bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring visually guided motor performance in ultra low vision using virtual reality
Authors: Kartha Arathy , Sadeghi Roksana , Bradley Chris , Livingston Brittnee , Tran Chau , Gee Will , Dagnelie Gislin
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Ultra low vision (ULV) refers to profound visual impairment where an individual cannot read even the top line of letters on an ETDRS chart from a distance of 0.5 m. There are limited tools available to assess visual ability in ULV. The aim of this study was to develop and calibrate a new performance test, Wilmer VRH, to assess hand-eye coordination in individuals with ULV.

Methods

A set of 55 activities was developed for presentation in a virtual reality (VR) headset. Activities were grouped into 2-step and 5-step items. Participants performed a range of tasks involving reaching and grasping, stacking, sorting, pointing, throwing, and cutting. Data were collected from 20 healthy volunteers under normal vision (NV) and simulated ULV (sULV) conditions, and from 33 participants with ULV. Data were analyzed using the method of successive dichotomizations (MSD), a polytomous Rasch model, to estimate item (difficulty) and person (ability) measures. MSD was applied separately to 2-step and 5-step performance data, then merged to a single equal interval scale.

Results

The mean ±SD of completion rates were 98.6 ± 1.8%, 78.2 ± 12.5% and 61.1 ±34.2% for NV, sULV and ULV, respectively. Item measures ranged from −1.09 to 5.7 logits and − 4.3 to 4.08 logits and person measures ranged from −0.03 to 4.2 logits and −3.5 to 5.2 logits in sULV and ULV groups, respectively. Ninety percent of item infits were within the desired range of [0.5,1.5], and 97% of person infits were within that range. Together with item and person reliabilities of 0.94 and 0.91 respectively, this demonstrates unidimensionality of Wilmer VRH. A Person Item map showed that the items were well-targeted to the sample of individuals with ULV in the study.

Discussion

We present the development of a calibrated set of activities in VR that can be used to assess hand-eye coordination in individuals with ULV. This helps bridge a gap in the field by providing a validated outcome measure that can be used in vision restoration trials that recruit people with ULV, and to assess rehabilitation outcomes in people with ULV.
The value of machine learning in preoperative identification of lymph node metastasis status in endometrial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ren Zhonglian , Chen Banghong , Hong Changying , Yuan Jiaying , Deng Junying , Chen Yan , Ye Jionglin , Li Yanqin
Published: December 2023

Background

The early identification of lymph node metastasis status in endometrial cancer (EC) is a serious challenge in clinical practice. Some investigators have introduced machine learning into the early identification of lymph node metastasis in EC patients. However, the predictive value of machine learning is controversial due to the diversity of models and modeling variables. To this end, we carried out this systematic review and meta-analysis to systematically discuss the value of machine learning for the early identification of lymph node metastasis in EC patients.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science until March 12, 2023. PROBAST was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. In the process of meta-analysis, subgroup analysis was performed according to modeling variables (clinical features, radiomic features, and radiomic features combined with clinical features) and different types of models in various variables.

Results

This systematic review included 50 primary studies with a total of 103,752 EC patients, 12,579 of whom had positive lymph node metastasis. Meta-analysis showed that among the machine learning models constructed by the three categories of modeling variables, the best model was constructed by combining radiomic features with clinical features, with a pooled c-index of 0.907 (95%CI: 0.886-0.928) in the training set and 0.823 (95%CI: 0.757-0.890) in the validation set, and good sensitivity and specificity. The c-index of the machine learning model constructed based on clinical features alone was not inferior to that based on radiomic features only. In addition, logistic regression was found to be the main modeling method and has ideal predictive performance with different categories of modeling variables.

Conclusion

Although the model based on radiomic features combined with clinical features has the best predictive efficiency, there is no recognized specification for the application of radiomics at present. In addition, the logistic regression constructed by clinical features shows good sensitivity and specificity. In this context, large-sample studies covering different races are warranted to develop predictive nomograms based on clinical features, which can be widely applied in clinical practice.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023420774.
Biochemical repercussions of light spectra on nitrogen metabolism in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) under a controlled environment
Authors: Ramezani Moazzameh , Thompson Dalton , Moreno Matte , Joshi Vijay
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Selecting appropriate light spectra of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and optimal nutrient composition fertilizers has become integral to commercial controlled environment agriculture (CEA) platforms.

Methods

This study explored the impact of three LED light regimes (BR: Blue17%, Green 4%, Red 63%, Far-Red 13% and infrared 3%, BGR; Blue 20%, Green 23%, Red 47%, Far-Red 8% and infrared 2%; and GR; Blue 25%, Green 41%, Red 32%, and Far-Red 2%) and nitrogen levels (3.6 and 14.3 mM N) on spinach (Spinacea oleracea).

