bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial HMG-CoA Synthase Deficiency in Vietnamese Patients
Authors: Nguyen Khanh Ngoc , Dien Tran Minh , Can Thi Bich Ngoc , Thao Bui Phuong , Do Tien Son , Dang Thi Kim Giang , Nguyen Ngoc Lan , Tran Van Khanh , Nguyen Thuy Thu , Trang Tran Thi Quynh , Phuong Le Thi , Nguyen Phan Long , Tran Thinh Huy , Tu Nguyen Huu , Vu Chi Dung
Published: February 2025

Mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase deficiency (HMGCS2D) is a rare metabolic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to produce ketone bodies and regulate energy metabolism. Diagnosing HMGCS2D is challenging because patients typically remain asymptomatic unless they experience fasting or illness. Due to the absence of reliable biochemical markers, genetic testing has become the definitive method for diagnosing HMGCS2D. This study included 19 patients from 14 unrelated families diagnosed with HMGCS2D in our department between October 2018 and October 2024. The clinical presentations, biochemical findings, molecular characteristics, and management strategies were systematically summarized and analyzed. Of the 19 cases studied, 16 were symptomatic, and 3 were asymptomatic. The onset of the first acute episode occurred between 10 days and 28 months of age. Triggers for the initial crisis in the symptomatic cases included poor feeding (93.8%), vomiting (56.3%), diarrhea (25.0%), and fever (18.8%). Clinical manifestations during the first episode were lethargy/coma (81.3%), rapid breathing (68.8%), hepatomegaly (56.3%), shock (37.5%), and seizures (18.8%). The biochemical abnormalities observed included elevated plasma transaminases (100%), metabolic acidosis (75%), hypoglycemia (56.3%), and elevated plasma ammonia levels (31.3%). Additionally, low free carnitine levels were found in seven cases, elevated C2 levels were found in one case, dicarboxylic aciduria was found in two cases, and ketonuria was found in two cases. Abnormal brain MRI findings were detected in three patients. Genetic analysis revealed seven HMGCS2 gene variants across the 19 cases. Notably, a novel variant, c.407A>T (p.D136V), was identified and has not been reported in any existing databases. Two common variants, c.559+1G>A and c.1090T>A (p.F364I), were present in 11 out of 19 cases (57.9%) and 10 out of 19 cases (55.5%), respectively. The implementation of a high glucose infusion and proactive management strategies—such as preventing prolonged fasting and providing enteral carbohydrate/glucose infusion during illness—effectively reduced the rate of acute relapses following accurate diagnosis. Currently, all 19 patients are alive, with ages ranging from 5 months to 14 years, and exhibit normal physical development. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first reported cases of HMGCS2D in Vietnamese patients. Our findings contribute to a broader understanding of the clinical phenotype and expand the known spectrum of HMGCS2 gene variants, enhancing current knowledge of this rare metabolic disorder.
Intermetallic Compound and Solid Solutions of Co75Me25 (Me: Si, Fe, Cr) as Catalysts for the Electrochemical Reaction of Nitrate Conversion to Ammonia
Authors: Kuznetsova Irina , Kultin Dmitry , Lebedeva Olga , Nesterenko Sergey , Murashova Elena , Kustov Leonid
Published: February 2025

A sustainable reaction of electrocatalytic nitrate conversion in ammonia production (NO3RR) occurring under ambient conditions is currently of prime interest, as well as urgent research due to the real potential replacement of the environmentally unfavorable Haber–Bosch process. Herein, a series of electrocatalysts based on two-component cobalt alloys was synthesized using low-cost non-noble metals Co, Fe, Cr, and also Si. The samples of electrocatalysts were characterized and studied by the following methods: SEM, EDX, XRD (both transmission and reflection), UV–VIS spectroscopy, optical microscopy, linear (and cyclic) voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Beyond that, the determination of electrochemically active surface area was also carried out for all samples of electrocatalysts. Unexpectedly, the sample having an intermetallic compound (IMC) of the composition Co2Si turned out to be the most highly effective. The highest Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 80.8% at E = −0.585 V (RHE) and an ammonia yield rate of 22.3 µmol h−1 cm−2 at E = −0.685 V (RHE) indicate the progressive role of IMC as the main active component of the electrocatalyst. Thus, this study demonstrates the promise and enormous potential of IMC as the main component of highly efficient electrocatalysts for NO3RR. This work can serve primarily as a starting point for future studies of electrocatalytic conversion reactions in the production of ammonia using IMC catalysts containing non-noble metals.
Focus on Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Target: Drugs Approved or Designed to Treat Obesity
Authors: Zhang Jiahua , Wei Jintao , Lai Weiwen , Sun Jiawei , Bai Yan , Cao Hua , Guo Jiao , Su Zhengquan
Published: February 2025

