bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurements and Evaluations of the Atmospheric Transparency at Short Millimeter Wavelengths at Candidate Sites for Millimeter- and Sub-Millimeter-Wave Telescopes
Authors: Zinchenko Igor I. , Lapinov Alexander V. , Vdovin Vyacheslav F. , Zemlyanukha Peter M. , Khabarova Tatiana A.
Published: October 2023

Radio astronomical observations at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths are a very important tool for astrophysical research. However, there is a huge area in northeastern Eurasia, including the whole Russian territory, which lacks sufficiently large radio telescopes effectively operating at these wavelengths. In this review, we describe our long-term efforts to find suitable sites for such radio telescopes in this area, that is, sites with good atmospheric transparency at millimeter and submillimeter waves. We describe methods and instruments used for measurements and evaluations of the atmospheric opacity. They include special radiometric systems, which are used for estimations of the atmospheric opacity in the transparency windows from the sky brightness measurements. Evaluation of the precipitable water vapor from such measurements by the artificial neural network is discussed. Other approaches use water vapor radiometers, global atmospheric models and signals of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems. To date, long-term radiometric monitoring has been performed at several candidate sites, and atmospheric conditions for many sites have been evaluated using global atmospheric models. Several sites with the best atmospheric transparency at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths have been selected. They can be effectively used for astronomical observations, at least in the major atmospheric transparency windows at 1.3 mm and 0.85 mm. In general, the results show that northeastern Eurasia is a promising area for submillimeter astronomy. These results can also be used for space communications and radar systems.
A Person Re-Identification Method Based on Multi-Branch Feature Fusion
Authors: Wang Xuefang , Hu Xintong , Liu Peishun , Tang Ruichun
Published: October 2023

Due to the lack of a specific design for scenarios such as scale change, illumination difference, and occlusion, current person re-identification methods are difficult to put into practice. A Multi-Branch Feature Fusion Network (MFFNet) is proposed, and Shallow Feature Extraction (SFF) and Multi-scale Feature Fusion (MFF) are utilized to obtain robust global feature representations while leveraging the Hybrid Attention Module (HAM) and Anti-erasure Federated Block Network (AFBN) to solve the problems of scale change, illumination difference and occlusion in scenes. Finally, multiple loss functions are used to efficiently converge the model parameters and enhance the information interaction between the branches. The experimental results show that our method achieves significant improvements over Market-1501, DukeMTMC-reID, and MSMT17. Especially on the MSMT17 dataset, which is close to real-world scenarios, MFFNet improves by 1.3 and 1.8% on Rank-1 and mAP, respectively.
Surgical Instrument Recognition Based on Improved YOLOv5
Authors: Jiang Kaile , Pan Shuwan , Yang Luxuan , Yu Jie , Lin Yuanda , Wang Huaiqian
Published: October 2023

Recognition of surgical instruments is a key part of the post-operative check and inspection of surgical instrument packaging. However, manual inventorying is prone to counting errors. The achievement of automated surgical instrument identification holds the potential to significantly mitigate the occurrence of medical accidents and reduce labor costs. In this paper, an improved You Only Look Once version 5 (YOLOv5) algorithm is proposed for the recognition of surgical instruments. Firstly, the squeeze-and-excitation (SE) attention module is added to the backbone to improve the feature extraction. Secondly, the loss function of YOLOv5 is improved with more global parameters to increase the convergence rate of the loss curve. Finally, an efficient convolution algorithm is added to the C3 module in the head to reduce computational complexity and memory usage. The experimental results show that our algorithm outperforms the original YOLOv5 with improvements observed across various metrics: mean average precision 50–95 (mAP50-95) achieved 88.7%, which improved by 1.8%, and computational requirements reduced by 39%. This study, with a simple but effective method, is expected to be a guide for automatically detecting, classifying, and sorting surgical instruments.
A One-Dimensional Nonlinear Consolidation Analysis of Double-Layered Soil with Continuous Drainage Boundary
Authors: Zhang Yi , Yin Yong , Zong Mengfan , Wu Wenbing , Zong Zhongling , Mei Guoxiong
Published: October 2023

Based on the soil nonlinearity assumptions proposed by Mesri, the one-dimensional nonlinear consolidation of double-layered soil is investigated. To better align with engineering reality, a continuous drainage boundary is introduced, bolstering the reliability of the derived solution through comparison against existing findings. Subsequently, the consolidation behavior of double-layered soil is analyzed for the soil permeability, compressibility, nonlinear parameters, and interface parameters. The outcomes elicit a positive correlation between the consolidation rate of the double-layered soil and both the ratio of permeability coefficient from the lower to upper soil layers and the value of the interface parameter. Furthermore, it is observed that a lower compressibility coefficient ratio between the lower and upper soil layers, along with a reduced ratio of compression index to penetration index, both contribute to an increased consolidation rate within the context of double-layered soil. The one-dimensional nonlinear consolidation of double-layered soil is intricate, intertwined with the relative permeability and compressibility of soil layers, and the influence of nonlinear parameters and drainage boundary configuration. Integrating these factors is crucial for analyzing the consolidation traits of double-layered soil, leading to a more precise portrayal of the consolidation behavior of coastal soft soils.
Holistic Spatial Reasoning for Chinese Spatial Language Understanding
Authors: Zhao Yu , Wei Jianguo
Published: October 2023

