Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful technology with an increasing popularity and applications in areas ranging from marketing to banking and finance, from agriculture to healthcare and ...security, from space exploration to robotics and transport, and from chatbots to artificial creativity and manufacturing. Although many of these areas closely relate to the urban context, there is limited understanding of the trending AI technologies and their application areas-or concepts-in the urban planning and development fields. Similarly, there is a knowledge gap in how the public perceives AI technologies, their application areas, and the AI-related policies and practices of our cities. This study aims to advance our understanding of the relationship between the key AI technologies (n = 15) and their key application areas (n = 16) in urban planning and development. To this end, this study examines public perceptions of how AI technologies and their application areas in urban planning and development are perceived and utilized in the testbed case study of Australian states and territories. The methodological approach of this study employs the social media analytics method, and conducts sentiment and content analyses of location-based Twitter messages (n = 11,236) from Australia. The results disclose that: (a) digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability are the most popular AI application areas in urban planning and development; (b) drones, automation, robotics, and big data are the most popular AI technologies utilized in urban planning and development, and; (c) achieving the digital transformation and sustainability of cities through the use of AI technologies-such as big data, automation and robotics-is the central community discussion topic.
Energy efficiency has emerged as a key point in port industry because of different factors such as the adoption of stronger environmental regulations and the increasing pressure of the local ...community on the surrounding ports. As gathering operational data from port terminals can be difficult due to privacy, studies on emissions and energy efficiency of these terminals are scarce. The following research provides key information about the real energy consumption and CO2 emissions of one of the most relevant container terminals in the Mediterranean area, located in Valencia, Spain. The results show that yard terminal tractors and rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) are the main emission sources, accounting for 68.1% of the terminal's total CO2 emissions. After identifying the equipment responsible for the environmental problem, two solutions aimed at improving the energy efficiency of the terminal have been studied: the retrofitting of RTGs cranes and the replacement of terminal tractors powered by fuel for a new liquefied natural gas tractor, which contributed to a large reduction of CO2 emissions. Additionally, the present research explores the different policies at the disposal of port authorities in order to foster the implementation of solutions aimed at mitigating the environmental externalities by terminal operators.
•The CO2 emissions of a Spanish port container terminal were studied.•Yard tractors and RTGs accounted for 68.1% of the terminal's total CO2 emissions.•LNG yard terminal tractors could reach up a reduction to 24% of total kg of CO2/h.•The retrofitting of RTG cranes would reduce CO2 emissions by 43%.•The most common policies adopted by different PAs around the world were analysed.
Purpose The field of Plastic Surgery is prominent on social media around the world. Board certified plastic surgeons and societies of plastic surgery play a role in providing accurate, evidence-based ...information to the public, patients, and colleagues. The aim of this study was to explore the use of social media by European Plastic Surgery Societies. Methods and materials A retrospective analysis of the presence and activity of European Plastic Surgery Societies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram was conducted between December 12.sup.th 2018 and December 12.sup.th 2019. The results have been compared to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Results Twenty, eleven and nine European societies yielded an active account on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram respectively. Only seven European societies had an account on all three platforms and were therefore considered polypresent. The amount of followers of those seven societies was significantly higher than of the others (p-value = 0.02). Their activity yielded significantly more posts on Facebook (p-value = 0.02). The American Society of Plastic Surgeons had more followers on all three platforms than all European societies combined. Conclusion Social media are still rather unexploited by European Plastic Surgery Societies. A tendency towards increased visibility can be observed, yet a higher penetration is required to further educate and engage through social media. The quantitative data provided serve as reasonable foundation for further studies and a guide for growth of #PlasticSurgery.
Whole wheat flour is increasingly popular as research continues to reveal the benefits of whole grains and the food industry offers more whole grain options for consumers. The purpose of this review ...is to address milling and shelf-life issues that are unique to whole wheat flour. No standard methods are available for whole wheat flour milling, resulting in very different bran particle sizes. Literature suggests that moderate bran particle size is the best for bread production, while small particle size is better for non-gluten applications. Shelf-life of whole wheat flour is shorter compared to white flour due to the presence of lipids and lipid-degrading enzymes. Lipolytic degradation leads to reduction in functionality, palatability and nutritional properties. Strategies to stabilize whole wheat flour have focused on controlling lipolytic enzyme activity and have marginally succeeded.
► Whole wheat flour varies in particle size. ► Moderate bran particle size is the best for bread production. ► Small particle size is better for non-gluten applications. ► Lipid degradation during storage leads to reduced quality. ► Lipase inactivation to stabilize whole wheat flour is marginally successful.
Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNIs) encompass neurotized muscle grafts employed for the purpose of amplifying peripheral nerve electrical signaling. The aim of this investigation was to ...undertake an analysis of the extant literature concerning animal models utilized in the context of RPNIs. A systematic review of the literature of RPNI techniques in animal models was performed in line with the PRISMA statement using the MEDLINE/PubMed and Embase databases from January 1970 to September 2023. Within the compilation of one hundred and four articles employing the RPNI technique, a subset of thirty-five were conducted using animal models across six distinct institutions. The majority (91%) of these studies were performed on murine models, while the remaining (9%) were conducted employing macaque models. The most frequently employed anatomical components in the construction of the RPNIs were the common peroneal nerve and the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Through various histological techniques, robust neoangiogenesis and axonal regeneration were evidenced. Functionally, the RPNIs demonstrated the capability to discern, record, and amplify action potentials, a competence that exhibited commendable long-term stability. Different RPNI animal models have been replicated across different studies. Histological, neurophysiological, and functional analyses are summarized to be used in future studies.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Neuromuscular choristoma (NMC) is a peripheral nerve malformation frequently associated with a fibromatosis (NMC-DTF) that mimics sporadic desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF). ...Sporadic DTF is often managed conservatively but its clinical behavior varies. CTNNB1 mutational subtypes in sporadic DTF have prognostic value. We have previously identified CTNNB1 mutations in NMC, and 3 paired NMC-DTF but the clinical behavior of NMC-DTF is poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate patients with NMC-DTF to determine (1) CTNNB1 mutational subtypes in NMC-DTF, and (2) associated clinical behavior and response to treatment.
