bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Elevated CO2 or O3 Reduces Undamaged Rice Kernels, but Together They Have No Effect
Authors: Long Mengbi , Yunshanjiang Mikeleban , Yu Dezhao , Li Shenshen , Tuerdimaimaiti Mairemu , Wu Aoqi , Zhang Guoyou
Published: December 2023

The spatiotemporal heterogeneity in the concentrations of atmospheric CO2 and tropospheric O3 is increasing under climate change, threatening food security. However, the impacts of short-term elevated CO2 or O3 on undamaged kernels in rice remain poorly understood, especially the impacts of their combination. We conducted an open-top chamber experiment to examine the impacts of short-term elevated CO2 (+200 ppm, eCO2) and O3 (+40 ppb, eO3) on undamaged kernels in rice cultivars (NJ5055 and WYJ3). We found eCO2 significantly reduced undamaged kernels by 35.2% and 66.2% in NJ5055 and WYJ3, respectively. EO3 significantly reduced undamaged kernels by 52.4% and 47.7% in NJ5055 and WYJ3, respectively. But the combination of eCO2 and eO3 did not affect the undamaged kernels in both cultivars. Moreover, we found that undamaged kernels were significantly correlated with chalky kernels (r = −0.9735). These results highlighted that changes in chalky kernels are most responsible for the changes in undamaged kernels in rice under eCO2 and eO3. This study demonstrated that undamaged kernels in rice are fragile to climate change factors like short-term eCO2 and eO3, and reducing chalky kernels is one of the most important adaptations to sustain food security in the future.
Evaluating the Performance of Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) Tools for Heart Disease Diagnosis and Prediction
Authors: Paladino Lauren M. , Hughes Alexander , Perera Alexander , Topsakal Oguzhan , Akinci Tahir Cetin
Published: December 2023

Globally, over 17 million people annually die from cardiovascular diseases, with heart disease being the leading cause of mortality in the United States. The ever-increasing volume of data related to heart disease opens up possibilities for employing machine learning (ML) techniques in diagnosing and predicting heart conditions. While applying ML demands a certain level of computer science expertise—often a barrier for healthcare professionals—automated machine learning (AutoML) tools significantly lower this barrier. They enable users to construct the most effective ML models without in-depth technical knowledge. Despite their potential, there has been a lack of research comparing the performance of different AutoML tools on heart disease data. Addressing this gap, our study evaluates three AutoML tools—PyCaret, AutoGluon, and AutoKeras—against three datasets (Cleveland, Hungarian, and a combined dataset). To evaluate the efficacy of AutoML against conventional machine learning methodologies, we crafted ten machine learning models using the standard practices of exploratory data analysis (EDA), data cleansing, feature engineering, and others, utilizing the sklearn library. Our toolkit included an array of models—logistic regression, support vector machines, decision trees, random forest, and various ensemble models. Employing 5-fold cross-validation, these traditionally developed models demonstrated accuracy rates spanning from 55% to 60%. This performance is markedly inferior to that of AutoML tools, indicating the latter’s superior capability in generating predictive models. Among AutoML tools, AutoGluon emerged as the superior tool, consistently achieving accuracy rates between 78% and 86% across the datasets. PyCaret’s performance varied, with accuracy rates from 65% to 83%, indicating a dependency on the nature of the dataset. AutoKeras showed the most fluctuation in performance, with accuracies ranging from 54% to 83%. Our findings suggest that AutoML tools can simplify the generation of robust ML models that potentially surpass those crafted through traditional ML methodologies. However, we must also consider the limitations of AutoML tools and explore strategies to overcome them. The successful deployment of high-performance ML models designed via AutoML could revolutionize the treatment and prevention of heart disease globally, significantly impacting patient care.
Quantitative Assessment of Major Biosecurity Challenges of Poultry Production in Central Ethiopia
Authors: Waktole Hika , Muluneh Tsedal , Miressa Yemsrach , Ayane Sisay , Berhane Gebreyohannes , Kabeta Tadele , Borena Bizunesh Mideksa , Amenu Kebede , Ashenafi Hagos , Antonissen Gunther
Published: December 2023

The present study aims to assess the level of implementation of biosecurity practices of small-, medium- and large-scale poultry farms in central Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was implemented involving 226 poultry farms (153 small-, 53 medium- and 20 large-scale farms) in three selected areas of central Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, Bishoftu and West of Shaggar. The results revealed a very low overall biosecurity score of 43.1% for central Ethiopia compared to the global average score of 64.3%. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in the overall biosecurity practices among the three study sites (36.1% for Addis Ababa, 49% for Bishoftu and 34.9% for West of Shaggar) was observed. Six of the eight external biosecurity components with an overall score of 40.7% as compared to the global average of 64.6% were highly disrupted and scored lower values. With regard to internal biosecurity disease management, cleaning and disinfection practices were found to be 52.6% as opposed to the global average of 64%. The poor biosecurity level among poultry farms of central Ethiopia clearly demonstrates the urgent need for the implementation of appropriate biosecurity practices through the active involvement of all stakeholders to combat the impact of various diseases and boost the productivity of the sector.
Variation in the HSL Gene and Its Association with Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Yak
Authors: Wang Xiangyan , Qi Youpeng , Zhu Chune , Zhou Ruifeng , Ruo Zhoume , Zhao Zhidong , Liu Xiu , Li Shaobin , Zhao Fangfang , Wang Jiqing , Hu Jiang , Shi Bingang
Published: December 2023

