bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancements in Data Analysis for the Work-Sampling Method
Authors: Buchmeister Borut , Herzog Natasa Vujica
Published: April 2024

The work-sampling method makes it possible to gain valuable insights into what is happening in production systems. Work sampling is a process used to estimate the proportion of shift time that workers (or machines) spend on different activities (within productive work or losses). It is estimated based on enough random observations of activities over a selected period. When workplace operations do not have short cycle times or high repetition rates, the use of such a statistical technique is necessary because the labor sampling data can provide information that can be used to set standards. The work-sampling procedure is well standardized, but additional contributions are possible when evaluating the observations. In this paper, we present our contribution to improving the decision-making process based on work-sampling data. We introduce a correlation comparison of the measured hourly shares of all activities in pairs to check whether there are mutual connections or to uncover hidden connections between activities. The results allow for easier decision-making (conclusions) regarding the influence of the selected activities on the triggering of the others. With the additional calculation method, we can uncover behavioral patterns that would have been overlooked with the basic method. This leads to improved efficiency and productivity of the production system.
Improving Speed Characteristics of High-Torque-Density Motors for Physical Human–Robot Interaction Using an Independent Three-Phase Winding Structure
Authors: Park Junghwan , Chang Handdeut
Published: April 2024

Recently, due to the decrease in labor force, increase in labor costs, and the desire for improved quality of life, research on robots has been actively conducted to address these issues. However, it is currently difficult to find robots that physically interact with humans. The reason is that the actuators of robots do not have a high torque density on their own. To solve this problem, high-torque-density motors, such as proprioceptive actuators, are being researched. However, the torque density is still insufficient for physical interaction with humans, so a motor with higher torque density has been developed. However, high-torque-density motors have the disadvantage of lower speed characteristics due to increased Back EMF levels. Therefore, to address the deterioration of speed characteristics in the developed motor, we applied the independent three-phase winding structure to improve the speed characteristics. Consequently, through comparison with the Y-Connection and D-Connection, we propose the most suitable winding structure for high-torque-density motors intended for physical interaction with humans.
Defect Diagnosis of Rigid Catenary System Based on Pantograph Vibration Performance
Authors: Tan Mengying , Li Haishangyang , Nie Lei
Published: April 2024

The condition of a catenary is significant to ensure a high current collection quality. Owing to the dynamic interaction between the pantograph and the catenary system, the vibration of the pantograph can be used to analyze the condition of the catenary system. Therefore, we developed a novel diagnosis system based on the correlation between catenary defects and pantograph vibration. The proposed system is capable of detecting the type and location of commonly encountered defects in rigid support catenary systems. Catenary positioning coefficient and enhanced sample entropy methods were proposed for the extraction of defect features, and subsequently, linear discriminate analysis was used to diagnose the type and location of the catenary defects. Finally, the proposed defect detection and diagnosis system was applied to a commercial metro line, and the results verified the reliability and effectiveness of this diagnosis system.
Dynamic Behavior of Satellite and Its Solar Arrays Subject to Large-Scale Antenna Deployment Shock
Authors: Zhang Jie , Wu Pengfei , Han Qinghu , Wei Xin , Duan Yi
Published: April 2024

Satellites should be equipped with more and more deployable, large, flexible appendages to improve their service efficiency and reduce launch costs. The spring-driven deployment method of flexible appendages has been widely applied and generates great instantaneous shock loads on satellites, maybe affecting the safety of other flexible appendages, but the current related investigations for satellites with multiple large flexible appendages are insufficient. In this study, the deployment test of the antenna itself was conducted, and the attitude changes in a satellite during antenna deployment were telemetered. Then, a related dynamical model of the satellite was established and verified by the telemetry values of the satellite. Finally, the shock mechanism transmitted to solar arrays was analyzed, and the effect of solar array attitude was discussed. The results show that the simulated method of antenna deployment equivalent to the shock loads tested was thought to be efficient, though it could cause a small non-zero constant of the simulated angular velocities in the antenna deployment direction. The shock-induced moments, except the rotation direction of the solar array drive assembly (SADA), should be highlighted for the antenna deployment dynamic design of satellites, and the solar array attitude has few effects on the shock-induced loads at the SADA.
Experimental Validation of a Passive-Adaptive Slat Concept and Characterization under Sinusoidal Fluctuations in the Angle of Attack
Authors: Singh Piyush , Schmidt Florian , Wild Jochen , Riemenschneider Johannes , Peinke Joachim , Hölling Michael
Published: April 2024

