bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronary Artery Anomalies: A Computed Tomography Angiography Pictorial Review
Authors: Baz Radu Octavian , Refi Deria , Scheau Cristian , Savulescu-Fiedler Ilinca , Baz Radu Andrei , Niscoveanu Cosmin
Published: July 2024

Coronary arteries have a wide range of anatomical variability, and their spectrum ranges from asymptomatic cases to those predisposed to hemodynamic compromise or even sudden cardiac death. This paper aims to review the classification of coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) and illustrate their imaging characteristics by highlighting the important role of CT coronary angiography. Some of the coronary anomalies usually met in current practice are the high origin coronary artery, multiple ostia, aberrant origin from the opposite/non-coronary Valsalva sinus, single coronary artery, ALCAPA syndrome, duplications of the left anterior descending artery, coronary fistulas, and extracardiac terminations. CT coronary angiography is a non-invasive diagnostic modality for CAAs. The complex anatomy of these anomalies can be accurately described by employing 3D reconstructions and post-processing techniques. Knowledge of the imaging characteristics and potential functional impact of these anomalies is essential for accurate diagnosis and therapeutic planning of patients.
Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Myopathy, and Thromboembolism: The Additive Value of Echocardiography and Possible New Horizons for Risk Stratification
Authors: Campora Alessandro , Lisi Matteo , Pastore Maria Concetta , Mandoli Giulia Elena , Ferrari Chen Yu Fu , Pasquini Annalisa , Rubboli Andrea , Henein Michael Y. , Cameli Matteo
Published: July 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac sustained arrhythmia, and it is associated with increased stroke and dementia risk. While the established paradigm attributes these complications to blood stasis within the atria and subsequent thrombus formation with cerebral embolization, recent evidence suggests that atrial myopathy (AM) may play a key role. AM is characterized by structural and functional abnormalities of the atria, and can occur with or without AF. Moving beyond classifications based solely on episode duration, the 4S-AF characterization has offered a more comprehensive approach, incorporating patient’s stroke risk, symptom severity, AF burden, and substrate assessment (including AM) for tailored treatment decisions. The “ABC” pathway emphasizes anticoagulation, symptom control, and cardiovascular risk modification and emerging evidence suggests broader benefits of early rhythm control strategies, potentially reducing stroke and dementia risk and improving clinical outcomes. However, a better integration of AM assessment into the current framework holds promise for further personalizing AF management and optimizing patient outcomes. This review explores the emerging concept of AM and its potential role as a risk factor for stroke and dementia and in AF patients’ management strategies, highlighting the limitations of current risk stratification methods, like the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Echocardiography, particularly left atrial (LA) strain analysis, has shown to be a promising non-invasive tool for AM evaluation and recent studies suggest that LA strain analysis may be a more sensitive risk stratifier for thromboembolic events than AF itself, with some studies showing a stronger association between LA strain and thromboembolic events compared to traditional risk factors. Integrating it into routine clinical practice could improve patient management and targeted therapies for AF and potentially other thromboembolic events. Future studies are needed to explore the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation in AM patients with and without AF and to refine the diagnostic criteria for AM.
Case Studies of a Simulation Workflow to Improve Bone Healing Assessment in Impending Non-Unions
Authors: Maisenbacher Tanja C. , Libicher Saskia , Erne Felix , Menger Maximilian M. , Reumann Marie K. , Schindler Yannick , Niemeyer Frank , Engelhardt Lucas , Histing Tina , Braun Benedikt J.
Published: July 2024

Background: The healing potential of a fracture is determined by mechanical and biological factors. Simulation-based workflows can help assess these factors to assist in predicting non-unions. The aim of this study was the introduction of two use cases for a novel patient-specific simulation workflow based on clinically available information. Methods: The used software is an extension of the “Ulm Bone Healing model” and was applied in two cases with non-union development after fracture fixation to show its principal feasibility. The clinical and radiographic information, starting from initial treatment, were used to feed the simulation process. Results: The simulation predicted non-union development and axial deviation in a mechanically driven non-union. In the case of a biological non-union, a slow, incomplete healing course was correctly identified. However, the time offset in callus bridging was discordant between the simulation and the distinctly slower healing response in the clinical case. Conclusions: The simulation workflow presented in the two clinical use cases allowed for the identification of fractures at risk for impending non-union immediately after the initial fixation based on available clinical and radiographic information. Further validation in a large non-union cohort is needed to increase the model’s precision, especially in biologically challenging cases, and show its validity as a screening instrument.
Participation of Arterial Ischemia in Positional-Related Symptoms among Patients Referred for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Authors: Lecoq Simon , Feuilloy Mathieu , Abraham Pierre
Published: July 2024

