bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Contract Governance on the Relation of Partnership Critical Success Factors and the Performance of Malaysia Public-Private Partnership Initiatives
Authors: Abdul Latif Azlan Shah , Azman Ali Noor , Ishan Zahira , Jaharuddin Nor Siah , Hassan Rohail , Abdul Latif Adibah
Published: September 2023

Much research has been carried out to discover partnership critical success factors that influence public-private partnership success. Since most public-private partnership projects are long-term in nature and include contractual arrangements, there is still a lot to learn about contract governance’s role in public-private partnership performance. Therefore, this study examines the effect of contract governance on the relationship between partnership critical success factors and partnership performance in Malaysia. Stakeholder Theory serves as the underpinning theory for this study. This study employed a quantitative method based on the positivist paradigm to distribute questionnaires. The information was collected from 261 contracting parties’ officials in Malaysian public-private partnership projects regulated by the Malaysian Public-Private Partnership Unit, and a stratified random sampling method was employed. The structural equation model analysis found that eight out of ten hypotheses were supported. According to this study, it has been established that contract governance has a direct favorable influence on partnership performance. However, it is also found that contract governance does not moderate the relationship between partnership critical success factors and partnership performance. Due to time constraints and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study was from a cross-sectional viewpoint and adopted a quantitative methodology. The findings of this study are important in the contract governance and partnership performance literature, providing policymakers and concessionaires with new information on the impact of contract governance on public-private partnership project performance. Managers of public-private partnership projects should also be able to enhance their projects’ performance by understanding how contract governance influences the performance of their projects.
Gated Recurrent Unit Embedded with Dual Spatial Convolution for Long-Term Traffic Flow Prediction
Authors: Zhang Qingyong , Zhou Lingfeng , Su Yixin , Xia Huiwen , Xu Bingrong
Published: September 2023

Considering the spatial and temporal correlation of traffic flow data is essential to improve the accuracy of traffic flow prediction. This paper proposes a traffic flow prediction model named Dual Spatial Convolution Gated Recurrent Unit (DSC-GRU). In particular, the GRU is embedded with the DSC unit to enable the model to synchronously capture the spatiotemporal dependence. When considering spatial correlation, current prediction models consider only nearest-neighbor spatial features and ignore or simply overlay global spatial features. The DSC unit models the adjacent spatial dependence by the traditional static graph and the global spatial dependence through a novel dependency graph, which is generated by calculating the correlation between nodes based on the correlation coefficient. More than that, the DSC unit quantifies the different contributions of the adjacent and global spatial correlation with a modified gated mechanism. Experimental results based on two real-world datasets show that the DSC-GRU model can effectively capture the spatiotemporal dependence of traffic data. The prediction precision is better than the baseline and state-of-the-art models.
Dexamethasone Treatment Preserves the Structure of Adult Cardiac Explants and Supports Their Long-Term Contractility In Vitro
Authors: Eisenberg Leonard M. , Kaur Keerat , Castillo John M. , Edwards John G. , Eisenberg Carol A.
Published: September 2023

Normal contractile function of the myocardium is essential for optimal cardiovascular health. Evaluating drug effects on cardiomyocyte function at the cellular level is difficult for long-term studies. Present culture systems rely on isolated, cardiomyocyte preparations or cardiomyocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), all of which have limitations. Isolated, endogenous cardiomyocytes do not remain contractile in culture long term. While PSC-derived cardiomyocytes show contractile activity for longer periods of time, their phenotype is more embryonic than adult. Here we report that dexamethasone (DEX) treatment of adult mouse atrial tissue can extend its functionality in culture. Normally, cardiac explants cease their capacity as a contractile tissue within the first month, as the tissue flattens and spreads out on the culture substrate, while the cells dedifferentiate and lose their myocardial phenotype. However, with DEX treatment, cardiac explants maintain their contractile function, 3D morphology, and myocyte phenotype for up to 6 months. Moreover, DEX also preserved the contractile phenotype of isolated rat cardiomyocytes. These data with DEX suggest that simple modifications in culture conditions can greatly improve the long-term utility of in vitro model systems for screening drugs and agents that could be employed to alleviate human cardiac disease.
Experimental Validation of a Numerical Coupling Environment Applying FEM and CFD
Authors: Hartmann Christopher , Schweikert Julia , Cottier François , Israel Ute , Gier Jochen , von Wolfersdorf Jens
Published: September 2023

Experimental results for the transient heat transfer characteristics over a flat plate and over a plate with V-shaped ribs were compared to numerical results from a coupling environment applying FEM and CFD. In order to simulate transient effects in the cooling process of engine components during typical flight missions, the temperature and the velocity at the inlet of the channel were varied over time. The transient temperature distribution at the plate was measured using infrared thermography. Five different plate materials (perspex, PEEK, quartz, aluminum, and steel) were considered to investigate the influence of thermal conduction on the heat transfer between solid and fluid depending on the Biot number. The experimental results represent a reference database for a Python-based coupling environment applying CalculiX (FEM) and ANSYS CFX (CFD). The results were additionally compared to numerical results simulating the complete transient conjugated heat transfer with CFD. A good agreement between the numerical and the experimental results was achieved using different coupling sizes at different Biot numbers for the flat plate and the plate with V-shaped ribs.
Effects of Contractual Governance on IT Project Performance under the Mediating Role of Project Management Risk: An Emerging Market Context
Authors: Saddiqa Ayesha , Shehzad Muhammad Usman , Mohiuddin Muhammad
Published: September 2023

