bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Dental Students from Romania Regarding Self-Perceived Risk and Prevention of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Dincă Florentina Iuliana , Dimitriu Bogdan-Alexandru , Săndulescu Oana , Sîrbu Valentin Daniel , Săndulescu Mihai
Published: April 2024

University education is a leading source of information for dental practitioners. Particular emphasis should be given to determining the extent to which students acquire positive knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and positive metacompetences beyond the scope of each studied dental discipline. We performed a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study among dentistry students from Romania to assess self-perceived risk of infectious diseases and their KAP on topics related to infectious disease prevention. The surveyed students presented good knowledge regarding personal protective equipment (PPE), and their PPE practices significantly correlated with the perceived usefulness of PPE. Only 45.1% correctly recognized all vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), but knowledge regarding VPDs significantly improved with increasing year of study (τb = 0.298, p = 0.001), confirming a positive education effect. Awareness regarding the need for screening for bloodborne viruses is poor; the majority of students had never performed a test for hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) (59.4%) or for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (60.4%). Furthermore, most respondents incorrectly considered themselves at high or very high risk of acquiring BBV, and perceived risk was inversely correlated with willingness to treat patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (τb = −0.214, p = 0.018), HCV infection (τb = −0.234, p = 0.013), or HIV infection (τb = −0.242, p = 0.006). This led to 3.0% of respondents stating that they would hypothetically deny dental treatment to a patient with HBV infection, 5.0% for HCV infection, and 10.9% for HIV infection, the proportion being significantly higher for HIV (z = −2.2, p = 0.026). In conclusion, better knowledge is needed among dental students regarding their own vaccination history, screening for bloodborne viruses, accurate estimates for their risk of acquiring bloodborne viruses during routine dental practice, and the existence of post-exposure measures following occupational exposure. Improving student knowledge and awareness could translate into a higher willingness to treat patients with chronic viral infections and into a safer and more inclusive dental practice. We propose an adaptation to the university curriculum to cover these key areas for targeted focus to empower future dental practitioners and to facilitate the improvement of across-discipline metacompetences for infection prevention and control.
Fibonacci Numbers between History, Semiotics, and Storytelling: The Birth of Recursive Thinking
Authors: Bianco Giuseppe , Donatiello Angela , Nicchiotti Bianca
Published: April 2024

The aim of this paper is to discuss the emergence of recursive thinking through the famous problem posed by Fibonacci regarding the growth of the rabbit population. This paper qualitatively analyzes and discusses the semiotic aspects raised by the students working with this historical source in the form of a story. From this perspective, the value of the historical problems as socio-cultural references (voices) and of the narrations as mediating factors to enhance students’ learning of new mathematical concepts, such as recursion, is explored in depth. The focus lies on the pivotal role played by the students’ construction of personal senses during in-group mathematical activities, in dialectics with the normative and mathematical meanings. It is highlighted that fostering environments conducive to dialogue among peers, as well as linking various shapes and contexts of knowledge, is necessary. Here, storytelling and history are regarded as fruitful resources aiding students in the gradual construction of a personal sense of mathematical concepts, including recursion.
Ethnic-Racial (Mis)Match between Mentors and Mentees on Perceived Strength of Relationship
Authors: Koide Jennifer , McDaniel Heather L. , Lyons Michael D.
Published: April 2024

Mentoring programs are popular mechanisms for promoting positive youth development due to developmental research suggesting that youth with strong relationships with a special adult have a lower likelihood of a range of negative outcomes. Community-based mentoring programs are mechanisms for promoting access to mental health support and positive youth outcomes. Youth mentorship programs reveal mixed and modest outcomes, yet youth outcomes are more robust for high-quality relationships. Ethnic-racial identity is hypothesized to affect the relationship quality because shared identities are thought to facilitate trust and empower youth to succeed. However, studies have found that ethnic-racial match does not affect the strength of the dyadic relationship. This study attempts to address these disparate findings by explicitly examining ethnic-racial matching and relationship quality at two-time points. We conducted a two-step hierarchical regression to determine whether ethnic-racial match affected mentee reports of the relationship at follow-up. The results show ethnic-racial match did not significantly predict positive dimensions of the relationship at follow-up. Moreover, same-ethnic-racial matches reported a lower rate of change and slightly less relationship dissatisfaction at time 2 compared to cross-ethnic-racial matches. Results contribute to existing literature showing mixed results in ethnic-racial matching in youth mentorship programs.
An Improved Transformer Model for Remaining Useful Life Prediction of Lithium-Ion Batteries under Random Charging and Discharging
Authors: Zhang Wenwen , Jia Jianfang , Pang Xiaoqiong , Wen Jie , Shi Yuanhao , Zeng Jianchao
Published: April 2024

