bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of COVID-19 in-hospital mortality in older patients using artificial intelligence: a multicenter study
Authors: Fedecostante Massimiliano , Sabbatinelli Jacopo , Dell’Aquila Giuseppina , Salvi Fabio , Bonfigli Anna Rita , Volpato Stefano , Trevisan Caterina , Fumagalli Stefano , Monzani Fabio , Antonelli Incalzi Raffaele , Olivieri Fabiola , Cherubini Antonio
Published: October 2024

Background

Once the pandemic ended, SARS-CoV-2 became endemic, with flare-up phases. COVID-19 disease can still have a significant clinical impact, especially in older patients with multimorbidity and frailty.

Objective

This study aims at evaluating the main characteristics associated to in-hospital mortality among data routinely collected upon admission to identify older patients at higher risk of death.

Methods

The present study used data from Gerocovid-acute wards, an observational multicenter retrospective-prospective study conducted in geriatric and internal medicine wards in subjects ≥60 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-one routinely collected variables, including demographic data, living arrangements, smoking habits, pre-COVID-19 mobility, chronic diseases, and clinical and laboratory parameters were integrated into a web-based machine learning platform (Just Add Data Bio) to identify factors with the highest prognostic relevance. The use of artificial intelligence allowed us to avoid variable selection bias, to test a large number of models and to perform an internal validation.

Results

The dataset was split into training and test sets, based on a 70:30 ratio and matching on age, sex, and proportion of events; 3,520 models were set out to train. The three predictive algorithms (optimized for performance, interpretability, or aggressive feature selection) converged on the same model, including 12 variables: pre-COVID-19 mobility, World Health Organization disease severity, age, heart rate, arterial blood gases bicarbonate and oxygen saturation, serum potassium, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, PaO2/FiO2 ratio and derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.

Conclusion

Beyond variables reflecting the severity of COVID-19 disease failure, pre-morbid mobility level was the strongest factor associated with in-hospital mortality reflecting the importance of functional status as a synthetic measure of health in older adults, while the association between derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and mortality, confirms the fundamental role played by neutrophils in SARS-CoV-2 disease.
A pipeline for estimating human attention toward objects with on-board cameras on the iCub humanoid robot
Authors: Hanifi Shiva , Maiettini Elisa , Lombardi Maria , Natale Lorenzo
Published: October 2024

This research report introduces a learning system designed to detect the object that humans are gazing at, using solely visual feedback. By incorporating face detection, human attention prediction, and online object detection, the system enables the robot to perceive and interpret human gaze accurately, thereby facilitating the establishment of joint attention with human partners. Additionally, a novel dataset collected with the humanoid robot iCub is introduced, comprising more than 22,000 images from ten participants gazing at different annotated objects. This dataset serves as a benchmark for human gaze estimation in table-top human–robot interaction (HRI) contexts. In this work, we use it to assess the proposed pipeline’s performance and examine each component’s effectiveness. Furthermore, the developed system is deployed on the iCub and showcases its functionality. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach as a first step to enhancing social awareness and responsiveness in social robotics. This advancement can enhance assistance and support in collaborative scenarios, promoting more efficient human–robot collaborations.
Leveraging imitation learning in agricultural robotics: a comprehensive survey and comparative analysis
Authors: Mahmoudi Siavash , Davar Amirreza , Sohrabipour Pouya , Bist Ramesh Bahadur , Tao Yang , Wang Dongyi
Published: October 2024

Imitation learning (IL), a burgeoning frontier in machine learning, holds immense promise across diverse domains. In recent years, its integration into robotics has sparked significant interest, offering substantial advancements in autonomous control processes. This paper presents an exhaustive insight focusing on the implementation of imitation learning techniques in agricultural robotics. The survey rigorously examines varied research endeavors utilizing imitation learning to address pivotal agricultural challenges. Methodologically, this survey comprehensively investigates multifaceted aspects of imitation learning applications in agricultural robotics. The survey encompasses the identification of agricultural tasks that can potentially be addressed through imitation learning, detailed analysis of specific models and frameworks, and a thorough assessment of performance metrics employed in the surveyed studies. Additionally, it includes a comparative analysis between imitation learning techniques and conventional control methodologies in the realm of robotics. The findings derived from this survey unveil profound insights into the applications of imitation learning in agricultural robotics. These methods are highlighted for their potential to significantly improve task execution in dynamic and high-dimensional action spaces prevalent in agricultural settings, such as precision farming. Despite promising advancements, the survey discusses considerable challenges in data quality, environmental variability, and computational constraints that IL must overcome. The survey also addresses the ethical and social implications of implementing such technologies, emphasizing the need for robust policy frameworks to manage the societal impacts of automation. These findings hold substantial implications, showcasing the potential of imitation learning to revolutionize processes in agricultural robotics. This research significantly contributes to envisioning innovative applications and tools within the agricultural robotics domain, promising heightened productivity and efficiency in robotic agricultural systems. It underscores the potential for remarkable enhancements in various agricultural processes, signaling a transformative trajectory for the sector, particularly in the realm of robotics and autonomous systems.
On the brink of social resistance: local community perceptions of mining company operating permits in East Luwu, Indonesia
Authors: Muhammad Sawedi , Arifin Suryanto , Syam Ridwan , Putra Bama Andika
Published: October 2024

