bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of premenstrual syndrome in connection with physical activity, perceived stress level, and mental status—a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dózsa-Juhász Olívia , Makai Alexandra , Prémusz Viktória , Ács Pongrác , Hock Márta
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a critical factor in women’s health, which, in addition to physical inactivity, can be influenced by the body mass index (BMI), stress, and mental state, among others. The study aimed to assess the severity of PMS symptoms among young women regarding physical inactivity, BMI, mental state, and perceived stress level.

Methods

A total of 198 female participants between the ages of 18–45 took part in a 6-month cross-sectional online questionnaire study. The average age of the participants was 25.37 ± 4.80 years. To assess physical activity, stress, mental state, and premenstrual symptoms, we employed standard questionnaires, including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and the Premenstrual Assessment Form-Short Form (PAF-SF). The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 28.0 software, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

Results

During the analysis, we observed a significant relationship (p = 0.020) between regular exercise and the severity of PMS symptoms, as well as between mental state and PMS symptoms (p < 0.001). Furthermore, our findings revealed a significant negative correlation between regular physical activity and perceived stress levels (r = −0.179; p = 0.012), as well as between regular exercise and the participants’ mental state (r = −0.157; p = 0.027). Additionally, we identified a significant difference (p < 0.001) among the six subgroups formed based on the PAF-SF and average PSS questionnaire results. Moreover, a significant difference was observed between the PAF-SF case and control groups in terms of BMI averages (p = 0.019).

Discussion

The research findings indicate that the severity of PMS symptoms is influenced by regular physical activity, mental state, and stress.
Layer-specific strain in patients with cardiac amyloidosis using tissue tracking MR
Authors: Li Zheng , Yan Cheng , Hu Guo-Xiang , Zhao Rui , Jin Hang , Yun Hong , Wei Zheng , Pan Cui-Zhen , Shu Xian-Hong , Zeng Meng-Su
Published: August 2023

Background

Cardiac infiltration is the major predictor of poor prognosis in patients with systemic amyloidosis, thus it becomes of great importance to evaluate cardiac involvement.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate left ventricular myocardial deformation alteration in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) using layer-specific tissue tracking MR.

Material and Methods

Thirty-nine patients with CA were enrolled. Thirty-nine normal controls were also recruited. Layer-specific tissue tracking analysis was done based on cine MR images.

Results

Compared with the control group, a significant reduction in LV whole layer strain values (GLS, GCS, and GRS) and layer-specific strain values was found in patients with CA (all P < 0.01). In addition, GRS and GLS, as well as subendocardial and subepicardial GLS, GRS, and GCS, were all diminished in patients with CA and reduced LVEF, when compared to those with preserved or mid-range LVEF (all P < 0.05). GCS showed the largest AUC (0.9952, P = 0.0001) with a sensitivity of 93.1% and specificity of 90% to predict reduced LVEF (<40%). Moreover, GCS was the only independent predictor of LV systolic dysfunction (Odds Ratio: 3.30, 95% CI:1.341–8.12, and P = 0.009).

Conclusion

Layer-specific tissue tracking MR could be a useful method to assess left ventricular myocardial deformation in patients with CA.
A systematic review investigating advances in gene therapy for Fanconi anemia over the last three decades
Authors: McLeman Lorna M. , Glaser Astrid , Conyers Rachel , Deans Andrew J.
Published: August 2023

Fanconi anemia (FA) is the most common inherited bone marrow failure syndrome, characterized by cellular DNA repair deficiency, developmental defects, and a 700-fold increased risk of developing cancer. A bone marrow transplant is the only treatment option for the hematological manifestations of FA, but it can have serious complications. Gene therapy, on the other hand, offers a promising alternative, using cells from the patient that have been corrected ex vivo. However, due to the complexity of cells with a compromised DNA repair pathway, it has been difficult to achieve success in treating FA with gene therapy, despite advancements in the treatment of other blood disorders. This review summarizes all published human trials to date, including a recent study that reported success in treating four pediatric patients with gene therapy, and its interim Phase II study that has successfully treated six further patients. We discuss the key advances, such as improvements in viral vectors, shorter ex vivo transduction protocols, and the use of hypoxia and/or media additives such as N-acetylcysteine or etanercept. We also discuss the potential use of mobilizing agents such as granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and plerixafor. The data from human trials are systematically reviewed and advances in murine and in vitro studies are discussed.
Between the witness and the observer: what ethnography can learn from James Baldwin
Authors: Ince Jelani I.
Published: August 2023

