bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungal Biotechnology Applications in Sustainable Oil Extraction
Authors: Barbieri Mariana B. , Corrêa Junior Dario , Frases Susana
Published: January 2025

This paper examines the role of filamentous fungi in enhancing the sustainable extraction of vegetable oils from oilseeds. Fungi such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Rhizopus are highlighted for their ability to produce hydrolytic enzymes, including lipases, cellulases, and hemicellulases, which break down plant cell walls and facilitate oil release. This biotechnological approach not only improves oil yield but also reduces operational costs and environmental impacts, contributing to sustainable development goals. The integration of oleaginous fungi, capable of accumulating lipids, is also discussed as a promising avenue for boosting oil production efficiency. Furthermore, this paper underscores the importance of combining traditional knowledge with modern biotechnological advancements. This integration respects local cultural practices while optimizing extraction processes, ensuring minimal ecological disruption. The use of fungi in oilseed degradation represents a significant step towards more eco-friendly and cost-effective vegetable oil production, making it a valuable contribution to sustainable agricultural and industrial practices.
Spatial-Temporal Pattern of Vegetation Net Primary Productivity and Its Natural Driving Factors in Ordos Section of the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Wu Xiaoguang , Hao Weiwei , Qu Guohua , Yang Lingyun
Published: January 2025

Weather change has a great impact on vegetation growth restoration and ecosystem service function, resulting in significant changes in vegetation net primary productivity (NPP). Therefore, based on MOD17A3 NPP data and meteorological data, this study used the slope of a one-dimensional linear regression equation, Spearman correlation analysis method, and geographical detector model to reveal the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of NPP in the Ordos section of the Yellow River Basin from 2000 to 2021 and the impact of weather change on NPP. Results: (1) NPP increased from 25.4 gC/m2 in 2000 to 60.3 gC/m2 in 2021. The NPP of vegetation in the northeastern and southern parts of the study area showed a significant increasing trend. (2) From 2000 to 2021, the evaporation showed a fluctuating downward trend, and the relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, surface temperature, and precipitation showed a fluctuating upward trend. (3) Evaporation is the most important factor hindering the growth of NPP. Precipitation, wind speed, and temperature played an important role in promoting NPP, and the average correlation coefficients were 0.62, 0.33, and 0.15, respectively. Relative humidity and surface temperature can promote NPP, but the effect is not significant. (4) The interaction results showed that the combination of temperature and precipitation, wind speed and precipitation, wind speed and temperature, precipitation and evaporation, and precipitation and relative humidity could effectively improve NPP. The interaction of climatic factors has a significant effect on the change of NPP in the Ordos section of the Yellow River Basin. The results provide a strong reference for ecological protection and restoration, the realization of dual carbon goals, and sustainable development in the Yellow River Basin.
Homogeneous Structures and Homogeneous Geodesics of the Hyperbolic Oscillator Group
Authors: Calvaruso Giovanni , Zaeim Amirhesam , Jafari Mehdi , Baghgoli Moslem
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we study some homogeneity properties of a semi-direct extension of the Heisenberg group, known in literature as the hyperbolic oscillator (or Boidol) group, equipped with the left-invariant metrics corresponding to the ones of the oscillator group. We identify the naturally reductive case by the existence of the corresponding special homogeneous structures. For the cases where these special homogeneous structures do not exist, we exhibit a complete description of the homogeneous geodesics.
Targeting Chondrocyte Hypertrophy as Strategies for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Dong Da-Long , Jin Guang-Zhen
Published: January 2025

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease characterized by pain and functional impairment, which severely impacts the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly individuals. During normal bone development, chondrocyte hypertrophy is a natural physiological process. However, in the progression of OA, chondrocyte hypertrophy becomes one of its key pathological features. Although there is no definitive evidence to date confirming that chondrocyte hypertrophy is the direct cause of OA, substantial experimental data indicate that it plays an important role in the disease’s pathogenesis. In this review, we first explore the mechanisms underlying chondrocyte hypertrophy in OA and offer new insights. We then propose strategies for inhibiting chondrocyte hypertrophy from the perspectives of targeting signaling pathways and tissue engineering, ultimately envisioning the future prospects of OA treatment.
Conventional Chemotherapy and Inflammation: What Is the Role of the Inflammasome in the Tumor Microenvironment?
Authors: Colarusso Chiara , Terlizzi Michela , Di Caprio Simone , Falanga Anna , D’Andria Emmanuel , d’Emmanuele di Villa Bianca Roberta , Sorrentino Rosalinda
Published: January 2025

