bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Double-Layer Carotid Stents Is Associated with Improved Patient Survival and Lower Neurological Complications: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Mikelis Kipras , Kurminas Marius , Lengvenis Givi , Jančiauskas Radvilas , Misonis Nerijus , Budrys Povilas , Šerpytis Rokas , Berūkštis Andrius
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Dual-layer stents (DLS) with micromesh technology may offer better protection from plaque protrusion compared to single-layer stents (SLS), but little data are available. The aim of this study is to compare clinical outcomes of elective carotid artery stenting for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients treated for primary CAS with DLS or SLS in a high-volume center. Methods: This study is a single-center retrospective cohort study and included patients who underwent elective CAS between December 2006 and September 2023. The final analysis included patient baseline characteristics, postoperative complications and patient outcomes. Results: A total of 573 patients underwent elective carotid artery stenting in the study period. Most of the 573 patients undergoing CAS were male (62.5%), and the median age of patients at the time of CAS was 70 years. Of the 573 eligible patients, 43.5% (n = 249) were asymptomatic and 56.4% (n = 323) were symptomatic. Analyzing neurological complications, it was found that the only factor that had a statistically significant effect was the type of stent used. Patients who had a carotid stenting procedure using a single-layer carotid stent had statistically significantly more periprocedural neurological complications (8.3% (n = 35)) than the double-mesh stent group (2% (n = 3)), mostly due to more transient ischemic attacks in the single-layer stent group (4% (n = 17)) compared to the double-mesh group (0.7% (n = 1)). Conclusions: The use of carotid double-layer stents is associated with a low rate of periprocedural and postprocedural events.
Provider Determinants of Maternal Influenza and Pertussis Vaccination Uptake in South Australia in a Tertiary Healthcare Setting
Authors: Mohammed Hassen , Riley Kathryn , Clarke Michelle , Walker Mary S. , Marshall Helen S.
Published: January 2025

Background: In Australia, maternal influenza and pertussis vaccinations have been recommended for every pregnancy since 2010 and 2015, respectively. Aims: This study aimed to determine maternal influenza and pertussis vaccine uptake in South Australia and assess factors associated with vaccine uptake among pregnant women. Methods: This retrospective cohort study collected data from the South Australian Pregnancy Record (SAPR) or other medical records of women who delivered at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital from 2016 to 2018. Results: Of 2230 complete records, 53.5% received influenza vaccination and 66.5% pertussis vaccination. Maternal vaccine uptake significantly increased from 2016 to 2018: influenza 43.1–61.6%; pertussis 58.7–71.6%. Healthcare provider discussions with pregnant women about maternal vaccines more than doubled the likelihood of influenza (AOR 2.74, 95% CI: 2.21–3.39) and pertussis vaccine uptake (AOR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.77–2.78). Lower vaccine uptake was observed among women attending midwifery clinics (influenza: AOR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.58–0.90; pertussis: AOR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.54–0.84) or private maternity care (influenza: AOR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.34–0.77; pertussis: AOR 0.40, 95% CI: 0.27–0.60). Shared antenatal care increased the uptake of influenza (AOR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.12–2.04) and pertussis (AOR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.00–1.91). Additional adjustment for SAPR versions did not appreciably change the results, although attending private practice was no longer significantly associated with lower vaccine uptake. Conclusions: Maternal vaccine uptake varies depending on the antenatal care provider. This study identifies opportunities to improve vaccination access during pregnancy and emphasizes the need for targeted strategies to address provider-related barriers.
Systematic Review Regarding the Clinical Implications of Allograft and Alloplastic Bone Substituents Used for Periodontal Regenerative Therapy
Authors: Vlasa Alexandru , Bud Eugen , Lazăr Luminita , Ilies Souiah , Stoica Alexandra Mihaela , Lazăr Ana-Petra , Martu Ioana , Bud Anamaria
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Regenerative periodontal therapy is a treatment method that focuses on restoring the periodontium affected by chronic inflammatory disease or injury. It involves using different biomaterials and techniques to completely restore the periodontal structures. The main objective was to identify and critically evaluate relevant studies comparing the clinical efficacy of allograft and alloplastic materials in regenerative periodontal therapy. Methods: For evaluation, a systematic review based on PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Data were extracted using only specific types of study designs, which included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies. Target patients with periodontal disease or periodontal lesions undergoing periodontal therapy using allograft or alloplastic materials were selected. Periodontal parameters such as clinical attachment level, probing pocket depth, radiographic bone fill, or patient-reported outcomes were analyzed. Results: The results showed that allograft and alloplastic materials offered reduced pocket depth, a gain in clinical attachment, and bone repairment. The variation observed indicated that allografts showed a slightly more significant clinical attachment gain and a superior bone fill than alloplastic ones, suggesting that allografts enhance osteogenesis and provide a greater capacity for repair in periodontal defects. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that allograft and alloplastic materials offered reduced pocket depth, a gain in clinical attachment, and bone repairment, with both methods having similar clinical efficacy.
Impact of Strength Parameters and Material Structure of Bone Plates on Displacement of Bone Fragments in the Injured Area
Authors: Szarek Arkadiusz , Golański Grzegorz , Bałaga Zbigniew , Godzierz Marcin , Radecki Mariusz
Published: January 2025

