bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling the environmental impact of corn production in China: evidence from panel ARDL approach
Authors: Zhang Ying , Ahmad Muhammad Irshad , Shen Qiong , Boota Muhammad Waseem , Zhao Cuiping , Ma Hengyun
Published: January 2025

Understanding the cycle of carbon emissions resulting from agricultural practices is critical for evaluating their effect on environmental quality. This study investigates the influence of corn production on environmental quality across six major corn producing provinces in China: Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Shandong, and Sichuan, using panel datasets spanning from 1990 to 2022. Utilizing a robust methodological framework and advanced econometric techniques such as the Panel Mean Group Autoregressive Distributed Lag model (PMG-ARDL), Panel Quantile Regressions (PQR), Panel Least Square regression (PLSR), this study offers a comprehensive analysis of both short-term and long-term impacts of several agricultural inputs, agricultural GDP, and temperature on environmental quality. The findings reveal significant long-term contributions to carbon emissions from the use of agricultural water, agricultural credit, and fertilizers use, indicating the environmental costs associated with intensive agricultural practices. The study shows carbon emissions have a long-term negative relationship with corn production. The results from the PMG-ARDL model are consistent with those obtained from the PQR, and PLSQR analyses, demonstrating strong positive correlations between agricultural loans, fertilizer use, agricultural water usage, and carbon emissions. The Dumitrescu and Hurlin results show unidirectional causation of carbon emissions from pesticide use, temperature, and agricultural GDP, and bidirectional causal relationship between carbon emissions, corn production, fertilizer use, agricultural water usage, and agricultural credit. The study underscores the critical need for policies that balance agricultural productivity with environmental quality, suggesting directions for future research to explore diverse agricultural systems and incorporate more dynamic modeling approaches to better understand and mitigate the environmental impacts of agriculture.
A primary rat neuron-astrocyte-microglia tri-culture model for studying mechanisms of neurotoxicity
Authors: Badley Jessie R. , Bhusal Aishwarya , Lein Pamela J.
Published: January 2025

Primary cell cultures from rodent brain are widely used to investigate molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurotoxicity. To date, however, it has been challenging to reliably culture endogenous microglia in dissociated mixed cultures. This is a significant limitation of most in vitro neural cell models given the growing awareness of the importance of interactions between neurons, astrocytes and microglia in defining responses to neurotoxic exposures. We recently developed a tri-culture model consisting of neurons, astrocytes and microglia dissociated from the developing rat neocortex and demonstrated that this tri-culture model more faithfully mimics in vivo neuroinflammatory responses then standard neuron-only or neuron-astrocyte co-cultures. Here, we describe our protocol for generating tri-cultures of rat cortical neurons, astrocytes and microglia in which all 3 cell types can be maintained for up to 1 month in culture at the same relative ratio observed in the developing rat neocortex. We also discuss applications of this model for neurotoxicity testing, as well as the potential of this model to fill a current gap for assessing neuroinflammation in the in vitro testing battery for developmental neurotoxicity.
Methodological Approaches to Comparative Trend Analyses: The Case of Adolescent Toothbrushing
Authors: Torsheim Torbjørn , Elgar Frank J. , Cosma Alina , Residori Caroline , Samdal Oddrun , Schnohr Christina
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Research questions about how and why health trends differ between populations require decisions about data analytic procedure. The objective was to document and compare the information returned from stratified, fixed effect and random effect approaches to data modelling for two prototypical descriptive research questions about comparative trends in toothbrushing.

Methods

Data included five cycles of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children 2006 to 2022, which provided a sample of 980192 11- to 15- year olds from 35 countries. Using logistic regression models and generalized linear mixed models, toothbrushing daily was regressed on time, following the three approaches to analysis of trends.

Results

The stratified approach suggested a positive but non-linear trend in toothbrushing from 2006 to 2022 in most countries but provided no statistical inference on the variation. The fixed effect and the random effect approach converged on a positive but flattening overall trend, with a statistically significant country variation in trends.

Conclusion

Only the fixed effect approach and the random effects approach provided clear answers to the research question. Additional methodological considerations for making an informed choice of analytical approach are discussed.
A Survey on Variable Neighborhood Search for Sustainable Logistics
Authors: de Armas Jesica , Moreno-Pérez José
Published: January 2025

Sustainable logistics aims to balance economic efficiency, environmental responsibility, and social well-being in supply chain operations. This study explores the use of Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS), a metaheuristic optimization method, in addressing sustainable logistics challenges and provides insights into the potential it has to support them by delivering efficient solutions that align with global sustainability goals. The review identifies key trends, including a significant increase in research since 2019, with a strong focus on routing, scheduling, and location problems. Hybrid approaches, combining VNS with other methods, and multiobjective optimization to address trade-offs between sustainability goals are prominent. The most frequently applied VNS versions align closely with those commonly used in the broader literature, reflecting similar adoption proportions. In recent years, a noticeable increase in studies incorporating adaptation mechanisms into VNS frameworks has emerged. This trend is largely driven by the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence approaches across numerous fields of science and engineering, highlighting the need for more dynamic and intelligent optimization techniques. However, important research gaps remain. These include limited consideration of uncertainty and dynamic logistics systems, underrepresentation of social sustainability, and a lack of standardized benchmarks for comparing results. Future work should address these challenges and explore emerging applications.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the GRF and GIF Gene Families in Prunus avium
Authors: Chen Hongxu , Pei Yangang , Tang Wanjia , Li Hongfen , Huang Yidi , Chu Yizhe , Kou Guanqiong , Niu Wenyi , He Runmei , Gong Ronggao
Published: January 2025

