bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostics and Analytical Campaign as Support for the Restoration Activity of a 14th-Century Mural Painting Representing the Virgo Lactans
Authors: Tovazzi Valery , Pelosi Claudia , Falcucci Claudio , Gittins Mark , Lanteri Luca
Published: February 2025

The restoration of medieval wall paintings often involves the combination of heterogeneous techniques and materials considering their nature and period. One of the many obstacles in the study of the restoration of these types of artifacts is the paucity of sources that remain and the fragmentary nature of the paintings. As support, we can identify information about the modus operandi of the artists and artisans’ workshops that were active in the medieval period. Such information can be derived from important treatises-for example, Theophilus’ mid-12th-century treatise, the Diversarum artium Schedula, and chapter XV of Cennino Cennini’s Book of Art. These all coincide with the paintings presented in this paper, which represent the Virgo Lactans (or Madonna del Latte, Nursing Virgin) and a likely pre-existing figure of a praying woman. The investigated wall paintings are located in the porch of St. Andrew’s church, situated in the neighborhood of Pianoscarano (Viterbo, Central Italy). The historical context and the execution technique of the paintings were carefully studied, supported by a diagnostic and analytical campaign carried out by means of hypercolorimetric multispectral imaging, spot X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy using a portable instrument, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and cross-section analysis. These analyses allowed us to characterize the original materials, the stratigraphic sequence of the paintings, and the previous interventions applied to the paintings’ layers, giving relevant data to support the recently concluded restoration.
Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Tableware and Common Wares from Early Medieval Tokharistan
Authors: Bestetti Maura M. , Martínez Ferreras Verónica , Esparraguera Josep M. Gurt
Published: February 2025

Between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, several (semi-)nomadic populations invaded ancient Tokharistan (Central Asia), introducing political, socio-economic and cultural changes that also affected pottery production. The study of ceramic materials thereby represents a useful tool for shedding light on the transformations related to such historical events. Unfortunately, no systematic research on ceramics from this region and this period has been conducted to date, and the information available mostly concerns the formal characteristics and imprecise relative chronologies. Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of Early Medieval pottery production in the territory north of the Amu Darya, we present a preliminary investigation on tableware and common wares recovered in the settlements of Khosijat Tepe, Shurob Kurgan, Balalyk Tepe and Dabil Kurgan. This paper provides new data on the vessels’ morphological/stylistic characteristics and relative chronologies, allowing their contextualisation and categorisation. In order to explore the manufacturing processes and their provenance (production areas), a multidisciplinary approach that combines WD-XRF, powder XRD and thin-section optical microscopy was carried out, allowing us to determine the chemical, mineralogical and petrographic compositions, respectively. The results suggest that most vessels consist of local/regional products. The choice and processing of the raw materials are broadly similar. However, slight variations are observed among the ceramics from distinct sites, related to the procurement of clayey sediments from different sources. Although a certain degree of morphological and technological continuity regarding the preceding Kushano-Sasanian pottery tradition is attested for some functional categories, new shapes and decorations appear, confirming the introduction of new practices in the region.
In the Footsteps of Grandtourists: Envisioning Itineraries in Inner Areas for Literary and Responsible Tourism
Authors: Zatelli Paolo , Gabellieri Nicola , Besana Angelo
Published: February 2025

In recent years, various scholars have called for the development of new forms of cultural tourism aimed at enhancing inland areas. Following this, this paper presents a method for semi-automatically constructing itineraries for cultural tourism, utilizing a geo-dataset of literary quotations, including quotes and itineraries that can offer ideas for new storytelling, envisioning landscapes and cultural references for territorial valorization. This pilot case study focuses on the Dolomite area of the Fiemme and Fassa valleys, a well-known tourist destination also famous for its historic wood production. This study is based on a dataset of geolocated travel reports from 11 different 19th-century authors. These descriptions are classified into Points of Interest (POIs), and the point layer is integrated with a linear layer of the road and path network. Variables such as bus stops and travel time are also considered. The entire process is automated through a script that generates maps of optimal routes for each author, along with corresponding tables of travel times. This method enables the use of this dataset to design and develop specific cultural routes considering different variables. As a result, a cartography of multiple itineraries is proposed, which can serve as a tool for promoting cultural, sustainable and slow tourism development in an alpine inland area.
Divide and Conquer—Targeted Therapy for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Nedeljković Milica , Vuletić Ana , Mirjačić Martinović Katarina
Published: February 2025

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and malignant type of breast cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. One of the most significant impediments in TNBC treatment is the high heterogeneity of this disease, as highlighted by the detection of several molecular subtypes of TNBC. Each subtype is driven by distinct mutations and pathway aberrations, giving rise to specific molecular characteristics closely connected to clinical behavior, outcomes, and drug sensitivity. This review summarizes the knowledge regarding TNBC molecular subtypes and how it can be harnessed to devise tailored treatment strategies instead of blindly using targeted drugs. We provide an overview of novel targeted agents and key insights about new treatment modalities with an emphasis on the androgen receptor signaling pathway, cancer stem cell-associated pathways, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway, growth factor signaling, and immunotherapy.
Rno-miR-130b Attenuates Lipid Accumulation Through Promoting Apoptosis and Inhibiting Differentiation in Rat Intramuscular Adipocytes
Authors: Yu Yichen , Chen Yongfang , Wang Lijun , Cheng Ji , Du Min , Pan Shifeng
Published: February 2025

