bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying Dynamic Human Activity to Disentangle Property Crime Patterns in London during the Pandemic: An Empirical Analysis Using Geo-Tagged Big Data
Authors: Chen Tongxin , Bowers Kate , Cheng Tao
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between different groups of explanatory variables (i.e., dynamic human activity variables, static variables of social disorganisation and crime generators, and combinations of both sets of variables) and property crime patterns across neighbourhood areas of London during the pandemic (from 2020 to 2021). Using the dynamic human activity variables sensed from mobile phone GPS big data sets, three types of ‘Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator’ (LASSO) regression models (i.e., static, dynamic, and static and dynamic) differentiated into explanatory variable groups were developed for seven types of property crime. Then, the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was used to reveal the spatial associations between distinct explanatory variables and the specific type of crime. The findings demonstrated that human activity dynamics impose a substantially stronger influence on specific types of property crimes than other static variables. In terms of crime type, theft obtained particularly high relationships with dynamic human activity compared to other property crimes. Further analysis revealed important nuances in the spatial associations between property crimes and human activity across different contexts during the pandemic. The result provides support for crime risk prediction that considers the impact of dynamic human activity variables and their varying influences in distinct situations.
High-Temporal-Resolution Prediction of Malaria Transmission Risk in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Based on Multi-Criteria Evaluation Using Geospatial Data
Authors: Komura Ryunosuke , Matsuoka Masayuki
Published: December 2023

Malaria is a major public health concern, and accurate mapping of malaria risk is essential to effectively managing the disease. However, current models are unable to predict malaria risk with high temporal and spatial resolution. This study describes a climate-based model that can predict malaria risk in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, daily at a resolution of 2 km using meteorological (relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and temperature) and elevation data. We used the multi-criteria evaluation technique to develop the model. For the weighting of factors, we employed the analytical hierarchy process and linear regression techniques to compare expert knowledge-driven and mathematical methods. Using climate data from the prior 2 weeks, the model successfully mapped regions with high malaria case numbers, enabling accurate prediction of high-risk regions. This research may contribute to the development of a sustainable malaria risk forecasting system, which has been a longstanding challenge. Overall, this study provides insights into model development to predict malaria risk with high temporal and spatial resolution, supporting malaria control and management efforts.
Exploring the Spatial Relationship between Street Crime Events and the Distribution of Urban Greenspace: The Case of Porto, Portugal
Authors: Saraiva Miguel , Teixeira Bárbara
Published: December 2023

In post-pandemic, climate-changing societies, the presence of urban greenspace assumes paramount functions, at the same time that socio-economic crises and shocks augment vulnerabilities and insecurities. The recent literature on environmental criminology argues that the geography of crime is not random, and that the presence of greenery, due to its impact on well-being and the environment, can have positive associations with feeling safe; although the opposite effect can occur if spaces are not properly designed or maintained. In this paper, the case study of Porto, Portugal, is presented; one of the municipalities with higher crime rates, that also pledged to double the available greenspace in the near future. As a way to support decision-making, the aim of this study was to present an overall exploratory diagnosis of how street crime patterns, of different typologies, spatially co-exist with greenspaces. Using a 10-year street crime dataset at the segment level, descriptive quantitative methods with the support of GIS have been applied to plot crime’s spatial distribution over time, as well as the walking accessibility to greenspaces. The results confirm crime’s geographical non-randomness, with distinct categories occupying specific locations, even though there was a consistently proportional distribution in the different distance bands. On the contrary, the cumulative effect of the proximity to greenspaces was variable. Almost half of the city’s street crimes (46%) were within a 5 min walking distance of greenspaces, but they were much closer to smaller inner-city urban gardens, with higher densities of street crimes (hot spots), than to larger municipal parks, where lower densities (cold spots) were seen.
Comparative Analysis of Bivalve and Sea Urchin Genetics and Development: Investigating the Dichotomy in Bilateria
Authors: Drozdov Anatoliy , Lebedev Egor , Adonin Leonid
Published: December 2023

This comprehensive review presents a comparative analysis of early embryogenesis in Protostomia and Deuterostomia, the first of which exhibit a mosaic pattern of development, where cells are fated deterministically, while Deuterostomia display a regulatory pattern of development, where the fate of cells is indeterminate. Despite these fundamental differences, there are common transcriptional mechanisms that underline their evolutionary linkages, particularly in the field of functional genomics. By elucidating both conserved and unique regulatory strategies, this review provides essential insights into the comparative embryology and developmental dynamics of these groups. The objective of this review is to clarify the shared and distinctive characteristics of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. This will contribute to the extensive areas of functional genomics, evolutionary biology and developmental biology, and possibly lay the foundation for future research and discussion on this seminal topic.
Olanzapine Effects on Parvalbumin/GAD67 Cell Numbers in Layers/Subregions of Dorsal Hippocampus of Chronically Socially Isolated Rats
Authors: Stanisavljević Ilić Andrijana , Đorđević Snežana , Inta Dragoš , Borgwardt Stefan , Filipović Dragana
Published: December 2023

