bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement and MAO-A inhibition in heated tobacco products: flavor and brand variations
Authors: Li Xiangyu , Ding Zheng , Jiang Xingyi , Wang Hongjuan , Luo Yanbo , Chen Huan , Pang Yongqiang , Hou Hongwei , Hu Qingyuan
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study investigates the reinforcing effects and monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitory properties of heated tobacco products (HTPs), comparing them to nicotine alone. It also examines brand-specific differences in MAO-A inhibition to provide a deeper understanding of the role of non-nicotine constituents in HTP use.

Methods

A rat self-administration model was used to evaluate the reinforcement patterns of HTP-T (tobacco flavor), HTP-M (menthol flavor), and nicotine under fixed-ratio schedules. In vitro assays were performed to measure the MAO-A inhibitory effects of nicotine, HTP-T, and HTP-M. Additionally, chemical composition analyses of HTP-T and HTP-M aerosols were conducted and compared to identify potential MAO inhibitors. Finally, in vitro assessments of MAO-A inhibition were performed across various HTP brands to determine whether significant differences in MAO-A inhibition exist among different HTP products.

Results

HTP-T showed self-administration patterns comparable to nicotine, while HTP-M demonstrated significantly higher reinforcement. In vitro analyses revealed that both HTP-T and HTP-M exhibited MAO-A inhibition at high nicotine-equivalent concentrations (>10−2–10−1 mM), with HTP-M showing stronger inhibition. In contrast, Nicotine alone showed no MAO-A inhibition. Brand-specific differences in MAO-A inhibitory effects were also observed, potentially driven by variations in aerosol composition.

Conclusions

HTP-M's enhanced reinforcement could be attributed to its higher MAO-A inhibition and menthol's synergistic effects on nicotine. Brand-specific variations in MAO inhibition highlight the impact of non-nicotine constituents on HTP use. While this study provides valuable insights into HTPs, its reliance on animal models and in vitro assays highlights the necessity for human studies conducted under real-world conditions.
Exploring the impact of internet use on cognitive abilities in the older adults: evidence from the CHARLS 2020 database
Authors: Jiao Haojin , Guo Zehui , Sun Jiafan , Wang Ke , Yang Jingqi
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The rapid aging of the global population has increased the prevalence of cognitive impairments, presenting significant challenges for healthcare systems. This study examines the potential protective role of internet use against cognitive decline among older adults in China.

Methods

Utilizing the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS 2020) data, this research analyzed a sample of 7,142 Chinese adults aged 60 and above. The study employed correlation analysis and hierarchical regression to explore the relationship between various dimensions of internet use and cognitive function.

Results

Results indicate a significant positive correlation between internet use and cognitive performance, suggesting that digital engagement may serve as a protective factor against cognitive decline. Additionally, the study reveals that socio-demographic factors such as age, education level, and urban or rural residency modulate this relationship.

Discussion

The findings underscore the importance of digital inclusivity for enhancing cognitive health among older adults. This study discusses the implications of increasing internet accessibility and provides recommendations for public policy to foster a digitally inclusive society that supports the cognitive health of the aging population.
Strategies for the dynamization of sustainable business ecosystems—a view from Medellin’s SMEs
Authors: Ochoa Santiago Cadavid , Serna Luis Miguel Gomez , Sossa Jhon Wilder Zartha , Mendoza Gina Lía Orozco
Published: February 2025

A confluence of internal and external factors has contributed to a growing optimism regarding the viability of sustainability positions, evidenced by a proliferation of studies on this topic at the global level. We integrate this comprehension with the pivotal function that SMEs perform within the business network of the city of Medellín and examine the extent of their engagement with sustainability issues. This study examines the obstacles that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) encounter globally and contrasts them with the incentives that various actors, including government agencies and private entities, implement to address these types of obstacles. A search of SCOPUS using the equation and the definition of the keyword “sustainability,” along with the terms “barriers,” “incorporation,” “entrepreneurship,” “creation,” and “SME,” yielded 107 articles. The 50 most cited articles related to the research topic were selected; however, seven of them were found to be irrelevant to the research topic and were thus excluded. Consequently, 43 articles were subjected to analysis for the purposes of this study. The focus of this study is centered on Colombia, specifically in the city of Medellin, the capital of the Antioquia department. For this purpose, we have standardized both the barriers and incentives reviewed, resulting in 18 barriers and 13 incentives. The AHP model was employed to ascertain the level of importance of each barrier, group them into six categories, and evaluate and compare the incentives in terms of their efficacy in addressing these barriers. Based on these findings, strategies are proposed to enhance the company’s market position and competitive advantage, thereby fostering a more robust business network in the city.
Innovative approaches to soil health: evaluating pruning waste compost, inoculated compost, and mineral fertilizer in a controlled growth chamber for sustainable vineyard practices
Authors: Lucchetta M. , Zuluaga M. Y. A. , Monterisi S. , Fattorini R. , Gaiotti F. , Cesco S. , Pii Y.
Published: February 2025

