bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proactive Maintenance and Data-Driven Optimization of Mineral Lubricating Oil in a Gas Engine Cogeneration System Extending Oil Change Intervals for Cost Savings and a Reduced Environmental Footprint
Authors: Pytel Krzysztof , Filipek Roman , Kalwar Adam , Piaskowska-Silarska Małgorzata , Hudy Wiktor , Depešová Jana , Kurdziel Franciszek
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the operational properties of mineral lubricating oil in gas engines used in cogeneration systems, with a focus on factors contributing to the degradation of lubricating properties critical for energy efficiency and system management. The research was conducted on a 4.3 MW gas engine operating for about 90,000 machine hours, using natural gas as fuel. Data obtained from SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems and laboratory analysis were utilized to establish oil quality criteria, enabling the prediction of oil degradation and optimization of oil change intervals. Parameters including viscosity, contamination levels, Total Base Number (TBN), and Total Acid Number (TAN), were identified as significant indicators of oil performance and engine reliability. The findings revealed that oil change intervals could be extended by an average of 37% compared to standard schedules, thereby minimizing unnecessary maintenance downtimes, enhancing system availability, and increasing electrical and thermal energy output. Optimized oil utilization reduced material costs for oil and filter replacements, lowering expenditures from 3021 to 1887 EUR per machine hour. Additionally, the predicted Global Warming Potential (GWP) for prematurely consumed oil amounted to 68 × 103 kg CO2 eq., while avoidable waste generation reached 18.2 m3 of mineral oil. Regular oil analysis conducted every 1000 operating hours proved critical for early detection of oil degradation, supporting proactive maintenance strategies and ensuring optimal engine performance and longevity.
Impact of Agroindustrial Waste Fermented with Bacteria and Yeasts and Their Effect on Productive, Hematological, and Microbiota Indicators in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Authors: Miranda-Yuquilema José E. , Taboada-Pico Juan , Luna-Velasco Daniel , Cuenca-Condoy Mercy , Briñez Wilfrido
Published: January 2025

In the last decade, the production of guinea pig meat in Andean countries has increased due to the growing number of consumers of this meat. Objective: To evaluate the effect of including different doses (0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 mL) of agro-industrial substrates (molasses distillery waste) fermented with lactic acid bacteria and yeasts on productive performance, hematological profile, relative weight changes in digestive tract organs, and changes in the intestinal microbiota in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Materials: A total of 300 guinea pigs, Kuri breed, aged 20 days and weighing 330 g, were distributed into 10 groups of 30 animals each. Ctrl, Control. La, substrate fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus (8.1 × 107 CFU/mL). Kf, substrate fermented with Kluyveromyces fragilis (7.4 × 106 CFU/mL). La + Kf, substrate fermented with bacteria and yeasts; the evaluated doses were 0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 mL/animal. The indicators evaluated in the study included weight gain, health, hematological profile, relative weight of digestive tract organs, and changes in the intestinal microbiota. Results: The parameters evaluated were toxicity, productive parameters, occurrence of diarrhea and mortality, and blood profile. The results showed a significant increase in the weight of the animals consuming probiotics, especially at higher doses. Additionally, an improvement in the intestinal microbiota was observed, with an increase in beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and a decrease in pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics also influenced the hematological parameters and the weight of digestive tract organs, suggesting a positive effect on the overall health of the animals. Conclusions: Supplementation with probiotics proved to be a promising strategy for improving productive performance and intestinal health in guinea pigs. Supplementation with L. acidophilus and K. fragilis significantly enhances guinea pig growth and modulates the intestinal microbiota. The combination of strains and appropriate doses maximizes benefits. These results promise applications in animal production, requiring further studies to confirm their efficacy in other species and developmental stages.
Towards a Greener Future: Sustainable Innovations in the Extraction of Lavender (Lavandula spp.) Essential Oil
Authors: Hedayati Sara , Tarahi Mohammad , Madani Arghavan , Mazloomi Seyed Mohammad , Hashempur Mohammad Hashem
Published: January 2025

Lavender is one of the most appreciated aromatic plants, with high economic value in food, cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceutical industries. Lavender essential oil (LEO) is known to have demonstrative antimicrobial, antioxidant, therapeutic, flavor and fragrance properties. Conventional extraction methods, e.g., steam distillation (SD) and hydro-distillation (HD), have been traditionally employed to extract LEO. However, the low yield, high energy consumption, and long extraction time of conventional methods have prompted the introduction of novel extraction technologies. Some of these innovative approaches, such as ohmic-assisted, microwave-assisted, supercritical fluid, and subcritical water extraction approaches, are used as substitutes to conventional extraction methods. While other methods, e.g., sonication, pulsed electric field, and cold plasma, can be used as a pre-treatment that is preceded by conventional or emerging extraction technologies. These innovative approaches have a great significance in reducing the energy consumption, shortening the extraction time, and increasing the extraction yield and the quality of EOs. Therefore, they can be considered as sustainable extraction technologies. However, the scale-up of emerging technologies to an industrial level should also be investigated from the techno-economic points of view in future studies.
Modeling Anomalous Transport of Cosmic Rays in the Heliosphere Using a Fractional Fokker–Planck Equation
Authors: Díaz Palencia José Luis
Published: January 2025