Depression is linked to changes in GABAergic inhibitory neurons, especially parvalbumin (PV) interneurons, which are susceptible to redox dysregulation. Olanzapine (Olz) is an atypical antipsychotic whose mode of action remains unclear. We determined the effect of Olz on PV-positive (+) and glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) + cell numbers in the layers of dorsal hippocampus (dHIPP) cornu ammonis (CA1–CA3) and dentate gyrus (DG) subregions in rats exposed to chronic social isolation (CSIS), which is an animal model of depression. Antioxidative enzymes and proinflammatory cytokine levels were also examined. CSIS decreased the PV+ cell numbers in the Stratum Oriens (SO) and Stratum Pyramidale (SP) of dCA1 and dDG. It increased interleukin-6 (IL-6), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), and copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) levels, and it decreased catalase (CAT) protein levels. Olz in CSIS increased the number of GAD67+ cells in the SO and SP layers of dCA1 with no effect on PV+ cells. It reduced the PV+ and GAD67+ cell numbers in the Stratum Radiatum of dCA3 in CSIS. Olz antagonizes the CSIS-induced increase in CuZnSOD, CAT and SOCS3 protein levels with no effect on IL-6. Data suggest that the protective Olz effects in CSIS may be mediated by altering the number of PV+ and GAD67+ cells in dHIPP subregional layers.
Kiwifruit Monodehydroascorbate Reductase 3 Gene Negatively Regulates the Accumulation of Ascorbic Acid in Fruit of Transgenic Tomato Plants
Authors: Jia Dongfeng , Gao Huan , He Yanqun , Liao Guanglian , Lin Liting , Huang Chunhui , Xu Xiaobiao
Published: December 2023

Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant and a crucial nutrient for plants and animals. The accumulation of ascorbic acid in plants is controlled by its biosynthesis, recycling, and degradation. Monodehydroascorbate reductase is deeply involved in the ascorbic acid cycle; however, the mechanism of monodehydroascorbate reductase genes in regulating kiwifruit ascorbic acid accumulation remains unclear. Here, we identified seven monodehydroascorbate reductase genes in the genome of kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha) and they were designated as AeMDHAR1 to AeMDHAR7, following their genome identifiers. We found that the relative expression level of AeMDHAR3 in fruit continued to decline during development. The over-expression of kiwifruit AeMDHAR3 in tomato plants improved monodehydroascorbate reductase activity, and, unexpectedly, ascorbic acid content decreased significantly in the fruit of the transgenic tomato lines. Ascorbate peroxidase activity also increased significantly in the transgenic lines. In addition, a total of 1781 differentially expressed genes were identified via transcriptomic analysis. Three kinds of ontologies were identified, and 106 KEGG pathways were significantly enriched for these differently expressed genes. Expression verification via quantitative real-time PCR analysis confirmed the reliability of the RNA-seq data. Furthermore, APX3, belonging to the ascorbate and aldarate metabolism pathway, was identified as a key candidate gene that may be primarily responsible for the decrease in ascorbic acid concentration in transgenic tomato fruits. The present study provides novel evidence to support the feedback regulation of ascorbic acid accumulation in the fruit of kiwifruit.
A Randomized, Open-Label, Single-Dose, Crossover Study of the Comparative Bioavailability of EPA and DHA in a Novel Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticle-Based Formulation of ω-3 Acid Ethyl Ester Versus Omacor® Soft Capsule among Healthy Adults
Authors: Kang Kwi-Man , Jeon Sang-Won , De Anindita , Hong Tae-Sun , Park Young-Joon
Published: December 2023

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are well known for their capacity to lower triglyceride levels, but the clinical effectiveness is hindered by limited bioavailability and patient adherence. To address this challenge, we introduce a novel liquid crystalline nanoparticle-based formulation, the innovative medicine and drug delivery (IMD)-Omega soft capsule (cap), designed to optimize the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of EPA and DHA. This randomized, open-label, crossover study engages a cohort of 24 healthy adult subjects, utilizing key PK parameters like Cmax, AUC, Tmax, t½, and Ke to conduct a comprehensive evaluation. The trial compares the performance of the IMD-Omega soft cap with the well-established Omacor® soft cap. The IMD-Omega soft cap exhibited an impressive 110% increase in bioavailability for EPA and a remarkable 134% surge for DHA in comparison to the Omacor® soft cap over a span of 72 h. The key success can be attributed to the innovative liquid crystalline nanoparticle design, bolstering the dissolution and permeability of these essential fatty acids. Intriguingly, intra-participant variability for AUC0–72 h and Cmax were calculated at 45.04% and 34.26%, respectively. It is noteworthy that the parameters of Tmax for EPA (≈6.00 h) and DHA (≈5.00 h), t½ for both EPA and DHA ≈ 30–40 h, and Kel around 0.18–0.22 h−1 for EPA and ≈0.008–0.02 h−1 for DHA, displayed comparability between the IMD-Omega and Omacor® formulations. Encouragingly, the IMD-Omega soft cap showed excellent tolerability. The promise of optimized patient compliance and reduced dosages adds further weight to its potential significance.
Japanese Medical Students’ English Language Learning Motivation, Willingness to Communicate, and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mayers Thomas , Mathis Bryan J. , Maki Naoki , Maeno Tetsuhiro
Published: December 2023

