bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dermoscopy of Basal Cell Carcinoma Part 1: Dermoscopic Findings and Diagnostic Accuracy—A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Wojtowicz Irena , Żychowska Magdalena
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant skin tumor. While rarely fatal, it can cause local tissue damage. Part I of the review summarizes the dermoscopic features of BCC and the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of BCC. Methods: A search of the PubMed database was performed for studies reporting on the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy or dermoscopic findings in BCC, either pigmented or non-pigmented, located anywhere on the body, of any histopathologic subtype, size and at any age of onset. Results: BCC was found to present with a wide range of dermoscopic features, including white structures (shiny white lines, shiny white areas, rosettes), yellow structures (milia-like cysts, yellow lobular-like structures), multiple aggregated yellow-white globules (MAY globules), blue structures (blue ovoid nests), vascular structures (arborizing vessels, short fine telangiectasias), multiple small erosions/ulcerations, features of regression (pepper-like structures, white scar-like areas) and pigmented structures (spoke-wheel areas, maple leaf-like areas (MLLAs), blue/gray dots). Dermoscopy showed a sensitivity of 67.6–98.6% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85.9–97% in identifying BCC. The physician’s experience and training improve the accuracy, however, BCCs on the trunk and extremities, particularly of superficial subtypes, may still constitute a challenge. Conclusions: Dermoscopy, especially when performed by a trained physician, increases the accuracy of early BCC detection.
The Relationship Between Response Rate and Survival Benefits in Randomized Immunotherapy Studies
Authors: Jain Aditi , Stebbing Justin
Published: February 2025

Understanding the relationship between the Objective Response Rate (ORR) and survival outcomes, notably Progression-Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS), is relevant for assessing the efficacy of regimens in oncology. We evaluate the relationship between ORR, PFS and OS in immuno-oncology (IO) trials. Data from 68 clinical trials submitted to the FDA were evaluated, examining immunotherapy regimens, notably immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-programmed death (ligand)-1 [anti-PD-(L)1], cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors and combination therapies [e.g., IO + IO, anti-PD-L1 + chemotherapy, anti-PD-L1 + CTLA-4, anti-PD-L1 + TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitors)]. Studies were included based on their reporting of ORR, PFS, and OS. Of the 68 clinical trials reviewed, 55 were included in the analysis. The correlation between ORR and PFS was moderate across most immunotherapy regimens, indicating that ORR can serve as a useful predictor of short-term disease control. However, the correlation between ORR and OS was weaker, especially in trials including combination therapies, indicating that ORR alone may not reliably predict long-term survival outcomes. ORR predicts PFS better in first-line treatment but declines in later lines and remains a weak OS predictor overall. Differing degrees of correlation between ORR and survival metrics, particularly across treatment lines and combinations, are observed. While ORR can serve as a surrogate marker for PFS in IO trials, its utility in predicting OS is restricted and the interpretation of the relationship between ORR and PFS or OS is a key limitation. Rather, a decline in PFS with increasing ORR may reflect trial differences rather than a direct relationship. Future analyses should adopt better methodologies to capture these dynamics and focus on improving surrogate endpoints for immunotherapy to improve clinical trial design and patient outcomes.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Disease Acceptance Among Women with Breast Cancer Pre- and Post-Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Konieczny Magdalena , Sawicka Jolanta , Gąska Izabela , Kaczmar Elżbieta , Babuśka-Roczniak Magdalena , Bądziul Dorota
Published: February 2025

