bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Bridging Therapy in Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Remiszewski Piotr , Topolewski Paweł , Łaski Dariusz , Drobińska Anna
Published: November 2024

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is a method for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with satisfactory outcomes. One of the novel methods for predicting LT outcomes is the Metroticket 2.0 model. The disease in patients initially within the Milan criteria (MC) may progress while on a transplantation waitlist; thus, various transplantation bridging therapy (BT) methods are proposed for patients to stay within the MC and optimize the LT outcome. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent LT for HCC at an oncological and transplantation center in northern Poland. Patients who underwent (n = 10) or did not undergo (n = 11) BT were included. The primary endpoints of the study were mortality among the patients, HCC recurrence, and Metroticket 2.0 scores based on LT qualification results and explant pathology outcomes. The median follow-up length was 44.03 months. Results: Patients who underwent BT had significantly lower Metroticket 2.0 scores and greater AFP concentrations at baseline. At LT, there was no significant difference in Metroticket 2.0 scores or AFP concentrations between the groups. Explant Metroticket 2.0 scores were significantly lower in patients who received BT. A complete pathologic response was achieved in 30.0% of patients who underwent BT. The recurrence-free survival rates were 100% and 90.91% in patients who underwent and did not undergo BT, respectively. Overall survival was 80.0% and 81.81% in patients who underwent and did not undergo BT, respectively. Conclusions: BT should be considered only as a means of remaining within the LT criteria. Routine BT does not appear to be justified for LT patients.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Cardiac Arrhythmias
Authors: Menon Tushar , Ogbu Ikechukwu , Kalra Dinesh K.
Published: November 2024

A narrative review was performed, analyzing peer-reviewed articles from databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science to examine the mechanistic links between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and cardiac arrhythmias, emphasizing intermittent hypoxia, autonomic imbalance, and intrathoracic pressure swings as key pathways. Studies, including the DREAM and CESAAR trials, consistently demonstrate that SDB patients face elevated risks: more than doubling the likelihood of overall arrhythmias (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.48–3.39), quadrupling the risk of AF (OR 4.02; 95% CI 1.03–15.74), and tripling the risk of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) with higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) values. Additionally, SDB doubles the risk of bradyarrhythmia, such as sinus pause, second and third-degree atrioventricular block, and intraventricular conduction delay (OR 2.50; 95% CI 1.58–3.95). According to meta-analytical findings, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a pivotal intervention, significantly reducing AF recurrence by 42% and lowering VA incidence by 58%. Moreover, CPAP therapy diminishes sinus bradycardia and occurrences of sinus pause and may reduce the necessity for pacemaker implantation. Recognizing SDB as a modifiable risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias highlights the importance of early diagnosis and effective management, primarily through CPAP therapy, to improve cardiovascular outcomes.
Low PAPPA and Its Association with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Twin Pregnancies: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sapantzoglou Ioakeim , Giourga Maria , Kontopoulou Afroditi Maria , Pergialiotis Vasileios , Daskalaki Maria Anastasia , Antsaklis Panagiotis , Theodora Marianna , Thomakos Nikolaos , Daskalakis George
Published: November 2024

Background: It is well established in the literature that pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is linked to several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pre-eclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and preterm birth (PTB) in singleton pregnancies. However, data regarding such an association in twin pregnancies are lacking. The primary goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the potential value of low PAPP-A levels in the prediction of the subsequent development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs), PTB, and small for gestational age (SGA)/FGR fetuses in twin pregnancies and investigate its association with the development of gestational diabetes, intrauterine death (IUD) of at least one twin, and birth weight discordance (BWD) among the fetuses. Methods: Medline, Scopus, CENTRAL, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched from inception until 31 July 2024. All observational studies reporting low PAPP-A levels after the performance of the first-trimester combined test as part of the screening for chromosomal abnormalities with reported adverse pregnancy outcomes were included. Results: The current systematic review encompassed a total of 11 studies (among which 6 were included in the current meta-analysis) that enrolled a total of 3741 patients. Low PAPP-A levels were not associated with HDPs (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.78, 2.02, I-square test: 13%). Low PAPP-A levels were positively associated with both the development of preterm birth prior to 32 (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.70, 4.77, I-square test: 0%) and 34 weeks of gestational age (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.34, 3.28, I-square test: 0%). Furthermore, low PAPP-A levels were positively associated with SGA/FGR (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.04, 2.41, I-square test: 0%). Prediction intervals indicated that the sample size that was used did not suffice to support these findings in future studies. Conclusions: Our study indicated that low PAPP-A levels are correlated with an increased incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies. Identifying women at elevated risk for such adversities in twin pregnancies may facilitate appropriate management and potential interventions, but additional studies are required to identify the underlying mechanism linking PAPP-A with those obstetrical complications.
Acute Liver Failure Etiology Determines Long-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation: An Analysis of the UNOS Database
Authors: Amaris Natalia Rojas , Marenco-Flores Ana , Barba Romelia , Rubio-Cruz Denisse , Medina-Morales Esli , Goyes Daniela , Saberi Behnam , Patwardhan Vilas , Bonder Alan
Published: November 2024

