bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing thrombus adhesion strength on common cardiovascular device materials
Authors: Kannojiya Vikas , Almasy Sara E. , Monclova Jose L. , Contreras Jerry , Costanzo Francesco , Manning Keefe B.
Published: August 2024

Thrombus formation in blood-contacting medical devices is a major concern in the medical device industry, limiting the clinical efficacy of these devices. Further, a locally formed clot within the device has the potential to detach from the surface, posing a risk of embolization. Clot embolization from blood-contacting cardiovascular devices can result in serious complications like acute ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Therefore, clot embolization associated with device-induced thrombosis can be life-threatening and requires an enhanced fundamental understanding of embolization characteristics to come up with advanced intervention strategies. Therefore, this work aims to investigate the adhesive characteristics of blood clots on common biocompatible materials used in various cardiovascular devices. This study focuses on characterizing the adhesion strength of blood clots on materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane (PU), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), nitinol, and titanium, frequently used in medical devices. In addition, the effect of incubation time on clot adhesion is explored. Results from this work demonstrated strongest clot adhesion to titanium with 3 h of incubation resulting in 1.06 ± 0.20 kPa detachment stresses. The clot adhesion strength on titanium was 51.5% higher than PEEK, 35.9% higher than PTFE, 63.1% higher than PU, and 35.4% higher than nitinol. Further, adhesion strength increases with incubation time for all materials. The percentage increase in detachment stress over incubation time (ranging from 30 min to 3 h) for polymers ranged from at least 108.75% (PEEK), 140.74% (PU), to 151.61% (PTFE). Whereas, for metallic surfaces, the percentage rise ranged from 70.21% (nitinol) to 89.28% (titanium). Confocal fluorescence imaging of clot remnants on the material surfaces revealed a well-bounded platelet-fibrin network at the residual region, representing a comparatively higher adhesive region than the non-residual zone of the surface.
One of the major challenges of masking the bitter taste in medications: an overview of quantitative methods for bitterness
Authors: Wang Panpan , Li Haiyang , Wang Yanli , Dong Fengyu , Li Han , Gui Xinjing , Ren Yanna , Gao Xiaojie , Li Xuelin , Liu Ruixin
Published: August 2024

Objective

The aim of the present study was to carry out a systematic research on bitterness quantification to provide a reference for scholars and pharmaceutical developers to carry out drug taste masking research. Significance: The bitterness of medications poses a significant concern for clinicians and patients. Scientifically measuring the intensity of drug bitterness is pivotal for enhancing drug palatability and broadening their clinical utility.

Methods

The current study was carried out by conducting a systematic literature review that identified relevant papers from indexed databases. Numerous studies and research are cited and quoted in this article to summarize the features, strengths, and applicability of quantitative bitterness assessment methods.

Results

In our research, we systematically outlined the classification and key advancements in quantitative research methods for assessing drug bitterness, including in vivo quantification techniques such as traditional human taste panel methods, as well as in vitro quantification methods such as electronic tongue analysis. It focused on the quantitative methods and difficulties of bitterness of natural drugs with complex system characteristics and their difficulties in quantification, and proposes possible future research directions.

Conclusion

The quantitative methods of bitterness were summarized, which laid an important foundation for the construction of a comprehensive bitterness quantification standard system and the formulation of accurate, efficient and rich taste masking strategies.
Trust in interaction studies
Authors: Muntigl Peter , Scarvaglieri Claudio , De Wilde July , Bührig Kristin , Wamprechtshammer Anna
Published: August 2024

Trust is argued to be essential in fostering cooperative communication, whereas a lack of trust is seen as detrimental to these aims. Over the years, there has been a slow but steady stream of research that has aimed to shed light on how trust is accomplished or broken down through discursive-interactional practices. In this mini review, we examine existing studies that take trust as a topic of investigation using micro-analytic, interactional methods, in order to provide readers with an up-to-date overview on new developments in this important field of research. From this review, we conclude that there exist two different, yet complementary, views on trust: Trust as an interactional principle and trust as a discursively accomplished phenomenon. We not only summarize important discursive work that provides a unique lens on how trust may be established and maintained through verbal and non-verbal resources, but also suggest some of the challenges interactional trust research still faces and some important areas for further investigation in which trust is a major concern.
The glocalization of death in the digital age: traits and limits
Authors: Toplean Adela
Published: August 2024

