bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tensiomyography: from muscle assessment to talent identification tool
Authors: Čular Dražen , Babić Matej , Zubac Damir , Kezić Ana , Macan Iva , Peyré-Tartaruga Leonardo Alexandre , Ceccarini Francesco , Padulo Johnny
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Tensiomyography (TMG) is a non-invasive and cost-effective tool that is gaining popularity in fields such as sports science, physical therapy, and medicine. In this narrative review, we examine the different applications of TMG and its strengths and limitations, including its use as a tool for sport talent identification and development.

Methods: In the course of crafting this narrative review, an exhaustive literature search was carried out. Our exploration spanned several renowned scientific databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ResearchGate. The materials we sourced for our review included a broad spectrum of both experimental and non-experimental articles, all focusing on TMG. The experimental articles featured varied research designs including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experiments, as well as pre-post studies. As for the non-experimental articles, they encompassed a mix of case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies. Importantly, all articles included in our review were written in English and had been published in peer-reviewed journals. The assortment of studies considered provided a holistic view of the existing body of knowledge on TMG, and formed the basis of our comprehensive narrative review.

Results: A total of 34 studies were included in the review, organized into three sections: 1) assessing muscle contractile properties of young athletes, 2) using TMG in the talent identification and development process and 3) Future research and perspectives. According to data presented here, the most consistent TMG parameters for determining muscle contractile properties are radial muscle belly displacement, contraction time, and delay time. Biopsy findings from the vastus lateralis (VL) confirmed TMG as a valid tool for estimating the ratio of myosin heavy chain (%MHC-I).

Conclusion: TMGs ability to estimate the ratio of %MHC-I has the potential to aid in the selection of athletes with the muscle characteristics best suited for a particular sport, eliminating the need for more invasive procedures. However, more research is warranted to fully understand TMG’s potential and its reliability when used with young athletes. Importantly, the use of TMG technology in this process can positively impact health status, reducing the frequency and severity of injuries and the duration of recovery, and subsequently can reduce drop out rates among youth athletes. Future studies should look at twin youth athletes, as a model capable of discriminating between the influence of hereditary factors vs. environmental factors, in therms of muscle contractility and TMG’s potential for instance.
Long-term liver lesion tracking in contrast-enhanced ultrasound videos via a siamese network with temporal motion attention
Authors: Tian Haozhe , Cai Wenjia , Ding Wenzhen , Liang Ping , Yu Jie , Huang Qinghua
Published: June 2023

Propose: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has shown great promises for diagnosis and monitoring in a wide range of clinical conditions. Meanwhile, to obtain accurate and effective location of lesion in contrast-enhanced ultrasound videos is the basis for subsequent diagnosis and qualitative treatment, which is a challenging task nowadays.

Methods: We propose to upgrade a siamese architecture-based neural network for robust and accurate landmark tracking in contrast-enhanced ultrasound videos. Due to few researches on it, the general inherent assumptions of the constant position model and the missing motion model remain unaddressed limitations. In our proposed model, we overcome these limitations by introducing two modules into the original architecture. We use a temporal motion attention based on Lucas Kanade optic flow and Karman filter to model the regular movement and better instruct location prediction. Moreover, we design a pipeline of template update to ensure timely adaptation to feature changes.

Results: Eventually, the whole framework was performed on our collected datasets. It has achieved the average mean IoU values of 86.43% on 33 labeled videos with a total of 37,549 frames. In terms of tracking stability, our model has smaller TE of 19.2 pixels and RMSE of 27.6 with the FPS of 8.36 ± 3.23 compared to other classical tracking models.

Conclusion: We designed and implemented a pipeline for tracking focal areas in contrast-enhanced ultrasound videos, which takes the siamese network as the backbone and uses optical flow and Kalman filter algorithm to provide position prior information. It turns out that these two additional modules are helpful for the analysis of CEUS videos. We hope that our work can provide an idea for the analysis of CEUS videos.
Comprehensive evaluation system for vegetation ecological quality: a case study of Sichuan ecological protection redline areas
Authors: Cui Linlin , Chen Yanhui , Yuan Yue , Luo Yi , Huang Shiqi , Li Guosheng
Published: June 2023

Dynamic monitoring and evaluation of vegetation ecological quality (VEQ) is indispensable for ecological environment management and sustainable development. Single-indicator methods that have been widely used may cause biased results due to neglect of the variety of vegetation ecological elements. We developed the vegetation ecological quality index (VEQI) by coupling vegetation structure (vegetation cover) and function (carbon sequestration, water conservation, soil retention, and biodiversity maintenance) indicators. The changing characteristics of VEQ and the relative contribution of driving factors in the ecological protection redline areas in Sichuan Province (EPRA), China, from 2000 to 2021 were explored using VEQI, Sen’s slope, Mann-Kendall test, Hurst index, and residual analysis based on the XGBoost (Extreme gradient boosting regressor). The results showed that the VEQ in the EPRA has improved over the 22-year study period, but this trend may be unsustainable in the future. Temperature was the most influential climate factor. And human activities were the dominant factor with a relative contribution of 78.57% to VEQ changes. This study provides ideas for assessing ecological restoration in other regions, and can provide guidance for ecosystem management and conservation.
The role and features of peer assessment feedback in college English writing
Authors: Sun Qiyu , Chen Fang , Yin Shengkai
Published: June 2023

