bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disease Severity, Illness Perceptions, Depression and Health‐Related Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Huang Zehao , Chair Sek Ying
Published: January 2025

Background

Disease severity negatively affects health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) among people with heart failure (HF). However, the underlying mechanisms remain underexplored. Illness perceptions and depression serve as potential mediators of this relationship, but the evidence supporting this is limited.

Objective

To investigate the relationships among disease severity, illness perceptions, depression and HRQOL in people with HF, as well as to explore the mediating roles of illness perceptions and depression in the relationship between disease severity and HRQOL.

Methods

People with HF were recruited from a tertiary hospital in China between January and May 2023. All the participants were assessed for disease severity, illness perceptions, depression, HRQOL and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The mediation analysis was performed using PROCESS macro in SPSS. The STROBE checklist was followed.

Results

This study recruited 164 subjects. Disease severity had a significant total effect on HRQOL (β = 0.716, 95% CI: 4.475, 12.068). The results showed that illness perceptions mediated the relationship between disease severity and HRQOL (β = 0.172, 95% CI: 0.042, 0.337), accounting for 24.02% of the total effect. However, a significant mediating role of depression in this relationship was not found. Furthermore, we found that illness perceptions and depression sequentially mediated the relationship between disease severity and HRQOL (β = 0.194, 95% CI: 0.005, 0.395), which accounted for 27.09% of the total effect.

Conclusions

The effect of disease severity on HRQOL is sequentially mediated by illness perceptions and depression. Illness perceptions are important predictors of HRQOL. Targeted interventions should be employed to improve illness perceptions, thereby enhancing HRQOL among people with HF.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Medical staff can carefully assess patient's illness perceptions and implement appropriate strategies to enhance these illness perceptions, thereby improving their HRQOL.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Miocene climatic fluctuations likely explain the species diversification of Lysionotus (Gesneriaceae) in Pan‐Himalaya
Authors: Huang Jie , Condamine Fabien L. , Han Meng‐Qi , Cai Lei , Nguyen Khang Sinh , Zou Chun‐Yu , Xu Wei‐Bin
Published: January 2025

The Himalayas represent a complex mountain system housing some of the world's richest floras along with a high level of endemism. Among them, Lysionotus (Gesneriaceae) stands out as a small genus (~34 species) that is unexpectedly distributed across southern to eastern Asia. Within this genus, the mountain forests of the south Pan‐Himalaya region emerge as a hotspot of diversity, hosting most epiphytic and endemic Lysionotus species. To explore the origin, evolutionary history and development of the current distribution pattern of Lysionotus, we inferred a highly resolved phylogenetic framework using 649 nuclear genes sourced from transcriptomes for 27 species. We revealed three major clades within Lysionotus with strong support, corresponding to the genus's classification into three sections (sects. Didymocarpoides, Lysionotus, and Cyathocalyx) based on morphological characters. Molecular dating suggests that Lysionotus is likely to have originated in the karst regions of northern Vietnam to southwestern China during the middle Oligocene (28.18 Ma), and then migrated westward to the southern Himalaya regions during the Miocene. The speciation rates of Lysionotus were likely to be positively linked to changes in East Asian monsoons and past temperatures. Notably, epiphytic species of sect. Lysionotus began colonizing the tropical and subtropical forests of the Pan‐Himalaya around the mid‐Miocene Climatic Optimum, coinciding with the transition to long seed appendages. Our findings support that the formation and development of forests in the southern Himalaya, along with paleo‐climate changes and morphological innovations, which probably facilitated the evolution and expansion of the spatial distribution of Lysionotus.
Gender Different Impacts of Muscle Mass and Adipose Tissue on Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Surgical Resection
Authors: Lee Pei‐Chang , Cheng Tsung‐Yi , Ho Chun‐Ting , Huang Kuo‐Wei , Chau Gar‐Yang , Huang Yi‐Hsiang , Huo Teh‐Ia , Hou Ming‐Chih , Wu Jaw‐Ching , Su Chien‐Wei
Published: January 2025

Background & Aims

Body composition is an objective assessment reflecting nutritional status and is highly gender different. Surgical resection, the standard treatment for early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is an energy‐consuming major operation that would affect body composition. However, the impacts of body composition on the post‐operative prognosis of HCC are still uncertain. In this study, we aimed to investigate surgery‐related changes in body composition and the impacts on clinical outcomes of HCC after surgical resection distinguished by gender.

Method

From January 2013 to December 2018, 401 consecutive patients who received surgical resection for HCC in Taipei Veterans General Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Cross areas of adipose and muscle mass were measured at L3 vertebral level from peri‐operative computed tomography by Slice‐O‐matic software; body composition indices were thus calculated. Factors associated with survivals were analysed.

Results

Body composition indices did not change significantly after surgical resection of HCC in both males and females. Higher pre‐operative intramuscular adipose tissue index (IMATI) (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.059, p = 0.002) and lower ratio of subcutaneous to visceral adipose tissue index (SATI/VATI) (HR: 1.681, p = 0.028) were independent predictors of worse overall survival (OS) in male patients. In females, higher pre‐operative IMATI (HR: 3.053, p = 0.001) was the only body composition‐related factor predicting OS.

