bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomographic and Radiographic Findings in the Metacarpophalangeal Joints of 40 Non-Lame Thoroughbred Yearlings
Authors: Nagy Annamaria , Boros Koppány , Dyson Sue
Published: November 2023

Most catastrophic injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses involve the fetlock. There is no description of comparative imaging in Thoroughbreds entering racehorse training. The aim was to describe MRI, CT and radiographic findings in the metacarpophalangeal joint of non-lame Thoroughbred yearlings. Forty Thoroughbreds underwent low-field MRI, fan-beam CT and radiographic examinations of both metacarpophalangeal joints. Images were assessed subjectively. A hypoattenuating lesion of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) was identified in 33/80 limbs in CT reconstructions. Cone-shaped mineralisation in the sagittal ridge was detected in MR images (n = 17) and in CT images (n = 5). Mild hyperattenuation was common in trabecular bone in the dorsomedial (36/80) and palmarolateral (25/80) metacarpal condyles in CT reconstructions. A focal lesion in the subchondral bone was seen in the proximal phalanx (n = 19) and in McIII (n = 11). Enlarged vascular channels were detected in the metacarpal condyles in 57/80 limbs and in the proximal sesamoid bones in all limbs. Signs of bone modelling are seen in yearling Thoroughbred fetlocks. Sagittal ridge lesions were common and are likely associated with osteochondrosis or other developmental osteochondral defects. Focal lesions in the subchondral bone of McIII and proximal phalanx can indicate developmental abnormalities or subtle subchondral bone injuries.
Reply to Hamzavi et al. Comment on “Islam et al. Helminth Parasites among Rodents in the Middle East Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Animals 2020, 10, 2342”
Authors: Islam Md Mazharul , Farag Elmoubashar , Hassan Mohammad Mahmudul , Bansal Devendra , Al Awaidy Salah , Abubakar Abdinasir , Al-Romaihi Hamad , Mkhize-Kwitshana Zilungile
Published: November 2023

Rodents serve as an important reservoir or carrier of zoonotic pathogens on a global scale [...]
Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Identified in a Zoo-Housed Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis): An Anatomopathological and Metagenomic Study
Authors: Kim Hye-Ryoung , Kim Hyeon-Su , Kwon Yong-Kuk
Published: November 2023

Tumors in birds can be caused by a variety of factors such as species, age, sex, virus, chemicals, and environment. In particular, tumors are a major cause of death in long-lived birds such as parrots and zoo birds. A male sandhill crane that was bred for 8 years in a zoo was diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). At necropsy, the liver revealed a multinodular mass of variable colors, and severe cirrhosis and hemorrhages were present. Histologically, ICC was characterized by the presence of both types of ICC: small-duct type and large-duct type. Large-duct-type ICC was distinguished by the presence of multifocal biliary neoplasia, characterized by the diffuse papillary proliferation of columnar cells resembling large cholangiocytes. Small-duct-type ICC was characterized by the presence of non-mucin-producing cuboidal cells such as bile duct cells. In this case, no viral cause was identified from the metagenomic analysis and PCR of ICC; however, a contributing role of Cutibacterium sp. and E. coli identified from the metagenomics could not be excluded. This study is the first to describe the anatomopathological characteristics of ICC in the studied sandhill crane and attempts to determine its potential infectious etiology using metagenomics.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Risk Factors Affecting Milk Quality in Dairy Cows
Authors: Moschovas Marios , Pavlatos Georgios , Basdagianni Zoitsa , Manessis Georgios , Bossis Ioannis
Published: November 2023

