bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomarkers of Exposure and Potential Harm in Two Weeks of Smoking Abstinence: Changes in Biomarkers of Platelet Function, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation
Authors: Makena Patrudu , Scott Eric , Chen Peter , Liu Hsiao-Pin , Jones Bobbette A. , Prasad Gaddamanugu L.
Published: March 2023

: Chronic cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for many serious diseases. While complete cessation of smoking is the best option to reduce harm from smoking, adverse impacts of smoking on health could persist for several years after cessation. Therefore, Biomarkers of Potential Harm (BoPH) are useful in interim evaluations of the beneficial effects of smoking cessation or switching to potentially lower-risk tobacco products. A 14-day smoking abstinence study was conducted under clinical confinement conditions and enrolled 70 subjects into younger (24–34 years, n = 33) and older (35–60 years, n = 37) age cohorts. Biomarkers of Exposure (BoE), which indicate exposure to nicotine and other toxicants, were measured at baseline, 7 and 14 days. Several BoPH including previously identified eicosanoids (leukotriene 4 (LTE4) and 2,3-dinor thromboxane 2 (2,3-d-TXB2) and others were evaluated. Significant declines in BoE, LTE4, 2,3-d-TXB2, neutrophils, WBC and select RBC, and arterial blood gas parameters were observed in both age cohorts at Days 7 and 14 compared to baseline, while other BoPH (e.g., FeNO) showed age-related effects. Rapid and reproducible reductions in LTE4, 2,3-d-TXB2 WBC, and neutrophil counts were consistently detected following smoking abstinence, indicating the value of these markers as useful BoPH.
An Efficient Healthcare Data Mining Approach Using Apriori Algorithm: A Case Study of Eye Disorders in Young Adults
Authors: Gulzar Kanza , Ayoob Memon Muhammad , Mohsin Syed Muhammad , Aslam Sheraz , Akber Syed Muhammad Abrar , Nadeem Muhammad Asghar
Published: March 2023

In the public health sector and the field of medicine, the popularity of data mining and its usage in knowledge discovery and databases (KDD) are rising. The growing popularity of data mining has discovered innovative healthcare links to support decision making. For this reason, there is a great possibility to better diagnose patient’s diseases and maintain the quality of healthcare services in hospitals. So, there is an urgent need to make disease diagnosis possible by discovering the hidden patterns from the patients’ history information in developing countries. This work is a step towards how to use the extracted knowledge to enhance the quality of healthcare facilities. In this paper, we have proposed a web-centered hospital information management system (HIMS) that identifies frequent patterns from the data with eye disorder patients using the association rule-based Apriori data mining technique. The proposed framework has the capability to overcome all the key issues and problems in the current hospital information management system regarding data analysis and reporting services. For this purpose, data were collected from more than 1000 university students (China citizens) both online and manually (printed questionnaire). After applying the Apriori algorithm on the collected data, we revealed that almost 140 individuals out of 1035 had myopia (near-sighted disorder), at current age of 22 years, and that there were no male patients found with myopia. We concluded that their clinical relevance and utility can generate favorable results from prospective clinical studies by mapping out the habits or lifestyles that potentially lead to fatal diseases. In the future, we plan to extend this work to fully automate HIMS to help practitioners to diagnose the reasons of various diseases by extracting patient lifestyle patterns.
Development and Internal Validation of an Interpretable Machine Learning Model to Predict Readmissions in a United States Healthcare System
Authors: Luo Amanda L. , Ravi Akshay , Arvisais-Anhalt Simone , Muniyappa Anoop N. , Liu Xinran , Wang Shan
Published: March 2023

(1) One in four hospital readmissions is potentially preventable. Machine learning (ML) models have been developed to predict hospital readmissions and risk-stratify patients, but thus far they have been limited in clinical applicability, timeliness, and generalizability. (2) Methods: Using deidentified clinical data from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) between January 2016 and November 2021, we developed and compared four supervised ML models (logistic regression, random forest, gradient boosting, and XGBoost) to predict 30-day readmissions for adults admitted to a UCSF hospital. (3) Results: Of 147,358 inpatient encounters, 20,747 (13.9%) patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The final model selected was XGBoost, which had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.783 and an area under the precision-recall curve of 0.434. The most important features by Shapley Additive Explanations were days since last admission, discharge department, and inpatient length of stay. (4) Conclusions: We developed and internally validated a supervised ML model to predict 30-day readmissions in a US-based healthcare system. This model has several advantages including state-of-the-art performance metrics, the use of clinical data, the use of features available within 24 h of discharge, and generalizability to multiple disease states.
Mate Selection on Anastrepha curvicauda: Effect of Weight, Age, and Virginity
Authors: Villa-Ayala Patricia , Hernández-Reynoso Javier , Jiménez-Pérez Alfredo
Published: March 2023

