bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness-based family psychoeducation intervention for caregivers of young adults with first-episode psychosis: results at 9-month follow-up
Authors: Zhang Zoe Jiwen , Lo Herman Hay Ming , Ho Wing Chung , Lau Elsa Ngar Sze , Ng Siu Man , Mak Winnie W. S. , Wong Samuel Yeung Shan , Hung Karen S. Y. , Lai Iris Yuen Shan , Lo Cola Siu Lin , Wong Jessica Oi Yin , Lui Simon S. Y. , Siu Clara Man Wah , Yan Eric Wai Ching , Chan Sunny Ho Wan , Lin Edmund , Wong Gloria Oi Chi , Mak Jonathan Wai Hung , Tam Hillman Shiu Wah , Tse Iris Huen Hung
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To investigate the effects of a mindfulness-based family psychoeducation (MBFPE) intervention on caregivers and the young adults with first-episode psychosis in mental health care.

Methods

Sixty-five caregivers were randomly assigned to the MBFPE program (n = 33) or an ordinary family psychoeducation (FPE) program (n = 32). Eighteen young adults in recovery (YAIR) also participated in the study. All of the participants completed the assessments before participating in the intervention (T1), after the intervention (T2), and at 9-month follow-up (T3).

Results

Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted. The caregivers reported a significant and large effect size on positive caregiving experiences based on a Time × Group analysis (g = 0.862, p = 0.006). Among the YAIR participants, between-group differences were significant in their perceptions of caregivers’ expressed emotions, including large effect sizes of perceived criticism (g = 1.396, p = 0.049) and hostility (g = 1.444, p = 0.043). Caregiver demographics, including age, education level, socioeconomic status, and number of family members, were found to moderate the effect sizes of the variables studied.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence of the effects of MBFPE programs on the outcomes of caregivers and the young adults with first-episode psychosis in their care. Specifically, the MBFPE program in this study played a greater role in promoting positive caregiving experiences and changing caregivers’ expressed emotions, especially their expressed criticism of YAIR, compared with the regular FPE program. Therefore, the application of mindfulness training to promote family care and YAIR recovery should be encouraged.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03688009.
A health belief model-based community health education on mammography screening among reproductive-aged women in Ethiopia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Agide Feleke Doyore , Garmaroudi Gholamreza , Sadeghi Roya , Shakibazadeh Elham , Yaseri Mehdi , Koricha Zewdie Birhanu
Published: September 2024

Background

Early intervention in mammography use prevents breast cancer-related deaths. Therefore, this study aimed to apply health education interventions to mammography use in reproductive-aged women.

Methods

This was a sequential exploratory design using qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative part used to gain insights into the design and development of interventions. For the randomized trial, a sample of 405 participants was recruited in each arm. The mean difference of interventions on the study variables was determined using a general linear model for repeated measures (ANOVA). For dichotomous variables, nonparametric tests (Cochran Q) were used. Path analysis was used to observe how the constructs of the Health Belief Model interacted. We registered PACTR database (https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/): “PACTR201802002902886.”

Results

The study found that there was a strong interplay between perceptions of mammography screening and the intervention, showing that the likelihood of mammography use and comprehensive knowledge increased from baseline to endpoint (p < 0.005). Likewise, health motivation and all constructs of the health belief model had a statistically significant mean difference between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.005). However, the mean value of perceived barriers in the intervention group was statistically significantly reduced after three and six months (mean difference = −2.054 between Measure 1 and measure 2 and −1.942 between Measure 2 and Measure 3). The hypothesized causal paths effect of the model was explained by 64.3% that shows there is strong relationship of the variables significantly (p < 0.005).

Conclusion

The study found that model-based mammography screening interventions had a significant impact at various time periods. We recommend future researchers consider the intensity and range of information to advance the field and figure out the problem while investigating the dose and peak of the intervention.
Opportunities for plain packaging of tobacco products in the Philippines: results of a nationwide online survey
Authors: Arda John Rafael Y. , Amul Gianna Gayle H. , Mallari Eunice U. , Santiago Alen Josef A.
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study aimed to contribute to local research evidence to promote the implementation of plain packaging of tobacco products in the Philippines. The study aimed to assess Filipinos’ perception of the effectiveness of plain packaging and their readiness by assessing the potential impact of plain packaging.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide geographically representative online panel survey with a sample size of 2,000 Filipinos. The survey recruited respondents 18–65 years old and residing in the Philippines, with 500 respondents each from the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. We showed respondents six different mock-ups of cigarette packs in plain packaging, with two sizes of graphic health warnings (50 and 75%) and three plain packaging colors (black, white, and Pantone 448C). Using five-point Likert scales, participants rated their agreement with 18 items assessing readiness and rationales for plain packaging and 54 items related to pack design (9 items for 6 pack designs).

