bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uptake and Effectiveness of Risk-Reducing Surgeries in Unaffected Female BRCA1 and BRCA2 Carriers: A Single Institution Experience in the Czech Republic
Authors: Zimovjanova Martina , Bielcikova Zuzana , Miskovicova Michaela , Vocka Michal , Zimovjanova Anna , Rybar Marian , Novotny Jan , Petruzelka Lubos
Published: February 2023

Unnafected female carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (P/LPVs) are at higher risk of breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC). In the retrospective single-institution study in the Czech Republic, we analyzed the rate, longitudinal trends, and effectiveness of prophylactic risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) on the incidence of BC and OC in BRCA1/2 carriers diagnosed between years (y) 2000 to 2020. The study included 496 healthy female BRCA1/2 carriers. The median follow-up was 6.0 years. RRM was performed in 156 (31.5%, mean age 39.3 y, range 22–61 y) and RRSO in 234 (47.2%, mean age 43.2 y, range 28–64 y) BRCA1/2 carriers. A statistically significant increase of RRM (from 12% to 29%) and RRSO (from 31% to 42%) was observed when comparing periods 2005–2012 and 2013–2020 (p < 0.001). BC developed in 15.9% of BRCA1/2 carriers without RRM vs. 0.6% of BRCA1/2 carriers after RRM (HR 20.18, 95% CI 2.78- 146.02; p < 0.001). OC was diagnosed in 4.3% vs. 0% of BRCA1/2 carriers without vs. after RRSO (HR not defined due to 0% occurrence in the RRSO group, p < 0.001). Study results demonstrate a significant increase in the rate of prophylactic surgeries in BRCA1/2 healthy carriers after 2013 and the effectiveness of RRM and RRSO on the incidence of BC and OC in these populations.
Synchronous Head and Neck Cancer and Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Neoplasm: Endoscopic Treatment or No Treatment for the Superficial Esophageal Neoplasm
Authors: Liu Chung-Wei , Chen Bo-Huan , Yeh Chi-Ju , Lee Cheng-Han , Le Puo-Hsien , Tsou Yung-Kuan , Chiu Cheng-Tang
Published: February 2023

There are no studies on treating synchronous head and neck cancer (HNC) and superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasm (SESCN). We aimed to report the outcomes of endoscopic resection (ER) and no treatment (NT) of SESCN in patients with synchronous HNC and SESCN (SHNSESCN). This retrospective study included 47 patients with SHNSESCN. Treatment for SESCN was ER (n = 30) or NT (n = 17). The ER group had significantly lower Charlson comorbidity index scores and a higher proportion of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) scores ≤1. The location and stage of the two tumors did not differ significantly between the groups. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates of the ER group were significantly better than those in the NT group. Treatment-related morbidity and mortality were not significantly different between the two groups. In the subgroup analysis of synchronous advanced HNC and SESCN, ER for SESCN also had a higher OS rate. Multivariate analysis showed that ECOG PS score and HNC disease progression were the two independent indicators of OS. In conclusion, treatment of SESCN with ER is the recommended approach for patients with SHNSESCN, but further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this.
Blood-Based mRNA Tests as Emerging Diagnostic Tools for Personalised Medicine in Breast Cancer
Authors: Čelešnik Helena , Potočnik Uroš
Published: February 2023

Molecular diagnostic tests help clinicians understand the underlying biological mechanisms of their patients’ breast cancer (BC) and facilitate clinical management. Several tissue-based mRNA tests are used routinely in clinical practice, particularly for assessing the BC recurrence risk, which can guide treatment decisions. However, blood-based mRNA assays have only recently started to emerge. This review explores the commercially available blood mRNA diagnostic assays for BC. These tests enable differentiation of BC from non-BC subjects (Syantra DX, BCtect), detection of small tumours <10 mm (early BC detection) (Syantra DX), detection of different cancers (including BC) from a single blood sample (multi-cancer blood test Aristotle), detection of BC in premenopausal and postmenopausal women and those with high breast density (Syantra DX), and improvement of diagnostic outcomes of DNA testing (variant interpretation) (+RNAinsight). The review also evaluates ongoing transcriptomic research on exciting possibilities for future assays, including blood transcriptome analyses aimed at differentiating lymph node positive and negative BC, distinguishing BC and benign breast disease, detecting ductal carcinoma in situ, and improving early detection further (expression changes can be detected in blood up to eight years before diagnosing BC using conventional approaches, while future metastatic and non-metastatic BC can be distinguished two years before BC diagnosis).
Stability Enhancement of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase from Anoxybacillus geothermalis Strain D9 Immobilized onto Seplite LX120
Authors: Latip Wahhida , Rosli Nur Ezzati , Ali Mohd Shukuri Mohamad , Kamarudin Nor Hafizah Ahmad , Rahman Raja Noor Zaliha Raja Abd
Published: February 2023

