bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study of TiMn and TiAlV Alloys via the Nanoindentation Technique
Authors: Asrar Shafaq , Azmat Ambreen , Channa Iftikhar , Ashfaq Jaweria , Sufyan Faraz , Feroze Sarmad , Chandio Ali , Ali Shar Muhammad , Alhazaa Abdulaziz
Published: October 2022

There are two common categories of implants that are used in medical sciences, i.e., orthopedic and dental ones. In this study, dental implant materials are focused such as Ti6Al4V alloys that are used for the replacement of lost teeth due to their high strength and biocompatibility. However, they cause infections in nearby tissues due to elemental release (potentially Al and V). Thus, manganese is selected to be incorporated into the alloy since it is also present in the human body in the form of traces. Different sets of implants were produced, i.e., Ti5Mn and Ti10Mn (where 5 and 10 describe the percentage of Mn) by using the powder metallurgy technique. This was followed by characterization techniques, including X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), optical microscope (OM), and nanoindenter. The very aim of this study is to compare the microstructural evolutions, density, and mechanical properties of reference alloys and the ones produced in this study. Results show the microstructure of Ti6Al4V consists of the alpha (α) and beta (β) phases, while Ti5Mn and Ti10Mn revealed the beta (β) phases. The Ti5Mn alloy showed excellent mechanical properties than that of the Ti6Al4V counterpart. Extensive discussion is presented in light of the observed results. The relative density of Ti5Mn alloy was found to be enhanced than that of reference alloy.
Evaluation of Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Mutagenic and Other Inhibitory Potentials of Green Synthesized Chitosan Nanoparticles
Authors: Duraisamy Narayanasamy , Dhayalan Sangeetha , Shaik Mohammed Rafi , Shaik Althaf Hussain , Shaik Jilani P. , Shaik Baji
Published: October 2022

The current study was performed with aim of evaluating antioxidant, cytotoxicity, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and mutagenicity properties of Martynia annua mediated Chitosan nanoparticles (MAL-CNPs). The green synthesized MAL-CNPs were characterized and confirmed through several characterization techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The HR-TEM analysis exhibited that the as-synthesized chitosan nanoparticles are spherical in shape. Furthermore, the DLS analysis exhibited that the average size of MAL-CNPs was 53 nm and the maximum diameter was 130.7 nm. The antioxidant activity results revealed that the MAL-CNPs showed DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (66.78%) and H2O2 (91.65%) scavenging activities at 50 µg/mL concentration. The IC50 values were 2.431 μg/mL and 50 µg/mL for DPPH and H2O2, respectively. MTT (3-4, 5 dimethylthiazol-2yl-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay results exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity found from 50 μg/mL concentration of MAL-CNPs. The MAL-CNPs showed remarkable α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50 1.981 μg/mL and 161.8 μg/mL). No toxic effect of MAL-CNPs was found through the Ames test. Further, the study concluded that MAL-CNPs are non-toxic and possess adequate antioxidants and cytotoxicity activity against cancer cells, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibitory activity. Hence, the MAL-CNPs were considered for biomedical applications after the assessment of their efficiency and safety.
Biosynthesis, Physicochemical and Magnetic Properties of Inverse Spinel Nickel Ferrite System
Authors: Al-Senani Ghadah M. , Al-Fawzan Foziah F. , Almufarij Rasmiah S. , Abd-Elkader Omar H. , Deraz Nasrallah M.
Published: October 2022

Nanosized Ni ferrite has been prepared by an ecofriendly green synthesis approach based on the self-combustion method. In this route, the egg white as a green fuel was employed with two different amounts (3 and 10 mL). The XRD results display the formation of a stoichiometric NiFe2O4-type inverse spinel structure with a lattice parameter located at 0.8284 nm and 0.8322 nm. Additionally, the nickel ferrites’ typical crystallite size, as synthesized, ranged between 4 and 18 nm. Indicating the development of ferrite material, FTIR analysis shows two distinctive vibrational modes around 600 cm−1 and 400 cm−1. TEM measurements show the formation of nanosized particles with semispherical-type structure and some agglomerations. As the egg white concentration rises, the surface area, total pore volume, and mean pore radius of the material, as prepared, all decrease, and according to the surface area parameters discovered using BET analysis. Based on VSM analysis, the values of saturation magnetization are 6.6589 emu/g and 37.727 emu/g, whereas the coercivity are 159.15 G and 113.74 G. The as-synthesized Ni ferrites fit into the pseudo-single domain predicated by the squareness values (0.1526 and 0.1824). It is mentioned that increasing the egg white content would promote the magnetization of NiFe2O4.
Comparative Study of the Compressibility of M3V2O8 (M = Cd, Zn, Mg, Ni) Orthovanadates
Authors: Díaz-Anichtchenko Daniel , Errandonea Daniel
Published: October 2022