Results

The study showed that Filipinos recognize the value of adopting plain packaging with larger graphic health warning labels on tobacco products in the Philippines. Both non-smokers and smokers agreed that plain packaging has the potential to reduce the attractiveness and appeal of packs, prevent advertisement and promotion of tobacco products, reduce the ability of tobacco products to mislead consumers, increase the noticeability and effectiveness of the pictorial health warnings, increase recall of the pictorial health warnings, affect consumer perceptions of the attractiveness of the tobacco products and their relative safety, reduce youth experimentation with the use of tobacco products, prevent the use of tobacco brand variants as a promotional tool, prevent branding targeted toward youth, promote quitting among current users, and to more clearly inform consumers about the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Conclusion

We recommend that policymakers pursue plain packaging as legislation or as part of a reform of the Philippines’ graphic health warnings law. The law should target tobacco products sold in the Philippines.
JN.1: enhanced immune evasion ability propels it to become the predominant strain in China, unlikely to trigger pandemic similar to late 2022
Authors: Du Peng , Li Meiyi , Wei Guohui , Guo Chengbin , Li Ning
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Due to the widespread presence of susceptible populations, the pandemic caused by BA.5 subbranches swiftly disseminated China, impacting the majority of individuals within a span of 1 to 2 months. Subsequently, XBB and its subbranches became the dominant variants in China.

Methods

We tracked the immune landscape in the population after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in late 2022 in China.

Results

Our findings suggested that low levels of neutralizing antibodies against BA.5 subbranches before the pandemic might have contributed to the national outbreak at the end of 2022. The widespread breakthrough infections subsequently increased immunity to BA.5, XBB.1.5/1.9.1, and JN.1, inhibiting a new wave of large-scale infections caused by XBB subbranches in China. Additionally, JN.1 demonstrated enhanced immune evasion capabilities; however, Chinese residents had comparable levels of neutralizing antibodies against JN.1 as those observed for XBB.1.5 among confirmed cases at the end of 2022.

Discussion

We anticipate that JN.1 will replace XBB subbranches as the predominant epidemic variant in subsequent transmissions within China. However, it is unlikely to cause a large-scale spread comparable to that witnessed at the end of 2022, with transmission patterns potentially resembling those observed for XBB post-pandemic.
Improved U2Net-Based Surface Defect Detection Method for Blister Tablets
Authors: Zhou Jianmin , Huang Jian , Liu Jikang , Liu Jingbo
Published: September 2024

Aiming at the problem that the surface defects of blAister tablets are difficult to detect correctly, this paper proposes a detection method based on the improved U2Net. First, the features extracted from the RSU module of U2Net are enhanced and adjusted using the large kernel attention mechanism, so that the U2Net model strengthens its ability to extract defective features. Second, a loss function combining the Gaussian Laplace operator and the cross-entropy function is designed to make the model strengthen its ability to detect edge defects on the surface of blister tablets. Finally, thresholds are adaptively determined using the local mean and OTSU(an adaptive threshold segmentation method) method to improve accuracy. The experimental results show that the method proposed in this paper can reach an average accuracy of 99% and an average precision rate of 96.3%; the model test only takes 50 ms per image, which can meet the rapid detection requirements. Minor surface defects can also be accurately detected, which is better than other algorithmic models of the same type, proving the effectiveness of this method.
The Evolution and Impact of Distilled Spirits Regulation in the United States: Considerations for Policymakers and Academia
Authors: Norris Cortney L. , Taylor Scott , Taylor D. Christopher
Published: September 2024

This manuscript analyzes the issues presented in Executive Order 14036, which aimed to promote competition in the American economy, including specific directives for the alcohol industry. Specifically, this manuscript focuses on the issues regarding distilled spirits regulation and delves into the implications for the distilled spirits sector. The order addresses anti-competitive practices, encouraging regulatory bodies to review and revise existing policies that may hinder fair market practices. This paper explores these issues and provides a historical context of distilled spirits regulation in the United States, examining how past policies have shaped the current landscape. It analyzes the key provisions of Executive Order 14036, highlighting its potential to foster increased competition, innovation, and consumer choice within the distilled spirits market. Lastly, the article provides a call to action for policymakers, academia, and consumers which will aid distilled spirits producers in gaining parity with beer and wine producers.
EfficientUNetViT: Efficient Breast Tumor Segmentation Utilizing UNet Architecture and Pretrained Vision Transformer
Authors: Anari Shokofeh , de Oliveira Gabriel Gomes , Ranjbarzadeh Ramin , Alves Angela Maria , Vaz Gabriel Caumo , Bendechache Malika
Published: September 2024