This article presents an experimental investigation of a passive-adaptive slat concept, an aerodynamic control mechanism aimed at avoiding separation in the inwards region of a horizontal axis wind turbine blade. The passive-adaptive slat is designed to autonomously adjust its position due to the aerodynamic forces acting on it, without the need of any active control system or external power source. The slat opens when the angle of attack increases beyond a certain threshold so that stall is delayed and closes for smaller angles of attack to increase the lift-to-drag ratio of the airfoil. A thorough aerodynamic characterisation of the passive-adaptive slat is performed in the wind tunnel followed by testing it under different sinusoidal inflows generated by a 2D active grid. It is observed that the slat system is able to leverage the advantages of both a clean airfoil and an airfoil with a fixed slat. It has the capability of delaying stalls for higher angles of attack, as well as having higher lift-to-drag ratio for lower angles of attack. It is also observed that, for fluctuating inflow, the passive-adaptive slat is able to achieve similar mean lift values as an airfoil with fixed slat while showing significant reduction in the lift fluctuations.
Analysis of the Synchronized Locking Dynamic Characteristics of a Dual-Sidestay Main Landing Gear Retraction Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Zhipeng , Wu Shengxiao , Zhu He , Nie Hong , Wei Xiaohui
Published: April 2024

As an advanced design technology for large wide-body airliners, the three-dimensional (3D) dual-sidestay (DSS) landing gear retraction mechanism can share the ground loads transferred by the landing gear, reducing the load on the wings. However, the addition of a strut system may significantly impact the synchronous locking performance of the landing gear with extremely high sensitivity. To study this impact pattern, both a rigid–flexible-coupling dynamic model of DSS landing gear considering joint clearance and node deviation and a synchronous locking test platform are established in this paper, and the simulation model is validated through the experimental results. Based on the simulation model, this paper conducts a detailed study on the influence of different node deviations and joint clearance on the synchronous locking dynamic characteristics of the DSS landing gear. The results show that, as the node deviation increases, the locking of the lock link gradually lags until one side cannot be fully locked; the structural clearance has a smaller impact on the synchronous locking of the landing gear. The feasible region of parameters satisfying the synchronous locking condition is given, which provides a basis and support for the parameter design of dual-sidestay retraction mechanisms.
Radar Error Correction Method Based on Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm
Authors: Liu Yifei , Shi Zhangsong , Fu Bing , Xu Huihui
Published: April 2024

Aiming at the problem of the limited application range and low accuracy of existing radar calibration methods, this paper studies the radar calibration method based on cooperative targets, and establishes the integrated radar measurement error model. Then, the improved sparrow search algorithm (ISSA) is used to estimate the systematic error, so as to avoid the loss of partial accuracy caused by the process of approximating the nonlinear equation to the linear equation, thus improving the radar calibration effect. The sparrow search algorithm (SSA) is improved through integrating various strategies, and the convergence speed and stability of the algorithm are also improved. The simulation results show that the ISSA can solve radar systematic errors more accurately than the generalized least square method, Kalman filter, and SSA. It takes less time the than SSA and has a certain stability and real-time performance. The radar measurement error after correction is obviously smaller than that before correction, indicating that the proposed method is feasible and effective.
Indole-3-Acetic Acid Action in Outdoor and Indoor Cultures of Spirulina in Open Raceway Reactors
Authors: Silveira Jéssica Teixeira da , Rosa Ana Priscila Centeno da , Morais Michele Greque de , Costa Jorge Alberto Vieira
Published: April 2024

A significant research gap exists in investigating large-scale microalgae cultures exposed to outdoor conditions, with the addition of phytohormones using non-sterile growth media. Implementing these conditions is crucial for verifying the industrial viability of this strategy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) supplementation on Spirulina sp. LEB 18 cultures conducted indoors and outdoors in raceway bioreactors. The outdoor experiments were performed under uncontrolled environmental conditions. The indoor cultures were maintained within a thermostat-controlled chamber at a consistent temperature and lighting intensity. The outdoor experiments supplemented with IAA achieved a biomass concentration of 5.43 g L−1 and productivity of 173.9 mg L−1 d−1. These values increased 122.5% and 130.9% in biomass concentration and productivity, respectively, compared to the indoor experiments with the same supplementation. Moreover, roughly half of the biomass generated from outdoor cultivation with IAA consisted of carbohydrates (45%). Compared to indoor cultivation, this approach reduced production costs for biomass (55%) and lowered production costs for carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids by 86%, 44%, and 50%, respectively. The successful application of phytohormones in microalgae cultures, particularly under larger scale, nonsterile, and outdoor conditions, represents a significant advancement toward industrial implementation.
Fast Rail Fastener Screw Detection for Vision-Based Fastener Screw Maintenance Robot Using Deep Learning
Authors: Cai Yijie , He Ming , Tao Qi , Xia Junyong , Zhong Fei , Zhou Hongdi
Published: April 2024

