bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Concurrent Letrozole for Estrogen Receptor-Positive and HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: An Open-Label, Single-Center, Nonrandomized Phase II Study (NeoCHAI)
Authors: Chae Heejung , Sim Sung Hoon , Kwon Youngmi , Lee Eun-Gyeong , Han Jai Hong , Jung So-Youn , Lee Seeyoun , Kang Han-Sung , Kim Yeon-Joo , Kim Tae Hyun , Lee Keun Seok
Published: September 2024

The role of combining neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with conventional chemotherapy remains unclear; therefore, we conducted an open-label, single-center, nonrandomized phase II trial to assess the effect of this combination. Patients with previously untreated stage II or III HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer received concurrent letrozole 2.5 mg with standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR) at the time of surgery. We used Simon’s minimax two-stage design; a pCR rate > 6% was necessary at the first stage to continue. Between November 2017 and November 2020, 53 women were enrolled in the first stage of the trial. Their median age was 49 years (range, 33–63), and 60% of them were premenopausal. Subsequently, 66% and 34% of patients with clinical stages II and III, respectively, were included; 93% had clinically node-positive disease. Two patients (4%) achieved pCR after neoadjuvant chemo–endocrine treatment, which did not satisfy the criteria for continuing to the second stage. The overall response rate was 83%. During the median follow-up of 53.7 months, the 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 87% and 98%, respectively. Neutropenia was the most common grade 3/4 adverse event (40%), but rarely led to febrile neutropenic episodes (4%). Myalgia (32%), nausea (19%), constipation (17%), heartburn (11%), oral mucositis (9%), and sensory neuropathy (9%) were frequently observed, but classified as grade 1 or 2. No deaths occurred during preoperative treatment. The addition of letrozole to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy was safe and beneficial in terms of overall response rate, but did not provide a higher pCR rate in locally advanced HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Further research is needed to enhance neoadjuvant treatment strategies for this cancer subtype.
Improvement in the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production of Flower-Shaped ZnIn2S4 by Surface Modification with Amino Silane
Authors: Chen Xiangyu , Liang Benliang , Yan Luting
Published: September 2024

ZnIn2S4 has attracted extensive attention in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen production because of its suitable band gap and excellent photoelectrochemical properties. However, its lower photogenerated carrier separation efficiency and high degree of photocorrosion severely restricts its photocatalytic activity. In this work, the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance of ZnIn2S4 modified with 3-aminopropylmethoxysilane was studied. Surface modification by amino silane not only regulated the band gap and enhanced the light absorption of ZnIn2S4 but it also increased the colloidal stability of the ZnIn2S4 suspension and enhanced the adsorption of H+ on the active surface sites, thereby improving the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance. Compared with that of unmodified ZnIn2S4, the photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of surface-modified ZnIn2S4 increased by 1.46 times, and after four cycles for 12 h, the hydrogen production efficiency remained at 75.14%.
Navigating Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Descriptors for Electrocatalyst Design
Authors: Ogunkunle Samuel Akinlolu , Mortier Fabien , Bouzid Assil , Hinsch Jack Jon , Zhang Lei , Wu Zhenzhen , Bernard Samuel , Zhu Yong , Wang Yun
Published: September 2024

The quest for efficient green hydrogen production through Alkaline Water Electrolysis (AWE) is a critical aspect of the clean energy transition. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media is central to this process, with the performance of electrocatalysts being a determining factor for overall efficiency. Theoretical studies using energy-based descriptors are essential for designing high-performance alkaline HER electrocatalysts. This review summarizes various descriptors, including water adsorption energy, water dissociation barrier, and Gibbs free energy changes of hydrogen and hydroxyl adsorption. Examples of how to apply these descriptors to identify the active site of materials and better design high-performance alkaline HER electrocatalysts are provided, highlighting the previously underappreciated role of hydroxyl adsorption-free energy changes. As research progresses, integrating these descriptors with experimental data will be paramount in advancing AWE technology for sustainable hydrogen production.
Postencephalitic Parkinsonism: Unique Pathological and Clinical Features—Preliminary Data
Authors: Strobel Sabrina , Sian-Hulsmann Jeswinder , Tappe Dennis , Jellinger Kurt , Riederer Peter , Monoranu Camelia-Maria
Published: September 2024

Postencephalitic parkinsonism (PEP) is suggested to show a virus-induced pathology, which is different from classical idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) as there is no α-synuclein/Lewy body pathology. However, PEP shows a typical clinical representation of motor disturbances. In addition, compared to PD, there is no iron-induced pathology. The aim of this preliminary study was to compare PEP with PD regarding iron-induced pathology, using histochemistry methods on paraffin-embedded post-mortem brain tissue. In the PEP group, iron was not seen, except for one case with sparse perivascular depositions. Rather, PEP offers a pathology related to tau-protein/neurofibrillary tangles, with mild to moderate memory deficits only. It is assumed that this virus-induced pathology is due to immunological dysfunctions causing (neuro)inflammation-induced neuronal network disturbances as events that trigger clinical parkinsonism. The absence of iron deposits implies that PEP cannot be treated with iron chelators. The therapy with L-Dopa is also not an option, as L-Dopa only leads to an initial slight improvement in symptoms in isolated cases.
Revolutionizing Cancer Treatments through Stem Cell-Derived CAR T Cells for Immunotherapy: Opening New Horizons for the Future of Oncology
Authors: Mishra Hemant K. , Kalyuzhny Alex
Published: September 2024

