bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ponto-Geniculo-Occipital (PGO) Waves in Dreaming: An Overview
Authors: Gao Jin-Xian , Yan Guizhong , Li Xin-Xuan , Xie Jun-Fan , Spruyt Karen , Shao Yu-Feng , Hou Yi-Ping
Published: September 2023

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the main sleep correlate of dreaming. Ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) waves are a signature of REM sleep. They represent the physiological mechanism of REM sleep that specifically limits the processing of external information. PGO waves look just like a message sent from the pons to the lateral geniculate nucleus of the visual thalamus, the occipital cortex, and other areas of the brain. The dedicated visual pathway of PGO waves can be interpreted by the brain as visual information, leading to the visual hallucinosis of dreams. PGO waves are considered to be both a reflection of REM sleep brain activity and causal to dreams due to their stimulation of the cortex. In this review, we summarize the role of PGO waves in potential neural circuits of two major theories, i.e., (1) dreams are generated by the activation of neural activity in the brainstem; (2) PGO waves signaling to the cortex. In addition, the potential physiological functions during REM sleep dreams, such as memory consolidation, unlearning, and brain development and plasticity and mood regulation, are discussed. It is hoped that our review will support and encourage research into the phenomenon of human PGO waves and their possible functions in dreaming.
Precision Concussion Management: Approaches to Quantifying Head Injury Severity and Recovery
Authors: de Souza Daniel N. , Jarmol Mitchell , Bell Carter A. , Marini Christina , Balcer Laura J. , Galetta Steven L. , Grossman Scott N.
Published: September 2023

Mitigating the substantial public health impact of concussion is a particularly difficult challenge. This is partly because concussion is a highly prevalent condition, and diagnosis is predominantly symptom-based. Much of contemporary concussion management relies on symptom interpretation and accurate reporting by patients. These types of reports may be influenced by a variety of factors for each individual, such as preexisting mental health conditions, headache disorders, and sleep conditions, among other factors. This can all be contributory to non-specific and potentially misleading clinical manifestations in the aftermath of a concussion. This review aimed to conduct an examination of the existing literature on emerging approaches for objectively evaluating potential concussion, as well as to highlight current gaps in understanding where further research is necessary. Objective assessments of visual and ocular motor concussion symptoms, specialized imaging techniques, and tissue-based concentrations of specific biomarkers have all shown promise for specifically characterizing diffuse brain injuries, and will be important to the future of concussion diagnosis and management. The consolidation of these approaches into a comprehensive examination progression will be the next horizon for increased precision in concussion diagnosis and treatment.
Psychometric Properties of the SV-RES60 Resilience Scale in a Sample of Chilean Elementary School Teachers
Authors: Salvo-Garrido Sonia , Polanco-Levicán Karina , Dominguez-Lara Sergio , Mieres-Chacaltana Manuel , Gálvez-Nieto José Luis
Published: September 2023

The concept of resilience, identified as a crucial variable due to its association with several beneficial outcomes in adulthood, is of particular interest in the teaching field. Specifically, teachers work in a demanding, challenging, and stressful context that requires a remarkable ability to adapt; therefore, resilience is important in the field of teaching and training, as it plays a fundamental role in children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. This study sought to analyze the psychometric properties of the SV-RES60 Resilience Scale in a sample of Chilean elementary school teachers from first to eighth grade (N = 1406; mean age = 41.4; SD = 10.8). ESEM and bifactor ESEM analyses were performed to evaluate its factor structure, internal consistency, and reliability. The results supported a bifactor structure in which resilience was represented by one general latent factor and twelve specific factors (RMSEA = 0.032; 90%CI [0.030, 0.033]; SRMR = 0.012; CFI = 0.986; TLI = 0.977). A predominance of the unidimensional components of the SV-RES60 (general factor, ECV = 0.812; ωh = 0.975) and a high reliability (α = 0.981; ω of the general factor = 0.991) were observed. In conclusion, the SV-RES60 Resilience Scale is a suitable instrument for measuring the general factor of resilience in the investigated teaching environment. Future studies could contribute towards evidence of a reduced scale and transcultural validation to conduct comparative studies.
Deviation-Correcting Interface for Building-Envelope Renovation
Authors: Iturralde Kepa , Gambao Ernesto , Bock Thomas
Published: September 2023

In order to reach a Zero-Energy-consuming building stock, it is necessary to insulate and add renewable energy sources on top of existing building envelopes. Off-site prefabricated modules have been used for covering building facades, but manual on-site installation procedures are still more competitive than prefabricated ones. Renovation with prefabricated modules requires high precision in order to obtain airtight and waterproof conditions. For that, an accurate installation of the anchors on top of the facade is crucial. With current techniques, this is a time-consuming operation. One of the attempts to solve the above-mentioned issue was to place the part of the anchor on top of a building facade with high tolerances and to use an interface to correct the deviations. In previous research, this concept, named Matching Kit, was validated, but improvements needed to be made to make it more competitive. In this paper, thanks to novel algorithms and the use of Point Clouds, an improved version is presented. The results show a reduction in working time and an increase in precision. With this research, the interface is closer to being used in the construction industry.
Sustainable Green Building Awareness: A Case Study of Kano Integrated with a Representative Comparison of Saudi Arabian Green Construction
Authors: Alotaibi Badr Saad , Yahuza Mukhtar Sabiu , Ozden Ozge , Abuhussain Mohammed Awad , Dodo Yakubu Aminu , Usman A. G. , Usman Jamilu , Abba S. I.
Published: September 2023