Prunus avium is a woody plant of economic importance within the genus Prunus, the family Rosaceae, which is affected by various environmental factors during its long growth period. Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) and GRF-interacting factors (GIFs) are essential in regulating plant growth and development, responding to environmental stresses, and responding to exogenous hormone induction. Genome-wide analysis showed 13 GRF genes on eight chromosomes and three GIF genes on three chromosomes in P. avium, clustered into three and two branches, respectively. Cis-acting element analysis indicated that the PavGRF promoters contained regulatory elements associated with hormones, light stress, and growth development. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of gibberellin and light stress on the GRF and GIF genes in P. avium at different stages. Transcriptome data revealed that five PavGRFs exhibited elevated expression levels during the green ripening and color conversion stages in P. avium, PavGRF9 and PavGIF1 displayed higher expression during the full red stage, and gibberellin treatment led to the upregulation of these five PavGRFs and PavGIF1 during the full red stage. However, light stress did not significantly impact the expression of PavGRFs and PavGIFs. Additionally, miR396 could bind to the PavGRFs, thereby regulating the expression level of PavGIF after transcription. This study revealed the potential roles of the GRF and GIF transcription factor families in P. avium fruit growth and development, exogenous hormone treatment, and light stress, laying the foundation for further research on the roles of the GRF and GIF gene families in P. avium.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Glaesserella parasuis to Macrolides and Characterization of erm(T)-Carrying Mobile Elements on Chromosome
Authors: Zhang Peng , Li Changmin , Shang Shuna , Huang Ting , Liu Junqi , Ge Qianwen , Liao Xiaoping , Fang Liangxing , Yu Yang
Published: January 2025

Glaesserella parasuis is the etiological agent of Glässer’s disease, which causes high morbidity and mortality in pigs worldwide. Macrolide resistance poses an urgent threat to their treatment, as macrolides are widely used for preventing and treating G. parasuis infections. Here, we determined the susceptibilities to five macrolides and characterized the genetic markers of macrolide resistance. The antimicrobial susceptibility of 117 G. parasuis isolates to erythromycin, tulathromycin, gamithromycin, tylosin, and tilmicosin was evaluated using broth microdilution method. Erythromycin-resistant isolates were sequenced using whole-genome sequencing. Further analysis of these sequences revealed the genetic basis of macrolide resistance in G. parasuis. Our results show that most G. parasuis isolates remained susceptible to the macrolide drugs. For commonly used agents (e.g., tylosin and tilmicosin), elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were observed, whereas for the newer macrolides (e.g., tulathromycin and gamithromycin), the MICs remained almost unchanged. The macrolide resistance gene erm(T) and the A2059G mutation in 23S rRNA were detected in the current study. To the best of our knowledge, integrative and conjugative element (ICE)-borne erm(T) in G. parasuis is reported for the first time in this study. Taken together, these results provide insights into the susceptibility of G. parasuis to macrolides. The presence of erm(T) on ICEs may facilitate its transfer, reducing the effectiveness of macrolide treatment.
Successful Traceability of Wildlife Samples Contributes to Wildlife Conservation: A Case Study of Tracing the Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus spp.)
Authors: Wang Xibo , Shen Ying , Teng Yang , Wu Ruifeng , Liu Shuhao , Zhao Jilai , Hu Can , Li Ming , Pan Huijuan , Qi Jiwei
Published: January 2025

Rapid and effective methods for tracing the geographic origin of wildlife samples are essential for tackling the illegal wildlife trade. Traditional morphological categorization methods are often inadequate as relying on the mitochondrial COXI barcode is insufficient for determining geographic populations. To address these limitations, we developed a bioinformatics-based pipeline for the rapid identification of traceable nuclear genome loci. This pipeline has been applied to the whole-genome sequence (WGS) data of China’s flagship species, the snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus spp.). These species are known for sex-biased dispersal and hybrid speciation, which complicates genealogy tracing. Using phylogenetic principles, we employed the Robinson and Foulds (RF) distance and scanned over 1,850,726 population-specific loci, identifying five pairs that can trace genealogy origins rapidly and cost-effectively using PCR. Additionally, we found that relying only on mitochondrial genetic information is insufficient for rapid and accurate traceability to subspecies-level geographic populations. Our pipeline efficiently identifies loci and traces the geographic origin of snub-nosed monkey individuals, providing a valuable tool for species preservation and combating the wildlife trade. This approach can be extended to other species, aiding in the conservation of endangered wildlife and tracing criminal evidence.
Fasciola gigantica Recombinant Abelson Tyrosine Protein Kinase (rFgAbl) Regulates Various Functions of Buffalo Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Zhao Min , Zou Yu , Chen Wanting , Wu Dongqi , Xian Chengjun , Yang Haoqing , Tan Jiacheng , Di Wenda , Wu Wende , Wang Dongying
Published: January 2025

