bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5‐(3′,4′‐Dihydroxyphenyl)‐γ‐Valerolactone Is a Substrate for Human Paraoxonase: A Novel Pathway in Flavan‐3‐ol Metabolism
Authors: Momma Tony Y. , Kuhnle Gunter G. C. , Fong Reedmond Y. , Ensunsa Jodi L. , Crozier Alan , Schroeter Hagen , Ottaviani Javier I.
Published: July 2023

Scope

Dietary flavan‐3‐ols are known to mediate cardiovascular benefits. Currently, it is assumed that the levels of flavan‐3‐ol catabolites detected in humans, 5‐(3ʹ,4ʹ‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐γ‐valerolactone (γVL) and 5‐(3ʹ,4ʹ‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐γ‐valeric acid (γVA), and their corresponding phase II metabolites, are determined exclusively by the action of the gut microbiome. However, a family of human proteins, paraoxonase (PON), can theoretically hydrolyze γVL metabolites into the corresponding γVAs. This study aims to determine if PON is involved in γVL and γVA metabolism in humans.

Methods and results

A rapid conversion of γVL into γVA is detected in serum ex vivo (half‐life = 9.8 ± 0.3 min) that is catalyzed by PON1 and PON3 isoforms. Phase II metabolites of γVL are also reacted with PON in serum. Following an intake of flavan‐3‐ol in healthy males (n = 13), the profile of γVA metabolites detected is consistent with that predicted from the reactivity of γVL metabolites with PON in serum. Furthermore, common PON polymorphisms are evaluated to assess the use of γVL metabolites as biomarkers of flavan‐3‐ol intake.

Conclusion

PONs are involved in flavan‐3‐ol metabolic pathway in humans. PON polymorphisms have a minor contribution to inter‐individual differences in the levels of γVL metabolites, without affecting their use as a nutritional biomarker.
Put it in the bag: Order fulfillment with a pocket sorter system
Authors: Boysen Nils , Briskorn Dirk , Füßler David , Stephan Konrad
Published: July 2023

Due to high real estate costs in urban areas, shop floor space is scarce in most brick‐and‐mortar stores. Maneuvering newly arrived merchandise through narrow aisles during shelf replenishment is time‐consuming for the sales staff and impedes customers. Therefore, many retail chains nowadays aim for store‐friendly shipments (SFS). By mirroring the layout of a store in the buildup of its dedicated shipments, the need for a zigzag movement through the store when replenishing shelves can be avoided. On the negative side, however, additional effort arises in the distribution centers. A suitable warehousing system to assemble SFS without excessive effort is a pocket (or pouch or bag) sorter, where each item is put into its separate bag. These bags, filled with items, are automatically transported while hanging from an overhead conveyor and can be sorted into any sequence before being delivered to the workstations that build SFS. This article investigates the assembly of SFS with a pocket sorter and presents scheduling procedures to enhance the efficiency of this process for a given set of store orders. We demonstrate that, despite its notorious complexity, the problem can be solved by simple decision rules with good performance. In a case study, we show that this approach can dramatically reduce the completion times of store orders, resulting in savings of more than 60% of the total working hours compared to a simple real‐world policy. Another 30% of reduction can be obtained by standardized store layouts.
Effect of synbiotics on weight loss and metabolic health in adults with overweight and obesity: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lyon John , Connell Mary , Chandrasekaran Kartik , Srivastava Shalini
Published: July 2023

Objective

The study aimed to investigate the effect of synbiotics on body composition and metabolic health in individuals with excessive body weight.

Methods

The 12‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial had individuals aged 30 to 60 years with BMI of 25 to 34.9 kg/m2. In total, 172 participants were randomly allocated to either synbiotic V5 or V7 groups or the placebo group. The primary outcome was change in BMI and body fat percentage. Secondary outcomes were changes in weight, other metabolic health and inflammatory markers, gastrointestinal quality of life, and eating behaviors.

Results

The V5 and V7 groups had a significant reduction in BMI (p < 0.0001) from baseline to the end of the study, as opposed to the nonsignificant change in the placebo group (p = 0.0711). This reduction in the V5 and V7 groups was statistically significant when compared individually with the change in the placebo group (p < 0.0001). This corresponded well with the decrease in body weight with V5 and V7 (p < 0.0001). In addition, compared with placebo, the increase in high‐density lipoprotein was statistically significant in the V5 (p < 0.0001) and V7 groups (p = 0.0205). A similar trend was observed in the high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels, with a statistically significant decrease in the V5 (p < 0.0001) and V7 (0.0005) groups.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates that synbiotic V5 and V7 were effective in reducing body weight in individuals with lifestyle modification.
Registration of ‘TifNV‐HG’ peanut
Authors: Holbrook C. Corley , Ozias‐Akins Peggy , Chu Ye , Brenneman Tim B. , Culbreath Albert K.
Published: July 2023

