bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: First use of dental bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate composite without UV light polymerization for repair of iatrogenic CSF leak following a frontal craniotomy plus tumor resection
Authors: Oumarou Haman Nassourou , Orlane Ndome Toto
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA) without UV light polymerization for the repair of refractory iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks with large skull base defects.

Background

CSF leakage remains a common complication after neurosurgical interventions with a substantial resultant impact on morbidity and increased healthcare costs. The management of refractory CSF leaks with large skull base defects remains challenging. Radiological investigations are highly contributive as they visualize the defect and assess the herniated content. Optimal treatment depends on the breach parameters and the consequent hernia. Surgery, when indicated, consists of exposure of the defect and its reconstruction using different grafts. The dental composite bis-GMA has been investigated and has shown effectiveness for the repair of anterior skull base defects. This is due to its compactible mechanical properties, long-term stability, and good osteo-integration. Hence, it presents a promising solution for refractory CSF leaks not responding to extradural endoscopic techniques.

Case report

We describe the case of a 40-year-old female with persistent CSF rhinorrhea following a left frontal craniotomy performed 4 years before. A high-resolution cerebral CT scan and MRI revealed a bilateral fronto-ethmoidal osteo-meningeal breach and a hyperintense T2 signal in the ethmoidal sinus interrupting the hypo-intensity of the bone, respectively. In our patient, surgical treatment involved a bifrontal craniotomy and osteo-meningeal reconstruction with the use of bis-GMA without UV light polymerization. This reconstruction gave rigid structural support and watertight closure of the defect. Postoperatively, the CSF rhinorrhea ceased and there were no perceivable associated complications.

Conclusion

Given the favorable outcome, the composite bis-GMA without UV light polymerization can be used as a reliable material for the repair of iatrogenic CSF leaks.
N-acetylcysteine use in a cocaine-induced liver failure: a case report
Authors: Biering Vanessa , Bellouard Ronan , Martin Maëlle , Dailly Éric , Monteil-Ganière Catherine , Le Carpentier Edouard Charles
Published: January 2025

Background

Cocaine intoxication and abuse is a worldwide problem that can be the cause of numerous acute medical complications, including severe acute hepatitis. Although these cases are scarce, they are extremely serious and may lead to liver transplantation or death. Management of toxic hepatitis, once the causative agent has been discontinued, is essentially symptomatic, based on clinical and biological monitoring and prevention of complications related to acute hepatitis.

Case details

We present a case of a 28-year-old woman admitted to the emergency department for acute hepatitis due to cocaine intoxication. In addition to a sharp rise in her liver enzymes, the patient also presented metabolic acidosis, renal failure, and rhabdomyolysis. Treatment consisted of administering N-acetylcysteine (NAC), dialysis, and additional supportive measures. An improvement in the liver function with a decrease in transaminases occurred after the NAC administration. The toxicokinetics of major cocaine metabolites and clinical chemistry concentrations were monitored.

Conclusion

In addition to the usual management measures for acute hepatitis, the administration of N-acetylcysteine should be investigated further, although it is currently used only in cases of acetaminophen acute toxic hepatitis.
Cellular and humoral immune responses in cats vaccinated with feline herpesvirus 1 modified live virus vaccine
Authors: Wu Hongchao , Qiao Peipei , Chen Yunyu , Liu Caihong , Huo Ningning , Ding Hangtian , Wang Xiaojuan , Wang Lulu , Xi Xiangfeng , Liu Yuxiu , Tian Kegong
Published: January 2025

Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) is an important pathogen causing infectious rhinotracheitis in felids, mainly infecting the upper respiratory tract and conjunctiva. Multiple vaccines are available to prevent FHV-1 infection, and the antibody levels are always used to evaluate their effectiveness. However, the cellular immunity response following immunization in cats remains unclear. This study investigated the immune responses (humoral and cellular) in cats immunized with the FHV-1 modified live virus vaccine. The results indicated that vaccination significantly reduced clinical signs, and antibody levels, including virus-neutralizing (VN) antibodies and immunoglobulin G (IgG), in the vaccine group were higher than those in the control groups. Additionally, the vaccine significantly increased cytokine secretion, indicating Th1-type cellular immune responses in cats. Moreover, cellular immune-related indicators, such as CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and interferon-gamma levels, were inversely correlated with clinical signs post-challenge by FHV-1 in vaccinated cats, highlighting its crucial role in protecting cats against FHV-1 infection. In summary, this study demonstrated the importance of cellular immune responses in protecting cats from FHV-1 infection after vaccination.
Case report: Radiopaque mandibular lesions in three dogs
Authors: Vesterinen Senni , Sihvo Hanna-Kaisa , Airas Niina , Kuntsi Helena
Published: January 2025

