bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generating Complex Explanations for Artificial Intelligence Models: An Application to Clinical Data on Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Banerjee Soumya
Published: June 2024

We present an explainable artificial intelligence methodology for predicting mortality in patients. We combine clinical data from an electronic patient healthcare record system with factors relevant for severe mental illness and then apply machine learning. The machine learning model is used to predict mortality in patients with severe mental illness. Our methodology uses class-contrastive reasoning. We show how machine learning scientists can use class-contrastive reasoning to generate complex explanations that explain machine model predictions and data. An example of a complex class-contrastive explanation is the following: “The patient is predicted to have a low probability of death because the patient has self-harmed before, and was at some point on medications such as first-generation and second-generation antipsychotics. There are 11 other patients with these characteristics. If the patient did not have these characteristics, the prediction would be different”. This can be used to generate new hypotheses, which can be tested in follow-up studies. Diuretics seemed to be associated with a lower probability of mortality (as predicted by the machine learning model) in a group of patients with cardiovascular disease. The combination of delirium and dementia in Alzheimer’s disease may also predispose some patients towards a higher probability of predicted mortality. Our technique can be employed to create intricate explanations from healthcare data and possibly other areas where explainability is important. We hope this will be a step towards explainable AI in personalized medicine.
Immediate Effects of Wearing an Ankle Bandage on Fine Coordination, Proprioception, Balance and Gait in the Subacute Phase of Ankle Sprains
Authors: Heß Tobias , Milani Thomas L. , Kilper Anica , Mitschke Christian
Published: June 2024

Ankle sprains are the most frequently occurring musculoskeletal injuries among recreational athletes. Ankle support through bandages following the initial orthotic treatment might be beneficial for rehabilitation purposes. However, the literature is sparse regarding the use of an ankle support directly after the acute phase of an ankle sprain. Therefore, this study investigates the hypothesis that wearing an ankle bandage immediately after an acute ankle sprain improves motor performance, stability and reduces pain. In total, 70 subjects with acute unilateral supination trauma were tested. Subjects were tested five weeks post-injury to assess immediate effects of the ankle bandage. On the testing day, subjects completed rating questionnaires and underwent comprehensive biomechanical assessments. Biomechanical investigations included fine coordination and proprioception tests, single leg stances, the Y-Balance test, and gait analysis. All biomechanical investigations were conducted for the subject’s injured leg with and without a bandage (MalleoTrain® Bauerfeind AG, Zeulenroda-Triebes, Germany) and the healthy leg. Results indicated moderate to strong improvements in ankle stability and pain relief while wearing the bandage. Wearing the bandage significantly normalized single leg stance performance (p < 0.001), stance phase duration (p < 0.001), and vertical ground reaction forces during walking (p < 0.05). However, the bandage did not have a clear effect on fine coordination and proprioception. The findings of our study suggest that ankle bandages may play a crucial role in early-stage rehabilitation by enhancing motor performance and reducing pain.
Myocardial Bridging Increases the Risk of Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients without Coronary Atherosclerosis
Authors: Yang Tsung-Lin , Hao Wen-Rui , Chen Chun-Chao , Fang Yu-Ann , Leu Hsin-Bang , Liu Ju-Chi , Lin Shing-Jong , Horng Jiun-Lin , Shih Chun-Ming
Published: June 2024

Background: Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital coronary anomaly and an important cause of chest pain. The long-term effects of MB on cardiovascular events remain elusive. Methods: We used the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan to conduct an analysis. All patients who had undergone coronary angiography were considered for inclusion. The primary endpoint was a composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular death. Results: We identified 10,749 patients from 2008 to 2018 and matched them with an equal number of controls by propensity-score matching. The mean follow-up period was 5.78 years. In patients without coronary artery disease, MB increased the risk of the composite endpoint (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44–1.72, p < 0.001), which was driven by increased risks of nonfatal myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death. In patients with significant coronary artery disease, MB did not increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. MB was identical to insignificant coronary artery disease from the viewpoint of clinical outcomes. Conclusions: The presence of MB significantly increases cardiovascular risks in patients with normal coronary vessels. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease mitigates the effect of MB on cardiovascular outcomes. MB can be considered an insignificant coronary artery disease equivalent.
Gender-Related Differences in Dry Eye Symptoms Following Involutional Ectropion and Entropion Surgery
Authors: Vasović Dolika D. , Karamarković Miodrag Lj. , Jovanović Milan , Stojičić Milan , Kalezić Tanja , Colić Milan , Musić Nikola , Dragišić Milan , Jeremić Miroslav , Rašić Dejan M. , Marjanović Ivan
Published: June 2024

