bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Ground-Risk-Map-Based Path-Planning Algorithm for UAVs in an Urban Environment with Beetle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Zhang Xuejun , Liu Yang , Gao Ziang , Ren Jinling , Zhou Suyu , Yang Bingjie
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a path-planning strategy for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in urban environments with a ground risk map. The aim is to generate a UAV path that minimizes the ground risk as well as the flying cost, enforcing safety and efficiency over inhabited areas. A quantitative model is proposed to evaluate the ground risk, which is then used as a risk constraint for UAV path optimization. Subsequently, beetle swarm optimization (BSO) is proposed based on a beetle antennae search (BAS) that considers turning angles and path length. In this proposed BSO, an adaptive step size for every beetle and a random proportionality coefficient mechanism are designed to improve the deficiencies of the local optimum and slow convergence. Furthermore, a global optimum attraction operator is established to share the social information in a swarm to lead to the global best position in the search space. Experiments were performed and compared with particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), firefly algorithm (FA), and BAS. This case study shows that the proposed BSO works well with different swarm sizes, beetle dimensions, and iterations. It outperforms the aforementioned methods not only in terms of efficiency but also in terms of accuracy. The simulation results confirm the suitability of the proposed BSO approach.
Investigation of Microseismic Monitoring of and Precursor Information on Roof Collapse
Authors: Chen Yin , Chen Zeng , Li Zijun , Wang Ping
Published: October 2023

Understanding the characteristics and evolution of crack propagation in rock masses is crucial for evaluating their stability. By applying clustering theory to analyze recorded microseismic events, we differentiate the development positions of individual cracks amidst multiple crack formations. Three distinct crack cluster distribution patterns are identified, allowing for the evaluation of regional stability through microseismic event density and ellipsoidal model parameters. The process of crack propagation involves independent development at nucleation positions, mutual influence between adjacent locations, and subsequent crack growth and propagation. Additionally, we examine crack evolution prior to roof collapse and establish a connectivity model between surface and goaf roof cracks. When microseismic events are identified as developing along a plane, it indicates a higher risk of damage in that area. Through the analysis of crack propagation location and angle, our study provides a theoretical foundation for predicting crack direction. Notably, our model’s findings align with onsite observations, demonstrating its practical effectiveness. The results of this research offer valuable insights for collapse prediction and early warning systems for mine roofs, contributing to advancements in mining safety and operations.
Evolutionary-Game-Theory-Based Epidemiological Model for Prediction of Infections with Application to Demand Forecasting in Pharmaceutical Inventory Management Problems
Authors: Nishihata Yu , Liu Ziang , Nishi Tatsushi
Published: October 2023

Pharmaceuticals play a critical role in the eradication of infectious diseases. Effective pharmaceutical inventory management is important for controlling epidemics since medical resources such as pharmaceuticals, medical staff, and hospitals are limited. In this study, a novel epidemiological model is proposed to evaluate the resource requirements for pharmaceuticals and is applied to analyze different pharmaceutical inventory management strategies. We formulate the relationship between the number of infected individuals and the risk of infection to account for virus mutation. Evolutionary game theory is integrated into an epidemiological model to represent human behavioral choices. The proposed model can be developed to forecast the demand for pharmaceuticals and analyze how human behavior affects the demand of pharmaceuticals. This study found that making people aware of the risk of disease has a positive impact on both reducing the number of infections and managing the pharmaceutical inventory. The main contribution of this study is to enhance areas of research in pharmaceutical inventory management. This study revealed that the correct recognition of the risk of disease leads to appropriate pharmaceutical management. There are a few studies on the application of infectious disease models to inventory control problems. This study provides clues toward proper pharmaceutical management.
Insulation Materials Susceptibility to Biological Degradation Agents: Molds and Subterranean Termites
Authors: Nunes Lina , Duarte Sónia , Parracha João L. , Jones Dennis , Paulmier Ivan , Kutnik Magdalena
Published: October 2023

Insulation materials are fundamental for decreasing energy losses and guaranteeing thermal and acoustic comfort in buildings, which may significantly contribute to decreasing the energy consumption related with poor thermal building conditions. These insulation materials should have a low susceptibility to biological degradation agents to decrease the risks of degradation of other construction materials, as well as decrease possible health risks related with the development of noxious biological degradation agents regarding indoor air quality, for example, or decrease possible structural risks posed by those agents. The present study aimed at evaluating the susceptibility of several insulation materials to mold growth and subterranean termites’ attack. Insulation materials, including expanded polystyrene (EPS), mineral wool (MW), and expanded cork agglomerate (ICB), were tested against mold development, using maritime pine as a control. Three types of inoculations were made: (1) natural indoor inoculation; (2) artificial inoculation using Aspergillus niger and Penicillium funiculosum; and (3) artificial inoculation using Aureobasidium pullulans. The susceptibility of the insulation materials referred to, plus wood/glass fiber (WGF), was evaluated for two subterranean termite species: Reticulitermes grassei and Reticulitermes flavipes. The expanded cork agglomerate showed a higher susceptibility to molds than the other insulation materials tested. The remaining materials revealed a good performance, showing no growth or traces of growth of molds. All the materials tested showed susceptibility to subterranean termites, with both species being able to cross them to obtain access to the wood. However, wood/glass fiber showed a negative effect, which translated into lower survival rates and attack degrees of the wood. Some tested materials showed a good resistance to the development of biological degradation agents, namely an organic material (coconut fiber), a composite of organic and inorganic materials (WGF), and an inorganic material (EPS). These results indicate that it is possible to pursue the development of innovative and effective insulation materials with a low susceptibility to biological degradation agents, regardless of their organic or inorganic origin.
The Clustering Coefficient for Graph Products
Authors: Aguilar-Alarcón Jhon J. , Hernández-Gómez Juan C. , Romero-Valencia Jesús
Published: October 2023

