bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey and analysis on the resource situation of primary health care institutions in rural China
Authors: Zhang Zhaoting
Published: June 2024

Background

China’s rural population is immense, and to ensure the well-being of rural residents through healthcare services, it is essential to analyze the resources of rural grassroots healthcare institutions in China. The objective is to examine the discrepancies and deficiencies in resources between rural grassroots healthcare institutions and the national average, providing a basis for future improvements and supplementation of rural healthcare resources.

Methodology

The study analyzed data from 2020 to 2022 on the number of healthcare establishments, the capacity of hospital beds, the number of healthcare professionals, and the number of physicians in both rural and national settings. Additionally, it examined the medical service conditions and ratios of township health centers in rural areas to assess the resource gap between rural areas and the national average.

Results

Healthcare establishments: On average, there were 2.2 fewer healthcare institutions per 10,000 persons in rural areas compared to the national average over three years. Hospital beds: On average, there were approximately 36 fewer hospital beds per 10,000 persons in rural areas compared to the national average over three years. Healthcare professionals and physicians: On average, there were about 48 fewer healthcare technical personnel and 10 fewer practicing (including assistant) physicians per 10,000 persons in rural areas compared to the national average over three years.

Conclusion

Compared to the national average, there are significant discrepancies and deficiencies in grassroots healthcare resources in rural China. This underscores the necessity of increasing funding to progressively enhance the number of healthcare institutions in rural areas, expand the number of healthcare personnel, and elevate medical standards to better align with national benchmarks. Improving rural healthcare resources will strategically equip these institutions to cater to rural communities and effectively handle public health emergencies. Ensuring that the rural population in China has equal access to healthcare services as the rest of the country is crucial for promoting the well-being of rural residents and achieving health equity.
A tabletop exercise approach to global disaster preparedness: insights from Nepal’s first international conference on disaster preparedness and management
Authors: Pandya Jay , Kharel Ramu , McMahon Jonathan , Basnet Samjhana , Soghoian Samara , Pradhan Binita , Arquilla Bonnie
Published: June 2024

Considering recent earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic, disaster preparedness has come to the forefront of the public health agenda in Nepal. To strengthen the developing health system, many initiatives are being implemented at different levels of society to build resiliency, one of which is through training and education. The first International Conference on Disaster Preparedness and Management convened in Dhulikhel, Nepal on December 1–3, 2023. It brought together international teaching faculty to help deliver didactic and simulation-based sessions on various topics pertaining to disaster preparedness and management for over 140 Nepali healthcare professionals. This paper focuses on the tabletop exercise-based longitudinal workshop portion of the conference on disaster leadership and communication, delivered by United States-based faculty. It delves into the educational program and curriculum, delivery method, Nepali organizer and US facilitator reflections, and provides recommendations for such future conferences, and adaptation to other settings.
Association between added sugars and frailty in U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018
Authors: Ji Jian , Qiu Jie , Tao Yijing , Xu Ming , Pei Bin , Wu Chaoshen , Huang Guoxin , Qian Da
Published: June 2024

Objective

There are various detrimental effects of excessive added sugar consumption on health, but the association of added sugars with frailty remains elusive. We aimed to examine the association between added sugar intake and frailty among American adults in the present cross-sectional study.

Methods

This cross-sectional study is based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Data from NHANES spanning from 2007 to 2018 on frailty, added sugars, and covariates were collected. Added sugars were categorized into quartiles according to the recommended percentages by institutions. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between frailty and added sugars. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and diabetes status.

Results

This study included 16,381 participants, with 13,352 (81.51%) in the non-frailty group and 3,029 (18.49%) in the frailty group. We found that added sugars were positively associated with frailty, and subgroup analysis showed that participants who were male, over the age of 60, had a low BMI, had previously smoked and consumed alcohol, had no hypertension, or had diabetes mellitus (DM) were more likely to be frail. Added sugar intake was positively associated with frailty. Subgroup analysis showed that the association was strongest in males, those aged >60, those with a low BMI, former smokers, former alcohol consumers, and people with no hypertension or DM. When added sugars are classified by energy percentage, populations with more than 25% of their energy coming from added sugars have similar results, with a higher prevalence of frailty.