Objectives: The coexistence of arterial compression with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is associated with a better post-surgical outcome. Forearm transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcpO2) using the minimal decrease from rest of oxygen pressure (DROPmin) can provide an objective estimation of forearm ischemia in TOS. We hypothesized that a linear relationship exists between the prevalence of symptoms (PREVs) and DROPmin during 90° abduction external rotation (AER) provocative maneuvers. Thereafter, we aimed to estimate the proportion of TOS for which arterial participation is present. Methods: Starting in 2019, we simultaneously recorded forearm TcpO2 recordings (PF6000 Perimed®) and the presence/absence of ipsilateral symptoms during two consecutive 30 s AER maneuvers for all patients with suspected TOS. We retrospectively analyzed the relationship between the prevalence of symptoms and DROPmin results. We estimated the number of cases where ischemia likely played a role in the symptoms, assuming that the relationship should start from zero in the absence of ischemia and increase linearly to a plateau of 100% for the most severe ischemia. Results: We obtained 2560 TcpO2 results in 646 subjects (69% females). The correlation between PREVs and DROPmin was 0.443 (p < 0.001). From these results, we estimated the arterial participation in TOS symptoms to be 22.2% of our 1669 symptomatic upper limbs. Conclusions: TcpO2 appears to be an interesting tool to argue for an arterial role in symptoms in TOS. Arterial participation is frequent in TOS. Whether DROPmin could predict treatment outcomes better than the sole presence of compression is an interesting direction for the future.
Longitudinal Analysis of Diabetes Mellitus Risk: Smoking Status and Smoking Cessation
Authors: Sung Da-Eun , Lee Seung-Jae , Lee Mi-Yeon , Rhee Eun-Jung , Sung Ki-Chul
Published: July 2024

Background/Objectives: Smoking cessation is acknowledged for its health benefits. However, it paradoxically increases diabetes mellitus (DM) risk shortly after quitting due to weight gain. This research aimed to investigate how smoking status could affect the development of DM, focusing on how the risk of acquiring diabetes changed over time after quitting smoking, independent of variables such as weight gain. Methods: The data of 386,558 participants of the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study, excluding those with pre-existing DM, were examined. Smoking status and its long-term effects on DM risk were assessed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Lifestyle factors, including weight change, physical activity levels, and alcohol intake, were adjusted as time-varying covariates throughout the follow-up period. Results: Modified hazard ratios (HRs) indicated no notable disparity in DM risk between individuals who previously smoked and those who had never smoked (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.999–1.08, p-value < 0.001). In contrast, current smokers exhibited a significantly increased DM risk (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.24–1.35, p-value < 0.001). Within the first six years post-cessation, former smokers initially faced a higher DM risk than never smokers (0–2 years, HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.15–1.31, p-value < 0.001; 3–5 years, HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.04–1.20, p-value < 0.001). After 12 years, they realigned with never smokers (12–46 years, HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.98, p-value = 0.002). Current smokers consistently showed a higher DM risk (0–9 years, HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.14–1.46, p-value < 0.001). Adjusting for covariates such as weight change and physical activity did not alter these findings. Conclusions: Our results indicated that former smokers initially experienced an elevated risk of DM relative to never smokers. This increased risk aligned with the risk of never smokers after six years, and the risk continued to improve after 12 years compared to never smokers. This contrasted with current smokers, who maintained a heightened risk of DM, even when adjustments were made for weight change, physical activity, and alcohol intake as time-varying covariates.
Exploring Wave–Vegetation Interaction at Stem Scale: Analysis of the Coupled Flow–Structure Interactions Using the SPH-Based DualSPHysics Code and the FEA Module of Chrono
Authors: El Rahi Joe , Martínez-Estévez Iván , Almeida Reis Rui , Tagliafierro Bonaventura , Domínguez José M. , Crespo Alejandro J. C. , Stratigaki Vasiliki , Suzuki Tomohiro , Troch Peter
Published: July 2024

Aquatic vegetation in the littoral zone plays a crucial role in attenuating wave energy and protecting coastal communities from hazardous events. This study contributes to the development of numerical models aimed at designing nature-based coastal defense systems. Specifically, a novel numerical application for simulating wave–vegetation interactions at the stem scale is presented. The numerical model employed, DualSPHysics, couples the meshfree Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) fluid solver with a structural solver to accurately capture the two-way interactions between waves and flexible vegetation. The proposed numerical model is validated against experimental data involving a submerged rubber cylinder representing an individual vegetation stem, subjected to regular waves. The results demonstrate excellent agreement in hydrodynamics, force transfer, and the swaying motion of the flexible cylinder. Importantly, the approach explicitly captures energy transfer between the fluid environment and the individual stem. The numerical results indicate persistent turbulent flow along the vegetation stem, even when its swaying speed matches that of the surrounding environment. This reveals the presence of vortex shedding and energy dissipation, which challenges the concept of passive swaying in flexible aquatic vegetation.
Two-Sex Life Table Analysis for Optimizing Beauveria bassiana Application against Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Zafar Junaid , Shoukat Rana Fartab , Zhu Zhanpeng , Fu Dongran , Xu Xiaoxia , Jin Fengliang
Published: July 2024

Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a highly dispersive, polyphagous insect pest that severely defoliates crops. Excessive reliance on synthetic insecticides leads to ecological pollution and resistance development, urging scientists to probe eco-friendly biopesticides. Here, we explore the virulence of an entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, against S. exigua, resulting in 88% larval mortality. Using an age–stage, two-sex life table, we evaluated the lethal and sublethal effects of B. bassiana on the demographic parameters of S. exigua, including survival, development, and reproduction. Sublethal (LC20) and lethal concentrations (LC50) of B. bassiana impacted the parental generation (F0), with these effects further influencing the demographic parameters of the first filial generation (F1). The infected F1 offsprings showed a reduced intrinsic rate of increase (r), mean generation time (T), and net reproduction rate (R0). Larval developmental duration varied significantly between the control (10.98 d) and treated groups (LC20: 10.42; LC50: 9.37 d). Adults in the treated groups had significantly reduced lifespans (M: 8.22; F: 7.32 d) than the control (M: 10.00; F: 8.22 d). Reduced fecundity was observed in the B. bassiana-infected groups (LC20: 313.45; LC50: 223.92 eggs/female) compared to the control (359.55 eggs/female). A biochemical assay revealed elevated levels of detoxification enzymes (esterases, glutathione S-transferases, and acetylcholinesterase) in the F0 generation after B. bassiana infection. However, the enzymatic activity remained non-significant in the F1 generation likely due to the lack of direct fungal exposure. Our findings highlight the enduring effects of B. bassiana on the biological parameters and population dynamics of S. exigua, stressing its use in eco-friendly management programs.
Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Selective Nerve Root Block versus Fluoroscopy-Guided Interlaminar Epidural Injection for Cervical Radicular Pain: A Randomized, Prospective, Controlled Study
Authors: Kose Halil Cihan , Guven Kose Selin , Celikel Feyza , Tulgar Serkan , Akkaya Omer Taylan
Published: July 2024

Ultrasound (US)-guided cervical selective nerve root block (CSNRB) procedures are increasingly being performed as an alternative to conventional fluoroscopy (FL)-guided epidural injections for the treatment of cervical radicular pain. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of US-guided CSNRB versus FL-guided interlaminar cervical epidural steroid injection (IL-CESI) for cervical radicular pain. A total of 60 patients with cervical radicular pain due to a single-level disc herniation were randomized into either the FL or US group. The numeric rating scale, Short Form-36, and neck disability index were evaluated before treatment at months 1, 3, and 6 after treatment. Procedure time, complications, pain medication consumption, and patient satisfaction were also recorded. Patients experienced significant improvement in pain, disability, and quality of life scores up to 6 months after the procedure (p < 0.001). Treatment success rate was achieved in 56.6% of the IL-CESI group and 50% of the CSNRB group without any significant difference between the study arms (p = 0.617). US-guided CSNRB was shown to be as effective as the FL-guided IL-CESI in the treatment of cervical radicular pain, in addition to the absence of radiation exposure and requiring less procedure time.
Resilience Benchmarking: How Small Hotels Can Ensure Their Survival and Growth during Global Disruptions
Authors: Kolodiziev Oleh , Dorokhov Oleksandr , Shcherbak Valeriia , Dorokhova Liudmyla , Ismailov Altan , Figueiredo Ronnie
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to develop a resilient benchmarking system for small hotels in Ukraine, designed to ensure their survival and growth amid global disruptions and local crises. Given the severe challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and military actions, the resilience of the regional tourism business is particularly relevant. The methods used in this study, including factor and cluster analysis, taxonomy, and dendrograms, enabled the development of development programs for two clusters of hotels: those located in areas with increased military risk and those in relatively safe territories. The taxonomic analysis revealed significant differences in managerial practices and operational efficiency, largely determined by the geographic location of the hotels. Hotels in active combat zones experienced a 40% reduction in tourist flow and financial instability, while hotels in safe areas demonstrated a 30% higher level of customer satisfaction. The application of advanced security systems and modern marketing techniques led to a 40% reduction in incidents.
A News Sentiment Index to Inform International Financial Reporting Standard 9 Impairments
Authors: Stander Yolanda S.
Published: July 2024

Economic and financial narratives inform market sentiment through the emotions that are triggered and the subjectivity that gets evoked. There is an important connection between narrative, sentiment, and human decision making. In this study, natural language processing is used to extract market sentiment from the narratives using FinBERT, a Python library that has been pretrained on a large financial corpus. A news sentiment index is constructed and shown to be a leading indicator of systemic risk. A rolling regression shows how the impact of news sentiment on systemic risk changes over time, with the importance of news sentiment increasing in more recent years. Monitoring systemic risk is an important tool used by central banks to proactively identify and manage emerging risks to the financial system; it is also a key input into the credit loss provision quantification at banks. Credit loss provision is a key focus area for auditors because of the risk of material misstatement, but finding appropriate sources of audit evidence is challenging. The causal relationship between news sentiment and systemic risk suggests that news sentiment could serve as an early warning signal of increasing credit risk and an effective indicator of the state of the economic cycle. The news sentiment index is shown to be useful as audit evidence when benchmarking trends in accounting provisions, thus informing financial disclosures and serving as an exogenous variable in econometric forecast models.
The Interplay between Citizen Activities and Space across Different Official Memorial Landscape Construction Phases: Disaster Risk Reduction in Ishinomaki, Japan
Authors: Zhang Sihan , Nishisaka Ryo , Luo Shixian , Xie Jing , Furuya Katsunori
Published: July 2024