Enzyme stability is regarded as an important criterion for an industrial biocatalyst. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) from A. geothermalis strain D9 was previously reported to exhibit good thermostability. However, this enzyme is still not suited to use in harsh environments. In this current work, we aim to see the viability of ALDH in terms of stability when immobilized into Seplite LX120. The purified ALDH was successfully immobilized via physical adsorption at 4 h with 1.25 mg/mL enzyme loading. The immobilized ALDH exhibited improved stability compared to free ALDH as the optimum temperature increased up to 80 °C and was stable with temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 °C. It was also stable in broad pH, ranging from pH 4 to pH 12. Moreover, more than 50% of the immobilized ALDH activity was retained after being stored at 25 °C and 4 °C for 9 and 11 weeks, respectively. The reusability of immobilized ALDH is up to seven cycles. The corroboration of ALDH immobilized on the Seplite LX120 was verified via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and a reduction in the surface area. The improved features of immobilized ALDH, especially in enzyme stability, are important for future applications.
Electrocatalytic Activity of Nanocomposites Containing Carbon Materials
Authors: Bogdanovskaya Vera , Vernigor Inna
Published: February 2023

Carbon materials (CM), including various allotropic forms of carbon, such as graphene, nanotubes, fullerenes, and other porous structures, are widely used in the synthesis of catalysts [...]
Opportunities and Challenges for the Development of MRCK Kinases Inhibitors as Potential Cancer Chemotherapeutics
Authors: Ruscetta Vanessa M. , Seaton Taj J. , Shakeel Aleen , Vasconcelos Stanley N. S. , Viirre Russell D. , Adler Marc J. , Olson Michael F.
Published: February 2023

Cytoskeleton organization and dynamics are rapidly regulated by post-translational modifications of key target proteins. Acting downstream of the Cdc42 GTPase, the myotonic dystrophy-related Cdc42-binding kinases MRCKα, MRCKβ, and MRCKγ have recently emerged as important players in cytoskeleton regulation through the phosphorylation of proteins such as the regulatory myosin light chain proteins. Compared with the closely related Rho-associated coiled-coil kinases 1 and 2 (ROCK1 and ROCK2), the contributions of the MRCK kinases are less well characterized, one reason for this being that the discovery of potent and selective MRCK pharmacological inhibitors occurred many years after the discovery of ROCK inhibitors. The disclosure of inhibitors, such as BDP5290 and BDP9066, that have marked selectivity for MRCK over ROCK, as well as the dual ROCK + MRCK inhibitor DJ4, has expanded the repertoire of chemical biology tools to study MRCK function in normal and pathological conditions. Recent research has used these novel inhibitors to establish the role of MRCK signalling in epithelial polarization, phagocytosis, cytoskeleton organization, cell motility, and cancer cell invasiveness. Furthermore, pharmacological MRCK inhibition has been shown to elicit therapeutically beneficial effects in cell-based and in vivo studies of glioma, skin, and ovarian cancers.
Infrared Laser Effects on Cell Projection Depend on Irradiation Intermittence and Cell Activity
Authors: Medina-Villalobos Norma , Avila Remy , Marsal María , Andilla Jordi , Loza-Álvarez Pablo , Ojeda-Ramírez Mario Miguel , Tamariz Elisa
Published: February 2023

Highly focused near-infrared (NIR) lasers have been used to induce fibroblast and neuron protrusions in a technique called optical guidance. However, little is known about the biochemical and biophysical effects that the laser provokes in the cell and optimal protocols of stimulation have not yet been established. Using intermittent NIR laser radiation and multivariate time series representations of cell leading edge movement, we analyzed the direction and velocity of cell protrusions. We found that the orientation and advance of PC12 neuron phenotype cells and 3T3 fibroblasts protrusions remain after the laser is turned off, but the observed increase in velocity stops when radiation ceases. For an increase in the speed and distance of cell protrusions by NIR laser irradiation, the cell leading edge needs to be advancing prior to the stimulation, and NIR irradiation does not enable the cell to switch between retracting and advancing states. Using timelapse imaging of actin-GFP, we observed that NIR irradiation induces a faster recruitment of actin, promoting filament formation at the induced cell protrusions. These results provide fresh evidence to understand the phenomenon of the optical guidance of cell protrusions.
Personalizing Care for Critically Ill Adults Using Omics: A Concise Review of Potential Clinical Applications
Authors: See Kay Choong
Published: February 2023

Current guidelines for critically ill patients use broad recommendations to promote uniform protocols for the management of conditions such as acute kidney injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and sepsis. Although these guidelines have enabled the substantial improvement of care, mortality for critical illness remains high. Further outcome improvement may require personalizing care for critically ill patients, which involves tailoring management strategies for different patients. However, the current understanding of disease heterogeneity is limited. For critically ill patients, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have illuminated such heterogeneity and unveiled novel biomarkers, giving clinicians new means of diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring. With further engineering and economic development, omics would then be more accessible and affordable for frontline clinicians. As the knowledge of pathophysiological pathways mature, targeted treatments can then be developed, validated, replicated, and translated into clinical practice.
Recent Advance in Nucleus-Targeted Fluorescent Probes for Bioimaging, Detection and Therapy
Authors: Hu Cong , Xu Shuai , Song Zhiling , Li Haixia , Liu Hongwen
Published: February 2023

