bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Settling down in Southwest Asia: the Epipalaeolithic-Neolithic transformation
Authors: Watkins Trevor
Published: August 2023

Permanent settlement began in southwest Asia across the end of the Pleistocene (the Epipalaeolithic) and the beginning of the Holocene (the Neolithic). Aggregation represents a transformation of the cultural niche, involving major social and cultural innovations and profound developments of the strategies of subsistence. At first, the scalar stress of living in large, permanent communities was diffused through corporate effort in the construction and maintenance of monumental communal buildings, a complex material symbolism, and increasing intensity of communal rituals; participation demonstrated commitment and conformity to community norms. As cultivated crops and managed herds of sheep and goat gradually became the predominant source of subsistence, the old sharing ethos was overtaken by the household as the central socio-economic unit; the household became the focus for ritual and symbolism. As population aggregations grew larger, their supra-regional networks of socio-economic sharing and exchange also became more complex, extensive and intensive. The new cultural niche based on networked aggregations produced a marked acceleration in both the rate of cultural accumulation and the rate of demographic growth. At the end of the Neolithic, plow-agriculture began in place of horticulture; there are the first signs of mixed agro-pastoral economies, the marking of private property, new technologies (ceramics and copper metallurgy), and, in southern Iraq, irrigation agriculture. At this time, too, the accelerating expansion of the population of farmers is marked by the appearance of their new settlements in all directions.
Defying syntactic preservation in Alzheimer's disease: what type of impairment predicts syntactic change in dementia (if it does) and why?
Authors: Ivanova Olga , Martínez-Nicolás Israel , García-Piñuela Elena , Meilán Juan José G.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Many studies on syntax in dementia suggest that, despite syntactic simplification, speakers with Alzheimer's disease (AD) retain their basic grammatical abilities, being mainly affected in their comprehension and production of complex syntax. Moreover, there is no single position on the origin of syntactic decline in AD, which, according to some authors, can be linked to a lexical-semantic deficit or, according to others, to either cognitive or autonomous dysfunction.

Methods

In this study, we apply the model of syntactic maturity to the analysis of oral speech production elicited by the Cookie-Theft description task. We assess a sample of 60 older adults (21 HC, 19 MCI, and 20 AD) through three indexes of syntactic maturity, measuring the proportion of sentences and clauses in discourse, their mean length, and the rate of their complexity.

Results

Our results show two important tendencies in AD: the preservation of general syntactic ability, as measured by the basic syntactic organization of speech, and the disturbance of the indexes of syntactic complexity, as measured by the overall length of utterances and their indexes of complexity.

Discussion

Although speakers with AD maintain the ability to construct grammatically acceptable sentences and produce a similar number of utterances to healthy aging speakers and speakers with MCI, the syntactic complexity of their discourse significantly changes. Importantly, such significant changes are already present at the MCI stage and are not conditioned by the lexical-semantic deficit itself. Our results may be particularly relevant to improving the detection of cognitive impairment and to theoretically discussing the relationships between language levels in aging speakers.
Privacy-preserving continual learning methods for medical image classification: a comparative analysis
Authors: Verma Tanvi , Jin Liyuan , Zhou Jun , Huang Jia , Tan Mingrui , Choong Benjamin Chen Ming , Tan Ting Fang , Gao Fei , Xu Xinxing , Ting Daniel S. , Liu Yong
Published: August 2023

Background

The implementation of deep learning models for medical image classification poses significant challenges, including gradual performance degradation and limited adaptability to new diseases. However, frequent retraining of models is unfeasible and raises concerns about healthcare privacy due to the retention of prior patient data. To address these issues, this study investigated privacy-preserving continual learning methods as an alternative solution.

Methods

We evaluated twelve privacy-preserving non-storage continual learning algorithms based deep learning models for classifying retinal diseases from public optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, in a class-incremental learning scenario. The OCT dataset comprises 108,309 OCT images. Its classes include normal (47.21%), drusen (7.96%), choroidal neovascularization (CNV) (34.35%), and diabetic macular edema (DME) (10.48%). Each class consisted of 250 testing images. For continuous training, the first task involved CNV and normal classes, the second task focused on DME class, and the third task included drusen class. All selected algorithms were further experimented with different training sequence combinations. The final model's average class accuracy was measured. The performance of the joint model obtained through retraining and the original finetune model without continual learning algorithms were compared. Additionally, a publicly available medical dataset for colon cancer detection based on histology slides was selected as a proof of concept, while the CIFAR10 dataset was included as the continual learning benchmark.

Results

Among the continual learning algorithms, Brain-inspired-replay (BIR) outperformed the others in the continual learning-based classification of retinal diseases from OCT images, achieving an accuracy of 62.00% (95% confidence interval: 59.36-64.64%), with consistent top performance observed in different training sequences. For colon cancer histology classification, Efficient Feature Transformations (EFT) attained the highest accuracy of 66.82% (95% confidence interval: 64.23-69.42%). In comparison, the joint model achieved accuracies of 90.76% and 89.28%, respectively. The finetune model demonstrated catastrophic forgetting in both datasets.