Recent advances in cellular therapies have paved the way for innovative treatments of various cancers and autoimmune disorders. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a remarkable breakthrough, offering the potential to generate patient-specific cell types for personalized as well as allogeneic therapies. This review explores the application of iPSC-derived chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, a cutting-edge approach in allogeneic cancer immunotherapies. CAR T cells are genetically engineered immune cells designed to target specific tumor antigens, and their integration with iPSC technology holds immense promise for enhancing the efficacy, safety, and scalability of cellular therapies. This review begins by elucidating the principles behind iPSC generation and differentiation into T cells, highlighting the advantage of iPSCs in providing a uniform, inexhaustible source of CAR T cells. Additionally, we discuss the genetic modification of iPSC-derived T cells to express various CARs, emphasizing the precision and flexibility this affords in designing customized therapies for a diverse range of malignancies. Notably, iPSC-derived CAR T cells demonstrate a superior proliferative capacity, persistence, and anti-tumor activity compared to their conventionally derived counterparts, offering a potential solution to challenges associated with conventional CAR T cell therapies. In conclusion, iPSC-derived CAR T cells represent a groundbreaking advancement in cellular therapies, demonstrating unparalleled potential in revolutionizing the landscape of immunotherapies. As this technology continues to evolve, it holds the promise of providing safer, more effective, and widely accessible treatment options for patients battling cancer and other immune-related disorders. This review aims to shed light on the transformative potential of iPSC-derived CAR T cells and inspire further research and development in this dynamic field.
YAP/TAZ Signaling in the Pathobiology of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Papavassiliou Kostas A. , Sofianidi Amalia A. , Spiliopoulos Fotios G. , Gogou Vassiliki A. , Gargalionis Antonios N. , Papavassiliou Athanasios G.
Published: September 2024

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a severe, irreversible lung disease characterized by progressive scarring, with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) being the most prevalent form. IPF’s pathogenesis involves repetitive lung epithelial injury leading to fibroblast activation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. The prognosis for IPF is poor, with limited therapeutic options like nintedanib and pirfenidone offering only modest benefits. Emerging research highlights the dysregulation of the yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling pathway as a critical factor in PF. YAP and TAZ, components of the Hippo pathway, play significant roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and fibrosis by modulating gene expression through interactions with TEA domain (TEAD) transcription factors. The aberrant activation of YAP/TAZ in lung tissue promotes fibroblast activation and ECM accumulation. Targeting the YAP/TAZ pathway offers a promising therapeutic avenue. Preclinical studies have identified potential treatments, such as trigonelline, dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) agonists, and statins, which inhibit YAP/TAZ activity and demonstrate antifibrotic effects. These findings underscore the importance of YAP/TAZ in PF pathogenesis and the potential of novel therapies aimed at this pathway, suggesting a new direction for improving IPF treatment outcomes. Further research is needed to validate these approaches and translate them into clinical practice.
Deciphering the Pathophysiological Mechanisms Underpinning Myoclonus Dystonia Using Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cellular Models
Authors: Li Zongze , Abram Laura , Peall Kathryn J.
Published: September 2024

Dystonia is a movement disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1.2% and is characterised by involuntary muscle contractions leading to abnormal postures and pain. Only symptomatic treatments are available with no disease-modifying or curative therapy, in large part due to the limited understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. However, the inherited monogenic forms of dystonia provide an opportunity for the development of disease models to examine these mechanisms. Myoclonus Dystonia, caused by SGCE mutations encoding the ε-sarcoglycan protein, represents one of now >50 monogenic forms. Previous research has implicated the involvement of the basal ganglia–cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuit in dystonia pathogenesis, but further work is needed to understand the specific molecular and cellular mechanisms. Pluripotent stem cell technology enables a patient-derived disease modelling platform harbouring disease-causing mutations. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the aetiology of Myoclonus Dystonia, recent advances in producing distinct neuronal types from pluripotent stem cells, and their application in modelling Myoclonus Dystonia in vitro. Future research employing pluripotent stem cell-derived cellular models is crucial to elucidate how distinct neuronal types may contribute to dystonia and how disruption to neuronal function can give rise to dystonic disorders.
Incorporating C3N5 and NiCo2S4 to Form a Novel Z-Scheme Heterojunction for Superior Photocatalytic Degradation of Norfloxacin
Authors: Rana Sahil , Kumar Amit , Wang Tongtong , Dhiman Pooja , Sharma Gaurav , Shi Hui
Published: September 2024