Sexual selection determines the evolution of the species by favoring some attributes that confer a reproductive advantage to those individuals with those attributes. Tephritidae flies do not always select the same traits when looking for a mating partner. Some aspects of the mating system of Anastrepha curvicauda are known; nevertheless, there is no information on the effect of age, size, and virginity when selecting a mating partner. We set up a series of experiments where a selector (male or female) may select between (a) an old or young partner, (b) a small or large partner, and (c) a virgin or mated partner. Males of A. curvicauda significantly preferred large, young, and virgin females, while females showed no preference for high- or low-quality males. The females’ non-preference for a particular male is discussed in the light of their mating system.
Differential Susceptibility of Coleomegilla maculata and Scymnus creperus Larvae to Aggression by Solenopsis invicta Workers
Authors: Riddick Eric W. , Wu Zhixin , Chen Jian
Published: March 2023

The biological control of aphids by aphidophagous coccinellids is often hampered by aphid-tending ants or aggressive, invasive ants foraging for food. Aggressive species such as the imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren may attack and kill coccinellid larvae. This study tested the hypothesis that wax-secreting Scymnus creperus Mulsant larvae are less susceptible than non-wax-secreting Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer) larvae to S. invicta aggression. Laboratory experiments were set up using bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) nymphs and adults (as prey for coccinellids) on barley leaves in arenas with either coccinellid species and with or without S. invicta workers. The presence of S. invicta reduced aphid predation by C. maculata but not Sc. creperus. The frequency of S. invicta attack was greater for C. maculata than Sc. creperus; mortality was significantly greater for C. maculata than Sc. creperus. The wax covering on Sc. creperus reduced S. invicta aggression. Unexpectedly, Sc. creperus larvae with the wax cover removed did not suffer more S. invicta attacks or increased mortality. In conclusion, the wax cover and, perhaps, the volatile or non-volatile compounds in the wax and on the integument of Sc. creperus larvae reduce S. invicta aggression. Further research could identify the wax compounds and determine their functionality as semiochemicals against S. invicta.
The Bioactive Value of Tamarix gallica Honey from Different Geographical Origins
Authors: Hegazi Ahmed G. , Guthami Fayez M. Al , Ramadan Mohamed F. A. , Gethami Ahmed F. M. Al , Craig A. Morrie , El-Seedi Hesham R. , Rodríguez Inmaculada , Serrano Salud
Published: March 2023

This study was conducted to assess the bioactive value of Tamarix gallica honey samples collected from three countries. In total, 150 Tamarix gallica honey samples from Saudi Arabia (50), Libya (50), and Egypt (50) were collected and compared, based on the results of the melissopalynological analysis, their physicochemical attributes, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and biochemical properties, together with their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Depending on the geographical origin, we observed different levels of growth suppression for six resistant bacterial strains. The pathogenic microorganisms tested in this study were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was a strong correlation between the polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as significant (p < 0.05) radical scavenging activities. The melissopalynological analysis and physicochemical properties complied with the recommendation of the Gulf and Egyptian Technical Regulations on honey, as well as the Codex Alimentarius of the World Health Organization and the European Union Normative related to honey quality. It was concluded that Tamarix gallica honey from the three countries has the capacity to suppress pathogenic bacterial growth and has significant radical scavenging activities. Moreover, these findings suggest that Tamarix gallica honey may be considered as an interesting source of antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants for therapeutical and nutraceutical industries or for food manufacturers.
Evaluating Consumer Behavior, Decision Making, Risks, and Challenges for Buying an IoT Product
Authors: Nasirinejad Majid , Sampalli Srinivas
Published: March 2023

Home appliance manufacturers have been adding Wi-Fi modules and sensors to devices to make them ‘smart’ since the early 2010s. However, consumers are still largely unaware of what kind of sensors are used in these devices. In fact, they usually do not even realize that smart devices require an interaction of hardware and software since the smart device software is not immediately apparent. In this paper, we explore how providing additional information on these misunderstood smart device features (such as lists of sensors, software updates, and warranties) can influence consumers’ purchase decisions. We analyze how additional information on software update warranty (SUW) and the type of sensors in smart devices (which draw attention to potential financial and privacy risks) mediates consumer purchase behavior. We also examine how other moderators, such as brand trust and product price, affect consumers’ purchase decisions when considering which smart product option to buy. In the first qualitative user study, we conducted interviews with 20 study participants, and the results show that providing additional information about software updates and lists of sensors had a significant impact on consumer purchase preference. In our second quantitative study, we surveyed 323 participants to determine consumers’ willingness to pay for a SUW. From this, we saw that users were more willing to pay for Lifetime SUW on a smart TV than to pay for a 5-year SUW. These results provide important information to smart device manufacturers and designers on elements that improve trust in their brand, thus increasing the likelihood that consumers will purchase their smart devices. Furthermore, addressing the general consumer smart device knowledge gap by providing this relevant information could lead to a significant increase in consumer adoption of smart products overall, which would benefit the industry as a whole.
Mid-Term Clinical Outcomes and Hemodynamic Performances of Trifecta and Perimount Bioprostheses following Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Toto Francesca , Leo Laura , Klersy Catherine , Torre Tiziano , Theologou Thomas , Pozzoli Alberto , Caporali Elena , Demertzis Stefanos , Ferrari Enrico
Published: March 2023