The clustering coefficient of a vertex v, of degree at least 2, in a graph Γ is obtained using the formula C(v)=2t(v)deg(v)(deg(v)−1), where t(v) denotes the number of triangles of the graph containing v as a vertex, and the clustering coefficient of Γ is defined as the average of the clustering coefficient of all vertices of Γ, that is, C(Γ)=1|V|∑v∈VC(v), where V is the vertex set of the graph. In this paper, we give explicit expressions for the clustering coefficient of corona and lexicographic products, as well as for the Cartesian sum; such expressions are given in terms of the order and size of factors, and the degree and number of triangles of vertices in each factor.
Higher-Order Benjamin–Ono Model for Ocean Internal Solitary Waves and Its Related Properties
Authors: Ren Yanwei , Dong Huanhe , Zhao Baojun , Fu Lei
Published: October 2023

In this study, the propagation of internal solitary waves in oceans at great depths was analyzed. Using multi-scale analysis and perturbation expansion, the basic equation is simplified to the classical Benjamin–Ono equation with variable coefficients. To better describe the propagation characteristics of solitary waves, we derived a higher-order variable-coefficient integral differential (Benjamin–Ono) equation. Subsequently, the bilinear form of the model was derived using Hirota’s bilinear method, and a multi-soliton solution was obtained. Based on the multi-soliton solution of the model, we further studied the interaction of the soliton, which led to the discovery of Mach reflection. Some conclusions were drawn, which are of potential value for further study of solitary waves in the ocean.
Gingival Fibroblasts Are Sensitive to Oral Cell Lysates Indicated by Their IL11 Expression
Authors: Panahipour Layla , Abbasabadi Azarakhsh Oladzad , Gruber Reinhard
Published: October 2023

Damaged cells that appear as a consequence of invasive dental procedures or in response to dental materials are supposed to release damage-associated signals. These damage-associated signals not only support tissue regeneration but might also contribute to unwanted fibrosis. The aim of this study was to identify a molecular target that reflects how fibroblasts respond to necrotic oral tissue cells. To simulate the cell damage, we prepared necrotic cell lysates by sonication of the osteocytic cell line IDG-SW3 and exposed them to gingival fibroblasts. RNAseq revealed a moderate increase in IL11 expression in the gingival fibroblasts, a pleiotropic cytokine involved in fibrosis and inflammation, and also in regeneration following trauma. Necrotic lysates of the human squamous carcinoma cell lines HSC2 and TR146, as well as of gingival fibroblasts, however, caused a robust increase in IL11 expression in the gingival fibroblasts. Consistently, immunoassay revealed significantly increased IL11 levels in the gingival fibroblasts when exposed to the respective lysates. Considering that IL11 is a TGF-β target gene, IL11 expression was partially blocked by SB431542, a TGF-β receptor type I kinase inhibitor. Moreover, lysates from the HSC2, TR146, and gingival fibroblasts caused a moderate smad2/3 nuclear translocation in the gingival fibroblasts. Taken together and based on IL11 expression, our findings show that fibroblasts are sensitive to damaged oral tissue cells.
Enhanced Enzymatic Sugar Recovery of Dilute-Acid-Pretreated Corn Stover by Sodium Carbonate Deacetylation
Authors: Fu Weng , Wu Shengbo , Wang Chun , Thangalazhy-Gopakumar Suchithra , Kothari Urvi , Shi Suan , Han Lujia
Published: October 2023

The prehydrolysate from dilute acid pretreatment of lignocellulosic feedstocks often contains inhibitory compounds that can seriously inhibit the subsequent enzymatic and fermentation processes. Acetic acid is one of the most representative toxic compounds. In this research, alkaline deacetylation of corn stover was carried out using sodium carbonate under mild conditions to selectively remove the acetyl groups of the biomass and reduce the toxicity of the prehydrolysate. The deacetylation process was optimized by adjusting factors such as temperature, treatment time, and sodium carbonate concentration. Sodium carbonate solutions (2~6 wt%) at 30~50 °C were used for the deacetylation step, followed by dilute acid pretreatment with 1.5% H2SO4 at 121 °C. Results showed that the acetyl content of the treated corn stover could be reduced up to 87%, while the hemicellulose loss remained low. The optimal deacetylation condition was found to be 40 °C, 6 h, and 4 wt% Na2CO3, resulting in a removal of 80.55% of the acetyl group in corn stover and a hemicellulose loss of 4.09%. The acetic acid concentration in the acid prehydrolysate decreased from 1.38 to 0.34 g/L. The enzymatic hydrolysis of solid corn stover and the whole slurry after pretreatment increased by 17% and 16%, respectively.
Novel Insights on the Role of Epigenetics in Androgen Receptor’s Expression in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Camilo Vânia , Pacheco Mariana Brütt , Moreira-Silva Filipa , Outeiro-Pinho Gonçalo , Gaspar Vítor M. , Mano João F. , Marques C. Joana , Henrique Rui , Jerónimo Carmen
Published: October 2023