‘TifNV‐HG’ (Reg. no. CV‐153, PI 702637) is a runner‐type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar released by the USDA‐ARS and the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in 2021. TifNV‐HG was developed at the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, GA. TifNV‐HG is a high oleic acid, runner market‐type cultivar that also has resistance to the peanut root‐knot nematode [Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood race 1] and resistance to spotted wilt caused by Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV). Breeding populations were developed by hybridizing C1805‐617‐2 × ‘Georgia‐06G’. C1805‐617‐2 is a breeding line selected from the cross of ‘Tifguard’ × ‘Florida‐07’. Marker‐assisted selection was used in the development of TifNV‐HG to select for nematode resistance and the high oleic to linoleic (O/L) characteristic. TifNV‐HG has a high level of resistance to both the peanut root‐knot nematode and TSWV and has a high ratio of oleic acid to linoleic acid. When tested in fields without nematode pressure, TifNV‐HG exhibited yields that were at least similar to other currently grown peanut cultivars. When tested in fields with nematode pressure, TifNV‐HG exhibited yield that was at least equivalent to the nematode‐resistant cultivars TifNV‐High O/L and Georgia‐14N and significantly higher than the susceptible check cultivar Georgia‐06G. TifNV‐HG exhibited higher grade in comparison to TifNV‐High O/L.
Parasitoids as taxonomists: how does the parasitoid Chouioia cunea distinguish between a host and a non‐host?
Authors: Pan Lina , Gao Wenfang , Liu Xinyu , Qin Dongyu , Zhang Tiantian , Ren Rui , Zhang Weiyi , Sun Meidi , Gao Cuiqing , Bai Penghua , You Wei , Zhu Gengping , Li Min
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

How parasitoids distinguish hosts from non‐hosts remains an unknown question. Chouioia cunea Yang (Eulophidae) is an important fall webworm parasitoid that attacks many forest and agricultural pests. To study the differences in the chemical clues used by C. cunea to distinguish host and non‐host plants, we used gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to identify volatile compounds of two C. cunea hosts (Hyphantria cunea and Helicoverpa armigera) and two non‐hosts (Spodoptera exigua and Spodoptera frugiperda). Additionally, we used behavioral assays to compare the attraction of C. cunea to various compounds.

RESULTS

The two natural host species were more attractive than the two non‐host species, in the following order: Hyphantria cunea > Helicoverpa armigera > S. exigua = S. frugiperda. The pupae of the natural hosts contained 1‐dodecene, which was not produced by the two natural non‐hosts. When the ‘attractants’ based on the difference between the species‐specific blend emitted by pupae and the optimal blend were sprayed onto the natural non‐host pupae, they significantly improved the attraction of C. cunea to the non‐host pupae.

CONCLUSION

These results revealed that specific host‐produced volatile compounds guide C. cunea to distinguish between natural hosts and non‐hosts. Overall, this study provides a foundation for developing a behavior‐modifying strategy to re‐direct C. cunea attacks to control important non‐host pests. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Recurring bleaching events disrupt the spatial properties of coral reef benthic communities across scales
Authors: Ford Helen V. , Gove Jamison M. , Healey John R. , Davies Andrew J. , Graham Nicholas A. J. , Williams Gareth J.
Published: July 2023

Marine heatwaves are causing recurring coral bleaching events on tropical reefs that are driving ecosystem change. Yet, little is known about how bleaching and subsequent coral mortality impacts the spatial properties of tropical seascapes, such as patterns of organism spatial clustering and heterogeneity across scales. Changes in these spatial properties can offer insight into ecosystem recovery potential following disturbance. Here we repeatedly quantified coral reef benthic spatial properties around the circumference of an uninhabited tropical island in the central Pacific over a 9‐year period that included a minor and subsequent severe marine heatwave. Benthic communities showed increased biotic homogenisation following both minor and mass bleaching, becoming more taxonomically similar with less diverse intra‐island community composition. Hard coral cover, which was highly spatially clustered around the island prior to bleaching, became less spatially clustered following minor bleaching and was indiscernible from a random distribution across all scales (100–2000 m) following mass bleaching. Interestingly, the reduced degree of hard coral cover spatial clustering was already evident by the onset of mass bleaching and before any dramatic wholesale loss in island‐mean coral cover occurred. Reductions in hard coral spatial clustering may therefore offer an early indication of the ecosystem becoming degraded prior to mass coral mortality. In contrast, the spatial clustering of competitive fleshy macroalgae remained unchanged through both bleaching events, while crustose coralline algae and fleshy turf algae became more spatially clustered at larger scales (200–700 m) following mass bleaching. Overall, benthic community spatial patterning became less predictable following bleaching and was no longer reflective of gradients in long‐term environmental drivers that typically structure these remote reefs. Our findings provide novel insights into how climate‐driven marine heatwaves can impact the spatial properties of coral reef communities over multiple scales.
Phase Field Simulations for Fatigue Failure Prediction in Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Yan S. , Müller R. , Ravani B.
Published: July 2023

