bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparing Property Graduates for the Digital Age: Challenges and Strategies from the Perspective of Australian Property Educators
Authors: Abidoye Rotimi Boluwatife , Ahiadu Albert Agbeko , Bangura Mustapha , Adilieme Chibuikem Michael , Oyedokun Tunbosun Biodun , Alamoudi Abood Khaled
Published: January 2024

The work readiness of property graduates is the subject of global discourse and is an increasingly critical gap as employers demand professionals with competencies in their fundamental roles and digital technologies. Although these issues have been explored from the perspectives of students, graduates, and employers, the insights of property academics remain unexplored. As such, this study delved into the challenges encountered by property academics in Australia concerning the training of property graduates for the digital age, as well as the efficacy of strategies used to achieve this. The opinions of 22 property academics were gathered through an online questionnaire survey and analysed through mean scores, relative importance index (RII), and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The profile of respondents suggests that approximately half of them have no more than five years of industry experience, and only 54.5% currently engage with the industry. The most significant challenges include limited funding to procure bespoke software and insufficient time to achieve digital competency. Furthermore, academics cited limited support from the universities as a key challenge, but rated curriculum rigidity as non-pertinent. Regarding strategies, retraining academics for digital proficiency, increased technical support from universities, adopting active learning, and revising curricula to incorporate digital technology are critical. Collaboration with industry partners and increased funding for software procurement also emerged as key external factors. Variations in these perceptions also suggest that older academics are less receptive towards retraining, academics with more industry experience believe that a restructuring of the curricula is required, and smaller institutions require more funding and industry support. The core themes of the proposed strategies also indicate that holistic curricula integration is required to incorporate the perspectives of all stakeholders. Practically, these findings underscore the pivotal role of academics in bridging the skills gap and the interconnected roles of graduates, universities, and industry partners.
Mechanical Properties and Influence Factors of Ordinary Shear Links
Authors: Hu Shujun , Liu Shangwen , Zeng Sizhi , Shao Tiefeng
Published: January 2024

The current specification requires the same limiting values of inelastic rotation and the overstrength factor for shear links with a length ratio less than 1.6. However, recent studies have shown that the mechanical properties of ordinary shear links with a length ratio ranging from 1.0 to 1.6 are obviously different from those of very short shear links with a length ratio less than 1.0. Additionally, shear links made of different steel materials have differences in mechanical properties. Based on Q345 steel, three ordinary shear links with a length ratio of 1.36 were designed to intensively explore the influence of stiffener configurations and spacing on mechanical properties. Under cyclic loading tests, the failure modes, hysteresis curves, skeleton curves, secant stiffness curves and energy dissipation capacities of shear link specimens were recorded. The results show that the overstrength factor and inelastic rotation of specimens SL-1 and SL-2, which had different stiffener configurations, reached 1.59 and 0.10, while those of specimen SL-3, which had wider stiffener spacing, reached 1.48 and 0.07, which showed that varying the stiffener configuration has no obvious effect, while relaxing stiffener spacing can result in severe buckling of the web. Additionally, its bearing capacity, inelastic rotation, secant stiffness and energy dissipation capacity reduced. Hence, the stiffener spacing should satisfy the requirements of the specification and not be too wide. Based on ABAQUS software, finite element models of ordinary shear links proved to be accurately consistent with test specimens in terms of mechanical properties. On this basis, 114 numerical models of ordinary shear links with different length ratios, stiffener spacings, flange-to-web area ratios, flange strengths, web depth-to-thickness ratios and stiffener thicknesses were designed to study the influence on the overstrength factor.
Parametric Study on Seismic Performance of Slender T-Shaped RC Walls Subjected to Biaxial Loading
Authors: Wu Mengzhen , Wang Bin , Shi Qingxuan , Cai Wenzhe
Published: January 2024

To investigate the effects of parameters on the seismic performance of slender T-shaped RC walls subjected to a biaxial seismic action, a numerical model was established using a fiber-based cross-section and displacement-based beam–column element. The axial load ratio, shear span ratio, flange width to web height ratio, concrete strength grade, stirrup ratio, and longitudinal reinforcement ratio were selected for the parametric study, and the effects of these parameters on the performance degradation under biaxial loading were investigated. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of various parameters for the decrease was conducted. The results showed that the bearing and deformation capacities under biaxial loading were both decreased, and the total energy consumption was greater than that under uniaxial loading. The impacts of different parameters and loading paths on the decrease extent were significantly different, and the overall reduction was greater in the flange direction than in the web direction. Under the square loading path, the T-shaped wall had the greatest reduction in its seismic performance, followed by the eight-shaped and cruciform loading paths. The changes in the axial load ratio, shear span ratio, and concrete strength significantly affected the performance degradation under biaxial loading. Accordingly, it is recommended to reasonably consider the values of these three parameters in a multidimensional seismic design to maintain safety redundancy.
The Development of Health-Based Overheating Limit Criteria for School Buildings
Authors: Laouadi Abdelaziz , Ji Lili , Jandaghian Zahra , Lacasse Michael A. , Wang Liangzhu
Published: January 2024

