bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Markers of Mitochondrial Function and DNA Repair Associated with Physical Function in Centenarians
Authors: Sanchez-Roman Ines , Ferrando Beatriz , Myrup Holst Camilla , Mengel-From Jonas , Hoei Rasmussen Signe , Thinggaard Mikael , Bohr Vilhelm A. , Christensen Kaare , Stevnsner Tinna
Published: July 2024

Mitochondrial dysfunction and genomic instability are key hallmarks of aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether maintenance of physical capacities at very old age is associated with key hallmarks of aging. To investigate this, we measured mitochondrial bioenergetics, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and DNA repair capacity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from centenarians. In addition, circulating levels of NAD+/NADH, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and carbonylated proteins were measured in plasma and these parameters were correlated to physical capacities. Centenarians without physical disabilities had lower mitochondrial respiration values including ATP production, reserve capacity, maximal respiration and non-mitochondrial oxygen-consumption rate and had higher mtDNA copy number than centenarians with moderate and severe disabilities (p < 0.05). In centenarian females, grip strength had a positive association with mtDNA copy number (p < 0.05), and a borderline positive trend for activity of the central DNA repair enzyme, APE 1 (p = 0.075), while a negative trend was found with circulating protein carbonylation (p = 0.07) in the entire cohort. Lastly, a trend was observed for a negative association between BDNF and activity of daily living disability score (p = 0.06). Our results suggest that mechanisms involved in maintaining mitochondrial function and genomic stability may be associated with maintenance of physical function in centenarians.
Morphological Structure Identification, Comparative Mitochondrial Genomics and Population Genetic Analysis toward Exploring Interspecific Variations and Phylogenetic Implications of Malus baccata ‘ZA’ and Other Species
Authors: Wang Xun , Wang Daru , Zhang Ruifen , Qin Xin , Shen Xiang , You Chunxiang
Published: July 2024

Malus baccata, a valuable germplasm resource in the genus Malus, is indigenous to China and widely distributed. However, little is known about the lineage composition and genetic basis of ‘ZA’, a mutant type of M. baccata. In this study, we compared the differences between ‘ZA’ and wild type from the perspective of morphology and ultrastructure and analyzed their chloroplast pigment content based on biochemical methods. Further, the complete mitogenome of M. baccata ‘ZA’ was assembled and obtained by next-generation sequencing. Subsequently, its molecular characteristics were analyzed using Geneious, MISA-web, and CodonW toolkits. Furthermore, by examining 106 Malus germplasms and 42 Rosaceae species, we deduced and elucidated the evolutionary position of M. baccata ‘ZA’, as well as interspecific variations among different individuals. In comparison, the total length of the ‘ZA’ mitogenome (GC content: 45.4%) is 374,023 bp, which is approximately 2.33 times larger than the size (160,202 bp) of the plastome (GC: 36.5%). The collinear analysis results revealed abundant repeats and genome rearrangements occurring between different Malus species. Additionally, we identified 14 plastid-driven fragment transfer events. A total of 54 genes have been annotated in the ‘ZA’ mitogenome, including 35 protein-coding genes, 16 tRNAs, and three rRNAs. By calculating nucleotide polymorphisms and selection pressure for 24 shared core mitochondrial CDSs from 42 Rosaceae species (including ‘ZA’), we observed that the nad3 gene exhibited minimal variation, while nad4L appeared to be evolving rapidly. Population genetics analysis detected a total of 1578 high-quality variants (1424 SNPs, 60 insertions, and 94 deletions; variation rate: 1/237) among samples from 106 Malus individuals. Furthermore, by constructing phylogenetic trees based on both Malus and Rosaceae taxa datasets, it was preliminarily demonstrated that ‘ZA’ is closely related to M. baccata, M. sieversii, and other proximate species in terms of evolution. The sequencing data obtained in this study, along with our findings, contribute to expanding the mitogenomic resources available for Rosaceae research. They also hold reference significance for molecular identification studies as well as conservation and breeding efforts focused on excellent germplasms.
Eye Tracking-Based Characterization of Fixations during Reading in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Bilbao Carmen , Carrera Alba , Otin Sofia , Piñero David P.
Published: July 2024

An efficient mode of evaluation for eye movements is the use of objective eye tracking systems combined with subjective tests (NSUCO or DEM), which are easily applicable across all age groups and in eye care clinical settings. The objective of this study was to characterize fixations during reading in two groups: a group of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDG, 24 children, age: 6–12 years) and a group of children with oculomotor anomalies but without NDD (OAG, 24 children, age: 6–12 years). The results obtained were compared with those from a control group (CG, 20 children, age: 6–12 years). Specifically, the outcomes obtained with two subjective score systems, the Northeastern State University College of Optometry’s Oculomotor (NSUCO) test and the Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) test, were compared with the objective analysis obtained through a commercially available eye tracker (Tobii Eye X, Tobii, Stockholm, Sweden). Specialized analysis software, namely Clinical Eye Tracker 2020 (Thomson Software Solutions, Welham Green, UK), was used. It was found that children with NDD had impaired oculomotor skills. A higher number of regressions, more fixations, and longer durations of fixations appear to be characteristic signs of this population group. Additionally, children with NDD took longer to complete the DEM test, as well as exhibiting more errors. The use of objective videoculographic systems for eye tracking and subjective tests like the NSUCO or DEM are good tools to assess saccadic movements, allowing the detection of oculomotor abnormalities in children with NDD.
Understanding the Effect of Listening to Music, Playing Music, and Singing on Brain Function: A Scoping Review of fNIRS Studies
Authors: Ding Keya , Li Jingwen , Li Xuemei , Li Hui
Published: July 2024

