bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Rhinosinusitis—Microbiological Etiology, Potential Genetic Markers, and Diagnosis
Authors: Michalik Michał , Krawczyk Beata
Published: March 2024

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a significant public health problem. Bacterial colonization and impaired mucociliary clearance play a significant role in the inflammatory process. Several inflammatory pathways and host defense elements are altered in CRS, which may contribute to observed differences in the microbiome. To date, researching CRS has been difficult due to limited access to the studied tissue and a lack of available biomarkers. Ongoing scientific research is increasingly based on simple and objective analytical methods, including sensors, detection with PCR, and sequencing. Future research on microbiota and human factors should also include genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics approaches. This report analyzes the changes that occur in the paranasal sinuses of people with acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, the composition of the microbiota, the human genetic markers that may shed light on the predisposition to CRS, and the advantages and disadvantages of classical and molecular diagnostic methods, as well as addressing the difficulties of sinusitis treatment.
Beta-Caryophyllene, a Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Selective Agonist, in Emotional and Cognitive Disorders
Authors: Ricardi Caterina , Barachini Serena , Consoli Giorgio , Marazziti Donatella , Polini Beatrice , Chiellini Grazia
Published: March 2024

Mental disorders account for one of the most prevalent categories of the burden of disease worldwide, with depression expected to be the largest contributor by 2030, closely followed by anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic possibly exacerbated these challenges, especially amongst adolescents, who experienced isolation, disrupted routines, and limited healthcare access. Notably, the pandemic has been associated with long-term neurological effects known as “long-COVID”, characterized by both cognitive and psychopathological symptoms. In general, psychiatric disorders, including those related to long-COVID, are supposed to be due to widespread inflammation leading to neuroinflammation. Recently, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) emerged as a potential target for addressing depression and anxiety pathophysiology. Specifically, natural or synthetic cannabinoids, able to selectively interact with cannabinoid type-2 receptor (CB2R), recently revealed new therapeutic potential in neuropsychiatric disorders with limited or absent psychotropic activity. Among the most promising natural CB2R ligands, the bicyclic sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene (BCP) has emerged as an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapeutic agent. This review underscores BCP’s immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, highlighting its therapeutic potential for the management of depression and anxiety.
Molecular Basis for the Involvement of Mammalian Serum Albumin in the AGE/RAGE Axis: A Comprehensive Computational Study
Authors: Belinskaia Daria A. , Jenkins Richard O. , Goncharov Nikolay V.
Published: March 2024

In mammals, glycated serum albumin (gSA) contributes to the pathogenesis of many metabolic diseases by activating the receptors (RAGE) for advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Many aspects of the gSA–RAGE interaction remain unknown. The purpose of the present paper was to study the interaction of glycated human albumin (gHSA) with RAGE using molecular modeling methods. Ten models of gHSA modified with different lysine residues to carboxymethyl-lysines were prepared. Complexes of gHSA–RAGE were obtained by the macromolecular docking method with subsequent molecular dynamics simulation (MD). According to the MD, the RAGE complexes with gHSA glycated at Lys233, Lys64, Lys525, Lys262 and Lys378 are the strongest. Three-dimensional models of the RAGE dimers with gHSA were proposed. Additional computational experiments showed that the binding of fatty acids (FAs) to HSA does not affect the ability of Lys525 (the most reactive lysine) to be glycated. In contrast, modification of Lys525 reduces the affinity of albumin for FA. The interspecies differences in the molecular structure of albumin that may affect the mechanism of the gSA–RAGE interaction were discussed. The obtained results will help us to learn more about the molecular basis for the involvement of serum albumin in the AGE/RAGE axis and improve the methodology for studying cellular signaling pathways involving RAGE.
Serum Expression of miR-23a-3p and miR-424-5p Indicate Specific Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotypes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Trummer Olivia , Hoeller Jonas , Reintar Sharmaine , Tandl Veronika , Foessl Ines , Borzan Valentin , Theiler-Schwetz Verena , Trummer Christian , Lerchbaum Elisabeth , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara
Published: March 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that regulate mRNA expression on a post-transcriptional level. Observational studies suggest an association of serum miRNAs and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common heterogeneous endocrinopathy characterized by hyperandrogenism (HA), oligo- or amenorrhea (OM) and polycystic ovaries. It is not known whether these miRNA profiles also differ between PCOS phenotypes. In this pilot study, we compared serum expression profiles between the four PCOS phenotypes (A–D) and analyzed them both in PCOS (all phenotypes) and in phenotypes with HA by quantitative-real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The serum expression of miR-23a-3p was upregulated in phenotype B (n = 10) and discriminated it from phenotypes A (n = 11), C (n = 11) and D (n = 11, AUC = 0.837; 95%CI, 0.706–0.968; p = 0.006). The expression of miR-424-5p was downregulated in phenotype C (n = 11) and discriminated it from phenotypes A, B and D (AUC = 0.801; 95%CI, 0.591–1.000; p = 0.007). MiR-93-5p expression was downregulated in women with PCOS (all phenotypes, n = 42) compared to controls (n = 8; p = 0.042). Phenotypes with HA (A, B, C; n = 32) did not show differences in the analyzed expression pattern. Our data provide new insights into phenotype-specific miRNA alterations in the serum of women with PCOS. Understanding the differential hormonal and miRNA profiles across PCOS phenotypes is important to improve the pathophysiological understanding of PCOS heterogeneity.
Enhancing Network Intrusion Detection: A Genetic Programming Symbolic Classifier Approach
Authors: Anđelić Nikola , Baressi Šegota Sandi
Published: March 2024

