approach has potential to overcome limitations of current diagnostic methods, enhancing the accuracy and objectivity of ADHD diagnoses. This study lays the groundwork for further improvement and research on diagnostic tools integrating VR and AI technologies. For future clinical applications, it is necessary to conduct clinical trials involving a sufficient number of participants to ensure reliable use.
The participation of hard-to-reach older people in the research and development process of health technologies from the perspective of multipliers—A qualitative analysis
Authors: Pauls Alexander , Koppelin Frauke , Zeeb Hajo
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The participation of older people in research and development processes has long been called for but has not been sufficiently put into practice. In addition, participation is often late and not particularly intensive, so that certain older groups of people are underrepresented in the development of health technologies (HT). Heterogeneity, e.g., between urban and rural populations, in access to and motivation for participation is also rarely taken into account. The aim of this study was to investigate form and phases of participation for hard-to-reach older people in the research and development process of HT.

Methods

The qualitative study among multipliers was conducted using focus groups and telephone interviews and took place in a city and an adjacent rural area in northwestern Lower Saxony, Germany. A content analysis of the data was undertaken using deductive-inductive category formation.

Results

Seventeen participants (13 female) took part in the study (median age 61, 33–73). Participants from both areas identified particular forms and phases of participation in the research and development process. Longer forms of participation for hard-to-reach groups and the development process of technologies for older people from the rural area were viewed as challenges. Passive and active access strategies are needed to achieve sufficient heterogeneity in the research and development process. Trusted multipliers can play an important role in gaining access to hard-to-reach older people, but also during the research process. Apart from facilitating factors (e.g., age-specific study materials), inhibiting factors such as contact anxieties are also indicated. Only urban participants mention financial/material incentives and community as possible motivations.

Conclusions

The results provide important insights from the perspective of multipliers. They show specificities in access and participation for rural areas and for hard-to-reach older people. Many older people may have uncertainties about research projects and HT. Multipliers can assume a key role to help reduce these uncertainties in the future.
The challenges and benefits of public health in smart cities from a 4 M perspective
Authors: Yuan Lirong , Du Lihong , Gao Yonggang , Zhang Yujin , Shen Yongqing
Published: June 2024

Introduction

With the acceleration of urbanization, public health issues have become increasingly prominent in smart city construction, especially in the face of sudden public health crises. A deep research method for public health management based on a 4M perspective (human, machine, materials, methods) is proposed to effectively address these challenges. Methods: The method involves studying the impact of human factors such as population age, gender, and occupation on public health from a human perspective. It incorporates a machine perspective by constructing a public health prediction model using deep neural networks. Additionally, it analyzes resource allocation and process optimization in public health management from the materials and methods perspectives.

Results

The experiments demonstrate that the public health prediction model based on deep neural networks achieved a prediction accuracy of 98.6% and a recall rate of 97.5% on the test dataset. In terms of resource allocation and process optimization, reasonable adjustments and optimizations increased the coverage of public health services by 20% and decreased the response time to public health events by 30%.

Discussion

This research method has significant benefits for addressing the challenges of public health in smart cities. It can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public health services, helping smart cities respond more quickly and accurately to potential large-scale public health events in the future. This approach holds important theoretical and practical significance.
What was the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on unintentional injuries, in Canada and globally? A scoping review investigating how lockdown measures impacted the global burden of unintentional injury
Authors: Karmali Shazya , Saxena Shikha , Richards Olivia , Thompson Wendy , McFaull Steven R. , Pike Ian
Published: June 2024

Background

Injuries are among the leading causes for hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. COVID-19 restrictions ensured safety to Canadians, but also negatively impacted health outcomes, including increasing rates of certain injuries. These differences in trends have been reported internationally however the evidence is scattered and needs to be better understood to identify opportunities for public education and to prepare for future outbreaks.

Objective

A scoping review was conducted to synthesize evidence regarding the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on unintentional injuries in Canada, compared to other countries.

