bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sub-optimal use of anti-malarial therapy for SLE in the Asia Pacific region: observations from the Asia Pacific lupus cohort
Authors: Kandane-Rathnayake Rangi , Hoi Alberta , Louthrenoo Worawit , Chen Yi-Hsing , Cho Jiacai , Lateef Aisha , Hamijoyo Laniyati , Chan Shirley , Luo Shue Fen , Jan Wu Yeong-Jian , Navarra Sandra , Zamora Leonid , Li Zhanguo , Yao Haihong , Sockalingam Sargunan , Katsumata Yasuhiro , Harigai Masayoshi , Hao Yanjie , Zhang Zhuoli , Basnayake BMDB , Chan Madelynn , Kikuchi Jun , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Oon Shereen , Bae Sang-Cheol , O’Neill Sean , Goldblatt Fiona , Ng Kristine (Pek Ling) , Law Annie , Tugnet Nicola , Kumar Sunil , Ohkubo Naoaki , Tee Michael L. , Tee Cherica , Tanaka Yoshiya , Lau Chak S. , Golder Vera , Nikpour Mandana , Morand Eric F.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The guidelines for management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) recommend the use of anti-malarial (AM) drugs [commonly hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)] in all patients, unless contraindicated. We evaluated the prevalence of AM use in patients with SLE in countries across the Asia Pacific region.

Methods

We used data from the Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration (APLC) cohort, collected prospectively from SLE patients meeting ACR or/and SLICC criteria, between 2013 and 2020. Demographic factors were collected at enrolment; disease activity indicators (SLEDAI-2K, PGA, SFI) and medication (glucocorticoids (GC), immunosuppressants (IS) and AM) details were captured at enrolment and at routine visits, and organ damage was assessed at enrolment and at annual visits using SLICC/ACR Damage Index. We examined medication use in relation to clinical and serological activity, defined based on SLEDAI-2K.

Results

We analyzed 4,086 patients and 41,653 visits of data; 3,222 (79%) patients used AM at least once during observation (AM-ever users), but this proportion varied significantly between countries (31%–95%). Overall, the total number of visits with AM use was 27,474 (66%). AM-never users were older and had lower disease activity at study enrolment when compared with AM-ever users. AM-ever users had lower GC and IS exposure; experienced fewer severe flares, and less organ damage.

Discussion

AM use was suboptimal and varied significantly across countries, highlighting disparities between current practice and SLE management guidelines. This study further reiterates that patients who used AM during the study period had lower exposure to GC and IS and experienced fewer severe flares and organ damage.
Factors influencing the self-management ability among older adults experiencing intrinsic capacity decline: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Qingcai , Li Xiaoyang , Hu Mingyue , Zhao Yinan , Wu Shuang , Feng Hui
Published: November 2024

Aims

This study investigated the current status of intrinsic capacity and self-management abilities and analyzed the factors influencing the self-management abilities of older adults experiencing intrinsic capacity decline.

Methods

We included a sample of 382 older adults, with an average age of 72.92 ± 6.81 years, exhibiting intrinsic capacity decline in 38 communities in China. Questionnaires were administered using the sociodemographic questionnaire, the intrinsic capacity questionnaire, the social support scale, the self-rated health item, the eHealth literacy scale, and the self-management ability scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and linear regression analysis.

Results

In this study, 43.5% of older people had impairments in three of the five dimensions of intrinsic capacity, the most significant proportion. The self-management ability score of older adults experiencing intrinsic capacity decline was 67.05 ± 12.53 out of 100. There were significant associations between age, perceived social support, and intrinsic ability composite score with self-management abilities (Age: β = −0.263; p < 0.001; social support: β = 0.291; p < 0.001; intrinsic capacity composite score: β = 0.179; p < 0.001). Higher levels of self-management ability were associated with more effective maintenance of psychological capacity, regardless of the type of older adults experiencing IC decline (all p < 0.05). For example, among older adults experiencing cognitive decline, maintaining psychological function was positively associated with self-management abilities (β = 0.294; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The highest prevalence of concurrent impairments across three dimensions of intrinsic capacity was observed among older adults experiencing diminished intrinsic capacity. Fostering self-management abilities through social support and mental health interventions may benefit people experiencing intrinsic capacity decline.
Neuroinflammation and major depressive disorder: astrocytes at the crossroads
Authors: Puentes-Orozco Melissa , Albarracin Sonia L. , Velásquez María Marcela
Published: November 2024