Fastener screws are critical components of rail fasteners. For the fastener screw maintenance robot, an image-based fast fastener screw detection method is urgently needed. In this paper, we propose a light-weight model named FSS-YOLO based on YOLOv5n for rail fastener screw detection. The C3Fast module is presented to replace the C3 module in the backbone and neck to reduce Params and FLOPs. Then, the SIoU loss is introduced to enhance the convergence speed and recognition accuracy. Finally, for the enhancement of the screw detail feature fusion, the shuffle attention (SA) is incorporated into the bottom-up process in the neck part. Experiment results concerning CIoU and DIoU for loss, MobileNetv3 and GhostNet for light-weight improvement, simple attention mechanism (SimAM), and squeeze-and-excitation (SE) attention for the attention module, and YOLO series methods for performance comparison are listed, demonstrating that the proposed FSS-YOLO significantly improves the performance, with higher accuracy and lower computation cost. It is demonstrated that the FSS-YOLO is 7.3% faster than the baseline model in FPS, 17.4% and 19.5% lower in Params and FLOPs, respectively, and the P, mAP@50, Recall, and F1 scores are increased by 10.6% and 6.4, 13.4%, and 12.2%, respectively.
Gas–Liquid Two-Phase Flow Measurement Based on Optical Flow Method with Machine Learning Optimization Model
Authors: Wang Junxian , Huang Zhenwei , Xu Ya , Xie Dailiang
Published: April 2024

Gas–Liquid two-phase flows are a common flow in industrial production processes. Since these flows inherently consist of discrete phases, it is challenging to accurately measure the flow parameters. In this context, a novel approach is proposed that combines the pyramidal Lucas-Kanade (L–K) optical flow method with the Split Comparison (SC) model measurement method. In the proposed approach, videos of gas–liquid two-phase flows are captured using a camera, and optical flow data are acquired from the flow videos using the pyramid L–K optical flow detection method. To address the issue of data clutter in optical flow extraction, a dynamic median value screening method is introduced to optimize the corner point for optical flow calculations. Machine learning algorithms are employed for the prediction model, yielding high flow prediction accuracy in experimental tests. Results demonstrate that the gradient boosted regression (GBR) model is the most effective among the five preset models, and the optimized SC model significantly improves measurement accuracy compared to the GBR model, achieving an R2 value of 0.97, RMSE of 0.74 m3/h, MAE of 0.52 m3/h, and MAPE of 8.0%. This method offers a new approach for monitoring flows in industrial production processes such as oil and gas.
A Ship Trajectory Prediction Method Based on an Optuna–BILSTM Model
Authors: Zhou Yipeng , Dong Ze , Bao Xiongguan
Published: April 2024

In the field of maritime traffic management, overcoming the challenges of low prediction accuracy and computational inefficiency in ship trajectory prediction is crucial for collision avoidance. This paper presents an advanced solution using a deep bidirectional long- and short-term memory network (BILSTM) and the Optuna hyperparameter automatic optimized framework. Utilizing automatic identification system (AIS) data to analyze ship navigation patterns, the study applies Optuna to fine-tune the hyperparameters of the BILSTM network to improve prediction accuracy and efficiency. The developed Optuna–BILSTM model shows a remarkable 7% increase in prediction accuracy over traditional back propagation (BP) neural networks and standard BILSTM models. These results not only improve ship navigation and safety but also have significant implications for the development of autonomous ship collision avoidance systems, marking a significant step toward safer and more efficient maritime traffic management.
Ground State Solutions for a Non-Local Type Problem in Fractional Orlicz Sobolev Spaces
Authors: Wang Liben , Zhang Xingyong , Liu Cuiling
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we study the following non-local problem in fractional Orlicz–Sobolev spaces: (−ΔΦ)su+V(x)a(|u|)u=f(x,u), x∈RN, where (−ΔΦ)s(s∈(0,1)) denotes the non-local and maybe non-homogeneous operator, the so-called fractional Φ-Laplacian. Without assuming the Ambrosetti–Rabinowitz type and the Nehari type conditions on the non-linearity f, we obtain the existence of ground state solutions for the above problem with periodic potential function V(x). The proof is based on a variant version of the mountain pass theorem and a Lions’ type result in fractional Orlicz–Sobolev spaces.
Heat Effects during the Operation of Lead-Acid Batteries
Authors: Bača Petr , Vanýsek Petr , Langer Martin , Zimáková Jana , Chladil Ladislav
Published: April 2024

