bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Left–Right Multimodal Morphometric Comparison of Human Submandibular Glands
Authors: Stimec Bojan V. , Ignjatovic Dejan
Published: March 2024

This communication study integrates composite multimodal research on postmortem human submandibular glands, based on macromorphometry. The normal ductographic sialograms were pairwise analyzed using linear morphometry, whole-gland planimetry and fractal properties, such as main duct length, caliber and tortuosities, side branches and accessory ducts/lobes. All the examined parameters presented a significant correlation, i.e., symmetry between the left and the right submandibular glands. The morphometric data presented can serve as a valuable reference in clinical practice.
Mechanical Stapling Devices for Soft Tissue Repair: A Review of Commercially Available Linear, Linear Cutting, and Circular Staplers
Authors: Burgio Vito , Bei Janira , Rodriguez Reinoso Mariana , Civera Marco , Grimaldo Ruiz Oliver , Surace Cecilia , Pugno Nicola M.
Published: March 2024

Stapling devices have emerged as a widespread and effective option for soft tissue surgery, offering promising outcomes for patients by reducing complication rates and surgery time. This review aims to provide an exhaustive analysis of commercially available alternatives in the market, incorporating insights from market analysis, patent landscape, and the existing literature. The main focus lies in identifying and evaluating the most widely adopted and innovative stapling devices, including linear, linear cutting, circular, and powered staplers. In addition, this review delves into the realm of bioabsorbable staples, exploring the materials utilized and the surgical fields where these advanced staples find applications. To facilitate easy comprehension, the gathered information is presented in tables, highlighting the essential parameters for each stapling device. This comprehensive research about stapling devices is intended to aid healthcare practitioners and researchers in making informed decisions when choosing the most appropriate instrument for specific surgical procedures.
Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture
Authors: Janczukowicz Wojciech , Rodziewicz Joanna
Published: March 2024

The growing world population requires highly efficient food production methods [...]
Shear Wave Velocity Prediction Based on the Long Short-Term Memory Network with Attention Mechanism
Authors: Fu Xingan , Wei Youhua , Su Yun , Hu Haixia
Published: March 2024

Shear wave velocity (VS) is a vital prerequisite for rock geophysics. However, due to historical, cost, and technical reasons, the shear wave velocity of some wells is missing. To reduce the deviation of the description of underground oil and gas distribution, it is urgent to develop a high-precision neural network prediction method. In this paper, an attention module is designed to automatically calculate the weight of each part of the input value. Then, the weighted data are fed into the long short-term memory network to predict shear wave velocities. Numerical simulations demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method, which achieves a significantly lower MAE of 38.89 compared to the LSTM network’s 45.35 in Well B. In addition, the relationship between network input length and prediction accuracy is further analyzed.
Causal Reinforcement Learning for Knowledge Graph Reasoning
Authors: Li Dezhi , Lu Yunjun , Wu Jianping , Zhou Wenlu , Zeng Guangjun
Published: March 2024

Knowledge graph reasoning can deduce new facts and relationships, which is an important research direction of knowledge graphs. Most of the existing methods are based on end-to-end reasoning which cannot effectively use the knowledge graph, so consequently the performance of the method still needs to be improved. Therefore, we combine causal inference with reinforcement learning and propose a new framework for knowledge graph reasoning. By combining the counterfactual method in causal inference, our method can obtain more information as prior knowledge and integrate it into the control strategy in the reinforcement model. The proposed method mainly includes the steps of relationship importance identification, reinforcement learning framework design, policy network design, and the training and testing of the causal reinforcement learning model. Specifically, a prior knowledge table is first constructed to indicate which relationship is more important for the problem to be queried; secondly, designing state space, optimization, action space, state transition and reward, respectively, is undertaken; then, the standard value is set and compared with the weight value of each candidate edge, and an action strategy is selected according to the comparison result through prior knowledge or neural network; finally, the parameters of the reinforcement learning model are determined through training and testing. We used four datasets to compare our method to the baseline method and conducted ablation experiments. On dataset NELL-995 and FB15k-237, the experimental results show that the MAP scores of our method are 87.8 and 45.2, and the optimal performance is achieved.
Enhancing 5G Antenna Manufacturing Efficiency and Reliability through Blockchain and Smart Contract Integration: A Comprehensive AHP Analysis
Authors: An Sung Yong , Ngayo Guy , Hong Seng-Phil
Published: March 2024

