bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empowerment in Adolescent Patients with a Disability/Chronic Condition: A Scoping Review
Authors: Austin Kennedy , Pistawka Carly , Ross Colin J. D. , Selby Kathryn A. , Virani Alice , Kitchin Vanessa , Elliott Alison M.
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Empowerment has been associated with several positive outcomes in healthcare; however, there is limited insight on empowerment levels within the adolescent population of those with a chronic condition/disability. The aim of this scoping review was to identify gaps in the existing literature on empowerment levels within this population. Methods: Five databases (MEDLINE [Ovid], EMBASE [Ovid], PsycINFO [Ebsco], CINHAL [Ebsco] and Web of Science [UBC]) and grey literature were searched. Results: A total of 67 studies were included and used for data extraction including descriptive numerical analysis followed by a narrative review. Extracted data were divided into demographic characteristics (e.g., ethnicity/ancestry), type of disability/condition (e.g., type 1 diabetes), interventions used to increase empowerment or empowerment-adjacent elements, quantitative and qualitative tools used to measure empowerment (e.g., questionnaires and/or interviews), domains/outcomes associated with empowerment (e.g., self-control), and review articles. Several interventions were shown to have positive effects on empowerment levels in adolescents with a chronic condition/disability. Conclusions: Gaps were identified in the consideration of ethnicity/ancestry and socioeconomic status, demonstrating a need for future research in this space to focus on the intersection of disability, ethnicity/ancestry, and socio-economic status and the implementation of interventions promoting empowerment.
Weak Physycally Unclonable Functions in CMOS Technology: A Review
Authors: Vatalaro Massimo , De Rose Raffaele , Lanuzza Marco , Crupi Felice
Published: December 2024

Physically unclonable functions (PUFs) represent emerging cryptographic primitives that exploit the uncertainty of the CMOS manufacturing process as an entropy source for generating unique, random and stable keys. These devices can be potentially used in a wide variety of applications ranging from secret key generation, anti-counterfeiting, and low-cost authentications to advanced protocols such as oblivious transfer and key exchange. Unfortunately, guaranteeing adequate PUF stability is still challenging, thus often requiring post-silicon stability enhancement techniques. The latter help to contrast the raw sensitivity to on-chip noise and variations in the environmental conditions (i.e., voltage and temperature variations), but their area and energy costs are not always feasible for IoT devices that operate with constrained budgets. This pushes the demand for ever more stable, area- and energy-efficient solutions at design time. This review aims to provide an overview of several weak PUF solutions implemented in CMOS technology, discussing their performance and suitability for being employed in security applications.
Genetic Variation for Wild Populations of the Rare and Endangered Plant Glyptostrobus pensilis Based on Double-Digest Restriction Site-Associated DNA Sequencing
Authors: Huang Yongrong , Li Yu , Hong Xiaojie , Luo Suzhen , Cai Dedan , Xiao Xiangxi , Huang Yunpeng , Zheng Yushan
Published: December 2024

Glyptostrobus pensilis is an endangered tree species, and detecting its genetic diversity can reveal the mechanisms of endangerment, providing references for the conservation of genetic resources. Samples of 137 trees across seven populations within Fujian Province were collected and sequenced using double-digest restriction site-associated DNA (ddRAD-seq). A total of 3,687,189 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, and 15,158 high-quality SNPs were obtained after filtering. The genetic diversity in the populations was found to be low (Ho = 0.08630, He = 0.03475, π = 0.07239), with a high genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst). When K = 4, the coefficient of variation (CV) error value was minimized, suggesting that the 137 individuals could be divided into four groups, with frequent gene flow between them. Principal component analysis (PCA) divided the seven populations into two major categories based on their north–south geographic location. The clustering was consistent with those obtained from the PCA. The main reasons for the endangerment of G. pensilis are likely to be poor natural regeneration, human disturbances, and climatic factors. It is recommended that methods such as in situ conservation, ex situ conservation, and the establishment of germplasm banks be implemented to maintain the genetic diversity of G. pensilis populations.
‘Two in One’ Cloning Vector Applied for Blunt-End and T-A Cloning with One-Step Digestion–Ligation and Screening of Positive Recombinants by Unaided Eyes
Authors: Zhang Xingli , Teng Chong , Lyu Kaidi , Lyu Shanhua , Fan Yinglun
Published: December 2024

To clone DNA sequences quickly and precisely into plasmids is essential for molecular biology studies. Some cloning vectors have been developed for the cloning of PCR products, including blunt-end and T-A cloning. However, different plasmids are required for the cloning of PCR products with blunt ends and 3′ A overhang ends. Here, a novel cloning vector, pYFRed, which is based on the pUC19 backbone, has emerged and can be applied in both blunt-end and T-A cloning. PCR products can be cloned into the pYFRed by a one-step digestion–ligation reaction in a tube. The endonuclease recognition sequences of SmaI, Eco53kI, EcoRV, PmeI, and SwaI for blunt-end cloning and XcmI for T-A cloning were designed and added between the lac promoter and the starting codon ATG of the mScarlet-I gene of pYFRed. The ligation efficiency was significantly higher because the restriction enzyme sites utilized were removed from the vector after being successfully constructed. The mScarlet-I gene was introduced into the pYFRed for the screening of the positive recombinants by the unaided eye without the need for additional reagents/equipment. pYFRed is easy to construct in an ordinary laboratory, which facilitates researchers to develop their cloning vector without purchasing commercial cloning vectors.
Research on the Relationship Between the Microstructure of Embedded Micro-Agglomerated Particle TBCs and Their Sintering Resistance Based on a Data-Mechanism Hybrid Driving Model
Authors: Ye Dongdong , Xu Shuheng , Xu Zhou , Pan Jiabao , Yin Changdong , Wu Yiwen , Liu Houli , Yang Ting , Huang Jibo
Published: December 2024