Fatigue failure is one of the most crucial issues in manufacturing and engineering processes. Stress cycles can cause cracks to form and grow over time, eventually leading to structural failure. To avoid these failures, it is important to predict fatigue crack evolution behavior in advance. In the past decade, the phase field method for crack evoluation analysis has drawn a lot of attention for its application in fracture mechanics. The biggest advantage of the phase field model is its uniform description of all crack evolution behaviors by one evolution equation. The phase field method simultaneously models crack nucleation and crack propagation which will be particularly useful manufacturing problems. In this work, we show that the phase field method is capable to reproduce the most important fatigue features, e.g., Paris’ law, mean stress effect, and load sequence effects. For efficient computing, a “cycle”- “time” transformation is introduced to convert individual cycle numbers into a continuous time domain. In order to exploit the symmetry property of the demonstrated examples, a phase field model in cylindrical coordinates is presented. Finally, the fatigue modeling approach presented is applied to study a cold forging process in manufacturing.
Cardiac arrest in the perioperative period: a consensus guideline for identification, treatment, and prevention from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery
Authors: Hinkelbein Jochen , Andres Janusz , Böttiger Bernd W. , Brazzi Luca , De Robertis Edoardo , Einav Sharon , Gwinnutt Carl , Kuvaki Bahar , Krawczyk Pawel , McEvoy Matthew D. , Mertens Pieter , Moitra Vivek K. , Navarro-Martinez Jose , Nunnally Mark E. , O´Connor Michael , Rall Marcus , Ruetzler Kurt , Schmitz Jan , Thies Karl , Tilsed Jonathan , Zago Mauro , Afshari Arash
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Cardiac arrest in the operating room is a rare but potentially life-threatening event with mortality rates of more than 50%. Contributing factors are often known, and the event is recognised rapidly as patients are usually under full monitoring. This guideline covers the perioperative period and is complementary to the European Resuscitation Council guidelines.

Material And Methods

The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery jointly nominated a panel of experts to develop guidelines for the recognition, treatment, and prevention of cardiac arrest in the perioperative period. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. All searches were restricted to publications from 1980 to 2019 inclusive and to the English, French, Italian and Spanish languages. The authors also contributed individual, independent literature searches.

Results

This guideline contains background information and recommendation for the treatment of cardiac arrest in the operating room environment, and addresses controversial topics such as open chest cardiac massage, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion and resuscitative thoracotomy, pericardiocentesis, needle decompression, and thoracostomy.

Conclusions

Successful prevention and management of cardiac arrest during anaesthesia and surgery requires anticipation, early recognition, and a clear treatment plan. The ready availability of expert staff and equipment must also be taken into consideration. Success not only depends on medical knowledge, technical skills and a well-organised team using crew resource management, but also on an institutional safety culture embedded in everyday practice through continuous education, training, and multidisciplinary co-operation.
Theory languages in designing artificial intelligence
Authors: Saariluoma Pertti , Karvonen Antero
Published: July 2023

The foundations of AI design discourse are worth analyzing. Here, attention is paid to the nature of theory languages used in designing new AI technologies because the limits of these languages can clarify some fundamental questions in the development of AI. We discuss three types of theory language used in designing AI products: formal, computational, and natural. Formal languages, such as mathematics, logic, and programming languages, have fixed meanings and no actual-world semantics. They are context- and practically content-free. Computational languages use terms referring to the actual world, i.e., to entities, events, and thoughts. Thus, computational languages have actual-world references and semantics. They are thus no longer context- or content-free. However, computational languages always have fixed meanings and, for this reason, limited domains of reference. Finally, unlike formal and computational languages, natural languages are creative, dynamic, and productive. Consequently, they can refer to an unlimited number of objects and their attributes in an unlimited number of domains. The differences between the three theory languages enable us to reflect on the traditional problems of strong and weak AI.
The increased anterior talofibular ligament–posterior talofibular ligament angle on MRI may help evaluate chronic ankle instability
Authors: Zhang Lei , Lan Ting , Chen Junyao , Wei Zidong , Shi Houyin , Wang Guoyou
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study intended to compare the difference between the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) angle with chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients and healthy volunteers, and to confirm whether using the ATFL–PTFL angle could be a reliable assessment method for CAI, so as to improve the accuracy and specificity of clinical diagnosis.

Methods

This retrospective study included 240 participants: 120 CAI patients and 120 healthy volunteers between 2015 and 2021. The ATFL–PTFL angle of the ankle region was gaged in the cross-sectional supine position on MRI between two groups. After participants undergoing a comprehensive MRI scanning, ATFL–PTFL angles were regarded as the main indicator of patients with the injured ATFLs and healthy volunteers to compare, and were measured by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. Moreover, other qualitative and quantitative indicators referring to anatomical and morphological characteristics of the AFTL were included in this study with MRI, such as the length, width, thickness, shape, continuity, and signal intensity of the ATFL, which can be used as secondary indicators.

