bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy between Conventional Laparoscopy and Robotic Surgery in Mexican Patients with Endometriosis: A Comparative Study
Authors: Bandala Cindy , Cifuentes-Chacón Juan Pablo , Cortes-Vázquez Alfredo , Ruz-Barros Rodrigo , Garrocho-Hernández Leonardo , Cortes-Algara Alfredo
Published: June 2024

Background. Surgical management of endometriosis is essential, and deep endometriosis involves the invasion of endometrial tissue into other organs such as the bladder, ureters, and rectum. In Latin American countries, significant expertise has been achieved in conventional laparoscopy (CL); however, there is less experience in robot-assisted laparoscopy (RAL) because of the high cost of this technique. For this reason, studies comparing CL and RAL for the treatment of deep endometriosis in patients are scarce, making this study the first to share the experience of Mexican patients. Aim. The efficacy of CL vs. RAL in the management of deep endometriosis in Mexican patients was compared. Materials and Methods. We performed a retrospective and comparative study. We considered all patients treated with minimally invasive surgery for deep endometriosis between 2015 and 2023. Results. A total of 93 patients were included; 56 patients were treated with CL, and 37 patients were treated with RAL. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the postoperative length of stay, which was longer in patients treated with CL compared with those treated with RAL. Additionally, postoperative pain was less frequent in patients treated with RAL than in those treated with CL (p < 0.05). We did not observe a significant difference in operative time, blood loss, or perioperative complications between the two surgical techniques (p < 0.05). Conclusions. CL and RAL are effective methods for managing endometriosis in Mexican patients; however, RAL is beneficial for the treatment of deep endometriosis because patients experience postoperative pain less frequently than CL patients and have a shorter postoperative length of stay.
The Evolution of Custom Subperiosteal Implants for Treatment of Partial or Complete Edentulism in Patients with Severe Alveolar Ridge Atrophy
Authors: Łoginoff Jan , Majos Agata , Elgalal Marcin
Published: June 2024

Dental implants have always played an important role in dentistry and have been used to replace missing teeth since around 600 AD. They can be classified into three groups: endosteal, subperiosteal, and transosteal. Over time, different materials have been used to manufacture dental implants and these, in turn, can be divided into three groups: metals, ceramics, and polymers. Today, the most commonly used treatment for edentulism is the use of endosteal implants. However, such an approach cannot be used in patients with severe alveolar ridge atrophy and, in such cases, custom subperiosteal implants are an alternative. This review article focuses on historical developments and improvements that have been made over recent years in treatment options for patients suffering from edentulism and significant resorption of the alveolar ridge. These treatment options involve the utilization of custom subperiosteal implants. This paper looks at the historical evolution of these implants, the significance of diagnostic imaging, and the application of the contemporary methods of production, such as CAD-CAM and additive manufacturing. The research emphasizes the importance of accuracy and personalization provided by these emerging technologies that have rendered subperiosteal implants a more feasible and less intrusive alternative for patients suffering from significant bone loss.
Working Memory Recovery in Adolescents with Concussion: Longitudinal fMRI Study
Authors: Manelis Anna , Lima Santos João P. , Suss Stephen J. , Holland Cynthia L. , Perry Courtney A. , Hickey Robert W. , Collins Michael W. , Kontos Anthony P. , Versace Amelia
Published: June 2024

Background: Understanding the behavioral and neural underpinnings of the post-concussion recovery of working memory function is critically important for improving clinical outcomes and adequately planning return-to-activity decisions. Previous studies provided inconsistent results due to small sample sizes and the use of a mixed population of participants who were at different post-injury time points. We aimed to examine working memory recovery during the first 6 months post-concussion in adolescents. Methods: We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan 45 concussed adolescents [CONCs] at baseline (<10 days post-concussion) and at 6 months post-concussion. Healthy control adolescents [HCs; n = 32] without a history of concussion were scanned once. During the scans, participants performed one-back and two-back working memory tasks with letters as the stimuli and angry, happy, neutral, and sad faces as distractors. Results: All affected adolescents were asymptomatic and cleared to return to activity 6 months after concussion. Working memory recovery was associated with faster and more accurate responses at 6 months vs. baseline (p-values < 0.05). It was also characterized by significant difficulty-related activation increases in the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) and the left orbitofrontal cortex (LOFC) at 6 months vs. baseline. Although the activation differences between one-back and two-back were comparable between HCs and CONCs at 6 months, HCs had more pronounced activation in the LIFG than concussed adolescents. Conclusions: Post-concussion recovery is associated with significant performance improvements in speed and accuracy, as well as the normalization of brain responses in the LIFG and LOFC during the n-back task. The observed patterns of LOFC activation might reflect compensatory strategies to distribute neural processing and reduce neural fatigue post-concussion.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy’s Influence on Alpha-Synuclein and Inflammatory Marker Levels: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lyra Patrícia , Botelho João , Rota Silvia , Poplawska-Domaszewicz Karolina , Machado Vanessa , Guerreiro Daniela , Proença Luís , Barroso Helena , Mendes José João , Chaudhuri Kallol Ray
Published: June 2024

