bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the challenges and successes of implementing ‘hybrid’ interventions in healthcare settings: findings from a process evaluation of a patient involvement trial
Authors: Hampton Sarah , Murray Jenni , Lawton Rebecca , Sheard Laura
Published: August 2024

Introduction

‘Hybrid’ interventions in which some intervention components are fixed across sites and others are flexible (locally created) are thought to allow for adaptation to the local context while maintaining fidelity. However, there is little evidence regarding the challenges and facilitators of implementing hybrid interventions. This paper reports on a process evaluation of a patient safety hybrid intervention called Your Care Needs You (YCNY). YCNY was tested in the Partners at Care Transitions (PACT) randomised controlled trial and aimed to enhance older patients and their families’ involvement in their care in order to achieve safer transitions from hospital to home.

Methods

The process evaluation took place across eight intervention wards taking part in the PACT trial. 23 interviews and 37 informal conversations were conducted with National Health Service (NHS) staff. Patients (n=19) were interviewed twice, once in hospital and once after discharge. Interviews with staff and patients concerned the delivery and experiences of YCNY. Ethnographic observations (n=81 hours) of relevant activities (eg, multidisciplinary team meetings, handovers, etc) were undertaken.

Results

The main finding relates to how staff understood and engaged with YCNY, which then had a major influence on its implementation. While staff broadly valued the aims of YCNY, staff from seven out of the eight wards taking part in the process evaluation enacted YCNY in a mostly task-based manner. YCNY implementation often became a hurried activity which concentrated on delivering fixed intervention components rather than a catalyst for culture change around patient involvement. Factors such as understaffing, constraints on staff time and the COVID-19 pandemic contributed towards a ‘taskification’ of intervention delivery, which meant staff often did not have capacity to creatively devise flexible intervention components. However, one ward with a sense of distributed ownership of YCNY had considerable success implementing flexible components.

Discussion

Hybrid interventions may allow aspects of an intervention to be adapted to the local context. However, the current constrained and pressured environment of the NHS left staff with little ability to creatively engage with devising flexible intervention components, despite recognising the need for and being motivated to deliver the intervention.
Structural housing elements associated with injuries in older adults in the USA
Authors: Shields Wendy , Omaki Elise , Aassar Mia Lalor , Blue Taneka , Brooks Brianna , O'Hara Jack , Perona Rica Yssabel
Published: August 2024

Objective

To quantify the unintentional injuries associated with housing elements among older adults treated in US hospital emergency departments (EDs). To identify modifiable home hazards.

Methods

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) coding manual was reviewed to identify all codes associated with housing elements that were permanently attached to a home. We queried the 2020 NEISS data for older adults (aged 65 and older) to determine the number of injuries associated with each element. The 10 elements involved in the most hospitalisations and the most ED visits were each tabulated by the number of records in the NEISS sample and national estimate, yielding two separate lists of 10 housing elements. A review of case narratives was conducted on a random selection constituting 10% of all records or a minimum of 100 records to determine common precipitating factors and prevention recommendations.

Results

From the two lists, we identified 11 housing elements most commonly associated with housing-related injuries, resulting in ED visits or hospitalisations. The housing element most associated with housing-related injuries was floor, leading to 929 937 ED visits. Subsequent case narrative review yielded prevention recommendations, including modifications that support balance and fall recovery, reduce the need to reach and improve visibility.

Conclusions

Housing element-related injuries affect hundreds of thousands of older adults. Case narratives reveal falls, tripping/slipping and sliding injuries that can potentially be prevented with home modification. NEISS is a valuable tool to identify injury risks in the home.
Safety and efficacy of GD-11 in patients with ischaemic stroke: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial
Authors: Zhang Runhua , Liu Gaifen , Zhao Xingquan , Wang Yilong , Li Zixiao , Chen Guofang , Liu Bo , Ling Yun , Wang Yongjun , Li Shuya
Published: August 2024

Background

GD-11, a novel brain cytoprotective drug, was designed to be actively taken up and transported across the blood-brain barrier via the glucose transporter. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of GD-11 for improving the recovery of patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial was conducted at 15 clinical sites in China. Patients aged 18–80 years with AIS within 48 hours were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive 160 mg GD-11, 80 mg GD-11 and placebo, two times a day for 10 days. The primary endpoint was a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–1 at 90 days after treatment. The safety outcome was any adverse events within 90 days.

Results

From 17 November 2022 to 22 March 2023, a total of 80 patients in the 160 mg GD-11 group, 79 patients in the 80 mg GD-11 group and 80 patients in the placebo group were included. The proportion of an mRS score of 0–1 at day 90 was 77.5% in the 160 mg GD-11 group, 72.2% in the 80 mg GD-11 group and 67.5% in the placebo group. Though no significant difference was found (p=0.3671), a numerically higher proportion was observed in the GD-11 group, especially in the 160 mg GD-11 group. The incidence of adverse events was similar across the three groups (p=0.1992).