For non-English-speaking nations such as Japan, proficiency in English has emerged as an indispensable skill, particularly in scientific fields like medicine. This research paper extends prior investigations into the motivations of Japanese medical students for learning English and delves into their willingness to communicate (WTC) in English. Importantly, it explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these motivations and communication behaviors. This study reveals that Japanese medical students are strongly instrumentally and vocationally motivated, viewing English as a practical asset for their future medical careers. They also exhibit a strong international posture, demonstrating an eagerness to engage with global cultures through English. Notably, the students’ motivation to study English remains resilient despite the pandemic’s challenges, such as the shift to remote learning and travel restrictions. However, their WTC in English exhibits nuanced changes. While overall WTC remains stable, students’ inclination to give presentations in English decreases significantly, possibly due to reduced face-to-face interactions in virtual learning environments. Additionally, their interest in participating in international events and activities wanes, possibly influenced by pandemic-related travel anxiety. These findings underscore the importance of offering specialized English classes and study abroad/international exchange experiences to sustain students’ motivation to learn English.
Semantic Integration of BPMN Models and FHIR Data to Enable Personalized Decision Support for Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Beckmann Catharina , Keuchel Daniel , Soleman Wa , Nürnberg Sylvia , Böckmann Britta
Published: December 2023

With digital patient data increasing due to new diagnostic methods and technology, showing the right data in the context of decision support at the point of care becomes an even greater challenge. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) modeled in BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) contain evidence-based treatment guidance for all phases of a certain diagnosis, while physicians need the parts relevant to a specific patient at a specific point in the clinical process. Therefore, integration of patient data from electronic health records (EHRs) providing context to clinicians is needed, which is stored and communicated in HL7 (Health Level Seven) FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources). To address this issue, we propose a method combining an integration of stored data into BPMN and a loss-free transformation from BPMN into FHIR, and vice versa. Based on that method, an identification of the next necessary decision point in a specific patient context is possible. We verified the method for treatment of malignant melanoma by using an extract of a formalized SOP document with predefined decision points and validated FHIR references with real EHR data. The patient data could be stored and integrated into the BPMN element ‘DataStoreReference’. Our loss-free transformation process therefore is the foundation for combining evidence-based knowledge from formalized clinical guidelines or SOPs and patient data from EHRs stored in FHIR. Processing the SOP with the available patient data can then lead to the next upcoming decision point, which will be displayed to the physician integrated with the corresponding data.
Molecular Screening of Carbapenem-Resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) Clinical Isolates for Concomitant Occurrence of Beta-Lactam Genes (CTX-M, TEM, and SHV) in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Authors: Shahid Mohammad , Saeed Nermin Kamal , Ahmad Nayeem , Shadab Mohd , Joji Ronni Mol , Al-Mahmeed Ali , Bindayna Khalid M. , Tabbara Khaled Saeed , Ismaeel Abdulrahman Y. , Dar Fazal K.
Published: December 2023

The emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, including CRKP infections, has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. We aimed to explore the presence of bla genes (CTX-M, TEM, and SHV) in CRKP isolates. A total of 24 CRKP isolates were randomly selected from the Salmaniya Medical Complex Microbiology Laboratory. These isolates, which were positive for carbapenemases, were further explored for CTX-M, TEM, and SHV genes using PCR. All the CTX-M PCR amplicons were sent for sequencing. To determine genetic relatedness, molecular typing by ERIC-PCR was performed. The bla gene testing demonstrated that a significant proportion of these isolates harbored SHV, CTX-M, and TEM genes (100%, 91.6%, and 45.8%), respectively. Bioinformatic analyses confirmed CTX-M-15 in these isolates. ERIC-PCR analysis showed three clusters demonstrating genetic relatedness. The study findings reveal the concomitant carriage of the SHV and CTX-M-15 and a comparatively lower carriage of TEM genes in CRKP isolates. Our findings highlight the significance of routinely reporting the presence of antibiotic resistance genes along with regular antibiotic sensitivity reports, as this will aid clinicians in prescribing appropriate antibiotics.
NAFLD Associates with Sarcopenia Defined by Muscle Mass and Slow Walking Speed: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Altajar Sarah , Wang Na , Rosenthaler Max P. , Murabito Joanne M. , Long Michelle T.
Published: December 2023

