bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting survival in patients with severe heart failure: Risk score validation in the HELP‐HF cohort
Authors: Chiarito Mauro , Stolfo Davide , Villaschi Alessandro , Sartori Samantha , Baldetti Luca , Lombardi Carlo Mario , Adamo Marianna , Loiacono Ferdinando , Sammartino Antonio Maria , Riccardi Mauro , Tomasoni Daniela , Inciardi Riccardo Maria , Maccallini Marta , Gasparini Gaia , Grossi Benedetta , Contessi Stefano , Cocianni Daniele , Perotto Maria , Barone Giuseppe , Merlo Marco , Cappelletti Alberto Maria , Sinagra Gianfranco , Pini Daniela , Metra Marco , Pagnesi Matteo
Published: January 2025

Aims

Accurate selection of patients with severe heart failure (HF) who might benefit from advanced therapies is crucial. The present study investigates the performance of the available risk scores aimed at predicting the risk of mortality in patients with severe HF.

Methods and results

The risk of 1‐year mortality was estimated in patients with severe HF enrolled in the HELP‐HF cohort according to the MAGGIC, 3‐CHF, ADHF/NT‐proBNP, and GWTG‐HF risk scores, the number of criteria of the 2018 HFA‐ESC definition of advanced HF, I NEED HELP markers, domains fulfilled of the 2019 HFA‐ESC definition of frailty, the frailty index, and the INTERMACS profile. In addition, we tested the performance of different machine learning (ML)‐based models to predict 1‐year mortality. At 1‐year follow‐up, 265 patients (23.1%) died. The prognostic accuracy, tested in the subgroup of patients with completeness of all data regarding the variables included in the scores (497/1149 patients), resulted moderate for MAGGIC, GWTG‐HF, and ADHF/NT‐proBNP scores (area under the curve [AUC] ≥0.70) and only poor for the other tools. All the scores lost accuracy in estimating the rate of 1‐year mortality in patients at the highest risk. Support vector machine‐based model had the best AUC among ML‐based models, slightly outperforming most of the tested risk scores.

Conclusion

Most of the scores used to predict the risk of mortality in HF performed poorly in real‐world patients with severe HF and provided inaccurate estimate of the risk of 1‐year mortality in patients at the highest risk. ML‐based models did not significantly outperform the currently available risk scores and their use must be validated in large cohort of patients.
Microbial Characterization of a Zambian Honey Vinegar
Authors: Cambray Garth Anton , Kalinski Jarmo‐Charles Julian
Published: January 2025

Forest Fruits Organic Honey Vinegar (FFOHV) is a spontaneously fermented (yeast) and acetified (Acetic Acid Bacteria—AAB) Miombo Woodland honey vinegar developed in Zambia. Live vinegars containing live microbial cultures are marketed for their probiotic health benefits. The correlation between a well‐developed gut microbiome and human health is well studied and fermented products such as live vinegar containing AAB contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. This study details a metagenomic analysis of stable, bottled FFOHV (Zambia) alongside two commercially available live vinegar products: Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (BOACV) and Nature's Source Apple Cider Vinegar (NSACV). FFOHV contained representatives of five bacterial and nine fungal genera, compared to BOACV with two bacterial and five fungal, and NSACV containing no bacterial and six fungal genera. FFOHV and BOACV showed a dominance of Komagataeibacter bacterial species. The dominant yeast was Vanrija humicola present in all three vinegar samples. FFOHV contained greater diversity of genera, with the notable species Monascus purpureus—a microbe that produces several health‐enhancing compounds. The analysis showed that FFOHV is a microbially diverse product containing several potentially health‐enhancing microbes. Graphical Abstract Text: This study presents a metagenomic analysis of Forest Fruits Organic Honey Vinegar (FFOHV) from Zambia, compared with two commercial live cider vinegars: Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (BOACV) and Nature's Source Apple Cider Vinegar (NSACV). FFOHV exhibited a richer microbial diversity, containing five bacterial and nine fungal genera, including the health‐promoting species Monascus purpureus. Both FFOHV and BOACV were dominated by Komagataeibacter species, with Vanrija humicola as the prevalent yeast across all samples. This confirmed FFOHV's unique potential probiotic benefits.
Antioxidative and Anticancer Potential of Luteolin: A Comprehensive Approach Against Wide Range of Human Malignancies
Authors: Mahwish  , Imran Muhammad , Naeem Hammad , Hussain Muzzamal , Alsagaby Suliman A. , Al Abdulmonem Waleed , Mujtaba Ahmed , Abdelgawad Mohamed A. , Ghoneim Mohammed M. , El‐Ghorab Ahmed H. , Selim Samy , Al Jaouni Soad K. , Mostafa Ehab M. , Yehuala Tadesse Fenta
Published: January 2025

