bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lycopene Maintains Mitochondrial Homeostasis to Counteract the Enterotoxicity of Deoxynivalenol
Authors: Cai Zihui , Chen Fengjuan , Wang Youshuang , Wang Xuebing , Yang Xu , Zhang Cong
Published: November 2023

The intestinal tract is a target organ for Deoxynivalenol (DON) absorption and toxicity. Mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance is the gut toxicity mechanism of DON. Lycopene (LYC) has intestinal protective effects and can maintain mitochondrial homeostasis in response to various danger signals. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of LYC on DON-induced IPEC-J2 cells damage. These results showed that DON exposure induced an increase in the levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in IPEC-J2 cells. DON impaired IPEC-J2 cell barrier function and caused mitochondrial dysfunction by inducing mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) reducing, destroying mitochondrial fission factors, mitochondrial fusion factors, and mitophagy factors expression. However, adding LYC can reduce the toxic effects of DON-induced IPEC-J2 cells and decrease cellular oxidative stress, functional damage, mitochondrial dynamics imbalance, and mitophagy processes. In conclusion, LYC maintains mitochondrial homeostasis to counteract the IPEC-J2 cells’ toxicity of DON.
Influence of Artichoke Antioxidant Activity in Their Susceptibility to Suffer Frost Injury
Authors: Giménez-Berenguer Marina , Gutiérrez-Pozo María , Serna-Escolano Vicente , Giménez María José , Zapata Pedro Javier
Published: November 2023

In the northern hemisphere countries, artichoke harvest occurs in winter months; consequently, they are exposed to cold temperatures. This can lead to frost injury, such as triggering the blistering of the cuticle and detachment of outer bracts, which eventually could display brown or black discolouration. This can cause major economic and production losses. As far as we know, no literature is available about this problem in artichokes. Thus, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of total phenolic content and the antioxidant potential of ‘Blanca de Tudela’ artichokes in their capacity to tolerate frost injury when they are exposed to low temperatures. Several factors were analysed, including floral head order, weight and size of artichokes, total phenolic content, phenolic profile and total antioxidant activity. Results showed that tertiary heads, which are the smallest in size, exhibited a greater amount of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. As a result, these characteristics offered enhanced protection to the artichoke against frosting temperatures. In contrast, the largest artichokes, especially the primary heads, were more susceptible to suffer frostbite. Therefore, artichokes with robust antioxidant systems, characterized by elevated phenolic content, are crucial to reduce their susceptibility to frost injury.
Effect of Curing Time and Nitrogen Generator Usage on Direct 3D-Printed Aligners Thicknesses—An In Vitro Micro-CT Study
Authors: Migliorati Marco , Drago Sara , Lagazzo Alberto , Campobasso Alessandra , Battista Giovanni , Kerberger Robert , Drescher Dieter , Becker Kathrin
Published: November 2023

Many variables in the production of direct 3D-printed orthodontic aligners are currently tested to obtain an efficient and safe workflow. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of different curing times on the final thickness of the produced aligners. In total, 35 copies of the same aligner with a set thickness of 0.5 mm were directly 3D printed using the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Seven groups (five aligners each) were created. Six groups were post-cured with a nitrogen generator for, respectively, 15 min, 20 min, 25 min, 30 min, 40 min, and 50 min. The last group was cured for 30 min without the nitrogen generator. All aligners were scanned with a micro-CT scanner. To assess local aligner thickness values, a total of 20 reference points were utilised. The comparisons among groups and locations were performed using ANOVA or the Kruskal–Wallis test. Significant differences in thickness were found at various reference points. No impact on curing time was found. No direct association was found between curing time and thicknesses, nor between nitrogen generator usage and thickness. At a 60° printing inclination and following the prescribed centrifugation process, a local thickness increase on the front teeth was observed.
Contribution Factor Analysis of the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge Deformation Using Sentinel-1A SAR Imagery and In Situ Data
Authors: Wang Cheng , Li Xinyi , Zhou Lv , Qin Jie , Ma Jun , Luo Ziyan , Liu Lilong
Published: November 2023

Bridges play a crucial role in the development of the national economy and transportation industry, and their deformation monitoring is vital for ensuring their health. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct long-term monitoring of bridges’ deformation. This study monitored the deformation of the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge using the SBAS-InSAR technology and Sentinel-1A data. The deformation results were analyzed in combination with bridge structure, human activity, temperature and stratigraphy. The results were as follows: (1) The vertical deformation rate of the bridge was between −15.6 and 10.7 mm/year, and part of the deformation belonged to rebound deformation; (2) The middle span deformation is the largest and the uplift and lowering alternate; (3) The reduction in human activity is the reason for the lower deformation amplitude from January to October 2020 compared to after October 2020; (4) A positive correlation between deformation and temperature was observed only along a portion of the bridge; (5) There is no direct correlation between observed lowering and stratigraphy under the bridge piers, as the sinking is presumably absorbed by the bridge structure.
An Architecture for a Tri-Programming Model-Based Parallel Hybrid Testing Tool
Authors: Altalhi Saeed Musaad , Eassa Fathy Elbouraey , Al-Ghamdi Abdullah Saad Al-Malaise , Sharaf Sanaa Abdullah , Alghamdi Ahmed Mohammed , Almarhabi Khalid Ali , Khemakhem Maher Ali
Published: November 2023