Aims of the Study: We evaluated the clinical outcome and the hemodynamic and freedom from structural valve degeneration of two standard aortic bioprostheses. Methods: Clinical results, echocardiographic findings and follow-up data of patients operated for isolated or combined aortic valve replacement with the Perimount or the Trifecta bioprosthesis were prospectively collected, retrospectively analysed and compared. We weighted all the analyses by the inverse of the propensity of choosing either valves. Results: Between April 2015 and December 2019, 168 consecutive patients (all comers) underwent aortic valve replacement with Trifecta (n = 86) or Perimount (n = 82) bioprostheses. Mean age was 70.8 ± 8.6 and 68.8 ± 8.6 years for the Trifecta and Perimount groups, respectively (p = 0.120). Perimount patients presented a greater body mass index (27.6 ± 4.5 vs. 26.0 ± 4.2; p = 0.022), and 23% of them suffered from angina functional class 2–3 (23.2% vs. 5.8%; p = 0.002). Mean ejection fraction was 53.7 ± 11.9% (Trifecta) and 54.5 ± 10.4% (Perimount) (p = 0.994), with mean gradients of 40.4 ± 15.9 mmHg (Trifecta) and 42.3 ± 20.6 mmHg (Perimount) (p = 0.710). Mean EuroSCORE-II was 7 ± 11% and 6 ± 9% for the Trifecta and Perimount group, respectively (p = 0.553). Trifecta patients more often underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (45.3% vs. 26.8%; p = 0.016) and annulus enlargement (10.5% vs. 2.4%; p = 0.058). All-cause mortality at 30 days was 3.5% (Trifecta) and 8.5% (Perimount), (p = 0.203) while new pacemaker implantation (1.2% vs. 2.5%; p = 0.609) and stroke rate (1.2% vs. 2.5%; p = 0.609) were similar. Acute MACCE were observed in 5% (Trifecta) and 9% (Perimount) of patients with an unweighted OR of 2.22 (95%CI 0.64–7.66; p = 0.196) and a weighted OR of 1.10 (95%CI: 0.44–2.76, p = 0.836). Cumulative survival at 24 months was 98% (95%CI: 0.91–0.99) and 96% (95%CI: 0.85–0.99) for Trifecta and Perimount groups, respectively (log-rank test; p = 0.555). The 2-year freedom from MACCE was 94% (95%CI: 0.65–0.99) for Trifecta and 96% (95%CI: 0.86–0.99) for Perimount (log-rank test; p = 0.759, HR 1.46 (95%CI: 0.13–16.48)) in the unweighted analysis (not estimable in the weighted analysis). During the follow-up (median time: 384 vs. 593 days; p = 0.0001) there were no re-operations for structural valve degeneration. Mean valve gradient at discharge was lower for Trifecta across all valve sizes (7.9 ± 3.2 vs. 12.1 ± 4.7 mmHg; p < 0.001), but the difference did not persist during follow-up (8.2 ± 3.7 mmHg for Trifecta, 8.9 ± 3.6 mmHg for Perimount; p = 0.224); Conclusions: Postoperative outcome and mid-term follow-up were similar. An early better hemodynamic performance was detected for the Trifecta valve but did not persist over time. No difference in the reoperation rate for structural valve degeneration was found.
Opioids in the Treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Diarrhea in Humans—A Systematic Review and Treatment Guideline
Authors: Graven-Nielsen Christoffer S. , Knoph Cecilie S. , Okdahl Tina , Høyer Katrine L. , Krogh Klaus , Hellström Per M. , Drewes Asbjørn M.
Published: March 2023

In patients with chronic idiopathic diarrhea resistant to standard treatment, opioids are often used as rescue therapy. This systematic review investigated opioid effects on gut function in chronic diarrhea. PubMed and Embase were searched regarding effects of opioid agonists on the gastrointestinal tract in humans with chronic or experimentally induced diarrhea. A total of 1472 relevant articles were identified and, after thorough evaluation, 11 clinical trials were included. Generally, studies reported a reduction in stool frequency and an increase in transit time during treatment with the opioid receptor agonists loperamide, asimadoline, casokefamide, and codeine compared with placebo. Loperamide and diphenoxylate significantly improved stool consistency compared with placebo, whereas asimadoline showed no such effects. Compared with placebo, loperamide treatment caused less abdominal pain and urgency. Asimadoline showed no significant subjective improvements, but fedotozine was superior to placebo in reducing abdominal pain and bloating in selected patients. Only two relevant studies were published within the last 20 years, and standardized endpoint measures are lacking. Most trials included few participants, and further evidence is needed from larger, prospective studies. Likewise, consensus is needed to standardize endpoints for stool frequency, transit time, and consistency to conduct future meta-analyses on opioids in management of chronic idiopathic diarrhea.
Survival Outcomes in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the External Auditory Canal: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cazzador Diego , Franz Leonardo , Tealdo Giulia , Carobbio Andrea Luigi Camillo , Ferraro Maria , Mazzoni Antonio , Marioni Gino , Zanoletti Elisabetta
Published: March 2023

