bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Immunocytochemistry Method to Investigate the Translationally Active HIV Reservoir
Authors: Wu Guoxin , Keller Samuel H. , Walters Ryan T. , Li Yuan , Kristoff Jan , Magliaro Brian C. , Zuck Paul , Diamond Tracy L. , Maxwell Jill W. , Cheney Carol , Huang Qian , Balibar Carl J. , Rush Thomas , Howell Bonnie J. , Sardo Luca
Published: January 2025

Despite the success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) to suppress HIV replication, HIV persists in a long-lived reservoir that can give rise to rebounding viremia upon cART cessation. The translationally active reservoir consists of HIV-infected cells that continue to produce viral proteins even in the presence of cART. These active reservoir cells are implicated in the resultant viremia upon cART cessation and likely contribute to chronic immune activation in people living with HIV (PLWH) on cART. Methodologies to quantify the active reservoir are needed. Here, an automated immunocytochemistry (ICC) assay coupled with computational image analysis to detect and quantify intracellular Gag capsid protein (CA) is described (CA-ICC). For this purpose, fixed cells were deposited on microscopy slides by the cytospin technique and stained with antibodies against CA by an automated stainer, followed by slide digitization. Nuclear staining was used to count the number of cells in the specimen, and the chromogenic signal was quantified to determine the percentage of CA-positive cells. In comparative analyses, digital ELISA, qPCR, and flow cytometry were used to validate CA-ICC. The specificity and sensitivity of CA-ICC were assessed by staining a cell line that expresses CA (MOLT IIIB) alongside a control cell line (Jurkat) devoid of this marker, as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HIV seronegative donors before or after ex vivo infection with an HIV laboratory strain. The sensitivity of CA-ICC was further assayed by spiking MOLT IIIB cells into uninfected Jurkat cells in limiting dilutions. In those analyses, CA-ICC could detect down to 10 CA-positive cells per million with a sensitivity superior to flow cytometry. To demonstrate the application of CA-ICC in pre-clinical research, bulk PBMCs obtained from mouse and non-human primate animal models were stained to detect HIV CA and SIV p27, respectively. The level of intracellular CA quantified by CA-ICC in PBMCs obtained from animal models was associated with plasma viral loads and cell-associated CA measured by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. The application of CA-ICC to evaluate the activity of small-molecule targeted activator of cell-kill (TACK) in clinical specimens is presented. Overall, CA-ICC offers a simple imaging method for specific and sensitive detection of CA-positive cells in bulk cell preparations.
Predaceous and Phytophagous Pentatomidae Insects Exhibit Contrasting Susceptibilities to Imidacloprid
Authors: Cheng Hongmei , Wang Zhen , Yan Xiaoyu , Lin Changjin , Chen Yu , Ma Le , Fu Luyao , Dong Xiaolin , Liu Chenxi
Published: January 2025

Imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, targets insect pests but also affects natural enemies. However, the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on closely related insects remain unclear. We evaluated the harmful effects of imidacloprid on the phytophagous Halyomorpha halys and predaceous Arma chinensis. Bioassays revealed that imidacloprid was more toxic to H. halys than to A. chinensis and more harmful to the males than to the females of the two insects. A. chinensis adults recovered from imidacloprid-induced knockdown, as evidenced by restored respiratory rates, metabolic rates, and locomotion. Surviving A. chinensis showed reduced fecundity, suggesting a trade-off between detoxification and reproduction. Bioinformatics analysis of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and molecular docking simulations indicated a lower diversity of the nAChR gene family in A. chinensis than in H. halys, with weaker binding to imidacloprid, consistent with the relatively low toxicity of the insecticide in this species. This might account for the susceptibility differences to imidacloprid between the species. These findings underscore the efficacy of imidacloprid against H. halys and provide insights into the toxicities of neonicotinoids to target and non-target insects.
In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Hepatic Fibrosis for Pharmacodynamic Evaluation and Pathology Exploration
Authors: Hu Yanting , Zhang Zhongrui , Adiham Akida , Li Hong , Gu Jian , Gong Puyang
Published: January 2025

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is an important pathological state in the progression of chronic liver disease to end-stage liver disease and is usually triggered by alcohol, nonalcoholic fatty liver, chronic hepatitis viruses, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), or cholestatic liver disease. Research on novel therapies has become a hot topic due to the reversibility of HF. Research into the molecular mechanisms of the pathology of HF and potential drug screening relies on reliable and rational biological models, mainly including animals and cells. Hence, a number of modeling approaches have been attempted based on human dietary, pathological, and physiological factors in the development of HF. In this review, classical and novel methods of modeling HF in the last 10 years were collected from electronic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, Baidu Scholar, and CNKI. Animal models of HF are usually induced by chemical toxicants, special diets, pathogenic microorganisms, surgical operations, and gene editing. The advantages and limitations of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), organoids, and 3D coculture-based HF modeling methods established in vitro were also proposed and summarized. This information provides a scientific basis for the discovery of the pathological mechanism and treatment of HF.
Intermediates of Hydrogen Peroxide-Assisted Photooxidation of Salicylic Acid: Their Degradation Rates and Ecotoxicological Assessment
Authors: Gackowska Alicja , Studziński Waldemar , Shyichuk Alexander
Published: January 2025

Accelerated photooxidation of salicylic acid (SA) was performed using UV radiation and hydrogen peroxide. HPLC-MS analysis showed that the primary intermediates are 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, pyrocatechol, and phenol. Deeper oxidation leads to low molecular weight aliphatic acids, such as maleic, fumaric, and glyoxylic. The photooxidation of the main intermediates was carried out in the same conditions. The degradation of SA and its main intermediates follows first-order reaction kinetics. In the case of UV irradiation alone, photodegradation of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid is slightly faster (reaction rate constant is 0.007 min−1) compared to SA (0.0052 min−1). Other products degrade more slowly than SA. Hydrogen peroxide, in concentrations of 1.8–8.8 mM, accelerates the photodegradation of salicylic acid and intermediate products. An ecotoxicological evaluation of SA and the main products was performed using the EPI SuiteTM software. The overall persistence (POV) and long-range transport potential (LRTP) of all transformation products were assessed using OECD POV and the LRTP screening tool. Salicylic acid and its transformation products have low toxicity. Due to their high solubility, these contaminants can travel considerable distances in the aquatic environment. SA and phenol have LRTP values of 156–190 km. Other products can travel shorter distances (less than 100 km).
Advancing Research in Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy with a New Publishing Partnership
Authors: Solomon Nancy Pearl
Published: January 2025

The International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy (IJOM), the official journal of the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM), has just celebrated its 50th continuous year of publication [...]
Barriers and Enablers of AI Adoption in Human Resource Management: A Critical Analysis of Organizational and Technological Factors
Authors: Madanchian Mitra , Taherdoost Hamed
Published: January 2025

This paper examines the key factors recognized as transformative in the field of human resource management (HRM) and explores their influence on the global adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). While AI holds significant promise for enhancing HRM efficiency, employee engagement, and Decision Making, its implementation presents a range of organizational, technical, and ethical challenges that organizations worldwide must navigate. Change aversion, data security worries, and integration expenses are major roadblocks, but strong digital leadership, company culture, and advancements in NLP and machine learning are key enablers. This paper presents a complex analysis that questions the common perception of AI as only disruptive by delving into the relationship between power dynamics, corporate culture, and technology infrastructures. In this paper, we bring together research from several fields to help scholars and practitioners understand the nuances of AI adoption in HRM, with an emphasis on the importance of inclusive methods and ethical frameworks.
Interpretable Deep Learning for Pneumonia Detection Using Chest X-Ray Images
Authors: Colin Jovito , Surantha Nico
Published: January 2025

Pneumonia remains a global health issue, creating the need for accurate detection methods for effective treatment. Deep learning models like ResNet50 show promise in detecting pneumonia from chest X-rays; however, their black-box nature limits the transparency, which fails to meet that needed for clinical trust. This study aims to improve model interpretability by comparing four interpretability techniques, which are Layer-wise Relevance Propagation (LRP), Adversarial Training, Class Activation Maps (CAMs), and the Spatial Attention Mechanism, and determining which fits best the model, enhancing its transparency with minimal impact on its performance. Each technique was evaluated for its impact on the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, AUC-ROC, Mean Relevance Score (MRS), and a calculated trade-off score that balances interpretability and performance. The results indicate that LRP was the most effective in enhancing interpretability, achieving high scores across all metrics without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy. The model achieved 0.91 accuracy and 0.85 interpretability (MRS), demonstrating its potential for clinical integration. In contrast, Adversarial Training, CAMs, and the Spatial Attention Mechanism showed trade-offs between interpretability and performance, each highlighting unique image features but with some impact on specificity and accuracy.
Multi-Modal Fusion of Routine Care Electronic Health Records (EHR): A Scoping Review
Authors: Ben-Miled Zina , Shebesh Jacob A. , Su Jing , Dexter Paul R. , Grout Randall W. , Boustani Malaz A.
Published: January 2025

Background: Electronic health records (EHR) are now widely available in healthcare institutions to document the medical history of patients as they interact with healthcare services. In particular, routine care EHR data are collected for a large number of patients.These data span multiple heterogeneous elements (i.e., demographics, diagnosis, medications, clinical notes, vital signs, and laboratory results) which contain semantic, concept, and temporal information. Recent advances in generative learning techniques were able to leverage the fusion of multiple routine care EHR data elements to enhance clinical decision support. Objective: A scoping review of the proposed techniques including fusion architectures, input data elements, and application areas is needed to synthesize variances and identify research gaps that can promote re-use of these techniques for new clinical outcomes. Design: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Google Scholar to identify high impact fusion architectures over multi-modal routine care EHR data during the period 2018 to 2023. The guidelines from the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) extension for scoping review were followed. The findings were derived from the selected studies using a thematic and comparative analysis. Results: The scoping review revealed the lack of standard definition for EHR data elements as they are transformed into input modalities. These definitions ignore one or more key characteristics of the data including source, encoding scheme, and concept level. Moreover, in order to adapt to emergent generative learning techniques, the classification of fusion architectures should distinguish fusion from learning and take into consideration that learning can concurrently happen in all three layers of new fusion architectures (i.e., encoding, representation, and decision). These aspects constitute the first step towards a streamlined approach to the design of multi-modal fusion architectures for routine care EHR data. In addition, current pretrained encoding models are inconsistent in their handling of temporal and semantic information thereby hindering their re-use for different applications and clinical settings. Conclusions: Current routine care EHR fusion architectures mostly follow a design-by-example methodology. Guidelines are needed for the design of efficient multi-modal models for a broad range of healthcare applications. In addition to promoting re-use, these guidelines need to outline best practices for combining multiple modalities while leveraging transfer learning and co-learning as well as semantic and temporal encoding.
Plant Leaf Disease Detection Using Deep Learning: A Multi-Dataset Approach
Authors: Krishna Manjunatha Shettigere , Machado Pedro , Otuka Richard I. , Yahaya Salisu W. , Neves dos Santos Filipe , Ihianle Isibor Kennedy
Published: January 2025

Agricultural productivity is increasingly threatened by plant diseases, which can spread rapidly and lead to significant crop losses if not identified early. Detecting plant diseases accurately in diverse and uncontrolled environments remains challenging, as most current detection methods rely heavily on lab-captured images that may not generalise well to real-world settings. This paper aims to develop models capable of accurately identifying plant diseases across diverse conditions, overcoming the limitations of existing methods. A combined dataset was utilised, incorporating the PlantDoc dataset with web-sourced images of plants from online platforms. State-of-the-art convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures, including EfficientNet-B0, EfficientNet-B3, ResNet50, and DenseNet201, were employed and fine-tuned for plant leaf disease classification. A key contribution of this work is the application of enhanced data augmentation techniques, such as adding Gaussian noise, to improve model generalisation. The results demonstrated varied performance across the datasets. When trained and tested on the PlantDoc dataset, EfficientNet-B3 achieved an accuracy of 73.31%. In cross-dataset evaluation, where the model was trained on PlantDoc and tested on a web-sourced dataset, EfficientNet-B3 reached 76.77% accuracy. The best performance was achieved with the combination of the PlanDoc and web-sourced datasets resulting in an accuracy of 80.19% indicating very good generalisation in diverse conditions. Class-wise F1-scores consistently exceeded 90% for diseases such as apple rust leaf and grape leaf across all models, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach for plant disease detection.
Impact of Uterine Leiomyomas on Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Young Reproductive-Aged Women: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Park Jung Yoon , Han Kyungdo , Kim Hyunkyung , Song Jae-Yen , Kim Mee-Ran , Chung Youn-Jee
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign gynecological tumors in women of reproductive age and are often associated with localized symptoms. However, emerging evidence suggests a link between uterine leiomyomas and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke (IS). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between uterine leiomyomas and the risk of CVD events in young women aged 20–39 years using a large, nationwide, population-based cohort. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service database of South Korea of 2,581,700 women aged 20–39 years who underwent health screening between 2009 and 2012. Uterine leiomyomas were identified using International Code of Disease, 10th Edition codes. CVD events (MI and IS) were defined according to hospital claims and radiological data. Multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated to evaluate the association between leiomyomas and CVD after adjusting for confounders (age, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and body mass index). Results: In all, 58,812 were diagnosed with uterine leiomyomas, and 25,063 underwent surgical treatment. During the follow-up period, MI occurred in 115 women (0.21%) and IS in 82 women (0.15%) in the leiomyoma group, compared with 3107 cases of MI (0.12%) and 2240 cases of IS (0.09%) in the non-leiomyoma group. The leiomyoma group demonstrated a higher incidence rate of CVD (IR: 0.63 vs. 0.39 per 1000 person-years). After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, lifestyle, comorbidities, and body mass index (BMI), the hazard ratio (HR) for MI was 1.32, indicating a statistically significant increase in cardiovascular risk. The risk of CVD was lower in women who underwent surgical treatment; however, when specifically analyzing the occurrence of MI and IS, no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups. Conclusions: Uterine leiomyomas are associated with an increased risk of MI and IS in young women. Surgical treatment itself may be associated with additional cardiovascular risks. Further research is needed to develop strategies to mitigate these risks and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Naegleria fowleri Infections: Bridging Clinical Observations and Epidemiological Insights
Authors: Rîpă Carmen , Cobzaru Roxana Gabriela , Rîpă Miruna Raluca , Maștaleru Alexandra , Oancea Andra , Cumpăt Carmen Marinela , Leon Maria Magdalena
Published: January 2025

Purpose: Naegleria fowleri is the main etiologic agent implicated in primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). It is also known as the brain-eating amoeba because of the severe brain inflammation following infection, with a survival rate of about 5%. This review aims to identify Naegleria fowleri infections and evaluate patients’ progression. This literature review emphasizes the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment of infected patients because only prompt initiation of appropriate therapy can lead to medical success. Compared to other articles of this kind, this one analyzes a large number of reported cases and all the factors that affected patients’ evolution. Materials and methods: Two independent reviewers used “Naegleria fowleri” and “case report” as keywords in the Clarivate Analytics—Web of Science literature review, obtaining 163 results. The first evaluation step was article title analysis. The two reviewers determined if the title was relevant to the topic. The first stage removed 34 articles, leaving 129 for the second stage. Full-text articles were evaluated after reading the abstract, and 77 were eliminated. This literature review concluded with 52 articles. Key findings: This review included 52 case report articles, 17 from the USA, eight from India, seven from China, four from Pakistan, two from the UK, and one each from Thailand, Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran, Norway, Turkey, Costa Rica, Zambia, Australia, Taiwan, and Venezuela, and Mexico. This study included 98 patients, with 17 women (17.4%) and 81 men (82.6%). The cases presented in this study show that waiting to start treatment until a diagnosis is confirmed can lead to rapid worsening and bad outcomes, especially since there is currently no drug that works very well as a treatment and the death rate is around 98%. Limitations: The lack of case presentation standardization may lead to incomplete case information in the review since the cases did not follow a writing protocol. The small number of global cases may also lead to misleading generalizations, especially about these patients’ treatment. Due to the small number of cases, there is no uniform sample of patients, making it difficult to determine the exact cause of infection.
Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Narrative Review
Authors: Liu Yao , Tanaka Eiji
Published: January 2025

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an excruciating neurological disorder characterized by intense, stimulus-induced, and transient facial stabbing pain. The classification of TN has changed as a result of new discoveries in the last decade regarding its symptomatology, pathogenesis, and management. Because different types of facial pain have different clinical therapy and neuroimaging interpretations, a precise diagnosis is essential. Diagnosis should include magnetic resonance imaging with specific sequences to rule out secondary causes and to identify possible neurovascular contact. The purpose of demonstrating a neurovascular contact is to aid in surgical decision making, not to validate a diagnosis. Microvascular decompression is the first-line procedure for individuals who do not respond to medical management, whereas carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are the preferred medications for long-term care. New developments in animal models and neuroimaging methods will shed more light on the biology and etiology of TN. This paper reviews the pathogenesis, the clinical features, the diagnosis, and the management of TN. Furthermore, the potential role of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in neurological disorders is discussed.
Rheological Behavior of Gassy Marine Clay: Coupling Effects of Bubbles and Salinity
Authors: Zhang Zhuanzhuan , Tan Xionghuan , Wang Lizhong , Cao Gang , Lin Yuan , Hong Yi
Published: January 2025

Understanding the rheological behavior of marine clay is crucial to analyzing submarine landslides and their impact on marine resource exploitation. Dispersed bubbles in marine clay (gassy clay) and electrolytes in seawater (e.g., NaCl concentration of 0.47 M) significantly impacts rheological properties. Under low ionic strength and low pore water pressure conditions, dispersed bubbles have a strengthening effect on the yield stress and the viscosity of clays. This effect turns into a weakening effect when the pore water pressure reaches 300 kPa or the ionic strength exceeds 0.18 M. It was proposed that the effect of bubbles, whether strengthening or weakening, was determined by the size of bubbles with respect to the characteristic size of the particle structure formed by clay particles. A theoretical model was developed, which reasonably captures rheological behaviors of gassy clays.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Molecular Mechanisms Underpinning Mycovirus-Mediated Hypervirulence in Beauveria bassiana Infecting Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Filippou Charalampos , Coutts Robert H. A. , Kotta-Loizou Ioly , El-Kamand Sam , Papanicolaou Alexie
Published: January 2025

Mycoviral infection can either be asymptomatic or have marked effects on fungal hosts, influencing them either positively or negatively. To fully understand the effects of mycovirus infection on the fungal host, transcriptomic profiling of four Beauveria bassiana isolates, including EABb 92/11-Dm that harbors mycoviruses, was performed 48 h following infection of Tenebrio molitor via topical application or injection. Genes that participate in carbohydrate assimilation and transportation, and those essential for fungal survival and oxidative stress tolerance, calcium uptake, and iron uptake, were found to be overexpressed in the virus-infected isolate during the mid-infection stage. Mycotoxin genes encoding bassianolide and oosporein were switched off in all isolates. However, beauvericin, a mycotoxin capable of inducing oxidative stress at the molecular level, was expressed in all four isolates, indicating an important contribution to virulence against T. molitor. These observations suggest that detoxification of immune-related (oxidative) defenses and nutrient scouting, as mediated by these genes, occurs in mid-infection during the internal growth phase. Consequently, we observe a symbiotic relationship between mycovirus and fungus that does not afflict the host; on the contrary, it enhances the expression of key genes leading to a mycovirus-mediated hypervirulence effect.
Temporary Molecular Relapse of Myeloid Leukemias in the Setting of COVID-19 and Viral-Induced Immunosuppression
Authors: Bhatia Ishan , Hutchinson Lloyd , Cerny Jan
Published: January 2025

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) is one of the most curable leukemia subtypes, where the majority of patients achieve complete remission and also deep molecular remission after therapy, characterized by a PCR-undetectable state. Similarly, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a leukemia where, thanks to effective targeted treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), deep remission detectable only by PCR has become part of the routine management of these patients. Here, we describe a patient who was PCR-negative after induction and consolidation with arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and stayed PCR-undetectable for 13 months post-consolidation, later experiencing molecular relapse following mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient was able to reestablish molecular remission again without anti-leukemic therapy several weeks later. She remained PCR-negative for the next 42 months. Viral infection-triggered immunosuppression, as in our case, offers a possible explanation for the temporary loss of molecular remission seen in leukemia patients monitored by PCR. Our first case illustrates this period of convalescence from viral infection, which was maybe accompanied by loss of molecular response. Viral infections and temporary immunosuppression may be a culprit in cases where molecular responses are lost temporarily. This loss of the PCR-undetectable state may have implications for other cancer patients where PCR monitoring is used. Thus, our observation may have broader implications for other patients, especially those with CML. We further enforce these findings by describing a second patient with CML who experienced temporary molecular relapse in the setting of post-viral syndrome.
Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform Approaches
Authors: Dušek Jiří
Published: January 2025

Changes in the number of municipalities and their administrative organization represent one of the central themes of European public administration, reflecting historical context, demographic changes, economic pressures, and technological progress. The aim of this study is to analyse approaches to the merging and division of municipalities in selected European states and to identify factors influencing the success of these reforms. The research uses a combination of comparative analyses of legislative frameworks, socio-economic conditions, and case studies and works with data from official statistics, scholarly literature, and reports on the implementation of reforms. The main findings show that some states, such as Denmark, achieve significant improvements in efficiency through the merging of municipalities, while others, such as France, prefer the preservation of smaller municipalities in order to maintain local identity and community ties. Reform processes often face cultural and political obstacles, and their success depends on a combination of voluntary approaches, financial incentives, and effective communication with the public. The study concludes that the key to effective governance is the balance between the need to optimize public services and the preservation of local specificities. These findings provide important guidance for further reform processes in the European context and can contribute to the sustainable development of regions as well as to the greater satisfaction of the population.
When a Small Amount of Comonomer Is Enough: Tailoring the Critical Solution Temperature of LCST-Type Thermoresponsive Random Copolymers by PEG Methyl Ether Methacrylate with 1100 g/mol Molecular Weight
Authors: Kasza György , Sármezey Bence , Fecske Dóra , Verebélyi Klára , Iván Béla
Published: January 2025

Tuning the critical solution temperature (CST) of thermoresponsive polymers is essential to exploit their immense potential in various applications. In the present study, the effect of PEG-methyl ether methacrylate with a higher molecular weight of 1100 g/mol (mPEGMA1100) as a comonomer was investigated for its suitability for the CST adjustment of LCST-type polymers. Accordingly, a library of mPEGMA1100-based copolymers was established with varying compositions (XmPEGMA1100) using four main comonomers, namely di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate, N-isopropyl acrylamide and methacrylamide, and mPEGMA300, with different CST values (cloud points, TCP, and clearing points, TCL, by turbidimetry). It was found that less than 20 mol% of the mPEGMA1100 in the copolymers is practically sufficient for tuning the CST in the entire measurable temperature range, i.e., up to 100 °C, regardless of the CST of the homopolymer of the main comonomer (CST0). Moreover, a predictive asymptotic model was developed based on the measured CST values, which strikingly revealed that the CSTs of mPEGMA1100-containing copolymers depend only on the two main parameters of these copolymers, XmPEGMA1100 and the CST of the homopolymer of the main comonomer (CST0), that is, CST = f(CST0, XmPEGMA1100). The revealed two-parameter relationship defines a surface in 3D plotting, and it is applicable to determine the CST of copolymers in advance for a given composition or to define the suitable composition for a required CST value. These unprecedented results on the dependence of CSTs on two major well-defined parameters enable to design a variety of novel macromolecular structures with tailored thermoresponsive properties.
Computational Model of the Effective Thermal Conductivity of a Bundle of Round Steel Bars
Authors: Wyczółkowski Rafał , Gała Marek
Published: January 2025

During the heat treatment of round steel bars, a heated charge in the form of a cylindrically formed bundle is placed in a furnace. This type of charge is a porous granular medium in which a complex heat flow occurs during heating. The following heat transfer mechanisms occur simultaneously in this medium: conduction in bars, conduction within the gas, thermal radiation between the surfaces of the bars, and contact conduction across the joints between the adjacent bars. This complex heat transfer can be quantified in terms of effective thermal conductivity. This article presents the original model of the effective thermal conductivity of a bundle of round steel bars. This model is based on the thermo-electric analogy. Each heat transfer mechanism is assigned an appropriate thermal resistance. As a result of the calculations, the impact of the following parameters on the intensity of heat transfer in the bundle was examined: temperature, the thermal conductivity of the bars, the thermal conductivity of the gas, diameter, and emissivity of the bar, and bundle porosity. Calculations were performed for a temperature range of 25–800 °C, covering a wide spectrum of variables, including bar diameters, bundle porosity, and type of gas. The knowledge obtained thanks to the calculations performed will facilitate the optimization of heat treatment processes for the considered charge. The greatest scientific value of the presented research is the demonstration that, thanks to the developed computational model, it is possible to analyze a very complex heat transfer phenomenon using relatively simple mathematical relationships.
Topology Design of Soft Phononic Crystals for Tunable Band Gaps: A Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Li Jingru , Qian Minqi , Yin Jingming , Lin Wei , Zhang Zhifu , Liu Shihao
Published: January 2025

The phononic crystals composed of soft materials have received extensive attention owing to the extraordinary behavior when undergoing large deformations, making it possible to provide tunable band gaps actively. However, the inverse designs of them mainly rely on the gradient-driven or gradient-free optimization schemes, which require sensitivity analysis or cause time-consuming, lacking intelligence and flexibility. To this end, a deep learning-based framework composed of a conditional variational autoencoder and multilayer perceptron is proposed to discover the mapping relation from the band gaps to the topology layout applied with prestress. The nonlinear superelastic neo-Hookean model is employed to describe the constitutive characteristics, based on which the band structures are obtained via the transfer matrix method accompanied with Bloch theory. The results show that the proposed data-driven approach can efficiently and rapidly generate multiple candidates applied with predicted prestress. The band gaps are in accord with each other and also consistent with the prescribed targets, verifying the accuracy and flexibility simultaneously. Furthermore, based on the generalization performance, the design space is deeply exploited to obtain desired soft structures whose stop bands are characterized by wider bandwidth, lower location, and enhanced wave attenuation performance.
Crystal and Dislocation Characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Under Effect of Laser Shock Peening
Authors: Gu Cheng , Wang Chun , Zhao Jianhua , Wang Yajun , Tian Zenghui
Published: January 2025

Laser shock peening (LSP) is an effective method for enhancing the fatigue life and mechanical properties of Ti alloys. However, there is limited research on the effects of LSP on crystal structure and dislocation characteristics. In this study, Ti-6Al-4V alloy was subjected to laser shock peening with varying laser power levels. The influence of laser power on the microstructure of Ti-6Al-4V was investigated, with a focus on the evolution of the cross-sectional structure, crystallographic features, and dislocation behavior. These characteristics were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Following laser shock peening, the surface grains of Ti-6Al-4V alloy exhibited a distinct preferred orientation and underwent significant refinement, resulting in the formation of nanocrystals. At a laser power of 8 J, the texture strength decreased to 5.19 mud. As laser power increased, a denser dislocation structure and high-density dislocation regions formed at the surface, and the subgrain size further decreased, reaching 66 nm at 8 J. These findings provide valuable insights into grain refinement and property enhancement, contributing to the understanding of process–microstructure–property relationships.
Deep Neck Infections: The Effectiveness of Therapeutic Management and Bacteriological Profile
Authors: Bandol Geanina , Cobzeanu Mihail Dan , Moscalu Mihaela , Palade Octavian Dragos , Moisii Liliana , Severin Florentina , Patrascanu Emilia , Mocanu Florin , Roman Andrei Ionut , Cobzeanu Bogdan Mihail
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: Deep neck infections (DNIs) are severe diagnoses that can cause serious complications. However, there are insufficient data to predict the evolution of this pathology. This study aims to review the microbiology of DNIs and to identify the factors that influence prolonged hospitalization. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective cohort observational analytical study analyzed 138 patients with DNIs who were diagnosed and received surgical treatment over a 8-year period. Results: Reduced lymphocyte percentages and increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) were significantly associated with complications (p < 0.001 and p = 0.0041, respectively). Laryngotracheal infections were significantly associated with complications (25.53%) (p = 0.0004). Diabetes mellitus (DM) and immunocompromised status were strongly associated with complications (p < 0.001 and p = 0.0056, respectively), establishing these conditions as significant risk factors. Patients with complications experienced substantially longer hospitalizations, with a mean duration of 24.9 days compared to 8.32 days in patients without complications (p < 0.001). Complications were observed in 47 patients (34.06%). The most common complications were airway obstruction, which occurred in 26 patients (18.84%), and mediastinitis, which was noted in 31 patients (22.46%). Patients requiring tracheotomy due to airway obstruction had 6.51 times higher odds of long-term hospitalization compared to those without airway obstruction (OR = 6.51; p < 0.001). Mediastinitis was associated with a 4.81-fold increase in the odds of prolonged hospitalization (OR = 4.81; p < 0.001). Monomicrobial infections were observed in 35.5% of cases, with no significant difference between the short-term (<2 weeks, 37.33%) and long-term (≥2 weeks, 33.33%) hospitalization groups (p = 0.8472). Conversely, polymicrobial infections were significantly associated with prolonged hospitalization, occurring in 20.63% of the long-term cases compared to 6.66% of the short-term cases (p < 0.001). The most common aerobic bacteria observed were Staphylococcus aureus (14.28%), Streptococcus constellatus (12.69%) and Streptococcus viridans (7.93%) during long-term hospitalization. Comparative analysis of the Kaplan–Meier survival curves based on the presence of infection revealed a significantly lower survival in cases with a positive culture. Conclusions: Deep neck infection has a complex pathology, whose therapeutic management remains a challenge in order to reduce the length of hospitalization and mortality.
Drug-Induced Myoclonus: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rissardo Jamir Pitton , Fornari Caprara Ana Letícia , Bhal Nidhi , Repudi Rishikulya , Zlatin Lea , Walker Ian M.
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: Myoclonus is already associated with a wide variety of drugs and systemic conditions. As new components are discovered, more drugs are suspected of causing this disabling abnormal involuntary movement. This systematic review aims to assess the medications associated with drug-induced myoclonus (DIM). Materials and Methods: Two reviewers assessed the PubMed database using the search term “myoclonus”, without language restriction, for articles published between 1955 and 2024. The medications found were divided into classes and sub-classes, and the subclasses were graded according to their level of evidence. Results: From 12,097 results, 1115 were found to be DIM. The subclasses of medications with level A evidence were intravenous anesthetics (etomidate), cephalosporins (ceftazidime, cefepime), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline), tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline), glutamate antagonist (amantadine), atypical antipsychotics (clozapine, quetiapine), antiseizure medications (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, gabapentin, pregabalin, valproate), pure opioid agonist (fentanyl, morphine), bismuth salts, and mood stabilizers (lithium). The single medication with the highest number of reports was etomidate. Drug-induced asterixis is associated with a specific list of medications. The neurotransmitters likely involved in DIM are serotonin, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate. Conclusions: DIM may be reversible with management that can include drug discontinuation, dose adjustment, and the prescription of a medication used to treat idiopathic myoclonus. Based on the main clinical constellation of symptoms and pathophysiological mechanisms found in this study, DIM can be categorized into three types: type 1 (serotonin syndrome), type 2 (non-serotonin syndrome), and type 3 (unknown).
Cross-Linked Self-Standing Graphene Oxide Membranes: A Pathway to Scalable Applications in Separation Technologies
Authors: Carrio Juan A. G. , Talluri Vssl Prasad , Toolahalli Swamy T. , Echeverrigaray Sergio G. , Castro Neto Antonio H.
Published: January 2025

The large-scale implementation of 2D material-based membranes is hindered by mechanical stability and mass transport control challenges. This work describes the fabrication, characterisation, and testing of self-standing graphene oxide (GO) membranes cross-linked with oxides such as Fe2O3, Al2O3, CaSO4, Nb2O5, and a carbide, SiC. These cross-linking agents enhance the mechanical stability of the membranes and modulate their mass transport properties. The membranes were prepared by casting aqueous suspensions of GO and SiC or oxide powders onto substrates, followed by drying and detachment to yield self-standing films. This method enabled precise control over membrane thickness and the formation of laminated microstructures with interlayer spacings ranging from 0.8 to 1.2 nm. The resulting self-standing membranes, with areas between 0.002 m2 and 0.090 m2 and thicknesses from 0.6 μm to 20 μm, exhibit excellent flexibility and retain their chemical and physical integrity during prolonged testing in direct contact with ethanol/water and methanol/water mixtures in both liquid and vapour phases, with stability demonstrated over 24 h and up to three months. Gas permeation and chemical characterisation tests evidence their suitability for gas separation applications. The interactions promoted by the oxides and carbide with the functional groups of GO confer great stability and unique mass transport properties—the Nb2O5 cross-linked membranes present distinct performance characteristics—creating the potential for scalable advancements in cross-linked 2D material membranes for separation technologies.
The Effect of Corrosion Inhibitors on the Corrosion Behavior of Ductile Cast Iron
Authors: Liu Jing , Wang Bingqin , Chen Tianqi , Hao Lianjun , Wu Jun , Liu Chao
Published: January 2025

Based on actual service environment parameters, this experiment investigated the change in the corrosion rate of nodular cast iron (DCI) in an environment containing organic (triethanolamine phosphate, PTEA) and inorganic (hexametaphosphate, SHMP) inhibitors, and analyzed the effects of both inhibitors and the pH value of the solution on the corrosion behavior of DCI. Additionally, a variable flow rate device was used to conduct immersion tests, enabling the accurate evaluation of the materials’ corrosion resistance in an actual service environment. After a certain period, the corrosion of the DCI surface was observed, and the weight loss corrosion rate of the materials was calculated to analyze the differences in corrosion resistance under varying environmental parameters. It was found that the inhibitory effect of both inhibitors on DCI increased with the immersion time, and the inhibitory effect of the SHMP inhibitor was more pronounced under alkaline conditions. Based on the electrochemical and flow rate immersion test results, it can be concluded that, in the solution environment used in this experiment, the inhibitory effect of the SHMP inhibitor on DCI is stronger than that of the PTEA inhibitor.
Silymarin as a Therapeutic Agent for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multi-Approach Computational Study
Authors: Benslama Ouided , Lekmine Sabrina , Moussa Hamza , Tahraoui Hichem , Ola Mohammad Shamsul , Zhang Jie , Amrane Abdeltif
Published: January 2025

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and lethal form of liver cancer with limited treatment options. Silymarin, a flavonoid complex derived from milk thistle, has shown promise in liver disease treatment due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of silymarin in HCC through a comprehensive in silico approach. Methods: This study employed a network pharmacology approach to identify key molecular targets of silymarin in HCC. The Genecards and Metascape databases were used for target identification and functional annotation. Molecular docking analysis was conducted on the primary silymarin components against VEGFA and SRC proteins, which are critical in HCC progression. MD simulations followed to assess the stability and interactions of the docked complexes. Results: Network pharmacology analysis identified several key molecular targets and pathways implicated in HCC. The molecular docking results revealed strong binding affinities of silymarin components to VEGFA and SRC, with Silybin A and Isosilybin B showing the highest affinities. MD simulations confirmed the stability of these interactions, indicating potential inhibitory effects on HCC progression. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive in silico evaluation of silymarin’s therapeutic potential in HCC. The findings suggest that silymarin, particularly its components Silybin A and Isosilybin B, may effectively target VEGFA and SRC proteins, offering a promising avenue for HCC treatment. Further experimental validation is warranted to confirm these findings and facilitate the development of silymarin-based therapeutics for HCC.
A Microfluidic-Based Cell-Stretching Culture Device That Allows for Easy Preparation of Slides for Observation with High-Magnification Objective Lenses
Authors: Kato Momoko , Sato Kae
Published: January 2025

Microfluidic-based cell-stretching devices are vital for studying the molecular pathways involved in cellular responses to mechanobiological processes. Accurate evaluation of these responses requires detailed observation of cells cultured in this cell-stretching device. This study aimed to develop a method for preparing microscope slides to enable high-magnification imaging of cells in these devices. The key innovation is creating a peelable bond between the cell culture membrane and the upper channel, allowing for easy removal of the upper layer and precise cutting of the membrane for high-magnification microscopy. Using the fabricated device, OP9 cells (15,000 cells/channel) were stretched, and the effects of focal adhesion proteins and the intracellular distribution of YAP1 were examined under a fluorescence microscope with 100× and 60× objectives. Stretch stimulation increased integrinβ1 expression and promoted integrin–vinculin complex formation by approximately 1.4-fold in OP9 cells. Furthermore, YAP1 nuclear localization was significantly enhanced (approximately 1.3-fold) during stretching. This method offers a valuable tool for researchers using microfluidic-based cell-stretching devices. The advancement of imaging techniques in microdevice research is expected to further drive progress in mechanobiology research.
Narrow Linewidth All-Optical Microwave Oscillator Based on Torsional Radial Acoustic Modes of Single-Mode Fiber
Authors: Wang Wen , He Wenjun , Fang Xinyue , Liu Yi , You Yajun , Li Mingxing , Yu Lei , Yan Qing , Hou Yafei , He Jian , Chou Xiujian
Published: January 2025

A Hz level narrow linewidth all-optical microwave oscillator based on the torsional radial acoustic modes (TR2,m) of a single-mode fiber (SMF) is proposed and validated. The all-optical microwave oscillator consists of a 20 km SMF main ring cavity and a 5 km SMF sub ring cavity. The main ring cavity provides forward stimulated Brillouin scattering gain and utilizes a nonlinear polarization rotation effect to achieve TR2,7 mode locking. By combining the sub ring cavity with the main ring cavity and utilizing the Vernier effect, the TR2,7 mode microwave photonic single longitudinal mode (SLM) output can be ensured. Meanwhile, the 6.281 Hz narrow linewidth of the TR2,7 mode is achieved by reducing the intrinsic linewidth of the passive resonant cavity. The acoustic mode suppression ratio and side mode suppression ratio of the TR2,7 mode were 43 dB and 54 dB, respectively. The power and frequency fluctuations of within 40 min were approximately ±0.49 dB and ±0.187 kHz, indicating good stability. At a frequency offset of 10 kHz, the TR2,7 mode had a low phase noise value of −110 dBc/Hz. This solution can be used in various fields, such as high-precision radar detection, long-distance optical communication, and high-performance fiber optic sensing.