bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neovascular Glaucoma as the First Symptom of Bilateral Occlusive Retinal Vasculitis in a 4-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report
Authors: Rakusiewicz-Krasnodębska Klaudia , Jędrzejczak-Młodziejewska Joanna , Kanigowska Krystyna , Hautz Wojciech
Published: January 2025

Neovascular glaucoma is a rare and serious condition typically associated with advanced ocular or systemic vascular diseases such as central retinal vein occlusion or diabetic retinopathy. This report describes a unique case of neovascular glaucoma presenting for the first time as an initial symptom of bilateral occlusive retinal vasculitis (ORV) in a generally healthy 4-year-old girl. The patient presented with symptoms of pain and redness in the left eye, accompanied by high intraocular pressure. These symptoms were particularly distressing and uncharacteristic for such a young child. Clinical examination revealed significant findings, including elevated intraocular pressure, corneal edema, and iris neovascularization in the left eye. Additional imaging studies, including fluorescein angiography, demonstrated extensive retinal ischemia with peripheral capillary nonperfusion, confirming the diagnosis of occlusive vasculitis. The management of this case was challenging due to the progressive and aggressive nature of the disease in a 4-year-old patient. This article aims to present the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the management of this condition. This report highlights a rare case of neovascular glaucoma as the first manifestation of bilateral ORV in a young child. The unusual presentation emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion and comprehensive evaluation in cases of pediatric neovascular glaucoma. Early diagnosis and prompt, multimodal treatment are crucial in preventing irreversible vision loss in such cases.
Humoral and Cellular Immunity After Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Interferon Beta and Dimethyl Fumarate
Authors: Bazylewicz Marcin , Zajkowska Monika , Gudowska-Sawczuk Monika , Kułakowski Rafał , Mroczko Jan , Mirowska-Guzel Dagmara , Kulikowska-Łoś Joanna , Czarnowska Agata , Mroczko Barbara , Kochanowicz Jan , Kułakowska Alina
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The impact of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 on the immunity of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is still not fully known. Further clarification could help address medical concerns related to the use of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory medications, known as disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), in PwMS, as well as ensure adequate protection against severe outcomes of COVID-19. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the humoral and cellular immune response in PwMS treated with DMTs. Methods: The concentrations of IgG Spike (S) anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and IgG Nucleocapsid (N) anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, as well as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) titers were analyzed in PwMS groups treated with dimethyl fumarate (DMF), interferon beta (IFN), and healthy control group. Results: Almost 100% of PwMS experienced seroconversion, which resulted from either vaccination and/or prior infection. Additionally, there were no significant differences between the study and control groups in terms of IgG (S) and (N) anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels. However, interferon-gamma titers were lower in both PwMS groups, which may indicate adequate humoral and decreased cellular response to the examined PwMS. Additionally, after the division of the whole study group into two subgroups according to the time since the last vaccination, IgG (S) anti-SARS-CoV-2 and IFN-γ concentrations were significantly lower in the case of patients who were immunized more than 200 days before sample collection. No differences were observed in the case of subgroups in which sample collection was less than 200 days after vaccination when compared to the control group. Conclusions: This could indicate a time-related decrease in immunity in PwMS treated with DMTs.
A Symmetrical Leech-Inspired Soft Crawling Robot Based on Gesture Control
Authors: Li Jiabiao , Liu Ruiheng , Zhang Tianyu , Liu Jianbin
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a novel soft crawling robot controlled by gesture recognition, aimed at enhancing the operability and adaptability of soft robots through natural human–computer interactions. The Leap Motion sensor is employed to capture hand gesture data, and Unreal Engine is used for gesture recognition. Using the UE4Duino, gesture semantics are transmitted to an Arduino control system, enabling direct control over the robot’s movements. For accurate and real-time gesture recognition, we propose a threshold-based method for static gestures and a backpropagation (BP) neural network model for dynamic gestures. In terms of design, the robot utilizes cost-effective thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film as the primary pneumatic actuator material. Through a positive and negative pressure switching circuit, the robot’s actuators achieve controllable extension and contraction, allowing for basic movements such as linear motion and directional changes. Experimental results demonstrate that the robot can successfully perform diverse motions under gesture control, highlighting the potential of gesture-based interaction in soft robotics.
Artificial Visual System for Stereo-Orientation Recognition Based on Hubel-Wiesel Model
Authors: Li Bin , Todo Yuki , Tang Zheng
Published: January 2025

