bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Complexities of VOC Sources in Mexico City in the Years 2016–2022
Authors: Alam Mohammad Jahirul , Rappenglueck Bernhard , Retama Armando , Rivera-Hernández Olivia
Published: January 2024

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major ingredients of photochemical smog. It is essential to know the spatial and temporal variation of VOC emissions. In this study, we used the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model for VOC source apportionment in Mexico City. We first analyzed a data set collected during the ozone season from March–May 2016. It includes 33 VOCs, nitrogen oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the sum of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particle matter with a diameter < 1 μm (PM1). Another PMF analysis focused only on VOC data obtained in the month of May between the years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022 to gain insights into interannual variations. While the use of fossil fuel through combustion and evaporation continues to be major fraction in Mexico City, additional sources could be identified. Apart from biogenic sources which become more important closer to the end of the ozone season, a second natural emission factor termed “geogenic”, was identified. Overall, anthropogenic sources range between 80–90%. Diurnal plots and bivariate plots show the relative importance of these emission source factors on different temporal and spatial scales, which can be applied in emission control policies for Mexico City.
Wildfire CO2 Emissions in the Conterminous United States from 2015 to 2018 as Estimated by the WRF-Chem Assimilation System from OCO-2 XCO2 Retrievals
Authors: Jin Jiuping , Zhang Qinwei , Wei Chong , Gu Qianrong , Huang Yongjian
Published: January 2024

Wildfires are becoming more frequent due to the global climate change. Large amounts of greenhouse gases emitted by wildfires can lead to increases in extreme climate events. Accurately estimating the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from wildfires is important for mitigation of climate change. In this paper, we develop a novel method to estimate wildfire CO2 emissions from the relationship between local CO2 emissions and XCO2 anomalies. Our method uses the WRF-Chem assimilation system from OCO-2 XCO2 retrievals which coupled with Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART). To validate our results, we conducted three experiments evaluating the wildfire CO2 emissions over the conterminous United States. The four-month average wildfire emissions from July to October in 2015∼2018 were estimated at 4.408 Tg C, 1.784 Tg C, 1.514 Tg C and 2.873 Tg C, respectively. Compared to the average of established inventories CT2019B, FINNv1.5 and GFASv1.2 fire emissions, our estimates fall within one standard deviation, except for 2017 due to lacking of OCO-2 XCO2 retrievals. These results suggest that the regional carbon assimilation system, such as WRF-Chem/DART, using OCO-2 XCO2 retrievals has a great potential for accurately tracking regional wildfire emissions.
Cerebrospinal and Brain Proteins Implicated in Neuropsychiatric and Risk Factor Traits: Evidence from Mendelian Randomization
Authors: de La Harpe Roxane , Zagkos Loukas , Gill Dipender , Cronjé Héléne T. , Karhunen Ville
Published: January 2024

Neuropsychiatric disorders present a global health challenge, necessitating an understanding of their molecular mechanisms for therapeutic development. Using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, this study explored associations between genetically predicted levels of 173 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and 25 in the brain with 14 neuropsychiatric disorders and risk factors. Follow-up analyses assessed consistency across plasma protein levels and gene expression in various brain regions. Proteins were instrumented using tissue-specific genetic variants, and colocalization analysis confirmed unbiased gene variants. Consistent MR and colocalization evidence revealed that lower cortical expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8, coupled higher abundance in the CSF and plasma, associated with lower fluid intelligence scores and decreased bipolar disorder risk. Additionally, elevated apolipoprotein-E2 and hepatocyte growth factor-like protein in the CSF and brain were related to reduced leisure screen time and lower odds of physical activity, respectively. Furthermore, elevated CSF soluble tyrosine-protein kinase receptor 1 level increased liability to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia alongside lower fluid intelligence scores. This research provides genetic evidence supporting novel tissue-specific proteomic targets for neuropsychiatric disorders and their risk factors. Further exploration is necessary to understand the underlying biological mechanisms and assess their potential for therapeutic intervention.
Research on the Application and Interpretability of Predictive Statistical Data Analysis Methods in Medicine
Authors: Nieminen Pentti
Published: January 2024

Multivariable statistical analysis involves the dichotomy of modeling and predicting [...]
Evidence of Language Development Using Brief Animated Stimuli: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vlachou Triantafyllia I. , Kambanaros Maria , Plotas Panagiotis , Georgopoulos Voula Chris
Published: January 2024

