bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the New International Land–Sea Transport Corridor on Port Competition between Neighboring Countries Based on a Spatial Duopoly Model
Authors: Liu Chuanying , Fan Houming , Miao Hongzhi , Fan Hao , Zhang Xiang
Published: February 2024

The development of international land–sea transport corridors has provided more convenient access to the sea for inland areas and promoted the improvement of transportation efficiency, environmental improvement, and the strengthening of international cooperation. However, the construction of international land–sea transport corridors has also intensified competition among the ports, which has extended from the local and regional to the national and even international levels. This paper explores the impact of international land–sea transport corridors on oligopolistic port competition between neighboring countries using the Hotelling model. By setting up the utility of the shipper’s port selection, the equilibrium price, market share, and profit of duopoly ports in neighboring countries are analyzed under different conditions of cross-border land transportation and maritime transportation. It is found that the high cross-border transportation cost of the international land–sea transport corridor is not conducive to increasing the market share of the overseas oligopolistic ports in the region. If the maritime transportation cost of overseas oligopoly ports is too high compared with domestic oligopoly ports, it will offset the land transport advantages brought by international land–sea transport corridors. The findings in this paper could provide support for strategic decision making in port markets and cross-border transport corridor development.
Latitude-Adaptive Integer Bit Allocation for Quantization of Omnidirectional Images
Authors: Sima Qian , Feng Hui , Hu Bo
Published: February 2024

Omnidirectional images have gained significant popularity and drawn great attention nowadays, which poses challenges to omnidirectional image processing in solving the bottleneck of storage and transmission. Projecting onto a two-dimensional image plane is generally used to compress an omnidirectional image. However, the most commonly used projection format, the equirectangular projection (ERP), results in a significant amount of redundant samples in the polar areas, thus incurring extra bitrate and geometric distortion. We derive the optimal latitude-adaptive bit allocation for each image tile. Subsequently, we propose a greedy algorithm for non-negative integer bit allocation (NNIBA) for non-uniform quantization under an omnidirectional image quality metric WMSE. In our experiment, we design quantization tables based on JPEG and compare our approach with other sampling-related methods. Our method achieves an average bit saving of 7.9% compared with JPEG while outperforming other sampling-related methods. Besides, we compare our non-uniform quantization approach with two proposed bit allocation methods, achieving an average improvement of 0.35 dB and 2.66 dB under WS-PSNR, respectively. The visual quality assessment also confirms the superiority of our method.
Isolation of Geranyl Acetate and Chemical Analysis of the Essential Oil from Melaleuca armillaris (Sol. ex Gaertn.) Sm.
Authors: Jaramillo Stalin P. , Calva James , Jiménez Andy , Armijos Chabaco
Published: February 2024

A method was developed for the isolation of geranyl acetate from the crude essential oil (EO) of Melaleuca armillaris (Sol. ex Gaertn.) Sm. leaves, and the purity of the isolated compound was analyzed by GC/MS spectral and NMR analysis and was found to have high purity (98.9%). In addition, the EO isolated presented 0.907 g/cm3, 1.474 and [α]D20=−17.6 of density, refraction index and optical rotation, respectively. The chemical composition of the EO obtained for steam distillation from M. armillaris was analyzed by gas chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (GC/MS and GC/FID). Thirty-eight compounds were identified, representing 99.92% of the total EO analyzed on a DB-5 ms (5% phenylmethylpolysiloxane) capillary column. This analysis showed that the EO consisted mainly of oxygenated monoterpenes (77.01%), followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons (21.31%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (1.31%). Furthermore, the essential oil of M. armillaris was rich in 1,8-cineol (67 ± 2%), followed by limonene (10 ± 1%), α-Terpineol (9 ± 1%) and α-Pinene (5 ± 1%). Finally, the results suggest that the geranyl acetate isolated with high purity from crude essential oil is recommended to be explored as a component in medicinal or industrial use.
YOLOv5-Sewer: Lightweight Sewer Defect Detection Model
Authors: Zhao Xingliang , Xiao Ning , Cai Zhaoyang , Xin Shan
Published: February 2024

In the field of defect detection in sewers, some researches focus on high accuracy. However, it is challenging for portable on-site devices to provide high performance. This paper proposes a lightweight sewer defect detection model, You Only Look Once (YOLO) v5-Sewer. Firstly, the backbone network of YOLOv5s is replaced with a stacked MobileNetV3 block. Secondly, the C3 module of the neck of YOLOv5s is improved with a C3-Faster module. Thirdly, to compensate for the accuracy loss due to the lightweight network, a channel attention (CA) and convolutional block attention module (CBAM) are added to the proposed method. Finally, the Efficient Intersection over Union (EIOU) is adopted as the localization loss function. Experimental validation on the dataset shows that YOLOv5-Sewer achieves a 1.5% reduction in mean Average Precision (mAP) while reducing floating-point operations by 68%, the number of parameters by 55%, and the model size by 54%, compared to the YOLOv5s model. The detection speed reaches 112 frames per second (FPS) with the GPU (RTX 3070Ti). This model successfully implements a lightweight design while maintaining the detection accuracy, enhancing its functionality on low-performance devices.
Research on Short-Term Prediction Methods for Small-Scale Three-Dimensional Wind Fields
Authors: Ma Yuzhao , Han Haoran , Tang Xu , Chan Pak-Wai
Published: February 2024