We report herein a theoretical study of the high-pressure compressibility of Cd3V2O8, Zn3V2O8, Mg3V2O8, and Ni3V2O8. For Cd3V2O8, we also present a study of its structural stability. Computer simulations were performed by means of first-principles methods using the CRYSTAL program. In Cd3V2O8, we found a previously unreported polymorph which is thermodynamically more stable than the already known polymorph. We also determined the compressibility of all compounds and evaluated the different contributions of polyhedral units to compressibility. We found that the studied vanadates have an anisotropic response to compression and that the change in volume is basically determined by the compressibility of the divalent-cation coordination polyhedra. A systematic discussion of the bulk modulus of M3V2O8 orthovanadates will also be included.
Investigation on the Negative Capacitance Field Effect Transistor with Dual Ferroelectric Region
Authors: Yao Jia-Fei , Han Xue , Zhang Xin-Peng , Liu Jin-Cheng , Gu Ming-Yuan , Zhang Mao-Lin , Yu Ke-Han , Guo Yu-Feng
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes a new structure of the negative capacitance field effect transistor (NCFET), which features of the dual ferroelectric region (DFR) when compared to the conventional NCFET. The dual ferroelectric region with FE1 region and FE2 region forms a non-uniform voltage amplification effect, leads to the significantly improvement of the gate control ability and modulates the electric characteristics of the NCFET. The mechanism of the voltage amplification effect, polarization reversal, channel surface electric field, and ferroelectric polarization intensity distributions are investigated. The influences of the ferroelectric parameters α and β on the electric characteristics are discussed. The results show that the DFR-NCFET is able to obtain a subthreshold swing (SS) below the Boltzmann limit (60 mV/dec) by increasing the ferroelectric parameter α of the FE2 region.
Chromonic Ionic Liquid Crystals Forming Nematic and Hexagonal Columnar Phases
Authors: Ichikawa Takahiro , Kuwana Mei , Suda Kaori
Published: October 2022

We designed an ionic salt by combining a π-conjugated anion and a cholinium cation. It formed homogeneous mixtures with water in various weight ratios. The obtained mixtures showed chromonic liquid-crystalline behavior in a wider concentration range as compared to analogous compounds with inorganic cations. Although only an exhibition of nematic phases was previously reported by Kasianova et al. for analogous compounds with an inorganic cation in 2010, the ionic salt with a cholinium cation showed not only nematic phases but also hexagonal columnar phases. The formation of hexagonal columnar phases is attributed to its ability to form mesophases even in a high concentration range, which enables the cylindrical aggregates of the π-conjugated anions to form dense packing. By examining the states of the water molecules, we revealed that the ability of the cholinium cation to form a hydrated ionic liquid state strongly contributes to the widening of the concentration range forming chromonic liquid-crystalline behavior.
Defect-Related Etch Pits on Crystals and Their Utilization
Authors: Lu Dongzhu , Jiang Quantong , Ma Xiumin , Zhang Qichao , Fu Xiaole , Fan Liang
Published: October 2022

Etch pits could form on an exposed surface of a crystal when the crystal is exposed to an etching environment or chemicals. Due to different dissolution rates along various crystalline directions in a crystal, the dissolution process is anisotropic; hence, etch pits usually have a regular shape. Here, the morphology and origin of the regular-shaped etch pits are discussed firstly; then, factors which could affect the morphology and density of etch pits are shown; finally, the state of the art of etch pit technology and the utilization of etch pits is presented. Traditionally, etch pits are utilized to evaluate the dislocation density and some defect-related properties. Now, in the modern fabrication industries, the relationship between etch pits and defects has been utilized more skillfully. High-quality crystals can be fabricated by controlling dislocations revealed by etch pits. Meanwhile, with the as-revealed dislocation as the diffusion path of atoms, new crystals will emerge in corresponding etch pits.
Nomogram for Predicting Distant Metastasis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A SEER-Based Population Study
Authors: Li Weibo , Wang Wei , Yao Lichao , Tang Zhigang , Zhai Lulu
Published: October 2022

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for distant metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and develop a valid predictive model to guide clinical practice; (2) Methods: We screened 14328 PDAC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015. Lasso regression analysis combined with logistic regression analysis were used to determine the independent risk factors for PDAC with distant metastasis. A nomogram predicting the risk of distant metastasis in PDAC was constructed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and consistency-index (C-index) were used to determine the accuracy and discriminate ability of the nomogram. A calibration curve was used to assess the agreement between the predicted probability of the model and the actual probability. Additionally, decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical influence curve were employed to assess the clinical utility of the nomogram; (3) Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for distant metastasis of PDAC included age, primary site, histological grade, and lymph node status. A nomogram was successfully constructed, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.871 for ROC and a C-index of 0.871 (95% CI: 0.860–0.882). The calibration curve showed that the predicted probability of the model was in high agreement with the actual predicted probability. The DCA and clinical influence curve showed that the model had great potential clinical utility; (4) Conclusions: The risk model established in this study has a good predictive performance and a promising potential application, which can provide personalized clinical decisions for future clinical work.
Long-Term Molecular Remission after Treatment with Imatinib in a Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patient with Extreme Thrombocytosis Harboring Rare e14a3 (b3a3) BCR::ABL1 Transcript: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Xupai , Sun Haoping , Su Yi , Yi Hai
Published: October 2022

