bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient predictive diagnosis for endoscopic remission in Crohn’s diseases by the combination of three non-invasive markers
Authors: Takei Kensuke , Inokuchi Toshihiro , Hiraoka Sakiko , Ishiguro Mikako , Toyosawa Junki , Aoyama Yuki , Igawa Shoko , Takeuchi Keiko , Yamasaki Yasushi , Kinugasa Hideaki , Takahara Masahiro , Kawano Seiji , Otsuka Motoyuki
Published: November 2024

Background
Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG), and fecal calprotectin (Fcal) are non-invasive markers used to diagnose the severity of Crohn’s disease (CD). However, the accuracy of these markers is not satisfactory, and most previous reports have evaluated the efficacy of each marker individually. We aimed to improve the diagnostic performance of endoscopic remission (ER) of CD by using a combination of these 3 markers.
Methods
We tested the diagnostic ability of various combinations of these 3 markers for endoscopic severity in 230 consecutive patients with CD from September 2014 to July 2023. The modified Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s disease (mSES-CD) was used to determine endoscopic severity.
Results
Each of the 3 markers was correlated with mSED-CD (LRG: r = 0.69, CRP: r = 0.60, and Fcal: r = 0.67). A combination of 2 of the 3 markers did not increase the diagnostic accuracy of ER. However, by combining all 3 markers, the diagnostic ability for ER was improved in comparison to the diagnostic ability of the 3 individual markers, assuming that ER was obtained if 2 or 3 markers were negative. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 89%, 83%, and 86%, respectively. Additionally, we established a 2-step method using Fcal values after evaluating the 2 serum markers. This method was most useful for reducing both the patient burden and costs.
Conclusions
The newly established 2-step method allowed for a higher accuracy in the non-invasive predictive diagnosis of ER when the 3 markers were combined.
Ultrasound biomicroscopy assessment of the subclinical involvement of the aqueous drainage structures after silicone oil tamponade
Authors: Mora Paolo , Bellucci Carlo , Rossi Maurizio , Avellis Fernando O. , Shkurko Benjamin D. , Romano Alessandra , Tedesco Salvatore A. , Gandolfi Stefano
Published: November 2024

Purpose: To examine the subclinical ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) changes in the anterior segment (AS) of eyes after silicone oil tamponade (SOT) permanence.
Methods: This observational study enrolled patients undergone pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment with SOT. UBM was performed shortly before removing the SOT from eyes without any clinically detectable emulsion/particle in the AS (i.e., the
study cohort). For each subject, four radial scans of the AS were obtained circumferentially for both the study and the fellow non-operated eye (i.e., the control cohort). A region of interest (ROI) was identified in each UBM scan and the maximum, minimum, and mean echo-reflectivity were assessed using imageJ software.
Results: The study enrolled 33 patients (66 eyes). Of the study eyes, 15 underwent high-density tamponade (SOX), 11 underwent 2000cSt tamponade (SO2), and seven underwent 5000cSt tamponade (SO5). Significantly higher echo-reflectivity was detected in the superior quadrants of groups SO2 and SO5 (P = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively) and in the inferior quadrant of group SOX (P < 0.01) compared to the corresponding control eyes. In group SO2, the duration of the intraocular tamponade positively correlated with the number of hyper-reflective quadrants (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The significant relationship between SOT density and the localization of areas of increased echo-reflectivity supports the actual relationship between SOT trabecular impregnation and UBM findings, even in eyes free from visible emulsions. In the SO2 group, the duration of the intraocular SOT correlated with the extent of the involvement of the filtering structures.
Non-cervical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is a risk factor for severe cervical spinal cord injury
Authors: Nakata Tomonori , Teraguchi Masatoshi , Kozaki Takahiro , Takami Masanari , Nagata Keiji , Ishimoto Yuyu , Ueda Kentaro , Inoue Shigeaki , Yamada Hiroshi
Published: November 2024

Purpose
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is characterized by progressive ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligaments originating from the middle thoracic vertebrae, restricting spinal flexibility. Although previous studies have suggested that cervical DISH (c DISH) is associated with increased severity of paralysis, there are no studies on the impact of DISH yet to extend to the cervical region (non-c DISH) on the severity of cervical spinal cord injuries (SCIs). We aimed to explore the relationship between non-c DISH and paralysis severity in patients with SCIs..
Methods
Among the 516 patients with cervical SCIs with or without fracture between 2011 and 2023, 403 patients who underwent whole-spine computed tomography (CT) and had classifiable paralysis according to the ASIA impairment scales by the spine surgeons upon arrival at the emergency department were included. The prevalences of thoracic, cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar, and whole-spine injuries were examined. The relationships between the presence of DISH, older age (> 65 years), high-energy trauma, sex, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament with severe paralysis (grade A and B) were examined using analysis of variance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship of severe paralysis with c DISH and non-c DISH.
Results
The prevalence of DISH was 21.1%, 5.7%, 7.9%, and 2.2% in the thoracic, cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar, and whole spine, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the distribution of ASIA impairment scale. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between severe paralysis and the presence of DISH and men. The presence of both c DISH and non-c DISH was significantly associated with severe paralysis compared to that observed for the absence of DISH.
Conclusions
This study provides novel insights indicating that severe paralysis may occur in patients with non-c DISH, which does not extend to the cervical region.
A novel signature of disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs predicts prognosis in glioma: Evidence from bioinformatic analysis and experiments
Authors: Li Taiyao , Cao Ying , Wang Jie , Tian Xiaoyuan , Yang Yanqin , Dong Bin
Published: November 2024