Radiopaque lesions of the mandible are occasional findings in dental radiographs in dogs. The different diagnoses of densely sclerotic lesions in humans include odontoma, idiopathic osteosclerosis, condensing osteitis, hypercementosis, osteoma, osteoblastoma, and oral exostosis. Publications on many of these conditions in dogs are scarce. This clinical report describes three young adult dogs with radiologically and histologically similar radiopaque mandibular lesions that had either displaced or narrowed the mandibular canal. One dog showed symptoms that could have been consistent with neurological pain due to the lesion. Diagnostics included clinical examination, dental radiographs, cone beam computed tomography and histology. Radiographically and clinically, the lesions resembled human idiopathic osteosclerosis. Histology alone did not reveal a definitive diagnosis, but combining histology with clinical and radiographic data, the most likely diagnosis was idiopathic osteosclerosis. The dogs returned for follow-ups 6 months after the surgeries, and there was no evidence of additional growth in the remaining lesions.
Problematyka agrarna w polskiej kampanii parlamentarnej w 2023 roku
Authors: Fordoński Arkadiusz Łukasz
Published: January 2025

The analysis of the political programs and activities of political parties in the election campaign before the 2023 parliamentary elections showed that agrarian issues occupied a leading place in the campaigns of Polish Peasant Party and the Third Way committee co-created by this party, as well as the Confederation. It was also an important, but relatively less important topic from the Law and Justice perspective. In the case of the New Left, Civic Coalition and Nonpartisan Local Government Activists, agriculture was one of the less important but present issues in the campaign. The measures used to gain farmers’ support included: 1. highlighting the issue of agriculture in the election programs of individual committees, 2. organizing events (program conventions, press conferences) whose topics were to focus on rural and agricultural issues.
Postkomunistyczna transformacja w populistycznym dyskursie Prawa i Sprawiedliwości po 2015 roku
Authors: Lewandowski Arkadiusz
Published: January 2025

The aim of the article is to attempt to determine the importance of the issue of systemic transformation within the populist discourse of Law and Justice since 2015. The text analyzes the electoral programs and statements of the party’s leaders. Attention was focused on such elements of the discourse as: criticism of the elites, the importance of the elites in the transformation process, social inequalities and the crisis of identity. The analysis carried out allows us to conclude that the populist discourse used by PiS after 2015 refers to the issues of systemic transformation.
Ewolucja doktryny morskiej Federacji Rosyjskiej w latach 2001–2022. Ujęcie politologiczne
Authors: Czachor Rafał
Published: January 2025

The following paper scrutinizes the place of the contemporary Naval doctrine of the Russian Federation adopted by the President’s decree in 2022 among Russia’s sources of law and its content. The paper focuses on the most important elements of the document, comparing it with the previous doctrines of 2001 and 2015. Due to such formulated aims of the paper, dogmatic and comparative methods were applied. The study reveals that contemporary doctrine is more expanded and more detailed than the previous one, it provides a more precise diagnosis of challenges and threats to Russia’s maritime national security. The content of the Naval doctrine of the Russian Federation reflects growing tensions in its foreign relations. It confirms its ambitions to play a leading role in global maritime policy, especially in the Arctic.
Proces deinstytucjonalizacji integracji migrantów w Polsce ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem dzieci
Authors: Pacek Małgorzata
Published: January 2025

Migrations are today one of the most serious contemporary challenges for European countries. In order for them to be a source of benefit and support for economies in need of labour and the demographically-burdened social systems of an aging Europe, it is necessary to consistently and widely implement integration policy towards migrants. Particular attention should be paid in this matter to the children of migrants, as they are treated as objects in the migration process – they are taken to live in new, unknown societies, with nothing more than their luggage and the required travel documents. Poland has not developed any effective nor sensitive institutional model of including these children in the reality of the host society. The needs and expectations in the field of education, foster care, and identity have to be met by local governments, NGOs, and/or local social entities. Therefore, we are dealing with a kind of so-called, ‘bottom-up (forced) deinstitutionalisation’, the functioning, financing, and effectiveness of which should be examined and recommendations for the future be designed.
Polityka przemysłowa Tajwanu jako czynnik rozwoju sektora półprzewodników na Tajwanie – tajwański model rozwoju
Authors: Ryś Bartosz
Published: January 2025

This article examines the relationship between Taiwan’s industrial policy and the development of Taiwan’s semiconductor sector. The aim of the article is to answer the question of how Taiwan’s industrial policy and, more broadly, the Taiwanese development model, contributed to the development of the semiconductor sector in Taiwan and the achievement of a dominant position by TSMC in a key sector of the global economy. The author (Polish diplomat in Taiwan in 2016–2022), based on available literature and knowledge acquired while working in Taiwan, describes individual elements of Taiwan’s industrial policy, such as the foundation of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the establishment of a science park in Hsinchu or the setting up of the first companies in the semiconductor sector (UMC, TSMC), which were milestones in the development of the sector. In the article, the author also analyzes other factors that contributed to Taiwan gaining a dominant position in the foundry business and compares the Taiwanese development model with the development model of other Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia).
The External Memorial Politics of Influence of the European Union. A Study of the Case of North Macedonia
Authors: Maslowski Nicolas
Published: January 2025

