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Contractile and mechanical properties of hamstring muscles measured by the method of tensiomyography (TMG) in professional soccer players: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

Tensiomyography (TMG) is a non-invasive device used to assess contractile and mechanical properties during an isometric muscle contraction. The purpose of this systematic review was two-fold: 1) to know the scientific evidence of hamstring muscles TMG parameters in professional football players during the competitive season, and 2) to establish the most-frequent values for the main TMG parameters in soccer players compared with the reference values of the TMG software. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and a systematic search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Sport Discus electronic databases with no date restrictions until November 2023. The studies considered for this meta-analysis were studies investigating professional soccer players between 20- and 29-years measured during the competitive season and reported tensiomyography-derived parameters such as contraction time and/or maximal displacement, and/or delay time, of the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris and semitendinosus). A total of 139 studies were identified and 12 studies were included in the systematic review and for the meta-analysis. All studies underwent a quality assessment using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale, and the NOS score varied from 7/9 to 8/9 in all studies, suggesting a good quality of all articles. Study results were analyzed using restricted maximum-likelihood and random-effects models. The main findings of the study are that of the six parameters analysed, three variables were found to differ significantly. Furthermore, the weighted mean values founded were biceps femoris (Tc 27.88, Dm 5.2, Td 23.72) and in semitendinosus (Dm 8.72, Td 25.25). TMG can serve as a valuable device for assessing neuromuscular function in soccer players. Furthermore, shows the most-frequent values of the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus, where different values in the TMG parameters can be observed between the synergistic muscles.

Correction for Wu et al., Hapalindole Q suppresses autophagosome−lysosome fusion by promoting YAP1 degradation via chaperon-mediated autophagy

Expression of transgenic biotin ligases in inducible neuronal murine cell lines by integration into the mHipp11 gene locus

Biotin proximity labeling is a powerful method for identifying proteins associated with a specific organelle, a bait protein, or RNA. It requires the expression of a modified biotin ligase by transient transfection or from a stably integrated expression construct. Because such stable integration of transgenes into stem cells can lead to silencing during differentiation, targeting a biotin ligase to a genomic safe harbor site would be beneficial. Here, we report on the successful targeting and expression of two biotin ligase constructs to the mouse Hipp11 locus during neuronal differentiation. While randomly integrated MicroID and TurboID are expressed and active in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), expression ceases upon differentiation into mESC-derived neurons, which is independent of the promoter used. In contrast, targeting of the same expression cassette to the mHipp11 locus results in expression, correct localization, and biotinylation activity not only in mESCs but also in neurons 8–10 days after differentiation. This demonstrates that the mouse Hipp11 locus is a promising genomic integration site for transgenic biotin ligases in mESCs and mESC-derived neurons.

The developmental pathways of senior international soccer players: A 13-year analysis of the career trajectories of the Swedish men’s senior international team

This study explored the developmental pathways of all players (n = 313) who represented the Swedish men’s senior international team between 2011 and 2023 (n = 118) and/or the U21 international team between 2011–2022. We also examined at which respective level each player’s youth club was ranked (i.e., premier, second, or third division club, or international academy) and the age at which they were first present in that club environment. Of the 118 senior international players, 34% were selected at U15–U16, 33% were selected at U17–U18, and 33% were selected at U21 or the senior international level. Later selected (U21 and senior) players had a later senior international debut than early selected (U15–U16) players (-2.5 years, 95% CI [-4.0, -1.0 years]). Later selected players also made their senior club debut later than those selected at the U17–U18 (-1.3 years, 95% CI [-2.0, -0.5 years]) and U15–U16 (-1.9 years, 95% CI [-2.6, -1.1 years]) international level. While the majority (60%) of senior international team players entered a premier division club at some point during their junior years, players from lower clubs were overrepresented among the players who reached the senior international team without previous international team experience and made a later debut in the senior international team. We conclude that senior international players have different career trajectories and that this should be accommodated by providing structures that allow players to progress into, and out of, different development environments that best suit their individual needs as they progress to the senior level.