Background: Glioma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor, with a high mortality and morbidity rate. Disulfidptosis is a recently discovered new regulatory cell death. This study established a prognostic signature through disulfidptosis related lncRNA (DRL), and identified new prognostic biomarkers for glioma.Methods: RNA-seq and clinical data of glioma patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. 24 Disulfidptosis-related genes were obtained from previous studies. Prognosis-related DRLs were identified and used to establish the model. The predictive efficacy of the model was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curves, and concordance index. Differential gene expression analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and immune-related analysis were performed to compare the differences between samples with different risk scores. Finally, the biological function of LINC02542 was validated in glioma cell lines (U251 and U87).Results We successfully developed and validated a glioma prognosis model that includes 7 DRLs. This model stratified glioma patients into low-risk and high-risk groups, with the low-risk group exhibiting significantly longer overall survival (OS). Functional enrichment analysis and immune-related analysis identified differences in immune pathways, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoint characteristics between the two risk groups. Drug sensitivity analysis identified several chemotherapy drugs and targeted inhibitors that are more sensitive in the high-risk population. Finally, in vitro experiments confirmed that knocking down LINC02542 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells.Conclusion An effective glioma prognostic model including 7 DRLs was established. LINC02542 was identified as a prospective biomarker and potential therapeutic target for glioma
Assessment of iris vasculature in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without diabetic retinopathy using anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Zhou Yue , Wang Ting , Guo Zhenhuan , She Fan , Zeng Jiahui , Zhu Xiaoyu
Published: November 2024

Background: To investigate early changes of iris vasculature intype 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA), and evaluate potential factors associated with iris vasculature in this population.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. T2DM patients and healthy controls were patients who visited the Department of Ophthalmology at the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University. Iris vessel density (IVD) was quantified using AS-OCTA (YG-100KPRO, TowardPi Medical Technology, Beijing, China). IVD was also performed in four quadrant sectors, that is nasal superior (NS), nasal inferior (NI), temporal superior (TS), and temporal inferior (TI) sectors.
Results: Thirty-six patients with T2DM and thirty-nine healthy controls were recruited in this study. IVD in T2DM patients was lower than in healthy groups, particularly in the NI (P=0.022) and TI (P=0.007) sectors of the iris. Gender was positively correlated with IVD (β=0.248, P=0.032), whereas body mass index (β=-0.270, P=0.038) and blood glucose (β=-0.271, P=0.041) were negatively correlated with IVD.
Conclusions: AS-OCTA provides a reliable method to quantify iris blood flow. Our study reveals the deterioration of the iris vascular system in patients with T2DM, even without DR. These findings highlight the significance of iris blood flow parameters in T2DM patients, which could be helpful in follow-up studies and future screening for ocular vascular diseases associated with T2DM.
Removal of FIGO V And VI Fibroids with a Combined Size Greater than 5 cm Quadruples Spontaneous Fecundity Relative to Myomectomy for Those with Smaller Fibroids
Authors: Boegl Magdanlena , Ott Johannes , Seidl Elena , Goldstein Tal , Parry John Preston , Hager Marlene
Published: November 2024

Purpose:Fibroids are the most common gynecological pathology in reproductive aged women and contribute to 2-3% of infertility cases. After hysteroscopic removal of submucosal FIGO 0 and I fibroids, pregnancy rates of 60% to 90% can be achieved. Pregnancy rates after non-hysteroscopic removal of subserosal FIGO V and VI fibroids remain controversial.
Methods: We examined all myomectomies per laparoscopy/laparotomy for FIGO V and VI fibroids performed at the Clinical Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, from 2012 to 2021. All women with primary and secondary infertility between the ages of 18 and 40 years with 1-3 subserous fibroids without additionally identified causes for infertility were included. The outcome was the clinical pregnancy rate within 12 months after a postoperative nonconception window. A logistic regression model was used to assess associations between patient characteristics and postoperative pregnancy rates. The association was estimated as odds ratio (OR) with the respective 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: We included a total of 80 women with a median age of 34.5 years (IQR, 31.4-37.8). Of those, 42 patients (52.5%) had primary infertility and 38 patients (47.5%) had secondary infertility. Fibroid size ranged from 2 cm to 30 cm with a median size of 7.5 cm. Pregnancy occurred in 36 patients (45.0%) at a median of 4 months (IQR 3.0-7.0) after an initial postoperative 6 months, where pregnancy was permitted. Age (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.88) and fibroid size (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.072-1.446) were significantly associated with the occurrence of a clinical pregnancy.
Conclusion: In this cohort of infertile women of reproductive age with FIGO V and VI fibroids, almost half became spontaneously pregnant within 12 months after a postoperative non-conception window of myomectomy per laparoscopy/laparotomy. Patients with larger fibroids were more likely to conceive after myomectomy.
Mitogenomic phylogeny and divergence time estimation of Artemia Leach, 1819 (Branchiopoda: Anostraca) with emphasis on parthenogenetic lineages
Authors: Asem Alireza , Yang Chaojie , De Vos Stephanie , Mahmoudi Farnaz , Lidong Xia , Shen Chun-Yang , Hontoria Francisco , Rogers D. Christopher , Gajardo Gonzalo
Published: November 2024