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is involved in the breakdown of triacylglycerols in adipose tissue, which influences muscle tenderness and juiciness by affecting the intramuscular fat content (IMF). This study analyzed the association between different genotypes and haplotypes of the yak HSL gene and carcass and meat quality traits. We used hybridization pool sequencing to detect exon 2, exon 8, and intron 3 variants of the yak HSL gene and genotyped 525 Gannan yaks via KASP to analyze the effects of the HSL gene variants on the carcass and meat quality traits in yaks. According to the results, the HSL gene is highly expressed in yak adipose tissue. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, with 2 of them located in the coding region and one in the intron region. Variants in the 2 coding regions resulted in amino acid changes. The population had 3 genotypes of GG, AG, and AA, and individuals with the AA genotype had lower WBSF values (p < 0.05). The H3H3 haplotype combinations could improve meat tenderness by reducing the WBSF values and the cooking loss rate (CLR) (p < 0.05). H1H1 haplotype combinations were associated with the increased drip loss rate (DLR) (p < 0.05). The presence of the H1 haplotype was associated the increased CLR in yaks, while that of the H2 haplotype was associated with the decreased DLR in yaks (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that the HSL gene may influence the meat quality traits in yaks by affecting the IMF content in muscle tissues. Consequently, the HSL gene can possibly be used as a biomarker for improving the meat quality traits in yaks in the future.
Cannabinoids in Periodontology: Where Are We Now?
Authors: Carmona Rendón Yésica , Garzón Hernán Santiago , Bueno-Silva Bruno , Arce Roger M. , Suárez Lina Janeth
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Cannabinoids are a well-documented treatment modality for various immune and inflammatory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and a range of neurodegenerative conditions. However, limited information is available regarding the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in treating periodontal disease. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the current evidence on the antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects of cannabis and its role in the healing and regeneration processes within periodontal tissues. Results: This review discusses the potential role of cannabinoids in restoring periodontal tissue homeostasis. Conclusions: The examination of the endocannabinoid system and the physiological effects of cannabinoids in the periodontium suggests that they possess immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties, which could potentially promote proper tissue healing and regeneration.
Nanoparticles and Their Antibacterial Application in Endodontics
Authors: Capuano Nicoletta , Amato Alessandra , Dell’Annunziata Federica , Giordano Francesco , Folliero Veronica , Di Spirito Federica , More Pragati Rajendra , De Filippis Anna , Martina Stefano , Amato Massimo , Galdiero Massimiliano , Iandolo Alfredo , Franci Gianluigi
Published: December 2023

Root canal treatment represents a significant challenge as current cleaning and disinfection methodologies fail to remove persistent bacterial biofilms within the intricate anatomical structures. Recently, the field of nanotechnology has emerged as a promising frontier with numerous biomedical applications. Among the most notable contributions of nanotechnology are nanoparticles, which possess antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Nanoparticles cause the destructuring of bacterial walls, increasing the permeability of the cell membrane, stimulating the generation of reactive oxygen species, and interrupting the replication of deoxyribonucleic acid through the controlled release of ions. Thus, they could revolutionize endodontics, obtaining superior results and guaranteeing a promising short- and long-term prognosis. Therefore, chitosan, silver, graphene, poly(lactic) co-glycolic acid, bioactive glass, mesoporous calcium silicate, hydroxyapatite, zirconia, glucose oxidase magnetic, copper, and zinc oxide nanoparticles in endodontic therapy have been investigated in the present review. The diversified antimicrobial mechanisms of action, the numerous applications, and the high degree of clinical safety could encourage the scientific community to adopt nanoparticles as potential drugs for the treatment of endodontic diseases, overcoming the limitations related to antibiotic resistance and eradication of the biofilm.
Safety Analysis and Condition Assessment of Corroded Energy Pipelines under Landslide Disasters
Authors: Zhang Peng , Liu Wei , Liu Siming , Xu Tian , Li Yimiao , Huang Yunfei
Published: December 2023

Corrosion poses a significant risk to the safety of energy pipelines, while landslide disasters emerge as the primary threat responsible for triggering pipeline failures across mountainous areas. To date, there is limited research focused on the safety of energy pipelines considering the synergistic effect of corrosion and landslides. The present study proposes a finite element (FE)-based model to assess the condition of corroded pipelines under landslides. The effects of corrosion dimensions (length and depth) and location are determined. A novel equation is finally developed to predict the maximum stress and determine the most disadvantageous position for corroded pipelines under various landslide displacements. The results demonstrate that (1) as the landslide progresses, the pipeline’s stress significantly increases; (2) corrosion depth has a more significant impact on the pipeline condition than the corrosion length, and it is positively correlated with the pipe’s stress; (3) the maximum stress exhibits a nonlinear relationship with the landslide-facing position and the corrosion circumferential location; and (4) when the axial position of the corrosion is more than 6.5 m away from the center of the landslide, the location of maximum stress shifts from the corrosion region to the central section of the pipeline within the landslide. This work contributes to helping pipeline owners to understand the applicability of energy pipelines subjected to the combined effects of corrosion and landslides and provides support for future risk assessment efforts in pipeline integrity management.
Combined Ionic Membrane and Silica Desiccant Configuration for Maintenance-Free Humidity Control in Equipment
Authors: Misopoulos Stavros , Nather Dirk , Marques-Hueso Jose
Published: December 2023