The memorial conflict between North Macedonia and its neighbours already lasts for 33 years. This is the occasion to analyse and to reflect the complexity of the external memorial politics of influence of the European Union and of its members, within a situation of strong conditional power.
Kobiety w wyborach do Senatu 15 października 2023 roku
Authors: Leszczyńska-Wichmanowska Krystyna
Published: January 2025

The share of female candidates for the Senate in the years 1989–2023 ranged from 6% to 19%, reaching 19% in 2023 – which is the highest value in the history of elections to this chamber of parliament. However, the increase in the percentage of female candidates did not contribute to the increase in the percentage of female mandate holders in the 11th term Senate of the Republic of Poland, which remained at the same level, i.e. 19%. This means that in elections to the Senate in single-mandate constituencies, a higher volume of female candidates does not secure the election of more female senators. Therefore, a debate should be held on the introduction of systemic ways to increase the representation of women in the Senate.
RGB Composition Obtained by a UAV in the Monitoring of Sugarcane Row Gaps Using the Biophysical Index
Authors: Melo Camila G. B. de , Rolim Mário M. , Cavalcanti Roberta Q. , Silva Marcos V. da , Candeias Ana Lúcia B. , Lopes Pabrício M. O. , Ortiz Pedro F. S. , Lima Renato P. de
Published: January 2025

Sugarcane crops have a long cycle with successive harvests before re-planting, and row gaps are one of the main problems associated with the yield. The objective of this study was to establish an alternative methodology for measuring the planting and regrowth of sugarcane rows using UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) images and to compare it with manual measurements. This study was conducted in a 1 ha experimental area under mechanized harvesting. The reference methodology consists of measuring the continuous distances without regrowth between two plants along a planting row, considering distances greater than 0.50 m as gaps and the following gaps classes: >0.5–1.0 m, >1.0–1.5 m, >1.5–2.0 m, >2.0–3.5 m, and >3.5 m. Images were collected from a UAV equipped with a 12-megapixel RGB camera. The number of regrowth gaps measured through imaging for the class of gaps with a length between 0.5 and 1.0 m was eight times higher than field measurement. In the class of gaps with a length between 1.0 and 1.5 m, the result is the opposite, as the field measurement was approximately three times higher than the UAV measurement, with a significant difference in both classes. In the other length classes analyzed, the number of gaps did not show significant differences. Our results suggest that regrowth gaps can be quickly estimated with the proposed methodology for gaps greater than 1.5 m. For gaps smaller than <1 m, the methodology using a UAV is not accurate.
Beyond Text Generation: Assessing Large Language Models’ Ability to Reason Logically and Follow Strict Rules
Authors: Han Zhiyong , Battaglia Fortunato , Mansuria Kush , Heyman Yoav , Terlecky Stanley R.
Published: January 2025

The growing interest in advanced large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has sparked debate about how best to use them in various human activities. However, a neglected issue in the debate concerning the applications of LLMs is whether they can reason logically and follow rules in novel contexts, which are critical for our understanding and applications of LLMs. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigates five LLMs (ChatGPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, Meta AI, and Mistral) using word ladder puzzles to assess their logical reasoning and rule-adherence capabilities. Our two-phase methodology involves (1) explicit instructions about word ladder puzzles and rules regarding how to solve the puzzles and then evaluate rule understanding, followed by (2) assessing LLMs’ ability to create and solve word ladder puzzles while adhering to rules. Additionally, we test their ability to implicitly recognize and avoid HIPAA privacy rule violations as an example of a real-world scenario. Our findings reveal that LLMs show a persistent lack of logical reasoning and systematically fail to follow puzzle rules. Furthermore, all LLMs except Claude prioritized task completion (text writing) over ethical considerations in the HIPAA test. Our findings expose critical flaws in LLMs’ reasoning and rule-following capabilities, raising concerns about their reliability in critical tasks requiring strict rule-following and logical reasoning. Therefore, we urge caution when integrating LLMs into critical fields and highlight the need for further research into their capabilities and limitations to ensure responsible AI development.
Evaluation of the Zirconium Hydride Morphology at the Flaws in the CANDU Pressure Tube Using a Novel Metric
Authors: Jinga Alexandra Ion , Abrudeanu Mărioara , Radu Vasile , Niţu Alexandru , Stoica Livia , Toma Denisa , Petrescu Mircea Ionuţ
Published: January 2025