The aim of this research is to assess sustainable green building awareness in Kano State, in a case study of the Gwale local government area. This research makes use of both primary and secondary data to address these offered solutions. Descriptive and quantitative analysis using the BREAM and LEAD evaluation standards was used to analyze the case study and 251 questionnaires were distributed. To ensure a fair trial of each of the 251 building samples, they were chosen at random from various parts of the Gwale Yan-Alawa ward. A case study of a selected green building was chosen and analyzed. The logical comparison with Saudi Arabia was made. It is concluded that the Nigerian government at the national level should put more effort into encouraging green building construction through public awareness programs and incentives and subsidizing the green system.
Exchanging Progress Information Using IFC-Based BIM for Automated Progress Monitoring
Authors: Sheik Noaman Akbar , Veelaert Peter , Deruyter Greet
Published: September 2023

BIM has become an intrinsic tool in managing building projects due to its ability to comprehensively represent information in digital form. However, using BIM as an information exchange tool is still in its infancy, particularly with regard to construction progress monitoring beyond time schedule information. The current study focuses on the development of an automated progress monitoring framework based on an IFC-based BIM and provides an extensive methodology based on a structured task-based approach in accordance with the latest IFC4.x schema in four stages. The first stage creates the appropriate IFC entities, which are then enriched with their values in the second stage. The third stage integrates the actual progress information, which requires regular updating from the construction site. Finally, the fourth stage enables the retrieval of progress information, which is then reported in a user-friendly format along with the estimation of additional progress indicators. The proposed method successfully integrated the progress information into their IFC-based BIM models, demonstrating its practical use for monitoring construction progress. In the end, a web-based application was also developed that made use of progress information stored within the standardized hierarchy of the updated IFC-based BIM to facilitate efficient reporting.
Cell Viability Studies on Bacillus sp. under Different Storage Conditions for Usage in Improving Concrete Compressive Strength
Authors: Rahaman Sk , Srujan Datunaka Sai , Ray Dutta Jayati , Kar Arkamitra , Bandyopadhyay Mohna
Published: September 2023

Bacterial concrete is a possible approach toward sustainability in concrete construction through crack-healing. Including a bacterial culture as an admixture in concrete can enhance the service life of a structure through the self-healing of cracks. Incorporating bacterial cells as an admixture in concrete is a major challenge as bacteria are living organisms with a limited shelf-life. It is essential to evaluate the shelf-life of bacterial cultures to encourage the inclusion of bacteria in concrete applications. Hence, the main focus of this study was to record the cell viability of these microorganisms before addition to cementitious systems. In the first stage, three different bacterial cultures of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus licheniformis were stored in Luria Bertani broth under two different conditions of room temperature and refrigeration. These stored bacterial solutions were checked for viability based on cell count after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 15 days, and 20 days of storage. In the second stage, the fresh bacterial cultures and the 15-day stock were added to prepare bacterial concrete and cement paste samples to assess their compressive strengths and microstructural changes, respectively. It was observed that the cell viability in terms of cell count of the selected bacterial strains attained up to 15 days when stored at room temperature. It was also observed that the compressive strength of the bacterial concrete prepared with stored bacterial cultures increased by 6% and 11% at 7 and 28 days compared with the control Portland cement concrete mix, respectively. However, the compressive strength decreased by 6% to 12% compared with the bacterial concrete prepared with fresh cultures at the same ages. Additionally, the compressive strength results were validated using microstructural analyses.
Spatial Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Multi-Scale Urban Living Space (ULS) Carbon Emissions in Tianjin, China
Authors: Zhang Xiaoping , Liao Qinghua , Yin Xunxi , Yin Zhaowei , Cao Qingqing
Published: September 2023

Urban living space (ULS) is known to be a significant contributor to carbon emissions. However, there is a lack of studies that have considered the impact of spatial organization indexes (SOIs) of various scales on urban living space carbon emissions (ULSCE), and so far, no definitive conclusions have been reached. To address this gap, taking Tianjin as an example, the measurement methods of ULSCE and SOI at different scales were proposed, and a random forest model was constructed to explore the effects of SOI on ULSCE. The results indicated that on the district scale, Beichen had the highest carbon emissions and absorption in 2021, with carbon emissions reaching 1.43 × 108 t and carbon absorption at 7.29 × 105 kg. In terms of area scale, the comprehensive service area had the highest carbon emissions at 3.57 × 108 t, accounting for 47.70%, while the green leisure area had the highest carbon absorption at 5.76 × 105 kg, accounting for 32.33%. At the block scale, the industrial block had the highest carbon emissions at 1.82 × 108 t, accounting for 54.02%, while the forest block had the highest carbon absorption at 1.25 × 106 kg, accounting for 91.33%. Each SOI had varying impacts, with the industrial land ratio (ILR) having the highest order of importance at the area scale, followed by road network density (RND), residential land ratio (RLR), bus station density (BSD), public service facilities land ratio (PLR), land mixing degree (LMD), open space ratio (OSR), and commercial land ratio (CLR). ILR, RND, and RLR were particularly important, each exceeding 10%, with importance values of 50.66%, 17.79%, and 13.17%, respectively. At the block scale, building area (BA) had the highest importance, followed by building density (BD), building height (BH), land area (LA), and floor area ratio (FAR). BA and BD were particularly important, with values of 27.31% and 21.73%, respectively. This study could serve as both theoretical and practical guidance for urban planning to aid the government in developing differentiated carbon emissions reduction strategies that can mitigate the heat island effect and promote low-carbon healthy urban planning.
Design and Verification of a Novel Structural Strain Measuring Method Based on Template Matching and Microscopic Vision
Authors: Zhao Chenhao , Bai Bingchuan , Liang Lianyue , Cheng Ziyu , Chen Xixian , Li Weijie , Zhao Xuefeng
Published: September 2023