Peer assessment is a common pedagogical practice for evaluating students’ writing in college English classrooms. However, in-depth research on the learning outcomes after peer assessment is scarce and inconsistent; how peer feedback is used has not been fully explored either. This study compared peer feedback to teacher feedback and explored the different features of feedback and its impact on draft revision. Two specific research questions were answered in this study: (1) In which aspects can peer feedback supplement teacher feedback in improving the linguistic features in writing? (2) What are the differences in features of peer feedback versus teacher feedback? And how do they connect to feedback take-in? Two writing tasks were assigned to 94 students. One received teacher feedback and the other peer feedback. Pre-feedback and post-feedback writings in both tasks (4 sets in total) were scored and human ratings were adjusted using Many-Facet Rasch modeling to control for differences in leniency. Drawing on three natural language processing (NLP) tools, this study also assessed writing qualities by comparing 22 selected indices related to the scoring rubrics for human raters, which involve three dimensions: cohesion, lexical quality and syntactic complexity. Peer and teacher feedback was then coded based on features of feedback to explore their influence on draft revision. The results showed that both peer and teacher feedback had positive effects on rating scores. We confirmed peer feedback as an effective classroom approach to improve writing, though limited compared to teacher feedback as reflected in the indices. In terms of feedback features, students often stopped at identifying the language problems, while the teacher provided more explanations, solutions or suggestions regarding the problems identified. Implications for peer feedback research and implementation of peer assessment activities are provided.
How do people experience innocent suffering?
Authors: Smirnov Evgeny
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The paper examines the psychological facet of innocent suffering. One can find a description of this phenomenon in social psychology as a factor that affects the belief in a just world, but there is a lack of qualitative scientific data about related psychological features, processes, copings, and consequences on the personality level.

Methods

To study innocent suffering, semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted (31 respondents, ~223 minutes per respondent, 6,924 min in total) aimed to gather data about the experiences of innocent sufferings happened to participants. For the analysis of texts, a narrative and content analysis are used within the framework of grounded theory. The reliability of the results is based on expert assessment.

Results and discussion

As a result, six essential properties of innocent sufferings were identified: complexity, stability, distress, injustice, casual incoherence, and breaks of integrity of a life story. The most “popular” life domains, in which participants reported about innocent sufferings, are violence, abuse (physical and psychological), and quitting romantic relationships. It is proposed a scientific definition of innocent suffering and the prototype of the phenomenon.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Czech citizens: how do depression and anxiety symptoms influence cognitive, behavioral, and emotional changes?
Authors: Hajkova Dagmar , Sandora Jan , Žídková Radka , Malinakova Klara , Novak Lukas
Published: June 2023

Background

This study examined the impact of anxiety and depression symptoms during the first stage of the COVID-19 pandemic on the behavioral, cognitive, and emotional changes of the Czech population.

Methods

The research sample (n = 2363; 48.83 ± 16.53 years; 50.15% men) was obtained using an online survey. Depression and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS) and the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) and associations were adjusted for age, gender, and economic status.

Results

The results showed that increased symptoms of anxiety and depression were significantly linked to feelings of loneliness, helplessness, reduced quality of relationship with a partner, higher probabilities of alcohol abuse, food consumption, and contemplation of existential questions. Higher symptoms of anxiety were associated with feelings of being threatened. Higher symptoms of depression symptoms increased tobacco abuse.

Conclusion

During the first stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher symptoms of anxiety and depression among Czech citizens were associated with behavioral, cognitive, and emotional changes.
The role of chess in the development of children-parents’ perspectives
Authors: Nanu Costica Ciprian , Coman Claudiu , Bularca Maria Cristina , Mesesan-Schmitz Luiza , Gotea Mihaela , Atudorei Ioana , Turcu Ioan , Negrila Ion
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The study examines the role of chess in the development of children from the perspectives of parents. The research focused on analyzing the parents’ perceptions about chess’s role in their children’s development, on finding out how the perception of parents differs depending on whether they know how to play chess or not, and on outlining the profile of the parents whose children play chess.The study was conducted in Romania.

Methods

In order to conduct the study, a quantitative research method was used, while having as a research instrument a non-standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire was applied to parents of chess-playing children who are members of chess clubs from Romania. The sample of the study comprises 774 respondents.