The androgens/androgen receptor (AR) axis is the main therapeutic target in prostate cancer (PCa). However, while initially responsive, a subset of tumors loses AR expression through mechanisms putatively associated with epigenetic modifications. In this study, we assessed the link between the presence of CpG methylation in the 5′UTR and promoter regions of AR and loss of AR expression. Hence, we characterized and compared the methylation signature at CpG resolution of these regulatory regions in vitro, both at basal levels and following treatment with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (DAC) alone, or in combination with Trichostatin A (TSA). Our results showed heterogeneity in the methylation signature of AR negative cell lines and pinpointed the proximal promoter region as the most consistently methylated site in DU-145. Furthermore, this region was extremely resistant to the demethylating effects of DAC and was only significantly demethylated upon concomitant treatment with TSA. Nevertheless, no AR re-expression was detected at the mRNA or protein level. Importantly, after treatment, there was a significant increase in repressive histone marks at AR region 1 in DU-145 cells. Altogether, our data indicate that AR region 1 genomic availability is crucial for AR expression and that the inhibition of histone methyltransferases might hold promise for AR re-expression.
Association of Immune Semaphorins with COVID-19 Severity and Outcomes
Authors: Vargovic Martina , Papic Neven , Samadan Lara , Balen Topic Mirjana , Vince Adriana
Published: October 2023

Semaphorins have recently been recognized as crucial modulators of immune responses. In the pathogenesis of COVID-19, the activation of immune responses is the key factor in the development of severe disease. This study aimed to determine the association of serum semaphorin concentrations with COVID-19 severity and outcomes. Serum semaphorin concentrations (SEMA3A, -3C, -3F, -4D, -7A) were measured in 80 hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 (moderate (n = 24), severe (n = 32), critical, (n = 24)) and 40 healthy controls. While SEMA3C, SEMA3F and SEMA7A serum concentrations were significantly higher in patients with COVID-19, SEMA3A was significantly lower. Furthermore, SEMA3A and SEMA3C decreased with COVID-19 severity, while SEMA3F and SEMA7A increased. SEMA4D showed no correlation with disease severity. Serum semaphorin levels show better predictive values than CRP, IL-6 and LDH for differentiating critical from moderate/severe COVID-19. SEMA3F and SEMA7A serum concentrations were associated with the time to recovery, requirement of invasive mechanical ventilation, development of pulmonary thrombosis and nosocomial infections, as well as with in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that SEMA3A, SEMA3C, SEMA3F and SEMA7A can be considered as new biomarkers of COVID-19 severity.
SKAP2—A Molecule at the Crossroads for Integrin Signalling and Immune Cell Migration and Function
Authors: Wilmink Marijn , Spalinger Marianne Rebecca
Published: October 2023

Src-kinase associated protein 2 (SKAP2) is an intracellular scaffolding protein that is broadly expressed in immune cells and is involved in various downstream signalling pathways, including, but not limited to, integrin signalling. SKAP2 has a wide range of binding partners and fine-tunes the rearrangement of the cytoskeleton, thereby regulating cell migration and immune cell function. Mutations in SKAP2 have been associated with several inflammatory disorders such as Type 1 Diabetes and Crohn’s disease. Rodent studies showed that SKAP2 deficient immune cells have diminished pathogen clearance due to impaired ROS production and/or phagocytosis. However, there is currently no in-depth understanding of the functioning of SKAP2. Nevertheless, this review summarises the existing knowledge with a focus of its role in signalling cascades involved in cell migration, tissue infiltration and immune cell function.
Genome, Metabolism, or Immunity: Which Is the Primary Decider of Pancreatic Cancer Fate through Non-Apoptotic Cell Death?
Authors: Barar Erfaneh , Shi Jiaqi
Published: October 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a solid tumor characterized by poor prognosis and resistance to treatment. Resistance to apoptosis, a cell death process, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms, are some of the hallmarks of cancer. Exploring non-apoptotic cell death mechanisms provides an opportunity to overcome apoptosis resistance in PDAC. Several recent studies evaluated ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis as the non-apoptotic cell death processes in PDAC that play a crucial role in the prognosis and treatment of this disease. Ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis play a crucial role in PDAC development via several signaling pathways, gene expression, and immunity regulation. This review summarizes the current understanding of how ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis interact with signaling pathways, the genome, the immune system, the metabolism, and other factors in the prognosis and treatment of PDAC.
Overlapping Neuroimmune Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: De Marchi Fabiola , Munitic Ivana , Vidatic Lea , Papić Eliša , Rački Valentino , Nimac Jerneja , Jurak Igor , Novotni Gabriela , Rogelj Boris , Vuletic Vladimira , Liscic Rajka , Cannon Jason , Buratti Emanuele , Mazzini Letizia , Hecimovic Silva
Published: October 2023