Music is integrated into daily life when listening to it, playing it, and singing, uniquely modulating brain activity. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), celebrated for its ecological validity, has been used to elucidate this music–brain interaction. This scoping review synthesizes 22 empirical studies using fNIRS to explore the intricate relationship between music and brain function. This synthesis of existing evidence reveals that diverse musical activities, such as listening to music, singing, and playing instruments, evoke unique brain responses influenced by individual traits and musical attributes. A further analysis identifies five key themes, including the effect of passive and active music experiences on relevant human brain areas, lateralization in music perception, individual variations in neural responses, neural synchronization in musical performance, and new insights fNIRS has revealed in these lines of research. While this review highlights the limited focus on specific brain regions and the lack of comparative analyses between musicians and non-musicians, it emphasizes the need for future research to investigate the complex interplay between music and the human brain.
Neural Substrates for Early Data Reduction in Fast Vision: A Psychophysical Investigation
Authors: Castellotti Serena , Del Viva Maria Michela
Published: July 2024

To ensure survival, the visual system must rapidly extract the most important elements from a large stream of information. This necessity clashes with the computational limitations of the human brain, so a strong early data reduction is required to efficiently process information in fast vision. A theoretical early vision model, recently developed to preserve maximum information using minimal computational resources, allows efficient image data reduction by extracting simplified sketches containing only optimally informative, salient features. Here, we investigate the neural substrates of this mechanism for optimal encoding of information, possibly located in early visual structures. We adopted a flicker adaptation paradigm, which has been demonstrated to specifically impair the contrast sensitivity of the magnocellular pathway. We compared flicker-induced contrast threshold changes in three different tasks. The results indicate that, after adapting to a uniform flickering field, thresholds for image discrimination using briefly presented sketches increase. Similar threshold elevations occur for motion discrimination, a task typically targeting the magnocellular system. Instead, contrast thresholds for orientation discrimination, a task typically targeting the parvocellular system, do not change with flicker adaptation. The computation performed by this early data reduction mechanism seems thus consistent with magnocellular processing.
A Caregiver Perspective for Partners of PTSD Survivors: Understanding the Experiences of Partners
Authors: Cannon Christopher J. , Gray Matt J.
Published: July 2024

Research affirms that survivors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience psychological distress that affects their romantic partners, and that a bi-directional effect between PTSD symptoms and romantic relationship satisfaction exists, indicating that improvements in the romantic relationship may lead to the improved well-being of the survivor. Indeed, as romantic partners of PTSD survivors are both negatively impacted by the distress of the survivor, and romantic relationship satisfaction can affect the distress of the PTSD survivor, partners are a key stakeholder for mental health. Unfortunately, theoretical models have not adequately captured the experience of this population to properly illuminate their experience and provide appropriate treatment directives. This paper examines the informal caregiving integrative model to determine its applicability to the romantic partners of PTSD survivors with respect to the determinants, mediators, and outcomes. The current literature on romantic partners is used to evaluate the adequacy of fit, as well as to provide the components unique to partners. Future directions, clinical implications, and limitations of current research are explored based on the results of this review.
Clinical Relevance of Food Addiction in Higher Weight Patients across the Binge Eating Spectrum
Authors: Jobin Alycia , Gingras Félicie , Beaupré Juliette , Legendre Maxime , Bégin Catherine
Published: July 2024

Food addiction (FA) is associated with greater severity on many eating-related correlates when comorbid with binge eating disorder (BED) but no study has established this relation across the whole spectrum of binge eating, i.e., from no BED to subthreshold BED to BED diagnosis. This study aims to examine the effect of the presence of FA on the severity of eating behaviors and psychological correlates in patients without BED, subthreshold BED or BED diagnosis. Participants (n = 223) were recruited at a university center specialized in obesity and eating disorder treatment and completed a semi-structured diagnostic interview and questionnaires measuring eating behaviors, emotional regulation, impulsivity, childhood interpersonal trauma, and personality traits. They were categorized by the presence of an eating disorder (no BED, subthreshold BED, or BED) and the presence of FA. Group comparisons showed that, in patients with BED, those with FA demonstrated higher disinhibition (t(79) = −2.19, p = 0.032) and more maladaptive emotional regulation strategies (t(43) = −2.37, p = 0.022) than participants without FA. In patients with subthreshold BED, those with FA demonstrated higher susceptibility to hunger (t(68) = −2.55, p = 0.013) and less cooperativeness (t(68) = 2.60, p = 0.012). In patients without BED, those with FA demonstrated higher disinhibition (t(70) = −3.15, p = 0.002), more maladaptive emotional regulation strategies (t(53) = −2.54, p = 0.014), more interpersonal trauma (t(69) = −2.41, p = 0.019), and less self-directedness (t(70) = 2.14, p = 0.036). We argue that the assessment of FA provides relevant information to complement eating disorder diagnoses. FA identifies a subgroup of patients showing higher severity on many eating-related correlates along the binge eating spectrum. It also allows targeting of patients without a formal eating disorder diagnosis who would still benefit from professional help.
Model Test Study on Bearing Characteristics of Pile Foundation in Red Clay
Authors: Yan Hangyu , Long Jinbin , Yang Yuanhao , Shi Qingye , Yang Bai
Published: July 2024