Conclusion

GD-11 was safe and well-tolerated. A dosage of GD-11 160 mg two times a day was recommended for a large trial to investigate the efficacy.
Modeling the distribution of hemlock woolly adelgid under several climate change scenarios
Authors: Cornelsen Cameron T. , MacQuarrie Chris J.K. , Lee Seung-Il
Published: August 2024

The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae Annand, has invaded eastern North America and caused significant mortality to eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière. In eastern North America, HWA’s range is theorized to be limited by minimum winter temperatures. As climate change reduces the severity of winter, the risk of northward expansion of HWA increases. This study used maximum entropy species distribution modeling in conjunction with HWA occurrence records and future climate projections to model habitat suitability for HWA throughout the range of eastern hemlock. Species distribution models were created for present and future climatic conditions using both historical climatic data and future climatic emissions scenarios for mid- and late-century. In addition, present climatic condition reference models for western North America and Asia were generated for comparison with HWA’s current range and earlier predictions of the potential range in eastern North America. Under a low emissions scenario, HWA will be capable of invading almost the entire range of eastern hemlock by the end of the century. More extreme warming scenarios result in a more rapid northwards shift by mid-century. The consequences for eastern hemlock are significant, with infestations likely to become more widespread and severe due to climate change.
A novel methodology for the diffusion coefficient determination in porous media by X-ray high-resolution radiographies
Authors: Santini M. , Fest-Santini S. , Cossali G. E. , Casatta N. , Lupo C.
Published: August 2024

The first step in diagnosing a patient with cancer is the biopsy and the study of the tissue sample taken, suitably processed, is essential for a correct diagnosis. Tissue processors are machines that automatically perform the entire processing protocol, often relying on empirical timing related to chemical diffusions in the biological samples. The determination of the diffusion coefficient in porous materials, such as histological tissue, is still under study with multiple methods often resulting in inaccurate predictions and with few amounts of literature data for biological samples. The authors present an experimental technique, based on a multitude of X-ray radiographs acquired over time, where the intensity of the attenuation to the ionising beam is proportional to the concentration of the solvent that diffuses in the histological preparation. The paper so describes a proof-of-concept of a novel method to estimate the diffusion coefficient in a histological sample, based on the acquisition of time-dependent X-ray radiographs and the solution of an inverse diffusion problem.
SPATIOTEMPORAL DYNAMICS IN A MODEL OF IMMUNODOMINANCE
Authors: MUKHERJEE NAYANA , VOLPERT VITALY
Published: August 2024

Adapative immune response to viral infection is mediated by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) eliminating infected cells and virus-neutralizing antibodies produced by B-lymphocytes. Different epitopes, that is, some parts of antigens, stimulate clonal expansion of the corresponding lymphocytes. These different types of CTLs and antibodies begin to compete with each other leading to immunodominance of some of them. As a result, some types of CTLs and antibodies will persist and increase their number, while some others will become extinct. In this work, we study spatiotemporal dynamics in a previously developed mathematical model of immunodominance. We begin with the investigation of complex oscillations exhibited by the concentrations of epitopes and corresponding cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in the ODE model and determine the mechanism of these oscillations. After that, we study the reaction–diffusion system of equations describing their spatiotemporal dynamics and analyze how these dynamics depend on the interaction of different virus variants and CTL types.
A DISCRETE-TIME POPULATION DYNAMICS MODEL FOR THE INFORMATION SPREAD UNDER THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL RESPONSE
Authors: SENO HIROMI , UCHIOKE REINA , DANSU EMMANUEL JESUYON
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we construct and analyze a mathematically reasonable and simplest population dynamics model based on Mark Granovetter’s idea for the spread of a matter (rumor, innovation, psychological state, etc.) in a population. The model is described by a one-dimensional difference equation. Individual threshold values with respect to the decision-making on the acceptance of a spreading matter are distributed throughout the population ranging from low (easily accepts it) to high (hardly accepts). Mathematical analysis on our model with some general threshold distributions (uniform; monotonically decreasing/increasing; unimodal) shows that a critical value necessarily exists for the initial frequency of acceptors. Only when the initial frequency of acceptors is beyond the critical, the matter eventually spreads over the population. Further, we give the mathematical results on how the equilibrium acceptor frequency depends on the nature of threshold distribution.
Legal Analysis of the Applicability of International Cooperation in Addressing Climate Change in the International Trade Sector: Case of the WTO
Authors: UWAJAMBO Alice , GONG Xiangqian
Published: August 2024

Climate change has impacts on global society in different aspects, including those on the trade industry. Similarly, the trade industry contributes to global emissions of Greenhouse Gases through different technologies involved, and different rules adopted by the World Trade Organization (WTO) or related agreements. Such circulation of impacts implicates that neither climate change agreements nor the WTO can deal with climate change alone, but through international cooperation. Therefore, this study explores the status of international cooperation between the WTO and the Paris Agreement for addressing climate change in the trade industry. It also assesses different challenges faced by such cooperation, and proposes recommendations to addressing those challenges.
An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Urbanization and Consumption Structure Upgrading on Carbon Emissions in Fujian Province
Authors: LUO Dongshen , CHEN Juan
Published: August 2024