Memorial facilities are one of the crucial places where citizens conduct activities facilitating disaster risk reduction (DRR). However, previous studies have primarily focused on the post-construction phase of official memorial facilities, neglecting the citizen activities collaborating with the official memorial construction process before and during the construction process. This research gap is important considering the urgency of disaster-affected regions to recover from spatial, social, and psychological voids while working towards the goal of DRR, including the efforts of citizens in the official efforts. This study addresses this gap by examining the case of the official memorial park in Ishinomaki, Tohoku region, following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Here, local citizens actively participated in activities before, during, and after park construction, engaging with official efforts. Data were gathered from various online sources to capture activity, space, and management information. Employing a mixed methods research approach, we conducted both quantitative analysis, counting labels of structural coding, and qualitative description of original texts. Our findings reveal that fostering mutual respect built on communication and collaborative tree-planting activities were crucial for maintaining the pre-existing citizen activities and collaborative construction during the official construction period. Additionally, the implementation of a collaborative regulation system was vital for integrating and managing spontaneous citizen activities to achieve the park’s intended objectives post-opening. In conclusion, we highlighted a framework elucidating the mechanisms through which these processes contribute to DRR across key phases of disaster risk management: preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery (PPRR). These insights are important in guiding efforts to engage citizens in DRR initiatives through recovery and reconstruction facilitated by memorial facilities.
Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease and Colorectal Cancer: Expect the Unexpected
Authors: Georgescu Doina , Lighezan Daniel Florin , Lascu Ana , Buzas Roxana , Faur Alexandra , Ionita Ioana , Rosca Ciprian Ilie , Suceava Ioana , Calamar-Popovici Despina , Ionita Mihai , Ancusa Oana Elena
Published: July 2024

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease (SOS/VOD) is a rare liver vascular condition, potentially life-threatening, with clinical signs of portal hypertension, frequently reported in relation to bone marrow transplantation and possibly in non-transplantation-related chemotherapy. We report the case of a 65-year-old female patient who insidiously developed fatigue, mild tenderness of the right upper abdominal quadrant, hepato-splenomegaly and slight weight gain consecutive to ascites development, as well as persistent elevation of transaminases and mild thrombocytopenia. To note, she had a previous history of colorectal cancer (CRC) with liver metastases and several courses of chemotherapy. Abdominal duplex and elastography measurements made the diagnosis of cirrhosis improbable. A lot of lab work-ups were performed in order to rule out several diseases and conditions. Further, transjugular access was used to perform the measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient and liver biopsy that confirmed SOS/VOD. In late 2023, she was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma, requiring chemotherapy again. At present, the liver condition is stationary, but the prognosis is, however, uncertain. In conclusion, we presented the atypical case of a female patient who developed portal hypertension syndrome associated with the late onset of SOS/VOD, after 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin chemotherapy for CRC and liver metastases, subsequently diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma, which posed many diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Given the potentially bad outcome, an early diagnosis of SOS/VOD in patients receiving drugs of risk is important not only to stratify further risk, but also to initiate an appropriate therapy in order to improve the prognosis.
Correction: Gong et al. Polishing Mechanism of CMP 4H-SiC Crystal Substrate (0001) Si Surface Based on an Alumina (Al2O3) Abrasive. Materials 2024, 17, 679
Authors: Gong Juntao , Wang Weilei , Liu Weili , Song Zhitang
Published: July 2024

In the original publication [...]
Silicones for Maxillofacial Prostheses and Their Modifications in Service
Authors: Gradinariu Anca Irina , Racles Carmen , Stoica Iuliana , Stelea Carmen Gabriela , Simionescu Ana-Maria Andreea , Jehac Alina Elena , Costan Victor Vlad
Published: July 2024

The biomedical applications of silicones are countless due to their outstanding properties. In dentistry, silicone for maxillofacial and plastic surgery has become indispensable, from both physiological and aesthetic points of view. In this mini-review, silicone materials for dentistry and facial prostheses are discussed, focusing on their properties and alterations when exposed for long periods to different environments. A significant number of studies reported in the literature have been conducted in vitro, mimicking some of the main degradative factors which have been identified as triggers for discoloration and deterioration of the mechanical properties. Among these, in artificial aging and accelerated natural aging studies, UV radiation is considered the most important. Other weathering factors, biological contamination, and disinfection agents may have dramatic effects as well. Several general properties of silicones are described at the beginning, with a focus on biocompatibility, cross-linking mechanisms, and applications in dentistry and maxillofacial prosthetics. We discuss the ongoing cross-linking and/or possible exudation after manufacturing, which also affects the stability of the prosthesis over time, and possibly the patient. Next, the main environmental factors that affect the prostheses in service are presented, including the role of cigarettes smoke, which has been discussed very little so far. A few aspects, such as biofilm formation, its negative effects, and proposed solutions to overcome this phenomenon regarding silicones, are also described. We conclude by proposing a set of topics for future research and development based on the gaps that have been identified in the literature. Although silicones are probably irreplaceable in maxillofacial prosthetics, improvements in terms of base materials, additives, surface treatments, and maintenance are possible and necessary for long-lasting and safer prostheses.
Effect of Basalt/Steel Individual and Hybrid Fiber on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of UHPC
Authors: Gong Yongfan , Hua Qian , Wu Zhengguang , Yu Yahui , Kang Aihong , Chen Xiao , Dong Hu
Published: July 2024

Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is a cement-based composite material with great strength and durability. Fibers can effectively increase the ductility, strength, and fracture energy of UHPC. This work describes the impacts of individual or hybrid doping of basalt fiber (BF) and steel fiber (SF) on the mechanical properties and microstructure of UHPC. We found that under individual doping, the effect of BF on fluidity was stronger than that of SF. Moreover, the compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strength of UHPC first increased and then decreased with increasing BF dosage. The optimal dosage of BF was 1%. At a low content of fiber, UHPC reinforced by BF demonstrated greater flexural strength than that reinforced by SF. SF significantly improved the toughness of UHPC. However, a high SF dosage did not increase the strength of UHPC and reduced the splitting tensile strength. Secondly, under hybrid doping, BF was partially substituted for SF to improve the mechanical properties of hybrid fiber UHPC. Consequently, when the BF replacement rate increased, the compressive strength of UHPC gradually decreased; on the other hand, there was an initial increase in the fracture energy, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. The ideal mixture was 0.5% BF + 1.5% SF. The fluidity of UHPC with 1.5% BF + 0.5% SF became the lowest with a constant total volume of 2%. The microstructure of hydration products in the hybrid fiber UHPC became denser, whereas the interface of the fiber matrix improved.
Fabrication of TiN Coatings Deposited on Laser Shock Micro-Textured Substrates for Improving the Interface Adhesion Properties of Coatings
Authors: Xu Ying , Chen Yixin , Zhou Dongcheng , Zhang Lei , Su Boyong
Published: July 2024

This paper aims to investigate the strengthening mechanism of laser shock peening on the interfacial bonding properties between TiN coatings and TC4 titanium alloy substrates. The different surface textures were induced by LSP on a TC4 titanium alloy substrate. Subsequently, titanium nitride (TiN) coatings were deposited on the surface texture. A scratch test and reciprocating sliding wear assessment were conducted to evaluate the impact of LSP on the interfacial bonding properties and wear performance of the coatings. The experimental results demonstrated that the adhesion of TiN coatings deposited on the surface texture formed by laser shock peening was significantly enhanced. The efficacy of laser shock treatment in reducing wear rates was found to be significantly enhanced in cases of both increased spot overlapping rate and increased laser power density. The surface texture created using laser parameters of 6.43 GW/cm2 and a 50% overlapping rate was found to have the most significant effect on improving the adhesion and anti-wear properties of the coating. The laser shock texture was identified as the main contributor to this improvement, providing a large interfacial contact area and a mechanical bond between the coating and the substrate. This bond inhibited the initiation and propagation of micro-cracks caused by the concentration of internal stress and interfacial stress of the coating.
USAF Characteristic K Approach: A Robust Tool for Predicting Fatigue Crack Growth under Various Underload Spectra
Authors: Tiwari Kushagra , Alankar Alankar , Singh Raman R. K. , Jones Rhys
Published: July 2024

This paper forms part of an ongoing investigation into the tools required in linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) for evaluating the durability of components designed for limited life replacement. In this study, we demonstrate that the USAF ‘Characteristic K’ method, when combined with the Hartman–Schijve adaptation of the NASGRO crack growth formula, can predict the impact of underloads on the propagation of small cracks in aluminum alloy AA7050-T7451 with reasonable accuracy. The published da/dN versus ΔK small crack growth curves associated with five specific underload spectra are examined. It is found that, in each case, there is reasonably good agreement between the predicted and the measured curves. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first to highlight the ability of the USAF Characteristic K approach, when coupled with the Hartman–Schijve equation, to reasonably accurately predict the growth of small cracks subjected to a range of underload spectra.
A Photovoltaic Prediction Model with Integrated Attention Mechanism
Authors: Lei Xiangshu
Published: July 2024

Solar energy has become a promising renewable energy source, offering significant opportunities for photovoltaic (PV) systems. Accurate and reliable PV generation forecasts are crucial for efficient grid integration and optimized system planning. However, the complexity of environmental factors, including seasonal and daily patterns, as well as social behaviors and user habits, presents significant challenges. Traditional prediction models often struggle with capturing the complex nonlinear dynamics in multivariate time series, leading to low prediction accuracy. To address this issue, this paper proposes a new PV power prediction method that considers factors such as light, air pressure, wind direction, and social behavior, assigning different weights to them to accurately extract nonlinear feature relationships. The framework integrates long short-term memory (LSTM) and gated recurrent units (GRU) to capture local time features, while bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM) and an attention mechanism extract global spatiotemporal relationships, effectively capturing key features related to historical output. This improves the accuracy of multi-step predictions. To verify the feasibility of the method for multivariate time series, we conducted experiments using PV power prediction as a scenario and compared the results with LSTM, CNN, BiLSTM, CNN-LSTM and GRU models. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms these models, with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 12.133, root mean square error (RMSE) of 14.234, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 2.1%, and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.895. These results indicate the effectiveness and potential of the method in PV prediction tasks.
Glass—Mill Scale—Plastics Wastes Upcycling for Synthesis of Ferrosilicon Alloy at 1550 °C: Implication for Zero Wastes Practice
Authors: Kongkarat Somyote , Amnuanpol Sitichoke , Wongsawan Praphaphan
Published: July 2024

