bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploratory Evaluation of Pre-Treatment Inflammation Profiles in Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Feier Catalin Vladut Ionut , Muntean Calin , Bolboacă Sorana D. , Olariu Sorin
Published: March 2024

In light of the elevated incidence and consequential prognostic implications associated with colorectal cancer, a comprehensive investigation into the impact exerted by inflammatory status on patient management becomes imperative. A retrospective study spanning 7 years was conducted, involving the retrospective collection of data on colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgical intervention. We evaluated six inflammation ratios derived from complete peripheral blood counts. A thorough analysis of these markers’ prognostic capacity was conducted, revealing that patients who died postoperatively displayed significantly higher preoperative Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation—AISI (p = 0.014) and Systemic Inflammation Response Index—SII (p = 0.0197) levels compared to those with successful discharge. Noteworthy variations in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.0103), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.0041), AISI (p < 0.001), and SII (p = 0.0045) were observed in patients necessitating postoperative Intensive Care Unit (ICU) monitoring. Furthermore, patients with complications, such as an intestinal fistula, exhibited significantly elevated AISI (p = 0.0489). Inflammatory biomarkers stand out as valuable prognostic tools for colorectal cancer patients, offering potential assistance in predicting their prognosis.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer Trends in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is There a Shift toward a More Aggressive Entity?
Authors: Hassan Iyad , Hassan Lina , Bacha Farooq , Al Salameh Mohammad , Gatee Omran , Hassan Wiam
Published: March 2024

Background: Globally, the incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has been increasing over the last few decades and it has become the second most common cancer in women in the UAE. There is some evidence to suggest that COVID-19 infection might be directly linked to the development of aggressive variants of PTC. The primary goal of this study was to compare the clinical and pathologic characteristics of thyroid cancer patients treated at the largest endocrine surgery center in Abu Dhabi before and after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis included patients who underwent elective thyroid surgery at Burjeel Hospital between January 2018 and December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on when the COVID-19 outbreak started: group one, comprising patients who had surgery between January 2018 and December 2019 (the “pre-pandemic group”), and group two, comprising patients who had surgery between January 2021 and December 2022 (the “post-pandemic group”). In addition to demographic data, clinicopathological factors, such as aggressive cell type, multifocality, tumor size and location, laterality, lympho-vascular invasion, and extrathyroidal extension, were assessed. We utilized the t-paired test for parametric variables and the Chi-square test for the cross-table analysis. Results: During the study, 1141 people had thyroid surgery, with an annual average of 285 procedures. PTC cases recorded in the final histopathological samples rose from 111 in the pre-pandemic era to 182 in the post-pandemic era. Neither the female-to-male gender ratio, which was 90:21 in the pre-pandemic group and 142:40 in the post-pandemic group (p = 0.532), nor the median age, which was 39.1 and 40.1 years, respectively, varied significantly between the two groups. However, there was a significant increase between pre-pandemic and post-pandemic in the aggressive PTC variants (3% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.001), increased poor prognostic factors such as bilateral multifocality (10.8% vs. 32.4%, p = 0.000), as well as increased capsule–vascular tumor invasion (19.8% vs. 27%); on the other hand, the size of the single foci was 17 mm in the pre-pandemic group compared to 13 mm in the post-pandemic group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: A significant rise in unfavorable prognostic markers and aggressive subtypes of PTC was seen post-pandemic in thyroidectomy patients operated on at a leading endocrine surgery center in the United Arab Emirates.
Investigation on Transition Characteristics of a Modified RAE5243 Airfoil
Authors: Liu Zhiyong , Wang Hongbiao , Zhang Zhao , Liu Xiang , Qian Fengxue
Published: March 2024

The transition characteristics of a modified RAE5243 airfoil were investigated using a wind tunnel test and numerical simulations. Transition detection is of great significance for the assessment of drag reduction. In wind tunnel tests, transition location can be detected by infrared thermography. However, in subsonic and transonic wind tunnel tests, the temperature difference between the laminar flow region and turbulent flow region is small. Moreover, the test models are usually made of metals, which make the transition location hard to identify. Combined with infrared thermography, a carbon nanotube heating coating powered by electricity was used to detect the transition location of a modified RAE5243 airfoil wing. The effects of heating power, angle of attack (AOA), and Mach number were studied. The results show that heating power has no impact on transition location. As the AOA increases, the transition location moves forward. With an increase in Mach number, the transition location moves forward first and then backward, and it reaches its most forward point at Ma = 0.75. The results of our numerical simulations indicate that, at Ma≥ 0.75, a shock wave appears on the wing, and the transition is closely related to the shock wave rather than the adverse pressure gradient.
The Biosynthesis of the Monoterpene Tricyclene in E. coli through the Appropriate Truncation of Plant Transit Peptides
Authors: Zhao Meijia , Bao Shaoheng , Liu Jiajia , Wang Fuli , Yao Ge , Han Penggang , Wan Xiukun , Chen Chang , Jiang Hui , Zhang Xinghua , Zhu Wenchao
Published: March 2024

Tricyclene, a tricyclic monoterpene naturally occurring in plant essential oils, holds potential for the development of medicinal and fuel applications. In this study, we successfully synthesized tricyclene in E. coli by introducing the heterologous mevalonate (MVA) pathway along with Abies grandis geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPPS) and Nicotiana sylvestris tricyclene synthase (TS) XP_009791411. Initially, the shake-flask fermentation at 30 ◦C yielded a tricyclene titer of 0.060 mg/L. By increasing the copy number of the TS-coding gene, we achieved a titer of 0.103 mg/L. To further enhance tricyclene production, optimal truncation in the N-terminal region of TS XP_009791411 resulted in an impressive highest titer of 47.671 mg/L, approximately a 794.5-fold improvement compared to its wild-type counterpart. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest titer of the heterologous synthesis of tricyclene in E. coli. The SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that lowering induction temperature and truncating the random coil N-terminal region effectively improved TS solubility, which was closely associated with tricyclene production levels. Furthermore, by truncating other TSs, the titers of tricyclene were improved to different degrees.
Mitigating Coal Spontaneous Combustion Risk within Goaf of Gob-Side Entry Retaining by Roof Cutting: Investigation of Air Leakage Characteristics and Effective Plugging Techniques
Authors: Zhang Zhipeng , Chen Xiaokun , Yu Zhijin , Sun Hao , Huang Dewei , Wu Jiangle , Zhang Hao
Published: March 2024

Relative to conventional coal pillar retention mining technology (the 121 mining method), gob-side entry retaining by cutting roof (the 110 mining method), a non-pillar mining technique, efficiently addresses issues like poor coal resource recovery and significant rock burst damage. Nonetheless, the open-type goaf created by 110 mining techniques suffers from complex and significant air leaks, increasing the likelihood of coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) within the gob area. To address the CSC problem caused by complex air leakage within the goaf of gob-side entry retaining by roof cutting, this study takes the 17202 working face of Dongrong Second Coal Mine as the object of study. Field tests and simulation calculations are conducted to research the features of air leakage and the distribution of the oxidation zone within the goaf. Subsequently, plugging technology with varying plugging lengths is proposed and implemented. The tests and simulations reveal that the airflow migration within the goaf follows an L-shaped pattern, while air leakage primarily originates from gaps found in the gob-side entry retaining wall. The amount of air leaking into the gob-side entry retaining section is 171.59 m3/min, which represents 7.3% of the overall airflow. The maximum oxidation zone within the goaf ranges from 58.7 m to 151.8 m. After the air leakage is blocked, the airflow migration route within the goaf is transformed into a U-shaped distribution, and the maximum oxidation zone range changes from 42.8 m to 80.7 m. Engineering practice demonstrates that after air leakage plugging, the total air leakage volume within the gob-side entry retaining section significantly reduces to 20.59 m3/min, representing only 0.78% of the total airflow volume. This research provides reference on how to prevent the occurrence of CSC in similar mine goafs.
Elucidating the Mechanisms of Reactions in Energetic Materials: A Critical Methodology Review
Authors: Łysień Kinga , Jarosz Tomasz , Głosz Karolina , Stolarczyk Agnieszka
Published: March 2024

Identification of the mechanism of changes taking place in energetic materials (EMs) is one of the most important issues in the rational design and use of EMs. Due to the extremely rapid nature of these changes, reliable monitoring and real-time analysis are extremely difficult. Hence, analysis of the mechanism of such processes often has to rely on adaptation of classical methods or on comparison of the initial and final states of the EM. In this critical review, we focus on current approaches to the methodology of investigating the mechanisms of processes taking place in EMs, showcasing viable experimental strategies, points of uncertainty, and adaptations of classical instrumental methods.
Effect of Metal Carbides on Hydrogen Embrittlement: A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Faye Omar , Szpunar Jerzy A.
Published: March 2024

This study uses plane wave density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the effect of certain metal carbides (Niobium carbide, Vanadium carbide, Titanium carbide, and Manganese sulfide) on hydrogen embrittlement in pipeline steels. Our results predict that the interaction of hydrogen molecules with these metal carbides occurs in the long range with binding energy varying in the energy window [0.043 eV to 0.70 eV].In addition, our study shows the desorption of H2 molecules from these metal carbides in the chemisorptions. Since atomic state hydrogen interacts with NbC, VC, TiC, and MnS to cause embrittlement, we classified the strength of the hydrogen trapping as TiC + H > VC + H > NbC + H> MnS + H. In addition, our study reveals that the carbon site is a more favorable hydrogen-trapping site than the metal one.
Reusable Medical Device Pre-Cleaning in Care Units: What Are the Indicators to Prevent Biofilm Formation and Control Occupational Biological Risk?
Authors: Tipple Anaclara F. V. , Sodré Rúbia Lícia R. , Nascimento Lais C. , Costa Dayane M.
Published: March 2024

The pre-cleaning of reusable medical devices is essential for successful cleaning, as it prevents biofilm formation that can compromise disinfection and sterilization. This study aimed to reflect on the recommendations regarding the pre-cleaning of reusable medical devices carried out in care units, such as wards, based on recommendations from guidelines/standards related to this important step in reusable medical device reprocessing. However, recommendations for pre-cleaning in care units are not unanimous and contrast with detailed recommendations on reusable medical device reprocessing in the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD). This topic is an unresolved issue, strongly related to patient and worker safety, which points to the lack of investigations to provide indicators of best practice and highlights the need for shared responsibility management between care units and CSSD.
Redefining Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods: Translating the Promises of Blue Zones for Contemporary Urban Environments
Authors: Najafi Peyman , Mohammadi Masi
Published: March 2024

The longevity and healthy ageing observed in Blue Zones offer valuable insights for contemporary urban neighbourhood planning and design. This paper reviews the age-friendly features of the built environment in Blue Zones, aiming to translate these insights into actionable strategies for urban neighbourhood development. Employing a systematic literature review and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) analysis of Google Street View imagery, this study assesses the built environments in Blue Zones, including housing, public spaces, and transportation systems. Key findings highlight the presence of adaptable housing, building designs that foster a connection with nature, and semi-public spaces that encourage social interaction and physical activity. A notable emphasis on walkability and limited public transport access was observed. The CNN analysis corroborated these findings, providing a quantitative view of age-friendly features. This research contributes to the academic discourse in urban planning and design by providing practical insights for developing age-friendly neighbourhoods, inspired by Blue Zones. It concludes by offering policy advice and future research directions for creating sustainable and inclusive urban environments conducive to ageing populations.
The Impact of Sample Storage on Blood Methylation: Towards Assessing Myelin Gene Methylation as a Biomarker for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Tiane Assia , Somers Veerle , Hellings Niels , van den Hove Daniel L. A. , Vanmierlo Tim
Published: March 2024

One of the major challenges in multiple sclerosis (MS) is to accurately monitor and quantify disability over time. Thus, there is a pressing need to identify new biomarkers for disease progression. Peripheral blood DNA methylation has been demonstrated to be an easily accessible and quantifiable marker in many neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether methylation patterns that were previously determined in chronic inactive white matter lesions of patients with progressive MS are also reflected in the blood, and whether the latter can serve as a biomarker for disease progression in MS. While our initial analysis revealed differences in the blood methylation state of important myelin-related genes between patients with progressive MS and controls, these findings could not be validated in other independent patient cohorts. Subsequent investigation suggests that sample storage can selectively influence DNA methylation patterns, potentially hindering accurate epigenetic analysis. Therefore, sample storage time should be taken into consideration during the initial sample selection stage in biomarker studies.
Alzheimer’s Disease: A Molecular Model and Implied Path to Improved Therapy
Authors: Weaver-Rosen Meagan Susanne , Serwer Philip
Published: March 2024

Amyloid-associated neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are characterized by the in-brain accumulation of β-sheet structured protein aggregates called amyloids. However, neither a disease model nor therapy is established. We review past data and present new, preliminary data and opinions to help solve this problem. The following is the data-derived model/hypothesis. (1) Amyloid-forming proteins have innate immunity functions implemented by conversion to another sheet conformation, α-sheet. (2) In health, α-sheet structured, amyloid-forming proteins inactivate microbes by co-assembly with microbe α-sheets. Amyloid-forming proteins then undergo α-to-β-sheet conversion. (3) In disease, α-sheet-structured, amyloid-forming proteins over-accumulate and are neuron-toxic. This hypothesis includes formation by virus capsid subunits of α-sheets. In support, we find that 5–10 mM methylene blue (MB) at 54 °C has a hyper-expanding, thinning effect on the phage T4 capsid, as seen by negative stain- and cryo-electron microscopy after initial detection by native gel electrophoresis (AGE). Given the reported mild anti-AD effect of MB, we propose the following corollary hypothesis. (1) Anti-AD MB activity is, at least in part, caused by MB-binding to amyloid α-sheet and (2) MB induces the transition to α-sheet of T4 capsid subunits. We propose using AGE of drug incubated T4 to test for improved anti-AD activity.
A Workflow for Meaningful Interpretation of Classification Results from Handheld Ambient Mass Spectrometry Analysis Probes
Authors: Fiorante Alexa , Ye Lan Anna , Tata Alessandra , Kiyota Taira , Woolman Michael , Talbot Francis , Farahmand Yasamine , Vlaminck Darah , Katz Lauren , Massaro Andrea , Ginsberg Howard , Aman Ahmed , Zarrine-Afsar Arash
Published: March 2024

While untargeted analysis of biological tissues with ambient mass spectrometry analysis probes has been widely reported in the literature, there are currently no guidelines to standardize the workflows for the experimental design, creation, and validation of molecular models that are utilized in these methods to perform class predictions. By drawing parallels with hurdles that are faced in the field of food fraud detection with untargeted mass spectrometry, we provide a stepwise workflow for the creation, refinement, evaluation, and assessment of the robustness of molecular models, aimed at meaningful interpretation of mass spectrometry-based tissue classification results. We propose strategies to obtain a sufficient number of samples for the creation of molecular models and discuss the potential overfitting of data, emphasizing both the need for model validation using an independent cohort of test samples, as well as the use of a fully characterized feature-based approach that verifies the biological relevance of the features that are used to avoid false discoveries. We additionally highlight the need to treat molecular models as “dynamic” and “living” entities and to further refine them as new knowledge concerning disease pathways and classifier feature noise becomes apparent in large(r) population studies. Where appropriate, we have provided a discussion of the challenges that we faced in our development of a 10 s cancer classification method using picosecond infrared laser mass spectrometry (PIRL-MS) to facilitate clinical decision-making at the bedside.
Synthesis of Enantiopure (S)-Atenolol by Utilization of Lipase-Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution of a Key Intermediate
Authors: Hansen Mari Bergan , Tennfjord Anna Lifen , Blindheim Fredrik Heen , Bocquin Lucas Hugo Yvan , Jacobsen Elisabeth Egholm
Published: March 2024

(S)-Atenolol ((S)-2-(4-(2-Hydroxy-3-(isopropylamino)propoxy)phenyl)acetamide) has been synthesized in >99% enantiomeric excess (ee) with the use of Candida antarctica lipase B from Syncozymes (Shanghai, China), in a kinetic resolution of the corresponding racemic chlorohydrin. A catalytic amount of base was used in deprotonation of the phenol building block. The enantiopurity of the chlorohydrin building block remained unchanged upon subsequent amination to yield the final drug. All four steps in the synthesis protocol have been optimized compared to previously reported methods, which makes this new protocol more sustainable and in accordance with green chemistry principles. The overall yield of (S)-atenolol was 9.9%, which will be further optimized.
Zfra Overrides WWOX in Suppressing the Progression of Neurodegeneration
Authors: Chen Yu-An , Liu Tsung-Yun , Wen Kuan-Yu , Hsu Che-Yu , Sze Chun-I , Chang Nan-Shan
Published: March 2024

We reported that a 31-amino-acid Zfra protein (zinc finger-like protein that regulates apoptosis) blocks neurodegeneration and cancer growth. Zfra binds WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) to both N- and C-termini, which leads to accelerated WWOX degradation. WWOX limits the progression of neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by binding tau and tau-hyperphosphorylating enzymes. Similarly, Zfra binds many protein targets and accelerates their degradation independently of ubiquitination. Furthermore, Zfra4-10 peptide strongly prevents the progression of AD-like symptoms in triple-transgenic (3xTg) mice during aging. Zfra4-10 peptide restores memory loss in 9-month-old 3xTg mice by blocking the aggregation of a protein cascade, including TPC6AΔ, TIAF1, and SH3GLB2, by causing aggregation of tau and amyloid β. Zfra4-10 also suppresses inflammatory NF-κB activation. Zfra-activated Hyal-2+ CD3- CD19- Z cells in the spleen, via Hyal-2/WWOX/Smad4 signaling, are potent in cancer suppression. In this perspective review, we provide mechanistic insights regarding how Zfra overrides WWOX to induce cancer suppression and retard AD progression via Z cells.
Rationally Designed Novel Antimicrobial Peptides Targeting Chitin Synthase for Combating Soybean Phytophthora Blight
Authors: Ran Yue , Shehzadi Kiran , Liang Jian-Hua , Yu Ming-Jia
Published: March 2024

Soybean phytophthora blight is a severe menace to global agriculture, causing annual losses surpassing USD 1 billion. Present crop loss mitigation strategies primarily rely on chemical pesticides and disease-resistant breeding, frequently surpassed by the pathogens’ quick adaptive evolution. In this urgent scenario, our research delves into innovative antimicrobial peptides characterized by low drug resistance and environmental friendliness. Inhibiting chitin synthase gene activity in Phytophthora sojae impairs vital functions such as growth and sporulation, presenting an effective method to reduce its pathogenic impact. In our study, we screened 16 previously tested peptides to evaluate their antimicrobial effects against Phytophthora using structure-guided drug design, which involves molecular docking, saturation mutagenesis, molecular dynamics, and toxicity prediction. The in silico analysis identified AMP_04 with potential inhibitory activity against Phytophthora sojae’s chitin synthase. Through three rounds of saturation mutagenesis, we pin-pointed the most effective triple mutant, TP (D10K, G11I, S14L). Molecular dynamic simulations revealed TP’s stability in the chitin synthase-TP complex and its transmembrane mechanism, employing an all-atom force field. Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of TP in occupying the substrate-binding pocket and translocation catalytic channel. Effective inhibition of the chitin synthase enzyme can be achieved. Specifically, the triple mutant demonstrates enhanced antimicrobial potency and decreased toxicity relative to the wild-type AMP_04, utilizing a mechanism akin to the barrel-stave model during membrane translocation. Collectively, our study provides a new strategy that could be used as a potent antimicrobial agent in combatting soybean blight, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.
Non-Invasive Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Risk Prediction, and Therapy Guidance of Glomerular Kidney Diseases: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Catanese Lorenzo , Rupprecht Harald , Huber Tobias B. , Lindenmeyer Maja T. , Hengel Felicitas E. , Amann Kerstin , Wendt Ralph , Siwy Justyna , Mischak Harald , Beige Joachim
Published: March 2024

Effective management of glomerular kidney disease, one of the main categories of chronic kidney disease (CKD), requires accurate diagnosis, prognosis of progression, assessment of therapeutic efficacy, and, ideally, prediction of drug response. Multiple biomarkers and algorithms for the assessment of specific aspects of glomerular diseases have been reported in the literature. Though, the vast majority of these have not been implemented in clinical practice or are not available on a global scale due to limited access, missing medical infrastructure, or economical as well as political reasons. The aim of this review is to compile all currently available information on the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers currently available for the management of glomerular diseases, and provide guidance on the application of these biomarkers. As a result of the compiled evidence for the different biomarkers available, we present a decision tree for a non-invasive, biomarker-guided diagnostic path. The data currently available demonstrate that for the large majority of patients with glomerular diseases, valid biomarkers are available. However, despite the obvious disadvantages of kidney biopsy, being invasive and not applicable for monitoring, especially in the context of rare CKD etiologies, kidney biopsy still cannot be replaced by non-invasive strategies.
Suppression of Borna Disease Virus Replication during Its Persistent Infection Using the CRISPR/Cas13b System
Authors: Sasaki Shigenori , Ogawa Hirohito , Katoh Hirokazu , Honda Tomoyuki
Published: March 2024

Borna disease virus (BoDV-1) is a bornavirus that infects the central nervous systems of various animal species, including humans, and causes fatal encephalitis. BoDV-1 also establishes persistent infection in neuronal cells and causes neurobehavioral abnormalities. Once neuronal cells or normal neural networks are lost by BoDV-1 infection, it is difficult to regenerate damaged neural networks. Therefore, the development of efficient anti-BoDV-1 treatments is important to improve the outcomes of the infection. Recently, one of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems, CRISPR/Cas13, has been utilized as antiviral tools. However, it is still unrevealed whether the CRISPR/Cas13 system can suppress RNA viruses in persistently infected cells. In this study, we addressed this question using persistently BoDV-1-infected cells. The CRISPR/Cas13 system targeting viral mRNAs efficiently decreased the levels of target viral mRNAs and genomic RNA (gRNA) in persistently infected cells. Furthermore, the CRISPR/Cas13 system targeting viral mRNAs also suppressed BoDV-1 infection if the system was introduced prior to the infection. Collectively, we demonstrated that the CRISPR/Cas13 system can suppress BoDV-1 in both acute and persistent infections. Our findings will open the avenue to treat prolonged infection with RNA viruses using the CRISPR/Cas13 system.
Cell-Type-Dependent Recruitment Dynamics of FUS Protein at Laser-Induced DNA Damage Sites
Authors: Niu Yu , Pal Arun , Szewczyk Barbara , Japtok Julia , Naumann Marcel , Glaß Hannes , Hermann Andreas
Published: March 2024

Increased signs of DNA damage have been associated to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. DNA damage repair mechanisms are tightly regulated and involve different pathways depending on cell types and proliferative vs. postmitotic states. Amongst them, fused in sarcoma (FUS) was reported to be involved in different pathways of single- and double-strand break repair, including an early recruitment to DNA damage. FUS is a ubiquitously expressed protein, but if mutated, leads to a more or less selective motor neurodegeneration, causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Of note, ALS-causing mutation leads to impaired DNA damage repair. We thus asked whether FUS recruitment dynamics differ across different cell types putatively contributing to such cell-type-specific vulnerability. For this, we generated engineered human induced pluripotent stem cells carrying wild-type FUS-eGFP and analyzed different derivatives from these, combining a laser micro-irradiation technique and a workflow to analyze the real-time process of FUS at DNA damage sites. All cells showed FUS recruitment to DNA damage sites except for hiPSC, with only 70% of cells recruiting FUS. In-depth analysis of the kinetics of FUS recruitment at DNA damage sites revealed differences among cellular types in response to laser-irradiation-induced DNA damage. Our work suggests a cell-type-dependent recruitment behavior of FUS during the DNA damage response and repair procedure. The presented workflow might be a valuable tool for studying the proteins recruited at the DNA damage site in a real-time course.
The Impact of Simulated Ward Rounds on the Clinical Education of Final-Year Medical Students: A Systematic Review
Authors: Le Khang Duy Ricky , Downie Emma , Azidis-Yates Elizabeth , Shaw Cameron
Published: March 2024

(1) Background: Final-year medical students often feel under prepared for their transition into clinical practice. Clinical ward rounds and shadowing approach this issue by building transferable skills; however, they are highly variable, with teaching clinicians experiencing a large number of work-related interruptions. Simulated ward rounds have garnered significant interest by translating clinical encounters into standardised educational opportunities for students. This review evaluates the impact of simulated ward rounds in promoting the clinical competencies required for work in final-year medical students and assesses the impact of simulated ward rounds on the experience of clinical learning for medical students. (2) Methods: A computer-assisted search was performed in the Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases. Studies that evaluated simulated ward rounds in final-year medical student cohorts were included. (3) Results: In total, 107 articles were identified by the search and 26 articles were eligible for full-text analysis. The analysis of these studies showed that simulated ward rounds were effective in improving confidence, as well as the technical and non-technical skills of final-year medical students; however this is on the basis of highly heterogeneous and lower-quality evidence. (4) Conclusion: Our systematic review highlights that simulated ward rounds provide final-year medical students with increased confidence and preparedness for clinical work and identifies the need to pursue more methodologically rigorous research to inform the best practice delivery of simulated ward rounds.
Analysis of E-Scooter Crashes in the City of Bari
Authors: Longo Paola , Berloco Nicola , Coropulis Stefano , Intini Paolo , Ranieri Vittorio
Published: March 2024

The remarkable impact that e-scooters have had on the transportation system drives research on this phenomenon. The widespread use of e-scooters also poses several new safety issues, which should be necessarily studied. The aim of this paper points in this direction, investigating the main contributing factors, causes, and patterns of recorded e-scooter crashes, considering also different crash types and severity, using the City of Bari (Italy) as a case study. The crash dataset based on police reports and referring to the period July 2020–November 2022 (i.e., the first period of e-scooter implementation in the City of Bari) was investigated. Crashes were clustered according to several variables. No fatal crashes occurred, even though crashes mostly resulted in injuries (70%). Considering road type, divided roads were found to be less safe than undivided ones, due to higher mean speeds than on other roads and to a less constrained e-scooter driving behavior. Calm (off-peak) daytime hours seem to lead to more frequent e-scooter crashes with respect to both peak and nighttime hours, even if the latter hours are associated with an increased severity. Once controlled for exposure, season, lighting conditions, and the private/sharing ratio do not seem influential. E-scooters are more prone to be involved in single-vehicle and pedestrian crashes at segments than other vehicles, but they show similar crash trends than other vehicles (i.e., angle crashes) at intersections. As emerged from traffic surveys, not all e-scooter users were found to use cycle paths. Combining this information with crash data, it seems that not using cycle paths is considerably less safe than using them. Besides engineering measures and policies, awareness campaigns should be promoted to elicit safe users’ behavior and to tackle the several violations and misbehaviors emerging from the crash data.
Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Analyses: The Journey from Research to Solutions
Authors: Rossi Marco
Published: March 2024

Six months ago (September 2023), we began the journey of publishing a new and unique Open Access journal dedicated to publishing papers on the methods and applications of analysis science in both experimental and theoretical aspects in the more relevant fields of engineering, with a focus on its hottest specialized areas [...]
Optimization of Surface Roughness of Aluminium RSA 443 in Diamond Tool Turning
Authors: Mbangu Tambwe Gregoire , Pons Dirk
Published: March 2024

Context—Rapidly solidified aluminium alloy (RSA 443) is increasingly used in the manufacturing of optical mold inserts because of its fine nanostructure, relatively low cost, excellent thermal properties, and high hardness. However, RSA 443 is challenging for single-point diamond machining because the high silicon content mitigates against good surface finishes. Objectives—The objectives were to investigate multiple different ways to optimize the process parameters for optimal surface roughness on diamond-turned aluminium alloy RSA 443. The response surface equation was used as input to three different artificial intelligence tools, namely genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and differential evolution (DE), which were then compared. Results—The surface roughness machinability of RSA443 in single-point diamond turning was primarily determined by cutting speed, and secondly, cutting feed rate, with cutting depth being less important. The optimal conditions for the best surface finish Ra = 14.02 nm were found to be at the maximum rotational speed of 3000 rpm, cutting feed rate of 4.84 mm/min, and depth of cut of 14.52 µm with optimizing error of 3.2%. Regarding optimization techniques, the genetic algorithm performed best, then differential evolution, and finally particle swarm optimization. Originality—The study determines optimal diamond machining parameters for RSA 443, and identifies the superiority of GA above PSO and DE as optimization methods. The principles have the potential to be applied to other materials (e.g., in the RSA family) and machining processes (e.g., turning, milling).
Analyzing Portfolio Optimization in Cryptocurrency Markets: A Comparative Study of Short-Term Investment Strategies Using Hourly Data Approach
Authors: Sahu Sonal , Ochoa Vázquez José Hugo , Ramírez Alejandro Fonseca , Kim Jong-Min
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates portfolio optimization methodologies and short-term investment strategies in the context of the cryptocurrency market, focusing on ten major cryptocurrencies from June 2020 to March 2024. Using hourly data, we apply the Kurtosis Minimization methodology, along with other optimization strategies, to construct and assess portfolios across various rebalancing frequencies. Our empirical analysis reveals significant volatility, skewness, and kurtosis in cryptocurrencies, highlighting the need for sophisticated portfolio management techniques. We discover that the Kurtosis Minimization methodology consistently outperforms other optimization strategies, especially in shorter-term investment horizons, delivering optimal returns to investors. Additionally, our findings emphasize the importance of dynamic portfolio management, stressing the necessity of regular rebalancing in the volatile cryptocurrency market. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into optimizing cryptocurrency portfolios, providing practical guidance for investors and portfolio managers navigating this rapidly evolving market landscape.
Trade Agreements and Financial Market Integration in Latin America and the US
Authors: Izaguirre Obed Fernando , Shin Seungho , Zirek Duygu
Published: March 2024

The primary objective of this study is to examine the extent of financial integration between Latin American and US financial markets, particularly in light of recent efforts to foster integration through trade agreements. Spanning from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2019, the sample focuses on major market indices and key sectors. Financial integration is quantified using a DCC multivariate GARCH model, incorporating a smooth transition model, structural breaks, and regression-based approaches. Results indicate increased comovement with the US for main market indices in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, while Brazil shows a decrease. Similar trends are observed in sectoral analyses. This study also reveals heightened correlation post-trade agreements. Structural break analysis highlights significant shifts in dynamic correlations for countries with US free trade agreements. These findings support the argument of increased financial integration, bearing significance for portfolio diversification and international policy formulation.
Population Feasibility State Guided Autonomous Constrained Multi-Objective Evolutionary Optimization
Authors: Zuo Mingcheng , Xue Yuan
Published: March 2024

Many practical problems can be classified as constrained multi-objective optimization problems. Although various methods have been proposed for solving constrained multi-objective optimization problems, there is still a lack of research considering the integration of multiple constraint handling techniques. Given this, this paper combines the objective and constraint separation method with the multi-operator method, proposing a population feasibility state guided autonomous constrained evolutionary optimization method. This method first defines the feasibility state of the population based on both feasibility and ε feasibility of the solutions. Subsequently, a reinforcement learning model is employed to construct a mapping model between the population state and reproduction operators. Finally, based on the real-time population state, the mapping model is utilized to recommend the promising reproduction operator for the next generation. This approach demonstrates significant performance improvement for ε constrained mechanisms in constrained multi-objective optimization algorithms, and shows considerable advantages in comparison with state-of-the-art constrained multi-objective optimization algorithms.
Antimicrobial Effect of Copper Nanoparticles on Relevant Supragingival Oral Bacteria
Authors: Oetiker Nia , Salinas Daniela , Lucero-Mora Joaquín , Orellana Rocío , Quiroz-Muñoz Mariana , Bravo Denisse , Pérez-Donoso José M.
Published: March 2024

Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) show promise in dentistry for combating bacterial dysbiosis and tooth decay. Understanding their effects on commensal versus pathogenic bacteria is vital for maintaining oral health balance. While Cu NPs demonstrate antibacterial properties against various oral bacteria, including common pathogens associated with tooth decay, their impact on commensal bacteria requires careful examination. In our work, we analyzed three types of Cu NPs for their effects on the growth, viability, and biofilm formation of representative caries-associated and commensal oral bacteria. S. sanguinis showed high tolerance to all Cu NPs, while L. rhamnosus was highly sensitive. Oxide-Cu NPs exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on pathobionts compared with commensal bacteria. Moreover, the biofilm formation of the key cariogenic bacteria S. mutans was reduced, with minimal negative effects on commensal species’ biofilm formation. All our results showed that CuO nanoparticles (CuO NPs) exhibit reduced toxicity toward commensal bacteria growth and development but have a strong impact on pathogens. This suggests their potential for targeted treatments against pathogenic bacteria, which could help in maintaining the balance of the oral bacterial community.
Unveiling the Chemical Composition, Bioactive Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Dried Egyptian Jew’s Mallow Stems as a Promising Anticancer Agent
Authors: Ali Marwa Rashad , Ibrahim Huda Hassan , Salah-Eldin Aziza Ali
Published: March 2024

Phytochemicals from waste materials generated by agricultural and industrial processes have become globally significant due to their accessibility and potential effectiveness with few side effects. These compounds have essential implications in both medicine and the economy. Therefore, a quantitative analysis of the phytochemical profile, sugar types, and water-soluble vitamins of dried Corchorus olitorius L.“DJMS” extract (dried Jew’s mallow stem) was carried out with HPLC. In addition, the chemical composition, TPC, chlorophyll a and b, beta-carotene, and antioxidant effect using DPPH were investigated. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of the DJMS was evaluated by SRB assay using Huh-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. In the quantitative study, DJMS extract showed a high antioxidant potential (67%) due to its content of bioactive compounds such as TPC (276.37 mg 100 g−1) and chlorophyll a and b (20.31, 12.02 mg 100 g−1, respectively), as well as some vitamins and minerals such as B-complex (B12; 146.8 mg 100 g−1 and vitamin C 6.49 mg 100 g−1) and selenium (<0.2 μg kg−1). Moreover, the main sugar types found were sucrose and stachyose, which recorded 9.23 and 6.25 mg 100 g−1, respectively. Identifying phenolic and flavonoids showed that the major components were ellagic acid (4905.26 μg kg−1), ferulic acid (3628.29 μg kg−1), chlorogenic acid (3757.08 μg kg−1), luteolin—7-O-glucoside (4314.48 μg kg−1), naringin (4296.94 μg kg−1) and apigenin—6—rhamnose—8 glucoside (3078.87 μg kg−1). The dried stem extract showed significant MDA-MB-231 inhibition activity and reached 80% at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL of DJMS extract, related to the content of phytochemical components such as isoflavones like genistein (34.96 μg kg−1), which had a tremendous anticancer effect. Hence, the stem of Jew’s mallow (which is edible and characterized by its viability and low production cost) possesses the capacity to serve as a pharmaceutical agent for combating cancer owing to its abundance of bioactive components.
Dielectric and Magnetoelectric Properties of TGS–Magnetite Composite
Authors: Trybus Mariusz , Chotorlishvili Levan , Jartych Elżbieta
Published: March 2024

In our studies, we combined two powdered materials, i.e., ferroelectric triglycine sulfate (TGS) and ferrimagnetic magnetite Fe3O4, to obtain a magnetoelectric composite. The ferroelectric (E) part, i.e., TGS, was a hybrid organic–inorganic crystal, which we obtained as a pure single crystal from an aqueous solution using a static water evaporation method. The magnetic (M) part of the composite was commercially available magnetite. The samples used for the dielectric and magnetoelectric measurements were cold-pressed and made in the form of a circular tablet. The measuring electrodes were made of silver-based conductive paste and were attached to the sample. We measured the temperature dependencies of selected electrical parameters (e.g., dielectric permittivity, electrical capacity, and loss angle tangent). We used the dynamic lock-in method to check whether magnetoelectric coupling existed between the E and M phases. In this paper, we present the dielectric properties of pure monocrystalline TGS as a reference sample and compare the results for TGS powder, TGS + carbon powder, and TGS + Fe3O4 powder. The magnetoelectric coupling presumably appeared for the composite TGS + 10 wt. % Fe3O4, as evidenced by the shift in the phase transition temperature in the TGS. Moreover, the theoretical interpretation of the effect is proposed.
Broadening the Voltage Window of 3D-Printed MXene Micro-Supercapacitors with a Hybridized Electrolyte
Authors: Jiang Xin , Jia Haowen , Chen Xuan , Li Jiajia , Chen Yanling , Jia Jin , Zhao Guangzhen , Yu Lianghao , Zhu Guang , Zhu Yuanyuan
Published: March 2024

The burgeoning demand for miniaturized energy storage devices compatible with the miniaturization trend of electronic technologies necessitates advancements in micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) that promise safety, cost efficiency, and high-speed charging capabilities. However, conventional aqueous MSCs face a significant limitation due to their inherently narrow electrochemical potential window, which restricts their operational voltage and energy density compared to their organic and ionic liquid counterparts. In this study, we introduce an innovative aqueous NaCl/H2O/EG hybrid gel electrolyte (comprising common salt (NaCl), H2O, ethylene glycol (EG), and SiO2) for Ti3C2Tx MXene MSCs that substantially widens the voltage window to 1.6 V, a notable improvement over traditional aqueous system. By integrating the hybrid electrolyte with 3D-printed MXene electrodes, we realized MSCs with remarkable areal capacitance (1.51 F cm−2) and energy density (675 µWh cm−2), significantly surpassing existing benchmarks for aqueous MSCs. The strategic formulation of the hybrid electrolyte—a low-concentration NaCl solution with EG—ensures both economic and environmental viability while enabling enhanced electrochemical performance. Furthermore, the MSCs fabricated via 3D printing technology exhibit exceptional flexibility and are suitable for modular device integration, offering a promising avenue for the development of high-performance, sustainable energy storage devices. This advancement not only provides a tangible solution to the challenge of limited voltage windows in aqueous MXene MSCs but also sets a new precedent for the design of next-generation MSCs that align with the needs of an increasingly microdevice-centric world.
Semi-Classical Electrodynamics and the Casimir Effect
Authors: Boström Mathias , Gholamhosseinian Ayda , Pal Subhojit , Li Yang , Brevik Iver
Published: March 2024

From the late 1960s onwards, the groups of Barry Ninham and Adrian Parsegian, and their many collaborators, made a number of essential contributions to theory and experiment of intermolecular forces. In particular, they explored the semi-classical theory: Maxwell’s equations and Planck quantization of light leads to Lifshitz and Casimir interactions. We discuss some selected thought-provoking results from Ninham and his group. Some of the results have been conceived as controversial but, we would say, never uninteresting.
Impact of Green Features on Rental Value of Residential Properties: Evidence from South Africa
Authors: Odubiyi Tawakalitu Bisola , Abidoye Rotimi Boluwatife , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku , Ademiloye Adeyemi Samuel , Oshodi Olalekan Shamsideen
Published: March 2024

In recent years, scholars have called for an increase in the usage of green features in the built environment to address climate change issues. Governments across the developed world are implementing legislation to support this increased uptake. However, little is known about how the inclusion of green features influences the rental value of residential properties located in developing countries. Data on 389 residential properties were extracted and collected from a webpage. Text mining and machine learning models were used to evaluate the impact of green features on the rental value of residential properties. The results indicated that floor area, number of bathrooms, and availability of furniture are the top three attributes affecting the rental value of residential properties. The random forest model generated better predictions when compared with other modelling techniques. It was also observed that green features are not the most common words mentioned in rental adverts for residential properties. The results suggest that green features add limited value to residential properties in South Africa. This finding suggests that there is a need for stakeholders to create and implement policies targeted at incentivising the inclusion of green features in existing and new residential properties in South Africa.