Healthy and fertile soils are the foundation of sustainable global agriculture, supporting both intensive and extensive crop cultivation, including orchards and vineyards across diverse agroecosystems. However, widespread use of synthetic fertilizers has degraded soil organic matter and overall quality, leading to significant environmental consequences and threats to ecosystem services. Challenges in accessing mineral fertilizers, along with growing concerns over environmental sustainability, have driven interest in alternative approaches such as compost, biofertilizers, biopesticides, and microbiome-based strategies to enhance soil fertility and reduce chemical inputs in agriculture. Compost derived from grapevine pruning waste shows promise in addressing agricultural challenges, but further research is needed to understand its effects on nutrient release dynamics and microbial activity. Inoculating compost with a fungal consortium presents an innovative strategy to enhance nutrient cycling and microbial interactions, addressing nutrient availability challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of three fertilization methods on soil health: NPK (mineral fertilizer), PWC (pruning waste compost), and iPWC (pruning waste compost inoculated with fungal consortia). Conducted over 135 days in a controlled growth chamber, fifteen pots received equal macronutrient doses. Environmental parameters (humidity, temperature, light/dark cycles) were closely monitored. Throughout the experiment, release dynamics of key nutrients, soil enzyme activity, and microbial community responses were rigorously assessed. The results showed that compost inoculated with fungi significantly enhanced soil enzymes activities. Microbial community activity was higher in fungal and compost treatments, with greater functional diversity observed in the mineral fertilizer treatment. Compost released major minerals more slowly than chemical fertilizers, while enhancing the available fraction. These findings underscore compost’s potential, especially when supplemented with fungi, to improve soil health and promote sustainable agricultural practices and soil regeneration.
Nutritional status and associated socioeconomic factors among low-income Saudi females
Authors: Alrougui Khulud , Alshammari Ghedeir M. , Alrwis Khalid N. , Alabdulkarem Kholoud B. , Yahya Mohammed Abdo
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Obesity is most common among people with low incomes in high-income countries, although being overweight affects all socioeconomic categories. This study evaluated the nutritional and health status and their associated variables in low-income Saudi females.

Methods

A structured questionnaire was used to collect participants’ (153 women) sociodemographic profiles and other health data (hypertension, diabetes, thyroid, and anemia status). Nutrient intake, anthropometric indices, minimal dietary diversity scores (MDDS), and lipid profiles were also measured. Chi-squared and Student-t tests were used to detect significant variation among groups, and Spearman correlation was used to determine factors affecting the nutritional status of women.

Results and discussion

As their sociodemographic profiles varied greatly, some participants’ nutrient intake was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.01) than their dietary recommended intake (DRI). However, the anthropometric indices differed significantly between the women with high and low MDDS (p ≤ 0.01). The rate of females with obesity outperformed the other groups regarding MDDS, followed by those who are overweight. Furthermore, a significant (p ≤ 0.001) variation in lipid profile was observed between subjects. Despite the majority of participants having normal cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride levels, their HDL-C levels were either at high risk or borderline risk. The majority of the participants showed no signs of anemia, hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid issues. Interestingly, whereas education level was negatively and significantly at (p ≤ 0.05 or p ≤ 0.001) linked with some anthropometric indices, the factors age, family size, source of income, social welfare benefits, and marital status were positively and significantly associated with some of these variables. According to this study, low-income Saudi females face several challenges in adopting a nutritional and healthy lifestyle, as indicated by the parameters evaluated.
sRNA Sequencing of Dahlia Bicolor Petals Revealed the Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Pathway
Authors: Zou Jiuchun , Wu Xiaoshuang , Li Shuyan , Liu Mengqing , Chen Yuyu , Wang Haoran , Tao Xue
Published: February 2025