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) involves rapid liver injury, often leading to multi-organ failure. Liver transplantation (LT) has improved survival rates, with U.S. rates reaching 92%. This study analyzes UNOS data (2002–2020) to evaluate long-term survival and identify risk factors affecting waitlist and post-LT outcomes in ALF patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on adult ALF patients waitlisted for LT (Status 1/1A). ALF etiologies, including viral infections, drug-induced liver injury (DILI), acetaminophen (APAP) overdose, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), Wilson disease (WD), and unknown causes, were assessed with patient and donor characteristics. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses identified predictors of patient and graft survival. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the model’s robustness. Results: We identified 2759 ALF patients. APAP (HR 1.7; p < 0.001) and unknown etiology (HR 1.3; p = 0.037) were linked to higher waitlist removal risk, while WD (HR 0.36; p < 0.001) increased LT probability. Among 2014 LT recipients, WD showed improved survival (HR 0.53; p = 0.002). Black/African American race (HR 1.47; p < 0.001), diabetes (HR 1.81; p < 0.001), and encephalopathy (HR 1.27; p < 0.001) predicted higher mortality. AIH had the lowest 1- and 10-year survival (83% and 62%), while APAP had the lowest 5-year survival (76%). WD had the highest graft survival at 1, 5, and 10 years (93%, 88%, and 80%). Conclusions: ALF etiology significantly affects survival outcomes. AIH and APAP are associated with worse survival, while WD shows favorable outcomes. Tailored post-LT management is essential to improve survival in ALF patients.
Trichophyton mentagrophytes ITS Genotype VIII/Trichophyton indotineae Infection and Antifungal Resistance in Bangladesh
Authors: Bhuiyan Mohammed Saiful Islam , Verma Shyam B. , Illigner Gina-Marie , Uhrlaß Silke , Klonowski Esther , Burmester Anke , Noor Towhida , Nenoff Pietro
Published: November 2024

Trichophyton (T.) mentagrophytes ITS genotype VIII, also known as Trichophyton indotineae, is a new species of the T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale complex and its first records, albeit under a different species name, are from the Indian subcontinent, Middle Eastern Asia, and West Asia. T. mentagrophytes genotype VIII (T. indotineae) has spread globally and has now been documented in over 30 countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and proportion of terbinafine- and itraconazole-resistant isolates of T. mentagrophytes ITS genotype VIII (T. indotineae) in Bangladesh. This was part of an official collaborative project between IADVL (Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists) and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Bangladesh. Over a period of 6 months, ninety-nine patients of chronic recalcitrant tinea corporis were recruited from BSMMU hospital. Species identification was performed by fungal culture and morphological observation of the upper and lower surfaces of fungal colonies, as well as by using fluorescent microscopy. In addition, a PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-ELISA was performed to group the patients into those with the T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale complex. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene was sequenced. Samples were tested for resistance to terbinafine and itraconazole by mutational analyses of the squalene epoxidase (SQLE) and the ergosterol 11B (ERG11B) genes. A total of 79/99 samples showed a positive culture. In 76 of these isolates, T. mentagrophytes ITS genotype VIII (T. indotineae) could be reliably identified both by culture and molecular testing. Resistance testing revealed terbinafine resistance in 49 and itraconazole resistance in 21 patients. Among these, 11 patients were resistant to both the antifungal agents. Mutations L393S, L393F, F397L, and F397I of the SQLE gene were associated with terbinafine resistance. Resistance to itraconazole could not be explained by mutations in the ERG11B gene. Infections with T. mentagrophytes ITS genotype VIII (T. indotineae) have become a public health issue with potentially global ramifications. About 62% of samples from Bangladesh showed resistance to terbinafine, making oral itraconazole the most effective drug currently available, although resistance to itraconazole and both terbinafine and itraconazole also exists.
Modern-Day Green Strategies for the Removal of Chromium from Wastewater
Authors: Pandey Komal , Saharan Baljeet Singh , Kumar Ravinder , Jabborova Dilfuza , Duhan Joginder Singh
Published: November 2024

Chromium is an essential element in various industrial processes, including stainless steel production, electroplating, metal finishing, leather tanning, photography, and textile manufacturing. However, it is also a well-documented contaminant of aquatic systems and agricultural land, posing significant economic and health challenges. The hexavalent form of chromium [Cr(VI)] is particularly toxic and carcinogenic, linked to severe health issues such as cancer, kidney disorders, liver failure, and environmental biomagnification. Due to the high risks associated with chromium contamination in potable water, researchers have focused on developing effective removal strategies. Among these strategies, biosorption has emerged as a promising, cost-effective, and energy-efficient method for eliminating toxic metals, especially chromium. This process utilizes agricultural waste, plants, algae, bacteria, fungi, and other biomass as adsorbents, demonstrating substantial potential for the remediation of heavy metals from contaminated environments at minimal cost. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of various strategies, materials, and mechanisms involved in the bioremediation of chromium, along with their commercial viability. It also highlights the advantages of biosorption over traditional chemical and physical methods, offering a thorough understanding of its applications and effectiveness.
Signaling Effects in AI Streamers: Optimal Separation Strategy Under Different Market Conditions
Authors: Yu Ying , Yang Yunpeng
Published: November 2024