Obesity is closely related to metabolic diseases, which brings a heavy burden to the health care system. It is urgent to formulate and implement effective treatment strategies. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a protein with seven transmembrane domains connected by type B and G proteins, which is widely distributed and expressed in many organs and tissues. GLP-1 analogues can reduce weight, lower blood pressure, and improve blood lipids. Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other diseases have caused scientists’ research and development boom. Among them, GLP-1R agonist drugs have developed rapidly in weight-loss drugs. In this paper, based on the target of GLP-1, the mechanism of action of GLP-1 in obesity treatment was deeply studied, and the drugs approved and designed for obesity treatment based on GLP-1 target were elaborated in detail. Innovatively put forward and summarized the double and triple GLP-1 targeted drugs in the treatment of obesity with better effects and less toxic and side effects, and this can make full use of multi-target methods to treat other diseases in the future. Finally, it is pointed out that intestinal flora and microorganisms have many benefits in the treatment of obesity, and fecal bacteria transplantation may be a potential treatment for obesity with less harm to the body. This article provides some promising methods to treat obesity, which have strong practical value.
G-TS-HRNN: Gaussian Takagi–Sugeno Hopfield Recurrent Neural Network
Authors: Bahou Omar , Roudani Mohammed , El Moutaouakil Karim
Published: February 2025

The Hopfield Recurrent Neural Network (HRNN) is a single-point descent metaheuristic that uses a single potential solution to explore the search space of optimization problems, whose constraints and objective function are aggregated into a typical energy function. The initial point is usually randomly initialized, then moved by applying operators, characterizing the discrete dynamics of the HRNN, which modify its position or direction. Like all single-point metaheuristics, HRNN has certain drawbacks, such as being more likely to get stuck in local optima or miss global optima due to the use of a single point to explore the search space. Moreover, it is more sensitive to the initial point and operator, which can influence the quality and diversity of solutions. Moreover, it can have difficulty with dynamic or noisy environments, as it can lose track of the optimal region or be misled by random fluctuations. To overcome these shortcomings, this paper introduces a population-based fuzzy version of the HRNN, namely Gaussian Takagi–Sugeno Hopfield Recurrent Neural Network (G-TS-HRNN). For each neuron, the G-TS-HRNN associates an input fuzzy variable of d values, described by an appropriate Gaussian membership function that covers the universe of discourse. To build an instance of G-TS-HRNN(s) of size s, we generate s n-uplets of fuzzy values that present the premise of the Takagi–Sugeno system. The consequents are the differential equations governing the dynamics of the HRNN obtained by replacing each premise fuzzy value with the mean of different Gaussians. The steady points of all the rule premises are aggregated using the fuzzy center of gravity equation, considering the level of activity of each rule. G-TS-HRNN is used to solve the random optimization method based on the support vector model. Compared with HRNN, G-TS-HRNN performs better on well-known data sets.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Odorant-Binding Protein Genes in the Bean Flower Thrips Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: Xia Gen , Yang Lang , Li Boliao , Wang Qinli , Huang Lifei , Tian Xiaoli , Zhang Guohui
Published: February 2025