This perspective article explores the interplay between death and glocalization in digitally saturated societies. The central question driving our perspective is how societal responses to death reflect and inform the process of glocalization within the context of increasing digital connectivity. In this study, we discuss that societal response to death provides a unique perspective on how global digital trends intersect with deep-seated beliefs and traditions in glocalization dynamics. Thus, the main section of the article (Section 3) examines the traits and limitations of digital glocalization in mortality contexts, revealing its multifaceted nature: digital glocalization is relational, post-metaphysical, naturally occurring, and a boundary solution to crises. Constraints in glocal forging in the context of bereavement include interpersonal challenges, social alienation, evolving local customs, religious considerations, and timing issues. Our perspective, informed by brief ethnographic insights from contemporary Romania, highlights the fusion of ancient customs, digital tools, and religious beliefs in shaping distinctive responses to death in digitally enriched environments. Ultimately, this study concludes that death serves as a catalyst for glocalization, harmonizing local traditions and digital advancements in navigating the complexities of life and loss in the digital age, portraying death as the great “glocalizer.”
Crucial role of dendritic cells in the generation of anti-tumor T-cell responses and immunogenic tumor microenvironment to suppress tumor development
Authors: Tominaga Moe , Uto Tomofumi , Fukaya Tomohiro , Mitoma Shuya , Riethmacher Dieter , Umekita Kunihiko , Yamashita Yoshihiro , Sato Katsuaki
Published: August 2024

Dendritic cells (DCs) are known as unique professional antigen (Ag)-presenting cells (APCs) to prime naïve T cells for the initiation of adaptive immunity. While DCs are believed to play a pivotal role in generating anti-tumor T-cell responses, the importance of DCs in the protection from the progression of tumors remains elusive. Here, we show how the constitutive deficiency of CD11chi DCs influences the progression of tumors with the use of binary transgenic mice with constitutive loss of CD11chi DCs. Constitutive loss of CD11chi DCs not only enhances the progression of tumors but also reduces the responses of Ag-specific T cells. Furthermore, the congenital deficiency of CD11chi DCs generates the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that correlates with the marked accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and the prominent productions of immunosuppressive mediators. Thus, our findings suggest that CD11chi DCs are crucial for generating anti-tumor T-cell responses and immunogenic TME to suppress the development of tumors.
Revolutionizing adjuvant development: harnessing AI for next-generation cancer vaccines
Authors: Zhang Wan-Ying , Zheng Xiao-Li , Coghi Paolo Saul , Chen Jun-Hui , Dong Bing-Jun , Fan Xing-Xing
Published: August 2024

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of vaccines has been widely recognized and has led to increased research and development efforts. Vaccines also play a crucial role in cancer treatment by activating the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. However, enhancing the efficacy of cancer vaccines remains a challenge. Adjuvants, which enhance the immune response to antigens and improve vaccine effectiveness, have faced limitations in recent years, resulting in few novel adjuvants being identified. The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in drug development has provided a foundation for adjuvant screening and application, leading to a diversification of adjuvants. This article reviews the significant role of tumor vaccines in basic research and clinical treatment and explores the use of AI technology to screen novel adjuvants from databases. The findings of this review offer valuable insights for the development of new adjuvants for next-generation vaccines.
New perspectives on chemokines in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy: a critical pathway for natural products regulation of the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Ruishi Xie , Linyi Xu , Yunfan Bai , Wenbo Yu , Xiaoying Zhang , Xiaoxue Fang , Difu Zhu , Xintian Lan , Ming Zhu , Haoming Luo
Published: August 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common primary neoplasms of the liver and one of the most common solid tumors in the world. Its global incidence is increasing and it has become the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. There is growing evidence that chemokines play an important role in the tumor microenvironment, regulating the migration and localization of immune cells in tissues and are critical for the function of the immune system. This review comprehensively analyses the expression and activity of chemokines in the TME of HCC and describes their interrelationship with hepatocarcinogenesis and progression. Special attention is given to the role of chemokine-chemokine receptors in the regulation of immune cell accumulation in the TME. Therapeutic strategies targeting tumor-promoting chemokines or the induction/release of beneficial chemokines are reviewed, highlighting the potential value of natural products in modulating chemokines and their receptors in the treatment of HCC. The in-depth discussion in this paper provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of HCC. It is an important reference for new drug development and clinical research.
The global incidence and trends of three common flavivirus infections (Dengue, yellow fever, and Zika) from 2011 to 2021
Authors: Liang Yuanhao , Dai Xingzhu
Published: August 2024

Background

Flavivirus pose a continued threat to global health, yet their worldwide burden and trends remain poorly quantified. We aimed to evaluate the global, regional, and national incidence of three common flavivirus infections (Dengue, yellow fever, and Zika) from 2011 to 2021.

Methods

Data on the number and rate of incidence for the three common flavivirus infection in 204 countries and territories were retrieved from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021. The estimated annual percent change (EAPC) was calculated to quantify the temporal trend during 2011–2016, 2016–2019, and 2019–2021, respectively.

Results

In 2021, an estimated 59,220,428 individuals were infected globally, comprising 58,964,185 cases of dengue, 86,509 cases of yellow fever, and 169,734 cases of Zika virus infection. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of the three common flavivirus infections increased by an annual average of 5.08% (95% CI 4.12 to 6.05) globally from 2011 to 2016, whereas decreased by an annual average of −8.37% (95% CI −12.46 to −4.08) per year between 2016 to 2019. The ASIR remained stable during 2019–2021, with an average change of 0.69% (95% CI −0.96 to 2.37) per year globally for the three common flavivirus infections. Regionally, the burden of the three common flavivirus infections was primarily concentrated in those regions with middle income, such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Tropical Latin America. Additionally, at the country level, there was an inverted “U” relationship between the SDI level and the ASI. Notably, an increase in the average age of infected cases has been observed worldwide, particularly in higher-income regions.