Correction for Atlas et al., Turbulence in the tropical stratosphere, equatorial Kelvin waves, and the quasi-biennial oscillation

Psychosocial effects of a behavioural augmentation of existing public physical activity programs for middle-aged and older adults in Ireland

The combination of an ageing population, increasing prevalence of preventable noncommunicable diseases and a decline in physical activity with age emphasizes the need for investment in physical activity programs and services for older people. This study aimed to add to the initial evidence on the effectiveness of the Move for Life (MFL) intervention by examining its effects on psychosocial health outcomes and determinants of physical activity. MFL is an intervention that aims to augment existing community-based public physical activity programs for middle-aged and older adults in Ireland with strategies derived from behavioural theory and support from peer leaders. A 3-arm cluster randomised feasibility trial compared MFL intervention, usual provision (UP) and waiting list control (CON) groups at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1, at 8-, 10- or 12-weeks) and 6-month follow up after baseline (T2). Psychosocial health and determinants of physical activity were assessed at each occasion by validated self-report measures. Linear or generalized linear mixed models were fitted to estimate group differences over time. Of 733 recruited individuals, 601 (mean age: 63.06 ± 8.1 years, 80.4% female) met study inclusion criteria. Significant advantages were found in the MFL group relative to UP in ratings of self-efficacy to overcome barriers to physical activity participation, subjective norms for and attitudes towards participation in physical activity (ps < .05). Subsequent analyses accounting for implementation fidelity revealed additional advantages for the ‘high fidelity’ MFL group relative to other groups, notably regarding loneliness and relatedness to others, perceived behavioural control, attitudes toward and intentions to participate in physical activity (ps < .05). The pattern of results shows the potential of MFL to impact positively the psychosocial health of inactive adults aged 50 + years and change psychosocial determinants of physical activity, particularly when implemented as intended. The results suggest as well that existing physical activity programs may have unexpected psychosocial consequences.

Exploring metric dimension of nanosheets, nanotubes, and nanotori of SiO2

This work investigates the metric dimension (MD) and edge metric dimension (EMD) of SiO2 nanostructures, specifically nanosheets, nanotubes, and nanotorii. The metric dimension describes the minimum number of vertices required to uniquely identify every other point in a graph. In contrast, the edge metric dimension is the minimum number of vertices needed to distinguish each edge. Understanding these dimensions is essential for characterizing the geometric and structural properties of nanoparticles. Using graph theory techniques, we compute the MD and EMD of various SiO2 nanostructures to elucidate their unique geometries and configurations. Our findings offer precise formulas for these dimensions, critical for designing and optimizing SiO2-based materials with targeted properties. This study provides valuable insights for applications in chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology, where knowledge of structural characteristics at the nanoscale is crucial.

Patient’s expectations and perceptions on quality of care; An evaluation using SERVQUAL gap in Kenya

Background Assessing healthcare quality is pivotal for patient-centric enhancements. Employing the Gaps Model of Service Quality and SERVQUAL, this study determined patient expectations and perceptions of care quality at a national referral hospital. Methods In this cross-sectional study, data were gathered pre and post care using a semi-structured tool with 380 participants. Statistical package for social sciences(Version 25) facilitated analysis. Quality indices, expressed as percentages of weighted averages, compared expected and perceived care. Service quality gaps, which represented the difference between perception and expectation (P – E), were assessed via paired-sample t-tests. Logistic regression were used to examine factors linked to positive service quality gaps. Results Median age was 34 years, 74% were female, 57% had non-formal employment, and 49% had attained secondary education. The gap index across all components was -10%. The largest gaps existed in SERVQUAL’s reliability and empathy domains. Secondary education (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.01–5.21,p = 0.003; aOR =  2.0, 95%CI: 1.57–7.11) and non-formal employment (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.01–4.11, p = 0.01; aOR =  1.40, 95%CI: 1.08–5.12) correlated with positive health service quality gaps. Conclusions Patient expectations exceeded perceptions of care quality, emphasizing the need to align service delivery and actively manage patient expectations, particularly in areas of reliability and empathy, such as timeliness and compassion.