The study is a metallographic analysis of commercial bone plates used for stabilizing long bones. The plates examined were delivered to the hospital in different years, and the course of treatment of patients with similar goniometric and anthropometric parameters varied dramatically. To determine the characteristics of displacement of bony fragments in the area of the simulated fracture and relate it to the strength parameters of the bone plate, experimental tests were carried out on composite femurs loaded according to the biomechanical loading model at known values of forces acting on the femoral head. In order to assess the influence of material parameters of the plate on the biomechanics of the bone–bone plate system, microstructural and strength tests were performed, i.e., three-point bending tests, chemical composition and hardness assessments, as well as evaluation of the state of internal stresses in the tested materials. The research conducted allowed us to develop guidelines for companies producing bone fixations and orthopedic surgeons who use bone plates to stabilize bones after mechanical trauma, allowing the plates to be tailored to individual patient characteristics.
A Novel Low-Power Differential Input Current Summing Second-Generation Voltage Conveyor
Authors: Olivieri Riccardo , Colaiuda Davide , Barile Gianluca , Stornelli Vincenzo , Ferri Giuseppe
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a novel transistor-level design of a modified second-generation voltage conveyor (VCII), which incorporates two differential current inputs (Y+ and Y−) and gives a voltage output at terminal X that mirrors the sum of these currents. The circuit operation is based on current mirrors that maintain the X terminal in a stable “quiescent” state when no differential current is applied at Y+ and Y−. When a current flows into one of the two inputs, the sum is mirrored into X, providing a summed current measurement. This design, developed in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS transistors technology, ensures circuit high accuracy and robustness. The low power consumption of 24.6 μW makes it well-suited for portable biomedical applications as in environmental fields.
Removing High-Velocity Oxyfuel Coatings Through Electrolytic Dissolution
Authors: Pitrmuc Zdeněk , Rana Vivek , Slaný Michal , Kyncl Jiří , Pathak Sunil , Beránek Libor
Published: January 2025

High-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF) coatings are used to protect components from corrosion and wear at higher temperatures and from wearing out after a certain period of time. Hence, to enhance the life of components, further recoating is required, but removing the older coating is a challenging task due to its high hardness. Thus, this research work studied the electrolytic dissolution process of removing WC-CoCr 86/10/4 HVOF coatings and found that at a voltage of 3 V, the coating was not removed, but at a slightly higher voltage of 6 V, the coating was removed completely. When the voltage was 12 V, the surface was damaged, and corrosion also occurred. A combination of tartaric acid (C4H6O6), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and water was used as an electrolyte. By using a combination of a voltage of 4.5 V, a current of 1.6 A, and an electrode distance of 55 mm, the coating was completely removed after 10 h, with negligible attacks on the base material. Where the corrosion of the base material is unacceptable, voltages in the range of 4 to 6 V are recommended. If parts have coatings on all surfaces, a voltage within the range of 6 to 12 V can be recommended. The coating from tab SB-002JI-5 TOOLOX-11 and hexagonal mandrel SB-00EA-1 160 TIS was also removed successfully.
Ship Anomalous Behavior Detection Based on BPEF Mining and Text Similarity
Authors: Suo Yongfeng , Wang Yan , Cui Lei
Published: January 2025

Maritime behavior detection is vital for maritime surveillance and management, ensuring safe ship navigation, normal port operations, marine environmental protection, and the prevention of illegal activities on water. Current methods for detecting anomalous vessel behaviors primarily rely on single time series data or feature point analysis, which struggle to capture the relationships between vessel behaviors, limiting anomaly identification accuracy. To address this challenge, we proposed a novel vessel anomaly detection framework, which is called the BPEF-TSD framework. It integrates a ship behavior pattern recognition algorithm, Smith–Waterman, and text similarity measurement methods. Specifically, we first introduced the BPEF mining framework to extract vessel behavior events from AIS data, then generated complete vessel behavior sequence chains through temporal combinations. Simultaneously, we employed the Smith–Waterman algorithm to achieve local alignment between the test vessel and known anomalous vessel behavior sequences. Finally, we evaluated the overall similarity between behavior chains based on the text similarity measure strategy, with vessels exceeding a predefined threshold being flagged as anomalous. The results demonstrate that the BPEF-TSD framework achieves over 90% accuracy in detecting abnormal trajectories in the waters of Xiamen Port, outperforming alternative methods such as LSTM, iForest, and HDBSCAN. This study contributes valuable insights for enhancing maritime safety and advancing intelligent supervision while introducing a novel research perspective on detecting anomalous vessel behavior through maritime big data mining.
Land Governance in French-Speaking Africa: Comparative Analysis of Legal and Institutional Reforms for Sustainable Management of Community Lands
Authors: Bah Idiatou , Dossa Kossivi Fabrice
Published: January 2025