An atypical BCR::ABL1 fusion gene transcript in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, even those with variant Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome translocation, is very rare. In the present study, we report a case of CML (41 years, female) with extreme thrombocytosis at onset, with the variant Ph chromosome and rare e14a3 (b3a3) BCR::ABL1 transcript. The patient was prescribed imatinib as a first-line therapy and subsequently achieved complete hematologic remission within 2 months and major molecular response (MMR) within 3 months, and the transcript was undetectable within half a year. During up to nine years of follow-up, the quantification of this rare fusion gene was consistently negative with no BCR::ABL1 kinase domain mutations. Furthermore, we collected previously reported CML cases with the e14a3 (b3a3) transcript that indicated that the e14a3 (b3a3) transcripts appeared to have a larger number of thrombocytosis and variant Ph translocations than CML in general. This subgroup of CML might have better responses and outcomes to imatinib than patients with common transcripts.
Occupational and Financial Setbacks in Caregivers of People with Colorectal Cancer: Considerations for Caregiver-Reported Outcomes
Authors: Howard A. Fuchsia , Lynch Kelsey , Thorne Sally , Porcino Antony , Lambert Leah , De Vera Mary A. , Wolff Angela C. , Hedges Penelope , Beck Scott M. , Torrejón María-José , Kelly Mary T. , McKenzie Michael
Published: October 2022

Family caregivers of patients with cancer provide substantial physical, emotional, and functional care throughout the cancer trajectory. While caregiving can create employment and financial challenges, there is insufficient evidence to inform the development of caregiver-reported outcomes (CROs) that assess these experiences. The study purpose was to describe the occupational and financial consequences that were important to family caregivers of a patient with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the context of public health care, which represent potential considerations for CROs. In this qualitative Interpretive Description study, we analyzed interview data from 78 participants (25 caregivers, 37 patients, and 16 healthcare providers). Our findings point to temporary and long-term occupational and financial setbacks in the context of CRC. Caregiving for a person with CRC involved managing occupational implications, including (1) revamping employment arrangements, and (2) juggling work, family, and household demands. Caregiver financial struggles included (1) responding to financial demands at various stages of life, and (2) facing the spectre of lifelong expenses. Study findings offer novel insight into the cancer-related occupational and financial challenges facing caregivers, despite government-funded universal health care. Further research is warranted to develop CRO measures that assess the multifaceted nature of these challenges.
Surgical Management of the Axilla in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma in the Z1071 Era: A Propensity-Score Matched Analysis of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Sinner Heather F. , Naffouje Samer , Selfridge Julia M. , Lee Marie C. , Hoover Susan J. , Laronga Christine
Published: October 2022

In patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and clinically positive nodes (cN1) who demonstrate an axillary clinical response to neoadjuvant-chemotherapy (NAC), the outcomes of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) compared to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) are not well studied. We sought to evaluate axillary surgery practice patterns and the resultant impact on overall survival (OS) in cN1 ILC. The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried (2012–2017) for women with cN1 ILC who were treated with NAC followed by surgery. Propensity-score matching was performed between SLNB and ALND cohorts. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of OS. Of 1390 patients, 1192 were luminal A ILCs (85.8%). 143 patients (10.3%) had a complete axillary clinical response, while 1247 (89.7%) had a partial clinical response in the axilla. Definitive axillary surgery was SLNB in 211 patients (15.2%). Utilization of SLNB for definitive axillary management increased from 8% to 16% during the study period. Among 201 propensity-score matched patients stratified by SLNB vs. ALND, mean OS did not significantly differ (81.6 ± 1.8 vs. 81.4 ± 2.0 months; p = 0.56). Cox regression analysis of the entire cohort demonstrated that increasing age, grade, HER2+ and triple-negative tumors, and partial clinical response were unfavorable OS predictors (p < 0.02 each). The definitive axillary operation and administration of adjuvant axillary radiation did not influence OS. In cN1 ILC patients with a clinical response to NAC in the axilla, SLNB vs. ALND did not affect OS. Further axillary therapy may be warranted with ypN+ disease.
“Give My Daughter the Shot!”: A Content Analysis of the Depiction of Patients with Cancer Pain and Their Management in Hollywood Films
Authors: Mukhida Karim , Sedighi Sina , Hart Catherine
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Cinemeducation, the pedagogical use of films, has been used in a variety of clinical disciplines. To date, no studies have looked at the use of film depictions of cancer pain and its management in clinical education. We investigated how patients with cancer pain and their management are depicted in Hollywood films to determine whether there is content that would be amenable to use for cancer pain assessment and management education. Methods: A qualitative content analysis was performed. Films that contained characters with or references to cancer pain were searched for using the International Movie Database, the Literature Arts Medicine Database, the History of Medicine and Medical Humanities Database, and Medicine on Screen. After review, 4 films were identified for review and analysis. Results: Themes that emerged from the analysis concerned the films’ depictions of characters with pain, their healthcare providers, the therapies used for pain management, and the setting in which pain management was provided. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that patients with cancer pain are depicted in a compassionate manner. Pain management focused on the use of opioids. The settings in which patients received pain management was depicted as not being amenable to providing holistic care. This variety of topics related to pain management covered in the films make them amenable to use in cinemeducation. This study therefore forms the basis for future work developing film-based cancer education modules.
Cryptic Diversity Revealed in A Revision of West Palaearctic Nomiapis and Systropha (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)
Authors: Wood Thomas James , Le Divelec Romain
Published: October 2022