The Zr-2.5%Nb alloy used to manufacture the pressure tubes for the CANDU 600 power plant experiences continual corrosion when the reactor’s fuel channels are functioning normally. Analysis of the hydrogen accumulation circumstances, the creation of zirconium hydride platelets, evaluation of the platelets’ reorientation in the thermo–mechanical field at volumetric flaws, and determination of the hydrogen morphology are therefore significant goals of the worldwide research being conducted in this field. In this paper, pressure tube alloy samples with artificial V flaws were hydrided by the technique of electrolytic deposition of a hydrogen film layer, followed by a specific thermal treatment. Micrographs of the Zr-2.5%Nb alloy samples in the radial cross-section were taken to examine the hydride reorientation phenomenon that occurred when the samples were heated under mechanical stress. The complex stress field around a tip flaw promoted the formation of some circles from hydride filaments. To characterize the zirconium hydride morphology in the reorientation zone at the volumetric flaw tip, image analysis and processing techniques were applied. To better characterize the reorientation zone from the point of view of embrittlement and mechanical behavior, this paper proposes a novel metric for the morphology of hydrides located in the reorientation zone. This work’s findings are beneficial for the investigation of CANDU fuel channels’ structural integrity.
Design and Test of Real-Time Detection System for Cleaning Loss of Rapeseed Harvester
Authors: Yang Yao , Zhang Min , Jiang Tao , Wang Gang , Jiang Lan
Published: January 2025

Aiming to address the problem of low recognition accuracy in the current cleaning loss detection system of rapeseed harvesters, a rapeseed cleaning loss detection system was developed using the energy distinction method based on the principle of impact piezoelectricity. A signal processing circuit, centered around a hardware integral circuit and a triple voltage comparison circuit, was designed. The energy of the impact signals generated by rapeseed kernels and impurities was calculated through hardware integration. The distinction threshold for the energy of the impact signals generated by kernels and impurities under the operating wind speed of the cleaning system was found through experiments, and a fitting model relating the fan speed to the distinction threshold was constructed. A loss detection and counting system for rapeseed kernels was designed to realize the statistics and real-time display of rapeseed kernels regarding cleaning loss. Performance verification tests were conducted on mixtures of rapeseed kernels and impurities with different mixing ratios, and a field test was carried out on the platform of a 4LZY-5.0Z rapeseed combine harvester. The test results showed that the accuracy of the designed loss detection system for kernel identification was more than 91.6%. Under operating conditions of 700, 900 and 1200 r/min fan speeds in the combine harvester cleaning system, the relative errors of the loss detection system compared to manual detection were 5%, 4.7% and 3.8%, respectively. The developed loss detection system for rapeseed kernels has high detection accuracy and good overall performance, which means it can provide feedback information for the control of the harvester.
Sources and Trends of CO, O3, and Aerosols at the Mount Bachelor Observatory (2004–2022)
Authors: Bernays Noah , Johnson Jakob , Jaffe Daniel
Published: January 2025

Understanding baseline O3 is important as it defines the fraction of O3 coming from global sources and not subject to local control. We report the occurrence and sources of high baseline ozone days, defined as a day where the daily maximum 8 h average (MDA8) exceeds 70 ppb, as observed at the Mount Bachelor Observatory (MBO, 2.8 km asl) in Central Oregon from 2004 to 2022. We used various indicators and enhancement ratios to categorize each high-O3 day: carbon monoxide (CO), aerosol scattering, the water vapor mixing ratio (WV), the aerosol scattering-to-CO ratio, backward trajectories, and the NOAA Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke maps. Using these, we identified four causes of high-O3 days at the MBO: Upper Troposphere/Lower Stratosphere intrusions (UTLS), Asian long-range transport (ALRT), a mixed UTLS/ALRT category, and events enhanced by wildfire emissions. Wildfire sources were further divided into two categories: smoke transported in the boundary layer to the MBO and smoke transported in the free troposphere from more distant fires. Over the 19-year period, 167 high-ozone days were identified, with an increasing fraction due to contributions from wildfire emissions and a decreasing fraction of ALRT events. We further evaluated trends in the O3 and CO data distributions by season. For O3, we found an overall increase in the mean and median values of 2.2 and 1.5 ppb, respectively, from the earliest part of the record (2004–2013) compared to the later part (2014–2022), but no significant linear trends in any season. For CO, we found a significant positive trend in the summer 95th percentiles, associated with increasing fires in the Western U.S., and a strong negative trend in the springtime values at all percentiles (1.6% yr−1 for 50th percentile). This decline was likely associated with decreasing emissions from East Asia. Overall, our findings are consistent with the positive trend in wildfires in the Western United States and the efforts in Asia to decrease emissions. This work demonstrates the changing influence of these two source categories on global background O3 and CO.
A Secure Learned Image Codec for Authenticity Verification via Self-Destructive Compression
Authors: Huang Chen-Hsiu , Wu Ja-Ling
Published: January 2025