Conclusion

Added sugars are positively associated with a higher risk of frailty, and the association is stable among different populations.
Pedagogical implications of pragmatic HRM research
Authors: Hack-Polay Dieu
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines the interplay between human resource management theory and human resource management practice. It advocates that effective human resource management practice and theory are intrinsically intertwined, and this indispensable link ought to be central to the pedagogy of management research methods. Through greater embeddedness of the institutional and societal context in research method teaching, students can develop as scholars who understand their roles as facilitators of dialogue between researchers and a significant part of their audience (practitioners). The chapter conceptualizes this perspective as a collaborative model in human resource management research, which then must hold centrality in the teaching of research methods in our university and college classrooms.
Learning manufacturing computer vision systems using tiny YOLOv4
Authors: Medina Adan , Bradley Russel , Xu Wenhao , Ponce Pedro , Anthony Brian , Molina Arturo
Published: June 2024

Implementing and deploying advanced technologies are principal in improving manufacturing processes, signifying a transformative stride in the industrial sector. Computer vision plays a crucial innovation role during this technological advancement, demonstrating broad applicability and profound impact across various industrial operations. This pivotal technology is not merely an additive enhancement but a revolutionary approach that redefines quality control, automation, and operational efficiency parameters in manufacturing landscapes. By integrating computer vision, industries are positioned to optimize their current processes significantly and spearhead innovations that could set new standards for future industrial endeavors. However, the integration of computer vision in these contexts necessitates comprehensive training programs for operators, given this advanced system’s complexity and abstract nature. Historically, training modalities have grappled with the complexities of understanding concepts as advanced as computer vision. Despite these challenges, computer vision has recently surged to the forefront across various disciplines, attributed to its versatility and superior performance, often matching or exceeding the capabilities of other established technologies. Nonetheless, there is a noticeable knowledge gap among students, particularly in comprehending the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Computer Vision. This disconnect underscores the need for an educational paradigm transcending traditional theoretical instruction. Cultivating a more practical understanding of the symbiotic relationship between AI and computer vision is essential. To address this, the current work proposes a project-based instructional approach to bridge the educational divide. This methodology will enable students to engage directly with the practical aspects of computer vision applications within AI. By guiding students through a hands-on project, they will learn how to effectively utilize a dataset, train an object detection model, and implement it within a microcomputer infrastructure. This immersive experience is intended to bolster theoretical knowledge and provide a practical understanding of deploying AI techniques within computer vision. The main goal is to equip students with a robust skill set that translates into practical acumen, preparing a competent workforce to navigate and innovate in the complex landscape of Industry 4.0. This approach emphasizes the criticality of adapting educational strategies to meet the evolving demands of advanced technological infrastructures. It ensures that emerging professionals are adept at harnessing the potential of transformative tools like computer vision in industrial settings.
A navigated, robot-driven laser craniotomy tool for frameless depth electrode implantation. An in-vivo recovery animal study
Authors: Winter Fabian , Pilz Patrick , Kramer Anne M. , Beer Daniel , Gono Patrick , Morawska Marta , Hainfellner Johannes , Klotz Sigrid , Tomschik Matthias , Pataraia Ekaterina , Hangel Gilbert , Dorfer Christian , Roessler Karl
Published: June 2024

Objectives: We recently introduced a frameless, navigated, robot-driven laser tool for depth electrode implantation as an alternative to frame-based procedures. This method has only been used in cadaver and non-recovery studies. This is the first study to test the robot-driven laser tool in an in vivo recovery animal study.

Methods: A preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan was conducted to plan trajectories in sheep specimens. Burr hole craniotomies were performed using a frameless, navigated, robot-driven laser tool. Depth electrodes were implanted after cut-through detection was confirmed. The electrodes were cut at the skin level postoperatively. Postoperative imaging was performed to verify accuracy. Histopathological analysis was performed on the bone, dura, and cortex samples.

Results: Fourteen depth electrodes were implanted in two sheep specimens. Anesthetic protocols did not show any intraoperative irregularities. One sheep was euthanized on the same day of the procedure while the other sheep remained alive for 1 week without neurological deficits. Postoperative MRI and CT showed no intracerebral bleeding, infarction, or unintended damage. The average bone thickness was 6.2 mm (range 4.1–8.0 mm). The angulation of the planned trajectories varied from 65.5° to 87.4°. The deviation of the entry point performed by the frameless laser beam ranged from 0.27 mm to 2.24 mm. The histopathological analysis did not reveal any damage associated with the laser beam.

Conclusion: The novel robot-driven laser craniotomy tool showed promising results in this first in vivo recovery study. These findings indicate that laser craniotomies can be performed safely and that cut-through detection is reliable.
Monocyte-derived dendritic cells can be detected in urine of kidney transplant recipients with pathogenic asymptomatic bacteriuria
Authors: Salvadé Vanja , Manuel Oriol , Golshayan Dela , Obregon Carolina
Published: June 2024