The physical and mechanical properties of red clay have a significant influence on the bearing characteristics of pile foundations. Therefore, this paper conducted model tests to study the influence of different red clay water content (16~−20%) and different compaction degrees (88~−92%) on the bearing characteristics of pile foundations. The results show that the load–displacement curves of the test pile generally exhibit a steep type. The ultimate bearing capacity of the test pile increases gradually with the compaction degree from 86% to 92%. However, the ratio of load borne by the side of the pile increases from 54.8% to 67.8%, while the ratio of load borne by the end decreases from 45.2% to 32.2%. The ratio of load borne by the pile end to that borne by the pile side also decreases gradually from 0.825 to 0.476. The ultimate bearing capacity of the test pile decreases gradually with the moisture content from 17% to 26%, showing a decreasing trend. However, the ratio of load borne by the pile side decreases from 69.5% to 51.9%, while the ratio of load borne by the end increases from 30.5% to 48.1%. The ratio of load borne by the pile end to that borne by the pile side also increases gradually from 0.439 to 0.927. This indicates that increasing the compaction degree or reducing the moisture content has a more significant effect on increasing the side resistance. In this paper, the ultimate bearing capacity of test piles are calculated by the Mohr–Coulomb criterion (M-CC) and Duncan–Chang hyperbolic model (D-CHM), respectively. The results show that M-CC and D-CHM methods can accurately calculate the bearing capacity of the pile foundation in red clay. The conclusion of this study can provide a reference for the design and construction of pile foundations in red clay areas.
Developing Critical Success Factors for Implementing Circular Economy in Building Construction Projects
Authors: AlJaber Abdulaziz , Martinez-Vazquez Pedro , Baniotopoulos Charalampos
Published: July 2024

The construction industry continues to play a significant role in the economic development of most nations in the world. However, the construction sector still follows the ‘linear’ ‘take–make–dispose’ industrial model that, having benefited development, plays a major factor in the depletion of resources, environmental deterioration, and the generation of waste and pollution. In this regard, the adoption of a circular economy (CE) presents a compelling opportunity to address the challenges derived from the traditional linear economic model. This study attempts to scrutinise the critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing a CE via a mixed-method approach that combines both focus groups and an online survey. The adopted approach ensures a comprehensive identification and prioritisation of CSFs for implementing CE principles in building construction projects. The focus groups consisted of 20 key stakeholders drawn from prominent construction firms which included clients, consultants, contractors and designers. The outcomes from these focused groups led to the dentification of 43 CSFs, later categorised across different dimensions. Subsequently, an online survey was conducted to establish a priority list of the identified CSFs, using responses from 82 stakeholders to rate their level of importance. The top five significant CSFs include ensuring the use of standardised and warranted secondary materials, maintaining cost equivalence between a CE and linear approach, maintenance and operation cost minimisation, assessment of life cycle cost (LCC), and the enforcement of robust government regulations and policies that prioritise a CE. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was used to rank the identified CSFs following results obtained using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 27) and Excel for Microsoft 365. The findings of this study can inform the creation of decision support systems that could progress a CE across the construction project life cycle.
Compressive Strength and Resistance to Sulphate Attack of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, Lithium Slag, and Steel Slag Alkali-Activated Materials
Authors: Zhang Shunshan , Zhang Yannian , Zhang Jisong , Li Yunkai
Published: July 2024

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are favoured for their low carbon emissions, excellent mechanical properties, and excellent chemical resistance. In this paper, ternary alkali-activated cementitious materials were prepared from slag, steel slag, and lithium slag to investigate their strength and resistance to sulphate attack. A series of experiments were conducted using a variety of material combinations, alkali activator combinations, water–binder ratios, and exposure environments. These experiments employed both macro and micro comparative analyses. The hydration reaction products, physical phase composition, and microstructure of the ground granulated furnace slag, lithium slag, and steel slag (GLS) ternary AAMs were analysed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). It was experimentally demonstrated that the GLS ternary AAMs had excellent compressive strength, good resistance to sodium sulphate erosion, and that resistance to magnesium sulphate erosion decreased with time. This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge regarding the utilisation of lithium slag and steel slag, and offers new insights into the field of alkali-activated cementitious materials and their resistance to sulphate erosion.
Anticancer Activity of Delta-Tocotrienol in Human Hepatocarcinoma: Involvement of Autophagy Induction
Authors: Montagnani Marelli Marina , Macchi Chiara , Ruscica Massimiliano , Sartori Patrizia , Moretti Roberta Manuela
Published: July 2024