Revisionary taxonomic studies of bees from the Old World Mediterranean basin are hindered both by the apparent absence of type material for many taxa and a lack of genetic resources. The discovery of important type materials in combination with the generation of novel DNA barcodes (Cytochrome Oxidase I) has allowed cryptic diversity within the widespread taxa Nomiapis bispinosa (Brullé, 1832) and Systropha planidens Giraud, 1861 to be clarified. Nomiapis bispinosa actually consists of three distinct taxa: Nomiapis bispinosa s. str. from Morocco and Iberia to Central Asia, Nomiapis rufiventris (Spinola, 1838) spec. resurr. from Morocco to Egypt, including Sicily and Nomiapis paulyispec. nov. from Portugal and Spain. A lectotype is designated for Nomia rufiventris Spinola, 1838. Lectotypes are designated for Nomia bispinosa Brullé, 1832 and Nomia albocincta Lucas, 1849, and type material for Nomia perforata Lucas, 1849 is clarified; both Nomiapis albocincta and Nomiapis perforata are synonymised syn. nov. with Nomiapis rufiventris. A lectotype is designated for Nomia ruficornis Spinola, 1838, and this taxon is confirmed as a synonym of Nomiapis bispinosa. Systropha planidens also consists of three distinct taxa: S. planidens from Central Europe to Iran and the European part of Russia, S. grandimargo Pérez, 1905 spec. resurr. from Portugal, Spain, and France, and S. anatolica Warncke, 1977 stat. nov. from Turkey, Syria, and northern Israel. A lectotype is designated for Systropha planidens Giraud, 1861. Systropha chrysura Pérez, 1905 is synonymised syn. nov. with S. grandimargo. These findings illustrate the extent to which our understanding of the taxonomy of Mediterranean bees remains incomplete.
Predicting the Potential Suitable Area of the Invasive Ant Linepithema humile in China under Future Climatic Scenarios Based on Optimized MaxEnt
Authors: Li Ming , Xian Xiaoqing , Zhao Haoxiang , Xue Lin , Chen Baoxiong , Huang Hongkun , Wan Fanghao , Liu Wanxue
Published: October 2022

Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is one of “100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species” listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Although native to South America, this ant has spread worldwide via international trade. Currently, L. humile has not been found in China, and if it invades China, it might pose a potential risk to the native invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, and human livelihoods. Based on 2432 global occurrence records and ten bioclimatic variables, the optimized MaxEnt model was used to predict the potential suitable areas of L. humile in China. We analyzed the important bioclimatic variables affecting the potential suitable areas, and determined the changes in potential suitable areas under future climatic scenarios. Our results indicated that the mean temperature of the coldest quarter (Bio11), precipitation of the coldest quarter (Bio19), mean temperature of the wettest quarter (Bio8), and precipitation of the warmest quarter (Bio18) were the most important bioclimatic variables. Under the current climatic scenarios, the potential suitable area of L. humile in China is 80.31 × 104 km2, which is mainly located in Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Hubei. Under future climate scenarios over coming decades, the potential suitable areas of L. humile showed an overall increase and a shift to higher latitudes, which indicated the invasion risk of L. humile in China will increase under climate change. Our findings provide the theoretical guidance for the early warning and monitoring of L. humile in China.
Composition and Distribution of Plankton Communities in the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean
Authors: Kasyan Valentina V. , Bitiutskii Dmitrii G. , Mishin Aleksej V. , Zuev Oleg A. , Murzina Svetlana A. , Sapozhnikov Philipp V. , Kalinina Olga Yu. , Syomin Vitaly L. , Kolbasova Glafira D. , Voronin Viktor P. , Chudinovskikh Elena S. , Orlov Alexei M.
Published: October 2022

