bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing: Opportunities and Challenges for Studies on Corneal Biology in Health and Disease
Authors: Arts Julian A. , Laberthonnière Camille , Lima Cunha Dulce , Zhou Huiqing
Published: July 2023

The structure and major cell types of the multi-layer human cornea have been extensively studied. However, various cell states in specific cell types and key genes that define the cell states are not fully understood, hindering our comprehension of corneal homeostasis, related diseases, and therapeutic discovery. Single-cell RNA sequencing is a revolutionary and powerful tool for identifying cell states within tissues such as the cornea. This review provides an overview of current single-cell RNA sequencing studies on the human cornea, highlighting similarities and differences between them, and summarizing the key genes that define corneal cell states reported in these studies. In addition, this review discusses the opportunities and challenges of using single-cell RNA sequencing to study corneal biology in health and disease.
Heroin Self-Administration and Extinction Increase Prelimbic Cortical Astrocyte–Synapse Proximity and Alter Dendritic Spine Morphometrics That Are Reversed by N-Acetylcysteine
Authors: Siemsen Benjamin M. , Denton Adam R. , Parrila-Carrero Jeffrey , Hooker Kaylee N. , Carpenter Eilish A. , Prescot Meagan E. , Brock Ashley G. , Westphal Annaka M. , Leath Mary-Nan , McFaddin John A. , Jhou Thomas C. , McGinty Jacqueline F. , Scofield Michael D.
Published: July 2023

Clinical and preclinical studies indicate that adaptations in corticostriatal neurotransmission significantly contribute to heroin relapse vulnerability. In animal models, heroin self-administration and extinction produce cellular adaptations in both neurons and astrocytes within the nucleus accumbens (NA) core that are required for cue-induced heroin seeking. Specifically, decreased glutamate clearance and reduced association of perisynaptic astrocytic processes with NAcore synapses allow glutamate release from prelimbic (PrL) cortical terminals to engage synaptic and structural plasticity in NAcore medium spiny neurons. Normalizing astrocyte glutamate homeostasis with drugs like the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevents cue-induced heroin seeking. Surprisingly, little is known about heroin-induced alterations in astrocytes or pyramidal neurons projecting to the NAcore in the PrL cortex (PrL-NAcore). Here, we observe functional adaptations in the PrL cortical astrocyte following heroin self-administration (SA) and extinction as measured by the electrophysiologically evoked plasmalemmal glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1)-dependent current. We likewise observed the increased complexity of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) cytoskeletal arbor and increased association of the astrocytic plasma membrane with synaptic markers following heroin SA and extinction training in the PrL cortex. Repeated treatment with NAC during extinction reversed both the enhanced astrocytic complexity and synaptic association. In PrL-NAcore neurons, heroin SA and extinction decreased the apical tuft dendritic spine density and enlarged dendritic spine head diameter in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Repeated NAC treatment during extinction prevented decreases in spine density but not dendritic spine head expansion. Moreover, heroin SA and extinction increased the co-registry of the GluA1 subunit of AMPA receptors in both the dendrite shaft and spine heads of PrL-NAcore neurons. Interestingly, the accumulation of GluA1 immunoreactivity in spine heads was further potentiated by NAC treatment during extinction. Finally, we show that the NAC treatment and elimination of thrombospondin 2 (TSP-2) block cue-induced heroin relapse. Taken together, our data reveal circuit-level adaptations in cortical dendritic spine morphology potentially linked to heroin-induced alterations in astrocyte complexity and association at the synapses. Additionally, these data demonstrate that NAC reverses PrL cortical heroin SA-and-extinction-induced adaptations in both astrocytes and corticostriatal neurons.
Septin 9 Orients the Apico–Basal Polarity Axis and Controls Plasticity Signals
Authors: Cai Tingting , Peng Juan , Omrane Mohyeddine , Benzoubir Nassima , Samuel Didier , Gassama-Diagne Ama
Published: July 2023

The cytoskeleton is a master organizer of the cellular cortex and membrane trafficking and therefore plays a crucial role in apico–basal polarity. Septins form a family of GTPases that assemble into non-polar filaments, which bind to membranes and recruit cytoskeletal elements such as microtubules and actin using their polybasic (PB) domains, to perform their broad biological functions. Nevertheless, the role of septins and the significance of their membrane-binding ability in apico–basal polarity remains under-investigated. Here, using 3D cultures, we demonstrated that septin 9 localizes to the basolateral membrane (BM). Its depletion induces an inverted polarity phenotype, decreasing β-catenin at BM and increasing transforming growth factor (TGFβ) and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) markers. Similar effects were observed after deleting its two PB domains. The mutant became cytoplasmic and apical. The cysts with an inverted polarity phenotype displayed an invasive phenotype, with src and cortactin accumulating at the peripheral membrane. The inhibition of TGFβ-receptor and RhoA rescued the polarized phenotype, although the cysts from overexpressed septin 9 overgrew and presented a filled lumen. Both phenotypes corresponded to tumor features. This suggests that septin 9 expression, along with its assembly through the two PB domains, is essential for establishing and maintaining apico–basal polarity against tumor development.
Carbon Nanofibers Synthesized at Different Pressures for Detection of NO2 at Room Temperature
Authors: Lapekin Nikita I. , Kurmashov Pavel B. , Larina Tatyana V. , Chesalov Yurii A. , Kurdyumov Dmitry S. , Ukhina Arina V. , Maksimovskiy Evgene A. , Ishchenko Arcady V. , Sysoev Vitalii I. , Bannov Alexander G.
Published: July 2023