Conclusion

Flavivirus infections are an expanding public health concern worldwide, with considerable regional and demographic variation in the incidence. Policymakers and healthcare providers must stay vigilant regarding the impact of COVID-19 and other environmental factors on the risk of flavivirus infection and be prepared for potential future outbreaks.
Application of clinical blood metabogram for diagnosis of early-stage Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study
Authors: Lokhov Petr G. , Trifonova Oxana P. , Balashova Elena E. , Maslov Dmitry L. , Ugrumov Michael V. , Archakov Alexander I.
Published: August 2024

In terms of time, cost, and reproducibility of clinical laboratory tests, a mass spectrometric clinical blood metabogram (CBM) enables the investigation of the blood metabolome. Metabogram’s components provide clinically relevant information by describing related groups of blood metabolites connected to humoral regulation, the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and amines, lipid intake into the organism, and liver function. For further development of the CBM approach, the ability of CBM to detect metabolic changes in the blood in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD) was studied in this work. In a case-control study (n = 56), CBM enabled the detection of the signature in blood metabolites related to 1–2.5 clinical stages of PD, according to the modified Hoehn and Yahr scale, which is formed by alterations in eicosanoids, phospholipids and, presumably, in the butadione metabolism. The CBM component-based diagnostic accuracy reached 77%, with a specificity of 71% and sensitivity of 82%. The research results extend the range of disorders for which CBM is applicable and offer new opportunities for revealing PD-specific metabolic alterations and diagnosing early-stage PD.
The expression of lnc-CCDC170-4:1, ESR1, lncRNA SRA, and CYP19A1 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and their relationship with the clinical characteristics
Authors: Yuan Jinrui , Wen Mengke , Matnuri Amina , Zhao Shihong , Jian Ning , Shen Guqun
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The occurrence of cervical cancer may be related to estrogen and estrogen receptors. This study investigated the expression of lnc-CCDC170–4:1, ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1), lncRNA SRA, and CYP19A1 (aromatase) in cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues, as well as their relationship with the clinical characteristics of patients.

Methods

Whole transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed on cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues (n=4) and normal tissues (n=4). The expressions of lnc-CCDC170–4:1, ESR1, lncRNA SRA, and CYP19A1 were validated in 26 cases of cervical cancer tissue and 30 cases of normal cervical tissue using qRT-PCR. The relationship of gene expression with the clinical characteristics and 5-year overall survival rates of cervical cancer patients was analyzed.

Results

The expression levels of CYP19A1 and lncRNA SRA were upregulated, while those of ESR1 and lnc-CCDC170–4:1 were downregulated in cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissue. However, their expression was not related to 5-year overall survival rates (p>0.05). Low expression of lnc-CCDC170–4:1 was associated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.030) and Tumor size (p=0.047), Low expression of ESR was associated with FIGO Staging (p=0.041)and Tumor size(p=0.002),High expression of LncSRA was associated with FIGO Staging(p=0.004).

Conclusion

Estrogen and estrogen receptors may play a role in the occurrence and development of cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Low expression of lnc-CCDC170–4:1 and ESR1 are associated with lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage, so it may be a potential biomarker to evaluate the prognosis of cervical cancer.
Lithium-induced apoptotic cell death is not accompanied by a noticeable inflammatory response in the kidney
Authors: Baranovskaya Irina , Volk Kevin , Alexander Sati , Abais-Battad Justine , Mamenko Mykola
Published: August 2024

Lithium (Li+) therapy is a valuable tool in psychiatric practice that remains underutilized due to safety concerns. Excessive plasma Li+ levels are nephrotoxic and can trigger a local immune response. Our understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of Li+ in the kidney is fragmentary. Here, we studied how immune mechanisms contribute to the development of Li+-induced adverse effects in the kidneys of C57BL/6NJ mice placed on a 0.3% lithium carbonate diet for 28 days. We combined histochemical techniques, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, qPCR and proteome profiler arrays to characterize renal tissue damage, infiltrating immune cells and cytokine markers, activation of pyroptotic and apoptotic cascades in the kidneys of mice receiving Li+-containing and regular diets. We found that biomarkers of tubular damage, kidney injury marker, KIM-1, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL, were elevated in the renal tissue of Li+-treated mice when compared to controls. This correlated with increased interstitial fibrosis in Li+-treated mice. Administration of Li+ did not activate the pro-inflammatory NLRP3 inflammasome cascade but promoted apoptosis in the renal tissue. The TUNEL-positive signal and levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-8, were elevated in the kidneys of Li+-treated mice. We observed a significantly higher abundance of CD93, CCL21, and fractalkine, accumulation of F4.80+ macrophages with reduced M1/M2 polarization ratio and decreased CD4+ levels in the renal tissue of Li+-treated mice when compared to controls. Therefore, after 28 days of treatment, Li+-induced insult to the kidney manifests in facilitated apoptotic cell death without an evident pro-inflammatory response.
YOLO-CFruit: a robust object detection method for Camellia oleifera fruit in complex environments
Authors: Luo Yuanyin , Liu Yang , Wang Haorui , Chen Haifei , Liao Kai , Li Lijun
Published: August 2024

