bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengthening Mechanisms in a Medium-Carbon Steel Subjected to Thermo-Mechanical Processing
Authors: Dudko Valeriy , Yuzbekova Diana , Kaibyshev Rustam
Published: August 2023

Strengthening mechanisms were examined in a Fe-0.43C-1.60Si-0.01Mn-1.1Cr-0.95Mo-0.08V-0.05Nb steel exhibiting a yield strength (YS) of 1310 MPa after tempering and 1550 MPa after tempforming. The dislocation strengthening gave a major contribution to the overall YS of the steel in the tempered condition, whereas dispersion strengthening was a major contributor to the YS of the steel in the tempformed condition. High values of dislocation strengthening after tempering were attributed to dislocations composing the lath boundaries. A high density of free dislocations provided nearly the same dislocation strengthening after tempforming. Warm rolling after tempering led to alignment of intercrystallite boundaries along the rolling direction that decreased the interparticle spacing between M23C6 carbides located at these boundaries and thus increased the magnitude of dispersion strengthening. The boundary strengthening contributed to overall YS significantly due to small lath thickness after tempering and nanoscale spacing between lamellar boundaries after tempforming.
Kinetics of Ions in Post-Lithium Batteries
Authors: Sgourou Efstratia N. , Daskalopulu Aspassia , Tsoukalas Lefteri H. , Goulatis Ioannis L. , Vovk Ruslan V. , Chroneos Alexander
Published: August 2023

There is a technological necessity for more efficient, abundant, and sustainable materials for energy storage applications. Lithium-ion batteries dominate, however, there are a number of sustainability, economic, and availability issues that require the investigation of post-lithium batteries. In essence, the drive is to move to non-lithium-containing batteries as there is simply not enough lithium available to satisfy demand in a few years. To find alternative ions migrating at appropriate rates in crystal lattices requires significant research efforts and, in that respect, computational modeling can accelerate progress. The review considers recent mainly theoretical results highlighting the kinetics of ions in post-lithium oxides. It is proposed that there is a need for chemistries and ionic species that are sustainable and abundant and in that respect sodium, magnesium, and oxygen ion conduction in batteries is preferable to lithium. The limitations and promise of these systems are discussed in view of applications.
The Effect of Bodyweight Support and Incline Running on Triceps Surae Electromyographic Activity
Authors: Timbert Tom , Babault Nicolas , Methenitis Spyridon , Cometti Carole , Amiez Nicolas , Paizis Christos
Published: August 2023

Body weight support (BWS) and incline running (IR) are commonly used either during rehabilitation or during training separately, with many positive effects on athletes’ performance and rehabilitation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the interaction between bodyweight support and incline running on the electromyographic activity of the triceps surae and compare it to flat running. In eighteen healthy men (age: 20.3 ± 1.2 years, body weight: 70.2 ± 4.8 kg, body height: 179.6 ± 5.4 cm), the changes in electromyographic activity (EMGA) during a 10 min run with BWS (15% or 30% of body weight; in different occasions) and IR at 7%, as well as jumping performance and gait spatiotemporal parameters, were evaluated. A lower Rating of Perceived Exertion and a significant decrease in the size of the Vastus Lateralis (VL) (33.4%), Soleus (SOL) (17%), and Gastrocnemius Lateralis (GL) EMGA (28.5%, p < 0.05) but not in Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM) (10.5%, p > 0.05), was observed during BWS30% at 7% slope compared to flat running. Also, low-frequency fatigue of the quadriceps was induced only after running without BWS on a 7% slope (p = 0.011). No changes were found in jumping performance (p = 0.246) and gait spatiotemporal parameters (p > 0.05) except for flight time (p < 0.006). In conclusion, running with a slope of 7% and 30% of BWS can result in EMG activity comparable to that observed during level running. This method can also be used in prevention and rehabilitation training programs without creating fatigue.
Validation of a Novel Diagnostic Test for Assessing the Risk of Peri-Implantitis through the Identification of the Microorganisms Present: A Pilot Clinical Study of Periopoc
Authors: Moya-Villaescusa María José , Sánchez-Pérez Arturo , Mehdi Al-Lal Nour , Jornet-García Alfonso , Montoya-Carralero José María
Published: August 2023

