bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The diagnostic value and efficacy evaluation of lung ultrasound score in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a prospective observational study
Authors: Dong Jian , Deng Yuhong , Tong Jin , Du Tingting , Liu Wenguang , Guo Yan
Published: January 2025

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and determine the optimal cut-off values of lung ultrasound score for diagnosing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and its accuracy in assessing the efficacy of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Method

This prospective study included 100 neonates with suspected neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Each patient underwent both the 14-zone and 12-zone lung ultrasound methods, as well as a chest x-ray, performed after birth and before initiating drug treatment. Surfactant replacement therapy was administered to patients who were diagnosed with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and met the criteria for medication. Lung ultrasound was conducted and recorded at the 24th hour, the 48th hour, the 72nd hour, and the 7th day after drug administration. ROC curve analysis, Kappa statistics, and ANOVA were utilized to identify the optimal cut-off values for the lung ultrasound scores in diagnosing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Results

89 neonates were diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome, of whom 64 received surfactant replacement therapy. The mean scores of 12-zone lung ultrasound score, 14-zone lung ultrasound score, and chest x-ray score are 18.22 ± 7.15, 38.92 ± 9.69, and 2.15 ± 0.97, respectively. The diagnostic AUC for the 12-zone lung ultrasound score is 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73–0.95), with an optimal cut-off value of 13.5 for diseased vs. not diseased, while the AUC for the 14-zone lung ultrasound score is 0.88 (95% CI: 0.76–0.99), with an optimal cut-off value of 34 for diseased vs. not diseased. There is significant concordance between the neonatal lung ultrasonography scores and the chest x-ray score for diagnosis respiratory distress syndrome (P < 0.01). The optimal cut-off values for the grading diagnosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome using the 14-zone lung ultrasound score are identified as 36.5, 40.5, and 44.5. The 12-zone lung ultrasound score does not have a significant difference between the 12th hour after receiving surfactant replacement therapy and the 48th hour after treatment (P = 0.08). All other comparisons demonstrated significant differences.

Conclusion

The 14-zone lung ultrasound score demonstrates higher diagnostic efficacy in diagnosing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and can accurately evaluate the early efficacy of surfactant replacement therapy in neonates.
New solutions to a category of nonlinear PDEs
Authors: Li Bacui , Wang Fuzhang
Published: January 2025

The nonlinear partial differential equations are not only used in many physical models, but also fundamentally applied in the field of nonlinear science. In order to solve certain nonlinear partial differential equation, the extended hyperbolic auxiliary equation method (EHAEM) is introduced in this article by means of the symbolic computation software. The basic idea of the new algorithm is that if certain nonlinear partial differential equation can be converted into the form of elliptic equation, then its solutions are readily obtained. By taking the generalized Schrödinger equation as an example, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Meanwhile, many new solutions are worked out, which may be useful for depicting nonlinear physical phenomena.
Exploring the effects of combined nostalgic activities and music therapy on Alzheimer's disease outcomes
Authors: Zhang Yunqiu , Wang Yunqiong , Liu Qiao , Xiao Jun , Huang Ling , Zhou Lan , Liu Xuemei
Published: January 2025

Objective

Exploring the effects of combination of nostalgic activity-based therapies, including music therapy on cognitive function, negative emotions, and sleep quality in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

A total of 63 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease who were treated at the Sichuan Provincial Psychiatric Center of the People's Hospital of Sichuan Province from January to June 2023 were selected as the research subjects. They were randomly divided into a study group (n = 31) and a control group (n = 32) using a random number table method. The control group received routine treatment and nursing care, while the study group received nostalgic music therapy intervention on the basis of the control group. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA), Self Rating Anxiety and Depression Scale (SAS, SDS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) of the two groups were compared.

Results

A total of 30 cases from each group completed the study. After 12 weeks of intervention, the MMSE and MOCA scores of both groups of patients increased, and the treatment group was higher than the control group (P < 0.05); SAS, SDS and PSQI scores decreased compared with those before intervention, and the treatment group was lower than the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Nostalgic music therapy can improve cognitive function, alleviate negative emotions, and improve sleep quality in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Effect of leisure-time physical activity on depression and depressive symptoms in menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liu Rong , Tang Xun
Published: January 2025

Aims

Menopausal women often suffer from depression, which impairs their quality of life. Physical activity has been reported to exert beneficial effects on preventing and treating depression. This meta-analysis aims to explore the effect of leisure-time physical activity on determined depression or depressive symptoms in menopausal women.

Methods

Relevant studies were searched from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, and WanFang databases. Outcomes were depression or depressive symptoms. Weighted mean difference (WMD) or standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as the statistical measure. Heterogeneity tests were performed for each outcome, and all outcomes were subjected to sensitivity analysis. Subgroup analysis was performed based on depression degree, exercise intensity, exercise form, intervention duration, supervision, sample size, and geographical region.