With the development of artificial intelligence and deep learning, deep neural networks have become an important method for predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of lithium-ion batteries. In this paper, drawing inspiration from the transformer sequence-to-sequence task’s transformation capability, we propose a fusion model that integrates the functions of the stacked denoising autoencoder (SDAE) and the Transformer model in order to improve the performance of RUL prediction. Firstly, the health factors under three different conditions are extracted from the measurement data as model inputs. These conditions include constant current and voltage, random discharge, and the application of principal component analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction. Then, SDAE is responsible for denoising and feature extraction, and the Transformer model is utilized for sequence modeling and RUL prediction of the processed data. Finally, accurate prediction of the RUL of the four battery cells is achieved through cross-validation and four sets of comparison experiments. Three evaluation metrics, MAE, RMSE, and MAPE, are selected, and the values of these metrics are 0.170, 0.202, and 19.611%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other prediction models in terms of prediction accuracy, robustness, and generalizability. This provides a new solution direction for the daily life prediction research of lithium-ion batteries.
Utilization of Immersive Virtual Reality as an Interactive Method of Assignment Presentation
Authors: Krajčovič Martin , Matys Marián , Gabajová Gabriela , Komačka Dávid
Published: April 2024

Virtual reality is a technology with many possible uses and ways to improve various processes, including the presentation of results. This paper deals with the utilization of virtual reality as a tool for assignment presentation. During the classes of manufacturing and assembly systems design, the conventional form of presentation was replaced with immersive virtual reality, where the students would present their work while wearing the virtual reality headset and walking around the 3D model of their design. The main goal was to test whether this approach had a positive impact on the students’ motivation and engagement in the presentation creation and presenting itself. To test this approach, a small case study took place at the Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Žilina. In conclusion, the overall responses to this experiment were positive; the majority of the students felt more comfortable while presenting and more motivated to put more effort into their preparation. Wearing a virtual reality headset caused the students not to have to directly face the audience, giving them more confidence while presenting. Additionally, the novelty of the virtual reality technology made the students more engaged in showing their work. There is a plan to integrate the virtual reality presentation as the stable part of this assignment.
Voltage Scaled Low Power DNN Accelerator Design on Reconfigurable Platform
Authors: Paul Rourab , Sarkar Sreetama , Sau Suman , Roy Sanghamitra , Chakraborty Koushik , Chakrabarti Amlan
Published: April 2024

The exponential emergence of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) has accelerated research on hardware implementation of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs). Among all DNN processors, domain-specific architectures such as Google’s Tensor Processor Unit (TPU) have outperformed conventional GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) and CPUs (Central Processing Units). However, implementing low-power TPUs in reconfigurable hardware remains a challenge in this field. Voltage scaling, a popular approach for energy savings, can be challenging in FPGAs, as it may lead to timing failures if not implemented appropriately. This work presents an ultra-low-power FPGA implementation of a TPU for edge applications. We divide the systolic array of a TPU into different FPGA partitions based on the minimum slack value of different design paths of Multiplier Accumulators (MACs). Each partition uses different near-threshold (NTC) biasing voltages to run its FPGA cores. The biasing voltage for each partition is roughly calculated by the proposed static schemes. However, further calibration of biasing voltage is performed by the proposed runtime scheme. To overcome the timing failure caused by NTC, the MACs with higher minimum slack are placed in lower-voltage partitions, while the MACs with lower minimum slack paths are placed in higher-voltage partitions. The proposed architecture is implemented in a commercial platform, namely Vivado with Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA and academic platform VTR with 22 nm, 45 nm and 130 nm FPGAs. Any timing error caused by NTC can be caught by the Razor flipflop used in each MAC. The proposed voltage-scaled, partitioned systolic array can save 3.1% to 11.6% of dynamic power in Vivado and VTR tools, respectively, depending on the FPGA technology, partition size, number of partitions and biasing voltages. The normalized performance and accuracy of benchmark models running on our low-power TPU are very competitive compared to existing literature.
Effects of Urban Greenway Environmental Types and Landscape Characteristics on Physical and Mental Health Restoration
Authors: Cao Saixin , Song Chen , Jiang Siwei , Luo Hao , Zhang Ping , Huang Yinghui , Yu Jian , Li Kai , Li Nian , Guo Baimeng , Li Xi
Published: April 2024