Our previous studies have shown that miR-130b can significantly inhibit subcutaneous fat deposition in pigs. This study aims to further investigate its effect on lipid accumulation at early-stage (24 and 48 h) and late-stage (7 d) adipogenic differentiation and to clarify potential mechanisms using primary rat intramuscular preadipocytes (IMAs). Results showed that at 24 h and 48 h, miR-130b overexpression significantly reduced lipid deposition by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, miR-130b overexpression significantly inhibited the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis marker genes. Specifically, the mRNA expression of Ccnd1 tended to decrease, while the BCL2 protein level was significantly decreased at 48 h. In contrast, miR-130b inhibition significantly increased the BCL2 protein level. At 7 d, the miR-130b mimic significantly decreased intracellular TG content and tended to decrease Hsd11b1 mRNA expression while significantly promoting Lpl mRNA expression. Additionally, the miR-130b mimic significantly increased the CASP3 protein level and tended to decrease the BCL2 protein level. In conclusion, our data indicated for the first time that miR-130b could reduce lipid deposition in rat IMAs through different mechanisms: at the early stage of differentiation by inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis and at the late stage by inhibiting adipogenic differentiation, promoting lipid hydrolysis, and promoting apoptosis.
Differential Gene Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus Following Long-Access Methamphetamine Self-Administration in Male Rats
Authors: Robison Christopher L. , Madore Victoria , Cova Nicole , Karbalivand Mona , Elsawa Sherine F. , Charntikov Sergios
Published: February 2025

Methamphetamine (METH) is a potent psychostimulant that disrupts cognitive and neurobiological functions in brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. Chronic METH use leads to altered synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, contributing to methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). This study investigates gene expression changes following long-access intravenous METH self-administration in a rodent model. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was conducted on PFC and hippocampal tissue to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between METH-treated and control groups. We identified 41 DEGs in the PFC and 32 in the hippocampus, many involved in synaptic plasticity, immune response, and energy metabolism. Key findings included downregulation of mitochondrial function genes and upregulation of genes related to neural development and extracellular matrix organization, highlighting the profound transcriptional effects of METH. As a proof-of-concept, we explored individual gene expression variability in relation to economic demand for METH. Rats exhibiting higher demand showed distinct molecular profiles, including upregulation of genes linked to neural signaling and transcription regulation, such as Foxd1 and Cdh1. This preliminary analysis demonstrates that individual differences in drug-seeking correlate with unique gene expression patterns. These findings suggest that both group-level and individual molecular changes contribute to the neurobiological mechanisms of METH use. A better understanding of these individual differences could potentially inform the development of personalized therapeutic approaches for MUD.
Lung Microbiota: From Healthy Lungs to Development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Stankovic Marija M.
Published: February 2025

Lung health is dependent on a complex picture of the lung microbiota composed of bacteriobiota, mycobiota, and virome. The studies have demonstrated that the lung microbiota has a crucial role in host protection by regulating innate and adaptive lung immunity. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease featuring changed microbiota composition and diversity, known as a dysbiosis. The lung dysbiosis increases with the progress of COPD and during exacerbation. Two models of dysbiosis have been proposed: dysbiosis and inflammation cycles and the disturbance of bacterial interactome. Still, it is unknown if the driving factor of the pathogenesis of COPD belongs to the host or microbiota. Recently, host–microbiota and microbe–microbe interactions have been highlighted in COPD, but the mechanisms behind these interactions need further exploration. The function of the gut–lung axis is crucial for the maintenance of lung health and is affected in COPD. The application of probiotics has resulted in host–beneficial effects, and it is likely that future progress in this field will aid in the therapy of COPD. In this review, the composition of the lung microbiota, molecular mechanisms, and clinical aspects relating to host and microbiota in health and COPD are comprehensively provided.
High-Performance Mobility Simulation: Implementation of a Parallel Distributed Message-Passing Algorithm for MATSim
Authors: Laudan Janek , Heinrich Paul , Nagel Kai
Published: February 2025

Striving for better simulation results, transport planners want to simulate larger domains with increased levels of detail. Achieving fast execution times for these complex traffic simulations requires the parallel computing power of modern hardware. This paper presents an architectural update to the MATSim traffic simulation framework, introducing a prototype that adapts the existing traffic flow model to a distributed parallel algorithm. The prototype is capable of scaling across multiple compute nodes, utilizing the parallel computing power of modern hardware. Benchmarking reveals a 119-fold improvement in execution speed over the current implementation, and a 43 times speedup when compared to single-core performance. The prototype can simulate 24 h of large-scale traffic in just 3.5 s. Based on these results, we advocate for integrating a distributed simulation approach into MATSim and outline steps for further optimizing the prototype for large-scale applications.
Participation in Healthy Ageing Centres in Bosnia and Herzegovina Is Associated with Increased Physical Activity, Social Interactions, and Life Satisfaction Among Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Pamias-Lopez Daniela , Keck Tara
Published: February 2025

