bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the risk of oncological adverse events associated with infliximab in combination with azathioprine compared to monotherapy: insights from the FAERS database
Authors: Qiao Qian , Sun Jiachen , Zheng Ya , Mi Yingying , Gong Yanan , Liu Jiahui , Rui Wenyue , Ma Yumei , Zhou Yongning , Liu Min
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the risk of tumor formation with infliximab or azathioprine monotherapy versus their combination, using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

Methods

Data were extracted from the FAERS database for patients treated with infliximab, azathioprine, and combination therapy from Q1 2004 to Q2 2024. Signal mining employed methods such as Reported Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Multiple Gamma-Poisson Scaling Assessment (MGPSA) and Bayesian Confidence Interval Progressive Neural Network (BCPNN).

Results

Our analysis of the FAERS database revealed that the highest number of reported cases involved skin-related tumors, both individually and in combination. In terms of sex, the risk of cancer was higher in men compared to women in the infliximab-only and combination groups; however, no sex difference was observed in the azathioprine-only group. Regarding age, we noted an increasing incidence of adverse tumor events in middle-aged and elderly individuals compared to minors, except in the azathioprine group, where age was not identified as an independent risk factor. Additionally, body weight was not found to be an independent risk factor in any of the three medication groups. After controlling for age, sex, and body weight, combination therapy did not increase the risk of tumor development compared to the azathioprine group alone. In contrast, for patients using infliximab alone, combination therapy not only did not elevate the risk of tumor development but also appeared to reduce it. The results of the Weber distribution suggest a random failure-type profile for the infliximab and azathioprine-only group, while an early failure-type profile was observed for the combination therapy. Furthermore, we analyzed the median time to onset and cumulative incidence rates, revealing no significant differences in median time to tumor onset or cumulative incidence rates between the combination therapy and the single agent.

Conclusion

After adjusting for age, sex, and body weight, combination therapy did not significantly increase tumor development risk compared to the azathioprine-only group. Additionally, in patients on infliximab monotherapy, combination therapy appeared to reduce the risk of tumor development.
The in vivo metabolic pathway of Deg-AZM and in vitro investigations into the contribution of drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters in the drug interactions of Deg-AZM, a clinical-stage new transgelin agonist
Authors: Gu Xiaoting , Li Xiaohe , Tian Weixue , Zheng Chaoyue , Cai Yutian , Xu Xiang , Zhao Conglu , Liu Hongting , Sun Yao , Luo Zhilin , Zhu Shuwen , Zhou Honggang , Ai Xiaoyu , Yang Cheng
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Deglycosylated azithromycin (Deg-AZM), a new transgelin agonist with positive therapeutic effects on slow transit constipation, has been approved for clinical trials in 2024. This work investigated the drug metabolism and transport of Deg-AZM to provide research data for further development of Deg-AZM.

Methods

A combination of UPLC-QTOF-MS was used to obtain metabolite spectra of Deg-AZM in plasma, urine, feces and bile. Caco-2 cells was used to investigate the permeability of Deg-AZM and whether it is a potential substrate of the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein. Human liver microsome phenotyping assays with chemical inhibition and recombinant CYPs phenotyping assays were used to investigate the CYP450 enzyme phenotype involved in Deg-AZM metabolism in vitro. A HLM inhibition reaction system was established to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Deg-AZM on CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4. The mRNA expression of human primary hepatocytes incubated with Deg-AZM or not was evaluate the induction of Deg-AZM on CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4.

Results

44 metabolites of Deg-AZM were identified in rat urine, feces, bile, and plasma, the metabolic pathways included demethylation, monohydroxylation, dihydroxylation, dehydroxidation, hydroreduction, hydrolysis, methylation, glucuronidation and the combination of different metabolic pathways. Deg-AZM was a low permeability drug in the intestine and a potential substrate of the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein. CYP3A4 was the major CYP isoform responsible for Deg-AZM metabolism. Deg-AZM showed moderate inhibition with CYP2B6 and CYP2D6. Data in three batches of human primary hepatocytes disclosed induction potential of Deg-AZM on CYP2B6 and CYP3A4.