(1) Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant form of primary liver cancer. Surgical resection, tumor ablation, and liver transplantation are curative treatments indicated for early-stage HCC. The management of intermediate and advanced stages of pathology is based on the use of systemic therapies which often show important side effects. Vitamin E-derivative tocotrienols (TTs) play antitumoral properties in different tumors. Here, we analyzed the activity of delta-TT (δ-TT) on HCC human cell lines. (2) We analyzed the ability of δ-TT to trigger apoptosis, to induce oxidative stress, autophagy, and mitophagy in HepG2 cell line. We evaluated the correlation between the activation of autophagy with the ability of δ-TT to induce cell death. (3) The data obtained demonstrate that δ-TT exerts an antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect in HCC cells. Furthermore, δ-TT induces the release of mitochondrial ROS and causes a structural and functional alteration of the mitochondria compatible with a fission process. Finally, δ-TT triggers selective autophagy process removing dysfunctional mitochondria. Inhibition of autophagy reversed the cytotoxic action of δ-TT. (4) Our results demonstrate that δ-TT through the activation of autophagy could represent a potential new approach in the treatment of advanced HCC.
Development of a Bladder Cancer-on-a-Chip Model to Assess Bladder Cancer Cell Invasiveness
Authors: Ewell Desiree J. , Vue Nita , Moinuddin Sakib M. , Sarkar Tanoy , Ahsan Fakhrul , Vinall Ruth L.
Published: July 2024

We have developed a bladder cancer-on-a-chip model which supports the 3D growth of cells and can be used to assess and quantify bladder cancer cell invasiveness in a physiologically appropriate environment. Three bladder cancer cell lines (T24, J82, and RT4) were resuspended in 50% Matrigel® and grown within a multi-channel organ-on-a-chip system. The ability of live cells to invade across into an adjacent 50% Matrigel®-only channel was assessed over a 2-day period. Cell lines isolated from patients with high-grade bladder cancer (T24 and J82) invaded across into the Matrigel®-only channel at a much higher frequency compared to cells isolated from a patient with low-grade cancer (RT4) (p < 0.001). The T24 and J82 cells also invaded further distances into the Matrigel®-only channel compared to the RT4 cells (p < 0.001). The cell phenotype within the model was maintained as assessed by cell morphology and immunohistochemical analysis of E-cadherin. Treatment with ATN-161, an α5β1 integrin inhibitor and well-known migrastatic drug, caused a dose-dependent decrease in the invasiveness of the J82 cells (p < 0.01). The combined data demonstrate that our bladder cancer-on-a-chip model supports the retention of the bladder cancer cell phenotype and can be used to reproducibly assess and quantify the invasiveness of live bladder cancer cells.
Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Nonmetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Treated with Androgen Receptor Signaling Inhibitors Therapy
Authors: Fujiwara Ryo , Yamamoto Shinya , Takemura Kosuke , Yuasa Takeshi , Numao Noboru , Oguchi Tomohiko , Yasuda Yosuke , Yoneoka Yusuke , Yonese Junji
Published: July 2024

We conducted a retrospective evaluation of the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) treated with first-line androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSI) in real-world clinical practice in Japan. Between 2012 and 2023, a total of 127 consecutive patients with nmCRPC received ARSI treatment. Overall survival (OS), metastatic-free survival (MFS), and prostate-specific antigen–progression-free survival (PSA–PFS) from ARSI initiation were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier methodology. Clinical factors associated with OS in nmCRPC were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Among the patients, 72, 26, 12, and 17 received enzalutamide (ENZ), abiraterone (ABI), apalutamide (APA), and darolutamide (DARO) as first-line therapy. The median OS and MFS for all patients were 79.0 and 42.0 months, respectively. Median PSA–PFS was 27.0, 20.0, 10.0, and 14.0 months for patients treated with ENZ, ABI, APA, and DARO, respectively (p = 0.33). Multivariate analysis revealed that a baseline PSA level ≥ 3.67 ng/mL at ARSI initiation was significantly associated with poorer OS (p = 0.002). ARSI demonstrated favorable efficacy in nmCRPC patients. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes among different types of ARSI therapy for nmCRP. Elevated baseline PSA at ARSI initiation was significantly associated with poorer OS.
Topological Structures in the Space of Treatment-Naïve Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: McGee Reginald L. , Reed Jake , Coombes Caitlin E. , Herling Carmen D. , Keating Michael J. , Abruzzo Lynne V. , Coombes Kevin R.
Published: July 2024

