bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The important role of community organizations in stroke recovery and reintegration
Authors: Nelson Michelle L. A. , MacEachern Evan , Saragosa Marianne
Published: July 2024

Stroke systems of care are grappling with pressures to ensure high-quality, evidence-informed, person-centered services with an emphasis on safe and timely discharge to the person's home and community. The literature describing the need for robust stroke systems has focused on services within the healthcare system, which are predominantly hospital-based and guided by the Medical Model. However, given the long-term nature of stroke recovery and the importance of attending to the challenges of resuming a meaningful life post-stroke, the involvement of community organizations becomes paramount in providing longer term support. This perspective paper explores the engagement of “community” within the context of stroke systems of care. It proposes that the community is both a destination of the pathway and a partner that can help address the ongoing and often unmet needs experienced post-discharge. Through these partnerships and collaborations, we suggest that community organizations can fill service gaps; volunteers could be leveraged to expand the breadth and quality of health and social services to meet the needs of stroke survivors and their families.
Label-Setting Algorithm for Multi-Destination K Simple Shortest Paths Problem and Application
Authors: Udhayasekar Sethu Vinayagam , Srinivasan Karthik K. , Kumar Pramesh , Chilukuri Bhargava Rama
Published: July 2024

The k shortest paths problem finds applications in multiple fields. Of particular interest in the transportation field is the variant of finding k simple shortest paths (KSSP), which has a higher complexity. This research presents a novel label-setting algorithm for the multi-destination KSSP problem in directed networks that obviates repeated applications of the algorithm to each destination (necessary in existing deviation-based algorithms), resulting in a significant computational speedup. It is shown that the proposed algorithm is exact and flexible enough to handle several variants of the problem by appropriately modifying the termination condition. Theoretically, it is also shown to be faster than state-of-the-art algorithms in sparse and dense networks whenever the number of labels created is sub-polynomial in network size. A heuristic method and optimized data structures are proposed to improve the algorithm’s scalability and worst-case performance. The computational results show that the proposed heuristic provides two to three orders of magnitude computational time speedups (29–1416 times across different networks) with negligible loss in solution quality (maximum average deviation of 0.167% from the optimal solution). Finally, a practical application of the proposed method is illustrated to determine the gravity of an edge (relative structural importance) in a network.
A Study of the Income Effect of Continuous Adoption of Rice–Crayfish Co-Culture Technology: Based on the Moderating Effect of Non-Farm Employment
Authors: Tian Zhuoya , Wang Xicong , Lei Zekui , Qi Zhenhong , Liu Zhe
Published: July 2024

The income effect of rice–crayfish co-culture technology (RCT) is directly related to rate of adoption of farmers and the process of China’s green development of agriculture. The aim of this study is to explore the income effect and income growth mechanism of rice–crayfish co-culture technology from the perspective of continuous adoption. With the treatment effect model (TEM), this paper empirically analyzes the income effect and income-generating mechanisms of RCT using field survey data from 736 farmers in the Jianghan Plain. As a result of this study, it was discovered that RCT will increase farmers’ net agricultural income by RMB 83,430 if they continue to adopt it. Further examinations indicate that the optimal adoption period for RCT is four and a half years. Additionally, it has also been shown that non-farm employment positively moderates the relationship between continuous adoption of RCT and net agricultural income. Farmers who participate in non-farm employment and continue to adopt the RCT will experience an increase in net agricultural income by RMB 104,510. Therefore, our results suggest that it is necessary to encourage farmers to continuously adopt RCT and actively participate in non-farm employment to enhance the income effect of RCT.
The Interplay of TLR-NFκB Signalling Pathway and Functional Immune-Related Enzymes in the Inflammatory Response of Ciona robusta
Authors: Bisanti Luca , La Corte Claudia , Dara Mariano , Bertini Federica , Vizioli Jacopo , Parisi Maria Giovanna , Cammarata Matteo , Parrinello Daniela
Published: July 2024

The close phylogenetic relationship between ascidians (Tunicata) and vertebrates makes them a powerful model for studying the innate immune system. To better understand the nature and dynamics of immune responses and the mechanisms through which bacterial infections are detected and translated into inflammation in Ciona robusta, we applied an approach combining in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, immune-labelling techniques and functional enzymatic analyses. The immunohistochemistry showed that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) were expressed during the inflammatory pharynx response 4 h post-LPS, with the formation of nodules in pharynx vessel lumen. Also, the endothelium vessels were involved in the inflammatory response. Observations of histological sections from naive and buffer-inoculated ascidians confirmed an immuno-positive response. Enzyme immune parameters—which included the activity of phenoloxidase, glutathione peroxidase, lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase and esterase—showed up-modulation 4 h after LPS injection, confirming their participation during ascidian inflammatory response. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the LPS-induced C. robusta response and suggest that a broad innate immune mechanism, as in vertebrates, is involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses. Further findings in this direction are needed to cover knowledge gaps regarding the organized set of molecular and cellular networks involved in universal immune interactions with pathogens.
Effects of Premortem Stress on Protein Expression, Steak Color, Oxidation, and Myofibrillar Fragmentation Index in the Longissimus Lumborum
Authors: Briggs Reganne K. , Legako Jerrad F. , Broadway Paul R. , Carroll Jeff A. , Burdick Sanchez Nicole C. , Ineck Nikole E. , Smith Zachary K. , Ramanathan Ranjith , Thornton Kara J.
Published: July 2024

