bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NRF2 and Thioredoxin Reductase 1 as Modulators of Interactions between Zinc and Selenium
Authors: Löser Alina , Schwarz Maria , Kipp Anna Patricia
Published: October 2024

Background: Selenium and zinc are essential trace elements known to regulate cellular processes including redox homeostasis. During inflammation, circulating selenium and zinc concentrations are reduced in parallel, but underlying mechanisms are unknown. Accordingly, we modulated the zinc and selenium supply of HepG2 cells to study their relationship. Methods: HepG2 cells were supplied with selenite in combination with a short- or long-term zinc treatment to investigate intracellular concentrations of selenium and zinc together with biomarkers describing their status. In addition, the activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor NRF2 was analyzed. Results: Zinc not only increased the nuclear translocation of NRF2 after 2 to 6 h but also enhanced the intracellular selenium content after 72 h, when the cells were exposed to both trace elements. In parallel, the activity and expression of the selenoprotein thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) increased, while the gene expression of other selenoproteins remained unaffected or was even downregulated. The zinc effects on the selenium concentration and TXNRD activity were reduced in cells with stable NRF2 knockdown in comparison to control cells. Conclusions: This indicates a functional role of NRF2 in mediating the zinc/selenium crosstalk and provides an explanation for the observed unidirectional behavior of selenium and zinc.
Residual Adversarial Subdomain Adaptation Network Based on Wasserstein Metrics for Intelligent Fault Diagnosis of Bearings
Authors: Cai Haichao , Yang Bo , Xue Yujun , Xu Yanwei
Published: October 2024

Subdomain adaptation plays a significant role in the field of bearing fault diagnosis. It effectively aligns the pertinent distributions across subdomains and addresses the frequent issue of lacking local category information in domain adaptation. Nonetheless, this approach overlooks the quantitative discrepancies in distribution between samples from the source and target domains, leading to the vanishing gradient issue during the training of models. To tackle this challenge, this paper proposes a bearing fault diagnosis method based on Wasserstein metric residual adversarial subdomain adaptation. The Wasserstein metric is introduced as the optimized objective function of the domain discriminator in RASAN-W. The distribution discrepancy between the source domain and target domain samples is quantitatively measured, achieving the alignment of the relevant subdomain distributions between the source domain and the target domain. Ultimately, extensive experiments conducted on two real-world datasets reveal that the diagnostic accuracy of this method is significantly enhanced when compared to various leading bearing fault diagnosis techniques.
Combining Magnetostriction with Variable Reluctance for Energy Harvesting at Low Frequency Vibrations
Authors: Bjurström Johan , Rusu Cristina , Johansson Christer
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we explore the benefits of using a magnetostrictive component in a variable reluctance energy harvester. The intrinsic magnetic field bias and the possibility to utilize magnetic force to achieve pre-stress leads to a synergetic combination between this type of energy harvester and magnetostriction. The proposed energy harvester system, to evaluate the concept, consists of a magnetostrictive cantilever beam with a cubic magnet as proof mass. Galfenol, Fe81.6Ga18.4, is used to implement magnetostriction. Variable reluctance is achieved by fixing the beam parallel to an iron core, with some margin to create an air gap between the tip magnet and core. The mechanical forces of the beam and the magnetic forces lead to a displaced equilibrium position of the beam and thus a pre-stress. Two configurations of the energy harvester were evaluated and compared. The initial configuration uses a simple beam of aluminum substrate and a layer of galfenol with an additional magnet fixing the beam to the core. The modified design reduces the magnetic field bias in the galfenol by replacing approximately half of the length of galfenol with aluminum and adds a layer of soft magnetic material above the galfenol to further reduce the magnetic field bias. The initial system was found to magnetically saturate the galfenol at equilibrium. This provided the opportunity to compare two equivalent systems, with and without a significant magnetostrictive effect on the output voltage. The resonance frequency tuning capability, from modifying the initial distance of the air gap, is shown to be maintained for the modified configuration (140 Hz/mm), while achieving RMS open-circuit coil voltages larger by a factor of two (2.4 V compared to 1.1 V). For a theoretically optimal load, the RMS power was simulated to be 5.1 mW. Given the size of the energy harvester (18.5 cm3) and the excitation acceleration (0.5 g), this results in a performance metric of 1.1 mW/cm3g2.
A Study on the Damage Evolution Law of Layered Rocks Based on Ultrasonic Waves Considering Initial Damage
Authors: Liu Jiawei , Xuan Shuchen , Liu Gao
Published: October 2024