Background: The global population is experiencing a demographic shift towards older ages, which has the potential to increase the prevalence of ageing-related diseases and associated healthcare costs. Promoting healthy ageing behaviours, such as physical and social activity, has been shown to reduce disability and frailty among older people and improve their life satisfaction. To this aim, several Healthy Ageing Centres have been established across nine municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to support healthy ageing behaviours in older populations. This cross-sectional study hypothesises that participation in these centres will be associated with an increase in healthy behaviours. Methods: This exploratory study compares the behaviours of Healthy Ageing Centre members (n = 399) and non-members (n = 55) to assess if participation in Healthy Ageing Centres is associated with healthy ageing behaviours such as physical activity, social interactions, and life satisfaction. Results: Members at Healthy Ageing Centres had a higher life satisfaction, exercised for significantly longer, and engaged in social activities more frequently than non-members. No differences were found in diet, alcohol consumption or loneliness levels. Conclusions: The present study highlights the positive behaviours associated with attending Healthy Ageing Centres, suggesting that their establishment in ageing populations could be beneficial for supporting healthy ageing.
Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Different Clinical Phenotypes: Insights from the French Population
Authors: Fawzy Ameenathul M. , Bisson Arnaud , Lochon Lisa , Lenormand Thibault , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Fauchier Laurent
Published: February 2025

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients represent a clinically complex, heterogeneous population comprising multiple homogeneous cohorts. Purpose: We aimed to identify the common clinical phenotypes of AF patients and compare clinical outcomes between these subgroups. Methods: A 1% representative sample of all AF patients hospitalized between 2010 and 2019 was identified from the French national database. Agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using Ward’s method and squared Euclidian distance to derive the clusters of patients. Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate outcomes including all-cause death, cardiovascular death, non-cardiovascular death, ischemic stroke, hospitalization for heart failure (HF) and composite of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest (VT/VF/CA) over a mean follow-up period of 2.0 ± 2.3 years. Results: Four clusters were generated from the 12,688 patients included. Cluster 1 (n = 2375) was younger, low cardiovascular disease (CVD)-risk group with a high cancer prevalence. Clusters 2 (n = 6441) and 3 (n = 1639) depicted moderate-risk groups for CVD. Cluster 3 also had the highest degree of frailty and lung disease while Cluster 4 (n = 2233) represented a high-risk cohort for CVD. After adjusting for confounders, with cluster 1 as the reference, cluster 3 had the highest risk of all-cause death, HR 1.24 (1.09–1.41), ARD (10.3%), cardiovascular death, HR 1.56 (1.19–2.06), ARD (3.3%), non-cardiovascular death, HR 1.20 (1.04–1.38), ARD (6.9%), hospitalization for HF, HR 2.07 (1.71–2.50), ARD (9.1%) and VT/VF/CA, HR 1.74 (1.20–2.53), (ARD 1.3%). Conclusions: Four distinct clusters of AF patients were identified, discriminated by the differential presence of comorbidities. Our findings suggest that hospitalized AF patients with moderate CVD risk may have a poorer prognosis compared to hospitalized AF patients with high CVD risk in the presence of lung pathology and frailty. This subgroup of patients may require more stringent management of existing comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sleep apnea, alongside their AF.
Risk of Thrombosis in Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Narrative Review
Authors: Grandone Elvira , Bitsadze Victoria , Khizroeva Jamilya , Chinni Elena , Mastroianno Mario , Nappi Luigi , Tretyakova Maria , Makatsariya Natalia , Grigoreva Kristina , Gashimova Nilufar , Lazarchuk Arina , Kapanadze Daredzhan , Polyakova Tatyana , Shatilina Anastasia , Lyadnova Elizaveta , Blbulyan Armen , Kuneshko Nart , Zainulina Marina , Gerotziafas Grigoris , Makatsariya Alexander
Published: February 2025

This narrative review summarizes the available literature on the association between In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments and thrombosis, focusing on epidemiology and pathophysiology. Thrombosis is a rare IVF-related complication, with an incidence of approximately 0.2%, dramatically increased by ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Arterial thrombosis, primarily associated with OHSS, is a rare and early event, while venous thrombosis, although more common, remains a rare complication of IVF. Venous thrombosis often affects the upper body. The thrombotic risk is higher during the first trimester of pregnancy obtained through IVF. This review discusses the impact of risk factors such as OHSS, thrombophilia, obesity, advanced maternal age, and polycystic ovarian syndrome, which predispose women to thromboembolic events during and after IVF stimulation.
Age as a Predictor of Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonist Drug and Antidrug Antibody Concentrations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease—A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Shehab Mohammad , Alrashed Fatema
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNFs) have been shown to be an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Several factors are associated with anti-TNF treatment failure. This study aims to explore the impact of age on serum concentrations of anti-TNF drugs and antidrug antibodies (ADAbs). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients’ charts from July 2018 until September 2024 across seven medical centers. Patients with an established diagnosis of IBD receiving infliximab or adalimumab were included. The primary outcome of this study was the effect of age on the anti-TNFs serum drug concentration and ADAb levels. Linear regression was performed to explore the relationship between age and serum anti-TNF drug and ADAb levels. Results: 1093 patients were included in our cohort. In patients receiving infliximab, there was a significant association between older age and increasing ADAbs levels (p = 0.036), whereas in patients treated with adalimumab, there was no significant relationship between older age and ADAb levels (p = 0.771). There was no significant relationship between age and adalimumab serum concentration (p = 0.54). When stratified by age, patients taking infliximab who were >30 years of age developed more ADAbs compared to those aged ≤30 (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Patients older than 30 years of age receiving infliximab monotherapy have higher ADAbs and lower serum drug concentrations than younger patients. There was no statistically significant difference in ADAbs and serum drug concentrations among patients receiving infliximab combination therapy or adalimumab monotherapy.
Pre-Admission Antiplatelet Therapy in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Double-Edged Sword
Authors: Seetge Jessica , Cséke Balázs , Karádi Zsófia Nozomi , Bosnyák Edit , Szapáry László
Published: February 2025