Strain measurements have a significant role in evaluating the condition of various structural types and have become an essential component in the area of structural health monitoring. However, there are some limitations in the current means of strain measurement, and this study aims to improve these methods. We have designed a novel strain measurement method based on template matching algorithms and microscopic vision techniques, developed a new sliding strain sensor, and paired it with a new microscope to realize strain measurement. The method has the function of remote wireless acquisition with a cell phone, which is more widely applicable. In the laboratory performance testing, the zero drift of the sensor is mainly concentrated in the fluctuation range of ±2 με, and the effective range reaches nearly 40,000 με. In the comparison experiments with the linear variable differential transformer, the maximum error of the static loading is only 5 με, and the maximum error rate of the dynamic loading is less than 1%, which proves that it has a relatively high accuracy. Finally, the short-term real-time monitoring of the local structure of the footbridge was accomplished, and the strain changes on the surface of the structure were captured instantly, stably, and efficiently in the actual measurements. The proposed strain measurement system has the advantages of high accuracy, a low cost, convenient measurement, and wide applicability, and it provides a novel alternative means for strain measurement in the field of structural health monitoring.
Natural Products and Small Molecules Targeting Cellular Ceramide Metabolism to Enhance Apoptosis in Cancer Cells
Authors: Afrin Farjana , Mateen Sameena , Oman Jordan , Lai James C. K. , Barrott Jared J. , Pashikanti Srinath
Published: September 2023

Molecular targeting strategies have been used for years in order to control cancer progression and are often based on targeting various enzymes involved in metabolic pathways. Keeping this in mind, it is essential to determine the role of each enzyme in a particular metabolic pathway. In this review, we provide in-depth information on various enzymes such as ceramidase, sphingosine kinase, sphingomyelin synthase, dihydroceramide desaturase, and ceramide synthase which are associated with various types of cancers. We also discuss the physicochemical properties of well-studied inhibitors with natural product origins and their related structures in terms of these enzymes. Targeting ceramide metabolism exhibited promising mono- and combination therapies at preclinical stages in preventing cancer progression and cemented the significance of sphingolipid metabolism in cancer treatments. Targeting ceramide-metabolizing enzymes will help medicinal chemists design potent and selective small molecules for treating cancer progression at various levels.
Inhibition of EphA3 Expression in Tumour Stromal Cells Suppresses Tumour Growth and Progression
Authors: Vail Mary E. , Farnsworth Rae H. , Hii Linda , Allen Stacey , Arora Sakshi , Anderson Robin L. , Dickins Ross A. , Orimo Akira , Wu Sunny Z. , Swarbrick Alexander , Scott Andrew M. , Janes Peter W.
Published: September 2023

Tumour progression relies on interactions with untransformed cells in the tumour microenvironment (TME), including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which promote blood supply, tumour progression, and immune evasion. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are cell guidance receptors that are most active during development but re-emerge in cancer and are recognised drug targets. EphA3 is overexpressed in a wide range of tumour types, and we previously found expression particularly in stromal and vascular tissues of the TME. To investigate its role in the TME, we generated transgenic mice with inducible shRNA-mediated knockdown of EphA3 expression. EphA3 knockdown was confirmed in aortic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which displayed reduced angiogenic capacity. In mice with syngeneic lung tumours, EphA3 knockdown reduced vasculature and CAF/MSC-like cells in tumours, and inhibited tumour growth, which was confirmed also in a melanoma model. Single cell RNA sequencing analysis of multiple human tumour types confirmed EphA3 expression in CAFs, including in breast cancer, where EphA3 was particularly prominent in perivascular- and myofibroblast-like CAFs. Our results thus indicate expression of the cell guidance receptor EphA3 in distinct CAF subpopulations is important in supporting tumour angiogenesis and tumour growth, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
Angiogenesis in Lung Cancer: Understanding the Roles of Growth Factors
Authors: Ngaha Tchawe Yvan Sinclair , Zhilenkova Angelina V. , Essogmo Freddy Elad , Uchendu Ikenna K. , Abah Moses Owoicho , Fossa Lionel Tabola , Sangadzhieva Zaiana D. , D. Sanikovich Varvara , S. Rusanov Alexander , N. Pirogova Yuliya , Boroda Alexander , Rozhkov Alexander , Kemfang Ngowa Jean D. , N. Bagmet Leonid , I. Sekacheva Marina
Published: September 2023

