bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linc2function: A Comprehensive Pipeline and Webserver for Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA) Identification and Functional Predictions Using Deep Learning Approaches
Authors: Ramakrishnaiah Yashpal , Morris Adam P. , Dhaliwal Jasbir , Philip Melcy , Kuhlmann Levin , Tyagi Sonika
Published: September 2023

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), comprising a significant portion of the human transcriptome, serve as vital regulators of cellular processes and potential disease biomarkers. However, the function of most lncRNAs remains unknown, and furthermore, existing approaches have focused on gene-level investigation. Our work emphasizes the importance of transcript-level annotation to uncover the roles of specific transcript isoforms. We propose that understanding the mechanisms of lncRNA in pathological processes requires solving their structural motifs and interactomes. A complete lncRNA annotation first involves discriminating them from their coding counterparts and then predicting their functional motifs and target bio-molecules. Current in silico methods mainly perform primary-sequence-based discrimination using a reference model, limiting their comprehensiveness and generalizability. We demonstrate that integrating secondary structure and interactome information, in addition to using transcript sequence, enables a comprehensive functional annotation. Annotating lncRNA for newly sequenced species is challenging due to inconsistencies in functional annotations, specialized computational techniques, limited accessibility to source code, and the shortcomings of reference-based methods for cross-species predictions. To address these challenges, we developed a pipeline for identifying and annotating transcript sequences at the isoform level. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the pipeline by comprehensively annotating the lncRNA associated with two specific disease groups. The source code of our pipeline is available under the MIT licensefor local use by researchers to make new predictions using the pre-trained models or to re-train models on new sequence datasets. Non-technical users can access the pipeline through a web server setup.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Alternative Splicing Events Responding to High Temperatures in Populus tomentosa Carr.
Authors: Wang Xue , Wang Yan , Wang Ruixue , Gong Longfeng , Wang Lei , Xu Jichen
Published: September 2023

Through alternative splicing (AS) processes, eukaryotic genes can generate a variety of transcription isoforms that lower the expression levels of the normal transcripts or result in diversity in the genes’ activities. Then, AS plays a significant role in the control of plant development and stress tolerance. In this study, we analyzed Populus tomentosa Carr. TC1521’s AS episodes in response to high temperatures. The samples treated at 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C, and 40 °C produced a total of 10,418, 11,202, 9947, and 14,121 AS events, respectively, which responded to 4105, 4276, 4079, and 4915 genes, respectively, representing 9.84%, 10.25%, 9.78%, and 11.78% of the total number of transcribed genes, respectively. The most common AS pattern, accounting for 42.31% to 51.00% of all AS events, was intron retention (IR), followed by exon skipping (ES), which accounted for 9.14% to 10.23% of all AS events. respectively. According to sequence characterization, AS was negatively correlated with guanine-cytosine content (GC content) but favorably correlated with intron length, exon number, exon length, and gene transcription level. Compared to treatment at 25 °C, 2001 distinct AS genes were discovered at 40 °C. They were primarily enriched in the RNA degradation pathway and the valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation route, according to (gene ontology) GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. These findings demonstrated how the AS process might be severely impacted by high temperatures. In addition, the information on AS isoforms helped us comprehend stress-resistance mechanisms in new ways and completed molecular design breeding.
Investigation of Spectroscopic Peculiarities of Ergot-Infected Winter Wheat Grains
Authors: Pankin Dmitrii , Povolotckaia Anastasia , Borisov Eugene , Povolotskiy Alexey , Borzenko Sergey , Gulyaev Anatoly , Gerasimenko Stanislav , Dorochov Alexey , Khamuev Viktor , Moskovskiy Maksim
Published: September 2023

Wheat has played an important role in human agriculture since ancient times. Increasing rates of processed wheat product fabrication require more and more laboratory studies of product quality. This, in turn, requires the use, in production and in field conditions, of sufficiently accurate, fast and relatively low-cost quality control methods, including the detection of fungal diseases. One of the most widespread fungal diseases of wheat in the world is ergot caused by the fungi genus Claviceps. Optical methods are promising for this disease identification due to the relative ease of implementation and the possibility of performing fast analyses in large volumes. However, for application in practice, it is necessary to identify and substantiate characteristic spectral markers that make it possible to judge the sample contamination. In this regard, within the framework of this study, the methods of IR absorption spectroscopy in the MIR region and reflection spectroscopy in the UV-vis-NIR ranges, as well as luminescence spectroscopy, were used to study ergot-infected grains of winter wheat of the “Moskovskaya 56” cultivar. To justify the choice of the most specific spectral ranges, the methods of chemometric analysis with supervised classification, namely PCA-LDA and PCA-SVM, were applied. The possibility of separating infected grains according to the IR absorption, reflection spectra in the UV-vis-NIR ranges and visible luminescence spectra was tested.
Exploring Strategies to Mitigate the Lightness Effect on the Prediction of Soybean Oil Content in Blends of Olive and Avocado Oil Using Smartphone Digital Image Colorimetry
Authors: de Carvalho Isabella Marques , da Silva Mutz Yhan , Machado Amanda Cristina Gomes , de Lima Santos Amanda Aparecida , Magalhães Elisângela Jaqueline , Nunes Cleiton Antônio
Published: September 2023