The damage evolution process of layered rock is influenced by its fine structure, lamination direction, and confining pressure, exhibiting significant anisotropic characteristics. This study focuses on shale as the research object, employing indoor tests and theoretical analysis to define damage variables and initial damage based on ultrasonic wave velocity. This research investigates the damage evolution law of layered rock under varying confining pressures and dip angles. The findings reveal that damage variables defined using transverse wave velocity effectively reflect the damage evolution process. Additionally, confining pressure significantly affects damage evolution, with increasing pressure causing a rightward shift in the damage variable–strain curve and an increase in initial damage. The slab inclination angle also influences damage evolution; samples with 45° and 60° inclinations are more susceptible to damage, with initial damage showing a trend of increasing and then decreasing. To accurately describe the relationship between damage variables and strain during the loading process, this paper establishes a segmented damage evolution equation characterized by wave velocity. Initially, an inverse proportional function is employed to characterize the strain before crack closure. Subsequently, a logistic function represents the curve from crack strain to peak strain. This combined approach provides a comprehensive depiction of the damage evolution. This study underscores the importance of considering confining pressure and laminar inclination in the analysis of rock stability and integrity. These results provide critical insights into the damage evolution characteristics of layered rocks, offering valuable references for engineering safety assessments.
Analysis of the Problems of the Research and Modernization of Emission Units of Analytical Devices of Vacuum Electronics
Authors: Ibrayev Alpamys , Sagyndyk Aigerim
Published: October 2024

In various electron-optical and ion-beam devices and vacuum electronics installations, emission elements and units are used to extract and form beams of charged particles. Their focusing properties significantly affect the quality parameters and technical characteristics of the analytical devices and technological installations in which they are used. Due to the specificity of the initial conditions during the formation of the beams of charged particles in the area of charged particle extraction, the methods of studying single and conventional immersion electron lenses are not suitable for the high quality theoretical and numerical studies of the properties of immersion objectives. In this paper, theoretical and numerical studies were conducted on the problems in analyzing the focusing parameters of charged particles in emission elements and units when solving problems of designing and upgrading devices and installations of vacuum electronics. As a result of the studies, a theoretical method for studying cathode lenses with a curved optical axis was developed and options for solving problems in correcting aberrations of emission elements and units were proposed.
Study of the Dynamic Adaptive Calculation Method for River Water Environmental Capacity
Authors: Gao Yating , Wei Na , Xie Jiancang , Liang Jichao , Gao Fei , Zhou Guixing
Published: October 2024

Controlling the total amount of river pollutant discharge is an important means of water resource protection and management, and it is also a necessary condition for ensuring the normal functioning of water areas. The total amount of pollutant discharge is closely related to the water environmental capacity (WEC). Shifting from the traditional method of calculating WEC to dynamic analyses and calculations, concerning practical applications, in this paper, a dynamic adaptive calculation method is proposed for the river WEC that considers the changes in adaptive demand and hydrological conditions. In this method, the dynamic WEC is represented by intervals based on dynamic changes in different spatial and temporal scales, various calculation methods, hydrological conditions, and parameters. According to the calculation results for the WEC, a variable interval was formed. Taking the Shaanxi section of the main stream of the Wei River as the research object, with the support of an integrated platform, the dynamic adaptive calculation of the WEC in the Shaanxi section of the Wei River was realized, and a corresponding simulation system was constructed. The verification results show that (1) the dynamic calculation of WEC can be realized by freely combining different model methods and calculation conditions; (2) the WEC is described using a variable interval, which has strong applicability and operability; and (3) the simulation system can quickly adapt to the changing needs of practical applications and provide managers with visual and credible decision support. The research results provide a theoretical basis for river water environment pollution prevention and environmental management decision-making and help in the high-quality development of the river basin.
Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of a Directly Immersed Photovoltaic-Thermal Concentrator for Building Integration
Authors: Riverola Alberto , Chemisana Daniel , Moreno Álex , Lamnatou Chrysovalantou , Solans Alejandro
Published: October 2024

A novel concentrating photovoltaic-thermal solar collector was designed, fabricated and experimentally investigated at the University of Lleida, in Spain. Two designs based on two dielectric liquids, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and deionised water (DIW), were developed. In both cases, the solar cells were directly liquid-immersed. The study includes experiments and numerical simulations. The proposed concentrator was incorporated into a testing unit to examine its potential as a façade by controlling light and thermal flux transmitted into a building. The results show promising electrical performance and acceptable thermal performance, with thermal losses ranging from 14 to 20 W °C−1m−2. The optical efficiency was around 73% in the case of the concentrator with DIW and about 76% for the one with IPA. Regarding electrical performance, the fill factors for IPA and DIW configurations are as follows: 62.8% and 61.7%, respectively. The comparison results reveal striking differences between the testing unit with and without solar concentrators, with the concentrator-equipped unit showing around four times lower illuminance and a 50% reduction in maximum heat fluxes and interior temperature. Generally speaking, it can be said that these energy-generating façades show satisfactory behaviour and offer interesting possibilities for building-integrated applications.
Assessment Rainfall-Induced Landslides Using Arbitrary Dipole–Dipole Direct Resistivity Configuration
Authors: Yue Mingxin , Zhou Guanqun
Published: October 2024

