bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The quantitative paradigm and the nature of the human mind. The replication crisis as an epistemological crisis of quantitative psychology in view of the ontic nature of the psyche
Authors: Mayrhofer Roland , Büchner Isabel C. , Hevesi Judit
Published: September 2024

Many suggestions for dealing with the so-called replication crisis in psychology revolve around the idea that better and more complex statistical-mathematical tools or stricter procedures are required in order to obtain reliable findings and prevent cheating or publication biases. While these aspects may play an exacerbating role, we interpret the replication crisis primarily as an epistemological crisis in psychology caused by an inadequate fit between the ontic nature of the psyche and the quantitative approach. On the basis of the philosophers of science Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, and Imre Lakatos we suggest that the replication crisis is therefore a symptom of a fundamental problem in psychology, but at the same time it is also an opportunity to advance psychology as a science. In a first step, against the background of Popper’s Critical Rationalism, the replication crisis is interpreted as an opportunity to eliminate inaccurate theories from the pool of theories and to correct problematic developments. Continuing this line of thought, in an interpretation along the lines of Thomas Kuhn, the replication crisis might signify a model drift or even model crisis, thus possibly heralding a new paradigm in psychology. The reasons for this are located in the structure of academic psychology on the basis of Lakatos’s assumption about how sciences operate. Accordingly, one hard core that lies at the very basis of psychology may be found in the assumption that the human psyche can and is to be understood in quantitative terms. For this to be possible, the ontic structure of the psyche, i.e., its very nature, must also in some way be quantitatively constituted. Hence, the replication crisis suggests that the ontic structure of the psyche in some way (also) contains a non-quantitative dimension that can only be grasped incompletely or fragmentarily using quantitative research methods. Fluctuating and inconsistent results in psychology could therefore also be the expression of a mismatch between the ontic level of the object of investigation and the epistemic level of the investigation.
Household health expenditure does not improve people’s subjective well-being in China
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Sun Yan , Li Gen , Tang Yingde
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Household health expenditure plays a crucial role in the daily spending of individuals. Meanwhile, the attention of the public to subjective well-being (SWB) is constantly increasing in China. Household health expenditure could reduce real family income, harming personal SWB. However, the aim of household health expenditure is to improve the physical condition of an individual, and improvements in individual health could enhance personal SWB. Therefore, the effect of household health expenditure on personal SWB is uncertain; hence, it is essential to assess the effects of household health expenditure on the SWB of Chinese residents.

Methods

The Chinese family panel studies database from 2016 to 2020 was applied in this study. A fixed effects model was used to examine the impact of household medical and health protection expenses on personal SWB. Fixed effects instrumental variable regression and propensity score matching were then used to conduct robustness testing.

Results

On the basis of a fixed effects model, it was found that household medical and health protection expenditure did not improve the happiness and life satisfaction of individuals; rather, household health protection expenditure could significantly reduce personal happiness. Fixed effects instrumental variable regression and propensity score matching analysis supported these results. Household health protection expenditure had a greater negative impact on the happiness and life satisfaction of females compared with males.

Conclusion

Household health expenditure does not improve the SWB of individuals in China; this has certain significance for the formulation of relevant policies.
Does subjective life expectancy matter in purchasing life insurance among middle-aged and older adult? Evidence from China
Authors: Chen Xuejiao , Guo Yunhan , Lu Chang , Wang Yizhen , Wen Hanshuo
Published: September 2024

Population-wide increase in life expectancy is a source of aggregate longevity risk. Life insurance is a natural instrument to manage the risk. Previous studies used chronological age to examine the relationship between aging and life insurance purchase, which ignored the impact of subjective life expectancy-the real perception of remaining time. Therefore, this study aims to fill the lack in this area and to explore in depth the relationship between subjective life expectancy and purchasing life insurance among middle-aged and older adult at micro perspective. This paper utilizes data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) over a period of 4 years to construct both Probit and Tobit models. The findings reveal that subjective life expectancy positively affects the likelihood of participation and the extent of life insurance among the middle-aged and older adult population in China. IV model estimation results show good robustness of the results. Meanwhile, there is also heterogeneity in the effect with respect to gender, hukou, education and wealth. The findings provide new perspective to explain the subjective motivation of purchasing life insurance in China.
Unraveling the thread: understanding and addressing sequential failures in human-robot interaction
Authors: Tisserand Lucien , Stephenson Brooke , Baldauf-Quilliatre Heike , Lefort Mathieu , Armetta Frédéric
Published: September 2024

Interaction is a dynamic process that evolves in real time. Participants interpret and orient themselves towards turns of speech based on expectations of relevance and social/conversational norms (that have been extensively studied in the field of Conversation analysis). A true challenge to Human Robot Interaction (HRI) is to develop a system capable of understanding and adapting to the changing context, where the meaning of a turn is construed based on the turns that have come before. In this work, we identify issues arising from the inadequate handling of the sequential flow within a corpus of in-the-wild HRIs in an open-world university library setting. The insights gained from this analysis can be used to guide the design of better systems capable of handling complex situations. We finish by surveying efforts to mitigate the identified problems from a natural language processing/machine dialogue management perspective.
Multivariate Prediction Soft Sensor Model for Truck Cranes Based on Graph Convolutional Network and Random Forest
Authors: Ji Shengfei , Li Wei , Zhang Bo , Ji Wen , Wang Yong , Ng See-Kiong
Published: September 2024

