bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential Transcript-Based Biomarkers Predicting Clinical Outcomes of HPV-Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Muñoz-Bello J. Omar , Romero-Córdoba Sandra L. , García-Chávez J. Noé , González-Espinosa Claudia , Langley Elizabeth , Lizano Marcela
Published: June 2024

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas (HNSCC) comprise a particular cancer entity traditionally associated with better clinical outcomes. Around 25% of HNSCC are HPV positive, HPV16 being the most prevalent type. Nevertheless, close to 30% of the HPV-positive patients have an unfavorable prognosis, revealing that this type of tumor exhibits great heterogeneity leading to different clinical behaviors. Efforts have been made to identify RNA molecules with prognostic value associated with the clinical outcome of patients with HPV-positive HNSCC, with the aim of identifying patients at high risk of metastasis, disease recurrence, and poor survival, who would require closer clinical follow-up and timely intervention. Moreover, the molecular identification of those HPV-positive HNSCC patients with good prognosis will allow the implementation of de-escalating therapeutic strategies, aiming to reduce side effects, resulting in a better quality of life. This review compiles a series of recent studies addressing different methodological and conceptual approaches aimed at searching for potential gene expression-based biomarkers associated with the prognosis of patients with HPV-positive HNSCC.
Double-Helical Tiled Chain Structure of the Twist-Bend Liquid Crystal Phase in CB7CB
Authors: Tuchband Michael R. , Shuai Min , Graber Keri A. , Chen Dong , Zhu Chenhui , Radzihovsky Leo , Klittnick Arthur , Foley Lee , Scarbrough Alyssa , Porada Jan H. , Moran Mark , Yelk Joseph , Hooper Justin B. , Wei Xiaoyu , Bedrov Dmitry , Wang Cheng , Korblova Eva , Walba David M. , Hexemer Alexander , Maclennan Joseph E. , Glaser Matthew A. , Clark Noel A.
Published: June 2024

The twist-bend nematic liquid crystal phase is a three-dimensional fluid in which achiral bent molecules spontaneously form an orientationally ordered, macroscopically chiral, heliconical winding of a ten nanometer-scale pitch in the absence of positional ordering. Here, the structure of the twist-bend phase of the bent dimer CB7CB and its mixtures with 5CB is characterized, revealing a hidden invariance of the self-assembly of the twist-bend structure of CB7CB, such that over a wide range of concentrations and temperatures, the helix pitch and cone angle change as if the ground state for a pitch of the TB helix is an inextensible heliconical ribbon along the contour formed by following the local molecular long axis (the director). Remarkably, the distance along the length for a single turn of this helix is given by 2πRmol, where Rmol is the radius of bend curvature of a single all-trans CB7CB molecule. This relationship emerges from frustrated steric packing due to the bent molecular shape: space in the fluid that is hard to fill attracts the most flexible molecular subcomponents, a theme of nanosegregation that generates self-assembled, oligomer-like correlations of interlocking bent molecules in the form of a brickwork-like tiling of pairs of molecular strands into duplex double-helical chains. At higher temperatures in the twist-bend phase, the cone angle is small, the director contour is nearly along the helix axis z, and the duplex chains are sequences of biaxial elements formed by overlapping half-molecule pairs, with an approximately 45° rotation of the biaxis between each such element along the chain.
Imaging in Infective Endocarditis—Current Opinions and Trends in Cardiac Computed Tomography
Authors: Petkovic Ana , Menkovic Nemanja , Petrovic Olga , Bilbija Ilija , Nisevic Miodrag , Radovanovic Nikola N. , Stanisavljevic Dejana , Putnik Svetozar , Maksimovic Ruzica , Ivanovic Branislava
Published: June 2024

Infective endocarditis is a rare disease with an increasing incidence and an unaltered high mortality rate, despite medical development. Imaging plays an integrative part in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis, with echocardiography as the initial diagnostic test. Research data in the utility of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in the diagnostic algorithm of IE are rising, which indicates its importance in detection of IE-related lesion along with the exclusion of coronary artery disease. The latest 2023 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines in the management of IE classified CCT as class of recommendation I and level of evidence B in detection of both valvular and paravalvular lesions in native and prosthetic valve endocarditis. This review article provides a comprehensive and contemporary review of the role of CCT in the diagnosis of IE, the optimization of acquisition protocols, the morphology characteristics of IE-related lesions, the published data of the diagnostic performance of CCT in comparison to echocardiography as the state-of-art method, as well as the limitations and future possibilities.
Real-Life Experience on the Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitors vs. Finerenone vs. Combination on Albuminuria in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Hanouneh Mohamad , Le Dustin , Jaar Bernard G. , Tamargo Christina , Cervantes C. Elena
Published: June 2024

