bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Stereo-Selective Fluorination on Vitamin D3 Side-Chain Using Electrophilic Fluorination
Authors: Kawagoe Fumihiro , Mototani Sayuri , Kittaka Atsushi
Published: December 2023

Our research regarding side-chain fluorinated vitamin D3 analogues has explored a series of efficient fluorination methods. In this study, a new electrophilic stereo-selective fluorination methodology at C24 and C22 positions of the vitamin D3 side-chain was developed using N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) and CD-ring imides with an Evans chiral auxiliary (26,27,30).
GDF-15 Inhibits ADP-Induced Human Platelet Aggregation through the GFRAL/RET Signaling Complex
Authors: Xie Baikang , Tang Wenjing , Wen Shuang , Chen Fen , Yang Chao , Wang Min , Yang Yong , Liang Wei
Published: December 2023

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is proposed to be strongly associated with several cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure and atherosclerosis. Moreover, some recent studies have reported an association between GDF-15 and platelet activation. In this study, we isolated peripheral blood platelets from healthy volunteers and evaluated the effect of GDF-15 on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet activation using the platelet aggregation assay. Subsequently, we detected the expression of GDF-15-related receptors on platelets, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3), transforming growth factor-beta receptor I (TGF-βRI), transforming growth factor-beta receptor II (TGF-βRII), glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α-like (GFRAL), and those rearranged during transfection (RET). Then, we screened for GDF-15 receptors using the GDF-15-related receptor microarray comprising these recombinant proteins. We also performed the immunoprecipitation assay to investigate the interaction between GDF-15 and the receptors on platelets. For the further exploration of signaling pathways, we investigated the effects of GDF-15 on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), protein kinase B (AKT), and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) pathways. We also investigated the effects of GDF-15 on the ERK and AKT pathways and platelet aggregation in the presence or absence of RET agonists or inhibition. Our study revealed that GDF-15 can dose-independently inhibit ADP-induced human platelet aggregation and that the binding partner of GDF-15 on platelets is GFRAL. We also found that GDF-15 inhibits ADP-induced AKT and ERK activation in platelets. Meanwhile, our results revealed that the inhibitory effects of GDF-15 can be mediated by the GFRAL/RET complex. These findings reveal the novel inhibitory mechanism of ADP-induced platelet activation by GDF-15.
Fire Resistance of Prestressed Multispan Steel Truss Composite Slab
Authors: Zhao Kaozhong , Liu Sihong , Li Jinglu , Fan Zijia
Published: December 2023

Prestressed steel truss composite slab is composed of a precast prestressed bottom slab, a steel truss, and a postcast concrete layer. In order to investigate the fire resistance performance of prestressed multispan steel truss composite (STPC) slabs under the coupled effect of high temperature and load, four specimens of such composite slab containing two spans with various postcast concrete layer thicknesses were fabricated. Fire experiments were conducted following the ISO 834 standard temperature–time curve. Two of the specimens underwent two-span fire experiments, while the other two underwent single-span fire experiments. During the experiment, the bottom of the multispan STPC slabs exhibited serious bursting under fire and the precast concrete layer at the bursting locations fell off. The experiment result showed that the degree of bursting was much higher than that of nonprestressed composite slabs and single-span slabs. Although bond failure was observed at the composite interface where horizontal cracks developed, the STPC slabs still performed well in terms of load bearing, which could be attributed to the contribution of the steel truss. Under the coupled action of high temperature and load, concrete cracks were prone to occurring at the cut-off position of the top reinforcement near the supports; therefore, the anchorage length of these reinforcing bars should be appropriately extended. The damage to the STPC slab specimens after fire was found to be more serious for those with a less-think postcast concrete layer. In the single-span fire experiments, the structural performance of the unfired span was not prominently affected. Due to the bursting of the precast layer, the thickness of the STPC slabs was reduced, resulting in decreases in the thermal insulation and the fire resistance limit. The fire resistance limits of the STPC slabs with 60 mm and 80 mm postcast concrete layers were 90 min and 130 min, respectively. When a high fire resistance limit of the STPC slabs is required in a design, it is recommended that the thickness of the postcast concrete layer be no less than 60 mm.
Prognostic Value of Baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT to Predict Brain Metastasis Development in Melanoma Patients
Authors: Kalantari Forough , Mirshahvalad Seyed Ali , Hoellwerth Magdalena , Schweighofer-Zwink Gregor , Huber-Schönauer Ursula , Hitzl Wolfgang , Rendl Gundula , Koelblinger Peter , Pirich Christian , Beheshti Mohsen
Published: December 2023

