bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Resting Metabolic Rate and Body Composition in People Living with Overweight and Obesity
Authors: Gitsi Evdoxia , Kokkinos Alexander , Konstantinidou Sofia K. , Livadas Sarantis , Argyrakopoulou Georgia
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is an important contributor of energy balance and displays a well-documented relationship with sex, age, race and fat-free mass (FFM) in the existing scientific literature. However, the impact of other body composition components such as fat and liver fat on RMR remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the correlation of RMR with body composition parameters in a sample of patients with overweight and obesity. Methods: Retrospective data of patients with overweight or obesity referred for magnetic resonance imaging of liver fat during the period 2018–2023 were utilized for this study. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected, including body composition parameters (body fat, muscle mass) and RMR measured by bioelectrical impedance and indirect calorimetry, respectively. Results: The final sample included 53 patients (66% male), with a mean age of 48 years (±11.2) and a mean body mass index (ΒΜΙ) of 38.5 kg/m2 (32.7, 44.7). Simple correlation models revealed that RMR was separately correlated with gender, age, BMI, muscle mass, and liver fat (all p < 0.05) but not with fat mass. When multiple regression models were employed, only muscle mass retained its statistically significant influence on RMR, while total and hepatic fat did not significantly affect RMR after controlling for other parameters (gender, age, muscle mass). Conclusions: These findings confirm the known correlation between muscle mass and RMR while highlighting the lack of association between total and hepatic fat and RMR in individuals with overweight and obesity.
Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Overactive Bladder Syndrome Treated with Botulinum Toxin
Authors: Sondka-Migdalska Joanna , Blaszczynski Pawel , Jablonowski Zbigniew
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a syndrome of the lower urinary tract characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia, with or without urgency urinary incontinence. OAB significantly impacts all aspects of life—social, psychological, physical, professional, domestic, and sexual—for both women and men. The aim of this study was to investigate sexual dysfunction in both women and men with OAB treated with intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections using the Sexual Quality of Life questionnaire in two versions: female (SQoL-F) and male (SQoL-M). Methods: Forty sexually active patients (thirty women and ten men) with idiopathic OAB were recruited. Patients completed the SQoL-F or SQoL-M questionnaire before treatment, and again at 3 and 6 months after treatment with intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA injections. Results: All 40 patients completed the study (30 women and 10 men). There were no statistically significant differences in SQoL results before the procedure or at 3- and 6-months post-treatment. Conclusions: OAB treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA did not significantly affect the quality of sexual life in either women or men. Further research is needed using questionnaires specifically designed to assess the sexual life of patients with OAB, especially in men.
Inflammation in Older Poles with Localized and Widespread Chronic Pain—Results from a Population-Based PolSenior Study
Authors: Chudek Anna , Kotyla Przemysław , Kozak-Szkopek Elżbieta , Mossakowska Małgorzata , Wieczorowska-Tobis Katarzyna , Sulicka-Grodzicka Joanna , Olszanecka-Glinianowicz Magdalena , Chudek Jerzy , Owczarek Aleksander J.
Published: October 2024

Background: Inflammation leads to a decrease in the excitation threshold and the sensitization of peripheral nociceptors. However, little is known about the effect of inflammation on the sensing of regional (CRegP) and widespread chronic pain (CWP) in older adults. This analysis aimed to characterize the prevalence and associates of both types of chronic pain in a population-based cohort. Methods: Our analysis was based on the Polish nationwide PolSenior study database. We excluded participants with moderate-to-severe dementia. Respondents answered questions concerning the occurrence of pain in 10 regions. CWP was defined as chronic pain present in the axial region (neck, upper back, lower back) and any part of both the lower (lower leg, hip, knee, foot) and upper (shoulder, hand) extremities. Inflammatory status was divided into three subgroups: no inflammation (CRP < 3 mg/dL), mild inflammation (CPR 3–10 mg/dL and IL-6 < 10 ng/mL), and significant inflammation (CRP ≥ 10 mg/dL or IL-6 ≥ 10 ng/mL). Results: CRegP was more frequent (33.9%) than CWP (8.8%). The occurrence of CWP was more frequent in subgroups with significant inflammation than in both subgroups with mild or no inflammation (11.4% vs. both 8.4%). Women (OR 3.67; 95% CI: 2.58–5.21) and subjects with major depression symptoms were more likely to experience CWP (OR 2.85; 95% CI: 1.68–4.82), while, malnourished participants were more likely to report CRegP (OR 2.00; 95% CI: 1.52–2.62). Conclusions: Significant inflammation is associated with increased occurrence of CWP in older adults. Female sex and major depression are the most significant associates of CWP, while malnutrition is the most significant associate of CRegP.
Randomized Clinical Trial: Bone Bioactive Liquid Improves Implant Stability and Osseointegration
Authors: Al Madhoun Ashraf , Meshal Khaled , Carrió Neus , Ferrés-Amat Eduard , Ferrés-Amat Elvira , Barajas Miguel , Jiménez-Escobar Ana Leticia , Al-Madhoun Areej Said , Saber Alaa , Abou Alsamen Yazan , Marti Carles , Atari Maher
Published: October 2024