The fusion of livestreaming e-commerce and AI technology is booming, and many firms have started to replace human streamers with AI streamers. Despite their popularity, the acceptance of AI streamers by consumers varies widely and the signaling effects of AI streamers still remain unclear. We build an analytical model and compare scenarios where the acceptance level is either exogenously given or endogenously determined, highlighting the implications for firms’ optimal separation strategy. Our findings suggest that in markets with moderate information asymmetry, using both price and acceptance level as joint signals can be more profitable for high-quality firms. Conversely, in highly asymmetric markets, firms must incur additional costs to distinguish their high-quality products, regardless of the signaling strategy employed. Our paper provides strategic insights for firms aiming to leverage AI streamers in diverse market conditions.
Consumer Sentiment and Hotel Aspect Preferences Across Trip Modes and Purposes
Authors: Mokryn Osnat
Published: November 2024

Travelers’ perceptions of hotels and their aspects have been the focus of much research and are often studied by analyzing consumers’ online reviews. Yet, little attention has been given to the effect of the trip mode, i.e., whether the person travels alone or with others, on travelers’ preferences as sentiment. Here, we study the influence of the trip mode and purpose using a mixed-methods approach. We conducted a user study to evaluate the perceptions of reviews across trip modes and found that star ratings do not consistently capture the sentiment in text reviews; on average, solo travelers’ text reviews are perceived as more negative than the star ratings they assigned, whether they travel for business or pleasure. We then analyzed over 137,000 reviews from TripAdvisor and Venere and found that a co-occurrence network approach naturally divides the text of reviews into hotel aspects. We used this result to measure the importance of hotel aspects across various traveler modes and purposes and identified significant differences in their preferences. These findings underscore the need for personalized marketing and services, highlighting the role of trip mode in shaping online review sentiment and traveler satisfaction.
Susceptibility of Different Aesculus Species to the Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner Moth: Chemical Composition and Morphological Features of Leaves
Authors: Bogoutdinova Liliya R. , Shelepova Olga V. , Konovalova Ludmila N. , Tkachenko Oleg B. , Gulevich Alexander A. , Baranova Ekaterina N. , Mitrofanova Irina V.
Published: November 2024

The susceptibility of seven species of chestnuts to the horse chestnut leaf miner was studied in the arboretum of the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences (MBG RAS), taking into account their interspecific characteristics. Using pheromone delta traps, the highest number of Cameraria ohridella moths was shown for Aesculus hippocastanum and the lowest for Aesculus chinensis. A number of anatomical parameters of leaves were investigated, such as the thickness of the epidermal cell wall and the thickness of the palisade and spongy parenchyma layers. As a result, it was shown that the most infected chestnut species had a greater thickness of the nutritious parenchyma tissue. No dependence was found between the degree of susceptibility to the horse chestnut leaf miner and such indicators as the content of chlorophyll a + b and carotenoids in the leaves of seven species of chestnuts. Nevertheless, resistance of different species of the genus Aesculus to Cameraria ohridella under increased tannin content in leaves has been shown. Evaluation of phenolic compounds and flavonoids has not established their reliable role as repellents. The high levels of carbohydrates found during the study contributed to increased susceptibility to the horse chestnut leaf miner.
Landscape Character and Management Zones in Polder Landscapes: A Case Study of the Dongting Lake Area
Authors: Deng Jianan , Lin Qing
Published: November 2024

Polder landscapes, as a representative of lowland agriculture landscapes, possess diverse natural and cultural values. However, polder landscapes are facing multiple challenges arising from economic and climate changes, including increasing flood threats and the fragmentation of landscape patterns. These issues have severely threatened the safety and regional characteristics of the polder landscape. Therefore, this study aims to preserve the regional characteristics of polder landscapes while promoting the sustainable development of lowland environments, and the objective is to provide a foundation and baseline for the management and planning of polder landscapes. In this study, the Dongting Lake Area (DLA) was selected as a representative case of polder landscapes. To identify the landscape character and delineate the landscape management zones, this study employed the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) method in conjunction with a polder typology method at two scales. As a result, the polder landscape types were identified and visualized at two different scales. At the Lake Scale, a comprehensive identification method for polder unit types and polder landscape regions was established, achieving a stepwise transition from polder areas to polder clusters and ultimately to individual polder units. At the Local Scale, an integrative analysis of landscape character diversity (LCD) and land construction suitability (LCS) was employed to establish five landscape management zones for polder landscapes, thereby realizing a balance between the conservation of polder landscape diversity with the sustainable development of wetland environments. This study contributes a set of cross-scale ideas and methods for identifying landscape characters and delineating management zones in polder landscapes, which could be expanded to other lowland agricultural landscapes.
Spatiotemporal Evolution and Drivers of Ecological Quality in the Tengger Desert (2001–2021)
Authors: Dong Feifei , Qin Fucang , Dong Xiaoyu , Wu Yihan , Zhao Kai , Zhao Longfei
Published: November 2024