Research has shown the role of growth factors in lung cancer angiogenesis. Angiogenesis promotes lung cancer progression by stimulating tumor growth, enhancing tumor invasion, contributing to metastasis, and modifying immune system responses within the tumor microenvironment. As a result, new treatment techniques based on the anti-angiogenic characteristics of compounds have been developed. These compounds selectively block the growth factors themselves, their receptors, or the downstream signaling pathways activated by these growth factors. The EGF and VEGF families are the primary targets in this approach, and several studies are being conducted to propose anti-angiogenic drugs that are increasingly suitable for the treatment of lung cancer, either as monotherapy or as combined therapy. The efficacy of the results are encouraging, but caution must be placed on the higher risk of toxicity, outlining the importance of personalized follow-up in the management of these patients.
Comparative Analysis of Three Predictive Models of Performance Indicators with Results-Based Management: Cancer Data Statistics in a National Institute of Health
Authors: Martínez-Salazar Joel , Toledano-Toledano Filiberto
Published: September 2023

Predictive models play a crucial role in RBMs to analyze performance indicator results to manage unexpected events and make timely decisions to resolve them. Their use in Mexico is deficient, and monitoring and evaluation are among the weakest pillars of the model. In response to these needs, the aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of three predictive models to analyze 10 medical performance indicators and cancer data related to children with cancer. To accomplish these purposes, a comparative and retrospective study with nonprobabilistic convenience sampling was conducted. The predictive models were exponential smoothing, autoregressive integrated moving average, and linear regression. The lowest mean absolute error was used to identify the best model. Linear regression performed best regarding nine of the ten indicators, with seven showing p < 0.05. Three of their assumptions were checked using the Shapiro–Wilk, Cook’s distance, and Breusch–Pagan tests. Predictive models with RBM are a valid and relevant instrument for monitoring and evaluating performance indicator results to support forecasting and decision-making based on evidence and must be promoted for use with cancer data statistics. The place numbers obtained by cancer disease inside the main causes of death, morbidity and hospital outpatients in a National Institute of Health were presented as evidence of the importance of implementing performance indicators associated with children with cancer.
Radiomic Assessment of Radiation-Induced Alterations of Skeletal Muscle Composition in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma within the Currently Clinically Defined Optimal Time Window for Salvage Surgery—A Pilot Study
Authors: Santer Matthias , Riechelmann Herbert , Hofauer Benedikt , Schmutzhard Joachim , Freysinger Wolfgang , Runge Annette , Gottfried Timo Maria , Zelger Philipp , Widmann Gerlig , Kranebitter Hanna , Mangesius Stephanie , Mangesius Julian , Kocher Florian , Dejaco Daniel
Published: September 2023

Patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) frequently require primary radiochemotherapy (RCT). Despite intensity modulation, the desired radiation-induced effects observed in HNSCC may also be observed as side effects in healthy tissue, e.g., the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). These side effects (e.g., tissue fibrosis) depend on the interval between the completion of RCT and restaging CT. For salvage surgery, the optimal time window for surgery is currently clinically postulated at between 6 and 12 weeks after completion of RCT. Thus, no extensive tissue fibrosis is to be expected. This interval is based on clinical studies exploring surgical complications. Studies directly exploring radiation-induced changes of the SCM in HNSCC patients are sparse. The present study quantified tissue alterations in the SCM and paravertebral musculature (PVM) after RCT, applying radiomics to determine the optimal time window for salvage surgery. Three radiomic key parameters, (1) volume, (2) mean positivity of pixels (MPP), and (3) uniformity, were extracted with mint LesionTM in the staging CTs and restaging CTs of 98 HNSCC patients. Of these, 25 were female, the mean age was 62 (±9.6) years, and 80.9% were UICC Stage IV. The mean restaging interval was 55 (±28; range 29–229) days. Only the mean volume significantly decreased after RCT, from 9.0 to 8.4 and 96.5 to 91.9 mL for the SCM and PVM, respectively (both p = 0.007, both Cohen’s d = 0.28). In addition, the mean body mass index (BMI) decreased from 23.9 (±4.2) to 21.0 (±3.6) kg/m² (p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.9). The mean BMI decreased significantly and was correlated with the volume decrease for the SCM (r = 0.27; p = 0.007) and PVM (r = 0.41; p < 0.001). If t-test p-values were adjusted for the BMI decrease, no significant change in volumes for the SCM and PVM was observed (both p > 0.05). The present data support the clinically postulated optimal interval for salvage surgery of 6 to 12 weeks.
Clinical Outcomes in AYAs (Adolescents and Young Adults) Treated with Proton Therapy for Uveal Melanoma: A Comparative Matching Study with Elder Adults
Authors: Pica Alessia , Weber Damien C. , Schweizer Claude , Chaouch Aziz , Zografos Leonidas , Schalenbourg Ann
Published: September 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with those of elder adult patients treated with proton therapy (PT) for uveal melanoma (UM). Material and Methods: A retrospective, comparative study was conducted in UM patients who underwent PT at the Ocular Oncology Unit of the Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital (University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland) and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI); (Villigen, Switzerland) between January 1997 and December 2007. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to select for each AYA (between 15–39 years old) an elder adult patient (≥40 years) with similar characteristics. We assessed ocular follow-up, local tumor control, metastasis incidence, and overall and relative survival (OS and RS). Non-terminal outcomes were then compared between the two groups using competing risk survival analysis. Results: Out of a total of 2261 consecutive UM patients, after excluding 4 children (<15 years) and 6 patients who were metastatic at presentation, we identified 272 AYA patients and matched 270 of them with 270 elder adult patients. Before PSM, the AYA patients had a higher incidence of primary iris melanoma (4.0% vs. 1.4%; p = 0.005), while the elder patients were more likely to have other neoplastic diseases at presentation (9% vs. 3.7%; p = 0.004). Ocular outcomes and local tumor control were similar in both groups. Cumulative metastasis incidence for the AYA and elder adult groups was 13% and 7.9% at 5 years and 19.7% and 12.7% at 10 years, respectively, which was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.214). The OS was similar in the two groups (p = 0.602), with estimates in the AYA and elder adult groups of 95.5% and 96.6% at 5 years and 94.6% and 91.4% at 10 years, respectively. However, the relative survival (RS) estimation was worse in the AYA group than the elder group (p = 0.036). Conclusion: While AYAs treated with PT for UM have similar ocular outcomes and present the same metastasis incidence and OS as elder adults, their RS is worse than that in elder adults, when compared with the population in general.
Dynamic Risk Stratification Integrated with ATA Risk System for Predicting Long-Term Outcome in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Valerio Laura , Dalmiglio Cristina , Maino Fabio , Mattii Elisa , Trimarchi Andrea , Cartocci Alessandra , Castagna Maria Grazia
Published: September 2023