Prediction of river dissolved oxygen (DO) based on multi-source data and various machine learning coupling models

Too low a concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in a river can disrupt the ecological balance, while too high a concentration may lead to eutrophication of the water body and threaten the health of the aquatic environment. Therefore, accurate prediction of DO concentration is crucial for water resource protection. In this study, a hybrid machine learning model for river DO prediction, called DWT-KPCA-GWO-XGBoost, is proposed, which combines the discrete wavelet transform (DWT), kernel principal component analysis (KPCA), gray wolf optimization algorithm (GWO), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). Firstly, DWT-db4 was used to denoise the noisy water quality feature data; secondly, the meteorological data were simplified into four principal components by KPCA; finally, the water quality features and meteorological principal components were inputted into the GWO-optimized XGBoost model as features for training and prediction. The prediction performance of the model was comprehensively assessed by comparison with other machine learning models using MAE, MSE, MAPE, NSE, KGE and WI evaluation metrics. The model was tested at three different locations and the results showed that the model outperformed the other models, performing as follows: 0.5925, 0.6482, 6.3322, 0.8523, 0.8902, 0.9403; 0.4933, 0.4325, 6.2351, 0.8952, 0.7928, 0.8632; 0.2912, 0.2001, 4.0523, 0.7823, 0.8425, 0.8463 and the PICP values exceed 95%. The hybrid model demonstrated significant results in predicting dissolved oxygen concentrations for the next 15 days. Compared with other studies, we innovatively improved the prediction accuracy of the model significantly through noise removal and the introduction of multi-source features.

Glucosafe 2—A new tool for nutritional management and insulin-therapy in the intensive care unit: Randomized controlled study (the Glucosafe 2 protocol)

Background Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can experience significant fluctuations in blood glucose levels, even if they do not have a history of diabetes. Such variations may arise from multiple causes and are part of the adaptative stress-response to critical illness. To support their nutritional needs, these patients might also need parenteral feeding. Glucose and metabolic fluctuations can lead to serious consequences, including increased infection rates, loss in protein and muscle mass and increased morbi-mortality. This justifies precise and constant monitoring. The management of insulin therapy and nutritional therapy strongly impacts the outcomes of critically ill patients. Glucosafe 2 (GS2) is an innovative medical device designed to address these needs. It offers real-time recommendations to healthcare professionals regarding blood glucose control and nutritional inputs among ICU patients. The goal is to ensure that blood glucose levels remain within the desired range of targeted values, and consequently to minimize the risk of both hypo- and hyperglycemia. Method and design This study is an unblinded randomized controlled study with: (1) the intervention group, which uses the GS2 device for nutritional therapy and blood glucose advice until discharge from the ICU or up until 15 days after study enrolment; (2) the control group, which uses standard care according to local ICU protocols. We also collected data of a third historical control group using retrospective data from a sample of ICU patients exposed to the standard of care 2 years before the start of the prospective trial; it aims first to validate the predictive accuracy of the GS2 model before the start of the prospective parts and to interpret the existence of possible bias by assessing the potential cross-contamination effects between intervention and control group, due to the fact that caregivers can take more care of patients in the control group, which will dilute the effect of GS2. We planned to enrol 71 patients per group (total =  213 patients). The primary objective is to compare the time spent within a predetermined range of glycemia (5.0 – 8.5 mmol/l) between the intervention group (GS2) and the control group (standard local ICU protocols). Discussion This study aims to evaluate the performance and safety of the GS2 medical device software to monitor and guide blood glucose management and nutritional therapy in critically ill patients in comparison to current standard of care. If proven successful, GS2 could be used to optimize nutritional and blood glucose management. The clinical data gathered from this study will also contribute to the Clinical Evaluation Report (CER), a regulatory document that provides an assessment of the clinical safety and performance of a medical device throughout its intended lifecycle. GS2 has the potential to optimize the quality of nutritional and blood glucose management and improve compliance with international guidelines. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03890432, Registered on 26 March 2019

Inflammatory stimuli and hypoxia on atherosclerotic plaque thrombogenicity: Linking macrophage tissue factor and glycolysis