The brine shrimp Artemia, a crustacean adapted to the extreme conditions of hypersaline environments, comprises nine regionally distributed sexual species scattered (island-like) over heterogeneous environments and asexual (parthenogenetic) lineages with different ploidies. Such sexual and asexual interaction within the genus raises questions regarding the origin and time of divergence of both sexual species and asexual lineages, including the persistence of the latter over time, a problem not yet clarified by the use of single mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Based on the complete mitochondrial genome of all species and parthenogenetic lineages, this article first describes the mitogenomic characteristics (nucleotide compositions, genome mapping, codon usage, and tRNA secondary structure) of sexual species and asexual types and, secondly, it provides a comprehensive updated phylogenetic analysis. Molecular dating and geographical evidence suggest that the ancestral. Artemia taxon originated in the Mediterranean area or South America in ca. 33.97 Mya during the Paleogene Period. The mitogenomic comparisons suggest that the common ancestor of diploid and triploid parthenogenetic lineages (ca. 0.07 Mya) originated from a historical ancestor (ca. 0.61 Mya) in the Late Pleistocene. Additionally, the common ancestor of tetraploid and pentaploid parthenogenetic lineages (ca. 0.05 Mya) diverged from a historical maternal ancestor with A. sinica (ca. 0.96 Mya) in the early Pleistocene. The parthenogenetic lineages do not share a direct ancestor with any sexual species. The Asian clade ancestor diverged more recently (ca. 14.27 Mya, Middle Miocene). The mitogenomic characteristics, maternal phylogenetic tree, and especially divergence time prove that A. monica and A. franciscana (time of divergence) are two biological species.
Radio wave attenuation by a large-scale photonic crystal sculpture
Authors: Röhlig David , Laude Vincent , Thieme Felix , Zichner Ralf , Thränhardt Angela , Blaudeck Thomas
Published: November 2024

In this work, we present an artwork that embodies the by far largest photonic crystal ever published, operating at radio frequencies. We demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally the existence of band gaps. While photonic crystals are typically investigated on the nano and micro scale, our aim is to present not only a remarkable example of art with scientific relevance but also to highlight the potential for large-scale applications that have so far been underrated.
Tendency to consume alcohol among young Poles in the light of coping with stress and selected socio-demographic factors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Dębski Paweł , Garczarczyk Monika , Lisowska Lidia , Turska-Czyż Dorota
Published: November 2024

Introduction: The research aimed to assess the linkages between alcohol propensity and stress and coping styles in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project also focused on investigating the significance of differences in alcohol propensity, taking into account selected sociodemographic characteristics. Material and methods: A total of 1251 people in early adulthood (23.93 ± 2.88 y.o.) participated in the research, including 928 women (23.84 ± 2.89 y.o.), 318 men (24.21 ± 2.85 y.o.) and 5 people of other gender identity (22.20 ± 1.64 y.o.). A self-administered questionnaire, CISS, PSS-10 and AUDIT were used for the study. The statistical procedures used the Pearson correlation coefficient, as well as the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Positive correlations were found between the intensity of alcohol use and emotional style (r = 0.111), avoidant style (r = 0.153) and seeking for substitute activities (r = 0.147), as well as a negative relationship with task-focused style (r=-0.076). Among young adults, factors contributed to high-intensity of alcohol propensity included: male gender, childlessness, living in cities of more than 100,000 inhabitants, people with secondary education, lack of a close personal relationship or being in a partnership, as well as a professional situation related to occasional or casual employment. Conclusions:Alcohol consumption is associated with an emotion- and avoidant-oriented stress-coping styles. 28% of the surveyed were among those at risk of developing alcohol addiction. It implies that the age group remains one of the social groups most exposed to the development of alcohol use disorders. Such situation requires development of prevention programmes that take into account the needs of young people.
Phycocyanin and Psyllium Fiber-Based Gel Systems: Rheology and Functional Applications in Emulgels Containing Algal Oil
Authors: Vela-Albarrán María , Santos Jenifer , Calero Nuria , Trujillo-Cayado Luis Alfonso
Published: November 2024

