bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone Regeneration: Mini-Review and Appealing Perspectives
Authors: Le Grill Sylvain , Brouillet Fabien , Drouet Christophe
Published: January 2025

Bone is a natural mineral-organic nanocomposite protecting internal organs and allowing mobility. Through the ages, numerous strategies have been developed for repairing bone defects and fixing fractures. Several generations of bone repair biomaterials have been proposed, either based on metals, ceramics, glasses, or polymers, depending on the clinical need, the maturity of technologies, and knowledge of the natural constitution of the bone tissue to be repaired. The global trend in bone implant research is shifting toward osteointegrative, bioactive and possibly stimuli-responsive biomaterials and, where possible, resorbable implants that actively promote the regeneration of natural bone tissue. In this mini-review, the fundamentals of bone healing materials and clinical challenges are summarized and commented on with regard to progressing scientific discoveries. The main types of bone-healing materials are then reviewed, and their specific relevance to the field is reminded, with the citation of reference works. In the final part, we highlight the promise of hybrid organic-inorganic bioactive materials and the ongoing research activities toward the development of multifunctional or stimuli-responsive implants. This contribution is expected to serve as a commented introduction to the ever-progressing field of bone regeneration and highlight trends of future-oriented research.
Integrating Modern Technologies into Traditional Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tissue Engineering
Authors: Sopilidis Aris , Stamatopoulos Vasileios , Giannatos Vasileios , Taraviras Georgios , Panagopoulos Andreas , Taraviras Stavros
Published: January 2025

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most injured ligaments, with approximately 100,000 ACL reconstructions taking place annually in the United States. In order to successfully manage ACL rupture, it is of the utmost importance to understand the anatomy, unique physiology, and biomechanics of the ACL, as well as the injury mechanisms and healing capacity. Currently, the “gold standard” for the treatment of ACL ruptures is surgical reconstruction, particularly for young patients or athletes expecting to return to pivoting sports. Although ACL reconstruction boasts a high success rate, patients may face different, serious post-operative complications, depending on the type of graft and technique used in each one of them. Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that could contribute to the formation of a tissue-engineered ACL graft manufactured by a combination of the appropriate stem-cell type, a suitable scaffold, and specific growth factors, combined with mechanical stimuli. In this review, we discuss the aspects that constitute the creation of a successful tissue-engineered graft while also underlining the current drawbacks that arise for each issue. Finally, we highlight the benefits of incorporating new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning that could revolutionize tissue engineering.
Pharmacological Modulation of the Unfolded Protein Response as a Therapeutic Approach in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: St. Thomas Nadia , Christopher Benjamin N. , Reyes Leticia , Robinson Reeder M. , Golick Lena , Zhu Xiaoyi , Chapman Eli , Dolloff Nathan G.
Published: January 2025

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare T-cell malignancy characterized by inflamed and painful rash-like skin lesions that may affect large portions of the body’s surface. Patients experience recurrent infections due to a compromised skin barrier and generalized immunodeficiency resulting from a dominant Th2 immune phenotype of CTCL cells. Given the role of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in normal and malignant T-cell development, we investigated the impact of UPR-inducing drugs on the viability, transcriptional networks, and Th2 phenotype of CTCL. We found that CTCL cells were >5-fold more sensitive to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Btz) and exhibited a distinct signaling and transcriptional response compared to normal CD4+ cells. The CTCL response was dominated by the induction of the HSP70 family member HSPA6 (HSP70B’) and, to a lesser extent, HSPA5 (BiP/GRP78). To understand the significance of these two factors, we used a novel isoform selective small-molecule inhibitor of HSPA5/6 (JG-023). JG-023 induced pro-apoptotic UPR signaling and enhanced the cytotoxic effects of proteasome inhibitors and other UPR-inducing drugs in CTCL but not normal T cells. Interestingly, JG-023 also selectively suppressed the production of Th2 cytokines in CTCL and normal CD4+ T cells. Conditioned media (CM) from CTCL were immunosuppressive to normal T cells through an IL-10-dependent mechanism. This immunosuppression could be reversed by JG-023, other HSP70 inhibitors, Btz, and combinations of these UPR-targeted drugs. Our study points to the importance of the UPR in the pathology of CTCL and demonstrates the potential of proteasome and targeted HSPA5/6 inhibitors for therapy.
Blinded by the Mind: Exploring the Hidden Psychiatric Burden in Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Jesus Jeniffer , Ambrósio João , Meira Dália , Rodriguez-Uña Ignácio , Beirão João Melo
Published: January 2025