The nucleus is not only the control hub of cell life activities, but also the center of storing and controlling genetic information. The morphology of the nucleus can be used to judge the cell vitality and health. The various biological molecules contained in the nucleus are closely related to the normal life activities, occurrence and development of diseases. In recent years, fluorescence imaging has gained increasing attention due to its advantages of being intuitive, in situ and visual. The development of fluorescent probes for high-resolution imaging of the nucleus and detection of biomolecules in the nucleus is of great value for understanding the normal physiological processes of cells or organisms, as well as for disease diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we mainly introduce the current general strategies for designing nucleus-targeted fluorescent probes, as well as their applications in nucleus-targeted imaging, intranuclear biomolecular detection and therapy. Moreover, we also discuss the current challenges and opportunities of nucleus-targeted fluorescent probes in terms of selectivity, design strategies and so on.
Developmental Pathway Choices of Young People Presenting to a Gender Service with Gender Distress: A Prospective Follow-Up Study
Authors: Elkadi Joseph , Chudleigh Catherine , Maguire Ann M. , Ambler Geoffrey R. , Scher Stephen , Kozlowska Kasia
Published: February 2023

This prospective case-cohort study examines the developmental pathway choices of 79 young people (13.25–23.75 years old; 33 biological males and 46 biological females) referred to a tertiary care hospital’s Department of Psychological Medicine (December 2013–November 2018, at ages 8.42–15.92 years) for diagnostic assessment for gender dysphoria (GD) and for potential gender-affirming medical interventions. All of the young people had attended a screening medical assessment (including puberty staging) by paediatricians. The Psychological Medicine assessment (individual and family) yielded a formal DSM-5 diagnosis of GD in 66 of the young people. Of the 13 not meeting DSM-5 criteria, two obtained a GD diagnosis at a later time. This yielded 68 young people (68/79; 86.1%) with formal diagnoses of GD who were potentially eligible for gender-affirming medical interventions and 11 young people (11/79; 13.9%) who were not. Follow-up took place between November 2022 and January 2023. Within the GD subgroup (n = 68) (with two lost to follow-up), six had desisted (desistance rate of 9.1%; 6/66), and 60 had persisted on a GD (transgender) pathway (persistence rate of 90.9%; 60/66). Within the cohort as a whole (with two lost to follow-up), the overall persistence rate was 77.9% (60/77), and overall desistance rate for gender-related distress was 22.1% (17/77). Ongoing mental health concerns were reported by 44/50 (88.0%), and educational/occupational outcomes varied widely. The study highlights the importance of careful screening, comprehensive biopsychosocial (including family) assessment, and holistic therapeutic support. Even in highly screened samples of children and adolescents seeking a GD diagnosis and gender-affirming medical care, outcome pathways follow a diverse range of possibilities.
Is Surface Topography Useful in the Diagnosis of Scoliosis? Validation of the Biometrical Holistic of Human Body (BHOHB)
Authors: Aulisa Angelo G. , Bandinelli Diletta , Marsiolo Martina , Falciglia Francesco , Giordano Marco , Toniolo Renato M.
Published: February 2023

Background: The concern around repeated exposure to X-rays has been motivating doctors involved in scoliosis to seek alternative solutions. Surface topography (ST) analysis is a modern system that has been shown to have good results. The purpose of the study is to validate the new BHOHB hardware for the investigation of scoliosis in adolescents by comparing it to X-ray examinations and to assess the reliability of intraoperator and interoperator tests. Methods: Ninety-five patients were enrolled in our study. All the patients were analyzed via the BHOHB method 2 times by 2 independent physicians (t0) and for a second time 2 or 3 months later (t1). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between the measurements obtained by BHOHB and the gold standard. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess intra- and interoperator reliability. Statistical analysis was performed with the GraphPad Prism 8 software. Results: The correlations between the first and second operators in the measurements and between the BHOHB method and X-ray showed a very good to excellent r for both. A very good correlation was also confirmed for prominence measured by operators and by the BHOHB machine. Intra- and interoperator reliability was found to be very positive for both the first and the second physicians. Conclusions: We can state that ST can be useful for diagnosing and treating scoliosis. The recommendation is to use it primarily to evaluate the evolution of the curve, as in this mode, you can reduce the patient’s exposure to X-rays. The results indicate that BHOHB measures are comparable to radiographs and not influenced by the operator.
Do We Need Palliative Care in Pediatric Nephrology? Patients’ and Caregivers’ Disease Experience
Authors: Kubiak Nina , Fehrenbach Chiara , Prüfe Jenny , Thumfart Julia
Published: February 2023

