bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Burden of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hide Michihiro , Uda Akihito , Maki Fuyuko , Miyakawa Noriko , Kohli Ravneet Kaur , Gupta Shaloo , Krupsky Kathryn , Balkaran Bridget , Balp Maria-Magdalena
Published: February 2025

Background: Real-world data on the prevalence and burden of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) are limited in Japan. This study aimed to estimate CSU prevalence and assess its humanistic and economic burden. Methods: This analysis utilized data from Japanese adult respondents self-reporting physician-diagnosed CSU collected through the 2019 National Health and Wellness Survey. The weighted 12-month prevalence was estimated using 2018 international census projections. Outcomes included the SF-12v2 (physical and mental component summary [PCS and MCS] scores), health utility index (SF-6D and EQ-5D), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scores at data collection, and healthcare resource utilization over the past 6 months. Results: Among 30,006 respondents, 334 reported having CSU, of whom 62.3% were female. The mean (SD) age at data collection and CSU diagnosis was 50.8 (15.3) and 39.2 (14.9) years, respectively. The weighted prevalence of CSU was 1.1%. The mean (SD) PCS and MCS scores were 50.3 (7.0) and 45.1 (10.0), respectively. The mean (SD) health utility measures (SF-6D and EQ-5D) were 0.71 (0.13) and 0.79 (0.18), respectively. The mean (SD) DLQI score was 3.8 (6.0). More than 40% of patients reported mild/moderate/severe anxiety and depression. The mean % (SD) scores for absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work impairment, and activity impairment were 7.6 (17.6), 27.2 (27.2), 30.3 (29.6), and 28.5 (27.8), respectively. Approximately 90.0% of patients visited healthcare providers, including emergency room visits (6.9%) and hospitalizations (9.9%). Conclusions: This study provides insights into the diagnosed prevalence and burden of CSU in Japan, highlighting its impact on patients’ lives.
Gender Disparity in Oral Anticoagulation Therapy in Hospitalised Patients with Atrial Fibrillation During the Ongoing Syrian Conflict: Unbalanced Treatment in Turbulent Times
Authors: Antoun Ibrahim , Alkhayer Alkassem , Eldin Aref Jalal , Alkhayer Alamer , Yazji Khaled , Somani Riyaz , Ng G. André , Zakkar Mustafa
Published: February 2025

Background: Disparities in the therapy and outcomes of males and females with atrial fibrillation (AF) are known in the developed world. Still, data regarding these disparities in the developing world are scarce. This study explores gender trends and outcomes in oral anticoagulation prescription during the Syrian conflict. Methods: We included adult patients with an index admission with AF to Latakia’s tertiary centre between September 2021 and February 2024. Data regarding treatments and comorbidities were taken from patients’ medical notes. The composite outcome was a readmission with a cerebrovascular event (CVA) or a bleeding event within 60 days of index discharge. A regression model was used to assess predictors of composite outcomes. Results: A total of 683 consecutive patients admitted and treated for AF satisfied the study criteria, of whom 347 (51%) were females. In patients with a guideline indication for anticoagulation (n = 553), males were prescribed more DOACs and fewer VKAs than females (93% versus 71%, p < 0.001 and 7% versus 29%, p = 0.01, respectively). Composite outcomes occurred significantly more in females than males (16% versus 6%, p = 0.03). Females on VKAs had significantly more composite outcomes than males (70% versus 53%, p < 0.001). Independent predictors of composite outcomes included females compared to males (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.3 and 6.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–4.2 and 3.7–10.8, p = 0.001 and <0.001) and VKAs compared to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (HR: 8.4, 95%CI: 4.8–15.3, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Females at this Syrian centre had a higher use of VKAs and a lower use of DOACs compared to males, resulting in a higher rate of composite outcomes of CVA and bleeding events.
Electronic-Medical-Record-Driven Machine Learning Predictive Model for Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries: Development and External Validation
Authors: Nguyen Kim-Anh-Nhi , Patel Dhavalkumar , Edalati Masoud , Sevillano Maria , Timsina Prem , Freeman Robert , Levin Matthew A. , Reich David L. , Kia Arash
Published: February 2025

Background: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) affect approximately 2.5 million patients annually in the United States, leading to increased morbidity and healthcare costs. Current rule-based screening tools, such as the Braden Scale, lack sensitivity, highlighting the need for improved risk prediction methods. Methods: We developed and externally validated a machine learning model to predict HAPI risk using longitudinal electronic medical record (EMR) data. This study included adult inpatients (2018–2023) across five hospitals within a large health system. An automated pipeline was built for EMR data curation, labeling, and integration. The model employed XGBoost with recursive feature elimination to identify 35 optimal clinical variables and utilized time-series analysis for dynamic risk prediction. Results: Internal validation and multi-center external validation on 5510 hospitalizations demonstrated AUROC values of 0.83–0.85. The model outperformed the Braden Scale in sensitivity and F1-score and showed superior performance compared to previous predictive models. Conclusions: This is the first externally validated, cross-institutional HAPI prediction model using longitudinal EMR data and automated pipelines. The model demonstrates strong generalizability, scalability, and real-time applicability, offering a novel bioengineering approach to improve HAPI prevention, patient care, and clinical operations.
CRISPR/Cas9-Targeted Myostatin Deletion Improves the Myogenic Differentiation Parameters for Muscle-Derived Stem Cells in Mice
Authors: Elashry Mohamed I. , Schneider Victoria C. , Heimann Manuela , Wenisch Sabine , Arnhold Stefan
Published: February 2025

Skeletal muscle plays a pivotal role in physical activity, protein storage and energy utilization. Skeletal muscle wasting due to immobilization, aging, muscular dystrophy and cancer cachexia has negative impacts on the quality of life. The deletion of myostatin, a growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) augments muscle mass through hyperplasia and hypertrophy of muscle fibers. The present study examines the impact of myostatin deletion using CRISPR/Cas9 editing on the myogenic differentiation (MD) of C2C12 muscle stem cells. A total of five myostatin loci were targeted using guided RNAs that had been previously cloned into a vector. The clones were transfected in C2C12 cells via electroporation. The cell viability and MD of myostatin-edited clones (Mstn−/−) were compared with C2C12 (Mstn+/+) using a series of assays, including MTT, sulforhodamine B, immunocytochemistry, morphometric analysis and RT-qPCR. The clones sequenced showed evidence of nucleotides deletion in Mstn−/− cells. Mstn−/− cells demonstrated a normal physiological performance and lack of cytotoxicity. Myostatin depletion promoted the myogenic commitment as evidenced by upregulated MyoD and myogenin expression. The number of MyoD-positive cells was increased in the differentiated Mstn−/− clones. The Mstn−/− editing upregulates both mTOR and MyH expression, as well as increasing the size of myotubes. The differentiation of Mstn−/− cells upregulates ActRIIb; in contrast, it downregulates decorin expression. The data provide evidence of successful CRISPR/Cas9-mediated myostatin deletion. In addition, targeting myostatin could be a beneficial therapeutic strategy to promote MD and to restore muscle loss. In conclusion, the data suggest that myostatin editing using CRISPR/Cas9 could be a potential therapeutic manipulation to improve the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells before in vivo application.
Influence of Processing Parameters on Additively Manufactured Architected Cellular Metals: Emphasis on Biomedical Applications
Authors: Shi Yixuan , Zheng Yuzhe , Huang Chengcong , Zhao Shangyan , Li Xuan , Lu Yuchen , Wu Yuzhi , Li Peipei , Wang Luning , Li Yageng
Published: February 2025

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) has emerged as a transformative additive manufacturing technique for fabricating architected cellular metallic structures, offering tailored properties for diverse biomedical applications. These structures are particularly well-suited for bone implants, scaffolds, and other load-bearing medical devices due to their ability to achieve lightweight designs, enhanced mechanical properties, and customized geometries. However, the complex interactions between LPBF process parameters and the resulting structural and mechanical properties pose significant challenges in achieving the precision and reliability required for clinical applications. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of LPBF process parameters, including laser power, scanning speed, and layer thickness, on key attributes such as dimensional accuracy, density, surface roughness, and microstructure. Their influence on the mechanical performance, including strength, fatigue resistance, and functional properties, is critically examined, with specific attention to biomedical relevance. The impact of lattice design factors, such as topology, unit cell size, and orientation, is also discussed, underscoring their role in optimizing biocompatibility and structural integrity for medical applications. Challenges such as surface defects, geometric inaccuracies, and microstructural inconsistencies are highlighted as key barriers to the broader adoption of LPBF in biomedical fields. Future perspectives focus on advancing LPBF technologies through process optimization and integration with advanced computational tools, such as machine learning, to enable efficient manufacturing of complex, patient-specific architectures. By addressing these challenges, LPBF has the potential to revolutionize the development of next-generation biomaterials, tailored to meet evolving clinical needs and improve patient outcomes.
Genome Sequencing, Assembly, and Characterization of Cyberlindnera rhodanensis J52 as a Non-Saccharomyces Yeast with Ester-Enhancing Potential
Authors: Shen Yong , Tu Zongcai , Tang Lizhou , Luo Yiyong
Published: February 2025

Cyberlindnera rhodanensis J52, a non-Saccharomyces yeast isolated from edible roses, markedly improves the organoleptic qualities of fermented foods. To facilitate the development and application of this strain, this study sequenced and assembled the genome of C. rhodanensis J52, subsequently conducting functional annotation of its genes utilizing the NR, Swiss-Prot, COG, GO, KEGG and CAZy databases. The findings revealed that this yeast harbors genes involved in the biosynthesis of flavor compounds, including higher alcohols, acetate esters, ethyl esters, volatile organic acids, aromatic amino acids and benzyl alcohol or benzaldehyde. Furthermore, it possesses β-glucosidase, an extracellular enzyme which enhances the flavor profile of fermented products. Further analysis revealed that the yeast features biosynthetic pathways for the production of isoamyl acetate, isoamyl 2-methylbutyrate, benzyl acetate, phenethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate and ethyl decanoate, which verifies its ability to produce esters at the genetic level. Additionally, the yeast was found to have the capacity to biosynthesize selenoproteins, suggesting that it not only enhances flavor but also imparts functional benefits. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the further exploration and application of C. rhodanensis J52.
The Visual Sociography of Disaster Journalism: A Local Case Study
Authors: Buoncompagni Giacomo
Published: February 2025

Recent national and international emergencies have repeatedly highlighted the role of information, and local information in particular, in synthesising various social and cultural policies proposed by public authorities and providing a correct representation of the living conditions of citizens on the ground, overcoming national media logics that are often based on the speed and spectacularisation of disasters. In fact, citizens have an “innate need” to know what is happening beyond their direct experience, to be aware of events that affect them or that are not happening in front of their eyes. A sociographic approach can be a supportive methodology to remember victims and report on disasters, but also to reconstruct new narratives by socially anticipating future environmental emergencies with the support of the media. Sociography as social narrative weaves together scientific analysis and journalistic storytelling, an old qualitative method that needs to be rediscovered, updated and integrated with new tools and methods. In this study, disaster narratives and analyses are supported by visual journalistic sources. In part, it takes up the gauntlet that Bruno Latour throws down to sociologists in Down to Earth, arguing that the latter should shift the focus of inquiry from theoretical analyses of social problems to descriptions of the existence of problems in experimental contexts, local shared spaces and common practices. This paper considers the description of (and within) the journalistic field as a methodological problem, examines the strengths and limitations of existing descriptive approaches and develops a different way of using a sociographic imagination in an attempt to make sense of changing journalistic practices with reference to specific Italian crisis events.
Non-Invasive Differential Temperature Monitoring Using Sensor Array for Microwave Hyperthermia Applications: A Subspace-Based Approach
Authors: Wu Ji , Yang Fan , Zheng Jinchuan , Nguyen Hung T. , Chai Rifai
Published: February 2025

Non-invasive temperature monitoring is highly valuable in applications such as microwave hyperthermia treatment, where overheating may damage healthy tissue. This paper presents a subspace-based method for real-time temperature monitoring using a sensor array configuration. The proposed method improves upon the conventional Born approximation (BA) approach by accurately estimating the total field through primary induced currents. The temperature-dependent dielectric properties of breast tissues are modeled using data from porcine tissues, and a sigmoid function is employed to create realistic temperature transition zones in the numerical breast phantom. The method is validated through extensive simulations under noise-free and noisy conditions (SNR = 30 dB and 20 dB). The results demonstrate that our method maintains consistent performance across different temperature levels (38–45 °C), achieving reconstruction accuracy within ±0.2 °C at SNR = 30 dB and ±0.5 °C at SNR = 20 dB. While the computational overhead of calculating primary induced currents slightly increases the overall processing time, it leads to a faster convergence in the cost function minimization. These findings suggest that the proposed method offers a promising solution for real-time temperature monitoring in microwave hyperthermia applications.
Equality Matters: The Impact of Human–AI Relationship Types on Responsible Consumption in Shared Services
Authors: Tang Leting , Zhu Jiang , Dou Wenyu
Published: February 2025

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in the sharing economy, understanding its impact on consumer behavior is crucial. This research aims to examine how different human–AI relationship types—equal vs. human-dominant—influence responsible consumption, framed within Social Identity Theory. Specifically, we investigate the mediating role of social identification and the moderating effect of anthropomorphism in shaping consumer responses to AI interactions. Across three experimental studies, we demonstrate that (1) equal human–AI relationships lead to higher responsible consumption than human-dominant relationships; (2) social identification mediates this relationship, as equal AI fosters greater consumer identification, which subsequently enhances responsible behavior; and (3) anthropomorphism moderates these effects, such that the positive influence of equal relationships on responsible consumption is significant only when anthropomorphism is low, whereas this effect diminishes when anthropomorphism is high. These findings contribute to the growing literature on AI–consumer interactions by offering insights into AI’s social dynamics and practical recommendations for designing AI systems that effectively promote responsible behavior in shared services.
Construction of Eco-Compensation Policy Framework for Natural Rubber with Production and Ecological Win–Win
Authors: Li Zhidong , Liu Moucheng , Xu Lidan , Teng Wangtengfei , Fang Jihua
Published: February 2025

The development of the natural rubber planting industry is facing the dual challenges of protecting ecology and maintaining supply. As an effective means to internalize ecological externalities, eco-compensation is an important way to realize the sustainable development of the natural rubber industry. From the perspective of industrial development, an eco-compensation policy framework for natural rubber with a production and ecological win–win outcome was constructed. The results showed that natural rubber eco-compensation was a large-scale public institutional arrangement with the following characteristics: 1. The goals were to protect tropical rainforest and rubber garden ecology, maintain the natural rubber supply and improve the livelihoods of agricultural households. 2. The participants included the government, enterprises and agricultural households. 3. The main methods included financial transfer payments, production insurance and cooperative operations. 4. The opportunity costs of agricultural household livelihood transformation and the positive expected returns of enterprises were used as compensation standards. 5. The compensation effectiveness was evaluated through the comprehensive monitoring of tropical rainforest ecology, the rubber garden environment, land use, the planting distribution, household income and production modes. On this basis, specific policy recommendations, including developing combined planting–breeding modes, establishing a strict supervision system and setting up special expert advisory teams, were put forward. This study provides not only a theoretical basis for the design of natural rubber eco-compensation policies but also a reference for the construction of eco-compensation market mechanisms in various fields.
Phytotoxicity and Metals Mobility Assessment in Mining Wastes Amended with Various Biochars
Authors: Chafik Yassine , Sena-Velez Marta , Henaut Hugo , Oujdi Mohammed , Ceriani Alex , Carpin Sabine , Morabito Domenico , Bourgerie Sylvain
Published: February 2025

Mining activities often contaminate soils with heavy metals, generating environmental and health risks. This study investigates the ecotoxicity of muddy (Mw) and sandy (Sw) mining wastes on Phaseolus vulgaris and assesses the impact of five locally sourced biochar amendments on plant growth and soil pore water (SPW) properties. Most biochars improved water retention, except for argan nut shells (An) biochar, highlighting the importance of feedstock type. Sw supported better plant growth than Mw regardless of biochar addition, due to textural differences. Palm fronds (Pf) biochar significantly enhanced surface leaf area in Sw. SPW analysis revealed that biochar affected pH and electrical conductivity (EC) differently across soil types. Mw consistently increased pH, while Sw’s pH was biochar-dependent. A significant 5.1-fold EC increase was recorded in Sw amended with Pf. All biochars reduced Pb availability in Mw at planting, while Cu availability decreased in Sw at harvest. In Mw, Pb, Zn, and Cu, uptake and accumulation were unaffected by biochar, while a slight reduction was observed in Sw roots. A germination test with Lepidium sativum confirmed these findings, particularly the inhibition observed with An. This dual approach highlights the toxicity of mining soils and biochars’ potential as amendments for soil remediation programs.
Mapping Soil Organic Carbon in Degraded Ecosystems Through Upscaled Multispectral Unmanned Aerial Vehicle–Satellite Imagery
Authors: Salgado Lorena , González Lidia Moriano , Gallego José Luis R. , López-Sánchez Carlos A. , Colina Arturo , Forján Rubén
Published: February 2025

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is essential for maintaining ecosystem health, and its depletion is widely recognized as a key indicator of soil degradation. Activities such as mining and wildfire disturbances significantly intensify soil degradation, leading to quantitative and qualitative declines in SOC. Accurate SOC monitoring is critical, yet traditional methods are often costly and time-intensive. Advances in technologies like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and satellite remote sensing (SRS) now offer efficient and scalable alternatives. Combining UAV and satellite data through machine learning (ML) techniques can improve the accuracy and spatial resolution of SOC monitoring, facilitating better soil management strategies. In this context, this study proposes a methodology that integrates geochemical data (SOC) with UAV-derived information, upscaling the UAV data to satellite platforms (GEOSAT-2 and SENTINEL-2) using ML techniques, specifically random forest (RF) algorithms. The research was conducted in two distinct environments: a reclaimed open-pit coal mine, representing a severely degraded ecosystem, and a high-altitude region prone to recurrent wildfires, both characterized by extreme environmental conditions and diverse soil properties. These scenarios provide valuable opportunities to evaluate the effects of soil degradation on SOC quality and to assess the effectiveness of advanced monitoring approaches. The RF algorithm, optimized with cross-validation (CV) techniques, consistently outperformed other models. The highest performance was achieved during the UAV-to-SENTINEL-2 upscaling, with an R2 of 0.761 and an rRMSE of 8.6%. Cross-validation mitigated overfitting and enhanced the robustness and generalizability of the models. UAV data offered high-resolution insights for localized SOC assessments, while SENTINEL-2 imagery enabled broader-scale evaluations, albeit with a smoothing effect. These findings underscore the potential of integrating UAV and satellite data with ML approaches, providing a cost-effective and scalable framework for SOC monitoring, soil management, and climate change mitigation efforts.
Association of Chronic Pain with Motor Symptom Severity in Parkinson’s Disease: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Pacheco-Barrios Niels , Gagliardi Vivian D. B. , Grudtner Roberta R. , Njokanma Iloba Gabriel , Illigens Ben , Rolston John D. , Fregni Felipe , Pacheco-Barrios Kevin
Published: February 2025

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms like bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. Additionally, PD severely impacts physical abilities and independence. Chronic pain, affecting 67.6% of PD patients, varies in form and presentation, and it is often underdiagnosed. Objectives: This study investigated the association between chronic pain and motor symptom severity in PD patients. Methods: This analysis used data from a cross-sectional study on 52 Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients conducted at Jena University Hospital, Germany. The dataset, available on Dryad, included demographics; clinical reports; and assessments of coping strategies, quality of life, and pain. Descriptive statistics, a bivariate analysis, and an ordinal logistic regression model were executed to explore the association between pain and motor symptom severity (MSS). A direct acyclic graph was used to represent the relationship between variables and identify potential confounders, and an outcomes definition sensitivity analysis was used to assess the impact of using pain intensity as an outcome. The E-value was calculated to evaluate the strength of association needed by an unmeasured confounder to nullify the observed association. Results: A total of 50 Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients were included, with 64% being male, with an average age of 76.1 years. The sample included 20 patients without pain and 30 with chronic pain. The bivariate analysis did not identify significant differences in disease duration, cognitive function, and non-motor symptoms between pain and no-pain groups. However, significant differences (p-value < 0.05) emerged in motor symptom severity, coping strategies, and several SF-36 domains (Physical and Social Functioning, Role Functioning, Energy/Fatigue, Pain, General Health, and Health Change). The ordinal logistic regression showed a substantial association between chronic pain and MSS: patients with chronic pain had 3.52 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.40–8.84, effect size d ≈ 0.70, p = 0.02) of low to medium MSS and 5.44 times higher odds (95% CI: 2.03–14.60, effect size d ≈ 0.94, p = 0.01) of medium to severe MSS, indicating a dose–response relationship. Additionally, male patients had increased odds of higher MSS (OR 4.63, 95% CI: 1.15–18.58, effect size d ≈ 0.85, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Chronic pain is strongly associated with MSS in PD patients, with a more pronounced effect as MSS progresses from medium to severe, supporting a dose–response relationship. Effect sizes suggest a robust association, emphasizing the need for pain assessment in managing motor symptoms in PD.
Molecules and Experimental Models in Mitochondrial Disorders
Authors: Loguercio Polosa Paola , Bruni Francesco
Published: February 2025

The life functions of eukaryotic cells are intricately regulated by mitochondria [...]
Dependence in Activities of Daily Living as a Predictor of In-Hospital Mortality During COVID-19 in Older Individuals
Authors: Ilkowski Jan , Wieczorowska-Tobis Katarzyna , Guzik Przemyslaw
Published: February 2025

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) are fundamental tasks for individuals to manage their basic needs. Our study aims to examine ADL at admission (adADL) and the Pre-COVID-19 to Admission ADL Difference (ADL-change) as potential predictors of in-hospital mortality. This is a retrospective analysis of clinical data (including the Katz index for ADL) from 141 older patients aged at least 65 years hospitalized in a COVID-19-dedicated unit (not requiring ICU) from September 2021 until January 2022 in Poznań, Poland. Thirty patients (21.3% of all) died during hospitalization. Non-survivors were older than survivors, exhibited lower oxygen saturation, more severe inflammation, higher D-dimer concentrations, and were more commonly prescribed antibiotics. The AUC for in-hospital mortality was for adADL: 0.7417 (95% CI: 0.6478–0.8357; p < 0.0001) and for ADL-change: 0.6869 (95% CI: 0.579–0.7928; p = 0.0018). The corresponding cut-offs were 0 for adADL and 3 for ADL-change. Cox proportional hazard models yielded hazard ratios of 3.57 (95% CI 1.57–8.10; p = 0.0024) for adADL and 3.78 (95% CI 1.49–9.54; p = 0.005) for ADL-change. ADL assessment offers valuable insights into in-hospital mortality among older COVID-19 patients. Monitoring ADL in these patients indicates high-risk individuals for in-hospital death. Integrating ADL into routine clinical practice might enhance care for older patients.
Current Progress in Peritoneal Dialysis: A Narrative Review of Progress in Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid
Authors: Hashimoto Koji , Kamijo Yuji
Published: February 2025

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a renal replacement therapy that removes solutes, electrolytes, and water via the infusion of dialysis fluid into the peritoneal cavity. However, the non-physiological composition of conventional PD fluids can cause peritoneal injury, leading to complications such as peritoneal fibrosis and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis. This review highlights recent advancements in PD fluid formulations aimed at improving biocompatibility and reducing peritoneal damage. While glucose-based solutions remain the standard because of their affordability, their glucose degradation products (GDPs) and advanced glycation end-products significantly contribute to peritoneal fibrosis. Innovations, such as neutral pH and low-GDP solutions, have been developed to counter these effects, enhancing peritoneal integrity and preserving residual renal function. Alternative osmotic agents, such as icodextrin, offer superior ultrafiltration. Advancements in buffer formulations, including bicarbonate-based and bicarbonate/lactate combinations, have further enhanced the biocompatibility of PD fluids. Despite these progressions, challenges persist. Therefore, future research should prioritize patient-specific PD solutions to optimize long-term outcomes and minimize adverse effects.
Positive and Negative Exchange Bias in N-, P- and Q-Type Ferri-Magnets of Niccolite Metal Formates [CH3NH2CH3]n[CrIII1−xFeIIIxFeII(HCO2)6]n
Authors: Zhou Yu , Yao Zhaoquan , Li Na , Liu Fuchen , Zhao Jiongpeng , Bu Xianhe
Published: February 2025

Exchange bias (EB) materials, whose magnetization curve can shift along the field axis after field cooling, have attracted tremendous attention and play a crucial role in the development of fundamental physics as well as practical applications of magnetization storage. In this work, the N-, P-, and Q-type ferrimagnets of Néel’s notation were realized in mixed valence metal formates [CH3NH2CH3]n[CrIII1−xFeIIIxFeII(HCO2)6]n by altering x, respectively. The positive and negative EB was found in N- and P-type ferrimagnets. The exchange anisotropy originates from the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the uncompensated spin of the host ferrimagnetic lattice and the pinned compensated spin of the antiferromagnetic clusters as a guest, which is rooted in the valence disorder of the iron ions.
Confidence Intervals for Function of Percentiles of Birnbaum-Saunders Distributions Containing Zero Values with Application to Wind Speed Modelling
Authors: Thangjai Warisa , Niwitpong Sa-Aat , Niwitpong Suparat , Somkhuean Rada
Published: February 2025

The Birnbaum–Saunders (BS) distribution, defined only for non-negative values, is asymmetrical. However, it can be transformed into a normal distribution, which is symmetric. The BS distribution is particularly useful for analyzing data consisting of values greater than zero. This study aims to introduce six approaches for constructing confidence intervals for the difference and ratio of percentiles in Birnbaum–Saunders distributions containing zero values. The proposed approaches include the generalized confidence interval (GCI) approach, the bootstrap approach, the highest posterior density (HPD) approach based on the bootstrap method, the Bayesian approach, the HPD approach based on the Bayesian method, and the method of variance estimates recovery (MOVER) approach. To assess their performance, a Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted, focusing on coverage probability and average length. The results indicate that the MOVER approach and the HPD approach based on the Bayesian method perform better than other approaches for constructing confidence intervals for the difference between percentiles. Moreover, the GCI and Bayesian approaches outperform others when constructing confidence intervals for the ratio of percentiles. Finally, daily wind speed data from the Rayong and Prachin Buri provinces are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approaches.
Social Robot Interactions in a Pediatric Hospital Setting: Perspectives of Children, Parents, and Healthcare Providers
Authors: Kabacińska Katarzyna , Teng Katelyn A. , Robillard Julie M.
Published: February 2025

Socially assistive robots are embodied technological artifacts that can interact socially with people. These devices are increasingly investigated as a means of mental health support in different populations, especially for alleviating loneliness, depression, and anxiety. While the number of available, increasingly sophisticated social robots is growing, their adoption is slower than anticipated. There is much effort to determine the effectiveness of social robots in various settings, including healthcare; however, little is known about the acceptability of these devices by the following distinct user groups: healthcare providers, parents, and children. To better understand the priorities and attitudes of social robot users, we carried out (1) a survey of parents and children who have previously been admitted to a hospital and (2) a series of three modified focus group meetings with healthcare providers. The online survey (n = 71) used closed and open-ended questions as well as validated measures to establish the attitudes of children and parents towards social human–robot interaction and identify any potential barriers to the implementation of a robot intervention in a hospital setting. In the focus group meetings with healthcare providers (n = 10), we identified novel potential applications and interaction modalities of social robots in a hospital setting. Several concerns and barriers to the implementation of social robots were discussed. Overall, all user groups have positive attitudes towards interactions with social robots, provided that their concerns regarding robot use are addressed during interaction development. Our results reveal novel social robot application areas in hospital settings, such as rapport-building between patients and healthcare providers and fostering patient involvement in their own care. Healthcare providers highlighted the value of being included and consulted throughout the process of child–robot interaction development to ensure the acceptability of social robots in this setting and minimize potential harm.
Exposure of Polystyrene Nano- and Microplastics in Increasingly Complex In Vitro Intestinal Cell Models
Authors: Marcellus Kristen A. , Prescott David , Scur Michal , Ross Nikia , Gill Santokh S.
Published: February 2025

With the rise in global plastic production and the presence of plastic waste in the environment, microplastics are considered an emerging environmental contaminant. Human exposure and the impact of microplastics on human health are not well studied. Recent studies have observed the presence of microplastics in human tissues and several studies have noted toxicity in in vitro and in vivo mammalian models. We examined the impact of polystyrene nano- and microplastics in increasingly complex intestinal cell models. Using an undifferentiated Caco-2 mono-culture model, we assessed particle association, cytotoxicity, and particle clearance/retention, whereas in differentiated mono- and tri-culture transwell models, we assessed membrane integrity and particle translocation. Only 50 nm and 500 nm particles were internalized in the undifferentiated cells; however, no signs of cellular toxicity were observed at any concentrations tested. Additionally, polystyrene particles had no impact on barrier integrity, but the 50 nm particles were able to cross to the basolateral side, albeit attenuated in the tri-culture model that had a mucus layer. This study reduced some of the variability common to MNPL testing across various in vitro models, but further testing is needed to fully understand the potential effects of human MNPL exposure.
Surface Mesoscopic Characterization and Analysis of Nanosecond-Laser-Processed Molybdenum for the Optimization of Antibacterial Performance
Authors: Wang Jie , Si Qingyu , Lv Jia , Chen Ruohan , Sun Qiuyu , Gao Yong , Zhang Jing , You Zhiming , Wang Sheng , Han Bei
Published: February 2025

Molybdenum has gained attention as a promising biomedical material due to its excellent mechanical properties and inherent antimicrobial activity. However, challenges remain in developing facile fabrication methods and further enhancing its antimicrobial efficacy. This study pioneers the investigation of biofilm inhibition by laser-treated molybdenum sheets against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923). The experimental results demonstrate that nanosecond-pulsed laser processing significantly suppresses biofilm formation, reducing the minimum optical density (OD) values by 25.3% and 64.9% for the two bacterial strains, respectively. The laser treatment modifies the surface morphology of molybdenum by eliminating defects, reducing the effective contact area, and lowering hydrophobicity. Additionally, localized laser heating induces the formation of MoO3 on the surface, which reacts with water to generate molybdic acid—a key contributor to antibacterial activity. These findings highlight nanosecond-pulsed laser processing as a cost-effective, scalable surface-modification strategy for medical-grade molybdenum. This approach holds significant potential for broadening the antimicrobial applications of molybdenum-based biomedical devices and implants.
Fabrication of an Optical Sensor Based on Eosin-Y-Doped Electrospun Fibers for Ammonia Detection via Wavelength Shifts
Authors: Rispandi  , Simanjuntak Manna Septriani , Chu Cheng-Shane
Published: February 2025

This research presents a simple and effective technique to fabricate an optical sensor for ammonia detection, leveraging emission wavelength shifts as the sensing mechanism. The sensor comprises a cellulose acetate matrix doped with Eosin-Y, which serves as the electrospinning material. Photoluminescent micro/nanofibers were successfully fabricated using electrospinning and were stimulated by a 380 nm central wavelength LED. The Eosin-Y-doped electrospun fiber membranes exhibited a red emission peak at 580 nm, allowing ammonia to be detected in the linear concentration range of 0–500 ppm. The experimental results demonstrated a high sensitivity of 8.11, with a wavelength shift sensitivity of 0.029 nm/ppm in response to ammonia concentration changes. This optical sensing method effectively mitigates the influence of fluctuations in excitation light intensity, offering improved reliability. The Eosin-Y-containing electrospun fibers show great potential as a practical sensing material for detecting ammonia gas concentrations with high precision, supporting diverse applications in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial processes.
Pigments and Near-Infrared Phosphors Based on Mn5+
Authors: Kuzman Sanja , Dramićanin Tatjana , Popov Anatoli I. , Brik Mikhail G. , Dramićanin Miroslav D.
Published: February 2025

The optical properties of Mn5+ ions, which are responsible for the intense green–turquoise–blue coloration of Mn5+-based pigments and the near-infrared emission of phosphors, are the focus of this article. Mn5+ ions enter crystalline matrices in four-fold coordinated positions and can maintain their 5+ valence state when crystalline hosts meet the conditions described in this work. Mn5+ ions have [Ar]3d2 electronic configuration and always experience a strong crystal field due to a high electric charge; therefore, their lower electronic states have the 3A2 < 1E < 1A1 < 3T2 < 3T1 progression in energy. We present the properties of several Mn5+-based pigments and discuss the electronic transitions responsible for their coloration. Specifically, we show that the color is determined by the spin-allowed 3A2 → 3T1(3F) absorption, which extends across the orange–red–deep red spectral region and is strongly influenced by crystal field strength. The narrow-band emission Mn5+-activated near-infrared phosphors arise from the spin-forbidden 1E → 3A2 transition, whose energy is independent of the crystal field strength and determined by the nephelauxetic effect. We demonstrate the linear relationship between 1E state energy and the nephelauxetic parameter β1 using Racah parameter literature data for Mn5+ phosphors. Lastly, we address the recent applications of these Mn5+ phosphors in luminescence thermometry.
Numerical Study of Barotropic Circulation in the Gulfs of Patras and Corinth System
Authors: Aspioti Alexandra G. , Fourniotis Nikolaos Th.
Published: February 2025

In this paper, the barotropic circulation in the gulfs of the Patras and Corinth system in Greece is numerically studied. This semi-enclosed hydrodynamic system is simulated as a unified basin, based on 3D simulations using the MIKE 3 Flow Model FM (HD). The wind and tide-induced flow, as well as their combined action, were examined in the whole basin of the system. Based on the numerically predicted results, salient features of the flow were highlighted, while different energetic zones concerning the hydrodynamic response of the system were specified. The tide propagation was studied in detail showing an increase in tidal amplitude up to 85% at the western entrance of the Gulf of Corinth. In addition, geophysical flow characteristics, surface eddies, and the current field as well as the vertical and horizontal structure of the flow in the gulfs’ system were calculated. Moreover, the effect of wind and tide on the exchange flowrate between the two gulfs and the response of the basin after a wind break were studied for typical wind speeds and directions.
Preliminary Study on the Structure of Fungal Communities in Artificial Reef Areas in the Northern Yellow Sea
Authors: Yan Jiamin , Yue Yue , Lin Shengkai , Gu Hanshitong , Han Ziyi , Li Qingxia , Tian Tao , Wei Xu , Wu Zhongxin
Published: February 2025

The construction of artificial reefs is the primary ecological project of marine ranching and one of the most important methods of creating habitats for marine organisms. To date, studies on artificial reefs have taken a macroscopic perspective, with few studies having investigated the fungal communities in artificial reefs in the North Yellow Sea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the distribution patterns of seawater quality, sediment properties, and fungal communities following the placement of artificial reefs of different materials in the North Yellow Sea. A sampling survey of marine ranching in the northern Yellow Sea was conducted in August 2023. Sediment and seawater samples were collected from the stone and concrete artificial reef areas as well as from the areas without constructed reefs as a control. Research shows that the total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations were higher in the concrete reef than that in the other two regions. We obtained 735 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) which were assigned to 11 phyla and 374 genera. Significant differences in the beta-diversity of the fungal communities were found among the three sampling regions, and the dominant species varied in seawater and sediment samples from different reef areas. Ascomycota was the most abundant phylum in the seawater and sediment samples, followed by Basidiomycota. pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) emerged as the most important factors affecting fungal communities in the seawater samples, whereas mean grain size, TN, and TOC had a significant effect on the communities in the sediments, with TP and TOC playing the most critical roles. Our study compared the characteristics of fungal communities in seawater and sediments in distinct types of artificial reefs and control areas, revealing the main environmental factors affecting fungal communities, which is of great significance for protecting biodiversity and evaluating the ecological effects of artificial reef placement.
Long-Term Ageing Studies on Eco-Friendly Resistive Plate Chamber Detectors
Authors: Abbrescia Marcello , Aielli Giulio , Aly Reham , Arena Maria Cristina , Barroso Ferreira Mapse , Benussi Luigi , Bianco Stefano , Bordon Fabio , Boscherini Davide , Bruni Alessia , Buontempo Salvatore , Busato Mattia , Camarri Paolo , Cardarelli Roberto , Congedo Liliana , De Serio Marilisa , Debernardis Francesco , Di Ciaccio Anna , Di Stante Luigi , Dupieux Pascal , Eysermans Jan , Ferretti Alessandro , Gagliardi Martino , Galati Giuliana , Garetti Sara , Guida Roberto , Iaselli Giuseppe , Joly Baptiste , Juks Stefania Alexandra , Lakshmaiah Umesh , Lee KyongSei , Liberti Barbara , Lucero Ramirez Dalia , Mandelli Beatrice , Manen Samuel Pierre , Massa Lorenzo , Pastore Alessandra , Pastori Enrico , Piccolo Davide , Pizzimento Luca , Polini Alessandro , Proto Giorgia , Pugliese Gabriella , Quaglia Luca , Ramos Dayron , Rigoletti Gianluca , Rocchi Alessandro , Romano Marino , Salvini Paola , Samalan Amrutha , Santonico Rinaldo , Saviano Giovanna , Sessa Marco , Simone Saverio , Terlizzi Livia , Tytgat Michael , Vercellin Ermanno , Verzeroli Mattia , Zaganidis Nikolaos
Published: February 2025

In high-energy physics, resistive plate chamber (RPC) detectors operating in avalanche mode make use of a high-performance gas mixture. Its main component, Tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4), is classified as a fluorinated greenhouse gas. The RPC EcoGas@GIF++ collaboration is pursuing an intensive R&D on new gas mixtures for RPCs to explore eco-friendly alternatives complying with recent European regulations. The performance of different RPC detectors has been evaluated at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility with Tetrafluoropropene (C3H2F4)-CO2-based gas mixtures. A long-term ageing test campaign was launched in 2022, and since 2023, systematic long-term performance studies have been carried out thanks to dedicated beam tests. The results of these studies are discussed together with their future perspectives.
The 16SrXII-P Phytoplasma GOE Is Separated from Other Stolbur Phytoplasmas by Key Genomic Features
Authors: Toth Rafael , Huettel Bruno , Varrelmann Mark , Kube Michael
Published: February 2025

The syndrome “bassess richesses” is a vector-borne disease of sugar beet in Germany. The gammaproteobacterium ‘Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’ causes reduced sugar content and biomass, growth abnormalities, and yellowing. Co-infection with the 16SrXII-P stolbur phytoplasmas often leads to more severe symptoms and a risk of complete economic loss. This yellowing agent of the Mollicutes class had not been described before, so its differences from other stolbur phytoplasmas remained unanswered. The genome of strain GOE was sequenced, providing a resource to analyze its characteristics. Phylogenetic position was revised, genome organization was compared, and functional reconstructions of metabolic and virulence factors were performed. Average nucleotide identity analysis indicates that GOE represents a new ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species. Our results show that GOE is also distinct from other stolbur phytoplasmas in terms of smaller genome size and G+C content. Its reductive evolution is reflected in conserved membrane protein repertoire and minimal metabolism. The encoding of a riboflavin kinase indicates a lost pathway of phytoplasmas outside the groups 16SrXII and 16SrXIII. GOE shows a complete tra5 transposon harboring orthologs of SAP11, SAP54, and SAP05 effectors indicating an original phytoplasma pathogenicity island. Our results deepen the understanding of phytoplasma evolution and reaffirm the heterogeneity of stolbur phytoplasmas.