bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiomic Features Are Predictive of Response in Rectal Cancer Undergoing Therapy
Authors: Santini Diletta , Danti Ginevra , Bicci Eleonora , Galluzzo Antonio , Bettarini Silvia , Busoni Simone , Innocenti Tommaso , Galli Andrea , Miele Vittorio
Published: August 2023

Background: Rectal cancer is a major mortality cause in the United States (US), and its treatment is based on individual risk factors for recurrence in each patient. In patients with rectal cancer, accurate assessment of response to chemoradiotherapy has increased in importance as the variety of treatment options has grown. In this scenario, a controversial non-operative approach may be considered in some patients for whom complete tumor regression is believed to have occurred. The recommended treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC, T3-4 ± N+) is total mesorectal excision (TME) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a standard technique for local staging of rectal cancer (tumor, lymph node, and circumferential resection margin [CRM] staging), in both the US and Europe, and it is getting widely used for restaging purposes. Aim: In our study, we aimed to use an MRI radiomic model to identify features linked to the different responses of chemoradiotherapy of rectal cancer before surgery, and whether these features are helpful to understand the effectiveness of the treatments. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated adult patients diagnosed with LARC who were subjected to at least 2 MRI examinations in 10–12 weeks at our hospital, before and after nCRT. The MRI acquisition protocol for the 2 exams included T2 sequence and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the treatment response: complete or good responders (Group 1) and incomplete or poor responders (Group 2). MRI images were segmented, and quantitative features were extracted and compared between the two groups. Features that showed significant differences (SF) were then included in a LASSO regression method to build a radiomic-based predictive model. Results: We included 38 patients (26 males and 12 females), who are classified from T2 and T4 stages in the rectal cancer TNM. After the nCRT, the patients were divided into Group 1 (13 patients), complete or good responders, and Group 2 (25 patients), incomplete or poor responders. Analysis at baseline generated the following significant features for the Mann–Whitney test (out of a total of 107) for each sequence. Also, the analysis at the end of the follow-up yielded a high number of significant features for the Mann–Whitney test (out of a total of 107) for each image. Features selected by the LASSO regression method for each image analyzed; ROC curves relative to each model are represented. Conclusion: We developed an MRI-based radiomic model that is able to differentiate and predict between responders and non-responders who went through nCRT for rectal cancer. This approach might identify early lesions with high surgical potential from lesions potentially resolving after medical treatment.
Routine and Safe Operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems in Areas with High Densities of Flying Birds
Authors: Sorrell Karina , Dawlings Finella , Mackay Claire , Clarke Rohan
Published: August 2023

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPASs), or drones, have had a rapid uptake for scientific applications and are proving particularly valuable for data collection in the natural world. The potential for bird strikes presents a real hazard in these settings. While animal welfare is a primary consideration when planning and executing RPAS operations, the safe operation and return of RPASs is the key to successful flight missions. Here, we asked if RPASs can be routinely and safely implemented to meet data collection requirements in airspaces with high densities of flying birds. We flew quadcopter RPASs over breeding seabird colonies in tropical island settings. A dedicated spotter adjacent to the pilot recorded all interactions between flying seabirds and the RPAS unit while aerial population surveys were being undertaken. Over 600 interactions were recorded for nine species of seabirds. We flew over 100 flights totaling 2104 min in airspace routinely occupied by dense aggregations of seabirds without a single collision. We demonstrate a high capacity to undertake safe and successful RPAS operations in airspaces that contain high densities of flying seabirds. While bird collisions remain possible, such outcomes are clearly rare and should be placed in context with routine disturbances by ground surveys to meet the same objectives. RPASs routinely offer the least invasive method for collecting ecological data compared to traditional field methods and can be undertaken with relatively low risk to the successful completion of the operation.
The Impact of Agri-Food Supply Channels on the Efficiency and Links in Supply Chains
Authors: Raimbekov Zhanarys , Syzdykbayeva Bakyt , Rakhmetulina Aigerim , Rakhmetulina Zhibek , Abylaikhanova Tana , Ordabayeva Mainur , Doltes Lyubov
Published: August 2023

