bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Security in the Internet of Things: Identifying and Analysing Critical Categories
Authors: Sebestyen Hannelore , Popescu Daniela Elena , Zmaranda Rodica Doina
Published: January 2025

With the proliferation of IoT-based applications, security requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. Given the diversity of such systems, choosing the most appropriate solutions and technologies according to the challenges is a complex activity. This paper provides an exhaustive evaluation of existing security challenges related to the IoT domain. This review explores the evolving landscape of IoT security, identifying key focus areas, challenges, and proposed solutions as presented in recent research. The study categorizes IoT security efforts into six main areas: attack detection, data management and protection, securing identity management, communication and networking, emergent technologies, and risk management. Each category reflects the critical vulnerabilities and growing complexities of IoT systems. From leveraging machine learning and blockchain for anomaly detection and real-time threat response to optimizing lightweight algorithms for resource-limited devices, researchers propose innovative and adaptive solutions to meet emerging threats. The review underscores the integration of advanced technologies to enhance IoT system security, while also highlighting ongoing challenges. The paper concludes with a synthesis of security challenges and threats of each identified category together with their solutions, aiming to support decision-making during the designing approach of IoT-based applications and to guide future research toward comprehensive and efficient IoT frameworks.
The Fluid Ionosphere
Authors: Materassi Massimo
Published: January 2025

In this review paper the equations of motion describing the fluid dynamics of the ionosphere are constructed step by step, so that any master or post-graduate student may get familiar with the general theory of the “traditional” approach to Ionospheric Physics, in which chemicals forming the Earth’s upper atmosphere are represented as fluids in mutual interaction. The hypotheses on which the smooth-field fluid representation is based are discussed in terms of microscopic dynamics of the gas particles: this discussion is oriented to prepare the reader for the post-fluid approaches to the physics of turbulence, to be treated in forthcoming manuscripts. The fluid dynamical picture of the ionosphere is the most classical and conceptually simple one, and this makes it extremely widespread in terms of theoretical models and applications.
Impact of Prophylactic HPV Vaccination on the Prevention of HPV-Driven Oral Cancers in India: Current Progress and Future Perspectives
Authors: Kumar Prabhat , Dey Archita , Chaklader Megha , Lakhera Rishabh , Aggarwal Sadhna , Das Bhudev Chandra , Gupta Shilpi
Published: January 2025

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) globally and contributor to a significant proportion of infection-related cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Persistent infection with oncogenic HPV strains is increasingly recognized as a critical cause of oral cancers, particularly in India. While HPV infections are often asymptomatic and transient, those that persist for year or more can lead to malignancies following integration into host cell genome and disrupting tumor-suppressor genes. HPV vaccination, including vaccines such as Cervarix, Gardasil or Gardasil-9, and the more recently introduced CERVAVAC in India, has significantly reduced the incidence of cervical and other HPV-related anogenital cancers. However, the potential of these vaccines in preventing HPV-linked OSCCs remains underexplored, especially in the Indian context, where the incidence of these cancers, particularly among younger populations, is on the rise. This review critically examines the role of HPV vaccination in preventing HPV-associated OSCCs. It explores the biological mechanisms by which HPV contributes to oral carcinogenesis, focusing on the most common HPV strains linked to these cancers. The review also assesses the effectiveness of existing HPV vaccines in preventing oral-HPV infections, drawing on the latest epidemiological and clinical studies. Despite promising evidence supporting the efficacy of HPV vaccines, challenges such as low vaccine uptake, limited public awareness, and socio-economic barriers hinder their widespread adoption in low-income countries including India. This review also discusses the early outcomes of vaccination programs on OSCC incidence and discusses strategies to enhance vaccine coverage, including targeted public health initiatives and policy interventions. By addressing these gaps, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential impact of HPV vaccination in reducing the burden of HPV-associated oral cancers in India and offering insights for future research and public health strategies.
Investigating the Personality and Demographic Characteristics of Public Transport Drivers (Case Study: Tehran, Iran)
Authors: Ebrahimzadeh Mohammad Amin , Nakhaie Navid , Dabaqi Mahdise
Published: January 2025

Drivers' behavior is one of the most important causes of road accidents, which can be affected by various individual differences such as driving knowledge, information processing, demographic variables and personality. This research tries to accurately understand this phenomenon among public transportation drivers. The case studied in this research is the drivers of public transportation of goods and passengers in Tehran. The research method is survey and questionnaire. The data was collected through individual interviews with 200 truck drivers, 200 taxi drivers, 100 city bus drivers and 60 suburban bus drivers. In the questionnaire, six main factors were examined, including: 1- driving patiently, 2- relaxing while driving, 3- tending to fatigue, 4- identifying risks, 5- anxious driving, and 6- excitement seeking. The mentioned parameters were extracted as driver's behavior and the effect of demographic and personality variables on them was investigated. Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were also used to test the hypotheses. The results of this research show that the variables of age, level of education, ownership of the vehicle are related to the behavior of the driver, and there is a significant relationship between the personality variables and the behavior of drivers. These different aspects of personality and behavior explain the differences of drivers in risk-taking and the frequency of accidents.
Modeling of Phototransistors Based on Quasi-Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
Authors: Lavrov Sergey D. , Guskov Andrey A.
Published: January 2025

