bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plato’s Allegory of the ‘Cave’ and Hyperspaces: Sonic Representation of the ‘Cave’ as a Four-Dimensional Acoustic Space via an Interactive Art Application
Authors: Traperas Dimitrios , Floros Andreas , Kanellopoulos Nikolaos Grigorios
Published: August 2024

Mathematician and philosopher Charles Howard Hinton posited a plausible correlation between higher-dimensional spaces, also referred to as ‘hyperspaces’, and the allegorical concept articulated by the Ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his work, Republic, known as the ‘Cave.’ In Plato’s allegory, individuals find themselves situated in an underground ‘Cave’, constrained by chains on their legs and neck, perceiving shadows and sound reflections from the ‘real’ world cast on the ‘Cave’ wall as their immediate reality. Hinton extended the interpretation of these ‘shadows’ through the induction method, asserting that, akin to a 3D object casting a 2D shadow, the ‘shadow’ of a 4D hyper-object would exhibit one dimension less, manifesting as a 3D object. Building upon this conceptual framework, the authors posit a correlation between the perceived acoustic space of the bounded individuals within the ‘Cave’ and the characteristics of a 4D acoustic space, a proposition substantiated mathematically by scientific inquiry. Furthermore, the authors introduce an interactive art application developed as a methodical approach to exploring the hypothetical 4D acoustic space within Plato’s ‘Cave’, as perceived by the bounded individuals and someone liberated from his constraints navigating through the ‘Cave.’
Sustainable Urban Heritage: Assessing Baghdad’s Historic Centre of Old Rusafa
Authors: Al-Saffar Mazin
Published: August 2024

Baghdad’s historical centre is Old Rusafa, which has a long history dating back over a thousand years. The area enclosed within the old wall is approximately 5.4 square kilometres and contains nearly 15,700 buildings. The city’s old core contains significant heritage buildings that belong to the Abbasid Empire (762–1258) and the Ottoman Period (1638–1917). This paper assesses Baghdad’s historical centre and urban heritage. It addresses how the urban fabric has faced irreparable damage, a weak definition of demands, and an ambiguous formulation of what to preserve. The research examines Old Rusafa’s dense irregular fabric, significant old souqs, heritage mosques, historical buildings, and traditional Baghdadi courtyard houses. The research implements various research strategies at different levels to evaluate the current condition of the built heritage in the city centre. It adopts a mixed methodological research approach that brings information from both qualitative and quantitative methods to address the research problems. The paper argues that achieving sustainable urban heritage requires considering efficient and sustainable strategies that drive urban evolution and encourage historic centre revitalisation towards sustainable heritage conservation. The outcomes of this paper raise awareness of the significance of safeguarding Baghdad’s Islamic architecture and the sustainable reuse of its uniquely built heritage stock.
The Application of an Intermediate Complexity Atmospheric Research Model in the Forecasting of the Henan 21.7 Rainstorm
Authors: Wang Xingbao , Xu Qun , Deng Xiajun , Zhang Hongjie , Tang Qianhong , Zhou Tingting , Qi Fengcai , Peng Wenwu
Published: August 2024

To improve the forecast accuracy of heavy precipitation, re-forecasts are conducted for the Henan 21.7 rainstorm. The Intermediate Complexity Atmospheric Research Model (ICAR) and the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) with a 1 km horizontal grid spacing are used for the re-forecasts. The results indicate that heavy precipitation forecasted by ICAR primarily accumulates on the windward slopes of the mountains. In contrast, some severe precipitation forecasted by WRF is beyond the mountains. The main difference between ICAR and WRF is that ICAR excludes the “impacts of physical processes on winds and the nonlinear interactions between the small resolvable-scale disturbances” (briefed as the “physical–dynamical interactions”). Thus, heavy precipitation beyond the mountains is attributed to the “physical–dynamical interactions”. Furthermore, severe precipitation on the windward slopes of the mountains typically aligns with the observations, whereas heavy rainfall beyond the mountains seldom matches the observations. Therefore, severe precipitation on the windward slopes of (beyond) the mountains is more (less) predictable. Based on these findings and theoretical thinking about the predictability of severe precipitation, a scheme of using the ICAR’s prediction to adjust the WRF’s prediction is proposed, thereby improving the forecast accuracy of heavy rainfall.
Environmental Policies and Countermeasures for the Phase-Out of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODSs) over the Last 30 Years: A Case Study in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Wen-Tien
Published: August 2024