Sarcopenia is associated with NAFLD. It is unknown if the association is explained by shared risk factors. Our study sought to investigate the association between liver fat and sarcopenia in our cohort. Liver fat was measured on CT between 2008 and 2011. We excluded heavy alcohol use and missing covariates. Muscle mass in a subset (n = 485) was measured by 24 h urinary creatinine. Physical function was defined by h strength and walking speed. Sarcopenia was defined as low muscle mass and/or low physical function. We created multivariable-adjusted regression models to evaluate cross-sectional associations between liver fat and low muscle mass, grip strength, and walking speed. The prevalence of hepatic steatosis was 30% (n = 1073; 58.1% women; mean age 65.8 ± 8.6 years). There was a significant positive association between liver fat and muscle mass in linear regression models. The association was not significant after adjusting for BMI. The odds of sarcopenia increased by 28% for each SD in liver fat (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.02, 1.60) and persisted after accounting for confounders in multivariable-adjusted models (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02, 1.67). Further studies are needed to determine if there is a causal relationship between liver fat and sarcopenia and whether treatment of sarcopenia improves liver fat.
The Novel Ceramide- and Phosphatidylcholine-Based Risk Score for the Prediction of New-Onset of Hypertension
Authors: Shoghli Mohammadreza , Lokki A. Inkeri , Lääperi Mitja , Sinisalo Juha , Lokki Marja-Liisa , Hilvo Mika , Jylhä Antti , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Laaksonen Reijo
Published: December 2023

Ceramides and other sphingolipids are implicated in vascular dysfunction and inflammation. They have been suggested as potential biomarkers for hypertension. However, their specific association with hypertension prevalence and onset requires further investigation. This study aimed to identify specific ceramide and phosphatidylcholine species associated with hypertension prevalence and onset. The 2002 FINRISK (Finnish non-communicable risk factor survey) study investigated the association between coronary event risk scores (CERT1 and CERT2) and hypertension using prevalent and new-onset hypertension groups, both consisting of 7722 participants, over a span of 10 years. Ceramide and phosphatidylcholine levels were measured using tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Ceramide and phosphatidylcholine ratios, including ceramide (d18:1/18:0), ceramide (d18:1/24:1), phosphatidylcholine (16:0/16:0), and the ratio of ceramide (d18:1/18:0)/(d18:1/16:0), are consistently associated with both prevalence and new-onset hypertension. Ceramide (d18:1/24:0) was also linked to both hypertension measures. Adjusting for covariates, CERT1 and CERT2 showed no-longer-significant associations with hypertension prevalence, but only CERT2 predicted new-onset hypertension. Plasma ceramides and phosphatidylcholines are crucial biomarkers for hypertension, with imbalances potentially contributing to its development. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms by which ceramides will contribute to the development of hypertension.
Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness after Liver Transplantation: Analysis of Seven Cases and a Literature Review
Authors: Gaspari Rita , Spinazzola Giorgia , Aceto Paola , Avolio Alfonso Wolfango , Delli Compagni Manuel , Postorino Stefania , Michi Teresa , Fachechi Daniele Cosimo , Modoni Anna , Antonelli Massimo
Published: December 2023

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)-Acquired Weakness (ICU-AW) is a generalized muscle weakness that is clinically detected in critical patients and has no plausible etiology other than critical illness. ICU-AW is uncommon in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Our report sheds light on the highest number of ICU-AW cases observed in a single center on OLT patients with early allograft dysfunction. Out of 282 patients who underwent OLT from January 2015 to June 2023, 7 (2.5%) developed generalized muscle weakness in the ICU and underwent neurophysiological investigations. The neurologic examination showed preserved extraocular, flaccid quadriplegia with the absence of deep tendon reflexes in all patients. Neurophysiological studies, including electromyography and nerve conduction studies, showed abnormalities with fibrillation potentials and the rapid recruitment of small polyphasic motor units in the examined muscles, as well as a reduced amplitude of the compound muscle action potential and sensory nerve action potential, with an absence of demyelinating features. Pre-transplant clinical status was critical in all patients. During ICU stay, early allograft dysfunction, acute kidney injury, prolonged mechanical ventilation, sepsis, hyperglycemia, and high blood transfusions were observed in all patients. Two patients were retransplanted. Five patients were alive at 90 days; two patients died. In non-cooperative OLT patients, neurophysiological investigations are essential for the diagnosis of ICU-AW. In this setting, the high number of red blood cell transfusions is a potential risk factor for ICU-AW.
Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus and Its Impact on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Surgical Pancreatectomy for Non-Malignant and Malignant Pancreatobiliary Diseases—A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Schranz Anna , Sternad Christoph , Aziz Faisal , Wagner Doris , Kornprat Peter , Sucher Robert , Jost Philipp J. , Wölfler Albert , Pieber Thomas R. , Sourij Harald , Riedl Jakob M. , Aberer Felix
Published: December 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prominent risk factor for malignant and non-malignant pancreatic diseases. Furthermore, the presence of DM predicts an unfavourable outcome in people with pancreatic cancer. This retrospective observational study investigated 370 patients who underwent pancreatic resection surgery for various indications (84.3% in malignant indication) in a single surgery centre in Graz, Austria. The preoperative and postoperative diabetes statuses were evaluated according to surgery method and disease entity and predictors for diabetes development after surgery, as well as outcomes (survival and cancer recurrence) according to diabetes status, were analysed. In the entire cohort, the postoperative diabetes (postopDM) incidence was 29%. PostopDM occurred significantly more frequently in malignoma patients than in those with benign diseases (31.3% vs. 16.7%; p = 0.040, OR = 2.28). In the malignoma population, BMI, longer surgery duration, and prolonged ICU and hospital stay were significant predictors of diabetes development. The 1- and 2-year follow-ups showed a significantly increased mortality of people with postopDM in comparison to people without diabetes (HR 1-year = 2.02, p = 0.014 and HR 2-years = 1.56, p = 0.034). Local cancer recurrence was not influenced by the diabetes status. Postoperative new-onset diabetes seems to be associated with higher mortality of patients with pancreatic malignoma undergoing pancreatobiliary surgery.
Anatomical Study of the Application of a Galeo-Pericranial Flap in Oral Cavity Defects Reconstruction
Authors: Marzi Manfroni Alice , Marvi Maria Vittoria , Lodi Simone , Breque Cyril , Vara Giulio , Ruggeri Alessandra , Badiali Giovanni , Manzoli Lucia , Tarsitano Achille , Ratti Stefano
Published: December 2023

