bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Taste: Advances and Innovative Applications in Healthcare
Authors: Wang Letao , Li Yuzhang , Zhang Yao , Zheng Bin
Published: January 2025

Background: Scientists have recently developed a technology that induces artificial taste through electronic stimulation. However, scattered reports have made it difficult to comprehensively understand the technology’s details and appreciate its potential applications in healthcare. To address these gaps, a meta-review was conducted. We re-viewed the current literatures on the technology behind artificial taste. Targeted original research papers were analyzed, with data extracted to address five key aspects: interface design, stimulation parameters, sensation verification results, applications to health problems, and potential side effects in human subjects. Results: A total of 19 relevant papers were identified. Eight studies focused on tongue-tip electrode interfaces, while others integrated technology into eating utensils. Eleven studies examined stimulation frequencies (50–1000 Hz), with five altering temperature and two changing water color to enhance taste perception. Only six studies reported verification results, showing that most participants perceived sour and salty tastes, mild bitter responses, and unreliable sweet evocation. Sixteen papers discussed applications in healthcare (dietary and weight management), entertainment (food and beverage sampling), and education. Side effects included reduced sensitivity after repeated trials and occasional discomfort from excessive stimulation, though no immediate tissue damage was reported. Conclusions: Artificial taste technology offers an innovative approach to managing food and beverage intake without compromising taste sensations. When applied on a large scale, it holds significant potential for regulating eating behaviors and providing novel strategies for addressing chronic health issues associated with diet.
Review and Improvement of Runway Friction and Aircraft Skid Resistance Regulation, Assessment and Management
Authors: Baimukhametov Gadel , White Greg
Published: January 2025

Runway skid resistance is crucial for the safety of aircrafts. Despite being internationally regulated, investigation reports published by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the US National Transportation Safety Board indicate that 4.9–22% of runway excursion accidents are related to insufficient friction, or to friction overestimation. Consequently, based on this review of friction physics, aircraft accident reports, international runway surface regulation, and aircraft braking performance regulation, it was concluded that significant improvement in the management of runway surface characteristics can be achieved. Areas for potential improvement in the current systems for aircraft skid resistance include gaps in the operational reporting of prevailing runway contamination, as well as friction and surface texture measurement and interpretation protocols. Furthermore, aircraft braking performance regulations are not related to actual runway surface friction levels, resulting in reportedly good runways being found to provide inadequate aircraft skid resistance in certain conditions. Recommendations include improvements in the management of runway friction and texture measurement and analysis during pavement design, and through the service life of the pavement surfaces. Finally, the basis of an improved international runway surface engineering design and management system is outlined. Recommendations can reduce the risk of aircraft skidding accidents in the future.
Experimental and Modeling Study for the Solar-Driven CO2 Electrochemical Reduction to CO
Authors: Agliuzza Matteo , Speranza Roberto , Lamberti Andrea , Pirri Candido Fabrizio , Sacco Adriano
Published: January 2025

With the rising levels of atmospheric CO2, electrochemistry shows great promise in decarbonizing industrial processes by converting CO2 into valuable products through scalable and sustainable technologies. In this framework, the present study investigates the solar-driven CO2 reduction toward carbon monoxide, achieved by the integration between the electrochemical reactor and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), both in experimental and modeling perspectives. COMSOL® Multiphysics 6.3 was used to develop a detailed finite element method model of the electrochemical cell integrated with a photovoltaic module, validated with the experimental results that demonstrated a strong correlation. A 2D model was designed, incorporating cathode and anode regions divided by an ion-exchange membrane. The model includes platinum foil and silver nanoparticles as catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction and CO2 reduction reaction, respectively. Integration with the fundamental equations of the DSSCs was simulated to analyze the solar-driven CO2 reduction behavior under solar irradiance variations, offering a valuable tool for optimizing operating conditions and predicting the device performance under different environmental conditions. The integrated device successfully produces CO with a faradaic efficiency of 73.85% at a current density of J = 3.35 mA/cm2 under 1 sun illumination, with the result validated and reproduced by the mathematical model. Under reduced illumination conditions of 0.8 and 0.6 suns, faradaic efficiencies of 68.5% and 64.1% were achieved, respectively.
Modelling of High-Velocity Impact on Woven Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Plastic Laminate
Authors: Djordjevic Nenad , Vignjevic Rade , Hughes Kevin , De Vuyst Tom
Published: January 2025