Introduction

In the field of agriculture, automated harvesting of Camellia oleifera fruit has become an important research area. However, accurately detecting Camellia oleifera fruit in a natural environment is a challenging task. The task of accurately detecting Camellia oleifera fruit in natural environments is complex due to factors such as shadows, which can impede the performance of traditional detection techniques, highlighting the need for more robust methods.

Methods

To overcome these challenges, we propose an efficient deep learning method called YOLO-CFruit, which is specifically designed to accurately detect Camellia oleifera fruits in challenging natural environments. First, we collected images of Camellia oleifera fruits and created a dataset, and then used a data enhancement method to further enhance the diversity of the dataset. Our YOLO-CFruit model combines a CBAM module for identifying regions of interest in landscapes with Camellia oleifera fruit and a CSP module with Transformer for capturing global information. In addition, we improve YOLOCFruit by replacing the CIoU Loss with the EIoU Loss in the original YOLOv5.

Results

By testing the training network, we find that the method performs well, achieving an average precision of 98.2%, a recall of 94.5%, an accuracy of 98%, an F1 score of 96.2, and a frame rate of 19.02 ms. The experimental results show that our method improves the average precision by 1.2% and achieves the highest accuracy and higher F1 score among all state-of-the-art networks compared to the conventional YOLOv5s network.

Discussion

The robust performance of YOLO-CFruit under different real-world conditions, including different light and shading scenarios, signifies its high reliability and lays a solid foundation for the development of automated picking devices.
Perspectives on early childhood development in China: key dimensions and contextual contributions
Authors: Fu Qianqian , Zhao Fangfang , Qin Jinliang
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The recognition of culture and context as pivotal influences on the developmental trajectory of young children has been underscored by numerous developmental theories. Localized knowledge is essential for comprehending cultural universality with specificity for early childhood development (ECD).

Methods

Thirteen focus group discussions were conducted with professionals, caregivers, and teachers from four regions in China. Thematic content analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes, followed by coding to identify more conceptual units of meaning.

Results

The findings reveal distinct culture-based skills across four domains of ECD in China. These highlight a local culture that embraces a comprehensive, dynamic, and staged perspective on the development of young children. This study elucidates the multidimensional impact of the environment on young children’s development, with a focus on children’s behavioral characteristics and temperament traits, ECEC practices, and ECEC beliefs that transcend identity, culture, and the economy.

Discussion

This study contributes to the assessment of ECD for future cultural comparisons and enhances the scientific understanding of the interplay between developmental skills in young children and diverse cultural expectations and backgrounds.
Are there potential costs for humility in a pluralistic democracy?: A longitudinal investigation of immigrants in the New Zealand attitudes and values study
Authors: McLaughlin Aaron T. , Davis Don E. , Lee Yejin , Woo Hee Chan , Coleman Jamian , Bulbulia Joseph , Osborne Danny , Sibley Chris G.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

In this longitudinal study, we examine the potential costs and benefits of humility for well-being and civic trust among immigrants in a pluralistic democracy.

Methods

With data from 14,864 immigrant participants from a nationwide random sample in New Zealand, we used multilevel modeling to examine the associations of general humility (i.e., honesty-humility modesty) with well-being (life satisfaction and meaning) and civic trust (trust in police) over time in contexts with varying levels of ethnic deprivation and perceived religious discrimination. We hypothesized that (a) humility would correlate positively with well-being and civic trust (Hypothesis 1), (b) these associations would be attenuated in the contexts where perceptions of ethnic deprivation and religious discrimination are high (Hypothesis 2), and (c) these interaction effects would become more pronounced when cultural identities are salient (Hypothesis 3).

Results

Multilevel modeling revealed partial support for these hypotheses. Although humility correlated positively with well-being and trust in police over time, the two-way and three-way interactions did not yield substantial support for Hypotheses 2 and 3, respectively. The context of religious discrimination did, however, marginally attenuate the positive association between humility and trust in police.

Discussion

Collectively, these results demonstrate that humility is associated with multiple benefits to well-being and civic trust and has few—if any—potential drawbacks.
An international, cross-sectional survey of psychiatry researchers and clinicians: perceptions of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine
Authors: Ng Jeremy Y. , Kochhar Jassimar , Cramer Holger
Published: August 2024

Background

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that focuses on mental, behavioral and emotional well-being. Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine has been an increasingly popular choice for patients with psychiatric disorders, therefore our study aimed to explore the perceptions of psychiatry researchers and clinicians on the use of CAIM.

