bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Airtightness of High-Rise Buildings (Lessons Learned)
Authors: Rolfsmeier Stefanie , Mairinger Emanuel , Neubig Johannes , Gayer Thomas
Published: February 2025

Measuring the airtightness of high-rise buildings presents significant challenges due to the effects of wind and thermal lift (stack effect). Small indoor/outdoor temperature differences, combined with the building’s height, can create substantial natural pressure differences on the building envelope, while winds induce pressure fluctuations. The international standard ISO 9972 provides insufficient guidelines for dealing with these high and fluctuating natural pressure differences. In addition, it is crucial to achieve a uniform internal pressure distribution during the test. This paper discusses the airtightness testing of high-rise buildings up to 125 m tall using portable blower door devices, following the “airtightness measurement of high-rise buildings” Passive House guideline. Differential pressure sensors were placed on the ground and top floors to record the effects of wind and thermal lift, and additional sensors helped to achieve a uniform pressure distribution within the building. The readings from the ground and top floors ensured full depressurization and pressurization during testing. The setup of the measuring fans, mainly on the ground floor, was supplemented with additional fans on higher floors to maintain pressure uniformity within a 10% tolerance. To be able to conduct a multi-point regression test, it is recommended to limit the product of the indoor/outdoor temperature difference and building height to ≤1250 mK and to achieve a coefficient of determination of 0.98 or higher, a wind speed ≤ 3 Beaufort. The study concludes that an airtight building envelope and larger internal flow paths, such as stairwells and elevator shafts, simplify the measurement.
The Flexural Performance of Underground Combined Walls
Authors: Chen Chunchao , Chen Shihai
Published: February 2025

Connecting diaphragm walls as permanent components of underground spaces in relation to basement sidewalls is an effective method for enhancing structural stability, reducing structural footprint, and improving waterproofing performance. To investigate the influence of connection methods between diaphragm walls and sidewalls on the mechanical performance of combined walls and to determine the differences in mechanical behavior between combined and composite walls, four–point bending experiments were conducted based on static loading systems and digital imaging technology. The cracking characteristics, strain response, load–bearing capacity, displacement ductility, and interface mechanical behavior of a combined wall with interface roughening and rebar anchoring, a combined wall with shear grooves, and a composite wall with a high–density polyethylene waterproof layer were comparatively analyzed. The results showed that for the combined walls with interface roughening and rebar anchoring or with shear grooves, through–thickness cracks extended across the interface, with no interfacial slipping failure observed. The combined wall with shear grooves exhibited noticeable through–thickness cracks. For the composite wall, cracks were staggered on both sides of the interface, with significant interface slipping failure. Compared to the composite wall, the combined walls demonstrated superior overall performance with fewer cracks. Additionally, the load–bearing capacity and displacement ductility of the combined wall with interface roughening and rebar anchoring were significantly higher than those of the combined wall with shear grooves and the composite wall. The composite wall exhibited the lowest load–bearing capacity, while the combined wall with shear grooves demonstrated the least displacement ductility.
Flexural Behavior of New Demountable Steel–Concrete Composite Beam with Novel Demountable Connectors
Authors: Liu Jicheng , Cen Kaiwen , Wang Zhexiong , Li Wei , Shi Lili
Published: February 2025

This study proposes a novel type of demountable steel–concrete composite beam (the slab is connected to the steel beam by T-shaped shear connectors, TCBs) to address the limitations of traditional composite beams, including difficulties in disassembly and challenges in resource recycling. Finite element analysis was conducted to compare a TCB’s mechanical performance and failure modes with those of traditional bolt-connected steel–concrete composite beams (BCBs). The results show that, while the TCB exhibits reduced initial stiffness, it enhances mid-span deformation capacity, demonstrating superior ductility and a more uniform damage distribution. Furthermore, the influence of parameters such as concrete strength, bolt diameter, steel beam strength, and flange thickness on the flexural performance of the TCB was investigated. When the bolt diameter increases from 16 mm to 24 mm, the flexural capacity increases by 45.26% and the ductility increases by 63.3%. Enhanced steel beam strength led to a 55.17% increase in bearing capacity, while an increase in flange thickness by 3 mm contributed to a 24.8% improvement in load-bearing capacity. Additionally, the ultimate flexural moment resistance was calculated and verified based on the shear-resisting connection theory, with the computed results showing good agreement with the finite element analysis results. The average ratio of these values was 0.97, with a standard deviation of 0.06. The findings provide a theoretical basis for designing and engineering applications of demountable composite beams.
Incorporating Life Cycle Assessment and Uncertainties in Early Building Design: A Case Study Using Leaf Cutter Ant
Authors: Ylmén Peter , Moberg Sandra , Kallionen Simon , Larsson Simon , Lauri Daniel
Published: February 2025

