bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Visual Impairment in a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease after Successful Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation with Low-Dose Levodopa: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Chao , Sun Jinxing , Li Zhenke , Liu Na , Li Chao
Published: January 2023

Background: Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is widely used for the treatment of primary motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Further, recent evidence suggests that STN-DBS may relieve a few ophthalmic symptoms in PD, such as eye-blink rate and the flexibility of eye saccades. However, its exact effect on visual function remains unknown. Herein, we report the case of a patient with PD who underwent STN-DBS and experienced visual symptoms following levodopa reduction. Case presentation: A 63-year-old male patient with PD developed severe visual impairment after six months of high-frequency STN-DBS. His symptoms resolved after adjusting the levodopa dose prescribed to the patient. Conclusions: This case report suggests that DBS is beneficial in patients with PD in terms of eye-blink rate. However, the rapid reduction of medication after STN-DBS may lead to retinal atrophy and the shrinkage of vessel density in the ocular fundus. Thus, neurosurgeons should pay close attention to patients with visual symptoms when adjusting levodopa dosages.
Immune Pathways with Aging Characteristics Improve Immunotherapy Benefits and Drug Prediction in Human Cancer
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Guo Shuang , Zhou Hanxiao , Sun Yue , Gan Jing , Zhang Yakun , Zheng Wen , Zhang Caiyu , Zhao Xiaoxi , Xiao Jiebin , Wang Li , Gao Yue , Ning Shangwei
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Perturbation of immune-related pathways can make substantial contributions to cancer. However, whether and how the aging process affects immune-related pathways during tumorigenesis remains largely unexplored. (2) Methods: Here, we comprehensively investigated the immune-related genes and pathways among 25 cancer types using genomic and transcriptomic data. (3) Results: We identified several pathways that showed aging-related characteristics in various cancers, further validated by conventional aging-related gene sets. Genomic analysis revealed high mutation burdens in cytokines and cytokines receptors pathways, which were strongly correlated with aging in diverse cancers. Moreover, immune-related pathways were found to be favorable prognostic factors in melanoma. Furthermore, the expression level of these pathways had close associations with patient response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Applying a net-work-based method, we predicted immune- and aging-related genes in pan-cancer and utilized these genes for potential immunotherapy drug discovery. Mapping drug target data to our top-ranked genes identified potential drug targets, FYN, JUN, and SRC. (4) Conclusions: Taken together, our systematic study helped interpret the associations among immune-related pathways, aging, and cancer and could serve as a resource for promoting clinical treatment.
Unraveling the Synergy between Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Brackenier Cedric , Kinget Lisa , Cappuyns Sarah , Verslype Chris , Beuselinck Benoit , Dekervel Jeroen
Published: January 2023

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with antiangiogenic properties, such as sorafenib, have been the standard choice to systemically treat hepatocellular carcinoma for over a decade. More recently, encouraging results were obtained using immune checkpoint inhibitors, although head-to-head comparisons with sorafenib in phase 3 trials could not demonstrate superiority in terms of overall survival. The IMbrave150 was a breakthrough study that resulted in atezolizumab/bevacizumab, a combination of an antiangiogenic and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, as a new standard of care for advanced HCC. This review discusses the mode of action, clinical efficacy, and biomarker research for both drug classes and for the combination therapy. Moreover, the synergy between atezolizumab and bevacizumab is highlighted, unraveling pathophysiological mechanisms underlying an enhanced anticancer immunity by changing the immunosuppressed to a more immunoreactive tumor microenvironment (TME). This is achieved by upregulation of antigen presentation, upregulation of T-cell proliferation, trafficking and infiltration, impairing recruitment, and proliferation of immunosuppressive cells in the TME. However, more insights are needed to identify biomarkers of response that may improve patient selection and outcome.
Evaluation of Microsatellite Instability Molecular Analysis versus Immuno-Histochemical Interpretation in Malignant Neoplasms with Different Localizations
Authors: Sfakianaki Maria , Tzardi Maria , Tsantaki Konstantina , Koutoulaki Chara , Messaritakis Ippokratis , Datseri Galateia , Moustou Eleni , Mavroudis Dimitrios , Souglakos John
Published: January 2023

