bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metformin as an Enhancer for the Treatment of Chemoresistant CD34+ Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells
Authors: Krastinaite Indre , Charkavliuk Sergej , Navakauskiene Ruta , Borutinskaite Veronika Viktorija
Published: May 2024

Acute myeloid leukemia is the second most frequent type of leukemia in adults. Due to a high risk of development of chemoresistance to first-line chemotherapy, the survival rate of patients in a 5-year period is below 30%. One of the reasons is that the AML population is heterogeneous, with cell populations partly composed of very primitive CD34+CD38- hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, which are often resistant to chemotherapy. First-line treatment with cytarabine and idarubicin fails to inhibit the proliferation of CD34+CD38- cells. In this study, we investigated Metformin’s effect with or without first-line conventional chemotherapy, or with other drugs like venetoclax and S63845, on primitive and undifferentiated CD34+ AML cells in order to explore the potential of Metformin or S63845 to serve as adjuvant therapy for AML. We found that first-line conventional chemotherapy treatment inhibited the growth of cells and arrested the cells in the S phase of the cell cycle; however, metformin affected the accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase. We observed that CD34+ KG1a cells respond better to lower doses of cytarabine or idarubicin in combination with metformin. Also, we determined that treatment with cytarabine, venetoclax, and S63845 downregulated the strong tendency of CD34+ KG1a cells to form cell aggregates in culture due to the downregulation of leukemic stem cell markers like CD34 and CD44, as well as adhesion markers. Also, we found that idarubicin slightly upregulated myeloid differentiation markers, CD11b and CD14. Treatment with cytarabine, idarubicin, venetoclax, metformin, and S63845 upregulated some cell surface markers like HLA-DR expression, and metformin upregulated CD9, CD31, and CD105 cell surface marker expression. In conclusion, we believe that metformin has the potential to be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of resistant-to-first-line-chemotherapy AML cells. Also, we believe that the results of our study will stimulate further research and the potential use of changes in the expression of cell surface markers in the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Human-Induced Range Expansions Result in a Recent Hybrid Zone between Sister Species of Ducks
Authors: Lavretsky Philip , Kraai Kevin J. , Butler David , Morel James , VonBank Jay A. , Marty Joseph R. , Musni Vergie M. , Collins Daniel P.
Published: May 2024

Landscapes are consistently under pressure from human-induced ecological change, often resulting in shifting species distributions. For some species, changing the geographical breadth of their niche space results in matching range shifts to regions other than those in which they are formally found. In this study, we employ a population genomics approach to assess potential conservation issues arising from purported range expansions into the south Texas Brush Country of two sister species of ducks: mottled (Anas fulvigula) and Mexican (Anas diazi) ducks. Specifically, despite being non-migratory, both species are increasingly being recorded outside their formal ranges, with the northeastward and westward expansions of Mexican and mottled ducks, respectively, perhaps resulting in secondary contact today. We assessed genetic ancestry using thousands of autosomal loci across the ranges of both species, as well as sampled Mexican- and mottled-like ducks from across overlapping regions of south Texas. First, we confirm that both species are indeed expanding their ranges, with genetically pure Western Gulf Coast mottled ducks confirmed as far west as La Salle county, Texas, while Mexican ducks recorded across Texas counties near the USA–Mexico border. Importantly, the first confirmed Mexican × mottled duck hybrids were found in between these regions, which likely represents a recently established contact zone that is, on average, ~100 km wide. We posit that climate- and land use-associated changes, including coastal habitat degradation coupled with increases in artificial habitats in the interior regions of Texas, are facilitating these range expansions. Consequently, continued monitoring of this recent contact event can serve to understand species’ responses in the Anthropocene, but it can also be used to revise operational survey areas for mottled ducks.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Minor Irrigation Tank Rehabilitation Using Run-Off and Storage Capacity: A Case Study from Ambuliyar Sub-Basin, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Nagoor Pitchai Nasir , Magalingam Somasundharam , Rajasekaran Sakthi Kiran Duraisamy , Radhakrishnan Selvakumar
Published: May 2024

This research examines the significance of restoring efficient water management systems in India’s semiarid environment, with special emphasis on the role of traditional irrigation structures, such as tanks, in collecting and storing limited water resources. Assessing the benefits of any restoration program, especially when socioeconomic and environmental benefits are involved, is challenging. In the context of tank rehabilitation, a cost-benefit analysis will be conducted regarding economic and ecological returns in the post-desiltation phase. Since the restoration process requires a significant investment, assessing the project’s viability during the planning stage is better. The present study proposes a novel method to indirectly analyse the cost-benefit of the tank restoration process by correlating run-off and storage capacity of tanks before the planning phase. The Ambuliyar sub-basin, which covers an area of 930 square kilometres in Tamil Nadu, India, comprising 181 tanks (water bodies) of varying sizes and shapes, was taken for this study. This study employed the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method, incorporating factors such as soil type, land cover, land use practices, and advanced remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to simulate surface run-off. Run-off volume and tank capacity were compared for all seasons at the micro-watershed level. The results demonstrated that the run-off volume in each micro-watershed significantly exceeded the tank capacity across all seasons. Even during the summer, the run-off volumes in the micro-watershed were considerably higher than the tank capacity. The findings suggest tank restoration can effectively store run-off and significantly fulfil agricultural and other essential needs throughout the year, thereby improving the local rural economy. This study also highlights the need for periodic maintenance and rehabilitation of these tank systems to retain their functionality.
Ornamental Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology
Authors: Zeng Tuo , Wang Caiyun
Published: May 2024