Driven by the rising demand for glass, metals, and plastics in industrial and household sectors, there was a substantial increase in waste and by-products generated. This study presents a method for repurposing waste glass, mill scale, and plastics as raw materials for ferrosilicon alloy production. This process entails reducing SiO2 and Fe2O3 using carbon derived from polystyrene/polypropylene mixtures. The glass, scale, and carbon powders were blended to achieve a C/O molar ratio of 1 (Blends A to F). The thoroughly mixed samples were then shaped into pellets and subsequently heated at 1550 °C in a tube furnace for 60 min. Ferrosilicon was successfully synthesized, with the reaction generating numerous metal droplets along with a slag layer in the crucible. The metallic yield for Blends A to F ranged from 16.65 wt% to 21.39 wt%, with the highest yield observed in Blend D. The bulk metal primarily consists of the FeSi phase, with Blend D exhibiting the highest Si concentration of 13.51 wt% and the highest hardness of 649.55 HV. Mechanism steps for ferrosilicon formation may vary with carbon dissolution rates. This work supports fossil fuel reduction and carbon neutrality, benefiting zero wastes practice and promoting sustainable material processing.
Development of a Device for Monitoring Erosion in the Field
Authors: Mendes Thiago Augusto , Rebolledo Juan Félix Rodriguez , dos Santos Pereira Sávio Aparecido , Oliveira Marcus Vinicius Miguel de , Formiga Klebber Teodomiro Martins
Published: July 2024

Monitoring erosion is an important part of understanding the causes of this geotechnical and geological phenomenon. In order to monitor them, it is necessary to develop equipment that is sophisticated enough to resist the sun and water without damage, that is self-mechanized, and that can support the amount of data collected. This article introduces a rain-triggered field erosion monitoring device composed of three main modules: control, capture, and sensing. The control module comprises both hardware and firmware with embedded software. The capture module integrates a camera for recording, while the sensing module includes rain sensors. By filming experimental soil samples under simulated rain events, the device demonstrated satisfactory performance in terms of activation and deactivation programming times, daytime image quality without artificial lighting, and equipment protection. The great differences about this monitoring device are its ease of use, low cost, and the quality it offers. These results suggest its potential effectiveness in capturing the progression of field erosive processes.
SOI MEMS Electro-Thermal Actuators for Biomedical Applications: Operation in 0.9% NaCl Solution
Authors: Sciberras Thomas , Grech Ivan , Demicoli Marija , Mallia Bertram , Sammut Nicholas , Mollicone Pierluigi
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the immense potential for MEMS devices in the biomedical industry has been understood. It has been determined that, among their many plausible functions, their use may also extend to single human red blood cell diagnostics, whereby biomarkers of quantifiable magnitudes may be detected. Without a doubt, the mechanical and thermal specifications by which potential devices must be able to function are very strict. Among them is the ability to operate while fully submerged in aqueous solutions. In this work, six devices were modelled numerically in deionised (DI) water and 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, the results of which were validated experimentally. The mechanical performance of the different devices when fully submerged in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution is hereby discussed. With the exception of one, all the devices in their current configuration are confirmed to be suitable candidates for biomedical applications.
Distinct Plasma Metabolomic and Gut Microbiome Profiles after Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Diet Treatment: Implications for Personalized Dietary Interventions
Authors: Sugino Kameron Y. , Hernandez Teri L. , Barbour Linda A. , Kofonow Jennifer M. , Frank Daniel N. , Friedman Jacob E.
Published: July 2024

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) triggers alterations in the maternal microbiome. Alongside metabolic shifts, microbial products may impact clinical factors and influence pregnancy outcomes. We investigated maternal microbiome-metabolomic changes, including over 600 metabolites from a subset of the “Choosing Healthy Options in Carbohydrate Energy” (CHOICE) study. Women diagnosed with GDM were randomized to a diet higher in complex carbohydrates (CHOICE, n = 18, 60% complex carbohydrate/25% fat/15% protein) or a conventional GDM diet (CONV, n = 16, 40% carbohydrate/45% fat/15% protein). All meals were provided. Diets were eucaloric, and fiber content was similar. CHOICE was associated with increases in trimethylamine N-oxide, indoxyl sulfate, and several triglycerides, while CONV was associated with hippuric acid, betaine, and indole propionic acid, suggestive of a healthier metabolome. Conversely, the microbiome of CHOICE participants was enriched with carbohydrate metabolizing genes and beneficial taxa such as Bifidobacterium adolescentis, while CONV was associated with inflammatory pathways including antimicrobial resistance and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. We also identified latent metabolic groups not associated with diet: a metabolome associated with less of a decrease in fasting glucose, and another associated with relatively higher fasting triglycerides. Our results suggest that GDM diets produce specific microbial and metabolic responses during pregnancy, while host factors also play a role in triglycerides and glucose metabolism.
Encapsulation of Gemcitabine on Porphyrin Aluminum Metal-Organic Framework by Mechano-Chemistry, Delayed Drug Release and Cytotoxicity to Pancreatic Cancer PANC-1 Cells
Authors: Umar Sheriff , Samokhvalov Alexander
Published: July 2024