It is well established that the reaction cycles involving some halogenated alkanes (so-called ozone-depleting substances—ODSs) contribute to the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere, prompting the Montreal Protocol (initially signed in 1987), and later amendments. The Protocol called for the scheduled phase-out of ODSs, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), halon, methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3), methyl chloride (CH3Cl), and even hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). In view of the urgent importance of ozone layer protection to the global ecological environment, the Taiwanese government has taken regulatory actions to reduce ODS consumption since 1993, through the joint venture of the central competent authorities. Under the government’s regulatory requirements, and the industry’s efforts to adopt both alternatives to ODSs and abatement technologies, the phase-out of some ODSs (i.e., CFCs, CCl4, halon, and CH3CCl3) was achieved prior to 2010. The consumption of HCFCs and methyl chloride has significantly declined over the past three decades (1993–2022). However, HFC emissions indicated a V-type variation during this period. Due to local production and extensive use of HFCs in Taiwan, the country’s emissions increased from 663 kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) in 1993 to 2330 kilotons of CO2eq in 2001, and then decreased to 373 kilotons of CO2eq in 2011. Since then, the emissions of HFCs largely used as the alternatives to ODSs showed an upward trend, increasing to 1555 kilotons of CO2eq in 2022. To be in compliance with the Kigali Amendment (KA-2015) to the Montreal Protocol for mitigating global warming, the Taiwanese government has taken regulatory actions to reduce the consumption of some HFC substances with high global warming potential (GWP) under the authorization of the Climate Change Response Act in 2023, aiming at an 80% reduction by 2045 of the baseline consumption in 2024.
Precipitation Characteristics and Mechanisms over Sri Lanka against the Background of the Western Indian Ocean: 1981–2020
Authors: Ye Dan , Wang Xin , Han Yong , Zhang Yurong , Dong Li , Luo Hao , Xie Xinxin , Xu Danya
Published: August 2024

In the current environment of climate change, the precipitation situation of marine islands is particularly valued. So, this study explores precipitation characteristics and mechanisms over Sri Lanka in the background of the western Indian Ocean using satellite and reanalysis datasets based on 40 years (from 1981 to 2020). The results show that the highest precipitation occurs between October and December, accounting for 46.3% of the entire year. The Indian Ocean sea surface temperature warming after 2002 significantly influences precipitation patterns. Particularly during the Second Inter-Monsoon, the western Indian Ocean warming induces an east–west zonal sea surface temperature gradient, leading to low-level circulation and westerly wind anomalies. This, in turn, results in increased precipitation in Sri Lanka between October and December. This study used the Trend-Free Pre-Whitening Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator to study nine extreme precipitation indices, identifying a significant upward trend in extreme precipitation events in the Jaffna, arid northern Sri Lanka, peaking on 9 November 2021. This extreme event is due to the influence of weather systems like the Siberian High and intense convective activities, transporting substantial moisture to Jaffna from the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal during winter. The findings highlight the impact of sea surface temperature warming anomalies in the western Indian Ocean and extreme precipitation events, anticipated to be more accentuated during Sri Lanka’s monsoon season. This research provides valuable insights into the variability of tropical precipitation, offering a scientific basis for the sustainable development of marine islands.
Comments on the Quantification of Thermal Comfort and Heat Stress with Thermal Indices
Authors: Matzarakis Andreas
Published: August 2024

Today, and when reflecting upon the growing effects of heat (and its respective quantification), it has never been clearer that these concerns will remain, if not augment, for decades to come [...]
Emission Rate Estimation of Industrial Air Pollutant Emissions Based on Mobile Observation
Authors: Cui Xinlei , Yu Qi , Ma Weichun , Zhang Yan
Published: August 2024

Mobile observation has been widely used in the monitoring of air pollution. However, studies on pollution sources and emission characteristics based on mobile navigational observation are rarely reported in the literature. A method for quantitative source analysis for industrial air pollutant emissions based on mobile observations is introduced in this paper. NOx pollution identified in mobile observations is used as an example of the development of the method. A dispersion modeling scheme that fine-tuned the meteorological parameters according to the actual meteorological conditions was adopted to minimize the impact of uncertainties in meteorological conditions on the accuracy of small-scale dispersion modeling. The matching degree between simulated and observed concentrations was effectively improved through this optimization search. In response to the efficiency requirements of source resolution for multiple sources, a random search algorithm was first used to generate candidate solution samples, and then the solution samples were evaluated and optimized. Meanwhile, the new index Smatch was established to evaluate the quality of candidate samples, considering both numerical error and spatial distribution error of concentration, in order to address the non-uniqueness of the solution in the multi-source problem. Then, the necessity of considering the spatial distribution error of concentration is analyzed with the case study. The average values of NOx emission rates for the two study cases were calculated as 69.8 g/s and 70.8 g/s. The Smatch scores were 0.92–0.97 and 0.92–0.99. The results were close to the online monitoring data, and this kind of pollutant emission monitoring based on the mobile observation experiment was initially considered feasible. Additional analysis and clarifications were provided in the discussion section on the impact of uncertainties in meteorological conditions, the establishment of a priori emission inventories, and the interpretation of inverse calculation results.
Emissions of Oxygenated Volatile Organic Compounds and Their Roles in Ozone Formation in Beijing
Authors: Yan Xiao , Qiu Xionghui , Yao Zhen , Liu Jiye , Wang Lin
Published: August 2024