In July 2009, African leaders adopted the Declaration on Land Issues in Africa, reaffirming the commitment of African Union member states to effective land management. The declaration emphasizes the protection of land rights for all, with particular attention to women and marginalized groups. Land governance in Africa, which spans various aspects of society, remains a critical issue and is often a source of conflict and instability across the continent. This study examines the legal and institutional reforms of land governance in Francophone Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Senegal), analyzing their objectives, outcomes, and the challenges associated with their implementation. In addition, this study highlights examples of both effective and ineffective reform implementations based on case studies from countries with notable successes (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Mauritius, Ghana, and Madagascar) and failures (South Africa and Zimbabwe). Finally, this study offers recommendations for improving sustainable land management while considering social, economic, political, and environmental dimensions. The methodology employed is based exclusively on a systematic review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) approach, applied to the ROSES (Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses) protocol. This approach facilitated the selection of 57 relevant documents retrieved from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Land governance in Francophone Africa varies significantly from country to country and cannot be comprehensively addressed in a study of this scope. Nevertheless, this research study identifies common challenges, opportunities, and measures that could inspire reflection in other countries. In several cases, administrative and customary authorities play central roles in land management. However, their overlapping responsibilities, often marked by corruption, extend procedures and exacerbate local conflicts.
Land Degradation-Based Approach for Assessing the Performance of the Natura 2000 Network in Mainland Spain
Authors: Mingarro Mario , Sanjuan María E. , Ruiz-Rancaño Alberto , del Barrio Gabriel
Published: January 2025

Human impact on natural ecosystems is unsustainable and has led to a significant loss of biodiversity, highlighting the importance of protected area networks such as the European Union’s Natura 2000 (N2000). This study assesses the effectiveness of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in mainland Spain, using a Normalised Relative Severity Index (SER) computed from land condition states of ecological maturity (2010–2020). A total of 596 SACs were analysed, comparing their SER index with that of unprotected areas. Biophysical characteristics such as elevation, tree cover density, and human impact were used for explanatory purposes. At the national level, SACs exhibit a significantly higher median SER index than unprotected areas, indicating a better overall land condition status within N2000. However, regional variations were observed, with some Autonomous Communities in the Atlantic showing better land conditions outside N2000, which is attributed to vigorous vegetation growth in marginal areas. Differences in the SER index between inside and outside N2000 are proportional to the isolation degree of SACs. The study demonstrates that N2000 positively contributes to land conservation in mainland Spain. Nevertheless, it emphasizes the need to consider regional specificities and manage non-protected areas for more effective long-term conservation, especially in the Mediterranean region.
Anatomically Guided Deep Learning System for Right Internal Jugular Line (RIJL) Segmentation and Tip Localization in Chest X-Ray
Authors: Wei Siyuan , Shrestha Liza , Melendez-Corres Gabriel , Brown Matthew S.
Published: January 2025

The right internal jugular line (RIJL) is a type of central venous catheter (CVC) inserted into the right internal jugular vein to deliver medications and monitor vital functions in ICU patients. The placement of RIJL is routinely checked by a clinician in a chest X-ray (CXR) image to ensure its proper function and patient safety. To reduce the workload of clinicians, deep learning-based automated detection algorithms have been developed to detect CVCs in CXRs. Although RIJL is the most widely used type of CVCs, there is a paucity of investigations focused on its accurate segmentation and tip localization. In this study, we propose a deep learning system that integrates an anatomical landmark segmentation, an RIJL segmentation network, and a postprocessing function to segment the RIJL course and detect the tip with accuracy and precision. We utilized the nnU-Net framework to configure the segmentation network. The entire system was implemented on the SimpleMind Cognitive AI platform, enabling the integration of anatomical knowledge and spatial reasoning to model relationships between objects within the image. Specifically, the trachea was used as an anatomical landmark to extract a subregion in a CXR image that is most relevant to the RIJL. The subregions were used to generate cropped images, which were used to train the segmentation network. The segmentation results were recovered to original dimensions, and the most inferior point’s coordinates in each image were defined as the tip. With guidance from the anatomical landmark and customized postprocessing, the proposed method achieved improved segmentation and tip localization compared to the baseline segmentation network: the mean average symmetric surface distance (ASSD) was decreased from 2.72 to 1.41 mm, and the mean tip distance was reduced from 11.27 to 8.29 mm.
Controlling the All-Solid Surface Reaction Between an Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 Electrolyte and Anode Through the Insertion of Ag and Al2O3 Nano-Interfacial Layers
Authors: Song Gwanhee , Kim Bojoong , Hwang Inkook , Kim Jiwon , Kim Jinmo , Yoon Chang-Bun
Published: January 2025