Landslides are one of the primary geological disasters posing significant threats to life and property. Strengthening the monitoring of rainfall-induced landslides is, therefore, crucial. The Direct Resistivity (DC) method can accurately map the subsurface electrical resistivity distribution, making it an essential tool for predicting the position of the slide face. However, when conducting landslide surface DC surveys, various undulating terrains such as ridges and steep slopes often pose accessibility challenges. In such topographies, conventional regular grid measurements become very difficult. Additionally, when the terrain is highly undulating and complex, interpreting apparent resistivity data can lead to erroneous results. In this study, we propose using the DC method to monitor rainfall-induced landslides. By moving away from traditional device setups and utilizing an arbitrary dipole–dipole observation system, we aim to improve efficiency, enhance data resolution, and reduce costs. The resistivity of the slope was found to change significantly during the incubation, formation, and development of a landslide in physical model experiments. Furthermore, the feasibility of our proposed method for assessment rainfall-induced landslides was illustrated by a real case study in South China.
Multi-Objective Optimization of the Forming Process Parameters of Disc Forgings Based on Grey Correlation Analysis and the Response Surface Method
Authors: Wei Shizhong , Liang Yuna , Li Hao , Xie Guizhong , Mao Feng , Zhang Ji
Published: October 2024

This paper introduces a multi-objective optimization problem (MPO) for the forming process parameters of disc forgings using grey relational analysis (GRA) and the response surface methodology (RSM). Firstly, an experimental design based on the Box–Behnken design (BBD) principle was established, and simulations were performed in Deform to obtain response data. Secondly, GRA was used to transform the MPO into a grey relational degree (GRD) problem, and the entropic weight method was integrated to ascertain the influence weights of each variable on GRD. Then, a quadratic polynomial prediction model based on the RSM was constructed, and its accuracy was ensured through model validation. Finally, the optimal process parameter combination was determined through the particle swarm optimization algorithm, which included a friction coefficient of 0.3, an initial temperature of 1250 °C, and a downward pressing speed of 7.5 mm/s. The results of the experimental investigation indicate that optimized process parameters significantly reduce the forming load, equivalent stress, and damage value, effectively enhancing the overall quality of forged parts.
Research on “Playing Football” Type Roof Control in Fully-Mechanized Mining Face with a Super-Large Mining Height under the Background of 5G+ Big Data
Authors: Liu Jianyu , Xiao Fukun , Shan Lei
Published: October 2024

With the increase of mining height at the working face, the influence range of roof fractures in the goaf increases, the advanced supporting pressure on the coal wall increases, ground pressure becomes more intense, and roof support becomes more difficult. Based on the analysis of ground pressure behavior in the first mining and caving stage, the normal mining stage, and the final mining breakthrough stage of the fully-mechanized mining face near 12,404, the relationship between conveyor current and coal speed is studied and compared. Based on the intelligent control system of the fully-mechanized mining face with a super-high mining height of 12,404 and the structure of the football team, the “playing football” roof control mode of the fully-mechanized mining face with super-high mining height under the background of 5G+ big data is put forward. The conclusions are as follows: In 12,404, the ground pressure was first mined. During normal mining, when the roof with a buried depth of more than 200 m is broken, the speed of the coal machine is kept within 12 m/min, and the full guard defends and controls the roof, pulling the lead frame through the area with severe ground pressure. When the roof is good, it is necessary to speed up the coal cutting and get rid of the pressure. When it is less than 200 m, it will overcome the local weighting, and show an offensive trend to speed up and increase production. In the final mining breakthrough stage, the speed of the coal machine should be controlled within 8 m/min, with attention to defense, guarding against roof leakage, and reducing waste rock.
Mathematical Analysis of a Navier–Stokes Model with a Mittag–Leffler Kernel
Authors: Monyayi Victor Tebogo , Doungmo Goufo Emile Franc , Tchangou Toudjeu Ignace
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we establish the existence and uniqueness results of the fractional Navier–Stokes (N-S) evolution equation using the Banach fixed-point theorem, where the fractional order β is in the form of the Atangana–Baleanu–Caputo fractional order. The iterative method combined with the Laplace transform and Sumudu transform is employed to find the exact and approximate solutions of the fractional Navier–Stokes equation of a one-dimensional problem of unsteady flow of a viscous fluid in a tube. In the domains of science and engineering, these methods work well for solving a wide range of linear and nonlinear fractional partial differential equations and provide numerical solutions in terms of power series, with terms that are simple to compute and that quickly converge to the exact solution. After obtaining the solutions using these methods, we use Mathematica software Version 13.0.1.0 to present them graphically. We create two- and three-dimensional plots of the obtained solutions at various values of β and manipulate other variables to visualize and model relationships between the variables. We observe that as the fractional order β becomes closer to the integer order 1, the solutions approach the exact solution. Lastly, we plot a 2D graph of the first-, second-, third-, and fourth-term approximations of the series solution and observe from the graph that as the number of iterations increases, the approximate solutions become close to the series solution of the fourth-term approximation.
Comparative Analysis of Grass Pollen Dynamics in Urban and Rural Ireland: Identifying Key Sources and Optimizing Prediction Models
Authors: Martínez-Bracero Moisés , Vélez-Pereira Andrés M. , Markey Emma , Clancy Jerry Hourihane , Sarda-Estève Roland , O’Connor David J.
Published: October 2024