Oxygenated volatile organic compound (OVOC) emissions play a critical role in tropospheric ozone (O3) formation. This paper aims to establish an emission inventory and source profile database for OVOCs in Beijing, utilizing revised and reconstructed data from field measurements and existing literature. The study also assesses their potential impact on the O3 base on the ozone formation potential (OFP). Results indicate that OVOC emissions in Beijing predominantly originate from natural and residential sources, encompassing commercial solvent usage, cooking, residential combustion, construction adhesives, and construction coatings. OVOCs contributed 5.6% to OFP, which is significantly less than their emission contribution of 20.1%. Major OFP contributors include plant sources (26.2%), commercial solvent use (21.0%), cooking (20.5%), and construction adhesives (8.4%). The primary OVOC species contributing to OFP for OVOCs are acetaldehyde, methanol, hexanal, ethanol, and acetone, collectively contributing 59.0% of the total OFP. Natural sources exhibit significant seasonal variability, particularly in summer when plant emissions peak, constituting 78.9% of annual emissions and significantly impacting summer ozone pollution (OFP of 13,954 t). Conversely, emissions from other OVOC sources remain relatively stable year-round. Thus, strategies to mitigate summer ozone pollution in Beijing should prioritize plant sources while comprehensively addressing residential sources in other seasons. District-specific annual OVOC emissions are from Fangshan (3967 t), Changping (3958 t), Daxing (3853 t), and Chaoyang (3616 t), which reflect year-round forested areas in these regions and high populations.
Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) Sensitivity to Choice of Parameterization Options over Ethiopia
Authors: Shiferaw Andualem , Tadesse Tsegaye , Rowe Clinton , Oglesby Robert
Published: August 2024

Downscaling seasonal climate forecasts using regional climate models (RCMs) became an emerging area during the last decade owing to RCMs’ more comprehensive representation of the important physical processes at a finer resolution. However, it is crucial to test RCMs for the most appropriate model setup for a particular purpose over a given region through numerical experiments. Thus, this sensitivity study was aimed at identifying an optimum configuration in the Weather, Research, and Forecasting (WRF) model over Ethiopia. A total of 35 WRF simulations with different combinations of parameterization schemes for cumulus (CU), planetary boundary layer (PBL), cloud microphysics (MP), longwave (LW), and shortwave (SW) radiation were tested during the summer (June to August, JJA) season of 2002. The WRF simulations used a two-domain configuration with a 12 km nested domain covering Ethiopia. The initial and boundary forcing data for WRF were from the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR). The simulations were compared with station and gridded observations to evaluate their ability to reproduce different aspects of JJA rainfall. An objective ranking method using an aggregate score of several statistics was used to select the best-performing model configuration. The JJA rainfall was found to be most sensitive to the choice of cumulus parameterization and least sensitive to cloud microphysics. All the simulations captured the spatial distribution of JJA rainfall with the pattern correlation coefficient (PCC) ranging from 0.89 to 0.94. However, all the simulations overestimated the JJA rainfall amount and the number of rainy days. Out of the 35 simulations, one that used the Grell CU, ACM2 PBL, LIN MP, RRTM LW, and Dudhia SW schemes performed the best in reproducing the amount and spatio-temporal distribution of JJA rainfall and was selected for downscaling the CFSv2 operational forecast.
Clinical Profile, Trends, and Management in Pediatric Patients with Audiovestibular Disorders: Can We Predict Emotional Disability in Pediatric Patients with Episodes of Vertigo and Dizziness?
Authors: Lorente-Piera Joan , Pérez-Fernández Nicolás , Blanco-Pareja Melissa , Manrique-Huarte Raquel , Michael Larenas Pia , Serra Valeria , Manrique Manuel
Published: August 2024

Background: Audiovestibular disorders in childhood occur with considerable frequency. However, the difficulty of obtaining medical history, the nonspecificity of symptoms, and the lack of cooperation during complementary tests often contribute significantly to diagnostic biases, attributing clinical presentations to psychosomatic disorders. The objectives of this work are, firstly, to characterize, from an auditory and vestibular perspective, the most frequent causes of vertigo in childhood and a possible relationship with emotional symptoms. On the other hand, to propose the usefulness of the MSSQ-Short questionnaire as a predictive variable in the evolution of children diagnosed with recurrent vertigo of childhood (RVC). Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was designed with retrospective data collection at three tertiary hospitals. Results: Among the 117 patients recruited between 2016 and 2024, 32 patients (27.35%) were diagnosed with an anxious-depressive syndrome prior to audiovestibular testing. The mean age was 11.19 ± 5.61 years and the most frequent final diagnoses were vestibular migraine (VM) with 41.03% and RVC with 23.93%. Patients with VM, compared with RVC, are approximately 1.12 times more likely to have psychosomatic pathology (CI 0.39 to 3.25). The most sensitive and frequently altered test was VEMPS (39.32%), with statistical significance in VM and otic capsule dehiscence, while regarding the MSSQ-Short questionnaire, the linear regression of 0.28 indicates an increase in clinical duration with high questionnaire scores. Conclusions: Vestibular disorders causing dizziness and vertigo are challenging to diagnose, often due to lack of cooperation and/or symptom nonspecificity. A thorough medical history and complementary tests, including audiovestibular and imaging studies, are advisable, thus avoiding systematically attributing children’s complaints to other psychosomatic disorders.
MacWilliams Identities and Generator Matrices for Linear Codes over ℤp4[u]/(u2 − p3β, pu)
Authors: Alabiad Sami , Alhomaidhi Alhanouf Ali , Alsarori Nawal A.
Published: August 2024