In this paper, room-temperature chemiresistive gas sensors for NO2 detection based on CVD-grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the carbon nanomaterials. CNFs were synthesized in a wide range of pressure (1–5 bar) by COx-free decomposition of methane over the Ni/Al2O3 catalyst. It was found that the increase in pressure during the synthesis of CNFs induced the later deactivation of the catalyst, and the yield of CNFs decreased when increasing pressure. Sensing properties were determined in a dynamic flow-through installation at NO2 concentrations ranging from 1 to 400 ppm. Ammonia detection was tested for comparison in a range of 100–500 ppm. The obtained sensors based on CNFs synthesized at 1 bar showed high responses of 1.7%, 5.0%, and 10.0% to 1 ppm, 5 ppm, and 10 ppm NO2 at 25 ± 2 °C, respectively. It was shown that the obtained non-modified carbon nanomaterials can be used successfully used for room temperature detection of nitrogen dioxide. It was found that the increase in relative humidity (RH) of air induced growth of response, and this effect was facilitated after reaching RH ~35% for CNFs synthesized at elevated pressures.
Hydrogel-Based Electrodeposition of Copper Nanoparticles for Selective Detection for Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Han Jihun , Kim Jihyeon , Kim Byung-Kwon , Park Kyungsoon
Published: July 2023

A copper-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode was utilized as an electrocatalytic sensing platform for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection. In this study, instead of conventional solution-phase electrodeposition, electrochemical deposition was used to deposit Cu on an ITO electrode with agarose hydrogel. The hydrogel-based Cu nanoparticles exhibited a more evenly dispersed distribution compared to those in the solution phase. Additionally, by incorporating agarose hydrogel as a solid electrolyte, the overall active surface area of Cu nanoparticles on the electrode surface was increased, mainly resulting from a decrease in the aggregation of Cu nanoparticles. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry confirmed that the resulting Cu nanoparticles possessed distinct electrocatalytic activity for H2O2 reduction and good selectivity for various interfering substances. The chronocoulometry response of the fabricated sensor obtained at −0.6 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) increased linearly with a dynamic range of 1–500 μM, and the limit of detection for H2O2 was 1.73 μM. Our research provides new possibilities for the electrochemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles for non-enzymatic sensing applications.
Ionophore-Based Nanosphere Emulsion Incorporating Ion-Exchanger for Picogram Potentiometric Determination of HCV Drug (Daclatasvir) in Pharmaceutical Formulations and Body Fluids
Authors: Badawy Sayed S. , Ahmed Yomna M. , Abdel-Haleem Fatehy M. , Barhoum Ahmed
Published: July 2023

Daclatasvir dihydrochloride (DAC) is a drug used to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this study, an ionophore-based nanosphere emulsion was made of tricresyl phosphate (TCP) as the oil phase that is dispersed in water using Pluronic F-127 as an emulsifying agent. The nanospheres, consisting of the oil phase TCP, were doped with sodium tetraphenyl borate (Na-TPB) as a cation-exchanger and dibenzo-18-Crown-6 (DB18C6) as an ionophore (chelating agent) for DAC. The nanosphere emulsion was employed as a titrant in the complexometric titration of DAC (the analyte), and the DAC-selective electrode (ISE) was used as an indicator electrode to detect the endpoint. In the sample solution, DAC2+ ions diffused into the emulsified nanospheres, replaced Na+ from the ion exchanger (Na-TPB), and bonded to the ionophore (DB18C6). The DAC-selective nanospheres were successfully utilized to determine DAC in various samples, including standard solutions, commercial tablets (Daclavirocyrl®), serum, and urine. The method exhibited a linear dynamic range of 81.18 µg/mL to 81.18 pg/mL (10−4 to 10−10 M), achieved high recovery values ranging from 99.4% to 106.5%, and displayed excellent selectivity over similar interfering species (sofosbuvir and ledipasvir). The proposed method offers a new approach to determine the drug species (neutral, anionic, and cationic) without the requirement of water-soluble ligands or pH control.
Pediatric Advance Care Planning: A Scoping Review
Authors: Lusney Nadine , van Breemen Camara , Lim Edlyn , Pawliuk Colleen , Hussein Zahra
Published: July 2023

To assess current practice and provide a basis for a provincial template, clinicians at a Canadian pediatric hospice reviewed the literature surrounding pediatric advance care planning (pACP) documentation, process, and implementation for children/youth. The scoping review protocol was developed in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews, and was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, the Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar, as well as sources of unpublished studies and grey literature, were reviewed. Sixty-four articles met the criteria. Fifteen pACP documentation forms/tools were also identified. Overall, the included articles highlighted that pACP should be a structured, collaborative and iterative process between the family and a trusted or relevant healthcare provider, encompassing medical and non-medical issues. Few articles provided insights into specific elements recommended for advance directive forms. Identified strategies for implementation included a structured, step-by-step pACP interventional tool along with ongoing training, mentorship, and defined organizational structures for the clinician. No single specific ACP tool was acknowledged as the gold standard. Use of a pACP tool, along with ongoing provider education and communication skill development, standardized/accessible documentation, and system-wide quality improvement support, were noted as integral components of pACP.
Prevalence, Incidence, and Surgical Treatment Trends of Cerebral Palsy across Türkiye: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Subaşi İzzet Özay , Bingöl İzzet , Yaşar Niyazi Erdem , Dumlupinar Ebru , Ata Naim , Ülgü M. Mahir , Birinci Şuayip , Ayvali Mustafa Okan , Erkuş Serkan , Söylemez Mehmet Salih , Özdemir Güzelali
Published: July 2023