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss worldwide and has a profound impact on patients’ quality of life. Vision impairment is strongly associated with several psychiatric disorders, like depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. These psychiatric issues are often exacerbated by the gradual, irreversible, and typically silent progression of the disease, contributing to increased mental health challenges for affected individuals. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across six different databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library) and one gray literature source (Google Scholar), covering the period from 2013 to 2024. Twenty-nine studies involving a total of 13,326,845 subjects were included in the synthesis, highlighting a considerable prevalence of psychiatric disorders among glaucoma patients. Depression and anxiety were the most common conditions identified, with depression rates ranging from 6.6% to 57% and anxiety from 12.11% to 49%. Other less frequent but still significant conditions like sleep disorders, psychosis, dementia, and post-traumatic stress disorder were also observed. The findings also indicated that psychiatric severity was influenced by socio-demographic factors, glaucoma severity, and treatment duration. Given the high occurrence of psychiatric pathologies among individuals with glaucoma, it is essential to develop comprehensive care strategies that address both eye and mental health needs. Multidisciplinary collaboration among ophthalmologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and primary care physicians is crucial for developing personalized treatment plans that effectively manage both the ocular and psychological aspects of the disease.
The Impact of Amniotic Fluid Interleukin-6, Interleukin-8, and Metalloproteinase-9 on Preterm Labor: A Narrative Review
Authors: Karampitsakos Theodoros , Mavrogianni Despoina , Machairiotis Nikolaos , Potiris Anastasios , Panagopoulos Periklis , Stavros Sofoklis , Antsaklis Panos , Drakakis Peter
Published: January 2025

Background/objectives: Preterm labor is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Previous research has indicated that an inflammatory response or microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity is a pathological condition linked to preterm birth; hence, inflammatory markers such as metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) have been utilized to predict preterm delivery. The identification of reliable biomarkers for early prediction is critical for improving maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. Methods: To address this issue, a literature review has been conducted on PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases for articles investigating the possible correlation between IL6, IL8, and MMP9 and preterm labor. Results: Using a comprehensive search of the PubMed and Scopus databases, 12 studies were analyzed to identify the correlation between these biomarkers and preterm labor. Seven studies point the impact of increased IL-6 levels or polymorphisms of the gene and higher incidence of preterm labor. Two of the included studies identified the increased risk for preterm birth in elevated levels of IL-8 in amniotic fluid. Six studies highlight the increased incidence of preterm birth in women with polymorphisms of the MMP-9 gene. Conclusions: Elevated IL-6 levels and specific gene polymorphisms are strongly associated with preterm delivery risk, with IL-8 concentrations correlating with systemic inflammation and histologic chorioamnionitis. MMP-9 gene variations and protein levels showed significant predictive value for membrane rupture and labor onset. The findings emphasize integrating these biomarkers into diagnostic tools for routine prenatal care, enhancing early detection, risk stratification, and timely interventions to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists’ Experience on Relevance of Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Training and Clinical Practice: A Survey Study from Italy
Authors: Baglioni Chiara , Galbiati Andrea , Meneo Debora , Cavadini Greta , Gelfo Francesca , Mancini Francesco , Buonanno Carlo
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Based on previous data reporting the status of health professionals’ training about sleep clinical psychophysiology, insomnia, and its treatment in the US and Canada, this paper aims at providing a snapshot of the Italian situation, considering health professionals qualified to offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Adding information on different countries is important, as national health systems differ significantly, and distinct evidence-based pathways for change may be proposed. Methods: Two hundred and thirteen CBT professionals (180 females; 33 males) answered a 5 min survey about their training and experience in recognizing and treating behavioral sleep disorders in their practice. The questionnaire was diffused through the mailing list of the Italian Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy Society (Società Italiana di Terapia Comportamentale e Cognitiva, SITCC) throughout December 2023 and January 2024. Results: A total of 213 participants completed the survey. Only a minor proportion of respondents (37.1%) reported having received training for diagnosis and treatment of insomnia or other behavioral sleep disorders. Familiarity with psychological therapeutics for sleep was mainly associated with knowledge of sleep hygiene rules, relaxation, and mindfulness techniques, but not with core CBT strategies for insomnia (i.e., sleep restriction and stimulus control) and sleep regulation. The less familiar therapeutics were those for pediatric insomnia. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight scarce knowledge and consideration of sleep problems in CBT practice in Italy. As insomnia is prevalent, an independent mental disorder, and a predictor for mental and somatic comorbid conditions, these findings underscore an urgency to enlarge and strengthen CBT professionals’ training on sleep psychophysiology, sleep clinical psychology, insomnia, behavioral sleep problems, and their treatment.
CUL4-Based Ubiquitin Ligases in Chromatin Regulation: An Evolutionary Perspective
Authors: Nakagawa Makiko , Nakagawa Tadashi
Published: January 2025

Ubiquitylation is a post-translational modification that modulates protein function and stability. It is orchestrated by the concerted action of three types of enzymes, with substrate specificity governed by ubiquitin ligases (E3s), which may exist as single proteins or as part of multi-protein complexes. Although Cullin (CUL) proteins lack intrinsic enzymatic activity, they participate in the formation of active ubiquitin ligase complexes, known as Cullin-Ring ubiquitin Ligases (CRLs), through their association with ROC1 or ROC2, along with substrate adaptor and receptor proteins. Mammalian genomes encode several CUL proteins (CUL1–9), each contributing to distinct CRLs. Among these CUL proteins, CUL1, CUL3, and CUL4 are believed to be the most ancient and evolutionarily conserved from yeast to mammals, with CUL4 uniquely duplicated in vertebrates. Genetic evidence strongly implicates CUL4-based ubiquitin ligases (CRL4s) in chromatin regulation across various species and suggests that, in vertebrates, CRL4s have also acquired a cytosolic role, which is facilitated by a cytosol-localizing paralog of CUL4. Substrates identified through biochemical studies have elucidated the molecular mechanisms by which CRL4s regulate chromatin and cytosolic processes. The substantial body of knowledge on CUL4 biology amassed over the past two decades provides a unique opportunity to explore the functional evolution of CRL4. In this review, we synthesize the available structural, genetic, and biochemical data on CRL4 from various model organisms and discuss the conserved and novel functions of CRL4s.
Transcriptomic and Functional Landscape of Adult Human Spinal Cord NSPCs Compared to iPSC-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells
Authors: Jagadeesan Sasi Kumar , Galuta Ahmad , Sandarage Ryan Vimukthi , Tsai Eve Chung
Published: January 2025