The accurate prediction of small-scale three-dimensional wind fields is of great practical significance for aviation safety, wind power generation, and related fields. This study proposes a novel method for predicting small-scale three-dimensional wind fields by combining the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The method consists of three components: the WRF module, the hybrid neural network prediction module, and the CFD module. First, mesoscale meteorological fields are simulated using the WRF module to establish a historical inflow boundary dataset for the CFD domain. Next, deep separable convolutions are incorporated, and convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM) is combined with a deep separable convolution-gated recurrent unit (DSConvGRU) to construct a hybrid neural network prediction module named ConvLSTM-DSConvGRU. This module is employed for predicting inflow boundary data. Finally, the predicted inflow boundary conditions drive the CFD module to predict small-scale three-dimensional wind fields. The effectiveness of the WRF and CFD downscaling coupling method was validated using observed data from meteorological stations within the simulated domain, along with statistical indicators of errors. Additionally, a comparative evaluation was conducted between the proposed hybrid network model and the four commonly used spatiotemporal prediction models to assess its prediction performance. The results demonstrate that our proposed wind field prediction method achieves accurate simulation and short-term prediction of small-scale three-dimensional wind fields, and the hybrid network model exhibits comprehensive advantages in terms of model complexity and prediction accuracy.
TOMDS (Topic-Oriented Multi-Document Summarization): Enabling Personalized Customization of Multi-Document Summaries
Authors: Zhang Xin , Wei Qiyi , Song Qing , Zhang Pengzhou
Published: February 2024

In a multi-document summarization task, if the user can decide on the summary topic, the generated summary can better align with the reader’s specific needs and preferences. This paper addresses the issue of overly general content generation by common multi-document summarization models and proposes a topic-oriented multi-document summarization (TOMDS) approach. The method is divided into two stages: extraction and abstraction. During the extractive stage, it primarily identifies and retrieves paragraphs relevant to the designated topic, subsequently sorting them based on their relevance to the topic and forming an initial subset of documents. In the abstractive stage, building upon the transformer architecture, the process includes two parts: encoding and decoding. In the encoding part, we integrated an external discourse parsing module that focuses on both micro-level within-paragraph semantic relationships and macro-level inter-paragraph connections, effectively combining these with the implicit relationships in the source document to produce more enriched semantic features. In the decoding part, we incorporated a topic-aware attention mechanism that dynamically zeroes in on information pertinent to the chosen topic, thus guiding the summary generation process more effectively. The proposed model was primarily evaluated using the standard text summary dataset WikiSum. The experimental results show that our model significantly enhanced the thematic relevance and flexibility of the summaries and improved the accuracy of grammatical and semantic comprehension in the generated summaries.
Waferless Orthognathic Surgery with Customized Osteosynthesis and Surgical Guides: A Prospective Study
Authors: Espino-Segura-Illa Marc , Camps-Font Octavi , Ferrer-Fuertes Ada , Cuesta-González Fran , Zubillaga-Rodríguez Ignacio , Sieira-Gil Ramón
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this paper was to describe and to evaluate the accuracy of a protocol that involves CAD/CAM-generated cutting guides and customized titanium plates for waferless orthognathic surgery. Twenty-one patients consecutively treated between January 2021 and January 2023 were included. The preoperative virtual surgical plan (VSP) was compared with the final position determined from the postoperative CT scan and STL files. An alignment algorithm was employed to adjust the skull position in areas unaffected by the surgery. Absolute and signed deviations were calculated across all three dimensions for each maxilla, mandible and chin landmark. The accuracy analysis revealed an overall deviation of 0.93 mm (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.86 to 0.99), which was < 2 mm for all assessed landmarks (p < 0.05; one-sample t-test). The mandibular landmarks showed greater deviation than the maxillary ones (p < 0.001; independent-samples t-test). Considering the deviations along the three axes, statistically significant differences were identified (p < 0.001; one-way analysis of variance). The reported protocol provides evidence on the benefit of guided orthognathic surgery when performed using a defined VSP protocol, improving accuracy in the maxilla, mandible and chin position, considered both globally and as isolated variables.
Tribological Analysis of Steels in Fuel Environments: Impact of Alloy Content and Hardness
Authors: Macknojia Ali Z. , Montoya Vanessa L. , Cairns Euan , Eskandari Mohammad , Liu Shuangbiao , Chung Yip-Wah , Wang Q. Jane , Berkebile Stephen P. , Aouadi Samir M. , Voevodin Andrey A. , Berman Diana
Published: February 2024