To mitigate the impact of the climate, there is an advantage in incorporating climate calculations for design alternatives early in the design process. However, there is a need for tools dedicated to providing climate feedback on design sketches in the early design stages. A main actor in this stage is the architect. It is therefore beneficial if the toolchain already used by architects can be adapted to provide the necessary decision support for climate optimized design. For this purpose, a software tool called LCAnt version 0.2.2 was developed. This tool assists in determining amounts of materials from volume sketches in Rhino using a novel method for estimating the load-bearing structure and connecting it to an existing life cycle assessment database through Grasshopper. A real-life case study was used to demonstrate and evaluate how this type of tool can be applied in early design stages. This study was expanded by exploring strategies for managing uncertainties naturally present in these early design stages. This work demonstrates how to incorporate uncertainty evaluation into the early building design phase to obtain higher-quality decision support for low-climate-impact buildings. The uncertainty evaluation will at the same time identify in which stage important decisions regarding layout and material choices should be made to minimize the climate impacts of the finished building. Combining this with the studied tool LCAnt, which adapts to the workflow of professional building design, will facilitate implementation.
Rethinking the Sustainability of Industrial Buildings in High-Density Urban Areas: Balancing Adaptability and Public Satisfaction
Authors: Ding Xiao , Shao Yuchen , Feng Botao
Published: February 2025

In the context of land scarcity and high-density urban areas, the adaptive reuse of abandoned historical industrial buildings plays a critical role in achieving sustainable development goals. This study proposes a sustainability assessment framework for the adaptive reuse of industrial buildings as exhibition spaces within the context of high-density urban development, addressing multiple dimensions of sustainability, including the building’s physical structure, economic factors, environmental impact, social considerations, and governance. The framework consists of 55 design indexes, categorized into 15 subcategories and 5 main categories. We conducted a survey of experts with experience in high-density urban renewal design and implemented a weighting analysis to identify priority intervention measures for industrial building redevelopment in the era of urban stock. Finally, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation was carried out on ten cases in Shenzhen where industrial buildings were converted into exhibition spaces over the past 12 years. The findings reveal the following: (1) “Reuse of old architectural spaces” is the most critical category to prioritize, and, at the indicator level, “adaptability and efficiency of building reuse”, “public participation in the renewal process”, “cooperative operation structures”, and “planning vision” are identified as the four key influencing factors. (2) The functional layout, historical value, and richness of public amenities in the transformed industrial buildings have a significant positive impact on the evaluation results, while the building’s construction time and floor area do not significantly affect public post-evaluation. (3) Younger and more highly educated groups tend to view the transformed exhibition spaces as tourist attractions, particularly expressing satisfaction with the repurposing of the Kinwei Brewery and OCAT B10 New Hall, and consider the adaptive reuse of industrial buildings to promote sustainable urban renewal (SUR). This study provides concrete policy recommendations and practical guidance for the adaptive reuse of both new and existing industrial buildings, contributing to the creation of sustainable urban environments.
Prognostic Significance of Lymph Node Ratio (LNR) in Gastric Cancer in Predicting Postoperative Complications and Survival: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Miciak Michał , Jurkiewicz Krzysztof , Dzierżek Przemysław , Rudno-Rudzińska Julia , Kielan Wojciech
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The Lymph Node Ratio (LNR) index is the proportion of lymph nodes with present metastases to lymph nodes removed and examined. This is an additionally established parameter for predicting the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The most popular cancer classification, TNM, describes only the number of affected lymph nodes. It can result in a negative overestimation of the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer if the number of nodes examined is relatively limited. Methods: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 194 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer operated on between 2017 and 2021 at the Clinical Department of Oncological Surgery, University Centre of General and Oncological Surgery of the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw. In total, 133 patients underwent gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and 61 remaining patients had the resection procedure abandoned due to an unresectable lesion. The LNR index was calculated based on histopathological examination, and postoperative complications were assessed using the Clavien–Dindo (C-D) scale. Statistical analysis was performed regarding the dependence of LNR on the following patient characteristics: sex, age, TNM features, tumor stage, tumor location, performed procedure, chemotherapy application, C-D complication rate, and survival rate. Results: The value of the LNR index significantly depends on TNM features (p < 0.05), clinical tumor stage (p < 0.05), and patient survival (p < 0.05), while no statistically significant relationship with C-D complication rate was demonstrated. Conclusions: The LNR index is a relevant parameter in predicting prognosis and survival time in gastric cancer patients, but future studies on larger and differentiated groups of patients could further confirm its usefulness in the development of guidelines.
Clinical Impact of a Next-Generation Sequencing Approach for Glioblastoma Patients
Authors: Vivancos Sánchez Catalina , Esteban Rodríguez María Isabel , Peláez García Alberto , Taravilla-Loma Mario , Rodríguez-Domínguez Víctor , Rodríguez-Antolín Carlos , Rosas-Alonso Rocío , Losantos-García Itsaso , Isla Guerrero Alberto , Gandía-González María Luisa
Published: February 2025