This study pioneers the enhancement of 5G antenna manufacturing efficiency and reliability by integrating blockchain and smart contract technologies, supported by an in-depth Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis. At the heart of our innovation lies the blockchain-based SER-M (B-SER-M) model, which delineates ‘Subject’, ‘Environment’, and ‘Resources’ as crucial factors in the manufacturing process. Our refined AHP analysis reveals ‘Subject’ as the paramount factor, with a pivotal influence weight of 0.465, underscoring its significance in elevating production efficiency and reliability. The integration of blockchain technology facilitates impeccable record-keeping and tracking at each production stage, thereby bolstering data integrity and enhancing traceability. Furthermore, the incorporation of smart contracts streamlines operations by automating processes, enabling the rapid identification and resolution of issues. These technological advancements not only significantly elevate manufacturing efficiency but also markedly improve reliability and quality control across antenna production. The enhanced results of our study demonstrate the formidable potential of integrating cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing, presenting a solid model for sustaining industry competitiveness in an increasingly digital and interconnected realm. Our contributions lay the groundwork for transformative advancements in manufacturing practices, setting a new benchmark for the integration of blockchain and smart contract technologies in enhancing 5G antenna production efficiency and reliability.
Violent Raiding, Systematic Slaving, and Sweeping Depopulation? Re-Evaluating the Scythian Impact on Central Europe through the Lens of the Witaszkowo/Vettersfelde Hoard
Authors: Nebelsick Louis D.
Published: March 2024

In 1882, the lavishly decorated golden regalia of a steppe nomad warrior prince, which was crafted in the late sixth century BCE in a “bilingual” Scythian–Milesian workshop on the Black Sea coast, was found on the edge of a Lusatian swamp 120 km southeast of Berlin. Its discovery and the ongoing findings of steppe nomad armaments—arrows, battle axes, and swords—in central Europe have led to a lively debate about the nature of Scythian–Indigenous interaction in the Early Iron Age, ranging from benign visions of long-term acculturation to violent scenarios of short-term raiding. In this article, I argue that an analysis of the iconography of the Witaszkowo hoard and new information from excavations at its find spot make it likely that it was sent as a diplomatic gift by Scythian elites to an indigenous leader and deposited by the local community as a votive hoard. An affirmation of the compact chronological range of Scythian artefacts found in the west, growing evidence for the destruction of indigenous strongholds by horse-borne archers, and concurrent evidence for the drastic depopulation of vast landscapes in the second half of the sixth century BCE allow us to envisage the gifting of this hoard as an episode of a fierce and destructive altercation. It is posited that this onslaught was a facet of the western thrust of the Lydian and Persian Empires, and that its extirpative impact was the result of systematic, commercially driven slaving triggered by the concurrent monetisation of the economies of the Black Sea coast. The effects of these raids on Eastern Central Europe’s later prehistoric communities are made manifest by analogies to the disastrous ramifications of the transatlantic slave trade on societies of 16th-to-18th-century West Africa.
General Aspects of Line Shapes in Plasmas in the Presence of External Electric Fields
Authors: Alexiou Spiros
Published: March 2024

The present paper discusses a number of topics relevant to line broadening in the presence of periodic oscillatory fields. Specifically, we discuss the applicablility of the expression usually employed to compute the autocorrelation function, the dressing, accounting for random phases, neglecting fine structure and numerical issues associated with stiffnes.
Quantifying the Impact of Battery Degradation in Electric Vehicle Driving through Key Performance Indicators
Authors: Etxandi-Santolaya Maite , Mora-Pous Alba , Canals Casals Lluc , Corchero Cristina , Eichman Josh
Published: March 2024

As the Electric Vehicle market grows, understanding the implications of battery degradation on the driving experience is key to fostering trust among users and improving End of Life estimations. This study analyses various road types, charging behaviours and Electric Vehicle models to evaluate the impact of degradation on the performance. Key indicators related to the speed, acceleration, driving times and regenerative capabilities are obtained for different degradation levels to quantify the performance decay. Results show that the impact is highly dependent on the road type and nominal battery capacity. Vehicles with long and medium ranges show a robust performance for common driving conditions. Short-range vehicles perform adequately in urban and rural road conditions, but on highways, speed and acceleration reductions of up to 6.7 km/h and 3.96 (km/h)/s have been observed. The results of this study suggest that degradation should not be a concern for standard driving conditions and mid- and long-range vehicles currently dominate the market. In addition, the results are used to define a functional End of Life criterion based on performance loss, beyond the oversimplified 70–80% State-of-Health threshold, which does not consider individual requirements.
α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Tea and Kombucha from Rhizophora mucronata Leaves
Authors: Puspitasari Yunita Eka , Tuenter Emmy , Breynaert Annelies , Foubert Kenn , Herawati Herawati , Hariati Anik Martinah , Aulanni’am Aulanni’am , De Bruyne Tess , Hermans Nina
Published: March 2024

A decoction of Rhizophora mucronata Lam. mangrove bark is used as an antidiabetic treatment in Asia. Kombucha tea is a fermented beverage, which is also claimed to be antidiabetic. In this work, the potency of R. mucronata leaves as α-glucosidase inhibitor was studied to assess whether it could be a suitable alternative to the use of R. mucronata bark. α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined for three extracts prepared from R. mucronata leaves, being the unfermented tea of R. mucronata leaves, the fermented kombucha tea and an 80% methanolic extract of the residual R. mucronata leaves. Flavonoid glycosides were identified in tea powder, kombucha tea and in the crude methanolic extract. Both the unfermented tea and the kombucha tea after 7 days of fermentation inhibited α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 0.12 ± 0.02 mg/mL and 0.09 ± 0.04 mg/mL, respectively. The methanolic extract showed a stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared to the kombucha tea and tea powder with an IC50 value of 0.0435 ± 0.0007 mg/mL. Acarbose, used as a positive control, inhibited α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 2.4 ± 0.2 mg/mL. It was found that the three types of preparations of R. mucronata all were potent α-glucosidase inhibitors.
How Mitochondrial Signaling Games May Shape and Stabilize the Nuclear-Mitochondrial Symbiosis
Authors: Casey Will , Kumaran Thiviya , Massey Steven E. , Mishra Bud
Published: March 2024