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. Our aim is to identify the demographics of CP in Turkish children in addition to clinical associations and surgical preferences. Methods: Based on national health system data and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 code for CP, data were evaluated from a total of 53,027 children with CP born between 2016 and 2022, and 9658 of them underwent orthopedic surgery in those years. The incidence and frequency of CP were assessed for the parameters of age and gender. Age at the time of surgery; codes pertaining to surgical interventions; and regions, cities, and hospitals where diagnoses and surgical procedures were performed were also evaluated. Results: There were 29,606 male (55.8%) and 23,421 (44.2%) female patients. The diagnoses of the patients were mostly (76.1%) performed in secondary and tertiary hospitals. The prevalence of CP among children in 2016–2022 was estimated to be 7.74/1000 children. The minimum and maximum incidence rates of cerebral palsy among children between 2016 and 2022 were calculated to be 0.45 and 1.05 per 1000, respectively. Tenoplasty–myoplasty tendon transfer operations were the most common surgeries (47.1%). Conclusion: CP remains a significant health challenge, underpinning a considerable proportion of childhood motor dysfunction. A dedicated national registry system for CP focused on classifying the condition, streamlining treatment, and tracking outcomes would be a valuable tool in our collective efforts to address this critical issue more effectively.
Mental Health and Cognitive Development in Symptomatic Children and Adolescents Scoring High on Habitual Snoring: Role of Obesity and Allergy
Authors: Zaffanello Marco , Pietrobelli Angelo , Zoccante Leonardo , Ferrante Giuliana , Tenero Laura , Piazza Michele , Ciceri Marco , Nosetti Luana , Piacentini Giorgio
Published: July 2023

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea can have a negative impact on children’s and adolescents’ neurocognitive abilities and hinder their academic and adaptive progress in academic, social, and/or behavioral dimensions. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we investigated the influence of body weight conditions and allergy status on long-term mental health, cognitive development, and quality of life in children and adolescents who snored. Methods: The study sample included 47 subjects (age range 4.1 to 15.3 years) who exhibited high levels of snoring and underwent home-based polysomnography between 2015 and 2019. Follow-up assessments (3 years on average between baseline and follow-up) entailed phone interviews with the subject’s parents/caregivers who completed three validated questionnaires investigating sleep, quality of life, and parental ratings. Results: We found a correlation between age at diagnosis and being retrospectively overweight and high levels of snoring. In addition to a higher risk of developing emotional symptoms (8.2% increase in retrospective overweight status for each unit increase in the emotional score at follow-up) and oppositional behavior (9% increase in retrospective overweight status for each unit of oppositional T points at follow-up), we also noted reduced long-term social symptoms (11% decrease in retrospective overweight status for each unit increase in the social score at follow-up) and cognitive symptoms (10.6% decrease in retrospective overweight status for each unit increase in the cognitive score at follow-up), as well as a 6.1% increase in retrospective allergy status for each unit increase in academic performance at follow-up. Conclusions: Snoring can have negative impacts on mental health and cognitive development in the long term. Early detection and intervention for neuropsychological disorders is important in children and adolescents who score high on snoring. In the long term, the effects of snoring on neuropsychological disorders may vary based on previous body weight and allergy status.
Effectiveness of Conservative Treatments in Positional Plagiocephaly in Infants: A Systematic Review
Authors: Blanco-Diaz Maria , Marcos-Alvarez Maria , Escobio-Prieto Isabel , De la Fuente-Costa Marta , Perez-Dominguez Borja , Pinero-Pinto Elena , Rodriguez-Rodriguez Alvaro Manuel
Published: July 2023

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze conservative treatments implemented to manage positional plagiocephaly in infants. Methods: This is a systematic review conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, performed in the Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Articles were selected according to the eligibility criteria, regarding the effectiveness of conservative treatments in positional plagiocephaly in infants, published in the last 10 years with a score ≥3 in the PEDro Scale. Results: A total of 318 articles were identified and 9 of them were finally selected. Conclusions: Physical therapy treatment is considered as the first line of intervention in plagiocephaly with non-synostotic asymmetries and manual therapy is the method that obtains the best results within this intervention. In cases of moderate or severe plagiocephaly, helmet therapy can be an effective second-line intervention; however, the best way to prevent this condition is through counseling of parents or caregivers, and early treatment is essential for optimal therapeutic outcomes. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CDR42022306466).
Study on the Self-Repairing Effect of Nanoclay in Powder Coatings for Corrosion Protection
Authors: Yang Marshall Shuai , Huang Jinbao , Zhang Hui , Noël James Joseph , Hedberg Yolanda Susanne , Chen Jian , Eduok Ubong , Barker Ivan , Henderson Jeffrey Daniel , Xian Chengqian , Zhang Haiping , Zhu Jesse
Published: July 2023