Fasciola gigantica can modulate host immune mechanisms through excretory–secretory products (ESP). As one of the components of ESP, it is unknown whether Abelson tyrosine protein kinase (Abl) is involved in parasite–host immune interaction. To investigate the immunoregulatory function of Abl in Fasciola gigantica, we cloned and expressed the Fasciola gigantica Abl protein and assessed its effect on specific immune functions of buffalo peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Recombinant F. gigantica Abelson tyrosine protein kinase (rFgAbl) was expressed in Escherichia coli. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the reactivity of anti-rFgAbl antibodies with rFgAbl, serum from F. gigantica-infected buffalo, and excretion and secretion products of F. gigantica. Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to determine the localization of FgAbl in tissues from larval stages and adult worms of F. gigantica. Furthermore, immunofluorescence analysis was utilized to evaluate the binding ability of the rFgAbl protein to buffalo peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as well as to investigate the effects of varying concentrations of rFgAbl protein (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL) on the functional responses of PBMCs. Anti-rFgAbl antibodies specifically recognize rFgAbl, serum from buffalo infected with F. gigantica, and FgESP. rFgAbl is localized in the cecum and capsule of juvenile worms, as well as in the testis and viellaria of adult worms. Additionally, rFgAbl enhances cell proliferation, migration, nitric oxide (NO) production, and phagocytosis, while also increasing the transcription levels of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β). The results indicate that rFgAbl can influence the immune function of PBMCs. Further investigation into the immunomodulatory properties of the rFgAbl protein will enhance our understanding of the immune interaction mechanisms between trematodes and their hosts.
Physiotherapy Management and Technology Use for Parkinson’s Disease: A Survey Among Greek Physiotherapists
Authors: Papageorgiou Despoina , Sakellari Vasiliki , Koumantakis George A. , Gkoraki Viktoria , Chrysagis Nikolaos
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study is to investigate Greek physical therapists’ perceptions of therapeutic approaches, assessment tools, and the use of technology in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire consisting of 26 questions. The questionnaire was addressed to Greek physiotherapists who were registered with the Panhellenic Physical Therapy Association (PPTA) at the time of the survey and practiced their profession in Greece. A total of 203 physical therapists who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Out of all the participants, 65% had over 10 years of work experience and treated 1–9 patients with PD per year. Additionally, 84.7% of participants communicated with health scientists as part of the interdisciplinary collaboration, and 23.2% used assessment tools/scales frequently. New technologies were only used by 24.6% of participants despite a positive view of their benefits (70.9%). Physiotherapists who attended a lifelong educational program or adult neurological physiotherapy seminars or held a master’s or doctoral degree in physiotherapy used new technologies at higher rates of 64% and 68%, respectively. Finally, the use of new technologies was related to the acquisition of a master’s degree or lifelong training specialization.
The Addition of Tomato and Spinach Powder to Semolina Pasta: A Study of the Impact of the Production Process and Cooking on Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Marzocchi Silvia , Pasini Federica , Santi Renzo , Caboni Maria Fiorenza
Published: January 2025

Pasta is a staple food with daily recommended consumption; thus, it can be an excellent vehicle for delivering bioactive compounds like phenols. However, the high-temperature drying process in pasta production, combined with cooking in boiling water, can significantly reduce the concentration of phenolic compounds. This study aimed to enhance the phenolic content of traditional semolina pasta by incorporating tomato and spinach powder into the recipe. High-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS) was employed to analyse the free and bound phenolic content in the raw materials, as well as in both dried uncooked and cooked pasta. The addition of tomato and spinach powders, known for their high content in bioactive compounds, increased the overall phenolic content of the final enriched pasta by three and two times, respectively, compared to the semolina and whole-wheat semolina pasta. These findings suggest that pasta enriched with tomato and spinach could serve as a functional food with a greater nutritional profile and health benefits through the enhanced delivery of phenolic compounds.
The Limited Impact of Running Performance on Football Success in the Turkish Super League
Authors: Plakias Spyridon , Tasoulis Sotiris , Kyranoudis Angelos E. , Kokkotis Christos , Moustakidis Serafeim
Published: January 2025

