bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung Ultrasound Reproducibly Outperforms Computed Tomography in the Detection of Extravascular Lung Water in Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis
Authors: Corcoran John P. , Hew Mark , Attwood Ben , Shyamsundar Murali , Sutherland Sheera , Ventura Kristine , Benamore Rachel , St. Noble Victoria , Piotrowska Hania E. , Pugh Christopher W. , Laursen Christian B. , Gleeson Fergus V. , Rahman Najib M.
Published: March 2024

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is increasingly used as an extension of physical examination, informing clinical diagnosis, and decision making. There is particular interest in the assessment of patients with pulmonary congestion and extravascular lung water, although gaps remain in the evidence base underpinning this practice as a result of the limited evaluation of its inter-rater reliability and comparison with more established radiologic tests. Methods: 30 patients undergoing haemodialysis were prospectively recruited to an observational cohort study (NCT01949402). Patients underwent standardised LUS assessment before, during and after haemodialysis; their total LUS B-line score was generated, alongside a binary label of whether appearances were consistent with an interstitial syndrome. LUS video clips were recorded and independently scored by two blinded expert clinician sonographers. Low-dose non-contrast thoracic CT, pre- and post dialysis, was used as a “gold standard” radiologic comparison. Results: LUS detected a progressive reduction in B-line scores in almost all patients undergoing haemodialysis, correlating with the volume of fluid removed once individuals with no or minimal B-lines upon pre-dialysis examination were discounted. When comparing CT scans pre- and post dialysis, radiologic evidence of the change in fluid status was only identified in a single patient. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that LUS detects changes in extravascular lung water caused by changing fluid status during haemodialysis using a blinded outcome assessment and that LUS appears to be more sensitive than CT for this purpose. Further research is needed to better understand the role of LUS in this and similar patient populations, with the aim of improving clinical care and outcomes.
Color-Transfer-Enhanced Data Construction and Validation for Deep Learning-Based Upper Gastrointestinal Landmark Classification in Wireless Capsule Endoscopy
Authors: Kim Hyeon-Seo , Cho Byungwoo , Park Jong-Oh , Kang Byungjeon
Published: March 2024

While the adoption of wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) has been steadily increasing, its primary application remains limited to observing the small intestine, with relatively less application in the upper gastrointestinal tract. However, there is a growing anticipation that advancements in capsule endoscopy technology will lead to a significant increase in its application in upper gastrointestinal examinations. This study addresses the underexplored domain of landmark identification within the upper gastrointestinal tract using WCE, acknowledging the limited research and public datasets available in this emerging field. To contribute to the future development of WCE for gastroscopy, a novel approach is proposed. Utilizing color transfer techniques, a simulated WCE dataset tailored for the upper gastrointestinal tract is created. Using Euclidean distance measurements, the similarity between this color-transferred dataset and authentic WCE images is verified. Pioneering the exploration of anatomical landmark classification with WCE data, this study integrates similarity evaluation with image preprocessing and deep learning techniques, specifically employing the DenseNet169 model. As a result, utilizing the color-transferred dataset achieves an anatomical landmark classification accuracy exceeding 90% in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, the application of sharpen and detail filters demonstrates an increase in classification accuracy from 91.32% to 94.06%.
A Kalman Filtering Algorithm for Measurement Interruption Based on Polynomial Interpolation and Taylor Expansion
Authors: Cheng Jianhua , Wang Zili , Qi Bing , Wang He
Published: March 2024

Combined SINS/GPS navigation systems have been widely used. However, when the traditional combined SINS/GPS navigation system travels between tall buildings, in the shade of trees, or through tunnels, the GPS encounters frequent signal blocking, which leads to the interruption of GPS signals, and as a result, the combined SINS/GPS-based navigation method degenerates into a pure inertial guidance system, which will lead to the accumulation of navigation errors. In this paper, an adaptive Kalman filtering algorithm based on polynomial fitting and a Taylor expansion is proposed. Through the navigation information output from the inertial guidance system, the polynomial interpolation method is used to construct the velocity equation and position equation of the carrier, and then the Taylor expansion is used to construct the virtual measurement at the moment of the GPS signal interruption, which can make up for the impact of the lack of measurement information on the combined SINS/GPS navigation system when the GPS signal is interrupted. The results of computer simulation experiments and road measurement tests based on the loosely combined SINS/GPS navigation system show that when the carrier faces a GPS signal interruption situation, compared with a combined SINS/GPS navigation algorithm that does not take any rescue measures, our proposed combined SINS/GPS navigation algorithm possesses a higher accuracy in the attitude angle estimation, a higher accuracy in the velocity estimation, and a higher accuracy in the positional localization, and the system possesses higher stability.
Educational Research on the Use of Virtual Reality Combined with a Practice Teaching Style in Physical Education: A Qualitative Study from the Perspective of Researchers
Authors: Bores-García Daniel , Cano-de-la-Cuerda Roberto , Espada María , Romero-Parra Nuria , Fernández-Vázquez Diego , Delfa-De-La-Morena José Manuel , Navarro-López Víctor , Palacios-Ceña Domingo
Published: March 2024