This prospective case-control study investigated gender-related differences in dry eye symptoms following surgery for involutional ectropion and entropion. A total of 109 patients, aged between 65 and 89, were categorized by eyelid condition and gender. Postoperative assessments included the Tear Film Break-Up Time (TBUT) test, Schirmer I test results, corneal and conjunctival staining, eyelid margin characteristics, and scores from the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. The analysis revealed notable gender-related differences in dry eye manifestations. Initially, men exhibited lower TBUT scores but higher Schirmer test readings compared to women; however, these disparities diminished over time. No significant gender differences were detected in corneal and conjunctival staining, indicating similar levels of ocular surface damage across genders. Males showed significantly higher values in several eyelid margin characteristics (LMI, LMT) at various postoperative time points. According to the OSDI questionnaire, women experienced more severe symptoms of dry eye both pre- and post-operatively, suggesting a greater subjective symptom burden. When comparing surgical outcomes for ectropion and entropion, both conditions showed improvement in eyelid positioning and dry eye symptoms post-surgery. Despite these improvements, women with either condition reported more severe dry eye symptoms compared to men throughout the postoperative period. This study highlights the gender-specific variations in dry eye symptoms following eyelid malformation surgery and emphasizes the importance of adopting gender-sensitive approaches in postoperative care to improve outcomes and ocular health.
Investigation of Sexes and Fertility Potential of Female Russian Sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) and Male American Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) Hybrids
Authors: Bogár Katalin , Stanivuk Jelena , Géczi Aliz , Fazekas Georgina Lea , Kovács Balázs , Lázár Bence , Molnár Mariann , Ardó László , Ljubobratović Uroš , Kovács Gyula , Péter Dániel , Várkonyi Eszter , Káldy Jenő
Published: June 2024

In the present study, 10 allotriploid (3nALT) and 10 allopentaploid (5nALP) six-month-old hybrid fish and two 3nALT and four 5nALP 40-month-old hybrid fish, which resulted by crossing female Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Brandt and Ratzeberg, 1833) and male American paddlefish Polyodon spathula (Walbaum, 1792), were investigated. It was revealed that six-month-old 3nALT and 5nALP hybrids initially had “undifferentiated” gonads, while in the 40-month-old hybrids, only testes were observed in one case of 3nALT and one case of 5nALP hybrids. The testis of 3nALT hybrids was partially developed with spermatogonia, while the testis of one 5nALP hybrid was in the second developmental stage with low spermatogonia density. We could not determine gonad differentiation in any of the cases when the hybrid individuals had the W sex chromosome. We concluded that the gonad differentiation of these interfamilial hybrids follows a similar pattern to interspecific hybrids of different ploidy parent species of the family Acipenseridae, which is consistent with the classical Haldane’s rule. However, it cannot be excluded that the testis of this/these hybrid(s) may produce fertile sperm after sexual maturity, depending on additional genetic, hormonal and environmental factors, and further research is required for its evaluation.
VacStent as an Innovative Approach in the Treatment of Anastomotic Insufficiencies and Leakages in the Gastrointestinal Tract—Review and Outlook
Authors: Yohannes Alexander , Knievel Judith , Lange Jonas , Dormann Arno J. , Hügle Ulrich , Eisenberger Claus F. , Heiss Markus M.
Published: June 2024

Anastomotic insufficiencies are severe complications of abdominal surgery, often leading to prolonged hospitalization, serious tissue inflammation, and even sepsis, along with the need for recurrent surgery. Current non-surgical treatments such as self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) and endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) have limitations, including stent migration or perforation. This review evaluates the effectiveness of the VacStent GITM (Möller Medical GmbH, Fulda, Germany), a novel medical device combining SEMS and negative-pressure wound therapy in treating gastrointestinal leaks. Data were gathered from four prospective studies and compared with existing treatments. Studies on the VacStent GITM application demonstrate technical success and competitive closure rates in upper gastrointestinal leaks, with minimal complications reported. Comparative analyses with SEMS and EVT reveal promising and most importantly equally good outcomes while maintaining the possibility for sustained enteral nutrition and reducing the risk of stent migration. The VacStent GITM presents a promising alternative to current non-surgical treatments. Ongoing research aims to validate its efficacy in lower gastrointestinal leaks and comprehensively establish its role in leak management. Further investigation is necessary to confirm these findings and optimize treatment protocols. Future usages of the VacStent GITM in colonic anastomotic insufficiencies promise an effective approach and might be able to lower the rates of necessary implementations of a stoma.
Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty, Long-Haul Trucking: Obstacles and Opportunities for Logistics in North America
Authors: Larson Paul D. , Parsons Robert V. , Kalluri Deepika
Published: June 2024

Background: Pressure is growing in North America for heavy-duty, long-haul trucking to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, ultimately to zero. With freight volumes rising, improvement depends on zero-emissions technologies, e.g., battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). However, emissions reductions are constrained by technological and commercial realities. BEVs and FCEVs are expensive. Further, BEVs depend on existing electricity grids and FCEVs rely on steam–methane reforming (SMR) or electrolysis using existing grids to produce hydrogen. Methods: This study assembles publicly available data from reputable sources to estimate breakeven vehicle purchase prices under various conditions to match conventional (diesel) truck prices. It also estimates GHG emissions reductions. Results: BEVs face numerous obstacles, including (1) limited range; (2) heavy batteries and reduced cargo capacity; (3) long recharging time; and (4) uncertain hours-of-service (HOS) implications. On the other hand, FCEVs face two primary obstacles: (1) cost and availability of hydrogen and (2) cost of fuel cells. Conclusions: In estimating emissions reductions and economic feasibility of BEVs and FCEVs versus diesel trucks, the primary contributions of this study involve its consideration of vehicle prices, carbon taxes, and electricity grid capacity constraints and demand fees. As electricity grids reduce their emissions intensity, grid congestion and capacity constraints, opportunities arise for BEVs. On the other hand, rising electricity demand fees benefit FCEVs, with SMR-produced hydrogen a logical starting point. Further, carbon taxation appears to be less important than other factors in the transition to zero-emission trucking.
S-Graph-Based Reactive Scheduling with Unexpected Arrivals of New Orders
Authors: Bakon Krisztián Attila , Holczinger Tibor
Published: June 2024