MMR gene germline mutations are considered a major genetic disorder in patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome; A total of 15% of sporadic colon carcinomas are MSI-High. MSI has also been observed in other cancers, such as endometrial, gastric, and ovarian cancer. The aim of the current study was to correlate and outline the optimal method between the molecular testing of the instability of microsatellite DNA regions (MSI status) and the loss of protein expression by immunehistochemistry (MMR). A total of 242 paraffin-embedded tissues from gastrointestinal, gynecological, genitourinary, lung, breast, and unknown primary cancer patients were analyzed for the expression of MLH1/MSH2/MSH6/PMS2 by immunohistochemistry, as well as for the molecular analysis of MSI status using PCR-based molecular fragment analysis. A total of 29 MSI-High patients were detected molecularly, while 23 patients were detected by immunohistochemistry, with rates that are comparable according to the literature. Based on the agreement coefficient of the two methods, a substantial agreement emerged (Kappa = 0.675 with standard error = 0.081, p < 0.001). Despite the substantial agreement, both methods ought to be established to determine MSI-H/dMMR status in all cancer types as a first-line screening test.
The Emerging Role of PET/CT with PSMA-Targeting Radiopharmaceuticals in Clear Cell Renal Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review
Authors: Rizzo Alessio , Racca Manuela , Dall’Armellina Sara , Rescigno Pasquale , Banna Giuseppe Luigi , Albano Domenico , Dondi Francesco , Bertagna Francesco , Annunziata Salvatore , Treglia Giorgio
Published: January 2023

Background: Recent articles proposed the employment of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting radiopharmaceuticals in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods: The authors performed a comprehensive literature search of studies on the performance of PET/CT with PSMA-targeting radiopharmaceuticals in ccRCC. Original articles concerning this imaging examination were included in newly diagnosed ccRCC patients and ccRCC patients with disease recurrence. Results: A total of sixteen papers concerning the diagnostic performance of PSMA-targeted PET/CT in ccRCC (331 patients) were included in this systematic review. The included articles demonstrated an excellent detection rate of PSMA-targeting PET/CT in ccRCC. Conclusions: PSMA-targeted PET/CT seems promising in detecting ccRCC lesions as well as in discriminating the presence of aggressive phenotypes. Prospective multicentric studies are warranted to strengthen the role of PSMA-targeting PET/CT in ccRCC.
Carbon Dioxide Valorization into Methane Using Samarium Oxide-Supported Monometallic and Bimetallic Catalysts
Authors: El-Salamony Radwa A. , Al-Fatesh Ahmed S. , Acharya Kenit , Abahussain Abdulaziz A. M. , Bagabas Abdulaziz , Kumar Nadavala Siva , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Khan Wasim Ullah , Kumar Rawesh
Published: January 2023

Samarium oxide (Sm2O3) is a versatile surface for CO2 and H2 interaction and conversion. Samarium oxide-supported Ni, samarium oxide-supported Co-Ni, and samarium oxide-supported Ru-Ni catalysts were tested for CO2 methanation and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, infrared spectroscopy, H2-temperature programmed reduction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Limited H2 dissociation and widely available surface carbonate and formate species over 20 wt.% Ni, dispersed over Sm2O3, resulted in ~98% CH4 selectivity. The low selectivity for CO could be due to the reforming reaction between CH4 (methanation product) and CO2. Co-impregnation of cobalt with nickel over Sm2O3 had high surface adsorbed oxygen and higher CO selectivity. On the other hand, co-impregnation of ruthenium and nickel over Sm2O3 led to more than one catalytic active site, carbonate species, lack of formate species, and 94% CH4 selectivity. It indicated the following route of CH4 synthesis over Ru-Ni/Sm2O3; carbonate → unstable formate → CO → CH4.
The Influence of Cerium to Manganese Ratio and Preparation Method on the Activity of Ceria-Manganese Mixed Metal Oxide Catalysts for VOC Total Oxidation
Authors: Shah Parag M. , Bailey Liam A. , Taylor Stuart H.
Published: January 2023

A set of ceria-manganese mixed metal oxide catalysts with varying Ce:Mn ratios were prepared by coprecipitation using sodium carbonate and were evaluated for the total oxidation of propane and naphthalene. Manganese-rich samples were the most active, with Ce0.25Mn0.75Ox having the highest activity. Catalysts were characterised using X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, Raman spectroscopy, temperature programmed reduction (TPR), electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), establishing that the high activity of Ce0.25Mn0.75Ox was due to the formation of phase-separated Mn-substituted ceria and Mn2O3 phases that were not simultaneously present in the other catalysts. The catalyst preparation technique for the most active ratio was investigated using co-precipitation by urea, oxalic acid and citric acid, and mechanochemical grinding. For propane, the mechanochemical and urea catalysts were more active than the carbonate coprecipitated catalyst, due to greater surface area and increased phase separation. This work demonstrates that ceria-manganese mixed metal oxides are more active than the parent oxide, but that preparation technique is also important for controlling activity.
ZIF-67 Derived Cu-Co Mixed Oxides for Efficient Catalytic Oxidation of Formaldehyde at Low-Temperature
Authors: Zhao Qingsong , Xiang Ning , Wen Shiting , Huo Haibo , Li Qiaoyan
Published: January 2023

