bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BMAL2 promotes eCIRP-induced macrophage endotoxin tolerance
Authors: Zhou Mian , Aziz Monowar , Li Jingsong , Jha Alok , Ma Gaifeng , Murao Atsushi , Wang Ping
Published: June 2024

Background

The disruption of the circadian clock is associated with inflammatory and immunological disorders. BMAL2, a critical circadian protein, forms a dimer with CLOCK, activating transcription. Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP), released during sepsis, can induce macrophage endotoxin tolerance. We hypothesized that eCIRP induces BMAL2 expression and promotes macrophage endotoxin tolerance through triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1).

Methods

C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) male mice were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Serum levels of eCIRP 20 h post-CLP were assessed by ELISA. Peritoneal macrophages (PerM) were treated with recombinant mouse (rm) CIRP (eCIRP) at various doses for 24 h. The cells were then stimulated with LPS for 5 h. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the culture supernatants were assessed by ELISA. PerM were treated with eCIRP for 24 h, and the expression of PD-L1, IL-10, STAT3, TREM-1 and circadian genes such as BMAL2, CRY1, and PER2 was assessed by qPCR. Effect of TREM-1 on eCIRP-induced PerM endotoxin tolerance and PD-L1, IL-10, and STAT3 expression was determined by qPCR using PerM from TREM-1-/- mice. Circadian gene expression profiles in eCIRP-treated macrophages were determined by PCR array and confirmed by qPCR. Induction of BMAL2 activation in bone marrow-derived macrophages was performed by transfection of BMAL2 CRISPR activation plasmid. The interaction of BMAL2 in the PD-L1 promoter was determined by computational modeling and confirmed by the BIAcore assay.

Results

Serum levels of eCIRP were increased in septic mice compared to sham mice. Macrophages pre-treated with eCIRP exhibited reduced TNFα and IL-6 release upon LPS challenge, indicating macrophage endotoxin tolerance. Additionally, eCIRP increased the expression of PD-L1, IL-10, and STAT3, markers of immune tolerance. Interestingly, TREM-1 deficiency reversed eCIRP-induced macrophage endotoxin tolerance and significantly decreased PD-L1, IL-10, and STAT3 expression. PCR array screening of circadian clock genes in peritoneal macrophages treated with eCIRP revealed the elevated expression of BMAL2, CRY1, and PER2. In eCIRP-treated macrophages, TREM-1 deficiency prevented the upregulation of these circadian genes. In macrophages, inducible BMAL2 expression correlated with increased PD-L1 expression. In septic human patients, blood monocytes exhibited increased expression of BMAL2 and PD-L1 in comparison to healthy subjects. Computational modeling and BIAcore assay identified a putative binding region of BMAL2 in the PD-L1 promoter, suggesting BMAL2 positively regulates PD-L1 expression in macrophages.

Conclusion

eCIRP upregulates BMAL2 expression via TREM-1, leading to macrophage endotoxin tolerance in sepsis. Targeting eCIRP to maintain circadian rhythm may correct endotoxin tolerance and enhance host resistance to bacterial infection.
Evaluation of the clinical value of 10 estimating glomerular filtration rate equations and construction of a prediction model for kidney damage in adults from central China
Authors: Wang Xian , Xu Xingcheng , Wang Yongsheng , Liu Lei , Xu Ying , Liu Jun , Hu Benjin , Li Xiaowei
Published: June 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate 10 estimating glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations in central China population and construct a diagnostic prediction model for assessing the kidney damage severity.

Methods

The concordance of 10 eGFR equations was investigated in healthy individuals from central China, and their clinical effectiveness in diagnosing kidney injury was evaluated. Subsequently, relevant clinical indicators were selected to develop a clinical prediction model for kidney damage.

Results

The overall concordance between CKD-EPIASR-Scr and CKD-EPI2021-Scr was the highest (weightedκ = 0.964) in healthy population. The CG formula, CKD-EPIASR-Scr and CKD-EPI2021-Scr performed better than others in terms of concordance with referenced GFR (rGFR), but had poor ability to distinguish between rGFR < 90 or < 60 mL/min·1.73 m2. This finding was basically consistent across subgroups. Finally, two logistic regression prediction models were constructed based on rGFR < 90 or 60 mL/min·1.73 m2. The area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic values of two prediction models were 0.811 vs 0.846 in training set and 0.812 vs 0.800 in testing set.

Conclusion

The concordance of CKD-EPIASR-Scr and CKD-EPI2021-Scr was the highest in the central China population. The Cockcroft-Gault formula, CKD-EPIASR-Scr, and CKD-EPI2021-Scr more accurately reflected true kidney function, while performed poorly in the staging diagnosis of CKD. The diagnostic prediction models showed the good clinical application performance in identifying mild or moderate kidney injury. These findings lay a solid foundation for future research on renal function assessment and predictive equations.
Exploring MAP2K3 as a prognostic biomarker and potential immunotherapy target in glioma treatment
Authors: Pu Bei , Feng Shi , Gu Lijuan , Smerin Daniel , Jian Zhihong , Xiong Xiaoxing , Wei Liang
Published: June 2024

Glioma, the most prevalent primary brain tumor in adults, is characterized by significant invasiveness and resistance. Current glioma treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, but these methods often fail to eliminate the tumor completely, leading to recurrence and poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, a class of commonly used immunotherapeutic drugs, have demonstrated excellent efficacy in treating various solid malignancies. Recent research has indicated that unconventional levels of expression of the MAP2K3 gene closely correlates with glioma malignancy, hinting it could be a potential immunotherapy target. Our study unveiled substantial involvement of MAP2K3 in gliomas, indicating the potential of the enzyme to serve as a prognostic biomarker related to immunity. Through the regulation of the infiltration of immune cells, MAP2K3 can affect the prognosis of patients with glioma. These discoveries establish a theoretical foundation for exploring the biological mechanisms underlying MAP2K3 and its potential applications in glioma treatment.
Bradykinesia in dystonic hand tremor: kinematic analysis and clinical rating
Authors: Matejicka Peter , Kajan Slavomir , Goga Jozef , Straka Igor , Balaz Marek , Janovic Simon , Minar Michal , Valkovic Peter , Hajduk Michal , Kosutzka Zuzana
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Bradykinesia is an essential diagnostic criterion for Parkinson’s disease (PD) but is frequently observed in many non-parkinsonian movement disorders, complicating differential diagnosis, particularly in disorders featuring tremors. The presence of bradykinetic features in the subset of dystonic tremors (DT), either “pure” dystonic tremors or tremors associated with dystonia, remains currently unexplored. The aim of the current study was to evaluate upper limb bradykinesia in DT patients, comparing them with healthy controls (HC) and patients with PD by observing repetitive finger tapping (FT).

Methods

The protocol consisted of two main parts. Initially, the kinematic recording of repetitive FT was performed using optical hand tracking system (Leap Motion Controller). The values of amplitude, amplitude decrement, frequency, frequency decrement, speed, acceleration and number of halts of FT were calculated. Subsequently, three independent movement disorder specialists from different movement disorders centres, blinded to the diagnosis, rated the presence of FT bradykinesia based on video recordings.

Results

Thirty-six subjects participated in the study (12 DT, 12 HC and 12 early-stage PD). Kinematic analysis revealed no significant difference in the selected parameters of FT bradykinesia between DT patients and HC. In comparisons between DT and PD patients, PD patients exhibited bigger amplitude decrement and slower FT performance. In the blinded clinical assessment, bradykinesia was rated, on average, as being present in 41.6% of DT patients, 27.7% of HC, and 91.7% of PD patients. While overall inter-rater agreement was moderate, weak agreement was noted within the DT group.

Discussion

Clinical ratings indicated signs of bradykinesia in almost half of DT patients. The objective kinematic analysis confirmed comparable parameters between DT and HC individuals, with more pronounced abnormalities in PD across various kinematic parameters. Interpretation of bradykinesia signs in tremor patients with DT should be approached cautiously and objective motion analysis might complement the diagnostic process and serve as a decision support system in the choice of clinical entities.
The controlling nutritional status score as a predictor of survival in hematological malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lu Guimei , Li Qingqing
Published: June 2024

Objective

The controlling nutritional status score (CONUT) has been widely used for ascertaining the prognosis of various cancers. However, its use in patients with hematological malignancies remains unclear. This review examined evidence on the utility of CONUT as a prognostic marker for patients with hematological malignancies.

Methods

All cohort studies that examined the association between CONUT and outcomes of hematological malignancies and were published on the databases of Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched from the inception of the databases to 30 January 2024. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

A total of 23 studies were available for review. A meta-analysis of 22 studies showed that high CONUT was significantly associated with poor OS in patients with hematological malignancies (HR: 1.95 95% CI: 1.62, 2.35 I2 = 89%). The results remained unchanged on sensitivity and subgroup analyses based on study location, sample size, diagnosis, CONUT cutoff, and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale score. Only six studies reported data on PFS, and the pooled analysis found that high CONUT was a significant marker for poor PFS in patients with hematological malignancies [hazards ratio (HR): 1.64 95% CI: 1.21, 2.20 I2 = 70%]. These results, too, maintained significance in the sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion

CONUT is an independent predictor of poor OS in patients with hematological malignancies. The results appear to be valid across different cancer types and with different CONUT cutoffs. Scarce data also suggest that CONUT could predict PFS.
The fusiform skin paddle in fibula free flap: a fusiform-designed skin paddle for maxillofacial soft defect reconstruction and reducing leg wound tension
Authors: Li Shuai , Zheng Xin , Cheng Guo-Sheng , Mai Hua-Ming , He Qian-Ting , Wang An-Xun
Published: June 2024

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of leg wound closure and reconstruction of maxillofacial soft defect by a fusiform-designed skin paddle in fibula free flap (FFF).

Methods

Fifty patients who underwent FFF for reconstruction of maxillofacial soft defect were divided into two groups. The fusiform group (20 patients) was treated using a fusiform-designed skin paddle in FFF (skin paddle width less than 2 cm), and leg wound was closed using primary suturing. Reconstruction of the maxillofacial soft defect or filling of dead space was achieved by folding the fusiform skin paddle. The conventional group (30 patients) was treated using the conventional-designed skin paddle (skin paddle width no less than 2.5 cm). The leg wound was closed using mattress suturing or skin graft, while reconstruction of the maxillofacial soft defect or filling of dead space by conventional way. The average postoperative length of hospital stay, healing time of leg wound, and post-surgical complications were recorded at least 6 months after the surgery.

Results

Compared with traditional method, the fusiform-designed skin paddle reduced the average healing time of the leg wound (fusiform group: 11.05 days, conventional group: 14.77 days, P < 0.05). The average length-to-width ratio in fusiform group was significantly greater than that of in conventional group (fusiform group: 5.85, conventional group: 2.93, P < 0.05), and no difference was observed on the graft size of skin paddle between two groups (fusiform group: 23.13, conventional group: 27.13, P > 0.05). The post-surgical early complications of the leg wound in the conventional group were higher than that of in the fusiform group (fusiform group: 0%, conventional group: 6.67%), while the post-surgical late complication of the donor site between the two groups showed no case. Healing disorders of maxillofacial soft reconstruction in the conventional group were higher than that of in the fusiform group (fusiform group: 5.26%, conventional group: 20.69%).

Conclusions

Fusiform-designed skin paddle for closure of the leg wound and maxillofacial soft defect is a feasible alternative to the conventional- designed skin paddle. The fusiform- designed skin paddle resulted in the less postoperative length of hospital stay, shorter healing time of leg wound and less complication.
Nimotuzumab combined with radiotherapy+/- chemotherapy for definitive treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck: a metanalysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Guan Meng , Zhang Dan , Zhao Yue , Mao Mingdi , Shen Kang , Wang Xia , Bi Chun
Published: June 2024

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of nimotuzumab in combination with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

Systematic searches were performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical Medicine, Wanfang, VIP databases. Seven eligible randomized controlled trials (n = 1012) were selected through rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

A total of 1012 cases were included. including 508 (50.2%) in the nimotuzumab combination treatment group; There were 504 cases (49.8%) in the control group. The results of meta-analysis showed that the overall survival (Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.75, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.62-0.90, P<0.05), progression-free survival (HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.54-0.87, P<0.05), complete response rate (Risk Ratio [RR]=1.52, 95% CI: 1.24-1.86, P<0.05), and objective response rate (RR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.17-1.48, P<0.05) were significantly improved in the nimotuzumab combination treatment group compared with the control group. In terms of the incidence of adverse effects, only the incidence of rash was the nimotuzumab combination group higher than in the treatment alone group, and there was no significant difference between the remaining adverse reactions (neutropenia, anemia, nausea/vomiting, mucositis, dermatitis, dysphagia).

Conclusion

Nimotuzumab combined with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is more effective than radiotherapy alone or chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and the safety profile is controllable. Therefore, the addition of nimotuzumab to treatment is expected to be an effective treatment option for this disease. However, more prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to fully explore the effectiveness of this treatment in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Systematic Review Registration

identifier PROSPERO (CRD: 42022383313).
Application of amodal segmentation for shape reconstruction and occlusion recovery in occluded tomatoes
Authors: Yang Jing , Deng Hanbing , Zhang Yufeng , Zhou Yuncheng , Miao Teng
Published: June 2024

Common object detection and image segmentation methods are unable to accurately estimate the shape of the occluded fruit. Monitoring the growth status of shaded crops in a specific environment is challenging, and certain studies related to crop harvesting and pest detection are constrained by the natural shadow conditions. Amodal segmentation can focus on the occluded part of the fruit and complete the overall shape of the fruit. We proposed a Transformer-based amodal segmentation algorithm to infer the amodal shape of occluded tomatoes. Considering the high cost of amodal annotation, we only needed modal dataset to train the model. The dataset was taken from two greenhouses on the farm and contains rich occlusion information. We introduced boundary estimation in the hourglass structured network to provide a priori information about the completion of the amodal shapes, and reconstructed the occluded objects using a GAN network (with discriminator) and GAN loss. The model in this study showed accuracy, with average pairwise accuracy of 96.07%, mean intersection-over-union (mIoU) of 94.13% and invisible mIoU of 57.79%. We also examined the quality of pseudo-amodal annotations generated by our proposed model using Mask R-CNN. Its average precision (AP) and average precision with intersection over union (IoU) 0.5 (AP50) reached 63.91%,86.91% respectively. This method accurately and rationally achieves the shape of occluded tomatoes, saving the cost of manual annotation, and is able to deal with the boundary information of occlusion while decoupling the relationship of occluded objects from each other. Future work considers how to complete the amodal segmentation task without overly relying on the occlusion order and the quality of the modal mask, thus promising applications to provide technical support for the advancement of ecological monitoring techniques and ecological cultivation.
Longitudinal follow-up of metformin treatment in Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Seng Panhaneath , Montanaro Federica Alice Maria , Biag Hazel Maridith Barlahan , Salcedo-Arellano Maria Jimena , Kim Kyoungmi , Ponzini Matthew Dominic , Tassone Flora , Schneider Andrea , Abbeduto Leonard , Thurman Angela John , Hessl David , Bolduc Francois V. , Jacquemont Sebastien , Lippé Sarah , Hagerman Randi J.
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Metformin has been used as a targeted treatment to potentially improve cognition and slow the typical IQ decline that occurs during development among individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS). In this follow-up study, we are following the trajectory of IQ and adaptive behavior changes over 1 to 3 years in individuals with FXS who are clinically treated with metformin in an open label trial.

Method

Individuals with FXS ages 6 to 25 years (mean 13.15 ± 5.50) and nonverbal IQ mean 57.69 (±15.46) were treated for 1–3 years (1.88 ± 0.63). They all had a baseline IQ test using the Leiter-III non-verbal cognitive assessment and the Vineland-III adaptive behavior assessment before the start of metformin. Repeat Leiter-III and Vineland-III were completed after at least 1 year of metformin (500–1,000 mg/dose given twice a day).

Result

There were no significant changes in non-verbal IQ or in the adaptive behavior measurements at FDR < 0.05. The findings thus far indicate that both IQ and adaptive behavior are stable over time, and we did not see a significant decline in either measure.

Conclusion

Overall, the small sample size and short follow-up duration limit the interpretation of the effects of metformin on cognitive development and adaptive functioning. There is individual variability but overall for the group there was no significant decline in IQ or adaptive behavior.
Neuropsychological analysis of anxiety and executive control of motor patterns in athletes and non-athletes
Authors: Caramés José María , Reigal Rafael E. , Morales-Sánchez Verónica , Pastrana-Brincones José Luis , Anguera M. Teresa , Hernández-Mendo Antonio
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Even simple tapping tasks require cognitive processes. Some variants of the Finger Tapping Test (FTT) may reveal cognitive aspects associated with frontal processing, including executive functions such as inhibition, or emotional aspects such as anxiety. A context of particular interest for the application of cognitive-motor-anxiety interactions is sports. Although athletes generally exhibit better anxiety levels, they may experience heightened anxiety before important competitions. The problem lies in determining whether the application of anxiety control techniques can be useful in pre-competition situations, given the lack of quick and easy methods to detect if an athlete is experiencing anxiety at a particular moment.

Methods

This exploratory study evaluated anxiety using online versions of questionnaires (ISRA, the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, and STAI) and applied a variant of the FTT to 204 participants, both athletes and non-athletes. The scores were compared and correlated.

Results

Athletes exhibited lower general anxiety and greater cognitive resistance to interference (better cognitive inhibition). Non-athletes displayed a particular parameter in the FTT variant that differed from the one obtained by athletes and exhibited higher anxiety levels. In the athletes’ group only, anxiety was correlated with a specific parameter of the FTT task.

Discussion

Our conclusion is that this parameter holds potential relevance in elite sports performance to detect if an athlete is experiencing anxiety. It could be of particular interest in psychological interventions in sports. Further investigation is warranted to fully explore this potential.
Psychosis detection in dementia: a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy studies
Authors: Atchison Kayla , Wu Pauline , Watt Jennifer A. , Seitz Dallas , Ismail Zahinoor , Goodarzi Zahra
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Symptoms of psychosis, characterized by delusions and hallucinations, are commonly experienced by persons living with dementia. A systematic review was completed to identify tools to evaluate symptoms of psychosis compared to a reference standard in persons with dementia. Articles reporting correlation values between psychosis tools were also identified.

Methods

The search concepts psychosis, dementia, and diagnostic accuracy were used to search MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase. Included articles meeting the primary objective described a tool to assess symptoms of psychosis, delusions, or hallucinations in persons with dementia, a reference standard form of diagnostic assessment for psychosis, and diagnostic accuracy outcomes for the psychosis tool. Secondary objective articles reported correlation values between two or more psychosis tools in persons with dementia.

Results

One study met the primary objective and described the sensitivity and specificity of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Columbia University Scale for Psychopathology in Alzheimer's Disease (CUSPAD) in identifying symptoms of psychosis, hallucinations, and delusions. The sensitivity of the NPI and CUSPAD in identifying symptoms of psychosis was 83 and 90%, respectively. Nine studies meeting the secondary objective described eleven unique tools and examined the degree to which tools used to assess psychotic symptoms in persons with dementia were related.

Discussion

The NPI and CUSPAD were identified in a single study as psychosis tools that have been evaluated against a reference standard of psychosis assessment in persons with dementia. Various tools to assess the burden of psychotic symptoms in persons with dementia exist, but the diagnostic accuracy of existing tools remains understudied. Further research on the comparative utility and diagnostic accuracy is required for all psychosis tools used with persons with dementia.
Fermented beverages among indigenous Latin American societies
Authors: Lasso García Christian , German Bermúdez Fátima Andrea , Vanden Berghe Wim , Gabriela Zurita-Benavides María , Orellana-Manzano Andrea
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Traditional fermented beverages are a valuable cultural, economic, and social heritage of Latin American societies that deserve to be preserved and strengthened with sustainable development and respect for diversity. Therefore, this article will demonstrate, through scientific literature, the importance for indigenous societies and the nutritional contributions of the most traditional beverages of North and South America.