In this study, we explore the impact of contractual governance (CG) on project performance (PP) under the mediation of project management risk (PMR). Contractual governance influences favorably IT projects performance in an emerging market context where the IT sector is growing. The principal-agent theory is used to build a research model that schedules project governance and IT project risk management. Data were collected from 295 IT professionals and the response rate was 73.75%. Smart PLS was employed to test proposed relationships. The findings postulate a strong causal relationship between the CG, PP and PMR. Fundamental elements (FE), change elements (CE), and governance elements (GE) have a significant positive relationship with project management risk (PMR), and PMR positively affects PP. Additionally, PMR mediates the relationship of FE, CE and GE with PP. Overall, the results of the study provide pragmatic visions for IT industry practitioners and experts, but the unscheduled risk to the IT industry may bring enormous harm. Consequently, effective and well-structured governance in a strategic way tends to improve the project performance by monitoring and managing both project risk and quality. In addition, the study empirically supports the significant impacts of project governance dimensions i.e., fundamental elements, change elements and governance elements on project management risk and project performance. It also guides researchers and adds value to the project performance-related literature by filling the gap.
Assessment of Liquefaction Hazard for Sites in Romania Using Empirical Models
Authors: Pavel Florin , Vladut Robert
Published: September 2023

This paper is focused on the evaluation of the liquefaction hazard for different sites in Romania. To this aim, a database of 139 ground motions recorded during Vrancea intermediate-depth earthquakes having moment magnitudes MW ≥ 6.0 is employed for the evaluation of the equivalent number of cycles for this seismic source. Several functional forms for the empirical evaluation of the equivalent number of cycles considering various seismological or engineering parameters are tested and evaluated. The regression analysis shows smaller uncertainties for the empirical models based on ground motion engineering parameters. Considering the lack of information in terms of engineering parameters, a simpler empirical model which accounts for the earthquake magnitude, source–site distance and soil conditions is selected for the liquefaction hazard analysis. Based on the proposed empirical model, specific magnitude scaling factors for Vrancea intermediate-depth earthquakes are proposed for the first time as well. The liquefaction hazard analysis is performed for sites whose seismic hazard is generated by either the Vrancea intermediate-depth seismic source or by local shallow crustal seismic sources. In the case of some of the selected sites, liquefaction phenomena were observed during past large-magnitude earthquakes. Unlike previous studies dealing with liquefaction analyses for sites in Romania, in this research, the hazard assessment is performed for various ground motion levels evaluated based on probabilistic seismic hazard assessment. Liquefaction hazard curves are constructed for each analyzed site. The results of the liquefaction hazard analysis show that this phenomenon is more likely to occur in the areas exposed to Vrancea intermediate-depth earthquakes, compared to the areas affected by local shallow earthquakes. In the case of the analyzed soil profiles from Bucharest, Craiova and Ianca, the minimum liquefaction safety factors less than one even for seismic hazard levels having mean return periods of 100 years and less.
Impact of Long-COVID on Health Care Burden: A Case Control Study
Authors: Valdivieso-Martínez Bernardo , Sauri Inma , Philibert Juliette , Calderon Jose Miguel , Gas María-Eugenia , Diaz Javier , López-Hontangas Jose Luis , Navarro David , Forner Maria Jose , Redon Josep
Published: September 2023

The objective was to identify the chronic impact of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in new diagnostics, pharmacological prescriptions, and use of healthcare resources in patients after acute infection in a case-control study. Methods: Case-control study with observation of new diagnostics codified in the Electronic Health Recordings, with a total population of 604,000 subjects. Cases included patients diagnosed with acute infection. Matched controls in the absence of infection using a Propensity Score were also included. Observational period was 6 months. New diagnostic (CIE10), prescriptions and visits to Health Care Resources were identified. Results: 38,167 patients with a previous COVID infection and the same number of controls were analyzed. Population included < 18 years old, 7586 (mean age 10.2 years, girls 49%), and 30,581 adults (mean age 46.6 years, females 53%). In adults, 25% presented new diagnoses, while the prevalence was 16% in youth. A total of 40 new diagnostics were identified. The most frequent were diagnostics in the neuropsychiatric sphere, with older age, female, and previous admission in the Critical Care Unit being the factors related in adults, while in youth higher age was also a factor. Prescription of psychoanaleptic, psycholeptic and muscle relaxants had increased. An increment of around 20% in visits to Primary Care Physicians, Specialists and Emergency Departments was registered. Conclusion: Compared with a control group, an increment in the number of new diagnostics, new prescriptions and higher use of Health Care resources were observed. Many of the new diagnoses also occur in non-infected subjects, supporting the complex origin of so-called Long-COVID.
Prolonged Ileus after Colorectal Surgery, a Systematic Review
Authors: Shereef Anzil , Raftery David , Sneddon Fraser , Emslie Katy , Mair Lyn , Mackay Craig , Ramsay George , Forget Patrice
Published: September 2023