Much scientific equipment requires the use of humidity control technologies. This includes instruments with hygroscopic optics, such as infrared spectrometers, OPOs and some lasers. The most common strategies include nitrogen purging or desiccant bag replacement, which involve maintenance and running costs. In this work we present a dual strategy, combining both ionic membranes and silica desiccant, which results in a reusable and maintenance-free scheme for humidity control. The desiccant action of the silica gels, the membrane, and combinations thereafter, are studied. It is shown that the combination of the silica gel desiccants and the membrane is the most efficient configuration, reducing the humidity from 73% to only 15% in 20 h in a 70 L volume and from 80% to 20% in 40 h in a 230 L volume. An experiment over 5 days showed that the status of the silica gel desiccants that had adsorbed high water vapor levels returned to normal after they were enclosed together with the ionic membrane in the 70 L volume. Finally, measurements taken by a commercial infrared spectrometer of the reduction in the H2O lines absorption in the mid-infrared region under the operation of the combined configuration are examined. It was demonstrated that H2O lines with low to moderate absorption almost disappeared when the humidity levels inside the spectrometer dropped from 42.5% to 15.1% in the span of 90 min, while lines with stronger absorption remained present even though they showed the highest percentage of change.
The Impact of Time and Temperature of Operation on the Characteristics of High-Power UVC LEDs and Their Disinfection Efficiency
Authors: Gryko Łukasz , Błaszczak Urszula Joanna , Zajkowski Maciej
Published: December 2023

Disinfection and sterilization based on the use of UVC radiation are the key technologies ensuring health and safety. Their reliability depends on assuring the effectiveness of the performed process. In recent years, the rapid development of LED sources emitting high-power radiation in the UVC range has been observed, and there is a growing interest in using them in a variety of smart applications, mostly because they are easy to control, do not contain hazardous substances, and there are prospects to increase their energy efficiency. However, the literature does not provide enough knowledge on the reliability of disinfection with high-power UVC LEDs. This research aims to present a methodology of linking the performance characteristics with assessing the forecasted changes in the disinfection efficiency of exemplary UVC high-power LEDs caused by thermal and temporal changes in their characteristics. Based on the performed degradation test, the impact of the temperature and time of operation of the high-power UVC LEDs on the effectiveness of disinfection was evaluated, and the required disinfection times for exemplary pathogens were calculated. The results reveal a strong influence of the time of operation of high-power UVC LEDs on the disinfection reliability caused by the degradation of their optical power but with a low significance of wavelength shift.
Environmentally Friendly Smart Construction—Review of Recent Developments and Opportunities
Authors: Shufrin Igor , Pasternak Elena , Dyskin Arcady
Published: December 2023

Modern economic, social and environmental challenges require a new type of construction that ensures resilience, low construction costs and ease of maintenance. Material production, manufacturing of structural elements and final assembly should minimise the environmental impacts, such as greenhouse emissions and waste production. This review aims to identify the key routes of research and development required to address the environmental challenges the construction industry faces. It outlines recent advances and highlights the rising opportunities. The strategies with great perspectives include 3D concrete printing, prefabrication and modular construction, mortarless construction, development and utilization of sustainable, smart and composite materials, renewable energy systems and automation technologies including the Digital Twin technology. Hybrid approaches that combine traditional and novel construction methods present the greatest potential. Overall, collaboration between stakeholders is crucial in driving innovation and successfully implementing these advancements.
Improving a Fuel Cell System’s Thermal Management by Optimizing Thermal Control with the Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm and an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Deng Bo , Zhang Xuefeng , Yin Cong , Luo Yuqin , Tang Hao
Published: December 2023

The thermal management of proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems plays a significant role in a stack’s lifetime, performance, and reliability. However, it is challenging to manage the thermal system precisely due to the multiple coupling relationships between the stack’s components, its operating environment, and its thermal management system. In addition, temperature hysteresis (temporal inconsistency of temperature with electrochemical reactions and fluid mechanics) imposes more difficulties on thermal control. We aim to develop an effective thermal control model for the fuel cell system to improve the temperature regulation accuracy and response speed and thus achieve highly stable temperature control. A dynamic mechanistic model is first developed based on the physical processes of the stack and its thermal management system. The model is then validated through experiments. Based on this dynamic mechanistic model, a control model is proposed for stack thermal management with the particle swarm optimization algorithm and an artificial neural network. It is applied and compared with the traditional PID algorithm. The simulation results indicate that the regulation time of the coolant inlet temperature as the current changes is reduced by more than 74%, and the overshoot is reduced by more than 50%. Therefore, the control model can enhance the dynamic response capability and temperature control precision under complex operating conditions with constantly changing load current and preset stack temperature, ensuring the temperature’s stability and thus improving the fuel cell system’s reliability and durability.
Neural Machine Translation Research on Syntactic Information Fusion Based on the Field of Electrical Engineering
Authors: Sang Yanna , Chen Yuan , Zhang Juwei
Published: December 2023