Forty castrated Holstein calves underwent an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge to assess the effects of premortem stress on the longissimus lumborum (LL) following harvest. LL biopsies were collected before the challenge, at different harvest times (2, 12, 24, and 48 h; n = 10), and after 14 d aging. The expression of small heat shock proteins (SHSPs), deglycase 1 (DJ-1), and troponin were analyzed. Blood was analyzed throughout the ACTH challenge and at harvest for cortisol, oxidative stress, and complete blood count (CBC). Color and myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) were measured in aged samples. Unexpectedly, calves from different harvest times differed (p = 0.05) in cortisol response. Calves were divided into two different cortisol response groups (high or low; n = 20). Statistical analysis assessed the effects of cortisol response (n = 20), harvest time (n = 10), and their interaction. Harvest time altered SHSPs (p = 0.03), DJ-1 (p = 0.002), and troponin (p = 0.02) expression. Harvest time and cortisol response impacted steak color (p < 0.05), and harvest time altered steak pH (p < 0.0001). Additionally, various CBCs were changed (p < 0.05) by harvest time. Harvest time changed (p = 0.02) MFI. These data demonstrate that the protein expression, color, and MFI of the LL may be influenced by premortem stress.
The Multifaceted Role of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Cancer Prevention, Occurrence, and Treatment
Authors: Yan Shuai , Lu Jiajie , Chen Bingqing , Yuan Liuxia , Chen Lin , Ju Linglin , Cai Weihua , Wu Jinzhu
Published: July 2024

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring compound synthesized by mitochondria and widely distributed in both animal and plant tissues. It primarily influences cellular metabolism and oxidative stress networks through its antioxidant properties and is an important drug for treating metabolic diseases associated with oxidative damage. Nevertheless, research indicates that the mechanism by which ALA affects cancer cells is distinct from that observed in normal cells, exhibiting pro-oxidative properties. Therefore, this review aims to describe the main chemical and biological functions of ALA in the cancer environment, including its mechanisms and effects in tumor prevention and anticancer activity, as well as its role as an adjunctive drug in cancer therapy. We specifically focus on the interactions between ALA and various carcinogenic and anti-carcinogenic pathways and discuss ALA’s pro-oxidative capabilities in the unique redox environment of cancer cells. Additionally, we elaborate on ALA’s roles in nanomedicine, hypoxia-inducible factors, and cancer stem cell research, proposing hypotheses and potential explanations for currently unresolved issues.
Change of Flavonoid Content in Wheatgrass in a Historic Collection of Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Wang Chu-Yang , Li Xiao-Ming , Du Han-Xiao , Yan Yan , Chen Zhong-Zhong , Zhang Chen-Xi , Yan Xin-Bo , Hao Shui-Yuan , Gou Jin-Ying
Published: July 2024

Wheatgrass is recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties, partly attributed to its flavonoid content. The objective of this study was to assess the flavonoid content and antioxidant properties of wheatgrass obtained from a wide range of 145 wheat cultivars, which included Chinese landraces (CL), modern Chinese cultivars (MCC), and introduced modern cultivars (IMC). The flavonoids were extracted using a solution of 80% methanol, and their content was evaluated using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). The results revealed the assessed cultivars showed significant variation in their total flavonoid content (TFC), with MCCs generally having higher amounts compared to CLs. PCA analysis demonstrated clear variations in flavonoid profiles between different cultivar groups, emphasizing the evolutionary inconsistencies in wheat breeding. The antioxidant assays, ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP, exhibited robust abilities for eliminating radicals, which were found to be directly associated with the amounts of flavonoids. In addition, this study investigated the correlation between the content of flavonoids and the ability to resist powdery mildew in a collection of mutated wheat plants. Mutants exhibiting heightened flavonoid accumulation demonstrated a decreased severity of powdery mildew, suggesting that flavonoids play a protective role against fungal infections. The results highlight the potential of wheatgrass as a valuable source of flavonoids that have antioxidant and protective effects. This potential is influenced by the genetic diversity and breeding history of wheatgrass. Gaining insight into these connections can guide future wheat breeding endeavors aimed at improving nutritional value and in strengthening disease resistance. The current finding provides critical information for developing wheatgrass with high flavonoid content and antioxidant activity.
Facial Expression Recognition Based on Vision Transformer with Hybrid Local Attention
Authors: Tian Yuan , Zhu Jingxuan , Yao Huang , Chen Di
Published: July 2024