Results

A total of 17 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that exercise alleviated the depressive symptoms of menopausal women (SMD = −1.23; 95% CI, −2.21 to −0.24). In addition, exercise was found to reduce the depression (SMD = 11.45; 95% CI, −1.75 to −1.15), and depression assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (WMD = −5.76; 95% CI, −6.63 to −4.89) or Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) (WMD = −6.86; 95% CI, −9.24 to −4.49). The results were similar regardless of depression degrees, exercise intensity, intervention duration, exercise form, supervision or not, sample size, and geographical region.

Conclusions

Leisure-time physical activity may help alleviate depressive symptoms or depression in menopausal women. However, further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and better understand the specific effects of physical activity on depression in this population.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024581087.
Negative valuation of ambiguous feedback may predict near-term risk for suicide attempt in Veterans at high risk for suicide
Authors: Myers Catherine E. , Perskaudas Rokas , Reddy Vibha , Dave Chintan V. , Keilp John G. , King Arlene , Rodriguez Kailyn , Hill Lauren St. , Miller Rachael , Interian Alejandro
Published: January 2025

Background

Learning from feedback – adapting behavior based on reinforcing and punishing outcomes – has been implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders, including substance misuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression; an emerging literature suggests it may also play a role in suicidality. This study examined whether a feedback-based learning task with rewarding, punishing and ambiguous outcomes, followed by computational modeling, could improve near-term prospective prediction of suicide attempt in a high-risk sample.

Method

Veterans (N=60) at high-risk for suicide were tested on a task of reward- and punishment-based learning, at multiple sessions across a one-year period. Each session was coded according to whether the participant had (1) an actual suicide attempt (ASA); (2) another suicide-related event (OtherSE) such as suicidal behavior or suicidal ideation-related hospital admission (but not an ASA); or (3) neither (noSE) in the next 90 days. Computational modeling was used to estimate latent cognitive variables including learning rates from positive and negative outcomes, and the subjective value of ambiguous feedback.

Results

Optimal responding on the reward-based trials was positively associated with upcoming ASA, and remained predictive even after controlling for other standard clinical variables such as current suicidal ideation severity and prior suicide attempts. Computational modeling revealed that patients with upcoming ASA tended to view ambiguous outcomes as similar to weak punishment, while OtherSE and noSE both tended to view the ambiguous outcome as similar to weak reward. Differences in the reinforcement value of the neutral outcome remained predictive for ASA even after controlling for current suicidal ideation and prior suicide attempts.

Conclusion

A reinforcement learning task with ambiguous neutral outcomes may provide a useful tool to help predict near-term risk of ASA in at-risk patients. While most individuals interpret ambiguous feedback as mildly reinforcing (a “glass half full” interpretation), those with upcoming ASA tend to view it as mildly punishing (a “glass half empty” interpretation). While the current results are based on a very small sample with relatively few ASA events, and require replication in a larger sample, they provide support for the role of negative biases in feedback-based learning in the cognitive profile of suicide risk.
Addressing grading bias in rock climbing: machine and deep learning approaches
Authors: O’Mara B. , Mahmud M. S.
Published: January 2025

The determination rock climbing route difficulty is notoriously subjective. While there is no official standard for determining the difficulty of a rock climbing route, various difficulty rating scales exist. But as the sport gains more popularity and prominence on the international stage at the Olympic Games, the need for standardized determination of route difficulty becomes more important. In commercial climbing gyms, consistency and accuracy in route production are crucial for success. Route setters often rely on personal judgment when determining route difficulty, but the success of commercial climbing gyms requires their objectivity in creating diverse, inclusive, and accurate routes. Machine and deep learning techniques have the potential to introduce a standardized form of route difficulty determination. This survey review categorizes machine and deep learning approaches taken, identifies the methods and algorithms used, reports their degree of success, and proposes areas of future work for determining route difficulty. The primary three approaches were from a route-centric, climber-centric, or path finding and path generation context. Of these, the most optimal methods used natural language processing or recurrent neural network algorithms. From these methods, it is argued that the objective difficulty of a rock climbing route has been best determined by route-centric, natural-language-like approaches.
Modeling the Efficacy of Phosphine on Eggs of Major Stored-Product Insect Species: Investigating Strains with Varying Susceptibility Levels
Authors: Gourgouta Marina , Sakka Maria K. , Bataka Evmorfia P. , Götze M. Carolin , Nakas Christos T. , Athanassiou Christos G.
Published: January 2025