Results

The results of our research showed that parents are of the opinion that chess helps children develop their cognitive abilities, their character and their competitive spirit. Most of the parents focused on highlighting the positive effects of chess on the development of their children. Parents also considered that chess helped their children develop positive emotions and helped them overcome negative emotions. The results revealed differences between the opinions of parents depending on whether they know how to play chess or not. Thus, parents who do know how to play chess were more likely to focus on the positive effects of the game on the development of their children, and those who know how to play chess were also more satisfied with their children’s accumulated knowledge following chess lessons.

Discussion

Findings extend our understanding of how parents perceive the way chess influences the development of their children, it offered us a perspective on the perceived benefits of chess, benefits which should be further analyzed in order to identify under what circumstances chess could be introduced in the school curriculum.
Perceptions of medical students and their facilitators on clinical communication skills teaching, learning, and assessment
Authors: Dewi Sari Puspa , Wilson Amanda , Duvivier Robbert , Kelly Brian , Gilligan Conor
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Despite various efforts to develop communication skills (CS) in the classroom, the transfer of these skills into clinical practice is not guaranteed. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of transferring CS from the classroom to clinical environments.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted at one Australian medical school to explore the experiences and perceptions of facilitators and students in relation to teaching and learning clinical CS. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data.

Results

Twelve facilitators and sixteen medical students participated in semi-structured interviews and focus-group discussions, respectively. Primary themes included the value of teaching and learning, alignment between approaches to teaching and actual clinical practices and students’ perceptions of practice, and challenges in different learning environments.

Discussion

This study reinforces the value of teaching and learning CS by facilitators and students. Classroom learning provides students with a structure to use in communicating with real patients, which can be modified to suit various situations. Students have limited opportunities, however, to be observed and receive feedback on their real-patient encounters. Classroom session that discussed CS experiences during clinical rotation is recommended to strengthen learning both the content and process of CS as well as transitioning to the clinical environment.
Innovative financing for a gender-equitable first-food system to mitigate greenhouse gas impacts of commercial milk formula: investing in breastfeeding as a carbon offset
Authors: Smith Julie P. , Borg Bindi , Iellamo Alessandro , Nguyen Tuan T. , Mathisen Roger
Published: June 2023

Women’s contributions to food production and food security are often overlooked, thus perpetuating inequitable and unsustainable globalized commercial food systems. Women’s role as producers in the first-food system, breastfeeding, is largely invisible and underfunded, encouraging the production and consumption of environmentally unsustainable commercial milk formula (CMF). This policy brief highlights opportunities for including and funding interventions enabling breastfeeding under carbon offset schemes such as the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). A Green Feeding Tool is being developed to account for the national carbon and water footprints of CMF. The tool will help ensure that women’s contributions to a sustainable first-food system are not ignored by the CDM and other mechanisms funding greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Screening of volatile organic compounds emitted from different packaging materials: case study on fresh-cut artichokes
Authors: Ashraf Jahan Zaib , Pati Sandra , Fatchurrahman Danial , Amodio Maria Luisa , Colelli Giancarlo
Published: June 2023

In the present work, the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from plastic packaging materials and their migration to the packaged product was investigated. Fresh-cut artichokes were chosen as a case study owing to their nutritional profile, including phenolic compounds, antioxidants, inulin and fiber, and the high market demand. Artichokes were cut into quarters, packaged in active modified atmosphere (5% O2 and 10% CO2) in three different micro-perforated (MP) packages (polypropylene (PP), polypropylene/polyamide (PP/PA) and polylactic acid (PLA)) and stored for 10 days at 5° C. For the detection of VOCs on the packaging materials and in the packaged product, three approaches were considered. First, VOCs emitted from a piece of package were extracted by solid phase micro extraction (SPME), at 30°C, and analyzed by gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Second, VOCs from the headspace of the empty closed bag were extracted by SPME, at 5°C, to understand if any packaging volatile compound was transferred into the package atmosphere in this temperature condition. Finally, packaged artichokes were also analyzed by SPME/GC–MS to detect any presence of packaging volatiles compared to the fresh product. Emitted VOCs were different according to the material; in particular PP/PA emitted the greatest number of VOCs, most of them belonging to the class of branched alkanes and alkenes, such as 4-methyl-heptane, 2,4-dimethyl-heptane, 4-methyl-octane and 2,4 dimethyl heptene; PP emitted octane, aldehydes, and 1-metoxy-2-propanol; PLA emitted aldehydes and propanoic acid. Some VOCs were found into the atmosphere of the empty bags as well as on packaged artichokes, while they were not found in the fresh samples before packaging, suggesting that a study on the emission of VOCs from different plastic materials in contact with food and on the effect of different storage conditions is very critical for a better understanding of this issue.
A toolbox for a structured risk-based prehabilitation program in major surgical oncology
Authors: Sliwinski Svenja , Werneburg Elisabeth , Faqar-Uz-Zaman Sara Fatima , Detemble Charlotte , Dreilich Julia , Mohr Lisa , Zmuc Dora , Beyer Katharina , Bechstein Wolf O. , Herrle Florian , Malkomes Patrizia , Reissfelder Christoph , Ritz Joerg P. , Vilz Tim , Fleckenstein Johannes , Schnitzbauer Andreas A.
Published: June 2023