Conclusion

Although the joint retraining model exhibited superior performance, continual learning holds promise in mitigating catastrophic forgetting and facilitating continual model updates while preserving privacy in healthcare deep learning models. Thus, it presents a highly promising solution for the long-term clinical deployment of such models.
Fatal acute-on-chronic liver failure following camrelizumab for hepatocellular carcinoma with HBsAg seroclearance: a case report and literature review
Authors: Li Fenghui , Wang Tao , Tang Fei , Liang Jing
Published: August 2023

In the last few years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become major therapeutic agents for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, immunotherapy can activate hepatitis B virus (HBV), and immune clearance may lead to liver failure and even life-threatening conditions. Here we report a case of HCC with HBV-related cirrhosis that caused severe liver injury and rapidly progressed to fatal acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) after only once application of camrelizumab; the patient underwent serological conversion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) with liver injury. The patient’s condition progressed rapidly. We added corticosteroids and applied plasma dialysis, along with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) to control HBV. However, the patient eventually died of liver failure. To our knowledge, there are few reports of HBsAg clearance due to ICIs accompanied by fatal acute-on-chronic liver failure shortly after ICIs initiation. These results suggest that ICIs can cause fatal liver injury in a short term; in patients with chronic HBV infection, ICIs use may promote serological conversion of HBsAg.
Sustainable nano-interventions to enhance crop yield, anthocyanin content, and marketability of onion (Allium cepa)
Authors: Jangir Himanshi , Kaler Brijesh , Srivastava Gaurav , Das Mainak
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Agriculture predominantly follows three farming systems: natural, organic (organic manures for soil nutrition), and agrochemical intensive. Agrochemical-intensive farming uses synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, and weedicides. It holds the most prominent place in the modern agriculture business. Humankind realizes that over-reliance on synthetic agrochemicals has resulted in the declining health of the ecosystem’s soil, water, and living species. It must explore strategies to reduce synthetic agrochemicals without compromising agricultural production to restore the ecological balance. Nano-formulations help lower dosages of agrochemicals, leading to the emergence of nano-agriculture. However, the critical challenge is how we could exploit nanomaterials’ power to selectively improve crop plants’ metabolic performance so that it has a better competitive edge in the field to withstand the nutrient-seeking pressure exerted by other plants.

Methods: Here we have achieved the same by root treatment of the onion crop and then growing them in the presence of organic goat manure.

Results: In a 2 years field trial with onion crops, we report an increase in yield through root treatment with nano-pyrite (FeS2) plus soil application of goat dropping (Test) as compared to the use of goat dropping alone (Control). In the first-year field trial (November 2018- April 2019), the total biomass (bulb + leaf) weight of the test sample was 4.75 kg (n = 86), while control samples weighed 3.5 kg (n = 83). The total bulb weight for the control and test was 2.6 and 3.6 kg, respectively. In the second-year field trial (December 2019- April 2020), the total biomass of the test sample was 2.65 kg (n = 64), while control samples weighed 2.30 kg (n = 64). We observed a yield-boosting effect of root treatment with nano-pyrite plus soil application of goat dropping in onion crops. As monitored by spectroscopic absorbance, there is a significant increase in the anthocyanin content in test bulbs (0.069) compared to control bulbs (0.02). Similarly, the relative flavanol content in test leaves (0.253) was significantly higher compared to the control samples (0.086). We have integrated nano-agriculture and organic farming, resulting in a hybrid form; nano-organic farming bolsters the metabolic fitness of the onion (Allium cepa) to achieve sustainable food production.
The neurobiology of openness as a personality trait
Authors: Abu Raya Maison , Ogunyemi Adedoyin O. , Broder Jake , Carstensen Veronica Rojas , Illanes-Manrique Maryenela , Rankin Katherine P.
Published: August 2023

Openness is a multifaceted behavioral disposition that encompasses personal, interpersonal, and cultural dimensions. It has been suggested that the interindividual variability in openness as a personality trait is influenced by various environmental and genetic factors, as well as differences in brain functional and structural connectivity patterns along with their various associated cognitive processes. Alterations in degree of openness have been linked to several aspects of health and disease, being impacted by both physical and mental health, substance use, and neurologic conditions. This review aims to explore the current state of knowledge describing the neurobiological basis of openness and how individual differences in openness can manifest in brain health and disease.
Language and health-related quality of life outcomes of children early-detected with unilateral and mild bilateral hearing loss
Authors: Carew Peter , Shepherd Daisy A. , Smith Libby , Soh Qi Rui , Sung Valerie
Published: August 2023

Introduction

We aimed to describe the language and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes of children early-identified with unilateral or mild bilateral permanent hearing loss. This was a cross-sectional community-based study of children with mild bilateral or unilateral permanent hearing loss (including unilateral auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD)), drawn from a population-based databank in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Enrolment in this databank is independent of early intervention and amplification approaches. Language and caregiver-reported HRQoL outcomes are described by type and degree of loss at three timepoints across child development: at age 2 years (n = 255), 5–7 years (n = 173) and 9–12 years (n = 45).