Luteolin is widely distributed phytochemical, a flavonoid, in kingdom plantae. Luteolin with potential antioxidant activity prevent ROS‐induced damages and reduce oxidative stress which is mainly responsible in pathogenesis of many diseases. Several chemo preventive activities and therapeutic benefits are associated with luteolin. Luteolin prevents cancer via modulation of numerous pathways, that is, by inactivating proteins; such as procaspase‐9, CDC2 and cyclin B or upregulation of caspase‐9 and caspase‐3, cytochrome C, cyclin A, CDK2, and APAF‐1, in turn inducing cell cycle arrest as well as apoptosis. It also enhances phosphorylation of p53 and expression level of p53‐targeted downstream gene. By Increasing BAX protein expression; decreasing VEGF and Bcl‐2 expression it can initiate cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Luteolin can stimulate mitochondrial‐modulated functions to cause cellular death. It can also reduce expression levels of p‐Akt, p‐EGFR, p‐Erk1/2, and p‐STAT3. Luteolin plays positive role against cardiovascular disorders by improving cardiac function, decreasing the release of inflammatory cytokines and cardiac enzymes, prevention of cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy; enhances level of CTGF, TGFβ1, ANP, Nox2, Nox4 gene expressions. Meanwhile suppresses TGFβ1 expression and phosphorylation of JNK. Luteolin helps fight diabetes via inhibition of alpha‐glucosidase and ChE activity. It can reduce activity levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and GS4. It can improve blood glucose, insulin, HOMA‐IR, and HbA1c levels. This review is an attempt to elaborate molecular targets of luteolin and its role in modulating irregularities in cellular pathways to overcome severe outcomes during diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, obesity, inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hepatic disorders, renal disorders, brain injury, and asthma. As luteolin has enormous therapeutic benefits, it could be a potential candidate in future drug development strategies.
Ellagic Acid Modulates Necroptosis, Autophagy, Inflammations, and Stress to Ameliorate Nonalcoholic Liver Fatty Disease in a Rat Model
Authors: Li Zhuoheng , Li Juan , He Shuli , Chen Jun , Deng Chengjun , Duan Jintao
Published: January 2025

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered one of the most common metabolic disorders worldwide. Although the pathoetiology of NAFLD is not fully elucidated, recent evidence suggests the involvement of stress, inflammation, and programmed death in the onset and progression of the disease. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of ellagic acid (EA), a known herbal antioxidant, on a high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced animal model of NAFLD by evaluating the status of lipid profile, necroptosis (RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL), autophagy (LC3, ATG5, and BECN1), inflammation (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐4, and IL‐10), and stress (SOD, CAT, GR, GPx, and MDA). In this regard, rats were randomly divided into 6 groups as follows: normal diet controls, HFD (supplemented with high caloric diet model), EA low dose (HFD and 10 mg/kg/day EA), EA middle dose (HFD and 25 mg/kg/day EA), EA high dose (HFD and 50 mg/kg/day EA), and Rosiglitazone (HFD and 10 mg/kg/day Rosi). After the treatment, the levels of markers related to necroptosis and autophagy in the liver tissue as well as the lipid profiles, inflammation, and oxidative stress status were analyzed. It was shown that the dose of EA was able to improve the weight gain and lipid profile when compared to NAFLD animals (p‐value < 0.001). Moreover, EA increased the level of LC3 and ATG5 while decreasing BECN 1, RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL compared to the HFD‐induced NAFLD rats (p‐value < 0.05). TNF‐α and IL‐6 were decreased after EA administration, whereas IL‐4 and IL‐10 levels were increased (p‐value < 0.001). Furthermore, the increase in the activity of SOD, CAT, GR, and GPx along with the decrease in MDA levels indicated the suppression of oxidative stress by EA treatment compared to the NAFLD rats (p‐value < 0.0001). The current findings may suggest that EA improves NAFLD via modulation of necroptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and stress.
Improvement of Iron and β‐Carotene Bioaccessibility in Complementary Foods: Biofortification of Local Crops With Organic Residual Products and Microorganisms
Authors: Thiam Mbeugué , Diouf Adama , Icard‐Vernière Christèle , Avallone Sylvie , Ndiaye Ndèye Fatou , De Souza Marielle Atala , Médoc Jean‐Michel , Idohou‐Dossou Nicole , Humblot Christèle
Published: January 2025

Micronutrient deficiencies remain a great public health challenge worldwide with iron, zinc, and vitamin A being the most problematic. It has been shown that biofortification through agronomic strategies can increase their micronutrient content, but data on the bioavailability remain limited. In Senegal, consumption of cereals and legumes is high, and orange‐fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), rich in β‐carotene, has been introduced a decade ago. The objective of the present work was to assess the bioaccessibility of iron, zinc, and β‐carotene in local complementary foods prepared with millet, cowpea, and OFSP alone or in combination, produced using different agronomic biofortification strategies. Organic residual products were used alone or in combination with microorganisms to produce the abovementioned crops that were used to prepare the complementary foods. Static in vitro digestion was performed to assess the bioaccessibility of the micronutrients, according to a harmonized protocol. The two organic residual products had different effect, as the cow dung alone was inefficient to increase iron and zinc contents as well as their bioaccessibility in millet porridges. However, the use of poultry litter alone or in combination with microorganisms increased iron bioaccessibility in cooked cowpea (27%–29%) compared to the non‐biofortified counterpart (9%). Surprisingly, bioaccessible β‐carotene was significantly higher (4.1%) in sample of mashed OFSP biofortified with the combination of the different agronomic strategies than in the others (1.4%–2.5%). Portions (150 g) of porridge prepared from the three biofortified crops would cover up to 100% of the daily vitamin A requirements of children aged 6–23 months. The use of a combination the most promising varieties of crops, together with the agronomic strategies, would be a complementary approach to sustainability limit micronutrient deficiencies in a context of monotonous diets.
An Intersectional Perspective on Cyberbullying: Victimization Experiences Among Marginalized Youth
Authors: Amadori Alberto , Real André Gonzales , Brighi Antonella , Russell Stephen T.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The impact of cyberbullying victimization on youth development, encompassing mental health, academic performance, and socioemotional well‐being, has been widely documented. Research highlights the heightened vulnerability of sexual and gender minoritized youth, along with other youth from marginalized groups, to cybervictimization. However, there is a gap in understanding how intersecting marginalized social identities affect experiences of cyberbullying.