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) are rare tumors representing a surgical challenge. Current knowledge is based largely on case series; thus, the level of evidence is weak. This study sought to systematically review the available SCC of the EAC literature and to identify risk factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). A systematic review and meta-analysis of papers searched up to December 2022 through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Quality assessment of the eligible studies was done according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled univariate and multivariable analyses and meta-analysis using a random-effects or fixed-effects Mantel-Haenszel model were performed. Fifteen articles (282 patients) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the quantitative analysis. The pooled multivariable analysis revealed cT3 and cT4 as independent prognostic factors for OS (p = 0.005, and p < 0.001, respectively) and DSS (p = 0.002, and p < 0.001, respectively). Local recurrence rate was 32.3%. The meta-analysis estimated significantly higher odds ratios for advanced T categories, than cT1-T2 tumors for OS and DSS (OR = 3.55; 95% CI, 1.93–6.52, and OR = 3.73; 95% CI, 2.00–6.97, respectively). In conclusion, locally advanced tumors were associated with poor prognosis. Poor outcomes mostly occurred due to local recurrence.
Late Clinical Outcomes of Total Arterial Revascularization or Multiple Arterial Grafting Compared to Conventional Single Arterial with Saphenous Vein Grafting for Coronary Surgery
Authors: Ren Justin , Royse Colin , Royse Alistair
Published: March 2023

Coronary surgery provides better long-term outcomes than percutaneous coronary intervention. Conventional practice is to use a single arterial conduit supplemented by saphenous vein grafts. The use of multiple arterial revascularization (MAG), or exclusive arterial revascularization (TAR), however, is reported as having improved late survival. Survival is a surrogate for graft failure that may lead to premature death, and improved survival reflects fewer graft failures in the non-conventional strategy groups. The reasons for not using MAG or TAR may be due to perceived technical difficulties, a lack of definitive large-scale randomized evidence, a lack of confidence in arterial conduits, or resources or time constraints. Most people consider radial artery (RA) grafting to be new, with use representing approximately 2–5% worldwide, despite select centers reporting routine use in most patients for decades with improved results. In conclusion, the current body of evidence supports more extensive use of total and multiple arterial revascularization procedures in the absence of contraindications.
Comparison of Five Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lenses: Optical-Bench Assessment with Visual-Quality Simulation
Authors: Łabuz Grzegorz , Yan Weijia , Baur Isabella D. , Khoramnia Ramin , Auffarth Gerd U.
Published: March 2023

Presbyopia correction through implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) is a modality offered to both cataract and refractive-lens exchange patients. To maximize postoperative satisfaction, IOL selection needs to be made based on patients’ requirements aligned with the available technology. Five Trifocal IOLs were assessed in this study, and their differentiating features were identified: Triumf POD L GF, AT Lisa Tri, Tecnis Synergy, AcrySof IQ PanOptix, and Acriva Trinova Pro C. The optical quality was assessed using the modulation-transfer-function principle. Simulated defocus curves were derived from a non-linear formula. Far-focus simulated visual acuity (simVA) was 0.03 logMAR or better for all the studied IOLs, showing minimal differences. However, each IOL’s intermediate focus position differed across a range from 61 cm to 80 cm; and for the near focus, it was 36 cm to 44 cm. Triumf demonstrated improved intermediate point at the expense of the near focus resulting in a lower predicted near VA. PanOptix exhibited the shortest range of vision without a clear distinction between intermediate and near-point. The remaining lenses presented three foci of comparable optical quality and, thus, simVA performance. Each model, however, revealed a different aperture-change response. Trinova function improved at intermediate but was worse at near for larger pupils. The opposite was observed for AT Lisa. Synergy’s optical quality change was predominantly associated with lower pupil diameter. In conclusion, the trifocal IOLs can be differentiated according to their secondary-foci position, light-energy distribution, and pupil-size-related behavior. The observed differences may translate directly into a clinical effect showing that the trifocal IOLs vary in their ability to deliver optimal vision at different distances, with some providing improved intermediate while others favor reading distance. The knowledge gained through this objective testing can support IOL selection, postoperative patient counselling and increase the chance of spectacle independence after surgery.
VICO-DR: A Collaborative Virtual Dressing Room for Image Consulting
Authors: Manfredi Gilda , Gilio Gabriele , Baldi Vincenzo , Youssef Hiba , Erra Ugo
Published: March 2023