The distribution morphology and density of micro-agglomerated particles are the main microstructural characteristics of embedded micro-agglomerated particle thermal barrier coatings. The study of their effect on the sintering resistance of coatings can help to further improve the service life of thermal barrier coatings. Strain tolerance and thermal insulation performance are important evaluation indicators for the sintering resistance of thermal barrier coatings. In this study, embedded micro-agglomerated particle thermal barrier coatings were prepared by plasma spraying, and the distribution morphology and density of micro-agglomerated particles were analyzed and counted. Different simulation models were established to analyze the compressive stress and thermal stress of the coating, as well as the influence of the microstructure characteristics on the strain tolerance and thermal insulation performance of the coating. A machine learning model was established to evaluate the nonlinear relationship between the microstructure characteristics of the coating and its strain tolerance and thermal insulation performance. The results show that the horizontal angle of the micro-agglomerated particles in the coating has the most significant effect on the sintering resistance and is predicted using the PSO-SVM machine learning model. The predicted effects are the most important, and the coefficients of determination for strain tolerance and thermal insulation are as high as 0.988 and 0.945, respectively, indicating a strong correlation between the predicted and actual values. This research technique used experimental research-simulation computation-machine learning can be used to optimize the microstructure of coatings and guide the preparation of high-performance thermal barrier coatings.
Trust-Centric and Economically Optimized Resource Management for 6G-Enabled Internet of Things Environment
Authors: Aletri Osama Z. , Awan Kamran Ahmad , Alqahtani Abdullah M.
Published: December 2024

The continuous evolvement of IoT networks has introduced significant optimization challenges, particularly in resource management, energy efficiency, and performance enhancement. Most state-of-the-art solutions lack adequate adaptability and runtime cost-efficiency in dynamic 6G-enabled IoT environments. Accordingly, this paper proposes the Trust-centric Economically Optimized 6G-IoT (TEO-IoT) framework, which incorporates an adaptive trust management system based on historical behavior, data integrity, and compliance with security protocols. Additionally, dynamic pricing models, incentive mechanisms, and adaptive routing protocols are integrated into the framework to optimize resource usage in diverse IoT scenarios. TEO-IoT presents an end-to-end solution for security management and network traffic optimization, utilizing advanced algorithms for trust score estimation and anomaly detection. The proposed solution is emulated using the NS-3 network simulator across three datasets: Edge-IIoTset, N-BaIoT, and IoT-23. Results demonstrate that TEO-IoT achieves an optimal resource usage of 92.5% in Edge-IIoTset and reduces power consumption by 15.2% in IoT-23, outperforming state-of-the-art models like IDSOFT and RAT6G.
Exploring the Antimicrobial Potential of Natural Substances and Their Applications in Cosmetic Formulations
Authors: Kulik-Siarek Katarzyna , Klimek-Szczykutowicz Marta , Błońska-Sikora Ewelina , Zarembska Emilia , Wrzosek Małgorzata
Published: December 2024

The aim of this review is to analyze natural substances exhibiting antibacterial and antifungal activity against skin pathogens, along with their exemplary applications in cosmetic products. Growing concerns related to increasing infection rates and pathogen resistance have prompted the search for alternative therapeutic methods. This article discusses various natural products, derived from plants, animals, and minerals, with antimicrobial potential. Special attention is given to the antimicrobial efficacy of natural substances derived from Allium L., Salvia L., Lavandula L., Origanum L., Melaleuca alternifolia, Aloe vera, Black Cumin, and Trigonella L. in improving treatment outcomes, either alone or in combination with conventional medications. In addition, the presented natural products, such as propolis, honey, cosmetic mud, and clays, can serve as viable alternatives or complementary treatments for mild skin infections and may help prevent recurrence. The promising potential of these natural products encourages further research into discovering new antimicrobial agents. However, the lack of standardization of natural preparations can result in inconsistent therapeutic effects and unforeseen side effects. This review significantly contributes to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries by emphasizing the potential of natural products and highlighting the need for further research and regulatory measures to ensure their safe and effective integration with existing therapies.
Partial Exposure Attacks Against a Family of RSA-like Cryptosystems
Authors: Teşeleanu George
Published: December 2024