Desert ecosystems, particularly in arid regions like the Tengger Desert, are highly sensitive to both anthropogenic activities and climate change, making the monitoring and evaluation of ecological quality critical for sustainable management and restoration efforts. This study analyses the spatiotemporal evolution of ecological quality in the Tengger Desert from 2001 to 2021 using the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI), incorporating meteorological factors (temperature, precipitation, wind speed), topographical factors (elevation, slope, relief) and anthropogenic indices (land use and land cover). The mean RSEI fluctuated between 0.1542 and 0.2906, indicating poor ecological quality, with a peak in 2008 attributed to national ecological projects. Despite initial improvements, overall ecological quality declined at a rate of 0.0008 a−1 from 2008 to 2021. Spatially, degradation was most pronounced in the central and southern areas. Due to sand-binding engineering in the Tengger Desert in 2008 and the mountain climate suitable for vegetation growth, improvements occurred in the northeast and southwest. Moran’s I and Hurst index analyses revealed significant spatial clustering of ecological quality and persistence of degradation trends, with over 49.53% of the area projected to experience further deterioration. Geodetector analysis identified land use and land use cover as the most influential factors on RSEI, especially in combination with wind speed, temperature, and precipitation, underscoring the role of both human activities and climate. The study highlights the need for sustained ecological management, particularly in areas showing continuous degradation, to prevent further ecological deterioration.
Human and Natural Activities Effects on Soil Erosion in Karst Plateau Based on QAM Model: A Case Study of Bijie City, Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Gao Xiong , Yang Pingping , Zhou Zhongfa , Zhu Jinqi , Yang Changxin
Published: November 2024

The Karst plateau region has a unique natural erosion environment and sharp human–land conflicts. This study selected Bijie City, Northwest Guizhou, as the study area. To quantitatively analyze the human and natural impacts on soil erosion in this area, this paper evaluated the anthropogenic and natural soil erosion based on the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) coupled with the Quantitative Analytical Model (QAM). The results showed the following: (1) the total soil erosion modulus in the study area showed an increasing trend: 37.86 t/(ha·a) in 2010, 42.12 t/(ha·a) in 2015, and 48.67 t/(ha·a) in 2020; (2) human activities reduced soil erosion, with an anthropogenic soil erosion modulus of −13.79 t/(ha·a) in 2015 and −17.36 t/(ha·a) in 2020, indicating that human activities, such as projects of returning farmland to forests and rocky desertification control, played a key role in decreasing soil erosion in the study area.; and (3) the percentage of the area of soil erosion deterioration dominated by natural factors (AGN) is gradually decreasing, 89.47% in 2015 and 81.85% in 2020; the percentage of the area of soil erosion deterioration dominated by human activities (AGH) is increasing from 6.17% in 2015 to 13.80% in 2020; and the percentage of the area of soil erosion mitigation caused by human activities (ALH) and the area of soil erosion not affected by natural and human activities (NNH) showed no significant change. This result suggests more attention should be paid to the area of AGH to control soil erosion. This study analyzed the roles of natural factors as well as human activities in the Karst plateau, enriched the application scope of the QAM, and provided new ideas for theoretical research in this field.
Extremophiles and Extremophilic Behaviour—New Insights and Perspectives
Authors: Angelakis George N. , Psarologaki Chrysianna , Pirintsos Stergios , Kotzabasis Kiriakos
Published: November 2024

Extremophiles, throughout evolutionary time, have evolved a plethora of unique strategies to overcome hardships associated with the environments they are found in. Modifying their genome, showing a bias towards certain amino acids, redesigning their proteins, and enhancing their membranes and other organelles with specialised chemical compounds are only some of those strategies. Scientists can utilise such attributes of theirs for a plethora of biotechnological and astrobiological applications. Moreover, the rigorous study of such microorganisms regarding their evolution and ecological niche can offer deep insight into science’s most paramount inquiries such as how life originated on Earth and whether we are alone in the universe. The intensification of studies involving extremophiles in the future can prove to be highly beneficial for humanity, even potentially ameliorating modern problems such as those related to climate change while also expanding our knowledge about the complex biochemical reactions that ultimately resulted in life as we know it today.
Walnut Consumption May Contribute to Healthy Cardiovascular/Endothelial Function by Maintaining Membrane Integrity
Authors: Jarai Dora , Koller Akos
Published: November 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide. A healthy diet has an important role in delaying the development of many modifiable risk factors of CVD, including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high plasma levels of cholesterol, and glucose. The consumption of various nuts, especially walnuts, may benefit both primary and secondary prevention due to their bioactive components. This review focuses on (1) the protective role of walnut consumption on CVD at large (2) and the potential cellular and molecular mechanisms by which they have beneficial effects on vascular endothelial function. Walnuts contain many essential ingredients (such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and vitamin E) necessary for the healthy functioning of membranes. Since membranes are involved in nearly all processes associated with life-related function, the main underlying mechanism of walnut-improved cardiovascular function is likely based on improving membrane composition and function by providing all of the substrates necessary for membranes, such as cell, mitochondria, Golgi, nucleus, and so on. In addition to endothelial cell function, all other cells and membranes are likely to benefit from walnut consumption, suggesting that incorporating walnuts into the human diet is essential, for example, during higher physical and mental demand, such as exercise, and may mitigate the risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases and compensate for the sedentary lifestyle, especially in those of an older age.
Intrinsic Immune Response of HBV/HDV-Infected Cells and Corresponding Innate (Like) Immune Cell Activation
Authors: Groth Christopher , Wupper Svea , Gnouamozi Gnimah Eva , Böttcher Katrin , Cerwenka Adelheid
Published: November 2024