Conclusion

Surgical resection contributed minor changes in body composition in patients with early HCC. Myosteatosis and subcutaneous to visceral fat ratio were survival predictors in male patients, but myosteatosis was the only body composition‐predictor of survival in females.
Semi‐supervised pipe video temporal defect interval localization
Authors: Huang Zhu , Pan Gang , Kang Chao , Lv YaoZhi
Published: January 2025

In sewer pipe closed‐circuit television inspection, accurate temporal defect localization is essential for effective pipe assessment. Industry standards typically do not require time interval annotations, which are more informative but lead to additional costs for fully supervised methods. Additionally, differences in scene types and camera motion patterns between pipe inspections and temporal action localization (TAL) hinder the effective transfer of point‐supervised TAL methods. Therefore, this study presents a semi‐supervised multi‐prototype‐based method incorporating visual odometry for enhanced attention guidance (PipeSPO). The semi‐supervised multi‐prototype‐based method effectively leverages both unlabeled data and time‐point annotations, which enhances performance and reduces annotation costs. Meanwhile, visual odometry features exploit the camera's unique motion patterns in pipe videos, offering additional insights to inform the model. Experiments on real‐world datasets demonstrate that PipeSPO achieves 41.89% AP across intersection over union thresholds of 0.1–0.7, improving by 8.14% over current state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Mind the gap in kidney care: Translating what we know into what we do
Authors: Luyckx Valerie A. , Tuttle Katherine R. , Abdellatif Dina , Correa‐Rotter Ricardo , Fung Winston W. S. , Haris Agnès , Hsiao Li‐Li , Khalife Makram , Kumaraswami Latha A. , Loud Fiona , Raghavan Vasundhara , Roumeliotis Stefanos , Sierra Marianella , Ulasi Ifeoma , Wang Bill , Lui Siu‐Fai , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Balducci Alessandro ,   for the World Kidney Day Joint Steering Committee
Published: January 2025

Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do. Clear guidelines exist for the prevention and management of common risk factors for kidney disease, such as hypertension and diabetes, but only a fraction of people with these conditions worldwide are diagnosed, and even fewer are treated to target. Similarly, the vast majority of people living with kidney disease are unaware of their condition, because in the early stages it is often silent. Even among patients who have been diagnosed, many do not receive appropriate treatment for kidney disease. Considering the serious consequences of kidney disease progression, kidney failure or death, it is imperative that treatments are initiated early and appropriately. Opportunities to diagnose and treat kidney disease early must be maximized beginning at the primary care level. Many systematic barriers exist, ranging from patient to clinician to health systems to societal factors. To preserve and improve kidney health for everyone everywhere, each of these barriers must be acknowledged so that sustainable solutions are developed and implemented without further delay.
OsLdh7 Overexpression in Rice Confers Submergence Tolerance by Regulating Key Metabolic Pathways: Anaerobic Glycolysis, Ethanolic Fermentation and Amino Acid Metabolism
Authors: Chatterjee Yajnaseni , Tomar Surabhi , Mishra Manjari , Pareek Ashwani , Singla‐Pareek Sneh Lata
Published: January 2025

Lactate dehydrogenase plays a key role in alleviating hypoxia during prolonged submergence. To explore the function of the OsLdh7 gene in enhancing submergence tolerance, we overexpressed this gene in rice (Oryza sativa cv. IR64) and subjected the transgenic lines to complete inundation. The overexpression lines showed enhanced viability, chlorophyll content and photosystem II (PSII) efficiency compared to wild‐type (WT) plants under stress and recovery conditions. Additionally, these lines exhibited better starch accumulation and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Protein−protein interaction studies revealed that OsLdh7 interacts with OsLos2, OsPdc2, OsAlaAT2 and OsAsp2. Under submergence, enhanced enzyme activities of OsLdh7, OsAsp2 and OsAdh1 led to higher NAD+ levels, sustaining anaerobic glycolytic flux and increasing pyruvate, a critical carbon source for amino acid metabolism as well as anaerobic fermentation pathways. Elevated l‐lactate levels resulted in increased activity of OsPdc2, which eventually led to enhanced ethanol production. The overexpression lines also accumulated higher levels of aspartate, glutamate and alanine, crucial for ROS reduction and energy production during recovery. These findings suggest that OsLdh7 overexpression confers tolerance to submergence stress by regulating the important metabolic pathways‐ anaerobic glycolysis, ethanolic fermentation and amino acid metabolism in rice.
Pregnancy Intendedness by Presence and Extent of Disability in the USA, 2019–2020
Authors: Newby‐Kew Abigail , Snowden Jonathan M. , Valentine Anne , Akobirshoev Ilhom , Mitra Monika , Horner‐Johnson Willi
Published: January 2025

Context

Over 40% of pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Women with unintended pregnancies may be less likely to receive timely prenatal care and engage in healthy behaviors immediately before and during pregnancy. Limited research suggests that women with disabilities are more likely to have an unintended pregnancy, but to date no studies have assessed whether intendedness varies by extent of disability.

