bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary function and atherosclerosis in the general population: causal associations and clinical implications
Authors: Engström Gunnar , Lampa Erik , Dekkers Koen , Lin Yi-Ting , Ahlm Kristin , Ahlström Håkan , Alfredsson Joakim , Bergström Göran , Blomberg Anders , Brandberg John , Caidahl Kenneth , Cederlund Kerstin , Duvernoy Olov , Engvall Jan E. , Eriksson Maria J. , Fall Tove , Gigante Bruna , Gummesson Anders , Hagström Emil , Hamrefors Viktor , Hedner Jan , Janzon Magnus , Jernberg Tomas , Johnson Linda , Lind Lars , Lindberg Eva , Mannila Maria , Nilsson Ulf , Persson Anders , Persson Hans Lennart , Persson Margaretha , Ramnemark Anna , Rosengren Annika , Schmidt Caroline , Skoglund Larsson Linn , Sköld C. Magnus , Swahn Eva , Söderberg Stefan , Torén Kjell , Waldenström Anders , Wollmer Per , Zaigham Suneela , Östgren Carl Johan , Sundström Johan
Published: January 2024

Reduced lung function is associated with cardiovascular mortality, but the relationships with atherosclerosis are unclear. The population-based Swedish CArdioPulmonary BioImage study measured lung function, emphysema, coronary CT angiography, coronary calcium, carotid plaques and ankle-brachial index in 29,593 men and women aged 50–64 years. The results were confirmed using 2-sample Mendelian randomization. Lower lung function and emphysema were associated with more atherosclerosis, but these relationships were attenuated after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. Lung function was not associated with coronary atherosclerosis in 14,524 never-smokers. No potentially causal effect of lung function on atherosclerosis, or vice versa, was found in the 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. Here we show that reduced lung function and atherosclerosis are correlated in the population, but probably not causally related. Assessing lung function in addition to conventional cardiovascular risk factors to gauge risk of subclinical atherosclerosis is probably not meaningful, but low lung function found by chance should alert for atherosclerosis.
Engineers on responsibility: feminist approaches to who’s responsible for ethical AI
Authors: Drage Eleanor , McInerney Kerry , Browne Jude
Published: January 2024

Responsibility has become a central concept in AI ethics; however, little research has been conducted into practitioners’ personal understandings of responsibility in the context of AI, including how responsibility should be defined and who is responsible when something goes wrong. In this article, we present findings from a 2020–2021 data set of interviews with AI practitioners and tech workers at a single multinational technology company and interpret them through the lens of feminist political thought. We reimagine responsibility in the context of AI development and deployment as the product of work cultures that enable tech workers to be responsive and answerable for their products over the long and short term. From our interviews, we identify three key pain points in understanding the distribution of responsibility between actors and developing responsible design and deployment practices: (1) unstable business ecosystems and AI lifecycles, which require an approach to responsibility that accounts for the dynamic nature of these systems; (2) the issue of incentivizing engineers to take responsibility for the mundane maintenance practices essential to the functioning of AI systems and (3) the need to overcome individual and structural barriers to taking ownership over AI products and their effects. From these findings, we make three recommendations based on feminist theory: (1) organisations should move from a static model of responsibility to a dynamic and ethically motivated response-ability; (2) companies need to revalue care and maintenance practices; and (3) firms must move away from individualistic ideas of responsibility towards fostering wider cultures of responsibility.
Scutellarin Alleviates Ovalbumin-Induced Airway Remodeling in Mice and TGF-β-Induced Pro-fibrotic Phenotype in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells via MAPK and Smad2/3 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Li Minfang , Jia Dan , Li Jinshuai , Li Yaqing , Wang Yaqiong , Wang Yuting , Xie Wei , Chen Sheng
Published: January 2024

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), inflammation, and remodeling. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential player in these alterations. Scutellarin is isolated from Erigeron breviscapus. Its vascular relaxative, myocardial protective, and anti-inflammatory effects have been well established. This study was designed to detect the biological roles of scutellarin in asthma and its related mechanisms. The asthma-like conditions were induced by ovalbumin challenges. The airway resistance and dynamic compliance were recorded as the results of AHR. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and processed for differential cell counting. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining, and Masson staining were conducted to examine histopathological changes. The levels of asthma-related cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For in vitro analysis, the 16HBE cells were stimulated with 10 ng/mL transforming growth beta-1 (TGF-β1). Cell migration was estimated by Transwell assays and wound healing assays. E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analyzed by western blotting, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence staining, and immunohistochemistry staining. The underlying mechanisms of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Smad pathways were investigated by western blotting. In an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mouse model, scutellarin suppressed inflammation and inflammatory cell infiltration into the lungs and attenuated AHR and airway remodeling. Additionally, scutellarin inhibited airway EMT (upregulated E-cadherin level and downregulated N-cadherin and α-SMA) in ovalbumin-challenged asthmatic mice. For in vitro analysis, scutellarin prevented the TGF-β1-induced migration and EMT in 16HBE cells. Mechanistically, scutellarin inhibits the phosphorylation of Smad2, Smad3, ERK, JNK, and p38 in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, scutellarin can inactivate the Smad/MAPK pathways to suppress the TGF-β1-stimulated epithelial fibrosis and EMT and relieve airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma. This study provides a potential therapeutic strategy for asthma.
Systematic analysis of the scientific-technological production on the use of the UV, H2O2, and/or Cl2 systems in the elimination of bacteria and associated antibiotic resistance genes
Authors: Espinosa-Barrera Paula Andrea , Gómez-Gómez Marcela , Vanegas Javier , Machuca-Martinez Fiderman , Torres-Palma Ricardo Antonio , Martínez-Pachón Diana , Moncayo-Lasso Alejandro
Published: January 2024