Background: Cryptogenic stroke, a challenging subtype of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), is characterized by the absence of an identifiable etiology despite thorough diagnostic assessment. The role of pre-admission antiplatelet therapy (APT) in this population remains poorly understood, as current guidelines are primarily based on evidence from other stroke subtypes. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of pre-admission APT on functional outcomes in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Methods: A total of 224 patients with cryptogenic stroke admitted to the University of Pécs between February 2023 and September 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) with sensitivity analysis was employed to balance baseline characteristics, resulting in a matched cohort of 122 patients. Logistic regression and mediation analysis were used to evaluate the association between pre-admission APT and favorable outcome at 90 days, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2. Results: A favorable outcome was achieved by 39.3% of patients with pre-admission APT (n = 61), compared to 61.7% of those not receiving pre-admission APT (n = 162) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22–0.74, p = 0.004). After PSM and adjusting for confounders, including pre-morbidity mRS (pre-mRS) (OR = 0.17, CI: 0.06–0.49, p < 0.001), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 72 h post-stroke (OR = 0.67, CI: 0.50–0.88, p = 0.004), and smoking status (OR = 0.14, CI: 0.02–0.78, p = 0.025), pre-admission APT remained associated with poorer functional outcomes (adjusted OR [aOR] = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06–0.76, p = 0.018). Conclusions: Pre-admission APT is independently associated with poorer functional outcomes in cryptogenic stroke patients. These findings challenge traditional assumptions regarding APT’s protective role and highlight the need for prospective studies to refine its use in cryptogenic stroke management.
A Narrative Review on the Sperm Selection Methods in Assisted Reproductive Technology: Out with the New, the Old Is Better?
Authors: Tiptiri-Kourpeti Angeliki , Asimakopoulos Byron , Nikolettos Nikolaos
Published: February 2025

Background: Male infertility, accounting for nearly half of infertility cases worldwide, has spurred significant research into its causes, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Genetic abnormalities, social causes, environmental exposures, lifestyle, and further health conditions are key contributors. Methods: Essential to improving the outcomes of ART is, among other things, the selection of high-quality sperm, which requires methods that assess sperm motility, morphology, DNA integrity, and oxidative stress levels. Results: Traditional techniques such as semen analysis, swim-up, and density gradient centrifugation (DGC) are still widely used, but there is ongoing discussion regarding the limitations in detecting DNA damage and oxidative stress. Advanced methods like magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and microfluidic sorting have emerged as more precise tools for selecting sperm with better genetic integrity, although they face challenges in terms of their standardization, cost, and clinical adoption. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Raman spectroscopy offer the potential for more automated, accurate sperm selection, minimizing human error and variability. However, the integration of these methods into clinical practice requires further validation through large-scale studies, including assessments of their long-term safety and cost-effectiveness. Conclusions: Future research should focus on refining sperm selection techniques, tailoring them to personalized infertility approaches, and addressing the gaps in the evidence to improve ART outcomes and patient care.
Efficacy and Safety of Omalizumab and Dupilumab in Pediatric Patients with Skin Diseases: An Observational Study
Authors: Galletta Francesca , Rizzuti Ludovica , Passanisi Stefano , Rosa Emanuela , Caminiti Lucia , Manti Sara
Published: February 2025

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) are significant challenges in pediatric populations, negatively impacting quality of life (QoL). Biologic therapies, including omalizumab and dupilumab, showed considerable promise for patients unresponsive to conventional treatments. This study evaluated the real-life efficacy and safety of these biologics in pediatric CSU and AD patients. Methods: A retrospective, monocentric study was conducted enrolling pediatric patients (aged 6–18 years) followed at the “G. Martino” Hospital, University of Messina. This study included patients with CSU unresponsive to antihistamines and those with moderate-to-severe AD refractory to topical therapies. Disease severity and treatment efficacy were evaluated using the Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7) for CSU, the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) for AD, and QoL metrics, including the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and numerical rating scales, for pruritus (p-NRS) and sleep (s-NRS), at baseline, 16 weeks, and 52 weeks. Safety was assessed through the monitoring of reported adverse events (AEs). Results: Omalizumab significantly reduced UAS7 scores by 71.9% at 16 weeks and 75.3% at 52 weeks (p < 0.001), with concurrent improvements in c-DLQI. Dupilumab reduced the EASI score by 75.3%, p-NRS by 40%, and s-NRS by 52.9% over 52 weeks, with c-DLQI improving by 72.6%. No severe AEs were observed; mild reactions included injection-site erythema and respiratory symptoms. Conclusions: Omalizumab and dupilumab demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing disease severity and improving QoL in pediatric patients with CSU and AD. Moreover, their safety profile underscores their potential as essential treatments for these conditions.
Determinants of Stochastic Distance-to-Default
Authors: Eldomiaty Tarek , Azzam Islam , El Kolaly Hoda , Dabour Ahmed , Anwar Marwa , Elshahawy Rehab
Published: February 2025

