bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of the ideotype in future agricultural production
Authors: Carbajal-Friedrich Alonso A. J. , Burgess Alexandra J.
Published: January 2024

The crop ideotype was first defined by Donald in 1968 as an idealised structural model of a plant which can theoretically attain maximum yield quantity and quality within a given environment. Many of the major crop species have proposed ideotypes. For example, in wheat (Triticum aestivum), suggested characteristics include a short strong stem, few erect, small leaves and large ears. Breeding for crop ideotypes is a continuous process as beneficial traits are updated to match current needs. Government organisations such as the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in the United Kingdom, publish a recommended list of varieties each year, and so we hypothesise that these recommended varieties will express traits of the ideotype. However, through greenhouse experiments, we show that three recent AHDB recommended wheat varieties differ to that of the ideotype and to each other. This either indicates that the concept may not be universal, or the main target for breeding programmes; that traits may not have successfully been bred yet; or, that other conflicting reasons may be preventing the expression of the ideotype. To this end, we review the factors that may influence plant structure before discussing new tools and methods that can aid ideotype design. Through this paper, we argue that whilst there are benefits to the concept of the ideotype, the ‘power’ of the concept is lost when integrating the multitude of factors that, in combination, determine plant structure and function in a given environment. Nevertheless, regardless of these limitations, we argue that there is still a role for the ideotype in crop breeding, but that this concept needs to be expanded to emphasise the genetic and environmental interactions that influence plant physiology.
Using dropout based active learning and surrogate models in the inverse viscoelastic parameter identification of human brain tissue
Authors: Hinrichsen Jan , Ferlay Carl , Reiter Nina , Budday Silvia
Published: January 2024

Inverse mechanical parameter identification enables the characterization of ultrasoft materials, for which it is difficult to achieve homogeneous deformation states. However, this usually involves high computational costs that are mainly determined by the complexity of the forward model. While simulation methods like finite element models can capture nearly arbitrary geometries and implement involved constitutive equations, they are also computationally expensive. Machine learning models, such as neural networks, can help mitigate this problem when they are used as surrogate models replacing the complex high fidelity models. Thereby, they serve as a reduced order model after an initial training phase, where they learn the relation of in- and outputs of the high fidelity model. The generation of the required training data is computationally expensive due to the necessary simulation runs. Here, active learning techniques enable the selection of the “most rewarding” training points in terms of estimated gained accuracy for the trained model. In this work, we present a recurrent neural network that can well approximate the output of a viscoelastic finite element simulation while significantly speeding up the evaluation times. Additionally, we use Monte-Carlo dropout based active learning to identify highly informative training data. Finally, we showcase the potential of the developed pipeline by identifying viscoelastic material parameters for human brain tissue.
Grade prediction in the middle east: a post-pandemic case study of the optimism bias
Authors: Pilotti Maura A. E. , El Alaoui Khadija , Waked Arifi
Published: January 2024

Evidence exists that the pandemic has brought about stress, and altered study habits and academic performance. No evidence exists regarding whether metacognition has also been altered. The present field study examined the accuracy and confidence with which college students make grade predictions in a general education course after the pandemic. It tested whether one of three types of biases affected students’ predictions as a way to cope with the uncertainty of a final exam’s outcome: illusion-of-knowing, optimism, and pessimistic bracing. Students made predictions both before and after completing the final exam (summative assessment) to determine the impact of each of the hypothesized biases on estimates made in a context of varying uncertainty. Accuracy was computed as the difference between expected and actual grades on the final exam. Confidence in the predictions made was measured on a Likert scale. Exam performance was categorized as good, poor, or inadequate. In this study, less-than-desirable performance was accompanied by overestimations. However, overestimations were made with little confidence and benefited from the information acquired from completing the exam. This pattern of results suggests that students who are not doing well are not under the spell of the illusion-of-knowing phenomenon. Indeed, their optimistic predictions are punctured by the awareness of a likely undesirable outcome (as indicated by their weak confidence in the predictions made). Implications and applications of these findings are discussed.
Good enough processing: what have we learned in the 20 years since Ferreira et al. (2002)?
Authors: Frances Candice
Published: January 2024

Traditionally, language processing has been thought of in terms of complete processing of the input. In contrast to this, Ferreira and colleagues put forth the idea of good enough processing. The proposal was that during everyday processing, ambiguities remain unresolved, we rely on heuristics instead of full analyses, and we carry out deep processing only if we need to for the task at hand. This idea has gathered substantial traction since its conception. In the current work, I review the papers that have tested the three key claims of good enough processing: ambiguities remain unresolved and underspecified, we use heuristics to parse sentences, and deep processing is only carried out if required by the task. I find mixed evidence for these claims and conclude with an appeal to further refinement of the claims and predictions of the theory.
Frailty mediated the association between tooth loss and mortality in the oldest old individuals: a cohort study
Authors: Wang MingXia , Deng Xiaomeng , Chen Hanjie , Diao Yuhan , Liu Chang , Gao Jun , Tang Xin , Li Xiaoyan , Liu Yan , Duan Jun
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Tooth loss is associated with increased mortality risk; however, the mechanism underlying this is still not clear. The objective of this study was to explore whether frailty mediates the association between tooth loss and mortality risk among the oldest old individuals.