Truck cranes, which are crucial construction equipment, need to maintain good operational performance to ensure safe use. However, the complex and ever-changing working conditions they face often make it challenging to test their performance effectively. To address this issue, a multi-input and multi-output soft sensor technology model is suggested, utilizing a graph convolutional network and random forest to predict key performance indicators of crane operations such as luffing, telescoping, winching, and slewing under varying conditions. This method aims to streamline the process of testing and debugging truck cranes, ultimately reducing time and costs. Initially, the graph convolutional network model is employed to extract relevant feature information linked to the target variable. Subsequently, using this feature information and the RF model, multiple decision trees are constructed for regression prediction of the target variables. An operational dataset reflecting the crane’s actual working conditions is then generated to assess the graph convolutional network and random forest model. The effectiveness of this approach is further confirmed through comparisons with other methods like gradient boosting trees, support vector regression, and multi-layer perceptron.
A Pedestrian Detection Network Based on an Attention Mechanism and Pose Information
Authors: Jiang Zhaoyin , Huang Shucheng , Li Mingxing
Published: September 2024

Pedestrian detection has recently attracted widespread attention as a challenging problem in computer vision. The accuracy of pedestrian detection is affected by differences in gestures, background clutter, local occlusion, differences in scales, pixel blur, and other factors occurring in real scenes. These problems lead to false and missed detections. In view of these visual description deficiencies, we leveraged pedestrian pose information as a supplementary resource to address the occlusion challenges that arise in pedestrian detection. An attention mechanism was integrated into the visual information as a supplement to the pose information, because the acquisition of pose information was limited by the pose estimation algorithm. We developed a pedestrian detection method that integrated an attention mechanism with visual and pose information, including pedestrian region generation and pedestrian recognition networks, effectively addressing occlusion and false detection issues. The pedestrian region proposal network was used to generate a series of candidate regions with possible pedestrian targets from the original image. Then, the pedestrian recognition network was used to judge whether each candidate region contained pedestrian targets. The pedestrian recognition network was composed of four parts: visual features, pedestrian poses, pedestrian attention, and classification modules. The visual feature module was responsible for extracting the visual feature descriptions of candidate regions. The pedestrian pose module was used to extract pose feature descriptions. The pedestrian attention module was used to extract attention information, and the classification module was responsible for fusing visual features and pedestrian pose descriptions with the attention mechanism. The experimental results on the Caltech and CityPersons datasets demonstrated that the proposed method could substantially more accurately identify pedestrians than current state-of-the-art methods.
Preliminary Characterisation of Metschnikowia pulcherrima to Be Used as a Starter Culture in Red Winemaking
Authors: Testa Bruno , Coppola Francesca , Iorizzo Massimo , Di Renzo Massimo , Coppola Raffaele , Succi Mariantonietta
Published: September 2024

In the last decade, the application of non-Saccharomyces yeasts in oenology as a natural tool to obtain wine diversification and higher quality has aroused great interest. In this work, three Metschnikowia pulcherrima strains, isolated from a vineyard, were characterised through the evaluation of their main oenological properties, antimicrobial activity, and specific enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, β-lyase, polygalacturonase, and protease). The M. pulcherrima strains did not produce any inhibition against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while they were able to exert an antimicrobial action against some unwanted bacteria and yeasts frequently present in grape must and potentially causing the alteration of wines. After this preliminary screening, M. pulcherrima AS3C1 has been selected to be used in the winemaking of red grape Vitis vinifera cv. Aglianico on a pilot scale. The effect of the sequential inoculation of M. pulcherrima AS3C1 with a commercial strain of S. cerevisiae was verified using for comparison a single inoculum with S. cerevisiae and a spontaneous fermentation. Our results showed a higher concentration of anthocyanins and catechins in wines obtained by the sequential inoculation of M. pulcherrima AS3C1 and S. cerevisiae. On the basis of the data obtained, M. pulcherrima AS3C1 possesses an enzymatic profile and some oenological properties that could contribute positively to the definition of the chemical composition of wines, suggesting its possible use for red winemaking processes.
Effects of Sildenafil on Cognitive Function Recovery and Neuronal Cell Death Protection after Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Gerbils
Authors: Yu Yeon Hee , Kim Gun Woo , Lee Yu Ran , Park Dae-Kyoon , Song Beomjong , Kim Duk-Soo
Published: September 2024