Background The thrombogenic potential of cells within atherosclerotic plaques is critical in the formation of a coronary thrombus. We hypothesized that a combination of inflammatory and hypoxic stimuli enhances tissue factor (TF) expression and glycolysis in cells in atherosclerotic plaques and contributes to coronary thrombus formation. Aims To identify TF- and hexokinase (HK)-II-expressing cells in coronary atherosclerotic plaques and thrombi and determine the effects of combined inflammatory and hypoxic stimuli and glycolysis on TF expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived macrophages. Methods We immunohistochemically assessed TF and HK-II expression in stable (n =  20) and unstable (n =  24) human coronary plaques and aspirated acute coronary thrombi (n =  15). The macrophages were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, or interleukin-10 under normoxic (21% O2) or hypoxic (1% O2) conditions, and TF expression was assessed. Results TF and HK-II expression were increased in unstable plaques compared with stable plaques. The number of CD68- and HK-II-immunopositive cells positively correlated with the number of TF-immunopositive cells. TF- and HK-II-expressing macrophages, which expressed M1- or M2-like markers, were involved in platelet-fibrin thrombus formation in ruptured plaques. The combination of inflammatory and hypoxic conditions additively augmented TF expression and procoagulant activity in the cultured macrophages. Inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxyglucose reduced the augmented TF expression and procoagulant activity. Conclusion Combined inflammatory and hypoxic conditions in atherosclerotic plaques may markedly enhance procoagulant activity in macrophages and contribute to coronary thrombus formation following plaque disruption. Macrophage TF expression may be associated with glycolysis.

The response of soil eukaryotic microbial communities to afforestation in mountainous area of the Loess Plateau, Northern China

Soil microorganisms are integral to nutrient cycling, ecosystem functioning, and soil restoration. However, the information on the response of soil eukaryotic microbial communities to land-use transformations, particularly for afforestation, remains underexplored in the mountainous region of northwest Shanxi on the Loess Plateau. The study based on high-throughput sequencing of 18S rRNA sequences, elucidated the impact of afforestation on soil eukaryotic microbial communities in this ecologically sensitive region. The findings indicated that afforestation significantly altered the composition of soil eukaryotic microbial communities. The dominant eukaryotic phyla were Streptophyta (16.8%-46.9%) and Ascomycota (20.5%-40.7%). At the genus level, Gymnoascus, Preussia, Mortierella, Chaetomium and Fusarium were biomarkers of soil eukaryotic microbes in farmland soil, while unidentified Streptophyta and Geopora were enriched in plantations soil. The result of non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis shows significant separation between eukaryotic microbial communities in farmland and plantation soils, which significantly correlated with soil temperature (T), nitrate nitrogen (NN) and available phosphorus (AP). These findings provided data support on regional ecological restoration assessments, highlighted the effect of soil physicochemical factors on the composition of soil eukaryotic microbial communities, and enhanced our understanding of the role of afforestation in modifying soil microbial ecosystems.

Identifying novel inhibitors against drug-resistant mutant CYP-51 Candida albicans: A computational study to combat fungal infections

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals and a normal inhabitant of the oral cavity, throat, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system among health populations. Our study focused on identifying new inhibitors capable of binding to the mutant cytochrome P450 family 51 (CYP-51) protein and intended to be effective against resistant C. albicans infections. The pharmacophore ligand-based model was used for the virtual screening of compound libraries. Molecular docking was performed on Maestro, Schrodinger. ADMET analysis was performed to check drug-likeness properties. Density function theory (DFT) calculations, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, and free binding energy (MMPBSA) were also calculated. For docking, six compounds were selected from 11,022 hits from PubChem libraries, which showed the best interaction with mutant CYP-51 and were identified by pharmacophore mapping performed with the Pharma IT tool. Each of the six compounds was docked into the active site of the mutant CYP-51 protein. Overall, CP-3 exhibited significant binding affinity (−10.70 kcal/mol) as well as, showed good ADMET characteristics such as drug-likeness, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity. The lead compound, CP-3, was further used for MD simulation to observe the dynamic behavior of the complex in the active site of the mutant CYP-51 protein. Computational studies indicated that CP-3 could be a useful antagonist for the mutant protein, CYP-51. This study used computational approaches to identify potential inhibitors of C. albicans by targeting CYP-51 for antifungal drug development. Further invitro and in vivo studies are needed to evaluate its pharmacokinetic properties and efficacy as a novel antifungal drug.

Retraction: Distinct pathways of ERK1/2 activation by hydroxy-carboxylic acid receptor-1

Evaluation of caffeine modulation of topiramate effect on locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure model