In the era of deepfakes and AI-generated content, digital image manipulation poses significant challenges to image authenticity, creating doubts about the credibility of images. Traditional image forensics techniques often struggle to detect sophisticated tampering, and passive detection approaches are reactive, verifying authenticity only after counterfeiting occurs. In this paper, we propose a novel full-resolution secure learned image codec (SLIC) designed to proactively prevent image manipulation by creating self-destructive artifacts upon re-compression. Once a sensitive image is encoded using SLIC, any subsequent re-compression or editing attempts will result in visually severe distortions, making the image’s tampering immediately evident. Because the content of an SLIC image is either original or visually damaged after tampering, images encoded with this secure codec hold greater credibility. SLIC leverages adversarial training to fine-tune a learned image codec that introduces out-of-distribution perturbations, ensuring that the first compressed image retains high quality while subsequent re-compressions degrade drastically. We analyze and compare the adversarial effects of various perceptual quality metrics combined with different learned codecs. Our experiments demonstrate that SLIC holds significant promise as a proactive defense strategy against image manipulation, offering a new approach to enhancing image credibility and authenticity in a media landscape increasingly dominated by AI-driven forgeries.
Narrative Review and Guide: State of the Art and Emerging Opportunities of Bioprinting in Tissue Regeneration and Medical Instrumentation
Authors: Halper Jaroslava
Published: January 2025

Three-dimensional printing was introduced in the 1980s, though bioprinting started developing a few years later. Today, 3D bioprinting is making inroads in medical fields, including the production of biomedical supplies intended for internal use, such as biodegradable staples. Medical bioprinting enables versatility and flexibility on demand and is able to modify and individualize production using several established printing methods. A great selection of biomaterials and bioinks is available, including natural, synthetic, and mixed options; they are biocompatible and non-toxic. Many bioinks are biodegradable and they accommodate cells so upon implantation, they integrate within the new environment. Bioprinting is suitable for printing tissues using living or viable components, such as collagen scaffolding, cartilage components, and cells, and also for printing parts of structures, such as teeth, using artificial man-made materials that will become embedded in vivo. Bioprinting is an integral part of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The addition of newly developed smart biomaterials capable of incorporating dynamic changes in shape depending on the nature of stimuli led to the addition of the fourth dimension of time in the form of changing shape to the three static dimensions. Four-dimensional bioprinting is already making significant inroads in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, including new ways to create dynamic tissues. Its future lies in constructing partial or whole organ generation.
Effect of Adapted Ergometer Setup and Rowing Speed on Lower Extremity Loading in People with and Without Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Fang Ying , Troy Karen L.
Published: January 2025

Background: Functional electrical stimulation-assisted rowing (FES rowing) is a rehabilitation exercise used to prevent disuse osteoporosis, which is common in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, its effect on bone loss prevention varied in SCI patients, potentially due to inconsistent loading. This study investigates the effect of ergometer setup and rowing speed on lower extremity loading during rowing. Methods: Twenty able-bodied participants and one participant with SCI rowed on an adapted ergometer with different speeds and setups. We calculated foot reaction force and knee moment for all participants, and tibiofemoral force for the rower with SCI. Results: Able-bodied rowers generated 0.22–0.45 body weight (BW) foot reaction forces, and a higher force was associated with a fast speed, forward seat position, and large knee range of motion (RoM). The rower with SCI had the greatest foot reaction force (0.39 BW) when rowing with a small knee RoM at a rear seat position, and the highest tibiofemoral force (2.23 BW) with a large knee RoM or at a rear seat position. Conclusions: Ergometer setup and speed both affect lower limb loading and should be further studied in more rowers with SCI. This can inform rehabilitation protocols to standardize ergometer configuration to improve bone health.
Bioprinting and Intellectual Property: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead
Authors: Kantaros Antreas , Ganetsos Theodore , Petrescu Florian Ion Tiberiu , Alysandratou Elli
Published: January 2025

Bioprinting, an innovative combination of biotechnology and additive manufacturing, has emerged as a transformative technology in healthcare, enabling the fabrication of functional tissues, organs, and patient-specific implants. The implementation of the aforementioned, however, introduces unique intellectual property (IP) challenges that extend beyond conventional biotechnology. The study explores three critical areas of concern: IP protection for bioprinting hardware and bioinks, ownership and ethical management of digital files derived from biological data, and the implications of commercializing bioprinted tissues and organs. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the paper analyzes existing IP frameworks, highlights their limitations when applied to bioprinting, and examines ethical dilemmas, such as ownership of bioprinted human tissues and the commodification of biological innovations. Findings suggest that current IP laws inadequately address the complexities of bioprinting, particularly in managing the intersection of proprietary technologies and ethical considerations. The study underscores the need for adaptive legal and ethical frameworks to balance innovation with equitable access and sustainability. Recommendations include the development of tailored IP policies for bioprinting and enhanced international collaboration to harmonize legal protections across jurisdictions. This work aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of bioprinting IP.
Image-Based Monitoring of Thermal Ablation
Authors: Wang Xinyi , Zhao Shiqing , Zhang Aili
Published: January 2025

Thermal therapy is a commonly used local treatment technique in clinical practice. Monitoring the treatment process is essential for ensuring its success. In this review, we analyze recent image-based methods for thermal therapy monitoring, focusing particularly on their feasibility for synchronous or immediate postoperative monitoring. This includes thermography and other techniques that track the physical changes in tissue during thermal ablation. Potential directions and challenges for further clinical applications are also summarized.
Climate Projections and Pacific Lamprey Conservation: Evidence That Larvae in Natural Conditions May Be Resilient to Climate Warming
Authors: Whitesel Timothy A. , Sankovich Paul M.
Published: January 2025

