bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic Sedimentology for the Characterization of Quaternary Evaporite Facies in Biogas-Bearing Taidong Area, Sanhu Depression, Qaidam Basin, NW China
Authors: Liu Guoyong , Xu Zhaohui , Li Jiangtao , Song Yong , Zeng Hongliu , Zhu Xiaomin , Tian Jixian , Lin Chunming , Jiang Lei
Published: February 2025

S-wave seismic data are unaffected by natural gas trapped in strata, making them a valuable tool to study evaporite facies comparing to P-wave data. S-wave seismic data were utilized to construct an isochronous framework and analyze evaporite facies by seismic sedimentology methods in the Quaternary biogenic gas-bearing Taidong area, Sanhu Depression, Qaidam Basin, NW China, with calibration from wireline logs, geochemical evidences, and modern analogs. Techniques of phase rotation, frequency decomposition, R (Red), G (Green), B (Blue) fusion, and stratal slices were integrated to reconstruct seismic geomorphological features. Linear and sub-circular morphologies, resembling those observed in modern saline pans such as Lake Chad, were identified. Observations from Upper Pleistocene outcrops of anhydrite and halite at Yanshan (east of the Taidong area), along with lithological and paleo-environmental records from boreholes SG-5, SG-1, and SG-1b (northwest of the Taidong area), support the seismic findings. The slices generated from the S-wave seismic data indicate a progressive increase in the occurrence of evaporite features from the K2 standard zone upwards. The vertical occurrence of evaporite facies in the Taidong area increases, which coincides with the contemporary regional and global arid paleo-environmental changes. The interpretation of Quaternary stratal slices reveals a transition from a freshwater lake to brackish, saline, and finally, a dry saline pan, overlaid by silt. This analysis provides valuable insights into locating evaporites as cap rocks for biogenic gas accumulation and also into mining the evaporite mineral resources in shallow layers of the Taidong area.
EmoBERTa-X: Advanced Emotion Classifier with Multi-Head Attention and DES for Multilabel Emotion Classification
Authors: Labib Farah Hassan , Elagamy Mazen , Saleh Sherine Nagy
Published: February 2025

The rising prevalence of social media turns them into huge, rich repositories of human emotions. Understanding and categorizing human emotion from social media content is of fundamental importance for many reasons, such as improvement of user experience, monitoring of public sentiment, support for mental health, and enhancement of focused marketing strategies. However, social media text is often unstructured and ambiguous; hence, extracting meaningful emotional information is difficult. Thus, effective emotion classification needs advanced techniques. This article proposes a novel model, EmoBERTa-X, to enhance performance in multilabel emotion classification, particularly in informal and ambiguous social media texts. Attention mechanisms combined with ensemble learning, supported by preprocessing steps, help in avoiding issues such as class imbalance of the dataset, ambiguity in short texts, and the inherent complexities of multilabel classification. The experimental results on the GoEmotions dataset indicate that EmoBERTa-X has outperformed state-of-the-art models on fine-grained emotion-detection tasks in social media expressions with an accuracy increase of 4.32% over some popular approaches.
Round Well Inset for Uniform Electric Field Distribution in Electroporation Applications
Authors: Sahu Praveen , Barozzi Marco , Di Barba Paolo , Mognaschi Maria Evelina , La Mura Monica , Lamberti Patrizia , Forzan Michele , Conconi Maria Teresa , Camarillo Ignacio , Sundararajan Raji , Sieni Elisabetta
Published: February 2025

Uniform electric field distribution in electroporation is crucial for achieving the effective localized delivery of drug molecules. Currently, in vitro electroporation studies on adherent cells lack a standardized test setup for obtaining consistent and repeatable results, unlike in vitro electroporation studies on cell suspensions that use electroporation cuvettes, which provide uniform electric field distribution. Considering this, we designed, built, and tested a novel inset design for low-volume round well plates, such as the 24- and 96-well plates which are most commonly used in cell culture labs. The inset design was realized using 3D printing and experimentally tested using potato phantoms and HeLa cells. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to compute the electric field distribution in the round well plates with and without the inset. The FEA indicated that the electric field contour map at the bottom of the well with the inset had a more uniform electric field distribution, with an average value close to the expected 1000 V/cm. In contrast, it was only 840 V/cm without the inset, indicating non-uniform electric field distribution. Uniform electric fields were also obtained using the inset for the potato phantoms and the HeLa cells, indicating the merit of the inset and its usability with low-volume cell culture well plates, which enable the transfer of cells for various assays without additional steps, as well as its cost-effectiveness.
Inflammatory Cell-Targeted Delivery Systems for Myocardial Infarction Treatment
Authors: Zhang Wenyuan , Peng Dan , Cheng Shiqi , Ni Rui , Yang Meiyang , Cai Yongqing , Chen Jianhong , Liu Fang , Liu Yao
Published: February 2025