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical impact of next-generation sequencing (NGS), as an increasingly available and advantageous tool, for glioblastoma patients. Methods: Adult patients aged less than 65, and surgically treated for glioblastoma between 2010–2021, were included. Tumor samples were analyzed with NGS using the Oncomine Comprehensive v3 (OCA) panel and Ion Reporter Genexus v5.9.1 (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Results: Thirty-two patients were included, with a median age of 47.7 years and a median overall survival of 25 months. Identification of mutations by NGS resulted in a change in diagnosis in two cases. In all patients but one, at least one genetic alteration was detected (median of three per patient), most commonly EGFR amplification. In 93.7% of patients, biomarkers that make them potentially eligible for a clinical trial were found. No survival differences were seen regarding genetic alterations, although a trend towards better survival for those patients without CDK4 mutation was observed (p = 0.088). Conclusions: The use of NGS provides useful information for diagnosis, especially in young patients, and it will probably become valuable for clinical decision-making as more therapeutic targets and treatments emerge. For the moment, it is crucial for scientific progress to happen.
Neoadjuvant Treatment in Localized Pancreatic Cancer of the Elderly: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature
Authors: Orlandi Elena , Vecchia Stefano , Anselmi Elisa , Toscani Ilaria , Guasconi Massimo , Perrone Gennaro , Citterio Chiara , Banchini Filippo , Giuffrida Mario
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) improves surgical outcomes in pancreatic cancer, but its role in elderly patients remains unclear. Due to comorbidities and lower chemotherapy tolerance, assessing NAT’s benefits and risks in this population is essential. This systematic review assesses the impact of NAT on overall survival (OS), surgical resection rates, and treatment-related toxicities(G3-4) in elderly patients with resectable, borderline, or locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting that NAT outcomes in elderly patients (≥70 years) were included. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess study quality. Subgroup analyses compared NAT versus upfront surgery and outcomes in elderly versus younger patients. Results: Twelve studies (four prospective and eight retrospective) including 11,385 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among 9580 elderly patients, only 24% underwent NAT. NAT significantly improved R0 resection rates compared to upfront surgery (p < 0.001), and elderly patients receiving NAT had a median OS of 26.5 (range 15.7–39.1) months versus 20.3 months (range 11.5–23.8) of upfront surgery and versus 36.2 months (range 23.6–43.0) of NAT in young patients. Elderly patients experienced higher rates of major toxicities (17–57.5%). Personalized regimens, such as gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, were better tolerated than FOLFIRINOX. Conclusions: NAT is associated with improved survival and surgical outcomes in elderly pancreatic cancer patients, despite a higher risk of adverse events. Patient selection based on performance status rather than age alone is essential to optimize treatment benefits. Further prospective trials are needed to refine treatment approaches in this population.
Individual and Joint Associations of Cancer Diagnosis and Handgrip Strength with Depression in European Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Vasconcelos Carlos , Peralta Miguel , Marques Adilson
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Depression is influenced by a multitude of interconnected factors, including cancer and handgrip strength. The purpose of our study is to examine how handgrip strength and cancer diagnosis are individually and jointly associated with depression. Methods: An observational study was employed using secondary data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe waves 7 and 8. The sample comprised 7 641 participants (71.1 ± 7.7 years), from 12 European countries. Results: Having a cancer diagnosis was associated with greater odds of depression (depression 2017 model: OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.75; depression 2019 model: OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.95). Being in a higher handgrip tertile was associated with lower odds of depression (depression 2017 model: tertile 2, OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.56, 0.74 and tertile 3, OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.49, 0.65; depression 2019 model: tertile 2, OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.64, 0.86 and tertile 3, OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65, 0.88). The greatest reduction in odds for depression was found for participants without cancer and in the third handgrip strength tertile (depression 2017: OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.29, 0.61; depression 2019: OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.28, 0.58). Conclusions: Both cancer and handgrip strength were associated with depression, with the first increasing its risk and the latter reducing it. Individuals without cancer and in the highest tertile of handgrip strength have lower odds of depression in both analyses.
Apparent Diffusion Coefficient as an Early Predictive Factor of Local and Overall Response to Treatment with Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Radiotherapy in Patients with Prostate Cancer
Authors: Duque-Santana Victor , Fernandez Julio , Diaz-Gavela Ana , Recio Manuel , Guerrero Luis L. , Peña Marina , Sanchez Sofia , López-Campos Fernando , Thuissard Israel J. , Andreu-Vázquez Cristina , Sanz-Rosa David , Achard Vérane , Gómez-Iturriaga Alfonso , Díez Víctor , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara A. , Del Cerro Elia , Couñago Felipe
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: To analyze the predictive value of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) treated with radiotherapy (RT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Methods: Retrospective study of patients with high-risk, very high-risk, or unfavorable intermediate-risk PCa who received RT and ADT between 2008 and 2019 and underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging mpMRI) at 6 months post-RT. Differences in ADC values were compared between patients with and without progression and/or local recurrence. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to obtain ADC cutoffs for predicting 10-year progression-free-survival (PFS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS). Results: We evaluated 98 patients (73 [74.5%] high-risk). Over a mean ± SD follow-up of 95.36 ± 30.54 months, 19 patients (19.4%) progressed; at 10 years, PFS was 75.6%, LRFS 93.8%, metastasis-free survival 85.5%, and overall survival 89.5%. Post-RT ADC was significantly lower in patients with local recurrence (1.09 ± 0.18 vs. 1.30 ± 0.20 × 10−3 mm2/s, p = 0.020) and progression (1.23 ± 0.20 vs. 1.30 ± 0.21 × 10−3 mm2/s, p = 0.004). ROC analysis identified a post-RT ADC cutoff of 1.11 × 10−3 mm2/s for local recurrence (area under curve [AUC] 0.843, sensitivity 89.4%, positive predictive value [PPV] 98.8%). The cutoff for progression was 1.24 × 10−3 mm2/s (AUC0.705, sensitivity 72.2%, PPV87.7%). Patients with a post-RT ADC value below and above 1.11 × 10−3 mm2/shad a 10-year LRFS of 66.8% and 97.7%, respectively (HR: 25.04 [2.58–242.92], p < 0.001). The corresponding rates for 10-year PFS were 58.6% and 85.6% in patients with post-RT ADC values below and above 1.24 × 10−3 mm2/s (HR: 2.916 [1.113–7.644], p = 0.015). In the multivariate analysis, a post-treatment ADC value ≤ 1.24 × 10−3 mm2/s was a significant prognostic factor for a lower PFS (HR: 3823 [1371–10,657], p = 0.010). Conclusions: This is the first study to show that post-RT ADC can be a predictive factor of local recurrence in PCa treated with RT and ADT. Moreover, this long-term study demonstrates its value as a predictive factor of progression in PCa treated with RT and ADT.
Epigenetic Perspectives and Their Prognostic Value in Early Recurrence After Hepatocellular Carcinoma Resection
Authors: Lu Chang-Yi , Lin Ching-Pin , Lee Hsiang-Lin , Peng Pey-Jey , Huang Shao-Chang , Chuang Meng-Rong , Lin Yih-Jyh
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The post-hepatectomy survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) faces challenges due to high recurrence rates, especially early recurrence (ER). We investigated DNA methylation in HCC and developed a methylation-based model for ER prediction (MER). Methods: We studied HCC patients with ER within a year post-hepatectomy, comparing them to those who remained recurrence-free (RF) for 5 years. In a testing set, we examined genome-wide methylation profiles to identify differences between ER and RF. Validation in an independent cohort confirmed candidate markers using real-time quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP). We constructed MER by incorporating identified gene methylation, clinical information, and serum protein marker, and evaluated its predictive performance using ROC analysis and Cox regression. Results: Distinct signatures of hypermethylation and hypomethylation were observed between ER and RF, as well as between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic groups. Significant aberrant methylation pathways, including FGFR signaling, the PI3K network, and the MAPK pathway, were observed in non-cirrhotic ER patients. Conversely, cirrhotic ER patients showed notable associations with Wnt/β-catenin signaling, cell adhesion, and migration mechanisms. Through qMSP analysis, we identified ER-associated genes, including BDNF, FOXL2, LMO7, NCAM1, NEIS3, PLA2G7, and LTB4R. MER demonstrated strong predictive ability for ER, with an AUC of 0.855, surpassing current indicators such as AFP, tumor size, and BCLC stage. Combining different predictors resulted in heightened AUC values. Importantly, the inclusion of MER yielded to the highest AUC of 0.952, underscoring the substantial contribution of MER to predictive accuracy. Conclusions: This study discovered the involvement of aberrant DNA methylation in HCC with early recurrence. The MER outperforms clinicopathological predictors and achieves robust prediction capabilities in identifying patients at risk of ER.
Antibody-Based and Other Novel Agents in Adult B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Csizmar Clifford M. , Litzow Mark R. , Saliba Antoine N.
Published: February 2025