Results

Under limited nitrogen (3.6 mM), BGR light increased the fresh shoot (32%) and root (39%) biomass than BR, suggesting additional green light’s impact on assimilating photosynthates under suboptimal nitrogen availability. Reduced chlorophyll (a and b) and carotenoid accumulation, electron transport rate (ETR), and higher oxalates under limited nitrogen availability highlighted the adverse effects of red light (BR) on spinach productivity. Increased activities of nitrogen-associated enzymes (GOGAT; Glutamate synthase, GDH; NADH-Glutamate dehydrogenase, NR; Nitrate reductase, and GS; Glutamine synthetase) in spinach plants under BGR light further validated the significance of green light in nitrogen assimilation. Amino acid distributions remained unchanged across the light spectra, although limited nitrogen availability significantly decreased the percent distribution of glutamine and aspartic acid.

Conclusion

Overall, this study demonstrated the favorable impacts of additional green light on spinach productivity, as demonstrated under BGR, than GR alone in response to nitrogen perturbation. However, the exact mechanisms underlying these impacts still need to be unveiled. Nevertheless, these outcomes provided new insights into our understanding of light spectra on spinach nitrogen metabolism.
Gratitude and academic engagement: exploring the mediating effects of internal locus of control and subjective well-being
Authors: Cui Hongbo , Bi Xiaoyan , Chen Weiyu , Gao Tao , Qing Zaihua , Shi Keke , Ma Yankun
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to explore the relationship between gratitude and academic engagement in Chinese students. The students of some junior high schools in Guangzhou were surveyed using the Gratitude Questionnaire-6, the School Engagement Questionnaire, the Levenson’s IPC Scale, and the General Well-being Schedule. A total of 708 valid responses were collected. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between gratitude and academic engagement. Subjective well-being plays a mediating role between gratitude and academic engagement. Locus of control and subjective well-being serve as serial mediators between gratitude and academic engagement. These findings suggest that promoting students’ academic engagement can be achieved by fostering gratitude and improving their internal locus of control and subjective well-being. By cultivating gratitude and enhancing these factors, educators and policymakers can create a more engaging and supportive learning environment for students.
Particulate air pollution and cardiovascular disease mortality in Jiangsu Province, China: a time-series analysis between 2015 and 2021
Authors: Zhu Fangyu , Yu Hao , Fan Xikang , Ding Zhen , Wang Qingqing , Zhou Jinyi
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Previous time-series studies have revealed a positive association between particulate matter (PM) and acute cardiovascular effects. However, the evidence mostly comes from developed countries and regions, while the majority of air-pollution-related deaths occur in developing countries. To assess the effect of short-term exposure to PM on daily cause-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in Jiangsu Province, China, we investigated 1,417,773 CVD deaths from 2015 to 2021 in Jiangsu.

Methods

The city-specific association was estimated using generalized additive models with quasi-Poisson regression, and then, random effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled provincial-average associations between acute exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 and cardiovascular disease mortality. To test the independence of PM from gaseous pollutants, we fitted two-pollutant models. Mortality data were also stratified by sex, age, and region to investigate the modification of associations. The exposure-response (E-R) curve from each city was combined using meta-analysis to drive the provincial-level E-R curve.

Results

The results showed that each 10-μg/m3 increase in the PM2.5 concentration was associated with a 0.723% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.512, 0.935] increase in daily total CVD mortality, a 0.669% (95% CI: 0.461, 0.878) increase in CHD mortality, a 0.758% (95% CI: 0.584, 0.931) increase in stroke mortality, a 0.512% (95% CI: 0.245, 0.780) increase in ICH mortality, and a 0.876% (95% CI: 0.637, 1.116) increase in CI mortality. The corresponding increases in daily mortality rates for the same increase in the PM10 concentration were 0.424% (95% CI: 0.293, 0.556), 0.415% (95% CI: 0.228, 0.602), 0.444% (95% CI: 0.330, 0.559), 0.276% (95% CI: 0.026, 0.526), and 0.510% (95% CI: 0.353, 0.667), respectively. The association between PM and total CVD mortality remained significant after adjusting for gaseous pollutants. Females, older adults and districts with lower average PM levels are more sensitive, especially for PM10. The E-R curve for PM on CVD mortality is steeper at lower concentrations and flattens out at higher concentrations. The estimates remained generally consistent in sensitivity analyses when excluding the data during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Discussion

Our time-series study provides evidence of positive associations between acute exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 and total and cause-specific cardiovascular disease mortality in developing countries.
Adult non-invasive pneumococcal pneumonia in Portugal is dominated by serotype 3 and non-PCV13 serotypes 3-years after near universal PCV13 use in children
Authors: Silva-Costa Catarina , Gomes-Silva Joana , Santos Andreia , Ramirez Mário , Melo-Cristino José ,   The Portuguese Group for the Study of Streptococcal Infections
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Non-invasive pneumococcal pneumonia (NIPP) is possibly the most frequent infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults. However, the herd effect of vaccinating children in adult NIPP (aNIPP) remains poorly characterized.

Methods

We determined the serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates causing aNIPP (>18 years) in 2016–2018 in Portugal; 3 years with near universal vaccination of children with the 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13), following over a decade of significant PCV use in children in the private market.