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, which is a serious threat to human life and health. Inflammatory and immune responses are initiated immediately after MI, and unbalanced inflammation post-MI can lead to cardiac dysfunction, scarring, and ventricular remodeling, emphasizing the critical need for an effective inflammation-regulating treatment. With the development of novel therapies, the drug delivery system specific to inflammatory cells offers significant potential. In this review, we introduce immune cells and fibroblasts involved in the development of MI and summarize the newly developed delivery systems related to the use of injectable hydrogels, cardiac patches, nanoparticles, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Finally, we highlight the recent trends in the use of inflammatory cell-targeting drug delivery systems involving different strategies that facilitate the effective treatment of MI.
Genes, Cognition, and Their Interplay in Methamphetamine Use Disorder
Authors: Khan Ramisha , Turner Alyna , Berk Michael , Walder Ken , Rossell Susan , Guerin Alexandre A. , Kim Jee Hyun
Published: February 2025

Methamphetamine use disorder is a pressing global health issue, often accompanied by significant cognitive deficits that impair daily functioning and quality of life and complicate treatment. Emerging evidence highlights the potential role of genetic factors in methamphetamine use disorder, particularly in association with cognitive function. This review examines the key genetic and cognitive dimensions and their interplay in methamphetamine use disorder. There is converging evidence from several studies that genetic polymorphisms in BDNF, FAAH, SLC18A1, and SLC18A2 are associated with protection against or susceptibility to the disorder. In addition, people with methamphetamine use disorder consistently displayed impairments in cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control compared with people without the disorder. These cognitive domains were associated with reactivity to methamphetamine cues that were positively correlated with total years of methamphetamine use history. Emerging research also suggests that inhibitory control is negatively correlated with lower blood FAAH mRNA levels, while cognitive flexibility positively correlates with higher blood SLC18A2 mRNA levels, highlighting how genetic and cognitive dimensions interact in methamphetamine use disorder. We also include some future directions, emphasizing potential personalized therapeutic strategies that integrate genetic and cognitive insights. By drawing attention to the interplay between genes and cognition, we hope to advance our understanding of methamphetamine use disorder and inform the development of targeted interventions.
Folic Acid Supplementation Inhibits Proliferative Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Nian Shen , Zeng Yan , Heyden Katarina E. , Cagnone Gaël , Yagi Hitomi , Boeck Myriam , Lee Deokho , Hirst Victoria , Hua Zhanqing , Lee Jeff , Wang Chaomei , Neilsen Katherine , Joyal Jean-Sébastien , Field Martha S. , Fu Zhongjie
Published: February 2025

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the major cause of blindness in children. It is a biphasic disease with retinal vessel growth cessation and loss (Phase I) followed by uncontrolled retinal vessel growth (Phase II). Folate is an essential nutrient for fetal development and growth. Premature infants have a high risk for folate deficiency. However, the contribution of folate to ROP risk remains unknown. Methods: In mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), the nursing dams were fed with a folic acid-deficient or control diet after delivery until the end of hyperoxia. Alternatively, pups received direct injection of either folic acid or vehicle during Phase I hyperoxia. Genes involved in the folate cycle and angiogenic responses were examined using real-time PCR. Total retinal folate levels were measured with the Lactobacillus casei assay. Results: Maternal folic acid deficiency in early life exacerbated pathological retinal vessel growth, while supplementation with folic acid suppressed it. Genes involved in the folate cycle were downregulated in Phase I OIR retinas and were highly expressed in Müller glia. Folic acid reduced pro-angiogenic signaling in cultured rat retinal Müller glia in vitro. Conclusions: Appropriate supplementation of folic acid might be a new and safe treatment for ROP at an early stage.
Treatments and Outcomes in Neuroendocrine Patients Treated with Long-Acting Somatostatin Analogues: An Italian Real-World Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Ranallo Nicoletta , Roncadori Andrea , Gentili Nicola , Balzi William , Altini Mattia , Ghini Virginia , Maltoni Roberta , Andalò Alice , Cavallucci Martina , Sansovini Maddalena , Fausti Valentina , Montella Maria Teresa , Massa Ilaria , Danesi Valentina
Published: February 2025

