bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Software Development and Application for Sound Wave Analysis
Authors: Jekal Eunsung , Kim Younju , Ku Juhyun , Park Hyoeun
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we developed our own software that can analyze piano performance by utilizing short-time Fourier transform, non-negative matrix decomposition, and root mean square. In addition, for the reliability of the developed software, we provided results reflecting the characteristics of various performers and signal analysis. In conclusion, it shows the possibility that musical flow and waveform analysis can be visually interpreted in various ways. Based on this, we were also able to derive an additional approach suitable for designing the system to seamlessly connect hearing and vision.
Factors Affecting School Music Teacher’s Professional Well-being: A Pilot Study in Mainland China
Authors: Guo Jinyi , Yang Yang
Published: January 2025

This study 1) examines the job satisfaction, resilience, and self-efficacy profiles of school music educators in mainland China and 2) further analyses the relationship between these qualities and teachers’ well-being amid the ongoing national curriculum reform. The research surveyed 448 school music teachers from thirteen cities across China to complete a questionnaire incorporating five validated scales. The PERMA questionnaire assessed the general well-being of the teachers, while the Teacher Job Satisfaction Scale (TJSS), Multidimensional Teachers’ Resilience Scale (MTRS), and Music Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (MTSS) gathered data on job satisfaction, resilience, and self-efficacy, specifically. The data were analysed by structural equation modelling, with well-being as the dependent variable and the dimensions of the composite scale as independent variables, to investigate the predictive influence of these parameters on well-being and the interrelationship among these variables. The research categorised the questionnaire items into personal, professional, and organisational factors underpinning the teachers' professional well-being concept. Add Path analyses were also conducted to investigate the multifaceted influences on teachers' professional well-being and to determine the interrelationships among these factors. The study's results offer an empirical foundation for educational administrators to identify and optimise key factors influencing teachers' professional well-being, thereby enhancing their working environment and augmenting job satisfaction and psychological well-being.
Electronic Correlations in Ferromagnetic Heusler Alloy ln2MnW: Insights from First-Principles Calculations
Authors: Khan Abdul Munam , Zahoor Uzma
Published: January 2025

First-principles calculations are performed to examine the physical features of full Heusler ln2MnW. The WIEN2K code is utilized with the variety of approximations, including the GGA and GGA + U, to examine the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties. The unit cell is optimized to achieve the ground state energy level. The calculated ΔH for In2MnW is -0.189 eV. This negative ΔH value signifies the thermodynamic stability of the compound. The metallic behavior of the investigated compound is confirmed by the calculated band structure (BS) with both potentials. These potentials are also used to calculate the total density of the state, which confirm their metallic nature. Total magnetic moment value is recorded as 4.3 µB while addition of U parameter slightly enhances its value to 4.4 µB. These studied properties indicate that ln2MnW has a metallic ferromagnetic character and is ideally appropriate for the usage of mass storage devices as a ferromagnetic material.
Central Nervous System Infection by Free-Living Nematode Cephalobus cubaensis in a Human Host in Africa
Authors: Sriruttan-Nel Charlotte , Cairns Chelline , Boughan Shareen , Moodley Bhavani , Sun Lisa Ming , Chan Wai Yin , Ismail Arshad , Mwazha Absalom , Bennimahadeo Praniel , Manickchund Nithendra , Moyo Mthabisi , Nkwanyana Thabani , Msimang Mpumelelo Z , Essa Ahmed , Frean John , Moosa Mahomed-Yunus
Published: January 2025

Human central nervous system infections due to free-living nematodes, although extremely rare, are usually fatal. Immunodeficiency has not been a feature of most of these cases, unlike the situation pertaining to disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis infection. An elderly immunocompetent man presented with a history of tinnitus and otalgia, progressing to central nervous system involvement with confusion, weakness and other neurological signs. Examination revealed a unilateral external auditory canal soft tissue mass, and radiological evidence of ipsilateral temporal bone destruction and brain parenchymal disease. Biopsy of the ear canal mass revealed the presence of an unidentified nematode species, and treatment with anthelminthics was started. The patient’s clinical condition deteriorated and he demised shortly after admission to the intensive care unit. The immediate cause of death was bronchopneumonia. At autopsy extensive involvement of the right middle cranial fossa was found, with destruction of the squamous and petrous parts of the temporal bone. We identified adult, larval and egg stages of a free-living nematode in the ante-mortem external auditory canal tissue mass and in the post-mortem brain samples. Polymerase chain reaction assays, with Sanger and whole genome sequencing, identified Cephalobus cubaensis. This is a free-living species not previously known to be pathogenic to humans, although nematodes of the same genus have caused mastitis in horses. Microscopic appearance and the invasive behaviour of the pathogen evoked a putative diagnosis of Halicephalobus gingivalis, the most frequently reported free-living nematode infecting humans. However, this the nematode’s size and anatomical features, and the clinical presentation and duration of illness, prompted consideration of an alternative species. We speculate that an initial bacterial otitis externa provided the opportunity for colonisation by the nematode from an environmental source, and subsequent invasion.
Global Map Optimization based Real-time UAV Geolocation without GNSS
Authors: Xu Weibo , Liu Jieyu , Yang Dongfang , Li Yongfei , Zhou Maoan
Published: January 2025