Facial expression recognition has wide application prospects in many occasions. Due to the complexity and variability of facial expressions, facial expression recognition has become a very challenging research topic. This paper proposes a Vision Transformer expression recognition method based on hybrid local attention (HLA-ViT). The network adopts a dual-stream structure. One stream extracts the hybrid local features and the other stream extracts the global contextual features. These two streams constitute a global–local fusion attention. The hybrid local attention module is proposed to enhance the network’s robustness to face occlusion and head pose variations. The convolutional neural network is combined with the hybrid local attention module to obtain feature maps with local prominent information. Robust features are then captured by the ViT from the global perspective of the visual sequence context. Finally, the decision-level fusion mechanism fuses the expression features with local prominent information, adding complementary information to enhance the network’s recognition performance and robustness against interference factors such as occlusion and head posture changes in natural scenes. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our HLA-ViT network achieves an excellent performance with 90.45% on RAF-DB, 90.13% on FERPlus, and 65.07% on AffectNet.
The Problem of Stability in Mechanical Systems Using the Example of Mine Hoist Installations
Authors: Drzewosz Agata , Wolny Stanisław
Published: July 2024

Investigating the influence of varying shaft steelwork stiffness on the stability of horizontal mass displacements, which are crucial elements of a conveyance-shaft steelwork system, is a significant step in evaluating the risk of parametric vibrations in steel constructions. While the Rayleigh method is limited to the first approximation in the solution to this analysis, it still provides valuable insights. Our examination indicates that the impact of a varying shaft steelwork system may not be noticeable in practical applications. This is a significant finding, as it suggests that the impact of varying stiffness in real working objects may be ignored, because the increase in the parametric resonance effects is negligible. This underscores the importance of our research in understanding the stability of steel constructions. This research, which involves theoretical analysis, simplifies the dynamic analysis of the conveyance-shaft steelwork system’s behavior. The result of the performed analysis is a valuable equation for predicting stable work in real hoist installations.
Quantitative Calculation of Crack Stress Thresholds Based on Volumetric Strain Decomposition for Siltstone and Granite
Authors: Liang Mingchun , Miao Shengjun , Cai Meifeng , Li Fei , Liu Zejing
Published: July 2024

Crack stress thresholds in rocks have long been a popular subject in rock mechanics and engineering research. In this study, the applicability of existing methods for determining the crack stress thresholds of granite and weakly cemented porous siltstone is investigated using step loading and unloading tests. In addition, a novel method for decomposing the volumetric strain into solid-phase linear elastic strain, gas-phase nonlinear elastic strain, and plastic volumetric strain is presented. A quantitative calculation method for determining these thresholds is proposed based on the evolution law of the gas-phase volumetric strain and the physical significance of crack stress thresholds. The initiation and termination points of the stationary stage of the gas-phase volumetric strain are determined as σcc and σci; the point at which the gas-phase strain changes from positive to negative is determined as σcd. To validate the proposed method, statistical results of the existing methods after screening are compared with the results of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method provides reasonable crack stress thresholds for siltstone and granite and is applicable to rocks with similar stress–strain behaviors. The proposed method offers the advantages of independence from other methods, suitability across high and low confining pressures, and the capability for the quantitative calculation and processing of numerous samples.
The Effectiveness of a Digital Twin Learning System in Assisting Engineering Education Courses: A Case of Landscape Architecture
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhu Jingdong , Tu Weiwei , Wang Minkai , Yang Yiling , Qian Fang , Xu Yeqing
Published: July 2024

In conventional engineering education, issues such as the discrepancy between virtual and real environments, rigid practical operations, lack of reflective support, and a disconnect between online and offline learning prevail. Digital twin technology, with its high fidelity and real-time interaction features, presents an innovative instructional aid for engineering education. This study developed a digital twin learning system to assist instructors in implementing project-based teaching models in landscaping technology courses. To assess the effectiveness of this system, a quasi-experiment was designed. Seventy students from a vocational high school majoring in landscaping technology in China were recruited as participants. These students were divided into two groups, each consisting of 35 students, with the same teaching pace. The experimental group utilized the system to supplement the instructor’s teaching of landscaping courses, while the control group received instruction through traditional methods. The experiment lasted for eight weeks, comprising a total of 16 classes. Ultimately, the results indicated that students in the experimental group significantly outperformed those in the control group in critical thinking, cognitive load, learning experience, and academic performance. Additionally, this research examined the acceptance of learners toward using the digital twin learning system and its influencing factors based on the Technology Acceptance Model, aiming to provide insights into enhancing engineering education courses teaching effectiveness and targeted technological development.
Mitigating Built Environment Air Pollution by Green Systems: An In-Depth Review
Authors: Vitaliano Serena , Cascone Stefano , D’Urso Provvidenza Rita
Published: July 2024