The eukaryotic lineage has enjoyed a long-term “stable” mutualism between nucleus and mitochondrion, since mitochondrial endosymbiosis began about 2 billion years ago. This mostly cooperative interaction has provided the basis for eukaryotic expansion and diversification, which has profoundly altered the forms of life on Earth. While we ignore the exact biochemical details of how the alpha-proteobacterial ancestor of mitochondria entered into endosymbiosis with a proto-eukaryote, in more general terms, we present a signaling games perspective of how the cooperative relationship became established, and has been maintained. While games are used to understand organismal evolution, information-asymmetric games at the molecular level promise novel insights into endosymbiosis. Using a previously devised biomolecular signaling games approach, we model a sender–receiver information asymmetric game, in which the informed mitochondrial sender signals and the uninformed nuclear receiver may take actions (involving for example apoptosis, senescence, regeneration and autophagy/mitophagy). The simulation shows that cellularization is a stabilizing mechanism for Pareto efficient sender/receiver strategic interaction. In stark contrast, the extracellular environment struggles to maintain efficient outcomes, as senders are indifferent to the effects of their signals upon the receiver. Our hypothesis has translational implications, such as in cellular therapy, as mitochondrial medicine matures. It also inspires speculative conjectures about how an analogous human–AI endosymbiosis may be engineered.
Sulforaphane-Enriched Extracts from Broccoli Exhibit Antimicrobial Activity against Plant Pathogens, Promising a Natural Antimicrobial Agent for Crop Protection
Authors: He Lixia , Jiang Hanmin , Li Yaotong , Zhang Xu , Sun Wenting , Liu Ce , Zhao Zekai , Yun Chengrong , Li Hui , Wang Chunguo
Published: March 2024

Sulforaphane (SFN) is one of the hydrolysates of glucosinolates (GSLs), primarily derived from Brassica vegetables like broccoli. In clinical therapy, SFN has been proven to display antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the antimicrobial effects and mechanism of SFN against plant pathogens need to be further elucidated, which limits its application in agriculture. In this study, the genetic factors involved in SFN biosynthesis in 33 B. oleracea varieties were explored. The finding showed that besides the genetic background of different B. oleracea varieties, myrosinase and ESP genes play important roles in affecting SFN content. Subsequently, the molecular identification cards of these 33 B. oleracea varieties were constructed to rapidly assess their SFN biosynthetic ability. Furthermore, an optimized protocol for SFN extraction using low-cost broccoli curds was established, yielding SFN-enriched extracts (SFN-ee) containing up to 628.44 μg/g DW of SFN. The antimicrobial activity assay confirmed that SFN-ee obtained here remarkably inhibit the proliferation of nine tested microorganisms including four plant pathogens by destroying their membrane integrity. Additionally, the data demonstrated that exogenous application of SFN-ee could also induce ROS accumulation in broccoli leaves. These results indicated that SFN-ee should play a dual role in defense against plant pathogens by directly killing pathogenic cells and activating the ROS signaling pathway. These findings provide new evidence for the antimicrobial effect and mechanism of SFN against plant pathogens, and suggest that SFN-ee can be used as a natural plant antimicrobial agent for crop protection and food preservation.
The Association between Endometriosis and Obstructive Müllerian Anomalies
Authors: Takahashi Nozomi , Harada Miyuki , Kanatani Mayuko , Wada-Hiraike Osamu , Hirota Yasushi , Osuga Yutaka
Published: March 2024

It is unclear whether clinical background differs between endometriosis in adolescent patients with obstructive Müllerian anomalies and those without anomalies. The aim of the study is to identify the difference in clinical characteristics of endometriosis in patients with or without obstructive Müllerian anomalies. The study involved 12 patients aged under 24 years old who underwent primary surgery for obstructive Müllerian anomalies and 31 patients aged under 24 years old who underwent surgery for ovarian endometrioma. A total of 6 out of 12 cases with obstructive Müllerian anomalies developed endometriosis (4 Herlyn–Werner–Wunderlich syndrome, 2 non-communicating functional uterine horn, 2 cervical aplasia). The age at surgery was significantly younger in endometriosis with obstructive Müllerian anomalies, compared with those without obstructive Müllerian anomalies (17.8 ± 4.4 vs. 23.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.0007). The rate of endometrioma was 50.0% and the rate of hydrosalpinx was significantly higher (66.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.0002) in the group of obstructive Müllerian anomalies. The recurrence rate of endometriosis was 20.0% in the group of anomalies and 25.9% in the group of those without anomalies. Adolescent patients with obstructive Müllerian anomalies more easily developed endometriosis and co-occurred with higher rate of hematosalipinx.
Recurrence Pattern Is an Independent Surgical Prognostic Factor for Long-Term Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hsu Heng-Yuan , Tang Jui-Hsiang , Huang Song-Fong , Huang Chun-Wei , Lin Sey-En , Huang Shu-Wei , Lee Chao-Wei , Wu Tsung-Han , Yu Ming-Chin
Published: March 2024