Despite years of research devoted to bovine mastitis, the disease remains a serious problem in dairy cattle, causing economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide due to reduced milk yield, lower milk quality, drug costs and early culling of cows. The aim of this study is to determine the importance of several risk factors affecting milk quality in dairy cows, as well as to highlight proper milking techniques. A cross-sectional study was performed in one Greek dairy farm with the inclusion of a total of 1004 Holstein Friesian cows in the study. The udder and teat traits were recorded for each cow, while individual milk samples were used to estimate the somatic cell count (SCC) and gross milk composition. The traits recorded were examined as potential risk factors affecting milk quality using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and the algorithm stepAIC to select the best linear regression model which explains the data. Overall, the prevalence of mastitis was ca. 9%. With an increase in the lactation period, the SCC increased (p ≤ 0.05) while fat (p ≤ 0.05), protein (p ≤ 0.001) and lactose (p ≤ 0.001) content decreased. Teat hyperkeratosis increased the SCC (p ≤ 0.05) and decreased P content (p ≤ 0.05). Proper husbandry management and milking procedures are considered essential to maintain milk quality of high standards.
Nutritional, Productive, and Qualitative Characteristics of European Quails Fed with Diets Containing Lipid Sources of Plant and Animal Origin
Authors: Valentim Jean Kaique , Garcia Rodrigo Garófallo , de Castro Burbarelli Maria Fernanda , de Léo Rosa Aparecida Reis , de Sousa Ferreira Rafael , Calderano Arele Arlindo , Lima Ideraldo Luiz , de Souza Nascimento Karina Márcia Ribeiro , da Silva Thiago Rodrigues , Albino Luiz Fernando Teixeira
Published: November 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of alternative lipid sources on nutrient metabolism, performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in European quails. Trial 1 determined the energy values and nutrient metabolizability of non-conventional lipid sources. Six treatments (control, soybean oil, conventional corn oil, distilled corn oil, poultry fat, and beef tallow) were randomly assigned with 10 replicates per treatment. Trial 2 evaluated animal performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality using a randomized design with five treatments and 10 replicates each. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in apparent metabolizable energy corrected by nitrogen (AMEn) and coefficients of metabolizability (CM%) among the lipid sources. The AMEn values found were 8554 for soybean oil, 7701 for corn, 7937 for distilled corn oil, 7906 for poultry fat, and 7776 for beef tallow (kcal/kg). The CM values were 88.01% for soybean oil, 79.01% for corn oil, 84.10% for distilled corn oil, 81.43% for poultry fat, and 79.28% for beef tallow. The inclusion of lipid sources of plant and animal origin in the diet of 7–35-day old meat quails did not influence performance or carcass and cut characteristics. The inclusion of distilled corn oil increased carcass yield and influenced skin and meat color parameters. AMEn values varied for each lipid source. The inclusion of distilled corn oil positively influenced skin and meat color as well as carcass yield in quails.
Liver Transcriptome Profiling Identifies Key Genes Related to Lipid Metabolism in Yili Geese
Authors: Dong Huajiao , Zhang Jie , Li Yingying , Ahmad Hafiz Ishfaq , Li Tiantian , Liang Qianqian , Li Yan , Yang Min , Han Jilong
Published: November 2023

The Yili goose is the only indigenous goose breed that originates from Anser anser in China, known for its adaptability, strong flying ability, and tender meat with a low body lipid content. The liver plays a crucial role in lipid and glucose metabolism, including the intake, secretion, transportation, and storage of fatty acids (FAs). In this study, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology was performed to analyze the liver differentially expressed genes of Yili geese and their hybrid geese to investigate differences in liver lipid and glucose metabolism. A total of 452 differentially expressed genes (Q-value < 0.05) were identified. Notably, in KEGG enrichment analysis, four pathways (Q-value < 0.05) were enriched to be associated with lipid and glucose metabolism, including the metabolic pathway, PI3K–Akt signaling pathway, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and steroid biosynthesis. This study provides insights into potential candidate genes and metabolic pathways that affect the liver lipid metabolism of Yili goose. These findings provide a better understanding of animal liver lipid deposition and metabolism.
SDViT: Stacking of Distilled Vision Transformers for Hand Gesture Recognition
Authors: Tan Chun Keat , Lim Kian Ming , Lee Chin Poo , Chang Roy Kwang Yang , Alqahtani Ali
Published: November 2023

Hand gesture recognition (HGR) is a rapidly evolving field with the potential to revolutionize human–computer interactions by enabling machines to interpret and understand human gestures for intuitive communication and control. However, HGR faces challenges such as the high similarity of hand gestures, real-time performance, and model generalization. To address these challenges, this paper proposes the stacking of distilled vision transformers, referred to as SDViT, for hand gesture recognition. An initially pretrained vision transformer (ViT) featuring a self-attention mechanism is introduced to effectively capture intricate connections among image patches, thereby enhancing its capability to handle the challenge of high similarity between hand gestures. Subsequently, knowledge distillation is proposed to compress the ViT model and improve model generalization. Multiple distilled ViTs are then stacked to achieve higher predictive performance and reduce overfitting. The proposed SDViT model achieves a promising performance on three benchmark datasets for hand gesture recognition: the American Sign Language (ASL) dataset, the ASL with digits dataset, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) hand gesture dataset. The accuracies achieved on these datasets are 100.00%, 99.60%, and 100.00%, respectively.
Geophysical Study of a Large Landslide Affecting the Urban Area of Albuñuelas (S Spain)
Authors: Mita Mara , Galiana-Merino Juan José , Garrido Jesús , Lenti Luca , Martino Salvatore , Pappadopoulo Jacopo , Peláez José A. , Benabdeloued Boualem Youcef Nassim , Delgado José
Published: November 2023

The urban area of Albuñuelas, a small town located to the south of Granada (S Spain), has been developed in terrain affected by a large-scale rotational landslide with very slow rate of movement. Despite this situation, the internal structure of the landslide and how it has evolved to its present state has not been analyzed in depth up to now. In this paper, we present the first study performed on this landslide to define its configuration and characteristics. For this purpose, ambient noise single-station and array measurements were carried out along several cross-sections of the landslide. The inversion of the measurements has allowed for the estimation of the soil stratigraphy at each site of measurement. These geophysical results have been constrained by data from a borehole drilled in the zone and from field observations of the local geology, allowing for the reduction in uncertainties in the results. A geological–geophysical model of the landslide has been built from these data, showing that the landslide thicknesses is greater than 50 m in its central parts and above 60 m in the upper ones. This model reveals that the evolution of the landslide was complex, with several dislodged elements (blocks) that moved in sequence (retrogression) and were partially eroded in order to explain present morphology. The future evolution of this landslide will be controlled by the composition of the materials surveyed along the foot of the valley, being the western part where there are more erodible materials according to the obtained results.
Assessment of Changes in Heatwave Aspects over Saudi Arabia during the Last Four Decades
Authors: Labban Abdulhaleem , Morsy Mostafa , Abdeldym Abdallah , Abdel Basset Heshmat , Al-Mutairi Motirh
Published: November 2023