The Poaceae family, one of the most diverse and widespread angiosperms, is prevalent in various natural and urban environments and is a major cause of allergies, affecting over 20% of the population in Europe, specifically in Ireland. With extensive grasslands, Ireland supports numerous grass species, though pollen release varies due to the family’s complexity. The Hirst spore-trap is commonly used to sample airborne pollen, but the area of influence is debated and may differ by pollen type. This study compares grass pollen seasons between rural Carlow and urban Dublin, aiming to create forecast models for airborne pollen and identify key grass areas influencing the main pollen season (MPS). Two Hirst samplers were analyzed, using data up to 2020, and two threshold models (based on Swedish and Danish studies) were tested to find the best fit for Ireland. Airmass footprints were calculated using Hysplit and combined with grassland data to pinpoint major pollen sources. The results showed that Carlow had higher pollen concentrations but shorter seasons than Dublin. The Swedish threshold method was the most accurate for Ireland, with the Wicklow Mountains identified as a significant pollen source. These findings improve the understanding of pollen dynamics and support better public health and allergy management.
Fisher Information-Based Optimization of Mapped Fourier Grid Methods
Authors: Danakas Sotiris , Cohen Samuel
Published: October 2024

The mapped Fourier grid method (mapped-FGM) is a simple and efficient discrete variable representation (DVR) numerical technique for solving atomic radial Schrödinger differential equations. It is set up on equidistant grid points, and the mapping, a suitable coordinate transformation to the radial variable, deals with the potential energy peculiarities that are incompatible with constant step grids. For a given constrained number of grid points, classical phase space and semiclassical arguments help in selecting the mapping function and the maximum radial extension, while the energy does not generally exhibit a variational extremization trend. In this work, optimal computational parameters and mapping quality are alternatively assessed using the extremization of (coordinate and momentum) Fisher information. A benchmark system (hydrogen atom) is employed, where energy eigenvalues and Fisher information are traced in a standard convergence procedure. High-precision energy eigenvalues exhibit a correlation with the extrema of Fisher information measures. Highly efficient mapping schemes (sometimes classically counterintuitive) also stand out with these measures. Same trends are evidenced in the solution of Dalgarno–Lewis equations, i.e., inhomogeneous counterparts of the radial Schrödinger equation occurring in perturbation theory. A detailed analysis of the results, implications on more complex single valence electron Hamiltonians, and future extensions are also included.
Health Use Cases of AI Chatbots: Identification and Analysis of ChatGPT Prompts in Social Media Discourses
Authors: Karami Amir , Qiao Zhilei , Zhang Xiaoni , Kharrazi Hadi , Bozorgi Parisa , Bozorgi Ali
Published: October 2024

The popularity of ChatGPT has raised questions surrounding AI’s potential for health use cases. Since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, social media users have shared their prompts and ChatGPT responses on different topics such as health. Despite editorials and opinion articles discussing the potential uses of ChatGPT, there is a lack of a systematic approach to identify and analyze the use cases of ChatGPT in health. This study establishes a framework for gathering and identifying tweets (i.e., posts on social media site “X”, formerly known as Twitter) that discuss health use cases of ChatGPT, integrating topic modeling with constructivist grounded theory (CGT) to organize these topics into common categories. Using this framework, nine topics were identified, which were further grouped into four categories: (1) Clinical Workflow, (2) Wellness, (3), Diseases, and (4) Gender Identity. The Clinical Workflow category was the most popular category, and included four topics: (1) Seeking Advice, (2) Clinical Documentation, (3) Medical Diagnosis, and (4) Medical Treatment. Among the identified topics, “Diet and Workout Plans” was the most popular topic. This research highlights the potential of social media to identify the health use cases and potential health applications of an AI-based chatbot such as ChatGPT. The identified topics and categories can be beneficial for researchers, professionals, companies, and policymakers working on health use cases of AI chatbots.
Potential Ecological Distribution of the Beetle Agrilus mali Matsumura (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in China under Three Climate Change Scenarios, with Consequences for Commercial and Wild Apple Forests
Authors: Zhang Yanlong , Yang Hua , Jiamahate Aerguli , Yang Honglan , Cao Liangming , Dang Yingqiao , Lu Zhaozhi , Yang Zhongqi , Bozorov Tohir A. , Wang Xiaoyi
Published: October 2024

The apple jewel beetle (AJB), Agrilus mali Matsumura (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a dangerous pest of commercial apple orchards across China, the largest apple production country in the world, and has recently become invasive in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of northwestern China, where wild apple forests also occur. This pest poses a serious threat to apple production and wild apple forests throughout the world. Global warming is expected to change the geographical distribution of A. mali in China, but the extent of this is unknown. Based on empirical data from 1951 to 2000, a MaxEnt model was used to forecast the ecological distribution of A. mali under three different climate scenarios projected in the fifth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The results showed that the most important variables were the maximum temperature of November, precipitation in January, and minimum temperatures in April. Under all climate scenarios, the forecasted suitable regions for A. mali in China will expand northward in the 2050s and 2070s. The forecasted highly suitable regions will be 1.11–1.34 times larger than they are currently, and their central distributions will be 61.57–167.59 km further north. These findings suggest that the range and damage caused by A. mali in China will increase dramatically in the future. Monitoring and management measures should be implemented urgently to protect both the commercial apple industry and wild apple resources.
Antioxidant Therapies in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Jiménez-Jiménez Félix Javier , Alonso-Navarro Hortensia , Salgado-Cámara Paula , García-Martín Elena , Agúndez José A. G.
Published: October 2024