Due to a combination of increased urbanization, industrialization, and population growth, many pharmaceutical pollutants are currently being discharged into the environment. A possible strategy is critical for eliminating antibiotic pollutants from the environment, and photocatalysis has been generally recognized as an excellent method for successfully degrading antibiotics at a faster pace. In this work, we employed a hydrothermal synthesis approach to create a novel C3N5/NiCo2S4 Z-scheme-based heterojunction with better interfacial charge transfer and used it as a catalyst for the degradation of norfloxacin antibiotic. The optimized 1:1 C3N5/NiCo2S4 (50CN/NCS) shows the highest photocatalytic efficiency of 86.5% in 120 min towards the degradation of norfloxacin (NOR). Such an effective performance can be attributed to the high responsive nature of photocatalyst in the visible region and superior transfer of interfacial charges via Z-scheme transfer in heterojunction. The high charge transfer efficiency and reduced recombination of charge carriers in heterojunction was confirmed by EIS and PL results. The influence of some key factors such as pollutant concentration, catalyst dosage, pH, and coexisting ions on the photocatalytic activity is also investigated in this work. The optimized heterojunction 50CN/NCS also degraded 89.1%, 78.3%, and 93.2% removal of the other pollutants CIP, SDZ, and BPA, respectively.
Influences of Maternal Nutrition and Lifestyle Factors on Early Childhood Oral Health: A Systematic Review of Mechanisms and Intervention Strategies
Authors: Alrashdi Murad
Published: September 2024

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of maternal nutrition and lifestyle factors on early childhood oral health. The review focused on the effects of maternal vitamin D levels and smoking during pregnancy on children’s dental health outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, yielding 23 that were included for analysis. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The effect estimates were pooled through a random effect model. All analyses were carried out using the R program. Results: Most studies in our systematic review showed a significant association between maternal vitamin D and smoking during pregnancy and childhood dental health outcomes. Meta-analysis revealed a significant association between maternal vitamin D levels and children’s dental health (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.49 to 3.45, p < 0.001). Maternal smoking during pregnancy was strongly linked to an increased risk of childhood dental caries (OR = 0.3290, 95% CI: 0.2089–0.4491, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: These findings underscore the crucial role of maternal health behaviors in shaping children’s oral health trajectories. This study emphasizes the need for integrated public health interventions promoting healthier maternal behaviors and early preventive dental care.
Immunolocalization of Aquaporin 1, 2, and 9 in Anuran Testis of the Neotropical Pointedbelly Frog Leptodactylus podicipinus
Authors: Bordin Rafael O. A. , Oliveira Classius de , Domeniconi Raquel F.
Published: September 2024

Many anuran survival strategies involve hydric regulation, and reproduction is not different. The aquaporin (AQP) family plays an important role in water transport and regulation in many tissues, including the male gonad. The testes undergo various stages of change during the reproductive cycle, and water balance is an important factor for ensuring reproductive success. Considering the relevance of water control in testicular development in anurans and the lack of research regarding the tissue localization of AQP in the male gonad, the present study investigated the expression of three AQPs (1, 2, and 9) in the testis of the neotropical anuran species Leptodactylus podicipinus during two different periods of the reproductive cycle (reproductive and non-reproductive). AQP1 and 2 immunoreactions were found in early germ cells, spermatozoa, Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells, which were more frequently expressed within the reproductive period. AQP1 was also found in the testicular blood vessels. AQP9 was identified predominantly in the epithelium of the intratesticular ducts of reproductive-period individuals. This study presents, for the first time, the localization of AQP1, AQP2, and AQP9 in the testes of an anuran species and the differences in their location during two distinct periods of the reproductive cycle.
Brain Ischemic Tolerance Triggered by Preconditioning Involves Modulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Stimulated Gene 6 (TSG-6) in Mice Subjected to Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Authors: Di Santo Chiara , Siniscalchi Antonio , La Russa Daniele , Tonin Paolo , Bagetta Giacinto , Amantea Diana
Published: September 2024

Ischemic preconditioning (PC) induced by a sub-lethal cerebral insult triggers brain tolerance against a subsequent severe injury through diverse mechanisms, including the modulation of the immune system. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6), a hyaluronate (HA)-binding protein, has recently been involved in the regulation of the neuroimmune response following ischemic stroke. Thus, we aimed at assessing whether the neuroprotective effects of ischemic PC involve the modulation of TSG-6 in a murine model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). The expression of TSG-6 was significantly elevated in the ischemic cortex of mice subjected to 1 h MCAo followed by 24 h reperfusion, while this effect was further potentiated (p < 0.05 vs. MCAo) by pre-exposure to ischemic PC (i.e., 15 min MCAo) 72 h before. By immunofluorescence analysis, we detected TSG-6 expression mainly in astrocytes and myeloid cells populating the lesioned cerebral cortex, with a more intense signal in tissue from mice pre-exposed to ischemic PC. By contrast, levels of TSG-6 were reduced after 24 h of reperfusion in plasma (p < 0.05 vs. SHAM), but were dramatically elevated when severe ischemia (1 h MCAo) was preceded by ischemic PC (p < 0.001 vs. MCAo) that also resulted in significant neuroprotection. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that neuroprotection exerted by ischemic PC is associated with the elevation of TSG-6 protein levels both in the brain and in plasma, further underscoring the beneficial effects of this endogenous modulator of the immune system.
Optimizing Local Climate Zones through Clustering for Surface Urban Heat Island Analysis in Building Height-Scarce Cities: A Cape Town Case Study
Authors: Manyanya Tshilidzi , Nethengwe Nthaduleni Samuel , Verbist Bruno , Somers Ben
Published: September 2024

