bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Water Level Forecast Under the Effect of the Northeast Monsoon During Spring Tides
Authors: Wong Yat-Chun , Law Hiu-Fai , Lam Ching-Chi , Chan Pak-Wai
Published: November 2024

One of the manifests of air-sea interactions is the change in sea level due to meteorological forcing through wind stress and atmospheric pressure. When meteorological conditions conducive to water level increase coincide with high tides during spring tides, the sea level may rise higher than expected and pose a flood risk to coastal low-lying areas. In Hong Kong, specifically when the northeast monsoon coincides with the higher spring tides in late autumn and winter, and sometimes even compounded by the storm surge brought by late-season tropical cyclones (TCs), the result may be coastal flooding or sea inundation. Aiming at forecasting such sea level anomalies on the scale of hours and days with local tide gauges using a flexible and computationally efficient method, this study adapts a data-driven method based on empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) regression of non-uniformly lagged regional wind field from ECMWF Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) to capture the effects from synoptic weather evolution patterns, excluding the effect of TCs. Local atmospheric pressure and winds are also included in the predictors of the regression model. Verification results show good performance in general. Hindcast using ECMWF forecasts as input reveals that the reduction of mean absolute error (MAE) by adding the anomaly forecast to the existing predicted astronomical tide was as high as 30% in February on average over the whole range of water levels, as well as that compared against the Delft3D forecast in a strong northeast monsoon case. The EOF method generally outperformed the persistence method in forecasting water level anomaly for a lead time of more than 6 h. The performance was even better particularly for high water levels, making it suitable to serve as a forecast reference tool for providing high water level alerts to relevant emergency response agencies to tackle the risk of coastal inundation in non-TC situations and an estimate of the anomaly contribution from the northeast monsoon under its combined effect with TC. The model is capable of improving water level forecasts up to a week ahead, despite the general decreasing model performance with increasing lead time due to less accurate input from model forecasts at a longer range. Some cases show that the model successfully predicted both positive and negative anomalies with a magnitude similar to observations up to 5 to 7 days in advance.
Virtual Reality-Based Therapy Can Enhance Balance and Muscular Endurance in Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Piñar-Lara Marina , Cortés-Pérez Irene , Díaz-Fernández Ángeles , Montilla-Ibáñez María de Alharilla , Sedeño-Vidal Ana , Obrero-Gaitán Esteban
Published: November 2024

Physical exercises are crucial for enhancing postural balance and muscle strength in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT), which utilizes exergames, can favor performing physical activity. The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of VRBT in improving balance and muscular endurance in children and adolescents with DS. Since inception up to August 2024, we screened in PubMed Medline, SCOPUS, WOS, CINAHL, and PEDro studies that assessed the effectiveness of VRBT, compared to conventional therapy (CT) or usual care (UC), in improving balance and muscular endurance in DS. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Effect size in meta-analyses was calculated with the Cohen’s standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Nine studies providing data from 424 participants with good methodological quality (PEDro: 6.3 ± 1.2 points) were included. Our meta-analysis showed that VRBT is more effective than controls in increasing function (SMD = 1.22; 95% CI 0.64 to 1.81; p < 0.001), dynamic balance (SMD = −2.2; 95% CI −3.1 to −1.25; p < 0.001), and muscular endurance (SMD = 1.37; 95% CI 0.58 to 2.2; p < 0.001). This is the first meta-analysis to exclusively focus on children and adolescents with DS, demonstrating the effectiveness of VRBT in enhancing balance and muscular endurance.
Compact Digital Immunoassay Platform Integrating ELISA with a Lateral Flow Strip
Authors: Degawa Takuma , Hori Yuma , Orikasa Masato , Narita Haruka , Komori Tomotaka , Yoshimura Toru
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: On-site diagnosis of infection in their early stages requires assays with high sensitivities that are compact and easy to operate out of the laboratory and hospital environments. However, current assay technologies fall short of these requirements and require highly skilled technicians to set up, operate, and interpret the results. Methods: To address these challenges, we developed and evaluated a Point-of-Care-Testing (PoCT) immunoassay platform called the D-strip. The D-strip platform combines the capabilities of a digital enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) with a lateral flow assay (LFA). The D-strip sample flow cell is composed of the same components found in conventional LFAs, and its high sensitivity is due to its efficient implementation of ELISA. The fully integrated platform is simple and requires minimal user intervention to operate. Results: The D-strip exhibited a sample-to-result time of 15 min with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.7 × 103 copies/mL for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-2-CoV) antigen. The LOD of the D-strip is 488-fold higher than that for conventional LFAs and is comparable to a clinical laboratory test. Conclusions: The D-strip is a compact and highly sensitive immunoassay platform with a strong potential for application as a confirmatory assay outside the clinical laboratory.
Adenomyosis Localized in Both the Anterior and Posterior Myometrium Is Associated with Deep Rectal Endometriosis: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Schawlochow Konstantin , Samartzis Nicolas , Burla Laurin , Eberhard Markus , Kalaitzopoulos Dimitrios Rafail , Leeners Brigitte
Published: November 2024