There is limited evidence regarding the effect of animation compared to static pictures on children’s language development. The aim was to systematically review the available literature for evidence concerning the effect of brief animation on spoken language responses (receptive—listening or expressive—speaking) in typically developing (TD) children aged 3 to 9 years. Five databases were searched, resulting in seven included studies. The characteristics of animated stimuli, the manner of presentation, and the language-related tasks were recorded, and questions were posed about the effect of brief animation on children’s receptive and expressive language abilities. The evidence suggests that animation may have a positive effect on expressive language abilities of children compared to static pictures. As far as the effect of animation on receptive language performance is concerned, the evidence is less concrete. Future directions regarding the potential of animation on language development are discussed.
Updating a Quality Management System for a Mexican Industrial Organization: Case Study
Authors: López-Figueroa Julio César , Lagarda-Leyva Ernesto A. , Fornés-Rivera René Daniel , Bueno-Solano Alfredo
Published: January 2024

The need to update an enterprise quality management system (QMS) seems to be more urgent each time. Without adequate updating, the system may not be capable of responding to market changes, generating delivery delays and increasing customer costs and losses instead of allowing industries to improve product quality and services, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction. Thus, the present research deals with a case study of a Mexican metal mechanics industry certified to ISO 9001:2015 with the need to update its operating QMS. Due to reasons for growth, the industry has added new activities to the processes and modified others, working in the integration area to improve efficiency and efficacy. Therefore, an analysis of strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats (SWOT) was performed. The status of the processes was evaluated, creating a document with new activities and updating those that showed non-compliance. The results of this investigation have the purpose of contributing to the importance of QMS empirical evidence in emerging countries and increasing quality studies in Mexican industries.
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Risks from Supply Chain Perspective: A Review of the Literature and Conceptual Framework Development
Authors: Kabir Md Ainul , Khan Sharfuddin Ahmed , Kabir Golam
Published: January 2024

The technology called carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is important for capturing CO2 emissions before they enter the air. Because everyone wants to stop global warming by reducing CO2 emissions, CCUS is an important and emerging technology that can help slow down climate change, lower emissions in many areas, and support the move toward a sustainable and carbon-neutral future. As CCUS technology and its adaptation increases, it is very important to pay attention to the CCUS risks from a supply chain (SC) point of view. The goal of this study was to identify CCUS supply chain risks and develop a conceptual framework (CF) that provides a structured approach to ensure safe and reliable CCUS supply chain operations. Therefore, this study analyzed the literature related to the SCs of different sectors and identified the SC risks, which was the foundation for CCUS SC risk identification. This study demonstrates that there is no research article that provides a comprehensive CCUS SC risk management framework that connects with risk management strategies. The conceptual framework that is proposed in this study connects CCUS SC functions, risks, and risk management strategies to construct a complete CCUS supply chain risk management system. Moreover, the CF provides guidelines for future research, which will enrich the CCUS supply chain risk management system as well as fight climate change.
The Matrix Stiffness Coordinates the Cell Proliferation and PD-L1 Expression via YAP in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Park Yeonhee , Lee Dahye , Lee Jeong Eun , Park Hee Sun , Jung Sung Soo , Park Dongil , Kang Da Hyun , Lee Song-I , Woo Seong-Dae , Chung Chaeuk
Published: January 2024

The extracellular matrix (ECM) exerts physiological activity, facilitates cell-to-cell communication, promotes cell proliferation and metastasis, and provides mechanical support for tumor cells. The development of solid tumors is often associated with increased stiffness. A stiff ECM promotes mechanotransduction, and the predominant transcription factors implicated in this phenomenon are YAP/TAZ, β-catenin, and NF-κB. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether YAP is a critical mediator linking matrix stiffness and PD-L1 in lung adenocarcinoma. We confirmed that YAP, PD-L1, and Ki-67, a marker of cell proliferation, increase as the matrix stiffness increases in vitro using the lung adenocarcinoma cell lines PC9 and HCC827 cells. The knockdown of YAP decreased the expression of PD-L1 and Ki-67, and conversely, the overexpression of YAP increased the expression of PD-L1 and K-67 in a stiff-matrix environment (20.0 kPa). Additionally, lung cancer cells were cultured in a 3D environment, which provides a more physiologically relevant setting, and compared to the results obtained from 2D culture. Similar to the findings in 2D culture, it was confirmed that YAP influenced the expression of PD-L1 and K-67 in the 3D culture experiment. Our results suggest that matrix stiffness controls PD-L1 expression via YAP activation, ultimately contributing to cell proliferation.
Human Leukocyte Antigen–Haploidentical Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Using Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide for Paediatric Haematological Malignancies
Authors: Nishikawa Takuro
Published: January 2024