Ornamental plants not only beautify our environment, thanks to their vivid colors and diverse forms, but also play a vital role in agriculture, industry, and medicine, reflecting significant scientific and economic value [...]
Advances in Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) In Vitro Culture: A Review
Authors: Correia Suzanna , Matos Manuela , Leal Fernanda
Published: May 2024

The demand for Vaccinium fruits has skyrocketed due to their nutritional and medicinal properties, notably their high content of phenolic compounds and excellent sensory evaluation. The use of Vaccinium plants and its components as dietary supplements and health ingredients has been on the rise across the world. The attractive fruits contain a high content of anthocyanins and antioxidant compounds. In some popular and valuable cultivars, the conventional propagation methods, exploiting hard or soft wood cuttings, are inefficient. The demand for nursery plants can be fulfilled by micropropagation. This review aims to explore advances in the in vitro culture of Vaccinium plants, focusing on effective disinfection, optimized culture media, and the role of growth regulators in plant development and multiplication. By providing a controlled environment, micropropagation allows the large-scale production of these plants in a short time, ensuring availability throughout the year. Additionally, this technique offers the advantage of studying the effects of abiotic stresses on plants, as well as facilitating research on the production of relevant metabolites. This review seeks to provide an updated overview of the most promising methods and techniques for micropropagation of Vaccinium, thereby contributing to the ongoing development of the blueberry production industry and derivative products.
Where Are Business Incubators Built? County-Level Spatial Distribution and Rationales Based on the Big Data of Chinese Yangtze River Delta Region
Authors: Jiang Tianhe , Zhou Zixuan
Published: May 2024

Business incubators (BIs) in China have predominantly exhibited a government-led characteristic, recently broadening their spatial and temporal scope and extending reach to the county level. Regarding the inadequacies of county-level analysis scale, this study leverages Points of Interest (POI) big data to overcome them. To comprehend the governmental rationale in the construction of BIs, we examine the evolution dynamics of BIs in conjunction with policies. An economic geography framework is developed, conceptualizing BIs as quasi-public goods and productive services, and incorporating considerations of county-level fiscal operations and industrial structures. Focusing on the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region as a case study, our findings reveal that over 98% of County Administrative Units (CAUs) have built BIs. Using kernel density estimation and Moran’s I, the spatial patterns of CAUs are identified. The CAUs are further classified into three categories of economic levels using the k-means algorithm, uncovering differentiated relationships between industry, finance, and their respective BI. Additionally, we analyze the density relationship between BIs and other facilities at a micro-level, showcasing various site selection rationales. The discussions highlight that while BIs tend to align with wealthier areas and advanced industries, affluent CAUs offer location advantages on BIs, whereas less wealthy CAUs prioritize quantity for political achievements. This paper concludes with recommendations about aligning BIs based on conditions and outlooks on future research.
Oleuropein, a Component of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Improves Liver Steatosis and Lobular Inflammation by Lipopolysaccharides–TLR4 Axis Downregulation
Authors: Schirone Leonardo , Overi Diletta , Carpino Guido , Carnevale Roberto , De Falco Elena , Nocella Cristina , D’Amico Alessandra , Bartimoccia Simona , Cammisotto Vittoria , Castellani Valentina , Frati Giacomo , Sciarretta Sebastiano , Gaudio Eugenio , Pignatelli Pasquale , Alvaro Domenico , Violi Francesco
Published: May 2024