Cerebral ischemic stroke is a major cause of death worldwide due to brain cell death resulting from ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, effective treatment approaches for patients with ischemic stroke are still lacking in clinical practice. This study investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, in a gerbil model of global brain ischemia. We investigated the effects of sildenafil on the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and aquaporin-4, which are markers related to astrocyte activation and water homeostasis, respectively. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the number of cells co-expressing these markers, which was elevated in the ischemia-induced group, was significantly reduced in the sildenafil-treated groups. This suggests that sildenafil may have a potential mitigating effect on astrocyte activation induced by ischemia. Additionally, we performed various behavioral tests, including the open-field test, novel object recognition, Barnes maze, Y-maze, and passive avoidance tests, to evaluate sildenafil’s effect on cognitive function impaired by ischemia. Overall, the results suggest that sildenafil may serve as a neuroprotective agent, potentially alleviating delayed neuronal cell death and improving cognitive function impaired by ischemia.
Epigenetic Characteristics in Primary and Recurrent Glioblastoma—Influence on the Clinical Course
Authors: Quiring Alexander , Spielmann Hannah , Teping Fritz , Saffour Safwan , Khafaji Fatemeh , Schulz-Schaeffer Walter , Monfroy Nathan , Oertel Joachim , Linsler Stefan , Sippl Christoph
Published: September 2024

Objective: Epigenetic tumor characteristics are in focus for glioblastoma prognosis. This raises the question if these characteristics present with stable expression during the progression of the disease, and if potential temporal instability might influence their prognostic value. Methods: A total of 44 patients suffering from glioblastoma who were treated for their primary and relapse tumors were included in the study. Tumor specimens from the initial and recurrent tumor resection were subjected to evaluation of MGMT, p15, and p16 methylation statuses. MiRNA-21, -24, -26a, and -181d expression was evaluated as well. The stability of these epigenetic markers during the progression of the disease was correlated with further clinical data. A Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset of 224 glioblastoma patients was used as an independent cohort to validate the results. Results: Instability was observed in all examined epigenetic markers. MGMT methylation changed in 30% of patients, p15 methylation changed in 35%, and p16 methylation changed in 37.5% of cases. MiRNA expression in corresponding initial and relapse tumor specimens varied considerably in general, individual cases presented with a stable expression. Patients with a decreased expression of miRNA-21 in their recurrence tumor showed significantly longer overall survival. These results are supported by the data from TCGA indicating similar results. Conclusions: Epigenetic characteristics may change during the course of glioblastoma disease. This may influence the prognostic value of derived molecular markers.
Recurrent Versus Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer: An Evolving Landscape and the Role of Immunotherapy
Authors: Belfiore Maria Paola , Nardone Valerio , D’Onofrio Ida , Pirozzi Mario , Sandomenico Fabio , Farese Stefano , De Chiara Marco , Balbo Ciro , Cappabianca Salvatore , Fasano Morena
Published: September 2024

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is among the ten most common cancers worldwide, with advanced SCCHN presenting with a 5-year survival of 34% in the case of nodal involvement and 8% in the case of metastatic disease. Disease-free survival at 2 years is 67% for stage II and 33% for stage III tumors, whereas 12–30% of patients undergo distant failures after curative treatment. Previous treatments often hinder the success of salvage surgery and/or reirradiation, while the standard of care for the majority of metastatic SCCHN remains palliative chemo- and immuno-therapy, with few patients eligible for locoregional treatments. The aim of this paper is to review the characteristics of recurrent SCCHN, based on different recurrence sites, and metastatic disease; we will also explore the possibilities not only of salvage surgery and reirradiation but also systemic therapy choices and locoregional treatment for metastatic SCCHN.
Enhanced Cognition and Modulation of Brain Connectivity in Mild Neurocognitive Disorder: The Promise of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation
Authors: Lo Heidi Ka-Ying , Fong Tommy Kwan-Hin , Cheung Teris , Ngan Sze-Ting Joanna , Lui Wai-Yan Vivian , Chan Wai-Chi , Wong Corine Sau-Man , Wong Teenie Kwan-Tung , Cheng Calvin Pak-Wing
Published: September 2024

Existing pharmacological treatments for mild neurocognitive disorder (NCD) offer limited effectiveness and adverse side effects. Transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) utilizing ultrashort ultrasound pulses reaches deep brain regions and may circumvent conductivity issues associated with brain stimulation. This study addresses the gap in TPS research for mild NCD during a critical intervention period before irreversible cognitive degradation. Our objective was to explore the effectiveness and tolerability of TPS in older adults with mild NCD. In an open-label study, 17 older adults (including 10 females and 7 males) with mild NCD underwent TPS for two weeks with three sessions per week. Cognitive evaluations and fMRI scans were conducted pre- and post-intervention. The results indicated changes in functional connectivity in key brain regions, correlating with cognitive improvement at B = 0.087 (CI, 0.007–0.167; p = 0.038). However, cortical thickness measurements showed no significant differences. Here we show that TPS can enhance cognitive function within mild NCD. This proof-of-concept study suggests that TPS has potential as a non-invasive therapy used to attenuate cognitive decline, encouraging further investigation in larger randomized trials. The findings could influence clinical practice by introducing TPS as an adjunctive treatment option and potentially impact policy by promoting its inclusion in new treatment strategies for mild NCD.
Cannabidiol Alleviates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis by Inhibiting JAK2–STAT3 in a Mouse Model
Authors: Kim Min-Seo , Lee Ji-Hyun , Kim Sae-Woong , Bang Chul-Hwan
Published: September 2024