Background: The development of prolonged post-operative ileus (POI) remains a significant problem in the general surgical patient population. The aetiology of ileus is poorly understood and management options/preventative measures are currently extremely limited. The pathophysiology leading to a post-operative ileus is relatively poorly understood, and there is no validated method to estimate ileus occurrence or duration. Ileus in the post-operative period commonly occurs following major colorectal surgery and leads to painful abdominal distension, vomiting, nutritional deficit, pneumonia, prolonged hospital stays and susceptibility to hospital-acquired infection. An increased hospital stay, the burden of treatment costs and the burden on the health system highlight the importance of future research on finding definitions, preventions and predictions of ileus. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the rate of ileus on various treatments for prolonged post-operative ileus following colorectal surgery. A confidence evaluation in a meta-analysis were performed using CINeMA. Direct and indirect comparisons of all interventions were simultaneously carried out using a network meta-analysis. The level of certainty was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. The method of assessing the risk of bias, the quality assessment, used the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool (RoB2). Results: Among the seven included studies, the majority suffered from considerable within-study bias, affecting the confidence rates of study findings. Heterogeneity and incoherence made the pairwise meta-analysis and ranking of interventions unfeasible. Indirect comparisons were considered unreliable due to this incoherence. Conclusions: This systematic review, with a confidence evaluation in the network meta-analysis, determined that there is a knowledge gap in the field of study on prolonged ileus following digestive surgery. The current evidence suffers from heterogeneity and incoherence more than imprecision. There is a gap in the data on ileus occurrence in interventional trials for digestive surgery. This could inform clinicians and trialists to better appraise the current literature and plan future trials.
At the Right Place, at the Right Time. Reply to Vetrugno et al. Comparison between FlowTrac and Pulmonary Arterial Catheter in Off-Pump Cardiac Surgery Patients: “Why Did We Miss Our Appointment?”. Comment on “Oh et al. Comparison between Fourth-Generation FloTrac/Vigileo System and Continuous Thermodilution Technique for Cardiac Output Estimation after Time Adjustment during Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 6093”
Authors: Oh Chahyun , Hong Boohwi
Published: September 2023

We thank Vetrugno et al. for their interest and comments [...]
Perceived Injustice in Cancer Survivors: Population-Specific Cut-Off Score and Relations with Personal Factors, Symptoms and Quality of Life—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Roose Eva , Huysmans Eva , Lahousse Astrid , Mostaqim Kenza , van Gerven Lotte , Vissers Moniek , Nijs Jo , Van Wilgen Paul , Beckwée David , Timmermans Annick , Bults Rinske , Leysen Laurence
Published: September 2023

Fatigue and pain are the most common side effects impacting quality of life (QoL) in cancer survivors. Recent insights have shown that perceived injustice (PI) can play a substantial role in these side effects, but research on cancer survivors is scarce. Furthermore, guidelines for recognizing clinically relevant levels of PI in cancer survivors are missing. The aims of this study are to provide a clinically relevant cut-off for PI and to explore relationships between personal characteristics, symptoms, and QoL with PI. This multicenter, cross-sectional study uses the Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Patient-Specific Complaints (PSC), Multidimensional Fatigue Index (MFI), and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30). A clinical cut-off for PI was identified based on the 75th percentile of IEQ scores. Univariate and multivariate regressions explored the relationship between PI and personal characteristics (sex, age, cancer type, treatment type), symptoms (pain intensity, fatigue), and QoL (daily activity complaints, cancer-related QoL). Cancer survivors (n = 121) were included, and a cut-off of 20 was identified. Significant indirect associations were found between chemotherapy, NPRS, PSC, MFI, and EORTC-QLQ-C30 with PI. In the multivariate model, only MFI (B = 0.205; 95% CI: 0.125–0.018) and age (B = 0.086; 95% CI: −0.191–0.285) maintained a significant association with PI.
A Comparison of Immersive vs. Non-Immersive Virtual Reality Exercises for the Upper Limb: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Pilot Study with Healthy Participants
Authors: Dordevic Milos , Maile Olga , Das Anustup , Kundu Sumit , Haun Carolin , Baier Bernhard , Müller Notger G.
Published: September 2023

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) allows for a reliable assessment of oxygenated blood flow in relevant brain regions. Recent advancements in immersive virtual reality (VR)-based technology have generated many new possibilities for its application, such as in stroke rehabilitation. In this study, we asked whether there is a difference in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) within brain motor areas during hand/arm movements between immersive and non-immersive VR settings. Ten healthy young participants (24.3 ± 3.7, three females) were tested using a specially developed VR paradigm, called “bus riding”, whereby participants used their hand to steer a moving bus. Both immersive and non-immersive conditions stimulated brain regions controlling hand movements, namely motor cortex, but no significant differences in HbO2 could be found between the two conditions in any of the relevant brain regions. These results are to be interpreted with caution, as only ten participants were included in the study.
Rasch Analysis of the Korean Version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory
Authors: Kim Ga-Young , Cho Young Sang , An Ji Hyun , Kim Jung-Wan , Moon Il Joon
Published: September 2023