The adult human spinal cord harbors diverse populations of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) essential for neuroregeneration and central nervous system repair. While induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NSPCs offer significant therapeutic potential, understanding their molecular and functional alignment with bona fide spinal cord NSPCs is crucial for developing autologous cell therapies that enhance spinal cord regeneration and minimize immune rejection. In this study, we present the first direct transcriptomic and functional comparison of syngeneic adult human NSPC populations, including bona fide spinal cord NSPCs and iPSC-derived NSPCs regionalized to the spinal cord (iPSC-SC) and forebrain (iPSC-Br). RNA sequencing analysis revealed distinct transcriptomic profiles and functional disparities among NSPC types. iPSC-Br NSPCs exhibited a close resemblance to bona fide spinal cord NSPCs, characterized by enriched expression of neurogenesis, axon guidance, synaptic signaling, and voltage-gated calcium channel activity pathways. Conversely, iPSC-SC NSPCs displayed significant heterogeneity, suboptimal regional specification, and elevated expression of neural crest and immune response-associated genes. Functional assays corroborated the transcriptomic findings, demonstrating superior neurogenic potential in iPSC-Br NSPCs. Additionally, we assessed donor-specific influences on NSPC behavior by analyzing gene expression and differentiation outcomes across syngeneic populations from multiple individuals. Donor-specific factors significantly modulated transcriptomic profiles, with notable variability in the alignment of iPSC-derived NSPCs to bona fide spinal cord NSPCs. Enrichment of pathways related to neurogenesis, axon guidance, and synaptic signaling varied across donors, highlighting the impact of genetic and epigenetic individuality on NSPC behavior.
Physical Literacy, According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in an Italian Preschool and Education for a Daily Movement Routine
Authors: Raiola Gaetano
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: The preschool context produces excessive sedentary behavior in children. The systematic fulfillment of structured physical activities during school time, namely a daily movement routine (DMR), can contribute to increasing the quantity of physical activity (PA) and to improving physical literacy (PL), reaching the WHO’s recommendations. Aim: The present study aims to quantify the sedentary time spent by 4- and 5-year-old preschool children and to verify the effects that a DMR could have on sedentary habits in preschool children. Method: An experimental observational study was carried out. Ad hoc questionnaires were administered to parents, teachers, and children, and an observation checklist was used to quantify the time spent in sedentary activities at school. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were applied for data analysis. Results: Thirty-two children attending Italian preschool participated in this study. The implementation of a DMR significantly reduced the sedentary time in preschool, decreasing the time spent sitting by 45.69% and increasing the time spent standing by 185%. Conclusions: This study confirms the hypothesis that children move for less time than recommended by the WHO and highlights the importance of making the experiences of the DMR structural, as this could be an opportunity for educational processes to enhance active lifestyles in promoting the development of physical literacy.
The Development of Methods of BLOTCHIP®-MS for Peptidome: Small Samples in Tuberous Sclerosis
Authors: Yui Kunio , Imataka George , Yuge Kotaro , Sasaki Hitomi , Shiohama Tadashi , Asada Kyoichi , Tachiki Hidehisa
Published: January 2025

Mutations in TSC1 or TSC2 in axons induce tuberous sclerosis complex. Neurological manifestations mainly include epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is the presenting symptom (25–50% of patients). ASD was observed at significantly higher frequencies in participants with TSC2 than those with TSC1 mutations. The occurrence of TSC2 mutations is about 50% larger than TSC1. Therefore, ASD may develop due to TSC2 deficiency. TSC2 regulates microRNA biogenesis and Microprocessor activity via GSK3β. Of reference, everolimus has the best treatment target because of the higher potency of interactions with mTORC2 rather than rapamycin. Mutations in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes result in the constitutive hyperactivation of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, contributing to the growth of benign tumors or hamartomas in various organs. TSC2 mutations were associated with a more severe phenotypic spectrum than TSC1 mutations because of the inhibition of the mTOR cascade. There are few studies on the peptide analysis of this disorder in relation to everolimus. Only one study reported that, in ten plasma samples, pre-melanosome protein (PMEL) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) were significantly changed as diagnostic prognostic effects. Our study on peptide analysis in Protosera Inc (Osaka, Japan) revealed that three peptides that were related to inflammation in two patients with tuberous sclerosis, who showed a 30% decrease in ASD symptoms following everolimus treatment. TSC2 mutations were associated with a more severe phenotypic spectrum due to the inhibition of the mTOR cascade. PMEL and SAM were significantly changed as diagnostic effects.
Adaptive Evolutionary Optimization of Deep Learning Architectures for Focused Liver Ultrasound Image Segmentation
Authors: Zifan Ali , Zhao Katelyn , Lee Madilyn , Peng Zihan , Roney Laura J. , Pai Sarayu , Weeks Jake T. , Middleton Michael S. , Kaffas Ahmed El , Schwimmer Jeffrey B. , Sirlin Claude B.
Published: January 2025