The link between inflammation and cancer has been extensively studied over the years. While the inflammatory process can facilitate tumor establishment and progression, on the other hand, current clinical approaches aim to boost the immune system against the tumor mass. In this scenario, the conventional chemotherapy has proven to induce immunogenic cell death in that the release of danger-associated alarmins can foster the cytotoxic immunity following the blockade of immune checkpoints. The release of alarmins can activate the inflammasome pathway. Thus, one of the questions is as follows: can conventional anti-tumor drugs lead to inflammasome activation? And if so, is the resulting effect anti- or pro-tumor? In this review, we provide an overview on the role of the inflammasome in cancer.
Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation—Where Do We Currently Stand?
Authors: Ferrell Brandon E. , Thomas Jason , Skendelas John P. , Uehara Mayuko , Sugiura Tadahisa
Published: January 2025

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) is a method of acute resuscitation for patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest through the utilization of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) pump. The use and efficacy of eCPR is an active area of investigation with ongoing clinical investigation across the world. Since its inception, ECMO has been utilized for several conditions, but more recently, its efficacy in maintaining cerebrovascular perfusion in eCPR has generated interest in more widespread utilization, particularly in cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, successful implementation of eCPR can be technically challenging and resource intensive and has been countered with ethical challenges beyond the scope of conventional in-hospital ECMO care. The aim of this review is to summarize the status of eCPR in the current era.
Divergent Crosstalk Between Microglia and T Cells in Brain Cancers: Implications for Novel Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Yi Min-Hee , Lee Jinkyung , Moon Subin , So EunA , Bang Geonhyeok , Moon Kyung-Sub , Lee Kyung-Hwa
Published: January 2025

Background: Brain cancers represent a formidable oncological challenge characterized by their aggressive nature and resistance to conventional therapeutic interventions. The tumor microenvironment has emerged as a critical determinant of tumor progression and treatment efficacy. Within this complex ecosystem, microglia and macrophages play fundamental roles, forming intricate networks with peripheral immune cell populations, particularly T cells. The precise mechanisms underlying microglial interactions with T cells and their contributions to immunosuppression remain incompletely understood. Methods: This review comprehensively examines the complex cellular dialogue between microglia and T cells in two prominent brain malignancies: primary glioblastoma and secondary brain metastases. Results: Through a comprehensive review of the current scientific literature, we explore the nuanced mechanisms through which microglial-T cell interactions modulate tumor growth and immune responses. Conclusions: Our analysis seeks to unravel the cellular communication pathways that potentially underpin tumor progression, with the ultimate goal of illuminating novel therapeutic strategies for brain cancer intervention.
BSA-Assisted Synthesis of Au Nanoclusters/MnO2 Nanosheets for Fluorescence “Switch-On” Detection of Alkaline Phosphatase
Authors: Xue Yijiong , Bao Chengqi , Liu Hui , Ma Fanghui , Yang Minghui , Li Xiaoqing
Published: January 2025

A fluorescence probe for “switch-on” detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was developed based on Au nanoclusters anchored MnO2 nanosheets (Au NCs-MnO2 NSs), which were synthesized using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as template through a simple one-pot approach. In the sensing system, MnO2 NSs function as both energy acceptors and target identifiers, effectively quenches the fluorescence of Au NCs via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The presence of ALP catalyzes the hydrolysis of L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate (AAP) to ascorbic acid (AA), reducing MnO2 NSs to Mn2+ and facilitate the fluorescence recovery of Au NCs. The fluorescence assay offers the advantages of facile preparation, cost-effectiveness, good specificity, and high sensitivity. Moreover, the assay exhibits a broad linear range (0.005 U/mL to 8 U/mL) for ALP detection with a remarkable limit of detection of 0.0015 U/mL. Notably, this assay demonstrates promising applicability for detection ALP in human serum samples, thereby providing valuable potential for clinical applications.
Publisher’s Note: Announcing the Launch of Biosphere—A New Open Access Journal
Authors: Stefenelli Giulia
Published: January 2025

We are delighted to announce the launch of Biosphere (ISSN 3042-6111) [...]
Role of Hypothalamus in Acupuncture’s Effects
Authors: Bae Ryan , Kim Hyung Kyu , Lu Baoji , Ma Jing , Xing Juping , Kim Hee Young
Published: January 2025

The significant correlation between ancient medicinal practices and brain function marks a revolutionary frontier in the field of neuroscience. Acupuncture, a traditional oriental medicine, can affect brain regions, such as the hypothalamus, anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, and hippocampus, and produces specific therapeutic effects, such as pain relief, suppression of hypertension, and alleviation of drug addiction. Among the brain regions, the hypothalamus, a small yet critical region in the brain, plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating a wide array of physiological processes, including stress responses, energy balance, and pain modulation. Emerging evidence suggests that acupuncture may exert its therapeutic effects by modulating the activity of the hypothalamus and its associated neural circuits, particularly in relation to pain, stress, and metabolic regulation. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive review of past and current research on the role of the hypothalamus in mediating the therapeutic effects of acupuncture.
Optimizing Thermal Efficiency of Building Envelopes with Sustainable Composite Materials
Authors: Deshmukh Milind , Yadav Madhura
Published: January 2025