This study examines the rheological and structural characteristics of dispersions prepared from phycocyanin extract and psyllium fiber, with a particular emphasis on their potential applications in algae oil-in-water emulgels. The initial step involved the implementation of an experimental design, the objective of which was to examine the rheological characteristics of the dispersions in relation to the concentrations of algae extract and fiber. Subsequently, emulgels were formulated with phycocyanin and psyllium as stabilizers and algal oil as the dispersed phase. All dispersions exhibited shear-thinning behavior. The viscosity of the dispersions increased with the concentration of psyllium, but decreased with the concentration of phycocyanin. The results of the oscillatory tests demonstrated that the dispersions exhibited predominantly elastic behavior, with the elastic modulus exceeding the viscous modulus. The psyllium concentration proved to be the primary factor influencing the enhancement of gel-like properties, whereas the phycocyanin concentration exerted a detrimental effect on these characteristics. The microstructural analysis corroborated these findings, demonstrating the formation of a denser network in the psyllium-rich dispersions and the emergence of a more porous structure with the addition of phycocyanin. In emulgels, a droplet size distribution analysis indicated that phycocyanin reduced droplet size, while psyllium increased it. In terms of rheological properties, the emulsions exhibit enhanced rheological properties compared to their corresponding continuous phases. Stability tests confirmed that higher concentrations of both components enhanced emulgel stability. These findings suggest that psyllium-phycocyanin dispersions may be a promising avenue for developing stable, structured emulsions with potential applications in food and pharmaceutical products.
Spatiotemporal trend of sensory impairments in China and its provinces from 2011 to 2018: insights from CHARLS
Authors: Zhang Zhijian , Cai Zhengnan , Li Cong , Liu Shunming , Li Sheng , Liu Lei , Zhang Lijun
Published: November 2024

Sensory impairments impact public health both the health and quality of life among middle-aged and older adults. However, in China there is little awareness of the impact of sensory disabilities. In this study, we rates were assessed for isolated visual impairments, isolated hearing impairments, and dual sensory impairments among elderly Chinese from 2011 to 2018 using the CHARLS database. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors for sensory impairments. Spatial statistical analyses were conducted to assess the differences in sensory impairments across Chinese provinces. Our study highlights significant variations in the prevalence of sensory impairments across different provinces in China, with notable improvements in visual impairments over time but persistent or worsening trends in hearing impairments and dual sensory impairments. The spatial clustering of these impairments, particularly in western regions such as Xinjiang, underscores the need for targeted public health interventions. We also found that Gender consistently associated with sensory impairments, while diabetes and digestive system diseases significantly affecting visual impairments. Government should consider enhancing public health initiatives focused on the prevention and treatment of sensory impairments, especially in regions with higher prevalence rates, to improve the overall health and quality of life of the aging population.
Disease burden of lung cancer attributable to metabolic and behavioral risks in China and globally from 1990 to 2021
Authors: Li Lijun , Zhang Xiaoxin , Jiang Anqi , Guo Xiaotian , Li Guangrui , Zhang Minghui , Pu Haihong
Published: November 2024

Background: There are differences between China and globally in the burden of lung cancer attributed to behavioral and metabolic risks.
Methods: This research utilized the GBD 2021 database to extract the deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of lung cancer attributed to metabolic and behavioral risks in China and globally, along with their age-standardized rates (ASR). The age-period-cohort model was used to identify age effects, period effects, cohort effects, as well as local and net drift. Decomposition analysis was used to quantify the relative contributions of aging, epidemiological change, and population to the lung cancer burden. Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used for predictive analysis.
Results: From 1990 to 2021, the ASMR of lung cancer attributed to smoking, secondhand smoke, and diet low in fruits decreased at globally, while the ASMR attributed to high fasting plasma glucose had a slow rise, with a percentage change of 19.45% (6.29%-31.97%). In China, the ASMR of lung cancer attributed to behavioral and metabolic risks all increased slightly, excepting the rate for low fruit intake declined by 57.12% (-69%-41.25%). The net drift for smoking, secondhand smoke, diet low in fruits and high fasting plasma glucose was -1.28%, -1.19%, -2.06% and 0.29% respectively at globally, while it was -0.02%, -0.30%, -3.61% and 0.90% in China. In the next 15 years, the burden of lung cancer attributed to behavioral and metabolic risks was expected to decrease in China and globally, but the burden among Chinese women attributed to smoking and secondhand smoke showed a slow upward trend.
Conclusions: Over the past thirty years, the global burden of lung cancer attributed to behavioral factors has decreased, while it increased slow in attribution to metabolic factors. In China, only the lung cancer burden attributed to diet low in fruits has decrease, others have exhibited a fluctuating trend. In the next 15 years, the burden of lung cancer attributed to these risks was expected to decrease in both China and globally, but there will still be an upward trend in Chinese women.
Protuberant fibro-osseous lesion of the temporal bone: A distinct entity of unclassified bone tumor
Authors: Benghashir Hosamadean , Ammar Adham
Published: November 2024