Efficient management of bankruptcy risk requires treating distant-to-default (DD) stochastically as long as historical stock prices move randomly and, thus, do not guarantee that history may repeat itself. Using long-term data that date back to 1952–2023, including the nonfinancial companies listed in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations indexes, this study estimates the historical and stochastic DDs via the geometric Brownian motion (GBM). The results show that (a) the association between the debt-to-equity ratio and the stochastic DD can be used as an indicator of excessive debt financing; (b) debt tax savings have a positive effect on stochastic DD; (c) bankruptcy costs have negative effects on stochastic DD; (d) in terms of the size of the company being proxied by sales revenue and the equity market value of the company, the DD is a reliable measure of bankruptcy costs; (e) in terms of macroeconomic influences, increases in the percentage change in manufacturing output are associated with lower observed and stochastic DD; and (f) in terms of the influences of industry, the stochastic DD is affected by the industry average retail inventory to sales. This paper contributes to related studies in terms of focusing on the indicators that a company’s management can focus on to address the stochastic patterns inherent in the estimation of the DD.
Comprehensive Assessment of Drought Susceptibility Using Predictive Modeling, Climate Change Projections, and Land Use Dynamics for Sustainable Management
Authors: Liu Jinping , Li Mingzhe , Li Renzhi , Shalamzari Masoud Jafari , Ren Yanqun , Silakhori Esmaeil
Published: February 2025

This study assessed the drought susceptibility in Golestan Province, Northeastern Iran, using land use change modeling and climate projections from the CMIP6 framework, under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5) for 2030–2050. The development of current (2022) and future drought susceptibility maps was based on agrometeorological sample points and 14 environmental factors—such as land use, precipitation, mean temperature, soil moisture, and remote sensing-driven vegetation indices—used as inputs into a machine learning model, maximum entropy. The model showed a very robust predictive capacity, with AUCs for the training and test data of 0.929 and 0.910, thus certifying the model’s reliability. The current analysis identified major hotspots in Gomishan and Aqqala, where 66.12% and 36.12% of their areas, respectively, exhibited “very high” susceptibility. Projections under the SSP scenarios, particularly SSP5-8.5, indicate that the risk of drought will be the most severe in Maraveh Tappeh, where 72.09% of the area exhibits a “very high” risk. The results revealed that Golestan Province is at a crossroads. Rising temperatures, exceeding 35 °C in summer, combined with declining rainfall, intensify agricultural and hydrological droughts. These aggravated risks are compounded with land use transitions from rangelands to bare land, mostly in Aqqala and Gomishan, besides urban expansion in Bandar-e Torkman and Bandar Gaz, all of which face less groundwater recharge and increased surface runoff. Golestan’s drought vulnerability has both local and regional impacts, with its increased susceptibility affecting neighboring communities and ecosystems. Trade, migration, and ecological stresses linked to declining water resources may emerge as critical challenges, requiring regional collaboration for mitigation. Targeted interventions prioritizing sustainable land use practices, regional cooperation, and collaborative strategies are essential to address and mitigate these cascading risks and safeguard vulnerable communities.
Recycled Aluminum Paraffin Composite for Passive Cooling Application in Buildings
Authors: Thalmaier Gyorgy , Cobîrzan Nicoleta , Fechete-Tutunaru Lucian V. , Balan Mugur Ciprian
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a new composite phase change material made of paraffin and recycled aluminum sawing chips. Aluminum sawing chips were selected as a thermal conductivity enhancer, the volume fraction (~15%) of which, in the paraffin composite material, was minimized by selecting a fraction with shape that minimizes its packing density. Therefore, the particles remained in contact inside the composite, and thus, their sinking in the liquid state was avoided. The paraffin composite obtained had a latent heat capacity reduced by 20% compared to the paraffin and the thermal conductivity increased by 236%. The composite materials also had a wide active temperature range (33–65 °C). Incorporation of this paraffin composite in the brick cavities was tested as a way of improving the heat transfer fluctuations in the hot hours of the day. The experimental data show a maximum temperature difference of about 3 °C in comparison with bricks without the paraffin composite incorporated. To evaluate the environmental impact of the paraffin composite, the Global Warming Potential (CO2eq) was determined. The results highlighted less CO2eq in comparison with other recycled composite materials.
Assessment of Cracking Development in Concrete Precast Crane Beams Using Optical and Deep Learning Methods
Authors: Słoński Marek
Published: February 2025