Given that performance in football depends on tactical, technical, physical, and mental skills, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are differences in running performance between winning and non-winning teams in the Turkish League, taking into account the influence of game location and the comparative quality of the team and its opponents. Utilizing a dataset from the 2021–2022 season provided by InStat Fitness, an optical tracking technology platform certified by FIFA, the analysis included 185 matches after adjusting for matches with red card incidents. The research employed both two-way ANCOVA and binary logistic regression analyses to explore the relationships between running performance (categorized into four intensity zones) and match results, considering factors such as match location and teams’ strength. The results of the two-way ANCOVAs indicate that running performance metrics, specifically the distances covered at different intensities, even in cases where statistically significant differences are observed, have small practical significance (partial eta squared ≤ 0.03 in all cases). Conversely, as shown by the binary logistic regression, home advantage triples the probability of winning (p < 0.001, Exp(B) = 3.119), while the increase in probability caused by team quality (p < 0.001, Exp(B) = 1.085) and the decrease caused by opponent quality (p < 0.001, Exp(B) = 0.911) are also significant. The conclusions highlight that running performance metrics are not decisive predictors of match outcomes in professional football. This suggests the importance of integrating tactical, technical, and psychological factors into team preparation and performance analysis. This study underscores the need for future research to adopt dynamic methods that reflect the game’s fluid nature and to explore these relationships across various leagues and seasons to enhance the generalizability of the findings.
Effect of Precision Nitrogen Fertilization of Grassland on Soil Microbial Structure
Authors: Miernik Anna , Korończok Jerzy
Published: January 2025

The synergistic application of advanced technologies enables precise determination of plant growth, health, and nutritional requirements. However, despite the widespread use of modern technologies, the microbial status of the soil is often neglected, even though it significantly impacts soil productivity. Soil microbial activity serves as a crucial indicator of site-specific soil conditions. This article presents efforts to explore the quantitative and qualitative relationships between identified actinomycetes and soil nitrate content, as well as their distribution within the soil profile. Field data analysis facilitated the assessment of nitrate concentrations and the evaluation of the quantitative and species composition of actinomycetes in the soil profile at depths ranging from 0.05 to 0.35 m. The highest nitrate concentration (22 mg/100 g of soil) and actinomycete abundance (1076 CFU/g of soil) were observed in the topsoil layer. Additionally, spatial correlations between these parameters were analyzed for each soil layer. The correlation coefficients were approximately −0.6, indicating an inverse relationship. Areas with low nitrogen content corresponded to reduced microbial abundance within the soil profile, as supported by the spatial correlation data. These findings demonstrate the potential to predict actinomycete abundance in the soil profile based on nitrate content, offering valuable insights into soil health and productivity.
On Equilibrium Problem for T-Shape Elastic Structure
Authors: Khludnev Alexander
Published: January 2025

This paper is concerned with an equilibrium problem for an elastic structure consisting of a plate and an elastic beam connected to each other at a given point. We consider two cases: In the first one, the elastic beam is connected to a rigid part of the elastic plate; in the second case, contact occurs between two elastic bodies. The elastic plate may contain a thin rigid delaminated inclusion. Neumann-type boundary conditions are considered at the external boundary of the plate. The existence of a solution to the considered problems is proven. A sufficient and necessary condition imposed onto the external forces for the solvability of the problems is found. Passages to the limit with respect to the rigidity parameter of the elastic beam are justified. For all problems, we analyze variational statements as well as differential ones.
Which Neighborhood Matters? Estimating Multiple-Location Built Environment Effects on the Modality Style
Authors: Ge Yaoxia , Gui Chen , Zhuang Yunqian , Yin Chaoying , Tang Wenyun
Published: January 2025

The literature on the built environment (BE) and travel has offered evidence on both short- and long-term aspects of travel behavior with a main focus on home and work neighborhoods; however, the effects of the BE at the main activity space on the modality style have remained largely unknown. Moreover, little is known about the inter-modal substitutions and how the substitution is affected by the satiation effects. Based on survey data from Beijing, a Multiple Discrete Continuous Extreme Value (MDCEV) model is adopted to reveal the effects of BE at home, work, and activity space locations on the modality style. Results show that BE features at the home, work, and main activity space neighborhoods are essential triggers of the modality style, among which home BE features play the most vital role. The satiation effects visualized from various travel modes suggest that car traveling remains the most preferred travel mode. These findings can provide refined BE planning implications according to local land-use patterns for urban planners and transport policymakers because a one-size-fits-all design is not a solution to regulate people’s travel behavior.
Impact of Chatbots on User Experience and Data Quality on Citizen Science Platforms
Authors: Kessel Akasha-Leonie , Sahri Soror , Groppe Sven , Groppe Jinghua , Khorashadizadeh Hanieh , Pignal Marc , Perez Pimparé Eva , Vignes-Lebbe Régine
Published: January 2025