Suppose that R=Zp4[u] with u2=p3β and pu=0, where p is a prime and β is a unit in R. Then, R is a local non-chain ring of order p5 with a unique maximal ideal J=(p,u) and a residue field of order p. A linear code C of length N over R is an R-submodule of RN. The purpose of this article is to examine MacWilliams identities and generator matrices for linear codes of length N over R. We first prove that when p≠2, there are precisely two distinct rings with these properties up to isomorphism. However, for p=2, only a single such ring is found. Furthermore, we fully describe the lattice of ideals of R and their orders. We then calculate the generator matrices and MacWilliams relations for the linear codes C over R, illustrated with numerical examples. It is important to address that there are challenges associated with working with linear codes over non-chain rings, as such rings are not principal ideal rings.
The Emergence of the Slc11 Clade MCbgut: A Parsimonious Hypothesis for the Dawn of Lactobacillales in the Gut of Early Vertebrates
Authors: Cellier Mathieu F. M.
Published: August 2024

The Lactobacillales (LB) stand apart among bacterial orders, using manganese (Mn) instead of iron to support their growth and swiftly ferment complex foods while acidifying their environment. The present work investigates whether a shift in the use of Mn could mark the origin of LB. Transmembrane carriers of the ubiquitous Slc11 family play key roles in LB physiology by catalyzing proton-dependent Mn import. In prior studies, the Slc11 clade found in LB (MntH Cb, MCb) showed both remarkable structural plasticity and highly efficient Mn uptake, and another Slc11 clade, MCg1, demonstrated divergent evolution coinciding with emergence of bacterial genera (e.g., Bordetella, Achromobacter). Herein, the Slc11 clade MCb is subdivided in sister groups: MCbie and MCbgut. MCbie derives directly from the Slc11 clade MCa, pointing an intermediate stage in the evolution of MCbgut. MCbie predominates in marine Bacillaceae, is more conserved than MCbgut, lacks the structural plasticity that typify MCbgut carriers, and responds differently to identical mutagenesis. Exchanging MCbie/MCbgut amino acid residues at sites that distinguish these clades showed conformation-dependent effects with both MCbie and MCbgut templates, and the 3D location of the targeted sites in the carrier structure together suggests that the mechanism to open the inner gate, and release Mn into the cytoplasm, differs between MCbie and MCbgut. Building on the established phylogeny for Enterococcus revealed that a pair of genes encoding MCbgut was present in the common ancestor of LB, as MCbgu1 and MCbgu2 templates exhibited distinct structural dynamics properties. These data are discussed when examining whether MCbgut+ LB could emerge in the upper gut of early vertebrates (ca. 540 mya), through genome contraction and evolution toward Mn-centrism, as they specialized as gastric aids favoring stomach establishment in jawed vertebrates through bi-directional communication with host nervous, endocrine and immune systems.
Weaponization of the Growing Cybercrimes inside the Dark Net: The Question of Detection and Application
Authors: Adel Amr , Norouzifard Mohammad
Published: August 2024

The Dark Web is a subset of the Deep Web, requiring special browsers, the Dark Net refers to encrypted networks, the Deep Web encompasses non-indexed online content, and darknet includes unused IP address networks. The Dark Net has become a hotbed of cybercrime, with individuals and groups using the anonymity and encryption provided by the network to carry out a range of criminal activities. One of the most concerning trends in recent years has been the weaponization of cybercrimes, as criminals use their technical skills to create tools and techniques that can be used to launch attacks against individuals, businesses, and governments. This paper examines the weaponization of cybercrimes on the Dark Net, focusing on the question of detection and application. This paper uses a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method to appraise the Dark Web, examine the crimes and their consequences and identify future measures to reduce crime threats. Data from 88 relevant articles from 2011 to 2023 were extracted and synthesized, along with the latest data from 2024 to answer research questions, providing comprehensive knowledge on growing crimes; assessing social, economic, and ethical impacts; and analyzing established techniques and methods to locate and apprehend criminals.
Mathematical Modeling of the Gastrointestinal System for Preliminary Drug Absorption Assessment
Authors: D’Ambrosio Antonio , Itaj Fatjon , Cacace Filippo , Piemonte Vincenzo
Published: August 2024