Background: Liver ultrasound segmentation is challenging due to low image quality and variability. While deep learning (DL) models have been widely applied for medical segmentation, generic pre-configured models may not meet the specific requirements for targeted areas in liver ultrasound. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is emerging as a promising tool for liver fat measurement; however, accurately segmenting regions of interest within liver ultrasound images remains a challenge. Methods: We introduce a generalizable framework using an adaptive evolutionary genetic algorithm to optimize deep learning models, specifically U-Net, for focused liver segmentation. The algorithm simultaneously adjusts the depth (number of layers) and width (neurons per layer) of the network, dropout, and skip connections. Various architecture configurations are evaluated based on segmentation performance to find the optimal model for liver ultrasound images. Results: The model with a depth of 4 and filter sizes of [16, 64, 128, 256] achieved the highest mean adjusted Dice score of 0.921, outperforming the other configurations, using three-fold cross-validation with early stoppage. Conclusions: Adaptive evolutionary optimization enhances the deep learning architecture for liver ultrasound segmentation. Future work may extend this optimization to other imaging modalities and deep learning architectures.
Nephrotic and Non-Nephrotic Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: Clinical Characteristics, Etiology, and Columbia Classification
Authors: Figueiredo Gabriel , Yu Luis , Jorge Lectícia Barbosa , Woronik Viktoria , Dias Cristiane Bitencourt
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a pattern of kidney injury with diverse causes and pathogeneses, resulting in podocyte injury and depletion. It can be classified as primary, genetic, or secondary. Because FSGS classically has a worse prognosis in patients with nephrotic syndrome, most studies have focused on the treatment and evolution of these patients, resulting in a lack of data related to patients without nephrotic syndrome. The objective of this study was to establish the main etiologies, characteristics, and evolution of renal disease in FSGS patients with nephrotic and non-nephrotic proteinuria. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study that included 140 patients with a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of FSGS in the 2009–2017 period. Patients were separated into those with and those without nephrotic syndrome at diagnosis, and these two groups were compared in terms of the clinical characteristics, histological profile, and outcome. Non-nephrotic patients with unfavorable progression were selected for ultrastructural analysis with electron microscopy. Results: During the study period, 32.9% of the patients with FSGS had non-nephrotic proteinuria at diagnosis. This group had a larger proportion of patients with hypertension and a not otherwise specified FSGS variant on histology. The proportion of patients with secondary forms of FSGS was comparable between the two groups, with HIV infection and systemic lupus erythematosus being predominant. Progression to renal replacement therapy occurred in 31.3% of the patients in the nephrotic group and in 26.8% of those in the non-nephrotic group, with no statistical difference between them. All of the non-nephrotic group patients who progressed to renal replacement therapy were analyzed by electron microscopy, the diagnosis of FSGS was confirmed, and there was the finding of high chronicity in these patients. Conclusions: Among patients with FSGS, those without nephrotic syndrome had a poor renal outcome at a frequency similar to that of those with nephrotic syndrome. Factors related to better renal survival were having had a complete response to treatment in the case of those with nephrotic syndrome and having achieved proteinuria values of less than 1.5 g/day in the case of those without nephrotic syndrome.
Impact of Point-of-Care Testing on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Viral Infections
Authors: Lakshmanan Kirthika , Liu Benjamin M.
Published: January 2025

With the advent of a variety of vaccines against viral infections, there are multiple viruses that can be prevented via vaccination. However, breakthrough infections or uncovered strains can still cause vaccine-preventable viral infections (VPVIs). Therefore, timely diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of these viruses is critical to patient care and public health. Point-of-care (POC) viral diagnostics tools have brought significant improvements in the detection and management of VPVIs. These cutting-edge technologies enable prompt and accurate results, enhancing patient care by facilitating timely treatment decisions. This review delves into the advancements in POC testing, including antigen/antibody detection and molecular assays, while focusing on their impact on the diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of VPVIs such as mpox, viral hepatitis, influenza, flaviviruses (dengue, Zika, and yellow fever virus), and COVID-19. The role of POC tests in monitoring viral infection is crucial for tracking disease progression and managing outbreaks. Furthermore, the application of POC diagnostics has shown to be vital for public health strategies. In this review, we also highlight emerging POC technologies such as CRISPR-based diagnostics and smartphone-integrated POC devices, which have proven particularly beneficial in resource-limited settings. We underscore the importance of continued research to optimize these diagnostic tools for wider global use for mpox, viral hepatitis, influenza, dengue, and COVID-19, while also addressing current challenges related to their sensitivity, specificity, availability, efficiency, and more.
Natremia Significantly Influences the Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Sharma Bharti , Jiang Winston , Hasan Munirah M. , Agriantonis George , Bhatia Navin D. , Shafaee Zahra , Twelker Kate , Whittington Jennifer
Published: January 2025

