bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial removal of nutrients from anaerobic digestate: assessing product-coupled and non-product-coupled approaches
Authors: Agyeman-Duah Eric , Okonkwo Christopher C. , Ujor Victor C.
Published: December 2023

Although anaerobic digestate contains >90% water, the high nutrient content of digestate makes it economically and technically intractable to treatment by existing wastewater treatment technologies. This study separately assessed the feasibility of nutrient removal from digestate by Rhizopus delemar DSM 905 and a culture of phosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). With Rhizopus delemar DSM 905, we investigated concomitant nutrient removal from digestate-supplemented medium and fumaric acid production, as a potentially economical strategy for digestate treatment. Following the cultivation of R. delemar DSM 905 in a fermentation medium containing 25% (v/v) digestate, the concentrations of Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Pb, and Zn reduced 40, 12, 74, 96, 12, 26, 23%, ~18, and 28%, respectively. Similarly, the concentrations of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, phosphate (PO4-P), ammonium (NH4-N), nitrate (NO3-N), and sulfur decreased 93, 88, 97, 98, 69, and 13%, respectively. Concomitantly, cultures supplemented with 25 and 15% (v/v) digestate produced comparable titers of fumarate (~11 and ~ 17 g/L, respectively) to the digestate un-supplemented control cultures. With PAOs, we assessed the removal of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, PO4-P, and NH4-N, of which the concentrations reduced 86, 90%, ~99, and 100%, respectively in 60% (v/v) digestate. This study provides additional bases for microbial removal of excess nutrients from anaerobic digestate, with the potential to engender future water recovery from this waste stream that is currently largely recalcitrant to treatment.
Sex hormone-binding globulin improves lipid metabolism and reduces inflammation in subcutaneous adipose tissue of metabolic syndrome-affected horses
Authors: Bourebaba Lynda , Kępska Martyna , Qasem Badr , Zyzak Magdalena , Łyczko Jacek , Klemens Marta , Mularczyk Malwina , Marycz Krzysztof
Published: December 2023

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a steadily growing endocrine disorder representing a real challenge in veterinary practice. As a multifactorial condition, EMS is characterized by three main metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, increased adiposity or obesity and hoof laminitis. Adipose tissue dysfunction is recognized as a core pathophysiological determinant of EMS, as it strongly participates to lipotoxicity and systemic metaflammation, both of which have been closely linked to the development of generalized insulin resistance. Besides, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is an important sex steroids transporters that has been recently proposed as an important metabolic mediator. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify whether SHBG treatment may ameliorate subcutaneous adipose tissue metabolic failure under EMS condition in terms of lipidome homeostasis, lipid metabolism programs, insulin signalling and local inflammation. Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) biopsies were collected post-mortem from healthy (n = 3) and EMS (n = 3) slaughtered horses. SHBG protein has been applied to SAT samples from EMS horses for 24 h at a final concentration of 50 nM, while control groups (healthy and untreated EMS) were cultured in the presence of SHBG-vehicle only. Tissues from all groups were afterwards secured for downstream analysis of gene expression using RT-qPCR, protein levels by Western blot and ELISA assay and lipidomics through GC-MS technique. Obtained results showcased that SHBG intervention efficiently normalized the altered fatty acids (FAs) profiles by lowering the accumulation of saturated and trans FAs, as well as the pro-inflammatory arachidonic and linoleic acids. Moreover, SHBG showed promising value for the regulation of adipocyte lipolysis and engorgement by lowering the levels of perilipin-1. SHBG exerted moderated effect toward SCD1 and FASN enzymes expression, but increased the LPL abundance. Interestingly, SHBG exhibited a negative regulatory effect on pro-adipogenic stimulators and induced higher expression of KLF3, IRF3 and β-catenin, known as strong adipogenesis repressors. Finally, SHBG protein showed remarkable ability in restoring the insulin signal transduction, IR/IRS/Pi3K/AKT phosphorylation events and GLUT4 transporter abundance, and further attenuate pro-inflammatory response by lowering IL-6 tissue levels and targeting the PDIA3/ERK axis. Overall, the obtained data clearly demonstrate the benefice of SHBG treatment in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism in the course of EMS and provide new insights for the development of molecular therapies with potential translational application to human metabolic disorders.
Formation of dsRNA by-products during in vitro transcription can be reduced by using low steady-state levels of UTP
Authors: Ziegenhals Thomas , Frieling Ronja , Wolf Philipp , Göbel Katharina , Koch Stina , Lohmann Mia , Baiersdörfer Markus , Fesser Stephanie , Sahin Ugur , Kuhn Andreas N.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Exogeneous messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) can be used as therapeutic and preventive medication. However, during the enzymatic production process, commonly called in vitro transcription, by-products occur which can reduce the therapeutic efficacy of mRNA. One such by-product is double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). We therefore sought to limit the generation of dsRNA by-products during in vitro transcription.