This paper describes a constitutive model for progressive damage in carbon fibre-reinforced composites (CFRPs), developed in the framework of thermodynamics and coupled with a vector equation of state. This made the constitutive model capable of modelling shock wave propagation within orthotropic materials. Damage is incorporated in the model by using reduction in the principal material stiffness based on the effective stress concept and the hypothesis of strain energy equivalence. Damage evolution was defined in terms of a modified Tuler–Bucher criteria. The constitutive model was implemented into Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) DYNA3D nonlinear hydrocode. Simulation results were validated against post-impact experimental data of spherical projectile impact on an aerospace-grade woven CFRP composite panel. Two plate thicknesses were considered and a range of impact velocities above the ballistic limit of the plates, ranging from 194 m/s to 1219 m/s. Other than for the size of the delamination zone in the minor material direction, the discrepancy between the experiments and numerical results for damage and delamination in the CFRP target plates was within 8%.
Augmented MIMO: Body-Mounted Antennas for Tiny Wearable Devices
Authors: Noda Akihito
Published: January 2025

Multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO), which uses multiple antennas at the transmitter and receiver, is now an essential technique for increasing communication capacity without widening the occupied radio bandwidth. However, antenna arrays within a deep subwavelength dimension degrade MIMO performance due to mutual coupling between the antenna elements. In particular, very small devices such as smartwatches encounter this problem. To address this, we propose Augmented MIMO, mounting a larger antenna array on the human body, for small wearable devices. The experimental results demonstrate throughput improvement with the proposed scheme, even if the overall antenna gain decreases with external body-mounted antennas. This work contributes to the future development of yet another scheme to improve the communication performance of small wearable devices—using the human body as a spacious antenna fixture.
Influencing Factors of Shear Instability Characteristics of Rock Joints: Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Dong Hangyu , Guo Baohua , Ma Qing , Si Kai , Wang Hongjian
Published: January 2025

To investigate the influencing factors of the shear failure behavior of rock joints, especially the shear instability characteristics, direct shear tests were performed on marble joints with various grain sizes under different constant normal loads (CNLs). The experimental results show that the grain size and CNL have significant effects on the shear mechanical properties of rock joints. The peak shear strength (τp), peak shear displacement (up), post-peak modulus (S), and stress drop (Δτ) of rock joints all increase first and then decrease with the increase in grain size, but they increase with the increase in CNL. The mineral composition and microstructure also have a certain influence on the shear mechanical properties of rock joints. In addition, the post-peak soften modulus (Sp) was proposed to describe the shear instability characteristics of rock joints, and its relationship with grain size and CNL was established. The mechanical model of the shear instability of rock joints was established, and the shear instability criterion of rock joints was proposed based on the stiffness criterion and the proposed post-peak soften modulus (Sp). This paper further reveals the shear instability mechanism of rock joints, which can provide a reference for the stability analysis of jointed rockmass.
Efficient Data Augmentation Methods for Crop Disease Recognition in Sustainable Environmental Systems
Authors: Lee Saebom , Lee Sokjoon
Published: January 2025

Crop diseases significantly threaten agricultural productivity, leading to unstable food supply and economic losses. The current approaches to automated crop disease recognition face challenges such as limited datasets, restricted coverage of disease types, and inefficient feature extraction, which hinder their generalization across diverse crops and disease patterns. To address these challenges, we propose an efficient data augmentation method to enhance the performance of deep learning models for crop disease recognition. By constructing a new large-scale dataset comprising 24 different classes, including both fruit and leaf samples, we intend to handle a variety of disease patterns and improve model generalization capabilities. Geometric transformations and color space augmentation techniques are applied to validate the efficiency of deep learning models, specifically convolution and transformer models, in recognizing multiple crop diseases. The experimental results show that these augmentation techniques improve classification accuracy, achieving F1 scores exceeding 98%. Feature map analysis further confirms that the models effectively capture key disease characteristics. This study underscores the importance of data augmentation in developing automated, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable crop disease detection solutions, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices.
Polycaprolactone for Hard Tissue Regeneration: Scaffold Design and In Vivo Implications
Authors: Ramírez-Ruiz Fernanda , Núñez-Tapia Israel , Piña-Barba María Cristina , Alvarez-Pérez Marco Antonio , Guarino Vincenzo , Serrano-Bello Janeth
Published: January 2025

In the last thirty years, tissue engineering (TI) has emerged as an alternative method to regenerate tissues and organs and restore their function by implanting specific lineage cells, growth factors, or biomolecules functionalizing a matrix scaffold. Recently, several pathologies have led to bone loss or damage, such as malformations, bone resorption associated with benign or malignant tumors, periodontal disease, traumas, and others in which a discontinuity in tissue integrity is observed. Bone tissue is characterized by different stiffness, mechanical traction, and compression resistance as a function of the different compartments, which can influence susceptibility to injury or destruction. For this reason, research into repairing bone defects began several years ago to find a scaffold to improve bone regeneration. Different techniques can be used to manufacture 3D scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration based on optimizing reproducible scaffolds with a controlled hierarchical porous structure like the extracellular matrix of bone. Additionally, the scaffolds synthesized can facilitate the inclusion of bone or mesenchymal stem cells with growth factors that improve bone osteogenesis, recruiting new cells for the neighborhood to generate an optimal environment for tissue regeneration. In this review, current state-of-the-art scaffold manufacturing based on the use of polycaprolactone (PCL) as a biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration will be described by reporting relevant studies focusing on processing techniques, from traditional—i.e., freeze casting, thermally induced phase separation, gas foaming, solvent casting, and particle leaching—to more recent approaches, such as 3D additive manufacturing (i.e., 3D printing/bioprinting, electrofluid dynamics/electrospinning), as well as integrated techniques. As a function of the used technique, this work aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the benefits/limitations of PCL-based scaffolds in order to establish a relationship between scaffold composition, namely integration of other biomaterial phases’ structural properties (i.e., pore morphology and mechanical properties) and in vivo response.
Leveraging Microalgae to Achieve Zero Hunger: Enhancing Livestock Feed for Nutritional Security
Authors: Urrutia-Mazzuca Leila , Mazzuca Marcia , Ibáñez-González María José , Mazzuca-Sobczuk Tania
Published: January 2025