Methods

Studies investigating unintentional injuries among all ages during COVID-19 from any country, published in English between December 2019 and July 2021, were included. Intentional injuries and/or previous pandemics were excluded. Four databases were searched (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus), and a gray literature search was also conducted.

Results

The search yielded 3,041 results, and 189 articles were selected for extraction. A total of 41 reports were included from the gray literature search. Final studies included research from: Europe (n = 85); North America (n = 44); Asia (n = 32); Oceania (n = 12); Africa (n = 8); South America (n = 4); and multi-country (n = 4). Most studies reported higher occurrence of injuries/trauma among males, and the average age across studies was 46 years. The following mechanisms of injury were reported on most frequently: motor vehicle collisions (MVCs; n = 134), falls (n = 104), sports/recreation (n = 65), non-motorized vehicle (n = 31), and occupational (n = 24). Injuries occurring at home (e.g., gardening, home improvement projects) increased, and injuries occurring at schools, workplaces, and public spaces decreased. Overall, decreases were observed in occupational injuries and those resulting from sport/recreation, pedestrian-related, and crush/trap incidents. Decreases were also seen in MVCs and burns, however the severity of injury from these causes increased during the pandemic period. Increases were observed in poisonings, non-motorized vehicle collisions, lacerations, drownings, trampoline injuries; and, foreign body ingestions.

Implications

Findings from this review can inform interventions and policies to identify gaps in public education, promote safety within the home, and decrease the negative impact of future stay-at-home measures on unintentional injury among Canadians and populations worldwide.
Effect of open vs. closed kinetic chain exercises in ACL rehabilitation on knee joint pain, laxity, extensor muscles strength, and function: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Pamboris George M. , Pavlou Kyriakos , Paraskevopoulos Eleftherios , Mohagheghi Amir A.
Published: June 2024

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common among physically active individuals, often requiring ACL reconstruction (ACLR) for recovery. Rehabilitating these injuries involves determining the appropriate timing for initiating open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises. Although OKC exercises are effective post-ACLR, their use in rehabilitation remains a subject of debate. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a systematic review to determine whether OKC or closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercises result in differences in laxity, strength of the knee extensor muscle group, function, and functional performance in ACL rehabilitation. Five electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled between-group trials (RCTs). Two reviewers independently evaluated the risk of bias using the PEDro scale. We performed a meta-analysis using a random-effects model or calculated mean differences (fixed-effect) where appropriate. Certainty of evidence was judged using the GRADE approach. The systematic literature search yielded 480 articles, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria. The evidence for all outcomes ranged from very low to low certainty. Across all comparisons, inconsistent results were found in outcome measures related to knee function between OKC and CKC exercises post-ACLR. A significant increase in quadriceps isokinetic strength was found in post-ACLR and ACL-deficient knees in favor of OKC exercises at 3 (p = 0.03) and 4 (p = 0.008) months, respectively. A significant decrease in knee laxity was observed in ACL-deficient knees in favor of OKC at 10 weeks (p = 0.01), although inconsistency was noted at 4 months. Finally, a significant decrease in pain was found in favor of early OKC compared to late OKC (p < 0.003). Additionally, in ACL-deficient knees, low load resistance training (LLRT) OKC showed no significant laxity difference compared to controls (p > 0.05). In contrast, high load resistance training (HLRT) OKC had less laxity than controls at 6 weeks (p = 0.02) but not at 12 weeks (p > 0.05). OKC exercises appear to be superior to CKC for improving quadriceps strength 3–4 months post-injury, whether as a part of conservative or post-surgery rehabilitation. On the other hand, OKC exercises seem to be either superior or equally effective to CKC for improving knee laxity, thus presenting their importance in being included in a rehabilitation protocol from the initial phase.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO [CRD42023475230].
Investigation of the preference of marlin Kajikia audax sashimi with different lipid contents through sensory evaluation
Authors: Hashimoto Kanako , Kawashima Tokifusa , Murata Yuko , Imamura Shintaro , Seko Takuya , Ishihara Kenji
Published: June 2024