Implant stability can be compromised by factors such as inadequate bone quality and infection, leading to potential implant failure. Ensuring implant stability and longevity is crucial for patient satisfaction and quality of life. In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, we assessed the impact of a bone bioactive liquid (BBL) on the Galaxy TS implant’s performance, stability, and osseointegration. We evaluated the impact stability, osseointegration, and pain levels using initial stability quotient (ISQ) measurements, CBCT scans, and pain assessment post-surgery. Surface analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In vitro studies examined the BBL’s effects on dental pulp pluripotent stem cells’ (DPPSCs’) osteogenesis and inflammation modulation in human macrophages. All implants successfully osseointegrated, as demonstrated by the results of our clinical and histological studies. The BBL-treated implants showed significantly lower pain scores by day 7 (p < 0.00001) and improved stability by day 30 (ISQ > 62.00 ± 0.59, p < 8 × 10−7). By day 60, CBCT scans revealed an increased bone area ratio in BBL-treated implants. AFM images demonstrated the BBL’s softening and wettability effect on implant surfaces. Furthermore, the BBL promoted DPPSCs’ osteogenesis and modulated inflammatory markers in human primary macrophages. This study presents compelling clinical and biological evidence that BBL treatment improves Galaxy TS implant stability, reduces pain, and enhances bone formation, possibly through surface tension modulation and immunomodulatory effects. This advancement holds promise for enhancing patient outcomes and implant longevity.
The Effects of E-Commerce Recommendation System Transparency on Consumer Trust: Exploring Parallel Multiple Mediators and a Moderator
Authors: Li Yi , Deng Xiaoya , Hu Xiao , Liu Jing
Published: October 2024

Recommendation systems are used in various fields of e-commerce and can bring many benefits to consumers but consumers’ trust in recommendation systems (CTRS) is lacking. Recommendation system transparency (RST) is an important factor that affects CTRS. Applying a three-layered trust model, this paper discusses the influence of RST on CTRS in the e-commerce domain, demonstrating the mediating role of perceived effectiveness and discomfort and the moderating role of consumers’ domain knowledge. We recruited 500 participants for an online hypothetical scenario experiment. The results show that consumers’ perceived effectiveness and discomfort can mediate the relationship between RST and CTRS. Specifically, RST (vs. non-transparency) leads to higher perceived effectiveness ( promoting CTRS) and lower levels of discomfort (which inhibits CTRS), in turn increasing CTRS. Domain knowledge positively moderates the positive impact of RST on perceived effectiveness, while negatively moderating the negative impact of RST on discomfort. Further, gender has a negative impact on CTRS when consumers are purchasing experience products but there is no effect when purchasing search products.
Diaphragmatic Ultrasonography in Sports Performance: A Systematic Review
Authors: Payán-Salcedo Harold Andrés , Arias-Coronel Florencio , Estela-Zape Jose Luis , Serna-Orozco Maria Fernanda
Published: October 2024

This paper aims to investigate and analyze the correlation between diaphragmatic parameters through ultrasonography and sports performance in various sports disciplines. This systematic review followed the PRISMA methodology. The search strategy was applied in the Medline database through Ovid, EMBASE, LILACS, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Open Gray. Clinical trials, cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional studies were included, and animal experiments were excluded. A total of 388 studies were identified. After removing duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, sixteen studies were selected for full review, and six were included in the qualitative analysis. The results demonstrated a positive correlation between diaphragm excursion and thickness during inspiration with the anaerobic power, highlighting their importance in high-intensity performance. Additionally, one study reported a positive correlation between diaphragm thickness and aerobic power, suggesting the need for further research. The impact of inspiratory muscle training in Paralympic athletes was also evaluated, providing valuable insights into diaphragmatic adaptation in disabled populations. Ultrasonography is a feasible tool for evaluating the structure and function of the diaphragm, the main element of the respiratory process during sports practice. Its use could contribute to the evaluation and planning of sports training and be a possible indicator of performance improvement.
Genetic Polymorphisms of Prokineticins and Prokineticin Receptors Associated with Human Disease
Authors: Lattanzi Roberta , Miele Rossella
Published: October 2024

Prokineticins (PKs) are low molecular weight proteins that exert their effects by binding to two seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors (prokineticin receptors, PKRs). The prokineticin system is an important player in the development of various diseases. Several polymorphisms that are associated with infertility, neuroendocrine disorders, Hirschsprung’s syndrome (HSCR), idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) and congenital disorders such as Kallmann syndrome (KS) have been described for both the PKs and PKR genes. The aim of this study is to summarize and describe the impact of PK/PKR polymorphisms on the pathogenesis and outcome of the above diseases, highlighting the PK system as a therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker in pathological conditions.
[(2-Chlorophenyl)-(4-fluorophenyl)methylene]-(4-fluorophenyl)amine
Authors: Vilchis-Valdés Salvador , Cedillo-Cruz Alberto , García-Eleno Marco A. , Martínez-Otero Diego , Cuevas-Yañez Erick
Published: October 2024

The formation of a N,1,1-triaryl imine derived from (2-chlorophenyl)-bis-(4-fluorophenyl)methanol is reported. The title compound is formed from a consecutive process which involves a nucleophilic substitution and subsequent Schmidt reaction. A description of the synthesized compound’s NMR spectra is presented and the structure was unambiguously established by X-ray analysis. A Hirshfeld surface analysis is also included, confirming the presence of intermolecular H···F interactions involved in crystal packing.
On the Initial Fabric of Naturally Occurring and Reconstituted Weakly Cemented Geomaterials
Authors: Bhat Mohd Ilyas , Chand Bhupendra , Murthy Tejas Gorur
Published: October 2024

The understanding of naturally occurring materials such as clay, sand, hard and soft rocks under a common theoretical framework has been a topic of persistent research interest. Over the past few decades, various sample reconstitution techniques have been developed in the literature to mimic in situ conditions, and to parse carefully the influence of various components in a cohesive-frictional geomaterial such that their behavior can be folded into the broad ambit of a continuum mechanics framework. The initial fabric of natural rock specimens is compared with reconstituted cemented sand samples using X-ray computed tomography (XRCT) scans. The efficacy of laboratory reconstitution techniques in replicating the initial microstructural features of natural rocks is evaluated here. Additionally, discrete element method (DEM) protocols which are often employed in generating cohesive granular ensembles are employed here and compared against the naturally occurring and artificially reconstituted fabric. A significant difference is observed in the grain boundaries of reconstituted and naturally occurring rocks. Additionally, the arrangement of particles, the orientation of grain contacts, and their coordination number are examined to assess the efficacy of laboratory-reconstituted specimens at micro-length scale.
The Use of Ultra-Fast Gas Chromatography for Fingerprinting-Based Classification of Zweigelt and Rondo Wines with Regard to Grape Variety and Type of Malolactic Fermentation Combined with Greenness and Practicality Assessment
Authors: Stój Anna , Wojnowski Wojciech , Płotka-Wasylka Justyna , Czernecki Tomasz , Kapusta Ireneusz Tomasz
Published: October 2024

In food authentication, it is important to compare different analytical procedures and select the best method. The aim of this study was to determine the fingerprints of Zweigelt and Rondo wines through headspace analysis using ultra-fast gas chromatography (ultra-fast GC) and to compare the effectiveness of this approach at classifying wines based on grape variety and type of malolactic fermentation (MLF) as well as its greenness and practicality with three other chromatographic methods such as headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with carboxen-polydimethylosiloxane fiber (SPME/GC-MS with CAR/PDMS fiber), headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with polyacrylate fiber (SPME/GC-MS with PA fiber), and ultra performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detector-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-MS/MS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that fingerprints obtained using all four chromatographic methods were suitable for classification using machine learning (ML). Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) yielded accuracies of at least 99% in the varietal classification of Zweigelt and Rondo wines and therefore proved suitable for robust fingerprinting-based Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures. In the case of wine classification by the type of MLF, the classifiers performed slightly worse, with the poorest accuracy of 91% for SVM and SPME/GC-MS with CAR/PDMS fiber, and no less than 93% for the other methods. Ultra-fast GC is the greenest and UPLC-PDA-MS/MS is the most practical of the four chromatographic methods.
Association between Egg Consumption and Dementia in Chinese Adults
Authors: Igbinigie Precious O. , Chen Ruoling , Tang Jie , Dregan Alexandru , Yin Jiaqian , Acharya Dev , Nadim Rizwan , Chen Anthony , Bai Zhongliang , Amirabdollahian Farzad
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: The association between egg consumption and dementia is unclear. We carried out a population-based case-control study in China to determine the independent association of egg consumption with dementia. Methods: We randomly recruited 233 participants with dementia and 233 without dementia from the community health service clinics and the dementia management system in Guangzhou, China to examine their dietary intakes over the past two years and other risk factors for chronic diseases. Egg consumption was categorised by frequency as Non-consuming/<monthly, Monthly, Weekly, Daily or ≥Twice a day. Results: Participants with dementia, compared to controls, were more likely to consume eggs at Monthly (15.5% vs. 8.6%) but less likely to consume at Daily (28.3% vs. 41.6%). The age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of dementia was 1.76 (95% CI 1.10–2.84) in participants who consumed eggs Weekly and 4.34 (2.16–8.72) in Monthly consumption compared to Daily. However, no significant associations were found for those Non-consuming/<monthly 1.35 (0.71–2.56) and ≥Twice a day 3.49 (0.83–14.67). After further adjustments, including gender, education, family income, smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary intakes (including red meats, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruits), cardiovascular disease and other co-morbidities, the corresponding ORs were 2.10 (1.10–4.02), 4.82 (1.90–12.27), 0.73 (0.29–1.88) and 4.16 (0.80–21.63), respectively. Among participants who consumed eggs Monthly, Weekly or Daily, an inverse association between egg consumption and dementia was observed; the multiple adjusted OR of dementia was 0.48 (0.30–0.76) per average increment in egg consumption. Compared to Monthly consumption, the OR for Weekly consumption was 0.44 (0.18–1.08) and 0.22 (0.08–0.59) for Daily consumption. Conclusions: This study suggests that Daily egg consumption could help reduce the risk of dementia, while uncertainties regarding the association of non-consuming/<monthly or ≥Twice a day consumption with dementia warrant further research.
Fasciola hepatica Excretory-Secretory Products (Fh-ES) Either Do Not Affect miRNA Expression Profile in THP-1 Macrophages or the Changes Are Undetectable by a Microarray Technique
Authors: Bąska Piotr , Majewska Alicja , Zygner Wojciech , Długosz Ewa , Wiśniewski Marcin
Published: October 2024

Fasciola hepatica is a liver fluke that resides in the bile ducts of various mammals. The parasitosis leads to economic losses in animal production estimated at USD 3.2 billion annually. It is also considered a zoonosis of great significance and a problem for public health affecting 2.4 million people worldwide. Nevertheless, besides the negative aspects of infestation, the antigens released by the fluke, F. hepatica Excretory-Secretory Products (Fh-ES) contain several immunomodulatory molecules that may be beneficial during the course of type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, or septic shock. This phenomenon is based on the natural abilities of adult F. hepatica to suppress proinflammatory responses. To underline the molecular basis of these mechanisms and determine the role of microRNA (miRNA) in the process, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated THP-1 macrophages were stimulated with Fh-ES, followed by miRNA microarray analyses. Surprisingly, no results indicating changes in the miRNA expression profile were noted (p < 0.05). We discuss potential reasons for these results, which may be due to insufficient sensitivity to detect slight changes in miRNA expression or the possibility that these changes are not regulated by miRNA. Despite the negative data, this work may contribute to the future planning of experiments by other researchers.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptors and C-C Chemokine Receptor-2 Positive Cells Play an Important Role in the Intraerythrocytic Death and Clearance of Babesia microti
Authors: Mordue Dana G. , Katseff Adiya S. , Galeota Andrew J. , Hale Synthia J. , Rezaee Shaaf , Schwartz Ilana , Sambir Mariya , Arnaboldi Paul M.
Published: October 2024

Babesia microti is an Apicomplexan parasite that infects erythrocytes and causes the tick-transmitted infection, babesiosis. B. microti can cause a wide variety of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to severe infection and death. Some risk factors for severe disease are well-defined, an immune compromised state, age greater than 50, and asplenia. However, increasing cases of severe disease and hospitalization in otherwise healthy individuals suggests that there are unknown risk factors. The immunopathology of babesiosis is poorly described. CD4+ T cells and the spleen both play a critical role in parasite clearance, but few other factors have been found that significantly impact the course of disease. Here, we evaluated the role of several immune mediators in B. microti infection. Mice lacking TNF receptors 1 and 2, the receptors for TNFα and LTα, had a higher peak parasitemia, reduced parasite killing in infected red blood cells (iRBCs), and delayed parasite clearance compared to control mice. Mice lacking CCR2, a chemokine receptor involved in the recruitment of inflammatory monocytes, and mice lacking NADPH oxidase, which generates superoxide radicals, demonstrated reduced parasite killing but had little effect on the course of parasitemia. These results suggest that TNFR-mediated responses play an important role in limiting parasite growth, the death of parasites in iRBCs, and the clearance of iRBCs, and that the parasite killing in iRBCs is being primarily mediated by ROS and inflammatory monocytes/macrophages. By identifying factors involved in parasite killing and clearance, we can begin to identify additional risk factors for severe infection and newer therapeutic interventions.
Intercorporeality, Moral Self-Development and Openness to Alterity: On Merleau-Ponty’s Redeeming of Childhood Experience
Authors: Kleinberg-Levin David M.
Published: October 2024

Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception (1945), written after his extensive research in psychology, anthropology, and the other social sciences and also after his intensive encounter with the thought of Husserl and Heidegger, is an attempt to leave those malevolent dualisms behind and replace them with a phenomenology that engages with beings as befits their essence and the conditions of their being: a phenomenology that no longer imposes on our experience a morally irresponsible and offensive ontology; a phenomenology that, instead, reminds us of our responsibility as guardians of nature and life and brings to light very new possibilities for ethical life, community, and dwelling on the earth of this planet.
Photodynamic Therapy Review: Past, Present, Future, Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Allamyradov Yaran , ben Yosef Justice , Annamuradov Berdimyrat , Ateyeh Mahmood , Street Carli , Whipple Hadley , Er Ali Oguz
Published: October 2024

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that utilizes photosensitizing agents, along with light, to produce reactive oxygen species that can kill nearby cells. When the photosensitizer is exposed to a specific wavelength of light, it becomes activated and generates reactive oxygen that can destroy cancer cells, bacteria, and other pathogenic micro-organisms. PDT is commonly used in dermatology for treating actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and other skin conditions. It is also being explored for applications in oncology, such as treating esophageal and lung cancers, as well as in ophthalmology for age-related macular degeneration. In this study, we provide a comprehensive review of PDT, covering its fundamental principles and mechanisms, as well as the critical components for its function. We examine key aspects of PDT, including its current clinical applications and potential future developments. Additionally, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of PDT, addressing the various challenges associated with its implementation and optimization. This review aims to offer a thorough understanding of PDT, highlighting its transformative potential in medical treatments while acknowledging the areas requiring further research and development.
In Vitro Inhibition of Enzymes and Antioxidant and Chemical Fingerprinting Characteristics of Azara serrata Ruiz & Pav. Fruits, an Endemic Plant of the Valdivian Forest of Chile
Authors: Hopfstock Philipp , Romero-Parra Javier , Winterhalter Peter , Gök Recep , Simirgiotis Mario
Published: October 2024

The World Health Organization has emphasized the importance of consuming small fruits for the prevention of chronic health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and obesity, which are named chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Azara serrata Ruiz & Pav., commonly called “aroma de Castilla”, is a shrub endemic to Chile from the Salicaceae family that produces an underutilized blue-grey berry that grows wild in southern Chile. The species is widely used as a medicinal plant by the Andean communities of southern Chile. In this work, a high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis of the methanolic extract revealed several phenolic compounds for the first time in the edible berry of this endemic species. Furthermore, several glycosylated anthocyanins were detected and quantified using UHPLC coupled with UV/Vis detection and trapped ion mobility mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-TIMS-TOF) for the anthocyanin-rich extract, which was prepared using an optimized anthocyanin extraction protocol. The extract proved to be active in the inhibition of several enzymes linked to NCDs, such as acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase, lipase, and glucosidase (IC50 = 3.92 ± 0.23, 12.24 ± 0.03, 11.12 ± 0.10, 32.43 ± 0.0, and 371.6 ± 0.0 μg/mL, respectively). Furthermore, the extract concentrated in anthocyanins showed good antioxidant activity evidenced by the bleaching of the radicals DPPH and ABTS, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The results show that these neglected endemic small berries can be a source of healthy phytochemicals. These Chilean berries can be used as functional food and their extracts are candidates for use as functional ingredients in naturally healthy products.
Critical Cooling Rate of Fast-Crystallizing Polyesters: The Example of Poly(alkylene trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate)
Authors: Hallavant Kylian , Soccio Michelina , Guidotti Giulia , Lotti Nadia , Esposito Antonella , Saiter-Fourcin Allisson
Published: October 2024

Controlling the cooling rate experienced by a material during a manufacturing process is a challenge and a major issue. Industrial processing techniques are very diverse and may involve a whole range of cooling rates, which are sometimes extremely high for small and/or thin manufactured parts. For polymers, the cooling rate has consequences on both the microstructure and the time-dependent properties. The common cooling rates associated with conventional calorimetric measurements are generally limited to a few tens of degrees per minute. This work combines several calorimetric techniques (DSC, modulated-temperature DSC, stochastically-modulated DSC and Fast Scanning Calorimetry) to estimate the critical cooling rate required to melt-quench fast-crystallizing polyesters to their fully amorphous state, based on the example of a series of poly(alkylene trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate) (PCHs) with a number of methylene groups in the main structure of the repeating unit nCH2 varying from 3 to 6. The even-numbered ones require faster cooling rates (about 3000 K s−1 for nCH2 = 4, between 500 and 1000 K s−1 for nCH2 = 6) compared to the odd-numbered ones (between 50 K min−1 and 100 K s−1 for nCH2 = 3, between 10 and 30 K min−1 for nCH2 = 5).
Algorithm for Designing Waveforms Similar to Linear Frequency Modulation Using Polyphase-Coded Frequency Modulation
Authors: Wang Pengpeng , Wang Zhan , You Peng , An Mengyun
Published: October 2024

Linear frequency modulation (LFM) waveforms have been widely adopted due to their excellent performance characteristics, such as good Doppler tolerance and ease of physical implementation. However, LFM waveforms suffer from high autocorrelation sidelobes (ACSLs) and limited design flexibility. Phase-coded frequency modulation (PCFM) waveforms can be used to design waveforms similar to LFM, offering greater design flexibility to optimize ACSLs. However, it has been found that the initial PCFM waveform experiences spectral expansion during the ACSL optimization process, which reduces its similarity to LFM. Therefore, this article jointly optimizes the ACSLs and spectrum of the initial PCFM waveform, establishes an optimized mathematical model, and then solves it using the heavy-ball gradient descent algorithm. Numerical experiments indicate that the proposed method effectively addresses the problem of waveform similarity degradation caused by spectral expansion while reducing waveform ACSLs. At the same time, a balance between reducing waveform ACSLs and preserving waveform similarity can be achieved by adjusting the parameters.
Ship Contour Extraction from Polarimetric SAR Images Based on Polarization Modulation
Authors: Wu Guoqing , Wang Shengbin Luo , Liu Yibin , Wang Ping , Li Yongzhen
Published: October 2024

Ship contour extraction is vital for extracting the geometric features of ships, providing comprehensive information essential for ship recognition. The main factors affecting the contour extraction performance are speckle noise and amplitude inhomogeneity, which can lead to over-segmentation and missed detection of ship edges. Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) images contain rich target scattering information. Under different transmitting and receiving polarization, the amplitude and phase of pixels can be different, which provides the potential to meet the uniform requirement. This paper proposes a novel ship contour extraction framework from PolSAR images based on polarization modulation. Firstly, the image is partitioned into the foreground and background using a super-pixel unsupervised clustering approach. Subsequently, an optimization criterion for target amplitude modulation to achieve uniformity is designed. Finally, the ship’s contour is extracted from the optimized image using an edge-detection operator and an adaptive edge extraction algorithm. Based on the contour, the geometric features of ships are extracted. Moreover, a PolSAR ship contour extraction dataset is established using Gaofen-3 PolSAR images, combined with expert knowledge and automatic identification system (AIS) data. With this dataset, we compare the accuracy of contour extraction and geometric features with state-of-the-art methods. The average errors of extracted length and width are reduced to 20.09 m and 8.96 m. The results demonstrate that the proposed method performs well in both accuracy and precision.
Fitness of Multi-Resolution Remotely Sensed Data for Cadastral Mapping in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors: Taiwo Israel Oluwaseun , Ibitoye Matthew Olomolatan , Oladejo Sunday Olukayode , Koeva Mila
Published: October 2024

In developing nations, such as Ekiti State, Nigeria, the utilization of remotely sensed data, particularly satellite and UAV imagery, remains significantly underexploited in land administration. This limits multi-resolution imagery’s potential in land governance and socio-economic development. This study examines factors influencing UAV adoption for land administration in Nigeria, mapping seven rural, peri-urban, and urban sites with orthomosaics (2.2 cm to 3.39 cm resolution). Boundaries were manually delineated, and parcel areas were calculated. Using the 0.05 m orthomosaic as a reference, the Horizontal Radial Root Mean Square Error (RMSEr) and Normalized Parcel Area Error (NPAE) were computed. Results showed a consistent increase in error with increasing resolution (0.1 m to 1 m), with RMSEr ranging from 0.053 m (formal peri-urban) to 2.572 m (informal rural settlement). Formal settlements with physical demarcations exhibited more consistent values. A comparison with GNSS data revealed that RMSEr values conformed to the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) Class II and III standards. The research demonstrates physical demarcations’ role in facilitating cadastral mapping, with formal settlements showing the highest suitability. This study recommends context-specific imagery resolution to enhance land governance. Key implications include promoting settlement typology awareness and addressing UAV regulatory challenges. NPAE values can serve as a metric for assessing imagery resolution fitness for cadastral mapping.
A Novel Hybrid Deep-Learning Approach for Flood-Susceptibility Mapping
Authors: Riche Abdelkader , Drias Ammar , Guermoui Mawloud , Gherib Tarek , Boulmaiz Tayeb , Souissi Boularbah , Melgani Farid
Published: October 2024

Flood-susceptibility mapping (FSM) is crucial for effective flood prediction and disaster prevention. Traditional methods of modeling flood vulnerability, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), require weights defined by experts, while machine-learning and deep-learning approaches require extensive datasets. Remote sensing is also limited by the availability of images and weather conditions. We propose a new hybrid strategy integrating deep learning with the HEC–HMS and HEC–RAS physical models to overcome these challenges. In this study, we introduce a Weighted Residual U-Net (W-Res-U-Net) model based on the target of the HEC–HMS and RAS physical simulation without disregarding ground truth points by using two loss functions simultaneously. The W-Res-U-Net was trained on eight sub-basins and tested on five others, demonstrating superior performance with a sensitivity of 71.16%, specificity of 91.14%, and area under the curve (AUC) of 92.95% when validated against physical simulations, as well as a sensitivity of 88.89%, specificity of 93.07%, and AUC of 95.87% when validated against ground truth points. Incorporating a “Sigmoid Focal Loss” function and a dual-loss function improved the realism and performance of the model, achieving higher sensitivity, specificity, and AUC than HEC–RAS alone. This hybrid approach significantly enhances the FSM model, especially with limited real-world data.
A Transformer-Unet Generative Adversarial Network for the Super-Resolution Reconstruction of DEMs
Authors: Zheng Xin , Xu Zhaoqi , Yin Qian , Bao Zelun , Chen Zhirui , Wang Sizhu
Published: October 2024

A new model called the Transformer-Unet Generative Adversarial Network (TUGAN) is proposed for super-resolution reconstruction of digital elevation models (DEMs). Digital elevation models are used in many fields, including environmental science, geology and agriculture. The proposed model uses a self-similarity Transformer (SSTrans) as the generator and U-Net as the discriminator. SSTrans, a model that we previously proposed, can yield good reconstruction results in structurally complex areas but has little advantage when the surface is simple and smooth because too many additional details have been added to the data. To resolve this issue, we propose the novel TUGAN model, where U-Net is capable of multilayer jump connections, which enables the discriminator to consider both global and local information when making judgments. The experiments show that TUGAN achieves state-of-the-art results for all types of terrain details.
Synthesis of Carbazole–Thiazole Dyes via One-Pot Tricomponent Reaction: Exploring Photophysical Properties, Tyrosinase Inhibition, and Molecular Docking
Authors: Krawczyk Przemysław , Jędrzejewska Beata , Cytarska Joanna , Seklecka Klaudia , Łączkowski Krzysztof Z.
Published: October 2024

Carbazole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound consisting of two fused benzene rings and a pyrrole ring and is a very valuable building structure for the design of many compounds for use in various fields of chemistry and medicine. This study presents three new carbazole-based thiazole derivatives that differ in the presence of a different halogen atom: chlorine, bromine, and fluorine. Experimental studies and quantum-chemical simulations show the effect of changing a halogen atom on the physicochemical, biological, and linear and nonlinear optical properties. We have also found that carbazoles C-Cl, C-Br, and C-F exhibit high tyrosinase inhibitory activity, with IC50 values in the range of 68–105 µM with mixed mechanism of action. Finally, molecular docking to the active site of Concanavalin A (ConA) and bioavailability for all compounds were evaluated.
Roles of Nitrogen- and Sulphur-Containing Groups in Copper Ion Adsorption by a Modified Chitosan Carboxymethyl Starch Polymer
Authors: Hua Zhongbao , Dong Yujie , Chen Liang , Jiang Feng , Tang Honghu , Feng Dongxia
Published: October 2024

Owing to the toxicity and widespread use of copper, the pollution caused by copper ions has become a long-standing environmental and industrial challenge. In this study, a new adsorbent was developed to dispose of and remove copper ions from water. The modified chitosan–carboxymethyl starch (MCTS-CMS) polymer was characterised, and FTIR and SEM-EDS confirmed the successful graft modification of the receptor. The adsorption behaviour was investigated through various parameters, and the results showed that the optimal parameters were pH > 4.0, an adsorption time of 30 min, a reaction temperature of 293 K, and an initial concentration of 100–120 mg/L. The experimental data exhibited a good fit with pseudo-second-order models, and the Langmuir isotherm revealed that the polymer was found to be highly suitable for adsorption, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 321.16 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. XRD and XPS confirmed the generation of posnjakite after the adsorption and the predominant roles of nitrogen- and sulphur-containing groups in the adsorption. Further analysis confirmed the existence of chemisorption and physical adsorption, with chemisorption mainly facilitating the Cu(II) absorption of the polymer. MCTS-CMS showed an excellent removal efficiency of 98% in acidic solutions. On the basis of these findings, the MCTS-CMS polymer demonstrates excellent performance and high selectivity in the removal of copper ions from industrial wastewater or polluted water bodies. This work recommends expanding the polymer’s practical applications to contribute to water purification efforts.
Optimizing CO2 Hydrate Sequestration in Subsea Sediments through Cold Seawater Pre-Injection
Authors: Zhang Zhaobin , Li Yuxuan , Xie Zhuoran , Li Shouding , He Jianming , Li Xiao , Lu Cheng , Qin Xuwen
Published: October 2024

Carbon sequestration technology offers a solution to mitigate excessive carbon dioxide emissions and sustainable development in the future. This study proposes a method for subsea carbon sequestration through the injection of cold seawater to promote CO2 hydrate formation. Using a self-developed simulator, we modeled and calculated the long-term sequestration process. The study focuses on analyzing the thermal regulation of the seabed following cold seawater injection, the multiphysical field evolution during CO2 injection and long-term sequestration, and the impact of seawater injection volumes on sequestration outcomes. The feasibility and leakage risks of this method were evaluated on a 100,000-year timescale. Results indicate that the injection of cold seawater significantly improves the pressure–temperature conditions of subsea sediments, facilitating early hydrate formation and markedly increasing the initial CO2 hydrate formation rate. Consequently, the distribution pattern of hydrate saturation changes, forming a double-layer hydrate shell. Over the long term, while cold seawater injection does not significantly reduce CO2 leakage, it does increase the safety margin between the hydrate layer and the seabed, enhancing the safety coefficient for long-term CO2 hydrate sequestration. Through detailed analysis of the behavior of CO2 components during sequestration, this study provides new theoretical insights into subsea CO2 hydrate storage.
A Note on Neutrosophic Soft Set over Hyperalgebras
Authors: Onar Serkan
Published: October 2024

This research aims to introduce and explore the theory of neutrosophic soft hyperalgebras (NSHAs), focusing on their core principles and potential applications in decision-making under uncertainty. By defining key operations such as intersection and union, we clarify the foundational characteristics of NSHAs and their relationship to soft hyperalgebras. The concepts of ξβ-identity NSHA and ξ-absolute NSHA are also examined to better understand their properties. The practical relevance of NSHA is demonstrated through applications in various fields, highlighting its adaptability in addressing complex decision-making scenarios. This approach offers a novel, more precise method for navigating uncertainty in areas such as project methodology selection, sensitivity analysis, and AI chatbot selection.
Real-World Use of Intradetrusor Botulinum Toxin Injections: A Population-Based Study from France
Authors: Ruffion Alain , Karam Pierre , Forestier Anne , Denys Pierre
Published: October 2024

In recent decades, intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) have been widely applied to treat incontinence in both idiopathic overactive bladder (iOAB) and neurogenic detrusor overactivity incontinence (NDOI). This analysis, based on the French National Hospital Discharge Database (PMSI), aims to describe real-world trends in intradetrusor BoNT-A use between 2014 and 2022. Among 32,864 patients who received at least one intradetrusor BoNT-A injection, 18,320 (55.7%) had conditions coded under iOAB, 13,376 (40.7%) under NDOI, and 1168 (3.6%) under other indications. The overall mean interval between two intradetrusor BoNT-A injections was 9.7 months, ranging from 8.7 months in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to 11.5 months in patients with cerebral pathologies. The median number of injections was two (quartile 1–quartile 3, 1–4) in patients with spina bifida, whereas it was five (2–10) in those with MS. Only 31% of patients with iOAB received more than two intradetrusor BoNT-A injections. Regardless of its indication, BoNT-A was well tolerated. Adverse events occurring during or requiring hospitalization included infections (3.8%), hematuria (0.53%), and bleeding episodes necessitating transfusions (0.11%), all recorded within the initial month following BoNT-A injection. Our analysis of the PMSI database highlights a broad spectrum of intradetrusor BoNT-A injection practices.
A Journey through the Minefield of the Discovery and Characterization of Latency-Related RNA/Latency-Associated Transcript
Authors: Ghiasi Homayon
Published: October 2024

Scientific knowledge evolves in small steps, with occasional backsteps to correct inaccuracies, all occurring within a competitive environment. This perspective for the first time looks at the history of latency-related RNA (LR-RNA) that was later renamed latency-associated transcript (LAT). At the 1986 International Herpesvirus Workshop (IHW) meeting in Leeds, England, Daniel L Rock and Anthony B Nesburn first reported the discovery of human herpes virus 1 (HSV-1) latency-related (LR) RNA that is antisense to ICP0. Less than a month after the IHW meeting, a paper was submitted to Science magazine and 8 months later appeared in print thanking “D. Rock for suggesting RNA complementary to the ICP0 message may be present in latently infected cells”. This perspective is not a review of the LAT literature but intends to clarify the timeline of LAT discovery and subsequent breakthroughs such as reactivation, apoptosis, CD8+ T cell exhaustion, and LAT expression in different cell types detected during latency. While many review articles have been written about LAT since 1987, the most comprehensive and balanced review about LAT was written by Dr. David Bloom’s group. In this overview, I will discuss our original collaboration with Dr. Dan Rock and subsequent work that our group performed, which is still ongoing. Finally, I will discuss the controversies associated with LAT from its inception to current times.
Performance of Ergun’s Equation in Simulations of Heterogeneous Porous Medium Flow with Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics
Authors: Díaz-Damacillo Lamberto , Alvarado-Rodríguez Carlos E. , Sigalotti Leonardo Di G. , Vargas Carlos A.
Published: October 2024

The flow of water through a channel with a heterogeneous porous layer in its central core is simulated using the method of Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH). Three different porous substrates are considered that differ in the geometry of their grain arrays. The heterogeneity is modeled by dividing the porous substrate into four zones that each have a different porosity. The pressure loss and the flow across the channel are simulated at two different scales, the pore scale and the Representative Elementary Volume (REV) scale, based on use of the Ergun equation. Since the computational cost at the REV scale is much lower than at the pore scale, it is therefore important to assess how accurately the REV-scale calculation reproduces the pore-scale results. The REV-scale simulation predicts cross-sectional mainstream velocity profiles and head losses through the channel that differ from the pore-scale results by root-mean-square errors of about 0.01% and 0.3%, respectively.
Digital readiness and economic growth : Analyzing the Impact of DESI Scores on GDP in European Countries
Authors: Almeida de Figueiredo Sara
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the relationship between digital readiness and economic growth within the European Union, employing the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) as a comprehensive metric to evaluate the impact of digital integration on economic indicators. Through a detailed analysis incorporating factors such as human capital, connectivity, digital technology integration, and digital public services, alongside control variables including industrial production, employment, inflation, and investment, the research offers a nuanced understanding of how digital readiness influences GDP growth across 22 European countries over a six-years period. The findings highlight the significant role of human capital and technology integration in driving economic development, suggesting that investments in digital skills and business adoption of digital technologies are crucial for enhancing productivity and fostering innovation. Contrarily, digital public services showed a marginal negative association with GDP growth, indicating the need for optimization to fully realize their economic benefits. The results underscore the importance of strategic investments in digital readiness to leverage digitalization for sustainable economic growth, urging policymakers to consider both digital and traditional economic factors in their strategies. This research enriches the discourse on digital transformation’s economic implications, offering insights for policymakers, economists, and business leaders to foster economic resilience and prosperity in the digital age. Nevertheless, it acknowledges limitations due to the recent inception of DESI scores since 2017, and the potential for delayed effects of digital public services investments on economic growth, highlighting the need for future studies with more extensive data to fully understand the long-term implications of digital readiness on economic development.
Győrffy, Dóra – Benczes, István – Rosta, Miklós (eds.) : Közgazdaságtan és gazdaságpolitika. Tanulmányok Csaba László 70. születésnapja alkalmából [Economics and Economic Policy Studies to celebrate Csaba, László’s 70th birthday]
Authors: Dunavölgyi Mária
Published: October 2024

Budapest, 2024, Akadémiai Kiadó, 262 p.