Neural machine translation has achieved good translation results, but needs further improvement in low-resource and domain-specific translation. To this end, the paper proposed to incorporate source language syntactic information into neural machine translation models. Two novel approaches, namely Contrastive Language–Image Pre-training(CLIP) and Cross-attention Fusion (CAF), were compared to a base transformer model on EN–ZH and ZH–EN pair machine translation focusing on the electrical engineering domain. In addition, an ablation study on the effect of both proposed methods was presented. Among them, the CLIP pre-training method improved significantly compared with the baseline system, and the BLEU values in the EN–ZH and ZH–EN tasks increased by 3.37 and 3.18 percentage points, respectively.
Gluten-Free Cookies Enriched with Baobab Flour (Adansonia digitata L.) and Buckwheat Flour (Fagopyrum esculentum)
Authors: Dossa Sylvestre , Dragomir Christine , Plustea Loredana , Dinulescu Cosmin , Cocan Ileana , Negrea Monica , Berbecea Adina , Alexa Ersilia , Rivis Adrian
Published: December 2023

To provide people with celiac disease with nutrient-rich gluten-free foods, this study aimed to produce cookies based on buckwheat and baobab flours, which were then subjected to nutritional, phytochemical, and sensory analyses. Results demonstrate that baobab flour (BF) and buckwheat flour (BWF) work together to enhance the nutritional properties of the cookies, in that nutrients that BWF is deficient in, BF provides sufficiently, and vice versa. BF is rich in minerals and carbohydrates, while BWF contains comparatively higher fat and protein levels. As for macro- and micro-elements, potassium (K) is the predominant macro-element in BF and BWF, with 13,276.47 ± 174 mg/kg and 1255.35 ± 58.92 mg/kg, respectively. The polyphenol content is higher in BF than BWF, at 629.7 ± 0.35 mg/100 g as opposed to 283.87 ± 0.06 mg/100 g. Similarly, the total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of BF was greater than that of BWF, while BF exhibited 213.13 ± 0.08 mg/100 g and 86.62 ± 0.04%, in contrast to BWF, which had 125.36 ± 1.12 mg/100 g and 79.72 ± 0.01%, respectively. BF significantly enhanced the phytochemical composition of the cookies, with the richest sample being BBC3 containing 30% baobab. Buckwheat and baobab have the most abundant phenolic compounds of rutin and epicatechin, respectively. About the analysis of sensory attributes of the cookies, the partial substitution of BWF by BF of up to 20% (BWF3) significantly increased the scores for all attributes. Indeed, the appearance (physical aspect of the cookie: whether it is firm or not) and color (influence of baobab addition on cookie coloration) of the cookies were significantly improved with the addition of BF of up to 20%, but above 20% they were less appreciated. Similarly, up to 20% BF, the texture, flavor, and overall acceptability of the cookies were significantly improved. Taste, on the other hand, was not significantly improved, maybe due to the acidic taste provided by the baobab.
AG1®, a Novel Synbiotic, Demonstrates Superior Mineral Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability Compared to a Tablet Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement Using an In Vitro Model of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Sapp Philip A. , Townsend Jeremy R. , Kirby Trevor O. , Govaert Marlies , Duysburgh Cindy , Marzorati Massimo , Marshall Tess M. , Esposito Ralph
Published: December 2023