Protuberant fibro-osseous lesions (PFOL), commonly known as "Bullough lesions," are a unique category of lesions named after Professor Peter Bullough, who first described them. These lesions typically localize in specific anatomical areas and require careful assessment, as they can be confused with other related conditions, including rare variants with subtle features. Despite their clinical importance, the underlying etiology and optimal management strategies for PFOL remain inadequately understood. This report aims to illuminate a rare subtype of these lesions, contributing valuable insights to the existing literature and underscoring the necessity for precise differentiation from similar conditions. There are a few cases reported in the literature worldwide and we aim for contributing valuable insights to the existing literature and underscoring the necessity for precise differentiation from similar conditions. Herein, we describe and report, to our knowledge, the first case of this extremely rare tumor subtype in the Arabian Gulf region.
Affinity Fishing of ACE Ligands from Choerospondias axillaris using Surface Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhu Xianhong , Zhang Min , Qin Kunming , Qin Xueying , Chi Miaomiao , Zhang Yan , Wang Hongsen , Song Xichen , Gao Xun
Published: November 2024

Choerospondias axillaris, recognized as an effective herbal remedy for coronary heart disease(CHD), has been clinically utilized. Although the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been extensively investigated as a pertinent target for CHD treatment, there is currently limited research on screening potential ACE inhibitors from Choerospondias axillaris. To advance the broader utilization of Choerospondias axillaris in coronary heart disease treatment, the target active components of ACE in Choerospondias axillaris were analyzed through the integration of magnetic targeted fishing technique with magnetic nano-microspheres. Magnetic nanospheres functionalized with GO@Fe3O4@SiO2-ACE(SMGO-ACE) were characterized using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscope(SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The specific binding of lisinopril with an angiotensin-converting enzyme was employed to optimize the performance of the synthesized material and the relevant conditions during targeted fishing. Subsequently, five active ingredients were identified as (-) - (7R, 8S) - dihydrodehydrophenol, Isovanillin, Quinic acid, Chrysin, and Isorhamnetin, This study provides a precedent for the targeted salvage and separation of active ingredients in complex mixtures.
A foreground content centric efficient surveillance video coding with adaptive GoP model and singular value decomposition
Authors: Biswas Bhaskar , Pal Arup Kumar , Kar Nirmalya
Published: November 2024

Video surveillance is related to our current social scenario, where this type of service is rigorously increasing day by day. The video surveillance system generates a massive volume of data, and the storage requirement for this data is challenging. In this paper, we have proposed a novel video compression algorithm for surveillance video. We aim to compress the surveillance video data. A static camera fixed at a surveillance site captures surveillance video. The proposed method breaks the surveillance video data into multiple GoP, where each GoP corresponds to the number of objects present in the frame. We have preprocessed the video data by background subtraction to get residual video data that helps to achieve significant video compression. Residual video data is used for motion estimation and compensation to make the compression process more effective. By applying blockbased SVD on both the I-frame and the remaining frames within the GoP, we can protect the salient characteristics of the video data while achieving more efficient compression. We have tested our algorithm on the standard data set and some real data set collected by raspberry pi camera. The suggested algorithm is efficient in surveillance video data compression, preserving the acceptable visual quality of the compressed video.
Improving Test-Driven Development with Automated Test Case Generation from Use Case Specifications
Authors: Trinh Thanh-Binh , Truong Ninh-Thuan
Published: November 2024

Test-Driven Development (TDD) is a powerful software development methodology where tests are written before the actual code, enabling developers to build reliable software, accelerate feedback loops, and simplify maintenance. Despite these benefits, TDD can be time-consuming, requiring significant effort to write test cases, and demanding high levels of experience. To address these limitations, this paper proposes an approach to improve TDD through automated test case generation from requirements. The approach has been implemented as a tool called T CG. This tool takes use case specifications in the Cockburn template as input to produce corresponding test cases. The implementation details of the T CG tool, including its architecture, the algorithm for converting use case specifications into Control Flow Graphs (CFGs), and the generation and optimization of test cases, are discussed. By automating this process, we aim to reduce the required manual effort and enhance the coverage and quality of test cases. Additionally, the tool provides a user-friendly interface for uploading use case documents and displaying the generated test cases, making it accessible for software developers and testers. The approach is evaluated through several software projects, with initial results indicating that the generated test cases are minimal yet achieve high coverage, making them suitable for use in software development practice.
Dual-observer-based Composite Robust Vibration Control for a Rigid-Flexible Hybrid Space Robot-target Combination
Authors: Xi Houyin , Chen Bin , Tian Jian , Ouyang Qinghua , Zhang Xiaodong , Luo Min
Published: November 2024

Space robots play an increasingly important role in orbital servicing, including repairing, refueling, and deorbiting satellites. The space robot-target combination system must be reorientated and berthed before performing orbital service tasks. However, space combination generally has flexible appendages that affect the system control performance. Hence, this paper presents a dual-observer-based composite vibration control for a rigid-flexible hybrid space robot-target combination (RHSRC). Firstly, considering the flexibility of the panels and the joints, uncertainties, and external disturbances, the rigid-flexible coupling dynamics of the combined system is derived, which are decoupled into a reduced-order rigid slow subsystem and a flexible fast subsystem by using the singular perturbation theory. Further, a composite control strategy is proposed for the two subsystems to achieve high-precision trajectory tracking and vibration suppression simultaneously. For the slow subsystem, a fast finite-time extended state observer (FFESO) is designed to estimate the uncertainties, and a tanh-type nonsingular terminal sliding mode (THNTSM) controller is proposed to track desired trajectory, achieving rapid finite-time convergence and low-chattering. A modified linear ESO (LESO) is designed to estimate the uncertainties and hard-to-measure modal information in the fast system. With estimation information from the proposed LESO, an adaptive robust controller is designed for flexible motion. The closed-loop stability of both the slow and fast subsystems is demonstrated using Lyapunov theory. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can realize high-precision trajectories while suppressing flexible vibration.
Interspecific variation in demographics reveals ecological winners and losers in a highly disturbed coral reef system
Authors: Jones Nicholas P. , Leinbach Sarah E. , Gilliam David S.
Published: November 2024