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the potential of a multicompartmental mathematical model to simulate the activity of the gastrointestinal system after the intake of drugs, with a limited number of parameters. The gastrointestinal system is divided into five compartments, modeled as both continuous systems with discrete events (stomach and duodenum) and systems with delay (jejunum, ileum, and colon). The dissolution of the drug tablet occurs in the stomach and is described through the Noyes–Whitney equation, with pH dependence expressed through the Henderson–Hasselbach relationship. The boluses resulting from duodenal activity enter the jejunum, ileum, and colon compartments, where drug absorption takes place as blood flows countercurrent. The model includes only three parameters with assigned physiological meanings. It was tested and validated using data from in vivo experiments. Specifically, the model was tested with the concentration profiles of nine different drugs and validated using data from two drugs with varying initial concentrations. Overall, the outputs of the model are in good agreement with experimental data, particularly with regard to the time of peak concentration. The primary sources of discrepancy were identified in the concentration decay. The model’s main strength is its relatively low computational cost, making it a potentially excellent tool for in silico assessment and prediction of drug adsorption in the intestine.
CellRegNet: Point Annotation-Based Cell Detection in Histopathological Images via Density Map Regression
Authors: Jin Xu , An Hong , Chi Mengxian
Published: August 2024

Recent advances in deep learning have shown significant potential for accurate cell detection via density map regression using point annotations. However, existing deep learning models often struggle with multi-scale feature extraction and integration in complex histopathological images. Moreover, in multi-class cell detection scenarios, current density map regression methods typically predict each cell type independently, failing to consider the spatial distribution priors of different cell types. To address these challenges, we propose CellRegNet, a novel deep learning model for cell detection using point annotations. CellRegNet integrates a hybrid CNN/Transformer architecture with innovative feature refinement and selection mechanisms, addressing the need for effective multi-scale feature extraction and integration. Additionally, we introduce a contrastive regularization loss that models the mutual exclusiveness prior in multi-class cell detection cases. Extensive experiments on three histopathological image datasets demonstrate that CellRegNet outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods for cell detection using point annotations, with F1-scores of 86.38% on BCData (breast cancer), 85.56% on EndoNuke (endometrial tissue) and 93.90% on MBM (bone marrow cells), respectively. These results highlight CellRegNet’s potential to enhance the accuracy and reliability of cell detection in digital pathology.
Advancements in Biomedical and Bioengineering Technologies in Sports Monitoring and Healthcare
Authors: Gu Yaodong , Fernandez Justin
Published: August 2024

The intersection of biomedical and bioengineering technologies with sports monitoring and healthcare has recently emerged as a key area of innovation and research [...]
Initial Clinical Experience with Ahmed Valve in Romania: Five-Year Patient Follow-Up and Outcomes
Authors: Barac Ramona Ileana , Harghel Vasile , Anton Nicoleta , Baltă George , Tofolean Ioana Teodora , Dragosloveanu Christiana , Leuștean Laurențiu Flavius , Deleanu Dan George , Barac Diana Andreea
Published: August 2024

Background: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is particularly challenging to treat in its refractory forms. The Ahmed valve offers a potential solution for these difficult cases. This research aims to assess the initial clinical experience with Ahmed valve implantation in Romania, evaluating its effectiveness, associated complications, and overall patient outcomes over a five-year period. Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 50 patients who underwent Ahmed valve implantation due to various types of glaucoma. Patients were monitored at several intervals, up to five years post-surgery. Intraocular pressure and visual acuity were the primary measures of success. Results: On average, patients maintained the intraocular pressure within the targeted range, with the mean intraocular pressure being 17 mmHg 5 years post-surgery. Success, defined as maintaining target intraocular pressure without additional surgery, was achieved in 82% at 1 year, 68% at 3 years, and 60% after 5 years postoperative. Conclusion: Ahmed valve implantation is a viable treatment option for refractory glaucoma, demonstrating significant intraocular pressure reduction and manageable complication rates over a five-year follow-up period. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and optimization of surgical techniques to further reduce complication rates and improve patient quality of life.
Optogenetic Brain–Computer Interfaces
Authors: Tang Feifang , Yan Feiyang , Zhong Yushan , Li Jinqian , Gong Hui , Li Xiangning
Published: August 2024

The brain–computer interface (BCI) is one of the most powerful tools in neuroscience and generally includes a recording system, a processor system, and a stimulation system. Optogenetics has the advantages of bidirectional regulation, high spatiotemporal resolution, and cell-specific regulation, which expands the application scenarios of BCIs. In recent years, optogenetic BCIs have become widely used in the lab with the development of materials and software. The systems were designed to be more integrated, lightweight, biocompatible, and power efficient, as were the wireless transmission and chip-level embedded BCIs. The software is also constantly improving, with better real-time performance and accuracy and lower power consumption. On the other hand, as a cutting-edge technology spanning multidisciplinary fields including molecular biology, neuroscience, material engineering, and information processing, optogenetic BCIs have great application potential in neural decoding, enhancing brain function, and treating neural diseases. Here, we review the development and application of optogenetic BCIs. In the future, combined with other functional imaging techniques such as near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), optogenetic BCIs can modulate the function of specific circuits, facilitate neurological rehabilitation, assist perception, establish a brain-to-brain interface, and be applied in wider application scenarios.
Assessing the Value of Imaging Data in Machine Learning Models to Predict Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients
Authors: Nair Abhinav , Alagha M. Abdulhadi , Cobb Justin , Jones Gareth
Published: August 2024