Background: The perioperative outcomes of a partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have improved. However, high recurrence rates after a curative hepatectomy for HCC is still an issue. This study aimed to analyze the difference between various recurrence patterns. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 754 patients with HCC who underwent a curative hepatectomy between January 2012 and March 2021. Patients with recurrent events were categorized into three types: regional recurrence (type I), multiple intrahepatic recurrence (type II), or presence of any distant metastasis (type III). Results: The median follow-up period was 51.2 months. Regarding recurrence, 375 (49.7%) patients developed recurrence, with 244 (32.4%), 51 (6.8%), and 80 (10.6%) patients having type I, II, and III recurrence, respectively. Type III recurrence appeared to be more common in male patients and those with major liver resection, vascular invasion, a large tumor size (>5 cm), a higher tumor grade, and higher levels of AST and AFP (p < 0.05). Patients who had distant metastasis at recurrence had the shortest recurrence time and the worst overall survival (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Conclusions: our study demonstrated that recurrence with distant metastasis occurred earliest and had the worst outcome compared to regional or multiple intrahepatic recurrences.
The Role of Long Noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Esophageal Cancer Therapy Resistance and Metastasis
Authors: Weng Zong-Ping , Hsu Shen-Kai , Wang Hui-Min David , Chen Kuo-Jen , Lee Po-Yen , Chiu Chien-Chih , Cheng Kai-Chun
Published: March 2024

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most aggressive gastrointestinal cancers. Despite improvements in therapies, the survival rate of patients with EC remains low. Metastasis accounts for up to 90% of cancer-related deaths, and resistance to anti-neoplastic therapeutics is also a main cause of poor survival. Thus, metastasis and drug resistance are undoubtedly the two main challenges in cancer treatment. Among the different categories of noncoding RNAs, lncRNAs have historically drawn less attention. However, lncRNAs have gradually become a research hotspot, and increasing research has demonstrated that lncRNAs participate in the tumorigenesis of multiple types of cancer, including EC. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides in length that play important roles in epigenetics, transcription regulation, and posttranscriptional processing. In this review, we elucidated the role of lncRNAs in the metastasis and drug resistance of EC and discussed their potential clinical applications and related limitations. With a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs, we can identify therapeutic targets for EC in the future.
Unraveling the Role of Endothelial Dysfunction in Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Pathway to New Therapies
Authors: Shao Wenkai , Wang Ping , Lv Xiao , Wang Bo , Gong Song , Feng Yong
Published: March 2024

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a disabling disease characterized by the disruption of the blood supply to the femoral head, leading to the apoptosis and necrosis of bone cells and subsequent joint collapse. Total hip arthroplasty is not optimal since most patients are young. Multiple risk factors contribute to osteonecrosis, including glucocorticoid (GC) usage, excessive alcohol intake, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking. Continuous stimulation by many variables causes a chronic inflammatory milieu, with clinical repercussions including endothelial dysfunction, leading to thrombosis, coagulopathy, and poor angiogenesis. Immune cells are the primary regulators of inflammation. Innate and adaptive immune cells interact with endothelial cells to hinder the regeneration and repair of bone lesions. An in-depth examination of the pathological drivers of ONFH reveals that endothelial dysfunction may be a major cause of osteonecrosis. Understanding the involvement of endothelial dysfunction in the chronic inflammation of osteonecrosis could aid in the development of possible therapies. This review summarizes the role of endothelial cells in osteonecrosis and further explains the pathophysiological mechanism of endothelial dysfunction in this disease from the perspective of inflammation to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteonecrosis.
Bio-Inspired Neural Network for Real-Time Evasion of Multi-Robot Systems in Dynamic Environments
Authors: Li Junfei , Yang Simon X.
Published: March 2024

In complex and dynamic environments, traditional pursuit–evasion studies may face challenges in offering effective solutions to sudden environmental changes. In this paper, a bio-inspired neural network (BINN) is proposed that approximates a pursuit–evasion game from a neurodynamic perspective instead of formulating the problem as a differential game. The BINN is topologically organized to represent the environment with only local connections. The dynamics of neural activity, characterized by the neurodynamic shunting model, enable the generation of real-time evasive trajectories with moving or sudden-change obstacles. Several simulation and experimental results indicate that the proposed approach is effective and efficient in complex and dynamic environments.
Mandibular Overdenture Supported by Two or Four Unsplinted or Two Splinted Ti-Zr Mini-Implants: In Vitro Study of Peri-Implant and Edentulous Area Strains
Authors: Puljic Dario , Petricevic Nikola , Celebic Asja , Kovacic Ines , Milos Manuela , Pavic Dalibor , Milat Ognjen
Published: March 2024