The performance and durability of high-pressure fuel systems in combustion engines are critical for consistent operation under extreme conditions. High-pressure fuel systems are traditionally lubricated with fuel that is compressed and delivered to the combustion chamber. However, lubrication with fuel presents significant challenges in these systems when used with low-viscosity fuels, leading to increased wear rates, especially in reciprocating contacts. This study delved into the tribological performance of steels of varying alloy content (annealed and hardened variants of AISI-52100, CF2, and D2) against alumina and hard 52100 counterbody materials in ethanol and decane environments. Friction and wear behaviors were evaluated, highlighting the influence of material interactions and environmental factors. Elastohydrodynamic lubrication analysis of the tested systems indicated that ethanol and decane form lubricating films of nanometer-scale thickness, confirming the boundary lubrication regimes of the performed tests. In summary, the tribological behavior trends were similar for alumina and 52100 counterbodies. Even though soft 52100 steel demonstrated low friction, its wear was the largest for both tested environments and counterface materials. Among all the tested materials, hard D2 experienced the lowest wear. 52100 and D2 steels showed opposite friction change behavior when comparing hard and soft samples, with lower friction observed for softer 52100 steel and harder D2 steel. Meanwhile, the wear was lower for harder candidates than for softer ones independent of the environment and counterbody material. Raman spectroscopy analysis of the formed wear tracks indicated the formation of carbon films with larger intensities of characteristic carbon peaks observed for more wear-resistant materials. These results suggest the synergistic effect of hardness and tribochemical activity in reducing the wear of materials.
Assessment of Engineering Behavior and Water Resistance of Stabilized Waste Soils Used as Subgrade Filling Materials
Authors: He Fan , Liu Ze , Yan Wenqin
Published: February 2024

Urban construction has generated substantial amounts of waste soils, impeding urban ecological development. With the aim of promoting waste recycling, waste soils possess a high potential for sustainable utilization in subgrade construction. However, these waste materials exhibit inadequate engineering properties and necessitate stabilization for an investigation into their long-term performance as subgrade filling materials. Initially, a thorough assessment and comparison were conducted to examine the key mechanical properties of lime- and cement-stabilized soils with mixed ratios (total stabilizer contents ranging from 2% to 8%). The results indicated that these soils met the requirements of subgrade materials except for the 2% lime-treated soil. Subsequently, to reveal the improvement in water resistance of stabilized waste soil (e.g., under conditions of rainfall or elevated groundwater table), the effects of soil densities and stabilizer contents on the disintegration characteristics were investigated using a range of disintegration tests. An evolutionary model for the disintegration ratio of stabilized soils was then developed to predict the process of disintegration breakage. This model facilitates the quantification of the lower disintegration rates and elevated disintegration time attributed to higher levels of compactness and stabilizer contents during a three-stage disintegration process. This enhances the understanding and evaluation of sustainable applications in stabilized waste soils used as subgrade filling materials.
Encapsulation and Delivery of Mitoxantrone Using Zirconium-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Their Cytotoxic Potential in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Singhal Mitali , Riches-Suman Kirsten , Pors Klaus , Addicoat Matthew A. , Ruiz Amalia , Nayak Sanjit , Elies Jacobo
Published: February 2024

Mitoxantrone (MTX) is a drug employed in breast cancer treatment, but its application is largely limited due to side effects. A controlled delivery approach can potentially reduce the side effects. In this study, two zirconium (Zr)-based MOFs, UiO-66 and UiO-66-NH2, were studied for a more controlled delivery of MTX with a 40% and 21% loading capacity, respectively. Characterisation via powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering confirmed the integrity of structure post-MTX loading. UV–vis spectrophotometry revealed distinctive release profiles, with UiO-66-MTX exhibiting a 25% cumulative release after 96 h in water and 120 h in PBS +10% FBS. UiO-66-NH2-MTX displayed a more sustained release, reaching 62% in water and 47% in PBS +10% FBS after 168 h. The interaction between MTX and the MOFs was also proposed based on computational modelling, suggesting a stronger interaction of UiO-66NH2 and MTX, and an optimised interaction of MTX in the tetrahedral and octahedral pores of the MOFs. The study also reports the release profile of the drug and antiproliferative activity against a panel of breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MCF7) and a normal breast epithelial cell line (MCF10A). MTX-encapsulated MOFs were thoroughly characterised, and their biological activity was assessed in vitro. MTT cell viability assay indicated a higher IC50 value for MTX-loaded MOFs compared to free MTX in physiological conditions, albeit with a slower release profile. These findings suggest the potential of these MTX-loaded MOFs as an alternative avenue for formulation to mitigate side effects.
A Method for Matching Information of Substation Secondary Screen Cabinet Terminal Block Based on Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Cao Weiguo , Chen Zhong , Wu Congying , Li Tiecheng
Published: February 2024