As important linear public spaces, urban greenways are highly important for improving public health. Many studies have proven the benefits of urban greenways for human well-being, but fewer studies have focused on the impact of their specific environmental types and characteristics on physical and mental health. In this study, 100 subjects participated in a comparative experiment on three types of urban greenways (urban roads, urban parks, and urban rivers), and corresponding physiological indicator (systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], and pulse) and psychological indicator (perceived restorativeness scale [PRS] and positive and negative affect schedule [PANAS]) data were collected. The results indicated that (1) different greenway environment types lead to different physiological and psychological states; (2) urban park-type greenways (SBP [t = 2.37, p = 0.020], DBP [t = 2.06, p = 0.042], PANAS = 2.80, PRS = 5.39) have the greatest physical and mental recovery benefits, followed by urban river-type greenways (SBP [t = 2.84, p = 0.006], DBP [t = 1.29, p = 0.200], PANAS = 2.30, PRS= 5.02) and urban road-type greenways (SBP [t = 0.78, p = 0.440], DBP [t = 0.37, p = 0.716], PANAS = 2.00, PRS = 4.15); (3) plant color and layer diversity have a significant positive impact on the mental health benefits of the three greenway types; (4) the aesthetics of waterscapes and ornaments can significantly improve the perceived restoration ability of urban river-type greenways; and (5) the comfort of pathways and facilities can effectively promote the psychological recovery potential of urban road-type greenways. These findings systematically demonstrate for the first time the differences in restoration potential among urban greenways of different environmental types and summarize the key landscape characteristic predictors influencing the restoration potential of various types of urban greenways. Our research provides new ideas for proactive greenway interventions for physical and mental health and for enriching the restorative environmental science system.
Carbon Storage and Sequestration Analysis by Urban Park Grid Using i-Tree Eco and Drone-Based Modeling
Authors: Kim Juhyeon , Kang Youngeun , Kim Dongwoo , Son Seungwoo , Kim Eujin Julia
Published: April 2024

Urban areas play a crucial role in carbon absorption, while also producing a considerable amount of carbon emissions. However, there has been a lack of research that has systematically examined the carbon storage and sequestration in green spaces located within urban environments, at a spatial scale. This study analyzes carbon storage and sequestration in Yurim Park, Daejeon, South Korea on a grid basis to fill the research gap. The research compares the variation in sequestration capacity across different grids and provides insights into the development of sustainable urban parks in urban planning. The classification of grids is based on specific site characteristics, such as land cover, tree distribution, type, and density. This results in a total of seven distinct types. The study employs a combination of the I-tree eco model, drone-based modeling, and on-site surveys to estimate carbon storage and sequestration in urban parks. The results show that the average carbon storage per unit area in the entire park was 15.3 tons of carbon per hectare, ranging from a minimum of 5.0 to a maximum of 21.4 tons per hectare. For the planted area, the average carbon storage was 8.6 tons per hectare. Grids with green areas dominated by broad-leaved trees and closed canopy cover had the highest carbon sequestration and storage values. The planting area ratio and the type of trees planted were found to directly influence the carbon sequestration capacity per unit area of urban parks. This study stands out from previous research by conducting a detailed area-based comparison and analysis of carbon sequestration capacity in urban parks using sophisticated measurement techniques. The findings offer direct insights into strategies and policies for securing future urban carbon sinks and can be of practical use in this regard.
Cutting with Circular Saw of Traversal-Structured Panels Obtained from Spruce (Picea abies L.) Branches
Authors: Olarescu Alin M. , Lunguleasa Aurel
Published: April 2024

Finding new wood resources is a permanent challenge nowadays, especially due to the fact that there is a crisis of these resources through the continuous degradation of forest areas that can be exploited. In this general context, the use of spruce (Picea abies L.) branches to create panels with a transverse texture becomes the main purpose of this research. Going beyond the current stage of research in the field, this research highlights the particularities of cutting panels with a transverse texture made from spruce branches, especially due to the cutting direction compared to the wood grain. In addition to the activities of collecting and sorting the branches, processing and joining, in order to obtain dimensionally stable panels, the workability of these panels with a transverse texture represents a new challenge in this field. The work methodology was based on the effective measurement of the cutting and advance power during cutting with a circular blade. The obtained results referred to the comparison of 10 working regimes from the point of view of the electrical power consumed, according to the two main parameters taken into account, which are the rotational speed of the circular blade and the advance speed. The final conclusion of the work highlighted the fact that the processing of panels with a transverse structure requires specific work regimes, namely an optimal regime of electric consumption of 2.2 kW, at a cutting speed of 79.2 m/s and an advance speed of 3.7 m/min.
Fuel Drivers of Fire Behaviour in Coastal Mallee Shrublands
Authors: Telfer Simeon , Reinke Karin , Jones Simon , Hilton James
Published: April 2024

Coastal mallee shrubland wildfires present challenges for accurately predicting fire spread sustainability and rate of spread. In this study, we assess the fuel drivers contributing to coastal mallee shrubland fires. A review of shrubland fire behaviour models and fuel metrics was conducted to determine the current practice of assessing shrubland fuels. This was followed by workshops designed to elicit which fuel structural metrics are key drivers of fire behaviour in coastal mallee shrublands. We found that height is the most commonly used fuel metric in shrubland fire models due to the ease of collection in situ or as a surrogate for more complex fuel structures. Expert workshop results suggest that cover and connectivity metrics are key to modelling fire behaviour in coastal mallee shrublands. While height and cover are frequently used in fire models, we conclude that connectivity metrics would offer additional insights into fuel drivers in mallee shrublands. Future research into coastal mallee fire behaviour should include the measurements of fuel height, cover, and horizontal and vertical connectivity.
Comparison of Growth Performance, Nutritional Composition, and Muscle Transcriptome between Two Cultured Varieties of the Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Huang Peiying , Li Xiaoyong , Pei Jianmin , Liu Wenzhen , Hou Jiahao , Li Linjie , Fan Hongxiang , Zeng Liugen , Zhao Daxian
Published: April 2024