Thermal events in lead-acid batteries during their operation play an important role; they affect not only the reaction rate of ongoing electrochemical reactions, but also the rate of discharge and self-discharge, length of service life and, in critical cases, can even cause a fatal failure of the battery, known as “thermal runaway.” This contribution discusses the parameters affecting the thermal state of the lead-acid battery. It was found by calculations and measurements that there is a cooling component in the lead-acid battery system which is caused by the endothermic discharge reactions and electrolysis of water during charging, related to entropy change contribution. Thus, under certain circumstances, it is possible to lower the temperature of the lead-acid battery during its discharging. The Joule heat generated on the internal resistance of the cell due to current flow, the exothermic charging reaction, and above all, the gradual increase in polarization as the cell voltage increases during charging all contribute to the heating of the cell, overtaking the cooling effect. Of these three sources of thermal energy, Joule heating in polarization resistance contributes the most to the temperature rise in the lead-acid battery. Thus, the maximum voltage reached determines the slope of the temperature rise in the lead-acid battery cell, and by a suitably chosen limiting voltage, it is possible to limit the danger of the “thermal runaway” effect. The overall thermal conditions of the experimental cell are significantly affected by the ambient temperature of the external environment and the rate of heat transfer through the walls of the calorimeter. A series of experiments with direct temperature measurement of individual locations within a lead-acid battery uses a calorimeter made of expanded polystyrene to minimize external influences. A hitherto unpublished phenomenon is discussed whereby the temperature of the positive electrode was lower than that of the negative electrode throughout the discharge, while during charging, the order was reversed and the temperature of the positive electrode was higher than that of the negative electrode throughout the charge. The authors relate this phenomenon to the higher reaction entropy change of the active mass of the positive electrode than that of the negative electrode.
Pompon Mum-like SiO2/C Nanospheres with High Performance as Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Sun Xiaohui , Luo Yuan , Li Xuenuan , Wang Yujie , Lin Shilong , Ding Weile , Guo Kailong , Zhang Kaiyou , Qin Aimiao
Published: April 2024

SiO2 has a much higher theoretical specific capacity (1965 mAh g−1) than graphite, making it a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries, but its low conductivity and volume expansion problems need to be improved urgently. In this work, pompon mum-like SiO2/C nanospheres with the sandwich and porous nanostructure were obtained by using dendritic fibrous nano silica (DFNS) and glucose as matrix and carbon source, respectively, through hydrothermal, carbonization and etching operations. The influence of SiO2 content and porous structure on its electrochemical performance was discussed in detail. The final results showed that the C/DFNS-6 with a SiO2 content of 6 wt% exhibits the best electrochemical performance as a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its optimal specific surface area, porosity, and appropriate SiO2 content. C/DFNS-6 displays a high specific reversible capacity of 986 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 200 cycles, and 529 mAh g−1 at a high current density (1.0 A g−1) after 300 cycles. It also has excellent rate capability, with a reversible capacity that rises from 599 mAh g−1 to 1066 mAh g−1 when the current density drops from 4.0 A g−1 to 0.2 A g−1. These SiO2/C specific pompon mum-like nanospheres with excellent electrochemical performance have great research significance in the field of lithium-ion batteries.
Metformin: From Diabetes to Cancer—Unveiling Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Amengual-Cladera Emilia , Morla-Barcelo Pere Miquel , Morán-Costoya Andrea , Sastre-Serra Jorge , Pons Daniel Gabriel , Valle Adamo , Roca Pilar , Nadal-Serrano Mercedes
Published: April 2024

Metformin, a widely used anti-diabetic drug, has garnered attention for its potential in cancer management, particularly in breast and colorectal cancer. It is established that metformin reduces mitochondrial respiration, but its specific molecular targets within mitochondria vary. Proposed mechanisms include inhibiting mitochondrial respiratory chain Complex I and/or Complex IV, and mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, among others. These actions lead to cellular energy deficits, redox state changes, and several molecular changes that reduce hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic patients. Clinical evidence supports metformin’s role in cancer prevention in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Moreover, in these patients with breast and colorectal cancer, metformin consumption leads to an improvement in survival outcomes and prognosis. The synergistic effects of metformin with chemotherapy and immunotherapy highlights its potential as an adjunctive therapy for breast and colorectal cancer. However, nuanced findings underscore the need for further research and stratification by molecular subtype, particularly for breast cancer. This comprehensive review integrates metformin-related findings from epidemiological, clinical, and preclinical studies in breast and colorectal cancer. Here, we discuss current research addressed to define metformin’s bioavailability and efficacy, exploring novel metformin-based compounds and drug delivery systems, including derivatives targeting mitochondria, combination therapies, and novel nanoformulations, showing enhanced anticancer effects.
Short- and Long-Term Effects of Subchronic Stress Exposure in Male and Female Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Knock-In Val66Met Mice
Authors: Xavier Fernando Antonio Costa , Barbieri Silvia Stella , Popoli Maurizio , Ieraci Alessandro
Published: April 2024

Stress is an important risk factor for the onset of anxiety and depression. The ability to cope with stressful events varies among different subjects, probably depending on different genetic variants, sex and previous life experiences. The Val66Met variant of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which impairs the activity-dependent secretion of BDNF, has been associated with increased susceptibility to the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Adult male and female wild-type Val/Val (BDNFV/V) and heterozygous Val/Met (BDNFV/M) mice were exposed to two sessions of forced swimming stress (FSS) per day for two consecutive days. The mice were behaviorally tested 1 day (short-term effect) or 11 days (long-term effect) after the last stress session. Protein and mRNA levels were measured in the hippocampus 16 days after the end of stress exposure. Stressed mice showed a higher anxiety-like phenotype compared to non-stressed mice, regardless of the sex and genotype, when analyzed following the short period of stress. In the prolonged period, anxiety-like behavior persisted only in male BDNFV/M mice (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, recovery in male BDNFV/V mice was accompanied by an increase in pCREB (p < 0.001) and Bdnf4 (p < 0.01) transcript and a decrease in HDAC1 (p < 0.05) and Dnmt3a (p = 0.01) in the hippocampus. Overall, our results show that male and female BDNF Val66Met knock-in mice can recover from subchronic stress in different ways.
Current Landscape of Cancer Immunotherapy: Harnessing the Immune Arsenal to Overcome Immune Evasion
Authors: Mitra Ankita , Kumar Anoop , Amdare Nitin P. , Pathak Rajiv
Published: April 2024

