bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asking Questions about Scientific Articles—Identifying Large N Studies with LLMs
Authors: Paroiu Razvan , Ruseti Stefan , Dascalu Mihai , Trausan-Matu Stefan , McNamara Danielle S.
Published: September 2023

The exponential growth of scientific publications increases the effort required to identify relevant articles. Moreover, the scale of studies is a frequent barrier to research as the majority of studies are low or medium-scaled and do not generalize well while lacking statistical power. As such, we introduce an automated method that supports the identification of large-scale studies in terms of population. First, we introduce a training corpus of 1229 manually annotated paragraphs extracted from 20 articles with different structures and considered populations. Our method considers prompting a FLAN-T5 language model with targeted questions and paragraphs from the previous corpus so that the model returns the number of participants from the study. We adopt a dialogic extensible approach in which the model is asked a sequence of questions that are gradual in terms of focus. Second, we use a validation corpus with 200 articles labeled for having N larger than 1000 to assess the performance of our language model. Our model, without any preliminary filtering with heuristics, achieves an F1 score of 0.52, surpassing previous analyses performed that obtained an F1 score of 0.51. Moreover, we achieved an F1 score of 0.69 when combined with previous extraction heuristics, thus arguing for the robustness and extensibility of our approach. Finally, we apply our model to a newly introduced dataset of ERIC publications to observe trends across the years in the Education domain. A spike was observed in 2019, followed by a decrease in 2020 and, afterward, a positive trend; nevertheless, the overall percentage is lower than 3%, suggesting a major problem in terms of scale and the need for a change in perspective.
Social Networks in Crisis Management: A Literature Review to Address the Criticality of the Challenge
Authors: Abboodi Bashar , Pileggi Salvatore Flavio , Bharathy Gnana
Published: September 2023

This review proposes a concise literature review aimed at identifying the current body of knowledge on the adoption of Social Networks in crisis management. The major input is a structured research question based on the initial reading about the topic. Before the recent pandemic, most literature focused on local crises, with relatively few exceptions. Additionally, self-organising systems are spontaneously established between people who are affected by a crisis. The fundamental assumption underlying this study is the huge potential of Social Networks in the field of crisis management. That is supported, directly or indirectly, by a number of previous studies, which emphasise how effective adoption leads to better decision-making for crisis managers and local communities. Among the identified challenges is the need to integrate official communication by emergency agencies with citizen-generated content in a contest for credibility and trustworthiness. In certain cases, it has been reported that there is a lack of specific competence, knowledge, and expertise, as well as a lack of sufficient policies and guidelines for the use of Social Networks. Those challenges need to be framed by considering the classic difficulties of providing timely and accurate information to deal with fake news, unverified or misleading information, and information overload. Bridging major gaps through advanced analytics and AI-based technology is expected to provide a key contribution to establishing and safely enabling the practice of effective and efficient communication. This technology can help contrast dissonant mental models, which are often fostered by Social Networks, and enable shared situational awareness. Future research may take a closer look at AI technology and its impact on the role of Social Networks in managing crises.
Evaluation and Optimization of Multi-Parameter Prediction Index for Coal Spontaneous Combustion Combined with Temperature Programmed Experiment
Authors: Xu Xuefeng , Zhang Fengjie
Published: September 2023

Coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) is a serious threat to the safe mining of coal resources, and the selection of suitable gas indicators to predict the CSC state is crucial for the prevention and control of coal mine fires. In this paper, the temperature-programmed experiment of CSC was first carried out to analyze the gas components and compositions in the oxidative pyrolysis process of three coal samples (lignite, long-flame coal, and lean coal) with different coalification degrees. Subsequently, the spontaneous combustion tendency of these three coal samples was evaluated. Finally, through the variation of gas concentration, gas concentration ratio, and fire coefficient with coal temperature, the indicators suitable for predicting the spontaneous combustion of coal were preferred, and a multi-parameter indicator system was established to make a comprehensive judgment on the spontaneous combustion status of coal. The results show that coal rank is negatively correlated with oxygen consumption rate. The higher the coalification degree of coal, the slower the oxidation reaction and the later the characteristic temperature point appears. The lignite selected in this experiment is a type of coal that is more prone to spontaneous combustion than long-flame coal and poor coal, and the CO concentration, C2H6/CH4, and second fire coefficient R2 can be used as the main indicators for predicting CSC, while the other gases, olefin-alkane ratio and fire coefficient can be used as auxiliary indicators. To some extent, the research content can effectively and accurately determine the stage and degree of coal spontaneous combustion, which has a certain guiding role in predicting CSC.
The Multiple Frequency Conversion Sinusoidal Chaotic Neural Network and Its Application
Authors: Hu Zhiqiang , Guo Zhongjin , Wang Gongming , Wang Lei , Zhao Xiaodong , Zhang Yongfeng
Published: September 2023