Air pollution is a critical issue impacting urban environments, leading to severe health problems and environmental degradation. This comprehensive review examines the potential of green systems—specifically green walls, active green walls, and urban greenery systems—to mitigate atmospheric pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide (CO2). By systematically analyzing 44 recent studies, this review highlights the pollutant capture efficiency of various green technologies and plant species in both indoor and outdoor settings. Active green walls, particularly those utilizing plant species such as Chlorophytum comosum and Sansevieria trifasciata, were found to be highly effective, with VOC reduction efficiencies of up to 96.34%, PM reductions of 65.42%, and CO2 reduction rates reaching 4.8% under optimal conditions. This review identifies key strengths in current research, including diverse experimental setups and the use of sophisticated measurement techniques, but also notes significant limitations such as variability in experimental conditions and a lack of long-term performance data. This study underscores the importance of proper maintenance to sustain green systems’ efficacy and highlights the potential issue of pollutant resuspension, which remains under-researched. Practical implications for urban planning are discussed, advocating for the integration of effective green systems into urban infrastructure to enhance air quality and public health. Recommendations for future research include the need for standardized metrics, long-term studies, economic feasibility analyses, and real-world validation of simulation models to better understand and optimize green systems for urban air pollution mitigation.
Aerodynamic Optimization and Characterization of a Ducted Tail for a Box-Launched Aircraft
Authors: Jia Huayu , Zheng Huilong , Zhou Hong , Zhang Qian
Published: July 2024

The tail wing of box-launched aircraft needs to be folded in the launch box, which can easily cause malfunctions during flight deployment. This article presents a ducted tail wing aircraft that does not require folding of the tail wing. To address the nonlinear problem of lift coefficient in the ducted tail, an aerodynamic optimization method for ducted tails based on the sparrow search algorithm with back-propagation (SSA-BP) neural network approximate model and multi-objective genetic algorithm fusion is proposed, with the goal of improving the lift-to-drag ratio and linearization degree of the lift curve. The linearization degree of the optimized tail lift coefficient curve is significantly improved, and the lift-to-drag ratio is significantly improved under cruising conditions. Based on this optimization result, the shape of the tail wing and fuselage combination was optimized, and the optimal configuration of the ducted tail wing aircraft was selected, providing a reference for the design of ducted tail wing aircraft.
Improved Brain Tumor Segmentation in MR Images with a Modified U-Net
Authors: Alquran Hiam , Alslatie Mohammed , Rababah Ali , Mustafa Wan Azani
Published: July 2024

Detecting brain tumors is crucial in medical diagnostics due to the serious health risks these abnormalities present to patients. Deep learning approaches can significantly improve localization in various medical issues, particularly brain tumors. This paper emphasizes the use of deep learning models to segment brain tumors using a large dataset. The study involves comparing modifications to U-Net structures, including kernel size, number of channels, dropout ratio, and changing the activation function from ReLU to Leaky ReLU. Optimizing these parameters has notably enhanced brain tumor segmentation in MR images, achieving a Global Accuracy of 99.4% and a dice similarity coefficient of 90.2%. The model was trained, validated, and tested on many magnetic resonance images, with a training time not exceeding 19 min on a powerful GPU. This approach can be extended in medical care and hospitals to assist radiologists in identifying tumor locations and suspicious regions, thereby improving diagnosis and treatment effectiveness. The software could also be integrated into MR equipment protocols.
Research on Multi-Mode Braking Energy Recovery Control Strategy for Battery Electric Vehicles
Authors: Liu Boju , Li Gang , Wang Shuang
Published: July 2024

To further improve the braking energy recovery efficiency of battery electric vehicles and increase the range of the cars, this paper proposes a multi-mode switching braking energy recovery control strategy based on fuzzy control. The control strategy is divided into three modes: single-pedal energy recovery, coasting energy recovery, and conventional braking energy recovery. It takes the accelerator pedal and brake pedal opening as the switching conditions. It calculates the front and rear wheel braking ratio allocation coefficients and the motor braking ratio through fuzzy control to recover braking energy. The genetic algorithm (GA) is used to update the optimized affiliation function to optimize the motor braking allocation ratio through fuzzy control, and joint simulation is carried out based on the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) and CLTC-P (China Light-duty Vehicle Test Cycle for Passenger vehicles) cycle conditions. The results show that the multi-mode braking energy recovery control strategy proposed in this paper improves the energy recovery rate and range contribution rate by 4% and 9.6%, respectively, and increases the range by 22.5 km under NEDC cycle conditions. It also improves the energy recovery rate and range contribution rate by 8.7% and 5.5%, respectively, and increases the range by 13 km under CLTC-P cycle conditions, which can effectively improve the energy recovery efficiency of the vehicle and increase the range of battery electric vehicles.
Collaborative Scheduling for Yangtze Riverport Channels and Berths Using Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Yang Shiting , Shen Helong , Zhong Zhenyang , Qian Xiaobin , Wang Yufei
Published: July 2024