Heatwave (HW) number (HWN), frequency (HWF), duration (HWD), magnitude (HWM), and amplitude (HWA) are key aspects for interpreting and understanding HW characteristics worldwide. Most previous HW studies over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) focused only on the temperature extremes, so this study aims to assess the decadal changes, anomalies, and spatiotemporal variations in the five HW aspects over KSA during the last four decades (1982–2021) using the ClimPACT2 software. Daily gridded (0.25° × 0.25°) maximum (TX) and minimum (TN) temperatures from the ECMWF-ERA5 reanalysis dataset were used to compute these heat wave (HW) aspects. The HW aspects were derived in ClimPACT2 using the Excess Heat Factor (EHF), the 90th percentile of TX (TX90), and the 90th percentile of TN (TN90), all based on the reference climate period of 1982–2011. The results showed that the decadal sum and anomaly of the five HW aspects increased gradually during the last four decades (1982–2021). The three indices showed that the maximum decadal sum of HWN (42 events), HWF (255 days), and HWD (145 days) occurred in the last decade. Additionally, the last decade has the maximum decadal sum of HWM (175–463 °C) and HWA (189–471 °C) as derived from TX90 and TN90, which is confirmed by EHF, with ranges of 7–58 and 15–185 °C2, respectively. Finally, the periods 2015–2021 and 1984–1986 recorded the highest and lowest values of annual HW aspects, respectively, across the study period.
Subseasonal Variation Characteristics of Low-Cloud Fraction in Southeastern and Northwestern North Pacific
Authors: Wang Qian , Xu Haiming , Ma Jing , Deng Jiechun
Published: November 2023

The subseasonal variability of the low-cloud fraction (LCF) over the southeastern North Pacific (SENP) and northwestern North Pacific (NWNP) was studied using satellite observations and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis. It is found that subseasonal variability of the LCF was closely related to variations in the estimated inversion strength (EIS), sea surface wind speed (SSW), sensible heat flux (SHF), sea surface temperature (SST), surface temperature advection (Tadv), relative humidity (RH), surface level pressure (SLP) and surface air temperature (SAT). An increase in the LCF over the SENP is associated with the development of an anomalous anticyclonic circulation, which is located on the west coast of America. The cold advection, together with the subsidence warming associated with the anticyclonic circulation, strengthens the temperature inversion, favoring the development of the LCF. In the NWNP, the maximum LCF anomaly was also correlated with the stable boundary layer. The southerly wind blows airflow over the Kuroshio Extension from the subtropics, which brings warm and moist air. When air flows to the colder sea surface, it is cooled and condensed by the intensified heat exchange. A lead-lag composite analysis indicates that the mechanisms are different between the SENP and the NWNP, possibly due to the different types of low-level clouds over these two regions. In the SENP, the trade cumulus dominates under a strong capping inversion over the subtropics, whereas fog and stratus often occur under a shallow capping inversion in the NWNP. The effects of atmospheric circulation are also discussed.
Does Trauma-Informed Care Have a Place in Audiology? A Review and Practical Suggestions
Authors: Kirjava Shade Avery , Phelan Jennifer
Published: November 2023

Background. Trauma from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and serious traumatic events in adulthood is a significantly prevalent concern for public-health-hearing healthcare professionals. The pediatric and geriatric populations that audiologists often work with have been shown to be at an increased risk of experiencing traumatic events. Childhood and adult trauma can significantly impact the hearing and vestibular testing and treatment of these patients. Methods. This narrative review article discusses trauma-informed care (TIC) strategies that audiologists can use to recognize and respond to trauma in patients and prevent retraumatizing patients during their encounters in audiology clinics. Conclusions. This article will provide an overview of TIC and direct the reader to resources for their continued learning. Practical guidance on implementing trauma-informed practices in clinical audiology are also provided.
Research on Repeated Quantum Games with Public Goods under Strong Reciprocity
Authors: Sun Simo , Shu Yadong , Pi Jinxiu , Zhou Die
Published: November 2023