Methods

The participants were followed up from 1998 to 2018 in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Frailty was constructed following a standard procedure. Mortality, frailty, and tooth loss were applied as the outcome, mediator, and independent variables, respectively. The Cox model was fitted, including possible confounders, for causal mediation analysis. A total effect (TE), an average causal mediation effect (ACME), an average direct effect (ADE), and a proportion mediated (PM) effect were calculated.

Results

During the 129,936 person-years at risk, 31,899 individuals with a mean age of 91.79  years were included. The TE and ADE of severe tooth loss on mortality were 0.12 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.15) and 0.09 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.13); the ACME of frailty was 0.03 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.03) with 21.56% of the TE being mediated.

Discussion

This study illustrated that tooth loss is associated with mortality, and frailty appeared to mediate the relationship. It is recommended that oral health indicators and frailty status be incorporated into routine geriatric assessments to promote optimal oral health and non-frailty status.
Current status of treatment and disease burden of a cohort of hemophilia B in China
Authors: Huang Yiwen , Wan Chuchuan , Guan Tao , Xi Xiaoyu
Published: January 2024

Objective

Hemophilia B is a rare X-chromosome linked hereditary bleeding disorder. Patients require lifelong treatment and it is costly, but there is a lack of research in China on the treatment and burden for this group. Our aim was to review the actual treatment pattern of hemophilia B patients in China, and describe the financial burden and other disease burden from the patient’s perspective.

Methods

Using data collected by the Beijing Hemophilia Home Care Center, descriptive statistics were made on the sociodemographic characteristics and treatment of patients. The annual drug costs were calculated according to the actual factor dosage and price.

Results

During the study period, 29.9% of the patients only received on-demand treatment, while the rest of the patients received varying numbers of prophylaxis treatment. The total cost of clotting factors for 341 patients in one year was 16.0 million CNY ($2.5 million), with 46990.8 CNY ($7283.7) per patient. The drug cost of prophylaxis was significantly higher than that of on-demand treatment. The amount of prothrombin complex concentrates used by patients was the largest, more than 5 times of recombinant coagulation factor IX. Based on the average annual wage and average working time of Chinese employees in 2021, the average annual wage loss of HB patients reached 31544.2 CNY ($4889.4). The results of the questionnaire showed that 77.1% and 65.3% of patients had chronic pain and acute pain of different frequencies.

Conclusion

The level of prophylaxis for Chinese patients is low; safer and more effective recombinant drugs are not widely available. Patients also face a high burden of drug costs, as well as indirect costs that cannot be underestimated. Therefore, continued efforts are needed to improve the quality of life of patients by reducing their financial burden and promote standardized treatment.
“If I want to be able to keep going, I must be active.” Exploring older adults’ perspectives of remote physical activity supports: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Mehrabi Samira , Drisdelle Sara , Dutt Hanna R , Middleton Laura E
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Pandemic-related public health restrictions limited older adults’ physical activity programs and opportunities. Physical activity supports shifted to remote options, however, information on their adoption and effectiveness is limited. This study aims to describe the remote supports received by older adults and their perceived effectiveness. Additionally, it aims to describe facilitators and barriers to remote supports for physical activity among older adults, particularly those reliant on technology.

Methods

This study used an explanatory, sequential, mixed-methods design. Community-dwelling older adults (≥ 60 years) were recruited to partake in a web-based survey and an optional semi-structured follow-up interview informed by the COM-B model. Participant characteristics, perceived effectiveness of remote supports, and the presence and severity of barriers were described. Changes in physical activity levels before and during the pandemic were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative data underwent inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Fifty seven older adults (68.3 ± 7.1 years, 43 Female) completed the survey, of which 15 participants (67.4 ± 5.8 years, 12 Female) participated in interviews. The majority were Caucasian, highly educated, and resided in Canada. Total physical activity levels showed no statistically significant change from before to during the pandemic (p = 0.74); however, at-home exercise participation and technology usage increased. Pre-recorded and real-time virtual exercise supports were perceived as most effective. Main barriers included limited contact with exercise professionals, limited access to exercise equipment or space, and decreased mental wellness. Thematic analysis identified five main themes: (i) Enabled by knowledge and resources; (ii) Diverse motivations for physical activity; (iii) Fostering participation through social connection; (iv) Supervision and safety: enabling adherence; and (v) Virtual exercise: a sustainable option with technological considerations.

