bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microarray Analysis for Transcriptomic Profiling of Myocardium in Patients with Fatal Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ryabov Vyacheslav , Gombozhapova Aleksandra , Litviakov Nikolai , Ibragimova Marina , Tsyganov Matvey , Rogovskaya Yulia , Kzhyshkowska Julia
Published: December 2023

Transcriptomic evidence from human myocardium in myocardial infarction (MI) is still not sufficient. Thus, there is a need for studies on human cardiac samples in relation to the clinical data of patients. The purpose of our pilot study was to investigate the transcriptomic profile of myocardium in the infarct zone, in comparison to the remote myocardium, in patients with fatal MI, via microarray analysis. This study included four patients with fatal MI type 1. We selected histologically verified samples from within the infarct area (n = 4) and remote myocardium (n = 4). The whole transcriptome was evaluated using microarray analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) clustered in the infarct area and in the remote myocardium allowed their differentiation. We identified a total of 1785 DEGs (8.32%) in the infarct area, including 1692 up-regulated (94.79%) and 93 down-regulated (5.21%) genes. The top 10 up-regulated genes were TRAIL, SUCLA2, NAE1, PDCL3, OSBPL5, FCGR2C, SELE, CEP63, ST3GAL3 and C4orf3. In the infarct area, we found up-regulation of seventeen apoptosis-related genes, eleven necroptosis-related, and six necrosis-related genes. Transcriptome profiling of the myocardium in patients with MI remains a relevant area of research for the formation of new scientific hypotheses and a potential way to increase the translational significance of studies into myocardial infarction.
Intranasal Lidocaine Administration via Mucosal Atomization Device: A Simple and Successful Treatment for Postdural Puncture Headache in Obstetric Patients
Authors: Siegler Benedikt Hermann , dos Santos Pereira Rui Pedro , Keßler Jens , Wallwiener Stephanie , Wallwiener Markus , Larmann Jan , Picardi Susanne , Carr Richard , Weigand Markus Alexander , Oehler Beatrice
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) remains a serious complication in obstetric patients. While the epidural blood patch represents the current gold standard in therapy, a growing number of alternative measures are thought to be beneficial for clinical management. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of intranasal lidocaine administration to treat PDPH in obstetrics at our university hospital; (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients with PDPH has been performed focusing on the techniques of administration, dosing, treatment duration, impact on pain intensity as well as side effects of intranasal lidocaine; (3) Results: During the study period, 5610 obstetric patients received neuraxial anesthesia, of whom 43 (0.77%) developed PDPH. About one third of the patients with PDPH after spinal anesthesia (n = 8), epidural anesthesia (n = 5) or both (n = 2) were treated with intranasal lidocaine. Lidocaine was administered either via gauze compresses (GC, n = 4), a mucosal atomization device (MAD, n = 8) or with a second-line mucosal atomization device due to low gauze compress efficacy (n = 3). All patients treated with lidocaine refused the epidural blood patch. Nebulization of lidocaine resulted in a significant reduction in pain intensity after the first dose (p = 0.008). No relevant side effects developed except sporadic temporal pharyngeal numbness. The utilization of the mucosal atomization device averted the necessity for an epidural blood patch, whether employed as the primary or secondary approach; (4) Conclusions: Our data imply that the mucosal atomization device enhances the efficacy of intranasal lidocaine administration in obstetric patients suffering from PDPH.
Mimosa Kinetic Façade: Bio-Inspired Ventilation Leveraging the Mimosa Pudica Mechanism for Enhanced Indoor Air Quality
Authors: Sankaewthong Sukhum , Miyata Kazunori , Horanont Teerayut , Xie Haoran , Karnjana Jessada
Published: December 2023

In light of pressing global health concerns, the significance of indoor air quality in densely populated structures has been emphasized. This research introduces the Mimosa kinetic façade, an innovative design inspired by the adaptive responsiveness of the Mimosa plant to environmental stimuli. Traditional static architectural façades often hinder natural ventilation, leading to diminished air quality with potential health and cognitive repercussions. The Mimosa kinetic façade addresses these challenges by enhancing effective airflow and facilitating the removal of airborne contaminants. This study evaluates the façade’s impact on quality of life and its aesthetic contribution to architectural beauty, utilizing the biomimicry design spiral for a nature-inspired approach. Computational simulations and physical tests were conducted to assess the ventilation capacities of various façade systems, with a particular focus on settings in Bangkok, Thailand. The study revealed that kinetic façades, especially certain patterns, provided superior ventilation compared to static ones. Some patterns prioritized ventilation, while others optimized human comfort during extended stays. Notably, the most effective patterns of the kinetic façade inspired by the Mimosa demonstrated a high air velocity reaching up to 12 m/s, in contrast to the peak of 2.50 m/s in single-sided façades (traditional façades). This highlights the kinetic façade’s potential to rapidly expel airborne particles from indoor spaces, outperforming traditional façades. The findings underscore the potential of specific kinetic façade patterns in enhancing indoor air quality and human comfort, indicating a promising future for kinetic façades in architectural design. This study aims to achieve an optimal balance between indoor air quality and human comfort, although challenges remain in perfecting this equilibrium.
Do Bernstein’s Stages of Learning Apply after Stroke? A Scoping Review on the Development of Whole-Body Coordination after Cerebrovascular Accidents
Authors: Wargel Anna , van Andel Steven , Federolf Peter
Published: December 2023

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability around the world, presenting unique challenges in motor development during the rehabilitation process. Based on studies in movement and sports science, thorough knowledge has accumulated on the development of movement skills. Through the works of Nikolai Bernstein, it has been established that when learning new skills, people tend to first simplify coordination by ‘freezing’ their degrees of freedom, after which they start building efficiency by ‘releasing’ specific degrees of freedom. If a similar pattern of development can be established post-stroke, it would imply that lessons learned in sports skill acquisition can also be implemented to optimize stroke rehabilitation. The current scoping review aims to assess whether the Bernsteinian freezing-to-releasing stages of learning also apply to developing whole-body movement skills after stroke. To this end, we systematically screened the existing literature for studies involving a longitudinal measure of whole-body coordination after a stroke. Only five articles met the criteria for inclusion, indicating a gap in research on this topic. Based on the observations within these articles, we could neither confirm nor reject whether the freezing-to-releasing process can apply after a stroke. We could, however, hypothesize a detailed description of the freezing-to-releasing process, which can be assessed in future works.
Who Will Save the Savior? The Relationship between Therapists’ Secondary Traumatic Stress, Secondary Stress Self-Efficacy, and Attitudes toward Trauma-Informed Care
Authors: Miller Itay Miriam Rivka , Turliuc Maria Nicoleta
Published: December 2023

Therapists who treat traumatized preschool children are vulnerable to secondary traumatic stress. This study investigates the relationship between therapists’ attitudes toward trauma-informed care (TIC) and risk of secondary traumatic stress, with secondary traumatic self-efficacy as a mediating variable. Participants included Israeli social workers (N = 101) in preschool trauma frameworks, with 97.2% following trauma-informed care principles. The questionnaire combined three instruments: attitudes related to TIC (ARTIC), secondary traumatic stress (STS), and secondary traumatic stress efficacy (STSE). Therapists with less positive attitudes toward trauma-informed care showed higher levels of secondary traumatic stress (r[99] = −0.23, p = 0.019), while more positive attitudes predicted higher levels of secondary traumatic stress efficacy (r[99] = 40, p < 0.001). Secondary traumatic self-efficacy mediated the relationship between attitudes toward trauma-informed care and secondary traumatic stress (z = 2.72, p = 0.006). Therapists’ secondary traumatic stress may be reduced by improving positive attitudes toward trauma-informed care and enhancing their secondary traumatic self-efficacy.
Experimental Thermal Conductivity Measurement of Hollow-Structured Polypropylene Material by DTC-25 and Hot Box Test
Authors: Osaze Osasu , Khanna Sanjeev
Published: December 2023

In this study, experimental measurements of porous polypropylene (PP) using the DTC-25 TA laboratory equipment and a hot box test are compared. The thermal conductivity of building materials indicates their insulation capability. Excellent building materials will have a lower thermal conductivity value as well as other building insulator performance metrics. While results show that increasing the volume fraction of fluid in porous PP has an inverse association with the thermal conductivity of the material, as predicted by porous media theories, there is a marked difference in the measured values of thermal conductivity using the two methods. The thermal conductivity values of porous PP from the DTC-25 and the hot box test were 0.21 and 0.0033 W/mK, respectively. The difference in the thermal conductivity values was due to the misapplication of the Fourier’s guarded heat flow model in the DTC-25 device to a convective fluid porous medium.
Interpretability Analysis of Convolutional Neural Networks for Crack Detection
Authors: Wu Jie , He Yongjin , Xu Chengyu , Jia Xiaoping , Huang Yule , Chen Qianru , Huang Chuyue , Dadras Eslamlou Armin , Huang Shiping
Published: December 2023

Crack detection is an important task in bridge health monitoring, and related detection methods have gradually shifted from traditional manual methods to intelligent approaches with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in recent years. Due to the opaque process of training and operating CNNs, if the learned features for identifying cracks in the network are not evaluated, it may lead to safety risks. In this study, to evaluate the recognition basis of different crack detection networks; several crack detection CNNs are trained using the same training conditions. Afterwards, several crack images are used to construct a dataset, which are used to interpret and analyze the trained networks and obtain the learned features for identifying cracks. Additionally, a crack identification performance criterion based on interpretability analysis is proposed. Finally, a training framework is introduced based on the issues reflected in the interpretability analysis.
The Influence of Backfill on the Driving Energy Intensity and Axial Load Resistance of Piles with Shaft Widenings: Modeling Research
Authors: Isabai Bekbasarov , Yerlan Atenov , Nurzhan Shanshabayev
Published: December 2023

This article is dedicated to addressing the current challenge of augmenting the load-bearingcapability of pile foundations. This predicament is most effectively addressed by employing piles with unconventional geometries along with atypical methodologies for installing these foundation piles. The primary objective of the research wasto examine the impact of various fill materials (including both soil and rigid substances) on the energy consumption during pile driving and the resistance to static loads by piles with multiple shaft expansions. The findings derived from model-based investigations demonstrate that the load-bearing capacity of piles with shaft expansions installed with bulk material filling surpassed that of conventional piles (prismatic and pyramidal) by a factor ranging from 1.5 to 4.6. Furthermore, the research outcomes also indicated greater energy consumption (1.14–1.66 times) and enhanced load-bearing capacity (1.15–1.68 times) for piles with shaft expansions driven with backfill in comparison to piles installed without backfill. It is noteworthy that the type of backfill material significantly influenced the energy consumption during pile driving and their stability under axial static loads. The correlation relationships can be applied to approximate projection of the energy-related and structural parameters of piles with shaft expansions embedded with the addition of bulk materials.
Shading Performance of Public Open Spaces: A Multi-Criteria Evaluation Framework for Housing Projects
Authors: Asfour Omar S. , Mohsen Osama , Al-Qawasmi Jamal
Published: December 2023

This study investigates the impact of building grouping patterns on enhancing shading in public open spaces, considering different solar orientations, housing densities, and the hot climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia. The study considered a set of environmental performance indicators, including the percentage of open space shaded areas, heat gains through the building envelope, open space surface temperature, and the natural ventilation potential of each grouping pattern of the buildings. The results showed that at a building height of five floors, the percentage of open space shaded areas ranged from 14% to 53%. However, using the suggested multi-criteria evaluation framework to consider the above-mentioned performance indicators revealed more in-depth observations. Configurations that included parallel rows of buildings staggered and centralized in the middle of the site offered the best performance in this regard. This shows that compact grouping patterns in which open spaces are decentralized offer more urban shading and protection against undesirable heat gains through the building envelope during summer. The results of this study will enable a wider exploration of different building grouping patterns, which are needed in the harsh hot climate of Saudi Arabia to respond to current rapid housing development plans.
Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and Patient Experiences in Fertility Preservation: A Systematic Review of the Literature on Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) with Cancer
Authors: Klijn Nicole F. , ter Kuile Moniek M. , Lashley Elisabeth E. L. O.
Published: December 2023

With better survival rates for patients diagnosed with cancer, more attention has been focused on future risks, like fertility decline due to gonadotoxic treatment. In this regard, the emphasis during counselling regarding possible preservation options is often on the treatment itself, meaning that the medical and emotional needs of patients regarding counselling, treatment, and future fertility are often overlooked. This review focuses on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and patient experiences regarding fertility preservation (FP)—among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. A systematic review of the literature, with a systematic search of online databases, was performed, resulting in 61 selected articles. A quality assessment was performed by a mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT). Based on this search, three important topics emerged: initiating discussion about the risk of fertility decline, acknowledging the importance of future fertility, and recognizing the need for more verbal and written patient-specific information. In addition, patients value follow-up care and the opportunity to rediscuss FP and their concerns about future fertility and use of stored material. A clear FP healthcare pathway can prevent delays in receiving a referral to a fertility specialist to discuss FP options and initiating FP treatment. This patient-centered approach will optimize FP experiences and help to establish a process to achieve long-term follow up after FP treatment.
The Role of t(11;14) in Tailoring Treatment Decisions in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Kleber Martina , Ntanasis-Stathopoulos Ioannis , Terpos Evangelos
Published: December 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) represents a hematological neoplasia with an uncontrolled proliferation of malignant plasma cells and complex cytogenetic abnormalities. t(11;14) has emerged as a crucial genetic aberration and is one of the most common primary translocations in MM. Patients harboring t(11;14) represent a distinctive subgroup with a clinical profile that differs from t(11;14)-negative MM risk categories. One of the key features linked with t(11;14) is the BCL2 dependency, indicating vulnerability to BCL2 inhibition. BCL2 inhibitors, such as venetoclax, demonstrated impressive efficacy alone or in combination with other anti-myeloma drugs in patients with RRMM accompanied by t(11;14) and BCL2 overexpression. Therefore, t(11;14) plays a key role in both risk stratification and informed decision making towards a tailored therapy. In this review, we highlight the biology of t(11;14) in MM cells, summarize the current evolving role of t(11;14) in the era of novel agents and novel targeted therapies, illuminate current efficacy and safety data of BCL2-based treatment options and explore the future prospects of individualized precision medicine for this special subgroup of patients with MM.
Relation between Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Cardiovascular Events in Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Polomski Elissa A. S. , Heemelaar Julius C. , de Graaf Michiel A. , Krol Augustinus D. G. , Louwerens Marloes , Stöger J. Lauran , van Dijkman Paul R. M. , Schalij Martin J. , Jukema J. Wouter , Antoni M. Louisa
Published: December 2023

Background: Thoracic radiotherapy is one of the corner stones of HL treatment, but it is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. As HL is often diagnosed at a young age, long-term follow-up including screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) is recommended. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the presence of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in relation to cardiovascular events in HL patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy compared to a non-cancer control group. Methods: Consecutive HL patients who underwent evaluation for asymptomatic CAD with coronary computed tomography angiography > 10 years after thoracic irradiation were included. The study population consisted of 97 HL patients matched to 97 non-cancer patients on gender, age, cardiovascular risk factors, and statin use. Results: Mean age during CT scan in the HL population was 45.5 ± 9.9 and in the non-cancer population 45.5 ± 10.3 years. CACS was elevated (defined as >0) in 49 (50.5%) HL patients and 30 (30.9%) control patients. HL survivors had an odds ratio of 2.28 [95% CI: 1.22–4.28] for having a CACS > 0 compared to the matched population (p = 0.006). Prevalence of CACS > 90th percentile differed significantly: 17.1% in HL survivors vs. 4.6% in the matched population (p = 0.009). Non-obstructive coronary artery stenosis was more prevalent in the HL population than in the control population (45.7% vs. 28.4%, respectively, p = 0.01). During follow-up of 8.5 [5.3; 9.9] years, nine HL patients experienced an event including two patients with a CACS of zero. No events occurred in the control population. Conclusion: In a matched study population, HL survivors have a higher prevalence of a CACS > 0 and an increased risk of cardiovascular events after thoracic irradiation compared to a matched non-cancer control group.
Independent and Complementary Functions of Caf1b and Hir1 for Chromatin Assembly in Tetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Hao Huijuan , Ren Chenhui , Lian Yinjie , Zhao Min , Bo Tao , Xu Jing , Wang Wei
Published: December 2023

Histones and DNA associate to form the nucleosomes of eukaryotic chromatin. Chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1) complex and histone regulatory protein A (HIRA) complex mediate replication-couple (RC) and replication-independent (RI) nucleosome assembly, respectively. CHAF1B and HIRA share a similar domain but play different roles in nucleosome assembly by binding to the different interactors. At present, there is limited understanding for the similarities and differences in their respective functions. Tetrahymena thermophila contains transcriptionally active polyploid macronuclei (MAC) and transcriptionally silent diploid micronuclei (MIC). Here, the distribution patterns of Caf1b and Hir1 exhibited both similarities and distinctions. Both proteins localized to the MAC and MIC during growth, and to the MIC during conjugation. However, Hir1 exhibited additional signaling on parental MAC and new MAC during sexual reproduction and displayed a punctate signal on developing anlagen. Caf1b and Hir1 only co-localized in the MIC with Pcna1 during conjugation. Knockdown of CAF1B impeded cellular growth and arrested sexual reproductive development. Loss of HIR1 led to MIC chromosome defects and aborted sexual development. Co-interference of CAF1B and HIR1 led to a more severe phenotype. Moreover, CAF1B knockdown led to the up-regulation of HIR1 expression, while knockdown of HIR1 also led to an increase in CAF1B expression. Furthermore, Caf1b and Hir1 interacted with different interactors. These results showed that CAF-1 and Hir1 have independent and complementary functions for chromatin assembly in T. thermophila.
The Emerging Roles of γ-Glutamyl Peptides Produced by γ-Glutamyltransferase and the Glutathione Synthesis System
Authors: Ikeda Yoshitaka , Fujii Junichi
Published: December 2023

L-γ-Glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine is commonly referred to as glutathione (GSH); this ubiquitous thiol plays essential roles in animal life. Conjugation and electron donation to enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) are prominent functions of GSH. Cellular glutathione balance is robustly maintained via regulated synthesis, which is catalyzed via the coordination of γ-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) and glutathione synthetase, as well as by reductive recycling by glutathione reductase. A prevailing short supply of L-cysteine (Cys) tends to limit glutathione synthesis, which leads to the production of various other γ-glutamyl peptides due to the unique enzymatic properties of γ-GCS. Extracellular degradation of glutathione by γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a dominant source of Cys for some cells. GGT catalyzes the hydrolytic removal of the γ-glutamyl group of glutathione or transfers it to amino acids or to dipeptides outside cells. Such processes depend on an abundance of acceptor substrates. However, the physiological roles of extracellularly preserved γ-glutamyl peptides have long been unclear. The identification of γ-glutamyl peptides, such as glutathione, as allosteric modulators of calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs) could provide insights into the significance of the preservation of γ-glutamyl peptides. It is conceivable that GGT could generate a new class of intercellular messaging molecules in response to extracellular microenvironments.
Quality of Care in Pediatric Palliative Care: A Scoping Review
Authors: Ruiz-Gil Tania , Ródenas-Rigla Francisco
Published: December 2023

Palliative care (PC) enhances the quality of life for patients and families facing life-threatening conditions. While PC is well-established for adults, not all practices apply to pediatrics. Consequently, specific quality indicators for Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) must be identified. This scoping review aimed to identify the variables associated with the quality of care of PPC patients in Spain, focusing specifically on three areas: structure and process of care, psychological aspects of care, and care of patients approaching the end of life. The review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest, and Dialnet databases covering the period extending from January 2000 to May 2023. Finally, 35 studies were identified for the complete review. A total of 30 studies include variables associated with the structure and process of care, 20 include variables associated with psychological aspects of care, and 23 studies integrate variables related to patient care at the end of life. Analysis suggests that enhancing professional training in aspects such as communication with patients and families, creating intimate spaces with flexible visiting hours, increasing emotional support, promoting frequent contact with healthcare teams, and transparently communicating about illness and imminent death to both families and minors could improve the quality of PPC.
Polarization- and Chaos-Game-Based Fingerprinting of Molecular Targets of Listeria Monocytogenes Vaccine and Fully Virulent Strains
Authors: Zimnyakov Dmitry A. , Alonova Marina V. , Lavrukhin Maxim S. , Lyapina Anna M. , Feodorova Valentina A.
Published: December 2023

Two approaches to the synthesis of 2D binary identifiers (“fingerprints”) of DNA-associated symbol sequences are considered in this paper. One of these approaches is based on the simulation of polarization-dependent diffraction patterns formed by reading the modeled DNA-associated 2D phase-modulating structures with a coherent light beam. In this case, 2D binarized distributions of close-to-circular extreme polarization states are applied as fingerprints of analyzed nucleotide sequences. The second approach is based on the transformation of the DNA-associated chaos game representation (CGR) maps into finite-dimensional binary matrices. In both cases, the differences between the structures of the analyzed and reference symbol sequences are quantified by calculating the correlation coefficient of the synthesized binary matrices. A comparison of the approaches under consideration is carried out using symbol sequences corresponding to nucleotide sequences of the hly gene from the vaccine and wild-type strains of Listeria monocytogenes as the analyzed objects. These strains differ in terms of the number of substituted nucleotides in relation to the vaccine strain selected as a reference. The results of the performed analysis allow us to conclude that the identification of structural differences in the DNA-associated symbolic sequences is significantly more efficient when using the binary distributions of close-to-circular extreme polarization states. The approach given can be applicable for genetic differentiation immunized from vaccinated animals (DIVA).
Microbiota Composition and Probiotics Supplementations on Sleep Quality—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Santi Daniele , Debbi Valentina , Costantino Francesco , Spaggiari Giorgia , Simoni Manuela , Greco Carla , Casarini Livio
Published: December 2023

The gut microbiota (GM) plays a crucial role in human health. The bidirectional interaction between GM and the central nervous system may occur via the microbiota–gut–brain axis, possibly regulating the sleep/wake cycle. Recent reports highlight associations between intestinal dysbiosis and sleep disorders, suggesting that probiotics could ameliorate this condition. However, data are poor and inconsistent. The aim of this quantitative metanalytic study is to assess the GM composition in sleep disturbances and evaluate probiotics’ effectiveness for managing sleep disorders. A systematic review was carried out until July 2022 in online databases, limiting the literature research to human studies and English language articles. No significant GM diversity between patients with sleep disturbances versus healthy controls was found, revealed by α-diversity, while β-diversity is missing due to lack of proper reporting. However, probiotics supplementation significantly reduced the self-assessed parameter of sleep quality and disturbances Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score compared with the placebo. No difference in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was found. While available data suggest that GM diversity is not related to sleep disturbances, probiotics administration strongly improves sleep quality as a subjective perception. However, heterogeneity of data reporting in the scientific literature should be considered as a limitation.
The Cryogenic Anticoincidence Detector for the NewAthena X-IFU Instrument: A Program Overview
Authors: Macculi Claudio , Argan Andrea , D’Andrea Matteo , Lotti Simone , Minervini Gabriele , Piro Luigi , Ferrari Barusso Lorenzo , Boragno Corrado , Celasco Edvige , Gallucci Giovanni , Gatti Flavio , Grosso Daniele , Rigano Manuela , Chiarello Fabio , Torrioli Guido , Fiorini Mauro , Uslenghi Michela , Brienza Daniele , Cavazzuti Elisabetta , Puccetti Simonetta , Volpe Angela , Bastia Paolo
Published: December 2023

Athena (advanced telescope for high-energy astrophysics) is an ESA large-class mission, at present under a re-definition “design-to-cost” phase, planned for a prospective launch at L1 orbit in the second half of the 2030s. It will be an observatory alternatively focusing on two complementary instruments: the X-IFU (X-ray Integral Field Unit), a TES (TransitionEdge Sensor)-based kilo-pixel array which is able to perform simultaneous high-grade energy spectroscopy (~3 eV@7 keV) and imaging over 4′ FoV (field of view), and the WFI (Wide Field Imager), which has good energy spectral resolution (~170 eV@7 keV) and imaging on wide 40′ × 40′ FoV. Athena will be a truly transformational observatory, operating in conjunction with other large observatories across the electromagnetic spectrum available in the 2030s like ALMA, ELT, JWST, SKA, CTA, etc., and in multi-messenger synergies with facilities like LIGO A+, Advanced Virgo+, LISA, IceCube and KM3NeT. The Italian team is involved in both instruments. It has the co-PIship of the cryogenic instrument for which it has to deliver the TES-based Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector (CryoAC) necessary to guarantee the X-IFU sensitivity, degraded by a primary particle background of both solar and galactic cosmic ray (GCR) origins, and by secondary electrons produced by primaries interacting with the materials surrounding the main detector. The outcome of Geant4 studies shows the necessity for adopting both active and passive techniques to guarantee the residual particle background at 5 × 10−3 cts cm−2 s−1 keV−1 level in 2–10 keV scientific bandwidth. The CryoAC is a four-pixel detector made of Si-suspended absorbers sensed by Ir/Au TESes placed at <1 mm below the main detector. After a brief overview of the Athena mission, we will report on the particle background reduction techniques highlighting the impact of the Geant4 simulation on the X-IFU focal plane assembly design, then hold a broader discussion on the CryoAC program in terms of detection chain system requirements, test, design concept against trade-off studies and programmatic.
Effects of the Sintering Process on Al2O3 Composite Ceramics Fabricated Using Material Extrusion and Photo-Polymerization Combined Process
Authors: He Xin , Xu Jie , He Lijie , Ji Weixi
Published: December 2023

The sintering process can improve the microstructure of Al2O3 composite ceramics and enhance their comprehensive properties, but the effects of the sintering process on Al2O3 composite ceramics are still unclear. Herein, a novel Al2O3 composite ceramic was printed using the material extrusion and photo-polymerization combined process, and the final ceramic was obtained using one-step sintering (TS) and two-step sintering technology (TSS). Based on the testing results, such as the relative density (Drel), average grain size (AGS), hardness, bending strength, and fracture toughness, TSS was suitable for the refinement of commercial Al2O3 ceramics. Moreover, the highest sintering temperature of the second step (T2) was at 1550 °C, while that of the shortest holding time (t) was at 4 h (TSS8), which was to ensure densification before rapid grain growth. The Drel and AGS of the best ceramics obtained via TSS8 were 97.65% and 1.52 µm, respectively. Their hardness, bending strength, and fracture toughness were also enhanced, and they were affected by T2, t, and the interaction. In sum, the TSS obtained better fracture toughness and bending strength, which had great potential in the application of the additive manufacturing field.
Low-Frequency PPM1D Gene Mutations Affect Treatment Response to CD19-Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapy in Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Seipel Katja , Frey Michèle , Nilius Henning , Akhoundova Dilara , Banz Yara , Bacher Ulrike , Pabst Thomas
Published: December 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T)-cell therapy has become a standard treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL). Mutations in the PPM1D gene, a frequent driver alteration in clonal hematopoiesis (CH), lead to a gain of function of PPM1D/Wip1 phosphatase, impairing p53-dependent G1 checkpoint and promoting cell proliferation. The presence of PPM1D mutations has been correlated with reduced response to standard chemotherapy in lymphoma patients. In this study, we analyzed the impact of low-frequency PPM1D mutations on the safety and efficacy of CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy in a cohort of 85 r/r DLBCL patients. In this cohort, the prevalence of PPM1D gene mutations was 20% with a mean variant allele frequency (VAF) of 0.052 and a median VAF of 0.036. CAR T-induced cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neuro-toxicities (ICANS) occurred at similar frequencies in patients with and without PPM1D mutations. Clinical outcomes were globally worse in the PPM1D mutated (PPM1Dmut) vs. PPM1D wild type (PPM1Dwt) subset. While the prevalent treatment outcome within the PPM1Dwt subgroup was complete remission (56%), the majority of patients within the PPM1Dmut subgroup had only partial remission (60%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3 vs. 12 months (p = 0.07) and median overall survival (OS) was 5 vs. 37 months (p = 0.004) for the PPM1Dmut and PPM1Dwt cohort, respectively. Our data suggest that the occurrence of PPM1D mutations in the context of CH may predict worse outcomes after CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy in patients with r/r DLBCL.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Presenting as Acute Appendicitis: A Rare Case Study and Review of Current Knowledge
Authors: Markovic Nenad , Stojanovic Bojan , Jovanovic Ivan , Milosevic Bojan , Spasic Marko , Radosavljevic Ivan , Zdravkovic Natasa , Radovanovic Dragce , Stojanovic Bojana S. , Spasojevic Marija , Jovanovic Marina , Todorovic Zeljko , Pavlovic Mladen , Sretenovic Snezana , Milosavljevic Milos Z. , Dimitrijevic Stojanovic Milica
Published: December 2023

This manuscript discusses a rare case of acute appendicitis caused by metastasis from invasive breast carcinoma of no special type in a 70-year-old female previously diagnosed with breast cancer. It delves into the diagnostic challenges and management complexities of such unusual clinical presentations. The paper includes an analysis of 19 documented cases, enriching the understanding of metastatic patterns and treatment strategies in breast cancer. It underlines the importance of considering a history of malignancy when diagnosing acute abdominal conditions and emphasizes a comprehensive approach in interpreting diagnostic imaging in patients with past oncological issues to effectively manage metastatic breast cancer exhibiting atypical manifestations.
Prosthetic Oral Rehabilitation with CAD/CAM Suprastructures in Patients with Severe Tissue Deficits: A Case Series
Authors: Laurila Marisa , Mäntynen Pilvi , Mauno Jari , Suojanen Juho
Published: December 2023

This article presents the outcomes of prosthetic oral rehabilitation using CAD/CAM telescopic bar overdentures in patients with oral cancer (n = 3), severe facial trauma (n = 2), or various syndromes (n = 1), all suffering from severe tissue deficits and requiring complex and comprehensive oral rehabilitation. The aim was to assess the durability and functionality of implant-retained prosthetic structures, ensuring easy oral hygiene and minimizing specialized follow-up needs. The data for this study were sourced from a retrospective cohort at Helsinki University Hospital. The prosthetic reconstruction encompassed the Atlantis 2in1 and the Createch removable telescopic systems. Thus, 40 implants were placed (4 to 7 per patient), with prosthetic structures in the maxilla (n = 4 patients), in the mandible (n = 1), and in both jaws (n = 1). Two patients experienced no complications, two patients had part of the acrylic resin break, and one patient experienced loosening of the bar structure. All complications associated with prosthetic structures were successfully managed, and none of the implants were lost. The follow-up time ranged from 7 to 126 months. This rehabilitation is proved to be an effective solution for patients with complex oral conditions, facilitating both functional restoration and ease of maintenance. These findings underscore the importance of individualized treatment approaches in cases of tissue deficits.
Imitation Learning of Complex Behaviors for Multiple Drones with Limited Vision
Authors: Wan Yu , Tang Jun , Zhao Zipeng
Published: December 2023

Navigating multiple drones autonomously in complex and unpredictable environments, such as forests, poses a significant challenge typically addressed by wireless communication for coordination. However, this approach falls short in situations with limited central control or blocked communications. Addressing this gap, our paper explores the learning of complex behaviors by multiple drones with limited vision. Drones in a swarm rely on onboard sensors, primarily forward-facing stereo cameras, for environmental perception and neighbor detection. They learn complex maneuvers through the imitation of a privileged expert system, which involves finding the optimal set of neural network parameters to enable the most effective mapping from sensory perception to control commands. The training process adopts the Dagger algorithm, employing the framework of centralized training with decentralized execution. Using this technique, drones rapidly learn complex behaviors, such as avoiding obstacles, coordinating movements, and navigating to specified targets, all in the absence of wireless communication. This paper details the construction of a distributed multi-UAV cooperative motion model under limited vision, emphasizing the autonomy of each drone in achieving coordinated flight and obstacle avoidance. Our methodological approach and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed vision-based end-to-end controller, paving the way for more sophisticated applications of multi-UAV systems in intricate, real-world scenarios.
Integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery and Machine Learning Technology to Map the Distribution of Conifer and Broadleaf Canopy Cover in Uneven-Aged Mixed Forests
Authors: Htun Nyo , Owari Toshiaki , Tsuyuki Satoshi , Hiroshima Takuya
Published: December 2023

Uneven-aged mixed forests have been recognized as important contributors to biodiversity conservation, ecological stability, carbon sequestration, the provisioning of ecosystem services, and sustainable timber production. Recently, numerous studies have demonstrated the applicability of integrating remote sensing datasets with machine learning for forest management purposes, such as forest type classification and the identification of individual trees. However, studies focusing on the integration of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) datasets with machine learning for mapping of tree species groups in uneven-aged mixed forests remain limited. Thus, this study explored the feasibility of integrating UAV imagery with semantic segmentation-based machine learning classification algorithms to describe conifer and broadleaf species canopies in uneven-aged mixed forests. The study was conducted in two sub-compartments of the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest in northern Japan. We analyzed UAV images using the semantic-segmentation based U-Net and random forest (RF) classification models. The results indicate that the integration of UAV imagery with the U-Net model generated reliable conifer and broadleaf canopy cover classification maps in both sub-compartments, while the RF model often failed to distinguish conifer crowns. Moreover, our findings demonstrate the potential of this method to detect dominant tree species groups in uneven-aged mixed forests.
Practical NTRU Signcryption in the Standard Model
Authors: Yan Jianhua , Lu Xiuhua , Li Muzi , Wang Licheng , Zhou Jingxian , Yao Wenbin
Published: December 2023

Based on the NTRU trapdoor used in NIST’s Falcon, a signcryption scheme following the sign-then-encrypt paradigm is constructed. The existing partitioning technique based on Waters hash over the lattice can not complete the security reduction in the standard model for the signature part due to the “partiality” of the pre-image generated with the NTRU trapdoor. To address this, a variant of Waters hash over small integers is proposed and, the probability of the successful reduction is analyzed. The resulting signcryption achieves existential unforgeability under the adaptive chosen-message attacks. By utilizing the uniqueness of the secret and the noise in an NTRU instance, the tag used in encryption is eliminated. Furthermore, a method to construct tamper-sensitive lattice public key encryption is proposed. This approach implants the ciphertext-sensitive information into the lattice public key encryption and binds it to the encrypted information. The malleability to the public key ciphertext triggers the change of the message–signature pair so that the IND-CCA2 security of the entire ciphertext can be guaranteed by the signature for the message. Thanks to the rational design and the efficiency of the NTRU trapdoor, the computational overhead of the proposed scheme is reduced significantly compared to the existing lattice-based signcryption scheme, reaching orders of magnitude improvement in efficiency. The experiment shows that the proposed scheme is efficient.
The Spectrum of Low-pT J/ψ in Heavy-Ion Collisions in a Statistical Two-Body Fractal Model
Authors: Ding Huiqiang , Cheng Luan , Dai Tingting , Wang Enke , Zhang Wei-Ning
Published: December 2023

We establish a statistical two-body fractal (STF) model to study the spectrum of J/ψ. J/ψ serves as a reliable probe in heavy-ion collisions. The distribution of J/ψ in hadron gas is influenced by flow, quantum and strong interaction effects. Previous models have predominantly focused on one or two of these effects while neglecting the others, resulting in the inclusion of unconsidered effects in the fitted parameters. Here, we study the issue from a new point of view by analyzing the fact that all three effects induce a self-similarity structure, involving a J/ψ-π two-meson state and a J/ψ, π two-quark state, respectively. We introduce modification factor qTBS and q2 into the probability and entropy of charmonium. qTBS denotes the modification of self-similarity on J/ψ, q2 denotes that of self-similarity and strong interaction between c and c¯ on quarks. By solving the probability and entropy equations, we derive the values of qTBS and q2 at various collision energies and centralities. Substituting the value of qTBS into distribution function, we successfully obtain the transverse momentum spectrum of low-pT J/ψ, which demonstrates good agreement with experimental data. The STF model can be employed to investigate other mesons and resonance states.
A Conservative Memristive Chaotic System with Extreme Multistability and Its Application in Image Encryption
Authors: Li Jian , Liang Bo , Zhang Xiefu , Yu Zhixin
Published: December 2023

In this work, a novel conservative memristive chaotic system is constructed based on a smooth memristor. In addition to generating multiple types of quasi-periodic trajectories within a small range of a single parameter, the amplitude of the system can be controlled by changing the initial values. Moreover, the proposed system exhibits nonlinear dynamic characteristics, involving extreme multistability behavior of isomorphic and isomeric attractors. Finally, the proposed system is implemented using STMicroelectronics 32 and applied to image encryption. The excellent encryption performance of the conservative chaotic system is proven by an average correlation coefficient of 0.0083 and an information entropy of 7.9993, which provides a reference for further research on conservative memristive chaotic systems in the field of image encryption.
Modelling Health Financing Performance in Europe in the Context of Macroeconomic Uncertainties
Authors: Dincă Marius Sorin , Antohi Valentin Marian , Andronic Maria Letiția , Szeles Monica Răileanu , Baba Camelia Mirela
Published: December 2023

This paper makes a comparison between the financing of health systems in six European Member States: France, Denmark, Spain, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, starting from the structure of financial allocations to health systems in the context of fluctuating macroeconomic developments marked by multiple economic crises and the onset of the pandemic, which posed a real challenge to maintaining the health security of the European population and beyond. The need for this research is connected to the gap in the literature regarding economic development, health management and health financing performance. The main objective of the research is to determine the performance aspects of health systems financing and efficient financing models in relation to the evolution of macroeconomic indicators such as gross domestic product, household final consumption, general public expenditure and population. Empirical and analytical methods consisting of literature review, database construction, econometric modeling and statistical model validation were used. The results of the study highlight the performance of financial allocations for the six countries analyzed and could help decision-makers adjust health financing strategies in line with the insights provided by the current research. The novelty of this research is the comparison between different EU member states according to their economic development level in direct connection with health financing performance. This paper identifies the key aspects of health systems’ financing and of efficient financing models in connection to the evolution of main macroeconomic indicators.