Solid-state lithium batteries are considered ideal due to the safety of solid-state electrolytes. The Na superionic conductor-type Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) is a solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity, low cost, and stability. However, LATP is reduced upon contact with metallic lithium, leading to lithium dendrite growth on the anode during charging. In this study, LATP was synthesized, and the relationship between crystallinity and ionic conductivity was investigated at different heat treatment temperatures. Optimal sintering conditions and ionic conductivity were analyzed for sintering temperatures from 800 to 1000 °C. To suppress reactions with Li metal, 50 nm thick Ag and 10 nm thick Al2O3 layers were deposited on LATP via DC sputtering and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition. The electrochemical stability was tested under three conditions: uncoated LATP, Al2O3-coated LATP, and Ag+Al2O3-coated LATP. The stability improved in the following order: uncoated < Al2O3-coated < Ag+Al2O3-coated. The Al2O3 coating suppressed secondary phase formation by preventing direct contact between LATP and Li, while Ag coating mitigated charge concentration, inhibiting dendrite growth. These findings demonstrate that Ag and Al2O3 nano-layers enhance electrolyte stability, advancing solid-state battery reliability and commercialization.
Efficient Recycling Processes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Paul Sabyasachi , Shrotriya Pranav
Published: January 2025

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are an indispensable power source for electric vehicles, portable electronics, and renewable energy storage systems due to their high energy density and long cycle life. However, the exponential growth in production and usage has necessitated highly effective recycling of end-of-life LIBs to recover valuable resources and minimize the environmental impact. Pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes are the most common recycling methods but pose considerable difficulties. The energy-intensive pyrometallurgical recycling process results in the loss of critical materials such as lithium and suffers from substantial emissions and high costs. Solvent extraction, a hydrometallurgical method, offers energy-efficient recovery for lithium, cobalt, and nickel but requires hazardous chemicals and careful waste management. Direct recycling is an alternative to traditional methods as it preserves the cathode active material (CAM) structure for quicker and cheaper regeneration. It also offers environmental advantages of lower energy intensity and chemical use. Hybrid pathways, combining hydrometallurgical and direct recycling methods, provide a cost-effective, scalable solution for LIB recycling, maximizing material recovery with minimal waste and environmental risk. The success of recycling methods depends on factors such as battery chemistry, the scalability of recovery processes, and the cost-effectiveness of waste material recovery. Though pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes have secured their position in LIB recycling, research is proceeding toward newer approaches, such as direct and hybrid methods. These alternatives are more efficient both environmentally and in terms of cost with a broader perspective into the future. In this review, we describe the current state of direct recycling as an alternative to traditional pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods for recuperating these critical materials, particularly lithium. We also highlight some significant advancements that make these objectives possible. As research progresses, direct recycling and its variations hold great potential to reshape the way LIBs are recycled, providing a sustainable pathway for battery material recovery and reuse.
Microstructure Evolution Behaviors and Mechanical Properties of 6082-0.2Zr-0.3Er Alloy During the Pre-Hardened Hot Forming Process
Authors: Huang Feng , Zhang Daoling , Deng Yingchuan , Cheng Zhe , Sun Qian , Hu Zhili , Hua Lin
Published: January 2025

Combining a comparative experimental study and theoretical analysis, the feasibility and corresponding action mechanisms of the pre-hardened hot forming (PHF) process applied to 6082-0.2Zr-0.3Er alloy were discussed. The results indicate that unlike a traditional process, after PHF treatment, both the grains and the precipitates at the grain boundaries show a certain directional arrangement, and the texture coefficients of (220) and (200) are enhanced. Although the average size of the second phase is almost the same, the proportion of the fine second phase in the PHF-treated sample is larger. In addition to shortening the processing time and improving the production efficiency, the PHF process was proven to be beneficial for the improvement in the comprehensive mechanical properties of this 6082-0.2Zr-0.3Er alloy, with the product of strength and elongation increased by about 12.1% under the given conditions. Furthermore, with the optimization of process parameters, the improvement effect is expected to be further enhanced.
Dual Roles of PTSA in Electrical Conductivity of PEDOT:PTSA with Large Seebeck Coefficient
Authors: Arimatsu Hideki , Osada Yuki , Takagi Ryo , Ohira Yosuke , Hijikata Tomoki , Fujima Takuya
Published: January 2025

The electrical conduction mechanism of PEDOT:PTSA thermoelectric conversion material supported on PET fiber was investigated with varying PTSA concentrations. Raman analysis revealed that an increasing PTSA concentration promoted transformation from a benzoid to a quinoid structure in PEDOT chains, reaching saturation in higher concentrations. All samples exhibited p-type behavior, with Seebeck coefficients ranging from 0.9 to 2.7 mV/K. The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity showed that conductivity and activation energy exhibited extreme values with increasing PTSA concentration, correlating with the saturation of quinoid structure transformation. This behavior suggests that PTSA serves dual roles: at lower concentrations, it enhances electrical conductivity through chemical doping, increasing carrier concentration and mobility via quinoid structure formation; at higher concentrations, excess PTSA induces carrier scattering without contributing to chemical doping, thereby reducing conductivity. These findings indicate that the thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PTSA on PET fiber are governed by the balance between chemical doping effects and carrier scattering mechanisms, which are both influenced by PTSA concentration.
Digital Twin-Based Prediction and Optimization for Dynamic Supply Chain Management
Authors: Kim Dong-Hun , Kim Goo-Young , Noh Sang Do
Published: January 2025