Major depressive disorder is a complex and multifactorial condition, increasingly linked to neuroinflammation and astrocytic dysfunction. Astrocytes, along with other glial cells, beyond their classic functions in maintaining brain homeostasis, play a crucial role in regulating neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity, key processes in the pathophysiology of depression. This mini-review explores the involvement of astrocytes in depression emphasizing their mediation in neuroinflammation processes, the impact of astrocytic dysfunction on neuroplasticity, and the effect of some antidepressants on astrocyte reactivity. Recent evidence suggests that targeting astrocyte-related signaling pathways, particularly the balance between different astrocytic phenotypes, could offer promising evidence for therapeutic strategies for affective disorders. Therefore, a deeper understanding of astrocyte biology may open the way to innovative treatments aimed at mitigating depressive symptoms by impacting both neuroinflammation and imbalances in neuroplasticity.
A novel SBF1 missense mutation causes autosomal dominant Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 4B3
Authors: Liu Huaqi , Dong Jing , Xie Zhe , Yu Li
Published: November 2024

Introduction

We present a case of autosomal dominant Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 4B3 (CMT4B3) in a family caused by a novel SBF1 missense mutation.

Methods

Two patients, a mother and daughter, were recruited from our hospital. Both exhibited early-onset symptoms, including distal muscle atrophy of the limbs, without cranial nerve involvement. Electromyography was performed to assess nerve amplitudes and conduction velocities. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed to identify genetic mutations.

Results

Electromyography revealed a significant decline in nerve amplitudes, while the nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) remained normal in the extremities. Sequencing identified a novel missense mutation (c.1398C > A, p.H466Q) in exon 13 of the SET binding factor 1 (SBF1) gene in both patients, indicating an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern.

Discussion

Pathogenicity and protein predictions suggest that the myotubularin-related protein 5 (MTMR5), encoded by the mutated SBF1, may possess an altered structure, resulting in disease. These findings will help expand the phenotypic and genetic spectrum of CMT4B3.
Abnormal topological organization of functional brain networks in the patients with anterior segment ischemic optic neuropathy
Authors: Chen Fei , Wang Xin-Miao , Huang Xin
Published: November 2024

Objective

An increasing amount of neuroimaging evidence indicates that patients with anterior segment ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) exhibit abnormal brain function and structural architecture. Some studies have shown that there are abnormal functional and structural changes in the brain visual area of AION patients. Nevertheless, the alterations in the topological properties of brain functional connectivity among patients with AION remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the topological organization of brain functional connectivity in a group of AION patients using graph theory methods.

Methods

Resting-state magnetic resonance imaging was conducted on 30 AION patients and 24 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, gender, and education level. For each participant, a high-resolution brain functional network was constructed using time series correlation and quantified through graph theory analysis.

Results

Both the AION and HC groups presented high-efficiency small-world networks in their brain functional networks. In comparison to the HCs, the AION group exhibited notable reductions in clustering coefficient (Cp) and local efficiency (Eloc). Specifically, significant decreases in Nodal local efficiency were observed in the right Amygdala of the AION group. Moreover, the NBS method detected a significantly modified network (15 nodes, 15 connections) in the AION group compared to the HCs (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with AION exhibited topological abnormalities in the human brain connectivity group. Particularly, there was a decrease in Cp and Eloc in the AION group compared to the HC group. The anomalous node centers and functional connections in AION patients were predominantly situated in the prefrontal lobe, temporal lobe, and parietal lobe. These discoveries offer valuable perspectives into the neural mechanisms associated with visual loss, disrupted emotion regulation, and cognitive impairments in individuals with AION.
Increased nuclear import characterizes aberrant nucleocytoplasmic transport in neurons from patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 7
Authors: Macopson-Jones Joshua G. , Adams Maile , Philippe Julien , La Spada Albert R.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebellar and retinal degeneration. SCA7 is caused by a CAG-polyglutamine repeat expansion in the ataxin-7 gene, which encodes a transcription factor protein that is a core component of the STAGA co-activator complex. As ataxin-7 protein regularly shuttles between the nucleus and the cytosol, we sought to test if polyglutamine-expanded ataxin-7 protein results in nuclear membrane abnormalities or defects in nucleocytoplasmic (N/C) transport.

Methods

We used SCA7 266Q knock-in mice and their wild-type (WT) littermate controls to assess nuclear membrane morphology and N/C transport. Additionally, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from SCA7 patients were differentiated into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and cortical neurons to measure nuclear import and export dynamics. The expression of nucleoporin POM121, a key regulator of N/C transport, was also analyzed in SCA7-derived NPCs.

Results

Our analysis revealed no significant differences in nuclear membrane morphology between SCA7 knock-in mice and WT controls, nor did we observe alterations in N/C transport within neurons from these mice. However, we documented significantly increased nuclear import in both NPCs and cortical neurons derived from SCA7 patient iPSCs. When we examined nuclear export function in SCA7 iPSC-derived cortical neurons, we noted a modest decrease that constituted only a trend. Furthermore, we identified a significant decrease in the expression of full-length POM121 in SCA7 NPCs.