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment patterns and outcomes in two propensity score-matched cohorts of patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) treated with first-line somatostatin analogue (SSA). Methods: Metastatic NET patients treated with first-line SSA (2009–2022) were retrospectively examined. First-line lanreotide vs. octreotide cohorts were matched 1:1 by propensity scores for demographics, tumour characteristics, and diagnosis year. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analysed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Among 441 patients, 310 were matched (155 in both the octreotide and lanreotide groups). First-line SSA was monotherapy (63.5%) or combination with other medications (36.5%). A total of 77% of second-line patients (188/244) maintained their initial SSA medication in combination with other therapies. Radioligand therapy with lanreotide (N = 72; 29.5%) or octreotide (N = 70; 28.7%) was the most common second-line treatment. First-line lanreotide and octreotide cohorts had similar median PFS (15.5; 95% CI: 13.6–19.1 vs. 14.0; 95% CI: 12.0–15.8 months), despite octreotide having a 36% higher likelihood of moving to the second line than lanreotide (95% CI: 1.05–1.76, p = 0.018). Multiple metastases (HR = 1.45; p = 0.004, 95% CI: 1.13–1.87) and Ki-67 > 20% (HR = 2.34; p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.43–3.83) were significantly associated with the worst PFS. First-line lanreotide patients had a median OS of 10.4 years (95% CI: 7.5-NA) and octreotide 9.2 years (95% CI: 7.3-NA) (p = 0.537). Bone metastases increased death risk by 91% (p = 0.014; 95% CI: 1.14–3.20). Conclusions: SSA monotherapy is the main first-line treatment and most subsequent treatments include SSA with additional medications. Cohorts had similar PFS/OS, but octreotide demonstrated a 36% significantly higher likelihood of moving to the second-line treatment.
Bioactive Carbon Dots from Clove Residue: Synthesis, Characterization, and Osteogenic Properties
Authors: Hong Hye-Sun , Park Hee-Jung , Lee Ji-Min , Chen Zu-Yu , Kim Tae-Woo , Seo Yong-Seok , Kang Jun-Won , Seo Young-Kwon
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Bone regeneration using nanomaterial-based approaches shows promise for treating critical bone defects. However, developing sustainable and cost-effective therapeutic materials remains challenging. This study investigates the osteogenic potential of clove-derived carbon dots (C-CDs) for bone regeneration applications. Methods: C-CDs were synthesized using a green hydrothermal method. The osteogenic potential was evaluated in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) and validated using ectopic bone formation and calvarial defect models. Results: C-CDs demonstrated uniform morphology (~10 nm) with efficient cellular uptake. In vitro studies showed successful osteogenic differentiation through the upregulation of RUNX2, ALP, COL1A1, and BMP-2 mediated by Wnt/β-catenin/GSK3β and BMP signaling pathways. In vivo models have also demonstrated that C-CDs are effective in promoting bone regeneration. Conclusions: These findings establish C-CDs as promising candidates for bone regeneration therapy, offering a sustainable alternative to current treatments. While optimization is needed, their demonstrated osteogenic properties warrant further development for regenerative medicine applications.
From Stents to Smart Implants Employing Biomimetic Materials: The Impact of 4D Printing on Modern Healthcare
Authors: Kantaros Antreas , Petrescu Florian Ion Tiberiu , Ganetsos Theodore
Published: February 2025

The sector of 4D printing represents a new frontier in additive manufacturing that allows for a material’s capability to adapt and respond to various stimuli, such as thermal transitions, humidity, and pH levels. The adaptability of such a material has great potential in healthcare applications, especially in designing personalized and responsive medical devices. This article looks into the revolutionary potential of healthcare applications of 4D printing, referencing applications in self-repairable implants, smart stents, personalized drug delivery systems, and response-based prosthetic devices. The advances in 3D printing have created a platform for such innovations to take place, while the material properties unique to 4D printing allow new methods of tackling existing health issues. However, the large-scale application of 4D printing in medicine is currently hampered by material limitations, regulation challenges, and financial challenges. In spite of these challenges, ongoing advances in technologies, combined with artificial intelligence and machine learning, provide the potential to surpass such challenges, hence improving the precision, efficacy, and personalization of medical devices. This work outlines existing applications, looks at potential areas of application in the future, and analyzes potential applications of 4D printing contributing to healthcare, recognizing challenges that need to be overcome in order to unlock its full potential.
A Wide-Range, Highly Stable Intelligent Flexible Pressure Sensor Based on Micro-Wrinkled SWCNT/rGO-PDMS with Efficient Thermal Shrinkage
Authors: Fan Lei , Wang Zhaoxin , Yang Tao , Zhao Qiang , Wu Zhixin , Wang Yijie , Qi Xue , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2025

Flexible pressure sensors have drawn growing attention in areas like human physiological signal monitoring and human–computer interaction. Nevertheless, it still remains a significant challenge to guarantee their long-term stability while attaining a wide detection range, a minute pressure testing limit, and high sensitivity. Inspired by the wrinkles on animal skins, this paper introduces a flexible pressure sensor with wrinkled microstructures. This sensor is composed of a composite of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). After optimizing the proportion of the composite materials, the flexible pressure sensor was manufactured using highly efficient heat-shrinkable films. It has a sensitivity as high as 15.364 kPa−1. Owing to the wrinkled microstructures, the sensor can achieve an ultra-wide pressure detection range, with the maximum reaching 1150 kPa, and is capable of detecting water wave vibrations at the minimum level. Moreover, the wrinkled microstructures were locked by PDMS. The sensor acquired waterproof performance and its mechanical stability was enhanced. Even after 18,000 cycles of repeated loading and unloading, its performance remained unchanged. By combining with an artificial neural network, high-precision recognition of different sounds and postures when grasping different objects was realized, with the accuracies reaching 98.3333% and 99.1111%, respectively. Through the integration of flexible WIFI, real-time wireless transmission of sensing data was made possible. In general, the studied sensor can facilitate the application of flexible pressure sensors in fields such as drowning monitoring, remote traditional Chinese medicine, and intelligent voice.
Prognostic Biomarkers in Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Wild-Type Glioblastoma: A Focus on B7-H3
Authors: Yüceer Ramazan Oğuz , Kaya Seyhmus , Balcı Sema Nur , Eğilmez Hatice Reyhan , Yılmaz Mukaddes , Erdıs Eda
Published: February 2025