Materials and methods:In vitro transcription was performed with a DNA template including a poly(A)-tail-encoding region, dinucleotide or trinucleotide cap analogs for cotranscriptional capping, and relevant nucleoside triphosphates. Concentrations of UTP or modified UTP (m1ΨTP) and GTP were reduced and fed over the course of the reaction. mRNA was analyzed for dsRNA contamination, yield of the reaction, RNA integrity, and capping efficiency before translational activity was assessed.

Results: Limiting the steady-state level of UTP or m1ΨTP during the enzymatic reaction reduced dsRNA formation, while not affecting mRNA yield or RNA integrity. Capping efficiency was optimized with the use of a combined GTP and UTP or m1ΨTP feed, while still reducing dsRNA formation. Lower dsRNA levels led to higher protein expression from the corresponding mRNAs.

Discussion: Low steady-state concentrations of UTP and GTP, fed in combination over the course of the in vitro transcription reaction, produce mRNA with high capping and low levels of dsRNA formation, resulting in high levels of protein expression. This novel approach may render laborious purification steps to remove dsRNA unnecessary.
Therapeutic effect of ofatumumab in patients with myasthenia gravis: immunoregulation of follicular T helper cells and T helper type 17 cells
Authors: Li Shasha , Zhang Zhaoxu , Liu Zunjing
Published: December 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to study the therapeutic effects of ofatumumab in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) in addition to the immunomodulatory effects on peripheral follicular T helper (Tfh) cells and T helper type 17 (Th17) cells.

Methods

Thirty-one patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive MG were included in this study. At weeks 0, 1, 2, and 4, an initial dose of 20 mg of ofatumumab was injected subcutaneously, with a 2-month follow-up after completing this first cycle. At baseline, 1 month, and 3 months, we assessed the Quantitative MG (QMG), 15-item MG-Quality of Life (MG-QOL15), and MG-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scales and measured the frequencies of Tfh, Th17, and B cells and the levels of anti-AChR antibody, IL-6, IL-21, and IL-17 in the peripheral blood.

Results

At 1 month and 3 months, the QMG, MG-QOL15, and MG-ADL scores were all significantly reduced. At 3 months, doses of prednisone were reduced by an average of 37%. Decreased frequencies of Tfh and Th17 cells, depletion of B cells, and reduced levels of IL-6, IL-21, and IL-17 were all observed at 1 month or 3 months.

Discussion

Therefore, the therapeutic effect of ofatumumab could be detected after one cycle of treatment, which was maintained for 2 months. The immunomodulatory effect of ofatumumab during the observation period may involve depletion of B cells, reduction of Tfh and Th17 cells frequencies, and reduced levels of IL-6, IL-21, and IL-17. The findings provide novel data for the potential application of ofatumumab in MG.
Case report of a family with hereditary inclusion body myopathy with VCP gene variant and literature review
Authors: Asadauskaitė Greta , Vilimienė Ramunė , Augustinavičius Vytautas , Burnytė Birutė
Published: December 2023

Background

Missense VCP gene variants lead to a disruption in protein homeostasis causing a spectrum of progressive degenerative diseases. Myopathy is the most frequent manifestation characterized by slowly progressing weakness of proximal and distal limb muscles. We present a family with myopathy due to c.277C > T variant in VCP gene.

Case presentation

The patient‘s phenotype includes symmetrical muscle wasting and weakness in the proximal parts of the limbs and axial muscles, a wide based gait, lordotic posture, positive Gowers’ sign, mild calf enlargement, impaired mobility, elevated CK, and myopathy in proximal limb muscles. Whole body MRI revealed fatty replacement, predominantly affecting right vastus intermedius and medialis, gastrocnemius and soleus in calf, abdomen wall and lumbar muscles. Next-generation sequencing analysis revealed a pathogenic heterozygous variant c.277C > T (p.(Arg93Cys)) in exon 3 of the VCP gene. Segregation analysis showed that the detected variant is inherited from the affected father who developed symptoms at 60.

Conclusion

The patients described experienced muscle wasting and weakness in the proximal and distal parts of the limbs which is a common finding in VCP related disease. Nevertheless, the patient has distinguishing features, such as high CK levels, early onset of the disease, and rapid mobility decline.
Brain oscillations in reflecting motor status and recovery induced by action observation-driven robotic hand intervention in chronic stroke
Authors: Yue Zan , Xiao Peng , Wang Jing , Tong Raymond Kai-yu
Published: December 2023