As the development of high-performance computing (HPC) is growing, exascale computing is on the horizon. Therefore, it is imperative to develop parallel systems, such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and programming models, that can effectively utilise the powerful processing resources of exascale computing. A tri-level programming model comprising message passing interface (MPI), compute unified device architecture (CUDA), and open multi-processing (OpenMP) models may significantly enhance the parallelism, performance, productivity, and programmability of the heterogeneous architecture. However, the use of multiple programming models often leads to unexpected errors and behaviours during run-time. It is also difficult to detect such errors in high-level parallel programming languages. Therefore, this present study proposes a parallel hybrid testing tool that employs both static and dynamic testing techniques to address this issue. The proposed tool was designed to identify the run-time errors of C++ and MPI + OpenMP + CUDA systems by analysing the source code during run-time, thereby optimising the testing process and ensuring comprehensive error detection. The proposed tool was able to identify and categorise the run-time errors of tri-level programming models. This highlights the need for a parallel testing tool that is specifically designed for tri-level MPI + OpenMP + CUDA programming models. As contemporary parallel testing tools cannot, at present, be used to test software applications produced using tri-level MPI + OpenMP + CUDA programming models, this present study proposes the architecture of a parallel testing tool to detect run-time errors in tri-level MPI + OpenMP + CUDA programming models.
Room Temperature Evaporation Behavior of Homogeneous Azeotropes Used in Art Conservation Cleaning Treatments
Authors: Villalta-Cerdas Adrian , Smith Gregory D. , DeSmit Megan Carrison , Goodpaster John V.
Published: November 2023

Cleaning painted surfaces of their grime, aged varnishes, and discolored overpaint is one of the most common interventive treatments for art conservators. Carefully concocted solvent mixtures navigate the solubility differences between the material removed and the original paint underneath. However, these solutions may be altered by differential evaporation rates of the component solvents (zeotropic behavior), potentially leading to ineffectively weak cleaning or conversely overly strong residual liquid capable of damaging the underlying paint. Azeotropic solvent blends, which maintain a constant composition during evaporation, offer a promising solution. These blends consist of two or more solvents combined at precise concentrations to function as a single solvent. Additionally, pressure-maximum azeotropes feature higher vapor pressure compared to other mixtures, further minimizing contact time and sorption of the solvents into artworks. This study examines azeotropes of isopropanol with n-hexane and 2-butanone in cyclohexane, which have been used previously in art conservation. The evaporation behavior at room temperature of these boiling point azeotropes was assessed using vapor pressure measurements, refractive index determinations, gravimetric analysis, and gas chromatography. Results showed changes in composition during evaporation and found that the actual room temperature azeotropic composition can vary between 1 and 10% v/v in concentration with those commonly reported at their boiling points. Art conservators should be cautious when using azeotropic blends reported at boiling points significantly higher than room temperature. To ensure the safety and efficacy of these mixtures, it is recommended to determine individual azeotropic cleaning blends experimentally before their use.
A Novel Longitudinal Control Method Integrating Driving Style and Slope Prediction for High-Efficiency HD Vehicles
Authors: Zhou Yifang , Pan Mingzhang , Guan Wei , Cao Xinxin , Chen Huasheng , Yuan Leyi
Published: November 2023

Developing high-precision vehicle longitudinal control technology guided by ecological driving represents a highly promising yet challenging endeavor. It necessitates the fulfillment of the driver’s operational intentions, precise speed control, and reduced fuel consumption. In light of this challenge, this study presents a novel vehicle longitudinal control model that integrates real-time driving style analysis and road slope prediction. First, it utilizes spectral clustering based on Bi-LSTM automatic encoders to identify driver driving styles. Next, it examines the driving environment and predicts the current slope of the vehicle. Additionally, a fuzzy controller is designed to optimize control performance, adapt to various driving styles and slopes, and achieve better fuel efficiency. The research results indicate that the DS-MPC control model developed in this paper can effectively distinguish various driving modes and has high speed control accuracy while saving 3.27% of fuel.
Efficient Node Insertion Algorithm for Connectivity-Based Multipolling MAC Protocol in Wi-Fi Sensor Networks
Authors: Choi Woo-Yong
Published: November 2023