Aiming at the problem that the global search performance of a transiently chaotic neural network is not ideal, a multiple frequency conversion sinusoidal chaotic neural network (MFCSCNN) model is proposed based on the biological mechanism of the brain, including multiple functional modules and sinusoidal signals of different frequencies. In this model, multiple FCS functions and Sigmoid functions with different phase angles were used to construct the excitation function of neurons in the form of weighted sum. In this paper, the inverted bifurcation diagram, Lyapunov exponential diagram and parameter range of the model are given. The dynamic characteristics of the model are analyzed and applied to function optimization and combinatorial optimization problems. Experimental results show that the multiple frequency conversion sinusoidal chaotic neural network has better global search performance than the transient chaotic neural network and other related models.
Tioconazole-Loaded Transethosomal Gel Using Box–Behnken Design for Topical Applications: In Vitro, In Vivo, and Molecular Docking Approaches
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Imran , Jamil Qazi Adnan , Usman Faisal , Wani Tanveer A. , Farooq Mudassir , Shah Hamid Saeed , Ahmad Hassan , Khalil Ruqaiya , Sajjad Muhammad , Zargar Seema , Kausar Safina
Published: September 2023

Tioconazole (TCZ) is a broad-spectrum fungicidal BCS class II drug with reported activity against Candida albicans, dermatophytes, and certain Staphylococci bacteria. We report the use of TCZ-loaded transethosomes (TEs) to overcome the skin’s barrier function. TCZ-loaded TEs were fabricated by using a cold method with slight modification. Box–Behnken composite design was utilized to investigate the effect of independent variables. The fabricated TEs were assessed with various physicochemical characterizations. The optimized formulation of TCZ-loaded TEs was incorporated into gel and evaluated for pH, conductivity, drug content, spreadability, rheology, in vitro permeation, ex vivo permeation, and in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity. The fabricated TCZ-loaded TEs had a % EE of 60.56 to 86.13, with particle sizes ranging from 219.1 to 757.1 nm. The SEM images showed spherically shaped vesicles. The % drug permeation was between 77.01 and 92.03. The kinetic analysis of all release profiles followed Higuchi’s diffusion model. The FTIR, DSC, and XRD analysis showed no significant chemical interactions between the drug and excipients. A significantly higher antifungal activity was observed for TCZ-loaded transethosomal gel in comparison to the control. The in vivo antifungal study on albino rats indicated that TCZ-loaded transethosomal gel showed a comparable therapeutic effect in comparison to the market brand Canesten®. Molecular docking demonstrated that the TCZ in the TE composition was surrounded by hydrophobic excipients with increased overall hydrophobicity and better permeation. Therefore, TCZ in the form of transethosomal gel can serve as an effective drug delivery system, having the ability to penetrate the skin and overcome the stratum corneum barrier with improved efficacy.
Osteopathic Manual Therapy for Infant Colic: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Martínez-Lentisco María del Mar , Martín-González Manuel , García-Torrecillas Juan Manuel , Antequera-Soler Eduardo , Chillón-Martínez Raquel
Published: September 2023

Background: Infant colic is a multifactorial syndrome for which various therapeutic strategies have been proposed. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of osteopathic manual therapy in treating symptoms related to infant colic. Method: A prospective, randomised, blinded clinical trial was conducted of patients diagnosed with infant colic. The treatment group were given osteopathic manual therapy, and their parents received two sessions of counselling. The control group received no such therapy, but their parents attended the same counselling sessions. The non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test was applied to determine whether there were significant differences between the groups for the numerical variables considered. For the qualitative variables, Fisher’s exact test was used. The threshold assumed for statistical significance was 0.05. Results: A total of 42 babies were assigned to each group. Those in the experimental group presented less severe infant colic with a trend towards statistical significance after the first session (p = 0.09). In sucking, excretion, eructation and gas there were no significant differences between the groups. Crying was a statistically significant dimension both after the first intervention (p = 0.03) and two weeks after (p = 0.04). Regurgitation values were significantly lower in the experimental group during the three weeks of follow-up (p = 0.05). Values for sleep were lower in the experimental group, but the differences were not statistically significant. In both groups, colic severity decreased over time, with no side effects. Conclusions: Treatment with osteopathic manual therapy alleviates the symptoms of infant colic and could be recommended for this purpose from the onset of the condition.
Teachers’ Lived Experiences of Workplace Violence and Harassment Committed by Learners from Selected High Schools in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Mangena Madie Collen , Matlala Sogo France
Published: September 2023