Methods

This systematic review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) verification protocol. The study focused on exploring the nutritional information of South and Central American fermented beverages. The search was conducted in the Biomed, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases to identify publications published within the past 15 years.

Results

However, the presence of toxic compounds such as biogenic amines and phenols that affect the quality of the product and human health has been detected. In addition, it was found that macro-and micronutrients, vitamins, and microorganisms differ according to the type of raw material used. It was concluded that corn is the most widely used raw material to produce fermented beverages in Latin America. At the same time, Mexico has conducted more research on this product, and most analyses are being carried out on the use of corn in the production of fermented beverages. In addition, several studies have shown that using validated and standardized methodologies to detect biogenic weapons is crucial to ensure accurate identification, effective response, and compliance with legal and security requirements in this critical area.
Economic Value of Peer Support Program in German Hospitals
Authors: Roesner Hannah , Neusius Thomas , Strametz Reinhard , Mira José Joaquín
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Acknowledging peer support as the cornerstone in mitigating the psychosocial burden arising from the second victim phenomenon, this study assesses the economic benefits of a Peer Support Program (PSP), compared to data of the Resilience In Stressful Events (RISE) program in the US, within the acute inpatient care sector in Germany.

Methods

Employing a Markov model, this economic evaluation analyzes the cost benefits, including sick day and dropout costs, over a 1-year period, comparing scenarios with and without the Peer Support Program from a hospital perspective. The costs were calculated as an example based on a hospital with 1,000 employees. The estimations are considered conservative.

Results

The anticipated outcomes demonstrate an average cost saving of €6,672 per healthcare worker participating in the Peer Support Program, leading to an annual budgetary impact of approximately €6,67 Mio. for the studied hospital.

Conclusion

The integration of a PSP proves economically advantageous for German hospitals, not only preserving financial resources but also reducing absenteeism, and mitigating turnover, thereby enhancing overall patient care.
Hybrid Colloids Made with Polymers
Authors: La Mesa Camillo
Published: June 2024

Polymers adsorb onto nanoparticles, NPs, by different mechanisms. Thus, they reduce coagulation, avoid undesired phase separation or clustering, and give rise to hybrid colloids. These find uses in many applications. In cases of noncovalent interactions, polymers adsorb onto nanoparticles, which protrude from their surface; the polymer in excess remains in the medium. In covalent mode, conversely, polymers form permanent links with functional groups facing outward from the NPs’ surface. Polymers in contact with the solvent minimize attractive interactions among the NPs. Many contributions stabilize such adducts: the NP–polymer, polymer–polymer, and polymer–solvent interaction modes are the most relevant. Changes in the degrees of freedom of surface-bound polymer portions control the stability of the adducts they form with NPs. Wrapped, free, and protruding polymer parts favor depletion and control the adducts’ properties if surface adsorption is undesired. The binding of surfactants onto NPs takes place too, but their stabilizing effect is much less effective than the one due to polymers. The underlying reason for this is that surfactants easily adsorb onto surfaces, but they desorb if the resulting adducts are not properly stabilized. Polymers interact with surfactants, both when the latter are in molecular or associated forms. The interactions occur between polymers and ionic surfactants or amphiphiles associated with vesicular entities. Hybrids obtained in these ways differ each from each other. The mechanisms governing hybrid formation are manifold and span from being purely electrostatic to other modes. The adducts that do form are quite diverse in their sizes, shapes, and features, and depend significantly on composition and mole ratios. Simple approaches clarify the interactions among different particle types that yield hybrids.
Correction: Mirandona-Olaeta et al. Ionic Liquid-Laden Zn-MOF-74-Based Solid-State Electrolyte for Sodium Batteries. Batteries 2023, 9, 588
Authors: Mirandona-Olaeta Alexander , Goikolea Eider , Lanceros-Mendez Senentxu , Fidalgo-Marijuan Arkaitz , Ruiz de Larramendi Idoia
Published: June 2024

The authors wish to make the following corrections to their paper [...]
Description of Mesoscale Static and Fatigue Analysis of 2D Woven Roving Plates with Convex Holes Subjected to Axial Tension
Authors: Muc Aleksander
Published: June 2024

The static and fatigue analysis of plates made of 2D woven roving composites with holes is conducted. The parametrization of convex holes is proposed. The experimental results of the specimens without holes and with different shapes of notches are discussed. The experiments and the appropriate procedures are carried out with the aid of ASTM codes. The fatigue behavior is considered with the use of the low cycle fatigue method. The analysis is supplemented by numerical finite element modeling. The present work is an extension of the results discussed in the literature. The damage of plates with holes subjected to tension always occurs at the tip of the holes, i.e., (x = a, b = 0), both for static and fatigue failure. The originality and the novelty of this approach are described by the failure’s dependence on two parameters: n and the ratio of the a/b ratio characterizing the hole geometry. The fuzzy approach is employed to reduce the amount of experimental data.
Predefined-Time Platoon Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with Range-Limited Communication
Authors: Wang Jiange , Fang Xu , Li Xiaolei
Published: June 2024

In this paper, the predefined-time platoon control for multiple uncertain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under range-limited communication and external disturbance constraints is considered. A novel control scheme, which can guarantee communication connectivity, collision avoidance, and the predefined convergence time simultaneously, is proposed. To achieve disturbance robustness, an observer-based distributed control law is firstly proposed with a time-varying gain. Then, a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) with an adaptive tuning law is applied to approximate uncertainties of the system. Under the time and error transformation techniques, uniformly ultimate boundedness (UUB) stability of the closed-loop system is guaranteed within predefined convergence time. Compared with the existing results, the proposed method allows the system to have UUB within any predefined time without depending on the initial conditions or system parameters. Finally, simulation results are presented to verify the derived theorem.
Effect of Molasses Addition on the Fermentation Quality and Microbial Community during Mixed Microstorage of Seed Pumpkin Peel Residue and Sunflower Stalks
Authors: Zhang Ning , Zhou Yajie , Ali Adnan , Wang Tengyu , Wang Xinfeng , Sun Xinwen
Published: June 2024

This study investigated the effect of molasses addition on the fermentation quality, chemical composition, and bacterial community of seed pumpkin peel residue (SPPR) mixed with sunflower straw (SS) in microstorage feed. Molasses additions on a dry matter basis (DM) were divided into three groups: 0% control (CON), 1% (MA), and 2% (MB), and the raw materials underwent mixed microstorage for a period of 60 days. MA exhibited the highest content of dry matter (DM), the lowest content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), as well as the lowest microbial diversity abundance and the highest relative abundance of lactobacilli (p < 0.05). MB demonstrated the highest crude protein (CP) content and acetic acid (AA) and propionic acid (PA) concentrations, with the lowest pH. In conclusion, the addition of molasses could enhance the quality of mixed microsilage feeds composed of seeded pumpkin peel pomace (SPPR) and sunflower straw (SS), with the optimal addition of molasses being 1% on a DM basis.
Research on Resistance Characteristics of Fire Zone of Mine Tunnel Fire and Construction of Calculation Model
Authors: Ni Minghao , Zhao Xiaokun , Wang Wencai , Zhang Qiongyue , Wang Hongwei , Wang Jianing
Published: June 2024

To investigate resistance change in the fire area of a roadway caused by roadway fires, a mathematical calculation model for thermal resistance is developed. Theoretical research is conducted to analyze the factors influencing resistance change through theoretical derivation, revealing that temperature is a key factor contributing to the change in thermal resistance. By leveraging the correlation between changes in CO concentration and temperature on the downwind side of the roadway within the fire zone, researchers developed mathematical models to predict temperature increases at various points downwind of the fire source. These models were then used to determine the mathematical relationship governing the change in thermal resistance. The accuracy of the numerical simulation software was validated using Fluent numerical simulation software and scaled-down model experiments. Full-scale numerical simulation experiments were conducted to investigate the fire characteristics of roadway fires and validate the thermal resistance mathematical model. The results indicate that the thermal resistance in the numerical simulation is 7.55 Pa at 20m from the fire source and 5.54 Pa at the end of the roadway. The decrease in resistance is linear. The minimum error between the thermal resistance calculated by the mathematical model and the gradient of the pressure drop in the numerical simulation is 0.03 Pa, approximately 2.3%. Furthermore, the fitting degree of the pressure drop in each section is as high as 97.7%. The calculation model demonstrates high accuracy and offers a theoretical foundation for investigating fire resistance in tunnel fire.
Flood Pulse Effects on the Growth of Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum in the Amazon Basin
Authors: Pereira Luciana Alves , Castello Leandro , Hallerman Eric , Rodrigues Edson Rubens Ferreira , Doria Carolina Rodrigues da Costa , Duponchelle Fabrice
Published: June 2024