Results

Across all age groups, average language outcomes were poorer than population normative scores by between a half to two thirds of a standard deviation. Children with mild bilateral hearing loss demonstrated poorer average language outcomes than children with unilateral hearing loss, particularly at younger ages. Children with unilateral ANSD showed language outcomes comparable to their peers with unilateral profound hearing loss. Children had poorer HRQoL psychosocial scores compared to physical scores, without obvious patterns of outcomes linked to degree or type of hearing loss.

Discussion

This study demonstrates children with early-identified unilateral or mild bilateral hearing loss have average language and HRQoL outcomes poorer than population normative expectations from an early age. These outcomes are observed at later ages across childhood. These findings provide a contemporary description of language and quality of life outcomes for children identified but not targeted by universal newborn hearing screening and raise questions of how to provide better support for these populations of children and their families.
Mitochondria in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, roles and the potential targets
Authors: Geng Yumei , Hu Yu , Zhang Fang , Tuo Yajun , Ge Rili , Bai Zhenzhong
Published: August 2023

Mitochondria are the centrol hub for cellular energy metabolisms. They regulate fuel metabolism by oxygen levels, participate in physiological signaling pathways, and act as oxygen sensors. Once oxygen deprived, the fuel utilizations can be switched from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis for ATP production. Notably, mitochondria can also adapt to hypoxia by making various functional and phenotypes changes to meet the demanding of oxygen levels. Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is a life-threatening disease, but its exact pathgenesis mechanism is still unclear and there is no effective treatment available until now. Ample of evidence indicated that mitochondria play key factor in the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. By hypoxia-inducible factors, multiple cells sense and transmit hypoxia signals, which then control the expression of various metabolic genes. This activation of hypoxia-inducible factors considered associations with crosstalk between hypoxia and altered mitochondrial metabolism, which plays an important role in the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms of how hypoxia affects mitochondrial function, including mitochondrial biosynthesis, reactive oxygen homeostasis, and mitochondrial dynamics, to explore the potential of improving mitochondrial function as a strategy for treating hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.
Depression symptoms and suicide risk of internal medicine residents before and after first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: De La Roca-Chiapas Jose Maria , Grajeda Gutiérrez Carlos Francisco , Íñiguez Venegas Valeria Judith , Hernández González Martha Alicia , Reyes Pérez Verónica
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by the presence of sadness or loss of the ability to feel pleasure, with a high incidence in patients with COVID 19. The investigations have focused on patient care and little on the care of health personnel, these being the ones with the highest mortality rate, so the objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of depression symptoms and suicide risk and understand the association of depressive disorder and suicide risk with levels of serum cholesterol and low levels of serum cortisol among internal medicine fellows in a specialist medical hospital in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, before and after COVID-19.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, internal medicine residents were initially monitored for 2months before starting to care for patients with COVID-19. Participants were asked to fill out depression symptoms and suicide risk surveys. We measured the serum cholesterol and cortisol of each participant, and again after 11months of treating COVID-19 patients.

Results

Depression symptoms and suicide risk were assessed; significant differences were found between the two time periods for depression (p < 0.01), and no difference was found for suicide risk (p = 0.182). We found a significant correlation between serum cholesterol levels and suicide risk (r = 0.366, p < 0.01); we also found differences in serum cortisol levels (p < 0.01) and cholesterol (p < 0.0001) before and after the pandemic.

Conclusion

Caring for patients with COVID-19 in the hospital contributed to an increase in levels of depression symptoms and suicidal ideation, as well as differences in levels of cortisol and cholesterol in resident physicians of internal medicine; among the possible reasons for this change could be the conditions of personal protection while treating patients, the uncertainty in the first months of not knowing how the virus was transmitted and not having or knowing when vaccinations would be available, as well as the lack of a strategy of adequate mental health support from the institutions dedicated to their academic training.
Effects of cognitive task complexity and online planning on second language learners’ argumentative writing
Authors: Xu Ting Sophia , Zhang Lawrence Jun
Published: August 2023