Background: Endometriosis and adenomyosis are two closely related, estrogen-dependent, benign gynecological diseases. The available evidence on their common pathogenesis and association is limited and often does not address the heterogeneity of both entities. The aim of our study is to investigate the association between different types and localizations of adenomyosis and endometriosis phenotypes, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and laparoscopic findings. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study involving premenopausal women over 18 years old who underwent laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and were pre-operatively diagnosed with adenomyosis through MRI examination at the Cantonal Hospital of Schaffhausen, Switzerland between 2011 and 2022. Results: Of 130 patients with adenomyosis, 23 (17.7%) women had adenomyosis only in the anterior wall (group 1), 38 (29.2%) only in the posterior wall (group 2), and 69 (53.1%) in both the anterior and posterior wall (group 3). Women in group 1 experienced significantly more dysuria compared to the two other groups (p = 0.018), while the prevalence of other pain symptoms (dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschesia) was comparable between the groups. Women in group 3 had significantly thicker anterior and posterior myometrium compared to groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). Co-existence of deep rectal endometriosis was more frequent in women from group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.039) and in women with adenomyosis in the outer (extrinsic) compared to adenomyosis in the inner myometrium (intrinsic) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provides evidence of an association between the localization of adenomyosis and the distribution of concomitant endometriosis. Specifically, adenomyosis localized in both the anterior and posterior wall appears to be more proliferative compared to adenomyosis found only in the anterior or posterior wall. This is indicated by its association with higher uterine volume, thicker posterior junctional zone, and greater myometrial thickness and with a higher co-existence with deep rectal endometriosis. These findings support an association between the development of specific subtypes of both entities, which represents a valuable resource for the identification of future targets for the treatment and clinical management of adenomyosis and endometriosis.
A Murine Model of Non-Wear-Particle-Induced Aseptic Loosening
Authors: Suhardi Vincentius , Oktarina Anastasia , Niu Yingzhen , Sosa Branden , Retzky Julia , Greenblatt Matthew , Ivashkiv Lionel , Bostrom Mathias , Yang Xu
Published: November 2024

Background: The current murine models of peri-implant osseointegration failure are associated with wear particles. However, the current clinical osseointegration failure is not associated with wear particles. Here, we develop a murine model of osseointegration failure not associated with wear particles and validate it by comparing the cellular composition of interfacial tissues with human samples collected during total joint arthroplasty revision for aseptic loosening. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two 16-week-old female C57BL/6 mice underwent implantation with a press-fitted roughened titanium implant (Control, n = 11) to induce normal osseointegration and a press-fitted smooth polymethylmethacrylate implant (PMMA, n = 11), a loosely fitted smooth titanium implant (Smooth-Ti, n = 5) or a loosely fitted roughened titanium implant (Overdrill, n = 5) to induce osseointegration failure. Pullout testing was used to determine the strength of the bone–implant interface (n = 6 of each for Control and PMMA groups) at 2 weeks after implantation. Histology (n = 2/group) and immunofluorescence (n = 3/group) were used to determine the cellular composition of bone–implant interfacial tissue, and this was compared with two human samples. Results: Osseointegration failure was confirmed with grossly loosening implants and the presence of fibrous tissue identified via histology. The maximum pullout load in the PMMA group was 87% lower than in the Control group (2.8 ± 0.6 N vs. 21 ± 1.5 N, p < 0.001). With immunofluorescence, abundant fibroblasts (PDGFRα+ TCF4+ and PDGFRα+ Pu1+) were observed in osseointegration failure groups and the human samples, but not in controls. Interestingly, CD146+PDGFRα+ and LepR+PDGFRα+ mesenchymal progenitors, osteoblasts (OPN+), vascular endothelium (EMCN+) cells were observed in all groups, indicating dynamic osteogenic activity. Macrophages, only M2, were observed in conditions producing fibrous tissue. Conclusions: In this newly developed non-wear-particle-related murine osseointegration failure model, the cellular composition of human and murine interfacial tissue implicates specific populations of fibroblasts in fibrous tissue formation and implies that these cells may derive from mesenchymal stem cells.
Exploring the Relationship Between CAIDE Dementia Risk and EEG Signal Activity in a Healthy Population
Authors: Manuel Alice Rodrigues , Ribeiro Pedro , Silva Gabriel , Rodrigues Pedro Miguel , Nunes Maria Vânia Silva
Published: November 2024