Tinnitus is the perception of abnormal sounds in the ears or head without external auditory stimulation. While classical test theory is often used in tinnitus questionnaire development, it has limitations in assessing item characteristics. Item response theory (IRT) offers more precise individual ability estimations and identifies key and less important items, making it superior for reliable measurement tools. This study investigated the suitability of the Korean version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (K-THI) as a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for clinical trials. Using Rasch analysis based on IRT, we evaluated K-THI’s measurement of tinnitus-related disability in 545 patients (40.4% men, 59.6% women). Five items (2, 7, 8, 19, and 24) did not fit the Rasch model, yet a unidimensional scale and good fit for person and item data emerged (person: 0.89; item: 0.98). The three-point rating scale in K-THI proved suitable. IRT allowed precise evaluation of K-THI’s properties, vital for reliable PROMs in patient-centered care. Our findings highlight IRT’s role in questionnaire development, contributing to the advancement of PROMs.
Misinterpreting Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Diarrhea: Pathophysiological Highlights
Authors: Sciumè Giusi Desirè , Berti Ginevra , Lambiase Christian , Paglianiti Italia , Villanacci Vincenzo , Rettura Francesco , Grosso Antonio , Ricchiuti Angelo , Bortoli Nicola de , Usai Satta Paolo , Bassotti Gabrio , Bellini Massimo
Published: September 2023

Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D) and functional diarrhea (FD) are disorders of gut–brain interaction characterized by recurring symptoms which have a serious impact on the patient’s quality of life. Their pathophysiology is far from being completely understood. In IBS-D growing evidence suggests that bile acid malabsorption (BAM) could be present in up to 30% of patients. Microscopic colitis (MC) is a well-known cause of watery diarrhea and some patients, at first, can be diagnosed as IBS-D or FD. Both BAM and MC are often responsible for the lack of response to conventional treatments in patients labelled as “refractory”. Moreover, because BAM and MC are not mutually exclusive, and can be found in the same patient, they should always be considered in the diagnostic workout when a specific treatment for BAM or MC is unsatisfactory. In the present review the possible shared pathogenetic mechanisms between BAM and MC are discussed highlighting how MC can induce a secondary BAM. Moreover, a brief overview of the current literature regarding the prevalence of their association is provided.
Microporous Hydroxyapatite-Based Ceramics Alter the Physiology of Endothelial Cells through Physical and Chemical Cues
Authors: Usseglio Julie , Dumur Adeline , Pagès Esther , Renaudie Émeline , Abélanet Alice , Brie Joël , Champion Éric , Magnaudeix Amandine
Published: September 2023

Incorporation of silicate ions in calcium phosphate ceramics (CPC) and modification of their multiscale architecture are two strategies for improving the vascularization of scaffolds for bone regenerative medicine. The response of endothelial cells, actors for vascularization, to the chemical and physical cues of biomaterial surfaces is little documented, although essential. We aimed to characterize in vitro the response of an endothelial cell line, C166, cultivated on the surface CPCs varying either in terms of their chemistry (pure versus silicon-doped HA) or their microstructure (dense versus microporous). Adhesion, metabolic activity, and proliferation were significantly altered on microporous ceramics, but the secretion of the pro-angiogenic VEGF-A increased from 262 to 386 pg/mL on porous compared to dense silicon-doped HA ceramics after 168 h. A tubulogenesis assay was set up directly on the ceramics. Two configurations were designed for discriminating the influence of the chemistry from that of the surface physical properties. The formation of tubule-like structures was qualitatively more frequent on dense ceramics. Microporous ceramics induced calcium depletion in the culture medium (from 2 down to 0.5 mmol/L), which is deleterious for C166. Importantly, this effect might be associated with the in vitro static cell culture. No influence of silicon doping of HA on C166 behavior was detected.
The Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee in Pediatric Patients: What Do We Know? A Scoping Review
Authors: Lucenti Ludovico , Testa Gianluca , Montemagno Marco , Sapienza Marco , Russo Arcangelo , Di Maria Fabrizio , de Cristo Claudia , Pavone Vito
Published: September 2023