Methods

This study employs an intersectionality framework to examine cybervictimization among youth. The sample consists of 444,224 students in grades 9–12 from the 2017–2019 California Healthy Kids Survey. Using exhaustive chi‐square automatic interaction detection (ECHAID), the analysis identifies the prevalence of cybervictimization across multiple intersecting social identities, including sex assigned at birth, gender modality (cisgender 97.6%), sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, grade level, and socioeconomic status.

Results

Cybervictimization was reported by 22.7% of youth in the sample. Rates were two to three times higher among youth with multiple marginalized identities. Youth at the intersection of bisexual sexual orientation, transgender gender modality, and racial/ethnic minoritized identities faced a particularly high risk of cybervictimization.

Conclusions

There is an urgent need for future research in cyberbullying and youth development. Such research should focus on identifying and understanding the intersectional nature of discrimination and victimization, both in‐person and online, to develop evidence‐based prevention programs that effectively address the complexities of minoritized identities and discrimination in the digital world.
Productive and Unproductive Effort Choices in Groups and Sharing: An Experimental Study
Authors: Büyükboyacı Mürüvvet , Karagözoğlu Emin , Küçükşenel Serkan
Published: January 2025

Agents in collaborative relationships (e.g., business partnership and co‐authorship) frequently need to decide on the allocation of limited resources (e.g., time and money) to productive activities that increase the size of the joint surplus and unproductive, promotional activities that do not affect the size of the surplus but increase their (individual) likelihood of capturing a greater control/share of the surplus. Using a laboratory experiment, we first analyze the effect of the opportunity cost of unproductive investment on subjects' resource allocation decisions in the first stage. Second, we study whether (i) the opportunity cost of unproductive investment and (ii) the identity of the decision‐maker (human or computer) affect subjects' distributive decisions in the second stage. Three main insights emerge from our experiment: First, we find that subjects choose productive and unproductive investments equally likely both in low and high opportunity cost treatments. Second, subjects give less to their matched pairs if they choose unproductive investment in human treatment but not in computer treatment that suggests that subjects punish (by giving less) their matched pairs for allocating more resources to unproductive, promotional activities, a behavior that is not present when the allocation decision is made by a computer.
A review of the mechanical property, durability, and modification of carbon‐ and glass‐fiber reinforced polyurethane composites
Authors: Han Wei , Zhou Ping , Xie Siwei , Li Chenggao , Xian Guijun , Dong Shaoce
Published: January 2025

Carbon‐ and glass‐fiber reinforced polyurethane (CFRPU/GFRPU) composites gained worldwide industrial applications because of the versatility of the PU matrix. The present study summarized the mechanical performance, durability, and modification of CFRPU/GFRPU composites. Results show that the mechanical performance of CFRPU/GFRPU composites depends on the manufacturing and test parameters. CFRPU/GFRPU composites have similar durable performance compared with their epoxy‐based counterpart composites. The degradation of CFRPU/GFRPU composites under exposures depends on the competition between positive effects like post‐curing and side effects including matrix swelling, plasticization, and hydrolysis as well as interface debonding. The maximum improvement rates of the tensile strength, interfacial strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of CFRPU/GFRPU composites could reach 53.2%, 154.5%, 50.3%, and 170% depending on different modifications. More attention should be paid to the durability of CFRPU/GFRPU composites under combined effects of environment and loads, and modification of continuous glass‐ or carbon‐fiber reinforced polyurethane composites regarding improving their mechanical and durable performance.
Drought Response in the Transcriptome and Ionome of Wild and Domesticated Lablab purpureus L. Sweet, an Underutilized Legume
Authors: Kolesnikova Anastasia , Hammond John , Chapman Mark A.
Published: January 2025

