bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Radiomics and Machine Learning Applied to MRI to Predict Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer
Authors: Chiappa Valentina , Bogani Giorgio , Interlenghi Matteo , Vittori Antisari Giulia , Salvatore Christian , Zanchi Lucia , Ludovisi Manuela , Leone Roberti Maggiore Umberto , Calareso Giuseppina , Haeusler Edward , Raspagliesi Francesco , Castiglioni Isabella
Published: October 2023

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radical surgery could be a safe alternative to chemo-radiation in cervical cancer patients who are not willing to receive radiotherapy. The response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the main factor influencing the need for adjunctive treatments and survival. In the present paper we aim to develop a machine learning model based on cervix magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images to stratify the single-subject risk of cervical cancer. We collected MRI images from 72 subjects. Among these subjects, 28 patients (38.9%) belonged to the “Not completely responding” class and 44 patients (61.1%) belonged to the ’Completely responding‘ class according to their response to treatment. This image set was used for the training and cross-validation of different machine learning models. A robust radiomic approach was applied, under the hypothesis that the radiomic features could be able to capture the disease heterogeneity among the two groups. Three models consisting of three ensembles of machine learning classifiers (random forests, support vector machines, and k-nearest neighbor classifiers) were developed for the binary classification task of interest (“Not completely responding” vs. “Completely responding”), based on supervised learning, using response to treatment as the reference standard. The best model showed an ROC-AUC (%) of 83 (majority vote), 82.3 (mean) [79.9–84.6], an accuracy (%) of 74, 74.1 [72.1–76.1], a sensitivity (%) of 71, 73.8 [68.7–78.9], and a specificity (%) of 75, 74.2 [71–77.5]. In conclusion, our preliminary data support the adoption of a radiomic-based approach to predict the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Exploring the Quality of Life of People with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Who Can Ambulate
Authors: Jeawon Murveena , Hase Bethany , Miller Susanna , Eng Janice , Bundon Andrea , Chaudhury Habib , Maffin Jocelyn , Clarkson Ryan , Wright Jenna , Mortenson W. Ben
Published: October 2023

(1) Purpose: To examine associations between subjective quality of life and other socio-demographic variables and to explore differences in experiences of people with different levels of quality of life (low, moderate, high). (2) Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews and standardized measures of mobility, function, health-related quality-of-life, and quality-of-life were used to collect the data for this mixed-method study. (3) Results: Twenty-four participants were interviewed with an average age of 55 years and 54% were male. High quality of life, according to quantitative analysis, was strongly associated with being male, attending rehabilitation, and being married. The qualitative findings supported the quantitative findings and also revealed that people with a low quality of life felt the neighborhood-built environment was not supportive of people with incomplete spinal cord injury who can walk. Participants who reported a low/moderate quality of life reported feeling devalued by able-bodied people and that their mobility was getting worse over time. (4) Conclusion: Findings suggest that those with incomplete spinal cord injuries who can walk could benefit from improved quality of life by modifying their social support and neighborhood’s built environment. For instance, sensitivity training for the general population could help to reduce negative attitudes and misperceptions about invisible impairments and promote inclusion.
FEUSNet: Fourier Embedded U-Shaped Network for Image Denoising
Authors: Li Xi , Han Jingwei , Yuan Quan , Zhang Yaozong , Fu Zhongtao , Zou Miao , Huang Zhenghua
Published: October 2023

Deep convolution neural networks have proven their powerful ability in comparing many tasks of computer vision due to their strong data learning capacity. In this paper, we propose a novel end-to-end denoising network, termed Fourier embedded U-shaped network (FEUSNet). By analyzing the amplitude spectrum and phase spectrum of Fourier coefficients, we find that low-frequency features of an image are in the former while noise features are in the latter. To make full use of this characteristic, Fourier features are learned and are concatenated as a prior module that is embedded into a U-shaped network to reduce noise while preserving multi-scale fine details. In the experiments, we first present ablation studies on the Fourier coefficients’ learning networks and loss function. Then, we compare the proposed FEUSNet with the state-of-the-art denoising methods in quantization and qualification. The experimental results show that our FEUSNet performs well in noise suppression and preserves multi-scale enjoyable structures, even outperforming advanced denoising approaches.
To Check or Not to Check? A Comment on the Contemporary Psychometrics (ConPsy) Checklist for the Analysis of Questionnaire Items
Authors: Robitzsch Alexander
Published: October 2023

In a recent paper, the first version of the contemporary psychometrics (ConPsy) checklist for assessing measurement tool quality has been published. This checklist aims to provide guidelines and references to researchers to assess measurement properties for newly developed measurement instruments. The ConPsy checklist recommends appropriate statistical methods for measurement instrument evaluation to guide researchers in instrument development and to support peer review. In this opinion article, I critically review some aspects of the checklist and question the usefulness of certain psychometric analyses in research practice.
A Potent Fractional-Order Controller for Interconnected Multi-Source Microgrids
Authors: Moschos Ioannis , Mastoras Ioannis , Parisses Constantinos
Published: October 2023