Oral cavity defects occur after resection of lesions limited to the mucosa, alveolar gum, or minimally affecting the bone. Aiming at esthetical and functional improvements of intraoral reconstruction, the possibility of harvesting a new galeo-pericranial free flap was explored. The objective of this study was to assess the technical feasibility of flap harvesting through anatomical dissections and surgical procedure simulations. Ten head and neck specimens were dissected to simulate the surgical technique and evaluate the vascular calibers of temporal and cervical vessels. The procedure was therefore reproduced on a revascularized and ventilated donor cadaver. Anatomical dissections demonstrated that the mean cervical vascular calibers are compatible with superficial temporal ones, proving to be adequate for anastomosis. Perforating branches of the superficial temporal vascularization nourishing the pericranium were identified in all specimens. In conclusion, blood flow presence was recorded after anastomosing superficial temporal and facial vessels in the revascularized donor cadaver, demonstrating both this procedure’s technical feasibility and the potential revascularization of the flap and therefore encouraging its potential in vivo application.
Do We Still Need Aspirin in Coronary Artery Disease?
Authors: Maqsood Muhammad Haisum , Levine Glenn N. , Kleiman Neal D. , Hasdai David , Uretsky Barry F. , Birnbaum Yochai
Published: December 2023

Aspirin has for some time been used as a first-line treatment for acute coronary syndromes, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction, for secondary prevention of established coronary disease, and for primary prevention in patients at risk of coronary artery disease. Although aspirin has been in use for decades, the available evidence for its efficacy largely predates the introduction of other drugs, such as statins and P2Y12 inhibitors. Based on recent trials, the recommendation for aspirin use as primary prevention has been downgraded. In addition, P2Y12 inhibitors given as a single antiplatelet therapy have been associated with a lower incidence of bleeding than dual antiplatelet therapy in combination with aspirin in patients with stable and unstable coronary artery disease. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of aspirin considering the available evidence for primary prevention, secondary prevention for stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes, and after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass revascularization.
Tissue Interleukin-33: A Novel Potential Regulator of Innate Immunity and Biomarker of Disease Severity in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps
Authors: Porfire (Irimia) Ioana Maria , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana , Budisan Livia , Leucuta Daniel-Corneliu , Gata Anda , Minoiu Aurelian Costin , Georgescu Bogdan Alexandru , Covaliu Bogdan Florin , Albu Silviu
Published: December 2023

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a disease of real interest for researchers due to its heterogenicity and complex pathophysiological mechanisms. Identification of the factors that ensure success after treatment represents one of the main challenges in CRSwNP research. No consensus in this direction has been reached so far. Biomarkers for poor outcomes have been noted, but nonetheless, their prognostic value has not been extensively investigated, and needs to be sought. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between potential prognostic predictors for recalcitrant disease in patients with CRSwNP. Methods: The study group consisted of CRSwNP patients who underwent surgical treatment and nasal polyp (NP) tissue sampling. The preoperative workup included Lund–Mackay assessment, nasal endoscopy, eosinophil blood count, asthma, and environmental allergy questionnaire. Postoperatively, in subjects with poor outcomes, imagistic osteitis severity was evaluated, and IL-33 expression was measured. Results: IL-33 expression in NP was positively and significantly correlated with postoperative osteitis on CT scans (p = 0.01). Furthermore, high osteitis CT scores were related to high blood eosinophilia (p = 0.01). A positive strong correlation was found between postoperative osteitis and the Lund–Mackay preoperative score (p = 0.01), as well as the nasal endoscopy score (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our research analyzed the levels of polyp IL-33, relative to blood eosinophilia, overall disease severity score, and osteitis severity, in patients with CRSwNP. These variables are prognostic predictors for poor outcomes and recalcitrant disease. Considering the importance of bone involvement in CRSwNP, this research aims to provide a better insight into the correlations of osteitis with clinical and biological factors.
Integrating Virtual Surgical Planning and 3D-Printed Tools with Iliac Bone Grafts for Orbital and Zygomatic Reconstruction in Hemifacial Microsomia Patients
Authors: Zhao Zhiyang , Bao Jiahao , Shen Guofang , Cai Ming , Yu Hongbo
Published: December 2023