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and avocado oil (AVO) are recognized for their unique sensory characteristics and bioactive compounds. Declared blends with other vegetable oils are legal, but undeclared mixing is a common type of fraud that can affect product quality and commercialization. In this sense, this study explored strategies to mitigate the influence of lighting in order to make digital image colorimetry (DIC) using a smartphone more robust and reliable for predicting the soybean oil content in EVOO and AVO blends. Calibration models were obtained by multiple linear regression using the images’ RGB values. Corrections based on illuminance and white reference were evaluated to mitigate the lightness effect and improve the method’s robustness and generalization capability. Lastly, the prediction of the built model from data obtained using a distinct smartphone was assessed. The results showed models with good predictive capacities, R2 > 0.9. Generally, models solely based on GB values showed better predictive performances. The illuminance corrections and blank subtraction improved the predictions of EVOO and AVO samples, respectively, for image acquisition from distinct smartphones and lighting conditions as evaluated by external validation. It was concluded that adequate data preprocessing enables DIC using a smartphone to be a reliable method for analyzing oil blends, minimizing the effects of variability in lighting and imaging conditions and making it a potential technique for oil quality assurance.
A New Method of Extracting Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharide with Antioxidant Function: Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction-Deep Eutectic Solvents Method
Authors: Sun Chaoqun , Wang Guodong , Sun Jing , Yin Jiyong , Huang Jian , Li Zizi , Mu Di , He Menglu , Liu Tingting , Cheng Jiali , Du Hanchen , Chen Yan , Qu Wenjie
Published: September 2023

Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharide (PsP) with antioxidant function is the main active component of Polygonatum sibiricum (P.sibiricum). The currently poor extraction yield and extraction methods of PsP cannot meet the application of that in food industrial production. In this research, an ultrasound-assisted extraction-deep eutectic solvents (UAE-DESs) method, which has never been used in the PsP industry, was first used to extract PsP. The extraction conditions were optimized by the response surface method (RSM). Both the extraction yield and antioxidant function were simultaneously considered during the optimization process. The indicators of PsP’s level and antioxidant activity in vitro were used to present the extraction yield of the UAE-DESs method, the purity, and the antioxidant effect of PsP. Under the optimal conditions, which included a liquid–solid ratio of 26:1 (mL:g), extraction temperature of 80 °C, ultrasonic time of 51 min, and ultrasonic power of 82 W, the PsP extraction yield could reach (43.61 ± 0.09)%, which was obviously higher than single DESs (33.81%) and UAE (5.83%), respectively, and the PsP appeared favorably antioxidant function. This research proposed an efficient extraction method for PsP, filled the basic research gap, and further improved the development of PsP as a dietary supplement with antioxidant function in the food industry.
The Lambousa (Cyprus) Fishtank in a Quasi-Stable Coastal Area of the Eastern Mediterranean, a Notable Marker for Testing GIA Models
Authors: Antonioli Fabrizio , Furlani Stefano , Spada Giorgio , Melini Daniele , Zomeni Zomenia
Published: September 2023

The Lambousa fishtank, an archaeological structure entirely carved in bedrock, can be easily recognized and measured in the plan on Google Earth (GE). We surveyed in situ this excellent archaeological marker in 2016 through direct measurements using traditional field instruments, such as metric tapes and invar rods, and terrestrial photogrammetry using Structure from Motion (SfM) methods. The bedrock on which the fishtank is founded is an Upper Pleistocene calcarenite also containing Persistrombus latus. The age of the studied fishtank has not been previously published, but on the basis of the construction technique and the interpretation provided by Archaelogist and references therein, we believe that it was built in the period between 2.1 and 1.8 ka BP, like similar fishtanks in the Mediterranean area. Architectural structures consist of evident foot walks (Crepido), a stone base, and a tunnel that allows for seawater exchange during high tides. The tunnel is at the same altitude as the Crepido, which lies around the fishtank. These architectural components allow us to evaluate the palaeo-sea level with significant precision during the time when the fishtank was active. MIS 5.5 coastal deposits that outcrop in the study area are located at a maximum altitude of a few meters, while the inner margin of the MIS 5.5 terrace allows us to hypothesize “quasi-tectonic stability”. We have also obtained several predictions of the contribution from Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) to relative sea level at Lambousa for the past 3.5 kyr, according to models ICE-6G (VM5a), ICE-7G (VM7), and one of the GIA models by the Australian National University ANU) Research group.
Metallosis after Hip Arthroplasty Damages Skeletal Muscle: A Case Report
Authors: Bonanni Roberto , Abbondante Lorenzo , Cariati Ida , Gasbarra Elena , Tarantino Umberto
Published: September 2023