Despite several studies on learner-to-teacher workplace violence and harassment, the problem persists in some South African schools. Learner-to-teacher violence and harassment is a form of workplace violence and harassment, as schools are workplaces for teachers. Learner-to-teacher violence and harassment is therefore an important occupational health and safety issue for teachers. Employers are obliged to provide a safe working environment for teachers to enable quality teaching and learning in schools. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of high school teachers who have been targets of workplace violence and harassment perpetrated by learners at selected schools in Limpopo Province of South Africa. Many teachers were willing to share their lived experiences but, due to data saturation, only eleven participated after being selected through purposive sampling from seven high schools under a chosen sub-district. The research ethics of voluntary participation, informed consent, ethical clearance, and gatekeeper permission were observed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using an interview guide. The interviews were audio-taped, and field notes were also taken. Voice recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis into themes and sub-themes. The findings were confirmed by an independent coder to achieve trustworthiness. Teachers experienced physical workplace violence and harassment, verbal workplace violence and harassment, and nonverbal workplace violence and harassment from learners. Learner-to-teacher workplace violence and harassment affects teachers emotionally, and in turn, affects the quality of teaching and learning in schools. Some teachers propose the involvement of a community policing forum, the strengthening of schools’ governing bodies, and reducing overcrowding in classrooms as possible solutions to deal with learner-to-teacher workplace violence and harassment.
Factors Contributing to Life-Change Adaptation in Family Caregivers of Community-Dwelling Individuals with Acquired Brain Injury
Authors: Iwata Yuka , Tadaka Etsuko
Published: September 2023

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a public health issue that affects family caregivers, because individuals with ABI often require semi-permanent care and community support in daily living. Identifying the characteristics of family caregivers and individuals with ABI and examining life-change adaptation may provide valuable insights. The current study sought to explore the factors contributing to life-change adaptation in family caregivers of community-dwelling individuals with ABI. As a secondary analysis, a cross-sectional study was conducted using data obtained in a previous study of 1622 family caregivers in Japan. We hypothesized that life-change adaptation in family caregivers of individuals with ABI would also be related to family caregivers’ characteristics and the characteristics of individuals with ABI. In total, 312 valid responses were analyzed using Poisson regression analysis. The results revealed that life-change adaptation in family caregivers of individuals with ABI was related to sex (prevalence ratio [PR]: 0.65, confidence interval [CI]: −0.819;−0.041) and mental health (PR: 2.04, CI: 0.354; 1.070) as family caregivers’ characteristics, and topographical disorientation (PR: 1.51, CI: 0.017; 0.805) and loss of control over behavior (PR: 1.61, CI: 0.116; 0.830) as the characteristics of individuals with ABI, after adjusting for the effects of the caregiver’s age, sex, and the duration of the caregiver’s role. The current study expands existing knowledge and provides a deeper understanding to enhance the development of specific policies for improving caregiving services and supporting families.
Radiofrequency Cingulotomy as a Treatment for Incoercible Pain: Follow-Up for 6 Months
Authors: Castillo Rangel Carlos , Marin Gerardo , Diaz Chiguer Dylan Lucia , Villegas López Francisco Alberto , Ramírez-Rodríguez Rodrigo , Gómez Ibarra Alejandro , Aguilar-Velazquez Rosalba , Soto Abraham Julian Eduardo
Published: September 2023

Incoercible or intractable pain is defined as pain that is refractory to pharmacological treatment to such an extent that opioid and analgesic adverse effects outweigh the therapeutic effects. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is involved in the perception of pain, especially emotional pain, so it is logical that cingulotomy has an effective therapeutic effect. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of cingulotomy for the treatment of incoercible pain. An observational, longitudinal, retrospective, and analytical study was carried out on a series of cases in which bilateral cingulotomy was performed for incoercible pain, and follow-up was performed 6 months after neurosurgery in the outpatient clinic at the Neurotraumatology Clinic. A positive correlation was observed between pain intensity and medication use, indicating that an increase in pain was associated with a greater requirement for analgesics. The result was a significant reduction in pain, as measured by the visual analog scale of pain, and decreased drug use after cingulotomy. We concluded that cingulotomy reduces incoercible pain and the need for medication.
Gas Chromatography and Thermal Cycling Absorption Techniques for Hydrogen Isotopes Separation in Water Detritiation Systems
Authors: Tosti Silvano
Published: September 2023

This work introduces state-of-the-art water detritiation processes and discusses the main technologies and materials adopted. Focus is given to the gas chromatography (GC) and the thermal cycling absorption process (TCAP), which are studied as potential back-end technologies for tritium recovery through a water detritiation system designed for a small-scale unit. GC and the TCAP are evaluated critically in order to establish their applicability for the final purification of the DT stream recovered at the bottom of the cryo-distillation column of a water detritiation unit. Both solutions (GC and the TCAP with an inverse column) exhibit safe and feasible operation modes and are characterised by a good technological level; furthermore, both of these processes meet the main design specifications required by the proposed application. However, the use of GC is preferred, since this system can operate with modest temperature cycling and producing streams (D2 and T2) of better purity.
Utility of In Vitro Cellular Models of Low-Dose Lipopolysaccharide in Elucidating the Mechanisms of Anti-Inflammatory and Wound-Healing-Promoting Effects of Lipopolysaccharide Administration In Vivo
Authors: Honda Teruko , Inagawa Hiroyuki
Published: September 2023