Background: Accounting for dementia risk factors is essential in identifying people who would benefit most from intervention programs. The CAIDE dementia risk score is commonly applied, but its link to brain function remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether the variation in this score is associated with neurophysiological changes and cognitive measures in normative individuals. Methods: The sample comprised 38 participants aged between 54 and 79 (M = 67.05; SD = 6.02). Data were collected using paper-and-pencil tests and electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings in the resting state, channels FP1 and FP2. The EEG signals were analyzed using Power Spectral Density (PSD)-based features. Results: The CAIDE score is positively correlated with the relative power activation of the θ band and negatively correlated with the MMSE cognitive test score, and MMSE variations align with those found in distributions of EEG-extracted PSD-based features. Conclusions: The findings suggest that CAIDE scores can identify individuals without noticeable cognitive changes who already exhibit brain activity similar to that seen in people with dementia. They also contribute to the convergent validity between CAIDE and the risk of cognitive decline. This underscores the importance of early monitoring of these factors to reduce the incidence of dementia.
Validation of the Comprehensive and Brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for Schizophrenia from the Perspective of Individuals Diagnosed with the Disorder: A Worldwide Study Using Focus Groups
Authors: Chai Chuen Ann , Barrios Maite , Gómez-Benito Juana , Campoverde Karina , Guilera Georgina
Published: November 2024

The comprehensive and brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core sets for schizophrenia, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) framework, aim to describe the functioning of individuals with schizophrenia. The objective of this study was to identify the most common problems faced by these individuals and validate the ICF core sets. Eight focus groups were conducted, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. The linking process involved two independent coders identifying meaningful units and linking agreed-upon concepts to the ICF categories. Data saturation was defined as the point at which no new categories emerged from additional focus groups. The 37 participants in this study represented the WHO regions of Africa, South-East Asia, the Western Pacific, and Europe. The focus groups confirmed the relevance of all ICF core set categories, with an additional 21 second-level categories being proposed in at least six of the eight focus groups. In this study, the ICF core sets for schizophrenia were validated from the perspective of individuals. However, several second-level categories not currently included in the ICF core sets also emerged. To ensure that the ICF core sets are truly international in scope, the potential relevance of these categories should be investigated further.
Determinants of Generative AI System Adoption and Usage Behavior in Korean Companies: Applying the UTAUT Model
Authors: Kim Youngsoo , Blazquez Victor , Oh Taeyeon
Published: November 2024

This study addresses the academic gap in the adoption of generative AI systems by investigating the factors influencing technology acceptance and usage behavior in Korean firms. Although recent advancements in AI are accelerating digital transformation and innovation, empirical research on the adoption of these systems remains scarce. To fill this gap, this study applies the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, surveying 300 employees from both large and small enterprises in South Korea. The findings reveal that effort expectancy and social influence significantly influence employees’ behavioral intention to use generative AI systems. Specifically, effort expectancy plays a critical role in the early stages of adoption, while social influence, including support from supervisors and peers, strongly drives the adoption process. In contrast, performance expectancy and facilitating conditions show no significant impact. The study also highlights the differential effects of age and work experience on behavioral intention and usage behavior. For older employees, social support is a key factor in technology acceptance, whereas employees with more experience exhibit a more positive attitude toward adopting new technologies. Conversely, facilitating conditions are more critical for younger employees. This study contributes to the understanding of the interaction between various factors in AI technology adoption and offers strategic insights for the successful implementation of AI systems in Korean companies.
Parents’ Literacy Beliefs, Home Literacy Activities, and Children’s Early Literacy Skills: Stability and Progress Approaching First Grade
Authors: Bergman Deitcher Deborah , Aram Dorit , Abramovich Dana
Published: November 2024

This study explores the stability and progress of parents’ literacy beliefs and home literacy activities and their relationships with their children’s early literacy skills in their last year of preschool. Participants were 50 preschool children (M = 61.44 months) and their parents. Data collection sessions occurred in the family home in the fall and spring, with six months between them. At each time point, parents completed questionnaires regarding their beliefs relating to children’s literacy development, parents’ role in supporting literacy development, and the frequency of home literacy activities. We also evaluated the children’s early literacy skills (letter names, letter sounds, word writing, phonological awareness, and motivation for literacy activities). Results revealed overall stability in parents’ beliefs between the two time points, an increase in home literacy activities, progress in children’s early literacy skills, and greater motivation to engage in early literacy activities. We found a positive relationship between parents’ beliefs and home literacy activities in the fall with their children’s early literacy skills in the spring. Further, the progress in parents’ literacy beliefs between the fall and the spring correlated with their children’s progress in early literacy skills, controlling for parents’ education and children’s age. This study highlights the importance of promoting parents’ literacy beliefs and home literacy activities.
Hidden in Plain Sight: A Data-Driven Approach to Safety Risk Management for Highway Traffic Officers
Authors: Bortey Loretta , Edwards David J. , Roberts Chris , Rille Iain
Published: November 2024