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are an important clinical problem in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is frequent in these patients and often resolved by the immune system, but a significant proportion may progress to complicated UTI, which may compromise allograft function and survival. It is essential to determine the involvement of the immune system in the infectious process. Dendritic cells (DCs) are recognised as playing a pivotal role in initiating inflammatory responses capable of priming antigen-specific T cells, a crucial step in determining the fate of local inflammation. Little is known about their role in the control of UTI. In this brief communication, we report an incidental finding in a group of 16 stable KTR in which monocyte-derived dendritic cells (ModDCs), analysed by flow cytometry, were found in urine of patients with ASB and high bacterial counts >107 cfu/ml. Within this group, one patient developed pyelonephritis in the following days. These findings suggest that the immune system, in particular DCs, may be recruited during the course of a UTI and, to our knowledge, present for the first time evidence that inflammatory ModDCs can be detected in urine. Their frequency may reflect the degree of infection. This finding suggests the potential for exploring whether these cells may be useful in distinguishing between pathogenic ASB and those that can be resolved by the immune system.
Holistic analysis of cropping diversity and intensity implications for productive, environmental, and nutritional performance of smallholder farms in Bihar, India
Authors: Bijarniya Deepak , Groot Jeroen C. J. , Jat Mangi L. , Toorop Roos Adelhart , Lopez-Ridaura Santiago , Kalvania Kailash C. , Jat Raj K. , Gathala Mahesh K.
Published: June 2024

The agricultural productivity and sustainability in Eastern Gangetic Plain Zones of India are threatened because of the inefficiency of current production practices, shortage of resources, and socioeconomic constraints. We hypothesized the potential impact of intensified cereal systems with mung bean as a third crop within the annual cropping cycle. We assessed economic, social, and environmental indicators for intensified and current cropping system management practiced by different farm types in the region using the FarmDESIGN model. Building on a farm typology constructed for the region in our past research, we used five types of farmers: part-time (PT), well-endowed (WE), small-scale (SS) crop and livestock mix, medium-scale (MS), and resource-poor farmers (RP) in this study. The performance indicators of the 229 original cropping systems cultivated within the 43 farms varied strongly in the eight performance indicators. This variability of cropping systems performance within the farm types resulted in the absence of significant differences between the types. Compared to the original cropping systems, the intensified cropping systems with mung bean not only performed high in dietary energy (DE) production and organic matter (OM) inputs into the soil but also had high application rates of biocides and minimized losses of nitrogen (N). The intervention systems were low in labor requirement and scored at an intermediate level for crop gross margin, water use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The ranges of areas of maize- and rice-based systems that could be replaced by intensified systems were largest for the WE and RP farm types. This was reflected in large ranges of change in the performance indicators, but no significant differences in response were found between the farm types. The intensification of maize- and rice-based systems with the proposed intervention cropping systems involving mung bean would result in increased profitability, higher DE yield, and lower requirements for labor and water as the proportion of the farms being converted increases. However, the use of biocides would increase, while the intervention cropping systems would have no significant effect on OM input, GHG emissions, and soil N losses.
Different coupling mechanisms for a novel modular plate in acetabular fractures—a comparison using a laparoscopic model
Authors: Menger Maximilian M. , Herath Steven C. , Ellmerer Andreas E. , Trulson Alexander , Hoßfeld Max , Leis Artur , Ollig Annika , Histing Tina , Küper Markus A. , Audretsch Christof K.
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Acetabular fractures are among the most challenging injuries in traumatology. The complex anatomy usually requires extensive surgical approaches baring the risk for iatrogenic damage to surrounding neurovascular structures. As a viable alternative, minimally invasive endoscopic techniques have emerged during the recent years. This paper reports on the feasibility of different coupling mechanisms for a novel suprapectineal plate especially designed for minimally invasive acetabular surgery.

Methods

A total number of 34 participants contributed to the present study, who differed in their arthroscopic and surgical experience. A laparoscopic model was used to compare four different coupling mechanisms by the number of failed attempts, the time required for plate fixation, the influence of surgical experience as well as the learning success for each individual coupling mechanism. Moreover, the feasibility of each mechanism was evaluated by a questionnaire.

Results

The results demonstrate that plates employing grooved and pressure-sliding coupling mechanisms exhibit fewer failed attempts and reduce trial times, especially in contrast to sole sliding mechanisms. Furthermore, our study revealed that proficiency in endoscopic procedures significantly influenced the outcome. Notably, the subjective evaluation of the participants show that the pressure base and pressure-slide base plate designs are the most supportive and feasible designs.

Conclusions

In summary, the present study evaluates for the first-time different plate and coupling designs for minimal-invasive surgery, indicating a superior feasibility for plates with a grooved and pressure-sliding mechanism.
Functional infrared thermography imaging can be used to assess the effectiveness of Maxicam Gel® in pre-emptively treating transient synovitis and lameness in horses
Authors: Carvalho Júlia Ribeiro Garcia de , Del Puppo Debora , Littiere Thayssa de Oliveira , Sales Nathali Adrielli Agassi de , Silva Ana Carolina Yamamoto , Ribeiro Gesiane , Almeida Ferdinando Nielsen de , Alves Bruna Gomes , Gatto Igor Renan Honorato , Ramos Gabriel Vieira , Ferraz Guilherme de Camargo
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Diagnosing and treating lameness in horses is essential to improving their welfare. In equine orthopedic practice, infrared thermography (IRT) can indirectly detect soreness. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can treat painful and inflammatory processes in horses. Using IRT, the efficacy of meloxicam (Maxicam Gel®) was evaluated in pre-treating transient synovitis in horses induced by a middle carpal joint injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from E. coli 055:B5 at a dose of 10 endotoxin units.