To investigate the value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in predicting the occurrence of brain metastases in melanoma patients, in this retrospective study 201 consecutive patients with pathology-proven melanoma, between 2008 and 2021, were reviewed. Those who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT for initial staging were considered eligible. Baseline assessment included histopathology, 18F-FDG-PET/CT, and brain MRI. Also, all patients had serial follow-ups for diagnosing brain metastasis development. Baseline 18F-FDG-PET/CT parameters were analysed using competing risk regression models to analyze their correlation with the occurrence of brain metastases. Overall, 159 patients entered the study. The median follow-up was six years. Among clinical variables, the initial M-stage and TNM-stage were significantly correlated with brain metastasis. Regarding 18F-FDG-PET/CT parameters, regional metastatic lymph node uptake values, as well as prominent SULmax (pSULmax) and prominent SUVmean (pSUVmean), were significantly correlated with the outcome. Cumulative incidences were 10% (6.3–16%), 31% (24.4–38.9%), and 35.2% (28.5–43.5%) after 1, 5, and 10 years. There were significant correlations between pSULmax (p-value < 0.001) and pSULpeak (p-value < 0.001) and the occurrence of brain metastases. The higher these values, the sooner the patient developed brain metastases. Thus, baseline 18F-FDG-PET/CT may have the potential to predict brain metastasis in melanoma patients. Those with high total metabolic activity should undergo follow-up/complementary evaluations, such as brain MRI.
Short- and Long-Term Survival among Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients in Finland, 2006–2015: A Nationwide Population-Based Registry Study
Authors: Hukkinen Tanja , Olenius Tobias , Koskensalo Selja , Lepistö Anna , Koskenvuo Laura , Böckelman Camilla
Published: December 2023

This population-based registry study aimed to report 30-day and one-year postoperative survival, five-year overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) among elderly (≥75 years old) colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. All new colorectal cancer cases from 2006–2015 were included and followed until death or the end of follow-up (end of 2016). Among 27,088 CRC patients, 11,306 patients were ≥75 years old. Among patients ≥ 75 years, 36.8% (n = 4160) had right-sided colon cancer, 21.9% (n = 2478) left-sided colon cancer, and 32.3% (n = 3650) rectal cancer. In this study population, 932 patients were aged ≥ 90. The 30-day postoperative OS for patients aged 75–79 was 96.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 95.3–96.9) falling to 93.2% (95% CI 92.0–94.4) for patients aged 80–84. The one-year postoperative OS among patients aged 75–79 was 86.3% (95% CI 84.7–87.9) compared with 80.5% (95% CI 78.7–82.3) among patients aged 80–84. Five-year OS among patients aged 75–79 was 47.6% (95% CI 46.0–49.2) and 36.6% (95% CI 34.8–38.4) among patients aged 80–84, compared with 61.7% (95% CI 60.9–62.5) among younger patients (<75 years old). Survival among elderly CRC patients (≥75 years old) was in general fairly good when compared with younger patients, especially among patients aged 75–79 and 80–84 with localized or locally advanced disease.
Comparative Effectiveness of First-Line Selpercatinib versus Standard Therapies in Patients with RET-Activated Cancers: An Exploratory Interpatient Analysis of LIBRETTO-001
Authors: De Braud Filippo , Deschler-Baier Barbara , Morris John C. , Worden Francis , Han Yimei , Kiiskinen Urpo , Jen Min-Hua , Barker Scott S. , Szymczak Sylwia , Gilligan Adrienne M.
Published: December 2023

Selpercatinib is indicated for locally advanced/metastatic RET-activated solid tumors after progression or following prior systemic therapies. Until the recently published data from LIBRETTO-431 and LIBRETTO-531, there were limited effectiveness data comparing selpercatinib with other first-line treatments in RET-activated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), and thyroid cancer (TC). This study analyzed patient data from LIBRETTO-001 and compared the outcomes (time to treatment discontinuation {TTD}, time to next treatment or death {TTNT-D}, time to progression {TTP}, and the objective response rate {ORR}) of first-line selpercatinib (selpercatinib arm) use with the outcomes of first-line standard therapies in patients who then received selpercatinib in later lines of treatment (comparator arm). Overall, the first-line selpercatinib arm had a longer TTD, TTNT-D, and TTP versus the first-line comparator arm. The hazard ratios (HRs) for TTD were 0.29 (NSCLC), 0.15 (MTC), 0.08 (TC); for TTNT-D, the HRs were 0.48 (NSCLC), 0.11 (MTC), 0.09 (TC); and for TTP, the HRs were 0.54 (NSCLC), 0.15 (MTC), and 0.12 (TC). The ORR was higher for first-line selpercatinib versus the first-line comparator (NSCLC: 85.3% vs. 39.7%; MTC: 82.6% vs. 15.2%; and TC: 81.8% vs. 31.8%). First-line selpercatinib use is associated with improved outcomes compared to first-line comparator therapies for patients with advanced/metastatic RET-activated cancers.
Optimizing Treatment Strategy for Oligometastases/Oligo-Recurrence of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Yokoi Ryoma , Tajima Jesse Yu , Fukada Masahiro , Hayashi Hirokatsu , Kuno Masashi , Asai Ryuichi , Sato Yuta , Yasufuku Itaru , Kiyama Shigeru , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Murase Katsutoshi , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa
Published: December 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer, and nearly half of CRC patients experience metastases. Oligometastatic CRC represents a distinct clinical state characterized by limited metastatic involvement, demonstrating a less aggressive nature and potentially improved survival with multidisciplinary treatment. However, the varied clinical scenarios giving rise to oligometastases necessitate a precise definition, considering primary tumor status and oncological factors, to optimize treatment strategies. This review delineates the concepts of oligometastatic CRC, encompassing oligo-recurrence, where the primary tumor is under control, resulting in a more favorable prognosis. A comprehensive examination of multidisciplinary treatment with local treatments and systemic therapy is provided. The overarching objective in managing oligometastatic CRC is the complete eradication of metastases, offering prospects of a cure. Essential to this management approach are local treatments, with surgical resection serving as the standard of care. Percutaneous ablation and stereotactic body radiotherapy present less invasive alternatives for lesions unsuitable for surgery, demonstrating efficacy in select cases. Perioperative systemic therapy, aiming to control micrometastatic disease and enhance local treatment effectiveness, has shown improvements in progression-free survival through clinical trials. However, the extension of overall survival remains variable. The review emphasizes the need for further prospective trials to establish a cohesive definition and an optimized treatment strategy for oligometastatic CRC.
Immunotherapy in Elderly Patients—Single-Center Experience
Authors: Ramos Maria João , Mendes Ana Sofia , Romão Raquel , Febra Joana , Araújo António
Published: December 2023

Cancer management faces a substantial challenge posed by the aging demographic. Aging is marked by accumulated DNA damage, and this phenomenon is implicated in the process of tumorigenesis. The concept of immunosenescence, postulated to manifest in elderly individuals, is defined by an age-related decline in T cells and a simultaneous elevation in proinflammatory status, leading to a diminished efficacy in response to immunotherapy. Notably, despite the rising prevalence of cancer in the elderly population, their underrepresentation in clinical trials persists. This underscores the unmet need to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cancer treatment in the elderly. This retrospective, single-center cohort study aimed to assess and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of immunotherapy in patients compared to younger individuals with metastatic solid tumors receiving ICI. A total of 220 patients were included, mostly males, with a median age of 64. The proportion of patients ≥ 65 years old was 56.5%. The use of ICI showed no significant differences concerning overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) among age groups across different cancer types (melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal, and bladder cancer; p = 0.388). Concerning the response to treatment in renal cancer patients, a significant difference was observed (p = 0.041), suggesting a potential negative impact of age on the treatment response. In patients that presented immune-related adverse events (irAEs), oral corticosteroid therapy was marginally associated (p = 0.059) with the elderly population. When evaluating the NSCLC population alone (n = 131, 59.5%), our study revealed a strong association between the development of irAEs, patients’ PFS and OS, and the duration of ICI treatment, but not directly correlated with age. The NSCLC elderly population presented a marginally greater number of irAEs, although without statistical significance (p = 0.86). ICI maintained efficacy and safety in elderly patients, challenging the notion that age alone should determine treatment decisions. The findings emphasize the necessity of a comprehensive geriatric assessment rather than relying solely on chronological age for personalized cancer treatment in the elderly population. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand immune responses in older adults and derive predictive biomarkers for cancer treatment.
Boosted Catalytic Performance of Ni2Co2@T-PMo@ZIF-67 for Glucose Oxidation in a Direct-Glucose Fuel Cell
Authors: Jiao Shipu , Kang Ning , Liu Miao , Zhang Yihao , Li Yang , Maryam Bushra , Zhang Xu , Zhang Pingping , Liu Xianhua
Published: December 2023

In this study, we report on how to design efficient catalysts for glucose oxidation via the transitional metal doping of nanohybrids of polyoxometalates (POMs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). ZIF-67, a cobalt-based MOF, as well as phosphomolybdic acid (PMo), were used as precursors for the fabrication of pyrolyzed PMo@ZIF-67 (T-PMo@ZIF-67). A different amount of Ni2+ was doped into PMo@ZIF-67 to produce NixCoy@T-PMo@ZIF-67. Among them, Ni2Co2@T-PMo@ZIF-67 had the best performance. The power density of the fuel cell that used Ni2Co2@T-PMo@ZIF-67 as an anode catalyst was 3.76 times that of the cell that used active carbon as an anode catalyst. SEM and EDS mapping results indicate that Ni2Co2@T-PMo@ZIF-67 has a spherical structure and rough surface, and elements such as cobalt, nickel, and molybdenum are evenly distributed. XRD characterization indicates that Co3O4, CoMoO4, CoNiO4, and MoNiO4 co-exist in the composites. It is supposed that Co2+, Mo6+, and Ni2+ in the composites may have synergistic effects on the catalytic oxidation of glucose.
Catalytic Oxidation Mechanism of Toluene on the Ce0.875Zr0.125O2 (110) Surface
Authors: Leng Yuning , Cao Xuesong , Sun Xiaomin , Zhang Chenxi
Published: December 2023

Aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are toxic to public health and contribute to global air pollution; thus, it is urgent to control VOC emissions. Catalytic oxidation technology has been widely investigated to eliminate aromatic VOCs; this technology exhibits high catalytic efficiency even at low temperatures. However, the reaction mechanism of aromatic VOCs’ total oxidation over metal-oxide-based catalysts, which is of great significance in the design of catalysts, is not yet clear. In this study, we systemically calculated the catalytic oxidation mechanism of toluene over the Ce0.875Zr0.125O2 catalyst using density functional theory (DFT). The results show that toluene first loses hydrogen from the methyl group via oxy-dehydrogenation and is gradually oxidized by lattice or adsorbed oxygen to benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, and benzoic acid following the Mars-van Krevelen (MVK) mechanism. Afterwards, there is a decarboxylation step to produce phenyl, which is further oxidized to benzoquinone. The rate-determining step then proceeds via the ring-opening reaction, leading to the formation of small molecule intermediates, which are finally oxidized to CO2 and H2O. This work may provide atomic-scale insight into the role of lattice and adsorbed oxygen in catalytic oxidation reactions.
Differential LRRK2 Signalling and Gene Expression in WT-LRRK2 and G2019S-LRRK2 Mouse Microglia Treated with Zymosan and MLi2
Authors: Nazish Iqra , Mamais Adamantios , Mallach Anna , Bettencourt Conceicao , Kaganovich Alice , Warner Thomas , Hardy John , Lewis Patrick A. , Pocock Jennifer , Cookson Mark R. , Bandopadhyay Rina
Published: December 2023

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene cause autosomal dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD), with the most common causative mutation being the LRRK2 p.G2019S within the kinase domain. LRRK2 protein is highly expressed in the human brain and also in the periphery, and high expression of dominant PD genes in immune cells suggests involvement of microglia and macrophages in inflammation related to PD. LRRK2 is known to respond to extracellular signalling including TLR4, resulting in alterations in gene expression, with the response to TLR2 signalling through zymosan being less known. Here, we investigated the effects of zymosan, a TLR2 agonist and the potent and specific LRRK2 kinase inhibitor MLi-2 on gene expression in microglia from LRRK2-WT and LRRK2 p.G2019S knock-in mice by RNA-sequencing analysis. We observed both overlapping and distinct zymosan and MLi-2 mediated gene expression profiles in microglia. At least two candidate genome-wide association (GWAS) hits for PD, CathepsinB (Ctsb) and Glycoprotein-nmb (Gpnmb), were notably downregulated by zymosan treatment. Genes involved in inflammatory response and nervous system development were up and downregulated, respectively, with zymosan treatment, while MLi-2 treatment particularly exhibited upregulated genes for ion transmembrane transport regulation. Furthermore, we observed that the top twenty most significantly differentially expressed genes in LRRK2 p.G2019S microglia show enriched biological processes in iron transport and response to oxidative stress. Overall, these results suggest that microglial LRRK2 may contribute to PD pathogenesis through altered inflammatory pathways. Our findings should encourage future investigations of these putative avenues in the context of PD pathogenesis.
Immunological Aspects of Infertility—The Role of KIR Receptors and HLA-C Antigen
Authors: Wasilewska Anna , Grabowska Marcelina , Moskalik-Kierat Dominika , Brzoza Martyna , Laudański Piotr , Garley Marzena
Published: December 2023

The mechanisms of immune tolerance of a mother against an antigenically foreign fetus without a concomitant loss of defense capabilities against pathogens are the factors underlying the success of a pregnancy. A significant role in human defense is played by killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) receptors, which regulate the function of the natural killer (NK) cells capable of destroying antigenically foreign cells, virus-infected cells, or tumor-lesioned cells. A special subpopulation of NK cells called uterine NK cells (uNK) is found in the uterus. Disruption of the tolerance process or overactivity of immune-competent cells can lead to immune infertility, a situation in which a woman’s immune system attacks her own reproductive cells, making it impossible to conceive or maintain a pregnancy. Since the prominent role of the inflammatory response in infertility, including KIR receptors and NK cells, has been postulated, the process of antigen presentation involving major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (HLA) appears to be crucial for a successful pregnancy. Proper interactions between KIR receptors on female uNK cells and HLA class I molecules, with a predominant role for HLA-C, found on the surface of germ cells, are strategically important during embryo implantation. In addition, maintaining a functional balance between activating and inhibitory KIR receptors is essential for proper placenta formation and embryo implantation in the uterus. A disruption of this balance can lead to complications during pregnancy. The discovery of links between KIR and HLA-C has provided valuable information about the complexity of maternal–fetal immune interactions that determine the success of a pregnancy. The great diversity of maternal KIR and fetal HLA-C ligands is associated with the occurrence of KIR/HLA-C combinations that are more or less favorable for reproductive success.
Fecal Supernatants from Patients with Crohn’s Disease Induce Inflammatory Alterations in M2 Macrophages and Fibroblasts
Authors: Gorreja Frida , Bendix Mia , Rush Stephen T. A. , Maasfeh Lujain , Savolainen Otto , Dige Anders , Agnholt Jorgen , Öhman Lena , Magnusson Maria K.
Published: December 2023

Intestinal macrophages and fibroblasts act as microenvironmental sentinels mediating inflammation and disease progression in Crohn’s disease (CD). We aimed to establish the effects of fecal supernatants (FSs) from patients with CD on macrophage and fibroblast phenotype and function. FS were obtained by ultracentrifugation, and the metabolites were analyzed. Monocyte-derived M2 macrophages and fibroblasts were conditioned with FS, and secreted proteins, surface proteins and gene expression were analyzed. M2 macrophage efferocytosis was evaluated. Patients with CD (n = 15) had a skewed fecal metabolite profile compared to healthy subjects (HS, n = 10). FS from CD patients (CD-FS) induced an anti-inflammatory response in M2 macrophages with higher expression of IL-10, IL1RA and CD206 as compared to healthy FS (HS-FS) while the efferocytotic capacity was unaltered. CD-FS did not affect extracellular matrix production from fibroblasts, but increased expression of the pro-inflammatory proteins IL-6 and MCP-1. Conditioned media from M2 macrophages treated with CD-FS modulated gene expression in fibroblasts for TGFβ superfamily members and reduced IL-4 expression compared to HS-FS. We show that M2 macrophages and fibroblasts react abnormally to the fecal microenvironment of CD patients, resulting in altered protein expression related to inflammation but not fibrosis. This implies that the gut microbiota and its metabolites have an important role in the generation and/or perpetuation of inflammation in CD.
Evaluation of Shielding Performance of Gamma Ray Shielding Tungsten Polymer Composite with LBL-Type Layered Structure
Authors: Kim Seon-Chil
Published: December 2023

Lead has conventionally been the primary material for shielding radioactive isotopes in medical contexts. In response to environmental concerns, our study proposes an eco-friendly alternative—a gamma ray shielding material utilizing tungsten. Unlike prior research, in our study, the shielding performance through a laminated structure is evaluated, employing a randomly stacked arrangement of tungsten particles. The shielding product was developed by electrospinning a tungsten and polyurethane polymer mixture, with precise control over the radiation speed and time. The irregular stacking of tungsten particles is expected to reduce incident radiation intensity through scattering and absorption. Radiation shielding experiments on isotopes (99mTc, 18F, and 131I) compared our material to standard lead at varying distances. For 99mTc, at a 0.1 m distance, our 1.0 mm thick material exhibits a shielding performance of 67.54%, surpassing that of a 0.25 mm lead plate (58.95%) and matching that of a 0.50 mm plate (69.24%). These findings demonstrate the promising potential of our tungsten-based material in nuclear medicine, proving its efficacy as a shield for radioactive isotopes. Our research introduces an eco-friendly alternative to lead-based shielding in medical settings, showcasing the effectiveness of our tungsten-based material in reducing incident radiation intensity. The demonstrated outcomes position it as a viable option for enhancing safety in nuclear medicine applications.
Experimental and Theoretical Insights into a Novel Lightfast Thiophene Azo Dye
Authors: Diana Rosita , Sessa Lucia , Concilio Simona , Piotto Stefano , Di Costanzo Luigi , Carella Antonio , Panunzi Barbara
Published: December 2023

Thiophene ring-enhancing electron delocalization imparts unique properties to azoic chromophore tools. The novel TA-OH dye contains a push–pull π-electron system, including a thiophene-azo scaffold with a hydroxyl group at the ortho position to the azo bridge. The hydroxyl group is expected to lock the azo bridge in its trans conformation, concurring with the photostability and fastness of the dye. The single crystal analysis identified the molecule’s primary conjugation plane, and the theoretical analysis provided electronic pattern insights. The absorption behavior and the trans-to-cis conversion were examined from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. The effect of solvent polarity and the role of pH on the photophysical properties were explored. The solvent polarity strongly affects the absorbance spectrum of TA-OH, therefore potentially making NLO active. Additionally, TA-OH exhibited pH responsiveness akin to classic dichromatic pH indicators, with a noticeable color shift from red to blue observed as pH transitioned from neutral to alkaline. Absorbance titration experiments, along with experimental/theoretical determination of pKa, defined the pH sensing ability.
The Influence of Substitutional Defects of Transition Metal Elements on the Stability and Thermal Properties of Al at Finite Temperatures: A First-Principles Study
Authors: Ye Tuo , Lin Lan , Ruan Zixiong , Fan Touwen , Wu Yuanzhi , Chen Dongchu
Published: December 2023

Based on first-principles calculations, the effects of substitutional defects of the 3d–5d transition metal elements TMAl on the stability and thermal conductivity of the aluminum matrix were investigated. The results show that with an increase in the atomic number of TM, the defect-forming energy Ef of TMAl exhibits a periodic change feature, which depends on the valence electron configuration of the TM elements. The thermodynamic property parameters calculated with the Debye theory show that the addition of TM atoms does not change the stability of an Al system and can effectively reduce the thermal expansion coefficient of the material. But the equilibrium lattice constant a0 of Al-TMAl supercells changes very little. As the temperature increases, the relaxation time τ decreases, and both the electronic thermal conductivity κe and the total thermal conductivity κ decrease at the temperature range of 100–200 K, followed by a small increase or decrease. Because the lattice thermal conductivity κl is very small in the whole temperature range, the changes in electronic thermal conductivity and total thermal conductivity are basically the same. Moreover, when 1 at.% TM was added at both 300 K and 600 K, it was found that the influence of TM solute atoms on the thermal conductivity κ of Al was much greater than that of the second-phase particles. For solid solution atoms, Pd and Pt atoms have the greatest influence on the thermal conductivity of pure Al. This work is helpful for designing high-performance, heat-resistant Al-based alloys.
One-Dimensional Gap Soliton Molecules and Clusters in Optical Lattice-Trapped Coherently Atomic Ensembles via Electromagnetically Induced Transparency
Authors: Chen Zhiming , Xie Hongqiang , Zhou Qi , Zeng Jianhua
Published: December 2023

In past years, optical lattices have been demonstrated as an excellent platform for making, understanding, and controlling quantum matters at nonlinear and fundamental quantum levels. Shrinking experimental observations include matter-wave gap solitons created in ultracold quantum degenerate gases, such as Bose–Einstein condensates with repulsive interaction. In this paper, we theoretically and numerically study the formation of one-dimensional gap soliton molecules and clusters in ultracold coherent atom ensembles under electromagnetically induced transparency conditions and trapped by an optical lattice. In numerics, both linear stability analysis and direct perturbed simulations are combined to identify the stability and instability of the localized gap modes, stressing the wide stability region within the first finite gap. The results predicted here may be confirmed in ultracold atom experiments, providing detailed insight into the higher-order localized gap modes of ultracold bosonic atoms under the quantum coherent effect called electromagnetically induced transparency.
Research on Crystal Structure Evolution and Failure Mechanism during TSV-Metal Line Electromigration Process
Authors: Gong Tao , Xie Liangliang , Chen Si , Lu Xiangjun , Zhao Mingrui , Zhu Jianyuan , Yang Xiaofeng , Wang Zhizhe
Published: December 2023

The combined use of Through Silicon Via (TSV) and metal lines, referred to as TSV-metal lines, is an essential structure in three-dimensional integrated circuits. In-depth research into the electromigration failure mechanism of TSV and the microstructure evolution can serve as theoretical guidance for optimizing three-dimensional stacking. This article conducted electromigration experiments on TSV-metal line structural samples at current densities of 1.0 × 105 A/cm2, 5 × 105 A/cm2, and 1 × 106 A/cm2. Additionally, Electron Back Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) technology was employed to systematically investigate the microstructural evolution of the TSV-metal line structure profiles before and after the application of electrical testing. The results indicate that the current induces a change in the crystal orientation at the TSV-metal interface (TSV/metal interface) and the bottom metal line. This phenomenon notably depends on the initial angle between the grain orientation and the current flow direction. When the angle between the current direction and the grain orientations [001] and [010] is relatively large, the crystals are more likely to deviate in the direction where the angle between the grain orientation and the current is smaller. This is because, at this point, the current direction is precisely perpendicular to the <100> crystal plane family, where the atomic density is lowest, and the energy required for electron transport is minimal. Therefore, the current readily rotates in the direction of this crystal orientation. Before the electromigration tests, areas with a high level of misorientation were primarily concentrated at the TSV/metal interface and the corners of the TSV-metal line. However, these areas were found to be more prone to developing voids after the tests. It is conjectured that the high misorientation level leads to elevated stress gradients, which are the primary cause of cracking failures in the TSV-metal line. As the current density increases from 5 × 105 A/cm2 to 1 × 106 A/cm2, the electromigration failure phenomena in the TSV become even more severe.
The Avian Acetabulum: Small Structure, but Rich with Illumination and Questions
Authors: Feduccia Alan
Published: December 2023

The idea that birds are maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs is now considered an evolutionary consensus. An “open” (i.e., completely or substantially perforate) acetabulum is considered an important synapomorphy verifying the bird–dinosaur nexus. Here, I present anatomical evidence from the acetabulum and its important appurtenances, the supracetabular crest and the antitrochanter, that hip anatomy differs substantially between dinosaurs and birds. Given the thin bone of the acetabular walls and the varied tissue, both hard and soft, in the acetabular region and especially the lower part of the basin, it is apparent that many avian skeletons exhibit some anatomical loss of soft tissue and thin bone, some perhaps related to changes in gait, but also in part related to the dramatic trend in bone reduction associated with flight, especially in more advanced crown taxa. Many basal birds and early diverging neornithines tend to have a nearly closed or partially closed acetabula, thus rendering the current terms “open” or “closed” acetabula inaccurate; they should be modified or replaced. Given new evidence presented here, the relationship of “dinosaurs” and birds must be re-evaluated.
Aliinostoc bakau sp. nov. (Cyanobacteria, Nostocaceae), a New Microcystin Producer from Mangroves in Malaysia
Authors: Merican Faradina , Abdul Rahim Nur Afiqah , Zaki Syazana , Siti Azizah Mohd Nor , Broady Paul , Convey Peter , Lim Billy , Muangmai Narongrit
Published: December 2023

A new microcystin-producing mangrove cyanobacterium, Aliinostoc bakau sp. nov., was isolated from a tropical mangrove in Penang, Malaysia, and characterized using combined morphological and phylogenetic approaches. Cultures were established in liquid media of different salinities (0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 ppt). Optimal growth observed at both 7 and 14 ppt was consistent with the origin of the strain from an estuarine mangrove environment. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene strongly indicated that the strain is a member of the genus Aliinostoc and is distinct from other currently sequenced species in the genus. The sequences and secondary structure of the 16S–23S ITS region D1–D1’ and Box–B helices provided further confirmation that the new species is clearly distinct from previously described Aliinostoc species. Amplification of the mcyE gene fragment associated with the production of microcystin in A. bakau revealed that it is identical to that in other known microcystin-producing cyanobacteria. Analysis of the extracts obtained from this strain by HPLC-MS/MS confirmed the presence of microcystin variants (MC-LR and -YR) at concentrations of 0.60 μg/L and MC-RR at a concentration of 0.30 μg/L. This is the first record of microcystin production from Aliinostoc species in tropical mangrove habitats.
Inter-System Variability of Eight Different Handheld Ultrasound (HHUS) Devices—A Prospective Comparison of B-Scan Quality and Clinical Significance in Intensive Care
Authors: Weimer Johannes Matthias , Beer Diana , Schneider Christoph , Yousefzada Masuod , Gottwald Michael , Züllich Tim Felix , Weimer Andreas , Jonck Christopher , Buggenhagen Holger , Kloeckner Roman , Merkel Daniel
Published: December 2023

Background: the use of handheld ultrasonography (HHUS) devices is well established in prehospital emergency diagnostics, as well as in intensive care settings. This is based on several studies in which HHUS devices were compared to conventional high-end ultrasonography (HEUS) devices. Nonetheless, there is limited evidence regarding potential variations in B-scan quality among HHUS devices from various manufacturers, and regarding whether any such differences hold clinical significance in intensive care medicine settings. Methods: this study included the evaluation of eight HHUS devices sourced from diverse manufacturers. Ultrasound videos of five previously defined sonographic questions (volume status/inferior vena cava, pleural effusion, pulmonary B-lines, gallbladder, and needle tracking in situ) were recorded with all devices. The analogue recording of the same pathologies with a HEUS device served as gold standard. The corresponding findings (HHUS and HEUS) were then played side by side and evaluated by sixteen intensive care physicians experienced in sonography. The B-scan quality and the clinical significance of the HHUS were assessed using a five-point Likert scale (5 points = very good; 1 point = insufficient). Results: both in assessing the quality of B-scans and in their ability to answer clinical questions, the HHUS achieved convincing results—regardless of the manufacturer. For example, only 8.6% (B-scan quality) and 9.8% (clinical question) of all submitted assessments received an “insufficient” rating. One HHUS device showed a significantly higher (p < 0.01) average points score in the assessment of B-scan quality (3.9 ± 0.65 points) and in the evaluation of clinical significance (4.03 ± 0.73 points), compared to the other devices. Conclusions: HHUS systems are able to reliably answer various clinical intensive care questions and are—while bearing their limitations in mind—an acceptable alternative to conventional HEUS devices. Irrespective of this, the present study was able to demonstrate relevant differences in the B-scan quality of HHUS devices from different manufacturers.
Pulmonary and Liver Toxocariasis Mimicking Metastatic Tumors in a Patient with Colon Cancer
Authors: Cheon Miju , Yoo Jang
Published: December 2023

Toxocariasis is an uncommon cause of multiple cavitary lung lesions and an ill-defined liver lesion. We herein report a patient with lung and liver toxocariasis, which mimicked metastatic lesions of colon cancer on 18F-FDG PET–CT and chest and abdominal CT performed for cancer staging after diagnosis of colon cancer. The patient was diagnosed with lung and liver toxocariasis by a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lung toxocariasis may occur as multiple cavitary lung lesions, and liver toxocariasis may appear as a solitary ill-defined nodule, which may be misdiagnosed as metastatic tumors. Clinicians should consider toxocariasis when multiple cavitary lung lesions and a solitary ill-defined focal liver lesion are detected, especially in a patient with cancer.
Enduring Dilemmas in Gastroenterology
Authors: Sharma Vishal
Published: December 2023

Making a correct diagnosis is the first, and most important, step in the therapeutic journey of a disease [...]
An Automatic DWI/FLAIR Mismatch Assessment of Stroke Patients
Authors: Johansen Jacob , Offersen Cecilie Mørck , Carlsen Jonathan Frederik , Ingala Silvia , Hansen Adam Espe , Nielsen Michael Bachmann , Darkner Sune , Pai Akshay
Published: December 2023

DWI/FLAIR mismatch assessment for ischemic stroke patients shows promising results in determining if patients are eligible for recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA) treatment. However, the mismatch criteria suffer from two major issues: binary classification of a non-binary problem and the subjectiveness of the assessor. In this article, we present a simple automatic method for segmenting stroke-related parenchymal hyperintensities on FLAIR, allowing for an automatic and continuous DWI/FLAIR mismatch assessment. We further show that our method’s segmentations have comparable inter-rater agreement (DICE 0.820, SD 0.12) compared to that of two neuro-radiologists (DICE 0.856, SD 0.07), that our method appears robust to hyper-parameter choices (suggesting good generalizability), and lastly, that our methods continuous DWI/FLAIR mismatch assessment correlates to mismatch assessments made for a cohort of wake-up stroke patients at hospital submission. The proposed method shows promising results in automating the segmentation of parenchymal hyperintensity within ischemic stroke lesions and could help reduce inter-observer variability of DWI/FLAIR mismatch assessment performed in clinical environments as well as offer a continuous assessment instead of the current binary one.
Offline Mongolian Handwriting Identification Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Sun Yuxin , Fan Daoerji , Wu Huijuan , Wang Zhixin , Tian Jia
Published: December 2023

Handwriting is a biometric behavioral characteristic with evident individual distinctiveness. With the rise of the deep learning trend and demands for forensic identification, handwriting identification has become one of the focal points of research in the field of pattern recognition. Research in handwriting identification for major global languages has matured. However, in China, there is limited attention in the field of writer identification for minority languages such as Mongolian, making it challenging to resolve criminal cases involving handwriting issues. This paper initiates an initial exploration of Mongolian handwriting identification by constructing a structurally simple convolutional neural network. This convolutional neural network, consisting of 12 convolution operations and designed for Mongolian handwriting identification, is referred to as MWInet-12. In this paper, the model evaluation experiments were conducted using a dataset comprising 156,372 samples contributed by 125 writers from the MOLHW dataset. The dataset was divided into training, validation, and test sets in an 8:1:1 ratio. The final results of the experiments reveal impressive accuracy on the test set, achieving a top-1 accuracy of 89.60% and a top-5 accuracy of 97.53%. Furthermore, through comparative experiments involving Resnet50, Fragnet, GRRNN, VGG16, and VGG19 models, this paper establishes that the proposed model yields the most favorable results for Mongolian handwriting identification. The exploratory research on Mongolian handwriting identification in this paper contributes to increasing awareness of information processing for minority languages. It aids in advancing research on classifying writers of Mongolian historical texts and provides technical support for judicial authentication involving handwriting issues.
MFM: A Multiple-Features Model for Leisure Event Recommendation in Geotagged Social Networks
Authors: Wu Yazhao , Peng Xia , Niu Yueyan , Gui Zhiming
Published: December 2023

Event-based social networks (EBSNs) are rich in information about users and leisure events. The willingness of users to participate in leisure events is influenced by many factors such as event time, location, content, organizer, and social relationship factors of users. Event recommendation systems in EBSNs can help leisure event organizers to accurately find users who want to participate in events. However, to address the existing cold-start problems and improve the accuracy of event recommendations, we propose a multiple-feature-based leisure event recommendation model (MFM). We introduce the user’s social contacts into the user preference features and construct a user feature space by integrating the features of the user preferences for events and organizers and preferences of the user’s closest friends. Moreover, considering the behavioral differences between active and inactive users, we extracted the respective features and trained the feature weight models. Finally, the experimental results showed that in comparison with the baseline models, the precision of the MFM is higher by at least 7.9%.
Exemplary Ethereum Development Strategies Regarding Security and Gas-Saving
Authors: Baldauf Manfred , Sonnleitner Erik , Kurz Marc
Published: December 2023

Ethereum is a rapidly evolving blockchain with new features as well as new vulnerabilities being introduced regularly. Interaction with the network is costly compared to other blockchains or traditional software systems. When starting to develop on Ethereum, a supported smart contract programming language needs to be learned, most notably Solidity. Having various pitfalls raises the question of what the best practices for the safe and efficient usage of Ethereum are. This study primarily aims to combine knowledge from existing research resources, while also introducing new approaches learned from practical smart contract development analysis and inquiry, which are subsequently compiled into lists of best practices. The most important findings are that code quality and security should be prioritized. Moreover, some simple gas-saving strategies can help to decrease interaction costs with little effort.
Influence of the Cast Iron Frame on the Distribution of the Magnetic Field in the Stator Yoke and Additional Power Losses in the Induction Motor
Authors: Komeza Krzysztof , Dems Maria , Wiak Slawomir , Libera Rafal , Pietrzak Jan , Stando Patryk , Tomczyk Krzysztof
Published: December 2023

Induction motors are a significant consumer of electricity. Therefore, their energy efficiency level plays a vital role in the world’s energy balance. The world’s markets strive to produce motors of efficiency class IE3 or IE4 while maximizing the use of wire and magnetic materials. However, high induction values in the motor core can also lead to significant losses in construction materials, especially in the magnetic motor housing. This article aimed to show how it is possible to determine the distribution of the magnetic field and additional losses in the yoke and the cast-iron motor frame using field-circuit methods to model the motor and to refine the analytical method for calculating these losses at the motor design stage.
Analysis of Different Scenarios to Include PV Rooftop Systems with Battery Energy Storage Systems in Olive Mills
Authors: Sánchez-Jiménez Jose Luis , Muñoz-Rodríguez Francisco José , Jiménez-Castillo Gabino , Martinez-Calahorro Antonio Javier , Rus-Casas Catalina
Published: December 2023

The industrial sector is not the one with the highest energy consumption but, together with, it represents the most, together with the transport sector, the most polluting ones. Photovoltaic Rooftop systems and battery energy storage systems are very strong candidates to include renewable energy, allowing greater grid autonomy and greenhouse gas mitigation. Therefore, this paper aims to outline it will be provided a methodology based on monitored data to analyze the potential of photovoltaic Rooftops with battery energy storage systems regarding self-consumption and self-sufficiency indices in the industrial sector. Direct self-consumption and self-sufficiency indices, either with or without storage, will be analyzed. In addition, the iso self-consumption and iso self-sufficiency curves are used, which allow us to evaluate the matching between the generation and consumption profiles considering either direct self-consumption or the use of batteries. In this sense, a large, medium, and small olive mill were selected in order to cover the entire spectrum of these industries. Olive mills are suitable candidates for the incorporation of photovoltaic systems since generation profiles match the consumption profiles. However, the size of these systems is highly dependent on the period of consumption to be faced. Regarding batteries, both during the harvest and off-harvest periods, the impact on self-sufficiency becomes significant, reaching increases of up to 10%, depending on the battery capacity used.