Background: There have been several recent advances in the care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including the use of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). There are very few data reporting the outcomes of these treatments in real-world experience. The aim of this retrospective study is to report the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors, finerenone, and their combination in CKD patients in our community-based setting. Methods: Ninety-eight patients with CKD with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 25 and 90 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥ 30 mg/g were included. Patients were divided into three groups: two monotherapy groups of SGLT2 inhibitors or finerenone and a third combination group of therapy with SGLT2 inhibitors for the first 4 months and SGLT2 inhibitors and finerenone subsequently. The primary outcomes were the timing and percentage of patients achieving a >50% reduction in UACR from baseline. Results: Group 1 comprised 52 patients on SGLT2i, group 2 had 22 patients on finerenone, and group 3 had 24 patients on combination therapy. The baseline median UACR and mean eGFR were 513 mg/g and 47.9 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in group 1, 548.0 mg/g and 50.5 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in group 2, and 800 mg/g and 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in group 3. At baseline, 71 (72.4%) patients were on the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), and 78 (79.5%) patients had type 2 diabetes. After 8 months of follow-up, a >50% decrease in albuminuria was achieved in 96% of patients in group 3, compared to 50% in group 1 and 59% in group 2 (p-values were <0.01 and <0.01, respectively). There was a statistically but not clinically significant change in mean potassium levels in group 2 (+0.4 mmol/L) compared to either group 1 (0.0 mmol/L with p-value: <0.01) or group 3 (−0.01 mmol/L with p-value: <0.01). However, there was no difference in potassium levels when comparing groups 1 and 3. At the end of the follow-up, the average difference in eGFR was −3.4 (8.8), −5.3(10.1), and −7.8 (11.2) mL/min per 1.73 m2 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, without a statistically significant difference between groups. Conclusions: In this real-world experience in our community setting, the combination of SGLT2 inhibitors and finerenone in our adult patients with CKD was associated with a very significant and clinically relevant reduction in UACR, without an increased risk of hyperkalemia. Combination therapy of SGLT2 inhibitor and finerenone regarding background use of ACEi/ARB is feasible and should be encouraged for further albuminuria reductions in CKD patients.
A Vehicle Passive Entry Passive Start System with the Intelligent Internet of Things
Authors: Chang Ray-I , Lin Tzu-Chieh , Lin Jeng-Wei
Published: June 2024

With the development of sensor and communication technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) subsystem is gradually becoming a crucial part in vehicles. It can effectively enhance functionalities of vehicles. However, new attack types are also emerging. For example, a driver with the smart key in their pocket can push the start button to start a car. At the same time, security issues in the push-to-start scenario are pervasive, such as smart key forgery. In this study, we propose a vehicle Passive Entry Passive Start (PEPS) system that adopts deep learning algorithms to recognize the driver using the electrocardiogram (ECG) signals measured on the driver’s smart watch. ECG signals are used for personal identification. Smart watches, serving as new smart keys of the PEPS system, can improve convenience and security. In the experiment, we consider commercial smart watches capable of sensing ECG signals. The sample rate and precision are typically lower than those of a 12-lead ECG used in hospitals. The experimental results show that Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models achieve the best accuracy score for identity recognition (91%) when a single ECG cycle is used. However, it takes at least 30 min for training. The training of a personalized Auto Encoder model takes only 5 min for each subject. When 15 continuous ECG cycles are sensed and used, this can achieve 100% identity accuracy. As the personalized Auto Encoder model is an unsupervised learning one-class recognizer, it can be trained using only the driver’s ECG signal. This will simplify the management of ECG recordings extremely, as well as the integration of the proposed technology into PEPS vehicles. A FIDO (Fast Identify Online)-like environment for the proposed PEPS system is discussed. Public key cryptography is adopted for communication between the smart watch and the PEPS car. The driver is first verified on the smart watch via local ECG biometric authentication, and then identified by the PEPS car. Phishing attacks, MITM (man in the middle) attacks, and replay attacks can be effectively prevented.
Efficient and Lightweight Neural Network for Hard Hat Detection
Authors: He Chenxi , Tan Shengbo , Zhao Jing , Ergu Daji , Liu Fangyao , Ma Bo , Li Jianjun
Published: June 2024

Electric power operation, as one of the key fields in the world, faces particularly prominent safety issues. Ensuring the safety of operators has become the most fundamental requirement in power operation. However, there are some safety hazards in power construction. These hazards are mainly due to weak safety awareness among staff and the failure to standardize the wearing of safety helmets. In order to effectively address this situation, technical means such as video surveillance technology and computer vision technology can be utilized to monitor whether staff are wearing helmets and provide timely feedback. Such measures will greatly enhance the safety level of power operation. This paper proposes an improved lightweight helmet detection algorithm named YOLO-M3C. The algorithm first replaces the YOLOv5s backbone network with MobileNetV3, successfully reducing the model size from 13.7 MB to 10.2 MB, thereby increasing the model’s detection speed from 42.0 frames per second to 55.6 frames per second. Then, the CA attention mechanism is introduced into the backbone network to enhance the feature extraction capability of the model. Finally, in order to further improve the detection recall rate and accuracy of the model, a knowledge distillation of the model was carried out. The experimental results show that, compared with the original YOLOv5s algorithm, the average accuracy of the improved YOLO-M3C algorithm is improved by 0.123, and the recall rate is the same. These results verify that the algorithm YOLO-M3C has excellent performance in target detection and recognition, which can improve accuracy and confidence, while reducing false detection and missing detection, and effectively meet the needs of helmet-wearing detection.
Factors Associated with Hyperpolypharmacy and Complex Medication Regimens in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Atić Armin , Matijašević Škerlj Jasmina , Jurić Ivana , Katalinić Lea , Furić Čunko Vesna , Kljajić Marina , Sabljić Zoran , Jelaković Bojan , Bašić-Jukić Nikolina
Published: June 2024