Background: Microbial dysbiosis may contribute to alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) homeostasis disruption, yet the burden of inflammatory periodontal infection and its treatment have never been studied in this regard. We aimed to compare the cytokine and α-Syn levels in the saliva and blood of patients with periodontitis who underwent non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) and those of their healthy counterparts. Methods: Periodontal examination and saliva and blood sample collection were carried out in incoming patients at a university clinic. The periodontitis group (PG) received NSPT. The sample collection and periodontal observation were repeated 30 days after. IL-6, IL1-β and total α-Syn were quantified using immunoassay methods. The periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated as a proxy for periodontal inflammation. Results: Eleven participants formed the PG, and there were fifteen healthy controls (HC). At baseline, no correlation between salivary and plasma α-Syn was found. The salivary α-Syn levels revealed a tendency to decrease 30 days after, particularly in the PD cases. The variation in PISA and α-Syn showed significant correlation. Salivary α-Syn correlated negatively with salivary IL-6 levels at both timepoints in the total sample (rho = −0.394 and rho = −0.451) and in the HC (rho = −0.632 and rho = −0.561). Variations in plasma IL-6 and α-Syn were negatively correlated (rho = −0.518) in the healthy participants. Baseline plasma IL1-β negatively correlated with plasmatic α-Syn at 30 days in the HC (rho = −0.581). Conclusions: Salivary and plasma α-Syn bioavailability operate independently, and periodontal diagnosis was not a confounding factor. Salivary α-Syn levels were significantly affected by NSPT, contrary to plasma levels. These results should be confirmed in future larger and prospective studies.
The Effect of Obesity on Repolarization and Other ECG Parameters
Authors: Dykiert Irena A. , Kraik Krzysztof , Jurczenko Lidia , Gać Paweł , Poręba Rafał , Poręba Małgorzata
Published: June 2024

Background: Overweight and obesity are important risk factors in the development of cardiovascular diseases. New repolarization markers, such as the Tpeak-Tend interval and JTpeak intervals, have not yet been profoundly studied in obese patients. The study aims to analyze whether, in patients with obesity and overweight, repolarization markers, including the Tpeak-Tend interval, are prolonged and simultaneously check the frequency of other ECG pathologies in a 12-lead ECG in this group of patients. Methods: A study group consisted of 181 adults (90 females and 91 males) with overweight and first-class obesity. The participants completed a questionnaire, and the ECG was performed and analyzed. Results: When analyzing the classic markers, only QT dispersion was significantly higher in obese people. The Tpeak-Tend parameter (97.08 ms ± 23.38 vs. 89.74 ms ± 12.88, respectively), its dispersion, and JTpeak-JTend parameters were statistically significantly longer in the obese group than in the controls. There were also substantial differences in P-wave, QRS duration, and P-wave dispersion, which were the highest in obese people. Tpeak-Tend was positively correlated with body mass and waist circumference, while JTpeak was with BMI, hip circumference, and WHR. Tpeak/JT was positively correlated with WHR and BMI. In backward stepwise multiple regression analysis for JTpeak-WHR, type 2 diabetes and smoking had the highest statistical significance. Conclusions: Only selected repolarization markers are significantly prolonged in patients with class 1 obesity and, additionally, in this group, we identified more pathologies of P wave as well as prolonged QRS duration,
Twelve Years of the Gaucher Outcomes Survey (GOS): Insights, Achievements, and Lessons Learned from a Global Patient Registry
Authors: Elstein Deborah , Belmatoug Nadia , Bembi Bruno , Deegan Patrick , Fernandez-Sasso Diego , Giraldo Pilar , Göker-Alpan Özlem , Hughes Derralynn , Lau Heather , Lukina Elena , Revel-Vilk Shoshana , Schwartz Ida Vanessa D. , Istaiti Majdolen , Botha Jaco , Gadir Noga , Schenk Jörn , Zimran Ari
Published: June 2024

Background: Long-term patient registries are important for evaluating treatment outcomes in patients with rare diseases, and can provide insights into natural disease history and progression in real-world clinical practice. Initiated in 2010, the Gaucher Outcome Survey (GOS) is an ongoing, international, multicenter, observational registry (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03291223) for patients with a diagnosis of Gaucher disease (GD), irrespective of treatment type or status, with a primary objective to monitor safety and long-term effectiveness of velaglucerase alfa. Methods: Here, we evaluated the GOS population 12 years after the registry initiation. Results: As of 25 February 2023, 2084 patients enrolled in the GOS and 1643 received GD-specific treatment. Patients exhibited broad heterogeneity at baseline: age of diagnosis (0 to 85.3 years), hemoglobin concentrations (<80.0 g/L to >150 g/L), platelet counts (<50 × 109/L to >450 × 109/L), and liver and spleen volumes. Most patients treated with enzyme replacement therapy or substrate reduction therapy reported improvements in clinical parameters within 1 year of treatment initiation, maintained over the course of treatment up to 12 years, whereas untreated patients had baseline values closer to standard reference thresholds and showed stability over time. Conclusion: The 12-year data from the GOS confirm the impact of long-term treatment with GD-specific agents and offer insights into disease progression and outcomes in a real-world setting.
Diagnostic Utility of Specific Frailty Questionnaire: The Kihon Checklist for Hippocampal Atrophy in COPD
Authors: Hirano Tsunahiko , Takahashi Shun , Fukatsu-Chikumoto Ayumi , Yasuda Kasumi , Ishida Takuya , Donishi Tomohiro , Suga Kazuyoshi , Doi Keiko , Oishi Keiji , Ohata Shuichiro , Murata Yoriyuki , Yamaji Yoshikazu , Asami-Noyama Maki , Edakuni Nobutaka , Kakugawa Tomoyuki , Matsunaga Kazuto
Published: June 2024