Objective: Fluctuations in sodium levels (SLs) may increase mortality, severity, and prolonged length of stay (LOS) in critically ill patients. We aim to study the effect of SL on various clinical outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective study of patients with severe TBI from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023, inclusive. Patients were identified using Abbreviated Injury Severity (AIS) scores and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) injury descriptions. Result: Variations in hospital (H) admission SLs were statistically significant across four age ranges (pediatric, young adult, older adults, and elderly). Intensive care unit (ICU) admission, H discharge, and death also showed significance. A statistical difference was noted in ICU discharge levels while comparing blunt versus penetrating injury. We found statistically significant differences in SLs at H admission, ICU admission, and ICU discharge when compared to the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at admission. A linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between ICU admission SLs and ISS. We discovered statistically significant differences when comparing ICU admission levels to H LOS, ventilator days, and mortality. Conclusions: SL upon ICU admission is correlated with ISS, GCS, and mortality rates. The elevated admission SL was linked to adverse hospital outcomes, including prolonged LOS at the H, ICU, and mechanical ventilation. Moreover, variability in serum SLs is independently associated with mortality throughout the hospital stay, irrespective of the absolute serum sodium concentration.
Cryptanalysis of an Image Encryption Algorithm Using DNA Coding and Chaos
Authors: Zhao Yuzhuo , Shi Qiqin , Ding Qun
Published: January 2025

In recent years, many chaotic image encryption algorithms have been cracked by chosen plaintext attack. Therefore, the method of associating the key with the plaintext to resist the cryptanalysis has received extensive attention from designers. This paper proposes a new method of cryptanalysis for image encryption algorithms with a key associated with plaintext. We broke an image encryption scheme using chaos and DNA encoding. Through our comprehensive security analysis, we found a security vulnerability in the mechanism of the association between the key and plaintext and proposed a breaking scheme. The experimental results show that the chosen plaintext attack can recover the cipher image to the plain image. The cryptanalysis scheme proposed in this paper can provide new ideas for subsequent cryptanalysis work and also provide some meaningful references for designers to improve the security of encryption algorithms when designing them. In addition, we also propose an improved logistic chaotic map with random bit-position scrambling. The improved chaotic map has a wider parameter range and a larger Lyapunov exponent. In the end, some suggestions are given to improve the original algorithm to resist such attacks.
Self-Normalized Moderate Deviations for Degenerate U-Statistics
Authors: Ge Lin , Sang Hailin , Shao Qi-Man
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we study self-normalized moderate deviations for degenerate U-statistics of order 2. Let {Xi,i≥1} be i.i.d. random variables and consider symmetric and degenerate kernel functions in the form h(x,y)=∑l=1∞λlgl(x)gl(y), where λl>0, Egl(X1)=0, and gl(X1) is in the domain of attraction of a normal law for all l≥1. Under the condition ∑l=1∞λl<∞ and some truncated conditions for {gl(X1):l≥1}, we show that logP(∑1≤i≠j≤nh(Xi,Xj)max1≤l<∞λlVn,l2≥xn2)∼−xn22 for xn→∞ and xn=o(n), where Vn,l2=∑i=1ngl2(Xi). As application, a law of the iterated logarithm is also obtained.
An Optimized H5 Hysteresis Current Control with Clamped Diodes in Transformer-Less Grid-PV Inverter
Authors: Phuyal Sushil , Shrestha Shashwot , Sharma Swodesh , Subedi Rachana , Panjiyar Anil Kumar , Gautam Mukesh
Published: January 2025

With the rise of renewable energy penetration in the grid, photovoltaic (PV) panels are connected to the grid via inverters to supply solar energy. Transformer-less grid-tied PV inverters are gaining popularity because of their improved efficiency, reduced size, and lower costs. However, they can induce a path for leakage currents between the PV and the grid due to the absence of galvanic isolation. This leads to serious electromagnetic interference, loss in efficiency, and safety concerns. The leakage current is primarily influenced by the nature of the common mode voltage (CMV), which is determined by the switching techniques of the inverter. In this paper, a novel inverter topology of Hysteresis Controlled H5 with Two Clamping Diodes (HCH5-D2) is derived. The HCH5-D2 topology helps decouple the AC part (Grid) and DC part (PV) during the freewheeling period to make the CMV constant, thereby reducing the leakage current. Additionally, the extra diodes help reduce voltage spikes generated during the freewheeling period and maintain the CMV at a constant value. Finally, a 2.2 kW grid-connected single-phase HCH5-D2 PV inverter system’s MATLAB simulation is presented, showing better results compared to a traditional H4 inverter.
Improving Short-Term Photovoltaic Power Generation Forecasting with a Bidirectional Temporal Convolutional Network Enhanced by Temporal Bottlenecks and Attention Mechanisms
Authors: Gan Jianhong , Lin Xi , Chen Tinghui , Fan Changyuan , Wei Peiyang , Li Zhibin , Huo Yaoran , Zhang Fan , Liu Jia , He Tongli
Published: January 2025