What is the role of the ethnographer during a time of increased racial hostility, political mobilization to keep racial minorities “in their place,” and commitments to revisionist interpretations of the country's past and projected future? While the traditional, classic ethnographic approach would recommend that the researcher should avoid taking a stance on so-called political matters and merelyobservethem, I argue that that position is insufficient to address the issues that people are currently facing. Ethnography can, and should, do more. Therefore, this essay argues that the role of the ethnographer should be oriented toward what the late author James Baldwin callsthe witness. The witness is different from the observer because it rejects a positivistic orientation toward ethnographic fieldwork that prioritizes spectatorship to remain “scientific.” To be a witness is to transgress traditional epistemological understandings of ethnography that ignores how the researcher's position within the racial system shapes how one knows and does not know, what one sees and does not see, and how one imagines freedom and justice. Ethnographers can learn from Baldwin's method because it provides a rich vocabulary to describe the inequality that research participants encounter while in the field and embraces the possibility of an apocalyptic future, which is a future that is not guaranteed if we continue to seek neutrality. In this article, I detail three lessons that we can learn from Baldwin's method and status position as the witness: (1) Connecting empire to the global racial order via the international outsider; (2) Paying one's dues as a within-nation outsider; and (3) Representing the wretched as a within-community outsider. These lessons are instructive for ethnographers because they provide a lens to understand classic ethnographies of the past, while not wallowing in the doldrums of present arrangements, and challenges future research to ground reality as it is rather than what it “should” be.
Approaches to nitrogen fixation and recycling in closed life-support systems
Authors: Wallentine Tyler , Merkley David , Langenfeld Noah J. , Bugbee Bruce , Seefeldt Lance C.
Published: August 2023

N2 fixation is essential to the sustainability and operation of nitrogen systems but is energetically expensive. We developed a model and used sensitivity analysis to identify the impact of aerobic and anaerobic waste digestion, crop harvest index, rates of recovery of recalcitrant N, and the rate of N2 fixation in a system combining nitrogen fixation and recycling. The model indicates that the rate of N2 fixation, loss from reactors, fertilization efficiency, and crop harvest index have the largest impact on maintaining bioavailable N. N recoveries from aerobic and anaerobic digestion, as well as direct-to-soil fertilization, are not well characterized, but the case studies using this model indicate that their efficiencies are critical to N recovery. The findings of this model and its presented case studies can be used as a guide in the design of closed-loop habitats both on Earth and in space. These results reveal a clear need for continued research in the areas of N-efficient digestion, fertilization, and fixation.
Methods for assessing the adoption of rice varieties and land use changes in Chitwan, Nepal, using global positioning system transects and focus-group discussions
Authors: Joshi Krishna D. , Khanal Nabraj , Rawal Krishna B. , Upadhyay Santosh , Devkota Krishna P. , Joshi Govind R. , Witcombe John R.
Published: August 2023

Rice varietal adoption was assessed using randomly selected global positioning system (GPS) coordinates in Chitwan district, Nepal. At pre-determined sampling points along the transects, which researchers located using GPS, data were collected on land use and the name of any rice variety grown. These data were then triangulated through focus group discussions (FGD) for each transect. The first two surveys were done in 2005 and 2006 in 14 transects with 440 GPS coordinates representing the major rice-growing areas of Chitwan. Using the same approach, a third survey was conducted in 2022 in 72 out of the 440 GPS coordinates to document rice varietal adoption dynamics over a 16-year period. Farmers had changed the rice varieties they grew, but they continued to grow two to three old-improved varieties that covered more than 40% of the land. Hence, despite large changes in the rice varieties grown, the weighted average age of the varieties over 16 years was not reduced significantly. Despite their lower yields compared with newly released varieties, the older popular varieties persisted as they were in demand by the rice millers, who have little motive to replace rice varieties for which they have an established market. The adoption of rice varieties released in the previous 15 years was low except for Sawa Masuli sub-1, a stress-tolerant rice variety that was adopted in 16% of the study area more than a decade after its official recommendation. This variety had the advantage of having similar grain characteristics to the established variety Sawa Masuli, so millers could easily replace it with the new variety. The study revealed that premium rice lands in Chitwan were replaced with cattle and poultry farms, fishponds, and vegetables. Rice lands with better drainage and close to the Mahendra Raj Marg (highway) had been converted into real estate and settlements. There was a good agreement between the data collected from the sampled GPS coordinates and the FGDs. Random selection of GPS coordinates and sampling points is an unbiased, rapid, and efficient method for assessing the adoption of agricultural technologies, varietal dynamics, and changes in natural resources management and land use.
Current trends in biopolymers for food packaging: a review
Authors: González-López Martín Esteban , Calva-Estrada Sergio de Jesús , Gradilla-Hernández Misael Sebastián , Barajas-Álvarez Paloma
Published: August 2023