Cosmic rays exhibit anomalous diffusion behaviors in the heliospheric environment that cannot be adequately described by classical diffusion models. In this paper, we develop a theoretical framework employing a fractional Fokker–Planck equation to model the anomalous transport of cosmic rays. This approach accounts for the observed non-Gaussian distributions, long-range correlations and memory effects in cosmic ray fluxes. We derive analytical solutions using the Adomian Decomposition Method and express them in terms of Mittag-Leffler functions and Lévy stable distributions. The model parameters, including the fractional orders α and μ and the entropic index q, are estimated by a short comparison between theoretical predictions and observational data from cosmic ray experiments. Our findings suggest that the integration of fractional calculus and non-extensive statistics can be employed for describing the cosmic ray propagation and the anomalous diffusion observed in the heliosphere.
Encapsulation of Hydrogen Peroxide in PVA/PVP Hydrogels for Medical Applications
Authors: Mounayer Natalie , Shoshani Sivan , Afrimzon Elena , Iline-Vul Taly , Topaz Moris , Banin Ehud , Margel Shlomo
Published: January 2025

Researchers have been investigating the physical and morphological properties of biodegradable polymer and copolymer films, blending them with other chemicals to solve challenges in medical, industrial, and eco-environmental fields. The present study introduces a novel, straightforward method for preparing biodegradable hydrogels based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) for medical applications. The resulting PVA/PVP-based hydrogel uniquely combines the water absorbency, biocompatibility, and biodegradability of the polymer composite. For hygiene products and medical uses, such as wound healing, hydrogen peroxide (HP) was encapsulated in the PVA/PVP hydrogels for controlled release application. Incorporating PVP into PVA significantly enhances the hydrogel water absorbency and improves the mechanical properties. However, to mitigate the disadvantage of high water absorbency which could result in undesired early dissolution, efforts were made to increase the water resistance and the mechanical characteristics of these hydrogels using freeze–thaw (F/T) cycles and chemical crosslinking PVA chains with trisodium trimetaphosphate (STMP). The resulting hydrogels serve as environmentally friendly bio-based polymer blends, broadening their applications in medical and industrial products. The structural and morphological properties of the hydrogel were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), environmental scanning electron microscope analysis (E-SEM), and water-swelling tests. The HP controlled release rate was evaluated through kinetic release experiments using the ex vivo skin model. The antibacterial activity of the hydrogel films was examined on four medically relevant bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with an adapted disk diffusion assay. Using this assay, we also evaluated the antibacterial effect of the hydrogel films over the course of days, demonstrating the HP controlled release from these hydrogels. These findings support further in vivo investigation into controlled HP release systems for improved wound-healing outcomes.
Nutritional and Structural Components of Forage Sorghum Subjected to Nitrogen Fertilization and Molybdenum
Authors: da Fonsêca Glícia Rafaela Freitas , de Souza Henrique Jamiles Carvalho Gonçalves , de Alcântara Ednaete Bezerra , Almeida Náthaly Vitória Santos , de Oliveira Alexandre Campelo , da Silva Medeiros Maria Luana , Silva Arthur Lucas Júlio , de Souza Evaristo Jorge Oliveira
Published: January 2025

Semi-arid regions present edaphoclimatic limitations for forage production, primarily affecting plant growth and development. Crops adapted to such conditions, like forage sorghum, and nutritional supplementation with nitrogen and molybdenum, can increase forage production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between nitrogen and molybdenum on the bromatological and structural components of forage sorghum (SF-15) cultivated in a semi-arid environment, with the hypothesis that nitrogen fertilization combined with molybdenum would enhance nitrogen use efficiency in sorghum. The methodology involved a 5 × 2 factorial experiment in a randomized block design (RBD) with increasing doses of nitrogen (urea) (0, 50, 100, 150, 300 kg ha−¹) and two doses of molybdenum (sodium molybdate): 0 and 160 g ha−1, conducted over three cultivation cycles. At the end of each cycle, morphological variables were evaluated, and yield of natural mass (YNM), yield of dry mass (YDM), crude protein production (CPP), and bromatological components were determined. Morphometric characteristics were influenced by the interaction between cycle x nitrogen doses (N) and molybdenum doses (Mo). For productive characteristics, there was an interaction between cycle and nitrogen doses, with the first regrowth cycle and the dosage of 100 kg ha−1 N showing the highest mean. Bromatological components were influenced by the N and Mo interaction. The study confirmed the synergistic effect between nitrogen and molybdenum. It is recommended to use 100 kg ha−1 nitrogen fertilization for an average production of 10 t ha−1 for SF-15 sorghum.
Urban Vitality Measurement Through Big Data and Internet of Things Technologies
Authors: Kim Young-Long
Published: January 2025

This paper examines the evolution of urban vitality measurement, emphasizing the transformative impact of big data and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Traditionally assessed through direct observations and surveys, urban vitality measurement has shifted with the advent of these technologies, enabling the collection of vast amounts of urban data. This approach offers a more dynamic and comprehensive picture of urban vitality, facilitated by advanced analytical tools such as machine learning and predictive analytics, which can interpret complex datasets to offer real-time insights and better decision-making for urban planning. However, this shift also raises significant methodological and ethical concerns, particularly regarding privacy, reliability, and accuracy. The paper discusses the theoretical underpinnings of urban vitality, current technological advancements, and the challenges and future directions in urban studies. It highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach to fully harness the potential of emerging technologies in developing livable, sustainable, and responsive cities.
Solving Spatial Optimization Problems via Lagrangian Relaxation and Automatic Gradient Computation
Authors: Lei Zhen , Lei Ting L.
Published: January 2025

Spatial optimization is an integral part of GIS and spatial analysis. It involves making various decisions in space, ranging from the location of public facilities to vehicle routing and political districting. While useful, such problems (especially large problem instances) are often difficult to solve using general mathematical programming (due to their generality). Traditionally, an alternative solution method is Lagrangian relaxation, which, if well-designed, can be fast and optimal. One has to derive the Lagrangian dual problem and its (sub)gradients, and move towards the optimal solution via a search process such as gradient descent. Despite its merits, Lagrangian relaxation as a solution algorithm requires one to derive the (sub)gradients manually, which is error-prone and makes the solution algorithm difficult to develop and highly dependent on the model at hand. This paper aims to ease the development of Lagrangian relaxation algorithms for GIS practitioners by employing the automatic (sub)gradient (autograd) computation capabilities originally developed in modern Deep Learning. Using the classic p-median problem as an example, we demonstrate how Lagrangian relaxation can be developed with paper and pencil, and how the (sub)gradient computation derivation can be automated using autograd. As such, the human expert only needs to implement the Lagrangian problem in a scientific computing language (such as Python), and the system can find the (sub)gradients of this code, even if it contains complex loops and conditional statements. We verify that the autograd version of the algorithm is equivalent to the original version with manually derived gradients. By automating the (sub)gradient computation, we significantly lower the cost of developing a Lagrangian algorithm for the p-median. And such automation can be applied to numerous other optimization problems.
Footprints of the Future: Cleaner and Faster Transportation with Shared E-Scooter Operational Models
Authors: Kaya Ömer
Published: January 2025

In recent years, shared e-scooters have become increasingly popular as a mode of transportation in urban areas. Shared e-scooters have emerged as a convenient and sustainable transportation option in urban areas, providing users with a flexible and efficient way to travel short distances within a city. Many service providers and local municipalities are interested in implementing shared e-scooter operational models. However, determining which operating model to prefer and what the service areas will be is a significant problem. We aimed to solve the implementation of three different operational models, the site selection problem of station locations, and service areas for Erzurum, the metropolitan city in this study. As shared e-scooter is quite a new transportation mode; information collected to assess the operational models’ sustainability performance may be indeterminate and vague. In this study, the Geographic Information System (GIS)-based hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method is proposed for the solution of implementation, site selection, and service areas problems of three different shared e-scooter operational models. To this end, a four-step scientific and strategic solution approach is developed: (i) the identification and detailed explanation of 5 main and 24 sub-criteria, (ii) the weighting of criteria through the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), Multi-Influencing Factor (MIF), and Best–Worst Method (BWM) in order to increase the sensitivity and robustness of the study, (iii) obtaining a suitability map for the solution of implementation, site selection, and service areas problems of operational models, and (iv) assigning shared e-scooter stations and analyzing their performance levels with COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS). The results show that, in Erzurum, the central three districts are the most suitable for service areas. The paper’s solution methodology can help service providers and policymakers invest in sustainable shared e-scooter operational models, even in situations of high uncertainty.
Atherosclerosis and the Bidirectional Relationship Between Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: From Bench to Bedside, Part 2 Management
Authors: Gallucci Giuseppina , Larocca Mario , Navazio Alessandro , Turazza Fabio Maria , Inno Alessandro , Canale Maria Laura , Oliva Stefano , Besutti Giulia , Tedeschi Andrea , Aschieri Daniela , Russo Antonio , Gori Stefania , Silvestris Nicola , Pinto Carmine , Tarantini Luigi
Published: January 2025

The first part of this review highlighted the evolving landscape of atherosclerosis, noting emerging cardiometabolic risk factors, the growing impact of exposomes, and social determinants of health. The prominent role of atherosclerosis in the bidirectional relationship between cardiovascular disease and cancer was also discussed. In this second part, we examine the complex interplay between multimorbid cardio-oncologic patients, cardiometabolic risk factors, and the harmful environments that lend a “syndemic” nature to these chronic diseases. We summarize management strategies targeting disordered cardiometabolic factors to mitigate cardiovascular disease and explore molecular mechanisms enabling more tailored therapies. Importantly, we emphasize the early interception of atherosclerosis through multifactorial interventions that detect subclinical signs (via biomarkers and imaging) to treat modifiable risk factors and prevent clinical events. A concerted preventive effort—referred to by some as a “preventome”—is essential to reduce the burden of atherosclerosis-driven chronic diseases, shifting from mere chronic disease management to the proactive promotion of “chronic health”.
Antimicrobial Activity of Bacillus Cyclic Lipopeptides and Their Role in the Host Adaptive Response to Changes in Environmental Conditions
Authors: Markelova Natalia , Chumak Anastasia
Published: January 2025

Bacillus cyclic lipopeptides (CLP), part of the three main families—surfactins, iturins, and fengycins—are secondary metabolites with a unique chemical structure that includes both peptide and lipid components. Being amphiphilic compounds, CLPs exhibit antimicrobial activity in vitro, damaging the membranes of microorganisms. However, the concentrations of CLPs used in vitro are difficult to achieve in natural conditions. Therefore, in a natural environment, alternative mechanisms of antimicrobial action by CLPs are more likely, such as inducing apoptosis in fungal cells, preventing microbial adhesion to the substrate, and promoting the death of phytopathogens by stimulating plant immune responses. In addition, CLPs in low concentrations act as signaling molecules of Bacillus’s own metabolism, and when environmental conditions change, they form an adaptive response of the host bacterium. Namely, they trigger the differentiation of the bacterial population into various specialized cell types: competent cells, flagellated cells, matrix producers, and spores. In this review, we have summarized the current understanding of the antimicrobial action of Bacillus CLPs under both experimental and natural conditions. We have also shown the relationship between some regulatory pathways involved in CLP biosynthesis and bacterial cell differentiation, as well as the role of CLPs as signaling molecules that determine changes in the physiological state of Bacillus subpopulations in response to shifts in environmental conditions.
Position-Dependent Effects of AP Sites Within an hTERT Promoter G-Quadruplex Scaffold on Quadruplex Stability and Repair Activity of the APE1 Enzyme
Authors: Savitskaya Viktoriia Yu. , Novoselov Kirill A. , Dolinnaya Nina G. , Monakhova Mayya V. , Snyga Viktoriia G. , Diatlova Evgeniia A. , Peskovatskova Elizaveta S. , Golyshev Victor M. , Kitaeva Mariia I. , Eroshenko Daria A. , Zvereva Maria I. , Zharkov Dmitry O. , Kubareva Elena A.
Published: January 2025

Apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites are endogenous DNA lesions widespread in human cells. Having no nucleobases, they are noncoding and promutagenic. AP site repair is generally initiated through strand incision by AP endonuclease 1 (APE1). Although AP sites’ repair in regular B-DNA has been studied extensively, their processing in G-quadruplexes (G4s) has received much less attention. Here, we used the hTERT promoter region that is capable of forming three stacked parallel G4s to understand how AP sites can influence higher-order quadruplex folding and stability and how a G4 affects the efficiency of human APE1-mediated AP site processing. We designed a series of synthetic single- and double-stranded DNA constructs of varying lengths containing a stable AP site analog in both G- and C-rich strands at positions corresponding to somatic driver mutations. Using circular dichroism, we studied the effect of the AP site on hTERT G4 structure and stability. Bio-layer interferometry and gel-based approaches were employed to characterize APE1 binding to the designed DNA substrates and AP site processing. It was shown that (i) an AP site leads to G4 destabilization, which depends on the lesion location in the G4 scaffold; (ii) APE1 binds tightly to hTERT G4 structure but exhibits greatly reduced cleavage activity at AP sites embedded in the quadruplex; and (iii) a clear correlation was revealed between AP site-induced hTERT G4 destabilization and APE1 activity. We can hypothesize that reduced repair of AP sites in the hTERT G4 is one of the reasons for the high mutation rate in this promoter region.
Data Mining Approach to Melatonin Treatment in Alzheimer’s Disease: New Gene Targets MMP2 and NR3C1
Authors: Zhang Jingyi , Tsui Ka Chun , Lee Hoi Ying , Aquili Luca , Wong Kah Hui , Kocabicak Ersoy , Temel Yasin , Lu Zhiliang , Fung Man-Lung , Kalueff Allan , Lim Lee Wei
Published: January 2025

Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland that regulates the sleep–wake cycle. It has been widely studied for its therapeutic effects on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), particularly through the amyloidosis, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation pathways. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which it exerts its neuroprotective effects in AD are still largely unknown. Data mining was used to identify potential gene targets that link melatonin’s effects to AD pathways, yielding a comprehensive view of the underlying molecular mechanisms. We identified 3397 genes related to AD from DisGeNet and 329 melatonin gene targets from ChEMBL, which revealed 223 overlapping genes and the potential shared pathways. These genes were used to construct a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network comprising 143 nodes and 823 edges, which demonstrated significant PPI enrichment. A cluster analysis highlighted two key clusters centered on MMP2 and NR3C1, with both genes playing crucial roles in steroid hormone signaling, apoptosis, and monoamine neurotransmission. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses further elucidated their involvement in critical pathways, for instance, steroid hormone signaling and apoptosis regulation, significantly influencing AD pathology through mechanisms such as extracellular matrix remodeling, epigenetic modifications, and neuroinflammation. Our findings emphasize MMP2 and NR3C1 as important gene targets for future research on melatonin treatment in AD, paving the way for further investigations into their roles in AD pathophysiology.
Hormonal Priming to Increase Germination of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Seeds in Saline Environments
Authors: Janah Iman , Elhasnaoui Abdelhadi , Abouloifa Houssam , Ait-El-Mokhtar Mohamed , Ben Laouane Raja
Published: January 2025

Hormonal priming has recently emerged as a powerful strategy to increase seed germination and early seedling growth, especially in challenging abiotic stress environments. This study explored the impact of gibberellic acid (GA) and salicylic acid (SA) priming on the germination performance of Stevia rebaudiana seeds under saline conditions. Stevia seeds were either hydroprimed with distilled water (control) or primed with varying concentrations of GA (0.1 and 0.2%) and SA (0.25 and 0.5 mM) and then exposed to salt stress (0 and 80 mM NaCl). The results demonstrated that GA and SA priming significantly enhanced germination rates, reduced mean germination time, and improved the salt tolerance index compared to untreated seeds. Primed seeds showed notable improvements in seedling vigor, including greater shoot and root lengths under salinity stress. The best results were achieved with 0.1% GA and 0.5 mM SA, effectively alleviating the detrimental impact of high salinity on germination. The primed seeds also exhibited reduced electrolyte leakage, signifying improved membrane stability under salt stress. In conclusion, this study presents robust evidence that GA and SA priming is an effective approach for enhancing the germination, salt tolerance index, and early growth of Stevia under saline conditions, offering a practical solution to improve crop establishment in salinity-affected regions.
Challenges of Porcine Wound Models: A Review
Authors: Elloso Margarita , Hutter Maria Fernanda , Jeschke Nicklas , Rix Graham , Chen Yufei , Douglas Alisa , Jeschke Marc G.
Published: January 2025

Pigs are important translational research models for wound healing due to their skin, which is similar to human skin in terms of anatomy and physiology. Porcine wound models have been developed and used for years to study wound healing and evaluate various therapeutic agents. However, the study of porcine wound healing is multilayered as it involves not just the complex biological processes of wound healing but also cost, animal housing, handling, staff experience, and challenges such as procedural risks and human resources. In this review article, we discuss the various challenges of the model. Investigators using pig models should be well informed of the challenges of the porcine wound model to prevent possible problems and complications.
Balancing Technology, Ethics, and Society: A Review of Artificial Intelligence in Embryo Selection
Authors: Aufieri Roberto , Mastrocola Francesco
Published: January 2025

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in embryo selection during in vitro fertilization presents distinct ethical and societal challenges compared to the general implementation of AI in healthcare. This narrative review examines ethical perspectives and potential societal implications of implementing AI-driven embryo selection. The literature reveals that some authors perceive AI as an extension of a technocratic paradigm that commodifies embryos, considering that any embryo selection methods undermine the dignity of human life. Others, instead, contend that prioritizing embryos with the highest viability is morally permissible while cautioning against discarding embryos based solely on unproven AI assessments. The reviewed literature identified further potential ethical concerns associated with this technique, including possible bias in the selection criteria, lack of transparency in black-box algorithms, risks of “machine paternalism” replacing human judgment, privacy issues with sensitive fertility data, equity of access, and challenges in maintaining human-centered care. These findings, along with the results of the only randomized controlled trial available, suggest that the introduction of AI-driven embryo selection in clinical practice is not currently scientifically and ethically justified. Implementing and deploying ethical and responsible AI in embryo selection would be feasible only if the ethical and societal concerns raised are adequately addressed.
Leadless Pacemaker vs. Transvenous Pacemaker in End Stage Kidney Disease: Insights from the Nationwide Readmission Database
Authors: Kansakar Sajog , Naeem Azka , Moskovits Norbert , Shrestha Dhan Bahadur , Shtembari Jurgen , Biswas Monodeep , Shantha Ghanshyam , Basyal Binaya , Storey James , Katz Daniel
Published: January 2025

Background: Leadless pacemakers offer a safe and effective alternative pacing strategy. However, limited data are available for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), a population of significant relevance. Methods: Using the Nationwide Readmission Database, we extracted data from all adult patients with ESRD who underwent traditional transvenous or leadless pacemaker implantation between 2016 and 2021. We compared in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission rates, complication rates, and healthcare resource utilization between the two cohorts. Results: A total of 6384 (81.2%) patients were included in the transvenous pacemaker cohort, and 1481(18.8%) patients were included in the leadless pacemaker cohort. In patients with ESRD, leadless pacemaker implantation was linked to higher in-hospital complications when compared to transvenous pacemakers. These included the need for blood transfusion (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.32–2.60, p < 0.01), vascular complications (aOR 3.6, CI 1.40–9.26, p = 0.01), and cardiac complications (aOR 4.12, CI 1.70–9.98, p < 0.01). However, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission rates. The median length of stay was longer for leadless pacemaker implantation than transvenous pacemaker implantation (5 days vs. 4 days, p < 0.01). The total hospitalization charges were also higher ($139,826 vs. $93,919, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Although previous studies have demonstrated lower long-term complication rates with leadless pacemakers than transvenous pacemakers, our analysis shows a higher risk of short-term in-hospital complications in ESRD patients, though no differences in in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmissions.
Are Current Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Fit for Purpose to Evaluate Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty?
Authors: Bayram John M. , Clement Nicholas D. , Hall Andrew J. , Walmsley Phil , Clarke Jon V.
Published: January 2025

The optimal procedure for isolated end-stage medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) remains uncertain, with debate persisting between unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate current outcome measures in knee arthroplasty (KA) and explore how evolving patient populations and technological advancements may necessitate the use of different patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for evaluating UKA. While UKA offers potential advantages over TKA in early pain relief and functional outcomes, most randomised control trials using traditional PROMs have failed to show definitive superiority. The recent introduction of robotic assistance may have further enhanced the benefits of UKA. However, it remains uncertain whether the advantages outweigh the higher revision rates associated with UKA. Although traditional PROMs, such as the Oxford Knee Score or Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, were designed for the KA population of 30 years ago, they continue to be employed today. The current KA population, particularly those undergoing UKA, are typically younger, physically fitter, and have higher functional demands than those for whom traditional PROMs were originally designed. As a result, these PROMs are now limited by ceiling effects. High-performance PROMs, such as the Forgotten Joint Score-12 or the metabolic equivalent of task score, have recently been utilised for high-demand patients and do not have postoperative ceiling effects. Return to work and sport are also important outcomes that are often overlooked for younger, high-demand patients. Future studies should aim to define the differences between UKA and TKA populations, identify patient factors that predict UKA success, and validate high-performance PROMs for UKA. This will provide deeper insights into the functional benefits of UKA and TKA, enabling patients and surgeons to make more informed decisions regarding implant selection.
A Narrative Review of Fungal Periprosthetic Joint Infections of the Hip and Knee: Risk Factors, Microbiological Profiles, and Treatment Challenges
Authors: Sznajder Wojciech , Jankowska-Polańska Beata , Tański Wojciech
Published: January 2025

Fungal periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are rare but increasingly recognized complications following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). While Candida albicans remains the most common pathogen, non-albicans Candida species and other fungi, such as Aspergillus, have gained prominence. These infections often present with subtle clinical features and affect patients with significant comorbidities or immunosuppression. Compared to bacterial PJIs, fungal infections pose unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, including biofilm formation, limited antifungal susceptibility, and protracted treatment courses. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence from research articles and review/metanalysis papers, focusing on fungal PJIs. The literature search encompassed publications from 2015 to 2024, identifying key insights on epidemiology, risk factors, microbiological profiles, diagnostic methods, therapeutic strategies, and outcomes. Both classical references and recent studies addressing emerging diagnostic biomarkers and biofilm-active therapies were included. It was shown that C. albicans remains the primary fungal pathogen in PJIs but non-albicans Candida species and other fungi are associated with more complex clinical scenarios, higher recurrence rates, and reduced infection-free survival. Patients commonly exhibit multiple comorbidities, compromised immune status, and previous prosthetic revisions. Diagnosis is complicated by slow-growing organisms and nonspecific inflammatory markers, prompting interest in novel diagnostics such as alpha-defensin, calprotectin, and next-generation sequencing. Two-stage revision arthroplasty, supplemented by prolonged targeted antifungal therapy, is considered the gold standard for chronic infections, although outcomes remain inferior to bacterial PJIs. Emerging strategies, including antifungal-impregnated beads and biofilm-disrupting agents, may improve local infection control. In conclusion, fungal PJIs constitute a challenging clinical entity demanding tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Further research into standardized diagnostic criteria, optimized antifungal regimens, biomarker validation, and refined surgical strategies is essential. Multidisciplinary collaboration, enhanced patient optimization, and innovative biofilm-directed therapies hold promise for improving outcomes and reducing the burden of fungal PJIs.
Exploring Maternal Challenges: A Pilot Study of Pain, Fatigue, and Anxiety in Newborn Care Within Rooming-in Settings
Authors: Anna Prokopowicz , Kinga Tułacz , Anna Jabłońska , Maciej Bagłaj , Anna Rozensztrauch
Published: January 2025