Megalurothrips usitatus is an economically important vegetable pest. Because of the growing demand for reducing pesticide use on vegetables, new environmentally friendly strategies for controlling M. usitatus are urgently needed. Insect odorant-binding proteins are prospective targets for screening environmentally friendly odorant attractants for pest control. However, very little is known about OBP genes in M. usitatus. Here, we identified 14 OBPs in the M. usitatus genome using HMMER and BLAST. The chromosomal location showed that these OBPs were widely distributed across eight chromosomes. The analysis of the gene and protein structure characteristics of OBPs in M. usitatus revealed substantial diversity within the OBP gene family. The spatiotemporal expression profiles showed that ten out of 14 MusiOBPs displayed male biased expression, which were highly expressed in antennae, suggesting that they may play a crucial role in the recognition of host plant volatiles and thrips aggregation pheromones. Notably, only MusiOBP8 was significantly higher expressed in female adults, indicating a potential involvement in reproduction. Moreover, MusiOBP7 and MusiOBP13 were highly expressed in the pupae, indicating their possible role in immune responses. These results provide an important foundation for further exploration of the functions of the OBPs in M. usitatus.
Patient with Vulnerable Coronary Plaque and Treatment with Evolocumab: A Clinical Case
Authors: Addeo Lucio , Guarini Pasquale , Campana Pasquale , Argenziano Luigi , Nardi Stefano , Tedeschi Carlo , Scatteia Alessandra , Silvestre Mattia , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Esposito Giovanni , Giordano Salvatore , Dalla Vecchia Laura Adelaide , Donatelli Francesco
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Vulnerable coronary plaques are strongly associated with acute coronary events, posing significant therapeutic challenges despite statin therapy. This case report evaluates the impact of Evolocumab, a PCSK-9 inhibitor, on stabilizing high-risk plaques and promoting phenotypic transformation, assessed through coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Methods: A 50-year-old male with chronic coronary syndrome and a history of myocardial infarction underwent a CCTA, revealing a high-risk plaque (approximately 50%) in the proximal LAD. Despite achieving LDL-C targets with statin therapy, the plaque showed vulnerability features. Evolocumab (140 mg subcutaneously every two weeks) was added to therapy, combined with dietary counseling and dual antiplatelet therapy. Results: A follow-up CCTA at 24 months demonstrated significant reductions in plaque volume and positive remodeling, with a transformation from a mixed phenotype to a predominantly calcified plaque. LDL-C levels decreased from 71 mg/dL to 18 mg/dL. The patient remained asymptomatic, with no cardiovascular events reported during the follow-up. Conclusions: This case highlights the role of PCSK-9 inhibitors in stabilizing high-risk plaques, achieving structural changes that promote stability beyond LDL-C reduction. Advanced imaging techniques such as CCTA proved essential for risk stratification and monitoring therapy efficacy. Evolocumab offers a promising adjunctive treatment for high-risk patients unsuitable for elective revascularization, potentially redefining the standard of care for plaque stabilization in this setting.
Arterial Complications in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation After Previous TACE Treatment
Authors: Weiße Sebastian , Mostafa Karim , Andersson Julian , Gundlach Jan-Paul , Becker Thomas , Schäfer Jost Philipp , Braun Felix
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Curative treatment of HCC can be achieved by liver transplantation. In the framework of transplantation, add-on transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) can be performed as bridging therapy for local tumor control. The association between TACE and an increased incidence of hepatic arterial complications after transplantation has been investigated in multiple research items; however, the exact association remains unclear. The aim of this report was to explore the role of pre-transplantation TACE and pre-existing vascular celiac pathologies on the occurrence of postoperative hepatic arterial complications. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included all patients who underwent liver transplantation between 2008 and 2020. Arterial complication was defined as any postoperative occlusion, stenosis >50%, dissection or aneurysm on cross-sectional imaging. Results: This study encompasses 109 patients after transplantation, of which 80 underwent TACE prior to transplantation. The overall incidence of postoperative arterial complications did not differ between the groups (TACE 8/80 vs. control 6/29, p = 0.19). Further analysis showed no significant differences in the occurrence of specific complications (Occlusion: TACE 9/80 vs. control 3/29, p = 0.56; Stenosis: TACE 4/80 vs. control 5/29, p = 0.05; Dissection: TACE 1/80 vs. control 1/29; p = 0.46). Furthermore, linear regression analysis for preoperative TACE therapy, anatomic variants and pre-existing pathologies of the hepatic vasculature showed no association with postoperative arterial complications. Conclusions: Preoperative TACE therapy showed no influence on the incidence of post-transplant arterial complications in patients after liver transplantation. Furthermore, preoperative TACE therapy as well as anatomic variants and pre-existing arterial pathologies of the celiac axis could not be identified as risk factors for complications at the arterial anastomotic site after transplantation.
The Outcome of Post-Surgical Hip Prosthesis Rehabilitation: Results from a Monocentric Cohort Study
Authors: Garifi Maria Chiara , Cartocci Alessandra , Guarducci Giovanni , Praino Francesco , Sanguineti Ileana , Cristiani Simone , Gentile Anna Maria , Nante Nicola
Published: February 2025

Background: With the increase in life expectancy, more patients are undergoing total hip arthroplasty, primarily due to the rising incidence of osteoarthritis. The outcomes of rehabilitation following these surgical interventions are influenced by various factors. This study aims to explore the impact of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) on pain and functional and rehabilitative outcomes after surgical hip prosthesis rehabilitation. Methods: We enrolled all patients admitted to a private clinic from January 2021 to December 2023 for rehabilitation after unilateral hip arthroplasty. For each patient, we collected data of Barthel Index, Tinetti Scale, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and range of motion (ROM) at the beginning and end of the hospitalization. We assessed whether the evaluated outcomes differed based on gender, age, and BMI using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: A total of 2.167 patients were studied (56% female and 36.5% over 75 years old). Male patients, adults (18–64 years), and those with a BMI < 30 showed higher values of Barthel Index, Tinetti Scale, and ROM at both admission and discharge (p < 0.05), along with significantly lower NRS scores. Each subgroup based on age, gender, and BMI showed an improvement in NRS (difference between admission and discharge) of at least 40%, it was about 50% for men and adults. The improvement in ROM (difference between admission and discharge) was more than 10% in both active and passive flexion, around 20% for passive abduction, and 50% for active abduction, with no significant differences based on age, gender, or BMI. Conclusions: Despite the absence of specific contraindications for arthroplasty procedures, a high BMI, age over 75 years, and female gender are associated with slightly worse functional and rehabilitation outcomes compared to other patients undergoing the same procedures. A preoperative screening for the evaluation of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and BMI could be a valuable tool for studying and improving outcomes in these patients.
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevalence by Body Area Among Nurses in Europe: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gorce Philippe , Jacquier-Bret Julien
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Nurses are highly exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Global prevalence exceeds 80%, and several body areas are equally at risk. Numerous studies have assessed the exposure in many countries, but few have provided an overview by continent. The aim of this study was to propose a literature review and meta-analysis to investigate the overall and body area prevalence of WMSDs among nurses in Europe. Methods: A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted between September and November 2024. Five databases were scanned without a date limit: ScienceDirect, PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Science.gov, and Mendeley. The article selection, review, critical appraisal, and data extraction were performed by two authors independently. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used for reporting the search results. Results: Among the 15,751 unique identified records, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for data extraction. The studies reported a total of 5153 nurses in Europe. High heterogeneity (Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistic) was observed between studies. The results of the meta-analysis based on the random-effects model showed an overall prevalence of 87.8% (95% CI: 83.3–92.2%). The highest prevalence was found for lower back 61.4% (95% CI: 55.1–67.7%), neck 49.9% (95% CI: 42.9–56.8%), and upper back 46.3% (95% CI: 42.4–50.2%). Conclusions: Nurses are highly exposed to WMSDs, with a prevalence of over 30% for three-quarters of body areas. Due to the multitude of risk factors associated with nurses’ work, the development of recommendations is a complex multifactorial issue, requiring the exploration of different strategies to reduce the prevalence of MSDs in nurses.
Cognitive Abilities and School Achievement: Addressing Challenges Across Adolescence
Authors: Lemos Gina C. , Guisande M. Adelina , Almeida Leandro S.
Published: February 2025