Manufacturing processes are often disrupted by unexpected events, such as machine breakdowns, raw material shortages, and the arrival of new orders. Effectively managing these uncertainties is crucial for maintaining the feasibility and optimality of the production system. The efficiency of a manufacturing system is heavily dependent on the optimality of its scheduling plan. In this study, we present a reactive scheduling approach based on the S-graph framework. The proposed method is specifically designed to handle the arrival of new jobs and generate schedules with the shortest makespan, i.e., the minimum total completion time. Whenever a new order is received, the method dynamically adjusts the production plan through rescheduling. Three distinct scheduling policies are identified that determine which tasks require scheduling or rescheduling and which tasks should remain unchanged in their schedules. To evaluate the effectiveness of the algorithm, we solve several examples from the literature and analyze the results. The findings demonstrate the efficiency and efficacy of the proposed approach. The ability to accommodate new job arrivals and generate schedules with a minimized makespan highlights the practical relevance and benefits of the S-graph-based reactive scheduling method.
Reparameterized Scale Mixture of Rayleigh Distribution Regression Models with Varying Precision
Authors: Rivera Pilar A. , Gallardo Diego I. , Venegas Osvaldo , Gómez-Déniz Emilio , Gómez Héctor W.
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we introduce a new parameterization for the scale mixture of the Rayleigh distribution, which uses a mean linear regression model indexed by mean and precision parameters to model asymmetric positive real data. To test the goodness of fit, we introduce two residuals for the new model. A Monte Carlo simulation study is performed to evaluate the parameter estimation of the proposed model. We compare our proposed model with existing alternatives and illustrate its advantages and usefulness using Gilgais data in R software version 4.2.3 with the gamlss package.
Simultaneous Tracking and Stabilization of Nonholonomic Wheeled Mobile Robots under Constrained Velocity and Torque
Authors: Li Yuan , Cai Yuyang , Wang Yong , Li Wei , Wang Gang
Published: June 2024

Currently, most assumptions in nonholonomic mobile robot controllers indicate that the robot velocity can become significantly large and that the robot actuators are able to generate the necessary level of torque input. Based on the sliding mode control theory, this paper develops a new framework to handle the control problem of a wheeled robot dynamics model with constrained velocity and torque. Through rigorous theoretical analysis and extensive simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed controller guarantees asymptotic convergence of tracking or stabilization errors and boundedness of closed-loop signals. The advantages of the developed controller include the ability to simultaneously achieve tracking and stabilization control of nonholonomic mobile robots and the ability to ensure that the prescribed velocity and torque constraints are not breached by simply tuning the design parameters a priori, even in the presence of uncertain disturbances.
A New Alternating Suboptimal Dynamic Programming Algorithm with Applications for Feature Selection
Authors: Podgorelec David , Žalik Borut , Mongus Domen , Vlahek Dino
Published: June 2024

Feature selection is predominantly used in machine learning tasks, such as classification, regression, and clustering. It selects a subset of features (relevant attributes of data points) from a larger set that contributes as optimally as possible to the informativeness of the model. There are exponentially many subsets of a given set, and thus, the exhaustive search approach is only practical for problems with at most a few dozen features. In the past, there have been attempts to reduce the search space using dynamic programming. However, models that consider similarity in pairs of features alongside the quality of individual features do not provide the required optimal substructure. As a result, algorithms, which we will call suboptimal dynamic programming algorithms, find a solution that may deviate significantly from the optimal one. In this paper, we propose an iterative dynamic programming algorithm, which invertsthe order of feature processing in each iteration. Such an alternating approach allows for improving the optimization function by using the score from the previous iteration to estimate the contribution of unprocessed features. The iterative process is proven to converge and terminates when the solution does not change in three successive iterations or when the number of iterations reaches the threshold. Results in more than 95% of tests align with those of the exhaustive search approach, being competitive and often superior to the reference greedy approach. Validation was carried out by comparing the scores of output feature subsets and examining the accuracy of different classifiers learned on these features across nine real-world applications, considering different scenarios with various numbers of features and samples. In the context of feature selection, the proposed algorithm can be characterized as a robust filter method that can improve machine learning models regardless of dataset size. However, we expect that the idea of alternating suboptimal optimization will soon be generalized to tasks beyond feature selection.
Unsupervised Graph Structure Learning Based on Optimal Graph Topology Modeling and Adaptive Data Augmentation
Authors: An Dongdong , Pan Zongxu , Zhao Qin , Liu Wenyan , Liu Jing
Published: June 2024

