bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mid-Term Impact of Conduction System Pacing on Overall Cardiac Performance: A Non-Randomized, Prospective, Single-Center Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Pestrea Catalin , Cicala Ecaterina , Enache Roxana , Rusu Marcela , Gavrilescu Radu , Vaduva Adrian , Ivascu Madalina , Ortan Florin , Pop Dana
Published: December 2024

Introduction. Recently published data suggested significantly lower pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) incidence with conduction system pacing (CSP). Because most data evaluated only the impact on the left ventricle, this study aimed to assess changes in echocardiographic parameters of morphology and function for all heart chambers in patients with baseline preserved and mid-range LVEF over a medium-term follow-up period after CSP. Methods. A total of 128 consecutive patients with LVEF > 40% and successful CSP for bradyarrhythmic indication were prospectively enrolled. A complete 2D echocardiographic examination was performed at baseline and the last follow-up. Results. In total, 38 patients received His bundle pacing (HBP) and 90 received left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP). The mean follow-up period was 699.2 ± 177.2 days, with 23 patients lost during this period. The ventricular pacing burden for the entire group was 97.2 ± 4.2%. Only three patients (2.9%) met the criteria for PICM. CSP led to a significant increase in LVEF (from 54.2 ± 7.9 to 56.7 ± 7.8%, p = 0.01) and a significant decrease in LV diastolic (from 107.2 ± 41.8 to 91.3 ± 41.8 mL, p < 0.001) and systolic (from 49.7 ± 21.4 to 39.5 ± 18.2 mL, p < 0.001) volumes. There were no significant changes in E/e′, mitral regurgitation, atrial volumes, and right ventricle (RV) diameter. There was a significant improvement in RV function. Tricuspid regurgitation was the only parameter that worsened. There were no differences in evolution for each echocardiographic parameter between the HBP and the LBBAP groups. Conclusions. HBP and LBBAP are equally protective for harmful changes in both atria and ventricles. The prevalence of PICM, defined as a decrease in LVEF, is very low with CSP.
Chest X-Ray Features in 130 Patients with Bronchiectasis
Authors: Sawada Hikaru , Kudoh Ryohei , Yokoyama Atsushi , Hagiwara Akihiko , Hiramatsu Kazufumi , Kadota Jun-ichi , Komiya Kosaku
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of bronchiectasis is increasing globally, and early detection using chest imaging has been encouraged to improve its prognosis. However, the sensitivity of a chest X-ray as a screening tool remains unclear. This study examined the chest X-ray features predictive of bronchiectasis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the chest X-rays of patients with bronchiectasis diagnosed using high-resolution computed tomography who visited our institute from January 2013 to March 2020. Patients with cardiac pacemakers, lung cancer, and interstitial pneumonia, which might bias the detection of bronchiectasis, were excluded. Two respiratory physicians independently determined the presence or absence of potential features reflecting bronchiectasis, including a vague cardiac silhouette on chest X-rays. Results: The study enrolled 130 patients, including 72 women (55.4%), with a mean age of 72 years. The features observed on chest X-rays included granular shadows (88.5%, n = 115), vague cardiac silhouettes (48.5%, n = 64), nodular shadows (45.4%, n = 59), a tram-track appearance (35.4%, n = 46), pleural thickening (26.9%, n = 35), vague diaphragm silhouettes (25.4%, n = 33), and a ring sign (24.6%, n = 32). The kappa values for these features were 0.271, 0.344, 0.646, 0.256, 0.312, 0.514, and 0.376, respectively. Conclusions: Although traditional chest X-ray features believed to reflect bronchiectasis, such as the tram-track appearance or ring sign, were not frequently seen, vague cardiac silhouettes and granular shadows had high positivity rates, indicating their potential utility for bronchiectasis screening. However, the interobserver concordance rates were unsatisfactory.
Integrating Drone-Based LiDAR and Multispectral Data for Tree Monitoring
Authors: Savinelli Beatrice , Tagliabue Giulia , Vignali Luigi , Garzonio Roberto , Gentili Rodolfo , Panigada Cinzia , Rossini Micol
Published: December 2024

Forests are critical for providing ecosystem services and contributing to human well-being, but their health and extent are threatened by climate change, requiring effective monitoring systems. Traditional field-based methods are often labour-intensive, costly, and logistically challenging, limiting their use for large-scale applications. Drones offer advantages such as low operating costs, versatility, and rapid data collection. However, challenges remain in optimising data processing and methods to effectively integrate the acquired data for forest monitoring. This study addresses this challenge by integrating drone-based LiDAR and multispectral data for forest species classification and health monitoring. We developed the methodology in Ticino Park (Italy), where intensive field campaigns were conducted in 2022 to collect tree species compositions, the leaf area index (LAI), canopy chlorophyll content (CCC), and drone data. Individual trees were first extracted from LiDAR data and classified using spectral and textural features derived from the multispectral data, achieving an accuracy of 84%. Key forest traits were then retrieved from the multispectral data using machine learning regression algorithms, which showed satisfactory performance in estimating the LAI (R2 = 0.83, RMSE = 0.44 m2 m−2) and CCC (R2 = 0.80, RMSE = 0.33 g m−2). The retrieved traits were used to track species-specific changes related to drought. The results obtained highlight the potential of integrating drone-based LiDAR and multispectral data for cost-effective and accurate forest health monitoring and change detection.
A Story of the ‘Kitchen Furniture’ in ECEC—Challenging Norms and Ideas Around Gender and Play
Authors: Heikkilä Mia
Published: December 2024