Since low-power Wi-Fi sensors are connected to the Internet, effective radio spectrum use is crucial for developing an efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for Wi-Fi sensor networks. A connectivity-based multipolling mechanism was employed for Access Points to grant uplink transmission opportunities to Wi-Fi nodes with a reduced number of multipolling frame transmissions. The existing connectivity-based multipolling mechanism in IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs with many nodes may require excessive time to derive the optimal number of serially connected sequences due to the backtracking algorithm based on the Traveling Salesman Problem model. This limitation hinders the real-time implementation of the connectivity-based multipolling mechanism in Wi-Fi sensor networks. In this study, an efficient node insertion algorithm is proposed, by which the number of derived serially connected multipolling sequences that cover nodes in Wi-Fi sensor networks converges to only one as the number of Wi-Fi sensors increases in Wi-Fi sensor networks. As verified by simulation experiments for Wi-Fi sensor networks, the proposed node insertion algorithm produces a near-optimal number of multipolling sequences that cover the nodes in Wi-Fi sensor networks. This study proposes a node insertion algorithm for the real-time implementation of the connectivity-based multipolling mechanism in MAC protocol for Wi-Fi sensor networks.
Development of Energy Storage Systems for High Penetration of Renewable Energy Grids
Authors: Lung Lun-Yi , Chou Tsan-Yu , Chang Wen-Ching , Kuo Cheng-Chien
Published: November 2023

As the proportion of renewable energy generation systems increases, traditional power generation facilities begin to face challenges, such as reduced output power and having the power turned off. The challenges are causing changes in the structure of the power system. Renewable energy sources, mainly wind and solar energy cannot provide stable inertia and frequency regulation capability. Ultimately, the power system’s emergency response capability to face an N-1 is reduced, which leads to a reduction in system stability. Therefore, the application technology of the battery energy storage system is used to support the impact of changes in the new power system structure. This paper designed control technologies based on the WECC second-generation generic model, namely, dynamic regulation, steady regulation, and virtual inertia regulation. The models and control strategies are verified on Taiwan’s 2025 power system target conditions, which consider the expected capacities for battery energy storage systems, and renewable energy sources with different load and N-1 fault levels. According to the simulation results, the capabilities of the RoCoF limitation, frequency nadir, frequency recovery, and system oscillation regulation are evaluated in the proposed strategies. Finally, the analysis results can help power operators make informed decisions when selecting and deploying battery energy storage systems.
Ageing and Inflammation: What Happens in Periodontium?
Authors: Zhu Luying , Tang Zhongyuan , Hu Renjie , Gu Min , Yang Yanqi
Published: November 2023

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a high incidence and severity in the elderly population, making it a significant public health concern. Ageing is a primary risk factor for the development of periodontitis, exacerbating alveolar bone loss and leading to tooth loss in the geriatric population. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between ageing and periodontitis remain elusive. Understanding the intricate mechanisms that connect ageing and inflammation may help reveal new therapeutic targets and provide valuable options to tackle the challenges encountered by the rapidly expanding global ageing population. In this review, we highlight the latest scientific breakthroughs in the pathways by which inflammaging mediates the decline in periodontal function and triggers the onset of periodontitis. We also provide a comprehensive overview of the latest findings and discuss potential avenues for future research in this critical area of investigation.
SAS-PRP Study: A Real-Life Satisfaction Assessment in Patients with Cartilage Lesions of the Knee Treated by Platelet-Rich Plasma
Authors: Verron Romain , Zhang Lucie , Bisseriex Hélène , Grimandi Ronan , Verrando Alix , Verdaguer Claire , Thomas Marie , Facione Julia , Borrini Leo
Published: November 2023

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a rising therapy treating locomotor system lesions such as knee osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to evaluate patients’ satisfaction 6 to 12 months after a PRP injection for cartilage lesions of their knee under real-life conditions. Patients’ satisfaction was assessed by a specific questionnaire named SATMED-Q©, which explores six different dimensions of a given treatment. In addition, pain and function were assessed thanks to VAS pain, WOMAC, and IKDC scores. Responders were identified through the OMERACT-OARSI criteria. We observed excellent satisfaction after a PRP injection with a SATMED-Q© score of 80.81% 6 to 12 months after the procedure. Even when there was no significant improvement in pain and function scores, 52% of the evaluated population fulfilled the OMERACT-OARSI criteria and were considered responders. According to the sub-group analysis, patients with less osteoarthritis damage (i.e., Kellgren–Lawrence grades 1–2) and older study subjects (i.e., >40 years old) with focal chondropathy had benefited most from their PRP injection. Thus, platelet-rich plasma seems to be a well-tolerated and efficient therapy for cartilage lesions of the knee.
RCKD: Response-Based Cross-Task Knowledge Distillation for Pathological Image Analysis
Authors: Kim Hyunil , Kwak Tae-Yeong , Chang Hyeyoon , Kim Sun Woo , Kim Injung
Published: November 2023