Results

In the CAI group, the ATFL–PTFL angle was 90.8° ± 5.7°, which was significantly different from the non-CAI group where the ATFL–PTFL angle for 80.0° ± 3.7° (p < 0.001). As for the ATFL-MRI characteristics, the length (p = 0.003), width (p < 0.001), and thickness (p < 0.001) in the CAI group were also significantly different from the non-CAI group. Over 90% of the cases, patients of the CAI group had injured ATFL with an irregular shape, non-continuous, and high or mixed signal intensity.

Conclusion

Compared with healthy people, the ATFL–PTFL angle of most CAI patients is larger, which can be used as a secondary index to diagnose CAI. However, the MRI characteristic changes of ATFL may not relate to the increased ATFL–PTFL angle.
The effect of telephone health coaching and remote exercise monitoring for peripheral artery disease (TeGeCoach) on health care cost and utilization: results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Heider Dirk , Rezvani Farhad , Matschinger Herbert , Dirmaier Jörg , Härter Martin , Herbarth Lutz , Steinisch Patrick , Böbinger Hannes , Schuhmann Franziska , Krack Gundula , Korth Thomas , Thomsen Lara , Chase Daniela Patricia , Schreiber Robert , Alscher Mark-Dominik , Finger Benjamin , König Hans-Helmut
Published: July 2023

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the third most prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In 2016, costs per patient associated with PAD exceeded even the health-economic burden of coronary heart disease. Although affecting over 200 million people worldwide, a clear consensus on the most beneficial components to be included in home-based exercise programs for patients with peripheral artery disease is lacking. The aim of the study was to examine the health care use and costs caused by the 12-month patient-centered ‘Telephone Health Coaching and Remote Exercise Monitoring for Peripheral Artery Disease’ (TeGeCoach) program in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

This is a two-arm, parallel-group, open-label, pragmatic, randomized, controlled clinical trial (TeGeCoach) at three German statutory health insurance funds with follow-up assessments after 12 and 24-months. Study outcomes were medication use (daily defined doses), days in hospital, sick pay days and health care costs, from the health insurers’ perspective. Claims data from the participating health insurers were used for analyses. The main analytic approach was an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Other approaches (modified ITT, per protocol, and as treated) were executed additionally as sensitivity analysis. Random-effects regression models were calculated to determine difference-in-difference (DD) estimators for the first- and the second year of follow-up. Additionally, existing differences at baseline between both groups were treated with entropy balancing to check for the stability of the calculated estimators.

Results

One thousand six hundred eighty-five patients (Intervention group (IG) = 806; Control group (CG) = 879) were finally included in ITT analyses. The analyses showed non-significant effects of the intervention on savings (first year: − 352€; second year: − 215€). Sensitivity analyses confirmed primary results and showed even larger savings.

Conclusion

Based on health insurance claims data, a significant reduction due to the home-based TeGeCoach program could not be found for health care use and costs in patients with PAD. Nevertheless, in all sensitivity analysis a tendency became apparent for a non-significant cost reducing effect.

Trial registration

NCT03496948 (www.clinicaltrials.gov), initial release on 23 March 2018
The Responsiveness of Mental Health Service Professionals to Two Years of Pandemic Emergency in Italy
Authors: Magliano Lorenza , Di Maio Ginevra , Papa Chiara , Bonavigo Tommaso , Starace Fabrizio , Affuso Gaetana
Published: July 2023

This multicenter cross-sectional study explored the responsiveness of Mental Health Services (MHS) to two years of COVID-19 emergency in Italy. Specifically, the study explored the ability of staff to: acknowledge users’ capabilities and value teamwork; reinvent the service and maintain/introduce good practices; and, acknowledge the positive aspects of the pandemic experience. These aspects were investigated in relation to socio-demographic and professional variables. Professionals from 17 MHS of 15 Italian Regions completed an online questionnaire on the MHS transformation during COVID-19. Data were collected at the end of the national health emergency (March 1-April 30, 2022). Most of the 1077 participants said they: paid more attention to users’ physical health; revised treatment plans; mediated between user needs and safe work procedures; revalued the importance of gestures and habits; discovered unexpected personal resources in users; and, found positive aspects in the COVID-19 experience. The multivariate analyses showed significant differences in staff opinions related to gender, workplace, professional role, and geographic area of the MHS, covarying with staff work experience. Compared to male staff, female staff perceived MHS as more flexible and capable to maintain best practices, and female staff acknowledged more capabilities to the users. Compared to central and northern Italy staff, southern Italy staff gave more values to teamwork, perceived MHS as more capable to maintain best practices and acknowledged higher positive transformations. These findings may be useful for planning community-oriented MHS in the post-pandemic period, taking into account both the experience gained by staff and the MHS process of adaptation.
Statistical Behaviour and Modelling of Variances of Reaction Progress Variable and Temperature During Flame-Wall Interaction of Premixed Flames Within Turbulent Boundary Layers
Authors: Ghai Sanjeev Kr. , Ahmed Umair , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: July 2023