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 650 million patients worldwide. Total knee replacement is aimed at end-stage OA to relieve symptoms of pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. However, the role of imaging modalities in monitoring symptomatic disease progression remains unclear. This study aimed to compare machine learning (ML) models, with and without imaging features, in predicting the two-year Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score for knee OA patients. We included 2408 patients from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) database, with 629 patients from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) database. The clinical dataset included 18 clinical features, while the imaging dataset contained an additional 10 imaging features. Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) was set to 24, reflecting meaningful physical impairment. Clinical and imaging dataset models produced similar area under curve (AUC) scores, highlighting low differences in performance AUC < 0.025). For both clinical and imaging datasets, Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) models performed the best in the external validation, with a clinically acceptable AUC of 0.734 (95% CI 0.687–0.781) and 0.747 (95% CI 0.701–0.792), respectively. The five features identified included educational background, family history of osteoarthritis, co-morbidities, use of osteoporosis medications and previous knee procedures. This is the first study to demonstrate that ML models achieve comparable performance with and without imaging features.
Bioengineering Human Upper Respiratory Mucosa: A Systematic Review of the State of the Art of Cell Culture Techniques
Authors: Ndongo Sonfack Davaine Joel , Tanguay Boivin Clémence , Touzel Deschênes Lydia , Maurand Thibault , Maguemoun Célina , Berthod François , Gros-Louis François , Champagne Pierre-Olivier
Published: August 2024

Background: The upper respiratory mucosa plays a crucial role in both the physical integrity and immunological function of the respiratory tract. However, in certain situations such as infections, trauma, or surgery, it might sustain damage. Tissue engineering, a field of regenerative medicine, has found applications in various medical fields including but not limited to plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and urology. However, its application to the respiratory system remains somewhat difficult due to the complex morphology and histology of the upper respiratory tract. To date, a culture protocol for producing a handleable, well-differentiated nasal mucosa has yet to be developed. The objective of this review is to describe the current state of research pertaining to cell culture techniques used for producing autologous healthy human upper respiratory cells and mucosal tissues, as well as describe its clinical applications. Methods: A search of the relevant literature was carried out with no time restriction across Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, and Medline Ovid databases. Keywords related to “respiratory mucosa” and “culture techniques of the human airway” were the focus of the search strategy for this review. The risk of bias in retained studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) critical appraisal tools for qualitative research. A narrative synthesis of our results was then conducted. Results: A total of 33 studies were included in this review, and thirteen of these focused solely on developing a cell culture protocol without further use. The rest of the studies used their own developed protocol for various applications such as cystic fibrosis, pharmacological, and viral research. One study was able to develop a promising model for nasal mucosa that could be employed as a replacement in nasotracheal reconstructive surgery. Conclusions: This systematic review extensively explored the current state of research regarding cell culture techniques for producing tissue-engineered nasal mucosa. Bioengineering the nasal mucosa holds great potential for clinical use. However, further research on mechanical properties is essential, as the comparison of engineered tissues is currently focused on morphology rather than comprehensive mechanical assessments.
Perlecan: An Islet Basement Membrane Protein with Protective Anti-Inflammatory Characteristics
Authors: Brandhorst Daniel , Brandhorst Heide , Acreman Samuel , Johnson Paul R. V.
Published: August 2024

Throughout the isolation process, human islets are subjected to destruction of the islet basement membrane (BM) and reduced oxygen supply. Reconstruction of the BM represents an option to improve islet function and survival post-transplant and may particularly be relevant for islet encapsulation devices and scaffolds. In the present study, we assessed whether Perlecan, used alone or combined with the BM proteins (BMPs) Collagen-IV and Laminin-521, has the ability to protect isolated human islets from hypoxia-induced damage. Islets isolated from the pancreas of seven different organ donors were cultured for 4–5 days at 2% oxygen in plain CMRL (sham-treated controls) or in CMRL supplemented with BMPs used either alone or in combination. Postculture, islets were characterized regarding survival, in vitro function and production of chemokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Individually added BMPs significantly doubled islet survival and increased in vitro function. Combining BMPs did not provide a synergistic effect. Among the tested BMPs, Perlecan demonstrated the significantly strongest inhibitory effect on chemokine and ROS production when compared with sham-treatment (p < 0.001). Perlecan may be useful to improve islet survival prior to and after transplantation. Its anti-inflammatory potency should be considered to optimise encapsulation and scaffolds to protect isolated human islets post-transplant.
Green Innovation and Synthesis of Honeybee Products-Mediated Nanoparticles: Potential Approaches and Wide Applications
Authors: Khalifa Shaden A. M. , Shetaia Aya A. , Eid Nehal , Abd El-Wahed Aida A. , Abolibda Tariq Z. , El Omri Abdelfatteh , Yu Qiang , Shenashen Mohamed A. , Hussain Hidayat , Salem Mohamed F. , Guo Zhiming , Alanazi Abdulaziz M. , El-Seedi Hesham R.
Published: August 2024