Background/Objectives: COPD patients who are frail have been reported to develop brain atrophy, but no non-invasive diagnostic tool has been developed to detect this condition. Our study aimed to explore the diagnostic utility of the Kihon Checklist (KCL), a frailty questionnaire, in assessing hippocampal volume loss in patients with COPD. Methods: We recruited 40 COPD patients and 20 healthy individuals using the KCL to assess frailty across seven structural domains. Hippocampal volumes were obtained from T1-weighted MRI images, and ROC analysis was performed to detect hippocampal atrophy. Results: Our results showed that patients with COPD had significantly greater atrophic left hippocampal volumes than healthy subjects (p < 0.05). The univariate correlation coefficient between the left hippocampal volume and KCL (1–20), which pertains to instrumental and social activities of daily living, was the largest (ρ = −0.54, p < 0.0005) among the KCL subdomains. Additionally, both KCL (1–25) and KCL (1–20) demonstrated useful diagnostic potential (93% specificity and 90% sensitivity, respectively) for identifying individuals in the lowest 25% of the left hippocampal volume (AUC = 0.82). Conclusions: Our study suggests that frailty questionnaires focusing on daily vulnerability, such as the KCL, can effectively detect hippocampal atrophy in COPD patients.
Comprehensive Insights into Metastasis-Associated Spinal Cord Compression: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis: A State-of-the-Art Systematic Review
Authors: Vavourakis Michail , Sakellariou Evangelos , Galanis Athanasios , Karampinas Panagiotis , Zachariou Dimitrios , Tsalimas Georgios , Marougklianis Vasileios , Argyropoulou Evangelia , Rozis Meletis , Kaspiris Angelos , Pneumatikos Spiros G.
Published: June 2024

Background: Spinal cord compression is a formidable complication of advanced cancer, and clinicians of copious specialities often have to encounter significant complex challenges in terms of diagnosis, management, and prognosis. Metastatic lesions from cancer are a common cause of spinal cord compression, affecting a substantial portion of oncology patients, and only in the US has the percentage risen to 10%. Acute metastasis-correlated spinal cord compression poses a considerable clinical challenge, necessitating timely diagnosis and intervention to prevent neurological deficits. Clinical presentation is often non-specific, emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluation and appropriate differential diagnosis. Diagnostic workup involves various imaging modalities and laboratory studies to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of compression. Treatment strategies focus on pain management and preserving spinal cord function without significantly increasing patient life expectancy, while multidisciplinary approaches are often required for optimal outcomes. Prognosis depends on several factors, highlighting the importance of early intervention. We provide an up-to-date overview of acute spinal cord compression in metastases, accentuating the importance of comprehensive management strategies. Objectives: This paper extensively explores the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, treatment modalities, and prognosis associated with spinal cord metastases. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Conclusions: We aim to help healthcare professionals make informed clinical decisions when treating patients with spinal cord metastases by synthesizing current evidence and clinical insights.
Counteracting HPV Cervical and Anal Infection through Dietary Supplementation of EGCG, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 and Hyaluronic Acid: Clinical Case Reports
Authors: Calcagno Marco , Incocciati Bernadette , Di Fraia Ludovica , Unfer Vittorio
Published: June 2024

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and the management of its persistence is still a great medical challenge. Recently, scientific evidence has supported the potential therapeutic effects of four combined natural molecules—epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), folic acid, vitamin B12 and hyaluronic acid (HA)—in counteracting HPV DNA positivity and related cytological lesions. Methods: Each patient of these five clinical cases had persistent HPV positivity in the anogenital site and assumed a dietary supplement based on a combination of 200 mg of EGCG, 50 mg of HA, 1 mg of vitamin B12 and 400 mcg of folic acid (Pervistop®, Farmares s.r.l., Rome, Italy) at a dosage of 1 or 2 caps/day for 6 or 3 months, respectively, depending on clinical history. Results: After treatment, all the patients reported a negative HPV DNA test and improved cytological lesions, thus demonstrating the ability of these combined molecules to counteract both anal and cervical HPV infection and related manifestations. Conclusions: Overall, these data corroborate previous evidence about the effectiveness of such natural molecules in the management of HPV infection and its persistence. Naturally, further studies with a larger population and long-term follow-up will contribute to reinforce the positive effects of this dietary supplement in counteracting HPV infection.
Normative Values for Sternoclavicular Joint and Clavicle Anatomy Based on MR Imaging: A Comprehensive Analysis of 1591 Healthy Participants
Authors: Languth Theo Morgan , Prietzel Anne , Bülow Robin , Ittermann Till , Laqua René , Haralambiev Lyubomir , Ekkernkamp Axel , Bakir Mustafa Sinan
Published: June 2024