Hand rehabilitation in chronic stroke remains challenging, and finding markers that could reflect motor function would help to understand and evaluate the therapy and recovery. The present study explored whether brain oscillations in different electroencephalogram (EEG) bands could indicate the motor status and recovery induced by action observation-driven brain–computer interface (AO-BCI) robotic therapy in chronic stroke. The neurophysiological data of 16 chronic stroke patients who received 20-session BCI hand training is the basis of the study presented here. Resting-state EEG was recorded during the observation of non-biological movements, while task-stage EEG was recorded during the observation of biological movements in training. The motor performance was evaluated using the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and upper extremity Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA), and significant improvements (p < 0.05) on both scales were found in patients after the intervention. Averaged EEG band power in the affected hemisphere presented negative correlations with scales pre-training; however, no significant correlations (p > 0.01) were found both in the pre-training and post-training stages. After comparing the variation of oscillations over training, we found patients with good and poor recovery presented different trends in delta, low-beta, and high-beta variations, and only patients with good recovery presented significant changes in EEG band power after training (delta band, p < 0.01). Importantly, motor improvements in ARAT correlate significantly with task EEG power changes (low-beta, c.c = 0.71, p = 0.005; high-beta, c.c = 0.71, p = 0.004) and task/rest EEG power ratio changes (delta, c.c = −0.738, p = 0.003; low-beta, c.c = 0.67, p = 0.009; high-beta, c.c = 0.839, p = 0.000). These results suggest that, in chronic stroke, EEG band power may not be a good indicator of motor status. However, ipsilesional oscillation changes in the delta and beta bands provide potential biomarkers related to the therapeutic-induced improvement of motor function in effective BCI intervention, which may be useful in understanding the brain plasticity changes and contribute to evaluating therapy and recovery in chronic-stage motor rehabilitation.
Case report: 177Lu DOTA-TATE: a new scheme for the treatment of prostate neuroendocrine cancer
Authors: Yu Xin-yuan , Zhu Yu-qin , Liu Xin , Tian Rong , Chen Jun-jie , Liu Guo-qing , Yang Dong-yu , Zhang Xue-ping , Li Bao , Zhao Hong-jun , Li Xiao
Published: December 2023

Background

Most instances of small cell carcinoma originate from the lungs, while the gastrointestinal tract serves as a secondary site. Only a minuscule proportion of cases manifest within the urogenital system. Prostate small cell carcinoma (SCCP) represents an exceedingly uncommon pathological subtype within the realm of prostate cancer, displaying significant rarity in clinical settings. This scarcity has resulted in a paucity of adequate foundational and clinical research for SCCP treatment. While investigations have unveiled a certain therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for SCCP, clinical practice has revealed suboptimal treatment outcomes. We hereby present a case report detailing the utilization of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE in the treatment of SCCP, aiming to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE for SCCP.

Case presentation

A male patient in his 80s presented with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and underwent a biopsy that revealed prostate adenocarcinoma. The patient received CAB (bicalutamide + goserelin) therapy. One year later, disease progression was detected, and a second biopsy confirmed the presence of prostate small cell carcinoma. Following the diagnosis of prostate small cell carcinoma, the patient underwent two cycles of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE treatment. Subsequent to the treatment, the original lesions showed shrinkage, metastatic lesions disappeared, and there was significant improvement, approaching complete remission.

Conclusion

SCCP exhibits a high degree of malignancy and aggressive invasiveness, currently lacking effective therapeutic modalities. The treatment course of this patient serves as compelling evidence for the efficacy of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE in managing SCCP, thereby opening new avenues for future SCCP treatments.
Meta-analysis of Molteno glaucoma implants and Ahmed glaucoma valves: insights into efficacy and safety for complex glaucoma
Authors: Raja Adarsh , Bhimani Sunaina , Alim Ur Rahman Hafsah , Salman Madiha , Saeed Shaikh Afrah , Raja Sandesh , Zafar Sayeed Bushra , Feroze Ahsan , Ahmed Muhammad
Published: December 2023

Background

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally and for decades, Molteno and Ahmed glaucoma implants, operating on different mechanisms, have been used to treat complicated glaucoma with varying success.

Objective

To assess the safety and efficacy of the Molteno glaucoma implant (MGI) versus the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in patients with complicated glaucoma.

Methods

We comprehensively searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Science Direct) from inception till July 2023 and studies comparing patients with MGI and those with AGV in patients with complicated glaucoma. The primary outcome was intra-ocular pressure reduction at different time intervals. Secondary outcomes included surgical success rate, hypertensive phase, anti-glaucoma medication (AGM) and total complications.

Results

In this meta-analysis, four studies were included with a patient population of 257 with refractory, neovascular or advanced uncontrolled glaucoma. Postoperative intra-ocular pressure reduction did not show significant difference between the two groups (MD: -1.34, 95% CI [-2.78, 0.09]). From the secondary outcomes, surgical success rate (RR: 0.88, 95% CI [0.51,1.53]), hypertensive phase (RR: 0.74, 95% CI [0.39,1.40]) were insignificant. Postoperative anti-glaucoma medication (MD: -0.07, 95% CI [-0.79, -0.65] and total complications (RR:1.36, 95% CI [1.07, 1.72]) were significant.