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial component that activates intracellular signaling pathways upon binding to the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4/MD-2 complex. It is well known that LPS injected into animals and high-dose (100 ng/mL to 1 μg/mL) LPS treatment to innate immune cells induce an inflammatory response. In contrast, LPS is naturally present in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and skin of humans and animals, and it has been shown that TLR-4-deficient animals cannot maintain their immune balance and gut homeostasis. LPS from commensal bacteria can help maintain homeostasis against mucosal stimulation in healthy individuals. Oral LPS administration has been shown to be effective in preventing allergic and lifestyle-related diseases. However, this effect was not observed after treatment with LPS at high doses. In mice, oral LPS administration resulted in the detection of LPS at a low concentration in the peritoneal fluid. Therefore, LPS administered at low and high doses have different effects. Moreover, the results of in vitro experiments using low-dose LPS may reflect the effects of oral LPS administration. This review summarizes the utility of in vitro models using cells stimulated with LPS at low concentrations (50 pg/mL to 50 ng/mL) in elucidating the mechanisms of oral LPS administration. Low-dose LPS administration has been demonstrated to suppress the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and promote wound healing, suggesting that LPS is a potential agent that can be used for the treatment and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.
Neuropsychiatric and Neuropsychological Aspects of Alcohol-Related Cognitive Disorders: An In-Depth Review of Wernicke’s Encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s Syndrome
Authors: Eva Lucian , Brehar Felix-Mircea , Florian Ioan-Alexandru , Covache-Busuioc Razvan-Adrian , Costin Horia Petre , Dumitrascu David-Ioan , Bratu Bogdan-Gabriel , Glavan Luca-Andrei , Ciurea Alexandru Vlad
Published: September 2023

Alcohol-related cognitive disorders have long been an area of study, yet they continue to pose challenges in the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of underlying neuropsychiatric mechanisms. The present article offers a comprehensive review of Wernicke’s Encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s Syndrome, two conditions often seen on a continuum of alcohol-related brain damage. Drawing on current medical literature, neuroimaging studies, and clinical case reports, we explore the neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological profiles, symptomatology, and differential diagnoses of these disorders. We delve into the biochemical pathways implicated in the development of WE and KS, notably thiamine deficiency and its impact on neurotransmitter systems and neural networks. The article also addresses the challenges in early diagnosis, often complicated by non-specific symptoms and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, we review the current state of treatment protocols, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Finally, the article highlights gaps in current knowledge and suggests directions for future research to improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. Understanding the nuanced interplay between the neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological aspects of WE and KS is crucial for both clinicians and researchers alike, in order to provide effective treatment and to advance our understanding of these complex conditions.
Heart Failure in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Xanthopoulos Andrew , Papamichail Adamantia , Briasoulis Alexandros , Loritis Konstantinos , Bourazana Angeliki , Magouliotis Dimitrios E. , Sarafidis Pantelis , Stefanidis Ioannis , Skoularigis John , Triposkiadis Filippos
Published: September 2023

The function of the kidney is tightly linked to the function of the heart. Dysfunction/disease of the kidney may initiate, accentuate, or precipitate of the cardiac dysfunction/disease and vice versa, contributing to a negative spiral. Further, the reciprocal association between the heart and the kidney may occur on top of other entities, usually diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, simultaneously affecting the two organs. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can influence cardiac function through altered hemodynamics and salt and water retention, leading to venous congestion and therefore, not surprisingly, to heart failure (HF). Management of HF in CKD is challenging due to several factors, including complex interplays between these two conditions, the effect of kidney dysfunction on the metabolism of HF medications, the effect of HF medications on kidney function, and the high risk for anemia and hyperkalemia. As a result, in most HF trials, patients with severe renal impairment (i.e., eGFR 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or less) are excluded. The present review discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and current medical management in patients with HF developing in the context of CKD.
A Modern Approach to Treat Molar/Incisor Pattern Periodontitis—Review
Authors: Kim Taewan J. , Littlejohn Caroline G. , Richey Kristen H. , Falsafi Neda , Li Chenshuang , Wang Tun-Jan , Lander Bradley , Chang Yu-Cheng
Published: September 2023