Background/Objective: The study aimed to evaluate disease acceptance and quality of life in women with breast cancer before and after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: The study included 211 women diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent neoadjuvant treatment. The following measures were utilized: the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules for quality of life assessment, the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) questionnaire for evaluating disease acceptance, and a proprietary questionnaire. Assessments were conducted one week before the first chemotherapy session and three weeks after completing the chemotherapy. Statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA v. 13. Results: The respondents exhibited an average acceptance of their disease, both before (28.2 pts) and after chemotherapy (25.5 pts). A decline in disease acceptance was observed in nearly 59.2% of the patients following chemotherapy. Higher levels of disease acceptance were associated with a better quality of life. The quality of life for the studied women decreased after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, particularly in the following areas: physical functioning (p = 0.0000), social functioning (p = 0.0000), body image assessment (p = 0.0000), sexual satisfaction (p = 0.0000), nausea and vomiting (p = 0.0000), fatigue (p = 0.0000), loss of appetite (p = 0.0000), insomnia (p = 0.0000), pain (p = 0.0000), hair loss (p = 0.0000), and side effects of systemic treatment (p = 0.0000). Conclusions: Post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a decline in disease acceptance and quality of life was observed among women with breast cancer in comparison with their pre-treatment status. Higher levels of disease acceptance were associated with a better quality of life. These findings may facilitate the creation of a more tailored care approach for women during and after chemotherapy.
HepatoPredict Accurately Selects Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients for Liver Transplantation Regardless of Tumor Heterogeneity
Authors: Andrade Rita , Perez-Rojas Judith , da Silva Sílvia Gomes , Miskinyte Migla , Quaresma Margarida C. , Frazão Laura P. , Peixoto Carolina , Cubells Almudena , Montalvá Eva M. , Figueiredo António , Cipriano Augusta , Gonçalves-Reis Maria , Proença Daniela , Folgado André , Pereira-Leal José B. , Oliveira Rui Caetano , Pinto-Marques Hugo , Tralhão José Guilherme , Berenguer Marina , Cardoso Joana
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths rising worldwide. This is leading to an increased demand for liver transplantation (LT), the most effective treatment for HCC in its initial stages. However, current patient selection criteria are limited in predicting recurrence and raise ethical concerns about equitable access to care. This study aims to enhance patient selection by refining the HepatoPredict (HP) tool, a machine learning-based model that combines molecular and clinical data to forecast LT outcomes. Methods: The updated HP algorithm was trained on a two-center dataset and assessed against standard clinical criteria. Its prognostic performance was evaluated through accuracy metrics, with additional analyses considering tumor heterogeneity and potential sampling bias. Results: HP outperformed all clinical criteria, particularly regarding negative predictive value, addressing critical limitations in existing selection strategies. It also demonstrated improved differentiation of recurrence-free and overall survival outcomes. Importantly, the prognostic accuracy of HP remained largely unaffected by intra-nodule and intra-patient heterogeneity, indicating its robustness even when biopsies were taken from smaller or non-dominant nodules. Conclusions: These findings support the usage of HP as a valuable tool for optimizing LT candidate selection, promoting fair organ allocation and enhancing patient outcomes through integrated analysis of molecular and clinical data.
A Meta-Analysis of First-Line Treatments for Unresectable Pleural Mesothelioma: Indirect Comparisons from Reconstructed Individual Patient Data of Six Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Messori Andrea , Trippoli Sabrina , Piragine Eugenia , Veneziano Sara , Calderone Vincenzo
Published: February 2025

Background: In unresectable pleural mesothelioma, pemetrexed+cisplatin as first line is considered the standard of care, but novel treatments have been recently proposed. Methods: Our objective was to compare, albeit indirectly, the results of randomized controlled trials on overall survival (OS). The IPDfromKM method was employed for reconstruct individual patient data (IPD) from the graphs of Kaplan–Meier curves. Cox statistics was run to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). Results: After a literature search on Medline (via PubMed) and Scopus databases, six randomized controlled trials were identified in which five new treatments (nivolumab plus ipilimumab, bevacizumab plus pemetrexed plus cisplatin, chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab, ONCOS-102 plus pemetrexed plus cisplatin/carboplatin and cediranib plus pemetrexed+cisplatin with maintenance with cediranib) were evaluated. In five trials, pemetrexed plus cisplatin was the standard of care given to the control arms. Nivolumab plus ipilimumab, bevacizumab plus pemetrexed plus cisplatin and chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab showed a significantly better OS compared with controls. ONCOS-102 plus pemetrexed plus cisplatin/carboplatin did not significantly improve OS. In contrast, OS worsened with cisplatin alone and with cediranib plus pemetrexed+cisplatin with maintenance with cediranib. Discussion: Our analysis indicates that, in patients with unresectable pleural mesothelioma, three of the five novel treatments provided a significant survival benefit compared with the standard of care. Further research is needed to confirm the OS benefit found in our analysis with some treatments, whereas cisplatin alone and cediranib plus pemetrexed+cisplatin with maintenance with cediranib do not seem to deserve further research.
Targeting Methionine Addiction of Osteosarcoma with Methionine Restriction to Overcome Drug Resistance: A New Paradigm for a Recalcitrant Disease
Authors: Aoki Yusuke , Kubota Yutaro , Masaki Noriyuki , Tome Yasunori , Bouvet Michael , Nishida Kotaro , Hoffman Robert M.
Published: February 2025

Chemotherapy resistance in osteosarcoma results in a very poor patient prognosis, with the 5-year survival rate of approximately 20%, which not improved for over three decades; thus, the development of novel therapeutic strategies is required. Methionine addiction is a fundamental and general hallmark of cancer, termed the Hoffman effect. Cancer cells need larger amounts of exogenous methionine in order to grow compared to normal cells, despite their ability to synthesize normal or greater amounts of methionine from homocysteine, due to increased transmethylation reactions in cancer cells. Methionine restriction therapy, including recombinant methioninase (rMETase), arrests cancer cells in the late-S/G2 phase of the cell cycle by targeting methionine addiction. First-line chemotherapy for osteosarcoma, including methotrexate (MTX), doxorubicin (DOX), and cisplatinum (CDDP), targets cells in the S/G2-phase, where cancer cells are also inhibited by methionine restriction, resulting in the synergy of methionine restriction to overcome drug resistance. In the present review, we describe the synergistic efficacy of conventional chemotherapy and methionine restriction therapy, including rMETase, in overcoming the drug resistance of osteosarcoma. The clinical potential of this new paradigm to overcome the drug resistance of osteosarcoma is discussed.
Unveiling Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Exploring Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Advances
Authors: Thalambedu Nishanth , Mohan Lal Bhavesh , Harbaugh Brent , Alapat Daisy V. , Gaddam Mamatha , Gentille Sanchez Cesar Giancarlo , Kumaran Muthu , Varma Ankur
Published: February 2025

