bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response and Fracture of EMT Carbon Steel Round-Hole Tubes with Different Hole Orientations and Different Hole Diameters under Cyclic Bending
Authors: Pan Wen-Fung , Chen Yu-An
Published: June 2024

This paper aims to investigate the response and fracture of EMT carbon steel round-hole tubes (EMT carbon steel RHTs) under cyclic bending loads. The study considers four different hole orientations (0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°) and five distinct hole diameters (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm). The results reveal that hole orientation and diameter exert a minimal impact on the moment-curvature relationship, leading to the formation of stable loops. The ovalization-curvature graphs demonstrate a trend of asymmetry, serration, and growth with an increasing number of bending cycles. Additionally, larger hole orientations or smaller notch diameters result in reduced ovalization. Furthermore, the double logarithmic coordinates of the controlled curvature–number of cycles required to induce fracture reveal five parallel lines for different hole diameters when the hole orientation is fixed. Finally, in adopting the formulas for smooth tubes and for 6061-T6 aluminum alloy round-hole tubes (6061 aluminum alloy RHTs), this study adjusts the related material parameters. These modifications effectively describe the controlled curvature–number of cycles required to induce fracture for EMT carbon steel RHTs with different hole orientations and diameters under cyclic bending, demonstrating reasonable agreement with the experimental results.
Tritium Behavior from Vine to Wine
Authors: Vagner Irina , Varlam Carmen , Faurescu Ionut , Faurescu Denisa , Bogdan Diana
Published: June 2024

The hydrogen radioactive isotope, tritium, not only reflects seasonal variation in precipitation but also variations on a local level. To use this radioisotope in authentication and geographical indication procedures, the tritium levels in vines, grapes, and wine were measured in two forms: (1) tissue-free water tritium (TFWT), measured in the free water of the plant or the aqueous phase of the wine; (2) organically bound tritium (OBT), measured in the organic part of the plant or wine (as ethanol). This paper presents the tritium behavior in vines from May to October and in the wine produced from harvested grapes for both tritium forms (TFWT and OBT) in connection with environmental tritium concentrations in air and precipitations during the 2019–2023 vegetation periods near the Râmnicu Vâlcea city. If the tritium of tissue-free water was influenced by precipitation and air humidity during the harvest period, the organically bound tritium recorded a maximum level with a delay of 1–2 months compared with tritium’s seasonal variation in precipitation and air. The tritium values of early mean in precipitation and ethanol from wine were approximately an average value of 11 TU for all 5 years of observations.
Landslide–Tunnel Interactions and Control Countermeasures under an Orthogonal System
Authors: Chen Yang , Li Pengfei , Lu Shuai , Sun Zhijie , Zhu Shizhao
Published: June 2024

When a tunnel crosses a landslide orthogonally, this interaction can easily lead to instability in both the landslide and tunnel structures. Based on the relative positional relationship between a landslide and a tunnel, we studied the stress mode and deformation characteristics of the tunnel in three positional relationships: within the landslide mass, the sliding surface, and the sliding bed. The tunnel is a typical type located on a sliding surface at an engineering site, so we established a numerical model showing the intersection of the tunnel and the sliding surface. The plastic zone distribution, stress characteristics, and displacement distribution characteristics of the surrounding rock before and after tunnel excavation were studied. Based on the simulation results, we analyzed the control effect of anti-slide piles in controlling the tunnel’s deformation in the surrounding rock from four perspectives: the arrangement of anti-slide piles, the spacing between piles and tunnels, the diameter of anti-slide piles, and the depth of piles embedded in the bedrock. By analyzing the deformation law of the landslide mass and the force characteristics of the tunnel structure under the orthogonal conditions of a tunnel landslide, we provide theoretical guidance for the adoption of anti-slide piles to control instability in tunnel structures.
Extensions of Some Statistical Concepts to the Complex Domain
Authors: Mathai Arak M.
Published: June 2024

This paper deals with the extension of principal component analysis, canonical correlation analysis, the Cramer–Rao inequality, and a few other statistical concepts in the real domain to the corresponding complex domain. Optimizations of Hermitian forms under a linear constraint, a bilinear form under Hermitian-form constraints, and similar maxima/minima problems in the complex domain are discussed. Some vector/matrix differential operators are developed to handle the above types of problems. These operators in the complex domain and the optimization problems in the complex domain are believed to be new and novel. These operators will also be useful in maximum likelihood estimation problems, which will be illustrated in the concluding remarks. Detailed steps are given in the derivations so that the methods are easily accessible to everyone.
One-Step Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography Guided Tunnel, Mushroom Femtosecond Laser Big Bubble Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty
Authors: Abusayf Mohammed M. , Liu Yu-Chi , Han Evelina , Yu Isabelle Lee Xin , Riau Andri K. , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: June 2024