Identifying the sensory properties of fish consumers is important for providing their preferred seafood. Odor, flavor, texture, and appearance affected the sensory preference for fish. Moreover, several compounds are involved in sensory preference. This study focused on lipids that affect preference for seafood and examined the lipid content preference in marlin Kajikia audax sashimi. First, lipid contents and fatty acid compositions of different individual sizes and body parts of marlin were compared. Next, the preference for overall, taste, texture, odor, aftertaste, and lipid content in marlin sashimi taken from different parts of the body with different amounts of lipids was investigated using the paired preference method. Then the relationship of lipid content preference with other preferences were also evaluated using the Chi-square test. The crude lipid of big-sized marlin (51.1–55.1 kg) was 9.5%−13.2%, and the crude lipid of small-sized marlin (23.5–30.0 kg) was 0.8%−1.2%. The dorsal parts of big-sized marlin had lipid contents in the anterior parts higher than those in the posterior parts (p < 0.05). Whereas no differences were observed in the fatty acid composition of different body parts. The lipid content preference for the anterior dorsal part (high lipid part) was higher than that for the posterior dorsal part (lower lipid part) (p < 0.05). However, no difference in overall preference was observed. Additionally, the relationship between lipid content preference and other preference were indicated that the high lipid content parts preferred group significantly preferred the high lipid content parts at overall and taste evaluation (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the low lipid content parts preferred groups showed opposite evaluation. Therefore, the lipid content was associated with the preference for marlin sashimi and be classified into two groups: one prefers high lipid sashimi and the other prefers low lipid sashimi.
Exploring the relationship between calcitonin, ionized calcium, and bone turnover in cats with and without naturally occurring hypercalcemia
Authors: Maniaki Evangelia , Pineda Carmen , Hibbert Angie , Finch Natalie
Published: June 2024

Objectives

This case-control study aimed to evaluate calcitonin response in naturally occurring hypercalcemia in cats and assess the relationships between calcitonin and ionized calcium (iCa) and examine relationships between calcitonin, iCa and bone turnover.

Methods

Hypercalcemic cats (persistently increased iCa concentration [>1.40 mmol/l]) were identified retrospectively via a medical database search; additional hypercalcemic and normocalcemic cats were recruited prospectively. Data regarding routine biochemical and urine testing, diagnostic imaging and additional blood testing were obtained. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was used as a marker of bone turnover. Serum calcitonin concentration was analyzed using a previously validated immunoradiometric assay. Hypercalcemic cats with an increased calcitonin concentration (>0.9 ng/L) were termed responders. Group comparisons were performed using a Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables and a χ2 test for categorical variables. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationships between calcitonin, iCa and ALP.

Results

Twenty-six hypercalcemic and 25 normocalcemic cats were recruited. Only 5/26 (19.2%) of the hypercalcemic cats were identified as responders, and all were diagnosed with idiopathic hypercalcemia. There was no significant correlation between the concentrations of calcitonin and iCa (p = 0.929), calcitonin and ALP (p = 0.917) or iCa and ALP (p = 0.678) in hypercalcemic cats, however, a significant negative correlation was observed between calcitonin and ALP (p = 0.037) when normocalcemic and hypercalcemic cats with an elevated calcitonin concentration were analyzed together.

Discussion

The expected increase in calcitonin concentration was present in only a small subset of hypercalcemic cats; no correlation was found between iCa and calcitonin concentration. The inverse relationship between calcitonin and ALP in cats with increased calcitonin concentrations suggests that the ability of calcitonin to correct hypercalcemia may be related to the degree of bone turnover.
Systemic Inflammation Differences in Brain-vs. Circulatory-Dead Donors: Impact on Lung Transplant Recipients
Authors: Sandiumenge Alberto , Bello Irene , Coll-Torres Elisabeth , Gomez-Brey Aroa , Franco-Jarava Clara , Miñambres Eduardo , Pérez-Redondo Marina , Mosteiro Fernando , Sánchez-Moreno Laura , Crowley Silvana , Fieira Eva , Suberviola Borja , Mazo Cristopher Alan , Agustí Alvar , Pont Teresa
Published: June 2024