This study evaluated the disparities in growth performance and nutritional composition between two common Chinese mitten crab varieties, “Jianghai 21” and “Changjiang 2”, cultured in Jiangxi Province. Over the breeding period, parameters such as body weight, height, carapace length and width, and lengths of the second and third legs exhibited increases. Growth indices of “Jianghai 21” surpassed those of “Changjiang 2” during the intermediate and late breeding phases. While “Changjiang 2” demonstrated significantly higher crude lipid content than “Jianghai 21”, the latter exhibited markedly higher levels of total amino acids (TAAs), essential amino acids (EAAs), and delectable amino acids. Although overall nutrient composition did not significantly differ, TAA and EAA contents in the hepatopancreas were notably greater in “Jianghai 21” than in “Changjiang 2”. Moreover, a total of 901 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the two varieties, with 560 upregulated and 341 downregulated. These DEGs were primarily associated with pathways related to fatty acid degradation, metabolism, and growth regulation. The observed variances in growth performance and nutrient composition between “Jianghai 21” and “Changjiang 2” suggest potential regulation by relevant genes. In summary, the results showed that the growth performance of “Jianghai 21” is greater than that of “Changjiang 2”, offering valuable insights for the selection of aquaculture varieties in the region.
Notch Signaling Inhibition Alleviates Allergies Caused by Antarctic Krill Tropomyosin through Improving Th1/Th2 Imbalance and Modulating Gut Microbiota
Authors: Lin Na , Chi Hai , Guo Quanyou , Liu Zhidong , Ni Ling
Published: April 2024

Antarctic krill tropomyosin (AkTM) has been shown in mice to cause IgE-mediated food allergy. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of Notch signaling in AkTM-sensitized mice, as well as to determine the changes in gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the allergic mice. An AkTM-induced food allergy mouse model was built and N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) was used as an γ-secretase inhibitor to inhibit the activation of Notch signaling. Food allergy indices, some key transcription factors, histologic alterations in the small intestine, and changes in gut microbiota composition were examined. The results showed that DAPT inhibited Notch signaling, which reduced AkTM-specific IgE, suppressed mast cell degranulation, decreased IL-4 but increased IFN-γ production, and alleviated allergic symptoms. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting analyses revealed that expressions of Hes-1, Gata3, and IL-4 were down-regulated after DAPT treatment, accompanied by increases in T-bet and IFN-γ, indicating that Notch signaling was active in AkTM-sensitized mice and blocking it could reverse the Th1/Th2 imbalance. Expressions of key transcription factors revealed that Notch signaling could promote Th2 cell differentiation in sensitized mice. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that AkTM could alter the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in mice, leading to increases in inflammation-inducing bacteria such as Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella. Correlation analysis indicated that reduced SCFA concentrations in AkTM-allergic mice may be related to decreases in certain SCFA-producing bacteria, such as Clostridia_UCG-014. The changes in gut microbiota and SCFAs could be partially restored by DAPT treatment. Our findings showed that inhibiting Notch signaling could alleviate AkTM-induced food allergy by correcting Th1/Th2 imbalance and modulating the gut microbiota.
UHPLC-PAD Protocol for the Simultaneous Identification of Polyphenols and Bitter Acids: Organoleptic and Nutraceutical Fingerprinting of Bergamot-Flavored Craft Beer
Authors: Carabetta Sonia , Di Sanzo Rosa , Andronaco Pietro , Canino Francesco , Branyik Tomas , Salafia Fabio , Fuda Salvatore , Muscolo Adele , Russo Mariateresa
Published: April 2024

In this study, a UHPLC-PDA method for the simultaneous identification of polyphenols and bitter acids (alpha, beta, and isoalpha) in beer was developed. The resulting chemical profiles were leveraged to distinguish the characteristics of four (IPA, Lager, Blanche, ALE) bergamot-flavored beers, produced on a pilot-scale plant. In a streamlined 29 min analysis, thirty polyphenols and fourteen bitter acids were successfully identified under optimized separation conditions. Validation, encompassing parameters such as LOD (from 0.028 ppm for isorhamnetin to 0.106 for narirutin), LOQ (from 0.077 ppm for naringenin to 0.355 for narirutin), R2 (always more than 0.9992), repeatability (from 0.67% for tangeretin to 6.38% for myricetin), and reproducibility (from 0.99% for sinensetin to 6% for naringin), was conducted for polyphenol quantification using constructed calibration curves with seven levels. Exploring polyphenolic components as potential discriminators among different beer styles, a total of thirty-two polyphenolic compounds were identified and quantified, including characteristic bergamot peel polyphenols like neoeriocitrin (from 7.85 ppm for CBS2 to 11.95 ppm in CBS1); naringin (from 4.56 ppm for CBS4 to 10.96 in CBS1), and neohesperidin (from 5.93 in CBS3 to 15.95 for CBS2). The multivariate analysis provided additional insights into variations among specific beer styles, revealing discrepancies in the presence or relative concentrations of specific compounds linked to brewing ingredients and processes. This research enhances the fingerprinting of the chemistry governing beer quality through a straightforward and cost-effective analytical approach.
Sesame Seeds: A Nutrient-Rich Superfood
Authors: Mostashari Parisa , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin
Published: April 2024

Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) have been cultivated for thousands of years and have long been celebrated for their culinary versatility. Beyond their delightful nutty flavor and crunchy texture, sesame seeds have also gained recognition for their remarkable health benefits. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the numerous ways in which sesame seeds contribute to overall well-being. Sesame seeds are a powerhouse of phytochemicals, including lignans derivatives, tocopherol isomers, phytosterols, and phytates, which have been associated with various health benefits, including the preservation of cardiovascular health and the prevention of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and brain dysfunction. These compounds have also been substantiated for their efficacy in cholesterol management. Their potential as a natural source of beneficial plant compounds is presented in detail. The article further explores the positive impact of sesame seeds on reducing the risk of chronic diseases thanks to their rich polyunsaturated fatty acids content. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remember the significance of maintaining a well-rounded diet to achieve the proper balance of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a balance lacking in sesame seed oil. The significance of bioactive polypeptides derived from sesame seeds is also discussed, shedding light on their applications as nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional ingredients. Recognizing the pivotal role of processing methods on sesame seeds, this review discusses how these methods can influence bioactive compounds. While roasting the seeds enhances the antioxidant properties of the oil extract, certain processing techniques may reduce phenolic compounds.
Observational Tests of Active Galactic Nuclei Feedback: An Overview of Approaches and Interpretation
Authors: Harrison Chris M. , Ramos Almeida Cristina
Published: April 2024

Growing supermassive black holes (Active Galactic Nuclei; AGN) release energy with the potential to alter their host galaxies and larger-scale environment; a process named “AGN feedback”. Feedback is a required component of galaxy formation models and simulations to explain the observed properties of galaxy populations. We provide a broad overview of observational approaches that are designed to establish the physical processes that couple AGN energy to the multi-phase gas, or to find evidence that AGN impact upon galaxy evolution. The orders-of-magnitude range in spatial, temporal, and temperature scales, requires a diverse set of observational studies. For example, studying individual targets in detail sheds light on coupling mechanisms; however, evidence for the long-term impact of AGN is better established within galaxy populations that are not necessarily currently active. We emphasise how modern surveys have revealed the importance of radio emission for identifying and characterising feedback mechanisms. At the achieved sensitivities, the detected radio emission can trace a range of processes, including a shocked interstellar medium caused by AGN outflows (driven by various mechanisms including radiation pressure, accretion disc winds, and jets). We also describe how interpreting observations in the context of theoretical work can be challenging, in part, due to some of the adopted terminology.
Integrated Pleiotropic Gene Set Unveils Comorbidity Insights across Digestive Cancers and Other Diseases
Authors: Wu Xinnan , Luo Guangwen , Dong Zhaonian , Zheng Wen , Jia Gengjie
Published: April 2024

Comorbidities are prevalent in digestive cancers, intensifying patient discomfort and complicating prognosis. Identifying potential comorbidities and investigating their genetic connections in a systemic manner prove to be instrumental in averting additional health challenges during digestive cancer management. Here, we investigated 150 diseases across 18 categories by collecting and integrating various factors related to disease comorbidity, such as disease-associated SNPs or genes from sources like MalaCards, GWAS Catalog and UK Biobank. Through this extensive analysis, we have established an integrated pleiotropic gene set comprising 548 genes in total. Particularly, there enclosed the genes encoding major histocompatibility complex or related to antigen presentation. Additionally, we have unveiled patterns in protein-protein interactions and key hub genes/proteins including TP53, KRAS, CTNNB1 and PIK3CA, which may elucidate the co-occurrence of digestive cancers with certain diseases. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular origins of comorbidity, offering potential avenues for patient stratification and the development of targeted therapies in clinical trials.
Physical Activity Levels and Social Cognitive Theory Correlates among Adults with Crohn’s Disease: Preliminary Results from a Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Neal Whitney N. , Pekmezi Dorothy , Motl Robert W.
Published: April 2024