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from Cannabis sativa, has shown efficacy in treating psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting 1–3% of the global population; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated CBD’s effects on imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis in mice, which were divided into five groups: Control, IMQ, Clobetasol, 0.01% CBD, and 0.1% CBD. After inducing psoriasis with IMQ, clobetasol or CBD was applied. Psoriasis severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), with histopathological changes examined via hematoxylin and eosin staining. Gene expression of inflammatory markers (Il1b, Il6, Il12b, Il17a, Il22, and Tnf) was analyzed by RT-PCR, while protein levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3, P-STAT3, Janus kinase (JAK)2, and JAK3 were evaluated through western blot and immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated that CBD significantly reduced PASI scores, epidermal thickness, keratosis, hyperproliferation, and inflammation. Moreover, CBD inhibited the IL-23 receptor-mediated JAK2–STAT3 signaling pathway, leading to the downregulation of Il1b, Il6, Il12b, Il17a, Il22, and Tnf expression. These findings suggest that CBD effectively alleviates psoriasis-like symptoms in mice and may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for psoriasis by targeting the JAK2–STAT3 pathway.
MCMC Methods for Parameter Estimation in ODE Systems for CAR-T Cell Cancer Therapy
Authors: Antonini Elia , Mu Gang , Sansaloni-Pastor Sara , Varma Vishal , Kabak Ryme
Published: September 2024

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy represents a breakthrough in treating resistant hematologic cancers. It is based on genetically modifying T cells transferred from the patient or a donor. Although its implementation has increased over the last few years, CAR-T has many challenges to be addressed, for instance, the associated severe toxicities, such as cytokine release syndrome. To model CAR-T cell dynamics, focusing on their proliferation and cytotoxic activity, we developed a mathematical framework using ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with Bayesian parameter estimation. Bayesian statistics were used to estimate model parameters through Monte Carlo integration, Bayesian inference, and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. This paper explores MCMC methods, including the Metropolis–Hastings algorithm and DEMetropolis and DEMetropolisZ algorithms, which integrate differential evolution to enhance convergence rates. The theoretical findings and algorithms were validated using Python and Jupyter Notebooks. A real medical dataset of CAR-T cell therapy was analyzed, employing optimization algorithms to fit the mathematical model to the data, with the PyMC library facilitating Bayesian analysis. The results demonstrated that our model accurately captured the key dynamics of CAR-T cell therapy. This conclusion underscores the potential of parameter estimation to improve the understanding and effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy in clinical settings.
Role of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy for the Nutrition of Head and Neck Cancer Patients before and up to 6 Months after Cancer Treatment
Authors: Kouka Mussab , Brand Sophie , Koscielny Sven , Bitter Thomas , Pietschmann Klaus , Ernst Thomas , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando
Published: September 2024

This retrospective monocentric cohort study analyzed patients with head and neck cancer according their nutritional status and association of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) from admission to six months after treatment at a tertiary hospital in Germany from 2017 to 2019. A total of 289 patients (76.5% men; median age 62 years; 63.3% stage IV) were included. Univariate analyses and ANOVAs with repeated measures were performed to analyze differences over time. The percentage of patients requiring PEG was 14.9% (43 of 289 patients) before start of treatment (Z0), 14% (40 of 286 patients alive) after one week (Z1), 22.7% (58 of 255 patients) after six weeks (Z2) and 23% (53 of 230 patients) after six months (Z3) from the end of treatment. PEG placement was associated with alcohol or nicotine consumption, in oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cancer stage III/IV, chemotherapy and impairment of food intake (all p < 0.05). Weight loss between Z1 and Z3 with PEG did not differ from patients without PEG at Z0 (p = 0.074), although patients with PEG at Z0 had a lower mean weight at the beginning. PEG was important for a quarter of the patients alive at Z3 and helped to prevent weight loss.
Receptors and Host Factors for Enterovirus Infection: Implications for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Alekseeva Olga N. , Hoa Le T. , Vorobyev Pavel O. , Kochetkov Dmitriy V. , Gumennaya Yana D. , Naberezhnaya Elizaveta R. , Chuvashov Denis O. , Ivanov Alexander V. , Chumakov Peter M. , Lipatova Anastasia V.
Published: September 2024