Hunger remains a prevalent issue worldwide, and with a changing climate, it is expected to become an even greater problem that our food systems are not adapted to. There is therefore a need to investigate strategies to fortify our foods and food systems. Underutilized crops are farmed regionally, are often adapted to stresses, including droughts, and have great nutritional profiles, potentially being key for food security. One of these crops, Lablab purpureus L Sweet, or lablab, is a legume grown for humans or as fodder and shows remarkable drought tolerance. Understanding of lablab's molecular responses to drought and drought's effects on its nutritional qualities is limited and affects breeding potential. Using transcriptomics at three time points, changes in gene expression in response to drought were investigated in wild and domesticated lablab. The effect of drought on the elemental profile of lablab leaves was investigated using ionomics to assess drought's impact on nutritional quality. Differences in drought response between wild and domesticated lablab accessions were revealed, which were mainly due to differences in the expression of genes related to phosphorus metabolic response, cell wall organization, and cellular signaling. The leaves of wild and domesticated lablab accessions differed significantly in their elemental concentrations, with wild accessions having higher protein, zinc, and iron concentrations. Drought affected the concentration of some elements, with potential implications for the use of lablab under different environments. Overall, this study is an important first step in understanding drought response in lablab with implications for breeding and improvement of drought‐tolerant lablab.
Phase Selective Growth of Monolayer 1T′ Phase MoTe2 with Ferroelectricity via Liquid Droplet Precursors
Authors: Niu Chenyang , Li Cheng , Zhou Xilong , Fan Xiulian , Guo Xuehao , Chen Huanzhi , Peng Zheng , Zhou Yu
Published: January 2025

2D MoTe2 has a small Gibbs free energy difference between the semiconducting 2H phase and semimetallic octahedron 1T′ phase, which makes it difficult to directly synthesize high‐quality single‐phase MoTe2 in large area. Herein, chemical vapor deposition of monolayer MoTe2 with liquid Mo‐based droplet precursors is presented. Both MoO3 with NaCl and Na2MoO4 precursors demonstrate the nanoparticle‐dependent slow kinetic epitaxial growth, showing the hexagonal and random ribbon‐like morphologies under different temperatures. The thermodynamic or kinetic modulation enables the phase selective growth of high ratio 90% 2H phase and 100% 1T′ MoTe2 samples. Finally, the clear ferroelectric switching evidence of pure 1T′ MoTe2 monolayer is revealed by the piezoelectric force microscopy scanning and spectrum. This work not only provides a new selective synthesis strategy and systematic understanding of growth mechanism for polymorphic 2D MoTe2, but also shows the potential application of ferroelectricity for 1T′ MoTe2.
Influence of Steel Recycling on Phase Transformation in Medium‐Manganese Third‐Generation Advanced High‐Strength Steels
Authors: Chakraborty Anindita , Rana Radhakanta , Krupp Ulrich , Gramlich Alexander
Published: January 2025

Due to the ensuing shift toward adoption of increased levels of scrap during steel production to reduce the carbon footprint, it is essential that the effects of tramp elements entering the produced steel from the scrap are understood. In this context, effects of four major tramp elements (Ni, Cu, Cr, and Mo) on the phase transformation and the microstructure evolution of medium‐manganese steels are studied by theoretical predictions. The results indicate that Cu and Ni are beneficial, whereas Cr and Mo have mixed effects due to the formation of different equilibrium metal carbides. The Cu and Ni concentrations of 0.1–0.5 wt% marginally increase the maximum retained austenite content by 2 vol%. Cr reduces the achievable maximum amount of retained austenite more strongly (decrease by 8 vol% for 0.5 wt% Cr) than Mo (decrease by 4 vol% with 0.5 wt% Mo), and Cr gives a wider processing window for achieving a microstructure with a lower variation than Mo. Combined effects of the elements are to decrease the maximum retained austenite by 8 vol% with lowering of processing temperature by 20 °C. This work provides a guideline for the selection of the optimum processing window of medium‐manganese steels in a circular economy.
Effect of treatment on mechanical and thermal properties of date palm fibers/polyvinyl chloride composites
Authors: Boussehel Hamida , Ghelani Laala , Guerira Belhi , Bezazi Abderrezak , Reis P. N. B. , Alothman Othman Y. , Jawaid Mohammad
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the incorporation of date palm fibers, an abundant agricultural waste, into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites at a 25% fiber weight ratio. Alkali treatment, potassium permanganate oxidation, and silane coupling were applied to enhance fiber‐matrix adhesion. The composites were fabricated using a hot pressing method. The results revealed significant improvements in mechanical, thermal, and moisture resistance properties for treated fibers compared to untreated ones. Potassium permanganate treatment achieved the highest tensile strength 9.57 MPa, while alkali treatment provided the highest Young's modulus about 304.5 MPa and thermal stability. Silane‐treated composites exhibited the lowest water absorption. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that chemical treatments improved the crystallinity index (CI) of date palm fibers, with alkali treatment increasing CI from 28.6% to 40.5%, and potassium permanganate and silane treatments raising it to 37.5% and 41.8%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of treated date palm fiber composites as sustainable alternatives for industrial applications such as construction and automotive, aligning with both economic and environmental objectives.

Highlights

Enhanced PVC composites using date palm fibers.

Alkali, permanganate, and silane treatments improve mechanical properties.

Permanganate treatment achieves the highest tensile strength.

Reduced water absorption and improved thermal stability in treated composites.