We developed a repeated quantum game of public goods by using quantum entanglement and strong reciprocity mechanisms. Utilizing the framework of quantum game analysis, a comparative investigation incorporating both entangled and non-entangled states reveals that the player will choose a fully cooperative strategy when the expected cooperation strategy of the competitor exceeds a certain threshold. When the entanglement of states is not considered, the prisoner’s dilemma still exists, and the cooperating party must bear the cost of defactoring the quantum strategy themselves; when considering the entanglement of states, the benefits of both parties in the game are closely related, forming a community of benefits. By signing a strong reciprocity contract, the degree of cooperation between the game parties can be considered using the strong reciprocity entanglement contract mechanism. The party striving to cooperate does not have to bear the risk of the other party’s defector, and to some extent, it can solve the prisoner’s dilemma problem. Finally, taking the public goods green planting industry project as an example, by jointly entrusting a third party to determine and sign a strong reciprocity entanglement contract, both parties can ensure a complete quantum strategy to maximize cooperation and achieve Pareto optimality, ultimately enabling the long-term and stable development of the public goods industry project.
N-Glycosylation Site in the Middle Region Is Involved in the Sperm-Binding Activity of Bovine Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins ZP3 and ZP4
Authors: Dilimulati Kamila , Yulin Zhang , Imai Fabiana Lica , Yonezawa Naoto
Published: November 2023

Mammalian fertilization is a species-selective event that involves a series of interactions between sperm proteins and the oocyte’s zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins. Bovine ZP consists of three glycoproteins: bZP2, bZP3, and bZP4. In our previous study, we demonstrated that bovine sperm binds to plastic wells coated with recombinant bZP4 and identified that the N-terminal domain and the middle region of bZP4 are critical for sperm-binding activity. Here, we investigated the sperm-binding site in the middle region (residues 290 to 340) of bZP4, which includes the hinge region. We showed that bovine sperm binds to bZP4’s middle region in a species-selective manner. We mapped the function of bZP4’s middle region to its N-glycosylation site at Asn-314 using several recombinant mutated proteins. Moreover, we showed that mutations of the N-glycosylation sites at Asn-314 close to the hinge region and Asn-146 of the hinge region of bZP4 and bZP3, respectively, reduced the sperm-binding activity of the complex of the bZP3 (from 32 to 178) and bZP4 (from 136 to 464) fragments. Together, these results suggest that ZP’s middle regions of bZP3 and bZP4 form one of the sperm-binding sites of bovine ZP.
The All-on-4 Concept Using Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)—Acrylic Resin Prostheses: Follow-Up Results of the Development Group at 5 Years and the Routine Group at One Year
Authors: de Araújo Nobre Miguel , Moura Guedes Carlos , Almeida Ricardo , Silva António , Sereno Nuno
Published: November 2023

Background: It is necessary to investigate the application of polymer materials in implant dentistry. The aim of this study was to examine the outcome of full-arch polyetheretherketone (PEEK)—acrylic resin implant-supported prostheses. Methods: Seventy-six patients were rehabilitated consecutively with 100 full-arch implant-supported prostheses of PEEK–acrylic resin (a development group (DG): 37 patients with 5 years of follow-up; a routine group (RG): 39 patients with 1 year of follow-up). The primary outcome measure was prosthetic survival. Secondary outcome measures were implant survival, marginal bone loss, biological complications, prosthetic complications, veneer adhesion, plaque levels, bleeding levels, and a patient subjective evaluation (including the Oral Health Impact Profile for the RG). Results: In both groups, prosthetic (DG: 93.6%; RG: 100%) and implant survival (DG: 98.9%; RG: 99.5%) were high, and marginal bone loss was low (DG: 0.54 mm; RG: 0.28 mm). The veneer adhesion rate was 28.6% of prostheses in DG (RG = 0%). Mechanical complications occurred in 49% and 11.8% of prostheses in DG and RG, respectively. Biological complications, plaque, and bleeding levels were low in both groups. The subjective patient evaluation was excellent in both groups (8.6 < DG < 8.8; 9.3 < RG < 9.5; OHIP = 1.38). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, PEEK can be considered a viable prosthetic alternative.
Diagnosis of Endometriosis Based on Comorbidities: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Tore Ulan , Abilgazym Aibek , Asunsolo-del-Barco Angel , Terzic Milan , Yemenkhan Yerden , Zollanvari Amin , Sarria-Santamera Antonio
Published: November 2023

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of estrogen-dependent endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity. Despite extensive research, endometriosis is still an enigmatic disease and is challenging to diagnose and treat. A common clinical finding is the association of endometriosis with multiple diseases. We use a total of 627,566 clinically collected data from cases of endometriosis (0.82%) and controls (99.18%) to construct and evaluate predictive models. We develop a machine learning platform to construct diagnostic tools for endometriosis. The platform consists of logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, AdaBoost, and XGBoost for prediction, and uses Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) values to quantify the importance of features. In the model selection phase, the constructed XGBoost model performs better than other algorithms while achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.725 on the test set during the evaluation phase, resulting in a specificity of 62.9% and a sensitivity of 68.6%. The model leads to a quite low positive predictive value of 1.5%, but a quite satisfactory negative predictive value of 99.58%. Moreover, the feature importance analysis points to age, infertility, uterine fibroids, anxiety, and allergic rhinitis as the top five most important features for predicting endometriosis. Although these results show the feasibility of using machine learning to improve the diagnosis of endometriosis, more research is required to improve the performance of predictive models for the diagnosis of endometriosis. This state of affairs is in part attributed to the complex nature of the condition and, at the same time, the administrative nature of our features. Should more informative features be used, we could possibly achieve a higher AUC for predicting endometriosis. As a result, we merely perceive the constructed predictive model as a tool to provide auxiliary information in clinical practice.
Phenol-Soluble Modulin α3 Stimulates Autophagy in HaCaT Keratinocytes
Authors: Dernovics Áron , Seprényi György , Rázga Zsolt , Ayaydin Ferhan , Veréb Zoltán , Megyeri Klára
Published: November 2023

Background: Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are pore-forming toxins (PFTs) produced by staphylococci. PSMs exert diverse cellular effects, including lytic, pro-apoptotic, pro-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions. Since the effects of PSMs on autophagy have not yet been reported, we evaluated the autophagic activity in HaCaT keratinocytes treated with recombinant PSMα3. Methods: The autophagic flux and levels of autophagic marker proteins were determined using Western blot analysis. Subcellular localization of LC3B and Beclin-1 was investigated using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The ultrastructural features of control and PSMα3-treated cells were evaluated via transmission electron microscopy. Cytoplasmic acidification was measured via acridine orange staining. Phosphorylation levels of protein kinases, implicated in autophagy regulation, were studied using a phospho-kinase array and Western blot analysis. Results: PSMα3 facilitated the intracellular redistribution of LC3B, increased the average number of autophagosomes per cell, promoted the development of acidic vesicular organelles, elevated the levels of LC3B-II, stimulated autophagic flux and triggered a significant decrease in the net autophagic turnover rate. PSMα3 induced the accumulation of autophagosomes/autolysosomes, amphisomes and multilamellar bodies at the 0.5, 6 and 24 h time points, respectively. The phospho-Akt1/2/3 (T308 and S473), and phospho-mTOR (S2448) levels were decreased, whereas the phospho-Erk1/2 (T202/Y204 and T185/Y187) level was increased in PSMα3-treated cells. Conclusions: In HaCaT keratinocytes, PSMα3 stimulates autophagy. The increased autophagic activity elicited by sub-lytic PSM concentrations might be an integral part of the cellular defense mechanisms protecting skin homeostasis.
Adhesion Behavior in Fish: From Structures to Applications
Authors: Wang Jinhao , Wang Shukun , Zheng Long , Ren Luquan
Published: November 2023

In nature, some fish can adhere tightly to the surface of stones, aquatic plants, and even other fish bodies. This adhesion behavior allows these fish to fix, eat, hide, and migrate in complex and variable aquatic environments. The adhesion function is realized by the special mouth and sucker tissue of fish. Inspired by adhesion fish, extensive research has recently been carried out. Therefore, this paper presents a brief overview to better explore underwater adhesion mechanisms and provide bionic applications. Firstly, the adhesion organs and structures of biological prototypes (e.g., clingfish, remora, Garra, suckermouth catfish, hill stream loach, and goby) are presented separately, and the underwater adhesion mechanisms are analyzed. Then, based on bionics, it is explained that the adhesion structures and components are designed and created for applications (e.g., flexible gripping adhesive discs and adhesive motion devices). Furthermore, we offer our perspectives on the limitations and future directions.
What Is the Relationship between Metacognition and Mental Effort in Executive Functions? The Contribution of Neurophysiology
Authors: Balconi Michela , Acconito Carlotta , Allegretta Roberta A. , Crivelli Davide
Published: November 2023

Prolonged cognitive effort can be considered one of the core determinants of mental fatigue and may negatively affect the efficacy and efficiency of cognitive performance. Metacognition—understood as a multi-componential set of skills concerning awareness and control of one’s own cognition—might reduce such negative outcomes. This study aimed to explore the relation between metacognitive skills, neurocognitive performance, and the level of mental effort as mirrored by electrophysiological (EEG) markers of cognitive load and task demand. A challenging cognitive task was used to prompt and collect metacognition reports, performance data (accuracy and response times—RTs), and physiological markers of mental effort (task-related changes of spectral power for standard EEG frequency bands) via wearable EEG. Data analysis highlighted that different aspects of metacognitive skills are associated with performance as measured by, respectively, accuracy and RTs. Furthermore, specific aspects of metacognitive skills were found to be consistently correlated with EEG markers of cognitive effort, regardless of increasing task demands. Finally, behavioral metrics mirroring the efficiency of information processing were found to be associated with different EEG markers of cognitive effort depending on the low or high demand imposed by the task.
The Emotional State of Second-Language Learners in a Research Writing Course: Do Academic Orientation and Major Matter?
Authors: Pilotti Maura A. E. , Waked Arifi , El Alaoui Khadija , Kort Samia , Elmoussa Omar J.
Published: November 2023

This study examined whether differences exist in the emotional state of students whose approach to undergraduate courses is either preferentially learning-oriented or grade-oriented. It focused on an understudied population of female college students of Saudi Arabian descent who were enrolled in a challenging writing course. Their emotional state was assessed both globally, through the appraisal of their degree of happiness, and locally, through the appraisal of their writing anxiety (a task-specific emotional state). The study contributed to the extant literature by examining whether the association between goal orientation and emotional state, which is predicted by goal orientation theory, could be found in the selected understudied student population. Results illustrate differences between STEM and non-STEM learners. For STEM students, a grade orientation was associated with declining self-reported happiness and increasing writing anxiety. In contrast, for both STEM and non-STEM students, a learning orientation was associated with increasing happiness and declining writing anxiety. Differences existed in the particular type of writing anxiety that was experienced by STEM and non-STEM students. These findings suggest that interventions for students who are struggling academically may need to address personal dispositions if such interventions are to foster subjective well-being (including positive emotions).
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cost-Efficient 3D Printed Concrete Reinforced with Polypropylene Fibers
Authors: Ungureanu Dragoș , Onuțu Cătălin , Țăranu Nicolae , Vornicu Nicoleta , Zghibarcea Ștefan Vladimir , Ghiga Dan Alexandru , Spiridon Ionuț Alexandru
Published: November 2023

Studying emerging and cutting-edge digital construction techniques, especially the utilization of 3D printing for concrete/mortar materials, holds significant importance due to the potential benefits that these technologies might offer over the traditional approach of casting concrete in place. In this study, a mixture composed of Portland cement, water, sand, limestone filler and polypropylene fibers was utilized for 3D printed concrete production towards the sustainable constructions approach. The benefits that sustain this statement include reduced construction time and material requirements, diminished error and cost, increase in construction safety, flexibility of architectural design, and improved quality with much less construction cost and waste. The microstructure, fresh and hardened mechanical properties of the polypropylene fiber reinforced 3D concrete were investigated. The results indicated that it is essential to attain a slump measurement of approximately 40 mm and a slump flow within the range of 140 to 160 mm, as stipulated by relevant standards (ASTM C1437 and C230/C230 M), in order to create a 3D concrete mixture suitable for extrusion. Also, the effects of printing parameters, fiber dosage, material composition, and other factors on the 3D printed concrete strength were discussed, and the corresponding adjustments were addressed.
The Application of the Underwater Repair of Concrete Lining Slabs in the South-to-North Water Diversion Project
Authors: Rong Qin , Bai Yang , Wang Xu , Hou Xiaomeng
Published: November 2023

The cracking of concrete linings in the channel of the Yuzhou section of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in Henan Province poses a threat to the structural safety of the project and the water quality environment. To solve this problem, the mixing ratio of non-dispersible underwater concrete (NUC) was optimized, the bond strength of new and old concrete was measured, and an underwater repair methodology of the linings was proposed using NUC. The results showed that adding 2.5% of UWB-Ⅱ-type anti-dispersant resulted in NUC with a 28-day underwater compressive strength of 25.1 MPa and a strength ratio of 0.9 between land and water. The effects of water–cement ratio, anti-dispersant dosage, and fly ash dosage on the performance of the NUC were revealed through experiments, and the mix ratio of NUC was optimized. Bond strength measurement at the interface between the NUC and old concrete was tested using the straight shear test. The test results showed that the bond strength between non-dispersible concrete and ordinary concrete was higher than that between ordinary concrete of the same strength grade. Through an analysis of the ionic composition of the water, it was verified that the NUC did not affect the water quality. Therefore, NUC can provide a reference for the underwater repair of the lining panel of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.
Study on Resourceful Treatment and Carbon Reduction Intensity of Metro Shield Slag: An Example of a Tunnel Interval of Shenzhen Line 13
Authors: Chen Gang , Li Wei , Yang Fangsheng , Cao Taibo , Wu Zezhou , Lu Yun , Wu Chenwei
Published: November 2023

At present, the scale of subway construction in Chinese cities has reached a new height, and the shield slag produced by it has also surged year by year. Untreated subway shield slag not only occupies the space resources of the country, but also carries CO2, which causes negative impacts on the environment and which, as a result, is not conducive to the realization of the goal of the national “double-carbon” strategy. Therefore, how to effectively manage the shield slag produced by subway construction has become a scientific problem that needs to be solved urgently. In order to scientifically dispose of metro shield slag and quantify the carbon reduction intensity of its disposal, based on the new shield slag integrated recycling technology, and taking a tunnel interval of Shenzhen Line 13 as an example, this study systematically sorted out the shield slag disposal process, clarified the management path of the on-site resource utilization of slag, and quantitatively compared the carbon emissions before and after the treatment as well as carbon reduction intensity. The results show that the on-site disposal process is basically feasible, and that, it is possible to achieve a shield structure slag reduction of resource products and mud cake water content of less than 40% of the target, in the case of 160,000 m3 of shield structure slag resource utilization after a total carbon reduction of about 4240.13 t CO2, of which each preparation of 1 m3 of recycled bricks can bring about a benefit of carbon reduction of 240.09 kg CO2. Compared with the conventional mud head truck slag disposal, shield structure slag resource utilization can save a utilization cost of about 10.4 million yuan, meaning that, in terms of economic and social levels, this method can achieve good benefits. This case verifies the feasibility of the new technology, and the results of the study can provide experience for other metro projects’ shield slag resource utilization, and provide stakeholders with a shield slag recycling management strategy for government departments to scientifically formulate metro shield slag management policy to provide data support.
Loss Functions for the Risk Assessment of Residential Buildings
Authors: Di Ludovico Marco , De Martino Giuseppina , Manfredi Vincenzo , Masi Angelo , Prota Andrea , Sorrentino Luigi , Zucconi Maria
Published: November 2023

Within the ReLUIS 2019–2021 research project (Network of the University Laboratories of Seismic Engineering) supported by the Civil Protection Department (DPC), the Work Package WP4 “Seismic Risk and Damage Maps at National scale—MARS” aimed to update the 2018 version of the National Risk Assessment (NRA). One of the goals of the WP4—MARS was to collect, analyse and upgrade loss models to estimate direct economic losses, unusable buildings and casualties (Task 4.4—“Risk: evaluation of consequences and economic losses”). Task 4.4 aimed to carry out a critical review of the models available in the literature and subsequently specific comparisons to better understand the capability and reliability of the different models, in particular those adopted to calculate the seismic losses in the 2018 NRA. Furthermore, the derivation of new models in order to improve the results of the previous study was another goal of the project. The paper focuses on the assessment and calibration of models and tools to derive human casualties (deaths and injured) and usability rating as well as repair costs and population assistance costs associated with residential buildings damaged by seismic actions. In detail, the available literature on Casualty Estimation Models (CEMs) is analysed, and an updated model is calibrated to estimate human casualties for the Italian context. The model emphasises a relationship between the casualties and the severity of the damage. A strong correlation exists between the post-earthquake usability of buildings, damage state (DS), repair costs and time required to assist the population. According to data collected in the reconstruction processes of recent Italian earthquakes, fragility curves in terms of loss-of-usability for partially unusable and unusable buildings and the correlation between usability ratings (immediately available post-earthquake) and DS (easily computable by using existing empirical- or mechanical-based fragility functions) are defined. Finally, consequence functions able to associate direct costs (repair costs) and indirect costs (population assistance) have been calibrated as a function of buildings’ usability or damage state.
Documenting Riyadh City’s Significant Modern Heritage: A Methodological Approach
Authors: Alghamdi Naif , Alnaim Mohammed Mashary , Alotaibi Fahad , Alzahrani Abdulaziz , Alosaimi Faisal , Ajlan Ali , Alkhudhayri Yazeed A. , Alshathri Abdullah
Published: November 2023

This paper’s primary goal is to propose a methodological strategy to document and protect modern heritage buildings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is essential because these structures are part of the cultural heritage and identity of Saudi Arabia, considering the rapid urbanization and development taking place. Protecting modern heritage buildings is also essential to increase public appreciation and understanding of modernist architecture and valuable resources of the city’s culture and identity. This study’s objectives fall into two categories: it aims to provide a review of the relevant literature to develop a theoretical framework to examine and document Riyadh City’s significant modern heritage buildings, and it aims to provide an examination and documentation of these structures. To ensure systematic and structured project documentation, quantitative and qualitative methodologies, inductive and deductive approaches, a chronological approach, data management techniques, workshops, and fieldwork methods are utilized. Over 1300 potential modern heritage buildings were identified and categorized into typological groups and building types that historians, architects, planners, designers, and policymakers can use to document and present Saudi Arabia’s rich modern heritage effectively. Of the 1300 buildings, this study was able to identify more than 170 buildings, which were later recognized as the primary modern heritage buildings for Riyadh City in the study timeline (1950–2000).
Space Efficiency in Tapered Super-Tall Towers
Authors: Ilgın Hüseyin Emre
Published: November 2023

In modern skyscraper architecture, the preference for incorporating tapered building configurations is on the rise, constituting a prominent trend in the industry, particularly due to their structural and aerodynamic benefits. The efficient utilization of space is a critical consideration in the design of tapered skyscrapers, holding significant importance for sustainability. Nevertheless, the existing body of scholarly work falls short in providing an all-encompassing investigation into the space efficiency of super-tall towers featuring tapered configurations, despite their prevalent adoption. This research endeavors to rectify this notable void by undertaking an exhaustive examination of data derived from 40 case studies. The key findings are as follows: (1) average space efficiency was about 72%, with values fluctuating between a minimum of 55% and a maximum of 84%; (2) average ratio of core area to the gross floor area (GFA) registered about 26%, encompassing a spectrum ranging from 11% to 38%; (3) most tapered skyscrapers employed a central core design, primarily tailored for mixed-use purposes; (4) an outriggered frame system was the prevailing structural system, while composite materials were the most commonly used structural materials; and (5) significant differences in the influence of function and load-bearing systems on the space efficiency of tapered towers were not observed. The author anticipates that these results will offer valuable direction, particularly to architectural designers, as they work towards advancing the sustainable development of tapered skyscrapers.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fiducial Placement for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Cazacu Irina M. , Singh Ben S. , Martin-Paulpeter Rachael M. , Beddar Sam , Chun Stephen , Holliday Emma B. , Koong Albert C. , Das Prajnan , Koay Eugene J. , Taniguchi Cullen , Herman Joseph M. , Bhutani Manoop S.
Published: November 2023

Accurate delivery of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to pancreatic tumors relies on successful EUS-guided placement of fiducial markers. The aim of this study is to report the technical feasibility and safety of EUS-guided fiducial placement and to evaluate the characteristics and technical benefit of SBRT in a cohort of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). A retrospective chart review was performed for all (n = 82) PC patients referred for EUS-guided fiducial placement by a single endosonographer at a tertiary cancer center. Data regarding EUS-related technical details, SBRT characteristics, adverse events, and continuous visibility of fiducials were recorded and analyzed. Most patients included in the study had either locally advanced disease (32 patients, 39%) or borderline resectable disease (29 patients, 35%). Eighty-two PC patients underwent the placement of 230 fiducial markers under EUS guidance. The technical success rate of the fiducial placement was 98%. No immediate EUS-related adverse events were reported. The average time to the simulation CT after fiducial placement was 3.1 days. Of the 216 fiducial markers used for the SBRT delivery, 202 fiducial markers were visible on both the simulation CT and the cone beam CT scan. A median dose of 40cGY was given to all the patients in five fractions. Of these, 41% of the patients reported no SBRT-related toxicities during the follow-up. Fatigue and nausea were the most reported SBRT-related toxicities, which were seen in 35% of the patients post-SBRT. Our results demonstrate that EUS-guided fiducial placement is safe and effective in target volume delineation, facilitating SBRT delivery in PC patients. Further clinical trials are needed to determine the SBRT-related survival benefits in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Colorectal Liver Metastasis: Can Cytokines Make the Difference?
Authors: Ballarò Costanza , Quaranta Valeria , Giannelli Gianluigi
Published: November 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Metastasis is the prime driver of CRC-related mortality, and the liver is the organ most frequently involved. Despite the overall success of current treatments, colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is associated with poor prognoses and a survival rate of only 14%. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the crosstalk within it in determining the invasion of distant organs by circulating cancer cells. In the TME, cellular communication is mediated via soluble molecules, among which cytokines have recently emerged as key regulators, involved in every aspect of tumor progression and the metastatic cascade. Indeed, in the serum of CRC patients elevated levels of several cytokines are associated with cancer development and progression. The current review evaluates the role of different cytokines during CRLM development. Additionally, considering the increasing amount of data concerning the importance of cytokine complex networks, we outline the potential of combination treatments using targeted cytokines together with other well-established therapies, such as immune checkpoint blockades, chemotherapy, or gene therapy, to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Type 2 Cystatins and Their Roles in the Regulation of Human Immune Response and Cancer Progression
Authors: Zhang Zijun , Zhan Fenghuang
Published: November 2023

Cystatins are a family of intracellular and extracellular protease inhibitors that inhibit cysteine cathepsins—a group of lysosomal cysteine proteases that participate in multiple biological processes, including protein degradation and post-translational cleavage. Cysteine cathepsins are associated with the development of autoimmune diseases, tumor progression, and metastasis. Cystatins are categorized into three subfamilies: type 1, type 2, and type 3. The type 2 cystatin subfamily is the largest, containing 10 members, and consists entirely of small secreted proteins. Although type 2 cystatins have many shared biological roles, each member differs in structure, post-translational modifications (e.g., glycosylation), and expression in different cell types. These distinctions allow the type 2 cystatins to have unique biological functions and properties. This review provides an overview of type 2 cystatins, including their biological similarities and differences, their regulatory effect on human immune responses, and their roles in tumor progression, immune evasion, and metastasis.
Study on Eccentric Compression Mechanical Characteristics of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete-Filled Circular Steel Tubular Column
Authors: Zhang Xianggang , Niu Jixiang , Qiao Shuai , Luo Chengyi , Fan Yuhui , Kuang Xiaomei , Huang Yajun
Published: November 2023

During this study, eight basalt fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete-filled circular steel-tubular (C-BFRRACFST) column specimens were subjected to eccentric compression tests with different replacement ratios of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), basalt fiber (BF) contents, length-diameter (L/D), and eccentricity. The whole process of stress as well as failure mode of the specimens were observed, and a load–displacement curve as well as a load–strain curve for the specimens were measured. The impacts of various parameters upon the bearing capacity, peak displacement, and ductility coefficient of the specimens were analyzed. Subsequently, a 3D finite element model of the C-BFRRACFST column was established, and the whole process of stress was simulated. Based on the finite element simulation results, the N/Nu-M/Mu correlation strength curve of the C-BFRRACFST columns was verified. The exploration demonstrated that under eccentric load, the C-BFRRACFST column eventually underwent destruction of the overall instability. The load–axial displacement curve was characterized as three stress stages: elastic, elastic–plastic, declining, as well as declining stages. The strain of the mid-span section for the specimens follows the plane section assumption, and the lateral deflection basically follows the sine waveform curve. The ultimate bearing capacity of the specimens exhibited little change as the replacement ratio of RCA improved, while the ductility progressively reduced. Furthermore, the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimens failed to be obviously changed as the BF content enhanced, while the ductility progressively rose. Increasing the L/D gradually reduced the specimen’s ultimate bearing capacity alongside its ductility. The corrected N/Nu-M/Mu curve agreed well with the findings of finite element simulation.