Chronic life-limiting illnesses such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) require integral support to the families concerned in addition to medical care. Palliative care is an option to facilitate families to address future concerns, such as procedures for acute life-threatening complications, or to relieve physical and psychosocial suffering. The exact needs of patients or parents have not yet been investigated. To assess needs in supportive palliative care, we conducted a monocentric qualitative interview study. We included patients 14 to 24 years old as well as parents of younger children (below 14 years) with CKD ≥ stage 3. In total, fifteen interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed with a deductive and descriptive approach using qualitative content analysis as described by Mayring. Sociodemographic data and basic information of disease were collected using questionnaires. In contrast to caregivers, adolescents and young adults do not express worries about their own mortality or reduced life expectancy. Rather, they report about their limitations to everyday life associated with the disease, especially in the areas of school and work. They wish to live a normal life. Caregivers are concerned about the future and the disease trajectory. They also describe difficulties in balancing the management of the disease with other responsibilities such as work and healthy siblings’ needs. Patients and caregivers appear to need a chance to talk about their everyday struggles and disease-related fears and concerns. Talking about their concerns and needs may help deal with their emotions and facilitate acceptance of their situation characterized by a life-limiting disease. Our study confirms the need for psychosocial support in pediatric nephrology to address the needs of the affected families. This can be offered by pediatric palliative care teams.
Flood Resilience Assessment and Mapping: A Case Study from Australia’s Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment
Authors: Schwarz Imogen , Ziegelaar Mark , Kelly Matthew , Watkins Andrew B. , Kuleshov Yuriy
Published: February 2023

Floods are the most common and costliest natural hazard in Australia. However, the Flood Resilience Assessments (FReAs) employed to manage them lack a focus on adaptive capacity and tend not to be incorporated into established flood risk frameworks. This leaves potential for Australian FReAs to make better use of a methodology which holistically incorporates more accurate flood resilience characterisations into flood risk frameworks. In this study, a FReA and mapping for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment (HNC), a flood-prone region in Australia, were conducted. Nine flood resilience indicators were selected to derive the Flood Resilience Index (FReI). Results demonstrated that Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s) on or near the floodplain, located near the eastern border of the HNC, present moderate to very high levels of resilience due to increased socio-economic development and urbanisation in the region. Ultimately, this novel FReI can contribute to knowledge bolstering flood resilience in the HNC, as well as assist in flood risk reduction. Additionally, the developed scalable and replicable methodology can be applied to other flood-prone regions of Australia.
Photocatalytic Oxidation of Amoxicillin in CPC Reactor over 3D Printed TiO2-CNT@PETG Static Mixers
Authors: Miklec Kristina , Grčić Ivana , Radetić Lucija , Cingesar Ivan Karlo , Vrsaljko Domagoj
Published: February 2023

Antibiotics present common pollution in the environment, and they are often found in surface waters. Their presence or decomposition in water under natural sunlight can cause different unwanted consequences on the environment. In this paper, we report the application of 3D printed photocatalysts shaped as helix static mixers for tentative photocatalytic oxidation of antibiotic amoxicillin. The research was carried out in laboratory conditions in a semi-pilot-scale compound parabolic reactor (CPC) with static mixers made from PETG with TiO2 and MWCNT as fillers. The efficiency of 3D printed photocatalysts was evaluated in terms of amoxicillin decomposition kinetics using a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The experimental results of amoxicillin decomposition and generated by-products were analyzed by using the Q-TOF LC/MS technique and presented using MassHunter Workstation.
Pricing and Hedging Index Options under Mean-Variance Criteria in Incomplete Markets
Authors: Yamphram Pornnapat , Sutthimat Phiraphat , Rakwongwan Udomsak
Published: February 2023

This paper studies the portfolio selection problem where tradable assets are a bank account, and standard put and call options are written on the S&P 500 index in incomplete markets in which there exist bid–ask spreads and finite liquidity. The problem is mathematically formulated as an optimization problem where the variance of the portfolio is perceived as a risk. The task is to find the portfolio which has a satisfactory return but has the minimum variance. The underlying is modeled by a variance gamma process which can explain the extreme price movement of the asset. We also study how the optimized portfolio changes subject to a user’s views of the future asset price. Moreover, the optimization model is extended for asset pricing and hedging. To illustrate the technique, we compute indifference prices for buying and selling six options namely a European call option, a quadratic option, a sine option, a butterfly spread option, a digital option, and a log option, and propose the hedging portfolios, which are the portfolios one needs to hold to minimize risk from selling or buying such options, for all the options. The sensitivity of the price from modeling parameters is also investigated. Our hedging strategies are decent with the symmetry property of the kernel density estimation of the portfolio payout. The payouts of the hedging portfolios are very close to those of the bought or sold options. The results shown in this study are just illustrations of the techniques. The approach can also be used for other derivatives products with known payoffs in other financial markets.
Monkeypox Outbreak Analysis: An Extensive Study Using Machine Learning Models and Time Series Analysis
Authors: Priyadarshini Ishaani , Mohanty Pinaki , Kumar Raghvendra , Taniar David
Published: February 2023

The sudden unexpected rise in monkeypox cases worldwide has become an increasing concern. The zoonotic disease characterized by smallpox-like symptoms has already spread to nearly twenty countries and several continents and is labeled a potential pandemic by experts. monkeypox infections do not have specific treatments. However, since smallpox viruses are similar to monkeypox viruses administering antiviral drugs and vaccines against smallpox could be used to prevent and treat monkeypox. Since the disease is becoming a global concern, it is necessary to analyze its impact and population health. Analyzing key outcomes, such as the number of people infected, deaths, medical visits, hospitalizations, etc., could play a significant role in preventing the spread. In this study, we analyze the spread of the monkeypox virus across different countries using machine learning techniques such as linear regression (LR), decision trees (DT), random forests (RF), elastic net regression (EN), artificial neural networks (ANN), and convolutional neural networks (CNN). Our study shows that CNNs perform the best, and the performance of these models is evaluated using statistical parameters such as mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and R-squared error (R2). The study also presents a time-series-based analysis using autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA) and seasonal auto-regressive integrated moving averages (SARIMA) models for measuring the events over time. Comprehending the spread can lead to understanding the risk, which may be used to prevent further spread and may enable timely and effective treatment.
Strength, Porosity and Permeability Properties of Porous Concrete Made from Recycled Concrete Aggregates
Authors: Muda Muniter Muresa , Legese Alemu Mosisa , Urgessa Girum , Boja Teshome
Published: February 2023

Due to expansion in infrastructure and increased development of urbanization in Ethiopia, most of the places are covered either by impermeable cement concrete or bitumen that blocks the percolation of water from rainfall. A porous concrete made of zero fine aggregates, creating a pore that permits the concrete to be water permeable, is highly desirable. Similarly, the demand for natural coarse aggregates remains high, while natural resources are being depleted. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the properties of porous concrete using recycled concrete aggregate as a partial replacement for natural coarse aggregate. Experimental tests were conducted on cement setting time, workability of concrete, compressive, split tensile, porosity, and permeability of porous concrete. The properties of porous concrete at different ratios—0, 15, 30, 45 and 60%—revealed that RCA is suitable for use as coarse aggregate. The optimum replacement percentage of recycled aggregate for porous concrete in terms of strength is 30%, with 28th-day compressive strength of 17.37 MPa. However, slight increments were observed in porosity and permeability coefficient. Therefore, the concrete produced in this study is structural concrete, which is suitable for walkways and other concrete flat works, whereby heavy vehicle traffic loads do not exist.
Revealing the Protective Effect of Topically Applied Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil in Human Skin through A Contact Model
Authors: de Andrade Sérgio Faloni , Rocha Clemente , Pinheiro Eucinário José , Pereira-Leite Catarina , Costa Maria do Céu , Monteiro Rodrigues Luis
Published: February 2023

Preparations of the Cymbopogon citratus leaves are used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory processes. The present study investigated the proposed anti-inflammatory properties of C. citratus essential oil (EOCC) in human skin in vivo using the methylnicotinate (MN) microinflammation skin model. Skin exposure to MN causes a disturbance that triggers the production of reactive oxygen species and evokes a short duration microinflammatory reaction that might be explored to meet this objective. Fourteen participants of both sexes were selected after providing informed consent. Three areas (3 cm × 3 cm) were drawn on both forearms. One randomly chosen area was treated for 14 days, twice a day, with a polyacrylic acid gel containing 5% EOCC. Remaining areas were used as controls. Results revealed a clear protective effect at the EOCC-treated site. The MN reaction showed significantly lower transepidermal water loss, blood perfusion, erythema, and edema when compared with the other areas. Furthermore, the methodology here proposed is an innovative approach to study the clinical impact of these substances on human skin, contributing to an evidence-based support regarding the interest of using these products in human health.
Study on Electrochemical Properties of Carbon Submicron Fibers Loaded with Cobalt-Ferro Alloy and Compounds
Authors: Xu Peilong , Yuan Qinghui , Ji Wendong , Zhao Yuling , Yu Ruitao , Su Yimin , Huo Ningbo
Published: February 2023

In this work, carbon submicron fiber composites loaded with a cobalt-ferric alloy and cobalt-ferric binary metal compounds were prepared by electrospinning and high temperature annealing using cobalt-ferric acetone and ferric acetone as precursors and polyacrylonitrile as a carbon source. The phase transformation mechanism of the carbon submicron fiber-supported Co-Fe bimetallic compound during high temperature annealing was investigated. The electrochemical properties of the carbon submicron fiber-supported Co-Fe alloy and Co-Fe oxide self-supported electrode materials were investigated. The results show that at 138 °C, the heterogeneous submicron fibers of cobalt acetylacetonate and acetylacetone iron began to decompose and at 200 °C, CoFe2O4 was generated in the fiber. As the annealing temperature increases further, some metal compounds in the carbon fiber are reduced to CoFe2O4 alloy, and two phases of CoFe2O4 and CoFe-Fe-alloy exist in the fiber. After 200 cycles, the specific capacity of CF-P500 is 500 mAh g−1. The specific capacity of the composite carbon submicron fiber electrode material can be significantly improved by the introduction of CoFe2O4. When the binary metal oxides are used as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, alloy dealloying and conversion reactions can occur at the same time in the reverse process of lithium intercalation, the two reactions form a synergistic effect, and the cobalt-iron alloy in the material increases the electrical conductivity. Therefore, the carbon submicron fiber loaded with CoFe2O4/CoFe has an excellent electrochemical performance.
Terahertz Electromagnetically Induced Transparency with Electric-Field-Coupled Inductor-Capacitor Resonators on LCP Substrate
Authors: Ling Haotian , Li Zhaolin , Li Ke , Zhao Ruiqi , Ma Pengfei , Zhou Yongping , Li Jingxuan , Xu Xiaoyu , Yashchyshyn Yevhen , Zou Xudong , Zhang Yifei
Published: February 2023

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) metamaterials (MTMs) based on the bright-dark mode theory have gained great interest in slow light, sensing, and energy storage in recent years. Typically, various split ring resonators with magnetic response have been proposed as dark resonators in EIT MTMs. Here, we have employed a cut-wire (CW) and two electric-field-coupled inductor-capacitor (ELC) resonators with a pure electrical response on a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate with a low loss tangent to fulfill the EIT effect in the terahertz (THz) region. The former works as the bright mode, and the latter functions as the dark mode. The EIT phenomenon results from the destructive interference between these two modes, which can be verified by numerical simulation and near field distribution. In addition, a Lorentz oscillator model was studied to quantitatively analyze the relationship between the coupling strength and the coupling distance. As a demonstration, an EIT MTM device with 5000 units was fabricated and characterized, which showed a transmission window with a peak value of 0.75 at 0.414 THz. This work may inspire new multifunctional EIT MTMs, especially the flexible applications at THz frequencies.
Towards Binder Jetting and Sintering of AZ91 Magnesium Powder
Authors: Salehi Mojtaba , Kuah Kai Xiang , Ho Jia Hern , Zhang Su Xia , Seet Hang Li , Nai Mui Ling Sharon
Published: February 2023

The inherent properties of magnesium (Mg) make it one of the most challenging metals to process with additive manufacturing (AM), especially with fusion-based techniques. Binder jetting is a two-step AM method in which green Mg objects print near room temperature, then the as-printed green object sinters at a high temperature. Thus far, a limited number of studies have been reported on the binder jetting of Mg powder. This study aimed to push the knowledge base of binder jetting and sintering for AZ91D powder. To this end, the principle of capillary-mediated binderless printing was used to determine the ink saturation level (SL) required for the binder jetting of a green AZ91 object. The effects of various SLs on forming interparticle bridges between AZ91 powder particles and the dimensional accuracy of the resultant as-printed objects were investigated. Green AZ91 objects sintered at different temperatures ranging from 530 °C to 575 °C showed a marginal increment in density with an increase in sintering temperature (i.e., 1.5% to 5.1%). The root cause of such a low sintering densification rate in the presence of up to 54.5 vol. % liquid phase was discussed in the context of the powder packing density of as-printed objects and swelling occurring at sintering temperatures ≥ 45 °C. Overall, this work demonstrates the great potential of binderless printing for AM of Mg powder and the need for pushing sintering boundaries for further densification of as-printed Mg components.
Structural and Improper Ferroelectric Properties of TbInO3 Single Crystal Grown by Laser Floating Zone
Authors: Min Chang , Wu You , Li Yanbin , Zhou Chunming , Cheong Sang-Wook , Lu Xiaosong , Zhou Tianyuan , Zhang Le
Published: February 2023

The honeycomb TbInO3 has attracted wide research attention due to its fascinating physical properties. However, TbInO3 single crystal was difficult to grow owing to the high melting point and serious volatilization of indium during the crystal growth. In this study, the volatilization of the indium element was effectively suppressed by controlling the growth atmosphere and pressure. The excess ratio of indium oxide was determined, and pure hexagonal TbInO3 crystal was obtained by the laser floating zone method. Systematic studies on the crystal structure and optical and ferroelectric properties were carried out. The structure distortion resulted in the improper geometric ferroelectric revealed by single crystal diffraction and Raman spectrum measurements. The topological vortex domains and P-E hysteresis loop demonstrated the presence of ferroelectricity. TbInO3 crystal has great potential application in vortex memory.
Advanced Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Sequences for Breast MRI: Comprehensive Comparison of Improved Sequences and Ultra-High B-Values to Identify the Optimal Combination
Authors: Hausmann Daniel , Todorski Inga , Pindur Alexandra , Weiland Elisabeth , Benkert Thomas , Bosshard Lars , Prummer Michael , Kubik-Huch Rahel A.
Published: February 2023