The growing global energy demand, particularly in India, calls for innovative strategies to improve building energy efficiency. With buildings contributing significantly to energy consumption, especially in cooling-dominated climates, sustainable insulation materials are essential in minimizing energy usage. This study explores the potential of bamboo biochar, fly ash, and lime as sustainable insulation materials for building envelopes. This study also addresses the critical issue of energy efficiency in building construction, specifically focusing on the comparative analysis of three materials for their thermal performance, environmental impact, and economic viability. This research aims to identify the most sustainable material choice by assessing each material’s life cycle energy consumption, thermal resistance, and associated costs. The research methodology involves an extensive review of 125 relevant studies to assess the thermal performance of these materials. U-values were computed from the reported thermal conductivity data and systematically arranged in chronological order to evaluate and compare their insulation effectiveness over time. Additionally, these materials were analyzed under sustainability criteria, incorporating life cycle analysis and a carbon footprint assessment. This study identifies existing research gaps and offers recommendations for future research, creating structure for the development of sustainable insulation system.
Pirandello’s Spatial Use in the Odescalchi Theatre: The Architectural Representation of Henry IV and Six Characters in Search of an Author
Authors: Iglesias-Vázquez Manuel
Published: January 2025

The interdisciplinary nature of theatre studies often results in research that places greater emphasis on literary analysis than on architectural considerations. Consequently, theatrical literature tends to focus more on the relationship between text, author, and context, rather than on the interaction between the text and the spatiality shaped by the architecture of the performance space of the building. This research introduces and applies a mixed methodology to examine the use of theatrical space in dramatic works, concentrating on the architectural study of paratexts, which shows the influence of literature on the architectural design process of the theater building. This study focuses on the works of Luigi Pirandello, particularly Henry IV and Six Characters in Search of an Author, exploring their influence on the Odescalchi Theatre in Rome, and vice versa. This combined approach, alongside the theatrical qualities of the texts, allows for a detailed analysis of how architecture and spatiality are represented in Pirandellian metaproductions. The findings and their architectural modelling highlight the relationship between literature and theatrical spatiality, providing a quantifiable connection in each of the works examined.
The Effect of Digital Touchpoint Usage Experience on Customer Loyalty Mediated by Digital Engagement and Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Nanta Teuku Muda , Noermijati Noermijati , Rohman Fatchur , Hussein Ananda Sabil
Published: January 2025

This study aims to determine the influence of digital touchpoint usage experience, specifically through the myIndiHome application, on customer loyalty, with digital engagement and customer satisfaction as mediating variables. The study used a quantitative method to survey 385 active IndiHome broadband customers in Indonesia. Structural Equation Modelling–Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that digital touchpoint usage positively and significantly affected digital engagement, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty. Additionally, digital engagement and customer satisfaction had a positive and significant impact on customer loyalty. The results further demonstrated that digital engagement positively influenced customer satisfaction. Mediation analysis showed that digital engagement and customer satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between digital touchpoint usage and customer loyalty. This study demonstrates the role of digital experience, digital engagement, and customer satisfaction in fostering consumer loyalty. The current findings provide insights into the development of more effective marketing strategies, ensuring business sustainability and strengthening long-term relationships with customers.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cells in the Modern Era of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment
Authors: Hatashima Alycia , Shadman Mazyar , Raghunathan Vikram
Published: January 2025

Pathway inhibitors targeting Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) have dramatically changed the treatment landscape for both treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, with increased utilization, a growing number of patients will experience progressive disease on both agents. This subgroup of “double refractory” patients has limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have transformed the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies. Although the earliest success of CAR-T cell therapy was in CLL, the clinical application of this modality has lagged until the recent approval of the first CAR-T cell product for CLL. In this review, we describe the current treatment options for upfront and subsequent therapies and the unmet need for novel agents highlighted by the burgeoning role and challenges of CAR-T cell therapy.
Resection and Reconstruction for Lung and Airway Tumors Invading the Carina
Authors: Vanni Camilla , Rendina Erino A. , Maurizi Giulio , D’Andrilli Antonio
Published: January 2025