Methods

In a cross-over design, six healthy horses were randomly assigned to receive either 0.6 mg/kg of oral Maxicam Gel® (MAXVO) or a mock administration (control group, C) following a two-week washout period. IRT of the middle carpal joint, visual lameness assessment and joint circumference were recorded over time. Clinical and hematological evaluations were performed. Synovial fluid aspirates were analyzed for total nucleated cell count, total protein, and prostaglandin E2. A mixed effects analysis of variance was performed for repeated measures over time, followed by Tukey’s test. A multinomial logistic regression was conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between a thermography temperature change and the lameness score.

Results

There were no changes in joint circumference. The MAXVO group showed a lower rectal temperature 4 h after synovitis induction. The C group presented an increase in neutrophils and a decrease in total hemoglobin and hematocrit 8 h after induction. No changes were observed in the synovial fluid between groups. The horses that received meloxicam did not show clinically significant lameness at any time, while the C group showed an increase in lameness 2, 4, and 8 h after synovitis induction.

Discussion

IRT indicated that the skin surface temperature of the middle carpal joint was lower in horses who received meloxicam, suggesting a reduction in the inflammatory process induced by LPS. It was observed that the maximum temperature peaks in the dorsopalmar and lateropalmar positions can be utilized to predict the severity of lameness, particularly when the temperature rises above 34°C. Horses pre-treated with meloxicam showed either reduced or no indication of mild to moderate pain and presented a lowehr thermographic temperature, which indicates the effectiveness of Maxicam Gel® as an anti-inflammatory.
Transcriptome analysis revealed the characteristics and functions of long non-coding RNAs in the hypothalamus during sexual maturation in goats
Authors: Li Qing , Chao Tianle , Wang Yanyan , Xuan Rong , Guo Yanfei , He Peipei , Zhang Lu , Wang Jianmin
Published: June 2024

The hypothalamus is an essential neuroendocrine area in animals that regulates sexual development. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are hypothesized to regulate physiological processes related to animal reproduction. However, the regulatory mechanism by which lncRNAs participate in sexual maturity in goats is poorly known, particularly from birth to sexual maturation. In this study, RNAseq analysis was conducted on the hypothalamus of four developmental stages (1day (D1, n = 5), 2 months (M2, n = 5), 4 months (M4, n = 5), and 6 months (M6, n = 5)) of Jining grey goats. The results showed that a total of 237 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were identified in the hypothalamus. Among these, 221 DELs exhibited cis-regulatory effects on 693 target genes, while 24 DELs demonstrated trans-regulatory effects on 63 target genes. The target genes of these DELs are mainly involved in biological processes related to energy metabolism, signal transduction and hormone secretion, such as sphingolipid signaling pathway, adipocytokine signaling pathway, neurotrophic signaling pathway, glutamatergic synapse, P53 signaling pathway and GnRH signaling pathway. In addition, XR_001918477.1, TCONS_00077463, XR_001918760.1, and TCONS_00029048 and their potential target genes may play a crucial role in the process of goat sexual maturation. This study advances our understanding of lncRNA in hypothalamic tissue during sexual maturation in goats and will give a theoretical foundation for improving goat reproductive features.
NSBR-Net: A Novel Noise Suppression and Boundary Refinement Network for Breast Tumor Segmentation in Ultrasound Images
Authors: Sun Yue , Huang Zhaohong , Cai Guorong , Su Jinhe , Gong Zheng
Published: June 2024

Breast tumor segmentation of ultrasound images provides valuable tumor information for early detection and diagnosis. However, speckle noise and blurred boundaries in breast ultrasound images present challenges for tumor segmentation, especially for malignant tumors with irregular shapes. Recent vision transformers have shown promising performance in handling the variation through global context modeling. Nevertheless, they are often dominated by features of large patterns and lack the ability to recognize negative information in ultrasound images, which leads to the loss of breast tumor details (e.g., boundaries and small objects). In this paper, we propose a novel noise suppression and boundary refinement network, NSBR-Net, to simultaneously alleviate speckle noise interference and blurred boundary problems of breast tumor segmentation. Specifically, we propose two innovative designs, namely, the Noise Suppression Module (NSM) and the Boundary Refinement Module (BRM). The NSM filters noise information from the coarse-grained feature maps, while the BRM progressively refines the boundaries of significant lesion objects. Our method demonstrates superior accuracy over state-of-the-art deep learning models, achieving significant improvements of 3.67% on Dataset B and 2.30% on the BUSI dataset in mDice for testing malignant tumors.
Optic Disc Segmentation in Human Retina Images Using a Meta Heuristic Optimization Method and Disease Diagnosis with Deep Learning
Authors: Almeshrky Hamida , Karacı Abdulkadir
Published: June 2024