Conclusion

No significant difference was observed between the patients with MGI and AGV for the primary outcome. From the secondary outcome, AGV was associated with reduced anti-glaucoma medication use and significantly lowered the number of complications.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=475539, identifier CRD42023475539.
A phase I study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a novel, potent GABA analog HSK16149 in healthy Chinese subjects
Authors: Chen Qian , Wu Qingqing , Song Rong , Wang Yating , Zhang Mengqi , Li Fangqiong , Zeng Weifang , Wang Wei , Jia Jingying , Yu Chen , Liu Yanmei
Published: December 2023

Purpose: HSK16149 is a novel, potent gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog for the treatment of neuropathic pain. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of HSK16149 after single and multiple doses in healthy Chinese subjects.

Methods: The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comprised two parts: SAD (single ascending-dose study) and MAD (multiple ascending-dose study). A total of 122 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. HSK16149 capsule or placebo was administered as the protocol required. The safety of the drug was evaluated through clinical examinations and adverse events. Blood and urine samples were collected at the designated time intervals for pharmacokinetic analysis.

Results: Subjects were generally well tolerated after HSK16149 administration and the most common treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAEs) was dizziness, which was expected based on the mechanism of action of HSK16149. In SAD, AUC and Cmax were shown to have a dose-proportional relationship in the dose range of 5-120 mg. The t1/2 of HSK16149 is 3.7-6.4 h. In MAD, after a single and multiple administration of 15-80 mg, AUC and Cmax are proportional to the increased dose of HSK16149, and the accumulative ratios of AUC and Cmax at steady-state were 1.05–1.44 and 1.07–1.36, respectively, indicating that HSK16149 only accumulated slightly after repeated administration.

Conclusion: HSK16149 was well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. Based on the safety and pharmacokinetic data, 80 mg twice daily (BID) was suggested as the highest target dose for further clinical development.

Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn, identifier CTR20182535 and CTR20191317
Drug transport by red blood cells
Authors: Biagiotti Sara , Perla Elena , Magnani Mauro
Published: December 2023

This review focuses on the role of human red blood cells (RBCs) as drug carriers. First, a general introduction about RBC physiology is provided, followed by the presentation of several cases in which RBCs act as natural carriers of drugs. This is due to the presence of several binding sites within the same RBCs and is regulated by the diffusion of selected compounds through the RBC membrane and by the presence of influx and efflux transporters. The balance between the influx/efflux and the affinity for these binding sites will finally affect drug partitioning. Thereafter, a brief mention of the pharmacokinetic profile of drugs with such a partitioning is given. Finally, some examples in which these natural features of human RBCs can be further exploited to engineer RBCs by the encapsulation of drugs, metabolites, or target proteins are reported. For instance, metabolic pathways can be powered by increasing key metabolites (i.e., 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate) that affect oxygen release potentially useful in transfusion medicine. On the other hand, the RBC pre-loading of recombinant immunophilins permits increasing the binding and transport of immunosuppressive drugs. In conclusion, RBCs are natural carriers for different kinds of metabolites and several drugs. However, they can be opportunely further modified to optimize and improve their ability to perform as drug vehicles.
Does justice matter in voice? Inclusive leadership and employee voice: the moderating role of organizational justice perception
Authors: Qi Lei , Xu Yuping , Liu Bing
Published: December 2023

Introduction

As a distinctive form of relational leadership, the impact of inclusive leadership on employee work behavior has been widely considered by scholars. The purpose of this study was to examine the positive effects of inclusive leadership on employee voice (promotive voice and prohibitive voice), and the moderating role of organizational justice perception (distributive justice, procedural justice, and interactional justice) on such positive effects.

Methods

Based on social exchange theory, this study used a multi-wave and multi-source survey to obtain data from 258 subordinates and 52 team leaders from construction companies located in China.

Results

The results showed that inclusive leadership was positively related to promotive voice and prohibitive voice. Distributive justice and interactional justice would strengthen the positive relationship between inclusive leadership and promotive voice. Distributive justice, procedural justice, and interactional justice would strengthen the positive relationship between inclusive leadership and prohibitive voice.

Discussion

First, this study examined the impact of inclusive leadership on employee voice, emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership as the core of relational leadership, and provided guidance for improving employee promotive and prohibitive voice. Second, this study conceptualized organizational justice perception as distributive justice, procedural justice, and interactional justice, comprehensively considered the impact of the three dimensions of justice perception on the effectiveness of inclusive leadership, and provided specific reference for employee management practice from the perspective of justice.
Prevalence of depression in junior and senior adolescents
Authors: Zhang Jing , Liu Dehuan , Ding Linwei , Du Guankui
Published: December 2023

Background

Depression affects the development of adolescents and makes it difficult for them to adapt to future life. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the population characteristics of adolescent depression.

