bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fish MicroRNA Responses to Thermal Stress: Insights and Implications for Aquaculture and Conservation Amid Global Warming
Authors: Lin Ting , Meegaskumbura Madhava
Published: February 2025

In the context of global warming, heat tolerance is becoming a crucial physiological trait influencing fish species’ distribution and survival. While our understanding of fish heat tolerance and stress has expanded from behavioral studies to transcriptomic analyses, knowledge at the transcriptomic level is still limited. Recently, the highly conserved microRNAs (miRNAs) have provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms of heat stress in fish. This review systematically examines current research across three main reference databases to elucidate the universal responses and mechanisms of fish miRNAs under heat stress. Our initial screening of 569 articles identified 13 target papers for comprehensive analysis. Among these, at least 214 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were found, with 15 DEMs appearing in at least two studies (12 were upregulated and 13 were downregulated). The 15 recurrent DEMs were analyzed using DIANA mirPath v.3 and the microT-CDS v5.0 database to identify potential target genes. The results suggest that multiple miRNAs target various genes, forming a complex network that regulates glucose and energy metabolism, maintains homeostasis, and modulates inflammation and immune responses. Significantly, miR-1, miR-122, let-7a, and miR-30b were consistently differentially expressed in multiple studies, indicating their potential relevance in heat stress responses. However, these miRNAs should not be considered definitive biomarkers without further validation. Future research should focus on experimentally confirming their regulatory roles through functional assays, conducting transcriptomic comparisons across different species, and performing target validation studies. These miRNAs, conserved across species, could be valuable for monitoring wild fish health, enhancing aquaculture breeding, and guiding conservation strategies. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms of these miRNAs need clarification to confirm their reliability as biomarkers for thermal stress.
Ultrasound Shear Wave Speed of the Transverse Carpal Ligament During Pinching
Authors: Jordan David B. , Elfar John C. , Kwoh C. Kent , Li Zong-Ming
Published: February 2025

The thumb and transverse carpal ligament (TCL) have an anatomical connection and biomechanical interaction. Understanding the in vivo mechanics of this interaction is valuable for the study of hand and wrist biomechanics. The objective of this study was to quantify this biomechanical interaction using shear wave elastography. The hands and forearms of healthy volunteers (n = 11) were submerged in water. A pinch meter was placed between the thumb and index finger. An ultrasound transducer was placed at the distal carpal tunnel to image the cross section. Ultrasound and shear wave elastography images were taken for pinch forces of 0, 10, 20, and 30 N. The shear wave speed (SWS) was measured on the TCL. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for comparisons (α = 0.05). SWS increased with increasing pinch force (p = 0.007). The SWS changed by 0.27 m/s [95% CI: (−0.01 m/s, 0.55 m/s); p = 0.0572], 0.54 m/s [95% CI: (0.07 m/s, 1.01 m/s); p = 0.0294] and 0.83 m/s [95% CI: (0.27 m/s, 1.39 m/s); p = 0.0079] when the pinch force was increased from 0 to 10 N, 0 to 20 N and 0 to 30 N. TCL SWS increases with in vivo loading.
Case Study on the Failure Characteristics and Energy Evolution of Three Types of Hole-Fissured Sandstone Under Wetting–Drying Cycles
Authors: Lou Peijie , Ji Penghui , Sun Lichen , Pan Yue
Published: February 2025

Engineering structures, including rock slopes and embankments, are vulnerable to wetting–drying cycles caused by tidal shifts and rainfall, which exacerbate mechanical degradation in hole-fissured sandstone. This study investigated the effects of 0, 10, and 20 wetting–drying cycles on sandstone samples using uniaxial compression tests combined with digital image correlation (DIC), computed tomography (CT), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that wetting–drying cycles progressively reduced peak strength and the elastic modulus while increasing macroscopic crack quantity and width. Internal crack networks simplified, transitioning from tensile-dominated to combined tensile–shear and shear failure modes. An energy analysis showed diminished energy storage capacity—both the total energy density at peak stress and elastic strain energy density declined with increasing cycle numbers, whereas dissipated energy density decreased initially before rising. SEM observations indicated that wetting–drying cycles enhanced the surface roughness of the sandstone, characterized by a scaly texture, thereby compromising its structural integrity. This study provides a theoretical basis for stability and safety assessments of protective engineering systems.
Utilizing Soft Computing Techniques to Estimate the Axial Permanent Deformation of Asphalt Concrete
Authors: Albayati Amjad H. , Jweihan Yazeed S. , Al-Kheetan Mazen J.
Published: February 2025