Fish growth is a fundamental biological process driven by a multitude of intrinsic (within-individual) and extrinsic (environmental) factors that underpin individual fitness and population dynamics. Interannual variability in river hydrology regarding the intensity and duration of floods and droughts can induce interannual variations in the biotic and abiotic variables that regulate fish growth. However, the understanding of how interannual variability in river hydrology affects fish growth remains limited for most species and ecosystems. We evaluated how inter-annual hydrological variations within the Amazon River basin influence the growth of the catfish Pseudoplaystoma fasciatum. Our research questions were as follows: Do floods lead to the faster growth of P. fasciatum and droughts lead to the slower growth? And do floods and droughts affect all age classes in the same manner? We sampled 364 specimens of P. fasciatum from five sites in the Amazon basin, estimated their growth rates, and related the growth rates to indices of the intensity of floods and droughts. We fitted linear mixed-effects models to test the relationship between growth increments and hydrological indices (with F and D quantifying the intensities of floods and droughts, respectively), age as fixed effects, and basins and Fish ID as random effects. We found an inverse relationship between the increment width in the fish hard parts and hydrological indices. That is, intense floods and droughts negatively affected the growth rates. We also found that the growth of P. fasciatum was no different in years with intense and mild floods across age classes 1–5, although was different for age class 6. However, the growth of P. fasciatum was faster in years of mild droughts for all age classes. Our results showing that the growth of P. fasciatum was slower in years of intense droughts are supported by those of previous studies in the Amazon basin and elsewhere. However, our results showing for the first time that the growth of P. fasciatum is slower in years of intense flooding is the opposite of patterns found in other studies. These results thus suggest that the growth of P. fasciatum is maximized within an optimum range of hydrological conditions, where neither floods nor droughts are intense.
Valveless Pumping with an Unsteady Stenosis in an Open Tank Configuration
Authors: Manopoulos Christos , Mathioulakis Dimitrios
Published: June 2024

This work examines the beneficial role of an unsteady stenosis, not driven by any external energy source, as a means for augmenting the flow rate of a valveless pump in a hydraulic loop, including an open tank. In contrast to our previous work, in which the concept of the latter stenosis was introduced for the first time in a horizontal closed loop, here, gravity was taken into account. The stenosis neck cross-sectional area was controlled by the fluid pressure and the opposing force applied externally by a spring of adjustable tension. A pincher compressed and decompressed a part of the pump’s flexible tube periodically, with frequencies from 5 Hz to 11 Hz and compression ratios Ab from 24% to 65%. The presence of the stenosis increased the net flow rate by 19 times for Ab = 24% and 6.3 times for Ab = 38%; whereas for Ab = 65%, the flow rates were comparable. The volumetric efficiency varied from 30% to 40% under the presence of the stenosis, and from 2% to 20% without the stenosis. The role of the stenosis was to cause a unidirectional flow, opening during tube compression and closing during decompression. The pressure amplitudes along the flexible tube increased towards the rigid–flexible tube junction (as a result of the wave reflections), which were found to be significantly attenuated by the presence of the stenosis, whereas the flow rate pulsations did not exceed 10% of the mean at the peak net flow rates.
The Highly Durable Antibacterial Gel-like Coatings for Textiles
Authors: Mirmohammadsadeghi Seyedali , Juhas David , Parker Mikhail , Peranidze Kristina , Van Horn Dwight Austin , Sharma Aayushi , Patel Dhruvi , Sysoeva Tatyana A. , Klepov Vladislav , Reukov Vladimir
Published: June 2024

Hospital-acquired infections are considered a priority for public health systems since they pose a significant burden for society. High-touch surfaces of healthcare centers, including textiles, provide a suitable environment for pathogenic bacteria to grow, necessitating incorporating effective antibacterial agents into textiles. This paper introduces a highly durable antibacterial gel-like solution, Silver Shell™ finish, which contains chitosan-bound silver chloride microparticles. The study investigates the coating’s environmental impact, health risks, and durability during repeated washing. The structure of the Silver Shell™ finish was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The TEM images showed a core–shell structure, with chitosan forming a protective shell around groupings of silver microparticles. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) demonstrated the uniform deposition of Silver Shell™ on the surfaces of the fabrics. AATCC Test Method 100 was employed to quantitatively analyze the antibacterial properties of the fabrics coated with silver microparticles. Two types of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), were used in this study. The antibacterial results showed that after 75 wash cycles, a 100% reduction for both S. aureus and E. coli in the coated samples using crosslinking agents was observed. The coated samples without a crosslinking agent exhibited 99.88% and 99.81% reductions for S. aureus and E. coli after 50 washing cycles. To compare the antibacterial properties toward non-pathogenic and pathogenic strains of the same species, MG1655 model E. coli strain (ATCC 29213) and a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate were used. The results showed the antibacterial efficiency of the Silver ShellTM solution (up to 99.99% reduction) coated on cotton fabric. AATCC-147 was performed to investigate the coated samples’ leaching properties and the crosslinking agent’s effects against S. aureus and E. coli. All coated samples demonstrated remarkable antibacterial efficacy, even after 75 wash cycles. The crosslinking agent facilitated durable attachment between the silver microparticles and cotton substrate, minimizing the release of particles from the fabrics. Color measurements were conducted to assess the color differences resulting from the coating process. The results indicated fixation values of 44%, 32%, and 28% following 25, 50, and 75 washing cycles, respectively.
Ten-Minute Physical Activity Breaks Improve Attention and Executive Functions in Healthcare Workers
Authors: Fischetti Francesco , Pepe Ilaria , Greco Gianpiero , Ranieri Maurizio , Poli Luca , Cataldi Stefania , Vimercati Luigi
Published: June 2024