This study introduces a sophisticated neural network structure for segmenting breast tumors. It achieves this by combining a pretrained Vision Transformer (ViT) model with a UNet framework. The UNet architecture, commonly employed for biomedical image segmentation, is further enhanced with depthwise separable convolutional blocks to decrease computational complexity and parameter count, resulting in better efficiency and less overfitting. The ViT, renowned for its robust feature extraction capabilities utilizing self-attention processes, efficiently captures the overall context within images, surpassing the performance of conventional convolutional networks. By using a pretrained ViT as the encoder in our UNet model, we take advantage of its extensive feature representations acquired from extensive datasets, resulting in a major enhancement in the model’s ability to generalize and train efficiently. The suggested model has exceptional performance in segmenting breast cancers from medical images, highlighting the advantages of integrating transformer-based encoders with efficient UNet topologies. This hybrid methodology emphasizes the capabilities of transformers in the field of medical image processing and establishes a new standard for accuracy and efficiency in activities related to tumor segmentation.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Conditioned Media-Loaded Microparticles Enhance Acute Patency in Silk-Based Vascular Grafts
Authors: Lorentz Katherine L. , Marini Ande X. , Bruk Liza A. , Gupta Prerak , Mandal Biman B. , DiLeo Morgan V. , Weinbaum Justin S. , Little Steven R. , Vorp David A.
Published: September 2024

Coronary artery disease leads to over 360,000 deaths annually in the United States, and off-the-shelf bypass graft options are currently limited and/or have high failure rates. Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) present an attractive option, though the promising mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based implants face uncertain regulatory pathways. In this study, “artificial MSCs” (ArtMSCs) were fabricated by encapsulating MSC-conditioned media (CM) in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles. ArtMSCs and control microparticles (Blank-MPs) were incubated over 7 days to assess the release of total protein and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A); releasates were also assessed for cytotoxicity and promotion of smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. Each MP type was loaded in previously published “lyogel” silk scaffolds and implanted as interposition grafts in Lewis rats for 1 or 8 weeks. Explanted grafts were assessed for patency and cell content. ArtMSCs had a burst release of protein and VEGF-A. CM increased proliferation in SMCs, but not after encapsulation. TEVG explants after 1 week had significantly higher patency rates with ArtMSCs compared to Blank-MPs, but similar to unseeded lyogel grafts. ArtMSC explants had lower numbers of infiltrating macrophages compared to Blank-MP explants, suggesting a modulation of inflammatory response by the ArtMSCs. TEVG explants after 8 weeks showed no significant difference in patency among the three groups. The ArtMSC explants showed higher numbers of SMCs and endothelial cells within the neotissue layer of the graft compared to Blank-MP explants. In sum, while the ArtMSCs had positive effects acutely, efficacy was lost in the longer term; therefore, further optimization is needed.
Comparing Isolated Thumb Force Generation, Wrist Rotation, and Clinical Measurements in Healthy and Osteoarthritic Individuals before and after Surgery
Authors: Arnold Nicole , Chrzan Adam , Chan Kevin , Hess Daniel , Hinkleman Levi , Duquette Stephen , Kelpin John , Bush Tamara Reid
Published: September 2024

Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by the degeneration of joint surfaces at the base of the thumb. If conservative treatments have failed, surgery may be needed to improve symptoms. Typically, standard clinical tools, such as the pinch gauge, are used to measure thumb force. However, these devices have utilized multiple digits and do not represent forces specifically generated by the thumb. Therefore, different devices are necessary to accurately measure isolated thumb force. The primary objective was to research the effect of thumb force after ligament reconstruction with tendon interposition surgery. To accomplish this, several sub-objectives were implemented: (1) create a testing device to collect isolated thumb forces, (2) collect a normative thumb force data set of males and females to compare the impact of aging and surgery, (3) collect and compare clinical data to see if these data sets matched isolated thumb forces, (4) determine the effect of wrist position on isolated thumb force data in different wrist positions, and (5) collect thumb force in directions that mimic daily activities, a directional force downward (push) and inward (pull). On average, older participants generated statistically larger forces than younger participants. Additionally, only 50% of CMC OA participants showed greater than 5 N of improvement at 6-months post-surgery compared to pre-surgery, but did not reach healthy force levels. When evaluating wrist rotation, OA participants’ push and pull decreased by 8 N and 7 N in the horizontal wrist position, and their push and pull increased by 2 N and 5 N in the vertical wrist position. Evaluation and results with standard clinical tools showed different post-surgery trends than isolated force data, which suggested the clinical approach has mixed results and may be under- or over-estimating the recovery process. These data sets allow surgeons and hand therapists to identify changes in isolated thumb force generation to create specialized therapies and treatment options, which is an improvement upon current clinical measurement tools.
Genetic Algorithms for Feature Selection in the Classification of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Aliani Cosimo , Rossi Eva , Soliński Mateusz , Francia Piergiorgio , Lanatà Antonio , Buchner Teodor , Bocchi Leonardo
Published: September 2024