Methods

This study measured depression based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items and sociodemographic questionnaire. A total of 8,235 valid questionnaires were collected from six schools in Haikou and Qionghai, Hainan Province, covering the ages of 13 to 18. The questionnaires included high schools with multiple levels, including general high schools, key high schools, and vocational high schools. Latent category analysis (LCA) was used to identify potential categories of depressive symptoms among adolescents. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used for determining depressive symptom latent categories and their proportional distribution among adolescents.

Results

LCA analysis divided the data into 3 categories, namely no depression, low depression, and high depression groups. The percentage of the high depression group was 10.1%, and that of the low depression group was 48.4%. The Jorden index was greatest for a PHQ-9 score of 14.5. The 1st grade of junior middle school students entered the high and low depression groups 1.72 and 1.33 times more often than seniors. The number of the 1st grade of high school students included in the high and low depression groups was 1.55 and 1.42 times of the 3rd grade of high school students group. The detection rate of the high depression group of vocational school adolescents was 13.5%, which was significantly higher than that of key high schools (9.6%) and general high schools (9.0%).

Conclusion

This study found that 1st grade of junior middle school students and the 1st grade of high school students were more likely to fall into depressive conditions. Moreover, Adolescent girls require more attention than boys. Vocational school students need more psychological guidance.
Perspectives of parents of adolescents with repeated non-suicidal self-injury on sharing their caretaking experiences with peers: a qualitative study
Authors: Qin Yuan , Wu Dongmei , Liu Jiao , Peng Jianyan , Li Chunya
Published: December 2023

Background

The prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents has increased over the years. Most parents, however, are poorly informed and confused about this behavior. Sharing caretaking experiences with parents in similar situations seems to be beneficial. Nevertheless, few researchers have explored the views of parents who share their caretaking experiences with peers.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the perspectives of parents of adolescents with repeated non-suicidal self-injury on sharing their caretaking experiences with peers as well as the motivations for and barriers to this behavior.

Methods

This qualitative study adopted a purposive sampling method. Participants (16 mothers and 2 fathers) were recruited from the mental health center of a tertiary hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. A total of 18 semistructured face-to-face individual interviews were conducted. All interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed thematically using NVivo 11.

Results

Three themes and nine subthemes were identified: (1) sharable caretaking experiences: reflection and transformation, self-emotional management, and diversified support; (2) motivations for sharing: empathy, reciprocity, and meaning; and (3) barriers to sharing: inadequate knowledge, low self-identity, and concerns for children.

Conclusion

Parents accumulate a wealth of experience during their long-term care of adolescents with repeated non-suicidal self-injury. Although most parents are willing to share their caretaking experiences with peers, there are several barriers. Therefore, in order to increase parents’ motivation to share, psychological education is necessary.
Symptoms characteristics of personality disorders associated with suicidal ideation and behaviors in a clinical sample of adolescents with a depressive disorder
Authors: Gifuni Anthony Joseph , Spodenkiewicz Michel , Laurent Geneviève , MacNeil Sasha , Jollant Fabrice , Renaud Johanne
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Pathological personality traits have repeatedly been identified as important risk factors for suicidal ideation and behaviors. Moreover, impulsive-aggressive traits, have shown a consistent association with suicidal behaviors across the lifespan. Adolescence represents a critical period for the emergence of different personality traits, mood disorders, and suicidal behaviors, but the relationship between these variables remain poorly understood.

Methods

These variables were examined in a cross-sectional case–control design involving three groups: 30 adolescents with a depressive disorder and past suicide attempt (Mean Age = 16.2, Females = 26), 38 adolescents with a depressive disorder but without past suicide attempt (Mean age = 16.0, Females = 29), and 34 healthy adolescent controls (Mean age = 15.2, Females = 22). Suicidal ideations were indexed using Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ-R), psychiatric disorder assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire (K-SADS-PL), depressive symptoms with the Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI), symptoms characteristics of personality disorders with the Scheduled Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-II) screening questionnaire, and impulsivity with the Barratt Impulsivesness Scale (BIS).

Results

Findings showed that impulsivity (F = 11.0, p < 0.0001) and antisocial symptoms characteristics of personality disorders (p < 0.001, d = 0.70) displayed the most robust association with adolescent suicide attempts. Borderline symptoms characteristics of personality disorders did not discriminate attempters from non-attempters but presented high correlations with suicidal ideation and depression severity. In an item-wise analysis, suicide attempt status was uniquely correlated with symptoms characteristics of an antisocial personality disorder. Suicide attempt status also correlated with non-suicidal self-injury and a chronic feeling of emptiness.