Despite notable progress in managing B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) over recent decades, particularly in pediatric cohorts where the 5-year overall survival (OS) reaches 90%, outcomes for the 10–15% with relapsed and refractory disease remain unfavorable. This disparity is further accentuated in adults, where individuals over the age of 40 years undergoing aggressive multiagent chemotherapy continue to have lower survival rates. While the adoption of pediatric-inspired treatment protocols has enhanced complete remission (CR) rates among younger adults, 20–30% of these patients experience relapse, resulting in a subsequent 5-year OS rate of 40–50%. For relapsed B-ALL in adults, there is no universally accepted standard salvage therapy, and the median OS is short. The cornerstone of B-ALL treatment continues to be the utilization of combined cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens to maximize early and durable disease control. In this manuscript, we go beyond the multiagent chemotherapy medications developed prior to the 1980s and focus on the incorporation of antibody-based therapy for B-ALL with an eye on existing and upcoming approved indications for blinatumomab, inotuzumab ozogamicin, other monoclonal antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell products in frontline and relapsed/refractory settings. In addition, we discuss emerging investigational therapies that harness the therapeutic vulnerabilities of the disease through targeting apoptosis, modifying epigenetics, and inhibiting the mTOR pathway.
Targeting the Leukemia Inhibitory Factor/Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor Axis Reduces the Growth of Inflammatory Breast Cancer by Promoting Ferroptosis
Authors: Romo Bianca , Fuentes Zenaida , Randolph Lois , Mahajan Megharani , Aller Emily J. , Ebrahimi Behnam , Santhamma Bindu , Pratap Uday P. , Subbarayalu Panneerdoss , Nagandla Harika , Thomas Christoforos , Nair Hareesh B. , Vadlamudi Ratna K. , Viswanadhapalli Suryavathi
Published: February 2025