Highway traffic officers (HTOs) are often exposed to life-threatening workplace incidents while performing their duties. However, scant research has been undertaken to address these safety concerns. This research explores case study data from highway incident reports (held by National Highways, a UK government company) and employs deep neural network (DNN) in unearthing patterns which inform safety decision makers on pertinent safety challenges confronting HTOs. A mixed philosophical stance of positivism and interpretivism was adopted to synthesise the findings made. A four-phase sequential method was implemented to evaluate the validity of the research viz.: (i) architectural design; (ii) data exploration; (iii) predictive modelling; and (iv) performance evaluation. The DNN model’s predictive performance is benchmarked against three other machine learning models, namely Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Naïve Bayes (NB). The DNN model outperformed the other three models. Findings from the data exploration also show that most work operations undertaken by HTOs have a medium risk level with night shifts posing the greatest risk challenges. Carriageways and traffic management enclosures had the highest incident occurrence. This is the first study to uncover such hidden patterns and predict risk levels using a database specifically for HTOs. This study presents evidence-based information for proactive risk management for HTOs.
Examining the Impact of the Built Environment on Multidimensional Urban Vitality: Using Milk Tea Shops and Coffee Shops as New Indicators of Urban Vitality
Authors: Xu Ziqi , Chang Jiang , Cheng Fangyu , Liu Xiaoyi , Yao Tianning , Hu Kuntao , Sun Jingyu
Published: November 2024

Urban vitality is a critical driver of sustainable urban development, significantly contributing to the enhancement of human well-being. A thorough and multidimensional comprehension of urban vitality is essential for shaping future urban planning and policy-making. This study, focused on Chengdu, proposes a framework for assessing various dimensions of UV through the distribution of milk tea and coffee shops. Using random forest and multi-scale geographically weighted regression models, this study investigates the factors influencing urban vitality from both mathematical thresholds and spatial heterogeneity, and develops spatial maps of future vitality to inform targeted urban strategies. The results show that (1) the milk tea index is effective in capturing population vitality, while the coffee index is more closely associated with economic vitality and urban renewal; (2) office buildings (13.46%) and commercial complexes (13.70%) have the most significant impact on both economic and population vitality, while the importance of transportation factors has notably decreased; (3) the influence of these factors demonstrates spatial heterogeneity and nonlinear relationships, with subway station density of 0.5–0.8 stations per kilometer being optimal for stimulating both types of vitality. The minimum threshold for economic vitality in a given unit is a housing price exceeding 6000 RMB/m2; (4) the future vitality map suggests that urban planners should pay greater attention to non-central districts with high development potential. Moreover, spontaneous social interactions and consumer behaviors stimulated by various shops are critical components of urban vitality. In designing the physical environment and urban spatial forms, special attention should be given to enhancing the attractiveness of physical spaces and their capacity to accommodate social interaction.
AI-Based Controls for Thermal Comfort in Adaptable Buildings: A Review
Authors: Ahsan Mozammil , Shahzad Wajiha , Arif Khalid Mahmood
Published: November 2024

Due to global weather changes and pandemics, people are more likely to spend most of their time in indoor environments. In this regard, indoor environment quality is a very important aspect of occupant well-being, which is often ignored in modern building designs. Based on our research, thermal comfort is one of the essential items in building environments that can improve the mental stability and productivity of the occupants if the building’s indoor environment is created in a way that meets the occupants’ comfort requirements. Buildings nowadays operate on adaptive or stationary models to attain thermal comfort, which is based on Fanger’s model of the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV). Based on the literature review, limited work has been carried out to enhance the quality of the inside environment, and most research work has been devoted to building energy management. Moreover, there have been no definite solutions so far that have the capability to detect the thermal comfort requirements of multiple occupants in real time. Modern buildings tend to operate on predefined set point parameters to control the indoor environment based on the measured room temperature, which can be different from the thermal comfort requirements of the occupants. This paper discusses the limitations and assumptions that are associated with the existing thermal comfort solutions and emphasises the importance of having a real-time solution to address the thermal requirements of occupants.
A Restoring Force Correction Model for Enveloped Steel Jacket-Confined Seismic-Damaged Rectangular Recycled Aggregate Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Columns
Authors: Yan Jun , Peng Sheng , Chen Naimeng , Wang Tianlei , Song Yang
Published: November 2024

In order to establish a suitable restoring force correction model for enveloped steel jacket (ESJ)-confined seismic-damaged rectangular recycled aggregate concrete-filled steel tubular (RRACFST) columns, based on experimental research, a study of the seismic performance and parameters of ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns was carried out. The restoring force theory, model test, and OpenSees simulation of ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns were conducted. Firstly, a trilinear model of the skeleton curve and a suitable restoring force model for ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns were established. The results were compared with the model test results, and it was found that the two results had good consistency. Secondly, the initial damage of the RRACFST column was simulated by the reducing material properties method, and a correct numerical model for ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns was proposed. The influence mechanism of seismic parameters of the RRACFST column was clarified. Finally, the seismic parameter combination with the best seismic performance for ESJ-confined seismic-damaged RRACFST columns was established; namely, the replacement rate of recycled coarse aggregate is 50%, the concrete strength is C40, the axial compression ratio is 0.3, the strength of the rectangular steel tube is Q345, the wall thickness of the steel tube is 4 mm, and the slenderness ratio is 7.5.
Enhancing Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy by Targeting MDSCs via Hepatic Arterial Infusion in Breast Cancer Liver Metastases
Authors: Kim Minhyung , Powers Colin A. , Fisher Daniel T. , Ku Amy W. , Neznanov Nickolay , Safina Alfiya F. , Wang Jianmin , Gautam Avishekh , Balachandran Siddharth , Krishnamurthy Anuradha , Gurova Katerina V. , Evans Sharon S. , Gudkov Andrei V. , Skitzki Joseph J.
Published: November 2024