Gemcitabine is a widely used antimetabolite drug of pyrimidine structure, which can exist as a free-base molecular form (Gem). The encapsulated forms of medicinal drugs are of interest for delayed and local drug release. We utilized, for the first time, a novel approach of mechano-chemistry by liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) to encapsulate Gem on a “matrix” of porphyrin aluminum metal-organic framework Al-MOF-TCPPH2 (compound 2). The chemical bonding of Gem to compound 2 was studied by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and powder XRD. The interaction involves the C=O group of Gem molecules, which indicates the formation of the encapsulation complex in the obtained composite. Further, the delayed release of Gem from the composite was studied to phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C using an automated drug dissolution apparatus equipped with an autosampler. The concentration of the released drug was determined by HPLC-UV analysis. The composite shows delayed release of Gem due to the bonded form and constant concentration thereafter, while pure Gem shows quick dissolution in less than 45 min. Delayed release of Gem drug from the composite follows the kinetic pseudo-first-order rate law. Further, for the first time, the mechanism of delayed release of Gem was assessed by the variable stirring speed of drug release media, and kinetic rate constant k was found to decrease when stirring speed is decreased (diffusion control). Finally, the prolonged time scale of toxicity of Gem to pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells was studied by continuous measurements of proliferation (growth) for 6 days, using the xCELLigence real-time cell analyzer (RTCA), for the composite vs. pure drug, and their differences indicate delayed drug release. Aluminum metal-organic frameworks are new and promising materials for the encapsulation of gemcitabine and related small-molecule antimetabolites for controlled delayed drug release and potential use in drug-eluting implants.
Synthesis and Superficial Modification “In Situ” of Copper Selenide (Cu2-x Se) Nanoparticles and Their Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Mata-Padilla José Manuel , Ledón-Smith José Ángel , Pérez-Alvarez Marissa , Cadenas-Pliego Gregorio , Barriga-Castro Enrique Díaz , Pérez-Camacho Odilia , Cabello-Alvarado Christian Javier , Silva Rodolfo
Published: July 2024

Copper selenide nanoparticles (Cu2-x Se NPs) have received a lot of attention in recent decades due to their interesting properties and potential applications in various areas such as electronics, health, solar cells, etc. In this study, details of the synthesis and characterization of copper selenide nanoparticles modified with gum arabic (GA) are reported. Also, through transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) analysis, the transformation of the morphology and particle size of copper selenide nanoparticles in aqueous solution was studied. In addition, we present an antimicrobial study with different microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albiacans (C. albicans). Copper selenide nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC) and TEM. XRD confirmed the crystal-line structure of the nanoparticles such as cubic berzelanite with a particle size of 6 nm ± 0.5. FTIR and TGA corroborated the surface modification of copper selenide nanoparticles with gum arabic, and DSC suggested a change in the structural phase from cubic to hexagonal. TEM analysis demonstrated that the surface modification of the Cu2-x Se NPs stabilized the nanostructure of the particles, preventing changes in the morphology and particle size. The antimicrobial susceptibility analysis of copper selenide nanoparticles indicated that they have the ability to inhibit the microbial growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.
A Plea for Monitoring Serum Selenium Levels in Breast Cancer Patients: Selenium Deficiency Is Rare during the First Year of Therapy, and Selenium Supplementation Is Associated with Elevated Risk of Overdosing
Authors: Altmayer Laura Alicia , Lang Marina , Schleicher Julia Theresa , Stuhlert Caroline , Wörmann Carolin , Scherer Laura-Sophie , Thul Ida Clara , Spenner Lisanne Sophie , Simon Jana Alisa , Wind Alina , Tokcan Mert , Kaiser Elisabeth , Weber Regine , Goedicke-Fritz Sybelle , Wagenpfeil Gudrun , Zemlin Michael , Solomayer Erich-Franz , Reichrath Jörg , Müller Carolin , Zemlin Cosima
Published: July 2024