Rutting is a crucial concern impacting asphalt concrete pavements’ stability and long-term performance, negatively affecting vehicle drivers’ comfort and safety. This research aims to evaluate the permanent deformation of pavement under different traffic and environmental conditions using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) prediction model. The model was built based on the outcomes of an experimental uniaxial repeated loading test of 306 cylindrical specimens. Twelve independent variables representing the materials’ properties, mix design parameters, loading settings, and environmental conditions were implemented in the model, resulting in a total of 3214 data points. The network accomplished high prediction accuracy with an R2 of 0.93 and a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.0039. Results based on the sensitivity analysis and variable importance techniques showed that the percentage of aggregate passing the 4.75 mm sieve and the (rice) theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm) were the most significant factors in predicting axial permanent strain (εp). Furthermore, the connection weight method highlighted input variables’ distinct positive and negative impacts on permanent deformation.
Exploring Lower Limb Biomechanical Differences in Competitive Aerobics Athletes of Different Ability Levels During Rotational Jump Landings
Authors: Ge Qincheng , Xu Datao , Zhang Zanni , Baker Julien S. , Zhou Huiyu
Published: February 2025

High-level (HL) and low-level (LL) competitive aerobics athletes demonstrate different landing patterns during rotational jump landings, resulting in differing risks of lower limb injuries. This research aimed to investigate biomechanical differences between different levels of competitive aerobics athletes during rotational jump landings. The subjects included 15 male HL athletes and 15 LL athletes. This study captured kinematics, kinetics, muscle activation, and muscle force data, calculating joint stiffness, energy dissipation, anterior tibial shear force (ATSF), and patellofemoral joint contact force (PTF). LL athletes demonstrated significantly greater ankle dorsiflexion, inversion, and internal rotation angles; knee abduction angle and moment, internal rotation angle and moment; and smaller ankle plantarflexion moment and knee flexion angle. They also showed lower calf muscle coactivation, PTF, joint stiffness at the knee and hip, and the energy dissipation of the ankle and lower limb; greater thigh muscle coactivation and ATSF. The results show that LL athletes exhibit poorer stability at the ankle and knee joints, with a higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and ankle inversion injuries during rotational jump landings. To lower these risks, LL athletes should increase the flexion angle of the knee, hip, and ankle plantarflexion during landing.
Clinical Aspects of Mental Imagery in Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementia: A Review of Cognitive, Motor, and Emotional Interventions
Authors: Christakou Anna , Pavlou Marousa , Stranjalis George , Sakellari Vasiliki
Published: February 2025

The present review describes the use and effectiveness of mental imagery in Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia. Six databases were thoroughly searched from January 2010 to December 2024. Different types of studies were retrieved and reviewed for imagery of the motor, cognitive, and emotional states and quality of life of the elderly with dementia. Although the scarce results showed the positive effect of mental imagery to the every-day life of older adults with dementia, more research should be conducted with larger homogenous samples and more valid tools. Future recommendations are provided.
The Relationship Between Anti-Transgender Experiences (A Proxy for Minority Stress) and Heavy Alcohol Use Among Transgender Adults
Authors: Klein Hugh , Washington Thomas Alex
Published: February 2025

Purpose: Although several studies have shown a relationship between anti-transgender experiences and binge drinking and/or hazardous drinking, very little research has examined how these experiences relate to heavy drinking. That is the focus of this study. Methods: This paper uses data from the 2015 National Transgender Survey, and is based on a sample of 17,367 transgender adults residing in the United States. Analyses compare three groups: current “regular” drinkers (drank at least some alcohol during the previous month but no days consuming five or more drinks) (n = 10,496), binge drinkers (consumption of five or more drinks on at least one occasion during the previous month) (n = 4977), and heavy drinkers (five or more drinks per day on five or more days during the previous month) (n = 1894). The paper focuses on how anti-transgender experiences with harassment, discrimination, and/or violence (a 20-item scale measure, Cronbach’s alpha = 0.76) are related to people’s classification as current drinkers versus binge drinkers versus heavy drinkers. Results: 13.8% of the participants met the criteria for heavy drinking; 26.4% more were classified as binge drinkers. The more anti-transgender experiences people had, the more likely they were to engage in heavy drinking. Multivariate analyses revealed that this relationship was a robust one, holding up even when numerous other potentially confounding control measures were included in the analyses. Conclusions: Anti-transgender experiences are a strong predictor of heavy drinking. This type of minority stressor is an important consideration when understanding what leads many transgender individuals to become heavy drinkers.
Balancing Construction Costs and Environmental and Social Performances in High-Rise Urban Development: A Generative Urban Design Approach
Authors: Du Peng , Little Geoffrey , Romero Erick
Published: February 2025

The urban design process is complex and interdisciplinary, especially in the context of high-density cities with high-rise buildings. The design of high-rise buildings requires input from a variety of stakeholders in the city, who often represent conflicting requirements and interests. However, conventional design approaches struggle to address this complexity. This study introduced a generative urban design approach and applied it to a case study for high-rise urban development in Guangzhou, China. Specifically, 7500 urban forms were generated with variables such as street networks, block offset, building typology, and green space, and then were evaluated and optimized via multi-objective evolutionary algorithms. A total of 30,000 performance values were generated through various simulations. This study also presented a two-round, quantitative evaluation process against eight performance objectives from environmental, social, and economic aspects, including urban density, green space area, Daylight Potential, construction cost, Heat Stress, Green Space Accessibility, View Interest, and Shadow Impact.
A Systematic Evaluation of the Empirical Relationships Between the Resilient Modulus and Permanent Deformation of Pavement Materials
Authors: Yang Zeping , Sun Junyu , Zhang Yupeng , Liu Jiarui , Oh Erwin , Ma Zhanguo
Published: February 2025

The resilient modulus (Mr) and permanent deformation of subgrade soils are key indicators for assessing pavement performance under repeated traffic loads. Although numerous studies have confirmed their importance in pavement design and performance prediction, a systematic review of empirical relationships and scientific knowledge is lacking, resulting in insufficient integration and application of current findings. To address these issues, this study systematically reviews laboratory and field-testing methods based on over 200 published papers, summarizes common empirical equations, and focuses on the feasibility and advantages of integrating AI to predict Mr. Meanwhile, by examining the main factors that influence Mr and permanent deformation, this study synthesizes and evaluates existing research to identify potential gaps. Findings indicate that laboratory and field tests effectively capture the mechanical behavior of pavement materials, and incorporating AI technology in modulus prediction enhances accuracy and efficiency while managing complex influencing factors. However, existing empirical equations have not been fully integrated with emerging technologies for validation and optimization, and some predictive models remain limited in terms of applicability and generalizability. This review highlights the need to refine empirical relationships for the resilient modulus using stochastic methods and AI techniques, thereby facilitating a more comprehensive integration of the latest testing technologies and computational tools. This research is of great significance for advancing sustainable pavement design, optimizing maintenance strategies, and guiding future research directions.
Generation of Optimal FRP Layout for Strengthening Damaged Structures with a Local Displacement Constraint
Authors: Yuan Ping , Cai Yafu , Wang Guodong , Zhang Xuhui , Dai Lizhao
Published: February 2025

Structural deflection is a critical factor used for evaluating the effectiveness of reinforcement. This study proposes a method for generating FRP layouts with a local displacement constraint to strengthen damaged structures. A local displacement constraint strategy is developed using the Lagrange multiplier method, integrating the constraint into the objective function and transforming the problem into an unconstrained optimization framework. The design sensitivity formula for strengthening damaged structures is derived based on this displacement-constrained strategy. Additionally, an automatic adjustment strategy of the Lagrange multiplier is given based on the bisection method. Finally, the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method are illustrated through case studies on damaged RC beams, slabs, and arches. The FRP configurations under various constraints are discussed and compared with the results generated by the BESO method. Results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively generate FRP configurations for damaged RC structures.
Research on the Spatial Location Design of Guidance Signage Systems to Connect the Space of Transit-Orientated Development Sites Based on Multi-Software Analysis
Authors: Ma Xue , Yang Qingjuan
Published: February 2025

In the context of intensive urban development strategies, the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model has emerged as a crucial strategy, requiring a high degree of integration of various functional spaces and traffic flows in transport stations. Complex spaces and traffic flows require an effective Guidance Signage System design to ensure efficient guidance and easy transfers. In order to choose the spatial location of the Guidance Signage System in the connecting space of TOD stations and to improve the efficiency of their guidance and visual saliency, three types of connecting space, namely, channel bifurcation nodes, atrium threshold zones, and sunken plaza interface areas were selected. In total, 18 signage system setup areas were derived from the overlapping visual domains of signage and human visual domains using the Depthmap10 and Massmotion11.5 software (six areas in each type of articulation space), which were then combined with eye-tracking technology to analyze the visual saliency of the signage system’s layout position on the passengers. The experiments show that the signage location affects passengers’ visual attention to a certain extent, and there are differences in the location of high display degrees in different connecting spaces, which require differentiated layouts. This paper summarizes the best spatial location design strategy for the Guidance Signage System according to different connecting spaces, providing more scientific guidance for the spatial location design of the Guidance Signage System for sites connecting spaces. This is essential for enhancing user navigation efficiency, minimizing confusion, and improving overall spatial usability in complex environments.
Validation of the International Medullary Thyroid Cancer Grading System and Identification of EZH2 as a Prognostic and Potential Therapeutic Marker in Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Jager Eline C. , van Hemel Bettien M. , Rutgers Bea , Zandee Wouter T. , Jansen Liesbeth , Kruijff Schelto , Links Thera P.
Published: February 2025

Background: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a heterogeneous disease. While the International MTC Grading System (IMTCGS) provides baseline risk stratification, it lacks therapeutic relevance. In several cancers, EZH2 overexpression harbors an adverse prognosis, with several EZH2 inhibitors undergoing investigation. This study validated the IMTCGS and examined the prognostic value of EZH2 and other biomarkers. Methods: Clinical data were collected and MTC specimens were retrospectively reviewed and morphologically assessed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of Ki-67 allowed IMTCGS validation. IHC of EZH2, PD-L1 and PSMA was evaluated on a tissue microarray (TMA). Results: Of 64 MTCs, the median tumor size was 28 mm (IQR 15–40). Coagulative necrosis, ≥5 mitoses, and Ki-67 ≥ 5% was seen in nineteen (30%), three (5%) and seven (11%) cases. Median Ki-67 was 0.9% (IQR 0.4–2.1). Forty-three (67%) and twenty-one (33%) were classified as IMTCGS low- and high-risk, respectively. High-risk tumors were associated with lower distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (HR 5.651, p = 0.017), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (HR 18.323, p < 0.001) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR 10.001, p = 0.002), but not with overall survival (OS) (HR 2.109, p = 0.146). EZH2 expression was identified in 39/46 (85%) cases on the TMA. An expression of ≥10% (9/46, 20%) was predictive for DMFS (HR 4.747, p = 0.030), LRFS (HR 4.242, 0.039), DSS (HR 19.736, p < 0.001) and OS (HR 8.386, p = 0.004). PD-L1 and PSMA had no prognostic value. Conclusions: This study validates the prognostic value of the IMTCGS and identifies EZH2 as a novel prognostic biomarker in MTC patients. The therapeutic potential of EZH2 warrants further investigation in larger cohorts.
Postoperative Changes in Body Composition Predict Long-Term Prognosis in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Shuto Kiyohiko , Nabeya Yoshihiro , Mori Mikito , Yamazaki Masato , Kosugi Chihiro , Narushima Kazuo , Usui Akihiro , Nojima Hiroyuki , Shimizu Hiroaki , Koda Keiji
Published: February 2025

Background: Postoperative changes in body composition (BC) have not been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of postoperative comprehensive changes in BC on long-term prognosis in gastric cancer (GC) patients. Methods: A total of 366 GC patients who underwent radical gastrectomy were included. Postoperative changes in skeletal muscle volume, body fat volume, and skeletal muscle density were investigated at six months postoperatively using computed tomography and evaluated their association with long-term survival. Results: Patients with decreased muscle volume, decreased fat volume, and increased muscle density had a poor prognosis, respectively. When the risk scores based on these three BC parameters were applied, patients were classified from score 0 to 4, with survival rate declining as the scores improved: score 0, interim 5-year overall survival 94%; score 1, 82%; score 2, 73%; score 3, 56%; and score 4, 20%. BC change (score > 2) was an independent poor prognosticator (HR, 3.086; p < 0.001). Preoperative myosteatosis, high Charlson comorbidity, and total gastrectomy were identified as significant independent risk factors for BC change. Conclusions: Each of postoperative skeletal muscle loss, body fat loss, and muscle hyperdensity negatively affected prognosis of GC patients after surgery, and the BC risk scoring assessment well predicted the prognosis of postoperative patients with GC.
Dark Topics on Giant Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: A Systematic Review of 157 Cases
Authors: Santangelo Alfonso , Fernicola Agostino , Santangelo Domenico , Peluso Gaia , Calogero Armando , Crocetto Felice , Jamshidi Akbar , Pelosio Luigi , Scotti Alessandro , Tammaro Vincenzo , Tranquillo Valentina , Tammaro Dario , De Cocinis Carmen , Della Gaggia Francesca , Capezio Emanuela , Carlomagno Nicola , Santangelo Michele
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Giant Retroperitoneal Liposarcomas (giant RPLs) represent a rare malignant disease of adulthood that does not yet have a univocal definition in the scientific literature. The symptoms may be late, depending on the position and the size reached. The weight may exceed 20 kg, and the diameter 25 cm. The main treatment is the surgical approach. This systematic review aims to collect data from the present literature and to answer some questions on the nature of this pathology. Methods: We performed a search on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases using specific search strings. Non-English written articles and abstracts were excluded. Results: Dimensional, histological, and pathological data of giant RPLs were extracted and recorded in an electronic database, and charts were used to synthesize the results. We selected 126 manuscripts, all case reports and case series, and obtained data for 157 giant RPLs. The major axis varied from 15 to 80 cm, and the weight ranged between 2.5 and 98 kg. Sex distribution was homogenous. Age was reported 146 times, and almost 1/3 of the study population was under 50 years old. The most frequent hystotype reported was well-differentiated liposarcomas, while the rarest was pleomorphic liposarcomas. In 139 cases, the symptoms were reported and generally included a mass effect on surrounding organs. The exclusive surgical operation was the most frequent treatment option, and it included both the resection of the tumor and other organs involved. Chemo- and radiotherapy were also performed, in a few cases. In 36 reports, distant metastasis was suspected, but only 6 were effectively positive. Conclusions: Giant RPLs are a clinical entity that shares some common features with normal-size liposarcomas but are different in dimensions, age distribution, histologic prevalence, rate of incidental diagnosis, organ sparing, and R0 resection. More studies are needed to completely characterize these tumors.
Comparative Evaluation of Photocatalytic Efficiency Measurement Techniques Through Rhodamine B Degradation in TiO2-Based Cementitious Materials
Authors: Lessa Fabíula Pereira , Lima Orlando , Margalho Élida , Zahabizadeh Behzad , Cunha Vítor M. C. F. , Pereira Eduardo , Camões Aires , Costa Manuel F. M. , Rocha Segundo Iran , Carneiro Joaquim
Published: February 2025

Self-cleaning cementitious materials, particularly with TiO2-based photocatalytic coatings, offer significant benefits by reducing surface deterioration and maintenance requirements, even in harsh urban environments. Despite the growing interest in self-cleaning cementitious materials, an international standard test method to calculate their efficiency has not yet been established for this specific type of substrate. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare three different techniques for assessing the photocatalytic efficiency (PE) of cementitious materials coated with TiO2: (i) spectrophotometric colorimetry (SPC); (ii) digital image processing-based colorimetry (DIP); and (iii) UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV-Vis). Rhodamine B (RhB) was used as a model pollutant, and the photocatalytic efficiency was monitored under UV-Vis light. The results showed that each method has distinct advantages and specific challenges. SPC proved to be a practical and efficient approach, similarly to DIP, which was also accessible, providing reliable and accurate measurements. UV-Vis stood out for its precision but required careful application on cement-based substrates due to their unique porosity and adsorption characteristics. These results underscore the complementary potential of these techniques and highlight the importance of developing standardized protocols that integrate their strengths to facilitate the wider adoption of self-cleaning materials.
Latent Outlier Exposure in Real-Time Anomaly Detection at the Large Hadron Collider
Authors: Stern Thomas Dartnall , Mishra Amit Kumar , Keaveney James Michael
Published: February 2025

We propose a novel approach to real-time anomaly detection at the Large Hadron Collider, aimed at enhancing the discovery potential for new fundamental phenomena in particle physics. Our method leverages the Latent Outlier Exposure technique and is evaluated using three distinct anomaly detection models. Among these is a novel adaptation of the variational autoencoder’s reparameterisation trick, specifically optimised for anomaly detection. The models are validated on simulated datasets representing collider processes from the Standard Model and hypothetical Beyond the Standard Model scenarios. The results demonstrate significant advantages, particularly in addressing the formidable challenge of developing a signal-agnostic, hardware-level anomaly detection trigger for experiments at the Large Hadron Collider.
Texture Analysis in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography: A Systematic Review
Authors: Jan Yih-Kuen , Hung Isabella Yu-Ju , Cheung W. Catherine
Published: February 2025

Background: The objective of this systematic review was to summarize the findings of texture analyses of musculoskeletal ultrasound images and synthesize the information to facilitate the use of texture analysis on assessing skeletal muscle quality in various pathophysiological conditions. Methods: Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched from their inception until January 2025 using the PRISMA Diagnostic Test Accuracy and was registered at PROSPERO CRD42025636613. Information related to patients, interventions, ultrasound settings, texture analyses, muscles, and findings were extracted. The quality of evidence was evaluated using QUADAS-2. Results: A total of 38 studies using second-order and higher-order texture analysis met the criteria. The results indicated that no studies used an established reference standard (histopathology) to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound texture analysis in diagnosing muscle quality. Alternative reference standards were compared, including various physiological, pathological, and pre–post intervention comparisons using over 200+ texture features of various muscles on diverse pathophysiological conditions. Conclusions: The findings of these included studies demonstrating that ultrasound texture analysis was able to discriminate changes in muscle quality using texture analysis between patients with pathological conditions and healthy conditions, including popular gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM)-based contrast, correlation, energy, entropy, and homogeneity. Studies also demonstrated that texture analysis can discriminate muscle quality in various muscles under pathophysiological conditions although evidence is low because of bias in subject recruitment and lack of comparison with the established reference standard. This is the first systematic review of the use of texture analysis of musculoskeletal ultrasonography in assessing muscle quality in various muscles under diverse pathophysiological conditions.
Expression of Concern: Gasser et al. Testosterone/Epitestosterone Ratios—Further Hints to Explain Hyperandrogenemia in Children with Autism. Diseases 2021, 9, 13
Authors:   Diseases Editorial Office
Published: February 2025

With this notice, the Diseases Editorial Office states their awareness of the concerns regarding potential scientific errors and an authorship dispute relating to this publication [...]
Channel Estimation for Massive MIMO Systems via Polarized Self-Attention-Aided Channel Estimation Neural Network
Authors: Yang Shuo , Li Yong , Liu Lizhe , Xia Jing , Wang Bin , Li Xingjian
Published: February 2025