This study investigated the image quality and choice of ultra-high b-value of two DWI breast-MRI research applications. The study cohort comprised 40 patients (20 malignant lesions). In addition to s-DWI with two m-b-values (b50 and b800) and three e-b-values (e-b1500, e-b2000, and e-b2500), z-DWI and IR m-b1500 DWI were applied. z-DWI was acquired with the same measured b-values and e-b-values as the standard sequence. For IR m-b1500 DWI, b50 and b1500 were measured, and e-b2000 and e-b2500 were mathematically extrapolated. Three readers used Likert scales to independently analyze all ultra-high b-values (b1500–b2500) for each DWI with regards to scan preference and image quality. ADC values were measured in all 20 lesions. z-DWI was the most preferred (54%), followed by IR m-b1500 DWI (46%). b1500 was significantly preferred over b2000 for z-DWI and IR m-b1500 DWI (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Lesion detection was not significantly different among sequences or b-values (p = 0.174). There were no significant differences in measured ADC values within lesions between s-DWI (ADC: 0.97 [±0.09] × 10−3 mm2/s) and z-DWI (ADC: 0.99 [±0.11] × 10−3 mm2/s; p = 1.000). However, there was a trend toward lower values in IR m-b1500 DWI (ADC: 0.80 [±0.06] × 10−3 mm2/s) than in s-DWI (p = 0.090) and z-DWI (p = 0.110). Overall, image quality was superior and there were fewer image artifacts when using the advanced sequences (z-DWI + IR m-b1500 DWI) compared with s-DWI. Considering scan preferences, we found that the optimal combination was z-DWI with a calculated b1500, especially regarding examination time.
The Link between NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Radu Fabiana , Potcovaru Claudia-Gabriela , Salmen Teodor , Filip Petruța Violeta , Pop Corina , Fierbințeanu-Braticievici Carmen
Published: February 2023

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by an association of cardiovascular and diabetes mellitus type 2 risk factors. Although the definition of MetS slightly differs depending on the society that described it, its central diagnostic criteria include impaired fasting glucose, low HDL-cholesterol, elevated triglycerides levels and high blood pressure. Insulin resistance (IR) is believed to be the main cause of MetS and is connected to the level of visceral or intra-abdominal adipose tissue, which could be assessed either by calculating body mass index or by measuring waist circumference. Most recent studies revealed that IR may also be present in non-obese patients, and considered visceral adiposity to be the main effector of MetS’ pathology. Visceral adiposity is strongly linked with hepatic fatty infiltration also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), therefore, the level of fatty acids in the hepatic parenchyma is indirectly linked with MetS, being both a cause and a consequence of this syndrome. Taking into consideration the present pandemic of obesity and its tendency to drift towards a progressively earlier onset due to the Western lifestyle, it leads to an increased NAFLD incidence. Novel therapeutic resources are lifestyle intervention with physical activity, Mediterranean diet, or therapeutic surgical respective metabolic and bariatric surgery or drugs such as SGLT-2i, GLP-1 Ra or vitamin E. NAFLD early diagnosis is important due to its easily available diagnostic tools such as non-invasive tools: clinical and laboratory variables (serum biomarkers): AST to platelet ratio index, fibrosis-4, NAFLD Fibrosis Score, BARD Score, fibro test, enhanced liver fibrosis; imaging-based biomarkers: Controlled attenuation parameter, magnetic resonance imaging proton-density fat fraction, transient elastography (TE) or vibration controlled TE, acoustic radiation force impulse imaging, shear wave elastography, magnetic resonance elastography; and the possibility to prevent its complications, respectively, fibrosis, hepato-cellular carcinoma or liver cirrhosis which can develop into end-stage liver disease.
Factors Influencing Dietetic Interns’ Dietary Habits during Supervised Practice
Authors: Weese Courtney , Thompson Katie M. , White Adalyn , Oronoz Brianne , Breinholt Karli , Croxall Dawson V. , Devitt Kelzie , Easton Marin , Gunter Madison L. , McFarlane Breann , Reich Kaitlyn , Sacks Jenna , Peterson Lacie , Charlton Rebecca , Hopkins Holly , Kraus Katie N.
Published: February 2023

Supervised practice is a prerequisite to becoming a registered dietitian. Research suggests that environmental and social factors may affect dietary choices. This focus group research aimed to gather opinions from dietetic interns to understand what factors related to supervised practice, if any, affected their dietary habits. Qualitative data were collected via seven recorded virtual focus groups in which trained moderators facilitated a discussion using a series of controlled questions. Participants, dietetic interns (n = 42) who were currently completing or had completed their supervised practice within the previous six months, attended one of seven virtual focus groups. Each focus group had five to eight participants. Transcripts were separately coded by two trained researchers using a grounded theory approach to identify themes and subthemes. Researchers discussed any disagreements in coding and established a consensus. Elements related to the dietetic internship were observed to influence participants’ dietary choices. Main themes included time, finances, food access and availability, physical and mental effects, non-supervised practice factors, and social factors. Dietetic programs and preceptors should explore ways to raise interns’ awareness and minimize the potential negative impacts of these factors on interns’ dietary habits to improve their overall internship experience.
The Dental Educational Environment of Online and Blended Learning during COVID-19, and the Impact on the Future of Dental Education
Authors: Khalaf Mai E. , Ziada Hassan , Abubakr Neamat Hassan
Published: February 2023