Garden dahlias (Dahlia pinnata) are popular for their rich flower color variations that have produced many typical bicolor cultivars. Previous studies on the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway (ABP) observed that the miR156-SPL9 module contributes to the formation of white tips on dahlia petals by repressing the MYB-bHLH-WDR complex. In this study, we further detected the potential post-transcriptional regulation involved in the bicolor petal formation by the small RNA sequencing of red bases and white tips. Compared with red bases, 89 differentially expressed miRNAs and 6349 target genes were identified. And 78 up-regulated miRNAs with their 249 down-regulated target genes were involved in the formation process of white petal tips. The target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs significantly enriched in the ABPs and miRNAs of six conserved families (MIR 156, 164, 167, 169, 482 and 6114) targeted to four transcription factor families (ARF, HD-ZIP, SBP and NAC) were involved in the post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) of the ABP. Transcription sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis demonstrated that the MIR167-ARF8 module and the MIR6114-ANL2 module were the candidate regulators of the inactive ABP in the white tips by depressing the transcription of multiple structure genes. The findings gave new insights into the post-transcriptional regulation of the ABP and would be valuable for further studies of the PTGS mechanisms of bicolor petal formation.
Detection of Leishmania spp. in Small Non-Flying Mammals (Didelphimorphia and Rodentia) from Bahia, Northeast Brazil
Authors: de Souza Graziela Baroni , Fehlberg Hllytchaikra Ferraz , Rosa Beatris Felipe , Ribeiro Cássia Matos , Sevá Anaiá da Paixão , Maciel Bianca Mendes , Alvarez Martin Roberto Del Valle , Albuquerque George Rêgo , Silva Fabiana Lessa
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to identify Leishmania species in small non-flying mammals captured in semi-deciduous forest fragments of the Atlantic Forest and pastures in the Southwest region of Bahia state, Northeast Brazil. A total of 445 animals belonging to 11 different species were captured, the majority being rodents (75.7%; 337), followed by marsupials (24.2%; 108), and the most prevalent species were Cerradomys vivoi, Calomys expulsus, Necromys Lasiurus, and Marmosops incanus. Liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and lung fragments were collected for subsequent molecular diagnosis. Leishmania spp. kDNA amplification in positive samples was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Species identification of Leishmania was conducted through nested PCR, followed by sequencing. Leishmania spp. infection was detected in 2.92% (13/445) of the animals. Sequencing revealed that L. infantum infected three animals, while the species of the agent in the other animals could not be determined. The results indicate the presence of Leishmania spp. in the studied region, primarily affecting the local wildlife. These findings not only highlight the risk of transmission to domestic animals and humans in close contact with forest remnants, but also underscore the critical role of these fragments in supporting native fauna. However, it is worth noting that the continuous deforestation of these forest remnants could lead to increased contact between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, thereby elevating the risk of transmission.
Daily Gain, Feed Conversion, and Rumen Fermentation in Finishing Steers Fed a Total Mixed Ration Supplemented with a Blend of Essential Oils, Tannins, and Bioflavonoids or Monensin
Authors: Repetto José Luis , Ciancio Eliana , Castro Guillermo , Santana Alvaro , Cajarville Cecilia
Published: February 2025

This study investigated the effects of adding a blend of essential oils, tannins, bioflavonoids (ANAVRIN®, VetosEurope, Lugano, Switzerland), monensin, and their combination on the daily gain, feed conversion, and rumen fermentation of finishing steers fed a total mixed ration (TMR). Thirty finishing steers (441 kg body weight, 34.3 months old) consuming a TMR were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to three treatments according to the addition of (1) EOTB (ANAVRIN® at 0.35 g/100 kg body weight), (2) MON (monensin at 0.033 g/kg dry matter), and (3) EOTB + MON (at the same dose as in (1) and (2). A 60-day feeding trial was conducted, including a 19-day adaptation period. Data collected included daily dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and rumen fermentation parameters (pH, NH3-N, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations). EOTB resulted in higher DMI compared to EOTB + MON, while no significant differences were observed in ADG or FCR. The ruminal pH and NH3-N concentrations were similar among treatments, but there were interactions among treatment × hour for VFAs. The EOTB + MON led to a more stable VFA concentration in rumen, suggesting possible complementary supplementation effects. However, more studies are needed to confirm this and to go deeper into the underlying mechanism of action.
Correction: Aleem et al. Whole-Genome Identification of APX and CAT Gene Families in Cultivated and Wild Soybeans and Their Regulatory Function in Plant Development and Stress Response. Antioxidants 2022, 11, 1626
Authors: Aleem Muqadas , Aleem Saba , Sharif Iram , Aleem Maida , Shahzad Rahil , Khan Muhammad Imran , Batool Amina , Sarwar Gulam , Farooq Jehanzeb , Iqbal Azeem , Jan Basit Latief , Kaushik Prashant , Feng Xianzhong , Bhat Javaid Akhter , Ahmad Parvaiz
Published: February 2025

In the original publication [...]
Impact of Non-Landslide Sample Sampling Strategies and Model Selection on Landslide Susceptibility Mapping
Authors: Jiang Weijun , Li Ling , Niu Ruiqing
Published: February 2025

This study investigated the influence of non-landslide sampling strategies on landslide susceptibility assessment (LSA) performance and explored approaches to minimizing uncertainty in model selection. Five non-landslide sampling strategies were evaluated using the random forest (RF) model to generate landslide susceptibility maps (LSMs) for each scenario. To assess the impact of these strategies, this study employed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, a confusion matrix, and various statistical indicators. Additionally, the mean susceptibility indices derived from the gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), support vector machine (SVM), and RF models were analyzed to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing the uncertainty during model selection. The GBDT, SVM, and RF were selected for their ability to handle complex, nonlinear relationships in the data, superior generalization capability, effective mitigation of overfitting risks, high predictive performance, and robustness. The findings revealed that selecting non-landslide samples from slope units without landslides enhances accuracy and averaging across models mitigated the uncertainty associated with landslide susceptibility models. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the non-landslide sample selection method significantly improved prediction accuracy, particularly when samples were drawn from very-low-susceptibility zones identified by pre-classified machine learning models. These results highlight the importance of refining sample selection strategies and integrating multiple machine learning models to improve the reliability and accuracy of landslide susceptibility assessments. This approach provides valuable insights for future research and practical applications in risk mitigation and disaster management by offering a more precise depiction of low-susceptibility areas, thereby reducing the occurrence of false positives in landslide prediction.
Protection Circuit Design for Ultrasound Transducers
Authors: Choi Hojong
Published: February 2025