We propose a novel transfer learning framework for pathological image analysis, the Response-based Cross-task Knowledge Distillation (RCKD), which improves the performance of the model by pretraining it on a large unlabeled dataset guided by a high-performance teacher model. RCKD first pretrains a student model to predict the nuclei segmentation results of the teacher model for unlabeled pathological images, and then fine-tunes the pretrained model for the downstream tasks, such as organ cancer sub-type classification and cancer region segmentation, using relatively small target datasets. Unlike conventional knowledge distillation, RCKD does not require that the target tasks of the teacher and student models be the same. Moreover, unlike conventional transfer learning, RCKD can transfer knowledge between models with different architectures. In addition, we propose a lightweight architecture, the Convolutional neural network with Spatial Attention by Transformers (CSAT), for processing high-resolution pathological images with limited memory and computation. CSAT exhibited a top-1 accuracy of 78.6% on ImageNet with only 3M parameters and 1.08 G multiply-accumulate (MAC) operations. When pretrained by RCKD, CSAT exhibited average classification and segmentation accuracies of 94.2% and 0.673 mIoU on six pathological image datasets, which is 4% and 0.043 mIoU higher than EfficientNet-B0, and 7.4% and 0.006 mIoU higher than ConvNextV2-Atto pretrained on ImageNet, respectively.
The Dual Role of Small Extracellular Vesicles in Joint Osteoarthritis: Their Global and Non-Coding Regulatory RNA Molecule-Based Pathogenic and Therapeutic Effects
Authors: Li Zhi , Bi Ruiye , Zhu Songsong
Published: November 2023

OA is the most common joint disease that affects approximately 7% of the global population. Current treatment methods mainly relieve its symptoms with limited repairing effect on joint destructions, which ultimately contributes to the high morbidity rate of OA. Stem cell treatment is a potential regenerative medical therapy for joint repair in OA, but the uncertainty in differentiation direction and immunogenicity limits its clinical usage. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), the by-products secreted by stem cells, show similar efficacy levels but have safer regenerative repair effect without potential adverse outcomes, and have recently drawn attention from the broader research community. A series of research works and reviews have been performed in the last decade, providing references for the application of various exogenous therapeutic sEVs for treating OA. However, the clinical potential of target intervention involving endogenous pathogenic sEVs in the treatment of OA is still under-explored and under-discussed. In this review, and for the first time, we emphasize the dual role of sEVs in OA and explain the effects of sEVs on various joint tissues from both the pathogenic and therapeutic aspects. Our aim is to provide a reference for future research in the field.
Variations in NT-proBNP Levels in Pregnant Patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Consequences for the Newborns
Authors: Marta Carmen-Ioana , Craina Marius , Nitu Razvan , Maghiari Anca Laura , Abu-Awwad Simona-Alina , Boscu Lioara , Diaconu Mircea , Dumitru Catalin , Sorop Bogdan , Stelea Lavinia , Babes Katalin
Published: November 2023

Background: NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) has a high negative predictive value for ruling out heart failure, a disorder linked with volume overload of the ventricles, and is used for diagnosis, prognosis, and risk stratification. Pregnancy causes in healthy women changes in physical and hemodynamic parameters and appears to be a risk factor for severe COVID-19 illness. The purpose of this study is to highlight the significance of monitoring NT-proBNP levels during pregnancy, particularly in patients who were infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy or were infected with the virus while giving birth. The findings of this comparative research indicate the importance of NT-proBNP in terms of foetal prognosis and birthweight. Methods: We collected blood samples to measure NT-proBNP concentrations from a cohort of 186 pregnant patients divided into two groups based on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. Results: Elevated NT-proBNP had an unfavourable implication on the newborn birth weight and Apgar score and expressed its influence on lower values. Conclusions: We consider that NT-proBNP testing in pregnant patients, especially those with COVID-19 infection, can be relevant and be used as a predictive marker to be taken into consideration when it comes to management, outcome, and treatment regarding pregnant patients and their newborns.
Language Nativeness Modulates Physiological Responses to Moral vs. Immoral Concepts in Chinese–English Bilinguals: Evidence from Event-Related Potential and Psychophysiological Measures
Authors: Gao Fei , Wu Chenggang , Fu Hengyi , Xu Kunyu , Yuan Zhen
Published: November 2023

Morality has been an integral part of social cognition and our daily life, and different languages may exert distinct impacts on human moral judgment. However, it remains unclear how moral concept is encoded in the bilingual brain. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the emotional and cognitive involvement of bilingual morality judgement by using combined event-related potential (ERP) and psychophysiological (including skin, heart, and pulse) measures. In the experiment, thirty-one Chinese–English bilingual participants were asked to make moral judgments in Chinese and English, respectively. Our results revealed increased early frontal N400 and decreased LPC in L1 moral concept encoding as compared to L2, suggesting that L1 was more reliant on automatic processes and emotions yet less on elaboration. In contrast, L2 moral and immoral concepts elicited enhanced LPC, decreased N400, and greater automatic psychophysiological electrocardiograph responses, which might reflect more elaborate processing despite blunted emotional responses and increased anxiety. Additionally, both behavioral and P200 data revealed a reliable immorality bias across languages. Our results were discussed in light of the dual-process framework of moral judgments and the (dis)embodiment of bilingual processing, which may advance our understanding of the interplay between language and morality as well as between emotion and cognition.
Outcomes of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Transplant-Ineligible Multiple Myeloma According to Clinical Trials Enrollment: Experience of a Single Institution
Authors: Rodríguez-Lobato Luis Gerardo , Tovar Natalia , de Daniel Anna , Fernández de Larrea Carlos , Cibeira M. Teresa , Jiménez-Segura Raquel , Moreno David F. , Oliver-Caldés Aina , Bladé Joan , Rosiñol Laura
Published: November 2023