Glaucoma is a common eye disease that damages the optic nerve and leads to loss of vision. The disease shows few symptoms in the early stages, making its identification a complex task. To overcome the challenges associated with this task, this study aimed to tackle the localization and segmentation of the optic disc, as well as the classification of glaucoma. For the optic disc segmentation, we propose a novel metaheuristic approach called Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO). Two different approaches are used for glaucoma classification: a one-stage approach, in which the whole image without cropping is used for classification, and a two-stage approach. In the two-stage approach, the optic disc region is detected using the You Only Look Once (YOLO) detection algorithm. Once the optic disc region of interest (ROI) is identified, glaucoma classification is performed using pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and vision transformation techniques. In addition, both the one-stage and the two-stage approaches are applied in combination with the pre-trained CNN using the Random Forest algorithm. In segmentation, GWO achieved an average sensitivity of 96.04%, a specificity of 99.58%, an accuracy of 99.39%, a DICE coefficient of 94.15%, and a Jaccard index of 90.4% on the Drishti-GS dataset. For classification, the proposed method achieved remarkable results with a high-test accuracy of 100% and 88.18% for hold-out validation and three-fold cross-validation for the Drishti-GS dataset, and 96.15% and 93.84% for ORIGA with hold-out and five-fold cross-validation, respectively. Comparing the results with previous studies, the proposed CNN model outperforms them. In addition, the use of the Swin transformer shows its effectiveness in classifying glaucoma in different subsets of the data.
Optimization and Impact Assessment of Excavation Sequence around Subway Stations from the Perspective of Sustainable Urban Development
Authors: Li Xiongwei , Liu Tao , Ju Shangwei , Guo Yanwei
Published: June 2024

The construction of group foundation pits near subway stations often leads to environmental pollution, thereby causing certain damage to urban ecology. By optimizing the excavation sequence of group foundation pits, the adverse effects on surrounding underground structures and soil during excavation can be effectively mitigated, contributing to the sustainable development of cities. Taking a group foundation pit project in Changzhou as an example, this study utilized the finite element software PLAXIS 3D to simulate various working conditions under different excavation sequences, comparing the deformation of the subway station, shield tunnel, and surrounding soil. The results show that, influenced by the excavation of group foundation pits, the difference between maximum deformation and minimum deformation of shield tunnel is 25.85%, and the difference between the maximum deformation and minimum deformation of the subway envelope is 19.44%. The subway envelope is least affected by the change in excavation sequence. Both the displacement of the subway station and the surrounding soil exhibit a significant “cumulative effect”, with displacement changes closely related to the distance from the pit to the station and the ground, as well as the amount of soil unloaded in each excavation. Therefore, it is advisable to adhere to the principle of “far before near, shallow before deep, small before large” during excavation, which facilitates the coordinated development of urban infrastructure construction and the urban ecological environment, providing valuable reference and guidance for the sustainable development of cities.
Comparison of Extended Skin Cancer Screening Using a Three-Step Advanced Imaging Programme vs. Standard-of-Care Examination in a High-Risk Melanoma Patient Cohort
Authors: Gellrich Frank Friedrich , Eberl Nadia , Steininger Julian , Meier Friedegund , Beissert Stefan , Hobelsberger Sarah
Published: June 2024

Modern diagnostic procedures, such as three-dimensional total body photography (3D-TBP), digital dermoscopy (DD), and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), can improve melanoma diagnosis, particularly in high-risk patients. This study assessed the benefits of combining these advanced imaging techniques in a three-step programme in managing high-risk patients. This study included 410 high-risk melanoma patients who underwent a specialised imaging consultation in addition to their regular skin examinations in outpatient care. At each visit, the patients underwent a 3D-TBP, a DD for suspicious findings, and an RCM for unclear DD findings. The histological findings of excisions initiated based on imaging consultation and outpatient care were compared. Imaging consultation detected sixteen confirmed melanomas (eight invasive and eight in situ) in 39 excised pigmented lesions. Outpatient care examination detected seven confirmed melanomas (one invasive and six in situ) in 163 excised melanocytic lesions. The number needed to excise (NNE) in the imaging consultation was significantly lower than that in the outpatient care (2.4 vs. 23.3). The NNE was 2.6 for DD and 2.3 for RCM. DD, 3D-TBP, or RCM detected melanomas that were not detected by the other imaging methods. The three-step imaging programme improves melanoma detection and reduces the number of unnecessary excisions in high-risk patients.
Recent Advances in Molecular and Genetic Research on Uveal Melanoma
Authors: Fuentes-Rodriguez Aurélie , Mitchell Andrew , Guérin Sylvain L. , Landreville Solange
Published: June 2024