Improving the efficiency in the links in the supply chains of agri-food products is relevant in terms of the assessment methodology and practical aspects for ensuring and supporting sustainable supply chains of products not only in individual channels of product movement but also in the end-to-end supply chain of products, i.e., from the field to the end consumer. However, it is still unclear which supply chain opportunities in commodity distribution channels are more effective for creating end-to-end sustainable supply chains for agri-food products. The purpose of the study is to develop a methodology for assessing the impact of agri-food supply channels on the efficiency and link in supply chains, taking into account the factors affecting them and developing recommendations for their improvement. Quantitative methods based on correlation and regression analysis using the EViews program on the basis of Kazakh statistical data for 2008–2022 were used. A methodology is proposed for assessing the effectiveness of the functioning and links in commodity movement in the supply chains of agricultural products at the macroeconomic level based on the consideration and use of important factors affecting the efficiency and links: production and sales volumes, total costs, and profitability for each supply channel: “production–processing–industrial production–trade”. The relationship between the efficiency and the links in supply chains and also the key factors that affect them have been established. The results showed that the increase in the efficiency in supply channels in the commodity distribution system leads to a decrease in the coefficient of the link in commodity movement and inventory availability. To reduce the link ratio in the supply chains of agri-food products, it is necessary to increase the efficiency in supply chains in each supply chain link and reduce the share of retail trade in the gross turnover. Recommendations are proposed to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce links to support and create end-to-end sustainable supply chains of agri-food products. The study makes an essential contribution to providing empirical evidence of the relationship between the effectiveness of agri-food supply channels and the link in the supply chain. Since few works describe the relationship between the links of product distribution and the efficiency in supply chains in the literature, in this work, it was possible to propose a methodology and identify factors and gaps in research to identify potential areas for future research.
Escape Room Game for Engineering Students: “Escape Department”, a Case Study
Authors: Scandurra Graziella , Ciofi Carmine
Published: August 2023

The importance of ludic activities alongside educational activities for the involvement of students has nowadays been established. Among the most popular and loved games among today’s youths, there is certainly the one known as the escape room. This article describes an escape room organized at the department level, thus involving students of the various engineering degree courses, with the aim of making them appropriate their own spaces in the university structures and stimulating organization skills and teamwork attitudes. The event was also an opportunity for students to explore some of the topics covered in their own course of study and, above all, to learn about topics studied in other degree courses of the department. In this paper it is described how the event was organized and what objectives were achieved. The results are quite good and they encourage the organization of other events that exploit gamification for educational purposes.
MRAM Devices to Design Ternary Addressable Physically Unclonable Functions
Authors: Aguilar Rios Manuel , Alam Mahafujul , Cambou Bertrand
Published: August 2023

We introduce a novel approach to constructing ternary addressable physically unclonable functions (TAPUFs) using magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) devices. TAPUFs use three states (1, 0, and X) to track unstable cells. The proposed TAPUF leverages the resistance properties of MRAM cells to produce unique digital fingerprints that can be effectively utilized in cryptographic protocols. We exploit the cell-to-cell variations in resistance values to generate reliable cryptographic keys and true random numbers, which can add protection against certain attacks. To evaluate the performance of the TAPUF, various tests were conducted, including assessments of inter-cell to intra-cell variation, inter-distance, bit error rate (BER), and temperature variation. These experiments were conducted using a low-power client device to replicate practical scenarios. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed TAPUF exhibits exceptional scalability, energy efficiency, and reliability.
Photovoltaic Array Dynamic Reconfiguration Based on an Improved Pelican Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Li Sheng , Zhang Tianhong , Yu Jiawei
Published: August 2023

After prolonged operation, external objects may obstruct the photovoltaic (PV) array, resulting in prolonged partial shading. The dynamic reconfiguration of PV arrays uses a switch matrix to change the electrical positions of the PV cells in the array, and it is an effective method to solve the problem of partial shading. Most of the current dynamic reconfigurations only consider the optimization of power output. Neglecting the switch actions will increase the number of switch matrix actions, making the switch control more complex and reducing the lifespan of devices. To address power optimization and switch action optimization simultaneously during dynamic reconfiguration, this paper introduces a novel objective function. This function combines power optimization and switch action optimization in a weighted manner. Based on the novel function, the algorithm prioritizes optimizing the electrical positions of PV cells with larger shading values. This ensures that the PV array can improve its output while significantly reducing the number of switch actions. The Pelican Optimization Algorithm (POA) is improved and employed to optimize the proposed objective function. In terms of the output power optimization, the effectiveness of the novel objective function with the improved POA is validated by comparing and analyzing the reconfiguration results with the conventional objective functions under four shading scenarios. The results demonstrate that the novel objective function with the improved POA increases the output power by 30% in short and wide shadow and achieves the highest power output. Moreover, the tests conducted on dynamic reconfiguration results with different weights validate the effectiveness of the novel objective function in minimizing switching actions while improving power output.
Environmental Temperature Effect on Hydraulic Behavior and Stability of Shallow Slopes
Authors: Yang Shu-Rong , Chang Rui-En , Yang Ya-Sin , Yeh Hsin-Fu
Published: August 2023

This study established a study framework to quantify the safety factors of unsaturated shallow slopes at different temperatures. This study is based on a non-isothermal soil water characteristic curve model quantifying the temperature-dependent hydraulic properties of soils. The hydraulic coupling analysis models HYDRUS 2D and The Slope Cube Module were used for finite element modeling. A slope stability analysis was performed based on the local factor of safety (LFS) theory. An increased temperature decreased the soil matric suction, suction stress, effective stress, and LFS, weakening the soil strength. Slope modeling analysis showed that soils were dominated by different water retention mechanisms before and after rainfall infiltration, and the trends caused by temperature changes also changed accordingly. This study provides insights into the relationship between soil mechanical properties and temperature, which is valuable for maintaining soil stability and preventing geological hazards.
The Burden of Respiratory Disease from Formaldehyde, Damp and Mould in English Housing
Authors: Clark Sierra N. , Lam Holly C. Y. , Goode Emma-Jane , Marczylo Emma L. , Exley Karen S. , Dimitroulopoulou Sani
Published: August 2023