Maintaining real-time and stable geolocation for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using pre-existing geolocation information remains a pivotal and pressing challenge in the realm of autonomous navigation and localization. To tackle this, we introduce a framework that integrates visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (vSLAM) with a deep-learning-based UAV-to-satellite (U2S) image matching technique, specifically tailored for downward-tilted camera setups. This framework incorporates a similarity-based heterogeneous image matching approach, enabling 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) U2S prediction for UAVs. Utilizing this prediction, we devise a single-shot global initialization method for rapid and robust global initialization. Furthermore, to bolster localization accuracy, we propose an iterative map fusion method that integrates U2S predictions with visual data from vSLAM in real-time. Evaluations conducted using aerial datasets demonstrate the proposed method’s capability to facilitate rapid and effective global initialization, as well as real-time and accurate estimation of the UAV’s geographical pose.
Innovative Use of High-Resolution Training Data and ResNet for Enhanced Land-Use Classification with Sentinel-2 Imagery
Authors: Bilotta Giuliana , Bibbò Luigi , Meduri Giuseppe Maria , Genovese Emanuela , Barrile Vincenzo
Published: January 2025

The classification of land cover and use (LULC) is essential for territorial government, and environmental planning. Satellite images obtained in the Copernicus European program are crucial in various fields of spatial management, particularly in the conservation of cultural and natural resources. This is largely due to their wide dissemination, allowing multiple institutions and organizations to utilize them. However, their low resolution can hinder the precision of supervised AI (Artificial Intelligence) classifiers, vital for continuous land-use monitoring, especially during the training phase. This phase can be costly owing to the need for advanced technology and extensive training datasets. The research focuses on the development of an AI classifier that leverages high-resolution training data and the powerful ResNet architecture with the Benchmark for Remote Sensing Image Classification (RSI-CB128). ResNet, known for its deep residual learning capabilities, significantly enhances the classifier's ability to learn complex patterns and features from high-resolution images. A testing dataset derived from Sentinel-2 raster images is utilised to analyse the performance of the neural network (NN). Our objectives are the evaluation and full confirmation of the effectiveness of an AI classifier applied to Sentinel-2 images produced with high-definition sensors. The findings indicate substantial improvements over current classification methods, such as U-Net and OBIA, underscoring the transformative potential of ResNet in advancing land-use classification accuracy.
Influence of Chemical Kinetics on Tulip Flame Formation in Highly Reactive and Low Reactive Mixtures
Authors: Liberman Michael , Qian Chengeng
Published: January 2025

The early stages of flame dynamics and the development and evolution of tulip flames in closed tubes of various aspect ratios and in a half-open tube are studied by solving the fully compressible reactive Navier–Stokes equations using a high-order numerical method coupled to detailed chemical models in stoichiometric hydrogen/air and methane/air mixtures. The use of adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) provides adequate resolution of the flame reaction zone, pressure waves, and flame-pressure wave interactions. The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper insight into the influence of chemical kinetics on the combustion regimes leading to the formation of a tulip flame and its subsequent evolution. The simulations highlight the effect of laminar flame velocity and reaction order on the physical mechanism of tulip flame formation and evolution. It is shown that the intensity of the pressure and rarefaction waves generated by the flame at the acceleration and deceleration stages depends on the rate of flame acceleration and deceleration. Since the rate of flame acceleration and deceleration depends on the value of the laminar flame velocity, tulip flame formation and evolution are much faster in a highly reactive mixture.
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life After Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation—A Clinical Study
Authors: Vovk Nina , Urek Manca , Cankar Ksenija , Nemeth Lidija
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess oral health-related quality of life in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic haematopoietic bone marrow transplantation. Methods: A clinical examination was carried out on 23 patients, aged 42.28 ± 16.66 years, who were diagnosed with chronic graft-versus-host disease, in order to assess the number and progression of dental caries lesions and the presence of dental plaque. Caries risk was assessed using the Cariogram based on data from the clinical examination, general health, and diet questionnaires. Patients completed the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire. The scores from each area were summed to determine the Oral Health Impact Profile summary score. Samples of saliva were collected from the same patients, and salivary tests (unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow, pH value of unstimulated and stimulated saliva, buffering capacity of stimulated saliva, colony density of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans bacteria) were performed. Results: Greater psychological discomfort correlated with a lower unstimulated salivary flow rate (R = -0.511, p = 0.0212), a lower pH of stimulated saliva (R = -0.495, p = 0.0266), more tooth sites with cavitated dentin lesions (R = 0.609, p = 0.0034) and fewer teeth (R = -0.599, p = 0.0041). A higher Oral Health Impact Profile summary score correlated with a lower pH of the stimulated saliva (R = -0.486, p = 0.0297), fewer teeth (R = -0.726, p = 0.00019), more tooth sites with cavitated dentin lesions (R = 0.588, p = 0.00509) and a higher caries risk (R = 0.542, p = 0.0112). A poorer assessment of oral health correlated with a higher caries risk (R = 0.512, p = 0.0177). Conclusions: In summary, the study showed that patients have lower oral health-related quality of life as a consequence of diminished salivary flow rate therefore elevated caries risk factors and negative effect on oral health.
Deferred f-Statistical Convergence of Generalized Difference Sequences of Order α
Authors: León-Saavedra Fernando , Et Mikail , Temizsu Fatih
Published: January 2025