The presence of a mining company in an area affects the living conditions of the surrounding community from an environmental, social, and economic perspective. This research aims to contribute to the literature on social perceptions concerning mining company operations by assessing the local societies’ rate of rejection or acceptance of a mining company’s extension of operating permit, along with reasons that justify the decision. We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven interest groups in four sub-districts in East Luwu Regency, comprising 79 participants. This research uses a combination of quantitative data collection and in-depth qualitative interviews to strengthen the sources’ reasons for providing answers. The results show a high rejection rate expressed by communities living in the sub-districts where mining companies operate, alongside a strong preference for extending operating permits for sites that are of greater distance to the smelters. If the business permit is ultimately transferred to the existing company, it may exacerbate community tensions and resistance. In that case, the local community wants several priority improvements, namely, increasing the number of workers working in the factory, further boosting economic growth and empowerment programs carried out in affected areas, and improving post-mining environmental management. Therefore, this study contributes to the discourse of local community perceptions in mining areas, which may affect mining operations in the future.
Investigating the role of starch in the structuring of meat alternatives from mung bean and pea protein isolates via heat-induced gelation
Authors: Baig Mohammad Affan , Mostafa Hussein , Sivapragasam Nilushni , Aslam Raouf , Zhou Weibiao , Maqsood Sajid
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The structuring of plant-based meat alternatives is a complex process which is highly dependent on qualitative and quantitative proportion of different ingredients. In the present study, starch, protein, and oil concentrations were optimized for the formulation of meat alternative (MA) using response surface methodology (RSM).

Methods

Protein isolates of mung bean and pea protein, & corn starch were used along with sunflower oil to formulate meat alternatives using heat-induced gelation. The protein functionality of mungbean protein isolate (MBPI) and pea protein isolate (PPI) were analyzed. In addition, the effects of constituent composition on the physicochemical properties of meat alternatives were studied using RSM.

Results

The protein content exhibited an elevation with increased levels of MBPI and PPI in 15:15 ratio. Moisture and hardness were chiefly influenced by oil content, as they displayed a decline with increasing oil levels. The color (L*) was principally affected by starch and oil, where the L* reduced with increasing levels of both variables. Springiness was influenced by the interaction of protein ratio (MBPI:PPI) and starch, as it showed a lowest value at the lowest level of protein and the highest level of starch. Chewiness was influenced by the interaction of hardness and springiness. The microstructure analysis showed dense protein matrix in the meat alternative.

Discussion

Overall, the study shows that starch facilitated the structuring of meat alternative formulated using MBPI and PPI which could be utilized as potential materials for enhanced textural properties of the meat alternatives.
Multi-Material Topology Optimization on Separate Tetrahedral Meshes with Explicit Design Resolution by Means of Remeshing
Authors: Renz Robert , Albers Albert
Published: October 2024

As a method of lightweight design, multi-material design aims to make targeted use of materials in order to reduce CO2 emissions. In this context, it can be described as one of the product development methods used to meet the challenges of climate change. However, since the design of structures in multi-material design is complex, topology optimization can be used to support the product developer. In this article, a multi-material topology optimization method is developed that combines the Velocity Field Level Set method with the Reconciled Level Set method. Furthermore, the current design is explicitly resolved in each iteration by means of multi-material remeshing. The edge collapse phase in the remeshing process is achieved by applying the producer consumer pattern. The developed method is then validated using known examples from the state of research, and the influence of the parameters of the method on the result is analyzed by means of studies.
Local Crossover: A New Genetic Operator for Grammatical Evolution
Authors: Tsoulos Ioannis G. , Charilogis Vasileios , Tsalikakis Dimitrios
Published: October 2024

The presented work outlines a new genetic crossover operator, which can be used to solve problems by the Grammatical Evolution technique. This new operator intensively applies the one-point crossover procedure to randomly selected chromosomes with the aim of drastically reducing their fitness value. The new operator is applied to chromosomes selected randomly from the genetic population. This new operator was applied to two techniques from the recent literature that exploit Grammatical Evolution: artificial neural network construction and rule construction. In both case studies, an extensive set of classification problems and data-fitting problems were incorporated to estimate the effectiveness of the proposed genetic operator. The proposed operator significantly reduced both the classification error on the classification datasets and the feature learning error on the fitting datasets compared to other machine learning techniques and also to the original models before applying the new operator.
Correction: Coppieters de Gibson, L.; Garner, P.N. Training a Filter-Based Model of the Cochlea in the Context of Pre-Trained Acoustic Models. Acoustics 2024, 6, 470–488
Authors: Coppieters de Gibson Louise , Garner Philip N.
Published: October 2024