The proportion of non-transplant-eligible (NTE) newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients excluded from clinical trials (CTs) and their prognosis is unknown. CT results may not be generalizable to real-world practice due to strict recruitment criteria. We analyzed causes of NTE-NDMM patient exclusion form CTs and their outcomes. A total of 211 NTE-NDMM patients were included. They were divided into three periods: 2003–2007, 2008–2012, and 2013–2017. Overall, 50% received non-trial treatment (NCT), while 50% participated in a CT (20% control group (CG) and 30% experimental group (EG)). Main causes for exclusion from CTs were comorbidities, ECOG > 2, and renal insufficiency. In the first two periods, the CR rate was similar regardless of treatment type, but in the last period, the EG group showed improved CR. Median PFS was similar in the first two periods, with a benefit seen only in the EG in the last period. The median OS was significantly longer in CT-included patients compared to NCT group in the last two periods. Conclusions: The presence of comorbidities and worsened ECOG were the main reasons for CT exclusion. Patients included in CTs had a longer OS than NCT. This OS benefit may be influenced by a selection bias, making it challenging to generalize CT results to real clinical practice.
Special Issue Editorial: Emerging Therapies in Renal Cell Carcinoma: The Road to a Cure?
Authors: Campbell Matthew T. , Zhang Tian
Published: November 2023

In the past two decades, therapy development in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma has exploded [...]
Where Artificial Intelligence Can Take Us in the Management and Understanding of Cancerization Fields
Authors: Orte Cano Carmen , Suppa Mariano , del Marmol Véronique
Published: November 2023

Squamous cell carcinoma and its precursor lesion actinic keratosis are often found together in areas of skin chronically exposed to sun, otherwise called cancerisation fields. The clinical assessment of cancerisation fields and the correct diagnosis of lesions within these fields is usually challenging for dermatologists. The recent adoption of skin cancer diagnostic imaging techniques, particularly LC-OCT, helps clinicians in guiding treatment decisions of cancerization fields in a non-invasive way. The combination of artificial intelligence and non-invasive skin imaging opens up many possibilities as AI can perform tasks impossible for humans in a reasonable amount of time. In this text we review past examples of the application of AI to dermatological images for actinic keratosis/squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis, and we discuss about the prospects of the application of AI for the characterization and management of cancerization fields.
Loss of Lipid Carrier ApoE Exacerbates Brain Glial and Inflammatory Responses after Lysosomal GBA1 Inhibition
Authors: Connolly Kyle J. , Margaria Juliette , Di Biase Erika , Cooper Oliver , Hallett Penelope J. , Isacson Ole
Published: November 2023

Tightly regulated and highly adaptive lipid metabolic and transport pathways are critical to maintaining brain cellular lipid homeostasis and responding to lipid and inflammatory stress to preserve brain function and health. Deficits in the lipid handling genes APOE and GBA1 are the most significant genetic risk factors for Lewy body dementia and related dementia syndromes. Parkinson’s disease patients who carry both APOE4 and GBA1 variants have accelerated cognitive decline compared to single variant carriers. To investigate functional interactions between brain ApoE and GBA1, in vivo GBA1 inhibition was tested in WT versus ApoE-deficient mice. The experiments demonstrated glycolipid stress caused by GBA1 inhibition in WT mice induced ApoE expression in several brain regions associated with movement and dementia disorders. The absence of ApoE in ApoE-KO mice amplified complement C1q elevations, reactive microgliosis and astrocytosis after glycolipid stress. Mechanistically, GBA1 inhibition triggered increases in cell surface and intracellular lipid transporters ABCA1 and NPC1, respectively. Interestingly, the absence of NPC1 in mice also triggered elevations of brain ApoE levels. These new data show that brain ApoE, GBA1 and NPC1 functions are interconnected in vivo, and that the removal or reduction of ApoE would likely be detrimental to brain function. These results provide important insights into brain ApoE adaptive responses to increased lipid loads.
Grassland Resilience to Woody Encroachment in North America and the Effectiveness of Using Fire in National Parks
Authors: Ling Han , Wang Guangyu , Wu Wanli , Shrestha Anil , Innes John L.
Published: November 2023

The grasslands of North America are threatened by woody encroachment. Restoring historical fire regimes has been used to manage brush encroachment. However, fire management may be insufficient due to the nonlinear and hysteretic responses of vegetation recovery following encroachment and the social–political constraints affecting fire management. We synthesized the fire thresholds required to control woody encroachment by typical encroaching species in North America, especially the Great Plains region, and identified the social–political constraints facing fire management in selected grassland national parks. Our synthesis revealed the resistance, hysteresis, and irreversibility of encroached grasslands using fire and emphasized the need for a combination of brush management methods if the impacts of climate change are to be addressed. Frequent fires alone may maintain grassland states, reflecting resistance. However, high-intensity fires exceeding fire-mortality thresholds are required to exclude non-resprouting shrubs and trees, indicating hysteresis. Fire alone may be insufficient to reverse encroachment by resprouting species, exhibiting reversibility. In practice, appropriate fire management may restore resistant grassland states. However, social–political constraints have restricted the use of frequent and high-intensity fires, thereby reducing the effectiveness of management actions to control woody encroachment of grasslands in national parks. This research proposes a resilience-based framework to manage woody encroachment in grassland national parks and similar protected areas.
Climate Change Skeptics’ Environmental Concerns and Support for Clean Energy Policy: A Case Study of the US Pacific Northwest
Authors: Sarathchandra Dilshani , Haltinner Kristin
Published: November 2023