It is still an intractable problem to exploit high-efficient Co-based catalysts for low-temperature HCHO oxidation. Herein, we synthesized a series of Cu-doped Co3O4 catalysts (Cu1Co8, Cu1Co4, and Cu1Co2 corresponded to 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 of Cu/Co molar ratios, respectively) via in situ pyrolysis of bimetal Cu-ZIF-67 precursors and the pure Co3O4 sample was also prepared through directly annealing monometal ZIF-67 for comparison. Performance tests of HCHO oxidation found that Cu doping remarkably enhanced the low-temperature HCHO oxidation performance of Co3O4 sample, and thereinto the Cu1Co4 possessed the optimal HCHO oxidation activity, which achieved 90% HCHO conversion at 108 °C. The characterization results revealed that the stronger interaction between Cu and Co species (Co2+ + Cu2+ ↔ Co3+ + Cu+) of Cu1Co4 not only facilitates the formation of defect sites, Co3+ and surface adsorbed oxygen species but also improves its low-temperature reducibility, and consequently resulting in its superior HCHO oxidation performance. Furthermore, the in-situ DRIFTS results suggested that the formaldehyde oxidation over Cu1Co4 followed HCHO → H2CO2 → HCOO− → CO32− → CO2 pathway. The present work provides a novel and facile approach to fabricating highly effective Co-based catalysts for low-temperature HCHO oxidation.
Control of Mitochondrial Activity by the Ubiquitin Code in Health and Cancer
Authors: Rinaldi Laura , Senatore Emanuela , Iannucci Rosa , Chiuso Francesco , Feliciello Antonio
Published: January 2023

Cellular homeostasis is tightly connected to the broad variety of mitochondrial functions. To stay healthy, cells need a constant supply of nutrients, energy production and antioxidants defenses, undergoing programmed death when a serious, irreversible damage occurs. The key element of a functional integration of all these processes is the correct crosstalk between cell signaling and mitochondrial activities. Once this crosstalk is interrupted, the cell is not able to communicate its needs to mitochondria, resulting in oxidative stress and development of pathological conditions. Conversely, dysfunctional mitochondria may affect cell viability, even in the presence of nutrients supply and energy production, indicating the existence of feed-back control mechanisms between mitochondria and other cellular compartments. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is a multi-step biochemical pathway that, through the conjugation of ubiquitin moieties to specific protein substrates, controls cellular proteostasis and signaling, removing damaged or aged proteins that might otherwise accumulate and affect cell viability. In response to specific needs or changed extracellular microenvironment, the UPS modulates the turnover of mitochondrial proteins, thus influencing the organelle shape, dynamics and function. Alterations of the dynamic and reciprocal regulation between mitochondria and UPS underpin genetic and proliferative disorders. This review focuses on the mitochondrial metabolism and activities supervised by UPS and examines how deregulation of this control mechanism results in proliferative disorders and cancer.
Bibliometric Analysis of Fourth Industrial Revolution Applied to Material Sciences Based on Web of Science and Scopus Databases from 2017 to 2021
Authors: Alviz-Meza Anibal , Orozco-Agamez Juan , Quinayá Diana C. P. , Alviz-Amador Antistio
Published: January 2023

Material science is a broad discipline focused on subjects such as metals, ceramics, polymers, electronics, and composite materials. Each of these fields covers areas associated with designing, synthesizing, and manufacturing, materials. These are tasks in which the use of technology may constitute paramount importance, reducing cost and time to develop new materials and substituting try-and-error standard procedures. This study aimed to analyze, quantify and map the scientific production of research on the fourth industrial revolution linked to material science studies in Scopus and Web of Science databases from 2017 to 2021. For this bibliometric analysis, the Biblioshiny software from RStudio was employed to categorize and evaluate the contribution of authors, countries, institutions, and journals. VOSviewer was used to visualize their collaboration networks. As a result, we found that artificial intelligence represents a hotspot technology used in material science, which has become usual in molecular simulations and manufacturing industries. Recent studies aim to provide possible avenues in the discovery and design of new high-entropy alloys as well as to detect and classify corrosion in the industrial sector. This bibliometric analysis releases an updated perspective on the implementations of technologies in material science as a possible guideline for future worldwide research.
Extracting Information and Enhancing the Quality of Separation Data: A Review on Chemometrics-Assisted Analysis of Volatile, Soluble and Colloidal Samples
Authors: Zappi Alessandro , Marassi Valentina , Giordani Stefano , Kassouf Nicholas , Roda Barbara , Zattoni Andrea , Reschiglian Pierluigi , Melucci Dora
Published: January 2023