Cancer immune evasion represents a leading hallmark of cancer, posing a significant obstacle to the development of successful anticancer therapies. However, the landscape of cancer treatment has significantly evolved, transitioning into the era of immunotherapy from conventional methods such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. Immunotherapy has emerged as a pivotal component in cancer treatment, harnessing the body’s immune system to combat cancer and offering improved prognostic outcomes for numerous patients. The remarkable success of immunotherapy has spurred significant efforts to enhance the clinical efficacy of existing agents and strategies. Several immunotherapeutic approaches have received approval for targeted cancer treatments, while others are currently in preclinical and clinical trials. This review explores recent progress in unraveling the mechanisms of cancer immune evasion and evaluates the clinical effectiveness of diverse immunotherapy strategies, including cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy, and antibody-based treatments. It encompasses both established treatments and those currently under investigation, providing a comprehensive overview of efforts to combat cancer through immunological approaches. Additionally, the article emphasizes the current developments, limitations, and challenges in cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, by integrating analyses of cancer immunotherapy resistance mechanisms and exploring combination strategies and personalized approaches, it offers valuable insights crucial for the development of novel anticancer immunotherapeutic strategies.
Adoption of Green Mark Criteria toward Construction Management Sustainability
Authors: Pham Hai Chien , Pham Vu Hong Son , Than Trong Kich
Published: April 2024

Sustainable construction plays a significant role in developing countries. However, the adoption of sustainable buildings has faced diverse challenges. Therefore, this research investigates the benefits and challenges of adopting the Green Mark in green building projects. After a literature review and a pilot study with construction experts, an industry-wide survey was conducted to collect 148 valid responses. The data were analyzed in depth, with 24 barriers and 10 benefits, using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) software. After this, the collected data were analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to prioritize critical factors. The preliminary findings revealed significant practical implications and offered valuable insights to support the adoption of Green Mark criteria for construction management sustainability. Furthermore, practical solutions were proposed to foster the widespread adoption of green buildings toward sustainable construction in the future.
Construction Price Index Prediction through ARMA with Inflation Effect: Case of Thailand Construction Industry
Authors: Maqsoom Ahsen , Prasittisopin Lapyote , Musarat Muhammad Ali , Ullah Fahim , Alqahtani Fahad K.
Published: April 2024

Over-budgeting due to inflation is a common phenomenon in the construction industry of both developed and developing countries. Inflation, with time changes, leaves an adverse effect on the project budget. Hence, this study aims to focus on the construction price index (CPI) behavior and inspect its correlation with inflation in Thailand’s construction industry as there has not been much work performed. The prediction of CPI was made from 2024 to 2028, relying on the data set from 2000 to 2023. The relationship between inflation and CPI categories helps in prediction by considering inflation as the independent variable and CPI (All Commodities, Lumber and Wood Products, Cement, and Iron Products) as the dependent variable that was incorporated in EViews to perform automated ARIMA forecasting. The correlation results show that out of four CPI, only Iron Products showed a significant relationship with inflation. For All Commodities, Lumber, and Wood Products, the predicted values were fluctuating, while for Cement and Iron Products, a clear seasonal pattern was observed. This prediction gives a direction to construction industry practitioners to make necessary adjustments to their budget estimation before signing the contract to overcome cost overrun obstruction.
How Can Conflicts with Supervisors or Coworkers Affect Construction Workers’ Safety Performance on Site? Two Cross-Sectional Studies in North America
Authors: Chen Yuting (Tina) , Hyatt Douglas , Shahi Arash , Hanna Awad , Safa Mahdi
Published: April 2024

A safety plateau in the construction industry has been reported in the US and Canada, which has prompted researchers to seek new factors affecting construction safety performance. Tapping into advancements in the theory of human and organizational behaviors can yield valuable new perspectives. Therefore, by leveraging the advancement of the Job Demand Control Support model in the field of occupational safety and health, this paper firstly tested the impact of one newly added hindrance stressor (i.e., interpersonal conflicts on construction sites) by researchers on organizational behaviors on the safety performance of construction workers, based on two cross-sectional studies in the US and Canada. Differentiations were made between conflicts with supervisors and conflicts with coworkers. One personal resource factor, i.e., individual resilience, was also considered in this paper. A “causal” chain that shows the mitigation impact of individual resilience on conflicts with supervisors or coworkers, and the adverse impact of conflicts with supervisors or coworkers, on unsafe events were found to hold true for both US and Canadian construction sites, based on the results from measurement invariance tests and structural equation modelling. Recommendations regarding how to improve construction workers’ individual resilience and reduce interpersonal conflicts on site, thereby reducing safety incidents on site, are provided.
A Sustainable Steel-GFRP Composite Bars Reinforced Concrete Structure: Investigation of the Bonding Performance
Authors: Huang Guoliang , Shi Ji , Lian Wenzhuo , Hong Linbo , Zhi Shuzhuo , Yang Jialing , Lin Caiyan , Zhou Junhong , Xiao Shuhua
Published: April 2024