Tumors located at the tracheal bifurcation constitute a heterogeneous group of neoplasms whose treatment poses significant challenges due to their anatomical location, the requirement for radical resection, the need to restore local anatomy, and the necessity of maintaining adequate oxygenation throughout the entire procedure. Advances in airway reconstruction surgical techniques, anesthesia, and complementary therapies have progressively expanded indications for radical treatment of these neoplasms, resulting in significant improvements in both short- and long-term outcomes in recent years.
Methane Decomposition over a Titanium-Alumina and Iron Catalyst Assisted by Lanthanides to Produce High-Performance COx-Free H2 and Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Ahmed Hamid , Fakeeha Anis H. , Al-Alweet Fayez M. , Abasaeed Ahmed E. , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Kumar Rawesh , Saeed Alaaddin M. M. , Al-Fatesh Ahmed S.
Published: January 2025

COx-free H2, along with uniform carbon nanotubes, can be achieved together in high yield by CH4 decomposition. It only needs a proper catalyst and reaction condition. Herein, Fe-based catalyst dispersed over titania-incorporated-alumina (Fe/Ti-Al), with the promotional addition of lanthanides, like CeO2 and La2O3, over it, is investigated for a methane decomposition reaction at 800 °C with GHSV 6 L/(g·h) in a fixed-bed reactor. The catalysts are characterized by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The promoted catalysts are facilitated with higher surface area and enhanced dispersion and concentration of active sites, resulting in higher H2 and carbon yields than unpromoted catalysts. Ceria-promoted 20Fe/Ti-Al catalyst had the highest concentration of active sites and always attained the highest activity in the initial hours. The 20Fe-2.5Ce/Ti-Al catalyst attains >90% CH4 conversion, >80% H2-yield, and 92% carbon yield up to 480 min time on stream. The carbon nanotube over this catalyst is highly uniform, consistent, and has the highest degree of crystallinity. The supremacy of ceria-promoted catalyst attained >90% CH4 conversion even after the second cycle of regeneration studies (against 87% in lanthanum-promoted catalyst), up to 240 min time on stream. This study plots the path of achieving catalytic and carbon excellence over Fe-based catalysts through CH4 decomposition.
Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors in Male Reproduction: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications for Fertility Management
Authors: Kaltsas Aris , Dimitriadis Fotios , Zachariou Athanasios , Sofikitis Nikolaos , Chrisofos Michael
Published: January 2025

Phosphodiesterases, particularly the type 5 isoform (PDE5), have gained recognition as pivotal regulators of male reproductive physiology, exerting significant influence on testicular function, sperm maturation, and overall fertility potential. Over the past several decades, investigations have expanded beyond the original therapeutic intent of PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction, exploring their broader reproductive implications. This narrative review integrates current evidence from in vitro studies, animal models, and clinical research to clarify the roles of PDEs in effecting the male reproductive tract, with an emphasis on the mechanistic pathways underlying cyclic nucleotide signaling, the cellular specificity of PDE isoform expression, and the effects of PDE5 inhibitors on Leydig and Sertoli cell functions. Although certain findings suggest potential improvements in sperm motility, semen parameters, and a more favorable biochemical milieu for spermatogenesis, inconsistencies in study design, limited sample sizes, and inadequate long-term data temper definitive conclusions. Addressing these gaps through standardized protocols, larger and more diverse patient cohorts, and explorations of mechanistic biomarkers could pave the way for incorporating PDE5 inhibitors into evidence-based fertility treatment strategies. In the future, such targeted approaches may inform individualized regimens, optimize male reproductive outcomes, and refine the clinical application of PDE5 inhibitors as part of comprehensive male fertility management.
Comparative Study of Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors in Various Electrochemical Setups
Authors: Pelesk Antonio , Otmačić Ćurković Helena
Published: January 2025

Volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) are increasingly used in closed systems affected by atmospheric corrosion. In order to achieve a satisfactory level of protection, an inhibitor must be present in a sufficient concentration that should be determined experimentally. Electrochemical measurements are indispensable in corrosion studies examining the protection efficiency of corrosion inhibitors. Volatile corrosion inhibitors are often examined by electrochemical measurements conducted in a bulk of electrolyte, although they protect metal surfaces from atmospheric corrosion where a thin film of electrolyte is present. The aim of this work is to study the protection of carbon steel by two VCIs on different types of electrodes that allow electrochemical tests in a thin electrolyte film and to compare the obtained results with those obtained in a larger volume in a classical electrochemical cell. For this purpose, disc and comb-like electrodes are used. The investigations are carried out in two corrosion media simulating either a marine or urban polluted atmosphere. Studies are performed on low-carbon S235JR steel, which is typically used for crude oil tank bottoms that often suffer from atmospheric corrosion and are increasingly protected by VCIs. Two benzoate-based VCIs recommended for such application are selected for this study.
Application of Κ-Carrageenan for One-Pot Synthesis of Hybrids of Natural Curcumin with Iron and Copper: Stability Analysis and Application in Papilloscopy
Authors: Bueno Danielle Tapia , Leitzke Amanda Fonseca , da Silva Juliana Porciúncula , Bonemann Daisa Hakbart , Sejanes Gabrielly Quartieri , da Rosa Bruno Nunes , Poletti Taís , Maron Guilherme Kurz , Lopes Bruno Vasconcellos , Goularte Matheus de Paula , Gatto Darci Alberto , Missio André Luiz , Carreno Neftali Lenin Villarreal , de Pereira Claudio Martin Pereira
Published: January 2025