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare subtype of breast cancer accounting for 7% of breast cancer-related fatalities. There is an urgent need to develop new targeted treatments for IBC. The progression of IBC has been associated with alterations in growth factor and cytokine signaling; however, the function of the LIF (leukemia inhibitory factor)/LIFR (leukemia inhibitory factor receptor) cytokine pathway in the progression of IBC remains unknown. This study evaluated the role of LIFR signaling and tested the efficacy of the LIFR inhibitor EC359 in treating IBC. Methods: The utility of using LIFR inhibition as a treatment strategy in IBC was tested using cell survival, apoptosis, colony formation, invasion, and pre-clinical KPL4 xenografts. Western blotting, siRNA, RT-qPCR, and lipid peroxidation assays were used to establish the mechanism of EC359 therapy. Results: The reduction in LIFR levels using siRNA markedly decreased growth in colony formation assays and reduced the invasion of IBC cells. Pharmacological inhibition of LIFR with EC359 effectively reduced cell survival and the clonogenic capacity of IBC cells. RT-qPCR assays revealed that EC359 markedly decreased the expression of the LIFR target genes. Western blot analyses confirmed that EC359 treatment suppressed downstream LIF/LIFR signaling pathways and promoted apoptosis. Treatment of cells with the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 negated the capacity of EC359 to induce apoptosis. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that EC359 predominantly triggered ferroptosis by inhibiting the glutathione antioxidant defense system through the downregulation of Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels. EC359 (5 mg/kg/day) was effective in reducing the growth of the IBC KPL4 xenograft tumors. Conclusion: These findings demonstrates that LIFR inhibition promote ferroptosis-mediated cell death in IBC and that EC359 represent novel therapeutic for IBC treatment.
Hot Modification of Silicomanganese Slag in Its Crystallization and Viscosity Properties for Preparation of Cast Stone
Authors: Huang Yi , Li Yu , Cheng Zhaoyang , Feng Wei
Published: February 2025

The direct hot modification and subsequent preparation of qualified building materials from molten slag has gained significant attention at present due to its characteristics of saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions. Molten silicomanganese slag, discharged at 1500–1600 °C with high content of SiO2 and Al2O3 (above 50 mass%), was suitable for the preparation of casting stone. To ensure a qualified casting stone, the study focused on improving the crystallization properties and fluidity of molten silicomanganese slag by modifying of its composition, crystallization, structure, and viscosity. The raw slag and two modified slags were compared, and the physical properties of their final cast stone were discussed. The results showed that after being modified by addition of 10 mass% chromite and serpentine or 20 mass% ferrochrome slag into the silicomanganese slag, both the crystallization ability and fluidity of the molten slag were improved simultaneously. Augite and spinel precipitated in the modified slag, compared with glass phase in the raw slag. The precipitation of spinel, on the one hand, acted as a nucleation agent, dynamically promoting the formation of augite, and on the other hand, increased the proportion of SiO2 and its polymerization of [SiO4] structural units in the residual liquid slag, further promoting the generation of augite in the composition and structure. The gradual precipitation of crystals effectively mitigated sudden viscosity fluctuations resulting from crystallization, contributing to a smooth casting process for molten slag. Both cast stones from the modified slag exhibited qualified physical properties, compared with the broken glass from the raw slag. This indicated the feasibility of low-cost modification during the discharging process of molten silicomanganese slag by blending 10 mass% cold modifiers or 20 mass% molten ferrochrome slag into it.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Central Respiratory Control in Children: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Zaffanello Marco , Pietrobelli Angelo , Nosetti Luana , Ferrante Giuliana , Rigotti Erika , Ganzarolli Stefania , Piacentini Giorgio
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a primary concern in children’s health. Research suggests that repeated oxygen drops during sleep—common in SDB—may harm the brainstem’s breathing control centres. This damage likely occurs through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death, which weaken the brain’s ability to regulate breathing. Over time, these effects could lead to functional changes (e.g., disrupted chemical signalling) and physical damage in critical brain regions, creating a cycle of unstable breathing. However, much of this evidence comes from animal or lab studies, leaving gaps in our understanding of how these mechanisms work in humans. This review synthesises existing research on how breathing disruptions during sleep—particularly episodes of intermittent hypoxia—affect the brain’s ability to control respiration in children and adolescents. Methods: We analysed studies from medical databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on how SDB (obstructive or central sleep apnoea) impacts the brain’s respiratory centres in young populations. Animal studies and research involving children on mechanical ventilation were excluded to focus on natural sleep patterns. Results: After removing duplicates, 54 studies remained. Additionally, 43 record were excluded for various reasons. Ultimately, 11 articles were selected for the final analysis, including three that focused on genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, and Pierre Robin sequence. The findings suggest that repeated oxygen dips during sleep may harm the brainstem’s respiratory control areas, especially during critical developmental stages. This damage could lead to long-term issues, such as unstable breathing, cardiovascular strain, or neurological problems. However, most studies only captured the immediate effects of low oxygen, leaving uncertainty about permanent harm due to a lack of long-term follow-up. Conclusions: Repeated oxygen deprivation during sleep appears to damage the brainstem and disrupt breathing regulation. However, small study sizes and short observation periods limit the strength of these conclusions. Future research should use advanced imaging tools to clarify long-term risks, develop effective treatments, and track children over extended periods. More significantly, longer-term studies are urgently needed to guide clinical care for vulnerable populations.
Diel Variation in Summer Stream Temperature in an Idaho Desert Stream and Implications for Identifying Thermal Refuges
Authors: Campbell Mel , Delparte Donna , Belt Matthew , Chen Zhongqi , Caudill Christopher C. , Caughlin Trevor
Published: February 2025