Efficient coordinated scheduling has long been a focal point in port research, complicated by the diverse optimization goals dictated by different port characteristics. This study focuses on Yangtze River ports, exploring coordinated scheduling amidst river–sea intermodal transportation. Our research aims to reduce berth deviation costs and shorten the total scheduling time for ships, while maximizing berth utilization rates for ports. Initially, we analyzed the operational realities of Yangtze River ports and waterways. Subsequently, we innovatively introduced three key factors influencing scheduling: berth preferences, seagoing ship inspections, and planning cycles. Finally we proposed the optimized Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III (NSGA-III). Evaluating the model using a seven-day dataset of vessel activities at Yangtze River ports revealed significant improvements: the optimized NSGA-III enhanced objective values by 30.81%, 13.73%, and 12.11% compared to the original scheduling approach, surpassing both conventional NSGA-III and NSGA-II algorithms. This study underscores the model’s efficacy in not only reducing operational costs through optimized ship and berth sequencing but also in enhancing clearance efficiency for relevant authorities.
Characteristics of Vegetation Photosynthesis under Flash Droughts in the Major Agricultural Areas of Southern China
Authors: Zhang Yuqing , Liu Fengwu , Liu Taizheng , Chen Changchun , Lu Zhonghui
Published: July 2024

Flash droughts adversely affect agriculture and ecosystems due to their rapid depletion of soil moisture (SM). However, few studies assessed the impacts of flash droughts on crops, especially in the agricultural regions of southern China. In this study, we investigated flash droughts using crop root zone SM in the main agricultural region of southern China. Additionally, solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) served as a vegetation index to explore the crop response to flash droughts. The results reveal that the SIF exhibited an upward trend from 2001 to 2020 in the study area, indicating the enhanced photosynthetic capacity of crops and subsequent yield improvement. Hotspots of flash drought frequency occurred in the eastern areas of both the upper and lower Yangtze River regions, specifically in areas where the most rapid types of flash droughts were particularly prevalent. The average duration of flash droughts in the southern agricultural region was 6–12 pentads, a sufficiently long duration to significantly hinder crop photosynthesis, resulting in negative SIF standardized anomalies. The area affected by flash droughts in the southern agricultural region presented a downward trend during 2001–2020, with flash droughts of the longest duration in the recent decade, specifically in 2019, 2010, and 2013. The response frequency and time of SIF to flash droughts were >80% and <2 pentads, respectively, indicating that crops in the study area have a high sensitivity to flash droughts. In the northern part of the middle Yangtze River region and the southwestern and southeastern parts of the South China region, the mean values of the standardized anomalies of the SIF were lower than −0.5 during flash droughts, suggesting that crops in these areas were severely affected by flash droughts. During the late summer of 2019, the study area experienced a precipitation shortage coupled with high evapotranspiration capacity. This unfavorable combination of meteorological conditions can quickly lead to a substantial depletion of SM, ultimately triggering flash droughts that can be devastating for crops. Our findings can enhance the understanding of the impacts of flash droughts on crops in agricultural regions, as well as provide early warning signals of flash droughts for farmers to make appropriate mitigation strategies.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Typhoon-Induced Extreme Precipitation in Hainan Island, China, 2000–2020, Using Satellite-Derived Precipitation Data
Authors: Xu Mengyu , Tan Yunxiang , Shi Chenxiao , Xing Yihang , Shang Ming , Wu Jing , Yang Yue , Du Jianhua , Bai Lei
Published: July 2024

Extreme precipitation events induced by tropical cyclones have increased frequency and intensity, significantly impacting human socioeconomic activities and ecological environments. This study systematically examines the spatiotemporal characteristics of these events across Hainan Island and their influencing factors using GsMAP satellite precipitation data and tropical cyclone track data. The results indicate that while the frequency of typhoon events in Hainan decreased by 0.3 events decade−1 from 1949 to 2020, extreme precipitation events have increased significantly since 2000, especially in the eastern and central regions. Different typhoon tracks have distinct impacts on the island, with Track 1 (Northeastern track) and Track 2 (Central track) primarily affecting the western and central regions and Track 3 (Southern track) impacting the western region. The impact of typhoon precipitation on extreme events increased over time, being the greatest in the eastern region, followed by the central and western regions. Incorporating typhoon precipitation data shortened the recurrence interval of extreme precipitation in the central and eastern regions. Diurnal peaks occur in the early morning and late evening, primarily affecting coastal areas. Typhoon duration (CC_max = 0.850) and wind speed (CC_max = 0.369) positively correlated with extreme precipitation, while the pressure was negatively correlated. High sea surface temperature areas were closely associated with extreme precipitation events. The atmospheric circulation indices showed a significant negative correlation with extreme precipitation, particularly in the western and central regions. ENSO events, especially sea surface temperature changes in the Niño 1 + 2 region (−0.340 to −0.406), have significantly influenced typhoon precipitation characteristics. These findings can inform region-specific disaster prevention and mitigation strategies for Hainan Island.
Diagnostic Value of Menstrual Blood Lipidomics in Endometriosis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Starodubtseva Natalia , Chagovets Vitaliy , Tokareva Alisa , Dumanovskaya Madina , Kukaev Eugenii , Novoselova Anastasia , Frankevich Vladimir , Pavlovich Stanislav V. , Sukhikh Gennady
Published: July 2024

