bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What my bias meant for my embodiment: an investigation on virtual embodiment in desktop-based virtual reality
Authors: You Christopher , Peck Tabitha , Stuart Jacob , Gomes de Siqueira Alexandre , Lok Benjamin
Published: March 2024

The immersion of virtual reality (VR) can impact user perceptions in numerous forms, even racial bias and embodied experiences. These effects are often limited to head-mounted displays (HMDs) and other immersive technologies that may not be inclusive to the general population. This paper investigates racial bias and embodiment on a less immersive but more accessible medium: desktop VR. A population of participants (n = 158) participated in a desktop simulation where they embodied a virtual avatar and interacted with virtual humans to determine if desktop embodiment is induced and if there is a resulting effect on racial bias. Our results indicate that desktop embodiment can be induced at low levels, as measured by an embodiment questionnaire. Furthermore, one’s implicit bias may actually influence embodiment, and the experience and perceptions of a desktop VR simulation can be improved through embodied avatars. We discuss these findings and their implications in the context of stereotype activation and existing literature in embodiment.
Background Subtraction for Dynamic Scenes Using Gabor Filter Bank and Statistical Moments
Authors: Romero-González Julio-Alejandro , Córdova-Esparza Diana-Margarita , Terven Juan , Herrera-Navarro Ana-Marcela , Jiménez-Hernández Hugo
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces a novel background subtraction method that utilizes texture-level analysis based on the Gabor filter bank and statistical moments. The method addresses the challenge of accurately detecting moving objects that exhibit similar color intensity variability or texture to the surrounding environment, which conventional methods struggle to handle effectively. The proposed method accurately distinguishes between foreground and background objects by capturing different frequency components using the Gabor filter bank and quantifying the texture level through statistical moments. Extensive experimental evaluations use datasets featuring varying lighting conditions, uniform and non-uniform textures, shadows, and dynamic backgrounds. The performance of the proposed method is compared against other existing methods using metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, and false positive rate. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other methods in accuracy and robustness. It effectively handles scenarios with complex backgrounds, lighting changes, and objects that exhibit similar texture or color intensity as the background. Our method retains object structure while minimizing false detections and noise. This paper provides valuable insights into computer vision and object detection, offering a promising solution for accurate foreground detection in various applications such as video surveillance and motion tracking.
Test Center Location Problem: A Bi-Objective Model and Algorithms
Authors: Davoodi Mansoor , Calabrese Justin M.
Published: March 2024

The optimal placement of healthcare facilities, including the placement of diagnostic test centers, plays a pivotal role in ensuring efficient and equitable access to healthcare services. However, the emergence of unique complexities in the context of a pandemic, exemplified by the COVID-19 crisis, has necessitated the development of customized solutions. This paper introduces a bi-objective integer linear programming model designed to achieve two key objectives: minimizing average travel time for individuals visiting testing centers and maximizing an equitable workload distribution among testing centers. This problem is NP-hard and we propose a customized local search algorithm based on the Voronoi diagram. Additionally, we employ an ϵ-constraint approach, which leverages the Gurobi solver. We rigorously examine the effectiveness of the model and the algorithms through numerical experiments and demonstrate their capability to identify Pareto-optimal solutions. We show that while the Gurobi performs efficiently in small-size instances, our proposed algorithm outperforms it in large-size instances of the problem.
Variational Method-Based Trajectory Optimization for Hybrid Airships
Authors: Gao Wen , Bi Yanqiang , Li Xiyuan , Dong Apeng , Wang Jing , Yang Xiaoning
Published: March 2024

Hybrid airships, combining aerodynamic lift and buoyant lift, are efficient near-space aircraft for scientific exploration, observation, and surveillance. Compared to conventional airplanes and airships, hybrid airships offer unique advantages, including stationary hovering and rapid deployment. Due to the different task requirements and strong coupling between flight and environment, trajectory-optimization methods for traditional aircraft are difficult to apply to hybrid airships directly. We propose a trajectory-optimization model based on the variational method to calculate the optimal time and energy paths under weak, uniform, and latitudinal linear wind fields. Our model shows that the influencing factors for the optimization path can be categorized into three types: airship design parameters, wind field parameters, and departure parameters. The result indicates that the optimal time paths are generally straight lines, and the optimal energy paths are piecewise curves with a 24-h cycle under typical hybrid airship design parameters. This work has provided new insight into the trajectory optimization and parameter design of future hybrid airships.
Small Farm Holder Cropping Systems Influence Microbial Profiles in an Equatorial Rainforest Agroecosystem
Authors: Matindu Christine , Weerasuriya Nimalka M. , Muyekho Francis N. , Creed Irena F. , Thorn R. Greg , Sifuna Anthony W.
Published: March 2024