In ultrasound systems, a protection circuit must be used to protect the receiver electronics from the high-voltage pulses generated by the transmitter and to minimize the signal loss and distortion of the low-voltage echoes generated by the transducer. Especially for certain ultrasound applications, such as intravascular ultrasound, particle manipulation, and cell stimulation, proper performance of the ultrasound transducers is desirable due to their low sensitivity. As the operating frequency of the ultrasound transducer increases, the size of the transducer decreases, increasing the amplitude of the transmitted signals to achieve proper acoustic performance. In such environments, a protection circuit can be used to protect the receiver electronics in ultrasound systems. To design suitable protection circuits, transistors, resistors, capacitors, and inductors are used, and the parameters of insertion loss, noise, total harmonic distortion, and recovery time of the protection circuits must be carefully considered. Various approaches have been developed to protect circuits such as transmission lines, transformers, bridge diodes, and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor devices. Certain protection circuits are beneficial for impedance matching and area reduction. Other protection circuits have been designed to increase bandwidth, reduce insertion loss, or improve the signal-to-noise ratio for different ultrasound applications. Therefore, this review article may be useful for academic ultrasound researchers or circuit designers in selecting appropriate protection circuit types for specific ultrasound transducer applications.
Research on Robotic Peg-in-Hole Assembly Method Based on Variable Admittance
Authors: Zhang Shenglun , Wang Youchen , Liang Shuo , Han Haobing , Jiang Zhouxiang , Zhang Meng
Published: February 2025

To address the complex challenge of identifying the contact state between a shaft and a hole and to improve the efficiency of robotic shaft-hole assembly tasks, a robotic shaft-hole assembly method based on variable admittance control is proposed. In this method, admittance control serves as the foundational force controller for shaft-hole assembly. On this basis, the Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic policy gradient (TD3) algorithm from deep reinforcement learning is utilized to optimize the parameters of the admittance controller. Additionally, a nonlinear reward function is designed, which not only prevents the assembly strategy from converging to local optima but also further accelerates the training speed of the assembly task. Experiments conducted with a collaborative robotic arm performing 15° inclined hole assembly demonstrated that the assembly efficiency of the variable admittance method was 9.6% higher than that of the fixed admittance parameter method, validating the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed variable admittance shaft-hole assembly method.
Detection of Personality Traits Using Handwriting and Deep Learning
Authors: Gagiu Daniel , Sendrescu Dorin
Published: February 2025

A series of studies and research have shown the existence of a link between handwriting and a person’s personality traits. There are numerous fields that require a psychological assessment of individuals, where there is a need to determine personality traits in a faster and more efficient manner than that based on classic questionnaires or graphological analysis. The development of image processing and recognition algorithms based on machine learning and deep neural networks has led to a series of applications in the field of graphology. In the present study, a system for automatically extracting handwriting characteristics from written documents and correlating them with Myers–Briggs type indicator is implemented. The system has an architecture composed of three levels, the main level being formed by four convolutional neural networks. To train the networks, a database with different types of handwriting was created. The experimental results show an accuracy ranging between 89% and 96% for handwritten features’ recognition and results ranging between 83% and 91% in determining Myers–Briggs indicators.
Joint Iterative Satellite Pose Estimation and Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Kamsing Patcharin , Cao Chunxiang , Zhao You , Boonpook Wuttichai , Tantiparimongkol Lalida , Boonsrimuang Pisit
Published: February 2025

Satellite pose estimation (PE) is crucial for space missions and orbital maneuvering. High-accuracy satellite PE could reduce risks, enhance safety, and help achieve the objectives of close proximity and docking operations for autonomous systems by reducing the need for manual control in the future. This article presents a joint iterative satellite PE and particle swarm optimization (PE-PSO) method. The PE-PSO method uses the number of batches derived from satellite PE as the number of particles and keeps the number of epochs from the satellite PE process as the number of epochs for PSO. The objective function of PSO is the training function of the implemented network. The output obtained from the previous objective function is applied to update the new positions of the particles, which serve as the inputs of the current training function. The PE-PSO method is tested on synthetic Soyuz satellite image datasets acquired from the Unreal Rendered Spacecrafts On-Orbit Datasets (URSOs) under different preset hyperparameters. The proposed method significantly reduces the incurred loss, especially during the batch-processing operation of each epoch. The results illustrate the accuracy improvement attained by the PE-PSO method over epoch processing, but its time consumption is not distinct from that of the conventional method. In addition, PE-PSO achieves better performance by reducing the mean position estimation error by 13.1% and the mean orientation estimation error on the testing dataset by 29.1% based on the pretrained weights of Common Objects in Context (COCO). Additionally, PE-PSO improves the accuracy of the Soyuz_hard-based weight by 7.8% and 0.3% in terms of the mean position estimation error and mean orientation estimation error, respectively.
Experimental Validation of the Potential of Cross-Ventilation Strategy as a Natural Cooling Technique Integrated in a Real Historic Building
Authors: Palomo Amores Teresa , Ruda Sarria Francisco , Medina Daniel Castro , Valera Teresa Cano , Sánchez Ramos José , Álvarez Domínguez Servando
Published: February 2025