The use of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY), which markedly reduces the risk of graft-versus-host disease, has rapidly increased worldwide, even in children. It was initially developed for post-transplant relapse or non-remission at transplant for patients with high-risk haematologic malignancies. However, this strategy is currently used more frequently for standard-risk, transplant-eligible paediatric haematological malignancies. It has recently been recognised in adults that the transplant outcomes after PTCY-based HLA–haploidentical HSCT are comparable with those achieved after HLA-matched HSCT. Therefore, even in children, parental donors who are HLA–haploidentical donors and cord blood are currently considered the next donor candidates when an HLA-matched related or unrelated donor is unavailable. This review addresses the current status of the use of haplo-HSCT with PTCY for paediatric haematologic malignancies and future directions for donor selection (sex, age, ABO blood type, and HLA disparity), donor source, the dose of infused CD34+ cells, optimal conditioning, the concomitant graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis other than PTCY, and the pharmacokinetic study of CY and CY metabolites. These aspects present key solutions for further improvements in the outcomes of haplo-HSCT with PTCY for paediatric haematological malignancies.
Epidemiology of Keratinocyte Skin Cancer with a Focus on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Nanz Lena , Keim Ulrike , Katalinic Alexander , Meyer Thomas , Garbe Claus , Leiter Ulrike
Published: January 2024

Keratinocyte skin cancer, consisting of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is by far the most common cancer in white-skinned populations, with rapid increases over the last 50 years. While the age-standardized incidence rates increase worldwide, the age-standardized mortality rates are variable. The incidence rates of keratinocyte skin cancer are much higher compared to those of melanoma, and are largely attributed to the raising exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the most important causal risk factor for skin cancer. Whereas the development of BCC is mainly due to intense UV exposure during childhood and adolescence, the development of SCC is related to chronic, cumulative UV exposure over decades. Although mortality rates are relatively low, SCC is an increasing problem for healthcare services, significantly causing morbidity, especially in older age groups. This review reports on the epidemiology of keratinocyte skin cancer, with a focus on SCC, in Australia, the United States, and the north of Europe, with an outlook on further challenges health systems will be confronted with in the next 20 years.
Cancer Chemotherapy: Combination with Inhibitors (Volume I)
Authors: D’Orazi Gabriella , Cirone Mara
Published: January 2024

Cancer is one of the major causes of death globally, accounting for 10 million deaths in 2020 [...]
The JAK-STAT Pathway as a Therapeutic Strategy in Cancer Patients with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis: A Narrative Review
Authors: Gravina Antonietta Gerarda , Pellegrino Raffaele , Esposito Alfonso , Cipullo Marina , Romeo Mario , Palladino Giovanna , Iodice Patrizia , Federico Alessandro , Troiani Teresa
Published: January 2024

Immunotherapy has emerged as a pivotal component in the treatment of various malignancies, encompassing lung, skin, gastrointestinal, and head and neck cancers. The foundation of this therapeutic approach lies in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). While ICIs have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in impeding the neoplastic progression of these tumours, their use may give rise to substantial toxicity, notably in the gastrointestinal domain, where ICI colitis constitutes a significant aspect. The optimal positioning of Janus kinase (JAK)–signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway inhibitors in the therapeutic management of ICI colitis remains unclear. Numerous reports have highlighted notable improvements in ICI colitis through the application of pan-JAK-STAT inhibitors, with tofacitinib, in particular, reporting evident clinical remission of colitis. The precise mechanism by which JAK-STAT inhibitors may impact the pathogenetic process of ICI colitis remains inadequately understood. However, there is speculation regarding their potential role in modulating memory resident CD8+ T lymphocytes. The elucidation of this mechanism requires further extensive and robust evidence, and ongoing JAK-STAT-based trials are anticipated to contribute valuable insights.
Progress in Serial Imaging for Prognostic Stratification of Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Immunotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chiu Hwa-Yen , Wang Ting-Wei , Hsu Ming-Sheng , Chao Heng-Shen , Liao Chien-Yi , Lu Chia-Feng , Wu Yu-Te , Chen Yuh-Ming
Published: January 2024

Immunotherapy, particularly with checkpoint inhibitors, has revolutionized non-small cell lung cancer treatment. Enhancing the selection of potential responders is crucial, and researchers are exploring predictive biomarkers. Delta radiomics, a derivative of radiomics, holds promise in this regard. For this study, a meta-analysis was conducted that adhered to PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies on the use of delta radiomics in stratifying lung cancer patients receiving immunotherapy. Out of 223 initially collected studies, 10 were included for qualitative synthesis. Stratifying patients using radiomic models, the pooled analysis reveals a predictive power with an area under the curve of 0.81 (95% CI 0.76–0.86, p < 0.001) for 6-month response, a pooled hazard ratio of 4.77 (95% CI 2.70–8.43, p < 0.001) for progression-free survival, and 2.15 (95% CI 1.73–2.66, p < 0.001) for overall survival at 6 months. Radiomics emerges as a potential prognostic predictor for lung cancer, but further research is needed to compare traditional radiomics and deep-learning radiomics.
Optimization of Tissue Digestion Methods for Characterization of Photoaged Skin by Single Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Preferential Enrichment of T Cell Subsets
Authors: Clister Terri , Fey Rosalyn M. , Garrison Zachary R. , Valenzuela Cristian D. , Bar Anna , Leitenberger Justin J. , Kulkarni Rajan P.
Published: January 2024