Background: Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation often have limited utility for advanced metastatic disease in the liver, and despite its promising activity in select cancers, PD-1 blockade therapy similarly has minimal benefit in this setting. Curaxin, CBL0137, is an experimental anti-cancer drug that disrupts the binding of DNA to histones, destabilizes chromatin, and induces Z-DNA formation which may stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. Methods: Murine cell lines of colon (CT26) and breast (4T1) cancer were interrogated for survival and CBL0137-associated DNA changes in vitro. Immunocompetent models of liver metastases followed by CBL0137 hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) were used to examine in vivo tumor cell DNA alterations, treatment responses, and the immune contexture associated with CBL0137, both alone and in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy. Results: CBL0137 induced immediate changes to favor tumor cell death in vitro and in vivo with an efficient tumor uptake via the HAI route. Toxicity to CBL0137 was minimal and anti-tumor treatment effects were more efficient with HAI compared to intravenous delivery. Immune effects were pronounced with CBL0137 HAI with concurrent depletion of a specific population of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and maintenance of effector T cell populations. Conclusions: Combination of CBL0137 HAI with PD-1 blockade improved survival in 4T1 tumors but not in CT26 tumors, and therapeutic efficacy relies on the finding of simultaneous and targeted depletion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and skewing of T cell populations to produce synergy with PD-1 blockade therapy.
Serum CYFRA 21-1 as a Prognostic Marker in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Miyadera Keiki , Kakuto Sho , Sugai Mayu , Tsugitomi Ryosuke , Amino Yoshiaki , Uchibori Ken , Yanagitani Noriko , Sugiura Hisatoshi , Seike Masahiro , Nishio Makoto , Ariyasu Ryo
Published: November 2024

Background: A prognostic marker in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies must be established. This study explored serum cytokeratin fraction 21–1 (CYFRA 21-1), which represents a squamous cell histology, as a prognostic factor in anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody treatment, stratifying by histology and treatment regimen. Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated patients with advanced NSCLC without driver mutations receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies between November 2015 and March 2023. Cutoff values for CYFRA 21-1 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were 3.5 and 5.0 ng/mL, respectively. The Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test were conducted. The Cox proportional hazards model was utilized for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: This study included 258 patients. The squamous NSCLC group demonstrated a shorter overall survival (OS) than the non-squamous NSCLC group (median, 17.8 vs. 23.7 months, p = 0.141). Patients with high serum CYFRA 21-1 and CEA levels exhibited a significantly shorter OS than those with normal levels (median, 11.7 vs. 32.7 months, p < 0.005; 15.8 vs. 29.7 months, p < 0.005). The multivariate analysis identified a performance status (PS) of ≥2, a PD-L1 expression of ≥50%, and a serum CYFRA 21-1 of >3.5 ng/mL as independent prognostic factors. Patients with high serum CYFRA 21-1 levels exhibited a significantly shorter OS even focusing on non-squamous NSCLC, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody and chemotherapy combination therapy, or anti-CTLA-4 antibody combination therapy. Conclusion: Serum CYFRA 21-1 is a poor prognostic marker for patients with NSCLC receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody treatment even when stratifying by histology or treatment regimen.
ZNF281 Facilitates the Invasion of Cervical Cancer Cell Both In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Chong Ye , Zhang Kun , Zeng Yuting , Chen Qian , Feng Qian , Cui Nan , Zheng Pengsheng , Ruan Litao , Hua Wei
Published: November 2024

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. The zinc finger transcription factor 281 (ZNF281)/ZBP-99 protein specifically binds to GC-rich DNA sequences and regulates gene expression, and it has been shown to promote tumor progression. In this study, we aim to investigate the function and molecular mechanism of ZNF281 in uterine cervical carcinoma. Methods: We conducted immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays to determine the expression of ZNF281 in eight human cervical cancer tissues. And, xenograft experiments involving the injection of HeLa cells into nude mice was used to determine the function of ZNF281 on proliferation. Transwell assays were used to detect the migration and invasion of HeLa cells after indicated that ZNF281 overexpression. Results: Our results indicated that ZNF281 protein levels were higher in cervical cancer tissues compared to normal cervical tissues. Additionally, ZNF281 was expressed in human cervical carcinoma cell lines, including HeLa, SiHa, C-33 A, CaSki, and HT-3, and is localized in both the cell nucleus and cytoplasm. ZNF281 overexpression did not influence HeLa cell proliferation or tumor size in situ. Moreover, nude mice injected with ZNF281-overexpressing cell lines developed more tumor lesions in the lungs compared to those injected with control cell lines. Conclusions: These findings suggest that ZNF281 is associated with tumor metastasis without affecting cell proliferation, both in vivo and in vitro.
VEGF—Virus Interactions: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Sánchez-Martínez Cristina , Grueso Esther , Calvo-López Tania , Martinez-Ortega Jorge , Ruiz Ana , Almendral José M.
Published: November 2024