Stereo-orientation selectivity is a fundamental neural mechanism in the brain that plays a crucial role in perception. However, due to the recognition process of high-dimensional spatial information commonly occurring in high-order cortex, we still know little about the mechanisms underlying stereo-orientation selectivity and lack a modeling strategy. A classical explanation for the mechanism of two-dimensional orientation selectivity within the primary visual cortex is based on the Hubel-Wiesel model, a cascading neural connection structure. The local-to-global information aggregation thought within the Hubel-Wiesel model not only contributed to neurophysiology but also inspired the development of computer vision fields. In this paper, we provide a clear and efficient conceptual understanding of stereo-orientation selectivity and propose a quantitative explanation for its generation based on the thought of local-to-global information aggregation within the Hubel-Wiesel model and develop an artificial visual system (AVS) for stereo-orientation recognition. Our approach involves modeling depth selective cells to receive depth information, simple stereo-orientation selective cells for combining distinct depth information inputs to generate various local stereo-orientation selectivity, and complex stereo-orientation selective cells responsible for integrating the same local information to generate global stereo-orientation selectivity. Simulation results demonstrate that our AVS is effective in stereo-orientation recognition and robust against spatial noise jitters. AVS achieved an overall over 90% accuracy on noise data in orientation recognition tasks, significantly outperforming deep models. In addition, the AVS contributes to enhancing deep models’ performance, robustness, and stability in 3D object recognition tasks. Notably, AVS enhanced the TransNeXt model in improving its overall performance from 73.1% to 97.2% on the 3D-MNIST dataset and from 56.1% to 86.4% on the 3D-Fashion-MNIST dataset. Our explanation for the generation of stereo-orientation selectivity offers a reliable, explainable, and robust approach for extracting spatial features and provides a straightforward modeling method for neural computation research.
Terminological Resources for Biologically Inspired Design and Biomimetics: Evaluation of the Potential for Ontology Reuse
Authors: Yargan Dilek , Jansen Ludger
Published: January 2025

Biomimetics aims to learn from living systems to develop innovative technical artefacts. As it transcends disciplinary boundaries and needs to integrate both biological and technological knowledge, a domain ontology for biomimetics would be highly desirable. So far, several terminological resources have been designed to support the biomimetic development process. This paper examines nine resources for Biologically Inspired Design and biomimetics, including taxonomies, thesauri, and ontologies. Their benefits and limitations for structuring or organising biomimetic knowledge are evaluated against nine criteria, including availability, clarity, and machine readability. Our analysis shows that existing terminological resources have little to no potential for reuse due to inconsistent structure, ambiguous class labels, lack of standardisation, and lack of availability. Furthermore, no resource adequately represents biomimetic knowledge, as all resources suffer from limitations in content representation, reusability, or infrastructure. In particular, an adequate domain ontology for supporting biomimetic development is lacking; we discuss the desiderata for such an ontology.
Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Detection of Methamphetamine and Cocaine via Aptamer-Based Lateral Flow Test
Authors: Erkocyigit Bilge , Man Ezgi , Efecan Ece , Ozufuklar Ozge , Devecioglu Deniz , Bagci Basak , Aldemir Ebru , Coskunol Hakan , Evran Serap , Guler Celik Emine
Published: January 2025

Drug abuse is a major public problem in the workplace, traffic, and forensic issues, which requires a standardized test device to monitor on-site drug use. For field testing, the most important requirements are portability, sensitivity, non-invasiveness, and quick results. Motivated by this problem, a point of care (POC) test based on lateral flow assay (LFA) was developed for the detection of cocaine (COC) and methamphetamine (MET) in saliva which has been selected as the matrix for this study due to its rapid and non-invasive collection process. In the design strategy of an LFA test, the use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with strong optical properties has been combined with the advantages of selecting aptamers under in vitro conditions, making it a highly specific and stable recognition probe for the detection of small molecules in saliva. The developed aptamer-based LFA in a competitive format, was able to detect COC and MET in synthetic saliva at concentrations as low as 5.0 ng/mL. After analytical performance studies, the test system also detected COC and MET in real patient samples, which was verified by chromatographic methods.
Walking and Hippocampal Formation Volume Changes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Khalil Mohamed Hesham
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Sustaining the human brain’s hippocampus from atrophy throughout ageing is critical. Exercise is proven to be effective in promoting adaptive hippocampal plasticity, and the hippocampus has a bidirectional relationship with the physical environment. Therefore, this systematic review explores the effects of walking, a simple physical activity in the environment, on hippocampal formation volume changes for lifelong brain and cognitive health. Method: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for studies on humans published up to November 2022 examining hippocampal volume changes and walking. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale and ROBINS-I tool. A narrative synthesis explored walking factors associated with total, subregional, and hemisphere-specific hippocampal volume changes. Results: Overall, walking had positive effects on hippocampal volumes. Several studies found benefits of higher-intensity and greater amounts of walking for total hippocampal volume. The subiculum increased after low-intensity walking and nature exposure, while the parahippocampal gyrus benefited from vigorous intensity. The right hippocampus increased with spatial navigation during walking. No studies examined the effect of walking on the dentate gyrus. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights walking as a multifaceted variable that can lead to manifold adaptive hippocampal volume changes. These findings support the promotion of walking as a simple, effective strategy to enhance brain health and prevent cognitive decline, suggesting the design of physical environments with natural and biophilic characteristics and layouts with greater walkability and cognitive stimulation. Future research is encouraged to explore the hippocampal subregional changes instead of focusing on total hippocampal volume, since the hippocampal formation is multicompartmental and subfields respond differently to different walking-related variables.
Resilient Cultural Practices in Mexican Immigrant Families: Children’s Helping and Parental Goals and Aspirations
Authors: López-Fraire Angélica , Correa-Chávez Maricela
Published: January 2025