Healthy human skin tissue is often used as a control for comparison to diseased skin in patients with skin pathologies, including skin cancers or other inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Although non-affected skin from these patients is a more appropriate choice for comparison, there is a paucity of studies examining such tissue. This lack is exacerbated by the difficulty of processing skin tissue for experimental analysis. In addition, choosing a processing protocol for skin tissue which preserves cell viability and identity while sufficiently dissociating cells for single-cell analysis is not a trivial task. Here, we compare three digestion methods for human skin tissue, evaluating the cell yield and viability for each protocol. We find that the use of a sequential dissociation method with multiple enzymatic digestion steps produces the highest cell viability. Using single-cell sequencing, we show this method results in a relative increase in the proportion of non-antigen-presenting mast cells and CD8 T cells as well as a relative decrease in the proportion of antigen-presenting mast cells and KYNU+ CD4 T cells. Overall, our findings support the use of this sequential digestion method on freshly processed human skin samples for optimal cell yield and viability.
Production of Mature Recombinant Human Activin A in Transgenic Rice Cell Suspension Culture
Authors: Do Van Giap , Yang Moon-Sik
Published: January 2024

Activin A belongs to the transforming growth factor (TGF) family member, which exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation and the promotion of neuronal survival. The isolation of AA from natural sources can only produce limited quantities of this bioactive protein. In this study, the whole gene of the precursor form of recombinant human activin A (rhAA) contains a signal peptide, and a pro-region and a mature region were cloned into an expression vector under the control of the rice α-amylase 3D (RAmy3D) promoter. To obtain the mature (active) form of rhAA, an enterokinase cleavage site was inserted between the pro-region and mature region of rhAA. The rice seed (Oryza sativa L. cv. Dongjin) was transformed with recombinant vectors by the Agrobacterium-mediated method, and the integration of the target gene into the plant genome was confirmed by genomic PCR. The transcript expression of rhAA in transgenic rice calli was confirmed by a Northern blot analysis of mRNA. The production of rhAA was verified by Western blot analysis and ELISA. The accumulation of secreted rhAA in the culture medium was purified by Ni2+—NTA. The mature form of AA was released from the precursor form of rhAA after proteolytically processing with enterokinase. Western blot shows that the mature AA was split into monomer and homodimer with molecular weights of 14 kDa and 28 kDa under reducing and non-reducing conditions, respectively. These results suggest that the mature form of rhAA could be produced and purified using transgenic rice cell suspension culture.
Enhancement of Spreadability in Haynes 230 Powder via In Situ Micro-Oxidation Gas Atomization for Additive Manufacturing Process
Authors: Zhang Peng , Bi Zhongnan , Wang Rui , Wang Lianbo , Liu Guohao , Sun Guangbao , Zhang Shaoming
Published: January 2024

The powder bed packing density of metal powders plays a crucial role in additive manufacturing as it directly affects the defect and mechanical properties of the fabricated parts. Powder bed packing density is related to powder flowability and spreadability. In this study, we introduced a new method to improve powder flowability and spreadability, where Haynes 230 powder with exceptional flowability was successfully produced using an in situ micro-oxidation gas atomization process. Compared to conventional gas atomization, the powder exhibited improved flowability and spreadability, measuring at 11.8 s/50 g. Additionally, the angle of repose was reduced by 25%, resulting in a powder bed packing density of 5.67 g/cm3, corresponding to 63.7% of the theoretical density. Notably, the oxygen content in the powder was only 180 ppm, as confirmed by XRD testing, and no oxide peaks were detected. Furthermore, the depth of the oxide layer on the particle surface increased by less than 20 nm. As a result, the in situ micro-oxidation process reduces the number of pores and cracks in the Haynes 230 alloy formed specimens and improves the relative density of the built specimens. This study highlights the potential of in situ micro-oxidation gas atomization as a promising method for producing powders with high flowability and spreadability for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) processes.
Perspective Coatings Based on Structured Conducting ITO Thin Films for General Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Toikka Andrei , Ilin Matwei , Kamanina Natalia
Published: January 2024