Discussion

Our results reveal evidence for altered N/C transport in SCA7. The reduction in POM121 expression suggests a potential mechanism underlying these transport abnormalities. Importantly, our data suggests the N/C transport defect in SCA7 is distinctly different from other related neurodegenerative disorders.
Comprehensive global review and methodological framework for developing food atlases
Authors: Fallata Ghadir , Alhadi Rasil , Alnashmi Luluh , Aljohani Shahad , Alsaeed Fatimah
Published: November 2024

Introduction

An atlas is a trustworthy resource created from precise data collection that serves as a guide for communities. A food atlas is a useful tool for analyzing dietary data. There is a growing need for a food atlas that is part of the nation’s strategy to help the health sector with specific nutritional or dietary assessments of individual consumption and overall wellbeing. Although researchers previously attempted to create a food atlas on a national level, the process of data collection was not well defined.

Methods

This study provides an overview of global food atlases that can be used to develop a procedure manual to guide experts in creating a dependable food atlas.

Results

To date, 27 countries have developed food atlases for various reasons. After examining these countries’ experiences, six important steps in the procedure manual that should be considered when developing a food atlas were identified: choosing the most consumed food, using traditional cooking utensils, determining portion sizes, capturing photographs of the food, validating the food atlas, and publishing the food atlas.

Discussion

This procedure manual can be used as a guide until a validation study is conducted.
Trichilemmal carcinoma treated by excision combined with photodynamic therapy: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Qidiao Lingyu , Liu Yilin , Hu Danni , Tao Xingchi , Yao Chunli
Published: November 2024

Trichilemmal carcinoma is an extremely rare malignant cutaneous tumor derived from the outer root sheath of the hair follicles, which most commonly occurs in the sun-exposed areas of elderly individuals. This article introduces a case of trichilemmal carcinoma that occurred on the scalp of a 36-year-old male patient, the first case reported and treated with surgical excision combined with photodynamic therapy.
The intersection of the HER2-low subtype with endocrine resistance: the role of interconnected signaling pathways
Authors: Yayli Gizem , Tokofsky Alexa , Nayar Utthara
Published: November 2024

Since its introduction in the 1970s, endocrine therapy that targets the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) signaling pathway has had tremendous success in the clinic in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. However, resistance to endocrine therapy eventually develops in virtually all patients with metastatic disease. Endocrine resistance is a primary unaddressed medical need for ER+ metastatic breast cancer patients. It has been shown that tumors become resistant through various mechanisms, converging on the acquisition of genetic alterations of ER, components of the MAP kinase pathway, or transcription factors (TFs). For instance, mutations in the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) lead to complete resistance to all current endocrine therapies including aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and selective estrogen receptor degraders, as well as cross-resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is). Emerging evidence points to an intriguing connection between endocrine-resistant tumors and the HER2-low subtype. Specifically, recent studies and our analysis of a publicly available breast cancer dataset both indicate that metastatic ER+ breast cancer with endocrine resistance conferred through acquired genetic alterations can often be classified as HER2-low rather than HER2-0/HER2-negative. Limited data suggest that acquired endocrine resistance can also be accompanied by a subtype switch. Therefore, we suggest that there is an underappreciated association between the HER2-low subtype and endocrine resistance. In this perspective piece, we explore the evidence linking the HER2-low subtype with the various pathways to endocrine resistance and suggest that there are signaling networks in HER2-low tumors that intersect endocrine resistance and can be effectively targeted.
Immune profiling of ART-conceived children in Kazakhstan: a case-control study
Authors: Ilmuratova Sevara , Lokshin Vyacheslav , Prodeus Andrey , Manzhuova Lyazzat , Nurgaliyeva Zhanar , Kussainova Farida , Bazarbaeva Aygul , Nekhorosheva Valeriya , Abshekenova Aygerim
Published: November 2024

Objective

The increasing use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has led to a growing interest in the health outcomes of offspring. However, the impact of ART on the immune system of children remains poorly understood. While only two publications were found, their findings contradict each other and did not consider other risk factors in their analysis except for ART use. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the potential impact of ART on the immune system of offspring.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted in Kazakhstan to investigate the immune system of ART-conceived children compared to those conceived naturally (NC). The study included participants who met certain criteria, such as having undergone a successful ART program resulting in the birth of either a single or multiple pregnancies. Patients who used donor oocytes/sperm, intrauterine insemination, or surrogacy were excluded. Anamnesis data were collected from children in both groups, and laboratory measurements were performed and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistic 26.