This study introduces a comprehensive physical modeling framework for phototransistors based on quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC), with a particular emphasis on MoS2. By integrating electromagnetic simulations of optical absorption with semiconductor transport calculations, the model captures both dark and photocurrent behaviors across diverse operating conditions. The results accurately reproduce spectral absorption peaks in MoS2 films of varying thicknesses and demonstrate strong agreement with experimental dark current transfer characteristics. A key insight from the study is the critical role of defect states, including traps, impurities, and interfacial imperfections, in governing dark current and photocurrent under channel pinch off conditions. The model successfully replicates the qualitative trends observed in experimental devices, highlighting how small variations in film thickness, doping levels, and contact geometries can significantly influence device performance, in agreement with published experimental data. These findings underscore the importance of precise defect characterization and the optimization of material and structural parameters in phototransistors based on 2D materials. The proposed modeling framework serves as a powerful tool for the design and optimization of next-generation phototransistors, facilitating the integration of 2D materials into practical electronic and optoelectronic applications.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Fecal Samples from Normal-Weight and Overweight/Obese Women with Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Molan Katja , Ambrožič Avguštin Jerneja , Likar Matevž , Pongrac Barlovič Draženka , Pongrac Barlovic Drazenka , Starčič Erjavec Marjanca
Published: January 2025

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are produced by the microbial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates, play an important role in the metabolism and physiology of the host. SCFAs are involved in the regulation of maternal metabolism during pregnancy and influence weight gain, glucose metabolism and metabolic hormones. In 2017, women who were treated for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana were invited to participate in a longitudinal study. A total of 45 women were included in the study and comprehensively phenotyped. During the second and third trimester of pregnancy, the GDM women provided fecal samples for SCFA analysis. The samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. SCFA concentrations in feces differed between overweight/obese and normal weight GDM women. Acetate and propionate concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant women who were overweight or obese before pregnancy compared to normal weight women, but butyrate concentrations were not. Butyrate was elevated in the third trimester in the group with excessive gestational weight gain. Regardless the conflicting publications on the role of SCFAs, our study showed that higher acetate and propionate levels were associated with overweight or obesity before pregnancy and higher butyrate levels were associated with excessive gestational weight gain. The relationship between SCFAs and obesity is complex, and the association between SCFAs and GDM remains to be clarified.
Essential Tremor and Mortality in Older Adults: The Role of Word Recall, a Measure of Episodic Memory, in a 23-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Benito-León Julián , Lapeña-Motilva José , Ghosh Ritwik , Giménez de Bejar Verónica , Benito-Rodríguez Carla , Bermejo-Pareja Félix
Published: January 2025

The relationship between essential tremor (ET) and mortality risk remains uncertain. This study investigated the impact of episodic memory performance, measured through a word recall task, on mortality risk in ET within the NEDICES cohort, a population-based study of older adults. Participants were followed until death or December 31, 2017, and divided into four groups based on ET status and memory performance (errors in the 37-Minimental Examination’s three-word recall task). Cox proportional-hazards models estimated mortality hazard ratios (HRs), and the Relative Excess Risk due to Interaction (RERI) assessed additive interactions. Among 3,998 participants, 3,432 (85.8%) died over a median follow-up of 11.2 years. ET patients with episodic memory impairments had a higher mortality risk (HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.07–1.46) compared to controls with similar deficits (HR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.09–1.28), whereas no significant increase was observed for ET patients without memory impairments (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.75–1.21). RERI analysis revealed no significant additive interaction between ET and memory impairment (adjusted RERI: 0.11 [95% CI: -0.21–0.43]). Episodic memory impairments, regardless of ET status, were strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease as a primary cause of death. These findings highlight the independent contribution of episodic memory impairment to increased mortality risk, with ET modestly amplifying this effect without significant interaction. Further research is needed to explore shared pathophysiological mechanisms between ET and neurodegenerative conditions.
Method for Detecting Disorder of a Nonlinear Dynamic Plant
Authors: Wang Xuechun , Eliseev Vladimir
Published: January 2025