Background: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type (wt) glioblastoma is an aggressive malignancy associated with poor clinical outcomes, marked by high heterogeneity and resistance to treatment. This study aims to investigate the prognostic significance of B7-H3 expression in IDH wt glioblastoma and its potential association with clinical outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Additionally, the relationship between B7-H3 and PD-L1 expression was explored. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 86 IDH wt glioblastoma patients, all of whom underwent surgery, radiotherapy, and temozolomide treatment, was analyzed. B7-H3 expression was quantified using an immunoreactivity score (IRS), classifying samples as low (IRS ≤ 4) or high (IRS > 4). PD-L1 expression was evaluated based on tumor and immune cell staining, with >5% positivity indicating significant expression. Results: High B7-H3 expression was significantly associated with poorer OS and PFS. Co-expression of B7-H3 and PD-L1 was prevalent, particularly among younger male patients with unifocal tumors; however, PD-L1 expression did not show a significant correlation with clinical outcomes. Conclusions: B7-H3 appears to be a promising prognostic biomarker in IDH wt glioblastoma and may serve as a target for developing combination therapies, integrating B7-H3-targeting treatments with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Further prospective studies are necessary to validate these findings and to explore potential therapeutic strategies.
Participants’ Roles in Bullying Among 7–11 Year Olds: Results from a UK-Wide Randomized Control Trial of the KiVa School-Based Program
Authors: Hutchings Judy , Pearson Ruth , Babu Malavika , Clarkson Suzy , Williams Margiad Elen , Badger Julia R. , Cannings-John Rebecca , Hastings Richard P. , Hayes Rachel , Bowes Lucy
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the social architecture model of school-based bullying behavior. The model proposes that the behavior of all students affects rates of bullying. Alongside self-reported victims and bullies, the model identified four bystander roles: assistant, reinforcer, outsider, and defender. The level of support for bullies varies based on school policies that address bullying and promote school connectedness. The universal components of the KiVa school-based anti-bullying program designed to teach pupils to stand against bullying are described. The Stand Together trial, a UK-based randomized controlled trial, recruited 11,000+ students from 118 schools across the UK, half of whom received the KiVa program whilst the remainder delivered usual practice to address bullying. The main trial results reported a significant reduction in victimization in favor of KiVa. This paper examines data collected on the pupil-reported Participant Role Questionnaire (PRQ), one of the secondary measures used to explore whether significant reductions in victimization were accompanied by changes in bystander behavior. The results showed reductions in the student response rates of self-identified roles as bullies, assistants, and reinforcers in favor of KiVa, but outsider roles increased, and defender roles reduced. This provides tentative support for the social architecture model as taught in the Stand Together KiVa trial but also suggests that further work needs to be conducted to support the development of defender behaviors and address this important public health challenge.
Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Risk-Taking: Attachment Avoidance as a Linking Mechanism
Authors: Woerner Jacqueline , Kopetz Catalina , Arriaga Ximena
Published: February 2025

Why might women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) become more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior? Women’s interest in casual sex may satisfy relational expectations and connection needs, while avoiding the types of close attachments that previously were violent. Specifically, attachment avoidance was tested as a mechanism linking IPV victimization and risky sexual behavior. Women who experienced (vs. did not experience) partner violence reported higher rates of risky sexual behavior, and this association was mediated by attachment avoidance (Study 1, N = 312; age range 18–58 years, M = 28). Making IPV salient via an experimental manipulation caused more avoidant perceptions (Study 2, N = 140; age range 19–57 years, M = 31), and inducing an avoidant mindset via an experimental manipulation caused greater sexual interest (Study 3, N = 128; age range 19–66 years, M = 33). These findings suggest that IPV disrupts expectations of security and reinforces a manner of connecting with partners that leads to risky sexual encounters.
Unlocking Physical Resilience Capacities of Building Systems: An Enhanced Network Analysis Approach
Authors: Li Lingzhi , Wang Jiaqi , Yuan Jingfeng , Gu Tiantian , Ling Sheng , Zhan Hanzhang
Published: February 2025

Fostering the physical resilience of building systems and ensuring their functionality during disasters is paramount. To unlock the physical resilience capacities of building systems, this study applied an enhanced network-based approach comprising four steps: (1) classifying the building systems and developing a comprehensive building system network can be achieved by treating building components as nodes and their functional, resource, information, and physical interdependence as connections; (2) characterizing the physical resilience capacities of building systems through robustness and redundancy; (3) setting up both deliberate and random attack scenarios and revealing the robustness of building systems by using the relative size of maximum connected subgraphs and global network efficiency; and (4) proposing a novel redundancy index to reveal the capacities to maintain function in the face of disruptions. A real-world case study was conducted to analyze the physical resilience of a building system under disruptions, illustrating the feasibility of the proposed approach. The case study identified several key systems and operation strategies for enhancing the resilience of building systems. In summary, the proposed approach contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the building system and quantitatively reveals its robustness and redundancy capacities. Practically, these findings offer valuable insights and practical strategies for facility managers to foster resilient and sustainable operations during building operations.
Enhancing HVAC Control Systems Using a Steady Soft Actor–Critic Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach
Authors: Sun Hongtao , Hu Yushuang , Luo Jinlu , Guo Qiongyu , Zhao Jianzhe
Published: February 2025