(1) Background: the scientific literature has shown that students’ active involvement in the teaching–learning process significantly improves their learning outcomes. (2) Methods: this study shows the perceptions of seven researchers on the process of inquiring about the effects of the combined use of virtual reality (VR) and a practice teaching style in physical education in secondary educational institutions. (3) Results: the results obtained from the researchers’ diaries and the focus group, through qualitative design, are arranged in the following categories: difficulties in data collection before, during, and after the intervention; perceived differences between VR interventions in laboratory situations and educational contexts; and the perceived transferability of the use of VR devices in the educational context. (4) Conclusions: more research is needed on the use of VR in the educational context, although the results obtained indicate that the teaching–learning process can be enriched by overcoming the difficulties inherent to the use of this technology in a variable context such as education.
Catalyzing Organizational Change for Equity in Graduate Education: A Case Study of Adopting Collective Impact in a College of Engineering
Authors: Lee Walter C. , Holloman Teirra K. , Knight David B. , Huggins Natali , Matusovich Holly M. , Brisbane Julia
Published: March 2024

Graduate education in engineering is an extremely challenging, complex entity that is difficult to change. The purpose of this exploratory research paper was to investigate the applicability of the Collective Impact framework, which has been used within community organizing contexts, to organize the change efforts of a center focused on advancing equitable graduate education within engineering. We sought to understand how the conditions of Collective Impact (i.e., common agenda, backbone organization, mutually reinforcing activities, shared measurement system, and continuous communication) could facilitate the organization of equity-focused change efforts across a college of engineering at a single institution. To achieve this, we took an action research approach. We found the Collective Impact framework to be a useful tool for organizing cross-sectional partnerships to facilitate equity-focused change in graduate education; we also found the five conditions of Collective Impact to be applicable to the higher education context, with some intentional considerations and modifications. Through coordinated efforts, the Collective Impact framework can support the goal of reorienting existing decentralized structures, resource flows, and decision processes to foster bottom-up and top-down change processes to advance equitable support for graduate students.
Signal Separation Method for Radiation Sources Based on a Parallel Denoising Autoencoder
Authors: Tang Xusheng , Wei Mingfeng
Published: March 2024

Radiation source signal sorting in complex environments is currently a hot issue in the field of electronic countermeasures. The pulse repetition interval (PRI) can provide stable and obvious parametric features in radiation source identification, which is an important parameter relying on the signal sorting problem. To solve the problem linked to the difficulties in sorting the PRI in complex environments using the traditional method, a signal sorting method based on a parallel denoising autoencoder is proposed. This method implements the binarized preprocessing of known time-of-arrival (TOA) sequences and then constructs multiple parallel denoising autoencoder models using fully connected layers to achieve the simultaneous sorting of multiple signal types in the overlapping signals. The experimental results show that this method maintains high precision in scenarios prone to large error and can efficiently filter out noise and highlight the original features of the signal. In addition, the present model maintains its performance and some robustness in the sorting of different signal types. Compared with the traditional algorithm, this method improves the precision of sorting. The algorithm presented in this study still maintains above 90% precision when the pulse loss rate reaches 50%.
Improving the Performance of Automatic Lip-Reading Using Image Conversion Techniques
Authors: Lee Ki-Seung
Published: March 2024

Variation in lighting conditions is a major cause of performance degradation in pattern recognition when using optical imaging. In this study, infrared (IR) and depth images were considered as possible robust alternatives against variations in illumination, particularly for improving the performance of automatic lip-reading. The variations due to lighting conditions were quantitatively analyzed for optical, IR, and depth images. Then, deep neural network (DNN)-based lip-reading rules were built for each image modality. Speech recognition techniques based on IR or depth imaging required an additional light source that emitted light in the IR range, along with a special camera. To mitigate this problem, we propose a method that does not use an IR/depth image directly, but instead estimates images based on the optical RGB image. To this end, a modified U-net was adopted to estimate the IR/depth image from an optical RGB image. The results show that the IR and depth images were rarely affected by the lighting conditions. The recognition rates for the optical, IR, and depth images were 48.29%, 95.76%, and 92.34%, respectively, under various lighting conditions. Using the estimated IR and depth images, the recognition rates were 89.35% and 80.42%, respectively. This was significantly higher than for the optical RGB images.
On the Performance of Partial LIS for 6G Systems
Authors: Marques da Silva Mário , Gashtasbi Ali , Dinis Rui , Pembele Gelson , Correia Américo , Guerreiro João
Published: March 2024