Quantifying the burden of disease from exposure to poor indoor air pollution can support policy development. In England, there is current regulatory and public attention on the health implications of residential exposure to formaldehyde, damp and mould. However, there is scarce information on these health impacts at the population scale. As such, we assessed the burden of key respiratory diseases from residential formaldehyde, damp and/or mould for the English population aged 0–14 and 15–49. We obtained data on the percentage of dwellings affected by damp and/or mould from the English Housing Survey and estimated the distribution of residential formaldehyde concentrations (annual average (μg/m3)) by pooling data from monitoring studies conducted in England. Exposures were combined with epidemiological relationships and national health data to estimate Population Attributable Fractions (PAFs), disease incidence, and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost associated with residential formaldehyde or damp and/or mould exposure in England. We made estimates for the year 2019 but also looked back several years in time. Exposure to formaldehyde was associated with approximately 4000 new cases of childhood asthma (~800 DALYs lost) in 2019, though the estimates were sensitive to the placement of the lower exposure threshold. Exposure to damp and/or mould was associated with approximately 5000 new cases of asthma (~2200 DALYs) and approximately 8500 lower respiratory infections (~600 DALYs) among children and adults in 2019, though the PAFs were unequally distributed across dwellings based on income and ethnicity. Alternative data sources suggest that the percentage of dwellings affected by damp and/or mould may even be higher, resulting in a possible 3–8-fold greater number of cases and DALYs. Our assessment emphasizes a potential respiratory health burden in England associated with residential formaldehyde as well as damp and/or mould, further highlighting the public health importance of good indoor air quality and good quality housing.
Analytical Methods for the Identification and Quantitative Determination of Wool and Fine Animal Fibers: A Review
Authors: Zoccola Marina , Bhavsar Parag , Anceschi Anastasia , Patrucco Alessia
Published: August 2023

The identification and quantitative determination of wool and fine animal fibers are of great interest in the textile field because of the significant price differences between them and common impurities in raw and processed textiles. Since animal fibers have remarkable similarities in their chemical and physical characteristics, specific identification methods have been studied and proposed following advances in analytical technologies. The identification methods of wool and fine animal fibers are reviewed in this paper, and the results of relevant studies are listed and summarized, starting from classical microscopy methods, which are still used today not only in small to medium enterprises but also in large industries, research studies and quality control laboratories. Particular attention has been paid to image analysis, Nir spectroscopy and proteomics, which constitute the most promising technologies of quality control in the manufacturing and trading of luxury textiles and can find application in forensic science and archeology.
Fire Safety Detection Based on CAGSA-YOLO Network
Authors: Wang Xinjie , Cai Lecai , Zhou Shunyong , Jin Yuxin , Tang Lin , Zhao Yunlong
Published: August 2023

The layout of a city is complex, and indoor spaces have thousands of aspects that make them susceptible to fire. If a fire breaks out, it is difficult to quell, so a fire in the city will cause great harm. However, the traditional fire detection algorithm has a low detection efficiency and high detection rate of small targets, and disasters have occurred during detection. Therefore, this paper proposes a fire safety detection algorithm based on CAGSA-YOLO and constructs a fire safety dataset to integrate common fire safety tools into fire detection, which has a preventive detection effect before a fire occurs. In the improved algorithm, the upsampling in the original YOLOv5 is replaced with the CARAFE module. By adjusting its internal Parameter contrast, the algorithm pays more attention to local regional information and obtains stronger feature maps. Secondly, a new scale detection layer is added to detect objects larger than 4 × 4. Furthermore, the sampling Ghost lightweight design replaces C3 with the C3Ghost module without reducing the mAP. Finally, a lighter SA mechanism is introduced to optimize visual information processing resources. Using the fire safety dataset, the precision, recall, and mAP of the improved model increase to 89.7%, 80.1%, and 85.1%, respectively. At the same time, the size of the improved model is reduced by 0.6 M to 13.8 M, and the Param is reduced from 7.1 M to 6.6 M.
An In Vitro Comparison of the Digestibility and Gastrointestinal Fate of Scallops and Plant-Based Scallop Analogs
Authors: Zhang Zhiyun , Qin Dingkui , Kobata Kanon , Rao Jiajia , Lu Jiakai , McClements David Julian
Published: August 2023