Gut-dysbiosis-induced lipopolysaccharides (LPS) translocation into systemic circulation has been suggested to be implicated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis. This study aimed to assess if oleuropein (OLE), a component of extra virgin olive oil, lowers high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced endotoxemia and, eventually, liver steatosis. An immunohistochemistry analysis of the intestine and liver was performed in (i) control mice (CTR; n = 15), (ii) high-fat-diet fed (HFD) mice (HFD; n = 16), and (iii) HFD mice treated with 6 µg/day of OLE for 30 days (HFD + OLE, n = 13). The HFD mice developed significant liver steatosis compared to the controls, an effect that was significantly reduced in the HFD + OLE-treated mice. The amount of hepatocyte LPS localization and the number of TLR4+ macrophages were higher in the HFD mice in the than controls and were lowered in the HFD + OLE-treated mice. The number of CD42b+ platelets was increased in the liver sinusoids of the HFD mice compared to the controls and decreased in the HFD + OLE-treated mice. Compared to the controls, the HFD-treated mice showed a high percentage of intestine PAS+ goblet cells, an increased length of intestinal crypts, LPS localization and TLR4+ expression, and occludin downregulation, an effect counteracted in the HFD + OLE-treated mice. The HFD-fed animals displayed increased systemic levels of LPS and zonulin, but they were reduced in the HFD + OLE-treated animals. It can be seen that OLE administration improves liver steatosis and inflammation in association with decreased LPS translocation into the systemic circulation, hepatocyte localization of LPS and TLR4 downregulation in HFD-induced mouse model of NAFLD.
Health-Promoting Properties of Natural Flavonol Glycosides Isolated from Staphylea pinnata L.
Authors: Paolillo Ida , Roscigno Giuseppina , Innangi Michele , Zorrilla Jesús G. , Petraglia Gianmarco , Russo Maria Teresa , Carraturo Federica , Guida Marco , Pollice Alessandra , Cimmino Alessio , Masi Marco , Calabrò Viola
Published: May 2024

Staphylea, also called bladdernuts, is a genus of plants belonging to the family Staphyleaceae, widespread in tropical or temperate climates of America, Europe, and the Far East. Staphylea spp. produce bioactive metabolites with antioxidant properties, including polyphenols which have not been completely investigated for their phytotherapeutic potential, even though they have a long history of use for food. Here, we report the isolation of six flavonol glycosides from the hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of Staphylea pinnata L., collected in Italy, using a solid-phase extraction technique. They were identified using spectroscopic, spectrometric, and optical methods as three quercetin and three isorhamnetin glycosides. Among the flavonol glycosides isolated, isoquercetin and quercetin malonyl glucoside showed powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound healing promoting activity and thus are valuable as antiaging ingredients for cosmeceutical applications and for therapeutic applications in skin wound repair.
The Association between Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Peripheral Artery Disease Burden
Authors: Niiranen Oskari , Virtanen Juha , Rantasalo Ville , Ibrahim Amer , Venermo Maarit , Hakovirta Harri
Published: May 2024

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible relationship between the segmental burden of lower limb atherosclerosis and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACEs). Methods: All the consecutive symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients admitted for digital subtraction angiography (DSA) at Turku University Hospital department of Vascular Surgery between 1 January 2009 and 30 July 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Angiography due to symptomatic PAD was used as the index date for the inclusion in the study. The segmental burden of atherosclerosis based on DSA was divided into three categories according to the highest disease burden of the defined artery segment: aorto-iliac, femoropopliteal, or tibial segments. The major association for the study was MACEs (defined as a cerebrovascular event, heart failure (HF) and myocardial infarction requiring hospital admission). Demographic data and MACEs were obtained from the hospital electronic medical records system. Results. The lower limb atherosclerosis burden of tibial vessels was related to an increased probability for HF (OR 3.9; 95%CI 2.4–6.5) and for MACEs overall (OR 2.3; 95%CI 1.4–3.6). The probability of both HF and MACEs overall rose with the increasing severity of the atherosclerosis burden. Moreover, the more severe the tibial vessel atherosclerosis, the higher the risk of HF and MACEs. The most extensive tibial atherosclerosis patients had an OR 4.5; 95%CI 2.6–8.0 for HF and an OR 3.1; and 95%CI 1.7–5.6 for MACEs overall. The femoropopliteal disease burden was also associated with an increased risk of HF (OR 2.3; 95%CI 1.6–3.2) and MACE (OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.3–2.7). However, the increasing extent of atherosclerosis of the femoropopliteal segment solely increased the risk of MACEs. Conclusions: PAD patients with severe tibial atherosclerosis are likely to present with MACEs. The risk is further enhanced as the extent of tibial vessel atherosclerosis is increased. An association between MACE and severe atherosclerosis on the aortoiliac segment was not detected. However, when the femoropopliteal segment was the most affected artery segment, the risk of MACEs was increased.
Reply to Tabeling et al. Comment on “Grabala et al. Radiological Outcomes of Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods for the Treatment of Children with Various Etiologies of Early-Onset Scoliosis—A Multicenter Study. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 1529”
Authors: Grabala Pawel , Gupta Munish C. , Pereira Daniel E. , Latalski Michal , Danielewicz Anna , Glowka Pawel , Grabala Michal
Published: May 2024

We are immensely gratified by the considerable interest our study has garnered [...]
Protein Deposition on Sport Mouthguards and the Effectiveness of Two Different Cleaning Protocols
Authors: van Vliet Kirsten , van Splunter Annina , de Lange Jan , Lobbezoo Frank , Brand Henk
Published: May 2024