This paper analyzes the theoretical mechanism by which urbanization and consumption structure upgrading exert an impact on carbon emissions in the context of promoting higher quality and efficiency in urbanization, advancing the transition and upgrading of consumption structure, and achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality (“dual carbon”) goals. By establishing an extended STIRPAT model and an intermediary model, this paper takes nine prefecture-level cities in Fujian Province from 2011 to 2021 as samples to investigate the effects of urbanization and consumption structure upgrading on carbon emission reduction in Fujian Province, revealing the interrelationship and transmission mechanism among the three. The results of this study show that: (i) The relationship between urbanization and carbon emissions in Fujian Province from 2011 to 2021 shows an inverted U-shaped curve, i.e. urbanization accelerated carbon emissions in the early stage and inhibited carbon emissions in the later stage; (ii) the regional heterogeneity analysis shows that under the current urbanization background, the upgrading of consumption structure in western and southern Fujian can significantly reduce carbon emissions, while the relationship between consumption structure upgrading and carbon emission reduction in eastern Fujian is not significant; (iii) the upgrading of consumption structure can help achieve and promote carbon emission reduction through increasing the proportions of the tertiary industry and immaterial consumption and enhancing the level of culture and education, while exerting little effect on carbon emission reduction through consumption in transportation, communication and health care.
Rapid and long-lasting bedrock flow-path sealing by a ‘concretion-forming resin’: results from
in situ
evaluation tests in an underground research laboratory, Horonobe, Japan
Authors: Yoshida Hidekazu , Yamamoto Koshi , Asahara Yoshihiro , Maruyama Ippei , Karukaya Koichi , Saito Akane , Matsui Hiroya , Mochizuki Akihito , Katsuta Nagayoshi , Metcalfe Richard
Published: August 2024

A capability to permanently seal fluid flow paths in bedrock, such as natural faults/fractures, and damaged zones around boreholes/excavations, is needed to ensure the long-term safety and effectiveness of many underground activities. Cementitious materials are commonly used as seals, but these materials unavoidably undergo physical and chemical degradation, therefore potentially decreasing seal durability. To solve these problems, a more durable sealing method using ‘concretion-forming resin’ has been developed by learning from natural calcite (CaCO
3
) concretion formation. The sealing capability of resin was tested by
in situ
experiments on bedrock flow paths in an underground research laboratory (URL), Hokkaido, Japan. The results showed a rapid decrease in the permeability down to 0.1% of the initial permeability owing to calcite precipitation over a period of 1 year. During the experiment, inland earthquakes occurred with foci below the URL (depths of 2–7 km and maximum magnitude of 5.4). As a result of the earthquakes, the hydraulic conductivities of the flow paths sealed initially by ‘concretion-forming resin’ increased. However, these flow paths subsequently resealed rapidly and within a few months recovered the same hydraulic conductivities as before the earthquakes. This new technique for rapidly producing long-lasting seals against fluid flow through rocks will be applicable to many kinds of underground activities.
A Comprehensive Survey on Edge Data Integrity Verification: Fundamentals and Future Trends
Authors: Zhao Yao , Qu Youyang , Xiang Yong , Uddin Md Palash , Peng Dezhong , Gao Longxiang
Published: August 2024

Recent advances in edge computing (EC) have pushed cloud-based data caching services to edge; however, such emerging edge storage comes with numerous challenging and unique security issues. One of them is the problem of edge data integrity verification (EDIV), which coordinates multiple participants (e.g., data owners and edge nodes) to inspect whether data cached on edge is authentic. To date, various solutions have been proposed to address the EDIV problem, while there is no systematic review. Thus, we offer a comprehensive survey for the first time, aiming to show current research status, open problems, and potentially promising insights for readers to further investigate this under-explored field. Specifically, we begin by stating the significance of the EDIV problem, the integrity verification difference between data cached on cloud and edge, and three typical system models with corresponding inspection processes. To thoroughly assess prior research efforts, we synthesize a universal criteria framework that an effective verification approach should satisfy. On top of it, a schematic development timeline is developed to reveal the research advance on EDIV in a sequential manner, followed by a detailed review of the existing EDIV solutions. Finally, we highlight intriguing research challenges and possible directions for future work, along with a discussion on how forthcoming technology, e.g., machine learning and context-aware security, can augment security in EC. Given our findings, some major observations are: there is a noticeable trend to equip EDIV solutions with various functions and diversify study scenarios; completing EDIV within two types of participants (i.e., data owner and edge nodes) is garnering escalating interest among researchers; although the majority of existing methods rely on cryptography, emerging technology is being explored to handle the EDIV problem.
Cross-Attention Based Two-Branch Networks for Document Image Forgery Localization in the Metaverse
Authors: Song Yalin , Jiang Wenbin , Chai Xiuli , Gan Zhihua , Zhou Mengyuan , Chen Lei
Published: August 2024