Several studies have proposed a potential role for oxidative stress in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). For this reason, it seems tentative to think that treatment with antioxidant substances could be useful in the treatment of this disease. In this narrative review, we provide a summary of the current findings on antioxidant treatments, both in experimental models of MS, especially in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in the cuprizone-induced demyelination model, and clinical trials in patients diagnosed with MS. Practically all the antioxidants tested in experimental models of MS have shown improvement in clinical parameters, in delaying the evolution of the disease, and in improving histological and biochemical parameters, including decreased levels of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in the central nervous system and other tissues. Only a few clinical trials have been carried out to investigate the potential efficacy of antioxidant substances in patients with MS, most of them in the short term and involving a short series of patients, so the results of these should be considered inconclusive. In this regard, it would be desirable to design long-term, randomized, multicenter clinical trials with a long series of patients, assessing several antioxidants that have demonstrated efficacy in experimental models of MS.
Movement Outcomes Acquired via Markerless Motion Capture Systems Compared with Marker-Based Systems for Adult Patient Populations: A Scoping Review
Authors: Pardell Matthew , Dolgoy Naomi D. , Bernard Stéphanie , Bayless Kerry , Hirsche Robert , Dennett Liz , Tandon Puneeta
Published: October 2024

Mobile motion capture is a promising technology for assessing physical movement; markerless motion capture systems (MLSs) offer great potential in rehabilitation settings, given their accessibility compared to marker-based motion capture systems (MBSs). This review explores the current literature on rehabilitation, for direct comparison of movement-related outcomes captured by MLSs to MBSs and for application of MLSs in movement measurements. Following a scoping review methodology, nine databases were searched (May to August 2023). Eligible articles had to present at least one estimate of the mean difference between a measure of a physical movement assessed by MLS and by MBS. Sixteen studies met the selection criteria and were included. For comparison of MLSs with MBSs, measures of mean joint range of motion (ROM) displacement were found to be similar, while peak joint angle outcomes were significantly different. Upper body movement outcomes were found to be comparable, while lower body movement outcomes were very different. Overall, nearly two-thirds of measurements identified statistical differences between MLS and MBS outcomes. Regarding application, no studies assessed the technology with patient populations. Further MLS-specific research with consideration of patient populations (e.g., intentional error testing, testing in less-than-ideal settings) would be beneficial for utilization of motion capture in rehabilitation contexts.
Prognostic Outcomes and Predictive Factors in Non-Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Not Treated with Second-Generation Antiandrogens
Authors: Wang Yu-Jen , Tseng Chi-Shin , Huang Chao-Yuan , Chen Chung-Hsin , Wang So-Meng , Huang Kuo-How , Chow Po-Ming , Pu Yeong-Shiau , Chueh Jeff Shih-Chieh , Chung Shiu-Dong , Cheng Jason Chia-Hsien
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) and high-risk features frequently have progression to life-threatening metastasis without second-generation antiandrogens. This study investigated nmCRPC patients for the survival and prognostic factors from a cohort before the approved use of second-generation antiandrogens. Methods: From March 2016 to January 2021, 326 patients treated with second-generation antiandrogens for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) or metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer were retrieved. Forty-four patients experiencing nmCRPC with no use of second-generation antiandrogens were reviewed. The prognostic factors, at initial diagnosis or at nmCRPC, associated with metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up time after nmCRPC was 46 months. The median PSA level at nmCRPC was 2.7 ng/mL. Thirty-eight of forty-four patients with nmCRPC had a PSA doubling time (PSADT) of 10 months or shorter, and the median PSADT was 4 months. The median OS from nmCRPC was 53 months, and the median interval for nmCRPC patients progressing to mCRPC was 20 months. Upon univariate analysis, PSADT < 10 months (p = 0.049) and the very-high-risk group at the initial diagnosis (p = 0.043) were associated with significantly shorter post-nmCRPC MFS. The very-high-risk group (p = 0.031) was associated with significantly worse post-nmCRPC OS. In terms of survivals from the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer, Gleason grade ≥ 8 was the only independent factor with MFS and OS. Conclusions: Without second-generation antiandrogens, nmCRPC patients with PSADT <10 months and in the initial very-high-risk group developed subsequent mCRPC in a significantly faster fashion. Patients of the very-high-risk group had shorter survival rates after nmCRPC.
MSAO-EDA: A Modified Snow Ablation Optimizer by Hybridizing with Estimation of Distribution Algorithm
Authors: Li Wuke , Chen Xiaoxiao , Okere Hector Chimeremeze
Published: October 2024