Frequency deviations and the capability to cope with demand are two of the main problems in isolated or interconnected microgrids, especially with the increase in the penetration level of renewable energy sources. Those two problems call for new improved controllers and methods able to suppress frequency deviations while keeping a balance between supply and demand. This study focuses on the implementation of a filtered fractional-order PDF controller in series with a one plus fractional-order PI controller (FOPDF-(1+FOPI)) for the frequency regulation of three-area multi-source interconnected microgrids. The proposed controller is optimized via the coot optimization algorithm. The proposed microgrids incorporate various sustainable units, renewable energy sources and a hybrid energy storage system in each area. The microgrids consist solely of sustainable and renewable sources and aim to provide possible microgrid configurations for 100% sustainable microgrids, which could be farms or small communities. The proposed controller is compared with the PIDF, integer-order PDF-(1+PI), and FOTDF-(1+TI) controllers in various scenarios. The first scenario involved evaluating the proposed controller in an isolated microgrid, where it achieved the best ITAE value, outperforming the second best by 29.5%. The second scenario considered three-area interconnected microgrids without RES penetration. The results revealed that the FOPDF-(1+FOPI) controller reduced the settling time in area one by 79.13% and 52.26% compared to that of the PIDF and FOTDF-(1+TI) controllers. Next, RES penetration was introduced into each microgrid in the form of steps or varied changes. Subsequently, performance evaluation was conducted in the presence of a communication time delay and noise in the control channels. Finally, a robustness assessment was conducted for the proposed controller in the interconnected microgrids with respect to parameter uncertainties. The simulations showed a maximum deviation in the settling time and maximum overshoot in area 1 of 66.6% and 38.74%, respectively
Glycemic and Satiety Response to Three Mexican Honey Varieties
Authors: Palomo-de León Brenda A. , Castro Heriberto , Sánchez-Murillo Mayra E. , de la Garza Ana Laura , Rodríguez-Romero Beatriz A. , Alonzo-Macías Maritza , Ramírez-Jiménez Aurea K. , Cardador-Martínez Anaberta , Hernández-Salazar Marcelo
Published: October 2023

Honey is considered one of the last untreated natural food substances, with a complex composition. It is produced by bees (Apis mellifera) from nectar. The glycemic index (GI) is a physiological assessment of a food’s carbohydrate content via its effect on postprandial blood glucose concentrations. This study evaluated the GI and the satiety response to three Mexican types of honey administered to 26 healthy volunteers. The fructose values ranged from 272.40 g/kg to 395.10 g/kg, while the glucose value ranged from 232.20 g/kg to 355.50 g/kg. The fructose/glucose (F/G) ratio of honey was 1.45, 1.00, and 1.17 for highland, multifloral, and avocado honey, respectively. Highland and avocado honey were classified as medium-GI (69.20 ± 4.07 and 66.36 ± 5.74, respectively), while multifloral honey was classified as high-GI (74.24 ± 5.98). Highland honey presented a higher satiety values response than glucose. The difference in GI values and the satiety response effect of highland honey could be explained by its different carbohydrate composition and the possible presence of other honey components such as phytochemicals. Honey, especially avocado, could therefore be used as a sweetener without altering significantly the blood glucose concentration.
Fate of Planktonic and Biofilm-Derived Listeria monocytogenes on Unwaxed Apples during Air and Controlled Atmosphere Storage
Authors: Sloniker Natasha , Raftopoulou Ourania , Chen Yi , Ryser Elliot T. , Beaudry Randy
Published: October 2023

Multiple recalls and outbreaks involving Listeria monocytogenes-contaminated apples have been linked to the post-harvest packing environment where this pathogen can persist in biofilms. Therefore, this study assessed L. monocytogenes survival on apples as affected by harvest year, apple cultivar, storage atmosphere, and growth conditions. Unwaxed Gala, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp apples were dip-inoculated in an 8-strain L. monocytogenes cocktail of planktonic- or biofilm-grown cells (~6.5 log CFU/mL), dried, and then examined for numbers of L. monocytogenes during air or controlled atmosphere (CA) (1.5% O2, 1.5% CO2) storage at 2 °C. After 90 days, air or CA storage yielded similar L. monocytogenes survival (p > 0.05), regardless of harvest year. Populations gradually decreased with L. monocytogenes quantifiable in most samples after 7 months. Apple cultivar significantly impacted L. monocytogenes survival (p < 0.05) during both harvest years with greater reductions (p < 0.05) seen on Gala compared to Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. Biofilm-derived cells survived longer (p < 0.05) on L. monocytogenes-inoculated Gala and Honeycrisp apples compared to cells grown planktonically. These findings should aid in the development of improved L. monocytogenes intervention strategies for apple growers and packers.
Modulation of Methacrylated Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels Enables Their Use as 3D Cultured Model
Authors: Ursini Ornella , Grieco Maddalena , Sappino Carla , Capodilupo Agostina Lina , Giannitelli Sara Maria , Mauri Emanuele , Bucciarelli Alessio , Coricciati Chiara , de Turris Valeria , Gigli Giuseppe , Moroni Lorenzo , Cortese Barbara
Published: October 2023