This paper proposes a new disorder detection method CCF-AE for dynamic plant based only on its input-output relation using cross-correlation function and neural network autoencoder. CCF-AE method does not use the reference model of the dynamic object, but consider real-time behavior changes, given by input and output time series. The proposed method was used to detect disorder in the process of nonlinear pH-neutralization reaction, and the cumulative sum algorithm (CUSUM) was used in a comparative experiment. The experiment demonstrated better accuracy of the proposed method than the CUSUM algorithm. Also CCF-AE has more advantages in detecting disorder in the behavior of a complex nonlinear system.
Comparative Analysis of Management Strategies and Demographics in Older-Onset vs. Younger-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Kıvrakoğlu Fatih , Kılıç Vedat , Ergin Mustafa , Küçük Harun , Erdoğan Çağdaş , Yuksel Ilhami
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: This study examines how demographics and treatment ap-proaches differ between adults with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD) in two age groups: those diagnosed at 60 years or older and those diagnosed between 18 and 60 years. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to examine and contrast the clinical profiles and therapeutic approaches of patients diagnosed within the period spanning June 1993 to February 2023. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were evaluated for both UC and CD groups across the two age categories. Patients were cat-egorized into older-onset (≥60 years) and younger-onset (18-60 years) groups. Results: The study cohort comprised 1245 patients, including 56 older-onset adults (4.5%, 73% male) and 1189 younger-onset adults (95.5%, 58% male). The median duration of follow-up was 11 years. Ulcerative colitis was significantly more prevalent among the older-onset group, with a rate of 69.6% (p=0.002). Active smokers were more frequent in the younger-onset group (23%, p=0.003). A family history of IBD was less common in the older-onset group (4% vs. %13, p=0.037). Thiopurine usage was more frequent in the younger-onset group (32.9% vs. 16.1%, p=0.008). Biological experience was less common in the older-onset group (26.8% vs. %49.3, p=0.001). No notable differences were observed between the older-onset and younger-onset groups regarding UC extension, CD location, disease behavior, or perianal involvement. Conclusions: Older-onset patients differ significantly from younger-onset patients in terms of clinical presentation and therapeutic approaches. The lower use of thiopurines and biological agents in older-onset patients may reflect concerns about drug-related risks. Customized therapeutic approaches are essential to enhance outcomes for this patient population.
Full-Face Allograft Retrieval in a Multiple Organ Donation in a Controlled Asystole Donor (Maastricht III)
Authors: Barret Juan P. , Dopazo Cristina , Sandiumenge Alberto , Bilbao Itxarone , Charco Ramon
Published: January 2025

Asystole Donation (AD) or donation after cardiac death (DCD) has been shown to be a potential source of transplantable organs. To date, no reports of face procurement with AD has been described, and the “face in first place” with ex-situ perfusion has became the gold standard technique of recovering facial allografts in most of the centers. We report a case of successful total graft face and kidneys procurement from a 47 years old male AD donor. Immediately, after confirmation of death, the “rapid recovery” technique was performed and cannula placed in ascending aorta for face allograft in situ perfusion simultaneously to the abdominal team. Total ischemia time from donor cardiac death to face reperfusion in the recipient was 5.5 hours. Excellent function for kidneys and face allograft was reported.
The Views of Whiteness as The Standard Beauty in Morrison’s The Bluest Eye
Authors: Agustini Amalia Herwinda
Published: January 2025

The objective of this research is to study the way Pecola Breedlove, the main character in The Bluest Eye, views whiteness as the standard of beauty, Morrison's historical and social conditions, and also Morrison’s worldview of the work. In order to achieve the objective, I use Lucien Goldmann’s theory of genetic structuralism. As the methodology, it is a combination between comprehension and explanation. In comprehension part, mental structure of society in the novel is being discussed. While in explanation part, it is the comparation of the mental structure in the novel and society in real life. The findings gained from comprehending the novel is that the way Pecola Breedlove’s obsession of whiteness as the standard of beauty is indeed a result of being pressured by the mental structure of society in the novel regarding the beauty standard. On the other hand, Toni Morrison also encountered the same mental structure of society regarding whiteness as the beauty standard in real life during the writing of The Bluest Eye. Hence, Morrison’s worldview is spreading the idea that whiteness is not the standard of beauty.

 
Disability policy reforms in the light of sustainability of the social security system in the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary
Authors: Jakab Nóra
Published: January 2025

With populations ageing across the EU social security systems are becoming financially unsustainable, as a shrinking labour force may no longer be able to provide for a growing number of older people. The paper focuses on the results of the book „Sustainability of the Social Security System – Demographic Challenges and Answers in Central Europe”, which project was inspired by very important economic and social issues. One of the conclusions was, most good practices have been related to the employment and rehabilitation of people with disabilities. This paper therefore summarizes the key fundings of disability policy reforms in the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. Reforms of disability benefits have been linked to active labour market policies, but there have been no major breakthroughs in employment.
The peculiarities of restitution of agricultural land in Ukraine
Authors: Buletsa Sibilla
Published: January 2025

In the post-Soviet space, two main approaches formed the basis of land reforms: 1) restitution, i.e., the return of land ownership to former owners (as in the Baltic countries, Romania, Slovakia, Albania, etc.), and 2) privatisation of land plots (as in Ukraine, Belarus, etc.). Ukraine lacks legislation regarding property restitution, as the country has not yet decided on this matter. Worldwide, property restitution is carried out to restore property rights violated by communist and national-socialist (Nazi) totalitarian systems. The state must acknowledge its unlawful seizure of private property by recognising the act of violence by the state during the acquisition of property rights. The adoption of the Land Code on March 13, 1992, marked the beginning of land privatisation in Ukraine. The initial years of land reform and privatisation primarily focused on agriculture. In the sphere of agrarian production, a reform was necessary to provide land to workers. For this reason, starting from 1992 rural lands in Ukraine, which were previously owned by the state and used by agricultural enterprises, were transferred to peasants. During the war in Ukraine beginning in 2022, existing legislation prohibits both the formation of land plots through free privatisation, as well as specifying their boundaries and registering them in the state land cadastre.
STUDENT’S PERCEPTION OF THE STEM FAIR AT PHNOM PENH TEACHER EDUCATION COLLEGE (PTEC) DURING THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
Authors: Reth Phearun , Mom Putheary , Srieng Kimsron
Published: January 2025

Student enrollment in STEM-related disciplines is low across the nation. Students from rural locations with little access to STEM enrichment programs and marginalized demographics should be especially aware of this. This study aimed to investigate how students perceive on STEM Fair and how gender, age, experience, and needs relate to its requirements. The study's population was made up of students from different Phnom Penh schools. There were 242 pupils in the sample. This quantitative study explored students' perceptions of STEM and the effects of the STEM Fair on them. The study employed questionnaires to assess students' interest, knowledge gain, and social self-efficacy. Student participants at the STEM Fair provided survey responses. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. First, it was discovered that students' perceptions of STEM were characterized by a greater number of constructive and positive comments than unfavorable ones. It is possible that a bigger percentage of positive items in the research sample will signal or guarantee an improvement in participants' impressions of STEM fair. Second, a Chi Square test for independence was used to examine the relationship between the criteria of the STEM Fair and three specific characteristics: gender, age, and experience. The Chi Square results showed that there was insufficient proof to connect the three components to the requirements of the STEM Fair. The information supplied here supports the findings that STEM Fairs increase positive attitudes about STEM and increase STEM knowledge, yet the following useful recommendations are made for future STEM study.
Determining the effectiveness of aquatic exercise in comparison to land-based exercise for Canadian military Veterans living with chronic lower extremity musculoskeletal pain A feasibility study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Held Nicholas , Cramm Heidi , Miller Jordan
Published: January 2025

Background
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans report living with chronic pain at nearly double the rate of comparable Canadians. Currently, little to no research focusses on CAF Veterans engaging in aquatic exercise as a physical activity-based rehabilitation program. To date, there have been eight randomized clinical trials comparing aquatic exercise to land-based exercise on function or disability for people with lower extremity musculoskeletal pain. While meta-analyses reveal no difference between these two groups in pain, function, and quality of life, this body of research is limited by small sample sizes and risks of bias, making it difficult to draw conclusions and apply the evidence of effectiveness in practice. There are opportunities to improve rigor by conducting a fully powered trial, however, there is need for a pilot study prior to a fully powered trial to determine the feasibility of carrying out the interventions and trial procedures.
Methods
A parallel group pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine the feasibility of conducting a future fully powered RCT to determine the effectiveness of aquatic exercise versus land-based exercise. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to aquatic therapy or land therapy groups. In addition, semi-scripted participant interviews will be conducted in order to understand the acceptability of the interventions and trial methods, as well as barriers, facilitators and strategies for implementation through an interpretive description approach.
Discussion
While there is some existing evidence on the effectiveness of aquatic exercise for individuals living with pain, there is a need to conduct a more rigorous randomized controlled trial, particularly on CAF Veterans. A decision will be taken as to whether the study is recommended to progress to a full randomized controlled trial which includes the perspective of the organization and healthcare providers that are implementing the study protocol as well as the perspective of the participants. The purpose of a future RCT is to assess the effectiveness of aquatic exercise compared to traditional land-based exercise in order improve pain, physical function, and health-related quality of life for CAF Veterans living with pain.
Trial registration: This protocol has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT005869617 – May 16, 2023. https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000D733&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0006MPH&ts=2&cx=t4hlaw
Extragenital and Extrapelvic Endometriosis: Literature Update and Mri Immaging Case Collection of Unusual Localizations
Authors: Meucci Rosaria , Garaci Francesco , Fiaschetti Valeria , Montesanto Francesca , Rufi Flavia , Laudazi Mario , Ryan Colleen Patricia , Russo Consuelo , Manenti Guglielmo
Published: January 2025

Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age and is a significant cause of pelvic pain and infertility. It manifests in three patterns: superficial peritoneal lesions, ovarian endometriomas, and deep infiltrating endometriosis. Our aim is to remind radiologists of the possibility of atypical locations of pelvic and extrapelvic endometriosis and to illustrate their characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging.
The most common site of endometriosis is the ovaries, followed by the pelvic peritoneum. Less common locations include deep subperitoneal tissues, the gastrointestinal tract, the bladder, the thorax, and subcutaneous tissues. We present three rare clinical cases: diaphragmatic endometriosis, inguinal canal endometriosis, and a case of sciatic nerve infiltration. MRI imaging provides important findings that help classify the disease and identify the extent of the lesion, thus facilitating appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Radiologists should be familiar with the MRI imaging findings of deep infiltrating endometriosis in various anatomical sites to provide information that allows for adequate pre-surgical counseling.
WITHDRAWN: Does Digital Transformation improve innovation quality in China
Authors: Xiao Peng , Li Baoxi , He Yuhang
Published: January 2025

The transformation of enterprises towards digitization holds a pivotal position in China's development trajectory driven by innovation, yet the precise mechanisms underlying this process remain obscure. The research examines the influence and underlying mechanisms of digitization on innovation quality, utilizing panel data from 4,229 A-share listed companies (2010–2021). Our analysis reveals a robust and statistically significant positive link between digitization and innovation quality. Specifically, a 10% increase in digitization corresponds to an improvement in innovation quality ranging from 0.45–1.19%, a finding that remains consistent across multiple robustness assessments. Furthermore, our empirical results hint that digitization bolsters innovation quality by facilitating the disclosure of technological innovation risks and securing heightened government subsidies. Additionally, factors such as CEOs possessing overseas work experience, a supportive local environment conducive to innovation marked by high marketization and advantageous business conditions, and a well-established digital infrastructure can significantly augment the strength of this positive correlation through moderating effects. Moreover, digitization fosters both the intensity and efficiency of innovation. This research provides policymakers with invaluable insights into the multifaceted impact of enterprise digitization on innovation. By elucidating these findings, administrators can devise a policy framework to effectively expedite the transition into the contemporary digital era.
Multi-scale ensemble model for dMMR prediction from histopathological images of colorectal cancer
Authors: Petäinen Liisa , Väyrynen Juha P. , Böhm Jan , Ruusuvuori Pekka , Ahtiainen Maarit , Elomaa Hanna , Karjalainen Henna , Kastinen Meeri , Tapiainen Vilja V. , Äijälä Ville K. , Sirniö Päivi , Tuomisto Anne , Mäkinen Markus J. , Mecklin Jukka-Pekka , Pölönen Ilkka , Äyrämö Sami
Published: January 2025

Colorectal cancer, the second most fatal malignancy globally, burdens public healthcare systems. AI-assisted cancer diagnostics could enable significant cost savings. This study presents a multi-scale ensemble model for DNA mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) detection from Whole Slide Images (WSIs). dMMR is a clinically important feature, traditionally identified through labor- and time-intensive DNA analysis. The dMMR prediction capability of non-tumorous regions was also evaluated, but it showed limited potential. Therefore, tumorous regions were utilized. The model, comprising two convolutional neural network (CNN) branches and an XGBoost layer, was trained on 1,228 WSIs. It achieved an F1 score of 0.863 (sensitivity 0.852) on internal testing, and F1 scores of 0.770 (sensitivity 0.868) and 0.743 (sensitivity 0.951) on external test sets of 1,010 and 457 WSIs, respectively. The results indicate that a multi-scale approach can be an effective strategy when developing digital pathology algorithms.
Computational Identification of ECT2 as a Potential Pan-Cancer Biomarker and Therapeutic Target Through Integrated Genomic Data Analysis
Authors: Wang Li , Cao Shan , Song Guodong
Published: January 2025

The ECT2 gene, encoding a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, plays crucial roles in cell cycle progression and cytoskeletal dynamics, implicating its involvement in various cancers. However, a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis integrating genomic data is still lacking. This study employed an integrated approach using data from multiple cancer genomics databases to assess ECT2 across various malignancies. Expression profiles of ECT2 were analyzed for differential expression across tumor stages and its association with clinical outcomes. Correlation analyses examined the relationship between ECT2 expression and immune cell infiltration levels. Pathway enrichment analysis identified biological processes influenced by ECT2 dysregulation in cancer progression. These methods facilitated a comprehensive exploration of ECT2's role in cancer biology, revealing potential implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. Analysis across 33 tumor types consistently shows elevated ECT2 expression. ECT2 correlates with tumor staging in eight cancers and molecular subtypes in 13 cancers, and shows associations with immune subtypes in 22 cancers, suggesting its role in cancer progression and immune modulation. ECT2 demonstrates strong diagnostic potential (AUC > 0.9) in 16 cancers and correlates with poorer overall survival in 11 cancers. ECT2 expression correlates positively with MSI in STAD, MESO, UCEC, and READ, and negatively in DLBC; it correlates positively with TMB in STAD, PAAD, ACC, LGG, and LUAD, and negatively in THYM. ECT2 also exhibits diverse correlations with immune checkpoint genes and specific immune cell types identified through CIBERSORT analysis. ECT2 interacts with proteins like RACGAP1, KIF23, enriched in pathways involving cell polarity, Ras signaling, and tight junctions, impacting cancer progression and stemness in various cancer types. This study offers comprehensive insights into ECT2's role in cancer biology through integrative bioinformatics analyses. The results advocate for ECT2 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diverse malignancies, suggesting avenues for personalized oncology strategies.
Thermal investigation of the coconut husk aerogel for enhanced insulation properties
Authors: Bakhari Nursyafawati , Mansur Fatin Zafirah
Published: January 2025

Insulating buildings effectively is critical for energy conservation. Traditionally, insulation materials have been composed of synthetic polymers or mineral fibers. Recent research has explored the potential of biomass materials, leveraging their inherent insulative properties. To advance these capabilities, converting biomass into aerogel forms offers a promising approach due to their low density and thermal conductivity. This study focuses on producing coconut husk aerogel to assess its thermal insulation performance. The fabrication process involved blending sodium alginate, phytic acid, and coconut husk to create the aerogel. The influence of varying sodium alginate volumes on the fabrication of coconut husk aerogel was systematically investigated, given its crucial role in gelation. The produced aerogels were comprehensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area analysis (BET) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal conductivity measurements were conducted to evaluate their insulation effectiveness. Results demonstrate that the coconut husk aerogel exhibits good insulation properties, characterized by significantly low thermal conductivity.
Completeness of Initial Laboratory Evaluation Impacts Chronic Hepatitis B Outcomes
Authors: Imsirovic Haris , Hung Jui-Hsia (Cleo) , Dumicho Asnake Y. , Manuel Douglas , MacFadden Derek , Cooper Curtis
Published: January 2025

Introduction: The health care burden of chronic hepatis B virus (CHB) infection can be reduced by appropriate work-up, treatment and monitoring.
Methods: As a primary objective, we determined whether adequate initial hepatitis B virus (HBV) laboratory work-up in CHB patients is associated with improved CHB complications risk. Secondary outcomes assessed included: mortality, hospitalization, emergency department and liver specialist visits. We conducted a retrospective cohort study from January 1/2012 to December 31/ 2018. Participants were followed from 12 months post index event until outcome occurrence, death, loss of eligibility, or March 31/2023. Health administrative data from Ontario, Canada was utilized. The study cohort included individuals with at least one positive result of either hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e antigen, or HBV DNA viral load documented during the study window. The exposure of interest was defined as adequate laboratory work-up, defined as having subsequent quantitative HBV DNA, and alanine aminotransferase testing completed within 12 months of the index event. CHB related complications were assessed using previously validated diagnostic codes. Modified Poisson regression modelling was used to estimate relative risks.
Results: The study cohort consisted of 30,794 CHB patients, with a mean age 45.7 years. The majority were male (53.5%) and within the lowest two income quintiles (50.2%). 68.0% underwent adequate workup. Individuals with adequate workup were more likely to be older, male, urban based, and of the highest racialized and newcomer populations quintile. The risk for CHB complications was 1.50 (95% CI 1.36-1.65) times greater among those with adequate workup. Adequate workup was associated with a lower risk of mortality (RR 0.78; 95% CI 0.69-0.87), all-cause hospitalizations (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.74-0.80), all-cause (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.75-0.78) and liver related (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.60-0.75) ED visits.
Conclusions: Adequate CHB clinical workup is associated with improved patient outcomes. Our findings advocate for the comprehensive evaluation of CHB patients using key laboratory tests to optimize clinical management and improve long-term health outcomes. We identified gaps in the workup of young adults, females, and those residing in rural setting which should be addressed to ensure equity of HBV care.
From Gram-Negative Strains to Mortality: Understanding Bacterial Resistance in Mainland China
Authors: Zhao Yi-Chang , Sun Zhi-Hua , Li Jia-Kai , Liu Huai-yuan , Xiao Ming-Xuan , Zhang Bi-Kui , Cao Wei , Yan Miao
Published: January 2025