Studies on difference sequences was introduced in
the 1980s and then many mathematicians studied on these kind of sequences and
obtained some generalized difference sequence spaces. In this paper, using the
generalized difference operator, we introduce the concept of deferred
$f-$statistical convergence of generalized difference sequences of order
$\alpha$ and give some inclusion relations between deferred $f-$statistical
convergence of generalized difference sequences and deferred $f-$statistical
convergence of generalized difference sequences of order $\alpha$. Our results
are more general than the corresponding results in the existing literature.
Systems Engineering of Large Language Models for Enterprise Applications
Authors: Singh Shubham
Published: January 2025

This report provides a comprehensive systems engineering analysis of Large Language Model (LLM) adoption in enterprise environments, emphasizing the need for a structured implementation approach to ensure success. It examines key aspects of LLM deployment, including customization techniques such as Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning (PEFT), Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA), and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), while addressing challenges related to computational resource management, model safety, and ethical considerations. The study outlines a framework covering the entire LLM lifecycle, from initial needs assessment to deployment and maintenance, with a focus on data management strategies, infrastructure requirements, and integration methods. Additionally, it offers a comparative analysis of fine-tuning existing models versus developing in-house solutions, providing practical guidance for overcoming implementation challenges. The findings underscore the importance of balancing technical capabilities with operational constraints and ensuring robust security, compliance, and ethical standards.
Thus Spoke the Algorithm: On the Functional Constructs and Mathematical Foundations of Spiking Neural Networks
Authors: El Maachi Soukaina , Saadane Rachid , Chehri Abdellah
Published: January 2025

The human brain is a marvel of evolutionary engineering, a system of astonishing complexity and efficiency. Its ability to process vast amounts of information and withstand disruptions is largely due to the elaborate networks of neurons and synapses. The efforts of modern science to replicate this natural efficiency through the development of artificial neural systems is, in essence, an attempt to externalize and actualize the implicit potential of nature’s order. This challenge has long eluded traditional computational models. Artificial Neural Networks despite their sophistication, are energy-intensive and cumbersome, requiring vast amounts of memory and processing power to account for the temporal variability of events that unfold over varying durations and intensities. These systems, while useful, often fall short of capturing the full complexity of nature’s patterns. Enter Spiking Neural Networks, a new class of bio-inspired models that draw directly from the brain’s way of processing information. Unlike conventional neural networks, which operate continuously, SNNs rely on discrete spikes, closely mimicking the time-based behavior of biological neurons. This ability to handle time-varying information efficiently mirrors the brain’s rhythms and offers a more energy-conscious solution to understanding dynamic systems.
Bridging the Skills Gap: A Case for Micro-Credentials in Academic Programs in Institutions of Higher Learning
Authors: Epaphras Nicodemus
Published: January 2025

Nowadays, there is an increasing amount of scholarly literature highlighting the significant demand placed upon higher education institutions to equip students for the workforce and enhance their employability skills citing that most institutions produce graduates who lack the competences required in the job market. This theoretical paper explores the crucial role of micro-credentials in higher education programs amidst the changing job landscape. It addresses the skills gap by providing insights on how learners can obtain and provide tangible evidence of skills acquired to their prospective employees through digital badges, tailored to meet industry needs. Micro-credentials offer solutions for bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, focusing on key competencies which include but are not limited to analytical thinking and technological literacy. The paper examines potential benefits of Micro-credentials, including flexibility and affordability, along with challenges like, time constraints on the side of students, lack of faculty awareness, accreditation issues and challenges related to their alignment with traditional education. Further, strategies for overcoming obstacles are proposed, with emphasis on collaboration and technology integration. Additionally, it highlights organizations/ institutions offering micro-credential courses, showcasing the growing recognition of these credentials in meeting the needs of learners and the workforce. This paper makes a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse on employability of graduates by emphasizing the strategic integration of micro-credentials in academic programs as an innovative approach to addressing skills gaps, fostering industry alignment, and enhancing workforce readiness in higher education.
Structural Equation Modeling Techniques for Estimating Score Dependability within Generalizability Theory-Based Univariate, Multivariate, and Bifactor Designs
Authors: Vispoel Walter P. , Lee Hyeryung , Chen Tingting
Published: January 2025