Clinical indications for the newly released Ti-Zr (Roxolid®) alloy mini-implants (MDIs) aimed for overdenture (OD) retention in subjects with narrow alveolar ridges are not fully defined. The aim of this study was to analyze peri-implant and posterior edentulous area microstrains utilizing models of the mandible mimicking a “real” mouth situation with two (splinted with a bar or as single units) or four unsplinted Ti-Zr MDIs. The models were virtually designed from a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan of a convenient patient and printed. The artificial mucosa was two millimeters thick. After MDI insertion, the strain gauges were bonded on the oral and vestibular peri-implant sites, and on distal edentulous areas under a denture. After attaching the ODs to MDIs, the ODs were loaded using a metal plate positioned on the first artificial molars (posterior loadings) bilaterally and unilaterally with 50, 100, and 150 N forces, respectively. During anterior loadings, the plate was positioned on the denture’s incisors and loaded with 50 and 100 N forces. Each loading was repeated 15 times. The means with standard deviations, and the significance of the differences (two- and three-factor MANOVA) were calculated. Variations in the MDI number, location, and splinting status elicited different microstrains. Higher loading forces elicited higher microstrains. Unilateral loadings elicited higher microstrains than bilateral and anterior loadings, especially on the loading side. Peri-implant microstrains were lower in the four-MDI single-unit model than in both two-MDI models (unsplinted and splinted). Posterior implants showed higher peri-implant microstrains than anterior in the four-MDI model. The splinting of the two-MDI did not have a significant effect on peri-implant microstrains but elicited lower microstrains in the posterior edentulous area. The strains did not exceed the bone reparatory mechanisms, although precaution and additional study should be addressed when two Ti-Zr MDIs support mandibular ODs.
Ultrasensitive 3D Stacked Silicon Nanosheet Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor with Overcoming Debye Shielding Effect for Detection of DNA
Authors: Li Yinglu , Wei Shuhua , Xiong Enyi , Hu Jiawei , Zhang Xufang , Wang Yanrong , Zhang Jing , Yan Jiang , Zhang Zhaohao , Yin Huaxiang , Zhang Qingzhu
Published: March 2024

Silicon nanowire field effect (SiNW-FET) biosensors have been successfully used in the detection of nucleic acids, proteins and other molecules owing to their advantages of ultra-high sensitivity, high specificity, and label-free and immediate response. However, the presence of the Debye shielding effect in semiconductor devices severely reduces their detection sensitivity. In this paper, a three-dimensional stacked silicon nanosheet FET (3D-SiNS-FET) biosensor was studied for the high-sensitivity detection of nucleic acids. Based on the mainstream Gate-All-Around (GAA) fenestration process, a three-dimensional stacked structure with an 8 nm cavity spacing was designed and prepared, allowing modification of probe molecules within the stacked cavities. Furthermore, the advantage of the three-dimensional space can realize the upper and lower complementary detection, which can overcome the Debye shielding effect and realize high-sensitivity Point of Care Testing (POCT) at high ionic strength. The experimental results show that the minimum detection limit for 12-base DNA (4 nM) at 1 × PBS is less than 10 zM, and at a high concentration of 1 µM DNA, the sensitivity of the 3D-SiNS-FET is approximately 10 times higher than that of the planar devices. This indicates that our device provides distinct advantages for detection, showing promise for future biosensor applications in clinical settings.
Terahertz Radiation Modulates Neuronal Morphology and Dynamics Properties
Authors: Ma Shaoqing , Ding Peng , Zhou Zhengxuan , Jin Huilong , Li Xiaoli , Li Yingwei
Published: March 2024

Terahertz radiation falls within the spectrum of hydrogen bonding, molecular rotation, and vibration, as well as van der Waals forces, indicating that many biological macromolecules exhibit a strong absorption and resonance in this frequency band. Research has shown that the terahertz radiation of specific frequencies and energies can mediate changes in cellular morphology and function by exciting nonlinear resonance effects in proteins. However, current studies have mainly focused on the cellular level and lack systematic studies on multiple levels. Moreover, the mechanism and law of interaction between terahertz radiation and neurons are still unclear. Therefore, this paper analyzes the mechanisms by which terahertz radiation modulates the nervous system, and it analyzes and discusses the methods by which terahertz radiation modulates neurons. In addition, this paper reviews the laws of terahertz radiation’s influence on neuronal morphology and kinetic properties and discusses them in detail in terms of terahertz radiation frequency, energy, and time. In the future, the safety of the terahertz radiation system should be considered first to construct the safety criterion of terahertz modulation, and the spatial resolution of the terahertz radiation system should be improved. In addition, the systematic improvement of the laws and mechanisms of terahertz modulation of the nervous system on multiple levels is the key to applying terahertz waves to neuroscience. This paper can provide a platform for researchers to understand the mechanism of the terahertz–nervous system interaction, its current status, and future research directions.
Investigation of the Structural Strength of Expansive Soil in a Seasonally Frozen Region
Authors: Sun Xun , Song Shengyuan , Niu Cencen , Zhang Xudong , Dou Chaoren , Xia Weitong , Li Xinghua , Wang Qing
Published: March 2024