(1) Background: The role of selenium in cancer biology remains poorly understood. Our aim was to study the course of selenium serum levels and the use of selenium supplements during breast cancer therapy. (2) Methods: Serum selenium levels, clinical–pathological data, selenium supplementation, and lifestyle factors were monitored quarterly over one year. (3) Results: A total of 110 non-metastatic breast cancer patients were enrolled in the prospective observational “BEGYN-1” study. At baseline, 2.9% of patients were selenium-deficient (<50 ng/mL), 1.9% were overdosed (>120 ng/mL), and 6.4% received substitution. The median selenium level was 81.5 ng/mL and ranged between 78.7 and 84.5 ng/mL within the year. A total of 25.3% of the patients received supplementation, resulting in significantly higher selenium levels (p < 0.05). A total of 8.7–28.6% of the patients using supplements were overdosed. Selenium levels strongly correlated with mushroom consumption (p = 0.003), but no association was found with therapy or clinical characteristics. (4) Conclusions: Although selenium deficiency is rare, serum selenium levels should be assessed in breast cancer patients. Mushrooms and nuts should be preferred over supplements to correct selenium deficiency. Ruling out selenium deficiency helps prevent the risk of selenosis and avoid unnecessary, costly supplementation in patients who are often financially burdened due to their disease.
Evaluation of Fasting Glucose-Insulin-C-Peptide-Derived Metabolic Indices for Identifying Metabolic Syndrome in Young, Healthy Adults
Authors: Kosovski Irina Bianca , Ghiga Dana , Ciurea Cristina Nicoleta , Cucoranu Dragos Constantin , Demian Liliana , Gliga Florina Ioana , Bacârea Anca
Published: July 2024

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition defined by a cluster of symptoms, including excessive adipose tissue, impaired glucose homeostasis, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure (BP). We aimed to evaluate the correlation between the MetS criteria (IDF) and fasting glucose-insulin-C-peptide-derived indices in a cohort of 128 healthy young adults who were 20–35 years old at the time of this study. We measured fasting serum glucose, insulin, C-peptide (CP), HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and hsCRP; HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-IR CP1, HOMA-IR CP2, HOMA-BETA, HOMA-BETA CP, QUICKI, disposition index (DI), CP index (CPI), and 20/C-peptide*glucose. Significant correlations were found between BMI and all HOMA indices, QUICKI, and CPI; waist circumferences and HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA, and QUICKI (for both sexes); glucose and HOMA-IR INS/CP1/CP2, HOMA-BETA CP, DI, and QUICKI; HDL-cholesterol and HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA, and QUICKI for males and females only with QUICKI; triglycerides and HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA, and QUICKI; systolic BP and HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA; diastolic BP and DI. The cut-off values for HOMA-IR INS, HOMA-BETA, and QUICKI in the combined group (females + males) were 1.855, 82.250, 0.355; 2.115, 106.370, 0.345 for males; 1.805, 71.305, 0.355 for females. A stronger correlation was found between males’ indices and hsCRP. In conclusion, CP-derived indices do not add significant information, and the male sex is more predisposed to MetS.
Associations between Preschool Teachers’ Food-Based Learning Frequency, Level of Personal Priority and Identified Resources and Challenges: A Needs Assessment
Authors: Resor Jessica , Dixon Jocelyn B. , Wu Qiang , Hegde Archana V. , Lee Tammy D. , Goodell L. Suzanne , Méndez Lucía I. , McMillan Valerie Jarvis , Stage Virginia C.
Published: July 2024

Food-based learning (FBL) is the use of food as a teaching tool in the classroom, which can expose children to healthy foods to improve preference and consumption. However, more research is needed on the use and perception of FBL in the Head Start (HS) preschool classroom. In an online survey, we explored associations between North Carolina HS teachers’ (n = 168) experiences (e.g., resources, challenges, needs, and preferences) with FBL, how frequently teachers implemented it, and how much they prioritized it. We used frequencies and chi-square tests of independence to assess associations between study variables. Teachers reported using FBL regularly with access to FBL resources (e.g., books and center play materials) and experiencing challenges (e.g., lack of funding and material resources). Teachers partnered with parents and farmers markets and expressed a need for additional FBL professional development. Our needs assessment findings revealed specific resources, challenges, and perceptions significantly associated with how often teachers used FBL and their priority level. Additional research should investigate how to alleviate FBL challenges and strategies to create policy and environmental changes that facilitate early FBL.
Liquid- and Semisolid-Filled Hard Gelatin Capsules Containing Alpha-Lipoic Acid as a Suitable Dosage Form for Compounding Medicines and Dietary Supplements
Authors: Jovičić-Bata Jelena , Todorović Nemanja , Krstonošić Veljko , Ristić Ivan , Kovačević Zorana , Vuković Milana , Lalić-Popović Mladena
Published: July 2024

Liquid-filled hard gelatin capsules may have pertinent advantages both for therapeutic effect and extemporaneous preparations of medicines. Alpha lipoic acid is a substance used in medicines and dietary supplements and there is a need for creating an appropriate formulation which would be suitable for each individual patient or consumer. Based on its biopharmaceutical and physical chemical characteristics, eight different capsule formulations were designed and characterized. Silicon dioxide was added to form a semisolid content and prevent leakage. The formulation filled with alpha lipoic acid solution in polyethylene glycol 400 showed the best performance. Although the addition of silicon dioxide to the formulation with polyethylene glycol 400 led to a change in both flow character and viscosity, the release rate did not show a statistically significant decrease (more than 85% of content was released after 5 min testing). Applied technique is a simple and an appropriate approach for compounding and could be used for other substances with similar properties.
Biomaterials and Agents: Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications in Dental Research
Authors: Seredin Pavel , Goloshchapov Dmitry , Litvinova Tatiana
Published: July 2024

Diseases of the oral cavity are of great importance due to the influence of dental status on a person’s social level [...]