Background: In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in thyroid cancer management paradigms that use individualized risk assessments as the basis for treatment and follow-up recommendations. In this study, we assumed that the long-term follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer patients might be better tailored by integrating the response to initial therapy with the America Thyroid Association (ATA) risk classes. Methods: This retrospective study included low- and intermediate-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients followed up for a median time of 8 years and classified according to the response to initial therapy assessed 6–12 months after initial treatment. Results: After a median follow-up of 8 years, in the initial excellent response subgroup of PTC patients (n = 522), the rate of recurrent disease was significantly higher in intermediate-risk patients than in low-risk PTC patients (6.9% versus 1.2%, p = 0.0005). Similarly, in the initial biochemical incomplete response subgroup (n = 82), the rate of excellent response was significantly higher in low-risk PTC patients (58.0%) than in intermediate-risk PTC patients (33.3%) (p = 0.007). Finally, in the initial structural incomplete response subgroup (n = 66), the rate of excellent response was higher in low-risk patients (80.0%) than in intermediate-risk patients (46.4%) (p = 0.08). Moreover, all patients with initial indeterminate response had an excellent response at the last follow-up visit. ATA risk classes were independently associated with long-term outcome in each subgroup of patients classified dynamically after initial therapy and the overall prognostic performance, defined via ROC curve analysis, of response to initial therapy integrated with the ATA risk system (AUC: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.86–0.92) was significantly higher compared to the ATA risk stratification (AUC 0.69; 95% CI: 0.65–0.74, p < 0.001) or the dynamic risk stratification (DRS) systems alone (AUC: 0.86 95% CI: 0.82–0.90, p = 0.007). Conclusions: This study of a large cohort of PTC patients showed that the initial ATA risk criteria may be useful for improving the risk-adapted management of PTC patients based on the response to initial therapy.
MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: The Next Frontier in Ultrahypofractionation
Authors: Benitez Cecil M. , Steinberg Michael L. , Cao Minsong , Qi X. Sharon , Lamb James M. , Kishan Amar U. , Valle Luca F.
Published: September 2023

Technological advances in MRI-guided radiation therapy (MRIgRT) have improved real-time visualization of the prostate and its surrounding structures over CT-guided radiation therapy. Seminal studies have demonstrated safe dose escalation achieved through ultrahypofractionation with MRIgRT due to planning target volume (PTV) margin reduction and treatment gating. On-table adaptation with MRI-based technologies can also incorporate real-time changes in target shape and volume and can reduce high doses of radiation to sensitive surrounding structures that may move into the treatment field. Ongoing clinical trials seek to refine ultrahypofractionated radiotherapy treatments for prostate cancer using MRIgRT. Though these studies have the potential to demonstrate improved biochemical control and reduced side effects, limitations concerning patient treatment times and operational workflows may preclude wide adoption of this technology outside of centers of excellence. In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of MRIgRT for prostate cancer, as well as clinical trials testing the efficacy and toxicity of ultrafractionation in patients with localized or post-prostatectomy recurrent prostate cancer.
Radiomics Features on Magnetic Resonance Images Can Predict C5aR1 Expression Levels and Prognosis in High-Grade Glioma
Authors: Wu Zijun , Yang Yuan , Zha Yunfei
Published: September 2023