In this study, hybrid materials were synthesized incorporating curcumin, Cu2+ or Fe3+, and Kappa-carrageenan as a reducing agent to improve stability, considering that curcumin has low thermal and solution stability, which limits its applications. Colorimetric analysis showed color changes in the hybrids, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy revealed band shifts in the hybrids, and infrared analysis indicated shifts in wavenumbers, suggesting changes in the vibrational state of curcumin after bonding with metal ions. These techniques confirmed the formation of hybrid materials. Thermogravimetric and chromatographic analyses demonstrated greater thermal and solution stability for the hybrids compared to curcumin. Additionally, the hybrid composites effectively developed natural and sebaceous latent fingerprints with good clarity and contrast on glass surfaces. Both composites performed similarly to commercial Gold® powder. When applied to surfaces representative of forensic scenarios, the composites were versatile, revealing sufficient fingerprint details for human identification on both porous and non-porous surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy images showed greater clarity in sebaceous and natural fingerprints developed with the Fe composite compared to the Cu composite.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): Exploring Perspectives of Trained Practitioners on the Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of CST for People Living with Dementia
Authors: Kelly Michelle E. , Byrne Saoirse , Lacey Roisin , Lemercier Antoine , Hannigan Caoimhe
Published: January 2025

Dementia is recognised as a disability under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). People with disabilities like dementia have the right to access specialised health and social care services, including interventions that support independence and community participation. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based psychosocial intervention that improves cognition, communication, confidence, and quality of life for people living with dementia, but an implementation gap means that CST is often not available. This study examines whether trained CST practitioners implemented CST, their perceptions of the acceptability and efficacy of CST, whether the perceived acceptability and efficacy of CST predicted implementation, and practitioners’ opinions on the barriers and facilitators to CST implementation. A mixed-methods approach was used, with 62 participants (91.9% female). Although 95% of participants were trained to deliver CST, 45.2% did not facilitate CST groups. Statistical analysis showed that perceived efficacy significantly predicted both the likelihood of running CST groups (p = 0.006) and the number of groups delivered (p = 0.01). Thematic analysis of qualitative data identified the three key themes of ‘resources’, ‘awareness and education’, and ‘acceptability of CST’. Overall, the results show that while CST is acceptable and deemed highly effective, resources and staffing often impede implementation. The results are discussed in the context of prioritising the rights of people with disabilities and recommendations are made on improving access to evidence-based support.
Impact of Preoperative and Intraoperative Factors on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A 10-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Herlo Lucian Flavius , Golu Ioana , Herlo Alexandra , Virzob Claudia Raluca Balasa , Alin Ionescu , Iurciuc Stela , Iordache Ionut Eduard , Alexandrescu Luana , Tofolean Doina Ecaterina , Dumache Raluca
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer is a major contributor to global cancer morbidity and mortality. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, but postoperative complications can significantly affect patient outcomes. Identifying factors that influence postoperative morbidity and mortality is crucial for optimizing patient care. This study aims to evaluate the impact of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors on surgical outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 688 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery within a 10-year period. Data collected included demographic information, comorbidities, laboratory values, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of postoperative complications and mortality. Results: Postoperative complications occurred in 28.5% of patients, and the 30-day mortality rate was 5.2%. Preoperative factors such as elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p < 0.001), low albumin levels (p = 0.003), a high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (p < 0.001), and presence of comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension (p = 0.005) were significantly associated with increased postoperative complications. Intraoperative factors such as blood loss greater than 500 mL (p < 0.001) and longer operative time (p = 0.021) were also significant predictors of adverse outcomes. Multivariate analysis identified elevated CRP (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5–2.9), low albumin (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.5), and blood loss > 500 mL (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.7–3.4) as independent predictors of postoperative complications. Conclusions: Preoperative inflammatory markers, nutritional status, ASA score, comorbidities, and intraoperative factors like blood loss significantly influence postoperative outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery. Recognizing these risk factors allows for better preoperative optimization and surgical planning, potentially reducing postoperative morbidity and mortality.
Maximum-Power Stirling-like Heat Engine with a Harmonically Confined Brownian Particle
Authors: Prieto-Rodríguez Irene , Prados Antonio , Plata Carlos A.
Published: January 2025