Hemifacial Microsomia (HFM) is the second most common congenital craniofacial malformation syndrome, and the complexity of HFM makes its treatment challenging. The present study aimed to introduce a new approach of utilization of virtual surgical planning (VSP) and 3D-printed surgical adjuncts for maxillofacial reconstruction. Five HFM patients were included in this study. All participants were provided with a full VSP, including the design of osteotomy lines, the design and fabrication of 3D-printed cutting guides, fixation plates, and titanium mesh for implantation. With the assistance of 3D-printed cutting guides and fixation plates, the orbital deformities were corrected, and a 3D-printed titanium mesh combined with iliac cancellous bone graft was applied to reconstruct the zygomatic arch. The surgical accuracy, effectiveness, and bone absorption rate were evaluated. All patients completed the entirely digital treatment process without experiencing severe complications. The surgical adjuncts were effective in aligning the movement of the bone segments with the surgical plan, resulting in mean 3D deviations (1.0681 ± 0.15 mm) and maximum 3D deviations (3.1127 ± 0.44 mm). The image fusion results showed that the patients’ postoperative position of the maxilla, zygoma, and orbital rim was consistent with the virtual surgical plan, with only a slight increase in the area of bone grafting. The postoperative measurements showed significant improvement in the asymmetry indices of Er (AI of Er: from 17.91 ± 3.732 to 5.427 ± 1.389 mm, p = 0.0001) and FZ (AI of FZ: from 7.581 ± 1.435 to 4.070 ± 1.028 mm, p = 0.0009) points. In addition, the observed bone resorption rate at the 6-month follow-up across the five patients was 45.24% ± 3.13%. In conclusion, the application of VSP and 3D-printed surgical adjuncts demonstrates significant value in enhancing the precision and effectiveness of surgical treatments for HFM. A 3D-printed titanium mesh combined with iliac cancellous bone graft can be considered an ideal alternative for the reconstruction of the zygomatic arch.
Impact of Injection Molding Parameters on Material Acoustic Parameters
Authors: Saeedabadi Komeil , Lickert Fabian , Bruus Henrik , Tosello Guido , Calaon Matteo
Published: December 2023

Understanding the relationship between injection molding parameters and the acoustic properties of polymers is crucial for optimizing the design and performance of acoustic-based polymer devices. In this work, the impact of injection molding parameters, such as the injection velocity and packing pressure, on the acoustic parameters of polymers, namely the elastic moduli, is studied. The measurements lead to calculating material parameters, such as the Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, that can be swiftly measured and determined thanks to this method. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was used as the molding material, and using PMMA LG IG 840, the parts were simulated and injection molded, applying a ‘design of experiment’ (DOE) statistical method. The results indicated a correlation between the injection molding process parameters and the acoustic characteristics, such as the elastic moduli, and a specifically decreasing trend with increase in the injection velocity. Notably, a relative decrease in the Young’s modulus by 1% was observed when increasing the packing pressure from 90MPa to 120MPa. Similarly, a decrease in the Poisson’s ratio of 2.9% was observed when the injection velocity was increased from 16mm/s to 40mm/s. This method can be used to fine-tune the material properties according to the needs of a given application and to facilitate the characterization of different polymer acoustic properties essential for acoustic-based polymer devices.
Characterization of the Mitochondrial Genome, Ecological Distribution, and Morphological Features of the Marine Gastropod Mollusc Lophocochlias parvissimus (Gastropoda, Tornidae)
Authors: Kim Minju , Choi Hyeongwoo , Kim Hyeon , Kang Jiwon , Jeong Hyeon Gyeong , Eyun Seong-il , Kang Jung-Hoon
Published: December 2023

The larvae of the marine gastropod Lophocochlias parvissimus are meroplankton that spend part of their lives as plankton that disperse and drift in the water column before settling on the sea floor. Two individuals of L. parvissimus larvae were sampled by the Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) from the Central Indian Ridge of the southwestern Indian Ocean in 2018 and 2019. We generated the first mitochondrial sequences for L. parvissimus, which will provide valuable genetic insight into the evolution of these organisms. In this study, we have determined that the mitogenome of L. parvissimus was 13,575 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 18 tRNAs, and two rRNAs. Our work provides a new insight into the dispersal of L. parvissimus and previously missing components to the general understanding of the evolution of Truncatelloidea (Subclass Caenogastropoda).
Application of Machine Learning for Classification of Nuclear Reactor Operational Status Using Magnetic Field Sensors
Authors: Burt Braden , Borghetti Brett J. , Franz Anthony , Holland Darren , Bickley Abigail
Published: December 2023