Prehabilitation is a multimodal concept to improve functional capability prior to surgery, so that the patients’ resilience is strengthened to withstand any peri- and postoperative comorbidity. It covers physical activities, nutrition, and psychosocial wellbeing. The literature is heterogeneous in outcomes and definitions. In this scoping review, class 1 and 2 evidence was included to identify seven main aspects of prehabilitation for the treatment pathway: (i) risk assessment, (ii) FITT (frequency, interventions, time, type of exercise) principles of prehabilitation exercise, (iii) outcome measures, (iv) nutrition, (v) patient blood management, (vi) mental wellbeing, and (vii) economic potential. Recommendations include the risk of tumor progression due to delay of surgery. Patients undergoing prehabilitation should perceive risk assessment by structured, quantifiable, and validated tools like Risk Analysis Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), American Society of Anesthesiology Score, or Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group scoring. Assessments should be repeated to quantify its effects. The most common types of exercise include breathing exercises and moderate- to high-intensity interval protocols. The program should have a duration of 3–6 weeks with 3–4 exercises per week that take 30–60 min. The 6-Minute Walking Testing is a valid and resource-saving tool to assess changes in aerobic capacity. Long-term assessment should include standardized outcome measurements (overall survival, 90-day survival, Dindo–Clavien/CCI®) to monitor the potential of up to 50% less morbidity. Finally, individual cost-revenue assessment can help assess health economics, confirming the hypothetic saving of $8 for treatment for $1 spent for prehabilitation. These recommendations should serve as a toolbox to generate hypotheses, discussion, and systematic approaches to develop clinical prehabilitation standards.
Intranasal Atomization of Ketamine, Medetomidine and Butorphanol in Pet Rabbits Using a Mucosal Atomization Device
Authors: Mauthe von Degerfeld Mitzy , Serpieri Matteo , Bonaffini Giuseppe , Ottino Chiara , Quaranta Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

A non-invasive method of drug delivery, intranasal atomization, has shown positive results in human medicine and in some animal species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of intranasal atomization, compared to intramuscular administration, of a mix of anesthetic drugs in pet rabbits. In total, 104 mixed-breed pet rabbits, undergoing various types of surgery, received a combination of ketamine, medetomidine, and butorphanol (20, 0.4, and 0.2 mg/kg) by intranasal atomization using a Mucosal Atomization Device (Group MAD) or intramuscular administration (Group IM). When required, isoflurane was dispensed through a face mask. At the end of the procedures, atipamezole was administered using the same routes in the respective Groups. There were no differences in time to loss of righting reflex between the groups, while differences were found for the need for isoflurane (higher in Group MAD) and recovery time, occurring earlier in Group MAD. The results suggest that intranasal atomization of a combination of ketamine, medetomidine, and butorphanol produces a lighter depth of anesthesia in pet rabbits, compared to intramuscular administration. Intranasal atomization can be performed to administer sedative and anesthetic drugs, avoiding the algic stimulus related to the intramuscular inoculation of drugs.
CSN1S1 and LALBA Polymorphisms and Other Factors Influencing Yield, Composition, Somatic Cell Score, and Technological Properties of Cow’s Milk
Authors: Čítek Jindřich , Samková Eva , Brzáková Michaela , Hanuš Oto , Večerek Libor , Hoštičková Irena , Jozová Eva , Hasoňová Lucie , Hálová Karolína
Published: June 2023

We evaluated the influence of CSN1S1 and LALBA polymorphisms on cow’s milk yield and quality. The analysis was done on Czech Simmental and Holstein cows. Non-genetic factors were included as well. CSN1S1 did not influence the milk performance in the first lactation. In the second lactation, cows with the BB genotype had significantly higher milk, protein, and fat yields than BC. The differences between LALBA genotypes were non-significant in the first lactation, while in the second lactation, the fat percentage was significantly higher in BB than in AB. The farm significantly influenced milk, protein, and fat yields in both the first and second lactations and fat percentage in the first lactation. The effect of CSN1S1 and LALBA genotypes on the milk technological quality was non-significant. Breed did not influence any of the evaluated technological traits and SCS. The ethanol test was not influenced by farm, season, lactation phase, protein percentage, breed, or non-fat solids percentage. Farm, season, and protein percentage significantly influenced milk fermentation ability, renneting, and SCS. The lactose content is a good indicator of udder health.
Predicting Chemical Composition and Apparent Total Tract Digestibility on Freeze-Dried Not Ground Faeces Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Pigs
Authors: Camp Montoro Jordi , Solà-Oriol David , Muns Ramon , Gasa Josep , Llanes Núria , Garcia Manzanilla Edgar
Published: June 2023