In many electro-optical devices, the conductive layer is an important key functional element. Among others, unique indium tin oxide (ITO) contacts take priority. ITO structure is widely used as the optical transparent and electrically conductive material in general optoelectronics, biosensors and electrochemistry. ITO is one of the key elements in the liquid crystal (LC) displays, spatial light modulators (SLMs) and LC convertors. It should be mentioned that not only the morphology of this layer structure but also the surface features play an important role in the study of the physical parameters of the ITO. In order to switch the surface properties (roughness, average tilt angle and surface free energy) of the ITO via the laser-oriented deposition (LOD) method, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were implanted. In the LOD technique, the CO2 laser (λ = 10.6 μm, P = 30 W) with the control electric grid was used. The switching of the deposition conditions was provided via the varying electrical strength of the control grid in the range of 100–600 V/cm. The diagnostics of the surfaces were performed using AFM analysis and wetting angle measurements. The components of the surface free energy (SFE) were calculated using the OWRK method. The main experimental results are as follows: the roughness increases with a rise in the electric field strength during the deposition of the CNTs; the carbon nanotubes provide a higher level of the dispersive component of SFE (25.0–31.4 mJ/m2 against 22.2 mJ/m2 in the case of pure ITO); the CNTs allow an increase in the wetting angle of the 5CB liquid crystal drops from 38.35° to 58.95°. Due to the possibility of the switching properties of the ITO/CNT surfaces, these modifications have potential interest in microfluidics applications and are useful for the liquid crystal’s electro-optics.
Investigating the Concurrent Effect of Cerium/Hydroxyapatite Coatings on Mg-Based Implant for Enhancing Corrosion Performance and In-Vitro Activity
Authors: Rajabi Zeinab , Afshar Taromi Faramarz , Pourmahdian Saeed , Eivaz Mohammadloo Hossein
Published: January 2024

Magnesium alloy is emerging as a leading choice for biodegradable orthopedic implants, thanks to its superior biocompatibility and mechanical characteristics that align with those of natural bone. Nonetheless, its swift corrosion rate poses a challenge to its use in clinical settings. In this study, two methods were used to apply Cerium and Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on Mg AZ31 implants, specifically a one-step process (HA + Ce) and a two-step process (HA + Ce/CeCC), with the aim of improving their resistance to corrosion. The susceptibility of the samples to corrosion and the efficiency of the coatings in a physiological media were evaluated using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Direct Current (DC) polarization tests in a Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) solution. In the HA + Ce sample, the effect of immersion time was also examined. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) results showed that after 15 min of coating process, a very weak and uneven coating is formed on the surface. However, at 30 and 60 min, the structure of the coating changes, forming a more crystalline and denser coating on the surface, which also has greater corrosion resistance. The results of the electrochemical tests showed that the sample prepared using the two-step method (HA + Ce/CeCC sample) had the highest resistance to both corrosion and biocorrosion. The morphology and composition of the coatings were inspected using FE-SEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirming the formation of HA crystals and an amorphous layer of Cerium. Moreover, the HA + Ce/CeCC sample demonstrated the highest level of corrosion resistance in an Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) media over an extended duration of submersion.
MWCNT–Polyimide Fiber-Reinforced Composite for High-Temperature Tribological Applications
Authors: Yan Yunfeng , Zhang Beibei , Wang Jianzhang , Cao Changhong , Yan Fengyuan
Published: January 2024

A hybrid type of polyimide fibers (PIF) grafted with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was developed for high-temperature tribological applications. Compared to pure PI samples, the mechanical properties (i.e., Young’s modulus and hardness) of the PIF-based composite were enhanced following a rule of mixture prediction; the onset decomposition temperature of the MWCNT-PIF-based composite was increased by 14.5 °C and the wear rate at 300 °C decreased by 34.5%. To understand the grafting mechanism, Dmol3 simulation was performed, which revealed that the benzene ring and the hydroxyl group of diene-acceptor (DA) donated electrons to the oxygen atom in the nitrogen-containing five-membered ring of PIF and the straight chain structures had higher reactivity than a branched chain structure.
Microstructure and Phase Composition Changes in Polymer Fiber-Modified Thermacoat™ Lining Exposed to Contact with Liquid Steel
Authors: Prochwicz Marcin , Pomorska Malgorzata , Maj Lukasz , Morgiel Jerzy
Published: January 2024

Multicomponent clay and cenosphere linings protecting ceramic parts exposed to contact with liquid metal during continuous steel casting (CSC) are intended to diminish thermo-mechanical stresses at the beginning of this process. They are effective in their role, but due to their brittle nature, parts of them come off during transport or mounting. The admixture of polypropylene fibers into linings helps to alleviate problems with handling such parts, though the interaction of such a modified material with liquid steel should be re-assessed. The present experiment involved the preparation of a crucible with a Thermacoat™ (Vesuvius, Skawina, Poland) lining with the addition of Belmix™ (Belgian Fibers Group NV, Mouscron, Belgium) fibers and filling it with a drop of liquid steel. Next, the crucible was sectioned and the changes in its microstructure and phase composition were investigated with optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (OM/SEM/TEM) methods. This showed that the modified lining retained its non-wetting property against the steel of the non-modified material. The part with the lining, being in direct contact with the liquid steel, developed a highly porous layer filled with AlSiOx amorphous flakes with some larger blocky Al2O3 and SiO2 particles. Right below this, a heat-affected zone (HAZ) consisting of fine γ-Al2O3 platelets immersed in amorphous silica was formed. Some of the voids with a size corresponding to polymer fiber diameter carried significant carbon deposits on their walls. The performed investigation indicated that the polymer fiber-modified linings were capable of withstanding at least short-term contact with liquid steel without instantaneous defragmentation, i.e., they retained the good high-temperature properties of the non-modified material.
Clinical Investigation of Collagen-Based Electrospun Nanofibers for Enhanced Delivery of Skincare Ingredients
Authors: Ashok Chand Naveen , Duarah Sanjukta , Ah Yuk-Winters Blaine , Fomra Dhevesh
Published: January 2024