This study examined 20 parental interviews of third-grade children in U.S. Mexican-heritage families in California, focusing on their children’s helping at home, parents’ goals for their children, and the values they hoped to instill in their children. The families varied in their experience with Learning by Observing and Pitching In (LOPI), a way of organizing learning that is consistent with the traditions of Indigenous and Indigenous-heritage communities of the Americas. Based on previous research in Mexico, we expected to find differences between the families related to familiarity with middle-class ways of organizing learning (associated with increased schooling) or familiarity with LOPI. Instead, we found that children in all families were helping at home and that when parents spoke about the goals and values they hoped their children remembered, they consistently spoke about the importance of community, family, and respect in a pattern that is consistent with the ideas of LOPI regardless of increased school experience. We explored the idea of resilient cultural practices in immigrant communities and the development of a repertoire of cultural practices, drawing on multiple traditions in different situations. This contributes to the idea that different cultural forms of organizing teaching and learning need not be mutually exclusive. It also supports the idea that efforts aimed at continuing historical cultural traditions can maintain these cultural practices over generations, even in the case of migration and increased participation in other cultural institutions (like school).
Exploring Community Resilience: The Joint Roles of Environmental Knowledge and Risk Perception in Pro-Environmental Behavior
Authors: Zhang Yu , Dong Zihao , Mao Yanying , Huo Xiaosen , Wu Liu
Published: January 2025

Promoting pro-environmental behaviors among individuals in the community is crucial to increase community resilience and to address environmental challenges. However, a persistent intention–behavior gap often exists, particularly in separate private or public spheres. Historically, addressing this gap has involved focusing on single moderating variables such as environmental knowledge or environmental risk perception. Yet, few studies have examined it in both spheres under the combined moderating influence of two variables. Our research plans to bridge this gap by exploring pro-environmental behaviors in the private and public spheres using conditional process models under the joint moderating effects of EK and environmental risk perception. Our findings reveal a larger intention–behavior gap in the public sphere compared to the private sphere, which highlights the greater challenges in translating environmental intentions into collective actions within the community. In private sphere behaviors, we observe the most significant positive moderating effect on intention–behavior alignment when individuals possess high environmental knowledge coupled with low environmental risk perception. This combination facilitates the bridging of the intention–behavior gap, fostering individual actions that can contribute to community resilience. Conversely, in public sphere behaviors, optimal alignment occurs when both environmental knowledge and risk perception are high, facilitating the translation of intentions into actions. These insights offer targeted policy recommendations for governments and policymakers, contributing to a deeper understanding of increasing community resilience.
Carbon-Neutral Infrastructure
Authors: Wang Wentong , Yuan Dongdong , Cannone Falchetto Augusto , Guo Fucheng
Published: January 2025

As global awareness of climate change intensifies, the significance of carbon neutrality has become increasingly evident and a pivotal sustainable development target for human society to pursue [...]
Dermoscopy of Basal Cell Carcinoma Part 2: Dermoscopic Findings by Lesion Subtype, Location, Age of Onset, Size and Patient Phototype
Authors: Wojtowicz Irena , Żychowska Magdalena
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent type of skin cancer worldwide. Despite its low metastatic potential, certain subtypes present an aggressive clinical course. Part II focuses on the different dermoscopic patterns observed in BCC, depending on the lesion subtype, its location on the body, the patient’s age, the size of the tumor, and skin phototype. Methods: A search of the PubMed database was conducted for studies reporting dermoscopic findings in BCC across all body locations, histopathologic subtypes, tumor sizes, ages of onset and skin phototypes. Results: There are no dermoscopic features indicative of a particular BCC subtype. However, arborizing, truncated or glomerular vessels, shiny white lines, ulceration, white areas, absence of pink zones and large blue-gray ovoid nests suggest high-risk BCCs (morpheaform, micronodular, infiltrative, basosquamous). Pigmented features can occur in all BCC types, though increased pigmentation indicates less aggressive subtypes (nodular, superficial, fibroepithelioma of Pinkus, adenoid). BCCs most commonly develop on the head, typically presenting as nodular and non-pigmented tumors. Those on the nose, eyes and ears may be more aggressive and prone to recurrence. On the trunk, BCCs are usually superficial and pigmented. Lower limb lesions often show polymorphous vessels rather than arborizing ones, which makes the dermoscopic diagnosis challenging. Dermoscopy aids early detection, with larger tumors exhibiting more established features but no size-specific patterns. Aggressive subtypes display similar dermoscopic findings regardless of size. Conclusions: Dermoscopy is a valuable tool for the early detection of BCC, though no specific dermoscopic features can definitively identify subtypes. High-risk BCCs can be suspected when distinct vascular and structural patterns are present, particularly in lesions located on the face, especially around the nose, eyes and ears, while pigmented features may indicate less aggressive subtypes.
Beliefs and Perceptions in Attending the Cervical Screening: The COMUNISS Project Experience
Authors: Muresu Narcisa , Sechi Illari , Puci Mariangela Valentina , Dettori Marco , Piana Andrea
Published: January 2025