Enteroviruses, with their diverse clinical manifestations ranging from mild or asymptomatic infections to severe diseases such as poliomyelitis and viral myocarditis, present a public health threat. However, they can also be used as oncolytic agents. This review shows the intricate relationship between enteroviruses and host cell factors. Enteroviruses utilize specific receptors and coreceptors for cell entry that are critical for infection and subsequent viral replication. These receptors, many of which are glycoproteins, facilitate virus binding, capsid destabilization, and internalization into cells, and their expression defines virus tropism towards various types of cells. Since enteroviruses can exploit different receptors, they have high oncolytic potential for personalized cancer therapy, as exemplified by the antitumor activity of certain enterovirus strains including the bioselected non-pathogenic Echovirus type 7/Rigvir, approved for melanoma treatment. Dissecting the roles of individual receptors in the entry of enteroviruses can provide valuable insights into their potential in cancer therapy. This review discusses the application of gene-targeting techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 technology to investigate the impact of the loss of a particular receptor on the attachment of the virus and its subsequent internalization. It also summarizes the data on their expression in various types of cancer. By understanding how enteroviruses interact with specific cellular receptors, researchers can develop more effective regimens of treatment, offering hope for more targeted and efficient therapeutic strategies.
Characterization of HER2-Low Breast Tumors among a Cohort of Colombian Women
Authors: Rey-Vargas Laura , Bejarano-Rivera Lina María , Ballen Diego Felipe , Serrano-Gómez Silvia J.
Published: September 2024

HER2-low tumors have shown promise in response to antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) in recent clinical trials, underscoring the need to characterize this group’s clinical phenotype. In this study, we aimed to explore the clinicopathological features, survival rates, and HER2 amplicon mRNA expression of women affected with HER2-low breast cancer, compared with HER2-negative and HER2-positive groups. We included 516 breast cancer patients from Colombia, for whom we compared clinicopathological features, mRNA expression of three HER2 amplicon genes (ERBB2, GRB7 and MIEN1), survival and risk of mortality between HER2-low cases (1+ or 2+ with negative in situ hybridization (ISH) result) with HER2-positive (3+ or 2+ with positive ISH test) and HER2-negative (0+) cases. A higher proportion of patients with better-differentiated tumors and a lower proliferation index were observed for HER2-low tumors compared to the HER2-positive group. Additionally, HER2-low tumors showed higher mRNA expression of the ERBB2 gene and longer overall survival rates compared to HER2-negative cases. Nonetheless, a Cox-adjusted model by ER status and clinical stage showed no statistically significant differences between these groups. Our results show differences in important clinicopathological features between HER2-low and both HER2-positive and negative tumors. Given this unique phenotype, it is crucial to evaluate the potential advantages of ADC therapies for this emerging subtype of breast cancer.
Associations between Fetal Symptoms during Pregnancy and Neonatal Clinical Complications with Toxoplasmosis
Authors: Tűzkő Nándor , Bartek Virág , Simonyi Atene , Harmath Ágnes , Szabó István , Virok Dezso Peter , Beke Artur
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitism transmitted by Toxoplasma gondii, part of the TORCH complex, the most prevalent parasitism worldwide. It is asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals but causes severe infections and developmental abnormalities in pregnant women, mainly affecting the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal system. Methods: In our prospective study, we analyzed cases of recent maternal Toxoplasma infections confirmed by serological testing between 1996 and 2020 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University. Amniocentesis, followed by PCR, was performed in cases of recent infection confirmed by serological testing during pregnancy. After birth, a neonatological, microbiological, pediatric neurological and ophthalmological examination and a follow-up was carried out. Results: During the study period, a total of 238 cases of amniotic fluid Toxoplasma PCR testing due to Toxoplasma recent infection were performed. In terms of pregnancies, there were 219 deliveries and seven abortions. Twelve cases had no data available on the outcome of the pregnancy. In total, 133 cases of ultrasound abnormalities were detected during pregnancy, while in 105 cases, no abnormalities were detected on ultrasound examination. During amniocentesis, eight cases of Toxoplasma infection were revealed in amniotic fluid samples by PCR, and in 230 cases, the result was negative. Neonatal follow-up was performed in 139 cases, with no abnormalities during follow-up in 117 cases, and in 22 cases, there was a detectable complication that was likely to be related to Toxoplasma infection. In all 22 cases, amniotic fluid PCR Toxoplasma testing was negative. Conclusions: The most common ultrasound abnormalities involve the nervous system and the gastrointestinal system. In cases of suspicion, it is recommended to perform amniocentesis Toxoplasma PCR testing besides the indirect methods to help the pregnant woman decide whether to carry the pregnancy to term. During follow-up, a multidisciplinary team experienced in pregnancies complicated by toxoplasmosis must carry out the follow-up, care and subsequent development.
Evolutive Study of Dietary Aspects and Intestinal Microbiota of Pediatric Cohort with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy
Authors: Castro Ana M. , Navarro Sandra , Carvajal Ignacio , García Agueda , Suárez Marta , Toyos Paula , Rodríguez Silvia , Jimenez Santiago , González David , Molinos Cristina , Pérez-Solís David , Fernández Porifirio , Margolles Abelardo , Díaz-Martín Juan J. , Gutiérrez-Díaz Isabel , Delgado Susana
Published: September 2024