In recent years, the Metaverse has garnered significant attention in social and Metahuman realms, showcasing substantial value and immense developmental potential through its integration of virtual and real worlds. However, this integration has also raised security concerns. For instance, in digital image forensics, the malicious dissemination of false images by wrongdoers could result in serious consequences and the propagation of misinformation. This article presented a novel two-branch network (abbreviated as CAFTB-Net) to detect and localize the forged regions of document images in the Metaverse. One branch extracts manipulation trace directly from spatial information, e.g., unnatural smears, anomalies between pixels. The other branch employs an SRM filter to transform the input image from the color domain into the noise domain, effectively extracting anomalies, such as global noise inconsistencies from the noise domain. Compared to spatial domain features, the discontinuity of forgery traces within the noise domain aids the network in authenticating the document image. The two branches extract local and global features in the forged document images. Finally, we propose a cross-attention module to fuse local spatial features and global noise features. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed network achieves F1 scores of 0.819 and 0.948 on the SACP and ICDAR datasets, respectively, with AUC scores of 0.933 and 0.764, outperforming some of the state-of-the-art algorithms.
Automorphisms and Isomorphisms of Maps in Linear Time
Authors: Kawarabayashi Ken-ichi , Mohar Bojan , Nedela Roman , Zeman Peter
Published: August 2024

A map is a

\(2\)

-cell decomposition of a closed compact surface, i.e., an embedding of a graph such that every face is homeomorphic to an open disc. An automorphism of a map can be thought of as a permutation of the vertices, which preserves the vertex-edge-face incidences in the embedding. Every automorphism of a map determines an angle-preserving homeomorphism of the surface. While it is conjectured that there is no “truly subquadratic” algorithm for testing map isomorphism for unconstrained genus, we present a linear-time algorithm for computing the generators of the automorphism group of a map on an orientable surface of genus

\(g\neq 0\)

, parametrized by the genus

\(g\)

. A map on an orientable surface is uniform if the cyclic vector of sizes of faces incident to a vertex

\(v\)

does not depend on the choice of

\(v\)

. The algorithm applies a sequence of local reductions and produces a uniform map while preserving the automorphism group. The automorphism group of the original map can be reconstructed from the automorphism group of the associated uniform map in linear time. We also extend the algorithm to non-orientable surfaces by making use of the antipodal double-cover. The algorithm can be used to solve the map isomorphism problem between maps (orientable or non-orientable) of bounded negative Euler characteristic.
Load-balanced Routing Heuristics for Bandwidth Allocation of AVB Flow in TSN
Authors: Wang Meng , Lu Yiqin , Wang Haihan , Chen Zhuoxing , Qin Jiancheng
Published: August 2024

Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) is a new technology developed from Ethernet that guarantees deterministic transmission of various types of flows, such as Time-triggered (TT) flows and Audio-video-bridging (AVB) flows, in the same network. Currently, Time-aware Shaping (TAS) and Credit-based Shaping (CBS) are widely used for scheduling hybrid flows, where the credit value in CBS is directly linked to the logical bandwidth value
idleSlope
, which affects the real-time performance of AVB flows. However, as the network scale increases, existing bandwidth allocation methods result in higher computation times and lower allocation success rates. In this article, the aforementioned problem is addressed by two-step: first, we design a load-balanced routing heuristic (LBRH) to improve the allocation success rate; second, we accelerate the CBS bandwidth allocation by using unified bandwidth allocation scheme, which integrates LBRH and further improves the allocation success rate. Performance evaluation in multiple test cases shows that LBRH can improve the success rate of bandwidth allocation, and the unified bandwidth allocation scheme integrating LBRH significantly reduces the overall execution time while improving the success rate of bandwidth allocation, which is more suitable for large-scale TSN networks with complex routing.
Ultra-Sensitive and Selective Surface Plasmon Resonance using Ag Metal, Carbon Nanotube, and Selenium Based Biosensors for the Detection of Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Pandiaraj Saravanan , Aleid Adham , Alhussaini Khalid , Alodhayb Abdullah N.
Published: August 2024

In this work, we present a novel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor for ascorbic acid detection based on a borosilicate crown (BK7) prism coated with a multilayer structure made of ferric oxide (Fe2O3), silver (Ag), and carbon nanotube (CNT). The SPR sensor improves sensitivity and selectivity for ascorbic acid detection by taking advantage of the special optical characteristics of the multilayer construction. The CNT layer offers increased surface area and biocompatibility, and the Ag layer acts as a plasmonic material to promote surface plasmons. The performance of the sensor is improved by the addition of selenium (Se) and Fe2O3 layers, which provide further capabilities like photoconductivity and magnetic manipulation, respectively. Numerical analysis at the operating wavelength of 633 nm is conducted using the transfer matrix approach. For the proposed SPR sensor at room temperature, the performance characteristics, including sensitivity (274.37 degree (°)/RIU), figure of merit (40.60 RIU−1), and detection accuracy (0.189°−1), are computed. The proposed SPR sensor could be very useful in to detect ascorbic acid in the visible range.
Molecular Simulation Insights into Chemical-Grafted EPDM for Improving Charge Traps, Moisture Resistance, and Pyrolysis Tolerance
Authors: Gao Mingze , Li Zhongyuan , Sun Weifeng
Published: August 2024

This study explores and verifies the chemical modifications achieved by grafting 4-formylcyclohexyl heptanoate (FH) and 4-(2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl) cyclohexane-1-carbaldehyde (CC) onto ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) elastomer, a prevalent dielectric material used for reinforced insulation in cable accessories. Employing a rigorous theoretical methodology combining first-principles calculations, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo molecular simulations, we elucidate the intricate effects of these chemical-graft modifications on the polymeric structure of EPDM to resist charge transport, moisture-aging, and thermal impact of partial discharge. Our investigation uncovers the emergence of both shallow and deep charge traps within the material, effectively mitigating electron avalanche breakdown. Additionally, we scrutinize the influence of two proposed organic species, acting as grafting agents, on several crucial properties of EPDM including water adsorption uptake, heat capacity, molecular thermal vibration, and polymer pyrolysis. These modifications substantially bolster EPDM’s resistance to high-temperature electrical breakdown and water thermodynamic adsorption, while also enhancing its thermal stability, rendering the proposed chemical-graft modifications an effective way and underling mechanisms for ameliorating electrical insulation performances of EPDM elastomer. Our findings highlight the significant potential of graft modification in molecular structures through comprehensive molecular simulations, offering valuable insights for advancing competent elastomeric polymers in cable accessory insulation.
Arcuate dopaminergic/GABAergic neurons project within the hypothalamus and to the median eminence
Authors: Mittal Somya , Arenkiel Benjamin R. , Lyons-Warren Ariel M.
Published: August 2024

Cotransmitting dopaminergic (DA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic (DA/GABA) neurons contribute to the complexity of neural circuits. Using a new genetic technique, we characterized the locations, density, and projections of hypothalamic DA/GABA neurons. DA/GABA cells are mostly in the arcuate nucleus (Arc), from which they project locally within the arcuate, to the median eminence (ME), and to the paraventricular (Pa) nucleus. There is also a small and previously unreported group of DA/GABA cells in the caudate putamen.
Internet Use, Intergenerational Ambivalence, and Subjective Well‐Being among Chinese Urban Aging Adults: Do Living Arrangements Matter?
Authors: Zhang Yinkai , Guo Yu , Bai Xue
Published: August 2024

Rapid advancements in Internet technology have significantly narrowed the digital divide between generations, transforming the ways in which aging adults establish social networks. Concurrently, rural‐to‐urban migrations have led to a decrease in the coresidence of aging adults in China. Aging adults living with and without children may differ in their level of reliance on Internet communication, potentially influenced by the geographic distance between generations. This study examined the mediating effects of intergenerational ambivalence on the association between Internet use and subjective well‐being among Chinese urban aging adults, particularly considering their living arrangements. Representative survey data were collected from 1,339 participants aged ≥50 years (512 participants lived with their children, and 827 did not) in urban China. Internet use was positively associated with subjective well‐being, both directly and indirectly, through intergenerational ambivalence among the entire sample and those not living with their children. Policy interventions should be developed to reduce the digital divide, address intergenerational ambivalence by fostering intergenerational solidarity and affectual closeness as well as mitigating intergenerational conflicts, and improve access to the Internet, particularly for those not living with their children.
Experimental Investigation of Concrete‐Infilled Bamboo for Structural Performance in Compression for Low‐Cost Building
Authors: Bulolo Sam , Okuda James Gowon , Kyakula Michael
Published: August 2024

The study explored an innovative scheme to improve the load‐bearing capacity of bamboo by infilling it with concrete to form a composite column as a compression member for low‐cost buildings. A total of four samples of bamboo of five different lengths (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m) were prepared with concrete (concrete infilled) and without concrete for three different commonly used concrete grades (C12/15, C15/20, and C20/25) and the load‐carrying capacity tested to determine its resistance under compression. Generally, there was a considerable improvement in structural performance in terms of load‐carrying capacity when the bamboo culms were infilled with plain concrete. The failure load capacity of plain bamboo (no concrete infill) was reduced by 26.4% with an increase in the length of the bamboo from 0.2 to 1 m. Concrete‐infilled bamboo with C15, C20, and C25 led to an increment of 58.7%, 103%, and 139.1% of the failure load capacity relative to that of the plane bamboo culms sample test length at 1 m, respectively. Bamboo infilled with concrete grade C25 had a larger failure load as compared to those infilled with concrete grade C20 and C15. The study concludes that concrete in‐filled bamboo increases the buckling resistance as well as the load‐carrying capacity and it can be an alternative composite building material to steel and concrete for building under light loads.
Efficient Truss Design: A Hybrid Geometric Mean Optimizer for Better Performance
Authors: Pham Vu Hong Son , Nguyen Dang Nghiep Trinh , Nguyen Van Nam
Published: August 2024

The emphasis on sustainable development is increasingly recognized as a global imperative, leading to significant transformations in methods and technologies within the construction industry. Specifically, the optimization of the mass of truss structures is aimed at enhancing sustainable construction efforts. Such optimization is crucial for reducing dependence on natural resources and contributing to a decrease in CO2 emissions from the production and transport of construction materials. This study presents an innovative approach to the truss design challenge using a hybrid geometric mean optimizer (hGMO). The geometric mean optimizer (GMO) faces challenges in effectively exploring the solution space and avoiding local optima. To address these issues, GMO has been integrated with the variable neighborhood search (VNS) technique, thereby enhancing its exploration capabilities. The effectiveness of the hGMO model has been evaluated through four distinct truss design scenarios: 10‐bar, 52‐bar, 72‐bar, and 200‐bar structures. The results demonstrate that hGMO outperforms traditional methods, achieving optimal weights of 5060.915 lb, 1902.605 kg, 389.334 lb, and 25453.62 lb, respectively. These findings confirm that hGMO is a crucial tool in advancing sustainable construction practices by focusing on the strategic optimization of truss structure mass.
EEG‐Based Emotion Recognition Datasets for Virtual Environments: A Survey
Authors: Hamzah Hussein Ali , Abdalla Kasim K.
Published: August 2024

One of the most important problems in virtual environments (VEs) is the difficulty users face when trying to deal with increasingly complex systems. Thus, giving machines the ability to understand human emotions would make interactions easier and more reliable. By using an EEG device as a biosignal sensor, the human emotional state can be modeled and used to realize a system that can recognize and react to human emotions. This paper provides a systematic review of EEG‐based emotion recognition methods, in terms of feature extraction, time domain, frequency domain, and time‐frequency domain, with a focus on recent datasets used in studies related to emotion classification using EEG and their investigation, and discusses its challenges. In the field of emotion recognition, two categories of AI‐based algorithms, machine learning and deep learning, have gained great popularity. The proposed algorithms and models should be evaluated using data that include emotional ratings or labels. However, some researchers, especially those working in computer science, face challenges in building a professional experimental environment and deriving a scientifically sound experimental user model that requires specialized knowledge in psychology. Thus, many researchers interested in studying emotion recognition models choose to verify their concepts and compare them to related works using specific criteria. Therefore, investigations are presented that aim to provide a basis for future work in modeling human influence to enhance the interaction experience in virtual environments.
Melatonin for Sleep Quality and Occupational Cognitive Performance in Shift Workers with Low Sleep Quality: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Khanjani Sajad , Shamabadi Ahmad , Akhondzadeh Shahin , Malekirad Ali Akbar
Published: August 2024

About one‐third of the workers have irregular working hours, subsequently putting them at risk of sleep disorders. It also has negative impacts on employee performance. Sleep disorders and executive performance have been attributed to melatonin dysregulation due to long‐term exposure to artificial light. This study investigates melatonin effects on sleep quality and cognitive performance in employees with sleep disorders following shift work. Seventy‐two patients with sleep disorders following shift work were equally assigned to melatonin (5 mg before sleep at night after shifts) or matched placebo groups in a randomized, parallel‐group, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled design. Patients were assessed using the short Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (shortPSQI), Occupational Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (OCFQ), and adverse events at baseline and weeks 1 and 4. Data from 65 patients were analyzed. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups (p values >0.05). The melatonin group showed a greater reduction in total shortPSQI score from baseline to the first (p value = 0.018) and fourth (p value = 0.001) weeks, as well as in total OCFQ score to the fourth week (p value <0.001). In addition, the time‐treatment interaction effects on total scores of shortPSQI (p value = 0.004) and OCFQ (p value <0.001) were significant. The only different adverse event between the two groups was fatigue, which was higher in the placebo group (p value = 0.042). Melatonin was safely and tolerably superior to placebo in treating patients with sleep disorders following shift work in the short term. Evidence also shows its effects on improving occupational cognitive performance in the medium term. The study protocol was registered and published prospectively in the Iranian registry of clinical trials (registration number: IRCT20090117001556N153).
Colorectal Cancer Recurrence Prediction Using a Tissue-Free Epigenomic Minimal Residual Disease Assay
Authors: Nakamura Yoshiaki , Tsukada Yuichiro , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa , Murano Tatsuro , Shiozawa Manabu , Takahashi Yusuke , Oki Eiji , Goto Masahiro , Kagawa Yoshinori , Kanazawa Akiyoshi , Ohta Takashi , Ouchi Akira , Bando Hideaki , Uchigata Hiroshi , Notake Chiemi , Ikematsu Hiroaki , Yoshino Takayuki
Published: August 2024

Purpose:

Posttreatment detection of ctDNA is strongly predictive of recurrence. Most minimal/molecular residual disease assays require prior tissue testing to guide ctDNA analysis, resulting in lengthy time to initial results and unevaluable patients.

Experimental Design:

We assessed a tissue-free assay (Guardant Reveal) that bioinformatically evaluates >20,000 epigenomic regions for ctDNA detection in 1,977 longitudinally collected postoperative plasma samples from 342 patients with resected colorectal cancer.

Results:

We observed sensitive and specific detection of minimal/molecular residual disease associated with clinically meaningful differences in recurrence-free intervals at each time point evaluated with a median lead time of 5.3 months. The longitudinal sensitivity in stage II or higher colon cancer was 81%. Sensitivity increased with serial measurement and varied by recurrence site: higher for liver (100%) versus lung (53%) and peritoneal (40%). Sensitivity among patients with rectal cancer was 60% owing to a high proportion of lung metastases. Specificity was 98.2% among 1,461 posttreatment samples (99.1% among those with follow-up longer than the upper IQR of the lead time observed in this study).

Conclusions:

Our data demonstrate the potential clinical utility of ctDNA as a tool to improve the management of stage II and higher colorectal cancer with a methodology that is noninvasive, accessible, and allows for rapid evaluation to inform clinical decisions.
Data from FLT3/CD99 Bispecific Antibody–Based Nanoparticles for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Ali Atham , Phan Alvin , Vaikari Vijaya , Park Mincheol , Pospiech Mateusz , Chu Ryan , Meng Yiting , MacKay J. Andrew , Alachkar Houda
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Cluster of differentiation 99 (CD99) is a receptor that is significantly upregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication mutation in AML (FLT3-ITD AML) exhibits even higher levels of CD99 expression. Our group previously employed a novel peptide platform technology called elastin-like polypeptides and fused it with single-chain antibodies capable of binding to FLT3 (FLT3-A192) or CD99 (CD99-A192). Targeting either FLT3 or CD99 using FLT3-A192 or CD99-A192 led to AML cell death and reduced leukemia burden in AML mouse models. Here, we report on the development of a novel Co-Assembled construct that is capable of binding to both CD99 and FLT3 and the antileukemia activity of the bispecific construct in FLT3-ITD AML preclinical models. This dual-targeting Co-Assembled formulation exhibits cytotoxic effects on AML cells (AML cell lines and primary blasts), reduced leukemia burden and prolonged survival in FLT3-ITD AML mouse models. Altogether, this study demonstrates the potential of an innovative therapeutic strategy that targets both FLT3 and CD99 in FLT3-ITD AML.
Significance:
This study investigates a dual-targeting strategy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), focusing on FLT3 and CD99. The approach demonstrates enhanced therapeutic potential, presenting a novel option for AML treatment.
The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c May Refine Mortality and Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Bolignano Davide , Greco Marta , Presta Pierangela , Duni Anila , Zicarelli Mariateresa , Mercuri Simone , Pappas Efthymios , Lakkas Lampros , Musolino Michela , Naka Katerina K. , Misiti Roberta , Foti Daniela Patrizia , Andreucci Michele , Coppolino Giuseppe , Dounousi Evangelia
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Uremic patients exhibit remarkably increased rates of mortality and cardiovascular (CV) events, but risk prediction in this setting remains difficult. Systemic mitochondrial dysfunction is pervasive in end-stage kidney disease and may contribute to CV complications. We tested the clinical significance of circulating MOTS-c, a small mitochondrial-derived peptide, as a biomarker for improving mortality and CV risk prediction in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, multicenter study on 94 prevalent HD patients. The study endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and non-fatal CV events. The diagnostic and prognostic capacities of predictive models based on cohort-related risk factors were tested before and after the inclusion of MOTS-c. Results: MOTS-c levels were higher in HD patients than in controls (p < 0.001) and even more elevated (p = 0.01) in the 53 individuals experiencing the combined endpoint during follow-up (median duration: 26.5 months). MOTS-c was independently associated with the endpoint at either multivariate logistic (OR 1.020; 95% CI: 1.011–1.109; p = 0.03) or Cox regression analyses (HR 1.004; 95% CI: 1.000–1.025; p = 0.05) and the addition of this biomarker to prognostic models including the other cohort-related risk predictors (age, left ventricular mass, evidence of diastolic dysfunction, diabetes, pulse pressure) significantly improved the calibration, risk variability explanation, discrimination (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve from 0.727 to 0.743; C-index from 0.658 to 0.700), and particularly, the overall reclassification capacity (NRI 15.87%; p = 0.01). Conclusions: In HD patients, the mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c may impart significant information to refine CV risk prediction, beyond cohort-related risk factors. Future investigations are needed to generalize these findings in larger and more heterogeneous cohorts.
Combination Therapy Consisting of Transarterial Chemoembolization, Lenvatinib, and Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Blockade for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus: A Case Series Study and Literature Review
Authors: Fu Yang-Kai , Li Yi-Nan , Liu De-Yi , Zeng Zhen-Xin , Wu Jia-Yi , Wu Jun-Yi , Wang Jin-Xiu , Li Han , Ou Xiang-Ye , Yan Mao-Lin
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVCTT) have poor prognosis. Combination therapy involving the blockade of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors is an efficient treatment strategy for advanced HCC. However, surgical treatment after a combination of systemic therapy and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for HCC with IVCTT has not been widely reported, and the efficacy and safety of this treatment have not been studied. Methods: In the 21 cases reported herein, the patients were treated with TACE, lenvatinib, and PD-1 blockade. The treatment responses, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate, and toxicities were evaluated, and the related literature was reviewed. Results: The overall response and disease control rates were 66.7% and 85.7%, respectively. The median PFS time was 16.0 months, with a 1-year PFS rate of 55.60%. The median OS was not reached, with a 1-year OS rate of 66.70%. Four patients underwent hepatectomy without serious complications and survived for 29.1, 24.7, 14.2, and 13.8 months. Three patients survived tumor-free, and 1 patient experienced intrahepatic recurrence. Pathological complete response and major pathological responses were observed in 1 and 3 patients, respectively. Treatment-related adverse events of any grade occurred in 8/9 patients (88.9%), and grade 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 1 patient. Conclusion: The combination of TACE, lenvatinib, and PD-1 is effective for HCC with IVCTT and has acceptable adverse effects.
POTENTIAL OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA, ISOLATED FROM SEVERAL SOURCES, TO INHIBIT THE GROWTH OF Candida albicans ATCC10231
Authors: Ramona Yan , Darmayasa Ida Bagus Gede , Dharmawan Komang , Sudaryatma Putu Eka , Teriyani Ni Made , Batho Yanuarius Felix , Inabuy Fainmarinat Selviani
Published: August 2024

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS- Lactic acid bacteria have potential to control candidiasis or Candida albicans. - The novelty of this study is to advance the potential of lactic acid bacteria to control candidiasis infection in human, with a view to develop novel LAB-based probiotic candidates with capability to inhibit/prevent infection by C. albicans, the causative agent of candidiasis.ABSTRACTThe main aims of this research were to isolate and identify potential lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inhibitory to Candida albicans. The LAB sources were kimchi, honey and vaginal secrete of healthy women. They were isolated with a view to develop a novel alternative method with reduced use of antifungal agents in the treatment of patients infected by such fungal pathogen. Isolation of the LABs was conducted by applying dilution spread method on de Mann Rogosa Sharpe agar (MRSA) medium supplemented with bromo cresol purple (BCP) indicator. Once purified, they were tested for antagonism against C. albicans in dual culture assays. LAB isolates that showed significant inhibition against the pathogen were identified using 16s rDNA sequences and their sequences were aligned with those of known sequences deposited at the Gene Bank (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). The results showed that 46 among more than 100 LABs isolated in this study significantly inhibited the growth of C. albicans in the in vitro dual culture assays, and all showed resistance property to antifungal agent (fluconazole). This indicated that they all have potential to be synergically applied with reduced use of fluconazole in the therapy. The most potential isolates (10 isolates) were closely related to three LAB species, namely Lactobacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, and Pediococcus pentosaceus, based on their 16s rDNA sequence similarities with those deposited in the GenBank.
Abstract 162: Human Genetics in Vascular Mechanotransduction and Metabolism
Authors: Krause Matthew , Civelek Mete , Romanoski Casey , Fang Yun
Published: August 2024

Biomechanical cues dynamically control cellular processes but whether genetic variants actively participate in mechano-sensing mechanisms remains unexplored. Vascular homeostasis is tightly regulated by hemodynamics. Exposure to disturbed blood flow causes constitutive activation of vascular endothelium contributing to atherosclerosis, the major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) and ischemic stroke (IS). Conversely, unidirectional flow promotes quiescent endothelium. GWAS have identified chromosome 1p32.2 strongly associated with CAD/IS; however, the causal mechanism remains unknown. Employing statistical analyses, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, CRISPR/Cas9-based assays, expression QTL, chromatin accessibility QTL, and allelic imbalance assay, our results demonstrated that CAD/IS protective allele at rs17114036 confers an increased endothelial enhancer activity that is dynamically regulated by transcription factor KLF2 and unidirectional shear stress, leading to elevated expression of phospholipid phosphatase 3 (PLPP3) to promote endothelial quiescence (PNAS, In Press). Our unpublished data further showed that flow-sensitive PLPP3 causatively regulates endothelial metabolism. In addition, our recent unpublished analyses identified additional CAD SNPs located in flow-sensitive enhancers in vascular endothelium. These results demonstrate for the first time that a human single-nucleotide polymorphism contributes to critical endothelial mechanotransduction and metabolism mechanisms and suggest that human haplotypes and related cis-regulatory elements provide a previously unappreciated layer of regulatory control in cellular mechano-sensing mechanisms.