Achieving “Zero Hunger” (SDG 2) requires overcoming complex challenges, especially in vulnerable communities in developing countries. Livestock plays a key role in food security, but limited resources threaten productivity, prompting interest in innovative solutions like microalgae supplementation in ruminant diets. Microalgae offer potential benefits by enhancing productivity and nutrition while addressing local protein deficiencies. However, barriers such as economic costs, processing requirements, and resistance to changing traditional feeding practices present challenges. This review examines the feasibility of microalgae-based livestock feed as a sustainable strategy to improve food security, particularly in arid, climate-affected regions. Biomass yield estimates suggest that small-scale cultivation can meet livestock nutritional needs; for example, a 22-goat herd would require approximately 88 g of microalgae per day to enrich meat with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Semi-continuous production systems could enable smallholders to cultivate adequate biomass, using local agricultural resources efficiently. This approach supports food security, improves meat quality, and strengthens community resilience. Collaboration among researchers, extension services, and local farmers is essential to ensure the effective adoption of microalgae feed systems, contributing to a sustainable future for livestock production in vulnerable regions.
Dysregulation of Metabolic Peptides in the Gut–Brain Axis Promotes Hyperinsulinemia, Obesity, and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Green Camille , Zaman Vandana , Blumenstock Kayce , Banik Narendra L. , Haque Azizul
Published: January 2025

Metabolic peptides can influence metabolic processes and contribute to both inflammatory and/or anti-inflammatory responses. Studies have shown that there are thousands of metabolic peptides, made up of short chains of amino acids, that the human body produces. These peptides are crucial for regulating many different processes like metabolism and cell signaling, as they bind to receptors on various cells. This review will cover the role of three specific metabolic peptides and their roles in hyperinsulinemia, diabetes, inflammation, and neurodegeneration, as well as their roles in type 3 diabetes and dementia. The metabolic peptides glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), gastric inhibitor polypeptide (GIP), and pancreatic peptide (PP) will be discussed, as dysregulation within their processes can lead to the development of various inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Research has been able to closely investigate the connections between these metabolic peptides and their links to the gut–brain axis, highlighting changes made in the gut that can lead to dysfunction in processes in the brain, as well as changes made in the brain that can lead to dysregulation in the gut. The role of metabolic peptides in the development and potentially reversal of diseases such as obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and type 2 diabetes will also be discussed. Furthermore, we review the potential links between these conditions and neuroinflammation and the development of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, specifically Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Acceptability of Overground Wearable Powered Exoskeletons for People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Multicenter Qualitative Study
Authors: Fortin-Bédard Noémie , Pellichero Alice , Leplaideur Stéphanie , Delebecque Marie-Caroline , Charette Caroline , Allègre Willy , Champagne Alyson , Rahn Caroline , Blanchette Andréanne K. , Bouyer Laurent , Kerdraon Jacques , Lamontagne Marie-Eve , Routhier François
Published: January 2025

Background: Exoskeletons are used in rehabilitation centers for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) due to the potential benefits they offer for locomotor rehabilitation. The acceptability of exoskeletons is crucial to promote rehabilitation and to ensure a successful implementation of this technology. The objective was to explore the acceptability of overground wearable powered exoskeleton used in rehabilitation among people with SCI. Methods: Fourteen individuals with SCI (9 men, mean [SD] age 47 years [14.8], a majority with traumatic and thoracic lesion (T6–T12)) who had utilized an exoskeleton in Canada or in France during their rehabilitation participated in a semi-structured interview. A thematic analysis using the theoretical framework of acceptability was carried out. Results: Participants were motivated to use an exoskeleton during their rehabilitation. They reported several perceived benefits to its use, including better walking pattern, increased endurance, and greater muscle mass. They also experienced mild pain, notable concentration demands, and fatigue. Most participants reported that using exoskeletons in their rehabilitation process was appropriate and relevant to them. Conclusions: Exoskeletons are generally well accepted by participants in this study. Adjustments in their use, such as conducting training sessions in obstacle-free environment and technological improvements to address the device’s restrictive characteristics, heaviness, and massiveness are however still needed.
Research Progress in Small-Molecule Detection Using Aptamer-Based SERS Techniques
Authors: Zheng Li , Ye Qingdan , Wang Mengmeng , Sun Fan , Chen Qiang , Yu Xiaoping , Wang Yufeng , Liang Pei
Published: January 2025