Spatial language understanding (SLU) is an important task in the field of information extraction, and it involves complex spatial analyses and reasoning processes. Unlike English SLU, in the case of the Chinese language, there may be some language-specific challenges, such as the phenomenon of polysemia and the substitution of synonyms. In this work, we explore Chinese SLU by taking advantage of large language models. Inspired by recent chain-of-thought (CoT) strategies, in this study, we propose the Spatial-CoT template to help improve LLMs’ reasoning abilities in order to deal with the challenges of Chinese SLU. Spatial-CoT offers LLMs three steps of instructions from different perspectives, namely, entity extraction, context analysis, and common knowledge analysis. We evaluate our framework on the Chinese SLU dataset SpaCE, which contains three subtasks: abnormal spatial semantics recognition, spatial role labeling, and spatial scene matching. The experimental results show that our Spatial-CoT outperforms vanilla prompt learning on ChatGPT and achieves competitive performance in comparison with traditional supervised models. Further analysis revealed that our method could address the phenomenon of polysemia and the substitution of synonyms in Chinese spatial language understanding.
Examining Commercial Crime Call Determinants in Alley Commercial Districts before and after COVID-19: A Machine Learning-Based SHAP Approach
Authors: Kim Hyun Woo , McCarty Dakota , Jeong Minju
Published: October 2023

Although several previous studies have examined factors influencing crime at a specific point in time, limited research has assessed how factors influencing crime change in response to social disasters such as COVID-19. This study examines factors, along with their relative importance and trends over time, and their influence on 112 commercial crime reports (illegal street vendors, dining and dashing, minor quarrels, theft, drunkenness, assault, vagrancy and disturbing the peace) in Seoul’s alley commercial districts between 2019 and 2021. Variables that may affect the number of commercial crime reports are classified into four characteristics (socioeconomic, neighborhood, park/greenery and commercial district attributes), explored using machine learning regression-based modeling and analyzed through the use of Shapley Additive exPlanations to determine the importance of each factor on crime reports. The Partial Dependence Plot is used to understand linear/non-linear relationships between key independent variables and crime reports. Among several machine learning models, the Extra Trees Regressor, which has the highest performance, is selected for the analysis. The results show a mixture of linear and non-linear relationships with the increasing crime rates, finding that store density, dawn sales ratio, the number of gathering facilities, perceived urban decline score, green view index and land appraisal value may play a crucial role in the number of commercial crimes reported, regardless of social trends. The findings of this study may be used as a basis for building a safe commercial district that can respond resiliently to social disasters.
A Mapping Model of Propeller RANS and LES Flow Fields Based on Deep Learning Methods
Authors: Jin Jianhai , Ye Yuhuang , Li Xiaohe , Li Liang , Shan Min , Sun Jun
Published: October 2023

In this work, we propose a deep-learning-based mapping model for simulating and predicting the flow field of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and large eddy simulation (LES) of propellers. The model employs image processing and computer vision methods to process the two-dimensional propeller RANS and LES simulation data. First, images are obtained by simulating the flow fields with the location data used to acquire a set of features specific to the corresponding positions. Second, the regression models for the flow fields and the mapping between the two different flow fields are established to predict the LES flow field at that position. Specifically, we utilize a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for feature extraction from the flow field, which is then integrated with a nonlinear module for the purposes of regression and mapping. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed model in flow field prediction are demonstrated by its application to propeller RANS and LES simulations. It is shown that the overall error rate between the LES flow field predictions generated using this method and actual flow field data is 7.92%. Additionally, we also evaluate the model’s generalization ability, stability, and robustness by testing it on the data of propeller flow fields at different Reynolds numbers. The results verify the applicability of the proposed model in various problems of flow field simulation and prediction.
Hotspot Detection and Estimation of Methane Emissions from Landfill Final Cover
Authors: Wu Tao , Cheng Jiankang , Wang Shifang , He Haijie , Chen Guannian , Xu Haoqing , Wu Silin
Published: October 2023

The main objectives of this study were to identify methane hotspots through spatial distribution tests of the surface methane concentration above a landfill final cover and to investigate the effects of rainfall, atmospheric pressure, ground temperature, and ambient methane concentration on methane emissions. A portable laser methane detector was used to measure the spatial distribution of methane concentrations. The methane concentration distribution showed a distinct spatial variability. The maximum methane concentration reached 3225 ppm, while 73.0% of the methane concentration values were below 10.0 ppm. Several meteorological factors were found to be associated with the variation in methane emissions. Rainfall limited gas transport in the cover, resulting in more significant methane hotspots. Atmospheric pressure was negatively correlated with methane emission. The ambient methane concentration and methane flux had a significant positive linear correlation. Based on a linear correlation equation, the spatial distribution of methane concentrations in the landfill could be converted into a methane emission distribution. The estimated average value for methane emissions in the test area was approximately 4.3 g m−2 d−1. This study provides an experimental basis for locating methane hotspots and assessing methane emissions in landfill final covers, and proposes supplementary means for detecting geomembrane damage in landfill covers.
A Supplier Selection Decision-Making Approach for Complex Product Development Based on Hesitant Fuzzy Information
Authors: Li Baodong , Su Jiafu , Yuan Boqiao , Li Lvcheng , Zhao Yihuan , Qin Zhidan , Qian Li
Published: October 2023