This investigation underscores the paramount imperative of discerning network intrusions as a pivotal measure to fortify digital systems and shield sensitive data from unauthorized access, manipulation, and potential compromise. The principal aim of this study is to leverage a publicly available dataset, employing a Genetic Programming Symbolic Classifier (GPSC) to derive symbolic expressions (SEs) endowed with the capacity for exceedingly precise network intrusion detection. In order to augment the classification precision of the SEs, a pioneering Random Hyperparameter Value Search (RHVS) methodology was conceptualized and implemented to discern the optimal combination of GPSC hyperparameter values. The GPSC underwent training via a robust five-fold cross-validation regimen, mitigating class imbalances within the initial dataset through the application of diverse oversampling techniques, thereby engendering balanced dataset iterations. Subsequent to the acquisition of SEs, the identification of the optimal set ensued, predicated upon metrics inclusive of accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristics curve, precision, recall, and F1-score. The selected SEs were subsequently subjected to rigorous testing on the original imbalanced dataset. The empirical findings of this research underscore the efficacy of the proposed methodology, with the derived symbolic expressions attaining an impressive classification accuracy of 0.9945. If the accuracy achieved in this research is compared to the average state-of-the-art accuracy, the accuracy obtained in this research represents the improvement of approximately 3.78%. In summation, this investigation contributes salient insights into the efficacious deployment of GPSC and RHVS for the meticulous detection of network intrusions, thereby accentuating the potential for the establishment of resilient cybersecurity defenses.
Influence Analysis of Real Exchange Rate Fluctuations on Trade Balance Data Using Feature Important Evaluation Methods
Authors: Kim Min-Joon , Le Thi-Thu-Huong
Published: March 2024

This study delves into the intricate relationship between fluctuations in the real exchange rate and the trade balance, situated within the framework of a ‘two-country’ trade theory model. Despite a wealth of prior research on the impact of exchange rates on international trade, the precise extent of this influence remains a contentious issue. To bridge this gap, our research adopts a pioneering approach, employing three distinct artificial intelligence-based influence measurement methods: Mean Decrease Impurity (MDI), Permutation Importance Measurement (PIM), and Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP). These sophisticated techniques provide a nuanced and differentiated perspective, enabling specific and quantitative measurements of the real exchange rate’s impact on the trade balance. The outcomes derived from the application of these innovative methods shed light on the substantial contribution of the real exchange rate to the trade balance. Notably, the real exchange rate (RER) emerges as the second most influential factor within the ‘two-country’ trade model. This empirical evidence, drawn from a panel dataset of 78 nations over the period 1992–2021, addresses crucial gaps in the existing literature, offering a finer-grained understanding of how real exchange rates shape international trade dynamics. Importantly, our study implies that policymakers should recognize the pivotal role of the real exchange rate as a key determinant of trade flow.
Deep Learning Models for Waterfowl Detection and Classification in Aerial Images
Authors: Zhang Yang , Feng Yuan , Wang Shiqi , Tang Zhicheng , Zhai Zhenduo , Viegut Reid , Webb Lisa , Raedeke Andrew , Shang Yi
Published: March 2024

Waterfowl populations monitoring is essential for wetland conservation. Lately, deep learning techniques have shown promising advancements in detecting waterfowl in aerial images. In this paper, we present performance evaluation of several popular supervised and semi-supervised deep learning models for waterfowl detection in aerial images using four new image datasets containing 197,642 annotations. The best-performing model, Faster R-CNN, achieved 95.38% accuracy in terms of mAP. Semi-supervised learning models outperformed supervised models when the same amount of labeled data was used for training. Additionally, we present performance evaluation of several deep learning models on waterfowl classifications on aerial images using a new real-bird classification dataset consisting of 6,986 examples and a new decoy classification dataset consisting of about 10,000 examples per category of 20 categories. The best model achieved accuracy of 91.58% on the decoy dataset and 82.88% on the real-bird dataset.
Vehicle Target Recognition in SAR Images with Complex Scenes Based on Mixed Attention Mechanism
Authors: Tang Tao , Cui Yuting , Feng Rui , Xiang Deliang
Published: March 2024