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the original publication [...]
Effect of Temperature on Foreign Object Damage Characteristics and High Cycle Fatigue Performance of Nickel-Based Superalloy GH4169
Authors: Sun Li , Jia Xu , Jiang Rong , Song Yingdong , Zhu Lei
Published: October 2024

High-speed ballistic impact tests were conducted at room temperature and 500 °C on nickel-based superalloy GH4169 simulated blade specimens containing leading-edge features. The microscopic characteristics of the impact notch at room temperature versus 500 °C were observed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and it was found that the grains on the notched subsurface were ruined, while in more distant regions, the impact energy was mainly absorbed by grain boundaries. Internal damage is more concentrated in the notched subsurface region at 500 °C compared to room temperature. The high cycle fatigue strength of the damaged specimens under different conditions was tested. The results showed that the high cycle fatigue strength of the damaged specimens increased with the increase in the notch depth, and the fatigue strength of the damaged specimens at 500 °C was higher than the fatigue strength at room temperature. Both the 48 h post-impact holding time at 500 °C and the preload during impact at 500 °C increased the fatigue strength of the damaged specimens.
Evaluating the Effect of Pulse Width Modulation-Controlled Spray Duty Cycles on Cotton Fiber Quality Using Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Maja Joe Mari , Neupane Jyoti , Patiluna Van , Miller Gilbert , Karki Aashish , Marshall Michael W. , Cutulle Matthew , Luo Jun , Barnes Edward
Published: October 2024

The optimization of cotton defoliant application is critical for enhancing fiber quality and yield. This study aims to assess the impact of different defoliant duty cycles on cotton fiber quality by applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to High-Volume Instrument (HVI) data from two fields. Three duty cycles—20%, 40%, and 60%—along with a control treatment were evaluated. PCA was used to identify the key factors influencing cotton quality, with a focus on parameters such as fiber length, strength, and uniformity. The results revealed that the 40% duty cycle consistently produced the most stable and uniform cotton fiber quality across both fields, minimizing variability in critical parameters. In contrast, the 20% and 60% duty cycles, as well as the control, introduced greater variability, with the control treatment showing the most significant outliers. These findings suggest that a 40% duty cycle is optimal for balancing effective defoliation with high-quality cotton production. Future research should explore the robustness of the 40% duty cycle across different environmental conditions and investigate the integration of advanced technologies to further optimize defoliant applications. This study provides valuable insights for improving cotton production practices and ensuring consistent fiber quality.
Genome-Wide Characterization of the GRAS Gene Family in Cyclocarya paliurus and Its Involvement in Heterodichogamy
Authors: Wang Qian , Yang Yibo , Yu Yanhao , Mei Di , Mao Xia , Fu Xiangxiang
Published: October 2024

The GRAS gene family, derived from GAI, RGA, and SCR, plays a crucial role in plant growth and development. In the diploid Cyclocarya paliurus (2n = 2x = 32) with heterodichogamous characteristics, 51 CpGRAS genes were identified and phylogenetically classified into 10 subfamilies. Structural analysis revealed that CpGRAS genes possessed a canonical GRAS domain, but 70% lacked introns. WGD/segmental duplication was the major driver in the expansion of the CpGRAS family. In addition, a Ka/Ks ratio below 1 for these genes implied functional constraints and evolutionary conservation. Transcriptional profiling revealed significant differential expressions of CpGRAS genes between male and female flowers from two mating types, protogyny (PG) and protandry (PA). Notably, members of the DELLA subfamily exhibited significant upregulation in female flowers at the inflorescence elongation (S3) stage. The expression level of CpSCL6-2 in late-flowering samples (PA-F and PG-M) was higher than in early-flowering ones (PA-M and PG-F). Co-expression analysis identified that CpRGL1 and CpGAI-2 of the DELLA subfamily, along with CpSCL6-2, acted as hub genes, implying their crucial roles in floral development and potential involvement in the heterodichogamous flowering mechanism in C. paliurus. These findings broaden our understanding of CpGRAS genes and provide new insights into the molecular basis of heterodichogamy.
UV Fluorescent Powders as a Tool for Plant Epidemiological Studies
Authors: Severns Paul M. , Codod Clarence , Lynch Ashley J.
Published: October 2024

Some basic aspects of plant disease epidemiology remain largely unknown due to a lack of empirical study methods to experimentally manipulate the position of infections within a single plant or within a plant canopy and the dispersal behaviors of small insects that vector important plant diseases, for example. We present two methods using UV fluorescent particles that, when mixed in a 10% ethanol solution, can be used to create surrogate fungal infections on plant leaves and to field mark whiteflies in situ. When we used a custom-made experimental chamber to measure the velocity of falling particles, we found that the UV fluorescent particles had settlement velocities that overlapped with known fungal plant pathogen spores. In a separate experiment, field applied marks to whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci, were used to estimate straight-line insect vector displacement from source plants as a simple dispersal gradient over a limited distance in a 48 h period. The UV fluorescent particles and airbrushes were relatively inexpensive (USD < 100 total), easily sourced, and usable in a field setting. We believe that the approaches and methods shared in this manuscript can be used to design specific experiments that will fill important plant epidemiological knowledge gaps in future studies.
Causal Economic Machine Learning (CEML): “Human AI”
Authors: Horton Andrew
Published: October 2024