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), either primary or secondary, are a heterogeneous group of clonal hematological neoplasms characterized by bone marrow dyshematopoiesis, peripheral blood cytopenia, and the potential risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) transformation. The clinical heterogeneity in MDS is a reflection of the underlying multitude of genetic defects playing a role in the pathogenesis. Recent advances in the clinicopathological, immunophenotypic, and molecular landscape in understanding the pathophysiology of MDS lead to evolving and refined classification systems with newer entities. Evolving MDS therapies will target the disease’s core mechanisms, allowing for personalized treatment based on individual patient’s genes and leading to better outcomes. This review provides an overview of MDS pathogenesis to enhance comprehension of its various subgroups. Additionally, we examine the updated classification systems of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Consensus Classification (ICC) pertaining to MDS, along with relevant therapeutic approaches.
Inorganic Bismuth Catalysts for Photocatalytic Organic Reactions
Authors: He Hualei , Lv Qiyan , Yu Bing
Published: February 2025

Bismuth (Bi) is recognized as a low-toxicity and environmentally friendly metal. Owing to its diverse oxidation states, Bi-based compounds demonstrate exceptional catalytic activities across numerous organic reactions. In particular, Bi-based inorganic materials have emerged as a promising class of photocatalysts in synthetic chemistry. In this review, the recent applications of inorganic Bi-materials, e.g., Bi2O3, BiVO4, BiCl3, Bi2WO6, and Bi4O5Br2, as photocatalysts in various organic reactions, including C-H oxidation, radical addition of olefins, and coupling reactions, have been summarized. The reaction mechanisms are discussed to reveal the crucial steps for enhancing catalytic performance. Moreover, the current challenges and prospects in this vibrant research area are also outlined, aiming to provide valuable insights and guidance for the development of more efficient Bi-based photocatalysts and their applications in diverse organic synthetic pathways.
Synergistic Effects of Photocatalysis, Ozone Treatment, and Metal Catalysts on the Decomposition of Acetaldehyde
Authors: Ochiai Tsuyoshi , Hamada Kengo , Okui Michifumi
Published: February 2025

This study explores the synergistic interactions between photocatalysis, ozone treatment, and metal catalysts in the decomposition of acetaldehyde, a representative volatile organic compound (VOC). The study addresses the growing need for efficient air purification technologies by integrating advanced oxidation processes. Metal catalysts, particularly manganese oxide-based materials, were combined with photocatalysis and ozonation to investigate their impact on acetaldehyde removal efficiency. Experimental results revealed that the treatment integrating these methods significantly outperformed conventional single-process treatments. Metal catalysts facilitated the initial oxidation of acetaldehyde, while photocatalysis accelerated subsequent stages, including the mineralisation of intermediates. Ozone contributed additional reactive oxidative species, further enhancing decomposition rates. These findings provide valuable insights into the design of efficient VOC removal systems, demonstrating that integrating metal catalysts with photocatalytic and ozonation processes offers a promising strategy for improving air purification technologies. This approach has potential applications in environmental remediation and indoor air quality management.
Research on Enhancement of LIBS Signal Stability Through the Selection of Spectral Lines Based on Plasma Characteristic Parameters
Authors: Xia Yunfeng , Jian Honglin , Liang Qishuai , Wang Xilin
Published: February 2025

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is widely used for online quantitative analysis in industries due to its rapid analysis and minimal damage. However, challenges like signal instability, matrix effects, and self-absorption hinder the measurement accuracy. Recent approaches, including the internal standard method and crater limitation method, aim to improve the stability but suffer from high computational demands or complexity. This study proposes a method to enhance LIBS stability by utilizing craters formed from laser ablation without external cavity assistance. It first improves the plasma temperature calculation reliability using multiple elemental spectral lines, after which electron density calculations are performed. By fitting plasma parameter curves based on laser pulse counts and using a laser confocal microscope for crater analysis, stable plasma conditions were found within crater areas of 0.400 mm2 to 0.443 mm2 and depths of 0.357 mm to 0.412 mm. Testing with elemental spectral lines of Ti II, K II, Ca I, and Fe I showed a significant reduction in the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the LIBS spectral line intensity, demonstrating an improved signal stability within specified crater dimensions.
Towards the Measurement of Acute-Phase Proteins in Saliva in Farm Conditions: Development and Validation of a Lateral Flow Assay for the Measurement of C-Reactive Protein in Pigs
Authors: Tecles Fernando , Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Cavalera Simone , Di Nardo Fabio , Baggiani Claudio , Cerón José Joaquín , González-Bulnes Antonio , Goyena María Elena , Martínez-Subiela Silvia , Franco-Martínez Lorena , Anfossi Laura
Published: February 2025