In recent decades, the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding region have undergone a significant transformation due to global climate change affecting the structure and distribution of pelagic fauna. Here, we present the results of our study on the taxonomic composition and quantitative distribution of plankton communities in Bransfield Strait, Antarctic Sound, the Powell Basin of the Weddell Sea, and the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula and South Orkney Islands during the austral summer of 2022. A slight warming of the Transitional Zonal Water with Weddell Sea influence (TWW) and an increase in its distribution area was detected. Among the pelagic communities, three groups were found to be the most abundant: copepods Calanoides acutus, Metridia gerlachei, and Oithona spp., salpa Salpa thompsoni, and Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Euphausiids were found in cases of low abundance, species diversity, and biomass. In the studied region, an increase in the amount of the salpa S. thompsoni and the euphausiid Thysanoessa macrura and the expansion of their distribution area were observed. Significant structural shifts in phytoplankton communities manifested themselves in changes in the structure of the Antarctic krill forage base. The composition and distribution of pelagic fauna is affected by a combination of environmental abiotic factors, of which water temperature is the main one. The obtained results have allowed us to assume that a further increase in ocean temperature may lead to a reduction in the number and size of the Antarctic krill population and its successive replacement by salps and other euphausiids that are more resistant to temperature fluctuations and water desalination.
Phylogenetic Analysis and Toxigenic Profile of Alternaria Species Isolated from Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) in Argentina
Authors: Nichea María J. , Cendoya Eugenia , Romero Cindy J. , Humaran Juan F. , Zachetti Vanessa G. L. , Palacios Sofía A. , Ramirez María L.
Published: October 2022

Chickpeas are a very important legume due to their nutritional richness and high protein content and they are used as food for humans and as fodder for livestock. However, they are susceptible to fungal infections and mycotoxin contamination. The Alternaria genus was among the main fungi isolated from chickpea samples in Argentina. The species within this genus are able to produce several mycotoxins such as alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and tenuazonic acid (TA). So, the objectives of this study were to identify the Alternaria spp. found in the chickpea samples and to determine their toxigenic potential in vitro. A phylogenetic analysis of 32 Alternaria strains was carried out based on the combined sequences of the tef1, gpd, and Alt a1 genes. All Alternaria strains clustered into the section Alternaria and were identified as A. alternata and A. arborescens. Further, the toxigenic profile of each strain was determined in a ground rice–corn steep liquor medium and analysed by HPLC. Most strains were able to co-produce AOH, AME, and TA. These results indicate a potential risk for human health when consuming chickpeas since this legume could be contaminated with Alternaria and its mycotoxins, which are not yet regulated in food.
Morphology of Three Sphyrion (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Sphyriidae) Species Infecting Teleost Fishes off South Africa with the First Description of Males of Two Species
Authors: Dippenaar Susan M. , Sebone Makwena M.
Published: October 2022

Sphyrion is a member of the family Sphyriidae and currently consists of three valid species, namely S. laevigatum, S. lumpi and S. quadricornis. Species of Sphyrion are mesoparasites of a variety of bony fishes and occur worldwide. The bodies of the post-metamorphosis females are highly transformed with an elongated cephalothorax bearing conspicuous lateral processes. The structure of the cephalothorax is mostly used in the identification of the different species. The morphology of the adult males resembles those of the lernaeopodid males. Species of Sphyrion were collected from various fish hosts off the Indian and Atlantic Oceans off South Africa. Selected specimens were studied using dissection and compound light microscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy. Similar to previous reports, the morphology of specimens of the same species infecting the same host species is highly variable; thus, the structure of the cephalothorax should be considered together with the rest of the body features for identification. Additional information is provided regarding the morphology and armature of the appendages of the post-metamorphosis females of all three species, which resemble previous descriptions, although no detailed comparisons could be done. This is the first collection of descriptions and illustrations of the males of S. laevigatum and S. quadricornis. Male appendages of all three species are very similar with small differences in the armature. New geographical and host reports of the Sphyrion species are provided.
Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Dye Degradation and Photodegradation by Peracetic Acid with Sodium Carbonate
Authors: Bezerra Leydiane Barbosa , Carlos Thayrine Dias , Dornelas Aline Silvestre Pereira , Martins Warlyton Silva , Pereira Miréia Aparecida Bezerra , de Souza Nolberto Aline Karla , dos Santos Gil Rodrigues , do Nascimento Ildon Rodrigues , Fidelis Rodrigo Ribeiro , de Souza Nelson Luis Gonçalves Dias , Pereira Douglas Henrique , Sarmento Renato Almeida , Cavallini Grasiele Soares
Published: October 2022

Advanced oxidative processes (AOPs) are procedures used for the treatment of wastewater based on the generation of free radicals, such as hydroxyl (•OH) and carbonate anion (CO3•−) radicals. However, although contaminants are degraded in these processes, the by-products generated in this transformation can be a greater source of toxicity than the original compound, making ecotoxicological tests essential for monitoring the efficacy of these treatment processes. In this study, we examined the ecotoxicity of AOP by-products generated using peracetic acid (PAA) and sodium carbonate, with and without solar radiation, for the degradation of methylene blue dye, using the planarian Girardia tigrina as a test organism. Ecotoxicological tests evaluated the acute toxicity of the generated by-product in terms of lethal concentrations (LC50). Although in both assays the degradation of the dye was greater than 99%, higher toxicity was observed in the assay using PAA and carbonate in the absence of radiation. From the results obtained, we conclude that the by-product generated from the degradation of methylene blue dye by peracetic acid and sodium carbonate, with and without solar radiation, can pose risks to aquatic ecosystems if released directly into water bodies.
Predicting Student Dropout and Academic Success
Authors: Realinho Valentim , Machado Jorge , Baptista Luís , Martins Mónica V.
Published: October 2022