Resistance to clean energy policy in the United States stems partly from public hesitancy and skepticism toward anthropogenic climate change. This article examines self-declared climate change skeptics’ views of clean energy policy along a continuum of skeptical thought, spanning from epistemic denial to attribution doubt. To perform this, we use data from an online survey administered in the US Pacific Northwest and a series of pilot interviews conducted with skeptics in the same region. Results reveal that skeptics’ support for clean energy policy is consistently linked with their environmental concern across the skepticism continuum. Conspiracy ideation and distrust in science lead to a reduction in support. However, the positive effect of environmental concern trumps the effects of these beliefs. Important and hopeful implications of these findings for climate change communication and policy are discussed.
Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment of Georgian Hydrology under Future Climate Change Scenarios
Authors: Aryal Aashutosh , Bosch Rieks , Lakshmi Venkataraman
Published: November 2023

The Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) is a systematic process used to identify gaps in regional climate adaptation strategies. The CRVA method assesses regional vulnerability, adaptation capacity, exposure, and sensitivity to climate change to support improved adaptation policies. This CRVA study assesses Georgia’s climate exposure, geographic sensitivity, and socio-economic sensitivity by focusing on the impacts of climate change on regional hydrology. The projected change in climate extreme indices, defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI), is assessed against the 1961–1990 baseline under future Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios. These indices encompass various climate factors such as the maximum daily temperature, warmth duration, total precipitation, heavy and extreme precipitation, maximum 5-day precipitation, and consecutive drought duration. This evaluation helps us understand the potential climate exposure impacts on Georgia. The climate-induced geographic sensitivity is examined based on water stress, drought risk, and changes in soil productivity using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The climate-induced socio-economic sensitivity is determined using the Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDP), Human Development Index, Education Index, and population density. The highest vulnerability to climate change was found in the Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions, with the vulnerability index values ranging from 6 to 15, followed by Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Samtskhe–Javakheti, and Shida Kartli with vulnerability index values ranging from 2 to 8. The location of these regions upstream of the Alazani-Iori, Khrami-Debeda, and Mktvari river basins indicates that the country’s water resources are vulnerable to climate change impacts in the future under the RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios.
Abrasive Wear Resistance and Tribological Characteristics of Pulsed Hard Anodized Layers on Aluminum Alloy 1011 in Tribocontact with Steel and Ceramics in Various Lubricants
Authors: Student Mykhailo , Pohrelyuk Iryna , Padgurskas Juozas , Rukuiža Raimundas , Hvozdets’kyi Volodymyr , Zadorozhna Khrystyna , Veselivska Halyna , Student Oleksandra , Tkachuk Oleh
Published: November 2023

Based on the analysis of known methods of surface hardening of aluminum alloys (chromium plating, plasma electrolytic oxidation, hard anodizing), the prospects for pulsed hard anodizing are shown both for improving the functional characteristics of alloys and for large-scale implementation of this method. The purpose of this work is to show the possibility of pulsed hard anodizing to improve the serviceability of low-strength aluminum alloy 1011 under conditions of abrasive and sliding wear. The influence of the pulsed anodizing temperature on the phase-structural state of the synthesized layers, their abrasive wear resistance, and tribological characteristics in various lubricants were established, and the mechanism of wear of these layers was proposed. It is shown that with an increase in the temperature of pulsed anodizing, the wear resistance of the synthesized layers increases, and their abrasive wear resistance decreases. The negative effect of lubricating media on the wear resistance of the synthesized layers compared to tests under dry conditions was shown, and an explanation for this phenomenon is proposed. A significant (up to 40 times) increase in wear resistance in dry friction of anodized low-strength aluminum alloy 1011 compared to high-strength aluminum alloy 1050 was shown.
MACl-Induced Controlled Crystallization in Sequentially Deposited Perovskites for High-Efficiency and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Qiang , Zhang Yulong , Lu Chaoqun , Zhang Rui , Wang Xinjie , Zhang Weijia , Jiang Zhaoyi
Published: November 2023

Perovskite solar cells are attracting more and more attention due to their higher absorption and low cost. However, fabricating the perovskite film with high crystallinity and ideal morphology, which presents large-size and uniform particles with fewer grain boundaries, still needs further improvement. Herein, we introduce MAPbCl3 crystals into the PbI2 film in the sequential deposition process, which obtained the controlled crystallization in perovskite films. The perovskite films induced by MAPbCl3 have stronger crystallinity, fewer defect states, and larger grain size, reducing carrier recombination and improving carrier transfer. The optimized perovskite solar cell (PSC) has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 20.97%. Furthermore, the stability of PSCs has also been enhanced due to the reduced grain boundaries impeding moisture diffusion. This strategy can be applied in other solution-based fabrication processes to improve the photovoltaic performance of PSCs.
Effect of Polyvinylpyrrolidone Content on Pure Titanium Injection Molding
Authors: Zhang Weichen , Li Lu , Li Chuanyong , Sun Yanhua , Hayat Muhammad Dilawer , Li Yugeng , Chen Gang , Yuan Zhentao , Wang Xiao
Published: November 2023