Infection of hepatitis B (HBV) patients with hepatitis D (HDV) can cause the most severe form of viral hepatitis, leading to liver fibrosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HDV relies on simultaneous infection with HBV for the generation of infectious viral particles. The innate immune response, which is weakly induced in HBV infection, becomes strongly activated upon HDV co-infection. In HBV/HDV co-infection, the immune system comprises a cell-intrinsic strong IFN response, which leads to the induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), the local activation of liver-resident innate immune cells, and additional immune cell recruitment from the blood. Efficient innate immune responses are indispensable for successful viral control and spontaneous viral clearance. Despite this fact, innate immune cell activation can also contribute to adaptive immune cell inhibition and accelerate liver damage in HBV/HDV infection. While the intrinsic IFN response in HDV-infected cells is well characterized, far less is known about the cellular innate immune cell compartment. In this review, we summarize HBV/HDV replication characteristics and decipher the role of innate immune cell subsets in the anti-viral response in HBV/HDV infections. We further review the impact of epigenetic and metabolic changes in infected heptatocytes on the innate anti-viral response. Moreover, we discuss the potential of exploiting the innate immune response for improving vaccination strategies and treatment options, which is also discussed in this review.
Hard-Anodized Aluminum Alloy: Wear Properties in Vegetable Oils
Authors: Soffritti Chiara , Fortini Annalisa , Baroni Enrico , Merlin Mattia , Garagnani Gian Luca
Published: November 2024

The present study examines the tribological behavior of an EN AW-4006 aluminum alloy subjected to two innovative hard anodizing processes involving the sealing of anodic oxide pores with Ag+ ions and tested in lubricated conditions. Four plant-based lubricants with different concentrations of fatty acids were considered. Wear tests were conducted using a ball-on-disk tribometer, employing a constant frequency oscillatory motion at 2 Hz and a maximum linear speed of 0.1 m/s. The investigation explores the influence of applied loads (5 N, 10 N, and 15 N) on the resulting coefficient of friction. Through a Design of Experiments methodology, the most influential factors affecting the coefficient of friction are identified. The results indicate that hard anodizing processes and applied load affect the coefficient of friction during wear testing as the main factor of influence. High values of the Unsaturation Number led to a high coefficient of friction at 5 N. Wavy-shaped profile tracks were detected at 10 and 15 N, leading to high specific wear rate values and the failure of the anodized layer.
Dichloro-Bis(1-cinnamyl-benzimidazole)-Cobalt(II)
Authors: Şahin Neslihan , Özdemir İsmail , Sémeril David
Published: November 2024

Dichloro-bis(1-cinnamyl-benzimidazole)-cobalt(II) was prepared in one step using a cobalt precursor CoCl2 and corresponding substituted benzimidazole. The complex was fully characterized using IR, elemental analysis, and mass- and NMR spectroscopy. In the solid state, the cobalt atom displays a typical tetrahedral geometry and is coordinated to two chlorine atoms and two benzimidazole moieties.
Experimental Research on the Possibility of Changing the Adhesion of Epoxy Glue to Concrete
Authors: Szewczak Andrzej , Łagód Grzegorz
Published: November 2024