Steel-fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bars (SFCBs) can enhance the controllability of damage in concrete structures; thus, studying the interfacial bonding between them is fundamental and a prerequisite for achieving deformation coordination and collaboration. However, research on the interfacial bonding performance between SFCBs and concrete remains inadequate. This study conducted central pullout tests on SFCB-concrete specimens with different concrete strengths (C30, C50, and C70), bar diameters (12, 16 and 20 mm), and hoop reinforcement constraints, analyzing variations in failure modes, bond-slip curves, bond strength, etc. Additionally, finite element simulations were performed using ABAQUS software to further validate the bonding mechanism of SFCB-concrete. The results showed that the failure mode of the specimens was related to the confinement effect on the bars. Insufficient concrete cover and lack of hoop restraint led to splitting failure, whereas pullout failure occurred otherwise. For the specimens with pullout failure, the interfacial damage between the SFCB and concrete was mainly caused by the surface fibers wear of the bar and the shear of the concrete lugs, which indicated that the bond of the SFCB-concrete interface consisted mainly of mechanical interlocking forces. In addition, the variation of concrete strength as well as bar diameter did not affect the bond-slip relationship of SFCB-concrete. However, the bond strength of SFCB-concrete increased with the increase of concrete strength. For example, compared with C30 concrete, when the concrete strength was increased to C70, the bond strength of the specimens under the same conditions was increased to 50–101.6%. In contrast, the bond strength of the specimens decreased by 13.29–28.71% when the bar diameter was increased from 12 to 14 mm. These discoveries serve as valuable references for the implementation of sustainable SFCB-reinforced concrete structures.
Research Review of Green Building Rating System under the Background of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality
Authors: Mao Jin , Yuan Hao , Xiong Lun , Huang Bo
Published: April 2024

In order to foster a more sustainable and eco-friendly trajectory for the construction industry, while concurrently mitigating environmental pollution and energy inefficiency, it is imperative to cultivate an environmentally conscious building and urban environment. Under the background of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality, the green building rating system has become a research hotspot in the field of green building. This paper systematically summarizes the research progress of the GBRS in weight setting, indicator setting, and the evaluation process, and creatively proposes the following three directions for future research: (1) Weight determination methods based on machine learning or deep learning models, and reasonable weight allocation by mixing multiple evaluation methods. (2) Setting dynamic evaluation indicators, strengthening interdisciplinary research and regional consideration, and introducing a life cycle assessment to solve the problem of setting indicators in the existing evaluation system. (3) Combine building information modeling with GBRS to realize the automation and intelligence of evaluation and improve the comprehensiveness and accuracy of evaluation.
Identifying the Trends of Urinary microRNAs within Extracellular Vesicles for Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Hisaoka Kazuhiko , Matsuda Satoru , Minoura Kodai , Yamaguchi Hiroki , Ichikawa Yuki , Mizunuma Mika , Kobayashi Ryota , Morimoto Yosuke , Takeuchi Masashi , Fukuda Kazumasa , Nakamura Rieko , Hori Shutaro , Yamazaki Taigi , Sambe Takehiko , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: April 2024

Background: The advancement of multidisciplinary treatment has increased the need to develop tests to monitor tumor burden during treatment. We herein analyzed urinary microRNAs within extracellular vesicles from patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and normal individuals using a microarray. Methods: Patients with advanced ESCC who underwent esophagectomy (A), endoscopic submucosal resection (ESD) (B), and healthy donors (C) were included. Based on microRNA expression among the groups (Analysis 1), microRNAs with significant differences between groups A and C were selected (Analysis 2). Of these candidates, microRNAs in which the change between A and C was consistent with the change between B and C were selected for downstream analysis (Analysis 3). Finally, microRNA expression was validated in patients with recurrence from A (exploratory analysis). Results: For analysis 1, 205 microRNAs were selected. For Analyses 2 and 3, the changes in 18 microRNAs were consistent with changes in tumor burden as determined by clinical imaging and pathological findings. The AUC for the detection of ESCC using 18 microRNAs was 0.72. In exploratory analysis, three of eighteen microRNAs exhibited a concordant trend with recurrence. Conclusions: The current study identified the urinary microRNAs which were significantly expressed in ESCC patients. Validation study is warranted to evaluate whether these microRNAs could reflect tumor burden during multidisciplinary treatment for ESCC.
Rehabilitation in People Living with Glioblastoma: A Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: Zanotto Anna , Glover Rebecca N. , Zanotto Tobia , Boele Florien W.
Published: April 2024

Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. While preliminary data point to the positive effects of rehabilitation for patients with glioblastoma, there are unique challenges for clinicians working with this population, including limited life expectancy and/or rapid neurological deterioration. The aim of this article is to review the literature on rehabilitation of adults with glioblastoma, including the feasibility of interventions, their effectiveness, as well as the current clinical practice. The reviewed literature suggests that rehabilitation has been found beneficial for improving the functional prognosis and quality of life of adults with glioblastoma and is desired by patients. We summarize the qualitative evidence regarding healthcare professionals’ and patients’ perspectives on the use of supportive care services. We conclude there is a need for the design of effective rehabilitation programs for patients with glioblastoma, as well as for the development of glioblastoma-specific clinical guidelines for rehabilitation practitioners.
Review of Psilocybin Use for Depression among Cancer Patients after Approval in Oregon
Authors: Bellman Val
Published: April 2024

Despite the legalization of psilocybin therapy for depression in terminal illnesses such as advanced cancer through Oregon’s Measure 109 in 2020, significant challenges have impeded its implementation. This review synthesizes the empirical data supporting the utilization of psilocybin therapy for addressing cancer-related depression, including an evaluation of its purported benefits and potential adverse effects. It provides a comprehensive examination of therapeutic strategies, dosing regimens, and barriers to ensuring responsible and equitable access. Salient issues explored include the development of ethical protocols, integration within healthcare systems, ensuring statewide availability, resolving legal ambiguities, and defining clinical standards. Oregon’s pioneering role serves as a case study, highlighting the necessity of addressing regulatory, logistical, and ethical obstacles to ensure the establishment of rigorous and equitable psilocybin care models.
Endoscopic Diagnosis of Small Bowel Tumor
Authors: Yano Tomonori , Yamamoto Hironori
Published: April 2024

Recent technological advances, including capsule endoscopy (CE) and balloon-assisted endoscopy (BAE), have revealed that small intestinal disease is more common than previously thought. CE has advantages, including a high diagnostic yield, discomfort-free, outpatient basis, and physiological images. BAE enabled endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in the deep small bowel. Computed tomography (CT) enterography with negative oral contrast can evaluate masses, wall thickening, and narrowing of the small intestine. In addition, enhanced CT can detect abnormalities outside the gastrointestinal tract that endoscopy cannot evaluate. Each modality has its advantages and disadvantages, and a good combination of multiple modalities leads to an accurate diagnosis. As a first-line modality, three-phase enhanced CT is preferred. If CT shows a mass, stenosis, or wall thickening, a BAE should be selected. If there are no abnormal findings on CT and no obstructive symptoms, CE should be selected. If there are significant findings in the CE, determine the indication for BAE and its insertion route based on these findings. Early diagnosis of small intestinal tumors is essential for favorable outcomes. For early diagnosis, the possibility of small bowel lesions should be considered in patients with unexplained symptoms and signs after examination of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract.
Tumor Location Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Completely Resected Pathological Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Kuo Wei-Ke , Chen Po-Ju , Wu Mei-Hsuan , Lee Hsin-Chung (Henry) , Fan Jiun-Kai , Hsu Pang-Hung , Weng Ching-Fu
Published: April 2024

Previous studies suggested that the location of the primary tumor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with clinical features and prognosis, but results are conflicting. The purpose of this study was to explore tumor location as an independent risk factor of survival for patients with completely resected pathological stage I NSCLC. This was a multicenter retrospective study conducted in Taiwan. Included patients were diagnosed with stage I NSCLC and had undergone primary tumor resection. Variables including tumor location, pathological stage, histological differentiation, and International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) grade were evaluated for predictive ability for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). A total of 208 patients were included, with 123 (59.1%) patients having a primary tumor in the upper and middle lobes. The median duration of follow-up for survivors was 60.5 months. Compared to patients with IASLC Grade 3 disease, patients with Grade 1 disease had significantly longer DFS. Tumor location and IASLC grade were independent predictors for OS in multivariate analysis. Specifically, patients with NSCLC in the lower lobe and patients who are histologically classified as IASLC Grade 3 may have poorer prognosis and require greater attention to improve outcomes.
The Role of Phytonutrient Kaempferol in the Prevention of Gastrointestinal Cancers: Recent Trends and Future Perspectives
Authors: Singh Tejveer , Sharma Deepika , Sharma Rishabh , Tuli Hardeep Singh , Haque Shafiul , Ramniwas Seema , Mathkor Darin Mansor , Yadav Vikas
Published: April 2024