The present study aimed to compare NIRS results using freeze-dried ground or not ground (FDG or FDNG) faeces to predict faecal chemical composition and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) coefficients. Two different batches of pigs were used (n = 20 mixed sex pens/batch; 11 pigs/pen; Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)). The first batch of pigs (B1; 50.1 ± 3.44 kg body weight (BW)) was used at 13 wks of age and the second batch (B2; 87.0 ± 4.10 kg BW) was used at 18 wks of age. For both B1 and B2, pens were assigned to five diets formulated to obtain a control [10.03 MJ of net energy (NE), 160.0 g of crude protein (CP), and 9.5 g of standardized ileal digestive (SID) lysine (Lys) per kg of feed], low protein (132.0 g CP and 7.5 g SID Lys), high protein (188.0 g CP and 11.5 g SID Lys), low energy (9.61 MJ NE/kg), and high energy (10.45 MJ NE/kg) diets. After a 10-day adaptation period, one faecal sample was collected daily from each pen floor during 6 days in both B1 and B2 (n = 120/batch). Faecal samples were freeze-dried and analysed via NIRS as FDNG and FDG faeces. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, gross energy (GE), fat, and ATTD coefficients were analysed/calculated. The NIRS calibrations were evaluated by cross-validation, splitting the data in four random groups, or using the leave-one-out method. For both FDNG and FDG faeces, coefficients of determination for calibration (R2cv) and residual predictive deviation (RPD) values were: close to 0.9 and 3 for DM and CP, 0.7–0.8 and ≥2 for OM and GE, 0.6 and <2 for fat, and 0.54–0.75 and ≤2 for ATTD coefficients, respectively. CP was better predicted using FDG faeces (p < 0.05), while DM and OM ATTD were better predicted using FDNG faeces (p < 0.05). In conclusion, NIRS successfully predicts faeces’ chemical components and ATTD coefficients of nutrients using FDNG or FDG faeces.
Serum Biochemistry of Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) in Captivity in the Northeast of Brazil
Authors: Minervino Antonio Humberto Hamad , Araújo Carolina A. S. C. , Soares Herbert S. , Picanço Eloine M. B. , Silva Yasmine R. Batista , Mori Clara Satsuki , Gennari Solange Maria , Barrêto Júnior Raimundo Alves , Ortolani Enrico Lippi
Published: June 2023

We investigated the biochemical profile of greater rheas (Rhea americana) in captivity and correlated these values according to the birds’ sex. A total of 69 serum samples were collected from a breeding site in Mossoró, northeastern Brazil, and analyzed to quantify serum biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, urea, creatinine, ALP, AST, and CK). The birds had levels of urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, calcium, and phosphorus similar to the values reported for ratite and ostrich species. By sex, females showed higher values (p < 0.05) of calcium (3.5 mmol/L), total cholesterol (7.5 mmol/L), and uric acid (435.3 μmol/L) than males, which had 3.1 mmol/L, 3.8 mmol/L, and 390.7 μmol/L, respectively. This can be attributed to the difference in diet, the productive phase of females, or stress at the time of sampling. The data present a wide spectrum of biochemical results regarding the health of greater rheas, contributing to the veterinary clinical practice of this species.
Influence of Cobalt Source, Folic Acid, and Rumen-Protected Methionine on Performance, Metabolism, and Liver Tissue One-Carbon Metabolism Biomarkers in Peripartal Holstein Cows
Authors: Lopreiato Vincenzo , Alharthi Abdulrahman S. , Liang Yusheng , Elolimy Ahmed A. , Bucktrout Ryan , Socha Mike T. , Trevisi Erminio , Loor Juan J.
Published: June 2023

Vitamin B12 plays a role in the remethylation of homocysteine to Met, which then serves as a substrate for Met adenosyltransferase (MAT) to synthesize S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). We investigated effects of feeding two cobalt sources [Co-glucoheptonate (CoPro) or CoPectin, Zinpro Corp.], an experimental ruminally-available source of folic acid (FOA), and rumen-protected Met (RPM) on performance and hepatic one-carbon metabolism in peripartal Holstein cows. From −30 to 30 d around calving, 72 multiparous cows were randomly allocated to: CoPro, CoPro + FOA, CoPectin + FOA, or CoPectin + FOA + RPM. The Co treatments delivered 1 mg Co/kg of DM (CoPro or CoPectin), each FOA group received 50 mg/d FOA, and RPM was fed at 0.09% of DM intake (DMI). Milk yield and DMI were not affected. Compared with other groups, the percentage of milk protein was greater after the second week of lactation in CoPectin + FOA + RPM. Compared with CoPro or CoPro + FOA, feeding CoPectin + FOA or CoPectin + FOA + RPM led to a greater activity of MAT at 7 to 15 d postcalving. For betaine–homocysteine S-methyltransferase, CoPro together with CoPectin + FOA + RPM cows had greater activity at 7 and 15 d than CoPro + FOA. Overall, supplying FOA with CoPectin or CoPectin plus RPM may enhance S-adenosylmethionine synthesis via MAT in the liver after parturition. As such, these nutrients may impact methylation reactions and liver function.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antimicrobials in Critically Ill Obese Patients
Authors: Gorham Julie , Taccone Fabio S. , Hites Maya
Published: June 2023