Background: Several studies highlighted that tailored health communication interventions improve cervical screening participation, vaccination coverage, and awareness about self-sampling benefits. The “COMUNISS” project was aimed at increasing awareness about cervical cancer prevention, identifying barriers to screening, and promoting screening uptake in under-screened women. Methods: A dedicated website with a Q&A session regarding HPV-associated diseases has been set up. Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire to gather demographic information, knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer, and attitudes toward screening based on the Health Beliefs Model (HBM). Women can also require a vaginal self-sampling kit at your home to perform the HPV-DNA analysis. Results: The website registered over 1000 users over 6 months, and 256 women completed the survey. Nearly half were under-screened. The HBM revealed a high susceptibility and severity perception of diseases, regardless of screening participation, whereas older women declared a high perception of barriers. One-quarter of the women who had requested the self-collection kit returned it for the HPV-DNA testing. Conclusions: The project found significant gaps in knowledge regarding extra-cervical HPV-related cancers, interpretation of screening results, and effectiveness of self-collection. These findings highlight the need to plan targeted information campaigns to enhance awareness and adherence to screening programs.
Racial and Geographic Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Associated County-Level Risk Factors in Mississippi, 2003–2020: An Ecological Study
Authors: Sarkar Shamim , McKay Sasha , Williams Jennie L. , Meliker Jaymie R.
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States (U.S.). Mississippi has the highest rate of CRC incidence in the U.S. and has large populations of black and white individuals, allowing for studies of racial disparities. Methods: We conducted an ecological study using the county as the unit of analysis. CRC incidence data at the county level for black and white populations in Mississippi, covering the years 2003 to 2020, were retrieved from the Mississippi Cancer Registry. Age-adjusted incidence rate differences and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were then calculated for these groups. Getis–Ord Gi* hot and cold spot analysis of CRC incidence rate racial disparities was performed using ArcGIS Pro. We used global ordinary least square regression and geographically weighted regression (MGWR version 2.2) to identify factors associated with racial differences in CRC incidence rates. Results: Age-adjusted CRC incidence rate in the black population (median = 58.12/100,000 population) and in the white population (median = 46.44/100,000 population) varied by geographical area. Statistically significant racial differences in CRC incidence rates were identified in 28 counties, all of which showed higher incidence rates among the black population compared to the white population. No hot spots were detected, indicating that there were no spatial clusters of areas with pronounced racial disparities. As a post hoc analysis, after considering multicollinearity and a directed acyclic graph, a parsimonious multiple regression model showed an association (β = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.25, 1.62) indicating that a 1% increase in food insecurity was associated with a 0.93/100,000 differential increase in the black–white CRC incidence rate. Geographically weighted regression did not reveal any local patterns in this association. Conclusions: Black–white racial disparities in CRC incidence were found in 28 counties in Mississippi. The county-level percentage of food insecurity emerged as a possible predictor of the observed black–white racial disparities in CRC incidence rates. Individual-level studies are needed to clarify whether food insecurity is a driver of these disparities or a marker of systemic disadvantage in these counties.
Anal Cancer Screening: 10-Year Experience of a Specialized Outpatient Clinic
Authors: Espirito Santo Iolanda , Kefleyesus Amaniel , Chilou Camille , Faes Seraina , Clerc Daniel , Hübner Martin , Hahnloser Dieter , Grass Fabian
Published: January 2025

In 2012, the Department of Visceral Surgery of the Lausanne University Hospital CHUV implemented a dedicated high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) outpatient clinic for surveillance and follow-up purposes. This 10-year longitudinal study analyzed 537 patients (2214 visits) using a structured screening protocol. Dysplastic lesions were detected in 49% of patients, predominantly low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs, 74%). Among LSIL cases, 6% progressed to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) within 24 months, reaching 25% cumulative progression at 36 months. Of HSIL patients, 3% developed carcinoma in situ after 48 months. Notably, no invasive carcinoma was observed during the follow-up. Four patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma at initial screening were treated with chemoradiotherapy, and one required salvage surgery. Independent risk factors for the presence of higher-stage precancerous lesions (≥HSILs) were the presence of high-risk HPV genotypes (OR 14.5, 95% CI 5–42.2, p < 0.001), detectable HIV viral load (OR 5.4, 95% CI 1.8–16.7, p = 0.003), and symptoms at the first screening visit (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1–9.9, p = 0.04). HIV-positive status was associated with a trend towards an increased risk of progression (OR 2.79, p = 0.073). These findings highlight the importance of systematic follow-up and early intervention in high-risk populations to prevent anal cancer progression.
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Global Breast Cancer Care: A Scoping Review of Applications, Outcomes, and Challenges
Authors: Chia Jolene Li Ling , He George Shiyao , Ngiam Kee Yuen , Hartman Mikael , Ng Qin Xiang , Goh Serene Si Ning
Published: January 2025