The existence of structural strength in undisturbed soil results in its distinct characteristics compared to remolded soil. Under the influence of freeze–thaw cycles, this difference may easily cause geotechnical disasters in cold regions. This study aimed to analyze and discuss the expression degree and influencing factors of the structural strength of expansive soil. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, high-pressure consolidation test, and microscopic test were performed on expansive soil retrieved from a seasonally frozen region. Moreover, sensitivity parameters, including stress sensitivity (St.qu, St.σk) and strain sensitivity (St.ɛu, St.Cc), were applied to explore the expression degree and influencing factors of structural strength in a seasonally frozen region. The results reveal that the undisturbed samples have better structural connection and particle arrangement than the remolded samples. However, the primary fractures have a certain degrading effect on the strength of the undisturbed soil as influenced by a seasonally frozen region. With the increase in water content and the decrease in density, the expression degree of the structural strength in terms of compressive strength and the ability to resist deformation enhances under the unconfined condition. By contrast, the expression degree increases in strength and decreases in ability under the confined condition. Furthermore, the effect mechanisms of the basic property, particle composition, structural linkage, lateral confinement, and historical role on the structural expression were analyzed.
Empirical Fragility Analysis of Haitian Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Buildings
Authors: Laguerre Marc-Ansy , Salehi Mohammad , Desroches Reginald
Published: March 2024

This study develops empirical fragility curves for concrete and masonry buildings in Haiti, utilizing data from the 2021 earthquake. A dataset of 3527 buildings from the StEER database, encompassing a diverse range of building types, is used. These buildings types include reinforced concrete structures with masonry infills, confined masonry buildings, reinforced masonry bearing walls, and unreinforced masonry bearing walls. Shakemaps from the USGS are utilized to assess the earthquake’s intensity at each building, with the peak ground acceleration (PGA) as the intensity measure. Damage is classified into five distinct states: no damage, minor, moderate, severe, and partial or total collapse. For each of these states, the corresponding probabilities of exceedance are calculated, and log-normal cumulative distribution functions were fitted to those data to produce empirical fragility curves. The results show a notable similarity in performance among the four types, each having high probability of failure even under low-intensity earthquakes. Total fragility curves (including all four building types) are developed subsequently and they are convolved to the probabilistic seismic hazard map of Haiti to assess the seismic risk. This includes estimating the annual probability of partial/total collapse and the probability of partial/total collapse in the event of 475-year and 2475-year earthquakes. The results indicate a significant risk, with up to 64% probability of collapse in certain areas for the 2475-year earthquake and a probability of collapse of 15% for a 475-year earthquake. These findings underscore the critical vulnerability of Haiti’s buildings to seismic events and the urgent need for their retrofit.
Emotional Landscapes in Urban Design: Analyzing Color Emotional Responses of the Elderly to Community Outdoor Spaces in Yi Jie Qu
Authors: Zhang Chengyan , Chen Youjia , Dewancker Bart Julien , Shentu Chaojie , Tian Hao , Liu Yutong , Wan Jiangjun , Zhang Xinyue , Li Jinghui
Published: March 2024

Addressing the emotional needs of the elderly in urban space design has increasingly become a vital concern. This study innovatively integrates emotional theories with the design of community outdoor spaces, thereby expanding the research on emotional categorization in urban spaces. At 8 community outdoor space sites in Yi Jie Qu, China, 330 elderly residents were randomly recruited to assess their color emotional responses (CER) to the color landscapes of these spaces. Based on the Affective Circumplex Model and Japanese Color Image Theory, a Color Emotion Circumplex was constructed to visually represent the overall emotional tendencies and significant positive emotions of the elderly. The second innovation of this research lies in exploring the driving factors behind positive emotional responses of the elderly, the primary user group of community outdoor spaces. We analyzed the significant differences in CER between autumn and winter scenes, employing variance analysis, correlation, and regression to investigate the substantial effects of individual factors and color characteristics on positive CER. The study discovered that the elderly exhibit a stronger CER towards clean and healthy emotions. Notably, CER was more pronounced in autumn scenes compared to winter. Furthermore, educational level, visit frequency, and color brightness positively influenced positive CER, whereas walking time from residence and the color area ratios of blue and gray negatively impacted CER. These findings not only provide a theoretical basis for age-friendly color design in community spaces, but also offer new perspectives and practical guidance for the international community planning and design domain. Our research underscores the importance of incorporating the emotional needs of the elderly into urban space design, offering novel theoretical and practical guidance for future urban planning and community design.
A Study on the Factors Influencing High Backfill Slope Reinforced with Anti-Slide Piles under Static Load Based on Numerical Simulation
Authors: Zhou Baogui , Zhong Huabin , Yang Kaipeng , Yang Xueqiang , Cai Chifeng , Xiao Jie , Liu Yongjian , Yuan Bingxiang
Published: March 2024