Overheating in school buildings can negatively affect the cognitive learning performance of particularly young students whose thermoregulation systems are still developing. However, currently, in schools, issues related to overheating have been addressed by limiting the exposure time to thermal discomfort. In this paper, the development of a general procedure that combines building and bioheat simulations to evaluate overheating risk in schools and generate health-based overheating limit criteria that may be applied in Canadian schools is described. General school building models, having either old or new constructions, were created based on a primary school building and successfully calibrated using field measurements of indoor temperature and humidity and published building energy use intensity data. Three sets of two limit criteria (exposure duration and severity of overheating) that account for the personal exposure conditions of students in primary, middle, and secondary schools were developed by limiting the body dehydration of students during extreme overheating events. Comparing the proposed limit criteria with the hour of exceedance criterion revealed interesting relationships between them, suggesting the proposed limit criteria as a benchmark for the comfort-based criteria, particularly for the more vulnerable primary and middle schools. The proposed procedure with the obtained overheating limit criteria is intended to be applied in any field or simulation study to assess the risk of overheating in similar school buildings under any local prevailing climate.
PRAME Is an Effective Tool for the Diagnosis of Nevus-Associated Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Ronchi Andrea , Cazzato Gerardo , Ingravallo Giuseppe , D’Abbronzo Giuseppe , Argenziano Giuseppe , Moscarella Elvira , Brancaccio Gabriella , Franco Renato
Published: January 2024

(1) Background: Nevus-associated cutaneous melanoma (CM) is relatively common in the clinical practice of dermatopathologists. The correct diagnosis and staging of nevus-associated cutaneous melanoma (CM) mainly relies on the correct discrimination between benign and malignant cells. Recently, PRAME has emerged as a promising immunohistochemical marker of malignant melanocytes. (2) Methods: PRAME immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed in 69 cases of nevus-associated CMs. Its expression was evaluated using a score ranging from 0 to 4+ based on the percentage of melanocytic cells with a nuclear expression. PRAME IHC sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values were assessed. Furthermore, the agreement between morphological data and PRAME expression was evaluated for the diagnosis of melanoma components and nevus components. (3) Results: PRAME IHC showed a sensitivity of 59%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 71%. The diagnostic agreement between morphology and PRAME IHC was fair (Cohen’s Kappa: 0.3); the diagnostic agreement regarding the benign nevus components associated with CM was perfect (Cohen’s Kappa: 1.0). PRAME was significantly more expressed in thick invasive CMs than in thin cases (p = 0.02). (4) Conclusions: PRAME IHC should be considered for the diagnostic evaluation of nevus-associated CM and is most useful in cases of thick melanomas. Pathologists should carefully consider that a PRAME-positive cellular population within the context of a nevus could indicate a CM associated with the nevus. A negative result does not rule out this possibility.
Coefficient of Variation in Metastatic Lymph Nodes Determined by 18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients with Advanced NSCLC: Combination with Coefficient of Variation in Primary Tumors
Authors: Pellegrino Sara , Fonti Rosa , Vallone Carlo , Morra Rocco , Matano Elide , De Placido Sabino , Del Vecchio Silvana
Published: January 2024

Purpose The aim of the present study was to test whether the coefficient of variation (CoV) of 18F-FDG PET/CT images of metastatic lymph nodes and primary tumors may predict clinical outcome in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods Fifty-eight NSCLC patients who had undergone 18F-FDG PET/CT at diagnosis were evaluated. SUVmax, SUVmean, CoV, MTV and TLG were determined in targeted lymph nodes and corresponding primary tumors along with Total MTV (MTVTOT) and Whole-Body TLG (TLGWB) of all malignant lesions. Univariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression whereas the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank tests were used for survival analysis. Results Fifty-eight metastatic lymph nodes were analyzed and average values of SUVmax, SUVmean, CoV, MTV and TLG were 11.89 ± 8.54, 4.85 ± 1.90, 0.37 ± 0.16, 46.16 ± 99.59 mL and 256.84 ± 548.27 g, respectively, whereas in primary tumors they were 11.92 ± 6.21, 5.47 ± 2.34, 0.36 ± 0.14, 48.03 ± 64.45 mL and 285.21 ± 397.95 g, respectively. At univariate analysis, overall survival (OS) was predicted by SUVmax (p = 0.0363), SUVmean (p = 0.0200) and CoV (p = 0.0139) of targeted lymph nodes as well as by CoV of primary tumors (p = 0.0173), MTVTOT (p = 0.0007), TLGWB (p = 0.0129) and stage (p = 0.0122). Using Kaplan–Meier analysis, OS was significantly better in patients with CoV of targeted lymph nodes ≤ 0.29 than those with CoV > 0.29 (p = 0.0147), meanwhile patients with CoV of primary tumors > 0.38 had a better prognosis compared to those with CoV ≤ 0.38 (p = 0.0137). Finally, we combined the CoV values of targeted lymph nodes and primary tumors in all possible arrangements and a statistically significant difference was found among the four survival curves (p = 0.0133). In particular, patients with CoV of targeted lymph nodes ≤ 0.29 and CoV of primary tumors > 0.38 had the best prognosis. Conclusions The CoV of targeted lymph nodes combined with the CoV of primary tumors can predict prognosis of NSCLC patients.
Beyond PD(L)-1 Blockade in Microsatellite-Instable Cancers: Current Landscape of Immune Co-Inhibitory Receptor Targeting
Authors: Crimini Edoardo , Boscolo Bielo Luca , Berton Giachetti Pier Paolo Maria , Pellizzari Gloria , Antonarelli Gabriele , Taurelli Salimbeni Beatrice , Repetto Matteo , Belli Carmen , Curigliano Giuseppe
Published: January 2024