One of the key technologies of 6G communications relies on large intelligent surfaces (LIS), which can be viewed as a near-field beamformer that is supportive of extremely high symbol rates and enables a high level of interference avoidance. This article focuses on LIS systems, analysing the impact of the use of a whole LIS system or a subset of an antenna array. We analyse an LIS system associated with a single carrier with frequency domain equalization (SC-FDE), and with different receiver types of varying complexities. Because it is a function of the number of antennas, the computational complexity decreases when antenna elements that are closer to the user equipment are used instead of the whole LIS. Moreover, with a partial LIS, a reduction of energy consumption is achieved, and mitigation of the interference levels is obtained, allowing a performance very close to that obtained with the whole LIS system.
Fault Ride-Through Method for Interline Power Flow Controller Based on DC Current Limiter
Authors: Li Jiajun , Shi Huabo , Li Baohong , Jiang Qin , Yin Yue , Zhang Yingmin , Liu Tianqi , Nie Chang
Published: March 2024

The interline power flow controller (IPFC) based on a modular multilevel converter with a half-bridge configuration can control the active and reactive power flows of multiple alternating current (AC) lines. However, it forms a multiterminal system on the direct current (DC) side, which leads to DC faults. To reduce the protection and clearance requirements on the DC side of IPFCs, this paper proposes a hybrid current limiter topology suitable for generating a DC-side fault ride-through scheme. The current limiter employs a low-loss branch in steady-state conditions; when the fault occurs, a commutation capacitor and controllable power electronic devices are used to transfer the fault current to the current-limiting branch. To clarify the operating principles of the current limiter, the working states of each stage and electrical stress of each device are analyzed. Different components with varying limiter parameters are also discussed, and optimal parameters to achieve the best limitation effect are discussed. PSCAD simulations show that the proposed limiter can limit the overcurrent effectively, and DC-side fault clearance can be achieved easily with this fault ride-through strategy.
Multi-Objective Optimization Strategy for Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Trucks Based on Driving Patern Recognition
Authors: Lyu Renzhi , Wang Zhenpo , Zhang Zhaosheng
Published: March 2024

Fuel cell hybrid electric trucks have become a cutting-edge field in understanding urban traffic emissions due to their enormous potential in low-carbon areas. In order to improve the economy of fuel cell hybrid electric trucks and reduce the decline of fuel cell lifespan, this paper proposes a multi-objective energy management strategy that optimizes weight coefficients. On the basis of establishing a fuel cell battery hybrid system model, three modes of uniform speed, acceleration, and deceleration were identified through clustering analysis of vehicle speed. Reinforcement learning algorithms were used to learn the corresponding weights for different modes, which reduced the decline in fuel cell life while improving the economic efficiency. The simulation results indicate that, under the conditions of no load, half load, and full load, the truck only sacrificed 0.9–5.6%, 1.7–2.6%, and 1.2–1.6% SOC, saving 5.7–6.45%, 5.9–6.67%, and 6.1–6.67% in lifespan loss, and reducing hydrogen consumption by 3.0–7.1%, 2.8–4.4%, and 1.0–3.0%, respectively.
Consecutive Fertilization-Promoted Soil Nutrient Availability and Altered Rhizosphere Bacterial and Bulk Fungal Community Composition
Authors: Wang Wenbo , Yang Yuanyuan , Li Jinge , Bu Pengtu , Lu Aijun , Wang Hao , He Wenxing , Santos Bermudez Ramon , Feng Jian
Published: March 2024

Fertilization is an important measure to quickly supplement the soil nutrients required for plantation productivity. However, the response patterns of the microbial community and functional taxa in Larix plantation root, rhizosphere, and bulk soil to short-term and consecutive fertilization have rarely been reported. In this study, we assessed Larix root, rhizosphere, and bulk soil microbial community on days 0, 5, 15, and 30 after the first inorganic fertilization and after three consecutive years of fertilization. The bacterial 16S and fungal ITS high-throughput sequencing technology were used to monitor changes in microbial community composition and potential functional groups, as well as changes in soil nutrient content and enzyme activity to evaluate the status of plantation soil productivity. Consecutive fertilization treatment significantly increased the available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) content and soil enzyme activity. The nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) results showed that there were significant differences in microbial community composition in root samples, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil samples. The dominant microbial taxa were different between root and soil microbial community composition. Consecutive fertilization treatment had little effect on endophytic microbial community but significantly increased the abundance of Gaiellales in rhizosphere soil and Mortierella in bulk soil. The redundancy analysis (RDA) and co-occurrence network analyses showed that Gaiellales and Mortierellales had significant positive correlations with soil nutrient content and enzyme activity. The fungal functional group compositions were significantly affected by consecutive fertilization treatment and the proportions of ectomycorrhizal and saprotroph significantly decreased, but the proportion of endophyte significantly increased in bulk soil samples. Our results suggested that consecutive fertilization may promote soil nutrient availability by increasing the abundance of Gaiellales and Mortierella. Consecutive fertilization maintained the balance of the soil microbiota under Larix plantation and had a positive effect on promoting soil nutrient availability. This study provided a theoretical basis for consecutive fertilization to promote soil nutrient availability through specific microbial groups.
Effect of High-Intensity Microwave Treatment on Structural and Chemical Characteristics of Chinese Fir
Authors: Liao Xiaomei , Fang Xuan , Gao Xin , Yi Songlin , Zhou Yongdong
Published: March 2024