The knowledge on the anatomy, function and biomechanics and the role of surgical procedures on the anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee is still controversial. Only a few papers have examined the ALL in children. The aim of this review is to analyze all the available literature about ALL in the pediatric population. Following the PRISMA criteria, the literature was systematically reviewed, examining all the articles about ALL in pediatric patients. Eight articles were involved in this study. Five cadaveric studies, two diagnostic studies, and one cross-sectional study were found. The identification of the ALL is not always possible in diagnostic studies using magnetic resonance (MRI) or in dissecting specimens. A high variability in the presence of the ligament and in its origin and insertion were found among the studies. It is more difficult to identify the ligament in younger patients than in older children, suggesting that its presence may develop at some point during the growth. Further studies are needed for a detailed knowledge of the ALL.
Running-Related Overuse Injuries and Their Relationship with Run and Resistance Training Characteristics in Adult Recreational Runners: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Stenerson Lea R. , Melton Bridget F. , Bland Helen W. , Ryan Greg A.
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to characterize running-related injuries (RRIs), explore their relationship with run and resistance training (RT) parameters, and identify perceived prevention measures among adult recreational runners. An anonymous online survey was designed and distributed via social media and email. Data were analyzed with chi-square, t-test, or analysis of variance (ANOVA), with significance accepted at p ≤ 0.05. Data from 616 participants (76.8% female, age: 42.3 ± 10.5 y) were analyzed. Most runners (84.4%) had an injury history, with 44.6% experiencing one in the past year. The most common RRI sites included the foot/ankle (30.9%) and knee (22.2%). RRI prevalence was higher in those running >19 miles weekly (48.4%, p = 0.05), but there were no differences based on RT participation status. Among those using RT, relatively more RRIs were observed in runners who trained the hip musculature (50.3%, p = 0.005) and did not include the upper body (61.6%, p < 0.001). A disproportionately high RRI prevalence was found for several of the other risk-reduction strategies. RRIs remain a substantial problem, particularly around the ankle/foot and knee. Higher run volume and performance motives were positively associated with RRIs. Most runners incorporated RRI risk-reduction techniques, with over half using RT. The current study did not determine whether preventative strategies were implemented before or after injury; therefore, prospective studies controlling for previous injuries are required to evaluate the effectiveness of RT in preventing future RRIs.
Development of a 6 Degree of Freedom Unmanned Underwater Vehicle: Design, Construction and Real-Time Experiments
Authors: Garcia-Nava Salatiel , García-Rangel Miguel Angel , Zamora-Suárez Ángel Eduardo , Manzanilla-Magallanes Adrian , Muñoz Filiberto , Lozano Rogelio , Serrano-Almeida Agnelo
Published: September 2023

This research work describes the development of a fully actuated 6 Degree of Freedom (DOF) Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV), which can be used for environmental monitoring, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction applications, as well a research platform. The main vehicle’s characteristics are: it is designed to have easy access to all components, it has eight thrusters in a vectored configuration, it is based on an open source ArduSub firmware, it has a vision system composed of a stereo camera and a powerful computer for image processing. The mechatronics design is presented, where the mechanical, electrical and electronics, and the vision system are described. Furthermore, a general dynamic model for 6 DOF based on Fossen’s methodology is presented. In addition, a reduced 3 DOF mathematical model is derived for control purposes, where the roll, pitch and depth dynamics are considered. To show the performance in trajectory tracking tasks, two classical control strategies are introduced: a Super Twisting Controller and a Robust Proportional Derivative (PD) Controller. Finally, in order to exhibit the satisfactory performance of the developed vehicle, some experiments were conducted with the Super Twisting and Robust PD Controllers, as well as a 3D reconstruction of a plastic cover on the pool wall.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents in Artemisia Endophytic Fungi and Their Abundance in Artemisia vulgaris Tissue
Authors: Maehara Shoji , Nakajima Shogo , Watashi Koichi , Agusta Andria , Kikuchi Misato , Hata Toshiyuki , Takayama Kento
Published: September 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therapeutic agents for the disease are being developed. Endophytes are diverse and produce various secondary metabolites and bioactive substances. We isolated 13 endophytes from the leaves and stems of Artemisia vulgaris. Antiviral testing using the culture extracts of these endophytic fungi revealed that five isolates effectively inhibited the replication of SARS-CoV-2. These extracts were used to study the inhibitory effect of SARS-CoV-2 on 3C-like protease, and two isolates proved useful. Both isolates were from the genus Colletotrichum; therefore, the percentage of Artemisia endophytic fungi in the plant tissue was observed to be an important factor in plant site selection. Thus, we conducted a macroanalysis using next-generation sequencing to analyze the percentage of endophytes in the stems (whole, skin, and inner), leaves, roots, and cultivating soil, as well as to determine the location of each genus. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report that Colletotrichum spp. are abundant in stems and that stem-based methods are the most efficient for isolating endophytes targeting Colletotrichum spp.
Does Urban Green Infrastructure Increase the Property Value? The Example of Magdeburg, Germany
Authors: Fauk Tino , Schneider Petra
Published: September 2023