Studying air Urban Heat Islands (AUHI) in African cities is limited by building height data scarcity and sparse air temperature (Tair) networks, leading to classification confusion and gaps in Tair data. Satellite imagery used in surface UHI (SUHI) applications overcomes the gaps which befall AUHI, thus making it the primary focus of UHI studies in areas with limited Tair stations. Consequently, we used Landsat 30 m imagery to analyse SUHI patterns using Land Surface Temperature (LST) data. Local climate zones (LCZ) as a UHI study tool have been documented to not result in distinct thermal environments at the surface level per LCZ class. The goal in this study was thus to explore relationships between LCZs and LST patterns, aiming to create a building height (BH)-independent LCZ framework capable of creating distinct thermal environments to study SUHI in African cities where LiDAR data are scarce. Random forests (RF) classified LCZ in R, and the Single Channel Algorithm (SCA) extracted LST via the Google Earth Engine. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD, assessed thermal distinctiveness, using a 95% confidence interval and 1 °C threshold for practical significance. Semi-Automated Agglomerative Clustering (SAAC) and Automated Divisive Clustering (ADC) grouped LCZs into thermally distinct clusters based on physical characteristics and LST data internal patterns. Built LCZs (1–9) had higher mean LSTs; LCZ 8 reached 37.6 °C in Spring, with a smaller interquartile range (IQR) (34–36 °C) and standard deviation (SD) (1.85 °C), compared to natural classes (A–G) with LCZ 11 (A–B) at 14.9 °C/LST, 17–25 °C/IQR, and 4.2 °C SD. Compact LCZs (2, 3) and open LCZs (5, 6), as well as similar LCZs in composition and density, did not show distinct thermal environments even with building height included. The SAAC and ADC clustered the 14 LCZs into six thermally distinct clusters, with the smallest LST difference being 1.19 °C, above the 1 °C threshold. This clustering approach provides an optimal LCZ framework for SUHI studies, transferable to different urban areas without relying on BH, making it more suitable than the full LCZ typology, particularly for the African context. This clustered framework ensures a thermal distinction between clusters large enough to have practical significance, which is more useful in urban planning than statistical significance.
Assessing the Provisioning of Ecosystem Services Provided by the Relics Forest in Togo’s Mono Biosphere Reserve
Authors: Akpamou Kokouvi Gbétey , Pilabina Somiyabalo , Egbelou Hodabalo , Sewonou Kokou Richard , Walz Yvonne , Luiselli Luca , Segniagbeto Gabriel H. , Dendi Daniele , Kokou Kouami
Published: September 2024

In most Sub-Saharan African countries, such as Togo, forest ecosystems provide ecosystem services to the local population. These ecosystem services are of vital importance to the local populations, who depend on the benefits derived from their use to meet their socio-economic needs. The permanent dependence of these populations on ecosystem services is a major factor accelerating the degradation of natural resources, which are already under pressure from climatic factors. The present study assesses the provisioning of ecosystem services provided by the relics forest in the southeast region of the Mono Biosphere Reserve in Togo. Individual interviews and group discussions were carried out with 420 households in fourteen villages around the reserve to identify the current uses of woody species. The results show that 100% of the respondents cited plant species, such as Mitragyna inermis, Lonchocarpus sericeus, and Diospyros mespiliformis, as used for wood. Species, such as Mimusops andogensis and Triplohiton scleroxylon, were cited as exclusively used for wood by 94% and 86%, respectively. Other species, such as Vitex doniana and Dialium guineense, in addition to their use for wood (93% and 70%), were cited, respectively, by 97% and 98% of respondents as used for fruit, and by 82% and 90% for their leaves. The heavy daily use of these species compromises their sustainability. An analysis of Sorensen’s similarity index, according to gender, age, ethnic group, and sector of activity, revealed a variation in this index ranging from 0.6 to 1, reflecting households’ knowledge of the use of these seven species. The local populations are already feeling the effects of the low availability of these commonly used species. According to them, the depletion of these resources is caused mainly by agricultural clearing, illegal logging, and bushfires.
The Effect of Hatch Spacing on the Electrochemistry and Discharge Performance of a CeO2/Al6061 Anode for an Al-Air Battery via Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Li Yinbiao , Duan Weipeng
Published: September 2024