Many types of viruses directly or indirectly target the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system, which is a central regulator of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in physiological homeostasis, causing diverse pathologies. Other viruses have been developed into effective therapeutic tools for VEGF modulation in conditions such as cancer and eye diseases. Some viruses may alter the levels of VEGF in the pathogenesis of respiratory syndromes, or they may encode VEGF-like factors, promoting vascular disruption and angiogenesis to enable viruses’ systemic spread. Oncogenic viruses may express interactive factors that perturb VEGF’s functional levels or downstream signaling, which increases the neovascularization and metastasis of tumors. Furthermore, many viruses are being developed as therapeutic vectors for vascular pathologies in clinical trials. Major examples are those viral vectors that inhibit the role of VEGF in the neovascularization required for cancer progression; this is achieved through the induction of immune responses, by exposing specific peptides that block signaling or by expressing anti-VEGF and anti-VEGF receptor-neutralizing antibodies. Other viruses have been engineered into effective pro- or anti-angiogenesis multitarget vectors for neovascular eye diseases, paving the way for therapies with improved safety and minimal side effects. This article critically reviews the large body of literature on these issues, highlighting those contributions that describe the molecular mechanisms, thus expanding our understanding of the VEGF–virus interactions in disease and therapy. This could facilitate the clinical use of therapeutic virus vectors in precision medicine for the VEGF system.
NKX3-2 Induces Ovarian Cancer Cell Migration by HDAC6-Mediated Repositioning of Lysosomes and Inhibition of Autophagy
Authors: Ferraresi Alessandra , Ghezzi Ian , Salwa Amreen , Esposito Andrea , Dhanasekaran Danny N. , Isidoro Ciro
Published: November 2024

Several soluble factors secreted by the stromal cells and cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment facilitate the progression and invasiveness of ovarian cancer. In ovarian cancer cells, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) modulates the transcriptome profile and promotes cell invasiveness by the downregulation of autophagy. Here, we further elucidate this mechanism by focusing on the molecular and cellular events regulating autophagy. Transcriptomic and Western blotting analyses revealed NKX3-2, a transcriptional factor, to be among the genes hyperexpressed in LPA-stimulated ovarian cancer cells. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that in ovarian cancer patients, the expression of NKX3-2 positively correlates with genes involved in cell motility and migration, while it negatively correlates with macromolecular catabolic pathways. In various ovarian cancer cell lines, NKX3-2 silencing abrogated LPA-induced cell migration. Mechanistically, this effect is linked to the restoration of the HDAC6-mediated relocation of the lysosomes in the para-golgian area, and this results in an increase in autolysosome formation and the overall upregulation of autophagy. Silencing the expression of ATG7 or BECN1, two autophagy genes, rescued the migratory phenotype of the NKX3-2-silenced ovarian cancer cells. Taken together, these data reveal the mechanism by which the LPA-NKX3-2 axis promotes the invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells and supports the possibility of targeting NKX3-2 to reduce the migratory capacity of cancer cells in response to a permissive microenvironment.
Stress in Family Caregivers of Children with Chronic Health Conditions: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Zonta Jaqueline Brosso , Okido Aline Cristiane Cavicchioli , de Lima Bruna Josiane , Martins Bianca Annie , Looman Wendy Sue , Lopes-Júnior Luis Carlos , Silva-Rodrigues Fernanda Machado , Lima Regina Aparecida Garcia de
Published: November 2024

Objectives: This study analyzed the stress experienced by family caregivers of children with special healthcare needs and identified associated factors. Methods: A case–control study was conducted with the “cases” being caregivers of children with chronic conditions and the “controls” being caregivers of healthy children. Recruitment was carried out via social media and complemented by snowball sampling. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale were applied, with four saliva samples collected in one day (at 8:00 am, 30 min later, and 4 and 12 h later). The Area Under the Curve for total daily cortisol production was calculated using the log-trapezoidal method. The Wilcoxon test and repeated-measures ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Results: In total, 100 caregivers participated, with 50 in the “case” group and 50 in the “control” group. Significant differences in stress scores and salivary cortisol levels were observed between the groups, with the other variables constant. In both groups, cortisol levels followed a typical circadian pattern. Family income was associated with perceived stress. Caregiver age significantly explained perceived stress (p = 0.0098) and total cortisol production. Caregiver occupation also influenced cortisol results. Conclusions: Caregivers of children with chronic conditions showed higher perceived stress and lower cortisol production compared to those of healthy children. Family income, occupation, and caregiver age were associated with stress.
Study on Microstructure and Properties of AlCoCrFeNi High-Entropy Alloys by Extreme High-Speed Laser Cladding
Authors: Chen Zheng , Guo Zhenghua , Zeng Yida , Li Zhiyong , Wang Yan , Wang Guangping , Hu Yu
Published: November 2024