This paper proposes causal economic machine learning (CEML) as a research agenda that utilizes causal machine learning (CML), built on causal economics (CE) decision theory. Causal economics is better suited for use in machine learning optimization than expected utility theory (EUT) and behavioral economics (BE) based on its central feature of causal coupling (CC), which models decisions as requiring upfront costs, some certain and some uncertain, in anticipation of future uncertain benefits that are linked by causation. This multi-period causal process, incorporating certainty and uncertainty, replaces the single-period lottery outcomes augmented with intertemporal discounting used in EUT and BE, providing a more realistic framework for AI machine learning modeling and real-world application. It is mathematically demonstrated that EUT and BE are constrained versions of CE. With the growing interest in natural experiments in statistics and causal machine learning (CML) across many fields, such as healthcare, economics, and business, there is a large potential opportunity to run AI models on CE foundations and compare results to models based on traditional decision-making models that focus only on rationality, bounded to various degrees. To be most effective, machine learning must mirror human reasoning as closely as possible, an alignment established through CEML, which represents an evolution to truly “human AI”. This paper maps out how the non-linear optimization required for the CEML structural response functions can be accomplished through Sequential Least Squares Programming (SLSQP) and applied to data sets through the S-Learner CML meta-algorithm. Upon this foundation, the next phase of research is to apply CEML to appropriate data sets in various areas of practice where causality and accurate modeling of human behavior are vital, such as precision healthcare, economic policy, and marketing.
Enhanced Biomechanical Properties of the Pectineal Ligament Support Its Reliability for Apical Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair
Authors: Motzko Micaela , Swancutt Makayla M. , Glueck Edwin , Holland Brandalynn , Stock Anna , Azari Zubeen , Diricanli Elif , Dennis Jennifer F. , Zolnierz Melissa
Published: October 2024

Pelvic organ prolapse impacts an increasing number of women in the United States. The standard approach to correcting apical pelvic organ prolapse uses the sacral anterior longitudinal ligament (SALL) to lift the vaginal apex; however, this approach may result in recurrent prolapse. A newer procedure utilizes the pectineal ligament (PL), which may be a more reliable anchor point. This study compares the biomechanical properties of these two ligaments to elucidate which can withstand more stress to provide long-term stability following prolapse. Seventeen formalin-embalmed donors were used (PL: 17 right, 16 left; SALL, 15). The PL was evaluated to better characterize the ligament’s properties within the pelvis using digital calipers and descriptive statistics. Mean values were statistically evaluated using an independent t test (p = 0.05) but no differences in laterality were appreciable. The PL and SALL samples were harvested and evaluated using a mechanical tester to determine their force at failure (N), toughness (Jm−2), and elastic modulus (MPa). The PL had increased values in the mean force at failure and toughness than the SALL when evaluated by each side as well as a combined mean value. These differences were statistically significant (p = 0.05) for toughness as evaluated using an independent t-test (right, p = 0.004; left, p = 0.005; combined, p = 0.002) and force at failure [right, p = 0.001 (independent t-test); left, p = 0.004 and combined, p = 0.005 (Mann–Whitney U test)], indicating that the PL may permit more deformation, but greater resistance to catastrophic failure as compared to the SALL. When evaluating any statistical differences in modulus, the individual and combined values were increased for the PL as compared to the SALL but were not significant (right, p = 0.290; left, p = 0.143; combined, p = 0.110) suggesting a stiffer material that may be more prone to catastrophic failure once a tear has begun. Collectively, these inherent biomechanical properties of the pectineal ligament indicate the ligament may be a more reliable anchor point for pelvic organ prolapse repair than the SALL.
A Detailed Anatomical Description of the Gastrocnemius Muscle—Is It Anatomically Positioned to Function as an Antagonist to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament?
Authors: Thomas Kevin , Peeler Jason
Published: October 2024