Background: The clavicle remains one of the most fractured bones in the human body, despite the fact that little is known about the MR imaging of it and the adjacent sternoclavicular joint. This study aims to establish standardized values for the diameters of the clavicle as well as the angles of the sternoclavicular joint using whole-body MRI scans of a large and healthy population and to examine further possible correlations between diameters and angles and influencing factors like BMI, weight, height, sex, and age. Methods: This study reviewed whole-body MRI scans from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), a German population-based cross-sectional study in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania. Descriptive statistics, as well as median-based regression models, were used to evaluate the results. Results: We could establish reference values based on a shoulder-healthy population for each clavicle parameter. Substantial differences were found for sex. Small impacts were found for height, weight, and BMI. Less to no impact was found for age. Conclusions: This study provides valuable reference values for clavicle and sternoclavicular joint-related parameters and shows the effects of epidemiological features, laying the groundwork for future studies. Further research is mandatory to determine the clinical implications of these findings.
Novel Resin-Based Antibacterial Root Surface Coating Material to Combat Dental Caries
Authors: Almutairi Nader , Alhussein Abdullah , Alenizy Mohammad , Ba-Armah Ibrahim , Sun Jirun , Weir Michael D. , Xu Hockin H. K.
Published: June 2024

Root caries caused by cariogenic bacteria are a burden on a large number of individuals worldwide, especially the elderly. Applying a protective coating to exposed root surfaces has the potential to inhibit the development of caries, thus preserving natural teeth. This study aimed to develop a novel antibacterial coating to combat root caries and evaluate its effectiveness using the antibacterial monomer dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM). DMAHDM was synthesized and incorporated into a resin consisting of 55.8% urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) and 44.2% TEG-DVBE (UV) at a 10% mass fraction of glass filler. Multiple concentrations of DMAHDM were tested for their impact on the resin’s mechanical and physical properties. S. mutans biofilms grown on resin disks were analyzed for antibacterial efficacy. Cytotoxicity was assessed against human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). The results showed an 8-log reduction in colony-forming units (CFUs) against S. mutans biofilm (mean ± sd; n = 6) (p < 0.05) when 5% DMAHDM was incorporated into the UV resin. There was a 90% reduction in metabolic activity and lactic acid production. A low level of cytotoxicity against HGF was observed without compromising the physical and mechanical properties of the resin. This coating material demonstrated promising physical properties, potent antibacterial effects, and low toxicity, suggesting its potential to protect exposed roots from caries in various dental procedures and among elderly individuals with gingival recession.
Unveiling Nanoparticles: Recent Approaches in Studying the Internalization Pattern of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Mono- and Multicellular Biological Structures
Authors: Petcov Teodora Eliana , Straticiuc Mihai , Iancu Decebal , Mirea Dragoș Alexandru , Trușcă Roxana , Mereuță Paul Emil , Savu Diana Iulia , Mogoșanu George Dan , Mogoantă Laurențiu , Popescu Roxana Cristina , Kopatz Verena , Jinga Sorin Ion
Published: June 2024

Nanoparticle (NP)-based solutions for oncotherapy promise an improved efficiency of the anticancer response, as well as higher comfort for the patient. The current advancements in cancer treatment based on nanotechnology exploit the ability of these systems to pass biological barriers to target the tumor cell, as well as tumor cell organelles. In particular, iron oxide NPs are being clinically employed in oncological management due to this ability. When designing an efficient anti-cancer therapy based on NPs, it is important to know and to modulate the phenomena which take place during the interaction of the NPs with the tumor cells, as well as the normal tissues. In this regard, our review is focused on highlighting different approaches to studying the internalization patterns of iron oxide NPs in simple and complex 2D and 3D in vitro cell models, as well as in living tissues, in order to investigate the functionality of an NP-based treatment.
Weakly Supervised SVM-Enhanced SAM Pipeline for Stone-by-Stone Segmentation of the Masonry of the Loire Valley Castles
Authors: Lucho Stuardo , Treuillet Sylvie , Desquesnes Xavier , Leconge Remy , Brunetaud Xavier
Published: June 2024

The preservation of historical monuments presents a formidable challenge, particularly in monitoring the deterioration of building materials over time. Chateau de Chambord’s facade suffers from common issues such as flaking and spalling, which require meticulous stone and joint mapping from experts manually for restoration efforts. Advancements in computer vision have allowed machine-learning models to help in the automatic segmentation process. In this research, a custom architecture defined as SAM-SVM is proposed, to perform stone segmentation, based on the Segment Anything Model (SAM) and Support Vector Machines (SVM). By exploiting the zero-shot learning capabilities of SAM and its customizable input parameters, we obtain segmentation mask for stones and joints, which are then classified using SVM. Two more SAMs (three in total) are used, depending on how many stones are left to segment. Through extensive experimentation and evaluation, supported by computer vision methods, the proposed architecture achieves a Dice coefficient of 85%. Our results highlight the potential of SAM in cultural heritage conservation, providing a scalable and efficient solution for stone segmentation in historic monuments. This research contributes valuable insights and methodologies to the ongoing conservation efforts of Château de Chambord and could be extrapolated to other monuments.
DSE-NN: Discretized Spatial Encoding Neural Network for Ocean Temperature and Salinity Interpolation in the North Atlantic
Authors: Liu Shirong , Jia Wentao , Zhang Weimin
Published: June 2024