Patients are complex and heterogeneous; clinical data sets are complicated by noise, missing data, and the presence of mixed-type data. Using such data sets requires understanding the high-dimensional “space of patients”, composed of all measurements that define all relevant phenotypes. The current state-of-the-art merely defines spatial groupings of patients using cluster analyses. Our goal is to apply topological data analysis (TDA), a new unsupervised technique, to obtain a more complete understanding of patient space. We applied TDA to a space of 266 previously untreated patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), using the “daisy” metric to compute distances between clinical records. We found clear evidence for both loops and voids in the CLL data. To interpret these structures, we developed novel computational and graphical methods. The most persistent loop and the most persistent void can be explained using three dichotomized, prognostically important factors in CLL: IGHV somatic mutation status, beta-2 microglobulin, and Rai stage. In conclusion, patient space turns out to be richer and more complex than current models suggest. TDA could become a powerful tool in a researcher’s arsenal for interpreting high-dimensional data by providing novel insights into biological processes and improving our understanding of clinical and biological data sets.
Omission of Completion Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for Patients with Breast Cancer Treated by Upfront Mastectomy and Sentinel Node Isolated Tumor Cells or Micrometastases
Authors: Houvenaeghel Gilles , Heinemann Mellie , Classe Jean-Marc , Bouteille Catherine , Gimbergues Pierre , Azuar Anne-Sophie , Martino Marc , Tallet Agnès , Cohen Monique , de Nonneville Alexandre
Published: July 2024

Omission of completion axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) in patients undergoing mastectomy with sentinel node (SN) isolated tumor cells (ITC) or micrometastases is debated due to potential under-treatment, with non-sentinel node (NSN) involvement detected in 7% to 18% of patients. This study evaluated the survival impact of cALND omission in a cohort of breast cancer (BC) patients treated by mastectomy with SN ITC or micrometastases. Among 554 early BC patients (391 pN1mi, 163 ITC), the NSN involvement rate was 13.2% (49/371). With a median follow-up of 66.46 months, multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between cALND omission and overall survival (OS, HR: 2.583, p = 0.043), disease-free survival (DFS, HR: 2.538, p = 0.008), and metastasis-free survival (MFS, HR: 2.756, p = 0.014). For Her2-positive or triple-negative patients, DFS was significantly affected by cALND omission (HR: 38.451, p = 0.030). In ER-positive Her2-negative BC, DFS, OS, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and MFS were significantly associated with cALND omission (DFS HR: 2.358, p = 0.043; OS HR: 3.317; RFS HR: 2.538; MFS HR: 2.756). For 161 patients aged ≤50 years with ER-positive/Her2-negative cancer, OS and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were notably impacted by cALND omission (OS HR: 103.47, p = 0.004; BCSS HR: 50.874, p = 0.035). These findings suggest a potential negative prognostic impact of cALND omission in patients with SN micrometastases or ITC. Further randomized trials are needed.
Imaging Recommendations for Diagnosis, Staging, and Management of Central Nervous System Neoplasms in Adults: CNS Metastases
Authors: Bhattacharya Kajari , Mahajan Abhishek , Mynalli Soujanya
Published: July 2024

Brain metastases (BMs) are the most common central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms, with an increasing incidence that is due in part to an overall increase in primary cancers, improved neuroimaging modalities leading to increased detection, better systemic therapies, and longer patient survival. Objective: To identify cancer patients at a higher risk of developing CNS metastases and to evaluate associated prognostic factors. Methods: Review of imaging referral guidelines, response criteria, interval imaging assessment, modality of choice, as well as the association of clinical, serological, and imaging findings as per various cancer societies. Results: Quantitative response assessment of target and non-target brain metastases as well as an interval imaging protocol set up based on primary histological diagnosis and therapy status are discussed as per various cancer societies and imaging programs. Conclusion: Predictive factors in the primary tumor as well as independent variables of brain metastases like size, number, and response to therapy are necessary in management. The location of CNS metastases, symptomatic disease, as well as follow up imaging findings form a skeletal plan to prognosticate the disease, keeping in mind all the available new advanced therapy options of surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy that improve patient outcome significantly.
Impact of Preprocessing Parameters in Medical Imaging-Based Radiomic Studies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Trojani Valeria , Bassi Maria Chiara , Verzellesi Laura , Bertolini Marco
Published: July 2024

Background: Lately, radiomic studies featuring the development of a signature to use in prediction models in diagnosis or prognosis outcomes have been increasingly published. While the results are shown to be promising, these studies still have many pitfalls and limitations. One of the main issues of these studies is that radiomic features depend on how the images are preprocessed before their computation. Since, in widely known and used software for radiomic features calculation, it is possible to set these preprocessing parameters before the calculation of the radiomic feature, there are ongoing studies assessing the stability and repeatability of radiomic features to find the most suitable preprocessing parameters for every used imaging modality. Materials and Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search using four electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus. Mesh terms and free text were modeled in search strategies for databases. The inclusion criteria were studies where preprocessing parameters’ influence on feature values and model predictions was addressed. Records lacking information on image acquisition parameters were excluded, and any eligible studies with full-text versions were included in the review process, while conference proceedings and monographs were disregarded. We used the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2) tool to investigate the risk of bias. We synthesized our data in a table divided by the imaging modalities subgroups. Results: After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 43 works. This review examines the impact of preprocessing parameters on the reproducibility and reliability of radiomic features extracted from multimodality imaging (CT, MRI, CBCT, and PET/CT). Standardized preprocessing is crucial for consistent radiomic feature extraction. Key preprocessing steps include voxel resampling, normalization, and discretization, which influence feature robustness and reproducibility. In total, 44% of the included works studied the effects of an isotropic voxel resampling, and most studies opted to employ a discretization strategy. From 2021, several studies started selecting the best set of preprocessing parameters based on models’ best performance. As for comparison metrics, ICC was the most used in MRI studies in 58% of the screened works. Conclusions: From our work, we highlighted the need to harmonize the use of preprocessing parameters and their values, especially in light of future studies of prospective studies, which are still lacking in the current literature.
Facile Immersing Synthesis of Pt Single Atoms Supported on Sulfide for Bifunctional toward Seawater Electrolysis
Authors: Shen Jian , Yang Guotao , Li Tianshui , Liu Wei , Sha Qihao , Zhong Zheng , Kuang Yun
Published: July 2024

Seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production represents a substantial opportunity to curtail production expenditures and exhibits considerable potential for various industrial applications. Platinum-based precious metals exhibit excellent activity for water electrolysis. However, their limited reserves and high costs impede their widespread use on a large scale. Single-atom catalysts, characterized by low loading and high utilization efficiency, represent a viable alternative, and the development of simple synthesis methods can facilitate their practical application. In this work, we report the facile synthesis of a single-atom Pt-loaded NiCoFeSx (Pt@NiCoFeSx) bifunctional catalytic electrode using a simple impregnation method on a nickel foam substrate. The resulting electrode exhibits low overpotentials for both HER (60 mV@10 mA cm−2) and OER (201 mV@10 mA cm−2) in alkaline seawater electrolytes. When incorporated into a seawater electrolyzer, this electrode achieves a direct current energy consumption of only 4.18 kWh/Nm3H2 over a 100 h test period with negligible decay. These findings demonstrate the potential of our approach for industrial-scale seawater electrolysis.
Kynurenines as a Novel Target for the Treatment of Inflammatory Disorders
Authors: Mor Adrian , Tankiewicz-Kwedlo Anna , Ciwun Marianna , Lewkowicz Janina , Pawlak Dariusz
Published: July 2024

This review discusses the potential of targeting the kynurenine pathway (KP) in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The KP, responsible for the catabolism of the amino acid tryptophan (TRP), produces metabolites that regulate various physiological processes, including inflammation, cell cycle, and neurotransmission. These metabolites, although necessary to maintain immune balance, may accumulate excessively during inflammation, leading to systemic disorders. Key KP enzymes such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2), tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) have been considered promising therapeutic targets. It was highlighted that both inhibition and activation of these enzymes may be beneficial, depending on the specific inflammatory disorder. Several inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune diseases, for which modulation of KP activity holds therapeutic promise, have been described in detail. Preclinical studies suggest that this modulation may be an effective treatment strategy for diseases for which treatment options are currently limited. Taken together, this review highlights the importance of further research on the clinical application of KP enzyme modulation in the development of new therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases.
Advances in Microflow Cytometry-Based Molecular Detection Methods for Improved Future MDS Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Gonsalves Marc , Escobar Andres , Altarabishi Ahmad Diaa , Xu Chang-Qing
Published: July 2024

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a rare form of early-stage blood cancer that typically leads to leukemia and other deadly complications. The typical diagnosis for MDS involves a mixture of blood tests, a bone marrow biopsy, and genetic analysis. Flow cytometry has commonly been used to analyze these types of samples, yet there still seems to be room for advancement in several areas, such as the limit of detection, turnaround time, and cost. This paper explores recent advancements in microflow cytometry technology and how it may be used to supplement conventional methods of diagnosing blood cancers, such as MDS and leukemia, through flow cytometry. Microflow cytometry, a more recent adaptation of the well-researched and conventional flow cytometry techniques, integrated with microfluidics, demonstrates significant potential in addressing many of the shortcomings flow cytometry faces when diagnosing a blood-related disease such as MDS. The benefits that this platform brings, such as portability, processing speed, and operating cost, exemplify the importance of exploring microflow cytometry as a point-of-care (POC) diagnostic device for MDS and other forms of blood cancer.
Effect of Two Pomelo Peel Flavonoid Microcapsules on the Performance of Waterborne Coatings on the Surface of Poplar Boards
Authors: Deng Jinzhe , Ding Tingting , Yan Xiaoxing
Published: July 2024