The Swedish National Curriculum for Preschools states that “the environment in the preschool should inspire and challenge children to broaden their abilities and interests without being constrained by gender stereotyped perceptions”. The aim of a three-year research and development (R&D) project was to both analyse and recreate early childhood education and care (ECEC) units’ indoor spaces, aiming at creating an indoor educational environment that would be socially inclusive and norm-aware, and support preschools to fulfil their curricular assignment around gender equality. The aim of this article is to present a specific process for challenging the norms around certain indoor play places and spaces as well as pieces of furniture in ECEC settings that risk reproducing gender norms. This aim was achieved through a social semiotic multimodal gender analysis of so-called “kitchen furniture”, as a well-established, commonly occurring space in ECEC. The process of how this was challenged is presented in this article. A gender analysis of what affordances for play this kitchen-focused piece of furniture gives, and how it can be recreated, was conducted. The introduction of more inclusive furniture to the ECEC units, through creating and building a play trolley, could affect children’s play in a more inclusive way. The analysis addressed both this idea and teachers’ self-initiated move of the piece of furniture within the ECEC unit. The process was performed with a multidimensional perspective of understanding play as a combination of children’s meaning-making and the affordances of both relationships and the environment.
A Review of Neuromorphic Sound Source Localization and Echolocation-Based Navigation Systems
Authors: Dalmas Eugénie , Danneville François , Elbahhar Fouzia , Bocquet Michael , Loyez Christophe
Published: December 2024

The development of positioning systems has been significantly advanced by a combination of technological innovations, such as improved sensors, signal processing, and computational power, alongside inspiration drawn from biological mechanisms. Although vision is the main means for positioning oneself—or elements relative to oneself—in the environment, other sensory mediums provide additional information, and may even take over when visibility is lacking, such as in the dark or in troubled waters. In particular, the auditory system in mammals greatly contributes to determining the location of sound sources, as well as navigating or identifying objects’ texture and shape, when combined with echolocation behavior. Taking further inspiration from the neuronal processing in the brain, neuromorphic computing has been studied in the context of sound source localization and echolocation-based navigation, which aim at better understanding biological processes or reaching state-of-the-art performances in energy efficiency through the use of spike encoding. This paper sets out a review of these neuromorphic sound source localization, sonar- and radar-based navigation systems, from their earliest appearance to the latest published works. Current trends and possible future directions within this scope are discussed.
PaCs: Playing Time-Aware Chunk Selection in Short Video Preloading
Authors: Fu Sen , Yang Guanyu , Yao Zhengjun , Tan Shuxin , Shan Yongxin , Jiang Wanchun
Published: December 2024

Short video applications are popular nowadays. Typically, a short video may be played for a few seconds or swiped away by users at any time. Due to this uncertain user behavior, video chunks should be preloaded to ensure a smooth viewing process for users. In other words, the short video preloading scheme is crucial to the quality of experience (QoE) of users and revenue. Specifically, the short video preloading scheme should determine which video chunk to download, when to download it, and at what bitrate. Existing schemes either fail to consider all these factors together or find it hard to make the best decision. In this work, we argue that the selection of downloaded video chunks is the foremost task due to the uncertain user behaviors and the corresponding huge number of possible playing sequences of video chunks. As a step further, we propose the playing time-aware chunk selection (PaCs) scheme, which downloads the video chunk with the smallest expected playing time first. After the selection of the video chunk, the bitrate is selected according to the classic MPC algorithm and then whether the downloading process is paused or executed is discussed. In total, PaCs can improve the score consisting of the QoE of downloaded video chunks and the utilized network bandwidth under different conditions. Simulations confirm that PaCs achieves a higher score than the existing scheme Dashlet proposed in NSDI 2024.
Research on UAV Autonomous Recognition and Approach Method for Linear Target Splicing Sleeves Based on Deep Learning and Active Stereo Vision
Authors: Zhang Guocai , Liu Guixiong , Zhong Fei
Published: December 2024