Are there any correlations between land use and the associated prices charged for the soil? What is the significance of green infrastructure and what is the significance of public facilities and transport? For the analysis of the data, various methods of factor reduction and analysis were used to identify a multiple regression model that explained the price building. An effect was found between the pricing of the standard land reference value (SLRV), number of trees and distance to allotments. Summarizing the results, less than 231 trees in an SLRV zone causes an SLRV increase, the opposite is the case with a larger number of trees. The more accessible an allotment garden is (in terms of distance <421 m), the lower the SLV in the adjacent area. If the distance that must be covered to the allotment garden increases, the SLRV of the area increases. However, a more significant influence on the SLRV was concluded by the market economy variables. In summary, the present study indicates that (a) a uniform evaluation matrix for the SLRV should be created, and (b) the present subjective land assessments by the relevant experts should be complemented through targeting further training in the ecologically oriented planning context.
Evaluation of the Cariogenic and Anti-Cariogenic Potential of Human Colostrum and Colostrum-Derived Probiotics: Impact on S. mutans Growth, Biofilm Formation, and L. rhamnosus Growth
Authors: Zaghloul Samaa A. , Hashem Sara N. , El-Sayed Safaa R. , Badawy Mona Shaban E. M. , Bukhari Sarah I. , Selim Heba Mohammed Refat M. , Riad Omnia Karem M.
Published: September 2023

Human colostrum (HC) is essential for oral health as it is rich in probiotics that could affect the growth of the cariogenic S. mutans and its biofilm formation; hindering dental caries in advance. In this study, HC was collected from 36 healthy mothers 1–3 days postpartum. The effect of HC on oral health was carried out by assessing the impact of HC and its derived probiotics’ cell-free supernatants (CFS) on the growth of S. mutans (using modified well diffusion) and its biofilm formation (using microtiter plate assay). Moreover, the effect of whole HC on L. rhamnosus, a probiotic oral bacterium, was examined. Probiotics were isolated and identified phenotypically by API 50 CH carbohydrate fermentation and genotypically by 16S rRNA amplification. The in vitro study revealed that HC has cariogenic activity and is associated with biofilm formation. Biofilm strength was inversely proportional to HC dilution (p-value < 0.0001). Nevertheless, HC and colostrum-derived probiotics improve oral health by inhibiting the growth of caries-inducing S. mutans with lower inhibition to L. rhamnosus probiotics. The CFS of isolated probiotics reduced the biofilm formation via the cariogenic S. mutans. These results are not only promising for caries eradication, but they also highlight the importance of breastfeeding infants from their first hours to shape healthy oral microbiota, protecting them from various diseases including dental caries.
Artificial Intelligence in the Image-Guided Care of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Lyu Yiheng , Bennamoun Mohammed , Sharif Naeha , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Dwivedi Girish
Published: September 2023

Atrial fibrillation arises mainly due to abnormalities in the cardiac conduction system and is associated with anatomical remodeling of the atria and the pulmonary veins. Cardiovascular imaging techniques, such as echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, are crucial in the management of atrial fibrillation, as they not only provide anatomical context to evaluate structural alterations but also help in determining treatment strategies. However, interpreting these images requires significant human expertise. The potential of artificial intelligence in analyzing these images has been repeatedly suggested due to its ability to automate the process with precision comparable to human experts. This review summarizes the benefits of artificial intelligence in enhancing the clinical care of patients with atrial fibrillation through cardiovascular image analysis. It provides a detailed overview of the two most critical steps in image-guided AF management, namely, segmentation and classification. For segmentation, the state-of-the-art artificial intelligence methodologies and the factors influencing the segmentation performance are discussed. For classification, the applications of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and prognosis of atrial fibrillation are provided. Finally, this review also scrutinizes the current challenges hindering the clinical applicability of these methods, with the aim of guiding future research toward more effective integration into clinical practice.
Liver Fibrosis Regression and Associated Factors in HCV Patients Treated with Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents
Authors: Abu-Freha Naim , Abu-Kosh Osama , Yardeni David , Ashur Yaffa , Abu-Arar Muhammad , Yousef Baha , Monitin Shulamit , Weissmann Sarah , Etzion Ohad
Published: September 2023