Generalizability theory (GT) provides an all-encompassing framework for estimating accuracy of scores and effects of multiple sources of measurement error when using measures intended for either norm or criterion referencing purposes. Structural equation models (SEMs) can reproduce results obtained from GT-based analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) procedures while further extending those procedures to correct for scale coarseness, derive Monte Carlo based confidence intervals for key parameters, separate universe score variance into general and group factor effects, and determine subscale score viability. We demonstrate how to apply these techniques in R to univariate, multivariate, and bifactor designs using a novel indicator-mean approach to estimating absolute error. When representing responses to items from the Music Self-Perception Inventory (MUSPI-S) using two-, four-, and eight-point response metrics over two occasions, SEMs accurately reproduced results from the ANOVA-based mGENOVA package for univariate and multivariate designs and yielded score accuracy and subscale viability indices within bifactor designs comparable to those from corresponding multivariate designs. Corrections for scale coarseness improved score accuracy on all response metrics but to a greater extent with dichotomously scored items. Despite the dominance of general-factor effects, subscale viability was supported in all instances with transient measurement error leading to the greatest reductions in score accuracy.
Surgical Treatment and Postoperative Surveillance for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Authors: Shibutani Masatsune , Kasashima Hiroaki , Fukuoka Tatsunari , Maeda Kiyoshi
Published: January 2025

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a genetic disease caused by an APC mutation. It develops into multiple adenomatous polyps when patients are in their early 20s and eventually transforms into colorectal cancer at 100% penetrance unless treated. Therefore, prophylactic surgery is recommended as the only effective treatment option. However, individual approaches, such as total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, proctocolectomy with stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), proctocolectomy with mucosectomy and handsewn IPAA, and total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy, are required based on the balance between the risk of metachronous rectal cancer, postoperative complications, and a decreased anal function. We herein summarize the current evidence regarding the surgical treatment and postoperative surveillance for FAP.
Evaluating the Cost-Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine-Coated vs. Standard PICCs in Hematology Patients: A Health-Economic Analysis
Authors: Xu Jia , Zare Hossein , Chiu Herng-Chia , Castillo Renan C.
Published: January 2025

This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of using chlorhexidine-coated peripheral insertion central catheters (AGBA PICC) versus the standard peripheral insertion central catheters (the standard PICC) in managing catheter-related complications among hematology patients. A decision-tree health-economic model was developed, incorporating quality-adjusted life years (QALY) derived from literature, as well as complication rates and per-patient costs from a randomized controlled trial. The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was assessed against established willingness-to-pay thresholds. One-way sensitivity analyses addressed assumptions and uncertainties. The mean healthcare cost per patient of the standard PICC is RMB 21,987.32 (USD 3,242.82, at an average exchange rate of ¥678.03 = $100), affecting 0.68 QALYs in 90 days, and AGBA PICC is RMB 19,696.23 (USD 2,904.92), affecting 0.73 QALYs in 90 days, thus resulting in incremental costs of RMB 2,291.10 (USD 428.44). After the model’s simulation, the standard PICC gains -0.05 QALYs. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) for AGBA PICCs compared to standard PICCs is consistently centered at RMB 4,271.31 (USD 629.96). One-way sensitivity analyses of effectiveness and cost versus willingness to pay (WTP) confirmed the robustness of the model across various parameter changes, indicating that chlorhexidine-coated peripheral insertion central catheters could provide significant healthcare savings over a one-year period when adopted in routine chemotherapy treatment for hematology patients.
The Biotechnological Potential of Bacteria Isolated From Environmental Samples of Mines and Reserve Areas in Honduras
Authors: Melgas Valeriano Alejandra , Rietti-Osorio Mario , Valle-Ordoñez Paola , Mejía David , Ordoñez Martínez Tanya Saray , Ortiz-Morazán Andrés S.
Published: January 2025

Biotechnology provides sustainable solutions for soil and ecological deterioration resulting from human activities. This study investigated the biotechnological potential of strains isolated from environmental samples collected in protected areas and mines of Honduras, focusing on their application for producing biofertilizers and bioremediation. 63 samples were collected from: soil, soil covers, mine waters, and hot springs. From these, 118 bacterial strains were isolated and characterized using microbiological and molecular techniques. The genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Azospirillum, and Azotobacter were associated with some of the isolated strains and stood out for their ability to solubilize potassium, fix nitrogen and produce bioactive compounds. Isolates related to bacteria of the genera Bacillus and Pseudomonas demonstrated potential use in biotechnology. Furthermore, some strains exhibited significant genetic diversity and biological similarity to bacterial genera and species utilized in pollution remediation and soil fertility improvement. A small group shows atypical morphologies, including pleomorphic, filamentous structures, features with vacuole-like traits, pigment production, iridescence, and metallic sheen. These results highlight the microbial biodiversity present in soil covers of protected Honduran ecosystems and their importance as reservoirs of microorganisms with biotechnological applications. This study emphasizes the importance of preserving these natural regions, not only for biodiversity preservation but also for utilizing their potential in formulating sustainable solutions to environmental and agricultural challenges.
Narrating a Sharing Business Model in Adventure Sport Tourism
Authors: Larson Mia , Cassinger Cecilia
Published: January 2025