Citizen science (CS) projects, which engage the general public in scientific research, often face challenges in ensuring high-quality data collection and maintaining user engagement. Recent advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) present a promising solution by providing automated, real-time assistance to users, reducing the need for extensive human intervention, and offering instant support. The CS project Les Herbonautes, dedicated to mass digitization of the French National Herbarium, serves as a case study for this paper, which details the development and evaluation of a network of open source LLM agents to assist users during data collection. The research involved the review of related work, stakeholder meetings with the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, and user and context analyses to formalize system requirements. With these, a prototype with a user interface in the form of a chatbot was designed and implemented using LangGraph, and afterward evaluated through expert evaluation to assess its effect on usability and user experience (UX). The findings indicate that such a chatbot can enhance UX and improve data quality by guiding users and providing immediate feedback. However, limitations due to the non-deterministic nature of LLMs exist, suggesting that workflows must be carefully designed to mitigate potential errors and ensure reliable performance.
Laryngeal Carcinoma Characteristics Associated with Positive Margins and Endoscopic Understaging
Authors: Labaš Nia , Košec Andro , Peček Mirta , Gregurić Tomislav , Stevanović Siniša
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The study aims to analyse the factors associated with positive margins and endoscopic understaging in laryngeal carcinoma. It also aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) in comparison to White Light Endoscopy (WLE) and other diagnostic methods. Methods: In this retrospective comparative cohort analysis, 206 patients who underwent endoscopic laser surgery for T1 and T2a glottic squamous cell carcinoma between 1 January 2016 and 30 April 2023 were included. The data were collected from endoscopy, CT, histopathology, and NBI images. Statistical analysis was performed and associations between variables were analysed using binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: The types of cordectomy performed included type III (51 patients), type IV (40 patients), and type VI (23 patients). Positive margins were found in 14.01% of patients, with significant correlations observed between positive margins and bilateral laryngeal carcinoma, right-sided laryngeal carcinoma, higher clinical and histopathologic T categories, and higher NBI grade. Endoscopic understaging versus histopathologic T category correlated with various factors, including cordectomy type, tumour size, and clinical T category. The NBI findings correlated with positive margins but did not correlate with endoscopic understaging. Conclusions: The study highlights several clinical and pathological factors associated with positive margins and endoscopic understaging in laryngeal carcinoma. NBI demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, correlating with histopathological results and serving as an independent predictive factor for positive margins. Recognizing these factors is crucial for improving preoperative assessments, refining treatment strategies, and enhancing patient care.
Afforestation/Reforestation and Avoided Conversion Carbon Projects in the United States
Authors: Cho Sungeun , Baral Srijana , Burlakoti Dhruba
Published: January 2025

Voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) are gaining momentum as a strategy for climate change mitigation through forest carbon offset (FCO) projects in the United States (US). Despite this, few studies have examined the carbon storage performance and co-benefits associated with FCO projects, including afforestation/reforestation (A/R) and avoided conversion (AC). This study examines the current status of all existing A/R, AC, and avoided grassland conversion (AGC) projects registered within the VCM in the US. Using data from public carbon offset registries, we focus our analysis on the geographical and ownership distributions, project size, issued and retired credits, and co-benefits generated by these project types. Results showed a significant concentration of FCO projects in southern and western states, with 168,253 acres in Arkansas, 71,105 acres in Montana, and 42,857 acres in Colorado. Regarding project ownership, approximately 60% of all projects were owned by private companies and individuals or families. Analysis of offset credits by vintage period revealed that A/R projects generate a higher volume of both issued and retired credits compared to AC and AGC projects. Additionally, content analysis indicated that A/R projects provide a greater number of environmental and socioeconomic co-benefits than their AC and AGC counterparts. The findings from this study can improve our understanding of markets for forest-based ecosystem services and provide valuable insights for program administrators and policymakers to inform the decisions surrounding climate investments.
Evaluation of 3D Models of Archaeological Remains of Almenara Castle Using Two UAVs with Different Navigation Systems
Authors: López-Herrera Juan , López-Cuervo Serafín , Pérez-Martín Enrique , Maté-González Miguel Ángel , Izquierdo Consuelo Vara , Peñarroya José Martínez , Herrero-Tejedor Tomás R.
Published: January 2025

Improvements in the navigation systems incorporated into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and new sensors are improving the quality of 3D mapping results. In this study, two flights were compared over the archaeological remains of the castle of Almenara, situated in Cuenca, Spain. We performed one with a DJI Phantom 4 (DJI Innovations Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China) and the other with a Matrice 300 RTK (DJI Innovations Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China) and the new Zenmuse P1 camera (45 mp, RGB sensor). With the help of the new software incorporated into the Zenmuse P1 camera gimbal, we could significantly reduce the flight time. We analysed the data obtained with these two UAVs and the built-in RGB sensors, comparing the flight time, the point cloud, and its resolution and obtaining a three-dimensional reconstruction of the castle. We describe the work and the flights carried out, depending on the type of UAV and its RTK positioning system. The improvement in the positioning system provides improvements in flight accuracy and data acquisition. We compared the results obtained in similar studies, and thanks to the advances in UAVs and their sensors with better resolution, we managed to reduce the data collection time and obtained 3D models with the same results as those from other types of sensors. The accuracies obtained with the RTK and the P1 camera are very high. The volumes calculated for a future archaeological excavation are precise, and the 3D models obtained by these means are excellent for the preservation of the cultural asset. These models can have various uses, such as the preservation of an asset of cultural interest, or even its dissemination and analysis in various studies. We propose to use this technology for similar studies of archaeological documentation and the three-dimensional reconstruction and visualisation of cultural heritage in virtual visits on the web.
Mitochondrial Genome Characteristics Reveal Evolution of Danxiaorchis yangii and Phylogenetic Relationships
Authors: Liu Xuedie , Luo Huolin , Liu Zhong-Jian , Yang Bo-Yun
Published: January 2025