Background: The complement component C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) regulates cancer immunity. This retrospective study aimed to assess its prognostic value in high-grade glioma (HGG) and predict C5aR1 expression using a radiomics approach. Methods: Among 298 patients with HGG, 182 with MRI data were randomly divided into training and test groups for radiomics analysis. We examined the association between C5aR1 expression and prognosis through Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses. We used maximum relevance–minimum redundancy and recursive feature elimination algorithms for radiomics feature selection. We then built a support vector machine (SVM) and a logistic regression model, investigating their performances using receiver operating characteristic, calibration curves, and decision curves. Results: C5aR1 expression was elevated in HGG and was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio = 3.984, 95% CI: 2.834–5.607). Both models presented with >0.8 area under the curve values in the training and test datasets, indicating efficient discriminatory ability, with SVM performing marginally better. The radiomics score calculated using the SVM model correlated significantly with overall survival (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our results highlight C5aR1’s role in HGG development and prognosis, supporting its potential as a prognostic biomarker. Our radiomics model can noninvasively and effectively predict C5aR1 expression and patient prognosis in HGG.
Highly Efficient and Selective Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol by WO42− Catalyst Immobilized by a Phosphonium-Containing Porous Aromatic Framework
Authors: You Bingxin , Cheng Zeliang , Tian Yuyang , Wang Shaolei , Wang Baolin
Published: September 2023

Benzoic acid has found a wide range of applications in the chemical industry. The selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol is one of the main routes to produce benzoic acid. In this work, tris(4-bromobiphenyl)phosphine was chosen as a building block to synthesize PAF-181 with a high specific surface area and high yield via a Yamamoto–Ullmann reductive coupling reaction. Subsequently, the WO4@PAF-181 catalyst was successfully prepared via methylation and ion exchange, in which PAF-181 acts as a carrier while WO42− serves as the active catalytic site. The synergistic effect between functional carriers and active sites endows WO4@PAF-181 with distinctive catalytic property for efficient selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid. Importantly, the catalyst can be conveniently recovered and reused by simple filtration, still maintaining its high catalytic activity.
Enhanced Solar Light-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Using Fe3+-Doped CdO/ZnS Nanocomposite: Mechanistic Insights and Performance Evaluation
Authors: Stella R. Joyce , Sreevani I. , Gurugubelli Thirumala Rao , Ravikumar R. V. S. S. N. , Koutavarapu Ravindranadh
Published: September 2023

In recent years, studies on the efficient spatial charge separation for broad solar light absorption and water remediation have been a major priority. Moreover, the development of transition metal-doped nanocomposites for this purpose is a new endeavor in current research. Here, we constructed an Fe3+-doped CdO/ZnS nanocomposite with a low doping level and investigated the effect of doping on the charge transfer and recombination behavior for improved photocatalytic performance. The X-ray diffraction analysis results indicate that both materials, CdO and ZnS, exhibit a cubic phase structure with an average crystallite size of 35 nm. Morphology analysis of the Fe3+-doped CdO/ZnS nanocomposite confirms the formation of irregularly shaped particle-like structures. From the optical studies, the bandgap energies of CdO/ZnS and Fe3+-doped CdO/ZnS nanocomposites are 3.19 eV and 2.87 eV, respectively, which proved that the iron ions doping reduced the bandgap energy and extended the absorption to the visible range. The efficiency of photodegradation in the tested samples was evaluated using tetracycline under solar light exposure. The experimental results demonstrated that the Fe3+-doped CdO/ZnS nanocomposite outperformed the other samples, exhibiting a significantly higher photocatalytic activity. After 80 min, it achieved a remarkable degradation rate of 97.06%. The Fe3+-doped CdO/ZnS nanocomposite demonstrated good stability and recyclability after five cycles. Radical trapping experiments showed that hydroxyl (•OH) radicals play a key role in photodegradation.
Selective Synthesis of a Gasoline Fraction from CO and H2 on a Co-SiO2/ZSM-5/Al2O3 Catalyst
Authors: Yakovenko Roman E. , Narochnyi Grigory B. , Zubkov Ivan N. , Bozhenko Ekaterina A. , Kataria Yash V. , Svetogorov Roman D. , Savost’yanov Alexander P.
Published: September 2023

This article reports on a simple method for producing high-octane gasoline from CO and H2 on a Co-Al2O3/SiO2/HZSM-5/Al2O3 hybrid catalyst. In the selected pressure range (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 MPa), it was found that a decrease in pressure and an increase in temperature contribute to an increase in the content of branched hydrocarbons. The optimal technological parameters of the process were determined to ensure high selectivity and productivity for C5–C10 hydrocarbons: pressure—1.0 MPa, ratio H2/CO = 2, gas space velocity—1000 h−1, temperature—250 °C. The selectivity for the gasoline fraction is 65.2%, and the ratio of branched to linear hydrocarbons (iso/n index) is 2.3. Under the specified technological conditions, an experimental batch of gasoline fraction (1000 cm3) was produced at the pilot plant during 400 h of continuous operation. The main physicochemical and operational parameters of the experimental gasoline fraction of hydrocarbons have been determined. The octane number determined by the research method according to GOST R 52947-2019 is 78.5 units.
What Does the Future Hold for Biomarkers of Response to Extracorporeal Photopheresis for Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome?
Authors: Akilov Oleg E.
Published: September 2023