Results and discussion

Among the 1,149 aNIPP isolates, the most frequent serotypes detected were: 3 (n = 168, 14.6%), 11A (n = 102, 8.9%), 19F (n = 70, 6.1%), 23A and 23B (n = 62, 5.4% each), 9N (n = 60, 5.2%), 8 and 29/35B (n = 43, 3.7% each); together accounting for 53% of all isolates. The serotype distribution causing aNIPP was stable in 2016–2018, with the serotypes included in PCV7 still being important causes of disease and serotype 3, a PCV13 serotype, remaining the leading cause of aNIPP. There was an increase in penicillin non-susceptibility from 17% in 2016 to 24% in 2018 (p = 0.018). Some PCV13 serotypes, such as 14, 19A and 19F were associated to resistance, which may have contributed to their persistence. The fact that close to 20% of aNIPP is caused by four non-vaccine serotypes (23A, 23B, 9N, and 29/35B) and that there were significant differences in serotype distribution relative to invasive disease, stress the importance of maintaining the surveillance of these infections. The lack of a continued herd effect from vaccinating children and the significant fraction of aNIPP potentially preventable by PCV13 (30%), PCV15 (34%), PCV20 (53%) and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (61%) underscore the importance of considering the broader use of pneumococcal vaccines in adults.
Prevention of influenza complications in patients with liver disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bianchi Francesco Paolo , Losito Francesco , Labarile Nunzia , Shahini Endrit , Cozzolongo Raffaele
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Patients with chronic liver disease are highly prone to acquiring influenza infection diseases and experiencing associated complications. National and international guidelines recommend the influenza vaccine for patients with liver disorders to reduce the risk of influenza complications. Our study aims to evaluate the risk of flu complications faced by patients with liver disease and assess influenza vaccination coverage.

Methods

The archive of hospital discharge forms was used to define the list of Apulian patients with liver disease, considering data from 2017 through 2022. The vaccination status of these patients was assessed via data collected from the Regional Immunization Database. We focused on influenza vaccine shots administered during the 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 flu seasons.

Results

A declining trend across the flu seasons was observed, with a VC of 49.5% in the 2020/21 flu season, 48.1% in the 2021/22 season, and 45.0% in the 2022/23 season. Subjects with multiple comorbidities have higher vaccination rates. Additionally, the multivariate models demonstrate that vaccination compliance increases with age and is strongly associated with having received a previous influenza vaccine shot.

Conclusion

The VC rates reported in our study are unsatisfactory and did not reach the minimum achievable goal (75%) the Italian Ministry of Health set. A multifactorial approach is required to raise the immunization rates and therefore protect the patients from the influenza-associated risk of collateral liver damage; the role of gastroenterologists and hepatologists is crucial, as their responsibilities should extend beyond patient care to the prevention of complications after infectious diseases.
Comparison of the gut microbiota of college students with the nine balanced and unbalanced traditional Chinese medicine constitutions and its potential application in fecal microbiota transplantation
Authors: Huang Qinhong , Yang Lihui , Cai Guannan , Huang Yongdie , Zhang Shian , Ye Zhenwei , Yang Jing , Gao Chuhui , Lai Jiaxuan , Lin Lyu , Wang Jihui , Liu Ting
Published: December 2023

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been tested for the prevention and treatment of various intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases, but its efficacy is not stable, which may be due to the lack of an optimized method for screening high-quality donors. The low efficiency and high cost of donor screening are also obstacles to the clinical application of FMT. In this study, we tested the efficiency of the constitution theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in screening high-quality FMT donors. College student volunteers were sorted into either the balanced TCM constitution (BC) or unbalanced TCM constitution (UBC) groups, with the latter group comprising eight different constitution types, and the gut microbiota profiles of each UBC were compared with that of BC. Subsequently, the success rates of the qualified donors of BC and UBC volunteers were compared. Finally, the anti-obesity effect of FMT, obtained using the fecal microbiota of BC and UBC donors, was tested on mice with high fat diet-induced obesity. The results showed that the gut microbiota of BC and UBC volunteers were significantly different. There was a higher proportion of qualified FMT donors in the BC volunteer group than in the UBC volunteer group. Moreover, the experiment in mice showed that the fecal microbiota of BC and UBC volunteers conferred different anti-obesity effects. Overall, TCM constitution could be a reference for FMT practice. Our study presents a new idea, namely, using TCM constitution theory to efficiently screen high-quality FMT donors.
The double burden of COVID-19 and a major volcanic eruption on local food production and food security in a Small Island Developing State
Authors: Augustus Eden , Murphy Madhuvanti M. , Guell Cornelia , Morrissey Karyn , Ramdath Dan , Woodward Mark , Anderson Simon G. , Unwin Nigel
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Small Island Developing States have disproportionately high food insecurity rates, related to complex challenges and vulnerabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that within these settings, crises often overlap. We aimed to assess the impact of the concurrent COVID-19 pandemic and volcanic eruption on food production and security in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Methods