This study presents a systematic review of the scientific and technological production related to the use of systems based on UV, H2O2, and Cl2for the elimination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes associated with antibiotic resistance (ARGs). Using the Pro Know-C (Knowledge Development Process-Constructivist) methodology, a portfolio was created and analyzed that includes 19 articles and 18 patents published between 2011 and 2022. The results show a greater scientific-technological production in UV irradiation systems (8 articles and 5 patents) and the binary combination UV/H2O2(9 articles and 4 patents). It was emphasized that UV irradiation alone focuses mainly on the removal of ARB, while the addition of H2O2or Cl2, either individually or in binary combinations with UV, enhances the removal of ARB and ARG. The need for further research on the UV/H2O2/Cl2system is emphasized, as gaps in the scientific-technological production of this system (0 articles and 2 patents), especially in its electrochemically assisted implementation, have been identified. Despite the gaps identified, there are promising prospects for the use of combined electrochemically assisted UV/H2O2/Cl2disinfection systems. This is demonstrated by the effective removal of a wide range of contaminants, including ARB, fungi, and viruses, as well as microorganisms resistant to conventional disinfectants, while reducing the formation of toxic by-products.
Fresh air in the city: the impact of air pollution on the pricing of real estate
Authors: Miłuch Oktawia , Kopczewska Katarzyna
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the impact of ambient air pollution on housing prices in Warsaw, Poland, by examining spatial dependencies. The high concentration of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1) is expected to reduce real estate values. Using a hedonic model with approximately 15,000 observations and a spatial error model, we did not find evidence of this impact. Standard and premium housing submarkets differ in price determinants, but both are insensitive to environmental issues. This could be explained by the lack of comprehensive intra-urban historical information on air pollution, which limits investors’ rationality and their ability to properly value real estate based on environmental issues. Additionally, measurement and aggregation issues, along with low pollution variability within the city, may contribute to the insignificance of this information in real estate sales prices. Our empirical research confirms a strong link between air pollution and weather conditions within the city, where low temperatures and low-speed southern winds worsen contamination levels, while high temperatures and westerly winds improve air quality. Furthermore, we find that incorporating pollution data using PM yearly mean concentration works better in modelling than the PCA-reduced air pollution index.
Nanoparticle-enhanced coolants in machining: mechanism, application, and prospects
Authors: Hu Shuguo , Li Changhe , Zhou Zongming , Liu Bo , Zhang Yanbin , Yang Min , Li Benkai , Gao Teng , Liu Mingzheng , Cui Xin , Wang Xiaoming , Xu Wenhao , Dambatta Y. S. , Li Runze , Sharma Shubham
Published: January 2024

Nanoparticle-enhanced coolants (NPECs) are increasingly used in minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) machining as a green lubricant to replace conventional cutting fluids to meet the urgent need for carbon emissions and achieve sustainable manufacturing. However, the thermophysical properties of NPEC during processing remain unclear, making it difficult to provide precise guidance and selection principles for industrial applications. Therefore, this paper reviews the action mechanism, processing properties, and future development directions of NPEC. First, the laws of influence of nano-enhanced phases and base fluids on the processing performance are revealed, and the dispersion stabilization mechanism of NPEC in the preparation process is elaborated. Then, the unique molecular structure and physical properties of NPECs are combined to elucidate their unique mechanisms of heat transfer, penetration, and antifriction effects. Furthermore, the effect of NPECs is investigated on the basis of their excellent lubricating and cooling properties by comprehensively and quantitatively evaluating the material removal characteristics during machining in turning, milling, and grinding applications. Results showed that turning of Ti–6Al–4V with multi-walled carbon nanotube NPECs with a volume fraction of 0.2% resulted in a 34% reduction in tool wear, an average decrease in cutting force of 28%, and a 7% decrease in surface roughnessRa, compared with the conventional flood process. Finally, research gaps and future directions for further applications of NPECs in the industry are presented.
A spatial transformation-based CAN model for information integration within grid cell modules
Authors: Zhang Zhihui , Tang Fengzhen , Li Yiping , Feng Xisheng
Published: January 2024