Nanofiber-based materials, due to their unique properties, are of remarkable interest across multiple fields of applications, including cosmetics. Collagen, a primary structural protein in human skin, is well-regarded for its critical role in maintaining skin health, elasticity, and enhancing skin regeneration. This study reports the characterization, safety, and efficacy evaluation of DermaLayr™, a novel collagen-based nanofiber platform, for skincare application. The collagen nanofibers were developed using a sonic electrospinning technique, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses indicated that the nanofibers were uniform with average fiber diameters ranging from 250 to 300 nm. The skin permeation studies on EpiDerm™ indicated that applying the test products resulted in around 5–25% higher collagen permeation into the epidermis, and 16–20% higher collagen permeation into the dermis when compared to the non-treated sample. Additionally, the safety of the developed nanofibers was assessed in vitro and in vivo and both the studies indicated their non-toxic and non-irritant properties. Moreover, clinical trials on human subjects further substantiated the clinical efficacy of DermaLayr™ by demonstrating significant improvement in several skin parameters such as hydration, elasticity, and overall skin health. In summary, the findings of this study emphasize the huge potential of DermaLayr™ nanofiber products for their safe application in cosmetics and skin therapeutics.
Real-World Insights into Efficacy and Safety of Enfortumab Vedotin in Japanese Patients with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: Findings, Considerations, and Future Directions
Authors: Endo Yuki , Akatsuka Jun , Takeda Hayato , Hasegawa Hiroya , Yanagi Masato , Toyama Yuka , Mikami Hikaru , Shibasaki Mikio , Kimura Go , Kondo Yukihiro
Published: January 2024

This study presents the enfortumab vedotin (EV) treatment analysis at our institution. We retrospectively analyzed patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) treated with EV between January 2021 and October 2023. EV was administered at 1.25 mg/kg on days 1, 8, and 15 in a 28-day cycle. Whole-body computed tomography scans were performed to assess the treatment response. Patient characteristics, treatment histories, response rates, progression-free survival, and adverse events were evaluated. Response rates were determined, and adverse events were recorded. Among the 20 patients, 70% were male and 65% had bladder tumors. Most patients had lung (65%) or lymph node (65%) metastases. The median follow-up was 11.2 months, with 45% of the patients succumbing to the disease. The overall response rate was 55%. The median progression-free and median overall survivals were 10.5 and 12.9 months, respectively. Severe adverse events occurred in 35% of patients. In this real-world study, EV demonstrated promising efficacy and manageable safety profiles in Japanese patients with mUC. The study’s results were consistent with previous clinical trials, although a longer follow-up was required. Our findings support EV use as a treatment option for patients with mUC who exhibit disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy and immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Understanding Data Breach from a Global Perspective: Incident Visualization and Data Protection Law Review
Authors: Pimenta Rodrigues Gabriel Arquelau , Marques Serrano André Luiz , Lopes Espiñeira Lemos Amanda Nunes , Canedo Edna Dias , Mendonça Fábio Lúcio Lopes de , de Oliveira Albuquerque Robson , Sandoval Orozco Ana Lucila , García Villalba Luis Javier
Published: January 2024

Data breaches result in data loss, including personal, health, and financial information that are crucial, sensitive, and private. The breach is a security incident in which personal and sensitive data are exposed to unauthorized individuals, with the potential to incur several privacy concerns. As an example, the French newspaper Le Figaro breached approximately 7.4 billion records that included full names, passwords, and e-mail and physical addresses. To reduce the likelihood and impact of such breaches, it is fundamental to strengthen the security efforts against this type of incident and, for that, it is first necessary to identify patterns of its occurrence, primarily related to the number of data records leaked, the affected geographical region, and its regulatory aspects. To advance the discussion in this regard, we study a dataset comprising 428 worldwide data breaches between 2018 and 2019, providing a visualization of the related statistics, such as the most affected countries, the predominant economic sector targeted in different countries, and the median number of records leaked per incident in different countries, regions, and sectors. We then discuss the data protection regulation in effect in each country comprised in the dataset, correlating key elements of the legislation with the statistical findings. As a result, we have identified an extensive disclosure of medical records in India and government data in Brazil in the time range. Based on the analysis and visualization, we find some interesting insights that researchers seldom focus on before, and it is apparent that the real dangers of data leaks are beyond the ordinary imagination. Finally, this paper contributes to the discussion regarding data protection laws and compliance regarding data breaches, supporting, for example, the decision process of data storage location in the cloud.
Techno–Economic Analysis of the Optimum Configuration for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Cycles in Concentrating Solar Power Systems
Authors: Merchán Rosa P. , González-Portillo Luis F. , Muñoz-Antón Javier
Published: January 2024