The aim of our study is to investigate the feasibility and outcomes of using a femtosecond laser (FSL) platform (Ziemer LDV Z8) for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), enabling the creation of mushroom-shaped graft–host junctions, lamellar cuts, and intrastromal tunnels, to facilitate the big bubble, in one step. We included wet lab experiments on nine porcine eyes to assess the laser accuracy and cuts depth using an anterior segment (AS) OCT. This was followed by an interventional prospective case series on 10 eyes with variant corneal pathologies. The Z8 system, with in-built intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT), guided corneal scans and directed the cuts. ASOCT showed visible mushroom configurations, lamellar cuts, and tunnels. Deviations from the target were 1.6%, 2.6%, and 3.5%. Anterior lamellar removal was easy in all clinical cases, including corneal scarring. The intrastromal tunnel was found at the preset location and the mushroom configuration was acquired. A big bubble was achieved in all cases. Type 1, 2, and 3 bubbles were formed in eight, one, and one case, respectively. We describe a new approach to DALK in which the in-built iOCT-guided FSL enables safe, precise, controlled, and reproducible desired cuts in one step. The preliminary clinical outcomes were favorable.
Standardized Testing for Thermal Evaluation of Bone Drilling: Towards Predictive Assessment of Thermal Trauma
Authors: Rugova Sihana , Abboud Marcus
Published: June 2024

To ensure the prevention of thermal trauma and tissue necrosis during bone drilling in surgical procedures, it is crucial to maintain temperatures below the time- and temperature-dependent threshold of 50 °C for 30 s. However, the absence of a current standard for assessing temperatures attained during bone drilling poses a challenge when comparing findings across different studies. This article aims to address this issue by introducing a standardized testing method for acquiring thermal data during experimental bone drilling. The method requires the use of three controlled variables: infrared thermography, standard bone blocks, and a regulated drilling procedure involving a drill press with irrigation that simulates a surgeon. By utilizing this setup, we can obtain temperature data that can be effectively applied in the evaluation of other variables, such as surgical techniques or drill bit design, and translate the data into bone damage/clinical outcomes. Two surgical drill bits (2.0 mm-diameter twist drill bit and 3.3 mm-diameter multi-step drill bit) are compared using this experimental protocol. The results show the 2.0 mm bit reached significantly higher temperatures compared to the 3.3 mm bit when preparing an osteotomy (p < 0.05). The 2.0 mm drill bit reached temperatures over 100 °C while the 3.3 mm drill bit did not exceed 50 °C.
Radiomics and Deep Features: Robust Classification of Brain Hemorrhages and Reproducibility Analysis Using a 3D Autoencoder Neural Network
Authors: Bijari Salar , Sayfollahi Sahar , Mardokh-Rouhani Shiwa , Bijari Sahar , Moradian Sadegh , Zahiri Ziba , Rezaeijo Seyed Masoud
Published: June 2024

This study evaluates the reproducibility of machine learning models that integrate radiomics and deep features (features extracted from a 3D autoencoder neural network) to classify various brain hemorrhages effectively. Using a dataset of 720 patients, we extracted 215 radiomics features (RFs) and 15,680 deep features (DFs) from CT brain images. With rigorous screening based on Intraclass Correlation Coefficient thresholds (>0.75), we identified 135 RFs and 1054 DFs for analysis. Feature selection techniques such as Boruta, Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE), XGBoost, and ExtraTreesClassifier were utilized alongside 11 classifiers, including AdaBoost, CatBoost, Decision Trees, LightGBM, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, Neural Networks, Random Forest, Support Vector Machines (SVM), and k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN). Evaluation metrics included Area Under the Curve (AUC), Accuracy (ACC), Sensitivity (SEN), and F1-score. The model evaluation involved hyperparameter optimization, a 70:30 train–test split, and bootstrapping, further validated with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and q-values. Notably, DFs showed higher accuracy. In the case of RFs, the Boruta + SVM combination emerged as the optimal model for AUC, ACC, and SEN, while XGBoost + Random Forest excelled in F1-score. Specifically, RFs achieved AUC, ACC, SEN, and F1-scores of 0.89, 0.85, 0.82, and 0.80, respectively. Among DFs, the ExtraTreesClassifier + Naive Bayes combination demonstrated remarkable performance, attaining an AUC of 0.96, ACC of 0.93, SEN of 0.92, and an F1-score of 0.92. Distinguished models in the RF category included SVM with Boruta, Logistic Regression with XGBoost, SVM with ExtraTreesClassifier, CatBoost with XGBoost, and Random Forest with XGBoost, each yielding significant q-values of 42. In the DFs realm, ExtraTreesClassifier + Naive Bayes, ExtraTreesClassifier + Random Forest, and Boruta + k-NN exhibited robustness, with 43, 43, and 41 significant q-values, respectively. This investigation underscores the potential of synergizing DFs with machine learning models to serve as valuable screening tools, thereby enhancing the interpretation of head CT scans for patients with brain hemorrhages.
Lumbrokinase Extracted from Earthworms Synergizes with Bevacizumab and Chemotherapeutics in Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Targeted Inactivation of BPTF/VEGF and NF-κB/COX-2 Signaling
Authors: Hua Chunyu , Guo Ziyue , Dai Meng , Zhou Jie , Ge Hanxiao , Xue Guoqing , Xu Fahui , Ru Liyuan , Lv Kuan , Zhang Guohui , Zheng Lina , Wang Meiyi , Teng Yun , Yu Wendan , Guo Wei
Published: June 2024