Molar–incisor pattern periodontitis (MIPP) is a severe form of periodontal disease characterized by rapid attachment loss and bone destruction affecting the molars and incisors. Formerly referred to as aggressive periodontitis, the terminology for this condition was revised after the 2017 workshop on the classification of periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions. Despite the modification in nomenclature, the treatment strategies for MIPP remain a critical area of investigation. The core principles of MIPP treatment involve controlling local and systemic risk factors, managing inflammation, and arresting disease progression. Traditional non-surgical periodontal therapy, including scaling and root planing, is commonly employed as an initial step together with the prescription of antibiotics. Surgical intervention may be necessary to address the severe attachment loss. Surgical techniques like resective and regenerative procedures can aid in achieving periodontal health and improving esthetic outcomes. This review article aims to provide an overview of the current understanding and advancements in the treatment modalities of MIPP. Through an extensive analysis of the existing literature, we discuss various modern therapeutic approaches that have been explored for managing this challenging periodontal condition.
Kinetics of C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin in the Early Identification of ICU-Acquired Infections in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Cidade José Pedro , Coelho Luís , Póvoa Pedro
Published: September 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 infection is a cause of hypoxemic acute respiratory failure, leading to frequent intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Due to invasive organ support and immunosuppressive therapies, these patients are prone to nosocomial infections. Our aim was to assess the value of daily measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP) and Procalcitonin (PCT) in the early identification of ICU-acquired infections in COVID-19 patients. Methods: We undertook a prospective observational cohort study (12 months). All adult mechanically ventilated patients admitted for ≥72 h to ICU with COVID-19 pneumonia were divided into an infected group (n = 35) and a non-infected group (n = 83). Day 0 was considered as the day of the diagnosis of infection (infected group) and Day 10 was that of ICU stay (non-infected group). The kinetics of CRP and PCT were assessed from Day –10 to Day 10 and evaluated using a general linear model, univariate, repeated-measures analysis. Results: 118 patients (mean age 63 years, 74% males) were eligible for the analysis. The groups did not differ in patient age, gender, CRP and PCT serum levels at ICU admission. However, the infected group encompassed patients with a higher severity (SOFA score at ICU admission, p = 0.009) and a higher 28–day mortality (p < 0.001). Before D0, CRP kinetics showed a significant increase in infected patients, whereas in noninfected it remained almost unchanged (p < 0.001), while PCT kinetics did not appear to retain diagnostic value to predict superinfection in COVID-19 patients (p = 0.593). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients who developed ICU-acquired infections exhibited different biomarker kinetics before the diagnosis of those infections. Daily CRP monitoring and the recognition of the CRP kinetics could be useful in the prediction of ICU-acquired infections.
aCGH Analysis Reveals Novel Mutations Associated with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Plus (CDH+)
Authors: Schreiner Yannick , Stoll Teresa , Nowak Oliver , Weis Meike , Hetjens Svetlana , Steck Eric , Perez Ortiz Alba , Rafat Neysan
Published: September 2023

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a major birth anomaly that often occurs with additional non-hernia-related malformations, and is then referred to as CDH+. While the impact of genetic alterations does not play a major role in isolated CDH, patients with CDH+ display mutations that are usually determined via array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). We analyzed 43 patients with CDH+ between 2012 and 2021 to identify novel specific mutations via aCGH associated with CDH+ and its outcome. Deletions (n = 32) and duplications (n = 29) classified as either pathological or variants of unknown significance (VUS) could be detected. We determined a heterozygous deletion of approximately 3.75 Mb located at 8p23.1 involving several genes including GATA4, NEIL2, SOX7, and MSRA, which was consequently evaluated as pathological. Another heterozygous deletion within the region of 9p23 (9,972,017-10,034,230 kb) encompassing the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type Delta gene (PTPRD) was identified in 2 patients. This work expands the knowledge of genetic alterations associated with CDH+ and proposes two novel candidate genes discovered via aCGH.
An Evolutionary Model for the Ancient Origins of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Dumesic Daniel A. , Abbott David H. , Chazenbalk Gregorio D.
Published: September 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy of reproductive-aged women, characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo-anovulation and insulin resistance and closely linked with preferential abdominal fat accumulation. As an ancestral primate trait, PCOS was likely further selected in humans when scarcity of food in hunter–gatherers of the late Pleistocene additionally programmed for enhanced fat storage to meet the metabolic demands of reproduction in later life. As an evolutionary model for PCOS, healthy normal-weight women with hyperandrogenic PCOS have subcutaneous (SC) abdominal adipose stem cells that favor fat storage through exaggerated lipid accumulation during development to adipocytes in vitro. In turn, fat storage is counterbalanced by reduced insulin sensitivity and preferential accumulation of highly lipolytic intra-abdominal fat in vivo. This metabolic adaptation in PCOS balances energy storage with glucose availability and fatty acid oxidation for optimal energy use during reproduction; its accompanying oligo-anovulation allowed PCOS women from antiquity sufficient time and strength for childrearing of fewer offspring with a greater likelihood of childhood survival. Heritable PCOS characteristics are affected by today’s contemporary environment through epigenetic events that predispose women to lipotoxicity, with excess weight gain and pregnancy complications, calling for an emphasis on preventive healthcare to optimize the long-term, endocrine-metabolic health of PCOS women in today’s obesogenic environment.
Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT)—Insights from Clinical Cases, In Vitro Studies and Murine Models
Authors: Dabbiru Venkata A. S. , Müller Luisa , Schönborn Linda , Greinacher Andreas
Published: September 2023