Instrument automation, technological advancements and improved computational power made separation science an extremely data-rich approach, requiring the use of statistical and data analysis tools that are able to optimize processes and combine multiple outputs. The use of chemometrics is growing, greatly improving the ability to extract meaningful information. Separation–multidetection generates multidimensional data, whose elaboration should not be left to the discretion of the operator. However, some applications or techniques still suffer from the lack of method optimization through DoE and downstream multivariate analysis, limiting their potential. This review aims at summarizing how chemometrics can assist analytical chemists in terms of data elaboration and method design, focusing on what can be achieved by applying chemometric approaches to separation science. Recent applications of chemometrics in separation analyses, in particular in gas, liquid and size-exclusion chromatography, together with field flow fractionation, will be detailed to visualize the state of the art of separation chemometrics, encompassing volatile, soluble and solid (colloidal) analytes. The samples considered will range from food chemistry and environmental chemistry to bio/pharmaceutical science.
Potentiometric Sensor System with Self-Calibration for Long-Term, In Situ Measurements
Authors: Zhang Zhehao , Boselli Elena , Papautsky Ian
Published: January 2023

We built an integrated solid-contact ion-selective electrode (SCISE) system with the functionality of self-calibration. A multiplexed SCISE sensor (K+ and NO3− vs. Ag/AgCl) was fabricated on printed-circuit board (PCB) substrates and was subsequently embedded into a microfluidic flow cell for self-calibration and flow-through analysis. A PCB circuit that includes modules for both sensor readout and fluid control was developed. The sensors showed a fast and near-Nernstian response (56.6 for the K+ electrode and −57.4 mV/dec for the NO3− electrode) and maintained their performance for at least three weeks. The sensors also showed a highly reproducible response in an automated two-point calibration, demonstrating the potential for in situ monitoring. Lastly, the sensor system was successfully applied to measure mineral nutrients in plant sap samples.
Traumatic Hip Dislocation in Pediatric Patients: Clinical Case Series and a Narrative Review of the Literature with an Emphasis on Primary and Long-Term Complications
Authors: Suominen Eetu N. , Saarinen Antti J.
Published: January 2023

Traumatic hip dislocation is a rare injury in pediatric populations. Dislocation may be associated with low-energy trauma, such as a minor fall. Traumatic hip dislocation is associated with severe complications, such as avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Timely diagnosis and reposition decrease the rate of complications. In this study we retrospectively assessed traumatic hip dislocations in pediatric patients during a 10-year timespan in a university hospital. There were eight cases of traumatic hip dislocations. All patients had a minimum follow-up of two years and were followed with MRI scans. One patient developed avascular necrosis during the follow-up which resolved conservatively. There were no other significant complications. In conclusion, traumatic hip dislocation is a rare injury which is associated with severe complications. Patients in our case series underwent a timely reposition. The complication rate was similar to previous reports.
Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the StimQ for Use with Italian Children from Kindergartens
Authors: De Salve Roberta , Romanelli Sara , Frontani Francesco , Policastro Francesca , Berardi Anna , Valente Donatella , Galeoto Giovanni
Published: January 2023

The StimQ questionnaire is used to assess the home environment of children. The questionnaire is comprised of four subscales, and it was completed by the main caregiver. The items were different considering the band ages of the children: infants (5–12 months), toddlers (12–36 months), and preschoolers (36–72 months). The aim of the study was to translate, transculturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the StimQ. To achieve this goal, a sample of 142 children was recruited from different kindergartens. The mean age of the group was 30.63 (SD 19.56), and 112 of them were female. The main caregiver was the mother in 95% of the cases. The Cronbach’s alfa was excellent, considering the total score (0.82 for infants, 0.85 for toddlers, and 0.86 for preschoolers). Intrarater reliability was performed by administering the questionnaire after 48 h and by two different researchers. Both analyses showed an excellent reliability for the total score and all the subscales. The intrarater reliability was 0.99 for the infant, 1 for the toddler and 0.99 for the preschooler age groups. The interrater reliability was 0.95 for the infant, 0.93 for the toddler, and 0.97 for the preschooler age groups. The StimQ is a reliable questionnaire that could be helpful for clinicians and researchers who work with children in Italy.
Special Issue: Arts Therapies with Children and Adolescents—Editorial
Authors: Regev Dafna
Published: January 2023