Good musculoskeletal quality dramatically influences the outcome of an arthroplasty operation in geriatric patients, as well as is a key element for optimal osseointegration. In this context, metallosis is a complication associated with the type of prosthesis used, as implants with a chromium–cobalt interface are known to alter the bone microarchitecture and reduce the ratio of muscle to fat, resulting in lipid accumulation. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate possible muscle changes by histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses in a patient undergoing hip replacement revision with elevated blood and urinary concentrations of chromium and cobalt. Interestingly, the muscle tissue showed significant structural changes and a massive infiltration of adipose tissue between muscle fibers in association with an altered expression pattern of important biomarkers of musculoskeletal health and oxidative stress, such as myostatin and NADPH Oxidase 4. Overall, our results confirm the very serious impact of metallosis on musculoskeletal health, suggesting the need for further studies to adopt a diagnostic approach to identify the cause of metallosis early and eliminate it as part of the prosthesis revision surgery.
The Cost and the Value of Stroke Care in Greece: Results from the SUN4P Study
Authors: Siskou Olga , Galanis Petros , Konstantakopoulou Olympia , Stafylas Panagiotis , Karagkouni Iliana , Tsampalas Evangelos , Garefou Dafni , Alexopoulou Helen , Gamvroula Anastasia , Lypiridou Maria , Kalliontzakis Ioannis , Fragkoulaki Anastasia , Kouridaki Aspasia , Tountopoulou Argyro , Kouzi Ioanna , Vassilopoulou Sofia , Manios Efstathios , Mavraganis Georgios , Vemmou Anastasia , Karagkiozi Efstathia , Savopoulos Christos , Dimas Gregorios , Myrou Athina , Milionis Haralampos , Siopis Georgios , Evaggelou Hara , Protogerou Athanasios , Samara Stamatina , Karapiperi Asteria , Kakaletsis Nikolaos , Papastefanatos George , Papastefanatos Stefanos , Sourtzi Panayota , Ntaios George , Vemmos Konstantinos , Korompoki Eleni , Kaitelidou Daphne
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to measure the one-year total cost of strokes and to investigate the value of stroke care, defined as cost per QALY. The study population included 892 patients with first-ever acute strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, and ischemic strokes, (ICD-10 codes: I61, I63, and I64) admitted within 48 h of symptoms onset to nine public hospitals located in six cities. We conducted a bottom-up cost analysis from the societal point of view. All cost components including direct medical costs, productivity losses due to morbidity and mortality, and informal care costs were considered. We used an annual time horizon, including all costs for 2021, irrespective of the time of disease onset. The average cost (direct and indirect) was extrapolated in order to estimate the national annual burden associated with stroke. We estimated the total cost of stroke in Greece at EUR 343.1 mil. a year in 2021, (EUR 10,722/patient or EUR 23,308 per QALY). Out of EUR 343.1 mil., 53.3% (EUR 182.9 mil.) consisted of direct healthcare costs, representing 1.1% of current health expenditure in 2021. Overall, productivity losses were calculated at EUR 160.2 mil. The mean productivity losses were estimated to be 116 work days with 55.1 days lost due to premature retirement and absenteeism from work, 18.5 days lost due to mortality, and 42.4 days lost due to informal caregiving by family members. This study highlights the burden of stroke and underlines the need for stakeholders and policymakers to re-organize stroke care and promote interventions that have been proven cost-effective.
The Relationship between MZ Generation Screen Golf Participants’ Participation Motivation, Self-Esteem, and Psychological Happiness
Authors: Lee Hyeon Jae , Yang Ji-Hye , Bum Chul-Ho
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze and clarify the relationship between the MZ generation’s participation motivation in screen golf, self-esteem, and psychological happiness. To reach the goals of this study, 300 MZ generation screen golf participants were selected for this study. Accordingly, a questionnaire was distributed and 275 questionnaires were used for this study, excluding the answers that were omitted or unfaithful. SPSS Version 29.0 was used to show the frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis of the research. The results of this study are as follows. First, it was found that the participation motivation of MZ generation screen golf participants had significant effects on positive self-esteem. Second, it was found that the participation motivation of MZ generation screen golf participants had significant effects on negative self-esteem. Third, it was found that the participation motivation of MZ generation screen golf participants had significant effects on psychological happiness. Fourth, it was found that the self-esteem of MZ generation screen golf participants had significant effects on psychological happiness. This study shows how to screen golf as part of a healthy leisure culture for the MZ generation and can enhance its psychological factors.
Parent-Reported Child and Parent Quality of Life during COVID-19 Testing at an Australian Paediatric Hospital Outpatient Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Brusco Natasha K. , Danchin Margie , Watts Jennifer J. , Jos Carol , Loughnan Myles , Williams Tria , Ratcliffe Julie , Hoq Monsurul , Tosif Shidan , Kaufman Jessica
Published: September 2023