During the development process of complex products, selecting the best desirable alternative supplier is a challenge since an improperly selected alternative may cause losing capacity and increasing the cycle time and cost of development for a company. For this multiple-attribute decision-making problem of supplier selection, in this paper, a supplier selection problem in which the decision data are hesitant fuzzy information and the attribute weight is unknown in complex product development is investigated, and a supplier selection decision-making approach based on hesitant fuzzy information is proposed. Firstly, a bidirectional projection based on hesitant fuzzy information is established, and then the measurement equation for the degree of closeness is improved. Further, an attribute weight determination model which minimizes the projection total deviation for the hesitant fuzzy elements is constructed. By solving this model, scientific and reasonable attribute weights are provided. Subsequently, an illustrative example is employed to not only give the ranking result of alternative suppliers but also demonstrate the validity and feasibility of the developed approach. Meanwhile, sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis are put forward to illustrate the stability of the given final ranking result and the advantages and reliability of the constructed method. For alternative or strategy selection, this proposed approach can be used as a decision-making means when uncertainties are inherent.
The COX-2/PGE2 Response Pathway Upregulates Radioresistance in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells through Radiation-Induced Bystander Signaling
Authors: Kobayashi Alisa , Hiroyama Yota , Mamiya Taisei , Oikawa Masakazu , Konishi Teruaki
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to determine the mechanism underlying the modulation of radiosensitivity in cancer cells by the radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE). We hypothesized that the RIBE mediates cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its metabolite prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in elevating radioresistance in unirradiated cells. In this study, we used the SPICE-QST microbeam irradiation system to target 0.07–0.7% cells by 3.4-MeV proton microbeam in the cell culture sample, such that most cells in the dish became bystander cells. Twenty-four hours after irradiation, we observed COX-2 protein upregulation in microbeam-irradiated cells compared to that of controls. Additionally, 0.29% of the microbeam-irradiated cells exhibited increased cell survival and a reduced micronucleus rate against X-ray irradiation compared to that of non-microbeam irradiated cells. The radioresistance response was diminished in both cell groups with the hemichannel inhibitor and in COX-2-knockout cells under cell-to-cell contact and sparsely distributed conditions. The results indicate that the RIBE upregulates the cell radioresistance through COX-2/PGE2 intercellular responses, thereby contributing to issues, such as the risk of cancer recurrence.
A Polyamidoamine-Based Electrochemical Aptasensor for Sensitive Detection of Ochratoxin A
Authors: Chen Xiujin , Gao Dong , Chen Jiaqi , Wang Xueqing , Peng Chifang , Gao Hongli , Wang Yao , Li Zhaozhou , Niu Huawei
Published: October 2023

Sensitive detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) is significant and essential because OTA may pose risks to human and animal health. Here, we developed an electrochemical aptasensor for OTA analysis using polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers as a signal amplifier. As a carrier, PAMAM has numerous primary amino groups that can be coupled with thiolated complementary strand DNA (cDNA), allowing it to recognize aptamers bound to the surface of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), thereby improving the sensitivity of the aptasensor. When monitoring the positive samples, OTA was captured by the aptamer fixed on the HRP-conjugated AuNP surface by specific recognition, after which the formed OTA-aptamer conjugates were detached from the electrode surface, ultimately decreasing the electrochemical signal monitored by differential pulse voltammetry. The novel aptasensor achieved a broad linear detection range from 5 to 105 ng L−1 with a low detection limit of 0.31 ng L−1. The proposed aptasensor was successfully applied for OTA analysis in red wine, with recovery rates ranging from 94.15 to 106%. Furthermore, the aptasensor also exhibited good specificity and storage stability. Therefore, the devised aptasensor represents a sensitive, practical and reliable tool for monitoring OTA in agricultural products, which can also be adapted to other mycotoxins.
CSF, Blood, and MRI Biomarkers in Skogholt’s Disease—A Rare Neurodegenerative Disease in a Norwegian Kindred
Authors: Aspli Klaus Thanke , Aaseth Jan O. , Holmøy Trygve , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Kirsebom Bjørn-Eivind , Fladby Tormod , Selnes Per
Published: October 2023