In water-soluble binder systems, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) are often used as primary and secondary components. The PEG/PMMA binder system is clean and environmentally friendly, but the discrepancy between the crystallization temperature of PEG and the glass transition temperature of PMMA leads to the generation of pores in the feedstock. The solidification pores have an adverse impact on the final mechanical properties of the samples. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), as a crystallization inhibitor, can inhibit the formation of porosity. In this study, spherical titanium powder with a diameter of less than 45 μm was used as metal powder; the binder system consisted of PEG, PMMA and SA. Different increments of PVP (0, 10%, 20%, 30 wt.%) were added to the PEG/PMMA binder system. The uniformity of the feedstock and the open channels generated after debinding were observed using SEM. The pores’ condition before and after debinding was studied using Micro CT, and the mechanical properties of the samples were also detected. By comparing the macroscopic and microscopic morphologies of the injected samples and mechanical properties of the sintered samples, it was found that a PVP content of 20 wt.% resulted in the best properties.
Hybrid Perovskites and 2D Materials in Optoelectronic and Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Feng Shuo , Li Benxuan , Xu Bo , Wang Zhuo
Published: November 2023

Metal halide perovskites, emerging innovative and promising semiconductor materials with notable properties, have been a great success in the optoelectronic and photocatalytic fields. At the same time, two-dimensional (2D) materials, including graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), black phosphorus (BP) and so on, have attracted significant interest due to their remarkable attributes. While substantial advancements have been made in recent decades, there are still hurdles in enhancing the performance of devices made from perovskites or 2D materials and in addressing their stability for reliable use. Recently, heterostructures combining perovskites with cost-effective 2D materials have exhibited significant advancements in both efficiency and stability, attributed to the unique properties at the heterointerface. In this review, we provide a thorough overview of perovskite and 2D material heterostructures, spanning from synthesis to application. We begin by detailing the diverse fabrication techniques, categorizing them into solid-state and solution-processed methods. Subsequently, we delve into the applications of perovskite and 2D material heterostructures, elaborating on their use in photodetectors, solar cells, and photocatalysis. We conclude by spotlighting existing challenges in developing perovskite and 2D material heterostructures and suggesting potential avenues for further advancements in this research area.
Seven-Year Single-Center Experience of the Efficacy and Safety of Ferric Carboxymaltose in Cancer Patients with Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Authors: Aktaş Burak Yasin , Ata Emine Büşra , Çeşmeci Engin , Çakır İbrahim Yahya , Coşkunpınar Muharrem , Tahillioğlu Yağmur , Güner Gürkan , Güven Deniz Can , Arık Zafer , Kertmen Neyran , Dizdar Ömer , Yalçın Şuayib , Aksoy Sercan
Published: November 2023

Anemia remains an essential concern affecting the quality of life and the survival of cancer patients. Although there are different approaches to treating anemia in cancer patients, the number of studies reporting the efficacy of iron replacement in cancer patients is limited. In this study, the efficacy and safety of iron carboxymaltose, a parenteral iron treatment option, in the treatment of anemia, were examined retrospectively. A total of 1102 adult patients who received IV ferric carboxymaltose treatment at Hacettepe Oncology Hospital between 2014 and 2020 were included. The mean hemoglobin change observed at the end of the 12th week was 1.8 g/dL, and the rate of patients with an increase in hemoglobin of 1 g/dL or more was 72.1%. It was observed that the treatment demonstrated effectiveness in patients receiving active cancer treatment in all tumor types. The treatment was generally safe, and no grade 3–5 side effects were observed in the patients included in the study. According to one of the most extensive series published in the literature, iron carboxymaltose is an efficient and safe alternative for cancer patients with iron-deficiency anemia.
Validation of Machine Learning Models for Craniofacial Growth Prediction
Authors: Kim Eungyeong , Kuroda Yasuhiro , Soeda Yoshiki , Koizumi So , Yamaguchi Tetsutaro
Published: November 2023

This study identified the most accurate model for predicting longitudinal craniofacial growth in a Japanese population using statistical methods and machine learning. Longitudinal lateral cephalometric radiographs were collected from 59 children (27 boys and 32 girls) with no history of orthodontic treatment. Multiple regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, radial basis function network, multilayer perceptron, and gradient-boosted decision tree were used. The independent variables included 26 coordinated values of skeletal landmarks, 13 linear skeletal parameters, and 17 angular skeletal parameters in children ages 6 to 12 years. The dependent variables were the values of the 26 coordinated skeletal landmarks, 13 skeletal linear parameters, and 17 skeletal angular parameters at 13 years of age. The difference between the predicted and actual measured values was calculated using the root-mean-square error. The prediction model for craniofacial growth using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator had the smallest average error for all values of skeletal landmarks, linear parameters, and angular parameters. The highest prediction accuracies when predicting skeletal linear and angular parameters for 13-year-olds were 97.87% and 94.45%, respectively. This model incorporates several independent variables and is useful for future orthodontic treatment because it can predict individual growth.
Comparison of Bleb Morphology following PRESERFLO® MicroShunt and Trabeculectomy Using Anterior Segment OCT
Authors: Hasan Somar , Theilig Theresa , Meller Daniel
Published: November 2023