Background: Kidney transplantation is considered the best modality for renal replacement therapy. The use of immunosuppressive therapy and pre-existing and newly developed comorbidities predispose these patients to the use of a large number of medications. (Hyper)polypharmacy is associated with worse adherence and negative outcomes. This study aims to explore the factors correlated with hyperpolypharmacy and complex medication regimens in kidney transplant recipients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of outpatient kidney transplant recipients. Collected data include demographic data, complete chronic medication lists, medical history, and graft function. Linear and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with hyperpolypharmacy and complex medication regimens. Medication regimen complexity was quantified by the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). Results: Overall, 224 kidney transplant recipients were included, with an average time since transplantation of 8 years. Hyperpolypharmacy was present in more than two-thirds of patients; the average number of different medications was 12; and the mean MRCI score was 21.4, ranging from 6 to 50. Hypertension was almost universally present, while other frequently prescribed medication groups were hypolipemics, medication for bone-mineral metabolism disorders, gout, and antihyperglycemics. Conclusions: Factors independently associated with hyperpolypharmacy and complex medication regimens were found to be age and graft function. Studies investigating interventions aimed at reducing medication complexity and increasing adherence should focus on older patients with worse graft function.
Illegal Use of Testosterone and Other Anabolic–Androgenic Steroids in the Population of Amateur Athletes in Wrocław, Poland—An Unfavorable Lifestyle Trend in the Population of Men of Reproductive Age
Authors: Skrzypiec-Spring Monika , Pokrywka Andrzej , Bombała Wojciech , Berezovska Daria , Rozmus Julia , Brawańska Kinga , Nowicki Konrad , Abu Faraj Gina , Rynkowski Michał , Szeląg Adam
Published: June 2024

Background: One factor that may negatively impact male reproductive health is the illegal use of testosterone and anabolic–androgenic steroids. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of testosterone use in recreational athletes, as well as factors associated with its use, and to determine the profile of a person using testosterone. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of data from an anonymous, online questionnaire of men recruited from gyms, randomly selected in Wrocław, Poland, has been performed. The minimal sample size was evaluated with the univariate logistic regression model. The association between testosterone use and other factors was also evaluated with the univariate logistic regression model. Results: A total of 35% of respondents used testosterone. The main purposes of testosterone use were the improvement of training effects and the improvement of body shape. The respondents most likely to use testosterone and other anabolic–androgenic steroids were men aged 26–35, whose earnings were at the level of the middle class or higher, who were married, had children, had training experience of at least 6 months, exercised at least once a week, took part in weightlifting competitions, were managers in a corporation or enterprise, or were self-employed. Most of the people using testosterone had self-treated side effects. Conclusions: The profile of the person most likely to use testosterone corresponds to the characteristics of men in optimal socio-demographic conditions for reproduction. These results indicate that this is a significant social problem that may impact male reproductive health.
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism: A Review of Evidence-Based Approaches
Authors: Thomas Sneha E. , Weinberg Ido , Schainfeld Robert M. , Rosenfield Kenneth , Parmar Gaurav M.
Published: June 2024

Venous thromboembolism, commonly presented as pulmonary embolism and deep-vein thrombosis, is a paramount and potentially fatal condition with variable clinical presentation. Diagnosis is key to providing appropriate treatment in a safe and timely fashion. Clinical judgment and assessment using clinical scoring systems should guide diagnostic testing, including laboratory and imaging modalities, for optimal results and to avoid unnecessary testing.
The Impacts of Inflammatory and Autoimmune Conditions on the Endometrium and Reproductive Outcomes
Authors: Cuadrado-Torroglosa Isabel , García-Velasco Juan A. , Alecsandru Diana
Published: June 2024

Background: A healthy pregnancy begins with an adequate endometrial state, even before the arrival of a blastocyst. Proper endometrial priming and the development of a tolerogenic decidua are key steps in creating the perfect environment for implantation and pregnancy. In these processes, the involvement of the maternal immune system seems to be of great relevance, modulating the different decidual immune populations to prepare the endometrium for a potential pregnancy. However, certain local pathologies of an inflammatory and autoimmune nature appear to have a direct impact on these phenomena, thus altering patients’ reproductive outcomes. Methods: This literature review analyzes original articles, reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published between 1990 and 2024, concerning the impact of different inflammatory and autoimmune conditions on endometrial status and fertility. The included papers were obtained from Medline (Pubmed) and the Cochrane library. Results: There is evidence that endometriosis, adenomyosis, and chronic endometritis, through the promotion of a chronic inflammatory environment, are capable of altering endometrial immune populations, and, thus, processes essential for early pregnancy. Among other effects, these conditions have been linked to impaired decidualization, alterations in progesterone responsiveness, and hindered placentation. Similarly, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, and other pathologies related to glucose and gluten metabolism, due to their autoimmune nature, also appear to have a local impact on the uterine environment, affecting reproductive success through different mechanisms, including altered hormonal response and, again, impaired decidualization. Conclusions: The management of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in assisted reproduction patients is gaining importance due to their direct impact on the endometrium. It is necessary to follow current expert recommendations and established therapeutic approaches in order to improve patients’ prospects, ranging from antibiotic treatment in chronic endometritis to heparin and aspirin in APS, as well as hormonal treatments for endometriosis/adenomyosis or a gluten-free diet in celiac disease. All of them and the rest of the therapeutic perspectives, both current and under investigation, are presented throughout this work, assessing the possible improvements for reproductive outcomes.
Comparison of Three Commercially Available, AI-Driven Cephalometric Analysis Tools in Orthodontics
Authors: Kazimierczak Wojciech , Gawin Grzegorz , Janiszewska-Olszowska Joanna , Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska Marta , Nowicki Paweł , Kazimierczak Natalia , Serafin Zbigniew , Orhan Kaan
Published: June 2024