This paper explores sharing business models in the context of the tourism and hospitality industry, drawing on a longitudinal case study of the development process for a sharing-based business in adventure tourism in Sweden. The purpose is to understand how sharing business models emerge through processes of ideological narration. The case study spanned over two years, and the empirical data was drawn from in-depth interviews, observations of meetings, and digital documents. The paper suggests that sharing business models can be conceptualised as ideological narrative performances designed to attract labour, capital and users to a digital platform. The study identifies four master narratives – sharing, sustainability, shared identity, and profit-making – and illustrates how these narratives are strategically employed to build and sustain the business. The findings reveal that sharing business models are grounded in ideological narratives with conflicting logics. Moreover, the dominance of these narratives shifts over time, reflecting different priorities and challenges encountered at various stages of a sharing business model´s development. This dynamic highlights the fluid and multi-faceted nature of narratives shaping sharing business models.
Uncovering New Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer through Proteomic and Network Analysis
Authors: Rossi Rossana , Borroni Elena Monica , Yusuf Ishak , Lomagno Andrea , Hegazi Mohamed AAA , Mauri Pietro Luigi , Grizzi Fabio , Taverna Gianluigi , Di Silvestre Dario
Published: January 2025

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent solid tumor among men globally and the leading non-skin cancer in American men. In 2020 alone, approximately 1.4 million new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed worldwide, representing 14.1% of all new cancer cases in men. This multifactorial disease exhibits substantial variation in incidence and mortality across different ethnic groups and geographic regions. Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) remains widely used as a biomarker for PCa, its limitations reduce its effectiveness for accurate detection. Consequently, finding biomarkers that can either complement or replace PSA is a major goal in PCa research. Methods: Urine samples were collected from healthy individuals (n=5) and patients with low- and high-risk PCa (4 and 7 subjects, respectively) and were analyzed using proteomic data-derived systems biology approaches. The most promising potential biomarkers were further investigated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to assess their associations with clinical and histopathological characteristics in a larger in silico patient population. Results: In addition to describing the variations of the urinary proteome, the integration of protein profiles, network models and TCGA database has highlighted new potential biomarkers, including CPM, KRT8, ITIH2 and RCN1 that could enhance PCa management. Conclusions: Our findings support the technical feasibility of this combined approach for biomarker discovery and suggest further investigation into specific urinary proteins as potential novel biomarkers in larger patient cohorts.
Gestational and Type 2 Diabetes in Relation to Urinary Incontinence in US Black Women
Authors: Cozier Yvette C , Castro-Webb Nelsy , Bertrand Kimberly A. , Ndama Miatta , Chai Toby C , Harlow Bernard L , Kandadai Padmasini , Sheehy Shanshan , Rosenberg Lynn
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition in women of all ages. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been associated with UI, but Gestational diabetes (GD), glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy, has received relatively little attention as an independent risk factor for UI. We explored the roles of GD and T2D, independently and in combination, on risk of UI in the Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS) a follow-up of US Black women aged 21-69 at enrolment in 1995. Methods: We analyzed the 28,978 parous women who had information on GD, T2D, and UI in 2011. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using logistic regression with adjustment for several important variables, including age, parity, body mass index, and diuretic use. We also stratified analyses according to T2D status (T2D, no T2D). Results: The multivariable-adjusted ORs for women with a history of GD, compared to those without, was 1.18 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.37), for UI frequency of ≥1/week; the estimate among women with a history of T2D, compared to those without, was 1.15 (1.06, 1.26) for the same frequency. In stratified analyses, GD was associated with a 24% increased risk of weekly UI among women without a history T2D, while there was no association observed among those with a history of T2D. Conclusions: In the BWHS, GD was positively associated with urinary incontinence, independent of T2D status. Our results suggest that women who experience GD – even without subsequent development of T2D - might be at increased risk of UI and may benefit from early intervention.
Sex Steroids and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Interactions in the Nervous System: A Comprehensive Review of Scientific Data
Authors: de Assis Gilmara Gomes , de Sousa Maria Bernardete Cordeiro , Murawska-Cialowicz Eugenia
Published: January 2025