High-intensity microwave (HIMW) treatment is a time-saving and environmentally friendly method widely applied in the wood processing industry. It enhances wood permeability, making it suitable for drying and impregnation modification. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HIMW on macroscopic and microscopic cracks, tracheid cell wall damage, and the chemical structure of Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook] wood. Through the use of a camera, optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, the morphology of cracks, cell wall damage, the chemical composition of the cell wall, and the crystalline structure of cellulose treated with HIMW were examined and analyzed. The results revealed that the initial moisture content (MC) and microwave energy density (MWED) significantly influenced the crack characteristics and cell wall structure and slightly influenced the chemical composition and crystalline structure of cellulose of the Chinese fir cell wall. HIMW treatment can produce different characteristics of wood cracks. The size and number of cracks were significantly increased with the increase in MWED, and more cracks were found in low MC. Microcracks caused by HIMW treatment tended to initiate at the ray parenchyma, resulting in the stripping of ray cells along its radial direction. Meanwhile, the cracking of adjacent cell junctions, the rupturing of the pit margo and pit torus, and cell wall parts tearing along the direction of microfibers occurred as a result of the HIMW treatment. The most severe damage to the cell walls occurred at the interface of S1/S2, S1, and ML layers, and the cell walls were torn in the S2 layer. There were no significant changes in the FTIR spectra of the HIMW treatment samples. Hemicellulose degradation occurred first, which increased with the increase in MWED. The recrystallization of cellulose and the lignin content increased because of the change in the aromatic C=O groups. As MWED increased, both the crystallinity index (CI) and cellulose crystal width (D200) of the samples that underwent HIMW treatment increased accordingly, and the number of low-MC samples was greater than that of the high-MC samples. The findings contribute to understanding the crack characteristics and damage mechanism induced by HIMW treatment on wood. This study provides valuable insights into regulating the effects of HIMW treatment and expanding its application in wood processing, such as wood drying and functionalized impregnation, according to the specific end-use requirements.
Penicillium janthinellum: A Potential Producer of Natural Products
Authors: Wang Han , Li Yanjing , Wang Yifei , Shi Ting , Wang Bo
Published: March 2024

Penicillium is a kind of common filamentous fungi yielding high levels of secondary metabolites with diverse structures and attractive activities. Among these fungi, Penicillium janthinellum is a potential producer of secondary metabolites whose natural products have been noticed due to their various chemical structures and biological activities. This review summarizes the sources, distribution, bioactivities and structural characteristics of compounds isolated from P. janthinellum from 1980 to 2023. A total of 153 natural products have been isolated from P. janthinellum, of which 65 were new compounds. The compounds separated from P. janthinellum exhibit diverse skeletal chemical structures, concentrated in the categories of polyketides (40%), alkaloids (31%) and terpenoids (14%). P. janthinellum-derived compounds display attractive biological activities, such as cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. These results indicate that P. janthinellum is a potential fungus for producing bioactive secondary metabolites which can be used as precursors for new drugs.
Enhanced Methanogenesis of Waste-Activated Sludge (WAS) in a Continuous Stirring Tank Reactor with Stealth Electrodes
Authors: He Wen , Zhang Dahai , Zhang Lu , Ai Zhuanyi , Guo Zechong , Yang Tongyi , Zhai Linzhi , Huang Cheng
Published: March 2024

The integration of a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is an effective strategy for enhancing the efficiency and stability of an anaerobic digestion (AD) system for energy recovery from waste-activated sludge (WAS). Typically, electrodes are arranged as separate components, potentially disrupting mixing and complicating the reactor configuration, posing challenges for the scaling up of AD-MEC coupling systems. In this study, electrodes were introduced into a continuous stirring tank reactor (CSTR) in a “stealth” manner by integrating them with the inner wall and stirring paddle. This electrode arrangement approach was validated through a sequential batch digestion experiment, resulting in a remarkable 1.5-fold increase in cumulative methane production and a shortened lag period compared to the traditional CSTR with a nonconductive inner wall and stirring paddle. Both the conductive materials (CMs) employed in the electrodes and the electrochemical processes equally contributed to the observed enhancement effect of the electrodes by regulating the evolution of the microbial community within the electrode biofilms, with a specific emphasis on the enrichment of methanogens (primarily Methanobacterium). This research offers a potential avenue to solve the contradiction between the electrode introduction and the mixing operation in AD-MEC coupling systems and to contribute to its future commercial application.
A Review of the Functional Characteristics and Applications of Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui Berry), in the Food Industry
Authors: García-Milla Paula , Peñalver Rocío , Nieto Gema
Published: March 2024

The Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz, also known as Maqui, is an endemic berry native to southern Chile. It is a very popular berry for its nutritional attributes and health benefits, provided mainly by its polyphenols. This review aims to investigate the Maqui and its nutritional characteristics, its health benefits, and the application of Maqui in the food industry. This fruit provides 150 calories per 100 g of product and has a low protein content and a high fiber content. Its seeds contain monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); however, its most outstanding feature is its high value of bioactive compounds, mainly anthocyanins, indole alkaloids and flavonoids, coumarins, caffeic and ferulic acids, and delphinidin 3-O-β-glucoside, the latter being the most representative, providing Maqui with high antioxidant activity. Maqui is considered a fruit of high interest as a nutraceutical product for the control and prevention of ongoing diseases, and among its benefits, we can highlight glycemic and metabolic control; the control and prevention of obesity, cancer, cognitive decline, and dementia; the prevention and treatment of bone structure alterations; prevention against oxidative stress, particularly in cigarette smoke-induced stress. In addition to its nutraceutical use, Maqui has been used in the food industry to improve the shelf life (by controlling lipid oxidation) and nutritional value of food products and as a substitute for synthetic additives. In addition, the inclusion of Maqui improves the organoleptic and sensory characteristics of foods. The incorporation of this fruit has been observed mainly in drinks, meat products, bakery products, and milk products. Evidence has shown that Maqui consumption, as well as products with Maqui added, have a good acceptability and exert benefits on people’s health. Knowledge about the application of Maqui in food will allow us to create new nutraceutical and food products that improve their nutritional and functional value.
Application of L-Cysteine Hydrochloride Delays the Ripening of Harvested Tomato Fruit
Authors: Song Yunbo , Liang Hanzhi , Peng Jiechun , Ding Shenghua , Duan Xuewu , Shan Yang
Published: March 2024

Fruit ripening is controlled by internal factors such as hormones and genetic regulators, as well as external environmental factors. However, the impact of redox regulation on fruit ripening remains elusive. Here, we explored the effects of L-cysteine hydrochloride (LCH), an antioxidant, on tomato fruit ripening and elucidated the underlying mechanism. The application of LCH effectively delayed tomato fruit ripening, leading to the suppression of carotenoid and lycopene biosynthesis and chlorophyll degradation, and a delayed respiration peak. Moreover, LCH-treated fruit exhibited reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation and increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), compared with control fruit. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that a substantial number of genes related to ethylene biosynthesis (ACS2, ACS4, ACO1, ACO3), carotenoid biosynthesis (PSY, PDS, ZDS, CRTISO), cell wall degradation (PG1/2, PL, TBG4, XTH4), and ripening-related regulators (RIN, NOR, AP2a, DML2) were downregulated by LCH, resulting in delayed ripening. These findings suggest that the application of LCH delays the ripening of harvested tomato fruit by modulating the redox balance and suppressing the expression of ripening-related genes.
Plant-Based Fermented Beverages: Nutritional Composition, Sensory Properties, and Health Benefits
Authors: Hidalgo-Fuentes Belén , de Jesús-José Edgar , Cabrera-Hidalgo Anselmo de J. , Sandoval-Castilla Ofelia , Espinosa-Solares Teodoro , González-Reza Ricardo. M. , Zambrano-Zaragoza María L. , Liceaga Andrea M. , Aguilar-Toalá José E.
Published: March 2024

Plant-based beverages have gained consumers’ attention for being the main substitutes for dairy milk, especially for people with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, and a prevalence of hypercholesterolemia. Moreover, there is a growing demand for a more sustainable diet and plant-based lifestyle due to concerns related to animal wellbeing, environmental impacts linked to dairy production, and the rising cost of animal-derived foods. However, there are some factors that restrict plant-based beverage consumption, including their nutritional quality and poor sensory profile. In this context, fermentation processes can contribute to the improvement of their sensory properties, nutritional composition, and functional/bioactive profile. In particular, the fermentation process can enhance flavor compounds (e.g., acetoin and acetic acid) while decreasing off-flavor components (e.g., hexanal and hexanol) in the substrate. Furthermore, it enhances the digestibility and bioavailability of nutrients, leading to increased levels of vitamins (e.g., ascorbic acid and B complex), amino acids (e.g., methionine and tryptophan), and proteins, while simultaneously decreasing the presence of anti-nutritional factors (e.g., phytic acid and saponins). In contrast, plant-based fermented beverages have been demonstrated to possess diverse bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenols and peptides) with different biological properties (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive). Therefore, this article provides an overview of plant-based fermented beverages including their production, technological aspects, and health benefits.
Effect of Natural Food Product Interventions on Chronic Diseases
Authors: Wu Tao
Published: March 2024

With the rise in people’s living standards, chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases have become predominant [...]
Injectable Hydrogels for Nervous Tissue Repair—A Brief Review
Authors: Politrón-Zepeda Gladys Arline , Fletes-Vargas Gabriela , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Rogelio
Published: March 2024