There is increasing research and clinical interest in physical activity (PA) as an adjuvant therapy for improving health outcomes among persons with Crohn’s disease. To date, little is known regarding PA behavior and its cognitive and behavioral correlates in Crohn’s disease. Thus, we assessed self-reported PA and its social cognitive theory (SCT) correlates in a sample of persons with Crohn’s disease. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics, disease activity, leisure-time PA, and SCT variables were collected from 30 participants with Crohn’s disease (90% White, 60% female) through an online survey. SCT variables assessed included exercise self-efficacy, social support, outcome expectations, goal setting, and planning. Analyses involved comparing PA levels and SCT survey scores using independent sample t-tests and non-parametric bivariate correlations. The majority of participants were in clinical remission (60%) and over half (57%) were classified as physically active, yet the mean PA level was lower than normative values for adults. Females (n = 18) and participants who reported previous surgery for Crohn’s disease (n = 18) were almost twice as physically active as male participants and those without a history of Crohn’s disease-related surgery, respectively (p’s < 0.05). Overall, participants who reported greater exercise goal setting behaviors had higher levels of PA (rs = 0.34; p < 0.05). These findings highlight lower overall levels of PA in persons with Crohn’s disease, and exercise goal setting represents a potential target of behavior change interventions for increasing PA in this population.
Chromosomal Damage, Chromosome Instability, and Polymorphisms in GSTP1 and XRCC1 as Biomarkers of Effect and Susceptibility in Farmers Exposed to Pesticides
Authors: Aldana-Salazar Fernando , Rangel Nelson , Rodríguez María José , Baracaldo César , Martínez-Agüero María , Rondón-Lagos Milena
Published: April 2024

In the department of Boyacá, Colombia, agriculture stands as one of the primary economic activities. However, the escalating utilization of pesticides within this sector has sparked concern regarding its potential correlation with elevated risks of genotoxicity, chromosomal alterations, and carcinogenesis. Furthermore, pesticides have been associated with a broad spectrum of genetic polymorphisms that impact pivotal genes involved in pesticide metabolism and DNA repair, among other processes. Nonetheless, our understanding of the genotoxic effects of pesticides on the chromosomes (as biomarkers of effect) in exposed farmers and the impact of genetic polymorphisms (as susceptibility biomarkers) on the increased risk of chromosomal damage is still limited. The aim of our study was to evaluate chromosomal alterations, chromosomal instability, and clonal heterogeneity, as well as the presence of polymorphic variants in the GSTP1 and XRCC1 genes, in peripheral blood samples of farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides in Aquitania, Colombia, and in an unexposed control group. Our results showed statistically significant differences in the frequency of numerical chromosomal alterations, chromosomal instability, and clonal heterogeneity levels between the exposed and unexposed groups. In addition, we also found a higher frequency of chromosomal instability and clonal heterogeneity in exposed individuals carrying the heterozygous GSTP1 AG and XRCC1 (exon 10) GA genotypes. The evaluation of chromosomal alterations and chromosomal instability resulting from pesticide exposure, combined with the identification of polymorphic variants in the GSTP1 and XRCC1 genes, and further research involving a larger group of individuals exposed to pesticides could enable the identification of effect and susceptibility biomarkers. Such markers could prove valuable for monitoring individuals occupationally exposed to pesticides.
Dysfunction of Gpl1–Gih35–Wdr83 Complex in S. pombe Affects the Splicing of DNA Damage Repair Factors Resulting in Increased Sensitivity to DNA Damage
Authors: Cipakova Ingrid , Jurcik Matus , Selicky Tomas , Lalakova Laura Olivia , Jakubikova Jana , Cipak Lubos
Published: April 2024

Pre-mRNA splicing plays a key role in the regulation of gene expression. Recent discoveries suggest that defects in pre-mRNA splicing, resulting from the dysfunction of certain splicing factors, can impact the expression of genes crucial for genome surveillance mechanisms, including those involved in cellular response to DNA damage. In this study, we analyzed how cells with a non-functional spliceosome-associated Gpl1–Gih35–Wdr83 complex respond to DNA damage. Additionally, we investigated the role of this complex in regulating the splicing of factors involved in DNA damage repair. Our findings reveal that the deletion of any component within the Gpl1–Gih35–Wdr83 complex leads to a significant accumulation of unspliced pre-mRNAs of DNA repair factors. Consequently, mutant cells lacking this complex exhibit increased sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. These results highlight the importance of the Gpl1–Gih35–Wdr83 complex in regulating the expression of DNA repair factors, thereby protecting the stability of the genome following DNA damage.
A Flexible Infrastructure-Sharing 5G Network Architecture Based on Network Slicing and Roaming
Authors: Ferreira João P. , Ferreira Vinicius C. , Nogueira Sérgio L. , Faria João M. , Afonso José A.
Published: April 2024

The sharing of mobile network infrastructure has become a key topic with the introduction of 5G due to the high costs of deploying such infrastructures, with neutral host models coupled with features such as network function virtualization (NFV) and network slicing emerging as viable solutions for the challenges in this area. With this in mind, this work presents the design, implementation, and test of a flexible infrastructure-sharing 5G network architecture capable of providing services to any type of client, whether an operator or not. The proposed architecture leverages 5G’s network slicing for traffic isolation and compliance with the policies of different clients, with roaming employed for the authentication of users of operator clients. The proposed architecture was implemented and tested in a simulation environment using the UERANSIM and Open5GS open-source tools. Qualitative tests successfully validated the authentication and the traffic isolation features provided by the slices for the two types of clients. Results also demonstrate that the proposed architecture has a positive impact on the performance of the neutral host network infrastructure, achieving 61.8%-higher throughput and 96.8%-lower packet loss ratio (PLR) in a scenario sharing the infrastructure among four clients and eight users when compared to a single client with all the network resources.
Innovative Hybrid UAV Design, Development, and Manufacture for Forest Preservation and Acoustic Surveillance
Authors: Badea Gabriel Petre , Frigioescu Tiberius Florian , Dombrovschi Madalin , Cican Grigore , Dima Marius , Anghel Victoras , Crunteanu Daniel Eugeniu
Published: April 2024