Sex steroids and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) participate in neural tissue formation, phenotypic differentiation, and neuroplasticity. All these processes are essential for the health and maintenance of the central nervous system. Aim: To elucidate the interaction mechanisms between BDNF and sex steroids in neuronal function. Method: A series of searches were performed using the Mesh terms for androgen/receptor, estrogens/receptors, and BDNF/receptor, and a collection of the scientific data available on PubMed up to February 2022, on the mechanical interactions between BDNF and sex steroids was included in this literature review. Discussion: Sex steroids influence the formation and/or maintenance of neural circuits via different mechanisms, including the regulation of BDNF expression and signaling. Estrogens exert a time- and region-specific effect on BDNF synthesis. The nuclear estrogen receptor can directly regulate BDNF expression, independently of estrogen presence, in neuronal cells; whereas, progesterone and testosterone upregulate BDNF expression via their specific nuclear receptors. In addition, testosterone has a positive effect on BDNF release by glial cells, which lack androgen receptors.
Outcome Analysis of Preemptive Embolization of Collateral Branches of the Abdominal Aorta During Standard Infrarenal Endovascular Aortic Repair
Authors: Bellosta Raffaello , D'Amario Francesco , Luzzani Luca , Pegorer Matteo Alberto , Pucci Alessandro , Casali FRancesco , Attisani Luca
Published: January 2025

Objectives. To report the results of the preemptive embolization of the collateral branches of the abdominal aorta in patients undergoing standard bifurcated EVAR. Methods. It is a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study of consecutive patients treated electively with standard EVAR between October 1st, 2013, and December 31st, 2022, and with a follow-up of 2-years at least. We divided the patients in two groups: no embolization (group A) and preemptive embolization of aortic collateral branches (group B). Primary outcomes were overall survival, freedom from aorta-related mortality (ARM), and freedom from T2E-related reintervention. The secondary outcome was the assessment of freedom from an aneurysm sac increase. Results. We analyzed 265 EVARs: 183 (69.1%) in group A, and 82 (30.9%) in group B. The median follow-up was 48 months [interquartile (IQR), 28-65.5], and it was not different between the two groups (P = 0.098). Estimated cumulative survival was 87% (0.2) at 2 years (95%CI: 82.6-92.9) and 67% (0.3) at 5 years (95%CI: 60.3-73.1) with no difference between the groups (P = 0.263). Aorta-related mortality rate was 1.1% (n = 3), following open conversion for endograft infection (n = 2), and secondary aortic rupture (n = 1). The freedom from T2E-related reintervention was 99% (0.01) at 2 years (95%CI: 99.4-99.8) and 88% (0.3) at 5 years (95%CI: 81.4-92.5): there was no difference between the groups (P = 0.282). Cox’s regression analysis identified age > 80 years as an independent negative predictor for survival (HR: 3.5, 95%CI: 2.27-5.50, P < 0.001), and T2E-related reintervention (HR: 2.4, 95%CI: 1.05-5.54, P = 0.037). Conclusions. Preemptive embolization of the aortic collateral branches does not confer better aor-ta-related outcomes after EVAR.
Practitioners' Rule of Thumb for Quantum Volume
Authors: Dalla Torre Emanuele G.
Published: January 2025

Quantum volume (QV) is a widely recognized metric for assessing the practical capabilities of quantum computers, as it provides an estimate of the largest quantum circuit that can be reliably executed. However, measuring QV on a real device requires comparing experimental outcomes with ideal theoretical results—a process that rapidly becomes computationally expensive. By examining the cumulative impact of errors in two-qubit gates, we present a simple, accessible ’rule of thumb’ that relates the quantum volume directly to the average error rate of native gates. Our formula shows a strong agreement with experimental data from leading quantum computing platforms, including both superconducting and trapped-ion systems. This straightforward model offers a clear, intuitive guideline for predicting quantum hardware performance, enabling more informed decisions regarding circuit design and resource allocation.
Adipokines as Cardioprotective Factors: BAT Steps Up to the Plate
Authors: McLeod Keely , Datta Victoria , Fuller Scott E
Published: January 2025

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death throughout most of the industrialized world. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated pathologies are underlying factors in the etiology of cardiovascular disease, as well as a plethora of other maladies which cause excess morbidity and mortality. Adipose tissue (AT) has come to be regarded as a bona fide endocrine organ which secretes specific molecular entities constituting part of a complex web of inter-organ crosstalk that functions as a key determinant of whole-body metabolic phenotype. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has classically been regarded as a thermogenic tissue exerting its metabolic effects primarily through its capacity to oxidize substrate decoupled from ATP resynthesis, thereby resulting in increased energy expenditure (EE) and heat production. However, in recent years, BAT has begun to receive attention as a secretory organ in its own right. The molecules secreted specifically by BAT have been termed “batokines” and currently available evidence supports the notion that batokines exert favorable metabolic effects on multiple organ systems. While maintenance of healthy body composition by conferring resistance to excessive adiposity is a rather obvious mechanism by which BAT operates via increased EE, effects on critical organs such as the heart remain unclear. This narrative review focuses on four types of batokines for which evidence of modulation of cardiovascular function exists, namely FGF21, neuregulin 4, 12,13-diHOME, and microRNAs. Given the overwhelming burden of cardiometabolic disease, further study of the functions of BAT and its secretome is warranted and will intensify in the future.
Synthetic Melatonin and/or Phytomelatonin Contents in Different Commercial Phytotherapeutic Supplements
Authors: CASTEJON-CASTILLEJO ANA , Hernández-Ruiz Josefa , Cano Antonio , Arnao Marino B.
Published: January 2025