Objective: The purpose of this cadaveric investigation was to provide a detailed morphologic description of the proximal gastrocnemius within the popliteal region of the knee and test the hypothesis that the gastrocnemius is anatomically positioned to function as an antagonist to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee. Methods: Twenty-two lower limbs from 11 embalmed cadavers underwent detailed dissection and anatomical analysis. Results: The results indicate that 63.3 ± 5.8% of the popliteal region is comprised of the hamstrings and the gastrocnemius, whereas 36.8 ± 5.7% is occupied by free space (fossa). Within the popliteal region, the gastrocnemius had a length crossing above the knee joint line of 5.4 ± 1.2 cm, which would likely result in a posterior pull on the femur during muscular contraction. Data provide an in-depth description of length and width morphology of the gastrocnemius and provide a detailed comparison between the medial and lateral heads of the muscle. Our results agree with earlier reports in the literature which suggest that the medial head is significantly longer and wider than the lateral head of the gastrocnemius. The medial head length was 23 ± 3.4 cm, compared to a lateral head length of 20.5 ± 2.9 cm. The medial head maximum width was 5.5 ± 1.6 cm, compared to a lateral head maximum width of 4.2 ± 1.1 cm. Conclusion: This research expands on past descriptions of the femoral origin of the gastrocnemius muscle’s medial head and confirms past descriptions of the lateral head origin on the femur. Our data clearly illustrate that the femoral attachment of the medial head of the gastrocnemius was much different (or more complex) than previously described and that it wraps around the posterior side of the medial femoral condyle and attaches more anteriorly. Further research should be directed at exploring the functional significance (if any) of these differences and examining the effect they may have on ACL function and knee joint kinematics.
Linezolid Pharmacokinetics in Critically Ill Patients: Continuous Versus Intermittent Infusion
Authors: Hui Ligia-Ancuța , Bodolea Constantin , Popa Adina , Vlase Ana-Maria , Hirișcău Elisabeta Ioana , Vlase Laurian
Published: October 2024

Background: Linezolid has been found to have considerable interindividual variability, especially in critically ill patients, which can lead to suboptimal plasma concentration. To overcome this shortcoming, several solutions have been proposed. These include using loading dose, higher maintenance doses, and dose stratification according to the patient’s particularities, therapeutic drug monitoring, and drug administration via continuous infusion (CI) instead of intermittent infusion (II). In the present study, we aim to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of linezolid after administration as II versus CI to critically ill patients. Methods: In a prospective study conducted in an intensive care unit, we compared the same two daily doses of linezolid administered via II versus CI. The serum concentration was measured, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices for efficacy chosen were area under the concentration–time curve at steady state divided by the minimum inhibitory concentration over 80 (AUC24–48/MIC > 80). Results: Greater serum concentration variability was observed in the II group than in the CI group. The %T > MIC > 80% was achieved for MICs of 1 and 2 µg/mL 100% of the time, whereas for the II group, this was 93% and 73%, respectively. AUC24–48/MIC > 80 was reached in 100% of cases in the CI group compared with 87% in the II group for a MIC of 1 µg/mL. Conclusions: The two infusion methods may be used comparably, but utilizing CI as an alternative to II may have potential benefits, including avoiding periods of suboptimal concentrations, which may enhance safety profiles and clinical outcomes. Considering the relatively few studies performed on linezolid to date, which are increasing in number, the results of the present study may be of interest.
Three Days of Oral Azithromycin Versus Five Days of Oral Clarithromycin in the Treatment of Campylobacter Enterocolitis in Children: A Prospective Study
Authors: Kang Hyun Mi , Cho Yoon Kyung , Kim Ye Ji , Jeong Dae Chul , Yoo In Hyuk
Published: October 2024

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of azithromycin and clarithromycin in pediatric Campylobacter enterocolitis. Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at a single center. Patients with confirmed Campylobacter enterocolitis were randomly assigned to receive either a 3-day course of azithromycin or a 5-day course of clarithromycin. Symptoms were monitored daily, and changes in laboratory markers (WBC counts, CRP levels, and stool calprotectin) were compared. Results: A total of 29 pediatric patients were included, with 14 patients in the azithromycin group and 15 patients in the clarithromycin group. The median age of patients in the azithromycin group was 10.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.0–13.0), and in the clarithromycin group, the median age was 9.0 years (IQR: 7.0–13.0) (p = 0.793). The median time to clinical resolution was 3.0 days (IQR: 2.0–3.0) in the azithromycin group and 2.0 days (IQR: 2.0–3.0) in the clarithromycin group (p = 0.132). There were no significant differences in the duration of individual symptoms, including fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The length of hospital stay was also similar, with a median stay of 4 days (IQR: 3.0–5.0) in both groups (p = 0.394). Both antibiotics were well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events or treatment discontinuation reported. Conclusions: Clarithromycin was found to be as effective as azithromycin in treating pediatric Campylobacter enterocolitis, with similar clinical outcomes and improvements in laboratory markers.
Development of a High-Resolution Melting Method for the Detection of Clarithromycin-Resistant Helicobacter pylori in the Gastric Microbiome
Authors: Kuang Zupeng , Huang Huishu , Chen Ling , Shang Yanyan , Huang Shixuan , Liu Jun , Chen Jianhui , Xie Xinqiang , Chen Moutong , Wu Lei , Gao He , Zhao Hui , Li Ying , Wu Qingping
Published: October 2024