Phosphine is a widely utilized fumigant insecticide in stored-product facilities; however, its excessive application and improper usage have contributed to the emergence of resistance in insect populations. Although phosphine resistance is globally recognized, limited studies address its effects across different developmental stages. This research investigates the efficacy of phosphine on the eggs of major stored-product pests, including Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), Tribolium castaneum, and T. confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), focusing on strains with varying levels of phosphine susceptibility. Egg hatching rates were analyzed following exposure to phosphine concentrations ranging from 50 to 1000 ppm for durations of 1 to 7 days. Predictive models were constructed to correlate phosphine concentration and exposure time, facilitating the determination of optimal pest control strategies. The findings reveal significant differences in efficacy among species and strains, with eggs from susceptible strains experiencing complete hatch failure at 50 ppm, while resistant strains showed higher tolerance. Lethal time (LT50 and LT99) values were determined, with LT99 ranging from 6.91 to 12.95 days at 50 ppm, highlighting species-specific and age-related differences in phosphine susceptibility. Lethal concentration (LC50 and LC99) values could only be estimated for T. castaneum, with LC99 for 1-day-old eggs ranging from 773.67 ppm to 923.03 ppm after 2.5 days of exposure. Furthermore, egg age influenced susceptibility, with 2-day-old eggs exhibiting greater mortality compared to 1-day-old eggs. This study underscores the critical role of phosphine concentration, exposure duration, and developmental stage in resistance management, providing valuable insights for enhancing fumigation protocols and improving the control of stored-product pests.
Synergistic Effect of Mixture of Microsporidium Nosema locustae (Protista: Microsporidia) and Novel Fungus Aspergillus oryzae XJ-1 (Eurotiales: Trichocomaceae) Against Adult Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Laboratory
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Yang Mingquan , You Yinwei , Zhang Long
Published: January 2025

Locust adults can form gregarious swarms and cause locust plagues. Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of a mixture of two biocontrol agents for controlling locust adults. Here, we assessed the effects of the mixture of a protozoan biocontrol agent, Nsoema locustae, and a fungal agent, Aspergillus oryzae XJ-1, at two ratios against locust adults in the lab. Synergistic effects of the mixture were observed (χ2 > χ2 (df, 0.05) and Po > PE). The maximum mortality caused by an N. locustae–A. oryzae XJ-1 mixture was 92.67% on the 12th day after inoculation, much higher than those of each agent. In addition, the median survival times were significantly lower when locusts were exposed to the mixture than when they were exposed to N. locustae or A. oryzae XJ-1 alone (p < 0.05).
Assessing Gender Equality in Italian Animal Science: A Case Study on Academic Careers and Research Outcomes
Authors: Sandrucci Anna , Bailoni Lucia , Crepaldi Paola
Published: January 2025

This paper focuses on gender issues within the Italian Animal Science and Production Association (ASPA), which includes both academic and non-academic researchers involved in animal sciences. Data from the association’s archives in 2023 and bibliometric data obtained from Scopus and Web of Science were used. This study highlighted how within the ASPA and in that part of the academic realm falling within the field of animal science, a noticeable gender gap still exists, albeit decreasing over time at a very slow pace. There is clear vertical segregation, with a minority of women occupying full professor positions, and horizontal segregation with a low percentage of women involved in animal science disciplines closer to STEM fields, such as “Animal breeding and genetics”. At the bibliometric level, gender differences in bibliometric indicators are observed, favouring men, although these differences are not significant when considering the academic position, scientific sector, and age. In the official journal of the ASPA (Italian Journal of Animal Science), women are under-represented in prestigious positions such as first, last, and corresponding authors. Scientific societies, academic institutions, and research organizations are called upon to do their part to accelerate the process of overcoming these inequalities.
Energy Intake-Dependent Genetic Associations with Obesity Risk: BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism and Interactions with Dietary Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Zhang Ting , Park Sunmin
Published: January 2025

Obesity represents a complex interplay between genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle. This study aimed to elucidate the intricate relationship between genetic variants, energy intake, and bioactive compounds in influencing obesity risk, particularly in low energy intake, to reveal how dietary intake modulates molecular-level interactions. We analyzed 53,117 participants stratified by obesity status and energy intake levels. Genome-wide association studies explored the genetic variants associated with obesity risk in low-energy- and high-energy-intake subgroups. Advanced computational approaches, including molecular docking, k-means clustering, and uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP), were employed to analyze interactions between missense variants and natural compounds. Ten genetic variants were significantly associated with obesity, particularly in participants with low energy intake. The most prominent variants included brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265). Molecular docking identified 152 bioactive compounds with strong binding affinity to BDNF Val66Met, including 107 compounds binding to both wild and mutant types. Citrus fruits and green vegetables showed selective binding to the mutant type. Antioxidant nutrient intake (anthocyanins, isoflavonoids, vitamins C and E, selenium) was higher in lean versus obese individuals in the high-energy-intake group. Alcohol consumption and selenium intake modulated polygenic risk scores’ influence on obesity risk in high-energy-intake individuals. Notably, citrus fruit intake correlated with lower BMI across all BDNF rs6265 genotypes. In conclusion, energy intake-specific genetic associations with obesity and identifies potential bioactive compounds for targeted interventions. The findings suggest that antioxidant nutrient intake, particularly from citrus fruits, may help manage obesity risk, especially in individuals with specific genetic variants.
Uncertainty Quantification in Shear Wave Velocity Predictions: Integrating Explainable Machine Learning and Bayesian Inference
Authors: Chala Ayele Tesema , Ray Richard
Published: January 2025