The matching of schematic diagrams and physical information of terminal blocks in substation secondary screen cabinets plays a crucial role in the operation and maintenance of substations. To enhance the automation level of this task and reduce labor costs, a method for identifying and matching information of terminal blocks in substation secondary screen cabinets based on artificial intelligence is investigated in this paper. Initially, multi-layer object detection networks, tailored to the characteristics of both the schematic diagrams and the physical entities in substation secondary screen cabinets, are designed for the precise extraction of information. Subsequently, network topologies for both the schematic and physical systems are established using the Neo4j database, which allows for the digital storage of information in the substation secondary screen cabinet systems. Finally, the branch-and-bound method, improved by the application of a multi-modular graph convolutional network (MGCN) and deep Q-network (DQN), is employed to solve the maximum common subgraph (MCS) problem, resulting in the rapid and efficient matching of schematic and physical data.
The Concept of Using 2D Self-Assembly of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Bioassays
Authors: Marć Maciej , Wolak Wiktor , Drzewiński Andrzej , Mudry Stepan , Shtablavyi Ihor , Dudek Mirosław R.
Published: February 2024

It can be observed that magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles are increasingly used in bioassay methods. This is due to their stability in aqueous solutions, ease of functionalization, biocompatibility and very low toxicity. Here, we show that the recent discovery of the ability of magnetic nanoparticles to self-assemble into 2D structures of ordered chains may be exploited for bioassays. This would open up the possibility of controlled immobilization of proteins, enzymes, DNA or RNA and other molecular systems on spatially ordered nanostructures. In this work, fluorescein was used as an example. Also shown is the possibility of using Raman spectroscopy to analyze material accumulated on such structures. The observed formation of regularly spaced chains of magnetic nanoparticles takes place during the drying process of a thin layer of magnetic liquid placed on an appropriately prepared low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film.
Design of a Compressor Test Rig for Immobilization of the Stall Cell
Authors: Zhang Qian , An Guangfeng
Published: February 2024

Capturing internal flow experimentally presents significant challenges due to the asymmetric propagation and strong unsteadiness of a stall cell in the circumferential direction. In this study, a low-speed counter-rotating axial compressor test rig was designed based on a counter-rotating compressor to immobilize a stall cell and measure its internal flow characteristics. Determining an appropriate speed ratio that is capable of stabilizing the circumferential position of the stall cell in the counter-rotating compressor enabled visualization measurements to be conducted successfully. The preliminary results demonstrated the successful immobilization of the stall cell using an appropriate rotating speed ratio. Furthermore, the oil flow visualization measurements confirmed the presence of a distinct stall cell structure on the casing wall. This work represents an innovative approach towards immobilizing stall cells in axial compression systems.
Investigation of the Influence of Data Collection and Analysis Procedures on Aerosol Filtration Model Development
Authors: Berry Gentry , Knizley Alta , Beckman Ivan , Cho Heejin
Published: February 2024

Fibrous air filters are common devices used to remove airborne particles. Their performance is typically measured through their resistance to airflow and captured particle mass. Models describing the evolution of filter performance have been heavily researched; however, the need for improvement remains. Experimental work is irreplaceable in the development of high-fidelity models, yet the estimation of necessary variables is not trivial and may be influenced by selected measurement instruments and analysis methodologies. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to propose a framework to investigate the response of common aerosol measurement instruments, their corresponding analysis methodologies, and the application of their data. A Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and Laser Aerosol Spectrometer (LAS) were selected for consideration, and their recorded data were compared against baseline measurements. The results of the experiments indicated that the SMPS and LAS yielded a ratio of estimated mass concentrations to the baseline mass concentrations of approximately 1.175 and 0.749, respectively. Regarding the SMPS, it was suggested that the measurable size range, application of a coverage factor, dynamic shape factor, and association between the curve fits and histograms were influential in the final estimates. For the LAS, the application of a curve fit, its association to the histograms, and the selection of the sampling periods were influential. Considering the results, the impact of these factors may not be considered negligible and may skew reproducibility between studies and fossilize confounding factors. Therefore, the proposed methodologies are useful in addressing potential errors in data collection and analysis.
Novel Intelligent Methods for Channel Path Classification and Model Determination Based on Blind Source Signals
Authors: Cao Li-Feng , Liu Cheng-Guo , Cheng Run-Sheng , Tang Guang-Pu , Xiao Tong , Huang Li-Feng , Wang Hong-Guang
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the urban signal propagation characteristics based on the location of blind sources are investigated. To address the issue of blind electromagnetic radiation sources in complex urban environments, intelligent methods for propagation channel path classification, and model determination are brought forth based on field test data. The intelligent classification method distinguishes between the Line-of-Sight (LoS) path channel and a direct path, the LoS multipath channel with a direct path and other multiple paths, and the Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) multipath channel without a direct path from the source to the test point. The modeling aspect determines the model type to which the received signal belongs based on the statistical model derived from the tested data of a specific source. A validation measurement system was constructed for the FM broadcasting band, and validation campaigns were conducted in the city of Wuhan. The process and analysis of the data using this method demonstrate the accurate distinction of the different propagation path channels and models and involve the construction of a statistical model for the FM band in Wuhan’s urban area.
Estimation and Optimal Censoring Plan for a New Unit Log-Log Model via Improved Adaptive Progressively Censored Data
Authors: Alotaibi Refah , Nassar Mazen , Elshahhat Ahmed
Published: February 2024