The aim of this parallel group study was to determine the clinical applicability of a newly developed bacterial test. We evaluated the ability of the test to detect five bacteria associated with peri-implantitis: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, and Treponema denticola. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were established. Furthermore, by analyzing the pre-test and post-test probabilities, likelihood ratios were established, and a Fagan nomogram was constructed. As the standard, the clinical criteria of peri-implantitis adopted in the latest classification of peri-implant diseases of 2018 were used. The sample consisted of 13 patients clinically diagnosed with peri-implantitis (various implant brands) with at least 1 year of loading, of whom 11 were included in the study. The healthy group comprised 10 patients who received implants (Ticare inhex hybrid) at the university dental clinic and were monitored and exhibited no signs or symptoms of peri-implantitis during 1 year of loading. The results indicated that this test has high sensitivity and low specificity; therefore, positive results will be of great importance for a confirmatory diagnosis of peri-implantitis. However, the test is not suitable as a screening tool.
Comprehensive Investigation of Humic-Mineral Substances from Oxyhumolite: Effects on Fatty Acid Composition and Health Lipid Indices in Milk and Cheese from Holstein-Friesian Cows
Authors: Teter Anna , Domaradzki Piotr , Kędzierska-Matysek Monika , Sawicka-Zugaj Wioletta , Florek Mariusz
Published: August 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the oxyhumolite supplementation in the feed of cows on the profile and the nutritional indices of fatty acids (FA) in milk and cheese. To the diet of 30 cows, a 100 g/per cow/per day humic-mineral supplement with 65% humic acids was included. Milk was sampled three times: control (0 day, before the dietary modification) and on days 30 and 60 after the introduction of the supplement. For chemical analyses, samples from each cow and for cheese manufacture samples of bulk milk were taken. Fat content in the milk and the cheese, and partial sums of fatty acids profile, nutritional fatty acid ratios and indices were determined. The indicated changes in milk fat quality are difficult to unequivocally assess from a dietary point of view. Negative changes were found in the increase in the proportion of hypercholesterolemic acids (HSFA), atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indices, and a decrease in the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio, the proportion of desired (DFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) FA over time of supplementation. Positive changes were also found: the increase in polyunsaturated (PUFA), branched-chain (BCFA), short- and medium-chain (SCSFA) and long-chain (LCSFA) FA percentages, and also content was reported. The cheese (30 and 60 d) showed an increase in the content (mg/100 g) of SFA (including SCFA and LCSFA), OCFA (odd-chain FA), BCFA, MUFA, and DFA. Adverse changes were observed with an increase in PUFA n6, the n6/n3 ratio, and HSFA and TI. No significant differences were found for the AI index. The preliminary results obtained are promising, although further research is needed.
Special Issue: New Developments and Prospects in Clean and Renewable Energies
Authors: Dehghani-Sanij Alireza , Kashkooli Farshad Moradi
Published: August 2023

The world is facing ongoing and emerging energy challenges such as energy poverty for ~25% of the world’s population, limited fossil fuel resources, and the global environmental crisis [...]
Accurate Segmentation of Tilapia Fish Body Parts Based on Deeplabv3+ for Advancing Phenotyping Applications
Authors: Feng Guofu , Wang Hao , Chen Ming , Liu Zhixiang
Published: August 2023

As an important economic fish resource, germplasm resources and phenotypic measurements of tilapia are of great importance in the direction of culture and genetic improvement. Furthermore, accurate identification and precise localization of tilapia body parts are crucial for enabling key technologies such as automated capture and precise cutting. However, there are some problems in the semantic segmentation of tilapia fish, including the accuracy of target edge segmentation and the ambiguity in segmenting small targets. To improve the accuracy of semantic segmentation of tilapia parts in real farming environments, an improved Deeplabv3+ network model method is proposed for implementing tilapia part segmentation to facilitate phenotypic measurements on tilapia in this paper. The CBAM module is embedded in the encoder, which can improve the accurate identification and localization of tilapia parts by adaptively adjusting the channel weights and spatial weights and better focus on the key features and spatial connections of tilapia body parts. Furthermore, the decoding part of the Deeplabv3+ model is optimized by using SENet, which greatly increases the segmentation accuracy of the network by establishing the interdependence between channels while suppressing useless features. Finally, model performance is tested and compared with the original network and other methods on the tilapia part segmentation dataset. The experimental results show that the segmentation performance of the improved network is better than other networks, such as PSPNet and U-Net, and the IoU values in the head, fins, trunk, and tail of the fish body are 9.78, 2.27, 6.27, and 6.58 percentage points higher than those of the Deeplabv3+ network, respectively. The results validate the effectiveness of our approach in solving the above problems encountered in the semantic segmentation of tilapia parts.
An Observational Study of Typhoon Talim over the Northern Part of the South China Sea in July 2023
Authors: He Junyi , Li Qiusheng , Chan Pak-Wai , Choy Chun-Wing , Mak Betty , Lam Ching-Chi , Luo Hong-Yan
Published: August 2023

Extensive surface and upper air measurements of a typhoon over the northern part of the South China Sea, namely, Typhoon Talim in July 2023, are documented and analysed in this paper. A number of features have been observed from the upper air measurements. First, the log law and the power law were found to be appropriate in fitting the wind profiles of the typhoon in the first 1000 m or so above the sea surface. Second, a low-level jet with the height of the maximum wind speed of around 1000 m was observed in the lower troposphere from the observations of the radar wind profilers. This paper is also novel from the perspectives that the vertical wind profile from a Doppler LIDAR on an offshore platform over the northern part of the South China sea and ocean radar data are used to analyse the surface wind observations of a typhoon in the region. The results of this paper would be useful in understanding the structure of tropical cyclones, e.g., in wind engineering applications.
Numerical Solution of Time-Fractional Schrödinger Equation by Using FDM
Authors: Serik Moldir , Eskar Rena , Huang Pengzhan
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we first established a high-accuracy difference scheme for the time-fractional Schrödinger equation (TFSE), where the factional term is described in the Caputo derivative. We used the L1-2-3 formula to approximate the Caputo derivative, and the fourth-order compact finite difference scheme is utilized for discretizing the spatial term. The unconditional stability and convergence of the scheme in the maximum norm are proved. Finally, we verified the theoretical result with a numerical test.
Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid (SAHA) Is a Driver Molecule of Neuroplasticity: Implication for Neurological Diseases
Authors: Verrillo Lucia , Di Palma Rosita , de Bellis Alberto , Drongitis Denise , Miano Maria Giuseppina
Published: August 2023