Natural ventilation in hot climates represents a key strategy to reduce the dependence on mechanical cooling systems, especially in historic buildings, where it is essential to balance thermal comfort and heritage conservation. This study analyses the effectiveness of various natural ventilation strategies in a historic building located in Écija, Seville, which is characterised by a warm climate with nocturnal thermal dips. Experimental data obtained during a summer monitoring campaign were used to validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models and thermal simulations. In addition, an efficiency index was defined to quantify the indoor temperature reduction. The results show a cooling efficiency close to 40%, achieving an average reduction of 3 °C in the indoor temperature during the summer. Simulations of different modes of operation of natural ventilation show a 30% improvement in comfort hours according to Spanish regulations and a 50% reduction in the thermal difference during non-comfort hours. This work demonstrates that natural ventilation can significantly improve indoor conditions, offering a sustainable and replicable approach for historic buildings in hot climates.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of PM2.5-Related Premature Deaths and the Role of Greening Improvement in Sustainable Urban Health Governance
Authors: Tang Peng , Liu Tianshu , Zheng Xiandi , Zheng Jie
Published: February 2025

Environmental particulate pollution is a major global environmental health risk factor, which is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, negatively impacting public health in many countries, including China. Despite the implementation of strict air quality management policies in China and a significant reduction in PM2.5 concentrations in recent years, the health burden caused by PM2.5 pollution has not decreased as expected. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the health burden caused by PM2.5 is necessary for more effective air quality management. This study makes an innovative contribution by integrating the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), providing a comprehensive framework to assess the health impacts of green space coverage, promoting healthy urban environments and sustainable development. Using Nanjing, China, as a case study, we constructed a health impact assessment system based on PM2.5 concentrations and quantitatively analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution of premature deaths caused by PM2.5 from 2000 to 2020. Using Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR), we explored the impact of greening improvement on premature deaths attributed to PM2.5 and proposed relevant sustainable governance strategies. The results showed that (1) premature deaths caused by PM2.5 in Nanjing could be divided into two stages: 2000–2015 and 2015–2020. During the second stage, deaths due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases decreased by 3105 and 1714, respectively. (2) The spatial variation process was slow, with the overall evolution direction predominantly from the southeast to northwest, and the spatial distribution center gradually shifted southward. On a global scale, the Moran’s I index increased from 0.247251 and 0.240792 in 2000 to 0.472201 and 0.468193 in 2020. The hotspot analysis revealed that high–high correlations slowly gathered toward central Nanjing, while the proportion of cold spots increased. (3) The MGWR results indicated a significant negative correlation between changes in green spaces and PM2.5-related premature deaths, especially in densely vegetated areas. This study comprehensively considered the spatiotemporal changes in PM2.5-related premature deaths and examined the health benefits of green space improvement, providing valuable references for promoting healthy and sustainable urban environmental governance and air quality management.
Assessing the Impacts of Transition and Physical Climate Risks on Industrial Metal Markets: Evidence from the Novel Multivariate Quantile-on-Quantile Regression
Authors: Ben-Salha Ousama , Zmami Mourad , Waked Sami Sobhi , Raggad Bechir , Najjar Faouzi , Alenazi Yazeed Mohammad
Published: February 2025

Climate change and global warming have been shown to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Concurrently, substantial efforts are being directed toward fostering the transition to a low-carbon economy. These concurrent trends result in the emergence of both physical and transition climate risks. This study investigates the impacts of climate risks, both physical and transition, on the return of major industrial metals (aluminum, copper, iron, lead, tin, nickel, and zinc) between January 2005 and December 2023. Employing the novel multivariate quantile-on-quantile regression (m-QQR) approach, this study examines how climate risks affect metal markets under different market conditions and risk levels. The results reveal that transition risks exert a more significant adverse impact on metal returns during bearish markets conditions, particularly for metals linked to high-emission industries, while physical risks affect metal returns across a wider range of quantiles, often increasing volatility during extreme market conditions. Furthermore, copper and nickel, both of which are crucial for renewable energy development, demonstrate resilience at higher quantiles, highlighting their role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Finally, these two metals may serve as effective hedges against losses in other metals that are more vulnerable to transition risks, like aluminum and lead.
Some Categories of Compactness and Connectedness in Generalized Topological Spaces
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad , Kamran Tayyab , Ishtiaq Umar , Imtiaz Mariam , Popa Ioan-Lucian , Maiz Fethi Mohamed
Published: February 2025