Globally, we have seen a drop in adult and child quality of life (QOL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about adult or child QOL during the height of the pandemic in Australia and the impact of government-imposed restrictions, specifically attending school on-site versus home schooling. Our study aimed to establish if QOL in children and parents presenting to a Respiratory Infection Clinic in Victoria, Australia, for COVID-19 PCR testing differed from pre-pandemic population norms. We also explored whether on-site versus home schooling further impacted QOL. Following the child’s test and prior to receiving results, consenting parents of children aged 6 to 17 years old completed the Child Health Utility 9 Dimension (CHU9D) instrument on their child’s behalf. Parents of children aged birth to five years completed the EuroQOL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) instrument on their own behalf (cross-sectional study). Data analyses utilised quantile regression, adjusting for the child’s age, COVID-19 symptoms, gender and chronic health conditions. From July 2020 to November 2021, 2025 parents completed the CHU9D; the mean age for children was 8.41 years (±3.63 SD), and 48.4 per cent were female (n = 980/2025). In the same time period, 5751 parents completed the EQ-5D-5L; the mean age for children was 2.78 years (±1.74 SD), and 52.2 per cent were female (n = 3002/5751). Results showed that QOL scores were lower than pre-pandemic norms for 68 per cent of the CHU9D group and 60 per cent of the EQ-5D-5L group. Comparing periods of on-site to home schooling, there was no difference between the median QOL scores for both CHU9D (0.017, 95% CI −0.05 to 0.01) and EQ-5D-5L (0.000, 95% CI −0.002 to 0.002). Our large-scale study found that while QOL was reduced for children and parents at the point of COVID-19 testing during the pandemic, differing levels of government-imposed restrictions did not further impact QOL. These unique insights will inform decision-making in relation to COVID-19 and future pandemics.
Unveiling the Effectiveness of Innovative Commercial Coatings Used for the Preservation of Natural Stone—A Contribution
Authors: Dias Luís , Nunes Ricardo , Costa Mafalda , Caldeira Ana Teresa , Mirão José , Barrulas Pedro
Published: September 2023

The preservation of natural stone heritage is still a major challenge for the scientific community. This topic assumes a greater importance since it impacts economic and socio-cultural values. Recent research has indicated that water action and microorganism activity are among the major contributors to the deterioration of this material. Despite the emergence of new protective solutions in the market, some constraints still need to be overcome. This study aims to contribute to unveiling the effectiveness of innovative commercial coatings on the preservation of natural stone frequently used in built heritage. Four different commercial coatings are assessed regarding their compatibility with the substrata and effectiveness against UV radiation, water action, and microbial development under accelerated ageing. The protective solutions are tested on five different Portuguese lithotypes, including carbonate and silicate-based stones. Colour change is measured to assess compatibility, while profilometric change of the stones’ surface and antimicrobial potential are evaluated to determine their effectiveness. Our research demonstrates that the solution that exhibits the greatest compatibility and effectiveness potential is composed of modified silanes and siloxanes derivatives.
Athletic Trainers’ Perceptions of Responsibilities and Use of Psychosocial Interventions for Patients Following an ACL Injury
Authors: Matthews Joshua K. , De Koker Kayleigh A. , Winkelmann Zachary K.
Published: September 2023

Following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, mental health challenges are often concomitant with the injury and rehabilitation process. Athletic trainers are essential components within the healthcare team who should be trained in recognizing, referring, and managing mental health issues. However, more research is needed on the athletic trainer's responsibility regarding psychosocial interventions and their role within ACL patients. Our descriptive study included 153 collegiate athletic trainers who reported on previous training and responsibilities related to mental health. Of these participants, 98% reported caring for an ACL patient within the last year. The participants were further asked to explore what behavioral responses were observed within ACL injury patients, the specific psychosocial interventions deployed, the frequency of integration, and whether a referral to another provider was utilized. We identified that athletic trainers share a strong understanding of their perceived roles, with 99.3% of participants stating the obligatory feeling to support ACL patients experiencing mental health challenges and implementing personalized rehabilitation (74%) and attainable goals (70%) while also keeping the athlete involved in the team (72%). Our data suggest that athletic trainers recognize their role and continue to integrate psychosocial strategies throughout the ACL injury process.
Effect of Non-Native Endophytic Bacteria on Oat (Avena sativa L.) Growth
Authors: Ghimire Krishna , Peta Vincent , Bücking Heike , Caffe Melanie
Published: September 2023

Endophytic bacteria are known to influence vital activities of host plants. Endophytes can promote plant growth and provide a defense response against pathogens. The use of endophytes in crop production has the potential to reduce the application of fertilizer and pesticide input and thus improve the sustainability of crop production. In this study, we investigated the effects of seed inoculation with non-native endophytic bacteria, harvested from Brassica carinata, on oat (Avena sativa L.) growth with root vigor assays and greenhouse experiments. For root vigor assay experiments, seeds of two different oat cultivars were treated with 16 endophytic bacteria previously shown to promote growth benefits on multiple crop species. For the greenhouse experiments, the effect of seed inoculation with bacterial isolates was evaluated on ten oat cultivars at two fertilization levels. The root vigor assay showed that multiple isolates, including Bacillus licheniformis, Enterobacter kobei, B. halotolerans, B. cereus, B. aryabhattai, and Lysinibacillus fusiformis, had a positive effect on seedling root growth in one of the two oat cultivars. In the other cultivar, the bacterial isolates had either no effect or a negative effect on root growth. Greenhouse studies showed that the magnitude and direction of the effect of bacterial inoculation on oat growth varied with fertilization levels, bacterial strain, and oat cultivar. However, we identified two cultivars that were more responsive to bacterial inoculation than the others and for which bacterial inoculation of seed resulted in enhanced growth in several traits under both reduced and full nitrogen levels, and this response was observed for the two isolates tested. Our results show that inoculating oat seeds with non-native bacterial endophytes can promote root and shoot growth in oats. Developing biofertilizers that are effective across crop species, crop cultivars, and environmental conditions may be possible if cultivars are selected for their responsiveness across multiple bacterial isolates and in multiple growing environments. Overall, this study indicates that non-native endophytes could be considered for the development of biofertilizers with effectiveness across crop species.
Evaluation of 60 GHz Wireless Connectivity for an Automated Warehouse Suitable for Industry 4.0
Authors: Gulia Rahul , Vashist Abhishek , Ganguly Amlan , Hochgraf Clark , Kuhl Michael E.
Published: September 2023