Obesity is a significant global public health concern that is associated with an elevated risk of comorbidities as well as severe postoperative and nosocomial infections. The treatment of infections in critically ill obese patients can be challenging because obesity affects the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antibiotics, leading to an increased risk of antibiotic therapy failure and toxicity due to inappropriate dosages. Precision dosing of antibiotics using therapeutic drug monitoring may help to improve the management of this patient population. This narrative review outlines the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes that result from obesity and provides a comprehensive critical review of the current available data on dosage adjustment of antibiotics in critically ill obese patients.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Expansive Clay under Drying–Wetting Cycle
Authors: Zang Meng , Tai Jun , Lu Haijun
Published: June 2023

Expansive clay is one of the most widely distributed soils in the world. Due to its rich content of strongly hydrophilic minerals—such as montmorillonite—expansive clay exhibits substantial swelling and shrinkage properties, and overconsolidation. The formation process of undisturbed expansive clay has a long and complicated geological history and innumerable drying–wetting cycles, resulting in the formation of special internal structures. In this study, the mud-to-natural-consolidation deposition process was simulated using a saturated mud-remolded sample preparation device, and then, mud-remolded soil under a certain consolidation pressure was prepared. Subsequently, the effects of the stress history and drying–wetting cycle on its mechanical properties and microstructure were examined through uniaxial consolidation compression experiments, K0 consolidation experiments, and pressure plate experiments of undisturbed soil, mud-remolded soil, and a drying–wetting cycle sample. The results showed that the mud-remolded soil completely broke the natural structure of the undisturbed soil, with the structural characteristics of the remolded soil being restored to a certain extent after the drying–wetting cycle. This not only reduced the void ratio of the soil sample, but also changed its compressibility and water retention characteristics, revealing the role of atmospheric drying–wetting cycles in the natural overconsolidation state of expansive clay and providing a theoretical basis for understanding their overconsolidation characteristics.
Effective Quantization Evaluation Method of Functional Movement Screening with Improved Gaussian Mixture Model
Authors: Hong Ruiwei , Xing Qingjun , Shen Yuanyuan , Shen Yanfei
Published: June 2023

Background: Functional movement screening (FMS) allows for the rapid assessment of an individual’s physical activity level and the timely detection of sports injury risk. However, traditional functional movement screening often requires on-site assessment by experts, which is time-consuming and prone to subjective bias. Therefore, the study of automated functional movement screening has become increasingly important. Methods: In this study, we propose an automated assessment method for FMS based on an improved Gaussian mixture model (GMM). First, the oversampling of minority samples is conducted, the movement features are manually extracted from the FMS dataset collected with two Azure Kinect depth sensors; then, we train the Gaussian mixture model with different scores (1 point, 2 points, 3 points) of feature data separately; finally, we conducted FMS assessment by using a maximum likelihood estimation. Results: The improved GMM has a higher scoring accuracy (improved GMM: 0.8) compared to other models (traditional GMM = 0.38, AdaBoost.M1 = 0.7, Naïve Bayes = 0.75), and the scoring results of improved GMM have a high level of agreement with the expert scoring (kappa = 0.67). Conclusions: The results show that the proposed method based on the improved Gaussian mixture model can effectively perform the FMS assessment task, and it is potentially feasible to use depth cameras for FMS assessment.
Electromagnetic Field Variation of ELF Near-Region Excited by HED in a Homogeneous Half-Space Model
Authors: Hu Sumou , Xie Hui , Ding Tao
Published: June 2023

Great attention has been paid to the propagation of electromagnetic (EM) waves across the sea surface due to its important applications. Most of the previous research, however, focuses on the half-space model illustrating the deep sea environment. In this paper, EM field distribution in the extremely low frequency (ELF) near-region under horizontal electric dipole (HED) excitation in homogeneous half-space seawater is analyzed based on the general expression of the Sommerfeld integral using the quasistatic approximation method. The focus is on deriving complete and effective solutions in air and seawater regions under the cylindrical coordinates for the EM near-field, which is generated by an HED in a shallow sea. The resulting formulas can be given by a few summands in closed form as the well-known Fourier–Bessel integrals. The analytical approximate expression of ELF Sommerfeld EM field integral excited by the HED in the homogeneous half-space seawater is deduced under the condition that the propagation distance ρ satisfies kρ << 1. To this end, the EM field distribution in the range close to the HED antenna in seawater is simulated, the results have shown that the minimum attenuation value of the vertical electric component Ez is about 15 dB, and that of the radical magnetic components Hφ is about 30 dB, and these values are found to be of greatest potential for the near-field region propagation among the electric and magnetic components. Finally, the correctness of the proposed method is verified by comparison with Pan’s approximation method and Margetis’s exact expression approximation method, which demonstrated the correctness of the proposed method.
β-Lactams and Ureas as Cross Inhibitors of Prokaryotic Systems
Authors: Konaklieva Monika I. , Plotkin Balbina J.
Published: June 2023