An effective worldwide vaccination campaign started and is still being carried out in the face of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While vaccines are great tools to confront the pandemic, predominantly adenoviral vector-based vaccines can cause a rare severe adverse effect, termed vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT), in about 1 in 100,000 vaccinated individuals. VITT is diagnosed 5–30 days post-vaccination and clinically characterized by thrombocytopenia, strongly elevated D-dimer levels, platelet-activating anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies and thrombosis, especially at atypical sites such as the cerebral venous sinus and/or splanchnic veins. There are striking similarities between heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and VITT. Both are caused by anti-PF4 antibodies, causing platelet and leukocyte activation which results in massive thrombo-inflammation. However, it is still to be determined why PF4 becomes immunogenic in VITT and which constituent of the vaccine triggers the immune response. As VITT-like syndromes are increasingly reported in patients shortly after viral infections, direct virus-PF4 interactions might be most relevant. Here we summarize the current information and hypotheses on the pathogenesis of VITT and address in vivo models, especially murine models for further studies on VITT.
Review of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) Data Analysis Using Machine Learning
Authors: Adhikari Mou , Houhou Rola , Hniopek Julian , Bocklitz Thomas
Published: September 2023

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has emerged as a promising tool for all scientific studies in recent years. However, the utilization of FLIM data requires complex data modeling techniques, such as curve-fitting procedures. These conventional curve-fitting procedures are not only computationally intensive but also time-consuming. To address this limitation, machine learning (ML), particularly deep learning (DL), can be employed. This review aims to focus on the ML and DL methods for FLIM data analysis. Subsequently, ML and DL strategies for evaluating FLIM data are discussed, consisting of preprocessing, data modeling, and inverse modeling. Additionally, the advantages of the reviewed methods are deliberated alongside future implications. Furthermore, several freely available software packages for analyzing the FLIM data are highlighted.
Visual-Aided Shared Control of Semi-Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for Efficient Underwater Grasping
Authors: Wang Tianlei , Ding Fei , Sun Zhenxing
Published: September 2023

Human intelligence has the advantage for making high-level decisions in the remote control of underwater vehicles, while autonomous control is superior for accurate and fast close-range pose adjustment. Combining the advantages of both remote and autonomous control, this paper proposes a visual-aided shared-control method for a semi-autonomous underwater vehicle (sAUV) to conduct flexible, efficient and stable underwater grasping. The proposed method utilizes an arbitration mechanism to assign the authority weights of the human command and the automatic controller according to the attraction field (AF) generated by the target objects. The AF intensity is adjusted by understanding the human intention, and the remote-operation command is fused with a visual servo controller. The shared controller is designed based on the kinematic and dynamic models, and model parameter uncertainties are also addressed. Efficient and stable control performance is validated by both simulation and experiment. Faster and accurate dynamic positioning in front of the target object is achieved using the shared-control method. Compared to the pure remote operation mode, the shared-control mode significantly reduces the average time consumption on grasping tasks for both skilled and unskilled operators.
Contrastive Learning for Graph-Based Vessel Trajectory Similarity Computation
Authors: Luo Sizhe , Zeng Weiming , Sun Bowen
Published: September 2023

With the increasing popularity of automatic identification system AIS devices, mining latent vessel motion patterns from AIS data has become a hot topic in water transportation research. Trajectory similarity computation is a fundamental issue to many maritime applications such as trajectory clustering, prediction, and anomaly detection. However, current non-learning-based methods face performance and efficiency issues, while learning-based methods are limited by the lack of labeled sample and explicit spatial modeling, making it difficult to achieve optimal performance. To address the above issues, we propose CLAIS, a contrastive learning framework for graph-based vessel trajectory similarity computation. A combined parameterized trajectory augmentation scheme is proposed to generate similar trajectory sample pairs and a constructed spatial graph of the study region is pretrained to help model the input trajectory graph. A graph neural network encoder is used to extract spatial dependency from the trajectory graph to learn better trajectory representations. Finally, a contrastive loss function is used to train the model in an unsupervised manner. We also propose an improved experiment and three related metrics and conduct extensive experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework. The results validate the efficacy of the proposed framework in trajectory similarity calculation.
An Effect-Based Method to Evaluate Spatio-Temporal Variations of Coastal Marine DOM Properties
Authors: Dignan Clara , Lenoble Véronique , Pringault Olivier , Misson Benjamin
Published: September 2023

Marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a key component of the global carbon cycle. While marine DOM properties are usually characterized by chemical approaches, an effort to integrate its variations in an ecological perspective is needed. Heterotrophic prokaryotes being the main consumers of marine DOM, targeting their responses to varying DOM properties provides an effect-based characterization of DOM properties. Dilution experiments of natural marine prokaryotic assemblages were used to assess the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of DOM properties in the coastal environment through its potential to stimulate heterotrophic prokaryotic growth. Reduced top-down pressures allowed to repeatedly evidence a stronger bottom-up stimulation potential of heterotrophic prokaryotes’ net growth with DOM collected in harbours under strong human and continental influence compared to DOM collected in more open coastal sites. Shedding the light on high spatial heterogeneity of DOM properties that corresponded only partly to dissolved organic carbon concentrations, this experimental approach represents a simple and reproducible method to improve our understanding of the marine DOM cycle.
Transit-Oriented Development in China: A Comparative Content Analysis of the Spatial Plans of High-Speed Railway Station Areas
Authors: Wang Biyue , de Jong Martin , van Bueren Ellen , Ersoy Aksel , Meng Yanchun
Published: September 2023