Background: Cephalometric analysis (CA) is an indispensable diagnostic tool in orthodontics for treatment planning and outcome assessment. Manual CA is time-consuming and prone to variability. Methods: This study aims to compare the accuracy and repeatability of CA results among three commercial AI-driven programs: CephX, WebCeph, and AudaxCeph. This study involved a retrospective analysis of lateral cephalograms from a single orthodontic center. Automated CA was performed using the AI programs, focusing on common parameters defined by Downs, Ricketts, and Steiner. Repeatability was tested through 50 randomly reanalyzed cases by each software. Statistical analyses included intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3) for agreement and the Friedman test for concordance. Results: One hundred twenty-four cephalograms were analyzed. High agreement between the AI systems was noted for most parameters (ICC3 > 0.9). Notable differences were found in the measurements of angle convexity and the occlusal plane, where discrepancies suggested different methodologies among the programs. Some analyses presented high variability in the results, indicating errors. Repeatability analysis revealed perfect agreement within each program. Conclusions: AI-driven cephalometric analysis tools demonstrate a high potential for reliable and efficient orthodontic assessments, with substantial agreement in repeated analyses. Despite this, the observed discrepancies and high variability in part of analyses underscore the need for standardization across AI platforms and the critical evaluation of automated results by clinicians, particularly in parameters with significant treatment implications.
Inotropic Agents: Are We Still in the Middle of Nowhere?
Authors: Iorio Anna Maria , Lucà Fabiana , Pozzi Andrea , Rao Carmelo Massimiliano , Di Fusco Stefania Angela , Colivicchi Furio , Grimaldi Massimo , Oliva Fabrizio , Gulizia Michele Masssimo
Published: June 2024

Inotropes are prescribed to enhance myocardial contractility while vasopressors serve to improve vascular tone. Although these medications remain a life-saving therapy in cardiovascular clinical scenarios with hemodynamic impairment, the paucity of evidence on these drugs makes the choice of the most appropriate vasoactive agent challenging. As such, deep knowledge of their pharmacological and hemodynamic effects becomes crucial to optimizing hemodynamic profile while reducing the potential adverse effects. Given this perspective, it is imperative for cardiologists to possess a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing these agents and to discern optimal strategies for their application across diverse clinical contexts. Thus, we briefly review these agents’ pharmacological and hemodynamic properties and their reasonable clinical applications in cardiovascular settings. Critical interpretation of available data and the opportunities for future investigations are also highlighted.
Clostridioides difficile Infection in the Elderly: Trend Analysis from 2000 to 2019
Authors: Danpanichkul Pojsakorn , Duangsonk Kwanjit , Uawithya Ekdanai , Kongarin Siwanart , Simadibrata Daniel M. , Polpichai Natchaya , Suenghataiphorn Thanathip , Wattanachayakul Phuuwadith , Pang Yanfang , Sukphutanan Banthoon , Kaewdech Apichat , Panpradist Nuttada , Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn , Pupaibool Jakrapun , Wijarnpreecha Karn
Published: June 2024

Background/Objective: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a common healthcare-associated ailment, presenting major health and economic challenges, especially for the elderly. Despite its prevalence, comprehensive data about CDI’s impact on the elderly are limited. Methods: This study used the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 data to analyze CDI trends from 2000 to 2019, considering factors like sex, region, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Results: This study revealed that CDI caused approximately 18,181 deaths and 252,709 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among the elderly worldwide. The Americas showed the highest CDI burden, while the Eastern Mediterranean saw the steepest rate increase from 2000 to 2019. Regions with a high SDI also displayed substantial CDI impact. Conclusions: The escalating burden of CDI in the elderly, especially in high-SDI areas and the Americas, emphasizes an urgent need for targeted public health strategies.
Preparation of Hydrophobic Modified Silica with Si69 and Its Reinforcing Mechanical Properties in Natural Rubber
Authors: You Bo , Jin Shengming
Published: June 2024