Powder coatings are a promising, solvent-free alternative to traditional liquid coatings due to the superior corrosion protection they provide. This study investigates the effects of incorporating montmorillonite-based nanoclay additives with different particle sizes into polyester/triglycidyl isocyanurate (polyester/TGIC) powder coatings. The objective is to enhance the corrosion-protective function of the coatings while addressing the limitations of commonly employed epoxy-based coating systems that exhibit inferior UV resistance. The anti-corrosive and surface qualities of the coatings were evaluated via neutral salt spray tests, electrochemical measurements, and surface analytical techniques. Results show that the nanoclay with a larger particle size of 18.38 µm (D50, V) exhibits a better barrier effect at a lower dosage of 4%, while a high dosage leads to severe defects in the coating film. Interestingly, the coating capacitance is found, via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, to decrease during the immersion test, indicating a self-repairing capability of the nanoclay, arising from its swelling and expansion. Neutral salt spray tests suggest an optimal nanoclay dosage of 2%, with the smaller particle size (8.64 µm, D50, V) nanoclay providing protection for 1.5 times as many salt spray hours as the nanoclay with a larger particle size. Overall, incorporating montmorillonite-based nanoclay additives is suggested to be a cost-effective approach for significantly enhancing the anti-corrosive function of powder coatings, expanding their application to outdoor environments.
Biocompatible PVTF Coatings on Ti with Improved Bonding Strength
Authors: Lin Weiming , He Xuzhao , Guo Xiaowei , Xu Dengfeng , Cheng Kui
Published: July 2023

In this work, a poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVTF) coating on a titanium (Ti) substrate was prepared, and Ti metal surfaces were treated by physical or chemical methods to achieve a high bonding strength with PVTF. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and static water contact angles (WCA) were used to characterize the Ti metal surfaces. Further, mechanical stretching testing was employed to measure the bonding strength of PVTF coatings. The possible mechanism for the improved bonding strength could be the higher OH concentrations on Ti metal surfaces, which could lead to the formation of chemical bonds with the F atom of PVTF chains. Finally, a CCK-8 analysis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) cultured on the PVTF coatings confirmed that the physical and chemical treatments had no significant differences in biocompatibility. Such a PVTF coating on a Ti substrate showed the potential of biomedical metal implants.
The Effect of Pulling Speed on the Structure and Properties of DZ22B Superalloy Blades
Authors: Hu Bing , Xie Wei , Zhong Wenhui , Zhang Dan , Wang Xinming , Hu Jingxian , Wu Yu , Liu Yan
Published: July 2023

DZ22B alloy is commonly used as a blade material for aircraft engines and gas turbines, and its preparation process is an important factor affecting its performance. In the present work, a reliable numerical model is established through ProCAST numerical simulation and auxiliary experimental verification methods, based on which the effect of casting speed on the grain and dendrite growth of DZ22B superalloy blades is studied. The results indicate that increasing the pulling speed can reduce the spacing between secondary dendrites, which is beneficial for the growth of dendrites. Based on numerical simulation and experimental verification, it is suggested that the pulling rate of the directional solidification DZ22B superalloy blade should be 6-2mm/min variable speed pulling to improve the production success rate.
Study on the Tribological Properties of Micro-Al2O3 Modified Carbon Fiber Hybrid-Reinforced Polymer
Authors: Zhang Luzhong , Bai Yashuang , Wang Zexiao , Hao Xingxing , Guo Wenxuan , Mao Yukun , Chen Wengang , Yin Hongze
Published: July 2023

Micro-sized Al2O3-modified carbon fiber hybrid reinforced polymer composites (CFHRP) were prepared using the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process, and friction and wear tests were performed on an MRTR-1 multifunctional friction and wear tester to study the effect of carbon fiber surface doping with trace amounts of Al2O3 and its content on the tribological properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites. The surface morphology of the composite material was characterized using a three-dimensional confocal laser scanning microscope (LSM). The results showed that under dry friction conditions, the wear behavior of the composite material with micro-Al2O3 added was mainly abrasive wear and adhesive wear. Under the condition of water lubrication, the friction coefficient of the composite material with micro-Al2O3 added was higher than that of the carbon fiber/epoxy resin-based composite material without Al2O3, and the abrasive wear and adhesive wear were significantly reduced. In addition, under the condition of water lubrication, the cooling and boundary lubrication of water played a dominant role in the tribological behavior, so the influence of transfer film on the tribological behavior of the composite material was smaller than that under dry friction conditions. When the micro alumina content is 6%, the friction and wear reduction of CFHRP composite material are improved under water containing conditions. Under dry friction conditions, the content of micrometer alumina has a minimal effect on the change in friction coefficient.
Laser–Direct Current arc Hybrid Additive Manufacturing of Cu-Cr-Zr Alloy: Microstructure Evaluation and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Shi Jingan , Liu Liu , Liu Dehua , Ma Guangyi , Chen Zhuo , Niu Fangyong , Yu Shiyong , Wu Dongjiang
Published: July 2023