The hippocampal-entorhinal circuit is considered to play an important role in the spatial cognition of animals. However, the mechanism of the information flow within the circuit and its contribution to the function of the grid-cell module are still topics of discussion. Prevailing theories suggest that grid cells are primarily influenced by self-motion inputs from the Medial Entorhinal Cortex, with place cells serving a secondary role by contributing to the visual calibration of grid cells. However, recent evidence suggests that both self-motion inputs and visual cues may collaboratively contribute to the formation of grid-like patterns. In this paper, we introduce a novel Continuous Attractor Network model based on a spatial transformation mechanism. This mechanism enables the integration of self-motion inputs and visual cues within grid-cell modules, synergistically driving the formation of grid-like patterns. From the perspective of individual neurons within the network, our model successfully replicates grid firing patterns. From the view of neural population activity within the network, the network can form and drive the activated bump, which describes the characteristic feature of grid-cell modules, namely, path integration. Through further exploration and experimentation, our model can exhibit significant performance in path integration. This study provides a new insight into understanding the mechanism of how the self-motion and visual inputs contribute to the neural activity within grid-cell modules. Furthermore, it provides theoretical support for achieving accurate path integration, which holds substantial implications for various applications requiring spatial navigation and mapping.
Imaging findings in inflammatory disease of the genital organs
Authors: Shibuki Saki , Saida Tsukasa , Hoshiai Sodai , Ishiguro Toshitaka , Sakai Masafumi , Amano Taishi , Abe Tetsuya , Yoshida Miki , Mori Kensaku , Nakajima Takahito
Published: January 2024

This review focuses on inflammatory diseases of female and male genital organs and discusses their epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and imaging findings. The female section covers pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) primarily caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Unusual causes such as actinomycosis and tuberculosis have also been explored. The male section delves into infections affecting the vas deferens, epididymis, testes, prostate, and seminal vesicles. Uncommon causes such as tuberculosis, and Zinner syndrome have also been discussed. In addition, this review highlights other conditions that mimic male genital tract infections such as vasculitis, IgG4-related diseases, and sarcoidosis. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of these inflammatory diseases are essential for preventing serious complications and infertility. Imaging modalities such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography play a crucial role in diagnosis. Understanding the diverse etiologies and imaging findings is vital for the effective management of inflammatory diseases of the genital organs.
Human Rights in Hospitals: an End to Routine Shackling
Authors: Bedi Neil Singh , Mathur Nisha , Wang Judy D. , Rech Avital , Gaden Nancy , Annas George J. , Crosby Sondra S.
Published: January 2024

Medical students (NSB, NM, JDW) spearheaded revision of the policy and clinical practice for shackling incarcerated patients at Boston Medical Center (BMC), the largest safety net hospital in New England. In American hospitals, routine shackling of incarcerated patients with metal restraints is widespread—except for perinatal patients—regardless of consciousness, mobility, illness severity, or age. The modified policy includes individualized assessments and allows incarcerated patients to be unshackled if they meet defined criteria. The students also formed the Stop Shackling Patients Coalition (SSP Coalition) of clinicians, public health practitioners, human rights advocates, and community members determined to humanize the inpatient treatment of incarcerated patients. Changes pioneered at BMC led the Mass General Brigham health system to follow suit. The Massachusetts Medical Society adopted a resolution authored by the SSP Coalition, which condemned universal shackling and advocated for use of the least restrictive alternative. This will be presented to the American Medical Association in June 2024. The Coalition led a similar effort to coauthor a policy statement on the issue, which was formally adopted by the American Public Health Association in November 2023. Most importantly, in an unprecedented human rights victory, a BMC patient who was incarcerated, sedated, and intubated was unshackled by correctional officers for the purpose of preserving human dignity.
Can personal values moderate players’ affective states?
Authors: Castillo Isabel , Tomás Inés , Adell Francisco L. , Álvarez Octavio
Published: January 2024

Based on self-determination theory and Schwartz’s refined theory of basic individual values, the aim of the study was to examine whether adolescents’ personal values might be moderating the relationship between coaches’ perceptions of interpersonal styles, and the affect they experience in relation to their basketball practice. A sample of 233 Spanish male basketball players between 13 and 14 years of age (M = 13.97, SD = 0.18) who were participating in a national competition were assessed. The Spanish versions of the Sport Climate Questionnaire (SCQ), the Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale (CCBS), the Portrait Values Questionnaire-Revised (PVQ-R) and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) were used to measure the variables of interest. Results reveal that for players who prioritize self-enhancement values, perceiving their coach as autonomy-supportive significantly reduces their negative affect. Moreover, prioritizing self-transcendence values neutralizes the positive effect of a controlling style on negative affect. This study highlights the relevance of identifying personal values in order to enhance positive affective states. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance for coaches to work using more autonomy-supportive strategies and avoid working with the use of controlling behaviors to promote positive affect and to prevent negative affect in order to avoid possible dropout from the sport.
Ionic liquids meet lipid bilayers: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Benedetto Antonio
Published: January 2024