In recent years, extended reality has increasingly been used to enhance the shopping experience for customers. In particular, some virtual dressing room applications have begun to develop, as they allow customers to try on digital clothes and see how they fit. However, recent studies found that the presence of an AI or a real shopping assistant could improve the virtual dressing room experience. In response to this, we have developed a collaborative synchronous virtual dressing room for image consulting that allows customers to try on realistic digital garments chosen by a remotely connected human image consultant. The application has different features for the image consultant and the customer. The image consultant can connect to the application, define a database of garments, select different outfits with different sizes for the customer to try, and communicate with the customer through a single RGB camera system. The customer-side application can visualize the description of the outfit that the avatar is wearing, as well as the virtual shopping cart. The main purpose of the application is to offer an immersive experience, ensured by the presence of a realistic environment, an avatar that resembles the customer, a real-time physically-based cloth simulation algorithm, and a video-chat system.
Performance of a 7-Type HPV mRNA Test in Triage of HPV DNA Primary Screen Positive Women Compared to Liquid-Based Cytology
Authors: Sørbye Sveinung Wergeland , Falang Bente Marie , Antonsen Mona
Published: March 2023

Background: A plethora of data supports HPV-based screening to be the preferred strategy for cervical cancer prevention. The shift to a more sensitive first-line test brings the need of effective triage up for discussion. Currently, most algorithms apply cytology as a triage of HPV-DNA positive women. This study compared the performance of a 7-type HPV-mRNA test to cytology. Methods: From 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2021, cervical samples from 58,029 women were examined at the University Hospital of North Norway. A total of 30.5% (17,684/58,029) fulfilled the criteria for HPV-DNA primary screening. All positive samples were triaged by cytology and followed-up according to national guidelines through 2022. Additionally, a 7-type HPV-mRNA test was applied. The study endpoint was a histologically confirmed high-grade lesion (CIN2+). Results: A total of 5.6% (990/17,684) had positive HPV-DNA test, 97.2% (962/990) with valid HPV-mRNA results. A total of 55.5% (534/962) had abnormal cytology (ASC-US+), and 35.1% (338/962) had a positive HPV-mRNA test. A total of 13.9% (134/962) had CIN2+. The sensitivity (CIN2+) of cytology versus the HPV-mRNA test was 76.1% (102/134) versus 73.1% (98/134), p = 0.67. The specificity was 47.8% (396/828) versus 71.0% (588/624), p < 0.001. PPV was 19.1% (102/534) and 29.0% (98/338), p < 0.001, respectively. The number of colposcopies per CIN2+ detected by cytology and HPV-mRNA test was 5.2 and 3.1. Conclusion: The 7-type HPV mRNA test was significantly more specific than cervical cytology in a triage of HPV-DNA positive women. Using this biomarker as the threshold for colposcopy may better balance the benefits and harms of screening.
Comparison of Satellite Imagery for Identifying Seagrass Distribution Using a Machine Learning Algorithm on the Eastern Coast of South Korea
Authors: Widya Liadira Kusuma , Kim Chang-Hwan , Do Jong-Dae , Park Sung-Jae , Kim Bong-Chan , Lee Chang-Wook
Published: March 2023

Seagrass is an essential component of coastal ecosystems because of its capability to absorb blue carbon, and its involvement in sustaining marine biodiversity. In this study, support vector machine (SVM) technologies with corrected satellite imagery data, were applied to identify the distribution of seagrasses. Observations of seagrasses from satellite imagery were obtained using GeoEye-1, Sentinel-2 MSI level 1C, and Landsat-8 OLI satellite imagery. The satellite imagery from Google Earth has been obtained at a very high resolution, and was to be used within both the training and testing of a classification method. The optical satellite imagery must be processed for image classification, throughout which radiometric correction, sunglint, and water column adjustments were applied. We restricted the scope of the study area to a maximum depth of 10 m due to the fact that light does not penetrate beyond this level. When classifying the distribution of seagrasses present in the research region, the recently developed SVM technique achieved overall accuracy values of up to 92% (GeoEye-1), 88% (Sentinel-2 MSI level 1C), and 83% (Landsat-8 OLI), respectively. The results of the overall accuracy values are also used to evaluate classification models.
Motion Planning of UAV for Port Inspection Based on Extended RRT* Algorithm
Authors: Tang Gang , Liu Pengfei , Hou Zhipeng , Claramunt Christophe , Zhou Peipei
Published: March 2023

A suitable trajectory in a port inspection mission is important for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Motion planning can help UAVs quickly generate an optimal trajectory that meets the constraints. The motion planning of UAVs is achieved in this paper as follows: firstly, a collision detection (CD) function is applied that evaluates whether the bias_RRT* (rapidly exploring random tree) algorithm needs to be called. Secondly, an isosceles triangle optimization function optimizes the path. Next, a trajectory is generated based on the minimum snap trajectory method. Lastly, the bias_RRT* algorithm and the improved bias_RRT* algorithm are used in the two experimental scenes for path planning comparison, and trajectory planning is carried out. The results show that, in the improved method, the path length and calculation time are shortened, and the trajectory cost and trajectory deviation are also significantly reduced. Overall, it appears that a camera-equipped UAV under the proposed approach can accomplish monitoring tasks more effectively and safety in port environment.
A Storage-Saving Quadtree-Based Multibeam Bathymetry Map Representation Method
Authors: Cong Zheng , Ma Teng , Li Ye , Yuan Mingxiao , Ling Yu , Du Haohan , Qi Chi , Li Ziyuan , Xu Shuo , Zhang Qiang
Published: March 2023