Occupational health is a major problem in modern work environments. Physical activity breaks (PABs), short exercise periods delivered during working hours, incorporating exergames or outdoor activities, have emerged as a novel approach that could be used to improve work efficiency and workplace wellbeing. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of PABs on attention levels and executive functions in healthcare workers. A total of 27 healthcare workers (M = 14, W = 13; 49.55 ± 12.46 years), after 4 h of work, randomly performed one of three 10 min conditions weekly in a counterbalanced order: No Physical Activity Break (NPAB); Outdoor Physical Activity Break (OPAB); Physical Activity Break with Exergame (PABEx). After the conditions, executive functions and selective attention were assessed by the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), and the Trail Making A,B test (TMT A,B), respectively. Significant differences between OPAB and NPAB as well as between PABEx and NPAB in the TMT-A test χ2(2) = 44.66 (p < 0.001) and TMT-B test χ2(2) = 48.67 (p < 0.001) were found, respectively. TMT-A and SCWT interference/time scores of the PABEx and OPAB conditions were significantly lower than those of NPAB (p < 0.001). In the SCWT interference/error score, no significant difference was found between the PABEx and NPAB (p > 0.05), but the score was statistically lower in the OPAB condition than PABEx (p = 0.001) and PABEx condition compared to OPAB for TMT-A (p = 0.001). Findings showed that the OPAB and PABEx conditions are effective in improving selective attention and executive functions in healthcare workers. Employers can foster a healthier and more productive workforce by promoting a culture of movement and prioritizing employee health, which in turn can enhance patient care outcomes.
U-Net Convolutional Neural Network for Mapping Natural Vegetation and Forest Types from Landsat Imagery in Southeastern Australia
Authors: Boston Tony , Van Dijk Albert , Thackway Richard
Published: June 2024

Accurate and comparable annual mapping is critical to understanding changing vegetation distribution and informing land use planning and management. A U-Net convolutional neural network (CNN) model was used to map natural vegetation and forest types based on annual Landsat geomedian reflectance composite images for a 500 km × 500 km study area in southeastern Australia. The CNN was developed using 2018 imagery. Label data were a ten-class natural vegetation and forest classification (i.e., Acacia, Callitris, Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Grassland, Mangrove, Melaleuca, Plantation, Rainforest and Non-Forest) derived by combining current best-available regional-scale maps of Australian forest types, natural vegetation and land use. The best CNN generated using six Landsat geomedian bands as input produced better results than a pixel-based random forest algorithm, with higher overall accuracy (OA) and weighted mean F1 score for all vegetation classes (93 vs. 87% in both cases) and a higher Kappa score (86 vs. 74%). The trained CNN was used to generate annual vegetation maps for 2000–2019 and evaluated for an independent test area of 100 km × 100 km using statistics describing accuracy regarding the label data and temporal stability. Seventy-six percent of pixels did not change over the 20 years (2000–2019), and year-on-year results were highly correlated (94–97% OA). The accuracy of the CNN model was further verified for the study area using 3456 independent vegetation survey plots where the species of interest had ≥ 50% crown cover. The CNN showed an 81% OA compared with the plot data. The model accuracy was also higher than the label data (76%), which suggests that imperfect training data may not be a major obstacle to CNN-based mapping. Applying the CNN to other regions would help to test the spatial transferability of these techniques and whether they can support the automated production of accurate and comparable annual maps of natural vegetation and forest types required for national reporting.
Heritage Hebrew in Finland: Insights from Multilingual Families
Authors: Bloch Gali
Published: June 2024

This study addresses the research gap in heritage Hebrew in Nordic countries, focusing on the perspectives of Hebrew-speaking immigrant parents in Finland. The objective is to understand family language policies and the use of Hebrew within multilingual families, exploring factors influencing parental decisions on heritage Hebrew transmission to the children. Employing a mixed qualitative–quantitative approach and the FLP analysis method, the research explores language management and the dynamic use of Hebrew within families, examining factors that influence heritage Hebrew maintenance in Finland. A survey of 36 families revealed a shift away from Hebrew towards the majority languages in Finland, with approximately a third of the children having poor or non-existent oral Hebrew skills. Despite the emphasis on Hebrew literacy by many parents, the reported proficiency levels were low, with slightly over 10% of children demonstrating good or excellent reading and writing skills, while 43% were entirely illiterate in the language. A third of respondents cited challenges in accessing Hebrew education, attributing it as the primary reason for the children’s illiteracy, as only 26.3% of children received external Hebrew teaching. While the connection between the birth order of the children and their heritage Hebrew skills presented diverse patterns, the survey revealed a notable shift towards Finnish as the primary communication language among siblings. A unique connection was found between parents’ birthplace and language choices, indicating reduced Hebrew transmission among repatriated parents. These insights contribute to understanding heritage Hebrew dynamics in Finland, with potential implications for informing policies supporting language transmission in similar contexts and practical application in multilingual families worldwide. Furthermore, by analyzing the dynamics of maintaining heritage Hebrew in Finland and investigating the language policies of immigrant Israeli families in the Nordic context, this study expands the theoretical understanding and contributes to the advancement of the fields of heritage languages and family language policies.