In recent years, kaempferol, a natural flavonoid present in various fruits and vegetables, has received significant attention in gastrointestinal cancer research due to its varied therapeutic effects. Kaempferol has been proven to alter several molecular mechanisms and pathways, such as the PI3/Akt, mTOR, and Erk/MAPK pathway involved in cancer progression, showing its inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, and migration. Kaempferol is processed in the liver and small intestine, but limited bioavailability has been a major concern in the clinical implications of kaempferol. Nano formulations have been proven to enhance kaempferol’s efficacy in cancer prevention. The synergy of nanotechnology and kaempferol has shown promising results in in vitro studies, highlighting the importance for more in vivo research and clinical trials to determine safety and efficacy. This review aims to focus on the role of kaempferol in various types of gastrointestinal cancer and how the combination of kaempferol with nanotechnology helps in improving therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Diagnostic and Prognostic Values of 18F-FDG PET in Uveal Melanoma and Its Hepatic Metastasis
Authors: Mirshahvalad Seyed Ali , Zamani-Siahkali Nazanin , Pirich Christian , Beheshti Mohsen
Published: April 2024

In this systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA-compliant), we tried to investigate diagnostic and prognostic values of 18F-FDG PET in uveal melanoma. A systematic search was conducted on the main medical literature databases to include studies that evaluated 18F-FDG PET as the imaging modality to evaluate patients with uveal melanoma. Overall, 27 studies were included. Twelve had data about the detection rate of 18F-FDG PET in primary intra-ocular tumours. The pooled sensitivity was 45% (95%CI: 41–50%). Furthermore, studies showed that the larger the primary tumour, the higher its uptake. Among the included studies, 13 assessed 18F-FDG PET in detecting metastasis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 96% (95%CI: 81–99%) and 100% (95%CI: 94–100%), respectively. Regarding liver metastasis, they were 95% (95%CI: 79–99%) and 100% (95%CI: 91–100%), respectively. Noteworthy, the level of 18F-FDG uptake was a strong predictor of patient survival. Lastly, 18F-FDG PET could characterise lesions from the histopathology perspective, distinguishing high-risk from low-risk diseases. Overall, although not reliable in detecting primary intra-ocular tumours, 18F-FDG PET is highly accurate for diagnosing metastatic uveal melanomas. It can also be a highly valuable modality in terms of patient prognostication. Thus, 18F-FDG PET can be recommended in patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma to enhance decision-making and patient management.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Dependent and Independent Mechanisms Underlying Chemoresistance of Hypoxic Cancer Cells
Authors: Lee Peter Wai Tik , Koseki Lina Rochelle , Haitani Takao , Harada Hiroshi , Kobayashi Minoru
Published: April 2024

In hypoxic regions of malignant solid tumors, cancer cells acquire resistance to conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, causing poor prognosis in patients with cancer. It is widely recognized that some of the key genes behind this are hypoxia-inducible transcription factors, e.g., hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Since HIF-1 activity is suppressed by two representative 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (2-OGDDs), PHDs (prolyl-4-hydroxylases), and FIH-1 (factor inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor 1), the inactivation of 2-OGDD has been associated with cancer therapy resistance by the activation of HIF-1. Recent studies have also revealed the importance of hypoxia-responsive mechanisms independent of HIF-1 and its isoforms (collectively, HIFs). In this article, we collate the accumulated knowledge of HIF-1-dependent and independent mechanisms responsible for resistance of hypoxic cancer cells to anticancer drugs and briefly discuss the interplay between hypoxia responses, like EMT and UPR, and chemoresistance. In addition, we introduce a novel HIF-independent mechanism, which is epigenetically mediated by an acetylated histone reader protein, ATAD2, which we recently clarified.
Debulking Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastasis Conveys Survival Benefit
Authors: Kalil Jennifer A. , Krzywon Lucyna , Zlotnik Oran , Perrier Hugo , Petrillo Stephanie K. , Chaudhury Prosanto , Schadde Erik , Metrakos Peter
Published: April 2024

(1) Background: Despite advances in surgical technique and systemic chemotherapy, some patients with multifocal, bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) remain unresectable. These patients may benefit from surgical debulking of liver tumors in combination with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. (2) Methods: A retrospective study including patients evaluated for curative intent resection of CRLM was performed. Patients were divided into three groups: those who underwent liver resection with recurrence within 6 months (subtotal debulked, SD), those who had the first stage only of a two-stage hepatectomy (partially debulked, PD), and those never debulked (ND). Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log-rank test were performed to assess the median survival of each group. (3) Results: 174 patients underwent liver resection, and 34 patients recurred within 6 months. Of the patients planned for two-stage hepatectomy, 35 underwent the first stage only. Thirty-two patients were never resected. Median survival of the SD, PD, and ND groups was 31 months, 31 months, and 19.5 months, respectively (p = 0.012); (4) Conclusions: Patients who underwent a debulking of CRLM demonstrated a survival benefit compared to patients who did not undergo any surgical resection. This study provides support for the evaluation of intentional debulking versus palliative chemotherapy alone in a randomized trial.