An RSA generalization using complex integers was introduced by Elkamchouchi, Elshenawy and Shaban in 2002. This scheme was further extended by Cotan and Teșeleanu to Galois fields of order n≥1. In this generalized framework, the key equation is ed−k(pn−1)(qn−1)=1, where p and q are prime numbers. Note that the classical RSA and Elkamchouchi et al.’s key equations are special cases, namely, when n=1 and n=2. In addition to introducing this generic family, Cotan and Teșeleanu described a continued fractions attack capable of recovering the secret key d if d<N0.25n. This bound was later improved by Teșeleanu using a lattice-based method. In this paper, we explore other lattice attacks that could lead to factoring the modulus N=pq, namely, we propose a series of partial exposure attacks that can aid an adversary in breaking this family of cryptosystems if certain conditions hold.
Progress in Boron Nitride-Based Materials as Catalysts for Energy Storage and Electrochemical Application
Authors: Ahmad Khursheed , Oh Tae Hwan
Published: December 2024

The design and fabrication of energy storage devices and electrochemical sensors are two major research fields. Many research groups are dedicated to the development of high-performance energy storage (super-capacitors) devices and electrochemical sensors for the determination of various substances. Thus, it would be worth summarizing the recent progress in BN and its composites based materials for energy storage and electrochemical sensing applications. Two-dimensional (2D) boron nitride (BN) is a widely used electrode material for optoelectronic and electrochemical applications. Herein, we report the progress on the use of BN and its composite-based electrode materials for the development of energy storage (super-capacitors; SCs) devices and electrochemical sensors. The challenges and future perspectives are also mentioned.
First-Principles Calculation and Analysis of the Magnetic and Mechanical Properties of Mo2C with Vacancy Defects and Substitutional Doping
Authors: Qing Xiaoliang , Guo Jing , Liu Xiaoxiao , Zhang Qian , Kaid Tammam , Outterside Nathan , Tang Cong , Wang Li , Yang Qingxiang , Ren Xuejun
Published: December 2024

In this study, the first-principles method is adapted to establish key data for β-Mo2C with various point defects. A particular focus is comparatively studying the effects of point vacancies and different substitutional doping elements on the structures and electronic, magnetic and mechanical properties of β-Mo2C. The calculation results show that vacancy defects and substitutional doping have different impacts on the magnetism and bulk modulus of Mo2C. Data for the effect of different substitutional doping elements (V, Cr, Co, Fe, Ni and W) on the physical and mechanical properties/behaviours are established and analysed. The changes in key magnetic properties (local and total magnetic moments) associated with different point substitutional doping elements are comparatively analysed with reference to the data of Mulliken atomic charge, bond population, density of states (DOS) and band structures. The correlation between doping elements and changes in magnetic moment and bulk modulus is discussed. The influence of doping elements on the magnetic moment of 3D Mo2C is also compared to their effects on a two-dimensional Mo2C monolayer. The potential applications of DFT modeling and data for future research and development related to materials and processing are discussed.
Advances in Quantitative Analytical Methods for Solid Drugs
Authors: Tao Yue , Gao Yuhan , Zhang Baoxi , Hu Kun , Xie Yifei , Zhang Li , Yang Shiying , Lu Yang
Published: December 2024

The solid form of the drug can directly affect the physicochemical properties, bioavailability, safety, and efficacy of the drug, and its types mainly include amorphous state, single-component polycrystalline, hydrate, solvate, salt, and cocrystal. Polymorphic drugs are solid drugs whose active ingredients exist in a specific crystalline state. Polymorphic drugs are solid drugs whose active ingredients exist in a specific crystalline state. Drug polymorphism refers to the presence of two or more different crystalline states of the drug. Pharmaceutical cocrystal is a new type of solid form that can improve the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients and many other physicochemical properties. The determination of the crystalline form of a drug and its content is of great significance in ensuring the quality of the polymorphic drug and its safety. In this paper, the quantitative analysis methods of polymorphs and pharmaceutical cocrystals are reviewed, the advantages and disadvantages of various methods are analyzed mainly from three types of techniques, namely, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and thermal analysis, and the specific applications of various methods are commented on through examples. The analytical methods that can effectively determine the content of polymorphic drugs are comprehensively mastered to provide a reference for the establishment of quality standards for polymorphic drugs.
Synergistic Effects of Nd Content and Cooling Rate on the Organization and Properties of Al-Nd Alloys
Authors: Wu Wenjie , Sun Shuchen , Wang Xiangjie , Zhang Xinyu , Chen Chengcheng , Hong Xin , Yan Yaoyu , Wei Jing , Tu Ganfeng
Published: December 2024

This research focuses on the synergistic effect of the cooling rate and solute neodymium (Nd) content on the microstructure and physical properties of aluminum-neodymium (Al-Nd) alloys. The results indicate that the cooling rate has a significant impact on the grain morphology, size, and morphology of eutectic Al₁₁Nd₃ in the alloy. As the cooling rate decreases, the grains transform from columnar crystals to equiaxed crystals, exhibiting different distribution characteristics in various regions, and the eutectic transforms from skeletal to lamellar and then to acicular. The Nd content affects the eutectic growth and solubility, reaching the maximum solubility at 11 wt.% Nd. Due to the longer diffusion time of Nd atoms in the slow-cooling region and the formation of compounds, the lattice constant in the slow-cooling region is larger. In terms of physical properties, the hardness and electrical conductivity of the alloy are inversely related. The hardness increases with an increases of the cooling rate and Nd content, which is attributed to grain refinement and solid solution strengthening, while the electrical conductivity decreases. These findings are of important theoretical and practical significance for optimizing the performance and application of Al-Nd alloys.
Crystal Chemistry and Structural Complexity of the Uranyl Vanadate Minerals and Synthetic Compounds
Authors: Kuporev Ivan V. , Kalashnikova Sophia A. , Gurzhiy Vladislav V.
Published: December 2024