The statistical behaviour of the transport of reaction progress variable variance, $$\widetilde{{c^{^{\prime\prime}2} }},$$

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and non-dimensional temperature variance, $$\widetilde{{T^{^{\prime\prime}2} }},$$

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have been analysed using three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) data of turbulent premixed flame-wall interaction with isothermal inert walls within turbulent boundary layers for (i) an unsteady head-on quenching of a statistically planar flame propagating across the boundary layer, and (ii) a statistically stationary oblique wall quenching of a V-flame. It has been found that the reaction rate contribution acts as a leading order source term to the transport of both reaction progress variable variance, $$\widetilde{{c^{^{\prime\prime}2} }},$$

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2

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and non-dimensional temperature variance, $$\widetilde{{T^{^{\prime\prime}2} }},$$

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whereas the molecular dissipation term remains the leading order sink term for both configurations analysed here. With the progress of flame wall interaction, the magnitude of all the source terms for the transport equations of both reaction progress variable and non-dimensional temperature variances vanish in the near-wall region with the onset of flame quenching. However, the molecular dissipation term continues to act as a sink term. The performances of the existing models for turbulent scalar flux, reaction rate and scalar dissipation rate contributions have been assessed for both flame-wall interaction configurations based on a priori DNS analysis. The existing available models for scalar dissipation rate for temperature and the reaction rate contribution in the variance transport equations even with the previously proposed wall corrections do not adequately predict the behaviour in the near-wall region. Modifications have been suggested to the existing closure models for the scalar dissipation rate and the reaction rate contribution to the scalar variance transport equations to improve the predictions in the near-wall region. Furthermore, the recommended closures for the unclosed terms of both reaction progress variable variance, $$\widetilde{{c^{^{\prime\prime}2} }},$$

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2

~

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and non-dimensional temperature variance, $$\widetilde{{T^{^{\prime\prime}2} }},$$

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are shown to accurately capture the corresponding variations obtained from DNS data for both near to and away from the wall.
Exact methods for the Oven Scheduling Problem
Authors: Lackner Marie-Louise , Mrkvicka Christoph , Musliu Nysret , Walkiewicz Daniel , Winter Felix
Published: July 2023

The Oven Scheduling Problem (OSP) is a new parallel batch scheduling problem that arises in the area of electronic component manufacturing. Jobs need to be scheduled to one of several ovens and may be processed simultaneously in one batch if they have compatible requirements. The scheduling of jobs must respect several constraints concerning eligibility and availability of ovens, release dates of jobs, setup times between batches as well as oven capacities. Running the ovens is highly energy-intensive and thus the main objective, besides finishing jobs on time, is to minimize the cumulative batch processing time across all ovens. This objective distinguishes the OSP from other batch processing problems which typically minimize objectives related to makespan, tardiness or lateness. We propose to solve this NP-hard scheduling problem using exact techniques and present two different modelling approaches, one based on batch positions and another on representative jobs for batches. These models are formulated as constraint programming (CP) and integer linear programming (ILP) models and implemented both in the solver-independent modeling language MiniZinc and using interval variables in CP Optimizer. An extensive experimental evaluation of our solution methods is performed on a diverse set of problem instances. We evaluate the performance of several state-of-the-art solvers on the different models and on three variants of the objective function that reflect different real-life scenarios. We show that our models can find feasible solutions for instances of realistic size, many of those being provably optimal or nearly optimal solutions.
Sustainability assessment of a conceptual multipurpose offshore platform in the South China Sea
Authors: Chen Shanyu , Duan Fengjun , Tabeta Shigeru
Published: July 2023

An offshore multipurpose floating platform (MPFP) combines different marine technologies to serve industry needs using one infrastructure; the aim of an MPFP is enlarging the synthesis benefits and reducing the negative impacts. Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) in particular has attracted significant attention for its great potential and low environmental risk. This research demonstrates the system design of a conceptual MPFP in the South China Sea, evaluating its economic and environmental sustainability using an inclusive index. The system is based on a modular floating structure with a designed lifetime of 50 years. Tuna aquaculture, microalgae cultivation and processing, and the OTEC energy infrastructure are integrated to increase the profitability of the applications. We adopted a high-yield photobioreactor microalgae cultivation system and a low-cost barge-type floating structure combined with a semisubmergible to reduce the required area and cost of the floating structure and improve the sustainability of the system. The inclusive impact index “Triple-I-light (IIIlight)” was calculated to evaluate the environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of the floating system. The result shows that the new system becomes environmentally neutral (EF = BC) at a lifetime of 11.5 years, showing sustainability (IIIlight ≤ 0) at a lifetime of 20 years. The proposed system can produce fish with no external energy or feed supply. An autonomous system, such as the one proposed here, is considered very effective when it comes to utilizing the ocean and contributing to a sustainable society.
Challenges and developments in university research in Cambodia: a case study of two universities
Authors: Heng Kimkong
Published: July 2023