Objective: To determine which salivary proteins adhere onto sport mouthguards, and to evaluate the effectiveness of different cleaning strategies in removing deposited protein. Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers used a mouthguard for 1 h. The deposited salivary proteins were analyzed using gel electrophoresis and Western blotting techniques and compared with the protein composition of unstimulated saliva. In addition, the effectiveness of two different cleaning strategies to remove proteins from the mouthguards were compared: rinsing the mouthguards after use with cold tap water and cleaning the mouthguard with a soluble effervescent tablet. Results: Gel electrophoresis showed deposition of proteins of 50–60 kDa and 14 kDa on the mouthguards used in the mouth for 1 h. Western blotting identified these bands as amylase and lysozyme, respectively. Rinsing the mouthguard with cold tap water after use removed 91% of the total amount of deposited proteins, while cleaning with an effervescent tablet removed 99%. Conclusions: During the use of mouthguards, salivary proteins are deposited on their surface. Because salivary proteins can potentially affect bacterial adhesion to mouthguards, proper cleaning after use is recommended. Cleaning the mouthguard with cold tap water or using an effervescent tablet both seem to be effective strategies to remove proteins deposited on sport mouthguards.
Lung Ultrasound to Evaluate Fluid Status and Optimize Early Volume-Expansion Therapy in Children with Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli–Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Authors: Allinovi Marco , Farella Ilaria , Giacalone Martina , Lugli Gianmarco , Cirillo Luigi , Parri Niccolò , Becherucci Francesca
Published: May 2024

Background: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli–haemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) can result in kidney and neurological complications. Early volume-expansion therapy has been shown to improve outcomes, but caution is required to avoid fluid overload. Lung ultrasound scanning (LUS) can be used to detect fluid overload and may be useful in monitoring hydration therapy. Methods: This prospective observational pilot study involved children with STEC-HUS who were recruited from a regional paediatric nephrology centre. B-line quantification by LUS was used to assess fluid status at the emergency department (ED) admission and correlated with the decrease in patient weight from the target weight. A control group of children on chronic dialysis therapy with episodes of symptomatic fluid overload was also enrolled in order to establish a B-line threshold indicative of severe lung congestion. Another cohort of “healthy” children, without renal or lung-related diseases, and without clinical signs of fluid overload was also enrolled in order to establish a B-line threshold indicative of euvolemia. Results: LUS assessment was performed in 10 children with STEC-HUS at ED admission, showing an average of three B-lines (range 0–10). LUS was also performed in 53 euvolemic children admitted to the ED not showing kidney and lung disease (healthy controls), showing a median value of two B-lines (range 0–7), not significantly different from children with STEC-HUS at admission (p = 0.92). Children with STEC-HUS with neurological involvement during the acute phase and those requiring dialysis presented a significantly lower number of B-lines at admission compared to patients with a good clinical course (p < 0.001). Patients with long-term renal impairment also presented a lower number of B-lines at disease onset (p = 0.03). Conclusions: LUS is a useful technique for monitoring intravenous hydration therapy in paediatric patients with STEC-HUS. A low number of B-lines at ED admission (<5 B-lines) was associated with worse short-term and long-term outcomes. Further studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of an LUS-guided strategy for reducing complications in children with STEC-HUS.
ROX Index Variation as a Predictor of Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Maldonado Augusto , Endara Pablo , Abril Patricio , Carrión Henry , Largo Carolina , Benavides Patricia
Published: May 2024

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency departments were overcrowded with critically ill patients, and many providers were confronted with ethical dilemmas in assigning respiratory support to them due to scarce resources. Quick tools for evaluating patients upon admission were necessary, as many existing scores proved inaccurate in predicting outcomes. The ROX Index (RI), a rapid and straightforward scoring system reflecting respiratory status in acute respiratory failure patients, has shown promise in predicting outcomes for COVID-19 patients. The 24 h difference in the RI accurately gauges mortality and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) among patients with COVID-19. Methods: Study design: Prospective cohort study. A total of 204 patients were admitted to the emergency department from May to August 2020. Data were collected from the clinical records. The RI was calculated at admission and 24 h later, and the difference was used to predict the association with mortality and the need for IMV, a logistic regression model was used to adjust for age, sex, presence of comorbidities, and disease severity. Finally, the data were analyzed using ROC. Results: The difference in respiratory RI between admission and 24 h is a good predictor for death (AUC 0.92) and for mechanic ventilation (AUC: 0.75). Each one-unit decrease in the RI difference at 24 h was associated with an odds ratio of 1.48 for the risk of death (95%CI: 1.31–1.67) and an odds ratio of 1.16 for IMV (95% IC: 1.1–1.23). Conclusions: The 24 h variation of RI is a good prediction tool to allow healthcare professionals to identify the patients who will benefit from invasive treatment, especially in low-resource settings.
Effect of Primer and Fibre Orientation on Softwood–Hardwood Bonding
Authors: Subhani Mahbube , Lui Ho Yin
Published: May 2024