Background: The school curriculum is increasingly aligned with real-world contexts and transversal skills. Simultaneously, conceptions of intelligence now emphasize contextual, motivational, and emotional dimensions. These shifts raise questions about the relevance of classical intelligence tests in predicting academic achievement, particularly during adolescence, a time of major curricular and developmental changes. Methods: Two independent samples of students, sixth–ninth grades (n = 1708) and tenth–twelfth grades (n = 3007), were randomly selected from public schools across Portugal. Cognitive abilities were measured by “Bateria de Aptidões Cognitivas” (BAC-AB), with nine subtests combining three contents (spatial, verbal, numerical) and three cognitive processes (comprehension, reasoning, problem solving). School achievement considers students’ grades in Portuguese and Mathematics. Results: Subtest scores were higher in advanced grades, particularly in early adolescence. The correlations between cognitive subtests and academic achievement suggested that alignment between test item content and curriculum subjects is more influential than cognitive processes. Subtest scores explained a larger proportion of variance in academic achievement in basic education than in secondary education. Conclusions: Curricular changes may reduce reliance on classical cognitive abilities for academic achievement, though correlations remain significant. More integrated cognitive skills are emphasized as the curriculum aims to prepare students for understanding complexity, adapting to societal changes, and applying knowledge to respond effectively to challenges in and outside of school.
Vessel Trajectory Prediction Using Vessel Influence Long Short-Term Memory with Uncertainty Estimation
Authors: Guo Zhiyuan , Qiang Huimin , Peng Xiaodong
Published: February 2025

Vessel trajectory prediction plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime transportation. This study proposes an innovative sequence-to-sequence model, called the Vessel Influence Long Short-Term Memory (VI-LSTM), which introduces a novel Vessel Influence Map (VIM) to quantitatively model the dynamic effects of surrounding vessels. To enhance reliability, VI-LSTM incorporates Gaussian distribution predictions combined with Monte Carlo dropout techniques to estimate prediction uncertainty. Additionally, a temporally weighted hybrid loss function is designed to balance prediction accuracy and uncertainty. Furthermore, this study systematically categorizes and models factors influencing vessel trajectory prediction. Experimental results demonstrate that VI-LSTM achieves a mean distance error of 330.66 m on the standard test set and 480.30 m on an unseen subject test set, outperforming other comparative models, particularly in complex navigation scenarios and high-density maritime environments. These innovations significantly improve the accuracy and generalizability of vessel trajectory predictions, leading to enhanced safety, increased efficiency, and more effective collision avoidance in maritime navigation.
Shifts in Soil Fungal Community and Trophic Modes During Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration
Authors: Shi Xiaofang , Zhou Shengyao , Xu Lanzi , Nethmini Rajapakshalage Thashikala , Zhang Yu , Huang Liangliang , Dong Ke , Zhao Huaxian , Pan Lianghao
Published: February 2025

Mangrove ecosystems are valuable coastal ecosystems; however, studies on the diversity and functional features of their soil fungal communities during restoration are limited. In this study, we examined fungal diversity and trophic modes across mudflat, young mangrove, and mature mangrove stages. We found that Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant phyla, with saprotrophs as the most abundant trophic mode. The abundance of the major phyla and trophic modes significantly varied across restoration stages. Although fungal alpha (α)-diversity remained stable among the stages, beta (β)-diversity showed significant differentiation. Spearman’s analysis and partial Mantel tests revealed that total nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus significantly influenced the fungal α-diversity, whereas temperature and pH primarily shaped the fungal β-diversity. Total nitrogen and carbon were key factors affecting the trophic mode α-diversity, whereas total phosphorus and inorganic phosphorus were the main drivers of the trophic mode β-diversity. Variation partitioning analysis confirmed that nutrients, rather than soil properties, were the primary factors shaping fungal communities and trophic modes. Random forest analysis identified key bioindicators, including species such as Paraphyton cookei, and trophic modes such as saprotrophs, both of which were strongly influenced by soil carbon. These findings advance our understanding of fungal ecology in mangrove restoration.
Multi-Level Drug Delivery System Integrated with Injectable Hydrogels and ZIF-8 for Sustained Release of Lidocaine
Authors: Jiang Lei , Fan Fan , Wang Xuemei , Ali Shaukat , Zhou Feng , Zhang Jiantao
Published: February 2025