The metabarcoding of prokaryotic and fungal (Ascomycota only) ribosomal DNA was used to describe the microbial communities in soils of a remnant equatorial rainforest, maize–bean intercrop, and sugarcane in western Kenya. Cropping systems influenced the microbial community composition and functional traits (energy source and nutrient cycling) of bulk soil in each crop. Microbial richness and diversity tended to increase with cultivation intensity. The soil of the maize–bean intercrop had lower percentages and sugarcane had higher percentages of unique amplicon sequence variants of both bacteria and fungi compared to the remnant forest. Functional traits were altered by cultivation intensity. Compared to remnant forest soils, maize–bean intercrop soil had lower percentages of aerobic chemoheterotrophic bacteria and higher percentages of N-cycling bacteria, while sugarcane had higher percentages of aerobic chemoheterotrophic bacteria and lower percentages of N-cycling bacteria. In the face of increasing forest loss and pressures for agricultural productivity, this landscape provides a rich site for studying the impacts of cropping systems on soil health.
Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Ascorbic Acid Ameliorates Cold Tolerance in Rice Seedling Plants
Authors: Wang Huanran , Lu Tingting , Yan Wenhui , Yu Pinghui , Fu Weimeng , Li Juncai , Su Xiaona , Chen Tingting , Fu Guanfu , Wu Zhihai , Feng Baohua
Published: March 2024

Ascorbic acid (AsA) plays a crucial role in the physiological processes of rice plants when they encounter various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the specific mechanism by which AsA affects cold tolerance in rice seedlings remains unclear. Two rice genotypes, Zhongzao39 (ZZ39) and its recombinant inbred line RIL82, were exposed to cold stress, resulting in more damage observed in RIL82 compared to ZZ39. This damage included higher levels of relative electrolytic leakage (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, a lower Fv/Fm, and a lower survival rate. A comprehensive analysis of transcriptome and metabolome data indicated that AsA was involved in regulating cold tolerance in ZZ39 and RIL82 seedling plants. AsA content increased in ZZ39 while it decreased in RIL82 under cold stress. Additionally, analysis of carbohydrate contents highlighted their important role in the responses to cold stress of these two genotypes. Importantly, exogenous AsA and sucrose, either alone or in combination, enhanced the values of maximum fluorescence quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and effective quantum yield (YII) as well as decreased H2O2 and MDA levels to improve cold tolerance in both genotypes compared with plants treated with H2O. These findings highlight the potential significance of AsA in mitigating the effects of cold stress on rice seedling plants.
Identification and Transfer of a New Powdery Mildew Resistance Gene PmCAHM from Landrace Changanhongmai into Common Wheat
Authors: Chen Xueyan , Wang Yongfu , Han Guohao , Fan Jianzhong , Tan Qingqing , Liu Guoxia , Zhang Hong , Wang Yajuan
Published: March 2024

Powdery mildew is a severe wheat disease that causes substantial yield losses in wheat production worldwide. The Chinese wheat landrace Changanhongmai (CAHM) exhibits high resistance to the physiological race E09 of powdery mildew. In this study, we characterized the powdery mildew resistance gene in CAHM, and developed molecular markers for wheat marker-assisted selection. To investigate the genetic characteristics of this resistant gene, we developed F1 plants, F2 generation population, and F2:3 families by crossing CAHM with SY225 (Shaanyou ‘225’ as susceptible male parent). Genetic analysis demonstrated that all F1 plants were resistant to the disease, while the ratio of resistant to susceptible plants was 3: 1 in both the F2 population and F2:3 families, indicating that CAHM is inherited in a manner of a single dominant powdery mildew resistance gene, which was tentatively designated as PmCAHM. By using bulk segregation analysis, we constructed a genetic map encompassing Xgwm273, Xwmc626, Xgwm11, Xgwm18, Xgdm28, Xgpw7812, Xgpw5195, Xwmc694, and PmCAHM. Among these markers, Xgpw7812 and Xgpw5195 are flanking markers that are tightly linked to PmCAHM at a genetic distance of 2.5 cM and 8.4 cM, respectively. Furthermore, nullisomic-tetrasomic analysis revealed that PmCAHM is located on chromosome 1B. These results indicate that PmCAHM differs from the internationally recognized powdery mildew resistance genes in both location and source. In addition, a new germplasm/line NW1748 with stronger powdery mildew resistance and large grains was developed from the cross and backcross populations of Fengyou1718 (FY1718)/CAHM/5/FY 1718. Therefore, PmCAHM can serve as a novel powdery mildew resistance source for breeding of wheat by using NW1748 as the donor in the future.
Emerging Insights into Brevetoxicosis in Sea Turtles
Authors: Nederlof Remco A. , van der Veen Dion , Perrault Justin R. , Bast Robin , Barron Heather W. , Bakker Jaco
Published: March 2024

This review summarizes the current understanding of how brevetoxins, produced by Karenia brevis during harmful algal blooms, impact sea turtle health. Sea turtles may be exposed to brevetoxins through ingestion, inhalation, maternal transfer, and potentially absorption through the skin. Brevetoxins bind to voltage-gated sodium channels in the central nervous system, disrupting cellular function and inducing neurological symptoms in affected sea turtles. Moreover, the current evidence suggests a broader and longer-term impact on sea turtle health beyond what is seen during stranding events. Diagnosis relies on the detection of brevetoxins in tissues and plasma from stranded turtles. The current treatment of choice, intravenous lipid emulsion therapy, may rapidly reduce symptoms and brevetoxin concentrations, improving survival rates. Monitoring, prevention, and control strategies for harmful algal blooms are discussed. However, as the frequency and severity of blooms are expected to increase due to climate change and increased environmental pollution, continued research is needed to better understand the sublethal effects of brevetoxins on sea turtles and the impact on hatchlings, as well as the pharmacokinetic mechanisms underlying brevetoxicosis. Moreover, research into the optimization of treatments may help to protect endangered sea turtle populations in the face of this growing threat.
Genetic and Distribution Data of the Bramble Shark Echinorhinus brucus (Bonnaterre, 1788) and the Prickly Shark Echinorhinus cookei Pietschmann, 1928 to Better Reconstruct Their Conservation Status
Authors: Battiata Matteo , Serena Fabrizio , Lo Brutto Sabrina
Published: March 2024

Elasmobranch species show low resilience in relation to anthropogenic stressors such as fishing efforts, loss of habitats, and climate change. In this sense, the elasmobranch populations appear to be at risk of extinction in many cases. Despite conservation researchers making efforts to implement knowledge, the information on the biology, reproduction, distribution, or genetic structure of some species is still scattered, often caused by the occurrence of species in inaccessible habitats. Echinorhinus brucus is a deep benthic shark evaluated as “Endangered” on which little information is available, particularly about its geographical range and genetic structure, while E. cookei is listed as “Data Deficient”. Echinorhinus brucus belongs to the Echinorhinidae family, and its unique congeneric species is E. cookei. The main morphological diagnostic characteristic of both species is the presence of denticles with different shapes and patterns on the derma. In the present paper, mitochondrial COI and NADH2 sequences were retrieved from both E. brucus and E. cookei species, and analyses were conducted by applying different models of phylogenetic inference. Sequences of E. brucus captured in the Indian Ocean (IOS) did not cluster with the Atlantic E. brucus counterparts (AOS) but instead with E. cookei sequences; the different models showed an overlapping tree topology. Concurrently, a review of the historical and recent captures of the two species was carried out. The worldwide distribution of E. brucus excludes the Pacific Ocean area, where E. cookei occurs, and is characterised by presumably current local extinctions in the North Sea and the western Mediterranean Sea. The dataset describes two definite areas of significantly high abundance of E. brucus located in the Atlantic Ocean (Brazil) and the Indian Ocean (India). These areas suggest zones for conservation plans, especially considering the two lineages identified through molecular approaches.
Marine Fish Oil Replacement with Lard or Basa Fish (Pangasius bocourti) Offal Oil in the Diet of Tiger Puffer (Takifugu rubripes): Effects on Growth Performance, Body Composition, and Flesh Quality
Authors: Liu Guoxu , Li Lin , Song Shuqing , Ma Qiang , Wei Yuliang , Liang Mengqing , Xu Houguo
Published: March 2024

Lard (LD) and Basa fish offal oil (BFO) have similar fatty acid profiles, both containing high contents of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of partial or complete replacement of marine fish oil (MFO, herring oil) by LD or BFO in the diets of tiger puffer. The control diet contained 49.1% crude protein and 9.28% crude lipid content including 6% added MFO. In other diets, 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 of the added MFO was replaced by LD or BFO, respectively. Each diet was fed to triplicate tanks of juvenile fish (initial body weight, 13.88 g). A 46-day feeding trial was conducted in a flow-through seawater system. Each diet was fed to triplicate 200-L rectangular polyethylene tanks, each of which was stocked with 30 fish. Fish were fed to satiation three times a day. The complete replacement of added MFO (replacing 65% of the total crude lipid) had no adverse effects on fish growth performance in terms of survival (>94%), weight gain (360–398%), feed intake (2.37–3.04%), feed conversion ratio (0.84–1.02), and somatic indices. The dietary LD or BFO supplementation also had marginal effects on fish body proximate composition, biochemical parameters, muscle texture, and water-holding ability, as well as the hepatic expression of lipid metabolism-related genes. Partial (2/3) replacement of added MFO by LD or BFO did not significantly reduce the muscle n-3 LC-PUFA content, indicating the n-3 LC-PUFA sparing effects of SFA and MUFA in LD and BFO. In general, dietary LD or BFO reduced the peroxidation level and led to significant changes in the muscle volatile flavor compound profile, which were probably attributed to the change in fatty acid composition. The results of this study evidenced that LD and BFO are good potential lipid sources for tiger puffer feeds.
Folic Acid and Taurine Alleviate the Impairment of Redox Status, Immunity, Rumen Microbial Composition and Fermentation of Lambs under Heat Stress
Authors: Li Bibo , Wu Ke , Duan Guoqing , Yin Weiqi , Lei Mingkai , Yan Yining , Ren Youshe , Zhang Chunxiang
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate if the supplementation of folic acid and taurine can relieve the adverse effects of different levels of heat stress (HS) on growth performance, physiological indices, antioxidative capacity, immunity, rumen fermentation and microbiota. A total of 24 Dorper × Hu crossbred lambs (27.51 ± 0.96 kg) were divided into four groups: control group (C, 25 °C), moderate HS group (MHS, 35 °C), severe HS group (SHS, 40 °C), and the treatment group, under severe HS (RHS, 40 °C, 4 and 40 mg/kg BW/d coated folic acid and taurine, respectively). Results showed that, compared with Group C, HS significantly decreased the ADG of lambs (p < 0.05), and the ADG in the RHS group was markedly higher than in the MHS and SHS group (p < 0.05). HS had significant detrimental effects on physiological indices, antioxidative indices and immune status on the 4th day (p < 0.05). The physiological indices, such as RR and ST, increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the HS level and were significantly decreased in the RHS group, compared to the SHS group (p < 0.05). HS induced the significant increase of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-β, and the decrease of T-AOC, SOD, GPx, IL-10, IL-13, IgA, IgG, and IgM (p < 0.05). However, there was a significant improvement in these indices after the supplementation of folic acid and taurine under HS. Moreover, there were a significant increase in Quinella and Succinivibrio, and an evident decrease of the genera Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Asteroleplasma under HS (p < 0.05). The LEfSe analysis showed that the genera Butyrivibrio, Eubacterium_ventriosum_group, and f_Bifidobacteriaceae were enriched in the MHS, SHS and RHS groups, respectively. Correlated analysis indicated that the genus Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was positively associated with MDA, while it was negatively involved in IL-10, IgA, IgM, and SOD (p < 0.05); The genus Anaeroplasma was positively associated with the propionate and valerate, while the genus Succinivibrio was negatively involved in TNF-α (p < 0.05). In conclusion, folic acid and taurine may alleviate the adverse effects of HS on antioxidant capacity, immunomodulation, and rumen fermentation of lambs by inducing changes in the microbiome that improve animal growth performance.
Synthesis and Characterization of B4C-Based Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Applications
Authors: Demichelis Maria Paola , Portu Agustina Mariana , Gadan Mario Alberto , Vitali Agostina , Forlingieri Valentina , Bortolussi Silva , Postuma Ian , Falqui Andrea , Vezzoli Elena , Milanese Chiara , Sommi Patrizia , Anselmi-Tamburini Umberto
Published: March 2024

Nanoparticles composed of inorganic boron-containing compounds represent a promising candidate as 10B carriers for BNCT. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and assessment of the biological activity of composite nanomaterials based on boron carbide (B4C). Boron carbide is a compelling alternative to borated molecules due to its high volumetric B content, prolonged retention in biological systems, and low toxicity. These attributes lead to a substantial accumulation of B in tissues, eliminating the need for isotopically enriched compounds. In our approach, B4C nanoparticles were included in composite nanostructures with ultrasmall superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs), coated with poly (acrylic acid), and further functionalized with the fluorophore DiI. The successful internalization of these nanoparticles in HeLa cells was confirmed, and a significant uptake of 10B was observed. Micro-distribution studies were conducted using intracellular neutron autoradiography, providing valuable insights into the spatial distribution of the nanoparticles within cells. These findings strongly indicate that the developed nanomaterials hold significant promise as effective carriers for 10B in BNCT, showcasing their potential for advancing cancer treatment methodologies.
A Study on the Leaf Retention Capacity and Mechanism of Nine Greening Tree Species in Central Tropical Asia Regarding Various Atmospheric Particulate Matter Values
Authors: Li Qiaoyun , Liao Juyang , Zhu Yingfang , Ye Zhiqun , Chen Chan , Huang Yaqi , Liu Yan
Published: March 2024

With the rapid advancement of the global economy, there has been a noticeable escalation in the level of inhalable particulate matter (PM) pollution in the atmosphere. The utilization of plants has been recognized as an effective means to mitigate the escalation in the atmospheric PM concentration through the capture and retention of this particulate matter on their leaves. This research focuses on investigating the PM retention capacity of nine commonly found greening plant species in Changsha, China, located in the country’s mid-subtropical region. In this study, we employed an air aerosol generator (QRJZFSQ-II) and a portable leaf area meter (LI-3000C) to systematically evaluate the PM retention in unit leaf area for different PM values. In addition, the leaf surface structure was observed via scanning electron microscopy, and the relationship between the leaf microstructure and the retained particles was quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that (1) there were significant differences in the retention of TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 per unit leaf area among the nine greening tree species analyzed. Rosa saturata was found to have the best retention effect regarding TSP and PM2.5, and Rhododendron simsii was found to have the best retention effect regarding PM10. (2) There were significant differences in the contents of TSP and PM2.5 per leaf area among the different tree species with different life forms (p < 0.05), with the order of retention being shrub > arbor (needle leaves) > arbor (broad leaves). (3) Coniferous plants have a deep leaf surface texture, which is conducive to capturing more particles on their leaf surface, and (4) the long stomata diameter was significantly negatively correlated with PM retention, and the stomata density was significantly positively correlated with PM retention. However, the short diameter and small area of stomata demonstrated no significant correlation with PM retention (p < 0.05). Considering the selection of suitable tree species for greening in urban air pollution control, we suggest that Osmanthus fragrans, Pseudolarix amabilis, Rosa saturata, and Rhododendron simsii be used more frequently in urban areas affected by severe air pollution.
The Impact of High-Density Airborne Observations and Atmospheric Motion Vector Observation Assimilation on the Prediction of Rapid Intensification of Hurricane Matthew (2016)
Authors: Lyu Xinyan , Wang Xuguang
Published: March 2024