While traditional multivitamin and mineral (MVM) supplements generally come in tablet form, new powder forms of MVM supplements are available with theoretically higher bioavailability relative to tablet MVM supplements. The purpose of this study was to assess the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of minerals (magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K)) in a tablet MVM supplement compared to a novel powder Foundational Nutrition supplement (AG1®), containing minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals, and pre-/probiotics, in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The tablet MVM supplement was specifically formulated for this study, with matched mineral contents and identical chemical structures. The adapted Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®) model was used to assess the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of soluble minerals using a simulated upper gastrointestinal tract and dialysis membrane to mimic human digestion and absorption. The bioaccessibility was assessed at the end of the stomach and duodenum. The bioaccessibility and bioavailability were assessed at 1, 2, and 3 h following dialysis. The preliminary soluble mineral analysis of the tablet (crushed to a powder) and AG1 powder demonstrated significantly higher (p < 0.05) soluble fractions of Zn and Ca, but lower Mg in the AG1 powder vs. the tablet. The total soluble mineral percentages at the stomach and duodenum end were all significantly higher for the AG1 powder vs. the tablet (p < 0.05). Mg, Ca, and Zn were more (p < 0.05) bioaccessible and bioavailable in the powder compared to the tablet during the small intestine simulation. The bioaccessible fraction of K was higher (p < 0.05) only at 3 h for the tablet vs. the powder. These preclinical data demonstrate that the AG1 powder has superior dissolution and disintegration characteristics compared to the tablet, leading to increased bioaccessibility and bioavailability in vitro.
Correlation between Cardiovascular Autonomic and Pulmonary Ventilation Functions in Myasthenia Gravis Patients
Authors: Zawadka-Kunikowska Monika , Rzepiński Łukasz , Cieślicka Mirosława , Fanslau Joanna , Klawe Jacek J. , Tafil-Klawe Małgorzata
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function and cardiac autonomic function parameters in clinically stable myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. A total of 22 MG patients and 22 healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated. Pulmonary function test parameters, heart rate variability (HRV), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and cardiovascular autonomic function test parameters (the Valsalva ratio, expiration/inspiration (E/I) ratio) were assessed. Compared with the HCs, the patients demonstrated a similar diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO); a lower forced vital capacity (FVC%pred); a lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%pred); lower BRS and HRV, including high-frequency and total power spectral density; and a higher percentage of abnormal cardiovagal function test results (p < 0.05). A lower BRS in the patient group was associated with worse clinical disease outcomes and reduced pulmonary function (DLCO%pred, R = 0.59; TLC%pred, R = 0.48). Age, forced vital capacity, and total lung capacity predicted the E/I ratio (R2 values ranging from 0.48 to 0.49). Our study demonstrated a significant relationship between a reduced pulmonary ventilation function and respiratory mechanics with cardiovascular autonomic parameters, including the E/I ratio, BRS, and HRV measures at rest, as shown in the MG group. Future studies should focus on the interplay between respiratory and autonomic function testing, as well as pulmonary rehabilitation, to mitigate cardiovascular risk in these patients.
Chaotic Steady States of the Reinartz Oscillator: Mathematical Evidence and Experimental Confirmation
Authors: Petrzela Jiri
Published: December 2023

This paper contributes to the problem of chaos and hyperchaos localization in the fundamental structure of analog building blocks dedicated to single-tone harmonic signal generation. This time, the known Reinartz sinusoidal oscillator is addressed, considering its conventional topology, both via numerical analysis and experiments using a flow-equivalent lumped electronic circuit. It is shown that physically reasonable values of circuit parameters can result in robust dynamical behavior characterized by a pair of positive Lyapunov exponents. Mandatory numerical results prove that discovered strange attractors exhibit all necessary fingerprints of structurally stable chaos. The new “chaotic” parameters are closely related to the standard operation of the investigated analog functional block. A few interestingly shaped, strange attractors have been captured as oscilloscope screenshots.
Toward Morphologic Atlasing of the Human Whole Brain at the Nanoscale
Authors: Nowinski Wieslaw L.
Published: December 2023

Although no dataset at the nanoscale for the entire human brain has yet been acquired and neither a nanoscale human whole brain atlas has been constructed, tremendous progress in neuroimaging and high-performance computing makes them feasible in the non-distant future. To construct the human whole brain nanoscale atlas, there are several challenges, and here, we address two, i.e., the morphology modeling of the brain at the nanoscale and designing of a nanoscale brain atlas. A new nanoscale neuronal format is introduced to describe data necessary and sufficient to model the entire human brain at the nanoscale, enabling calculations of the synaptome and connectome. The design of the nanoscale brain atlas covers design principles, content, architecture, navigation, functionality, and user interface. Three novel design principles are introduced supporting navigation, exploration, and calculations, namely, a gross neuroanatomy-guided navigation of micro/nanoscale neuroanatomy; a movable and zoomable sampling volume of interest for navigation and exploration; and a nanoscale data processing in a parallel-pipeline mode exploiting parallelism resulting from the decomposition of gross neuroanatomy parcellated into structures and regions as well as nano neuroanatomy decomposed into neurons and synapses, enabling the distributed construction and continual enhancement of the nanoscale atlas. Numerous applications of this atlas can be contemplated ranging from proofreading and continual multi-site extension to exploration, morphometric and network-related analyses, and knowledge discovery. To my best knowledge, this is the first proposed neuronal morphology nanoscale model and the first attempt to design a human whole brain atlas at the nanoscale.
A Circular Formation Method for Biomimetic Robotic Fish Inspired by Fish Milling
Authors: Zhou Ziye , Liu Jincun , Kong Shihan , Yu Junzhi
Published: December 2023

Circular motion phenomena, akin to fish milling, are prevalent within the animal kingdom. This paper delineates two fundamental mechanisms underlying such occurrences: forward following and circular topological communication. Leveraging these pivotal concepts, we present a multi-agent formation circular model based on a second-order integrator. This model engenders the attainment of homogeneous intelligence convergence along the circumferential trajectory. The convergence characteristics are intricately linked to the number of agents and the model parameters. Consequently, we propose positive and negative solutions for ascertaining the convergent circle property and model parameters. Furthermore, by integrating our proposed formation control methodology with a robotic fish dynamics model, we have successfully implemented simulations and experiments, demonstrating the circular formation of multiple biomimetic robotic fish. This study provides a mathematical explication for the circular motion observed in animal groups and introduces a novel approach to achieving circular formation in multiple robots inspired by biological phenomena.
The Mediating Role of Acceptance Action and Self-Care in Diabetes Self-Stigma’s Impact on Type 2 Diabetes Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Seo Kawoun
Published: December 2023