Lidocaine plays a significant role in postoperative analgesia by effectively reducing pain. However, due to its short half-life, it is challenging for lidocaine to achieve the desired duration of analgesia in clinical settings. Drug delivery systems can regulate the release rate over time, making them one of the most effective strategies for achieving sustained release. In this work, a multi-level drug delivery system was designed using hyaluronic acid-modified zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (HA/ZIF-8) nanoparticles and injectable hydrogels composed of modified natural polymers. Lidocaine was incorporating into the modified ZIF-8 and uniformly dispersed within the hydrogel network. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) results indicate the successful loading of lidocaine into ZIF-8, while the X-ray diffractometer (XRD) results confirm that the loading of lidocaine did not disrupt the crystal structure of ZIF-8. The coating of hyaluronic acid on ZIF-8 enhanced cell biocompatibility, with cell viability increasing by 89% at the same concentration. This multi-level drug delivery system can be injected through a 27-guage needle. In vitro release studies demonstrated a sustained release of lidocaine for more than 4 days and kinetic simulations aligned with the Bshakar model, indicating its potential for use in long-acting analgesic preparations.
Attitudes of Neurologists Toward Serum Neurofilament Light-Chain Testing in the Management of Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis with Cognitive Impairment
Authors: García-Domínguez José M. , Maurino Jorge , Meca-Lallana José E. , Landete Lamberto , Meca-Lallana Virginia , García-Arcelay Elena , Agüera-Morales Eduardo , Caminero Ana B. , Martínez-Yélamos Sergio , Querol Luis , Medrano Nicolas , Gómez-Ballesteros Rocío , Villar Luisa M. , Monreal Enric , Saposnik Gustavo
Published: February 2025

Background: Cognitive impairment has an impact upon the function and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). High-serum neurofilament light-chain (sNfL) levels predict disease progression and are also associated with impaired cognitive performance. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of neurologists toward sNfL testing as regards making therapeutic decisions in clinically and radiologically stable patients experiencing cognitive decline. Methods: A web-based observational study was conducted among neurologists caring for patients with MS. The role of sNfL in therapeutic decisions was assessed through a simulated case scenario describing a 31-year-old woman with relapsing–remitting MS for four years on glatiramer acetate. Her partner reported increased distractibility and difficulties in organizing daily activities over the past 18 months. There was no history of new relapses, and a follow-up brain MRI scan showed no new lesions. Her performance in the Symbol Digit Modalities Test decreased by 8 points from the previous year, with 46 correct answers. The patient had an sNfL level of 21 pg/mL, with no other identified factors that could have altered this value. The participants were tasked with deciding to either escalate treatment or to continue the current treatment and schedule the patient for reassessment in 6–12 months (defined as decisions misaligned with emerging evidence [DMEE]). Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with DMEE. Results: One hundred and sixteen neurologists participated in the study. Almost 50% of the participants (n = 57) opted not to escalate treatment despite high sNfL levels. This was more common among neurologists not fully dedicated to MS care (60.5% vs. 43.6%). The multivariate analysis showed that being a neurologist not fully dedicated to MS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–5.50; p = 0.04) and having a poor perception of sNfL benefits (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04; p = 0.01) were associated with DMEE. Conclusions: Neurologists’ lack of full dedication to MS care and limited perception of sNfL’s clinical utility were key factors associated with suboptimal therapeutic decisions in a simulated case of cognitive decline with elevated sNfL. These findings underscore the need for increased education on the role of sNfL to improve evidence-based decision-making in MS management.
Measuring Customer Experience in AI Contexts: A Scale Development
Authors: Li Chunqing , Hao Riyan , Li Ning , Zhang Chenlu
Published: February 2025

With the advent of the digital intelligence era and the rapid evolution of emerging technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming the way consumers and businesses interact, gradually becoming one of the primary tools for companies to continuously improve customer experience and maintain competitiveness. However, existing research on customer experience largely overlooked the disruptive changes brought by the widely applied AI technologies. Therefore, this paper focuses on customer AI experience in the new context, using a mixed research method combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore the connotation, measurement, formation mechanism, and related action mechanisms of this construct. This study finds the following: (1) the customer AI experience is an intrinsic and subjective response generated by customers after interacting with AI capabilities, mediated by AI. It specifically includes five dimensions: social experience, intellectual experience, classification experience, exploitation experience, and service experience; (2) its formation and development is a cyclical model comprising three stages: expectation, realization, and reflection, corresponding to the mechanisms of contact, interaction, and comparison; (3) the perceived innovative characteristics of AI technology help customers to have a better AI experience, thereby stimulating customer engagement behavior. This provides certain guidance and reference for enterprises to better understand and utilize AI’s innovative characteristics to improve the customer experience, promote customer engagement, seize opportunities in AI technology development, and maintain a competitive advantage.
Research on the Value of County-Level Ecosystem Services in Highly Mountainous Canyon Areas Based on Land Use Change: Analysis of Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics and Spatial Stability
Authors: Zhang Linrui , Yu Kanhua , Zhang Yue , Wei Jiabin , Yang Wenting , Wang Xuhui
Published: February 2025