The presented work enhances the study of topological characteristics in non-classical circumstances by examining Sg*-compact and Sg*-connected spaces in the context of generalized topological spaces. The notions of Sg*-compactness and Sg*-connectedness are explored better to understand their characteristics and behavior in these generalized topologies. Further, the study implements the same extended contexts to investigate the separation axioms, particularly T0, T1, and T2. The structural consequences of these axioms, which are essential for categorizing topological spaces according to the distinctness of points and sets, are examined. Since the premises of Sg*-compactness and Sg*-connectedness are not directly related to the separation axioms, exploring them independently enhances the analysis of generalized topology. This study serves as theoretical insights and establishes the foundation for future research in generalized topological spaces, contributing to their continued evolution.
Physicochemical Kinetics and Determination of Methyl and Ethyl Alcohols in Own-Manufactured Craft Beer and Comparison with Commercial Mexican Craft Beers
Authors: Godínez-Hernández César Iván , Rodríguez-Cardona Teresa de Jesús , Rendón-Huerta Juan Antonio , Cervantes-Paz Braulio , Michel-Cuello Christian
Published: February 2025

Beer is a fermented beverage part of socio-cultural traditions, and recently, craft beer (small and industrial manufacturers) has been covering interest in many regions, such as México. The objective of this work was to analyze physicochemical kinetics and determine the ethyl and methyl content in our own-manufactured (OM) craft beer and compare it with commercial craft beer. The experiment was divided into two sections: (1) three types of Ale craft beer (Blonde, American Pale, and Stout) were manufactured, and during the fermentation process, physicochemical kinetics (pH, specific gravity, lactic acid, ethanol, and sugars) were analyzed, and (2) both the OM and six commercial craft beers were studied to analyze the content of methyl and ethyl alcohols via HPLC. Statistical analysis: (1) A completely randomized design with repeated measurements and a Pearson’s correlation test (p < 0.05) were conducted. (2) A complete block randomized design to compare alcohol production in OM and commercial beers was conducted. Results: (1) The pH, specific gravity, and maltose tended to decrease during the first 24–48 h of fermentation; however, no changes were observed during the remaining 120 h. In contrast, lactic acid production started after 48 h in Blond and American Pale beers and after 72 h in Stout. Maltose, glucose, and fructose were consumed immediately during ethanol production. (2) The HPLC analysis showed a retention time of 25.9 min for ethanol, with the lowest levels for Blond (6.2%) and the highest for Pale (7.5%) in OM, while commercial beers ranged from 4.5% to 6.8%. No methanol was detected in any beer analyzed; on the other hand, lactic acid was observed in all beers analyzed. In conclusion, physicochemical changes were observed immediately at the beginning of the fermentation process. Commercial and OM beers comply with the provisions of the Official Mexican Standards.
Scaffold-Free Strategies in Dental Pulp/Dentine Tissue Engineering: Current Status and Implications for Regenerative Biological Processes
Authors: Samiei Mohammad , Harmsen Martin Conrad , Abdolahinia Elaheh Dalir , Barar Jaleh , Petridis Xenos
Published: February 2025

Conventionally, root canal treatment is performed when the dental pulp is severely damaged or lost due to dental trauma or bacterial endodontic infections. This treatment involves removing the compromised or infected pulp tissue, disinfecting the root canal system, and sealing it with inert, non-degradable materials. However, contemporary endodontic treatment has shifted from merely obturating the root canal system with inert materials to guiding endodontic tissue regeneration through biological approaches. The ultimate goal of regenerative endodontics is to restore dental pulp tissue with structural organization and functional characteristics akin to the native pulp, leveraging advancements in tissue engineering and biomaterial sciences. Dental pulp tissue engineering commonly employs scaffold-based strategies, utilizing biomaterials as initial platforms for cell and growth factor delivery, which subsequently act as scaffolds for cell proliferation, differentiation and maturation. However, cells possess an intrinsic capacity for self-organization into spheroids and can generate their own extracellular matrix, eliminating the need for external scaffolds. This self-assembling property presents a promising alternative for scaffold-free dental pulp engineering, addressing limitations associated with biomaterial-based approaches. This review provides a comprehensive overview of cell-based, self-assembling and scaffold-free approaches in dental pulp tissue engineering, highlighting their potential advantages and challenges in advancing regenerative endodontics.
Effect of Vest Load Carriage on Cardiometabolic Responses with Load Position, Load Mass, and Walking Conditions for Young Adults
Authors: Jing Zhibo , Han Hong , Han Jianda , Zhang Juanjuan
Published: February 2025