Recently, the quality of life of individuals with diabetes has been reduced, owing to self-stigma that occurs in the process of managing the disease. This process can be improved by accepting diabetes. This study aimed to verify the dual mediating effect of acceptance action and diabetes self-care on the effect of diabetes self-stigma on the quality of life of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korea. In this study, 300 of 400 data collected to develop and evaluate health equilibrium tools for individuals with T2DM were randomly selected and analyzed. Data were collected from 1 September 2020 to 31 September 2020 using a structured online questionnaire. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24.0. Additionally, the dual mediation effect was analyzed using PROCESS Macro for SPSS, version 4.1. Acceptance action (B = −0.088, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.127 to −0.054) and diabetes self-care (B = 0.046, 95% CI, 0.022–0.072) had a mediating effect on the relationship between diabetes self-stigma and quality of life in patients with T2DM in Korea. In particular, these two variables had dual mediating effects (B = 0.017, 95% CI, 0.015–0.019). This study confirmed that diabetes self-care and quality of life can be increased by improving acceptance behavior to overcome the negative impact of self-stigma on the quality of life of patients with T2DM. Establishing a strategy to increase acceptance action as part of an intervention to reduce the negative impact of self-stigma on the quality of life of patients with T2DM is necessary.
Experimental Research on the Performance Characteristics of Grouting Slurry in a High-Ground-Temperature Environment
Authors: Yang Yangkang , Niu Jiandong , Sun Yong , Liu Jianxin , Qiu Liangliang
Published: December 2023

Grouting materials with good thermal insulation and reinforcement properties are the key factors in solving the temperature control problems of high geothermal tunnels using curtain grouting, as the existing grouting materials are unable to take into account the working performance and thermal insulation properties of high-temperature environments. In view of the above problems, this paper configures a high geothermal tunnel red-mud-based grouting material (RMGS) using red mud, carries out tests on the working performance (viscosity, setting time, and compressive strength) and thermal insulation performance (thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity) of the grouting materials at different temperatures (20, 40, 60, and 80 °C), and analyses the variation rules and micro-mechanisms of the various properties at different temperatures. The results show that the increase in temperature will accelerate the viscosity development and condensation of the grouting material and will also lead to the acceleration of the attenuation of the thermal conductivity of the three types of grouting material and the reduction in specific heat capacity. In addition, the appropriate temperature can improve the compressive strength of the material. The increase in temperature will accelerate the hydration reaction speed of the grouting material and will also lead to the development of the internal pore space of the material, which affects the macroscopic properties of the material and is the reason for the effect of the temperature on the performance of the grouting material. In terms of application, the cement slurry is suitable for grouting in a static water environment, the cement–water glass bi-liquid slurry is suitable for grouting in a dynamic water environment, and the RMGS is suitable for grouting in a high-ground-temperature environment.
Characteristics, Treatment Patterns and Survival of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage IV Epithelial Ovarian Cancer—A Population-Based Study
Authors: Jakob Dorothee , Schmoor Claudia , Reuten Raphael , Frevert Marie Louise , Dannehl Dominik , Jansen Lina , Hermann Silke , Jungmann Peter , Hartkopf Andreas Daniel , Juhasz-Böss Ingolf , Taran Florin Andrei
Published: December 2023

Background: The aim of the present study was to describe an unselected population of patients with diagnosis of FIGO stage IV OC. Methods: Data from 1183 patients were available for analysis. Results: The majority of patients (962/1183, 81.3%) received cancer-directed treatment. The median follow-up time was 3.8 years, and the median overall survival duration was 1.9 years. Notably, patients >80 years had a low overall survival rate (HR of age >80 years vs. ≤50 years was 3.81, 95%-CI [2.76, 5.27], p < 0.0001). The survival rate was best in patients with HGSOC (p < 0.0001). The highest overall survival rate was observed in patients in the group with surgical intervention followed by systemic treatment, with an unadjusted HR of 0.72, 95%-CI [0.59, 0.86], p = 0.007 vs. systemic treatment only. After adjustment for age and histology, survival differences between treatment schemes were smaller (HR 0.81, 95%-CI [0.66, 1.00], p = 0.12). Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with FIGO stage IV OC, more than 80% of the patients received cancer-directed treatment. Age and high-grade serous histology were determinants for survival. The highest overall survival rate was observed in patients who underwent surgery followed by systemic treatment.
Estimating the Time Toxicity of Contemporary Systemic Treatment Regimens for Advanced Esophageal and Gastric Cancers
Authors: Agrawal Neha Y. , Thawani Rajat , Edmondson Corbin P. , Chen Emerson Y.
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time toxicity, or time spent in health care, of immunotherapy- versus chemotherapy-based regimens for metastatic esophageal and gastric cancers. (2) Methods: A literature search was conducted, and 18 phase III clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors were selected for analysis. Health care days were calculated based on the number of days associated with receiving therapy and the adverse events reported in the clinical trials. Both the number of health care days and the median overall survival were compared among chemotherapy-only, immunotherapy-only, and chemo-immunotherapy regimens across this cohort of drug registration trials. (3) Results: The estimated median number of health care days was 37 (range of 7–52) days, or 1.2 (range of 0.2–1.7) months, compared to a median survival of 10.2 months across these 18 studies. For the chemotherapy-only regimens, the median number of health care days was 39 (range of 21–51) days, and for chemo-immunotherapy, it was 39 (range of 30–52) days. The immunotherapy-only regimens had fewer days, a median of 28 (range of 24–41), p < 0.05, compared to the other two arms. (4) Conclusions: The chemo-immunotherapy regimens did not add time toxicity compared to chemotherapy alone. The immunotherapy-only regimens had lower time toxicity compared to chemotherapy alone. In the setting of decreased time toxicity and improved overall survival, further development of immunotherapy-based regimens could improve outcomes in advanced esophageal and gastric cancers.
Does the Argentine Tango Sustainably Improve Cancer-Associated Fatigue and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors?
Authors: Oei Shiao Li , Thronicke Anja , Groß Jessica , Rieser Thomas , Becker Sarah , Grabowski Patricia , Grieb Gerrit , Matthes Harald , Schad Friedemann
Published: December 2023