Non-biodegradable plastics have been extensively used for food packaging due to their outstanding properties that preserve food quality during transportation and shelf-life. The global awareness of plastic pollution has led to the development of environmentally friendly technologies for food packaging such as biodegradable polymers, edible films and coatings, and active or smart packaging. However, the petroleum-based polymers market seems not to be interested in setting back and current waste management strategies continue to be deficient in both technical and economic aspects. This work aimed to provide insights into the state-of-the-art technologies for food packaging based on the advances that have been made to improve the moisture, heat, and barrier properties of novel materials that could close the gap to conventional plastics in terms of performance and costs. This literature review takes a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on the required properties of food packaging and the potential impact on the physicochemical properties of food products. The aim is to identify gaps between current technologies and market demand that impede the alignment of the food packaging industry with global environmental policies. Several sustainable packaging options were identified, such as biopolymers like PLA or PBAT. However, most successful packaging solutions are made up of PVA, chitosan, gelatin, or films based on proteins. In both cases, the addition of essential oils, natural extracts, or nanoparticles to the packaging material has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving performance and ensuring food preservation over an extended period on the shelf. However, a significant research gap has been identified regarding the scaling up of packaging materials based on natural polymers, despite the technology appearing to be sufficiently advanced for practical implementation. Hence, it is necessary not only to optimize parameters to enhance functionality and mechanical properties but to demonstrate their feasibility for industrial production. Furthermore, it is essential to assess their environmental impact. It is important to provide evidence of the feasibility of real-world applications of the new materials developed, demonstrating their effectiveness under critical storage conditions for the preservation of different food groups.
Smallholder farmers’ adoption and perception of communally established cattle feedlots for climate change resilience in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Slayi Mhlangabezi , Zhou Leocadia , Jaja Ishmael Festus
Published: August 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to assess the willingness and awareness of cattle farmers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, to participate in communally established feedlots as a climate change adaptation strategy. The research sought to understand the factors that influenced farmers’ willingness to engage in feedlots and their level of awareness regarding the associated benefits and challenges.

Methods

Data was collected through surveys and interviews with 250 cattle farmers in rural communities, and the findings were analyzed.

Results

The results revealed that a significant proportion of cattle farmers expressed willingness to participate in communally owned feedlots as a climate change adaptation strategy. Several factors were identified as influencing farmers’ willingness, including age, education level, knowledge level, and awareness level. Younger farmers with higher education levels, greater knowledge about feedlot participation, and higher awareness levels regarding the benefits and challenges were more likely to demonstrate willingness to engage in feedlots.

Discussion

These findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions, such as education and awareness programs, to enhance farmers’ willingness and participation in feedlot initiatives. The study also shed light on the key benefits and challenges associated with feedlot participation. The benefits included increased livestock productivity, improved climate resilience, efficient utilization of resources, enhanced market access and profitability, and improved management practices. However, challenges such as initial investment costs, technical knowledge requirements, and potential environmental impacts were also identified. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the willingness and awareness of cattle farmers regarding communally owned feedlots as a climate change adaptation strategy.
Case report: Lumpy skin disease in an endangered wild banteng (Bos javanicus) and initiation of a vaccination campaign in domestic livestock in Cambodia
Authors: Porco Alice , Chea Sokha , Sours Sreyem , Nou Vonika , Groenenberg Milou , Agger Cain , Tum Sothyra , Chhuon Vanna , Sorn San , Hong Chamnan , Davis Ben , Davis Sharyn , Ken Sereyrotha , Olson Sarah H. , Fine Amanda E.
Published: August 2023

We describe a case of lumpy skin disease in an endangered banteng in Cambodia and the subsequent initiation of a vaccination campaign in domestic cattle to protect wild bovids from disease transmission at the wildlife-livestock interface. Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) was first detected in domestic cattle in Cambodia in June of 2021 and rapidly spread throughout the country. In September 2021, a banteng was seen in Phnom Tnout Phnom Pok wildlife sanctuary with signs of lumpy skin disease. Scab samples were collected and tested positive for LSDV. Monitoring using line transect surveys and camera traps in protected areas with critical banteng and gaur populations was initiated from December 2021-October 2022. A collaborative multisector vaccination campaign to vaccinate domestic livestock in and around priority protected areas with banteng and gaur was launched July 2022 and a total of 20,089 domestic cattle and water buffalo were vaccinated with LumpyvaxTM. No signs of LSDV in banteng or gaur in Cambodia have been observed since this initial case. This report documents the first case of lumpy skin disease in wildlife in Cambodia and proposes a potential intervention to mitigate the challenge of pathogen transmission at the domestic-wildlife interface. While vaccination can support local livestock-based economies and promote biodiversity conservation, it is only a component of an integrated solution and One Health approach to protect endangered species from threats at the wildlife-livestock interface.
Working Load Analysis of a 42 kW Class Agricultural Tractor According to Tillage Type and Gear Selection during Rotary Tillage Operation
Authors: Kim Yeon-Soo , Bae Bo-Min , Kim Wan-Soo , Kim Yong-Joo , Lee Sang-Dae , Kim Taek-Jin
Published: August 2023