METHODS
Retrospective review of clinical, imaging, and pathologic features of patients with NMC and NMC-DTF, and molecular testing for CTNNB1 mutations.
RESULTS
Among 7 patients with NMC of the sciatic nerve (median age: 18 yr), NMC-DTF (mean size 10.7 cm) developed shortly following NMC biopsy (N = 5) or spontaneously (N = 2): 6 NMC-DTF had CTNNB1 p.S45X mutations and 1 NMC-DTF had a p.T41A mutation. All patients with CTNNB1-p.S45-mutated NMC-DTF developed local progression after wide local excision or active surveillance, including one distal metachronous NMC-DTF. No patient had spontaneous disease stabilization. Following adjuvant radiation or systemic therapy, disease stabilization was achieved in 4 (of 6) patients. One patient progressed on sorafenib treatment.
CONCLUSION
NMC-DTF frequently contain CTNNB1 p.S45 mutations, behave aggressively, and require adjuvant therapies for disease stabilization. We now use imaging alone to diagnose NMC, and routinely surveille the NMC-affected nerve segment to identify early NMC-DTF. In contrast to sporadic DTF, earlier adoption of systemic therapeutic strategies may be required for optimal disease management of NMC-DTF.
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteasome is required for maximum virulence and to resist killing by the host immune system. The prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein, Pup-GGE, targets proteins for ...proteasome-mediated degradation. We demonstrate that Pup-GGQ, a precursor of Pup-GGE, is not a substrate for proteasomal degradation. Using STINT-NMR, an in-cell NMR technique, we studied the interactions between Pup-GGQ, mycobacterial proteasomal ATPase, Mpa, and Mtb proteasome core particle (CP) inside a living cell at amino acid residue resolution. We showed that under in-cell conditions, in the absence of the proteasome CP, Pup-GGQ interacts with Mpa only weakly, primarily through its C-terminal region. When Mpa and non-stoichiometric amounts of proteasome CP are present, both the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of Pup-GGQ bind strongly to Mpa. This suggests a mechanism by which transient binding of Mpa to the proteasome CP controls the fate of Pup.
The growth hormone is involved in skin homeostasis and wound healing. We hypothesize whether it is possible to improve pressure ulcer (PU) healing by locally applying the recombinant human growth ...hormone (rhGH) in a human skin mouse model. Non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice (
= 10) were engrafted with a full-thickness human skin graft. After 60 days with stable grafts, human skin underwent three cycles of ischemia-reperfusion with a compression device to create a PU. Mice were classified into two groups: rhGH treatment group (
= 5) and control group (
= 5). In the rhGH group for local intradermal injections, each had 0.15 mg (0.5IU) applied to the PU edges, once per week for four weeks. Evaluation of the wound healing was conducted with photographic and visual assessments, and histological analysis was performed after complete wound healing. The results showed a healing rate twice as fast in the rhGH group compared to the control group (1.25 ± 0.33 mm2/day versus 0.61 ± 0.27 mm2/day;
-value < 0.05), with a faster healing rate during the first 30 days. The rhGH group showed thicker skin (1953 ± 457 µm versus 1060 ± 208 µm;
-value < 0.05) in the repaired area, with a significant decrease in collagen type I/III ratio at wound closure (62 days, range 60-70). Local administration of the rhGH accelerates PU healing in our model. The rhGH may have a clinical use in pressure ulcer treatment.
Neuromuscular choristoma (NMC) is a rare developmental malformation of peripheral nerve that is frequently associated with the development of a desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF). Both NMC and NMC-DTF ...typically contain pathogenic CTNNB1 mutations and NMC-DTF develop only within the NMC-affected nerve territory. The authors aimed to determine if there is a nerve-driven mechanism involved in the formation of NMC-DTF from the underlying NMC-affected nerve.
Retrospective review was performed for patients evaluated in the authors' institution with a diagnosis of NMC-DTF in the sciatic nerve (or lumbosacral plexus). MRI and FDG PET/CT studies were reviewed to determine the specific relationship and configuration of NMC and DTF lesions along the sciatic nerve.
Ten patients were identified with sciatic nerve NMC and NMC-DTF involving the lumbosacral plexus, sciatic nerve, or sciatic nerve branches. All primary NMC-DTF lesions were located in the sciatic nerve territory. Eight cases of NMC-DTF demonstrated circumferential encasement of the sciatic nerve, and one abutted the sciatic nerve. One patient had a primary DTF remote from the sciatic nerve, but subsequently developed multifocal DTF within the NMC nerve territory, including 2 satellite DTFs that circumferentially encased the parent nerve. Five patients had a total of 8 satellite DTFs, 4 of which abutted the parent nerve and 3 that circumferentially involved the parent nerve.
Based on clinical and radiological data, a novel mechanism of NMC-DTF development from soft tissues innervated by NMC-affected nerve segments is proposed, reflecting their shared molecular genetic alteration. The authors believe the DTF develops outward from the NMC in a radial fashion or it arises in the NMC and wraps around it as it grows. In either scenario, NMC-DTF develops directly from the nerve, likely arising from (myo)fibroblasts within the stromal microenvironment of the NMC and grows outward into the surrounding soft tissues. Clinical implications for patient diagnosis and treatment are presented based on the proposed pathogenetic mechanism.
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