In the past 25 years, a vast family of complex organic salts known as room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs) has received increasing attention due to their potential applications. ILs are composed by an organic cation and either an organic or inorganic anion, and possess several intriguing properties such as low vapor pressure and being liquid around room temperature. Several biological studies flagged their moderate-to-high (cyto)-toxicity. Toxicity is, however, also a synonym of affinity, and this boosted a series of biophysical and chemical-physical investigations aimed at exploiting ILs in bio-nanomedicine, drug-delivery, pharmacology, and bio-nanotechnology. Several of these investigations focused on the interaction between ILs and lipid membranes, aimed at determining the microscopic mechanisms behind their interaction. This is the focus of this review work. These studies have been carried out on a variety of different lipid bilayer systems ranging from 1-lipid to 5-lipids systems, and also on cell-extracted membranes. They have been carried out at different chemical-physical conditions and by the use of a number of different approaches, including atomic force microscopy, neutron and X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, surface quartz microbalance, nuclear magnetic resonance, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations. The aim of this “2023 Michèle Auger Award” review work is to provide the reader with an up-to-date overview of this fascinating research field where “ILs meet lipid bilayers (aka biomembranes),” with the aim to boost it further and expand its cross-disciplinary edges towards novel high-impact ideas/applications in pharmacology, drug delivery, biomedicine, and bio-nanotechnology.
Persistence of Infectious Human Norovirus in Estuarine Water
Authors: Rexin Daniel , Rachmadi Andri T. , Hewitt Joanne
Published: January 2024

Norovirus is the predominant cause of viral acute gastroenteritis globally. While person-to-person is the most reported transmission route, norovirus is also associated with waterborne and foodborne illness, including from the consumption of contaminated bivalve molluscan shellfish. The main cause of shellfish contamination is via the bioaccumulation of norovirus from growing waters impacted by human wastewater. However, data on the persistence of infectious norovirus in the environment are limited due to a lack of a human norovirus culture method in the past. In this study, we applied the recently established method of norovirus replication in human intestinal enteroids to determine the persistence of norovirus in artificial estuarine water at 25 ppt for up to 21 days at 4 °C and 16 °C in the dark. Infectious norovirus was detected for up to 21 days. The relative infectivity declined from 100 to 3% at day 21, with decay rate constants of 0.07 day−1 at 4 °C and 0.17 day−1 at 16 °C. There was no decrease in norovirus titres as measured by reverse transcription-droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR), confirming the lack of the relationship between norovirus infectivity and direct detection by PCR. The results confirm that norovirus can remain infectious for at least 3 weeks in an estuarine water environment, presenting associated health risks.
Zur Transformation des Bildungsverständnisses
Authors: May Michael
Published: January 2024

Aus einer Kritik der sich gegenwärtig überschneidenden Diskurse um transformatorische Bildung und Habitus sowie das Theorem der „kulturellen Passung“ bzw. Nicht-Passung werden Grundzüge eines übergreifenden Bildungsverständnisses zur Diskussion gestellt, das in der Erweiterung vorliegender Perspektiven um die Theorie der Reproduktionskodes eine aneignungstheoretische Perspektive auf Bildung eröffnet, welche die Fokussierung von (Nicht‑)Passungsverhältnissen zwischen dem Modus, wie sich Menschen bilden, und der Logik von Bildungsangeboten ermöglicht.
Associations between HIFs and tumor immune checkpoints: mechanism and therapy
Authors: Liu Jiayu , Jiang Ying , Chen Lingyan , Qian Zhiwen , Zhang Yan
Published: January 2024

Hypoxia, which activates a variety of signaling pathways to enhance tumor cell growth and metabolism, is among the primary features of tumor cells. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) have a substantial impact on a variety of facets of tumor biology, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metabolic reprogramming, angiogenesis, and improved radiation resistance. HIFs induce hypoxia-adaptive responses in tumor cells. Many academics have presented preclinical and clinical research targeting HIFs in tumor therapy, highlighting the potential applicability of targeted HIFs. In recent years, the discovery of numerous pharmacological drugs targeting the regulatory mechanisms of HIFs has garnered substantial attention. Additionally, HIF inhibitors have attained positive results when used in conjunction with traditional oncology radiation and/or chemotherapy, as well as with the very promising addition of tumor immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), which are employed in a range of cancer treatments over the past decades, are essential in tumor immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the use of immunotherapy has been severely hampered by tumor resistance and treatment-related toxicity. According to research, HIF inhibitors paired with CPIs may be game changers for multiple malignancies, decreasing malignant cell plasticity and cancer therapy resistance, among other things, and opening up substantial new pathways for immunotherapy drug development. The structure, activation mechanisms, and pharmacological sites of action of the HIF family are briefly reviewed in this work. This review further explores the interactions between HIF inhibitors and other tumor immunotherapy components and covers the potential clinical use of HIF inhibitors in combination with CPIs.
Exploring the relationship between immune heterogeneity characteristic genes of rheumatoid arthritis and acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Jiang Chengzhi , Jiang Wenjuan , Liu Pengtao , Sun Wenxue , Teng Wenjie
Published: January 2024

Background

People with autoimmune diseases are prone to cancer, and there is a close relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The bone marrow (BM) is affected throughout the course of RA, with a variety of hematologic involvement. Hopes are pinned on rheumatoid arthritis research to obtain BM biomarkers for AML.