Nucleic acid aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that are selected through exponential enrichment (SELEX) technology from synthetic DNA/RNA libraries. These aptamers can specifically recognize and bind to target molecules, serving as specific recognition elements. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is an ultra-sensitive, non-destructive analytical technique that can rapidly acquire the “fingerprint information” of the measured molecules. It has been widely applied in qualitative and trace analysis across various fields, including food safety, environmental monitoring, and biomedical applications. Small molecules, such as toxins, antibiotics, and pesticides, have significant biological effects and are harmful to both human health and the environment. In this paper, we mainly introduced the application and the research progress of SERS detection with aptamers (aptamer-based SERS techniques) in the field of small-molecule detection, particularly in the analysis of pesticide (animal) residues, antibiotics, and toxins. And the progress and prospect of combining the two methods in detection were reviewed.
A Configuration Model for Hospital Design Support Systems
Authors: Jia Zhuoran , Nourian Pirouz , Luscuere Peter , Wagenaar Cor
Published: January 2025

Hospital layout significantly influences hospital service quality, demanding robust tools for informed decision-making during the layout design stage. This study presents a novel Hospital Configuration Model as the foundational component of a Hospital Design Support System, which utilizes simulation modeling to provide evaluation mechanisms on hospital efficiencies and functionalities. The Hospital Configuration Model integrates four critical data types—geometric, topological, semantic, and operational—into a machine-readable digital twin, enabling comprehensive spatial and procedural analyses. The Hospital Configuration Model facilitates simulation modeling to optimize hospital layouts and predict performance metrics such as crowdingness, patient waiting times, patient walking distance, and difficulty in wayfinding. In conclusion, the Hospital Configuration Model is the core and foundation of developing the Hospital Design Support System for evaluating hospital functionalities and efficiencies, and the potential applications of the model include digital twin development, facility management, and safety enhancement. Future research directions should, in particular, include developing the proposed Hospital Design Support System and establishing a standard way of extracting hospital operational information into an industry-standard data model.
Recycling Marble Waste from Afghan Mining Sites as a Replacement for Cement and Sand
Authors: Rafi Mohammad Rafi , Omary Safiullah , Faqiri Amanullah , Ghorbel Elhem
Published: January 2025

The marble industry in Afghanistan generates significant waste due to a lack of skilled labor and advanced machinery, which is often discarded in landfills. Previous studies suggest that marble waste can be utilized in construction, particularly in cement-based structures. This research investigates using marble waste in concrete as a replacement for cement and sand to address environmental concerns and promote sustainability. A comparative study replaced marble waste with a calcareous filler from Omya SAS. The marble waste, collected from a mining site in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, consisted of 29% particles smaller than 63 μm and 71% sand particles. The waste marble (WM) was added to concrete as a replacement for cement and sand at 3.5%, 4%, and 4.5% by volume. Limestone filler (LF) replaced only cement in the concrete mix. The reference concrete mix aimed for a C25/30 strength. The results showed slight improvements in concrete workability with increasing waste marble content. The optimal WM dosage was 4%, which led to a 9% reduction in compressive strength and a 7% drop in splitting tensile strength. However, this dosage reduced concrete density, improving transfer properties and resulting in cheaper, lighter concrete. The 4% WM dosage corresponds to 7.5% cement and 12% sand replacement.
Advancing Building and Construction Higher Education: The Online Real-Time Block Model’s Contributions to Professional Skills, Gender Equity, and Industry Preparedness
Authors: Izadyar Nima , Li Le , Chen Shuo , O’Brien Darryl
Published: January 2025

Traditional In-Person Semester-Length (IP-SL) courses often struggle with inherent time constraints, lack of flexibility, and geographic limitations, delaying effective learning and accessibility for students. Moreover, the extended duration of the Semester-Length (SL) structure reduce focus due to engagement with multiple subjects simultaneously, increased stress, and limited timely feedback and assessment. This study evaluates the Online Real-Time Block Model (ORT-BM), an intensive online model, highlighting its potential to enhance engagement, satisfaction, and inclusivity in project-based programs like construction in higher education. Building surveying as a critical field in construction is selected as the case study since professional surveyors must stay current with rapidly evolving building codes, regulations, and sustainability practices. However, the rigid structure of IP-SL courses often leaves graduates less prepared to meet industry needs. Conducting a comparative analysis of a case study, the Bachelor of Building Surveying program (NBBS) at Victoria University, the research compares three teaching models: IP-SL (2016–2018), In-Person Block Model (IP-BM, 2019–2020), and ORT-BM (2020–2023) using Student Evaluation of Units (SEU) data and Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) metrics. Findings, derived from SEU and QILT, reveal that ORT-BM improves student satisfaction, accelerates course completion rates, and fosters gender equity through inclusive learning environments while enhancing accessibility for geographically dispersed and disadvantaged students. By integrating advanced digital tools like virtual site visits, ORT-BM enhances professional readiness, aligning education with evolving industry standards. Future research may explore developing hybrid models to optimize cognitive load further, improve accessibility, and enhance flexibility.
A Numerical and Theoretical Investigation of the Flexural Behavior of Steel–Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Composite Slabs
Authors: Li Changshui , Zhao Boyi , Hao Dawei , Gao Xiaolong , Bian Hao , Zhang Xuanzheng
Published: January 2025