Conclusion

Virtual platforms show promise in supporting older adults’ physical activity at home, especially for those with limited in-person access. Our study suggests that both real-time and pre-recorded virtual exercise supports are feasible, depending on technological capacity and support. While interactive real-time virtual programs allow interaction with professionals and peers, pre-recorded programs provide timing flexibility. Further research is needed to establish best practices for safe and effective virtual exercise programming, promoting its long-term adoption for supporting a wider range of older adults.
Machine learning-based classifiers to predict metastasis in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Talebi Raheleh , Celis-Morales Carlos A. , Akbari Abolfazl , Talebi Atefeh , Borumandnia Nasrin , Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin
Published: January 2024

Background

The increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Iran over the past three decades has made it a key public health burden. This study aimed to predict metastasis in CRC patients using machine learning (ML) approaches in terms of demographic and clinical factors.

Methods

This study focuses on 1,127 CRC patients who underwent appropriate treatments at Taleghani Hospital, a tertiary care facility. The patients were divided into training and test datasets in an 80:20 ratio. Various ML methods, including Naive Bayes (NB), random rorest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), neural network (NN), decision tree (DT), and logistic regression (LR), were used for predicting metastasis in CRC patients. Model performance was evaluated using 5-fold cross-validation, reporting sensitivity, specificity, the area under the curve (AUC), and other indexes.

Results

Among the 1,127 patients, 183 (16%) had experienced metastasis. In the predictionof metastasis, both the NN and RF algorithms had the highest AUC, while SVM ranked third in both the original and balanced datasets. The NN and RF algorithms achieved the highest AUC (100%), sensitivity (100% and 100%, respectively), and accuracy (99.2% and 99.3%, respectively) on the balanced dataset, followed by the SVM with an AUC of 98.8%, a sensitivity of 97.5%, and an accuracy of 97%. Moreover, lower false negative rate (FNR), false positive rate (FPR), and higher negative predictive value (NPV) can be confirmed by these two methods. The results also showed that all methods exhibited good performance in the test datasets, and the balanced dataset improved the performance of most ML methods. The most important variables for predicting metastasis were the tumor stage, the number of involved lymph nodes, and the treatment type. In a separate analysis of patients with tumor stages I–III, it was identified that tumor grade, tumor size, and tumor stage are the most important features.

Conclusion

This study indicated that NN and RF were the best among ML-based approaches for predicting metastasis in CRC patients. Both the tumor stage and the number of involved lymph nodes were considered the most important features.
Young female migrants and job placement brokers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Erulkar Annabel , Hailu Eyasu
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Rates of urbanization in Ethiopia are high and adolescent girls and young women are predominant among those who move from rural to urban areas. Young women frequently undertake rural-urban migration on their own or with a friend, and with little planning for their initial settlement in the city. They frequently rely on job placement brokers to place them into jobs upon arrival, with positions such as domestic work normally including accommodation.

Methods

This is a qualitative study undertaken at the two largest bus stages in Addis Ababa, which are points of arrival for a large number of migrants from rural areas. Three categories of respondents were interviewed in-depth: migrant young women who had arrived within the last few days, job placement brokers who are located in and around the bus station, and market women/vendors at the bus stations who interact with both migrants and brokers.

Results

Migrant girls' point of arrival was an inflection point of risk, especially among girls who were on their own, not accompanied or met at the bus terminal and lacking in plans or preparation of accommodation. Such girls were targeted by thieves at the bus station and by unscrupulous brokers, some of whom forced girls into sexual relations before placing them into paid work. In contrast, market women and some well-meaning brokers took steps to protect girls such as providing temporary accommodation.

Conclusion

This research underscores the need for intensified support to rural-urban migrants to ensure safety and security at the time of arrival at their destination. This includes promotion of pre-migration education and planning; safety assets including sufficient money, cell phones and alternative contacts in the city; and arrangement for immediate, safe and secure accommodation. As a result of the study, a pilot program has been developed, using local resources to extend support for newly arriving migrant girls and young women.
Text mining for disease surveillance in veterinary clinical data: part one, the language of veterinary clinical records and searching for words
Authors: Davies Heather , Nenadic Goran , Alfattni Ghada , Arguello Casteleiro Mercedes , Al Moubayed Noura , Farrell Sean O. , Radford Alan D. , Noble Peter-John M.
Published: January 2024

The development of natural language processing techniques for deriving useful information from unstructured clinical narratives is a fast-paced and rapidly evolving area of machine learning research. Large volumes of veterinary clinical narratives now exist curated by projects such as the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) and VetCompass, and the application of such techniques to these datasets is already (and will continue to) improve our understanding of disease and disease patterns within veterinary medicine. In part one of this two part article series, we discuss the importance of understanding the lexical structure of clinical records and discuss the use of basic tools for filtering records based on key words and more complex rule based pattern matching approaches. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches highlighting the on-going potential value in using these “traditional” approaches but ultimately recognizing that these approaches constrain how effectively information retrieval can be automated. This sets the scene for the introduction of machine-learning methodologies and the plethora of opportunities for automation of information extraction these present which is discussed in part two of the series.
Exploring the Landscape of Smart Tourism: A Systematic Bibliometric Review of the Literature of the Internet of Things
Authors: Rosário Albérico Travassos , Dias Joana Carmo
Published: January 2024