Danxiaorchis yangii is a fully mycoheterotrophic orchid that lacks both leaves and roots, belonging to the genus Danxiaorchis in the subtribe Calypsoinae. In this study, we assembled and annotated its mitochondrial genome (397,867 bp, GC content: 42.70%), identifying 55 genes, including 37 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 16 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs, and conducted analyses of relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), repeat sequences, horizontal gene transfers (HGTs), and gene selective pressure (dN/dS). Additionally, we sequenced and assembled its plastome, which has a reduced size of 110,364 bp (GC content: 36.60%), comprising 48 PCGs, 26 tRNAs, and 4 rRNAs. We identified 64 potential chloroplast DNA fragments transferred to the mitogenome. Phylogenomic analysis focusing on 33 mitogenomes, with Vitis vinifera as the outgroup, indicated that D. yangii is grouped as follows: D. yangii + ((Dendrobium wilsonii + Dendrobium wilsonii henanense) + Phalaenopsis aphrodite). Phylogenetic analysis based on 83 plastid PCGs from these species showed that D. yangii is grouped as follows: (D. yangii + Pha. aphrodite) + (Den. wilsonii + Den. henanense). Gene selective pressure analysis revealed that most mitochondrial and plastid genes in D. yangii are under purifying selection, ensuring functional stability, and certain genes may have undergone positive selection or adaptive evolution, reflecting the species’ adaptation to specific ecological environments. Our study provides valuable data on the plastomes and mitogenomes of D. yangii and lays the groundwork for future research on genetic variation, evolutionary relationships, and the breeding of orchids.
Early Identification of Exacerbations in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Authors: Voulgareli Ilektra , Antonogiannaki Elvira-Markela , Bartziokas Konstantinos , Zaneli Stavrina , Bakakos Petros , Loukides Stelios , Papaioannou Andriana I.
Published: January 2025

Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have a substantial effect on overall disease management, health system costs, and patient outcomes. However, exacerbations are often underdiagnosed or recognized with great delay due to several factors such as patients’ inability to differentiate between acute episodes and symptom fluctuations, delays in seeking medical assistance, and disparities in dyspnea perception. Self-management intervention plans, telehealth and smartphone-based programs provide educational material, counseling, virtual hospitals and telerehabilitation, and help COPD patients to identify exacerbations early. Moreover, biomarkers such as blood eosinophil count, fibrinogen, CRP, Serum amyloid A(SAA),together with imaging parameters such as the pulmonary artery-to-aorta diameter ratio, have emerged as potential predictors of exacerbations, yet their clinical utility is limited by variability and lack of specificity. In this review, we provide information regarding the importance of the early identification of exacerbation events in COPD patients and the available methods which can be used for this purpose.
Outcomes of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Long-Term Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Litmanovich Adi , Yuval Jonathan Benjamin , Agostini Elena Donata , Orbach Lior , Kariv Yehuda , Zemel Meir , Lahat Guy , Abu-Abeid Adam
Published: January 2025

Background: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is a well-established treatment for severe obesity, yet its effects in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not well understood. MBS in this population presents unique challenges, including the potential for exacerbating inflammatory disease activity and causing complications such as malnutrition and medication malabsorption. This study aims to assess the long-term outcomes of MBS in IBD patients, focusing on both metabolic outcomes and its impact on the course of IBD. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 patients with IBD who underwent MBS at a tertiary center between 2005 and 2019. Data on baseline characteristics, surgical procedures, complications, weight loss, resolution of obesity-related diseases, and IBD-related outcomes were collected. Results: The cohort, primarily female (65%), had a mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) of 40.8 kg/m2. The MBS procedures performed were sleeve gastrectomy (n = 9), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 6), one-anastomosis gastric bypass (n = 2), and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (n = 3). No major 30-day complications were recorded. At a median follow-up of 91 months, the mean BMI decreased by 9.5 kg/m2, with satisfactory outcomes in terms of resolution of obesity-related diseases. IBD activity scores increased postoperatively, particularly in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients, although these changes were not statistically significant. In addition, 30% of patients were hospitalized due to IBD exacerbation, and 15% required surgical intervention for IBD. Conclusions: MBS is an effective treatment for severe obesity and its related diseases in IBD patients. While encountering no major complications or mortality, some long-term complications were observed, with a possible increase in IBD activity, particularly in CD patients. Ongoing challenges, such as the risk of malnutrition, medication malabsorption, and postoperative IBD exacerbations, necessitate careful long-term follow-up.
Impact of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in a Cohort of COVID-19 Critically Ill Patients: Data from a Prospective Observational Study Conducted in a High-Antimicrobial-Resistance-Prevalence Center
Authors: Montrucchio Giorgia , Grillo Francesca , Balzani Eleonora , Gavanna Giulia , Sales Gabriele , Bonetto Chiara , Simonetti Umberto , Zanierato Marinella , Fanelli Vito , Filippini Claudia , Corcione Silvia , De Rosa Francesco Giuseppe , Curtoni Antonio , Costa Cristina , Brazzi Luca
Published: January 2025