Background: In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown transformative potential in advancing breast cancer care globally. This scoping review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of AI applications in breast cancer care, examining how they could reshape diagnosis, treatment, and management on a worldwide scale and discussing both the benefits and challenges associated with their adoption. Methods: In accordance with PRISMA-ScR and ensuing guidelines on scoping reviews, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase were systematically searched from inception to end of May 2024. Keywords included “Artificial Intelligence” and “Breast Cancer”. Original studies were included based on their focus on AI applications in breast cancer care and narrative synthesis was employed for data extraction and interpretation, with the findings organized into coherent themes. Results: Finally, 84 articles were included. The majority were conducted in developed countries (n = 54). The majority of publications were in the last 10 years (n = 83). The six main themes for AI applications were AI for breast cancer screening (n = 32), AI for image detection of nodal status (n = 7), AI-assisted histopathology (n = 8), AI in assessing post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) response (n = 23), AI in breast cancer margin assessment (n = 5), and AI as a clinical decision support tool (n = 9). AI has been used as clinical decision support tools to augment treatment decisions for breast cancer and in multidisciplinary tumor board settings. Overall, AI applications demonstrated improved accuracy and efficiency; however, most articles did not report patient-centric clinical outcomes. Conclusions: AI applications in breast cancer care show promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. However, persistent challenges in AI adoption, such as data quality, algorithm transparency, and resource disparities, must be addressed to advance the field.
Enhanced Cytotoxic Effects of Cold Plasma Deposition of Topotecan: A Novel Approach for Local Cancer Drug Delivery to Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Pinheiro Lopes Beatriz , O’Neill Liam , Bourke Paula , Boehm Daniela
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Despite the numerous advances in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatment, GBM remains as the most malignant and aggressive form of brain cancer, characterized by a very poor outcome, highlighting the ongoing need for the development of new therapeutic strategies. A novel intervention using plasma-assisted local delivery of oncology drugs was developed to mediate the drug delivery, which might improve drug uptake and/or chemotherapeutic action. Topotecan (TPT), a water-soluble topoisomerase I inhibitor with major cytotoxic effects during the S-phase of the cell cycle, was selected as the candidate drug because despite its potent antitumor activity, the systemic administration to the brain is limited due to low crossing of the blood-brain barrier. For these reasons, TPT may be repurposed for local combined therapies. Methods: We aimed to explore options for the local treatment of GBM where systematic delivery is challenging, using a combination between plasma-based technologies and TPT on a human brain cancer cell line (U-251mg). Results: The evaluation of direct TPT plasma deposition using a helium plasma jet (J-Plasma, Apyx Medical) with a nebulizer onto U-251mg cells grown in 2D or 3D culture showed a reduction in the metabolic activity and cell mass and decreased long-term survival, indicating synergistic effects between the drug and the plasma treatment. The plasma-assisted approach was confirmed using temozolomide (TMZ) as a standard drug for glioblastoma treatment, as well as with two skin cancer cell lines. Conclusions: These results revealed a pathway for new combinations and approaches to local drug application for a range of cancers.
Topic “Signaling Pathways in Liver Disease”
Authors: Weiskirchen Ralf
Published: January 2025

Liver diseases pose a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of individuals and resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality [...]
Exploring the Anticancer Potential of MonoHER (7-Mono-O-(β-Hydroxyethyl)-Rutoside): Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Li Chujie , Wang Yue , Liang Jian , Haenen Guido R. M. M. , Chen Yonger , Li Zhengwen , Zhang Ming , Dubois Ludwig J.
Published: January 2025

Background/Aim: Flavonoids are a group of polyphenols, abundantly present in our diet. Although, based on their chemoprotective effects, intake of flavonoids is associated with a high anticancer potential as evidenced in in vitro and in vivo models, the molecular mechanism is still elusive. This study explores the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of the semi-synthetic flavonoid MonoHER (7-mono-O-(β-hydroxyethyl)-rutoside) in vitro on cancer cells. Materials and Methods: HepG2 liver, MCF7 breast, and H1299 lung cancer cells were grown under ambient conditions with or without MonoHER exposure. CCK8 assay was used to assess cell viability. Apoptosis, JC-1, and mitochondrial mass were determined using flow cytometry and confocal analysis. The effects of monoHER on apoptosis proteins were detected by confocal microscopy analysis and Western blot. Results: It was found that MonoHER can reduce HepG2 cells’ and MCF7 cells’ viability, but not H1299 cells’, and induced apoptosis only in HepG2 cells. MonoHER has the potential to enhance the expression of caspase-9 and caspase-3, to damage mitochondria, and to provoke the release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria. Conclusion: MonoHER can inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis especially in HepG2 human liver cancer cells by triggering the mitochondrial signal transduction pathway, leading to the release of cytochrome C in the cytoplasm and the subsequent activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Future research should further explore MonoHER’s mechanism of action, efficacy, and potential for clinical translation.
Microbial Transglutaminase-Mediated Modification of Heat-Denatured Whey Proteins for the Preparation of Bio-Based Materials
Authors: Abdalrazeq Manar , Aref Diaa , Mariniello Loredana , Giosafatto Concetta Valeria Lucia
Published: January 2025