In many areas where larval Pacific lampreys currently rear, maximum stream temperatures may approach 27–31 °C during the next 75 years. Whether larval Pacific lampreys in natural conditions can tolerate these temperatures is unknown. To evaluate this ability, we conducted Direct Acute Exposure (DAE) experiments using simulated natural daily temperature (SNT) cycles in the laboratory and occupancy surveys in the Umatilla River (river). When evaluated relative to daily maximum temperatures, after seven days in DAE experiments, 78–100% of larvae survived in 29.1 °C, only larvae acclimated to 26.8 °C survived in 31.0 °C, and no larvae survived in 33.6 °C. Based on daily maximum temperatures, the ultimate upper incipient lethal temperature was estimated to be >30.8 °C using a time to death analysis and >32.0 °C using a percent mortality analysis. Some larvae acclimated to 31.0 °C were also able to survive four consecutive days with a daily maximum temperature of 33.6 °C. In 2018–2020, warm areas of the river experienced maximum temperatures in July and August that ranged from 27.7 to 33.9 °C, while cool areas experienced maximum temperatures <27.7 °C. Before, during and after the period of maximum temperatures each year, larvae occupied both areas. Detection probabilities ranged from 0.83 to 1.00 and were similar for each area and for all survey periods. This work suggests that ectothermic, larval Pacific lampreys in natural environments may be resilient to the water temperatures that are likely to result from climate warming. It is unclear whether relatively high but sublethal temperatures may impact the behavior, and ultimately survival, of larval Pacific lampreys.
Clinical Comorbidities and Videourodynamic Characteristics of Dysfunctional Voiding in Women
Authors: Lee Cheng-Ling , Jiang Yuan-Hong , Jhang Jia-Fong , Chang Tien-Lin , Tian Jing-Hui , Kuo Hann-Chorng
Published: January 2025

Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the clinical comorbidities and urodynamic characteristics of a large cohort of women with dysfunctional voiding (DV) validated on a videourodynamic study (VUDS). Methods: Women who presented with VUDS-confirmed DV from 1998 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Data on clinical symptoms, VUDS findings, and medical comorbidities including medical illness and previous surgical history were recorded and examined. Patients with DV were subgrouped according to age, presence of medical comorbidity, and different urodynamic parameters. The urodynamic parameters and treatment outcomes among the different subgroups were examined. Results: In total, 216 women were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 188 (88.3%) presented with storage symptoms and 130 (61.0%) with voiding symptoms. Regarding outcomes, 48 (22.2%) patients had successful treatment outcomes; 76 (35.2%), improved outcomes; and 92 (42.6%), failed outcomes. Then, 150 (69.0%) patients presented with urodynamic DO. Patients with terminal DO experienced a significantly higher incidence of hypertension (56.8%), diabetes mellitus (37.9%), and latent central nervous system diseases (38.9%) than those with non-DO or phasic DO. Patients with phasic DO had a significantly higher detrusor pressure (Pdet) and bladder outlet obstruction index than those with non-DO and terminal DO. Patients with hypertension or those with a Pdet ≥ 35 cmH2O had high rates of successful treatment outcomes. Conclusions: DV is significantly associated with older age and a higher incidence of central nervous system diseases, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus in women. Patients with phasic DO had a high Pdet and BOO, and patients with hypertension or those with Pdet ≥35 cm H2O who received urethral sphincter treatment had a better treatment outcome.
Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence from Ruthenium-Tagged Immune Complex at Flexible Chains for Sensitive Analysis of Glutamate Decarboxylase Antibody
Authors: Zhang Yuyao , Qian Li , Zhang Qian , Li Yu , Liu Yu , Jiang Dechen
Published: January 2025

Herein, a sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor is designed by immobilizing ruthenium-tagged immune complexes at flexible poly-ethylene-glycol (PEG) chains on the electrode surface, which offers more freedom for the collision of the ruthenium complex at the electrode during the initial ECL reaction. The electrochemical characterizations confirm the loose structure of the assembled layer with the immune complex, providing an increase in the current and the resultant enhanced ECL emissions. Comparing the sensors with the rigid structure, a 34-fold increase in the maximal ECL emission is recorded when PEG3400 is used as a linker. Using the optimized protocol, the prepared immunosensor exhibits a wide-ranging linear response to the model antibody (glutamate decarboxylase antibody) ranging from 10 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL. The detection limit is almost two orders lower than the value using the classic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which offers a new design to enhance ECL emissions and the resultant analytical performance.
A Microfluidic Paper-Based Device for Monitoring Urease Activity in Saliva
Authors: Ferreira Francisca T. S. M. , Rangel António O. S. S. , Mesquita Raquel B. R.
Published: January 2025