Background: Bacterial superinfections are common complications during viral infections, but the impact of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens in critically ill patients affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still debated. Methods: This is an observational, monocentric, and prospective study designed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of MDR bacterial superinfections in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Results: A high incidence of superinfections (66%, 159/241) was observed: ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (65%, 104/159) and bloodstream infection (BSI, 32%, 51/159) were the most common. Superinfections, Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support, and prone positioning increased the risk of death five, four, and more-than-two times, respectively (OR = 5.431, IC 95%: 1.637–18.014; 4.462, IC 95%: 1.616–12.324 and 2.346, IC 95%: 1.127–4.883). MDR bacteria were identified in 61% of patients with superinfection, with a cumulative incidence of 37.2% at day 14. Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-AB) and CR-Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-KP) were the most common causative agents (24.3% and 13.7%). CR-AB was found to significantly increase both ICU and in-hospital mortality (76.4% and 78.2%), whereas CR-KP had no direct impact on mortality. Prior rectal colonization (p < 0.0001), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.0017), a prolonged ICU stay (p < 0.0001), the use of iNO (p = 0.0082), vasopressors (p = 0.0025), curarization (p = 0.0004), and prone positioning (p = 0.0084) were found to be risk factors for CR-AB. Conclusions: Critically ill COVID-19 patients are at high risk of developing MDR superinfection. While CR-KP had no direct impact on mortality, CR-AB appeared to increase ICU and in-hospital mortality.
Batch-to-Batch Variation and Patient Heterogeneity in Thymoglobulin Binding and Specificity: One Size Does Not Fit All
Authors: den Hollander Nicoline H. M. , Jansen Diahann T. S. L. , Roep Bart O.
Published: January 2025

Background: Thymoglobulin is used to prevent allograft rejection and is being explored at low doses as intervention immunotherapy in type 1 diabetes. Thymoglobulin consists of a diverse pool of rabbit antibodies directed against many different targets on human thymocytes that can also be expressed by other leukocytes. Since Thymoglobulin is generated by injecting rabbits with human thymocytes, this conceivably leads to differences between Thymoglobulin batches. Methods: We compared different batches for antibody composition and variation between individuals in binding to PBMC and T cell subsets, and induction of cytokines. Four different batches of Thymoglobulin were directly conjugated with Alexa-Fluor 647. Blood was collected from five healthy donors, and PBMCs were isolated and stained with Thymoglobulin followed or preceded by a panel of fluorescent antibodies to identify PBMC and T cell subsets. In addition, whole blood was incubated with unlabeled Thymoglobulin to measure cytokine induction. Results: Cluster analysis of flow cytometry data shows that Thymoglobulin bound to all PBMC subpopulations including regulatory T cells. However, Thymoglobulin binding was highly variable between donors and to a lesser extent between batches. Cytokines related to cytokine release syndrome were highly, but variably, increased by all Thymoglobulin batches, with strong differences between donors and moderate differences between batches. Discussion: The variation in Thymoglobulin binding and action between donors regarding PBMC recognition and cytokine response may underlie the different clinical responses to Thymoglobulin therapy and require personalized dose adjustment to maximize efficacy and minimize adverse side effects.
Potential Medicinal Fungi from Freshwater Environments as Resources of Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Cicero Ilenia , Mirabile Giulia , Venturella Giuseppe
Published: January 2025

Owing to their nutritional, culinary, and nutraceutical, mushrooms are worldwide consumed and appreciated. Moreover, many of these mushrooms are also known as medicinal mushrooms since they possess several pharmacological properties attributable to a huge number of bioactive compounds derived from their sporophores. Several studies are available in the literature about in vitro and in vivo mechanisms of actions of such bioactive compounds. Most of these surveys are focused on macrofungi belonging to the genera Pleurotus, Ganoderma, or specific taxa such as Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus blazei, Boletus eduliInonotus obliquus, Hericium erinaceus, Lentinula edodes, and Grifola frondose. On the other hand, there is a lack of information on the under investigated ecological group of freshwater fungi. These fungi play a very important role in freshwater environments and some of them, belonging to Basidiomycota, are also edible and largely consumed. In this review we collected information about the medicinal properties of freshwater macro- and micromycetes. Among them, macrofungi, such as Amanita vaginata, Armillaria mellea, Armillaria tabescens, Astraeus hygrometricus, Auricularia auricula-judae, Bjerkandera adusta, Bovista nigrescens, Calocybe gambosa, Candolleomyces candolleanus, Collybia dryophila, Coprinus comatus, Cyclocybe cylindracea, Hypsizygus ulmarius, Inonotus hispidus, Lactarius controversus, Lentinus tigrinus, and Schizophyllum commune, observed in riparian habitat, and microfungi, such as Penicillium aculeatum, P. chrysogenum, and Fusarium incarnatum, isolated from aquatic plants, have been reported to have antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, immunomoludatory, hypoglycaemic, and other pharmaceutical activities. Such fungal species are noteworthy since they represent an important quote of biodiversity to preserve their fundamental ecological role and a possible solution for different health problems for humans and animal farms.
Prostatic Artery Embolization in Elderly Comorbid Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Safety, Efficacy, and Predictive Factors of Clinical Failure
Authors: Zorzi Federico , Rossin Giulio , Digregorio Michelangelo , Lavecchia Simone , Piasentin Andrea , Traunero Fabio , Morreale Carmelo , Rizzo Michele , Cai Tommaso , Trombetta Carlo , Zucchi Alessandro , Liguori Giovanni
Published: January 2025