The accurate prediction of shear wave velocity (Vs) is critical for earthquake engineering applications. However, the prediction is inevitably influenced by geotechnical variability and various sources of uncertainty. This paper investigates the effectiveness of integrating explainable machine learning (ML) model and Bayesian generalized linear model (GLM) to enhance both predictive accuracy and uncertainty quantification in Vs prediction. The study utilizes an Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm coupled with Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAPs) and partial dependency analysis to identify key geotechnical parameters influencing Vs predictions. Additionally, a Bayesian GLM is developed to explicitly account for uncertainties arising from geotechnical variability. The effectiveness and predictive performance of the proposed models were validated through comparison with real case scenarios. The results highlight the unique advantages of each model. The XGBoost model demonstrates good predictive performance, achieving high coefficient of determination (R2), index of agreement (IA), Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) values, and low error values while effectively explaining the impact of input parameters on Vs. In contrast, the Bayesian GLM provides probabilistic predictions with 95% credible intervals, capturing the uncertainty associated with the predictions. The integration of these two approaches creates a comprehensive framework that combines the strengths of high-accuracy ML predictions with the uncertainty quantification of Bayesian inference. This hybrid methodology offers a powerful and interpretable tool for Vs prediction, providing engineers with the confidence to make informed decisions.
The Approach of Using a Horizontally Layered Soil Model for Inhomogeneous Soil, by Taking into Account the Deeper Layers of the Soil, and Determining the Model’s Parameters Using Evolutionary Methods
Authors: Jesenik Marko , Trbušić Mislav
Published: January 2025

A new approach using a horizontally layered analytical soil model for inhomogeneous soil is presented. The presented approach also considers deeper soil layers, which is not the case when simply dividing the area of interest into smaller subareas. The finite element method model was used to prepare test data because, in such a case, the soil parameters are known. Six lines simulating Wenner’s method were used, and their results were combined appropriately to determine the soil parameters of nine subareas. To determine the soil parameters in the scope of each subarea, different optimization methods were used and compared to each other. The results were analyzed, and Artificial Bee Colony was selected as the most appropriate method among those tested. Additionally, the convergence of the methods was analyzed, and Memory Assistance is presented, with the aim of shortening the calculation time. In this study, three-, four-, five-, and six-layered soil models were tested, and it is concluded that the three-layered model is most appropriate. A finite element method model based on the soil determination results was constructed to verify the results. The results of the Wenner’s method simulation in the cases of the test data and final model were compared to confirm the accuracy of the presented method.
An Improved PIN Diode Model Design for a Tunable Frequency Selective Absorber
Authors: Lin Hanxiang , Fang Xiaoxing
Published: January 2025

An enhanced PIN diode model designed for a tunable frequency absorber is proposed, enabling continuous and adjustable absorption across the X-band frequency range. This new structure consists of four primary components: a frequency selective surface (FSS) layer, a dielectric substrate, an air spacer layer, and a metal substrate. Unlike previous designs, the PIN diode model introduced here offers significant advancements. It not only allows for the switching between absorption and reflection states but also enables precise tuning within the absorption state itself, providing a higher degree of control over the system’s performance. The unique arrangement of the PIN diodes in this design involves placing them between adjacent units of the structure. This strategic placement eliminates the need for complex and bulky bias networks, which are commonly used in conventional designs. As a result, it also minimizes the electromagnetic interference that often arises from bias lines, thereby improving the overall system efficiency and reliability. The proposed model, therefore, reduces the complexity of the absorbing system while enhancing its performance and tunability. Experimental results obtained through free-space measurements were conducted to validate the proposed design. The results show an excellent agreement with the simulation data, confirming that the improved structure can achieve continuous, tunable absorption with high precision. These findings suggest that the new PIN diode-based model could be a promising solution for a wide range of applications in dynamic frequency management and electromagnetic wave absorption systems.
Understanding Mantle Edge Pigmentation Through Comprehensive Transcriptomic Profiling of the Chilean Oyster (Ostrea chilensis)
Authors: Godoy-Diaz Camila , Llanos-Azócar Katalina , Ruiz-Tagle Gonzalo J. , Toro Jorge E. , Oyarzún Pablo A. , Valdés Juan A.
Published: January 2025