Background: One of the most common food allergies in the pediatric population is allergy to cow’s milk protein (CMPA). Treatment consists of avoiding cow’s milk proteins in lactating mothers and/or using therapeutic formulas based on hydrolysates or vegetable formulas. In infants with CMPA at diagnosis, a different gut microbial profile has been found compared to healthy children, with a reduction in beneficial bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the gut microbiota profile and its metabolites, dietary patterns and anthropometric variables in a pediatric cohort with CMPA after six months on a restrictive diet compared to healthy controls. Methods: In total, 21 patients diagnosed with CMPA and a control group of 24 healthy infants participated in this study. The fecal microbiota of all participants were investigated by metataxonomic analysis of 16S rDNA amplicons, and fecal short-chain fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. Epidemiological assessment and dietary questionnaires were carried out for both groups. Results: Regarding growth, no significant differences were found, but differences in dietary intake of some macro- and micronutrients were observed. Patients who were breastfed at six months had higher bifidobacteria and lipid intakes than patients fed with hydrolyzed formulas. Conclusions: Although the growth of CMPA infants fed with therapeutic formula is similar to breastfed CMPA infants, there are differences in microbiota composition and macronutrient intake that underline the importance of continued breastfeeding in CMPA cases.
Influence of Diet on Bowel Function and Abdominal Symptoms in Children and Adolescents with Hirschsprung Disease—A Multinational Patient-Reported Outcome Survey
Authors: Lindert Judith , Day Hannah , de Andres Crespo Marta , Amerstorfer Eva , Alexander Sabine , Backes Manouk , de Filippo Carlotta , Golebiewski Andrzej , Midrio Paola , Mohideen Mazeena , Modrzyk Anna , Lemli Anette , Rassouli-Kirchmeier Roxana , Pfaff-Jongman Marijke , Staszkiewicz Karolina , Telborn Lovisa , Stenström Pernilla , Holström Karolin , Kohl Martina , Curry Joe , Loukogeorgakis Stavros , Davidson Joseph R
Published: September 2024

Introduction: This study aimed to understand the influence of diet and nutrition items on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Hirschsprung Disease (HD). Method: An online questionnaire was created to obtain patient-reported outcomes using the multinational Holistic Care in Hirschsprung Disease Network. This was distributed in Dutch, English, German, Italian, Polish, and Swedish via patient associations. Information on demographics, the extension of disease, current diet, and the influence of food ingredients on bowel function were obtained. Results: In total, 563 questionnaires were answered by parents or patients themselves. The length of the aganglionic segment was short in 33%, long in 45%, total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) in 11%, and involved the small intestine in 10%. Overall, 90% reported following a mixed diet, and 31% reported taking probiotics, with twice as many patients taking probiotics in the TCA group compared to standard HD. Mealtimes and behaviours around eating were affected by 61%, while 77% had established food items that worsened symptoms, and of these, 80% stated that they had worked these items out themselves. A high-fibre diet was followed by 24% and 18% a low-fibre diet. Symptoms were reported, particularly from dairy in 30%, fruits in 39%, pulses in 54%, and sugar in 48%. Conclusions: This first multinational survey on diet and bowel function in HD reports an association between certain dietary items with gastrointestinal symptoms. This study can support an improved understanding of the interaction between food items and bowel function in children with HD. We suggest a multidisciplinary approach to balance dietary exclusions and support adequate growth, preventing nutrition deficiencies and enhancing quality of life.
Cardiac Metastasis from Myxoid Liposarcoma Managed Successfully with Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Stergiopoulos Georgios M. , Siontis Brittany L. , Petersen Ivy A. , Houdek Matthew T. , Ho Thanh P. , Okuno Scott H. , Robinson Steven I.
Published: September 2024

Background: Liposarcoma, one of the most prevalent sarcoma histologies, is recognized for its tendency for extra-pulmonary metastases. While oligometastatic cardiac disease is rarely reported, it poses a unique challenge as oligometastatic sarcomas are often managed with surgical resection. Case Report: We present a case of a 62-year-old man diagnosed with an oligometastatic myxoid liposarcoma (MLPS) to the heart 19 years after the primary tumor resection from the lower limb. The metastatic mass, situated in the pericardium adjacent and infiltrating the left ventricle, was not managed surgically but with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The patient’s disease remains stable to date, for more than 10 years. Literature Review: We conducted a review of the literature to determine the preferred management approach for solitary cardiac metastases of sarcomas. We also conducted an in-depth analysis focusing on reported cases of MLPS metastasizing to the heart, aiming to extract pertinent data regarding the patient characteristics and the corresponding management strategies. Conclusions: Although clinical diagnoses of solitary or oligometastatic cardiac metastases from sarcomas are infrequent, this case underscores the significance of aggressive management employing chemotherapy and radiotherapy for chemosensitive and radiosensitive sarcomas, especially when surgical removal is high-risk. Furthermore, it challenges the notion that surgery is the exclusive therapeutic option leading to long-term clinical benefit in patients with recurrent sarcomas.
Structure of Reef Fish Families (Butterflyfishes and Angelfishes) at Isolated Oceanic Reefs in the Indian Ocean: Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Authors: Hobbs Jean-Paul A. , Srinivasan Maya
Published: September 2024