In recent years, university research in Cambodia has seen new developments and potential transformations although many challenges remain. Drawing on data from in-depth interviews with 22 Cambodian academics, this study shows that the development of university research in Cambodia is constrained by various challenges and barriers to research, preventing Cambodia from promoting higher education internationalization and transforming itself into a knowledge-based society. The study highlights key challenges that limit possibilities for further positive developments of higher education research and suggests the need for policy reforms to make a difference to the university research landscape in Cambodia. The study also points to the broader issues of North-South knowledge divide and calls for national and institutional initiatives to support Cambodian academics and empower them to enhance their research engagement. Finally, the study discusses implications for future research.
Galantamine mitigates testicular injury and disturbed spermatogenesis in adjuvant arthritic rats via modulating apoptosis, inflammatory signals, and IL-6/JAK/STAT3/SOCS3 signaling
Authors: Shafiey Sara I. , Ahmed Kawkab A. , Abo-Saif Ali A. , Abo-Youssef Amira M. , Mohamed Wafaa R.
Published: July 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the joints and the endocrine system via persistent immune system activation. RA patients have a higher frequency of testicular dysfunction, impotence, and decreased libido. This investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of galantamine (GAL) on testicular injury secondary to RA. Rats were allocated into four groups: control, GAL (2 mg/kg/day, p.o), CFA (0.3 mg/kg, s.c), and CFA + GAL. Testicular injury indicators, such as testosterone level, sperm count, and gonadosomatic index, were evaluated. Inflammatory indicators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), p-Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB p65), and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), were assessed. Cleaved caspase-3 expression was immunohistochemically investigated. Protein expressions of Janus kinase (JAK), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3), and Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) were examined by Western blot analysis. Results show that serum testosterone, sperm count, and gonadosomatic index were increased significantly by GAL. Additionally, GAL significantly diminished testicular IL-6 while improved IL-10 expression relative to CFA group. Furthermore, GAL attenuated testicular histopathological abnormalities by CFA and downregulated cleaved caspase-3 and NF-κB p65 expressions. It also downregulated JAK/STAT3 cascade with SOCS3 upregulation. In conclusion, GAL has potential protective effects on testicular damage secondary to RA via counteracting testicular inflammation, apoptosis, and inhibiting IL-6/JAK/STAT3/SOCS3 signaling.

Graphical abstract
Simulation and dynamical analysis of a chaotic chameleon system designed for an electronic circuit
Authors: Abro Kashif Ali , Atangana Abdon
Published: July 2023

The moment when stability moves to instability and order moves to disorder constitutes a chaotic systems; such phenomena are characterized sensitively on the basis of initial conditions. In this manuscript, a fractal–fractionalized chaotic chameleon system is developed to portray random chaos and strange attractors. The mathematical modeling of the chaotic chameleon system is established through the Caputo–Fabrizio fractal–fractional differential operator versus the Atangana–Baleanu fractal–fractional differential operator. The fractal–fractional differential operators suggest random chaos and strange attractors with hidden oscillations and self-excitation. The limiting cases of fractal–fractional differential operators are invoked on the chaotic chameleon system, including variation of the fractal domain by fixing the fractional domain, variation of the fractional domain by fixing the fractal domain, and variation of the fractal domain as well as the fractional domain. Finally, a comparative analysis of chaotic chameleon systems based on singularity versus non-singularity and locality versus non-locality is depicted in terms of chaotic illustrations.
Coordination-free Multi-robot Path Planning for Congestion Reduction Using Topological Reasoning
Authors: Wang Xiaolong , Sahin Alp , Bhattacharya Subhrajit
Published: July 2023