Higher education institutions record a significant amount of data about their students, representing a considerable potential to generate information, knowledge, and monitoring. Both school dropout and educational failure in higher education are an obstacle to economic growth, employment, competitiveness, and productivity, directly impacting the lives of students and their families, higher education institutions, and society as a whole. The dataset described here results from the aggregation of information from different disjointed data sources and includes demographic, socioeconomic, macroeconomic, and academic data on enrollment and academic performance at the end of the first and second semesters. The dataset is used to build machine learning models for predicting academic performance and dropout, which is part of a Learning Analytic tool developed at the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre that provides information to the tutoring team with an estimate of the risk of dropout and failure. The dataset is useful for researchers who want to conduct comparative studies on student academic performance and also for training in the machine learning area.
Thematic Analysis of Indonesian Physics Education Research Literature Using Machine Learning
Authors: Santoso Purwoko Haryadi , Istiyono Edi , Haryanto  , Hidayatulloh Wahyu
Published: October 2022

Abundant physics education research (PER) literature has been disseminated through academic publications. Over the years, the growing body of literature challenges Indonesian PER scholars to understand how the research community has progressed and possible future work that should be encouraged. Nevertheless, the previous traditional method of thematic analysis possesses limitations when the amount of PER literature exponentially increases. In order to deal with this plethora of publications, one of the machine learning (ML) algorithms from natural language processing (NLP) studies was employed in this paper to automate a thematic analysis of Indonesian PER literature that still needs to be explored within the community. One of the well-known NLP algorithms, latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), was used in this study to extract Indonesian PER topics and their evolution between 2014 and 2021. A total of 852 papers (~4 to 8 pages each) were collectively downloaded from five international conference proceedings organized, peer reviewed, and published by Indonesian PER researchers. Before their topics were modeled through the LDA algorithm, our data corpus was preprocessed through several common procedures of established NLP studies. The findings revealed that LDA had thematically quantified Indonesian PER topics and described their distinct development over a certain period. The identified topics from this study recommended that the Indonesian PER community establish robust development in eight distinct topics to the present. Here, we commenced with an initial interest focusing on research on physics laboratories and followed the research-based instruction in late 2015. For the past few years, the Indonesian PER scholars have mostly studied 21st century skills which have given way to a focus on developing relevant educational technologies and promoting the interdisciplinary aspects of physics education. We suggest an open room for Indonesian PER scholars to address the qualitative aspects of physics teaching and learning that is still scant within the literature.
An Open Dataset of Connected Speech in Aphasia with Consensus Ratings of Auditory-Perceptual Features
Authors: Ezzes Zoe , Schneck Sarah M. , Casilio Marianne , Fromm Davida , Mefferd Antje S. , de Riesthal Michael , Wilson Stephen M.
Published: October 2022

Auditory-perceptual rating of connected speech in aphasia (APROCSA) is a system in which trained listeners rate a variety of perceptual features of connected speech samples, representing the disruptions and abnormalities that commonly occur in aphasia. APROCSA has shown promise as an approach for quantifying expressive speech and language function in individuals with aphasia. The aim of this study was to acquire and share a set of audiovisual recordings of connected speech samples from a diverse group of individuals with aphasia, along with consensus ratings of APROCSA features, for future use as training materials to teach others how to use the APROCSA system. Connected speech samples were obtained from six individuals with chronic post-stroke aphasia. The first five minutes of participant speech were excerpted from each sample, and five researchers independently evaluated each sample using APROCSA, rating its 27 features on a five-point scale. The researchers then discussed each feature in turn to obtain consensus ratings. The dataset will provide a useful, freely accessible resource for researchers, clinicians, and students to learn how to evaluate aphasic speech with an auditory-perceptual approach.
Diagnostics of Ovarian Tumors in Postmenopausal Patients
Authors: Mustafin Chingis , Vesnin Sergey , Turnbull Arran , Dixon Michael , Goltsov Alexey , Goryanin Igor
Published: October 2022

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer remains an urgent issue owing to the continuing trend towards increasing incidence along with only marginal improvements in mortality and 5-year survival rates. Furthermore, there is a lack of a clear formulation of the concept of pathogenesis. The diagnostic values of tumor markers, their potential advantages and disadvantages, and their combination with radiation imaging methods and transvaginal sonography are discussed. More advanced imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have proven too expensive for widespread use. According to the World Health Organization, more than half of the world’s population does not have access to diagnostic imaging. Consequently, there is high demand for a low-cost, reliable, and safe imaging system for detecting and monitoring cancer. Currently, there is no clear algorithm available for examining and accurately diagnosing patients with postmenopausal ovarian tumors; moreover, reliable criteria allowing dynamic observation and for determining surgical access and optimal surgical intervention measures in postmenopausal patients are lacking. Medical microwave radiometry shows promising results yielding an accuracy of 90%.
Left Ventricular Function and Iron Loading Status in a Tertiary Center Hemochromatosis Cohort—A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study
Authors: Dorniak Karolina , Daniłowicz-Szymanowicz Ludmiła , Sikorska Katarzyna , Rozwadowska Katarzyna , Fijałkowska Jadwiga , Glińska Anna , Tuzimek Magdalena , Sabisz Agnieszka , Żarczyńska-Buchowiecka Marta , Świątczak Michał , Dudziak Maria , Szurowska Edyta
Published: October 2022