This paper reviews perhaps one of the most enigmatic groups of secondary uranium minerals. The number of uranyl vanadate mineral species does not reach even 20, and they do not display a large range of structural diversity, but those natural phases form rather massive deposits that can be mined as uranium ores. The number of synthetic uranyl vanadates is three times higher than natural phases, and most of them were obtained using hydrothermal and solid-state techniques. Diversity is also evident in their structural parts. The majority of synthetic compounds, both pure inorganic or organically templated, have their structures based upon mineral-like substructural units of francevillite, uranophane, U3O8, and other common topological types, and not even one compound among 57 studied was obtained from simple aqueous solutions at room temperature. This allows us to assume that even under natural conditions, elevated temperatures are required for the formation of isotypic uranyl vanadate minerals, especially in the case of industrially developed thick strata. The structural complexity parameters for natural uranyl vanadates directly depend on the unit cell volume. Keeping in mind that all minerals possess layered structural architecture, it means that structural complexity increases with the increase in the interlayer spacing, which, in turn, depends on the size of cations or water–cationic complexes arranged in the interlayer space. This tendency similarly works for organic molecules, which are incorporated into the uranyl vanadate frameworks. It can also be concluded that the architecture of the uranyl vanadate substructural units defines the complexity of the entire crystal structure.
Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Recent Advances and Insights
Authors: Lasorsa Francesco , Biasatti Arianna , Orsini Angelo , Bignante Gabriele , Farah Gabriana M. , Pandolfo Savio Domenico , Lambertini Luca , Reddy Deepika , Damiano Rocco , Ditonno Pasquale , Lucarelli Giuseppe , Autorino Riccardo , Vourganti Srinivas
Published: December 2024

Focal therapy has emerged as a balanced middle ground aiming to reduce overtreatment and the risk of progression, as well as patients’ distress and anxiety. Focal therapy and partial gland ablation prioritize the precise elimination of the index lesion and a surrounding safety margin to optimize treatment outcomes and lower the risk of residual disease. The paradigm of whole-gland ablation has shifted towards more targeted approaches. Several treatment templates ranging from subtotal and hemiablation to “hockey-stick”, quadrant, and even focal lesion ablation have emerged. Many types of energy may be utilized during focal treatment. First, focal therapy can be grossly classified into thermal vs. non-thermal energy. The aim of this non-systematic review is to offer a comprehensive analysis of recently available evidence on focal therapy for PCa.
Risk Factors for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After TACE: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Yuzhu , Zhou Xin , Li Guoping , Lv Qianzhou , Li Xiaoyu , Yan Zhiping
Published: December 2024

Objective: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was one of the common complications in patients with HCC who had undergone TACE. This study was a prospective analysis of patient data to investigate risk factors for PONV in patients after TACE. Material and Methods: Data were collected from 212 patients undergoing TACE in the interventional department between August 2022 and August 2023. Including: gender, age, education, BMI, operation time, concomitant underlying diseases and drugs, preoperative limosis, history of nausea and vomiting, history of kinetosis, history of smoking or drinking, and occurrence of PONV. A visual analog scale was used to measured pain. Neuropsychological status was also assessed, using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9). To identify risk factors for PONV, multiple logistic regression analysis was used. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess the regression model. The clinical trial number did not apply in the study. Results: In this study, 212 out of a total of 904 patients with HCC undergoing TACE during their hospital stay were included for analysis. Among the included patients, the incidence of PONV was as high as 42% (89/212). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that chronic gastritis (odds ratio [OR] = 10.350; p = 0.020), VAS (OR = 3.835; p = 0.003), epirubicin (OR = 26.685; p < 0.001), and the dosage of lipiodol (≥5 mL) (OR = 1.385; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors of PONV after TACE. The ROC curve demonstrated that the AUC was 0.902, the sensitivity was 84.3%, and the specificity was 87%. Conclusions: PONV is highly prevalent among patients with HCC after TACE. Chronic gastritis, pain, epirubicin, and the dosage of lipiodol were independent risk factors for PONV. The risk prediction model that was constructed according to the aforementioned factors demonstrated good discriminatory capacity for predicting the risk of post-TACE PONV, which can improve the recognition of medical providers, and has a good ability to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.
Mitogenomic Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal New Insights into the Taxonomy and Evolution of Parnassiinae Swallowtail Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
Authors: Song Lu , Chen Xiaoxiao , Li Xiushan , Guedes Raul Narciso C. , Dewer Youssef , Shang Suqin , Zhou Jingjiang
Published: December 2024