Based on Kellogg’s writing model, Skehan’s Limited Attentional Capacity Model (LACM), and Robinson’s Cognition Hypothesis, our study investigated the effects of cognitive task complexity on syntactic complexity, lexical complexity, accuracy, fluency, and functional adequacy in Chinese L2 students’ argumentative writing, when students were under an online planning condition. Sixty-eight participants from a Chinese university were recruited to complete two writing tasks with task complexity varied in terms of [+ argument elements]. The findings showed that increasing task complexity led to decreased subordination in terms of clauses per T-unit and dependent clauses per clause, increased phrasal elaboration in terms of coordinate phrases per clause, and no changes in mean length of T-unit, T-units per sentence, mean length of clause, and complex nominals per clause. Neither significant differences in accuracy nor fluency were found as a function of increasing task complexity. Detrimental effects on functional adequacy in content, organization, and overall scores were identified with the increases in task complexity. The trade-offs between syntactic and lexical complexity and between syntactic complexity and functional adequacy support the basic principle of Skehan’s LACM that human’s information processing capacity is limited and Kellogg’s claim that learners have a limited central executive capacity in writing. Implications of the results of this research are discussed.
Crossmodal correspondences between visual features and tastes in preschoolers: an exploratory study
Authors: Meng Xianwei , Chen Na , Ishida Junya , Watanabe Katsumi , Murakami Taro
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Adults possess a natural inclination to associate sensory cues derived from distinct modalities, such as the pairing of sweet with pink. However, studies exploring crossmodal correspondences in children, particularly in the sensory pairing of visual features and tastes, are scant, leaving unanswered questions regarding the developmental trajectory of crossmodal correspondences. The present study investigates whether Japanese preschool children demonstrate specific biases in shape–color, shape–taste, and color–taste associations.

Methods

In a series of in-person experiments, 92 children between 3 to 6 years of age completed matching tasks utilizing paper stimuli.

Results

Children exhibit crossmodal correspondences in shape-color (circle-red and asymmetrical star-yellow), shape–taste (triangle-salty and circle-sweet), and color–taste (yellow-sour, black-bitter, and pink-sweet) associations. Moreover, children’s choices are not influenced by their individual preferences.

Discussion

The crossmodal correspondences observed in this study have been observed in previous research on adults from the same (Japanese) culture, although adults showed more crossmodal correspondences than the children in this study (e.g., pink-circle, triangle-sour, and green-bitter). Thus, while some crossmodal correspondences emerge during childhood, others may require additional time to develop, thereby highlighting the importance of understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying crossmodal correspondences from an ontogenic perspective.
Factors associated with suicide in physicians: a silent stigma and public health problem that has not been studied in depth
Authors: Rátiva Hernández Narda Katherine , Carrero-Barragán Tania Yaritza , Ardila Andrés Felipe , Rodríguez-Salazar Juan Diego , Lozada-Martinez Ivan David , Velez-Jaramillo Elisa , Ortega Delgado Daniel Aicardo , Fiorillo Moreno Ornella , Navarro Quiroz Elkin
Published: August 2023

Suicide is a complex and multifaceted public health issue that affects individuals from all walks of life, including healthcare professionals such as physicians. According to research, physicians have a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population, with an estimated suicide rate that is two to three times greater than that of the general population. Suicide in physicians can have devastating consequences, not only for the individual but also for their patients and colleagues. The factors contributing to suicide in physicians are numerous and often interrelated. Physicians are exposed to numerous stressors in their daily lives, including long work hours, high workload, burnout, and exposure to traumatic events. These stressors can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, which in turn can increase the risk of suicide. In addition to work-related stressors, personal factors such as relationship problems, financial stress, and a history of mental health problems can also contribute to suicide risk in physicians. Stigma and shame around seeking help for mental health issues may also prevent physicians from seeking treatment, exacerbating the problem. Understanding the complex factors that contribute to suicide in physicians is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. For this reason, it is necessary to know the behavior of this phenomenon and the factors associated with a higher risk of suicide in this population. However, taking into account that different regions of the world vary in socioeconomic, cultural, professional, occupational, and health attributes, it is to be expected that the behavior of these risk factors will also be heterogeneous. At present, it is presumed that there is a significant gap in the evidence, due to a predominance of evidence on this topic from high-income countries. Considering the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors for suicide in the medical population and possible strategies to mitigate this condition, the aim of this review is to analyze the most recent evidence on these factors, and to assess the quality of the evidence and gaps that need to be studied further.
The association between physical activity and fear of falling among community-dwelling older women in China: the mediating role of physical fitness
Authors: Wu Shuang , Li Guangkai , Shi Beibei , Ge Hongli , He Qiang
Published: August 2023

Background

This study aimed to explore the association between physical activity (PA) and fear of falling (FOF) and to determine whether this relationship was mediated by physical fitness (PF) in community-dwelling older women.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, a total of 1,108 older women were recruited. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and light physical activity (LPA) were objectively measured by accelerometers. Physical fitness indicators including body mass index (BMI), forced vital capacity, choice reaction time, grip strength, sit and reach, and five times sit-to-stand were measured. FOF was evaluated by the Chinese version of the activities-specific balance confidence scale. A stepwise linear regression model analysis was used for mediation analysis, and bootstrap analysis was used to verify the mediation effects.