Background: Chronic cancer-related fatigue is difficult to manage in breast cancer survivors. The tango trial showed that a six-week tango Argentino program was effective in reducing fatigue and improving quality of life, and here we investigated the sustainability of this tango program for breast cancer survivors. Methods: Stage I–III breast cancer survivors with increased fatigue symptoms were analyzed. The fifty participants in the tango trial were compared with a control cohort (n = 108) who did not participate in the tango program. Using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire C30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and the German version of the cancer fatigue scale (CFS-D) self-reported quality of life parameters were assessed and longitudinal changes, correlations, and association factors were calculated. Results: Significant improvements in fatigue (p = 0.006), physical functioning (p = 0.01), and diarrhea (p = 0.04) persisted in the 50 Tango participants at 6 months, but not in the control cohort. Twelve months after joining the tango program, increased fatigue was associated with reduced sporting activities (p = 0.0005), but this was not the case for tango dancing. Conclusions: The present results suggest that tango may be appropriate as a component of early supportive and follow-up care programs, to promote health-related quality of life and physical activity and also eventually to improve long-term clinical outcomes of breast cancer survivors. Trial registration: Trial registration numbers DRKS00013335 on 27 November 2017 and DRKS00021601 on 21 August 2020 retrospectively registered.
Genetic Alterations and Risk Factors for Recurrence in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Who Underwent Complete Surgical Resection
Authors: Park Hwa , Choi Yoo , Yun Ju-Sik , Song Sang-Yun , Na Kook-Joo , Yoon Joon , Yoon Chang-Seok , Oh Hyung-Joo , Kim Young-Chul , Oh In-Jae
Published: December 2023

A definitive surgical resection is the preferred treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Research on genetic alterations, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, in early-stage NSCLC remains insufficient. We investigated the prevalence of genetic alterations in early-stage NSCLC and the association between EGFR mutations and recurrence after a complete resection. Between January 2019 and December 2021, 659 patients with NSCLC who underwent curative surgical resections at a single regional cancer center in Korea were recruited. We retrospectively compared the clinical and pathological data between the recurrence and non-recurrence groups. Among the 659 enrolled cases, the median age was 65.86 years old and the most common histology was adenocarcinoma (74.5%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (21.7%). The prevalence of EGFR mutations was 43% (194/451). Among them, L858R point mutations and exon 19 deletions were 52.3% and 42%, respectively. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement was found in 5.7% of patients (26/453) and ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1) fusion was found in 1.6% (7/441). The recurrence rate for the entire population was 19.7%. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of EGFR mutations (hazard ratio (HR): 2.698; 95% CI: 1.458–4.993; p = 0.002), stage II (HR: 2.614; 95% CI: 1.29–5.295; p = 0.008) or III disease (HR: 9.537; 95% CI: 4.825–18.852; p < 0.001) (vs. stage I disease), and the presence of a pathologic solid type (HR: 2.598; 95% CI: 1.405–4.803; p = 0.002) were associated with recurrence. Among the recurrence group, 86.5% of the patients with EGFR mutations experienced distant metastases compared with only 66.7% of the wild type (p = 0.016), with no significant difference in median disease-free survival (52.21 months vs. not reached; p = 0.983). In conclusion, adjuvant or neoadjuvant targeted therapy could be considered more actively because EGFR mutations were identified as an independent risk factor for recurrence and were associated with systemic recurrence. Further studies on perioperative therapy for other genetic alterations are necessary.
Shifting Epidemiology Trends in Tongue Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sakr Yara , Hamdy Omar , Eldeghedi Maher , Abdelaziz Rabab , Med Sidi El Moctar Echreiva , Alharazin Mohammed , Awny Shadi
Published: December 2023