To gather enough data from studies that are ongoing for an extended duration, a newly improved adaptive Type-II progressive censoring technique has been offered to get around this difficulty and extend several well-known multi-stage censoring plans. This work, which takes this scheme into account, focuses on some conventional and Bayesian estimation missions for parameter and reliability indicators, where the unit log-log model acts as the base distribution. The point and interval estimations of the various parameters are looked at from a classical standpoint. In addition to the conventional approach, the Bayesian methodology is examined to derive credible intervals beside the Bayesian point by leveraging the squared error loss function and the Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. Under varied settings, a simulation study is carried out to distinguish between the standard and Bayesian estimates. To implement the proposed procedures, two actual data sets are analyzed. Finally, multiple precision standards are considered to pick the optimal progressive censoring scheme.
Experimental Evaluation: Can Humans Recognise Social Media Bots?
Authors: Kolomeets Maxim , Tushkanova Olga , Desnitsky Vasily , Vitkova Lidia , Chechulin Andrey
Published: February 2024

This paper aims to test the hypothesis that the quality of social media bot detection systems based on supervised machine learning may not be as accurate as researchers claim, given that bots have become increasingly sophisticated, making it difficult for human annotators to detect them better than random selection. As a result, obtaining a ground-truth dataset with human annotation is not possible, which leads to supervised machine-learning models inheriting annotation errors. To test this hypothesis, we conducted an experiment where humans were tasked with recognizing malicious bots on the VKontakte social network. We then compared the “human” answers with the “ground-truth” bot labels (‘a bot’/‘not a bot’). Based on the experiment, we evaluated the bot detection efficiency of annotators in three scenarios typical for cybersecurity but differing in their detection difficulty as follows: (1) detection among random accounts, (2) detection among accounts of a social network ‘community’, and (3) detection among verified accounts. The study showed that humans could only detect simple bots in all three scenarios but could not detect more sophisticated ones (p-value = 0.05). The study also evaluates the limits of hypothetical and existing bot detection systems that leverage non-expert-labelled datasets as follows: the balanced accuracy of such systems can drop to 0.5 and lower, depending on bot complexity and detection scenario. The paper also describes the experiment design, collected datasets, statistical evaluation, and machine learning accuracy measures applied to support the results. In the discussion, we raise the question of using human labelling in bot detection systems and its potential cybersecurity issues. We also provide open access to the datasets used, experiment results, and software code for evaluating statistical and machine learning accuracy metrics used in this paper on GitHub.
ATF4 Signaling in HIV-1 Infection: Viral Subversion of a Stress Response Transcription Factor
Authors: Corne Adrien , Adolphe Florine , Estaquier Jérôme , Gaumer Sébastien , Corsi Jean-Marc
Published: February 2024

Cellular integrated stress response (ISR), the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), and IFN signaling are associated with viral infections. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) plays a pivotal role in these pathways and controls the expression of many genes involved in redox processes, amino acid metabolism, protein misfolding, autophagy, and apoptosis. The precise role of ATF4 during viral infection is unclear and depends on cell hosts, viral agents, and models. Furthermore, ATF4 signaling can be hijacked by pathogens to favor viral infection and replication. In this review, we summarize the ATF4-mediated signaling pathways in response to viral infections, focusing on human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). We examine the consequences of ATF4 activation for HIV-1 replication and reactivation. The role of ATF4 in autophagy and apoptosis is explored as in the context of HIV-1 infection programmed cell deaths contribute to the depletion of CD4 T cells. Furthermore, ATF4 can also participate in the establishment of innate and adaptive immunity that is essential for the host to control viral infections. We finally discuss the putative role of the ATF4 paralogue, named ATF5, in HIV-1 infection. This review underlines the role of ATF4 at the crossroads of multiple processes reflecting host–pathogen interactions.
Vascular Calcification: Molecular Networking, Pathological Implications and Translational Opportunities
Authors: Ortega Miguel A. , De Leon-Oliva Diego , Gimeno-Longas Maria José , Boaru Diego Liviu , Fraile-Martinez Oscar , García-Montero Cielo , de Castro Amador Velazquez , Barrena-Blázquez Silvestra , López-González Laura , Amor Silvia , García-Honduvilla Natalio , Buján Julia , Guijarro Luis G. , Castillo-Ruiz Elisa , Álvarez-Mon Miguel Ángel , Albillos Agustin , Álvarez-Mon Melchor , Diaz Raul , Saez Miguel A.
Published: February 2024