Heat engines transform thermal energy into useful work, operating in a cyclic manner. For centuries, they have played a key role in industrial and technological development. Historically, only gases and liquids have been used as working substances, but the technical advances achieved in recent decades allow for expanding the experimental possibilities and designing engines operating with a single particle. In this case, the system of interest cannot be addressed at a macroscopic level and their study is framed in the field of stochastic thermodynamics. In the present work, we study mesoscopic heat engines built with a Brownian particle submitted to harmonic confinement and immersed in a fluid acting as a thermal bath. We design a Stirling-like heat engine, composed of two isothermal and two isochoric branches, by controlling both the stiffness of the harmonic trap and the temperature of the bath. Specifically, we focus on the irreversible, non-quasi-static case—whose finite duration enables the engine to deliver a non-zero output power. This is a crucial aspect, which enables the optimisation of the thermodynamic cycle by maximising the delivered power—thereby addressing a key goal at the practical level. The optimal driving protocols are obtained by using both variational calculus and optimal control theory tools. Furthermore, we numerically explore the dependence of the maximum output power and the corresponding efficiency on the system parameters.
The Gibbs Fundamental Relation as a Tool for Relativity
Authors: Herrmann Friedrich , Pohlig Michael
Published: January 2025

When relativistic physics is lectured on, interest is focused on the behavior of mechanical and electromagnetic quantities during a reference frame change. However, not only mechanical and electromagnetic quantities transform during a reference frame change; thermodynamic and chemical quantities do too. We will study the transformations of temperature and chemical potential, show how to obtain the corresponding transformation equations with little effort, and exploit the fact that the energy conjugate extensive quantities, namely entropy and amount of substance, are Lorentz-invariant.
Transport Numbers and Electroosmosis in Cation-Exchange Membranes with Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions of HCl, LiCl, NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, CaCl2 and NH4Cl
Authors: Solberg Simon B. B. , Deress Zelalem B. , Hvamstad Marte H. , Burheim Odne S.
Published: January 2025

Electroosmosis reduces the available energy from ion transport arising due to concentration gradients across ion-exchange membranes. This work builds on previous efforts to describe the electroosmosis, the permselectivity and the apparent transport number of a membrane, and we show new measurements of concentration cells with the Selemion CMVN cation-exchange membrane and single-salt solutions of HCl, LiCl, NaCl, MgCl2, CaCl2 and NH4Cl. Ionic transport numbers and electroosmotic water transport relative to the membrane are efficiently obtained from a relatively new permselectivity analysis method. We find that the membrane can be described as perfectly selective towards the migration of the cation, and that Cl− does not contribute to the net electric current. For the investigated salts, we obtained water transference coefficients, tw, of 1.1 ± 0.8 for HCl, 9.2 ± 0.8 for LiCl, 4.9 ± 0.2 for NaCl, 3.7 ± 0.4 for KCl, 8.5 ± 0.5 for MgCl2, 6.2 ± 0.6 for CaCl2 and 3.8 ± 0.5 for NH4Cl. However, as the test compartment concentrations of LiCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2 increased past 3.5, 1.3 and 1.4 mol kg−1, respectively, the water transference coefficients appeared to decrease. The presented methods are generally useful for characterising concentration polarisation phenomena in electrochemistry, and may aid in the design of more efficient electrochemical cells.
Disentangling the Pros and Cons of Flexible Work Arrangements: Curvilinear Effects on Individual and Organizational Outcomes
Authors: Petitta Laura , Ghezzi Valerio
Published: January 2025

The use of flexible work arrangements (e.g., remote, hybrid) has spread during the pandemic and cumulative studies provide mixed findings on the positive vs. negative consequences of these working methods for employees and organizations. The present study examined the potentially curvilinear effects of employees’ attitude towards flexible work options (i.e., flexible work orientation; FWO) on individual- (i.e., performance, job satisfaction, stress, work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict) and organization-related outcomes (i.e., organizational social support, organizational justice, affective organizational commitment). Anonymous survey data were collected in 2021 from 1061 in-person and flexible workers nested within 100 Italian organizations. Measurement invariance across the two subsamples was supported and subsequent structural model analyses suggested a differential pattern of results for in-person and flexible workers. Results indicated a curvilinear U-shaped relationship between FWO and organizational support, justice, commitment and job satisfaction for the in-person subsample as compared to a positive linear relationship for flexible workers. Moreover, in both samples of flexible and in-presence workers, FWO exerted a positive linear effect on performance and a mainly negative linear effect on stress, WFC and FWC. Overall, flexible workers displayed linear relationships among all the study variables, whereas in-person workers showed the curvilinear effects of FWO on support, justice, commitment and satisfaction, all of which increased at high levels of employees’ positive attitude towards FWO. Results are discussed in light of the globally elevated rates of flexible work arrangements and mixed findings on their implementation.
Teachers’ Insights into the Efficacy of the ‘Reading Circle’ Project Using English Language Teaching Graded Readers
Authors: Linde Inga , Daniela Linda
Published: January 2025