The precise interpolation of oceanic temperature and salinity is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of marine systems and the implications of global climate change. Prior neural network-based interpolation methods face constraints related to their capacity to delineate the intricate spatio-temporal patterns that are intrinsic to ocean data. This research presents an innovative approach, known as the Discretized Spatial Encoding Neural Network (DSE-NN), comprising an encoder–decoder model designed on the basis of deep supervision, network visualization, and hyperparameter optimization. Through the discretization of input latitude and longitude data into specialized vectors, the DSE-NN adeptly captures temporal trends and augments the precision of reconstruction, concurrently addressing the complexity and fragmentation characteristic of oceanic data sets. Employing the North Atlantic as a case study, this investigation shows that the DSE-NN presents enhanced interpolation accuracy in comparison with a traditional neural network. The outcomes demonstrate its quicker convergence and lower loss function values, as well as the ability of the model to reflect the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and physical laws of temperature and salinity. This research emphasizes the potential of the DSE-NN in providing a robust tool for three-dimensional ocean temperature and salinity reconstruction.
Spatial Distribution and Abundance of a Pelagic Squid during the Evolution of Eddies in the Southeast Pacific Ocean
Authors: Wu Xiaoci , Jin Pengchao , Zhang Yang , Yu Wei
Published: June 2024

The Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas), is a significant economic species off Peru. The abundance and distribution of the species are highly susceptible to fluctuations in marine environmental conditions. The evolution of mesoscale eddies represents one of the dynamic processes in the ocean, exerting varying degrees of influence on regional biogeochemical processes from generation to dissipation. However, the mechanisms governing the regulation of abundance and spatial distribution of D. gigas off Peru during this evolution remain unclear. Therefore, this study employed normalization techniques and the habitat suitability index (HSI) model, utilizing data from the D. gigas fishery, mesoscale eddies, and marine environmental factors (including sea surface temperature, temperature at 50 m depth, and chlorophyll-a concentration) to analyze the environmental changes and the abundance, spatial distribution, and habitat changes of D. gigas during the evolution of mesoscale eddies. The results indicate that eddies undergo four stages: formation, intensification, maturity, and decay. During eddy evolution, the abundance of D. gigas exhibited an initial increase and a subsequent decrease within cyclonic eddies (CEs), whereas, within anticyclonic eddies (AEs), abundance showed a gradual decline. The outcome of the HSI model revealed that, the habitat suitability and the proportion of suitable habitat areas within eddies were highly consistent with the abundance of D. gigas during all stages of the eddies other than the intensification stage of AEs. The study speculated that both CEs and AEs can create favorable environmental conditions during the maturity stage, thereby leading to an increase in suitable habitat and abundance of D. gigas. These findings emphasize the significant impact of mesoscale eddy evolution on the abundance and habitat distribution of D. gigas.
Prediction of Drift Trajectory in the Ocean Using Double-Branch Adaptive Span Attention
Authors: Zhang Chenghao , Zhang Jing , Zhao Jiafu , Zhang Tianchi
Published: June 2024

The accurate prediction of drift trajectories holds paramount significance for disaster response and navigational safety. The future positions of underwater drifters in the ocean are closely related to their historical drift patterns. Additionally, leveraging the complex dependencies between drift trajectories and ocean currents can enhance the accuracy of predictions. Building upon this foundation, we propose a Transformer model based on double-branch adaptive span attention (DBASformer), aimed at capturing the multivariate time-series relationships within drift history data and predicting drift trajectories in future periods. DBASformer can predict drift trajectories more accurately. The proposed adaptive span attention mechanism exhibits enhanced flexibility in the computation of attention weights, and the double-branch attention structure can capture the cross-time and cross-dimension dependencies in the sequences. Finally, our method was evaluated using datasets containing buoy data with ocean current velocities and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) data. The raw data underwent cleaning and alignment processes. Comparative results with five alternative methods demonstrate that DBASformer improves prediction accuracy.
A Novel Method for Estimating the Undrained Shear Strength of Marine Soil Based on CPTU Tests
Authors: Fu Sai , Shen Yanghai , Jia Xianlin , Zhang Zhiqing , Li Xibin
Published: June 2024

The undrained shear strength is an essential parameter in the foundation design of marine structures. Due to the complex marine environment and technical limitations, it is difficult and costly to obtain offshore samples. Piezocone penetration tests (CPTU) are relatively low-cost compared to drilling and sampling methods. Therefore, based on the soil behavior type index (Ic) derived from CPTU results, a model for estimating cone factors (Nkt, Nke) is proposed to improve the accuracy of estimation of undrained shear strength. The result shows that the soil behavior type index (Ic) and cone factors take on a negatively correlated exponential relation. Incorporating a cone factor that varies with the soil behavior type index (Ic) significantly enhances the accuracy of undrained shear strength predictions compared to the conventional method of using a constant cone factor. This approach reduces the root mean square error (RMSE) for Nkt (Nke) from 0.124 (0.126) MPa to 0.056 (0.06) MPa, and the mean absolute error (MAE) from 0.0154 (0.016) MPa to 0.0032 (0.0036) MPa. The method was validated at an additional location and the predictions were in high agreement with the results of the consolidated quick direct shear test. The developed method can serve as an effective tool used in the design of foundations of marine structures.
A Critical Review of Constitutive Models Applied to Ice-Crushing Simulations
Authors: Mokhtari Mojtaba , Leira Bernt Johan
Published: June 2024