Manufacturing supply chains are becoming increasingly complex due to geopolitical issues, globalization, and market demand uncertainties. These challenges lead to logistics disruptions, inventory shortages, and interruptions in raw materials and spare parts production, resulting in delayed delivery, reduced market share, and lower customer satisfaction. Effective supply chain management is critical for improving operational efficiency and competitiveness. This paper proposes a supply chain digital twin methodology to enhance operational efficiency through real-time monitoring, analysis, and response to disruptions. This methodology defines a supply chain digital twin system architecture and outlines the operational process of digital twin applications. It introduces two key modules: a digital twin module for prediction and monitoring and an optimization module for determining the optimal movement of products. These modules are integrated to align digital simulations with real-world supply chain operations. The proposed approach is validated through a case study of an automobile body production company’s supply chain, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing inventory and logistics costs while providing countermeasures for abnormal situations.
A Study of Forced Convection in Non-Newtonian Hybrid Nanofluids Embedded in a Heated Cylinder Within a Hexagonal Enclosure by Finite Element Method
Authors: Siddiki Md. Noor-A-Alam , Islam Saiful , Ahmmed Mahtab U. , Hasan Md Farhad , Molla Md. Mamun
Published: January 2025

Nanofluids have the proven capacity to significantly improve the thermal efficiency of a heat exchanging system due to the presence of conductive nanoparticles. The aim of this study is to simulate the forced convection on a non-Newtonian hybrid with a nanofluid (Al2O3-TiO2-H2O) in a hexagonal enclosure by the Galerkin finite element method (GFEM). The physical model is a hexagonal enclosure in two dimensions, containing a heated cylinder embedded at the center. The bottom, middle left, and right walls of the enclosure are all considered cold (Tc), while the top wall is considered to be moving, and the remaining middle, upper left, and right walls have the adiabatic condition. The Prandtl number (Pr = 6.2), Reynolds number (Re = 50, 100, 300 and 500), power law index (n = 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4), volume fractions of nanoparticles (ϕ = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04), and Hartmann numbers (Ha = 0, 10, 20 and 30) are considered in the model. The findings are explained in terms of sensitivity tests and statistical analysis for various Re numbers, n, and Ha numbers employing streamlines, isotherms, velocity profiles, and average Nusselt numbers. It is observed that the inclusion of ϕ improves the convective heat transfer at the surging values of Re. However, if the augmenting heat transfer requires any control mechanism, integrating a non-zero Ha number is found to stabilize the system for the purpose of thermal efficacy.
Bi-Objective Integrated Scheduling of Job Shop Problems and Material Handling Robots with Setup Time
Authors: Liu Runze , Jia Qi , Yu Hui , Gao Kaizhou , Fu Yaping , Yin Li
Published: January 2025

This work investigates the bi-objective integrated scheduling of job shop problems and material handling robots with setup time. The objective is to minimize the maximum completion time and the mean of earliness and tardiness simultaneously. First, a mathematical model is established to describe the problems. Then, different meta-heuristics and their variants are developed to solve the problems, including genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, and artificial bee colonies. To improve the performance of algorithms, seven local search operators are proposed. Moreover, two reinforcement learning algorithms, Q-learning and SARSA, are designed to help the algorithm select appropriate local search operators during iterations, further improving the convergence of algorithms. Finally, based on 82 benchmark cases with different scales, the effectiveness of the suggested algorithms is evaluated by comprehensive numerical experiments. The experimental results and discussions show that the genetic algorithm with SARSA is more competitive than its peers.
An Optimized Weighted-Voting-Based Ensemble Learning Approach for Fake News Classification
Authors: Toor Muhammad Shahzaib , Shahbaz Hooria , Yasin Muddasar , Ali Armughan , Fitriyani Norma Latif , Kim Changgyun , Syafrudin Muhammad
Published: January 2025

The emergence of diverse content-sharing platforms and social media has rendered the dissemination of fake news and misinformation increasingly widespread. This misinformation can cause extensive confusion and fear throughout the populace. Confronting this dilemma necessitates an effective and accurate approach to identifying misinformation, an intrinsically intricate process. This research introduces an automated and efficient method for detecting false information. We evaluated the efficacy of various machine learning and deep learning models on two separate fake news datasets of differing sizes via holdout cross-validation. Furthermore, we evaluated the efficacy of three distinct word vectorization methods. Additionally, we employed an enhanced weighted voting ensemble model that enhances fake news detection by integrating logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), gated recurrent unit (GRU), and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks. This method exhibits enhanced performance relative to previous techniques: 98.76% for the PolitiFact dataset and 97.67% for the BuzzFeed dataset. Furthermore, the model outperforms individual components, resulting in superior accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 scores. The enhancements in performance result from the ensemble method’s capacity to use the advantages of each base model, hence providing robust generalization across datasets. Cross-validation was employed to enhance the model’s trustworthiness, validating its capacity to generalize effectively to novel data.
Understanding Machine Learning Principles: Learning, Inference, Generalization, and Computational Learning Theory
Authors: Du Ke-Lin , Zhang Rengong , Jiang Bingchun , Zeng Jie , Lu Jiabin
Published: January 2025