The fourth industrial revolution focuses on the digitization and automation of supply chains resulting in a significant transformation of methods for goods production and delivery systems. To enable this, automated warehousing is demanding unprecedented vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication rates and reliability. The 60 GHz frequency band can deliver multi-gigabit/second data rates to satisfy the increasing demands of network connectivity by smart warehouses. In this paper, we aim to investigate the network connectivity in the 60 GHz millimeter-wave band inside an automated warehouse. A key hindrance to robust and high-speed network connectivity, especially, at mmWave frequencies stems from numerous non-line-of-sight (nLOS) paths in the transmission medium due to various interacting objects such as metal shelves and storage boxes. The continual change in the warehouse storage configuration significantly affects the multipath reflected components and shadow fading effects, thus adding complexity to establishing stable, yet fast, network coverage. In this study, network connectivity in an automated warehouse is analyzed at 60 GHz using Network Simulator-3 (NS-3) channel simulations. We examine a simple warehouse model with several metallic shelves and storage materials of standard proportions. Our investigation indicates that the indoor warehouse network performance relies on the line-of-sight and nLOS propagation paths, the existence of reflective materials, and the autonomous material handling agents present around the access point (AP). In addition, we discuss the network performance under varied conditions including the AP height and storage materials on the warehouse shelves. We also analyze the network performance in each aisle of the warehouse in addition to its SINR heatmap to understand the 60 GHz network connectivity.
Reevaluating Symbiotic Digestion in Cockroaches: Unveiling the Hindgut’s Contribution to Digestion in Wood-Feeding Panesthiinae (Blaberidae)
Authors: Schwarz Melbert , Tokuda Gaku , Osaki Haruka , Mikaelyan Aram
Published: September 2023

Cockroaches of the subfamily Panesthiinae (family Blaberidae) are among the few major groups of insects feeding on decayed wood. Despite having independently evolved the ability to thrive on this recalcitrant and nitrogen-limited resource, they are among the least studied of all wood-feeding insect groups. In the pursuit of unraveling their unique digestive strategies, we explored cellulase and xylanase activity in the crop, midgut, and hindgut lumens of Panesthia angustipennis and Salganea taiwanensis. Employing Percoll density gradient centrifugation, we further fractionated luminal fluid to elucidate how the activities in the gut lumen are further partitioned. Our findings challenge conventional wisdom, underscoring the significant contribution of the hindgut, which accounts for approximately one-fifth of cellulase and xylanase activity. Particle-associated enzymes, potentially of bacterial origin, dominate hindgut digestion, akin to symbiotic strategies observed in select termites and passalid beetles. Our study sheds new light on the digestive prowess of panesthiine cockroaches, providing invaluable insights into the evolution of wood-feeding insects and their remarkable adaptability to challenging, nutrient-poor substrates.
Endovascular Revascularisation versus Open Surgery with Prosthetic Bypass for Femoro-Popliteal Lesions in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Zenunaj Gladiol , Acciarri Pierfilippo , Baldazzi Giulia , Cosacco Alessio , Gasbarro Vincenzo , Traina Luca
Published: September 2023