Uveal melanoma (UM), a distinct subtype of melanoma, presents unique challenges in its clinical management due to its complex molecular landscape and tendency for liver metastasis. This review highlights recent advancements in understanding the molecular pathogenesis, genetic alterations, and immune microenvironment of UM, with a focus on pivotal genes, such as GNAQ/11, BAP1, and CYSLTR2, and delves into the distinctive genetic and chromosomal classifications of UM, emphasizing the role of mutations and chromosomal rearrangements in disease progression and metastatic risk. Novel diagnostic biomarkers, including circulating tumor cells, DNA and extracellular vesicles, are discussed, offering potential non-invasive approaches for early detection and monitoring. It also explores emerging prognostic markers and their implications for patient stratification and personalized treatment strategies. Therapeutic approaches, including histone deacetylase inhibitors, MAPK pathway inhibitors, and emerging trends and concepts like CAR T-cell therapy, are evaluated for their efficacy in UM treatment. This review identifies challenges in UM research, such as the limited treatment options for metastatic UM and the need for improved prognostic tools, and suggests future directions, including the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, immunotherapeutic strategies, and advanced drug delivery systems. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of continued research and innovation in addressing the unique challenges of UM to improve patient outcomes and develop more effective treatment strategies.
Gene Regulatory Mechanism of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis during Dormancy
Authors: Liu Yiduo , Li Han , Dai Dejia , He Jiakang , Liang Zhengmin
Published: June 2024

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex, is a zoonotic disease that remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Latent tuberculosis infection reactivation is a challenging obstacle to eradicating TB globally. Understanding the gene regulatory network of Mtb during dormancy is important. This review discusses up-to-date information about TB gene regulatory networks during dormancy, focusing on the regulation of lipid and energy metabolism, dormancy survival regulator (DosR), White B-like (Wbl) family, Toxin-Antitoxin (TA) systems, sigma factors, and MprAB. We outline the progress in vaccine and drug development associated with Mtb dormancy.
Sickle Cell Disease: Current Drug Treatments and Functional Foods with Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Gonçalves Elisângela , Smaoui Slim , Brito Miguel , Oliveira J. M. , Arez Ana Paula , Tavares Loleny
Published: June 2024

Sickle cell anemia (SCA), the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD), is a genetic blood disorder. Red blood cells break down prematurely, causing anemia and often blocking blood vessels, leading to chronic pain, organ damage, and increased infection risk. SCD arises from a single-nucleotide mutation in the β-globin gene, substituting glutamic acid with valine in the β-globin chain. This review examines treatments evaluated through randomized controlled trials for managing SCD, analyzes the potential of functional foods (dietary components with health benefits) as a complementary strategy, and explores the use of bioactive compounds as functional food ingredients. While randomized trials show promise for certain drugs, functional foods enriched with bioactive compounds also hold therapeutic potential. Further research is needed to confirm clinical efficacy, optimal dosages, and specific effects of these compounds on SCD, potentially offering a cost-effective and accessible approach to managing the disease.
Biological and Conservation Aspects of Otter Mortality: A Review
Authors: Garcês Andreia , Pires Isabel
Published: June 2024

The post mortem exam is important in diagnosing and investigating wildlife diseases. It is even more important to monitor the population of species that are not easily observed in the wild, such as otters. Of the 13 otter species, 11 are endangered due to many factors, such as climate change, pollution, or urbanisation. The authors present a review of the patterns of mortality of free-ranging otters worldwide, aiming to improve the knowledge of otter mortality and the role of mortality studies in their conservation. The main cause of death in aquatic otters is vehicle collision; hence, sea otter deaths are associated with shark attacks and imprisonment in fishing gear. It is possible to conclude that humans and human activity play a significant role in the mortality of these animals. In the future, a more standardised analysis of otter carcasses is necessary to understand their threats and diseases and design significant measures to protect these species.
Assessing the Impact of King Coconut Husk Ash and Biochar, Combined with Chemical Fertilizer Application, on Enhancing Soil Fertility in Coconut Plantations
Authors: Shamila Selvaraja Kaushalya , Udumann Shashi S. , Dissanayaka Nuwandhya S. , Rajaratnam Kowshalya , Atapattu Anjana J.
Published: June 2024

Sustainable soil fertility management is crucial for enhancing productivity in coconut plantations. This study investigated the synergistic effects of king coconut husk (KCH) ash, biochar, and chemical fertilizers on soil properties in a coconut plantation over a short period (4 months). Six treatments were applied: control, chemical fertilizers alone (F), fertilizers with ash (FA), fertilizers with biochar (FB), fertilizers with both ash and biochar (FAB), and fertilizers with half ash and biochar (FA1/2B). Strongly alkaline KCH ash contained significantly higher total and available potassium content levels than mildly alkaline biochar. Data indicated that KCH ash significantly enhanced soil available potassium, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon content compared to the control and F treatments over a short-term period. Even though biochar application demonstrated initial improvements in soil moisture content, a longer study duration may be required to evaluate its influence on other soil parameters comprehensively. Highlighting the synergistic benefits of KCH ash and biochar, FA1/2B treatment exhibited the highest combined index score based on physical, biological, and chemical soil indicators, suggesting its potential for optimizing agricultural outcomes. It emerged as the most promising approach, underscoring the value of exploring sustainable soil amendments derived from agricultural waste streams to promote soil fertility and sustainable coconut production.
Electro-Reactivity of Resorcinol on Pt(111) Single-Crystal Plane and Its Influence on the Kinetics of Underpotentially Deposited Hydrogen and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Processes in 0.1 M NaOH Solution
Authors: Pierożyński Bogusław , Kuczyński Mateusz , Mikołajczyk Tomasz
Published: June 2024