Bee products, abundant in bioactive ingredients, have been utilized in both traditional and contemporary medicine. Their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties make them valuable for food, preservation, and cosmetics applications. Honeybees are a vast reservoir of potentially beneficial products such as honey, bee pollen, bee bread, beeswax, bee venom, and royal jelly. These products are rich in metabolites vital to human health, including proteins, amino acids, peptides, enzymes, sugars, vitamins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and minerals. The advancement of nanotechnology has led to a continuous search for new natural sources that can facilitate the easy, low-cost, and eco-friendly synthesis of nanomaterials. Nanoparticles (NPs) are actively synthesized using honeybee products, which serve dual purposes in preventive and interceptive treatment strategies due to their richness in essential metabolites. This review aims to highlight the potential role of bee products in this line and their applications as catalysts and food preservatives and to point out their anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant underlying impacts. The research used several online databases, namely Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Sci Finder. The overall findings suggest that these bee-derived substances exhibit remarkable properties, making them promising candidates for the economical and eco-friendly production of NPs.
EchoSee: An Assistive Mobile Application for Real-Time 3D Environment Reconstruction and Sonification Supporting Enhanced Navigation for People with Vision Impairments
Authors: Schwartz Broderick S. , King Seth , Bell Tyler
Published: August 2024

Improving the quality of life for people with vision impairments has been an important goal in the research and design of assistive devices for several decades. This paper seeks to further that goal by introducing a novel assistive technology platform that leverages real-time 3D spatial audio to promote safe and efficient navigation for people who are blind or visually impaired (PVI). The presented platform, EchoSee, uses modern 3D scanning technology on a mobile device to construct a live, digital 3D map of a user’s environment as they move about their surroundings. Spatialized, virtual audio sources (i.e., virtual speakers) are dynamically placed within the digital 3D scan of the world, providing the navigator with a real-time 3D stereo audio “soundscape.” The digital 3D map, and its resultant soundscape, are continuously updated as the user moves about their environment. The generated soundscape is played back through headphones connected to the navigator’s device. This paper details (1) the underlying technical components and how they were integrated to produce the mobile application that generates a dynamic soundscape on a consumer mobile device, (2) a methodology for analyzing navigation performance with the application, (3) the design and execution of a user study investigating the effectiveness of the presented system, and (4) a discussion of the results of that study along with a proposed future study and possible improvements. Altogether, this paper presents a novel software platform aimed at assisting individuals with vision impairments to navigate and understand spaces safely, efficiently, and independently and the results of a feasibility study analyzing the viability of the approach.
Long-Term Survival and Regeneration Following Transplantation of 3D-Printed Biodegradable PCL Tracheal Grafts in Large-Scale Porcine Models
Authors: Shai Sen-Ei , Lai Yi-Ling , Hung Yi-Wen , Hsieh Chi-Wei , Su Kuo-Chih , Wang Chun-Hsiang , Chao Te-Hsin , Chiu Yung-Tsung , Wu Chia-Ching , Hung Shih-Chieh
Published: August 2024

Polycaprolactone (PCL) implants in large animals show great promise for tracheal transplantation. However, the longest survival time achieved to date is only about three weeks. To meet clinical application standards, it is essential to extend the survival time and ensure the complete integration and functionality of the implant. Our study investigates the use of three-dimensional (3D)-printed, biodegradable, PCL-based tracheal grafts for large-scale porcine tracheal transplantation, assessing the feasibility and early structural integrity crucial for long-term survival experiments. A biodegradable PCL tracheal graft was fabricated using a BIOX bioprinter and transplanted into large-scale porcine models. The grafts, measuring 20 × 20 × 1.5 mm, were implanted following a 2 cm circumferential resection of the porcine trachea. The experiment design was traditionally implanted in eight porcines to replace four-ring tracheal segments, only two of which survived more than three months. Data were collected on the graft construction and clinical outcomes. The 3D-printed biosynthetic grafts replicated the native organ with high fidelity. The implantations were successful, without immediate complications. At two weeks, bronchoscopy revealed significant granulation tissue around the anastomosis, which was managed with laser ablation. The presence of neocartilage, neoglands, and partial epithelialization near the anastomosis was verified in the final pathology findings. Our study demonstrates in situ regenerative tissue growth with intact cartilage following transplantation, marked by neotissue formation on the graft’s exterior. The 90-day survival milestone was achieved due to innovative surgical strategies, reinforced with strap muscle attached to the distal trachea. Further improvements in graft design and granulation tissue management are essential to optimize outcomes.
Endothelial Cell Dysfunction Due to Molecules Secreted by Macrophages in Sepsis
Authors: He Heng , Zhang Wei , Jiang Luofeng , Tong Xirui , Zheng Yongjun , Xia Zhaofan
Published: August 2024