Accurate photovoltaic (PV) power forecasting is crucial for effective smart grid management, given the intermittent nature of PV generation. To address these challenges, this paper proposes the Temporal Bottleneck-enhanced Bidirectional Temporal Convolutional Network with Multi-Head Attention and Autoregressive (TB-BTCGA) model. It introduces a temporal bottleneck structure and Deep Residual Shrinkage Network (DRSN) into the Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN), improving feature extraction and reducing redundancy. Additionally, the model transforms the traditional TCN into a bidirectional TCN (BiTCN), allowing it to capture both past and future dependencies while expanding the receptive field with fewer layers. The integration of an autoregressive (AR) model optimizes the linear extraction of features, while the inclusion of multi-head attention and the Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU) further strengthens the model’s ability to capture both short-term and long-term dependencies in the data. Experiments on complex datasets, including weather forecast data, station meteorological data, and power data, demonstrate that the proposed TB-BTCGA model outperforms several state-of-the-art deep learning models in prediction accuracy. Specifically, in single-step forecasting using data from three PV stations in Hebei, China, the model reduces Mean Absolute Error (MAE) by 38.53% and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) by 33.12% and increases the coefficient of determination (R2) by 7.01% compared to the baseline TCN model. Additionally, in multi-step forecasting, the model achieves a reduction of 54.26% in the best MAE and 52.64% in the best RMSE across various time horizons. These results underscore the TB-BTCGA model’s effectiveness and its strong potential for real-time photovoltaic power forecasting in smart grids.
SSHP-YOLO: A High Precision Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Defect Detection Algorithm with a Small Sample
Authors: Wang Jianxin , Ma Lingcheng , Li Zixin , Cao Yuan , Zhang Hao
Published: January 2025

In the domain of printed circuit board (PCB) defect detection, challenges such as missed detections and false positives remain prevalent. To address these challenges, we propose a small-sample, high-precision PCB defect detection algorithm, called SSHP-YOLO. The proposed method incorporates an ELAN-C module that merges the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) with the efficient layer aggregation network (ELAN), thereby enhancing the model’s focus on defect features and improving the detection of minute defect details. Furthermore, we introduce the ASPPCSPC structure, which extracts multi-scale features using pyramid pooling combined with dilated convolutions while maintaining the resolution of feature maps. This design improves the detection accuracy and robustness, thereby enhancing the algorithm’s generalization ability. Additionally, we employ the SIoU loss function to optimize the regression between the predicted and ground-truth bounding boxes, thus improving the localization accuracy of minute defects. The experimental results show that SSHP-YOLO achieves a recall rate that is 11.84% higher than traditional YOLOv7, with a mean average precision (mAP) of 97.80%. This leads to a substantial improvement in the detection accuracy, effectively mitigating issues related to missed and false detections in PCB defect detection tasks.
Hydrogen Leakage Location Prediction in a Fuel Cell System of Skid-Mounted Hydrogen Refueling Stations
Authors: Zhang Leiqi , Wu Qiliang , Liu Min , Chen Hao , Wang Dianji , Li Xuefang , Ba Qingxin
Published: January 2025

Hydrogen safety is a critical issue during the construction and development of the hydrogen energy industry. Hydrogen refueling stations play a pivotal role in the hydrogen energy chain. In the event of an accidental hydrogen leak at a hydrogen refueling station, the ability to quickly predict the leakage location is crucial for taking immediate and effective measures to prevent disastrous consequences. Therefore, the development of precise and efficient technologies to predict leakage locations is vital for the safe and stable operation of hydrogen refueling stations. This paper studied the localization technology of high-risk leakage locations in the fuel cell system of a skid-mounted hydrogen refueling station. The hydrogen leakage and diffusion processes in the fuel cell system were predicted using CFD simulations, and the hydrogen concentration data at various monitoring points were obtained. Then, a multilayer feedforward neural network was developed to predict leakage locations using simulated concentration data as training samples. After multiple adjustments to the network structure and hyperparameters, a final model with two hidden layers was selected. Each hidden layer consisted of 10 neurons. The hyperparameters included a learning rate of 0.0001, a batch size of 32, and 10-fold cross-validation. The Softmax classifier and Adam optimizer were used, with a training set for 1500 epochs. The results show that the algorithm can predict leakage locations not included in the training set. The accuracy achieved by the model was 95%. This approach addresses the limitations of sensor detection in accurately locating leaks and mitigates the risks associated with manual inspections. This paper provides a feasible method for locating hydrogen leakage in hydrogen energy application scenarios.
Hydrogen Risk Assessment Studies: A Review Toward Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Min Mimi , Yoon Cheolhee , Yoo Narin , Kim Jinseo , Yoon Yeosong , Jung Seungho
Published: January 2025