Brain death triggers a systemic inflammatory response. Whether systemic inflammation is different in lung donors after brain- (DBD) or circulatory-death (DCD) is unknown, but this may potentially increase the incidence of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation. We compared the plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α in BDB and DCD and their respective recipients, as well as their relationship with PGD and mortality after LT. A prospective, observational, multicenter, comparative, cohort-nested study that included 40 DBD and 40 DCD lung donors matched and their respective recipients. Relevant clinical information and blood samples were collected before/during lung retrieval in donors and before/during/after (24, 48 and 72 h) LT in recipients. Incidence of PGD and short-term mortality after LT was recorded. Plasma levels of all determined cytokines were numerically higher in DBD than in DCD donors and reached statistical significance for IL-6, IL-10 and IL-8. In recipients with PGD the donor’s plasma levels of TNF-α were higher. The post-operative mortality rate was very low and similar in both groups. DBD is associated with higher systemic inflammation than DCD donors, and higher TNF-α plasma levels in donors are associated with a higher incidence of PGD.
Pilot Assistance Systems for Energy-Optimized Approaches: Is It Possible to Reduce Fuel Consumption and Noise at the Same Time?
Authors: Wunderli Jean Marc , Meister Jonas , Boyer Johan , Gerber Martin , Bauer Tobias , Abdelmoula Fethi
Published: June 2024

Air traffic has appreciable environmental impacts, especially regarding gaseous emissions and noise. Recent studies have shown that the energy management during approach is a driving factor regarding environmental impact and is especially challenging for pilots. In a previous project, a newly developed pilot assistance system called LNAS (Low Noise Augmentation System) showed the potential of energy-optimized approaches to reduce fuel consumption and noise. Within the SESAR Exploratory Research project DYNCAT, novel functions based on LNAS have been integrated in the flight management system. In this contribution, results from real-time simulations with the enhanced FMS are presented, and mitigation of the environmental impact is analyzed. It was shown that with DYNCAT, the energy management could be improved, resulting in a later configuration and engines mostly in idle. With DYNCAT, procedures were also flown more uniformly and the variability in noise and fuel outcomes was reduced. However, the results revealed a trade-off for optimizing noise and fuel consumption simultaneously, whereby both parameters can be improved along specific optimum curves. A perfect strategy to minimize noise would be to first reduce speed and only secondly height, as high speeds lead to higher levels of airframe noise and sound exposure increases with decreasing distance. In contrast, saving fuel might be achieved by reducing the flight time, as the engines consume fuel even when being in idle.
A CFD Methodology for the Modelling of Animal Thermal Welfare in Hybrid Ventilated Livestock Buildings
Authors: Colombari Dario , Masoero Francesco , Della Torre Augusto
Published: June 2024

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) may aid the design of barn ventilation systems by simulating indoor cattle thermal welfare. In the literature, CFD models of mechanically and naturally ventilated barns are proposed separately. Hybrid ventilation relies on cross effects between air change mechanisms that cannot be studied using existing models. The objective of this study was to develop a CFD methodology for modelling animal thermal comfort in hybrid ventilated barns. To check the capability of CFD as a design evaluation tool, a real case study (with exhaust blowers) and an alternative roof layout (with ridge gaps) were simulated in summer and winter weather. Typical phenomena of natural and mechanical ventilation were considered: buoyancy, solar radiation, and wind together with high-speed fans and exhaust blowers. Cattle thermal load was determined from a daily animal energy balance, and the assessment of thermal welfare was performed using thermohygrometric indexes. Results highlight that the current ventilation layout ensures adequate thermal welfare on average, despite large nonuniformity between stalls. The predicted intensity of heat stress was successfully compared with experimental measurements of heavy breathing duration. Results show strong interactions between natural and mechanical ventilation, underlining the need for an integrated simulation methodology.
Effect of Multiantibiotic-Loaded Bone Cement on the Treatment of Periprosthetic Joint Infections of Hip and Knee Arthroplasties—A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Blersch Benedikt Paul , Sax Florian Hubert , Mederake Moritz , Benda Sebastian , Schuster Philipp , Fink Bernd
Published: June 2024