The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, published by the United Nations, highlights quality education as a priority goal, emphasising its essential role in facilitating the achievement of other goals. Although there has been modest progress since 2019, several areas require further advancement, including the development of reading skills. Extensive reading plays an important role in foreign language acquisition, as it not only significantly enhances students’ vocabulary, text comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing skills, but also fosters the development of sustainable learning and self-regulated learning skills. In order to substantially increase students’ reading opportunities, the ‘Reading Circle’ (RC) project was initiated, allowing teachers and their students to read five to eight graded readers during English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes throughout the school year. During the school year 2023/2024, 45 teachers and 1328 students of Grades 3–11 participated in the 9-month project. The aim of this study was to analyse teachers’ perceptions on the efficacy of the ‘Reading Circle’ project and the most common teaching techniques. The data indicate that the most commonly used teaching techniques across all levels of language learning were the text discussions and the completion of ready-made exercises, while a significant difference across the levels emerged in the techniques of students reading aloud versus reading silently. The findings of this study reveal that teachers highly evaluated the benefits of the project and observed positive improvements in students’ reading motivation, text comprehension, and advancements in their reading and speaking skills, and the outcomes imply that the ‘Reading Circle’ project is an effective method of enhancing sustainable learning and self-regulated learning skills.
Design and Practical Implementation of Microgrid Inverter Control Using TMS320F28335 Microcontroller with Improvement in Electrical Power Quality
Authors: Magro Nicolás , Vázquez Jesús R. , Sánchez-Herrera Reyes
Published: January 2025

Nowadays, the proliferation of distributed renewable energy sources is a fact. A microgrid is a good solution to self-manage the energy generation and consumption of electrical loads and sources from the point of view of the consumer as well as the power system operator. To make a microgrid as versatile as necessary to carry that out, a flexible inverter is necessary. In this paper, an algorithm is presented to control an inverter and make it complete and versatile to work in grid-connected and in isolated modes, injecting or receiving power from the grid and always compensating the harmonics generated by the loads in the microgrid. With this inverter, the microgrid can work while optimizing its energy consumption or according to the power system operator instructions. The inverter proposed is tested in a designed Matlab/Simulink simulation platform. After that, an experimental platform designed and built ad hoc, including a DC source, AC linear and non-linear loads, and a Semikron power inverter, is used to test the proposed control strategies. The results corroborate the good system performance. The replicability of the system is guaranteed by the use of low-cost devices in the implementation of the control.
Multilayer Printed Circuit Board Design Based on Copper Paste Sintering Technology for Satellite Communication Receiving Phased Array
Authors: Sun Sicheng , Zhao Yijiu , Mei Sitao , Zhou Naixin , Ban Yongling
Published: January 2025

A 2048-element dual-polarized receive (RX) phased array for Ku-band (10.7–12.7 GHz) satellite communication (SATCOM) is presented in this paper. The design of the multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) it uses adopts a novel copper paste sintering interconnection technology that allows for more flexibility in the design of vias and can reduce the PCB’s lamination number. This technology is more suitable for manufacturing multilayer and complex PCBs than traditional processes. The array is designed to consist of sixteen 8 × 16 element subarrays, each based on the silicon RX beamformer and multilayer PCB. Dual-polarized antenna elements are arranged in a regular rectangle with a spacing of 0.5 for a wavelength of 12.7 GHz, thus achieving a scanning range of ±70° in all planes. By adjusting the amplitude and phase of two line polarizations with cross-polarization levels better than −25 dB at boresight, the array can generate linear or circular polarization. Moreover, the antenna gain-to-noise temperature is above 12 dB/K (Tant = 20 K) at boresight. The aperture of the 2048-element RX phased array is 768 × 450 mm. With its low profile, the array is appropriate for usage in Ku-band SATCOM terminals.
Machine Learning-Based Multilevel Intrusion Detection Approach
Authors: Ling Jiasheng , Zhang Lei , Liu Chenyang , Xia Guoxin , Zhang Zhenxiong
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we propose a multilevel-based intrusion detection model. Firstly, we design an integrated shared feature technique, which filters the features to create a general dataset, retaining fewer but more significant features to enhance the detection accuracy of the model and reduce computational costs. The first stage employs OC-SVM to achieve the efficient classification of normal and abnormal traffic based on a general dataset. Additionally, the first stage is deployed close to the monitored system to enable low-latency prediction and privacy-preserving operations, thus enhancing flexibility and improving global classification performance. The second stage proposes a novel Edge Attention Network (EGAT) with a Multi-Head Dynamic Mechanism (MHD) framework, which introduces the graph attention mechanism and considers edge information as the only element, assigning greater weights to nodes and edges exhibiting high similarity, emphasizing their relationships and thereby improving the model’s accuracy and expressiveness. The MHDEGAT model facilitates additional weight learning by integrating the multi-head attention mechanism with edge features, while the weighted aggregation process enhances the data utilization across different network traffic. Finally, the model is trained and tested using the method of on-network data from a gas industrial control system, with an accuracy of 96.99%, a precision of 97.11%, a recall of 96.99%, and an F1 score of 96.93%, all of which outperform the comparison method.
A GNN-Based Placement Optimization Guidance Framework by Physical and Timing Prediction
Authors: Cao Peng , Li Zhi , Ding Wenjie
Published: January 2025