Background: In the rooming-in system, mothers and their healthy newborns stay together for 24 h a day; however, many women in the early postpartum period often find it challenging to balance their recovery from childbirth with the demands of caring for their newborns. This study aims to investigate the need for postpartum women to entrust their newborns to medical staff for care, and the relationship of this need with perceived pain, fatigue, and anxiety. Methods: The study uses the Need to Entrust a Newborn under the Care of the Staff (NEN) scale and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) to assess participants’ levels of pain, fatigue and anxiety. These scales were chosen to provide a comprehensive assessment of participants’ needs and experiences. Results: The results of the study reveal that fatigue levels among study participants were significantly high, with an Me of 7.0 (IQR = 4.0), exceeding the reportable levels of both pain (Me = 6.0, IQR = 5.0) and anxiety (Me = 5.0, IQR = 6.0) The need for support during the day and at night was at a similar level and strongly correlated (rho = 0.723; p < 0.001). Pain levels showed a significant positive correlation with the need to entrust the newborn both during the day (rho = 0.296; p < 0.001) and at night (rho = 0.332; p < 0.001). During the daytime, the correlation of fatigue with the need for staff support was rho = 0.423 (p < 0.001), while overnight, this increased to rho = 0.485 (p < 0.001). Anxiety significantly correlated with the need for staff support, both during daytime (rho = 0.422; p < 0.001) and overnight (rho = 0.431; p < 0.001). Multiparas reported significantly lower results of anxiety (U(Z) = −13.224, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The need to entrust newborns to the care of maternity rooming-in staff is strong but is often unmet in many facilities. Further research should be conducted to explore solutions, and plan future actions to alleviate the burdens on postpartum women and facilitate their recovery.
The Management of Postpartum Cardiorespiratory Failure in a Patient with COVID-19 and Sickle Cell Trait Requiring Extraorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support and Airflight Transportation
Authors: Pelouze Alexandre , Massias Sylvain , El Manser Diae , Koeltz Adrien , Balram Christophe Patricia Shri , Soualhi Mohamed , Licker Marc
Published: January 2025

Acute cardiovascular disorders are incriminated in up to 33% of maternal deaths, and the presence of sickle cell anemia (SCA) aggravates the risk of peripartum complications. Herein, we present a 24-year-old Caribbean woman with known SCA who developed a vaso-occlusive crisis at 36 weeks of gestation that required emergency Cesarean section. In the early postpartum period, she experienced fever with rapid onset of acute respiratory distress in the context of COVID-19 infection that required tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilatory support with broad-spectrum antibiotics and blood exchange transfusion. Shortly thereafter, transthoracic echocardiography documented severe biventricular dysfunction associated with raising levels of cardiac troponin and ECG signs of myocardial ischemia. Medical treatment with incremental dobutamine and noradrenaline infusion failed to improve cardiac output and blood gas exchange. After consultation with the regional cardiac center, a prompt decision was made to provide cardiac and respiratory support via implantation of femoral cannula and initiation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO, Cardiohelp®). Under stable ECMO, the patient was transferred by helicopter to a specialized cardiac center. There were no signs of ongoing hemolysis, and progressive recovery of the right and left ventricular function facilitated forward blood flow through the aortic valve. Three days after implantation, ECMO was weaned, and the cannula were removed. One day later, the patient’s chest X-rays showed partial resolution of lung edema. The patient was successfully extubated, and non-invasive ventilation with pulmonary rehabilitation was initiated to speed up her functional recovery.
Optimizing Mechanical Ventilation: A Clinical and Practical Bedside Method for the Identification and Management of Patient–Ventilator Asynchronies in Critical Care
Authors: Costa Vasco , Cidade José Pedro , Medeiros Inês , Póvoa Pedro
Published: January 2025

The prompt identification and correction of patient–ventilator asynchronies (PVA) remain a cornerstone for ensuring the quality of respiratory failure treatment and the prevention of further injury to critically ill patients. These disruptions, whether due to over- or under-assistance, have a profound clinical impact not only on the respiratory mechanics and the mortality associated with mechanical ventilation but also on the patient’s cardiac output and hemodynamic profile. Strong evidence has demonstrated that these frequently occurring and often underdiagnosed events have significant prognostic value for mechanical ventilation outcomes and are strongly associated with prolonged ICU stays and hospital mortality. Halting the consequences of PVA relies on the correct identification and approach of its underlying causes. However, this often requires advanced knowledge of respiratory physiology and the evaluation of complex ventilator waveforms in patient–ventilator interactions, posing a challenge to intensive care practitioners, in particular, those less experienced. This review aims to outline the most frequent types of PVA and propose a clinical algorithm to provide physicians with a structured approach to assess, accurately diagnose, and correct PVA.
Characterization of Mechanical and Electromechanical Properties of Aluminum-Coated Poled Orthotropic PVDF Film
Authors: Schlitz Daniel , Schneider Owen , Chaki Mriganka Shekhar , Lutz Anna , Guinovart David , Law Chiu Tai , Elhajjar Rani
Published: January 2025

Poled PVDF film is a piezoelectric polymer currently utilized in sensing and actuation applications. We investigate the stress–strain behavior of the material as a function of the angle to the stretch direction. These properties were measured using mechanical testing and full-field strain imaging and compared with off-axis analytical formulations. Orthotropic material models are proposed for the elastic strain and charge relationships coupled with Hill’s orthotropic yield function to capture the directional dependence of yield strength in the poled PVDF under high strains. Additionally, the in-plane piezoelectric strain coefficients d31, d32, and d36 were measured to aid in the design of PVDF metamaterials.
Preparation and Characteristics of Fire-Safe Foamed Epoxy Composites Filled with Technogenic Waste from Ceramic Brick Production
Authors: Mostovoy Anton , Bekeshev Amirbek , Shcherbakov Andrey , Zhumabekova Arai , Nurtai Zhadira , Lopukhova Marina
Published: January 2025

As a result of the conducted studies, the method of combining components and foaming parameters for obtaining foam epoxides has been selected. The relationship between the structure of the foam epoxide and the amount of the added blowing agent—ammonium carbonate—has been established. This study explores the development of fire-safe foamed epoxy composites by incorporating technogenic waste from ceramic brick production. The optimized composites demonstrated improved compressive strength, enhanced fire resistance (the LOI—35–44%—and successful UL-94 V-0 testing) through the use of flame retardants (Tris(2-methylphenyl) phosphate and Decabromodiphenyl oxide) and low thermal conductivity (0.030–0.042 W/m K), highlighting their potential as sustainable thermal insulation materials.
Why Is the Association Between Mediterranean Diet and Physical Performance in Athletes Inconclusive? Implications for Future Studies
Authors: Massart Alain , Rocha Ádrian , Ferreira José Pedro , Soares Carmen , Campos Maria João , Martinho Diogo
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Athletes increasingly turn to nutrition and supplements to enhance performance, yet the evidence surrounding the efficacy of the Mediterranean diet (MD) remains inconclusive. This scoping review aims to evaluate identify gaps in the existing literature and provide implications for future research on the MD’s potential to improve athletic performance across various demographics, sport types, and performance measures. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed studies published across four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, and Google Scholar) using the following terms and their combinations: “mediterranean diet”, “performance”, “athlete”, “sport”. The search placed no restrictions on the experimental design or the time period of the publication and focused on athletes regardless of competitive level. We examined targeted studies about the MD’s effects on key performance metrics, such as endurance, strength, and speed, while also evaluating possible confounding factors like dietary intake, body composition, and training status. We further aimed to identify gaps in the literature by investigating the consistency of dosing protocols, supplementation duration, and methodologies used. Results: The preliminary findings suggest that while some studies report benefits of the MD for recovery and endurance, only 40% show statistically significant improvements in performance outcomes, often with methodological limitations. The studies also lacked homogeneity in participant demographics, dosage, and performance assessments, hindering comparability. Our review highlights the need for future research that incorporates standardized dosing, homogeneous athlete populations, and controlled dietary conditions. Conclusions: This review provides a framework to guide further research and offers insights into the potential role of the MD in sports nutrition.
Molecular Dynamics-Based Two-Dimensional Simulation of Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Process for Unimodal and Bimodal Systems
Authors: Akib Yeasir Mohammad , Marzbanrad Ehsan , Ahmed Farid
Published: January 2025

The trend of adapting powder bed fusion (PBF) for product manufacturing continues to grow as this process is highly capable of producing functional 3D components with micro-scale precision. The powder bed’s properties (e.g., powder packing, material properties, flowability, etc.) and thermal energy deposition heavily influence the build quality in the PBF process. The packing density in the powder bed dictates the bulk powder behavior and in-process performance and, therefore, significantly impacts the mechanical and physical properties of the printed components. Numerical modeling of the powder bed process helps to understand the powder spreading process and predict experimental outcomes. A two-dimensional powder bed was developed in this work using the LAMMPS (Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator) package to better understand the effect of bimodal and unimodal particle size distribution on powder bed packing. A cloud-based pouring of powders with varying volume fractions and different initialization velocities was adopted, where a blade-type recoater was used to spread the powders. The packing fraction was investigated for both bimodal and unimodal systems. The simulation results showed that the average packing fraction for bimodal and unimodal systems was 76.53% and 71.56%, respectively. A particle-size distribution-based spatially varying powder agglomeration was observed in the simulated powder bed. Powder segregation was also studied in this work, and it appeared less likely in the unimodal system compared to the bimodal system with a higher percentage of bigger particles.