With rapid high-speed railway (HSR) developments in China, HSR-based transit-oriented development (TOD) has proliferated across the country. Although local governments claim that HSR station areas are planned according to TOD principles, some scholars argue that these station areas actually contribute to unsustainable development. This study investigates two main questions: (1) what success factors should be included in a TOD plan for HSR station areas? (2) to what extent are these factors considered in the plans of Chinese HSR station areas? To answer these questions, we use content analysis to compare spatial plans for 15 HSR station areas across China, triangulating the findings via in-depth interviews and field investigations. This study reveals that most of the factors in the plans for HSR station areas deviate from TOD principles, especially in small- and medium-sized cities. We find that Chinese local governments mainly use TODs as a tool to promote suburban expansion around HSR stations.
The Italian Epistemic Disclaimer Non so [I Don’t Know] in a Corpus of Gynaecological Interactions
Authors: Bongelli Ramona , Zuczkowski Andrzej , Riccioni Ilaria
Published: September 2023

Viewing conversations from an epistemic perspective involves analysing how participants navigate their knowledge, handle uncertainty, and address their lack of knowledge. This article focuses on the use of epistemic disclaimers, i.e., linguistic expressions that speakers employ to indicate uncertainty or lack of knowledge, in a collection of Italian gynaecological conversations throughout pregnancy. Specifically, the study examines the occurrences, features, and pragmatic functions of the epistemic disclaimers, with a specific focus on Non so, which is the Italian equivalent of “I don’t know” in English, the most extensively researched epistemic disclaimer. The study aims to (1) investigate the types and frequency of uncertain and unknowing epistemic disclaimers in the gynaecological corpus and (2) identify their characteristics and pragmatic functions. The primary findings indicate that epistemic disclaimers are primarily used to convey unknowledge rather than uncertainty. However, while patients use more epistemic disclaimers than doctors, they mainly use them to communicate unknowledge, whereas doctors mainly use them to express uncertainty. Regardless, their usage does not appear problematic in conversational terms since the topics for which they are used fall outside the domains of knowledge of each party.
The 863C>A and 1031T>C Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) Promoter Gene May Not Be Putative Predictors of HBV Endemicity
Authors: Kafeero Hussein Mukasa , Ndagire Dorothy , Ocama Ponsiano , Kato Charles Drago , Kateete David Patrick , Walusansa Abdul , Kudamba Ali , Edgar Kigozi , Katabazi Fred Ashaba , Namaganda Maria Magdalene , Ssenku Jamilu E. , Wampande Eddie , Kajumbula Henry , Sendagire Hakim
Published: September 2023

Background: Genetic polymorphisms within the gene loci of the promoter region of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha have been associated with the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In Uganda, there is a wide variation in the HBV endemicity, ranging from low endemicity, through moderate endemicity, to hyper-endemicity. However, the underlying reasons for this disparity in HBV burden are not fully elucidated. Thus, we aimed to test the hypothesis that the TNF-α-863C/A and -1031T/C polymorphic sites may have an effect on the difference between the burden of HBV in our country. We screened 384 participants, from which a sample of 134 was drawn, to determine the HBV, TNF-α-863C/A, and TNF-α-863T/C genotypes. The nucleotide BLAST was used to match the unknown targeted sequence obtained from the Sanger sequence against the known deposited sequence. This process unveiled the base substitution mutation and the HBV genotypes. The odds ratio (OR) and Chi-square test of proportions were used for the analysis. All the analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.0 and MedCalc software version 20.010 at 95% CI. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of both the TNF-α-863C/A and the TNF-α-1031T/C genotypes and their alleles did not differ significantly by endemicity (p > 0.05). However, the prevalence of the nucleotide substitution mutations for TNF-α-863C>A and TNF-α-1031T>C was significantly low for all the study groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The TNF-α gene promoter at the TNF-α-863C/A and 1031T/C positions is conserved in our population and may not affect the endemicity of HBV infection. However, future research should focus on the use of nationwide samples in order to reach concreate determinations regarding the role of the TNF-α polymorphisms in the risk/resolution of HBV infections in an African or Black population.
Plant Image Classification with Nonlinear Motion Deblurring Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Batchuluun Ganbayar , Hong Jin Seong , Wahid Abdul , Park Kang Ryoung
Published: September 2023