Many potential immune therapeutic targets are similarly affected in adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s (AD) disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), as well as in a seemingly distinct Niemann–Pick type C disease with primarily juvenile onset. This strongly argues for an overlap in pathogenic mechanisms. The commonly researched immune targets include various immune cell subsets, such as microglia, peripheral macrophages, and regulatory T cells (Tregs); the complement system; and other soluble factors. In this review, we compare these neurodegenerative diseases from a clinical point of view and highlight common pathways and mechanisms of protein aggregation, neurodegeneration, and/or neuroinflammation that could potentially lead to shared treatment strategies for overlapping immune dysfunctions in these diseases. These approaches include but are not limited to immunisation, complement cascade blockade, microbiome regulation, inhibition of signal transduction, Treg boosting, and stem cell transplantation.
Percentile-Based Adaptive Immune Plasma Algorithm and Its Application to Engineering Optimization
Authors: Aslan Selcuk , Demirci Sercan , Oktay Tugrul , Yesilbas Erdal
Published: October 2023

The immune plasma algorithm (IP algorithm or IPA) is one of the most recent meta-heuristic techniques and models the fundamental steps of immune or convalescent plasma treatment, attracting researchers’ attention once more with the COVID-19 pandemic. The IP algorithm determines the number of donors and the number of receivers when two specific control parameters are initialized and protects their values until the end of termination. However, determining which values are appropriate for the control parameters by adjusting the number of donors and receivers and guessing how they interact with each other are difficult tasks. In this study, we attempted to determine the number of plasma donors and receivers with an improved mechanism that depended on dividing the whole population into two sub-populations using a statistical measure known as the percentile and then a novel variant of the IPA called the percentile IPA (pIPA) was introduced. To investigate the performance of the pIPA, 22 numerical benchmark problems were solved by assigning different values to the control parameters of the algorithm. Moreover, two complex engineering problems, one of which required the filtering of noise from the recorded signal and the other the path planning of an unmanned aerial vehicle, were solved by the pIPA. Experimental studies showed that the percentile-based donor–receiver selection mechanism significantly contributed to the solving capabilities of the pIPA and helped it outperform well-known and state-of-art meta-heuristic algorithms.
Relationship between Problematic Smartphone Use, Sleep Quality and Bedtime Procrastination: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Correa-Iriarte Santiago , Hidalgo-Fuentes Sergio , Martí-Vilar Manuel
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this investigation was to study the relationship between sleep quality, problematic smartphone use (PSU) and bedtime procrastination, as well as to assess gender and age differences. A total of 313 participants, aged 18–60 (M = 30 ± 10.1; 53.2% males), completed an online survey between February and May 2023 in Spain. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version and Bedtime Procrastination Scale were used to measure sleep quality, PSU and bedtime procrastination, respectively. Additionally, smartphone use habits were evaluated through self-report questions. Pearson correlations, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni’s post hoc tests and mediation analysis were conducted. Correlation analysis showed positive associations between the three main variables. Independent sample t-tests indicated females were more prone to PSU along with higher overall smartphone use. Post hoc analysis of one-way ANOVA exposed age differences between young adults (18–25 years old), adults (26–44 years old) and middle-aged adults (45–60 years old) in PSU and bedtime procrastination. Finally, mediation analysis revealed that PSU had indirect effects on sleep quality through bedtime procrastination, but no direct effects on sleep quality. Therefore, PSU, and especially bedtime procrastination, should be considered as targets in future campaigns or intervention programs to improve sleep quality among the young Spanish population.
Lived Experiences of Everyday Memory in Adults with Dyslexia: A Thematic Analysis
Authors: Smith-Spark James Hugo , Lewis Elisa G.
Published: October 2023