This study proposes an autonomous recognition and approach method for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting linear splicing sleeves. By integrating deep learning and active stereo vision, this method addresses the navigation challenges faced by UAVs during the identification, localization, and docking of splicing sleeves on overhead power transmission lines. First, a two-stage localization strategy, LC (Local Clustering)-RB (Reparameterization Block)-YOLO (You Only Look Once)v8n (OBB (Oriented Bounding Box)), is developed for linear target splicing sleeves. This strategy ensures rapid, accurate, and reliable recognition and localization while generating precise waypoints for UAV docking with splicing sleeves. Next, virtual reality technology is utilized to expand the splicing sleeve dataset, creating the DSS dataset tailored to diverse scenarios. This enhancement improves the robustness and generalization capability of the recognition model. Finally, a UAV approach splicing sleeve (UAV-ASS) visual navigation simulation platform is developed using the Robot Operating System (ROS), the PX4 open-source flight control system, and the GAZEBO 3D robotics simulator. This platform simulates the UAV’s final approach to the splicing sleeves. Experimental results demonstrate that, on the DSS dataset, the RB-YOLOv8n(OBB) model achieves a mean average precision (mAP0.5) of 96.4%, with an image inference speed of 86.41 frames per second. By incorporating the LC-based fine localization method, the five rotational bounding box parameters (x, y, w, h, and angle) of the splicing sleeve achieve a mean relative error (MRE) ranging from 3.39% to 4.21%. Additionally, the correlation coefficients (ρ) with manually annotated positions improve to 0.99, 0.99, 0.98, 0.95, and 0.98, respectively. These improvements significantly enhance the accuracy and stability of splicing sleeve localization. Moreover, the developed UAV-ASS visual navigation simulation platform effectively validates high-risk algorithms for UAV autonomous recognition and docking with splicing sleeves on power transmission lines, reducing testing costs and associated safety risks.
Boiling Heat Transfer Characteristics of Noah-2100A and HFE-649 in Pin-Fin Microchannel Heat Sink
Authors: Jiang Hanying , Zhao Xiucong , Zhang Meng
Published: December 2024

Noah-2100A and HFE-649, as two electronics fluorinated liquids (EFLs) with low saturation temperature, high safety, excellent insulation properties, and low environmental impact, are considered as replacements for the refrigerants with high Global Warming Potential (GWP), such as HFC-134a and HFC-245fa, in electronic cooling system. However, there is still a knowledge gap of boiling heat transfer for these two EFLs, especially in pin-fin microchannel. The effect of inlet temperatures, mass flow rates, and inlet vapor qualities on boiling heat transfer for two EFLs were studied experimentally in this paper. Overall, though the Noah-2100 has a higher pressure drop-in microchannel than HFE-649, Noah-2100A shows a higher overall thermal performance than HFE-649. Newly developed correlations of the Nusselt number (Nu) and pressure drop for two EFLs in a pin-fin microchannel heat sink were also presented. The proposed correlations can achieve a 10% and 11% mean average percentage error for Nu number and pressure drop.
Testing for Endothelial Dysfunction in Children with Rare Genetic Variants of Obesity
Authors: Farhat Ilham , Chin Vivian L.
Published: December 2024

Background: Endothelial dysfunction (ED), an early indicator of atherosclerosis, is a well-established predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study investigates ED in children with rare genetic variants linked to obesity and explores the prevalence of these variants in pediatric obesity. Methods: Under an IRB-approved protocol, 54 pediatric patients with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 97%) were screened using the Rhythm® Genetics Test panel between 2021 and 2024 through the Uncovering Rare Obesity® program. This clinically approved buccal test targets 79 genes and one chromosomal region. ED was measured using EndoPAT® (Itamar Medical Ltd by Zoll US based company) in 24 of these patients with related gene variants and compared to controls. Results: Genetic screening: Among the 54 patients screened, 42 (78%) had positive genetic variants, including 18 males and 24 females. The most common variants were PCNT (n = 9), BBS (n = 9), SEMA3 (n = 8), ALMS1 (n = 6), SDCCAG8 (n = 5) and MC4R (n = 5). Endothelial dysfunction: Included 21 subjects with a mean age of 12 years and a mean BMI of 33.31 kg/m². The mean RHI for patients with the PCNT variant was significantly higher (1.34, p = 0.02) compared to controls, but no significant differences were observed for other variants, including BBS, ALMS1, and SH2B1. Conclusions: In this small pilot study, no significant difference in ED was found between children with or without genetic variants, except for PCNT, which showed a higher RHI. Targeted genetic screening revealed 78% with identified pathogenic variants like MC4R, which can clinically guide therapy. Further research is needed to investigate ED in children with obesity variants.
Analyses of the Environmental Sustainability of Two Infectious Hospital Solid Waste Management Systems
Authors: Amato Alessia , Caroli Mario , Balducci Susanna , Merli Giulia , Magrini Gianluca , Zavoli Eleonora , Beolchini Francesca
Published: December 2024

The priority during an emergency, regardless of the type, is to rescue as many lives as possible. Field hospitals are usually installed to provide the primary relief to the affected population when hospitals are compromised or absent. There are several sanitary units worldwide ready to be transported to disaster areas. An average field hospital is equipped with an operating room, laboratory, and radiological equipment, but it does not include a unit for the infectious hospital solid waste treatment, which results in improper management with high infection risks and emissions due to incorrect operations (e.g., open incineration). Therefore, the present study identified two market-available solutions (an incinerator and a sterilizer) designed to be transported even under the challenging conditions typical of disasters and are suitable for treating infectious waste. The systems were assessed by a life cycle assessment (LCA), proving an emission savings >90% (considering all impact categories) using the sterilization system. The avoided combustion allows to halve the effect on climate change due to a portable incinerator. This study supplies interesting food for thought for the emergency managers, proving the possibility of integrating the sustainability also in the planning of the response to catastrophic events.
Metagenomic Insights into the Bacterial Diversity of Balinese Fermented Sausage (Urutan) from the Household Industry
Authors: Yogeswara Ida Bagus Agung , Nursini Ni Wayan , Kusumawati I Gusti Ayu Wita , Kusumaningsih Purwaningtyas
Published: December 2024