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of tillage type (i.e., primary and secondary tillage) and gear selection (P1L2 to P1L4) on the working load of tractor–implement systems during rotary tillage. Soil properties change with depth, and differences in properties along the depth distribution, such as the location of formation of the hardpan layer, internal friction angle, and moisture content, affect the load of rotary tillage operations. Therefore, the physical properties of soil along the field depth distribution were measured to analyze the effect of tillage type and gear selection on workload in rotary tillage. In addition, a load measurement system equipped with PTO torque meter, axle torque meter, proximity sensor, and RTK-GPS were configured on the 42 kW agricultural tractor. The experimental results show that the combination of tillage type and gear selection has a wide-ranging effect on the tractor’s workload and performance when the rotavator operated at the same tilling depth. Overall working load was higher by up to 14% (engine) and 29.1% (PTO shaft) in primary tillage compared to secondary tillage when the gear selection was the same. When the tillage type is the same, it was analyzed that the overall average torque increased by up to 35.9% (engine) and 33.9% (PTO shaft) in P1L4 compared to P1L2 according to gear selection. Based on load analysis results, it was found that the effect of gear selection (Engine: 4–14%, PTO: 12.1–28.6%) on engine and PTO loads was higher than that of tillage type (Engine: 31.6–35.1%, PTO: 31.9–32.8%), and the power requirement tended to decrease in secondary tillage. Therefore, working load should be considered according to the soil environment and tillage type when designing agricultural machinery system.
Antibiotics Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours among the Population Living in Greece and Turkey
Authors: Lajunen Timo J. , Sullman Mark J. M. , Baddal Buket , Tekeş Burcu , Apostolou Menelaos
Published: August 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the largest threats to public health worldwide. As the inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the leading causes of antibiotic resistance, it is important to have an understanding of the public’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance. The present study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards antibiotics among the public living in Greece and Turkey using an online cross-sectional survey, with social media advertising (e.g., Facebook) and snowball sampling. In total, 709 individuals completed the survey (Greece n = 309, Turkey n = 400), with an average age of 34.2 (SD = 13.1) and 40.5 (SD = 14.7), respectively. In Greece, 49.4% of the participants were female, and in Turkey, this figure was 62.4%. The Greek respondents reported that obtaining antibiotics without a prescription was easier (52.6% reported “easy or very easy”) than the Turkish (35.6% reported “easy or very easy”) respondents did. This study reveals that Greek citizens were more educated and knowledgeable about antibiotics (58.5% of Greeks and 44.2% of Turks identified antibiotics correctly), their effects (20.9% of Greeks and 26.3% of Turks agreed with wrong statements about antibiotics) and the risks of antibiotic resistance, compared to those from Turkey. On the other hand, the Greek respondents were more prone to use leftover antibiotics or to give them to someone else later (p < 0.001). The findings of this study indicate that Greece and Turkey, both countries with high rates of antibiotic usage, exhibit distinct variations in their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions concerning antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. Effective countermeasures such as public campaigns should be targeted according to the population and those areas of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in which the main shortcomings lie.
Repurposing of Nitroxoline as an Alternative Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Treatment
Authors: Chao-Pellicer Javier , Arberas-Jiménez Iñigo , Fuchs Frieder , Sifaoui Ines , Piñero José E. , Lorenzo-Morales Jacob , Scheid Patrick
Published: August 2023

Among the pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA), Naegleria fowleri is the etiological agent of a fatal disease known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Once infection begins, the lesions generated in the central nervous system (CNS) result in the onset of symptoms leading to death in a short period of time. Currently, there is no standardized treatment against the infection, which, due to the high virulence of the parasite, results in a high case fatality rate (>97%). Therefore, it is essential to search for new therapeutic sources that can generate a rapid elimination of the parasite. In recent years, there have already been several successful examples of drug repurposing, such as Nitroxoline, for which, in addition to its known bioactive properties, anti-Balamuthia activity has recently been described. Following this approach, the anti-Naegleria activity of Nitroxoline was tested. Nitroxoline displayed low micromolar activity against two different strains of N. fowleri trophozoites (IC50 values of 1.63 ± 0.37 µM and 1.17 ± 0.21 µM) and against cyst stages (IC50 of 1.26 ± 0.42 μM). The potent anti-parasitic activity compared to the toxicity produced (selectivity index of 3.78 and 5.25, respectively) in murine macrophages and human cell lines (reported in previous studies), together with the induction of programmed cell death (PCD)-related events in N. fowleri make Nitroxoline a great candidate for an alternative PAM treatment.
Unraveling Obesity: Transgenerational Inheritance, Treatment Side Effects, Flavonoids, Mechanisms, Microbiota, Redox Balance, and Bioavailability—A Narrative Review
Authors: Naomi Ruth , Teoh Soo Huat , Halim Shariff , Embong Hashim , Hasain Zubaidah , Bahari Hasnah , Kumar Jaya
Published: August 2023