As a kind of proteolytic enzyme extracted from earthworms, lumbrokinase has been used as an antithrombotic drug clinically. Nevertheless, its potential in anti-cancer, especially in anti-non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as a single form of treatment or in combination with other therapies, is still poorly understood. In this study, we explored the anti-tumor role and the responsive molecular mechanisms of lumbrokinase in suppressing tumor angiogenesis and chemoresistance development in NSCLC and its clinical potential in combination with bevacizumab and chemotherapeutics. Lumbrokinase was found to inhibit cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner and caused metastasis suppression and apoptosis induction to varying degrees in NSCLC cells. Lumbrokinase enhanced the anti-angiogenesis efficiency of bevacizumab by down-regulating BPTF expression, decreasing its anchoring at the VEGF promoter region and subsequent VEGF expression and secretion. Furthermore, lumbrokinase treatment reduced IC50 values of chemotherapeutics and improved their cytotoxicity in parental and chemo-resistant NSCLC cells via inactivating the NF-κB pathway, inhibiting the expression of COX-2 and subsequent secretion of PGE2. LPS-induced NF-κB activation reversed its inhibition on NSCLC cell proliferation and its synergy with chemotherapeutic cytotoxicity, while COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib treatment boosted such effects. Lumbrokinase combined with bevacizumab, paclitaxel, or vincristine inhibited the xenograft growth of NSCLC cells in mice more significantly than a single treatment. In conclusion, lumbrokinase inhibited NSCLC survival and sensitized NSCLC cells to bevacizumab or chemotherapeutics treatment by targeted down-regulation of BPTF/VEGF signaling and inactivation of NF-κB/COX-2 signaling, respectively. The combinational applications of lumbrokinase with bevacizumab or chemotherapeutics are expected to be developed as promising candidate therapeutic strategies to improve the efficacy of the original monotherapy in anti-NSCLC.
AGR2: The Covert Driver and New Dawn of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Authors: Qu Shen , Jia Weili , Nie Ye , Shi Wen , Chen Chao , Zhao Zihao , Song Wenjie
Published: June 2024

The anterior gradient protein 2 (AGR2) plays a crucial role in facilitating the formation of protein disulfide bonds within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Research suggests that AGR2 can function as an oncogene, with its heightened expression linked to the advancement of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers through invasion and metastasis. Notably, AGR2 not only serves as a pro-oncogenic agent but also as a downstream targeting protein, indirectly fostering cancer progression. This comprehensive review delves into the established functions and expression patterns of AGR2, emphasizing its pivotal role in cancer progression, particularly in hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. Furthermore, AGR2 emerges as a potential cancer prognostic marker and a promising target for immunotherapy, offering novel avenues for the treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers and enhancing patient outcomes.
Deep Learning Evaluation of Glaucoma Detection Using Fundus Photographs in Highly Myopic Populations
Authors: Chiang Yen-Ying , Chen Ching-Long , Chen Yi-Hao
Published: June 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to use deep learning to identify glaucoma and normal eyes in groups with high myopia using fundus photographs. Methods: Patients who visited Tri-Services General Hospital from 1 November 2018 to 31 October 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with high myopia (spherical equivalent refraction of ≤−6.0 D) were included in the current analysis. Meanwhile, patients with pathological myopia were excluded. The participants were then divided into the high myopia group and high myopia glaucoma group. We used two classification models with the convolutional block attention module (CBAM), an attention mechanism module that enhances the performance of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), to investigate glaucoma cases. The learning data of this experiment were evaluated through fivefold cross-validation. The images were categorized into training, validation, and test sets in a ratio of 6:2:2. Grad-CAM visual visualization improved the interpretability of the CNN results. The performance indicators for evaluating the model include the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. Results: A total of 3088 fundus photographs were used for the deep-learning model, including 1540 and 1548 fundus photographs for the high myopia glaucoma and high myopia groups, respectively. The average refractive power of the high myopia glaucoma group and the high myopia group were −8.83 ± 2.9 D and −8.73 ± 2.6 D, respectively (p = 0.30). Based on a fivefold cross-validation assessment, the ConvNeXt_Base+CBAM architecture had the best performance, with an AUC of 0.894, accuracy of 82.16%, sensitivity of 81.04%, specificity of 83.27%, and F1 score of 81.92%. Conclusions: Glaucoma in individuals with high myopia was identified from their fundus photographs.
Brain Tumor MRI Classification Using a Novel Deep Residual and Regional CNN
Authors: Zahoor Mirza Mumtaz , Khan Saddam Hussain , Alahmadi Tahani Jaser , Alsahfi Tariq , Mazroa Alanoud S. Al , Sakr Hesham A. , Alqahtani Saeed , Albanyan Abdullah , Alshemaimri Bader Khalid
Published: June 2024

Brain tumor classification is essential for clinical diagnosis and treatment planning. Deep learning models have shown great promise in this task, but they are often challenged by the complex and diverse nature of brain tumors. To address this challenge, we propose a novel deep residual and region-based convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture, called Res-BRNet, for brain tumor classification using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Res-BRNet employs a systematic combination of regional and boundary-based operations within modified spatial and residual blocks. The spatial blocks extract homogeneity, heterogeneity, and boundary-related features of brain tumors, while the residual blocks significantly capture local and global texture variations. We evaluated the performance of Res-BRNet on a challenging dataset collected from Kaggle repositories, Br35H, and figshare, containing various tumor categories, including meningioma, glioma, pituitary, and healthy images. Res-BRNet outperformed standard CNN models, achieving excellent accuracy (98.22%), sensitivity (0.9811), F1-score (0.9841), and precision (0.9822). Our results suggest that Res-BRNet is a promising tool for brain tumor classification, with the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of clinical diagnosis and treatment planning.
Gut–Liver–Pancreas Axis Crosstalk in Health and Disease: From the Role of Microbial Metabolites to Innovative Microbiota Manipulating Strategies
Authors: Marroncini Giada , Naldi Laura , Martinelli Serena , Amedei Amedeo
Published: June 2024