Trabeculectomy has traditionally been upheld as the gold standard in glaucoma surgery, but recent advancements, including the PRESERFLO® MicroShunt, have introduced less invasive techniques to mitigate complications and reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). The examination of bleb morphology post-filtering surgery is critical for modulating wound healing and ensuring long-term success. While previous evaluations of PRESERFLO-generated blebs have relied on data from trabeculectomy blebs, the differing surgical techniques used in PRESERFLO and trabeculectomy surgeries suggest potential variations in bleb morphologies. This study conducted a comparative analysis of blebs resulting from PRESERFLO and trabeculectomy procedures. Retrospective descriptive assessments using the Jenaer Bleb Grading System were performed, along with quantitative evaluation using eight-dimensional parameters utilizing anterior segment OCT. We included 93 eyes (57 following PRESERFLO, 36 following trabeculectomy). In the descriptive assessment, PRESERFLO-generated blebs exhibited fewer conjunctival cysts (3.5% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.007) and cavernous changes (10.5% vs. 30.5%, p = 0.021) compared to trabeculectomy. Quantitatively, overall bleb dimensions were comparable (maximal bleb height, width, and length, p > 0.05 for all). However, PRESERFLO blebs displayed a shallower (0.52 ± 0.24 vs. 0.67 ± 0.3 mm, p = 0.017) yet longer (4.12 ± 1.54 vs. 3.23 ± 1.64 mm, p = 0.024) episcleral lake. A thicker bleb wall (1.52 ± 0.46 vs. 1.10 ± 0.37 mm, p < 0.001) along with more posteriorly positioned blebs (distance to limbus = 6.16 ± 1.36 vs. 4.87 ± 1.34 mm, p < 0.001) were observed following PRESERFLO. This study illuminates the nuanced morphological differences between PRESERFLO and trabeculectomy blebs. Understanding these distinctions is vital, empowering clinicians to make informed postoperative decisions and avoid misinterpretation of bleb morphology.
Design of Sensor Data Processing Software for the ISO 23150 Standard: Application to Autonomous Vehicle Software
Authors: Han Jun-Young , Park Jee-Hun , Kim Hyeong-Jun , Lee Suk
Published: November 2023

The ISO 23150 standard defines the logical interface between sensors and fusion units. To apply this standard to actual vehicles, software is required to convert sensor data into ISO 23150-compliant sensor data. In this study, we developed sensor data processing software to provide ISO 23150-compliant sensor data to autonomous vehicle software. The main contributions of this study are as follows: First, the safety of the software is considered, and its structure and error detection method are designed to minimize the impact of errors. Second, the software structure is in accordance with the ISO 23150 standard, and a framework structure is designed with convenience in mind. Third, we considered its compatibility with adaptive AUTOSAR by designing a data delivery service using SOME/IP communication. We evaluated the security and data delivery delay of the software on a controller used in an actual vehicle and noted high security and real-time performance. The evaluation results demonstrated the feasibility of this method for real-world vehicles. Our study can serve as a basis for advancing autonomous driving technology in the context of ensuring software safety.
A Cross-Institution Information-Sharing Scheme Based on a Consortium Blockchain
Authors: Tan Bingbing , Chen Yanli , Zhou Yonghui , Li Shouqing , Dong Zhicheng
Published: November 2023

In today’s data-driven world, efficient and secure cross-institution information-sharing is an urgent challenge. Traditional information-sharing methods based on access controlling often suffer from issues such as privacy breaches and high communication complexity. To address this issue, this paper proposes a cross-institution information-sharing solution based on a consortium blockchain, in which it combines on-chain transaction consensus with off-chain institution storage, thereby facilitating collaboration among nodes from different institutions on the blockchain. To enhance the efficiency and security of transactions on the blockchain, we also introduce a dynamic and adaptive Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (DA-PBFT) consensus protocol, which permits nodes to dynamically join and exit the blockchain network, consequently improving network scalability. Through a reputation mechanism, we swiftly identify and remove faulty and malicious nodes, enhancing the trustworthiness of nodes in the information-sharing network based on consortium blockchain, thereby improving consensus efficiency. We have also employed encryption techniques to enhance the privacy and integrity of data during the process of cross-institution information sharing. A comprehensive analysis of the communication complexity in the information-sharing network confirms the effectiveness and security of our proposed solution. We offer a unique solution to improve the efficiency and security of cross-institution information-sharing while ensuring data integrity and privacy. By addressing the challenges of privacy breaches and high communication complexity in information sharing, we establish a foundation for secure cross-institution data exchange.