Neuroplasticity is a crucial property of the central nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli. This is mainly achieved through the promotion of changes in the epigenome. One of the epi-drivers priming this process is suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA or Vorinostat), a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor that modulates and promotes neuroplasticity in healthy and disease conditions. Knowledge of the specific molecular changes induced by this epidrug is an important area of neuro-epigenetics for the identification of new compounds to treat cognition impairment and/or epilepsy. In this review, we summarize the findings obtained in cellular and animal models of various brain disorders, highlighting the multiple mechanisms activated by SAHA, such as improvement of memory, learning and behavior, and correction of faulty neuronal functioning. Supporting this evidence, in vitro and in vivo data underline how SAHA positively regulates the expression of neuronal genes and microtubule dynamics, induces neurite outgrowth and spine density, and enhances synaptic transmission and potentiation. In particular, we outline studies regarding neurodevelopmental disorders with pharmaco-resistant seizures and/or severe cognitive impairment that to date lack effective drug treatments in which SAHA could ameliorate defective neuroplasticity.
Prebiotics Progress Shifts in the Intestinal Microbiome That Benefits Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Vitetta Luis , Gorgani Nick N. , Vitetta Gemma , Henson Jeremy D.
Published: August 2023

Hypoglycemic medications that could be co-administered with prebiotics and functional foods can potentially reduce the burden of metabolic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The efficacy of drugs such as metformin and sulfonylureas can be enhanced by the activity of the intestinal microbiome elaborated metabolites. Functional foods such as prebiotics (e.g., oligofructose) and dietary fibers can treat a dysbiotic gut microbiome by enhancing the diversity of microbial niches in the gut. These beneficial shifts in intestinal microbiome profiles include an increased abundance of bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prauznitzii, Akkermancia muciniphila, Roseburia species, and Bifidobacterium species. An important net effect is an increase in the levels of luminal SCFAs (e.g., butyrate) that provide energy carbon sources for the intestinal microbiome in cross-feeding activities, with concomitant improvement in intestinal dysbiosis with attenuation of inflammatory sequalae and improved intestinal gut barrier integrity, which alleviates the morbidity of T2DM. Oligosaccharides administered adjunctively with pharmacotherapy to ameliorate T2DM represent current plausible treatment modalities.
Bidirectional Jump Point Search Path-Planning Algorithm Based on Electricity-Guided Navigation Behavior of Electric Eels and Map Preprocessing
Authors: Gong Hao , Tan Xiangquan , Wu Qingwen , Li Jiaxin , Chu Yongzhi , Jiang Aimin , Han Hasiaoqier , Zhang Kai
Published: August 2023

The electric eel has an organ made up of hundreds of electrocytes, which is called the electric organ. This organ is used to sense and detect weak electric field signals. By sensing electric field signals, the electric eel can identify changes in their surroundings, detect potential prey or other electric eels, and use it for navigation and orientation. Path-finding algorithms are currently facing optimality challenges such as the shortest path, shortest time, and minimum memory overhead. In order to improve the search performance of a traditional A* algorithm, this paper proposes a bidirectional jump point search algorithm (BJPS+) based on the electricity-guided navigation behavior of electric eels and map preprocessing. Firstly, a heuristic strategy based on the electrically induced navigation behavior of electric eels is proposed to speed up the node search. Secondly, an improved jump point search strategy is proposed to reduce the complexity of jump point screening. Then, a new map preprocessing strategy is proposed to construct the relationship between map nodes. Finally, path planning is performed based on the processed map information. In addition, a rewiring strategy is proposed to reduce the number of path inflection points and path length. The simulation results show that the proposed BJPS+ algorithm can generate optimal paths quickly and with less search time when the map is known.
Flux-Type versus Concentration-Type Sensors in Transdermal Measurements
Authors: Lansdorp Bob M.
Published: August 2023

New transdermal biosensors measure analytes that diffuse from the bloodstream through the skin, making it important to reduce the system response time and understand measurement output. While highly customized models have been created for specific sensors, a generalized model for transdermal sensor systems is lacking. Here, a simple one-dimensional diffusion model was used to characterize the measurement system and classify biosensors as either flux types or concentration types. Results showed that flux-type sensors have significantly faster response times than concentration sensors. Furthermore, flux sensors do not measure concentration, but rather have an output measurement that is proportional to skin permeability. These findings should lead to an improved understanding of transdermal measurements and their relation to blood analyte concentration. In the realm of alcohol research, where the majority of commercially available sensors are flux types, our work advocates toward moving away from transdermal alcohol concentration as a metric, and instead suggests embracing transdermal alcohol flux as a more suitable alternative.
Dual Signal-Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence Strategy Based on Functionalized Biochar for Detecting Aflatoxin B1
Authors: Tian Lin , Shi Yuying , Song Yanan , Guan Huilin , Li Yunxiao , Xu Rui
Published: August 2023