Thermal refuges in streams are essential for the survival of coldwater fish species such as Redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in landscapes with stressful or lethal stream temperatures. We utilized an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) mounted with thermal and natural color sensors to conduct hourly flights over a 24 h period in the desert stream Little Jacks Creek during late summer when temperatures were near seasonal maximums and streamflow was near seasonal minimums. We used fine-resolution imagery to map stream temperatures and characterize how our thermal sensor exhibits variability across a diel period in an environment where thermal sensor viability had not yet been assessed. Thermal imagery from 3 out of 24 flights showed no significant differences when compared to true water temperatures from in-stream temperature loggers, which appeared to be highly dependent on atmospheric conditions. The thermal imagery (range of 9.17 to 21.04 °C) consistently underestimated HOBO logger stream temperatures (range of 13.6 to 17.1 °C) during cooler, nighttime flights and overestimated temperatures during hotter, afternoon hours, resulting in a global RMSE of 2.12 °C. Between-flight RMSE values ranged from 0.53 °C to 4.00 °C, within the error range of the thermal sensor. The thermal data support existing findings of optimal hours for flying UAS thermal surveys and showed specific patterns in TIR sensor accuracy that were dependent on the time of flight. This study yields valuable lessons for future stream temperature data collection in environments with highly variable temperatures, aiding in the calibration of thermal sensors on UAS missions. Furthermore, our results provide insights into environmental stressors such as increased stream temperatures, which is vital for conservation efforts for organisms that rely on coldwater refuges within desert streams.
Fabrication of Pyramid/Porous Composite Structures for Mitigating Surface Optical Losses in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Shi Xiaohao , Jiang Zhou , Du Yuxuan , Wang Chen , Luo Bin , Wang Xiaodan , Shen Xiangqian
Published: February 2025

Surface optical losses represent one of the critical factors limiting the photogenerated current density and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). To address this issue, this paper introduces a pyramid/porous composite structure on the light-facing surface of PSCs. The pyramids and porous structures are obtained on silicon surfaces via alkaline wet etching and metal-assisted chemical etching, respectively, and then replicated onto the cell surface using nanoimprint technology. The research findings indicate that the micrometer-scale pyramids induce multiple refractions of incident light, enhancing the probability of photons entering the interior of the cell. Moreover, the nanoscale porous structures on the pyramid mitigate the refractive index difference between air and the pyramid material, thereby reducing reflection losses for single-incident light. For the optimized pyramid/porous structure, a reduction in surface reflectivity from 40.3% to 5.1% is observed on silicon. Benefiting from the suppression of surface reflection losses by the pyramid/porous structure, the response spectrum of the PSCs is significantly improved. Consequently, the photogenerated current density of the device increases from 21.62 to 23.86 mA cm−2, with a relative enhancement in PCE by 9.5%.
Feasibility and Acceptability of Social Prescribing for Cancer Survivors
Authors: Connolly Deirdre , O’Hara Chloe , O’Brien Catherine , Dempsey Adrienne
Published: February 2025