In marine engineering, understanding the compressive behaviour of ice is crucial for accurately modelling ice loads on ships and offshore structures in ice-prone waters. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have focused on numerically simulating the ice-crushing process using various material models. A significant source of contention among these models lies in the representation of ice strength envelopes and their evolution with pressure and strain rate. Moreover, there is ongoing debate regarding whether plasticity or viscoelasticity more effectively captures the rheology of ice. Additionally, various flow rules have been implemented in plasticity models and different damage models have been used in viscoelasticity models, all of which play a critical role in simulating ice loads. This critical review aims to shed light on the reasons behind these disagreements and to evaluate the advantages and limitations of the most commonly used models, based on established theories in ice mechanics and empirical evidence.
Applications of Voronoi Diagrams in Multi-Robot Coverage: A Review
Authors: Zhou Meng , Li Jianyu , Wang Chang , Wang Jing , Wang Li
Published: June 2024

In recent decades, multi-robot region coverage has played an important role in the fields of environmental sensing, target searching, etc., and it has received widespread attention worldwide. Due to the effectiveness in segmenting nearest regions, Voronoi diagrams have been extensively used in recent years for multi-robot region coverage. This paper presents a survey of recent research works on region coverage methods within the framework of the Voronoi diagram, to offer a perspective for researchers in the multi-robot cooperation domain. First, some basic knowledge of the Voronoi diagram is introduced. Then, the region coverage issue under the Voronoi diagram is categorized into sensor coverage and task execution coverage problems, respectively, considering the sensor range parameter. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the application of Voronoi diagrams to the aforementioned two problems is provided. Finally, some conclusions and potential further research perspectives in this field are given.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Cruise Positioning and Docking Guidance Scheme
Authors: Zhang Zhuoyu , Ding Wangjie , Wu Rundong , Lin Mingwei , Li Dejun , Lin Ri
Published: June 2024

The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) is capable of autonomously conducting underwater cruising tasks. When combined with docking operations, the AUV can replenish its electric power after long-distance travel, enabling it to achieve long-range autonomous monitoring. This paper proposes a positioning method for the cruising and docking stages of AUVs. Firstly, a vision guidance algorithm based on monocular vision and threshold segmentation is studied to address the issue of regional noise that commonly occurs during underwater docking. A solution for regional noise based on threshold segmentation and proportional circle selection is proposed. Secondly, in order to enhance the positioning accuracy during the cruising stage, a fusion positioning algorithm based on particle filtering is presented, incorporating the Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) and GPS carried by the AUV. In simulation, this algorithm improves positioning accuracy by over 56.0% compared to using individual sensors alone. Finally, experiments for cruising and docking were conducted in Qingjiang, Hubei, China. The effectiveness of both methods is demonstrated, with successful docking achieved in four out of five attempts.
Enhanced Target Localization in the Internet of Underwater Things through Quantum-Behaved Metaheuristic Optimization with Multi-Strategy Integration
Authors: Mei Xiaojun , Miao Fahui , Wang Weijun , Wu Huafeng , Han Bing , Wu Zhongdai , Chen Xinqiang , Xian Jiangfeng , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zang Yining
Published: June 2024

Underwater localization is considered a critical technique in the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUTs). However, acquiring accurate location information is challenging due to the heterogeneous underwater environment and the hostile propagation of acoustic signals, especially when using received signal strength (RSS)-based techniques. Additionally, most current solutions rely on strict mathematical expressions, which limits their effectiveness in certain scenarios. To address these challenges, this study develops a quantum-behaved meta-heuristic algorithm, called quantum enhanced Harris hawks optimization (QEHHO), to solve the localization problem without requiring strict mathematical assumptions. The algorithm builds on the original Harris hawks optimization (HHO) by integrating four strategies into various phases to avoid local minima. The initiation phase incorporates good point set theory and quantum computing to enhance the population quality, while a random nonlinear technique is introduced in the transition phase to expand the exploration region in the early stages. A correction mechanism and exploration enhancement combining the slime mold algorithm (SMA) and quasi-oppositional learning (QOL) are further developed to find an optimal solution. Furthermore, the RSS-based Cramér–Raolower bound (CRLB) is derived to evaluate the effectiveness of QEHHO. Simulation results demonstrate the superior performance of QEHHO under various conditions compared to other state-of-the-art closed-form-expression- and meta-heuristic-based solutions.
Complete Coverage Path Planning Based on Improved Genetic Algorithm for Unmanned Surface Vehicle
Authors: Wu Gongxing , Wang Mian , Guo Liepan
Published: June 2024

Complete Coverage Path Planning (CCPP) is a key technology for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) that require complete coverage on the water surface, such as water sample collection, garbage collection, water field patrol, etc. When facing complex and irregular boundaries, the traditional CCPP-based boustrophedon method may encounter many problems and challenges, such as multiple repeated regions, multiple turns, and the easy occurrence of local optima. The traditional genetic algorithm also has some shortcomings. The fixed fitness function, mutation operator and crossover operator are not conducive to the evolution of the population and the production of better offspring. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes a CCPP method based on an improved genetic algorithm, including a stretched fitness function, an adaptive mutation operator, and a crossover operator. The algorithm combines the key operators in the fireworks algorithm. Then, the turning and obstacle avoidance during the operation of the Unmanned Surface Vehicle are optimized. Simulation and experiments show that the improved genetic algorithm has higher performance than the exact unit decomposition method and the traditional genetic algorithm, and has more advantages in reducing the coverage path length and repeating the coverage area. This proves that the proposed CCPP method has strong adaptability to the environment and has practical application value in improving the efficiency and quality of USV related operations.
The Near-Gapless Penicillium fuscoglaucum Genome Enables the Discovery of Lifestyle Features as an Emerging Post-Harvest Phytopathogen
Authors: Luciano-Rosario Dianiris , Jurick Wayne M. , Gottschalk Christopher
Published: June 2024

Penicillium spp. occupy many diverse biological niches that include plant pathogens, opportunistic human pathogens, saprophytes, indoor air contaminants, and those selected specifically for industrial applications to produce secondary metabolites and lifesaving antibiotics. Recent phylogenetic studies have established Penicillium fuscoglaucum as a synonym for Penicillium commune, which is an indoor air contaminant and toxin producer and can infect apple fruit during storage. During routine culturing on selective media in the lab, we obtained an isolate of P. fuscoglaucum Pf_T2 and sequenced its genome. The Pf_T2 genome is far superior to available genomic resources for the species. Our assembly exhibits a length of 35.1 Mb, a BUSCO score of 97.9% complete, and consists of five scaffolds/contigs representing the four expected chromosomes. It was determined that the Pf_T2 genome was colinear with a type specimen P. fuscoglaucum and contained a lineage-specific, intact cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) gene cluster. For comparison, a highly virulent postharvest apple pathogen, P. expansum strain TDL 12.1, was included and showed a similar growth pattern in culture to our Pf_T2 isolate but was far more aggressive in apple fruit than P. fuscoglaucum. The genome of Pf_T2 serves as a major improvement over existing resources, has superior annotation, and can inform forthcoming omics-based work and functional genetic studies to probe secondary metabolite production and disparities in aggressiveness during apple fruit decay.
Rapid Molecular Diagnosis of Sporotrichosis Directly from Biological Samples from a Reference Center in Brazil
Authors: da Silva Amanda Gabriela , de Matos Arthur Felipe Cavalcanti , de Sousa Bruna Rodrigues , Ferraz Claudia Elise , Luiz Raul Leal Faria , Neves Rejane Pereira , Lima-Neto Reginaldo Gonçalves de , Oliveira Manoel Marques Evangelista
Published: June 2024

The gold standard diagnosis of sporotrichosis is the isolation of Sporothrix sp. in culture media, but this is a time-consuming test that is susceptible to contamination and can be affected by the fungal load. Molecular methods such as nested PCR are gaining more ground in the management of several infections as they are tools for the rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms from pure cultures or directly from biological samples. This study aimed to apply a nested PCR molecular protocol for the rapid detection of Sporothrix spp. directly from clinical samples. Thirteen samples—six from skin biopsies, five from skin exudates, and two from conjunctival secretions—were obtained from patients diagnosed with sporotrichosis due to S. brasiliensis. Calmodulin gene sequencing identified all the isolates as S. brasiliensis. Nested PCR was able to detect all the Sporothrix sensu lato directly from clinical samples as well as the CBS 120339 reference strain. The nested PCR protocol stands out as a diagnostic alternative, as it allows the identification of Sporothrix spp. directly from clinical samples without the need for fungal isolation.
Card9 Broadly Regulates Host Immunity against Experimental Pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans 52D Infection
Authors: Angers Isabelle , Akik Wided , Beauchamp Annie , King Irah L. , Lands Larry C. , Qureshi Salman T.
Published: June 2024

The ubiquitous soil-associated fungus Cryptococcus neoformans causes pneumonia that may progress to fatal meningitis. Recognition of fungal cell walls by C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) has been shown to trigger the host immune response. Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (Card9) is an intracellular adaptor that is downstream of several CLRs. Experimental studies have implicated Card9 in host resistance against C. neoformans; however, the mechanisms that are associated with susceptibility to progressive infection are not well defined. To further characterize the role of Card9 in cryptococcal infection, Card9em1Sq mutant mice that lack exon 2 of the Card9 gene on the Balb/c genetic background were created using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology and intratracheally infected with C. neoformans 52D. Card9em1Sq mice had significantly higher lung and brain fungal burdens and shorter survival after C. neoformans 52D infection. Susceptibility of Card9em1Sq mice was associated with lower pulmonary cytokine and chemokine production, as well as reduced numbers of CD4+ lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells in the lungs. Histological analysis and intracellular cytokine staining of CD4+ T cells demonstrated a Th2 pattern of immunity in Card9em1Sq mice. These findings demonstrate that Card9 broadly regulates the host inflammatory and immune response to experimental pulmonary infection with a moderately virulent strain of C. neoformans.
Fauna and Ecology of Macromycetes (Basidiomycota) in the Arctic Tree and Shrub Ecosystems of Central Siberia
Authors: Kulakov Sergey Sergeevich , Tatarintsev Andrey Ivanovich , Demidko Denis Aleksandrovich , Khizhniak Natalia Pavlovna
Published: June 2024