The Chilean oyster (Ostrea chilensis) is a flat oyster native to Chile and New Zealand. Over-exploitation has led to local extinctions in some areas. Two phenotypes, distinguished by dark or white mantle edge pigmentation, have been identified, with the dark-edged mantle oysters being more commercially valuable due to perceived quality. In this study, transcriptomic data were obtained from the mantles of both phenotypes. Total RNA was extracted of adult Chilean Oyster mantle, and samples were sequenced using HiSeq X Illumina technology. A total of 935,620,583 paired-end reads were de novo assembled, 50,908 transcripts produced, and a reference transcriptome created with 37.92% GC content and an N50 of 1929 bp. Functional annotation showed a total of 51,315 GO terms, with 21,322 annotations on Biological Process, 14,578 annotations on Molecular Functions, and 15,415 annotations on Cellular Component. The RNA-seq analysis revealed 746 differentially expressed transcripts, 573 up-regulated and 173 transcripts down-regulated, between dark- and white-mantle edge Chilean Oyster. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed notable differences in the expression profiles allowing the detection of differential expressed transcripts associated with specific pathways such as Ribosome, Citrate cycle, and Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. Other interesting differentially represented pathways include Tyrosine metabolism, Tryptophan metabolism, cAMP signaling pathway, ABC transporters, Notch signaling pathway, Endocytosis, and Calcium signaling pathway. This dataset provides a valuable molecular resource for O. chilensis and the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in mantle edge pigmentation.
Poor Sympathetic Compensation During Active Standing Increases the Risk of Morbidity–Mortality in the Post-Surgery of Patients with Severe Calcific Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Avila-Vanzzini Nydia , Santana-Ortiz Anayanci , Sánchez-Estrada Daniela , Springall Rashidi , Lerma Abel , Herrera-Bello Héctor , Calderón-Juárez Martín , Lerma Claudia
Published: January 2025

(1) Background: Although all severe calcific aortic stenosis (SCAS) patients have decreased sympathetic compensation to active standing, it has not been studied in patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR). The objective was to assess the association of the heart rate variability (HRV) response to an active orthostatic challenge before AVR with the risk of complications or death during the AVR postoperative period in patients with SCAS. (2) Methods: This observational study included 49 patients. The cardiac autonomic activity was assessed by HRV analysis during supine position and active standing (five minutes each). (3) Results: Twenty-four patients (48.9%) who presented outcomes (complication or death) had a greater left ventricular (LV) mass and a smaller magnitude of change during active standing in both the mean cardiac period and sympathetic predominance. Poor sympathetic compensation to active standing and LV mass were independently associated with the outcome odds ratio (OR) = 4.8 [(1.06, 21.8), p < 0.041] and 1.03 [(1.007, 1.062), p < 0.013], respectively. (4) Conclusions: In SCAS patients, poor sympathetic compensation in the face of orthostatic challenge and greater LV mass are associated with complications or death after AVR surgery. This approach offers an opportunity to find new criteria to reduce the surgical risk of these patients.
Processing of Scene-Grammar Inconsistencies in Children with Developmental Language Disorder—Insights from Implicit and Explicit Measures
Authors: Bahn Daniela , Türk Dilara Deniz , Tsenkova Nikol , Schwarzer Gudrun , Võ Melissa Le-Hoa , Kauschke Christina
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Developmental language disorders (DLD) are often associated with co-occurring neurodevelopmental difficulties, including attentional or social–emotional problems. Another nonverbal domain, i.e., visual cognition and its relationship to DLD, is virtually unexplored. However, learning visuospatial regularities—a scene-grammar—is crucial for navigating our daily environment. These regularities show certain similarities to the structure of language and there is preliminary evidence for a relationship between scene processing and language competence in preschoolers with and without DLD. This study compared implicit and explicit visuospatial knowledge of everyday indoor scenes in older children, aged 6 to 10 years, of both groups. Methods: We measured ‘dwell times’ on semantic and syntactic object—scene inconsistencies via eye-tracking and performance in an object-placement task, and their associations with children’s language, visual, and cognitive skills. Results: Visual attention towards object-scene inconsistencies was highly comparable between groups, but children with DLD scored lower in a visual perception test and higher language skills were associated with higher visuo-cognitive performance in both tasks. In the explicit scene-grammar measurement, this relationship only existed for children with DLD and disappeared when nonverbal cognitive performance was controlled. Conclusions: Our study suggests the existence of mild problems in visuospatial processing co-occurring with DLD, which is partly influenced by age and nonverbal cognitive ability. The acquisition of visual cognition and linguistic knowledge is an interactive, multimodal process where the perception of objects in scenes might affect how the words for these objects are learned and vice versa. A better understanding of this interplay could eventually have impact on the diagnosis and treatment of DLD.
The Evolutionary Reasons of Epigenetics
Authors: Camilloni Giorgio
Published: January 2025

Epigenetic modifications affecting DNA, RNA, and proteins can alter the functional state of a gene and heavily interfere with gene expression. These processes are typically transient, and the predominant form of inheritance is mitotic, with a small fraction of transgenerational modifications. It is therefore reasonable to ask what forces drive this acquisition in living beings, where certain variations in phenotype do not correspond to changes in the DNA sequence.
Optimization Study of Rare Earth-Free Metal Amorphous Nanocomposite Axial Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Motor
Authors: Schneider Kyle P. , Simizu Satoru , McHenry Michael E. , de Boer Maarten P.
Published: January 2025