Endometriosis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease characterized by a considerable delay between initial symptoms and diagnosis through surgery. The pressing need for a timely, non-invasive diagnostic solution underscores the focus of current research efforts. This study examines the diagnostic potential of the menstrual blood lipidome. The lipid profile of 39 samples (23 women with endometriosis and 16 patients in a control group) was acquired using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry with LipidMatch processing and identification. Profiles were normalized based on total ion counts. Significant differences in lipids were determined using the Mann–Whitney test. Lipids for the diagnostic model, based on logistic regression, were selected using a combination of variance importance projection filters and Akaike information criteria. Levels of ceramides, sphingomyelins, cardiolipins, triacylglycerols, acyl- and alkenyl-phosphatidylethanolamines, and alkenyl-phosphatidylcholines increased, while acyl- and alkyl-phosphatidylcholines decreased in cases of endometriosis. Plasmenylphosphatidylethanolamine PE P-16:0/18:1 and cardiolipin CL 16:0_18:0_22:5_22:6 serve as marker lipids in the diagnostic model, exhibiting a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 85%. The diagnostic approach based on dried spots of menstrual blood holds promise as an alternative to traditional non-invasive methods for endometriosis screening.
Alterations of Matrisome Gene Expression in Naturally Aged and Photoaged Human Skin In Vivo
Authors: Yan Yan , Quan Hehui , Guo Chunfang , Qin Zhaoping , Quan Taihao
Published: July 2024

The main component of human skin is a collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM), known as the matrisome. The matrisome is essential for maintaining the structural integrity and mechanical properties of the skin. Recently, we reported notable decreases in matrisome proteins in natural aging and photoaging human skin. This study aims to investigate the mRNA expression of the core matrisome proteins in human skin, comparing young versus aged and sun-protected versus sun-exposed skin by quantitative real-time PCR and immunostaining. Our findings reveal a notable decrease in core matrisome transcription in aged skin. The mRNA expression of the core matrisome, such as collagen 1A1 (COL1A1), decorin, and dermatopontin, is significantly reduced in aged skin compared to its young skin. Yet, the majority of collagen mRNA expression levels of aged sun-exposed skin are similar to those found in young sun-exposed skin. This discrepancy is primarily attributable to a substantial decrease in collagen transcription in young sun-exposed skin, suggesting early molecular changes in matrisome transcription due to sun exposure, which preceded the emergence of clinical signs of photoaging. These findings shed light on the mRNA transcript profile of major matrisome proteins and their alterations in naturally aged and photoaged human skin, offering valuable insights into skin matrisome biology.
Aerosol Inhalation of Gene Delivery Therapy for Pulmonary Diseases
Authors: Huang Yiheng , Zhang Jiahao , Wang Xiaofeng , Jing Hui , Li Hecheng
Published: July 2024

Gene delivery therapy has emerged as a popular approach for the treatment of various diseases. However, it still poses the challenges of accumulation in target sites and reducing off-target effects. Aerosol gene delivery for the treatment of pulmonary diseases has the advantages of high lung accumulation, specific targeting and fewer systemic side effects. However, the key challenge is selecting the appropriate formulation for aerosol gene delivery that can overcome physiological barriers. There are numerous existing gene carriers under study, including viral vectors and non-viral vectors. With the development of biomaterials, more biocompatible substances have applied gene delivery via inhalation. Furthermore, many types of genes can be delivered through aerosol inhalation, such as DNA, mRNA, siRNA and CRISPR/Cas9. Aerosol delivery of different types of genes has proven to be efficient in the treatment of many diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, cystic fibrosis and lung cancer. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the ongoing research on aerosol gene delivery therapy, including the basic respiratory system, different types of gene carriers, different types of carried genes and clinical applications.
The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress of Student-Athletes from a Pre- to Post-COVID-19 World
Authors: Bird Georgia A. , Cumming Jennifer , Quinton Mary L.
Published: July 2024

This study explored differences in student-athletes’ symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress pre- to post-COVID-19-pandemic. The WHO reported a 25% increase in depression and anxiety rates worldwide, with young people disproportionately affected. Student-athletes face many stressors related to their sporting and academic feats, but what is not known is how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their experiences of symptoms of mental illness. A multiple-cohort cross-sectional study design was employed, and data collected using physical and online surveys. Participants (cohort 1 M age = 20.18 years, SD = 1.52; cohort 2 M age = 19.75 years, SD = 1.45) were recruited from UK universities (N = 807; 427 pre-pandemic cohort, 380 post-pandemic cohort). Results revealed statistically significant differences in mean depression (F (1, 805) = 23.92, p < 0.001), anxiety (F (1, 806) = 20.15, p < 0.001), and stress symptoms (F (1, 805) = 5.24, p = 0.022) scores between cohorts. Scores for the post-pandemic cohort were significantly higher than pre-pandemic, suggesting a worsening of symptom severity. Distributions of student-athletes across categories of symptom severity also worsened for depressive and anxiety symptoms post-pandemic and were skewed towards more severe categories. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were a concern pre-pandemic. Rates are higher in the post-pandemic cohort, suggesting a worsening of symptoms. These data add to evidence on student-athletes’ symptoms of mental illness by exploring a UK sample and comparing scores pre- and post-pandemic.
Silica Aerogel-Incorporated Cement and Lime Plasters for Building Insulation: An Experimental Study
Authors: Meliță Larisa , Calotă Răzvan , Amăreanu Marin
Published: July 2024