Placement is crucial in physical design flow with significant impact on later routability and ultimate manufacturability in terms of performance, power, and area (PPA), which may deviate from finding the optimal solution and/or lead to unnecessary iterations suffering from interleaved optimization steps and inaccurate PPA estimation. To solve this issue, we propose a physical- and timing-related placement optimization guidance framework which provides candidate gate sizing and buffer insertion solutions as well as a path group for potential violated paths based on graph neural networks (GNNs) to improve placement quality significantly and efficiently. Experimental results on the OpenCores benchmarks with 22 nm technology demonstrate that the proposed placement optimization guidance framework achieves up to 35.66% and 43.51% worst negative slack (WNS) and total negative slack (TNS) improvement and 52.17% reduction in the number of violating paths (NVP), which is beneficial to later routing stages with 2.33% wirelength decrease.
On-Demand Energy Provisioning Scheme in Large-Scale WRSNs: Survey, Opportunities, and Challenges
Authors: Ijemaru Gerald K. , Ang Kenneth Li-Minn , Seng Jasmine Kah Phooi , Nwajana Augustine O. , Yeoh Phee Lep , Oleka Emmanuel U.
Published: January 2025

Wireless rechargeable sensor networks (WRSNs) have emerged as a critical infrastructure for monitoring and collecting data in large-scale and dynamic environments. The energy autonomy of sensor nodes is crucial for the sustained operation of WRSNs. This paper presents a comprehensive survey on the state-of-the-art approaches and technologies in on-demand energy provisioning in large-scale WRSNs. We explore various energy harvesting techniques, storage solutions, and energy management strategies tailored to the unique challenges posed by the dynamic and resource-constrained nature of WRSNs. This survey categorizes existing literature based on energy harvesting sources, including solar, kinetic, and ambient energy, and discusses advancements in energy storage technologies such as supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, we investigate energy management techniques that adaptively balance energy consumption and harvesting, optimizing the overall network performance. In addition to providing a thorough overview of existing solutions, this paper identifies opportunities and challenges in the field of on-demand energy provisioning for large-scale WRSNs. By synthesizing current research efforts, this survey aims to provide insight to researchers and policymakers in understanding the landscape of on-demand energy provisioning in large-scale WRSNs. The insights gained from this study pave the way for future innovations and contribute to the development of sustainable and self-sufficient wireless sensor networks, critical for the advancement of applications such as environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and smart cities.
Energy-Efficient Distributed Edge Computing to Assist Dense Internet of Things
Authors: Algarni Sumaiah , El-Samie Fathi E. Abd
Published: January 2025

The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a rapidly growing field, where billions of intelligent devices are interconnected through the Internet, enabling the seamless sharing of data and resources. These smart devices are typically employed to sense various environmental characteristics, including temperature, motion of objects, and occupancy, and transfer their values to the nearest access points for further analysis. The exponential growth in sensor availability and deployment, powered by recent advances in sensor fabrication, has greatly increased the complexity of IoT network architecture. As the market for these sensors grows, so does the problem of ensuring that IoT networks meet high requirements for network availability, dependability, flexibility, and scalability. Unlike traditional networks, IoT systems must be able to handle massive amounts of data generated by various and frequently-used resource-constrained devices, while ensuring efficient and dependable communication. This puts high constraints on the design of IoT, mainly in terms of the required network availability, reliability, flexibility, and scalability. To this end, this work considers deploying a recent technology of distributed edge computing to enable IoT applications over dense networks with the announced requirements. The proposed network depends on distributed edge computing at two levels: multiple access edge computing and fog computing. The proposed structure increases network scalability, availability, reliability, and scalability. The network model and the energy model of the distributed nodes are introduced. An energy-offloading method is considered to manage IoT data over the network energy, efficiently. The developed network was evaluated using a developed IoT testbed. Heterogeneous evaluation scenarios and metrics were considered. The proposed model achieved a higher energy efficiency by 19%, resource utilization by 54%, latency efficiency by 86%, and reduced network congestion by 92% compared to traditional IoT networks.