Among the many methods of joining different materials, gluing is characterized by its most specific nature. In comparison with, for example, welded, screwed, or overlapped connections, a glued connection depends on the largest number of factors. Many of them are related to the phenomenon of adhesion, which is complicated by definition. It has many shapes and forms, and its existence determines not only the durability of such a joint but also the possibility of its execution. Epoxy polymers are among the most commonly used adhesives. Their extremely good parameters can be easily modified by additives in the form of fillers. Compatibility between the filler and the adhesive allows for further improving the adhesive parameters in the glued joint. However, in order to effectively combine the adhesive and the filler, different, often specific mixing methods must be used. The following study presents the results obtained in an experimental research program, the aim of which was to increase the adhesion of epoxy resin to a properly prepared concrete substrate. As a method to increase the final adhesion, the addition of microsilica and carbon nanotubes in an experimentally determined amount was selected. The use of sonication as a mixing method together with cavitation allowed for improving the parameters which determine the final adhesion of the adhesive to concrete. The parameters which were selected to describe the course of changes in the adhesion of the adhesive to the concrete substrate were the viscosity, free surface energy, surface parameters, adhesion, and SEM images of the tested resin in various modification configurations. The obtained results make it possible to form stronger and more durable adhesive joints during the reinforcement of concrete structural elements using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites.
Highly Productive Laser Annealing Manufacturing Method Using Continuous Blue WBC (Wavelength Beam Combining) Technique
Authors: Hishida Mitsuoki , Kobata Naohiko , Miyano Kentaro , Nobuoka Masaki , Okada Tatsuya , Noguchi Takashi
Published: November 2024

Blue laser annealing can be used to obtain a high-mobility thin-film transistor (TFT) through a laser annealing (i.e., LTPS: low-temperature Poly-Si) process. However, the laser annealing process’s low productivity (as well as high cost) is an issue because the high output power of blue lasers still needs to be addressed. Therefore, productivity can be improved if blue laser energy is efficiently supplied during the laser annealing process using a continuous wave laser instead of a conventional pulsed excimer laser. We developed a blue laser light source (440 ± 10 nm) using the wavelength beam combining (WBC) method, which can achieve a laser power density of 73.7 kW/cm2. In this semiconductor laser, when the power was increased s by 2.9 times, the laser scanning speed was increased by 5.0 times, achieving twice the productivity of conventional lasers. After laser annealing, the size of the crystal grains varied between 2 and 15 μm, resulting in a crystallization rate of 100% by Raman scattering rsult and low resistivity of 0.04 Ωcm. This increase in production capacity is not an arithmetic increase with increased power but a geometric production progression.
Machine Learning Driven Fluidity and Rheological Properties Prediction of Fresh Cement-Based Materials
Authors: Liu Yi , Mohammed Zeyad M. A. , Ma Jialu , Xia Rui , Fan Dongdong , Tang Jie , Yuan Qiang
Published: November 2024

Controlling workability during the design stage of cement-based material mix ratios is a highly time-consuming and labor-intensive task. Applying artificial intelligence (AI) methods to predict and optimize the workability of cement-based materials can significantly enhance the efficiency of mix design. In this study, experimental testing was conducted to create a dataset of 233 samples, including fluidity, dynamic yield stress, and plastic viscosity of cement-based materials. The proportions of cement, fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), water, superplasticizer (SP), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and sand were selected as inputs. Machine learning (ML) methods were employed to establish predictive models for these three early workability indicators. To improve prediction capability, optimized hybrid models, such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based CatBoost and XGBoost, were adopted. Furthermore, the influence of individual input variables on each workability indicator of the cement-based material was examined using Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) and Partial Dependence Plot (PDP) analyses. This study provides a novel reference for achieving rapid and accurate control of cement-based material workability.
A New Approach to Implementing 3D-Printed Material Structures for Protective Gloves with the Use of Ultrasonic and Contact Welding Processes: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Irzmańska Emilia , Cichocka Agnieszka , Puszkarz Adam K. , Olejnik Olga , Kropidłowska Paulina
Published: November 2024

This study presents a new approach to developing protective material structures for personal protective equipment (PPE), and in particular for protective gloves, with the use of ultrasonic and contact welding processes. The goal was to assess the quality of joints (welds) obtained between a synthetic polyamide knitted fabric (PA) and selected polymers (PLA, ABS, PET-G) in the developed materials using X-Ray microtomography (micro-CT). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed to determine the joint area produced by the selected welding methods for the examined materials. In this article, we assumed that obtaining a greater contact area seems to be the most promising from the point of view of future PPE utility tests characterizing protective glove structures. This research is a continuation of our previous study focused on functional 3D-printed polymeric materials for protective gloves.
Durability of Forging Tools Used in the Hot Closed Die Forging Process—A Review
Authors: Ficak Grzegorz , Łukaszek-Sołek Aneta , Hawryluk Marek
Published: November 2024

The article presents the classification of the wear mechanisms of forging tools. The durability of dies can be enhanced through a variety of methods, including the selection of appropriate hot working tool steel, the application of effective heat treatment, the utilization of advanced surface engineering techniques, and the incorporation of lubricating and cooling agents. Two popular methods of tool regeneration, such as re-profiling and laser regeneration, are presented. The issue of numerical wear prediction based on the Archard model, the correlation of this model with experimental results, low-cycle fatigue (HTLCF), and an alternative method based on artificial neural networks are discussed. The paper aims to present currently known wear mechanisms and the methods of increasing and predicting tool durability.
Circular Spline Tooth Longitudinal Modification Design and Contact Analysis for Harmonic Drives with Short Flexspline
Authors: He Xingyu , Feng Hesheng , Zhang Menghan , Shen Zaishang , Liu Boyang , Su Peng , Liu Haoyu , Guan Yabin
Published: November 2024