An interpretive mixed-methods study was conducted among a convenience sample of consenting adults ≥18 years from 100 households in SVG through a cross-sectional survey and participant interviews (10 households) between September 2021 and March 2022. Food insecurity prevalence over the past year was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES; Rasch modeling) and impacts to livelihoods from the pandemic and volcanic eruption was assessed using an adapted Caribbean COVID-19 Food Security and Livelihoods Impact Survey (Caribbean COVID-19 FS&L Survey). Data were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

During the pandemic, 59% of the participants reported decreased income, 63% had no access to markets, 81% had no access to food aid; 34% of the participants had a change in food sources, and 81% reported that food production was negatively impacted by the volcanic eruptions, of which 68% reported decreased food production. The interviews highlighted that access to markets were restricted by fear of leaving home and contracting the COVID-19 virus, and participants who received food aid stated that the number of items were not sufficient for larger families. Almost half of the participants were severely food insecure [48% (95% C.I. 31.2,57.8)]; almost two thirds were moderately to severely food insecure [64% (95% C.I. 50.0, 74.2)]; mean FIES score 5.31 (95% C.I. 5.0,5.6). After adjusting for gender, age, education, and household size, moderate to severe food insecurity was associated with no access to food aid during the pandemic and post-eruptions (odds ratio 3.7; 95% confidence interval 1.5, 9.1; p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Food insecurity rates were high during the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbated by volcanic eruptions and insufficient access to food aid. Our results suggest the need for the development of strategies and interventions aimed at increasing the resilience of food systems to mitigate the effects of future disasters.
Evaluation of the green development efficiency of marine fish culture in China
Authors: Sun Longqi , Yang Zhengyong , Wang Qiang , Peng Lewei , Zhang Zhiyi , Liu Dong , Li Simin
Published: December 2023

Green development efficiency (GDE) is an important criterion for measuring the level of green development. GDE considers not only economic development efficiency but also environmental costs. In China, marine fish culture, as one of the pillar industries of mariculture, promotes green development and industrial transformation and upgradation. Based on data from the field surveys of marine fish farmers (2017–2019) and the China Fishery Statistical Yearbook (2018–2020), this study establishes an evaluation index system and uses the super-slack-based measure model (Super-SBM) to evaluate the GDE of marine fish culture. The results show that the average GDE of marine fish culture in China was 0.9529, which was in an inefficient state. As for culture species, golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) and cobia (Rachycentron canadum) were the two species farmed in an efficient state, with a GDE of 1.2107 and 1.0659, respectively. Regarding culture modes, green modes (offshore cage aquaculture, industrial recirculating aquaculture, and engineering pond aquaculture) were in an efficient state, with a GDE of 1.2310, 1.0827, and 1.0401, respectively. Traditional modes (industrial flow-through aquaculture, ordinary cage aquaculture, and ordinary pond aquaculture) were in an inefficient state, with their GDE being 0.9884, 0.8746, and 0.8248, respectively. Green modes have higher GDE than traditional modes. In contrast, the production and culture areas of green modes were less than those of traditional modes because the profits of the same species in green modes were lower than those in traditional modes. The results of this study present an objective assessment of the GDE of marine fish culture in China and provide valuable insights for analyzing the mechanisms to improve the GDE of marine fish culture.
Biochemical Indicators and Mortality in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Workers after Oral Exposure to Plant Protection Products and Their Mixtures
Authors: Migdał Paweł , Murawska Agnieszka , Berbeć Ewelina , Zarębski Karol , Ratajczak Natalia , Roman Adam , Latarowski Krzysztof
Published: December 2023

The honey bee obtains food from bee forage, which comprises crops grown in multi-hectare agricultural fields where various types of plant protection products such as pesticides are used. Some of these negatively affect the honey bee organism. In our research, we aimed to evaluate the effects of three pesticide groups: fungicides (tebuconazole), insecticides (acetamiprid), herbicides (glyphosate), and their mixtures on the functioning of honey bee workers (A. mellifera carnica). Pesticides in various proportions and dilutions were added to sugar syrups and then fed to the bees. Mortality and food intake were recorded daily, while hemolymph analysis was performed after seven days of exposure. Food intake, mortality, and the results of various biochemical analyses differed between the experimental group and the control group receiving untreated sugar syrup. PPP’s mixture of glyphosate tebuconazole and acetamiprid is more toxic to bees than single pesticides. Certain protection products such as pesticides can disrupt the antioxidant and detoxification systems associated with immunity in honey bees. Consequently, honey bees experience weaker conditions and their proper functioning deteriorates. The results obtained from biochemical changes provide a basis for field studies.
Trachyspermum ammi Bioactives Promote Neuroprotection by Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase, Aβ-Oligomerization/Fibrilization, and Mitigating Oxidative Stress In Vitro
Authors: Sharma Himadri , Yang Hyewon , Sharma Niti , An Seong Soo A
Published: December 2023