Concerns exist regarding the negative environmental impact and health risks associated with ocean fishing and aquaculture, such as stock depletion, pollution, biodiversity loss, and toxin presence. To address these concerns, plant-based seafood analogs are being developed. Our previous study successfully created plant-based scallop analogs using pea proteins and citrus pectin, resembling real scallops in appearance and texture. This study focuses on comparing the digestive fate of these analogs to real scallops, as it can impact their nutritional properties. Using an in vitro digestion model (INFOGEST), we simulated oral, gastric, and small intestinal conditions. The analysis revealed differences in the microstructure, physicochemical properties, and protein digestibility between the plant-based scallops and real scallops. The particle size and charge followed the following similar trends for both types of scallops: the particle size decreased from the mouth to the stomach to the small intestine; the particles were negative in the mouth, positive in the stomach, and negative in the small intestine. The protein digestibility of the plant-based scallops was considerably lower than that of real scallops. For instance, around 18.8% and 61.4% of protein was digested in the stomach and small intestine phases for the real scallop (80.2% total digestion), whereas around 8.7% and 47.7% of the protein was digested for the plant-based scallop (56.4% total digestion). The lower digestibility of the plant-based scallops may have been due to differences in the protein structure, the presence of dietary fibers (pectin), or antinutritional factors in the plant proteins. These findings are crucial for developing more sustainable next-generation plant-based seafood analogs.
Use of Algerian Type Ras El-Hanout Spices Mixture with Marination to Increase the Sensorial Quality, Shelf Life, and Safety of Whole Rabbit Carcasses under Low-O2 Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Authors: Djenane Djamel , Ben Miri Yamina , Ariño Agustín
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of combined treatments with Ras El-Hanout spices mixture and marinade solution containing extra virgin olive oil, onion, garlic, and concentrated lemon juice on sensorial quality, shelf life, and safety of whole rabbit carcasses under low-O2 modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The values of pH, water holding capacity, shear force, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, total volatile basic nitrogen, color (CIE L*a*b*), sensorial tests, and spoilage microorganisms were determined in rabbit meat at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 days during a retail display at 7 ± 1 °C. The results indicated that the marination process using the Ras El-Hanout blend of spices improved the water-holding capacity of meat maintaining optimum pH values. This combined treatment delayed the growth of major spoilage microorganisms, lipid oxidation, protein degradation, and undesirable color changes compared to unmarinated samples from the fifth to the twentieth day of retail exposure. The shelf life of rabbit carcasses under low-O2 MAP could be extended to 20 days of retail display, while rabbit carcasses under aerobic display presented a shorter shelf life of 5 to 10 days. Instrumental and sensorial tests showed that low-O2 MAP enhanced the tenderness of whole rabbit carcasses, with those marinated with Ras El-Hanout being the most positively perceived by the panelists. Marination also inhibited the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni, thus increasing the microbiological safety of the packaged product. The overall results indicated that low-O2 MAP combined with the Ras El-Hanout spice blend and marinade solution may represent a promising strategy for retail establishments to improve the quality, shelf life, and safety of rabbit carcasses.
Incentives to Encourage the Adoption of Connected and Automated Vehicles: Lessons Learned from Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Incentive Programs
Authors: Penmetsa Praveena , Dhondia Sakina , Adanu Emmanuel Kofi , Harper Corey , Nambisan Shashi , Jones Steven
Published: August 2023

Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) offer the potential to improve roadway capacity and safety. Thus, improving road infrastructure condition could be prioritized to eliminate further degradation of the transportation infrastructure. In order to foster the adoption of CAVs, incentives can be used; but there is a need to identify what type of incentive would be most effective. To identify effective incentive types, this study uses electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid vehicles as a surrogate to CAVs because of the similarities in obstacles faced for wider adoption. This study then provides some recommendations by examining incentives offered in 15 different countries and by reviewing the literature on the effectiveness of incentive types.
Comparative Study of MgO Nanopowders Prepared by Different Chemical Methods
Authors: Todan Ligia , Predoană Luminița , Petcu Gabriela , Preda Silviu , Culiță Daniela Cristina , Băran Adriana , Trușcă Roxana-Doina , Surdu Vasile-Adrian , Vasile Bogdan Ștefan , Ianculescu Adelina-Carmen
Published: August 2023

Magnesium oxide (MgO) was synthesized by three different methods: the sol–gel (SG), microwave-assisted sol–gel (MW), and hydrothermal (HT) methods for comparing the influence of the preparation conditions on the properties of the products. The powders were annealed at 450 °C. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), BET specific surface area and porosity, photoluminescence, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The samples consisted mainly of periclase as a crystalline phase, and the MW and HT preparation methods generated particles with higher specific surface areas. The powders had less-defined morphologies and high levels of aggregation. The optical band gaps of the samples were determined from UV DRS, and the photocatalytic activities of the magnesium oxides obtained by the three methods towards the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV light irradiation was evaluated.
Efficacy of Agricultural and Food Wastes as the Growing Media for Sunflower and Water Spinach Microgreens Production
Authors: Thepsilvisut Ornprapa , Sukree Nipawadee , Chutimanukul Preuk , Athinuwat Dusit , Chuaboon Wilawan , Poomipan Phakpen , Vachirayagorn Vorapat , Pimpha Nuttaporn , Chutimanukul Panita , Ehara Hiroshi
Published: August 2023