Methods

We analyzed 2019–2020 PRAMS data from 22 sites that included the Washington Group Short Set of Questions on Disability (n = 37,832). We examined associations of extent of disability (none, some difficulty, or a lot of difficulty) with pregnancy intendedness (classified as intended, mistimed, unwanted, or unsure). We used multinomial logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Overall, 60.1% of pregnancies were intended, 18.2% mistimed, 6.4% unwanted, and 15.3% unsure. Compared to respondents with no difficulty, respondents with some difficulty or a lot of difficulty were more likely to report a mistimed pregnancy (aOR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.40,1.71; aOR = 1.62, 95%CI 1.34,1.95), an unwanted pregnancy (aOR = 1.92, 95%CI 1.66,2.24; aOR = 2.20; 95%CI 1.72,2.82), and unsure intendedness (aOR = 1.61, 95%CI 1.45,1.79; aOR = 1.75, 95%CI 1.45,2.11), respectively.

Conclusions

People with disabilities who give birth, regardless of extent of disability, had elevated odds of mistimed and unwanted pregnancy and of being unsure of their pregnancy intendedness. Our findings support the use of more inclusive measures of disability and emphasize the need for equitable reproductive healthcare that respects the childbearing potential and choices of individuals with disabilities.
Mineralization Characteristics of the Hokuryu Epithermal Au‐Ag Deposit, Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Soberano Omar Baculna , Takahashi Ryohei , Manalo Pearlyn , Agangi Andrea , Sato Hinako , Nopeia Manuel
Published: January 2025

Veins intersected by a ~600‐m‐long drill core into the Hokuryu epithermal Au‐Ag deposit in the northeastern part of Hokkaido, Japan, were investigated including mineralogy, texture, quartz composition, and fluid inclusion characteristics, with relation to elevation. Host rocks of these veins are flow‐banded rhyolite, pyroclastic breccia, and andesite and are mainly altered by illite and chlorite. The veins display crustiform and massive macroscopic textures. The crustiform veins generally located at higher elevations, contain Ag‐rich and Au‐Ag‐rich bands. The massive veins are mainly present at lower elevations, and they are generally barren of precious metals. The Ag‐rich bands in the crustiform veins contain mineral assemblage of hessite + sphalerite + pyrite + galena. These minerals, together with anhedral to rhombic adularia, exist within the interstices of quartz that display microspherical texture. The Au‐Ag‐rich bands contain mineral assemblage of electrum ± naumannite‐aguilarite associated with quartz with colloform, ghost‐sphere, and ghost‐bladed textures. Bulk compositions of the veins reflect the ore mineralogy observed in which Ag is strongly correlated with Pb, Te, Zn, Cd, and Bi. The barren massive veins are mainly composed of granular quartz. Textural and mineralogical characteristics of Au‐ and Ag‐bearing bands in the crustiform veins indicate amorphous silica and calcite precursors. Together with the coexistence of adularia, these suggest liquid boiling during vein formation. Quartz associated with Au‐ and Ag‐bearing minerals exhibits blue cathodoluminescence (ca. 400 nm wavelength) triggered by high Al impurity probably due to pH and pressure fluctuations or impurity redistribution during recrystallization from metastable amorphous silica. Fluid inclusions hosted in quartz and adularia, which contain negligible amounts of CO2, show a modal homogenization temperature range of 260°C–290°C and a salinity range of 1.2–6.9 wt% NaCl equivalent. The homogenization temperatures follow a boiling point curve and indicate an erosion of up to ~340 m for the deposit. The variable salinities in relation to elevation suggest extreme vapor loss during boiling at depth, episodic influx of high salinity fluids from deeper source, or mixing with high salinity fluids along anastomosing fractures at relatively shallower depths.
Documenting a coastal sediment routing tract in the sedimentary record: Implications for coastal palaeogeography and sand distribution patterns
Authors: Isla Manuel , Schwarz Ernesto , Caracciolo Luca , Remírez Mariano Nicolas , Veiga Gonzalo D. , Finzel Emily
Published: January 2025

Coastal sediment transport, primarily driven by littoral drift, is a well‐understood process occurring in many wave‐dominated modern coasts. This transport can extend over hundreds of kilometres, linking river mouths to sand barriers and coastal dunes. Recognizing the importance of coast‐parallel processes in dispersing significant sediment volumes, both source‐to‐sink and sediment‐routing‐system concepts emphasize the need to include these processes in comprehensive studies. These processes can lead to volume changes and provenance mixing within specific source‐to‐sink budgets and should consider sediments near the coast and on the shelf as temporary repositories before their final transit into deep‐water sinks. Despite the established methodologies for studying sediment routing systems, the integration of these approaches with the geological record is limited. To address this gap, this article introduces the Coastal Sediment Routing Tract as a segment within any Sediment Routing System. The Coastal Sediment Routing Tract consists of three elements: supplier(s), storage(s) and littoral drift processes. This study presents the conceptual framework for Coastal Sediment Routing Tracts, documents an ancient Coastal Sediment Routing Tract by linking deltaic and shoreface sandstones in the Hauterivian Pilmatué Member (Neuquén Basin, Argentina) and evaluates how characterizing a single Coastal Sediment Routing Tract can refine coastal palaeogeographical reconstructions. Understanding these aspects is crucial for improving mass balance calculations in source‐to‐sink analyses of ancient systems.
Accessibility, Car Dependence and Rural Peripheralization: The Automobility Gap in the Spanish Countryside
Authors: Oliva Jesus , Camarero Luís
Published: January 2025