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological condition marked by seizures that lead to neurobiological and behavioral impairments. Caffeine (CAF), the world’s most consumed stimulant, reportedly affects both epileptic seizures and the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs, particularly topiramate (TPM). This study aimed to investigate the effects of CAF on TPM in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure model using zebrafish larvae. Four days post-fertilization Danio rerio larvae were incubated for 18 hours with CAF, TPM, or CAF+TPM, followed by an assessment of locomotor activity. Seizures were induced by adding PTZ to achieve a final concentration of 20 mM. In the PTZ-induced seizure model, the application of CAF in doses over 50 mg/L resulted in a decrease in the average movement. TPM ( > 50 μM) significantly protected larvae against the PTZ. The addition of 15 mg/L CAF to TPM did not affect larval activity at any TPM concentration tested; however, higher doses of CAF significantly reduced larval activity. CAF doses above 25 mg/L altered the activity of larvae treated with TPM in the PTZ-induced seizure model. Larvae exhibited differential heart rate (HR) responses to CAF exposure across doses. CAF at 75 mg/L significantly increased HR, while doses of 175 mg/L and higher induced bradycardia. TPM, across all tested doses, did not independently influence HR. The study provides valuable insights into the interactions between CAF and TPM, which may inform future research on human epilepsy. However, the extrapolation of these results to other species should be approached cautiously due to physiological differences.

Spatio-temporal evolution and distribution characteristics of the high-quality development of China’s insurance industry

This study, based on the criteria of “inclusiveness,” “sustainability,” and “internal-external structural coordination,” establishes an evaluative framework for appraising the high-quality development of the insurance sector. It systematically gauges the overarching high-quality developmental status of China’s insurance industry across regions. Employing non-parametric kernel density estimation, the Standard Deviation Ellipse, and spatial Markov chain, the investigation dynamically scrutinizes the national landscape of high-quality evolution within the insurance sector over the temporal spectrum. Furthermore, Moran’s index and Dagum’s Gini coefficient are harnessed to disentangle the spatial interdependence and heterogeneity characterizing the high-quality progression of the insurance industry among provinces. The findings disclose a pronounced regional development gap throughout China, surpassing intra-regional disparities and underscoring a notable concern of imbalance in regional insurance industry development. Despite the elevated development stature of the eastern region, substantial interprovincial differentials persist, exposing internal “inequities” within this region. In the central and western domains, although internal divergences in insurance industry development are gradually diminishing, the overall developmental benchmarks remain comparatively subdued.

Accurate extraction of electrical parameters in three-diode photovoltaic systems through the enhanced mother tree methodology: A novel approach for parameter estimation

Accurately simulating photovoltaic (PV) modules requires precise parameter extraction, a complex task due to the nonlinear nature of these systems. This study introduces the Mother Tree Optimization with Climate Change (MTO-CL) algorithm to address this challenge by enhancing parameter estimation for a solar PV three-diode model. MTO-CL improves optimization performance by incorporating climate change-inspired adaptations, which affect two key phases: elimination (refreshing 20% of suboptimal solutions) and distortion (slight adjustments to 80% of remaining solutions). This balance between exploration and exploitation allows the algorithm to dynamically and effectively identify optimal parameters. Compared to seven alternative methods, MTO-CL shows superior performance in parameter estimation for various solar modules, including ST40 and SM55, across different irradiances and temperatures. It achieves exceptionally low Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values from 0.0025A to 0.0165A and Mean Squared Error (MSE) values between 6.2 × 10^−6 and 2.7 × 10^−4, while also significantly minimizing power errors, ranging from 22.86 mW to 239.40 mW. These results demonstrate MTO-CL’s effectiveness in improving the accuracy and reliability of PV system modeling, offering a robust tool for enhanced solar energy applications.

Spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of China martial arts schools based on Baidu map API

This paper examines the spatial distribution pattern and influencing factors of Martial Arts Schools (MASs) based on Baidu map data and Geographic Information System (GIS) in China. Using python to obtain the latitude and longitude data of the MASs through Baidu Map API, and with the help of ArcGIS (10.7) to coordinate information presented on the map of China. By harnessing the geographic latitude and longitude data for 492 MASs across 31 Provinces in China mainland as of May 2024, this study employs a suite of analytical tools including nearest neighbor analysis, kernel density estimation, the disequilibrium index, spatial autocorrelation, and geographically weighted regression analysis within the ArcGIS environment, to graphically delineate the spatial distribution nuances of MASs. The investigation draws upon variables such as martial arts boxings, Wushu hometowns, intangible cultural heritage boxings of Wushu, population education level, Per capita disposable income, and population density to elucidate the spatial distribution idiosyncrasies of MASs. (1) The spatial analytical endeavor unveiled a Moran’s I value of 0.172, accompanied by a Z-score of 1.75 and a P-value of 0.079, signifying an uneven and clustered distribution pattern predominantly concentrated in provinces such as Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Hunan, and Sichuan. (2) The delineation of MASs exhibited a prominent high-density core centered around Shandong, flanked by secondary high-density clusters with Hunan and Sichuan at their heart. (3) Amongst the array of variables dissected to explain the spatial distribution traits, the explicative potency of ‘martial arts boxings’, ‘Wushu hometowns’, ‘intangible cultural heritage boxings of Wushu’, ‘population education level’, ‘Per capita disposable income’, and ‘population density’ exhibited a descending trajectory, whilst ‘educational level of the populace’ inversely correlated with the geographical dispersion of MASs. (4) The entrenched regional cultural ethos significantly impacts the spatial layout of martial arts institutions, endowing them with distinct regional characteristics.