Arts therapy dates back to the mid-20th century [...]
The Relationship between Physical Fitness and Perceived Well-Being, Motivation, and Enjoyment in Chinese Adolescents during Physical Education: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zheng Wei , Shen Hejun , Belhaidas Mohammed B. , Zhao Yaping , Wang Lei , Yan Jin
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between physical fitness (PF) level and Chinese middle-school students’ perceived well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. Method: In this study, the participants were randomly selected from 16 Beijing-based middle schools in China. In addition to the collection of demographic data (i.e., gender, age, and parental education), tools including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, the Behavioural Regulation in Sport Questionnaire, and the Physical Activity Children’s Enjoyment Scale were employed for collecting data on other variables of well-being, motivation, and enjoyment, respectively. Results: A total of 1678 adolescents (M age = 14.66 years, SD = 1.80) participated in this study. According to the results, significant gender differences could be observed in the PF categories of mean age, BMI, vital capacity, 50-m sprint, muscular strength, and flexibility (all p < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant gender difference in the levels of well-being, motivation, and enjoyment observed, with similar scores for boys and girls (p > 0.05). Indeed, adolescents with low BMI scores and high levels of vital capacity, muscular strength, and flexibility showed better well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. However, no association was observed between timed sit-ups and pull-ups and well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. Conclusions: This study produced preliminary findings on the relationship between PF and Chinese adolescents’ perceived well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. To improve the health of adolescents, it is necessary to adopt prospective and experimental research designs for advocating for fitness education in school-based programs in future research.
Postprandial Abdominal Pain Caused by Gastroptosis—A Case Report
Authors: Staszewska Anna , Jarzumbek Anna , Saran Anna , Gierak-Firszt Sylwia , Kwiecien Jaroslaw
Published: January 2023

Gastroptosis is a condition in which the stomach is displaced downward and is a condition affects the spontaneous muscle mobility in the stomach. The reason for its current prevalence remains unclear as the medical literature is scarce on the condition in children. In this study, we describe the case of a 17-year-old girl suffering from chronic, position-dependent epigastric pain. The symptoms were observed during post-meal activity, with a significant increase in pain intensity while in an upright position. An inferior stomach displacement was noted in an upper gastrointestinal X-ray study using barium.
Lung Cancer Gene Regulatory Network of Transcription Factors Related to the Hallmarks of Cancer
Authors: Otálora-Otálora Beatriz Andrea , López-Kleine Liliana , Rojas Adriana
Published: January 2023

The transcriptomic analysis of microarray and RNA-Seq datasets followed our own bioinformatic pipeline to identify a transcriptional regulatory network of lung cancer. Twenty-six transcription factors are dysregulated and co-expressed in most of the lung cancer and pulmonary arterial hypertension datasets, which makes them the most frequently dysregulated transcription factors. Co-expression, gene regulatory, coregulatory, and transcriptional regulatory networks, along with fibration symmetries, were constructed to identify common connection patterns, alignments, main regulators, and target genes in order to analyze transcription factor complex formation, as well as its synchronized co-expression patterns in every type of lung cancer. The regulatory function of the most frequently dysregulated transcription factors over lung cancer deregulated genes was validated with ChEA3 enrichment analysis. A Kaplan–Meier plotter analysis linked the dysregulation of the top transcription factors with lung cancer patients’ survival. Our results indicate that lung cancer has unique and common deregulated genes and transcription factors with pulmonary arterial hypertension, co-expressed and regulated in a coordinated and cooperative manner by the transcriptional regulatory network that might be associated with critical biological processes and signaling pathways related to the acquisition of the hallmarks of cancer, making them potentially relevant tumor biomarkers for lung cancer early diagnosis and targets for the development of personalized therapies against lung cancer.
Climate Change Impacts on the Hydrology of the Brahmaputra River Basin
Authors: Palash Wahid , Bajracharya Sagar Ratna , Shrestha Arun Bhakta , Wahid Shahriar , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Mogumder Tarun Kanti , Mazumder Liton Chandra
Published: January 2023