Disparities in access to opportunities and services often accumulate in peripheral rural areas, contributing to a sense of being left out of prosperity. To bridge this gap, regular commuting to cities where jobs and resources are concentrated has partly replaced emigration, making the private car the key to settling and living in the countryside. However, car dependency reveals important fractures within the rural population. Our work examines the relationship between mobility capabilities and life opportunities by analysing the Spanish case. The results underscore the link between automobility deficits and the risk of exclusion. In a context where rural depopulation and gentrification, hypermobility and mobility deprivation coexist, car dependency needs to be addressed beyond a transport problem as a variable of social peripheralization. The conclusions highlight the need for rural policies to address the challenges posed by this issue in the current transitions to greener mobility paradigms and ageing societies.
Microplastics pollution modulating soil biological health – A review
Authors: Kumar Manish , Kumar Rakesh , Sharma Shailja , Mukherjee Santanu , Bolan Shiv , Shrivastava Anamika , Hettiarachchi Mala , Siddique Kadaombot H. M. , Bolan Nanthi
Published: January 2025

Microplastics (MPs) reach the soil environment through the application of recycled water, biosolids, and compost and the in‐situ weathering of plastic mulch used in agriculture. This review provides an overview of the sources of MP input to soil and their interactions with soil biota, thereby impacting soil biological health. MPs contain various chemical additives and can be ingested by soil biota, thereby impacting their activity and function. MPs also serve as a vector for inorganic and organic contaminants. These chemical additives and environmental contaminants can be released into soil porewater during the weathering of MPs in soil and impact soil biota. Overall, MPs can also alter soil's physical and chemical properties thereby impacting the habitat for soil microorganisms. Soil microorganisms can use MPs as a carbon source and porous habitat for proliferation. Future research needs to focus on the genomic and functional diversity of soil microbes as impacted by MP contamination, thereby enabling us to develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of MP on soil biological health.
HLA‐DRB1*08:130 Is the First DRB1 Allele Described With a Leucine at Position 64 of Beta‐1 Domain
Authors: Marin Rubio Luis Alberto , Ontañon Jesus
Published: January 2025

HLA‐DRB1*08:130 shows a Leucine at position 64 not described previously.
Enhancing the Life Cycle Management of Built Environment With Integrated Land Administration Functions Based on BIM/IFC and LADM
Authors: Korkmaz Özlem , Yılmaz Okan , Basaraner Melih , Alkan Mehmet
Published: January 2025

The maintenance of physical and legal data related to development in different formats necessitates the manual verification of construction projects' compliance with legal requirements and regulations. However, supporting the BIM/IFC standard, which models the design and construction process of buildings, with legal models has the potential to facilitate compliance with legal requirements and regulations, provide clarity in ownership and boundary management, oversee project approval and control, and ensure that legal areas are secured in 3D. This study focuses on the design of an integrated legal model based on the land administration domain model (LADM) standard, considering the functions of land administration in Türkiye, and explores the possibilities of mapping this model to the IFC data format. The study aims to represent land administration functions in BIM/IFC projects and integrate these processes with physical development. The findings from testing the proposed framework's applicability on an existing BIM project reveal opportunities for the integrated management of legal processes that create rights, restrictions, and responsibilities (RRRs) in spatial entities with physical processes.
Solid‐phase red cell adherence versus gel column agglutination: Is there any difference for the detection of alloantibodies associated with the JK system?
Authors: Cupaiolo Roberto , Mahadeb Bhavna , Barreau Isabelle , El Kenz Hanane
Published: January 2025

Background

Detection of alloantibodies associated with the JK system may be tricky. They are nevertheless associated with transfusion reactions and their detection is crucial.

Study Design and Methods

Retrospectively and over a period of 7 years, we compared the results obtained using two different assays for antibody detection. We performed antibody detection testing with solid‐phase red cell adherence (SPRCA). If positive, the antibody identification was carried out with the SPRCA and confirmed with the gel method in Coombs medium. In case of discrepant results occurring in recently transfused patients, we investigated these patients during the post‐transfusion period.

Results

Fifty‐five patients with anti‐JK1 or anti‐JK2 were identified out of which 41 were further analyzed. Both techniques clearly identified 10 alloantibodies. In 22 cases, the alloantibody identified by SPRCA was not observed with the gel method because of negative detection tests. In one case, none of the techniques identified the alloantibody and in 8 cases, the final result was inconclusive (1/41 with the SPRCA and 8/41 with the gel method). Two patients having a highly probable delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) were identified among the discrepant results. For both cases, anti‐JK2 was clearly identified by the SPRCA but showed inconclusive reactions with the gel method.

Discussion

This study shows that in 29 out of 41 cases, the anti‐JK1 or anti‐JK2 identified with the SPRCA method were not with the gel method in Coombs medium. Eleven cases (11/29) were clinically significant and among them, 4 likely DHTRs and 2 highly probable DHTRs occurred.
Hydrogel‐based metal–organic frameworks doped into Mn/Ni oxide for the effective removal of ciprofloxacin antibiotic from water
Authors: Almas  , Shahzadi Tayyaba , Riaz Tauheeda , Zaib Maria , Kashif Uddin Mohammad
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate the adsorption properties of a novel, recyclable, and environmentally friendly nanocomposite containing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and a biopolymer hydrogel infused with a nanocatalyst. Copper MOFs were prepared via aqueous synthesis. A green nanocatalyst composed of Mn/Ni oxide was synthesized utilizing the Dalbergia sissoo plant. Hydrogel‐based Mn/Ni oxide doped CuMOFs (doped‐CuMOFs/Hy) were finally prepared. The structure and composition of doped‐CuMOFs/Hy have been confirmed through various characterization analyses. The doped‐CuMOFs/Hy effectively removed 99% of the ciprofloxacin (CIP) from the aqueous solution under optimal conditions of pH 8, a 60‐minute duration, an adsorbent dose of 0.03 g, and a CIP concentration of 25 mg/L. It had a maximum adsorption capacity of 4525.29 mg/g. The mechanism was summarized by linear and non‐linear isotherm and kinetic models. The reusability test after five cycles showed 81% CIP removal. Successfully implementing this material in industrial water systems could have a significant impact on environmental research. Additionally, its cost‐effectiveness would provide substantial benefits to global economy.
Simulating the Mild Visually Impaired Commuters in Rail Transit: An Inclusive Design Study Using Able-Bodies’ Role-Playing and Immersive Experience
Authors: Shi Wenwen , Mahdzar Sharifah Salwa Syed , Li Weicong
Published: January 2025

Considering the critical importance of public transportation, especially rail transit, in shaping urban landscapes and its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this investigation delves into the architectural intricacies of rail transit environments through the lens of inclusivity. This scholarly inquiry adopts a multifaceted qualitative research methodology that synergizes empirical case studies, the formulation of strategic frameworks, and the application of design methodologies to elucidate and operationalize the principles of inclusive design within the context of rail transit systems.The study embarked on an initial empirical exploration through an in-depth case study of Singapore's Thomson-East Coast Line, where able-bodied participants role-played and engaged in an immersive experience by wearing glasses that simulate mild visual impairment. By coding the data from these on-site experiences, a robust inclusive design framework was distilled, characterized by a tripartite structural hierarchy and four thematic pillars. Building on this foundational framework, the study proposed a quintet of innovative inclusive design prototypes tailored to enhance the tactile interaction points within rail transit environments. These prototypes were further evaluated through the reconstruction of subway navigation scenarios experienced by visually impaired commuters, employing storyboards as a tool for situational analysis. The comprehensive inclusive design framework and the ensuing design prototypes unveiled through this study hold profound implications for the strategic planning and architectural design of urban rail transit systems, particularly within the ambit of nascent urban centers poised to embark on or currently engaged in the development of rail transit infrastructures. This research significantly contributes to the discourse on sustainable urban development and the promotion of social inclusiveness, presenting actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and designers engaged in the creation of more accessible and inclusive urban transit ecosystems.
THE EFFECTS OF TAGUCHI METHOD AND ANOVA IN OPTIMIZING PARAMETERS FOR ENHANCING POWER OPTIMIZATION FOR ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE
Authors: Muhamad Afiq Azwan Yusni  , Kamardin Nur Kamarliah , Zubair Ahmad Faiz , Mohd Rodzi Ana Syahidah
Published: January 2025

Energy consumption in machining process is still a challenge in industries nowadays. A lot of new technologies have been invented to ease the machining and manufacturing process in industry. However, energy optimization in Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) wirecut is still not fully figured out by manufacturers. The purpose of this experiment was to find the suitable parameter that was consumed for power optimization in EDM wirecut to cut the energy usage in machining process as it would affect the environment. Pulse on (Ton), pulse off (Toff) and cutting voltage (V) with 3 different levels were the variable parameters for this experiment which ranged between (1-16) μs, (6-300) μs and (2-255) V respectively. The outcome result that considered was the total power consumption, and material removal rate (MRR). In this experiment, material known as Stavax ESR (AISI420) was used as the workpiece to achieve the result of power optimization in EDM wirecut. In addition, the Design of Experiment was defined by using Taguchi method. This method was used to reduce the number of experiments, save energy, time and maximize the MRR value. The data analysis and optimization method used for this study was signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) and ANOVA analysis. The most significant variable that was found is the Pulse-ON. The best machining parameters that are generated to produce the best results with minimum value of total power consumption and maximum value of MRR are Pulse ON= 5 μs, Pulse OFF= 52 μs and Voltage =3V.
Development of a Finite Element Model of the Human Wrist Joint With Radial and Ulnar Axial Force Distribution and Radiocarpal Contact Validation
Authors: Mena Andres , Wollstein Ronit , Yang James
Published: January 2025

This study presents a comprehensive finite element (FE) model for the human wrist, constructed from a CT scan of a 68-year-old male (type 1 wrist). This model intricately captures the bone and soft tissue geometries to study the biomechanics of wrist axial loading through tendon-driven simulations and grasping biomechanics using metacarpal loads. Validation is carried out by assessing the radial and ulnar axial loading distribution, radiocarpal articulation contact patterns, and other standard finite element metrics. The results show radial transmission of the load, consistent with results from wrist finite element models conducted in the last decade and other experimental studies. Our results confirm the model's efficacy in reproducing key known biomechanical aspects, laying the groundwork for future investigations into ongoing wrist biomechanics challenges and pathology mechanism studies.
An Adjustable Elastic Support Structure for Vibration Suppression of Rotating Machinery
Authors: Jin Fuyi , Zang Chaoping , Yue Lin
Published: January 2025

The dynamic characteristic of a rotor-support system plays a crucial role in the operational efficiency and longevity of rotating machinery such as gas turbines. Traditional support structures with the fixed-parameter elastic stiffness have difficulties in adapting to the diverse and complex working conditions of flexible rotating machinery, particularly those that pass through multiple critical speeds. To address rotor resonance and enhance structural reliability, an innovative adjustable elastic support (AES) structure designed to improve the mechanical adaptability of rotors across various speed ranges is investigated in this paper. The AES structure is built upon the conventional squirrel cage elastic support by incorporating a stepper motor. By adjusting the rotation angle of the motor, the effective length of the cage bar can be modified, allowing real-time changes in the support state during rotor operation. This mechanism enables seamless transitions among multiple states: a constant stiffness elastic support, a separate state, or a variable stiffness dynamic absorber that modulates frequencies in real-time by altering the cage bar length. This dynamic capability effectively suppresses resonance peaks caused by mass imbalances. The design and implementation of the AES structure, along with a speed feedback-based adjustment scheme to accommodate the rotor's dynamic characteristics, are discussed. Experimental validation of a multisupport flexible rotor system demonstrates that a maximum vibration can be reduced up to 75%, highlighting its promising potential for engineering applications.
Determination and Sensitivity Analysis of Target Flaw Sizes for Performance Demonstration of Cast Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe by Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics
Authors: Takagoshi Daiki , Momotani Yuji , Nomura Yuichiro , Nishi Wataru , Hirota Takatoshi , Hojo Kiminobu
Published: January 2025

The material of primary coolant pipe of nuclear power plants is cast austenitic stainless steel (CASS), which has a coarse crystal structure and its anisotropy causes low permeability of ultrasonic waves and low detectability. Also, the material strength and fracture toughness of CASS are affected by thermal aging depending on ferrite content, chemical compositions and casting process. The ASME Section XI Code Case N-838 provides the target flaw sizes for performance demonstration (PD) examination system of ultrasonic testing (UT) based on probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis incorporated a thermal aging model. In this study, the target flaw sizes for Japanese pressurized water reactor (PWR) plants were investigated by using the PFM analysis code “PREFACE.” Thermal aging prediction models for tensile strength and fracture toughness of CASS were incorporated into the PREFACE Code depending on not only ferrite content and chemical compositions but also the casting process, centrifugal casting, or static casting. Those parameters were input as probabilistic variables, which were based on the material database from the Japanese PWR plants. The PFM analysis revealed that static CASS pipes have smaller target flaw sizes than centrifugal CASS pipes and the obtained target flaw sizes were very close to those in ASME Code Case N-838.
An MR-Safe Pneumatic Stepper Motor: Design, Control, and Characterization
Authors: Li Gang , Yarmolenko Pavel , Cleary Kevin , Monfaredi Reza
Published: January 2025

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide high contrast soft tissue visualization without ionizing radiation, which makes it an attractive imaging modality for interventional procedures. However, the strong magnetic and radio frequency (RF) fields impose significant challenges to the development of robotic systems within the magnetic resonance environment. Consequently, designing MRI-compatible actuators is crucial for advancing MRI-guided robotic systems. This paper reports the design, control, and characterization of a gear-based pneumatic stepper motor. The motor is designed with three actuating piston units and a geared rotor. The three actuating pistons are driven sequentially by compressed air to push the geared rotor and to generate bidirectional stepwise motion. Experiments were conducted to characterize the motor in terms of torque, speed, control, and MRI compatibility. The results demonstrate that the motor can deliver a maximum continuous torque of 1300 mNm at 80 pounds per square inch (PSI) (0.55 MPa) with 9 m air hoses. The closed-loop control evaluation demonstrates the steady-state error of position tracking was 0.81±0.52 deg. The MRI compatibility study indicated negligible image quality degradation. Therefore, the proposed pneumatic stepper motor can effectively serve as an actuator for MRI-guided robotic applications.
In-Situ Monitoring and Its Correlation to Mechanical Properties in Additively Manufactured 718 Ni Alloy
Authors: Stegman Benjamin , Raj Anant , Owen Charlie , Abdel-Khalik Hany , Sutherland John W. , Zhang Xinghang
Published: January 2025