Results

A total of 120 children conceived by ART and 132 NC children under the age of five were included in our study. We observed that compared with NC group, ART children had lower IgA and IgG levels (p < 0.001), absolute lymphocytosis, high levels of active T-lymphocytes (p = 0.001), and pathological T-helper levels (p = 0.004). Therefore, the clinical presentation of respiratory diseases was lower in ART group. Children born after frozen embryo transfers showed significantly higher levels of T-cytotoxic and active T-lymphocytes compared to children born after fresh embryo transfers (p = 0.007 and p = 0.020, respectively). We utilized ordinal logistic regression to control for confounding variables such as multiple pregnancy, cesarean section, premature birth, and breastfeeding. Despite this, the significant impact of ART on immunogram parameters persisted, indicating the independent and influential nature of ART or other unaccounted factors.
Assessment of field performance and bruchid resistance during seed storage of a genetically modified cowpea expressing the alpha-amylase inhibitor 1 protein from common bean
Authors: Nboyine Jerry A. , Umar Muhammad L. , Adazebra Gloria A. , Utono Iliyasu M. , Agrengsore Philip , Awuku Frederick J. , Ishiyaku Mohammed F. , Barrero Jose M. , Higgins Thomas J. V. , MacKenzie Donald J.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus Fab., is the most economically important storage pest of cowpeas, causing up to 100 percent grain losses within six months of storage. To sustainably resist weevil damage, the cowpea cultivar IT86D-1010 was genetically modified via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to produce event CSI-32, which expresses the kidney bean alpha-amylase inhibitor 1 (αAI-1) protein exclusively in the seed, providing suppression of weevil development.

Methods

Trials were conducted in Ghana and Nigeria during the 2023 growing season to assess the performance in the field and in post-harvest storage of this transgenic event (CSI-32) and of four check lines: the non-transformed parental line (IT86D-1010) and three released varieties (SAMPEA 7, SAMPEA 20-T and IT13K-1070-2). Data collected from the field trials comprised plant growth parameters, pest infestations and damage, and grain yield. Harvested grain from each replicated entry was used in a storage assessment of bruchid resistance following artificial infestation with laboratory-reared cowpea weevils. Data were collected on egg oviposition, adult emergence, and grain damage as well as computation of median development period and Dobie’s susceptibility index for each entry.

Results and discussion

The agronomic performance and phenotypic characteristics of event CSI-32 were very similar to its parental counterpart and the other compared varieties. However, event CSI-32 exhibited complete suppression of weevil emergence and resistance to seed damage over the four-month period of the post-harvest study.

Conclusions

This work represents the first field study of genetically modified cowpea expressing the αAI-1 protein. It demonstrates how a biotechnology solution to mitigate significant economic losses during cowpea storage, offers great potential for cowpea improvement programs.
Nitrogen monitoring and inversion algorithms of fruit trees based on spectral remote sensing: a deep review
Authors: Xi Ruiqian , Gu Yanxia , Zhang Xiaoqian , Ren Zhenhui
Published: November 2024

Nitrogen, as one of the important elements affecting the growth and development of fruit trees, leads to slowed protein synthesis and reduced photosynthesis, resulting in yellowing of the leaves, poor tree growth, and decreased yield under nitrogen-deficient conditions. In order to minimize losses and maximize fruit yield, there is often an occurrence of excessive fertilization, soil structure degradation, and water pollution. Therefore, accurate and real-time monitoring of nitrogen content in fruit trees has become the fundamental prerequisite for precision management of orchards. Furthermore, precision orchard management is crucial for enhancing fruit quality by maintaining the optimal growth conditions necessary for trees. Moreover, it plays a vital role in safeguarding the ecological environment by mitigating the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides. With the continuous development and application of spectral remote sensing technology in agricultural monitoring and land management, this technology can provide an effective method for monitoring nitrogen content. Based on a review of relevant literature, this paper summarizes a research framework for monitoring and inversion of nitrogen content in fruit trees, which provides help for further research. Firstly, based on different remote sensing platforms, the application was discussed, on spectral remote sensing technology in the acquisition of nitrogen content in fruit trees. Secondly, the index parameters that can reflect the nitrogen content of fruit trees are summarized, which provides practical guidance for remote sensing monitoring. Additionally, the regression algorithms and application situations based on spectral data for nitrogen content were introduced. In conclusion, in response to the current issues and technological limitations, future research should focus on studying the nitrogen content characteristics of fruit trees during different phenological periods, integrating multi-type data information, and thereby improving the universality of the nitrogen content inversion model for fruit trees.
Education at the frontier between tradition and innovation: challenges of an international initiative in breaking through
Authors: Altıok Birce , Conti Luisa
Published: November 2024