Based on a real engineering case, this study employs the MIDAS finite element software to model the reinforced high embankment slope using anti-sliding piles. The accuracy of the finite element method is verified by comparing calculated outcomes with field monitoring data. Expanding on this foundation, an analysis of factors influencing the reinforced high embankment slope is undertaken to scrutinize the impact of diverse elements on the slope and ascertain the optimal reinforcement strategy. The results reveal the following: The principal displacement observed in the high embankment slope is a vertical settlement, which escalates with the backfill height. Notably, the highest settlement does not manifest at the summit of the initial slope; instead, it emerges close to the summits of the subsequent two slopes. However, the maximum horizontal displacement at the slope’s zenith diminishes as the fill height increases—a trend that aligns with both field observations and finite element computations. The examination of the influence of anti-sliding pile reinforcement on the high embankment slope unveils that factors like the length, diameter, spacing, and positioning of the anti-sliding piles exert minor impacts on vertical settlement, while variations in the parameters of the anti-sliding piles significantly affect the slope’s horizontal displacement. When using anti-sliding piles to reinforce multi-level high embankment slopes, factoring in the extent of horizontal displacement variation and potential cost savings, the optimal parameters for the anti-sliding piles are a length of 15 m, a diameter of 1.5 m, and a spacing of 2.5 m, presenting the most effective combination to ensure superior slope stability and support.
Carbon Assessment of a Wooden Single-Family Building—Focusing on Re-Used Building Products
Authors: Petrović Bojana , Eriksson Ola , Zhang Xingxing , Wallhagen Marita
Published: March 2024

Previous research has shown a lack of studies with comparisons between primary (virgin) and secondary (re-used) building materials, and their embodied emissions. The creation of different scenarios comparing the environmental impact of virgin vs. re-used materials is also motivated by the scarcity of raw materials in the world and the emergency of mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings. The aim of this study was to investigate scenarios, including new vs. re-used building products, applying the LCA method for a wooden single-family building. The findings showed a 23% reduction potential for total released (positive) CO2e when comparing the Reference scenario with Scenario I, using re-used wooden-based materials. Further, Scenario II, using all re-used building materials except for installations, showed a 59% CO2e reduction potential compared to the Reference scenario. Finally, Scenario III, which assumes all re-used building products, showed a 92% decreased global warming potential (GWP) impact compared to the Reference scenario. However, when including biogenic carbon and benefits (A5 and D module), the Reference scenario, based on newly produced wooden building materials, has the largest negative GHG emissions. It can be concluded that the re-use of building products leads to significant carbon savings compared to using new building products.
Integrating Digital Twins with BIM for Enhanced Building Control Strategies: A Systematic Literature Review Focusing on Daylight and Artificial Lighting Systems
Authors: Hauer Martin , Hammes Sascha , Zech Philipp , Geisler-Moroder David , Plörer Daniel , Miller Josef , van Karsbergen Vincent , Pfluger Rainer
Published: March 2024

In the architecture, engineering, and construction industries, the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become instrumental in shaping the design and commissioning of smart buildings. At the center of this development is the pursuit of more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable built environments. The emergence of smart buildings equipped with advanced sensor networks and automation systems increasingly requires the implementation of Digital Twins (DT) for the direct coupling of BIM methods for integral building planning, commissioning, and operational monitoring. While simulation tools and methods exist in the design phase of developing advanced controls, their mapping to construction or post-construction models is less well developed. Through systematic, keyword-based literature research on publisher-independent databases, this review paper gives a comprehensive overview of the state of the research on BIM integration of building control systems with a primary focus on combined controls for daylight and artificial lighting systems. The review, supported by a bibliometric literature analysis, highlights major development fields in HVAC controls, failure detection, and fire-detection systems, while the integration of daylight and artificial lighting controls in Digital Twins is still at an early stage of development. In addition to already existing reviews in the context of BIM and Digital planning methods, this review particularly intends to build the necessary knowledge base to further motivate research activities to integrate simulation-based control methods in the BIM planning process and to further close the gap between planning, implementation, and commissioning.
Design Method for Local Buckling Resistance of Double Steel Plate–Concrete Composite Walls with Stiffening Ribs and Tie Plates
Authors: Wu Bin , Wu Jia-Ning , Lu Yan , Zhang Wei-Yi , Zhang Dong , Wang Song-Han
Published: March 2024