The research described in this paper focuses on the development of an innovative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tailored for a specific mission: detecting the acoustic signature emitted by chainsaws, identifying deforestation, and reporting its location for legality assessment. Various calculations were conducted to determine the optimal solution, resulting in the choice of a fixed-wing UAV. A comparative analysis between tri-rotor and quadcopter systems was performed, leading to the selection of the tri-rotor configuration. The primary objective of this study is to design an innovative hybrid UAV concept with key features including a fixed-wing design and integrated VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) capability in the experimental model. The aircraft has been constructed using advanced materials such as fiber-reinforced polymer composites, manufactured using both conventional and advanced techniques like continuous fiber additive manufacturing and the use of a polymer matrix. Additionally, the aerodynamic configuration is optimized to achieve a cruise speed of approximately 50 km/h and a flight autonomy exceeding 3 h. The UAV has been equipped with payloads for mounting sensors to collect meteorological data, and crucially, the VTOL system has been optimized to vectorize thrust for improved performance during the transition from hover to cruise flight. This paper details the entire manufacturing and assembly process of the drone, covering both the structural framework and associated electrical installations. A dedicated sound detection system is incorporated into the drone to identify chainsaw noise, with the aim of preventing deforestation.
The Cyclical Battle of Insomnia and Mental Health Impairment in Firefighters: A Narrative Review
Authors: Holland-Winkler Angelia M. , Greene Daniel R. , Oberther Tiffany J.
Published: April 2024

The occupational requirements of full-time non-administrative firefighters include shift-work schedules and chronic exposure to alerting emergency alarms, hazardous working conditions, and psychologically traumatic events that they must attend and respond to. These compiling and enduring aspects of the career increase the firefighter’s risk for insomnia and mental health conditions compared to the general population. Poor sleep quality and mental health impairments are known to coincide with and contribute to the symptom severity of one another. Thus, it is important to determine approaches that may improve sleep and/or mental health specifically for firefighters, as their occupation varies in many aspects from any other occupation. This review will discuss symptoms of insomnia and mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicide in firefighters. The influencing factors of sleep and mental health will be examined including anxiety sensitivity, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. Current sleep and mental health interventions specific to full-time firefighters are limited in number; however, the existing experimental studies will be outlined. Lastly, this review will provide support for exploring exercise as a possible intervention that may benefit the sleep and mental health of this population.
The Influence of Increased Pedicle Screw Diameter and Thicker Rods on Surgical Results in Adolescents Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion for Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Grabala Pawel , Kowalski Piotr , Grabala Michal
Published: April 2024

Background: Modern surgical techniques allow for the correction of spinal deformity, stopping its progression and improving pain relief and social and physical functioning. These instruments have different implant designs, screws, and rod diameters and can be composed of different metal alloys with different hardnesses, which can have a significant impact on the effect of correcting spinal deformities. We designed a retrospective cohort study based on the same surgical technique and spine system using different implant sizes, and compared the results across them. Methods: This is a retrospective review of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion (PSF) between 2016 and 2022 with a minimum two-year follow-up (FU) using two spinal implant systems: 5.5 and 6.0 mm diameter screws with double 5.5 mm titanium rods (Group 1 (G1)), and 6.0 and 6.5 mm diameter pedicle screws with double 6.0 mm cobalt–chromium rods (Group 2 (G2)). The evaluated data were as follows: preoperative personal data, radiographic outcomes, complications, and health-related quality of life questionnaire (HRQoL). The parameters were reviewed preoperatively, after the final fusion, and during the FU. Results: The mean age of all 260 patients at surgery was 14.8 years. The average BMI was also similar in both groups and was noted as 21. The mean levels of fusion and screw density were similar in both groups. The mean preoperative major curves (MCs) were 57.6° and 62.5° in G1 and G2, respectively. The mean flexibility of the curves was noted as 35% in G1 and 33% in G2. After definitive surgery, the mean percentage correction of the MC was better in G2 vs. G1, with 74.5% vs. 69.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). At the final FU, the average loss of correction was 5.9° for G1 and 3.2° for G2 (p < 0.001). The mean preoperative (TK) thoracic kyphosis (T2–T5) was 12.2° in G1 and 10.8° in G2. It was corrected to 15.2° in G1 and to 13° in G2. At the FFU, we noted a significant difference in the TK (T2–T5) between the groups, with 16.7° vs. 9.6° for G1 vs. G2, respectively (p < 0.001). Statistical significance was observed between the preoperative sagittal balance and the final follow-up for both groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: AIS patients surgically treated with screws with a larger diameter and thicker and stiffer rods showed greater correction and postoperative thoracic kyphosis without implant failure. The complication rates, implant density, and clinical outcomes remained similar. The radiographic benefits reported in this cohort study suggest that large-sized screws and stiffer rods for the correction of pediatric spinal deformities are safe and very effective.
Expression of Immunoglobulin G4 in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Lee See-Young , Nahm Ji-Hae , Kim Min-Jae , Kim Yuna , Kim Jie-Hyun , Youn Young-Hoon , Park Hyojin
Published: April 2024