Recently, there has been a growing requirement for rapid and cost-effective additive manufacturing solutions for copper alloys with favorable mechanical properties. In this research, laser–direct current arc hybrid additive manufacturing (LAHAM) was employed to fabricate Cu-Cr-Zr alloy. By way of multi-scale characterization including SEM, EBSD and TEM, the effect of scanning speed on the microstructure was systematically investigated in detail. Moreover, an evaluation of mechanical properties was carried out. The results indicated that columnar grains grew across layers with the growth direction tending to the center of the molten pool. When the scanning speed increased from 250 mm/min to 350 mm/min, the proportion of high-angle grain boundaries exceeded 69% and reached a maximum of 79% at 300 mm/min. A large amount of Cr phase was precipitated from the Cu matrix. Both submicron and nanoscale Cr precipitates were observed. Statistically, the area proportion of Cr precipitates was up to 26.3% at 300 mm/min. The changes of heat input and remelting effects were the main reasons for the change in the precipitate level. As a result, the mechanical properties of the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy were enhanced via precipitation strengthening. When the scanning speed was 250 mm/min, the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy sample exhibited an ultimate tensile strength of 311.3 ± 7.8 MPa with an elongation of 38.6 ± 5.6%.
Quantifying Causal Path-Specific Importance in Structural Causal Model
Authors: Wang Xiaoxiao , Zhao Minda , Meng Fanyu , Liu Xin , Kong Zhaodan , Chen Xin
Published: July 2023

Path-specific effect analysis is a powerful tool in causal inference. This paper provides a definition of causal counterfactual path-specific importance score for the structural causal model (SCM). Different from existing path-specific effect definitions, which focus on the population level, the score defined in this paper can quantify the impact of a decision variable on an outcome variable along a specific pathway at the individual level. Moreover, the score has many desirable properties, including following the chain rule and being consistent. Finally, this paper presents an algorithm that can leverage these properties and find the k-most important paths with the highest importance scores in a causal graph effectively.
Unifying Sentence Transformer Embedding and Softmax Voting Ensemble for Accurate News Category Prediction
Authors: Khosa Saima , Mehmood Arif , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: July 2023

The study focuses on news category prediction and investigates the performance of sentence embedding of four transformer models (BERT, RoBERTa, MPNet, and T5) and their variants as feature vectors when combined with Softmax and Random Forest using two accessible news datasets from Kaggle. The data are stratified into train and test sets to ensure equal representation of each category. Word embeddings are generated using transformer models, with the last hidden layer selected as the embedding. Mean pooling calculates a single vector representation called sentence embedding, capturing the overall meaning of the news article. The performance of Softmax and Random Forest, as well as the soft voting of both, is evaluated using evaluation measures such as accuracy, F1 score, precision, and recall. The study also contributes by evaluating the performance of Softmax and Random Forest individually. The macro-average F1 score is calculated to compare the performance of different transformer embeddings in the same experimental settings. The experiments reveal that MPNet versions v1 and v3 achieve the highest F1 score of 97.7% when combined with Random Forest, while T5 Large embedding achieves the highest F1 score of 98.2% when used with Softmax regression. MPNet v1 performs exceptionally well when used in the voting classifier, obtaining an impressive F1 score of 98.6%. In conclusion, the experiments validate the superiority of certain transformer models, such as MPNet v1, MPNet v3, and DistilRoBERTa, when used to calculate sentence embeddings within the Random Forest framework. The results also highlight the promising performance of T5 Large and RoBERTa Large in voting of Softmax regression and Random Forest. The voting classifier, employing transformer embeddings and ensemble learning techniques, consistently outperforms other baselines and individual algorithms. These findings emphasize the effectiveness of the voting classifier with transformer embeddings in achieving accurate and reliable predictions for news category classification tasks.
Thermal Fatigue Crack Propagation Process and Mechanism of Multicomponent Al-7Si-0.3Mg Alloy
Authors: Wang Zhengjun , Liu Xinyang , Dong Chen , Chen Jie , Liu Lianxiang
Published: July 2023

The thermal fatigue behavior of multicomponent Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloys in four different treatment states at typical temperature amplitudes 20 °C→350 °C was studied. The morphology of the second phase particles and crack propagation, and distribution characteristics of dislocations in the thermal fatigue specimens of multicomponent Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloys, were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX spectrum), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The influencing factors, the process, and the mechanism of thermal fatigue crack propagation were mainly studied. The results show that under the same temperature amplitude, the thermal fatigue properties and dislocation densities of the new aluminum alloy and the new aluminum alloy under T6 heat treatment are significantly higher than that of the multicomponent Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy in cast and refined and modified treatment. The crack growth of thermal fatigue specimen depends on three factors: the temperature amplitude, oxidation, and residual stress. The process of thermal fatigue crack propagation mainly experiences crack initiation and the formation of microcracks, but only a few microcracks continue to expand rapidly or preferentially expand into main cracks. The mechanism of thermal fatigue crack propagation is mainly under the action of thermal stress, the crack tip undergoes a cycle of repeated alternation of sharpening → passivation → sharpening, and the crack continues to move forward from its tip intermittently in the way of propagation → stopping → propagation until fracture failure.
Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Cr and V Doped CaZ (Z = S, Se)
Authors: Kumar Ranjan , Rani Anita , Alshaikhi Abdullah A.
Published: July 2023