Discussion

The caveats of this cross-sectional study include the stability of symptoms characteristics of personality disorders in adolescence and the limited sample size. In sum, suicidal behaviors were characteristically correlated with increased impulsivity and antisocial symptoms characteristics of personality disorders, but other symptoms characteristics of personality disorders were relevant to adolescent depression and suicidal ideation. Understanding the emergence of symptoms characteristics of personality disorders and suicidal behaviors in a developmental context can ultimately inform not only the neurobiological origin of suicidal behaviors, but also provide new avenues for early detection and intervention.
Forecasting daily COVID-19 cases with gradient boosted regression trees and other methods: evidence from U.S. cities
Authors: Sen Anindya , Stevens Nathaniel T. , Tran N. Ken , Agarwal Rishav R. , Zhang Qihuang , Dubin Joel A.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

There is a vast literature on the performance of different short-term forecasting models for country specific COVID-19 cases, but much less research with respect to city level cases. This paper employs daily case counts for 25 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the U.S. to evaluate the efficacy of a variety of statistical forecasting models with respect to 7 and 28-day ahead predictions.

Methods

This study employed Gradient Boosted Regression Trees (GBRT), Linear Mixed Effects (LME), Susceptible, Infectious, or Recovered (SIR), and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) models to generate daily forecasts of COVID-19 cases from November 2020 to March 2021.

Results

Consistent with other research that have employed Machine Learning (ML) based methods, we find that Median Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) values for both 7-day ahead and 28-day ahead predictions from GBRTs are lower than corresponding values from SIR, Linear Mixed Effects (LME), and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) specifications for the majority of MSAs during November-December 2020 and January 2021. GBRT and SARIMA models do not offer high-quality predictions for February 2021. However, SARIMA generated MAPE values for 28-day ahead predictions are slightly lower than corresponding GBRT estimates for March 2021.

Discussion

The results of this research demonstrate that basic ML models can lead to relatively accurate forecasts at the local level, which is important for resource allocation decisions and epidemiological surveillance by policymakers.
Transforming urban mobility with internet of things: public bus fleet tracking using proximity-based bluetooth beacons
Authors: Elijah Olakunle , Keoh Sye Loong , bin Abdul Rahim Sharul Kamal , Seow Chee Kiat , Cao Qi , bin Sarijari Mohammad Adib , Ibrahim Noor Farizah , Basuki Achmad
Published: December 2023

In today’s fast-paced world, efficient and reliable public transportation systems are crucial for optimising time and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. However, developing countries face numerous challenges in their public transportation networks, including infrequent services, delays, inaccurate and unreliable arrival times, long waiting time, and limited real-time information available to the users. GPS-based systems have been widely used for fleet management, but they can be a significant infrastructure investment for smaller operators in developing countries. The accuracy of the GPS location can be easily affected by the weather condition and GPS signals are susceptible to spoofing attacks. When the GPS device is faulty, the entire location traces will be unavailable. This paper proposes the use of Internet-of-Things (IoT)-enabled Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) systems as an alternative approach to fleet tracking for public bus service. The proposed approach offers simplicity and easy implementation for bus operators by deploying BLE proximity beacons on buses to track their journeys, with detection devices using Raspberry Pi (RPi) Zero strategically placed at terminals and selected stops. When the bus approaches and stops at the bus stops, the BLE advertisements emitted by the proximity beacons can be reliably detected by the RPi Zero. Experiment results show that the BLE signals can be detected up to 20 m in range when the RPi Zero is placed inside a metal enclosure. The location of the bus is then sent to the cloud to estimate the arrival times. A field trial of the proposed IoT-based BLE proximity sensing system involving two public bus services in southern Malaysian cities, namely, Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri and Kulai is presented. Based on the data collected, a bus arrival time estimation algorithm is designed. Our analysis shows that there was a 5–10 min reduction in journey time on public holidays as compared to a normal day. Overall, the paper emphasises the importance of addressing public transportation challenges. It also describes the challenges, experience, and mitigation drawn from the deployment of this real-world use case, demonstrating the feasibility and reliability of IoT-based proximity sensing as an alternative approach to tracking public bus services.
Model predictive control–based robust-control strategy of distribution control for a grid-connected AC microgrid
Authors: Halivor James Xorse
Published: December 2023