Metaheuristic algorithms provide reliable and effective methods for solving challenging optimization problems. The snow ablation algorithm (SAO) performs favorably as a physics-based metaheuristic algorithm. Nevertheless, SAO has some shortcomings. SAO is overpowered in its exploitation, has difficulty in balancing the proportion of global and local search, and is prone to encountering local optimum traps when confronted with complex problems. To improve the capability of SAO, this paper proposes a modified snow ablation algorithm hybrid distribution estimation algorithm named MSAO-EDA. In this work, a collaborative search framework is proposed where SAO and EDA can be organically integrated together to fully utilize the exploitation capability of SAO and the exploration capability of EDA. Secondly, an offset EDA approach that combines the optimal solution and the agent itself is used to replace SAO’s exploration strategy for the purpose of enhancing SAO’s exploration capability. Finally, the convergence of SAO is accelerated by selecting the next generation of agents through a greedy strategy. MSAO-EDA is tested on the CEC 2017 and CEC 2022 test suites and compared with EO, RIME, MRFO, CFOA, and four advanced algorithms, AFDBARO, CSOAOA, EOSMA, and JADE. The experimental results show that MSAO-EDA has excellent efficiency in numerical optimization problems and is a highly competitive SAO variant.
3D Printing Materials Mimicking Human Tissues after Uptake of Iodinated Contrast Agents for Anthropomorphic Radiology Phantoms
Authors: Homolka Peter , Breyer Lara , Semturs Friedrich
Published: October 2024

(1) Background: 3D printable materials with accurately defined iodine content enable the development and production of radiological phantoms that simulate human tissues, including lesions after contrast administration in medical imaging with X-rays. These phantoms provide accurate, stable and reproducible models with defined iodine concentrations, and 3D printing allows maximum flexibility and minimal development and production time, allowing the simulation of anatomically correct anthropomorphic replication of lesions and the production of calibration and QA standards in a typical medical research facility. (2) Methods: Standard printing resins were doped with an iodine contrast agent and printed using a consumer 3D printer, both (resins and printer) available from major online marketplaces, to produce printed specimens with iodine contents ranging from 0 to 3.0% by weight, equivalent to 0 to 3.85% elemental iodine per volume, covering the typical levels found in patients. The printed samples were scanned in a micro-CT scanner to measure the properties of the materials in the range of the iodine concentrations used. (3) Results: Both mass density and attenuation show a linear dependence on iodine concentration (R2 = 1.00), allowing highly accurate, stable, and predictable results. (4) Conclusions: Standard 3D printing resins can be doped with liquids, avoiding the problem of sedimentation, resulting in perfectly homogeneous prints with accurate dopant content. Iodine contrast agents are perfectly suited to dope resins with appropriate iodine concentrations to radiologically mimic tissues after iodine uptake. In combination with computer-aided design, this can be used to produce printed objects with precisely defined iodine concentrations in the range of up to a few percent of elemental iodine, with high precision and anthropomorphic shapes. Applications include radiographic phantoms for detectability studies and calibration standards in projective X-ray imaging modalities, such as contrast-enhanced dual energy mammography (abbreviated CEDEM, CEDM, TICEM, or CESM depending on the equipment manufacturer), and 3-dimensional modalities like CT, including spectral and dual energy CT (DECT), and breast tomosynthesis.
Noninvasive Monitoring of Glycemia Level in Diabetic Patients by Wearable Advanced Biosensors
Authors: Daboss Elena V. , Komkova Maria A. , Nikitina Vita N. , Andreev Egor A. , Vokhmyanina Darya V. , Karyakin Arkady A.
Published: October 2024

We report on the possibility of noninvasive diabetes monitoring through continuous analysis of sweat. The prediction of the blood glucose level in diabetic patients is possible on the basis of their sweat glucose content due to the positive correlation discovered. The ratio between the blood glucose and sweat glucose concentrations for a certain diabetic subject is stable within weeks, excluding requirements for frequent blood probing. The glucose variations in sweat display allometric (non-linear) dependence on those in blood, allowing more precise blood glucose estimation. Selective (avoiding false-positive responses) and sensitive (sweat glucose is on average 30–50 times lower) detection is possible with biosensors based on the glucose oxidase enzyme coupled with a Prussian Blue transducer. Reliable glucose detection in just secreted sweat would allow noninvasive monitoring of the glycemia level in diabetic patients.
Understanding Emotional Outbursts: A Cross-Cultural Study in Latin American Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Teixeira Maria Cristina Triguero Veloz , Lowenthal Rosane , Rattazzi Alexia , Cukier Sebastian , Valdez Daniel , Garcia Ricardo , Candela Gabriela Garrido , Murillo Analia Rosoli , Leite Francislene Pereira da Silva , Pinheiro Giuliana , Woodcock Kate , Chung Justin Cheuk Yin , Mevorach Carmel , Montiel-Nava Cecilia , Paula Cristiane Silvestre
Published: October 2024