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are often used as carriers in the preparation of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) materials, and ECL materials stabilized in the aqueous phase can be prepared by encapsulating chromophores inside MOFs by an in situ growth method. In this study, nanocomposites MIL-88B(Fe)-NH2@Ru(py)32+ with excellent ECL response were prepared by encapsulating Tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium dichloride (Ru(py)32+) inside MIL-88B(Fe)-NH2 using the one-step hydrothermal method. MIL-88B(Fe)-NH2 possesses abundant amino groups, which can accelerate the catalytic activation process of K2S2O8, and its abundant pores are also conducive to the enhancement of the transmission rate of co-reactant agents, ions, and electrons, which effectively improves the ECL efficiency. In order to obtain more excellent ECL signals, we prepared aminated biochar (NH2-biochar) using Pu-erh tea dregs as precursor and loaded gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on its surface as substrate material for modified electrodes. Both NH2-biochar and Au NPs can also be used as a co-reactant promoter to catalyze the activation process of co-reactant K2S2O8. Therefore, a sandwich-type ECL immunosensor was prepared based on a dual signal-enhanced strategy for the highly sensitive and selective detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Under the optimal experimental conditions, the sensitive detection of AFB1 was achieved in the range of 1 pg·mL−1~100 ng·mL−1 with a detection limit of 209 fg·mL−1. The proposed dual signal-enhanced ECL immunosensor can provide a simple, convenient, and efficient method for the sensitive detection of AFB1 in food and agricultural products.
Mutual Information between EDA and EEG in Multiple Cognitive Tasks and Sleep Deprivation Conditions
Authors: Martínez Vásquez David Alejandro , Posada-Quintero Hugo F. , Rivera Pinzón Diego Mauricio
Published: August 2023

Sleep deprivation, a widespread phenomenon that affects one-third of normal American adults, induces adverse changes in physical and cognitive performance, which in turn increases the occurrence of accidents. Sleep deprivation is known to increase resting blood pressure and decrease muscle sympathetic nerve activity. Monitoring changes in the interplay between the central and autonomic sympathetic nervous system can be a potential indicator of human’s readiness to perform tasks that involve a certain level of cognitive load (e.g., driving). The electroencephalogram (EEG) is the standard to assess the brain’s activity. The electrodermal activity (EDA) is a reflection of the general state of arousal regulated by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system through sweat gland stimulation. In this work, we calculated the mutual information between EDA and EEG recordings in order to consider linear and non-linear interactions and provide an insight of the relationship between brain activity and peripheral autonomic sympathetic activity. We analyzed EEG and EDA data from ten participants performing four cognitive tasks every two hours during 24 h (12 trials). We decomposed EEG data into delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma spectral components, and EDA into tonic and phasic components. The results demonstrate high values of mutual information between the EDA and delta component of EEG, mainly in working memory tasks. Additionally, we found an increase in the theta component of EEG in the presence of fatigue caused by sleep deprivation, the alpha component in tasks demanding inhibition and attention, and the delta component in working memory tasks. In terms of the location of brain activity, most of the tasks report high mutual information in frontal regions in the initial trials, with a trend to decrease and become uniform for all the nine analyzed EEG channels as a consequence of the sleep deprivation effect. Our results evidence the interplay between central and sympathetic nervous activity and can be used to mitigate the consequences of sleep deprivation.
Advancements and Future Prospects of Buckling Restrained Braces for Corrosive-Environments: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Authors: Hussain Hubdar , Kim Dong-Keon
Published: August 2023

The seismic design of structures is crucial for preventing structural collapse and safeguarding human lives. Buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) have emerged as effective seismic protection devices due to their high stiffness, strength, and exceptional energy absorption capabilities. Typically, a conventional BRB consists of a steel core surrounded by concrete-filled steel tubes, with a separation mechanism ensuring axial-only deformation of the core. However, researchers have been increasingly focusing on developing innovative BRB designs with enhanced performance, incorporating different materials and configurations. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the development of novel BRBs introduced in the past 15 years. A systematic review approach is adopted, and the selected articles are categorized based on the shapes, materials, and compositions of the BRB components. Although carbon steel has been widely used in numerous studies, its susceptibility to corrosion and its potential impact on the hysteretic behavior of BRBs remain unexplored. Consequently, future research prospects are identified, highlighting the significance of employing anti-corrosive materials in fabricating BRBs to ensure their stable seismic performance under harsh environmental conditions. Investigating novel materials and configurations can lead to the creation of more robust and corrosion-resistant BRBs, thus enhancing the safety and longevity of structures in earthquake-prone areas.
Interdisciplinary Therapeutic Approaches to Atypical and Malignant Meningiomas
Authors: Trakolis Leonidas , Petridis Athanasios K.
Published: August 2023

Meningiomas have the highest incidence among brain tumors. In contrast to benign tumors that constitute the majority of this tumor entity, the treatment of aggressive meningiomas (WHO Grade 2 and 3) is more challenging, requiring gross total removal of the tumor and the affected dura and adjuvant radiotherapy. Sometimes the location and/or the configuration of the tumor do not favor radical surgical resection without endangering the patient’s clinical condition after surgery and pharmacological therapy has, until now, not been proven to be a reliable alternative. Discussion: In this narrative review, we discuss the current literature with respect to the management of meningiomas, discussing the importance of the grade of resection in the overall prognosis of the patient and in the planning of adjuvant therapy. Conclusions: According to the location and size of the tumor, radical resection should be taken into consideration. In patients with aggressive meningiomas, adjuvant radiotherapy should be performed after surgery. In cases of skull base meningiomas, a maximal, though safe, resection should take place before adjuvant therapy. An interdisciplinary approach is beneficial for patients with primary or recurrent meningioma.
IGF1R Contributes to Cell Proliferation in ALK-Mutated Neuroblastoma with Preference for Activating the PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Guan Jikui , Borenäs Marcus , Xiong Junfeng , Lai Wei-Yun , Palmer Ruth H. , Hallberg Bengt
Published: August 2023

Aberrant activation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) by activating point mutation or amplification drives 5–12% of neuroblastoma (NB). Previous work has identified the involvement of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) in a wide range of cancers. We show here that many NB cell lines exhibit IGF1R activity, and that IGF1R inhibition led to decreased cell proliferation to varying degrees in ALK-driven NB cells. Furthermore, combined inhibition of ALK and IGF1R resulted in synergistic anti-proliferation effects, in particular in ALK-mutated NB cells. Mechanistically, both ALK and IGF1R contribute significantly to the activation of downstream PI3K-AKT and RAS-MAPK signaling pathways in ALK-mutated NB cells. However, these two RTKs employ a differential repertoire of adaptor proteins to mediate downstream signaling effects. We show here that ALK signaling led to activation of the RAS-MAPK pathway by preferentially phosphorylating the adaptor proteins GAB1, GAB2, and FRS2, while IGF1R signaling preferentially phosphorylated IRS2, promoting activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway. Together, these findings reveal a potentially important role of the IGF1R RTK in ALK-mutated NB and that co-targeting of ALK and IGF1R may be advantageous in clinical treatment of ALK-mutated NB patients.
Oncotype Dx Score, HER2 Low Expression, and Clinical Outcomes in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A National Cancer Database Analysis
Authors: Roy Arya Mariam , Jiang Changchuan , Perimbeti Stuthi , Deng Lei , Shapiro Charles L. , Gandhi Shipra
Published: August 2023

Background: The interaction between HER2-low expression, oncotype recurrence score (RS), and their influence on the prognosis of HR+/HER2- breast cancer (BC) is not very well studied. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with resectable HER2-low and HER2-zero BC from the National Cancer Database. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the association of RS with the clinical outcomes in HR+/HER2- BC was analyzed as an exploratory endpoint. Results: The distribution of RS was comparable between HER2-low and HER2-zero groups; however, the RSs of HER2-low tumors were more likely to be 16–25. Women with HER2-low tumors had longer 5-year OS than women with HER2-zero tumors in the HR-negative (84.3% vs. 83.9%; p < 0.001, HR: 0.87 (0.84–0.90), p < 0.001) but not in the HR-positive group (94.0% vs. 94.0%; p = 0.38, HR: 0.97 (0.95–0.99), p = 0.01). The survival advantage was observed in patients who received adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p-interaction (chemo vs. no chemo) < 0.001). Among those who received adjuvant chemotherapy in the group with higher RSs (26–100), those with HER2-low BC had higher 5-year OS than HER2-zero BC. Conclusions: Resectable HER2-low BC had a better prognosis than HER2-zero BC. Among those who received adjuvant chemotherapy in the higher oncotype RS group, those with HER2-low tumors had better survival.
S–Modified MXene as a Catalyst for Accelerated Tetracycline Hydrochloride Electrocatalytic Degradation via ·OH and Active Chlorine Triggering Promotion
Authors: Zhang Fan , Huang Zhi , Liu Yan-Ying , Zhang Qian , Chang Chang-Tang
Published: August 2023

S–modified MXene (Ti3C2Tx@S–5) was prepared to improve the catalytic activity of MXene in the electrocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). Here, S groups in the form of Ti–S and S–O species were anchored onto MXene, resulting in superior conductivity and surface activity. Ti3C2Tx@S–5 exhibited an excellent performance of 100% TC degradation under the conditions of 25 °C, a pH of 6, a TC concentration of 10 mg L−1, and an applied current of 20 mA. Radical quenching and EPR analyses revealed that ·O2− and 1O2 played dominant roles in Ti3C2Tx@S–5 and Ti3C2Tx systems. Furthermore, S modification promoted the triggering of ·OH and active chlorine, which contributed to the acceleration of TC degradation. The involvement of these active substances in degradation pathways was further proven. This research advances the S modification of MXene and improves TC degradation by promoting the triggering of ·OH and active chlorine, broadening the applicability of MXene material.
Neuronal Plasticity and Age-Related Functional Decline in the Motor Cortex
Authors: Inoue Ritsuko , Nishimune Hiroshi
Published: August 2023

Physiological aging causes a decline of motor function due to impairment of motor cortex function, losses of motor neurons and neuromuscular junctions, sarcopenia, and frailty. There is increasing evidence suggesting that the changes in motor function start earlier in the middle-aged stage. The mechanism underlining the middle-aged decline in motor function seems to relate to the central nervous system rather than the peripheral neuromuscular system. The motor cortex is one of the responsible central nervous systems for coordinating and learning motor functions. The neuronal circuits in the motor cortex show plasticity in response to motor learning, including LTP. This motor cortex plasticity seems important for the intervention method mechanisms that revert the age-related decline of motor function. This review will focus on recent findings on the role of plasticity in the motor cortex for motor function and age-related changes. The review will also introduce our recent identification of an age-related decline of neuronal activity in the primary motor cortex of middle-aged mice using electrophysiological recordings of brain slices.
Prediction of Temperature of Liquid Steel in Ladle Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Sztangret Łukasz , Regulski Krzysztof , Pernach Monika , Rauch Łukasz
Published: August 2023

Maintaining the temperature of liquid steel in the ladle in the required range affects the quality of casted billets, reduces energy consumption, and guarantees smooth control of the melting sequence. Measuring its temperature is a challenging task in industrial settings, often hindered by safety concerns and the expensive nature of equipment. This paper presents models which enable the prediction of the cooling rate of liquid steel for variable production parameters, i.e., steel grade and weight of melt. The models were based on the FEM solution of the Fourier equation, and machine learning approaches such as decision trees, linear regression, and artificial neural networks are utilized. The parameters of the model were identified using data from the monitoring system and inverse analysis. The results of simulations were verified with measurements performed in the production line.
Identification of Bacterial Communities Involved in Bioweathering Crusts on Limestone Sculptures of the Longmen Grottoes
Authors: Ma Chaolong , Fang Zilong , Li Xinjian , Liu Xiaobo
Published: August 2023

Bioweathering crusts are widely distributed on the limestone sculptures of the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, information on microbial communities in this archaeological site is missing. To fill this gap, we identified bacterial communities involved in the formation of bioweathering crusts. The composition analysis showed that Cyanobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Planctomycetota are the major components of the bacterial communities in the crusts. Cyanobacteria might be one of the major contributors to the formation of the crusts. A culture-based analysis indicated the presence of bacterial isolates (e.g., Enterobacter sp. and Bacillus sp.) with a potential role in bioprotection. Moreover, five types of biogenic organic acids were detected in the crusts, implying a consequence of organic acid corrosion. Scanning electron microscopy analysis further confirmed microbial penetration into the stone monuments with a biomechanical attack. Our reports provide a microbiological reference for heritage conservators to treat bioweathering crust.
Glassy Properties of the Lead-Free Isovalent Relaxor BaZr0.4Ti0.6O3
Authors: Filipič Cene , Canu Giovanna , Pirc Raša , Kutnjak Zdravko
Published: August 2023

Glassy dielectric properties were investigated in lead-free BaZr0.4Ti0.6O3 (BZT40) ceramic samples using dielectric spectroscopy in the frequency range of 0.003 Hz–1 MHz and at temperatures of 10 K < T < 300 K. Measurements of the quasistatic dielectric polarization in bias electric fields up to ~28 kV/cm suggested that a ferroelectric state could not be induced, in contrast to the case of canonical relaxors such as PMN. The quasistatic dielectric and freezing dynamics results for the above field amplitudes showed that BZT40 effectively behaves as a dipolar glass. The relaxation spectrum was analyzed employing a frequency–temperature plot, which showed that the longest relaxation time obeyed the Vogel–Fulcher relation τ=τ0expE0/T−T0, with a freezing temperature of 76.7 K. The shortest relaxation time, in contrast, was characterized by a freezing temperature value close to 0 K, implying an Arrhenius-type behavior. The higher value of the polarization and the nonlinear third-order dielectric coefficient ε3 indicated a shift from a pseudospin glass behavior observed for BaZr0.5Ti0.5O3 (BZT50) toward a classical relaxor ferroelectric state.
Habitat Selection to Reintroduce Iris bismarckiana in Semi-Arid Environments
Authors: Othman Yahia A. , Ayasrah Bilal , Al-Kofahi Salman
Published: August 2023

Conservation of endangered plant species in their indigenous regions is of crucial importance, especially for those grown in semi-arid regions. The objectives of this study were to explore the Nazareth iris’s (Iris bismarckiana) natural habitat and identify new suitable sites to initiate a reintroduction program of this endangered plant species in a semi-arid environment. The study was conducted in Dibbeen Forest Reserve, Jordan, where six zones inside the reserve [A–F] were assessed in addition to zone G outside the reserve borders that represents the area where I. bismarckiana still exists. Habitat selection variables (topography, soil physical and chemical properties, climatic data, and potential risks and benefits) from all zones within the reserve were cross matched with that of zone G. The results showed that climatic data of all selected sites were suitable for reintroduction; all sites are open to direct sunlight most of the day. The minimum soil depth was greater than 40 cm in all zones, while soil respiration level revealed that zone A (a recreation site) was below the recommended thresholds. The percentage of stone volume (>2 mm) in the soil profile was high in zones D and F. Zones E, C, and F were extremely steep (>40 degrees), which undermined their potential to be suitable habitats. All sites are susceptible to high human disturbance risk except zone B, which is protected and under continuous surveillance by the Reserve Botanist. Considering all measured suitability indicators, including slope degree suitability (<25), soil respiration (57–77 mg kg−1), soil stone percentage value (8.3%), tree canopy cover (open area), and human disturbance potential (low risk), zone B holds promise as a suitable site for a I. bismarckiana reintroduction program. Therefore, the initiation of long-term reintroduction programs within this site with timely surveillance is urgently needed to conserve and support such valuable species self-regeneration.
Genetic Diversity of the Critically Endangered Big-Headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) Based on Wild and Traded Samples: Implications for Conservation
Authors: Ngo Hanh Thi , McCormack Timothy E. M. , Hoang Ha Van , Nguyen Thuy Thu , Tapley Benjamin , Le Mai Huyen , Le Dat Trong , Nguyen Tham Thi , Trinh Ha Le Thi , Ziegler Thomas , Nguyen Truong Quang , Le Minh Duc
Published: August 2023

Overexploitation has driven catastrophic declines in most turtle species in Asia. Many turtles are seized annually by law enforcement officers; unfortunately, seized turtles often lack associated information on their provenance. There is also taxonomic confusion regarding the clear delineation of turtle species and subspecies in Asia. This lack of provenance data and taxonomic uncertainty is problematic as it may preclude release, make appropriate release sites hard to select, or result in genetic pollution when animals are released. In this study, we amassed and analyzed the largest number of genetic samples of the critically endangered big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) to date. Our phylogenetic and network results based on nearly 500 sequences of a mitochondrial ND4 fragment corroborate the earlier hypothesis that only two of the three currently recognized subspecies have strong molecular support and that there is greater genetic structuring within one subspecies than has been previously reported. The vast majority of P. megacephalum confiscated from the trade in Vietnam belong to Subclade 3 of P. m. peguense, and this subclade is the most broadly distributed taxon of the big-headed turtle in Vietnam based on samples with known localities. Nonetheless, for the other two subclades, all their samples originate from the trade and could not be assigned to any geographic provenance because of the lack of wild-caught samples. In addition, our results reveal two trade centers of the species, Quang Ninh Province on the border between China and Vietnam and Kon Tum Province in the Central Highlands. However, smaller animal seizures occur across the range of the species in Vietnam. While the data presented here have facilitated the selection of appropriate release sites for confiscated P. megacephalum, the significant costs of genetic screening and the shortage of samples from wild animals with good localities hinder the rewilding efforts, especially for conservation practitioners working in countries where conservation activities are not well funded and research on poorly studied species is still limited. Nevertheless, we urge that wildlife translocations include robust pre-translocation genetic screening to ensure that all individual animals are reintroduced at appropriate sites.
Early Prediction Model of Macrosomia Using Machine Learning for Clinical Decision Support
Authors: Shamshuzzoha Md. , Islam Md. Motaharul
Published: August 2023

The condition of fetal overgrowth, also known as macrosomia, can cause serious health complications for both the mother and the infant. It is crucial to identify high-risk macrosomia-relevant pregnancies and intervene appropriately. Despite this need, there are several gaps in research related to macrosomia, including limited predictive models, insufficient machine learning applications, ineffective interventions, and inadequate understanding of how to integrate machine learning models into clinical decision-making. To address these gaps, we developed a machine learning-based model that uses maternal characteristics and medical history to predict macrosomia. Three different algorithms, namely logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest, were used to develop the model. Based on the evaluation metrics, the logistic regression algorithm provided the best results among the three. The logistic regression algorithm was chosen as the final algorithm to predict macrosomia. The hyper parameters of the logistic regression model were tuned using cross-validation to achieve the best possible performance. Our results indicate that machine learning-based models have the potential to improve macrosomia prediction and enable appropriate interventions for high-risk pregnancies, leading to better health outcomes for both mother and fetus. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and addressing research gaps related to macrosomia, we can potentially reduce the health risks associated with this condition and make informed decisions about high-risk pregnancies.
A Computer Program for Assessing Histoanatomical Morphometrics in Ultra-High-Frequency Ultrasound Images of the Bowel Wall in Children: Development and Inter-Observer Variability
Authors: Erlöv Tobias , Hawez Tebin , Granéli Christina , Evertsson Maria , Jansson Tomas , Stenström Pernilla , Cinthio Magnus
Published: August 2023

Ultra-high-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) has a reported potential to differentiate between aganglionic and ganglionic bowel wall, referred to as histoanatomical differences. A good correlation between histoanatomy and UHFUS of the bowel wall has been proven. In order to perform more precise and objective histoanatomical morphometrics, the main research objective of this study was to develop a computer program for the assessment and automatic calculation of the histoanatomical morphometrics of the bowel wall in UHFUS images. A computer program for UHFUS diagnostics was developed and presented. A user interface was developed in close collaboration between pediatric surgeons and biomedical engineers, to enable interaction with UHFUS images. Images from ex vivo bowel wall samples of 23 children with recto-sigmoid Hirschsprung’s disease were inserted. The program calculated both thickness and amplitudes (image whiteness) within different histoanatomical bowel wall layers. Two observers assessed the images using the program and the inter-observer variability was evaluated. There was an excellent agreement between observers, with an intraclass correlation coefficient range of 0.970–0.998. Bland–Altman plots showed flat and narrow distributions. The mean differences ranged from 0.005 to 0.016 mm in thickness and 0 to 0.7 in amplitude units, corresponding to 1.1–3.6% and 0.0–0.8% from the overall mean. The computer program enables and ensures objective, accurate and time-efficient measurements of histoanatomical thicknesses and amplitudes in UHFUS images of the bowel wall. The program can potentially be used for several bowel wall conditions, accelerating research within UHFUS diagnostics.
Ultra-High-Frequency Ultrasound as an Innovative Imaging Evaluation of Hyaluronic Acid Filler in Nasolabial Folds
Authors: Salvia Giorgia , Zerbinati Nicola , Manzo Margiotta Flavia , Michelucci Alessandra , Granieri Giammarco , Fidanzi Cristian , Morganti Riccardo , Romanelli Marco , Dini Valentina
Published: August 2023

Dermal hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are used for nasolabial fold correction, but no study is still available on the use of ultra-high-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) with 70 MHz probes for the evaluation of HA distribution and wrinkle amelioration. We selected 13 patients who received HA filler, evaluated before (Time (T) 0) and after injection (T1), and after 24 weeks (T2). The dermal thickness and distribution of HA were registered, as well as the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS), Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), and wrinkle 3D fullness. The UHFUS dermal thickness was increased by 11% for both sides at T1 and by 7.4% and 6.8% for the right and left side, respectively, at T2 (p < 0.01). The 3D wrinkle fullness showed a T1 increase (+0.59 cc and +0.79 cc for the right and left side, respectively) with a T2 maintenance of 45% of the T1 fullness (p-value < 0.001). The only clinical score significantly modified was WSRS, with a reduction of 56% at T1 and of 47.1% at T2 (p-value < 0.001). Our study then demonstrated the efficacy of UHFUS in the assessment of nasolabial fold correction, representing also the first multi-modal evaluation of HA persistence and its visual subsequent aesthetic results.
Profile Likelihood for Hierarchical Models Using Data Doubling
Authors: Lele Subhash R.
Published: August 2023

In scientific problems, an appropriate statistical model often involves a large number of canonical parameters. Often times, the quantities of scientific interest are real-valued functions of these canonical parameters. Statistical inference for a specified function of the canonical parameters can be carried out via the Bayesian approach by simply using the posterior distribution of the specified function of the parameter of interest. Frequentist inference is usually based on the profile likelihood for the parameter of interest. When the likelihood function is analytical, computing the profile likelihood is simply a constrained optimization problem with many numerical algorithms available. However, for hierarchical models, computing the likelihood function and hence the profile likelihood function is difficult because of the high-dimensional integration involved. We describe a simple computational method to compute profile likelihood for any specified function of the parameters of a general hierarchical model using data doubling. We provide a mathematical proof for the validity of the method under regularity conditions that assure that the distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator of the canonical parameters is non-singular, multivariate, and Gaussian.
Fraction Execution Resolver Using a Hybrid Multi-CPU/GPU Encoding Scheme
Authors: Papaioannou Georgios I. , Koziri Maria , Loukopoulos Thanasis , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis
Published: August 2023

Modern video coding standards make use of sub-pixel motion estimation to improve the video quality and reduce the bitrate. It is known that the fraction motion estimation (FME) part follows the integer motion estimation (IME) and adds an extra computational overhead due to the interpolation and the additional motion searches. In this paper, we propose a fraction execution resolver (FER) algorithm that lets the encoder skip the fraction part when specific criteria are met by introducing a preliminary fast test decision point (pFTDP) function for the IME part. If the pFTDP returns zero motion vectors (MVs) and the displacement search area center is also zero, then the fraction part is skipped. The pFTDP decision maker is executed only once, when a 2N × 2N block is first met, while all subsequent blocks follow this initial decision either by receiving the necessary MVs and RD from the pFTDP function or by using the precalculated IME values from the GPU kernel. For our experiments, we use a multithreaded CPU environment that also makes use of GPUs only for the integer part. Our evaluations provide a greater than 1600% encoding time saving at its peak in comparison with the default HEVC sequential mode and ideally a saving of greater than 2286% for still video frame sequences. The total average speedup for both Class A and Class B video sequences is ×13.45. The gain of the FER itself is more than ×3.9 compared with the same multithreaded setup environment. The PSNR and bitrate overhead observed are proportional to the tiling scheme used and are more related to the way CABAC works internally. The FER’s negative effects on coding efficiency are proven to be negligible. A balance between speed and quality achieved by using a lower tiling pattern is shown to minimize the negative effects of the encoding scheme pattern. The experimental results confirm the validity of our motivation, namely, that we can benefit from a software fraction execution resolver without any extra hardware costs. The gain is further increased when video sequences have more static blocks than others.