Machine learning has become indispensable across various domains, yet understanding its theoretical underpinnings remains challenging for many practitioners and researchers. Despite the availability of numerous resources, there is a need for a cohesive tutorial that integrates foundational principles with state-of-the-art theories. This paper addresses the fundamental concepts and theories of machine learning, with an emphasis on neural networks, serving as both a foundational exploration and a tutorial. It begins by introducing essential concepts in machine learning, including various learning and inference methods, followed by criterion functions, robust learning, discussions on learning and generalization, model selection, bias–variance trade-off, and the role of neural networks as universal approximators. Subsequently, the paper delves into computational learning theory, with probably approximately correct (PAC) learning theory forming its cornerstone. Key concepts such as the VC-dimension, Rademacher complexity, and empirical risk minimization principle are introduced as tools for establishing generalization error bounds in trained models. The fundamental theorem of learning theory establishes the relationship between PAC learnability, Vapnik–Chervonenkis (VC)-dimension, and the empirical risk minimization principle. Additionally, the paper discusses the no-free-lunch theorem, another pivotal result in computational learning theory. By laying a rigorous theoretical foundation, this paper provides a comprehensive tutorial for understanding the principles underpinning machine learning.
The Toxic Effects of Environmental Domoic Acid Exposure on Humans and Marine Wildlife
Authors: Krasner Ami E. , Martinez Margaret E. , Field Cara L. , Fire Spencer E.
Published: January 2025

Biotoxins produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a substantial global threat to ocean and human health. Domoic acid (DA) is one such biotoxin whose negative impacts are forecasted to increase with climate change and coastal development. This manuscript serves as a review of DA toxicosis after environmental exposure in humans and wildlife, including an introduction to HAB toxins, the history of DA toxicosis, DA production, toxicokinetic properties of DA, susceptibility, clinical signs, DA detection methods and other diagnostic tests, time course of toxicosis, treatment, prognostics, and recommendations for future research. Additionally, we highlight the utility of California sea lions (CSLs; Zalophus californianus) as a model and sentinel of environmental DA exposure.
The Importance of Resolvin D1, LXA4, and LTB4 in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis Due to Gallstones
Authors: Mısırlıoglu Naile Fevziye , Ergun Sefa , Kucuk Suat Hayri , Himmetoglu Solen , Ozen Gulenay Defne , Sayili Ugurcan , Uzun Nedim , Uzun Hafize
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease where there is autodigestion of the pancreas by prematurely activated enzymes which may lead to a systemic inflammatory response. The aim of our study was to investigate the levels of circulating serum leukotriene B4 (LTB4), lipoxin A4 (LXA4), and resolvin D1 (RvD1) in pancreatitis due to gallstones in the etiologic investigation of AP. Materials and Methods: A total of 147 patients with AP (n: 49), AC (n: 49), and combined AP + AC (n: 49) will be included in the study. Healthy volunteers (n: 49) will be included as the control group. Results: RvD1 levels were significantly lower in patient groups compared to controls, while LXA4 levels were lower in patients with combined AP + AC (145.24 ng/L) compared to both controls (312.36 ng/L) and other patient groups. LTB4 levels were elevated in all patient groups compared to controls (335.56 ng/L vs. 65.56 ng/L) and were highest in combined AP + AC. Significant correlations were identified: RvD1 showed a negative correlation with LTB4 (r =−0.676; p < 0.001) and a positive correlation with LXA4 (r = 0.563, p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, with LXA4 and LTB4 achieving perfect differentiation (AUC: 1.0) between control and combined AP + AC cases. Conclusions: Our study showed that serum RvD1 and LXA4 levels have powerful anti-inflammatory properties in accordance with the literature. LTB4 may represent new, effective indicators to predict the severity of AP and the presence of necrosis in patients with AP. Despite its low sensitivity and specificity, RvD1 could be used as a complementary marker to the current scoring systems for the initial assessment of AP prognosis. These findings provide a new mechanistic understanding of how RvD1 attenuates inflammation to facilitate resolution, which could help develop novel therapeutic strategies for diseases caused by unresolved inflammation. It is easily obtainable and can provide additional prognostic information to clinicians.
Characterization of Microstructure and Localized Corrosion Resistance of Heat-Treated 17-4 PH Stainless Steel Fabricated by Material Extrusion
Authors: Forcellese Pietro , Mancia Tommaso , Simoncini Michela , Bellezze Tiziano
Published: January 2025

The quality, reproducibility, and reliability of additive-manufactured parts strongly depend on optimizing printing parameters and post-processing treatments. This study evaluates the effects on the microstructure and corrosion resistance properties of solution annealing and aging heat treatments performed on 17-4 PH stainless steel samples fabricated with different build-up orientations using a material extrusion technology: the Bound Metal DepositionTM. The chemical composition and microstructures were determined using X-ray diffraction, chemical etching, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion resistance properties in neutral sodium chloride electrolytes were investigated through cyclic potentiodynamic polarization and open circuit potential monitoring and analysis. The findings demonstrated that the solution annealing heat treatment remarkably enhanced the overall corrosion resistance properties of the samples. The improvement was attributed to the growth of the ferritic phase along the grain boundaries of the martensitic matrix and a finer dispersion of copper precipitates. The aging heat treatment performed after solution annealing enhanced the ferritic phase development, resulting in a further improvement of the localized corrosion resistance properties.
Enrichment Methods for Metal Recovery from Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A Brief Review
Authors: Chicardi Ernesto , Lopez-Paneque Antonio , García-Orta Victoria Humildad Gallardo , Sepúlveda-Ferrer Ranier Enrique , Gallardo Jose Maria
Published: January 2025