Obesity is known as a transgenerational vicious cycle and has become a global burden due to its unavoidable complications. Modern approaches to obesity management often involve the use of pharmaceutical drugs and surgeries that have been associated with negative side effects. In contrast, natural antioxidants, such as flavonoids, have emerged as a promising alternative due to their potential health benefits and minimal side effects. Thus, this narrative review explores the potential protective role of flavonoids as a natural antioxidant in managing obesity. To identify recent in vivo studies on the efficiency of flavonoids in managing obesity, a comprehensive search was conducted on Wiley Online Library, Scopus, Nature, and ScienceDirect. The search was limited to the past 10 years; from the search, we identified 31 articles to be further reviewed. Based on the reviewed articles, we concluded that flavonoids offer novel therapeutic strategies for preventing obesity and its associated co-morbidities. This is because the appropriate dosage of flavonoid compounds is able to reduce adipose tissue mass, the formation of intracellular free radicals, enhance endogenous antioxidant defences, modulate the redox balance, and reduce inflammatory signalling pathways. Thus, this review provides an insight into the domain of a natural product therapeutic approach for managing obesity and recapitulates the transgenerational inheritance of obesity, the current available treatments to manage obesity and its side effects, flavonoids and their sources, the molecular mechanism involved, the modulation of gut microbiota in obesity, redox balance, and the bioavailability of flavonoids. In toto, although flavonoids show promising positive outcome in managing obesity, a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the advantageous impacts of flavonoids—achieved through translation to clinical trials—would provide a novel approach to inculcating flavonoids in managing obesity in the future as this review is limited to animal studies.
Preventative and Therapeutic Effects of Astaxanthin on NAFLD
Authors: Sayuti Nor Hafiza , Muhammad Nawawi Khairul Najmi , Goon Jo Aan , Mokhtar Norfilza Mohd , Makpol Suzana , Tan Jen Kit
Published: August 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant public health issue owing to its high incidence and consequences, and its global prevalence is presently 30% and rising, necessitating immediate action. Given the current controversies related to NAFLD, the search for novel therapeutic interventions continues. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that primarily originates from marine organisms. It is the best antioxidant among carotenoids and one of the most significant components in treating NAFLD. The use of astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, as a dietary supplement to treat chronic metabolic diseases is becoming more evident. According to growing data, astaxanthin may be able to prevent or even reverse NAFLD by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, and fibrosis. Astaxanthin might become a viable therapeutic or treatment option for NAFLD in the upcoming years. Elucidating the impact and mechanism of astaxanthin on NAFLD would not only establish a scientific basis for its clinical application, but also potentially enhance the precision of experimental methodology for future investigations targeting NAFLD treatment. This review explores the potential preventive and therapeutic effects of astaxanthin on liver disorders, especially NAFLD.
How Does the Built Environment in Urban Villages Affecting Ride-Sourcing Commuting Trips Interacting with the Spatial Dependence Effect
Authors: Yu Le , Li Xiaodan , Luo Qin
Published: August 2023

Urban renewal provides opportunities to improve urban transport structures during the process of improving built environments. It is necessary to clarify the impact of different elements of the built environment on travel behaviors in the context of urban village renewal. This paper presents a microscopic perspective of individual travel behavior by proposing analytical frameworks to investigate travel behavior in terms of DiDi commuting trips. Considering the effect of spatial dependence, a Spatial Durbin Error Model was established, incorporating a spatial lag and spatial error. Traveling information was employed from the ride-sourcing company DiDi during the morning and evening peaks within in the urban village areas and workplaces of Shenzhen, and the variables of a built environment were scaled within travel analysis zones (TAZs). The results show that the impacts of the built environment on ride-sourced commuting were different between job and housing locations, with more influential factors in residential locations (urban villages). On the other hand, working locations had an influential magnitude more than twice that of residential locations. Alongside that, due to the spillover effect, it was more effective to hinder ride-sourced commuting and promote green traveling modes by increasing the number of bus stops. The findings provide some insights into transit-oriented urban renewal. Therefore, when transforming urban villages, an emphasis should be placed on the enhancement of transit availability, and the mixed land use could be considered last due to limited time and funds.
Study of Magnetorheological Grease’s Thermomagnetic Coupling Rheology
Authors: Pan Jiabao , Li Rui , Wang Ao
Published: August 2023

The controllable rheological properties of magnetorheological grease offer significant application prospects in regulating the lubrication behavior of frictional substrates. A novel nano-magnetorheological grease was prepared using nanoscale manganese ferrite as magnetic particles. The prepared magnetorheological grease underwent magnetic field scanning and rate scanning studies under thermomagnetic coupling, and we investigated the variation patterns of rheological parameters under different temperatures and magnetic field intensities. The Herschel–Bulkley rheological model was utilized for data fitting to determine the shear yield stress of the magnetorheological grease. Furthermore, the variation patterns of shear yield stress with increasing magnetic field intensity were explored. The results demonstrated that the apparent viscosity and shear stress of the magnetorheological grease decreased with increasing temperature, while they increased with enhanced magnetic field intensity. The apparent viscosity of the magnetorheological grease decreased with increasing shear rate. Additionally, the shear yield stress of the magnetorheological grease decreased with a temperature rise, but increased when an external magnetic field was applied. The adverse effects of high temperature on the magnetorheological grease could be mitigated by the application of an external magnetic field.
Special Issue: Results of the II National Research Project of AIAr: Archaeometric Study of the Frescoes by Saturnino Gatti and Workshop at the Church of San Panfilo in Tornimparte (AQ, Italy)
Authors: Galli Anna , Alberghina Maria Francesca , Re Alessandro , Magrini Donata , Grifa Celestino , Ponterio Rosina Celeste , La Russa Mauro Francesco
Published: August 2023