Metal amorphous nanocomposite (MANC) soft magnetic materials exhibit remarkably low iron loss and high saturation magnetization. However, they have not been widely used in electric motors largely due to a lack of demonstrated manufacturing processing methods and an absence of proven motor designs well suited for their use. Recent developments in these two areas have prompted the optimization study of flux-switching with permanent magnet motor topology using MANCs presented here. This study uses population-based optimization in conjunction with a simplified electromagnetics model to seek rare earth-free designs that attain or exceed the state of the art in power density and efficiency. To predict the maximum mechanically safe rotational speed for each design with minimal computational effort, a new method of quantifying the rotor assembly mechanical limit is presented. The resulting population of designs includes motor designs with a specific power of up to 6.1 kW/kg and efficiency of up to 99% without the use of rare earth permanent magnets. These designs, while exhibiting drawbacks of high electrical frequency and significant manufacturing complexity, exceed the typical power density of representative state-of-the-art EV motors while increasing efficiency and eliminating rare earth elements.
Physical Security Threat Assessment and Resource Investment Allocation for Electric Power Substations
Authors: Mahato Nawaraj Kumar , Yang Jiaxuan , Yang Junfeng , Qiang Ren , Gong Gangjun , Hao Jianhong
Published: January 2025

Ensuring the physical security of electric power substations is crucial for maintaining a reliable supply of electricity. The increasing prevalence of physical threats, such as physical attacks, vandalism, sabotage, etc., on electric power substations worldwide has resulted in widespread power outages. To enhance physical security in light of these high-impact, low-probability events, this paper proposes a physical security threat assessment approach to evaluate and enhance substation security against physical attacks utilizing the Substation Criticality Index (SCI) and the Threat–Vulnerability–Consequences Index (TVCI) on risk-based security-constrained economic dispatch. The primary objective is to provide power utilities with actionable insights to proactively strengthen their defenses within budgetary constraints by considering the criticality level of each substation. By incorporating social, economic, and electrical factors, this study simulated a physical attack (specifically a bus-isolating attack), on an IEEE 39-bus test system, and evaluated the resultant consequences and load loss. Upon computation of the SCI, substations are ordered according to their criticality, and computing the TVCI gives the risk of each substation which is used to obtain an optimized physical security investment based on substation vulnerability and the consequences of attacks. Thus, based on these results, decisions for prioritizing substation physical security and investments for hardening physical security are made. Furthermore, the experimentation showed that with the physical security investment, the overall TVCI score has significantly decreased with certain budgetary constant.
Antioxidant Maillard Reaction Products from Milk Whey: A Food By-Product Valorisation
Authors: Bolchini Sara , Nardin Tiziana , Morozova Ksenia , Scampicchio Matteo , Larcher Roberto
Published: January 2025

The Maillard reaction (MR) is a key process in food science, producing bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential of MR products (MRPs) from different dairy byproducts—cow cheese whey, goat cheese whey, and cow yoghurt whey—highlighting their applicability in food preservation and waste valorisation. Whey samples were subjected to the MR at 140 °C for 90 min, showing significant amino acid and sugar consumption, particularly arginine, histidine, and lactose. Using a library of potential antioxidant MRPs (molecular weight < 250 Da), 28 key compounds, including 2-pyrrolecarboxaldehyde and maltol isomer, were identified, primarily in cow cheese whey. A complementary high-molecular-weight MRP library (≥250 Da) identified 72 additional antioxidant compounds, with distinct production patterns linked to whey type. Multivariate analyses confirmed that whey type strongly influences MRP profiles. These results highlight the potential of MR to transform whey by-products into valuable sources of natural antioxidants. This approach offers sustainable strategies for enhancing food preservation, reducing food waste, and supporting the targeted use of MRPs in the food industry.
Tasting the Future: Sensory Evaluation and Perception of Insect-Based Products Among GenZ and Millennials
Authors: Willeke Marie , Tsiami Amalia , Lara Szymon Wojciech
Published: January 2025