Softwood is widely employed in construction and faces high demand. Australia is grappling with substantial timber scarcity, specifically related to radiata pine, which is the dominant structural timber in the construction sector. However, Australia has a significant hardwood population, which can be utilized to reduce the high demand for radiata pine. This paper aims to investigate the bond properties of both Australian softwood (radiata pine) and hardwood (shining gum). It also discusses the potential to combine softwood and hardwood in glue or cross-laminated timber by evaluating the bond properties of the radiata pine–shining gum interface. For hardwood, the effect of primer is also investigated to determine its efficacy in improving failure mode, bond strength, and stiffness. Lastly, both glulam and cross-laminated timber bonding scenarios are simulated for bond testing by examining the effect of relative fibre orientation on the bond properties of the aforementioned species individually and in combination. Instead of conventional block shear testing, which is predominantly used for same-species bond testing, push-out testing is adopted in this study. However, a comparison with block shear testing is also made in this article. The results indicated that the use of primer on hardwood reduced the inconsistencies in the bond properties and improved wood-side failure rates. It was also concluded that the effect of fibre orientation in a CLT scenario with combined hardwood and softwood failure modes can vary significantly, which leads to a higher standard deviation in the results. Nevertheless, this study outlines the challenges and opportunities for producing hardwood–softwood hybrid glue or cross-laminated timber.
Safety Improvements for High-Speed Planing Craft Occupants: A Systematic Review
Authors: Roshan Fatemeh , Dashtimanesh Abbas , Kujala Pentti
Published: May 2024

Moving fast by high-speed planing craft (HSPC) is advantageous for some special missions, though it causes severe hull vibrations and shocks that can transfer to the human body and increase health and comfort risks. This study reviews the current safety standards to avoid human safety risks affected by whole-body vibrations (WBVs), as well as the safety status of HSPC occupants. In addition, the efficiency of motion-reduction devices (trim tab and interceptor) and shock/vibration-mitigation devices (shock-mitigation seat) in improving the safety of HSPC occupants is examined according to existing documents. The research methodology was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRIS-MA) method, and published papers in the Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were analyzed. Because most of these publications are academic research, issues of bias in the eligible publications were not of particular interest. During this systematic review, many gaps and challenges in current information on safety improvement devices were found that need to be addressed in future studies, such as a lack of information on motion-reduction devices and shock-mitigation seat performance in reducing lateral and fore-and-aft motions. Referring to these gaps and challenges can be valuable as a suggestion to improve current knowledge in research and reduce safety risks.
The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Chemosymbiotic Lucinid Bivalve Pillucina pisidium (Dunker, 1860) Occurring in Seagrass Zostera marina Bed in a Lagoon in Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Shin Jong-Seop , Song Chi-une , Choi Hyeongwoo , Yang Sung Hyun , Kwon Kae Kyoung , Eyun Seong-il , Choi Kwang-Sik
Published: May 2024

Commonly found in tropic and subtropic seagrass beds, lucinid clams host sulfur-oxidizing bacteria within their gills. These symbionts are crucial in converting phytotoxic sulfide in the sediment into less harmful sulfate, thus enhancing the environment for seagrasses and associated biota. We recently uncovered small clams within a Zostera marina seagrass bed situated in a lagoon on Jeju Island, off the south coast of Korea. These bivalves, with shell lengths of up to 7 mm, exhibited distinct features, including thick and hypertrophied gills, inflated and ovoid shells with a shell height/shell length ratio of 0.99, and the absence of a sulcus on the external shell surface. These characteristics align closely with those of Pillucina pisidium, a lucinid clam species originally reported in Japan. Analysis of the cytochrome b gene partial sequences of the clams from Jeju Island revealed a 100% match with P. pisidium reported in Japan, confirming their identity. Moreover, we successfully assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of P. pisidium for the first time, revealing a circular genome spanning 21,059 bp. Additionally, we constructed a phylogenetic tree using 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) extracted from the mitochondrial genome of P. pisidium. Notably, P. pisidium formed a distinct clade within the subclass Autobranchia alongside other lucinid clams in the phylogenetic tree. However, within the family Lucinidae, synteny analysis of the 13 PCGs revealed diverse gene arrangement patterns, indicating considerable divergence. This divergence underscores the need for an extensive examination of Lucinidae mitochondrial genomes to elucidate the phylogenetic ties more precisely within the family, highlighting P. pisidium’s distinct evolutionary path within the family Lucinidae.
Distributed Formation Maneuvering Quantized Control of Under-Actuated Unmanned Surface Vehicles with Collision and Velocity Constraints
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Yang , Li Tieshan
Published: May 2024

