bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Fatigue Life and Failure Criteria in Ultrasonic Testing Through Thermal Analyses
Authors: Teixeira Maria Clara Carvalho , Pereira Marcos Venicius Soares , Souza Rodrigo Fernandes Magalhães , Lopes Felipe Rebelo , da Silva Talita Goulart
Published: January 2025

An experimental study was conducted to analyze temperature evolution during very high cycle fatigue tests. The temperature–number of cycles (T–N) curve is typically divided into three phases: Phase I—a rapid temperature increases at the start of the test, Phase II—temperature stabilization, and Phase III—a sharp temperature rise at the test’s end, coinciding with specimen fracture. The high frequencies used in ultrasonic fatigue testing can induce self-heating in specimens, but the thermal effects are not yet fully understood. Temperature is known to influence the fatigue performance of materials. To explore this, specimens were subjected to varying stress levels and intermittent loading conditions while monitoring temperature evolution using infrared thermography. The T–N curves were obtained, and S–N curves were constructed for specimens tested at room temperature. All tests were performed under fully reversed loading conditions. The experimental data were used to evaluate models commonly applied in conventional fatigue testing. Additionally, the temperature gradient at the beginning of the ultrasonic fatigue test and the heat dissipation per cycle were estimated and analyzed as potential fatigue damage parameters. These findings indicate that parameters derived from the T–N curve have significant potential for predicting very high cycle fatigue life.
Metabolomic Insights into the Potential of Chestnut Biochar as a Functional Feed Ingredient
Authors: Reggi Serena , Frazzini Sara , Pedrazzi Simone , Ghidoli Martina , Torresani Maria Claudia , Puglia Marco , Morselli Nicolò , Guagliano Marianna , Cristiani Cinzia , Pilu Salvatore Roberto , Onelli Elisabetta , Moscatelli Alessandra , Rossi Luciana
Published: January 2025

Biochar is potentially a functional ingredient in animal nutrition that offers health benefits such as detoxification, while also promoting environmental sustainability through carbon sequestration, emission reduction, and its circular production. However, the heterogeneity of commercially available biochar products requires a detailed assessment of their functional properties for applications in animal feed. This study evaluates chestnut biochar from morphological, chemical, and metabolomic perspectives and assesses its functional properties. Metabolomic analysis of a water extract using QTOF HPLC-MS/MS confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds, such as hydroxybenzoic and succinic acids, highlighting its potential as a functional feed ingredient. The chestnut biochar inhibited the growth of the pathogenic E. coli strains F18+ and F4+, with maximum inhibition rates of 15.8% and 28.6%, respectively, after three hours of incubation. The downregulation of genes associated with quorum sensing (MotA, FliA, FtsE, and HflX, involved in biofilm formation and cellular division) suggests that biochar interferes with several aspects of the pathogenic process. Importantly, biochar was not found to adversely affect beneficial probiotic bacteria, such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Limosilactobacillus reuteri. These findings support the potential of chestnut biochar as a versatile ingredient for sustainable animal nutrition, thus promoting animal welfare while offering environmental benefits.
Topology Control of Low-Connection UAV Laser Network with Virtual Nodes
Authors: Wang Pengyu , Li Qingkui , Yi Junkai
Published: January 2025

Space laser communication technology has advantages such as high bandwidth and low interference, but the limitation of the load capacity of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) makes it difficult for UAV clusters to have sufficient communication links to build a stable communication network. Aiming to address the problem of the low upper limit of the node degree of the self-organized network after the introduction of space laser communication technology for UAVs, a virtual node topology control (VNTC) algorithm is proposed for constructing an efficient and stable communication network structure. The algorithm is based on the unit disc graph model and achieves a lower-node-degree upper bound while maintaining connectivity through node pairing and virtual graph construction. The theoretical analysis and experimental results of the algorithm show that the algorithm can effectively deal with the topology control problem in UAV laser networks. In contrast to the XTC algorithm (exceptional topology control), the VNTC algorithm maintains the connectivity and most of the planarizability of the network, and, at the same time, it performs better in reducing the node degree and number of edges, thus providing an effective solution for low-connectivity topology control.
Mixed Convection Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow of Nanofluid/Porous Medium Under Magnetic Field Influence
Authors: Al-Kaby Rehab N. , Abdulhaleem Samer M. , Hameed Rafel H. , Yasiry Ahmed
Published: January 2025

This study aims to investigate the effect of a constant magnetic field on heat transfer, flow of fluid, and entropy generation of mixed convection in a lid-driven porous medium enclosure filled with nanofluids (TiO2-water). Uniform constant heat fluxes are partially applied to the bottom wall of the enclosure, while the remaining parts of the bottom wall are considered to be adiabatic. The vertical walls are maintained at a constant cold temperature and move with a fixed velocity. A sinusoidal wall is assumed to be fixed and kept adiabatic at the top enclosure. Three scenarios are considered corresponding to different directions of the moving isothermal vertical wall (±1). The influence of pertinent parameters on the heat transfer, flow of fluid, and entropy generation in an enclosure are deliberated. The parameters are the Richardson number (R~i = 1, 10, and 100), the Hartmann number (0 ≤ H~a ≤ 75 with a 25 step), and the solid volume fraction of nanoparticles (0 ≤ Φ~ ≤ 0.15 with a 0.05 step). The Grashof and Darcy numbers are assumed to be constant at 104 and 10−3, respectively. The finite element method, utilizing the variational formulation/weak form, is applied to discretize the main governor equations. Triangular elements have been employed within the studied envelope, with the elements adapting as needed. The results showed that the streamfunction and fluid temperature decreased as the solid volume fraction increased. The local N~u number increased by more than 50% at low values of Φ~ (up to 0.1). This percentage decreases between 25% and 40% when Φ~ is in the range of 0.1 to 0.15. As H~a increases from 0 to 75, these percentages increase at low values of the value of R~i=1 and 10. These variations are primarily dependent on the value of the Richardson number.
Intake of Phytoestrogens and Estrogenic Effect of the Diet of Female University Students in Mexico
Authors: Espino-Rosales Diana , Heras-Gonzalez Leticia , Jimenez-Casquet Maria J. , Olea Nicolás , Olea-Serrano Fátima , Mariscal-Arcas Miguel
Published: January 2025

Phytoestrogens are components naturally occurring in plants and include many foods that are part of the regular diet of animals and humans. Phytoestrogens are xenoestrogens of plant origin that are not produced in the endocrine system. Phytoestrogens can act as either agonists or antagonists, depending on their tissue concentrations and the levels of endogenous estrogens at various life stages. The aim was to evaluate the intake of phytoestrogens and the estrogenic effect of the diet of women at university in Chihuahua (Mexico). In total, 400 female university students individually filled out a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that included 120 foods. Estimates of the intake of phytoestrogen (genistein, daidzein, biochanin A, formononetin, matairesinol, coumestrol, enterolactone, secoisoresinol, enterodiol) in the subjects’ daily diet were based on published reports. Quantification of phytoestrogens was expressed in µg day−1. The estrogenic effect of those compound identified according to the foods consumed was estimated using the in vitro E-SCREN test. SPSS v.22.0 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) was applied for statistical analysis following descriptive analysis and stepwise regression. p < 0.050 was taken as significant. The results of intake show that the majority of isoflavones are formononetin (median 110.60 (μg day−1) and their estrogenic activity is 4.11 Eq. E2 (pmol day−1); the majority of lignans are enterolactone (median 147.24 (μg day−1), and their estrogenic activity is 4.94 Eq. E2 (pmol day−1). The total phytoestrogen estrogenic effect is measured in pM of E2, with a mean of 28.28 (SD = 23.97) and median of 21.50. The mean consumption of phytoestrogens in Mexican university students is similar to the consumption found in similar studies in the United States, England, Germany, and Spain (<1 mg day−1). Phytoestrogens can be beneficial in adult women during perimenopause and menopause due to their estrogenic effects, but they are less recommended for women in the fertile stage, as, for example, in the study presented here, because they could function as endocrine disruptors. They are not recommended as dietary supplements for young women or pregnant women.
Synchronized Multi-Augmentation with Multi-Backbone Ensembling for Enhancing Deep Learning Performance
Authors: Gordienko Nikita , Gordienko Yuri , Stirenko Sergii
Published: January 2025

This study introduces a novel technique called Synchronized Multi-Augmentation (SMA) combined with multi-backbone (MB) ensembling to enhance model performance and generalization in deep learning (DL) tasks in real-world scenarios. SMA utilizes synchronously augmented input data for training across multiple backbones, improving the overall feature extraction process. The outputs from these backbones are fused using two distinct strategies: the averaging fusion method, which averages predictions, and the dense fusion method, which averages features through a fully connected network. These methods aim to boost accuracy and reduce computational costs, particularly in Edge Intelligence (EI) systems with limited resources. The proposed SMA technique was evaluated on the CIFAR-10 dataset, highlighting its potential to enhance classification tasks in DL workflows. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of various backbones, their ensemble methods, and the impact of different SMAs on model performance. The results demonstrate that SMAs involving color adjustments, such as contrast and equalization, significantly improve generalization under varied lighting conditions that simulated real-world low-illumination conditions, outperforming traditional spatial augmentations. This approach is particularly beneficial for EI hardware, such as microcontrollers and IoT devices, which operate under strict constraints like limited processing power and memory and real-time processing requirements. This study’s findings suggest that employing SMA and MB ensembling can offer significant improvements in accuracy, generalization, and efficiency, making it a viable solution for deploying DL models on edge devices with constrained resources under real-world practical conditions.
Seasonally Dependent Daytime and Nighttime Formation of Oxalic Acid Vapor and Particulate Oxalate in Tropical Coastal and Marine Atmospheres
Authors: Yan Le , Gao Yating , Chen Dihui , Sun Lei , Gao Yang , Gao Huiwang , Yao Xiaohong
Published: January 2025

Oxalic acid is the most abundant low-molecular-weight dicarboxylic acid in the atmosphere, and it plays a crucial role in the formation of new particles and cloud condensation nuclei. However, most observational studies have focused on particulate oxalate, leaving a significant knowledge gap on oxalic acid vapor. This study investigated the concentrations and formation of oxalic acid vapor and oxalate in PM2.5 at a rural tropical coastal island site in south China across different seasons, based on semi-continuous measurements using an Ambient Ion Monitor-Ion Chromatograph (AIM-IC) system. We replaced the default 25 μL sampling loop on the AIM-IC with a 250 μL loop, improving the ability to distinguish the signal of oxalic acid vapor from noise. The data revealed clear seasonal patterns in the dependent daytime and nighttime formation of oxalic acid vapor, benefiting from high signal-to-noise ratios. Specifically, concentrations were 0.059 ± 0.15 μg m−3 in February and April 2023, exhibiting consistent diurnal variations similar to those of O3, likely driven by photochemical reactions. These values decreased to 0.021 ± 0.07 μg m−3 in November and December 2023, with higher nighttime concentrations likely related to dark chemistry processes, amplified by accumulation due to low mixing layer height. The concentrations of oxalate in PM2.5 were comparable to those of oxalic acid vapor, but exhibited (3–7)-day variations, superimposed on diurnal fluctuations to varying degrees. Additionally, thermodynamic equilibrium calculations were performed on the coastal data, and independent size distributions of particulate oxalate in the upwind marine atmosphere were analyzed to support the findings.
Evaluation and Adjustment of Precipitable Water Vapor Products from FY-4A Using Radiosonde and GNSS Data from China
Authors: Chen Xiangping , Yang Yifei , Liu Wen , Tang Changzeng , Ling Congcong , Huang Liangke , Xie Shaofeng , Liu Lilong
Published: January 2025

The geostationary meteorological satellite Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) has rapidly advanced, generating abundant high spatiotemporal resolution atmospheric precipitable water vapor (PWV) products. However, remote sensing satellites are vulnerable to weather conditions, and these latest operational PWV products still require systematic validation. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of FY-4A PWV products by separately using PWV data retrieved from radiosondes (RS) and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) from 2019 to 2022 in China and the surrounding regions. The overall results indicate a significant consistency between FY-4A PWV and RS PWV as well as GNSS PWV, with mean biases of 7.21 mm and −8.85 mm, and root mean square errors (RMSEs) of 7.03 mm and 3.76 mm, respectively. In terms of spatial variability, the significant differences in mean bias and RMSE were 6.50 mm and 2.60 mm between FY-4A PWV and RS PWV in the northern and southern subregions, respectively, and 5.36 mm and 1.73 mm between FY-4A PWV and GNSS PWV in the northwestern and southern subregions, respectively. The RMSE of FY-4A PWV generally increases with decreasing latitude, and the bias is predominantly negative, indicating an underestimation of water vapor. Regarding temporal differences, both the monthly and daily biases and RMSEs of FY-4A PWV are significantly higher in summer than in winter, with daily precision metrics in summer displaying pronounced peaks and irregular fluctuations. The classic seasonal, regional adjustment model effectively reduced FY-4A PWV deviations across all regions, especially in the NWC subregion with low water vapor distribution. In summary, the accuracy metrics of FY-4A PWV show distinct spatiotemporal variations compared to RS PWV and GNSS PWV, and these variations should be considered to fully realize the potential of multi-source water vapor applications.
Comprehensive Multi-Scale Optimisation of Rum Fermentation
Authors: Mangwanda Tinashe W. , Johnson Joel B. , Batley Ryan J. , Jackson Steve , McKeown Tyryn , Naiker Mani
Published: January 2025

This study applied response surface methodology (RSM) to optimise process parameters for rum fermentation. The primary aim was to enhance ethanol productivity through refined molasses conditioning and fermentation. Polyacrylamide flocculants were evaluated for molasses clarification, identifying an optimised blend which significantly outperformed individual flocculants. Statistical analyses revealed Flopam AN 956 SH as the top performer based on settling behaviour and mud qualities. Mixture modelling exposed optimised flocculant formulations that outperformed individual flocculants, indicating synergistic interactions. A central composite design (CCD) systematically evaluated the effects of temperature, oxygenation, and nutrient supplementation on yeast growth kinetics. It determined that 5 ppm O2, 32.19 °C, and 2.5% nutrients maximised the specific growth rate at 0.39 h−1 and ethanol yield at 9.84% v/v. The models characterised interactions, revealing nutrient–oxygen synergies that stimulated metabolism. Overall, fermentation efficiency and assurance for ethanol yield were increased through comprehensive multi-scale optimisation utilising factorial designs, validated analytics, and quantitative strain characterisation.
Evaluating Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Masticatory Muscles in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Patient-Centric Approach Using MyotonPRO Measurements
Authors: Della Posta Daniele , Paternostro Ferdinando , Costa Nicola , Branca Jacopo J. V. , Guarnieri Giulia , Morelli Annamaria , Pacini Alessandra , Campi Gaetano
Published: January 2025

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is essential for chewing and speaking functions, as well as for making facial expressions. However, this joint can be affected by disorders, known as temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), induced by complex causes that lead to limitations in daily activities. Building on the methodology and findings from our previous study on TMJ function, our research aims to apply the established criteria and norms to patients with TMDs. The primary goal is to evaluate the applicability and clinical relevance of these reference norms in predicting the severity and progression of TMJ disorders within a clinical population. Using non-invasive myotonic measurements, we evaluated 157 subjects, including both non-TMD-affected and TMD-affected individuals. To achieve optimal results, five primary parameters (frequency, stiffness, decrement, relaxation time, and creep) were analyzed using statistical–physical tools, providing quantitative functionality degrees across different previously examined clinical groups. The obtained results identified significant quantitative markers for early diagnosis and personalized treatment of TMJ disorders. This interdisciplinary approach leads to a deeper understanding of TMJ dysfunctions and makes a meaningful contribution to clinical practice, providing more precise tools for managing and treating this complex condition.
Beclin 1-Mediated Autophagy Is Potentiated by an Interaction with the Neuronal Adaptor FE65
Authors: Chan Wai Wa Ray , Chow Jessica , Chau Dennis Dik-Long , Zhai Yuqi , Lau Kwok-Fai
Published: January 2025

Autophagy is a vital cellular pathway in eukaryotic cells, including neurons, where it plays significant roles in neurodevelopment and maintenance. A crucial step in autophagy is the formation of the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex 1 (PI3KC3-C1), which is essential for initiating autophagosome biogenesis. Beclin 1 is the key component of PI3KC3-C1, and its interactors have been reported to affect autophagy. The brain-enriched adaptor protein FE65 has been shown to interact with Alzheimer’s disease amyloid precursor protein (APP) to alter the processing of APP. Additionally, FE65 has been implicated in various cellular pathways, including autophagy. We demonstrate here that FE65 positively regulates autophagy. FE65, through its C-terminus, has been shown to interact with Beclin 1. Notably, the overexpression of FE65 enhances Beclin 1-mediated autophagy, whereas this process is attenuated in FE65 knockout cells. Moreover, the stimulatory effect of FE65 on Beclin 1-mediated autophagy is diminished by an FE65 C-terminus deletion mutant that disrupts the FE65–Beclin 1 interaction. Lastly, we have found that the FE65-Beclin 1 interaction modulates the kinase activity of the PI3KC3-C1 complex. Together, we have identified FE65 as a novel Beclin 1 interactor, and this interaction potentiates autophagy.
Evaluation of Different Few-Shot Learning Methods in the Plant Disease Classification Domain
Authors: Uzhinskiy Alexander
Published: January 2025

Early detection of plant diseases is crucial for agro-holdings, farmers, and smallholders. Various neural network architectures and training methods have been employed to identify optimal solutions for plant disease classification. However, research applying one-shot or few-shot learning approaches, based on similarity determination, to the plantdisease classification domain remains limited. This study evaluates different loss functions used in similarity learning, including Contrastive, Triplet, Quadruplet, SphereFace, CosFace, and ArcFace, alongside various backbone networks, such as MobileNet, EfficientNet, ConvNeXt, and ResNeXt. Custom datasets of real-life images, comprising over 4000 samples across 68 classes of plant diseases, pests, and their effects, were utilized. The experiments evaluate standard transfer learning approaches alongside similarity learning methods based on two classes of loss function. Results demonstrate the superiority of cosine-based methods over Siamese networks in embedding extraction for disease classification. Effective approaches for model organization and training are determined. Additionally, the impact of data normalization is tested, and the generalization ability of the models is assessed using a special dataset consisting of 400 images of difficult-to-identify plant disease cases.
Biomarkers in Skin Mucus for a Minimally Invasive Approach to Stress in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) Fry
Authors: Alzate-Díaz Hernán Antonio , Fernández-Alacid Laura , Pardo-Carrasco Sandra Clemencia
Published: January 2025

In a context where aquaculture continues to grow, it is essential to understand how culture conditions influence fish stress. The welfare of red tilapia fry (Oreochromis sp.), weighing 0.6 ± 0.3 g and with an initial total length of 3.548 ± 0.285 cm, was evaluated in two culture systems, biofloc and land-based ponds, over a period of 30 days through biomarkers associated with the skin mucosa, such as protein, glucose, lactate, and the hormone cortisol, in addition to their relationships with protein, seeking a comprehensive view of the physiological state and stress of these fish. Mucus samples were thawed and prepared by mechanical homogenization and centrifugation. The results reveal that the biofloc system provides a more conducive environment for welfare, evidenced by higher mucus protein levels of 1.598 ± 0.733 mg/mL, 2.316 ± 1.01 mg/mL, and 1.203 ± 0.640 mg/mL for culture days 10, 20 and 30, respectively, and lower cortisol > 1 ng/mL and lactate contents 1799 ± 1135 µg/mL, 30,271 ± 24,613 µg/mL, and 21,829 ± 23,507 µg/mL for culture days 10, 20 and 30, respectively, compounds largely associated with animal stress. This highlights the direct relationship between culture, environment and fish health and highlights skin mucus as a valuable minimally invasive biomarker. It is also important to note that improved fish welfare supports fish growth and health and promotes more sustainable aquaculture practices, contributing to more efficient and responsible production in the industry.
The Important Role of p21-Activated Kinases in Pancreatic Exocrine Function
Authors: Ramos-Alvarez Irene , Jensen Robert T.
Published: January 2025

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are a conserved family of serine/threonine protein kinases, which are effectors for the Rho family GTPases, namely, Rac/Cdc42. PAKs are divided into two groups: group I (PAK1–3) and group II (PAK4–6). Both groups of PAKs have been well studied in apoptosis, protein synthesis, glucose homeostasis, growth (proliferation and survival) and cytoskeletal regulation, as well as in cell motility, proliferation and cycle control. However, little is known about the role of PAKs in the secretory tissues, including in exocrine tissue, such as the exocrine pancreas (except for islet function and pancreatic cancer growth). Recent studies have provided insights supporting the importance of PAKs in exocrine pancreas. This review summarizes the recent insights into the importance of PAKs in the exocrine pancreas by reviewing their presence and activation; the ability of GI hormones/neurotransmitters/GFs/post-receptor activators to activate them; the kinetics of their activation; the participation of exocrine-tissue PAKs in activating the main growth-signaling cascade; their roles in the stimulation of enzyme secretion; finally, their roles in pancreatitis. These insights suggest that PAKs could be more important in exocrine/secretory tissues than currently appreciated and that their roles should be explored in more detail in the future.
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Pathogenetic Links to Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Ionescu Vlad Alexandru , Gheorghe Gina , Bacalbasa Nicolae , Diaconu Camelia Cristina
Published: January 2025

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is correlated with an increased cardiovascular risk, independent of other traditional risk factors. The mechanisms underlying this pathogenic link are complex yet remain incompletely elucidated. Among these, the most significant are visceral adiposity, low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, prothrombotic status, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and postprandial hyperlipemia, gut dysbiosis, and genetic mutations. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in patients with MASLD. These patients have an increased incidence of coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, structural and functional cardiac abnormalities, and valvulopathies, as well as arrhythmias and cardiac conduction disorders. In this review, we present the latest data on the association between MASLD and cardiovascular risk, focusing on the pathogenic mechanisms that explain the correlation between these two pathologies. Given the high rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among patients with MASLD, we consider it imperative to raise awareness of the risks associated with this condition within the general population. Further research is essential to clarify the mechanisms underlying the increased cardiovascular risk linked to MASLD. This understanding may facilitate the identification of new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for these patients, as well as novel therapeutic targets.
Exploring CAR-PBMCs: A Novel Strategy Against EGFR-Positive Tumor Cells
Authors: Tîrziu Alexandru , Gavriliuc Oana-Isabella , Bojin Maria-Florina , Păunescu Virgil
Published: January 2025

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown significant promise in treating hematological malignancies, yet its application in solid tumors, particularly those expressing the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), remains limited. This study investigates the potential of CAR-engineered peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as a novel adoptive cell therapy against EGFR-positive cancers. Methods: Lentiviral transduction at an MOI of 50 was performed to generate specific anti-EGFR second generation CAR-effector cells. The transduced PBMCs were stimulated with cytokines and CD3/CD28 beads to enhance their proliferation and activation. Flow cytometric and real-time cell analysis were performed at various effector-to-target ratios to explore the cytotoxic potential of CAR-PBMCs. Results: CAR-PBMCs exhibited improved targeting and cytotoxicity against EGFR-positive cancer cell lines MDA-MB-468 and SK-BR-3, compared to untransduced controls, with unsignificant effects on allogeneic PBMCs. Conclusion: CAR-PBMCs hold considerable potential as a therapeutic strategy for EGFR-positive solid tumors, warranting further clinical investigation.
Advances in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Rivera Victor M.
Published: January 2025

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating and inflammatory disease of the CNS; it has a global distribution with increasing prevalence [...]
Phagocytic Function Analyses of GABBR-Related Microglia in Immature Developing Epileptic Brain Based on 10× Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing Technology
Authors: Gan Yunhao , Yang Xiaoyue , Li Tianyi , Han Ziyao , Cheng Li , Xie Lingling , Jiang Li
Published: January 2025

Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder defined by the occurrence of epileptic seizures, which can significantly affect children, often leading to learning and cognitive impairments. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, are essential in clearing damaged neurons through phagocytosis. Notably, GABBR-associated microglia have been implicated in regulating phagocytic activity. Since the phagocytic function of microglia is critical in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, this study aims to investigate the role of GABBR-associated microglia in the development of the immature brain following epileptic seizures. Methods: Epilepsy was induced in a mouse model by the intraperitoneal injection of KA. Changes in the expression of the GABBR-related gene, GABBR2, in hippocampal microglia were analyzed using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq). Cognitive and emotional changes in the mice were assessed through behavioral analyses. The expression of GABBR2 was semi-quantitatively measured using Western blotting, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and immunofluorescence. Additionally, the spatial relationship between GABBR2 and hippocampal neurons was evaluated using Imaris software. Results: The snRNA-seq analysis revealed that GABBR2 expression was elevated in activated microglia in the hippocampus during chronic epilepsy compared to the early phase of seizures. Behavioral assessments demonstrated heightened anxiety levels and learning and memory impairments in the chronic epilepsy group compared to the control group. GABBR2 expression was upregulated in chronic epilepsy. Three-dimensional reconstruction analyses revealed a significantly increased contact volume between GABBR-associated microglia and neurons in the chronic epilepsy group compared to the control group. Conclusions: GABBR-associated microglia significantly contribute to the progression of immature brain diseases by promoting neuronal phagocytic activity.
PROACTION: Profitable Transactions Selection Greedy Algorithm in Rational Proof-of-Work Mining
Authors: Basile Mariano , Nardini Giovanni , Perazzo Pericle , Dini Gianluca
Published: January 2025

Despite the many consensus algorithms being used in blockchains, proof of work (PoW) is still the most common nowadays. The state-of-the-art mining strategy for PoW-based blockchain protocols consists of including as many transactions as possible in a block to maximize the block reward. Unfortunately, this strategy maximizes the block orphaning probability too. Recently, we proposed a rational mining strategy aimed at carefully balancing the trade-off between the block reward and the risk of block orphaning. In this work, we present PROACTION, a PROfitable transACTions selectION greedy algorithm that implements such a strategy. We evaluate the algorithm both analytically and experimentally on Bitcoin by assuming a variable random percentage of winning miners adopting PROACTION. Experiments show that when executing PROACTION, miners gain higher long-term rewards than when using the state-of-the-art strategy. The gain is in the order of the block orphaning probability. This result is particularly relevant for those PoW-based blockchain protocols in which such a probability is significant.
Generative Diffusion-Based Task Incremental Learning Method for Decoding Motor Imagery EEG
Authors: Yang Yufei , Li Mingai , Liu Jianhang
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Motor neurorehabilitation can be realized by gradually learning diverse motor imagery (MI) tasks. EEG-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) provide an effective solution. Nevertheless, existing MI decoding methods cannot balance plasticity for unseen tasks and stability for old tasks. This paper proposes a generative diffusion-based task Incremental Learning (IL) method called GD-TIL. Methods: First, data augmentation is employed to increase data diversity by segmenting and recombining EEG signals. Second, to capture temporal-spatial features (TSFs) from different temporal resolutions, a multi-scale temporal-spatial feature extractor (MTSFE) is developed via integrating multiscale temporal-spatial convolutions, a dual-branch pooling operation, multiple multi-head self-attention mechanisms, and a dynamic convolutional encoder. The proposed self-supervised task generalization (SSTG) mechanism introduces a regularization constraint to guide MTSFE and unified classifier updating, which combines labels and semantic similarity between the augmentation with original views to enhance model generalizability for unseen tasks. In the IL phase, a prototype-guided generative replay module (PGGR) is used to generate old tasks’ TSFs by training a lightweight diffusion model based on the prototype and label of each task. Furthermore, the generated TSF is merged with a new TSF to fine-tune the convolutional encoder and update the classifier and PGGR. Finally, GD-TIL is evaluated on a self-collected ADL-MI dataset with two MI pairs and a public dataset with four MI tasks. Results: The continuous decoding accuracy reaches 80.20% and 81.32%, respectively. The experimental results exhibit the excellent plasticity and stability of GD-TIL, even beating the state-of-the-art IL methods. Conclusions: Our work illustrates the potential of MI-based BCI and generative AI for continuous neurorehabilitation.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Exercise Addiction Among Elite Wrestlers
Authors: Bulgay Celal , Kasakolu Anıl , Bıyıklı Türker , Koncagul Seyrani , Kazan Hasan H. , Ahmetov Ildus I. , Ergun Mehmet A. , Griffiths Mark D. , Szabo Attila
Published: January 2025

Background: Exercise addiction, marked by an inability to control exercise and associated with distress that clinically impairs daily activities, is a significant but underrecognized issue in physical activity and health. While its physiological, psychological, and behavioral aspects have been studied, the genetic basis of exercise addiction remains poorly understood, requiring further investigation. The present study conducted a genome-wide association study of exercise addiction among elite Turkish wrestlers. Methods: The sample comprised 67 male wrestlers (34 freestyle wrestlers and 33 Greco-Roman wrestlers). Exercise addiction was assessed using the Exercise Addiction Scale. Whole-genome genotyping was performed using DNA microarray. Results: Using a genome-wide approach (p < 1.0 × 10−⁵), we identified six suggestively significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with exercise addiction status. Of these, the high-addiction alleles of five SNPs (PRDM10 rs74345126, near PTPRU rs72652685, HADHB rs6745226, XIRP2 rs17614860, and near GAREM2 rs1025542) have previously been associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression or higher levels of physical activity. We also examined potential associations between the genetic markers previously linked to addiction-related traits such as obsessive–compulsive disorder and cigarette smoking, and personality traits linked to negative emotions including neuroticism. Using this candidate gene approach (p < 0.05), we identified three additional SNPs associated with exercise addiction in the same direction of association (DEFB135 rs4841662, BCL11A rs7599488, and CSRNP3 rs1551336). Conclusions: The present study provides preliminary evidence for the genetic basis of exercise addiction, highlighting specific SNPs that may play a role in the development of this condition among elite wrestlers.
Optimal Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Reducing Problematic Internet Use in Youth: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tian Jing-Jing , He Xiao-Ya , Guo Zhen
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this network meta-analysis (NMA) is to compare the effect of different non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) on Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from their inception to 22 December 2023 were searched in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, and WanFang Data. We carried out a data analysis to compare the efficacy of various NPIs using Bayesian NMA. A battery of analyses and assessments, such as conventional meta-analysis and risk of bias, were performed concurrently. Two reviewers extracted data and evaluated bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool independently. We identified 90 RCTs including 15 different NPIs (5986 participants), namely sports intervention (SI), electroencephalogram biological feedback (EBF), reality therapy (RT), positive psychology therapy (PPT), sandplay therapy (ST), educational intervention (EI), compound psychotherapy (CPT), electroacupuncture therapy (AT), group counseling (GC), family therapy (FT), electrotherapy (ELT), craving behavior intervention (CBI), virtual reality therapy (VRT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and mindfulness therapy (MT). Our NMA results showed that SI, EBF, RT, PPT, ST, EI, CPT, AT, GC, FT, ELT, CBT, CBI, VRT, and MT were effective in reducing PIU levels. The most effective NPI was SI (SMD = −4.66, CrI: −5.51, −3.82, SUCRA = 95.43%), followed by EBF (SMD = −4.51, CrI: −6.62, −2.39, SUCRA = 90.89%) and RT (SMD = −3.83, CrI: −6.01, −1.62, SUCRA = 81.90%). Our study showed that SI was the best NPI to relieve PIU levels in youth. Medical staff should be aware of the application of SI to the treatment of PIU in youth in future clinical care.
A Modified B-Differentiable Equation Method for the Seismic Analysis of Arch Dams Considering the Initial Strength of Contraction Joints
Authors: Pan Yanhui , Xue Binghan , Wang Feng , Du Xueming , Lei Jianwei
Published: January 2025

For arch dams, the joint surface has a certain bond strength after grouting the contraction joints, which can withstand the arch-wise tensile stress to a certain extent and influence the stress distribution of the dam blocks on both sides. The seismic response analysis of arch dams needs to consider the influence of the initial tensile and shear strengths generated by the contraction joint grouting. Thus, a modified B-differentiable equation method is proposed by introducing the initial tensile strength and the initial shear strength of contraction joints the into traditional B-differentiable equation method. In the proposed method, the shear strength varies with the contraction joint opening. The modified B-differentiable equation method can still be solved by the B-differentiable damped Newton method with theoretical guarantee of convergence. Then, a seismic calculation model for the dam–reservoir–foundation system is developed based on the modified B-differentiable equation method, the Westergaard additional mass method, and multiple transmission boundary conditions. The influence of the initial tensile and shear strength of the contraction joints on the arch dam seismic response is discussed. The results show that the initial tensile and shear strength of the contraction joints have an influence on the opening and distribution range of the contraction joints and the maximum values of the principal tensile and compressive stress in the dam body. The initial tensile and compressive strength of the contraction joints should be considered when carrying out seismic response analysis of arch dams.
Stress Concentration Factors of CHS-to-CFRHS Y-Joints Under Axial Tension Loading
Authors: Fu Yisheng , Diao Kuan
Published: January 2025

A CHS-to-CFRHS Y-joint that consists of a circular hollow section (CHS) brace and a concrete-filled rectangular hollow section (CFRHS) chord by welding has a simple and smooth weld profile that saves time and cost for the fabrication of CHS-to-CFRHS Y-joints and leads to a superior fatigue performance, compared with other welded tubular joints. This investigation presented an analysis of the stress concentration factors (SCFs) of CHS-to-CFRHS Y-joints subjected to axial tension loading of the brace. First, a finite element (FE) modelling method, which was validated with the experimental results cited in the reference, was utilised to establish the FE models of CHS-to-CFRHS Y-joints. Then, a parametric analysis was conducted to investigate the influences of the significant non-dimensional geometric parameters on the SCFs of CHS-to-CFRHS Y-joints. It is found that the intersection angle of the brace and chord has an important influence on the magnitudes of the SCF values. An increase in the intersection angle of the brace and chord will increase the values of the SCFs at the 60° location and saddle. The values of the SCFs at the 60° location and saddle reach the maximum value when the intersection angle of the brace and chord reaches 90°. Furthermore, on the basis of the large database of the SCF results, empirical design equations were established to calculate the SCFs at the crown toe, 60° location and saddle via multiple regression analysis. A safety factor was applied to the empirical design equations to ensure safe and reliable results of SCF calculations for the fatigue design of CHS-to-CFRHS Y-joints in a composite truss structure. Ultimately, a comparative analysis of SCFs was conducted with the FE models of welded tubular joints with rectangular hollow section (RHS) chords and CFRHS chords. The results reveal that infilling concrete in the chord leads to a reduction in SCFs along the weld profile of more than 11% on average, and the peak SCF decreases by more than 15%.
Inhibition of Galectin-1 and Androgen Receptor Axis Enhances Enzalutamide Treatment in Enzalutamide Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wang Hsiao-Chi , Gao Allen C. , Xia Roger , Wu Chun-Te , Hsu Ssu-Wei , Chen Ching-Hsien , Shih Tsung-Chieh
Published: January 2025

Background/Objective: Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a prevalent and deadly disease, particularly in its advanced stages. Despite various available treatments, resistance to drugs like enzalutamide continues to present significant challenges. This study aimed to investigate the role of Galectin-1 (Gal-1) in enzalutamide-resistant PCa and assess its potential as a therapeutic target to overcome resistance. Methods: The study utilized specific siRNA-mediated knockdown of Gal-1 in enzalutamide-resistant PCa cells to evaluate its effects on cell proliferation and response to enzalutamide treatment. An orthotopic mouse model was employed to examine the in vivo impact of Gal-1 knockdown. Pharmacological targeting of Gal-1 was conducted using LLS30, and its effects were assessed both in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis was performed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effects. Results: The findings demonstrated significant upregulation of Gal-1 in enzalutamide-resistant PCa cells. Gal-1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and resensitized resistant cells to enzalutamide treatment in the orthotopic mouse model. Elevated levels of androgen receptor full-length and AR-V7 are key mechanisms under-lying resistance to enzalutamide in PCa. Gal-1 knockdown suppressed AR and AR-V7 expression and their transcriptional activity. Treatment with LLS30 significantly suppressed the growth of enzalutamide-resistant PCa cells and exhibited synergistic effects when combined with enzalutamide. Notably, this combination therapy significantly inhibited the growth of enzalutamide-resistant xenografts in vivo. RNA-seq analysis revealed that LLS30 modulates AR and AR-V7 signaling through the inhibition of associated target genes. Conclusion: These findings highlight Gal-1 as a promising therapeutic target for overcoming enzalutamide resistance in PCa. Targeting the Gal-1/AR/AR-V7 axis with LLS30 presents a novel strategy to enhance enzalutamide efficacy and address drug resistance in advanced PCa.
KATP Channel Inhibitors Reduce Cell Proliferation Through Upregulation of H3K27ac in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma: A Functional Expression Investigation
Authors: Antonacci Marina , Maqoud Fatima , Di Turi Annamaria , Miciaccia Morena , Perrone Maria Grazia , Scilimati Antonio , Tricarico Domenico
Published: January 2025

Background: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma [DIPG] is a fatal pediatric disease characterized by a post-translational modification, a replacement of lysine by methionine in position 27 of the N-terminal [H3K27M] tail of histone 3 isoform-1 [H3.1] or histone 3 isoform-3 [H3.3], respectively, expressed in the DIPG-36 and DIPG-50 cells. We investigated the role of cation channels in DIPG cells for the first time and the effects of ATP-sensitive K+[KATP] and TRPV1 channel modulators. Methods: Experiments were performed using “in vitro” cytotoxic assays combined with the patch clamp technique, RT-PCR, Western blot, and flow cytometry assays. Results: The most effective anti-proliferative drugs were repaglinide and glibenclamide after short and long-term incubation [6–96 h]. These drugs reduced macroscopic currents of the DIPG cells recorded in whole-cell patch clamp. Repaglinide concentration dependently enhanced the target protein H3K27ac in Western blotting after 48 h of incubation. This drug reduced cell diameter and enhanced cleaved caspase-3 in DIPG cells; total AKT/mTOR levels and phospho-mTOR were downregulated in DIPG-36. Conclusions: KATP and TRPV1 channels are functionally expressed, and sulphonylureas are effective antiproliferative upregulating H3K27ac with apoptosis in DIPG cells and the sub-micromolar concentrations in DIPG-50.
RuCu Nanorod Arrays Synergistically Promote Efficient Water-Splitting
Authors: Chen Tao , Kong Xiangkai , Liu Qiangchun
Published: January 2025

In the realm of green hydrogen energy, utilizing ruthenium (Ru) as a precious metal electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) instead of platinum (Pt/C) is an excellent choice. Unfortunately, there are not enough active sites or electronic structures on a single Ru-based catalyst to significantly improve the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Therefore, creating bifunctional water electrolysis catalysts that are stable and highly active in a variety of media continues to be a major challenge. The study describes a new method for creating an electrocatalyst (RuCuCl/NF-2) by using Ru to regulate an inert CuCl precursor. The enhanced mass transfer performance of the distinctive coral structure and the synergistic effect of RuCu emphasize its excellent water electrolysis activity, which is based on the self-assembly of Cu nanoparticles into a conical membrane structure. Overtaking the commercial benchmark Pt/C (~38 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2), the RuCuCl/NF-2 displays HER activity (~25 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2) in 1M KOH. This sheds light on how to create more sophisticated bifunctional electrocatalysts.