Methods

Synovial transcriptome sequencing data for RA and osteoarthritis (OA), and single-cell sequencing data for RA and controls were obtained from the GEO database.Bone marrow sequencing data for AML patients and normal subjects were obtained from the UCSC Xena database. The final immune heterogeneity characteristics of RA were determined through ssGSEA analysis, gene differential expression analysis, fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm, and XGboost algorithm. Random Ferns classifiers (RFs) are used to identify new bone marrow markers for AML.

Results

SELL, PTPRC, IL7R, CCR7, and KLRB1 were able to distinguish leukemia cells from normal cells well, with AUC values higher than 0.970.

Conclusion

Genes characterizing the immune heterogeneity of RA are associated with AML, and KLRBA may be a potential target for AML treatment.
Diversity of forest structures important for biodiversity is determined by the combined effects of productivity, stand age, and management
Authors: Hämäläinen Aino , Runnel Kadri , Ranius Thomas , Strengbom Joachim
Published: January 2024

In forests, the amount and diversity of structural features with high value for biodiversity, such as large trees and dead wood, are affected by productivity, stand age, and forest management. For efficient conservation of forest biodiversity, it is essential to understand the combined effects of these drivers. We used data from the Swedish National Forest Inventory to study the combined effects of productivity, stand age, and management for wood production on structures with high value for biodiversity: tree species richness, large living trees, dead wood volume, and specific dead wood types. Forest management changed the relationship between productivity and amount or diversity of some of the structures. Most structures increased with productivity and stand age, but decreased due to management. The negative effect of management was greatest for structures occurring mainly in high-productivity forests, such as deciduous dead wood. Thus, biodiversity conservation should target high-productivity forests to preserve these structures.
On the depth of simplicial affine semigroup rings
Authors: Jafari Raheleh , Ojeda Ignacio
Published: January 2024

We recall and delve into the different characterizations of the depth of an affine semigroup ring, providing an original characterization of depth two in three and four dimensional cases which are closely related to the existence of a maximal element in certain Apéry sets.
Algebraic overshear density property
Authors: Andrist Rafael B. , Kutzschebauch Frank
Published: January 2024

We introduce the notion of the algebraic overshear density property which implies both the algebraic notion of flexibility and the holomorphic notion of the density property. We investigate basic consequences of this stronger property, and propose further research directions in this borderland between affine algebraic geometry and elliptic holomorphic geometry. As an application, we show that any smoothly bordered Riemann surface with finitely many boundary components that is embedded in a complex affine surface with the algebraic overshear density property admits a proper holomorphic embedding.
Experience with dalbavancin use in various gram-positive infections within Aberdeen Royal Infirmary OPAT service
Authors: McSorley James C , Reyes Darshini , Tonna Ivan , Bateman Vhairi
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Dalbavancin, approved in 2014 for Gram-positive acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), has pharmacokinetics enabling treatment with one or two doses. Dalbavancin might be useful in outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) of deep-seated infections, otherwise requiring inpatient admission. We documented our experience with pragmatic dalbavancin use to assess its effectiveness for varied indications, on- and off-label, as primary or sequential consolidation therapy.

Methods

Patients prescribed dalbavancin between 1 December 2021 and 1 October 2022 were screened for demographics of age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), allergies, pathogens, doses of dalbavancin, other antibiotics administered and surgery. Where available, infection markers were recorded. The primary outcome was a cure at the end of treatment. Secondary outcomes included any adverse events and for those with treatment failures, response to salvage antibiotics.

Results

Sixty-seven per cent of patients were cured. Cure rates by indication were 93% for ABSSSI, 100% for bacteraemia, 90% for acute osteomyelitis, 0% for chronic osteomyelitis, 75% for native joint septic arthritis and 33% for prosthetic joint infection. Most bone and joint infections that were not cured did not have source control, and the goal of treatment was suppressive. Successful suppression rates were greater at 48% for chronic osteomyelitis and 66% for prosthetic joint infections. Adverse events occurred in 14 of 102 patients.