To improve the electrochemical activity and discharge performance of an aluminum-air (Al-air) battery, a commercial 6061 alloy (Al6061) was selected as the anode, and CeO2 was also added inside the anode to enhance its performance. The CeO2/Al6061 composite was prepared using selective laser melting (SLM) technology. The influence of hatch spacing on the forming quality, corrosion resistance, and discharge performance of the anode was studied in detail. The results showed that with an increase in hatch spacing, the density, corrosion resistance, and discharge performance of the anode first increased and then decreased. When the hatch spacing is 0.13 mm, the anode has the best forming quality. At this point, the density reaches 98.39%, and the self-corrosion rate (SCR) decreases to 2.596 × 10−4 g·cm−2·min−1. Meanwhile, the anode exhibits its highest electrochemical activity and discharge voltage, which is up to −1.570 V. The change in anode performance is related to the defects generated during the SLM forming process. For samples with fewer defects, the anode can dissolve uniformly, while for samples with more defects, the electrode solution is prone to penetrate the defects, causing uneven corrosion and reducing electrochemical and discharge activity.
Terahertz Modulation Properties Based on ReS2/Si Heterojunction Films
Authors: He Xunjun , Xu Han , Liu Hongyuan , Nie Jia , Lu Guangjun
Published: September 2024

Low cost, low power consumption and high performance are urgent needs for the application of terahertz modulation devices in the 6G field. Rhenium disulfide (ReS2) is one of the ideal candidate materials due to its unique direct band gap, but it lacks in-depth research. In this work, a highly stable ReS2 nanodispersion was prepared by liquid-phase exfoliation, and a uniform, dense and well-crystallized ReS2 film was prepared on high-resistivity silicon by drop casting. The morphological, optical and structural properties of the ReS2/Si heterojunction film were characterized by OM, SEM, AFM, XRD, RS and PL. The terahertz performance was tested by using a homemade THz-TDS instrument, and the influence of different laser wavelengths and powers on the terahertz modulation performance of the sample was analyzed. The modulation depth of the sample was calculated based on the transmission curve, and the changes in the refractive index and conductivity of the sample with frequency at the corresponding laser power were calculated. The results show that the fabricated ReS2/Si heterojunction terahertz modulator can stably achieve 30% broadband modulation in the range of 0.3~1.5 THz under the low-power pumping of 1555 mW/cm2, and the maximum conductivity is 3.8 Ω−1m−1.
Gastrointestinal Cancers in Hospitalized Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: A Nationwide Study, 2010–2020
Authors: Wasuwanich Paul , Karnsakul Wikrom
Published: September 2024

Background: As life expectancy in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients has increased, so has the incidence of cancers. We aimed to investigate and describe gastrointestinal cancers in CF hospitalized patients from 2010 to 2020. Methods: Utilizing the National Inpatient Sample, we extracted cases of CF-associated hospitalizations and gastrointestinal cancers as well as demographic and clinical data. We compared our CF cohort to age, sex, and race/ethnicity-matched controls. Trends were analyzed by Poisson regression. Results: We identified a total of 902 hospitalizations of CF with gastrointestinal cancer; among them, 539 (59.8%) were colorectal, 139 (15.4%) were liver, 105 (11.6%) were pancreatic, 54 (6.0%) were small bowel, 35 (3.9%) were gastric, and 30 (3.3%) were esophageal cancers. The median age of hospitalization for gastrointestinal cancers ranged from 39 years in liver cancer to 65 years in small bowel cancer. Mortality ranged from 9.5% in pancreatic to 0.0% in small bowel cancer. Colorectal cancer (IRR: 1.09; p = 0.005), pancreatic cancer (IRR: 1.17; p = 0.023), gastric cancer (IRR: 1.41; p = 0.003), and esophageal cancer (IRR: 1.50; p = 0.023) hospitalization rates have been increasing over time. Rates of colorectal (p = 0.037) cancer were significantly higher in our CF cohort compared to controls. Conclusions: Colorectal cancers are the major gastrointestinal cancers in CF patients, and the incidence of these hospitalizations is increasing.
Nevi and Melanoma in Children: What to Do in Daily Medical Practice: Encyclopedia for Pediatricians and Family Doctors
Authors: Sosnowska-Sienkiewicz Patrycja , Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska Danuta , Calik Jacek , Telman-Kołodziejczyk Gabriela , Mańkowski Przemysław
Published: September 2024

Melanocytic nevi, commonly known as moles, are benign skin lesions that often occur in children and adolescents. Overall, they are less common in children compared to adults. Understanding the diagnosis and management of melanocytic nevi and risk factors for melanoma development is crucial for their early detection and appropriate treatment. This paper presents children’s most common melanocytic nevi, including their epidemiology, morphology, diagnostic methods, and treatment.
Ocular Complication in Facial Aesthetic Laser and Light Treatments: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Lee Kar Wai Alvin , Chan Lisa Kwin Wah , Lee Angela Wai Kay , Lee Cheuk Hung , Wan Jovian , Yi Kyu-Ho
Published: September 2024