The functions of the gut are closely related to those of many other organs in the human body. Indeed, the gut microbiota (GM) metabolize several nutrients and compounds that, once released in the bloodstream, can reach distant organs, thus influencing the metabolic and inflammatory tone of the host. The main microbiota-derived metabolites responsible for the modulation of endocrine responses are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). These molecules can (i) regulate the pancreatic hormones (insulin and glucagon), (ii) increase glycogen synthesis in the liver, and (iii) boost energy expenditure, especially in skeletal muscles and brown adipose tissue. In other words, they are critical in maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis. In GM dysbiosis, the imbalance of microbiota-related products can affect the proper endocrine and metabolic functions, including those related to the gut–liver–pancreas axis (GLPA). In addition, the dysbiosis can contribute to the onset of some diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)/non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this review, we explored the roles of the gut microbiota-derived metabolites and their involvement in onset and progression of these diseases. In addition, we detailed the main microbiota-modulating strategies that could improve the diseases’ development by restoring the healthy balance of the GLPA.
Structural Lightweight Concrete Containing Basalt Stone Powder
Authors: Ramezani Amir Mohammad , Khajehdezfuly Amin , Poorveis Davood
Published: June 2024

In spite of the demonstrated efficacy of basalt stone powder as a cost-effective and readily available additive in enhancing the mechanical properties and durability of ordinary-weight concrete, its application in Structural Lightweight Concrete (SLWC) remains unexplored. This study introduced a mixing design for SLWC incorporating Light Expanded Clay Aggregates (LECAs) and basalt stone powder with a subsequent evaluation of its strength and durability characteristics. The experimental procedure involved creating various samples, considering differing proportions of cement, water, basalt stone powder, sand, LECA, superplasticizer, and aerating agent. The compressive strength and density of the 28-day-cured concrete specimens were determined. An optimal SLWC with a compressive strength of 42 MPa and a density of 1715 kg/m3 was identified. The flexural and tensile strength of the optimal SLWC exceeded those of ordinary-weight concrete by 6% and 3%, respectively. Further evaluation revealed that the optimal SLWC exhibited 1.46% water absorption and an electrical resistivity of 139.8 Ohm.m. Notably, the high porosity of LECA contributed to the low durability of SLWC. To address this, cost-effective external coatings of emulsion and fiberglass were applied to enhance the durability of the SLWC. Four coating scenarios, including one-layer bitumen, two-layer bitumen, three-layer bitumen, and three-layer bitumen with fiberglass, were investigated. The measurements of electrical resistance and compressive strength revealed that the use of three layers of emulsion bitumen and fiberglass improved the durability of the concrete by over 90% when the SLWC was exposed to severe chloride attack. Consequently, the durability of the SLWC with an external coating surpassed that of ordinary-weight concrete.
Research on the Optimal Design of Retaining Piles of a Wide Metro Tunnel Foundation Pit Based on Deformation Control
Authors: Zhong Wancai , Wan Qiwei , Nie Nan , Ding Haibin , Gao Feng , Xu Changjie
Published: June 2024

Engineers pay more and more attention to the economic benefits of foundation pit engineering. At present, the optimal design of the foundation pit supporting structure mainly focuses on strength and functional design, and there is no mature theoretical design method for deformation control. In this paper, a method for calculating the overall deformation of a foundation pit supporting structure based on the principle of minimum potential energy is proposed. Based on this method, the optimal design of the foundation pit of Guangzhou Baiyun District Comprehensive Transportation Hub Metro Station is realized. The deformation calculation results and optimization design scheme are validated by finite element numerical simulation and field monitoring data. The results show that the proposed theoretical algorithm predicts the pile deformation curves better than the finite element method, suggesting the proposed theoretical method is reasonable and the optimization scheme of the retaining pile is feasible. In the optimized design, the deformation of the foundation pit retaining pile is controlled by its push-back effect. The proposed deformation calculation method can realize the overall deformation calculation of the foundation pit supporting structure.
Study on Seismic Performance of RC Frame Structures Considering the Effect of Infilled Walls
Authors: Zhang Xuetan , Zhou Yang , Liu Xiangyu , Zheng Yaoyu , Qi Zhengxin
Published: June 2024