Skogholt’s disease is a rare neurological disorder that is only observed in a small Norwegian kindred. It typically manifests in adulthood with uncharacteristic neurological symptoms from both the peripheral and central nervous systems. The etiology of the observed cerebral white matter lesions and peripheral myelin pathology is unclear. Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of protein have been confirmed, and recently, very high concentrations of CSF total and phosphorylated tau have been detected in Skogholt patients. The symptoms and observed biomarker changes in Skogholt’s disease are largely nonspecific, and further studies are necessary to elucidate the disease mechanisms. Here, we report the results of neurochemical analyses of plasma and CSF, as well as results from the morphometric segmentation of cerebral magnetic resonance imaging. We analyzed the biomarkers Aβ1––42, Aβ1–40, Aβx–38, Aβx–40, Aβx–42, total and phosphorylated tau, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light chain, platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta, and beta-trace protein. All analyzed CSF biomarkers, except neurofilament light chain and Aβ1/x–42, were increased several-fold. In blood, none of these biomarkers were significantly different between the Skogholt and control groups. MRI volumetric segmentation revealed decreases in the ventricular, white matter, and choroid plexus volumes in the Skogholt group, with an accompanying increase in white matter lesions. The cortical thickness and subcortical gray matter volumes were increased in the Skogholt group. Pathophysiological changes resulting from choroidal dysfunction and/or abnormal CSF turnover, which may cause the increases in CSF protein and brain biomarker levels, are discussed.
Management Strategies for Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Comorbidities in Adults with ADHD: A Narrative Review
Authors: MacDonald Luke , Sadek Joseph
Published: October 2023

This narrative review examines two of the common comorbidities of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder (BD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD), which each share several common features with ADHD that can make assessment and diagnosis challenging. The review highlights some of the key symptomatic differences between adult ADHD and these disorders, allowing for more careful consideration before establishing a formal diagnosis. When the disorders are found to be comorbid, further complications may arise; thus, the review will also help to provide evidence-based treatment recommendations as well as suggestions on how to minimize adverse events. Incorporating evidence from systematic reviews, journal articles, randomized controlled trials, and case reports, this review highlights that the diagnosis of ADHD and some of its common comorbidities is challenging and requires full, in-depth assessment and management. The management strategies of these comorbidities will also be addressed, with emphasis on achieving mood stabilization for BD prior to initiating appropriate ADHD pharmacotherapy. Medications, specifically mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants, are fundamental in treating symptoms seen in BD and some cases of BPD, alongside psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications when appropriate. The review highlights the effectiveness of specific medications, including psychostimulants, atomoxetine, and bupropion, as add-on therapies to mood-stabilizing treatments for addressing ADHD symptoms in patients with these comorbidities. Despite limited research, the review will address various pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches for managing comorbid ADHD and BPD, emphasizing the need for further investigations to better understand the unique needs of this patient population.
Design for Assembly (DFA) Evaluation Method for Prefabricated Buildings
Authors: Zhai Yukun , Sun Yuxuan , Li Yunan , Tang Su
Published: October 2023

The Design for Assembly (DFA) method, incorporating lean and prefabricated construction concepts, is emerging as a novel approach to industrialize the construction industry. In recent years, several countries have developed guidance documents to enhance building assembly efficiency and quality through the implementation of DFA methods. However, there remains significant room for improvement in the assembly efficiency of prefabricated buildings, along with a lack of effective evaluation measures. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a DFA evaluation method specifically applicable to prefabricated buildings, utilizing the formula design, Delphi method, and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The DFA evaluation method presented in this study comprises two main components: the assembly efficiency index (AEI) and the assembly design index (ADI). The assembly efficiency evaluation serves to gauge the efficiency level of a construction system and identify the space for improvement. On the other hand, the assembly design evaluation identifies factors influencing assembly, enabling process enhancement and upgrading. Subsequently, the paper employs the developed evaluation method to analyze a case, the New Lawuga School in Yushu, China. The AEI of the New Lawuga School is 2.44 m3/pc., and the ADI value of the building is 0.54. The assembly evaluation of the New Lawuga School reveals that efficient assembly was achieved through integrated design and parts reduction. However, non-standardized design emerged as a hindrance to the assembly process. The primary contribution of this study lies in the proposed DFA evaluation method tailored specifically for prefabricated buildings.
Study of the Mechanical Properties of Beam-Column Joints in a New Type of Aluminum Alloy Portal Frame
Authors: Xing Zhanqing , Wang Gang , Lin Xiaolin , Pang Jing , Zhao Caiqi , Chen Qiaosheng
Published: October 2023

In the article, the semi-permanent aluminum alloy portal frame is used as the research background, beam-column joints are used as the research object, and experimental and numerical analyses are carried out. The influence of different bolt diameters and arch angles on the mechanical properties of beam-column joints under vertical load was analyzed using five sets of experiments. The experimental results show that the load–displacement curves of different bolt diameters in the elastic stage are basically consistent. After entering the plastic stage, the ultimate load first increases and then decreases, and the ultimate displacement is basically consistent. According to the experiment, there is no significant difference in the load–displacement curve when the arch angle increases from 90 degrees to 108 degrees. When the arch angle increases to 126 degrees, the stiffness and ultimate bearing capacity of the node under vertical load significantly increase. Then, a numerical analysis model was established to analyze the mechanical performance of beam-column joints under horizontal loads. The numerical analysis results indicate that under horizontal load, as the diameter of the bolt increases, the yield load, yield displacement, ultimate load, and ultimate displacement of the beam-column node exhibit no significant changes, and the change amplitude is minimal. When the beam-column node is subjected to horizontal loads, as the arch angle increases, the yield and ultimate displacement increase by 2.14 times and 2.78 times, respectively, and the yield and ultimate load decrease by 58% and 48%, respectively. Finally, a simplified design method for beam-column joints was proposed based on experiments and numerical analysis.
Research on Safety Risk Transfer in Subway Shield Construction Based on Text Mining and Complex Networks
Authors: Wu Kunpeng , Zhang Jianshe , Huang Yanlong , Wang Hui , Li Hujun , Chen Huihua
Published: October 2023