The growing global demand for minerals and metals, coupled with fluctuations in pricing and market disruptions, has emphasised the critical role of these resources in sustaining the global economy. Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) has emerged as a promising source of raw materials, particularly for metal recycling and the valorisation of plastic fractions. In 2022, approximately 62 million metric tons of e-waste were generated worldwide, with projections indicating a rise to 74 million metric tons by 2030. Despite the significant volume of WEEE, only 17.4% was collected and recycled, which reveals a considerable opportunity for resource recovery. This review highlights the composition of metals in WEEE, which includes valuable precious metals, such as gold, silver, and palladium, alongside base metals, such as copper and aluminium. The review also discusses current methodologies for metal recovery and focuses on mechanical size-reduction techniques and various physical separation methods, including a shaking table, magnetic, electrostatic, and eddy current separation, flotation, and the use of a hydrocyclone. These technologies play a vital role in enhancing recovery efficiencies, thereby contributing to sustainable practices in the recycling industry. Thus, the works evaluated in this paper reveal the possibility of recovering more than 90 wt.% of precious (Ag, Au, Pd, Pt) and main metals (Cu, Sn, Al, Fe, Ni) by a combination of these mechanical size-reduction and physical separation methods.
Portable Fluorescence Microarray Reader-Enabled Biomarker Panel Detection System for Point-of-Care Diagnosis of Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Teymur Aygun , Hussain Iftak , Tang Chenling , Saxena Ramesh , Erickson David , Wu Tianfu
Published: January 2025

Point-of-care (POC) testing has revolutionized diagnostics by providing rapid, accessible solutions outside traditional laboratory settings. However, many POC systems lack the sensitivity or multiplexing capability required for complex diseases. This study introduces an LED-based fluorescence reader designed for POC applications, enabling multiplex detection of lupus nephritis (LN) biomarkers using a biomarker microarray (BMA) slide. The reader integrates an LED excitation source, neutral density (ND) filters for precise intensity control, and onboard image processing with Gaussian smoothing and centroid thresholding to enhance signal detection and localization. Five LN biomarkers (VSIG4, OPN, VCAM1, ALCAM, and TNFRSF1B) were assessed, and performance was validated against a Genepix laser-based scanner. The LED reader demonstrated strong correlation coefficients (r = 0.96–0.98) with the Genepix system for both standard curves and patient samples, achieving robust signal-to-noise ratios and reproducibility across all biomarkers. The multiplex format reduced sample volume and allowed simultaneous analysis of multiple biomarkers. These results highlight the reader’s potential to bridge the gap between laboratory-grade precision and POC accessibility. By combining portability, cost-effectiveness, and high analytical performance, this fluorescence reader provides a practical solution for POC diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited settings, improving the feasibility of routine monitoring and early intervention for diseases requiring comprehensive biomarker analysis.
Innovative Antibiotic Therapies for Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections: Clinical Efficacy, Safety, and Comparative Studies
Authors: Eslami Majid , Safaripour Amirabbas , Banihashemian Seyedeh Zahra , Nikjoo Niaragh Sahar , Hemmati Mohammad Amin , Shojaeian Arefeh , Fakhariyan Setayesh , Rabbani Atiye , Oksenych Valentyn
Published: January 2025

This review provides an overview of recent research and advancements in infection prevention and the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial diseases. Cefiderocol, a novel siderophore cephalosporin, has demonstrated effectiveness against carbapenem-resistant bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Clinical trials, including APEKS-NP and CREDIBLE-CR, affirm its efficacy for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) but highlight concerns over increased mortality due to severe renal complications. Cefiderocol has shown superior outcomes in complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) compared to imipenem–cilastatin. A comparison of colistin monotherapy versus combination therapy with meropenem for carbapenem-resistant infections revealed no significant improvement in clinical outcomes with combination therapy but noted delays in resistance development. Colistin–rifampicin combination therapy showed potential benefits for colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, although results were not statistically significant. SPR206, a polymyxin derivative, and durlobactam, a β-lactamase inhibitor, show promise in addressing these resistant strains, with durlobactam demonstrating efficacy in combination with sulbactam and imipenem–cilastatin. Additional studies investigated antibiotic strategies for resistant infections, including cefoperazone–sulbactam versus combination therapy with tigecycline, and examined infection-prevention strategies in surgical settings, comparing chlorhexidine–alcohol and povidone–iodine. This research highlights the importance of optimizing treatment regimens and infection-control measures across various healthcare settings, including neonatology and surgical care.
Pyrite–Coal Depressants Interactions During Coal Reverse Flotation
Authors: Zhou You , Xie Zijuan , Albijanic Boris , García-Figueroa Arturo A. , Devasahayam Sheila , Tadesse Bogale , Li Rensheng
Published: January 2025