Background: The issue of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) resistance to clarithromycin (CLR) has consistently posed challenges for clinical treatment. Hence, a rapid susceptibility testing (AST) method urgently needs to be developed. Methods: In the present study, 35 isolates of H. pylori were isolated from 203 gastritis patients of the Guangzhou cohort, and the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes were associated with their genomes to analyze the relevant mutations. Based on these mutations, a rapid detection system utilizing high-resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis was designed and verified by the Shenzhen cohort, which consisted of 38 H. pylori strains. Results: Genomic analysis identified the mutation of the 2143 allele from A to G (A2143G) of 23S rRNA as the most relevant mutation with CLR resistance (p < 0.01). In the HRM system, the wild-type H. pylori showed a melting temperature (Tm) of 79.28 ± 0.01 °C, while the mutant type exhibited a Tm of 79.96 ± 0.01 °C. These differences enabled a rapid distinction between two types of H. pylori (p < 0.01). Verification examinations showed that this system could detect target DNA as low as 0.005 ng/μL in samples without being affected by other gastric microorganisms. The method also showed a good performance in the Shenzhen validation cohort, with 81.58% accuracy, and 100% specificity. Conclusions: We have developed an HRM system that can accurately and quickly detect CLR resistance in H. pylori. This method can be directly used for the detection of gastric microbiota samples and provides a new benchmark for the simple detection of H. pylori resistance.
AIBP Protects Müller Glial Cells Against Oxidative Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Reduces Retinal Neuroinflammation
Authors: Choi Seunghwan , Choi Soo-Ho , Bastola Tonking , Kim Keun-Young , Park Sungsik , Weinreb Robert N. , Miller Yury I. , Ju Won-Kyu
Published: October 2024

Glaucoma, an optic neuropathy with the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have a significant role in triggering glia-driven neuroinflammation and subsequent glaucomatous RGC degeneration in the context of glaucoma. It has previously been shown that apolipoprotein A-I binding protein (APOA1BP or AIBP) has an anti-inflammatory function. Moreover, Apoa1bp−/− mice are characterized by retinal neuroinflammation and RGC loss. In this study, we found that AIBP deficiency exacerbated the oxidative stress-induced disruption of mitochondrial dynamics and function in the retina, leading to a further decline in visual function. Mechanistically, AIBP deficiency-induced oxidative stress triggered a reduction in glycogen synthase kinase 3β and dynamin-related protein 1 phosphorylation, optic atrophy type 1 and mitofusin 1 and 2 expression, and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in Müller glia dysfunction, leading to cell death and inflammatory responses. In vivo, the administration of recombinant AIBP (rAIBP) effectively protected the structural and functional integrity of retinal mitochondria under oxidative stress conditions and prevented vision loss. In vitro, incubation with rAIBP safeguarded the structural integrity and bioenergetic performance of mitochondria and concurrently suppressed MAPK activation, apoptotic cell death, and inflammatory response in Müller glia. These findings support the possibility that AIBP promotes RGC survival and restores visual function in glaucomatous mice by ameliorating glia-driven mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation.
Metabolome and Metagenome Integration Unveiled Synthesis Pathways of Novel Antioxidant Peptides in Fermented Lignocellulosic Biomass of Palm Kernel Meal
Authors: Qamar Hammad , He Rong , Li Yuanfei , Song Min , Deng Dun , Cui Yiyan , Yu Miao , Ma Xianyong
Published: October 2024

Approximately one-third of the entire world’s food resources are deemed to be wasted. Palm kernel meal (PKM), a product that is extensively generated by the palm oil industry, exhibits a unique nutrient-rich composition. However, its recycling is seldom prioritized due to numerous factors. To evaluate the impact of enzymatic pretreatment and Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus reuteri fermentation upon the antioxidant activity of PKM, we implemented integrated metagenomics and metabolomics approaches. The substantially enhanced (p < 0.05) property of free radicals scavenging, as well as total flavonoids and polyphenols, demonstrated that the biotreated PKM exhibited superior antioxidant capacity. Non-targeted metabolomics disclosed that the Lactobacillus fermentation resulted in substantial (p < 0.05) biosynthesis of 25 unique antioxidant biopeptides, along with the increased (p < 0.05) enrichment ratio of the isoflavonoids and secondary metabolites biosynthesis pathways. The 16sRNA sequencing and correlation analysis revealed that Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, and polysaccharide lyases had significantly dominated (p < 0.05) proportions in PMEL, and these bacterial species were strongly (p < 0.05) positively interrelated with antioxidants peptides. Fermented PKM improves nutritional value by enhancing beneficial probiotics, enzymes, and antioxidants and minimizing anti-nutritional factors, rendering it an invaluable feed ingredient and gut health promoter for animals, multifunctional food elements, or as an ingredient in sustainable plant-based diets for human utilization, and functioning as a culture substrate in the food sector.
Particulate Matter-Induced Emerging Health Effects Associated with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Authors: Lim Eun Yeong , Kim Gun-Dong
Published: October 2024