Conclusion

This report adds to clinical experience with dalbavancin for off-label indications whilst further validating its role in ABSSSI. Dalbavancin as primary therapy in deep-seated infections merits investigation in formal clinical trials.
Facial Expression Recognition for Examining Emotional Regulation in Synchronous Online Collaborative Learning
Authors: Ngo Duong , Nguyen Andy , Dang Belle , Ngo Ha
Published: January 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been recognised as a promising technology for methodological progress and theoretical advancement in learning sciences. However, there remains few empirical investigations into how AI could be applied in learning sciences research. This study aims to utilize AI facial recognition to inform the learning regulation behaviors in synchronous online collaborative learning environments. By studying groups of university students (N = 36) who participated in their online classes under the COVID-19 social distancing mandates, we strive to understand the interrelation between individual affective states and their collaborative group members. Theoretically underpinned by the socially shared regulation of learning framework, our research features a cutting-edge insight into how learners socially shared regulation in group-based tasks. Findings accentuate fundamental added values of AI application in education, whilst indicating further interesting patterns about student self-regulation in the collaborative learning environment. Implications drawn from the study hold strong potential to provide theoretical and practical contributions to the exploration of AI supportive roles in designing and personalizing learning needs, as well as fathom the motion and multiplicity of collaborative learning modes in higher education.
Integrating prior knowledge to build transformer models
Authors: Jiang Pei , Obi Takashi , Nakajima Yoshikazu
Published: January 2024

The big Artificial General Intelligence models inspire hot topics currently. The black box problems of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models still exist and need to be solved urgently, especially in the medical area. Therefore, transparent and reliable AI models with small data are also urgently necessary. To build a trustable AI model with small data, we proposed a prior knowledge-integrated transformer model. We first acquired prior knowledge using Shapley Additive exPlanations from various pre-trained machine learning models. Then, we used the prior knowledge to construct the transformer models and compared our proposed models with the Feature Tokenization Transformer model and other classification models. We tested our proposed model on three open datasets and one non-open public dataset in Japan to confirm the feasibility of our proposed methodology. Our results certified that knowledge-integrated transformer models perform better (1%) than general transformer models. Meanwhile, our proposed methodology identified that the self-attention of factors in our proposed transformer models is nearly the same, which needs to be explored in future work. Moreover, our research inspires future endeavors in exploring transparent small AI models.
Enhancing Soil Organic Carbon Content and Water Retention Using Polyvinyl Alcohol Cross-linked with Chitosan and Pectin
Authors: Soliman Enas , Mansour Mostafa M.
Published: January 2024

Soil organic carbon is considered a candidate without a substitute to be an important indicator of soil degradation by monitoring its amount and changes over time. Organic compounds such as chitosan (CS) and pectin (PC) can increase organic matter content in soils and provide a carbon source for microbes. Organic nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by polymerization of CS and PC with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), loaded with NPK nutrients, and evaluated by transmission electron microscope as well as zeta-potential (ZP). This study aims to test the effect of organic NPs on soil organic carbon (SOC) content, available water capacity (AWC), and growth of wheat plant. Thus, a pot experiment was conducted using clay soil. The treatments were NPK at two levels, viz., 50 and 85% of the recommended doses in combination with CS/PVA and PC/PVA as nano-carrier materials, as well as control treatment (85% NPK). Results showed that the loading of organic NPs with NPK nutrients obviously increases the solution stability and the positive as well as negative charges for CS/PVA (50.30 mV) and PC/PVA (− 17.80 mV), respectively. Furthermore, the using of NPK nano-fertilizers was significant for all the studied properties. Likewise, the addition of CS/PVA loaded with NPK decreased soil ZP at a range of − 13.00 to − 16.90 mV. Besides, it shows better carbon-cycling activity by increasing SOC at a range of 9.71 to 11.68 g kg−1. The PC/PVA loaded with 50%NPK not only increases AWC with a rate of 18.23% but also sustains water-release synchronization to meet wheat plant demands.
Impact of waste foundry sand on drainage behavior of sandy soil: an experimental and machine learning study
Authors: Kumar Ankit , Parihar Aditya
Published: January 2024

The study of drainage behavior is essential for using waste material in geotechnical applications. In this study, sandy soil was replaced with waste foundry sand (WFS) at an incremental interval of 20% by weight. Permeability (k) for each mix was acquired at three relative densities (RD), i.e., 65%, 75% and 85%, by using the constant head method. Then the results were further processed with machine learning (ML) models to validate the experimental data. The experimental study demonstrated that k would decrease with the increase in relative density and WFS content. A rise in RD from 65% to 85% resulted in a substantial reduction of up to 140% in the value of k. Moreover, the complete replacement of sand with WFS reduced the value of k by 36%, 51% and 57% for RD of 65%, 75% and 85%, respectively. The total dataset of 90 observations was divided at a ratio of 63/13/15 into training/validation/testing datasets for ML-AI modeling. Input variables include percentage of sand (BS), replacement with WFS, total head (H), time interval (t) and outflow (Q); and k is the output variable. The methods of artificial neural network (ANN), random forest (RF), decision tree (DT) and multi-linear regression (MLR) are used for k prediction. It is found that the random forest approach performed outstandingly in these methods, with an R2 value of 0.9955. The performance of all the proposed methods was compared and verified with Taylor's diagram. Sensitivity analysis showed that Q and RD were the most influential parameters for predicting k values.
Alternatives to antibiotics in pig production: looking through the lens of immunophysiology
Authors: Liu Hao-Yu , Zhu Chuyang , Zhu Miaonan , Yuan Long , Li Shicheng , Gu Fang , Hu Ping , Chen Shihao , Cai Demin
Published: January 2024