Bioengineered hydrogels represent physiologically relevant platforms for cell behaviour studies in the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine fields, as well as in in vitro disease models. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an ideal platform since it is a natural biocompatible polymer that is widely used to study cellular crosstalk, cell adhesion and cell proliferation, and is one of the major components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We synthesised chemically modified HA with photo-crosslinkable methacrylated groups (HA-MA) in aqueous solutions and in strictly monitored pH and temperature conditions to obtain hydrogels with controlled bulk properties. The physical and chemical properties of the different HA-MA hydrogels were investigated via rheological studies, mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, which allowed us to determine the optimal biomechanical properties and develop a biocompatible scaffold. The morphological evolution processes and proliferation rates of glioblastoma cells (U251-MG) cultured on HA-MA surfaces were evaluated by comparing 2D structures with 3D structures, showing that the change in dimensionality impacted cell functions and interactions. The cell viability assays and evaluation of mitochondrial metabolism showed that the hydrogels did not interfere with cell survival. In addition, morphological studies provided evidence of cell–matrix interactions that promoted cell budding from the spheroids and the invasiveness in the surrounding environment.
Effect of Obesity on Mortality in Pulmonary Hypertension—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Reddy Raju , Kalra Saminder Singh , Alzghoul Bashar , Khan Akram , Zayed Yazan
Published: October 2023

Obesity is reported to have a protective effect on mortality in pulmonary hypertension (PH), a phenomenon known as obesity paradox. However, the data are conflicting, with some studies showing decreased mortality while other studies found no effect of obesity on mortality. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether there is an association between obesity and mortality in PH. Only patients with PH diagnosed by right heart catheterization were included. We also performed a sub-group analysis of subjects with pre-capillary PH only. A total of six studies met the inclusion criteria, with a sample size of 13,987 patients. Obese subjects had lower mortality compared to non-obese subjects in the combined pre- and post-capillary PH group (hazard ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.66–0.95, p = 0.01). While obesity was associated with reduction in mortality in the pre-capillary PH group (hazard ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.98, p = 0.03), this was not uniform across all studies.
Treatment and Response Factors in Muscle Activation during Spinal Manipulation
Authors: Currie Stuart J. , Myers Casey A. , Enebo Brian A. , Davidson Bradley S.
Published: October 2023

The forces applied during a spinal manipulation produce a neuromuscular response in the paraspinal muscles. A systematic evaluation of the factors involved in producing this muscle activity provides a clinical insight. The purpose of this study is to quantify the effect of treatment factors (manipulation sequence and manipulation site) and response factors (muscle layer, muscle location, and muscle side) on the neuromuscular response to spinal manipulation. The surface and indwelling electromyographies of 8 muscle sites were recorded during lumbar side-lying manipulations in 20 asymptomatic participants. The effects of the factors on the number of muscle responses and the muscle activity onset delays were compared using mixed-model linear regressions, effect sizes, and equivalence testing. The treatment factors did not reveal statistical differences between the manipulation sequences (first or second) or manipulation sites (L3 or SI) in the number of muscle responses (p = 0.11, p = 0.28, respectively), or in muscle activity onset delays (p = 0.35 p = 0.35, respectively). There were significantly shorter muscle activity onset delays in the multifidi compared to the superficial muscles (p = 0.02). A small effect size of side (d = 0.44) was observed with significantly greater number of responses (p = 0.02) and shorter muscle activity onset delays (p < 0.001) in the muscles on the left side compared to the right. The location, layer, and side of the neuromuscular responses revealed trends of decreasing muscle response rates and increasing muscle activity onset delays as the distance from the manipulation site increased. These results build on the body of work suggesting that the specificity of manipulation site may not play a role in the neuromuscular response to spinal manipulation—at least within the lumbar spine. In addition, these results demonstrate that multiple manipulations performed in similar areas (L3 and S1) do not change the response significantly, as well as contribute to the clinical understanding that the muscle response rate is higher and with a shorter delay, the closer it is to the manipulation.
Where Are We and Where to Next?—The Future of Perianal Crohn’s Disease Management
Authors: Anandabaskaran Sulak , Hanna Luke , Iqbal Nusrat , Constable Laura , Tozer Phil , Hart Ailsa
Published: October 2023

Perianal fistulizing Crohn’s Disease (pCD) affects about 25% of patients with Crohn’s Disease (CD). It remains a difficult entity to manage with a therapeutic ceiling of treatment success despite improving medical and surgical management. The refractory nature of the disease calls for an imminent need to better understand its immunopathogenesis and classification to better streamline our treatment options. In this article, we overview the current state of pCD management and discuss where the future of its management may lie.
Corrective Osteotomies in Severe Non-Idiopathic Lower Limb Alignment Disorders in the Aspect of Future Joint Endoprosthesis—A Perspective Study
Authors: Kołodziejczyk Kamil , Saganek Michał , Czwojdziński Adam , Garlewicz Rafał , Złotorowicz Marcin , Czubak Jarosław
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of corrective osteotomies in lower limb axis disorders at different levels of non-idiopathic (post traumatic, developmental, post-septic) etiology. A total of 50 patients were divided into three groups: A—thigh segment alignment disorder (24 patients); B—tibia segment alignment disorder (18 patients); C—thigh and tibia segment alignment disorder (8 patients). Radiological evaluation of digital lower limb postural X-ray was performed laterally and for AP, and included mLPFA, mLDFA, MAD, CORA coronal and sagittal plane parameters for the femur segment and mMPTA, mLDTA, MAD, CORA coronal and sagittal plane for the tibia segment. Clinical assessment was based on the LLFI. The mean follow-up was 55.8 months (12–86). Improvements in the radiological parameters and statistical significance were achieved for all measurements in all groups (p < 0.05). The most common plane of deformation was the coronal plane (varus/valgus), followed by the transverse (rotational) and sagittal planes (procurvatum/recurvatum). In this study, we examined 29 post-traumatic deformities and 21 other etiologies. Improvements in the LLFI score performance after corrective osteotomies were observed in all three groups. Corrective osteotomies are a safe and useful but challenging method of preserving joints in cases of post-traumatic, developmental or post-septic lower limb alignment disorders.
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) for the Hemostatic Treatment of Post-Partum Hemorrhage (PPH): What Key Points Have We Learnt After All These Years?
Authors: Peitsidis Panagiotis , Iavazzo Christos , Gkegkes Ioannis D. , Laganà Antonio Simone , Makridima Sophia , Tsikouras Panagiotis
Published: October 2023