The tongue is the most common site for oral cavity carcinoma. It typically has male predominance. However, several studies have documented an increasing number of incidences among the younger population, with female predominance, which is unusual. In this study, we aimed to determine current trends in tongue cancer regarding age and gender. Data from 197 tongue cancer patients were extracted from The Oncology Center, Mansoura University (OCMU) database from 2006 to 2021. The patients were divided into two time periods: (2006–2013) and (2014–2021). We computed counts and proportions of tongue cancer for demographic and tumor characteristics. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Gender showed no statistically significant difference in both groups, while the percentages of diagnosed females were 52.7% and 52%, respectively. The percentages of males were 47.3% and 48%, p-value = 0.927. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of patients aged 20 to 39 years old and ≥60 years old in both periods. The p-values were 0.039 and 0.011, respectively. Although tongue cancer is typically more common in males, our results showed no significant difference in the gender of diagnosed patients. In addition, our results showed that the number of younger patients significantly increased in the period from 2014 to 2021. However, we encourage further investigations involving larger populations.
Gut Microbiome and Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer: Beyond the Boundaries
Authors: Prakash Pranav , Verma Shiv , Gupta Sanjay
Published: December 2023

The gut microbiome is critical in balancing human health and in influencing the risk of several chronic diseases, including cancer [...]
Fractionated Photofrin-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy Significantly Improves Long-Term Survival
Authors: Sun Hongjing , Yang Weibing , Ong Yihong , Busch Theresa M. , Zhu Timothy C.
Published: December 2023

This study investigates the effect of fractionated (two-part) PDT on the long-term local control rate (LCR) using the concentration of reactive oxygen species ([ROS]rx) as a dosimetry quantity. Groups with different fractionation schemes are examined, including a 2 h interval between light delivery sessions to cumulative fluences of 135, 180, and 225 J/cm2. While the total treatment time remains constant within each group, the division of treatment time between the first and second fractionations are explored to assess the impact on long-term survival at 90 days. In all preclinical studies, Photofrin is intravenously administered to mice at a concentration of 5 mg/kg, with an incubation period between 18 and 24 h before the first light delivery session. Fluence rate is fixed at 75 mW/cm2. Treatment ensues via a collimated laser beam, 1 cm in diameter, emitting light at 630 nm. Dosimetric quantities are assessed for all groups along with long-term (90 days) treatment outcomes. This study demonstrated a significant improvement in long-term survival after fractionated treatment schemes compared to single-fraction treatment, with the optimal 90-day survival increasing to 63%, 86%, and 100% vs. 20%, 25%, and 50%, respectively, for the three cumulative fluences. The threshold [ROS]rx for the optimal scheme of fractionated Photofrin-mediated PDT, set at 0.78 mM, is significantly lower than that for the single-fraction PDT, at 1.08 mM.
Hotspots of Somatic Genetic Variation in Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Torres-Morán Mariana , Franco-Álvarez Alexa L. , Rebollar-Vega Rosa G. , Hernández-Ramírez Laura C.
Published: December 2023

The most common genetic drivers of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) lie within mutational hotspots, which are genomic regions where variants tend to cluster. Some of these hotspot defects are unique to PitNETs, while others are associated with additional neoplasms. Hotspot variants in GNAS and USP8 are the most common genetic causes of acromegaly and Cushing’s disease, respectively. Although it has been proposed that these genetic defects could define specific clinical phenotypes, results are highly variable among studies. In contrast, DICER1 hotspot variants are associated with a familial syndrome of cancer predisposition, and only exceptionally occur as somatic changes. A small number of non-USP8-driven corticotropinomas are due to somatic hotspot variants in USP48 or BRAF; the latter is a well-known mutational hotspot in cancer. Finally, somatic variants affecting a hotspot in SF3B1 have been associated with multiple cancers and, more recently, with prolactinomas. Since the associations of BRAF, USP48, and SF3B1 hotspot variants with PitNETs are very recent, their effects on clinical phenotypes are still unknown. Further research is required to fully define the role of these genetic defects as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Recent Advances in Catalyst Design for Carboxylation Using CO2 as the C1 Feedstock
Authors: Shah Sagarkumar Rajendrakumar , Mazumdar Nayan Jyoti , Centeno-Pedrazo Ander , Deka Dhanapati , Artioli Nancy , Manyar Haresh
Published: December 2023

Carbon dioxide is ideal for carboxylation reactions as a renewable and sustainable C1 feedstock and has significant recognition owing to its low cost, non-toxicity, and high abundance. To depreciate the environmental concentration of CO2, which causes the greenhouse gas effect, developing new catalytic protocols for organic synthesis in CO2 utilization is of great importance. This review focuses on carboxylation reactions using CO2 as a C1 feedstock to synthesize value-added functionalized carboxylic acids and their corresponding derivatives via catalytically generated allyl metal intermediates, photoredox catalysis, and electrocatalysis with a focus on recent developments and opportunities in catalyst design for carboxylation reactions. In this article, we describe recent developments in the carboxylation of C–H bonds, alkenes, and alkynes using CO2 as the C1 source for various reactions under different conditions, as well as the potential direction for the further development of CO2 utilization in organic synthesis.