Subway construction is often in a complex natural and human-machine operating environment, and that complicated setting leads to subway construction being more prone to safety accidents, which can cause substantial casualties and monetary losses. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the safety risks of subway construction. The existing literature on the identification and assessment of subway construction safety risks (SCSR) is susceptible to the influence of subjective factors. Moreover, although existing studies have explored the interrelationships between different risks, these studies usually analyze the interrelationships of single risks, lack the study of risk chain transfer relationships, and fail to find out the key path of risk transfer. Therefore, this paper innovatively combines text mining, association rules, and complex networks to deep mine subway construction safety incident reports and explore the risk transfer process. Firstly, it uses text mining technology to identify subway construction safety risks. Then, association rules are introduced to explore the causal relationships among safety risks. Finally, the key safety risks and important transfer paths of subway construction safety accidents (SCSA) are obtained based on the complex network model. Research results show that (a) improper safety management, unimplemented safety subject responsibilities, violation of operation rules, non-perfect safety responsibilities system and insufficient safety education and training are the key safety risks in SCSA; (b) two shorter key risk transfer paths in the subway construction safety network can be obtained: insufficient safety education and training→lower safety awareness→violation of operation rules→safety accidents; insufficient safety checks or hidden trouble investigations→violation of operation rules→safety accidents; (c) in the process of risk transfer, the risk can be controlled by controlling the key safety risk or cutting off the transfer paths. This paper provides new ideas and methods for SCSR identification and influence element mining, and the results of the study help safety managers propose accurate subway construction safety risk control measures.
An Observational Case-Control Study on Parental Age and Childhood Renal Tumors
Authors: Politis Georgios , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Welter Nils , Mergen Marvin , Furtwängler Rhoikos , Graf Norbert
Published: October 2023

Despite excellent outcomes, many open questions remain about Wilms tumor (WT). Influences and risk factors for tumorigenesis, as well as tumor aggressiveness and recurrence, are not fully understood. Parental age plays a role in various childhood diseases and is also discussed as a risk factor for childhood cancer. We analyzed both maternal and paternal age at birth as risk factors for the occurrence of Wilms and non-Wilms tumors in children and investigated whether older maternal or paternal age is associated with a higher tumor incidence. During 1990 and 2019 we collected data from 3991 patients from the multicenter studies SIOP9/GPO, SIOP 93-01/GPOH, and SIOP 2001/GPOH, of whom maternal and paternal age was available in 2277 cases. Data from the Federal Statistical Office containing live births in Germany from 1990–2019 served as a comparative database. For maternal age at birth, the control data yielded 22,451,412 cases and for paternal age yielded 19,046,314 cases. Comparing maternal and paternal ages of the study patients with those of the control data, we confirmed that higher parental age is not correlated with the incidence of renal tumors in childhood. Mean ages of fathers and mothers in patients and the control cohort increased between 1991 and 2019 (fathers: 30.28 vs. 34.04; mothers: 27.68 vs. 29.79 in the patient group and 31.29 vs. 34.23 and 28.88 vs. 32.67 in the control group, respectively) without higher numbers of patients with kidney cancer over time. No influence was found for the subtype of cancer nor for syndromes. In addition, overall survival of patients is independent of the year of diagnosis and the age of the parents but depends on histology type and stage in WT.
Screening and Early Diagnosis in Gynecological Cancers
Authors: Giannella Luca , Ciavattini Andrea
Published: October 2023

Cervical (CC), endometrial (EC), and ovarian (OC) cancers are the pathologies with the highest incidences among gynecological tumors, with such high morbidity and mortality values that they are considered significant public health problems [...]
Outcome Analysis of Treatment Modalities for Thoracic Sarcomas
Authors: Sarvan Milos , Etienne Harry , Bankel Lorenz , Brown Michelle L. , Schneiter Didier , Opitz Isabelle
Published: October 2023