The repair of nervous tissue is a critical research field in tissue engineering because of the degenerative process in the injured nervous system. In this review, we summarize the progress of injectable hydrogels using in vitro and in vivo studies for the regeneration and repair of nervous tissue. Traditional treatments have not been favorable for patients, as they are invasive and inefficient; therefore, injectable hydrogels are promising for the treatment of damaged tissue. This review will contribute to a better understanding of injectable hydrogels as potential scaffolds and drug delivery system for neural tissue engineering applications.
Real-Time Automated Geosteering Interpretation Combining Log Interpretation and 3D Horizon Tracking
Authors: D’Angelo John , Zhao Zeyu , Zhang Yifan , Ashok Pradeepkumar , Chen Dongmei , van Oort Eric
Published: March 2024

Existing methods for estimating formation boundaries from well-log data only analyze the formation along the wellbore, failing to capture changes in the 3D formation structure around it. This paper presents a method for real-time 3D formation boundary interpretation using readily available well logs and seismic image data. In the proposed workflow, the mean formation boundary is estimated as a curve following the well path. 3D surfaces are then fitted through this boundary curve, aligning with the slopes and features in the seismic image data. The proposed method is tested on both synthetic and field datasets and illustrates the capabilities of accurate boundary estimation near the well path and precise representation of boundary shape changes further away from the well trajectory. With this fully automated geological interpretation workflow, human bias and interpretation uncertainty can be minimized. Subsurface conditions can be continually updated while drilling to optimize drilling decisions and further automate the geosteering process.
Inventory of Landslides in the Northern Half of the Taihang Mountain Range, China
Authors: Zhang Xuewei , Xu Chong , Li Lei , Feng Liye , Yang Wentao
Published: March 2024

The Taihang Mountains are a critical mountain range and geographical boundary in eastern China. Landslide disasters are particularly common in this region and usually cause serious casualties and property damage. However, previous landslide inventories in the region are limited and lack comprehensive landslide cataloguing. To address this gap, the northern half of the Taihang Mountain Range was selected for this study. A landslide database for the area was constructed using multi-temporal high-resolution optical imagery from the Google Earth and human–computer interactive visual interpretation technology. The results indicate that at least 8349 landslides have occurred in the Taihang Mountain Range, with a total landslide area of about 151.61 km2. The size of the landslides varies, averaging about 18,159.23 m2, with the largest landslide covering 2.83 km2 and the smallest landslide only 5.95 m2. The significance of this study lies in its ability to enhance our understanding of the distribution of landslides in the northern half of the Taihang Mountains. Furthermore, it offers valuable data references and supports for landslide assessment, early warning systems, disaster management, and ecological protection efforts.
Quality of Life and Associated Factors among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand
Authors: Witwaranukool Porawan , Seedadard Ratchadapa , Krongthaeo Suphanna , Leaungsomnapa Yosapon
Published: March 2024

The dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly changed since its initial outbreak. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy in the specific context of Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 415 patients with cancer. Instruments used were a demographic and clinical characteristics form, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (cancer symptom burden), Strategies Used by People to Promote Health (self-care self-efficacy), and a Thai version of the Brief Form of the WHO Quality of Life Assessment. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The participants had an average age of 56 years. They reported a moderate level of QoL across all domains and for the overall QoL during the pandemic. The results of the multiple linear regression model indicated that positive self-care self-efficacy, being married, having health insurance, stage of chemotherapy, and reduced cancer symptom burden were significant predictors of overall QoL (adjusted R2 = 0.4940). Positive self-care self-efficacy also emerged as a primary predictor, positively influencing all QoL domains and overall QoL (p < 0.001). These findings emphasize the significance of self-care self-efficacy in enhancing the QoL of patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy during the pandemic. Integrating interventions to bolster self-care self-efficacy into the care plans for these patients can help them manage their symptoms, cope with the side effects of cancer treatment, and enhance their overall well-being.
Beyond Therapeutic Adherence: Alternative Pathways for Understanding Medical Treatment in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Cleves-Valencia Juan José , Roncancio-Moreno Mónica , De Luca Picione Raffaele
Published: March 2024

Given the psychosocial and economic costs of behaviors of patients who seem not to benefit from the medications, technologies, and medical therapies available for chronic diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, therapeutic adherence has been identified as one of the main focuses in the intervention. This paper presents contributions from semiotic cultural clinical psychology for understanding problems associated with the implementation of medical treatment in patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus to explore psychological dimensions not yet reported in depth. A narrative review of 24 scientific articles published between 2012 and 2023 is carried out. The information is produced through thematic analysis, and the results are presented in three themes: 1. illness characteristics, 2. adherence and associated concepts, and 3. modes of intervention. It concludes with the development of a two-axis proposal for understanding the experience of patients that privileges psychological aspects involved in the disease and its treatment, considering the approach to the goals of treatment as dynamic and fluctuating rather than as final states.
Women’s Health Information-Seeking Experiences and Preferences for Health Communications on FDA-Regulated Products: A Qualitative Study in Urban Area
Authors: Abdelwadoud Moaz , Huang Jennifer , Villalonga-Olives Ester , dosReis Susan , Jansky Liz , Mullins C. Daniel , Kusinitz Marc , Ovelmen Heather , Ju Julia
Published: March 2024