Point-of-care diagnostic tests, such as lateral-flow immunoassay (LFIA), have emerged as a fast diagnostic tool in both human and veterinary medicine. In this paper, a gold nanoparticle-based LFIA device was developed for the measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) in porcine saliva, using a monoclonal anti-porcine CRP antibody. The dilution ratio for the saliva samples was optimized at 1:5 with an assay buffer. The reaction time was optimized to 20 min, since this provided a positive signal with high CRP concentration saliva samples, but a negative result with an assay buffer or samples with a low CRP concentration. Linear results were observed when two samples with a high CRP concentration were serially diluted. Also, a linear relationship was observed with a validated quantitative method. The assay was precise when samples with high CRP concentration were measured five times in a single assay run. No overlap was observed when samples from healthy and diseased animals were analyzed. The LFIA allowed the detection of high CRP concentrations in porcine saliva samples. The intensity of the result was proportional to the CRP concentration obtained with the quantitative method, allowing for the possible use of the test for semiquantitative purposes.
Electrospun WO3/TiO2 Core–Shell Nanowires for Triethylamine Gas Sensing
Authors: Li Wenhao , Zhang Bo , Dong Xiangrui , Lu Qi , Shen Hao , Ni Yi , Liu Yuechen , Song Haitao
Published: February 2025

In this work, WO3/TiO2 core–shell (C-S) nanowires (NWs) were successfully synthesized by the coaxial electrospinning method and subsequent high-temperature calcination treatment. After some microscopic structural characterizations, although the prepared WO3–TiO2 and TiO2–WO3 C-S NWs displayed quite different surface morphologies, both of the shell coatings were uniform and their typical shell thicknesses were extremely close, with mean values of 22 and 20 nm, respectively. In gas sensing tests, WO3/TiO2 C-S NWs exhibited good selectivity towards triethylamine (TEA) without significant interfering gases. Compared with bare WO3 and TiO2 NWs, WO3/TiO2 C-S NWs showed better gas sensing performance. Specifically, the optimal operating temperature and response of TiO2–WO3 C-S NWs to 100 ppm TEA were 130 °C and 106, which were reduced by 70 °C and increased by 5.73 times compared to bare WO3, respectively. Obviously, the C-S nanostructures contributed to improving the gas sensing performance of materials towards TEA. Finally, some hypothetical sensing mechanisms were proposed, which were expected to have important reference significance for the design of target products applied to TEA sensing.
Thiosemicarbazone- and Thiourea-Functionalized Calix[4]arenes in cone and 1,3-alternate Conformations: Receptors for the Recognition of Ions
Authors: Ochoa Andrés , Hernández-Arancibia Belén , Herrera-Muñoz José , Gómez-Machuca Horacio , Saitz Claudio
Published: February 2025

In this research we have synthesized and evaluated five calix[4]arene-based receptors functionalized with thiosemicarbazone or thiourea groups, incorporating pyridinyl naphthalene or triazolopyridine chromophores in 1,3-alternate, pinched cone and cone conformations. The ion recognition capabilities of these receptors were investigated using UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. Receptor (I), which adopts a pinched cone conformation with thiosemicarbazone groups, demonstrated bifunctional sensing abilities by detecting both cations and anions. Receptors (II) and (III) showed remarkable selectivity and sensitivity for Cu2+ ions. Receptors (IV) and (V), in cone and 1,3-alternate conformations, respectively, where functionalized with a triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine fluorophore and exhibited highly sensitive ON-OFF fluorescence sensing for Co2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions, with significant fluorescence quenching upon binding and a low detection limit of 2.94 µg/L for the Co2+ ion in receptor (IV). Ion receptor (I) demonstrates a strong performance in broad-spectrum ion detection, whereas the structural conformations of receptors (IV) and (V) play a pivotal role in their remarkable selectivity and sensitivity for specific transition metals in fluorescence-based sensing.
Tribological Behavior and Mechanism of Plasma-Sprayed High-Entropy Monoboride Coating over a Wide Temperature Range
Authors: Guo Chun , Zhu Jinpeng , Li Yujing , Yang Kaijun , Li Mingliang , Wang Hailong , He Jilin
Published: February 2025

Due to the extremely high hardness of high-entropy monoborides (HEMB), this study successfully prepared a new type of HEMB-(V0.2Cr0.2Ta0.2Mo0.2W0.2)B coating by adjusting the spraying process using atmospheric plasma spraying technology. The high-entropy coating was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The change rule concerning the alteration in the phase composition of the coating surface with power and protective atmosphere was explored, indicating that with the decrease in power and the application of a protective atmosphere, the generation of oxide on the coating surface is successfully inhibited. The wear resistance of the coating in a temperature range from room temperature to 800 °C was evaluated in dry sliding wear test conditions. The results indicated that the wear mechanism of (V0.2Cr0.2Ta0.2Mo0.2W0.2)B coating below 400 °C is abrasive wear, and above 400 °C, the wear mechanism is mainly oxidative wear.
Effect of Macroscopic Composition on the Performance of Self-Compacting Concrete
Authors: Liu He , Li Wenxi , Zou Haonan , Bian Wei , Zhang Jingyi , Zhang Ji , Zhang Peng
Published: February 2025