In these times and with the pace of life we have developed, many people need help falling asleep due to poor sleep hygiene, among other reasons. Thus, in mild cases, it is recommended to use natural therapies, such as phytotherapy, avoiding in the first instance the use of drugs. Melatonin is considered a versatile molecule widely used today. It is included as a main ingredient in dietary supplements that are, in some cases, accompanied by medicinal plants as botanical mix, generating beneficial products for sleep disorders among other conditions. The dietary phytotherapeutic supplements evaluated in this work contain various concentrations of melatonin and other products, resulting in different effects on sleep therapy. The aim of this work is to reveal the quantitative differences that exist between the melatonin contents labeled in the products and those analyzed. The degradation rate of this hormone at three years in the phytotherapeutic supplements is also studied, in order to re-evaluate the expiration dates of these products. As conclusion, the mixture between synthetic melatonin and different botanical mix is very common in the supplements studied here and aimed at improving sleep. However, the most natural thing would be to be able to use only plants with sufficient phytomelatonin content to eliminate the inclusion of chemically synthesized melatonin in the preparations. We propose the use of a particular raw plant material with excellent characteristics for this purpose.
Optimizing Methanol Flow Rate for Enhanced Semi-Passive Mini-Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Performance
Authors: Faria Laura , Barragán V.María
Published: January 2025

A parametric experimental study was carried out to study the influence of temperature (25-40°C), concentration (0.15-6 wt. % methanol in water) and rate of the methanol flow (1.12-8.65 g/s) on the performance of a single mini-direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) operating in semi passive mode with passive cathode and active anode. Open circuit voltage, maximum power density and cell efficiency were analyzed. To this purpose, open circuit voltage and current-voltage curves were measured in different experimental conditions. Results indicate that temperature is the most decisive parameter to increase DMFC performance. The performance increases with operation temperature, independently of the concentration and rate of the methanol flow. However, the impact of the concentration and flow rate depends on the value of the other parameters. The operating optimal concentration was 1 %wt. The results show that switching from passive to semi-passive mode improves fuel cell performance, but a subsequent increase in flow rate leads to a decrease in performance. An optimum value of the flow rate is observed dependent on methanol flow temperature and concentration.
High-Throughput Sequencing-Based Analysis of Rhizosphere Bacterial Diversity Among High Yield and Low Yield of Sugarcane
Authors: Kumar Himanshu , Kumar Pankaj , Prajapati Malyaj R. , Bharti Mahesh Kumar , Prakash Satya , Dixit Rekha , Khilari Kamal , Pathak Aditya , Kumar Satendra
Published: January 2025

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a vital agro-industrial crop, significantly contributing to the economy of many tropical and subtropical regions, including India. The country is one of the largest producers of sugarcane, with Uttar Pradesh leading as a prominent state in terms of sugarcane cultivation. Sugarcane is not only a primary source of sugar but also a renewable source of bioenergy, ethanol, and other industrial products. However, the productivity of sugarcane varies widely, with some fields demonstrating exceptionally high yields, while others yield poorly, despite being subjected to similar agronomic practices. One of the key factors contributing to this yield disparity, which has gained attention in recent years, is the rhizospheric microbiome. The rhizosphere, the narrow region of soil influenced by root secretions and associated soil microorganisms, plays a crucial role in plant growth and development. This study investigates the composition of rhizosphere microbiota in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. By analysing the microbial communities associated with sugarcane rhizosphere, we aim to explain the interactions between plants and their microbial partners that contribute to growth and development. According to our findings, the microbial population is dominated and diversified, with bacterial phyla like Pseudomonadota, Bacillota, Bacteroidota, Candidatus, Saccharibacteria, Actinomycetota, Myxococcota, Acidobacteriota, and Planctomycetota predominating. Furthermore, we demonstrate that specific microbial taxa are consistently associated with high and low yielding sugarcane, suggesting their potential as bioindicators for crop health and productivity. This study highlights the significance of rhizosphere bacteria in the context of sustainable sugarcane farming. In order to increase sugarcane resilience and yield, this study lays the groundwork for future investigations into the advantageous characteristics of rhizosphere bacteria.
Detection of Gastrointestinal Coinfections using the FilmArray® GI Panel in Patients with Diarrhoeal Disease in Mexicali, Baja California
Authors: Felix Escobedo Marisol , Rechy Iruretagoyena Donato Antonio , Martinez Miranda Rafael , Herrera Quiñones Gilberto , Hernández Acevedo Gerson Ney
Published: January 2025