Background: Haemochromatosis (HCH), a common genetic disorder with variable penetrance, results in progressive but understudied iron overload. We prospectively evaluated organ iron loading and cardiac function in a tertiary center HCH cohort. Methods: 42 HCH patients (47 ± 14 years) and 36 controls underwent laboratory workup and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), including T1 and T2* mapping. Results: Myocardial T2* (myoT2*), myocardial T1 (myoT1) and liver T2* (livT2*) were lower in patients compared to controls (33 ± 4 ms vs. 36 ± 3 ms [p = 0.004], 964 ± 33 ms vs. 979 ± 25 ms [p = 0.028] and 21 ± 10 ms vs. 30 ± 5 ms [p < 0.001], respectively). MyoT2* did not reach the threshold of clinically significant iron overload (<20 ms), in any of the patients. In 22 (52.4%) patients, at least one of the tissue parameters was reduced. Reduced myocardial T2* and/or T1 were found in 10 (23.8%) patients, including 4 pts with normal livT2*. LivT2* was reduced in 18 (42.9%) patients. MyoT1 and livT2* inversely correlated with ferritin (rs = −0.351 [p = 0.028] and rs = −0.602 [p < 0.001], respectively). LivT2* by a dedicated sequence and livT2* by cardiac T2* mapping showed good agreement (ICC = 0.876 p < 0.001). Conclusions: In contemporary hemochromatosis, significant myocardial iron overload is rare. Low myocardial T2* and/or T1 values may warrant closer follow-up for accelerated myocardial iron overload even in patients without overt liver overload. Cardiac T2* mapping sequence allows for liver screening at the time of CMR.
Deep Learning-Based Classification of Uterine Cervical and Endometrial Cancer Subtypes from Whole-Slide Histopathology Images
Authors: Song JaeYen , Im Soyoung , Lee Sung Hak , Jang Hyun-Jong
Published: October 2022

Uterine cervical and endometrial cancers have different subtypes with different clinical outcomes. Therefore, cancer subtyping is essential for proper treatment decisions. Furthermore, an endometrial and endocervical origin for an adenocarcinoma should also be distinguished. Although the discrimination can be helped with various immunohistochemical markers, there is no definitive marker. Therefore, we tested the feasibility of deep learning (DL)-based classification for the subtypes of cervical and endometrial cancers and the site of origin of adenocarcinomas from whole slide images (WSIs) of tissue slides. WSIs were split into 360 × 360-pixel image patches at 20× magnification for classification. Then, the average of patch classification results was used for the final classification. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) for the cervical and endometrial cancer classifiers were 0.977 and 0.944, respectively. The classifier for the origin of an adenocarcinoma yielded an AUROC of 0.939. These results clearly demonstrated the feasibility of DL-based classifiers for the discrimination of cancers from the cervix and uterus. We expect that the performance of the classifiers will be much enhanced with an accumulation of WSI data. Then, the information from the classifiers can be integrated with other data for more precise discrimination of cervical and endometrial cancers.
A Hybrid Preprocessor DE-ABC for Efficient Skin-Lesion Segmentation with Improved Contrast
Authors: Malik Shairyar , Akram Tallha , Ashraf Imran , Rafiullah Muhammad , Ullah Mukhtar , Tanveer Jawad
Published: October 2022

Rapid advancements and the escalating necessity of autonomous algorithms in medical imaging require efficient models to accomplish tasks such as segmentation and classification. However, there exists a significant dependency on the image quality of datasets when using these models. Appreciable improvements to enhance datasets for efficient image analysis have been noted in the past. In addition, deep learning and machine learning are vastly employed in this field. However, even after the advent of these advanced techniques, a significant space exists for new research. Recent research works indicate the vast applicability of preprocessing techniques in segmentation tasks. Contrast stretching is one of the preprocessing techniques used to enhance a region of interest. We propose a novel hybrid meta-heuristic preprocessor (DE-ABC), which optimises the decision variables used in the contrast-enhancement transformation function. We validated the efficiency of the preprocessor against some state-of-the-art segmentation algorithms. Publicly available skin-lesion datasets such as PH2, ISIC-2016, ISIC-2017, and ISIC-2018 were employed. We used Jaccard and the dice coefficient as performance matrices; at the maximum, the proposed model improved the dice coefficient from 93.56% to 94.09%. Cross-comparisons of segmentation results with the original datasets versus the contrast-stretched datasets validate that DE-ABC enhances the efficiency of segmentation algorithms.
Metabolomic Signature of Diabetic Kidney Disease in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lin Huan-Tang , Cheng Mei-Ling , Lo Chi-Jen , Lin Gigin , Liu Fu-Chao
Published: October 2022