An ordinary double steel plate–concrete composite wall (ODSC wall) is composed of core concrete, the faceplates, and shear connectors such as studs, etc. Based on an ODSC wall, a new type of stiffened double steel plate–concrete composite wall (SDSC wall) is conceived by incorporating additional stiffeners and tie plates on the internal surface, which aims to improve the local stability of the faceplates. In the authors’ previous study, a series of axial compression tests were conducted on the SDSC walls. The SDSC walls in the test showed better mechanical performance, as the presence of stiffeners changed the buckling deformation mode and significantly improved the corresponding local buckling stress and ultimate strength. In this paper, a comprehensive summary of the prior research on SDSC walls is provided, and the effect of the constructive parameters on the local stability is discussed. The results reveal that the modified formula of the critical stress can degrade to the Euler formula when the stiffener-to-stud spacing ratio (i.e., a/B ratio) approaches infinity. What is more, the analysis model is also applicable for DSC walls with enclosed side plates, and the proposed formula can predict the buckling stress of the SDSC walls with different a/B ratios. In addition, according to the analysis of the numerical simulation, a design approach for SDSC walls to prevent local buckling is provided, which is applicable in practical engineering applications.
High Pretreatment DHEA Is Associated with Inferior Immunotherapy Response in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yumeng , Darville Lancia , Hogue Stephanie , Hallanger Johnson Julie E. , Rose Trevor , Kim Youngchul , Bailey Alexis , Gray Jhanelle E. , Robinson Lary A.
Published: March 2024

Background: Sex difference in the immune response may influence patients’ response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We conducted a prospective observation study to determine the correlation between pretreatment sex hormone levels and response to ICIs in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Method: Pretreatment plasma samples from 61 patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC prior to ICI therapy were collected. Six sex hormone levels [pyrazole triol, 17 β-estradiol, 5-androstenediol, 3β-androstenediol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and S-equol] were measured using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between the high- and low-level groups in the whole cohort. Result: Among the six sex hormones measured, DHEA levels were significantly higher among patients without clinical benefits in the discovery cohort; the remaining sex hormones did not differ significantly. In the whole cohort, median PFS was 22 months for patients with low DHEA levels vs. 3.8 months for those with high DHEA [hazard ratio, 14.23 (95% CI, 4.7–43); p < 0.001]. A significant association was also observed for OS [hazard ratio, 8.2 (95% CI, 2.89–23.35); p < 0.0001]. Conclusions: High pretreatment plasma DHEA levels were associated with poor clinical outcomes for patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with ICIs.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) for Early-Stage Head and Neck Squamous-Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue: Twenty Years of Experience at I.N.T. “G.Pascale”
Authors: Ionna Franco , Pavone Ettore , Aversa Corrado , Maffia Francesco , Spinelli Raffaele , Carraturo Emanuele , Salzano Giovanni , Maglitto Fabio , Sarcinella Marco , Fusco Roberta , Granata Vincenza , Lastoria Secondo , Del Prato Francesco , Maglione Maria
Published: March 2024

Oral tongue squamous-cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is the most prevalent malignancy in the head and neck region. Lymphatic spread, particularly to cervical lymph nodes, significantly impacts 5-year survival rates, emphasizing the criticality of precise staging. Metastatic cervical lymph nodes can decrease survival rates by 50%. Yet, elective neck dissection (END) in T1–2 cN0 patients proves to be an overtreatment in around 80% of cases. To address this, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was introduced, aiming to minimize postoperative morbidity. This study, conducted at the ENT and Maxillofacial Surgery department of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Naples, explores SLNB’s efficacy in early-stage oral tongue squamous-cell carcinoma (OTSCC). From January 2020 to January 2022, 122 T1/T2 cN0 HNSCC patients were enrolled. Radioactive tracers and lymphoscintigraphy identified sentinel lymph nodes, aided by a gamma probe during surgery. Results revealed 24.6% SLN biopsy positivity, with 169 SLNs resected and a 21.9% positivity ratio. The study suggests SLNB’s reliability for T1-2 cN0 OTSCC patient staging and early micrometastasis detection.
The Clinical Value of Pre-Diagnostic Thrombocytosis for the Detection of Lung Cancer in Primary Care
Authors: Barlow Melissa , Hamilton Willie , Bailey Sarah E. R.
Published: March 2024

Thrombocytosis is a risk marker for lung cancer in primary care. We investigated whether thrombocytosis presents pre-diagnostically for all the histological subtypes of lung cancer and its association with the stage at diagnosis. A matched cohort study used English electronic primary care data linked to the national cancer registry. Patients diagnosed with lung cancer aged ≥40 years with no prior history of malignancy were matched by age, sex, and general practice to five controls without lung cancer. Multivariable logistic regression models quantified the incidence of pre-diagnostic thrombocytosis and advanced-stage diagnoses, adjusting for COPD diagnosis, smoking status, and anti-platelet drug prescriptions. A total of 9504 cases were matched to 45,647 controls, consisting of 3260 (34%) adenocarcinomas (ADC), 2020 (21%) squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 70 (<1%) large-cell carcinomas (LCC), and 1089 (12%) small-cell lung cancers (SCLC). The patients with lung cancer were 8.9 (95% CI 8.0–9.9) times more likely to exhibit pre-diagnostic thrombocytosis than the controls. The odds ratios were highest for the comparison between SCC and ADC (1.8, 95% CI 1.5–2.1). Thrombocytosis is associated with advanced-stage ADC and SCC but presented equally for early- and advanced-stage SCLC. Pre-diagnostic thrombocytosis may aid in the detection of all the histological subtypes in primary care.