Result

The Pearson correlation coefficient results suggested that MVPA was significantly and negatively correlated with FOF while LPA was not correlated with FOF. Logistic regression analysis suggested a significant association between MVPA, BMI, forced vital capacity, choice reaction time, sit and reach, grip strength, five times sit-to-stand, and FOF. The mediation analysis showed a negative relationship between MVPA and FOF. BMI completely mediated the relationship between MVPA and FOF while sit and reach, five times sit-to-stand, and forced vital capacity partially mediated the relationship between MVPA and FOF.

Conclusion

Accumulation of more daily MVPA was associated with reducing the odds of FOF in community-dwelling older women. PF indicators fully or partially mediate the relationship between MVPA and FOF. Therefore, more intervention efforts should focus on the promotion of MVPA to improve PF and thus reduce FOF among older women.
UAS remote sensing applications to abrupt cold region hazards
Authors: Verfaillie Megan , Cho Eunsang , Dwyre Lauren , Khan Imran , Wagner Cameron , Jacobs Jennifer M. , Hunsaker Adam
Published: August 2023

Unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) are an established technique for collecting data on cold region phenomenon at high spatial and temporal resolutions. While many studies have focused on remote sensing applications for monitoring long term changes in cold regions, the role of UAS for detection, monitoring, and response to rapid changes and direct exposures resulting from abrupt hazards in cold regions is in its early days. This review discusses recent applications of UAS remote sensing platforms and sensors, with a focus on observation techniques rather than post-processing approaches, for abrupt, cold region hazards including permafrost collapse and event-based thaw, flooding, snow avalanches, winter storms, erosion, and ice jams. The pilot efforts highlighted in this review demonstrate the potential capacity for UAS remote sensing to complement existing data acquisition techniques for cold region hazards. In many cases, UASs were used alongside other remote sensing techniques (e.g., satellite, airborne, terrestrial) and in situ sampling to supplement existing data or to collect additional types of data not included in existing datasets (e.g., thermal, meteorological). While the majority of UAS applications involved creation of digital elevation models or digital surface models using Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, this review describes other applications of UAS observations that help to assess risks, identify impacts, and enhance decision making. As the frequency and intensity of abrupt cold region hazards changes, it will become increasingly important to document and understand these changes to support scientific advances and hazard management. The decreasing cost and increasing accessibility of UAS technologies will create more opportunities to leverage these techniques to address current research gaps. Overcoming challenges related to implementation of new technologies, modifying operational restrictions, bridging gaps between data types and resolutions, and creating data tailored to risk communication and damage assessments will increase the potential for UAS applications to improve the understanding of risks and to reduce those risks associated with abrupt cold region hazards. In the future, cold region applications can benefit from the advances made by these early adopters who have identified exciting new avenues for advancing hazard research via innovative use of both emerging and existing sensors.
Case report: Predictability of clinical response and rejection risk after immune checkpoint inhibition in liver transplantation
Authors: Yang Zhou Jordi , Eder Dominik , Weber Florian , Heumann Philipp , Kronenberg Katharina , Werner Jens M. , Geissler Edward K. , Schlitt Hans J. , Hutchinson James A. , Bitterer Florian
Published: August 2023

Background

The approval of Atezolizumab / Bevacizumab therapy (Atezo/Bev) in 2020 opened up a promising new treatment option for patients with end-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, liver transplant (LTx) patients with HCC are still denied this therapy owing to concerns about ICI-induced organ rejection and lack of regulatory approval.

Methods

A prospective observational study at a tertiary liver transplant centre monitored the compassionate, off-label use of Atezo/Bev in a single, stable LTx recipient with non-resectable HCC recurrence. Close clinical, laboratory and immunological monitoring of the patient was performed throughout a four-cycle Atezo/Bev treatment. Measured parameters were selected after a systematic review of the literature on predictive markers for clinical response and risk of graft rejection caused by ICI therapy.

Results

19 articles describing 20 unique predictive biomarkers were identified. The most promising negative prognostic factors were the baseline values and dynamic course of IL-6, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and the AFP/CRP ratio. The frequency of regulatory T cells (Treg) reportedly correlates with the success of ICI therapy. PD-L1 and CD28 expression level with the allograft, peripheral blood CD4+ T cell numbers and Torque Teno Virus (TTV) titre may predict risk of LTx rejection following ICI therapy. No relevant side effects or acute rejection occurred during Atezo/Bev therapy; however, treatment did not prevent tumor progression. Absence of PD-L1 expression in pre-treatment liver biopsies, as well as a progressive downregulation of CD28 expression by CD4+ T cells during therapy, correctly predicted absence of rejection. Furthermore, increased IL-6 and AFP levels after starting therapy, as well as a reduction in blood Treg frequency, correctly anticipated a lack of therapeutic response.