The steel–Ultra-High-Performance concrete (UHPC) composite slab is a new type of structure made of steel and UHPC connected by pegs, and its flexural mechanical properties and related design methods need to be further investigated. Firstly, a detailed numerical model of the steel UHPC composite slab is established and validated based on previous flexural behavior experimental research. Secondly, the flexural failure mechanisms of steel–UHPC composite slabs are clarified through finite element analysis. Under positive bending moments, when the degree of shear connection is lower than 100%, the ultimate load capacity of the composite slabs is determined by the shear capacity of the pegs. On the contrary, there are no significant changes in the load-carrying capacity of all the specimens, but there is a slight increase in stiffness. Under negative bending moments, the load-bearing capacity, stiffness, and crack resistance of the composite slab are improved as the degree of shear connection and reinforcement ratio increase. Finally, the method used to calculate the flexural capacity of steel–UHPC composite plates under positive and negative bending moments with high accuracy is proposed based on the analytical results. This paper provides a theoretical basis for the design of flexural performance of steel–UHPC composite slab.
Static Analysis of Gelatin-like Simulation Mass as a Subsoil in Scale Physical Modeling
Authors: Valašková Veronika , Vlček Jozef
Published: January 2025

The investigation of wave propagation in the geological environment is warranted, and will ultimately help to provide a better understanding of the response of subsoil to excitation. Frequently utilized physical modeling represents a simplification of the global natural system for the needs of the investigation of static and dynamic phenomena with regard to the time domain. The determination of appropriate model materials is probably the most important task for physical model creation. Considering that subsoil represents a crucial medium for wave propagation, an evaluation of suitable model materials was carried out. A plate load test with a circular plate is a non-destructive method for determining the static bearing capacities of soils and aggregates, which are usually expressed by the deformation modulus Edef,2 (MPa) and the static modulus of elasticity E (MPa). A lightweight deflectometer test was used to characterize the impact modulus of deformation Evd (MPa), which is determined based on the pressure under the load plate due to the impact load. A representative propagation of the load–settlement curve for the PLT and the acceleration–time curve for the hammer drop test were investigated. The calculated E values were found to be in the interval between 2.6 and 5.7 kPa, and depending on the load cycle, the values of E ranged from 2.6 to 3.1 kPa. The modulus E from the hammer drop test was significantly larger than the interval between 10.6 and 40.4 kPa. The values of the dynamic multiplier, as a ratio of the hammer drop value to the PLT value, of the modulus E ranged from 4.1 to 13.0. The output of the plate load testing was utilized for the calibration of the finite element method (FEM) numerical model. Both the physical and numerical models showed practically ideal linear behavior of the mass. However, the testing of gelatin-like materials is a complex process because of their viscoelastic nonlinear behavior.
Efficacy of Adding Locoregional Therapy in ATZ/BEV-Treated Patients with Stable HCC
Authors: Hosui Atsushi , Hayata Naoko , Kurahashi Tomohide , Namiki Akane , Okamoto Akino , Aochi Kazuki , Ashida Munehiro , Tanimoto Takafumi , Murai Hiroki , Ohnishi Kohsaku , Hirao Motohiro , Yamada Takuya , Hiramatsu Naoki
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Combination therapy with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (ATZ/BEV) is extremely effective and yields a high response rate in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, the efficacy of adding locoregional therapy to ATZ/BEV in patients with stable disease (SD) HCC was investigated. Methods: One hundred five HCC patients who were treated with ATZ/BEV or lenvatinib (LEN) as first-line chemotherapy for unresectable HCC were evaluated on the basis of the modified RECIST criteria. SD patients whose initial antitumor effect was achieved received locoregional therapy, and the overall survival (OS) rate was assessed. Results: This study included 58 ATZ/BEV-treated participants and 47 LEN-treated participants. Twenty-eight SD patients (ATZ/BEV) and 20 SD patients (LEN) were identified. OS was significantly greater in ATZ/BEV-treated patients who also received locoregional therapy than in those who did not receive this additional therapy (p = 0.0343), whereas there was no difference between LEN-treated patients who also received locoregional therapy and those who did not. The locoregional therapy consisted of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). When assessing the add-on effect of TACE and/or RFA in the SD patients treated with ATZ/BEV, five patients were found to achieve CR. Conclusions: The addition of locoregional therapy, such as TACE/RFA, was found to affect SD patients. When a response is limited during ATZ/BEV therapy, it is important to consider the therapeutic option of adding locoregional therapy, as this additional treatment may contribute to improved prognosis via immune modulation.
Disadvantage of Viable Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chan Kun-Ming , Lai Yin , Hung Hao-Chien , Lee Jin-Chiao , Cheng Chih-Hsien , Wang Yu-Chao , Wu Tsung-Han , Lee Chen-Fang , Wu Ting-Jung , Chou Hong-Shiue , Lee Wei-Chen
Published: January 2025