With the development of deep learning in the field of computer vision, convolutional neural network models and attention mechanisms have been widely applied in SAR image target recognition. The improvement of convolutional neural network attention in existing SAR image target recognition focuses on spatial and channel information but lacks research on the relationship and recognition mechanism between spatial and channel information. In response to this issue, this article proposes a hybrid attention module and introduces a Mixed Attention (MA) mechanism module in the MobileNetV2 network. The proposed MA mechanism fully considers the comprehensive calculation of spatial attention (SPA), channel attention (CHA), and coordinated attention (CA). It can input feature maps for comprehensive weighting to enhance the features of the regions of interest, in order to improve the recognition rate of vehicle targets in SAR images.The superiority of our algorithm was verified through experiments on the MSTAR dataset.
Assessing the Operation of a Multimodal Hub: A Traffic Impact Microsimulation Analysis
Authors: Charalampidou Georgia , Kopsacheilis Aristomenis , Politis Ioannis
Published: March 2024

Creating new multimodal infrastructure in an existing transport network of an urban city is a challenging process. The responsible transport authorities have to pay special attention to the details regarding the accessibility and effectiveness of the new development, to avoid travelers’ confusion and network congestion. The subject of this paper is the assessment and optimization of the traffic network in the surroundings of the new multimodal depot of Thessaloniki’s future metro system with the use of the microsimulation software PTV VISSIM (version 2022). Five different scenarios were developed in collaboration with the city’s transport authority and evaluated into two stages, beginning with the whole traffic network, and then continuing with the analyzed intersections separately. The evaluation is based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which were extracted by the software. According to the results of the base case scenario, the network functions satisfactorily, with slight delays. Regarding the future network, the operation of the new hub will strongly increase the traffic demand, while the proposed traffic network adjustments by the local authorities seem to cause significant delay problems. This paper aims to highlight the importance of using modeling tools during the design phase of a new infrastructure to create efficient, accessible, and sustainable infrastructures that enhance the public transport system.
Palliative Non-Operative Management in Geriatric Hip Fracture Patients: When Would Surgeons Abstain from Surgery?
Authors: Bui Michael , Groothuis-Oudshoorn Catharina G. M. , Witteveen Annemieke , Hegeman Johannes H.
Published: March 2024

Background: For hip fracture patients with a limited life expectancy, operative and palliative non-operative management (P-NOM) can yield similar quality of life outcomes. However, evidence on when to abstain from surgery is lacking. The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of patient characteristics on surgeons’ decisions to recommend P-NOM. Methods: Dutch surgical residents and orthopaedic trauma surgeons were enrolled in a conjoint analysis and structured expert judgement (SEJ). The participants assessed 16 patient cases comprising 10 clinically relevant characteristics. For each case, they recommended either surgery or P-NOM and estimated the 30-day postoperative mortality risk. Treatment recommendations were analysed using Bayesian logistic regression, and perceived risks were pooled with equal and performance-based weights using Cooke’s Classical Model. Results: The conjoint analysis and SEJ were completed by 14 and 9 participants, respectively. Participants were more likely to recommend P-NOM to patients with metastatic carcinomas (OR: 4.42, CrI: 2.14–8.95), severe heart failure (OR: 4.05, CrI: 1.89–8.29), end-stage renal failure (OR: 3.54, CrI: 1.76–7.35) and dementia (OR: 3.35, CrI: 1.70–7.06). The patient receiving the most P-NOM recommendations (12/14) had a pooled perceived risk of 30-day mortality between 50.8 and 62.7%. Conclusions: Overall, comorbidities had the strongest influence on participants’ decisions to recommend P-NOM. Nevertheless, practice variation and heterogeneity in risk perceptions were substantial. Hence, more decision support for considering P-NOM is needed.
The Short- and Long-Term Risk of Mortality in Intracranial Hemorrhage Patients with Tranexamic Acid Treatment in a Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Chiu Chien-Ming , Hu Sung-Yuan , Liao Pei-Lun , Huang Jing-Yang , Chou Ming-Chih , Yang Shun-Fa , Yeh Chao-Bin
Published: March 2024

Background: The mortality rate associated with nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage (NTICrH) remains consistently high under the current care modality. The effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) as a treatment option is still a subject of debate. This study aims to assess the association between TXA administration and both short-term and long-term mortality rates in patients with NTICrH. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) spanning from January 2000 to December 2017. The study population consists of NTICrH patients admitted to the ICU, divided into two groups: patients who were treated with TXA and those who were not. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to balance the baseline characteristics of the two groups. Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for the all-cause mortality. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the inverse probability of treatment-weighted hazard ratio (IPTW-HR). To assess the timing of TXA use, we compared the risk of all-cause mortality within 180 days between patients receiving early TXA treatment and those receiving late TXA treatment. Results: There was no significant difference in 180-day all-cause mortality between the groups; the hazard ratio was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.96–1.20) in patients treated with TXA compared to those without TXA treatment. Within 7 days of admission, patients treated with TXA had a lower hazard ratio of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.74–0.90) for all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Lower mortality within the first 7 days was observed in patients with NTICrH who received TXA.
Plasma miR-150-5p in Renal Transplant Recipients with Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection
Authors: Zepeda-Quiroz Iván , Guzmán-Martín Carlos A. , Peña-Peña Mario , Juárez-Villa José D. , Soto-Abraham Maria V. , Vázquez-Toledo Miguel A. , Jiménez-Ortega Rogelio F. , Moguel-González Bernardo , Osorio-Alonso Horacio , Sánchez-Muñoz Fausto , Flores-Gama César
Published: March 2024