The archaeometric study of the frescoes by the painter Saturnino Gatti (1463–1518) in the apse of the Church of San Panfilo in Villagrande di Tornimparte (L’Aquila) was the subject of the II National Research Project [...]
Multi-Scale Feature Fusion and Structure-Preserving Network for Face Super-Resolution
Authors: Yang Dingkang , Wei Yehua , Hu Chunwei , Yu Xin , Sun Cheng , Wu Sheng , Zhang Jin
Published: August 2023

Deep convolutional neural networks have demonstrated significant performance improvements in face super-resolution tasks. However, many deep learning-based approaches tend to overlook the inherent structural information and feature correlation across different scales in face images, making the accurate recovery of face structure in low-resolution cases challenging. To address this, this paper proposes a method that fuses multi-scale features while preserving the facial structure. It introduces a novel multi-scale residual block (MSRB) to reconstruct key facial parts and structures from spatial and channel dimensions, and utilizes pyramid attention (PA) to exploit non-local self-similarity, improving the details of the reconstructed face. Feature Enhancement Modules (FEM) are employed in the upscale stage to refine and enhance current features using multi-scale features from previous stages. The experimental results on CelebA, Helen and LFW datasets provide evidence that our method achieves superior quantitative metrics compared to the baseline, the Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) outperforms the baseline by 0.282 dB, 0.343 dB, and 0.336 dB. Furthermore, our method demonstrates improved visual performance on two additional no-reference datasets, Widerface and Webface.
External Slot Relationship Memory for Multi-Domain Dialogue State Tracking
Authors: Xing Xinlai , Yang Changmeng , Lin Dafei , Teng Da , Chen Panpan , Zhang Xiaochuan
Published: August 2023

Dialogue state tracking is an essential component in multi-domain dialogue systems that aims to accurately determine the current dialogue state based on the dialogue history. Existing research has addressed the issue of multiple mappings in dialogues by employing slot self-attention as a data-driven approach. However, learning the relationships between slots from a single sample often has limitations and may introduce noise and have high time complexity issues. In this paper, we propose an external slot relation memory-based dialogue state tracking model (ER-DST). By utilizing external memory storage, we learn the relationships between slots as a dictionary of multi-domain slot relations. Additionally, we employ a small filter to discard slot information irrelevant to the current dialogue state. Our method is evaluated on MultiWOZ 2.0 and MultiWOZ 2.1, achieving improvements of 0.23% and 0.39% over the baseline models, respectively, while reducing the complexity of the slot relationship learning component to O(n).
A Subcell Finite-Difference Time-Domain Implementation for Narrow Slots on Conductive Panels
Authors: Ruiz Cabello Miguel , Martín Valverde Antonio J. , Plaza Borja , Frövel Malte , Poyatos David , R. Bretones Amelia , G. Bravo Alberto , G. García Salvador
Published: August 2023

Efficiently modeling thin features using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method involves a considerable reduction in the spatial mesh size. However, in real-world scenarios, such reductions can lead to unaffordable memory and CPU requirements. In this manuscript, we present two stable and efficient techniques in FDTD to handle narrow apertures on conductive thin panels. One technique employs conformal methods, while the other utilizes subgridding methods. We validate their performance compared to the classical Gilbert-Holland model and present experimental results in reverberation environments to shed light on these models’ actual confidence margins in real electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) scenarios.
Multi-Task Deep Evidential Sequence Learning for Trustworthy Alzheimer’s Disease Progression Prediction
Authors: Zhao Zeyuan , Li Ping , Dai Yongjie , Min Zhaoe , Chen Lei
Published: August 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease. Providing trustworthy AD progression predictions for at-risk individuals contributes to early identification of AD patients and holds significant value in discovering effective treatments and empowering the patient in taking proactive care. Recently, although numerous disease progression models based on machine learning have emerged, they often focus solely on enhancing predictive accuracy and ignore the measurement of result reliability. Consequently, this oversight adversely affects the recognition and acceptance of these models in clinical applications. To address these problems, we propose a multi-task evidential sequence learning model for the trustworthy prediction of disease progression. Specifically, we incorporate evidential deep learning into the multi-task learning framework based on recurrent neural networks. We simultaneously perform AD clinical diagnosis and cognitive score predictions while quantifying the uncertainty of each prediction without incurring additional computational costs by leveraging the Dirichlet and Normal-Inverse-Gamma distributions. Moreover, an adaptive weighting scheme is introduced to automatically balance between tasks for more effective training. Finally, experimental results on the TADPOLE dataset validate that our model not only has a comparable predictive performance to similar models but also offers reliable quantification of prediction uncertainties, providing a crucial supplementary factor for risk-sensitive AD progression prediction applications.
Effect of Doxapram, a K2p Channel Blocker, and pH on Heart Rate: Larval Drosophila Model
Authors: Elliott Elizabeth R. , Taul Alaina C. , Abul-Khoudoud Maya O. , Hensley Nicole , Cooper Robin L.
Published: August 2023