Sepsis is recognized as a syndrome of systemic inflammatory reaction induced by dysregulation of the body’s immunity against infection. The multiple organ dysfunction associated with sepsis is a serious threat to the patient’s life. Endothelial cell dysfunction has been extensively studied in sepsis. However, the role of macrophages in sepsis is not well understood and the intrinsic link between the two cells has not been elucidated. Macrophages are first-line cells of the immune response, whereas endothelial cells are a class of cells that are highly altered in function and morphology. In sepsis, various cytokines secreted by macrophages and endothelial cell dysfunction are inextricably linked. Therefore, investigating how macrophages affect endothelial cells could offer a theoretical foundation for the treatment of sepsis. This review links molecules (TNF-α, CCL2, ROS, VEGF, MMP-9, and NO) secreted by macrophages under inflammatory conditions to endothelial cell dysfunction (adhesion, permeability, and coagulability), refining the pathophysiologic mechanisms of sepsis. At the same time, multiple approaches (a variety of miRNA and medicines) regulating macrophage polarization are also summarized, providing new insights into reversing endothelial cell dysfunction and improving the outcome of sepsis treatment.
Assessing Kinematic Variables in Short-Track Speed Skating Helmets: A Comparative Study between Traditional Rigid Foam and Anti-Rotation Designs
Authors: Valevicius Aïda , Croteau Felix , Romeas Thomas , Leclerc Suzanne , Pearsall David J.
Published: August 2024

Purpose: Short-track speed skating results in high-energy crashes with an elevated risk of head injury. The goal of this study was to evaluate the resulting kinematics of an anti-rotation helmet technology for speed skating. Methods: Two traditional rigid foam speed-skating helmets (BT and ST) were compared with one anti-rotation speed skating helmet (MIPS). Each helmet was impacted with a pneumatic device across three locations. The resulting linear or rotational accelerations (PLA or PRA) and rotational velocities (PRV) were measured with accelerometers placed on a Hybrid III head form. Additionally, the head impact criterion (HIC) was calculated from accelerations and the brain injury criterion (BrIC) was obtained from rotational velocities. Results: MIPS showed significantly higher values of accelerations (PLA = 111.24 ± 9.21 g and PRA = 8759.11 ± 2601.81 rad/s2) compared with the other helmets at all three impact locations (p < 0.01, ES = 3.00 to 4.11). However, velocities were lowest, but not significantly different, for the MIPS helmet (25.77 ± 1.43 rad/s). Furthermore, all resulting kinematics except peak linear accelerations were significantly different across impact locations. Conclusion: Helmet designs specific to the collision characteristics of speed skating may still be lacking, but would decrease the risk of sport-related concussions.
RETRACTED: Sankar et al. Utilizing Generative Adversarial Networks for Acne Dataset Generation in Dermatology. BioMedInformatics 2024, 4, 1059–1070
Authors: Sankar Aravinthan , Chaturvedi Kunal , Nayan Al-Akhir , Hesamian Mohammad Hesam , Braytee Ali , Prasad Mukesh
Published: August 2024

The journal retracts the article, “Utilizing Generative Adversarial Networks for Acne Dataset Generation in Dermatology” [...]
AI-Driven Data Analysis of Quantifying Environmental Impact and Efficiency of Shape Memory Polymers
Authors: Olawumi Mattew A. , Oladapo Bankole I. , Olugbade Temitope Olumide , Omigbodun Francis T. , Olawade David B.
Published: August 2024

This research investigates the environmental sustainability and biomedical applications of shape memory polymers (SMPs), focusing on their integration into 4D printing technologies. The objectives include comparing the carbon footprint, embodied energy, and water consumption of SMPs with traditional materials such as metals and conventional polymers and evaluating their potential in medical implants, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review and AI-driven data analysis to provide robust, scalable insights into the environmental and functional performance of SMPs. Thermomechanical modeling, phase transformation kinetics, and heat transfer analyses are employed to understand the behavior of SMPs under various conditions. Significant findings reveal that SMPs exhibit considerably lower environmental impacts than traditional materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40%, water consumption by 30%, and embodied energy by 25%. These polymers also demonstrate superior functionality and adaptability in biomedical applications due to their ability to change shape in response to external stimuli. The study concludes that SMPs are promising sustainable alternatives for biomedical applications, offering enhanced patient outcomes and reduced environmental footprints. Integrating SMPs into 4D printing technologies is poised to revolutionize healthcare manufacturing processes and product life cycles, promoting sustainable and efficient medical practices.
The Development of a Biomimetic Model of Bacteria Migration on Indwelling Urinary Catheter Surfaces
Authors: Cortese Yvonne J. , Fayne Joanne , Colbert Declan M. , Devine Declan M. , Fogarty Andrew
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study was to develop a novel biomimetic in vitro extraluminal migration model to observe the migration of bacteria along indwelling urinary catheters within the urethra and assess the efficacy of a prototype chlorhexidine diacetate (CHX) coating to prevent this migration. The in vitro urethra model utilised chromogenic agar. A catheter was inserted into each in vitro urethra. One side of the urethra was then inoculated with bacteria to replicate a contaminated urethral meatus. The models were then incubated for 30 days (d), with the migration distance recorded each day. Four indwelling catheter types were used to validate the in vitro urethra model and methodology. Using the biomimetic in vitro urethra model, E. coli and S. aureus migrated the entire length of a control catheter within 24–48 h (h). In the presence of a prototype CHX coating, full migration of the channel was prevented for 30 d. The results of this study support the hypothesis that catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) could be prevented by targeting catheter-mediated extraluminal microbial migration from outside of the urinary tract into the bladder.