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is a promising treatment option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comorbid with cirrhosis. However, HCC with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) remains an absolute contraindication for LT. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of LT in patients with HCC plus portal vein thrombosis and further evaluate the impact of PVTT on the long-term outcomes of patients. Methods: Among the 501 patients who underwent LT for HCC between January 2000 and March 2023, 29 (5.8%) patients with HCC who had portal vein thrombosis were further analyzed. Of these 29 patients with portal vein thrombosis, 12 (41.4%) were preoperatively diagnosed with PVTT and underwent LT after receiving downstaging therapy. The remaining 17 (58.6%) patients were PVTT-free prior to LT. Results: Overall, the recurrence-free survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 96.3%, 74.2%, and 74.2%, respectively, while the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 82.4%, 74.2%, and 70.1%, respectively. However, patients with viable PVTT had significantly worse outcomes than those without viable PVTT (p = 0.030). The 5-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates for patients with viable PVTT were 57.5% and 57.0%, respectively. Conclusions: LT may still be a promising option for patients with HCC and PVTT after appropriate downstaging. However, caution should be adopted, as remnant viable PVTT might lead to unsatisfactory outcomes after transplantation.
Flow Cytometry Evaluation of Blood-Cell-Bound Surface FVIII in Hemophilia A and Thrombosis
Authors: Al-Mohannadi Anjud , Yahia Reem Mohammed , Bibawi Hani , Lachica Che-Ann , Ahmed Watfa , Pavlovski Igor , Gentilcore Giusy , Elgaali Elkhansa Elbukhari , Ejaz Anila , Ahmed Areeg , Elanbari Mohammed , Awada Zainab , Al-Kubaisi Mohammed J. , Elnaggar Muhammad , Saleh Ayman , Cugno Chiara , Deola Sara
Published: January 2025

Hemophilia A (HA) is associated with FVIII coagulation insufficiency or inactivity leading to excessive bleeding. Elevated FVIII, on the contrary, is associated with thrombophilia, thrombosis, myocardial infarctions, and stroke. Active FVIII (aFVIII) uses its C2 domain to bind to blood cells’ membranes, consequently carrying out its coagulative function. We developed a reliable flow cytometry (FC) method for FVIII detection that can be utilized for assessing surface-bound FVIII on leukocytes in different coagulation/clinical states; we analyzed 49 pediatric subjects, encompassing patients with HA, other coagulopathies, venous thrombosis, and normal coagulation. Interestingly, the total leukocyte surface FVIII showed a declining trend across thrombosis, normal, and hypo-coagulation states. As expected, the leukocytes of HA patients displayed significantly lower levels of cellular-surface FVIII in comparison to patients with thrombosis. However, no significant correlation was observed between circulating levels of FVIII in plasma and the levels of FVIII bound to leukocytes, indicating that the differences in FVIII surface binding are not directly proportional to the availability of FVIII in the circulation and suggesting a specific binding mechanism governing the interaction between FVIII and leukocytes. Intriguingly, when analyzing the distinct blood subpopulations, we observed that surface FVIII levels were significantly elevated in classical monocytes of thrombosis patients compared to HA patients, healthy controls, and patients with other coagulopathies. Our study highlights the reliability of our FC platform in assessing FVIII abundance on leukocytes’ membranes across coagulation states. Monocytes, particularly in cases of thrombosis, exhibit active binding of FVIII on their surface, suggesting a potential role in the pathophysiology of thrombosis that requires further investigation.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) Is a Mediator Between Nutritional Intake and Gonadal Development in Teleosts
Authors: Li Hangyu , Liang Hongwei , Gao Xiaowen , Zeng Xiangtong , Zheng Shuo , Wang Linlin , Yuan Faming , Xu Shaohua , Yin Zhan , Hu Guangfu
Published: January 2025