Background: Rejection continues to be the main cause of renal graft loss. Currently, the gold standard for diagnosis is an allograft biopsy; however, because it is time-consuming, costly, and invasive, the pursuit of novel biomarkers has gained interest. Variation in the expressions of miRNAs is currently considered a probable biomarker for the diagnosis of acute rejection. This study aimed to determine whether miR-150-5p in serum is related to microvascular damage in patients with acute antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). Methods: A total of 27 patients who underwent renal transplantation (RT) with and without ABMR were included in the study. We performed the quantification of hsa-miR-150-5p, hsa-miR-155, hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-126, and hsa-miR-1 in plasma by RT-qPCR. The expressions between the groups and their correlations with the histological characteristics of the patients with ABMR were also investigated. Results: miR-150-5p significantly increased in the plasma of patients with rejection (p < 0.05), and the changes in miR-150-5p were directly correlated with microvascular inflammation in the allograft biopsies. Clinical utility was determined by ROC analysis with an area under the curve of 0.873. Conclusions: Our results show that the patients with RT with ABMR exhibited increased expression of miR-150-5p compared to patients without rejection, which could have clinical consequences, as well as probable utility in the diagnosis of ABMR, and bioinformatics may help in unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying ABMR conditions.
Atypical Manifestations of Syphilis: A 10-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Ciccarese Giulia , Facciorusso Antonio , Mastrolonardo Mario , Herzum Astrid , Parodi Aurora , Drago Francesco
Published: March 2024

Background: The incidence of syphilis has increased in high-income countries in the past few decades, especially among men who have sex with men. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the correlations between atypical syphilis manifestations and the demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of patients and to review unusual presentations of syphilis reported in the literature. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 307 patients with syphilis diagnosed between 1 January 2013 and 31 October 2023 at the sexually transmitted infection (STI) centers of the University of Genoa and University of Foggia with both typical and atypical manifestations of disease. Results: In our series, atypical manifestations were detected in 25.8% of the patients, especially in the secondary stage of the disease. Lesions with annular morphology and lesions presenting as itchy erythematous scaly plaques with a psoriasiform appearance were the most common atypical presentations of secondary syphilis. A statistical analysis revealed that homosexual orientation, syphilis reinfection, and venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) titers > 1:32 were correlated with atypical manifestations. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the spectrum of syphilis manifestations, in all the stages of the disease, is wide; atypical manifestations often pose diagnostic challenges, may delay the provision of appropriate treatment, and facilitate the spread of the infection.
Formulative Study and Characterization of Novel Biomaterials Based on Chitosan/Hydrolyzed Collagen Films
Authors: Martínez Rodríguez Tomás , Valentino Caterina , Rodríguez Pozo Francisco Ramón , Hernández Benavides Pablo , Arrebola Vargas Francisco , Paredes José Manuel , Sainz-Díaz Claro Ignacio , Iglesias Guillermo R. , Rossi Silvia , Sandri Giuseppina , Medina Pérez María del Mar , Aguzzi Carola
Published: March 2024

To date, the need for biomaterials capable of improving the treatment of chronic skin wounds remains a clinical challenge. The aim of the present work is to formulate and characterize chitosan (Cs)/hydrolyzed collagen (HC) films as potential biomaterials with improved mechanical and hydration performances compared to single component formulations. Films were made by the solvent casting method, with or without glycerin and/or PEG1500 as plasticizers, resulting in a total of eight formulations. All films were characterized by their physico-chemical characteristics and their mechanical and hydration features. A full factorial design was also used to statistically assess the effect of HC concentration, type and concentration of plasticizers and their possible interactions on mechanical and swelling behaviors. Solid state characterization confirmed the hybrid nature of the films, with suggested electrostatic interactions between Cs and HC. Mechanical and swelling properties, along with the analysis of the experimental design, allowed the identification of formulations containing high HC concentration (2% w/v) and glycerin or glycerin/PEG1500 as more suitable candidates for skin wound treatment. Finally, viability assay of immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) showed no statistical differences in cell survival compared to the complete culture medium, suggesting their potential as a promising tool for biomedical applications.
Anti-Windup Pitch Angle Control for Wind Turbines Based on Bounded Uncertainty and Disturbance Estimator
Authors: Jiao Xuguo , Wang Guozhong , Wang Xin , Zhang Zhenyong , Tian Yanbing , Fan Xiwen
Published: March 2024