This study explores the transformative impact of IoT technologies on smart tourism, striving to boost operational efficiency and enrich the traveler experience. Using a systematic literature review with bibliometric analysis, we examined a sample of 83 studies indexed in SCOPUS to identify research activity on this topic until November 2023. The integration of cutting-edge technologies, including big data, smart sensors, cloud computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, wearables, mobile applications, augmented reality, and virtual reality, establishes the foundation of the IoT-enabled smart tourism ecosystem. These innovations bring distinct capabilities, from facilitating data collection with embedded sensor technologies to using cloud computing for essential services like data storage and analytics. Examining various IoT applications in smart tourism, such as recommender systems, smart cities, payment systems, and electronic ticketing, reveals their positive effects on safety, efficiency, and personalized services. However, challenges like security, privacy, software complexity, scalability, and interoperability necessitate robust measures. This study identifies future research directions, including enhancing security and privacy, exploring blockchain integration, investigating edge computing, and improving interactions between tourists and smart tourism systems. These endeavors aim to address challenges and seize opportunities, fostering innovative solutions for the evolving needs of the tourism industry in a technologically advanced landscape.
Design and Experiment of Air-Suction Maize Seed-Metering Device with Auxiliary Guide
Authors: Ding Li , Yuan Yechao , Dou Yufei , Li Chenxu , He Zhan , Guo Guangmeng , Zhang Yi , Chen Bingjie , Li He
Published: January 2024

Due to the irrational design of the seed discharge plate and the vacuum chamber, the high-speed seed filling effect of the air-suction maize precision seed-metering device is poor. Therefore, an air-suction maize seed-metering device with an auxiliary guide is designed to realize high-speed precision seed discharging. An auxiliary guide filling theory is put forward, and the design of the seed plate type hole charging structure is formulated. Fluent 2022 software is used to analyze nine kinds of vacuum chamber structures; the optimal vacuum chamber structure parameters were determined by polar analysis. In order to investigate the changes of negative pressure and flow speed under the dynamic flow field, a slip grid was used to analyze the dynamic flow field with three different operating speeds and negative pressures. It found that the size of negative pressure did not affect the flow field distribution, and the pressure and flow speed gradually decreased as the distance from the inlet was farther away; meanwhile, the negative pressure distribution and air speed distribution were almost unchanged when the holes at different rotational speeds were at the same position. Finally, bench tests were carried out, and three indexes, namely, the qualified index, the multiple index and the missing index, were selected, with operating speed and negative pressure as factors, two-factor five-level orthogonal test was carried out, and the optimal parameter combinations at 6.0, 7.5, 9.0, 10.5, and 12 km/h forward velocity were derived and verified by regression equations. The results showed that the designed seed-metering device was repeated five times when the pressure of the vacuum chamber was −3.5 kPa and the rotational speed of the seed-metering device was 23 r/min, the average grain spacing qualified index was 95.8%, the missing index was 1.6%, the multiple index was 2.6%, and the indexes met the requirements of precision sowing. It is of great significance for our country’s seeder to develop in the direction of high-speed and precision.
Reduction in Atmospheric Particulate Matter by Green Hedges in a Wind Tunnel
Authors: Biocca Marcello , Pochi Daniele , Imperi Giancarlo , Gallo Pietro
Published: January 2024

Urban vegetation plays a crucial role in reducing atmospheric particulate matter (PM), modifying microclimates, and improving air quality. This study investigates the impact of a laurel hedge (Laurus nobilis L.) on airborne PM, specifically total suspended particulate (TSP) and respirable particles (PM4) generated by a Diesel tractor engine. Conducted in a wind tunnel of approximately 20 m, the research provides insights into dust deposition under near-real-world conditions, marking, to our knowledge, the first exploration in a wind tunnel of this scale. Potted laurel plants, standing around 2.5 m tall, were arranged to create barriers of three different densities, and air dust concentrations were detected at 1, 4, 9, and 14 m from the plants. The study aimed both to develop an experimental system and to assess the laurel hedge’s ability to reduce atmospheric PM. Results show an overall reduction in air PM concentrations (up to 39%) due to the presence of the hedge. The highest value of dust reduction on respirable particles was caused by the thickest hedge (three rows of plants). However, the data exhibit varying correlations with hedge density. This study provides empirical findings regarding the interaction between dust and vegetation, offering insights for designing effective hedge combinations in terms of size and porosity to mitigate airborne particulate matter.
Decoupling Vegetation Dynamics and Climate Change Impacts on Runoff and Sediment in Loess Gully Areas
Authors: Zhu Deming , Song Xiaoyu , Meng Pengfei , Liu Hui , Liu Yu , Guo Songle , He Xi
Published: January 2024