There has been substantial research on the factors that structure reef fish assemblages, but this has mostly focused on nearshore or continental reefs. This study examines patterns of abundance and species composition for two iconic groups of coral reef fishes, angelfishes (family Pomacanthidae) and butterflyfishes (family Chaetodontidae) at two isolated, oceanic reefs in the Indian Ocean: Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Six explanatory variables were investigated to determine whether large-scale physical factors are more important than fine-scale biotic factors in structuring reef fish communities on oceanic islands. For angelfishes, depth was the factor that most explained patterns in abundance (explaining 46.5% of the variation), species richness (44.8%) and composition (15.3%), with both abundance and species richness being greater at 20 m than at 5 m. Differences in species composition were greater between depths than between islands. For butterflyfishes, variation in abundance and species richness was best explained by the difference in aspect or exposure among sites, though abundance and composition also differed significantly between Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Large-scale variation in the structure of these reef fish assemblages could not be explained based on differences in habitat diversity, or coral and algal cover. This study indicates that large-scale physical factors (island location, exposure, depth) are more important than fine-scale biotic factors in structuring reef fish assemblages on oceanic islands.
Variations in Soil Seed Banks in Sedge Peatlands across an Altitude Gradient
Authors: Chen Qi , Wang Guodong , Wang Ming , Zhao Meiling , Yuan Yusong , Meng Jingci , Zhao Yantong , Hu Nanlin , Zhang Tao , Liu Bo
Published: September 2024

As a key component of the ecosystem, soil seed banks (SSBs) play a vital role in the evolution and renewal of plant communities. Although the pattern and mechanisms of influence of SSBs along the altitudinal gradient have been reported, most studies have focused on forest, grassland and alpine meadow ecosystems. The pattern and factors of SSBs across the altitudinal gradient in sedge peatlands remain largely unknown. Through vegetation surveys and seed germination experiments, we studied the changes in aboveground vegetation and SSBs in sedge peatlands at altitudes ranging from 300 m to 1300 m in the Changbai Mountains, China, and discussed the direct and indirect effects of climatic factors, soil properties and aboveground vegetation on SSBs. The results showed that the richness and density of the SSBs of sedge peatlands decreased with the altitude. Similarly, aboveground vegetation richness and density declined with altitude. A Spearman correlation analysis showed that SSB richness and density were mainly correlated with mean annual temperature, soil total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen and the plant composition and richness of aboveground vegetation. A structural equation model analysis showed that climatic factors and aboveground vegetation directly affected seed bank richness, while soil properties indirectly affected it by directly affecting aboveground vegetation. Climatic factors, soil properties and aboveground vegetation directly affected SSB density, and soil properties indirectly affected it by directly affecting aboveground vegetation. This finding enhances our understanding of the altitude patterns of the SSBs in sedge peatlands and the response to future climate and environmental changes.
Mangrove-Based Carbon Market Projects: 15 Considerations for Engaging and Supporting Local Communities
Authors: Karpowicz Daria Agnieszka , Mohan Midhun , Watt Michael S. , Montenegro Jorge F. , King Shalini A. L. , Selvam Pandi P. , Nithyanandan Manickam , Robyn Barakalla , Ali Tarig , Abdullah Meshal M. , Doaemo Willie , Ewane Ewane Basil
Published: September 2024

Mangroves provide numerous ecological, social, and economic benefits that include carbon sequestration, habitat for biodiversity, food, recreation and leisure, income, and coastal resilience. In this regard, mangrove-based carbon market projects (MbCMP), involving mangrove conservation, protection, and restoration, are a nature-based solution (NbS) for climate change mitigation. Despite the proliferation of blue carbon projects, a highly publicized need for local community participation by developers, and existing project implementation standards, local communities are usually left out for several reasons, such as a lack of capacity to engage in business-to-business (B2B) market agreements and communication gaps. Local communities need to be engaged and supported at all stages of the MbCMP development process to enable them to protect their ecological, economic, and social interests as custodians of such a critical ecosystem. In this paper, we provided 15 strategic considerations and recommendations to engage and secure the interests of local communities in the growing mangrove carbon market trade. The 15 considerations are grouped into four recommendation categories: (i) project development and community engagement, (ii) capacity building and educational activities, (iii) transparency in resource allocation and distribution, and (iv) partnerships with local entities and long-term monitoring. We expect our study to increase local participation and community-level ecological, social, and economic benefits from MbCMP by incorporating equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms in a B2B conservation-agreement model.
Dental Erosion in Competitive Swimmers and Preventive Treatments: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Favero Riccardo , Nicetto Marianna , Barone Martina , Dorigotti Alessandra , Volpato Andrea , Tosco Vincenzo
Published: September 2024