Buildings account for a substantial portion of global energy use, with about one-third of total consumption attributed to them, according to IEA statistics, significantly contributing to carbon emissions. Building energy efficiency is crucial for combating climate change and achieving energy savings. Smart buildings, leveraging intelligent control systems, optimize energy use to reduce consumption and emissions. Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithms have recently gained attention for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in buildings. This paper reviews current research on DRL-based HVAC management and identifies key issues in existing algorithms. We propose an enhanced intelligent building energy management algorithm based on the Soft Actor–Critic (SAC) framework to address these challenges. Our approach employs the distributed soft policy iteration from the Distributional Soft Actor–Critic (DSAC) algorithm to improve action–state return stability. Specifically, we introduce cumulative returns into the SAC framework and recalculate target values, which reduces the loss function. The proposed HVAC control algorithm achieved 24.2% energy savings compared to the baseline SAC algorithm. This study contributes to the development of more energy-efficient HVAC systems in smart buildings, aiding in the fight against climate change and promoting energy savings.
Determinants of Adherence to World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Recommendations in Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Pachón Olmos Vanessa , Pollán Marina , Fernández de Larrea-Baz Nerea , Fernández-Morata Julia , Ruiz-Moreno Emma , García-Pérez Javier , Castelló Adela , Sierra María Ángeles , Lucas Pilar , Alonso-Ledesma Isabel , Stradella Agostina , Cantos Blanca , Ramón y Cajal Teresa , Santisteban Marta , Seguí Miguel Ángel , Santaballa Bertrán Ana , Granja Mónica , Camps-Herrero Julia , Recalde Sabela , Mendez Miriam , Calvo Verges Nuria , Pérez-Gómez Beatriz , Pastor-Barriuso Roberto , Lope Virginia
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) cancer prevention recommendations benefit primary prevention and survivor outcomes. This study evaluated the adherence to these recommendations during the year prior to breast cancer diagnosis and identified related clinical and sociodemographic factors. Methods: A total of 915 patients with breast cancer were recruited from eight hospitals in four regions of Spain. The participants completed an epidemiologic questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire. The compliance with the WCRF/AICR recommendations was assessed using a standardized score based on seven recommendations. Standardized prevalences and standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) for moderate and high adherence were calculated based on participant characteristics using binary and multinomial logistic regression models. Results: The mean adherence was 3.5 points out of 7. The recommendations with the best and worst adherence were avoiding sugar-sweetened drinks (54.4% adherence) and maintaining a fiber-rich diet (4.4% consumed ≥30 g/day). The overall adherence was better in women aged ≥60 years (SPR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.09–2.22), and worse in those with a caloric intake ≥2000 kcal/day (SPR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.37–0.62) or ≥2 comorbidities (SPR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.49–0.89). The adherence to maintaining a healthy weight was worse in those with ≥2 comorbidities and stage III-IV tumors. The physical activity adherence was worse in working women and those with ≥2 comorbidities. The alcohol restriction adherence was worse in smokers. Younger women, smokers and those with a low calorie intake were less adherent to the fruit/vegetable recommendation. The consumption of fiber and limited consumption of red/processed meat adherence was poor in all the subgroups. The adherence to a limited consumption of fast food and sugary drinks was worse in younger women and high-calorie-diet consumers. Conclusions: The differences in the adherence to recommendations according to patient characteristics justify the design of personalized interventions for breast cancer patients.
Impact of Class III Obesity (Morbid Obesity) on the Perioperative, Functional, and Oncological Outcomes of Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Jaber Abdel Rahman , Saikali Shady , Moschovas Marcio Covas , Gamal Ahmed , Patel Ela , Sandri Marco , Rogers Travis , Patel Vipul
Published: February 2025