Harmonic drives (HDs) with short flexspline (FS) always suffer from small meshing areas and severe stress concentration caused by large cone angles when a short FS is assembled and loaded. To address this issue, a tooth longitudinal modification method for the circular spline (CS) with a double circular arc common-tangent tooth profile (DCTP) is proposed. Using neutral layer and envelope conjugation theories, a mathematical model of the conventional straight CS tooth was developed. A shaping cutter for this tooth profile was then designed through coordinate transformation and meshing principles. The proposed longitudinal modification for the CS was achieved by adjusting the cutter’s trajectory. A precise finite element model of the HD was developed, revealing that tooth longitudinal modification can reduce the maximum contact pressure by 69.6% and significantly increase the contact area for HDs with short FS. This work provides valuable technical references for improving the contact state of HDs with short FS.
Cutoff Grade Optimization on Operative Decision Variables with Geological Uncertainty in an Underground Gold Mine: A Real Case Study
Authors: Toro Morales Diego Alejandro , Franco Sepúlveda Giovanni , de la Barra Erick , Del Río Cuervo Juan Camilo
Published: November 2024

In mine planning, uncertainty assessment is essential to properly value a mining project. Geological, operational, and economical risks have to be considered to find the variable values that maximize the profit of the project. In this research, geological uncertainties are taken into account to assess the economic value of an underground gold mine. The scenarios considered are the tonnage-grade curves which are simulated by the Monte Carlo method. The decision variables are the cutoff grade (CoG), the Life of Mine (LoM), and operational variables, namely the mining and the processing capacity. In order to assess the economic value, we maximize the Net Present Value (NPV), which is carried out by a Genetic Algorithm (GA). This optimization, so-called implicit optimization, generates results of the probabilistic model which are compared with the deterministic one; the results found for a real underground gold mine show that, in the probabilistic case, the Net Present Value is higher and the time horizon is shorter than the results of the deterministic case, and the mining and the processing capacity are higher for the probabilistic case than the deterministic one.
Fortify the Guardian, Not the Treasure: Resilient Adversarial Detectors
Authors: Lapid Raz , Dubin Almog , Sipper Moshe
Published: November 2024

Adaptive adversarial attacks, where adversaries tailor their strategies with full knowledge of defense mechanisms, pose significant challenges to the robustness of adversarial detectors. In this paper, we introduce RADAR (Robust Adversarial Detection via Adversarial Retraining), an approach designed to fortify adversarial detectors against such adaptive attacks while preserving the classifier’s accuracy. RADAR employs adversarial training by incorporating adversarial examples—crafted to deceive both the classifier and the detector—into the training process. This dual optimization enables the detector to learn and adapt to sophisticated attack scenarios. Comprehensive experiments on CIFAR-10, SVHN, and ImageNet datasets demonstrate that RADAR substantially enhances the detector’s ability to accurately identify adaptive adversarial attacks without degrading classifier performance.
A New Mathematical Approach for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in Children
Authors: Pompa Marcello , De Gaetano Andrea , Borri Alessandro , Farsetti Antonella , Nanni Simona , D’Orsi Laura , Panunzi Simona
Published: November 2024

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a prevalent autoimmune disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland, predominantly affecting children and adolescents. In a previous study, we developed a “maximal” mathematical model of thyroid physiology to simulate the complex interactions within the thyroid gland. The present research introduces an enhanced version of the “maximal” model, integrating the pathophysiological impacts of HT. It specifically models the adverse effects of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies (TPOAb and TgAb) on TPO, Tg, sodium iodide symporter (NIS), albeit indirectly, and thyroid volume. Additionally, we present a new “minimal” model offering a streamlined interpretation of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, designed for faster computational analysis while maintaining essential physiological interactions. Both models were fitted against longitudinal clinical data from patients with HT, assessing the concentrations of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4), and thyroid volume over 36 months, in both untreated patients and those receiving levothyroxine (LT4) treatment. The adaptation of the models to data shows that both of them accurately reproduce the available observed clinical outcomes, with the “maximal” model providing more detailed physiological insights but requiring extensive data and longer computation times. In contrast, the “minimal” model, despite exhibiting less realistic TSH oscillations, offers rapid parameter estimation and may be more feasible in clinical settings. These models hold significant potential as tools for detailed study and management of HT, enabling simulations of disease progression and therapeutic responses, thus paving the way for personalized treatment strategies.
Continuous-Time Dynamic Graph Networks Integrated with Knowledge Propagation for Social Media Rumor Detection
Authors: Li Hui , Jiang Lanlan , Li Jun
Published: November 2024