We consider the problem of multi-robot path planning in a complex, cluttered environment with the aim of reducing overall congestion in the environment, while avoiding any inter-robot communication or coordination. Such limitations may exist due to lack of communication or due to privacy restrictions (for example, autonomous vehicles may not want to share their locations or intents with other vehicles or even to a central server). The key insight that allows us to solve this problem is to stochastically distribute the robots across different routes in the environment by assigning them paths in different topologically distinct classes, so as to lower congestion and the overall travel time for all robots in the environment. We outline the computation of topologically distinct paths in a spatio-temporal configuration space and propose methods for the stochastic assignment of paths to the robots. A fast replanning algorithm and a potential field based controller allow robots to avoid collision with nearby agents while following the assigned path. Our simulation and experiment results show a significant advantage over shortest path following under such a coordination-free setup.
Modeling and Trajectory Tracking Control for a Multi-Section Continuum Manipulator
Authors: Aner Elsayed Atif , Awad Mohammed Ibrahim , Shehata Omar M.
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a dynamic modeling and trajectory tracking control design for a hyper-redundant continuum manipulator (HRM), which is able to continuously bend along its length. The HRM has the advantages of high flexibility, large workspace, and low inertia, but also poses challenges of complex kinematics, and dynamic coupling. To address these challenges, the kinematics model was developed based on the piecewise constant curvature (PCC) assumption that captures the relationship between the cable lengths, joint angles, and end-effector pose. Inverse kinematics is presented geometrically by solving trigonometric equations. The dynamic model for the continuum robot (CR) is derived using the Euler–Lagrange representation, which incorporates the effects of gravity and elasticity. Accordingly, three control strategies are developed and applied to a two-section continuum robot, which are the inverse dynamic proportional integral derivative controller (PID), fuzzy logic controller (FLC), and sliding mode controller (SMC). We validate our proposed methods through simulations on various 3D trajectories, utilized MATLAB symbolic math toolbox in conjunction with Simulink simulation; demonstrate and evaluate different close-loop dynamic control responses for different scenarios. This simulation used in the creation of a unique animated simulation for a whole 3D continuum robot while tracking its desired trajectories. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate that our proposed methods can effectively control the HRM with high tracking performance, exhibiting enhanced responses in terms of settling time, rising time, and steady-state error. While the developed SMC outperforms Poth's PID and FLC in terms of robustness and settling time (51% and 10.3%), respectively.
Self-reported Deposits Versus Actual Deposits in Online Gambling: An Empirical Study
Authors: Auer Michael , Hopfgartner Niklas , Helic Denis , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: July 2023

In recent years a number of studies have used objective gambling data from online gambling operators to study gambling behavior. A few of these studies have compared gamblers’ actual gambling behavior (using account-based tracking data) with their subjective gambling behavior (using responses from survey data). The present study extended previous studies by comparing self-reported money deposited with the actual amount of money deposited. The authors were given access to an anonymized secondary dataset of 1,516 online gamblers from a European online gambling operator. After removing those who had not deposited any money in the previous 30 days, the final sample size for analysis was 639 online gamblers. The results indicated that gamblers were able to estimate fairly accurately how much money they had deposited in the past 30 days. However, the higher the amount of money deposited, the more likely gamblers underestimated the actual amount of money deposited. With respect to age and gender, there were no significant differences between male and female gamblers in their estimation biases. However, a significant age difference was found between those who overestimated and underestimated their deposits, with younger gamblers tending to overestimate their deposits. Providing feedback as to whether the gamblers overestimated or underestimated their deposits did not lead to any additional significant changes in the amount of money deposited when considering the overall reduction in deposits after self-assessment. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Scaling Up Latent Tuberculosis Infection Testing and Treatment for Non-US Born Patients in a Federally Qualified Community Health Center
Authors: Cochran J. , Tibbs A. , Haptu H. H. , Paradise R. K. , Bernardo J. , Tierney D. B.
Published: July 2023

In the United States (US), tuberculosis elimination strategies include scaling up latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) diagnosis and treatment for persons at risk of progression to tuberculosis disease. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health partnered with Lynn Community Health Center to provide care to patients with LTBI who were born outside the US. The electronic health record was modified to facilitate collection of data elements for public health assessment of the LTBI care cascade. Among health center patients born outside the US, testing for tuberculosis infection increased by over 190%. From October 1, 2016 to March 21, 2019, 8827 patients were screened and 1368 (15.5%) were diagnosed with LTBI. Using the electronic health record, we documented treatment completion for 645/1368 (47.1%) patients. The greatest drop-offs occurred between testing for TB infection and clinical evaluation after a positive test (24.3%) and between the recommendation for LTBI treatment and completion of a treatment course (22.8%). Tuberculosis care delivery was embedded in the primary care medical home, bringing patient-centered care to those at high risk for loss to follow up. The partnership between public health and the community health center promoted quality improvement.
Biomedical and Nutritional Applications of Lactoferrin
Authors: Coccolini Carlotta , Berselli Elisa , Blanco-Llamero Cristina , Fathi Faezeh , Oliveira M. Beatriz P. P. , Krambeck Karolline , Souto Eliana B.
Published: July 2023

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family, which can be found in mammalian milk. It was first isolated from bovine milk in the 1930s, and later in the 1960s, it was determined from human milk. This multifunctional protein has the specific ability to bind iron. It plays various biological roles, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-tumour, anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. There are several studies describing its use against in various cancer cell lines (e.g., liver, lung and breast) and the glycoprotein has even been reported to inhibit the development of experimental metastases in mice. Previous studies also suggest Lf-mediated neuroprotection against age-related neurodegenerative diseases and it is also expected to attenuate aging. More recently, Lf has been proposed as a potential approach in COVID-19 prophylaxis. In this review, we discuss the recent developments about the biological activities of this pleiotropic glycoprotein that will reason the exploitation of its biomedical and supplementary nutritional value.
Why the debunking threat won’t go away
Authors: Kvandal Halvor
Published: July 2023