The challenge of ensuring the reliable running of power systems has gotten more difficult in recent years due to the rising complexity of power system networks. The decreasing accessibility of fossil fuels has necessitated a greater dependence on renewable energy sources, such as solar systems, wind power, and hydroelectric power, by the international community. As a result, there is an increasing demand for AC microgrids to offer an effective approach for distributing power. The power system networks that consist of microgrids frequently have a significant number of failures, surpassing 80%. These failures occur because microgrids are susceptible to unexpected changes in different distributed generating sources. The variations greatly impair the operating efficiency of the microgrid and have negative consequences for the distribution system. The microgrid consists of numerous dispersed generation units and local loads. The load in a microgrid exhibits parametric uncertainty, which adds to the fluctuation observed in its performance. The formulated control strategy is Model Predictive Control, which aims to achieve robust performance even in the presence of unaccounted-for loads, dynamic loads, harmonic loads, and both balanced and unbalanced loads. The authors of this paper have developed a control approach that utilizes model predictive control (MPC) and is characterized by its robustness and optimality. MPC has the ability to predict the future behavior of a certain system. The controller successfully mitigates and reduces any disruptions that may occur within the power distribution system by taking into account its healthy characteristics. The model is implemented in the MATLAB Simulink environment, where it produces an accurate and appropriate total harmonic distortion value. The model was compared to previous efforts and significantly improved by increasing some crucial parameters by up to 90%. The value functions as a measure of the controller's performance quality and the improved efficiency of the microgrid system.
Making a place special—The development of Restorative Marine Ecotourism at a dive destination village
Authors: Ferretti Eliana , Lewis Nicolas I. , Thrush Simon F. , Lucrezi Serena , Hillman Jenny R.
Published: December 2023

Marine ecotourism is a multifaceted social-ecological activity that seeks to balance economic benefits with support for sustainability and positive ecosystem impacts. Successful marine ecotourism relies upon ecosystem health and has the potential to restore or regenerate nature. Restoration efforts of marine habitats aim to foster social and ecological resilience, requiring novel management strategies. To date examples of successful restorative tourism are rare in marine habitats. It is early days, emphasizing the importance of exploring opportunities for the development of restorative practices. To help frame opportunities for the development of Restorative Marine Ecotourism (RME), this study explores the relationship between ecological restoration initiatives and marine ecotourism in the New Zealand village of Tutukaka. This qualitative study assessed stakeholders' perspectives of opportunities and challenges to develop local RME initiatives in Tutukaka, where development has been strongly influenced by the possibility to access a nearby offshore marine reserve and internationally famous dive site. Data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with marine ecotourism businesses, ecological restoration actors, and governance authorities, and analyzed through thematic analysis. The interviews identified a set of core social-ecological relationships around which strategies to guide the development of RME coalesce: ongoing coastal and marine environmental issues and the discussion around how best to address them; opportunities to develop local restoration initiatives; economic and ecological challenges to realizing those opportunities; and the costs, benefits and opportunities of RME. Interview respondents emphasized the importance of diverse approaches to address the challenges around RME development, including collaboration among stakeholders, the willingness to experiment widely around experiential learning and take risks, and importantly adopting strategies to make places “special.” This study offers insights that can inform the planning and implementation of RME initiatives at a local scale to support the achievement of both ecological restoration goals and sustainable tourism practices. These include trusted relationships among stakeholders, fostering bottom-up processes, and the value of producing social-ecological knowledge. The Tutukaka case highlights possible avenues for restoration to effectively contribute to marine ecotourism. The focus on the “specialness of place” highlights the importance of place-based knowledge and preservation that facilitates trust, entrepreneurialism, environmental ethics, and supportive management.
Active aging and urban policies: the space as an instrument for an inclusive and sustainable city
Authors: Carrera Letizia
Published: December 2023

Aging is one of the most important challenges of our times. As stated by United Nations’ report on 1983, “Policies to meet the challenge of a growing, healthier and more active seniors population -based on the view of the ageing of society as an opportunity to be utilized -automatically benefit the individual ageing person, materially and otherwise. Similarly, any effort to ameliorate the quality of life for the seniors, and to meet their diverse social and cultural needs, enhances their capacity to continue interacting with society”. Aging society provides not only a new context, but a new opportunity to rethink our traditional views of age. The growing number of seniors people will soon make the majority of overall population. As noticed by reports of international organizations, cities will play a more important role in dealing with these quantitative and cultural changes, mostly because it is expected that a quarter of the population over 60 will be concentrating in the central areas of compact cities. In brief, cities are at once growing and aging at an incredible speed. Although aging process represents a fundamental and structural phenomenon with very deep consequences at economic, social and political level, and with an impact on the individual one as on the society as whole, our cities should deal with this process and respond, in terms of public health and social care, to needs of older people, also those that will experience a loss of autonomy. It is important to note that there are a greater heterogeneity within older population in terms of conditions and demands, which depend on their specific personal, social and familial context. Urban space - in its complex differentiation between public space, third space, and private space - represents both a tool and a strategic factor in pursuing the objective of ensuring high levels of widespread well-being and, from a political perspective, fully shaping the right to the city for seniors individuals.
Conversation Analysis and genre theory
Authors: Ayaß Ruth
Published: December 2023