Climate change (CC) is impacting the hydrology in the basins of the Himalayan region. Thus, this could have significant implications for people who rely on basin water for their lives and livelihoods. However, there are very few studies on the Himalayan river basins. This study aims to fill this gap by presenting a water balance for the Brahmaputra River Basin using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Results show that snowmelt contributed about 6% of the total annual flow of the whole Brahmaputra, 21% of the upper Brahmaputra, and 5% of the middle Brahmaputra. The basin-wide average annual water yield (AWY) is projected to increase by 8%, with the maximum percentage increase in the pre-monsoon season. The annual snowmelt is projected to decrease by 17%, with a marked decrease during the monsoon but an increase in other seasons and the greatest percentage reduction in the upper Brahmaputra (22%). The contribution of snowmelt to AWY is projected to decrease while rain runoff will increase across the entire Brahmaputra and also in the upper and middle Brahmaputra. The impact assessment suggests that the upper Brahmaputra will be most affected by CC, followed by the middle Brahmaputra. The results can be used to support future water management planning in the basin taking into account the potential impact of CC.
Laboratory Analysis of an Asphalt Mixture Overlay Reinforced with a Biaxial Geogrid
Authors: Rueda Eduardo J. , Bastidas-Martínez Juan Gabriel , Ruge Juan Carlos , Alayón Yeison , Olivos Jeisson
Published: January 2023

Geosynthetic materials have been demonstrated to be an accurate element in civil engineering, specifically in the field of pavement. Regarding the implementation of these materials in asphalt mixture layers, geosynthetics, such as geotextile and geogrid, have been used to delay the crack propagation and/or increase the fatigue life. However, the use of these material is based on the experience learned in the field or results obtained from testing on a reduced scale in the laboratory. This research work aims at evaluating the influence that geogrids have as a reinforcement to asphalt mixture layer samples. Within this context, in this work, two types of large-scale samples (with and without reinforcement) are subjected to a monotonic load under two support conditions (simple support and granular base). The results were summarized with the load-line displacement diagram, where parameters such as the peak load, displacement, stiffness, and work of fracture were analyzed. The results reveal that the asphalt layer with geogrid experiences a double benefit since it withstands greater magnitudes of load and delays the appearance of rutting problems. To conclude, the geogrid as a reinforcement for asphalt mixture layers strongly impact their mechanical behavior, increasing the service life of the pavement structure.
Authenticated Key Exchange Protocol in the Standard Model under Weaker Assumptions
Authors: Alawatugoda Janaka
Published: January 2023

A two-party authenticated key exchange (AKE) protocol allows each of the two parties to share a common secret key over insecure channels, even in the presence of active adversaries who can actively control and modify the exchanged messages. To capture the malicious behaviors of the adversaries, there have been many efforts to define security models. Amongst them, the extended Canetti–Krawczyk (eCK) security model is considered one of the strongest security models and has been widely adopted. In this paper, we present a simple construction of a pairing-based eCK-secure AKE protocol in the standard model. Our protocol can be instantiated with a suitable signature scheme (i.e., an existentially unforgeable signature scheme against adaptive chosen message attacks). The underlying assumptions of our construction are the decisional bilinear Diffie–Hellman assumption and the existence of a pseudorandom function. Note that the previous eCK-secure protocol constructions either relied on random oracles for their security or used somewhat strong assumptions, such as the existence of strong-pseudorandom functions, target collision-resistant functions, etc., while our protocol construction uses fewer and more-standard assumptions in the standard model. Furthermore, preserving the same security argument, our protocol can be instantiated with any appropriate signature scheme that comes in the future with better efficiency.
Carbonate and Oxalate Crystallization Effected by the Metabolism of Fungi and Bacteria in Various Trophic Conditions: The Case of Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium chrysogenum with Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Sazanova Katerina V. , Zelenskaya Marina S. , Izatulina Alina R. , Korneev Anatoliy V. , Vlasov Dmitry Yu. , Frank-Kamenetskaya Olga V.
Published: January 2023