In recent years, there has been significant interest in the development of self-compacting concrete (SCC). This study views SCC as a two-phase composite material and introduces a new aggregate spacing coefficient model based on the concept of Fullman’s mean free path and stereological theory. The validity of the aggregate spacing coefficient model was verified. The relationship between the fine and coarse aggregate coefficients and the properties of SCC are revealed. The results show that the slump and slump flow of SCC increase as the fine and coarse aggregate coefficients increase. The coarse aggregate spacing coefficient has a significant influence on the compressive strength and drying shrinkage of SCC. A significant linear relationship between the coarse aggregate spacing coefficient and SCC dry shrinkage properties is revealed. Compared to the conditional mixing proportion method, which considers the aggregate volume as a control factor, the aggregate spacing coefficient takes into account the aggregate volume and gradation, which can more accurately reflect the characteristics of the aggregate. Meanwhile, this new perspective on the macroscopic composition of SCC provides insights into the controlling factors of its performance.
UV-Curable Optical-Silicone-Modified Coatings Prepared from CO2-Based Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Diol
Authors: Sun Nana , Zhu Hongyu , Wang Shuxin , Li Junyi , Lai Guoqiao , Yang Xiongfa
Published: February 2025

Though polyurethanes (PUs) are widely used in people’s daily lives, traditional PUs are generally fabricated from toxic (poly)isocyanates. Furthermore, (poly)isocyanates are commonly industrially prepared from a seriously toxic and injurious chemical compound named phosgene, which is a dangerous gas that can cause lung irritation and eventually death. As is known to all, the consumption of carbon dioxide (CO2)-based raw materials in chemical reactions and productions will be conducive to reducing the greenhouse effect. In this paper, non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) diol was fabricated through a polyaddition reaction from ethylenediamine and CO2-based ethylene carbonate, and then NIPU-based silicone-containing thiol hyperbranched polymers (NIPU-SiHPs) were synthesized from the NIPU diol. Finally, UV-curable optical-silicone-modified CO2-based coatings (UV-NIPUs) were fabricated from NIPU-SiHPs and pentaerythritol triacrylate by a UV-initiated thiol-ene click reaction without a UV initiator. The UV-NIPUs demonstrated high transparency over 90% (400–800 nm), good mechanical performance with tensile strength reaching 3.49 MPa, superior thermal stability with an initial decomposition temperature (Td5) in the range of 239.7–265.6 °C, moderate hydrophilicity with a water contact angle in the range of 42.6–62.1°, a high pencil hardness in the range of 5–9H, and good adhesive performance of grade 0. The results indicate that it is a promising green chemical strategy to fabricate CO2-based high-performance materials.
Compatibility and Efficacy Evaluations of Organic Protective Coatings for Contemporary Muralism
Authors: Pagnin Laura , Goidanich Sara , Izzo Francesca Caterina , Zhang Yezi , Scalarone Dominique , Toniolo Lucia
Published: February 2025

Contemporary muralism is a constantly expanding form of urban art, whose preservation is highly debated and for which no specific preventive conservation measures have been defined. The degradation of painting materials remains a dramatic issue as mural paintings undergo rapid and inevitable chemical–physical reactions, leading to their aesthetic decay and chemical–mechanical disintegration. This work started with interviews with, and questionnaires given to experts in the field from which various needs emerged, including defining a testing protocol for the study of the compatibility and effectiveness of organic coatings to protect street art painted surfaces. Five protective formulations available on the market were selected and applied on mock-ups realized with three different types of paintings (alkyd, acrylic, and styrenic). The efficacy and affinity of the five protective treatments in relation to the different underlying painting layers were investigated. The adopted testing protocol enabled understanding the protection efficacy and compatibility of the different tested formulations in relation to the type of painting and wall preparation. The typology of the underlying paint mainly influences the final aesthetic result, while the application of the primer may play a relevant role in terms of the protection effectiveness, confirming the importance of pre-treating the substrate before painting. The results clearly show that there is still no specific and effective protection system that is appropriate for all commercial paints used by street artists.
Excellent Tribological Properties of WS2 Films in Air by Doping Copper
Authors: Pei Lulu , Kang Bowei , Cai Haichao , Xue Yujun
Published: February 2025