The inherent large number of hydroxyl groups of silica poses strong hydrophilicity, resulting in poor dispersibility in the natural rubber matrix. Here, the silica’s surface was hydrophobically modified with [3-(triethoxysiliconyl) propyl] tetrasulfide (Si69) to improve the dispersibility and reinforce the mechanical properties of silica/natural rubber composites. The structure and morphology of modified silica were characterized by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray electron spectroscopy (XPS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the contact angle. Further, the mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of silica/natural rubber composites were studied with a universal electronic tension machine, dynamic thermal mechanical properties analyzer (DMA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental results show that the Si69 was successfully grafted onto the surface of silica, thereby significantly improving the water contact angle (a 158.6% increase) and enhancing the mechanical properties of modified silica/natural rubber composites.
A Novel UHPLC-MS/MS Based Method for Isomeric Separation and Quantitative Determination of Cyanogenic Glycosides in American Elderberry
Authors: Kasote Deepak M. , Lei Zhentian , Kranawetter Clayton D. , Conway-Anderson Ashley , Sumner Barbara W. , Sumner Lloyd W.
Published: June 2024

LC-MS/MS analyses have been reported as challenging for the reliable separation and quantification of cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs), especially (R)-prunasin and sambunigrin isomers found in American elderberry (Sambucus nigra L. subsp. canadensis (L.) Bolli). Hence, a novel multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-based ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated in the present study for simultaneous separation and quantification of five CNGs, including amygdalin, dhurrin, linamarin, (R)-prunasin, and (S)-prunasin (commonly referred to as sambunigrin). Initially, the role of ammonium formate was investigated as an aqueous mobile-phase additive in developing MRM-based UHPLC-MS/MS. Later, chromatographic conditions for the resolved separation of (R)-prunasin and sambunigrin were identified. Validation studies confirmed that the developed method has good linearity and acceptable precision and accuracy. A noticeable matrix effect (mainly signal enhancement) was observed in leaf samples only. This method was used to detect and quantify CNGs, including (R)-prunasin and sambunigrin, in leaf and fruit samples of American elderberry. Among the studied CNGs, only (R)-prunasin was detected in the leaf samples. Interestingly, (S)-prunasin (sambunigrin) was not detected in the samples analyzed, even though it has been previously reported in elderberry species.
Preparation of Humic Acid from Weathered Coal by Mechanical Energy Activation and Its Properties
Authors: Feng Xiujuan , Xiao Rilong , Condé Sékou Mohamed , Dong Chengliang , Xun Yanping , Guo Dalong , Liu Hui , Liu Kunpeng , Liang Mingzhi
Published: June 2024

Humic acid (HA) is rich in functional groups with high activity, which can effectively improve the soil environment. The large reserves of weathered coal in China provide sufficient raw material guarantee for HA extraction and utilization. At present, the activation side of weathered coal is still the main technical difficulty that restricts HA extraction. In this study, the weathered coal from Inner Mongolia was used as the raw material, and the mechanical energy was used to activate the weathered coal through a planetary ball mill, which improved the extraction rate of HA and optimized the molecular structure and composition of HA. The effects of four parameters, namely, ball material ratio, ball milling time, ball milling speed, and ball size, on the free HA content of weathered coal were investigated, the HA was extracted by alkaline extraction method, and the activated weathered coal and the extracted HA were characterized. The results showed that a ball material ratio of 9:1, a ball milling speed of 200 r/min, a ball milling time of 200 min, a milling ball size of Ф5:Ф10:Ф15 = 48:42:45 and 56:42:37 are the optimal parameters for the mechanical energy activation, and the HA extraction rate of activated weathered coal under these conditions reached 82.3%, which was 15% higher than that of the unactivated one. Moreover, the aroma of the ball-milled weathered coal increased, the content of oxygenated functional groups increased, and the molecular weight and aroma of HA increased. This provides scientific theoretical guidance for the preparation of HA with high aromaticity and large molecular weight from weathered coal.
In Situ Hydrophobization of Lithium Aluminate Particles for Flotations by Dry Grinding in the Presence of Punicines
Authors: Steiner Frédéric , Zgheib Ali , Fischer Maximilian Hans , Büttner Lukas , Schmidt Andreas , Breitung-Faes Sandra
Published: June 2024

The engineered artificial mineral (EnAM) lithium aluminate (LiAlO2) is a promising candidate for the recycling of lithium from slags, which can originate from the reprocessing of batteries, for example. Derivatives of the natural product Punicine (1-(2′,5′-dihydroxyphenyl)-pyridinium) from Punica granatum have been proven to be effective switchable collectors for the flotation of this mineral as they react to light. In the present study, three Punicines were added to a planetary ball mill before grinding LiAlO2 to particle sizes suitable for flotation. We investigated the influence of Punicine and two derivatives with C10 and C17 side chains on the grinding results at different grinding times and conditions as well as on the yields in flotations. SEM images of the particles, IR and ICP–OES measurements provided insights into the Punicine–particle interactions. They showed that Punicines not only prevent the formation of hydrophilic and thus undesirable lithium aluminate hydroxide hydrate (LiAl2(OH)7 ▪ x H2O) surfaces in this process, as is unavoidable in aqueous flotation without this pretreatment, they also prevent the undesired release of lithium cations into the aqueous phase. Due to considerable hydrophobization of the particle surface of LiAlO2, nearly quantitative recovery rates of this engineered artificial mineral are achieved using the process described here.
Developed Recyclable CaFe-Layered Double Hydroxide for Efficient Cadmium Immobilization in Soil: Performance and Bioavailability
Authors: Jing Yuqi , Chen Ran , Zhang Jiayao , Hu Liyun , Qiu Xinhong
Published: June 2024

Powdered layered double hydroxide (CaFe-LDH) was synthesized via hydrothermal co-precipitation, demonstrating successful preparation upon characterization. Subsequently, experiments were conducted to assess its efficacy in immobilizing divalent cadmium (Cd(II)). The findings substantiated the effectiveness of CaFe-LDH in immobilizing Cd(II) within soil. Various influencing factors, including LDH dosage, pH, and soil heavy metal concentration, were systematically investigated, revealing CaFe-LDH’s superiority in Cd(II) immobilization. Notably, the leaching concentration of Cd(II) was notably reduced from 142.30 mg/L to 32.99 mg/L, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 31.10 mg/L, underscoring the significant role of CaFe-LDH in Cd(II) removal. Furthermore, the stability of CaFe-LDH was confirmed via toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) experiments and plant potting tests. In-depth analysis of the immobilization mechanism through X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) elucidated isomorphous substitution and surface adsorption as the primary mechanisms responsible for Cd(II) immobilization in contaminated soils. Additionally, isomorphic substitution and adsorption onto oxygen-containing functional groups were observed. This comprehensive study underscores the promising potential of CaFe-LDH in immobilizing Cd(II) in contaminated soil. With its commendable immobilization properties and recyclability, CaFe-LDH emerges as a promising solution for remediating heavy-metal-contaminated soils.
Effect of Paleoenvironmental Conditions on the Distribution of Lower Carboniferous Shale in Yaziluo Rift Trough, South China: Insights from Major/Trace Elements and Shale Composition
Authors: Chen Xianglin , Xu Qiuchen , Qin Yinglun , Chen Rong , Wang Yufang , Shi Dishi , Bai Jing , Yuan Kun , Cen Wenpan , Li Fei , Lin Tuo
Published: June 2024

Paleoenvironmental conditions significantly influence the distribution patterns and organic matter enrichment of shale. This study investigated the vertical variations of major elements, trace elements, and total organic carbon (TOC) in the Lower Carboniferous marine shale from the Yaziluo Rift Trough, South China, to understand the paleoenvironmental conditions, including redox conditions, terrigenous detrital input, paleoproductivity, and paleo-seawater depth. The Lower Carboniferous formation consists of three sedimentary facies: basin facies, lower slope facies, and upper slope facies. From the basin to the lower slope and then to the upper slope facies, TOC, quartz, and pyrite contents gradually decrease, whereas the carbonate mineral content shows an increasing trend. A continuous decline in paleo-seawater depth transformed a deep-water anoxic environment with high paleoproductivity and low detrital input in the basin facies into a semi-deep-water environment with dysoxic-oxic conditions and moderate detrital influx in the lower slope facies, evolving further into a suboxic environment with high detrital flux in the upper slope facies. The geochemistry results suggest that anoxic conditions and high paleoproductivity were the primary controls on organic matter enrichment in the siliceous shale of the basin facies. In contrast, redox conditions significantly influenced organic matter accumulation in the mixed shale of the lower slope facies, attributed to relatively low paleoproductivity in a more restricted marine setting. Additionally, the adsorption of carbon components by clay minerals facilitated the preservation of organic matter in the calcareous shale of the upper slope facies.
Ultra-Mild Fabrication of Highly Concentrated SWCNT Dispersion Using Spontaneous Charging in Solvated Electron System
Authors: Shin Junho , Kim Jung Hoon , Lee Jungeun , Lee Sangyong , Park Jong Hwan , Jeong Seung Yol , Jeong Hee Jin , Han Joong Tark , Seo Seon Hee , Lee Seoung-Ki , Kim Jungmo
Published: June 2024

The efficient dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has been the subject of extensive research over the past decade. Despite these efforts, achieving individually dispersed SWCNTs at high concentrations remains challenging. In this study, we address the limitations associated with conventional methods, such as defect formation, excessive surfactant use, and the use of corrosive solvents. Our novel dispersion method utilizes the spontaneous charging of SWCNTs in a solvated electron system created by dissolving potassium in hexamethyl phosphoramide (HMPA). The resulting charged SWCNTs (c-SWCNTs) can be directly dispersed in the charging medium using only magnetic stirring, leading to defect-free c-SWCNT dispersions with high concentrations of up to 20 mg/mL. The successful dispersion of individual c-SWCNT strands is confirmed by their liquid-crystalline behavior. Importantly, the dispersion medium for c-SWCNTs exhibits no reactivity with metals, polymers, or other organic solvents. This versatility enables a wide range of applications, including electrically conductive free-standing films produced via conventional blade coating, wet-spun fibers, membrane electrodes, thermal composites, and core-shell hybrid microparticles.
Establishment of a Suitable Diagnostic Workflow to Ensure Sensitive Detection of African Swine Fever Virus Genome in Porcine Semen
Authors: Friedrichs Virginia , Reicks Darwin , Zimmerman Jeffrey J. , Nelson Eric A. , Sauter-Louis Carola , Beer Martin , Christopher-Hennings Jane , Blome Sandra
Published: June 2024

The rapid spread of African swine fever virus (ASFV), causing severe and often lethal disease in domestic pigs and Eurasian wild boar, continues to be a threat to pig populations and dependent industries. Despite scientific achievements that have deepened our understanding of ASFV pathogenesis, alternative transmission routes for ASFV remain to be elucidated. We previously demonstrated the efficient transmission of ASFV from infected boars to naïve recipient gilts via artificial insemination, thereby highlighting the importance of surveillance of boar semen prior to its shipment. Since the accurate and reliable detection of even low amounts of ASFV in boar semen is key to disease prevention and control, we established a suitable diagnostic workflow to efficiently detect the ASFV genome in boar semen. Here, we assessed the sensitivity of various routine nucleic acid extraction kits as well as qPCR protocols in detecting the ASFV genome in the blood and semen of infected boars. The feasibility of the respective kits and methods for future use in boar studs was also considered. Variability in sensitivity mostly concerned samples with low to very low amounts of the ASFV genome. Ultimately, we defined a well-suited workflow for precisely detecting the ASFV genome in boar semen as early as 2 days post ASFV infection.
The Prevalence of Antibiotic Tolerance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Varies by Anatomical Site
Authors: Balduck Margaux , Strikker Akim , Gestels Zina , Abdellati Saïd , Van den Bossche Dorien , De Baetselier Irith , Kenyon Chris , Manoharan-Basil Sheeba Santhini
Published: June 2024

Background: Tolerance enables bacteria to survive intermittent antibiotic exposure without an increase in antimicrobial susceptibility. In this study, we investigated the presence of tolerance to three antimicrobials, ceftriaxone, azithromycin and ciprofloxacin, in clinical isolates and the WHO (World Health Organization) reference panel of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Methods: We used the modified tolerance disk (TD test) to assess for tolerance to ceftriaxone, azithromycin and ciprofloxacin in 14 WHO reference strains and 62 N. gonorrhoeae clinical isolates—evenly divided between anorectal and urogenital infections. The isolates underwent a three-step incubation process wherein the isolates were exposed to an antibiotic disk for 20 h of incubation (Step I), followed by the replacement of the antibiotic disk with a nutrient disk for overnight incubation (Step II) and additional overnight incubation with extra nutrients (Step III). Results: A total of 4 of the 62 clinical anorectal isolates and none of the urogenital isolates exhibited tolerance to azithromycin (p = 0.033). Tolerance to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin was observed in eight and four isolates, respectively, with no difference between infection sites. Tolerance was also detected in 8 (K, M, N, O, P, U, V, W) out of the 14 WHO reference strains, with varying patterns of tolerance to ceftriaxone (n = 8), ciprofloxacin (n = 2) and azithromycin (n = 1). Conclusions: This study identified ceftriaxone, azithromycin and ciprofloxacin tolerance in clinical and WHO reference N. gonorrhoeae isolates. Azithromycin tolerance was more common in anorectal than urogenital infections.
Exploring Aluminum Tolerance Mechanisms in Plants with Reference to Rice and Arabidopsis: A Comprehensive Review of Genetic, Metabolic, and Physiological Adaptations in Acidic Soils
Authors: Chakraborty Nilakshi , Das Abir , Pal Sayan , Roy Soumita , Sil Sudipta , Adak Malay , Hasanuzzaman Mirza
Published: June 2024

Aluminum (Al) makes up a third of the Earth’s crust and is a widespread toxic contaminant, particularly in acidic soils. It impacts crops at multiple levels, from cellular to whole plant systems. This review delves into Al’s reactivity, including its cellular transport, involvement in oxidative redox reactions, and development of specific metabolites, as well as the influence of genes on the production of membrane channels and transporters, alongside its role in triggering senescence. It discusses the involvement of channel proteins in calcium influx, vacuolar proton pumping, the suppression of mitochondrial respiration, and the initiation of programmed cell death. At the cellular nucleus level, the effects of Al on gene regulation through alterations in nucleic acid modifications, such as methylation and histone acetylation, are examined. In addition, this review outlines the pathways of Al-induced metabolic disruption, specifically citric acid metabolism, the regulation of proton excretion, the induction of specific transcription factors, the modulation of Al-responsive proteins, changes in citrate and nucleotide glucose transporters, and overall metal detoxification pathways in tolerant genotypes. It also considers the expression of phenolic oxidases in response to oxidative stress, their regulatory feedback on mitochondrial cytochrome proteins, and their consequences on root development. Ultimately, this review focuses on the selective metabolic pathways that facilitate Al exclusion and tolerance, emphasizing compartmentalization, antioxidative defense mechanisms, and the control of programmed cell death to manage metal toxicity.
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Large USDA Sesame Collection
Authors: Seay Damien , Szczepanek Aaron , De La Fuente Gerald N. , Votava Eric , Abdel-Haleem Hussein
Published: June 2024