Post-partum bleeding or post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) is often defined as the loss of more than 500 mL of blood after vaginal delivery or 1000 mL of blood after cesarean section following the delivery of a child [...]
Studying Imbalanced Learning for Anomaly-Based Intelligent IDS for Mission-Critical Internet of Things
Authors: Abdelmoumin Ghada , Rawat Danda B. , Rahman Abdul
Published: October 2023

Training-anomaly-based, machine-learning-based, intrusion detection systems (AMiDS) for use in critical Internet of Things (CioT) systems and military Internet of Things (MioT) environments may involve synthetic data or publicly simulated data due to data restrictions, data scarcity, or both. However, synthetic data can be unrealistic and potentially biased, and simulated data are invariably static, unrealistic, and prone to obsolescence. Building an AMiDS logical model to predict the deviation from normal behavior in MioT and CioT devices operating at the sensing or perception layer due to adversarial attacks often requires the model to be trained using current and realistic data. Unfortunately, while real-time data are realistic and relevant, they are largely imbalanced. Imbalanced data have a skewed class distribution and low-similarity index, thus hindering the model’s ability to recognize important features in the dataset and make accurate predictions. Data-driven learning using data sampling, resampling, and generative methods can lessen the adverse impact of a data imbalance on the AMiDS model’s performance and prediction accuracy. Generative methods enable passive adversarial learning. This paper investigates several data sampling, resampling, and generative methods. It examines their impacts on the performance and prediction accuracy of AMiDS models trained using imbalanced data drawn from the UNSW_2018_IoT_Botnet dataset, a publicly available IoT dataset from the IEEEDataPort. Furthermore, it evaluates the performance and predictability of these models when trained using data transformation methods, such as normalization and one-hot encoding, to cover a skewed distribution, data sampling and resampling methods to address data imbalances, and generative methods to train the models to increase the model’s robustness to recognize new but similar attacks. In this initial study, we focus on CioT systems and train PCA-based and oSVM-based AMiDS models constructed using low-complexity PCA and one-class SVM (oSVM) ML algorithms to fit an imbalanced ground truth IoT dataset. Overall, we consider the rare event prediction case where the minority class distribution is disproportionately low compared to the majority class distribution. We plan to use transfer learning in future studies to generalize our initial findings to the MioT environment. We focus on CioT systems and MioT environments instead of traditional or non-critical IoT environments due to the stringent low energy, the minimal response time constraints, and the variety of low-power, situational-aware (or both) things operating at the sensing or perception layer in a highly complex and open environment.
Effect of MWCNT Anchoring to Para-Aramid Fiber Surface on the Thermal, Mechanical, and Impact Properties of Para-Aramid Fabric-Reinforced Vinyl Ester Composites
Authors: Cheon Jinsil , Cho Donghwan
Published: October 2023

In the present work, para-aramid fabrics (p-AF) were physically modified via an anchoring process of 0.05 wt% MWCNT to the aramid fiber surfaces by coating the MWCNT/phenolic/methanol mixture on p-AF, and then by thermally curing phenolic resin of 0.01 wt%. Para-aramid fabric-reinforced vinyl ester (p-AF/VE) composites were fabricated using p-AF/VE prepregs by compression molding. The effect of MWCNT anchoring on the thermo-dimensional, thermal deflection resistant, dynamic mechanical, mechanical, and impact properties and the energy absorption behavior of p-AF/VE composites was extensively investigated in terms of coefficient of linear thermal expansion, heat deflection temperature, storage modulus, tan δ, tensile, flexural, and Izod impact properties and a drop-weight impact response. The results well agreed with each other, supporting the improved properties of p-AF/VE composites, which were attributed to the effect of MWCNT anchoring performed on the aramid fiber surfaces.
Multivariate Statistical Techniques: A New Approach to Identify the Commercial Properties of Mixtures of Flours of Lentinula edodes and Cocoa Pod Husk
Authors: Valenzuela-Cobos Juan Diego , Guevara-Viejó Fabricio , Grijalva-Endara Ana , Vicente-Galindo Purificación , Galindo-Villardón Purificación
Published: October 2023