Human activities and climate change have accelerated land use and land cover change (LUCC) globally, diminishing the ecosystem service value (ESV) in ecologically fragile areas such as highly mountainous canyons and disrupting the human–nature balance. However, existing research lacks analysis on the impact of land use changes on ecosystem service value in typical counties with highly mountainous canyon regions. Therefore, we aim to address this gap by analyzing land use changes and their driving factors in Chayu County using multi-year land use data, calculating the ecosystem service value (ESV) for different periods, and estimating its spatial correlation and stability. The results showed the following: (1) Forestland and grassland were the predominant land-use types, with notable conversions between grassland and water bodies, grassland and unused land, and water bodies and unused land. (2) The total ESV increased steadily from 2003 to 2023, with higher values in the north and west and lower values in the central east. Forestland and water areas were the primary contributors to ESV changes, and ESV sensitivity to LUCC steadily increased from 0.46% to 2.49%. (3) Moran’s I ESV shows an overall increase, with a heightened correlation and enhanced stability. Spatially, the ESV exhibited a general high–high and low–low clustering pattern, with localized high–low and low–high clusters. These changes, driven by natural resource endowments and climate change, provide essential support for ecological protection and sustainable development in highly mountainous canyons and similar regions.
Monitoring and Analysis of Relocation and Reclamation of Residential Areas Based on Multiple Remote Sensing Indices
Authors: Huang Huiping , Wang Yingqi , Yuan Chao , Zhu Wenlu , Tian Yichen
Published: February 2025

The relocation of residents from high-risk areas is a critical measure to address safety and development issues in the floodplain regions of Henan Province in China. Whether the old villages can be reclaimed as farmland after demolition concerns Henan Province’s ability to maintain its farmland red line. This paper integrated multiple remote sensing indices and proposed a remote sensing identification method for monitoring the progress status of village relocation and reclamation that adapted to data characteristics and application scenarios. Firstly, it addressed the issue of missing target bands in GF-2 (GaoFen-2) by employing a band downscaling method; secondly, it combined building and vegetation indices to identify changes in land cover in the old villages within the floodplain, analyzing the implementation effects of the relocation and reclamation policies. Results showed that using a Random Forest regression model to generate a 4 m resolution shortwave infrared band not only retains the original target band information of Landsat-8 but also enhances the spatial detail of the images. Based on the optimal thresholds of multiple remote sensing indices, combined with human footprint data and POI (Points of Interest) identified village boundaries, the overall accuracy of identifying the progress status of resident relocation and reclamation reached 93.5%. In the floodplain region of Henan, the implementation effect of resident relocation was relatively good, with an old village demolition rate of 77%, yet the farmland reclamation rate was only 23%, indicating significant challenges in land conversion, lagging well behind the pilot program schedule requirements. Overall, this study made two primary contributions. First, to distinguish between rural construction and bare soil, thereby improving the accuracy of construction land extraction, an Enhanced Artifical Surface Index (EASI) was proposed. Second, the monitoring results of land use changes were transformed from pixel-level to village-level, and this framework can be extended to other specific land use change monitoring scenarios, demonstrating broad application potential.
Expression of Dlx-5 and HLX Proteins in Odontogenic Cysts
Authors: Ateş Sinan , Topaloğlu Uğur , Akbalik Mehmet Erdem , Keleş Karagözoğlu Şeyma
Published: February 2025

Odontogenic cysts, commonly detected during routine examinations involving head and neck imaging such as orthopantomograms and computed tomography (CT), are classified into two groups: developmental and inflammatory. Radicular cysts, which belong to the inflammatory group, originate from odontogenic epithelium, while dentigerous cysts of developmental origin are observed as a result of peri-coronal expansion of fluid in the dental follicle. The diagnosis and identification of odontogenic cysts rely on clinical, radiographic, and histological evaluations. This study aimed to demonstrate the expression of Dlx-5 and HLX proteins in radicular and dentigerous cysts. A total of 40 radicular and 40 dentigerous cysts were obtained from patients who visited private oral and dental health clinics in Bingöl and Diyarbakır provinces. After undergoing routine histological procedures, the cysts were stained using Masson’s Trichrome and immunohistochemistry techniques. As a result, the epithelium of radicular cysts was found to be keratinized stratified squamous, with hyaline (Rushton) bodies located within the epithelium. Dentigerous cysts, on the other hand, consisted of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, rete ridges with hyperplastic areas, and inflammatory cell infiltrations. The immunoreactivity induced by Dlx-5 in epithelial and connective tissue cells of radicular and dentigerous cysts was found to be stronger than that of HLX. The positive expression of Dlx-5 and HLX proteins in radicular and dentigerous cysts suggests that these proteins may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of these cysts. Furthermore, it was considered that the expression of Dlx-5 and HLX might help reveal the behavioral differences between odontogenic cysts.
Light-Intensity-Dependent Control of Collagen Hydrogel Properties via Riboflavin Phosphate-Mediated Photocrosslinking
Authors: Yoo Seungyeop , Koh Won-Gun , Lee Hyun Jong
Published: February 2025