While climate change and vegetation dynamics have a strong relationship, few studies have specifically measured the effects of these factors on runoff and sediment development in the gully zone of the Loess Plateau. This study investigates the monthly impacts of climatic change and vegetation dynamics on water flow and sediment movement in the gully zone of the Loess Plateau between 2000 and 2016. In this study, the standard gully watershed of the Loess Plateau is investigated using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The state of vegetation in the watershed is characterized by utilizing the vegetation index obtained using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), along with monthly hydro-meteorological and vegetation data. The collective impacts of vegetation dynamics, climate change, and runoff contribute to 74.3% of the monthly fluctuations in sediment levels. The data indicate that 31.6% of the monthly runoff variability can be ascribed to the combined influence of climate change and vegetation dynamics. Climate change significantly influences flow and sediment via direct and indirect mechanisms, primarily by altering the growth and development of vegetation, which subsequently impacts both runoff and sediment. The impact of vegetation on sediment (−0.246) is more pronounced compared to its impact on runoff (−0.239). Furthermore, the impact of vegetation on sediment (−0.038) was significantly less significant compared to the impact on runoff (−0.208). Hence, the vegetation in the watershed primarily mitigates sediment deposition and suspended sediment transit in the water body by regulating runoff, thereby reducing the sediment load. This study examines the intricate correlation between climate change and vegetation dynamics on water flow and sediment deposition in the gully region of the Loess Plateau. It can serve as a helpful resource for managing water resources, allocating agricultural water, and planning soil conservation in the region.
Betaine and L-Carnitine Synergistically Influence the Metabolome and Immune Response in Dogs
Authors: Jewell Dennis E. , Tavener Selena K. , Creech Renea , Panickar Kiran S.
Published: January 2024

This study used thirty-two dogs, which were assigned to a preferred period of 14 days and then assigned to one of the four treatment foods: control (containing no added betaine, no added L-carnitine), control with 0.5% added betaine (Treatment 2), control with no added betaine and 300 ppm added L-carnitine (Treatment 3), or control with 0.5% added betaine and 300 ppm added L-carnitine (Treatment 4). All treatment foods were fed for ninety days. Untargeted blood metabolomic analysis and immune response were measured at the beginning and end of the 90-day feeding trial. Feeding betaine increased single-carbon metabolites while decreasing many carnitine-containing metabolites. Feeding L-carnitine increased many carnitine metabolites, while the combination synergistically influenced the metabolome. The combination of betaine and L-carnitine increased the cytokines released in a Tru-culture system in response to stimulation while numerically decreasing their release when unstimulated. Therefore, the combination of dietary betaine and L-carnitine could have the dual positive effects of reducing cytokine stimulation, controlling inflammation during health, and providing a robust response to bacterial infection.
Ecotoxicological Effects of Potassium Dichromate on the Tadpole Shrimp Triops longicaudatus
Authors: Pereira André Carido , Saraiva Aurélia , Oliva-Teles Luís , Guimarães Laura , Carvalho António Paulo
Published: January 2024

The tadpole shrimp Triops longicaudatus is a freshwater crustacean with fast embryonic and larval development, short life cycle, and high fecundity. They are very active swimmers of a reasonable size, easy to spot and record. Such characteristics make it a promising candidate as an experimental model in ecotoxicology to evaluate the effects of aquatic pollutants, particularly using its locomotor behavior as an endpoint. To evaluate the sensitivity of T. longicaudatus and develop endpoints of interest, we conducted exposure experiments with lethal and sub-lethal concentrations of potassium dichromate, a compound known for its ecotoxicological importance and as a hexavalent chromium source. The endpoints evaluated were mortality, growth, sexual maturation, reproductive output, cholinesterase activity and locomotor/swimming behavior. The 96 h median lethal concentration was found to be 65 µg/L. Furthermore, exposure to potassium dichromate at higher concentrations had a significant negative impact on the growth rate of T. longicaudatus in terms of both body mass and length. The time for maturation was also delayed at higher concentrations. In addition, locomotor behavior allowed for the discrimination of all tested chromium concentrations and the control group and from each other, proving to be the most sensitive endpoint. Overall, the data support the potential of T. longicaudatus as a model for ecotoxicity testing, using apical endpoints with impact at the population level; in particular, results suggest that behavior assessments in this species might be useful for detecting hazardous compounds in environmental monitoring of freshwater ecosystems.
Evaluation of Post-Surgical Recovery in Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) by Assessing Behavior, Heart Rate, and Wound Healing
Authors: Koo Myungsung , Jeong Man-Ki , Kwon Inyeong
Published: January 2024