Aim: Complex atherosclerotic femoro-popliteal lesions have traditionally been treated with bypass surgery. A prosthetic graft is used to save the vein graft for more distal revascularisations or when a vein graft is unavailable. The endovascular approach has gained popularity and is offered as a first-line strategy for complex lesions. This study aimed to evaluate whether endovascular procedures can be used as a first-line treatment strategy for complex native femoro-popliteal lesions over open surgery with prosthetic bypass in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Methods: This single-centre retrospective observational study was conducted between 2013 and 2021; it included patients with symptomatic PAD who required limb revascularisation at the femoro-popliteal segment and who had complex lesions. The primary endpoints analysed were technical success, primary patency, freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularisation (cdTLR), freedom from major adverse limb and cardiovascular events (MALE and MACE, respectively), freedom from limb loss, and survival. The secondary endpoints were length of in-hospital stay, and duration and costs of the procedure. Results: We identified 185 limbs among 174 suitable candidates for comparison, wherein 105 were treated with an endovascular procedure and 80 with a femoro-popliteal prosthetic bypass. Most patients in both groups presented with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia, and >90% of them had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of >3. The endovascular group had more octogenarians (p = 0.02) and patients with coronary disease (p = 0.004). The median follow-up was 30 months. The technical failure rate for endovascular procedures was 4.7%, versus 0% in the open group (p = 0.047). Freedom from MACE was similar in both groups. The endovascular group showed superior primary patency (p < 0.0001), cdTLR (p < 0.0001), MALE (p < 0.0001), and freedom from limb loss (p = 0.0018) at 24 and 48 months. Further analysis performed for the open above-the-knee sub-group showed that the aforementioned endpoints were similar between the groups at 12 months and were better in the endovascular group at 24 and 48 months. Procedural time and in-hospital stay were longer in the open group than in the endovascular group (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The procedural cost in the endovascular group was 10-fold lower than that in the prosthetic bypass group. Conclusions: Endovascular procedures are safe for treating complex femoro-popliteal lesions in patients at a high risk for surgery and show better outcomes at 24 months than prosthetic bypasses do. The latter may be considered as an alternative should endovascular treatment fail.
Clinicopathologic Features, Genetics, Treatment, and Long-Term Outcomes in Japanese Children and Young Adults with Benign Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholestasis: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Kato Ken , Umetsu Shuichiro , Togawa Takao , Ito Koichi , Kawabata Takayoshi , Arinaga-Hino Teruko , Tsumura Naoya , Yasuda Ryosuke , Mihara Yutaro , Kusano Hironori , Ito Shogo , Imagawa Kazuo , Hayashi Hisamitsu , Inui Ayano , Yamashita Yushiro , Mizuochi Tatsuki
Published: September 2023

Background: Few reports of benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) have focused on East Asian patients. We describe the clinicopathologic features, genetics, treatment, and outcomes in Japanese BRIC patients. Methods: We recruited patients with BRIC type 1 (BRIC-1) or 2 (BRIC-2) treated at four pediatric centers and one adult center between April 2007 and March 2022. Demographics, clinical course, laboratory results, molecular genetic findings concerning ATP8B1 and ABCB11 genes, histopathology, and treatment response were examined retrospectively. Results: Seven Japanese patients with BRIC were enrolled (four male, three female; four BRIC-1 and three BRIC-2). The median age at onset for BRIC-1 was 12 years; for BRIC-2, it was 1 month. Intermittent cholestatic attacks numbered from one to eight during the 11 years of median follow-up. Six patients received a mainstream education; only one patient attended special education. None developed cirrhosis. Three with BRIC-1 showed compound heterozygosity for a variant ATP8B1 gene, while one was heterozygous; two BRIC-2 patients showed compound heterozygosity in ABCB11 and one was heterozygous. Liver biopsy specimens obtained during cholestatic attacks showed fibrosis varying from none to moderate; inflammation was absent or mild. Rifampicin administered to three patients for cholestatic attacks was effective in all, as was cholestyramine in two of three. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first East Asian multicenter study of BRIC patients. Onset age and number of cholestatic attacks varied. Rifampicin and cholestyramine were effective against attacks. No patient developed cirrhosis; most had normal growth and development. The long-term outcomes were satisfactory.
Jumping Mechanography: Reference Centiles in Childhood and Introduction of the Nerve–Muscle Index to Quantify Motor Efficiency
Authors: Martakis Kyriakos , Alexy Ute , Stark Christina , Hahn Andreas , Rawer Rainer , Duran Ibrahim , Schönau Eckhard
Published: September 2023

Jumping mechanography provides robust motor function indicators among children. The study aim was to develop centiles for the single 2-leg jump (S2LJ) in German children and adolescents and to identify differences in children with obesity. Data were collected in 2004–2021 through the German DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) study. All participants (6–18 years, mean age 11.4) performed annually an S2LJ aiming for maximum height on a Ground Reaction Force Platform. LMS (lambda-mu-sigma), including resampling, was used to develop centiles for velocity (vmax), jump height (hmax), relative force (Fmax/BW), relative power (Pmax/mass), impulse asymmetry and a new parameter to describe jump efficiency, the Nerve–Muscle Index (NMI), defined as vmax/(Fmax/BW). Data from 882 children and adolescents were analyzed (3062 measurements, median 3 per individual). In females, Fmax/BW values were higher in younger age but remained constant in adolescence. vmax, hmax and Pmax/mass increased in childhood, reaching a plateau in adolescence. In males, vmax, hmax and Pmax/mass showed a constant increase and the Fmax/BW remained lower. Children with obesity showed lower Fmax/BW, hmax, vmax and the NMI, hence, lower velocity per relative force unit and less efficient jump. The centiles should be used to monitor motor development in childhood. The NMI is a surrogate for motor efficiency.
Additive Manufacturing in Australian Small to Medium Enterprises: Vat Polymerisation Techniques, Case Study and Pathways to Industry 4.0 Competitiveness
Authors: Rooney Kimberley , Dong Yu , Pramanik Alokesh , Basak Animesh Kumar
Published: September 2023