Background: Two-stage septic revision is the prevailing method for addressing late periprosthetic infections. Using at least dual-antibiotic-impregnated bone cement leads to synergistic effects with a more efficient elution of individual antibiotics. Recent data on the success rates of multiantibiotic cement spacers in two-stage revisions are rare. Methods: We conducted a retrospective follow-up single-center study involving 250 patients with late periprosthetic hip infections and 95 patients with prosthetic knee infections who underwent septic two-stage prosthesis revision surgery between 2017 and 2021. In accordance with the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the microorganisms, a specific mixture of antibiotics within the cement spacer was used, complemented by systemic antibiotic treatment. All patients underwent preoperative assessments and subsequent evaluations at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months post operation and at the most recent follow-up. Results: During the observation period, the survival rate after two-step septic revision was 90.7%. Although survival rates tended to be slightly lower for difficult-to-treat (DTT) microorganism, there was no difference between the pathogen groups (easy-to-treat (ETT) pathogens, methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), and difficult-to-treat (DTT) pathogens). Furthermore, there were no differences between monomicrobial and polymicrobial infections. No difference in the survival rate was observed between patients with dual-antibiotic-loaded bone cement without an additional admixture (Copal® G+C and Copal® G+V) and patients with an additional admixture of antibiotics to proprietary cement. Conclusion: Employing multiple antibiotics within spacer cement, tailored to pathogen susceptibility, appears to provide reproducibly favorable success rates, even in instances of infections with DTT pathogens and polymicrobial infections.
Decoupled MPC Power Balancing Strategy for Coupled Inductor Flying Capacitor DC–DC Converter
Authors: Wei Xin , Bi Kaitao , Lan Genlong , Li Wei , Cui Jin
Published: June 2024

A decoupled model predictive control (MPC) power balancing strategy for a coupled inductor-based flying capacitor DC–DC converter (FCDC) is a proposed to solve the power imbalance caused by the parameter differences in the coupled inductor. The decoupled mathematical model of coupled inductor FCDC is firstly derived by analyzing the converter operation state under various modes. On this basis, the control relationship between inductor current and flying capacitor (FC) voltage is redefined and an MPC power balance strategy based on the inductor current with single-step optimization is proposed. The proposed MPC strategy not only achieves decoupled power balancing control but also solves multi-objective dynamic optimization control of the inductor current and FC voltage, greatly reducing the computation load. A detailed theoretical analysis of the proposed strategy is presented and the balancing performance is effectively verified through the experiments.
IONOLAB-Fusion: Fusion of Radio Occultation into Computerized Ionospheric Tomography
Authors: Yenen Sinem Deniz , Arikan Feza
Published: June 2024

In this study, a 4-D, computerized ionospheric tomography algorithm, IONOLAB-Fusion, is developed to reconstruct electron density using both actual and virtual vertical and horizontal paths for all ionospheric states. The user-friendly algorithm only requires the coordinates of the region of interest and range with the desired spatio-temporal resolutions. The model ionosphere is formed using spherical voxels in a lexicographical order so that a 4-D ionosphere can be mapped to a 2-D matrix. The model matrix is formed automatically using a background ionospheric model with an optimized retrospective or near-real time manner. The singular value decomposition is applied to extract a subset of significant singular values and corresponding signal subspace basis vectors. The measurement vector is filled automatically with the optimized number of ground-based and space-based paths. The reconstruction is obtained in closed form in the least squares sense. When the performance of IONOLAB-Fusion across Europe was compared with ionosonde profiles, a 26.51% and 32.33% improvement was observed over the background ionospheric model for quiet and disturbed days, respectively. When compared with GIM-TEC, the agreement of IONOLAB-Fusion was 37.89% and 31.58% better than those achieved with the background model for quiet and disturbed days, respectively.
High-Performance Supercapacitors Based on Graphene/Activated Carbon Hybrid Electrodes Prepared via Dry Processing
Authors: Chen Shengjun , Wang Wenrui , Zhang Xinyue , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: June 2024