Dyslexia-related difficulties with memory are well documented under laboratory conditions and via self-report questionnaires. However, the voice of the individual with dyslexia regarding the lived experience of memory across different memory systems and different daily settings is currently lacking. To address this gap in the literature, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 adult female university students with dyslexia. Questions probed different memory systems and experiences across different settings, with interviewees also being asked about their use of technology to support their memory. Two overarching themes were identified in the subsequent thematic analysis. The theme of fallibility of memory had two sub-themes of (i) a lack of trust and confidence in memory and (ii) factors contributing to memory failure. The second theme, facilitators of memory, also consisted of two sub-themes, relating to (i) a preference for traditional tools to support memory and (ii) the use of digital tools to support memory: benefits and limitations. The current study gives insights into the rich and complex extended and distributed cognitive systems of adults with dyslexia. The implications of the findings for dyslexia theory, support in educational and work settings as well as assistive technology development are considered.
Physical Activity among Elderly Teachers Working in Basic Education Schools
Authors: Souza e Silva Nayra Suze , Leão Luana Lemos , Barbosa Rose Elizabeth Cabral , Silva Rosângela Ramos Veloso , Almeida de Magalhães Tatiana , Sampaio Cristina Andrade , Rossi-Barbosa Luiza Augusta Rosa , Mesquita de Medeiros Adriane , Haikal Desirée Sant’Ana
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to assess the levels of physical activity (PA) among elderly teachers. It was an epidemiological, cross-sectional, and analytical web survey conducted with teachers working in public basic education schools. Data collection took place between October and December 2021 through an online form. The dependent variable was physical activity practice, classifying teachers as either physically active or inactive. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple analyses were performed using Poisson Regression with robust variance. A total of 1907 teachers participated in the study, of whom 5.6% were elderly, ranging in age from 60 to 72 years. Regarding PA practice, elderly teachers were found to be more physically inactive compared with adult teachers (PR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.04; 1.34). Conclusion: A statistically significant difference in PA practice was observed between adult and elderly teachers, indicating that elderly teachers are more physically inactive.
The Effects of Corrugated Steel Fiber on the Properties of Ultra-High Performance Concrete of Different Strength Levels
Authors: Soloviev Vadim , Matiushin Evgenii
Published: October 2023

This article describes the influence of corrugated steel fiber on the mechanical properties and fracture energy of Ultra-High Performance Concretes (UHPC) of various strength levels. Three UHPC formulations with compressive strengths of 143, 152, and 177 MPa were tested. The following parameters for the formulations without fiber and those containing 2% steel fiber by volume were determined: compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio and critical stress intensity factor. From the axial tensile test results, the following parameters were obtained: the cracking stress, tensile strength, and fracture energy of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) of different strength levels. With the introduction of steel fiber, an increase in all the investigated parameters is observed regardless of the strength of the concrete matrix. The most remarkable influence the fiber has on the splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and critical stress intensity coefficient, the increase is up to 1.6–3.2 times. There was a slight increase in compressive strength and elastic modulus—up to 5.0–7.4% depending on the composition. Poisson’s ratio was equal to 0.2 regardless of the strength of the concrete matrix and the presence of steel fiber. Based on the test results, equations were proposed to predict the properties of UHPC and UHPFRC depending on the water–cement ratio, silica fume content, cement compressive strength and the volumetric content of corrugated steel fiber. The calculated and experimental values showed good convergence with a correlation coefficient in the range of 0.885–0.997.
Influence of Carbon Nanofiber Content on the Fracture Mechanical Properties of Cement-Based Materials: Insights from Three-Point Bending and Nanoindentation Tests
Authors: Wang Jinyan , Li Ziqi , Sun Yuzhou , Du Yazhi
Published: October 2023

Incorporating intelligent materials in concrete allows for self-sensing capabilities by reflecting the concrete’s strain and tensile status through the electrical properties. In order to enhance the self-diagnostic abilities of intelligent concrete, we conducted research on how intelligent materials affect the fracture mechanics of concrete. This study examines the fracture mechanical properties of the carbon nanofiber cement mortar and paste based on three-point bending and nanoindentation tests. The results showed that the carbon nanofiber content has negligible influence on the crack initiation toughness of the specimens. However, the instability toughness exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease as the carbon nanofiber content increased. At a fiber content of 0.2%, the crack initiation toughness improved maximally by 13.1% compared to the control group. At a fiber content of 0.5%, both the ductility index and fracture energy increased with the nanofiber content, improving by 84% and 66.3%, respectively. The incorporation of carbon nanofibers did not alter the composition of cement paste hydration products; the fracture toughness of each hydration product varies from 0.14 to 0.59 MPa·m1/2. However, the fracture toughness of individual hydration products and un-hydrated particles is higher than the macroscopic three-point bending fracture toughness values of the specimens.
Virtual Surgical Planning and Three-Dimensional Models for Precision Sinonasal and Skull Base Surgery
Authors: Fitzgerald Conall W. , Hararah Mohammad , Mclean Tim , Woods Robbie , Dogan Snjezana , Tabar Viviane , Ganly Ian , Matros Evan , Cohen Marc A.
Published: October 2023

Sinonasal and skull base malignancies represent a rare, heterogenous group of pathologies with an incidence of 0.556 per 100,000 persons in the population. Given the numerous critical anatomic structures located adjacent to the sinonasal cavity and skull base, surgery for tumors in this region requires careful pre-operative planning with the assistance of radiological imaging and intraoperative image guidance technologies to reduce the risk of complications. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and three-dimensional models (3DMs) are adjunctive technologies which assist clinicians to better visualize patient anatomy using enhanced digital radiological images and physical stereolithographic models based on patients’ personal imaging. This review summarizes our institutional experience with VSP and 3DMs in sinonasal and skull base surgical oncology. A clinical case series is used to thematically illustrate the application of VSP and 3DMs in surgical ablation, reconstruction, patient communication, medical education, and interdisciplinary teamwork in sinonasal and skull base surgery.
Optimization of ZnO Nanoparticles’ Synthesis via Precipitation Method Applying Taguchi Robust Design
Authors: Gatou Maria-Anna , Kontoliou Katerina , Volla Eleni , Karachalios Konstantinos , Raptopoulos Grigorios , Paraskevopoulou Patrina , Lagopati Nefeli , Pavlatou Evangelia A.
Published: October 2023