β-Lactams in the last thirty years have been viewed as universal acylating agents of serine and cysteine enzymes of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. More recently, their use has been propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, thus broadening their application as inhibitors of viral enzymes. The urea-based drugs have been extensively studied as inhibitors of the aforementioned enzymes. The focus of this review is the last decade’s drug discovery strategies, as well as new strategies that show utility in the expansion of β-lactams and ureas in the development of new antimicrobial and antiviral drugs.
Short-Term Exposure to PM10 and Black Carbon in Residential Microenvironments in Bragança, Portugal: A Case Study in Bedrooms, Living Rooms, and Kitchens
Authors: Cipoli Yago Alonso , Gamelas Carla Alexandra , Almeida Susana Marta , Feliciano Manuel , Alves Célia
Published: June 2023

Several studies have evaluated PM concentrations in single specific microenvironments as a measure of exposure in the entire house. In this study, PM10 was monitored at the same time in three microenvironments (bedroom, living room, and kitchen) from three dwellings located in a small inland town of the Iberian Peninsula to assess whether exposure varies significantly between them. Real-time optical instruments and low-volume gravimetric samplers were employed. A multi-wavelength absorption instrument was used to determine black carbon (BC) concentrations on the filters. The Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry Model (MPPD) was applied to evaluate the deposition of PM10 and BC in the airways of adults. For all dwellings, the highest PM10 concentrations were recorded in bedrooms (B1 = 22.7 µg m−3; B2 = 19.5 µg m−3; and B3 = 68.1 µg m−3). Houses 1 and 3 did not show significant differences between microenvironments. This did not happen in house 2, suggesting that ventilation is a determining factor for concentrations. BC originated mainly from fossil fuel emissions (90%), while biomass burning represented a minor contribution (10%). MPPD showed that PM10 is predominantly deposited in the head region (≥85% of the total dose), while BC is mainly deposited in the pulmonary region (14%). Higher doses were estimated for males than for females.
Study on the Layout of Public Space in Multistory Settlements Based on Outdoor Thermal Environment in Hot-Summer and Cold-Winter Regions of China
Authors: Ma Qian , Shi Lei , Shi Jiaqi , Liu Simian , Chen Mengjia , Zhang Fupeng
Published: June 2023

Residential public spaces are closely intertwined with residents’ lives as the outdoor thermal environment significantly influences the comfort and safety of outdoor activities. However, in modern designs, factors such as forms, aesthetics and functionalities often take precedence, resulting in the neglect of the microclimate of the settlement’s public spaces. In this paper, we established a workflow of “parametric simulation-performance simulation-genetic optimization”. By employing the octopus genetic algorithm tool, we conducted experiments on a typical model and set objectives to optimize the winter sunshine duration as well as the thermal comfort during the summer and winter. The results indicated that the average value of the UTCI was optimized for both the summer and winter. This study concludes that altering the layout of public spaces is beneficial for the outdoor microclimate. Additionally, the presence of evenly distributed open node spaces throughout the settlement can improve ventilation in all areas while also protecting it against the winter cold and the dissipation of summer heat. Moreover, it is advisable to position larger public spaces, such as plazas, in the south or southeast. The number of public spaces should gradually decrease in size from the southeast to northwest as this prevents excessive cold winds from traversing in the settlement during the winter.
Three-Dimensional Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Chinnasami Harish , Dey Mohan Kumar , Devireddy Ram
Published: June 2023

Immobilization using external or internal splints is a standard and effective procedure to treat minor skeletal fractures. In the case of major skeletal defects caused by extreme trauma, infectious diseases or tumors, the surgical implantation of a bone graft from external sources is required for a complete cure. Practical disadvantages, such as the risk of immune rejection and infection at the implant site, are high in xenografts and allografts. Currently, an autograft from the iliac crest of a patient is considered the “gold standard” method for treating large-scale skeletal defects. However, this method is not an ideal solution due to its limited availability and significant reports of morbidity in the harvest site (30%) as well as the implanted site (5–35%). Tissue-engineered bone grafts aim to create a mechanically strong, biologically viable and degradable bone graft by combining a three-dimensional porous scaffold with osteoblast or progenitor cells. The materials used for such tissue-engineered bone grafts can be broadly divided into ceramic materials (calcium phosphates) and biocompatible/bioactive synthetic polymers. This review summarizes the types of materials used to make scaffolds for cryo-preservable tissue-engineered bone grafts as well as the distinct methods adopted to create the scaffolds, including traditional scaffold fabrication methods (solvent-casting, gas-foaming, electrospinning, thermally induced phase separation) and more recent fabrication methods (fused deposition molding, stereolithography, selective laser sintering, Inkjet 3D printing, laser-assisted bioprinting and 3D bioprinting). This is followed by a short summation of the current osteochondrogenic models along with the required scaffold mechanical properties for in vivo applications. We then present a few results of the effects of freezing and thawing on the structural and mechanical integrity of PLLA scaffolds prepared by the thermally induced phase separation method and conclude this review article by summarizing the current regulatory requirements for tissue-engineered products.
An Air-Filled Bicycle Helmet for Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Mathon Bertrand , Duarte Rocha Valentin , Py Jean-Baptiste , Falcan Arnaud , Bergeret Timothée
Published: June 2023