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a large category of progressive neurological disorders with diverse clinical and pathological characteristics. Among the NDs, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most widespread disease, which affects more than 400 million people globally. Oxidative stress is evident in the pathophysiology of nearly all NDs by affecting several pathways in neurodegeneration. No single drug can manage multi-faceted diseases like NDs. Therefore, an alternative therapeutic strategy is required, which can affect several pathophysiological pathways at a time. To achieve this aim, hexane and ethyl acetate extract from Trachyspermum ammi (Carom) were prepared, and GC/MS identified the bioactive compounds. For the cell-based assays, oxidative stress was induced in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells using hydrogen peroxide to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of the Carom extracts/bioactives. The extracts/bioactives provided neuroprotection in the cells by modulating multiple pathways involved in neurodegeneration, such as alleviating oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane potential. They were potent inhibitors of acetylcholine esterase enzymes and displayed competitive/mixed-type inhibition. Additionally, anti-Aβ1-42 fibrilization/oligomerization and anti-glycation activities were also analyzed. The multi-faceted neuroprotection shown via Carom/Carvacrol makes it a prospective contender in drug development for NDs.
The Influence of Caramel Carbon Quantum Dots and Caramel on Platelet Aggregation, Protein Glycation and Lipid Peroxidation
Authors: Kotańska Magdalena , Wojtaszek Konrad , Kubacka Monika , Bednarski Marek , Nicosia Noemi , Wojnicki Marek
Published: December 2023

Caramel, defined as a coloring agent and as an antioxidant, is used in several kinds of food products and is consumed by many people in different amounts. In our research we showed that the caramelization of sucrose under special conditions leads to the formation of carbon quantum dots (CQDs). So, it makes sense that humans also consume this type of CQDs, and it is theoretically possible for these particles to affect the body. Despite an increasing number of studies describing different types of CQDs, their biosafety is still not clearly understood. In our in vitro research, we examined the effects on platelet aggregation, protein glycation and lipid peroxidation of CQDs and caramel formed from a 20% sucrose solution. In vitro aggregation tests were conducted using freshly collected whole rat blood in a multiplate platelet function analyzer and measurer of electric impedance. The cytotoxic effect of the tested solutions on blood platelets was evaluated based on the release of lactate dehydrogenase. The formation of glycated bovine serum albumin was measured as fluorescence intensity and fructosamine level. The reducing power of the solutions was determined in adipose tissue, and their effect on lipid peroxidation in adipose tissue in vitro was also assessed. By measuring the intensity of hemolysis after incubation in solutions with red blood cell, we assessed their influence on the integration of the red blood cell membrane. All tests were performed in comparison with glucose and fructose and other frequently used sweeteners, such as erythritol and xylitol. Our study showed that caramel and CQDs formed from caramel may influence the glycation process and integrity of the red blood cell membrane, but unlike glucose and fructose, they decrease lipid peroxidation and may reduce Fe (III). Additionally, it is unlikely that they affect platelet aggregation. Compared to glucose and fructose, they may be safer for patients with metabolic disorders; however, further research is needed on the safety and biological activity of caramel and CQD.
Anti-Inflammation and Anti-Oxidation: The Key to Unlocking the Cardiovascular Potential of SGLT2 Inhibitors and GLP1 Receptor Agonists
Authors: Myasoedova Veronika A. , Bozzi Michele , Valerio Vincenza , Moschetta Donato , Massaiu Ilaria , Rusconi Valentina , Di Napoli Daniele , Ciccarelli Michele , Parisi Valentina , Agostoni Piergiuseppe , Genovese Stefano , Poggio Paolo
Published: December 2023

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent and complex metabolic disorder associated with various complications, including cardiovascular diseases. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) have emerged as novel therapeutic agents for T2DM, primarily aiming to reduce blood glucose levels. However, recent investigations have unveiled their multifaceted effects, extending beyond their glucose-lowering effect. SGLT2i operate by inhibiting the SGLT2 receptor in the kidneys, facilitating the excretion of glucose through urine, leading to reduced blood glucose levels, while GLP1-RA mimic the action of the GLP1 hormone, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic islets. Both SGLT2i and GLP1-RA have shown remarkable benefits in reducing major cardiovascular events in patients with and without T2DM. This comprehensive review explores the expanding horizons of SGLT2i and GLP1-RA in improving cardiovascular health. It delves into the latest research, highlighting the effects of these drugs on heart physiology and metabolism. By elucidating their diverse mechanisms of action and emerging evidence, this review aims to recapitulate the potential of SGLT2i and GLP1-RA as therapeutic options for cardiovascular health beyond their traditional role in managing T2DM.
Analysis of Cost Functions for Reinforcement Learning of Reaching Tasks in Humanoid Robots
Authors: Savevska Kristina , Ude Aleš
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we present a study on transferring human motions to a humanoid robot for stable and precise task execution. We employ a whole-body motion imitation system that considers the stability of the robot to generate a stable reproduction of the demonstrated motion. However, the initially acquired motions are usually suboptimal. To successfully perform the desired tasks, the transferred motions require refinement through reinforcement learning to accommodate the differences between the human demonstrator and the humanoid robot as well as task constraints. Our experimental evaluation investigates the impact of different cost function terms on the overall task performance. The findings indicate that the selection of an optimal combination of weights included in the cost function is of great importance for learning precise reaching motions that preserve both the robot’s postural balance and the human-like shape of the demonstrated motions. We verified our methodology in a simulated environment and through tests on a real humanoid robot, TALOS.
PGDS-YOLOv8s: An Improved YOLOv8s Model for Object Detection in Fisheye Images
Authors: Yang Degang , Zhou Jie , Song Tingting , Zhang Xin , Song Yingze
Published: December 2023