Following cancer treatment, individuals experience a range of physical, mental and social health difficulties that interfere with their ability to resume participation in pre-cancer activities. In Ireland, the National Cancer Strategy recommends community-based services to address post-treatment difficulties. Social prescribing is a community-based, non-medical service that links individuals with health-related activities and supports in their community. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of social prescribing for cancer survivors. A mixed methods study was undertaken with individuals who had completed curative treatment for any cancer type. Recruitment was carried out in a national cancer centre. Quantitative outcomes included feasibility metrics (recruitment, intervention adherence and retention), the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS), the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF), and EORTC QLQ-C30. Qualitative interviews explored acceptability of social prescribing. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (quantitative data) and content analysis (qualitative data). Out of 131 individuals identified as eligible to participate, 43 agreed to participate (32.8% recruitment) and 27 met a link worker and were connected to a local activity (62.7% adherence) and completed follow-up outcome measures (62.7% retention). Improvements were observed in all health-related outcomes and those interviewed identified the intervention as acceptable. Study participants attended a range of community-based activities as a result of link worker support. They also reported increased confidence, improved mental health and reduction in fatigue following attendance at community-based activities. The findings of this study indicate that social prescribing is a feasible and acceptable community-based intervention to improve the physical, mental and social health of individuals living with and beyond cancer. A pilot randomised trial is indicated to inform a definitive intervention trial.
The Effects of Nutrient and Water Use Efficiency on Plant Species Diversity in the Understory of Broad-Leaved Evergreen Forests
Authors: Hu Zhanpeng , Xiao Keqin , Zheng Haodong , Gao Yuan , Miao Zimei , Ge Zhiwei
Published: February 2025

The factors driving plant species diversity in different forest types and layers are still insufficiently understood. Therefore, we investigated the limiting factors of nutrient and water use efficiency in three forest layers (arbor, shrub and herb layers) and two forest types (plantation forest and natural forest), as well as their potential relationship with plant species diversity. The study area is located in mid-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forest ecosystems in southern Anhui province. The nitrogen content in the soil (2.90 g kg−1) exceeded the national average for forest ecosystems (1.06 g kg−1), whereas the phosphorus content (0.43 g kg−1) was below the national average for such ecosystems (0.65 g kg−1). The plant species diversity in the arbor layer was comparatively low, and nitrogen exerted a more substantial influence on it. In contrast, phosphorus had the most significant impact on the shrub and herb layers. In conclusion, nitrogen has little effect on plant growth patterns in this area, while there is a potential role for phosphorus in regulating plant succession rates. There are phenomenon of excessive nitrogen deposition and phosphorus loss in this forest ecosystem. Despite the fact that the plant species diversity indices (the Pielou Evenness Index, Gleason Richness Index, Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index and Simpson Dominance Index) in natural forests were higher than that in plantation forests, the disparity between them was not significant (p > 0.05). This may be due to similar water use efficiency and climate. The findings of this research hold substantial significance for forecasting the alterations in plant species diversity, functionality, and their influencing factors within mid-latitude evergreen broad-leaved forests.
Submarine Groundwater Discharge Alters Benthic Community Composition and Functional Diversity on Coral Reefs
Authors: Barnas Danielle M. , Zeff Maya , Silbiger Nyssa J.
Published: February 2025

Coral reefs experience numerous natural and anthropogenic environmental gradients that alter biophysical conditions and affect biodiversity. While many studies have focused on drivers of reef biodiversity using traditional diversity metrics (e.g., species richness, diversity, evenness), less is known about how environmental variability may influence functional diversity. In this study, we tested the impact of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) on taxonomic and functional diversity metrics in Mo‘orea, French Polynesia. SGD is the expulsion of terrestrial fresh or recirculated seawater into marine environments and is associated with reduced temperatures, pH, and salinity and elevated nutrient levels. Using a regression approach along the SGD gradient, we found that taxon and functional-entity richness displayed unimodal relationships to SGD parameters, primarily nitrate + nitrite and phosphate variability, with peak richness at moderate SGD for stony coral and the full benthic community. Macroalgae showed this unimodal pattern for functional-entity but not taxonomic richness. Functional community composition (presence and abundance of functional entities) increased along the gradient, while taxonomic composition showed a nonlinear relationship to SGD-related parameters. SGD is a common feature of many coastal ecosystems globally and therefore may be more important to structuring benthic functional diversity than previously thought. Further, studying community shifts through a functional-trait lens may provide important insights into the roles of community functions on ecosystem processes and stability, leading to improved management strategies.
Decoding the Puzzle of Male Infertility: The Role of Infection, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity
Authors: Sciorio Romualdo , De Paola Lina , Notari Tiziana , Ganduscio Silvia , Amato Patrizia , Crifasi Laura , Marotto Daniela , Billone Valentina , Cucinella Gaspare , Perino Antonio , Tramontano Luca , Marinelli Susanna , Gullo Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Male infertility is a complex, multifactorial condition influenced by infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune components. Immunological factors, though implicated in reproduction, remain poorly understood. This study aims to deepen the understanding of infections, inflammation, and autoimmune factors in male infertility, with a focus on immune-related disorders affecting the testes and epididymis—immunologically privileged but vulnerable sites. These factors can impair sperm quality through oxidative stress (ROS) and antisperm antibodies (ASA), further compromising fertility. Methods: A narrative review was conducted by analyzing scientific literature from the past 10 years conducted on PubMed using keywords such as “male infertility”, “autoimmunity”, and “inflammatory disease”. Studies focusing on testicular and epididymal disorders, immunological impacts, and therapeutic approaches were included. Results: Our research highlights that conditions like epididymitis, vasectomy, testicular trauma, and previous surgeries can trigger inflammatory responses, leading to ASA formation and oxidative stress. ASA, particularly sperm-immobilizing antibodies, inhibits sperm motility and migration in the female reproductive tract. Infections caused by sexually transmitted bacteria or urinary pathogens frequently induce epididymo-orchitis, a primary contributor to male infertility. While standardized methodologies for ASA testing remain elusive, assisted reproductive treatments such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intrauterine insemination (IUI) show promise in overcoming immune-mediated infertility. Conclusions: This review underscores the critical role of infection, inflammation, and autoimmune responses in male infertility. It highlights the necessity of improving diagnostic methods, understanding immune-pathological mechanisms, and addressing medicolegal issues associated with male infertility. This knowledge could pave the way for innovative therapies, ultimately enhancing fertility outcomes, and mitigating the societal and legal repercussions of infertility.
UAV Target Segmentation Based on Depse Unet++ Modeling
Authors: Hou Zhaoqi , Gu Yiqing , Zheng Zhen , Li Yueqiang , Li Haojie
Published: February 2025