High microsatellite instability (MSI-H) derives from genomic hypermutability due to deficient mismatch repair function. Colorectal (CRC) and endometrial cancers (EC) are the tumor types that more often present MSI-H. Anti-PD(L)-1 antibodies have been demonstrated to be agnostically effective in patients with MSI-H cancer, but 50–60% of them do not respond to single-agent treatment, highlighting the necessity of expanding their treatment opportunities. Ipilimumab (anti-CTLA4) is the only immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) non-targeting PD(L)-1 that has been approved so far by the FDA for MSI-H cancer, namely, CRC in combination with nivolumab. Anti-TIM3 antibody LY3321367 showed interesting clinical activity in combination with anti-PDL-1 antibody in patients with MSI-H cancer not previously treated with anti-PD(L)-1. In contrast, no clinical evidence is available for anti-LAG3, anti-TIGIT, anti-BTLA, anti-ICOS and anti-IDO1 antibodies in MSI-H cancers, but clinical trials are ongoing. Other immunotherapeutic strategies under study for MSI-H cancers include vaccines, systemic immunomodulators, STING agonists, PKM2 activators, T-cell immunotherapy, LAIR-1 immunosuppression reversal, IL5 superagonists, oncolytic viruses and IL12 partial agonists. In conclusion, several combination therapies of ICIs and novel strategies are emerging and may revolutionize the treatment paradigm of MSI-H patients in the future. A huge effort will be necessary to find reliable immune biomarkers to personalize therapeutical decisions.
The Evolving Landscape of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Gastroesophageal Cancer
Authors: Dennehy Colum , Khan Alisha F. , Zaidi Ali H. , Lam Vincent K.
Published: January 2024

Despite advances in treatment strategies and surgical approaches in recent years, improving survival outcomes in esophagogastric cancer (EGC) patients treated with curative intent remains a significant area of unmet need. The recent emergence of adjuvant immunotherapy as the standard of care for resected EGC demonstrates the impact of immunotherapy in improving recurrence-free survival. Neoadjuvant and perioperative immunotherapies represent another promising approach with potential advantages over adjuvant therapy. Despite the promising results of early neoadjuvant immunotherapy studies, there are several challenges and future research needs. The optimal timing, duration and number of doses in relation to surgery and the optimal combination of immunotherapies are still unclear. In addition, rigorous correlative studies need to be performed to identify biomarkers for patient selection and treatment response prediction to maximize the benefits of neoadjuvant immunotherapy. In this review, we provide a concise summary of the current standard of care for resectable EGC and discuss the rationale for the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in this setting and the pre-clinical and early clinical data of these novel therapies. Finally, we will examine the potential role and future direction of immunotherapy in the treatment paradigm and the perceived challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Mechanisms Governing Oligodendrocyte Viability in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Animal Models
Authors: Lei Zhixin , Lin Wensheng
Published: January 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which is triggered by an autoimmune assault targeting oligodendrocytes and myelin. Recent research indicates that the demise of oligodendrocytes due to an autoimmune attack contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of MS and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). A key challenge in MS research lies in comprehending the mechanisms governing oligodendrocyte viability and devising therapeutic approaches to enhance oligodendrocyte survival. Here, we provide an overview of recent findings that highlight the contributions of oligodendrocyte death to the development of MS and EAE and summarize the current literature on the mechanisms governing oligodendrocyte viability in these diseases.
The Genetic Aspects of Periodontitis Pathogenesis and the Regenerative Properties of Stem Cells
Authors: Ustianowska Klaudia , Ustianowski Łukasz , Bakinowska Estera , Kiełbowski Kajetan , Szostak Joanna , Murawka Martyna , Szostak Bartosz , Pawlik Andrzej
Published: January 2024

Periodontitis (PD) is a prevalent and chronic inflammatory disease with a complex pathogenesis, and it is associated with the presence of specific pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Dysbiosis and dysregulated immune responses ultimately lead to chronic inflammation as well as tooth and alveolar bone loss. Multiple studies have demonstrated that genetic polymorphisms may increase the susceptibility to PD. Furthermore, gene expression is modulated by various epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, or the activity of non-coding RNA. These processes can also be induced by PD-associated pathogens. In this review, we try to summarize the genetic processes that are implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. Furthermore, we discuss the use of these mechanisms in diagnosis and therapeutic purposes. Importantly, novel treatment methods that could promote tissue regeneration are greatly needed in PD. In this paper, we also demonstrate current evidence on the potential use of stem cells and extracellular vesicles to stimulate tissue regeneration and suppress inflammation. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of PD, as well as the impact of PD-associated bacteria and stem cells in these processes, may enhance future research and ultimately improve long-term treatment outcomes.
Pyridoxamine Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy without Affecting Its Antitumor Effect on Rat Mammary Tumor Cells
Authors: Haesen Sibren , Verghote Eline , Heeren Ellen , Wolfs Esther , Deluyker Dorien , Bito Virginie
Published: January 2024

Doxorubicin (DOX) is commonly used in cancer treatment but associated with cardiotoxicity. Pyridoxamine (PM), a vitamin B6 derivative, could be a cardioprotectant. This study investigated the effect of PM on DOX cardiotoxicity and DOX antitumor effectiveness. Sprague Dawley rats were treated intravenously with DOX (2 mg/kg/week) or saline over eight weeks. Two other groups received PM via oral intake (1 g/L in water bottles) next to DOX or saline. Echocardiography was performed after eight weeks. PM treatment significantly attenuated the DOX-induced reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (72 ± 2% vs. 58 ± 3% in DOX; p < 0.001) and increase in left ventricular end-systolic volume (0.24 ± 0.02 µL/cm2 vs. 0.38 ± 0.03 µL/cm2 in DOX; p < 0.0001). Additionally, LA7 tumor cells were exposed to DOX, PM, or DOX and PM for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Cell viability, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis were assessed. DOX significantly reduced LA7 cell viability and proliferation (p < 0.0001) and increased cytotoxicity (p < 0.05) and cleaved caspase-3 (p < 0.001). Concomitant PM treatment did not alter the DOX effect on LA7 cells. In conclusion, PM attenuated DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in vivo without affecting the antitumor effect of DOX in vitro, highlighting PM as a promising cardioprotectant for DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
Adipose Stromal Cell-Derived Secretome Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Injury In Vitro Surpassing the Intricate Interplay between Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells and Macrophages
Authors: Rendra Erika , Uhlig Stefanie , Moskal Isabell , Thielemann Corinna , Klüter Harald , Bieback Karen
Published: January 2024

(1) Background: The chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin exerts toxic side effects causing acute kidney injury. Mesenchymal stromal cells can ameliorate cisplatin-induced kidney injury. We hypothesize that the MSC secretome orchestrates the vicious cycle of injury and inflammation by acting on proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) and macrophages individually, but further by counteracting their cellular crosstalk. (2) Methods: Conditioned medium (CM) from adipose stromal cells was used, first assessing its effect on cisplatin injury in PTECs. Second, the effects of cisplatin and the CM on macrophages were measured. Lastly, in an indirect co-culture system, the interplay between the two cell types was assessed. (3) Results: First, the CM rescued PTECs from cisplatin-induced apoptosis by reducing oxidative stress and expression of nephrotoxicity genes. Second, while cisplatin exerted only minor effects on macrophages, the CM skewed macrophage phenotypes to the anti-inflammatory M2-like phenotype and increased phagocytosis. Finally, in the co-culture system, the CM suppressed PTEC death by inhibiting apoptosis and nuclei fragmentation. The CM lowered TNF-α release, while cisplatin inhibited macrophage phagocytosis, PTECs, and the CM to a greater extent, thus enhancing it. The CM strongly dampened the inflammatory macrophage cytokine secretion triggered by PTECs. (4) Conclusions: ASC-CM surpasses the PTEC–macrophage crosstalk in cisplatin injury. The positive effects on reducing cisplatin cytotoxicity, on polarizing macrophages, and on fine-tuning cytokine secretion underscore MSCs’ CM benefit to prevent kidney injury progression.
The MSC-EV-microRNAome: A Perspective on Therapeutic Mechanisms of Action in Sepsis and ARDS
Authors: dos Santos Claudia C. , Lopes-Pacheco Miquéias , English Karen , Rolandsson Enes Sara , Krasnodembskaya Anna , Rocco Patricia R. M.
Published: January 2024

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as innovative therapeutic agents for the treatment of sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although their potential remains undisputed in pre-clinical models, this has yet to be translated to the clinic. In this review, we focused on the role of microRNAs contained in MSC-derived EVs, the EV microRNAome, and their potential contribution to therapeutic mechanisms of action. The evidence that miRNA transfer in MSC-derived EVs has a role in the overall therapeutic effects is compelling. However, several questions remain regarding how to reconcile the stochiometric issue of the low copy numbers of the miRNAs present in the EV particles, how different miRNAs delivered simultaneously interact with their targets within recipient cells, and the best miRNA or combination of miRNAs to use as therapy, potency markers, and biomarkers of efficacy in the clinic. Here, we offer a molecular genetics and systems biology perspective on the function of EV microRNAs, their contribution to mechanisms of action, and their therapeutic potential.
Facile Synthesis and Characterization of TiO2/SnS Nanocomposites by Eco-Friendly Methods
Authors: Bronusiene Asta , Kleinauskas Ricardas , Ancutiene Ingrida
Published: January 2024

The acid etching mechanism of FTO film using zinc powders has been explored, and sulfuric and hydrochloric acid solutions of different concentrations were tested as etching agents. Compact and mesoporous films of titanium dioxide were prepared by spin-coating and doctor blade techniques on FTO glass. Tin sulfide films were formed through a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) process using different numbers of deposition cycles, and TiO2/SnS nanocomposites were synthesized. The thin films and the prepared composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses. In this study, the principal characteristics of deposited tin sulfide films on two different types of TiO2 films are shown.
Corporate Bankruptcy Prediction Models: A Comparative Study for the Construction Sector in Greece
Authors: Toudas Kanellos , Archontakis Stefanos , Boufounou Paraskevi
Published: January 2024

This study focuses on testing the efficiency of alternative bankruptcy prediction models (Altman, Ohlson, Zmijewski) and on assessing the possible reasons that led to the confirmation or not of the prevailing model. Data from financial statements of listed (Greek) construction companies before the economic crisis were utilized. The results showed that Altman’s main predictive model as well as the revised models have low overall predictability for all three years before bankruptcy.
Forecasting of Bitcoin Illiquidity Using High-Dimensional and Textual Features
Authors: Sasani Faraz , Moghareh Dehkordi Mohammad , Ebrahimi Zahra , Dustmohammadloo Hakimeh , Bouzari Parisa , Ebrahimi Pejman , Lencsés Enikő , Fekete-Farkas Mária
Published: January 2024

Liquidity is the ease of converting an asset (physical/digital) into cash or another asset without loss and is shown by the relationship between the time scale and the price scale of an investment. This article examines the illiquidity of Bitcoin (BTC). Bitcoin hash rate information was collected at three different time intervals; parallel to these data, textual information related to these intervals was collected from Twitter for each day. Due to the regression nature of illiquidity prediction, approaches based on recurrent networks were suggested. Seven approaches: ANN, SVM, SANN, LSTM, Simple RNN, GRU, and IndRNN, were tested on these data. To evaluate these approaches, three evaluation methods were used: random split (paper), random split (run) and linear split (run). The research results indicate that the IndRNN approach provided better results.
Radiofrequency Ablation versus Surgical Resection in Elderly Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yoo Jeong-Ju , Koo Sujin , Choi Gi Hong , Lee Min Woo , Ryoo Seungeun , Park Jungeun , Park Dong Ah
Published: January 2024

Although the disease burden of elderly cancer patients is rapidly increasing, reliable scientific information, value and preference information of domestic patients, and standardized guidelines for determining the treatment of elderly cancer patients are lacking. The aim of this study is to compare the therapeutic effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgery in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients aged 65 years or older. For the meta-analysis, the databases including PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, OVID Medline, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched. After the abstract-based review by two investigators, selected manuscripts were read in detail. The surgery group showed higher overall survival (OS) (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.22–1.70) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.00–1.97) than the RFA group. This was also shown in small HCC of less than 3 cm (OS, HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.00–2.03; DFS, HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.91–1.91). This might be related to the high local recurrence in the RFA group (OR 4.90, 95% 2.16–11.08). On the other hand, adverse events were significantly lower in the RFA group (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14–0.36), which led to a decrease in the duration of hospital stay (mean difference −14.88 days, 95% CI −22.44–−7.32). In elderly HCC patients, survival in the surgery group was significantly higher than in the RFA group, but various complications tended to increase; so, appropriate patient selection is required.
Cancer Care Team Functioning during COVID-19: A Narrative Literature Review and Synthesis
Authors: Attieh Samar , Loiselle Carmen G.
Published: January 2024

Amid pandemics, health care teams face unprecedented challenges, requiring significant efforts to sustain optimal functioning and navigate rapid practice changes. It is therefore crucial to identify factors affecting team functioning in these contexts. The present narrative review more specifically summarizes the literature on key elements of cancer teams’ functioning during COVID-19. The search strategy involved four main databases (i.e., Medline OVID, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL), as well as Google Scholar, from January 2000 to September 2022. Twenty-three publications were found to be relevant. Each was read thoroughly, and its content summarized. Across publications, three key themes emerged: (1) swiftly adopting virtual technology for communication and interprofessional collaboration, (2) promoting team resilience, and (3) encouraging self-care and optimizing team support. Our findings underscore key team functioning elements to address in future pandemics. More research is needed to document the perspectives of broader-based team members (such as patients and lay carers) to inform more comprehensive evidence-based team functioning guidelines.
Advances in the Study of Orchidinae Subtribe (Orchidaceae) Species with 40,42-Chromosomes in the Mediterranean Region
Authors: Turco Alessio , Wagensommer Robert Philipp , Medagli Pietro , Albano Antonella , D’Emerico Saverio
Published: January 2024

This study presents an updated analysis of cytogenetic data for several species within the 40,42-chromosome genera of the subtribe Orchidinae. The research includes insights into the distribution of heterochromatin obtained using C-banding and fluorochrome techniques. Our investigation confirmed variation in the distribution of heterochromatin and repetitive DNA sequences among species pertaining to Neotinea s.l. and Orchis s.str. These variations also potentially contribute to the diversification of these species. Cytogenetic analyses of the Neotinea group demonstrated that both H33258 and DAPI staining result in blocks of fluorescent regions on numerous chromosomes. Particular attention was paid to the cytological composition of the polyploid Neotinea commutata, focusing on its potential origin. Based on the karyological results acquired, a hypothesis concerning the origin of N. commutata is proposed. The most noteworthy revelations regard the O. mascula complex. In these species, the telomeric areas of all chromosome sets display extensive heterochromatin. Fluorochrome staining revealed telomeric blocks on many chromosomes that were not seen with Giemsa staining. This highlighted a distinct feature of O. mascula, where particularly large C-bands surrounding the centromeric regions of multiple chromosomes were found. However, in O. mascula, O. provincialis, O. pauciflora, and O. patens, C+ chromatin may not show a significant response to fluorochrome Hoechst or DAPI+ staining. The unique cytomorphological arrangement observed in the O. mascula species, unlike other members of the O. mascula complex, suggest epigenetic phenomena. Additional data are presented for the genera Dactylorhiza and Gymnadenia. A deeper understanding of the diversity of chromosomal structures among these orchids promises to shed light on the mechanisms underlying speciation, adaptation, and the remarkable diversity characteristic of the Orchidaceae family.
Strengths and Challenges of Using iNaturalist in Plant Research with Focus on Data Quality
Authors: López-Guillén Eduard , Herrera Ileana , Bensid Badis , Gómez-Bellver Carlos , Ibáñez Neus , Jiménez-Mejías Pedro , Mairal Mario , Mena-García Laura , Nualart Neus , Utjés-Mascó Mònica , López-Pujol Jordi
Published: January 2024

iNaturalist defines itself as an “online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature” and it is likely one of the largest citizen science web portals in the world, as every year millions of observations across thousands of species are gathered and collectively compiled by an engaged community of nearly 3 million users (November 2023). The strengths and potentialities that explain the success of the platform are reviewed and include, among others, its usability and low technical requirements, immediacy, open-access, the possibility of interacting with other users, artificial-intelligence-aided identification, versatility and automatic incorporation of the validated records to GBIF. iNaturalist has, however, features that scientists need to carefully consider when using it for their research, making sure that the quality of observations does not limit or hinder its usefulness in plant research. While these are identified (e.g., the lack of representative photographs for many observations or the relatively frequent identification errors), we provide some suggestions to overcome them and, by doing so, improve the use and add value to iNaturalist for plant research.
Enhancing Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Detection and Risk Stratification: Insights from Advanced Echocardiographic Techniques
Authors: Olivetti Natália , Sacilotto Luciana , Moleta Danilo Bora , França Lucas Arraes de , Capeline Lorena Squassante , Wulkan Fanny , Wu Tan Chen , Pessente Gabriele D’Arezzo , Carvalho Mariana Lombardi Peres de , Hachul Denise Tessariol , Pereira Alexandre da Costa , Krieger José E. , Scanavacca Mauricio Ibrahim , Vieira Marcelo Luiz Campos , Darrieux Francisco
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The echocardiographic diagnosis criteria for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) are highly specific but sensitivity is low, especially in the early stages of the disease. The role of echocardiographic strain in ARVC has not been fully elucidated, although prior studies suggest that it can improve the detection of subtle functional abnormalities. The purposes of the study were to determine whether these advanced measures of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on echocardiogram, including RV strain, increase diagnostic value for ARVC disease detection and to evaluate the association of echocardiographic parameters with arrhythmic outcomes. Methods: The study included 28 patients from the Heart Institute of São Paulo ARVC cohort with a definite diagnosis of ARVC established according to the 2010 Task Force Criteria. All patients were submitted to ECHO’s advanced techniques including RV strain, and the parameters were compared to prior conventional visual ECHO and CMR. Results: In total, 28 patients were enrolled in order to perform ECHO’s advanced techniques. A total of 2/28 (7%) patients died due to a cardiovascular cause, 2/28 (7%) underwent heart transplantation, and 14/28 (50%) patients developed sustained ventricular arrhythmic events. Among ECHO’s parameters, RV dilatation, measured by RVDd (p = 0.018) and RVOT PSAX (p = 0.044), was significantly associated with arrhythmic outcomes. RV free wall longitudinal strain < 14.35% in absolute value was associated with arrhythmic outcomes (p = 0.033). Conclusion: Our data suggest that ECHO’s advanced techniques improve ARVC detection and that abnormal RV strain can be associated with arrhythmic risk stratification. Further studies are necessary to better demonstrate these findings and contribute to risk stratification in ARVC, in addition to other well-known risk markers.
Machine Learning and Radiomics Analysis for Tumor Budding Prediction in Colorectal Liver Metastases Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment
Authors: Granata Vincenza , Fusco Roberta , Brunese Maria Chiara , Ferrara Gerardo , Tatangelo Fabiana , Ottaiano Alessandro , Avallone Antonio , Miele Vittorio , Normanno Nicola , Izzo Francesco , Petrillo Antonella
Published: January 2024

Purpose: We aimed to assess the efficacy of machine learning and radiomics analysis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a hepatospecific contrast agent, in a pre-surgical setting, to predict tumor budding in liver metastases. Methods: Patients with MRI in a pre-surgical setting were retrospectively enrolled. Manual segmentation was made by means 3D Slicer image computing, and 851 radiomics features were extracted as median values using the PyRadiomics Python package. Balancing was performed and inter- and intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the between observer and within observer reproducibility of all radiomics extracted features. A Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney nonparametric test and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis were carried out. Balancing and feature selection procedures were performed. Linear and non-logistic regression models (LRM and NLRM) and different machine learning-based classifiers including decision tree (DT), k-nearest neighbor (KNN) and support vector machine (SVM) were considered. Results: The internal training set included 49 patients and 119 liver metastases. The validation cohort consisted of a total of 28 single lesion patients. The best single predictor to classify tumor budding was original_glcm_Idn obtained in the T1-W VIBE sequence arterial phase with an accuracy of 84%; wavelet_LLH_firstorder_10Percentile was obtained in the T1-W VIBE sequence portal phase with an accuracy of 92%; wavelet_HHL_glcm_MaximumProbability was obtained in the T1-W VIBE sequence hepatobiliary excretion phase with an accuracy of 88%; and wavelet_LLH_glcm_Imc1 was obtained in T2-W SPACE sequences with an accuracy of 88%. Considering the linear regression analysis, a statistically significant increase in accuracy to 96% was obtained using a linear weighted combination of 13 radiomic features extracted from the T1-W VIBE sequence arterial phase. Moreover, the best classifier was a KNN trained with the 13 radiomic features extracted from the arterial phase of the T1-W VIBE sequence, obtaining an accuracy of 95% and an AUC of 0.96. The validation set reached an accuracy of 94%, a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 95%. Conclusions: Machine learning and radiomics analysis are promising tools in predicting tumor budding. Considering the linear regression analysis, there was a statistically significant increase in accuracy to 96% using a weighted linear combination of 13 radiomics features extracted from the arterial phase compared to a single radiomics feature.
Automated Network Incident Identification through Genetic Algorithm-Driven Feature Selection
Authors: Aksoy Ahmet , Valle Luis , Kar Gorkem
Published: January 2024

The cybersecurity landscape presents daunting challenges, particularly in the face of Denial of Service (DoS) attacks such as DoS Http Unbearable Load King (HULK) attacks and DoS GoldenEye attacks. These malicious tactics are designed to disrupt critical services by overwhelming web servers with malicious requests. In contrast to DoS attacks, there exists nefarious Operating System (OS) scanning, which exploits vulnerabilities in target systems. To provide further context, it is essential to clarify that NMAP, a widely utilized tool for identifying host OSes and vulnerabilities, is not inherently malicious but a dual-use tool with legitimate applications, such as asset inventory services in company networks. Additionally, Domain Name System (DNS) botnets can be incredibly damaging as they harness numerous compromised devices to inundate a target with malicious DNS traffic. This can disrupt online services, leading to downtime, financial losses, and reputational damage. Furthermore, DNS botnets can be used for other malicious activities like data exfiltration, spreading malware, or launching other cyberattacks, making them a versatile tool for cybercriminals. As attackers continually adapt and modify specific attributes to evade detection, our paper introduces an automated detection method that requires no expert input. This innovative approach identifies the distinct characteristics of DNS botnet attacks, DoS HULK attacks, DoS GoldenEye attacks, and OS-Scanning, explicitly using the NMAP tool, even when attackers alter their tactics. By harnessing a representative dataset, our proposed method ensures robust detection of such attacks against varying attack parameters or behavioral shifts. This heightened resilience significantly raises the bar for attackers attempting to conceal their malicious activities. Significantly, our approach delivered outstanding outcomes, with a mid 95% accuracy in categorizing NMAP OS scanning and DNS botnet attacks, and 100% for DoS HULK attacks and DoS GoldenEye attacks, proficiently discerning between malevolent and harmless network packets. Our code and the dataset are made publicly available.
Improving the Efficiency of an Isolated Bidirectional Dual Active Bridge DC–DC Converter Using Variable Frequency
Authors: Esteve Vicente , Bellido Juan L. , Jordán José , Dede Enrique J.
Published: January 2024

This article presents a control method for an isolated bidirectional dual active bridge DC–DC converter (IBDC) where single phase shift (SPS) and variable frequency (VF) modulations are combined simultaneously with the purpose of improving the efficiency of the converter applied to the bidirectional charging of electric vehicles batteries. A complete power characterization of the dual active bridge (DAB) converter is carried out. The combined control achieves lossless turn-on and turn-off on the primary bridge for a wide range of output powers. A comparative study of power losses between the traditional SPS control and the combined method proposed here was also carried out. A prototype with an output power of 10 kW was built based on Silicon Carbide (SiC) Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFET), with which a peak efficiency close to 99% was obtained, thus verifying the viability of the method.
Semi-Supervised Learning-Enhanced Fingerprint Indoor Positioning by Exploiting an Adapted Mean Teacher Model
Authors: Chen Peng , Liu Yingzhi , Li Wei , Wang Jingyi , Wang Jianxiu , Yang Bei , Feng Gang
Published: January 2024

Location awareness is crucial for numerous emerging wireless indoor applications. Deep learning algorithms have demonstrated the potential for achieving the required level of positioning accuracy in indoor environments. However, obtaining abundant labels for data-driven machine learning is costly in practical situations. As an effective solution to alleviating the insufficiency of labeled data for deep learning-based indoor positioning, deep semi-supervised learning (DSSL) can be employed to lessen the dependency on labeled data by exploiting potential patterns in unlabeled samples. In this paper, we propose an Adapted Mean Teacher (AMT) model within the DSSL paradigm for indoor fingerprint positioning by using a channel impulse response. To enhance the generalization of the trained model, we design an efficient implicit augmentation scheme for the training process in the AMT model. Furthermore, we develop a tailored residual network to efficiently extract location characteristics in the AMT framework. We conduct extensive simulation experiments for indoor scenarios with heavy non-line-of-sight conditions based on open datasets to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed AMT model. Numerical results indicate that the AMT model outperforms several consistency regularization methods and the pseudo-label method in terms of positioning accuracy and lower positioning latency, achieving a mean error of 90cm when using a small number of labels.
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Laminar Burning Velocity of Biogas–Ammonia–Air Premixed Flames
Authors: Brequigny Pierre , Soulé Adnane , Mounaïm-Rousselle Christine , Dayma Guillaume , Halter Fabien
Published: January 2024

Biogas is a gas resulting from the digestion of biomass, which means transforming organic waste into energy. It is composed essentially of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and can also contain ammonia (NH3) as an impurity. Biogas is generally used to generate electricity or produce heat in a cogeneration system. With the renewed interest in ammonia and the increasing development of biogas caused by the urge for an energetic transition, those two carbon-neutral fuels are being investigated as a mixture in this study through the laminar burning velocity (LBV). In this paper, the LBV of biogas ammonia air mixtures are investigated experimentally for the first time over a wide range of equivalence ratios and ammonia concentrations. The biogas studied was 60% CH4 and 40% CO2 in volume. The NH3 concentration in the fuel varied from 0 to 50% vol. while the equivalence ratio varied from 0.8 to 1.2. The experiments were conducted at constant pressure in a constant volume vessel at 300 K and 1 bar. Adding ammonia to biogas decreases the LBV while the Markstein length is not very sensitive to ammonia addition. The CEU-NH3-Mech-1.1 and Okafor mechanisms show good agreement with the experimental laminar burning velocity. The effect of radiative heat losses on the measurement is also investigated.
Architectural Characteristics and Distribution Patterns of Gravity Flow Channels in Faulted Lake Basins: A Case Study of the Shahejie Formation in the Banqiao Oilfield, China
Authors: Liang Zhuang , Liu Yuming , Chen Qi , Zhang Haowei , Hou Jiagen
Published: January 2024

Internal depositional architecture and sand body distribution are the main challenges faced in the development of gravity flow channel deposits in China. Despite significant progress in the exploration and development of gravity flow deposits in recent years, our understanding of the internal architecture of composite sand bodies within gravity flow channels is still limited. Gravity flow channels represent a widely developed sedimentary type in the Shahejie Formation of the Banqiao Oilfield, Huanghua Depression. The lack of understanding of the spatial stacking relationship of gravity flow channel sand bodies hinders further development and remaining oil recovery within the oilfield. Through this study, we aimed to dissect the composite channels (5th architectural units) and single channels (4th architectural units) at the study area, using a combination of well logs and seismic data. We explored the identification criteria and spatial distribution characteristics of internal architectural elements within gravity flow channel reservoirs, based on abundant drilling data, well density grids, and 3D seismic data. By identifying and delineating single channels, we were able to summarize six identification criteria for single channels, including relative elevation differences, curve shapes, and the number of interbeds. We obtained the sand body scale and aspect ratio of single channels and established three depositional architectural patterns, i.e., isolated, lateral migration, and vertical accretion, thus revealing the differences in the spatial stacking relationships of sand bodies in different structural locations (blocks). This work provides new insights into the depositional architectural patterns of gravity flow channel deposits in the Banqiao Oilfield, Huanghua Depression.