This study examined the post-surgery recovery of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) following tag insertion by analyzing behavior, heart rate, and wound healing. The experiments used 30 individuals (length: 38.67 ± 2.12 cm; weight: 742.48 ± 116.41 g). Heart rate was measured using a DST milli-HRT (Star-Oddi) bio-logger. To assess the influence of water temperature on the recovery process after surgical tag insertion, behavioral analyses, heart rate, and wound healing were conducted in two experimental groups: Experiment 1 (22 °C, optimal water temperature); Experiment 2 (28 °C, high water temperature); and control group (22 °C, non-operated fish). The experiment was repeated twice over a 7-day period for each experimental group. Compared to the non-operated fish, the operated fish exhibited stable levels after the 3rd to 4th day in Experiment 1. Statistical analyses based on heart rate in Experiment 1 indicated that the appropriate post-surgery recovery time point was approximately 3 days, representing the point at which behavioral fluctuations stabilized. In the case of Experiment 2, abnormal behavioral patterns (e.g., tilted swimming) and changes in average swimming time and daily heart rate were found to stabilize after 4 days post-surgery.
Polymyxin Resistance in Salmonella: Exploring Mutations and Genetic Determinants of Non-Human Isolates
Authors: Vieira Thais , Dos Santos Carla Adriana , de Jesus Bertani Amanda Maria , Costa Gisele Lozano , Campos Karoline Rodrigues , Sacchi Cláudio Tavares , Cunha Marcos Paulo Vieira , Carvalho Eneas , da Costa Alef Janguas , de Paiva Jacqueline Boldrin , Rubio Marcela da Silva , Camargo Carlos Henrique , Tiba-Casas Monique Ribeiro
Published: January 2024

Until 2015, polymyxin resistance was primarily attributed to chromosomal mutations. However, with the first report of mobile colistin resistance (mcr-1) in commensal Escherichia coli from food animals in China, the landscape has changed. To evaluate the presence of polymyxin resistance in Salmonella spp., a drop screening test for colistin and polymyxin B was carried out on 1156 isolates of non-human origin (animals, food, and the environment), received in Brazil, between 2016 and 2021. Subsequently, 210 isolates with resistant results in the drop test were subjected to the gold-standard test (broth microdilution) for both colistin and polymyxin B. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 102 resistant isolates was performed for a comprehensive analysis of associated genes. Surprisingly, none of the isolates resistant to colistin in the drop test harbored any of the mcr variants (mcr-1 to mcr-10). WGS identified that the most common mutations were found in pmrA (n= 22; T89S) and pmrB (n = 24; M15T, G73S, V74I, I83A, A111V). Other resistance determinants were also detected, such as the aac(6′)-Iaa gene in 72 isolates, while others carried beta-lactamase genes (blaTEM-1 blaCTX-M-2, blaCMY-2). Additionally, genes associated with fluoroquinolone resistance (qnrB19, qnrS1, oqxA/B) were detected in 11 isolates. Colistin and polymyxin B resistance were identified among Salmonella from non-human sources, but not associated with the mcr genes. Furthermore, the already-described mutations associated with polymyxin resistance were detected in only a small number of isolates, underscoring the need to explore and characterize unknown genes that contribute to resistance.
Mulberry Leaf Polysaccharides Attenuate Oxidative Stress Injury in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes by Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Jiang Wenqiang , Lin Yan , Qian Linjie , Lu Siyue , Shen Huaishun , Ge Xianping , Miao Linghong
Published: January 2024

The present study assessed the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of mulberry leaf polysaccharides (MLPs) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress injury in the peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) of Megalobrama amblycephala. Five treatment groups were established in vitro: the NC group (PBLs incubated in an RPMI-1640 complete medium for 4 h), the HP group (PBLs incubated in an RPMI-1640 complete medium for 3 h, and then stimulated with 100 μM of H2O2 for 1 h), and the 50/100/200-MLP pre-treatment groups (PBLs were pre-treated with MLPs (50, 100, and 200 μg/mL) for 3 h, and then stimulated with 100 μM of H2O2 for 1 h). The results showed that MLP pre-treatment dose-dependently enhanced PBLs’ antioxidant capacities. The 200 μg/mL MLP pre-treatment effectively protected the antioxidant system of PBLs from H2O2-induced oxidative damage by reducing the malondialdehyde content and lactic dehydrogenase cytotoxicity, and increasing catalase and superoxide dismutase activities (p < 0.05). The over-production of reactive oxygen species, depletion of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly inhibited in the 200-MLP pre-treatment group (p < 0.05). The expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes (forkhead box O1α (foxO1α), binding immunoglobulin protein (bip), activating transcription factor 6 (atf6), and C/EBP-homologous protein (chop)), Ca2+ transport-related genes (voltage-dependent anion-selective channel 1 (vdac1), mitofusin 2 (mfn2), and mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (mcu)), and interleukin 6 (il-6) and bcl2-associated x (bax) were significantly lower in the 200-MLP pre-treatment group than in the HP group (p < 0.05), which rebounded to normal levels in the NC group (p > 0.05). These results indicated that MLP pre-treatment attenuated H2O2-induced PBL oxidative damage in the M. amblycephala by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and maintaining mitochondrial function. These findings also support the possibility that MLPs can be exploited as a natural dietary supplement for M. amblycephala, as they protect against oxidative damage.
Sodium Butyrate Alleviates Free Fatty Acid-Induced Steatosis in Primary Chicken Hepatocytes via Regulating the ROS/GPX4/Ferroptosis Pathway
Authors: Cheng Xinyi , Hu Yang , Yu Xiaoqing , Chen Jinyan , Guo Xiaoquan , Cao Huabin , Hu Guoliang , Zhuang Yu
Published: January 2024

Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in laying hens is a nutritional metabolic disease commonly observed in high-yielding laying hens. Sodium butyrate (NaB) and ferroptosis were reported to contribute to the pathogenesis of fatty liver-related diseases. However, the underlying mechanism of NaB in FLHS and whether it mediates ferroptosis remains unclear. A chicken primary hepatocyte induced by free fatty acids (FFAs, keeping the ratio of sodium oleate and sodium palmitate concentrations at 2:1) was established, which received treatments with NaB, the ferroptosis inducer RAS-selective lethal 3 (RSL3), and the inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1). As a result, NaB increased biochemical and lipid metabolism indices, and the antioxidant level, while inhibiting intracellular ROS accumulation and the activation of the ferroptosis signaling pathway, as evidenced by a reduction in intracellular iron concentration, upregulated GPX4 and xCT expression, and inhibited NCOA4 and ACSL4 expression. Furthermore, treatment with Fer-1 reinforced the protective effects of NaB, while RSL3 reversed it by blocking the ROS/GPX4/ferroptosis pathway, leading to the accumulation of lipid droplets and oxidative stress. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that NaB protects hepatocytes by regulating the ROS/GPX4-mediated ferroptosis pathway, providing a new strategy and target for the treatment of FLHS.
Advanced Medical Image Segmentation Enhancement: A Particle-Swarm-Optimization-Based Histogram Equalization Approach
Authors: Saifullah Shoffan , Dreżewski Rafał
Published: January 2024

Accurate medical image segmentation is paramount for precise diagnosis and treatment in modern healthcare. This research presents a comprehensive study of the efficacy of particle swarm optimization (PSO) combined with histogram equalization (HE) preprocessing for medical image segmentation, focusing on lung CT scan and chest X-ray datasets. Best-cost values reveal the PSO algorithm’s performance, with HE preprocessing demonstrating significant stabilization and enhanced convergence, particularly for complex lung CT scan images. Evaluation metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score/Dice, specificity, and Jaccard, show substantial improvements with HE preprocessing, emphasizing its impact on segmentation accuracy. Comparative analyses against alternative methods, such as Otsu, Watershed, and K-means, confirm the competitiveness of the PSO-HE approach, especially for chest X-ray images. The study also underscores the positive influence of preprocessing on image clarity and precision. These findings highlight the promise of the PSO-HE approach for advancing the accuracy and reliability of medical image segmentation and pave the way for further research and method integration to enhance this critical healthcare application.
A Comparative Assessment of the Bonding Characteristics of Three-Dimensional Custom-Printed Polycrystalline Alumina Brackets and Conventional Brackets
Authors: Jabr Luay , Rossouw P. Emile , Michelogiannakis Dimitrios , Malik Shaima , Wheeler Timothy T. , Barmak Abdul Basir
Published: January 2024

Objective: The objective was to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) amongst six orthodontic bracket groups. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional printed polycrystalline alumina brackets (3DBs), ceramic brackets (CBs), and metal brackets (MBs), divided into six groups, were bonded to bovine incisors using different bonding procedures. The SBSs were obtained using a universal testing machine, and the ARIs were assessed with a stereomicroscope. The statistical analyses included one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for SBS differences and Fisher’s exact test to show ARI differences amongst the groups (p < 0.05). Results: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were measured amongst the SBSs of the 3DB groups (12.3 MPa, 12.6 MPa, 12.3 MPa, 11.0 MPa, respectively). The latter four groups generally had significantly lower SBSs (p < 0.001) than the conventional bracket groups, CB and MB (16.9 MPa and 19.3 MPa, respectively). Also, there was no significant difference in SBSs for the CB and MB groups (p > 0.05). A high ARI for CBs and MBs (2) indicated that more than 50% of the adhesive remained on the enamel surface. The four 3DB groups had no residual adhesive or less than 50% adhesive on the enamel surface after debonding (ARI scores 0 and 1). A significant difference in ARI levels existed across the types of brackets (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Three-dimensional printed polycrystalline alumina brackets exhibited adequate SBS values for successful bonding. However, the values were lower compared to those for conventional ceramic and metal brackets. The majority of the adhesive remnant for the 3D-printed brackets was mainly located on the bracket base.
Experimental Study on the Pre-Peak Mechanical and Seepage Characteristics of Granite
Authors: Zeng Xinyan , Lin Wancang , Chen Xinyi , Zhou Qinglong
Published: January 2024