Graph neural networks (GNNs) are effective for structured data analysis but face reduced learning accuracy due to noisy connections and the necessity for explicit graph structures and labels. This requirement constrains their usability in diverse graph-based applications. In order to address these issues, considerable research has been directed toward graph structure learning that aims to denoise graph structures concurrently and refine GNN parameters. However, existing graph structure learning approaches encounter several challenges, including dependence on label information, underperformance of learning algorithms, insufficient data augmentation methods, and limitations in performing downstream tasks. We propose Uogtag, an unsupervised graph structure learning framework to address these challenges. Uogtag optimizes graph topology through the selection of suitable graph learners for the input data and incorporates contrastive learning with adaptive data augmentation, enhancing the learning and applicability of graph structures for downstream tasks. Comprehensive experiments on various real-world datasets demonstrate Uogtag’s efficacy in managing noisy graphs and label scarcity.
DABC: A Named Entity Recognition Method Incorporating Attention Mechanisms
Authors: Leng Fangling , Li Fan , Bao Yubin , Zhang Tiancheng , Yu Ge
Published: June 2024

Regarding the existing models for feature extraction of complex similar entities, there are problems in the utilization of relative position information and the ability of key feature extraction. The distinctiveness of Chinese named entity recognition compared to English lies in the absence of space delimiters, significant polysemy and homonymy of characters, diverse and common names, and a greater reliance on complex contextual and linguistic structures. An entity recognition method based on DeBERTa-Attention-BiLSTM-CRF (DABC) is proposed. Firstly, the feature extraction capability of the DeBERTa model is utilized to extract the data features; then, the attention mechanism is introduced to further enhance the extracted features; finally, BiLSTM is utilized to further capture the long-distance dependencies in the text and obtain the predicted sequences through the CRF layer, and then the entities in the text are identified. The proposed model is applied to the dataset for validation. The experiments show that the precision (P) of the proposed DABC model on the dataset reaches 88.167%, the recall (R) reaches 83.121%, and the F1 value reaches 85.024%. Compared with other models, the F1 value improves by 3∼5%, and the superiority of the model is verified. In the future, it can be extended and applied to recognize complex entities in more fields.
Exponential Synchronization of Coupled Neural Networks with Hybrid Delays and Stochastic Distributed Delayed Impulses
Authors: Zhang Gang , Song Yinfang , Liu Xiaoyou
Published: June 2024

This paper is concerned with exponential synchronization for a class of coupled neural networks with hybrid delays and stochastic distributed delayed impulses. First of all, based on the average impulsive interval method, total probability formula and ergodic theory, several novel impulsive Halanay differential inequalities are established. Two types of stochastic impulses, i.e., stochastic distributed delayed impulses with dependent property and Markov property have been taken into account, respectively. Secondly, some criteria on exponential synchronization in the mean square of a class of coupled neural networks with stochastic distributed delayed impulses are acquired by combining the proposed lemmas and graph theory. The validity of the theoretical results is demonstrated by several numerical simulation examples.
Prediction of Geometric Dimensions of Deposited Layer Produced Using Laser-Arc Hybrid Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Xu Junfei , Wang Junhua , Wu Yanming , Liu Xiaojun , Peng Jianjun , Li Kun , He Kui , Xie Tancheng
Published: June 2024

Laser-arc hybrid additive manufacturing (LAHAM) holds substantial potential in industrial applications, yet ensuring dimensional accuracy remains a major challenge. Accurate prediction and effective control of the geometrical dimensions of the deposited layers are crucial for achieving this accuracy. The width and height of the deposited layers, key indicators of geometric dimensions, directly affect the forming precision. This study conducted experiments and in-depth analysis to investigate the influence of various process parameters on these dimensions and proposed a predictive model for accurate forecasting. It was found that the width of the deposited layers was positively correlated with laser power and arc current and negatively correlated with scanning speed, while the height was negatively correlated with laser power and scanning speed and positively with arc current. Quantitative analysis using the Taguchi method revealed that the arc current had the most significant impact on the dimensions of the deposited layers, followed by scanning speed, with laser power having the least effect. A predictive model based on extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) was developed and optimized using particle swarm optimization (PSO) for tuning the number of leaf nodes, learning rate, and regularization coefficients, resulting in the PSO-XGBoost model. Compared to models enhanced with PSO-optimized support vector regression (SVR) and XGBoost, the PSO-XGBoost model exhibited higher accuracy, the smallest relative error, and performed better in terms of Mean Relative Error (MRE), Mean Square Error (MSE), and Coefficient of Determination R2 metrics. The high predictive accuracy and minimal error variability of the PSO-XGBoost model demonstrate its effectiveness in capturing the complex nonlinear relationships between process parameters and layer dimensions. This study provides valuable insights for controlling the geometric dimensions of the deposited layers in LAHAM.
First Report on the Occurrence and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Raw Beef and Cow Feces in Vietnam
Authors: Duc Hoang Minh , Hoa Tran Thi Khanh , Thang Nguyen Van , Son Hoang Minh
Published: June 2024

Colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (COE) has been recently recognized as a serious threat to animal and human health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of COE isolated from raw beef and cow feces in Vietnam. Our results showed that 16% (16/100) and 32% (32/100) of raw beef and cow feces samples were positive for COE, respectively. A total of 48 COE strains were isolated, with 16 originating from raw beef and 32 from cow feces samples. The antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that the COE isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, florfenicol, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin, and nalidixic acid, with resistance rates ranging from 66.67% to 87.5%. In addition, 87.5% of the isolates were identified to be multidrug-resistant strains. Further molecular characterization indicated that all COE isolates carried the mcr-1 gene, with 16 of them also harboring blaCTX-M-55 genes. Taken together, the findings in this study demonstrate that raw beef and cow feces are important sources of COE, which can be potentially transmitted to humans through the food chain.
Phytoplasma-Associated Diseases in South America: Thirty Years of Research
Authors: Montano Helena Guglielmi , Bertaccini Assunta , Fiore Nicola
Published: June 2024

Phytoplasma-associated diseases are mainly insect-transmitted and are present worldwide. Considering that disease detection is a relevant environmental factor that may elucidate the presence of these diseases, a review reporting the geographic distribution of phytoplasma taxa in geographically consistent areas helps manage diseases appropriately and reduce their spreading. This work summarizes the data available about the identification of the phytoplasma associated with several diverse diseases in South America in the last decades. The insect vectors and putative vectors together with the plant host range of these phytoplasmas are also summarized. Overall, 16 ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species were detected, and those most frequently detected in agricultural-relevant crops such as corn, alfalfa, grapevine, and other horticultural species are ‘Ca. P. pruni’, ‘Ca. P. asteris’, and ‘Ca. P. fraxini’.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Application for Candida auris Outbreak Typing in a Referral Intensive Care Unit: Phylogenetic Analysis and Clustering Cut-Off Definition
Authors: Curtoni Antonio , Pastrone Lisa , Cordovana Miriam , Bondi Alessandro , Piccinini Giorgia , Genco Mattia , Bottino Paolo , Polizzi Carlotta , Cavallo Lorenza , Mandras Narcisa , Corcione Silvia , Montrucchio Giorgia , Brazzi Luca , Costa Cristina
Published: June 2024

Recently Candida auris has emerged as a multi-resistant fungal pathogen, with a significant clinical impact, and is able to persist for a long time on human skin and hospital environments. It is a critical issue on the WHO fungal priority list and therefore it is fundamental to reinforce hospital surveillance protocols to limit nosocomial outbreaks. The purpose of this study was to apply Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among isolated strains from a C. auris outbreak at the University Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary University hospital in Turin (Italy). To calculate a clustering cut-off, intra- and inter-isolate, distance values were analysed. The data showed the presence of a major Alfa cluster and a minor Beta cluster with a defined C. auris clustering cut-off. The results were validated by an external C. auris strain and Principal Component and Linear Discriminant Analyses. The application of FT-IR technology allowed to obtain important information about the phylogenetic relationships between the analysed strains, defining for the first time a “not WGS-based” clustering cut-off with a statistical–mathematical approach. FT-IR could represent a valid alternative to molecular methods for the rapid and cost-saving typing of C. auris strains with important clinical implications.
Investigating the Impact That Diagnostic Screening with Lateral Flow Devices Had on the Rabies Surveillance Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Authors: Moh’d Ali Z. , Coetzer Andre , Malan Ayla J. , Scott Terence P. , Ramadhan Ramadhan J. , Wright Nicolette , Nel Louis H.
Published: June 2024

With the global impetus for the elimination of canine-mediated human rabies, the need for robust rabies surveillance systems has become ever more important. Many countries are working to improve their rabies surveillance programs and, as a result, the reported use of lateral flow devices (LFDs) is increasing. Despite their known diagnostic limitations, previous studies have hypothesised that the benefits associated with LFDs could make them potentially quite useful towards improving the overall robustness of surveillance programs. To test this, a best practice standard operating procedure was developed which was used to guide the implementation of the ADTEC LFD as a diagnostic screening tool in Zanzibar. Over the course of the first 22 months of this investigation, 83 samples were subjected to in-field diagnostic screening, coupled with subsequent laboratory confirmation, and only one false-negative result was detected. Furthermore, the findings of our investigation indicated that the routine use of LFDs as a diagnostic screening tool resulted in a four-fold increase in the number of samples subjected to rabies diagnosis per month and a three-fold increase in the number of wards where samples were collected per year. Our findings suggest that LFDs could play a noteworthy role in improving the robustness of surveillance systems by increasing the number of samples tested and promoting diagnostic screening in areas distant from laboratories. Their implementation would, however, need to be carefully controlled through standardised protocols that align with the international best practices to ensure their judicious use.
First Insight into the Whole Genome Sequencing Whole Variations in Mycobacterium bovis from Cattle in Morocco
Authors: Khoulane Mohammed , Fellahi Siham , Khayi Slimane , Bouslikhane Mohammed , Lakhdissi Hassan , Berrada Jaouad
Published: June 2024