Using first-principle spin-density functional computations, the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of the Cr- and V-doped diluted magnetic semiconductors Ca1-xCrxS and Ca1-xVxSe at x = 0.25 in the B1 (NaCl) phase are explored. Elastic constants and structural properties (lattice constants, bulk modulus, and its pressure derivative) were calculated and used to establish structure stability. Plots of the TDOS and PDOS of transition metal atom-doped CaZ at x = 0.25 and pure CaZ (Z = S, Se) are presented. Cr-doped CaZ (Z = S, Se) shows half-metallic character at x = 0.25 and is stable in ferromagnetic state, while that of V-doped CaZ compounds shows semiconductor behavior and is stable in antiferromagnetic state. Dispersion of phonons was also evaluated to check the global minima of energy in pure CaZ compounds. Curie temperature, magnetic moments, and exchange constants were also calculated for all doped systems. The current results are in excellent agreement with earlier research. Our current findings imply that CaZ doped with Cr/V (Z = S, Se) would make a promising option for spintronic applications.
Effects of Ce-Modified TiN Inclusions on the Fatigue Properties of Gear Steel 20CrMnTi
Authors: Wang Jian , Peng Jun , Zhang Fang , Li Yujie , Zhang Xin , An Shengli
Published: July 2023

In this paper, the results of a study on the influences of different morphologies, types, and sizes of inclusions on the fatigue lives of 20CrMnTi are reported. The results show that the addition of the rare earth element Ce can lead to the formation of spherical CeAlO3-TiN inclusions in 20CrMnTi. The fatigue performance of 20CrMnTi-Ce was significantly improved compared to that of 20CrMnTi. Using the “edge-to-edge matching” crystallographic theory, CeAlO3 was validated as a suitable hetero-nucleus core for TiN, and the following best orientation relationships between them were determined: [010]TiN//[21¯1¯1] CeAlO3&(002) TiN//(112¯1)CeAlO3. The fatigue cycle times of 20CrMnTi-Ce range up to 107, and this value is higher than that of 20CrMnTi without Ce. As the size of the TiN inclusions increases, the maximum stress of the steel matrix also increases. Also, the high-stress and low-life regions noticeably increase, thus increasing the possibility of a fatigue fracture. Under the same sizes of inclusions, the high-stress and low-life regions of square TiN are larger than those of circular TiN.
Nucleation Kinetics of Rare Earth Scandium Salt: An Experimental Investigation of the Metastable Zone Width
Authors: Tonn Josia , Grotjohann Aishe , Kocks Christian , Jupke Andreas
Published: July 2023

Scandium is a rare earth element that has been declared a critical raw material by the EU. Its availability is low but the demand for it is increasing. Bauxite residue presents a possible European source. A novel process to extract scandium from the residue incorporates anti-solvent crystallization, which delivers the scandium salt (NH4)3ScF6 that can be calcined to ScF3 for direct use in an aluminum alloy. However, this crystallization process produces small crystals in the single-digit micrometer scale, hindering solid–liquid separation. In order to facilitate the separation, the crystallization process needs to be better understood and controlled. Therefore, nucleation kinetics are investigated by measuring the metastable zone width (MSZW) with an optical endoscope probe inside a 300 mL stirred fed-batch crystallizer with varying operating parameters. To study the influence of mixing on the MSZW, the stirring rate, the antisolvent addition rate, and the dilution of the antisolvent before injection are varied. The latter is proven to widen the MSZW by a multiple. It could be confirmed that mixing times on different scales greatly influence the MSZW and the growth of the crystals in the process. With these results, the boundaries for operating parameters are studied in order to control the crystallization process and thus crystal growth.
Analyzing Transfer Characteristics of Disordered Polymer Field-Effect Transistors for Intrinsic Device Parameter Extraction
Authors: Yoon Minho
Published: July 2023

In this study, we present an intrinsic device parameter method based on a single device for disordered polymer field-effect transistors (PFETs). Charges in disordered polymer semiconductors transport through localized states via thermally activated hopping, of which field-effect mobility and contact resistance are gate-bias-dependent. By considering the parameters expressed as gate bias-dependent power laws, dividing drain current with transconductance (Ids/gm method) leads to the current–voltage relation decoupled from the contact effect. Following this derived relationship, the intrinsic field-effect mobility and the contact resistance of the PFETs are extracted and found to be consistent with those using the four-probe method. Thus, we can state that the proposed method offers practical benefits for extracting the intrinsic device parameters of disordered PFETs in terms of using a single transfer characteristic of the devices.
A Theoretical Investigation of the Structural and Electronic Properties of P/SnBr2 Heterojunctions
Authors: Yang Kun , Ding Zongling , Hu Qi , Sun Jin , Li Qiuju
Published: July 2023