Recently, object detection has become a research hotspot in computer vision, which often detects regular images with small viewing angles. In order to obtain a field of view without blind spots, fisheye cameras, which have distortions and discontinuities, have come into use. The fisheye camera, which has a wide viewing angle, and an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a fisheye camera are used to obtain a field of view without blind spots. However, distorted and discontinuous objects appear in the captured fisheye images due to the unique viewing angle of fisheye cameras. It poses a significant challenge to some existing object detectors. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a PGDS-YOLOv8s model to solve the issue of detecting distorted and discontinuous objects in fisheye images. First, two novel downsampling modules are proposed. Among them, the Max Pooling and Ghost’s Downsampling (MPGD) module effectively extracts the essential feature information of distorted and discontinuous objects. The Average Pooling and Ghost’s Downsampling (APGD) module acquires rich global features and reduces the feature loss of distorted and discontinuous objects. In addition, the proposed C2fs module uses Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) blocks to model the interdependence of the channels to acquire richer gradient flow information about the features. The C2fs module provides a better understanding of the contextual information in fisheye images. Subsequently, an SE block is added after the Spatial Pyramid Pooling Fast (SPPF), thus improving the model’s ability to capture features of distorted, discontinuous objects. Moreover, the UAV-360 dataset is created for object detection in fisheye images. Finally, experiments show that the proposed PGDS-YOLOv8s model on the VOC-360 dataset improves mAP@0.5 by 19.8% and mAP@0.5:0.95 by 27.5% compared to the original YOLOv8s model. In addition, the improved model on the UAV-360 dataset achieves 89.0% for mAP@0.5 and 60.5% for mAP@0.5:0.95. Furthermore, on the MS-COCO 2017 dataset, the PGDS-YOLOv8s model improved AP by 1.4%, AP50 by 1.7%, and AP75 by 1.2% compared with the original YOLOv8s model.
Applying Learning and Self-Adaptation to Dynamic Scheduling
Authors: Werth Bernhard , Karder Johannes , Heckmann Michael , Wagner Stefan , Affenzeller Michael
Published: December 2023

Real-world production scheduling scenarios are often not discrete, separable, iterative tasks but rather dynamic processes where both external (e.g., new orders, delivery shortages) and internal (e.g., machine breakdown, timing uncertainties, human interaction) influencing factors gradually or abruptly impact the production system. Solutions to these problems are often very specific to the application case or rely on simple problem formulations with known and stable parameters. This work presents a dynamic scheduling scenario for a production setup where little information about the system is known a priori. Instead of fully specifying all relevant problem data, the timing and batching behavior of machines are learned by a machine learning ensemble during operation. We demonstrate how a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm can utilize these models to tackle this dynamic optimization problem, compare the dynamic performance of a set of established construction heuristics and meta-heuristics and showcase how models and optimizers interact. The results obtained through an empirical study indicate that the interaction between optimization algorithm and machine learning models, as well as the real-time performance of the overall optimization system, can impact the performance of the production system. Especially in high-load situations, the dynamic algorithms that utilize solutions from previous problem epochs outperform the restarting construction heuristics by up to ~24%.
Critical Uncertainty Analysis of the Application of New-Generation Digital Technology in China’s Construction Industry—A Study Based on the LDA-DEMATEL-ISM Improvement Model
Authors: Li Hui , Sun Yanpeng , Zhang Jingxiao , Liu Die , Han Zhengji , Li Yu
Published: December 2023

As the main driving force for the digital transformation of the construction industry, the uncertainty of digital technology in the application process has seriously hindered the high-quality development of the construction industry. In order to promote the wide application of digital technology in the construction industry and clarify the key uncertainties in its application process, this paper identifies the uncertainty index system of digital technology application based on the LDA topic model and literature analysis; the DEMATEL-ISM method is used to construct the multilevel hierarchical structure model of the uncertainty indicators in the application of digital technology to study the mutual influence among the indicators and to find the key uncertainty indicators. The research results show that the uncertainty indicators of the application of digital technology in the construction industry are divided into five levels: policy, industry, personnel, economy and law, and that the perfection of the policy guarantee system is the key uncertainty indicator for the investment return period of digital technology application. The standard contract model for digital technology is a direct uncertainty indicator for the application of digital technology in the construction industry. The results of this study help researchers and practitioners to focus on the key barriers and provide a list of key elements for construction companies to promote the application of next-generation digital technologies to improve digitalization of the construction industry. This study also provides a policy reference to further promote the digital transformation of the construction industry.
Climate Change Impact on Corrosion of Reinforced Concrete Bridges and Their Seismic Performance
Authors: Zucca Marco , Landi Filippo , Puppio Mario Lucio , Mistretta Fausto , Formichi Paolo , Croce Pietro
Published: December 2023