With the rapid advancement of the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technology, the collaboration of several autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in large-scale seafloor imaging has become a trending topic. Electromagnetic waves are difficult to transfer underwater, the only viable method of communication is acoustic transmission, but its bandwidth is limited. Therefore, how to compress and process multibeam bathymetry maps so that AUVs can acquire maps gathered by other AUVs has become an important topic of study. This study presents a representation approach for multibeam bathymetry maps based on a quadtree structure. In comparison to the girding approach, the sparse pseudo-input Gaussian processes (SPGPs) method, and the octree-based method, the quadtree-based method suggested in this study preserves precision while compressing storage space. Experiments utilizing field data validate the performance of the proposed technique, and the method’s ability to compress storage space towards an AUV cooperative SLAM’s scenario.
Cost–Benefit Analysis of a Trans-Arctic Alternative Route to the Suez Canal: A Method Based on High-Fidelity Ship Performance, Weather, and Ice Forecast Models
Authors: Li Zhiyuan , Ding Li , Huang Luofeng , Ringsberg Jonas W. , Gong Hui , Fournier Nicolas , Chuang Zhenju
Published: March 2023

Climate change in recent years has produced viable shipping routes in the Arctic. However, critical uncertainties related to maritime operations in the Arctic make it difficult to predict ship speeds in ice and, thus, the voyage time and fuel costs. Cost–benefit analysis of alternative Arctic routes based on accurate environmental condition modeling is required. In this context, this paper presents a holistic approach that considers the major voyage-related costs of a trans-Arctic route as an alternative to the conventional routes via the Suez Canal Route (SCR) for existing merchant ships. This tool is based on high-fidelity models of ship performance, metocean forecasting, and a voyage optimization algorithm. Case studies are performed based on a general cargo vessel in operation to quantify realistic expenses inclusive of all the major operational, fuel, and voyage costs of the specific voyages. A comparison is made between the total costs of the trans-Arctic route and SCR for different seasons, which proves the economic feasibility of the trans-Arctic route. Overall, this work can provide valuable insights to help policymakers as well as shipbuilders, owners, and operators to assess the potential cost-effectiveness and sustainability of future Arctic shipping, thereby better developing future strategies.
A Putative TRAPα Protein of Microsporidia Nosema bombycis Exhibits Non-Canonical Alternative Polyadenylation in Transcripts
Authors: Wu Yujiao , Yu Ying , Sun Quan , Yu Yixiang , Chen Jie , Li Tian , Meng Xianzhi , Pan Guoqing , Zhou Zeyang
Published: March 2023

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites that have significantly reduced genomes and that have lost most of their introns. In the current study, we characterized a gene in microsporidia Nosema bombycis, annotated as TRAPα (HNbTRAPα). The homologous of TRAPα are a functional component of ER translocon and facilitates the initiation of protein translocation in a substrate-specific manner, which is conserved in animals but absent from most fungi. The coding sequence of HNbTRAPα consists of 2226 nucleotides, longer than the majority of homologs in microsporidia. A 3′ RACE analysis indicated that there were two mRNA isoforms resulting from non-canonical alternative polyadenylation (APA), and the polyadenylate tail was synthesized after the C951 or C1167 nucleotide, respectively. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis showed two different localization characteristics of HNbTRAPα, which are mainly located around the nuclear throughout the proliferation stage and co-localized with the nuclear in mature spores. This study demonstrated that the post-transcriptional regulation mechanism exists in Microsporidia and expands the mRNA isoform repertoire.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Acetaminophen Biodegradation by Penicillium chrysogenum var. halophenolicum and Insights into Energy and Stress Response Pathways
Authors: Enguita Francisco J. , Pereira Sofia , Leitão Ana Lúcia
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: Acetaminophen (APAP), an active component of many analgesic and antipyretic drugs, is one of the most concerning trace contaminants in the environment and is considered as an emergent pollutant of marine and aquatic ecosystems. Despite its biodegradability, APAP has become a recalcitrant compound due to the growth of the global population, the ease of availability, and the inefficient wastewater treatment applied. (2) Methods: In this study, we used a transcriptomic approach to obtain functional and metabolic insights about the metabolization of APAP by a phenol-degrading fungal strain, Penicillium chrysogenum var. halophenolicum. (3) Results: We determined that the transcriptomic profile exhibited by the fungal strain during APAP degradation was very dynamic, being characterized by an abundance of dysregulated transcripts which were proportional to the drug metabolization. Using a systems biology approach, we also inferred the protein functional interaction networks that could be related to APAP degradation. We proposed the involvement of intracellular and extracellular enzymes, such as amidases, cytochrome P450, laccases, and extradiol-dioxygenases, among others. (4) Conclusions: Our data suggested that the fungus could metabolize APAP via a complex metabolic pathway, generating nontoxic metabolites, which demonstrated its potential in the bioremediation of this drug.
Characterization and Genome Analysis of Cladobotryum mycophilum, the Causal Agent of Cobweb Disease of Morchella sextelata in China
Authors: Liu Zhenghui , Cong Yunlong , Sossah Frederick Leo , Lu Yongzhong , Kang Jichuan , Li Yu
Published: March 2023