Objectives: One of the behavioral problems strongly associated with emotional dysregulation (ED) in ASD is emotional outbursts (EOs) characterized by a pattern of challenging behavior that varies across individuals and across time. Cultural factors can modulate the expression of EOs. This study aimed to characterize the profile of emotional outbursts (EOs) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across various countries in Latin America and to identify clinical, emotional, and contextual factors that contribute to the onset and frequency of EOs within this diverse sample. Methods: A cross-sectional and cross-cultural study was conducted between 2023 and 2024 comprising samples from five countries in the Latin American Network for Autism-REAL: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic. We studied 689 children with ASD (age x = 8.7 ± 2.6 years) using the Emotional Outburst Questionnaire (EOQ). Results: We identified different types of EO among children with ASD in our sample. The most frequent was the ‘behavioral indicators of emotion’ (52.0%) followed by ‘increased motor activity’ (28.3%), ‘non-speech vocalizations’, (27.6%), ‘mild verbal aggression’ (23.8%), and ‘avoidance’ (21.5%). Children in a bad mood or having a bad day or experiencing irritability were the most significant factors that increased the likelihood of EOs. Conclusions: Our results revealed that irritability is an important trigger for EOs and should not be disregarded or underestimated when monitoring the mental health of children with ASD.
Computational Models of Dynamic Load Sources for Modeling of Construction Structures Operation Used in Monitoring of Technical Condition of Buildings and Structures
Authors: Mogilyuk Zhanna Gennadievna , Tereshin Alexander Alexandrovich , Alekseev German Valerievich
Published: October 2024

This research aims to develop principles for assessing the impact of mega-cyclic vibrodynamic loads on the reliability of construction structures. The relevance of the reasons for the development and improvement of algorithms for numerical modeling of multicycle dynamic loads on building structures is due to the steadily increasing intensity of such loads on buildings and structures in megacities, as well as the acute practical problem of significant differences in the dynamic characteristics of buildings and structures obtained as a result of mathematical modeling and determined by experimental methods. The article presents research materials on computational equivalent models of dynamic load sources for numerical modeling of the behavior of construction structures under their influence, using the method of vibroacoustic analogies. The article examines models of sources of dynamic impact on construction sites. Algorithms and final formulas for computational modeling of the simplest sources of dynamic load are developed using the method of vibroacoustic analogies. The dynamic properties of the simplest dynamic load sources were analyzed. A significant difference between the computational models of real and ideal dynamic load sources. The article presents research and development results intended for calculating the distribution of dynamic loads on elements of construction structures in industrial and civil engineering projects located in areas with high levels of transport vibrodynamic impacts. An important property of the proposed computational equivalent models of sources of dynamic impact on building structures is the possibility of computational verification of critical elements, points, or nodes of load-bearing structures of buildings and structures under dynamic overloads. The position of these critical elements, points, and nodes of load-bearing structures under dynamic loads can differ significantly from their position determined using static and quasistatic computational modeling methods.
Risk Assessment of Overturning of Freestanding Non-Structural Building Contents in Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames
Authors: Suzuki Atsushi , Ohno Susumu , Kimura Yoshihiro
Published: October 2024