As a consequence of climate change impact, a significant variation in terms of temperature, atmospheric humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration levels is happening. This condition leads to several negative effects on the safety and the life cycle of existing concrete structures, such as the increase in the rate of material degradation, due to corrosion phenomena. In fact, the presence of carbonation and corrosion phenomena significantly influence the load-bearing capacity of existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures, under both static and dynamic loads. Among the wide range of existing RC constructions, bridges stand out for their importance. Furthermore, as structures directly exposed to the weather effects, they are more susceptible to these phenomena. In this paper, the influence of corrosion on existing RC motorway viaducts’ seismic behavior, considering the impact of climate change, is investigated, by means of an efficient procedure based on the implementation of 3D simplified finite element models and the use of analytical relations to obtain the amount of reduction in the steel reinforcement area as a function of the age of the bridge and of the different corrosion scenarios analyzed. Several scenarios for the expected variations in CO2 concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity are evaluated, considering that most of the viaducts present in the Italian motorway network were built between the 1960s and the 1970s. The results obtained using the projection of climate change impacts are compared with those calculated considering the corrosion scenarios resulting from the DuraCrete research project, to understand if the evolution of climate change leads to worse scenarios than those previously assessed.
The Impact of a Combined Battery Thermal Management and Safety System Utilizing Polymer Mini-Channel Cold Plates on the Thermal Runaway and Its Propagation
Authors: Graichen Henrik-Christian , Boye Gunar , Sauerhering Jörg , Köhler Florian , Beyrau Frank
Published: December 2023

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in mobile applications because they offer a suitable package of characteristics in terms of specific energy, cost, and life span. Nevertheless, they have the potential to experience thermal runaway (TR), the prevention and containment of which require safety measures and intensive thermal management. This study introduces a novel combined thermal management and safety application designed for large aspect-ratio battery cells such as pouches and thin prismatics. It comprises polymer-based mini-channel cold plates that can indirectly thermally condition the batteries’ faces with liquid. They are lightweight and space-saving, making them suitable for mobile systems. Furthermore, this study experimentally clarifies to which extent the application of polymer mini-channel cold plates between battery cells is suitable to delay TR by heat dissipation and to prevent thermal runaway propagation (TRP) to adjacent cells by simultaneously acting as a thermal barrier. NMC pouch cells of 12.5 Ah capacity were overcharged at 1 C to induce TR. Without cold plates, TR and TRP occurred within one hour. Utilizing the polymer mini-channel cold plates for face cooling, the overcharge did not produce a condition leading to cell fire in the same time frame. When the fluid inlet temperature was varied between 5 and 40 °C, the overcharged cell’s surface temperature peaked between 50 and 60 °C. Indications were found that thermal conditioning with the polymer cold plates significantly slowed down parts of the process chain before cell firing. Their peak performance was measured to be just under 2.2 kW/m2. In addition, thermal management system malfunction was tested, and evidence was found that the polymer cold plates prevented TRP to adjacent cells. In conclusion, a combined thermal management and safety system made of polymer mini-channel cold plates provides necessary TR-related safety aspects in lithium battery systems and should be further investigated.
Zebrafish Optokinetic Reflex: Minimal Reporting Guidelines and Recommendations
Authors: Rodwell Vanessa , Patil Manjiri , Kuht Helen J. , Neuhauss Stephan C. F. , Norton William H. J. , Thomas Mervyn G.
Published: December 2023

Optokinetic reflex (OKR) assays in zebrafish models are a valuable tool for studying a diverse range of ophthalmological and neurological conditions. Despite its increasing popularity in recent years, there are no clear reporting guidelines for the assay. Following reporting guidelines in research enhances reproducibility, reduces bias, and mitigates underreporting and poor methodologies in published works. To better understand optimal reporting standards for an OKR assay in zebrafish, we performed a systematic literature review exploring the animal, environmental, and technical factors that should be considered. Using search criteria from three online databases, a total of 109 research papers were selected for review. Multiple crucial factors were identified, including larval characteristics, sample size, fixing method, OKR set-up, distance of stimulus, detailed stimulus parameters, eye recording, and eye movement analysis. The outcome of the literature analysis highlighted the insufficient information provided in past research papers and the lack of a systematic way to present the parameters related to each of the experimental factors. To circumvent any future errors and champion robust transparent research, we have created the zebrafish optokinetic (ZOK) reflex minimal reporting guideline.
Advancements in Glioma Care: Focus on Emerging Neurosurgical Techniques
Authors: De Simone Matteo , Conti Valeria , Palermo Giuseppina , De Maria Lucio , Iaconetta Giorgio
Published: December 2023