The research was aimed at studying the taxonomic diversity, habitat specialization, and trophic characteristics of mycobiota, including Basidiomycota, in the northern ecosystems of the Krasnoyarsk Krai (Central Siberia) near Norilsk. Larch forests and woodlands in the Siberian permafrost zone are distinctive and Basidiomycota, as a component of these ecosystems, plays an essential role in their functioning. Currently, there is a paucity of information about this group in Arctic ecosystems, both in terms of floristic and ecological aspects. Seventy species of macromycetes belonging to different trophic groups were discovered and identified. Only 15% of species occur regularly, while most species are found rarely or only once. The identified species belong to 44 genera, 25 families, and 8 orders, which are included in the class Agaricomycetes. The leading families in terms of the number of species are Russulaceae, Polyporaceae, Tricholomataceae, Suillaceae, Strophariaceae, and Cortinariaceae. Mycorrhizal fungi and wood decay fungi dominate the structure of mycobiota of the study area (the total share is 71%). The rest of the species (29%) are fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus. The largest number of species occur in forest ecosystems, which are dominated by mycorrhizal and wood decay fungi (up to 70%), which are trophically associated with woody plants and debris. The fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus dominate (about 80%) in the species composition of tundra, where, in the absence of woody substrate, wood decay fungi have not been found at all. The species richness of tree and shrub Arctic ecosystems is low, yet the taxonomical and ecological structure of Basidiomycota is similar to that observed in taiga and temperate forests. These data permit a more comprehensive description of the biodiversity of the Arctic and may prove useful in studying biological processes in these ecosystems.
Comparative Bioremediation of Tetradecane, Cyclohexanone and Cyclohexane by Filamentous Fungi from Polluted Habitats in Kazakhstan
Authors: Gaid Mariam , Jentzsch Wiebke , Beermann Hannah , Reinhard Anne , Meister Mareike , Berzhanova Ramza , Mukasheva Togzhan , Urich Tim , Mikolasch Annett
Published: June 2024

Studying the fates of oil components and their interactions with ecological systems is essential for developing comprehensive management strategies and enhancing restoration following oil spill incidents. The potential expansion of Kazakhstan’s role in the global oil market necessitates the existence of land-specific studies that contribute to the field of bioremediation. In this study, a set of experiments was designed to assess the growth and biodegradation capacities of eight fungal strains sourced from Kazakhstan soil when exposed to the hydrocarbon substrates from which they were initially isolated. The strains were identified as Aspergillus sp. SBUG-M1743, Penicillium javanicum SBUG-M1744, SBUG-M1770, Trichoderma harzianum SBUG-M1750 and Fusarium oxysporum SBUG-1746, SBUG-M1748, SBUG-M1768 and SBUG-M1769 using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Furthermore, microscopic and macroscopic evaluations agreed with the sequence-based identification. Aspergillus sp. SBUG-M1743 and P. javanicum SBUG-M1744 displayed remarkable biodegradation capabilities in the presence of tetradecane with up to a 9-fold biomass increase in the static cultures. T. harzianum SBUG-M1750 exhibited poor growth, which was a consequence of its low efficiency of tetradecane degradation. Monocarboxylic acids were the main degradation products by SBUG-M1743, SBUG-M1744, SBUG-M1750, and SBUG-M1770 indicating the monoterminal degradation pathway through β-oxidation, while the additional detection of dicarboxylic acid in SBUG-M1768 and SBUG-M1769 cultures was indicative of the fungus’ ability to undertake both monoterminal and diterminal degradation pathways. F. oxysporum SBUG-M1746 and SBUG-M1748 in the presence of cyclohexanone showed a doubling of the biomass with the ability to degrade the substrate almost completely in shake cultures. F. oxysporum SBUG-M1746 was also able to degrade cyclohexane completely and excreted all possible metabolites of the degradation pathway. Understanding the degradation potential of these fungal isolates to different hydrocarbon substrates will help in developing effective bioremediation strategies tailored to local conditions.
Corporate Income Taxation Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis of Portugal, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg
Authors: Jesus Filipa , Amorim José , Cepeda Catarina
Published: June 2024

This study seeks to undertake a comprehensive analysis and comparison of the corporate income tax systems across select European Union nations, with a specific focus on discerning disparities between the individual income tax (IIT) and corporate income tax (CIT) frameworks prevalent in Portugal, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. With an institutional theory lens, we applied document analysis to describe the distinctive attributes characterizing each tax regime within the purview of competitive dynamics and fiscal competitiveness. Despite inherent limitations stemming from challenges in accessing tax-related information and potential oversights regarding socio-political determinants, this study underscores the imperative of grasping the intricate interplay between tax imposition levels and broader economic development trajectories. By furnishing valuable insights into prospective reforms pertaining to Portugal’s corporate income tax architecture, this scholarly inquiry significantly enriches our comprehension of tax competitiveness within the overarching framework of the global economic environment.