Environmental pollution continues to increase with industrial development and has become a threat to human health. Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) was designated as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2013 and is an emerging global environmental risk factor that is a major cause of death related to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. PM is a complex composed of highly reactive organic matter, chemicals, and metal components, which mainly cause excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can lead to DNA and cell damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammatory responses, atherosclerosis, and airway remodeling, contributing to an increased susceptibility to and the exacerbation of various diseases and infections. PM has various effects on human health depending on the particle size, physical and chemical characteristics, source, and exposure period. PM smaller than 5 μm can penetrate and accumulate in the alveoli and circulatory system, causing harmful effects on the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, skin, and brain. In this review, we describe the relationship and mechanism of ROS-mediated cell damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses caused by PM and the health effects on major organs, as well as comprehensively discuss the harmfulness of PM.
Image-Based Analysis of Plate Separation and Clearance Distribution in Wet Clutches
Authors: Pointner-Gabriel Lukas , Flamm Simon , Voelkel Katharina , Stahl Karsten
Published: October 2024

A fundamental understanding of wet clutches’ drag loss behavior is essential for designing efficient clutch systems. It has been widely recognized that the separation behavior immediately after disengaging the clutch and the resulting clearance distribution influence the drag loss behavior. However, these influencing factors have yet to be systematically investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to experimentally investigate the effects of plate separation and clearance distribution on drag loss behavior under different operating conditions and modes. For this purpose, image series of an operating clutch system were recorded and subsequently analyzed using image processing algorithms to evaluate the movements of the plates. Based on this, the effects on drag loss behavior were analyzed. The investigations were carried out on a clutch system used in an industrial application. The measurements show that the axial movements of the plates comprise main and superimposed non-periodic movements of much a smaller amplitude. The separation of the plates is primarily driven by the applied differential speed so that the set total clearance is only utilized mainly in the higher differential speed range. The separation behavior, therefore, decisively influences the drag loss behavior. The plates can even remain in contact in the low differential speed range. The investigations also showed that the separation behavior and, thus, the drag loss behavior can be improved by using waved plates, especially in the low differential speed range. It was also found that a high plate number and a large set total clearance support a non-uniform clearance distribution. Based on the investigations conducted, it is possible to expand our fundamental knowledge of separation behavior and clearance distribution, allowing for a reduction in the drag losses of wet clutches. The findings can thus contribute to the development of low-loss and compact clutch systems.
SS-YOLOv8: A Lightweight Algorithm for Surface Litter Detection
Authors: Fan Zhipeng , Qin Zheng , Liu Wei , Chen Ming , Qiu Zeguo
Published: October 2024

With the advancement of science and technology, pollution in rivers and water surfaces has increased, impacting both ecology and public health. Timely identification of surface waste is crucial for effective cleanup. Traditional edge detection devices struggle with limited memory and resources, making the YOLOv8 algorithm inefficient. This paper introduces a lightweight network model for detecting water surface litter. We enhance the CSP Bottleneck with a two-convolutions (C2f) module to improve image recognition tasks. By implementing the powerful intersection over union 2 (PIoU2), we enhance model accuracy over the original CIoU. Our novel Shared Convolutional Detection Head (SCDH) minimizes parameters, while the scale layer optimizes feature scaling. Using a slimming pruning method, we further reduce the model’s size and computational needs. Our model achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of 79.9% on the surface litter dataset, with a compact size of 2.3 MB and a processing rate of 128 frames per second, meeting real-time detection requirements. This work significantly contributes to efficient environmental monitoring and offers a scalable solution for deploying advanced detection models on resource-constrained devices.
An NLP-Based Perfume Note Estimation Based on Descriptive Sentences
Authors: Kim Jooyoung , Oh Kangrok , Oh Beom-Seok
Published: October 2024

The perfume industry is a suitable candidate for applying advanced natural language processing techniques, yet most existing studies focus on developing fragrance design systems based on artificial intelligence advances. To meet the increasing demand for analyzing and exploiting descriptive sentences for the fragrance market, we investigate the relationship between descriptive sentences of perfumes and their notes in this paper. Our purpose for this investigation is to build a core idea for a perfume recommendation system of descriptive sentences. To accomplish this, we propose a system for perfume note estimation of descriptive sentences based on several sentence transformer models. In our leave-one-out cross-validation tests using our dataset containing 62 perfumes and 255 perfume notes, we achieved significant performance improvements (from a 37.1∼41.1% to 72.6∼79.0% hit rate with the top five items, and from a 22.1∼31.9% to a 57.3∼63.2% mean reciprocal rank) for perfume note estimation via our fine-tuning process. In addition, some qualitative examples, including query descriptions, estimated perfume notes, and the ground truth perfume notes, are presented. The proposed system improves the perfume note estimation performances using a fine-tuning process on a newly constructed dataset containing descriptive sentences of perfumes and their notes.
Acute Effects of Different Conditioning Activities on the Post-Activation Performance Enhancement in Athletes’ Jumping and Sprinting Performances: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Lifang , Niu Xingyi , Zhou Zhexiao
Published: October 2024