The advent of additive manufacturing (AM) in Australian small and medium-sized enterprises offers the direct benefits of time-saving and labour cost-effectiveness for Australian manufacturing to be highly competitive in global markets. Australian local businesses can tailor their products to a diverse range of customers with a quicker lead time on the sophisticated design and development of products under good quality control in the whole advanced manufacturing process. This review outlines typical AM techniques used in Australian manufacturing, which consist of vat polymerisation (VP), environmentally friendly AM, and multi-material AM. In particular, a practical case study was also highlighted in the Australian jewellery industry to demonstrate how manufacturing style is integrated into their manufacturing processes for the purpose of reducing lead time and cost. Finally, major obstacles encountered in AM and future prospects were also addressed to be well positioned as a key player in the revolutionised Industry 4.0.
From Admission to Discharge: Predicting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Progression in Stroke Patients Using Biomarkers and Explainable Machine Learning
Authors: Gkantzios Aimilios , Kokkotis Christos , Tsiptsios Dimitrios , Moustakidis Serafeim , Gkartzonika Elena , Avramidis Theodoros , Tripsianis Gregory , Iliopoulos Ioannis , Aggelousis Nikolaos , Vadikolias Konstantinos
Published: September 2023

As a result of social progress and improved living conditions, which have contributed to a prolonged life expectancy, the prevalence of strokes has increased and has become a significant phenomenon. Despite the available stroke treatment options, patients frequently suffer from significant disability after a stroke. Initial stroke severity is a significant predictor of functional dependence and mortality following an acute stroke. The current study aims to collect and analyze data from the hyperacute and acute phases of stroke, as well as from the medical history of the patients, in order to develop an explainable machine learning model for predicting stroke-related neurological deficits at discharge, as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). More specifically, we approached the data as a binary task problem: improvement of NIHSS progression vs. worsening of NIHSS progression at discharge, using baseline data within the first 72 h. For feature selection, a genetic algorithm was applied. Using various classifiers, we found that the best scores were achieved from the Random Forest (RF) classifier at the 15 most informative biomarkers and parameters for the binary task of the prediction of NIHSS score progression. RF achieved 91.13% accuracy, 91.13% recall, 90.89% precision, 91.00% f1-score, 8.87% FNrate and 4.59% FPrate. Those biomarkers are: age, gender, NIHSS upon admission, intubation, history of hypertension and smoking, the initial diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and atrial fibrillation, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, stroke localization, systolic blood pressure levels, as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels upon admission and the onset of respiratory infection. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) model interpreted the impact of the selected features on the model output. Our findings suggest that the aforementioned variables may play a significant role in determining stroke patients’ NIHSS progression from the time of admission until their discharge.
Soil Carbon and Biochemical Indicators of Soil Quality as Affected by Different Conservation Agricultural and Weed Management Options
Authors: Singh Gobinder , Sharma Kuldeep Raj , Bhatt Rajan , Singh Jagdeep , Wani Owais Ali , Dewidar Ahmed Z. , Mattar Mohamed A.
Published: September 2023

Burning of agricultural residues, cultivation of single crop varieties such as rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and traditional soil tillage practices collectively contribute to the degradation of environmental quality, water systems, and soil resources. To address these issues, conservation agriculture (CA)-based crop management practice has emerged as one of the viable options. The current study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effect of CA and weed management (WM) practices on carbon dynamics and biochemical properties of soil. The experiment included two factors, viz., CA and WM practices. The CA levels vary from conventional agriculture to partial CA (pCA1, pCA2, and pCA3) and full CA, while WM had three levels consisting of chemical control, integrated weed management, and weedy check. The results demonstrated that soil organic carbon (SOC) under the full CA treatment, was 30.6, 23.5, and 20.6 percent higher than conventional agriculture (T1), partial CA1, and partial CA2 practices, respectively. Similarly, labile fractions of carbon, KMnO4-C MBC, WSOC, and POC, in full CA increased by 46.3, 52.3, 152.4, and 15.6 percent, respectively, over conventional agriculture. Nonetheless, the total organic carbon exhibited no significant impact. The highest SOC stock was sequestered under full CA treatment, which was higher by 26.5 to 40.6 per cent than the rest of the CA treatments. Among biological properties, full CA resulted in 104.3 and 40.6 percent higher dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity than conventional agriculture. The impact of weed management practices was significant for KMnO4-C, with very labile carbon and alkaline phosphatase activity only in the surface soil layer. Soil quality index (SQI) followed the decreasing order as full CA (0.94) > partial CA3 (0.88) > partial CA2 (0.78) partial CA1 (0.77) > conventional agriculture (0.67) under different CA treatments, whereas WM followed herbicide (0.82) > weedy check (0.81) > IWM (0.80). The current study offered incredible information on soil carbon and biological indicators to monitor soil quality changes in rice–wheat cropping systems in response to conservation agriculture practices.
A CA–Markov-Based Simulation and Prediction of LULC Changes over the Nyabarongo River Basin, Rwanda
Authors: Gasirabo Aboubakar , Xi Chen , Hamad Baligira R. , Edovia Umwali Dufatanye
Published: September 2023