While photocrosslinked collagen hydrogels show promise in tissue engineering, conventional approaches for property control often require complex chemical modifications or concentration changes that alter their biochemical composition. Here, we present the first systematic investigation of light-intensity-dependent control in riboflavin phosphate (RFP)-mediated photocrosslinking as a novel, single-parameter approach to modulate hydrogel properties while preserving native biochemical environments. We systematically investigated the effects of varying light intensities (100 K, 50 K, and 10 K lux) during hydrogel fabrication through comprehensive structural, mechanical, and biological characterization. Scanning electron microscopy revealed unprecedented control over network architecture, where higher light intensities produced more uniform and compact networks, while swelling ratio analysis showed significant differences between 100 K lux (246 ± 2-fold) and 10 K lux (265 ± 4-fold) conditions. Most significantly, we discovered that intermediate intensity (50 K lux) uniquely optimized mechanical performance in physiological conditions, achieving storage modulus of about 220 Pa after 24 h swelling, compared to about 160 and 109 Pa for 100 K and 10 K lux conditions, respectively. Remarkably, cellular studies using NIH/3T3 fibroblasts demonstrated that lower light intensity (10 K lux) enhanced cell proliferation by 2.8-fold compared to 100 K lux conditions after 7 days of culture, with superior cell network formation in both 2D and 3D environments. This groundbreaking approach establishes light intensity as a powerful single parameter for precise control of both mechanical and biological properties, offering a transformative tool for tailoring collagen-based biomaterials in tissue engineering applications.
Effect of Limestone Powder Fineness on the Physical and Mechanical Performance of Concrete
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Yang Yuanqi , Wu Yuepeng , Yu Jianbo , Pang Haoran , Lv Henglin
Published: February 2025

To study the impact of limestone powder (LP) fineness on the physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete, a total of 88 sets of LP concrete mixtures were designed, in which the LP content (0~35% of the mass of cementitious materials), LP-specific surface area (350–1000 m2/kg), and water–binder ratio were used as testing factors. The experimental and theoretical approaches were performed to study the physical (slump) and mechanical properties (compressive strength and bond-slip behaviors with steel bars) of LP concrete. Secondly, the compressive activity index (CAI) was introduced as a measurement for quantifying the compressive activity of LP. The results indicate an optimal improvement in the physical and mechanical properties of LP concrete when the LP content is equal to or less than 15% and the specific surface area is equal to or less than 600 m2/kg. An increase in LP content will result in a drop in the bond strength between concrete and steel bars; in contrast, an increase in LP-specific surface area will enhance the bond strength. Furthermore, CAI can better reflect the role of LP in concrete, which provides a theoretical basis for the application of LP in concrete.
Effect of Early Curing Experiences on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of ECO-UHPC Prepared by Gold Tailings Sand
Authors: Ouyang Qi , Zhou Xianxiang , Liang Xian , Luo Biao
Published: February 2025

Fine gold tailings particles generated from gold mining and refining have the potential to replace high-cost quartz sand in the preparation of economical ultra-high-performance concrete (ECO-UHPC) due to their large stockpiles, low cost, and elimination of grinding. In this study, ECO-UHPC was prepared by substituting quartz sand with gold tailing sand (GTS) at substitution rates of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The mechanical properties of ECO-UHPC, including its cubic compressive strength, elastic modulus, and prismatic compressive strength, as well as its leaching toxicity, were experimentally analyzed under various early curing experiences such as ambient-water curing (WC), hot-water curing (HWC), hot-air curing (HAC), and combined curing (CC). Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) were employed to interpret the macroscopic behavior of ECO-UHPC. The results indicate that the incorporation of waste GTS slightly reduces the fluidity of fresh ECO-UHPC, decreasing it by approximately 6.1% at a full 100% replacement. As a result of waste GTS substitution, the cubic strength of ECO-UHPC experiencing the WC environment during early curing is reduced by 0.7–12.2%. However, the strength of thermally cured ECO-UHPC is comparable to or even higher than that of pure quartz-based G0, with the maximum value occurring in G-50. Specifically, the strength of G-50 cured with HWC, HAC, and CC varies by +20.0%, +40.2%, and +57.7%, respectively, as compared to that of G-50 cured with WC. The evolution of the elastic modulus and the prismatic strength of ECO-UHPC under different early curing conditions and GTS replacement rates aligns closely with that of its cubic strength. In addition, the implementation of thermal curing conditions also limits the leaching of heavy metals from ECO-UHPC, with the best effect observed under CC. This is because appropriate thermal curing promotes the densification of a cementitious substance and the bonding of GTS-cementitious material. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing waste GTS as a partial or full replacement for quartz sand in ECO-UHPC while maintaining desirable mechanical performance and environmental safety. The findings provide valuable insights into the influence of GTS substitution and early curing regimes on ECO-UHPC properties, highlighting the potential of thermal curing to enhance strength and mitigate leaching risks. Future research should further explore the long-term durability of GTS-based ECO-UHPC and its broader applicability in sustainable construction practices.
Weighted Kappa for Interobserver Agreement and Missing Data
Authors: Warrens Matthijs J. , de Raadt Alexandra , Bosker Roel J. , Kiers Henk A. L.
Published: February 2025