Background: Primary chest wall sarcomas are a rare and heterogeneous group of chest wall tumors that require multimodal oncologic and surgical therapy. The aim of this study was to review our experience regarding the surgical treatment of chest wall sarcomas, evaluating the short- and long-term results. Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, patients who underwent surgery for soft tissue and bone sarcoma of the chest wall between 1999 and 2018 were included. We analyzed the oncologic and surgical outcomes of chest wall resections and reconstructions, assessing overall and recurrence-free survival and the associated clinical factors. Results: In total, 44 patients underwent chest wall resection for primary chest wall sarcoma, of which 18 (41%) received surgery only, 10 (23%) received additional chemoradiotherapy, 7% (3) received surgery with chemotherapy, and 30% (13) received radiotherapy in addition to surgery. No perioperative mortality occurred. Five-year overall survival was 51.5% (CI 95%: 36.1–73.4%), and median overall survival was 1973 days (CI 95% 1461; -). As determined in the univariate analysis, the presence of metastasis upon admission and tumor grade were significantly associated with shorter survival (p = 0.037 and p < 0.01, respectively). Five-year recurrence-free survival was 71.5% (95% CI 57.6%; 88.7%). Tumor resection margins and metastatic disease upon diagnosis were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Surgical therapy is the cornerstone of the treatment of chest wall sarcomas and can be performed safely. Metastasis and high tumor grade have a negative influence on overall survival, while tumor margins and metastasis have a negative influence on local recurrence.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with High- or Low-Dose Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation—Results from the LenaMain Trial (NCT00891384)
Authors: Boquoi Amelie , Giagounidis Aristoteles , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Heinsch Michael , Rummel Mathias J. , Kröger Nicolaus , Mai Elias K. , Strapatsas Judith , Haas Rainer , Kobbe Guido
Published: October 2023

Introduction: The LenaMain trial (NCT00891384) reported increased progression-free survival with 25 mg of lenalidomide maintenance compared to 5 mg. Here, we report the patient-reported outcomes. Materials and Methods: Scores obtained from the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 were analyzed for longitudinal changes from baseline within the groups as well as cross-sectional scores. Results: Compliance rates were high, with 95.7% at baseline and 70% during maintenance. At study entry, scores were high for functioning and low for symptoms. During maintenance, the median global health status/quality of life (GHS/QoL) was constant, without significant differences over time (median GHS/QoL: 68 at baseline and 58 for Len high and 68 for Len low at 2 years) and between treatment arms (mean change < 2). Similarly, most functional scale domains were constant. Notably, diarrhea increased consistently for both treatment arms (baseline: −1.905 (range: −5.78–1.97); end of year 2: 16.071 (range: 5.72–26.42); p < 0.05). The subgroup analysis showed that neither disease activity, duration of treatment, nor adverse events affected the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) or utility. Conclusion: High baseline scores were maintained throughout the trial without significant differences between the Len dosages, which supports continuous treatment with a dose tailored to patients’ HR-QoL.
Thermodynamic Insights into Sustainable Aviation Fuel Synthesis via CO/CO2 Hydrogenation
Authors: Liang Bin , Zhu Qing , Wang Zibing , Fan Xiaoyu , Yu Xiao , Cui Yu , Zhang Chenxi , Wei Fei
Published: October 2023

The transformation of CO/CO2 hydrogenation into high-density sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) represents a promising pathway for carbon emission reduction in the aviation industry but also serves as a method for renewable energy assimilation. However, current hydrocarbon products synthesized through CO/CO2 often focus on various catalytic paths with high selectivity and high conversion rates rather than the synthesis of SAFs with complex components. This study undertakes a thermodynamic investigation into the direct or indirect synthesis of SAFs from CO/CO2 hydrogenation. By analyzing the synthesis of seven aviation fuels defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7566 standard, our study reveals a temperature-dependent reduction in the reaction driving force for all products. Specifically, for CO, ΔG transitions from approximately −88.6 J/(mol·K) at 50 °C to 26.7 J/(mol·K) at 500 °C, with the switch from negative to positive values occurring around 390 °C. Similarly, for CO2, ΔG values change from approximately −66.7 J/(mol·K) at 50 °C to 37.3 J/(mol·K) at 500 °C, with the transition point around 330 °C. The thermodynamic favorability for various hydrocarbon products synthesized is also examined, highlighting a transition at temperatures of around 250 °C, beyond which the thermodynamic drive for the synthesis of aromatic compounds increasingly surpasses that of cycloparaffin synthesis. Our findings also underscore that the products with a higher aromatic content yield a lower H2/CO2 ratio, thus reducing hydrogen consumption. The influence of cycloparaffin and aromatic proportions in the typical SAF products on the ΔG is also explored, revealing that an increase in cycloparaffin content in SAFs slightly elevates the ΔG, whereas an increase in aromatic content significantly reduces ΔG, thereby markedly enhancing the thermodynamic drive of the CO/CO2 hydrogenation reaction. These findings underscore the thermodynamic preference for synthesizing SAF with a higher proportion of aromatic compounds, shedding light on potential pathways for optimizing fuel synthesis to improve efficiency. Finally, the thermodynamic challenges and potential solutions involved in synthesizing SAFs via specific intermediate compounds are discussed, presenting opportunities for more strategic process schemes in industrial scenarios.
Role of Actin-Binding Proteins in Skeletal Myogenesis
Authors: Nguyen Mai Thi , Dash Raju , Jeong Kyuho , Lee Wan
Published: October 2023