Background: The growing prevalence of obesity, particularly morbid obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2), presents unique challenges in surgical management. In robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer, morbid obesity is associated with longer operative times, increased blood loss, and complex nerve-sparing procedures. These challenges may impact functional and oncological outcomes, making it essential to understand how high BMI affects RARP results. However, data on outcomes for patients with morbid obesity remain limited. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 14,444 patients who underwent RARP by a single surgeon from 2008 to 2023. A total of 183 patients with morbid obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) were matched 1:1 with 183 normal-weight patients (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) using propensity-score matching based on age, PSA levels, clinical staging, ISUP grade, comorbidities, and baseline urinary and sexual function scores. We compared perioperative variables, complications, and oncological and functional outcomes between groups. Results: Patients with morbid obesity had longer console times (median 90 vs. 75 min, p < 0.001) and higher rates of estimated blood loss over 100 mL (39% vs. 22%, p = 0.001). Full nerve-sparing was less frequent in this group (16.9% vs. 38.8%, p < 0.001), and postoperative lymphocele formation rates were higher (12.7% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.021). While patients with morbid obesity demonstrated a higher incidence of pT3a disease (34.4% vs. 20.2%, p = 0.015), no significant differences were observed in BCR and PSM (24% vs. 18%, p = 0.25) or functional outcomes, such as potency and urinary continence, at 12 and 24 months after operation. Conclusions: RARP in patients with morbid obesity is safe and feasible, with low rates of complications and no observed differences in functional and oncological outcomes compared to normal-weight patients. Further studies are needed to assess long-term outcomes in this growing patient population.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Renal Cell Carcinoma with Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus
Authors: Pilosov Solomon Ilona , Rinott Mizrahi Gal , Klein Ilan , Dekel Yoram , Freifeld Yuval
Published: February 2025

The prognosis for untreated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVC TT) is poor, and the only curative treatment option is extirpative surgery. However, radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Historically, RCC was considered radioresistant, but it appears to be sensitive to higher doses per fraction. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which delivers high ablative radiation doses to focal targets, has been shown to be an effective treatment option for both non-metastatic and metastatic RCC. Emerging data also suggest its role in the management of RCC with IVC TT. This article reviews the available evidence on the use of SBRT in RCC patients with IVC TT, considering its application as curative, palliative, and neoadjuvant therapy.
Outcome of T2 Glottic Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy Alone or Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy
Authors: Peng Po-Ying , Lin Chien-Yu , Liao Chun-Ta , Wang Hung-Ming , Huang Shiang-Fu , Tsai Yao-Te , Lu Chang-Hsien , Fang Fu-Min , Lin Meng-Hung , Chen Miao-Fen , Chen Wen-Cheng
Published: February 2025

Laryngeal cancer accounts for 10% of head and neck cancers, with glottic cancers comprising two-thirds of cases in our country [...]
Co/Mo2C-Embedded N-Doped Carbon Nanotubes Combined with Molecularly Imprinted Membranes for Selective Electrocatalytic Determination of Imidacloprid
Authors: Feng Dongshi , Dai Jiangdong , Yan Yongsheng , Li Chunxiang
Published: February 2025

Developing a catalyst with excellent electrical conductivity and catalytic performance for on-site testing of residual imidacloprid is significant and challenging. In situ growth of Mo2C nanodots on Co-induced N-doped carbon nanotubes (Co/Mo2C/N-CNT) was synthesized to construct a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for the detection of imidacloprid. The results proved that the catalytic performance of Co/Mo2C/N-CNT for imidacloprid was over two times higher than those of Co/N-CNT and commercial CNT. This improvement was attributed to the formation of a heterostructure between Co species, Mo2C, and N-CNT, which facilitated highly exposed catalytic active sites. Additionally, the abundant Mo2C nano-dots promoted interfacial charge transfer to achieve optimal dynamics. The optimum preparation parameters of the catalysts were obtained by response surface methodology. By analyzing the relationship between different pH values and peak potential, as well as the influence of different scanning rates on peak potential, it was deduced that the possible electrocatalytic mechanism of imidacloprid involved the reduction of the nitro group to a hydroxylamine group and H2O. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.033 × 10−6 mol·L−1 (R2 = 0.99698), and the linear range was 0.1 × 10−6~100 × 10−6 mol·L−1. The application effect of the prepared sensor was evaluated by measuring the imidacloprid in two kinds of tea, indicating that the sensor possessed good sensitivity and selectivity, and was capable of meeting the requirements of on-site detection.
Rapid Analysis of Chemical Oxygen Demand by Using a SPE Sensor Based on rGO/Cu/Ni Composite Catalyst Synthesized via One-Step Chemical Reduction
Authors: Zhou Yu , Zheng Kaixin , Zhang Yihao , Zhao Yong , Ouyang Zhi , Zhang Xu , Liu Xianhua
Published: February 2025

Black-odorous water (BOW) in urban areas poses significant risks to water safety and human health. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a critical parameter for the control and monitoring of BOW. However, traditional methods for COD determination are expensive, time-consuming, and involve the use of hazardous chemicals. In this study, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and transitional metal particles (Cu, Ni) were used as working electrode materials for facile on-site determination of COD in BOW. Three composite materials (rGO/Cu, rGO/Ni, and rGO/Cu/Ni) were synthesized by one-step chemical reduction with different ratios, and their microstructure and chemical composition were characterized. Glucose solution and real water were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic performance of the different sensors. The ternary composite (rGO/Cu/Ni) screen-printed electrode sensor demonstrated excellent performance in COD analysis, with a low limit of detection (18.9 mg L−1), a broad linear detection range from 53 to 1500 mg L−1, and a 1.61% relative error for real water samples. The testing results were highly consistent with those obtained using the standard chromium sulfate method. This study offers promising prospects for the mass production of cost-effective COD electrochemical sensors, facilitating real-time, on-site monitoring of water bodies in major urban areas.
Influence of Preparation Method on Structure and Photocatalytic Performance of Bi2MoO6
Authors: Wang Qiuqin , Ge Jinlong , Liu Wei , Zhang Hanyu , Li Ruochen
Published: February 2025