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an FDA-approved immunotherapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, which can provide a complete response in some patients. However, it is still being determined who will respond well, and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed to target patients for timely treatment and to monitor their response over time. The aim of this review is to analyze the current state of the diagnostic, prognostic, and disease state-monitoring biomarkers of ECP, and outline the future direction of the ECP biomarker discovery. Specifically, we focus on biomarkers of response to ECP in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. The review summarizes the current knowledge of ECP biomarkers, including their limitations and potential applications, and identifies key challenges in ECP biomarker discovery. In addition, we discuss emerging technologies that could revolutionize ECP biomarker discovery and accelerate the translation of biomarker research into clinical practice. This review will interest researchers and clinicians seeking to optimize ECP therapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Neuroimmune Interactions in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Potential Therapeutic Targets and Intervention Strategies
Authors: Mukherjee Sayani , Tarale Prashant , Sarkar Dipak K.
Published: September 2023

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a set of abnormalities caused by prenatal exposure to ethanol and are characterized by developmental defects in the brain that lead to various overt and non-overt physiological abnormalities. Growing evidence suggests that in utero alcohol exposure induces functional and structural abnormalities in gliogenesis and neuron–glia interactions, suggesting a possible role of glial cell pathologies in the development of FASD. However, the molecular mechanisms of neuron–glia interactions that lead to the development of FASD are not clearly understood. In this review, we discuss glial cell pathologies with a particular emphasis on microglia, primary resident immune cells in the brain. Additionally, we examine the involvement of several neuroimmune molecules released by glial cells, their signaling pathways, and epigenetic mechanisms responsible for FASD-related alteration in brain functions. Growing evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in the communication between cells via transporting bioactive cargo from one cell to the other. This review emphasizes the role of EVs in the context of neuron–glia interactions during prenatal alcohol exposure. Finally, some potential applications involving nutritional, pharmacological, cell-based, and exosome-based therapies in the treatment of FASD are discussed.
High-Temperature Oxidation Properties of Ti-Hf-Mo-Ta-Nb-B Composite Coating Deposited on Ti60 Alloy with Laser Cladding
Authors: Huang Kaijin , Han Xianchao
Published: September 2023

In order to improve the high-temperature oxidation resistance of Ti60 alloy, a Ti-Hf-Mo-Ta-Nb-B composite coating was prepared on Ti60 alloy with Ti, Hf, Mo, Ta and Nb powder and B powder as raw materials using laser cladding. The microstructure and oxidation behavior of the coating before and after oxidation at 1100 °C × 120 h in static air were studied with XRD, SEM, EDS and isothermal oxidation techniques. The results show that the coating was mainly composed of six phases, (Ti0.2Hf0.2Mo0.2Ta0.2 Nb0.2)B2, TiB, HfB2, Mo4.00 B3.40, TiHf and Hf1.86Mo0.14. The high-temperature oxidation of the coating and Ti60 alloy followed parabolic law, and the oxidation weight gain rate of the coating after 110 °C × 120 h was only 1/4.8 of that of the Ti60 alloy. The improvement of the high-temperature oxidation resistance of the coating may benefit from high-temperature oxidation resistance (Ti0.2Hf0.2 Mo0.2Ta0.2Nb0.2)B2, HfB2 and TiB boride ceramic phases.
High-Throughput Preparation and Mechanical Property Screening of Zr-Ti-Nb-Ta Multi-Principal Element Alloys via Multi-Target Sputtering
Authors: Qiu Haochen , Yan Xuehui , Wu Shuaishuai , Jiang Wei , Zhu Baohong , Guo Shengli
Published: September 2023

Zr-Ti-Nb-Ta alloys were synthesized in parallel via multi-target co-sputtering deposition with physical masking in a pseudo-ternary Ti-Nb-ZrTa alloy system. Sixteen alloys with distinct compositions were obtained. Comprehensive characterization of phase structure, microstructure, Young’s modulus, and nanoindentation hardness was undertaken. The Ti-Nb-ZrTa alloys exhibited two typical phase structures: a single-BCC solid-solution structure, and an amorphous structure. Nanoindentation quantification confirmed a Young’s modulus ranging from 110 to 130 GPa, alongside nanoindentation hardness spanning 3.6 to 5.0 GPa. The combination of good hardness and a relatively low Young’s modulus renders these alloys promising candidates for excellent biomedical materials. This work not only offers an effective method for the high-throughput synthesis of multi-principal element alloys, but also sheds light on a strategy for screening the phase structure and mechanical performance within a given alloy system.
The Effect of Heat Treatment on Phase Structure and Mechanical and Corrosion Resistance Properties of High Tungsten Ni-W Alloy Coating
Authors: Xu Yingjun , Wang Deyong , Sheng Minqi , Wang Huihua , Guo Ruiqi , Qu Tianpeng , Hu Shaoyan
Published: September 2023

The present study investigated the surface morphology, phase composition, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of Ni-W alloy coatings prepared under current densities of 1–5 A/dm², after undergoing heat treatment at 400 °C, 600 °C, and 900 °C. The grain size of the as-plated Ni-W alloy coating was below 10 nm. After heat treatment at different temperatures, the grain size increased, reaching a maximum value of around 30 nm at 900 °C. Heat treatment crystallized and altered the structure of the coating. Different heat treatment temperatures yielded different precipitates, including Ni4W, Ni6W6C, and WC. The highest coating hardness (820–940 Hv) was achieved at 400 °C, while the best corrosion resistance was achieved at 600 °C. The precipitation hardening phase can be obtained by proper heat treatment temperature, yielding the desired properties of the composite coating.
Microstructural Evolution of Irradiated Cr-Coated Zr-4 under In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Heating
Authors: Zhong Yuxin , Wu Xiaoyong , Wu Lu , Zhao Sha , Su Hanxuan , Ning Zhien , Zhang Wei , Liu Ning , Yang Jijun
Published: September 2023