Research on deep learning (DL)-based channel estimation for massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems has attracted considerable interest in recent years. In this paper, we propose a DL-assisted channel estimation algorithm that transforms the original channel estimation problem into an image denoising problem, contrasting it with traditional experience-based channel estimation methods. We establish a new polarized self-attention-aided channel estimation neural network (PACE-Net) to achieve efficient channel estimation. This approach addresses the limitations of the conventional methods, particularly their low accuracy and high computational complexity. In addition, we construct a channel dataset to facilitate the training and testing of PACE-Net. The simulation results show that the proposed DL-assisted channel estimation algorithm has better normalization mean square error (NMSE) performance compared with the traditional algorithms and other DL-assisted algorithms. Furthermore, the computational complexity of the proposed DL-assisted algorithm is significantly lower than that of the traditional minimum mean square error (MMSE) channel estimation algorithm.
Hybrid Dual-Band Antenna for 5G High-Speed Train Communication and Positioning Systems
Authors: Zhou Feihong , Abdalmalak Kerlos Atia , Yuste Antonio Pérez
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a novel dual-band antenna design for simultaneous 5G communication and localization services in high-speed train (HST) scenarios. It operates in the frequency range 1 (FR1) n78 band at 3.5 GHz and the FR2 n258 band at 26.2 GHz. The design combines a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) and a planar patch antenna to achieve dual-band functionality. This provides efficient performance across both mid-band and millimeter-wave frequencies for advanced 5G applications. The dual-band configuration is motivated by the need to balance wide coverage and high data rates within a single, compact antenna design, addressing the specific challenges of maintaining stable connectivity and efficient spectrum utilization in high-speed, data-intensive environments. A common challenge in dual-band antenna designs is the interference between low- and high-frequency antennas, which can significantly degrade performance or even cause antenna failure. Our design addresses this issue by minimizing interference between the patch and DRA elements, ensuring stable operation across both frequency bands. As a result, the antenna achieves impressive gains and bandwidth, with a maximum gain of 6.8 dBi and an impedance bandwidth of 22.5% for the dual-band configuration. Also, both radiators present high total efficiency above 90%. The compact size of the antenna makes it highly suitable to be mounted on the roof of the train to enable 5G communication and location-based services for both safety-critical and liability-critical applications in HST scenarios.
Generating Direct Logic Circuit Implementations of Deeply Quantized Neural Networks Using Chisel4ml
Authors: Vreča Jure , Biasizzo Anton
Published: February 2025

Deploying deeply quantized neural networks on FPGA devices can be a time-consuming task. This has led to research on tools to automate this procedure, specifically for the case of fast machine learning. This is a specialized field concerned with the very low latency processing of machine learning algorithms as opposed to the more usual task where throughput is the main goal. Existing automated solutions are mainly based on high-level synthesis, which tends to be inefficient for larger neural networks due to the use of polynomial time algorithms. In this paper, we present chisel4ml, a tool for generating fully parallel and very low latency hardware implementations of deeply quantized neural networks for FPGA devices. The circuits generated by chisel4ml utilize up to 40% fewer look-up tables for a reasonably sized neural network compared to fully parallel implementations based on high-level synthesis. As chisel4ml uses structural descriptions of deeply quantized neural networks in the form of Chisel generators, it is able to generate the hardware in two orders of magnitude less time than solutions based on high-level synthesis.
Short-Circuit Characteristic Analysis of SiC Trench MOSFETs with Dual Integrated Schottky Barrier Diodes
Authors: Sang Ling , Niu Xiping , Shen Zhanwei , Huang Yu , Tang Xuan , Huang Kaige , Xu Jinyi , He Yawei , He Feng , Li Zheyang , Jin Rui , Yue Shizhong , Zhang Feng
Published: February 2025

A 4H-silicon carbide (SiC) trench gate metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) with dual integrated Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) was characterized using numerical simulations. The advantage of three-dimensional stacked integration is that it allows the proposed structure to obtain an electric field of below 0.6 MV/cm in the gate oxide and SBD contacts and achieve ~10% lower forward voltage of SBDs than the planar gate SBD-integrated MOSFET (PSI-MOS) and the trench gate structure with three p-type-protecting layers (TPL-MOS). The dual-SBD-integrated MOSFET (DSI-MOS) also highlights the better influences of the more than 70% reduction in the miller charge, as well as the over 50% reduction in switching loss compared to the others. Furthermore, the short-circuit (SC) robustness of the three devices was identified. The DSI-MOS attains the critical energy and the aluminum melting point in a longer SC time interval than the TPL-MOS. The p-shield layers in the DSI-MOS are demonstrated to yield the huge benefit of improving the reliability of the contacts when SC reliability is considered.
IoTBenchSL: A Streamlined Framework for the Efficient Production of Standardized IoT Benchmarks with Automated Pipeline Validation
Authors: Cheng Yixuan , Li Xiongfei , Mao Zhikang , Fan Wenqing , Huang Wei , Liu Wen
Published: February 2025

Security vulnerabilities in IoT firmware pose significant risks, and black-box protocol fuzzing offers a scalable and cost-effective solution for identifying these vulnerabilities. However, current fuzzing evaluation schemes are often beset by challenges such as limited benchmark dataset sizes, low benchmark production efficiency, insufficient automation, and poor adaptability, which hinder cross-method comparisons. To address these challenges, we propose IoTBenchSL, a modular, pipeline-driven framework for constructing standardized, reproducible, and integrable vulnerability detection benchmark datasets. IoTBenchSL introduces a benchmark production workflow alongside a CI/CD-based automated validation pipeline, equipping each benchmark with a one-click emulation environment, automated validation mechanisms, and exploit verification scripts. This approach enhances the efficiency and accuracy of benchmark generation. Additionally, IoTBenchSL seamlessly integrates with existing fuzzing frameworks, enabling large-scale fuzzing evaluations and vulnerability discovery without modifying fuzzers. In our experiments, IoTBenchSL was used to generate 100 firmware benchmarks and 100 vulnerability benchmarks. We identified 32 previously unknown vulnerabilities through these benchmarks, 21 of which received CVE or CNVD identifiers. These results demonstrate IoTBenchSL’s capacity to generate large-scale IoT fuzzing benchmarks, improving evaluation efficiency and reducing costs for comparative studies, thereby advancing reproducible fuzzing research.
A Novel Online State-of-Health Estimation Method for Lithium-Ion Batteries with Multi-Input Metabolic Long Short-Term Memory Framework
Authors: Chen Lin , Chen Deqian , He Manping , Pan Haihong , Ji Bing
Published: February 2025

Accurate and effective battery state-of-health (SoH) monitoring is significant to guarantee the security and dependability of electrical equipment. However, adapting SoH estimation methods to diverse battery kinds and operating conditions is a challenge because of the intricate deterioration mechanisms of batteries. To solve the issue, in this article, a novel multi-input metabolic long short-term memory (MM-LSTM) framework is developed. A degradation state model is created with the LSTM network to describe the intricate deterioration mechanisms. To convey more information about battery aging, the capacity degradation, sample entropy of discharge voltage, and ohmic internal resistance increment are extracted as the inputs of the model. To estimate SoH with a few data, the metabolic mechanisms are introduced to update the inputs and reflect the latest developments in aging. The accuracy and robustness of the proposed MM-LSTM framework are verified in different aspects using two kinds of batteries, and the maximum estimation error of SoH is within 1.98%. The findings indicate that the MM-LSTM framework implements the transfer application of SoH estimate successfully, and the framework’s versatility has been proven.
On the Modular Design Application for the Gas Turbine Sector: A Performance Optimization Approach in the Context of Industry 4.0
Authors: Chavanel-Precloux Lucas , Maranzana Roland , Hof Lucas A.
Published: February 2025

Production changes enabled by Industry 4.0 (I4.0) allow industries to respond to customer needs in a much more precise and agile manner. It also permits companies to focus on the development of sustainable and more efficient solutions. The energy sector is still lacking progress in this context, however, and the implementation of I4.0 and modularity could help to solve such issues. The present research study contributes to addressing the research gap in I4.0 implementation in the Gas Turbine (GT) sector by developing a design application for modular GT configuration. The main objective of the developed modular design application (MDA) is to facilitate the relationship between customer and engineer by providing an accessible application (program), including pre-designed heat cycles (HCs), that proposes optimized modular solutions, according to customer requirements, using simulation. Indeed, this study presents the functioning of the novel application, the different deployed components and their variables, such as the compressor efficiency, heat exchangers, or turbine stages, and the decision variable, e.g., the costs of generated energy. Simulations and comparisons using reported HCs in the literature have been performed to validate the accuracy of the simulation processes. Finally, a study case is presented, placing the MDA in an industrial context to illustrate its benefits and to provide solutions for GT modularity. It is concluded that the developed MDA correctly simulates HCs and enables a first step towards modular HC design. Indeed, the proposed MDA architecture allows for continuous improvement and expansion, e.g., by the addition of HC-related components or the integration of different entry variables, such as the company’s financial scope, world location, desired power, and available components.
The Effects of Nisin Treatment on the Phenylpropanoid and Physiological Mechanisms of Fresh-Cut Pumpkin
Authors: Guan Yuge , Sun Yan , Yuan Ning , Zhang Rentao , Lu Sainan , Li Qianqian , Lu Xinghua , Pang Linjiang , Hu Wenzhong
Published: February 2025

Pumpkin is rich in nutritional value, and it can be eaten as a vegetable or as a staple food, making it popular among modern consumers. However, after fresh cutting, pumpkins are susceptible to moisture loss, softening, microbial contamination, and browning, all of which significantly compromise their quality during storage. Therefore, it is essential to develop effective preservation techniques for maintaining the quality of fresh-cut pumpkins. Nisin, a safe natural preservative, has not yet been studied for use on fresh-cut pumpkins. This study examines the effects of nisin treatment on the quality of fresh-cut pumpkins and then explores preservation mechanisms based on physiological and metabolomic analysis. Results show that 0.4 g/L nisin treatment effectively delays surface browning without impacting odor and maintains microbial safety throughout storage. Additionally, nisin significantly enhances the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamate-4-hydroxylase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, thereby promoting the accumulation of total phenols and carotenoids. The result of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment of differential metabolites between control and nisin-treated groups reveals that the most significant pathways affected by nisin treatment are amino acid metabolism and phenylpropanoid metabolism, which suggests that nisin enhances preservation by modulating phenylpropanoid metabolism and alleviating amino acid metabolism. This study provides a theoretical basis and offers new insights into improving the storage quality of fresh-cut pumpkins.
1H NMR Spectroscopy Primitivo Red Wine Screening After Grape Pomace Repassage for Possible Toxin Contamination Removal
Authors: Del Coco Laura , Girelli Chiara Roberta , Gambacorta Lucia , Solfrizzo Michele , Fanizzi Francesco Paolo
Published: February 2025

Food safety and quality awareness have reached significant relevance as consumers are more interested in authentic foods and drinks with specific organoleptic values. Among foodstuffs, grape products can be contaminated by Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin that can occur in red grape after infection with Aspergillus carbonarius. The high affinity of grape pomace with OTA makes its use advantageous as an adsorbing/decontaminating material whether the pomace is fresh, has undergone pressing, or has undergone a stabilizing process. The effects of different grape repassage treatments on wine metabolic profiles were studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy coupled with metabolomics. The relative quantification of discriminating metabolites for activated-carbon-treated samples revealed higher levels of ethyl acetate and succinate than for the grape-pomace-repassed wine samples. On the contrary, the latter exhibited a relatively high content of glycerol, lactate, tartaric, isobutanol, isopentanol, and polyphenols. Although a specific decrease in aromatic compounds such as gallic acid, tyrosine, and tyrosol was also observed compared with the controls, for the pomace-based processes, the activated carbon treatment led to a marked general impoverishment of the metabolomic profiles, with a reduction in organic acids and glycerol. The repassage of wine over the grape pomace did not significantly affect the quality attributes of the wine, offering an alternative natural adsorbing/decontaminating material for the removal of OTA.
Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality Among Individuals with Low Sexual Frequency
Authors: Davis W. Sumner , Anderson Peter , Banerjee Sri
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Sexual frequency is an important indicator of overall health and plays a vital role in various health conditions. There is a wide array of physical and mental health benefits that are associated with sexual activity. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of mortality each year. The purpose of this study was to explore a connection between CVD and all-cause mortality and if sexual frequency modified this effect. Methods: For this study, we utilized the 2005–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the NDI-linked all-cause mortality data of US adults aged between 20–59 years. Low sexual frequency was determined by individuals who had sexual intercourse less than once a month. Survival curves showed the combined effect of sexual frequency and all-cause mortality, using the Kaplan–Meier product-limit method to estimate the percent survival of the subject at each point in time. Results: For all-cause mortality, the unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for CVD to no CVD was HR = 5.1. The adjusted HR was elevated HR = 2.3 among individuals who had CVD and low sexual frequency but close to 1.0 among individuals who had a history of CVD but reported moderate-to-high/high sexual frequency after adjusting for demographic and health variables. Conclusions: From a nationally representative sample, our study was the first to demonstrate, in unadjusted and adjusted models, that CVD and low sexual frequency combined have worse outcomes than CVD alone. This finding indicates the need to conduct a sexual history among individuals with CVD or other chronic diseases.
The Influence of Body Mass Index on Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes: A National Inpatient Sample Study
Authors: Kwak Eun Seo , Shah Momin , Alharbi Abdulmajeed , Bansal Nahush , Qafisheh Qutaiba , Wani Shariq Ahmad , Qwaider Mohanad , Salih Ayman , El-Rahyel Ahmed , Shah Hafsa , Sajdeya Omar , Eltahawy Ehab
Published: February 2025

Background: Obesity presents a significant global health impact and is linked to cardiovascular diseases. While obesity often exacerbates the severity of cardiovascular conditions, an “obesity paradox” has previously been observed, where patients with higher body mass index (BMI) exhibit improved in-hospital and long-term outcomes in certain contexts. As minimally invasive procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) continue to become more relevant, understanding the impact of different patient characteristics on clinical outcomes becomes increasingly important. Methods: A comprehensive analysis was conducted using a large cohort of patients who underwent PCI. In this study, we identified patients who underwent PCI in the year 2020 using the International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes. Patients were categorized into five groups based on their Body Mass Index (BMI). This study aimed to examine the impact of BMI on inpatient outcomes among patients undergoing PCI, focusing on mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization costs across different BMI categories. Results: Our analysis revealed a U-shaped relationship between BMI and inpatient outcomes. Patients with a BMI ≥ 25 demonstrated significantly reduced inpatient mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.31, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.54 for BMI 25–29.9 group and adjusted odds ratio 0.32, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.51 for the BMI 30–39.9 group, with p ≤ 0.001); shorter hospital stays (BMI of 25 or higher with mean reduction of −2.40 to −3.66 days, with p ≤ 0.001); and lower hospitalization costs with a cost reduction of −$40,881 (95% CI: −$64,540 to −$17,223) for the BMI 25–29.9 group, −$57,900 (95% CI: −$80,308 to −$35,492) for the BMI 30–39.9 group, and −$41,463 (95% CI: −$65,151 to −$17,775) for the BMI ≥40 group compared to those with normal BMI (20–24.9). However, these benefits diminished for patients with a BMI ≥ 40, where no significant differences in mortality or cost reductions were observed. Conclusions: These findings underscore the complexity of the obesity paradox and its limitations in extreme obesity. This study highlights the need for tailored management strategies in PCI patients with varying BMI profiles.