This paper studies the impact of half-height infilled walls on the failure modes of frame columns through quasi-static tests of both frame models and half-height infilled wall frame models. Based on the experimental results, a seismic analysis model of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures is established, and parametric studies are carried out to analyze the effects of masonry materials and masonry heights on the seismic performance of structures. The results show that the load-bearing capacity and stiffness of the structure are improved, while the ductility of the structure is reduced because of the existence of infilled walls. As the height of infilled walls increases, there is a notable decrease in the free height of frame columns. At a wall-to-column height ratio of 0.2, the masonry walls exert a negligible effect on the frame structure’s seismic performance. In contrast, at a ratio of 0.6, there is a transition in column failure modes from bending to shearing. When evaluated at consistent masonry heights, aerated concrete block-infilled walls demonstrate the least impact on the seismic performance of RC frame structures. Thus, in the absence of additional structural enhancements, the use of aerated concrete blocks is recommended to mitigate the negative implications of infilled walls on the seismic integrity of RC frames.
Reliability-Based Seismic Safety Assessment of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília
Authors: Rodrigues Philipe Q. , Pantoja João C. , Varum Humberto
Published: June 2024

Recent destructive earthquakes in Turkey (2023) with devastating effects have reawakened the discussion about seismic activity in Brazil and the vulnerability of the Brazilian buildings. Despite the lower magnitudes, national records should not be disregarded, as earthquakes with a magnitude below five may still cause loss of life and property damage. The assessment of existing RC buildings allows us to understand the performance of a structure during an earthquake and the adoption of mitigating measures. This paper preliminarily investigates the seismic vulnerability of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Brasilia, which was recognized as a World Heritage Site by ONU in 1987. The Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) procedure has been adopted for qualitative vulnerability assessment through the guidelines of the Japan Building Disaster Prevention Association at the procedure updated in accordance with the Brazilian reality. This research examined the structure under horizontal acceleration defined by national seismic code, and various scenarios are assumed as time aging, structural irregularities, and the level of importance of the structure. In this study, the Monte Carlo simulation is carried out to evaluate the level of safety. A performed analysis has shown that the examined building possesses the seismic capacity required against the expected earthquake motions. Even with reliability analysis, the structure achieves an acceptable level of safety. The results highlight the importance of a probabilistic approach to make reliable decisions on the conservation and rehabilitation of architectural heritage buildings.
Comparison of the Use of Excavated Soil Recycled Fine Aggregate as a Substitute for River Sand in Mortar Mixing
Authors: Xu Rong , Huang Tong
Published: June 2024

This study comparatively investigated the performance of mortar prepared using excavated soil recycled fine aggregate (ESRFA), which mainly included fine aggregate obtained by sediment separation equipment and sieving. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyse the size and shape of ESRFA particles. The particle size distribution of ESRFA was uneven and its sphericality was lower than that of river sand. Two series of rendering mortar mixes were prepared using identical water/cement and aggregate/cement ratios of 0.55 and 3, respectively, using river sand as fine aggregate. ESRFA was used to replace 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100% of the river sand in each mixture. The experimental results showed that the flowability of the mortar prepared with ESRFA was lower than that of the aggregate-based mortar, but the porosity, water absorption, and mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, and drying shrinkage) increased and then decreased upon increasing the ESRFA content. In conclusion, ESRFA shows potential as a partial replacement for river sand in mortar, particularly at lower substitution rates. Further research is needed to optimize the processing and application of ESRFA in concrete to enhance its performance and sustainability.
A Generic Framework for Managing Schedule and Cost Risks of Construction Activities Using PERT and the EV Technique
Authors: Zaneldin Essam , Ahmed Waleed
Published: June 2024

Construction projects are complexity, multidisciplinary, have thousands of activities and details, and involve many participants. This intricate and fragmented nature of construction projects coupled with tight budgets and limited resources makes them good candidates for failure and promotes the emergence of risks. These risks must be addressed in the decision-making process and properly managed to mitigate their effect. However, risk management is one of the most difficult tasks and the assessment and analysis of the cost and schedule risks of construction activities are considered the most challenging tasks in the whole risk management process and require careful considerations throughout the life cycle of a project. Despite the high cost associated with managing risk in construction projects, the outcome of this task normally provides fruitful benefits. To address this crucial issue, this study employs a mixed methodology approach utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather feedback from construction experts and identify schedule and cost risk events associated with construction activities, prioritize their likelihood of occurrence, and suggest responses to mitigate them. The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and earned value (EV) analysis are then used to estimate the expected cost at completion and the risk associated with it. A spreadsheet framework is then developed to help construction practitioners identify the most severe risks and measure their effect on the project’s duration and cost. The framework also suggests risk responses for each of the risk events. The study then provides recommendations to mitigate risks with high impact and severity.
Evolution of High Toughness Cementitious Composites Gas Permeability after Thermal-Mechanical Coupling Damage
Authors: Zeng Zhe , Zhang Dengxiang
Published: June 2024

High-toughness cementitious composite (HTCC) may be considered for use as a concrete lining material for underground lined rock caverns in compressed air energy storage (CAES) power stations. This experiment investigated the effect of coupled thermal-mechanical cycling on the changes in the gas permeability and pore structure of HTCC. According to the different operating conditions of CAES power stations, nine test conditions were selected with a compressive stress of 10 MPa and a temperature of 150 °C. The test results show that the HTCC have a peak tensile strain of up to 1.6% and an average crack width of 41~49 μm, providing good toughness and crack control. The permeabilities of HTCC were all significantly larger after loading by thermal-mechanical coupling cycles, but the change in permeability was more sensitive to compressive stresses. When the compressive stress is lower than 7.5 MPa and the temperature is lower than 100 °C, the permeability of HTCC can be maintained within 10−18 m2 orders of magnitude after the thermal-mechanical coupling cycle, which can satisfy the requirement of CAES impermeability performance. When the compressive stress reaches 10 MPa, the HTCC’s critical pore size increases, the pore size coarsens, and the permeability resistance deteriorates rapidly.
Structural Estimates of Supply and Demand Elasticity for Houses in Sydney
Authors: Liu Xiangling , Otto Glenn
Published: June 2024