Sustainable application of agricultural waste in industrial materials.
A Fixed-Point Result in Banach Spaces from Divided Differences
Authors: Ezquerro J. A. , Hernández-Verón M. A.
Published: January 2025

We present a new fixed point result in Banach spaces by using divided differences of first order and auxiliary points to obtain a result of the so-called restricted fixed point. In particular, we use the secant method to draw conclusions about the fixed point and the domain where it is located, so that we obtain global convergence of the secant method to approximate the fixed point with superlinear speed of convergence.
Optimal timing of stabilization and operative technique for extremity fractures in polytrauma patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Steinfeld Eva , Horst Klemens , Ansems Kelly , Dahms Karolina , Dormann Julia , Janka Heidrun , Inti-Metzendorf Maria , Benstoem Carina , Hildebrand Frank , Becker Nils
Published: January 2025

Purpose

In polytrauma patients, injuries involving the extremities are frequently seen. Treatment concepts vary from early definitive care to temporary fixation and delayed definite stabilization. This analysis therefor aims to illuminate the impact of timing for operative stabilization of extremity fractures on outcome factors in adult polytrauma patients.

Methods

We searched PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL to identify studies from inception of each database to 14 September 2022. We included systematic reviews and RCTs comparing immediate versus delayed operative fracture stabilization and early definite care versus primary external fixation in adult polytrauma patients.

Results

Five randomized controlled trials were included, with a total of 335 patients. The analysis found no statistically significant difference in overall mortality or improvement in ICU admission between early (< 24 h) and late fracture stabilization. Comparing femoral nailing and external fixation, findings showed that femoral nailing reduce ICU length of stay and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion

The results indicate that immediate surgical treatment by nailing is superior to delayed treatment or a staged surgical approach in stable polytrauma patients with long-bone fractures. As there is a lack of clear evidence regarding the optimal timing for definitive operative stabilization of extremity fractures in polytrauma patients, further high-quality studies are essential to enhance the certainty of evidence and provide more conclusive treatment algorithms.
What do the voice-related parameters tell us? The multiparametric index scores, cepstral-based methods, patient-reported outcomes, and durational measurements
Authors: Gölaç Hakan , Gülaçtı Adnan , Atalık Güzide , Çabuk Gözde Bayramoğlu , Yılmaz Metin
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aimed to identify how the acoustic parameters, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and durational measurements differ based on perceptually rated dysphonia severity and to investigate their relationship with dysphonia severity.

Methods

One hundred seventy-nine subjects (males-78, females-101; mean ± SD age of 47.79 ± 14.05 years) with various etiology of dysphonia were included in this prospective cohort study. The G parameter of GRBAS was used to rate dysphonia severity. The Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI v. 03.01), Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI), and cepstral peak prominence-smoothed (CPPS) values for sustained vowel (CPPSsv) and connected speech (CPPScs) samples were obtained using the Praat software. The Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) were used for PROs, and the maximum phonation time (MPT) and s/z ratio were measured as durational parameters.

Results

The acoustic parameters, including AVQI and ABI scores, and CPPSsv and CPPScs values significantly differed based on dysphonia severity, particularly in those with moderate (G2) or severe dysphonia (G3) compared to those with normal (G0) and/or slightly deviated (G1) voice. Among the PROs, VHI-10 scores significantly differed only between the groups G1 and G2 (p < 0.005) and the groups G1 and G3 (p < 0.005), whilst there were not any significant differences between the V-RQOL scores of all the compared groups. Significant differences were observed within the groups for MPT, but the s/z ratio significantly differed only between the groups G1 and G3. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between the G parameter of GRBAS and all measured variables (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Particular attention should be paid to the AVQI and ABI scores, CPPsv and CPPcs values, VHI-10 scores, and MPT values since they provide valuable information for overall dysphonia severity.
iForensic, multicentric validation of digital whole slide images (WSI) in forensic histopathology setting according to the College of American Pathologists guidelines
Authors: Pigaiani Nicola , Oliva Antonio , Cirielli Vito , Grassi Simone , Arena Vincenzo , Solari Luca-Maria , Tatriele Naomi , Raniero Dario , Brunelli Matteo , Gobbo Stefano , Scarpa Aldo , Pantanowitz Liron , Rodegher Pamela , Bortolotti Federica , Ausania Francesco
Published: January 2025