The emergence of bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) as a promising visible-light catalyst has prompted researchers to increasingly focus on its investigation. To elucidate the impact of different preparation methods on the morphology and photocatalytic properties of Bi2MoO6, samples were synthesized via solvothermal, in situ conversion, solution combustion, precipitation, and sol-gel techniques. The physicochemical properties of Bi2MoO6 were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis (PSA), fluorescence, and photocurrent measurements. The materials’ ability to degrade Rhodamine B (RhB) was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the crystallinity, morphology, bandgap width, and photogenerated carrier recombination of Bi2MoO6 varied significantly depending on the preparation method. Among these methods, the solvothermal route proved most effective, yielding Bi2MoO6 with the highest photocatalytic activity, achieving 97.5% RhB degradation within 25 min of light exposure. The low photogenerated carrier recombination rate was attributed to the large specific surface area and narrow bandgap (2.71 eV). This study provides valuable insights into preparing Bi2MoO6 with enhanced photocatalytic properties.
The Influence of Electron Beam Irradiation on the Performance of Hydrogenation Catalysts Containing Co and Carboneous Particles on Silica
Authors: Arabadzhy Mykola I. , Pashkevych Vyacheslav P. , Pariiska Olena O. , Melnychenko Oleksiy V. , Buryanov Volodymyr V. , Subotin Vladyslav V. , Vashchenko Bohdan V. , Ostapchuk Eugeniy M. , Frolov Andriy I. , Gavrilenko Konstantin S. , Ryabukhin Serhiy V. , Volochnyuk Dmytro M. , Kolotilov Sergey V.
Published: February 2025

This study was aimed at elucidating the role of the carboneous component in Co–carbon-containing catalysts for the hydrogenation of organic compounds. A Co-C/SiO2 catalyst was synthesized via pyrolysis of a Co(II) complex with 1,2-diaminobenzene on silica and subsequently irradiated with 2.3 MeV electrons, producing Co-C/SiO2*. A comprehensive characterization using XRD, TEM, IR, and Raman spectroscopy indicated minimal structural changes in the cobalt nanoparticles and carboneous materials. However, the Raman analysis revealed a slight decrease in the structural defect content in the carboneous component upon irradiation, which could occur due to defect healing. The catalytic tests, including the hydrogenation of 26 compounds, demonstrated an enhanced performance of the irradiated catalyst in 17 cases. This performance improvement was attributed to a modification of the carboneous material. It could be concluded that the carboneous components in Co-C composites contributed to their catalytic performance, probably by modifying the electronic structure of Co nanoparticles. In turn, the results provide arguments against the supposition that hydrogenation occurs on the structural defects of the carboneous material.
Development of a Textile Solid-Phase Extraction Method Employing the Marine Sulfated Polysaccharide Ulvan for the Extraction and Analysis of Cationic Dyes
Authors: Safarik Ivo , Prochazkova Jitka , Kikionis Stefanos , Roussis Vassilios , Ioannou Efstathia
Published: February 2025

Textile solid-phase extraction (TSPE) employing an acrylic nonwoven textile impregnated with the sulfated, negatively charged marine polysaccharide ulvan was employed for the extraction of four positively charged dyes, namely safranin O, methylene blue, malachite green and crystal violet, from aqueous solutions. The extracted dyes were analyzed by image analysis of the dyed textile using a smartphone application. Dyes within the concentration range of 0.1–2.0 mg/L were efficiently analyzed, demonstrating that ulvan-based TSPE is a highly efficient preconcentration method for the analysis of cationic dyes.
Literature Review of Various Treatments in CNPAS and a Proposed Novel Clinical Treatment Algorithm
Authors: Emodi Omri , Zeineh Nidal , Hija Ahmad , Bilder Amir , Ohayon Chaim , Shilo Dekel , Tzemach Miri , Gazit-Rappaport Talia , Gordin Arie , Rachmiel Adi , Capucha Tal
Published: February 2025

Background: Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) is a rare disorder characterized by a narrowed pyriform aperture and nasal obstruction. Children with CNPAS often exhibit a bony ridge on the underside of the secondary palate, a solitary central incisor, and a triangular-shaped palate. Due to its rarity, limited research exists, and there is no established treatment algorithm, which complicates management, particularly in craniofacial treatments and long-term follow-up. Aims: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive treatment algorithm based on long-term follow-up, focusing on maxillofacial deformities, dental considerations, and upper airway assessment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of four CNPAS patients treated at our institute. We performed a literature review, and a comparison was executed with our data in order to introduce our novel, age-specific clinical treatment framework. Results: A literature review was conducted, and different clinical parameters were examined. Previously published data were compared to our patients-related findings to develop our clinical treatment algorithm based on patients’ age. Patients were monitored for respiratory distress during the first two years of life. Children with cyclic cyanosis underwent surgical widening of the pyriform aperture through bony excess removal and nasal tubing to ensure airway patency. For those with ongoing desaturation events, neonatal palatal expansion was performed. At ages 10–12, additional evaluations using polysomnography and orthodontic assessments were conducted. Based on these findings, patients received surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) and further surgical widening of the pyriform aperture if obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was present. Subsequent treatments included orthodontic care and restoration of the missing central incisor. Conclusions: We propose an age-based clinical treatment algorithm for CNPAS tailored to address individual patient needs throughout their growth.
Sedation and Pain Management in Neonates Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Kokhanov Artemiy , Chen Peggy
Published: February 2025