WS2 films exhibit excellent tribological properties in a vacuum, but they are prone to failure due to oxidation in air, which severely limits their application. Cu has great potential to improve the tribological properties of WS2, similar to that of Au and Ag. Thus, to clarify the contribution of Cu to the tribological properties of WS2 films and provide new insight for the development of new multi-environmentally adaptable films, this study deposited WS2-Cu composite films under different sputtering powers of the Cu target by magnetron sputtering systems, and the Cu target was supplied by DC power. Then, the structure of films was analyzed by FESEM, EDS and XPS. The results show that Cu is difficult to uniformly dope on the WS2 film at a high sputtering power of Cu target, showing possibly low solubility of Cu in WS2 film. However, a uniform and dense WS2-Cu composite film was deposited under the lower sputtering power of Cu target. Furthermore, the results of the nanoindentation test demonstrated that the WS2-Cu composite films exhibited high hardness (6.6 GPa). Finally, the tribological properties of the WS2-Cu films were examined, and their friction interface was characterized by SEM, EDS and TEM. The WS2-Cu film demonstrated superior tribological behavior in air (the average friction coefficient is 0.09), based on a special sliding interface, low oxidation levels of WS2 and Cu-rich transfer film. This study provides a new insight and a new method for improving the environmental adaptation ability of WS2 film.
A Novel ConvXGBoost Method for Detection and Identification of Cyberattacks on Grid-Connected Photovoltaic (PV) Inverter System
Authors: Vodapally Sai Nikhil , Ali Mohd. Hasan
Published: February 2025

The integration of solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems into the AC grid poses stability challenges, especially with increasing inverter-based resources. For an efficient operation of the system, smart grid-forming inverters need to communicate with the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. However, Internet-of-Things devices that communicate with SCADA make these systems vulnerable. Though many researchers proposed Artificial-Intelligence-based detection strategies, identification of the location of the attack is not considered by these strategies. To overcome this drawback, this paper proposes a novel Convolution extreme gradient boosting (ConvXGBoost) method for not only detecting Denial of Service (DoS) and False Data Injection (FDI) attacks but also identifying the location and component of the system that was compromised. The proposed model is compared with the existing Convolution Neural Network (CNN) and decision tree (DT) strategies. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for both the smart PV and PV fuel cell (PV-FC) systems. For example, the proposed model is efficient with an accuracy of 99.25% compared to the 97.76% of CNN and 99.12% of DT during a DoS attack on a smart PV system. Moreover, the proposed method can detect and identify the attack location faster than other models.
A Hybrid Approach for Predictive Control of Oil Well Production Using Dynamic System Identification and Real-Time Parameter Estimation
Authors: Gryzlov Anton , Magadeev Eugene , Arsalan Muhammad
Published: February 2025

A significant part of modern natural sciences aims to establish a model-based approach to describe the behavior of physical systems and forecast their dynamics in different scenarios. The successful application of model-based analysis of transport phenomena is driven by several components, such as the consistency of a model and the uncertainty associated with its parameters. The unsatisfactory results of simulations can be caused by an improper choice of numerical methods used, but more importantly, it can be a result of wrong assumptions while establishing the model and a poor choice of closure parameters such as physical properties of fluids. This motivated the development of a hybrid approach that combines model identification directly from the data and subsequent real-time parameter estimation, which eventually minimizes the uncertainty of the developed model. This essentially brings a new model-based approach for an optimal simulation of physical phenomena by incorporating stringent interactions between all the stages of the modeling process. The identification of the governing equation from the data is achieved by a regression technique, while the model refinement is performed using the extended Kalman filter algorithm. The obtained in such a way model is then applied for control-oriented analysis. This paper discusses the deployment of such an integrated approach on a step-to-step basis and demonstrates its application to the problem of a single-phase oil inflow to the producing well.
The Ural Owl as a Keystone Species in Interspecific Interactions Among Avian Predators—A Review
Authors: Kajtoch Łukasz
Published: February 2025

Ural owls are one of the largest owls in Europe, exhibiting known aggressive behaviour toward other raptors. They are known to interact with nearly all sympatric owls and many diurnal raptors. To summarise these interactions, a literature search was undertaken in the Web of Sciences and Scopus databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology as well principal books on owl biology. The search revealed 22 relevant publications that (along with the book data) described the Ural owl’s relations with seven owls and six diurnal raptor species. The Ural owl is subordinate only to the largest predators like golden eagles and eagles, although only its chicks are known to be killed. Contrary to that, the Ural owls shape the distribution of numerous other species, mostly by strong competition (e.g., forcing tawny owls to breed in suboptimal habitats) or by predation (killing smaller owls and diurnal raptors). Their occurrence could be also protective for some species like boreal owls thanks to the removal of intermediate predators. The relations of Ural owls with goshawks are interesting, which seem to live in some balance—temporal avoidance of activity with frequent co-occurrence. Thanks to their association with old-growth forests and their impact on other predators in their territories, Ural owls act as keystone species in mountainous and boreal forests in Europe. Considering this ecosystem service, Ural owls should be effectively protected e.g., by designing forest-management-free zones around their nesting sites.
The Role of Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone in Obesity, Pain, and Aging
Authors: Erceg Nikolina , Micic Miodrag , Forouzan Eli , Knezevic Nebojsa Nick
Published: February 2025