Despite the significant number of classification studies conducted using plant images, studies on nonlinear motion blur are limited. In general, motion blur results from movements of the hands of a person holding a camera for capturing plant images, or when the plant moves owing to wind while the camera is stationary. When these two cases occur simultaneously, nonlinear motion blur is highly probable. Therefore, a novel deep learning-based classification method applied on plant images with various nonlinear motion blurs is proposed. In addition, this study proposes a generative adversarial network-based method to reduce nonlinear motion blur; accordingly, the method is explored for improving classification performance. Herein, experiments are conducted using a self-collected visible light images dataset. Evidently, nonlinear motion deblurring results in a structural similarity index measure (SSIM) of 73.1 and a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 21.55, whereas plant classification results in a top-1 accuracy of 90.09% and F1-score of 84.84%. In addition, the experiment conducted using two types of open datasets resulted in PSNRs of 20.84 and 21.02 and SSIMs of 72.96 and 72.86, respectively. The proposed method of plant classification results in top-1 accuracies of 89.79% and 82.21% and F1-scores of 84% and 76.52%, respectively. Thus, the proposed network produces higher accuracies than the existing state-of-the-art methods.
Predator–Prey Model Considering Implicit Marine Reserved Area and Linear Function of Critical Biomass Level
Authors: Hasibuan Arjun , Supriatna Asep Kuswandi , Rusyaman Endang , Biswas Md. Haider Ali
Published: September 2023

In this work, we examine a predator–prey model that considers the implicit marine reserve in prey species and a linear function of critical biomass level. The model’s basic properties (existence, uniqueness, positivity, boundedness, and permanence) and equilibrium points are determined. We obtain three equilibrium points: the trivial equilibrium point, the equilibrium point where there is no harvest, and the co-existing equilibrium point. The local and global stability of each equilibrium point of the model is explored. Moreover, the interior equilibrium point is always globally asymptotically stable, and the system experiences no limit cycles around the interior equilibrium point. Numerical simulations are conducted to illustrate the theoretical results obtained. Finally, we find overlapping conditions regarding the dynamics between the model we developed and a model that considers a constant critical biomass level for certain parameters.
The Impact of Investments in Physical Capital, Labor, and Knowledge Capital on Enterprise Market Value: Estimation and Optimization
Authors: Qiao Yuanbo , Shao Xiaoyan , Han Zhuolin , Duan Hao
Published: September 2023

This study analyzes the market value of listed companies in Mainland China across different industries, including capital-intensive, labor-intensive, technology-intensive, and other industries. A generalized neoclassical investment model that considers physical capital, labor, and knowledge capital as input variables is built to theoretically decompose firm value. The empirical results indicate that knowledge capital accounts for an increasing proportion of the market value of companies, rising sharply from 21.5% in 2009 to 37.9% in 2018. In contrast, the share of labor in enterprise market value has been decreasing year by year, dropping from 56.5% in 2009 to 36.4% in 2018. The share of physical capital in enterprise market value remains relatively stable. Based on these findings, the study simulates the optimal investment behaviors and their influence on the firm value of various types of enterprises, providing valuable insights for investment decision-making for managers in different industries.
Mathematical Model to Predict Polyclonal T-Cell-Dependent Antibody Synthesis Responses
Authors: Thakur Jagdish , Thakur Archana , Lum Lawrence
Published: September 2023

Mathematical models are becoming indispensable tools to explore the complexities of biological systems at cellular levels. We present a model to explore the baseline immune cell interactions for in vitro polyclonal antibody synthesis via B-cells regulated by helper and regulatory T-cells. The model incorporates interactions of antigen-presenting cells, T-cells, regulatory T-cells, and B-cells with each other and predicts time-dependent trajectories of these cells and antibody synthesis stimulated by pokeweed mitogen. We used an ordinary differential equation-based approach to simulate the dynamic changes in the cells and cytokines numbers due to the cellular and humoral response to pokeweed mitogen stimulation. The parameters of the ordinary differential equations model are determined to yield a normal immune response as observed in the pokeweed mitogen-stimulated in vitro antibody synthesis via normal T, B, and antigen-presenting cells. The dose effects of antigen load and basal values of regulatory T-cells on the profiles of various immune response variables are also evaluated.
Optimal Treatment of Prostate Cancer Based on State Constraint
Authors: Luo Wenhui , Tan Xuewen , Zou Xiufen , Tan Qing
Published: September 2023

As a new tumor therapeutic strategy, adaptive therapy involves utilizing the competition between cancer cells to suppress the growth of drug-resistant cells, maintaining a certain tumor burden. However, it is difficult to determine the appropriate time and drug dose. In this paper, we consider the competition model between drug-sensitive cells and drug-resistant cells, propose the problem of drug concentration, and provide two state constraints: the upper limit of the maximum allowable drug concentration and the tumor burden. Using relevant theories, we propose the best treatment strategy. Through a numerical simulation and quantitative analysis, the effects of drug concentrations and different tumor burdens on treatments are studied, and the effects of cell-to-cell competitive advantage on cell changes are taken into account. The clinical dose titration method is further simulated; the results show that our therapeutic regimen can better suppress the growth of drug-resistant cells, control the tumor burden, limit drug toxicity, and extend the effective treatment time.