We created a novel air-filled bicycle helmet. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the head injury mitigation performance of the proposed helmet and (ii) to compare those performance results against the performance results of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) traditional bicycle helmet. Two bicycle helmet types were subjected to impacts in guided vertical drop tests onto a flat anvil: EPS helmets and air-filled helmets (Bumpair). The maximum acceleration value recorded during the test on the Bumpair helmet was 86.76 ± 3.06 g, while the acceleration during the first shock on the traditional helmets reached 207.85 ± 5.55 g (p < 0.001). For the traditional helmets, the acceleration increased steadily over the number of shocks. There was a strong correlation between the number of impacts and the response of the traditional helmet (cor = 0.94; p < 0.001), while the Bumpair helmets showed a less significant dependence over time (cor = 0.36; p = 0.048), meaning previous impacts had a lower consequence. The air-filled helmet significantly reduced the maximal linear acceleration when compared to an EPS traditional helmet, showing improvements in impact energy mitigation, as well as in resistance to repeated impacts. This novel helmet concept could improve head injury mitigation in cyclists.
Protocol of the Long-COVID Patients Causal Diagnosis and Rehabilitation Randomized Feasibility Controlled Trial in Patients with Dysautonomia: The LoCoDiRe-Dys Study
Authors: Spaggoulakis Dimitrios , Kontaxakis Antonios , Asimakos Andreas , Spetsioti Stavroula , Antonoglou Archontoula , Gounopoulos Pantelis , Katsarou Martha , Iasonidou Helen , Gatzonis Stergios-Stylianos , Katsaounou Paraskevi
Published: June 2023

Dysautonomia in the post-COVID-19 condition appears to affect a significant number of patients, with reports raising the incidence up to 61%, having an overlap with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Quality of life and daily function are significantly impacted and conservative management interventions, despite the lack of high-quality evidence to date, are needed to ameliorate disability. A total of 50 adults with a dysautonomia post-COVID-19 diagnosis based on the Ewing battery and a NASA lean test will be enrolled in a randomized single blinded controlled trial with a crossover design. Feasibility and lack of definite dysautonomia diagnosis will be the primary outcomes, while secondary outcomes will be health-related, clinical and cardiopulmonary exercise test indicators. Safety and acceptance will also be checked, primarily excluding participants with post-exertional malaise. The Long-COVID patients Causal Diagnosis and Rehabilitation study in patients with Dysautonomia (LoCoDiRE-Dys) intervention will consist of an educational module, breathing retraining and an individualized exercise intervention of biweekly sessions for two months with regular assessment of both groups. LoCoDiRe-Dys aims to be the first post-COVID-19 randomized study in people with dysautonomia offering a multimodal intervention both in diagnosis and management. The need for evidence in effectively supporting patients is eminent.
Na+,K+-ATPase and Cardiotonic Steroids in Models of Dopaminergic System Pathologies
Authors: Markina Alisa A. , Kazanskaya Rogneda B. , Timoshina Julia A. , Zavialov Vladislav A. , Abaimov Denis A. , Volnova Anna B. , Fedorova Tatiana N. , Gainetdinov Raul R. , Lopachev Alexander V.
Published: June 2023

In recent years, enough evidence has accumulated to assert that cardiotonic steroids, Na+,K+-ATPase ligands, play an integral role in the physiological and pathophysiological processes in the body. However, little is known about the function of these compounds in the central nervous system. Endogenous cardiotonic steroids are involved in the pathogenesis of affective disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, which are linked to dopaminergic system dysfunction. Animal models have shown that the cardiotonic steroid ouabain induces mania-like behavior through dopamine-dependent intracellular signaling pathways. In addition, mutations in the alpha subunit of Na+,K+-ATPase lead to the development of neurological pathologies. Evidence from animal models confirms the neurological consequences of mutations in the Na+,K+-ATPase alpha subunit. This review is dedicated to discussing the role of cardiotonic steroids and Na+,K+-ATPase in dopaminergic system pathologies—both the evidence supporting their involvement and potential pathways along which they may exert their effects are evaluated. Since there is an association between affective disorders accompanied by functional alterations in the dopaminergic system and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, we extend our discussion to the role of Na+,K+-ATPase and cardiotonic steroids in neurodegenerative diseases as well.