This meta-analysis assessed the impact of three induction methods on athletes’ jump and sprint performances. Experimental research on the acute effects of exercise intervention on the Post-Activation Performance Enhancement (PAPE) of jumping and sprinting performances in athletes was searched using the Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases. The meta-analysis results show that, when employing resistance exercises as Conditioning Activities (CAs) for enhancing jumping performance, there are statistically significant differences in favor of utilizing resistance exercises as CAs (Hedges’s g = 0.2, 0.2, and 0.23; 95%Cl: (0.05, 0.34), (0.02, 0.39), and (0.05, 0.41); p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were detected when plyometric exercises or mixed exercises were compared pre-intervention (p > 0.05). In terms of sprint performance, when employing resistance exercises as CAs, the effect sizes were −0.11, −0.44, and −0.32, respectively. Their corresponding 95%Cls were (−0.22, 0.00), (−0.63, 0.25), and (−0.50, −0.13), with all p-values < 0.05, indicating statistically significant differences favoring the utilization of resistance exercises as CAs. However, no significant differences were noted when comparing plyometric or mixed exercises to pre-intervention (p > 0.05). In conclusion, compared with plyometric exercises and mixed exercises, resistance exercises had a more significant effect on athletes’ jumping and sprinting performances.
Global Regulatory Challenges for Medical Devices: Impact on Innovation and Market Access
Authors: Amaral Carolina , Paiva Maria , Rodrigues Ana Rita , Veiga Francisco , Bell Victoria
Published: October 2024

Medical devices play a crucial role in human health. These are instruments, machines or even software programs used to diagnose, treat, monitor or prevent health conditions. They are designed to help improve patients’ quality of life and range from simple items, such as thermometers, to more advanced technologies, such as pacemakers. In order to guarantee the safety and efficacy of medical devices intended for use on patients, the establishment of appropriate regulatory frameworks is crucial to ascertain whether devices function as intended, comply with safety standards and offer benefits that outweigh the associated risks. Depending on the country, different regulatory agencies are responsible for the evaluation of these products. The regulatory landscape for medical devices varies significantly across major markets, including the European Union, the United States of America and Japan, reflecting diverse approaches aimed at ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical technologies. However, these regulatory differences can contribute to a “medical device lag,” where disparities in approval processes and market entry timelines driven by strict regulatory requirements, increasing device complexity and the lack of global harmonization, result in delays in accessing innovative technologies. These delays impact patient access to cutting-edge medical devices and competitiveness in the market. This review aims to address the regulatory framework of medical devices and the approval requirements by the European Commission (EC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Pharmaceuticals and Medical Device Agency (PMDA).
Marine Microplastic Classification by Hyperspectral Imaging: Case Studies from the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay
Authors: Palmieri Roberta , Serranti Silvia , Capobianco Giuseppe , Cózar Andres , Martí Elisa , Bonifazi Giuseppe
Published: October 2024

In this work, a comprehensive characterization of microplastic samples collected from unique geographical locations, including the Mediterranean Sea, Strait of Gibraltar, Western Atlantic Ocean and Bay of Biscay utilizing advanced hyperspectral imaging (HSI) techniques working in the short-wave infrared range (1000–2500 nm) is presented. More in detail, an ad hoc hierarchical classification approach was developed and applied to optimize the identification of polymers. Morphological and morphometrical attributes of microplastic particles were simultaneously measured by digital image processing. Results showed that the collected microplastics are mainly composed, in decreasing order of abundance, by polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS), in agreement with the literature data related to marine microplastics. The investigated microplastics belong to the fragments (86.8%), lines (9.2%) and films (4.0%) categories. Rigid (thick-walled) fragments were found at all sampling sites, while film-type microplastics and lines were absent in some samples from the Mediterranean Sea and the Western Atlantic Ocean. Rigid fragments and lines are mainly made of PE, whereas PP is the most common polymer for the film category. Average Feret diameter of microplastic fragments decreases from EPS (3–4 mm) to PE (2–3 mm) and PP (1–2 mm). The setup strategies illustrate that the HSI-based approach enables the classification of the polymers constituting microplastic particles and, at the same time, to measure and classify them by shape. Such multiple characterization of microplastic samples at the individual level is proposed as a useful tool to explore the environmental selection of microplastic features (i.e., composition, category, size, shape) and to advance the understanding of the role of weathering, hydrodynamic and other phenomena in their transport and fragmentation.
Receding Adhesive Contact of a Beam on a Soft Layer
Authors: Khalmuradov Rustam I. , Khudoynazarov Khayrulla , Lyashenko Iakov A. , Popov Valentin L.
Published: October 2024

Receding contacts appear in many composite technical and biological systems at the points where tensile stresses would appear otherwise. Here, we consider the contact of a beam placed on an elastic foundation (or thin elastic layer) in the presence of adhesion. In contrast to non-adhesive receding contact, the contact area in adhesive receding contact does depend on the applied load. Decreasing the load from the state of initial contact opening leads to an increase in the contact area. At a certain critical load, the beam jumps into contact at once along its entire length. For long beams, the point of opening of the contact does not depend on the intensity of forces of adhesion, and the opening occurs in an unstable way. This can lead to acoustic effects like joint cracking.