Graphene has a high specific surface area and high electrical conductivity, and its addition to activated carbon electrodes should theoretically significantly improve the energy storage performance of supercapacitors. Unfortunately, such an ideal outcome is seldom verified in practical commercial supercapacitor design and production. In this paper, the oxygen-containing functional groups in graphene/activated carbon hybrids, which are prone to induce side reactions, are removed in the material synthesis stage by a special process design, and electrodes with high densities and low internal resistances are prepared by a dry process. On this basis, a carbon-coated aluminum foil collector with a full tab structure is designed and assembled with graphene/activated carbon hybrid electrodes to form a commercial supercapacitor in cylindrical configuration. The experimental tests confirmed that such supercapacitors have high capacity density, power density, low internal resistance (about 0.06 mΩ), good high-current charging/discharging characteristics, and a long lifetime, with more than 80% capacity retention after 10 W cycles.
Enhancing Self-Supervised Learning through Explainable Artificial Intelligence Mechanisms: A Computational Analysis
Authors: Neghawi Elie , Liu Yan
Published: June 2024

Self-supervised learning continues to drive advancements in machine learning. However, the absence of unified computational processes for benchmarking and evaluation remains a challenge. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of state-of-the-art self-supervised learning algorithms, emphasizing their underlying mechanisms and computational intricacies. Building upon this analysis, we introduce a unified model-agnostic computation (UMAC) process, tailored to complement modern self-supervised learning algorithms. UMAC serves as a model-agnostic and global explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methodology that is capable of systematically integrating and enhancing state-of-the-art algorithms. Through UMAC, we identify key computational mechanisms and craft a unified framework for self-supervised learning evaluation. Leveraging UMAC, we integrate an XAI methodology to enhance transparency and interpretability. Our systematic approach yields a 17.12% increase in improvement in training time complexity and a 13.1% boost in improvement in testing time complexity. Notably, improvements are observed in augmentation, encoder architecture, and auxiliary components within the network classifier. These findings underscore the importance of structured computational processes in enhancing model efficiency and fortifying algorithmic transparency in self-supervised learning, paving the way for more interpretable and efficient AI models.
Emphasizing the Potential of Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics, for Classification of Greek Grape Marc Spirits
Authors: Tsapou Evangelia Anastasia , Sinanoglou Vassilia J. , Ntourtoglou George , Koussissi Elisabeth
Published: June 2024

Grape marc spirits, such as the Greek tsipouro/tsikoudia, reflect the cultural heritage of winemaking traditions worldwide. This study explored the application of Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for its potential as a fast classification methodology for spirit characterization. ATR-FTIR spectra from thirty-nine products revealed distinctive bands corresponding to various chemical constituents, such as alcohols, organic acids, water, carbohydrates, and phenols. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed on all acquired ATR-FTIR data and 78.50% of the total variance in the data was explained. Also, partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), used for the classification of products based on their major geographic origin, gave a correct classification of 89.5% for the north and 83.3% for the south of Greece. Classification of the type of distillations used was with 74.36% accuracy. Significant markers were identified through analysis, such as those associated with the O-H bending vibrations of phenols or alcohols, contributing to the discrimination of grape marc spirits from Crete when compared with the other four main geographical origin designations. By combining ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with chemometrics, this research gave insights into the origins and compositional variations of the spirits, providing an opportunity for a quality control assessment tool.
Healing of Extraction Sites after Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Khaddour Antonia Samia , Ghiță Răzvan Eugen , Ionescu Mihaela , Rîcă Radu Gabriel , Mercuț Veronica , Manolea Horia Octavian , Camen Adrian , Drăghici Emma Cristina , Radu Andrei , Popescu Sanda Mihaela
Published: June 2024