Two-P-domain K+ (K2p) channels are responsible for maintaining the resting membrane potential. K2p channels have varied expression in healthy tissue, but they also change in cancerous or diseased states. The correlation and causation as regards the alteration of K2p channel expression are still being investigated. The compound doxapram seems to block K2p channels and depolarize cells. Using Drosophila, the increased expression of the ORK1 K2p channel in cardiac and skeletal muscle was investigated. The heart rate in larval Drosophila is very sensitive to pH, and since doxapram blocks a subset of the K2p channels that are known to be acid-sensitive, it was postulated that doxapram would affect heart rate. A pH change from 7.1 to 6.5 increased the rate, while that from 7.1 to 7.5 decreased the rate. An amount of 0.1 mM of doxapram had no effect, but 0.5 of mM depressed Drosophila heart rates within five minutes. Exposure to 5 mM of doxapram immediately decreased the rate. Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) from Gram-negative bacteria acutely increased the rate. LPSs activate K2p channels in the skeletal muscle of larvae and are blocked by doxapram. LPSs slightly reduce depression in the rate induced by doxapram. The overexpression of K2p channels in the heart and skeletal muscle depressed the heart rate and heightened pH sensitivity. At larval neuromuscular junctions, the overexpression in skeletal muscle increases the frequency of spontaneous quantal events and produces a more negative resting membrane potential.
Economic Trends in Commonly Used Drugs for Spinal Fusion and Brain Tumor Resection: An Analysis of the Medicare Part D Database
Authors: Doad Jagroop , Gupta Nithin , Leavitt Lydia , Hart Alexandra , Nguyen Andrew , Kaura Shawn , DeStefano Frank , McCray Edwin , Lucke-Wold Brandon
Published: August 2023

With the incidence of central and peripheral nervous system disorders on the rise, neurosurgical procedures paired with the careful administration of select medications have become necessary to optimize patient outcomes. Despite efforts to decrease the over-prescription of common addictive drugs, such as opioids, prescription costs continue to rise. This study analyzed temporal trends in medication use and cost for spinal fusion and brain tumor resection procedures. The Medicare Part B Database was queried from 2016 to 2020 for data regarding spinal fusion and brain tumor resection procedures, while the Part D Database was used to extract data for two commonly prescribed medications for each procedure. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression were completed for the analyzed variables. The results showed a significant negative correlation between the number of spinal procedure beneficiaries and the cost of methocarbamol, as well as between the annual percent change in spinal beneficiaries and the annual percent change in oxycodone cost. Linear regression revealed that oxycodone cost was the only parameter with a statistically significant model. Moving forward, it is imperative to combat rising drug costs, regardless of trends seen in their usage. Further studies should focus on the utilization of primary data in a multi-center study.
The Efficacy of Transplanting Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheets in the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction in Mice
Authors: Bui Thang Quoc , Binh Nguyen Trong , Pham Truc Le-Buu , Le Van Trinh , Truong Nhung Hai , Nguyen Dang Phu-Hai , Luu Thao Thi-Thu , Nguyen-Xuan Pham Trang , Cam Tran Tu , Nguyen Huyen Thuong-Thi , Thuy-Trinh Nhu , Tran Phong Anh
Published: August 2023

The transplantation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sheets derived from human umbilical cords (hUCs) was investigated in this study as a potential application in treating myocardial infarction (MI). Two groups of hUC-MSC sheets were formed by populating LunaGelTM, which are 3D scaffolds of photo-crosslinkable gelatin-based hydrogel with two different cell densities. An MI model was created by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery of healthy BALB/c mice. After two weeks, the cell sheets were applied directly to the MI area and the efficacy of the treatment was evaluated over the next two weeks by monitoring the mice’s weight, evaluating the left ventricle ejection fraction, and assessing the histology of the heart tissue at the end of the experiment. Higher cell density showed significantly greater efficiency in MI mice treatment in terms of weight gain and the recovery of ejection fraction. The heart tissue of the groups receiving cell sheets showed human-CD44-positive staining and reduced fibrosis and apoptosis. In conclusion, the hUC-MSC sheets ameliorated heart MI injury in mice and the efficacy of the cell sheets improved as the number of cells increased.
BHLHE40 Maintains the Stemness of PαS Cells In Vitro by Targeting Zbp1 through the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hu Menglong , Tian Yueming , Liu Xuenan , Guo Qian , Lu Dazhuang , Wang Xu , Lv Longwei , Zhang Xiao , Liu Yunsong , Zhou Yongsheng , Zhang Ping
Published: August 2023