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can cause feared consequences, such as affecting microcirculatory activity. The combined use of HRV analysis, genetic algorithms, and machine learning classifiers can be helpful in better understanding the characteristics of microcirculation that are mainly affected by COVID-19 infection. Methods: This study aimed to verify the presence of microcirculation alterations in patients with COVID-19 infection, performing Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters analysis extracted from PhotoPlethysmoGraphy (PPG) signals. The dataset included 97 subjects divided into two groups: healthy (50 subjects) and patients affected by mild-severity COVID-19 (47 subjects). A total of 26 parameters were extracted by the HRV analysis and were investigated using genetic algorithms with three different subject selection methods and five different machine learning classifiers. Results: Three parameters: meanRR, alpha1, and sd2/sd1 were considered significant, combining the results obtained by the genetic algorithm. Finally, machine learning classifications were performed by training classifiers with only those three features. The best result was achieved by the binary Decision Tree classifier, achieving accuracy of 82%, specificity (or precision) of 86%, and sensitivity of 79%. Conclusions: The study’s results highlight the ability to use HRV parameters extraction from PPG signals, combined with genetic algorithms and machine learning classifiers, to determine which features are most helpful in discriminating between healthy and mild-severity COVID-19-affected subjects.
Bridging the Gap: Advances and Challenges in Heart Regeneration from In Vitro to In Vivo Applications
Authors: Watanabe Tatsuya , Hatayama Naoyuki , Guo Marissa , Yuhara Satoshi , Shinoka Toshiharu
Published: September 2024

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly ischemic heart disease, area leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Myocardial infarction (MI) results in extensive cardiomyocyte loss, inflammation, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, fibrosis, and ultimately, adverse ventricular remodeling associated with impaired heart function. While heart transplantation is the only definitive treatment for end-stage heart failure, donor organ scarcity necessitates the development of alternative therapies. In such cases, methods to promote endogenous tissue regeneration by stimulating growth factor secretion and vascular formation alone are insufficient. Techniques for the creation and transplantation of viable tissues are therefore highly sought after. Approaches to cardiac regeneration range from stem cell injections to epicardial patches and interposition grafts. While numerous preclinical trials have demonstrated the positive effects of tissue transplantation on vasculogenesis and functional recovery, long-term graft survival in large animal models is rare. Adequate vascularization is essential for the survival of transplanted tissues, yet pre-formed microvasculature often fails to achieve sufficient engraftment. Recent studies report success in enhancing cell survival rates in vitro via tissue perfusion. However, the transition of these techniques to in vivo models remains challenging, especially in large animals. This review aims to highlight the evolution of cardiac patch and stem cell therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, identify discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo studies, and discuss critical factors for establishing effective myocardial tissue regeneration in vivo.
Effect of Task Constraints on Neurobiological Systems Involved in Postural Control in Individuals with and without Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Sugimoto Yuki A. , McKeon Patrick O. , Rhea Christopher K. , Mattacola Carl G. , Ross Scott E.
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of task constraints on the neurobiological systems while maintaining postural control under various sensory feedback manipulations in individuals with and without Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI). Forty-two physically active individuals, with and without CAI, were enrolled in a case-control study conducted at a biomechanics research laboratory. All participants underwent the Sensory Organization Test (SOT), which assesses individuals’ ability to integrate somatosensory, visual, and vestibular feedback to maintain postural control in double-, uninjured-, and injured-limb stances under six different conditions in which variations in the sway-referenced support surface (platform) and visual surroundings, with and without vision, are manipulated to affect somatosensory and visual feedback. Center-of-Pressure (COP) path length was computed from raw data collected during trials of each SOT condition. Sample Entropy (SampEN) values were extracted from the COP path length time series to examine neurobiological systems complexity, with lower SampEN values indicating more predictable and periodic (rigid) neurobiological systems, while higher SampEN values indicate more unpredictable and random systems. The results show that specific task constraints affect the neurobiological systems. Specifically, individuals with CAI demonstrated reduced complexity (decreased SampEN values) in the neurobiological systems during the uninjured-limb stance when all sensory feedback was intact and during both uninjured- and injured-limb stances when they were forced to rely on vestibular feedback. These results highlight the interplay between sensory feedback and task constraints in individuals with CAI and suggest potential adaptations in the neurobiological systems involved in postural control.
An Edge-Enhanced Network for Polyp Segmentation
Authors: Tong Yao , Chen Ziqi , Zhou Zuojian , Hu Yun , Li Xin , Qiao Xuebin
Published: September 2024

Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with early detection and removal of polyps being critical in preventing disease progression. Automated polyp segmentation, particularly in colonoscopy images, is a challenging task due to the variability in polyp appearance and the low contrast between polyps and surrounding tissues. In this work, we propose an edge-enhanced network (EENet) designed to address these challenges by integrating two novel modules: the covariance edge-enhanced attention (CEEA) and cross-scale edge enhancement (CSEE) modules. The CEEA module leverages covariance-based attention to enhance boundary detection, while the CSEE module bridges multi-scale features to preserve fine-grained edge details. To further improve the accuracy of polyp segmentation, we introduce a hybrid loss function that combines cross-entropy loss with edge-aware loss. Extensive experiments show that the EENet achieves a Dice score of 0.9208 and an IoU of 0.8664 on the Kvasir-SEG dataset, surpassing state-of-the-art models such as Polyp-PVT and PraNet. Furthermore, it records a Dice score of 0.9316 and an IoU of 0.8817 on the CVC-ClinicDB dataset, demonstrating its strong potential for clinical application in polyp segmentation. Ablation studies further validate the contribution of the CEEA and CSEE modules.
Pediatric Dentists’ Practice Patterns in the Screening, Diagnosis, and Management of Temporomandibular Disorders
Authors: Sawicki Caroline M. , Sangalli Linda
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Pain associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) is the main non-odontogenic cause of orofacial pain among youth. Pediatric dentists are often the first healthcare practitioners to perform a comprehensive oral examination in children, which should include evaluation of the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, and surrounding structures for signs and/or symptoms of TMD. This study assessed pediatric dentists’ practice patterns in the screening, diagnosis, and management of TMD. Methods: A 19-item online survey was used to assess pediatric dentists’ clinical practice patterns and perceived knowledge and comfort levels in the screening, diagnosis, and management of TMD. The survey was distributed in July 2024, with a one-month window open for the study. Confidence levels and perceived knowledge were compared according to years from graduation and frequency of TMD screening assessment with ANOVA or independent t-test, as appropriate. Open-ended items were analyzed thematically. Results: A total of 206 pediatric dentists and pediatric dentistry residents participated in this study. A share of 72.8% of respondents reported that up to 25% of their patients per week present with signs and symptoms of TMD. About one-fifth of pediatric dental providers never complete a screening history for TMD (22.1%) or a clinical assessment of TMD-related structures (21.6%). There was overall low self-perceived knowledge and confidence among pediatric dentists regarding the diagnosis, screening, and management of TMD in children and adolescents, regardless of the number of years from graduation. Respondents who reported seeing up to 50% of TMD patients reported significantly more knowledge and confidence in diagnosing pediatric TMD than those who encountered fewer TMD patients. An overwhelming majority (81.6%) indicated a need for continuing education courses and training focused on the management of TMD in pediatric patients. Conclusions: Providers reported low confidence and self-perceived knowledge about TMD in pediatric populations, a high rate of referral of patients with TMD, and a particular interest for professional development opportunities focused on management of TMD.
Validation of the Mediating Effect of Parenting Stress in the Relationship between Work-Family Strains and Gains and Marital Satisfaction for Fathers in Korea
Authors: Lee Si-Young , Jung Hye-Sun
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between Korean fathers’ work-family strains and gains and marital satisfaction and to validate the mediating effect of parenting stress in the relationship. Methods: This study used the 14th-year survey data of the Panel Study of Korean Children (PSKC) conducted by the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education (KICCE), the latest available data. The PSKC is a longitudinal study of children’s growth and development from birth in the Republic of Korea. After excluding datasets containing missing values from the data collected from 2150 respondents, the data were extracted from the survey responses collected from 1130 respondents, and descriptive statistical analysis, path analysis, and mediating effect analysis were conducted. Results: First, Korean fathers’ work-family strains had a positive (+) influence on parenting stress (β = 0.658, p < 0.001). Second, Korean fathers’ work-family strains had a negative (−) influence on marital satisfaction (β = −0.185, p < 0.001). Third, Korean fathers’ work-family gains did not have a statistically significant influence on parenting stress (β = 0.016, p = 0.632). Fourth, Korean fathers’ work-family gains had a positive (+) influence on marital satisfaction (β = 0.381, p < 0.001). Fifth, Korean fathers’ parenting stress did not have a statistically significant influence on marital satisfaction (β = 0.011, p = 0.783). Sixth, the indirect effect of work-family strains on marital satisfaction via parenting stress (β = 0.013, 95% Bias-corrected CI = −0.042∼0.075) was statistically significant, and specifically, it had a partial mediating effect. Seventh, the indirect effect of work-family gains on marital satisfaction via parenting stress (β = 0.028, 95% Bias-corrected CI = 0.005∼0.051) was statistically significant, and specifically, it had a partial mediating effect. Conclusions: This study aims to provide the basic data for various family support policies for fathers by understanding the current status of work-family balance for fathers in modern society, as well as by examining the effects of parenting stress in the relationship with marital satisfaction.
Amino Acid Transporters on Amino Acid Absorption, Transport and Distribution in Crops
Authors: Liu Lu , Yu Xianchang , Yan Yan , He Chaoxing , Wang Jun , Sun Mintao , Li Yansu
Published: September 2024

Amino acid transporters mediate amino acid transport within and between cells and are the main mediators of nitrogen distribution in plants, which is crucial for maintaining plant growth and development. Many amino acid transporters have been identified in different plant species. In this review, we discuss the functions of amino acid transporters in plant absorption and amino acid transportation from root to shoot, which results in crop yield and quality improvement. Moreover, we summarize the role of amino acid transporters in response to environmental stimuli and the influence of N and C metabolic processes. We also elaborate on potential future research directions.
Development of a Fast and Efficient Strategy Based on Nanomagnetic Materials to Remove Polystyrene Spheres from the Aquatic Environment
Authors: Vicente-Martínez Yésica , Soler-García Irene , Hernández-Córdoba Manuel , López-García Ignacio , Penalver Rosa
Published: September 2024