In a rapidly evolving global landscape, education stands as a linchpin for navigating complex challenges and fostering sustainable development. This article delves into the transformative potential of education, with a particular focus on insights gleaned from the KIDS4ALLL project. Rooted in contrasting perspectives of education, the study emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift toward fostering critical thinking, creativity, and inclusivity. The European Commission’s commitment to transformative education finds expression in initiatives like KIDS4ALLL, which harnesses digital platforms to prioritize peer learning and bridge divides. Through an exploration of reactions within Turkish schools to the project’s introduction, this study sheds light on the dynamics of change and resistance, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities towards educational transformation. Drawing on empirical data from the project’s pilot phase, the study identifies key factors shaping the realization of educational change. By elucidating these factors, the article contributes to a nuanced understanding of transformative education, paving the way for informed strategies aimed at fostering inclusive, sustainable, and impactful educational practices on a global scale.
Prognosis prediction using significant pathological response following neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable non-small-cell lung tumors: a meta-analysis
Authors: Nie Fang , Wang Ying , Shi Wanting , Zhu Liru , Hao Jing , Tao Rancen
Published: November 2024

Background

A meta-analysis study was done to figure out how to predict the prognosis of people with resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had a significant pathological response following neoadjuvant immunotherapy.

Methods

Up until August 2024, a comprehensive literature study was completed, and 2,386 connected studies were revised. The 35 selected studies included 3,118 resectable non-small-cell lung tumor participants at the beginning of the study. Using dichotomous techniques and a fixed or random model, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the prediction using significant pathological response following neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable NSCLC.

Results

Individuals with resectable NSCLC had significantly higher major pathological response when comparing neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR, 5.07; 95% CI, 4.09–6.27, p < 0.001), objective response rate to non-objective response rate (OR, 7.02; 95% CI, 4.28–11.50, p < 0.001), and programmed death-ligand 1 ≥1% to programmed death-ligand ≤1% (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.44–4.30, p = 0.001). However, no significant difference was found in major pathological response between stage III and stage I-II (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.88–2.33, p = 0.15), and squamous cell cancer and non-squamous cell cancer (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.95–1.92, p = 0.09) in individuals with resectable NSCLCs.

Conclusion

Individuals with resectable NSCLCs had significantly higher major pathological response when comparing neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, objective response rate to non-objective response rate, and programmed death-ligand 1≥1% to programmed death-ligand 1 ≤1%, however, no significant difference was found between stage III and stage I-II, and squamous cell cancer and non-squamous cell cancer. To validate this discovery, more research is required since most of the selected studies had a low sample size, and caution must be implemented when interacting with its values.
European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Consensus Statement on Machine Perfusion in Cardiothoracic Transplant
Authors: Amarelli Cristiano , Bello Irene , Aigner Clemens , Berman Marius , Boffini Massimo , Clark Stephen , Dalvindt Marita , de Wolf Julien , Ensminger Stephan , Gomez de Antonio David , Hoyos Lucas , Palmieri Lucrezia , Schweiger Martin , Sponga Sandro , Wiegmann Bettina , Neyrinck Arne ,   the ESOT Guidelines Taskforce
Published: November 2024

The machine perfusion (MP) of transplantable grafts has emerged as an upcoming field in Cardiothoracic (CT) transplantation during the last decade. This technology carries the potential to assess, preserve, and even recondition thoracic grafts before transplantation, so it is a possible game-changer in the field. This technology field has reached a critical turning point, with a growing number of publications coming predominantly from a few leading institutions, but still need solid scientific evidence. Due to the increasing need to expand the donor pool, especially in Europe, where the donor age is steeply increased, a consensus has been established to address the growing need and knowledge of machine perfusion in cardiothoracic transplantation, targeting the unmet scientific need in this growing field but also, priorities for development, and regional differences in utilization rates and organizational issues. To address MP in CT, the European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) convened a dedicated Working group comprised of experts in CT to review literature about MP to develop guidelines that were subsequently discussed and voted on during the Consensus Conference that took place in person in Prague during the TLJ 3.0 in November 2022. The findings and recommendations of the Cardiothoracic Working Group on MP are presented in this article.
Multi-Objective Parameter Optimization of Rotary Screen Coating Process for Structural Plates in Spacecraft
Authors: Guo Yanhui , Chen Yanpeng , Li Peibo , Chi Xinfu , Sun Yize
Published: November 2024