Lentinula edodes is known to show high nutritional and organoleptic properties and can be mixed with different by-products in the production of new foods with important functional characteristics. Cocoa pod husk (CPH) is the main by-product in the cocoa industry and presents important bioactivities. In this research, two mixtures were applied based on Lentinula edodes mushroom flour from fifty different strains (strain 1 to strain 50) and cocoa pod husk flour (CPHF): 60% Lentinula edodes mushroom flour from each strain mixed with 40% CPHF (Mixture 1), and 80% Lentinula edodes mushroom flour from each strain mixed with 20% CPHF (Mixture 2). The parameters evaluated were moisture, proteins, fat, total dietary fiber (TDF), ash, carbohydrates, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, pH and water activity (aw). The multivariate statistical techniques evaluated those samples that exhibited the highest degree of correlation with the distinct chemical and commercial parameters, showing that sample 13 of both mixture flours (M1 and M2) obtained by the mushrooms of L. edodes (strain 13) with CPH indicated the higher significant of the parameters. In addition, the sensory test of the best flour (sample 13) was applied to 50 panelists, presenting the best sensory characteristics, such as color, aroma, texture and general acceptability.
Comparison of Resorbable and Non-Resorbable Osteosynthesis Material in Hallux Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Coheña-Jiménez Manuel , Prieto-Domínguez Raquel , Pérez-Belloso Ana Juana , Muriel-Sánchez Juan Manuel , Gómez-Carrión Álvaro , Montaño-Jiménez Pedro
Published: October 2023

There are various pathologies that involve the hallux, among which hallux valgus is the most common. When conservative treatment fails, it is necessary to resort to a surgical approach. The fixation elements for osteotomies in the hallux are usually composed of metallic materials; however, today, there are numerous resorbable materials that offer numerous advantages over conventional materials. In this article, the objective is to analyze the scientific evidence through the systematic analysis of the existing literature in relation to the effectiveness of resorbable versus non-resorbable osteosynthesis material in the surgical correction of hallux deformities and compare the complications as well as the patient satisfaction and quality of life between both fixation methods. A systematic review of the literature available in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus databases and 10 studies were included. The documents were chosen following the eligibility and exclusion criteria, including experimental and observational studies evaluated with the Jadad and Newcastle-Ottawa methodological quality scale, respectively. Data were extracted from valid studies for the review, and the variables functionality, pain, angular corrections, complications, satisfaction and quality of life were observed. In conclusion, there is limited scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of resorbable versus non-resorbable osteosynthesis material in the surgical correction of hallux deformities. All observed variables are similar regardless of the surgical technique and osteosynthesis material used.
Primary Ureteroscopy without Pre-Stenting for Proximal Ureteral Stones—Is It Feasible?
Authors: Lazarovich Alon , Haramaty Rennen , Shvero Asaf , Zilberman Dorit E. , Dotan Zohar A. , Winkler Harry , Kleimann Nir
Published: October 2023

Background: Primary ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy is the treatment of choice for distal ureteral stones. However, in cases of proximal ureteral stones, some urologists recommend the preliminary insertion of a ureteral stent and deferred ureteroscopy. We aimed to evaluate the necessity of preliminary ureteral stent insertion in the management of proximal ureteral stones by comparing the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing primary ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy for proximal vs. distal ureteral stones. Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent ureteroscopy between 2016 and 2017 in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included demographic data, stone size, renal function, intra- and post-operative complications, and stone-free rate (SFR). Patients were divided into two groups: proximal ureteral stones and distal ureteral stones. Results: The cohort included 241 patients who underwent ureteroscopy. Among them, 106 had a proximal ureteral stone. The median age was 51 (IQR 41–65) years. Patients who underwent ureteroscopy for proximal ureteral stones were significantly older (p = 0.007). The median stone’s maximal diameter was 7 (5–10) mm. The complication rate and stone-free rate (SFR) were similar in both groups (p = 0.657 and p = 1, respectively). The prevalence of post-procedural ureteral stent insertion was higher among patients who underwent ureteroscopy for proximal ureteral stones: 92.5% vs. 79.3% (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Our study concludes that primary ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy for proximal ureteral stones is a valid and feasible treatment with a similar surgical outcome compared to distal ureteral stones. Preliminary ureteral stent insertion seems to be unnecessary.
Comprehensive Analysis of NKX3.2 in Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Bigdata
Authors: Bae An-Na , Kim Jongwan , Park Jong-Ho , Lee Jae-Ho , Choi Euncheol
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: The gene NKX3.2 plays a role in determining cell fate during development, and mutations of NKX3.2 have been studied in relation to human skeletal diseases. However, due to the lack of studies on the link between NKX3.2 and cancer, we aimed to provide insights into NKX3.2 as a new prognostic biomarker for liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). Materials and Methods: The clinical significance of LIHC was investigated using open gene expression databases. We comprehensively analyzed NKX3.2 expression in LIHC using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), and Kaplan–Meier plotter databases. Then, we investigated the association between NKX3.2 expression and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs). Results: NKX3.2 expression was higher in the primary tumor group compared to the normal group, and expression was higher in fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) compared to other subtypes. When the prognostic value of NKX3.2 was evaluated, highly expressed NKX3.2 significantly improved the overall survival and had an unfavorable prognosis. In addition, NKX3.2 expression was associated with immune cell infiltration. Patients with low gene expression and high macrophage expression had a poorer survival rate than those with low NKX3.2 and low macrophage expression (p = 0.0309). Conclusions: High NKX3.2 expression may induce poorer prognosis in LIHC. In addition, these findings can be used as basic data due to the lack of available related research. However, further in vivo studies are essential to gain a deeper understanding of the biological role of NKX3.2 in LIHC and its potential implications for cancer development and progression.
Structural Synergy of NanoAl2O3/NanoAl Composites with High Thermomechanical Properties and Ductility
Authors: Kutzhanov Magzhan K. , Matveev Andrei T. , Bondarev Andrey V. , Shchetinin Igor V. , Konopatsky Anton S. , Shtansky Dmitry V.
Published: October 2023