Microplastics contamination is growing globally, being a risk for different environmental compartments including animals and humans. At present, some Spanish beaches and coasts have been affected by discharges of these pollutants, which have caused a serious environmental problem. Therefore, efficient strategies to remove microplastics (MPs) from environmental samples are needed. In this study, the application of three magnetic materials, namely iron oxide (Fe3O4) and the composites Fe3O4@Ag and Fe3O4@Ag@L-Cysteine, to remove MPs, specifically polystyrene (PS), from water samples has been assessed. The magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by field effect scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detection (FESEM-EDX). Experimental conditions such as temperature, time, and pH during the removal process were assessed for the different adsorbent materials. The removal rate was calculated by filtering the treated water samples and counting the remaining MPs in the water using ImageJ software. The strongest removal efficiency (100%) was shown using Fe3O4@Ag@L-Cysteine for PS at 50 mg L−1 within 15 min of the separation process at room temperature and a neutral pH. A thermodynamic study demonstrated that the developed MPs elimination strategy was a spontaneous and physisorption process. Coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were demonstrated to be an efficient adsorbent for MP removal in aquatic environments and their use a promising technique for the control of MPs contamination.
Template-Assisted Electrodeposited Copper Nanostructres for Selective Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Naveen Bommireddy , Lee Sang-Wha
Published: September 2024

In this study, we demonstrate the electrodeposition of copper nanoparticles (NPs) on pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) utilizing sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as a soft template. The utilization of the surfactant had an impact on both the physical arrangement and electrochemical characteristics of the modified electrodes. The prepared Cu-SDS/PGE electrodes had hierarchical dendritic structures of copper NPs, thereby increasing the surface area and electrochemical catalytic activity in comparison with Cu/PGE electrodes. The Cu-SDS/PGE electrode showed excellent catalytic activity in reducing hydrogen peroxide, resulting in the sensitive and selective detection of hydrogen peroxide. The electrode exhibited a good sensitivity of 21.42 µA/µM/cm2, a lower limit of detection 0.35, and a response time of less than 2 s over a wide range spanning 1 µM to 1 mM of hydrogen peroxide concentrations. The electrodes were also highly selective for H2O2 with minimal interference from other analytes even at concentrations higher than that of H2O2. The approach offers the benefit of electrode preparation in just 5 min, followed by analysis in 10 min, and enables for the quantitative determination of hydrogen peroxide within 30 min. This can be achieved utilizing a newly prepared, cost-effective electrode without the need for complex procedures.
Biochemical Modulators of Tight Junctions (TJs): Occludin, Claudin-2 and Zonulin as Biomarkers of Intestinal Barrier Leakage in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Progression
Authors: Górecka Aleksandra , Jura-Półtorak Agnieszka , Koźma Ewa M. , Szeremeta Anna , Olczyk Krystyna , Komosińska-Vassev Katarzyna
Published: September 2024

Background: Considering the increasing worldwide prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the early diagnosis of this disease is extremely important. However, non-invasive diagnostic methods remain limited, while invasive techniques are the most commonly used in daily practice. Therefore, there is a serious need to find new non-invasive biomarkers of IBD. Methods: The serum profiles of occludin, claudin-2, and zonulin were assessed in IBD patients using the ELISA method. The levels of the analyzed biomarkers were measured before and after a year of anti-inflammatory treatment, which was a tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitor (adalimumab) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and conventional therapy in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Results: In IBD patients, the serum level of occludin (p < 0.001) decreased compared to healthy individuals, while the level of claudin-2 (p < 0.001) increased. Additionally, zonulin (p < 0.01) concentration increased in CD patients compared to the control group. The highest diagnostic ability was presented by occludin measurements with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.959 (95% CI 0.907–1) in UC and 0.948 (95% CI 0.879–1) in CD. Claudin-2 also demonstrated very good ability in diagnosing UC and CD with AUC values of 0.864 (95% CI 0.776–0.952) and 0.896 (95% CI 0.792–0.999), respectively. The ability of zonulin to diagnose CD was estimated as good with an AUC of 0.74 (95% CI 0.598–0.881). Moreover, a significant correlation was identified between C-reactive protein (CRP), claudin-2 (r = −0.37; p < 0.05), and zonulin (r = −0.44; p < 0.05) in UC patients. Treatment with adalimumab improved the level of occludin, claudin-2, and zonulin in UC patients, while anti-inflammatory conventional therapy decreased the concentration of zonulin in CD. Conclusions: Occludin and claudin-2 measurements present significant utility in diagnosing both UC and CD, while zonulin assessments may be useful in CD diagnosis. Additionally, claudin-2 and zonulin measurements may be helpful in evaluating the intensity of the inflammatory process. Anti-TNF-α treatment improved the value of occludin, claudin-2, and zonulin, indicating its beneficial effect on the integrity of tight junctions in UC.
The Influence of Oat β-Glucans of Different Molar Mass on the Properties of Gluten-Free Bread
Authors: Bieniek Angelika , Buksa Krzysztof
Published: September 2024