In this paper, the structural and electronic properties of P/SnBr2 heterojunctions were investigated using the first-principles calculation method based on the density functional theory (DFT). The band alignment of the P/SnBr2 heterojunction was type I. The bandgap value was 0.71 eV in the DFT calculation. Furthermore, the bandgap of the heterojunction could be efficiently tuned by controlling an electric field and biaxial strain. The bandgap changed linearly with the electric field in a certain range; when the electric field was greater than 0.8 V/Å, the heterojunction was metallic. The bandgap could also be tuned when a biaxial strain was applied. Under tensile or compressive stress, significant effects such as the band alignment shift from type I to type III, and the transition from indirect to direct bandgap occurred. In conclusion, these research findings provide theoretical guidance for designing new heterojunctions based on SnBr2.
Marine Nearshore Biodiversity: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Trott Thomas J.
Published: July 2023

Millions are nourished, economies are fueled, and culture is inspired—these are just a few of the extraordinary benefits stemming from the coastal waters adjoining the shorelines of the world [...]
Resurrection of Diplostomum numericum Niewiadomska, 1988 (Digenea, Diplostomatoidea: Diplostomidae) Based on Novel Molecular Data from the Type-Host
Authors: Sokolov Sergey G. , Ieshko Evgeny P. , Lebedeva Daria I.
Published: July 2023

Diplostomum is a taxonomically problematic genus of trematodes, with many members harmful at the metacercarial stage to fish in aquaculture. We found metacercariae in the eye vitreous humor of the rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus; the bleak, Alburnus alburnus; and the roach, Rutilus rutilus, in Karelia (Russia) and identified them as Diplostomum numericum based on a combination of morphological and ecological data. Previously, D. numericum was thought to be conspecific with Diplostomum gavium. However, our phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of the cox1 mitochondrial DNA gene did not support this hypothesis. We demonstrated the conspecificity of D. numericum with the larval trematode Diplostomum sp. Lineage 3 of Blasco-Costa et al. (2014) from the eye vitreous humor of European salmonid and cyprinid fishes. Therefore, we resurrected the species D. numericum and identified Diplostomum sp. Lineage 3 of Blasco-Costa et al. (2014) as D. numericum. Finally, we hypothesized that D. numericum was, in fact, conspecific with Diplostomum colymbi and that the latter was distinct from D. gavium sensu stricto.
Ancient Ecological Disaster Site Is Now a Refuge: Bryophyte Diversity in Volcanic Lava Caves of Jingpo Lake World Geopark
Authors: Cong Mingyang , Zhu Tingting , Li Yongkun , Yang Wenjing , Wei Yuan
Published: July 2023

Volcanic lava cave habitats are extreme environments. We carried out field investigations for five years and reported the results of bryophyte diversity in eight volcanic lava caves of Jingpo Lake World Geopark, where the largest underground lava caves in China are preserved. The results are as follows: (1) A total of 230 quadrats were set up, and 2041 bryophyte specimens were collected. The specimens belong to 272 species of 107 genera in 47 families, including 26 liverworts (13 genera, 11 families) and 246 mosses (94 genera, 36 families). (2) The α diversity of bryophytes in Underground Lava Fall Cave was the highest, while that in Foggy Cave was the lowest. (3) The dominant families included Mniaceae, etc, accounting for 55.9% of the total species. The dominant genera included Plagiomnium, etc, accounting for 24.3% of the total species. The dominant species included Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske etc. (4) There are no shared species among all eight lava caves, and each cave has a unique species composition. (5) Compared with that in other habitats in our previous studies, the similarity of bryophyte species between lava caves and underground forests of craters was high (113 species, 40.07%), while it was low between lava caves and lava platforms (9 species, 4.65%). Our study revealed that the lava caves have a high potential for bryophyte diversity, and such ancient ecological disaster sites are now rare refuges for bryophytes. Mosses are more adapted to cave habitats than liverworts. Bryophytes in this special eco-environment need to be considered and protected in order to preserve high-quality gene resources for humans, which is of great significance for the maintenance and development of biodiversity.
Cyanoacrylate Glue for Treating Chronic Saphenous Vein Insufficiency: A Retrospective Observational Single-Center Study
Authors: Falvo Nicolas , Latreche Amine , Chevallier Olivier , Ledan Frédérik , Jandot Maud , Daoud Héla , Fréchier Léo , Loffroy Romaric
Published: July 2023

Endovenous thermal methods are superseding surgical stripping for treating chronic superficial venous disease but require tumescent anesthesia and can cause heat-related nerve injuries. Endovenous cyanoacrylate ablation is a more recent technique that does not share these drawbacks. A retrospective observational study of consecutive adults managed with endovenous cyanoacrylate was conducted in 2018–2021 at a single university center. The follow-up was 18 months. We identified factors associated with target vein closure at 18 months and measured changes in quality of life using the generic 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) tool and the venous disease-specific VEINES-QOL/Sym questionnaire. Adverse events were collected. In the 55 study patients with 67 treated veins, the closure rate at 18 months was 94% (95% CI, 85–98%). Target vein diameter ≥9.5 mm had 81% sensitivity and 75% specificity for predicting recanalization. Quality-of-life scores improved significantly (p < 0.001 for both surveys). The only adverse event was a type IV allergic reaction to cyanoacrylate that was resolved with corticosteroid and histamine-antagonist therapy. Endovenous cyanoacrylate ablation was highly effective and is safe in experienced hands. Studies are warranted to determine whether changes in the protocol increase the closure rate in patients with target veins ≥9.5 mm in diameter.
A Comparative Analysis of Morphology and Dimensions of Functional Blebs following PRESERFLO-Microshunt and XEN-Gel-Stent, a Study Using Anterior Segment OCT
Authors: Hasan Somar M. , Theilig Theresa , Papadimitriou Menelaos , Meller Daniel
Published: July 2023