Fermented urutan is a dry fermented sausage made from a mixture of pork and Balinese spices, traditionally prepared using conventional methods. However, variations in spices and raw materials may affect the bacterial diversity of urutan. This study aimed to reveal the bacterial diversity of urutan from household industries using a metagenomic approach. A bacterial diversity analysis was conducted using Nanopore Sequencing Technology (ONT). Samples were collected from household industries in two regencies: Tabanan and Gianyar. The results show that Bacillota (98%) had the highest abundance in all samples at the phylum level. At the genus level, variations in bacterial composition were observed, with Staphylococcus (8–89%), Weissella (5–32%), and Lactococcus (3–39%) being the most abundant. The richness and diversity of bacterial species were greater in the KH group (Gianyar regency) than in the BRT group (Tabanan regency). A correlation analysis revealed that five genera—Staphylococcus, Lactococcus, Mammalicoccus, Macrococcoides, and Citrobacter—showed a strong correlation with the pH, water activity (aW), and acidity of fermented urutan. These findings provide insights into the bacterial community and could aid in the development of starter cultures to improve the consistency and quality of traditional fermented foods.
Effects of Blending Curcuma longa Hydrolate and Lactobacillus plantarum on the Growth and Health of Nile Tilapia
Authors: Jatobá Adolfo , Pereira Marina de Oliveira , Jesus Gabriel Fernandes Alves , Dutra Scheila Anelise Pereira , Mouriño José Luiz Pedreira , Owatari Marco Shizuo , Schleder Delano Dias
Published: December 2024

In the present study, Curcuma longa (CL) hydrolate and the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) were provided as dietary supplements to Nile tilapia. One hundred ninety-two juvenile tilapias (2.25 ± 0.14 g and 4.5 ± 0.10 cm) were distributed in sixteen experimental units, and four experimental groups were established: CL [CUR]: fish fed a diet supplemented with CL hydrolate at 2.5%; probiotic [PRO]: a diet supplemented with LP; LP + CL [COMB]: diet supplemented with the LP strain cultivated in media supplemented with 2.5% CL hydrolate; and control [CTRL]: diet without supplementation. After 70 days, the final average weight was significantly greater in the PRO group (33.26 ± 1.12 g) than in the CTRL and CUR groups, whereas the specific growth rate was significantly greater in the PRO and COMB groups than in the CTRL and CUR groups. Feed conversion decreased significantly in the PRO group (1.03 ± 0.11). Dietary supplementation did not change the body composition of tilapia. Leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were greater in the PRO treatment than in the CTRL group. Compared with those in the CTRL group, total serum protein was significantly increased in the PRO group. Immunoglobulins were higher in the COMB and PRO groups. In the experimental challenge, all the fish in the treated groups presented lower cumulative mortality rates. The combination of LP and CL improved the growth parameters of Nile tilapia.
Effects of Suwari Suppression and Enzyme Inhibitors on Water Holding Capacity of Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) Surimi Gel and Its Improvement by Modified Grinding Method
Authors: Nakamura Yusa , Takahashi Kigen
Published: December 2024

The processes before heating in surimi gel production, such as grinding and molding, are performed below 10 °C to prevent unintentional protein gelation (suwari or setting) catalyzed by endogenous transglutaminase. Adding transglutaminase and protease inhibitors contributes to obtaining surimi gel with superior breaking properties after suwari suppression. However, the impact of suwari suppression and enzyme inhibitors on the water holding capacity (WHC) of surimi gel remains unclear. This study investigated changes in the WHC of surimi gel during long-term suwari suppression by adding enzyme inhibitors at 25 °C and clarified its mechanism. The expressible drip of samples with EGTA, a transglutaminase inhibitor, increased with heating time at 25 °C to 12.3% owing to proteolysis. The use of N-ethylmaleimide and E-64, cysteine protease inhibitors, further increased the expressible drip of samples (18.9–19.4%) because of protein conformational changes which were observed by DSC analysis and salt solubility measurement. However, this increase was inhibited by a modified grinding method where NaCl was mixed with surimi before adding enzyme inhibitors. This modified method prevented the reduction in protein salt solubility due to protein conformational changes, thereby maintaining WHC in surimi gel with suwari suppression.
Features of Motion and Heat Transfer of Swirling Flows in Channels of Complex Geometry
Authors: Dmitriev Sergey , Sobornov Alexey , Kurkin Andrey
Published: December 2024