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a common cause of significant neonatal morbidity and mortality. The stronghold of the treatment for moderate-to-severe HIE is therapeutic hypothermia (TH) which provides a neuroprotective effect. However, it also is associated with pain and stress. Moreover, neonates with HIE are subjected to a significant number of painful procedures. Untreated pain during the early neonatal period may entail future challenges such as impaired brain growth and development as well as impaired pain sensitivity later in life. Hereby, the provision of adequate sedation and alleviation of pain and discomfort is essential. There are currently no universally accepted guidelines for sedation and pain management for this patient population. In this review, we highlight non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic methods currently in use to provide comfort and sedation to patients with HIE undergoing TH.
Synthesis of Eco-Friendly Narrow-Band CuAlSe2/Ga2S3/ZnS Quantum Dots for Blue Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Yuan Shenghua , Liu Liyuan , Dong Xiaofei , Li Xianggao , Yin Shougen , Li Jingling
Published: February 2025

Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) based on high-color-purity blue quantum dots (QDs) are crucial for the development of next-generation displays. I-III-VI type QDs have been recognized as eco-friendly luminescent materials for QLED applications due to their tunable band gap and high-stable properties. However, efficient blue-emitting I-III-VI QDs remain rare owing to the high densities of the intrinsic defects and the surface defects. Herein, narrow-band blue-emissive CuAlSe2/Ga2S3/ZnS QDs is synthesized via a facile strategy. The resulting QDs exhibit a sharp blue emission peak at 450 nm with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 35 nm, achieved by coating a double-shell structure of Ga2S3 and ZnS, which is associated with the near-complete passivation of Cu-related defects (e.g., Cu vacancies) that enhances the band-edge emission, accompanied by an improvment in photoluminescence quantum yield up to 69%. QLEDs based on CuAlSe2/Ga2S3/ZnS QDs are fabricated, exhibiting an electroluminescence peak at 453 nm with a FWHM of 39 nm, a current efficiency of 3.16 cd A−1, and an external quantum efficiency of 0.35%. This research paves the way for the development of high-efficiency eco-friendly blue QLEDs.
Impact of Solvents on the Crystal Morphology of CL-20/TFAZ Cocrystals: A Predictive Study
Authors: Sun Yuanyuan , Yu Le , Wang Yichen , Suen Nian-Tzu
Published: February 2025

The cocrystallization technique has been widely applied in the fields of energetic materials (EMs) to settle the inherent trade-off between high energy and low sensitivity in current high-energy molecules. Despite its widespread application, the mechanistic understanding of cocrystals growing from solutions remains largely underexplored. This paper presents a mechanistic model grounded in the spiral growth mechanism to predict the crystal morphologies of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) and 7H-trifurazano [3,4-b:3′,4′-f:3″,4″-d]azepine (TFAZ) cocrystals. In this model, it was assumed that CL-20 and TFAZ molecules incorporated into the crystal lattice simultaneously from solution as preformed growth units. The binding energies between the CL-20 molecule and TFAZ molecule were calculated to determine the most potential growth units. The predicted morphologies closely align with the experimental determinations supporting the model’s validity. Furthermore, the study found that the crystal habits were significantly influenced by the choice of solvents, due to variations in interfacial energetics affecting the growth process.
Structural and Textural Properties of Al/Cu- and Al/Zn-Pillared Clays for Ethanol Conversion
Authors: dos Santos Lamara M. , Barbosa Felipe F. , Bieseki Lindiane , Braga Tiago P. , Pergher Sibele B. C.
Published: February 2025

A montmorillonite sample was pillared using mixed solutions of Al/Cu and Al/Zn as the pillaring agent. Al/Cu- and Al/Zn-pillared clays were applied in an ethanol conversion reaction. The catalysts prepared from montmorillonite were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS-NMR), and textural analysis by adsorption of N2. The synthesized materials showed basal spacing values around 1.6 nm for the Cu samples and 1.8 nm for the Zn samples. With the pillarization, textural properties such as specific area and micropore volume were optimized, and all samples showed an increase in micropore volume as well as a narrower pore distribution in the range of 0.77 nm. The insertion of 10% Zn in the pillaring solution produced a material with a greater amount of Al in the pentacoordinate position and also presented better results of conversion (80%) and selectivity to ethylene (81%) in the ethanol dehydration reaction.