Evaluation of bleb morphology is a vital part of successful filtration glaucoma surgery. The PRESERFLO-MicroShunt (PRESERFLO) and XEN-Gel-Stent (XEN) are drainage devices implanted using different surgical approaches (ab externo and ab interno, respectively), potentially resulting in distinct bleb morphology. Understanding these morphological differences is essential for postoperative care. In this study, we retrospectively examined functioning blebs following PRESERFLO and XEN implantation using high-resolution anterior segment OCT imaging. Qualitative assessment utilizing the Jenaer Bleb Grading System and quantitative assessment measuring 12 parameters representing bleb dimensions were conducted, and the results were compared between the two groups. A total of 80 eyes from 80 patients were included (41 after PRESERFLO, 39 after XEN). Functioning blebs following PRESERFLO exhibited a higher frequency of hyperreflective tenon changes compared to XEN (31.7% vs. 10.3%, respectively, p = 0.02) and a lower frequency of cavernous changes (17.1% vs. 35.9%, p = 0.05). Additionally, PRESERFLO blebs showed a higher frequency of visible episcleral lakes (92.7% vs. 30.8%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, PRESERFLO blebs demonstrated larger height (2.13 ± 0.5 vs. 1.85 ± 0.6 mm, p = 0.03), width (10.31 ± 2.3 vs. 9.1 ± 2.3 mm, p = 0.02), length (9.13 ± 1.8 vs. 8.24 ± 1.9 mm, p = 0.04), posterior location relative to the limbus (6.21 ± 1.2 vs. 5.21 ± 1.8 mm, p = 0.005), and a thicker bleb wall (1.60 ± 0.5 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4 mm, p = 0.004). Functioning blebs following PRESERFLO and XEN displayed morphological distinctions, likely attributed to variations in surgical techniques (ab externo vs. ab interno) and stent dimensions. These morphological differences should be taken into consideration when evaluating blebs, as they could impact assessments of bleb functionality and influence decisions regarding postoperative interventions.
Direct Endoscopic Necrosectomy of a Recurrent Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis at High Risk for Severe Bleeding: A Hybrid Technique Using a Dedicated Device
Authors: Binda Cecilia , Coluccio Chiara , Vizzuso Antonio , Sartini Alessandro , Sbrancia Monica , Cucchetti Alessandro , Giampalma Emanuela , Fabbri Stefano , Ercolani Giorgio , Fabbri Carlo
Published: July 2023

Direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) is a challenging procedure for the debridement of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN), which may be complicated by several adverse events, primarily bleeding which may require radiological embolization or even surgery. The lack of dedicated devices for this purpose largely affects the possibility of safely performing DEN which increases the risk of complications. We present the case of a 63 years-old man who underwent an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of a WOPN, and who was readmitted one month after stent removal with clinical, endoscopic, and radiological signs of infected necrosis involving the splenic artery. A second EUS-guided drainage was performed, with clear visualization of the arterial vessel in the midst of a large amount of solid necrosis. Due to the high risk of major bleeding during DEN, a hybrid procedure in the angiographic room was performed, in order to identify and avoid, under fluoroscopic control, the splenic artery during the entire procedure guide, which was successfully performed using the EndoRotor system. We hereby review the current literature regarding DEN using the EndoRotor system. The case reported, with a literature overview, may help the management of these patients affected by benign but life-threatening conditions which involve a multidisciplinary setting.
Some Insights into the Bilateral Value Chains—The EU and Russia
Authors: Kersan-Škabić Ines
Published: July 2023

Russia and the EU represent two economic blocs with high-value bilateral trade, especially in several specific sectors. The Russia–Ukraine war has facilitated the escalation of protectionism against Russia, and the EU and Western partners have introduced a set of sanctions on the import of goods from Russia, but also on EU exports to Russia. This analysis aims to research in detail the characteristics of the global value chains (GVCs) of the EU and Russia, focusing on their interconnections. Russia is a resource-rich country whose exports are mainly based on resources and resource-related products. Therefore, forward participation in global value chains dominates, being 4.5 times higher than backward participation. In the EU and its member states, backward participation dominates, implying a high level of dependence of the production process in the EU on import of intermediates (i.e., production inputs) from abroad. The analysis indicates a high share of value added from Russia in the sector “mining and quarrying, energy producing products” in the EU final demand where almost one-fifth of foreign value added pertains to products from Russia. On the other hand, the sectors of electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemical products and construction in Russia rely on value added imported from the EU.
Interdisciplinary Insights That Reveal Contextual Influences on the Development of Giftedness and Talent
Authors: Ambrose Don
Published: July 2023

There are powerful, hidden contextual influences that strengthen, weaken, or distort the discovery of aspirations and the development of talents in gifted individuals. These influences can be hidden from gifted individuals and their teachers and mentors because they are not sufficiently addressed in the gifted education research literature. This analysis highlights and describes examples of contextual influences that emerge from phenomena studied by scholars in a wide variety of fields. After these examples are presented and clarified, recommendations for educators and scholars of the gifted are provided.