The resilience of many coral reef communities has been diminished in the Anthropocene. Nowhere is this more evident than in southeast Florida, where coral cover rarely recovers following increasingly frequent disturbances and has resulted in community change to resilient taxa such as octocorals. Understanding community dynamics and the demographic mechanisms of populations that underpin them, may provide insight into the barriers to coral recovery and the future for benthic community structure. We leveraged 20 years of data to test for spatiotemporal variation in benthic community structure and region-wide demographic changes in four stony coral and three octocoral species. From 2003 to 2023, multiple acute disturbances induced significant reconfigurations of benthic community structure, most notably repeated coral loss and macroalgal gains. Interspecific differences in demography suggest variability in resilience, which facilitates the presence of ecological winners and losers. Siderastrea siderea (stony coral) and Antillogorgia americana (octocoral) exhibited high resilience, fueled by booms in recruit density. However, S. siderea size frequency distributions (SFDs) were heavily skewed with few large colonies, suggesting limited growth and survival. Porites astreoides (stony coral) and Gorgonia ventalina (octocoral) populations grew steadily from 2013 to 2023, facilitated by consistent recruitment and growth, which was reflected in lognormal SFDs, indicative of transition between size classes. The reef-building stony corals Meandrina meandrites and Montastraea cavernosa emerged as ecological losers due to substantial mortality from heat stress and disease and limited recovery. Due to the restricted size (S. siderea and P. astreoides) or planar morphologies (A. americana, Eunicea flexuosa (octocoral), G. ventalina) of the winners, they contribute little to benthic cover. As a result, benthic community structure is becoming increasingly homogenous, with much of the remaining spatial variation dependent upon whether a site has more sediment/turf algae or macroalgae/cyanobacteria, which combined constitute over 80% of the benthic cover and further reduce stony coral recovery potential.
Seed and pollen disparity and speciation in the genus Epilobium of Onagraceae family
Authors: Seidai Masoud , Rahimi Sedigheh , Koohdar Fahimeh , Mehrabian Ahmad-Reza
Published: November 2024

Epilobium Linnaeus (1753: 347) is known as a complex genus with about 200 species showing disparity in almost all features like morphology, anatomy, cytology, pollen, and ecology. In a search for taxonomically important and effective characteristics, we studied seed and pollen micromorphological features of 18 Epilobium species occurring in Iran. We also tried to shed light on these traits’ evolution and changes over a phylogenetic tree. Clustering showed that these features are of taxonomic value and can be used in species differentiation. PCA identified discriminating characteristics, while character mapping and morphospace plots identified characteristics involved in Epilobiumspeciation. The rates of change in different features varied in the studied species, however many changes observed were associated with environmental coordinates.
Synergistic Benefits of Essential Oil Nanoemulsions in Orange Juice: From Antimicrobial Effects to Sensory Improvement and Computational Bitter Taste predictions
Authors: Ouazzou Abdenour Ait , Tachoua Wafa , Attou Fouzia
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the dual role of essential oil components (EOCs) in enhancing microbial safety and shaping sensory perception, specifically against Escherichia coli O157 in orange juice. Four EOCs - carvacrol, citral, linalool and limonene - were tested in nanoemulsified (n-EOC) and suspended (s-EOC) forms, individually and at low heat. Nanoemulsified EOCs showed up to a 13-fold increase in antimicrobial efficacy, achieving a 5-log reduction in bacteria more efficiently than s-EOCs or heat alone. This synergistic effect allowed for lower processing temperatures while maintaining juice quality. Molecular docking studies revealed strong interactions between EOCs and the bitter receptor TAS2R46, suggesting potential effects on bitterness perception and sensory acceptability. Sensory analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed distinct groupings based on EOC composition, with significant differences observed between control (P1), limonene (P2), carvacrol (P3), linalool (P4) and citral (P5) samples. Samples treated with mild heat at 54°C for 10 minutes showed similar clustering, with minor variations mainly related to acidity - a key factor influencing acceptability. The study highlights the need to balance antimicrobial performance with sensory attributes to optimise consumer satisfaction. These results illustrate the potential of nanoemulsified EOCs to improve both microbial inactivation and sensory quality in food products. By fine-tuning combinations of EOCs with mild heat, this study provides valuable insights into effective preservation strategies that ensure both safety and consumer appeal.
Augmentation of the stability of phycocyanin from Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina) by the addition of food preservatives and influence of the pH value on extracts obtained with different extraction procedures
Authors: Tran Long-Dinh , Kuhnholz Jan , Siebecke Verena , Noke Anja
Published: November 2024

Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a hydrophilic blue pigment found in cyanobacteria, rhodophytes, and cryptophytes. Its intense blue color and antioxidant capacity make phycocyanin an attractive substance for food and cosmetic industries. In this study, phycocyanin extracts from Arthrospira maxima, obtained by different extraction methods, were used to investigate the influence of preserving agents on thermostability of phycocyanin. C-PC remained stable at 60°C, but rapidly degraded at 70°C, and completely lost at 80°C within 5 minutes. Addition of sorbitol, sucrose, and glucose at 32% (w/v) to phycocyanin extracted through ultrasonication and flocculation with chitosan in organic acid provided the highest stabilizing effects, with CR values of 96.67 ± 0.01%, 83.41 ± 0.67%, and 76.21 ± 1.34%, respectively. The corresponding half-live values increased from 13.77 ± 0.21 min (control) to between 76.74 ± 5.12 and 614.83 ± 1.18 minutes, followed by xylitol, fructose, and maltose. Xylose, lactose, citric acid, and ascorbic acid showed no effects. The stabilizing effect of NaCl was dependent on pH of extracts, remaining stable at pH 6–7, but showing no significant effect at pH 3–4, and leading to precipitation. Incorporating 14–20% (w/v) NaCl in C-PC at pH 6.49 increased CR values from 88.61 ± 0.31 to 99.10 ± 0.01%, with half-life values ranging from 172.03 ± 4.92 to 2291.19 ± 14.51 minutes. Conversely, the stabilizing effect of sugars was most effective in C-PC at pH 3–4, and least effective in C-PC obtained by freeze/thawing at pH 6–7.
Investigation of the Biocompatibility and Antibacterial Activity of Different Mouthwashes
Authors: Çoğulu Dilşah , Aşık Aslı , Süslüer Sunde Yılmaz , Er Ceren Yücel , Topaloğlu Aslı , Uzel Ataç , Gündüz Cumhur
Published: November 2024

Objective
This study aims to investigate the cytotoxic, apoptotic, and genotoxic effects of eleven mouthwashes, which are hypothesized to pose potential toxic risks to oral mucosal tissues, through in-vitro experiments using human gingival fibroblast(hGF) cell cultures and to compare the antibacterial efficacy of these mouthwashes.
Materials and Methods
Healthy hGF cell lines were derived from individuals under ethical standards.The cytotoxic effects of the mouthwashes (Colgate 2in1,Colgate Optic White,Colgate Plax,Curasept,Elmex,Kloroben, Listerine Cool Mint,Listerine Zero,Meridol,Oral-B Pro Expert, Sensodyne Pronamel) were assessed in real-time using the xCELLigence system, which monitored cellular activity at 5-minute intervals over 72 hours.Apoptotic effects of the IC50 concentrations of the mouthwashes on hGF cells were evaluated using Annexin V and Caspase-3 assays.Genotoxic effects at IC50 concentrations were analyzed through the Alexa Fluor® 488 Mouse anti-H2AX assay.The antibacterial effect of mouthwashes on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus rhamnosus was evaluated by modified microdilution method.
Results
According to the analysis of the IC50 values, Meridol was found to be the most cytotoxic mouthwash, while Listerine Zero was the least cytotoxic.The mouthwashes can be ranked in order of their cytotoxicity as follows:Meridol(0.011) > Elmex(0.029) > Colgate 2in1(0.187) > Colgate Plax(0.478) > Colgate Optic White (0.534) > Sensodyne Pronamel(0.577) > Oral-B Pro Expert(0.638) > Kloroben(0.766) > Curasept(1.872) > Listerine Cool Mint(2.334) > Listerine Zero(7.267)(p < 0.05).The Annexin V assay showed no major apoptotic impacts on human gingival fibroblast cell line at the IC50 values of the mouthwashes, except for Colgate Plax, Kloroben, and Oral B Pro Expert.The IC50 values of the evaluated mouthwashes did not show a significant apoptotic effect on the hGF cell line as evaluated by Caspase-3 assay and no significant genotoxic effect was observed as evaluated by H2AX assay(p > 0.05).Colgate Plax showed the most effective antibacterial effect on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus rhamnosus(p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Mouthwash formulations showed varying cytotoxic effects on hGF and different antibacterial effectiveness.Essential oil-containing mouthwashes may be preferable to those with chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride, as they demonstrate less cytotoxicity, are more biocompatible, and have antibacterial efficacy.
Clinical relevance:
The low cytotoxicity and potent antibacterial properties of essential oils render them a more safer choice for inclusion in mouthwash compositions.
Local magnetoelectric effect in Fe3O4-BaTiO3 nanocomposites
Authors: Kanurin D. A. , Amirov A. A. , Liu N. N. , Nizamov T. R. , Alekhina Yu. A. , Kritskiy A. A. , Platonova I. V. , Perov N. S. , Tishin A. M.
Published: November 2024

Magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs) are emerging as potential nanomaterials for a wide range of biomedical applications. Recently, many studies have been devoted to investigating the properties of MENPs based on cobalt ferrite. The outstanding magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles, such as higher values of coercive force and magnetostriction coefficient compared to other metal ferrites of spinel structures are well known. However, the biocompatibility and toxicity of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles are still a matter of debate and not fully studied. Therefore, design of MENPs with magnetic core having low toxicity is still a challenging task. Thus, we proposed to use iron oxide nanoparticles (FO) instead of cobalt ferrite as a less toxic alternative. This work represents a comprehensive study of the structural, crystalline, magnetic, and magnetoelectric (ME) properties of synthesized MENPs based on FO and barium titanate (BTO), where FO and BTO provide magnetostrictive and piezoelectric functionalities, respectively. The synthesis of FO of three sizes (12.7, 25.9, 47.7 nm) was carried out, after which the resulting nanoparticles were coated with BTO phase. Samples of all series were characterized by the methods of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The longitudinal magnetostriction coefficient was found to be 6.5 ppm for FO with a diameter of 12.7 nm, 6.8 ppm with a diameter of 25.9 nm, and 14.6 ppm with a diameter of 47.7 nm. Piezoresponse force microscopy measurements qualitatively showed a change in the amplitude and phase of the piezoelectric response of MENPs when a magnetic field is applied to the sample.
Understanding the Trends–An Analysis of Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Marriage Age and Rates in China
Authors: Yan DongDong , Yang Xi , Zhan Heying Jenny
Published: November 2024

Amidst rapid social transformation, the marriage behavior of young people in China are continuously changing toward marriage postponement and decline. What are the factors contributing to the collective changes in marital behavior among Chinese young people? This study used the 2003–2021 China General Social Survey cross-sectional data and hierarchical age-period-cohort cross-classified random-effects model to investigate factors influencing marriage behaviors. The results show: women’s education levels and social class were positively correlated with age at first marriage and negatively correlated with marriage probability. The period effect suggests that macroeconomic growth was positively correlated with age at first marriage; Yet the wage growth rate was negatively correlated with age at first marriage in lower social classes and positively with marriage probability among farmers and individuals with low education levels. Differences between cohorts were also observed: individuals born during the one-child policy era (between 1980 and 1990) showed a significant decrease in the marriage rate at age 30 compared to those born in the 1960s and 1970s. Delayed marriage and reduced marriage rates were highly correlated with the social determinants of gender, educational level, and social class. Cohort and period effects reveal deep socioeconomic and policy impacts on individual marriage behaviors in China.
Assessing the accuracy, repeatability, and consistency of ChatGPT-4.0 in treatment planning for tooth-supported fixed prostheses: a comparative analysis of simple and complex clinical cases
Authors: İşisağ Özer , Karakaya Kevser
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ChatGPT-4.0 in planning tooth-supported fixed prostheses by examining the accuracy, repeatability, and consistency of its responses across various prosthodontic cases.
Materials and methods 1,140 responses were generated for 38 questions regarding simple and complex prosthetic cases, using case schemas from Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics. Each question was asked 30 times at different times of day (morning, afternoon, and evening) to assess response consistency.
ResultsChatGPT demonstrated high accuracy (97.08%) for simple fixed prostheses but struggled with complex cases, showing a low accuracy rate of 19.69%. Statistically significant differences were observed in the response accuracy between question categories, indicating that ChatGPT performs better with straightforward cases than with complex ones. Repeatability was high across all question types, though accuracy varied, especially in complex scenarios.
ConclusionsThe findings highlight ChatGPT's potential as an assistive tool in simple prosthodontic cases yet emphasize the need for clinician expertise in more complex treatment planning.
Clinical relevance While ChatGPT shows promise as a supplementary tool for dental education and practice, reliance on AI alone for intricate cases remains premature.
Structure, Microstructure and Hyperfine Properties of Nanostructured FeAl and FeAl‑2wt.%Sn Powders
Authors: HAMLATI Zineb , OTMANE Fadhéla , MAHI Amale , MECHRI Hanane , Laslouni Warda
Published: November 2024

Fe-Al and Fe-Al-Sn alloys were prepared using the high-energy ball milling process. The effects of adding small amounts of tin on structural and microstructural properties were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), 57Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The Mössbauer spectra of all samples reveal the presence of both magnetic and paramagnetic components. For Fe-Al alloys, the spectrum obtained after 1 hour of milling contains a magnetically split sextet with a hyperfine field (Hₕf) of 33.1 T and an isomer shift (IS) of 0.00 mm/s, characteristic of the starting bcc Fe powder. The spectrum recorded after 32 hours of milling indicates more advanced alloying. At this stage, a significant decrease in the intensity of the bcc Fe sextet in favor of the paramagnetic quadrupole doublet's intensity was observed. The doublet seen in the center of the Mössbauer spectrum was attributed to the paramagnetic Fe(Al) solid solution. The relative fraction of this paramagnetic component increased to approximately 63.11%, with an isomer shift (IS) of 0.21 mm/s. For the Fe-Al-Sn alloy, the relative fraction of the paramagnetic component was found to be 33.33%.