There is a general agreement among researchers that supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) cycles will be part of the next generation of thermal power plants, especially in concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. While certain studies focus on maximizing the efficiency of these cycles in the hope of achieving a reduction in electricity costs, it is important to note that this assumption does not always hold true. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the differences between minimizing the cost and maximizing the efficiency for the most remarkable sCO2 cycles. The analysis considers the most important physical uncertainties surrounding CSP and sCO2 cycles, such as turbine inlet temperature, ambient temperature, pressure drop and turbomachinery efficiency. Moreover, the uncertainties related to cost are also analyzed, being divided into uncertainties of sCO2 component costs and uncertainties of heating costs. The CSP system with partial cooling (sometimes with reheating and sometimes without it) is the cheapest configuration in the analyzed cases. However, the differences in cost are generally below 5% (and sometimes neglectable), while the differences in efficiency are significantly larger and below 15%. Besides the much lower efficiency of systems with simple cycle, if the heating cost is low enough, their cost could be even lower than the cost of the system with partial cooling. Systems with recompression cycles could also achieve costs below systems with partial cooling if the design’s ambient temperature and the pressure drop are low.
Which Economic Sectors Influence Average Household Income? A Spatial Econometric Study of Thailand’s 76 Provinces
Authors: Taecharungroj Viriya
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the impact of various economic sectors on household income in Thailand. It is conducted in light of the substantial “digital wallet” scheme initiated by the Thai government, with the goal of providing empirical evidence and suggesting alternative policies for regional development informed by sectoral and spatial insights. The research aims to deepen the understanding of how different economic sectors affect household income, filling a gap in the current understanding of the relationship between sectoral productivity and income. Utilising spatial lag models (SLM), the study analyses data spanning from 2005 to 2021, testing the effects of 19 economic sectors comprising the Gross Provincial Product (GPP) of Thailand’s 76 provinces on the average household income. The findings indicate direct associations between agriculture, real estate, professional services, support services, and leisure sectors and household income, alongside pronounced spatial autoregression. This implies that income levels in one province can substantially influence those in neighbouring provinces. This research extends the understanding of economic influences at the regional level and highlights the importance of considering spatial factors in economic policymaking.
Development and Evaluation of a Custom GPT for the Assessment of Students’ Designs in a Typography Course
Authors: Almasre Miada
Published: January 2024

The recent advancements in the fields of AI technology, generative AI, and Large Language Models (LLMs) have increased the potential of the deployment of such tools in educational environments, especially in contexts where student assessment fairness, quality, and automation are a priority. This study introduces an AI-enhanced evaluation tool that utilizes OpenAI’s GPT-4 and the recently released custom GPT feature to evaluate the typography designs of 25 students enrolled in the Visual Media diploma offered by King Abdulaziz University. A mixed methods approach is adopted to evaluate the performance of this tool against the rubric-based evaluations offered by two human evaluators, considering both grading and text feedback. The results indicate that there are statistically significant differences between the AI tool’s grading and feedback when compared to that of Evaluator 2; however, none is reported with Evaluator 1. The study presents a qualitative interpretation of the comprehensive feedback by the evaluator and reflects in further research in this area.
A New Method for Shale Oil Injecting-Stewing-Producing Physical Modeling Experiments Based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Li Sichen , Sun Jing , Liu Dehua , Zhao Xuankang
Published: January 2024

Enhancing oil recovery in shale is a critical technology for improving shale oil extraction efficiency. It is essential to develop a comprehensive set of physical simulation methods that are coherent and aligned with practical field operations. This paper establishes an integrated experimental approach, encompassing the entire Injecting-Stewing-Producing cycle, to simulate the actual Huff-n-Puff process accurately. Initially, the fracturing and flowback states are simulated by injecting an imbibition fluid, followed by a 48 h well-soaking process using CO2. The extraction is then carried out under various pressures. The microtransportation of crude oil across different pore sizes and the extent of extraction during shale oil Huff-n-Puff are investigated using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technology. The results suggest that there was an initial increase in crude oil within pores smaller than 20 nm at the beginning of the Huff-n-Puff process. In Contrast, crude oil in pores larger than 200 nm was preferentially extracted, with oil in smaller pores (<200 nm) migrating to larger pores before extraction. After the initial Huff-n-Puff cycle, the extraction efficiency of the shale oil core reaches 29.55%, constituting 63.3% of the total extraction achieved over three Huff-n-Puff cycles. This study also identifies a critical pressure drop to 60% of the initial pressure as the optimal point for injection in subsequent Huff-n-Puff cycles. These experimental insights provide valuable guidance for the practical implementation of enhanced oil recovery techniques in shale formations.
Understanding Rumen Microbiology: An Overview
Authors: Perez Hunter G. , Stevenson Claire K. , Lourenco Jeferson M. , Callaway Todd R.
Published: January 2024