A multi-objective grasshopper optimization algorithm (MOGOA) with an adaptive curve c(t) and the enhanced Levy fight strategy (CLMOGOA) was proposed to optimize the process parameters of rotary screen coating, setting the thickness and uniformity of the adhesive layer on the structural plates in spacecraft as its optimization objectives. The adaptive curve strikes a balance between global exploration and local development and accelerates the convergence speed. The enhanced Levy strategy helps the algorithm to escape local optimizations, increases the population diversity, and possesses dual searching capabilities. After multiple runs, the average values of the CLMOGOA’s reverse generation distance were 0.0288, 0.0233, and 0.1810 on the test sets, which were less than those of the MOGOA. The best Pareto-optimal front obtained by the CLMOGOA had a higher accuracy and better coverage compared to that of the MOGOA. Thus, it is indicated that the CLMOGOA managed to outperform the MOGOA on the test functions. In order to solve the optimization problem, 108 sets of process experiments were designed, and then the experimental data were used to train a Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), a Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LSSVM), and Random Forest (RF) to obtain the best prediction model for the process parameters. Considering the thickness and uniformity of the adhesive layer as the objectives, the improved algorithm was used to optimize the prediction model to obtain the optimal process parameters. The actual coating effect showed that the optimization algorithm improved the efficiency and qualification rate of the product.
Adaptive Recognition and Control of Shield Tunneling Machine in Soil Layers Containing Plastic Drainage Boards
Authors: Wang Qiuping , Li Wanli , Xu Zhikuan , Sun Yougang
Published: November 2024

The underground plastic vertical drains (PVDs) are a significant problem for shield machines in tunneling construction. At present, the main method to deal with PVDs is to manually adjust the parameters of the shield machine. To ensure that a shield machine autonomously recognizes and adjusts the control in soil layers containing PVDs, this study constructs a shield machine advance and rotation state-space model utilizing Bayesian decision theory for the judgment of excavation conditions. A Bayesian model predictive control (Bayes-MPC) method for the shield machine is proposed, followed by a simulation analysis. Finally, a validation experiment is conducted based on a Singapore subway project. Compared with traditional methods, the method proposed in this paper has better performance in the simulation, and it also has demonstrated effectiveness and accuracy in experiments. The research outcomes can provide a reference for the adaptive assistance system of shield machines excavating underground obstacles.
Adaptive NN Force Loading Control of Electro-Hydraulic Load Simulator
Authors: Chen Zanwei , Yan Hao , Zhang Peng , Shan Jiefeng , Li Jiafeng
Published: November 2024

To address the issues of derivative explosion in traditional backstepping control and the strong nonlinearity of hydraulic systems, this paper develops an adaptive neural network control method tailored for electro-hydraulic load simulators. Neural networks are employed to handle external disturbances, modeling uncertainties, and the derivatives of virtual control inputs. First, the precise state-space equations of the system are derived. Next, the approximation property of neural networks is used to design an adaptive backstepping controller, and the symmetric barrier Lyapunov function is used to prove the boundedness of the controller and control parameters. Finally, experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness and reliability of the control algorithm. The results demonstrate that the proposed control algorithm exhibits excellent tracking performance and effectively reduces control errors.
Development of Rehabilitation Glove: Soft Robot Approach
Authors: Bazina Tomislav , Kladarić Marko , Kamenar Ervin , Gregov Goran
Published: November 2024

This study describes the design, simulation, and development process of a rehabilitation glove driven by soft pneumatic actuators. A new, innovative finger soft actuator design has been developed through detailed kinematic and workspace analysis of anatomical fingers and their actuators. The actuator design combines cylindrical and ribbed geometries with a reinforcing element—a thicker, less extensible structure—resulting in an asymmetric cylindrical bellow actuator driven by positive pressure. The performance of the newly designed actuator for the rehabilitation glove was validated through numerical simulation in open-source software. The simulation results indicate actuators’ compatibility with human finger trajectories. Additionally, a rehabilitation glove was 3D-printed from soft materials, and the actuator’s flexibility and airtightness were analyzed across different wall thicknesses. The 0.8 mm wall thickness and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material were chosen for the final design. Experiments confirmed a strong linear relationship between bending angle and pressure variations, as well as joint elongation and pressure changes. Next, pseudo-rigid kinematic models were developed for the index and little finger soft actuators, based solely on pressure and link lengths. The workspace of the soft actuator, derived through forward kinematics, was visually compared to that of the anatomical finger and experimentally recorded data. Finally, an ergonomic assessment of the complete rehabilitation glove in interaction with the human hand was conducted.
Deep Learning-Based Infrared Image Segmentation for Aircraft Honeycomb Water Ingress Detection
Authors: Fei Hang , Zuo Hongfu , Wang Han , Liu Yan , Liu Zhenzhen , Li Xin
Published: November 2024