Due to physical limitations and safety requirements, the rate and amplitude of change in wind turbines’ pitch angle are limited, which will bring integral saturation problems to the control system. This leads to the deterioration of the pitch control system’s performance or even an instability problem. This paper designs an anti-windup robust pitch angle control strategy to deal with pitch rate constraint issue to enhance the safety of the control system. First, to facilitate controller design, a filtered tracking-error technique is employed to transform the nonaffine form into an affine one. Subsequently, a feedback robust controller based on an uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE) is developed to handle the model’s uncertainty and external disturbances. To address the issue of integral saturation in the pitch system and guarantee its safety, an elliptical bounded constraint is integrated into the designed UDE strategy. This bounded UDE controller can improve the stability of power generation quality, reducing the mechanical loads on components. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is verified on the Wind Turbine Blockset platform in Matlab/Simulink. It can achieve better performance than traditional methods.
Trim and Engine Power Joint Optimization of a Ship Based on Minimum Energy Consumption over a Whole Voyage
Authors: Yu Yanyun , Zhang Hongshuo , Mu Zongbao , Li Yating , Sun Yutong , Liu Jia
Published: March 2024

Trim optimization is an available approach for the energy saving and emission reduction of a ship. As a ship sails on the water, the draft and trim undergo constant changes due to the consumption of fuel oil and other consumables. As a result, the selection of the initial trim is important if ballasting or shifting liquid among the tanks is not considered during a voyage. According to the characteristics of ship navigation and maneuvering, a practical trim optimization method is proposed to identify the Optimal Trim over a Whole Voyage (OTWV) which makes the fuel consumption of the voyage minimum. The calculations of speed vs. draft and trim surfaces are created according to hull resistance data generated by CFD, model tests, or real ship measurements, and these surfaces are used to calculate the OTWV. Ultimately, a trim and Main Engine (ME) power joint optimization method is developed based on the OTWV to make the total fuel consumption minimum for a voyage with a fixed length and travel time. A 307000 DWT VLCC is taken as an example to validate the practicality and effect of the two proposed optimization methods. The trim optimization example indicates that the OTWV could save up to 1.2% of the total fuel consumption compared to the Optimal Trim at Initial Draft (OTID). The trim and ME power joint optimization results show that the proposed method could steadily find the optimal trim and ME power combination, and the OTWV could save up to 1.0% fuel consumption compared to the OTID in this case.
An Optimal-Path-Planning Method for Unmanned Surface Vehicles Based on a Novel Group Intelligence Algorithm
Authors: Chen Shitu , Feng Ling , Bao Xuteng , Jiang Zhe , Xing Bowen , Xu Jingxiang
Published: March 2024

Path planning is crucial for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to navigate and avoid obstacles efficiently. This study evaluates and contrasts various USV path-planning algorithms, focusing on their effectiveness in dynamic obstacle avoidance, resistance to water currents, and path smoothness. Meanwhile, this research introduces a novel collective intelligence algorithm tailored for two-dimensional environments, integrating dynamic obstacle avoidance and smooth path optimization. The approach tackles the global-path-planning challenge, specifically accounting for moving obstacles and current influences. The algorithm adeptly combines strategies for dynamic obstacle circumvention with an eight-directional current resistance approach, ensuring locally optimal paths that minimize the impact of currents on navigation. Additionally, advanced artificial bee colony algorithms were used during the research process to enhance the method and improve the smoothness of the generated path. Simulation results have verified the superiority of the algorithm in improving the quality of USV path planning. Compared with traditional bee colony algorithms, the improved algorithm increased the length of the optimization path by 8%, shortened the optimization time by 50%, and achieved almost 100% avoidance of dynamic obstacles.
FgGmtB Plays an Important Role in Growth, Reproduction, Virulence and Deoxynivalenol Biosynthesis of Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Zhao Chenming , Yang Xiaoyue , Jiang Wenqiang , Zhang Guifen , Ma Dongfang
Published: March 2024

GDP-mannose transporters (GMTs) have been implicated in the virulence of some important pathogenic fungi, and guanosine diphosphate (GDP) mannose transporters transport GDP-mannose from the cytosol to the Golgi lumen prior to mannosylation, where mannose attaches to the modified protein. GMTs could be potential targets for new antifungal drugs, as disruption of any step in GDP-mannose biosynthesis can affect fungal viability, growth, or virulence. To date, the GDP-mannose transporter has been extensively studied in yeast, but its biological function in fungi, particularly F. graminearum, is still unclear. In this experimental study, the role of the GDP-mannose transporter in F. graminearum was investigated by analysing the VRG4 gene. FgGmtA and FgGmtB were blastp-derived from their Scvrg4 protein sequences and proved to be their functional homologues. The mutant and complementary strains of FgGmtA, FgGmtB and FgGmtA&B genes were generated and used to evaluate the effect of the two GMTs genes on mycelial growth, asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction, cell wall sensitivity, glyphosate synthesis and drug susceptibility. Only in the FgGmtB and FgGmtA&B mutants was the rate of mycelial growth slowed, conidium production increased, sexual reproduction impaired, cell wall sensitivity increased, glycemic content decreased, and drug sensitivity reduced. The results of the pathogenicity assessment of GMTs showed that only FgGmtB affects the patogenicity of F. graminearum. At the same time, the effect of GMTs on the ability of rhinoceros to synthesise DON toxins was investigated and the results showed that the ability of ΔFgGmtB and ΔFgGmtA&B mutants to produce the DON toxin was significantly reduced, and the expression of toxin-related genes was also reduced.
Cardiac Arrest and Complete Heart Block: Complications after Electrical Cardioversion for Unstable Supraventricular Tachycardia in the Emergency Department
Authors: Marza Adina Maria , Barsac Claudiu , Sutoi Dumitru , Cindrea Alexandru Cristian , Herlo Alexandra , Trebuian Cosmin Iosif , Petrica Alina
Published: March 2024