Background: Over time, numerous surgical procedures and biomaterials have been proposed for the reconstruction of post-extraction bone defects, each with their advantages and disadvantages. The main objective of this study was to evaluate dimensional changes in the alveolar bone 3 months after tooth extraction, before implant planning, comparing alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) with spontaneous healing. Methods: A total of 84 patients with non-restorable molars were included in the study. Forty-two patients received ARP with advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) and spontaneous healing was evaluated in these patients. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis performed before and after surgical intervention was used to determine the changes in vertical and horizontal bone dimensions produced after tooth extraction. Results: CBCT measurements showed reduction in both vertical and horizontal alveolar bone size in both groups. For the study group, the alveolar parameters (height, width) were higher compared to the control group. The percentage variations between dimensional differences from the two groups were 38.58% for height, and for width were 36.88% at 0 mm, 35.56% at 3 mm, 36.61% at 5 mm, and 38.73% at 7 mm. The differences were statistically significant (p ˂ 0.0005). Conclusions: The results obtained after ARP with A-PRF showed a reduced loss of bone volume compared to spontaneous healing.
Photopolymerization of L-DOPA-Alginate Immobilized Cell Wall Laccase for Textile Dye Decolorization
Authors: Kokar Nikolina Popović , Nikoletić Anamarija , Stanišić Marija , Crnoglavac Popović Milica , Prodanović Radivoje
Published: June 2024

Alginate is a naturally occurring polymer derived from brown algae biomass, which has numerous applications in various fields. Chemical modification of alginate is widely used to improve alginate’s physicochemical properties and provide new potential for multiple applications. In this article, we modified alginate with L-DOPA, using periodate oxidation and reductive amination, to obtain more suitable biopolymer for biocatalyst immobilization and hydrogel formation. Obtained modified alginate was used for the immobilization of laccase on cell walls. For this purpose, laccase from Streptomyces cyaneus was expressed on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100 cells. The obtained cell wall laccase was immobilized within L-DOPA-alginate beads by crosslinking the L-DOPA-alginate with calcium ions and laccase. The effect of additional crosslinking of beads by green light-induced photopolymerization with eosin Y was investigated. The immobilized laccase systems were used for dye decolorization and investigated in multiple treatment processes. Beads with L-DOPA-alginate with a higher degree of modification (5.0 mol%) showed higher enzymatic activity and better decolorization efficiency than those with a lower degree of modification (2.5 mol%). Obtained immobilized biocatalysts are suitable for decolorizing dye Evans Blue due to their high efficiency and reusability.
Perceived Stress and Life Stressors in Adults with and without Fibromyalgia
Authors: Nguyen Ha M. , Cherry Barbara J. , Zettel-Watson Laura
Published: June 2024

Chronic medical conditions (i.e., chronic widespread pain) may contribute to accelerated/accentuated aging, such that middle-aged individuals with comorbidities may actually show increased declines in physical, cognitive, and mental health compared to normal aging adults. We examined perceived stress, life stressors, and depression in adults with and without fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. Ninety-four participants (52% with fibromyalgia, 78% female) aged 50 to 93 were administered the Perceived Stress Scale, Social Readjustment Rating Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted: the predictor variables were age, gender, fibromyalgia status, depression, and fibromyalgia–depression interaction. The interaction term significantly predicted perceived stress, but not life stressors. Depression significantly predicted stress for Social Readjustment Rating Scale measures after controlling for covariates. Significant associations were found between perceived stress and life stressors in all participants. In addition, those with fibromyalgia were significantly more likely to report higher levels of stress above standardized scores on both the Perceived Stress Scale and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Finally, depressive symptoms played a more significant role than fibromyalgia status in predicting life stressors. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of assessing different types of stress and stressors in individuals with chronic widespread pain and/or depression in mid-life and beyond to better treat individuals with these conditions.