Calcification is a process of accumulation of calcium in tissues and deposition of calcium salts by the crystallization of PO43− and ionized calcium (Ca2+). It is a crucial process in the development of bones and teeth. However, pathological calcification can occur in almost any soft tissue of the organism. The better studied is vascular calcification, where calcium salts can accumulate in the intima or medial layer or in aortic valves, and it is associated with higher mortality and cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, aortic and peripheral artery disease (PAD), and diabetes or chronic kidney disease (CKD), among others. The process involves an intricate interplay of different cellular components, endothelial cells (ECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), fibroblasts, and pericytes, concurrent with the activation of several signaling pathways, calcium, Wnt, BMP/Smad, and Notch, and the regulation by different molecular mediators, growth factors (GFs), osteogenic factors and matrix vesicles (MVs). In the present review, we aim to explore the cellular players, molecular pathways, biomarkers, and clinical treatment strategies associated with vascular calcification to provide a current and comprehensive overview of the topic.
Protective Effects of High-Density Lipoprotein on Cancer Risk: Focus on Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Allegra Alessandro , Murdaca Giuseppe , Mirabile Giuseppe , Gangemi Sebastiano
Published: February 2024

Lipid metabolism is intrinsically linked to tumorigenesis. And one of the most important characteristics of cancer is the modification of lipid metabolism and its correlation with oncogenic signaling pathways within the tumors. Because lipids function as signaling molecules, membrane structures, and energy sources, lipids are essential to the development of cancer. Above all, the proper immune response of tumor cells depends on the control of lipid metabolism. Changes in metabolism can modify systems that regulate carcinogenesis, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis. The dependence of various malignancies on lipid metabolism varies. This review delves into the modifications to lipid metabolism that take place in cancer, specifically focusing on multiple myeloma. The review illustrates how changes in different lipid pathways impact the growth, survival, and drug-responsiveness of multiple myeloma cells, in addition to their interactions with other cells within the tumor microenvironment. The phenotype of malignant plasma cells can be affected by lipid vulnerabilities, and these findings offer a new avenue for understanding this process. Additionally, they identify novel druggable pathways that have a major bearing on multiple myeloma care.
Revisiting Treatment of Metastatic Urothelial Cancer: Where Do Cisplatin and Platinum Ineligibility Criteria Stand?
Authors: Moussa Mohammad Jad , Campbell Matthew T. , Alhalabi Omar
Published: February 2024

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has been the standard of care in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) for more than two decades. However, many patients with comorbidities cannot receive cisplatin or its alternative, carboplatin. ‘Cisplatin-ineligible’ and ‘platinum-ineligible’ patients lacked effective therapy options. However, the recent combination of enfortumab vedotin (EV), an antibody–drug conjugate targeting Nectin-4, with pembrolizumab (P), an antibody targeting the programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint, is changing the status quo of frontline mUC treatment, with potential synergy seen in the EV-103 and EV-302 clinical trials. First, we review the working definitions of ‘cisplatin ineligibility’ and ‘platinum ineligibility’ in mUC clinical trials and the standard of care in both categories. Then, we review select clinical trials for frontline treatment of cisplatin- and platinum-ineligible mUC patients on ClinicalTrials.gov. We classify the investigated drugs in these trials by their therapeutic strategies. Alongside chemotherapy combinations, the field is witnessing more immunotherapy combinations with fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors, bicycle toxin conjugates, bispecific antibodies, innovative targeted therapies, and many others. Most importantly, we rethink the value of classifying patients by cisplatin or platinum ineligibility in the frontline setting in the post-EVP era. Lastly, we discuss new priority goals to tailor predictive, monitoring, and prognostic biomarkers to these emergent therapies.
Pathophysiology-Based Management of Secondary Injuries and Insults in TBI
Authors: de Macedo Filho Leonardo , Figueredo Luisa F. , Villegas-Gomez Gustavo Adolfo , Arthur Matthew , Pedraza-Ciro Maria Camila , Martins Henrique , Kanawati Neto Joaquim , Hawryluk Gregory J. , Amorim Robson Luís Oliveira
Published: February 2024

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among all ages; despite the advances, understanding pathophysiological responses after TBI is still complex, involving multiple mechanisms. Previous reviews have focused on potential targets; however, the research on potential targets has continuously grown in the last five years, bringing even more alternatives and elucidating previous mechanisms. Knowing the key and updated pathophysiology concepts is vital for adequate management and better outcomes. This article reviews the underlying molecular mechanisms, the latest updates, and future directions for pathophysiology-based TBI management.
Sensing Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Using Aptamer-Functionalized Si-Based Electrolyte-Gated Field-Effect Transistor (EGT)
Authors: Shin Seonghwan , Kim Sangwon , Choi Wonyeong , Do Jeonghyeon , Son Jongmin , Kim Kihyun , Jang Sungkey , Lee Jeong-Soo
Published: February 2024