Carrying external loads, such as vest-borne systems, is common in occupations like firefighting and military service, yet the physiological impacts of load placement, mass, and walking conditions remain not fully understood. This study examined the effects of vest load carriage on metabolic rate and heart rate. Participants underwent three trials with varying load placements, masses (0–30 kg), and walking conditions (different speeds and inclines). Results showed no significant effect of load placement on metabolic and heart rates with a 10 kg vest load. When walking with a vest load at a speed of 5 km/h, the metabolic rate followed a quadratic relationship with load mass, while heart rate increased linearly. When walking with a 10 kg vest load, with slope ranging from 0% to 10% and speed ranging from 3 km/h to 7 km/h, each 5% increase in slope or 2 km/h increase in speed significantly elevated the metabolic rate. These findings highlight the importance of load mass in determining energy expenditure and can guide safer load-bearing designs.
Omics Investigations of Prostate Cancer Cells Exposed to Simulated Microgravity Conditions
Authors: Schulz Herbert , Abdelfattah Fatima , Heinrich Anna , Melnik Daniela , Sandt Viviann , Krüger Marcus , Wehland Markus , Hoffmann Per , Cortés-Sánchez José Luis , Evert Matthias , Evert Katja , Grimm Daniela
Published: February 2025

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most diagnosed cancer in males across the globe. Following the formation of metastasis, PC is linked to a notable decline in both prognosis and survival rates. Three-dimensional multicellular spheroids (MCSs) of a prostate adenocarcinoma cell line were generated in a three-day simulated microgravity environment (s-µg) to serve as a model for metastasis and to derive transcriptional and epigenetic PC candidates from molecular biological changes. With an FDR of 10−3, we detected the most differentially expressed genes in the two comparisons’ adherent cells (AD) to MCSs (N = 751 genes) and 1g control cells to MCSs (N = 662 genes). In these two comparisons, genes related to cell cycle, angiogenesis, cell adhesion, and extracellular space were consistently found to be significantly enriched in GO annotations. Furthermore, at a 5% FDR significance level, we were able to identify 11,090 genome-wide differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and one differentially methylated region in the SRMS gene in the 1g vs. AD comparison, as well as an additional 10,797 DMPs in the 1g vs. MCSs comparison. Finally, we identified five s-µg-related positive enrichments of transcription factor binding sites for AR, IRF1, IRF2, STAT1, STAT2, and FOXJ3 close to the DMPs.
P300 to Low and High Frequency Stimuli Are Not Influenced by Intensity in Adults with Normal Hearing
Authors: Cartocci Giulia , Cardon Garrett , Campbell Julia , Inguscio Bianca Maria Serena , Rossi Dario , Babiloni Fabio , Sharma Anu
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Since high frequencies are susceptible to disruption in various types of hearing loss, a symptom which is common in people with tinnitus, the aim of the study was to investigate EEG cortical auditory evoked and P300 responses to both a high- and low frequency-centered oddball paradigm to begin to establish the most suitable cognitive physiologic testing conditions for those with both unimpaired hearing and those with hearing impairments. Methods: Cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) P1, N1, P2 and P300 (subtraction wave) peaks were identified in response to high- (standard: 6000 Hz, deviant: 8000 Hz) and low frequency (Standard: 375 Hz, Deviant: 500 Hz) oddball paradigms. Each paradigm was presented at various intensity levels. Latencies and amplitudes were then computed for each condition to assess the effects of frequency and intensity. Results: Stimulus intensity had no effect on either the high- or low frequency paradigms of P300 characteristics. In contrast, for the low frequency paradigm, intensity influenced the N1 latency and P2 amplitude, while for the high frequency paradigm intensity influenced P1 and P2 latency and P2 amplitude. Conclusions: Obligatory CAEP components responded more readily to stimulus frequency and intensity changes, and one possible consideration is that higher frequencies could play a role in the response characteristics exhibited by N1 (except for N1 amplitude) and P2, given their involvement in attentional processes linked to the detection of warning cues. P300 latency and amplitude were not influenced by such factors. These findings support the hypothesis that disentangling the cognitive from the more sensory-based response is possible, even in those with hearing loss, provided that the patient’s hearing loss is considered when determining the presentation level. While the present study was performed in participants with unimpaired hearing, these data set up future studies investigating the effectiveness of using similar methods in hearing-impaired persons.
Staggered Two-Bolt Connections in Transmission Towers: A Comprehensive Study on Failure Mechanisms and Design Codes
Authors: Qu Songzhao , Zhou Yang , Yin Peng , Li Xiongyan , Wu Hairong , Wang Wenming , Huo Shuhao , An Wei , Tian Qiusong , Wu Yijin
Published: February 2025