Six cattle heads which tested positive against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Morocco were investigated to confirm the disease and to determine the source(s) of infection. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was directly performed on tissue samples collected from slaughtered animals. All investigated animals tested positive to PCR for the Mycobacterium bovis sub-type. Bacteriological isolation was conducted according to the technique recommended by WOAH for the cultivation of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MBTC). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was carried out on six mycobacterial isolates and the phylogenic tree was constructed. The six Moroccan isolates fit with clades II, III, IV, V and VII and were confirmed to belong to the clonal complexes Eu2, Unknown 2 and 7 as well as to sublineages La1.7.1, La1.2 and La1.8.2. The significant Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) ranged from 84 to 117 between the isolates and the reference M. bovis strain and from 17 to 212 between the six isolates. Considering the high resolution of WGS, these results suggests that the source of infection of the bTB could be linked to imported animals as five of the investigated reactor animals were imported a few months prior. WGS can be a useful component to the Moroccan strategy to control bTB.
Molybdenum Mineralization in Eastern Hebei, China: Evidence from Geochronology and Isotopic Composition
Authors: Sun Jinlong , Cheng Yang , Liu Xinxing , Meng Guang’an , Dong Xintong
Published: June 2024

The northern margin of the North China Craton is one of the most important porphyry-skarn molybdenum ore belts in the world. The eastern Hebei Province, which contains a high number of molybdenum and gold (molybdenum) resources, is an important portion of the northern margin of the North China Craton. Xichanggou and Huashi, located in eastern Hebei, are quartz-molybdenum vein deposits that are intimately associated with intrusions that are deeply concealed in the mining area. This work presents two zircon U-Pb dates and ten molybdenite Re-Os ages from samples of the aforementioned two deposits in order to determine the timing of the intrusion and mineralization. The zircon U-Pb ages of the quartz monzonite porphyry from Xichanggou are determined to be 163.3 ± 0.3 Ma and 162.8 ± 0.4 Ma. The molybdenite Re-Os dating yielded ages of 160.3 ± 4.6 Ma for Xichanggou and 171.4 ± 19 Ma for Huashi, respectively. The isotopic composition of oxygen and hydrogen of the ore-forming fluid from Huashi, as indicated by the δDV-SMOW values (−80.0‰ to −67.6‰) and δ18OH2O values (−1.86‰ to 2.33‰), suggests that the fluid is primarily composed of water derived from magma, with some contribution from atmospheric precipitation. The sulfur isotope values (δ34S) of sulfides from Xichanggou range from 6.5‰ to 7.1‰, while the δ34S values from Huashi range from 3.3‰ to 4.9‰. The lead isotope ratios (206Pb/204Pb and 207Pb/204Pb) of sulfides from Xichanggou and Huashi average at 17.414, 15.428, and 17.591, 15.379, respectively. The Re-Os isotopic compositions of ore sulfides mostly fall within the range of 318 ppm to 50,114 ppm. These isotopic compositions indicate that the materials responsible for the formation of the ores in Xichanggou and Huashi primarily originate from the melting of lower crust materials that have been contaminated by the mantle. Based on the regional data, the molybdenum deposits in eastern Hebei were formed in multiple periods, specifically approximately 170 Ma and 160 Ma in Huahsi and Xichanggou, respectively. The subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate during the middle–late Jurassic period led to the partial remelting of lower crust material, resulting in the acquisition of a significant quantity of metal elements (Mo), which were subsequently deposited.
The Middle Triassic Intermediate to Basic Rocks in the Eastern Kunlun Orogenic Belt, Northeast Tibet: Implication for the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean Closure
Authors: Du Wei , Pei Lei , Li Zuochen , Li Ruibao , Chen Youxin , Liu Chengjun , Chen Guochao , Pei Xianzhi
Published: June 2024

Large volumes of Early Mesozoic intermediate to basic igneous rocks related to the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean are exposed in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB). The petrography, geochemistry, and results of zircon U-Pb dating of Defusheng intermediate to basic rocks from the eastern segment of the EKOB are presented in this report. Zircon U–Pb dating of the intermediate to basic rocks yields ages of 239–245 Ma (Middle Triassic). Defusheng intermediate to basic rocks have low TiO2 contents (0.80–1.47 wt.%) and widely varying MgO (3.14–6.08 wt.%), and are enriched in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, having a geochemical composition similar to that of island arc basalts. The variation diagrams of major elements indicate that the Defusheng intermediate to basic rocks underwent fractional clinopyroxene and olivine crystallization. Depletion of the high-field-strength elements Nb, Ta, and Ti may have been caused by the mantle wedge having been infiltrated by fluids derived from the subducted slab. The Defusheng intermediate to basic rocks represent magmatic records of the Early Mesozoic oceanic crust subduction in Eastern Kunlun. This indicates that the final closure of the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean and the beginning of collisional orogeny occurred after the Middle Triassic.
Effect of Nanoceria Suspension Addition on the Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Hydroxyapatite Composite Scaffolds
Authors: Gkomoza Paraskevi , Kitsou Ioanna , Koltsakidis Savvas , Tzetzis Dimitrios , Karydis-Messinis Andreas , Zafeiropoulos Nikolaos Evangelos , Gerodimou Foteini , Kollia Eleni , Valdramidis Vasilis , Tsetsekou Athena
Published: June 2024

