bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Involvement in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sechi Illari , Muresu Narcisa , Di Lorenzo Biagio , Saderi Laura , Puci Mariangela , Aliberti Stefano , Maida Ivana , Mondoni Michele , Piana Andrea , Sotgiu Giovanni
Published: February 2024

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a non-malignant disease, characterized by the production of wart-like growths in the respiratory tract, affecting both young people and adults (juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, JORRP, and adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, AORRP, respectively). Infection caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) is known as the main factor involved in RRP development. Complications of RRP may rarely occur, including lung involvement and malignant transformation. The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the prevalence of severe complications, such as lung involvement and lung tumor in JORRP and AORRP patients, and assess the role of HPV genotypes in the progression of disease severity following the guideline for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA Statement). A total of 378 studies were found on PubMed and Scopus using the following MESH terms: “recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and lung tumor” and “pulmonary tumor and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis”. Basing on inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 11 studies were included in the systematic review. We found a pooled prevalence of 8% (95% CI: 4–14%; I2: 87.5%) for lung involvement in RRP patients. In addition, we found a pooled risk difference of 5% in lung involvement between JORRP and AORRP (95% CI: −7–18%; I2: 85.6%, p-value: 0.41). Among patients with lung involvement, we observed a pooled prevalence of lung tumor of 4% (95% CI:1–7%; I2: 67.1%) and a pooled prevalence mortality for this group of 4% (95% CI:2–6%; I2: 0%). Overall, the positivity rate for HPV-6 and -11 in patients with RRP was 91%. Considering only cases with pulmonary involvement, the pooled prevalence for HPV-11 was 21% (95% CI: 5–45%; I2: 77.2%). Our results evidenced a low/middle risk of pulmonary involvement and lung tumor in JORRP and AORRP patients, with an increased risk for HPV-11-positive patients. Further studies should be performed to improve knowledge and adopt preventive measures to contrast the progression to severe diseases in RRP patients.
Epidemiology of Suicide Mortality in Paraguay from 2005 to 2019: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Santacruz Ethel , Duarte-Zoilan Derlis , Benitez Rolandi Gilda , Cañete Felicia , Smits Dins , Barengo Noël C. , Sequera Guillermo
Published: February 2024

Suicide is an important public health problem, fundamentally affecting the younger population and responding to multiple biological, psychological, and social causes. The objective of this study was to characterize changes in suicide mortality, suicide methods, and years of potential life lost from 2005 to 2019 in Paraguay. This observational, descriptive study used data from the Vital Statistics Information Subsystem of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. The average mortality rate from suicide was 4.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, with an increase from 4.2 between 2005 and 2009 to 5.8 from 2014 to 2019. Suicide was more common in men (75%) than in women. In men, the highest mortality rate was observed among those 20–24 years old, whereas in women, the ages most affected were the 15–19-year-old age group. The most-used method for suicide was hanging. The most frequent place of suicide occurrence was at home (73%). The seasonality of suicide occurrence showed a slight increase in the spring–summer months compared with autumn–winter (53% vs. 47%). The rate of potential years of life lost statistically significantly increased from 2005 to 2019. Public health measures need to be implemented to investigate the underlying reasons and implement interventions in the population to decrease suicide mortality in Paraguay.
Demographic and Behavioral Risk Factors Predict Functional Limitations Associated with Subjective Cognitive Decline in Americans with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Stellefson Michael , Wang Min Qi , Flora Sarah , Campbell Olivia
Published: February 2024

Prior research indicates that subjective cognitive decline (SCD) affects approximately one-third of older adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, there is limited population-based research on risk factors associated with SCD-related functional limitations within this vulnerable subgroup. A secondary data analysis of 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data was conducted to address this gap, focusing on Americans ≥45 years old with COPD (N = 107,204). Several sociodemographic and health-related factors were independently associated with SCD-related functional limitations. Retired and unemployed individuals were significantly more likely to require assistance with day-to-day activities due to memory loss or confusion compared to employed individuals (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2–8.0; AOR = 5.8, 95% CI: 3.01–1.5, respectively). Additionally, unemployed individuals were over five times more likely to report confusion or memory loss affecting social activities (AOR = 5.7, 95% CI: 2.9–11.0). Disparities were also observed among different racial groups, with Black/African Americans (AOR = 4.9, 95% CI: 2.3–10.4) and Hispanics (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2–4.7) more likely than White and non-Hispanic people, respectively, to give up daily chores due to SCD. Our findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address functional limitations faced by retired, unemployed, and minority adults with COPD and SCD.
Authorship Attribution Methods, Challenges, and Future Research Directions: A Comprehensive Survey
Authors: He Xie , Lashkari Arash Habibi , Vombatkere Nikhill , Sharma Dilli Prasad
Published: February 2024