To enhance the capabilities of UAV platforms in recognizing and tracking hostile targets on the battlefield, advanced feature extraction and image segmentation are required. In response, the Depse Unet++ model was developed. By introducing Squeeze-and-Excitation, the model’s ability to discriminate camouflaged targets in high-similarity backgrounds is improved; by incorporating a depth-separated convolutional design, the parameters and computational requirements for embedded device applications are significantly reduced; and employing Dropout technique to prevent overfitting with limited sample sizes, thus boosting the model’s adaptability and generalization across environments. Evaluations were conducted using a custom-built dataset to test the model’s segmentation accuracy and performance. The experimental results show that the Depse Unet++ model surpasses existing state-of-the-art models in critical metrics such as Mean Inter-section and Union Ratio, Dice coefficient and pixel accuracy. Additionally, the specific contributions of each technical component to the model’s performance were confirmed through ablation studies, ensuring the method’s validity and reliability. Overall, the Depse Unet++ model offers a more effective tool for target recognition and semantic segmentation for UAVs operating in complex battlefield scenarios.
Real-Time and Post-Mission Heading Alignment for Drone Navigation Based on Single-Antenna GNSS and MEMs-IMU Sensors
Authors: Contreras João F. , Vassaram Jitesh A. M. , Fernandes Marcos R. , do Val João B. R.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a heading alignment procedure for drone navigation employing a single hover GNSS antenna combined with low-grade MEMs-IMU sensors. The design was motivated by the need for a drone-mounted differential interferometric SAR (DinSAR) application. Still, the methodology proposed here applies to any Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) application that requires high-precision navigation data for short-flight missions utilizing cost-effective MEMs sensors. The method proposed here involves a Bayesian parameter estimation based on a simultaneous cumulative Mahalanobis metric applied to the innovation process of Kalman-like filters, which are identical except for the initial heading guess. The procedure is then generalized to multidimensional parameters, thus called parametric alignment, referring to the fact that the strategy applies to alignment problems regarding some parameters, such as the heading initial value. The motivation for the multidimensional extension in the scenario is also presented. The method is highly applicable for cases where gyro-compassing is not available. It employs the most straightforward optimization techniques that can be implemented using a real-time parallelism scheme. Experimental results obtained from a real UAV mission demonstrate that the proposed method can provide initial heading alignment when the heading is not directly observable during takeoff, while numerical simulations are used to illustrate the extension to the multidimensional case.
ExSPIN: Explicit Feedback-Based Self-Play Fine-Tuning for Text-to-SQL Parsing
Authors: Yan Liang , Su Jinhang , Liu Chuanyi , Duan Shaoming , Zhang Yuhao , Li Jianhang , Han Peiyi , Liu Ye
Published: February 2025

Recently, self-play fine-tuning (SPIN) has garnered widespread attention as it enables large language models (LLMs) to iteratively enhance their capabilities through simulated interactions with themselves, transforming a weak LLM into a strong one. However, applying SPIN to fine-tune text-to-SQL models presents substantial challenges. Notably, existing frameworks lack clear signal feedback during the training process and fail to adequately capture the implicit schema-linking characteristics between natural language questions and databases. To address these issues, we propose a novel self-play fine-tuning method for text-to-SQL models, termed ExSPIN, which incorporates explicit feedback. Specifically, during fine-tuning, the SQL query execution results predicted by the LLM are fed back into the model’s parameter update process. This feedback allows both the main player and the opponent to more accurately distinguish between negative and positive samples, thereby improving the fine-tuning outcomes. Additionally, we employ in-context learning techniques to provide explicit schema hints, enabling the LLM to better understand the schema-linking between the database and natural language queries during the self-play process. Evaluations on two real-world datasets show that our method significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches.