bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fully Printed Organic Phototransistor Array with High Photoresponse and Low Power
Authors: Tan Yuan , Zhang Xinwei , Pan Rui , Deng Wei , Shi Jialin , Lu Tianxing , Zhang Junye , Jie Jiansheng , Zhang Xiujuan
Published: April 2023

Organic phototransistors (OPTs) as optical chemical sensors have progressed excitingly in recent years, mainly due to the development of new materials, new device structures, and device interfacial engineering. Exploiting the maximum potential of low-cost and high-throughput fabrication of organic electronics and optoelectronics requires devices that can be manufactured in a fully printed way that also have a low operation voltage. In this work, we demonstrate a fully printed fabrication process that enables the realization of a high-yield (~90%) and low-voltage OPT array. By solution printing of a high-quality organic crystalline thin film on the pre-printed electrodes, we create a van der Waals contact between the metal and organic semiconductor, resulting in a small subthreshold swing of 445 mV dec−1 with a signal amplification efficiency over 5.58 S A−1. Our OPTs thus exhibit both a low operation voltage of −1 V and a high photosensitivity over 5.7 × 105, making these devices suitable for a range of applications requiring low power consumption. We further demonstrate the capability of the low-voltage OPT array for imaging and show high imaging contrasts. These results indicate that our fabrication process may provide an entry into integrated and low-power organic optoelectronic circuits fabricated by scalable and cost-effective methods for real-world applications.
An Impedimetric Biosensing Strategy Based on BicyclicPeptides as Bioreceptors for Monitoring h-uPA Cancer Biomarkers
Authors: Moro Giulia , Ferrari Leonardo , Angelini Alessandro , Polo Federico
Published: April 2023

In the era of liquid biopsies, the reliable and cost-effective detection and screening of cancer biomarkers has become of fundamental importance, thus paving the way for the advancement of research in the field of point-of-care testing and the development of new methodologies and technologies. Indeed, the latter ones can help designing advanced diagnostic tools that can offer portability, ease of use with affordable production and operating costs. In this respect, impedance-based biosensing platforms might represent an attractive alternative. In this work, we describe a proof-of-concept study aimed at designing portable impedimetric biosensors for the monitoring of human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (h-uPA) cancer biomarker by employing small synthetic receptors. Aberrant levels of h-uPA were correlated with different types of cancers. Herein, we report the use of two bicyclic peptides (P2 and P3) which have been engineered to bind h-uPA with high affinity and exquisite specificity. The synthetic receptors were immobilized via biotin-streptavidin chemistry on the surface of commercial screen-printed electrodes. The impedimetric changes in the electrode/solution interface upon incubation of spiked h-uPA samples in the presence of a redox probe were followed via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The P3-based impedimetric assay showed the best outcomes in terms of dynamic range and linearity (0.01–1 μg mL−1) and sensitivity (LOD = 9 ng mL−1). To fully assess the performances of P3 over P2, and to compare the label-free architecture vs. labelled architecture, a voltammetric assay was also developed.
A Method of Ultra-Low Power Consumption Implementation for MEMS Gas Sensors
Authors: Bing Yu , Zhang Fuyun , Han Jiatong , Zhou Tingting , Mei Haixia , Zhang Tong
Published: April 2023

In recent years, there has been a growing need for the development of low-power gas sensors. This paper proposes pulse heating and a corresponding measurement strategy using a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal to realize the ultra-low power consumption for metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors. A Micro-Hot-Plate (MHP) substrate was chosen to investigate the temperature and power characteristics of the MHP under different applied heating methods. The temperature of this given substrate could respond to the applied voltage within 0.1 s, proving the prac ticability of a pulse heating strategy. In addition, Pd-doped SnO2 was synthesized as the sensing material in the implementation of an ultra-low power gas sensor. The sensing performance and power consumption under different conditions were compared in the detection of reducing gases such as ethanol (C2H5OH) and formaldehyde (HCHO). Additionally, the results revealed that the sensor could work under PWM excitation while reducing the operating power to less than 1mW. The features shown in the measurements provide the feasibility for MOS gas sensors’ application in wearable and portable devices.
The Influence of Smartphone Use on Tweens’ Capacity for Complex Critical Thinking
Authors: Fabio Rosa Angela , Suriano Rossella
Published: April 2023

The spread of modern technologies exposes many people to a high level of ambiguous and misleading information that can impact people’s judgments and worldviews. This happens especially in a phase of life such as preadolescence when children are particularly sensitive to external conditioning. Critical thinking can be seen as the first line of defense against misleading information. However, little is known about the consequences of media use on the critical thinking skills of tweens. In this study, we evaluated the effects of problematic smartphone use on the various stages of critical thinking, comparing high and low tween smartphone users. The results confirm the main hypothesis, namely, that problematic smartphone use is related to the ability to think critically. There was a significant difference between high and low users in the third phase of critical thinking: evaluation of sources.
Is Greater Social Support from Parents and Friends Related to Higher Physical Activity Levels among Adolescents?
Authors: de Camargo Edina Maria , da Costa Cristiane Galvão , Piola Thiago Silva , Bacil Eliane Denise Araújo , López-Gil José Francisco , de Campos Wagner
Published: April 2023

Increasing physical activity levels during adolescence have been put on the agenda by several researchers. This study verified the association between social support from parents and friends and different amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among adolescents in public school. The present study had a cross-sectional design and included a representative sample of 1984 adolescents (aged 15–17). The ASAFA (Apoio Social para prática de Atividade Física para Adolescentes) scale and the QAFA (Questionário de Atividade Física para Adolescentes) were used to determine social support and physical activity, respectively. For statistical analysis, a conceptual model for structured equations and weighted least squares mean and variance adjusted were applied. Social support from parents increased the odds of engaging in 180 min/week of MVPA by 46.7%, 47.8% for 300 min/week, and 45.5% for 420 min/week. Social support from friends showed similar relations trends: 23.8% for 180 min/week, 23.6% for 300 min/week, and 21.2% for 420 min/week. Social support from parents and friends increased the probability of adolescents reaching the amounts of physical activity investigated. The results indicate that greater social support (from parents and friends) was associated with a higher level of MVPA in Brazilian adolescents.
School Children’s Physical Activity and Preferred Activities during Outdoor Recess in Estonia: Using Accelerometers, Recess Observation, and Schoolyard Mapping
Authors: Lemberg Getter Marie , Riso Eva-Maria , Fjørtoft Ingunn , Kjønniksen Lise , Kull Merike , Mäestu Evelin
Published: April 2023

Studies about recess have found that children have higher physical activity (PA) during outdoor recess compared to indoor recess, and well-constructed schoolyards play an important role in stimulating PA in children. This study aimed at investigating the affordances of schoolyards and outdoor recess PA in two urban and two rural primary schools in Estonia. Schoolyards were described with the geographical mapping method, children’s activities during outdoor recess were registered by using observations, and PA levels were measured with accelerometers. Students from grades two to six (8–13-year-olds) were included in the study. All observed schoolyards had different spaces including various ball game areas, climbing facilities, and slacklines. The natural environment dominated in the rural schools, and artificial surfaces dominated in the urban schools. Boys in the study tended to enjoy more sport-related activities, whereas girls preferred more social and less active activities. Students participating in outdoor recess spent about twice as much time (20.4%) on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) compared to indoor recess (9.5%), although boys were more active than girls (22.9% vs. 17.3%). All schoolyards afforded more MVPA during outdoor recess compared to indoor recess, whereas schoolyards with more space per child and natural environment elements generated more varied PA and higher MVPA. These findings confirm the importance of schoolyard design and quality for the variety and intensity of students’ PA during outdoor recess.
Evaluating Dysfunction in Fever-Induced Paroxysmal Weakness and Encephalopathy
Authors: Sano Fumikazu , Fukao Toshimichi , Yagasaki Hideaki , Kanemura Hideaki , Inukai Takeshi , Kaga Yoshimi , Nakane Takaya
Published: April 2023

Heterozygous variants in the ATP1A3 gene are linked to well-known neurological phenotypes. There has been growing evidence for a separate phenotype associated with variants in residue Arg756—fever-induced paroxysmal weakness and encephalopathy (FIPWE) or relapsing encephalopathy with cerebellar ataxia (RECA). With only about 20 cases being reported, the clinical features associated with mutations at Arg756 have not been fully elucidated. We report a case of FIPWE with a p.Arg756Cys change in the ATP1A3 gene and a comparison of the clinical features, including electrophysiological examination, with previous cases. The 3-year-old male patient had normal psychomotor development, presenting with recurrent symptoms of generalized hypotonia with loss of gait, mutism, and dystonic movements only during febrile illnesses since 19 months of age. At 2.7 years of age, a third neurological decompensation episode occurred, during which electroencephalography (EEG) did not reveal high voltage slow waves or epileptiform discharge. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) also did not show latency delay or amplitude reduction. ATP1A3 exon sequencing showed a heterozygous p.Arg756Cys mutation. While the patient experienced repeated encephalopathy-like episodes, including severe hypotonia during febrile illness, EEG and NCS did not reveal any obvious abnormalities. These electrophysiological findings may represent an opportunity to suspect FIPWE and RECA.
The Potential Association between E2F2, MDM2 and p16 Protein Concentration and Selected Sociodemographic and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Świętek Agata , Gołąbek Karolina , Hudy Dorota , Gaździcka Jadwiga , Biernacki Krzysztof , Miśkiewicz-Orczyk Katarzyna , Zięba Natalia , Misiołek Maciej , Strzelczyk Joanna Katarzyna
Published: April 2023

Background: E2F transcription factor 2 (E2F2), murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and p16 are some of the key proteins associated with the control of the cell cycle. The aim of this study was to evaluate E2F2, MDM2 and p16 concentrations in the tumour and margin samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma and to assess their association with some selected sociodemographic and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients. Methods: The study group consisted of 73 patients. Protein concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of E2F2, MDM2 or p16 in the tumour samples as compared to the margin specimens. We found that patients with N0 showed significantly lower E2F2 concentrations than patients with N1 in the tumour samples and the median protein concentration of E2F2 was higher in HPV-negative patients in the tumour samples. Moreover, the level of p16 in the margin samples was lower in alcohol drinkers as compared to non-drinkers. Similar observations were found in concurrent drinkers and smokers compared to non-drinkers and non-smokers. Conclusions: E2F2 could potentially promote tumour progression and metastasis. Moreover, our results showed a differential level of the analysed proteins in response to alcohol consumption and the HPV status.
The Role of Intravesicular Proteins and the Protein Corona of Extracellular Vesicles in the Development of Drug-Induced Polyneuropathy
Authors: Yunusova Natalia V. , Popova Natalia O. , Udintseva Irina N. , Klyushina Tatyana S. , Kazantseva Daria V. , Smirnova Liudmila P.
Published: April 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) as membrane structures of cellular origin participating in intercellular communication are involved in the molecular mechanisms of the development of various variants of polyneuropathy. Taking into account the increasing role of the protein corona of EVs and protein-protein interactions on the surface of EVs in the pathogenesis of various diseases, we focused our attention in this review on the role of intravesicular proteins and the protein corona of EVs in the development of chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy (CIPN). It has been shown that EVs are effectively internalized by the mechanisms of endocytosis and macropinocytosis by neurocytes and glial cells, carry markers of insulin resistance, functionally active proteins (receptors, cytokines, enzymes), and may be involved in the pathogenesis of CIPN. The mechanisms of CIPN associated with the EVs protein corona can be related with the accumulation of heavy chains of circulating IgG in it. G-class immunoglobulins in EVs are likely to have myelin hydrolyzing, superoxide dismutase, and oxidoreductase enzymatic activities. Moreover, circulating IgG-loaded EVs are a place for complement activation that can lead to membrane attack complex deposition in neuroglia and neurons. The mechanisms of CIPN development that are not associated with IgG in the EVs protein corona are somehow related to the fact that many anticancer drugs induce apoptosis of tumor cells, neurons, and neuroglial cells by various mechanisms. This process may be accompanied by the secretion of EVs with modified cargo (HSPs, 20S proteasomes, miRNAs).
Reframing Climate Change Resilience: An Intersectional Perspective of Ethnicity and Gender from Vietnam
Authors: Phuong Tran Thi , Tan Nguyen Quang , Hai Nguyen Thi , Ngu Nguyen Huu
Published: April 2023

This study breaks away from traditional macroeconomic-data-based research that often overlooks the subjective experiences of communities and social groups in assessing their resilience to external stressors. Instead, we conducted a nuanced analysis of self-assessments provided by 364 household heads in the Nam Dong District, Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam, to gain a comprehensive understanding of household resilience. Our investigation focused on two upland communities—the Kinh majority and Co Tu ethnic minority households—evaluating their resilience levels in terms of the five livelihood capitals and identifying significant disparities among different ethnic and gender groups. Our findings reveal notable differences in livelihood resilience to climate change and variability among these groups, particularly for women, the poor, and ethnic minorities who exhibit lower resilience levels. This underscores the need for policies and programs designed to improve resilience capacity while taking into account these groups’ cultural and social norms. We suggest focusing on improving financial, human, and social capitals to increase households’ resilience to external shocks. Specifically, building resilience for disadvantaged groups must go hand in hand with promoting their overall well-being and alleviating poverty. Additionally, we recommend tailored training programs to raise awareness among households and strengthening institutional systems to enhance overall resilience.
The Effect of High-Velocity Air-Fuel WC-12Co Coatings on the Wear and Corrosion Resistance of TC18 Titanium Alloy
Authors: Jiang Haisheng , Zhao Xiaoyu , Song Hua , Li Chang
Published: April 2023

TC18 titanium alloy is an essential material for aircraft landing gear. To reveal the wear and corrosion mechanisms of landing gear in service, a WC-12Co coating on a TC18 substrate was prepared by High-Velocity Air-Fuel (HVAF) spraying based on optimized process parameters, and an analysis of the microscopic characterization results for the materials involved was performed. Based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, the combustion reaction and discrete phase models of HVAF spraying were established. The flame characteristics under compressible turbulence and the flight temperature and velocity of particles were calculated. The effect of the spraying parameters on the flight temperature and velocity of particles was evaluated based on the response surface method (RSM) through multiple groups of orthogonal experiments, and the optimized process parameters were determined. The mass flow rate of reactants was 0.051 kg/s, the oxygen/fuel ratio was 2.83, the mass flow rate of the nitrogen was 0.000325 kg/s, the pressure of oxygen and fuel inlet was 1 MPa, the pressure at the particles inlet was 0.6 MPa and the maximum temperature and velocity of spraying particles were 1572 K and 417 m/s, respectively. The coatings prepared with the optimized process were subjected to the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), wear, hardness, artificial seawater soaking and neutral salt spray experiments. The results showed that the mean hardness of the TC18 substrate was 401.2 HV0.3, the mean hardness of the WC-12Co coating was 1121 HV0.3, the friction coefficient between the TC18 substrate and the Si3N4 ceramic ball was 0.55 and the friction coefficient between the WC-12Co coating and the Si3N4 ceramic ball was 0.4. Compared to the TC18 substrate, the hardness of the WC-12Co coating was increased by 720 HV0.3, the friction coefficient with the Si3N4 ceramic ball decreased by 0.11, the corrosion resistance significantly improved and the maximum depth of the corrosion pits was 5 μm. The properties of the TC18 titanium alloy were effectively improved by the WC-12Co coating. The results of this study provide guidance for surface protection technologies of aircraft landing gear.
Pentaband Dual-Polarized Antenna for Multiservice Wireless Applications
Authors: Ushasree A. , Agarwal Vipul
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a novel design for and an experimental study of a dual-polarized quad-port MIMO antenna. The design achieves resonance at five distinct frequency bands with reduced mutual coupling. The design includes a single annular ring slot, four truncated rectangular corners, and a truncated aperture to improve resonance behavior. The design is then extended to a four-port MIMO antenna by including a ground-plane slit to enhance isolation between antenna elements at the center resonance band. The antenna achieves resonances at 5 distinct bands, ranging from 1.5 to 8.4 GHz, with significant mutual coupling reductions. The resonances of the quad-port pentaband MIMO antenna are achieved at 1.55 GHz (1.5–1.65 GHz), 2.5 GHz (2.4–2.7 GHz), 5.2 GHz (5–5.85), 7.3 GHz (7.1–7.4), and 8.15 GHz (7.9–8.4), with respective mutual coupling reductions of 27 dB, 37 dB, 21 dB, 29 dB, and 21 dB. Additionally, the 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) is observed at 6.5% (1.5–1.6 GHz) and 15% (2.4–2.7 GHz) in 2 distinct bands, and the envelope correlation coefficient and diversity gain are calculated within the specified band range. Experimental measurements of the prototype for the quad-port antenna are conducted, with excellent agreement found between the results and the simulations.
Energy Consumption Monitoring System Based on IoT for Residential Rooftops
Authors: Himer Sarah El , Ouaissa Mariyam , Ouaissa Mariya , Krichen Moez , Alswailim Mohannad , Almutiq Mutiq
Published: April 2023

This work aims to create a web-based real-time monitoring system for electrical energy consumption inside a specific residence. This electrical energy is generated from a micro-CPV system lying on the roof of this residence. The micro-CPV is composed of a Fresnel lens as the main optical element, a spherical lens as the secondary optical element, and a multi-junction solar cell. A tiny photovoltaic concentrator system with a geometric concentration ratio of 100× is analyzed in the first part of this study, while the second part is designed to monitor the electricity generated by the micro-CPV system. An ESP8266 controller chipset is used to build the sensing peripheral node, which controls a relay and a PZEM-004T current sensor. As a result, the optical element used has approximately 83% optical efficiency, with an acceptance angle of 1.5°. Regarding the monitoring system, the architecture demonstrates the ability of the system to monitor current and energy consumption in real time using a computer or smartphone and a web server specially designed to continuously update the power consumption profile in a specific smart home environment. The whole electric power consumption monitoring system generally worked well. The monitoring system is configured to provide excellent accuracy for a 0.6% hit.
Regulatory Requirements for Exporting Cosmetic Products to Extra-EU Countries
Authors: Morel Silvia , Sapino Simona , Peira Elena , Chirio Daniela , Gallarate Marina
Published: April 2023

In this study, an overview of the regulations in force in some extra-EU states belonging to different geoeconomic areas is provided, starting from the current EU legislation on cosmetic products. We focused on their legislative frameworks and the location of the relevant regulatory documentation. Furthermore, for each state considered, our analysis examined the notification/authorization processes, approaches to animal testing, and allowed/prohibited ingredient lists, as these aspects are considered to be among the primary restrictions hindering the cosmetic market. It can be observed that many states are working towards standardising their regulations to promote greater international trade. However, it is essential to recognize that different countries belonging to distinct geoeconomic areas may have unique requirements, and harmonization may not necessarily be the best solution. It is crucial to consider different needs and preferences when approaching the global regulation of the cosmetic industry.
Predictive Role of Sociodemographic and Health Factors on Psychological Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey
Authors: Çay Şevval , Şen Beyzanur , Tanaydın Atacan , Tosun Büşra , Zerey Anıl , Karakale Özge
Published: April 2023

Recent global changes, including increased health risks and economic instability associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, highlight the need for mental health researchers to regularly and frequently monitor sociodemographic shifts. To minimise the risk of psychological complications arising from adverse events, we need to identify and understand the factors linked to psychological resilience in different populations. To this end, we collected data in Turkey during the third wave of the pandemic (June 2021). The aims were to identify how the level of perceived psychological resilience changed: (1) across sociodemographic groups (age, gender, perceived economic security, caregiver status, perceived socioeconomic status, education level, perceived social isolation, and presence of acquaintances who had contracted COVID-19); (2) across health groups (smoking status, psychological or chronic illness status, and having had COVID-19); and (3) in relation to changes in fear of COVID-19. Regression analyses showed that age, gender, economic security, socioeconomic status, and illness status were factors influencing resilience, and fear of COVID-19 was negatively correlated with resilience. Young adults, females, nonbinary individuals, a low socioeconomic status, and economically insecure groups as well as people with a psychological condition were identified as lower resilience groups. The results provide insights about the predictors of perceived psychological resilience during a global crisis and help identify vulnerable populations.
Self-Separation of a Single Ultrashort Light Pulse in the Parametric Raman Anti-Stokes Laser Based on a CaMoO4 Crystal under Intracavity Synchronous Pumping
Authors: Tereshchenko Dmitry P. , Smetanin Sergei N. , Papashvili Alexander G. , Kochukov Yury A. , Titov Anatoly I. , Shashkov Evgeny V. , Lapina Maria D. , Shukshin Vladislav E. , Subbotin Kirill A. , Lis Denis A.
Published: April 2023

The effect of the self-separation of a single ultrashort light pulse of a parametric Raman CaMoO4 laser with birefringence phase matching under intracavity synchronous pumping by a mode-locked 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is experimentally investigated and theoretically simulated. The conditions for the self-separation effect for the single ultrashort pulse at an anti-Stokes wavelength of 973 nm with the pulse duration of 9 ps and the pulse energy of up to 9 μJ are defined.
Study on Band Gap Characteristics of Phononic Crystal Double-Layer Beam Structure Attached by Multilayer Cylinder
Authors: Zhang Zexin , Qian Denghui , Zou Peng
Published: April 2023

Intended for the vibration and noise control problems faced by many engineering fields, a fresh variety of phononic crystal beam structure was constructed by attaching a one-dimensional periodic multilayer cylinder to a double-layer beam structure. Utilizing the finite element method and the Bloch theorem, the vibration modes of the band structure, the critical point of the band gap and the associated finite structure’s vibration transmission is estimated, and then the band gap characteristics of the structure are comprehensively studied. The results show that reasonable parameter design can achieve vibration and noise control in a certain frequency range. Based on the modal analysis, the mechanism of band gap opening is revealed. By comparing the single-layer beam and double-layer beam with the same parameters, the advantages of the double-layer beam in vibration reduction and noise reduction are shown. The study’s findings offer a fresh concept for ship engineering disciplines including vibration and noise reduction technology.
Structural and Surface Changes of SiO2 Flint Aggregates under Thermal Treatment for Potential Valorization
Authors: Oufakir Abdelhamid , Khouchaf Lahcen
Published: April 2023

In order to extend their use, controlled SiOH SiO2 surfaces were fabricated and investigated. A study of the effect of heat treatment on the structural and surface changes of a natural flint SiO2 aggregate subjected to chemical treatment was carried out. The obtained samples were subjected to thermal treatment at three different temperatures: 500, 700, and 1000 °C. The samples were investigated using different techniques. X-ray diffractions (XRD) were used to follow the structure’s evolution with the heat treatment. The decrease in the FWHM of the SiO2-(101) peak showed that the crystalline quality improved upon heating. This result was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of the SiO2 samples was characterized using a Variable Pressure scanning electron microscope (VP-SEM), revealing the presence of disordered needles of nanometric sizes (∼500 nm) on the surface of the grains, which could be eliminated by heating at higher temperatures. Furthermore, FTIR spectroscopy also confirmed that heating caused a reduction in OH groups on the surface. Thermogravimetry (TG) was used as the reference method to determine the hydroxyl group content. The OH groups found on the surface of the sample without and with heat treatment at 500, 700, and 1000 °C were 0.83, 0.44, 0.28, and 0.2 mmol/g, respectively. This study allowed us to obtain a controlled SiO2 surface and provides new insights into the use of SiO2 flint surfaces for new applications as a functional filler in polymers/asphalts composites.
A Clinicopathological Analysis of Asian Patients with Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Tsai Wen-Hsuan , Dai Shuen-Han , Lee Chun-Chuan , Chien Ming-Nan , Zeng Yi-Hong
Published: April 2023

Background: There is limited information regarding the immunohistochemistry stain and its prognostic role in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), and few studies focus on Asian patients. Our study aims to identify the correlation between immunohistochemistry staining and the prognosis of ACC in Asian patients. Methods: We searched the database of a single center in Taiwan for cases with a pathological diagnosis of ACC in the past 25 years. We collected patient data on age, sex, initial presentation, staging, metastatic site, and survival duration. Immunohistochemical studies using antibodies to CDK4, ATRX, beta-catenin, Ki-67, SSTR2, and p53 were performed. Survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test, the Cox proportional hazards model and bootstrapping with 5000 samplings. Results: Fourteen patients were identified, and the median age was 49.5 (range 1–70) years. There were eight male and six female patients. Four patients presented with Cushing’s syndrome, and half were diagnosed with stage IV ACC at presentation. Only three patients survived (21%). The median survival time was 15.5 (range 0.67–244) months. SSTR2 expression score > 50 (log-rank test: p = 0.009) and Ki-67 > 50% (log-rank test: p = 0.017) were associated with mortality. However, after adjusting for stage, the bootstrapping analysis demonstrated that Ki-67 [B 2.04, p = 0.004], Beta-catenin [B 2.19, p = 0.009], ATRX [B 1.48, p = 0.026], P53 [B 1.58, p = 0.027], SSTR2 [B 1.58, p = 0.015] and SSTR2 expression score [B 0.03, p < 0.001] were all significantly associated with mortality. Conclusions: After adjusting for stage, Ki-67 > 50%, Beta-catenin, ATRX, P53, SSTR2 and SSTR2 expression score > 50 were associated with mortality in Asian patients with ACC.
Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Targeted by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Cognitive Fusion
Authors: Drăgoescu Petru Octavian , Drocaș Andrei Ioan , Drăgoescu Alice Nicoleta , Pădureanu Vlad , Pănuș Andrei , Stănculescu Andreea Doriana , Radu Mihai Alexandru , Florescu Lucian Mihai , Gheonea Ioana Andreea , Mirea Cecil , Mitroi George
Published: April 2023

Prostate cancer is among the most frequently diagnosed cancers and a leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Currently, the most reliable and widely used imaging test for prostate cancer diagnosis is multiparametric pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). Modern biopsy techniques are based on the computerised merging of ultrasound and MRI images to provide better vision during the biopsy procedure (Fusion Biopsy). However, the method is expensive due to high equipment cost. Cognitive fusion of ultrasound and MRI images has recently emerged as a cheaper and easier alternative to computerised fusion. The aim of this prospective study is to perform an in-patient comparison of the systematic prostate biopsy procedure (SB) vs. cognitive fusion (CF) guided prostate biopsy method in terms of safety, ease of use, cancer detection rate and clinically significant cancer detection. We enrolled 103 patients with suspected prostate cancer that were biopsy naive, with PSA > 4 ng/dL and PIRADS score of 3, 4 or 5. All patients received a transperineal standard 12–18 cores systematic biopsy (SB) and a four-cores targeted cognitive fusion (CF) biopsy. Following the prostate biopsy, 68% of the patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer (70/103 patients). SB diagnosis rate was 62% while CF biopsy was slightly better with a 66% rate. There was a significant 20% increase in clinically significant prostate cancer detection rate for the CF compared to SB (p < 0.05) and a significant prostate cancer risk upgrade from the low to the intermediate risk category (13%, p = 0.041). Transperineal cognitive fusion targeted prostate biopsy is a straightforward biopsy method that is easy to perform and is a safe alternative to standard systematic biopsy with improved significant cancer detection accuracy. A combined targeted and systematic approach should be used for the best diagnostic results.
18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT Compared with Current Imaging Procedures for Preoperative Localization of Hyperfunctioning Parathyroids in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Aymard Samuel , Leroy-Freschini Benjamin , Kaseb Ashjan , Marx David , Helali Mehdi , Averous Gerlinde , Betz Valérie , Riehm Sophie , Vix Michel , Perrin Peggy , Imperiale Alessio
Published: April 2023

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) includes secondary (sHPT) and tertiary hyperparathyroidism (tHPT). Considering that the role of preoperative imaging in the clinical setting is controversial, in the present study we have retrospectively compared pre-surgical diagnostic performances of 18F-Fluorocholine (18F-FCH) PET/CT, cervical ultrasonography (US), parathyroid scintigraphy, and 4D-CT in a group of 30 patients with CKD and HPT (18/12 sHPT/tHPT), 21 CKD G5 including 18 in dialysis, and 9 kidney transplant recipients. All patients underwent 18F-FCH, and 22 had cervical US, 12 had parathyroid scintigraphy, and 11 had 4D-CT. Histopathology was the gold standard. Seventy-four parathyroids were removed: 65 hyperplasia, 6 adenomas, and 3 normal glands. In the whole population, in a per gland analysis, 18F-FCH PET/CT was significantly more sensitive and accurate (72%, 71%) than neck US (25%, 43%), parathyroid scintigraphy (35%, 47%), and 4D-CT (40%, 47%). The specificity of 18F-FCH PET/CT (69%) was lower than that of neck US (95%) and parathyroid scintigraphy (90%), without, however, achieving significance. 18F-FCH PET/CT was more accurate than all other diagnostic techniques when sHPT and tHPT patients were considered separately. 18F-FCH PET/CT sensitivity was significantly higher in tHPT (88%) than in sHPT (66%). Three ectopic hyperfunctioning glands (in three different patients) were all detected by 18F-FCH PET/CT, two by parathyroid scintigraphy, and none by cervical US and 4D-CT. Our study confirms that 18F-FCH PET/CT is an effective preoperative imaging option in patients with CKD and HPT. These findings may be of greater importance in patients with tHPT (who could benefit from minimally invasive parathyroidectomy) than in patients with sHPT, who often undergo bilateral cervicotomy. In these cases, preoperative 18F-FCH PET/CT may be helpful in locating ectopic glands and may guide the surgical choice for gland preservation.
Validation of an Automated Cardiothoracic Ratio Calculation for Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Chou Hsin-Hsu , Lin Jin-Yi , Shen Guan-Ting , Huang Chih-Yuan
Published: April 2023

Cardiomegaly is associated with poor clinical outcomes and is assessed by routine monitoring of the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) from chest X-rays (CXRs). Judgment of the margins of the heart and lungs is subjective and may vary between different operators. Methods: Patients aged > 19 years in our hemodialysis unit from March 2021 to October 2021 were enrolled. The borders of the lungs and heart on CXRs were labeled by two nephrologists as the ground truth (nephrologist-defined mask). We implemented AlbuNet-34, a U-Net variant, to predict the heart and lung margins from CXR images and to automatically calculate the CTRs. Results: The coefficient of determination (R2) obtained using the neural network model was 0.96, compared with an R2 of 0.90 obtained by nurse practitioners. The mean difference between the CTRs calculated by the nurse practitioners and senior nephrologists was 1.52 ± 1.46%, and that between the neural network model and the nephrologists was 0.83 ± 0.87% (p < 0.001). The mean CTR calculation duration was 85 s using the manual method and less than 2 s using the automated method (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study confirmed the validity of automated CTR calculations. By achieving high accuracy and saving time, our model can be implemented in clinical practice.
Synchrotron X-ray Studies of the Structural and Functional Hierarchies in Mineralised Human Dental Enamel: A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Besnard Cyril , Marie Ali , Sasidharan Sisini , Harper Robert A. , Shelton Richard M. , Landini Gabriel , Korsunsky Alexander M.
Published: April 2023

Hard dental tissues possess a complex hierarchical structure that is particularly evident in enamel, the most mineralised substance in the human body. Its complex and interlinked organisation at the Ångstrom (crystal lattice), nano-, micro-, and macro-scales is the result of evolutionary optimisation for mechanical and functional performance: hardness and stiffness, fracture toughness, thermal, and chemical resistance. Understanding the physical–chemical–structural relationships at each scale requires the application of appropriately sensitive and resolving probes. Synchrotron X-ray techniques offer the possibility to progress significantly beyond the capabilities of conventional laboratory instruments, i.e., X-ray diffractometers, and electron and atomic force microscopes. The last few decades have witnessed the accumulation of results obtained from X-ray scattering (diffraction), spectroscopy (including polarisation analysis), and imaging (including ptychography and tomography). The current article presents a multi-disciplinary review of nearly 40 years of discoveries and advancements, primarily pertaining to the study of enamel and its demineralisation (caries), but also linked to the investigations of other mineralised tissues such as dentine, bone, etc. The modelling approaches informed by these observations are also overviewed. The strategic aim of the present review was to identify and evaluate prospective avenues for analysing dental tissues and developing treatments and prophylaxis for improved dental health.
Encryption of Color Images with an Evolutionary Framework Controlled by Chaotic Systems
Authors: Man Xinpeng , Song Yinglei
Published: April 2023

In the past decade, a large amount of important digital data has been created and stored in the form of color images; the protection of such data from undesirable accesses has become an important problem in information security. In this paper, a new approach based on an evolutionary framework is proposed for the secure encryption of color images. The image contents in a color image are first fully scrambled with a sequence of bit-level operations determined by a number of integer keys. A scrambled image is then encrypted with keys generated from an evolutionary process controlled by a set of chaotic systems. Analysis and experiments show that the proposed approach can generate encrypted color images with high security. In addition, the performance of the proposed approach is compared with that of a few state-of-the-art approaches for color image encryption. The results of the comparison suggest that the proposed approach outperforms the other approaches in the overall security of encrypted images. The proposed approach is thus potentially useful for applications that require color image encryption.
The Influence of Absorption and Need for Cognition on Students’ Learning Outcomes in Educational Robot-Supported Projects
Authors: Pellas Nikolaos , Tzafilkou Katerina
Published: April 2023

The field of educational technology has made significant strides, offering cost-effective multimedia tools and physical resources to facilitate both formal and informal teaching methods in computer science, with a particular emphasis on the development of computational thinking (CT) and programming skills. However, there is a lack of research focusing on practice-based tasks, such as Internet of Things (IoT) projects, for undergraduate students to demonstrate and program educational robots using digital and physical-supported instructional approaches. Specifically, there have been no studies examining the association between students’ learning outcomes and their absorption and need for cognition on different platforms, such as Scratch and LEGO® WeDo. This study aims to provide empirical evidence by comparing the impact of two different platforms commonly used in programming courses to teach undergraduate students how to design, develop, and program IoT projects using educational robots. A quasi-experimental study was carried out to examine whether there were any significant variations in students’ CT skills and programming development, as well as to evaluate their learning outcomes with regard to their need for cognition and absorption when they applied their coding expertise to real-world IoT projects. As a point of reference (control condition), twenty students (n = 20) utilized LEGO® WeDo robotics kits and Scratch for coding tasks, which is the most familiar instructional approach. In the intervention approach (experimental condition), thirty-seven students (n = 37) used LEGO® WeDo robotics kits and their software to learn how to code their educational robots. Participants from the latter group learned how to design and demonstrate the program and showed superior CT skills and programming skills development than their counterparts in the control group who used Scratch. Furthermore, the results indicate that students with higher levels of CT skills and programming execution reveal lower absorption but a higher need for cognition in educational robot-supported IoT projects.
Distributed Economic Control Method for Energy Storage Unit with Random Time Delay
Authors: Chen Shi , Gong Qingwu , Chen Jing , Fang Li
Published: April 2023

The operation cost waste in the charge and discharge process cannot be ignored for islanded microgrids with energy storage units. Different from the economic dispatch methods focused on the power pricing and bid coefficient in the tertiary control layer, this paper designed a power management algorithm for the economic operation of energy storage units in the secondary control layer. The strategy is devoted to minimizing the total charge power cost of energy storage units while satisfying the constraint of power balance. Meanwhile, the maximized allowable delay bounds were derived to guarantee the communication network reliability when against random time delays. The system stability was analyzed by the Lyapunov functions. Finally, the numerical simulations on the modified IEEE 30 feeder model verify the superiority of the provided algorithm.
A Novel Architecture of a Six Degrees of Freedom Parallel Platform
Authors: Gu Qiuxiang , Tian Jiawei , Yang Bo , Liu Mingzhe , Gu Borui , Yin Zhengtong , Yin Lirong , Zheng Wenfeng
Published: April 2023

With the rapid development of the manufacturing industry, industrial automation equipment represented by computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools has put forward higher and higher requirements for the machining accuracy of parts. Compared with the multi-axis serial platform solution, the parallel platform solution is theoretically more suitable for high-precision machining equipment. There are many parallel platform solutions, but not one can provide a common physical platform to test the effectiveness of a variety of control algorithms. To achieve the goals, this paper is based on the Stewart six degrees of freedom parallel platform, and it mainly studies the platform construction. This study completed the mechanical structure design of the parallel platform. Based on the microprogrammed control unit (MCU) + pre-driver chip + three-phase full bridge solution, we have completed the circuit design of the motor driver. We wrote the program of MCU to drive six parallel robotic arms as well as the program of the parallel platform control center on the PC, and we completed the system joint debugging. The closed-loop control effect of the parallel platform workspace pose is realized.
Study on Electromagnetic Radiation Characteristics Based on HTS Maglev Levitation Test Line
Authors: Zhang Hu , Zhang Jianqiong , Deng Zigang , Wang Qingfeng , Li Xiangqiang , Tang Xianfeng , Zhang Weihua
Published: April 2023

As a new type of magnetic levitation train with the characteristics of self-stabilization and self-suspension, high-temperature superconducting magnetic levitation has developed to the test line research stage. In order to promote the rapid development of high-temperature superconducting magnetic levitation train engineering, and the main electromagnetic radiation sources are clarified by analyzing their working principles and structures. Then Ansoft Maxwell EM was used to build a 3D magnetic levitation train electromagnetic environment simulation model to simulate and predict the electromagnetic radiation characteristics of the magnetic levitation train system. Finally, a field EMF test was carried out to verify and assess the impact on the EM environment in the system. The results show that the permanent magnet track on the ground and the synchronous linear motor are the primary electromagnetic radiation sources, and the generated fields are mainly low-frequency fields and static magnetic fields. The low-frequency magnetic field inside the train decreases with the increase of frequency and is partially shielded by the carriage; The static magnetic field cannot be weakened by the carriage, and the static magnetic field inside the car decreases with the increase of height. All types of electromagnetic fields are far below the requirements of the relevant electromagnetic environmental standard limits, and have no effect on the electromagnetic radiation safety of the personnel inside the train and the surrounding environment; In considering of the special people who have pacemakers, static magnetic field suppression measures are studied, and the results show that the trains with high magnetic permeability permalloy as the shielding layer at the bottom of the vehicle greatly lower the static magnetic field within the train.
Segmentation Can Aid Detection: Segmentation-Guided Single Stage Detection for 3D Point Cloud
Authors: Wang Xueqing , Zhang Diankun , Niu Haoyu , Liu Xiaojun
Published: April 2023

Detecting accurate 3D bounding boxes from point cloud data plays an essential role in autonomous driving. However, improving performance requires more complex models, which come with high memory and computational cost. In this work, we design a Segmentation-Guided Auxiliary Network (SGAN) to improve the localization quality of detection. The points from different levels are concatenated to generate the multi-scale feature for the points used for prediction, i.e., candidate points. SGAN is jointly optimized by two tasks of candidate points—segmentation and center estimation—and it is only used in training and therefore introduces no extra computation in the inference stage. Furthermore, we consider that point-based detectors suffer from the outline points of sampling, so we explore the correlation between the data and propose the Point Cloud External Attention (PCEA) to extract the semantic features with a low memory cost. Our method SGSSD achieves a large margin against the baseline on the KITTI and Waymo datasets, and it runs at 25 FPS for inference on the KITTI test set with a single NVIDIA RTX 3090.