Background: The increasing popularity of laser- and light-based esthetic treatments for facial rejuvenation has raised concerns regarding ocular safety. Although these procedures are generally considered safe and effective, there is a growing body of evidence highlighting the potential for ocular complications. This review aims to systematically analyze the types and mechanisms of ocular injuries associated with such treatments, as well as to evaluate preventive measures and management strategies. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases including MEDLINE, PubMed and Ovid for relevant studies published on clinical trials, diagnosis and treatment. Some papers were further reviewed using a double-blinding approach, varying sample sizes, control usage, randomization usage and objective endpoint measurements. All studies were classified according to the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine evidence hierarchy. Result: Our review identified several types of ocular complications associated with facial laser or light treatments, including but not limited to conjunctival burns, corneal damage, retinal phototoxicity, and transient vision disturbances. The incidence of these complications varies significantly depending on the type of laser or light source employed, treatment parameters, and the anatomical proximity of the eyes to the treatment area. Factors such as inadequate protective measures, patient movement during the procedure, and the operator’s experience were found to contribute to the risk of ocular injury. Strategies such as the use of appropriate eye protection, careful patient positioning, and thorough pre-treatment assessments were highlighted as essential preventive measures. Conclusion: Ocular complications, though rare, represent a significant risk in facial esthetic laser and light treatments. This review underscores the importance of awareness among practitioners regarding the potential ocular hazards and the implementation of robust safety protocols. Future research is needed to establish standardized guidelines to minimize risks and enhance patient safety in esthetic dermatological practices. Continued education and improved protective strategies will be essential in safeguarding ocular health as the field of esthetic treatments continues to evolve. This comprehensive review serves as an essential resource for practitioners, informing them of ocular risks, management options, and the need for vigilance to mitigate complications in clinical practice.
Probing Asymmetric Interactions with Time-Separated Mutual Information: A Case Study Using Golden Shiners
Authors: Daftari Katherine , Mayo Michael L. , Lemasson Bertrand H. , Biedenbach James M. , Pilkiewicz Kevin R.
Published: September 2024

Leader–follower modalities and other asymmetric interactions that drive the collective motion of organisms are often quantified using information theory metrics like transfer or causation entropy. These metrics are difficult to accurately evaluate without a much larger number of data than is typically available from a time series of animal trajectories collected in the field or from experiments. In this paper, we use a generalized leader–follower model to argue that the time-separated mutual information between two organism positions can serve as an alternative metric for capturing asymmetric correlations that is much less data intensive and more accurately estimated by popular k-nearest neighbor algorithms than transfer entropy. Our model predicts a local maximum of this mutual information at a time separation value corresponding to the fundamental reaction timescale of the follower organism. We confirm this prediction by analyzing time series trajectories recorded for a pair of golden shiner fish circling an annular tank.
The Application of Tsallis Entropy Based Self-Adaptive Algorithm for Multi-Threshold Image Segmentation
Authors: Zhang Kailong , He Mingyue , Dong Lijie , Ou Congjie
Published: September 2024

Tsallis entropy has been widely used in image thresholding because of its non-extensive properties. The non-extensive parameter q contained in this entropy plays an important role in various adaptive algorithms and has been successfully applied in bi-level image thresholding. In this paper, the relationships between parameter q and pixels’ long-range correlations have been further studied within multi-threshold image segmentation. It is found that the pixels’ correlations are remarkable and stable for images generated by a known physical principle, such as infrared images, medical CT images, and color satellite remote sensing images. The corresponding non-extensive parameter q can be evaluated by using the self-adaptive Tsallis entropy algorithm. The results of this algorithm are compared with those of the Shannon entropy algorithm and the original Tsallis entropy algorithm in terms of quantitative image quality evaluation metrics PSNR (Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio) and SSIM (Structural Similarity). Furthermore, we observed that for image series with the same background, the q values determined by the adaptive algorithm are consistently kept in a narrow range. Therefore, similar or identical scenes during imaging would produce similar strength of long-range correlations, which provides potential applications for unsupervised image processing.
Choosing Whether to Use Mobile Technology Outdoors
Authors: Kilty Trina J.
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience behind the choice of whether to bring mobile technologies along while engaging in outdoor activities. Participant observer style interviews were completed in which the researcher engaged in an outdoor activity of the participants’ choice while conducting interviews. How participants experience their decision not to use mobile technologies while outdoors has essences of participants’ value of the outdoor experience; the relationships participants bring to the outdoors and hold with the outdoors; the tensions of work that mobile technologies bring to the outdoors; and the necessity of mobile technology to provide security. This study may help researchers understand why people choose whether to use mobile technologies while experiencing the outdoors. Designers may use the implications of these findings to leverage the perceived benefits to develop technology-enhanced applications for meaningful learning. By understanding how people experience mobile technologies outdoors, designers could develop applications for mobile devices that people value, use, and learn from while outdoors.
Empowering Educators: The Impact of Reverse Mentoring on Developing Scientific Mindset and Research Skills
Authors: Raberger Julia , Gkaravelas Konstantinos , Froehlich Dominik E.
Published: September 2024