This paper focuses on a distributed cooperative time-varying formation maneuvering issue of under-actuated unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). A fleet of USVs is guided by a parameterized path with a time-varying formation while avoiding collisions and preserving the connectivity in the environment with multiple obstacles. In some surface missions, due to the obstacles in the external environment, the bandwidth limitations of the communication channel, and the hardware components/performance constraints of the USVs themselves, each vehicle is considered to be subject to model uncertainty, actuator quantization, sensor dead zone, and velocity constraints. During the control design process, the radial basis function (RBF) neural networks (NNs) are utilized to deal with nonlinear terms. Based on a nonlinear decomposition method, the relationship between the control signal and the quantization one is established, which overcomes the difficulty arising from actuator quantization. A Nussbaum function is introduced to handle the unknown output dead zone problem caused by reduced sensor sensitivity. Moreover, a universal-constrained function is employed to satisfy both the constrained and unconstrained requirements during formation keeping and obstacle avoidance. The Lyapunov stability theory confirmed that the error signals are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB). The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed distributed formation control of multiple USVs.
Quantification of Expert Knowledge in Describing COLREGs Linguistic Variables
Authors: Kristić Miho , Žuškin Srđan
Published: May 2024

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGs) have been the cornerstone of maritime navigation since their introduction. Knowledge and implementation of these rules are paramount in collision avoidance at sea. However, terms found in these rules are sometimes imprecise or fuzzy, as they are written by humans for humans, giving them some freedom in interpretation. The term Very Large Ship used in Rule 7 of the COLREGs is, by its nature, fuzzy. While human navigators understand this term’s meaning, it could be challenging for machines or autonomous ships to understand such an unprecise expression. Fuzzy sets could easily describe unprecise terms used in maritime navigation. A fuzzy set consists of elements with degrees of membership in a set, making them perfect for interpreting some terms where boundaries are unclear. This research was conducted among 220 navigational experts to describe linguistic variables used in maritime regulations. This research consists of an internationally distributed questionnaire. Membership data were collected with the adapted horizontal method, and the results were statistically analyzed, followed by regression analyses to describe the range and shape of membership functions. A conceptual model of the implementation of linguistic variables is presented. The novelty of this study derives from the data collecting, modeling, and quantification of the important but neglected linguistic term Very Large Ship based on a large number of navigational experts. The same quantification method could be easily used for other COLREGs linguistic variables, which could easily lift barriers to advances in intelligent solutions based on fuzzy sets. The obtained quantified fuzzy sets can be used in decision support or control systems used by conventional or autonomous ships in the future.
Semicircular Coastal Defence Structures: Impact of Gap Spacing on Shoreline Dynamics during Storm Events
Authors: Vieira Bárbara F. V. , Pinho José L. S. , Barros Joaquim A. O.
Published: May 2024

Coastal erosion poses significant challenges to shoreline management, exacerbated by rising sea levels and changing climate patterns. This study investigates the influence of gap spacing between semicircular coastal defence structures on shoreline dynamics during storm events. The innovative design of these structures aims to induce a drift reversal of prevalent sediment transport while avoiding interruption of alongshore sediment drift, thus protecting the beach. Three different gap spacings, ranging from 152 m to 304 m, were analysed using the XBeach numerical model, focusing on storm morphodynamic behaviour. Methodologically, hydrodynamic and morphodynamic analyses were conducted to understand variations in significant wave heights adjacent to the structures, in accretion and erosion volumes, and changes in bed level under storm conditions. The study aims to elucidate the complex interaction between engineered coastal protection solutions and natural coastal processes, providing practical insights for coastal management practices. Results indicate that installing semicircular coastal defence structures influences sediment dynamics during storm events, effectively protecting stretches of the coast at risk. Optimal gap spacing between structures is crucial to mitigating coastal erosion and enhancing sediment accumulation, offering a sustainable shoreline protection approach. The findings underscore the importance of balanced location selection to optimize protection benefits while minimizing adverse morphological effects. Overall, this research contributes to advancing knowledge of hydro-morphological phenomena essential for effective coastal engineering and informs the design and implementation of more sustainable coastal protection strategies in the face of increasing coastal erosion and sea level rise challenges.
Hybrid Management of Dysphagia Lusoria with Tevar Implantation and Bilateral Subclavian Arteries Debranching: A Review of the Literature and a Case Report
Authors: Stiru Ovidiu , Robu Mircea , Platon Pavel , Bubenek-Turconi Serban-Ion , Iliescu Vlad Anton , Parasca Catalina
Published: May 2024