Obesity, chronic pain, and aging are prevalent global challenges with profound implications for health and well-being. Central to these processes are adrenal hormones, particularly cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), along with its sulfated form (DHEAS). Cortisol, essential for stress adaptation, can have adverse effects on pain perception and aging when dysregulated, while DHEA/S possess properties that may mitigate these effects. This review explores the roles of cortisol and DHEA/S in the contexts of obesity, acute and chronic pain, aging, and age-related diseases. We examine the hormonal balance, specifically the cortisol-to-DHEA ratio (CDR), as a key marker of stress system functionality and its impact on pain sensitivity, neurodegeneration, and physical decline. Elevated CDR and decreased DHEA/S levels are associated with worsened outcomes, including increased frailty, immune dysfunction, and the progression of age-related conditions such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. This review synthesizes the current literature to highlight the complex interplay between these hormones and their broader implications for health. It aims to provide insights into potential future therapies to improve pain management and promote healthy weight and aging. By investigating these mechanisms, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of the physiological intersections between pain, aging, and the endocrine system.
As One and Many: Relating Individual and Emergent Group-Level Generative Models in Active Inference
Authors: Thestrup Waade Peter , Lundbak Olesen Christoffer , Ehrenreich Laursen Jonathan , Nehrer Samuel William , Heins Conor , Friston Karl , Mathys Christoph
Published: February 2025

Active inference under the Free Energy Principle has been proposed as an across-scales compatible framework for understanding and modelling behaviour and self-maintenance. Crucially, a collective of active inference agents can, if they maintain a group-level Markov blanket, constitute a larger group-level active inference agent with a generative model of its own. This potential for computational scale-free structures speaks to the application of active inference to self-organizing systems across spatiotemporal scales, from cells to human collectives. Due to the difficulty of reconstructing the generative model that explains the behaviour of emergent group-level agents, there has been little research on this kind of multi-scale active inference. Here, we propose a data-driven methodology for characterising the relation between the generative model of a group-level agent and the dynamics of its constituent individual agents. We apply methods from computational cognitive modelling and computational psychiatry, applicable for active inference as well as other types of modelling approaches. Using a simple Multi-Armed Bandit task as an example, we employ the new ActiveInference.jl library for Julia to simulate a collective of agents who are equipped with a Markov blanket. We use sampling-based parameter estimation to make inferences about the generative model of the group-level agent, and we show that there is a non-trivial relationship between the generative models of individual agents and the group-level agent they constitute, even in this simple setting. Finally, we point to a number of ways in which this methodology might be applied to better understand the relations between nested active inference agents across scales.
Solutions of a Class of Switch Dynamical Systems
Authors: Danca Marius-F.
Published: February 2025

In this paper, the solutions of a class of switch dynamical systems are investigated. The right-hand side of the underlying equations is discontinuous with respect to the state variable. The discontinuity is represented by jump discontinuous functions such as signum or Heaviside functions. In this paper, a novel approach of the solutions of this class of discontinuous equations is presented. The initial value problem is restated as a differential inclusion via Filippov’s regularization, after which, via the approximate selection results, the differential inclusion is transformed into a continuous, single-valued differential equation. Besides its existence, a sufficient uniqueness condition, the strengthened one-sided Lipschitz Condition, is also introduced. The important issue of the numerical integration of this class of equations is addressed, emphasizing by examples the errors that could appear if the discontinuity problem is neglected. The example of a mechanical system, a preloaded compliance system, is considered along with other examples.
Determinants of Women Empowerment: Case of Refugee Women Living in Nairobi Kenya
Authors: Kaaria Judy , Murithi Immaculate Kathomi
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the determinants of women empowerment among refugee women living in Nairobi, Kenya. First, the study constructs an index to examine empowerment drivers using data from the Refugee and Host Household Survey (RHHS) 2021. A fractional logit regression model was employed in the study. The results obtained show that the incidence of refugee women empowerment among refugees living in Nairobi was six percent. In addition, the study finds evidence that age; the gender of the household head; the education level of the refugee woman; employment status; and the education of the household head play substantial roles in enabling women empowerment. Conversely, marital statuses (divorced/separated/widowed and single/never married) and religious affiliations (Muslim) hinder women empowerment. Efforts geared towards improving wage employment and education are likely to empower refugee women. The study emphasizes the recognition of the role played by women in household income through care work.
Advancing Understanding of the Complexities of Niceness in Educational Leadership: Unpacking Contexts, Complicity, and the Harms of Niceness
Authors: Villarreal Cynthia D. , Contreras Lauren R. , Castagno Angelina E.
Published: February 2025

Niceness is deeply woven into the fabric of American educational institutions [...]
A Systematic Review of Technology Integration in Developing L2 Pragmatic Competence
Authors: Qi Xuedan , Chen Zhuo
Published: February 2025