The computational and experimental study results of swirling single-phase coolant motion and heat transfer for the standard operation parameters of a nuclear power plant are presented. The experimental model is a vertical heat exchanger of a “pipe in a pipe” type with the countercurrent movement of coolants. Six different swirlers (three with a constant twist pitch and three with a variable pitch) were considered. The heat exchanger temperature field was measured at various combinations of coolant flow rates, and a channel pressure drop for each swirl was determined. Computational studies were performed using the Omega-based Reynolds stress model and SST model with a correction for curvature streamlines. A good agreement between numerical and experimental data was obtained. Based on the velocity and temperature fields, swirling flow motion features in channels with a variable swirl pitch were discovered. For each intensifier, the effectiveness criterion in comparison with a pipe channel was determined.
Prevalence of Vibrio spp. in Seafood from German Supermarkets and Fish Markets
Authors: Zeidler Christopher , Szott Vanessa , Alter Thomas , Huehn-Lindenbein Stephan , Fleischmann Susanne
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the prevalence of Vibrio spp. in seafood from supermarkets and fish markets in Berlin, Germany. A total of 306 seafood samples, including shrimp and mussels, were bought from supermarkets between March 2023 and January 2024. Samples were analysed using the ISO standard method and multiplex PCR to identify V. parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, V. cholerae and V. vulnificus. The results indicated an overall Vibrio spp. prevalence of 56%. Among the positive samples, the most prevalent species found was V. parahaemolyticus (58%), followed by V. alginolyticus (42%), V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 (25%), and V. vulnificus (4%). Samples obtained from supermarkets exhibited a lower prevalence (50%) than those received from fish markets (91%). Virulence genes such as ctxA, tdh, or trh were not detected in the respective Vibrio species. Nevertheless, the high prevalence underscores the need and urgency of continuous seafood surveillance.
Study on the Improvement of Quality Characteristics of Pickles During Fermentation and Storage
Authors: Chen Yangyang , Gong Huiyu , Wang Junwei , Liu Tongxun , Zhao Mouming , Zhao Qiangzhong
Published: December 2024

This study investigated the effect of fermentation-promoting peptides (FPPs) on the improvement of the quality of cowpea pickles during fermentation and storage. FPPs were introduced to evaluate their effects on key parameters such as pH, total acidity, nitrite levels, and salinity. FPP accelerated fermentation by stimulating lactic acid bacteria (LAB) activity, leading to a rapid reduction in pH and a stable increase in total acidity. Nitrite accumulation was peaking at 0.56 mg/kg on the 7th day, compared to 1.37 mg/kg in the control, thus enhancing product safety. FPP also improved antioxidant retention, reducing ascorbic acid degradation by 30% and increasing phenolic retention by 15.97% over the control, which is essential for antioxidant capacity and color stability. Texture analysis showed higher hardness preservation in the presence of FPP, in which hardness decreased from 209.70 g to 79.98 g in the FPP group after storage, compared to a decline from 158.56 g to 41.66 g in the control. Additionally, sensory evaluations demonstrated that the FPP group maintained superior flavor, texture, and appearance, with minimized browning due to improved pectin stability. This research presents FPPs as a promising additive for producing high-quality, shelf-stable pickles in line with clean label trends.
Developing a Simple and Feasible Process for the Crude Extraction of Livetins and Phosvitin from Egg Yolk
Authors: Zhang Fan , Ding Yongmei , Zhang Zipei , Zhu Hangxin , Jiao Han , Dong Shijian , Li Junhua , Gu Luping , Chang Cuihua , Yang Yanjun , Su Yujie
Published: December 2024

Due to imbalanced demand favoring egg whites, the egg industry faces a surplus of egg yolk, limiting overall growth. This study designed a feasible process for the crude extraction of livetins and phosvitin (PV) and revealed the related separation mechanisms. Our method utilized a 1:9 egg yolk dilution at pH 6.15–6.29, incubated at 4–7.5 °C, to reduce the dispersibility of lipoproteins in the water-soluble fraction (WSF). Adding 0.04–0.05% (w/v) sodium alginate to WSF at pH 5.40 effectively removed suspended low-density lipoprotein (LDL) through electrostatic complexation, increasing livetins electrophoretic bands from 51.90% to 91.04%. The dispersion of the high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-PV complex was jointly affected by NaCl and pH, with phosphocalcic bridges fully disrupted when NaCl concentration exceeded 7.5% (w/v). Na+ and Ca2+ were adsorbed onto the negatively charged protein surface at pH 5–8, inducing strong hydration repulsion, thereby resulting in the individual dispersion of HDL and PV. Based on the solubility difference in low ionic strength solutions at neutral pH, HDL could be effectively removed after dialysis, increasing PV electrophoretic bands from 8.45% to 61.50%. This simple and feasible separation process may provide a reliable foundation for further purification via membrane filtration and chromatography.
Applications of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Nondestructive Quality Analysis of Fish and Fishery Products
Authors: Zhou Jiaojiao , Liu Chen , Zhong Yujun , Luo Zhihui
Published: December 2024