In the livestock production system, the evolution of porcine gut microecology is consistent with the idea of “The Hygiene Hypothesis” in humans. I.e., improved hygiene conditions, reduced exposure to environmental microorganisms in early life, and frequent use of antimicrobial drugs drive immune dysregulation. Meanwhile, the overuse of antibiotics as feed additives for infectious disease prevention and animal growth induces antimicrobial resistance genes in pathogens and spreads related environmental pollutants. It justifies our attempt to review alternatives to antibiotics that can support optimal growth and improve the immunophysiological state of pigs. In the current review, we first described porcine mucosal immunity, followed by discussions of gut microbiota dynamics during the critical weaning period and the impacts brought by antibiotics usage. Evidence of in-feed additives with immuno-modulatory properties highlighting probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics and their cellular and molecular networking are summarized and reviewed. It may provide insights into the immune regulatory mechanisms of antibiotic alternatives and open new avenues for health management in pig production.
46,XX males with SRY gene translocation: cytogenetics and molecular characterization
Authors: Rawal Leena , Prabhash Sindhu , Kumar Ravinder , Sharma Gaurav , Shariq Mohd , Jangra Sumit , Nakra Reena , Lal Vandana , Thamtam Vamshi Krishna
Published: January 2024

Purpose

XX male syndrome also known as De la Chapelle syndrome/Testicular Disorder of Sex Development (DSD) is a rare genetic abnormality, identified by a partial or complete mismatch between phenotypic and genotypic gender of an individual. The present study describes the pertinent clinical, biochemical, cytogenetics, and molecular findings in four phenotypically normal males, presented with gonadal dysgenesis and hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism.

Method

Clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters in four patients were assessed. Further, chromosomal analysis has been performed using conventional karyotyping. FISH and Y chromosome microdeletion assays were carried out to confirm the presence of male-specific genes followed by microarray analysis.

Result

Chromosomal analysis revealed a 46,XX karyotype, FISH showed the presence of 2 normal X chromosomes along with translocation of the SRY gene on the short (p) arm of one of the X chromosome. Molecular analysis for Y chromosome microdeletion revealed the presence of the SRY gene with a complete absence of azoospermic factor regions (AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc) on the long (q) arm of the Y chromosome. Chromosomal microarray revealed no significant copy number variation.

Conclusions

The peculiar translocation of the SRY gene in 46,XX males strongly supports the inclusion of cytogenetic testing for establishing diagnosis and genetic counseling for infertility and/or hormonal imbalances in individuals. The present study provides insight into the cascade of events triggered by the SRY gene in the XX genome, which reinforces the differentiation towards the formation of testes while actively inhibiting ovarian development.
A review on thermochemical seasonal solar energy storage materials and modeling methods
Authors: Abdullah  , Koushaeian M. , Shah N. A. , Chung J. D.
Published: January 2024

In the current era, national and international energy strategies are increasingly focused on promoting the adoption of clean and sustainable energy sources. In this perspective, thermal energy storage (TES) is essential in developing sustainable energy systems. Researchers examined thermochemical heat storage because of its benefits over sensible and latent heat storage systems, such as higher energy density and decreased heat loss. Solar energy is a promising alternative among the numerous renewable energy sources. As a result, this study provides an overview of thermochemical heat storage materials, focusing on materials utilized by solar energy systems in buildings. The research examines the storage materials used in relevant studies and the models used to predict and enhance system performance.
The role of imaging in detecting and monitoring COVID-19 complications in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting
Authors: Brandi Nicolò , Renzulli Matteo
Published: January 2024

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Most people infected with the virus experience mild to moderate respiratory illness. However, some might become seriously ill and may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), thus requiring non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, COVID-19 disease can involve also other organs and systems, causing several extra-pulmonary manifestations and, thus, negatively influencing the patient’s outcome. Imaging studies play a pivotal role in the monitoring of severely ill patients, especially those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), who can develop several potentially life-threatening complications, both from the infection itself and the mechanical supporting system. This widespread utility of imaging modalities calls for a deeper understanding of potential radiologic findings in this disease and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration between radiologists and anesthesiologists to provide actionable guidance to appropriate interventions under such conditions.
Analytical study on the relationship among land surface temperature, land use/land cover and spectral indices using geospatial techniques
Authors: Tiwari Atul K. , Kanchan Rolee
Published: January 2024