There is accumulating evidence that treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) leads to improvements in liver fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the improvement in fibrosis stage following treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and factors associated with fibrosis regression. Fibroscan® was performed for patients treated with DAAs, at least 3 years post-HCV eradication. The fibrosis stage at the onset of treatment was compared with the current fibrosis stage. A total of 209 patients were enrolled in this study (56% males; age 58.8 ± 13.3 years; age at treatment 54 ± 10.9 years). Genotype subgrouping was as follows: 1a (16%), 1b (58%), 2a (4%), 3 (18%), and 4a (2%). Overall, 71% of patients were considered treatment-naïve, with a mean follow-up time of 4.5 ± 1.3 years. Fibrosis improvement was observed among 57% of patients; fibrosis progression was seen among 7% of patients and no change was seen in 36% of patients. Moreover, 28% of these patients regressed from F3/F4 to F2 or less. In our multivariable analysis, the age at treatment and advanced fibrosis stage were found to be factors significantly associated with fibrosis regression. In conclusion, fibrosis improvement was observed among 57% of HCV patients after treatment with DAAs. Age and advanced fibrosis at baseline were found to be factors associated with fibrosis regression.
Effect of Groove Structure on Lubrication Performance of Water-Lubricated Stern Tube Bearings
Authors: Zhang Shengdong
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the lubrication characteristics (i.e., the groove ratio and width) of water-lubricated stern tube bearings, based on the flexibility matrix method and lubrication theory. Considering the elastic deformation of the lining, a fluid structure interaction (FSI) model of the surface micro-groove texture of a water-lubricated stern tube bearing was established, and the correctness and rationality of the model were verified by experiments. Micro-grooved, surface-lubricated, water-lubricated stern tube bearings with three different cross-sectional shapes (rectangular, circular, and triangular) were designed. The influences of the groove area ratio and width on the bearing load-carrying capacity and friction coefficient were analyzed. At a groove area ratio of 0.31, the load-carrying capacity of the rectangular grooved stern tube bearing reached the maximum value and the friction coefficient reached the minimum value. It is recommended to design and use water-lubricated stern tube bearings, especially Thordon water-lubricated stern tube bearings, with rectangular micro-grooves, with a groove area ratio of 0.30–0.32, so that the best lubrication performance can be obtained. With the increase in the micro-groove width, the lubrication of water-lubricated stern tube bearings with partial rectangular micro-grooves is significantly better than that of others. Under the same conditions, the bearing load-carrying capacity and friction performance of local groove stern bearings is significantly better than that of global groove stern bearings.
Multivariable Linear Position Control Based on Active Disturbance Rejection for Two Linear Slides Coupled to a Mass
Authors: Gómez Becerra Fabio Abel , Villanueva Tavira Jonathan , Buenabad Arias Héctor Miguel , Blanco Ortega Andrés , Sarmiento Bustos Estela , Calixto Rodríguez Manuela , Valdez Martinez Jorge Salvador
Published: September 2023

Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) is a promising approach that has emerged to deal with uncertainties, which has received many practical applications in motion controls. This paper presents a multivariable controller for active disturbance rejection (ADR) based on an extended state linear observer for tracking the linear position trajectory of a mass moved by two linear slides, each one driven by a DC motor. The linear extended state observer is used to estimate the endogenous and exogenous disturbances of the system, which are assumed to be unknown, but bounded. Therefore, the feedback system prevents each actuator from operating at different forward speeds, and thus a synchronization between the two actuators is achieved by moving the common mass smoothly. The simulation and the experimental results show the effectiveness and robustness of the controller proposal when moving the mass with both actuators.
Electromagnetic Property Modulation of Flaky Ferromagnetic 304 Stainless-Steel Powders for Microwave Absorption at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Yang Bolin , Xu Yifan , Chen Zhihong , Yang Hang , Hu Yuchen , Wu Haoqin , Xing Mingfeng , Guan Jianguo , Li Wei
Published: September 2023

Soft magnetic metallic absorbents suffer from severe oxidation, reduction in permeability and deterioration in microwave absorption when exposed to high temperatures. In this study, we prepared flaky 304 stainless-steel powders as new microwave absorbents via deformation-induced ferromagnetism. The 304 stainless-steel powders showed significant increases in saturation magnetization (Ms) from 1.03 to 82.46 emu/g when their shape was changed from spheroids to flakes; the Ms further increased to 92.29 emu/g after heat treatment at 500 °C in air. The permeability of 304 alloy powders also showed an obvious increase after ball milling and remained roughly stable after heat treatment at 500 °C in air. Moreover, the permittivity exhibited a sharp decrease after heat treatment, enabling the improvement of impedance matching and microwave absorption. After heat treatment at 500 °C in air for 100 h, the simulated reflection loss of 304 stainless-steel powders with wax still showed attractive levels, giving a minimum value of −22 dB and remaining below −6 dB over 8.5–16.5 GHz at a thickness of 2 mm. Our work can help to include paramagnetic alloy systems as new microwave absorbents for working in harsh environments.
Multi-Focus Image Fusion via PAPCNN and Fractal Dimension in NSST Domain
Authors: Lv Ming , Jia Zhenhong , Li Liangliang , Ma Hongbing
Published: September 2023

Multi-focus image fusion is a popular technique for generating a full-focus image, where all objects in the scene are clear. In order to achieve a clearer and fully focused fusion effect, in this paper, the multi-focus image fusion method based on the parameter-adaptive pulse-coupled neural network and fractal dimension in the nonsubsampled shearlet transform domain was developed. The parameter-adaptive pulse coupled neural network-based fusion rule was used to merge the low-frequency sub-bands, and the fractal dimension-based fusion rule via the multi-scale morphological gradient was used to merge the high-frequency sub-bands. The inverse nonsubsampled shearlet transform was used to reconstruct the fused coefficients, and the final fused multi-focus image was generated. We conducted comprehensive evaluations of our algorithm using the public Lytro dataset. The proposed method was compared with state-of-the-art fusion algorithms, including traditional and deep-learning-based approaches. The quantitative and qualitative evaluations demonstrated that our method outperformed other fusion algorithms, as evidenced by the metrics data such as QAB/F, QE, QFMI, QG, QNCIE, QP, QMI, QNMI, QY, QAG, QPSNR, and QMSE. These results highlight the clear advantages of our proposed technique in multi-focus image fusion, providing a significant contribution to the field.
AI-Enabled Vibrotactile Feedback-Based Condition Monitoring Framework for Outdoor Mobile Robots
Authors: Pookkuttath Sathian , Abdulkader Raihan Enjikalayil , Elara Mohan Rajesh , Veerajagadheswar Prabakaran
Published: September 2023