In the current study, the synthesis of hydroxyapatite-ceria (HAP-CeO2) scaffolds is attempted through a bioinspired chemical approach. The utilized colloidal CeO2 suspension presents antifungal activity against the Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus species at concentrations higher than 86.1 ppm. Three different series of the composite HAP-CeO2 suspensions are produced, which are differentiated based on the precursor suspension to which the CeO2 suspension is added and by whether this addition takes place before or after the formation of the hydroxyapatite phase. Each of the series consists of three suspensions, in which the pure ceria weight reaches 4, 5, and 10% (by mass) of the produced hydroxyapatite, respectively. The characterization showed that the 2S series’s specimens present the greater alteration towards their viscoelastic properties. Furthermore, the 2S series’s sample with 4% CeO2 presents the best mechanical response. This is due to the growth of needle-like HAP crystals during lyophilization, which—when oriented perpendicular to the direction of stress application—enhance the resistance of the sample to deformation. The 2S series’s scaffolds had an average pore size equal to 100 μm and minimum open porosity 89.5% while simultaneously presented the lowest dissolution rate in phosphate buffered saline.
Causal Relationships between Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Colon Polyps: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Shen Na , Ba Qinwen , Lu Yanjun
Published: June 2024

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown that fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), influence colorectal carcinogenesis. Colon polyps, particularly those identified as precancerous, are a frequently encountered phenomenon associated with PUFAs. However, the results are inconsistent. Therefore, we investigated the effect of PUFAs on colon polyps in individuals of European ancestry. Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms correlating with PUFAs and colon polyps were derived from extensive genome-wide association studies, encompassing a discovery cohort of 135,006 samples and a corresponding validation set with 114,999 samples. Causality was assessed by employing a range of techniques, such as inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger, and simple and weighted modes. The analysis was complemented with sensitivity checks using leave-one-out and heterogeneity evaluation through MR-IVW and Cochran’s Q. Results: A thorough analysis was performed to examine the causal effects of PUFAs on the development of colon polyps. The findings indicated that levels of Omega-3 fatty acids (OR = 1.0014, 95% CI 1.0004–1.0024, p = 0.004), the ratio of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/total fatty acids (FAs) (DHA/totalFA; OR = 1.0015, 95% CI 1.0002–1.0028, p = 0.023), and the ratio of Omega-3/totalFA (Omega-3/totalFA; OR = 1.0013, 95% CI 1.0003–1.0022, p = 0.010) were identified as biomarkers associated with an increased risk of colon polyps. Conversely, the ratio of Omega-6/Omega-3 (OR = 0.9986, 95% CI 0.9976–0.9995, p = 0.003) and the ratio of Linoleic acid (LA)/totalFA (LA/totalFA; OR = 0.9981, 95% CI 0.9962–0.9999, p = 0.044) were negatively associated with susceptibility to colon polyps. The MR-Egger and MR-IVW analysis revealed that pleiotropy and heterogeneity did not significantly impact the outcomes. Conclusion: This study has uncovered a possible adverse effect of PUFAs, notably Omega-3, on the formation of colon polyps. Elevated Omega-3 levels were correlated with a heightened risk of colon polyps.
Improvement of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet through a Nutrition Education Teaching Pack for Teachers within the “School Fruit Scheme” Program: An Italian Long-Term Trial in School Children
Authors: Roccaldo Romana , Censi Laura , D’Addezio Laura , Berni Canani Sibilla , Gennaro Laura
Published: June 2024

A previous short time span study related to the effectiveness of a teaching pack (TP) in improving the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) showed positive results. The present study was aimed at investigating and confirming those results, with a follow up data collection, in the same sample, a year after the baseline intervention. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted. Weight and height were measured. Eating patterns/lifestyle were assessed by the KIDMED test and questionnaires. Thirteen schools in three areas with low, medium and high prevalence of overweight/obesity (North, Center and South respectively) were involved, with a representative baseline cluster sample of 494 fourth class children (8–10 years old) in 2015. An intervention group and a control group were recruited in each school; the intervention group (n = 395) got the intervention, the control group (n = 99) did not. The children’s KIDMED score changes were the main outcome measures. Differences in percentages of adherence and in yes/no answers on the KIDMED test, at baseline and after one year, for both the intervention and the control groups, were assessed through contingency tables and statistical tests. Improvements in the high and low adherence rates to MD were observed (high adherence: 24.4% to 43.3%; low adherence: 15.0% to 3.9%, p < 0.0001). The percentages of subjects with optimal adherence improved in both sexes (females: 25.5% to 49.5%, p < 0.0001; males: 23.1% to 36.6%, p < 0.0001) in all the geographical areas and ponderal status classes. Accompanying free distribution of fruit and vegetables with a nutritional intervention led by trained teachers with a cross-curricular approach can be successful in promoting healthy eating in children.
Compact On-Chip Metalens-Assisted Optical Switch Enabling Efficient and Scalable Beam Switching
Authors: Wang Chenxi , Li Hongliang , Li Jinke , Lee Sang-Shin
Published: June 2024