Background: This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in elderly, multimorbid patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Additionally, it seeks to identify technical and clinical factors that predict clinical failure at the mid-term follow-up. Methods: We analyzed the clinical records of 175 consecutive patients who underwent PAE. Technical success was defined as achieving embolization on at least one side. Safety was assessed using the Clavien–Dindo classification. The pre-procedural international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) score, prostate volume (PV), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and post-void residual urine (PVR) were compared with values assessed at the follow-up evaluation. Clinical failure was defined as no improvement or worsening of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) based on the IPSS at the follow-up evaluation. Univariate and multivariate regression models were applied to identify predictors of clinical failure. Results: 158 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 74 years (68, 79), with a median ASA score of 2 (2, 3) and a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) of 5 (4, 7). Follow-up assessments were carried out at a median of 12 months (0, 1). IPSS decreased by −5 points (−8, 0), QoL by −1 point (−1, 0), PV by −19 cc (−26, −8), PVR by −45 cc (−25 to −80), and PSA by −1.1 ng/mL (−2.5, −0.2) (p < 0.01); while Qmax improved by 4 mL/s (2, 6) (p < 0.01). A total of 44 patients (30.3%) experienced clinical failure, which was significantly correlated with unilateral embolization (p < 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that higher CCI, elevated PVR, and the use of larger microspheres were associated with poorer clinical outcomes, with odds ratios of 2.17 (95% CI: 1.4–3.38), 1.02 (95% CI: 1.01–1.03), and 26.83 (95% CI: 4.81–149.8), respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusions: PAE is a safe and effective treatment for elderly multimorbid patients with BPH. Comprehensive pre-procedural clinical assessment, incorporating the CCI and PVR, is essential to optimize treatment outcomes.
Drag Losses of Wet Brakes and Clutches—A Scoping Review
Authors: Pointner-Gabriel Lukas , Voelkel Katharina , Stahl Karsten
Published: January 2025

Wet brakes and clutches are crucial drivetrain components widely used in many sectors. However, their drag losses can account for a considerable share of the overall drivetrain losses. Therefore, investigation of the drag loss behavior of wet brakes and clutches has been the subject of research since the 1970s. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of existing knowledge of drag loss behavior and identify future research directions. To this end, a scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. It was found that research mainly, but not only, focused on gaining a fundamental understanding of the drag loss generation process, investigating the integral drag loss behavior, analyzing the flow in the sub-millimeter gaps, and modeling and calculating the drag losses. The review summarizes the state of the art and may support researchers and engineers in developing low-loss wet brake and clutch systems. Several research gaps were identified and are provided.
The Influence of Leather Type on Thermal and Smoke-Generating Properties
Authors: Staszko Sebastian , Półka Marzena , Matuszkiewicz Rafał
Published: January 2025

The main purpose of this article was to determine the smoke-generating and thermal properties of selected types of natural leather. Differences in the amount of smoke generated from the type of finish used in the technological processing of leather were observed. Research has shown that the burnt nubuck (367) sample with exposure at the heat flux intensity of 25 kW/m2 without the presence of a pilot burner flame achieved the highest value of the specific optical density Ds,max. Comparable values, 312 and 297, were recorded for grain bovine leather and velour bovine leather, respectively; on the other hand, the lowest value of the tested parameter amounting to 220 was recorded for lacquered bovine leather. Tests executed with the use of thermogravimetric analysis show that except for nubuck leather, the start of thermal decomposition for all types of samples appears to be fairly similar and was found to be within the range of 275–282 °C. The highest value of thermal decomposition onset, i.e., 302 °C, was recorded for nubuck leather. The highest percentile of residues from thermal decomposition, i.e., 9%, was obtained for grain bovine leather. This implies that the least gaseous phase during its thermal decomposition in test conditions was generated by this type of leather. The highest average Ds,max value was obtained for nubuck (367), and decreased as follows: grain bovine leather (312) > velour bovine leather (297) > lacquered bovine leather (220).