Over the past few decades, researchers have put their effort and paid significant attention to the authorship attribution field, as it plays an important role in software forensics analysis, plagiarism detection, security attack detection, and protection of trade secrets, patent claims, copyright infringement, or cases of software theft. It helps new researchers understand the state-of-the-art works on authorship attribution methods, identify and examine the emerging methods for authorship attribution, and discuss their key concepts, associated challenges, and potential future work that could help newcomers in this field. This paper comprehensively surveys authorship attribution methods and their key classifications, used feature types, available datasets, model evaluation criteria and metrics, and challenges and limitations. In addition, we discuss the potential future research directions of the authorship attribution field based on the insights and lessons learned from this survey work.
Single-Frame-Based Data Compression for CAN Security
Authors: Jin Shi-Yi , Seo Dong-Hyun , Kim Yeon-Jin , Kim Yong-Eun , Woo Samuel , Chung Jin-Gyun
Published: February 2024

To authenticate a controller area network (CAN) data frame, a message authentication code (MAC) must be sent along with the CAN frame, but there is no space reserved for the MAC in the CAN frame. Recently, difference-based compression (DBC) algorithms have been used to create a space inside the frame. DBC has the advantage of being very efficient, but its drawback is that, if an error occurs in one frame, the effects of that error propagate to subsequent frames. In this paper, a CAN data compression algorithm is proposed that compresses the current frame without relying on previous frames. Therefore, an error generated in one frame cannot be propagated to subsequent frames. In addition, a CAN signal grouping technique is proposed based on entropy analysis. To efficiently authenticate CAN frames, the length of the compressed data must be 4 bytes or less (4BL). Simulation shows that the 4BL-compression ratio of a Kia Sorento vehicle is 99.36% in the DBC method, but 100% in the proposed method. In an LS Mtron tractor, the 4BL-compression ratio is 98.58% in the DBC method, but 100% in the proposed method. In addition, the execution time of the proposed compression algorithm is only 27.39% of that of the DBC algorithm. The results show that the proposed algorithm has better compression characteristics for CAN security than the DBC algorithms.
A Convolutional Deep Neural Network Approach to Predict Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Eye-Tracking Scan Paths
Authors: Alsaidi May , Obeid Nadim , Al-Madi Nailah , Hiary Hazem , Aljarah Ibrahim
Published: February 2024

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that encompasses difficulties in communication (both verbal and non-verbal), social skills, and repetitive behaviors. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder typically involves specialized procedures and techniques, which can be time-consuming and expensive. The accuracy and efficiency of the diagnosis depend on the expertise of the specialists and the diagnostic methods employed. To address the growing need for early, rapid, cost-effective, and accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, there has been a search for advanced smart methods that can automatically classify the disorder. Machine learning offers sophisticated techniques for building automated classifiers that can be utilized by users and clinicians to enhance accuracy and efficiency in diagnosis. Eye-tracking scan paths have emerged as a tool increasingly used in autism spectrum disorder clinics. This methodology examines attentional processes by quantitatively measuring eye movements. Its precision, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness make it a promising platform for developing biomarkers for use in clinical trials for autism spectrum disorder. The detection of autism spectrum disorder can be achieved by observing the atypical visual attention patterns of children with the disorder compared to typically developing children. This study proposes a deep learning model, known as T-CNN-Autism Spectrum Disorder (T-CNN-ASD), that utilizes eye-tracking scans to classify participants into ASD and typical development (TD) groups. The proposed model consists of two hidden layers with 300 and 150 neurons, respectively, and underwent 10 rounds of cross-validation with a dropout rate of 20%. In the testing phase, the model achieved an accuracy of 95.59%, surpassing the accuracy of other machine learning algorithms such as random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and multi-layer perceptron (MLP). Furthermore, the proposed model demonstrated superior performance when compared to the findings reported in previous studies. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can accurately classify children with ASD from those with TD without human intervention.
Alkane Elimination Preparation of Heterobimetallic MoAl Tetranuclear and Binuclear Complexes Promoting THF Ring Opening
Authors: Escomel Léon , Jeanneau Erwann , Thieuleux Chloé , Camp Clément
Published: February 2024

We report a straightforward alkane elimination strategy to prepare well-defined heterobimetallic Al/Mo species. Notably, the reaction of the monohydride complex of molybdenum, Cp*MoH(CO)3, with triisobutyl aluminum affords a new heterobimetallic [MoAl]2 tetranuclear compound, [Cp*Mo(CO)(µ-CO)2Al(iBu)2]2, (1), featuring a 12-membered C4O4Mo2Al2 ring in which isocarbonyls bridge the Mo and Al centers. The addition of pyridine to this complex successfully results in the dissociation of the dimer into a new discrete binuclear complex, [Cp*Mo(CO)2(µ-CO)Al(Py)(iBu)2], (2). Switching the nature of the Lewis base from pyridine to tetrahydrofuran does not lead to the THF analogue of adduct 2, but rather to a complex reaction where one of the identified products corresponds to a tetranuclear species, [Cp*Mo(CO)3(μ-CH2CH2CH2CH2O)Al(iBu)2]2, (3), featuring two bridging alkoxybutyl fragments originating from the C-O ring opening of THF. Compound 3 adds to the unusual occurrences of THF ring opening by heterobimetallic complexes, which is evocative of masked metal-only frustrated Lewis pair behavior and highlights the high reactivity of these Al/Mo assemblies.
Heterosis for Resistance to Insect Herbivores in a 3-Line Hybrid Rice System
Authors: Horgan Finbarr G. , Bernal Carmencita C. , Ramal Angelee F. , Almazan Maria Liberty P. , Mundaca Enrique A. , Crisol-Martínez Eduardo
Published: February 2024