The present work contributed to the patterns of crystallization affected by the metabolism of fungi and bacteria in various trophic conditions and specifically covers the case of Penicillium chrysogenum and P. chrysogenum with Bacillus subtilis. The cultivation of microorganisms was carried out on the dolomitic calcite marble in liquid Czapek–Dox nutrient medium with glucose concentrations of 1, 10 and 30 g/L. The study of the crystal component of mycelium formed on the marble surface was supported through powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; the quantitative content of the extracellular polymer substance (EPS) and low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) in the medium was determined through chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results obtained clearly demonstrated the unique ability of the fungus P. chrysogenum to not only release organic acids (primarily oxalic), but the EPS also which significantly affected the pH of the culture liquid and, accordingly, the carbonate and oxalate crystallization. Carbonate crystallization manifested in the presence of Bacillus subtilis as well. The transition from oxalate crystallization to carbonate and vice versa could occur with a change in the species composition of the microbial community as well as with a change in the nutritional value medium. Under the conditions closest to natural conditions (glucose content of 1 g/L), through the action of P. chrysogenum, oxalate crystallization occurred, and through the action of P. chrysogenum with B. subtilis, carbonate crystallization was observed. The identified patterns can be used to reveal the role of fungi and bacteria in the oxalate–carbonate pathway.
Improving the Directionality of Low-Frequency Acoustic Radiation by a Finite Array of Quadrupolar Sources with Acoustic Metamaterials
Authors: Zeng Qinglei , Gao Shenlian , Lai Yun , Liu Xiaozhou
Published: January 2023

Manipulating radiation patterns is challenging, especially at low frequencies. In this paper, we demonstrate that acoustic metamaterials arranged as an array of quadrupoles remarkably improve the directionality of acoustic radiation at low frequencies, compared with previous metamaterials arranged as monopole and dipole structures. The directivity of the acoustic radiation can be adjusted by changing the characteristic parameter and the symmetry of the structure, which provides a flexible method of adjusting radiation directions. The directionality can be further improved by constructing a linear array. Our work establishes acoustic radiation control via quadrupolar metamaterials.
Experimental Study on the Thermal Conductivity of Improved Graphite Composite Insulation Boards
Authors: Liu Genbao , Guo Yutao , Jian Zhiyu , Huang Mojia , Zhao Tengfei
Published: January 2023

The thermal conductivity of thermal insulation materials directly affects the building energy consumption. The types and constituents of thermal insulation materials in thermal insulation boards are the key to determining the insulation performance. By optimizing the material constituents and ratios, this paper proposes an improved graphite composite insulation board (GCIB), which has lower thermal conductivity and good fire resistance. Through theoretical derivation, it is found that the limit range of the thermal conductivity of the new GCIB is 0.042–0.064 W/(m · K). Combined with the results of theoretical value analysis, and according to the ratios of material components, the random distribution function of each material component is constructed, and the numerical model of GCIB is established. Through numerical analysis, the range of thermal conductivity of the new composite insulation board is 0.046–0.050 W/(m · K). Finally, we establish an experimental model of the new GCIB. Through the model test of six GCIBs, the thermal conductivity of the new GCIB is obtained as 0.046 W/(m · K), which is in good agreement with the results of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. Through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and a sample test, this paper verifies the better thermal insulation performance of the improved GCIB, providing theoretical and numerical simulation methods for the new GCIB, as well as a theoretical reference for the promotion and application of the GCIB.
Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer-Related Care in the United States: An Overview
Authors: Jabbal Iktej Singh , Sabbagh Saad , Dominguez Barbara , Itani Mira , Mohanna Mohamed , Samuel Thomas , Nahleh Zeina
Published: January 2023

COVID-19 impacted several health services, including cancer-related care. Its implications were significant due to the lapse in hospital resources, compounded by the delays stemming from the economic effects on patients’ jobs and medical coverage. Furthermore, reports suggesting an increased risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in patients with cancer and those on active cancer treatment caused additional fear and potential delays in seeking medical services. This review provides an overview of the pandemic’s impact on cancer care in the United States and suggests measures for tackling similar situations in the future.
Climatic and Non-Climatic Drivers of Plant Diversity along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Taihang Mountains of Northern China
Authors: Liang Hongzhu , Fu Tonggang , Gao Hui , Li Min , Liu Jintong
Published: January 2023