A central claim often made to debunk religious beliefs is that they would be formed regardless of whether they are true or false. One way to support this claim is to apply findings from the cognitive science of religion. However, this use of science in an argument against religious beliefs has been strongly criticized. This article is about weaknesses in that criticism. I consider two arguments. Firstly, the critic of debunking can argue that the debunker makes empirically dubious claims about the origin of religious beliefs. I argue that the debunker can avoid this problem because the controversial empirical claims are not necessary. General naturalistic assumptions about the origin of religion also create worries that support the central debunking claim. The second criticism focuses on the highly general nature of the claims or assumptions debunkers make about the origin of religious beliefs. Critics maintain that such claims or assumptions, even if true, fail to affect the specific religious beliefs you or I form. I respond, arguing that this criticism fails to engage with the most prominent version of debunking, which aims at classes of beliefs. Furthermore, by making a detour through a related discussion in metaethics, I show how this version of the debunking argument can be extended in such a fashion that it applies to a given individual who forms a religious belief.
Kinetic profiling of novel spirobenzo-oxazinepiperidinone derivatives as equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 inhibitors
Authors: Vlachodimou Anna , Bouma Jara , De Cleyn Michel , Berthelot Didier , Pype Stefan , Bosmans Jean-Paul , van Vlijmen Herman , Wroblowski Berthold , Heitman Laura H. , IJzerman Adriaan P.
Published: July 2023

Evaluation of kinetic parameters of drug-target binding, kon, koff, and residence time (RT), in addition to the traditional in vitro parameter of affinity is receiving increasing attention in the early stages of drug discovery. Target binding kinetics emerges as a meaningful concept for the evaluation of a ligand’s duration of action and more generally drug efficacy and safety. We report the biological evaluation of a novel series of spirobenzo-oxazinepiperidinone derivatives as inhibitors of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1, SLC29A1). The compounds were evaluated in radioligand binding experiments, i.e., displacement, competition association, and washout assays, to evaluate their affinity and binding kinetic parameters. We also linked these pharmacological parameters to the compounds’ chemical characteristics, and learned that separate moieties of the molecules governed target affinity and binding kinetics. Among the 29 compounds tested, 28 stood out with high affinity and a long residence time of 87 min. These findings reveal the importance of supplementing affinity data with binding kinetics at transport proteins such as hENT1.
Scheduling coupled tasks on parallel identical machines
Authors: Khatami Mostafa , Oron Daniel , Salehipour Amir
Published: July 2023

In many applications in the context of patient appointment scheduling there are recurring tasks with fixed delays between them. These tasks are commonly referred to as coupled-task jobs. In the coupled-task settings, each job consists of two tasks whereby the second task must start processing after an exact time lag following the completion of the first task. In this paper, we introduce the problem of scheduling a set of coupled-task jobs on parallel identical machines with the objective function of minimizing the makespan. We study the computational complexity of the general problem, as well as its special cases. We prove that the majority of these problems are (strongly) NP-hard. Nonetheless, we provide the optimal scheduling policy for two settings consisting of identical jobs. An important result of our work includes showing that the existence of a $$(2-\varepsilon )$$

(
2
-
ε
)

-approximation algorithm for the problem implies $$P=NP$$

P
=
N
P

. The latter result improves a recently proposed bound for the open-shop counterpart as well.
Predictors of complete remission of type 2 diabetes in patients over 65 years of age – a multicenter study
Authors: Dowgiałło-gornowicz Natalia , Jaworski Paweł , Walędziak Maciej , Lech Paweł , Kucharska Alicja , Major Piotr ,   Collaborative Study Group, Franczak Paula , Juszczuk Klaudia , Karpińska Izabela , Katkowski Bartosz , Kowalski Grzegorz , Orłowski Michał , Proczko-Stepaniak Monika , Szymański Michał , Wityk Mateusz
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The type 2 diabetes (T2D) improvement rate in the elderly is high after bariatric and metabolic surgery, but not all patients achieve complete remission of disease. There are some predictors for T2D remission after bariatric surgery in patients of different ages, but there are few studies describing these factors in elderly patients. The study aimed to determine predictors for diabetes remission after bariatric surgery among patients over 65 years of age.

Material and methods

A retrospective study analyzed patients over 65 years with T2D who underwent laparoscopic bariatric procedures in European country from 2008 to 2022. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain significant, independent risk factors.

Results

The group consisted of 146 patients divided into two groups: responders (R) and nonresponders (NR). The complete remission of T2D was achieved in 51 (34.9%) patients. There were 95 (65.1%) patients in the NR group with partial remission, improvement, or no changes in T2D. The mean follow-up was 50.0 months. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, a T2D duration of less than 5 years was found to be a predictor to T2D remission (OR = 5.5, p = 0.002), %EWL significantly corresponded to T2D remission (OR = 1.090, p = 0009).

Conclusion

Bariatric and metabolic surgery appears to be a good option for T2D treatment in elderly patients. A shorter duration of T2D before surgery and higher %EWL after surgery were independent predictors of T2D remission in patients over 65 years of age.

Graphical abstract