Conclusion

Atezo/Bev therapy for unresectable HCC in stable LTx patients remains a controversial strategy because it carries a high-risk of rejection and therapeutic response rates are poorly defined. Although previously described biomarkers of rejection risk and therapeutic response agreed with clinical outcomes in the described case, these immunological parameters are difficult to reliably interpret. Clearly, there is an important unmet need for standardized assays and clinically validated cut-offs before we use these biomarkers to guide treatment decisions for our patients.
Does this virtual food make me hungry? effects of visual quality and food type in virtual reality
Authors: Ramousse Florian , Raimbaud Pierre , Baert Patrick , Helfenstein-Didier Clémentine , Gay Aurélia , Massoubre Catherine , Galusca Bogdan , Lavoué Guillaume
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Studies into food-related behaviors and emotions are increasingly being explored with Virtual Reality (VR). Applications of VR technologies for food science include eating disorder therapies, eating behavior studies and sensory analyzes. These applications involve 3D food stimuli intended to elicit cravings, stress, and/or emotions. However, the visual quality (i.e., the realism) of used food stimuli is heterogeneous, and this factor’s influence on the results has never been isolated and evaluated. In this context, this work aims to study how the visual quality of food stimuli, exposed in a virtual reality environment, influences the resulting desire to eat.

Methods: 28 subjects without eating disorders were included in this protocol, who evaluated the desire to eat induced by 10 3D food stimuli, each duplicated in 7 quality levels (for a total of 70 stimuli).

Results: Results show that visual quality influences the desire to eat, and this effect depends on the type of food and users’ eating habits. We found two significant thresholds for visual quality: the first provides the minimal quality necessary to elicit a significant desire to eat, while the second provides the ceiling value above which increasing the quality does not improve further the desire to eat.

Discussion: These results allow us to provide useful recommendations for the design of experiments involving food stimuli.
Using machine learning to characterize solar wind driving of convection in the terrestrial magnetotail lobes
Authors: Cao Xin , Halekas Jasper S. , Haaland Stein , Ruhunusiri Suranga , Glassmeier Karl-Heinz
Published: August 2023

In order to quantitatively investigate the mechanism of how magnetospheric convection is driven in the region of magnetotail lobes on a global scale, we analyzed data from the ARTEMIS spacecraft in the deep tail and data from the Cluster spacecraft in the near and mid-tail regions. Our previous work revealed that, in the lobes near the Moon’s orbit, the convection can be estimated by using ARTEMIS measurements of lunar ions’ velocity. Based on that, in this paper, we applied machine learning models to these measurements to determine which upstream solar wind parameters significantly drive the lobe convection in magnetotail regions, to help us understand the mechanism that controls the dynamics of the tail lobes. The results demonstrate that the correlations between the predicted and measured convection velocities for the machine learning models (>0.75) are superior to those of the multiple linear regression model (∼0.23–0.43) in the testing dataset. The systematic analysis shows that the IMF and magnetospheric activity play an important role in influencing plasma convection in the global magnetotail lobes.
Case report: Canine distemper virus infection as a cause of central nervous system disease in a Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)
Authors: Lombardo Mara Sophie , Mirolo Monica , Brandes Florian , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Schütte Karolin , Ludlow Martin , Barkhoff Michael , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Puff Christina
Published: August 2023

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) represents an endangered species with only small populations remaining in Central Europe. Knowledge about the threat posed by potential infectious agents to these animals is crucial for informing ongoing protection measures. Canine distemper virus (CDV) is known to have a wide host range with infection reported in many mammalian species including several lynx species (Lynx pardinus, Lynx canadensis, Lynx rufus), but is an extremely rare finding in the Eurasian lynx. The present report describes a case of a Eurasian lynx showing central nervous signs, including apathy and ataxia. A CT scan revealed multiple hypodense areas in different localizations within the brain as well as enlarged liquid filled areas, leading to the suspicion of a degenerative process. Due to clinical deterioration, the animal was euthanized and submitted for macroscopical and histological investigations. Histological investigations revealed multifocal demyelinations in the cerebellum, brain stem and cervical spinal cord as well as a multifocal, perivascular, lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalitis. A CDV infection was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analyses. This CDV infection of a Eurasian lynx resembles a classical chronic manifestation of distemper in dogs and highlights the threat posed by canine distemper to this species.
The Field Epidemiology Training Program’s Contribution to Essential Public Health Functions in Seven National Public Health Institutes
Authors: Cui Angelina , Hamdani Sakina , Woldetsadik Mahlet A. , Clerville Jacques W. , Hu Audrey , Abedi Aisha A. , Bratton Shelly , Turcios-Ruiz Reina M.
Published: August 2023

Objective: This study explores how Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETP) whose National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) are supported by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have contributed to strengthening essential public health functions.