Silica aerogel has remarkable properties, particularly its translucence/transparency, extremely low thermal conductivity and density. Due to these properties, it can be used for the thermal insulation of buildings for energy saving, cost saving, and enhanced comfort. In this context, aerogel products such as aerogel blankets have already started to demonstrate their effectiveness in retrofitting projects and the development and adoption of aerogel glazing systems and aerogel-enhanced renders is promising. Other products, for example, through the incorporation of silica aerogel granules in cement and lime renders were obtained, with high thermal insulation properties, to achieve energy efficiency on buildings facades. This research aims to come up with new aerogel particle composition insulation plasters at cost-effective rates for application in building insulation. Their physical apparent mass density, mechanical–flexural and compressive strengths, thermal conductivity, and properties were investigated. As an experimental study, the thermal conductivities of six sets of cement and lime plasters with aerogel particles (0.1–4.0 mm) were investigated and it was concluded that the thermal conductivity of cement and lime plasters with 80% aerogel was 0.2287 W·m−1·K−1, about 3.4 times smaller than the respective value of traditional lightweight plasters of 0.76 W·m−1·K−1, while the cement and lime plasters with less than 40% aerogel showed a thermal conductivity value as low as 0.3172 W·m−1·K−1. It was confirmed that the end product plasters’ mechanical qualities included low apparent mass densities, no apparent shrinkage, and mechanical strength values that matched those of the prepared compositions. This suggests that the obtained plasters are suitable for use in both new constructions and renovation projects.
Detection of Components in Korean Apartment Complexes Using Instance Segmentation
Authors: Yoon Sung-Bin , Hwang Sung-Eun , Kang Boo Seong
Published: July 2024

Since the 2000s, the demand for enhancing the quality of life of Korean apartment complexes has led to the development of units with diverse outdoor spaces. Analyzing these complexes requires detailed layout data, which are challenging to obtain from construction drawings. This study addresses this issue using the Roboflow map API to collect data based on apartment complex addresses. The dataset, categorized into seven classes, trained a YOLOv8s-seg segmentation model, which was evaluated by precision, recall, and mAP values per class. Detection performance was generally high, although vehicle roads and welfare facilities posed challenges. Segmenting complexes, analyzing main building layouts, and classifying based on period, household count, and regional shape are potential applications. This study is significant because it secured a dataset of layout drawings through maps, a challenging feat given the difficulty in obtaining actual completion blueprints of apartment complexes. However, discrepancies existed between the mapped layouts and the actual blueprints, which caused certain errors; this represents a limitation of the study. Nevertheless, the apartment complex layout analysis model derived from this study is expected to be useful for various future research projects. We anticipate that further studies will be able to conduct architectural planning research on apartment complexes based on an improved analysis model.
Stochastic Optimal Bounded Parametric Control of Periodic Viscoelastomer Sandwich Plate with Supported Mass Based on Dynamical Programming Principle
Authors: Ruan Zhi-Gang , Ying Zu-Guang , Ying Zhao-Zhong , Lei Hua , Wang Wen , Xia Lei
Published: July 2024

The sandwich plate (SP) with supported mass can model structural systems such as platform or floor with installed vibration-sensitive apparatus under random loading. The stochastic optimal control (in time domain) of periodic (in space) viscoelastomer (VE) SP with supported mass subjected to random excitation is an important research subject, which can fully use VE controllability, but it is a challenging problem on optimal bounded parametric control (OBPC). In this paper, a stochastic OBPC for periodic VESP with supported mass subjected to random base loading is proposed according to the stochastic dynamical programming (SDP) principle. Response-reduction capability using the proposed OBPC is studied to demonstrate further control effectiveness of periodic SP via SDP. Controllable VE core modulus of SP is distributed periodically in space. Differential equations for coupling vibration of periodic SP with supported mass are derived and transformed into multi-dimensional system equations with parameters as nonlinear functions of bounded control. The OBPC problem is established by the system equations and performance index with bound constraint. Then, an SDP equation is derived according to the SDP principle. The OBPC law is obtained from the SDP equation under bound constraint. Optimally controlled responses are calculated and compared with passively controlled responses to evaluate control effectiveness. Numerical results on responses and statistics of SP via the proposed OBPC show further remarkable control effectiveness.
Ibero-American Consensus for the Management of Peritoneal Sarcomatosis: Updated Review and Clinical Recommendations
Authors: Muñoz-Casares Francisco Cristóbal , Martín-Broto Javier , Cascales-Campos Pedro , Torres-Melero Juan , López-Rojo Irene , Gómez-Barbadillo José , González-Bayón Luis , Sebio Ana , Serrano César , Carvalhal Sara , Abreu de Souza Joaquim , Souza Alexandre , Flores-Ayala Guillermo , Palacios Fuenmayor Luis José , Lopes-Bras Raquel , González-López José Antonio , Vasques Hugo , Asencio-Pascual José Manuel
Published: July 2024