Blending face-to-face and online learning should create a focused environment that supports deep and meaningful teaching and learning that engages learners in a more active and collaborative educational experience. The present study aimed to evaluate students’ online and blended learning educational environment self-perception at the Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Undergraduate dental students who participated in blended learning with online lectures were invited to participate. The sample was a non-probability convenient sample, which included all clinical dental students invited to participate, who were enrolled in the fifth, sixth, and seventh (clinical year) years. All 69 students in these three clinical years were invited to participate. Electronic consent to participate and a self-administered questionnaire of two parts were completed. Part one of the questionnaire utilized the five subscales of the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire; part two was developed in addition to evaluate the online teaching and learning subscales. Results: Descriptive statistics and analyses of variance were performed; Pearson correlations were made between the additional supplemental online teaching subscale and the original DREEM subscales. The mean students’ perception of the teacher was high, followed by the academic self-perception and then the learning perception. Students’ social self-perceptions had the lowest reported scores. Students’ perceptions varied by year of education in all subscales except for the online domain. In comparing all domains (DREEM and the online component), graduating students (final year) had a more favorable perception than other students. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present study, online and blended learning were positively perceived, excluding the social self-perception and the perception that the online teaching time was not well used.
A Novel Semidefinite Programming-based UAV 3D Localization Algorithm with Gray Wolf Optimization
Authors: Li Zhijia , Xia Xuewen , Yan Yonghang
Published: February 2023

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) network has gained vigorous evolution in recent decades by virtue of its advanced nature, and UAV-based localization techniques have been extensively applied in a variety of fields. In most applications, the data captured by a UAV are only useful when associated with its geographic position. Efficient and low-cost positioning is of great significance for the development of UAV-aided technology. In this paper, we investigate an effective three-dimensional (3D) localization approach for multiple UAVs and propose a flipping ambiguity avoidance optimization algorithm. Specifically, beacon UAVs take charge of gaining global coordinates and collecting distance measurements from GPS-denied UAVs. We adopt a semidefinite programming (SDP)-based approach to estimate the global position of the target UAVs. Furthermore, when high noise interference causes missing distance pairs and measurement errors, an improved gray wolf optimization (I-GWO) algorithm is utilized to improve the positioning accuracy. Simulation results show that the proposed approach is superior to a number of alternative approaches.
Strategies for Passing Regulatory Procedures during the Operational Phase of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Authors: Serebryakov Alexander , Raduntsev Maksim , Prosvirina Natalya , Zamkovoi Andrey
Published: February 2023

The problem of integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the airspace of the Russian Federation is currently receiving increased attention. The conceptual proposals under development define the main directions of regulatory and technological policy for the integration of UAS into the airspace of the Russian Federation, as well as the effective airspace use (AU) by all users in the interests of national security and economic development of the Russian Federation. The issues of regulation in the field of UAS application in the Russian Federation, in this regard, are of particular relevance. This article analyzes the main possible strategies for passing regulatory procedures at the stage of UAS operation. On the basis of this analysis, the strategies for the commercial application of UAS are formulated.
Linking Rhizosphere Soil Aggregates with Belowground and Aboveground Plant Traits
Authors: Khabir Md Imam ul , Topps Daphne , Jhumur Jannatul Ferdous , Adesemoye Anthony , Brown Jasmine , Newman Antoine , Robertson Boakai K. , Iqbal Javed , Saleem Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Rhizosphere soil ecosystems are represented by the diversity of different soil aggregate-size classes, such as large macroaggregates, small macroaggregates, mesoaggregates, and microaggregates. Though these aggregate-size classes represent distinct biological, chemical, and physical properties, little is known about their dynamics and relationships with belowground and aboveground plant traits. In this study, we examined the relationships of various soil aggregate-size classes and their organic carbon contents with many aboveground and belowground soybean plant traits. Our study revealed several novel and interesting relationships between soil structural properties and plant traits. Notably, small macroaggregates represented a major portion of the rhizosphere soil ecosystem of soybean plants while organic carbon contents decreased with decreasing size of soil aggregates. Only microaggregates showed a significant relationship with root architectural traits, such as length and surface area. Among all soil aggregate size classes, the abundance of small macroaggregates and the organic carbon contents of microaggregates were better correlated with plant traits. In general, organic carbon contents of different soil aggregate-size classes showed positive correlations with leaf trichome density (defense traits) and major macronutrients, such as root P, K, and S contents; while there were mostly negative correlations with some micronutrient (Ca, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, and Mg) contents of roots and shoots. However, the abundance of small macroaggregates mostly positively correlated with the mineral contents of plant roots and shoots. Collectively, the positive and negative correlations of organic carbon contents of different soil aggregate-size classes with trichomes (defense) and physiological traits (micro-mineral contents) suggest their significance in plant nutrition and defense. Though our results suggest the relationships of soil aggregate properties with aboveground and belowground traits, further research is needed to discern the role of soil structural traits in mediating plant growth, development, defense, and physiology.
Is It Problem or Project-Based Instruction: Implementing PBI for the First Time in an Engineering Mechanics College Course
Authors: Daddysman Jennifer Anne , Wilhelm Jennifer Anne , Taghaddosi Farzad
Published: February 2023

This mixed methods study investigated a college engineering professor’s first-time implementation of project/problem-based instruction (PBI) within an engineering mechanics (EM) course and compared this implementation with a business-as-usual (BAU) EM course. Research questions concerned the degree to which the PBI course changed from a BAU model and the effectiveness of the PBI implementation on students’ EM learning as measured by a Statics Concept Inventory as compared to BAU students. Findings showed the professor’s original intentions and realizations of project-based instruction had to be adjusted to a problem-based instructional format to keep it in line with the EM course objectives (simply better suited as problem-based).