This article primarily presents cyclic voltammetry, Tafel polarization and ac. impedance spectroscopy electrochemical examinations of resorcinol (RC) electro-reactivity on the Pt(111) surface and its influence on the kinetics of UPD H (underpotentially deposited hydrogen) and the HER (hydrogen evolution reaction) in a 0.1 M NaOH supporting solution. The collected data provided evidence of the RC-ion’s surface adsorption and its further electroreduction in the presence of surface-adsorbed H radicals along with their primary beneficial role on the kinetics of the UPD H process. The above was elucidated through an evaluation of the associated charge-transfer resistance and capacitance parameters, and was carried out on the platinum (111) electrode plane, comparatively, for the RC-free and resorcinol-modified NaOH electrolyte. In addition, the recorded cathodic charge transients (obtained by injecting small amounts of RC-based 0.1 M NaOH solution to initially resorcinol-free electrolyte, carried out at the constant electrode potential characteristic to the UPD H potential zone) provided evidence that the RC species undergoes electrocatalytic reduction through the involvement of the Pt(111)-chemisorbed hydrogen radicals.
Correction: Haseeb et al. Impact of Economic Growth, Environmental Pollution, and Energy Consumption on Health Expenditure and R&D Expenditure of ASEAN Countries. Energies 2019, 12, 3598
Authors: Haseeb Muhammad , Kot Sebastian , Hussain Hafezali Iqbal , Jermsittiparsert Kittisak
Published: June 2024

To allow the original publication to be better understood [...]
Use of Biostimulants in Energy Crops as a New Approach for the Improvement of Performance Sequestration CO2
Authors: Rostocki Andrzej , Wieczorek Dorota , Pipiak Paulina , Ławińska Katarzyna
Published: June 2024

This review presents a recent study on improving energy crops (ECs) in the EU and discusses the potential use of biostimulants to enhance CO2 sequestration processes in these plants. The novelty of this study lies in demonstrating alternative directions for improving productivity and increasing plant yield without relying on introducing new hybrids (GM) or using advanced agrotechnology. There is a great deal of discussion about using energy crops for direct combustion or biogas production. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the use of biostimulants and their role in increasing the yield of energy crops, particularly in terms of CO2 compensation. In CO2 sequestration, increasing the intensity of the photosynthetic process is considered crucial for the more efficient growth of energy crops. Traditionally, fertilization aimed at improving photosynthesis results in a large amount of alkaline elements, which can cause negative effects in boilers. This paper describes the use of amino acid biostimulants extracted from industrial waste, either chemically or biotechnologically, and their different forms of application. It addresses the current challenges and benefits of using biostimulants in energy crops to increase photosynthesis without the use of genetic engineering tools in plants.
Fatal Software Failures in Spaceflight
Authors: Prause Christian R. , Gerlich Ralf , Gerlich Rainer
Published: June 2024

Space exploration has become an integral part of modern society, and since its early days in the 1960s, software has grown in importance, becoming indispensable for spaceflight. However, software is boon and bane: while it enables unprecedented functionality and cost reductions and can even save spacecraft, its importance and fragility also make it a potential Achilles heel for critical systems. Throughout the history of spaceflight, numerous accidents with significant detrimental impacts on mission objectives and safety have been attributed to software, although unequivocal attribution is sometimes difficult. In this Entry, we examine over two dozen software-related mishaps in spaceflight from a software engineering perspective, focusing on major incidents and not claiming completeness. This Entry article contextualizes the role of software in space exploration and aims to preserve the lessons learned from these mishaps. Such knowledge is crucial for ensuring future success in space endeavors. Finally, we explore prospects for the increasingly software-dependent future of spaceflight.
Neighborhood Competition and Understory-Associated Vegetation Are Important Factors Influencing the Natural Regeneration of Subtropical Mountain Forests
Authors: Wang Zizhuo , Qin Kunrong , Fang Wen , Wang Haiyang
Published: June 2024