The presence of water accumulation on aircraft surfaces constitutes a considerable hazard to both performance and safety, necessitating vigilant inspection and maintenance protocols. In this study, we introduce an innovative semantic segmentation model, grounded in deep learning principles, for the precise identification and delineation of water accumulation areas within infrared images of aircraft exteriors. Our proposed model harnesses the robust features of ResNet, serving as the foundational architecture for U-Net, thereby augmenting the model’s capacity for comprehensive feature characterization. The incorporation of channel attention mechanisms, spatial attention mechanisms, and depthwise separable convolution further refines the network structure, contributing to enhanced segmentation performance. Through rigorous experimentation, our model surpasses existing benchmarks, yielding a commendable 22.44% reduction in computational effort and a substantial 38.89% reduction in parameter count. The model’s outstanding performance is particularly noteworthy, registering a 92.67% mean intersection over union and a 97.97% mean pixel accuracy. The hallmark of our innovation lies in the model’s efficacy in the precise detection and segmentation of water accumulation areas on aircraft skin. Beyond this, our approach holds promise for addressing analogous challenges in aviation and related domains. The enumeration of specific quantitative outcomes underscores the superior efficacy of our model, rendering it a compelling solution for precise detection and segmentation tasks. The demonstrated reductions in computational effort and parameter count underscore the model’s efficiency, fortifying its relevance in broader contexts.
Innovative Approaches for Sustainable Wastewater Resource Management
Authors: Ulusoy Ayşe , Atılgan Atılgan , Rolbiecki Roman , Jagosz Barbara , Rolbiecki Stanisław
Published: November 2024

Sustainable wastewater management is essential for conserving water resources and reducing environmental pollution. Traditional wastewater treatment methods primarily aim to purify water for reuse, yet they often involve high energy consumption, extensive chemical use, and loss of potentially recoverable resources, which pose sustainability challenges. With approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide currently lacking access to clean water—a number projected to exceed 3 billion by 2025—water scarcity has become an urgent issue. Traditional wastewater treatment processes handle around 330 billion cubic meters of water annually; however, they account for 3–4% of global energy consumption and produce 300 million tons of carbon emissions. This situation underscores the need for more sustainable treatment methods. Innovative wastewater treatment technologies have the potential to facilitate the reuse of approximately 50 billion cubic meters of water each year, helping to alleviate water scarcity. Additionally, energy recovery from these processes aims to achieve an annual energy savings of 20 TWh, in contrast to conventional treatment methods. This article examines recent advances in sustainable wastewater management technologies, specifically focusing on biological, physicochemical, and membrane-based processes. It discusses strategies for optimizing these processes to minimize environmental impact. Furthermore, innovative approaches, such as advanced oxidation processes and energy recovery, are explored for their potential to harness energy and recover nutrients from wastewater. The article concludes that implementing innovative strategies in sustainable wastewater management can significantly contribute to water conservation, energy savings, and a reduction in carbon footprint.
Farming Practice Variability and Its Implications for Soil Health in Agriculture: A Review
Authors: Omer Elsadig , Szlatenyi Dora , Csenki Sándor , Alrwashdeh Jomana , Czako Ivan , Láng Vince
Published: November 2024

Soil health is essential for sustainable agricultural operations, as it supports farm production and ecosystem services. The adoption of sustainable agriculture practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation provides significant benefits for both crop productivity and environmental sustainability. These practices can increase soil biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and organic matter, which increase the resilience of agroecosystems. This narrative review synthesizes the insights of the soil health practices adoption literature, with a focus on common farming practices that can improve soil health and enhance crop yields, reviewing the results of various approaches and pointing out the challenges and opportunities for implementing sustainable agriculture on a larger scale. This paper discusses the effects of various tillage and cropping system approaches on soil health, including no-till and conventional tillage systems, crop rotation, cover cropping, cultivator combinations, and fertilizer application. This study found that conservation tillage is more beneficial to soil health than conventional tillage—which is still debated among scientists and farmers—and that different tillage methods interact differently. In contrast, agricultural yields increase more with intercropping, crop rotation, and cover crops than monocropping. For maintaining soil fertility, this study shows that agricultural yields could be increased by implementing zero tillage. This review identifies the most suitable farming practices for improving soil health while boosting crop production with minimal negative impact on the soil. It also highlights the benefits of these practices in maintaining soil quality.
Functional Properties of Rapeseed Honey Enriched with Lyophilized Fruits
Authors: Marić Aleksandar , Sakač Marijana , Jovanov Pavle , Đermanović Branislava , Teslić Nemanja , Plavšić Dragana , Jakimov Dimitar
Published: November 2024