Zinc oxide (ZnO) possesses exceptional potential to be utilized in water and wastewater treatment applications, either as a photocatalyst or in membrane incorporation. In the present study, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using the precipitation method. The Taguchi approach with the L32b orthogonal array was utilized in order to optimize the experimental conditions for the synthesis of the nanoparticles and to ensure that relatively smaller-sized particles were obtained. The design was characterized by ten factors, where nine of them possessed four levels, while one had two levels. This study’s design factors were the type of Zn precursor, the concentration of the Zn precursor, the type of precipitating agent, the precipitation agent’s concentration, the type of utilized solvent, the pH value of the solvent, the temperature used during the synthetic procedure, the calcination temperature, the time of stirring during synthesis, as well as the stirring speed. The influences of those factors on the selected response parameters (the average crystallite size, degree of crystallinity, energy band gap (Eg), and photodegradation constant (k)) were then evaluated. XRD analysis and the calculated Eg values indicated that the hexagonal wurtzite structure was the only crystalline phase present in the produced samples. The photocatalytic efficiency of all ZnO nanoparticles was examined in the degradation of rhodamine B under UV light irradiation. The optimal conditions were achieved using zinc acetate dihydrate as the Zn precursor at a concentration equal to 0.3 M, sodium hydroxide as the precipitating agent (1.5 M), methanol as the solvent (the pH value of the solvent was equal to 13), a temperature during the synthetic procedure of 70 °C, 600 °C as calcination temperature, a 90 min stirring time, and 700 rpm as the stirring speed. The optimized ZnO sample was synthesized based on the aforementioned conditions and thoroughly characterized. The acquired results confirmed the prediction of the Taguchi approach, and the most enhanced k-value was observed.
Liposome-Mediated Delivery Improves the Efficacy of Lisosan G against Retinopathy in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Amato Rosario , Melecchi Alberto , Pucci Laura , Canovai Alessio , Marracci Silvia , Cammalleri Maurizio , Dal Monte Massimo , Caddeo Carla , Casini Giovanni
Published: October 2023

Nutraceuticals are natural substances whose anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may be used to treat retinal pathologies. Their efficacy is limited by poor bioavailability, which could be improved using nanocarriers. Lisosan G (LG), a fermented powder from whole grains, protects the retina from diabetic retinopathy (DR)-induced damage. For this study, we tested whether the encapsulation of LG in liposomes (LipoLG) may increase its protective effects. Diabetes was induced in mice via streptozotocin administration, and the mice were allowed to freely drink water or a water dispersion of two different doses of LG or of LipoLG. Electroretinographic recordings after 6 weeks showed that only the highest dose of LG could partially protect the retina from diabetes-induced functional deficits, while both doses of LipoLG were effective. An evaluation of molecular markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, vascular endothelial growth factor, and the blood–retinal barrier confirmed that the highest dose of LG only partially protected the retina from DR-induced changes, while virtually complete prevention was obtained with either dose of LipoLG. These data indicate that the efficacy of LG in contrasting DR is greatly enhanced by its encapsulation in liposomes and may lay the ground for new dietary supplements with improved therapeutic effects against DR.
Thirty Years with ERH: An mRNA Splicing and Mitosis Factor Only or Rather a Novel Genome Integrity Protector?
Authors: Kozlowski Piotr
Published: October 2023

ERH is a 100 to about 110 aa nuclear protein with unique primary and three-dimensional structures that are very conserved from simple eukaryotes to humans, albeit some species have lost its gene, with most higher fungi being a noteworthy example. Initially, studies on Drosophila melanogaster implied its function in pyrimidine metabolism. Subsequently, research on Xenopus laevis suggested that it acts as a transcriptional repressor. Finally, studies in humans pointed to a role in pre-mRNA splicing and in mitosis but further research, also in Caenorhabditis elegans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, demonstrated its much broader activity, namely involvement in the biogenesis of mRNA, and miRNA, piRNA and some other ncRNAs, and in repressive heterochromatin formation. ERH interacts with numerous, mostly taxon-specific proteins, like Mmi1 and Mei2 in S. pombe, PID-3/PICS-1, TOST-1 and PID-1 in C. elegans, and DGCR8, CIZ1, PDIP46/SKAR and SAFB1/2 in humans. There are, however, some common themes in this wide range of processes and partners, such as: (a) ERH homodimerizes to form a scaffold for several complexes involved in the metabolism of nucleic acids, (b) all these RNAs are RNA polymerase II transcripts, (c) pre-mRNAs, whose splicing depends on ERH, are enriched in transcripts of DNA damage response and DNA metabolism genes, and (d) heterochromatin is formed to silence unwanted transcription, e.g., from repetitive elements. Thus, it seems that ERH has been adopted for various pathways that serve to maintain genome integrity.
Role of Glucocorticoids and Glucocorticoid Receptors in Glaucoma Pathogenesis
Authors: Patel Pinkal D. , Kodati Bindu , Clark Abbot F.
Published: October 2023