Steel-lattice transmission towers require efficient and reliable connection designs to ensure structural safety and cost-effectiveness. While traditional gusset plate connections increase their complexity and structural weight, direct bolted connections offer a simpler and lighter alternative. However, the adoption of staggered bolt arrangements, necessitated by the geometric constraints of chord angle members, challenges the applicability of existing design standards—particularly regarding block shear and net section failure modes. This study explores the structural behavior of staggered two-bolt angle connections through a combination of experimental testing and numerical modeling. Twelve full-scale specimens were subjected to axial tension to investigate the effects of key geometric parameters, including end distance, edge distance, and bolt stagger. Finite element analyses, which incorporate material nonlinearity and fracture criteria, delve deeper into the stress distribution and failure mechanisms. The results demonstrate significant deviations in failure modes compared with conventional parallel bolt arrangements, underscoring the limitations of current design standards (DL/T 5486, ASCE 10-15, and EN 1993-1-8) in accurately predicting the capacity of staggered connections. Based on the identified failure modes of staggered two-bolt connections, this study proposes an enhanced design methodology for member fracture capacity, incorporating block shear calculation models from the three aforementioned standards. Comparative analysis demonstrates that the ASCE standard provides superior predictive accuracy, with experimental validation exceeding 95% agreement. The study culminates in specific design recommendations for staggered two-bolt connections, offering critical insights into stress redistribution mechanisms, material behavior, and deformation-induced failure patterns. These findings contribute to the development of more accurate and safer design guidelines for bolted connections in steel transmission towers.
Fertility Preservation in More than 7000 Male Patients: A Single-Center, Tertiary Care Registry Study over 30 Years
Authors: Graziani Andrea , Grande Giuseppe , Martin Michel , Sorio Donatella , Finocchi Federica , Corrò Sara , Passerin Nicola , Presciutti Adriano , Di Mambro Antonella , Selice Riccardo , Garolla Andrea , Ferlin Alberto
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Semen cryopreservation has been widely used in recent decades, mainly in patients with male factor infertility (MFI) and patients with cancer (to preserve their fertility potential before undergoing gonadotoxic treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy). Methods: we evaluated the temporal trend and the existence of factors determining the usage of cryopreserved semen (in order, for instance, to conceive using assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs)). We evaluated 7044 patients who cryopreserved since 1991, evaluating clinical information such as the diagnosis, age, the method with which the collection took place and the number of pick-ups for use in ART. Results: The mean age of the patients was 33.12 ± 8.41 years. The most common cancers were testicular (1758/3262) and hematological cancers (942/3262). Patients who underwent cryopreservation for MFI picked up their samples much more than neoplastic patients (42.15% vs. 8.55%). Patients 35–40 years old picked up their samples more frequently when compared with other age groups. Moreover, we found several data regarding the sub-types of cancers and the methods of semen collection. Conclusions: According to our results, the indication for semen cryopreservation, age and the method of collection might represent a simple way to predict the future use of semen for ART.
The Efficacy of Music Intervention in Patients with Cancer Receiving Radiation Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Hsiao-Hsuan , Lai Chia-Hsuan , Hou Yu-Jen , Kuo Liang-Tseng
Published: February 2025

Background: Music intervention (MI) is a promising complementary therapy for alleviating psychological distress in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of MI in reducing anxiety, depression, and fatigue in these patients. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from inception to 9 January 2025. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies investigating MI’s impact on psychological outcomes in patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy in this review. The study quality was appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 for RCTs and the ROBINS-I tool for cohort studies. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model in Review Manager 5.4. Results: A total of 13 studies (11 RCTs and 2 cohort studies) with 1073 participants were included. The pooled analysis revealed a significant reduction in anxiety (mean difference [MD]: −3.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −5.98 to −1.07, p = 0.003), a non-significant effect on depression (MD: −1.12, 95% CI: −3.25 to 1.01, p = 0.29), and a significant improvement in fatigue (MD: −15.88, 95% CI: −28.19 to −3.57, p = 0.01). A subgroup analysis based on intervention type indicated that music medicine (MM) was more effective in reducing anxiety compared to music therapy (MT). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that MI, particularly MM, may be beneficial in alleviating anxiety and fatigue in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy, but its impact on depression remains inconclusive. Future studies should employ standardized methodologies and rigorous RCT designs to validate these findings.
Influence of Surfactants on Interfacial Microbial Degradation of Hydrophobic Organic Compounds
Authors: Zhu Shuting , Li Meishu , Qian Tengze , Chen Juanjuan , Pan Tao
Published: February 2025

This review explores the role of surfactants in enhancing or inhibiting the biodegradation of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) by microorganisms. Bioavailability, the extent to which pollutants can be accessed and metabolized by microbes, is a key factor in determining degradation efficiency. Hydrophobic organic compounds, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, have limited bioavailability due to their low aqueous solubility, hindering microbial uptake. Microorganisms utilize strategies such as biofilm formation and direct adhesion to hydrophobic surfaces to overcome this limitation. Surfactants, both synthetic and biosurfactants, have been explored to improve HOC bioavailability by increasing solubility through micelles or emulsions. However, surfactants can also affect microbial adhesion by altering cell surface properties, leading to mixed results in degradation efficiency. Biosurfactants, which are more environmentally friendly, show promise in enhancing biodegradation without the toxic effects of synthetic surfactants. The review highlights the complex interactions between surfactants, microbial adhesion, and HOC biodegradation, emphasizing the need for tailored surfactant formulations to optimize bioremediation. Future research should focus on balancing the surfactant concentration and microbial surface properties to enhance biodegradation in contaminated environments.