Pathology has benefited from the rapid progress of image-digitizing technology during the last decade. However, the application of digital whole slide images (WSI) in forensic pathology still needs to be improved. WSI validation is crucial to ensure diagnostic performance, at least equivalent to glass slides and light microscopy. The College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center recently updated internal digital pathology system validation recommendations. Following these guidelines, this pilot study aimed to validate the performance of a digital approach for forensic histopathological diagnosis. Six independent skilled forensic pathologists from different forensic medicine institutes evaluated 100 glass slides of forensic interest (80 stained with standard hematoxylin and eosin, 20 with special staining), including different organs and tissues, with light microscopy (Olympus BX51, Tokyo, Japan). Glass slides were scanned using the Aperio GT 450 DX Digital Slides Scanner (Leica Biosystems, Nussloch, Germany). After two wash-out weeks, forensic pathologists evaluated WSIs in front of a widescreen using computer devices with dedicated software (O3 viewer, O3 Enterprise, Zucchetti, Trieste, Italy). Side-by-side comparisons between diagnoses performed on tissue glass slides versus WSIs were above the threshold stated in the validation guidelines (mean concordance of 97.8%). CSUQ Version 3 questionnaire showed high satisfaction for all pathologists (mean result: 6.6/7). Our institutional digital forensic pathology system has been validated for practical casework application. This approach opens new scenarios in practical forensic casework investigations, such as sharing live histological ex-glass slides online, as well as educational and research perspectives, with improving impacts on the whole daily workflow.
Predicting saturated hydraulic conductivity from particle size distributions using machine learning
Authors: de Rijk Valerie , Buma Jelle , Veldkamp Hans , Zech Alraune
Published: January 2025

Estimating saturated hydraulic conductivity
$$K_f$$
from particle size distributions (PSD) is very common with empirical formulas, while the use of machine learning for that purpose is not yet widely established. We evaluate the predictive power of six machine learning algorithms, including tree-based, regression-based and network-based methods in estimating
$$K_f$$
from the PSD solely. We use a dataset of 4600 samples from the shallow Dutch subsurface for training and testing. The extensive dataset provides not only PSD, but also measured conductivities from permeameter tests. Besides training and testing on the entire data set, we apply the six algorithms to data subsets for the soil types sand, silt and clay. We further test different feature/target-variable combinations such as reducing the input to PSD-derived grain diameters
$$d_{10}$$
,
$$d_{50}$$
and
$$d_{60}$$
or estimating porosity from PSD. We test feature importance and compare results to
$$K_f$$
estimates from a selection of empirical formulas. We find that all algorithm can estimate
$$K_f$$
from PSD at high accuracy (up to
$$R^2/NSE$$
of 0.89 for testing data and 0.98 for the entire data set) and outperform empirical formulas. Particularly, tree-based algorithms are well suited and robust. Reducing information in the feature variables to grain diameters works well for predicting
$$K_f$$
of sandy samples, but is less robust for silt and clay rich samples.
$$d_{10}$$
also shows to be the most influential feature here. An interesting, but not surprising outcome is that PSD is not a suitable predictor for porosity. Overall, our results confirm that machine learning algorithms are a powerful tool for determining
$$K_f$$
from PSD. This is promising for applications to e.g. deep-drilling data sets or low-effort and robust
$$K_f$$
-estimation of single samples.
Scan/rescan reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Authors: Barim Menekse Salar , Capanoglu M. Fehmi , Sesek Richard F. , Gallagher Sean , Schall Mark C. , Beyers Ronald J. , Davis Gerard A.
Published: January 2025

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used to estimate the geometric dimensions of lower lumbar vertebrae. While MRI-based measurements have demonstrated good reliability with interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.80 or higher, many evaluations focus solely on the comparison of identical MRI images. This
approach primarily reflects analyst dexterity and does not assess the reliability of the entire process, including imaging and image selection.

Objective

To evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the entire process of using MRI to measure biomechanically relevant lumbar spinal characteristics, incorporating imaging, image selection, and analysis. Methods: A dataset of 144 low-back MRI scans was analyzed. Reliability assessments were performed under different conditions: (1) identical scans rated by the same analyst at different times (intra-rater reliability) and (2) distinct scans of the same subject obtained by different MRI operators and analyzed by different analysts (inter-rater
reliability). Mean absolute differences in measurements were calculated, and sources of variability, such as breathing artifacts, were noted.

Results

Larger discrepancies were observed when comparing distinct scans analyzed by different MRI operators and analysts. In the “worst-case” scenario, where both the MRI operator and analyst differed, a 4.05% mean absolute difference was noted for anterior endplate measurements. This was higher than the 2.76% difference observed when analysts re-rated their own scans after one month. Despite these discrepancies, the variability in measurements was relatively low and primarily attributed to factors like breathing artifacts.

Conclusion

The process of using MRI to derive biomechanical measures, particularly for bony structures, demonstrates robust reliability. Variability in measurements is minimal even under challenging conditions, supporting the use of MRI for biomechanical assessments.
Quantum chemical study of molecular properties of small branched-chain amino acids in water
Authors: Boča Roman , Rádiková Žofia , Štofko Juraj , Vranovičová Beata , Rajnák Cyril
Published: January 2025