The influence of β-glucans on the properties of gluten-free dough and bread is still not fully explained, with the literature suggesting both positive and negative effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the molar mass of oat β-glucans on the properties of gluten-free bread. Gluten-free breads were baked under standardized conditions from a model gluten-free mix without and with a 1% or 2% share of oat β-glucans of a low molar mass of 24,540 g/mol, a medium molar mass of 85,940 g/mol and a high molar mass of 1,714,770 g/mol. The share of β-glucans affected the increase in water addition to the baking mix and dough yield proportionally to the molar mass and amount of β-glucans. The β-glucans of the highest molar mass, particularly at a 2% share, were most effective in increasing bread volume, reducing hardness and increasing the moisture content of the bread crumb on the day of baking, as well as reducing the increase in hardness and maintaining a high moisture content of the bread crumb after 1 day of storage, compared to bread without added β-glucans.
Light Disturbance Analysis and Applications
Authors: Alves-de-Carvalho Rafaela S. , Macedo-de-Araújo Rute J. , González-Méijome José M.
Published: September 2024

This narrative review synthesizes recent basic and clinical research on visual disturbances in low-light environments, highlighting the evaluation techniques for these conditions. It focuses on the degradation of visual acuity under dim lighting, exacerbated by pupil dilation, known as night vision disturbance (NVD). Key contributors to NVD include optical scattering, intraocular diffraction, ocular aberrations, and uncorrected refractive errors, all significantly impacting quality of life and functional abilities. This review also examines the effects of aging, eye disorders, surgical interventions, and corneal irregularities on NVD. It details the definitions, distinctions, and measurement methodologies for various optical phenomena, using both objective and subjective approaches, such as visual function questionnaires, simulators, and the light disturbance analyzer (LDA). The LDA is validated for clinical characterization and quantification of light distortion, proving useful in both clinical and research settings. This review advocates for continued innovation in therapeutic interventions to improve patient outcomes and alleviate the impact of visual disturbances.
Genetic and Evolutionary Analysis of Canine Coronavirus in Guangxi Province, China, for 2021–2024
Authors: Shi Kaichuang , Shi Yandi , Shi Yuwen , Pan Yi , Feng Shuping , Feng Zhuo , Yin Yanwen , Tang Yang , Li Zongqiang , Long Feng
Published: September 2024

Canine coronavirus (CCoV) is an important gastrointestinal pathogen that causes serious harm to pet dogs worldwide. Here, 1791 clinical samples were collected from pet dogs in different pet hospitals in Guangxi Province, southern China, for the 2021–2024 period and detected for CCoV by a multiplex RT-qPCR. The results showed that 8.43% (151/1791) of samples were positive for CCoV. Sixty-five positive samples were selected to amplify, sequence, and analyze S, M, and N genes. A sequence comparison revealed that the nucleotide and amino acid similarities of the S, M, and N genes were 94.86% and 94.62%, 96.85% and 97.80%, and 96.85% and 97.80%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that 65 CCoV strains obtained in this study belonged to the CCoV-II genotype, of which 56 CCoV strains belonged to the CCoV-IIa subtype and 9 CCoV strains belonged to the CCoV-IIb subtype. A potential recombination event analysis of S gene sequences indicated that two CCoV strains, i.e., GXBSHM0328-34 and GXYLAC0318-35, have recombination signals. A Bayesian analysis indicated that the evolutionary rates of the S, M, and N genes were 1.791 × 10−3, 6.529 × 10−4, and 4.775 × 10−4 substitutions/site/year, respectively. The population size grew slowly before 1980 and then began to shrink slowly; it then shrank rapidly in 2005 and expanded sharply in 2020, leveling off thereafter. These results indicated the CCoV strains prevalent in Guangxi Province, southern China, showed a high level of genetic diversity and maintained continuous variation among clinical epidemic strains.
Experimental Investigation of Hardness and Surface Roughness in the Friction Stir Welding of the 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Bouamama Mohamed , Belaziz Azzeddine , Elmeiche Abbes , Elmeguenni Imane , Elhannani Abdelhak
Published: September 2024

The interesting process of friction stir welding (FSW) has become popular for connecting a variety of materials. It is crucial for the industry to have an effective assembly process that uses little energy and has a lot of potential regarding mechanical strength. However, the complexity and unpredictability of FSW joints means that their behavior has a significant impact on the dynamic properties of such structures. Therefore, the primary goal of this research project is to experimentally investigate the impact of rotational speed and feed rate on the surface condition of joints. The study takes into account the variance in surface roughness (Rz), which is crucial when determining the quality of joints. These experiments will help researchers to better understand how these two characteristics affect the surface quality of joints. Such knowledge is crucial for the industry because it may help to develop effective FSW joints with increased mechanical strength.
Avaliação dos efeitos cognitivos em camundongos tratados agudamente com ciprofloxacina
Authors: Teixeira Marques Maria Denise , Ribeiro Honório Júnior José Eduardo , Madureira Silva Luiza , Astori Taiã Roberto , Dos Santos Lima Camille Vitória , Dantas Floriano Eduarda
Published: September 2024