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) causing dysphagia, the so-called “dysphagia lusoria”, is a frequent embryologic anomaly of the aortic arch. In symptomatic patients, studies report several management options including surgical, hybrid, and totally endovascular strategies. Hybrid techniques have the advantage of no chest opening with reduced morbidity, but the problem of the ARSA stump causing recurrent or persistent dysphagia remains challenging in some cases. We conducted a literature review on the management strategies of ARSA and presented the case of a 72-year-old female patient with ARSA and dysphagia managed with thoracic endovascular repair of the aorta (TEVAR) and bilateral carotid–subclavian artery bypass. This technique was chosen because of the severe calcifications at the level of ARSA origin that would make surgical ligation difficult, or if an occluder device not suitable. We think that a patient-tailored approach should be considered in cases of dysphagia lusoria, considering that a multitude of strategies are reported.
Minimally Invasive Controlled Growing Rods for the Surgical Treatment of Early-Onset Scoliosis—A Surgical Technique Video
Authors: Grabala Pawel
Published: May 2024

Background: Spinal deformities in children and adolescents can be easily divided into those occurring and diagnosed before the age of 10—early-onset scoliosis—and those occurring and diagnosed after the age of 10—late-onset scoliosis. When the curvature continues to progress and exceeds a Cobb angle of more than 60–65 degrees, surgical treatment should be considered. The most common treatment procedure for EOS is the surgical correction of the deformity using standard growing rods (SGRs), and in the case of congenital defects with additional hemivertebrae, it is the resection of the hemivertebra and short fusion. Minimally invasive controlled growing rods (MICGRs) need to be distracted every 6–9 months through a minimally invasive approach that involves sedation and neuromonitoring to obtain the best possible correction while minimizing complications. The aim of our study is to present a less-invasive surgical technique for MICGR implantation based on a two-case presentation—early-onset idiopathic scoliosis and congenital kyphosis. The surgical technique is the less-invasive percutaneous and subfascial implantation of MICGRs without long incisions in the back. Conclusions: The use of MICGRs is an alternative and safe surgical technique for patients undergoing surgical treatment for EOS. Without the risk of metallosis, like in other implant systems, and the need for replacement after 2 years of use, like in using magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs), the MICGR system can be used as a less-invasive procedure, allowing for the avoidance of many periodic invasive procedures in children with a wider opening of the spine (like in using standard growing rods), minimizing the number of planned hospitalizations, reducing the length of hospital stays, and reducing the physical and mental burdens on young patients, parents, and families.
Co-Producing an Ethnobotanical Garden to Support the Conservation of Indigenous Crop Diversity
Authors: Hsu Pei-Hsin , Chao Chih-Liang , Tung Gene-Sheng
Published: May 2024

Botanical gardens play a crucial role in documenting and sustaining traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) that were integral to the lives of Indigenous peoples. TEK has gained significant attention in discussions on sustainable development. Faced with threats to the maintenance and transfer of this knowledge, alternative approaches like community-based ethnobotanical gardens are emerging as effective tools for conservation. This paper details a research partnership that focused on storing and sharing the Bunun ethnic community’s TEK to conserve and promote plant and crop diversity. This collaboration further led to the co-development of an Indigenous ecological calendar detailing knowledge about crops, specifically beans. The ecological calendar emerged as an effective tool for supporting knowledge sharing, facilitating the communication of crop knowledge along with both common and scientific names. The Indigenous ecological calendar has also become a valuable tourism resource for guided tours, helping to build recognition of Indigenous knowledge, and making it accessible to future generations.
Diversity and Ecological Assessment of Grasslands Habitat Types: A Case Study in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)
Authors: Morabito Antonio , Musarella Carmelo Maria , Spampinato Giovanni
Published: May 2024

Grasslands differ in many types depending on the diversity of climatic conditions and substrates. Due to the great wealth of species found in semi-natural grasslands, they conserve an essential part of the biodiversity of the European Union (EEC 43/92), defined as habitats of community interest. Using the region of Calabria (southern Italy) as a case study, this study aims to evaluate how species assemblages and a set of indicators applied to them can be used to analyse and characterize the diversity, ecological features and conservation status of grassland habitats. Vegetation analysis was carried out using the phytosociological method, and habitat ecological characteristics were defined by Ellenberg’s ecological indicator adapted to the Italian flora. Multivariate analysis of the surveys by means of cluster analysis and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) made it possible to define eight habitat groups according to EEC Directive 43/92: 6110 Rocky or basophilous calcareous grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi, 6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands, 6220*a Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by a Lygeum spartum, 6220*b Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta, 6210* Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrub facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Bromometalia) (*important orchid sites), 6230* Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe), 6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-siltladen soils (Molinion caeruleae), 6420 Mediterranean tall humid herb grasslands of the Molinio-Holoschoenion, 6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels. Temperature (T) and oisture (U) are the most statistically significant ecological factors in differentiating different habitat types. Analysis of diversity, assessed through Shannon and Evenness indices, showed that it is strongly correlated with habitat diversity as soil moisture increases. The study of ecological characteristics, correlated with biodiversity indices, helps to characterize grassland habitats, providing guidance for the implementation of active conservation policies for these habitats.
Dialect Recognition via Lexical Processing: Is It a Viable Litmus Test?
Authors: Feleke Tekabe Legesse
Published: May 2024