Conclusion

The in vivo metabolic pathway of Deg-AZM and in vitro possibility of drug interaction for Deg-AZM with CYP enzymes and drug transporter were fully investigated. It was suggested that dose adjustments may be warranted depending on the potency of the corresponding modulators in clinical.
Photosynthetic traits of Phragmites australis along an ecological gradient and developmental stages
Authors: Tóth Viktor R.
Published: January 2025

Common reed (Phragmites australis) is a cosmopolitan species, though its dieback is a worldwide phenomenon. In order to assess the evolutionary role of phenotypic plasticity in a successful plant, the values and plasticity of photophysiological traits of Phragmites australis were investigated in the Lake Fertő wetlands at 5 sites with different degrees of reed degradation and along a seasonal sequence. On the one hand, along the established ecological degradation gradient, photophysiological traits of Phragmites changed significantly, affecting plant productivity, although no consistent gradient-type trends were observed. Gradual changes within a season in the values of photosynthetic traits were observed that were recorded in both degraded and stable stands, suggesting a universal response to seasonally changing environmental conditions that could not be overridden by the ecological gradient. On the other hand, reed plants exposed to different levels of degradation showed comparable physiological plasticity; there was no difference in trait variability between stable and degraded stands. This relatively uniform plasticity is likely to contribute to the resilience of reed plants by providing a wider range of adaptive traits under different conditions. In contrast, the 150-200% gradual change in photophysiological trait plasticity with senescence in Phragmites was also demonstrated, reflecting a more dynamic response of the photosynthetic apparatus to seasonal changes. Senescence affected the plasticity of plant traits independently of their degradation status, suggesting a more universal nature of seasonal changes. This research shows that under conditions of conservative resource use determined by stressful habitats, trait values respond to conditions, while trait plasticity shows minimal changes. Furthermore, phenological sequence significantly influenced both the values and the plasticity of the photosynthetic traits studied. Our results underline the impact of ecological degradation on reed physiology and highlight the importance of understanding both trait values and plasticity in plant responses to environmental and seasonal change.
Fine-root and leaf acquisitive traits decoupled from chloride accumulation in reflecting the differential salinity tolerance among Prunus hybrids
Authors: Zhou Shuangxi , Walker Rob R. , Edwards Everard J.
Published: January 2025

Improving crop salinity management requires enhanced understanding of salinity responses of leaf and fine-root traits governing resource acquisition, ideally in relation to ion accumulation at intra- or inter-specific levels. We hypothesized that these responses are coupled towards integrated resource conservation for plants under prolonged salt treatment. We tested the hypothesis with a glasshouse experiment on saplings of six contrasting Prunus hybrids, subjected to either control or salt treatment (reverse osmosis water versus 3.3 dS m-1 chloride solution containing mixed cations). Sample collections were carried out at 30 and at 60 days after the start of treatments. All six hybrids showed significantly higher lamina chloride concentration in response to salt treatment, with GF677 accumulating a lower concentration than the other five hybrids. There was significantly lower specific leaf area (SLA) in ‘Monegro’ and lower root tissue density (RTD) in ‘Nemaguard’ after 60 days – but not 30 days – of salt treatment. No hybrid showed concurrent significant decrease of SLA and specific root surface area (SRA) under salt treatment. The a priori known salinity-sensitive hybrid ‘Nemaguard’ not only showed decreased RTD and a negative relationship between root biomass and salt treatment duration, but also showed increased SRA without notable change of average root diameter. Lamina chloride accumulation and leaf gas exchange response were closely correlated along a gradient towards resource conservation from control to salt-treated plants in all hybrids, which was orthogonal to another gradient characterized by a hybrid-dependent modification of SLA, SRA, RTD and percentage of root length within the finest diameter class. This study highlighted the intraspecific differential resource investment strategies, reflected by the hybrid-specific salinity-response coordination among leaf and fine-root acquisitive traits.
Understanding identity development in context: comparing reflective and situated approaches to identity
Authors: Van Der Gaag Mandy A. E. , Gmelin J. Ole H. , De Ruiter Naomi M. P.
Published: January 2025

Many recent approaches to identity share a foundational similarity with ecological psychology, namely, to place identity in its context. That is, they explicitly place identity in its physical and social environments. Yet, we can distinguish at least two different approaches that diverge fundamentally with regards to the role that this “context” has in identity. We refer to these approaches as “reflective identity” and “situated identity” approaches. While the reflective-identity approach views context and individual as separate entities with a bi-directional relationship, the situated-identity approach views context and individual as inherently intertwined and inseparable. While these approaches have emerged as independent from each other, we see potential for these two approaches to become comprehensively coordinated. To set the stage for such a coordination in future research, we provide a short overview of these different approaches to identity and describe where they align and diverge with regards to viewing identity as contextualized. After providing an overview of the key differences and similarities, we outline a possibility for integration and offer ideas for future lines of research that we see as fruitful for developing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to identity that takes context seriously.
Social media addiction and borderline personality disorder: a survey study
Authors: Collins Madison , Grant Jon E.
Published: January 2025

Background and aims

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious and difficult to treat psychiatric condition characterized by affective and interpersonal instability, impulsivity, and self-image disturbances. Although the relationship between BPD and substance use disorders has been well-established, there has been considerably less research regarding behavioral addictions in this population. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of social media addiction (SMA) among individuals with BPD and to explore whether it is related to aspects of disorder symptomology.

Methods

300 adults completed an online survey via Prolific. Individuals completed the McLean Screening Instrument for BPD (MSI-BPD), along with the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS). Additionally, all participants reported how often they use social media for the following reasons: distraction from interpersonal problems, reassurance seeking, self-confidence issues, and anger/revenge.

Results

Of the 289 subjects that completed all measures, 38 (13.1%) screened positive for BPD. Individuals screening positive for BPD were more likely to meet criteria for SMA than controls, and they were more likely to report using social media for interpersonal distraction, reassurance seeking, self-confidence issues, and anger/revenge seeking than controls. Among individuals with BPD, SMA was positively associated with the frequency of each of these behaviors, except for anger/revenge seeking.

Discussion and conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that SMA is common among the BPD population and may be related to aspects of disorder symptomology. Whether SMA worsens BPD symptoms or whether addressing SMA could lead to improvements in the BPD remains to be seen and is an important area for future research.
Comparing circular and flexibly-shaped scan statistics for disease clustering detection
Authors: Wang Lina , Li Xiang , Zhang Zhengbin , Yuan Haoxun , Lu Pengfei , Li Yaru
Published: January 2025

The accuracy of spatial clustering detection is crucial for public health policy development and identifying etiological clues. Circular and flexibly-shaped scan statistics are widely used for disease cluster detection, but differences in results arise mainly due to parameter sensitivity and variations in the scanning window shapes. This study aims to analyze the impact of parameter settings on the results of these methods and compare their performance in disease clustering detection. Using tuberculosis data from Wuhan, China (2015–2019), the study identified the optimal parameter settings—MSWS and K-value—for each method to ensure accurate clustering. A comprehensive comparison was made using two quantitative indicators, the LLR value and cluster size, as well as clustering visualizations. The results show that the optimal MSWS parameter for SaTScan is determined through a Gini coefficient-based stepwise-threshold-reduction approach, while a K-value of 30 is ideal for FleXScan. SaTScan tends to produce more regular clusters, while FleXScan often generates more irregular clusters. FleXScan detects fewer clusters but with higher LLR values and larger average cluster sizes, although the maximum cluster size is smaller. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing disease clustering detection methods and enhancing public health interventions.
Global burden, trends, and disparities in kidney cancer attributable to smoking from 1990 to 2021
Authors: Han Siyu , Zhao Shiyu , Zhong Ran , Li Peizhe , Pang Yuewen , He Shuang , Duan Junyao , Gong Huijie , Shi Jing , Liu Li , Yan Yongji
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Smoking is a well-established risk factor for kidney cancer. Analyzing the latest global spatio-temporal trends in the kidney cancer burden attributable to smoking is critical for informing effective public health policies.

Methods

Using data from the 2021 GBD database, we examined deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-standardized rate (ASR) of kidney cancer attributable to smoking across global, regional, and national levels. Trends in ASRs were assessed through estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). We conducted a cross-country analysis to evaluate disparities in the kidney cancer burden from 1990 to 2021, with absolute and relative inequalities measured by the slope index of inequality and concentration index, respectively. Correlation analysis was conducted by the Spearman rank order correlation method. Additionally, we projected age-standardized death and DALYs rates up to 2036 using Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) models in R.

Results

Globally, kidney cancer deaths attributable to smoking increased by 67.64%, from 9,673 in 1990 to 16,216 in 2021. Despite this increase, the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) dropped from 0.25 to 0.19 per 100,000 (EAPC: −0.93). Similarly, the age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDALY) decreased from 6.17 to 4.37 per 100,000 (EAPC: −1.15). Geographically, areas with a higher Socio-demographic Index (SDI) were the most affected. The positive correlation between higher SDI and increased deaths highlights the role of economic and social factors in disease prevalence. Cross-country analysis shows that while relative inequalities between groups are improving, absolute differences in health burdens continue to grow. Furthermore, projections indicate a gradual decline in ASDR and ASDALY for both sexes from 2022 to 2036.

Conclusion

Between 1990 and 2021, both the global ASDR and ASDALY attributable to smoking in kidney cancer, which are positively correlated with SDI, have declined. However, significant demographic and geographic disparities persist, with the disease burden remaining higher in older populations and regions with elevated SDI levels. Moreover, while the overall burden is projected to decline annually over the next 15 years, it is expected to remain significantly higher in men. These findings emphasize the need for region-specific health prevention strategies to reduce smoking-related kidney cancer.
Patent research in academic literature. Landscape and trends with a focus on patent analytics
Authors: Mejia Cristian , Kajikawa Yuya
Published: January 2025

Patent analytics is crucial for understanding innovation dynamics and technological trends. However, a comprehensive overview of this rapidly evolving field is lacking. This study presents a data-driven analysis of patent research, employing citation network analysis to categorize and examine research clusters. Here, we show that patent research is characterized by interconnected themes spanning fundamental patent systems, indicator development, methodological advancements, intellectual property management practices, and diverse applications. We reveal central research areas in patent strategies, technological impact, and patent citation research while identifying emerging focuses on environmental sustainability and corporate innovation. The integration of advanced analytical techniques, including AI and machine learning, is observed across various domains. This study provides insights for researchers and practitioners, highlighting opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration and future research directions.
Transforming document management for environmental sustainability: the mediating effect of pro-environmental culture and service satisfaction in higher education institutions
Authors: Bravo Jessie , Valdivia Carlos , Alarcón Roger , Germán Nilton , Serquén Oscar , Aquino Janet , Arbulú Ballesteros Marco Agustín , Guevara Laurita
Published: January 2025

This research investigates the factors influencing environmental sustainability in a Peruvian higher education institution (HEI), using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS. The methodology included data collection through questionnaires administered to students, alumni, and professors, followed by SEM analysis to assess the relationships between technological support (TS), document management (DM), open government (OG), pro-environmental organizational culture (POC), service satisfaction (SS), and environmental sustainability (ES). The findings emphasize that technological infrastructure significantly enhances document management, which in turn boosts service satisfaction and promotes a pro-environmental organizational culture. The pro-environmental organizational culture emerges as the most powerful mediator, significantly impacting environmental sustainability. Although service satisfaction also contributes positively, its effect is less pronounced. Furthermore, transparency and open access to information improve document management, albeit with a lesser impact. Sociodemographic variables such as gender and academic program within the institution influence the relationship between the examined variables, suggesting that these characteristics can affect the perception and effectiveness of sustainability practices. This study provides a robust foundation for designing effective strategies to promote environmental sustainability in higher education institutions and would contribute to the fulfillment of the SDGs.
A gendered analysis of adaptive capacity and food security in Makueni County, Kenya
Authors: Machio Phyllis Mumia , Sallu Susannah M. , Waized Betty , Mwanri Akwilina Wendelin , Duodu Kwaku Gyebi
Published: January 2025

Climate change is expected to reduce crop and livestock productivity leading to increased hunger and food insecurity. Formulation of effective adaptation strategies can reduce the negative effects of climate change on food security. This study examined types of adaptation strategies implemented by males/male-headed households and females/female-headed households and how these influence food security. Food security was measured using Household Food Insecurity Access Prevalence (HFIAP) and probit model was used to estimate the effect of adaptation strategies on food security. Due to potential self-selection bias, this study also estimates Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM) model. Data was collected using structured questionnaires from 521 households and 1,049 adults from Makueni County, Kenya. Study findings indicated that approximately 72, 62, and 75% of households experienced reduced rainfall, less predictable rainfall and recurrent and prolonged droughts, respectively, to a large extent. The three most adopted adaptation strategies were conservation agriculture (69%), change of planting dates (49%), and planting of drought tolerant crops (47%). A higher share of male-headed households than female-headed households implemented all three adaptation strategies. Access to credit, non-farm income, types of crops grown, and weather perception variables were the important determinants of adaptation. We also found that planting drought tolerant crops and practicing conservation agriculture were associated with increased likelihood of food security but only for males/male-headed households. For female headed households, growing drought tolerant crops and changing planting dates reduced likelihood of food security while the effect of conservation agriculture was not statically significant. These findings provide evidence that adaptation to climate change provide potential for improvements in food security among males/male-headed households. This potential is however limited for female headed households. They are not only less likely to adapt but are also less likely to benefit from adaptation. These findings highlight women’s vulnerability to climate change and especially female-headed households and calls for policies that build women’s capacity to effectively adapt.
Risk of Infective Endocarditis Following Invasive Dental Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kussainova Zhumakyz , Kulmaganbetov Mukhit , Abiltayev Askar , Bulegenov Tolkyn , Salikhanov Islam
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence and determine the association between IE and dental procedures, including invasive and non-invasive procedures.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases for studies involving procedures such as tooth extraction, scaling, endodontic treatment, oral surgery, and periodontal treatment involving individuals aged ≥15 years. The primary outcome was the incidence of IE following these procedures.

Results

An association was found between IE and invasive dental procedures (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.25–1.76; p < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis showed an increased risk of IE following tooth extraction (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.46–5.11; p = 0.002) and oral surgery (OR 6.33, 95% CI 2.43–16.49; p = 0.0002) in high-risk patients.

Conclusion

Our study found a strong association between invasive dental procedures and increased IE risk, particularly for tooth extraction and oral surgery in high-risk individuals.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023488546, Identifier CRD42023488546.
A Review of Multi-Source Data Fusion and Analysis Algorithms in Smart City Construction: Facilitating Real Estate Management and Urban Optimization
Authors: Liu Binglin , Li Qian , Zheng Zhihua , Huang Yanjia , Deng Shuguang , Huang Qiongxiu , Liu Weijiang
Published: January 2025

In the context of the booming construction of smart cities, multi-source data fusion and analysis algorithms play a key role in optimizing real estate management and improving urban efficiency. In this review, we comprehensively and systematically review the relevant algorithms, covering the types, characteristics, fusion techniques, analysis algorithms, and their synergies of multi-source data. We found that multi-source data, including sensors, social media, citizen feedback, and GIS data, face challenges such as data quality and privacy security when being fused. Data fusion algorithms are diverse and have their own advantages and disadvantages. Data analysis algorithms help urban management in areas such as spatial analysis and deep learning. Algorithm collaboration can improve decision-making accuracy and efficiency and promote the rational allocation of urban resources. In the future, algorithm development will focus on data quality, real-time, deep mining, interdisciplinary research, privacy protection, and collaborative application expansion, providing strong support for the sustainable development of smart cities.
Enhancing Environmental Control in Broiler Production: Retrieval-Augmented Generation for Improved Decision-Making with Large Language Models
Authors: Leite Marcus Vinicius , Abe Jair Minoro , Souza Marcos Leandro Hoffmann , de Alencar Nääs Irenilza
Published: January 2025

The growing global demand for animal protein, particularly chicken meat, challenges poultry farming to adapt production systems through the adoption of digital technologies. Among the promising advances in artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs) hold potential to enhance decision-making in broiler production by supporting environmental control through the interpretation of climatic data, the generation of reports to optimize conditions, guidance on ventilation adjustments, recommendations for thermal management, assistance in air quality monitoring, and the translation of simulation results into actionable suggestions to improve bird welfare. For this purpose, the key limitations of LLMs in terms of transparency, accuracy, precision, and relevance must be effectively addressed. This study investigates the impact of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) on improving LLM precision and relevance for environmental control in broiler production. Experiments with the OpenAI GPT-4o model and semantic similarity analysis were used to evaluate response quality with and without RAG. The results confirmed the approach’s effectiveness while identifying areas for improvement. A paired t-test revealed significantly higher similarity scores with RAG, demonstrating its impact on response quality. This study contributes to the field by advancing RAG-enhanced LLMs for environmental control, addressing market demands by demonstrating how AI improves decision-making for productivity and animal welfare, and benefits society by providing small-scale producers with cost-effective and accessible solutions for actionable insights.
Sustainable Fertilization of Organic Sweet Cherry to Improve Physiology, Quality, Yield, and Soil Properties
Authors: Gaeta Liliana , Tarricone Luigi , Persiani Alessandro , Fiore Angelo , Montemurro Francesco , De Benedetto Daniela , Vitti Carolina , Campi Pasquale , Diacono Mariangela
Published: January 2025

Sustainable fertilization techniques are essential in Mediterranean farming systems, where the depletion of organic matter, influencing soil water and nutrient availability, is becoming an increasing concern. In this context, organic fertilizers offer an effective strategy to restore soil fertility while reducing environmental impacts. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of different organic fertilizers on soil quality and tree performance in a sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) orchard. This study was conducted in two growing seasons (2021–2022) in an organic orchard in Southern Italy, comparing four treatments: (i) compost, (ii) compost combined with compost tea, (iii) mixed manure, and (iv) an unfertilized control. The results indicated that compost tea, applied both to the soil and as a foliar spray, significantly improved tree water status, particularly under water stress conditions, as reflected by more negative stem water potential values. Moreover, this treatment enhanced photosynthetic performance, yield, and fruit quality, achieving the highest ratio of soluble solids content/total acidity. The findings suggest that compost tea, in combination with compost, could be a sustainable and valuable fertilization option for Mediterranean organic tree orchards. However, further studies are necessary to understand the benefits of other fruit orchards as well as the long-term effects on soils.
The Observation of Meiotic Union Behavior of Gametophytes Provides a New Basis for Ploidy of Carassius auratus gibelio
Authors: Ma Kexin , Yang Yueyao , Li Yifan , Li Chuan , Li Taicheng , Ma Haiyan , Jiang Zibin , Zhou He , Wang Wei
Published: January 2025

As an important aquaculture fish, the genus Carassius exhibits different ploidy, including tetraploids and hexaploids [...]
A Predicted Helix-Turn-Helix Core Is Critical for Bacteriophage Kil Peptide to Disrupt Escherichia coli Cell Division
Authors: Naha Arindam , Cameron Todd A. , Margolin William
Published: January 2025