The rumen is the largest of the four chambers of the “stomach” in ruminant animals, which harbors an incredibly dense, diverse, and dynamic microbial community crucial for feedstuff degradation, animal health, and production. The primary objective of this article is to enhance knowledge and comprehension of rumen microbiology by providing an introductory-level overview of the field of rumen microbiology. Ruminants possess a distinctive digestive system optimized for the microbial breakdown of complex plant materials. The ruminant ”stomach” consists of four chambers (e.g., reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum), which is home to a microbial population that degrades feedstuffs consumed by ruminant animals. Dr. Robert Hungate and Dr. Marvin Bryant’s groundbreaking research in the 1960s laid the foundation for understanding the function of the ruminal microbial ecosystem. Recent advancements (e.g., next-generation sequencing) have provided the field with deeper insight into populations, boosting our understanding of how the microbial population of the rumen functions in a variety of conditions. The ruminal microbial ecosystem is comprised of bacteria, along with archaea, protozoa, bacteriophage, and fungi, each contributing to the symbiotic relationship between the microbial ecosystem and the host animal that is essential for optimal animal health and efficient animal production. Traditional anaerobic growth techniques have facilitated the study of individual anaerobic bacteria but have been limited by dependence on growth in laboratory conditions. The development of 16S rRNA sequencing allows the identification of microbial populations that cannot be grown and allows an unbiased view of microbial diversity. Diet shapes the rumen microbial population composition, influencing animal production metrics such as feed efficiency, methane emissions, and immunological functions. Feed additives (e.g., essential oils, eubiotics) hold promise by manipulating and unraveling the microbial biochemical potential for improving animal health, feed efficiency, environmental impacts, and overall production sustainability. Future research impacts include the development of probiotics, prebiotics, and genetic strategies for optimizing the rumen microbiome’s multifaceted impacts.
Inclusive Supervision: Bridging the Cultural Divide
Authors: Showunmi Victoria , Younas Fatima , Gutman Leslie Morrison
Published: January 2024

Inclusive supervision is an approach to supervision that prioritizes multicultural competencies and an ethic of inclusion. Inclusivity in doctoral (or PhD) supervision is of key significance due to the collaborative nature of the relationship between supervisors and supervisees. Scant research has been conducted that considers the multiple, intersectional influences and their impact within this relationship. This study employs a rapid review method to synthesize findings on the research evidence encapsulating inclusive doctoral supervision. A search of academic literature spanning the last ten years (2013–2023) led to the inclusion of nine empirical, qualitative research studies on inclusive supervision. A synthesis of the findings resulted in five key challenges to inclusive supervision that diverse students face: power dynamics and feedback, a lack of belonging and support, a racial lens on academic competence, (mis)understandings of cultural differences, and communication and language barriers. In discussing these findings, we employ an intersectional lens and introduce a conceptual framework for an inclusive collaboration between supervisors and supervisees.
Analyzing Important Disaster Risk Factors for Enhanced Policy Responses in Perceived at-Most-Risk African Countries
Authors: Eze Emmanuel , Siegmund Alexander
Published: January 2024

The foremost priority of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) is the increased understanding of disaster risk and strengthening its management. Detailed insights into African disaster risk drivers and assessment of policies for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) are sparse, hence this study. Using the Index for Risk Management (INFORM) data for 2022, this study determines important disaster risk drivers in Africa using a random forest machine learning model. Violent conflicts, current and projected, emerge as the only hazard factor significantly predictive of disaster risk in Africa, from the analyzed data. Other factors are mostly the sub-components of lack of coping capacity. Furthermore, 25 policies of the 10 countries of very high disaster risk were analyzed to evaluate their inclusion of pre-identified disaster risk factors. The findings of this study depart from the viewpoint of giving natural hazards greater attention in African disaster risk literature. Moreover, identified disaster risk drivers in Africa coincide with the social dimension of disasters, and broader continental developmental and policy issues. As Africa grapples with the complex interplay of environmental, socioeconomic, and conflict-related factors shaping disaster risk, the imperative arises for the development and implementation of comprehensive policies aimed at poverty and vulnerability-reduction to foster resilience across the region.