Methods: We conducted 96 semi-structured interviews with public health experts including NPHI staff, non-NPHI government staff, and staff from non-governmental and international organizations in Cambodia, Colombia, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia. We managed data using MAXQDA and employed direct content analysis to derive themes.

Results: Three overarching themes emerged in relation to FETPs’ role within the NPHIs’ public health functions. These themes included contribution to improving country surveillance systems, role in providing leadership in outbreak responses, and strengthening countries’ and the NPHIs’ surveillance workforce capacity. Participants also shared challenges around FETPs’ implementation and suggestions for improvement.

Conclusion: The results demonstrate the value of FETPs in strengthening public health systems through building workforce capacity and improving surveillance systems. By identifying the successes of FETPs in contributing to essential public health functions, our findings might inform current and future FETP implementation and its integration into NPHIs.
Improved Rotor Flux-Based SMO and RBF-PID Control Strategy for PMSM
Authors: Wang Weiyang , Liu Yongqing , Chen Huipeng , Gao Jian , Zhu Shaopeng , Zhou Rougang
Published: August 2023

This paper proposes a control strategy that combines an improved flux-based sliding mode observer with a Radial Basis Function Proportional-Integral-Derivative (RBF-PID) controller for the control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM). The strategy aims to address the issues of electrical angle estimation errors and torque fluctuations in traditional sliding mode observer control. The improved sliding mode observer utilizes the flux model of the PMSM to enhance the accuracy of electrical angle estimation, thereby reducing the estimation errors and improving the control of the current loop and speed. The RBF-PID controller ensures system stability while achieving faster response and reduced torque fluctuations. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that compared to traditional PI control and sliding mode observer control methods, the proposed strategy improves the performance of electrical angle estimation by 7.05% and reduces overshoot in the q-axis current by 28.6%, exhibiting better control performance and smaller errors.
On the Potentials of the Integration of Pressure Gain Combustion with a Hybrid Electric Propulsion System
Authors: Kim Dongsuk , Asli Majid , Höschler Klaus
Published: August 2023

As the issue of pollutant emissions from aviation propulsion escalates, research into alternative powertrains is gaining momentum. Two promising technologies are the Hybrid Electric Propulsion System (HEPS) and Pressure Gain Combustion (PGC). HEPS is expected to reduce pollutant emissions by decreasing fuel consumption, whereas PGC uses detonation in the combustor to increase the thermal efficiency of engines by elevating the total pressure during combustion. This study extensively explores the integration of these two emerging technologies, thoroughly assessing the advantages that arise from their combination. First, the renowned turboprop engine PW127 is benchmarked and modeled using Gasturb software. The model is integrated into Simulink using the T-MATS tool, with HEPS and pressure gain components added to analyze the thermodynamics of various configurations under different pressure gain values and HEPS parameters. The analysis, conducted up to the cruise phase of the baseline aircraft, reveals that applying pressure gain combustion through Rotating Detonation Combustion (RDC) results in a more significant increase in efficiency and decrease in fuel consumption compared to HEPS with conventional gas turbines. However, HEPS helps maintain a more uniform combustor inlet condition and reduces the Turbine Inlet Temperature (TIT) at the takeoff phase, where the highest TIT otherwise occurs. The results suggest that integrating HEPS with PGC can be beneficial in maintaining optimal combustor conditions and mitigating turbine efficiency degradation.
Experimental Investigation of a Swirling-Oxidizer-Flow-Type Hybrid Rocket Engine Using Low-Melting-Point Thermoplastic Fuel and Oxygen
Authors: Oishi Tsuyoshi , Tamari Mitsuru , Sakurai Takashi
Published: August 2023