The longevity and safety of concrete precast crane beams significantly impact the operational integrity of industrial infrastructure. Assessment of surface cracks development in concrete structural elements during laboratory tests is performed mainly by applying standard tools such as linear-variable-differential transformers and strain gauges. This paper presents a novel assessment methodology combining deep convolutional neural network for image segmentation with digital image correlation method to evaluate the structural health of precast crane beams after more than fifty years of service. The study first outlines the adaptation of the deep learning U-Net architecture for detecting and segmentation of surface cracks in crane beams. Concurrently, DIC technique is employed to measure surface strains and displacements under load. The integration of these technologies enables a non-destructive, accurate, and detailed analysis, facilitating early detection of deterioration that may compromise structural safety. Initial results from field tests validate the effectiveness of our approach, demonstrating its potential as a tool for predictive maintenance of aging industrial infrastructure.
Analysis of Heat Treatment of AlSi7Cu0.5Mg Alloy
Authors: Mičian Miloš , Kantoríková Elena , Borowiecka-Jamrozek Joanna , Kasińska Justyna
Published: February 2025

This article describes how different heat treatment methods affect the mechanical properties of AlSi7Cu0.5Mg. This article offers a new perspective on the topic of heat treatment analysis. AlSi7Cu0.5Mg alloy has a specific chemical composition due to its lower titanium and silicon content. It is still an experimentally tested alloy, intended for the production of high-strength castings in automotive applications. Although we are generally familiar with heat treatment methods for aluminum alloys, in the present case, we did not know the exact effect of artificial aging on the mechanical properties of AlSi7Cu0.5Mg. Five heat treatment regimes at temperatures of 160; 180; 200; 220 and 240 °C were monitored by removing the samples from the furnace at specified time intervals ranging from 30 min to 8 h. The solution treatment was the same for all samples (540 °C, 4 h and 80 °C water). The aim was to find out at what the highest hardness, strength, ductility, yield strength and metallographic yield strength were which could be obtained. The best properties were presented by the alloy which was artificially aged at 180 °C for 60 min. The topic and research on aluminum alloys in general are still relevant because in industrial practice and automotive applications, Al alloys are irreplaceable.
Horizontal and Vertical Coordinated Control of Three-Axis Heavy Vehicles
Authors: Zhang Lanchun , Huang Fei , Cui Hao , Wang Yaqi , Yang Lin
Published: February 2025

In order to coordinate the transverse motion control and longitudinal motion control in the tracking control process and ensure the yaw stability and roll stability in the tracking process, a transverse and longitudinal coordinated control method of three-axis heavy vehicles is designed based on model predictive control. The lateral motion controller is designed based on the phase plane method. The upper controller calculates the front wheel angle and additional yaw moment, which ensures the yaw stability while tracking the vehicle. The lower controller calculates the driving force and braking force of the three-axis heavy vehicle. The velocity planning method is designed with the coupling point of longitudinal velocity to coordinate the lateral and longitudinal motion controllers and prevent vehicle rollover. By building the vehicle model in Trucksim (2016.1) and establishing the horizontal and vertical coordination control in Matlab (R2016b), the designed horizontal and vertical coordination control method is simulated and verified. The simulation results show that the designed method can accurately track the reference trajectory while ensuring the yaw stability and roll stability of the three-axis heavy vehicle.
Homothetic Covering of Crosspolytopes
Authors: Lyu Yunfang , Chen Feifei , Wu Senlin
Published: February 2025

The exact value of Γm(K), which is the least positive number γ such that a convex body K can be covered by m translates of γK, is usually difficult to obtain. We present exact values of Γ14(B13), Γ11(B14), Γ2n(B1n), Γ2n+1(B1n), and Γ2n+2(B1n), where B1n is the unit ball of Rn endowed with the taxicab norm.
Lie Ideals and Homoderivations in Semiprime Rings
Authors: Hummdi Ali Yahya , Bedir Zeliha , Sögütcü Emine Koç , Gölbaşı Öznur , Rehman Nadeem ur
Published: February 2025

Let S be a 2-torsion free semiprime ring and U be a noncentral square-closed Lie ideal of S. An additive mapping ℏ on S is defined as a homoderivation if ℏ(ab)=ℏ(a)ℏ(b)+ℏ(a)b+aℏ(a) for all a,b∈S. In the present paper, we shall prove that ℏ is a commuting map on U if any one of the following holds: (i)ℏ(a˜1a˜2)+a˜1a˜2∈Z, (ii)ℏ(a˜1a˜2)−a˜1a˜2∈Z, (iii)ℏa˜1∘a˜2=0, (iv)ℏa˜1∘a˜2=a˜1,a˜2, (v)ℏa˜1,a˜2=0, (vi)ℏa˜1,a˜2= (a˜1∘a˜2), (vii)a˜1ℏ(a˜2)±a˜1a˜2∈Z, (viii)a˜1ℏ(a˜2)±a˜2a˜1=0, (ix)a˜1ℏ(a˜2)±a˜1∘a˜2=0, (x)[ℏ(a˜1),a˜2]±a˜1a˜2=0, (xi)[ℏ(a˜1),a˜2]±a˜2a˜1=0, for all a˜1,a˜2∈U, where ℏ is a homoderivation on S.
Impact of Vitamins, Antibiotics, Probiotics, and History of COVID-19 on the Gut Microbiome in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Straume Zane , Krūmiņa Nikola , Elbere Ilze , Rozenberga Maija , Erts Renārs , Rudzīte Dace , Proskurina Anna , Krumina Angelika
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives: The human gut microbiome is essential for the health of the host and is affected by antibiotics and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The gut microbiome is recognized as a contributing factor in the development of ulcerative colitis. Specific vitamins and probiotics have been demonstrated to positively influence the microbiome by enhancing the prevalence of expected beneficial microorganisms. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine ulcerative colitis (UC) outpatients from Riga East Clinical University Hospital were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from June 2021 to December 2021. All patients were divided into groups based on history of COVID-19 (COVID-19 positive vs. COVID-19 negative) in the last six months. Information about antibiotic, probiotic, and vitamin intake were outlined, and faecal samples were collected. The MetaPhlAn v.2.6.0 tool was used for the taxonomic classification of the gut microbiome metagenome data. Statistical analysis was performed using R 4.2.1. Results: Of the 49 patients enrolled, 31 (63%) were male and 18 (37%) were female. Coronavirus disease 2019 was found in 14 (28.6%) patients in the last 6 months. Verrucomicrobia was statistically significantly lower in the COVID-19 positive group (M = 0.05; SD = 0.11) compared to the COVID-19 negative group (M = 0.5; SD = 1.22), p = 0.03. Antibiotic non-users had more Firmicutes in their microbiome than antibiotic users (p = 0.008). The most used vitamin supplement was vitamin D (N = 18), fifteen (42.9%) of the patients were COVID-19 negative and 3 (21.4%) were COVID-19 positive over the last six months (p > 0.05). Vitamin C users had more Firmicutes in their gut microbiome compared to non-users (Md = 72.8 [IQR: 66.6; 78.7] vs. Md = 60.1 [IQR: 42.4; 67.7]), p = 0.01. Conclusions: Antibiotic non-users had more Firmicutes than antibiotic users in their gut microbiome. Only vitamin C had statistically significant results; in users, more Firmicutes were observed. A mild course of COVID-19 may not influence ulcerative colitis patients’ gut microbiome.
The Impact of Standard Care Versus Intrinsic Relaxation at Home on Physiological Parameters in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Comparative Cohort Study from Romania
Authors: Borze (Ursu) Theodora Florica , Pallag Annamaria , Tarcău Emilian , Ciobanu Doriana Ioana , Andronie-Cioară Felicia Liana , Nistor-Cseppento Carmen Delia , Ciavoi Gabriela , Mureșan Mariana
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM), through the presence of widespread chronic pain, stiffens the musculoskeletal system and causes sleep disturbances and fatigue. Through this study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of two different recovery interventions for improving sleep quality: a standard, multidisciplinary intervention in a recovery hospital versus a therapy focused on intrinsic relaxation at home. Materials and Methods: This study included 60 adult patients who participated voluntarily and were diagnosed with FM by a rheumatologist, randomly divided into two groups. During this study, 30 patients out of the 60 were randomly assigned to experimental group 1 and underwent treatment at the Recovery Clinical Hospital in Băile Felix. The other 30 patients were assigned to experimental group 2 and underwent treatment at home. They were assessed on the first and last day of the recovery program using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: In experimental group 1, where by patients underwent hospital recovery (EG1), the results show that the severity of fatigue (FSS) was significantly reduced, with p = 0.00 and an effect size of 0.77, which suggests a general improvement in the state of fatigue, as well as in the quality of sleep evaluated with the PSQI (p = 0.00, effect size = 0.55). In experimental group 2 (EG2), no change was observed between assessments in terms of the FSS, but in terms of the quality of sleep, there was a small decrease in the PSQI score (p = 0.083), with a small effect size of 0.09. Conclusions: The results show that, from a clinical point of view, a complex treatment carried out daily improves sleep quality and reduces fatigue.
Changes in Protein Expression in Warmed Human Lens Epithelium Cells Using Shotgun Proteomics
Authors: Otake Hiroko , Yamamoto Tetsushi , Yamamoto Naoki , Nakazawa Yosuke , Miyata Yoshiki , Taga Atsushi , Sasaki Hiroshi , Nagai Noriaki
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives: In previous studies, we reported that the assessment of the cumulative thermal dose in the crystalline lens, conducted through computational modeling utilizing a supercomputer and the biothermal transport equation, exhibited a significant association with the incidence of nuclear cataracts. In this study, we have investigated the types of proteins that expressed underlying 35.0 °C (normal-temp) and 37.5 °C (warming-temp) by using the shotgun liquid chromatography (LC) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)-based global proteomic approach. Materials and Methods: We have discussed the changes in protein expression in warmed iHLEC-NY2 cells using Gene Ontology analysis and a label-free semiquantitative method based on spectral counting. Results: In iHLEC-NY2, 615 proteins were detected, including 307 (49.9%) present in both lenses cultured at normal-temp and warming-temp, 130 (21.1%) unique to the lens cultured at normal-temp, and 178 (29.0%) unique to the lens cultured at warming-temp. Furthermore, LC–MS/MS analysis showed that warming decreased the expression of actin, alpha cardiac muscle 1, actin-related protein 2, putative tubulin-like protein alpha-4B, ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 17-like protein 1, ubiquitin-ribosomal protein eL40 fusion protein, ribosome biogenesis protein BMS1 homolog, histone H2B type 1-M, and histone H2A.J. in iHLEC-NY2. Conclusions: The decreases in the specific protein levels of actin, tubulin, ubiquitin, ribosomes, and histones may be related to cataract development under warming conditions. This investigation could provide a critical framework for understanding the correlation between temperature dynamics and the development of nuclear cataracts.
Beyond the Needle: Innovative Microneedle-Based Transdermal Vaccination
Authors: Nguyen Hiep X.
Published: February 2025

Vaccination represents a critical preventive strategy in the current global healthcare system, serving as an indispensable intervention against diverse pathogenic threats. Although conventional immunization relies predominantly on hypodermic needle-based administration, this method carries substantial limitations, including needle-associated fear, bloodborne pathogen transmission risks, occupational injuries among healthcare workers, waste management issues, and dependence on trained medical personnel. Microneedle technology has emerged as an innovative vaccine delivery system, offering convenient, effective, and minimally invasive administration. These microscale needle devices facilitate targeted antigen delivery to epidermal and dermal tissues, where abundant populations of antigen-presenting cells, specifically Langerhans and dermal dendritic cells, provide robust immunological responses. Multiple research groups have extensively investigated microneedle-based vaccination strategies. This transdermal delivery technique offers several advantages, notably circumventing cold-chain requirements and enabling self-administration. Numerous preclinical investigations and clinical trials have demonstrated the safety profile, immunogenicity, and patient acceptance of microneedle-mediated vaccine delivery across diverse immunization applications. This comprehensive review examines the fundamental aspects of microneedle-based immunization, including vaccination principles, transcutaneous immunization strategies, and microneedle-based transdermal delivery—including classifications, advantages, and barriers. Furthermore, this review addresses critical technical considerations, such as treatment efficacy, application methodologies, wear duration, dimensional optimization, manufacturing processes, regulatory frameworks, and sustainability considerations, followed by an analysis of the future perspective of this technology.
One-Step Fabrication of Poly(vinylidene Fluoride-Co-Hexafluoropropylene)/Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane Fibrous Membranes with Waterproof, Breathable, and Radiative Cooling Properties
Authors: Hou Aohan , Xie Juan , Wu Xiaohui , Lin Guichun , Yuan Yayi , Liu Xi , Wu Yancheng , Gan Feng , Li Yangling , Wu Yuxiao , Huang Gang , Li Zhengrong , Zhao Jing
Published: February 2025

Functional membranes with waterproof, breathable, and thermal regulation capabilities are increasingly sought after across various industries. However, developing such functional membranes commonly involves complex multi-step preparation processes. Herein, we introduced perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS) into the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) solution for one-step electrospinning, successfully fabricating membranes that combine these properties. The hydrophobicity of the PVDF-HFP/FAS membrane was greatly improved with the water contact angle increased from 120.6° to 142.9° and the solar reflectance rising from 72% to 92% due to the presence of fluorocarbon segments. The synergistic effect of enhanced hydrophobicity, small pore size, and elevated solar reflectivity resulted in robust water resistance (62 kPa), excellent water vapor transmission rate (12.4 kg m−2 d−1), and superior cooling performance (6.4 °C lower than commercial cotton fabrics). These findings suggest that the proposed PVDF-HFP/FAS membranes, characterized by desired multifunction characteristics and scalable production, hold great potential for application in diverse strategic fields.
Sensitivity Enhancement of Thermometry in Tb3+-Doped KY(CO3)2:Sm3+ by Energy Transfer
Authors: Sun Shijian , Qian Jian , Li Zheng , Huang Lei , Li Dechuan
Published: February 2025

Sm3+ and Tb3+ co-doped KY(CO3)2 temperature sensing materials were prepared via the hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the monoclinic phase in KY(CO3)2:Sm3+,Tb3+ samples. In this KY(CO3)2 host, Tb3+ transfers energy to Sm3+ through cross-relaxation. Notably, a 20 mol% concentration of Tb3+ increases the emission intensity of Sm3+ by 7.1 times. The fluorescence emission intensities of 5D4 (Tb3+) and 4G5/2 (Sm3+) vary significantly with temperature. Both Sm3+-Sm3+ and Tb3+-Sm3+ pairs act as effective emission centers in KY(CO3)2:Sm3+,Tb3+ for optical temperature measurement. The relationship between fluorescence intensity ratio (I542/I567) and temperature reveals that the maximum absolute sensitivity and relative sensitivity of KY(CO3)2:Sm3+,Tb3+ are 0.031 K−1 and 0.46%K−1 at room temperature of 298 K, respectively. In contrast, KY(CO3)2:Sm3+ has a maximum absolute sensitivity of only 0.00051 K−1 and a relative sensitivity of 0.11%K−1 at 498 K. These results highlight the significant role of Tb3+ in enhancing Sm3+ emission intensities, making Tb3+ doped KY(CO3)2:Sm3+ a promising candidate for thermometry.