The structural evolution of Cr-coated Zr-4 after irradiation was studied via in situ TEM in the temperature range from room temperature to 1000 °C. The results show that the krypton bubbles appeared at ~700 °C, and their size increased with increasing temperatures. The grain size and shape of the irradiated Zr-4 substrate changed with increasing temperature, and finally, columnar crystals appeared, which was related to the compressive stress induced via irradiation. The Cr2Zr C14 phases formed at both the interface and the substrate at 700 °C and 1000 °C. Moreover, the accelerated failure process of irradiated Cr coating at high temperatures was observed via in situ TEM analysis.
Review on Charge Carrier Transport in Inorganic and Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Morab Seema , Sundaram Manickam Minakshi , Pivrikas Almantas
Published: September 2023

Inorganic semiconductors like silicon and germanium are the foundation of modern electronic devices. However, they have certain limitations, such as high production costs, limited flexibility, and heavy weight. Additionally, the depletion of natural resources required for inorganic semiconductor production raises concerns about sustainability. Therefore, the exploration and development of organic semiconductors offer a promising solution to overcome these challenges and pave the way for a new era of electronics. New applications for electronic and optoelectronic devices have been made possible by the recent emergence of organic semiconductors. Numerous innovative results on the performance of charge transport have been discovered with the growth of organic electronics. These discoveries have opened up new possibilities for the development of organic electronic devices, such as organic solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes, and organic field-effect transistors. The use of organic materials in these devices has the potential to revolutionise the electronics industry by providing low-cost, flexible, and lightweight alternatives to traditional inorganic materials. The understanding of charge carrier transport in organic semiconductors is crucial for the development of efficient organic electronic devices. This review offers a thorough overview of the charge carrier transport phenomenon in semiconductors with a focus on the underlying physical mechanisms and how it affects device performance. Additionally, the processes of carrier generation and recombination are given special attention. Furthermore, this review provides valuable insights into the fundamental principles that govern the behaviour of charge carriers in these materials, which can inform the design and optimisation of future devices.
Se-MAG Is a Convenient Additive for Experimental Phasing and Structure Determination of Membrane Proteins Crystallised by the Lipid Cubic Phase (In Meso) Method
Authors: Boland Coilín , Huang Chia-Ying , Shanker Kaki Shiva , Wang Meitian , Olieric Vincent , Caffrey Martin
Published: September 2023

Both intensity and phase information are needed for structure determination by macromolecular X-ray crystallography. The diffraction experiment provides intensities. Phases must be accessed indirectly by molecular replacement, or by experimental phasing. A popular method for crystallising membrane proteins employs a lipid cubic mesophase (the in meso method). Monoolein is the most popular lipid for in meso crystallisation. Invariably, the lipid co-crystallises with the protein recapitulating the biomembrane from whence it came. We reasoned that such a lipid bearing a heavy atom could be used for experimental phasing. In this study, we replaced half the monoolein in the mesophase with a seleno-labelled analogue (Se-MAG), which has a selenium atom in the fatty acyl chain of the lipid. The lipid mixture formed the cubic mesophase and grew crystals by the in meso method of the alginate transporter, AlgE, and the lipoprotein N-acyltransferase, Lnt. Se-MAGs co-crystallised with both proteins and were used to obtain phases for high-resolution structure determination by the selenium single-wavelength anomalous diffraction method. The use of such a mixed lipid system may prove to be a general strategy for the experimental phasing part of crystallographic structure determination of membrane proteins that crystallise via the in meso method.
A Computational Study on Polar ABiO3 (A = Ca, Zn, Mg) Compounds with Large Electric Polarization
Authors: Rus Florina Ștefania , Gonçalves João Nuno
Published: September 2023

Bismuth-based oxides with chemical formula ABiO3, where A = Ca, Zn, Mg, have been recently synthesized and suggested to host ferroelectricity. As these materials possess favorable optical properties, the presence of ferroelectricity with large polarization would further enhance the possible applications, for example, in photovoltaics by improving the separation of charge carriers. In this work, first-principles Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations are performed to study the relative stability of the different polymorphs and to investigate the structural, electronic, and ferroelectric properties. Furthermore, the effect of compressive and tensile in-plane strain on the polarization and electronic properties is also considered. Our study suggests that CaBiO3 should have a large electric polarization (1.8 C/m2) comparable to the one of BiFeO3. Interestingly, the very high polarization appears with only slightly anomalous values of Born effective charges, which would point out a dominant ionic contribution. Our results call for further studies, both from experimental and theoretical sides, to confirm the large electric polarization CaBiO3 predicted in this work. For ZnBiO3 and MgBiO3, we have demonstrated that, up to large values of strain, the perovskite structure retains favorable ferroelectric and electronic (band gap) properties.