Background
Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria significantly threaten public health due to limited treatment options and high mortality rates. Understanding the factors influencing their detection and resistance rates is crucial for effective interventions. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the detection and carbapenem resistance rates of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii in China and identify associations with climate, agriculture, economy, and diet.
Method
Data were sourced from CARSS, NBS, and CMDC, covering 1435 hospitals. Descriptive statistics and double fixed effect regression models analyzed associations, using SPSS, RStudio, StataMP, and Python.
Results
From 2014 to 2021, bacterial counts increased from 2,227,420 to 3,743,027, with Gram-negative bacteria constituting 70.3–71.5%. Escherichia coli (29.2–29.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.4–20.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.8–12.7%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (9.1–10.8%) were the most prevalent. Environmental data indicated significant geographic distributions, with median humidity at 65%, median temperature at 15.75°C, and median annual rainfall at 1164.50 mm. Regional disparities in detection and resistance rates were observed, with Escherichia coli showing a median resistance rate of 1.40%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18.55%, Klebsiella pneumoniae 6.10%, and Acinetobacter baumannii 55.30%. Factors like hospital environment and food consumption significantly affected detection rates, while GDP per capita impacted resistance rates. Detection rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa correlated significantly with increased mortality (coefficient 0.2007).
Conclusion
This study highlights the significant regional disparities and factors influencing the detection and resistance rates of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in China, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions considering local climatic, economic, and dietary conditions. Detection and resistance profiles did not significantly affect birth rates and population growth.
Genetic correlation between prostate cancer and central obesity: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Shuai Chen , Jingya Chen
Published: January 2025

Our aim was to apply Mendelian randomization to find possible causal relationships between prostate cancer and central obesity. Based on waist-to-hip ratio GWAS and prostate cancer GWAS data as the experimental group, we used 8 MR methods to explore the possible causal relationship between waist-to-hip ratio and prostate cancer. Situation with P < 0.05 was suggested causal relationship. Gene annotation and Gene Ontology (GO) molecular functional enrichment analysis of meaningful SNPs were performed to find potentially significantly molecular function and enriched genes. Finally, we searched for the overlapping molecular functions of the experimental group and the validation group and the overlapping genes enriched in them. All the 8 methods MR methods showed causal relationship between waist-to-hip ratio and prostate cancer in experimental group. The GO enrichment analysis showed that the molecular function of the main enriched pathway, called DNA-binding transcription activator activity, RNA polymerase II-specific, overlapped in the experimental group and the validation group. Our results manifest that waist-to-hip ratio has a potential causal relationship with prostate cancer.
Serum Sclerostin as a Marker of Microvascular and Macrovascular Complications among Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sallam Dina Ebrahem , Elhenawy Yamsin , Taha Sara , Abdullah Aya , Elsayed Iman
Published: January 2025

Background: Chronically uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) is linked to long-term micro and macrovascular adverse outcomes, through speeding up atherosclerosis and peripheral vascular diseases. Owing to the early cardiac and renal involvement, an early diagnostic biomarker is required. Sclerostin is a Wnt-signaling inhibitor, having a pathophysiological role in vasculopathy, and could be used as a vasculopathy marker, nevertheless, few data are available in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We aimed at assessing its serum level, and the relation to diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications.
Methods: a case control study on pediatric and adolescent patients with T1DM, and healthy controls. Patients were divided according to proteinuria into non-diabetic nephropathy (DN), and DN group. Patients’ clinicodemographic, and anthropometric measurements were obtained, with withdrawal of fasting serum lipid profile, kidney function test, and serum sclerostin. Carotid intimal media thickness (CIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, was measured.
Results:
We included 75 comparable subjects, where median (IQR) serum sclerostin levels was significantly higher in DN, compared to non-DN, and controls [90.83 (82.32 – 115.1), vs 33.29 (28.37 – 38.53), vs 13.5 (10.32 – 15.72) ng/ml respectively, p< 0.001]. Similarly, median (IQR) CIMT was significantly higher in DN, than non-DN and controls [1.1 (0.8 – 1.3), vs 0.11 (0.1 – 0.2), vs 0.11 (0.1 – 0.2) mm, p<0.001]. Serum sclerostin level correlated positively with disease duration, higher HgbA1c%, albuminuria level, and CIMT in all patients. The cut off values of serum sclerostin > 60.0 ng/ml and CIMT >0.3 mm were able to detect DN.
Conclusions: Serum Sclerostin levels could serve as a potential biomarker for micro and macrovascular complications in pediatric patients with T1DM.
Bladder Patch Repair Using Mesothelial Cell-Seeded Autologous Granulation Tissue: An Experimental Study in Male Rabbits
Authors: Yang Lin , Liu Zhao , Yan Lei , Sui Yapeng , Qiu Laiyuan , Sun Yi , Zheng Jianguo , Sun Jiajia , Chang Qinzheng , Gu Gangli
Published: January 2025