Synchronous electrical cardioversion is a relatively common procedure in the emergency department (ED), often performed for unstable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or unstable ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, it is also used for stable cases resistant to drug therapy, which carries a risk of deterioration. In addition to the inherent risks linked with procedural sedation, there is a possibility of malignant arrhythmias or bradycardia, which could potentially result in cardiac arrest following this procedure. Here, we present a case of complete heart block unresponsive to transcutaneous pacing and positive inotropic and chronotropic drugs for 90 min, resulting in multiple cardiac arrests. The repositioning of the transcutaneous cardio-stimulation electrodes, one of them placed in the left latero-sternal position and the other at the level of the apex, led to immediate stabilization of the patient. The extubation of the patient was performed the following day, with full recovery and discharge within 7 days after the insertion of a permanent pacemaker.
The High Rates of Comorbidity among Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Reconsidering the Clinical Utility of Distinct Diagnostic Categories
Authors: Bonti Eleni , Zerva Irini K. , Koundourou Christiana , Sofologi Maria
Published: March 2024

The boundaries between neurodevelopmental disorders are often indistinct, even among specialists. But do these boundaries exist, or do experts struggle to distinguish and categorize symptoms in order to arrive at a dominant diagnosis while comorbidity continually leaves questions about where each disorder ends and begins? What should be reconsidered? The introduction of the term ‘spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders’ could pave the way for a re-appraisal of the clinical continuum of neurodevelopmental disorders. This study aims to highlight the problems that emerge in the field of the differential diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders and propose a renegotiation of the distinctiveness criteria.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Borrowers’ Behavior
Authors: Mwirigi Douglas , Fekete-Farkas Mária , Lakner Zoltán
Published: March 2024

Understanding borrowers’ behavior is essential in making lending decisions, strengthening financial inclusion, and alleviating poverty. This research adopts a bibliometric approach to provide an overview of the borrower’s behavior relative to the selected literature. Bibliometric analysis quantifies the impact and quality of scientific production. This study reviewed 989 articles obtained from SCOPUS and published from 1987 to 2023. Data were cleaned, formatted, and analyzed using VOS viewer (1.6.19) and the R-Bibliometrix package. The research established an increased interest in borrowers’ behavior among scholars. Nonetheless, it is overshadowed by studies in lending behavior, microfinance, banking, peer-to-peer lending, and fintech. The scholarly focus is mainly on the supply side of the credit industry with little regard to demand-side dynamics, such as borrowers’ decision-making processes, which can affect the performance of credit facilities. This study recommends that further studies on credit facility demand-side dynamics should be carried out to understand the drivers of borrowers’ decisions.
Impacts of the Expected Credit Loss Model on Pro-Cyclicality, Earnings Management, and Equity Management in the Portuguese Banking Sector
Authors: Resende Miguel , Carvalho Carla , Carmo Cecília
Published: March 2024

This article delves into the pro-cyclicality of loan loss provisions (LLPs) and earnings management, along with equity management, in Portuguese banks against the backdrop of implementing the IFRS 9’s expected credit loss (ECL) model. It concentrates on how LLPs mirror economic cycles and financial management practices, providing valuable insights into the operational dynamics of the Portuguese banking sector, marked by distinct economic and regulatory challenges. The research examined a sample of five Portuguese commercial banks, chosen from a group of seventeen in the Portuguese Banking Association. Data spanning from 2013 to 2022 were manually gathered. A multiple linear regression model was employed to scrutinize the relationship between LLPs and variables indicative of economic cycles and the earnings and equity management. The methodology use was a multiple linear regression model. The analysis indicates a pro-cyclicality in LLPs within the Portuguese context, with a positive response of LLPs to economic indicators like unemployment. Contrarily, the extent of earnings and equity management under the ECL model was less marked compared to the incurred credit loss (ICL) model, suggesting the impact of more stringent regulatory measures. The research corroborates the pro-cyclicality of LLPs in Portuguese banks under the ECL framework, underscoring the necessity for ongoing monitoring and refinement of models for forecasting and recognizing credit losses. The findings point to an area for improvement in financial management practices, despite regulatory enhancements, to promote transparency and ensure financial stability.
Non-Verbal Communication in Ancient Rome: Eyebrow Gestures
Authors: Fornés Pallicer M. Antonia , Puig Rodríguez-Escalona Mercè
Published: March 2024