Fish has become one of the most popular aquatic products for its beneficial effects. The quality of fish and fishery products may be influenced by their geographical origin, transportation, processing, and storage conditions. The availability of rapid and reliable techniques is important for nondestructive determination of their quality. Recently, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been widely employed in the nondestructive evaluation of fish and fishery products. However, a comprehensive review on NIRS for this topic remains to be published. Based on this demand, the applications of NIRS in the nondestructive evaluation of fish and fishery products have been discussed in this review. This review firstly introduces the fundamentals of NIRS. Then the application of NIRS for the assessment of species, geographical origin, adulteration, freshness, nutrient components, and texture is summarized. In addition, the application of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging technology in fish and fishery products is also discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects are outlined. The current review may provide a reference for research on NIRS in this field. In the future, NIRS could be used for online assessment of quality attributes in the fish industry through the development of new instruments and chemometrics.
Ketoprofen Associated with Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel for Temporomandibular Disorder Treatment: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Miranda Diego Garcia , Ramos Lucas de Paula , Lopes Nicole Fernanda dos Santos , Silva Nicole Van Der Heijde Fernandes , Soares Cristina Pacheco , Rodrigues Flavia Pires , Morais Vinicius de Paula , Sani-Taiariol Thalita , Baldan Mauricio Ribeiro , Vasconcellos Luana Marotta Reis de , Borges Alexandre Luiz Souto , Grosgogeat Brigitte , Gritsch Kerstin
Published: December 2024

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a public health problem that affects around 12% of the global population. The treatment is based on analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, or arthrocentesis associated with hyaluronic acid-based viscosupplementation. However, the use of hyaluronic acid alone in viscosupplementation does not seem to be enough to regulate the intra-articular inflammatory process. So, we propose to develop and evaluate the physicochemical and biological properties in vitro of hyaluronic acid hydrogels (HA) associated with ketoprofen (KET) as a new therapeutic treatment for TMD. The hydrogels were synthesized with 3% HA and 0.125, 0.250, 0.500, or 1% KET. Physicochemical analyses of Attenuated Total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry (TGA), Rheology by Frequency, Amplitude sweeps, temperature ramp, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed with or without sterilization and cycled. Cytocompatibility and genotoxicity (micronucleus assay) were performed in mouse macrophages (RAW 264-7) for 24 h. Results: FTIR spectrum showed characteristic absorptions of HA and KET. In the TGA, two mass loss peaks were observed, the first representing the water evaporation at 30 and 100 °C, and the second peaks between 200 and 300 °C, indicating the degradation of HA and KET. Rheology tests in the oscillatory regime classified the hydrogels as non-Newtonian fluids, time-dependent, and thixotropic. Mouse macrophages (RAW 264-7) presented viability of 83.6% for HA, 50.7% for KET, and 92.4%, 66.1%, 65.3%, and 87.7% for hydrogels, in addition to the absence of genotoxicity. Conclusions: Hyaluronic acid associated with ketoprofen shows satisfactory physicochemical and biological properties for use as viscosupplementation. As a limiting point of this study, further research is needed to evaluate the pharmacodynamic, toxicological, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of a complete organism
Cucurbit Crops Acquired Silencing: Virus-Induced Post-Transcriptional Silencing Is Transmitted Across the Graft Union
Authors: Ai Mei , Han Wen , Wang Zheng , Xu Xinyang , He Yanjun , Shou Weisong , Sun Xuepeng , Wang Huasen , Shen Jia
Published: December 2024

Plant grafting is one of the oldest agricultural technologies, capable of improving biotic and abiotic stress resistance, regulating plant growth, and increasing crop output and quality. Recent analytical technology has revealed that massive numbers of RNAs can move via the phloem to regulate the gene expression in the scion. However, there are currently no high-throughput methods for validating the role of these long-distance RNAs in grafting, which limits the development of rootstock resources. In this study, methodologies were developed for infection of TRSV vectors in germinating melon seeds. Efficient infection was achieved in Védrantais with completely white first-true leaves and above. Grafting was performed after the gene silencing phenotype appeared in the rootstock, resulting in gene silencing of cucurbit crops as the scion. Furthermore, different RNA viral vectors were utilized to demonstrate that the transfer of viral vectors across the graft union induced gene silencing of the scion. The approach established in this study can provide a valuable research tool for future transfer RNA function studies and rootstock breeding.
Correction: El Allaoui et al. Trends and Insights in Medicinal Plant Extract Research: A Ten-Year Bibliometric and Visualization Study. Horticulturae 2024, 10, 1163
Authors: El Allaoui Hasnae , El Ahmadi Kawthar , El Abdouni Aouatif , Dira Imane , El Bastrioui Mohamed , Bouhrim Mohamed , Eto Bruno , Shahat Abdelaaty A. , Herqash Rashed N. , Haboubi Khadija
Published: December 2024

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Leveraging Large Language Models in Tourism: A Comparative Study of the Latest GPT Omni Models and BERT NLP for Customer Review Classification and Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Roumeliotis Konstantinos I. , Tselikas Nikolaos D. , Nasiopoulos Dimitrios K.
Published: December 2024

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, customer reviews play a crucial role in shaping the reputation and success of hotels. Accurately analyzing and classifying the sentiment of these reviews offers valuable insights into customer satisfaction, enabling businesses to gain a competitive edge. This study undertakes a comparative analysis of traditional natural language processing (NLP) models, such as BERT and advanced large language models (LLMs), specifically GPT-4 omni and GPT-4o mini, both pre- and post-fine-tuning with few-shot learning. By leveraging an extensive dataset of hotel reviews, we evaluate the effectiveness of these models in predicting star ratings based on review content. The findings demonstrate that the GPT-4 omni family significantly outperforms the BERT model, achieving an accuracy of 67%, compared to BERT’s 60.6%. GPT-4o, in particular, excelled in accuracy and contextual understanding, showcasing the superiority of advanced LLMs over traditional NLP methods. This research underscores the potential of using sophisticated review evaluation systems in the hospitality industry and positions GPT-4o as a transformative tool for sentiment analysis. It marks a new era in automating and interpreting customer feedback with unprecedented precision.
Recognition of Industrial Spare Parts Using an Optimized Convolutional Neural Network Model
Authors: Mohan Chandralekha , Saber Takfarinas , Nallathambi Priyadharshini Jayadurga
Published: December 2024

Spare parts search and retrieval processes are of paramount importance in manufacturing and supply chains. Image recognition using 2D and 3D image properties plays an important part in the success of such processes, as it facilitates the identification of the types and components associated with spare parts, a step that is crucial for their success. In this article, a novel Deep Learning-based object recognition model based on a convolutional neural network architecture is proposed and constructed using stacked convolutional layers to extract and learn features of the spare parts efficiently with the goal of improving the effectiveness of the spare part image recognition process. The proposed model is assessed using industrial spare parts datasets, and its performance is compared against different transfer learning models using precision, accuracy, recall, and F1 score. The proposed model demonstrated efficiency in spare parts recognition and achieved the highest accuracy compared to state-of-the-art image recognition models.
Comparison of Photocatalytic Activity: Impact of Hydrophilic Properties on TiO2 and ZrO2 Thin Films
Authors: Acosta-Silva Yuliana de Jesús , Lugo-Arredondo Misael Ian , Gallardo-Hernández Salvador , Garcia-Trejo Juan Fernando , Matsumoto Yasuhiro , Rivas Sandra , Feregrino-Pérez Ana Angélica , Godínez Luis A. , Méndez-López Arturo
Published: December 2024

Thin films (TFs) of TiO2 and ZrO2 were prepared and characterized to evaluate their structural and optical (SO) properties and, later, to test their efficiency for the photocatalytic degradation (PD) of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution. The X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the TiO2 TFs had an anatase crystalline structure, unlike the ZrO2 TFs, which showed a tetragonal crystalline structure that was verified by Raman spectroscopy. The band gap (BG) energies, as calculated from UV-Vis spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, corresponded to 3.2 and 3.7 eV for the TiO2 and ZrO2 TFs, respectively. SEM examination of the obtained materials was also carried out to assess the surface morphology and topography. The comparative study of the FTIR spectra of the TiO2 and ZrO2 TFs successfully confirmed the composition of the two-metal oxide TFs. The electrical properties of the films were studied by conductivity measurements. The two films also showed a similar thickness of about 200 nm and a substantially different photocatalytic performance for the discoloration of MB in aqueous solution. The corresponding rate constants, as obtained from a pseudo-first-order kinetic model, revealed that TiO2 films promote color removal of the model dye solution almost 20 times faster than the rate observed for ZrO2 modified glass substrates. We suggest that this difference may be related to the hydrophilic character of the two films under study, which may affect the charge carrier injection process and, therefore, the overall photocatalytic performance.
Is There a Role for Surgery in the Treatment of Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma?
Authors: Bhalla Sophia , Pfail John , Ghodoussipour Saum
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide with over 614,000 new cases and 220,000 deaths annually. Five percent of newly diagnosed patients have metastatic disease. Metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) is primarily treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or combinations. Cure from disease is rarely achieved, with the overall survival being between 12 and 15 months, and the 5-year survival in the range of 5–15%. Historically, mUC has been deemed surgically incurable. There are limited data available to assess survival benefit with surgical extirpation of the primary site or metastases. In this review, we summarize findings from previous studies regarding the role of surgery in patients with clinically node-positive bladder cancer or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, focusing on cytoreductive radical cystectomy (RC) and distant metastasectomy. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted on The Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), Excerpta Medica dataBASE (Embase), preprints, and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies that discussed the role of surgery in patients with clinically node-positive bladder cancer or mUC, focusing on cytoreductive radical cystectomy (RC) and distant metastasectomy. The keywords used included transitional cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, bladder cancer, bladder carcinoma, bladder metastasis, bladder tumor, lymph node metastasis, metastasis, and muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Results: The final analysis included 21 studies, including 17 retrospective reviews, 2 prospective phase II trials, and 2 meta-analyses. Of the studies that assessed patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) with nodal involvement, 15 of 17 showed improved survival with chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy (RC). To our knowledge, few studies have solely assessed surgery in patients with distant metastases. Most studies include patients with both UC with local LN involvement and patients with distant sites of metastasis. Of these studies, 12 of 13 indicated improved survival with metastasectomy. Conclusions: While it remains to be seen whether metastasectomy will have a role in patients with mUC, patient selection is an important factor when assessing the survival benefits. Patient characteristics correlated with improved survival include good performance status, good response to chemotherapy, and single site of metastasis. Further studies of mUC patients are required to clearly assess the survival impact of cytoreductive surgery.
Practical Considerations for Odevixibat Treatment in Patients with Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis: A Single-Center Case Series
Authors: Marx Milena , Hartleif Steffen , Hilberath Johannes , Berg Christoph P. , Tsiflikas Ilias , Singer Stephan , Sturm Ekkehard
Published: December 2024

Background: Patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) experience cholestasis-associated symptoms, including severe pruritus. Odevixibat is an ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor indicated for treatment of PFIC in the European Union and for the treatment of pruritus in PFIC in the United States. The aim of the current study was to characterize the real-world effectiveness and safety of odevixibat in patients with PFIC. Methods: This retrospective study included 9 patients with PFIC treated with odevixibat in a single center in Tübingen, Germany. Data were recorded using case report forms. Results: Of the 9 patients (PFIC1, n = 2; PFIC2, n = 7), 5 had improved serum bile acid levels, pruritus, liver function tests, and sleep with odevixibat treatment. Two siblings with periodic relapses of PFIC symptoms also had improved pruritus and sleep within 4 months of treatment. Two siblings with complete loss of bile salt export pump (BSEP) protein did not respond to treatment; both underwent liver transplantation (indications: hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] manifestation [n = 1] and severe failure to thrive and refractory pruritus [n = 1]). Four patients reported abdominal complaints that were transient or responded to dose reduction; no other safety issues were reported. Conclusions: In this case series, clinical benefits were observed in most patients with PFIC1 and PFIC2 treated with odevixibat. In patients with periodic relapse of PFIC symptoms, ≥3 months of treatment with odevixibat may be required for symptom control. Patients with complete loss of BSEP did not have consistent symptom relief and require careful monitoring. Effectiveness and feasibility results from our cohort demonstrate potential for long-term benefits with odevixibat in real-world treatment of patients with PFIC.
Managing Lead Fractures in Deep Brain Stimulation for Movement Disorders: A Decade-Long Case Series from a National Neurosurgical Centre
Authors: Nurimanov Chingiz , Mammadinova Iroda , Menlibayeva Karashash , Aidarov Seitzhan , Nurakay Nurtay , Kaliyev Assylbek , Makhambetov Yerbol , Akshulakov Serik K.
Published: December 2024

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for movement disorders, but its long-term efficacy may be undermined by hardware complications such as lead fractures. These complications increase healthcare costs and necessitate surgical revisions. The frequency, timing, and clinical factors associated with lead fractures remain poorly understood. Objective: This study aimed to determine the incidence, timing, and clinical factors associated with lead fractures in a large cohort of DBS patients over a 10-year period. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 325 patients who underwent bilateral DBS implantation at the National Centre for Neurosurgery from 2013 to 2023. The analysis specifically focused on 17 patients who experienced lead fractures during the long-term follow-up period. Results: Among the 325 patients, lead fractures were identified in 17 patients (5.23%), affecting 18 electrodes. The majority of cases involved patients with Parkinson’s disease (76.5%) or dystonia (23.5%), with an average age of 59.17 ± 8.77 years. Nearly all patients with lead fractures had a history of trauma. Additionally, two cases were associated with active engagement in sports, particularly activities involving movements like pulling up on a horizontal bar, while Twiddler’s Syndrome was identified in two other cases. All electrode fractures required surgical revision. Conclusions: Lead fractures, while rare, remain a significant complication in DBS systems. Precise surgical techniques, early detection, and advancements in DBS hardware design may help to mitigate this risk. Future innovations, such as durable leads or wireless systems, may improve long-term outcomes in DBS therapy for movement disorders.
Breaking the Dogma of Intravenous Treatment for Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Barda Beatrice , Schindler Christian , Bernasconi Enos , Bongiovanni Marco
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) is based on long intravenous administration of antibiotics. This is still a hard-to-die dogma. Throughout the years, different researchers have attempted to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of an oral switch of the antibiotic regimen, with only scarce success. Nevertheless, in recent years, different reports have evaluated the efficacy of oral switch therapy in selected patients. Due to the lack of large trials, a meta-analysis could be useful to evaluate the potential benefits of early oral switch therapy not only in terms of microbiological cure but also in terms of relapse, mortality, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Methods: We conducted a Medline search, from which we were able to extrapolate 29 papers on IE treatment; the inclusion criteria were met by six papers only. Three trials were not randomized studies; therefore, we conducted the analysis both including and excluding the mentioned papers. Results: Overall, we conducted our analysis on 840 patients who received intravenous treatment and 677 who received oral treatment. Our results confirmed that oral switch therapy represents an option in selected patients, with a reduction in the relapse rate (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.31–0.92). No statistically significant differences were observed for treatment failure (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.48–1.14), length of hospitalization (OR: −0.42, 95% CI: −1.55–0.71), complication rate (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.1–1.54), and mortality (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.22–1.22). Discussion: Our results allow us to conclude that oral switch therapy is a feasible option in clinically stable patients with infective endocarditis. Moreover, oral switch therapy seems to perform significantly better than intravenous treatment in terms of relapse of infection. The data further support the implementation of oral switch therapy in infective endocarditis.