The sensing responses of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using top-down-fabricated Si-based electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) have been investigated. An aptamer was employed as a receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The EGT demonstrated excellent intrinsic characteristics and higher sensitivity in the subthreshold regime compared to the linear regime. The limit of detection (LOD) was achieved as low as 0.94 pg/mL and 20 pg/mL for the current and voltage sensitivity, respectively. To analyze the sensing responses of EGT in detecting the aptamer–SARS-CoV-2 spike protein conjugate, a lumped-capacitive model with the presence of an effective dipole potential and an effective capacitance of the functionalized layer component was employed. The aptamer-functionalized EGT showed high sensitivity even in 10 mM phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. These results suggest that Si-based EGTs are a highly promising method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.
Toe Grip Strength Is Associated with Improving Gait Function in Patients with Subacute Stroke
Authors: Ryu Jin-Whan , Hwang In-Su , Jin Sol , Kim Soo-A , Kim Min-Su
Published: February 2024

Toe grip strength has recently been suggested to play an essential role in maintaining balance and postural stability for ambulatory function in older populations. This study aimed to investigate its association with improving gait function three months after onset in patients with subacute stroke. This longitudinal cohort study included 98 first-ever stroke patients (67 ± 9 years, 56% female) within one month from the onset who could not ambulate independently. Functional outcome indicators, including toe grip strength, hand grip strength, knee extensor strength, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA_LE), and the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), were assessed before and three months after the intervention. We analyzed the correlation between participants’ gait function using a 10-meter walk test time and various functional indicators. Then, multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate whether toe grip strength was related to the improvement of gait function. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the 10MWT time and toe grip strength ratio (affected/unaffected side), with a moderate effect size (r = −0.61, p <0.001). Multiple regression analysis with covariates showed a significant relationship between 10MWT time and toe grip strength ratio (β = −0.113, p < 0.001), FMA_LE (β = −1.315, p = 0.004), PASS (β = −3.275, p <0.001), and age (β = −0.159, p = 0.004). In conclusion, toe grip strength was an essential factor associated with ambulatory function improvement in subacute stroke patients three months after onset. Additional toe grip muscle strengthening rehabilitation treatment can be expected to help improve the ambulatory function of subacute stroke patients in the future.
Affective and Social Competencies of Elementary School Students in the Use of Digital Textbooks: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Im Hyunjung
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the impact of digital textbooks, which play an important role in post-COVID-19 digitalized education, on the development of elementary school students’ affective and social competencies. The study quantitatively analyzed three years of student panel data collected from 1,418 students in the third and fourth grades of a digital textbook pilot elementary school in South Korea. This study examined differences in the development of affective and social competencies between the treatment group (n = 708), who used digital textbooks for three years, and the control group (n = 710), who used digital textbooks for two years and returned to paper textbooks. Results showed that the affective competencies of self-efficacy, learning motivation, and learning attitudes were higher in the treatment group than in the control group, and the social competencies of communication, collaboration, and sociability were also higher. Implications for digital education research and related policies are provided, and limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis for Eccentricity Solution in Double-Layer Space Truss
Authors: Vital Welington , Silva Ramon , Bezerra Luciano M. , Oliveira Cynthia M. , Freitas Cleirton A. S. , Bonilla Jorge
Published: February 2024

This paper shows an extensive study on the Typical Connections used in Double-Layer Space Truss. For this structural system, the ends of the bars are flattened to connect the bars. However, the flattening process results in a highly plastic stamping zone susceptible to warping with the appearance of two eccentricities, one of which causes rotation of the connection, with the presence of a bending moment with local rupture resulting in progressive collapse of the entire coverage system, as already evidenced in several countries. Therefore, eccentricity in this paper is studied and an analytical solution to the problem is presented through the use of a new device called a spacer. Furthermore, a preliminary study with complex numerical simulation was carried out with nonlinear analysis in ABAQUS were evaluated. For this study, nine space trusses were experimentally tested with reinforcement spacer in reduced trusses. After confirming the efficiency of the spacer proposal, another six space trusses were tested in the laboratory, this time, on a full-scale. In this study, two types of spacers were evaluated, one made of USI SAC 350 steel and another cheaper one made from recycled tires from heavy vehicles with multiple filaments of steel and nylon wires in the rubber layers. The two devices presented very close resistance capacity values, with a resistance gain of approximately 30% in relation to connections without reinforcement, with structural failure characterized by buckling of the bars. Finally, a numerical study of space trusses with spacers was developed. In practical design terms, from these FE simulations it was possible to determine the normal stresses for different spacers applied in the different modeled spans.
Numerical Study of the Solar Energy-Powered Embedded Pipe Envelope System
Authors: Wang Linfeng , Onn Chiu Chuen , Chew Bee Teng , Li Wuyan , Li Yongcai
Published: February 2024