The transition to hydrogen as a clean energy source is critical for addressing climate change and supporting environmental sustainability. This review provides an accessible summary of general research trends in hydrogen risk assessment methodologies, enabling diverse stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals, to gain insights into this field. By examining representative studies across theoretical, experimental, and simulation-based approaches, the review highlights prominent trends and applications within academia and industry. The key focus is on evaluating risks in stationary and transportation applications, paying particular attention to hydrogen storage systems, transportation infrastructures, and energy systems. By offering a concise yet informative summary of hydrogen risk assessment trends, this paper aims to serve as a foundational resource for fostering safer and more sustainable hydrogen systems.
Alternatives for Decarbonising High-Temperature Heating Facilities in Residential Buildings
Authors: Roca Reina Juan Carlos , Carlsson Johan , Volt Jonathan , Toleikyte Agne
Published: January 2025

The European Union aims to become carbon-neutral by 2050 and to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The buildings sector accounts for about 40% of its total energy consumption and is responsible for 36% of the total CO2 emissions. For this reason, decarbonising the heat consumed in buildings is key to meeting these targets. CO2 emission reduction in buildings typically involves upgrading heating facilities to enable heat supply at lower temperatures, or renovating buildings, both of which can be challenging for end users. This paper analyses reducing emissions from residential buildings using high-temperature or hybrid heat pumps that can produce water at the same temperature as condensing boilers. This enables a significant reduction in emissions from buildings for owners who cannot afford or do not want to undertake a full renovation or upgrade of their current hydronic facility. The methodology followed makes use of a simplified hourly energy model based on ISO 52016-1:2017. The results indicate that, depending on the EU region, reducing CO2 emissions in buildings through these types of systems is feasible, leading to CO2 emission reductions of 40% to 70%.
Assessing Rutting and Soil Compaction Caused by Wood Extraction Using Traditional and Remote Sensing Methods
Authors: Kim Ikhyun , Seo Jaewon , Woo Heesung , Choi Byoungkoo
Published: January 2025

Machine traffic during timber harvesting operations induces soil compaction, which is particularly evident in the formation of ruts. Visual inspection of rut formation is labor-intensive and limits the volume of data that can be collected. This study aims to contribute to the limited knowledge base regarding the extent of soil physical disturbance caused by machine traffic on steep slopes and to evaluate the utility of LiDAR and UAV photogrammetry techniques. The selected traffic trails included single-pass uphill, single-pass downhill, three-pass round trip, and five-pass round trip trails, with an average slope of 70.7%. Traditional methods were employed to measure rut depth using a pin board and to assess soil bulk density (BD) and soil porosity (SP) from soil samples. The results revealed that the average rut depth was 19.3 cm, while the deepest ruts were observed after a single pass (uphill: 20.0 cm; downhill: 22.7 cm), where BD and SP showed the most significant changes. This study provides a rare quantitative evaluation of the applicability of remote sensing methods in forestry by comparing surface height data collected via a pin board with that derived from a Mobile LiDAR System (MLS) and UAV photogrammetry using structure-from-motion (SfM). When compared to pin board measurements, the MLS data showed an R2 value of 0.74 and an RMSE of 4.25 cm, whereas the SfM data had an R2 value of 0.62 and an RMSE of 5.27 cm. For rut depth estimation, SfM (16.0 cm) significantly underestimated values compared to the pin board (19.3 cm) and MLS (19.9 cm). These findings not only highlight the potential and limitations of remote sensing methods for assessing soil disturbance in steep forest environments but also contribute to addressing the knowledge gaps surrounding the effects of soil compaction in steep terrain.
Pleurotus ostreatus: Nutritional Enhancement and Antioxidant Activity Improvement Through Cultivation on Spent Mushroom Substrate and Roots of Leafy Vegetables
Authors: Melanouri Eirini-Maria , Diamantis Ilias , Dedousi Marianna , Dalaka Eleni , Antonopoulou Paraskevi , Papanikolaou Seraphim , Politis Ioannis , Theodorou Georgios , Diamantopoulou Panagiota
Published: January 2025

Agricultural residues, including Pleurotus ostreatus spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and roots of (hydroponic) leafy vegetables (RLV), were tested in various proportions as substrates in new P. ostreatus cultivations, where wheat straw was the control. The impact of SMS and RLV was first evaluated by the mycelial growth rate (Kr, mm/day). Afterwards, mushroom cultivation was conducted in bags, where production characteristics like earliness (the time from substrate inoculation to first harvest) and biological efficiency (BE %, the ratio of fresh mushroom weight to dry substrate weight × 100) were examined. The study also evaluated mushroom quality, nutritional composition and bioactive content. The highest intra-cellular polysaccharide (IPS) value (50.93%, w/w) was observed in the substrate containing SMS 90%, while combining SMS with RLV resulted in higher IPS values compared to mixtures that also included wheat bran (WB) and soybean flour (SF). Furthermore, the use of RLV reduced the fat content compared to the control substrate, except in the case of the SMS 50%–RLV 40% substrate, where the highest fat content was observed in the produced mushrooms (4.68% w/w). Additionally, the protein content increased with the use of RLV. The highest triterpene content was found in the SMS 90%–RLV 10% (11.52 ursolic acid mg/g d.w.). However, the control substrate exhibited the fastest Kr (6.5 mm/d), as well as the highest BE (87.8%) and total phenolic compound value (30.31 mg GAE/g d.w.). Significant antioxidant activity was observed in all extracts, while the total flavonoid content was low. Glucose was the dominant monosaccharide (over 51.5%, w/w), and linoleic acid (18:2; over 57.05%, w/w) was the primary fatty acid across all mushrooms. This study also enhances our knowledge by which SMS and RLV influence the NFE2L2/HMOX-1 molecular pathway, thereby affecting specific antioxidant-related genes. These effects were observed through the impact of P. ostreatus protein and carbohydrate extracts on LPS-challenged THP-1-derived macrophages. A positive impact on the gene expression of HMOX1, CAT and NFE2L2 during incubation with the aforementioned samples was observed. These findings support the sustainable use of agricultural by-products in mushroom cultivation, offering an environmentally friendly approach while producing valuable products like mushrooms.
Subjective Game Structures: A Behavioral Game Theoretic Analysis of Hidden Perceptions and Strategic Properties Underlying the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict
Authors: Fischer Ilan , Avrashi Shacked , Givon Lior
Published: January 2025