Maintenance of skeletal muscle quantity and quality is essential to ensure various vital functions of the body. Muscle homeostasis is regulated by multiple cytoskeletal proteins and myogenic transcriptional programs responding to endogenous and exogenous signals influencing cell structure and function. Since actin is an essential component in cytoskeleton dynamics, actin-binding proteins (ABPs) have been recognized as crucial players in skeletal muscle health and diseases. Hence, dysregulation of ABPs leads to muscle atrophy characterized by loss of mass, strength, quality, and capacity for regeneration. This comprehensive review summarizes the recent studies that have unveiled the role of ABPs in actin cytoskeletal dynamics, with a particular focus on skeletal myogenesis and diseases. This provides insight into the molecular mechanisms that regulate skeletal myogenesis via ABPs as well as research avenues to identify potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, this review explores the implications of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) targeting ABPs in skeletal myogenesis and disorders based on recent achievements in ncRNA research. The studies presented here will enhance our understanding of the functional significance of ABPs and mechanotransduction-derived myogenic regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, revealing how ncRNAs regulate ABPs will allow diverse therapeutic approaches for skeletal muscle disorders to be developed.
Prenatal Cannabinoid Exposure Elicits Memory Deficits Associated with Reduced PSA-NCAM Expression, Altered Glutamatergic Signaling, and Adaptations in Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Pinky Priyanka D. , Bloemer Jenna , Smith Warren D. , Du Yifeng , Heslin Ryan T. , Setti Sharay E. , Pfitzer Jeremiah C. , Chowdhury Kawsar , Hong Hao , Bhattacharya Subhrajit , Dhanasekaran Muralikrishnan , Dityatev Alexander , Reed Miranda N. , Suppiramaniam Vishnu
Published: October 2023

Cannabis is now one of the most commonly used illicit substances among pregnant women. This is particularly concerning since developmental exposure to cannabinoids can elicit enduring neurofunctional and cognitive alterations. This study investigates the mechanisms of learning and memory deficits resulting from prenatal cannabinoid exposure (PCE) in adolescent offspring. The synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 was administered to pregnant rats, and a series of behavioral, electrophysiological, and immunochemical studies were performed to identify potential mechanisms of memory deficits in the adolescent offspring. Hippocampal-dependent memory deficits in adolescent PCE animals were associated with decreased long-term potentiation (LTP) and enhanced long-term depression (LTD) at hippocampal Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses, as well as an imbalance between GluN2A- and GluN2B-mediated signaling. Moreover, PCE reduced gene and protein expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and polysialylated-NCAM (PSA-NCAM), which are critical for GluN2A and GluN2B signaling balance. Administration of exogenous PSA abrogated the LTP deficits observed in PCE animals, suggesting PSA mediated alterations in GluN2A- and GluN2B- signaling pathways may be responsible for the impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity resulting from PCE. These findings enhance our current understanding of how PCE affects memory and how this process can be manipulated for future therapeutic purposes.
Measuring Single-Cell Calcium Dynamics Using a Myofilament-Localized Optical Biosensor in hiPSC-CMs Derived from DCM Patients
Authors: Hawey Cara , Bourque Kyla , Alim Karima , Derish Ida , Rody Elise , Khan Kashif , Gendron Natalie , Cecere Renzo , Giannetti Nadia , Hébert Terence E.
Published: October 2023

Synchronized contractions of cardiomyocytes within the heart are tightly coupled to electrical stimulation known as excitation-contraction coupling. Calcium plays a key role in this process and dysregulated calcium handling can significantly impair cardiac function and lead to the development of cardiomyopathies and heart failure. Here, we describe a method and analytical technique to study myofilament-localized calcium signaling using the intensity-based fluorescent biosensor, RGECO-TnT. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease that negatively impacts the heart’s contractile function following dilatation of the left ventricle. We demonstrate how this biosensor can be used to characterize 2D hiPSC-CMs monolayers generated from a healthy control subject compared to two patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. Lastly, we provide a step-by-step guide for single-cell data analysis and describe a custom Transient Analysis application, specifically designed to quantify features of calcium transients. All in all, we explain how this analytical approach can be applied to phenotype hiPSC-CM behaviours and stratify patient responses to identify perturbations in calcium signaling.
The Complex Effects of PKM2 and PKM2:IP3R Disruption on Intracellular Ca2+ Handling and Cellular Functions
Authors: Lemos Fernanda O. , de Ridder Ian , Bootman Martin D. , Bultynck Geert , Parys Jan B.
Published: October 2023