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), including both alternative spliced isoforms (GRα and GRβ), has been implicated in the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and iatrogenic glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma (GIG). POAG is the most common form of glaucoma, which is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss and blindness in the world. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are commonly used therapeutically for ocular and numerous other diseases/conditions. One serious side effect of prolonged GC therapy is the development of iatrogenic secondary ocular hypertension (OHT) and OAG (i.e., GC-induced glaucoma (GIG)) that clinically and pathologically mimics POAG. GC-induced OHT is caused by pathogenic damage to the trabecular meshwork (TM), a tissue involved in regulating aqueous humor outflow and intraocular pressure. TM cells derived from POAG eyes (GTM cells) have a lower expression of GRβ, a dominant negative regulator of GC activity, compared to TM cells from age-matched control eyes. Therefore, GTM cells have a greater pathogenic response to GCs. Almost all POAG patients develop GC-OHT when treated with GCs, in contrast to a GC responder rate of 40% in the normal population. An increased expression of GRβ can block GC-induced pathogenic changes in TM cells and reverse GC-OHT in mice. The endogenous expression of GRβ in the TM may relate to differences in the development of GC-OHT in the normal population. A number of studies have suggested increased levels of endogenous cortisol in POAG patients as well as differences in cortisol metabolism, suggesting that GCs may be involved in the development of POAG. Additional studies are warranted to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in POAG and GIG in order to develop new disease-modifying therapies to better treat these two sight threatening forms of glaucoma. The purpose of this timely review is to highlight the pathological and clinical features of GC-OHT and GIG, mechanisms responsible for GC responsiveness, potential therapeutic options, as well as to compare the similar features of GIG with POAG.
The Effects of Chlorine Doping on the Mechanical Properties of Bi2O2Se
Authors: Li Buda , Qi Hangbo , Li Menglu , Zu Xiaotao , Qiao Liang , Xiao Haiyan
Published: October 2023

In this work, first-principle calculations based on density functional theory are employed to investigate how chlorine doping influences the elastic moduli, ductility, and lattice thermal conductivity of Bi2O2Se, aiming to explore an effective method to improve its mechanical properties for its applications under thermal stress. Our findings reveal that chlorine(Cl) doping significantly affects the electronic structure and mechanical properties of Bi2O2Se. The electrons are distributed on the Fermi level, and the Cl-doped Bi2O2Se exhibits metal-like properties. In addition, Cl doping enhances the ductility and toughness of Bi2O2Se and reduces its lattice thermal conductivity. These results suggest that Cl doping is an effective approach for tuning the mechanical properties of Bi2O2Se.
One Pot Synthesis, Surface, and Magnetic Properties of Ni–NiO@C Nanocomposites
Authors: Al-Senani Ghadah M. , Al-Fawzan Foziah F. , Alshabanat Mashael , Abd-Elkader Omar H. , Nasrallah Mai , Nasrallah Mohamed
Published: October 2023

An entirely novel and creative technique was employed for producing magnetic Ni–NiO@C nanocomposites, and it was based on the utilization different amounts of finely ground and fully dried olive leaf powders. The resulting nanocomposites were identified and characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS, TEM, and Raman techniques. The magnetic and surface characteristics of the composites, as it developed, were further evaluated using the Vibrating-Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. The results confirmed the success of preparing a Ni–NiO@C nanocomposites, each containing Ni and NiO in crystalline form. Through the morphology of the resulting composites, determined on the basis of an SEM analysis, it became clear to us that the particles were of a semi-spherical shape, with a clear grouping and a definition of their grain boundaries. Comparably, a TEM investigation demonstrated that the composites had a core–shell structure. The surface area of the investigated composites increases as the content of dried olive leaf powders increases due to a significant increase in the total pore volume. These composites illustrated low magnetism (4.874 and 8.648 emu/g) and coercivity (55.203 and 39.639 Oe) for a number of reasons, which will be explained.
Petroclival Clinoidal Folds and Arachnoidal Membranes of the Anteromedial Incisural Space: Clinical Anatomy for Neuro Critical Care
Authors: Pescatori Lorenzo , Taurone Samanta , Ciccarelli Antonello , Palmieri Mauro , Serraino Alessandra , Artico Marco , Fornai Francesco , Longhitano Yaroslava , Zanza Christian , Tesauro Manfredi , Savioli Gabriele , Miglietta Selenia , Ciappetta Pasqualino
Published: October 2023

A systematic and narrative literature review was performed, focusing attention on the anatomy of the area located at the junction of the sphenoid and the basal portion of the temporal bone (petrous bone, petrous apex, upper petro-clival region) encircled by the free edge of the tentorium, the insertion of the tentorium itself to the petrous apex and the anterior and posterior clinoid processes that give rise to three distinct dural folds or ligaments: the anterior petroclinoid ligament, the posterior petroclinoid ligament and the interclinoid ligament. These dural folds constitute the posterior portion of the roof of the cavernous sinus denominated “the oculomotor triangle”. The main purpose of this review study was to describe this anatomical region, particularly in the light of the relationships between the anterior margin of the free edge of the tentorium and the above-mentioned components of the sphenoid and petrous bone.
Intelligent Framework for Early Detection of Severe Pediatric Diseases from Mild Symptoms
Authors: Shearah Zelal , Ullah Zahid , Fakieh Bahjat
Published: October 2023