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effectiveness of highly concentrated fluoride products and remineralizing products (F-APC) in preventing erosive dental lesions in competitive swimming patients. A total of 48 teeth were extracted, preserved in saline solution and divided into three groups. In G1 (control group), each tooth was half-immersed in chlorinated pool water; in G2 (fluoride-treated group), after being totally immersed in chlorinated water, each tooth had half of its surface treated with a highly concentrated fluoride product once a week; in G3 (remineralization product-treated group), each tooth was totally immersed in chlorinated water and half of its surface was treated with a remineralizing product after each immersion. The study was conducted over a 4-week period, immersing the teeth for 4 h per day. In G1, statistically significant differences were observed in submerged versus non-submerged tooth surfaces at week 3 (T3) (p = 0.019) and week 4 (T4) (p = 0.0007), with four and eight surfaces showing erosive tooth wear (ETW), respectively. In G2, a difference was observed between fluoride-treated and non-fluoride-treated surfaces at T4 (p = 0.039), with three surfaces with ETW among the non-treated ones. In G3, the difference was observed between portions treated with F-APC and those not treated at T4 (p = 0.019), with four surfaces with ETW among the untreated ones. Chlorinated pool water is a potential erosive agent for teeth if water pH values reach a critical value. Treating the teeth surface with highly concentrated fluoride products, once a week for 5 min, and F-APC are effective in protecting teeth against tooth erosion.
OMCTrack: Integrating Occlusion Perception and Motion Compensation for UAV Multi-Object Tracking
Authors: Dang Zhaoyang , Sun Xiaoyong , Sun Bei , Guo Runze , Li Can
Published: September 2024

Compared to images captured from ground-level perspectives, objects in UAV images are often more challenging to track due to factors such as long-distance shooting, occlusion, and motion blur. Traditional multi-object trackers are not well-suited for UAV multi-object tracking tasks. To address these challenges, we propose an online multi-object tracking network, OMCTrack. To better handle object occlusion and re-identification, we designed an occlusion perception module that re-identifies lost objects and manages occlusion without increasing computational complexity. By employing a simple yet effective hierarchical association method, this module enhances tracking accuracy and robustness under occlusion conditions. Additionally, we developed an adaptive motion compensation module that leverages prior information to dynamically detect image distortion, enabling the system to handle the UAV’s complex movements. The results from the experiments on the VisDrone2019 and UAVDT datasets demonstrate that OMCTrack significantly outperforms existing UAV video tracking methods.
Design of Low-Latency Layered Normalized Minimum Sum Low-Density Parity-Check Decoding Based on Entropy Feature for NAND Flash-Memory Channel
Authors: Li Yingge , Hu Haihua
Published: September 2024

As high-speed big-data communications impose new requirements on storage latency, low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes have become a widely used technology in flash-memory channels. However, the iterative LDPC decoding algorithm faces a high decoding latency problem due to its mechanism based on iterative message transmission. Motivated by the unbalanced bit reliability of codeword, this paper proposes two technologies, i.e., serial entropy feature-based layered normalized min-sum (S-EFB-LNMS) decoding and parallel entropy feature-based layered normalized min-sum (P-EFB-LNMS) decoding. First, we construct an entropy feature vector that reflects the real-time bit reliability of the codeword. Then, the reliability of the output information of the layered processing unit (LPU) is evaluated by analyzing the similarity between the check matrix and the entropy feature vector. Based on this evaluation, we can dynamically allocate and schedule LPUs during the decoding iteration process, thereby optimizing the entire decoding process. Experimental results show that these techniques can significantly reduce decoding latency.
Sensitivity Analysis of Excited-State Population in Plasma Based on Relative Entropy
Authors: Shimada Yosuke , Akatsuka Hiroshi
Published: September 2024

A highly versatile evaluation method is proposed for transient plasmas based on statistical physics. It would be beneficial in various industrial sectors, including semiconductors and automobiles. Our research focused on low-energy plasmas in laboratory settings, and they were assessed via our proposed method, which incorporates relative entropy and fractional Brownian motion, based on a revised collisional–radiative model. By introducing an indicator to evaluate how far a system is from its steady state, both the trend of entropy and the radiative process’ contribution to the lifetime of excited states were considered. The high statistical weight of some excited states may act as a bottleneck in the plasma’s energy relaxation throughout the system to a steady state. By deepening our understanding of how energy flows through plasmas, we anticipate potential contributions to resolving global environmental issues and fostering technological innovation in plasma-related industrial fields.
Small-Signal Stability Analysis and Optimization of Grid-Forming Permanent-Magnet Synchronous-Generator Wind Turbines
Authors: Li Guanghui , Han Runqi , Liu Bin , Li Zhen
Published: September 2024

Due to the ability to improve the low-inertia characteristics of power systems and offer reliable voltage and frequency support, grid-forming permanent-magnet synchronous-generator wind turbines (PMSG-WTs) based on virtual synchronous-generator (VSG) technology are emerging se the direction for future developments. Previous studies on the small-signal stability of grid-forming PMSG-WTs that connect to the grid usually simplify them into grid-connected grid-side converters (GSC), potentially leading to errors in stability analyses. Therefore, this paper considers the machine-side converter (MSC) control and establishes impedance models for grid-forming PMSG-WTs. Based on the sensitivity calculation of controller parameters using symmetric difference computation based on zero-order optimization, the impact of the internal controller on outside impedance characteristics is quantitatively analyzed. Additionally, an optimization method to enhance the stability of a hybrid wind farm by adjusting the ratio of grid-forming and grid-following wind turbines is proposed.