Primary bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) gradually lose stemness during in vitro expansion, which significantly affects the cell therapeutic effects. Here, we chose murine PαS (SCA-1+PDGFRα+CD45−TER119−) cells as representative of BMSCs and aimed to explore the premium culture conditions for PαS cells. Freshly isolated (fresh) PαS cells were obtained from the limbs of C57/6N mice by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). We investigated the differences in the stemness of PαS cells by proliferation, differentiation, and stemness markers in vitro and by ectopic osteogenesis and chondrogenesis ability in vivo, as well as the changes in the stemness of PαS cells during expansion in vitro. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were applied to investigate the critical role and underlying mechanism of the basic helix–loop–helix family member E40 (BHLHE40) in maintaining the stemness of PαS cells. The stemness of fresh PαS cells representative in vivo was superior to that of passage 0 (P0) PαS cells in vitro. The stemness of PαS cells in vitro decreased gradually from P0 to passage 4 (P4). Moreover, BHLHE40 plays a critical role in regulating the stemness of PαS cells during in vitro expansion. Mechanically, BHLHE40 regulates the stemness of PαS cells by targeting Zbp1 through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This work confirms that BHLHE40 is a critical factor for regulating the stemness of PαS cells during expansion in vitro and may provide significant indications in the exploration of premium culture conditions for PαS cells.
Unlocking the Potential of Biomass Fly Ash: Exploring Its Application in Geopolymeric Materials and a Comparative Case Study of BFA-Based Geopolymeric Concrete against Conventional Concrete
Authors: Yalcinkaya Baturalp , Spirek Tomas , Bousa Milan , Louda Petr , Růžek Vojtěch , Rapiejko Cezary , Buczkowska Katarzyna Ewa
Published: August 2023

The production of conventional cement involves high energy consumption and the release of substantial amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), exacerbating climate change. Additionally, the extraction of raw materials, such as limestone and clay, leads to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. Geopolymer technology offers a promising alternative to conventional cement by utilizing industrial byproducts and significantly reducing carbon emissions. This paper analyzes the utilization of biomass fly ash (BFA) in the formation of geopolymer concrete and compares its carbon and cost impacts to those of conventional concrete. The previous analysis shows great potential for geopolymers to reduce the climate change impact of cement production. The results of this analysis indicate a significant disparity in the computed financial and sustainability costs associated with geopolymers. Researchers have shown that geopolymers may help mitigate the effects of cement manufacturing on the environment. These geopolymers are predicted to reduce green gas emissions by 40–80%. They also show that those advantages can be realized with the best possible feedstock source and the cheapest possible conveyance. Furthermore, our case study on CO2 emission and cost calculation for BFA-based geopolymer and conventional concrete shows that geopolymer concrete preparation emits 56% less CO2 than conventional concrete while costing 32.4% less per ton.
Antidiabetic Effect of Fermented Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. in db/db Mice Involves Regulation of PI3K-Akt Pathway
Authors: Kim Hye-Lin , Jung Yunu , Kim Hyo In , Sung Nak-Yun , Kim Min-Jee , Han In-Jun , Kim Geon , Nho Eun Yeong , Park Sang-Yun , Han Yohan , Jung Ji Hoon , Kim Dong-Sub , Park Jinbong
Published: August 2023

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a serious health issue with increasing incidences worldwide. However, current medications have limitations due to side effects such as decreased appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea, and extreme tiredness. Here, we report the effect of fermented ice plant (FMC) in the T2M mouse model of db/db mice. FMC showed a greater inhibition of lipid accumulation compared to unfermented ice plant extract. Two-week oral administration with FMC inhibited body weight gain, lowered fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance. Serum parameters related to T2D including insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, adiponectin, and cholesterols were improved as well. Histological analysis confirmed the protective effect of FMC on pancreas and liver destruction. FMC treatment significantly increased the expression and phosphorylation of IRS-1, PI3K, and AKT. Additionally, AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 were also increased in the liver tissues of db/db mice treated with FMC. Overall, our results indicate the anti-diabetic effect of FMC; therefore, we suggest that FMC may be useful as a therapeutic agent for T2D.
Which Commodity Sectors Effectively Hedge Emerging Eastern European Stock Markets? Evidence from MGARCH Models
Authors: Melki Amel , Ghorbel Ahmed
Published: August 2023

This study aims at examining whether hedging emerging Eastern Europe stock markets with commodities sectors can help in reducing market risks and whether it has the same effectiveness among different sectors. As an attempt to achieve this goal, we opt for three types of MGARCH model. These are DCC, ADCC and GO-GARCH, which are used with each bivariate series to model dynamic conditional correlations, optimal hedge ratios and hedging effectiveness. Rolling window analysis is used for out-of-sample one-step-ahead forecasts from December 1994 to June 2022. The results have shown that the commodities sectors of industrial metals and energy represent the optimal hedging instruments for emerging Eastern Europe stock markets as they have the highest hedging effectiveness. Additionally, our empirical results have proved that hedge ratios estimated by the DCC and ADCC models are very similar, which is not the case for GO-GARCH, and that hedging effectiveness is preferably estimated by the ADCC model.