This study evaluates the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative properties of rapeseed honey collected from Vojvodina, Serbia, as well as rapeseed honey-based products enriched with 10% fruit lyophilizate, including sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), strawberry (Fragaria), blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), orange (Citrus sinensis), and pineapple (Ananas comosus). Honey-based products with lyophilizates were developed to enhance the relatively limited therapeutic potential of rapeseed honey by incorporating fruit lyophilizates known to possess bioactive compounds. The moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity, free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and mineral composition were analyzed. Sour cherry-enriched honey exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC = 102 ± 0.18 mg GAE/100 g), while blueberry-enriched honey had the highest total flavonoid content (TFC = 34.9 ± 0.89 mg CAE/100 g) and total anthocyanin content (TAC = 299 ± 3.14 mg EC/100 g), with the greatest relative scavenging capacity (81.0 ± 0.46% of DPPH inhibition). Polyphenol profiling identified phenolic acids and flavonoids, with raspberry-enriched honey showing the highest total polyphenol content (47.0 ± 0.98 mg/kg) due to its high ellagic acid content (38.4 ± 1.11 mg/kg). All honey-based products demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Significant antiproliferative effects against breast (MCF-7), cervix (HeLa), and colon (HT-29) cancer cell lines were observed, particularly in pineapple and blueberry-enriched honey, with IC50 values as 9.04 ± 0.16 mg/mL and 9.95 ± 0.24 mg/mL for MCF-7 cells, respectively. Based on all the obtained results, it can be concluded that the enrichment of rapeseed honey with fruit lyophilizates at a 10% level contributed to an increase in the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative properties of rapeseed honey.
Efficient UAV-Based Automatic Classification of Cassava Fields Using K-Means and Spectral Trend Analysis
Authors: Boonrang Apinya , Piyatadsananon Pantip , Sritarapipat Tanakorn
Published: November 2024

High-resolution images captured by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) play a vital role in precision agriculture, particularly in evaluating crop health and detecting weeds. However, the detailed pixel information in these images makes classification a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. Despite these challenges, UAV imagery is increasingly utilized for various agricultural classification tasks. This study introduces an automatic classification method designed to streamline the process, specifically targeting cassava plants, weeds, and soil classification. The approach combines K-means unsupervised classification with spectral trend-based labeling, significantly reducing the need for manual intervention. The method ensures reliable and accurate classification results by leveraging color indices derived from RGB data and applying mean-shift filtering parameters. Key findings reveal that the combination of the blue (B) channel, Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI), and color index (CI) with filtering parameters, including a spatial radius (sp) = 5 and a color radius (sr) = 10, effectively differentiates soil from vegetation. Notably, using the green (G) channel, excess red (ExR), and excess green (ExG) with filtering parameters (sp = 10, sr = 20) successfully distinguishes cassava from weeds. The classification maps generated by this method achieved high kappa coefficients of 0.96, with accuracy levels comparable to supervised methods like Random Forest classification. This technique offers significant reductions in processing time compared to traditional methods and does not require training data, making it adaptable to different cassava fields captured by various UAV-mounted optical sensors. Ultimately, the proposed classification process minimizes manual intervention by incorporating efficient pre-processing steps into the classification workflow, making it a valuable tool for precision agriculture.
Environmental Constraints Mitigation Directly Drove the Diversifications of Fungal Community and Functional Profile in Amended Coastal Salt-Affected Soils
Authors: Li Yunlong , Chen Weifeng , Xu Yiwei , Yu Jie , Zuo Wengang , Shan Yuhua , Bai Yanchao
Published: November 2024

Although organic amendment has been widely demonstrated to be capable of reassembling soil microbiomes in coastal salt-affected soils, quantitative characterization in respect to how abiotic and biotic components drive the diversifications of soil microbial community and function remains rudimentary. We investigated the effects of types and application rates of different exogenous organic ameliorants (sewage sludge, S; vermicompost, V) on the physicochemical properties, fungal community diversity, and fungal functional traits in coastal salt-affected soils. Results revealed that both S and V amendments exhibited significantly positive impacts on the alleviation of environmental constraints and the reassembly of fungal community and functional profile. Of note, efficacy of the two exogenous organic ameliorants was significantly influenced by the types of carbon sources utilized and the rates at which they are applied. More pronounced variations in soil physicochemical and microbiological properties were observed in soils amended by S and V at the application rate of 200 t ha−1. Both S and V treatments positively boosted soil fungal community diversification with higher compositional diversities found in the majority of amended soils when compared to unamended soils. In addition, S and V applications favored the flourishment of functions linked to saprotrophic strategy with soil saprotrophs and wood saprotrophs predominating the functional profiles in soils amended by S and V, respectively. Results obtained from redundancy analysis and structural equation modeling revealed that pH, salinity, and SOC were the principle edaphic factors that significantly and directly affected the reassembly of fungal community. In addition, fluctuations in the prevalence of specific fungal genera, including Stachybotrys, Trichoderma, Mortierella, and Acremonium, emerged as a decisive biotic factor influencing diversifications of fungal communities and functional profiles. Taken together, this study not only highlighted the efficacy of S and V application on environmental constraints alleviation in coastal mudflats, but also qualitatively identified and quantitatively illustrated potential pathways and effectiveness of edaphic and biotic components driving the diversification of soil fungal microbiomes and functional profiles. These findings would enhance our understanding in respect to the microbial-mediated amelioration process of salt-affected soils within coastal mudflat ecosystem.