Introdução. A ciprofloxacina é um antimicrobiano da 2ª geração da classe das fluoroquinolonas, que atua inibindo a replicação do DNA bacteriano pelas enzimas DNA girase e topoisomerase IV. Os efeitos adversos da ciprofloxacina podem afetar o trato gastrointestinal, sistema muscular, sistema tegumentar e o sistema nervoso central, incluindo alterações na memória. Objetivo. estudar os efeitos da utilização da ciprofloxacina no sistema nervoso central de camundongos. Método. Foram utilizados camundongos swiss machos (30g e 40g), divididos em quatro grupos: controle (água destilada), cipro 1 (51,4mg/kg), cipro 2 (102,8mg/kg) e cipro 3 (154,3mg/kg) e ficaram sob tratamento durante 7 dias, por via oral. Testes de comportamento: Labirinto em Y e Reconhecimento de Objetos. Após os testes comportamentais os animais foram eutanasiados. Os resultados foram obtidos por meio de análise estatística (valores com p< 0,05). Resultado. No teste de reconhecimento de objeto observou-se que os camundongos tratados com a dose de Cipro 1 no 3º dia, apresentaram um aumento no tempo gasto explorando o objeto novo, quando comparado ao controle. Nas doses Cipro 2 e Cipro 3 não houve alterações significativas no índice de reconhecimento, porém os resultados demonstram uma tendência de diminuição do índice de reconhecimento com doses crescentes de ciprofloxacina. No teste Labirinto em Y os camundongos não apresentaram alterações significativas na memória operacional. Conclusão. A ciprofloxacina apresentou uma tendência na redução da capacidade cognitiva e memória de reconhecimento, acentuando-se à medida que as doses aumentavam, indicando assim a necessidade de estudos pré-clínicos mais aprofundados.
Formulation of a multi-agent pursuit problem in a three-dimensional space
Authors:   Institute of Mathematical Machines and Systems Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Morozov A.O. , Yalovets A.L. ,   Institute of Mathematical Machines and Systems Problems of the Ukraine National Academy of Science
Published: September 2024

The article presents a multi-agent pursuit problem in a three-dimensional space for the case when fugitive agents do not use any optimal escape strategy but move in accordance with an own predefined trajectory. It is noted that this problem is a prototype of the pursuit problem performed using an arbitrary missile defense system. The paper shows that this missile defense system includes three components: a radar system, whose task is to detect an enemy missile and track it in real time; an automatic control system that processes this information, activates the third component, and controls it in real time; and interceptor missiles, whose task is to destroy enemy missiles. The essence of coordination of the automatic control system and interceptor missiles, radar system and automatic control system is determined from the point of view of the agent approach. It is noted that there are three categories of agents within the framework of the multi-agent pursuit/escape problem in a three-dimensional space: master agents, pursuing agents, and fugitive agents. The parameters of the arbitrary state of these agents are described, and it is determined what the agents know and how they act at each moment of the model time in the process of pursuit/escape in a three-dimensional space. On the basis of the proposed prob-lem statement, the properties of the environment in which the agents operate are identified, and a list of methods that need to be developed is determined. It is noted that on the basis of such methods, it is planned to create a research prototype of a modeling system for pursuit in three-dimensional space, which should include a dynamic geographic information system (GIS) as a GIS capable of displaying and processing moving objects in real time.
Interaction of a human operator with an automated control system
Authors:   Kyiv Institute of Automation, Hrabovskyi H.H. , Ievlev M.H. ,   Institute of Mathematical Machines and Systems Problems of the Ukraine National Academy of Science, Moiseienko S.Ye. ,   Institute of Mathematical Machines and Systems Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Published: September 2024

The technology of interaction between computers (computer systems) and humans is an im-portant scientific problem. Scientifically based technologies of the interaction of two infor-mation systems – human and computer – are the ones that will allow optimizing human activity. Nowadays, it is becoming more and more obvious that the most promising way to improve the quality of information processes in human activity, including in automated management sys-tems, is the joint use of human capabilities and technical means as information systems. As a result, the task of studying the main aspects of human-machine interaction becomes topical. The main feature of human-machine interaction is a combination of formalized information processes and structures and informal (as a rule, creative) processing of information. The latter helps both find ways to solve complex problems that are not contained in formal models (algo-rithms) and to organize the solution process as a holistic system. Human-machine interaction cannot be fully algorithmized (in the formal sense), but it is possible to develop technology for the joint activity of humans and technical systems when solving problems. The article examines some indicators of human operator behavior in interaction with an automated control system, mathematical models of a human operator, and the issue of optimization of human actions. The described interaction of the human operator with an automated control system (ACS) shows the important role of the «human factor», which must be fully taken into account when designing an ACS, as an obligatory component of the ACS control complex. It is shown that as the level of automation increases, the role of a human in technical systems to ensure their smooth operation increases. Some criteria for the characteristics of the «human factor» and ergonomic equipment of the operator's workplace have been formulated.