This work investigates coal desulfurization by using reverse flotation. In this method, pyrite (the only source of sulfur in the studied coal) was separated from the meta-bituminous coal by using three different coal depressants (starch, dextrin and humic acid). A novel variable elimination approach was used to determine the contribution of the depressant type and the depressant concentration on the desulfurization performance. The results showed that the pyrite recoveries are influenced by the depressant type while the highest pyrite recovery was achieved in the presence of humic acid. Therefore, humic acid should be used in flotation rougher and scavenger cells in which the aim is to achieve high pyrite recovery. By contrast, the pyrite grades are affected significantly by the depressant concentration. Considering that the aim in flotation cleaner cells is to achieve high pyrite grade, any of the studied coal depressants can be successfully used but at high concentrations. This work demonstrated that the selection of flotation depressants depends on the type of flotation cells used in coal desulfurization.
Interpreting the Complexity of Sulfur, Carbon, and Oxygen Isotopes from Sulfides and Carbonates in a Precious Metal Epithermal Field: Insights from the Permian Drake Epithermal Au-Ag Field of Northern New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Quan Hongyan , Graham Ian , Worland Rohan , Adler Lewis , Dietz Christian , Madayag Emmanuel , Wang Huixin , French David
Published: January 2025

The Drake Goldfield, also known as Mount Carrington, is located in north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. It contains a number of low–intermediate-sulfidation epithermal precious metal deposits with a current total resource of 724.51 metric tons of Ag and 10.95 metric tons of Au. These deposits occur exclusively within the Drake Volcanics, a 60 × 20 km NW-SE trending sequence of Late Permian volcanics and related epiclastics. Drilling of the Copper Deeps geochemical anomaly suggests that the volcanics are over 600 m thick. The Drake Volcanics are centered upon a geophysical anomaly called “the Drake Quiet Zone” (DQZ), interpreted to be a collapsed volcanic caldera structure. A total of 105 fresh carbonate samples were micro-drilled from diamond drillcores from across the field and at various depths. A pXRD analysis of these carbonates identified five types as follows: ankerite, calcite, dolomite, magnesite, and siderite. Except for three outlier values (i.e., −21.32, −19.48, and 1.42‰), the δ13CVPDB generally ranges from−15.06 to −5.00‰, which is less variable compared to the δ18OVSMOW, which varies from −0.92 to 17.94‰. μ-XRF was used to analyze the elemental distribution, which indicated both syngenetic/epigenetic relationships between calcite and magnesite. In addition, a total of 53 sulfide samples (primarily sphalerite and pyrite) from diamond drillcores from across the Drake Goldfield were micro-drilled for S isotope analysis. Overall, these have a wide range in δ34SCDT values from −16.54 to 2.10‰. The carbon and oxygen isotope results indicate that the fluids responsible for the precipitation of carbonates from across the Drake Goldfield had complex origins, involving extensive mixing of hydrothermal fluids from several sources including those of magmatic origin, meteoric fluids and fluids associated with low-temperature alteration processes. Sulfur isotope ratios of sulfide minerals indicate that although the sulfur was most likely derived from at least two different sources; magmatic sulfur was the dominant source while sedimentary-derived sulfur was more significant for the deposits distal from the DQZ, with the relative importance of each varying from one deposit to another. Our findings contribute to a greater understanding of Au-Ag formation in epithermal environments, particularly in collapsed calderas, enhancing exploration strategies and models for ore deposition.
Energy-Related Assessment of a Hemicellulose-First Concept—Debottlenecking of a Hydrothermal Wheat Straw Biorefinery
Authors: Parsin Stanislav , Scherzinger Marvin , Kaltschmitt Martin
Published: January 2025

A hemicellulose-first approach can offer advantages for biorefineries utilizing wheat straw as it combines lignocellulose fractionation and potentially higher added value from pentose-based hemicellulose. Therefore, a tailored hydrothermal concept for the production of xylooligosaccharides and xylan was investigated. The focus was on assessing the energy requirements and potential improvements based on experimental results. The wheat straw pretreatment and the downstream processing of hemicellulose hydrolysate were modeled at a scale of 30,000 tons of wheat straw dry mass per year. The results confirmed that the hydrothermal concept can be implemented in an energy-efficient manner without the need for additional auxiliaries, due to targeted process design, heat integration and a high solids loading during hydrolysis. The resulting specific energy requirements for pretreatment and hydrolysate processing are 0.28 kWh/kg and 0.13 kWh/kg of wheat straw dry mass, respectively. Compared to thermal hydrolysate processing alone, the combination of a multi-effect evaporator and pressure-driven ultrafiltration can reduce the heating and cooling energy by 29% and 44%, respectively. However, the ultrafiltration requirements (e.g., electrical energy, membrane area and costs) depend heavily on the properties of the hydrolysate and its interactions with the membrane. This work can contribute to the commercially viable ramp-up of wheat straw multi-product biorefineries.