Two types of microcapsules were added to the coating separately. The specifications of the poplar board were 50 mm × 50 mm × 8 mm. The antibacterial rate of the poplar board surface gradually increased with the increase in the microcapsule content, and the antibacterial activity for Staphylococcus aureus was slightly higher than that against Escherichia coli. Influenced by the change in the wood grain’s color on the poplar board itself, both microcapsules had no significant effect on the chromaticity value and color difference of the poplar board surface, as well as the reflectance of the visible light band. The glossiness decreased with the increase in the microcapsule content, and the gloss loss rate increased with the increase in the microcapsule content. With the increase in the microcapsule content, the hardness of the poplar board surface in both groups increased slightly, and the roughness increased gradually. The adhesion of the poplar board surface coating with melamine-resin-coated pomelo peel flavonoid microcapsules was slightly reduced, and the impact resistance was not significantly affected. Chitosan-coated pomelo peel flavonoid microcapsules had no significant effect on the adhesion of the poplar board surface coating, and the impact resistance increased slightly when the content of microcapsules was higher. Comprehensively, the poplar board coating with 9.0% chitosan-coated pomelo peel flavonoid microcapsules had a better overall performance, with antibacterial activities for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus of 70.6% and 77.6%, respectively. The color difference was 6.70, the gloss loss rate was 53.9%, the reflectivity was 50.60%, the hardness was H, the adhesion was grade 1, the impact resistance was grade 2, and the roughness was 2.10 μm. The results provide technical references for the application of antibacterial microcapsules of pomelo peel flavonoids on the surface of wood materials.
The Effects of Nitrogen Content on the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of CrTaWNx Thin Films
Authors: Chang Li-Chun , Wang Li-Zhu , Chen Yung-I
Published: July 2024

In the study described herein, CrTaWNx thin films were deposited on Si and 304 stainless-steel (SUS304) substrates through magnetron co-sputtering using CrW and Ta targets. The nitrogen flow ratio (fN2 = [N2/(N2 + Ar)]) was adjusted to 0.05, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.5 to fabricate CrTaWNx films with various N contents. The CrTaWNx films prepared at a low fN2 of 0.05 exhibited a low stoichiometric ratio x of 0.16 and a nanocrystalline structure. In contrast, the CrTaWNx films fabricated at an fN2 of 0.2–0.5 exhibited x values of 0.42–0.62 and formed a face-centered cubic phase. The nanocrystalline (Cr0.34Ta0.20W0.46)N0.16 film exhibited mechanical properties and wear resistances that were inferior to those of the crystalline CrTaWNx thin films. A (Cr0.38Ta0.15W0.47)N0.55 film exhibited a hardness of 25.2 GPa, an elastic modulus of 289 GPa, and a low wear rate of 0.51 × 10−5 mm3/Nm.
Effects of Substrates on the Electrical Performance of PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 Films
Authors: Wu Zhi , Liu Yifei , Zhou Jing , Jiang Pengcheng , Xiong Xin , Tang Huidong , Long Yuxi , Yan Jingdan , Wang Yun
Published: July 2024

Flexible PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) films have a wide application prospect in wearable devices. In this work, PZT films were fabricated on LaNiO3–based Si substrates and mica substrates, respectively. The effects of Si substrates and mica substrates on the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of PZT films were studied. The stability of PZT films on different substrates was discussed by controlling temperature and frequency. The optimal annealing temperature for preparing PZT films on LaNiO3–based Si substrates and mica substrates is 750 °C. The dielectric and ferroelectric properties of PZT films vary with the substrates. The diffraction peak of PZT films deposited on mica substrates shifted to the left compared with that deposited on Si substrates, due to difference of the expansion coefficients. The as–prepared PZT films exhibit a good ferroelectric property at a frequency in the range of 100 Hz~1000 Hz. Moreover, PZT films deposited on mica substrates have larger remanent polarization values and coercive fields than PZT films deposited on Si substrates. With the elevation in temperature, the dielectric constant of PZT films gradually enhance. And as–prepared PZT films at an annealing temperature of 750 °C have a better dielectric temperature stability. PZT films grown on Si substrates exhibit more excellent dielectric temperature stability than that of PZT films grown on mica substrates.
Current Status Review of Corrosion Resistance Applications of Titanium Alloys in the Petroleum Industry
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhao Xiaohong , Wang Xiaodong , Shang Shuilong , Xiu Zhengwu , Xi Yuntao , Jia Hongmin , Xu Shanna , Liu Haitao , Wen Lei , Xiao Xinke , Liu Ruifan , Ji Jiangtao
Published: July 2024

Because of its superior strength, low elastic modulus, and exceptional resistance to corrosion, titanium alloy is commonly used as a replacement for carbon steel in the construction of oil well pipes. This paper starts with the application of titanium alloy in oil well pipes in the petroleum industry, summarizes the research progress of its mechanical properties and corrosion properties in titanium alloy drill pipes and oil casing, and compares the fatigue life of several common carbon steel materials and titanium alloy in the petroleum industry. At the same time, the influence of adding metal elements and optimizing the manufacturing process on the corrosion resistance of titanium alloy is discussed. Finally, the problems that titanium alloys may face in the actual production and application process are put forward.
Effect of Cold Metal Transfer Welding Repair Parameters on the Forming for the Repair of Surface Defects of Cast Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Cai Zenghui , Shen Faming , Chen Qihao , Chen Zhien , Cui Yanfeng , Shao Tongge , Dong Bolun , Lin Sanbao , Cai Xiaoyu
Published: July 2024