The integration of educational research into teaching practice is an important component in fostering the professional development of educators. Recognizing mentoring activities as an effective method for fostering such research-driven teaching practice, this study set out to explore the effectiveness of reverse mentoring in cultivating a scientific mindset and enhancing research skills among school-based teacher educators. The defining feature of reverse mentoring is the reversal of the mentor and mentee roles, with student teachers mentoring school-based teacher educators. These school-based teacher educators here represent in-service teachers who teach in schools on a daily basis while simultaneously supporting the training of future teachers. Through a semi-structured interview study, nine reverse mentoring projects implemented in Austria and Greece were analyzed. The findings highlight the importance of the thematic focus of the reverse mentoring projects, motivations for participation, insights into collaboration dynamics, learning outcomes, and suggestions for process improvement. Learning outcomes are reported in new teaching methods, content knowledge, and improved collaboration capabilities. A framework categorizing reverse mentoring collaboration into basic, guided, and deep levels is discussed. Suggestions for further research are provided to validate and expand upon the findings of this study.
Research on Multi-Layer Defense against DDoS Attacks in Intelligent Distribution Networks
Authors: Xu Kai , Li Zemin , Liang Nan , Kong Fanchun , Lei Shaobo , Wang Shengjie , Paul Agyemang , Wu Zhefu
Published: September 2024

With the continuous development of new power systems, the intelligence of distribution networks has been increasingly enhanced. However, network security issues, especially distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, pose a significant threat to the safe operation of distribution networks. This paper proposes a novel DDoS attack defense mechanism based on software-defined network (SDN) architecture, combining Rényi entropy and multi-level convolutional neural networks, and performs fine-grained analysis and screening of traffic data according to the amount of calculation to improve the accuracy of attack detection and response speed. Experimental verification shows that the proposed method excels in various metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. It demonstrates significant advantages in dealing with different intensities of DDoS attacks, effectively enhancing the network security of user-side devices in power distribution networks.
Twelve-Element MIMO Wideband Antenna Array Operating at 3.3 GHz for 5G Smartphone Applications
Authors: Yu Hehe , Shang Xinwen , Xue Qianzhong , Ding Haibing , Wang Jing , Lv Weiwei , Luo Yuanzhe
Published: September 2024

This work presents a 12-element multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) wideband antenna array for mobile smartphones. The antenna element is mainly composed of two parts, greatly improving the antenna array bandwidth: one is a meandering, looped radiating element and the other is a U-shaped slot. For the antenna element design, the meandering, looped radiating element measures 12.95 × 6 mm2, while the U-shaped slot has a size of 15 × 3 mm2. Meanwhile, the reflection coefficient indicates that the designed antenna array operates at 3.3 GHz with a bandwidth of 500 MHz; the transmission coefficient shows that the isolation between the antenna elements is better than 12 dB. In addition, more antenna array performances are presented, including nearly omnidirectional radiation characteristics, antenna efficiency ranging from approximately 17 to 60%, envelope correlation coefficients (ECCs) below 0.065, and diversity gain (DG) values of the MIMO antenna system close to 10 dB. The measurement results are highly consistent with the simulation results of the designed wideband antenna array, indicating its great potential for future practical engineering applications.
Novel Power-Efficient Fast-Locking Phase-Locked Loop Based on Adaptive Time-to-Digital Converter-Aided Acceleration Compensation Technology
Authors: Sun Ligong , Luo Yixin , Deng Zhiyao , Wang Jinchan , Liu Bo
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes an adaptive acceleration lock compensation technology for phase-locked loops (PLLs) based on a novel dual-mode programmable ring voltage-controlled oscillator (ring-VCO). In addition, a time-to-digital converter (TDC) is designed to accurately quantify the phase difference from the phase frequency detector (PFD) in order to optimize the dead-zone effect while dynamically switching an auxiliary charge pump (CP) module to realize fast phase locking. Furthermore, a TDC-controlled three/five-stage dual-mode adaptively continuously switched VCO is proposed to optimize the phase noise (PN) and power efficiency, leading to an optimal performance tradeoff of the PLL. Based on the 180 nm/1.8 V standard CMOS technology, the complete PLL design and a corresponding simulation analysis are implemented. The results show that, with a 1 GHz reference signal as the input, the output frequency is 50–324 MHz, with a wide tuning range of 260 MHz and a low phase noise of −98.07 dBc/Hz@1 MHz. The key phase-locking time is reduced to 1.11 μs, and the power dissipation is lowered to 1.86 mW with a layout area of 66 μm × 128 μm. A significantly remarkable multiobjective performance tradeoff with topology optimization is realized, which is in contrast to several similar design cases of PLLs.
Task Offloading and Resource Allocation for Augmented Reality Applications in UAV-Based Networks Using a Dual Network Architecture
Authors: Van Anh Duong Dat , Akter Shathee , Yoon Seokhoon
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes a novel UAV-based edge computing system for augmented reality (AR) applications, addressing the challenges posed by the limited resources in mobile devices. The system uses UAVs equipped with edge computing servers (UECs) specifically to enable efficient task offloading and resource allocation for AR tasks with dependent relationships. This work specifically focuses on the problem of dependent tasks in AR applications within UAV-based networks. This problem has not been thoroughly addressed in previous research. A dual network architecture-based task offloading (DNA-TO) algorithm is proposed, leveraging the DNA framework to enhance decision-making in reinforcement learning while mitigating noise. In addition, a Karush–Kuhn–Tucker-based resource allocation (KKT-RA) algorithm is proposed to optimize resource allocation. Various simulations using real-world movement data are conducted. The results indicate that our proposed algorithm outperforms existing approaches in terms of latency and energy efficiency.
Ray-Tracing-Assisted SAR Image Simulation under Range Doppler Imaging Geometry
Authors: Li Junjie , Zhu Gaohao , Hou Chen , Zhang Wenya , Du Kang , Cheng Chuanxiang , Wu Ke
Published: September 2024