This article analyses the communicative power of eyebrows in ancient Rome within the framework of broader research into gestures from the same period. Our research uses the corpus of Latin literature to describe evidence of gestures in said texts. It then identifies the expressions used by the authors to refer to them and describes how they were performed. Moreover, by analysing the context, it explains the meanings the authors attribute to them. Although the texts do not describe these gestures with the precision required by non-verbal communication research today, our analysis of the selected extracts has enabled us to identify four free eyebrow gestures—contracting, raising, relaxing, and lowering—and associate a meaning to them. In this regard, we have uncovered that Roman writers introduce eyebrow gestures in their work to communicate emotions such as arrogance and humility, and anger or seriousness, and even to identify certain characters. In turn, these gestures are also used to express disapproval and assent in place of speech.
Smart Ports in Industry 4.0: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Paraskevas Antonios , Madas Michael , Zeimpekis Vasileios , Fouskas Konstantinos
Published: March 2024

Background: Information and communication technologies (ICT) have introduced “smart” concepts across industries, including ports. Smart ports, leveraging IoT, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, are trending in maritime operations. They optimize data for informed decision-making, cutting costs, enhancing efficiency, mitigating risks, and fostering growth. Methods: To consolidate knowledge in this area, we are conducting a systematic literature review and meta-analysis using the PRISMA framework. Our goal is to synthesize existing insights, minimize biases, increase reliability, and effectively communicate our findings. To address the research needs mentioned, the current study focuses on implementing a systematic literature review (SLR). Results: The goals of this review are: (i) to present and describe the main categories and themes within the research topic, and (ii) to identify research gaps that will aid future research. Key findings include the identification and classification of current literature trends in the smart port performance evaluation framework and the examination of fundamental themes discussed within this area of research. Conclusions: In our review, we emphasize the smart port concept, clarifying its common interpretations amid the industry 4.0 revolution. We discuss recent advancements in emerging technologies and identify key challenges driving researchers’ exploration of the evolving smart port landscape.
Green-Emitting Carbon Quantum Dots: Highly Sensitive Temperature Sensing Probe in Nanocomposite and Lubrication System
Authors: Sun Jiannan , Yan Ke , Zhang Pan , Pan Aizhao , Chen Xuehang , Shi Xinyi
Published: March 2024

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have already demonstrated their utility as lubricant additives, and non-contact temperature sensing based on CQDs offers considerable potential for condition monitoring in mechanical, electrical, and other fields, as well as lubrication-temperature multifunctional applications in lubricants. In this paper, we have successfully synthesized and designed high-brightness carbon quantum dots/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) temperature sensor thin film and dispersions of CQDs in a liquid paraffin lubrication system. Based on fluorescence intensity and the fluorescence intensity ratio, the carbon quantum dot/PVA film exhibited exponential temperature-dependent properties with a wide applicability range, a high goodness of fit (R2 > 0.99), and high relative thermal sensitivity (relative sensitivities of 1.74% K−1 and 1.39% K−1 for fluorescence intensity and fluorescence intensity ratio, respectively). In addition, based on the fluorescence intensity, the CQDs exhibited a wide temperature range (20–90 °C), a high goodness of fit (R2 > 0.99), and higher sensitivity (2.84% K−1) in a liquid paraffin lubrication system, which reflects the temperature responsive properties of carbon quantum dots as additives in lubrication systems. These findings provide convenient and effective possibilities for the sensing and monitoring of carbon quantum dots and their multifunctional applications under lubrication systems.
Facile Synthesis of Dual-Network Polymer Hydrogels with Anti-Freezing, Highly Conductive, and Self-Healing Properties
Authors: Jin Yuchen , Zhao Lizhu , Jiang Ya , Zhang Xiaoyuan , Su Zhiqiang
Published: March 2024

We report the synthesis of poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (PAMAA/CMC-Na) hydrogels, and subsequent fabrication of dual-network polymer hydrogels (PAMAA/CMC-Na/Fe) using as-prepared via the salt solution (FeCl3) immersion method. The created dual-network polymer hydrogels exhibit anti-swelling properties, frost resistance, high conductivity, and good mechanical performance. The hydrogel swells sightly when immersed in solution (pH = 2~11). With the increase in nAA:nAM, the modulus of elasticity experiences a rise from 1.1 to 1.6 MPa, while the toughness undergoes an increase from 0.18 to 0.24 MJ/m3. Furthermore, the presence of a high concentration of CMC-Na also contributes to the enhancement of mechanical strength in the resulting hydrogels, ascribing to enhanced physical network of the hydrogels. The minimum freezing point reaches −21.8 °C when the CMC-Na concentration is 2.5%, owing to the dissipated hydrogen bonds by the coordination of Fe3+ with carboxyl (-COO−) in CMC-Na and PAMAA. It is found that the conductivity of the PAMAA/CMC-Na/Fe hydrogels gradually decreased from 2.62 to 0.6 S/m as the concentration of CMC-Na rises. The obtained results indicates that the dual-network hydrogels with high mechanical properties, anti-swelling properties, frost resistance, and electrical conductivity can be a competitive substance used in the production of bendable sensors and biosensors.
Co/Al Co-Substituted Layered Manganese-Based Oxide Cathode for Stable and High-Rate Potassium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Junxian , Shu Wenli , Zhang Guangwan , Meng Jiashen , Han Chunhua , Wei Xiujuan , Wang Xuanpeng
Published: March 2024