Background/objectives: FtsZ, a eukaryotic tubulin homolog and an essential component of the bacterial divisome, is the target of numerous antimicrobial compounds as well as proteins and peptides, most of which inhibit FtsZ polymerization dynamics. We previously showed that the Kil peptide from bacteriophage λ inhibits Escherichia coli cell division by disrupting FtsZ ring assembly, and this inhibition requires the presence of the essential FtsZ membrane anchor protein ZipA. Methods: To investigate Kil’s molecular mechanism further, we employed deletions, truncations, and molecular modeling to identify the minimal residues necessary for its activity. Results: Modeling suggested that Kil’s core segment folds into a helix-turn-helix (HTH) structure. Deleting either the C-terminal 11 residues or the N-terminal 5 residues of Kil still allowed the inhibition of E. coli cell division, but removing both termini nearly abolished this activity, indicating that a minimal region within the Kil HTH core is essential for its structure and function. Another Kil-like peptide from a closely related enterobacterial phage also disrupted FtsZ ring assembly and required ZipA for this activity. Consistent with its broader activity against FtsZ, λ Kil was able to efficiently inhibit cell division of a uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strain. Conclusions: Understanding the structure and function of Kil and similar peptides can potentially reveal additional ways to target FtsZ for antimicrobial therapies and elucidate how FtsZ functions in bacterial cell division.
The Numerical Simulation of the Transient Plane Heat Source Method to Measure the Thermophysical Properties of Materials
Authors: Sun Jianyuan , Zhang Siwen , Shi Pengcheng , Yi Zao , Yi Yougen , Zeng Qingdong
Published: January 2025

The transient plane heat source method (TPS), also known as the hot disc method, is an experimental method for determining the thermal transport properties of materials. The method’s main element is a sensor made of a nickel metal strip in the shape of a double helix, which is inserted into an insulating polymer film. In this work, we used the finite element method to create a three-dimensional model of the sensors and compared the simulated and experimentally recorded mean temperature rise data. The volume mean temperature rise of the sensor, as determined through simulation, exhibits a high level of resemblance with the corresponding experimental data. Additionally, temperature rise curves of several other materials are also simulated based on the model and the thermal performance parameters are calculated from these data. In the meantime, this paper presents an evaluation and discussion of the current density distribution of the sensor and the temperature distribution during the testing of the sample. This simulation has the potential to be utilized for future geometry and parameter estimate optimization, and provides a theoretical reference for detector design.
ICOS Potenza (Italy) Atmospheric Station: A New Spot for the Observation of Greenhouse Gases in the Mediterranean Basin
Authors: Lapenna Emilio , Buono Antonella , Mauceri Alessandro , Zaccardo Isabella , Cardellicchio Francesco , D’Amico Francesco , Laurita Teresa , Amodio Davide , Colangelo Canio , Di Fiore Gianluca , Gorga Antonella , Ripepi Ermann , De Benedictis Francesco , Pirelli Silvana , Capozzo Liborio , Lapenna Vincenzo , Pappalardo Gelsomina , Trippetta Serena , Mona Lucia
Published: January 2025

The Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) is the reference Research Infrastructure (RI) for the observation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) across Europe, providing standardised, long-term and high-precision measurements of the most relevant species (CO2, CH4, CO, etc.). The ICOS Atmosphere network currently extends throughout the continent, although the density of stations in the Mediterranean area is still low compared to Central and Northern Europe. In this context, the recently implemented class 1 continental station near Potenza in Basilicata, Italy—station code: POT—represents an important step forward in the extension of the ICOS atmosphere domain across the South, reducing the large spatial gaps existing between ICOS sites within the Mediterranean basin. Herein, we provide a description of the new ICOS POT station and the site where it operates, focusing mostly on the technical setup of the sampling system which plays a key role in GHG measurements. With a strong technical connotation, the present paper aims to be beneficial for the ICOS atmosphere community and those stations that intend to join the network in the future, providing an accurate description of the station at the level of single components. Moreover, a brief overview of the peculiarities of the site and the scientific perspectives to be pursued, together with very preliminary data collected at the new ICOS station, are presented. Preliminary data collected during a short campaign are compared with STILT (Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport) model results as a first test of the measurements and to provide a first insight of the specific Potenza situation in terms of GHG concentrations.
Circulating, Extracellular Vesicle-Associated Tissue Factor in Cancer Patients with and without Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Lami Valentina , Nieri Dario , Pagnini Marta , Gattini Mario , Donati Claudia , De Santis Mariella , Cipriano Alessandro , Bazzan Erica , Sbrana Andrea , Celi Alessandro , Neri Tommaso
Published: January 2025

Cancer is characterized by chronic inflammation and hypercoagulability, with an excess of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Tissue factor, the initiator of blood coagulation, circulates associated with extracellular vesicles (EV-TF). Studies investigating EV-TF between cancer-associated and non-cancer-associated VTE are lacking. We therefore compared EV-TF in unprovoked VTE (U-VTE), cancer-associated VTE (C-VTE), and cancer without VTE (C-w/o VTE). We also investigated interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels between the same groups. The final population included 68 patients (U-VTE: n = 15; C-VTE: n = 24; C-w/o VTE: n = 29). All patients with VTE were enrolled within 48 h of diagnosis; non-VTE patients were recruited in the oncologic outpatient services. EV were isolated by differential centrifugation from 4 mL of peripheral blood; the final EV pellet (16,000× g for 45 min) was resuspended in 100 μL saline and tested for TF using a one-step clotting assay. There was a statistically significant difference for higher EV-TF in C-VTE and C-w/o VTE compared to U-VTE (p = 0.024; Kruskal–Wallis test). There was no significant difference between C-VTE and C-w/o VTE. Moreover, we did not find any difference in IL-6 levels. These preliminary data suggest that cancer represents, per se, a strong driver of EV-TF generation.
Lipid Antigens: Revealing the Hidden Players in Adaptive Immune Responses
Authors: Eskandari Tamana , Eivazzadeh Yasamin , Khaleghinia Fatemeh , Kashi Fatemeh , Oksenych Valentyn , Haghmorad Dariush
Published: January 2025

Traditionally, research on the adaptive immune system has focused on protein antigens, but emerging evidence has underscored the essential role of lipid antigens in immune modulation. Lipid antigens are presented by CD1 molecules and activate invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and group 1 CD1-restricted T cells, whereby they impact immune responses to pathogens and tumors. Recent advances in mass spectrometry, imaging techniques, and lipidomics have revolutionized the identification and characterization of lipid antigens and enhanced our understanding of their structural diversity and functional significance. These advancements have paved the way for lipid-based vaccines and immunotherapies through the application of nanoparticles and synthetic lipid antigens designed to boost immune responses against cancers and infectious diseases. Lipid trafficking, CD1 molecule interactions, and the immune system’s response to lipid antigens are yet to be completely understood, particularly in the context of autoimmunity and microbial infections. In the years to come, continued research efforts are needed to uncover its underlying biological mechanisms and to exploit the full potential of therapies directed against lipid antigens.
Design of an Adaptive Fixed-Time Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Controller for Multi-Link Robots Actuated by Pneumatic Artificial Muscles
Authors: Khajehsaeid Hesam , Soltani Ali , Azimirad Vahid
Published: January 2025

Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) are flexible actuators that can be contracted or expanded by applying air pressure. They are used in robotics, prosthetics, and other applications requiring flexible and compliant actuation. PAMs are basically designed to mimic the function of biological muscles, providing a high force-to-weight ratio and smooth, lifelike movement. Inflation and deflation of these muscles can be controlled rapidly, allowing for fast actuation. In this work, a continuum mechanics-based model is developed to predict the output parameters of PAMs, like actuation force. Comparison of the model results with experimental data shows that the model efficiently predicts the mechanical behaviour of PAMs. Using the actuation force–air pressure–contraction relation provided by the proposed mechanical model, a dynamic model is derived for a multi-link PAM-actuated robot manipulator. An adaptive fixed-time fast terminal sliding mode control is proposed to track the desired joint position trajectories despite the model uncertainties and external disturbances with unknown magnitude bounds. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed controller is compared with an adaptive backstepping fast terminal sliding mode controller through numerical simulations. The simulations show faster convergence and more precise tracking for the proposed controller.
Spinal Involvement of TRPV1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway During Chronic Postoperative Pain in Mice
Authors: Santos Gabriela Xavier , dos Anjos-Garcia Tayllon , Vieira Ana Carolina de Jesus , Galdino Giovane
Published: January 2025

Background: Chronic postoperative pain (CPOP) is among the main consequences of surgical procedures, directly affecting the quality of life. Although many strategies have been used to treat this symptom, they are often ineffective. Thus, studies investigating CPOP-associated mechanisms may help to develop more effective treatment strategies. Therefore, the present study investigated the spinal participation of the transient potential receptor vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation during CPOP. Methods: In this study C57BL/6 male mice were used, and CPOP was induced by muscle retraction and incision. The nociceptive threshold was measured by the von Frey filament test. For pharmacological evaluation, TRPV1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors were administered intrathecally. TRPV1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR protein levels were evaluated by Western blotting. Results: The results showed that CPOP increased TRPV1 and mTOR protein levels, and pretreatment with the specific inhibitors alleviated CPOP. In addition, pretreatment with the TRPV1 antagonist SB-366791 attenuated mTOR protein levels. Conclusions: The results suggest that TRPV1 and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway are involved in CPOP at the spinal level, and TRPV1 may activate mTOR during this process.
Parent–Child Relationships, Parental Control, and Adolescent Mental Health: An Empirical Study Based on CEPS 2013–2014 Survey Data
Authors: Xu Tao , Ren Jiyan
Published: January 2025

Previous research has consistently showed a close relationship between the quality of parent–child relationships and adolescents’ mental health. However, the relationship between parental control and adolescents’ mental health has remained controversial. This study utilized baseline data from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS 2013–2014) to analyze the impact of parent–child relationships on adolescents’ mental health. The results indicated that parent–child relationships significantly influenced adolescents’ mental health. Parental control moderated the impact of parent–child relationships on adolescents’ mental health: When the parent–child relationship was good, appropriate behavioral control by parents strengthened the positive effect of a good parent–child relationship on adolescent mental health. Conversely, when the parent–child relationship was poor, parental control intensified the negative impact of a poor parent–child relationship on adolescent mental health. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis revealed gender differences in the moderating effect of the parent–child relationship: compared to boys, the moderating effect of parental control on the parent–child relationship was more significant among girls.
Indirect Multicultural Experiences: A Multidimensional Journey to Inspire Self-Change
Authors: Zhang Jun , Rong Guanglan , Du Wenxi , Bao Yan
Published: January 2025

Self-change is crucial for driving both individual growth and societal progress. Based on schema theory, this study proposes that indirect multicultural experiences may be an effective pathway to promote self-change, with positive emotions and meaning seeking serving as mediators, and social class as a moderator. To test this hypothesis, an online survey was conducted with 1627 participants aged 18–55 years, using scales to assess indirect multicultural experiences, self-change, positive emotions, meaning seeking, and both subjective and objective social classes. The results indicated that indirect multicultural experiences promote self-change not only by enhancing positive emotions but also by fostering meaning seeking. Additionally, social class moderated the relationship between indirect multicultural experiences and self-change, with subjective social class playing a more pronounced role than objective social class. Individuals with higher subjective social class overall benefited more from indirect multicultural experiences. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms behind self-change and suggest that interventions aiming to foster personal growth and self-improvement can benefit from encouraging diverse cultural exposures, focusing on enhancing individuals’ subjective sense of social class.
Proposing an Affordable Real-Time Camera-Based Safety and Quality Management Framework for Construction Industries in Developing Countries
Authors: Abdullah Zanyar Omar , Çelik Tahir , Çelik Tolga
Published: January 2025

The construction industry in developing countries faces persistent challenges, including limited funding, poor infrastructure, insufficient use of technology, and weak quality management practices. These issues reduce productivity, compromise safety, and lower efficiency, often resulting in project delays, cost overruns, and substandard structures. This study introduces a safety and quality management framework that uses affordable camera technology and a structured web-based platform to address these challenges. The proposed system is designed to identify, document, and resolve potential issues systematically, fostering safer and more efficient construction environments. This research addresses the gap between the potential of technological advancements and their limited adoption in resource-constrained settings. Financial barriers often limit the availability of expertise on-site and restrict access to sophisticated tools, while inadequate quality control exacerbates risks, wastes resources, and undermines project outcomes. By introducing an affordable, easy-to-deploy solution, this study aims to bridge that gap and improve industry practices. Initial case studies have demonstrated promising results, including achieving acceptable quality and safety levels through the help of expertise from abroad. This paper details the design, implementation, and scalability of the proposed system while highlighting its adaptability to diverse construction contexts in developing nations. Additionally, it emphasizes the broader benefits of integrating technology into the construction industry, such as promoting economic growth and supporting sustainable development. Adopting this high-impact, cost-effective solution has the potential to significantly enhance technical capabilities, improve efficiency, and elevate social conditions through safer and more sustainable construction practices. This framework represents a transformative opportunity for the construction industry in developing countries, contributing to long-term progress and prosperity.
Development and Application of an Innovative Planning and Monitoring Tool to Optimize Construction Projects
Authors: Santos Fonseca Salazar , Aguilera Benito Patricia , Piña Ramírez Carolina
Published: January 2025

This research develops and applies a tool that allows the breakdown of time objectives to the same level of detail traditionally applied to cost, while also providing a favorable production scheme to ensure the project quality. This tool introduces an innovative approach to planning and execution monitoring through cascading dashboards, representing production packages and activities across designated project zones. This approach reinterprets the Last Planner System for jobs on-site in conjunction with the Location-Based Management System. The primary dashboard facilitates the management of complex work structures—typically involving hundreds of rows in Gantt chart representations or numerous lines in Line of Balance diagrams—while enabling the easy identification of activity cycles and gaps between activities in each zone. The tool offers a four-dimensional planning visualization—what, where, when, and who—enhancing the understanding of activity sequences and workflows across project zones, while also contributing to product quality improvement. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated through its application that the tool provides reliable, real-time information that supports decision-making, optimizes resource allocation, and improves overall project competitiveness.