Monitoring changes in Land Use/Land Cover (LULC), spectral indices, and Land Surface Temperature (LST) can help to identify the areas at risk for indefensible land use, a low-grade environment, and especially urban heat islands (UHI). This study aims to examine the changing pattern of LULC, the dynamics of geospatial indices (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalised Difference Bareness Index (NDBaI), and Normalised Difference Latent-heat Index (NDLI)), and LST patterns with the relationship among them between 1991 and 2021 in the Varanasi City Development Region (VCDR). The LULC classification was done into seven classes (using the maximum likelihood method), the LST has been retrieved, and the above spectral indices have been calculated using Landsat 5 and 8 data. Pearson’s correlation method was used to analyse the relationship between LST and spectral indices. As per result, built-up area was increased by 507.8 per cent consequently, water bodies, agricultural, barren, fallow land and vegetation cover were declined by 4.84, 18.68, 82.41, 26.18 and 22.16 per cent respectively during 1991–2021. The maximum, minimum, and mean LST increased by 6.18, 2.28, and 2.24 °C, respectively, throughout the period. A positive relationship has been observed among NDBI, NDBaI, NDLI, and LST, whereas NDVI, NDWI, and LST have an inverse relationship. The finding explains the high number of water bodies, healthy vegetation cover, sufficient open space, and less concrete surface are necessary to maintain the LST and its related problems. So, an SPURS plan has been proposed to maintain the thermal environment of VCDR. This study can be a useful guide for planners and policymakers by providing a scientific background as well as the suggestions for sustainable urban management and development in VCDR and other cities as well.
Public Health and Health System’s Responsiveness During the 2022 Floods in Pakistan: What Needs to Be Done?
Authors: Abdullah Muhammad Ahmed , Shaikh Babar Tasneem , Sikander Ameer , Sarwar Balaj
Published: January 2024

Objective:

In 2022, Pakistan witnessed unprecedented flooding, submerging one-third of the country under-water, ruining millions of houses, taking lives, afflicted injuries, and displacing scores of people. Our study documents not only the public health problems that have arisen due to this natural calamity but also the state of health systems’ response.

Methods:

We conducted a qualitative study asking key questions around prevalent health problems, health-care seeking, government’s response, resource mobilization, and roadmap for the future. We purposively selected 16 key frontline health workers for in-depth interviews.

Results:

Waterborne and infectious diseases were rampant posing huge public health challenges. Disaster mitigation efforts and relief operations were delayed and not at scale to cover the entire affected population. Moreover, a weak economy, poverty, and insufficient livelihoods compounded the tribulations of floods. Issues of leadership and governance at state level resulted in disorganized efforts and response.

Conclusions:

Pakistan is famous for its philanthropy; however, lack of transparency and accountability, the actual benefits seldom reach the beneficiaries. Such climatic disasters necessitate a more holistic approach and a greater responsiveness of the health system. In addition to health services, the state must respond to financial, social, and infrastructural needs of the people suffering from the calamity.
Political Institutions and Long-Term Policymaking: How Parliamentary Future Committees Can Make a Difference
Authors: Koskimaa Vesa , Raunio Tapio
Published: January 2024

Responding to the need to make democratic governance more anticipatory, during recent decades parliaments have increasingly made efforts to involve elected legislators directly in addressing future risks and envisioning long-term developments. At the level of general democratic-institutional principles, engaging legislators in national-level foresight is expected to enhance the general legitimacy of future-regarding policymaking almost automatically by broadening the scope of democratic actors involved in policy work. However, even the basic mechanisms through which the impact of legislature-based foresight activities could traverse to policymaking remain largely uncharted and unknown. To develop a preliminary framework for detecting and comparing such mechanisms, we draw from the experiences of the most institutionalised and influential legislature-based foresight unit, the Committee for the Future in the Finnish Eduskunta. We extract three general mechanisms through which parliamentary future committees could make a valuable contribution to national-level strategic foresight: (1) they can improve the quality of future-regarding policymaking by broadening and consolidating national foresight “ecosystems”; (2) they can strengthen the transparency and accountability of the foresight work of political executives; and (3) they can enhance the legitimacy of anticipatory governance by connecting broader democratic publics to foresight work through more inclusive participatory processes.
Using interprofessional collaboration to reduce reported rates of central-line–associated bloodstream infection in an intensive care setting
Authors: Musgrove Hannah , Ruby Abigail , Chami Eman , Pollak Edward , Suleyman Geehan , Gupta Arielle
Published: January 2024

Using a multicomponent approach that included blood-culture stewardship, evaluation for secondary sources of bloodstream infection, improved documentation, and prompt central-line removal, an interprofessional team improved patient care and reduced central-line–associated bloodstream infection rates in collaboration with the primary team on the surgical intensive care unit.