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a disorder that affects over 10% of the global population, and that would benefit from innovative methodologies that would provide early detection. Since it has been reported that there are high levels of urease in CKD patients’ saliva, this sample is a promising non-invasive alternative to blood for CKD detection and monitoring. This work introduces a novel 3D µPAD for quantifying urease activity in saliva in a range of 0.041–0.750 U/mL, with limits of detection and quantification of 0.012 and 0.041 U/mL, respectively. The device uses the urease in the sample to convert urea into ammonia, causing a colorimetric change in the bromothymol blue. The accuracy of the developed device was evaluated by comparing the measurements of several saliva samples (#13) obtained with the μPAD and with a commercially available kit. Stability studies were also performed to assess its functionality as a point-of-care methodology, and the device was stable for 4 months when stored in a vacuum. After the sample placement, it could be scanned within 40 min without providing significantly different results. The developed device quantifies urease activity in saliva within 30 min, providing a simple, portable, lab-free alternative to existing methodologies.
Next-Generation Potentiometric Sensors: A Review of Flexible and Wearable Technologies
Authors: Fathy Mahmoud Abdelwahab , Bühlmann Philippe
Published: January 2025

In recent years, the field of wearable sensors has undergone significant evolution, emerging as a pivotal topic of research due to the capacity of such sensors to gather physiological data during various human activities. Transitioning from basic fitness trackers, these sensors are continuously being improved, with the ultimate objective to make compact, sophisticated, highly integrated, and adaptable multi-functional devices that seamlessly connect to clothing or the body, and continuously monitor bodily signals without impeding the wearer’s comfort or well-being. Potentiometric sensors, leveraging a range of different solid contact materials, have emerged as a preferred choice for wearable chemical or biological sensors. Nanomaterials play a pivotal role, offering unique properties, such as high conductivity and surface-to-volume ratios. This article provides a review of recent advancements in wearable potentiometric sensors utilizing various solid contacts, with a particular emphasis on nanomaterials. These sensors are employed for precise ion concentration determinations, notably sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, and chloride, in human biological fluids. This review highlights two primary applications, that is, (1) the enhancement of athletic performance by continuous monitoring of ion levels in sweat to gauge the athlete’s health status, and (2) the facilitation of clinical diagnosis and preventive healthcare by monitoring the health status of patients, in particular to detect early signs of dehydration, fatigue, and muscle spasms.
A Time Course Analysis of the Conceptual and Affective Meanings of Words
Authors: Jia Dandan , Pan Ling , Chen Mei , Zhou Zhijin
Published: January 2025

Words are the basic units of language and vital for comprehending the language system. Lexical processing research has always focused on either conceptual or affective word meaning. Previous studies have indirectly compared the conceptual and affective meanings of words. This study used emotion-laden words, a special type of dual-meaning word, to directly compare the time course of processing conceptual and affective word meanings. Free association was applied in Experiment 1 to investigate the time course of conceptual and affective meanings in dual-meaning words. The results showed that conceptual-meaning processing was superior to affective-meaning processing. In Experiment 2, the semantic/affective priming paradigm was used to directly compare the time courses of processing conceptual and affective word meanings by manipulating stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) in different ways. The results showed that semantic and affective priming effects could be obtained under short SOA conditions, with no differences between them. Consistent with Experiment 1, only the semantic priming effect was observed in the long SOA condition. These findings suggest that the conceptual and affective meanings of words have different time courses. The conceptual meaning of words includes automatic and controlled processing, whereas the affective meaning mainly involves automatic processing.
Effect of Photovoltaic Energy-Saving Window Factors on Building Heating Load Under Three Control Modes
Authors: Li Jiayi , Wu Jianmei , Xu Hongpeng
Published: January 2025

Photovoltaic (PV) glazing is widely used in the building sector for its power generation advantages. However, its low transmittance reduces solar heat gain, limiting energy-saving effectiveness in heating regions. To address this, the present study proposes a novel PV energy-saving window that reduces heating load by separately controlling its components—PV glazing, insulated shutter, and clear glazing—through three control modes: Mode 1 controls insulated shutter, Mode 2 controls insulated shutter and PV glazing, and Mode 3 controls insulated shutter and clear glazing. First, the energy-saving benefits of the window were confirmed through in situ testing. Next, using a validated model, the correlation between key factors and heating load was analyzed under the above three modes. Finally, the impact of configurations on heating load under the three control modes was clarified. The main findings are as follows: (1) When PV glazing is controlled, clear glazing layers become the primary factor influencing the heating load. (2) In Modes 1 and 3, the configurations have a greater impact on heating load, reducing it by 34.62% and 39.60%, respectively, while Mode 2 shows a reduction of 17.93%. (3) Mode 2 is the optimal control mode, confirming the effectiveness of controlling PV glazing to reduce heating load.
Spatial Morphology and Geographic Adaptability of Traditional Villages in the Hehuang Region, China
Authors: Zhang Xinhong , Yang Haiqin , An Yuyuan
Published: January 2025