Three-line hybrid rice is produced by crossing male sterile (A line) rice with a fertility-restorer (R line). Fertile lines (B lines) are also required to maintain A line seed for breeding programs. We used a range of hybrids and their parental lines to assess the frequency and nature of heterosis for resistance to the whitebacked planthopper (Sogatella furcifera), brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) and yellow stemborer (Scirpophaga incertulas). Heterosis is defined as trait improvement above the average of the parental lines as a result of outbreeding. Based on the results from a greenhouse study that challenged hybrids and their parental lines with each herbivore species, we found that susceptibility to planthoppers was associated with one of the eight A lines tested, but resistance was improved by crossing with a relatively resistant restorer. Higher frequencies of heterosis for susceptibility in comparisons between hybrids and their B lines suggest that susceptibility was not related to the cytoplasmic genomes of the associated sterile A lines. Furthermore, because none of the parental lines possessed currently effective resistance genes, improved resistance against planthoppers was probably due to quantitative resistance. In a related field trial, hybrids had generally higher yields than their fertile parents and often produced larger grain; however, they were often more susceptible to stemborers, leaffolders (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) and other caterpillars (Rivula atimeta). This was largely a consequence of hybrid heterosis for plant biomass and was strongly affected by crop duration. We make a series of recommendations to improve hybrid breeding to reduce the risks of herbivore damage.
Intraoperative Predictors and Proposal for a Novel Prognostic Risk Score for In-Hospital Mortality after Open Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (SPARTAN Score)
Authors: Berchiolli Raffaella , Troisi Nicola , Bertagna Giulia , D’Oria Mario , Mezzetto Luca , Malquori Vittorio , Artini Valerio , Motta Duilio , Grosso Lorenzo , Grando Beatrice , Badalamenti Giovanni , Calvagna Cristiano , Mastrorilli Davide , Veraldi Gian Franco , Adami Daniele , Lepidi Sandro
Published: February 2024

(1) Background: Several mortality risk scores have been developed to predict mortality in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs), but none focused on intraoperative factors. The aim of this study is to identify intraoperative variables affecting in-hospital mortality after open repair and develop a novel prognostic risk score. (2) Methods: The analysis of a retrospectively maintained dataset identified patients who underwent open repair for rAAA from January 2007 to October 2023 in three Italian tertiary referral centers. Multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate the association between intraoperative variables and perioperative mortality. Independent intraoperative factors were used to create a prognostic score. (3) Results: In total, 316 patients with a mean age of 77.3 (SD ± 8.5) were included. In-hospital mortality rate was 30.7%. Hemoperitoneum (p < 0.001), suprarenal clamping (p = 0.001), and operation times of >240 min (p = 0.008) were negative predictors of perioperative mortality, while the patency of at least one hypogastric artery had a protective role (p = 0.008). Numerical values were assigned to each variable based on the respective odds ratio to create a risk stratification for in-hospital mortality. (4) Conclusions: rAAA represents a major cause of mortality. Intraoperative variables are essential to estimate patients’ risk in surgically treated patients. A prognostic risk score based on these factors alone may be useful to predict in-hospital mortality after open repair.
Inadequate Annotation and Its Impact on Pelvic Tilt Measurement in Clinical Practice
Authors: Chai Yuan , Maes Vincent , Boudali A. Mounir , Rackel Brooke , Walter William L.
Published: February 2024

Background: Accurate pre-surgical templating of the pelvic tilt (PT) angle is essential for hip and spine surgeries, yet the reliability of PT annotations is often compromised by human error, inherent subjectivity, and variations in radiographic quality. This study aims to identify challenges leading to inadequate annotations at a landmark dimension and evaluating their impact on PT. Methods: We retrospectively collected 115 consecutive sagittal radiographs for the measurement of PT based on two definitions: the anterior pelvic plane and a line connecting the femoral head’s centre to the sacral plate’s midpoint. Five annotators engaged in the measurement, followed by a secondary review to assess the adequacy of the annotations across all the annotators. Results: The outcomes indicated that over 60% images had at least one landmark considered inadequate by the majority of the reviewers, with poor image quality, outliers, and unrecognized anomalies being the primary causes. Such inadequacies led to discrepancies in the PT measurements, ranging from −2° to 2°. Conclusion: This study highlights that landmarks annotated from clear anatomical references were more reliable than those estimated. It also underscores the prevalence of suboptimal annotations in PT measurements, which extends beyond the scope of traditional statistical analysis and could result in significant deviations in individual cases, potentially impacting clinical outcomes.
Patient’s Perception of Outcome after Extracapsular Fractures of the Mandibular Condyle Differs from Objective Evaluation—Experience of a Third-Level Hospital
Authors: Maurer Michael , Klaes Tabea , Fiedler Mathias , Taxis Juergen , Schuderer Johannes G. , Waiss Waltraud , Gottsauner Maximilian , Meier Johannes K. , Reichert Torsten E. , Ettl Tobias
Published: February 2024

Background: The aim of this study is to assess patients’ subjective perception of treatment outcome after extracapsular fractures of the mandibular condyle. Methods: A questionnaire survey regarding facial nerve palsy (FNP), malocclusion, pain, reduction in maximum mouth opening (MMO) and further discomfort after 3, 6, and 12 months was carried out. Patients aged 18 or more presenting with an extracapsular condylar fracture between 2006 and 2020 were identified by purposive sampling Questionnaires were received from 115 patients. Fractures were classified on the basis of the pre-treatment imaging, the way of treatment was obtained from patients’ medical records. Data were analyzed using Pearsons’ chi-square-test, descriptive statistics and Student’s t-test. Results: 93.0% of the fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). MMO reduction was the most common post-treatment complication (55.6%). ORIF was associated with less pain after 3 months (p = 0.048) and lower VAS scores compared to conservative treatment (p = 0.039). Comminuted fractures were more frequently associated with post-treatment malocclusion (p = 0.048), FNP (p = 0.016) and MMO reduction (p = 0.001). Bilateral fractures were significantly accompanied by malocclusion (p = 0.029), MMO reduction (p = 0.038) and pain occurrence (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients report less pain after ORIF. Comminuted and bilateral fractures seem to be major risk factors for complications. Subjective perception of complications after extracapsular condylar fractures differs from objectively assessed data.
An Improved Path-Finding Method for the Tracking of Centerlines of Tortuous Internal Carotid Arteries in MR Angiography
Authors: Kim Se-On , Kim Yoon-Chul
Published: February 2024

Centerline tracking is useful in performing segmental analysis of vessel tortuosity in angiography data. However, a highly tortuous) artery can produce multiple centerlines due to over-segmentation of the artery, resulting in inaccurate path-finding results when using the shortest path-finding algorithm. In this study, the internal carotid arteries (ICAs) from three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF MRA) data were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of a new path-finding method. The method is based on a series of depth-first searches (DFSs) with randomly different orders of neighborhood searches and produces an appropriate path connecting the two endpoints in the ICAs. It was compared with three existing methods which were (a) DFS with a sequential order of neighborhood search, (b) Dijkstra algorithm, and (c) A* algorithm. The path-finding accuracy was evaluated by counting the number of successful paths. The method resulted in an accuracy of 95.8%, outperforming the three existing methods. In conclusion, the proposed method has been shown to be more suitable as a path-finding procedure than the existing methods, particularly in cases where there is more than one centerline resulting from over-segmentation of a highly tortuous artery.
The Antitumor Effects of α-Linolenic Acid
Authors: Yan Huirong , Zhang Senmiao , Yang Li , Jiang Mingjuan , Xin Yujie , Liao Xuefei , Li Yanling , Lu Jianhong
Published: February 2024

α-linolenic acid (ALA), which is a member of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) family, has often been ignored due to a lack of information. ALA has gradually attracted increased attention due to its nutritional and medicinal advantages. Studies have shown that ALA exerts beneficial effects on a variety of diseases, including cancer. In this review, we summarize the antitumor effects of ALA in the context of cell biology, including the inhibition of proliferation, the induction of apoptosis, the inhibition of metastasis and angiogenesis, and antioxidant effects. In addition, studies have shown that ALA can be used as a drug carrier or exert positive clinical effects when combined with drugs. Therefore, the use of ALA in clinical treatments is very promising and valuable.
Soil Erosion Characteristics in Tropical Island Watersheds Based on CSLE Model: Discussion of Driving Mechanisms
Authors: Zou Yi , Wang Yimei , He Yanhu , Zhu Lirong , Xue Shiyu , Liang Xu , Ye Changqing
Published: February 2024

Previous research has primarily focused on soil erosion issues in arid and semi-arid regions, with a limited understanding of soil erosion mechanisms in tropical areas. Additionally, there is a lack of a holistic perspective to determine the spatial attribution of soil erosion. The conversion of tropical rainforests into economically driven plantations, like rubber and pulpwood, has resulted in distinct soil erosion characteristics in specific regions. To enhance our knowledge of soil erosion patterns and mechanisms in tropical regions, it is necessary to examine soil erosion in the three major watersheds of Hainan Island from 1991 to 2021, which encompass significant geographical features such as tropical island water sources and tropical rainforest national parks. The study employed the China Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) model, slope trend analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, land-use transfer matrix, and spatial attribution analysis to examine soil erosion under different scenarios. The research results indicate that scenarios driven by the combination of natural and human factors have the greatest impact on soil erosion changes in the entire study area. Co-driven increases affected 53.56% of the area, while co-driven decreases affected 21.74%. The 31-year soil erosion showed an overall increasing trend. Human factors were identified as the primary drivers of increased soil erosion in the Nandu River basin, while a combination of climate and anthropogenic factors influenced the decrease in soil erosion. In the Changhua River basin, climate and human activities contributed to the soil erosion increase, while human activities primarily caused the decrease in soil erosion. In the Wanquan River basin, climate intensified soil erosion, whereas human activities mitigated it. This study underscores the significant combined impact of human activities and natural factors on soil erosion in tropical regions. It emphasizes the importance of considering human-induced factors when implementing soil erosion control measures in tropical regions.
Ladz in the Hood: Features of Pasifika English in Drill Rappers from Western Sydney
Authors: Penney Joshua , Szakay Anita
Published: February 2024

Despite well-established Pasifika communities in Australia, there has been no examination of the English spoken by members of these communities in the sociolinguistic literature. Yet, research shows that Pasifika English may exhibit key differences from local ‘mainstream’ varieties. In this paper, we present a case study of members of a drill rap group with Pasifika heritage to examine whether Pasifika English features are evident in their speech. We first analyze their monophthong productions and compare these to those of mainstream Australian English speakers. We also analyze their dental fricative realizations to examine whether there is evidence of th-stopping and dh-stopping, commonly described as markers of Pasifika English. Finally, we investigate whether their speech is more syllable-timed than mainstream Australian English. The results show that these speakers produce monophthongs generally consistent with mainstream Australian English vowels, despite some small differences. We also show consistent th-fronting and dh-stopping in their speech, which serves as a marker of their Pasifika heritage. We find a tendency towards more syllable-timed speech; however, this occurs to a lesser extent than has been reported for other Pasifika varieties of English. The results suggest that these speakers index their Pasifika identities by employing indicators/markers of Pasifika English that diverge from mainstream Australian English.
Quartz: A Template for Quantitative Corpus Data Visualization Tools
Authors: Isaacs Loryn , Odlum Alex , León-Araúz Pilar
Published: February 2024

Quantitative data visualization is an important element of corpus linguistics, and visualization tools are commonly available in corpus management systems (CMSs) or developed for custom tasks. Nonetheless, the implementation and advancement of visualization methods can be a challenge, both for individual projects and collectively. This article introduces a web application template that integrates with the Sketch Engine application programming interface (API) to encourage the development of new visualization tools that can provide advanced visualization features while directly communicating with the CMS. The application template, written in Python and called Quartz, is described and implemented for the Humanitarian Encyclopedia as part of ongoing efforts to conduct analyses of humanitarian concepts. The application’s features, purpose, and limitations are described, and an example case study utilizing the software is offered, focusing on usage patterns of the concept localization in the humanitarian domain. Some of the challenges of improving visualization techniques for corpus-based analysis are discussed, including data interoperability and the role of visualization in data exploration.
Unraveling the Impact of Dab1 Gene Silencing on the Expression of Autophagy Markers in Lung Development
Authors: Rizikalo Azer , Maglica Mirko , Kelam Nela , Perutina Ilija , Ogorevc Marin , Racetin Anita , Filipović Natalija , Katsuyama Yu , Zovko Zdenka , Mišković Josip , Vukojević Katarina
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Dab1 gene silencing on the immunoexpression of light chain 3 beta (Lc3b), glucose regulating protein 78 (Grp78), heat shock cognate 71 (Hsc70), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2A (Lamp2a) in the lung tissue of developing yotari (Dab1−/−) and wild-type (wt) mice. The lung epithelium and mesenchyme of the embryos at gestational days E13.5 and E15.5 were examined using immunofluorescence and semi-quantitative methods. In the pulmonary mesenchyme and epithelium, Grp78 and Lc3b of moderate fluorescence reactivity was demonstrated in wt mice for both evaluated time points, while yotari mice exhibited only epithelial reactivity for the same markers. Mild punctate expression of Hsc70 was observed for both genotypes. A significant difference was present when analyzing mTOR expression, where wt mice showed strong perinuclear staining in the epithelium. According to our data, Dab1 gene silencing may result in autophagy abnormalities, which could then cause respiratory system pathologies via defective lung cell degradation by lysosome-dependent cell elimination.
The Vascularized Fibula as Salvage Procedure in Extremity Reconstruction: A Retrospective Analysis of Time to Heal and Possible Confounders
Authors: Smolle Christian , Holzer-Geissler Judith C. J. , Mandal Patrick , Schwaller Jessica , Petje Gert , Rois Johannes , Kamolz Lars-Peter , Girsch Werner
Published: February 2024

The vascularized fibula transfer is a well-established technique for extremity reconstruction, but operative planning and patient selection remains crucial. Although recently developed techniques for bone reconstruction, such as bone segment transfer, are becoming increasingly popular, bone defects may still require vascularized bone grafts under certain circumstances. In this study, 41 cases, 28 (68%) men and 13 (32%) women (median age: 40 years), were retrospectively analyzed. Therapy-specific data (flap vascularity [free vs. pedicled] size in cm and configuration [single- vs. double-barrel], mode of fixation [internal/external]) and potential risk factors were ascertained. Indications for reconstruction were osteomyelitis at host site (n = 23, 55%), pseudarthrosis (n = 8, 20%), congenital deformity (n = 6, 15%), traumatic defect, and giant cell tumor of the bone (n = 2, 5% each). Complete healing occurred in 34 (83%) patients after a median time of 6 months. Confounders for prolonged healing were female gender (p = 0.002), reconstruction in the lower limb (p = 0.011), smoking (p = 0.049), and the use of an external fixator (p = 0.009). Six (15%) patients required secondary limb amputation due to reconstruction failure, and one patient had persistent pseudarthrosis at last follow-up. The only risk factor for amputation assessed via logistic regression analysis was preexisting PAOD (peripheral artery occlusive disease; p = 0.008) The free fibula is a reliable tool for extremity reconstruction in various cases, but time to full osseous integration may exceed six months. Patients should be encouraged to cease smoking as it is a modifiable risk factor.
2-Methyl-4-Oxo-4,5-Dihydro-1H-Pyrrole-3-Carboxylic Acid Phenylamide
Authors: Angelov Plamen , Yanev Pavel
Published: February 2024

2-Methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid phenylamide was obtained as a single product in an experiment on the cyclization modes of a glycine-derived enamino amide. High yield and operational simplicity are the main features of the presented synthetic procedure. Additionally, this result extends our previous observations on the cyclization reactions of similarly functionalized enamines, by revealing the preferred cyclization pathway under Boc-deprotection conditions.
Effect of Strain Rate on Hydrogen Embrittlement of Ti6Al4V Alloy
Authors: Nguyen Tien-Dung , Ansari Nooruddin , Lee Keun Hyung , Lee Dong-Hyun , Han Jun Hyun , Lee Soo Yeol
Published: February 2024

The phenomenon of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in metals and alloys, which determines the performance of components in hydrogen environments, has recently been drawing considerable attention. This study explores the interplay between strain rates and solute hydrogen in inducing HE of Ti6Al4V alloy. For the hydrogen-charged sample, as the strain rate was decreased from 10−2/s to 10−5/s, the ductility decreased significantly, but the HE effect on mechanical strength was negligible. The low strain rate (LSR) conditions facilitated the development of high-angle grain boundaries, providing more pathways for hydrogen diffusion and accumulation. The presence of solute hydrogen intensified the formation of nano/micro-voids and intergranular cracking tendencies, with micro-crack occurrences observed exclusively in the LSR conditions. These factors expanded the brittle hydrogen-damaged region more deeply into the interior of the lattice. This, in turn, accelerated both crack initiation and intergranular crack propagation, finally resulting in a considerable HE effect and a reduction in ductility at the LSR. The current study underscores the influence of strain rate on HE, enhancing the predictability of longevity and improving the reliability of components operating in hydrogen-rich environments under various loading conditions.
Effects of Hydrogenation on the Corrosion Behavior of Zircaloy-4
Authors: Yue Huifang , Zhou Mingyang , Zhao Yanli , Han Yinjie , Liu Shichao , Geng Laiyao , Xu Shitong , Xin Yong , Yao Meiyi
Published: February 2024

Hydrogen plays an important role in the corrosion of zirconium alloys, and the degree of influence highly depends on the alloy composition and conditions. In this work, the effects of hydrogenation on the corrosion behavior of Zircaloy-4 in water containing 3.5 ppm Li + 1000 ppm B at 360 °C/18.6 MPa were investigated. The results revealed that hydrogenation can shorten the corrosion transition time and increase the corrosion rates of Zircaloy-4. The higher corrosion rates can be ascribed to the larger stress in the oxide film of hydrogenated samples, which can accelerate the evolution of the microstructure of the oxide film. In addition, we also found that hydrogenation has little effect on the t-ZrO2 content in the oxide film and there is no direct correspondence between the t-ZrO2 content and the corrosion resistance of the Zircaloy-4.
A Preliminary Investigation on a Water- and Acetone-Based Solvolysis Recycling Process for CFRPs
Authors: Vogiantzi Christina , Tserpes Konstantinos
Published: February 2024

Composites, and especially carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs), are increasingly used in the automotive, aerospace, and aviation industries, and as a result, CFRP production has increased dramatically, leading to a corresponding increase in waste. Landfills and the incineration of waste are likely to be restricted as a result of legislation, thus highlighting the need for efficient recycling methods for CFRPs. However, the recycling of CFRPs is very challenging, mainly due to the difficulty of removing their thermosetting matrix. This study reports a pre-screening of the solvolysis recycling process for CFRPs based on the mechanical properties of the recovered fibers. To this end, solvolysis tests were conducted on unidirectional CFRP samples under supercritical and subcritical conditions using acetone and water. The solvolysis tests were conducted for various conditions of temperature, pressure, and reaction time, without the use of any catalyst. Also, the loading rate (volume of solvent/volume of reactor) was constant. The efficiency of the recycling processes has been evaluated through a morphological and a mechanical characterization of the recovered fibers. In most cases, the decomposition efficiency of the epoxy resin, measured in terms of mass, ranged between 90 and 100%. Moreover, the scanning electron microscopy images of the recovered fibers showed negligible traces of resin residues and no detectable signs of physical damage or any changes in morphology with regard to diameter. Finally, the single-fiber tension tests revealed that that the recovered fibers retained more than 61% of their initial Young’s modulus and 70% of their tensile strength.
The Influence of the Chemical Composition of Flax and Hemp Fibers on the Value of Surface Free Energy
Authors: Romanowska Barbara , Różańska Wanda , Zimniewska Małgorzata
Published: February 2024

The article presents the exploration of flax and hemp fibers’ surface free energy depending on the chemical composition of the fiber, which is closely related to the plant variety and the method of extracting the fiber. For this purpose, tests of the surface free energy (SFE), evaluation of the percentage content of individual fiber components and FTIR analyses were conducted. The research was carried out with the use of fibrous materials prepared in three different ways: 1. To analyze the effect of subsequent stages of flax fibers refining process on chemical composition and SFE, 2. to explore the dependence of fiber SFE on hemp variety, the water-retting hemp fibers were used, 3. To evaluate the influence of the retting method of hemp fibers BIAŁOBRZESKIE variety on SFE, the fibers extracted with the use of dew and water retting were used as the research material. The study confirmed that the content of individual components in the fiber influenced its sorption capacity and therefore determined its hydrophilic properties. The values of Pearson’s linear correlation coefficients determined in the statistical analysis proved that the surface free energy was strongly correlated with the content of individual components in the fibers. Understanding the wettability characteristics of bast fibers will allow modeling the properties of products made of these fibers and designing surface modification processes in order to obtain specific functionality of textile products, depending on their intended utilization.
Evaluation of the Embrittlement in Reactor Pressure-Vessel Steels Using a Hybrid Nondestructive Electromagnetic Testing and Evaluation Approach
Authors: Vértesy Gábor , Rabung Madalina , Gasparics Antal , Uytdenhouwen Inge , Griffin James , Algernon Daniel , Grönroos Sonja , Rinta-Aho Jari
Published: February 2024

The nondestructive determination of the neutron-irradiation-induced embrittlement of nuclear reactor pressure-vessel steel is a very important and recent problem. Within the scope of the so-called NOMAD project funded by the Euratom research and training program, novel nondestructive electromagnetic testing and evaluation (NDE) methods were applied to the inspection of irradiated reactor pressure-vessel steel. In this review, the most important results of this project are summarized. Different methods were used and compared with each other. The measurement results were compared with the destructively determined ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) values. Three magnetic methods, 3MA (micromagnetic, multiparameter, microstructure and stress analysis), MAT (magnetic adaptive testing), and Barkhausen noise technique (MBN), were found to be the most promising techniques. The results of these methods were in good agreement with each other. A good correlation was found between the magnetic parameters and the DBTT values. The basic idea of the NOMAD project is to use a multi-method/multi-parameter approach and to focus on the synergies that allow us to recognize the side effects, therefore suppressing them at the same time. Different types of machine-learning (ML) algorithms were tested in a competitive manner, and their performances were evaluated. The important outcome of the ML technique is that not only one but several different ML techniques could reach the required precision and reliability, i.e., keeping the DBTT prediction error lower than a ±25 °C threshold, which was previously not possible for any of the NDE methods as single entities. A calibration/training procedure was carried out on the merged outcome of the testing methods with excellent results to predict the transition temperature, yield strength, and mechanical hardness for all investigated materials. Our results, achieved within the NOMAD project, can be useful for the future potential introduction of this (and, in general, any) nondestructive evolution method.
A Porous Fluoride-Substituted Bovine-Derived Hydroxyapatite Scaffold Constructed for Applications in Bone Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Ratnayake Jithendra , Gould Maree , Ramesh Niranjan , Mucalo Michael , Dias George J.
Published: February 2024

Hydroxyapatite is widely used in bone implantation because of its similar mineral composition to natural bone, allowing it to serve as a biocompatible osteoconductive support. A bovine-derived hydroxyapatite (BHA) scaffold was developed through an array of defatting and deproteinization procedures. The BHA scaffold was substituted with fluoride ions using a modified sol-gel method to produce a bovine-derived fluorapatite (BFA) scaffold. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that fluoride ions were successfully substituted into the BHA lattice. According to energy dispersive X-ray analysis, the main inorganic phases contained calcium and phosphorus with a fluoride ratio of ~1–2 wt%. Scanning electron microscopy presented a natural microporous architecture for the BFA scaffold with pore sizes ranging from ~200–600 μm. The BHA scaffold was chemically stable and showed sustained degradation in simulated-body fluid. Young’s modulus and yield strength were superior in the BFA scaffold to BHA. In vitro cell culture studies showed that the BFA was biocompatible, supporting the proliferative growth of Saos-2 osteoblast cells and exhibiting osteoinductive features. This unique technique of producing hydroxyapatite from bovine bone with the intent of producing high performance biomedically targeted materials could be used to improve bone repair.
Self-Shielding of X-ray Emission from Ultrafast Laser Processing Due to Geometrical Changes of the Interaction Zone
Authors: Holland Julian , Hagenlocher Christian , Weber Rudolf , Graf Thomas
Published: February 2024

Materials processing with ultrashort laser pulses is one of the most important approaches when it comes to machining with very high accuracy. High pulse repetition rates and high average laser power can be used to attain high productivity. By tightly focusing the laser beam, the irradiances on the workpiece can exceed 1013 W/cm2, and thus cause usually unwanted X-ray emission. Pulsed laser processing of micro holes exhibits two typical features: a gradual increase in the irradiated surface within the hole and, with this, a decrease in the local irradiance. This and the shielding by the surrounding material diminishes the amount of ionizing radiation emitted from the process; therefore, both effects lead to a reduction in the potential X-ray exposure of an operator or any nearby person. The present study was performed to quantify this self-shielding of the X-ray emission from laser-drilled micro holes. Percussion drilling in standard air atmosphere was investigated using a laser with a wavelength of 800 nm a pulse duration of 1 ps, a repetition rate of 1 kHz, and with irradiances of up to 1.1·1014 W/cm. The X-ray emission was measured by means of a spectrometer. In addition to the experimental results, we present a model to predict the expected X-ray emission at different angles to the surface. These calculations are based on raytracing simulations to obtain the local irradiance, from which the local X-ray emission inside the holes can be calculated. It was found that the X-ray exposure measured in the surroundings strongly depends on the geometry of the hole and the measuring direction, as predicted by the theoretical model.
An Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Block Proportion on Bimrocks, Considering Different Block-to-Matrix Strength Ratios
Authors: Hu Yanran , Sun Shaorui , Sun Yuyong , Wei Jihong , Le Huilin , Li Kai , Zhao Bohan
Published: February 2024

The rock block proportion is one of the most important factors affecting the mechanical properties of bimrocks. Under different block-to-matrix strength ratios, the influence of rock block proportion is different. To explore the influence of rock block proportion on the mechanical properties of specimens under different block-to-matrix strength ratios, a new indoor test method for making bimrocks was proposed. A uniaxial compression test and a direct shear test were carried out on specimens with different rock block proportions. The results show that this method can control the block-to-matrix strength ratio well, and the influence of rock block proportion is obviously different under different block-to-matrix strength ratios. The strong matrix sample will decrease significantly after reaching the peak compressive strength, while the weak matrix will decrease slowly after reaching the peak strength. The rock block proportion is negatively correlated with the uniaxial compressive strength of strong matrix samples (the reduction was 12.53%) and is positively correlated with the uniaxial compressive strength of weak matrix samples as a whole, but it changes when block proportion is more than 50%. With the increase in normal stress and rock block proportion increases from 30% to 60%, the shear failure zone of the weak matrix sample increases, and the cracks are inclined, while the strong matrix sample has more secondary cracks. The results of this study also show that the effect of volumetric block proportion (VBP) on the internal friction angle and cohesion of the sample is less related to the block-to-matrix strength ratio.
Preparation and Characterization of Quartz-Reinforced Hybrid Composites Based on Unsaturated Polyester Resin from Post-Consumer PET Recyclate
Authors: Pączkowski Przemysław , Głogowska Karolina
Published: February 2024

The paper presents the results of research on hybrid composites made of unsaturated polyester resin based on post-consumer recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate). The polymeric materials were reinforced with quartz flour, which is a common inorganic mineral filler. An environmentally friendly cobalt polymer solution was used to cure the polyester matrix. The results showed the quantitative influence of the quartz filler on the thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of the quartz–polyester composites. A change in the surface wettability and the polarity of the polymeric materials was also noticed, with some deterioration of their gloss.
Proposed Feedback-Linearized Integral Sliding Mode Control for an Electro-Hydraulic Servo Material Testing Machine
Authors: Sun Chungeng , Li Jipeng , Tan Ying , Duan Zhijie
Published: February 2024

High-precision tracking of an electro-hydraulic servo material testing machine’s force control system was achieved using a proposed integral sliding mode control method based on feedback linearization to improve the machine’s force control performance and anti-interference ability. First, the electro-hydraulic servo system’s nonlinear mathematical model was established, and its input–output linearization was realized using differential geometry theory. Second, integral sliding mode control was introduced into the controller and the feedback-linearized integral sliding mode controller was designed. The controller’s stability was proven based on the Lyapunov stability principle. Finally, a simulation model of the electro-hydraulic servo material testing machine’s force control system was established using AMESim/Simulink software. The designed controller was simulated and verified, and the control effects of the system’s different amplitudes and frequency signals were analyzed. The results showed that the feedback-linearized integral sliding mode control algorithm could effectively improve the system’s force tracking accuracy and parameter adaptability, yielding better robustness and a better control effect.