Insect proteins are suitable for human consumption and hold potential in the foodservice sector, where there is growing pressure to reduce traditional meat consumption, and this alternative could be explored through innovative gastronomy landscapes, such as by incorporating insect-based proteins into gourmet dishes. This study uniquely explored how young adults—specifically GenZ and Millennials (aged 18–30)—perceived and accepted insect-based products and whether their dietary habits aligned with sustainable principles. A mixed-methods approach was applied, including a cross-sectional study related to attributes of participants on insect products and sensory evaluation of insect and commercial products, to investigate awareness, acceptance, and sensory experiences. Key barriers included food neophobia and cultural resistance. The findings revealed a significant gap between awareness and behaviour: while 86% recognised insects as nutritious and 58% associated them with sustainability, only 18.6% have tried consuming them. This is a notable larger disparity compared to the adoption of other sustainable alternatives, such as vegetable meat based on peas, which have seen broader acceptance in recent years. Additionally, although 93.2% found products more appealing when their natural appearance is hidden, traditional insect-free products were still rated higher in taste, sweetness, and texture. Some insect-based products such as protein bars showed potential for greater acceptance than others. Bridging the awareness-behaviour gap requires targeted education, sensory improvement, and strategic marketing to emphasise nutritional and environmental benefits. Chefs could play a vital role by designing innovative menus that incorporate these products in familiar forms. This is demonstrated by successful examples where chefs have normalised unconventional ingredients, such as seaweed, overcoming cultural barriers and enhancing acceptance. Future studies should focus on expanding the diversity of participants, mapping gender differences, considering and improving the sensory properties of more products, and confirming the bioavailability of insects to promote wider acceptance of insect consumption.
Access to Care and Services Among U.S. Rural Veterans With and Without Disabilities: A National Study
Authors: Umucu Emre , Granger Teresa Ann , Weichelt Bryan , McGee Traci , Lee Gloria , Celik Zencir Aylin , Yates Jim , Barnas John , Barter Crystal , Lee Beatrice
Published: January 2025

Background: Access to healthcare is a significant challenge for rural veterans, especially those with chronic conditions; yet, research on their specific barriers remains limited. This study had three objectives: (1) to develop and validate the Rural Access to Care and Services Scale (RACSS) as a simple tool to assess access to physical, mental, and social care and services; (2) to examine whether minority veterans face greater barriers to care; and (3) to test whether RACSS scores are associated with psychosocial outcomes as theoretically expected. Methods: Data were collected from 500 rural veterans in the U.S. through a survey assessing demographic information, service-connected disability status, clinical conditions, and access to healthcare. First, the RACSS was developed and validated using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Second, to assess the reliability of the RACSS, internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Finally, independent sample t-tests were conducted to explore the relationships between access to healthcare and services and participants’ minority status. Results: The scale demonstrated a one-factor structure with excellent model fit indices and high internal consistency (α = 0.89). Veterans from minoritized racial and ethnic groups reported significantly higher difficulties in accessing healthcare and services. Conclusions: The RACCS provides a reliable tool to measure access to healthcare and services among rural veterans. The findings highlight the critical need for targeted interventions to improve access to healthcare and services, especially for veterans from minoritized racial and ethnic groups. Enhancing healthcare and service delivery in rural areas is essential to reducing disparities and improving health outcomes for this underserved population.
Plastomes of Seven Coelogyne s.l. (Arethuseae, Orchidaceae) Species: Comparative Analysis and Phylogenetic Relationships
Authors: Lin Songkun , Li Ruyi , Tang Shuling , Chen Yuming , Yan Yin , Gao Xuyong , Zhuo Xiaokang
Published: January 2025

The Coelogyne s.l. is one of the emblematic genera of the Asian orchids, with high horticultural and medicinal values. However, the phylogenetic relationships of the genus inferred from previous studies based on a limited number of DNA markers remain ambiguous. In this study, we newly sequenced and assembled the complete plastomes of seven Coelogyne species: C. bulleyia, C. fimbriata, C. flaccida, C. prolifera, C. tricallosa, C. uncata, and an unknown taxa, Coelogyne sp. The plastomes of Coelogyne exhibited a typical quadripartite structure, varying in length between 157,476 bp and 160,096 bp, accompanied by a GC content spanning from 37.3% to 37.5%. A total of 132 genes were annotated for each plastome, including 86 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 38 tRNA genes. Among these, 19 genes underwent duplication within the inverted repeat (IR) regions, and 18 genes exhibited the presence of introns. Additionally, we detected 54 to 69 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 30 to 49 long repeats. In terms of codon usage frequency, leucine (Leu) emerged with the highest frequency, while cysteine (Cys) exhibited the lowest occurrence. Furthermore, eight hypervariable regions (atpB-rbcL, psbK-psbI, rps8-rpl14, rps16-trnQUUG, psaC-ndhE, ndhF-rpl32, psbB-psbT, and ycf1) were identified. Phylogenetic analyses using complete plastomes and protein-coding genes indicated that Coelogyne s.l. was monophyletic. Moreover, the results robustly supported the division of Coelogyne s.l. into five clades. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the structural variation and phylogenetic analysis of the Coelogyne s.l. based on plastome data. The findings offer significant insights into the plastid genomic characteristics and the phylogenetic relationships of Coelogyne s.l., contributing to a deeper understanding of its evolutionary history.
Lipids Metabolism Inhibition Antiproliferative Synergy with 5-Fluorouracil in Human Colorectal Cancer Model
Authors: Zabielska Judyta , Stelmanska Ewa , Szrok-Jurga Sylwia , Kobiela Jarosław , Czumaj Aleksandra
Published: January 2025