Introduction and objectives: The diagnosis and treatment of diarrhoea of infectious origin has evolved in the last decade with the incorporation of new diagnostic techniques that offer rapid results. The aim of this study was to describe the results obtained using the FilmArray® GI Panel in a population of northwestern Mexico (Mexicali, Baja California), with emphasis on the detection of co-infections.
Material and methods: An observational and retrospective study was conducted in two local reference laboratories (Lozano Laboratory and Dorado Laboratory) with patients seen in private practice, carried out between January and October 2023 in Mexicali, Baja California.
Results: A total of 145 bacteria, 19 protozoa and 46 viruses were detected. The main microorganisms involved were enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), Norovirus and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC). Co-infections were identified in 50 patients, mainly in patients aged 31-50 years.
Conclusions: Coinfections were identified in 50 patients, mainly between 31-50 years of age, which leads us to believe that there is a direct relationship between their illness and their eating habits. Food contamination is a public health problem around the world and persists in the Mexicali community.
Effects of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Films Crystal Structure on Solar Cell Performances
Authors: Wang Qian , Cai Molang , Gao Jianfei , Sun Xiaoxu , Zhao Haokai , Wang Wenjun , Bell John , Dai Songyuan
Published: January 2025

The phase transition of MAPbI3 during the annealing process has been extensively reported, but there is a lack of research on the preformation of resulting perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we systematically investigated the impact of annealing temperature on the crystal structure of MAPbI3. Our findings reveal that an optimal annealing temperature of 100°C yields high crystallinity and a mixture of tetragonal and cubic phases. Deviating from this temperature range results in incomplete conversion to perovskite material at lower temperatures or formation of only cubic crystal structure above 100°C, leading to degradation at higher temperatures. Theoretical calculations also indicate that the conduction band energy level for the cubic phase is approximately 154 meV lower than that for the tetragonal phase, creating an electron extraction barrier between perovskite and TiO2. Solar cells fabricated with mixed-phase films annealed at 100°C exhibit superior performance with a conversion efficiency of 22.01%, attributed to both energetically favourable crystal structure and excellent crystallinity.
An Investigation of the Role of Online Banking Service Clues in Enhancing Individual and Corporate Customers' Satisfaction with the Mediating Role of Customer Experience as a Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Dağaşaner Suzan , Karaatmaca Ayşe Gözde
Published: January 2025

Online banking services was highlighted as a key factor enhancing customer satisfaction and sustainable development. However, the mediating role of customer experience in the relationship between online banking service clues and customer satisfaction has received minimal attention. This study belongs to Haeckel online banking theory. Haeckel’s model in online banking fosters a more dynamic, customer-centered experience by emphasizing real-time responsiveness and adaptability as a tool of sustainable development. To determine sample convenience sampling technique has been used. Total participants to the study are 400 individual and corporate online banking user customers in North Cyprus. For statistical analyses Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) has been used. (SEM). The results showed that functional service clues positively influenced satisfaction only among individual customers, while mechanic clues positively impacted satisfaction across both customer types as a result sustainable development. In contrast, humanic clues did not affect either group. Online service clues enhanced the overall customer experience, which in turn positively impacted customer satisfaction which is the corporate’s social responsibility. However, customer experience did not mediate the relationship between online banking service clues and satisfaction. Additionally, demographic characteristics moderated this relationship. These findings underscore the importance of online banking service cues in enhancing customer satisfaction and contribute valuable insights to the digital marketing literature on customer experience in the banking sector as a sustainable development.
Predictors and Drivers of End-of-Life Medicare Spending Among Older Adults with Solid Tumors: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Baird Courtney E , Wulff-Burchfield Elizabeth , Egan Pamela C. , Hugar Lee A , Vyas Ami , Trikalinos Nikolaos , Liu Michael A , Olszewski Adam J , Bantis Leonidas E , Panagiotou Orestis , Belanger Emmanuelle
Published: January 2025

Purpose: Medicare patients who die from cancer are responsible for about 30% of annual Medicare spending, most of which occurs during the last 30 days of life. Yet, there are significant and persisting knowledge gaps regarding which factors contribute to this high-intensity EoL spending. To that end, we conducted a retrospective analysis of SEER-Medicare data to identify risk factors associated with high-intensity EoL spending among older adults who died of breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer.
Methods: We used multivariable linear regression to identify clinical, demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic characteristics associated with total inflation-adjusted Medicare spending in the last 30 days of life, including reimbursements for services provided in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Study subjects included U.S. Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older who died of breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer between 2011 and 2015.
Results: Among 59,355 decedents (49.2% female; 21.2% of non-White race/ethnicity), factors associated with greater EoL spending were increased comorbidity burden, female sex, Black race, other race/ethnicity, stage III and IV disease, living in a more populated county, and state subsidization of patient Medicare premiums. EoL spending was lower among older patients, patients living in the Midwest, South, and West, patients living in more rural areas, and patients with poor performance status. Results were largely consistent across cancer types.
Conclusion: Our findings can inform targeted intervention development for patients with cancer who are at higher risk of high-intensity EoL spending, such as decision-support tools that facilitate referrals to palliative care for high-risk patients.