Comparison of 7 surgical interventions for recurrent lumbar disc herniation: A network meta-analysis and systematic review

Study design Network meta-analysis of multiple treatment comparisons of recurrence lumbar disc herniation. Objective The purpose of comparing the differences between different surgical approaches for recurrent lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods The PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched for articles published before April 10th, 2024. The Markov chain Monte Carlo methods were used to perform a hierarchical Bayesian NMA in R version 4.3.3 using a random effects consistency model. The assessing outcomes were pain intensity, disability, complications and recurrence. Results 20 studies including 1556 patients and 7 different approaches (PELD, MED, MIS-TLIF, TLIF, Unilat -TLIF, PLIF and OD) were retrospectively retrieved. the efficacy of each approach was the same in relieving pain, OD was significantly better than PELD and MIS-TLIF in relieving dysfunction (SMD: 1.9[0.21,3.4] and 2.0[0.084,3.8], respectively), In addition, MIS-TLIF was significantly lower than PELD and MED in the complication rate (SMD: 0.37[0.14,0.84] and 0.15[0.034,0.68], respectively), TLIF was significantly Lower than MED in the complication rate (SMD:0.14 [0.027,0.70]), PELD was significantly higher than MIS-TLIF, TLIF and PLIF in the recurrence rate (SMD: 1.3e-17 [2.4e-44,0.00016],1.2e-12[2.1e-36,0.34] and 1.4e-12[6.2e-35,0.013], respectively), MED was significantly higher than MIS-TLIF and PLIF in the recurrence rate (SMD: 2.6e-17[5.6e-44,0.0037] and 3.1e-12[1.6e-34,0.022], respectively), OD was significantly higher than MIS-TLIF, TLIF and PLIF in the recurrence rate (SMD:4.6e+16[2.3e+02,3.0e+43], 4.3e+11[2.4,2.5e+35] and 4.1e+11[35,8.7e+33], respectively). Conclusions In the treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation, vertebral fusion surgery is superior to repeat discectomy. At the same time, MIS-TLIF may be a preferable surgical procedure in the treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation.

MAF: An algorithm based on multi-agent characteristics for infrared and visible video fusion

Addressing the limitation of existing infrared and visible video fusion models, which fail to dynamically adjust fusion strategies based on video differences, often resulting in suboptimal or failed outcomes, we propose an infrared and visible video fusion algorithm that leverages the autonomous and flexible characteristics of multi-agent systems. First, we analyze the functional architecture of agents and the inherent properties of multi-agent systems to construct a multi-agent fusion model and corresponding fusion agents. Next, we identify regions of interest in each frame of the video sequence, focusing on frames that exhibit significant changes. The multi-agent fusion model then perceives the key distinguishing features between the images to be fused, deploys the appropriate fusion agents, and employs the effectiveness of fusion to infer and determine the fusion algorithms, rules, and parameters, ultimately selecting the optimal fusion strategy. Finally, in the context of a complex fusion process, the multi-agent fusion model performs the fusion task through the collaborative interaction of multiple fusion agents. This approach establishes a multi-layered, dynamically adaptable fusion model, enabling real-time adjustments to the fusion algorithm during the infrared and visible video fusion process. Experimental results demonstrate that our method outperforms existing approaches in preserving key targets in infrared videos and structural details in visible videos. Evaluation metrics indicate that the fusion outcomes obtained using our method achieve optimal values in 66.7% of cases, with sub-optimal and higher values accounting for 80.9%, significantly surpassing the performance of traditional single fusion methods.