A growing body of research has explored how technology can enhance the development of pragmatic competence in a second language (L2). This systematic review synthesizes 37 empirical studies published between 2015 and 2024, focusing on various technological applications such as computer-mediated communication (CMC), interactive automated dialogues, virtual environments, and digital games. The analysis highlights that these tools promote pragmatic development by providing authentic or semi-authentic interaction, contextualized learning, and personalized practices. Meanwhile, the review also uncovers key challenges from both technological constraints and individual dimensions. Based on the findings, this review suggests several directions for future research. Further studies should adopt longitudinal, multimodal, and socially situated approaches, explore emerging generative AI technologies, and examine the interaction between individual learner differences and technological affordances to increase understanding of this evolving field.
Organizational Climate as a Key to Positive Mental Health and Academic Engagement in University Students: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Norabuena-Figueroa Roger Pedro , Rodríguez-Orellana Hugo Marino , Norabuena-Figueroa Emerson Damián , Deroncele-Acosta Angel
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to examine the relationships between mental health, organizational climate, and engagement through a structural equation model, for which a quantitative methodology was developed. A total of 1971 students from a public university in Lima (between 16 and 56 years of age, with a mean age of 21.09 years and standard deviation of 3.2) participated in the study. Three instruments with high internal consistency were used: the Positive Mental Health Scale, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and the FOCUS Organizational Climate Questionnaire. The results show that organizational climate is positively related to mental health and engagement, with life satisfaction being the most significant dimension in mental health (0.768), the vigor the strongest in engagement (0.814), and the innovation climate stood out in organizational climate (0.819). At the same time, mental health directly impacts engagement. The structural model revealed that organizational climate directly influences mental health (0.64) and engagement (0.49), while mental health has a direct impact on engagement (0.43). In addition, this structural model presents an adequate fit. The findings highlight the need to design interventions prioritizing students’ psychosocial well-being and managing a positive organizational climate as a premise. Implications of the study are discussed.
Analysis of the Factorial Structure and Reliability of the Social Determinants of Mental Health Questionnaire for Young Adults (SDMH)
Authors: Roncancio-Moreno Monica , Ocampo-Cepeda Rita Patricia , Zúñiga Walther M. , Cardona-Isaza Arcadio de Jesús
Published: February 2025

Background: Several studies around the world report an increase in mental health problems among young people. Psychology is called upon to design ways to characterize these problems to make contextualized and effective interventions. The aim of this study was to analyze the factorial structure and reliability of the Social Determinants of Mental Health Questionnaire for Young Adults (SDMH), which was developed based on the Social Determinants of Health Model. Methods: This study included 1232 young Colombians aged 18 to 28 years (M = 20.88; SD = 3.52; 46.8% were women). The questionnaire design was rigorous and involved the participation of experts on the subject, peer review, and a pilot study. Statistical analyses included descriptive, reliability, exploratory, and confirmatory factor analyses. Results: The analyses indicate high reliability, and the confirmatory factor analyses reveal an adequate factorial structure. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the SDMH is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the social determinants of mental health among young Colombians. Additional studies are needed to consolidate evidence of internal structure validity and provide more information on other sources of evidence regarding test validity.
Enhancing Hospital Data Security: A Blockchain-Based Protocol for Secure Information Sharing and Recovery
Authors: Ryu Jihyeon , Kim Taeseok
Published: February 2025

Hospitals that store sensitive patient medical records have recently faced issues such as the inability to recover medical data and breaches of patient privacy due to hacker attacks. These attacks on medical data often involve ransomware, which obfuscates the entire hospital’s data, making them inaccessible, and can also occur when hospitals share patient information during transfers of care. In this study, we propose a new authentication protocol to prevent and address such issues within hospital systems. The proposed protocol encrypts medical records on a private blockchain, allowing them to be securely shared among institutions, hospitals, and insurance companies, ensuring data recovery even if a ransomware attack paralyzes the server. Additionally, the protocol facilitates the systematic sharing of patient medical records between hospitals or between hospitals and insurance companies by distributing session keys. In this study, we demonstrate that the proposed protocol provides 11 security properties, including forward and backward secrecy, user untraceability, and resistance to replay attacks. We also evaluate the communication and computational costs, proving that the protocol is feasible for practical use.
A Sliding Window for Data Reuse in Deep Convolution Operations to Reduce Bandwidth Requirements and Resource Utilization
Authors: Sun Yiqi , Ma Yaoyang , Chen Zixuan , Liu Zhiyu , Chen Boxin , Song Rui
Published: February 2025

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have demonstrated high accuracy in applications such as object detection, classification, and image processing. However, convolutional layers account for the majority of computations within CNNs. Typically, these layers are executed on GPUs, resulting in higher-power consumption and hindering lightweight deployment. This paper presents a design that deploys convolutional layers on FPGAs with adjustable parameters. In this FPGA deployment, a 4 × 4 3D sliding window is used to traverse the data, reducing bandwidth requirements and facilitating seamless integration with subsequent processing stages. A three-dimensional plane buffer design is proposed, which implements data reuse. Compared to directly inputting the feature map and performing the computation, it reduces the on-chip memory bandwidth requirement by 75%. Additionally, a new addressing strategy is introduced to map 3D feature maps to RAM addresses, eliminating addressing time. Due to the resource-intensive nature of high-level synthesis (HLS) technology, HDL design is used for the convolutional layers. This design achieves an inference speed of 121.36 GOPS at a 16-bit width, providing a 39.10 times increase in performance compared to CPU implementations.