Achieving a combination of high strength and ductility in metal-based composites is still a difficult task, and it is especially challenging in a wide temperature range. Here, nanoAl2O3/nanoAl composites with high tensile and compressive strength and excellent ductility at 25 and 500 °C were obtained using Al and Al2O3 nanopowders via a combination of high-energy ball milling (HEBM) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Being about three times lighter than conventional high-strength steel (with a density of 2.7 g/cm3 vs. that of 7.8 g/cm3 for steel), the nanoAl2O3/nanoAl materials demonstrated tensile strength and elongation before failure comparable with those of steel. The nanoAl2O3/nanoAl composites were strengthened with two types of Al2O3 NPs, in situ formed, and introduced into the powder mixture. The resulting materials had a bimodal microstructure consisting of Al with micron and submicron grains surrounded by an Al/Al2O3 framework whose structural components were all in the size range of 20–50 nm. Among the studied compositions (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, and 20 wt.% of Al2O3), the Al-3%Al2O3 material showed the best thermomechanical properties, such as a tensile strength of 512 MPa and 280 MPa and a compressive strength of 489 MPa and 344 MPa at 25 and 500 °C, respectively, with an elongation to failure of 15–18%. These results show the promise of nanoAl2O3/nanoAl composites for use as small items in the automotive and aviation industries.
Activation Energy of Alumina Dissolution in FeO-Bearing Slags
Authors: Kwack Taejun , Um Hyungsic , Chung Yongsug
Published: October 2023

The dissolution of Al2O3 non-metallic inclusions in slag containing FeO was investigated in this study. The slag system used in the experiments was a quaternary system of CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-FeO. The composition of the slag was studied by fixing the basicity (CaO/SiO2 ratio) to 1 and varying the FeO content to 10 and 20 wt%. In addition, the experimental temperature was varied to 1550 °C, 1575 °C, and 1600 °C to study the effect of temperature on the Al2O3 dissolution behavior. The experimental equipment used was a single hot thermocouple apparatus. The dissolution rate of Al2O3 particles increased linearly with increasing temperature and FeO content. In addition, the mass transfer activation energy of Al2O3 dissolution in FeO 10 wt% and FeO 20 wt% was calculated through an Arrhenius-type analysis. The obtained mass transfer activation energies were 159 and 189 kJ/mole, respectively.
An Input-Current Shaping and Soft-Switching Drive Circuit Applied to a Piezoelectric Ceramic Actuator
Authors: Cheng Chun-An , Cheng Hung-Liang , Chang Chien-Hsuan , Chang En-Chih , Lan Long-Fu , Hsu Hao-Fang
Published: October 2023

Piezoelectric ceramic actuators utilize an inverse piezoelectric effect to generate high-frequency vibration energy and are widely used in ultrasonic energy conversion circuits. This paper presents a novel drive circuit with input-current shaping (ICS) and soft-switching features which consists of a front AC-DC full-wave bridge rectifier and a rear DC-AC circuit combining a stacked boost converter and a half-bridge resonant inverter for driving a piezoelectric ceramic actuator. To enable ICS functionality in the proposed drive circuit, the inductor of the stacked boost converter sub-circuit is designed to operate in boundary-conduction mode (BCM). In order to allow the two power switches in the proposed drive circuit to achieve zero-voltage switching (ZVS) characteristics, the resonant circuit of the half-bridge resonant inverter sub-circuit is designed as an inductive load. In this paper, a prototype drive circuit for providing piezoelectric ceramic actuators was successfully implemented. Experimental results tested at 110 V input utility voltage show that high power factor (PF > 0.97), low input current total harmonic distortion (THD < 16%), and ZVS characteristics of the power switch were achieved in the prototype drive circuit.
Investigation of the Vibrational Characteristics of 6-Isocyano-1-Methyl-1H-Indole: Utilizing the Isonitrile Group as an Infrared Probe
Authors: You Min , Gao Zilin , Zhou Liang , Guo Changyuan , Guo Qiang
Published: October 2023