An automated Condition Monitoring (CM) and real-time controlling framework is essential for outdoor mobile robots to ensure the robot’s health and operational safety. This work presents a novel Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled CM and vibrotactile haptic-feedback-based real-time control framework suitable for deploying mobile robots in dynamic outdoor environments. It encompasses two sections: developing a 1D Convolutional Neural Network (1D CNN) model for predicting system degradation and terrain flaws threshold classes and a vibrotactile haptic feedback system design enabling a remote operator to control the robot as per predicted class feedback in real-time. As vibration is an indicator of failure, we identified and separated system- and terrain-induced vibration threshold levels suitable for CM of outdoor robots into nine classes, namely Safe, moderately safe system-generated, and moderately safe terrain-induced affected by left, right, and both wheels, as well as severe classes such as unsafe system-generated and unsafe terrain-induced affected by left, right, and both wheels. The vibration-indicated data for each class are modelled based on two sensor data: an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor for the change in linear and angular motion and a current sensor for the change in current consumption at each wheel motor. A wearable novel vibrotactile haptic feedback device architecture is presented with left and right vibration modules configured with unique haptic feedback patterns corresponding to each abnormal vibration threshold class. The proposed haptic-feedback-based CM framework and real-time remote controlling are validated with three field case studies using an in-house-developed outdoor robot, resulting in a threshold class prediction accuracy of 91.1% and an effectiveness that, by minimising the traversal through undesired terrain features, is four times better than the usual practice.
The Brainstem Cavernoma Case Series: A Formula for Surgery and Surgical Technique
Authors: Tatagiba Marcos , Lepski Guilherme , Kullmann Marcel , Krischek Boris , Danz Soeren , Bornemann Antje , Klein Jan , Fahrig Antje , Velnar Tomaz , Feigl Guenther C.
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives: Cavernous malformations (CM) are vascular malformations with low blood flow. The removal of brainstem CMs (BS) is associated with high surgical morbidity, and there is no general consensus on when to treat deep-seated BS CMs. The aim of this study is to compare the surgical outcomes of a series of deep-seated BS CMs with the surgical outcomes of a series of superficially located BS CMs operated on at the Department of Neurosurgery, College of Tuebingen, Germany. Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluation was performed using patient charts, surgical video recordings, and outpatient examinations. Factors were identified in which surgical intervention was performed in cases of BS CMs. Preoperative radiological examinations included MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). For deep-seated BS CMs, a voxel-based 3D neuronavigation system and electrophysiological mapping of the brainstem surface were used. Results: A total of 34 consecutive patients with primary superficial (n = 20/58.8%) and deep-seated (n = 14/41.2%) brainstem cavernomas (BS CM) were enrolled in this comparative study. Complete removal was achieved in 31 patients (91.2%). Deep-seated BS CMs: The mean diameter was 14.7 mm (range: 8.3 to 27.7 mm). All but one of these lesions were completely removed. The median follow-up time was 5.8 years. Two patients (5.9%) developed new neurologic deficits after surgery. Superficial BS CMs: The median diameter was 14.9 mm (range: 7.2 to 27.3 mm). All but two of the superficial BS CMs could be completely removed. New permanent neurologic deficits were observed in two patients (5.9%) after surgery. The median follow-up time in this group was 3.6 years. Conclusions: The treatment of BS CMs remains complex. However, the results of this study demonstrate that with less invasive posterior fossa approaches, brainstem mapping, and neuronavigation combined with the use of a blunt “spinal cord” dissection technique, deep-seated BS CMs can be completely removed in selected cases, with good functional outcomes comparable to those of superficial BS CM.
Novel Perspectives on Food-Based Natural Antimicrobials: A Review of Recent Findings Published since 2020
Authors: Sar Taner , Kiraz Pelin , Braho Vjola , Harirchi Sharareh , Akbas Meltem Yesilcimen
Published: September 2023

Various fruit and vegetable wastes, particularly peels, seeds, pulp, and unprocessed residues from the food industry, are abundant sources of antioxidants and essential antimicrobial agents. These valuable bioactive compounds recovered from the food industry have a great application in food, agriculture, medicine, and pharmacology. Food-derived natural antimicrobials offer advantages such as diminishing microbial loads and prolonging the shelf life of food products particularly prone to microbial spoilage. They not only enrich the foods with antioxidants but also help prevent microbial contamination, thereby prolonging their shelf life. Similarly, incorporating these natural antimicrobials into food packaging products extends the shelf life of meat products. Moreover, in agricultural practices, these natural antimicrobials act as eco-friendly pesticides, eliminating phytopathogenic microbes responsible for causing plant diseases. In medicine and pharmacology, they are being explored as potential therapeutic agents. This review article is based on current studies conducted in the last four years, evaluating the effectiveness of food-based natural antimicrobials in food, agriculture, medicine, and pharmacology.