Cobweb disease is a fungal disease that can cause serious damage to edible mushrooms worldwide. To investigate cobweb disease in Morchella sextelata in Guizhou Province, China, we isolated and purified the pathogen responsible for the disease. Through morphological and molecular identification and pathogenicity testing on infected M. sextelata, we identified Cladobotryum mycophilum as the cause of cobweb disease in this region. This is the first known occurrence of this pathogen causing cobweb disease in M. sextelata anywhere in the world. We then obtained the genome of C. mycophilum BJWN07 using the HiFi sequencing platform, resulting in a high-quality genome assembly with a size of 38.56 Mb, 10 contigs, and a GC content of 47.84%. We annotated 8428 protein-coding genes in the genome, including many secreted proteins, host interaction-related genes, and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) related to the pathogenesis of the disease. Our findings shed new light on the pathogenesis of C. mycophilum and provide a theoretical basis for developing potential prevention and control strategies for cobweb disease.
Natural Products as a Tool to Modulate the Activity and Expression of Multidrug Resistance Proteins of Intestinal Barrier
Authors: Martins-Gomes Carlos , Silva Amélia M.
Published: March 2023

The role of intestinal barrier homeostasis in an individual’s general well-being has been widely addressed by the scientific community. Colorectal cancer is among the illnesses that most affect this biological barrier. While chemotherapy is the first choice to treat this type of cancer, multidrug resistance (MDR) is the major setback against the commonly used drugs, with the ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters) being the major players. The role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), or breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2) in the efflux of chemotherapeutic drugs is well described in cancer cells, highlighting these proteins as interesting druggable targets to reverse MDR, decrease drug dosage, and consequently undesired toxicity. Natural products, especially phytochemicals, have a wide diversity of chemical structures, and some particular classes, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, or pentacyclic triterpenoids, have been reported as inhibitors of P-gp, MRP1, and ABCG2, being able to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs. Nevertheless, ABC transporters play a vital role in the cell’s defense against xenobiotics, and some phytochemicals have also been shown to induce the transporters’ activity. A balance must be obtained between xenobiotic efflux in non-tumor cells and bioaccumulation of chemotherapy drugs in cancer cells, in which ABC transporters are essential and natural products play a pivotal role that must be further analyzed. This review summarizes the knowledge concerning the nomenclature and function of ABC-transporters, emphasizing their role in the intestinal barrier cells. In addition, it also focuses on the role of natural products commonly found in food products, e.g., phytochemicals, as modulators of ABC-transporter activity and expression, which are promising nutraceutical molecules to formulate new drug combinations to overcome multidrug resistance.
Comparison of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Parameters between Patients with Unplanned and Planned Hemodialysis Initiation: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yoshioka Takayuki , Inoue Seiya , Kohriyama Hitoshi , Haruna Yoshisuke , Satoh Minoru , Inoue Nobutaka
Published: March 2023

Despite the increasing number of dialysis patients, there is still no clear consensus regarding when a permanent access device should be prepared and renal replacement treatment should be undertaken. The purpose of this study was to evaluate left ventricular diastolic function at the start of dialysis between patients in a planned or unplanned manner according to the 2016 recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASE/EACVI). We designed a single-center, cross-sectional study to use echocardiography to evaluate and compare left ventricular diastolic function at the onset of dialysis between patients in planned and unplanned groups. A total of 21 patients were included in our analysis (11 initiated dialysis in a planned manner and 10 did so in an unplanned manner). E/A and E/E′ were significantly high in the unplanned dialysis initiation group (p = 0.048 and p = 0.003, respectively). Furthermore, the number of patients with an E/E′ ratio of >14 and tricuspid regurgitation velocity of >2.8 was also significantly high in the unplanned dialysis initiation group (80% vs. 18%; p = 0.009, 40% vs. 0%; p = 0.035, respectively). According to the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Recommendation in 2016, the number of patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was significantly high in the unplanned dialysis initiation group (80% vs. 18%; p = 0.009). The current study demonstrated that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is more apparent in incident dialysis patients in an unplanned manner. Our findings suggest that the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function by echocardiography may be an indication of when to create a permanent access device and initiate dialysis.
Macro-Level Factors Shaping Residential Location Choices: Examining the Impacts of Density and Land-Use Mix
Authors: Gomaa Mohammed M.
Published: March 2023