For decades, linguists have been working to formulate an objective means of distinguishing dialects from languages, but dialect recognition has largely remained a subjective enterprise. Only recently have some studies proposed a processing-based psycholinguistic approach toward dialect recognition. These studies argued that dialect words are stored as a co-dependent representation, not as an independent representation of the words of bilingual speakers. Based on these studies, we investigated the lexical selection and processing mechanisms of bilingual and bidialectal speakers of two understudied languages, Oromo and Amharic, using the picture–word interference paradigm. We found independent lexical representations for both the bilingual and the bidialectal groups, which implies the involvement of the same cognitive mechanisms in both language and dialect processing. Thus, we argue that bidialectal speakers have flexible lexical representation and selection mechanisms that are dependent on the speakers’ previous language experience. Here, we propose a dynamic lexical selection model that accommodates diverse dialect ecologies.
European Portuguese lá: Use-Conditional Meaning and Pragmaticalization
Authors: Müller Lukas
Published: May 2024

This study focusses on non-adverbial uses of lá in European Portuguese, whose exact meaning contribution still remains an open research question. Applying a multidimensional semantics framework, the central claim is that non-adverbial uses of lá represent use-conditional items. Passing the standard tests suggested in the literature, they thus do not contribute to the truth conditions of an utterance but specify particular use conditions. It is argued that they are felicitously used if a speaker wants to convey illocutionary modification, which pragmatically leads to mitigation or reinforcement effects. Diachronically, substantiated by historical data from the Corpus do Português, use-conditional lá is argued to be a product of a pragmaticalization process that led to so-called pragmatic fission at some point, i.e., to the polysemy of two synchronically available configurations of a truth-conditional and a use-conditional lá.
The Sociodemographic Biases in Machine Learning Algorithms: A Biomedical Informatics Perspective
Authors: Franklin Gillian , Stephens Rachel , Piracha Muhammad , Tiosano Shmuel , Lehouillier Frank , Koppel Ross , Elkin Peter
Published: May 2024

Artificial intelligence models represented in machine learning algorithms are promising tools for risk assessment used to guide clinical and other health care decisions. Machine learning algorithms, however, may house biases that propagate stereotypes, inequities, and discrimination that contribute to socioeconomic health care disparities. The biases include those related to some sociodemographic characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, insurance, and socioeconomic status from the use of erroneous electronic health record data. Additionally, there is concern that training data and algorithmic biases in large language models pose potential drawbacks. These biases affect the lives and livelihoods of a significant percentage of the population in the United States and globally. The social and economic consequences of the associated backlash cannot be underestimated. Here, we outline some of the sociodemographic, training data, and algorithmic biases that undermine sound health care risk assessment and medical decision-making that should be addressed in the health care system. We present a perspective and overview of these biases by gender, race, ethnicity, age, historically marginalized communities, algorithmic bias, biased evaluations, implicit bias, selection/sampling bias, socioeconomic status biases, biased data distributions, cultural biases and insurance status bias, conformation bias, information bias and anchoring biases and make recommendations to improve large language model training data, including de-biasing techniques such as counterfactual role-reversed sentences during knowledge distillation, fine-tuning, prefix attachment at training time, the use of toxicity classifiers, retrieval augmented generation and algorithmic modification to mitigate the biases moving forward.
Molecular Dynamics Analysis of Adhesive Forces between Silicon Wafer and Substrate in Microarray Adhesion
Authors: Han Shunkai , Chen Yarong , Feng Ming , Zhang Zhixu , Wang Zhaopei , Chen Zhixiang
Published: May 2024

With the development of the electronics industry, the requirements for chips are getting higher and higher, and thinner and thinner wafers are needed to meet the processing of chips. In this study, a model of the adhesion state of semiconductor wafers in the stacking–clamping process based on microarray adsorption was established, the composition adhesion was discussed, the microarrays of different materials and pressures were experimentally studied, and a molecular dynamics model was established. The molecular dynamics analysis showed that the adhesion force was only related to the type of atom, and the applied pressure did not change the adhesion force. According to the simulation results, the tangential adhesion between the metal and the wafer is greater than that between the ceramic and the wafer, the adsorption force between the aluminum–magnesium alloy and the silicon wafer is shown in the normal direction, and the repulsion force between other materials and the silicon wafer is shown in the normal direction. During the pressure process, the metal is in the elastic deformation stage between the metal and the wafer, the wafer is plastically deformed in the silicon carbide ceramic and wafer, and the wafer is elastically deformed in the alumina ceramic and wafer. In this paper, the adhesion between the substrate and the wafer is studied, a method of constructing microarrays to enhance adhesion is proposed, and the tangential deformation of the array unit under pressure is studied, which provides theoretical support for increasing the adhesion by constructing microarrays.