Methods

We conducted an online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey for researchers and clinicians who have published their work in psychiatry medical journals that are indexed in MEDLINE. 42,667 researchers and clinicians were sent the link to the survey after extraction of their email addresses from their respective publications. Respondents were asked numerous multiple-choice questions regarding their perceptions on various CAIM therapies, followed by an open-ended question where they could include any additional thoughts.

Results

The survey was completed by 987 respondents, with a majority identifying as a researcher (n=447, 46.51%), or as both a researcher and a clinician (n=368, 38.29%) within the field of psychiatry. Most respondents (n=629, 78.04%) perceived mind-body therapies such as meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, and yoga to be the most promising CAIM therapy for the prevention, treatment, and management of psychiatric diseases. Many participants said that they agree (n=285, 38.14%) that most CAIM therapies in general are safe, however, many disagree that CAIM therapies are effective (n=245, 32.93%). Respondents indicated that there is value to conducting research on CAIM therapies (n=356, 47.91%), and that there should be more funding allocated to researching these therapies (n=265, 35.71%). Respondents were also in agreement that clinicians should receive training on CAIM therapies through formal education (n=295, 39.76%) or supplementary education (n=380, 51.28%).

Conclusion

The findings from this study showed that there is great interest and potential in researching CAIM within the field of psychiatry. This information can be used as a basis for further research and to develop tailored educational resources for researchers and clinicians in psychiatry.
Factors associated with non-response and nutritional status of non-responders at 6-month post-discharge: a cohort study nested in a MUAC-based nutrition programme for acutely malnourished children in Mirriah, Niger
Authors: Daures Maguy , Hien Jérémie , Cazes Cécile , Alitanou Rodrigue , Saillet Laure , Séri Benjamin , Aly Ahmad Ag Mohamed , Maidadji Oumarou , Sanoussi Atté , Mahamadou Aboubacar , Altmann Mathias , Phelan Kevin , Becquet Renaud , Shepherd Susan
Published: August 2024

Background

In the treatment of acute malnutrition (AM), non-response is considered a treatment failure for not meeting recovery criteria within a therapeutic window of 12–16 weeks, but this category of children is misunderstood. As current research emphasizes ways to simplify and optimize treatment protocols, non-response emerges as a new issue to enhance program efficiency.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted from 2019 to 2020 at two health centres in Mirriah, Niger among children aged 6–59 months with uncomplicated AM treated under the Optimising treatment for Acute MAlnutrition (OptiMA) protocol. Children who did not meet recovery criteria by 12 weeks (mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) ≥125 mm without oedema for two consecutive weeks) were classified as non-responders. Non-responders received a home visit six-months post-discharge. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with non-responders compared with children who recovered.

Results

Of the 1,112 children enrolled, 909 recovered and 139 were non-responders, of which 127 (80.6%) had significant MUAC gain (mean: +9.6 mm, sd = 5.1) at discharge. Girls (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.07, 95% CI 1.33–3.25), children <12 months of age (aHr = 4.23, 95% CI 2.02–9.67), those with a MUAC <115 mm (aHR = 11.1, 95% CI 7.23–17.4) or severe stunting (aHR = 2.5, 1.38–4.83) at admission and a negative or flat MUAC trajectory between admission and week 4 (aHR = 4.66, 95% CI 2.54–9.13) were more likely to be non-responders. The nutritional status of non-responders had generally improved 6 months after discharge, but only 40% had achieved MUAC ≥125 mm.

Conclusion

Non-responders are not a homogeneous group; while most children ultimately show significant nutritional improvement, rapid hospital referral is crucial for those not gaining MUAC early in treatment. As efforts to expand MUAC-based programming progress, adapting exit criterion and/or providing additional food supplementation with smaller daily ration for children with risk factors discussed here may help improve programme efficiency without adding to the cost of treatment.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of Washington State’s digital COVID-19 exposure notification system over one pandemic year
Authors: Elder Adam S. , Arrouzet Cory J. , Miljacic Ljubomir , Karras Bryant T. , Higgins Amanda , West Laura M. , Lorigan Daniel , Revere Debra , Polissar Nayak , Segal Courtney D. , Lober William B. , Baseman Janet G.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Digital exposure notifications are a novel public health intervention used during the COVID-19 pandemic to alert users of possible COVID-19 exposure. We seek to quantify the effectiveness of Washington State’s digital exposure notification system, WA Notify, as measured by the number of COVID-19 cases averted during a 1-year period.

Methods

While maintaining individuals’ privacy, WA Notify collected data that could be used to evaluate the system’s effectiveness. This article uses these and other data and builds on a previous model to estimate the number of cases averted by WA Notify. Novel estimates of some model parameters are possible because of improvements in the quality and breadth of data reported by WA Notify.

Results

We estimate that WA Notify averted 64,000 (sensitivity analysis: 35,000–92,000) COVID-19 cases in Washington State during the study period from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2022. During this period, there were an estimated 1,089,000 exposure notifications generated and 155,000 cases reported to WA Notify. During the last 78 days of the study period, the median estimated number of daily active users was 1,740,000.

Discussion

We believe WA Notify reduced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington State and that similar systems could reduce the impact of future communicable disease outbreaks.
Icy ocean worlds - astrobiology research in Germany
Authors: Klenner Fabian , Baqué Mickael , Beblo-Vranesevic Kristina , Bönigk Janine , Boxberg Marc S. , Dachwald Bernd , Digel Ilya , Elsaesser Andreas , Espe Clemens , Funke Oliver , Hauber Ernst , Heinen Dirk , Hofmann Florence , Hortal Sánchez Lucía , Khawaja Nozair , Napoleoni Maryse , Plesa Ana-Catalina , Postberg Frank , Purser Autun , Rückriemen-Bez Tina , Schröder Susanne , Schulze-Makuch Dirk , Ulamec Stephan , de Vera Jean-Pierre Paul
Published: August 2024

Icy bodies with subsurface oceans are a prime target for astrobiology investigations, with an increasing number of scientists participating in the planning, development, and realization of space missions to these worlds. Within Germany, the Ocean Worlds and Icy Moons working group of the German Astrobiology Society provides an invaluable platform for scientists and engineers from universities and other organizations with a passion for icy ocean worlds to share knowledge and start collaborations. We here present an overview about astrobiology research activities related to icy ocean worlds conducted either in Germany or in strong collaboration with scientists in Germany. With recent developments, Germany offers itself as a partner to contribute to icy ocean world missions.
Co-creation in partnerships contributing to the sustainability of food systems: insights from 52 case studies in Europe
Authors: de Vries Hugo , Donner Mechthild , Fabiano Flavia , Mamès Maurine , Lazaro-Mojica Jonas , Cotillas Eduardo , Avila Concha , Martínez Juan , Alcat Gabriela , Rossi Daniel , Pierantoni Elisabetta , Marini Tancredi , Bruen Anna , Vordemfelde Johanna , Amorese Valentina , Lirosi Lorenza , Voyatzakis Ariane
Published: August 2024

Institutions worldwide call for joint actions of multiple actors in partnerships to accelerate the transitions towards sustainable food systems and reach food security for everybody, allways. This requires insights into co-creating processes. Here, 52 European food system cases are analyzed. A methodology based on the game structure is used that permits standardizing data collection and extracting generic and cases-specific findings. Game building blocks correspond with key elements of co-creation processes, like defining mutually accepted objectives, engaging in types of activities, and efficient use of resources, boundary conditions, timings, and scales of operations. Results further indicate that different types of inclusive partnerships emerge, in which especially innovative private, including smallholders, and academic actors co-create value, all contributing to sustainability. The public and civil society actors emerge as important initiators, enablers, and organizers of scales of interaction, allowing generating snowball effects. Findings lead to an adapted concept for co-creating partnerships in food systems and recommendations for the European Partnership on sustainable food systems.
The length of the biliopancreatic limb in one anastomosis gastric bypass
Authors: Focquet Marc
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), first published by Dr Rutledge in 1997 is now a well-established procedure in the bariatric-metabolic armamentarium. This procedure based on a (single) loop gastro-jejunal anastomosis (the biliopancreatic limb or BPL) with a long narrow gastric pouch combines restriction with hypo-absorption. The biliopancreatic limb and in particular its length is held responsible for the degree of the hypo-absorptive effect but the most appropriate or “optimal” length of the BPL remains debatable.

Methods

The following text is based on a comprehensive and meticulous selection of the most recent literature in Cochrane, Pubmed and Google Scholar using the search terms “biliopancreatic limb”, "biliopancreatic limb in one anastomosis gastric bypass” in an attempt to define not only the most common used biliopancreatic limb length but also to find out If there is an “ideal” limb length not only to optimize the outcomes of the OAGB in terms of weight loss and resolution of obesity-related diseases but also to reduce the potential side-effects in particular nutritional deficiencies.

Results

Until today there is no consensus about the “standard” or “ideal” length of the biliopancreatic limb in OAGB, a fixed length of 200 cm is still the most common used procedure although many reports and studies are in favour of shorter limb lengths adjusted to the BMI or the total small bowel length.

Conclusion

The “ideal” or “optimal” biliopancreatic limb length in OAGB still needs to be defined. There are different options and all of them have their credits, the question remains if a consensus can be reached regarding the best strategy to obtain the best outcome.
Multi-Objective Unsupervised Feature Selection and Cluster Based on Symbiotic Organism Search
Authors: AL-Gburi Abbas Fadhil Jasim , Nazri Mohd Zakree Ahmad , Yaakub Mohd Ridzwan Bin , Alyasseri Zaid Abdi Alkareem
Published: August 2024

Unsupervised learning is a type of machine learning that learns from data without human supervision. Unsupervised feature selection (UFS) is crucial in data analytics, which plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of results and reducing computational complexity in huge feature spaces. The UFS problem has been addressed in several research efforts. Recent studies have witnessed a surge in innovative techniques like nature-inspired algorithms for clustering and UFS problems. However, very few studies consider the UFS problem as a multi-objective problem to find the optimal trade-off between the number of selected features and model accuracy. This paper proposes a multi-objective symbiotic organism search algorithm for unsupervised feature selection (SOSUFS) and a symbiotic organism search-based clustering (SOSC) algorithm to generate the optimal feature subset for more accurate clustering. The efficiency and robustness of the proposed algorithm are investigated on benchmark datasets. The SOSUFS method, combined with SOSC, demonstrated the highest f-measure, whereas the KHCluster method resulted in the lowest f-measure. SOSFS effectively reduced the number of features by more than half. The proposed symbiotic organisms search-based optimal unsupervised feature-selection (SOSUFS) method, along with search-based optimal clustering (SOSC), was identified as the top-performing clustering approach. Following this, the SOSUFS method demonstrated strong performance. In summary, this empirical study indicates that the proposed algorithm significantly surpasses state-of-the-art algorithms in both efficiency and effectiveness. Unsupervised learning in artificial intelligence involves machine-learning techniques that learn from data without human supervision. Unlike supervised learning, unsupervised machine-learning models work with unlabeled data to uncover patterns and insights independently, without explicit guidance or instruction.
Strip Tillage Improves Productivity of Direct-Seeded Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus) in Rice–Oilseed Rape Rotation Systems
Authors: Li Chaosu , Li Ming , Xiong Tao , Yang Hongkun , Peng Xiaoqin , Wang Yong , Qin Haiyan , Li Haojie , Tang Yonglu , Fan Gaoqiong
Published: August 2024

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is a crucial global oil crop. It is generally cultivated in rotation with rice in southern China’s Yangtze River Basin, where the wet soil and residue retention after rice harvest significantly hinder its seedling establishment. Hence, this study developed a strip-tillage seeder for oilseed rape seeding following rice harvest. Additionally, seedling establishment, soil infiltration and evaporation post-seeding, soil moisture change, oilseed yield, and weed occurrence under strip tillage (ST) were compared with conventional shallow rotary-tillage (SR) and deep rotary-tillage (DR) seeding practices. Compared to SR and DR, the results demonstrated that ST had a higher seeding efficiency and 53.8% and 80.2% lower energy consumption, respectively. ST also enhanced seedling growth and oilseed yield formation more effectively than the competitor tillage treatments, with an oilseed yield increase exceeding 6%. Additionally, ST improved water infiltration and reduced soil water evaporation, resulting in higher topsoil (0–20 cm) moisture during the critical growth stages. Furthermore, ST reduced soil disturbance, significantly decreasing the density of the dominant weed, Polypogon fugax. Overall, ST seeding technology has the potential to improve the productivity of oilseed rape in rice–oilseed rape rotation systems, and its yield superiority is mainly due to seedling establishment improvement and soil moisture adjustment.
Analysis of Maize Planting Mode and Simulation and Optimization of Ridging and Fertilization Components in Arid Area of Northwest China
Authors: Dai Fei , Pan Haifu , Zhou Wenqi , Tang Han , Wang Qi , Li Wenglong , Wang Jinwu
Published: August 2024

The arid area of Northwest China belongs to the rain-fed agricultural area of the Loess Plateau, and water resources have become one of the important factors limiting agricultural development in this area. This study employed the AquaCrop model to predict the yield advantages and environmental adaptability of maize in Dingxi City from 2016 to 2020 under two cultivation practices: ridge tillage (100% film coverage with double ridge-furrow planting) and flat planting (81.8% film coverage with wide-film planting). The numerical simulation of the tillage and fertilization process of the double-ridge seedbed was carried out by EDEM, and the key components were tested by the Box–Behnken center combination test design principle to obtain the optimal parameter combination. The results showed that ridge planting was more suitable for agricultural planting in rain-fed arid areas in Northwest China. The simulation analysis of ridging and fertilization showed that the forward speed of the combined machine was 0.50 m/s, the rotation speed of the trough wheel of the fertilizer discharger was 39 rmp, and the rotary tillage depth was 150 mm. The qualified rate of seedbed tillage was 93.6%, and the qualified rate of fertilization was 92.1%. The research shows that the whole-film double ridge-furrow sowing technology of maize is more suitable for the rain-fed agricultural area in the arid area of Northwest China. The simulation results of the ridging fertilization device are consistent with the field experiment results. The research results provide a certain technical reference for the optimization of the whole-film double ridge-furrow sowing technology.
The Impact of the Growth Regulators and Cultivation Conditions of Temporary Immersion Systems (TISs) on the Morphological Characteristics of Potato Explants and Microtubers
Authors: Daurov Dias , Daurova Ainash , Sapakhova Zagipa , Kanat Rakhim , Akhmetzhanova Dana , Abilda Zhanar , Toishimanov Maxat , Raissova Nurgul , Otynshiyev Murat , Zhambakin Kabyl , Shamekova Malika
Published: August 2024

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) constitute one of the most economically important annual crops. In terms of tissue culture, potato microtubers (MTs) have a number of advantages over conventional plants. These advantages include their small size, which greatly facilitates storage, transport, and germplasm exchange compared to in vitro plants. One effective solution for the production and mass propagation of healthy MTs is the use of temporary immersion systems (TISs). In this study, in a SETISTM system containing kinetin/gibberellic acid (GA)/indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) hormones, we investigated the effects of different nutrient media on the morphological characteristics of potato explants and MTs. We determined the optimal cycling duration (3 h) with an immersion frequency of 2 min. The results revealed that the optimal nutrient medium for culturing single-node potato explants in a SETISTM bioreactor was the M7 medium containing kinetin (2 mg/L), GA (0.5 mg/L), and IBA (0.5 mg/L). The optimal nutrient medium for obtaining potato MTs was the M1 medium (hormone-free) with a high concentration of sucrose (9%) at 18 °C under dark growing conditions. Thus, a universal nutrient medium, employed in a bioreactor, was selected for the mass propagation of potato MTs for both domestic and foreign potato varieties.
Accurate Characterization of Soil Moisture in Wheat Fields with an Improved Drought Index from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Observations
Authors: Cheng Minghan , Lu Xintong , Liu Zhangxin , Yang Guanshuo , Zhang Lili , Sun Binqian , Wang Zhian , Zhang Zhengxian , Shang Ming , Sun Chengming
Published: August 2024

Soil moisture content is a crucial indicator for understanding the water requirements of crops. The effective monitoring of soil moisture content can provide support for irrigation decision-making and agricultural water management. Traditional ground-based measurement methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and point-scale monitoring cannot effectively represent the heterogeneity of soil moisture in the field. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology offers an efficient and convenient way to monitor soil moisture content in large fields, but airborne multispectral data are prone to spectral saturation effects, which can further affect the accuracy of monitoring soil moisture content. Therefore, we aim to construct effective drought indices for the accurate characterization of soil moisture content in winter wheat fields by utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with LiDAR, thermal infrared, and multispectral sensors. Initially, we estimated wheat plant height using airborne LiDAR sensors and improved traditional spectral indices in a structured manner based on crop height. Subsequently, we constructed the normalized land surface temperature–structured normalized difference vegetation index (NLST-SNDVI) space by combining the SNDVI with land surface temperature and calculated the improved Temperature–Vegetation Drought Index (iTVDI). The results are summarized as follows: (1) the structured spectral indices exhibit better resistance to spectral saturation, making the NLST-SNDVI space closer to expectations than the NLST-NDVI space, with higher fitting accuracy for wet and dry edges; (2) the iTVDI calculated based on the NLST-SNDVI space can effectively characterize soil moisture content, showing a significant correlation with measured surface soil moisture content; (3) the global Moran’s I calculated based on iTVDI deviations ranges between 0.18 and 0.30, all reaching significant levels, indicating that iTVDI has good spatial applicability. In conclusion, this study proved the effectiveness of the drought index based on a structured vegetation index, and the results can provide support for crop moisture monitoring and irrigation decision-making in the field.
Seed- and Foliar-Applied Iron Chelate Improves Performance, Physiological, and Biochemical Aspects of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) under Semi-Arid Conditions
Authors: Nurozi-Boldaji Zeynab , Fallah Sina , Yusefi-Tanha Elham , Gollner Gabriele , Salehi Aliyeh
Published: August 2024

The cultivation of medicinal plants plays a crucial role in promoting human health benefits. However, the production of these plants can be affected by drought conditions. This research aimed to investigate the impact of differing water status (non-drought and drought during the flowering to harvest stage) and various iron treatments on the performance of black cumin. The iron treatments included no iron as the control (nFe), no iron with seed hydro-priming (nFe + P), seed iron priming (pFe), seed iron priming with iron foliar spraying (pFe + sFe), and double iron foliar spraying (sFe + sFe). The purpose of these treatments was to assess the effect of iron application methods on plant response under different water conditions. The findings revealed that drought significantly reduced the levels of Chla (15%) and RWC (5.9%), plant height (7%), follicle number (16.7%), seed number (4.6%), 1000-seed weight (3.2%), and seed yield (30.1%). Additionally, drought increased the proline content (90.9%), electrolyte leakage (9.2%), and MDA levels (23.9%). Interestingly, applying iron amendments reduced electrolyte leakage and increased seed yield under both water conditions. The drought-induced increase in proline content was more pronounced in the nFe treatment than in the other treatments. The amount of MDA in the nFe and nFe + P treatments was significantly higher under drought conditions compared to non-drought conditions. In conclusion, the addition of iron amendments helps black cumin plants recover from the effects of drought and reduces damage to seed growth. This means that using both seed iron priming and iron foliar spraying can significantly improve yields. Alternatively, focusing on either seed iron priming or double iron foliar spraying can also boost black cumin production compared to not using iron amendments.