Mitochondrial genomes provide powerful insights into insect phylogeny and molecular evolution, aiding in the clarification of complex taxonomic relationships. Within the swallowtail butterfly subfamily Parnassiinae (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), an insect group of significant environmental and economic importance, essential aspects of phylogenetic positioning remain unresolved. This study presents the first sequencing and annotation of the complete mitogenome for Parnassius stubbendorfii from two geographically distinct populations in Gansu Province, China. Both mitogenomes are circular, double-stranded molecules, measuring 15,377 bp and 15,348 bp in length, each encoding 37 standard mitochondrial genes: 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and an A + T-rich control region. The gene arrangement is highly conserved and typical of Lepidoptera. Phylogenetic analyses based on both the 13 PCGs and the complete set of 37 mitochondrial genes supported the placement of Parnassiinae as a subfamily within Papilionidae, with Parnassini and Zerynthini identified as two distinct clades within Parnassiinae. Notably, tree topologies derived from the 13 PCGs alone exhibited slight deviations from those based on the full mitogenome, underscoring the need for expanded mitogenomic data across Papilionidae to further refine evolutionary relationships.
Precipitation Regulates the Assembly Processes of Rare Species in Phytoplankton Communities in River Ecosystems
Authors: Xiao Enze , Liu Xiaofeng , Lou Tian , Zhu Yimin , Wang Yiou , Lu Xinxin , Fan Yawen , Tan Xiang , Liu Yan
Published: December 2024

Phytoplankton communities typically comprise a few dominant species and numerous rare ones, but their responses to seasonal precipitation changes remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, investigations were conducted on the environmental conditions and phytoplankton communities in the Lalin River Basin during the dry and rainy seasons. Structural equation modeling and co-occurrence network analysis were then utilized to explore the assembly processes of dominant and rare phytoplankton communities following a seasonal heavy rainfall event. Our results showed seasonal heavy rainfall events significantly altered the phytoplankton community composition and rare phytoplankton diversity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the stochastic process was particularly pronounced for rare species (i.e., 4.44%, p < 0.01). Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that increasing precipitation enhances the complexity and stability of phytoplankton ecological networks. Additionally, the relative importance of dominant species decreases, while that of rare species increases. This phenomenon can be described as the seasonal heavy precipitation weakening the so-called “Matthew effect” in the ecosystem. In summary, our results shed light on the phytoplankton ecology of agricultural rivers and reveal how changes in precipitation influence the formation of phytoplankton sub-communities and the structure of their networks.
Allosaurus europaeus (Theropoda: Allosauroidea) Revisited and Taxonomy of the Genus
Authors: Burigo André , Mateus Octávio
Published: December 2024

Allosaurus is one of the most famous theropod dinosaurs, but the validity and relationships between the different species have been confusing and often questioned. Portugal is relevant to the understanding of the genus in light of the discovery of A. europaeus ML415 from the Early Tithonian of Lourinhã and Allosaurus MNHNUL/AND.001 from Andrés. However, the exact classification and validity of these two specimens has always been controversial. The presence of Allosaurus in Portugal is strong evidence for a North America–Europe Late Jurassic dispersal, later supported by other taxa. A detailed cranial description and specimen-based phylogeny were performed and resolved many of the open questions: (1) The diversity of Allosaurus is limited to three named species: A. fragilis, A. europaeus, and A. jimmadseni. (2) Nine autapomorphies were found in A. europaeus, confirming the validity of the species. (3) Phylogenetic analyses place both Portuguese specimens in the genus Allosaurus, based on the following synapomorphies: jugal bone lateral view, relative heights of quadratojugal prongs, the dorsal prong is equal in height, the jugal bone in lateral view shows shallow accessory pneumatization of the antorbital fossa, the palatine pneumatic recess shape is small, and lacrimal horn morphology has a triangular horn. (4) The Andrés specimen is placed with the A. europaeus and they are considered here to be the same species, which is paleo-geographically and biochronologically congruent. (5) A. europaeus and A. jimmadseni are sister taxa and closer to each other than to A. fragilis. The genus is distributed in occurrences from the United States, Germany, and Portugal, and from the Late Kimmeridgian to the Late Tithonian, while the Cenomanian report from Japan is reidentified as Segnosaurus.
Microplastic Contamination in Amazon Vampire Bats (Desmodontinae: Phyllostomidae)
Authors: Alencastre-Santos Ana , Silva Daniela , Ribeiro-Brasil Danielle , Correia Letícia , Garcia Magali , Vieira Thiago
Published: December 2024

Microplastics (MPs) are polymers smaller than five millimeters, are easily dispersed, and are considered a contaminant of emerging concern. The objective was to quantify and characterize, both by color and shape, the presence of MPs in the stomach, intestine, and lungs of vampire bats, analyzing the difference between organs and their morphometric measurements in relation to the abundance of MPs found in each organ. The bats were collected between 2017 and 2021. In the laboratory, the specimens were euthanized, and the organs of interest were extracted. After removal, the organs were chemically dissolved and then filtered through a suitable membrane. The membranes were inspected through visual analysis of the samples. Our result was significant, we found at least one MP in each organ analyzed, with all individuals being contaminated with particles only in fiber format, mostly white/transparent. The gastrointestinal system had greater contamination compared to the respiratory system. It is not yet known for sure how the ingestion of plastic waste has affected this population of bats, but the presence of plastic waste in the gastrointestinal tract of hematophagous individuals proves the effectiveness of the contagion of these particles.
Donor Identification, Genetic Diversity, Population Structure and Marker–Trait Association Analyses for Iron Toxicity Tolerance Using Rice Landraces
Authors: Saha Debanjana , Mishra Udit Nandan , Sahoo Chittaranjan , Tripathy Seema , Behera Uttam Kumar , Das Susmita , Sahu Chandrasekhar , Datt Shiv , Rout Manoj Kumar , Mohanty Tanmaya Lalitendu , Mohanty Shakti Prakash , Barik Saumya Ranjan , Mohanty Ishwar Chandra , Pradhan Sharat Kumar
Published: December 2024

Uptake of excess iron by lowland rice plants causes iron toxicity, which is a major problem in the affected areas. This study investigated molecular diversity, genetic structure, and marker–trait associations for tolerance to iron toxicity in a panel of germplasm lines using microsatellite markers. The studied population showed a moderate to high degree of genetic diversity, as revealed by the estimated molecular diversity parameters and principal component, cluster and box plot analyses. The landraces Mahipal, Dhusura, Dhabalabhuta, Champa, Sunapani and Kusuma were identified as suitable for cultivation in the areas affected by high iron levels. The landraces Dhusura, Kusuma, Kendrajhali, Ranisaheba, Panjabaniswarna, Mahipal, Dhinkisiali, Champa, Kalamara and Ratanmali, which showed low scores for tolerance, were considered good donors for iron toxicity tolerance improvement programs. Utilizing STRUCTURE software, a total of four genetic structure groups were detected in the panel germplasm of lines. These structural subgroups exhibited good correlations among their members for iron toxicity tolerance and other yield-related traits. Marker–trait association analysis validated the reported iron toxicity tolerance QTLs qFeTox 4.2 and qFeTox 4.3, which are useful for marker-assisted improvement. A new QTL, qFeTox 7.1, located on chromosome 7, was detected as controlling iron toxicity tolerance in rice.
Automatic Reproduction of Natural Head Position in Orthognathic Surgery Using a Geometric Deep Learning Network
Authors: Yoo Ji-Yong , Yang Su , Lim Sang-Heon , Han Ji Yong , Kim Jun-Min , Kim Jo-Eun , Huh Kyung-Hoe , Lee Sam-Sun , Heo Min-Suk , Yang Hoon Joo , Yi Won-Jin
Published: December 2024

Background: Accurate determination of the natural head position (NHP) is essential in orthognathic surgery for optimal surgical planning and improved patient outcomes. However, traditional methods encounter reproducibility issues and rely on external devices or patient cooperation, potentially leading to inaccuracies in the surgical plan. Methods: To address these limitations, we developed a geometric deep learning network (NHP-Net) to automatically reproduce NHP from CT scans. A dataset of 150 orthognathic surgery patients was utilized. Three-dimensional skull meshes were converted into point clouds and normalized to fit within a unit sphere. NHP-Net was trained to predict a 3 × 3 rotation matrix to align the CT-acquired posture with the NHP. Experiments were conducted to determine optimal point cloud sizes and loss functions. Performance was evaluated using mean absolute error (MAE) for roll, pitch, and yaw angles, as well as a rotation error (RE) metric. Results: NHP-Net achieved the lowest RE of 1.918° ± 1.099° and demonstrated significantly lower MAEs in roll and pitch angles compared to other deep learning models (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that NHP-Net can accurately align CT-acquired postures to the NHP, enhancing the precision of surgical planning. Conclusions: By effectively improving the accuracy and efficiency of NHP reproduction, NHP-Net reduces the workload of surgeons, supports more precise orthognathic surgical interventions, and ultimately contributes to better patient outcomes.
Comparison of Visual and Refractive Outcomes Between Refractive Lens Exchange and Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction Surgery in Moderate to High Myopia
Authors: Lee Chia-Yi , Yang Shun-Fa , Chen Hung-Chi , Lian Ie-Bin , Huang Jing-Yang , Chang Chao-Kai
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes of keratorefractive lenticule extraction (KLEx) surgery and refractive lens exchange (RLE) surgery in moderate to high myopia patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed, and patients receiving KLEx or RLE surgeries with myopia within −3.00 to −10.00 diopter (D) were enrolled. A total of 19 and 35 patients were put into the RLE and KLEx groups after exclusion. The main outcomes are postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UDVA), the spherical equivalent (SE), and residual astigmatism via vector analysis. Fisher’s exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test were utilized for the statistical analysis. Results: The percentages of patients who reached UDVA results of more than 20/25 and 20/20 were statistically similar between groups (both p > 0.05), and the percentages of patients who reached SE results within ±0.50 D and ±1.00 D were statistically similar between groups (both p > 0.05). The change in SE in the KLEx group was lesser compared to that in the RLE group (p = 0.021). The vector analysis showed a lower DV and ME and a higher CoI in the KLEx group than in the RLE group (all p < 0.05). The percentage of patients who reached specific UDVA and SE thresholds were statistically similar between groups with different myopia degrees (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: The postoperative visual and refractive outcomes between RLE and KLEx surgeries are grossly comparable, while the KLEx may have a slight advantage in astigmatism correction.
Improved Consistency of Lung Nodule Categorization in CT Scans with Heterogeneous Slice Thickness by Deep Learning-Based 3D Super-Resolution
Authors: Kim Dongok , Park Jae Hyung , Lee Chang Hyun , Kim Young-Ju , Kim Jong Hyo
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Accurate volumetric assessment of lung nodules is an essential element of low-dose lung cancer screening programs. Current guidance recommends applying specific thresholds to measured nodule volume to make the following clinical decisions. In reality, however, CT scans often have heterogeneous slice thickness which is known to adversely impact the accuracy of nodule volume assessment. Methods: In this study, a deep learning (DL)-based 3D super-resolution method is proposed for generating thin-slice CT images from heterogeneous thick-slice CT images in lung cancer screening. We evaluated the performance in a qualitative way by radiologist’s perceptual assessment as well as in a quantitative way by accuracy of nodule volume measurements and agreement of volume-based Lung-RADS nodule category. Results: A 5-point Likert scale tabulated by two radiologists showed that the quality of DL-generated thin-slice images from thick-slice CT images were on a par with the image quality of ground truth thin-slice CT images. Furthermore, thick- and thin-slice CT images had a nodule volume difference of 52.2 percent on average which was reduced to a 15.7 percent difference with DL-generated thin-slice CT. In addition, the proposed method increased the agreement of lung nodule categorization using Lung-RADS by 74 percent. Conclusions: The proposed DL approach for slice thickness normalization has a potential for improving the accuracy of lung nodule volumetry and facilitating more reliable early lung nodule detection.
Application of Biofire Filmarray Joint Infection Panel for Rapid Identification of Aetiology in a Necrotizing Fasciitis Case
Authors: Tóth Zoltán , Balázs Bence , Pfliegler Walter P. , Csoma Eszter , Majoros László , Szűcs Dorka , Kovács Renátó
Published: December 2024

Background: Monomicrobial Enterobacterales necrotizing fasciitis is associated with exceedingly high mortality rates. Although effective antimicrobial therapy is an important part of treatment, the traditional microbiological diagnostic methods are not fast enough to meaningfully influence early therapeutic decisions. Methods: Here, we report the application of the BioMérieux Biofire Filmarray Joint Infection Panel (BFJIP) for the rapid detection of the causative agent and susceptibility prediction in such a case. Aside from the BFJIP-based rapid diagnostic approach and culturing, the whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the causative agent was performed using Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore MinION platforms. Results: The BFJIP indicated the presence of K. pneumoniae, without KPC, VIM, IMP, NDM, OXA-48 carbapenemase genes, and CTX-M-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. Based on the WGS data, the isolate belonged to the K1-capsule-type ST23, harboured a pNTUH-2044-like plasmid, and was positive for all the virulence factors associated with this lineage. The conventional susceptibility results were also in accordance with the BFJIP results; the isolate lacked any of these acquired resistance mechanisms. Conclusions: Despite this being the first case of the successful identification of pathogenic bacteria in necrotising fasciitis using this assay, the BFJIP may become a useful tool for rapid identification of pathogens in necrotising fasciitis cases and guiding antimicrobial therapy for better clinical outcomes.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prophylactic Vasopressors for the Prevention of Peri-Intubation Hypotension
Authors: Saunders Hollie , Khadka Subekshya , Shrestha Rabi , Baig Hassan Z. , Helgeson Scott A.
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Peri-intubation hypotension is a known complication of endotracheal intubation. In the hospital setting, peri-intubation hypotension has been shown to increase hospital mortality and length of stay. The use of prophylactic vasopressors at the time of sedation induction to prevent peri-intubation hypotension has been raised. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to review the safety and efficacy of this practice. Methods: The study was fully registered with PROSPERO on 13 October 2022, and screening for eligibility was initiated on 20 September 2024. Randomized controlled trials, along with retrospective or prospective cohort studies, were included in the search. The terms “peri-intubation hypotension”, “vasopressors”, “intubation”, and “anesthesia induced hypotension” were used to search the title/summary in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. An assessment of bias for each study was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The primary outcome was the rate of hypotension peri-intubation. Any complications secondary to hypotension or vasopressors were the secondary outcome. Results: We identified 13 studies, which were all randomized controlled studies, to include in the final analysis. The risk ratio for preventing peri-intubation hypotension was 1.6 (95% CI, 1.2–2.14) with the use of prophylactic phenylephrine while giving propofol versus no prophylactic vasopressors and 1.28 (95% CI 1.03–1.60) with the use of ephedrine. Conclusions: These findings suggest that in patients undergoing intubation in the operating room with propofol, prophylactic vasopressors given with induction for intubation decrease the odds of hypotension.
Cooperative Overbooking-Based Resource Allocation and Application Placement in UAV-Mounted Edge Computing for Internet of Forestry Things
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Suo Long , Jiao Wanguo , Liu Xiaoming , Liu Yunfei
Published: December 2024

Due to the high mobility and low cost, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-mounted edge computing (UMEC) provides an efficient way to provision computing offloading services for Internet of Forestry Things (IoFT) applications in forest areas without sufficient infrastructure. Multiple IoFT applications can be consolidated into fewer UAV-mounted servers to improve the resource utilization and reduce deployment costs with the precondition that all applications’ Quality of Service (QoS) can be met. However, most existing application placement schemes in UMEC did not consider the dynamic nature of the aggregated computing resource demand. In this paper, the resource allocation and application placement problem based on fine-grained cooperative overbooking in UMEC is studied. First, for the two-tenant overbooking case, a Two-tenant Cooperative Resource Overbooking (2CROB) scheme is designed, which allows tenants to share resource demand violations (RDVs) in the cooperative overbooking region. In 2CROB, an aggregated-resource-demand minimization problem is modeled, and a bisection search algorithm is designed to obtain the minimized aggregated resource demand. Second, for the multiple-tenant overbooking case, a Proportional Fairness-based Cooperative Resource Overbooking (PF-MCROB) scheme is designed, and a bisection search algorithm is also designed to obtain the corresponding minimized aggregated resource demand. Then, on the basis of PF-MCROB, a First Fit Decreasing-based Cooperative Application Placement (FFD-CAP) scheme is proposed to accommodate applications in as few servers as possible. Simulation results verify that the proposed cooperative resource overbooking schemes can save more computing resource in cases including more tenants with higher or differentiated resource demand violation ratio (RDVR) thresholds, and the FFD-ACP scheme can reduce about one third of necessarily deployed UAVs compared with traditional overbooking. Thus, applying efficient cooperative overbooking in application placement can considerably reduce deployment and maintenance costs and improve onboard computing resource utilization and operating revenues in UMEC-aided IoFT applications.
Updates on Information Theory and Network Coding
Authors: Yang Shenghao , Shum Kenneth W.
Published: December 2024

Around the year 2000, network coding introduced the concept that coding can replace the basic packet forwarding operation used in traditional network communication systems [...]
Informatics in Emergency Medicine: A Literature Review
Authors: Conforti Raffaele
Published: December 2024

In recent years, the integration of informatics in emergency medicine has led to significant improvements in clinical decision-making, patient management, and overall healthcare delivery. This literature review explores the most recent trends and applications of informatics in the field of emergency medicine, including electronic health records, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and mobile health technologies. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art technologies, their current implementations, and the challenges that remain to be addressed.
Can the Succession Plan for Family Business Achieve Social Employment Stability? An Analysis from the Perspective of Entrepreneurs
Authors: Zhang Hongmei , Xing Mu , Chen Dong
Published: December 2024

Employment stability is crucial to social harmony and individual well-being. This study empirically analyzes whether the succession plan adopted by a family business can achieve the goal of stable employment and explores potential mechanisms at the individual level of entrepreneurs. This paper takes the data from the latest Chinese Private Enterprise Survey as the research sample and employs OLS regression to empirically analyze the impact of family business succession plans on employee employment. The study finds that the succession plan can significantly increase the employment scale of a family business. The pathway mechanism indicates that the employment promotion effect is achieved by enhancing entrepreneurial responsibility and prospect perception. Additionally, when a training method involving different positions within the company is adopted, the succession plan has a more substantial promotion effect on labor employment. Finally, this study analyzes the impacts of the succession plan from three aspects: flexible employment forms, wage income levels, and employee recruitment preferences. Previous studies have not explored whether family enterprises’ formulation of a succession plan will affect social employment. By addressing this issue, new micro-level evidence is provided for further understanding of the relationship between family enterprises and the labor market.
University Students’ Perceptions of Sustainability and Ecological Footprint in the Use of Digital Leisure
Authors: Marquès-Donoso Albert , Martínez-Hernández Ana , Revuelta Patricia
Published: December 2024

The paper explores the impact of digital transformation on young people’s interaction with digital leisure and its ecological footprint. The study highlights the increasing awareness of ecological sustainability in digital consumption among university students. It also delves into the concept of emotional sustainability, a term proposed to address the psychological and emotional effects of digital entertainment consumption. The digitalization of leisure has led to significant changes, including the rise in digital dependency, anxiety disorders, and the dehumanization of human relationships. The paper underscores the need for emotional sustainability in managing digital leisure to mitigate these negative consequences. Additionally, it discusses students’ awareness of the ecological footprint associated with digital activities, pointing out gaps in knowledge regarding the environmental impact of maintaining digital infrastructure. The authors advocate for integrating emotional sustainability into digital consumption practices to promote healthier and more sustainable digital lifestyles. This exploratory study provides a framework for understanding the dual aspects of sustainability in digital leisure, emphasizing the importance of both ecological and emotional dimensions in fostering a balanced and sustainable digital future. This context has generated needs that must be addressed from the perspective of the emotional sustainability of digital entertainment consumption.