This study introduces a Solar Energy-Powered Embedded Pipe Envelope System (SEPES) designed to enhance indoor thermal comfort and reduce heating loads during the heating season. To achieve this objective, a dynamic simulation model coupling a SEPES and building thermal environment was established under the TRNSYS environment. Based on the model, a case analysis was conducted to investigate the operational characteristics of the system during the heating season in a rural building in Beijing. The results indicate that, on the coldest heating day, the system can elevate the indoor temperature by 14.5 °C, reducing the daily heat load from 76.3 kWh to 20.3 kWh, achieving a remarkable energy savings of 73.4%. Additionally, due to the utilization of lower solar heat collection temperatures, the energy efficiency of the system reaches 26.9%. Throughout the entire heating season, the SEPES system enhances the natural indoor temperature by 13.3 °C to 16.6 °C, demonstrating significant effectiveness. Moreover, regional adaptability analysis indicates that the SEPES achieves energy savings ranging from 43.9% to 66% during the heating season in cold regions and regions with hot summers and cold winters in China. Overall, the SEPES is most suitable for climates characterized by both low temperatures and abundant solar radiation in order to achieve optimal performance.
Impact of Metal Impregnation of Commercial Zeolites in the Catalytic Pyrolysis of Real Mixture of Post-Consumer Plastic Waste
Authors: Paucar-Sánchez Marco F. , Calero Mónica , Blázquez Gabriel , Solís Rafael R. , Muñoz-Batista Mario J. , Martín-Lara María Ángeles
Published: February 2024

This work reports the study of the catalytic pyrolysis of rejected plastic fractions collected from municipal solid waste whose mechanical recovery is not plausible due to technical or poor conservation issues. The chemical recycling using catalytic pyrolysis was carried out over commercial zeolites formulas, i.e., HY and HZSM-5, in which Ni or Co metals were deposited at two different loadings (1 and 5%, wt.). The presence of these transition metals on the zeolitic supports impacted the total production of compounds existing in the liquid oil. The samples were characterized in terms of structural, chemical, and morphologic properties, and the production of different fuel fractions (gasoline, light cycle oil, and heavy cycle oil) was correlated with a combined parameter defined as a ratio of Acidity/BET area.
Mass Spectrometry Strategies for O-Glycoproteomics
Authors: Helms Amanda , Brodbelt Jennifer S.
Published: February 2024

Glycoproteomics has accelerated in recent decades owing to numerous innovations in the analytical workflow. In particular, new mass spectrometry strategies have contributed to inroads in O-glycoproteomics, a field that lags behind N-glycoproteomics due to several unique challenges associated with the complexity of O-glycosylation. This review will focus on progress in sample preparation, enrichment strategies, and MS/MS techniques for the identification and characterization of O-glycoproteins.
Comprehensive Co-Inhibitory Receptor (Co-IR) Expression on T Cells and Soluble Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Wang Chin-Man , Jan Wu Yeong-Jian , Huang Li-Yu , Zheng Jian-Wen , Chen Ji-Yih
Published: February 2024

Co-inhibitory receptors (Co-IRs) are essential in controlling the progression of immunopathology in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by limiting T cell activation. The objective of this investigation was to determine the phenotypic expression of Co-IR T cells and to assess the levels of serum soluble PD-1, PDL-2, and TIM3 in Taiwanese RA patients. Methods: Co-IRs T cells were immunophenotyped employing multicolor flow cytometry, and ELISA was utilized for measuring soluble PD-1, PDL-2, and TIM3. Correlations have been detected across the percentage of T cells expressing Co-IRs (MFI) and different indicators in the blood, including ESR, high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), 28 joint disease activity scores (DAS28), and soluble PD-1/PDL-2/TIM3. Results: In RA patients, we recognized elevated levels of PD-1 (CD279), CTLA-4, and TIGIT in CD4+ T cells; TIGIT, HLA-DR, TIM3, and LAG3 in CD8+ T cells; and CD8+CD279+TIM3+, CD8+HLA-DR+CD38+ T cells. The following tests were revealed to be correlated with hsCRP: CD4/CD279 MFI, CD4/CD279%, CD4/TIM3%, CD8/TIM3%, CD8/TIM3 MFI, CD8/LAG3%, and CD8+HLA-DR+CD38+%. CD8/LAG3 and CD8/TIM3 MFIs are linked to ESR. DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP exhibited relationships with CD4/CD127 MFI, CD8/CD279%, and CD8/CD127 MFI, respectively. CD4+CD279+TIM3+% was correlated with DAS28-ESR (p = 0.0084, N = 46), DAS28-CRP (p = 0.007, N = 47), and hsCRP (p = 0.002, N = 56), respectively. In the serum of patients with RA, levels of soluble PD-1, PDL-2, and Tim3 were extremely elevated. CD4+ TIM3+% (p = 0.0089, N = 46) and CD8+ TIM3+% (p = 0.0305, N = 46) were correlated with sTIM3 levels; sPD1 levels were correlated with CD4+CD279+% (p < 0.0001, N = 31) and CD3+CD279+% (p = 0.0084, N = 30). Conclusions: Co-IR expressions on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as soluble PD-1, PDL-2, and TIM3 levels, could function as indicators of disease activity and potentially play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of RA.