The growing media is one of the significant elements affecting microgreens’ yield and quality. This experiment investigated the possibility of waste utilization instead of employing peat moss to produce sunflower and water-spinach microgreens. The treatments consisted of peat moss (Control), coconut coir dust (CD), leaf compost (LC), food waste compost (FC), CD:LC = 1:1 v/v, CD:FC = 1:1 v/v, LC:FC = 1:1 v/v, and CD:LC:FC = 1:1:1 v/v. The results proved that the highest yield of sunflower microgreens was observed when cultivated in 1:1 v/v of CD:LC media (10,114.81 g m−2), whereas the highest yield of water spinach microgreens was recorded under the treatments of CD, Control, 1:1 v/v of CD:LC, and 1:1:1 v/v of CD:LC:FC media (10,966.67–9800.00 g m−2). The biochemical composition of the microgreens varied within the types. Our findings demonstrated that a tendency of an increase in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents depended on the growth of both microgreens under different growing media. All growing media did not cause excess nitrate residue or pathogenic contamination in both microgreens, namely Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast, almost all the growing media resulted in a higher population of Bacillus cereus contamination in both microgreens than the standard set limit, except for sunflower microgreens grown in the control and CD growing media. These findings could suggest that the 1:1 v/v of CD:LC and CD media were the most effective growing media for sunflower and water spinach microgreens, respectively, but further cleaning before consumption is recommended to avoid or reduce the foodborne incidences caused by B. cereus in microgreens.
Age-Period-Cohort Study of Breast Cancer Mortality in Brazil in State Capitals and in Non-Capital Municipalities from 1980 to 2019
Authors: Chávez-Penha Rodrigo , Bustamante-Teixeira Maria Teresa , Nogueira Mário Círio
Published: August 2023

Breast cancer was identified as the cancer with the highest mortality rate among women in Brazil. This study analyzed the effects of age, period and birth cohort on the breast cancer mortality rate for Brazilian women, comparing state capitals and non-capital municipalities. Population and deaths data were extracted from the Brazilian Unified Health System database for women aged 30 years or older, for the years between 1980 and 2019. The effects were analyzed using the age-period-cohort model. Age effect on breast cancer mortality is observed in the model through higher mortality rates at older ages. Period effect is similar in all regions in the form of a marked increase in the rate ratio (RR) in non-capital municipalities by period than in state capitals. The RR of birth cohorts in the state capitals remained stable (north, northeast and central-west regions) or decreased followed by an increase in the most recent cohorts (Brazil as a whole and the southeast and south regions). The RR for the other municipalities, however, showed a progressive increase in the cohorts for all regions. Policies and actions focused on breast cancer in women should consider these differences among Brazilian regions, state capitals and other municipalities.
Efficacy and Effectiveness of Universal School-Based Wellbeing Interventions in Australia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gunawardena Harshi , Voukelatos Alexander , Nair Sham , Cross Shane , Hickie Ian B.
Published: August 2023

The World Health Organisation defines health in terms of wellbeing, and wellbeing has become both a construct and a measure of impact in early intervention and prevention programs in schools. In Australia, schools report on their wellbeing initiatives and there is a plethora of government-funded wellbeing programs already in place in schools. However, education systems and stakeholders worldwide are facing significant challenges with mixed evaluation results of program impact and intervention effect. To better support students, schools, school-based healthcare workers, and community, it is important to know about the effectiveness of school-based programs; yet in the last decade, there has been no national appraisal of these programs in Australia. This systematic review aims to report on the effectiveness of Australian school-based wellbeing programs through a search of 13 databases. Out of 2888 articles, 29 met inclusion criteria. The results found that seventeen interventions comprising 80% of the total number of participants reported no statistically significant intervention effect on wellbeing outcomes. We argue that supporting wellbeing through robust program intervention is important as wellbeing presents both an indication of later onset of more serious mental health issues, and an opportunity for early intervention to break the trajectory leading to full disorder.
Identifying Conditioning Factors and Predictors of Conflict Likelihood for Machine Learning Models: A Literature Review
Authors: Obukhov Timur , Brovelli Maria A.
Published: August 2023

In this research, we focused on armed conflicts and related violence. The study reviewed the use of machine learning to predict the likelihood of conflict escalation and the role of conditioning factors. The results showed that machine learning and predictive models could help identify conflict-prone locations and geospatial factors contributing to conflict escalation. The study found 46 relevant papers and emphasized the importance of considering unique predictors and conditioning factors for each conflict. It was found that the conflict susceptibility of a region is influenced principally by its socioeconomic conditions and its political/governance factors. We concluded that machine learning has the potential to be a valuable tool in conflict analysis and, therefore, it can be an asset in conflict mitigation and prevention, but the accuracy of the models depends on data quality and the careful selection of conditioning factors. Future research should aim to refine the methodology for more accurate prediction of the models.
Multiple Explainable Approaches to Predict the Risk of Stroke Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: S Susmita , Chadaga Krishnaraj , Sampathila Niranjana , Prabhu Srikanth , Chadaga Rajagopala , S Swathi Katta
Published: August 2023