The Sanshandao Gold Mine is currently in the deep mining stage. The ground pressure on the surrounding rocks is gradually becoming more considerable, and at the same time, threatened by the overlying seawater, the possibility of mine water inrush accidents is increasing. In this study, the MTS815 rock triaxial seepage test system was employed for the triaxial compression testing and stress–seepage coupled testing of granite under different confining pressures. The results show that granite’s pre-peak mechanical evolution under different confining pressures is divided into four stages (the crack closure stage, linear elasticity stage, stable crack expansion stage, and unstable crack expansion stage). With the increase in the confining pressure, the crack initiation threshold, crack damage threshold, and peak threshold gradually increased, but the closure threshold had no corresponding change. Moreover, in the loading process, the permeability curve first decreased and then increased, and the confining pressure suppressed the peak permeability of granite. Finally, based on the test results, stress sensitivity analysis was carried out, and it was found that polynomials fit the relationship between permeability and effective stress better. Granite’s permeability showed strong stress sensitivity at medium confining pressures. The stress sensitivity of the permeability of granite decreased with increasing effective stress at medium and high confining pressures, while it tended to increase at low confining pressures.
The Role of Salivary Biomarkers in Monitoring Oral Health in Patients with Implants and Periodontitis
Authors: López-Jornet Pia , Hynninen Joonas Nikolai , Parra-Perez Francisco , Peres-Rubio Camila , Pons-Fuster Eduardo , Tvarijonaviciute Asta
Published: January 2024

Oxidative stress, a physiological process that can damage cells, is known to affect various aspects of oral health. Oxidative stress can influence dental implant longevity and health. Assessing biomarkers of oxidative stress in saliva is beneficial for diagnosing and tracking the progression of oral diseases. A study is made of salivary oxidative stress in patients with dental implants with or without periodontitis. The study consisted of the following groups: Group1 (healthy without dental implants); Group 2 (subjects undergoing periodontal maintenance without dental implants); Group 3 (healthy patients with implants older than six months); and Group 4 (patients undergoing periodontal maintenance with implants older than six months). A complete examination of the oral cavity was made in each patient and a questionnaire was used to assess habits of hygiene, quality of life, and information about the implants. The following parameters were recorded in unstimulated whole saliva: ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and total proteins (TP). A total of 160 patients were studied, with 40 patients per group. The mean oxidative stress biomarker values obtained in the patients without implants and with implants were FRAP 0.590 ± 0.514 and 0.588 ± 0.334 mmol/L (p = 0.974); TEAC 0.320 ± 0.223 and 0.315 ± 0.172 mmol/L (p = 0.879); CUPRAC 0.286 ± 0.216 and 0.288 ± 0.151 mmol/L (p = 0.956); AOPP 456.04 ± 789.75 and 430.65 ± 752.05 µmol/L (p = 0.838); and TP 73.90 ± 50.83 and 70.36 ± 56.93 mg/dL (p = 0.684), respectively. No substantial variations were noted in the salivary oxidative stress biomarker levels between patients with controlled periodontal disease and/or dental implants compared to healthy individuals.
Landscape Ecology Analysis of Traditional Villages: A Case Study of Ganjiang River Basin
Authors: Zhou Yuchen , Liu Mu , Xie Guanhong , Liu Chunqing
Published: January 2024

Traditional villages, rich in historical and cultural value, hold a high level of preservation value. In the process of urbanization, traditional villages face the crisis of decline, making it difficult to perpetuate the carried cultural heritage. The Ganjiang River Basin hosts numerous traditional villages with rich research value, making the study of their preservation and development in this region a significant topic. This paper, from the perspective of landscape ecology, employs geographic detectors to analyze the driving factors behind the emergence of traditional villages in the Ganjiang River Basin, summarizing the spatial distribution characteristics of traditional villages. A classification method based on village landscape features is adopted to categorize traditional villages in the Ganjiang River Basin, providing a reference for planning the preservation and development of traditional villages. The research results show that plain areas are more suitable for the continuation of traditional villages; a single suitable environmental element cannot provide an environment conducive to the development of traditional villages, which is the result of the combined effect of multiple suitable elements; the study has divided traditional village landscapes into nine types, with clear distribution differences among different types of villages; for different regions and types of traditional villages, it is necessary to balance development and protection tendencies and plan differently according to environmental characteristics.
Material-Structure Integrated Design and Optimization of a Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Composite Car Door
Authors: Zhang Huile , Sun Zeyu , Zhi Pengpeng , Wang Wei , Wang Zhonglai
Published: January 2024

This paper develops a material-structure integrated design and optimization method based on a multiscale approach for the lightweight design of CFRP car doors. Initially, parametric modeling of RVE is implemented, and their elastic performance parameters are predicted using the homogenization theory based on thermal stress, exploring the impact of RVE parameters on composite material performance. Subsequently, a finite element model of the CFRP car door is constructed based on the principle of equal stiffness, and a parameter transfer across microscale, mesoscale, and macroscale levels is achieved through Python programming. Finally, the particle generation and updating strategies in the Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm are improved, enabling the algorithm to directly solve multi-constraint and multi-objective optimization problems that include various composite material layup process constraints. Case study results demonstrate that under layup process constraints and car door stiffness requirements, plain weave, twill weave, and satin weave composite car doors achieve weight reductions of 15.85%, 14.54%, and 15.35%, respectively, compared to traditional metal doors, fulfilling the requirements for a lightweight design. This also provides guidance for the lightweight design of other vehicle body components.