AlCoCrFeNi HEA powders were cladded onto AISI 1045 steel using EHLA and CLA, respectively. The phase composition, microstructure, micro/nanohardness, and corrosion resistance of the two coatings were compared and analyzed. The results show that the phase structure of AlCoCrFeNi HEA coatings prepared by EHLA and CLA was that of a BCC/B2 phase solid solution. From the bottom to the top, the EHLA-derived AlCoCrFeNi HEA coating experienced evolution in the microstructure of plane crystal, dendrite, and equiaxed crystal. The micro/nanohardness of EHLA-derived coating (~507 HV0.2, 6.716 GPa) is higher than that of CLA-derived coating (~429 HV0.2, 5.778 GPa). The electrochemical test results show that the Ecorr of CLA is −0.527 V and the Icorr of CLA is 1.272 × 10−7 A/cm2, while the Ecorr of EHLA is −0.454 V and the Icorr of EHLA is 1.588 × 10−8 A/cm2, which means that the corrosion resistance of EHLA is better.
Impact of Substrate upon Morphology, Luminescence, and Wettability of ZnMgO Layers Deposited by Spray Pyrolysis
Authors: Monaico Eduard V. , Morari Vadim , Buiucli Stepan , Zalamai Victor V. , Ursaki Veaceslav V. , Tiginyanu Ion M.
Published: November 2024

In this work, we report on a comparative study of the topology, luminescence, and wettability properties of ZnMgO films prepared by a cost-effective spray pyrolysis technology on GaAs substrates with (100), (001), and (111) crystallographic orientations, as well as on Si(100) substrates. Deposition on nanostructured GaAs substrates was also considered. It was found that film growth is not epitaxial or conformal, but rather, it is granular, depending on the nucleating sites for the crystallite growth. The distribution of nucleation sites ensured the preparation of nanostructured films with good uniformity of their topology. The observed difference in columnar growth on Si substrates and pyramidal growth on GaAs ones was explained in terms of the impact of chemical bonding in substrates. The films grown on GaAs substrates with a (001) orientation were found to be made of larger crystallites compared to those deposited on substrates with a (111) orientation. These effects resulted in a difference in roughness of a factor of 1.5, which correlates with the wetting properties of films, with the most hydrophobic surface being found on films deposited on GaAs substrates with a (111) orientation. The prospects for photocatalytic and gas sensor applications of films produced on flat substrates, as well as for plasmonic and other applications of films deposited on nanostructured substrates, are discussed, taking into account the results of the analysis of their photoluminescence properties.
The Effect of DLC Surface Coatings on Microabrasive Wear of Ti-22Nb-6Zr Obtained by Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Gobbi Silvio José , Ferreira Jorge Luiz de Almeida , Araújo José Alexander , André Paul , Henriques Vinicius André Rodrigues , Airoldi Vladimir Jesus Trava , Moreira da Silva Cosme Roberto
Published: November 2024

Titanium alloys have a high cost of production and exhibit low resistance to abrasive wear. The objective of this work was to carry out diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, with dissimilar thicknesses, on Ti-22Nb-6Zr titanium alloys produced by powder metallurgy, and to evaluate its microabrasive wear resistance. The samples were compacted, cold pressed, and sintered, producing substrates for coating. The DLC coatings were carried out by PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition). Free sphere microabrasive wear tests were performed using alumina (Al2O3) abrasive suspension. The DLC-coated samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Vickers microhardness, coatings adhesion tests, confocal laser microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman spectroscopy. The coatings did not show peeling-off or delamination in adhesion tests. The PECVD deposition was effective, producing sp2 and sp3 mixed carbon compounds characteristic of diamond-like carbon. The coatings provided good structural quality, homogeneity in surface roughness, excellent coating-to-substrate adhesion, and good tribological performance in microabrasive wear tests. The low wear coefficients obtained in this work demonstrate the excellent potential of DLC coatings to improve the tribological behavior of biocompatible titanium alloy parts (Ti-22Nb-6Zr) produced with a low modulus of elasticity (closer to the bone) and with near net shape, given by powder metallurgy processing.
Consolidation Enhancement of Weathered Coal Gangue Utilized for Aggregate Filling of Cement Pavement in Mining Area
Authors: Tian Wei , Xu Zike , Gu Kaipeng , Wang Siying , Huang Mingxing , Guo Wei
Published: November 2024