Background: Despite significant advances in understanding the molecular pathways of glioma, translating this knowledge into effective long-term solutions remains a challenge. Indeed, gliomas pose a significant challenge to neurosurgical oncology because of their diverse histopathological features, genetic heterogeneity, and clinical manifestations. Relevant sections: This study focuses on glioma complexity by reviewing recent advances in their management, also considering new classification systems and emerging neurosurgical techniques. To bridge the gap between new neurosurgical approaches and standards of care, the importance of molecular diagnosis and the use of techniques such as laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and focused ultrasound (FUS) are emphasized, exploring how the integration of molecular knowledge with emerging neurosurgical approaches can personalize and improve the treatment of gliomas. Conclusions: The choice between LITT and FUS should be tailored to each case, considering factors such as tumor characteristics and patient health. LITT is favored for larger, complex tumors, while FUS is standard for smaller, deep-seated ones. Both techniques are equally effective for small and superficial tumors. Our study provides clear guidance for treating pediatric low-grade gliomas and highlights the crucial roles of LITT and FUS in managing high-grade gliomas in adults. This research sets the stage for improved patient care and future developments in the field of neurosurgery.
Unveiling Differential Responses of Granulocytes to Distinct Immunostimulants with Implications in Autoimmune Uveitis
Authors: Degroote Roxane L. , Schmalen Adrian , Hauck Stefanie M. , Deeg Cornelia A.
Published: December 2023

The perception of circulating granulocytes as cells with a predetermined immune response mainly triggered by pathogens is evolving, recognizing their functional heterogeneity and adaptability, particularly within the neutrophil subset. The involvement of these cells in the pathophysiology of autoimmune uveitis has become increasingly clear, yet their exact role remains elusive. We used an equine model for autoimmune-mediated recurrent pan-uveitis to investigate early responses of granulocytes in different inflammatory environments. For this purpose, we performed differential proteomics on granulocytes from healthy and diseased horses stimulated with IL8, LPS, or PMA. Compared to healthy horses, granulocytes from the recurrent uveitis model significantly changed the cellular abundance of 384 proteins, with a considerable number of specific changes for each stimulant. To gain more insight into the functional impact of these stimulant-specific proteome changes in ERU pathogenesis, we used Ingenuity Pathway Analysis for pathway enrichment. This resulted in specific reaction patterns for each stimulant, with IL8 predominantly promoting Class I MHC-mediated antigen processing and presentation, LPS enhancing processes in phospholipid biosynthesis, and PMA, clearly inducing neutrophil degranulation. These findings shed light on the remarkably differentiated responses of neutrophils, offering valuable insights into their functional heterogeneity in a T-cell-driven disease. Raw data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD013648.
Healthy Personalized Recipe Recommendations for Weekly Meal Planning
Authors: Zioutos Konstantinos , Kondylakis Haridimos , Stefanidis Kostas
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, in the pursuit of personalized health and well-being, dietary choices are critical. This paper introduces a novel recommendation system designed to provide users with personalized meal plans, consisting of breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner, in alignment with their health history and preferences from other similar users. More specifically, our system exploits collaborative filtering first to identify other users with similar dietary preferences and uses this information to propose suitable recipes to individuals. The whole process is enhanced by analyzing the individual’s health history, including dietary restrictions, nutritional needs, and specific diet plans, such as low-carb or vegetarian. This ensures that the generated meal plans are not only aligned with the user’s taste but also contribute to the overall wellness of the user. A distinctive feature of our system is its dynamic adaptation feature, which enables users to make real-time adjustments to their meal plans based on their personal constraints and preferences, directly impacting future recommendations. We evaluate the usability of the system through a series of experiments on a large real-world data set of recipes, showing that our system is able to provide highly personalized, dynamic, and accurate recommendations.
A H-Bridge-Multiplexing-Based Novel Power Electronic Transformer
Authors: Hou Bingbing , Li Yan , Yu Zhanyang , Teng Yun
Published: December 2023

Cascaded H-bridge power electronic transformers (CHB-PET) play a pivotal role in distribution grids and their efficient operation. The input series and output parallel (ISOP) configurations result in a huge number of power switching devices, high-frequency transformers (HFT), and capacitors in high-voltage, high-capacity CHB-PET, leading to the need for high hardware costs and huge-sized CHB-PET, which further poses a significant challenge to the engineering feasibility and marketability of the CHB-PET. To address these issues, a CHB-PET topology is proposed in this paper. The novel topology exploits the concept of multi-frequency modulation to achieve power decoupling and power unit multiplexing through reasonable LC resonant frequency selection, which optimizes the ISOP structure and ultimately reduces the hardware cost and size of the CHB-PET. In this study, the effectiveness of reducing the number of power switching devices and HFT is firstly analyzed, and after describing its working principle, the control strategy of each power conversion link of PET is discussed before the correctness and effectiveness of the CHB-PET topology and control strategy proposed in this paper are verified via simulation.