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a disease that has been subcategorized into two endoscopic phenotypes: inflammatory and fibrostenotic. Moreover, studies have shown a link between EoE and immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4), a subclass of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between histologic IgG4 expression and endoscopic phenotypes in patients with EoE. Methods: This case-control study included patients diagnosed with EoE (n = 19) and patients with non-obstructive dysphagia without abnormal findings as controls (NOD; n = 12). The EoE group was further divided into three subgroups based on endoscopic phenotype: inflammatory, fibrostenotic, or combined. Retrospective examination of endoscopic findings and pathological slides was performed to analyze IgG4 staining. Results: Histological analysis revealed a significant difference in IgG4 cell count (15.00 vs. 0.58, p = 0.003) and eosinophil cell count (84.67 vs. 0.08, p < 0.001) between the EoE and NOD groups. Symptom manifestation and blood test results were similar across all three endoscopic EoE phenotypes. However, histological analysis revealed a significant difference in IgG4 cell count between the inflammatory, fibrostenotic, and combined phenotypes (4.13 vs. 17.6 vs. 59.7, p = 0.030). Conclusions: IgG4 expression was higher in EoE patients than in those with NOD, the highest being in the combined phenotype subgroup. These findings emphasize the important role of endoscopic and histological examination in diagnosing EoE and the need for further research in this area.
A Novel Decision Tree Model for Predicting the Cancer-Specific Survival of Patients with Bladder Cancer Treated with Radical Cystectomy
Authors: Sarrio-Sanz Pau , Martinez-Cayuelas Laura , Beltran-Perez Abraham , Muñoz-Montoya Milagros , Segura-Heras Jose-Vicente , Gil-Guillen Vicente F. , Gomez-Perez Luis
Published: April 2024

Background/Objectives: The aim was to develop a decision tree and a new prognostic tool to predict cancer-specific survival in patients with urothelial bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy. Methods: A total of 11,834 patients with bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy between 2004 and 2019 from the SEER database were randomly split into the derivation (n = 7889) and validation cohorts (n = 3945). Survival curves were estimated using conditional decision tree analysis. We used Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations for the treatment of missing values and the pec package to compare the predictive performance. We extracted data from our model following CHARMS and assessed the risk of bias and applicability with PROBAST. Results: A total of 4824 (41%) patients died during the follow-up period due to bladder cancer. A decision tree was made and 12 groups were obtained. Patients with a higher AJCC stage and older age have a worse prognosis. The risk groups were summarized into high, intermediate and low risk. The integrated Brier scores between 0 and 191 months for the bootstrap estimates of the prediction error are the lowest for our conditional survival tree (0.189). The model showed a low risk of bias and low concern about applicability. The results must be externally validated. Conclusions: Decision tree analysis is a useful tool with significant discrimination. With this tool, we were able to stratify patients into 12 subgroups and 3 risk groups with a low risk of bias and low concern about applicability.
Surgical Treatment of Shoulder Pathologies in Professional Gymnasts: Findings, Treatment, and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Ranieri Riccardo , Illuminati Matteo , Conti Marco , Delle Rose Giacomo , Minelli Marco , Castagna Alessandro
Published: April 2024

Background: This study aims to investigate the impact of shoulder surgery on professional gymnasts through a case series, analyzing the mechanisms of injury and the shoulder lesion patterns, and reporting the clinical outcomes and return to sport. Methods: Twenty-nine surgically treated shoulders in twenty-seven professional gymnasts were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified based on predominant symptoms and anatomical lesions in painful or unstable shoulders. Demographic and injury data, pathological findings, surgical procedure information, and data on time and level of return to sport were collected. Results: The average age of participants was 20.2 ± 3.8 years. Acute traumatic onset was reported in 51.8% of cases. Shoulders were categorized as painful in 13 cases and unstable in 16 cases. The most common pathologies were capsulolabral injuries (72%), biceps injuries (48%), and rotator cuff injuries (40%). All of the athletes returned to training within an average of 7.3 months, while the return to competition rate was 56%, achieved in an average of 10.3 months. The sport-specific subjective shoulder value was 84.8% ± 16.6%. Half of the patients who stopped competition reported reasons related to symptom persistence, while the other half reported personal reasons. No significant difference in the return to sport was reported in the cases of painful or unstable shoulder. Conclusions: Professional gymnasts requiring shoulder surgery commonly present multiple and complex lesions. Returning to training was possible in all cases; however, the possibility of persisting symptoms and other personal factors which may compromise the return to competition should be discussed with the athlete to give them insights into the possible outcomes.