Tropical cyclone rapid intensification (RI) prediction still remains a big international challenge in numerical weather prediction. Hurricane Matthew (2016) underwent extreme and non-classic RI, intensifying from a Category 1 storm to a Category 5 hurricane within 24 h under a strong vertical shear environment. However, most models failed to capture this RI, and limited or no inner core, and outflow observations were assimilated in the NWS operational HWRF Model before the onset of RI for Matthew (2016). The goals of the study are to (1) explore the best way to assimilate the High-Density Observations (HDOB, including FL and SFMR) and AMV data; (2) study the impact of assimilating these observations on the analysis of both the inner-core and outflow structures; and (3) examine the impact of assimilating these data on the prediction of RI for Matthew. The main results are as follows: (1) With proper pre-processing of the HDOB observations and by using a 4DEnVar method, the inner-core structure analysis was improved. And the RI prediction is more consistent with the best track without spin-down for the first 24 h. Assimilating CIMMS AMV observations on top of the HDOB observations further improves both the track and intensity forecasts. Specifically, both the magnitude and timing of the peak intensity are further improved. (2) Diagnostics are conducted to understand how the assimilation of these different types of observations impacts RI prediction. Without assimilating HODB and AMV data, baseline experimentover-predict the intensification rate during the first 18 h, but under-predict RI after 18 h. However, the assimilation of FL and SFMR and CIMMS AMV correctly weakens the upper-level outflow and improves the shear-relative structure of the inner-core vortex, such as reducing the low-level moisture in the downshear left quadrant. The deep convection on the downshear side is weaker than baseline for the first 18 h but keeps enhancing, later moving cyclonically to the USL quadrant, and then causes more subsidence warming, maximizing in the USL quadrant and the maximum wind increases faster. Moreover, the rapid intensification rate is much more consistent with the best track and the forecast skill of RI is improved. Therefore, 4DEnVar assimilation with proper pre-processing of the high-density observations can indeed correct the shear-relative moisture and structural distributions of both the inner core and environment for TCs imbedded in the stronger shear, which is important for shear-TC RI prediction.
Modeling the Effect of Annulus Fibrosus Stiffness on the Stressed State of a Vertebral L1 Body and Nucleus Pulposus
Authors: Ardatov Oleg , Pachaleva Jolita , Aleksiuk Viktorija , Maknickas Algirdas , Uzieliene Ilona , Vaiciuleviciute Raminta , Bernotiene Eiva
Published: March 2024

The investigation examines the transference of stiffness from intervertebral discs (IVDs) to the lumbar body of the L1 vertebra and the interactions among adjacent tissues. A computational model of the vertebra was developed, considering parameters such as cortical bone thickness, trabecular bone elasticity, and the nonlinear response of the nucleus pulposus to external loading. A nonlinear dynamic analysis was performed, revealing certain trends: a heightened stiffness of the annulus fibrosus correlates with a significant reduction in the vertebral body’s ability to withstand external loading. At a supplied displacement of 6 mm, the vertebra with a degenerative disc reached its yielding point, whereas the vertebrae with a healthy annulus fibrosus exhibited a strength capacity exceeding 20%. The obtained findings and proposed methodology are potentially useful for biomedical engineers and clinical specialists in evaluating the condition of the annulus fibrosus and predicting its influence on the bone components of the spinal system.
Design of a Multiparametric Perfusion Bioreactor System for Evaluating Sub-Normothermic Preservation of Rat Abdominal Wall Vascularized Composite Allografts
Authors: Salehi Sara , Lippert Lozano Ernesto , Zhang Yichuan , Guo Yinan , Liu Renee , Tran Kenny , Messner Franka , Brandacher Gerald , Grayson Warren L.
Published: March 2024

Static cold storage (SCS), the current clinical gold standard for organ preservation, provides surgeons with a limited window of time between procurement and transplantation. In vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA), this time limitation prevents many viable allografts from being designated to the best-matched recipients. Machine perfusion (MP) systems hold significant promise for extending and improving organ preservation. Most of the prior MP systems for VCA have been built and tested for large animal models. However, small animal models are beneficial for high-throughput biomolecular investigations. This study describes the design and development of a multiparametric bioreactor with a circuit customized to perfuse rat abdominal wall VCAs. To demonstrate its concept and functionality, this bioreactor system was employed in a small-scale demonstrative study in which biomolecular metrics pertaining to graft viability were evaluated non-invasively and in real time. We additionally report a low incidence of cell death from ischemic necrosis as well as minimal interstitial edema in machine perfused grafts. After up to 12 h of continuous perfusion, grafts were shown to survive transplantation and reperfusion, successfully integrating with recipient tissues and vasculature. Our multiparametric bioreactor system for rat abdominal wall VCA provides an advanced framework to test novel techniques to enhance normothermic and sub-normothermic VCA preservations in small animal models.
Evaluation of the Relation between Ictal EEG Features and XAI Explanations
Authors: Sánchez-Hernández Sergio E. , Torres-Ramos Sulema , Román-Godínez Israel , Salido-Ruiz Ricardo A.
Published: March 2024

Epilepsy is a neurological disease with one of the highest rates of incidence worldwide. Although EEG is a crucial tool for its diagnosis, the manual detection of epileptic seizures is time consuming. Automated methods are needed to streamline this process; although there are already several works that have achieved this, the process by which it is executed remains a black box that prevents understanding of the ways in which machine learning algorithms make their decisions. A state-of-the-art deep learning model for seizure detection and three EEG databases were chosen for this study. The developed models were trained and evaluated under different conditions (i.e., three distinct levels of overlap among the chosen EEG data windows). The classifiers with the best performance were selected, then Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAPs) and Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIMEs) were employed to estimate the importance value of each EEG channel and the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was computed between the EEG features of epileptic signals and the importance values. The results show that the database and training conditions may affect a classifier’s performance. The most significant accuracy rates were 0.84, 0.73, and 0.64 for the CHB-MIT, Siena, and TUSZ EEG datasets, respectively. In addition, most EEG features displayed negligible or low correlation with the importance values. Finally, it was concluded that a correlation between the EEG features and the importance values (generated by SHAP and LIME) may have been absent even for the high-performance models.
Light and the Brain: A Clinical Case Depicting the Effects of Light on Brainwaves and Possible Presence of Plasma-like Brain Energy
Authors: Idris Zamzuri , Zakaria Zaitun , Yee Ang Song , Fitzrol Diana Noma , Ismail Muhammad Ihfaz , Ghani Abdul Rahman Izaini , Abdullah Jafri Malin , Hassan Mohd Hasyizan , Suardi Nursakinah
Published: March 2024

Light is an electromagnetic radiation that has visible and invisible wavelength spectrums. Visible light can only be detected by the eyes through the optic pathways. With the presence of the scalp, cranium, and meninges, the brain is seen as being protected from direct exposure to light. For that reason, the brain can be viewed as a black body lying inside a black box. In physics, a black body tends to be in thermal equilibrium with its environment and can tightly regulate its temperature via thermodynamic principles. Therefore, a healthy brain inside a black box should not be exposed to light. On the contrary, photobiomodulation, a form of light therapy for the brain, has been shown to have beneficial effects on some neurological conditions. The proposed underlying mechanisms are multiple. Herein, we present our intraoperative findings of rapid electrocorticographic brainwave changes when the brain was shone directly with different wavelengths of light during awake brain surgery. Our findings provide literature evidence for light’s ability to influence human brain energy and function. Our proposed mechanism for these rapid changes is the presence of plasma-like energy inside the brain, which causes fast brain activities that are akin to lightning strikes.
Fused Deposition Modelling of Thermoplastic Polymer Nanocomposites: A Critical Review
Authors: Sheikh Taha , Behdinan Kamran
Published: March 2024

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) has attracted researchers’ interest in myriads of applications. The enhancement of its part using fillers to print nanocomposites is a cutting-edge domain of research. Industrial acceptance is still a challenge, and researchers are investigating different nanofillers and polymer matrix combinations to investigate FDM-printed nanocomposites. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and cellulose are heavily studied nanofillers because of their astonishing properties, biocompatibility, and ability to tailor the final performance of the FDM-printed nanocomposite part. This work presents a comprehensive review of polymer nanocomposites based on these nanofillers. Important examples, case studies, and results are discussed and compared to elaborate the understanding of the processing of nanocomposites, filaments, printing, and the characterisation of these nanocomposites. A detailed and exhaustive discussion of the prospective computational models, with challenges and a future road map, is provided, enabling the scientific community to understand these nanocomposites and their FDM processing for wider industrial applications and acceptance.
EGFR-Targeted Antibody–Drug Conjugate to Different Aminobisphosphonates: Direct and Indirect Antitumor Effects on Colorectal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Pisheh Leila , Matis Serena , Taglieri Martina , Di Gregorio Linda , Benelli Roberto , Poggi Alessandro
Published: March 2024

Antibody––drug conjugates (ADCs) are a promising delivery system that involves linking a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to a specific drug, such as a cytotoxic agent, to target tumor cells. This new class of antitumor therapy acts as a “biological missile” that can destroy tumor cells while increasing the therapeutic index and decreasing toxicity. One of the most critical factors in ADC design is selecting a target antigen that is highly expressed on the surface of cancer cells. In this study, we conjugated Cetuximab (Cet), a monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), to aminobisphosphonates (N-BPs) such as ibandronate (IBA) or risedronate (RIS) or zoledronate (ZA). Cetuximab is administered to patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) with a wild-type (WT) EGFR transduction pathway. Also, it is well established that N-BPs can trigger the antitumor activity of Vδ2 T cells in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. The resulting ADCs were added in co-culture to assess the effect on CRC cell line proliferation and sensitivity to Vδ2 T antitumor lymphocytes in comparison with the native antibody. These assays have been performed both in conventional and 3D spheroid cultures. We found that all three ADCs can increase the inhibitory effect on cell proliferation of the WT-EGFR cell line Caco-2 while only Cet-RIS and Cet-ZA can increase the cytotoxicity mediated by Vδ2 T cells against both WT and EGFR-mutated CRC cell lines (Caco-2, DLD-1, and HCT-116). Also, the ADCs can trigger the cell proliferation of Vδ2 T cells present in peripheral blood and tumor specimens. Our findings indicate that anti-EGFR antibodies bound to N-BPs can improve the antitumor effects of the native antibody possibly increasing the therapeutic effect.
Correlation of Bronchoscopy and CT in Characterizing Malignant Central Airway Obstruction
Authors: Kalvapudi Sukumar , Zubair Hafiz M. , Kunadharaju Rajesh , Bhura Sajeer , Mengiste Hiwot , Saeed Musa , Saradna Arjun , Grover Harshwant , Shafirstein Gal , Yendamuri Sai , Ivanick Nathaniel M.
Published: March 2024

Background: Malignant Central Airway Obstruction (MCAO) presents a significant challenge in lung cancer management, with notable morbidity and mortality implications. While bronchoscopy is the established diagnostic standard for confirming MCAO and assessing obstruction subtype (intrinsic, extrinsic, mixed) and severity, Computed Tomography (CT) serves as an initial screening tool. However, the extent of agreement between CT and bronchoscopy findings for MCAO remains unclear. Methods: To assess the correlation between bronchoscopy and CT, we conducted a retrospective review of 108 patients at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, analyzing CT and bronchoscopy results to document MCAO presence, severity, and subtype. Results: CT correctly identified MCAO in 99% of cases (107/108). Agreement regarding obstruction subtype (80.8%, Cohen’s κ = 0.683, p < 0.001), and severity (65%, Quadratic κ = 0.657, p < 0.001) was moderate. CT tended to equally overestimate (7/19) and underestimate (7/19) the degree of obstruction. CT was also poor in identifying mucosal involvement in mixed MCAO. Conclusions: CT demonstrates reasonable agreement with bronchoscopy in detecting obstruction. Nevertheless, when CT indicates a positive finding for MCAO, it is advisable to conduct bronchoscopy. This is because CT lacks reliability in determining the severity of obstruction and identifying the mucosal component of mixed disease.
IL1B Polymorphism (rs1143634) and IL-1β Plasma Concentration as Predictors of Nutritional Disorders and Prognostic Factors in Multiple Myeloma Patients
Authors: Mazurek Marcin , Szudy-Szczyrek Aneta , Homa-Mlak Iwona , Hus Marek , Małecka-Massalska Teresa , Mlak Radosław
Published: March 2024

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological neoplasm of the early precursor of B-cells. The most characteristic symptoms observed during MM include hypocalcemia, anemia, bacterial infections, and renal damage. Nutritional disorders, especially malnutrition, are noted in about 35–71% of MM patients. Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) is a proinflammatory cytokine responsible for muscle atrophy and lipolysis during malnutrition and cachexia. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the IL1B single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs1143634) and plasma concentration of IL-1β in the assessment of the risk of nutritional disorders and prognosis in patients with MM. Methods: In our study, 93 patients with the de novo MM were enrolled. The real-time PCR with specific TaqMan probes method was used in genotyping. The IL-1β ELISA kit was used to determine IL-1β concentration in plasma samples. Results: Patients with the CC genotype, compared to the carriers of the other variants of the IL1B, demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β in plasma (7.56 vs. 4.97 pg/mL), a significantly higher risk of cachexia (OR = 5.11), and a significantly higher risk of death (HR = 2.03). Moreover, high IL-1β plasma level was related to a significantly higher risk of cachexia (OR = 7.76); however, it was not significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). Conclusions: Determination of the IL1B SNP (rs1143634) and plasma concentration of IL-1β may be useful in the assessment of the risk of cachexia and prognosis in patients with MM.
A Biopsy-Controlled Prospective Study of Contrast-Enhancing Diffuse Glioma Infiltration Based on FET-PET and FLAIR
Authors: Harat Maciej , Miechowicz Izabela , Rakowska Józefina , Zarębska Izabela , Małkowski Bogdan
Published: March 2024

Accurately defining glioma infiltration is crucial for optimizing radiotherapy and surgery, but glioma infiltration is heterogeneous and MRI imperfectly defines the tumor extent. Currently, it is impossible to determine the tumor infiltration gradient within a FLAIR signal. O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (FET)-PET often reveals high-grade glioma infiltration beyond contrast-enhancing areas on MRI. Here, we studied FET uptake dynamics in tumor and normal brain structures by dual-timepoint (10 min and 40–60 min post-injection) acquisition to optimize analysis protocols for defining glioma infiltration. Over 300 serial stereotactic biopsies from 23 patients (mean age 47, 12 female/11 male) of diffuse contrast-enhancing gliomas were taken from areas inside and outside contrast enhancement or outside the FET hotspot but inside FLAIR. The final diagnosis was G4 in 11, grade 3 in 10, and grade 2 in 2 patients. The target-to-background (TBRs) ratios and standardized uptake values (SUVs) were calculated in areas used for biopsy planning and in background structures. The optimal method and threshold values were determined to find a preferred strategy for defining glioma infiltration. Standard thresholding (1.6× uptake in the contralateral brain) in standard acquisition PET images differentiated a tumor of any grade from astrogliosis, although the uptake in astrogliosis and grade 2 glioma was similar. Analyzing an optimal strategy for infiltration volume definition astrogliosis could be accurately differentiated from tumor samples using a choroid plexus as a background. Early acquisition improved the AUC in many cases, especially within FLAIR, from 56% to 90% sensitivity and 41% to 61% specificity (standard TBR 1.6 vs. early TBR plexus). The current FET-PET evaluation protocols for contrast-enhancing gliomas are limited, especially at the tumor border where grade 2 tumor and astrogliosis have similar uptake, but using choroid plexus uptake in early acquisitions as a background, we can precisely define a tumor within FLAIR that was outside of the scope of current FET-PET protocols.
Racial Differences in the Detection Rate of Bladder Cancer Using Blue Light Cystoscopy: Insights from a Multicenter Registry
Authors: Ladi-Seyedian Seyedeh-Sanam , Ghoreifi Alireza , Konety Badrinath , Pohar Kamal , Holzbeierlein Jeffrey M. , Taylor John , Kates Max , Willard Brian , Taylor Jennifer M. , Liao Joseph C. , Kaimakliotis Hristos Z. , Porten Sima P. , Steinberg Gary D. , Tyson Mark D. , Lotan Yair , Daneshmand Siamak ,   Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview Registry Group
Published: March 2024

The use of blue light cystoscopy (BLC) has been shown to improve bladder tumor detection. However, data demonstrating the efficacy of BLC across different races are limited. Herein, we aim to evaluate heterogeneity in the characteristics of BLC for the detection of malignant lesions among various races. Clinicopathologic information was collected from patients enrolled in the multi-institutional Cysview® registry (2014–2021) who underwent transurethral resection or biopsy of bladder tumors. Outcome variables included sensitivity and negative and positive predictive values of BLC and white light cystoscopy (WLC) for the detection of malignant lesions among various races. Overall, 2379 separate lesions/tumors were identified from 1292 patients, of whom 1095 (85%) were Caucasian, 96 (7%) were African American, 51 (4%) were Asian, and 50 (4%) were Hispanic. The sensitivity of BLC was higher than that of WLC in the total cohort, as well as in the Caucasian and Asian subgroups. The addition of BLC to WLC increased the detection rate by 10% for any malignant lesion in the total cohort, with the greatest increase in Asian patients (18%). Additionally, the positive predictive value of BLC was highest in Asian patients (94%), while Hispanic patients had the highest negative predictive value (86%). Our study showed that regardless of race, BLC increases the detection of bladder cancer when combined with WLC.
Sperm-Associated Antigen 5 Knockout Reduces Doxorubicin and Docetaxel Resistance in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 and BT549 Cells
Authors: He Ji , Li Jiawei , Liu Yanbiao , Li Yan
Published: March 2024

Sperm-associated antigen 5 (SPAG5), also known as Astrin, was previously demonstrated as a biomarker for cellular resistance to major breast cancer therapies, including chemo-, endocrine- and targeted therapy. However, the contribution of SPAG5 to anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains controversial. In the present study, the SPAG5 knockout cell model was established by using clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system in MDA-MB-231 and BT549 TNBC cell lines. The knockout of SPAG5 was confirmed on both gene and protein levels using genomic PCR, DNA sequencing and western blotting. The functional loss of SPAG5 was determined by colony-formation assay. SPAG5-regulated doxorubicin- and docetaxel-resistance was assessed by MTT and apoptosis assays. The results indicated that all the SPAG5 knockout MDA-MB-231 and BT549 clones were biallelic, where one allele was replaced by the donor template, and the other allele had the same “T” insertion (indel) adjacent to the cutting sites of gRNAs at the exon 1 boundary, irrespective of the gRNAs and cell lines. The locus of indel interrupted the SPAG5 transcription by damaging the GT-AG mRNA processing rule. Deletion of SPAG5 decreased clonogenicity in both MDA-MB-231 and BT549 cells. SPAG5 was able to regulate the resistance and the drug-induced apoptosis of both doxorubicin and docetaxel. In conclusion, recombinant plasmid-based CRISPR-Cas9 technology can be used to delete the SPAG5 gene in the TNBC cell lines. SPAG5 has an important role in regulating cell proliferation and doxorubicin- and docetaxel-resistance in MDA-MB-231 and BT549 cells.
Modulation of sHLA-G, PD-1, and PD-L1 Expression in Cervical Lesions Following Imiquimod Treatment and Its Association with Treatment Success
Authors: Cokan Andrej , da Silva Neila Caroline Henrique , Kavalar Rajko , But Igor , Pakiž Maja , Andrade de Oliveira Sheilla , dos Santos Gomes Fabiana Oliveira , da Silva Rodrigo Soares , Peixoto Christina Alves , Lucena-Silva Norma
Published: March 2024

(1) Background: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a precancerous condition linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, often necessitating surgical interventions carrying the risk of subsequent preterm births. This study explores the potential of imiquimod (IMQ), as a non-invasive alternative treatment. The focus is on understanding IMQ impact on immune checkpoint molecules, particularly PD-1, PD-L1, and sHLA-G, which play pivotal roles in shaping immune responses and cancer progression. (2) Methods: Forty-three patients diagnosed with a high-risk squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL, p16-positive) self-applied 5% IMQ encapsulated in sachets containing 250 g of cream into the vaginal cavity three times a week for 16 weeks. The impact of IMQ therapy on cervical lesion regression was assessed through immunohistochemistry (IHC), examining changes in sHLA-G, PD-L1, and PD-1 levels. The antiviral activity of IMQ was evaluated through HPV-E7 immunofluorescence. Ethical considerations were adhered to, and the research methods were based on a previously approved clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04859361). (3) Results: IMQ treatment demonstrated efficacy, leading to lesion regression. sHLA-G levels in CIN before starting IMQ application were associated with unsuccessful treatment (p = 0.0036). IMQ did not significantly alter the expression of PD-1. We observed a decrease in PD-L1 levels in those who were successfully treated (p = 0.0509) and a reduction in HPV burden. (4) Conclusions: IMQ exhibits promise as a non-invasive treatment for CIN, emphasising its potential to modulate the immune microenvironment. Baseline sHLA-G levels emerge as potential predictors of treatment response. Understanding the nuanced dynamics of immune checkpoints sheds light on IMQ mechanism of action. Further exploration is warranted to decipher the intricate mechanisms underlying IMQ treatment in the context of cervical lesions.