Since its genesis in the 1960s, Conversation Analysis (CA) has noticeably developed further in terms of its subjects and methods. Its analyses, today, not only focus on conversations in the original sense, but also on visual elements such as gazes in interactions and the role of bodies. However, it also analyzes especially larger communicative units, e.g., in institutionalized settings and it addresses larger sequences of action. One of these approaches is the theory and analysis of communicative genres. Communicative genres are to be understood as consolidated forms of communication. The theory of communicative genres understands these forms as solutions to communicative problems. Genre analysis is methodologically grounded in CA; however, it exceeds it conceptually and theoretically, thus anchoring its questions clearly within sociology. The paper starts out by outlining the concepts and theory of communicative genres. The article discusses the empirical contribution of genre analysis using the example of three so-called “families of genres” families. The examples discussed are reconstructive genres (speaking about the past), genres of moral communication (speaking about other people’s behavior), and projective genres (speaking about the future). Using examples from empirical research, it is shown which communicative problems these genres solve. The paper finally considers the insights to be gained from genre analysis for sociology and CA.
Detection of the Corn Kernel Breakage Rate Based on an Improved Mask Region-Based Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Hongmei , Li Zhijie , Yang Zishang , Zhu Chenhui , Ding Yinhai , Li Pengchang , He Xun
Published: December 2023

Real-time knowledge of kernel breakage during corn harvesting plays a significant role in the adjustment of operational parameters of corn kernel harvesters. (1) Transfer learning by initializing the DenseNet121 network with pre-trained weights for training and validating a dataset of corn kernels was adopted. Additionally, the feature extraction capability of DenseNet121 was improved by incorporating the attention mechanism of a Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) and a Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) structure. (2) The quality of intact and broken corn kernels and their pixels were found to be coupled, and a linear regression model was established using the least squares method. The results of the test showed that: (1) The MAPb50 and MAPm50 of the improved Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (RCNN) model were 97.62% and 98.70%, in comparison to the original Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (RCNN) model, which were improved by 0.34% and 0.37%, respectively; the backbone FLOPs and Params were 3.09 GMac and 9.31 M, and the feature extraction time was 206 ms; compared to the original backbone, these were reduced by 3.87 GMac and 17.32 M, respectively. The training of the obtained prediction weights for the detection of a picture of the corn kernel took 76 ms, so compared to the Mask RCNN model, it was reduced by 375 ms; based on the concept of transfer learning, the improved Mask RCNN model converged twice as quickly with the loss function using pre-training weights than the loss function without pre-training weights during training. (2) The coefficients of determination R2 of the two models, when the regression models of the pixels and the quality of intact and broken corn kernels were analyzed, were 0.958 and 0.992, respectively. These findings indicate a strong correlation between the pixel characteristics and the quality of corn kernels. The improved Mask RCNN model was used to segment mask pixels to calculate the corn kernel breakage rate. The verified error between the machine vision and the real breakage rate ranged from −0.72% to 0.65%, and the detection time of the corn kernel breakage rate was only 76 ms, which could meet the requirements for real-time detection. According to the test results, the improved Mask RCNN method had the advantages of a fast detection speed and high accuracy, and can be used as a data basis for adjusting the operation parameters of corn kernel harvesters.
PEG-6000 Priming Improves Aged Soybean Seed Vigor via Carbon Metabolism, ROS Scavenging, Hormone Signaling, and Lignin Synthesis Regulation
Authors: Wang Yongqiang , Zhou Enqiang , Yao Mengnan , Xue Dong , Zhao Na , Zhou Yao , Li Bo , Wang Kaihua , Miao Yamei , Gu Chunyan , Wang Xuejun , Wei Libin
Published: December 2023

Seed priming, a valuable seed pretreatment method widely employed in agricultural production, counteracts the decline in seed vigor attributed to aging and deterioration. However, PEG priming effectively enhances the vigor of aged soybean seeds. In this study, “TONGDOU13” soybean seeds were subjected to PEG-6000 priming at varying concentrations (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%) for three different durations (12 h, 24 h, 36 h). The results showed that a 24 h priming with 30% PEG-6000 significantly enhances the vigor of aged soybean seeds. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the heightened vigor resulting from PEG-6000 priming, we employed transcriptome sequencing and physiological–biochemical tests. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed the significant down-regulation of carbon metabolism-related genes post PEG-6000 priming, which facilitated energetically efficient germination. Five peroxidase-encoding genes displayed significant up-regulation, promoting the conversion of coumaryl alcohol to hydroxy-phenyl lignin, a probable catalyst for augmented seed vigor. SOD and GST genes were significantly up-regulated, enhancing the scavenging ability of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The concurrent up-regulation of brassinolide (BR) and auxin (IAA) signals countered ABA signaling, thereby promoting aged seed germination. Further investigation included the measurements of antioxidant enzyme activity, hormone levels, and lignin content. Notably, primed aged seeds exhibited enhanced ROS scavenging ability, and increased lignin, BR, and IAA contents. Therefore, PEG priming may improve aged soybean seed vigor through the co-regulation of carbon metabolism, ROS scavenging, hormone signaling, and lignin synthesis. This study will be vital for preserving germplasm resources and reutilizing aged soybean seeds.