We report estimates of supply and demand elasticities for houses (i.e., non-strata properties) in three geographic locations of Sydney. In the Inner Ring of Local Government Areas (LGAs)—those closest to the Central Business District (CBD)—our estimates indicate that the supply curve for houses is perfectly inelastic. This finding allows us to condition on the stock of houses and estimate the corresponding Inner Ring demand curve using ordinary least squares. In the Middle and Outer Rings—where the supply curve for houses has positive elasticity—we use instrumental variables to estimate the demand curve for houses. For all three locations, we obtain theoretically reasonable point estimates of standard demand elasticities, although the degree of uncertainty surrounding the Outer Ring estimates is relatively large. Averaging across the three regions of Sydney, the price elasticity of demand for houses is −1.3, cross-price elasticity with units is 1.1, and income elasticity is 2.1. Based on our elasticity estimates, only in the Outer Ring are any of the direct burdens of stamp duty born by buyers (about 40 percent).
Photodynamic Diagnosis and Therapy in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Kurabayashi Atsushi , Fukuhara Hideo , Furihata Kaoru , Iwashita Waka , Furihata Mutsuo , Inoue Keiji
Published: June 2024

Bladder cancer (BC) possesses distinct molecular profiles that influence progression depending on its biological nature and delivered treatment intensity. Muscle-invasive BC (MIBC) and non-MIBC (NMIBC) demonstrate great intrinsic heterogeneity regarding different prognoses, survival, progression, and treatment outcomes. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is the standard of care in treating NMIBC and serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes despite the prevalent recurrence and progression among many patients. In particular, flat urothelial carcinoma in situ and urothelial carcinoma with lamina propria invasion are the major precursors of MIBC. A new-generation photosensitizer, 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), demonstrates high tumor specificity by illuminating the tumor lesion with a specific wavelength of light to produce fluorescence and has been studied for photodynamic diagnosis to detect precise tumor areas by TURBT. Additionally, it has been applied for treatment by producing its cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, as well as screening for urological carcinomas by excreting porphyrin in the blood and urine. Moreover, 5-ALA may contribute to screening before and after TURBT in NMIBC. Here, we summarize the updated evidence and ongoing research on photodynamic technology for NMIBC, providing insight into the potential for improving patient outcomes.
Current Applications and Future Directions of Circulating Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer Recurrence
Authors: Tsai Kun-Yu , Huang Po-Shuan , Chu Po-Yu , Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh , Hung Hsin-Yuan , Hsieh Chia-Hsun , Wu Min-Hsien
Published: June 2024

The ability to predict or detect colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence early after surgery enables physicians to apply appropriate treatment plans and different follow-up strategies to improve patient survival. Overall, 30–50% of CRC patients experience cancer recurrence after radical surgery, but current surveillance tools have limitations in the precise and early detection of cancer recurrence. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells that detach from the primary tumor and enter the bloodstream. These can provide real-time information on disease status. CTCs might become novel markers for predicting CRC recurrence and, more importantly, for making decisions about additional adjuvant chemotherapy. In this review, the clinical application of CTCs as a therapeutic marker for stage II CRC is described. It then discusses the utility of CTCs for monitoring cancer recurrence in advanced rectal cancer patients who undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Finally, it discusses the roles of CTC subtypes and CTCs combined with clinicopathological factors in establishing a multimarker model for predicting CRC recurrence.
In Situ Growth of Mn-Co3O4 on Mesoporous ZSM-5 Zeolite for Boosting Lean Methane Catalytic Oxidation
Authors: Zhang Yuxuan , Wei Ruibo , Yang Lin , Ge Jinming , Hu Feiyang , Zhang Tingting , Lu Fangyin , Wang Haiwang , Qi Jian
Published: June 2024

The low-temperature oxidation of methane gas in coal mine exhaust gas is important for reducing the greenhouse effect and protecting the environment. Unfortunately, the carbon–hydrogen bonds in methane molecules are highly stable, requiring higher reaction temperatures to achieve effective catalytic oxidation. However, metal oxide-based catalysts face the problem of easy sintering and the deactivation of active components at high temperatures, which is an important challenge that catalysts need to overcome in practical applications. In this work, a series of Mn-Co3O4 active components were grown in situ on ZSM-5 zeolite with mesoporous pore structures treated with an alkaline solution via a hydrothermal synthesis method. Due to the presence of polyethylene glycol as a structure-directing agent, manganese can be uniformly doped into the Co3O4 lattice. The large specific surface area of ZSM-5 zeolite allows the active component Mn-Co3O4 to be uniformly dispersed, effectively preventing the sintering and growth of active component particles during the catalytic reaction process. It is worth mentioning that the Mn-Co3O4/meso-ZSM-5-6.67 catalyst has a methane conversion rate of up to 90% at a space velocity of 36,000 mL·g−1·h−1 and a reaction temperature of 363 °C. This is mainly due to the mesoporous ZSM-5 carrier with a high specific surface area, which is conducive to the adsorption and mass transfer of reaction molecules. The active component has an abundance of oxygen vacancies, which is conducive to the activation of reaction molecules and enhances its catalytic activity, which is even higher than that of noble metal-based catalysts. The new ideas for the preparation of metal oxide-based low-temperature methane oxidation catalysts proposed in this work are expected to provide new solutions for low-temperature methane oxidation reactions and promote technological progress in related fields.
Fibrogenesis in Human Mucosa and Muscularis Precision-Cut Intestinal Slices
Authors: Biel Carin , Kastermans Anniek , Heidema Janneke , Pehrsson Martin , Henstra Charlotte , Mortensen Joachim , Faber Klaas Nico , Olinga Peter
Published: June 2024