Four aliphatic amino acids—α-aminobutyric acid (AABA), β-aminobutyric acid (BABA), α-aminoisobutyric acid (AAIBA) and β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) were investigated in water as a solvent by two quantum chemical methods. B3LYP hybrid version of DFT was used for geometry optimization and a full vibrational analysis of neutral molecules, their cations and anions in the canonical and zwitterionic forms (6 forms for each species). Ab initio DLPNO-CCSD(T) method was applied in the geometry pre-optimized by B3LYP. Calculated molecular descriptors involve dipole moment, quadrupole moment, dipole polarizability, energy of zero-point vibration and total entropic term which enter the standard Gibbs energy. In addition, a set of collective electronic and thermodynamic properties associated with redox process were evaluated: ionization energy, electron affinity, chemical hardness, molecular electronegativity, electrophilicity index, absolute oxidation and reduction potentials. A mutual comparison of these structural isomers including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shows high degree of similarity in molecular descriptors. However, cluster analysis of 12 electro neutral, linear and branched amino acids with 2 – 6 carbon atoms discriminates them into five clusters. It is found that the electrophilicity index correlates with the absolute reduction potential along a straight line (24 items). The reduction potential for canonical structure varies between 1.21 V (glycine) and 1.45 V (AABA) whereas for the zwitterionic form it is visibly lower 0.52–1.11 V. The highest absolute reduction potential > 1.43 V is shown by α-amino acids: α-alanine, AABA (homoalanine) and AAIBA having 2-methyl or 2-ethyl functional group. The calculated absolute oxidation potential correlates with the adiabatic ionization energy and can be used as a criterion of the antioxidant capacity. According to thermodynamic data, the SPLET mechanism of the electron-proton coupled transfer is favored over the alternative SET-PT mechanism. This work contributes to the creation of a database of molecular properties of amino acids based on the same method and basis set.
The impact of socioeconomic status on glioma survival: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Söderlund Maria , Almqvist Carl , Sjöström Olle , Dahlin Anna M. , Sjöström Sara , Numan Hellquist Barbro , Melin Beatrice , Sandström Maria
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Although sociodemographic factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), travel time to health care, cohabitation status, and region of residence are observed to influence incidence and survival for several types of cancers, it is unclear whether similar effects have been observed in patients with glioma. This study investigates whether these factors affect survival for glioma patients.

Methods

In this retrospective study, the Swedish National Quality Registry for Brain Tumors was used to identify 1,276 patients with glioma WHO grade I–IV for whom data were deposited between 2009 and 2013. The RISK North database, which links data from the National Cancer Quality Register with citizen demographic data from the Longitudinal Integration Database for Health Insurance and Labor Market Studies (LISA), the Total Population Registry (TPR), and the Geography Database (GD), was utilized to assess survival in patients with glioma in relation to education level, cohabitation status, travel time to regional hospitals, and region of residence.

Results

In the multivariable analysis, longer survival was observed among WHO grade III-IV glioma patients with higher education level (middle school (ref) HR: 1, high school HR: 0.81 CI [0.67–0.98], p = 0.033; university/college HR: 0.81 CI [0.66–1.00], p = 0.048). Survival was not associated with travel time, cohabitation status, or region of residence in the multivariable survival analysis.

Conclusion

Low education level was associated with reduced survival for patients with glioma WHO grade III and IV in multivariable survival analyses, but no differences in survival were found in relation to travel time, cohabitation status, or region of residence.
Ml assisted techniques in power side channel analysis for trojan classification
Authors: Bhatta Niraj Prasad , Amsaad Fathi
Published: January 2025

Hardware Trojans (HTs) are one of the emerging malicious hardware modification attacks that have become a critical threat to the integrity, reliability, security, and trustworthiness of integrated circuits (ICs) applications. These deliberately hidden malicious entities can be inserted into the IC during manufacturing or design, potentially leading to the leakage of secret information or the deactivation or destruction of the entire system that relies on the IC hardware chips. Localizing and detecting hardware Trojans is becoming increasingly challenging as these threats are deeply embedded and electronic systems continue to grow in complexity. Traditional methods, including physical inspections and functional testing, are increasingly inadequate. They are limited in scope and often fall short when confronted with the advanced designs of modern hardware Trojans.This study aims to improve the identification of hardware Trojans (HTs) in integrated circuits by using advanced machine learning algorithms with a unique dataset of power side-channel signals. Various machine learning techniques, such as Support Vector Machines (SVM), neural networks, and decision trees, are applied to classify and identify HTs accurately. This method combines comprehensive feature extraction and model validation to provide high accuracy and reliability in HT identification. This research makes significant contributions to cybersecurity by providing improved techniques for detecting minor anomalies associated with HTs using advanced machine learning algorithms. The results show potential advances in securing electronic systems against these hidden threats, highlighting the practical significance and necessity of our work in maintaining a wide range of applications from consumer electronics to national infrastructure.
The Control of “Wandering Women:” The Legacy of Vagrancy Laws in the Contemporary Governance of Migrant Sex Work
Authors: Vuolajärvi Niina
Published: January 2025

This paper traces the contemporary governance of migrant sex work to early vagrancy laws aimed at controlling poor mobile populations and people not engaging in ‘honest’ labor. The paper argues that these notions of dishonest labor are still visible in the contemporary crimmigration controls. It uses a legal analysis of the development of prostitution and immigration laws together with ethnographic research in the Nordic region as a case study to develop an argument on the bifurcated regulation of domestic and foreign sex work and its roots in the vagrancy laws. It makes the case that with the influx of migrants into the sex trade since the 1990s the governance of commercial sex has shifted from prostitution policies to immigration controls.
Ethnobotanical uses of traditional African vegetables among three selected villages of Madibeng Local Municipality, South Africa
Authors: Mpolokeng Tswelelopele Gobitsaone , Mokgau Keloabetswe , Nko Keamogela Innocentia , Asong John Awungnji , Struwig Madeleen , Aremu Adeyemi Oladapo
Published: January 2025