Peritoneal sarcomatosis is a rare malignant disease with a poor prognosis, secondary to peritoneal dissemination of abdominopelvic soft tissue sarcomas. Its rarity, together with the characteristic histological heterogeneity and the historically poor response to systemic treatments, has prevented the establishment of widely accepted treatment criteria with curative intent. In this sense, radical cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with peritonectomy procedures and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), widely used in peritoneal carcinomatosis with excellent results, have not had the same evolutionary development in patients with peritoneal sarcomatosis. A multidisciplinary working group of experts in sarcomas and peritoneal oncological surgery established a series of recommendations based on current scientific evidence for the management of peritoneal sarcomatosis, taking into account the different histological subgroups of abdominopelvic sarcomas that can cause it depending on their origin: retroperitoneal sarcomas, uterine sarcomas, and visceral/peritoneal sarcomas of GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) and non-GIST origin. This article shows the results of sarcoma experts’ voting on the recommendations presented during the I Ibero-American Consensus on the Management of Peritoneal Sarcomatosis, which took place during the recent celebration of the III Hispanic-Portuguese Meeting for Updates on the Treatment of Sarcomas.
Dietary Protein and Physical Exercise for the Treatment of Sarcopenia
Authors: Nasso Rosarita , D’Errico Antonio , Motti Maria Letizia , Masullo Mariorosario , Arcone Rosaria
Published: July 2024

Sarcopenia is a multifactorial age-related disorder that causes a decrease in muscle mass, strength, and function, leading to alteration of movement, risk of falls, and hospitalization. This article aims to review recent findings on the factors underlying sarcopenia and the strategies required to delay and counteract its symptoms. We focus on molecular factors linked to ageing, on the role of low-grade chronic and acute inflammatory conditions such as cancer, which contributes to the onset of sarcopenia, and on the clinical criteria for its diagnosis. The use of drugs against sarcopenia is still subject to debate, and the suggested approaches to restore muscle health are based on adequate dietary protein intake and physical exercise. We also highlight the difference in the amount and quality of amino acids within animal- and plant-based diets, as studies have often shown varying results regarding their effect on sarcopenia in elderly people. In addition, many studies have reported that non-pharmacological approaches, such as an optimization of dietary protein intake and training programs based on resistance exercise, can be effective in preventing and delaying sarcopenia. These approaches not only improve the maintenance of skeletal muscle function, but also reduce health care costs and improve life expectancy and quality in elderly people.
Ice Distribution Characteristics on the DU25 and NACA63-215 Airfoil Surfaces of Wind Turbines as Affected by Ambient Temperature and Angle of Attack
Authors: Xu Zhi , Na Peiyao , Zhang Ting , Wang Zixin
Published: July 2024

Icing on wind turbines reduces power generation efficiency and leads to safety issues. Consequently, in this paper, ice distribution characteristics on DU25 and NACA63-215 airfoils at ambient temperatures and angles of attack are explored VIA numerical simulation. The findings indicate that when the ambient temperature changes in the range of 248–268 K, the ice distribution range on the upper surface of the DU25 airfoil (0–3.07 mm) is wider than that of the NACA63-215 airfoil (0–1.91 mm), while the ice distribution range on the lower surface of the DU25 airfoil (0–12.13 mm) is narrower than that of the NACA63-215 airfoil (0–15.18 mm) due to the discrepancy in droplet collection efficiency and droplet freezing rate caused by airfoil structure and ambient temperature, respectively. At an angle of attack of 0°, the ice distribution range on the upper surface of the DU25 airfoil is almost the same as that of the NACA63-215 airfoil. At an angle of attack of 8°, the ice distribution range on the upper surface of the DU25 airfoil (0–1.05 mm) is broader than that of the NACA63-215 airfoil (0–0.675 mm), whereas the ice distribution range on the lower surface of the DU25 airfoil (0–17 mm) is narrower than that of the NACA63-215 airfoil (0–20 mm) due to the discrepancy in droplet collection efficiency caused by droplet flow trajectory. The angle of attack has a much greater effect on the peak ice thickness than ambient temperature. This study will provide guidance for the anti-icing coating design of wind turbine blades.
Quantum Image Compression: Fundamentals, Algorithms, and Advances
Authors: Deb Sowmik Kanti , Pan W. David
Published: July 2024

Quantum computing has emerged as a transformative paradigm, with revolutionary potential in numerous fields, including quantum image processing and compression. Applications that depend on large scale image data could benefit greatly from parallelism and quantum entanglement, which would allow images to be encoded and decoded with unprecedented efficiency and data reduction capability. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the rapidly evolving field of quantum image compression, including its foundational principles, methods, challenges, and potential uses. The paper will also feature a thorough exploration of the fundamental concepts of quantum qubits as image pixels, quantum gates as image transformation tools, quantum image representation, as well as basic quantum compression operations. Our survey shows that work is still sparse on the practical implementation of quantum image compression algorithms on physical quantum computers. Thus, further research is needed in order to attain the full advantage and potential of quantum image compression algorithms on large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers.