bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Study About Integrating Enterprise Engineering Change Management into Blockchain Technology
Authors: Njualem Lewis A. , Pandey Chirag
Published: January 2025

Heightened interest in providing transparency and security within business systems and processes has triggered a multitude of studies on the adoption of emergent technologies. Blockchain technology (BCT) has emerged to address issues of transparency, efficiency, and security in manufacturing, supply chain, enterprise, and e-commerce systems. Given the enormous success of BCT in financial applications, there is keenness to explore other application areas. This research explores the integration of BCT in enterprise systems to enhance the engineering change management (ECM) process. Employing the technology acceptance model (TAM) to assess adoption intentions from the perspective of users, two concepts were examined: perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU). A quantitative survey method collected and analysed the perception data. The findings revealed a positive perception of both usefulness and ease of use from the users in adopting a blockchain-enabled enterprise platform to support the ECM process. More detailed findings uncovered the workflow management function as an area that may require further technical exploration. These findings provide valuable insights on the benefits of blockchain in optimizing business processes and contribute to the growing literature about perceptions of integrating BCT in enterprise platforms.
Resilient Waterfront Futures: Mapping Vulnerabilities and Designing Floating Urban Models for Flood Adaptation on the Tiber Delta
Authors: Calcagni Livia , Ruggiero Adriano , Battisti Alessandra
Published: January 2025

This paper explores the feasibility of floating urban development in Italy, given its extensive coastline and inland hydrographic network. The key drivers for floating urban development, as an adaptive approach in low-lying waterfront areas, include the increasing threats posed by rising sea levels and flooding and the shortage of land for urban expansion. However, as not all waterfront areas are suitable for floating urban development, a geographical analysis based on a thorough evaluation of multiple factors, including urban–economic parameters and climate-related variables, led to the identification of a specific area of the Lazio coast, the river Tiber Delta. A comprehensive urban mapping process provided a multifaceted geo-referenced information layer, including several climatic, urban, anthropic, and environmental parameters. Within the GIS environment, it is possible to extract and perform statistical analyses crucial for assessing the impact of flood and sea-level rise hazards, particularly regarding buildings and land cover. This process provides a robust framework for understanding the spatial dimensions of flood and sea-level rise impacts and supporting informed design-making. A research-by-design phase follows the simulation research and mapping process. Several design scenarios are developed aimed at regenerating this vulnerable area. These scenarios seek to transform its susceptibility to flooding into a resilient, adaptive, urban identity, offering climate-resilient housing solutions for a population currently residing in unauthorized, substandard housing within high flood-risk zones. This paper proposes a comprehensive analytical methodology for supporting the design process of floating urban development, given the highly determinant role of site-specificity in such a challenging and new urban development approach.
Multi-Scale Mapping of Energy Consumption Carbon Emission Spatiotemporal Characteristics: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta Region
Authors: Lv Kangjuan , Wang Qiming , Shi Xunpeng , Huang Li , Liu Yatian
Published: January 2025

Climate issues significantly impact people’s lives, prompting governments worldwide to implement energy-saving and emission-reducing measures. However, many areas lack carbon emission data at the lower administrative divisions. Additionally, the inconsistency in the standards, scope, and accuracy of carbon dioxide emission statistics across different regions makes mapping carbon dioxide spatial patterns complex. Nighttime light (NTL) data combined with land use data enable the detailed spatial and temporal disaggregation of carbon emission data at a finer administrative level, facilitating scientifically informed policy formulation by the government. Differentiating carbon emission data by sector will help us further identify the carbon emission efficiency in different sectors and help environmental regulators implement the most cost-effective emission-reduction strategy. This study uses integrated remote-sensing data to estimate carbon emissions from fossil fuels (CEFs). Experimental results indicate (1) that the regional CEF can be calculated by combining NTL and Landuse data and has a good fit; (2) the high-intensity CEF area is mainly concentrated in Shanghai and its surrounding areas, showing a concentric circle structure; (3) there are obvious differences in the spatial distribution characteristics of carbon emissions among different departments; (4) hot spot analysis reveals a three-tiered distribution in the Yangtze River Delta, increasing from the west to the east with distinct spatial characteristics.
Fatty Acid Content and Profile in Ulva lactuca in Response to Exposure to Variable Growth Conditions in Indoor Photobioreactors
Authors: Gnayem Nabeel , Unis Razan , Gnaim Rima , Chemodanov Alexander , Israel Álvaro , Gnaim Jallal , Golberg Alexander
Published: January 2025

Seaweed presents a sustainable alternative source of valuable fatty acids (FAs) involving omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6). As such, there is great potential to reduce pressure on wild fish populations, helping to combat overfishing and its associated global impacts. This study explored the effect of various environmental factors on the FA content and profile of Ulva lactuca using indoor photobioreactors. The taxonomic identity of U. lactuca was confirmed through DNA sequencing using 3 markers (rbcL, ITS, and tufa). The effects of temperature (8, 20, and 30 °C), seawater salinity (3.5, 3.0, 2.5, and 2.0% w/v), nutrient type and concentration (0 or 6.4 ppm, consisting of 50% w/w N-NO3, 50% w/w N-NH4, and 0–1 ppm P-PO4), and irradiance (50, 100, and 150 μmol photons m−2 s−1) were evaluated. This study assessed their influence on U. lactuca’s biomass production rate (BPR), dry weight (DW), ash content (AC), and FA composition after 7 and 21 days. The results revealed that after 21 days, the polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) content decreased with the increasing seawater salinity (i.e., 38.9% ± 0.7, 33.8% ± 0.4, and 27.0% ± 0.4, and 6.6% ± 0.1 for a salinity of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5% w/v, respectively). The content of n-3 after 21 days increased significantly under the following conditions: 8 °C, a salinity of 2.5% w/v, 6.4 ppm of nitrogen without the addition of phosphorous, and an irradiation of 50 and 150 μmol photons m−2 s−1, affording a low n-6/n-3 proportion that fits a desirable level of an n6/n3 ratio (1–10) for a balanced nutritional diet.
Study on Fire Temperature Field in Small-Section Steel-Shell Concrete Immersed Tube Tunnel Structure Based on CFD-FEM Method
Authors: Zhao Bei , Xie Baochao , Xu Zhisheng , Wang Feifan , Gao Yifan
Published: January 2025

Small-section steel-shell concrete immersed tube tunnels are intended for minibuses and have a low fire heat release rate. Standard fire rise curves do not apply to such tunnels. In this study, a coupled method of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the finite element method (FEM) was used to simulate the structural temperature distribution in tunnels. Firstly, a tunnel fire dynamics model was established to obtain the inhomogeneous temperature field during tunnel fires. Subsequently, a three-dimensional heat transfer analysis model for the tunnel tube section was established to simulate the temperature transfer characteristics of the tunnel structure with and without fire protection measures under different types of vehicle fires. This study showed that because steel has a higher thermal conductivity, at the same depth, the temperatures were the highest in T-ribs, followed by partitions, and the lowest in concrete; however, the steel components inside the tunnel minimally affected the tunnel temperature. Without fire protection, the steel shell’s surface temperature exceeded 300 °C in as little as 500 s. Temperature’s primary impact on the tunnel’s steel structure was within 30 cm of the steel shell’s surface, and on concrete, it was within 20 cm. The greatest temperature difference between the partition and concrete occurred 10 cm from the steel shell’s surface. These results fill the knowledge gap on heat transfer in these tunnels and have positive practical significance for the fire resistance design of tunnels.
Advanced Thermoelectric Performance of SWCNT Films by Mixing Two Types of SWCNTs with Different Structural and Thermoelectric Properties
Authors: Okano Yutaro , Yamamoto Hisatoshi , Hoshino Koki , Miyake Shugo , Takashiri Masayuki
Published: January 2025

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are significantly attractive for thermoelectric generators (TEGs), which convert thermal energy into electricity via the Seebeck effect. This is because the characteristics of semiconducting SWCNTs are perfectly suited for TEGs as self-contained power sources for sensors on the Internet of Things (IoT). However, the thermoelectric performances of the SWCNTs should be further improved by using the power sources. The ideal SWCNTs have a high electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient while having a low thermal conductivity, but it is challenging to balance everything. In this study, to improve the thermoelectric performance, we combined two types of SWCNTs: one with a high electrical conductivity (Tuball 01RW03, OCSiAl) and the other with a high Seebeck coefficient and low thermal conductivity (ZEONANO SG101, ZEON). The SWCNT inks were prepared by mixing two types of SWCNTs using ultrasonic dispersion while varying the mixing ratios, and p-type SWCNT films were prepared using vacuum filtration. The highest dimensionless figure-of-merit of 1.1 × 10−3 was exhibited at approximately 300 K when the SWCNT film contained the SWCNT 75% of SWCNT (ZEONANO SG101) and 25% of SWCNT (Tuball 01RW03). This simple process will contribute to the prevalent use of SWCNT-TEG as a power source for IoT sensors.
A Method for Determining the Minimum Thickness of the Cut Layer in Precision Milling
Authors: Nowakowski Lukasz , Bronis Mateusz , Blasiak Slawomir , Skrzyniarz Michal
Published: January 2025

The minimum cutting thickness is a key value in machining processes, as below this value the material will only undergo elastic and plastic deformation without chip removal. Existing measurement methods require time-consuming preparation and complicated procedures. This work focuses on the development of a new, simplified method for determining the minimum cutting thickness (hmin) using a contact profilometer that can be used in industry. The use of the contact measurement method has made it possible to directly determine the value of the hmin parameter, to determine the length of the characteristic zones of interaction of the tool with the surface of the specimen, and to measure the angle of inclination of the working plane of the specimen. Measurement using a profilometer allows for the obtainment of results with high resolution, which greatly facilitates the identification of zones of tool interaction with the workpiece material during the cutting test and reduces the value of the measurement error. The proposed method simplifies the specimen preparation process by using rectangular specimens positioned on an inclined plane, which allows the depth of the cut to be varied smoothly. This paper presents experimental results and statistical analysis. Tests were carried out on C45 steel, and an ANOVA analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of the grinding parameters on the hmin parameter. It was found that the feed rate had the largest effect on hmin (93%), while cutting speed had a smaller effect. A mathematical model was developed to predict values based on selected technological parameters such as cutting speed and feed per tooth.
Surface Wettability Modeling and Predicting via Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Peta Katarzyna
Published: January 2025

Surface wettability, defined by the contact angle, describes the ability of a liquid to spread over, absorb or adhere to a solid surface. Surface wetting analysis is important in many applications, such as lubrication, heat transfer, painting and wherever liquids interact with solid surfaces. The behavior of liquids on surfaces depends mainly on the texture and chemical properties of the surface. Therefore, these studies show the possibility of modeling surface wettability by adjusting the parameters of the surface texturing process. The prediction of the contact angle describing the wettability of the surface was performed using artificial neural networks. In order to select the most effective prediction model, the activation functions of neurons, the number of hidden layers and the network training algorithms were changed. The neural network model presented in these studies is capable of predicting the contact angle with an efficiency defined by the coefficient of determination R2 between real and predicted contact angles of over 0.9.
Influence of Machining Parameters on the Surface Roughness and Tool Wear During Slot Milling of a Polyurethane Block
Authors: Szadkowska Karolina , Kępczak Norbert , Stachurski Wojciech , Pawłowski Witold , Rosik Radosław , Bechciński Grzegorz , Sikora Małgorzata , Witkowski Błażej , Sikorski Jakub
Published: January 2025

The aim of the work was to investigate the influence of the machining parameters on the surface roughness and tool wear during slot milling of a polyurethane block (PUB). In the experiment, the influence of the cutting speed, the feed per tooth and the depth of cut on the roughness Ra and Rz of the milling slot surface and wear of the end mill was analyzed. A three-axis CNC milling machine Emco Concept Mill 55 was used to perform the study. After the machining, the values of parameters Ra and Rz were measured using the Hommel Tester T500 induction profilometer. Three polyurethane materials of different densities were considered: the Labelite 45, the Prolab 65 and the LAB 1000. The wear of the end mill was also examined for each of the tested materials by a workshop microscope. In conclusion, it was indicated how and to what extent the variation in the machining parameters affects the surface geometrical structure of a polyurethane plate. Moreover, the research results for the tested materials were compared with each other.
Comparative Study on Combined Addition of Gd-Ce and Gd-Y on the Mechanical Properties and Electrochemical Behavior of Mg-Zn-Mn-Ca Alloys
Authors: Hu Ke , Zhou Junru , Zhou Yan , He Guoxian , Zhao Wenhao , Guo Jingjing , Liu Xiao , Li Lingling , Guo Fujian
Published: January 2025

This study presents a comparative analysis of the influence of Ce-Gd and Gd-Y additions on the microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, and electrochemical behavior of extruded Mg-3Zn-Mn-Ca alloy rods. Despite the frequent incorporation of Gd, Y, and Ce as alloying elements in magnesium alloys, the systematic examination of their combined effects on Mg-Zn alloys has been limited. Our findings reveal that both Gd-Ce and Gd-Y additions significantly enhance the mechanical properties of Mg-3Zn-Mn-Ca alloy, although through differing mechanisms. Specifically, the Mg-3Zn-1Mn-0.5Ca-1Gd-0.5Ce(ZMXE3101(GdCe)) alloy exhibited a yield strength of 304.5 MPa and an elongation of 15%, achieved through dynamic recrystallization and enhanced basal texture. The grain refinement and texture strengthening resulting from the coarse second-phase particles formed by Ce-Gd played a significant role in increasing the yield strength. In contrast, the Mg-3Zn-1Mn-0.5Ca-1Gd-0.5Y (ZMXE3101(GdY)) alloy demonstrated a yield strength of 305 MPa and an elongation of 20%. The finer grains and elongated unrecrystallized grains formed by Gd-Y contributed to the elevation in yield strength. While the ductility of this alloy was slightly lower than that of Mg-3Zn-Mn-Ca without rare earth additions, it still exhibited commendable overall mechanical properties. The electrochemical test results indicate that the addition of both Gd-Ce and Gd-Y enhances the corrosion current density of Mg-3Zn-Mn-Ca alloy, attributable to the generation of numerous rare earth phase particles that function as cathodes. Compared to the ZMXE3101(GdY) alloy, ZMXE3101(GdCe) exhibits a higher equilibrium potential and significantly lower corrosion current density. This is due to the formation of a protective film during the corrosion process by Gd-Ce.
Experimental Study on Mechanical Performance of Single-Side Bonded Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Plywood for Wood-Based Structures
Authors: Szwajka Krzysztof , Zielińska-Szwajka Joanna , Trzepieciński Tomasz , Szewczyk Marek
Published: January 2025

In addition to the traditional uses of plywood, such as furniture and construction, it is also widely used in areas that benefit from its special combination of strength and lightness, particularly as a construction material for the production of finishing elements of campervans and yachts. In light of the current need to reduce emissions of climate-damaging gases such as CO2, the use of lightweight construction materials is very important. In recent years, hybrid structures made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) and metals have attracted much attention in many industries. In contrast to hybrid metal/carbon fibre composites, research relating to laminates consisting of CFRPs and wood-based materials shows less interest. This article analyses the hybrid laminate resulting from bonding a CFRP panel to plywood in terms of strength and performance using a three-point bending test, a static tensile test and a dynamic analysis. Knowledge of the dynamic characteristics of carbon fibre-reinforced plywood allows for the adoption of such cutting parameters that will help prevent the occurrence of self-excited vibrations in the cutting process. Therefore, in this work, it was decided to determine the effect of using CFRP laminate on both the static and dynamic stiffness of the structure. Most studies in this field concern improving the strength of the structure without analysing the dynamic properties. This article proposes a simple and user-friendly methodology for determining the damping of a sandwich-type system. The results of strength tests were used to determine the modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, the position of the neutral axis and the frequency domain characteristics of the laminate obtained. The results show that the use of a CFRP-reinforced plywood panel not only improves the visual aspect but also improves the strength properties of such a hybrid material. In the case of a CFRP-reinforced plywood panel, the value of tensile stresses decreased by sixteen-fold (from 1.95 N/mm2 to 0.12 N/mm2), and the value of compressive stresses decreased by more than seven-fold (from 1.95 N/mm2 to 0.27 N/mm2) compared to unreinforced plywood. Based on the stress occurring at the tensile and compressive sides of the CFRP-reinforced plywood sample surface during a cantilever bending text, it was found that the value of modulus of rupture decreased by three-fold and the value of the modulus of elasticity decreased by more than five-fold compared to the unreinforced plywood sample. A dynamic analysis allowed us to determine that the frequency of natural vibrations of the CFRP-reinforced plywood panel increased by about 33% (from 30 Hz to 40 Hz) compared to the beam made only of plywood.
Multilayer Graphene Stacked with Silver Nanowire Networks for Transparent Conductor
Authors: Kwak Jinsung
Published: January 2025

A mechanically robust flexible transparent conductor with high thermal and chemical stability was fabricated from welded silver nanowire networks (w-Ag-NWs) sandwiched between multilayer graphene (MLG) and polyimide (PI) films. By modifying the gas flow dynamics and surface chemistry of the Cu surface during graphene growth, a highly crystalline and uniform MLG film was obtained on the Cu foil, which was then directly coated on the Ag-NW networks to serve as a barrier material. It was found that the highly crystalline layers in the MLG film compensate for structural defects, thus forming a perfect barrier film to shield Ag NWs from oxidation and sulfurization. MLG/w-Ag-NW composites were then embedded into the surface of a transparent and colorless PI thin film by spin-coating. This allowed the MLG/w-Ag-NW/PI composite to retain its original structural integrity due to the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of PI, which also served effectively as a binder. In view of its unique sandwich structure and the chemical welding of the Ag NWs, the flexible substrate-cum-electrode had an average sheet resistance of ≈34 Ω/sq and a transmittance of ≈91% in the visible range, and also showed excellent stability against high-temperature annealing and sulfurization.
New Perspectives on Generalised Lacunary Statistical Convergence of Multiset Sequences
Authors: Listán-García María C. , Kişi Ömer , Gürdal Mehmet
Published: January 2025

This paper explores the concepts of J-lacunary statistical limit points, J-lacunary statistical cluster points, and J-lacunary statistical Cauchy multiset sequences. Building upon previous work in the field, we investigate the relationships between J-lacunary statistical convergence and J*-lacunary statistical convergence in multiset sequences. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the convergence behaviour of multiset sequences and provide new insights into the application of ideal convergence in this context.
Stochastic Modeling of Adaptive Trait Evolution in Phylogenetics: A Polynomial Regression and Approximate Bayesian Computation Approach
Authors: Jhwueng Dwueng-Chwuan , Chang Chia-Hua
Published: January 2025

In nature, closely related species often exhibit diverse characteristics, challenging simplistic line interpretations of trait evolution. For these species, the evolutionary dynamics of one trait may differ markedly from another, with some traits evolving at a slower pace and others rapidly diversifying. In light of this complexity and concerning the phenomenon of trait relationships that escape line measurement, we introduce a novel general adaptive optimal regression model, grounded on polynomial relationships. This approach seeks to capture intricate patterns in trait evolution by considering them as continuous stochastic variables along a phylogenetic tree. Using polynomial functions, the model offers a holistic and comprehensive description of the traits of the studied species, accounting for both decreasing and increasing trends over evolutionary time. We propose two sets of optimal adaptive evolutionary polynomial regression models of kth order, named the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck Brownian Motion Polynomial (OUBMPk) model and Ornstein–Uhlenbeck Ornstein–Uhlenbeck Polynomial (OUOUPk) model, respectively. Assume that the main trait value yt is a random variable of the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) process and that its optimal adaptive value θty has a polynomial relationship with other traits xt for statistical modeling, where xt can be a random variable of Brownian motion (BM) or OU process. As analytical representations for the likelihood of the models are not feasible, we implement an approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) technique to assess the performance through simulation. We also plan to apply models to the empirical study using the two datasets: the longevity vs. fecundity in the Mediterranean nekton group, and the trophic niche breadth vs. body mass in carnivores in a European forest region.
Disturbance Observer-Based Dynamic Surface Control for Servomechanisms with Prescribed Tracking Performance
Authors: Zhao Xingfa , Liao Wenhe , Liu Tingting , Zhang Dongyang , Tao Yumin
Published: January 2025

The critical design challenge for a class of servomechanisms is to reject unknown dynamics (including internal uncertainties and external disturbances) and achieve the prescribed performance of the tracking error. To get rid of the influence of unknown dynamics, an extended state observer (ESO) is employed to estimate system states and total unknown dynamics and does not require a priori information of the known dynamic. Meanwhile, an improved prescribed performance function is presented to guarantee the transient performance of the tracking error (e.g., the overshoot, convergence rate, and the steady state error). Consequently, a modified dynamic surface control strategy is designed based on the estimations of the ESO and error constraints. The stability of the proposed control strategy is demonstrated using Lyapunov theory. Finally, some simulation results based on a turntable servomechanism show that the proposed method is effective, and it has a better control effect and stronger anti-disturbance ability compared with the traditional control method.
Multimodal Image Translation Algorithm Based on Singular Squeeze-and-Excitation Network
Authors: Tu Hangyao , Wang Zheng , Zhao Yanwei
Published: January 2025

Image-to-image translation methods have advanced from focusing on image-level info to incorporating pixel-level and instance-level details. However, with feature-level constraint, deviation occurs when the network overemphasizes convolutional features, neglecting traditional image feature extraction. To address this, we proposed the multimodal image translation algorithm MASSE based on a Singular Squeeze-and-Excitation Network, combining GANs and SENet. It utilizes SVD features to assist the SENet in managing the scaling degree. The SENet employs SVD to extract features and enhance the Excitation operation to obtain new channel attention weights and form attention feature maps. Then, image content features are refined by combining convolutional and attention feature maps, and style features are obtained by the style generator. Finally, content and style features are combined to generate new style images. Ablation experiments showed the optimal SVD parameter is 128, producing the best translation results. According to FID, MASSE outperforms current methods in generating diverse images.
The Influence of Osteoporosis and Diabetes on Dental Implant Stability: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sachelarie Liliana , Scrobota Ioana , Cioara Felicia , Ghitea Timea Claudia , Stefanescu Corina Laura , Todor Liana , Potra Cicalau Georgiana Ioana
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: Dental implants are a reliable solution for tooth loss; however, systemic conditions like osteoporosis and diabetes, which affect bone quality, healing, and stability, underline the importance of understanding their impact on enhanced outcomes. This study evaluated the comparative effects of osteoporosis and diabetes on dental implant stability over 12 months, utilizing objective implant mobility and stability measures. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study involved 50 patients, divided into 21 with type 2 diabetes and 29 with osteoporosis, with implant stability assessed at 6 and 12 months using Osstell ISQ and Periotest M devices and statistical analysis identifying differences between groups and time intervals at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: At 6 months, the osteoporosis group showed higher initial stability (mean ISQ: 67.04 ± 5.42) compared to the diabetes group (mean ISQ: 62.10 ± 5.46; p = 0.0215)), and by 12 months, both groups showed significant improvements in ISQ scores (osteoporosis: 68.93 ± 4.83; diabetes: 65.79 ± 3.87), with Periotest values indicating more significant reductions in implant mobility, particularly in diabetic patients (osteoporosis: −3.34 ± 1.59; diabetes: −2.81 ± 1.44; p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Osteoporosis and diabetes significantly impact implant stability through distinct osseointegration pathways, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment plans to improve patient outcomes.
Introducing the Index of Response to Stimulation (IRES): A Novel Metric for Assessing Vagus Nerve Stimulation Outcomes in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: Urian Flavius-Iuliu , Toader Corneliu , Covache Busuioc Razvan-Adrian , Corlatescu Antonio-Daniel , Costin Horia Petre , Iacob Gabriel , Ciurea Alexadru Vlad
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: The Index of Response to Stimulation (IRES) is a new index that we introduce in this study to grade the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. We assessed 76 patients at 6, 12, and 18 months after VNS evaluating improvement with the IRES in four key dimensions: seizure duration decrease, seizure intensity decrease, improvement in quality of life, and seizure frequency decrease. This scale goes from 0, meaning no improvement, to 8, meaning maximal improvement, making the scale a really good measure of clinical utility. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study followed 76 patients aged 20–65, assessing changes in their IRES scores after VNS therapy using the ASPIRE SR 106 device. Therapy settings were adjusted biweekly to optimize efficacy and patient tolerance. Results: There were improvements in the control of the seizures, measured in terms of increased IRES scores. Improvements were associated with quality-of-life enhancements for the patient and a lesser frequency and intensity of the seizures, testifying further to the predictive ability of the IRES toward successful outcomes. This fact reveals that epilepsy treatment must be individual, according to the profile of the patient. Conclusions: The study confirms the IRES to be a valid tool for the assessment of the impact of VNS on drug-resistant epilepsy and promotes it as an integral part of the evaluation of the patient for personalized therapy. The findings encourage the use of IRES among the elements that support patient selection and insist on its role in the advancement of precision medicine and optimization of treatment.
Effects of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 on the Maintenance of Cell Viability and Osteogenic Differentiation of Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Spheroids
Authors: Hwa Somyeong , Lee Hyun-Jin , Ko Youngkyung , Park Jun-Beom
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a vital role in various cellular processes, including those involving stem cells. This study evaluated the effects of IGF-1 on cell survival, osteogenic differentiation, and mRNA expression in gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cell spheroids. Materials and Methods: Using concave microwells, spheroids were generated in the presence of IGF-1 at concentrations of 0, 10, and 100 ng/mL. Cellular vitality was qualitatively assessed using microscopy, while a water-soluble tetrazolium salt–based assay kit quantified cellular viability. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated via alkaline phosphatase activity and an anthraquinone dye test to measure calcium deposition. Additionally, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was performed to determine the expression of RUNX2 and COL1A1. Results: By day 1, the stem cell spheroids had successfully formed, and their morphology remained stable over the following 7 days. The IGF-1 concentrations tested showed no significant differences in cell viability. Similarly, alkaline phosphatase activity on day 7 revealed no observable changes. However, on day 7, the incorporation of IGF-1 led to an increase in Alizarin Red staining, indicative of enhanced calcium deposition. Notably, an IGF-1 concentration of 100 ng/mL significantly upregulated the expression of COL1A1. Conclusions: These findings suggest that IGF-1 supports the maintenance of cell viability and promotes the expression of COL1A1 in gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cell spheroids, highlighting its potential role in enhancing osteogenic differentiation. Future research should include long-term studies to evaluate the sustainability of IGF-1-induced effects on stem cell spheroids.
Inertial Memory Effects in Molecular Transport Across Nanoporous Membranes
Authors: Galovic Slobodanka , Čukić Milena , Chevizovich Dalibor
Published: January 2025

Nanoporous membranes are heterogeneous structures, with heterogeneity manifesting at the microscale. In examining particle transport through such media, it has been observed that this transport deviates from classical diffusion, as described by Fick’s second law. Moreover, the classical model is physically unsustainable, as it is non-causal and predicts an infinite speed of concentration perturbation propagation through a substantial medium. In this work, we have derived two causal models as extensions of Fick’s second law, where causality is linked to the effects of inertial memory in the nanoporous membrane. The results of the derived models have been compared with each other and with those obtained from the classical model. It has been demonstrated that both causal models, one with exponentially fading inertial memory and the other with power-law fading memory, predict that the concentration perturbation propagates as a damped wave, leading to an increased time required for the cumulative amount of molecules passing through the membrane to reach a steady state compared to the classical model. The power-law fading memory model predicts a longer time required to achieve a stationary state. These findings have significant implications for understanding cell physiology, developing drug delivery systems, and designing nanoporous membranes for various applications.
Green Synthesis of Cobalt–Zinc Ferrites and Their Activity in Dye Elimination via Adsorption and Catalytic Wet Peroxide Oxidation
Authors: Liaskovska Mariia , Tatarchuk Tetiana , Kotsyubynsky Volodymyr
Published: January 2025

Zinc-substituted cobalt ferrites were obtained by a green method using a black grape extract as a reductant and fuel. XRD analysis confirmed the spinel structure of the synthesized ferrites. An increase in the lattice constant is explained by increased Zn content. SEM analysis confirmed changes in surface morphology, whereas FTIR spectra demonstrated the presence of organic species in the samples, which originated from grape extract. The content of Co(II) ions in octahedral sites as a function of the ratio between Fe(III) ions in A- and B-sites was calculated from Mössbauer data. pHPZC rose from 7.85 to 8.13 with an increase in zinc content, indicating a positive charge of the adsorbent surface at natural pH. The adsorption–catalytic properties of the spinel samples were investigated in terms of Congo Red (CR) dye removal. The mechanism of CR adsorption on the ferrite surface includes electrostatic and donor–acceptor interactions with the adsorbent surface. Furthermore, the sample with x(Zn) = 0.4 exhibited the highest degradation rate constant k = 0.102 min−1 in the peroxide oxidation of CR, whereas the sample with x(Zn) = 1.0 exhibited the highest adsorption capacity. The electron transfer between ferrite samples and hydrogen peroxide was evidenced using electrochemical tests. The green-synthesized Co-Zn ferrites demonstrate a big potential as adsorbents/catalysts for water treatment.
The Validation of a Novel, Sex-Specific LDL-Cholesterol Equation and the Friedewald, Sampson-NIH, and Extended-Martin–Hopkins Equations Against Direct Measurement in Korean Adults
Authors: Yang Hyun Suk , Kim Soo-Nyung , Lee Seungho , Hur Mina
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The currently established equations for calculating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) do not reflect the sex-specific differences in lipid metabolism. We aimed to develop a sex-specific LDLc equation (SSLE) and validate it with three established equations (Friedewald, Sampson-NIH, and ext-Martin–Hopkins) against direct LDLc measurement in Korean adults. Methods: This study included 23,757 subjects (51% male; median age, 51 years) from the 2009–2022 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We developed the SSLE through multiple linear regression incorporating total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), triglycerides (TG), and sex. The validation metrics included Bland–Altman analysis for mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and agreement of the categorization based on the NCEP ATP-III guidelines, assessed by sex and lipid subgroups. Results: The derived SSLE equation was as follows: for TG < 200 mg/dL, LDLc = 0.963 × TC − 0.881 × HDLc − 0.111 × TG + 0.982 × Sex − 6.958; for TG ≥ 200 mg/dL, LDLc = 0.884 × TC − 0.646 × HDLc − 0.126 × TG + 3.742 × Sex − 3.214 (male = 1, female = 0). The MAPE was similar between males and females for the SSLE (4.6% for both) and ext-Martin–Hopkins (5.0% vs. 4.9%) but higher in males for the Sampson-NIH (5.4% vs. 4.9%) and Friedewald (7.6% vs. 5.7%). In the TG ≥ 400 mg/dL group, the MAPE increased progressively: SSLE (10.2%), ext-Martin–Hopkins (12.0%), Sampson-NIH (12.7%), and Friedewald (27.4%). In the LDLc < 70 mg/dL group, the MAPE was as follows: SSLE (8.0%), Sampson-NIH (8.6%), ext-Martin–Hopkins (9.7%), and Friedewald (12.8%). At TG 200–400 mg/dL, the SSLE revealed very good agreement (κ = 0.801) versus good agreement for other equations (ext-Martin–Hopkins κ = 0.794, Sampson-NIH κ = 0.782, Friedewald κ = 0.696). Conclusions: The novel SSLE demonstrated superior accuracy and agreement in Korean adults. Further validation studies across different ethnic populations are warranted.
In Vivo Effectiveness of Pleurotus ostreatus in Degradation of Toxic Metabolites of Filamentous Fungi Such as Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone
Authors: Zapaśnik Agnieszka , Bryła Marcin , Wojtczak Adrian , Sokołowska Barbara
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Mycotoxins, secondary metabolites synthesized by filamentous fungi, have been classified as dangerous substances and proven to be carcinogenic, as well as to have genotoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic, and mutagenic properties. Despite numerous trials to develop an effective and safe-for-human-health method of detoxification, there is still a high risk associated with the occurrence of these toxins in food and feed. Biological methods of food preservation are an alternative option to conventional chemical and physical methods, characterized by their less negative impact on human health as well as their high efficiency against filamentous fungi and other foodborne pathogens. Mycoremediation is a new biotechnique based on the capability of fungi to detoxify matrices from various pullulans. Ligninolytic enzymes produced by white rot fungi (WRF) characterize a high efficiency in the degradation of various mycotoxins. Methods: In our study, Pleurotus ostreatus, as a representative of WRF, was cultivated on a medium contaminated by AFB1 and ZEN (mushroom substrate and maize) in a few variants of concentration. After the cultivation, medium and fruiting bodies were collected and analyzed with the usage of HPLC and LC/MS methods. Results: The reduction oscillated between 53 and 87% (AFB1) and 73 and 97% (ZEN) depending on the initial concentration of toxins in the medium. Grown fruiting bodies contained insignificant amounts of both toxins. Conclusions: These findings confirm the potential of P. ostreatus as an effective biological agent for reducing mycotoxins in contaminated medium, highlighting its applicability in developing sustainable and safe methods for detoxification.
The Neurometabolic Function of the Dopamine–Aminotransferase System
Authors: Apryatin Sergey A.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The neurometabolic function is controlled by a complex multi-level physiological system that includes neurochemical, hormonal, immunological, sensory, and metabolic components. Functional disorders of monoamine systems are often detected in clinical practice together with metabolic dysfunctions. An important part of the mentioned pathological conditions are associated with disturbances in protein metabolism, some of the most important biomarkers which are aminotransferases and transcription factors that regulate and direct the most important metabolic reactions. Another important part of energy metabolism is the dopamine-mediated regulation of protein metabolism. Methods: The review describes research results into the dopamine-mediated mechanism of metabolic regulation in humans and animals. Particular attention is paid to the neurometabolic mechanisms of protein metabolism. Results: The dopamine–aminotransferase system of the energy metabolism regulation is a separate, independent, regulatory and diagnostically significant biochemical pathway controlled by the hormonal system, the key hormone is cortisol, the key neurotransmitter is dopamine, the key transcription factor is CREB, and the key regulatory enzymes are alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and tyrosine aminotransferase. Conclusions: This review presents an original study describing the discovery of a new regulatory mechanism for neurometabolic physiological function in humans and animals. A key part of this mechanism is the dopamine–aminotransferase system.
Antibacterial Activity of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Acute Diarrheal Diseases in Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Hernández-Méndez Jesús Mauricio Ernesto , Peña-Hernández Israel , Tapia-Nazario Mariela , Leyva-Padrón Gerardo , Cruz-Salomón Abumalé , Domínguez-Espinosa María Emperatriz , Esquinca-Avilés Héctor Armando , Hernández-Cruz Maritza del Carmen , Sánchez-Albores Rocío Magdalena , Cruz-Salomón Kelly del Carmen , Cruz-Rodríguez Rosa Isela , Gómez-Santos Martha Guadalupe
Published: January 2025

The Enterobacteriaceae family poses health risks due to its role in gastrointestinal diseases like acute diarrhea. With rising antibiotic resistance, plants offer promising antibacterial compounds with low toxicity. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and toxicity of ethanolic (EE) and aqueous (AE) extracts from five Mexican medicinal plants traditionally used in Chiapas for treating acute diarrheal diseases (ADD). Antibacterial activity was assessed using disk diffusion assays and MIC determined by macrodilution. Toxicity tests were performed using Artemia salina. As a result, EE extracts exhibited higher antibacterial activity than AE extracts. Byrsonima crassifolia effectively inhibited Salmonella enteritidis (78.26%, MIC 50 mg/mL) and Shigella dysenteriae (76.19%, MIC 25 mg/mL). Solanum torvum showed efficacy against Escherichia coli (55.55%, MIC 12.5 mg/mL) and Salmonella enteritidis (73.91%, MIC 25 mg/mL). Euphorbia maculata inhibited Shigella dysenteriae (104.76%, MIC 25 mg/mL), while Guazuma ulmifolia and Bursera simaruba exhibited no antibacterial effects. All extracts were non-toxic (LD50 > 1000 μg/mL), indicating potential as natural alternatives for ADD treatment.
Detection of Mycotoxins and Aflatoxigenic Fungi Associated with Compound Poultry Feedstuffs in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Gherbawy Youssuf A. , Abdel Fattah Karima E. , Altalhi Abdullah , Ioan Pet , Hussein Mohamed A.
Published: January 2025

Poultry feeds with cereal grain-based constituents are vulnerable to fungal contamination during the processing and storage stages. A total of 100 samples of compound poultry feedstuffs were collected from the cities of Riyadh, Alhassa, Qassim, and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. A quantitative enumeration of fungal colony-forming units (CFUs) was performed on Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar (DRBC) and Czapek Iprodione Dichloran Agar (CZID) media. Aspergillus flavus was the most predominant species, accounting for 18.714 × 103 and 3.956 × 103 CFU/g, with frequencies of 84 and 42% in the feed samples on DRBC and CZID media, respectively. The levels of different mycotoxins were estimated by the HPLC technique. One hundred percent of the compound poultry feedstuff samples were contaminated by mycotoxins such as AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, FB1, DON, T2, OTA, and ZEN. Aflatoxins were recorded in 84% of the tested samples, of which 70 samples were contaminated by AFB1, ranging from 0.03 to 0.40 μg/kg. The aflatoxin analysis of the fungal species revealed that 89% and 100% of A. flavus and A. parasiticus isolates were aflatoxigenic, and all of them exhibited the presence of the aflR, omt-1, ver-1, and nor-1 genes. According to the PCR protocol based on FLA1, two primers were successful in directly and rapidly detecting A. flavus in the poultry feedstuff samples.
Alphaherpesvirus in Pets and Livestock
Authors: Duan Shu-Hui , Li Ze-Min , Yu Xue-Jie , Li Dan
Published: January 2025

Herpesviruses are a group of DNA viruses capable of infecting multiple mammalian species, including humans. This review primarily summarizes four common alphaherpesviruses found in pets and livestock (feline, swine, canine, and bovine) in aspects such as epidemiology, immune evasion, and latency and reactivation. Despite the fact that they primarily infect specific hosts, these viruses have the potential for cross-species transmission due to genetic mutations and/or recombination events. During infection, herpesviruses not only stimulate innate immune responses in host cells but also interfere with signaling pathways through specific proteins to achieve immune evasion. These viruses can remain latent within the host for extended periods and reactivate under certain conditions to trigger disease recurrence. They not only affect the health of animals and cause economic losses but may also pose a potential threat to humans under certain circumstances. This review deepens our understanding of the biological characteristics of these animal alphaherpesviruses and provides an important scientific basis for the prevention and control of related diseases.
Growth Characteristics of Sheep-Derived Bacteroides fragilis and Preliminary Research on Effects in Mice and Lambs
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Du Jinye , Tao Jianping , Cheng Darong
Published: January 2025

With the growing demand for sheep, the sheep farming industry has developed rapidly. However, lamb diarrhea, a disease with high mortality rates, significantly hampers the industry’s growth. Traditional antibiotic treatments often disrupt the Intestinal microbiota, induce antibiotic resistance, and cause adverse side effects, highlighting the urgent need to develop alternative therapies. Bacteroides fragilis, a candidate next-generation probiotic, has been closely associated with intestinal health. This study investigated the growth characteristics and probiotic effects of a sheep-derived Bacteroides fragilis isolate, focusing on its efficacy in alleviating lamb diarrhea and infectious intestinal diseases. The experiments demonstrated that the Bacteroides fragilis isolate grows well under mildly acidic conditions (pH 6–8), exhibits some tolerance to bile salts, and has survival rates of 38.89% and 92.22% in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, respectively, indicating its potential as a probiotic. In a mouse model, Bacteroides fragilis intervention significantly alleviated colonic inflammation caused by Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection, enhanced tight junction protein expression, mitigated oxidative stress, and improved intestinal barrier function, with high-dose interventions showing superior effects. In lamb trials, Bacteroides fragilis intervention stopped diarrhea in four out of five lambs, partially restored intestinal microbiota diversity, and reduced the abundance of potential pathogens such as Aerococcus suis and Corynebacterium camporealensis. Therefore, Bacteroides fragilis exhibited remarkable effects in regulating intestinal homeostasis, alleviating inflammation, and promoting recovery from diarrhea.