A key part of any effort to ensure informed health care decision-making among the public is access to reliable and relevant health-related information. We conducted focus groups with women from three generations across the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area to explore their information-seeking motivations, perceptions, challenges, and preferences regarding three FDA-regulated products: drugs, vaccines, and medical devices. The youngest generation discussed seeking health information for their children; the other two sought information for their own needs. All participants noted that finding health information appropriate to their reading level was a challenge, as was identifying reliable sources of information. All generations identified in-person and live interactions as their preferred method of communication and health care providers as their preferred source for information. All three generations recognized the usefulness of websites, and the two older generations acknowledged the advantages of brochures. Our findings suggest approaches the FDA could consider to improve communications: (a) supporting in-person and live health information interactions; (b) leveraging the agency’s standing with the public to highlight it as a leading source of validated health information; (c) increasing the FDA website’s visibility in internet searches and making its navigation easier; and (d) using multi-pronged approaches and media for various audiences.
Thyroid Cancer Survival in the Multiethnic Cohort Study
Authors: Abe Janine V. , Park Song-Yi , Haiman Christopher A. , Cheng Iona , Le Marchand Loïc , Hernandez Brenda Y. , Wilkens Lynne R.
Published: March 2024

Objective: The US 5-year survival rate after thyroid cancer (TC) diagnosis is over 95%. Our aim was to investigate survival differences by sex and race and ethnicity in a multiethnic US population. Design: In the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) study, a total of 605 incident TC cases were identified by linkage to HI and CA statewide cancer registries. Cox models were performed to compare the risk of all-cause mortality among TC cases by sex and race and ethnicity, with adjustment for age, first course of treatment, baseline body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, and neighborhood socioeconomic status. Survival among cases was also compared to matched MEC controls with no thyroid cancer. Results: After a mean follow-up of 10.1 years, 250 deaths occurred among TC cases, including 63 deaths attributed to thyroid cancer. The median survival was 14.7 years, and the 5-year age-adjusted overall survival was 84.4% for female cases and 68.7% for male cases (p < 0.0001, HR 2.28 (95% CI: 1.72, 3.01)). Age-adjusted survival was lower among African American, Native Hawaiian, and Filipino cases, compared to Japanese American cases, with Whites and Latinos being intermediate. Men and Filipinos were found to have excess mortality due to thyroid cancer compared to controls (adjusted HR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.74; HR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.53, respectively). Conclusions: Sex and racial and ethnic disparities in survival among TC cases were similar to those found in the general population. However, cases with TC had an excess risk of death among males and for Filipinos.
Crossing Boundaries: The Ethics of AI and Geographic Information Technologies
Authors: Oluoch Isaac
Published: March 2024

Over the past two decades, there has been increasing research on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information technologies for monitoring and mapping varying phenomena on the Earth’s surface. At the same time, there has been growing attention given to the ethical challenges that these technologies present (both individually and collectively in fields such as critical cartography, ethics of AI and GeoAI). This attention has produced a growing number of critical commentaries and articles as well as guidelines (by academic, governmental, and private institutions) that have been drafted to raise these ethical challenges and suggest potential solutions. This paper presents a review of 16 ethical guidelines of AI and 8 guidelines of geographic information technologies, analysing how these guidelines define and employ a number of ethical values and principles (e.g., autonomy, bias, privacy, and consent). One of the key findings from this review is the asymmetrical mentioning of certain values and principles within the guidelines. The AI guidelines make very clear the potential of AI to negatively impact social and environmental justice, autonomy, fairness and dignity, while far less attention is given to these impacts in the geographic information guidelines. This points to a need for the geo-information guidelines to be more attentive to the role geographic information can play in disempowering individuals and groups.
Digital Games Adopted by Adults—A Documental Approach through Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pinheiro Alessandro , Oliveira Abílio , Alturas Bráulio , Cruz Mónica
Published: March 2024

The gaming industry has seen a considerable expansion thanks to the ever-increasing and widespread consumption of digital games in different contexts of use and across all age groups. We are witnessing a commercial boom and awakening the attention of researchers from different scientific areas to address an interdisciplinary topic. Digital games consumption has inspired some studies investigating the use and adoption of these games and, in this context, we ask: “how has the use and adoption of digital games by adults been studied?”. We conducted a documental study with a meta-analysis approach to answer these questions, considering the most relevant research papers published in the last fifteen years, according to a set of inclusion criteria. The planned objectives consider identifying the main dimensions in the studies about the use and adoption of digital games by adults and the findings of this study delineate several dimensions as prospective latent variables for inclusion in future studies within acceptance models for digital games. Furthermore, our research illuminates the socialization dimension, particularly when amalgamated with other conceptual dimensions. This nuanced understanding underscores the intricate interplay between various factors influencing the acceptance and adoption of digital gaming technologies.
Discovery of Novel Potential Insecticide-Resistance Mutations in Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Cai Yuhao , Chen Huilin , Hu Mengfan , Wang Xuegui , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2024