The increasing demand in structural engineering now extends beyond collapse prevention to encompass business continuity planning (BCP). In response, energy dissipation devices have garnered significant attention for building response control. Among these, buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) are particularly favored due to their stable hysteretic behavior and well-established design provisions. However, BCP also necessitates the prevention of furniture overturning—an area that remains quantitatively underexplored in the context of buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs). Addressing this gap, this research designs BRBFs using various design criteria and performs incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) with artificially generated seismic waves. The results are compared with previously developed fragility curves for furniture overturning under different BRB design conditions. The findings demonstrate that the fragility of furniture overturning can be mitigated by a natural frequency shift, which alters the threshold of critical peak floor acceleration. These results, combined with hazard curves obtained from various locations across Japan, quantify the mean annual frequency of furniture overturning. The study reveals that increased floor acceleration in stiffer BRBFs can lead to a 3.8-fold higher risk of furniture overturning compared to frames without BRBs. This heightened risk also arises from the greater hazards at shorter natural periods due to stricter response reduction demands. The probabilistic risk analysis, which integrates fragility and hazard assessments, provides deeper insights into the evaluation of BCP.
Effect of a Novel Food Rich in Miraculin on the Oral Microbiome of Malnourished Oncologic Patients with Dysgeusia
Authors: Plaza-Diaz Julio , Ruiz-Ojeda Francisco Javier , López-Plaza Bricia , Brandimonte-Hernández Marco , Álvarez-Mercado Ana Isabel , Arcos-Castellanos Lucía , Feliú-Batlle Jaime , Hummel Thomas , Palma-Milla Samara , Gil Angel
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Dysgeusia contributes to the derangement of nutritional status in patients with cancer as well as worsening the quality of life. There has been a lack of effective treatments for taste disorders provided by the pharmaceutical industry. Methods: This was a pilot randomized, parallel, triple-blind, and placebo-controlled intervention clinical trial in which 31 malnourished patients with cancer and dysgeusia receiving antineoplastic treatment were randomized into three arms [standard dose of DMB (150 mg DMB/tablet), high dose of DMB (300 mg DMB/tablet) or placebo (300 mg freeze-dried strawberry)] for three months. Patients consumed a DMB or placebo tablet before each main meal. Using the nanopore methodology, we analyzed the oral microbiome of patients with cancer using saliva samples. Results: All patients with cancer and dysgeusia had dysbiosis in terms of lower bacterial diversity and richness. DMB consumption was associated with changes in oral microbiome composition. Neither selected bacteria nor taste perception, type of diet, and cytokine levels were associated with mucositis. Likewise, alcohol and tobacco consumption as well as general and digestive toxicity due to systemic therapy were not associated with specific changes of the oral microbiome, according to logistic binary regression. The standard dose of DMB resulted in a lower abundance of Veillonella compared with the high DMB dose and placebo at 3 months after intervention with DMB. In particular, some species such as Streptococcus parasanguinis, Veillonella parvula, and Streptococcus mutans were less abundant in the DMB standard-dose group. Additionally, the consumption of a standard dose of DMB revealed a negative association between the concentrations of TNF-α and the abundance of species such as Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus agalactiae. Conclusions: Accordingly, regular DMB consumption could modify the oral microbiome in patients with cancer and dysgeusia, which may contribute to maintaining an appropriate immune response. However, as the present pilot study involved a small number of participants, further studies are necessary to draw robust conclusions from the data.
Impact of T Cell Ratios on Survival in Pleural Mesothelioma: Insights from Tumor Microenvironment Analysis
Authors: Klotz Laura V. , Weigert Andreas , Eichhorn Florian , Allgäuer Michael , Muley Thomas , Shah Rajiv , Savai Rajkumar , Eichhorn Martin E. , Winter Hauke
Published: October 2024

Background: Immunotherapy has significantly improved overall survival in patients with pleural mesothelioma, yet this benefit does not extend to those with the epithelioid subtype. Tumor growth is believed to be influenced by the immune response. This study aimed to analyze the tumor microenvironment to gain a better understanding of its influence on tumor growth. Methods: The tumor immune cell infiltration of 188 patients with pleural mesothelioma was characterized by multiplex immunofluorescence staining for CD3+ cells (CD3+), CD4+ cells (CD3+/CD4+), CD8+ cells (CD3+/CD8+), Treg (CD3+/CD4+/CD8-/CD163-/Foxp3+), PD1 cells (PD1+), and T helper cells (CD3+/CD4+/CD8-/CD163-/FoxP3-). The distribution of specific immune cells was correlated with clinical parameters. Results: A total of 188 patients with pleural mesothelioma (135 epithelioid, 9 sarcomatoid, 44 biphasic subtypes) were analyzed. The median age was 64.8 years. Overall survival was significantly longer in the epithelioid subtype than in the non-epithelioid subtype (p = 0.016). The presence of PD-L1 expression had a negative effect on overall survival (p = 0.041). A high ratio of CD4+ cells to regulatory T cells was associated with a significantly longer overall survival of more than 12 months (p = 0.015). The ratio of CD4+ cells to regulatory T cells retained its significant effect on overall survival in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Distinct differences in the T cell immune infiltrates in mesothelioma are strongly associated with overall survival. The tumor microenvironment could therefore serve as a source of prognostic biomarkers.
The Importance of Real-World Data in Evaluating the Safety of Biosimilars: A Descriptive Study of Clinical Practice in an Oncohematological Italian Population
Authors: Urru Silvana A. M. , Mayer Flavia , Spila Alegiani Stefania , Paoloni Francesca , Guella Anna , Murru Roberta , Bucaneve Giampaolo , Formoso Giulio , Racanelli Vito , Ferrarini Isacco , Fozza Claudio , Longo Giuseppe , Musicco Felice , Campomori Annalisa
Published: October 2024

The clinical safety and efficacy of rituximab biosimilars compared to the reference rituximab (Mabthera) have been well established in randomized trials. However, concerns persist regarding the safety of changing from the reference product to biosimilars, and particularly between different biosimilars. This prospective multicenter observational study was conducted in 13 oncohematology units of eight Italian regions. The study included 800 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who received rituximab between March 2018 and June 2022. To minimize survivorship bias, only newly diagnosed patients (i.e., those without prior rituximab treatment) were included in the analysis of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Thus, this study focused on 505 incident cases (79.8% of the initial cohort) from 13 centers. A total of 3681 rituximab infusions were administered, and 16.8% of the patients experienced at least one ADR. These were observed most frequently during the first infusion (44 patients, 52%) and the second infusion (17 patients, 20%). The most frequent reactions were general disorders and administration site conditions (n. 50, 8% serious). These findings support the clinical safety of rituximab biosimilars and suggest that switching between biosimilars does not increase the risk of adverse events. This evidence may alleviate concerns about biosimilar use, potentially leading to broader acceptance and reduced healthcare costs.