Many published papers have delved into the factors affecting the residential location choices of households using various logit models. Nonetheless, only a few pieces of literature have attempted to examine those associative attributes from a macroscopic view. Thus, this article investigates the factors that influence households’ preference to reside in densely populated locations or regions with a wide variety of land-use types using ordered choice models (ORM). This study proposes three indicators that are reflective of residential areas, namely population density, housing density, and land-use mix index, based on prior research. Population density and housing density are modeled at census block and tract levels to explore households’ sensitivity to different geographical scales. Regarding land use, this research classifies the diversity index into four categories: uniform, moderately diverse, more diverse, and the most diverse. Similarly, the study is predicated on 0.25-mile and 0.5-mile buffer zones. The findings are consistent with earlier research and highlight macro-level issues that influence residential location decisions. As for the residential preference for housing density, significant factors are the structure of households, the number of vehicles per household, and household income. Regarding the residential choices of population density, significant attributes refer to demographic characteristics, household income, and housing types. Concerning the residential choices based on land-use mix, the most influential factors turn out to be the interacting terms between demographics and housing-related index, household income, and housing-related indexes.
Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Soil Biological Indicators in Typical Farmland Soils
Authors: Kang Long , Zhao Rui , Wu Kening , Feng Zhe , Zhao Huafu , Zhang Sicheng
Published: March 2023

Soil biodiversity drives soil-based ecosystem services and is an important indicator of soil health. To understand the responses of important soil biological indicators to different farmland use contexts, 72 fields in three agricultural regions of China were used as research objects. The distribution characteristics and the factors influencing six indicators (carbon and nitrogen contents of soil microbial biomass (MBC, MBN, respectively), soil respiration (SR), soil catalase activity (CAT), soil acid phosphomonoesterase activity (APA), and soil earthworms) were investigated using field monitoring and indoor analysis. The MBC, SR, CAT, and APA indicators showed significant differences among the regions (p < 0.05). Correlation and redundancy analyses indicated that the important factors affecting MBC, MBN, and soil respiration were cation exchange capacity, total N, organic matter, hydrolytic N, and soil bulk density, whereas the important factors affecting APA and earthworms were total phosphorus, available phosphorus, and available potassium. None of these factors had a significant effect on CAT. Climatic conditions, soil types, and farmland practices all have complex impacts on soil biodiversity. The results showed that attention should be paid to improving the physical conditions of the soil and to increasing soil fertility levels when establishing sustainable farm management patterns.
A Framework for Data-Driven Agent-Based Modelling of Agricultural Land Use
Authors: Ravaioli Giacomo , Domingos Tiago , Teixeira Ricardo F. M.
Published: March 2023

Agent-based models (ABMs) are particularly suited for simulating the behaviour of agricultural agents in response to land use (LU) policy. However, there is no evidence of their widespread use by policymakers. Here, we carry out a review of LU ABMs to understand how farmers’ decision-making has been modelled. We found that LU ABMs mainly rely on pre-defined behavioural rules at the individual farmers’ level. They prioritise explanatory over predictive purposes, thus limiting the use of ABM for policy assessment. We explore the use of machine learning (ML) as a data-driven alternative for modelling decisions. Integration of ML with ABMs has never been properly applied to LU modelling, despite the increased availability of remote sensing products and agricultural micro-data. Therefore, we also propose a framework to develop data-driven ABMs for agricultural LU. This framework avoids pre-defined theoretical or heuristic rules and instead resorts to ML algorithms to learn agents’ behavioural rules from data. ML models are not directly interpretable, but their analysis can provide novel insights regarding the response of farmers to policy changes. The integration of ML models can also improve the validation of individual behaviours, which increases the ability of ABMs to predict policy outcomes at the micro-level.
WNT16 Regulation of the Articular Chondrocyte Phenotype in Mice
Authors: Mohan Subburaman , Pourteymoor Shelia , Kesavan Chandrasekhar
Published: March 2023

The anabolic effects of WNT16 on osteoblasts are well established, however, little is known regarding the role of WNT16 in chondrocytes. In this study, we evaluated Wnt16 expression and its biological effects on mouse articular chondrocytes (ACs), since these cells are key to the development of osteoarthritis. While ACs derived from the long bone epiphysis of 7-day old C57BL/6J mice express multiple Wnts, Wnt5b and Wnt16 represent the two most highly expressed Wnts (expressed at several-fold higher levels than other Wnts). Treatment of serum-free AC cultures, with 100 ng/mL of recombinant human (rh) WNT16 for 24 h (hrs), increased proliferation (20%, p < 0.05) and expression levels of makers (Sox9 and Col2) of immature chondrocytes at both 24 h and 72 h, while Acan increased at 72 h. Expression of Mmp9, a marker of mature chondrocytes was decreased at 24 h. Additionally, WNT16 treatment regulated expression levels of Wnt ligands in a biphasic manner, inhibiting its expression at 24 h, while stimulating expression at 72 h. To determine whether WNT16 exerted anabolic effects on the AC phenotype, ex vivo cultures of tibial epiphyses were treated with rhWNT16 or vehicle for 9 days, and the articular cartilage phenotype was evaluated by safranin O cartilage staining and expression of articular cartilage marker genes. Both articular cartilage area and expression levels of AC markers were increased after rhWNT16 treatment. Our data suggest that Wnt16 expressed in ACs may play a role in regulating joint cartilage homeostasis via its direct effect, as well as through modulating the expression of other Wnt ligands.