Manganese-based layered oxides are promising cathode materials for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) due to their low cost and high theoretical energy density. However, the Jahn-Teller effect of Mn3+ and sluggish diffusion kinetics lead to rapid electrode deterioration and a poor rate performance, greatly limiting their practical application. Here, we report a Co/Al co-substitution strategy to construct a P3-type K0.45Mn0.7Co0.2Al0.1O2 cathode material, where Co3+ and Al3+ ions occupy Mn3+ sites. This effectively suppresses the Jahn-Teller distortion and alleviates the severe phase transition during K+ intercalation/de-intercalation processes. In addition, the Co element contributes to K+ diffusion, while Al stabilizes the layer structure through strong Al-O bonds. As a result, the K0.45Mn0.7Co0.2Al0.1O2 cathode exhibits high capacities of 111 mAh g−1 and 81 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 and 1 A g−1, respectively. It also demonstrates a capacity retention of 71.6% after 500 cycles at 1 A g−1. Compared to the pristine K0.45MnO2, the K0.45Mn0.7Co0.2Al0.1O2 significantly alleviates severe phase transition, providing a more stable and effective pathway for K+ transport, as investigated by in situ X-ray diffraction. The synergistic effect of Co/Al co-substitution significantly enhances the structural stability and electrochemical performance, contributing to the development of new Mn-based cathode materials for PIBs.
Morphology and Structure of TiO2 Nanotube/Carbon Nanostructure Coatings on Titanium Surfaces for Potential Biomedical Application
Authors: Dikova Tsanka , Hashim Daniel P. , Mintcheva Neli
Published: March 2024

Titanium is the most used material for implant production. To increase its biocompatibility, continuous research on new coatings has been performed by the scientific community. The aim of the present paper is to prepare new coatings on the surfaces of the pure Ti Grade 2 and the Ti6Al4V alloy. Three types of coatings were achieved by applying anodization and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods: TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) were formed by anodization, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were obtained through a metal-catalyst-free CVD process, and a bilayer coating (TiO2 nanotubes/carbon nanostructures) was prepared via successive anodization and CVD processes. The morphology and structure of the newly developed coatings were characterized using SEM, EDX, AFM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that after anodization, the morphology of the TiO2 layer on pure Ti consisted of a “sponge-like” structure, nanotubes, and nano-rods, while the TNTs layer on the Ti alloy comprised mainly nanotubes. The bilayer coatings on both materials demonstrated different morphologies: the pure Ti metal was covered by a layer of nanotubular and nano-rod TiO2 structures, followed by a dense carbon layer decorated with carbon nanoflakes, and on the Ti alloy, first, a TNTs layer was formed, and then carbon nano-rods were deposited using the CVD method.
Tunable C4-Symmetry-Broken Metasurfaces Based on Phase Transition of Vanadium Dioxide (VO2)
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Hao Xiaoyuan , Lu Xueguang , Liu Meng , Huang Wanxia , Zhang Cheng , Huang Wei , Xu Yi , Zhang Wentao
Published: March 2024

Coupling is a ubiquitous phenomenon observed in various systems, which profoundly alters the original oscillation state of resonant systems and leads to the unique optical properties of metasurfaces. In this study, we introduce a terahertz (THz) tunable coupling metasurface characterized by a four-fold rotation (C4) symmetry-breaking structural array achieved through the incorporation of vanadium dioxide (VO2). This disruption of the C4 symmetry results in dynamically controlled electromagnetic interactions and couplings between excitation modes. The coupling between new resonant modes modifies the peak of electromagnetic-induced transparency (EIT) within the C4 symmetric metasurfaces, simulating the mutual interference process between modes. Additionally, breaking the C4 symmetry enhances the mirror asymmetry, and imparts distinct chiral properties in the far-field during the experimental process. This research demonstrates promising applications in diverse fields, including biological monitoring, light modulation, sensing, and nonlinear enhancement.
Micro-/Meso-Structure Control of Multi-Hostmetal Alloys by Massive Nitrogen Supersaturation
Authors: Aizawa Tatsuhiko
Published: March 2024

The low-temperature plasma nitriding was utilized to describe the microscopic solid-phase separation in the austenitic stainless-steel type AISI316, induced by the nitrogen supersaturation. This nitrogen supersaturated layer with the thickness of 60 μm had a two-phase nanostructure where the nitrogen-poor and nitrogen-rich clusters separated from each other. Due to this microscopic solid-phase separation, iron and nickel atoms decomposed themselves from chromium atoms and nitrogen solutes in this nitrogen supersaturated AISI316 layer. These microscopic cluster separation and chemical decomposition among the constituent elements in AISI316 were induced in the multi-dimensional scale by the plastic straining along the slip lines in the (111)-orientation from the surface to the depth of matrix. The nitrogen solute diffused through the cluster boundaries into the depth. With the aid of masking technique, this nitrogen supersaturation and nanostructuring was controlled to take place only in the unmasked AISI316 matrix. The nanostructures with two separated clusters were mesoscopically embedded into AISI316 matrix after the masking micro-textures. This microscopic and mesoscopic structure control was available in surface treatment of multi-host metals such as superalloys and high entropy alloys.