Stroke occurs when a brain’s blood artery ruptures or the brain’s blood supply is interrupted. Due to rupture or obstruction, the brain’s tissues cannot receive enough blood and oxygen. Stroke is a common cause of mortality among older people. Hence, loss of life and severe brain damage can be avoided if stroke is recognized and diagnosed early. Healthcare professionals can discover solutions more quickly and accurately using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). As a result, we have shown how to predict stroke in patients using heterogeneous classifiers and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI). The multistack of ML models surpassed all other classifiers, with accuracy, recall, and precision of 96%, 96%, and 96%, respectively. Explainable artificial intelligence is a collection of frameworks and tools that aid in understanding and interpreting predictions provided by machine learning algorithms. Five diverse XAI methods, such as Shapley Additive Values (SHAP), ELI5, QLattice, Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) and Anchor, have been used to decipher the model predictions. This research aims to enable healthcare professionals to provide patients with more personalized and efficient care, while also providing a screening architecture with automated tools that can be used to revolutionize stroke prevention and treatment.
The Efficacy of Daily Local Antibiotic Lavage via an Epidural Suction–Irrigation Drainage Technique in Spondylodiscitis and Isolated Spinal Epidural Empyema: A 20-Year Experience of a Single Spine Center
Authors: Hijazi Mido Max , Siepmann Timo , El-Battrawy Ibrahim , Schröttner Percy , Podlesek Dino , Engellandt Kay , Schackert Gabriele , Juratli Tareq A. , Eyüpoglu Ilker Y. , Filis Andreas
Published: August 2023

Background: Various treatment modalities are available for local antibiotic therapy in spondylodiscitis (SD) and isolated spinal epidural empyema (ISEE), but there is no evidence-based recommendation. Postoperative epidural suction–irrigation drainage (ESID) is thought to reduce bacterial load, which may prevent the development of relapse, wound healing, hematogenous spread, and systemic complications. We evaluated the efficacy of postoperative ESID over 20 years on disease progression and outcome in SD and ISEE. Methods: Detailed demographic, clinical, imaging, laboratory, and microbiological characteristics were examined in our cohorts of 208 SD and ISEE patients treated with and without ESID at a university spine center in Germany between 2002 and 2022. Between-group comparisons were performed to identify meaningful differences for the procedure. Results: We included data from 208 patients (142 SD, 68.3% vs. 66 ISEE, 31.7%) of whom 146 were ESID patients (87 SD, 59.6% vs. 59 ISEE, 40.4%) and 62 were NON-ESID patients (55 SD, 88.7% vs. 7 ISEE, 11.3%). ESID patients with SD showed more frequent SSI (ESID: 22, 25.3% vs. NON-ESID: 3, 5.5%, p = 0.003), reoperations due to empyema persistence or instability (ESID: 37, 42.5% vs. NON-ESID: 12, 21.8%, p = 0.012), and a higher relapse rate (ESID: 21, 37.5% vs. NON-ESID: 6, 16.7%, p = 0.037) than NON-ESID patients with SD. The success rate in NON-ESID patients with SD was higher than in ESID patients with SD (ESID: 26, 29.9% vs. NON-ESID: 36, 65.6%, p < 0.001). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that ESID therapy (p < 0.001; OR: 0.201; 95% CI: 0.089–0.451) was a significant independent risk factor for treatment failure in patients with SD. Conclusions: Our retrospective cohort study with more than 20 years of experience in ESID technique shows a negative effect in patients with SD in terms of surgical site infections and relapse rate.
The Role of Rehabilitation in the Treatment of Constipation in Oncological Patients
Authors: Chiaramonte Rita , Bonfiglio Marco , Caramma Salvatore , Condorelli Rosaria
Published: August 2023