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the major cause of end stage renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The subtle metabolic changes in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) might precede the development of DKD by years. In this longitudinal study, CSF and plasma samples were collected from 28 patients with T2DM and 25 controls, during spinal anesthesia for elective surgery in 2017. These samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in 2017, and the results were correlated with current DKD in 2017, and the development of new-onset DKD, in 2021. Comparing patients with T2DM having new-onset DKD with those without DKD, revealed significantly increased CSF tryptophan and plasma uric acid levels, whereas phosphatidylcholine 36:4 was lower. The altered metabolites in the current DKD cases were uric acid and paraxanthine in the CSF and uric acid, L-acetylcarnitine, bilirubin, and phosphatidylethanolamine 38:4 in the plasma. These metabolic alterations suggest the defective mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and purine and phospholipid metabolism in patients with DKD. A correlation analysis found CSF uric acid had an independent positive association with the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. In conclusion, these identified CSF and plasma biomarkers of DKD in diabetic patients, might be valuable for monitoring the DKD progression.
Quantification of Pulmonary Artery Configuration after the Arterial Switch Operation: A Pilot Study
Authors: Martens Thomas , Claeys Gillian , De Groote Joachim , Kanakis Meletios , Kostolny Martin , Tsang Victor , Hughes Marina
Published: October 2022

Background: The arterial switch operation (ASO) is the preferred treatment for d-transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Freedom from reintervention is mainly determined by the performance of the arterial outflow tracts, with variable incidence of pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS), possibly related to aspects of surgical technique. This pilot study attempts to describe pulmonary artery (PA) configuration through several measurements using three-dimensional data from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and assesses whether PA configuration is associated with PAS. Methods: A retrospective, single-centre analysis of paediatric patients undergoing CMR after ASO. The geometry of the pulmonary arteries was compared between patients with and without PAS as judged by the CMR report. Results: Among all patients (n = 612) after ASO, 45 patients underwent CMR at a median age of 10 years (3.5–13). Twenty-two (57.9%) had PAS, categorized as mild (n = 1), moderate (n = 19) or severe (n = 2). Eighteen had stenosis on PA branches. Four had MPA stenosis. Comparison between groups with and without PAS revealed no significant differences in neo-aortic to pulmonary angle, MPA to LPA/RPA angle, or bifurcation angle. There was a significant difference in cranial displacement, with more cranial displacement in the group without PAS. However, this group was older, 10.8 (7.3–14.3) years compared to those with PAS, 6.8 (1.5–12.1). Conclusions: The spectrum of PAS after ASO is heterogenous. This study shows the feasibility of measuring PA configuration in three planes on CMR. There is no correlation between PA configuration and PAS. Therefore, other mechanisms are probably responsible for the occurrence of PAS, rather than the configuration on itself. Further multicentric studies are warranted to confirm the suggested measuring method and assessing the associations with PAS, to eventually advise surgical methodology.
Prognostic Factors of Survival in Glioblastoma Multiforme Patients—A Retrospective Study
Authors: Șerban Georgiana , Tămaș Flaviu , Bălașa Rodica , Manu Doina , Tămaș Corina , Bălașa Adrian
Published: October 2022

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor that occurs in adults. In spite of prompt diagnosis and rapidly administered treatment, the survival expectancy is tremendously poor. Extensive research has been performed in order to establish factors to predict the outcome of GBM patients; however, worldwide accepted prognostic markers are still lacking. Methods: We retrospectively assessed all adult patients who were diagnosed with primary GBM and underwent surgical treatment during a three-year period (January 2017–December 2019) in the Neurosurgery Department of the Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Târgu Mureș, Romania. Our aim was to find any statistically relevant connections between clinical, imagistic, and histopathological characteristics and patients’ survival. Results: A total of 75 patients were eventually included in our statistical analysis: 40 males and 35 females, with a median age of 61 years. The mean tumor dimension was 45.28 ± 15.52 mm, while the mean survival rate was 4 ± 6.75 months. A univariate analysis demonstrated a statistically significant impact of tumor size, pre-, and postoperative KPSI on survival rate. In addition, a Cox multivariate assessment strengthened previous findings regarding postoperative KPSI (regression coefficient −0.03, HR 0.97, 95% CI (HR) 0.96–0.99, p = 0.002) as a favorable prognostic factor and GBM size (regression coefficient 0.03, HR 1.03, 95% CI (HR) 1.01–1.05, p = 0.005) as a poor prognostic marker for patients’ survival. Conclusions: The results of our retrospective study are consistent with prior scientific results that provide evidence supporting the importance of clinical (quantified by KPSI) and imagistic (particularly tumor dimensions) features as reliable prognostic factors in GBM patients’ survival.