The large-scale, open-air storage of coal gangue often leads to oxidation and decomposition due to natural weathering, resulting in decreased strength and instability, which limits its wider application in concrete pavement. To address these issues, this paper proposed a composite consolidation treatment for weathered coal gangue (WCG), assessing its effectiveness and enhancement mechanisms through aggregate performance tests, mixture performance tests, and microscopic visualization analyses. Results indicated that the initial and post-20 dry–wet cycle crushing values of WCG were 23.96% and 47.94%, respectively, failing to meet required standards. However, applying a composite consolidation treatment using a lithium curing agent and cement paste significantly improved WCG’s robustness and stability. After 4 days of treatment, the crushing value, impact value, and Vickers hardness of WCG had reached 18.3%, 6.58%, and 113.52 kgf/mm², respectively, fully meeting the standards for aggregate filling in mini concrete pavements. Furthermore, tests demonstrated that the lithium curing agent induced the formation of hydrated calcium silicate and calcium aluminate on both the surface and interior of the WCG, enhancing its structural stability. Approximately 5–12 wt.% of the curing agent penetrates and encapsulates the WCG, strongly bonding and reinforcing its internal weak surfaces. These findings offer potential solutions and technical insights for the large-scale management of weathered coal gangue.
Advances in Bacterial Cellulose Production: A Scoping Review
Authors: Cruz María Alejandra , Flor-Unda Omar , Avila Alec , Garcia Mario D. , Cerda-Mejía Liliana
Published: November 2024

The versatility, contribution to sustainability, and diversity of applications of bacterial cellulose require large-scale production processes and new alternatives in terms of biological systems that, under controlled conditions, favor the growth and production of this biomaterial. This review article describes the technologies developed and the advances achieved in regard to the production of bacterial cellulose on a small and large scale, according to the findings evidenced in the scientific literature in the last ten years. A review, based on the guidelines in the PRISMA® methodology, of a selection of articles was carried out, with a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.465; scientific databases, such as Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, Taylor and Francis, and ProQuest, were considered. There is a wide variety of bacterial pulp production systems and the design of such a system is based on the type of cellulose-producing bacteria, oxygen requirements, mixing and agitation, temperature control, sterilization and cleaning requirements, and production scalability. The evolution in the development of bioreactors for bacterial cellulose has focused on improving the production process’s efficiency, productivity, and control, and adapting to the specific needs of bacterial strains and industrial applications.
A Systematic Review and Comparative Analysis Approach to Boom Gate Access Using Plate Number Recognition
Authors: Bukola Asaju Christine , Owolawi Pius Adewale , Du Chuling , Van Wyk Etienne
Published: November 2024

Security has been paramount to many organizations for many years, with access control being one of the critical measures to ensure security. Among various approaches to access control, vehicle plate number recognition has received wide attention. However, its application to boom gate access has not been adequately explored. This study proposes a method to access the boom gate by optimizing vehicle plate number recognition. Given the speed and accuracy of the YOLO (You Only Look Once) object detection algorithm, this study proposes using the YOLO deep learning algorithm for plate number detection to access a boom gate. To identify the gap and the most suitable YOLO variant, the study systematically surveyed the publication database to identify peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2024 on plate number recognition using different YOLO versions. In addition, experiments are performed on four YOLO versions: YOLOv5, YOLOv7, YOLOv8, and YOLOv9, focusing on vehicle plate number recognition. The experiments, using an open-source dataset with 699 samples in total, reported accuracies of 81%, 82%, 83%, and 73% for YOLO V5, V7, V8, and V9, respectively. This comparative analysis aims to determine the most appropriate YOLO version for the task, optimizing both security and efficiency in boom gate access control systems. By optimizing the capabilities of advanced YOLO algorithms, the proposed method seeks to improve the reliability and effectiveness of access control through precise and rapid plate number recognition. The result of the analysis reveals that each YOLO version has distinct advantages depending on the application’s specific requirements. In complex detection conditions with changing lighting and shadows, it was revealed that YOLOv8 performed better in terms of reduced loss rates and increased precision and recall metrics.
The Effect of Education on Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan African Countries: Do Institutions Matter?
Authors: Abu Alfoul Mohammed N. , Bazhair Ayman Hassan , Khatatbeh Ibrahim N. , Arian Adam G. , Abu Al-Foul Mahmoud N.
Published: November 2024

This paper investigates the moderating role of institutional quality on the relationship between education and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study applies the panel ARDL model to data from 18 SSA countries spanning 2000–2020 for its main analysis, along with a battery of diagnostics test to ensure the robustness of the results. The results reveal that the long-term effect of education on economic growth is statistically insignificant, attributing this finding to high rates of education exclusion and low-quality education. Remarkably, the research emphasizes the moderating role of institutional quality, showing the positive effects of education on economic growth when countries demonstrate robust corruption control and political stability. The study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting specific institutional factors influencing the effectiveness of education in driving economic growth, emphasizing the need for a strong institutional framework alongside educational efforts for sustainable development. The findings highlight that robust institutions form a crucial infrastructure that enhances the effectiveness of education in driving productivity and fostering economic growth.