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a worldwide agricultural pest that invaded China in 2018, and has developed resistance to multiple insecticides. The evolution of insecticide resistance is facilitated by mutations of target genes responsible for conferring resistance. In this study, amplicon sequencing analyzed 21 sites in six resistance genes. In addition to known mutations, unknown variants were also found, including novel variants: F290C (ace-1 gene, 0.1% frequency), I1040T/V (CHSA gene, 0.1% frequency), A309T (GluCl gene, 0.1% frequency), and I4790T/V (RyR gene, 0.1% frequency). Additionally, molecular docking was employed to investigate the impact of the aforementioned new mutations on insecticide binding to proteins. The analyses indicated that the binding abilities were reduced, similar to the resistance mutations that were reported, implying these novel mutations may confer transitional resistance. This study may provide a foundation for understanding the functions of these novel mutations in the evolutionary processes that drive the emergence of insecticide resistance in this invasive species.
Pulmonary Artery Dilatation Due to Pressure or Volume Overload in Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Kaldararova Monika , Bobocka Katarina , Kantorova Andrea , Drangova Erika , Polakova Mistinova Jana , Klauco Filip , Hlavata Tereza , Reptova Adriana , Valkovicova Tatiana , Simkova Iveta
Published: March 2024

Background: Pulmonary artery dilatation is described mostly in association with pulmonary hypertension. Patients/Methods: Study analysis: 60 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension in congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD); 64 with repaired tetralogy of Fallot/pulmonary regurgitation (rTOF/PR); and 80 healthy (NORMAL). Measured were: main pulmonary artery (MPA) diameter and MPA/ascending aorta (Ao asc) ratio, by echocardiography (ECHO) and computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI). Results: In MPA diameter, significant differences between PAH-CHD, rTOF/PR, and NORMAL were found (median): 37 vs. 27 vs. 21 mm (p < 0.0001). In MPA/Ao asc ratio, there was a difference between PAH-CHD and NORMAL (median): 1.3 vs. 0.8 (p < 0.0001), but not between rTOF/PR and NORMAL: 0.74 vs. 0.8 (p = 0.3). Significant MPA dilatation (>40 mm) was present: in PAH-CHD, 35% (ECHO) and 76.9% (CT/MRI) of patients, while in rTOF/PR, 3.1% (ECHO) and 7.8% (CT/MRI). Severe MPA dilatation (>50 mm) occurred only in PAH-CHD: 16.7% (ECHO) and 31.4% (CT/MRI), while not in rTOF/PR. There was a significant correlation between ECHO and CT/MRI measurements, but ECHO was underestimated in all parameters. Conclusions: MPA dilatation due to pressure overload is more frequent and more severe; volume overload also leads to MPA dilatation but is less severe. The MPA/Ao asc ratio is not reliable for MPA dilatation estimation in rTOF/PR.
Platelet Reduction after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Results from the PORTRAIT Study
Authors: Jiritano Federica , Di Mauro Michele , Serraino Giuseppe Filiberto , Mastroroberto Pasquale , Caporali Elena , Ferrari Enrico , Kowalewski Mariusz , Scrofani Roberto , Patanè Leonardo , Visicchio Giuseppe , Paparella Domenico , Falcetta Giosuè , Colli Andrea , Matteucci Matteo , Cappabianca Giangiuseppe , Pollari Francesco , Fischlein Theodor , Lorusso Roberto
Published: March 2024

Background: An unexplained condition that follows transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is platelet count reduction (PR). According to published research, patients with balloon-expandable valves (BEVs) had a greater PR than those with self-expandable valves (SEVs). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical effects of PR following TAVI. Methods: In total, 1.122 adult TAVI patients were enrolled. Propensity score matching was carried out in a 1:1 ratio between patients with BEVs and those with SEVs. The analysis included changes in platelet count, in-hospital mortality, and early postoperative adverse events. Results: Notably, 632 patients were matched (BEV:316; SEV:316). All patients’ post-procedural platelet counts changed according to a parabolic curve, using a mixed regression model for repeated analyses (estimate = −0.931; standard error = 0.421; p = 0.027). The platelet count varied comparably in patients with BEVs and SEVs (estimate = −4.276, standard error = 4.760, p = 0.369). The average time for obtaining the nadir platelet count value was three days after implantation (BEV: 146 (108–181) vs. SEV: 149 (120–186); p = 0.142). Overall, 14.6% of patients (92/632) had post-procedural platelet count <100,000/µL. There was no difference between the two prosthesis types (BEV:51/316; SEV:41/316; p = 0.266). Thrombocytopenia was found to be significantly linked to blood product transfusions, lengthier stays in the intensive care unit and hospital, and in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: TAVI, irrespective of the type of implanted valve, is linked to a significant but temporary PR. Thrombocytopenia increases the risk of serious complications and in-hospital death in TAVI patients. To explore and clarify the causes and associated effects, further prospective research is necessary.