Background: Chemotherapy, as well as opioid and antiemetic drugs, can contribute to constipation in oncological patients. This systematic review aims to analyse the potential of specific rehabilitation strategies and alternative strategies for improving constipation symptoms, with the goal of incorporating these strategies into a dedicated protocol for managing cancer-related constipation. This could potentially reduce the dosages of or eliminate the need for constipation medications. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The review included studies analysing constipation complaints in cancer patients treated with rehabilitation, acupuncture and osteopathy. Results: The review included 16 studies in line with PRISMA and PICOS criteria. Most studies showed that physical exercise, abdominal massage, TENS, acupuncture and education on the correct defecation position positively impacted the management of constipation and quality of life in oncological patients. A physiotherapy program involving massages as well as aerobic and resistance training improved constipation in oncological women, regardless of age, sex and frailty. A combination of abdominal massage, abdominal muscle stretching and education on proper defecation position alleviated the severity of constipation and related depression. However, the outcomes regarding TENS were yet inconsistent. Another technique, becoming increasingly common for constipation, and demonstrating positive results, involved stimulating trigger points through acupressure and acupuncture. Conversely, osteopathic and superficial manipulations more frequently required constipation medications than did the other alternative approaches. However, no existing studies have proposed a specific protocol to manage cancer-related constipation. Conclusions: The results of the studies confirm the positive influences of rehabilitation, osteopathy and acupuncture on constipation and pain in oncological patients. Nevertheless, further studies are required to establish the best type, timing and duration of treatment, as well as how the stage and location of the cancer and the cause of constipation (drug-induced or functional) impact the results.
Epistatic Relationship between MGV1 and TRI6 in the Regulation of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Shostak Kristina , González-Peña Fundora Dianevys , Blackman Christopher , Witte Tom , Sproule Amanda , Overy David , Eranthodi Anas , Thakor Nehal , Foroud Nora A. , Subramaniam Rajagopal
Published: August 2023

Genetic studies have shown that the MAP kinase MGV1 and the transcriptional regulator TRI6 regulate many of the same biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in Fusarium graminearum. This study sought to investigate the relationship between MGV1 and TRI6 in the regulatory hierarchy. Transgenic F. graminearum strains constitutively expressing MGV1 and TRI6 were generated to address both independent and epistatic regulation of BGCs by MGV1 and TRI6. We performed a comparative transcriptome analysis between axenic cultures grown in nutrient-rich and secondary metabolite-inducing conditions. The results indicated that BGCs regulated independently by Mgv1 included genes of BGC52, whereas genes uniquely regulated by TRI6 included the gene cluster (BGC49) that produces gramillin. To understand the epistatic relationship between MGV1 and TRI6, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to insert a constitutive promoter to drive TRI6 expression in the Δmgv1 strain. The results indicate that BGCs that produce deoxynivalenol and fusaoctaxin are co-regulated, with TRI6 being partially regulated by MGV1. Overall, the findings from this study indicate that MGV1 provides an articulation point to differentially regulate various BGCs. Moreover, TRI6, embedded in one of the BGCs provides specificity to regulate the expression of the genes in the BGC.
Combining the Peptide RWQWRWQWR and an Ethanolic Extract of Bidens pilosa Enhances the Activity against Sensitive and Resistant Candida albicans and C. auris Strains
Authors: Vargas-Casanova Yerly , Bravo-Chaucanés Claudia , Martínez Andrea , Costa Geison , Contreras-Herrera Jorge , Medina Ricardo , Rivera-Monroy Zuly , García-Castañeda Javier , Parra-Giraldo Claudia
Published: August 2023

The antifungal activity of palindromic peptide RWQWRWQWR and its derivatives was evaluated against clinical isolates of Candida albicans and C. auris. Also, Bidens pilosa ethanolic extracts of leaves and stem were evaluated. Furthermore, combinations of peptide, extract, and/or fluconazole (FLC) were evaluated. The cytotoxicity of peptides and extracts in erythrocytes and fibroblasts was determined. The original palindromic peptide, some derivative peptides, and the ethanolic extract of leaves of B. pilosa exhibited the highest activity in some of the strains evaluated. Synergy was obtained between the peptide and the FLC against C. auris 435. The combination of the extract and the original palindromic peptide against C. albicans SC5314, C. auris 435, and C. auris 537 decreased the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) by a factor of between 4 and 16. These mixtures induced changes in cell morphology, such as deformations on the cell surface. The results suggest that the combination of RWQWRWQWR and B. pilosa extract is an alternative for enhancing antifungal activity and decreasing cytotoxicity and costs and should be considered to be a promising strategy for treating diseases caused by Candida spp.
Transcriptomic Response of Clonostachys rosea Mycoparasitizing Rhizoctonia solani
Authors: Sun Zhan-Bin , Yu Shu-Fan , Sun Man-Hong , Li Shi-Dong , Hu Ya-Feng , Song Han-Jian
Published: August 2023