Pyruvate kinase M (PKM) 2 was described to interact with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R) and suppress its activity. To further investigate the physiological importance of the PKM2:IP3R interaction, we developed and characterized HeLa PKM2 knockout (KO) cells. In the HeLa PKM2 KO cells, the release of Ca2+ to the cytosol appears to be more sensitive to low agonist concentrations than in HeLa wild-type (WT) cells. However, upon an identical IP3-induced Ca2+ release, Ca2+ uptake in the mitochondria is decreased in HeLa PKM2 KO cells, which may be explained by the smaller number of contact sites between the ER and the mitochondria. Furthermore, in HeLa PKM2 KO cells, mitochondria are more numerous, though they are smaller and less branched and have a hyperpolarized membrane potential. TAT-D5SD, a cell-permeable peptide representing a sequence derived from IP3R1 that can disrupt the PKM2:IP3R interaction, induces Ca2+ release into the cytosol and Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria in both HeLa WT and PKM2 KO cells. Moreover, TAT-D5SD induced apoptosis in HeLa WT and PKM2 KO cells but not in HeLa cells completely devoid of IP3Rs. These results indicate that PKM2 separately regulates cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ handling and that the cytotoxic effect of TAT-D5SD depends on IP3R activity but not on PKM2. However, the tyrosine kinase Lck, which also interacts with the D5SD sequence, is expressed neither in HeLa WT nor PKM2 KO cells, and we can also exclude a role for PKM1, which is upregulated in HeLa PKM2 KO cells, indicating that the TAT-D5SD peptide has a more complex mode of action than anticipated.
A Scientometric Evaluation of COVID-19 and Male Reproductive Research
Authors: Panner Selvam Manesh Kumar , Kapoor Anika , Baskaran Saradha , Moharana Ajaya Kumar , Sikka Suresh C.
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic due to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus showed acute and prolonged effects on human health. In addition, over the past four years, there has been a tremendous surge in COVID-19-related scientific publications, as shown by bibliometric and scientometric studies. However, such analysis of the scientific literature is lacking in the area of male reproduction. The current scientometric study analyzes publication characteristics of articles related to male reproduction and COVID-19 infection. We used the Scopus database to analyze scientometric data (the number of publications, journals, countries, type of documents, and subject area) related to COVID-19 and male reproductive research. Our literature search identified 345 articles related to COVID-19 and male reproductive research. Most of the articles were published in the USA (n = 72), Italy (n = 55), and China (n = 51). Such research was mainly focused around medicine (57.1%), followed by biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology (25.7%). Also, in the area of male reproduction, only 37.1% (n = 128) of the articles contributed towards original research, whereas 52.8% (n = 182) were review articles and editorials focusing more on sexual dysfunction than infertility. Such a small number of studies published on COVID-19-related effects on male reproduction warrants a significant increase in research, which is required to decipher the mechanism(s) underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated impairment of male reproductive function.
Characterization of Nanoparticles in Antimicrobial Coatings for Medical Applications—A Review
Authors: Rezić Iva , Meštrović Ernest
Published: October 2023

This review discusses relevant topics concerning the understanding of the characterization of antimicrobial coatings due to powerful antimicrobial nanoparticles in their composition. These coatings are utilized in the surface modification of yarns and materials designed for use in medical and dental applications. Various physical and chemical methods are employed to create these coatings, ensuring the development of efficient, homogeneous, and uniform layers on diverse surfaces and materials. The primary objective is to confer antimicrobial and/or antiviral properties upon these materials. For these coatings to be effective, they must incorporate active compounds that can combat a wide array of microorganisms, including those that have developed resistance to antibiotics. Examples of such active compounds include metallic nanoparticles such as silver, copper, and gold, as well as nanoparticles of metal oxides such as zinc, titanium, and aluminum. Upon the application of these coatings to medical materials, extensive testing and characterization procedures are undertaken, which will be thoroughly detailed in this review. It is crucial to emphasize that the absence of proper characterization and testing of nanoparticles in antimicrobial coatings could lead to the absence of standards, norms, or procedures necessary to safeguard human health and the environment. Despite their widespread application in the medical field, concerns have been raised regarding the potential toxicity of nanoparticles to living organisms. Consequently, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art methodologies for characterizing nanoparticles in antimicrobial coatings, specifically focusing on materials with varying roughness and structures. Additionally, it outlines the issues associated with the potential accumulation of antimicrobial nanoparticles within the human body.
Advances and Challenges in Cytomegalovirus Detection Methods for Liver Transplant Donors
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Zhong Yiwu , Qiao Yinbiao , Li Haoyu , Hu Xu , Imani Saber , Zheng Shusen , Li Jianhui
Published: October 2023

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a highly prevalent opportunistic infection among liver transplant recipients. When the liver donor is infected with CMV, there is a risk of transmission to the recipient, leading to CMV infection. To improve the postoperative outcome of liver transplantation, it is crucial to shift the focus of CMV detection to the donor and achieve early diagnosis, as well as implement effective preventative and therapeutic measures. However, the commonly used CMV detection methods in the past had limitations that prevented their early and accurate diagnosis in liver transplant donors. This review focuses on the latest advancements in CMV detection methods that can potentially be applied to liver transplant donors. The objective is to compare and evaluate their clinical utility, thereby providing guidance and support for rapid and accurate diagnosis of CMV infection in the clinic. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated proteins (CRISPR–Cas) system-based assay emerges as a promising method for detecting the virus, offering great prospects for early and expedient CMV infection diagnosis in clinical settings.