Traditional African vegetables have been an integral part of the local diet and traditional medicine practices for generations. However, with the increasing influence of modernisation and urbanisation, the knowledge and utilisation of traditional African vegetables have been gradually diminishing. This study investigated the indigenous knowledge and cultural significance of locally sourced leafy vegetables among households in three selected villages (Jericho, Bethanie, and Maboloka) within the Madibeng Local Municipality, North West Province, South Africa. A mixed method was used for data collection. A representative sample of households in the selected villages was obtained using snowball sampling. A total of 33 participants were interviewed from the three selected villages. The results revealed 11 traditional African vegetables consumed among the selected villages. The most common vegetables were Amaranthus hybridus L. (82%), Cucurbita maxima Duchesne ex Lam. (70%), Cleome gynandra L. (70%), and Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. vulgaris (60%). The utilisation of leafy vegetables was driven by factors such as health benefits, affordability, and cultural traditions. Furthermore, traditional knowledge and practices regarding the cultivation, harvesting, and preparation of leafy vegetables are still prevalent in these villages. Participants emphasised the importance of passing down this knowledge to future generations to ensure the continued utilisation and preservation of leafy vegetables. It was evident that traditional African vegetables remained an integral part of the diet in the selected villages of Madibeng Local Municipality. The cultural significance and traditional knowledge associated with these vegetables play a vital role in their utilisation.
Assessment of genetic diversity by multivariate analysis in Turkish Hawthorn (Crataegus azarolus) genetic resources
Authors: Uzun Aydın , Pinar Hasan , Yaman Mehmet , Çakiroğlu Yaşar , Karakaya Arif , Uysal Mehmet , Keleş Hakan , Öztürk Gökhan , Emre Recep Ali , Kaçal Emel , Aydinli Melih , Akol Süleyman
Published: January 2025

Due to its diverse climatic conditions, Türkiye provides a suitable environment for the cultivation of many fruit species. This study focused on natural hawthorn (Crataegus azarolus), one of these fruit species, to select 94 different hawthorn genotypes collected from natural populations in Türkiye and determine their molecular and morphological characteristics. A significant variation was observed among the hawthorn genotypes in terms of the analyzed traits. According to the results of the molecular study using the inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker system, 178 polymorphic bands were obtained from 12 different primers (Invitrogen Life Technologies, USA), and the polymorphism rate was determined to be 100%. The similarity index for the genotypes ranged from 0.40 to 0.93, and the genotypes were completely differentiated from one another. In terms of fruit characteristics, there was considerable variation among the genotypes: fruit width ranged from 8.96 mm (genotype 72) to 29.75 mm (genotype 101), fruit length ranged from 9.19 mm (genotype 72) to 24.86 mm (genotype 101), and fruit weight ranged from 0.45 to 12.42 g. This study provides a foundation for developing hawthorn genotypes that will offer high productivity while conserving water and soil resources in arid and semi-arid regions by revealing the degree of genetic variation and the morphological characteristics of hawthorn genetic resources adapted to different ecological conditions in Türkiye. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that genotypes with superior traits can be utilized as genetic material in hawthorn breeding programs, medical research, and the development of new cultivars.
An exploration of tensions amongst career guidance practitioners when it comes to the conceptualisation of digital technology
Authors: Staunton Tom
Published: January 2025

This study explores the experiences of career practitioners delivering career guidance using digital technology during the coronavirus pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This explored how practitioners experienced and understood using digital technology to deliver career guidance and how this interacted with their professional identities. This research made use of a Bakhtinian analytical approach to draw out tensions. Particular focus was paid to tensions and debates between practitioners where career guidance practitioners presented different and contradictory understandings of using digital technology. The study highlighted tensions relating to access, working alliances and interactivity and how these related to different understandings of embodiment and agency.
The Influence of School Climate, Family Acceptance, and Minority Stress on Sexual Minority Adolescents’ Subjective Wellbeing
Authors: Weeks Sean N. , Renshaw Tyler L. , Lefevor G. Tyler
Published: January 2025

The present study investigated school climate and family acceptance as two factors for reducing the minority stress that predicts sexual minority adolescents’ mental health broadly, and specifically in each environment. The current study investigated two analog mediational models examining the pathways of school climate and family acceptance on global life satisfaction (Model 1) and the subdomains of family and school satisfaction (Model 2), through minority stress. Based on reports from a sample of 293 sexual minority adolescents in the United States, results showed minority stress partially mediated the relationship between school climate and family acceptance on global life satisfaction (p < 0.001), sharing a direct effect with school climate (p = 0.006). School climate stood out as the stronger and more consistent predictor of global, family, and school satisfaction. These results suggest that addressing minority stress in schools through various levels of intervention could influence life satisfaction overall, in school, and at home by reducing minority stress. Limitations and potential implications for practice are discussed within a multitiered mental health service delivery framework in schools.