This study sheds light on the potential of microbial transglutaminase (mTG)-mediated modification to enhance the properties of heat-denatured whey protein-based films. In this study, we investigated the biochemical modification of heat-denatured whey proteins (WPs) using mTG, an enzyme known for the ability of crosslinking reactions. By introducing ε-(γ-glutamyl)-lysine crosslinks via an acyl transfer reaction, mTG enhances the properties of bio-based materials. In this research, heated WPs were demonstrated to effectively serve as mTG substrates. The preparation of crosslinked bio-based material was achieved using a casting method under alkaline conditions (pH 12) in the presence of glycerol (40% w/w), which was added as a plasticizer to the film-forming solution (FFS). A comprehensive characterization of the FFSs and the resulting materials was carried out. The FFSs were quite stable as evidenced by Zeta potential values that were always around 30/40 mV regardless of the presence of the enzyme. The enzymatic modification increased the elongation at break of the materials from 10.4 ± 4.9 MPa to 27.6 ± 8.9 MPa, while decreasing both tensile strength and Young’s modulus, thereby making the resulting material more extensible. On the other hand, the enzyme affected both the CO2 and O2 barrier properties, with permeability values for these gases being 0.90 cm3 mm m−2 day−1 kPa− and 0.26 cm3 mm m−2 day−1 kPa, respectively, when the films were cast without the enzymatic treatment, but decreasing to 0.14 ± 0.02 cm3 mm m−2 day−1 kPa (CO2) and 0.02 ± 0.02 cm3 mm m−2 day−1 kPa (O2) in the presence of 24 U/g of mTG. These novel materials, prepared from renewable sources, could potentially be used in the food packaging field to replace/reduce the highly pollutant petroleum-based ones.
Macro-/Microstructural Features and Temperature Distribution of Pure Aluminum 1070 in Novel Thin Slab Continuous Casting Process
Authors: Mao Qijia , Hua Fuan , Wu Zhuohuang , Zhao Shuai , Jia Guanglin , Yuan Guo , Wang Guodong
Published: January 2025

This study introduces a novel vertical bending continuous casting technology for producing thin slabs of pure aluminum and aluminum alloys, offering significant advancements over traditional vertical casting methods. The newly designed equipment and optimized process parameters enable the continuous casting of pure aluminum 1070 at a speed of 1.2 m/min, surpassing the casting speed of conventional direct-chill casting. Comprehensive investigations of the macrostructure and microstructure of the cast pure aluminum 1070 reveal a refined equiaxed crystal structure with an average grain size of 98 μm, significantly smaller than that obtained through conventional casting processes. This refinement in grain size is expected to enhance the material’s mechanical properties and processing capabilities. Additionally, simulations of the temperature distribution and solidification structure provide insights into the formation of a “U”-shaped sump and liquidus isotherms, which are crucial for understanding the solidification dynamics of the material. The refined grain structure and increased casting speed demonstrate substantial potential for advancing aluminum alloy production, especially in applications requiring superior performance and more efficient manufacturing processes.
Optimizing the Morphology and Optical Properties of MoS2 Using Different Substrate Placement: Numerical Simulation and Experimental Verification
Authors: Liao Feng , Zeng Yuhan , Xie Qingqing , Yang Yupeng , Linghu Shuangyi , Liang Li , Zuo Zewen
Published: January 2025

The prerequisite for rapid and steady development of TMDC-based optoelectronic devices is high efficiency in materials preparation, which relies on a mature synthesis technique and optimized production conditions. Visualization based on numerical simulation, which illustrates the impact of growth parameters on deposited products, is helpful to understand formation mechanisms and modify growth conditions. In this work, we construct two models with two different substrate placements, where the substrate is parallel or perpendicular to gas flow direction. The simulation results show more velocity distribution uniformity across a wider range from −1.4 cm to 1.4 cm for vertically placed (VP) compared to horizontally placed (HP) substrates. The calculated average velocities of 0.048, 0.053, 0.078, 0.137, and 0.391 cm/s along five different positions on the VP substrate are greater than the values of 0.027, 0.026, 0.025, 0.023, and 0.036 cm/s on the HP substrate. Comparing the precursor concentration distributions on both substrates, it is observed that the S molar concentration gradient on both substrates is negligible and the uniform Mo molar concentrations from z = −1.4 cm to 2.0 cm on the VP substrate ensure minimal change in the S/Mo ratio, which contributes to forming single-morphology domains. Furthermore, increasing the distance between the precursor inlets and the VP substrate decreases the amount of molecules on the substrate surface, achieving near-stoichiometry and promoting monolayer deposition. This is verified by the experimental result, which showed gentle morphological transformation on the VP substrate from a truncated triangle to a hexagon, and then back to a truncated triangle. By contrast, the multi-morphology and thickness of MoS2 on the HP substrate result from the complex Mo concentration along the flow direction. Moreover, PL intensities of the MoS2 domains deposited on the VP substrate are enhanced by 11.9-fold compared to the average intensity on the HP substrate. This result indicates the MoS2 grown on the VP substrate has less intrinsic defects than that grown on the HP substrate. The combination of numerical simulation with experimental methods facilitates the visualization of invisible growth conditions, which provides effective guidance for using simulation results for other TMDC materials.
Experimental Analysis and Modeling of an Impact Response Along Sets of Steel Sheets Joined with Rivets
Authors: Martínez-Calzada Víctor , Tapia-Pérez Felipe de Jesús , Rodríguez-Torres Adriana , Saldaña-Heredia Alonso
Published: January 2025