Additive manufacturing has found its niche in critical component applications in the aerospace and nuclear industries. For these industries, there is an increasing need for a cost-effective quality assurance method. For laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), in-situ sensing has shown promise with various forms of defect detection but has only shown limited success in microstructural characterization. Utilizing concurrent in-situ data collection from a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and photodiode sensor, this work establishes a relationship between in-situ sensor monitoring, crystallographic texture, and mechanical properties through machine learning (ML). By combining the in-situ monitoring data, ML, and a dataset of over 100 samples, including X-ray diffraction and tensile testing results, the model successfully predicts textures of 718 Ni alloy with up to 90% accuracy and identifies the correlation between texture and mechanical properties. Furthermore, three key characteristic samples were investigated via electron backscatter diffraction to delve deeper into mechanical property differences brought by microstructural features. While the model requires future datasets to improve reliability, it opens a pathway to use in-situ processing data to predict the microstructure and mechanical properties of LPBF materials.
Ultrasensitive detection of intact SARS-CoV-2 particles in complex biofluids using microfluidic affinity capture
Authors: Rabe Daniel C. , Choudhury Adarsh , Lee Dasol , Luciani Evelyn G. , Ho Uyen K. , Clark Alex E. , Glasgow Jeffrey E. , Veiga Sara , Michaud William A. , Capen Diane , Flynn Elizabeth A. , Hartmann Nicola , Garretson Aaron F. , Muzikansky Alona , Goldberg Marcia B. , Kwon Douglas S. , Yu Xu , Carlin Aaron F. , Theriault Yves , Wells James A. , Lennerz Jochen K. , Lai Peggy S. , Rabi Sayed Ali , Hoang Anh N. , Boland Genevieve M. , Stott Shannon L.
Published: January 2025

Measuring virus in biofluids is complicated by confounding biomolecules coisolated with viral nucleic acids. To address this, we developed an affinity-based microfluidic device for specific capture of intact severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Our approach used an engineered angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 to capture intact virus from plasma and other complex biofluids. Our device leverages a staggered herringbone pattern, nanoparticle surface coating, and processing conditions to achieve detection of as few as 3 viral copies per milliliter. We further validated our microfluidic assay on 103 plasma, 36 saliva, and 29 stool samples collected from unique patients with COVID-19, showing SARS-CoV-2 detection in 72% of plasma samples. Longitudinal monitoring in the plasma revealed our device’s capacity for ultrasensitive detection of active viral infections over time. Our technology can be adapted to target other viruses using relevant cell entry molecules for affinity capture. This versatility underscores the potential for widespread application in viral load monitoring and disease management.
High-throughput design of a light and strong refractory eutectic medium entropy alloy with outstanding He-ion irradiation resistance
Authors: Yang Chao , Wang Beiya , Shen Gaoyuan , Wei Tao , Wu Mingxu , Tao Qingzhou , Wang Shubin , Shu Da , Sun Baode , Liaw Peter K.
Published: January 2025

Light, strong, and radiation-tolerant materials are essential for advanced nuclear systems and aerospace applications. However, the comprehensive properties of current radiation-tolerant materials are far from being satisfactory in harsh operating environments. In this study, a high-throughput–designed NbVTaSi refractory eutectic medium entropy alloy realizes the controllable formation of the β-Nb
5
Si
3
phase with a high content and has outstanding comprehensive properties, i.e., lightweight, high yield strengths at room temperature and 850°C, and excellent He-ion irradiation resistance. According to density functional theory calculations and experimental findings, the prefabricated lattice distortion of the Nb
50
V
42
Ta
8
phase leads to great phase stability under severe He-ion irradiation conditions, while the dual characteristics of the semi-coherent interface and hyperstatic lattice structure of the high-content β-Nb
5
Si
3
phase dominate its outstanding He-ion irradiation resistance. This study sheds light on the design strategy for comprehensive properties and development of future radiation-tolerant materials for advanced nuclear systems and aerospace applications.
Screening the human miRNA interactome reveals coordinated up-regulation in melanoma, adding bidirectional regulation to miRNA networks
Authors: Jame-Chenarboo Faezeh , Reyes Joseph N. , Twells Nicholas M. , Ng Hoi Hei , Macdonald Dawn , Hernando Eva , Mahal Lara K.
Published: January 2025

Cellular protein expression is coordinated posttranscriptionally by an intricate regulatory network. The current presumption is that microRNAs (miRNAs) work by repression of functionally related targets within a system. In recent work, up-regulation of protein expression via direct interactions of messenger RNA with miRNA has been found in dividing cells, providing an additional mechanism of regulation. Herein, we demonstrate coordinated up-regulation of functionally coupled proteins by miRNA. We focused on CD98hc, the heavy chain of the amino acid transporter LAT-1, and α-2,3-sialyltransferases ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL2, which are critical for CD98hc stability in melanoma. Profiling miRNA regulation using our high-throughput miRFluR assay, we identified miRNA that up-regulated the expression of both CD98hc and either ST3GAL1 or ST3GAL2. These co–up-regulating miRNAs were enriched in melanoma datasets associated with transformation and progression. Our findings add co–up-regulation by miRNA into miRNA regulatory networks and add a bidirectional twist to the impact miRNAs have on protein regulation and glycosylation.
Continuous-wave perovskite polariton lasers
Authors: Zou Chen , Cao Xuhui , Wang Zixiang , Yang Yichen , Lian Yaxiao , Zhao Baodan , Di Dawei
Published: January 2025