The proliferation of the Internet and mobile devices has made it increasingly easy to propagate rumors on social media. Widespread rumors can incite public panic and have detrimental effects on individuals. In recent years, researchers have found that both the spatial structure of rumor diffusion and the temporal features of propagation can be effective in identifying rumors. However, existing methods tend to focus on either spatial structure or temporal information in isolation, and few models can effectively capture both types of information. Additionally, most existing methods treat continuously changing temporal information as static snapshots, neglecting the precise timing of propagation. Moreover, as users repost and comment, background knowledge associated with the posts also evolves dynamically, which is often ignored. To address these limitations, we propose CGNKP (Continuous-time Dynamic Graph Networks integrated with Knowledge Propagation), a model that jointly captures the spatial structure and continuous-time features of post propagation to fully understand the dynamics of background knowledge. Specifically, we introduce a novel method for encoding continuous-time dynamic graphs, modeling the propagation process through two dynamic graphs: a temporal propagation graph (for posts diffusion) and a temporal knowledge graph (for knowledge diffusion). Extensive experiments on real-world datasets demonstrate that CGNKP significantly outperforms multiple strong baselines, achieving accuracies of 0.861 on the Twitter15 dataset and 0.903 on the Twitter16 dataset.
Research on Adhesion Pull-Off Behavior of Rigid Flat Punch and Viscoelastic Substrate
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhang Yunqi , Jiang Kai
Published: November 2024

Interfacial adhesion is one of the key factors affecting the reliability of micro–nano systems. The adhesion contact mechanism is still unclear as the time-dependent viscoelasticity of soft materials. To clarify the adhesion interaction, the pull-off detachment between the rigid flat punch and viscoelastic substrate is explored considering the viscoelasticity of soft materials and rate-dependent adhesion. Taking the Lennard-Jones (L-J) potential characterizing interfacial adhesion and the Prony series defining the viscoelasticity of materials as references, the bilinear cohesion zone model (CZM) and standard Maxwell model are employed, and an adhesion analysis framework is established by combining finite element technology. The influence laws of the loading and unloading rates, material relaxation coefficients and size effect on adhesion pull-off behavior are revealed. The results show that the pull-off force is independent of the material relaxation effect and related to the unloading rate. When v^ ≥ 50 or v^ < 0.01, the pull-off force has nothing to do with the unloading rate, but when 0.01 < v^ < 50, the pull-off force increases with the increasing unloading rate. Also, it is controlled by the size effect, and the changing trend conforms to the MD-n model proposed by Jiang. The energy required for interfacial separation (i.e., effective adhesion work) is a result of the comprehensive influence of unloading rates, material properties and the relaxation effect, which is consistent with Papangelo1’s research results. In addition, we derive the critical contact radius of the transition from the Kendall solution to the strength control solution. This work not only provides a detailed solution for the interfacial adhesion behavior but also provides guidance for the application of adhesion in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMSs).
Solutions of a Neutron Transport Equation with a Partly Elastic Collision Operators
Authors: Al-Izeri Abdul-Majeed , Latrach Khalid
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we derive sufficient conditions that guarantee an description of long-time asymptotic behavior of the solution to the Cauchy problem governed by a linear neutron transport equation with a partially elastic collision operator under periodic boundary conditions. Our strategy involves showing that the strongly continuous semigroups et(T+Ke)t≥0 and et(T+Kc+Ke)t≥0, generated by the operators T+Ke and T+Kc+Ke, respectively, have the same essential type. According to Proposition 1, it is sufficient to show that remainder term in the Dyson–Philips expansion is compact. Our analysis focuses on the compactness properties of the second-order remainder term in the Dyson–Phillips expansion related to the problem. We first show that R2(t) is compact on L2(Ω×V,dxdv), and, using an interpolation argument (see Proposition 2), we establish the compactness of R2(t) on Lp(Ω×V,dxdv)-spaces for 1<p<+∞. To the best of our knowledge, outside the one-dimensional case, this result is known only for vaccum boundary conditions in the multidimensional setting. However, our result, Theorem 1, is new for periodic boundary conditions.
A Novel Color Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Hybrid Two-Dimensional Hyperchaos and Genetic Recombination
Authors: Xu Yaoqun , Liu Jiaoyang , You Zelong , Zhang Tianqi
Published: November 2024

The transition from text to images as the primary form of information transmission has recently increased the need for secure and effective encryption techniques due to the expanding information dimensions. The color picture encryption algorithm utilizing chaotic mapping is limited by a small chaotic range, unstable chaotic state, and lengthy encryption duration. This study integrates the Ackley function and the Styblinski–Tang function into a novel two-dimensional hyperchaotic map for optimization testing. A randomness test is run on the chaotic sequence created by the system to check that the new chaotic system can better sustain the chaotic state. This study introduces two techniques, genetic recombination and clock diffusion, to simultaneously disperse and mix images at the bit level. This study utilizes chaotic sequences in genetic recombination and clock drift to propose an image encryption technique. The data indicates that the method demonstrates high encryption efficiency. At the same time, the key also successfully passed the NIST randomness test, verifying its sensitivity and randomness. The algorithm’s dependability has been demonstrated and can be utilized for color image encryption.