This paper is focused on understanding how a wave was transmitted along arrays joined with rivets. The arrays were made of steel plates, and each section was joined to the other with five rivets. A total of three arrays were studied, which were compounded by one, two and three steel plates. To determine the wave transmission, a laser, a lens and a camera were set up in the experiment to calculate the in-plane motion both while the structure was still and during the indirect collisions. Results were studied by means of the general theory of elasticity coupled with spectral analysis from a general mathematical model; the latter fitted all the responses with a mean of 98% accuracy.
DeepGenMon: A Novel Framework for Monkeypox Classification Integrating Lightweight Attention-Based Deep Learning and a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Almars Abdulqader M.
Published: January 2025

Background: The rapid global spread of the monkeypox virus has led to serious issues for public health professionals. According to related studies, monkeypox and other types of skin conditions can spread through direct contact with infected animals, humans, or contaminated items. This disease can cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, and enlarged lymph nodes, followed by a rash that develops into lesions. To facilitate the early detection of monkeypox, researchers have proposed several AI-based techniques for accurately classifying and identifying the condition. However, there is still room for improvement to accurately detect and classify monkeypox cases. Furthermore, the currently proposed pre-trained deep learning models can consume extensive resources to achieve accurate detection and classification of monkeypox. Hence, these models often need significant computational power and memory. Methods: This paper proposes a novel lightweight framework called DeepGenMonto accurately classify various types of skin diseases, such as chickenpox, melasma, monkeypox, and others. This suggested framework leverages an attention-based convolutional neural network (CNN) and a genetic algorithm (GA) to enhance detection accuracy while optimizing the hyperparameters of the proposed model. It first applies the attention mechanism to highlight and assign weights to specific regions of an image that are relevant to the model’s decision-making process. Next, the CNN is employed to process the visual input and extract hierarchical features for classifying the input data into multiple classes. Finally, the CNN’s hyperparameters are adjusted using a genetic algorithm to enhance the model’s robustness and classification accuracy. Compared to the state-of-the-art (SOTA) models, DeepGenMon features a lightweight design that requires significantly lower computational resources and is easier to train with few parameters. Its effective integration of a CNN and an attention mechanism with a GA further enhances its performance, making it particularly well suited for low-resource environments. DeepGenMon is evaluated on two public datasets. The first dataset comprises 847 images of diverse skin diseases, while the second dataset contains 659 images classified into several categories. Results: The proposed model demonstrates superior performance compared to SOTA models across key evaluation metrics. On dataset 1, it achieves a precision of 0.985, recall of 0.984, F-score of 0.985, and accuracy of 0.985. Similarly, on dataset 2, the model attains a precision of 0.981, recall of 0.982, F-score of 0.982, and accuracy of 0.982. Moreover, the findings demonstrate the model’s ability to achieve an inference time of 2.9764 s on dataset 1 and 2.1753 s on dataset 2. Conclusions: These results also show DeepGenMon’s effectiveness in accurately classifying different skin conditions, highlighting its potential as a reliable and low-resource tool in clinical settings.
KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF Hot-Spot Mutations in Relation to Sidedness of Primary Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Abdelgadir Omer , Kuo Yong-Fang , Okorodudu Anthony O. , Khan M. Firoze , Cheng Yu-Wei , Dong Jianli
Published: January 2025