It is of great significance in the field of engineering to repair the surface defects of ZM6 cast magnesium alloy by an arc welding method. Compared with the traditional tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding repair technology, cold metal transfer (CMT) welding repair has the advantages of low heat input, small repair deformation, and high efficiency. It is of great research value to repair the surface defects of ZM6 cast magnesium alloy by CMT welding. In this paper, the effect of CMT welding repair parameters on defect repair forming is systematically studied, and a repair process window free of unfused defects is obtained. The effects of preheating temperature of base material, wire-feeding speed, welding speed, stick-out length of welding wire and shielding gas flow on the spread of magnesium alloy melt and weld formation were investigated by a surface surfacing method. During the welding process, a camera was used to capture images of the arc and droplet features. A pit defect with a depth of 11.5 mm was machined on the surface of the casting, and the effect of five different repair paths on the formation of the repair area was studied. In order to make the repair area have better fusion, reasonable repair parameters are as follows: The preheating temperature range is 310–450 °C, the wire-feeding speed range is 5–7 m/min, the welding speed range is 8–10 mm/s, the stick-out length of the welding wire is 12 mm, the shielding gas flow rate is 20 L/min, and the repair path adopts a continuous linear reciprocating welding path. This study has important significance for guiding the development of CMT repair technology of cast magnesium alloy.
The Effect of Flux on a Waste-Derived Foamed Ceramic: Analysis of Microstructure and Properties
Authors: Zuo Zhiwu , Mu Minghao , Liu Xue , Jiang Congcong
Published: July 2024

Foamed ceramics with high closed porosity were prepared using granite scrap as the raw material and silicon carbide as a foaming agent, and the effects of Na2O, K2O, and MgO on the pore structure and properties of the foamed ceramics were investigated. The results show that both Na2O and K2O could reduce the viscosity of the melt and promote the formation of the liquid phase, and the increase in content could enhance the foaming ability of the blank. When the dosage of Na2O was 4–6 wt% and the dosage of K2O was 6–8 wt%, the homogeneity of the pore structure of the foamed ceramics could be effectively improved, and the samples exhibited an optimal performance, including a bulk density of 510.36–593.33 kg/m3, a closed porosity of 68.24–78.04%, a compressive strength of 1.33–2.66 MPa, and a water absorption capacity of 0.57–1.31%. A further increase in the Na2O and K2O dosages destroyed the uniformity of the pore structure, resulting in a large number of irregular macropores. MgO had a slight effect on regulating the pore structure of the foamed ceramics, and the increase in dosage promoted the precipitation of forsterite crystals, creating conditions suitable for the preparation of foamed ceramics with small pores.
Advances in the Parameter Space Concept towards Picometer Precise Crystal Structure Refinement—A Resolution Study
Authors: Zschornak Matthias , Wagner Christian , Nentwich Melanie , Vallinayagam Muthu , Fischer Karl F.
Published: July 2024

The Parameter Space Concept (PSC) is an alternative approach to solving and refining (partial) crystal structures from very few pre-chosen X-ray or neutron diffraction amplitudes without the use of Fourier inversion. PSC interprets those amplitudes as piecewise analytic hyper-surfaces, so-called isosurfaces, in the Parameter Space, which is spanned by the spatial coordinates of all atoms of interest. The intersections of all isosurfaces constitute the (possibly degenerate) structure solution. The present feasibility study investigates the La and Sr split position of the potential high-temperature super-conductor (La0.5Sr1.5)MnO4, I4/mmm, with a postulated total displacement between La and Sr of a few pm by theoretical amplitudes of pre-selected 00l reflections (l=2,4,…,20). The revision of 15-year-old results with state-of-the-art computing equipment enhances the former simplified model by varying the scattering power ratio fLa/fSr, as exploitable by means of resonant scattering contrast at synchrotron facilities, and irrevocably reveals one of the two originally proposed solutions as being a “blurred” pseudo-solution. Finally, studying the resolution limits of PSC as a function of intensity errors by means of Monte-Carlo simulations shows both that the split can only be resolved for sufficiently low errors and, particularly for the resonant scattering contrast, a theoretical precision down to ±0.19 pm can be achieved for this specific structural problem.
Pollen and Seed Morphology as Taxonomic Markers in Verbascum Taxa Based on Herbarium Specimens of MARIUM
Authors: Mungan Kılıç Fatma
Published: July 2024

Herbaria are vital resources of biodiversity education and conservation. They contain significant dried collections and botanical data of plant species that are useful for taxonomy, systematics, and plant-based applied research applications. Verbascum L. is the largest genus within the Scrophulariaceae family globally. However, the high morphological diversity within the genus poses significant challenges for accurate species delimitation. This study investigated the pollen and seed morphology of seven distinct Verbascum groups (comprising 10 taxa, including three endemics) from southeastern Anatolia using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analyses revealed that all examined taxa possessed tricolporate pollen apertures, with pollen shapes varying between prolate spheroidal and oblate spheroidal. Seeds exhibited a light brown to dark brown color, with a prismatic oblong shape and alveolate surface. The seed coat ornamentation consisted of irregular polygonal cells, densely covered with distinct vesicles. Findings demonstrate significant morphological distinctions in both pollen and seed characteristics, suggesting their utility in taxonomic discrimination within Verbascum groups. Notably, the detailed micromorphology revealed by SEM proved to be particularly valuable for classifying these taxa. These results contribute the understanding of the taxonomic diversity within Verbascum and highlight the crucial role of SEM in uncovering microstructural details for accurate species identification.