In Crohn’s Disease (CD), intestinal fibrosis is a prevalent yet unresolved complication arising from chronic and transmural inflammation. The histological assessment of CD intestines shows changes in tissue morphology in all the layers, including the mucosa and muscularis. This study aimed to determine the differences in fibrogenesis between mucosa and muscularis. Human precision-cut intestinal slices (hPCIS) were prepared from human intestine mucosa and muscularis and treated with TGF-β1 and/or PDGF-BB for 72 h. Gene and protein expression and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity were determined. The basal gene expression of various fibrosis markers was higher in muscularis compared to mucosa hPCIS. During incubation, Pro-Collagen-1A1 secretion increased in muscularis but not in mucosa hPCIS. MMP gene expression increased during incubation in mucosa and muscularis hPCIS, except for MMP9, MMP12, and MMP13 in muscularis hPCIS. Incubation with TGF-β1 caused increased COL1A1 expression in the mucosa but not in muscularis hPCIS. In muscularis hPCIS, TGF-β1 treatment caused a decrease in MMP1 and CTSK expression, while MMP13 was increased. In the presence of TGF-β1, protease inhibitor expression was stable, except for SERPINE1, which was increased in muscularis hPCIS. We conclude that fibrogenesis is more pronounced in muscularis hPCIS compared to mucosa hPCIS, especially when stimulated with TGF-β1.
Tumor Dormancy and Reactivation: The Role of Heat Shock Proteins
Authors: Amissah Haneef Ahmed , Combs Stephanie E. , Shevtsov Maxim
Published: June 2024

Tumors are a heterogeneous group of cell masses originating in various organs or tissues. The cellular composition of the tumor cell mass interacts in an intricate manner, influenced by humoral, genetic, molecular, and tumor microenvironment cues that dictate tumor growth or suppression. As a result, tumors undergo a period of a dormant state before their clinically discernible stage, which surpasses the clinical dormancy threshold. Moreover, as a genetically imprinted strategy, early-seeder cells, a distinct population of tumor cells, break off to dock nearby or extravasate into blood vessels to secondary tissues, where they form disseminated solitary dormant tumor cells with reversible capacity. Among the various mechanisms underlying the dormant tumor mass and dormant tumor cell formation, heat shock proteins (HSPs) might play one of the most important roles in how the dormancy program plays out. It is known that numerous aberrant cellular processes, such as malignant transformation, cancer cell stemness, tumor invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and signaling pathway maintenance, are influenced by the HSPs. An accumulating body of knowledge suggests that HSPs may be involved in the angiogenic switch, immune editing, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling cascades, crucial genetically imprinted strategies important to the tumor dormancy initiation and dormancy maintenance program. In this review, we highlight the biological events that orchestrate the dormancy state and the body of work that has been conducted on the dynamics of HSPs in a tumor mass, as well as tumor cell dormancy and reactivation. Additionally, we propose a conceptual framework that could possibly underlie dormant tumor reactivation in metastatic relapse.
Sensing of an HIV-1–Derived Single-Stranded RNA-Oligonucleotide Induces Arginase 1-Mediated Tolerance
Authors: Suvieri Chiara , Mondanelli Giada , Orabona Ciriana , Pallotta Maria Teresa , Panfili Eleonora , Rossini Sofia , Volpi Claudia , Belladonna Maria Laura
Published: June 2024