Background/Objective: Studies have shown an association between colorectal cancer (CRC) sidedness and gene mutations that may affect CRC clinical behavior. This study examined the association between specific KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF hot-spot mutations and primary CRC sidedness. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of 722 patients diagnosed with primary CRC and tested for KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF hot-spot mutations at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) from January 2016 through July 2023. Multivariable logistic regressions analyses were conducted. Results:KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF hot-spot mutations rates were 37.8%, 4.6%, and 6.1%, respectively. Right-sided primary CRC had the highest prevalence of mutated tumors (64%). KRAS and BRAF hot-spot mutations were significantly different according to tumor sidedness. KRAS p.Gly12Asp, p.Gly12Val, and p.Gly13Asp showed a significantly increased likelihood of right-sided primary CRC compared to KRAS wildtype, 128%, 134%, and 221% higher, respectively. Conversely, KRAS p.Gly12Val and p.Gly13Asp mutations were associated with decreased likelihood of rectal cancer (53% lower) and left-sided tumors (56% lower), respectively. BRAF p.Val600Glu mutation, as opposed to BRAF wildtype, was associated with a 278% higher likelihood of right-sided CRC. No significant associations were observed between NRAS mutations and primary CRC sidedness. Conclusions: In primary CRC, specific mutations in KRAS (p.Gly12Asp, p.Gly12Val, and p.Gly13Asp) and BRAF p.Val600Glu were associated with increased likelihood of right-sided tumors. KRAS p.Gly12Val and p.Gly13Asp mutations were associated with decreased likelihood of rectal cancer and left-sided tumors, respectively. These findings suggest that tumorigenesis and mutational processes differ based on tumor sidedness. Further studies are needed to substantiate these findings.
Impact of Feedback in Flipped Learning on the Development of Soft Skills of University Students
Authors: Sanchez-Gil-Machín Ricardo , Baena Morales Salvador , Molina-García Nuria , Ferriz-Valero Alberto
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the impact of flipped learning (FL) with and without teacher feedback on resilience and perceived professional competence among university students. This quasi-experimental study, conducted over three academic years, involved 255 s-year students (mean age = 20.47 ± 2.63; 60.4% female) enrolled in a Primary Education Teaching degree program at a Spanish public university. Participants were divided into two treatment groups: Feedback FL and Non-feedback FL. Validated scales—the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and the Perceived Competence Scale for Students (PCNS)—were used for pre- and post-intervention assessments. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in resilience and perceived competence, with no statistically significant differences between the Feedback FL and Non-feedback FL groups. Data analysis included Mann–Whitney U tests for inter-group comparisons, Wilcoxon tests for intra-group comparisons, and 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA, which revealed no interaction effects (Time × Treatment) for either variable. These results suggest that FL alone fosters the development of transversal skills such as resilience and perceived competence, regardless of teacher feedback. The findings highlight the effectiveness of active learning models like FL in higher education for promoting essential competencies. Future research should address additional soft skills and employ larger, more diverse samples to further explore the role of feedback and innovative methodologies in enhancing FL’s impact.
A Flexible Multi-Band Antenna with a Spider Web-like Structure for 4G/5G/GPS/WIMAX/WLAN Applications
Authors: Yu Zhen , Wang Feng , Zhang Ruixin , Niu Ruirong , Chang Yi , Ran Xiaoying , Sun Runzhi , Zhang Guodong , Lu Zewei
Published: January 2025

In this paper, based on bionics, a flexible multi-band antenna is designed to mimic the structure of a spider’s web, which supports various communication standards such as 4G, 5G, and GPS. The antenna lays out multiple loop branches in a limited space to achieve wideband operations from 1.31 GHz to 2 GHz (42.4%), from 3.4 GHz to 4 GHz (16.2%), and from 5.1 GHz to 5.78 GHz (12.5%). The antenna selects 40 × 50 × 0.1 mm³ polyimide as the dielectric substrate and trapezoidal coplanar waveguide feed. A simulation and experimental analyses demonstrate that the antenna exhibits consistent performance when subjected to different bending scenarios. The design scheme utilizing a flexible dielectric substrate streamlines the integration process, offering a promising avenue for deployment in smart wireless devices. The results of the consistent tests and simulations demonstrate that the device meets the requisite standards for wireless communication.
Explainable Machine Learning-Based Electric Field Strength Mapping for Urban Environmental Monitoring: A Case Study in Paris Integrating Geographical Features and Explainable AI
Authors: Kiouvrekis Yiannis , Psomadakis Ioannis , Vavouranakis Kostas , Zikas Sotiris , Katis Ilias , Tsilikas Ioannis , Panagiotakopoulos Theodor , Filippopoulos Ioannis
Published: January 2025

The objective of this study is to determine the optimal machine learning model for constructing electric field strength maps across urban areas, advancing the field of environmental monitoring. These models are unique because they use a detailed dataset that goes beyond electromagnetic readings, incorporating information like population density, urbanization levels, and building characteristics. This novel approach, combined with explainable AI, helps identify the key factors affecting electromagnetic exposure. The models enable the creation of highly detailed and dynamic maps of electromagnetic pollution. These maps are not just static snapshots, they can track changes over time, evaluate the success of mitigation efforts, and provide deeper insights into how electromagnetic fields are distributed in urban areas. To construct a detailed electric field strength map, we conducted an extensive analysis using 410 machine learning models across the urban area of Paris, incorporating three fundamental approaches: k-nearest neighbors, neural networks, and decision trees. This comprehensive exploration allowed us to evaluate and optimize various model configurations, ensuring robust and accurate predictions of electric field strength across diverse urban environments. The kNN model exhibited the most consistent performance, with an RMSE of 1.63 and an SD of 0.20. The analysis indicates that kNN outperforms simple neural networks and decision trees in terms of both RMSE and performance stability. From the SHAP analysis, we conclude that the feature representing the total volume of buildings in the area around each antenna (V) is the most significant in predicting electromagnetic field strength in the kNN regression model, consistently showing a high impact across predictions. The population density feature (POP) also demonstrates considerable influence.