Children’s health is one of the most significant fields in medicine. Most diseases that result in children’s death or long-term morbidity are caused by preventable and treatable etiologies, and they appear in the child at the early stages as mild symptoms. This research aims to develop a machine learning (ML) framework to detect the severity of disease in children. The proposed framework helps in discriminating children’s urgent/severe conditions and notifying parents whether a child needs to visit the emergency room immediately or not. The model considers several variables to detect the severity of cases, which are the symptoms, risk factors (e.g., age), and the child’s medical history. The framework is implemented by using nine ML methods. The results achieved show the high performance of the proposed framework in identifying serious pediatric diseases, where decision tree and random forest outperformed the other methods with an accuracy rate of 94%. This shows the reliability of the proposed framework to be used as a pediatric decision-making system for detecting serious pediatric illnesses. The results are promising when compared to recent state-of-the-art studies. The main contribution of this research is to propose a framework that is viable for use by parents when their child suffers from any commonly developed symptoms.
Mean Platelet Volume in a Series of 315 Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Relationship with Disease Characteristics, including Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Comorbidity
Authors: González-Sierra Marta , Romo-Cordero Alejandro , Quevedo-Abeledo Juan Carlos , Quevedo-Rodríguez Adrián , Gómez-Bernal Fuensanta , de Vera-González Antonia , López-Mejías Raquel , Martín-González Candelaria , González-Gay Miguel Ángel , Ferraz-Amaro Iván
Published: October 2023

Mean platelet volume (MPV) refers to the average platelet size in femtoliters. Increased or decreased MPV has been associated with several disorders, including inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, our objective was to analyze the relationship of MPV with disease activity in a large and well-characterized series of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is a cross-sectional study that included 315 patients with RA and 208 controls matched by sex and age. Complete blood count, including MPV, was assessed. Multivariable analysis was performed to examine the relationship of MPV with RA disease characteristics, carotid atherosclerosis, and traditional cardiovascular factors, including a comprehensive profile of lipid molecules and insulin resistance or beta cell function indices. The multivariable analysis, which includes other hematological modifications produced by the disease and platelet values, showed that MPV levels were significantly lower in RA patients than in controls. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and interleukin-6, but not C-reactive protein, were negatively correlated with MPV after adjustment for covariates. Similarly, disease activity and MPV had a significant and independent negative correlation. No relationships were found between MPV and cardiovascular risk factors, lipid profile or insulin resistance indices or subclinical atherosclerosis. In conclusion, patients with RA have lower levels of MPV than controls. MPV is negatively related to acute phase reactants and disease activity in RA.
Deep Learning-Based Approaches for Enhanced Diagnosis and Comprehensive Understanding of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Elseddik Marwa , Alnowaiser Khaled , Mostafa Reham R. , Elashry Ahmed , El-Rashidy Nora , Elgamal Shimaa , Aboelfetouh Ahmed , El-Bakry Hazem
Published: October 2023

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent medical condition resulting from compression of the median nerve in the hand, often caused by overuse or age-related factors. In this study, a total of 160 patients participated, including 80 individuals with CTS presenting varying levels of severity across different age groups. Numerous studies have explored the use of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques for CTS diagnosis. However, further research is required to fully leverage the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in CTS diagnosis, addressing the challenges and limitations highlighted in the existing literature. In our work, we propose a novel approach for CTS diagnosis, prediction, and monitoring disease progression. The proposed framework consists of three main layers. Firstly, we employ three distinct DL models for CTS diagnosis. Through our experiments, the proposed approach demonstrates superior performance across multiple evaluation metrics, with an accuracy of 0.969%, precision of 0.982%, and recall of 0.963%. The second layer focuses on predicting the cross-sectional area (CSA) at 1, 3, and 6 months using ML models, aiming to forecast disease progression during therapy. The best-performing model achieves an accuracy of 0.9522, an R2 score of 0.667, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.0132, and a median squared error (MdSE) of 0.0639. The highest predictive performance is observed after 6 months. The third layer concentrates on assessing significant changes in the patients’ health status through statistical tests, including significance tests, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and a two-way ANOVA test. These tests aim to determine the effect of injections on CTS treatment. The results reveal a highly significant reduction in symptoms, as evidenced by scores from the Symptom Severity Scale and Functional Status Scale, as well as a decrease in CSA after 1, 3, and 6 months following the injection. SHAP is then utilized to provide an understandable explanation of the final prediction. Overall, our study presents a comprehensive approach for CTS diagnosis, prediction, and monitoring, showcasing promising results in terms of accuracy, precision, and recall for CTS diagnosis, as well as effective prediction of disease progression and evaluation of treatment effectiveness through statistical analysis.