Understanding the spatial morphology and geographic adaptability of traditional settlements is crucial for their preservation and management. Accordingly, this study employs Hehuang region, China, as a case study, adopting an integrated approach that combines morphological type analysis and boundary shape index. This comprehensive methodology systematically investigates the spatial morphological features and reveals the geographic adaptability of the two types of traditional villages, which are river valley and mountain types. Specifically, the results demonstrate that: (1) The boundary morphology of river valley-type traditional villages is primarily composite, with a regular and compact overall tendency, creating a spatial pattern consisting of mountains and water bodies surrounding farmland and villages, which conveniently supports agricultural production. Their streets and alleys are mainly fishbone-shaped, dendritic, and grid-shaped. (2) Mountain-type traditional villages also exhibit composite boundary morphology but with lower compactness, higher fragmentation, and more pronounced belt-shape characteristics. Their spatial pattern facilitates agriculture and animal husbandry, with streets and alleys being predominantly grid-shaped, S-shaped, and Z-shaped. (3) The spatial morphology of both types of villages is well-adapted to local terrain and climate conditions, as well as to the resident’s requirements for water use and disaster prevention, which reflects the wisdom of the Hehuang region’s ancestors regarding settlement construction. This study contributes to comprehending the spatial characteristics and geographic adaptability of traditional villages in a multicultural area and provides a significant reference for advancing analogous traditional settlement protections and rural revitalization initiatives.
Prognostic Factors in Therapy Regimes of Breast Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases: A Retrospective Monocentric Analysis
Authors: Curtaz Carolin Julia , Harms Judith , Schmitt Constanze , Sauer Stephanie Tina , Christner Sara Aniki , Keßler Almuth , Wöckel Achim , Meybohm Patrick , Burek Malgorzata , Feldheim Julia , Feldheim Jonas
Published: January 2025

Background: Breast cancer patients who develop brain metastases have a high mortality rate and a massive decrease in quality of life. Approximately 10–15% of all patients with breast cancer (BC) and 5–40% of all patients with metastatic BC develop brain metastasis (BM) during the course of the disease. However, there is only limited knowledge about prognostic factors in the treatment of patients with brain metastases in breast cancer (BMBC). Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed data of BMBC patients from the University Hospital of Würzburg for treatment patterns to find characteristics associated with a better or worse prognosis. These findings should help to treat the ever-increasing collective of patients with BMBC better in the future. Methods: The clinical data of 337 patients with cerebral metastatic breast cancer (date of death between 2004 and 2021) treated at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University Hospital Würzburg were retrospectively analyzed, with a focus on patients’ survival. Results: The involvement of regional lymph nodes at initial diagnosis, the immunohistochemical subtype of TNBC at the onset of BMBC, and extracranial metastases at the time of BM diagnosis (bone, liver, lung metastases) were associated with a worse prognosis. In contrast, the immunohistochemical subtype of HER2/neu, the sole occurrence of a singular BM, the local surgical removal of BMs, and radiotherapy (especially stereotactic radiotherapy) were associated with prolonged survival. The number of therapies before the diagnosis of BMs also had a prognostic influence. Conclusions: Looking back at data is crucial for pinpointing risk elements affecting survival after a BM diagnosis. In our investigation, along with established factors like immunohistologic subtype, BM count, surgical excision, stereotactic irradiation, and type of extracranial metastasis, we also found that the number of therapies before BM diagnosis and the initial lymph node status were associated with patients’ survival. Potentially, these factors could be included in prospective prognostic scores for evaluating brain metastasis survival rates, thereby aiding in making appropriate treatment suggestions for impacted patients.
Mixed Metal Oxide Derived from Polyoxometalate-Based Metal–Organic Framework as a Bi-Functional Heterogeneous Catalyst for Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Liu Zi-Qing , Long Jian-Ying , Mei Xiang , Fei Bao-Li
Published: January 2025

The efficient removal of dyes and Cr(VI) from wastewater is imperative. Therefore, a mixed metal oxide CuMoV(450) derived from a polyoxometalate-based metal–organic framework (POMOF) [Cu(2,2′-bipy)][Cu(2,2′-bipy)2]2[PMo8V6O42]•2H2O (CuMoV) was synthesized by calcination, fully characterized by XRD, XPS, FT-IR, and SEM methods, and explored for the heterogeneous catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye and the catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous media over NaBH4 under mild conditions. The removal rates for MB and Cr(VI) were 95.9% (30 min) and 96.5% (2.0 min), respectively. The pseudo-first-order rate constants of MB degradation and Cr(VI) reduction were 0.093 min−1 and 1.536 min−1, respectively. The highly catalytic reusability of CuMoV(450) was confirmed by the recycling experiments. Moreover, the possible mechanisms of MB degradation and Cr(VI) reduction were proposed. The catalytic activities of CuMoV(450) were much better than those of its parent compound CuMoV, proving that POMOFs were good candidates for the preparation of mixed metal oxides with excellent catalytic performances. This work not only indicates that CuMoV(450) has the potential to be a satisfied catalyst for wastewater remediation via catalytic degradation and reduction, but also gives a clue to synthesize mixed metal oxides with excellent catalytic properties by the calcination of POMOFs.