Here, we apply a novel framework, termed Subjective Game Structures (SGSs), for uncovering and analyzing hidden motivations in ecological conflicts. SGSs enable the examination of implicit attitudes and motivations within individuals and groups. We elicited SGSs from Israeli and Palestinian participants between March 2019 and February 2020 (approximately three years before 7 October 2023), trying to answer the questions of whether Israelis and Palestinians perceived the conflict in a similar manner, whether they have identical assessments of the associated payoffs, and what can be done to reduce future hostilities and attain peaceful solutions. The results reveal meaningful differences between the parties. Israeli SGSs largely reflected expectations of mutually cooperative outcomes, while Palestinian SGSs exhibited ambivalence and a higher occurrence of confrontational expectations from both parties. Approximately 70% of Israeli SGSs and 40% of Palestinian SGSs were categorized as absolutely stable games, indicating that a meaningful portion of participants implicitly anticipated cooperative and mutually beneficial resolutions. Additionally, Palestinian participants’ perceptions of strategic similarity with Israelis were considerably lower than the perceptions of Israeli participants, pointing to meaningful gaps in the alternatives each side was expecting the other side to choose. The discussion highlights the importance of enhancing subjective perceptions of similarity and shaping parties’ perceived payoff structures as two key pathways to fostering peaceful interactions in diverse social and political conflicts.
Reevaluation of an Established In Vivo Gastric Vessel Bleed Model for Hemostatic Device Safety and Efficacy Testing
Authors: Grimsby Jessica L. , Szkolnicki Matthew D. , Wood Kevin A.
Published: January 2025

Background: For over a decade, endoscopic hemostatic powders have been used to manage upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Various preclinical benchtop and animal models have been developed to evaluate these devices. Multiple companies have released hemostatic powders to market, assessing their safety and efficacy using an established porcine gastric vessel bleed model. The model requires inserting an artery segment into the gastric lumen, which is then punctured to produce a bleed. This simulates an aggressive arterial bleed, allowing hemostatic prototype devices to be tested under challenging conditions. Methods: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between intragastric pressure and bleed severity by injecting the gas used to deliver hemostatic powder to the bleed site without administering the hemostatic powder. Results: Our results indicate that elevated intragastric pressures alone can cause bleed cessation. Additional findings suggest that other factors in the model can lead to false positive hemostasis. Conclusions: This study highlights limitations in the current state porcine gastric vessel bleed model. The results underscore the importance of vetting preclinical models before acquiring efficacy data and the need to develop more robust and effective bleed models for testing hemostatic devices.
Polydeoxynucleotide-Loaded Visible Light Photo-Crosslinked Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel: Approach to Accelerating Cartilage Regeneration
Authors: Park Sunjae , Son Youngjun , Park Jonggyu , Lee Soyoon , Kim Na-Hyeon , Jang Se-Na , Kang Tae-Woong , Song Jeong-Eun , Khang Gilson
Published: January 2025

Articular cartilage faces challenges in self-repair due to the lack of blood vessels and limited chondrocyte concentration. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) shows promise for promoting chondrocyte growth and cartilage regeneration, but its delivery has been limited to injections. Continuous PDRN delivery is crucial for effective cartilage regeneration. This study explores using gelatin methacrylate (gelMA) hydrogel, crosslinked with visible light and riboflavin 5′-phosphate sodium (RF) as a photoinitiator, for sustained PDRN release. GelMA hydrogel’s synthesis was confirmed through spectrophotometric techniques, demonstrating successful methacrylate group incorporation. PDRN-loaded gelMA hydrogels displayed varying pore sizes, swelling ratios, degradation rates, and mechanical properties based on gelMA concentration. They showed sustained PDRN release and biocompatibility, with the 14% gelMA-PDRN composition performing best. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) activity was higher in PDRN-loaded hydrogels, indicating a positive effect on cartilage formation. RT-PCR analysis revealed increased expression of cartilage-specific genes (COL2, SOX9, AGG) in gelMA-PDRN. Histological assessments in a rabbit cartilage defect model demonstrated superior regenerative effects of gelMA-PDRN hydrogels. This study highlights the potential of gelMA-PDRN hydrogels in cartilage tissue engineering, providing a promising approach for effective cartilage regeneration.