Indole derivatives have garnered considerable attention in the realm of biochemistry due to their multifaceted properties. In this study, we undertake a systematic investigation of the vibrational characteristics of a model indole derivative, 6-isocyano-1-methyl-1H-indole (6ICMI), by employing a combination of FTIR, IR pump-probe spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Our findings demonstrate a strong dependence of the isonitrile stretching frequency of 6ICMI on the polarizability of protic solvents and the density of hydrogen-bond donor groups in the solvent when the isonitrile group is bonded to aromatic groups. Both experimental and theoretical analyses unveil a significant correlation between the isonitrile stretch vibration of 6ICMI and the solvent acceptor number of alcohols. Furthermore, the polarization-controlled infrared pump-probe conducted on 6ICMI in dimethyl sulfoxide provides additional support for the potential use of the isonitrile stretching mode of 6ICMI as an effective infrared probe for local environments.
Novel 1,2,3-Triazole-Containing Quinoline–Benzimidazole Hybrids: Synthesis, Antiproliferative Activity, In Silico ADME Predictions, and Docking
Authors: Krstulović Luka , Mišković Špoljarić Katarina , Rastija Vesna , Filipović Nikolina , Bajić Miroslav , Glavaš-Obrovac Ljubica
Published: October 2023

The newly synthesized quinoline–benzimidazole hybrids containing two types of triazole-methyl-phenoxy linkers were characterized via NMR and elemental analysis. Additional derivatization was achieved by introducing bromine at the C-2 position of the phenoxy core. These novel hybrids were tested for their effects on the growth of the non-tumor cell line MRC-5 (human fetal lung fibroblasts), leukemia and lymphoma cell lines: Hut78, THP-1 and HL-60, and carcinoma cell lines: HeLa and CaCo-2. The results obtained, presented as the concentration that achieves 50% inhibition of cell growth (IC50 value), show that the compounds tested affect tumor cell growth differently depending on the cell line and the dose applied (IC50 ranged from 0.2 to >100 µM). The quinoline–benzimidazole hybrids tested, including 7-chloro-4-(4-{[4-(5-methoxy-1H-1,3-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenoxy]methyl}-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)quinoline 9c, 2-(3-bromo-4-{[1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methoxy}phenyl)-N-propyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-carboximidamide trihydrochloride 10e, 2-{4-[(1-{2-[(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)amino]ethyl}-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy]phenyl}-N-propyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-carboximidamide trihydrochloride 14e and 2-{3-bromo-4-[(1-{2-[(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)amino]ethyl}-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy]phenyl}-N-propyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-carboximidamide trihydrochloride 15e, arrested the cell cycle of lymphoma (HuT78) cells. The calculated ADMET properties showed that the synthesized compounds violated at most two of Lipinski’s rules, making them potential drug candidates, but mainly for parenteral use due to low gastrointestinal absorption. The quinoline–benzimidazole hybrid 14e, which was shown to be a potent and selective inhibitor of lymphoma cell line growth, obtained the highest binding energy (−140.44 kcal/mol), by docking to the TAO2 kinase domain (PDB: 2GCD).
Prevalence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis B Population within Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 39,050 Participants
Authors: Rabaan Ali A. , Bello Kizito Eneye , Irekeola Ahmad Adebayo , Kaabi Nawal A. Al , Halwani Muhammad A. , Yousuf Amjad A. , Alshengeti Amer , Alfaraj Amal H. , Khamis Faryal , Al-Subaie Maha F. , AlShehail Bashayer M. , Almuthree Souad A. , Ibraheem Noha Y. , Khalifa Mahassen H. , Alfaresi Mubarak , Fares Mona A. Al , Garout Mohammed , Alsayyah Ahmed , Alshehri Ahmad A. , Alqahtani Ali S. , Alissa Mohammed
Published: October 2023

Background and aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant complication of hepatitis B and still poses a global public health concern. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide adequate details on the prevalence of HCC in the HBV population within Southeast Asian countries. Method: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) criteria, a thorough search for literature discussing the prevalence of HCC in the HBV population within southeast Asia was performed. Eligible studies were subjected to a meta-analysis utilising a DerSimonian and Laird approach and a random effect model. A protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023423953). Result: Our study meticulously recovered 41 articles from seven countries in Southeast Asia, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. A total of 39,050 HBV patients and 7479 HCC cases in southeast Asia were analysed. The pooled prevalence of HCC in HBV cases within southeast Asia was 45.8% (95% CI, 34.3–57.8%, I2 = 99.51%, p < 0.001). Singapore (62.5%, CI: 42.4–79.1) had the highest pooled prevalence of HCC in the HBV population compared to Vietnam, with the lowest estimate (22.4%, CI: 9.9–44.9). There was a drop in the pooled prevalence of HCC in HBV from 2016 until now (37.6%, CI: 19.2–60.5). Conclusion: The findings of this review reveal a high pooled prevalence of HCC in the HBV population and therefore stir the need for routine screening, management, and surveillance.
Complementarity between Microbiome and Immunity May Account for the Potentiating Effect of Quercetin on the Antitumor Action of Cyclophosphamide in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Model
Authors: Manni Andrea , Sun Yuan-Wan , Schell Todd D. , Lutsiv Tymofiy , Thompson Henry , Chen Kun-Ming , Aliaga Cesar , Zhu Junjia , El-Bayoumy Karam
Published: October 2023