The weighted kappa coefficient is commonly used for assessing agreement between two raters on an ordinal scale. This study is the first to assess the impact of missing data on the value of weighted kappa. We compared three methods for handling missing data in a simulation study: predictive mean matching, listwise deletion and a weighted version of Gwet’s kappa. We compared their performances under three missing data mechanisms, using agreement tables with various numbers of categories and different values of weighted kappa. Predictive mean matching outperformed the other two methods in most simulated cases in terms of root mean squared error and in all cases in terms of bias.
A Phenomenological Fluid–Structure Interaction Study of Plaque Rupture in Stenosed Bifurcated Elastic Arteries
Authors: Razzaq Mudassar , Anwar Muhammad Adnan , Iqbal Kaleem , Haq Izharul , Gurris Marcel
Published: February 2025

Atherosclerosis is an accumulation of plaque, which can result in changes in blood flow in the vicinity, leading to severe heart attack. This paper presents a phenomenological fluid–structure interaction study of plaque rupture in stenosed bifurcated elastic arteries. We use the coupled monolithic Arbitrary Lagrange Euler (ALE) formulation for fluids and solids. We consider the Navier–Stokes equation to govern the non-Newton blood flow and linear elastic model for walls. We treat the interface as a continuum. We utilize the stable P2P1 finite element pair for velocity and pressure discretization in space. The nonlinear discretized algebraic system is tackled using the Newton method, with the Jacobian matrices approximated via a divided differences approach. The resulting linear systems are addressed using the direct solver MUltifrontal Massively Parallel Sparse direct Solver (MUMPS). We then determine the wall shear stress (WSS) for both minimum and maximum times, accounting for elastic walls. The study’s findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms behind plaque rupture and aid in developing better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
A Hybrid Neural Architecture Search Algorithm Optimized via Lifespan Particle Swarm Optimization for Coal Mine Image Recognition
Authors: Cheng Jian , Jiang Jinbo , Kang Haidong , Ma Lianbo
Published: February 2025

Coal mine scene image recognition plays an important role in safety monitoring and equipment detection. However, traditional methods often depend on manually designed neural network architectures. These models struggle to handle the complex backgrounds, low illumination, and diverse objects commonly found in coal mine environments. Manual designs are not only inefficient but also restrict the exploration of optimal architectures, resulting to subpar performance. To address these challenges, we propose using a neural architecture search (NAS) to automate the design of neural networks. Traditional NAS methods are known to be computationally expensive. To improve this, we enhance the process by incorporating Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), a scalable algorithm that effectively balances global and local searches. To further enhance PSO’s efficiency, we integrate the lifespan mechanism, which prevents premature convergence and enables a more comprehensive exploration of the search space. Our proposed method establishes a flexible search space that includes various types of convolutional layers, activation functions, pooling operations, and network depths, enabling a comprehensive optimization process. Extensive experiments show that the Lifespan-PSO NAS method outperforms traditional manually designed networks and standard PSO-based NAS approaches, offering significant improvements in both recognition accuracy (improved by 10%) and computational efficiency (resource usage reduced by 30%). This makes it a highly effective solution for real-world coal mine image recognition tasks via a PSO-optimized approach in terms of performance and efficiency.
Synchronization Optimization Model Based on Enhanced Connectivity of New Energy Vehicle Supply Chain Network
Authors: Gao Haiwei , Zhu Xiaomin , Guo Binghui , Cao Yifan , Wang Haotian , Yu Xiaohan , Yang Xiaobo
Published: February 2025

The synchronization of the new energy vehicle (NEV) supply chain network is crucial for enhancing industrial integration, building intelligent supply chain systems, and promoting sustainable development. This study proposes a novel synchronization model for the NEV supply chain network, incorporating a technical method for measuring synchronization intervals. The research makes three key contributions: (1) development of a dynamic synchronization model capturing the complex interactions within NEV supply chains; (2) introduction of a quantitative method for assessing synchronization intervals; and (3) identification of critical parameters influencing network synchronization. Methodologically, we employ a combination of complex network theory and nonlinear dynamic systems to construct the synchronization model. The study utilizes real-world data from two major NEV companies (X and T) to validate the model’s effectiveness. Through network topology analysis and parameter optimization, we demonstrate significant improvements in supply chain efficiency and resilience. The practical application of this research lies in its ability to provide actionable insights for supply chain management. By optimizing network structure, coupling strength, and information delay, companies can enhance synchronization, reduce the bullwhip effect, and improve overall supply chain performance. The findings offer valuable guidance for NEV manufacturers and policymakers in building more resilient and efficient supply chain networks in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.