Natural regeneration is deemed essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Previous studies, however, have primarily concentrated on regions exhibiting limited environmental and climatic variability, overlooking the classification of natural regeneration based on age and source. Research conducted at the mesoscale, characterized by increased environmental variability and the incorporation of neighborhood competition and understory-associated vegetation, enhances our comprehension of the multifaceted influences on natural regeneration. To comprehend this issue, this study implemented 60 plots, each measuring 20 m × 20 m, across five distinct areas of Chongqing, China. Twenty explanatory variables were chosen from five diverse categories: understory vegetation, neighborhood competition, stand structure, climatic factors, and environmental factors. And the naturally regenerated species were classified into seedlings and saplings, as well as endogenous and exogenous species, based on their age and origin. We examined the response of the different categories of natural regeneration to various factors and constructed a structural equation model (SEM) for significant factors to investigate their direct and indirect effects on natural regeneration. A total of 61 regenerated tree species belonging to 29 families and 42 genera were found in the study area, and the naturally regenerating species with high importance values were Quercus fabri, Robinia pseudoacacia, Alangium chinense, Cunninghamia lanceolata, and Ligustrum lucidum. It was found that neighborhood competition and understory-associated vegetation explained the largest proportion (more than 50%) of the variation in the different categories of natural regeneration, and forests with clumped distribution (W), a high mingling index (M) and strong competition (H) had a reduced natural regeneration capacity. Understory-associated herbs significantly reduced natural regeneration and the crowdedness index (C) significantly inhibited the understory-associated herbs, thus indirectly promoting natural regeneration. The shrub cover is significantly and positively correlated with the number of naturally regenerated plants and can be used as an indicator of a forest community’s regeneration potential. Understanding the differences in the importance of various factors at the mesoscale, as well as their direct and indirect impacts, can help us further comprehend the mechanisms of natural regeneration and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of forests.
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks and Their Influencing Factors in Different-Aged Stands of Sand-Fixing Caragana korshinskii in the Mu Us Desert of Northwest China
Authors: Yu Shuang , Yang Junlong , Norghauer Julian M. , Yang Jun , Yang Bo , Zhang Hongmei , Li Xiaowei
Published: June 2024

Establishing artificial sand-fixing shrubs is a key measure to curb dune flow and drive changes in the soil stocks and cycling of carbon and nitrogen. But our understanding of these dynamics across years of sand-fixing afforestation and the factors influencing them remains inadequate, making it hard to accurately assess its capacity to sequester carbon. To fill that knowledge gap, this study investigated soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) stocks in Mu Us Desert under artificial sand-fixing shrub stands of different ages (10, 30, 50, and 70 years old) vis-à-vis a mobile sand dune, to determine whether Caragana korshinskii afforestation improved stock characteristics and whether SOC and STN stocks were correlated during the restoration processes. The results showed that the pattern observed is consistent with an increase over time in the stocks of both SOC and STN. At 10, 30, 50, and 70 years, these stocks were found to be 1.8, 2.3, 3.2, and 5.5 times higher for SOC, and 1.3, 1.6, 2.1, and 2.7 times higher for STN, respectively, than those of the control (mobile sand) dune. Stocks of SOC and STN mainly increased significantly in the 0–10 cm soil layer. The SOC stock was correlated positively with the STN stock as well as the C:N ratio. The slope of the regression for the C:N ratio against stand age was positive, increasing slightly faster with afforestation age. Additionally, our findings suggest that during the establishment of artificial stands of shrubs, the size of the STN stock did not expand as fast as the SOC stock, resulting in an asynchronous N supply and demand that likely limits the accumulation of soil organic matter. This research provides important evidence for the sustainable development of desertified ecosystems.
A Malta Experience of Being a University Academic: A Thematic Narrative
Authors: Cutajar Maria
Published: June 2024

This paper shares the research results of an explorative study investigating university lectureship experience in a Malta university context. The study aimed to obtain a holistic description of the university academic experience. The qualitative research findings, based on a thematic analysis of 10 individual interview transcripts, describe the experience of being a university academic as a journey of time passages in space and time. The journey is characterised by the strong theme of teaching along with the two other primary themes, labelled identity and un/belonging. Identity feeds on, but not only on, teaching and the sense of un/belonging. Profession/Practice and Research/Publication are two other themes that, in this study, emerge as feeding the primary themes. These research findings unsettle the privilege portrayals of tenure-track university lectureships. They confirm the emphasis on teaching in this local context and increased administration obligations. Distinctively, they expose another identity dimension in addition to the teacher and researcher attributions highlighted in the mainstream literature. These findings suggest that academics need to be supported for keeping alive differentiated identity dimensions, which are not in opposition to each other but are in competition for time. While the limitations of the study are acknowledged, several recommendations deriving from the research findings are shared.
Drivers of and Barriers to the Implementation of Integrated Pest Management in Horticultural Crops
Authors: Tartanus Małgorzata , Malusà Eligio
Published: June 2024

Integrated pest management (IPM) aims to protect plants using methods that limit the use of pesticides, as well as other interventions, to levels that are economically and ecologically justified, thus reducing the negative impact of crop protection on humans and the environment [...]