Nutritional intake is closely linked to gonadal development, although the mechanisms by which food intake affects gonadal development are not fully understood. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a satiety neuropeptide derived from the hypothalamus, and the present study observed that hypothalamic CCK expression is significantly influenced by food intake, which is mediated through blood glucose levels. Interestingly, CCK and its receptors were observed to exhibit a high expression in the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad (HPG) axis of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), suggesting that CCK is potentially involved in regulating fish reproduction through the HPG axis. Further investigations revealed that CCK could significantly stimulate the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-3 (GnRH3) in the hypothalamus. In addition, single-cell RNA sequencing showed that cckrb was highly enriched in pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) cells. Further study confirmed that CCK can significantly induce FSH synthesis and secretion in primary cultured pituitary cells. Additionally, with primary cultured ovary cells as a model, the in vitro experiment demonstrated that CCK directly induces the expression of lhr, fshr, and cyp19a1a mRNA. This indicates that hypothalamic CCK may act as a nutrient sensor involved in regulating gonadal development in teleosts.
Starting Electroosmosis in a Fibrous Porous Medium with Arbitrary Electric Double-Layer Thickness
Authors: Chen Wei Z. , Keh Huan J.
Published: January 2025

The transient electroosmotic response in a charged porous medium consisting of a uniform array of parallel circular cylindrical fibers with arbitrary electric double layers filled with an electrolyte solution, for the stepwise application of a transverse electric field, is analyzed. The fluid momentum conservation equation is solved for each cell by using a unit cell model, where a single cylinder is surrounded by a coaxial shell of the electrolyte solution. A closed-form expression for the transient electroosmotic velocity of the bulk fluid in the Laplace transform is obtained as a function of the ratio of the cylinder radius to the Debye screening length and the porosity of the fiber matrix. The effect of the fiber matrix porosity on the continuous growth of the electroosmotic velocity over time is substantial and complicated. For a fiber matrix with larger porosity, the bulk fluid velocity takes longer to reach a certain percentage of its final value. Although the final value of the bulk fluid velocity generally increases with increasing porosity, early velocities may decrease with increasing porosity. For a given fiber matrix porosity, the transient electroosmotic velocity is a monotonically increasing function of the ratio of the cylinder radius to the Debye length.
Fourier Transformation-Based Analysis of X-Ray Diffraction Pattern of Keratin for Cancer Detection
Authors: Alekseev Alexander , Avdieiev Oleksii , Murokh Sasha , Yuk Delvin , Lazarev Alexander , Labelle Daizie , Mourokh Lev , Lazarev Pavel
Published: January 2025

With the growing number of cancer cases and deaths around the world, fast, non-invasive, and inexpensive screening is paramount. We examine the feasibility of such cancer detection using the X-ray scattering properties of nails in the canine model. A total of 945 samples taken from 266 dogs were measured, with 84 animals diagnosed with cancer. To analyze the obtained X-ray diffraction patterns of keratin, we propose a method based on the two-dimensional Fourier transformation of the images. We compare 745 combinations of data preprocessing steps and machine learning classifiers and determine the corresponding performance metrics. Excellent classification results are demonstrated, with sensitivity or specificity achieving 100% and the best value for balanced accuracy being 87.5%. We believe that our approach can be extended to human samples to develop a non-invasive, convenient, and cheap method for early cancer detection.
Self-Reported Data for Sustainable Development from People Living in Rural and Remote Areas
Authors: Alabdali Salem Ahmed , Pileggi Salvatore Flavio , Bharathy Gnana
Published: January 2025