Clonostachys rosea is an important mycoparasitism biocontrol agent that exhibits excellent control efficacy against numerous fungal plant pathogens. Transcriptomic sequencing may be used to preliminarily screen mycoparasitism-related genes of C. rosea against fungal pathogens. The present study sequenced and analyzed the transcriptome of C. rosea mycoparasitizing a Basidiomycota (phylum) fungal pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani, under three touch stages: the pre-touch stage, touch stage and after-touch stage. The results showed that a number of genes were differentially expressed during C. rosea mycoparasitization of R. solani. At the pre-touch stage, 154 and 315 genes were up- and down-regulated, respectively. At the touch stage, the numbers of up- and down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were 163 and 188, respectively. The after-touch stage obtained the highest number of DEGs, with 412 and 326 DEGs being up- and down-regulated, respectively. Among these DEGs, ABC transporter-, glucanase- and chitinase-encoding genes were selected as potential mycoparasitic genes according to a phylogenetic analysis. A comparative transcriptomic analysis between C. rosea mycoparasitizing R. solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum showed that several DEGs, including the tartrate transporter, SDR family oxidoreductase, metallophosphoesterase, gluconate 5-dehydrogenase and pyruvate carboxylase, were uniquely expressed in C. rosea mycoparasitizing R. solani. These results significantly expand our knowledge of mycoparasitism-related genes in C. rosea and elucidate the mycoparasitism mechanism of C. rosea.
Framing Patellar Instability: From Diagnosis to the Treatment of the First Episode
Authors: Maggioni Davide Maria , Giorgino Riccardo , Messina Carmelo , Albano Domenico , Peretti Giuseppe Michele , Mangiavini Laura
Published: August 2023

The patellofemoral joint (PFJ) is a complex articulation between the patella and the femur which is involved in the extensor mechanism of the knee. Patellofemoral disorders can be classified into objective patellar instability, potential patellar instability, and patellofemoral pain syndrome. Anatomical factors such as trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, and the tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance contribute to instability. Patellofemoral instability can result in various types of dislocations, and the frequency of dislocation can be categorized as recurrent, habitual, or permanent. Primary patellar dislocation requires diagnostic framing, including physical examination and imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for assessing the extent of damage, such as bone bruises, osteochondral fractures, and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) rupture. Treatment options for primary dislocation include urgent surgery for osteochondral fragments or conservative treatment for cases without lesions. Follow-up after treatment involves imaging screening and assessing principal and secondary factors of instability. Detecting and addressing these factors is crucial for preventing recurrent dislocations and optimizing patient outcomes.
Impact of Land Use Change on Carbon Storage Based on FLUS-InVEST Model: A Case Study of Chengdu–Chongqing Urban Agglomeration, China
Authors: Shao Zhouling , Chen Chunyan , Liu Yuanli , Cao Jie , Liao Guitang , Lin Zhengyu
Published: August 2023

Land use change is one of the main factors driving changes in terrestrial carbon storage, which comprises the storage of vegetation carbon and soil carbon. Selecting the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration (CCUA) as the study area, land use and carbon storage from 2010 to 2030 were analyzed by combining the Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) model and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model. The main types of land use in CCUA are farmland and forest. The conversion of farmland to built-up land was the most important form of land use transfer between 2010 and 2020. Each type of land use shows the smallest change under the ecological protection scenario, and the degree of the comprehensive land use dynamic is only 0.19%. Under the natural development scenario, the areas of built-up land, wetland, and forest land will increase in 2030. Under the urban development scenario, the built-up land area will increase by 751.24 km2, an increase in more than 10.08%, but farmland, forest, and grassland will decrease. The spatial pattern of carbon storage is “high in the east and west, low in the middle”; farmland accounts for the largest proportion of carbon storage at over 60% of the total. Carbon storage decreased by 29.45 × 106 Mg from 2010 to 2020. Grassland showed the most significant decrease in carbon storage, with the proportion decreasing from 7.49% in 2010 to 6.09% in 2020. In 2030, the total carbon storage will reach 1844.68 × 106 Mg under the ecological protection scenario, slightly higher than that in 2020, while it will show a downward trend under the natural development and urban development scenarios.
Use of Genus Cistus in Phytotechnologies: Application in a Closed Mercury Mine
Authors: Pérez-Sanz Araceli , Millán Rocío , Sierra María José , Schmid Thomas , García Gregorio
Published: August 2023

The Almadén mining district is known to be one of the richest mercury areas in the world. Despite the high concentrations of this metal, this territory has well-established vegetation that provides a wide range of mercury-tolerant plants that can be used as ecosystem services. This is the case of some species of Cistus that grow wild and spontaneously as part of the natural flora of Almadén. The objective of this study was to evaluate if there were differences between the absorption and distribution of Hg of five species of the genus Cistus in spontaneous growth and to evaluate their potential application in phytotechnologies. The work has been carried out with plant samples collected under field conditions in the “Fuente del Jardinillo” located in the old mining area of Almadén (Ciudad Real). The experimental plot was divided into three previously characterised subplots to ensure that all the sampled plants had grown in similar soil conditions (pH, organic matter content, EC, CEC, total Hg and available Hg). Additionally, the experiment was carried out in triplicate. The results showed that despite the homogeneity of the soil, the absorption of Hg in the aerial part of the plants showed significant differences related to Cistus species. The values in the bioaccumulation of mercury in the aerial part were also different. Based on the uptake of mercury by the plants sampled in this study, its potential use in phytotechnologies was established, classifying them as phytoextractors (Cistus albidus, C. ladanifer and C. monspeliensis) and phytostabilisers (C. crispus and C. salviifolius).