The nuclear fuel cycle forms the basis for producing special nuclear materials used in nuclear weapons via a series of interdependent industrial operations. These industrial operations each produce characteristic emanations that can be gathered to ascertain signatures of facility operations. Machine learning and deep learning techniques were applied to time series magnetic field sensor data collected at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) to assess the feasibility of determining the ON/OFF operational state of the reactor. When data collected by the sensor near the cooling fans, position 9, are transformed to the frequency domain, it was found that both machine and deep learning methods were able to classify the operational state of the reactor with a balanced accuracy of over 90%. This result suggests that the utilized methods show promise for application as techniques to verify declared activities involving nuclear reactors. Additional effort is recommended to develop models and architectures that will more fully capitalize on the data’s temporal nature by incorporating the magnetic field’s time dependence to improve the model’s robustness and classification performance.
Building a More Secure Territory Spatial Pattern in China: An Analysis Based on Human-Environment Interactions
Authors: Yi Jialin , Yi Dan , Tang Yifeng , Guo Jie , Ou Minghao , Cheng Xianbo
Published: December 2023

To understand and respond to the common ecological and environmental challenges faced by human beings, this study investigated the relationship between territorial spatial development (TSD), eco-environmental responses, and territorial spatial planning (TSP) from the perspective of human-environment interactions and explores a feasible way to modulate these human-environment interactions by taking China’s TSP practice as an illustrative case. The research results show that (1) the interplay between territorial development, resource utilization, and environmental feedback forms the crux of human-environment interactions. Notably, eco-environment responses, one of which is the spread of germs, coupled with human development and utilization behavior constitute a complete negative feedback loop. Human beings’ adjustment to the unbalanced conditions in these interactions, employing institutions, technology, planning, and other tools, constitutes a positive cycle within human-environment interactions. (2) TSP can regulate the whole process of human-environment interactions through mechanisms such as coordination and control, adaptation and mitigation, and consolidation and restoration. (3) Unreasonable agricultural development and urban expansion have triggered intense negative feedback on the ecological environment. (4) The Chinese government has carried out a top-down TSP reform initiative to establish a unified planning system. This aims to alleviate the adverse ecological and environmental effects caused by TSD and build a more secure territory space pattern. Therefore, nations around the globe should innovate their spatial planning management systems and spatial planning systems, standardize and guide the development and utilization of spatial resources, and coordinate the relationship between humans and the environment.
Investigation of Preparation and Shrinkage Characteristics of Multi-Source Solid Waste-Based Cementitious Materials
Authors: Wu Xu , Li Bo , Wei Dingbang , Guo Fucheng , Ji Haidong
Published: December 2023

Cement-stabilized macadam (CEM-SM) base layers on highways are prone to early shrinkage cracking in extremely cold and arid regions, mainly caused by the large drying shrinkage of traditional cement-stabilized base materials. A multi-component solid waste cementitious material (SWCM) was designed based on the response surface method. The synergistic reaction mechanism of SWCM was analyzed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). A shrinkage testing system was developed to evaluate the anti-cracking characteristics of stable macadam using multiple solid waste cementitious materials (SWCM-SM), and the strength growth law and frost resistance were analyzed. The results show that the Box–Behnken response surface model was used to obtain the optimal parameter combination for SWCM, including 60% slag, 30% steel slag, and 10% desulfurization gypsum. The compressive strength and flexural strength of SWCM-SM were 24.1% and 26.7% higher than those of CEM-SM after curing 180 days. The frost resistance of SWCM-SM was basically equivalent to that of CEM-SM, and the dry shrinkage strain of SWCM-SM was reduced by 30.7% compared to CEM-SM. It can be concluded that steel slag and desulfurization gypsum stimulate the hydration reaction of slag, thereby improving the bonding strength. Compared to CEM-SM, SWCM-SM exhibits slower hydration reaction and longer hydration duration, exhibiting characteristics of low early strength and high later strength. The early microstrain of the semi-rigid base layer is mainly caused by the occurrence of early water loss shrinkage, and the water loss rate of SWCM-SM is lower than that of CEM-SM. This study concludes that SWCM has good early crack resistance performance for stabilized crushed stones.
Bandgap Narrowing of BaTiO3-Based Ferroelectric Oxides through Cobalt Doping for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Gatasheh Mansour K. , Daoud Mohamed Saad , Kassim Hamoud
Published: December 2023

Following the finding of power conversion efficiency above the Shockley–Queisser limit in BaTiO3 (BTO) crystals, ferroelectric oxides have attracted scientific interest in ferroelectric photovoltaics (FPV). However, since ferroelectric oxides have a huge bandgap (>3 eV), progress in this sector is constrained. This paper proposes and demonstrates a new ferroelectric BaTi1−xCoxO3 powder (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08), abbreviated as BTCx, that exhibited a bandgap decrease with increased Co content. Notably, changing the composition from x = 0.0 to 0.08 caused the system to show a bandgap drop from 3.24 to 2.42 eV. The ideal design with x = 0.08 displayed an abnormal PV response. Raman spectroscopy measurements were used to investigate the cause of the bandgap decrease, and density functional theory was used to interpret the analyzed results. According to our findings, Co2+ doping and oxygen octahedral distortions enhance bandgap reduction. This research sheds light on how bandgap tuning developed and laid the way for investigating novel low-bandgap ferroelectric materials for developing next-generation photovoltaic applications.
Evaluation of the Depth and Width of Cuts after Controlled-Depth Abrasive Water Jet Machining Using Low Pressure
Authors: Botko Frantisek , Botkova Dominika , Gelatko Matus , Vandzura Radoslav , Klichova Dagmar
Published: December 2023