We propose and demonstrate an integrated optical switch that leverages an optical phased array (OPA) and an on-chip metalens, highlighting its potential for efficient and scalable beam switching across multiple ports within a compact footprint. The device consists of an input multimode interference (MMI) coupler, a phase modulator (PM) array, a beam-transformation region featuring an on-chip metalens layer, and a tapered waveguide array serving as the output ports. The PM array, engineered to effectively manipulate multiple phases for a waveguide array using a single voltage, utilizes metal strips of varying lengths to streamline operation. The on-chip metalens, characterized by varying slot lengths, facilitates the wavefront manipulation of the fast Fourier transform, resulting in beam deflection with a focusing length of 20 µm. The simulated validation of the proposed compact optical switch demonstrated efficient beam deflection, yielding a 1 × 8 beam switching at a wavelength of 1550 nm. Combinations of diverse OPAs and metalens configurations resulted in potential scalability, allowing for the realization of optical switches with pathway numbers ranging from 4 to 16. This development of a metalens-assisted optical switch on a compact chip presents significant practical implications for enhancing data transmission efficiency and scalability in photonic integrated circuits.
Isotope-Based Techniques to Investigate Factors Influencing Water Use Efficiency in Pinus koraiensis Leaves during Plant Growth
Authors: Fang Tiantian , Jin Guangze , Liu Zhili
Published: June 2024

Plant water use efficiency (WUE) is a comprehensive physiological indicator of plant growth and ability to adapt to drought. However, research on the mechanisms controlling WUE during plant growth and development remains weak. Here, we studied Pinus koraiensis as a typical evergreen conifer species in Northeast China. After collecting 80 tree samples with varying diameters at breast height (DBH), we measured δ13C and δ18O as an indicator of WUE, leaf morphology (volume, dry weight, and total epidermal area), ecological stoichiometry (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content), and abiotic factors (light environment, soil pH, soil water content, and soil nutrient content). Correlational analysis of these variables revealed distinct differences between smaller/younger and larger/older plants: (1) In plants with DBH less than 52 cm, δ13C was positively related to DBH, and δ18O was negatively related to DBH. Plants with DBH greater than 52 cm showed no relationship between δ13C and DBH, and δ18O was positively related to DBH. (2) In plants with DBH less than 52 cm, there was a negative correlation between δ13C and δ18O and between δ13C and leaf phosphorus content (LP), but a positive correlation between δ13C and DBH, leaf mass per area (LMA), and leaf density (LD). The slopes of DBH-δ13C, δ18O-δ13C, leaf nitrogen content (LN)-δ13C, and LMA-δ13C correlations were greater in smaller plants than large plants. (3) Structural equation modelling showed that in smaller plants, DBH had a direct positive effect on δ13C content and a direct negative effect on δ18O, and there was a direct positive effect of light environment on δ18O. In larger plants, there was a direct negative effect of light environment on δ13C and a direct positive effect of DBH on light environment, as well as a negative effect of soil nitrogen content on leaf nitrogen. In smaller plants, DBH was the most important factor influencing δ13C, followed by δ18O and soil moisture, with light and soil pH showing minimal influence. In larger plants, light environment influenced δ13C the most, followed by soil nitrogen content and soil moisture content, with leaf nitrogen and DBH contributing little. The results suggest that water use efficiency strategies of P. koraiensis vary according to growth stage, and the effects of abiotic factors and functional traits vary at different growth stages.
Effect of Light Quality on the seed Germination and Development of Coffee Seedlings (Coffea arabica)
Authors: Cardoso-Magaña Ana Julia , Montero-Cortés Mayra Itzcalotzin , Qui-Zapata Joaquin Alejandro , Chávez-Rodríguez Arturo Moises , Mancilla-Margalli Norma Alejandra , López-Velázquez Julio Cesar , Farias-Cervantes Vania Sbeyde , Andrade-González Isaac , Rivera-Rodríguez Diana Maria , Bejarano-Rebolledo Fabiola
Published: June 2024

Coffee (Coffea arabica) cultivation is vital to the global economic, social and cultural life of farmers. However, senescent and disease-susceptible plantations affect coffee productivity. Therefore, it is crucial to improve biotechnological strategies such as micropropagation to increase the number of plants for replanting. In this study, the dark condition (T1) and different light qualities (T0-white light 400–700 nm; T2-red light 660 nm and T3-blue light 460 nm) were evaluated to optimize the in vitro propagation of 4 and 9 month-old coffee seeds. The results showed that red light had the highest percentage, an outstanding germination rate index, which may suggest that in the case of coffee seeds could be involved phytochromes that promote germination in a red light quality. In summary, the ideal conditions for in vitro micropropagation of coffee are under white and red light condition.