Over the past few decades, the growth of population and the development of the economy have had a significant impact on the way land is used and covered (LULC) in the Nile Nyabarongo River basin. However, there is limited knowledge about the patterns of land use and the mechanisms that drive changes in these patterns because of human activities. Therefore, it is crucial to examine how land use and cover are shifting in this area, identify the factors responsible for these changes, and forecast future patterns. This study sought (1) to evaluate the changes in LULC from 1990 to 2020 and (2) to predict future fluctuations until 2060. By analyzing the LULC data for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, this study simulated the future LULC patterns of the area for the next 30 years using the LULC transition matrix and the Markov chain model. The study classified the LULC into five categories: forestland, grassland, cropland, settlement, and water. The results revealed that there will be significant changes in the LULC of the study area from 2030 to 2060. The forest area is projected to decrease by 801.7 km, 771.6 km, and 508.2 km, while the cropland area will expand by 6307.2 km, 6249.2 km, and 6420.6 km during this period. The grassland area will experience a small increase of 761.1 km, 802.4 km, and 859.1 km, and the settlement area will also grow by 355.2 km, 407.4 km, and 453.2 km. In contrast, the water area will decrease by 55.9 km, 50.5 km, and 40 km. The ongoing pattern of LULCC is expected to persist over the next three decades, with an increase in cropland area and grassland. This study’s findings can provide valuable insights for land use planners and water resource managers in developing fair land use and water resource management policies for the entire region, enabling them to make well-informed decisions.
Steady-State Temperature Field and Rolling Resistance Characteristics of Low-Speed and Low-Load Capacity Non-Pneumatic Tires
Authors: Liu Shuo , Liu Weidong , Zhou Shen , Li Xiujuan , Zhang Qiushi
Published: September 2023

Rolling resistance (RR) is key research content for developing low-carbon energy-saving tires, and the resultant change in the tire temperature field exerts a crucial impact on tire performance. Currently, there is no accurate and systematic analysis method for solving the steady-state temperature field (SSTF) and RR of tires with complex patterns and non-pneumatic tires (NPTs), which are characterized by discontinuous structure in the circumferential direction. A solution strategy that entails SSTF and RR based on explicit transient rolling analysis and thermal-mechanical coupling is proposed and its accuracy is verified using the SSTF test pertaining to the low-speed and low-load capacity non-pneumatic tire (LSL-tire), which exhibits a 7.56% and 6.94% average temperature deviation for the outer surface center of the tread and for the outer surface center of spokes, respectively. Uniaxial tensile mechanical property tests and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the utilized rubber and polyurethane (PU) materials were conducted, and their specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and density were tested. Based on three-dimensional nonlinear finite element simulation and considering the characteristics pertaining to the loss factor of viscoelastic materials changing with temperature, the SSTF and RR of the LSL-tire under different loads and velocities were analyzed. The results indicate that the influence of load and speed on the SSTF of LSL-tire is quite significant, whereas the influence of speed on the RR is not apparent. For all conditions, the highest steady-state temperature points of the tread are located in its center, and in the spokes they are located in the joint between spokes and the outer ring; the spokes contribute the most to the RR, followed by the tread.
Embedding of Unimodular Row Vectors
Authors: Wu Tao , Liu Jinwang , Guan Jiancheng
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we mainly study the embedding problem of unimodular row vectors, focusing on avoiding the identification of polynomial zeros. We investigate the existence of the minimal syzygy module of the ZLP polynomial matrix and demonstrate that the minimal syzygy module has structural properties that are similar to the fundamental solution system of homogeneous linear equations found in linear algebra. Finally, we provide several embedding methods for unimodular vectors in certain cases.
Effluent Quality-Aware Event-Triggered Model Predictive Control for Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Li Guanting , Zeng Jing , Liu Jinfeng
Published: September 2023

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are large-scale and nonlinear processes with tightly integrated operating units. The application of online optimization-based control strategies, such as model predictive control (MPC), to WWTPs generally faces high computational complexity. This paper proposes an event-triggered approach to address this issue. The model predictive controller updates information and solves the optimization problem only when the corresponding triggered logic is satisfied. The triggered logic sets the maximum allowable deviation for the tracking variables. Moreover, to ensure system performance, the design of the event-triggered logic incorporates the effluent quality. By obtaining the optimal sequence for the effluent quality within the receding horizon of the MPC, the cumulative deviation between the predicted and desired effluent quality is analyzed to evaluate the performance within that horizon. Based on these two conditions, the need for adjusting control actions is determined. Even if the maximum allowable range for the tracking variables in the triggered logic design is set unreasonably, the consideration of effluent quality factors in the triggered conditions ensures good performance. Simulation results demonstrate an average reduction in computational effort of 25.49% under different weather conditions while simultaneously ensuring minimal impact on the effluent quality and total cost index and compliance with effluent discharge regulations. Furthermore, this method can be combined with other approaches to guarantee effluent quality while further reducing computation time and complexity.