Immunotherapy targeting program cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in addition to chemotherapy has improved the survival of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. However, the development of resistance and toxicity remain significant problems. Using the translationally relevant 4T1 mouse model of TNBC, we report here that dietary administration of the phytochemical quercetin enhanced the antitumor action of Cyclophosphamide, a cytotoxic drug with significant immunogenic effects that is part of the combination chemotherapy used in TNBC. We observed that quercetin favorably modified the host fecal microbiome by enriching species such as Akkermansia muciniphilia, which has been shown to improve response to anti-PD-1 therapy. We also show that quercetin and, to a greater extent, Cyclophosphamide increased the systemic frequency of T cells and NK cells. In addition, Cyclophosphamide alone and in combination with quercetin reduced the frequency of Treg, which is consistent with an antitumor immune response. On the other hand, Cyclophosphamide did not significantly alter the host microbiome, suggesting complementarity between microbiome- and immune-mediated mechanisms in potentiating the antitumor action of Cyclophosphamide by quercetin. Overall, these results support the potential for microbiota-centered dietary intervention to overcome resistance to chemoimmunotherapy in TNBC.
Restoring Community and Covenant in the 21st Century: The History and Potential Revival of Coventism in the Era of the ‘Global Village’
Authors: Oliver-Dee Sean , Prud’homme Joseph
Published: October 2023

This article offers a rationale for research and engagement on conceptions of ‘community’ in the twenty-first century in the context of changing conceptions of relationality through the impact of secularisation, social media, and online gaming. It highlights the growing concerns and healthcare outcomes of isolation in the context of shifting perceptions of ‘community’ as the basis for a re-examination of the value of ‘covenant’ as ‘communities of purpose’ in our interdependent world. In so doing, it proposes that covenant communities offer a route through which fundamental relationalities which engender belonging, security, and personal value can be restored at local, national or even trans-national levels.
Current Insights into Growing Microalgae for Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Generation
Authors: Dammak Ilyes , Fersi Mariem , Hachicha Ridha , Abdelkafi Slim
Published: October 2023

Municipal wastewater (MWW) provides a promising platform for microalgae cultivation due to its rich content of essential nutrients. Recent research has showcased the multifaceted benefits of microalgae-based wastewater treatment, from the potent depollution capabilities of these organisms to their biomass potential for ecofriendly applications. A significant advantage lies in the ability of these systems to promote environmental sustainability without producing secondary pollutants, aligning with the circular economy model. This approach encompasses various stages, from cultivating microalgae to biomass separation and subsequent valorization. However, challenges arise when scaling these systems to industrial levels. A predominant barrier is the difficulty in maintaining consistent control over all the factors influencing wastewater phytoremediation. This can compromise both biomass survival and the efficiency of pollution removal and valorization. Notably, using native microalgal consortiums from the effluent appears to be a promising strategy. These autochthonous communities often demonstrate superior adaptability and treatment capacity, emphasizing the importance of further exploring their potential to provide effective and economically viable solutions for wastewater treatment.
Close-Range Transmission Line Inspection Method for Low-Cost UAV: Design and Implementation
Authors: Wang Qi , Wang Wei , Li Ziran , Namiki Akio , Suzuki Satoshi
Published: October 2023

With the rapid development of microelectronics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for electric inspection tasks have become popular. Among these tasks, transmission line inspections are more complicated than component and tower inspections owing to the small size, poor functionality, and severe magnetic field interference of transmission lines. Existing solutions invariably use high-precision devices and maintain safety distances during inspections. However, capturing detailed transmission line information over long distances is challenging. Moreover, sophisticated equipment implies high costs and considerable value risks. This work proposes a method using RGB cameras and mm-wave radar to accomplish close-range transmission line inspections. A heading correction and two correction modules address waypoint mission mismatch and wind interference during tracking. In addition, adaptive complementary fusion is designed to solve anomaly identification. Finally, the proposed method validated in a 10 kV transmission line environment demonstrates successful close-range inspection while acquiring high-definition (HD) images. The validation results prove the practical feasibility of the proposed low-cost transmission line inspection method, which is of great significance for reducing inspection costs and promoting the popularization of UAV inspections.
Assessing the Recent Trends of Land Degradation and Desertification in Romania Using Remote Sensing Indicators
Authors: Ontel Irina , Cheval Sorin , Irimescu Anisoara , Boldeanu George , Amihaesei Vlad-Alexandru , Mihailescu Denis , Nertan Argentina , Angearu Claudiu-Valeriu , Craciunescu Vasile
Published: October 2023

Land degradation (LD) and desertification (DS) are a sensitive global issue including southern and south-eastern Europe, which is severely affected by climate change. In this study, a state-of-the-art approach for assessing the intensity of LD and DS processes using remote-sensing-derived indicators within a GIS environment was proposed. The analysis was carried out using the Principal Component Analysis based on integrating the significant trends of relevant biophysical parameters in Romania. The methodology was tested and validated at the national level in Romania. In total, 7.76% of the area was identified as LD and 60.8% of the total area tended to improve, and 31.44% was stable. Most of the regions with LD overlapped with the dryland areas, while improvement areas were identified outside of the drylands. In forested areas from high altitudes, a tendency to improve the condition of vegetation was observed, and most of the surfaces being protected were natural areas that have benefited from proper management. All these results can be used to adapt management practices to avoid, reduce, or restore the LD. The proposed model was based on globally available remote sensing datasets, with a high frequency of data acquisition and collection history that allows for the statistical analyses of changes on a global scale.