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is recognized as the third most lethal cancer worldwide. While existing treatment options demonstrate considerable efficacy, they are often constrained by non-selectivity and substantial side effects. Recent studies indicate that lipid metabolism significantly influences carcinogenesis, highlighting it as a promising avenue for developing targeted anticancer therapies. The purpose of the study was to see if acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), and stearoyl-CoA 9-desaturase (SCD1) are good metabolic targets and whether the use of inhibitors of these enzymes together with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) would have a synergistic effect on CRC cell viability. To confirm that the correct lipid targets were chosen, the expression levels of ACAT1, HMGCR, and SCD1 were examined in CRC patients and cell models. At first, each compound (Avasimibe, Lovastatin, MF-438, and 5-FU was tested separately, and then each inhibitor was paired with 5-FU to assess the synergistic effect on cell viability. Gene expression of selected enzymes significantly increased in tissue samples obtained from CRC patients and cancer cell lines (HT-29). Inhibition of any of the selected enzymes reduced CRC cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. More importantly, the combination of 5-FU + Avasimibe (an ACAT1 inhibitor) and 5-FU + MF-438 (an SCD1 inhibitor) produced a stronger antiproliferative effect than the inhibitors alone. 5-FU combined either with Avasimibe or MF-438 showed a synergistic effect with an HSA score of 47.00 at a dose of 0.3 + 30 µM, respectively (2.66% viability rate vs. 46%; p < 0.001), and 39.34 at a dose of 0.3 + 0.06 µM (46% vs. 10.33%; p < 0.001), respectively. The association of 5-FU with Lovastatin (HMGCR inhibitor) did not significantly impact CRC cell viability in a synergistic manner. Inhibition of lipid metabolism combined with standard chemotherapy is a promising strategy that reduces CRC cell viability and allows for the use of a lower drug dose. The combination of 5-FU and Avasimibe has the greatest therapeutic potential among studied compounds.
Multimer Detection System: A Universal Assay System for Differentiating Protein Oligomers from Monomers
Authors: Jamerlan Angelo Moscoso , Shim Kyu Hwan , Sharma Niti , An Seong Soo A.
Published: January 2025

Depositions of protein aggregates are typical pathological hallmarks of various neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). For example, amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau aggregates are present in the brain and plasma of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD); α-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA); mutant huntingtin protein (Htt) in Huntington’s disease (HD); and DNA-binding protein 43 kD (TDP-43) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE). The same misfolded proteins can be present in multiple diseases in the form of mixed proteinopathies. Since there is no cure for all these diseases, understanding the mechanisms of protein aggregation becomes imperative in modern medicine, especially for developing diagnostics and therapeutics. A Multimer Detection System (MDS) was designed to distinguish and quantify the multimeric/oligomeric forms from the monomeric form of aggregated proteins. As the unique epitope of the monomer is already occupied by capturing or detecting antibodies, the aggregated proteins with multiple epitopes would be accessible to both capturing and detecting antibodies simultaneously, and signals will be generated from the oligomers rather than the monomers. Hence, MDS could present a simple solution for measuring various conformations of aggregated proteins with high sensitivity and specificity, which may help to explore diagnostic and treatment strategies for developing anti-aggregation therapeutics.
Neonatal Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Severe T- and B-Cell Lymphopenias in Andalusia: A Prospective Study
Authors: De Felipe Beatriz , Delgado-Pecellin Carmen , Lopez-Lobato Mercedes , Olbrich Peter , Blanco-Lobo Pilar , Marquez-Fernandez Josefina , Salamanca Carmen , Mendoza Beatriz , Castro-Serrano Rocio , Duque Cristina , Moreno-Prieto Mariana , Madruga-Garrido Marcos , Lucena Jose M. , Fernandez Raquel M. , Ruiz-Camacho Maria , Varona Alberto , Neth Olaf
Published: January 2025

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and severe T- and/or B-cell lymphopenias (STBCL) in the form of severe combined immunodeficiencies (SCID) or X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) are rare but potentially fatal pathologies. In January 2021, we initiated the first pilot study in Spain to evaluate the efficacy of a very early detection technique for SMA and SCID. RT–PCR was performed on prospectively collected dried blood spots (DBSs) from newborns in Western Andalusia (Spain). Internal and external controls (SCID, XLA and SMA) were included. The determination of SMA was relative (positive/negative) and that of TRECs and KRECs was quantitative (copies/punch). A total of 14.035 prospective samples were analysed. All controls were correctly identified while no cases of SMA or SCID/XLA were prospectively identified. DBS analysis of infants with suspected SMA or STBCL that presented to our centre showed pathological values in two cases each for SMA and SCID and one for XLA, all of them being subsequently confirmed genetically. In this prospective pilot study, no infants with SMA or STBCL were detected; however, the technique applied here was shown to be reliable and fast, further supporting the benefits and need to include SMA and SCID in national newborn screening (NBS) programs, as it will allow early supportive and curative therapy.