Sesame, Sesamum indicum L., is one of the oldest domesticated crops used for its oil and protein in many parts of the world. To build genomic resources for sesame that could be used to improve sesame productivity and responses to stresses, a USDA sesame germplasm collection of 501 accessions originating from 36 countries was used in this study. The panel was genotyped using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technology to explore its genetic diversity and population structure and the relatedness among its accessions. A total of 24,735 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were identified over the 13 chromosomes. The marker density was 1900 SNP per chromosome, with an average polymorphism information content (PIC) value of 0.267. The marker polymorphisms and heterozygosity estimators indicated the usefulness of the identified SNPs to be used in future genetic studies and breeding activities. The population structure, principal components analysis (PCA), and unrooted neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree analyses classified two distinct subpopulations, indicating a wide genetic diversity within the USDA sesame collection. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 29.5% of the variation in this population was due to subpopulations, while 57.5% of the variation was due to variation among the accessions within the subpopulations. These results showed the degree of differentiation between the two subpopulations as well as within each subpopulation. The high fixation index (FST) between the distinguished subpopulations indicates a wide genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation among and within the identified subpopulations. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) pattern averaged 161 Kbp for the whole sesame genome, while the LD decay ranged from 168 Kbp at chromosome LG09 to 123 Kbp in chromosome LG05. These findings could explain the complications of linkage drag among the traits during selections. The selected accessions and genotyped SNPs provide tools to enhance genetic gain in sesame breeding programs through molecular approaches.
A SAR Ship Detection Method Based on Adversarial Training
Authors: Li Jianwei , Yu Zhentao , Chen Jie , Jiang Hao
Published: June 2024

SAR (synthetic aperture radar) ship detection is a hot topic due to the breadth of its application. However, limited by the volume of the SAR image, the generalization ability of the detector is low, which makes it difficult to adapt to new scenes. Although many data augmentation methods—for example, clipping, pasting, and mixing—are used, the accuracy is improved little. In order to solve this problem, the adversarial training is used for data generation in this paper. Perturbation is added to the SAR image to generate new samples for training, and it can make the detector learn more abundant features and promote the robustness of the detector. By separating batch normalization between clean samples and disturbed images, the performance degradation on clean samples is avoided. By simultaneously perturbing and selecting large losses of classification and location, it can keep the detector adaptable to more confrontational samples. The optimization efficiency and results are improved through K-step average perturbation and one-step gradient descent. The experiments on different detectors show that the proposed method achieves 8%, 10%, and 17% AP (Average Precision) improvement on the SSDD, SAR-Ship-Dataset, and AIR-SARShip, compared to the traditional data augmentation methods.
Analisis Desain Spasial pada Bangunan Prefabrikasi: Residensial
Authors: Kusumah Anita Febrianti
Published: June 2024

Prefabricated residential innovation is producing large-scale building components from factory environmental standards and then assembled at the construction site, obtaining production process efficiency benefits with modular methods, adjusting to occupant needs from agreed design configurations. However, this innovation brings the dilemma of ownership being closer to manufacturing than occupants and the existence of standard limits in design improvisation. This study aims to evaluate the production results of prefabricated building components in its innovation to residents in planning occupancy, as it is known that the dilemma of prefabricated occupancy allows the risk of gaps between residents to places or known as placelessness.
Qualitative methods with a case study approach have been used in this research through spatial design analysis by Ian Higgins by explaining physical elements through planning strategies, spatial requirements, and spatial compositions. The results of the study concluded that prefabricated buildings achieve occupancy factors; 1) Effective and functional, refers to meeting key needs and supporting activities, 2) Practical and optimal, refers to the design of space arrangements that prioritize comfort and convenience, 3) Compatible, refers to achieving room personalization according to needs and lifestyle.
South Carolina Beach Water Quality: Stakeholder Workshop Identifies Challenges, Needs, and Recommendations
Authors: Hannides Angelos , Elko Nicole
Published: June 2024

Coastal water quality is often identified by diverse stakeholders as a major management challenge but can be difficult to define. South Carolina Beach Advocates (SCBA), a nonprofit organization formed in 2015 to educate the public, governmental authorities, and elected officials as to the environmental, economic, and societal impact of South Carolina's beaches and inlets, recognized this challenge and organized a virtual workshop in June 2022 to explore our beachfront communities' water quality management challenges, and discuss various perspectives on beach water quality. Thirty-eight participants from government agencies, local government, industry, academia, and civic society discussed this important topic and identified challenges and concerns, general requirements, needed new capabilities, and recommendations for next steps. Following the workshop, a Beach Water Quality Subcommittee was formed under the auspices of the SCBA to continue this important conversation.
Dinitro-[1H,4H]-dihydropyrazines - A DFT treatment
Authors: Türker Lemi
Published: June 2024

Dinitro-(1H,4H)-dihydropyrazine isomers and the 1,3- and 1,5-proton tautomers of these isomers are considered within the constraints of density functional theory at the level of B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p). All the structures are electronically stable, thermodynamically exothermic and have favorable Gibbs’ free energy of formation values at the standard states. Various quantum chemical properties, including IR and UV-VIS spectra, the HOMO and LUMO energies etc., have been obtained and discussed. The NICS values have been calculated for the antiaromaticity order of the isomers considered.