Objective
Currently, bladder reconstruction using gastrointestinal segments is considered as the gold standard for bladder repair or augmentation. However, postoperative complications including bowel dysfunction, metabolic abnormalities, chronic urinary tract infection and stone formation are common. This study aims to evaluate the utility of the compound graft for bladder patch repair by seeding mesothelial cells onto autogenous granulation tissue.
Methods
22 Fr silastic tubes were implanted subcutaneously in 18 male rabbits. The animals were equally divided into two groups. In the experimental group, nine animals underwent omentum biopsies and mesothelial cells were cultured and expanded in vitro. Two weeks after the implantation, the autologous granulation tissue encapsulating the silastic tubes were harvested. The tissue was cut longitudinally and trimmed to 2×2 cm2. In the experimental group, mesothelial cells were seeded onto the outer surface of the tissue and cocultured for 7 days to construct a compound graft. In each animal, a full-thickness defect of 2×2 cm2 in the anterior wall of the bladder was created. The defect was repaired with the constructed compound graft in the experimental group and with the granulation tissue directly in the control group. The bladder was harvested and analyzed grossly and histologically at 1, 2 and 6 months postoperatively. In addition, urodynamics were performed 6 months postoperatively to evaluate the function of the bladder.
Results
In the experimental group, no severe fibrosis and shrinkage were observed postoperatively and the mucosa at the grafts site appeared sleek and normal in color. Histologically, multilayers of urothelium surrounded by increasingly organized smooth muscles were observed. In contrast, severe contracture and fibrosis of the grafts occured in the control group. Gross examination of bladder mucosa revealed ulcer and stone formation at the site of the grafts. Histologically, accumulation of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, and extensive scarring occurred. Six months after surgery, the urodynamic results showed that the experimental group had a larger bladder capacity, a lower maximum intravesical pressure and a better bladder compliance.
Conclusions
Mesothelial cell-seeded granulation tissue can be successfully used for bladder patch repair in male rabbits.
Improving Execution Concurrency in Partial-Order Plans via Block-Substitution
Authors: Noor Sabah Binte , Siddiqui Fazlul Hasan
Published: January 2025

Partial-order plans in AI planning facilitate execution flexibility and several other tasks, such as plan reuse, modification, and decomposition, due to their less constrained nature. A Partial-Order Plan (POP) allows two actions with no ordering between them, thus providing the flexibility of executing actions in different sequences. This flexibility can be further extended by enabling parallel execution of actions in the POP to reduce its overall execution time. While extensive studies exist on improving the flexibility of a POP by optimizing its action orderings through plan deordering and reordering, there has been limited focus on the flexibility of executing actions concurrently in a plan. Execution concurrency in a POP can be achieved by incorporating action non-concurrency constraints, specifying which actions can not be executed in parallel. This work establishes the conditions for non-concurrency constraints between action pairs for a planning task, and also introduces an algorithm to improve a plan’s concurrency by optimizing resource utilization through substitutions of its subplans with respect to the corresponding planning task. Our algorithm employs block deordering that eliminates orderings in a POP by encapsulating coherent actions in blocks, and then exploits blocks as candidate subplans for substitutions. Experiments over the benchmark problems from International Planning Competitions (IPC) exhibit considerable improvement in plan concurrency.
Prodelphinidin from Purple Sweet Potato Induces Apoptosis in Human Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells via Reactive Oxygen Species and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Through the Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathways
Authors: Zhang Jiluan , Chen Zihan , Wang Shibo , Kong Lingxue , Liu Jinjuan
Published: January 2025

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive and heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer, lacks an effective targeted therapy. Conventional medication has limited efficacy in treating TNBC, which highlights the potential of developing therapeutic agents from natural bioactive compounds. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of prodelphinidin (PD), an anthocyanin found in purple sweet potato, in human MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 cells. The results showed that PD selectively inhibited human breast cancer, particularly TNBC. Furthermore, PD demonstrated significant dose- and time-dependent inhibition of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 cell activity. Flow cytometry and western blot analysis revealed that PD induced cell apoptosis by down-regulating Bcl-2, activating caspase-3/9, and cleaving PARP. Additionally, PD treatment upregulated the expression of p-elF2α, GRP78, and CHOP, indicating the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). PD treatment also increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased superoxide dismutase（SOD）activity in TNBC cells. The cytotoxicity of PD reduced significantly by pre-treatment with caspase inhibitors (Ac-DEVD-CHO and Z-LEHD-FMK). In conclusion, PD effectively inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in TNBC cells through the activation of ROS and endoplasmic reticulum stress.