This paper describes a dataset for the Sustainable Development of remote and rural areas. Version 1.0 includes self-reported data, with a total of 212 valid responses collected in 2024 across different sectors (education, healthcare, and business) from people living in rural and remote areas in Saudi Arabia. The structured survey is understood to support research endeavors and policy making, looking at the peculiar characteristics of those regions. The 40 core questions, in addition to the detailed demographic questions, aim to capture different perspectives and perceptions on innovative and sustainable solutions. Overall, the dataset offers valuable strategic insights to be integrated with other sources of information, as well as the opportunity to incrementally generate extensive and diverse knowledge in the field. The major limitation is inherently related to the local context, as data comes from the most educated persons with access to digital resources. Additionally, the dataset may be considered as relatively small, and there is some gender imbalance due to cultural factors.
Advancements in Hyaluronic Acid Effect in Alveolar Ridge Preservation: A Narrative Review
Authors: Nistor Paul Andrei , Cândea Andreea , Micu Iulia Cristina , Soancă Andrada , Caloian Carmen Silvia , Bârdea Alina , Roman Alexandra
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Tooth extraction induces significant alveolar ridge dimensional changes and soft tissue modifications, often leading to challenges in implant placement or conventional prosthetic rehabilitation. Alveolar Ridge Preservation (ARP) strategies aim to mitigate post-extraction resorption of the alveolar ridge, enhancing both the quality and quantity of bone and soft tissue during healing. Hyaluronic acid (HYA) has emerged as a promising biological agent for ARP due to its osteoinductive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effects of HYA in ARP remain inconsistently reported. This study aims to assess current clinical and preclinical evidence regarding the biological effects of HYA and its application in ARP. Additionally, it evaluates HYA’s impact—alone or in combination with other products—on hard and soft tissue dimensional changes, early wound healing, and implant success rates. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted, and studies meeting the inclusion criteria were critically evaluated. Relevant data were extracted from the final selection of articles. Results: Thirteen publications were evaluated. Some studies reported a significantly improved newly formed bone following ARP with intra-socket HYA application as a single approach (p = 0.004). Combining HYA with a bone graft and a free palatal graft resulted in significantly greater amounts of newly formed and mature bone, reduced clinical bone width changes, lower radiographic crestal bone loss (p < 0.01), and diminished radiological volumetric and linear bone resorption (p = 0.018). Short-term follow-up data indicated improved soft tissue healing associated with HYA-based ARP. While HYA appears to have a protective effect on ridge dimensional changes in ARP, other studies reported no significant differences in radiographic bone dimensional changes or soft tissue improvement. Conclusions: The addition of HYA to bone grafts may enhance some ARP outcomes. However, the variability in outcomes and methodologies across the evaluated studies precludes drawing definitive clinical conclusions. Further robust research is needed to clarify HYA’s role in ARP. With respect to clinical significance enhancing the understanding of ARP management strategies and their effects on post-extraction sockets empowers clinicians to make more informed decisions. The knowledge of HYA effects facilitates the selection of personalized ARP approaches tailored to optimize outcomes for subsequent interventions.
Real-Time Detection, Evaluation, and Mapping of Crowd Panic Emergencies Based on Geo-Biometrical Data and Machine Learning
Authors: Lazarou Ilias , Kesidis Anastasios L. , Tsatsaris Andreas
Published: January 2025

Crowd panic emergencies can pose serious risks to public safety, and effective detection and mapping of such events are crucial for rapid response and mitigation. In this paper, we propose a real-time system for detecting and mapping crowd panic emergencies based on machine learning and georeferenced biometric data from wearable devices and smartphones. The system uses a Gaussian SVM machine learning classifier to predict whether a person is stressed or not and then performs real-time spatial analysis to monitor the movement of stressed individuals. To further enhance emergency detection and response, we introduce the concept of CLOT (Classifier Confidence Level Over Time) as a parameter that influences the system’s noise filtering and detection speed. Concurrently, we introduce a newly developed metric called DEI (Domino Effect Index). The DEI is designed to assess the severity of panic-induced crowd behavior by considering factors such as the rate of panic transmission, density of panicked people, and alignment with the road network. This metric offers immeasurable benefits by assessing the magnitude of the cascading impact, enabling emergency responders to quickly determine the severity of the event and take necessary actions to prevent its escalation. Based on individuals’ trajectories and adjacency, the system produces dynamic areas that represent the development of the phenomenon’s spatial extent in real time. The results show that the proposed system is effective in detecting and mapping crowd panic emergencies in real time. The system generates three types of dynamic areas: a dynamic Crowd Panic Area based on the initial stressed locations of the persons, a dynamic Crowd Panic Area based on the current stressed locations of the persons, and the dynamic geometric difference between these two. These areas provide emergency responders with a real-time understanding of the extent and development of the crowd panic emergency, allowing for a more targeted and effective response. By incorporating the CLOT and the DEI, emergency responders can better understand crowd behavior and develop more effective response strategies to mitigate the risks associated with panic-induced crowd movements. In conclusion, our proposed system, enhanced by the incorporation of these two new metrics, proves to be a dependable and efficient tool for detecting, mapping, and assessing the severity of crowd panic emergencies, leading to a more efficient response and ultimately safeguarding public safety.
Systematic Literature Review Methodology for Drone Recharging Processes in Agriculture and Disaster Management
Authors: Grando Leonardo , Jaramillo Juan Fernando Galindo , Leite José Roberto Emiliano , Ursini Edson Luiz
Published: January 2025

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are becoming increasingly vital in agriculture and disaster management due to their autonomous monitoring, data collection, and service delivery capability. However, energy constraints often limit their potential, highlighting the need for efficient recharging and energy management solutions. This systematic literature review (SLR) examines the current simulations of drone recharging technologies within precision agriculture and disaster relief. It highlights recent advancements, including various algorithms for path and mission planning, while identifying ongoing challenges, particularly the scarcity of studies on the recharging coordination that affects UAV operations in these fields. The review encompasses 36 high-quality studies from 2038 papers initially found in the literature. Despite significant progress in recharging technologies, achieving sustainable and continuous UAV operation remains challenging, especially in high-demand energy environments such as disaster zones and agricultural areas. We identify three research gaps—knowledge, methodological, and practical. There is a lack of drone recharging studies, as drones are energy-demanding devices. The studies show that the coordination process relies on communication, which can use more battery, and we also find a lack of real-world applications in the studies. Another finding is that the context of disaster is studied more than agricultural usage.