Small synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) can mimic microbial nucleic acids by interacting with receptor systems and promoting immunostimulatory activities. Nevertheless, some ODNs can act differently on the plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) subset, shaping their immunoregulatory properties and rendering them suitable immunotherapeutic tools in several clinical settings for treating overwhelming immune responses. We designed HIV–1–derived, DNA- and RNA-based oligonucleotides (gag, pol, and U5 regions) and assessed their activity in conferring a tolerogenic phenotype to pDCs in skin test experiments. RNA-but not DNA-oligonucleotides are capable of inducing tolerogenic features in pDCs. Interestingly, sensing the HIV–1–derived single-stranded RNA-gag oligonucleotide (RNA-gag) requires both TLR3 and TLR7 and the engagement of the TRIF adaptor molecule. Moreover, the induction of a suppressive phenotype in pDCs by RNA-gag is contingent upon the induction and activation of the immunosuppressive enzyme Arginase 1. Thus, our data suggest that sensing of the synthetic RNA-gag oligonucleotide in pDCs can induce a suppressive phenotype in pDCs, a property rendering RNA-gag a potential tool for therapeutic strategies in allergies and autoimmune diseases.
Do First Ray-Related Angles Change following Subtalar Arthroereisis in Pediatric Patients? A Radiographic Study
Authors: Mazzotti Antonio , Langone Laura , Zielli Simone Ottavio , Artioli Elena , Arceri Alberto , Brognara Lorenzo , Traina Francesco , Faldini Cesare
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Subtalar Arthroereisis (STA) is a surgical intervention for pediatric flexible flatfoot (PFF), primarily targeting hindfoot alignment by limiting excessive subtalar eversion. However, its effects on forefoot parameters remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate radiological changes following STA in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on consecutive patients treated with STA for PFF. First ray-related angles, including the Hallux Valgus Angle (HVA) and the Intermetatarsal Angle (IMA), alongside hindfoot radiological parameters such as the Meary, Calcaneal Pitch, and Costa Bartani angles, were assessed. Subgroup analysis by gender was performed, and correlations between demographic and preoperative radiological parameters were examined. Results: Forty-one patients (81 feet) with an average age of 11.6 years were included, with a mean follow-up duration of 6.4 months. No significant differences were observed in first ray-related angles pre-and postoperatively, with the mean IMA changing from 7.97° to 7.18° and the mean HV angles changing from 9.51° to 8.66°. Noteworthy improvements were seen in flat foot angles, including the Meary, Calcaneal Pitch, and Costa Bartani angles, postoperatively. The age subgroup analysis revealed similar trends in IMA and HVA changes between Group A (who underwent surgery before peak growth) and Group B (who underwent surgery after peak growth). Higher preoperative angles tended to improve, while lower preoperative IMAs and HVAs tended to worsen postoperatively, all remaining within normal ranges. Conclusion: STA showed positive radiological outcomes for PFF treatment, while negligible changes in first ray-related angles were observed. The age subgroup analysis indicated similar trends regardless of operation timing. Higher preoperative angles tended to improve, while lower preoperative angles tended to worsen postoperatively, despite all falling within non-pathological ranges. Further research is warranted to confirm this correlation.
Cerebrovascular Autoregulation in Preterm Infants Using Heart Rate or Blood Pressure: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lahr Bineta E. , Brunsch Celina L. , Dikkers Riksta , Bos Arend F. , Kooi Elisabeth M. W.
Published: June 2024

Background: Cerebrovascular autoregulation (CAR) is often impaired in preterm infants but requires invasive mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) measurements for continuous assessment. We aimed to assess whether using heart rate (HR) results in different CAR assessment compared with using MABP. Methods: We compared CAR (moving window correlation-coefficient with cerebral oxygenation saturation (rcSO2)), and percentage of time with impaired CAR (%timeCARi) calculated by either HR (TOHRx, tissue oxygenation heart rate reactivity index) or MABP (COx, cerebral oximetry index) during the first 72 h after birth, and its association with short-term cerebral injury. Results: We included 32 infants, median gestational age of 25 + 5/7 weeks (interquartile range 24 + 6/7–27 + 5/7). COx and TOHRx correlation coefficients (cc) were significantly different in the first two days after birth (individual means ranging from 0.02 to 0.07 and −0.05 to 0.01). %TimeCARi using MABP (cc cut-off 0.3), was higher on day 1 (26.1% vs. 17.7%) and day 3 (23.4% vs. 16.9%) compared with HR (cc cutoff −0.3). During 65.7–69.6% of the time, both methods indicated impaired CAR simultaneously. The aforementioned calculations were not associated with early cerebral injury. Conclusions: In conclusion, HR and MABP do not seem interchangeable when assessing CAR in preterm infants.
Efficient Recycling and Utilization Strategy for Steel Spent Pickling Solution
Authors: Liu Qi , Cao Yuqing , Zhou Meng , Miao Zehao , Yang Jinkun , Du Zhaokai , Lu Baoyang , Liu Guiqun , Li Jianhong , Chen Shuai
Published: June 2024

Before steel can be utilized, pickling is necessary to remove surface oxidation products. However, as the ferrous ion concentration in the pickling solution increases, the pickling rate significantly diminishes, necessitating the treatment of spent pickling solution (SPS) to mitigate its hazardous effects prior to disposal. Current industrial methods predominantly rely on neutralization and precipitation techniques, which are cost-prohibitive and generate substantial by-products, thus failing to meet environmental protection standards. In this study, a new method, which is based on the formation of FeC2O4·2H2O precipitate in a strong acid solution, is proposed to treat the SPS. Initially, the SPS undergoes a two-step impurity removal process, followed by the controlled addition of oxalic acid dihydrate (H2C2O4·2H2O) to precipitate iron. The resulting precipitate is filtered, washed, and vacuum-dried, and the regenerated acid is recycled back into the pickling tank. When 1 g/10 mL of H2C2O4·2H2O is used, the iron removal rate achieves 60%, and the acidity of the regenerated acid increases by 11.3%. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and thermogravimetric–differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) characterization showed that the precipitate was α-FeC2O4·2H2O, with an average particle size of about 3.19 μm and a purity of 95.24%. This process innovatively achieves efficient recycling of acid and iron resources, offering a potential solution to the industrial challenge of difficult SPS treatment in the steel industry and meeting the urgent need for sustainable development.