Hybrid rockets are safe and inexpensive; however, boundary-layer combustion poses a problem in achieving a fuel regression rate equivalent to that of solid propellants. The fundamental combustion conditions, such as the fuel regression rate of LT421, a paraffin-based low-melting-point thermoplastic fuel, were investigated using a swirling-flow combustion method. Firing tests were conducted using the oxygen mass flow rate and burn time parameters. The LT fuel exhibited an ignition delay compared to polypropylene, and the pressure increased slowly relative to the thrust. The combustion pressure increased or remained constant with time, suggesting that the fuel regression rate was more dependent on the oxygen mass flow rate than the oxidizer mass flux. The shear force generated in the grain owing to the swirling flow caused fuel-grain separation when the oxygen mass flow rate exceeded 100 g/s. Fuel-grain separation was prevented by modifying the case geometry. The maximum fuel regression rate obtained in the tests was 4.88 mm/s at an oxygen mass flow rate of 190 g/s and mass flux of 72.4 kg/(m2s), which was four times higher than that of polypropylene at the same oxidizer mass flux. The fuel regression rate correlation was obtained using the oxygen mass-flow-rate-based parameter, although further modification was necessary to apply this correlation when the burning time was varied.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Does It Modify Milk Composition of Hair Sheep?
Authors: Arcos-Álvarez Darwin N. , Aguilar-Urquizo Edgar , Ramon-Ugalde Julio , Hernández-Núñez Emanuel , Giácoman-Vallejos Germán , González-Sánchez Avel Adolfo , Alvarado-Lopez Carlos Juan , Gonzalez-Ronquillo Manuel , Chay-Canul Alfonso J. , Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar , Piñeiro-Vázquez Angel T.
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of olive oil addition on the production, chemical composition, and fatty acid profile of sheep’s milk. Twenty-four lactating ewes with a live weight of 34.6 ± 4.61 kg were used. The animals were randomly distributed into four treatments (n = 6) with dietary addition of 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% (dry matter basis) olive oil for 45 days. Milk samples were taken every 7 days for fatty acid (FA) and chemical analyses. A decrease (p < 0.05) in dry matter and crude protein intake was observed with 4% oil inclusion. Milk production and milk components were similar between treatments. The kilograms of meat from weaned lambs linearly increased as the oil inclusion increased. Milk C4:0 to C17:0 decreased with 2% olive oil. The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FA content in the milk increased with the oil inclusion. There was an increase in the milk’s linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid content with 2% olive oil. Overall, the addition of 2% extra virgin olive oil is recommended to improve milk’s FA profile without negative effects on animal performance.
Comparison of Canopy Architecture of Five Olive Cultivars in a High-Density Planting System in Sicily
Authors: Lodolini Enrico Maria , de Iudicibus Alberto , Lucchese Pompea Gabriella , Las Casas Giuseppina , Torrisi Biagio , Nicolosi Elisabetta , Giuffrida Alessio , Ferlito Filippo
Published: August 2023

In a young super-high-density (SHD) olive orchard located in Aidone (EN), in the Sicily Region, Italy, the architectural features of five olive cultivars were studied, specifically Arbequina, Arbosana, Oliana®, Giulia®, and FS-17®. Surveys were conducted in November 2019 considering biometric measurements for the whole tree, the canopy, and the primary and secondary branches. The “total branching frequency”, the “sectorial branching frequency”, the “total branching efficiency”, the “sectorial branching efficiency”, and the “total relative vigour” indexes were also calculated from the previous measurements. In addition, olive yield recorded for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 (respectively, the third, fourth, and fifth years from planting) are shown in order to provide a more exhaustive description of the features of the cultivars. Giulia® and Oliana® resulted in being more similar to Arbequina and Arbosana, presenting a compact shape of the canopy and high and regular ramification of primary and secondary branches. FS-17® showed a higher expansion in canopy volume and higher vigour than the other cultivars, features that suggest it can be more susceptible to damage during mechanical harvest. Regarding the elaborated indexes, “total branching frequency” resulted in being not statistically different among the cultivars. “Sectorial branching frequency” resulted in being higher in the middle sector of the trunk height (51–100 cm) for all the tested cultivars. This study supplies helpful information about the different canopy and branch architectural characteristics of the five studied olive cultivars with respect to their suitability to high-density plantations.
New Trends and Challenges in Precision and Digital Agriculture
Authors: Niedbała Gniewko , Piekutowska Magdalena , Hara Patryk
Published: August 2023

Real change is needed in the agricultural sector to meet the challenges of the 21st century in terms of humanity’s food needs [...]
Application of Comprehensive 2D Gas Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry in Beer and Wine VOC Analysis
Authors: Zhang Penghan , Piergiovanni Maurizio , Franceschi Pietro , Mattivi Fulvio , Vrhovsek Urska , Carlin Silvia
Published: August 2023

To meet consumer demand for fermented beverages with a wide range of flavors, as well as for quality assurance, it is important to characterize volatiles and their relationships with raw materials, microbial and fermentation processes, and the aging process. Sample preparation techniques coupled with comprehensive 2D gas chromatography (GC×GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) are proven techniques for the identification and quantification of various volatiles in fermented beverages. A few articles discuss the application of GC×GC for the measurement of fermented beverage volatiles and the problems faced in the experimental analysis. This review critically discusses each step of GC×GC-MS workflow in the specific context of fermented beverage volatiles’ research, including the most frequently applied volatile extraction techniques, GC×GC instrument setup, and data handling. The application of novel sampling techniques to shorten preparation times and increase analytical sensitivity is discussed. The pros and cons of thermal and flow modulators are evaluated, and emphasis is given to the use of polar-semipolar configurations to enhance detection limits. The most relevant Design of Experiment (DoE) strategies for GC×GC parameter optimization as well as data processing procedures are reported and discussed. Finally, some consideration of the current state of the art and future perspective, including the crucial role of AI and chemometrics.