The presented paper is focused on the evaluation of material removal during machining via an abrasive water jet with a controlled depth of cut. In the introductory parts of the work, a theoretical analysis of water jet technology and an analysis of the current state of the problem are presented. The experimental part of the work is devoted to testing the effects of technological parameters on material removal from the point of view of the maximum erosion depth and volume loss of material during machining with a low water pressure of 50 MPa. The tested material was a Ti 6Al 4V titanium alloy. The experiments were carried out by changing the traverse speed of the cutting head, the mass flow of the abrasive and the angle of inclination of the cutting head, according to the DoE 33 experiment plan. The obtained values were evaluated using the method of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis. Furthermore, the values of the width of the erosion track and the maximum and minimum erosion effects for both tested materials were evaluated.
RETRACTED: Joshi et al. An Evolutionary Technique for Building Neural Network Models for Predicting Metal Prices. Mathematics 2023, 11, 1675
Authors: Joshi Devendra , Chithaluru Premkumar , Anand Divya , Hajjej Fahima , Aggarwal Kapil , Torres Vanessa Yelamos , Thompson Ernesto Bautista
Published: December 2023

The journal and authors retract the article entitled “An Evolutionary Technique for Building Neural Network Models for Predicting Metal Prices” [...]
BNS: A Detection System to Find Nodes in the Bitcoin Network
Authors: Li Ruiguang , Zhu Liehuang , Li Chao , Wu Fudong , Xu Dawei
Published: December 2023

Bitcoin was launched over a decade ago and has made an increasing impact on the world’s financial order, which has attracted the attention of researchers all over the world. The Bitcoin system runs on a dynamic P2P network, containing tens of thousands of nodes, including reachable nodes and unreachable nodes. In this article, a detection system, BNS (Bitcoin Network Sniffer), which could collect as many Bitcoin nodes as possible is proposed. For reachable nodes, the authors designed an algorithm, BRF (Bitcoin Reachable-Nodes Finding), based on node activity evaluation which reduces the nodes to be detected and greatly shortens the detection time. For unreachable nodes, the authors trained a decision tree model, BUF (Bitcoin Unreachable-Nodes Finding), to identify unreachable nodes based on attribute features from a large number of node addresses. Experiments showed that BNS discovered an average of 1093 more reachable nodes (6.4%) and 662 more unreachable nodes (2.3%) than the well-known website “Bitnodes” per day. It showed better performance in total nodes and efficiency. Based on the experimental results, the authors analyzed the real network size, node “churn”, and geographical distribution.
Predefined-Time Fractional-Order Tracking Control for UAVs with Perturbation
Authors: Benaddy Abdellah , Labbadi Moussa , Boubaker Sahbi , Alsubaei Faisal S. , Bouzi Mostafa
Published: December 2023

This manuscript describes the design of a controller that assures predefined-time convergence in fractional-order sliding mode control (PTFOSMC) for a quadrotor UAV subjected to matched perturbation. Moreover, predefined-time techniques enable the establishment of a time constraint for convergence as a control parameter, distinguishing them from finite- and fixed-time controllers. The proposed control offers the advantage of sliding mode control, exhibiting rapid response and robust performance for the quadrotor subsystems. Notably, the suggested controller is devoid of terms dependent on the initial conditions of the quadrotor. Additionally, an established switching-type predefined-time controller with fractional-order is introduced to bolster robustness against external disturbances and alleviate the chattering problem associated with the sliding mode technique. The application of the Lyapunov function is employed to analyze the predefined-time stability of the quadrotor utilizing the suggested PTFOSMC. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested scheme.
GCM Variants with Robust Initialization Vectors
Authors: Zhang Ping
Published: December 2023

The complexity and isomerization of communication networks have put forth new requirements for cryptographic schemes to ensure the operation of network security protocols. Robust cryptographic schemes have been gradually favored. The robust initialization vector (RIV) instead of the synthetic initialization vector (SIV) was first introduced to support strong security and robust authenticated encryption. This paper first introduces RIV to GCM-SIV1, proposes a robust variant, GCM-RIV1, and proves that it ensures birthday-bound subtle AE (SAE) security and nonce-misuse resistance. Then, to support beyond-birthday-bound (BBB) security with graceful degradation, we introduce another, stronger security variant, GCM-RIV2, and prove that it allows gracefully degrading BBB SAE security in the faulty nonce setting. Finally, the performance of GCM-RIV1 and GCM-RIV2 is discussed and compared.
A Time-Fractional Parabolic Inequality on a Bounded Interval
Authors: Alshabanat Amal , Almoalim Eman , Jleli Mohamed , Samet Bessem
Published: December 2023

We study a time-fractional parabolic inequality posed on a bounded interval and involving a wight function W, where the fractional derivative is considered in the Caputo sense. We establish a general condition ensuring that the set of weak solutions is empty. Next, some particular cases of the weight function W are discussed.