In order to achieve an effective balance between SAR image simulation fidelity and efficiency, we proposed a ray-tracing-assisted SAR image simulation method under range doppler (RD) imaging geometry. This method utilizes the spatial traversal mode of RD imaging geometry to transmit discrete electromagnetic (EM) waves into the SAR radiation area and follows the Nyquist sampling law to set the density of transmitted EM waves to effectively identify the beam radiation area. The ray-tracing algorithm is used to obtain the backscatter amplitude and real-time slant range of the transmitted EM wave, which can effectively record the multiple backscattering among the components of the distributed target so that the backscattering subfields of each component can be correlated. According to the RD condition equation, the backscattering amplitude is assigned to the corresponding range gate, and the three-dimensional (3D) target is mapped into the two-dimensional (2D) SAR slant-range coordinate system, and the SAR target simulated image is directly obtained. Finally, the simulation images of the proposed method are compared qualitatively and quantitatively with those obtained by commercial simulation software, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified.
Towards Double-Layer Dynamic Heterogeneous Redundancy Architecture for Reliable Railway Passenger Service System
Authors: Wu Xinghua , Wang Mingzhe , Shen Jinsheng , Gong Yanwei
Published: September 2024

Researchers have proposed the dynamic heterogeneous redundancy (DHR) architecture, which integrates dynamic, heterogeneous, redundant, and closed-loop feedback elements into the system, to fortify the reliability of the railway passenger service system (RPSS). However, there are at least two weaknesses with the common DHR architectures: (1) they need system nodes with enough computing and storage resources; (2) they have hardly considered the reliability of DHR architecture. To this end, this paper proposes a double-layer DHR (DDHR) architecture to ensure the reliability of RPSS. This architecture introduces a set of algorithms, which are optimized co-computation and ruling weight optimization algorithms for the data processing flow of the DDHR architecture. This set improves the reliability of the DDHR architecture. For the evaluation of the reliability of DDHR architecture, this paper also proposes two metrics: (1) Dynamic available similarity metric. This metric does not rely on the overall similarity of the double-layer redundant executor sets but evaluates the similarity of their performance under the specified interaction paths within a single scheduling cycle. The smaller its similarity, the higher its reliability. (2) Scheduling cycle under dual-layer similarity threshold. This metric evaluates the reliability of the RPSS under actual conditions by setting the schedulable similarity thresholds between the same and different layers of the dual-layer redundant executives in the scheduling process. Finally, analog simulation experiments and prototype system building experiments are carried out, whose numerical experimental results show that the DDHR architecture outperforms the traditional DHR architecture in terms of reliability and performance under different redundancy and dynamically available similarity thresholds, while the algorithmic complexity and multi-tasking concurrency performance are slightly weaker than that of the DHR architecture, but can be applied to the main operations of the RPSS in general.
Adaptive Knowledge Contrastive Learning with Dynamic Attention for Recommender Systems
Authors: Li Hongchan , Zheng Jinming , Jin Baohua , Zhu Haodong
Published: September 2024

Knowledge graphs equipped with graph network networks (GNNs) have led to a successful step forward in alleviating cold start problems in recommender systems. However, the performance highly depends on precious high-quality knowledge graphs and supervised labels. This paper argues that existing knowledge-graph-based recommendation methods still suffer from insufficiently exploiting sparse information and the mismatch between personalized interests and general knowledge. This paper proposes a model named Adaptive Knowledge Contrastive Learning with Dynamic Attention (AKCL-DA) to address the above challenges. Specifically, instead of building contrastive views by randomly discarding information, in this study, an adaptive data augmentation method was designed to leverage sparse information effectively. Furthermore, a personalized dynamic attention network was proposed to capture knowledge-aware personalized behaviors by dynamically adjusting user attention, therefore alleviating the mismatch between personalized behavior and general knowledge. Extensive experiments on Yelp2018, LastFM, and MovieLens datasets show that AKCL-DA achieves a strong performance, improving the NDCG by 4.82%, 13.66%, and 4.41% compared to state-of-the-art models, respectively.