Solution-processed semiconductor lasers are next-generation light sources for large-scale, bio-compatible and integrated photonics. However, overcoming their performance-cost trade-off to rival III-V laser functionalities is a long-standing challenge. Here, we demonstrate room-temperature continuous-wave perovskite polariton lasers exhibiting remarkably low thresholds of ~0.4 W cm
−2
, enabled by a variable single-crystal perovskite microcavity. The threshold outperforms state-of-the-art III-V lasers by ~30 times under optical pumping, and is exceptional among solution-processed lasers. The ultralow-threshold lasing arises from steady-state exciton-polariton condensation, a macroscopic quantum phenomenon akin to Bose-Einstein condensation. The steady-state condensation is attained by fine-tuning the cavity photon-exciton energy separation near the degeneracy point for strong light-matter interactions. These mechanisms enabled the initial demonstration of an indirectly injected perovskite laser chip powered by a gallium nitride light-emitting diode. Our findings create exciting avenues toward on-chip integration of solution-processed lasers, opening opportunities for lasing with ultralow energy consumption and unprecedented performance.
Correspondence between Euler charges and nodal-line topology in Euler semimetals
Authors: Liu Wenwen , Wang Hanyu , Yang Biao , Zhang Shuang
Published: January 2025

Real multi-bandgap systems have non-abelian topological charges, with Euler semimetals being a prominent example characterized by real triple degeneracies (RTDs) in momentum space. These RTDs serve as “Weyl points” for real topological phases. Despite theoretical interest, experimental observations of RTDs have been lacking, and studies mainly focus on individual RTDs. Here, we experimentally demonstrate physical systems with multiple RTDs in crystals, analyzing the distribution of Euler charges and their global connectivity. Through Euler curvature fields, we reveal that type I RTDs have quantized point Euler charges, while type II RTDs show continuously distributed Euler charges along nodal lines. We discover a correspondence between the Euler number of RTDs and the abelian/non-abelian topological charges of nodal lines, extending the Poincaré-Hopf index theorem to Bloch fiber bundles and ensuring nodal line connectivity. In addition, we propose a “no-go” theorem for RTD systems, mandating the balance of positive and negative Euler charges within the Brillouin zone.
Methylation of foreign DNA overcomes the restriction barrier of
Flavobacterium psychrophilum
and allows efficient genetic manipulation
Authors: Sloboda Seada , Ge Xinwei , Jiang Daqing , Su Lin , Wiens Gregory D. , Beveridge Carly A. , Duchaud Eric , McBride Mark J. , Rochat Tatiana , Zhu Yongtao
Published: January 2025

Flavobacterium psychrophilum
causes bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD) in salmonids and other fish, resulting in substantial economic losses in aquaculture worldwide. The mechanisms
F. psychrophilum
uses to cause disease are poorly understood. Despite considerable effort, most strains of
F. psychrophilum
have resisted attempts at genetic manipulation.
F. psychrophilum
restriction-modification (R-M) systems may contribute to this resistance. Restriction endonucleases (REases) rapidly degrade nonself DNA if it is not properly methylated by their cognate DNA methyltransferases (MTases). We used comparative genomics to show that R-M systems are abundant in
F. psychrophilum
and that strain-specific variations partially align with phylogeny. We identified two critical type II R-M systems, HpaII-like (FpsJI) and ScrFI-like (FpsJVI), that are conserved in most of the sequenced strains. Protection of foreign DNA against HpaII and ScrFI was achieved by expression of the MTases M.FpsJI and M.FpsJVI in
Escherichia coli
. Furthermore, deleting the two REase genes from
F. psychrophilum
resulted in efficient conjugative DNA transfer from
E. coli
into the otherwise genetically intractable
F. psychrophilum
strain CSF259-93. This allowed us to construct a CSF259-93 mutant lacking
gldN
, a core component of the type IX protein secretion system. The pre-methylation system developed in this study functions in all tested
F. psychrophilum
strains harboring HpaII-like and ScrFI-like REases. These newly developed genetic tools may allow the identification of key virulence factors and facilitate the development of live attenuated vaccines or other measures to control BCWD.

IMPORTANCE

Bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD) caused by
Flavobacterium psychrophilum
is a problem for salmonid aquaculture worldwide, and current control measures are inadequate. An obstacle in understanding and controlling BCWD is that most
F. psychrophilum
strains resist DNA transfer, thus limiting genetic studies of their virulence mechanisms.
F. psychrophilum
restriction enzymes that destroy foreign DNA were suspected to contribute to this problem. Here, we used
F. psychrophilum
DNA methyltransferases to modify and protect foreign DNA from digestion. This allowed efficient conjugative DNA transfer into nine diverse
F. psychrophilum
strains that had previously resisted DNA transfer. Using this approach, we constructed a gene deletion mutant that failed to cause disease in rainbow trout. Further genetic studies could help determine the molecular factors involved in pathogenesis and may aid development of innovative BCWD control strategies.