Climate is critical for plant altitudinal distribution patterns. Non-climatic factors also have important effects on vegetation altitudinal distribution in mountain regions. The purpose of this study was to explore the current distribution of plant diversity along the altitudinal gradient in the Taihang Mountain range of northern China and to estimate the effects of climatic and non-climatic factors on the elevational pattern. Through a field survey, a total of 480 sampling plots were established in the central Taihang Mountain range. Alpha diversities (the Shannon–Weiner index and Simpson index) and beta diversities (the Jaccard index and Cody index) were measured based on the survey data. Plant community structure change based on the altitudinal gradient was explored by measuring the diversity indices. Canonical correspondence analysis was carried out to determine the factors influencing plant altitudinal distribution. The contributions of climatic and non-climatic factors on plant distribution were determined by partial methods. The results showed that the plant diversity of the elevational gradient complied with a “hump-shaped” pattern, in which communities in the medium altitude area with higher plant diversity had a higher species turnover rate, and non-climatic factors, particularly the anthropogenic factors, had an important influence on the plant altitudinal pattern. In conclusion, climatic and non-climatic factors both had important effects on the plant altitudinal pattern. It is strongly recommended to reduce human interference in mountain vegetation protection and management.
Spinal Metastasis in a Patient with Supratentorial Glioblastoma with Primitive Neuronal Component: A Case Report with Clinical and Molecular Evaluation
Authors: Hendrych Michal , Solar Peter , Hermanova Marketa , Slaby Ondrej , Valekova Hana , Vecera Marek , Kopkova Alena , Mackerle Zdenek , Kazda Tomas , Pospisil Petr , Lakomy Radek , Chrastina Jan , Sana Jiri , Jancalek Radim
Published: January 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM) is regarded as an aggressive brain tumor that rarely develops extracranial metastases. Despite well-investigated molecular alterations in GBM, there is a limited understanding of these associated with the metastatic potential. We herein present a case report of a 43-year-old woman with frontal GBM with primitive neuronal component who underwent gross total resection followed by chemoradiation. Five months after surgery, the patient was diagnosed with an intraspinal GBM metastasis. Next-generation sequencing analysis of both the primary and metastatic GBM tissues was performed using the Illumina TruSight Tumor 170 assay. The number of single nucleotide variants observed in the metastatic sample was more than two times higher. Mutations in TP53, PTEN, and RB1 found in the primary and metastatic tissue samples indicated the mesenchymal molecular GBM subtype. Among others, there were two inactivating mutations (Arg1026Ile, Trp1831Ter) detected in the NF1 gene, two novel NOTCH3 variants of unknown significance predicted to be damaging (Pro1505Thr, Cys1099Tyr), one novel ARID1A variant of unknown significance (Arg1046Ser), and one gene fusion of unknown significance, EIF2B5-KIF5B, in the metastatic sample. Based on the literature evidence, the alterations of NF1, NOTCH3, and ARID1A could explain, at least in part, the acquired invasiveness and metastatic potential in this particular GBM case.
Palatal Rugae Patterns in Fars, Turkmen, and Sistani Ethnicities in the Eastern Part of the Caspian Littoral of Iran
Authors: Rahebi Donya , Naghavialhosseini Aliakbar , Pakkhesal Mina , Rajabi Abdolhalim , Mirzaei Fatemeh , Salim Nesreen A. , Sallam Malik
Published: January 2023

In forensic medicine, it is important to identify whole or fragmented bodies. This aim can be particularly challenging in mass disasters. Palatal rugae patterns can be used as a surrogate parameter in forensic medicine. This stems from the difficulty in falsifying these patterns, their resistance to trauma, to decomposition for several days postmortem, and to combustion under high-temperatures, as well as being distinguishable among different races. The present study aimed to analyze the differences in the palatal rugae patterns among three Iranian ethnicities (Fars, Turkmen, and Sistani). This retrospective study involved the use of archived materials. The study casts were selected from the database of patients who visited a private orthodontics clinic. A total of 309 dental casts (103 Fars, 103 Turkmen, and 103 Sistani) were assessed, which belonged to 181 females and 128 males aged between 12 and 30 years (mean: 16.86 ± 3.18 years). The difference in the mean number of palatal rugae in women between the three ethnicities was statistically significant. Also, the differences in the total number of straight rugae were significant between the three ethnic groups. The most common rugae shapes in the three ethnic groups were the straight and wavy shapes. The length of the palatal rugae in the primary and secondary rugae among the study subjects younger than 18-years-old was significantly different between the three ethnic groups. Thus, the present research highlighted the differences in palatal rugae patterns among three Iranian ethnicities. Therefore, palatal rugae can be used in forensic medicine as a complementary approach to human identification.
Water–Fat Separated T1 Mapping in the Liver and Correlation to Hepatic Fat Fraction
Authors: Fellner Claudia , Nickel Marcel Dominik , Kannengiesser Stephan , Verloh Niklas , Stroszczynski Christian , Haimerl Michael , Luerken Lukas
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: T1 mapping in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver has been proposed to estimate liver function or to detect the stage of liver disease, among others. Thus far, the impact of intrahepatic fat on T1 quantification has only been sparsely discussed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of water–fat separated T1 mapping of the liver. (2) Methods: A total of 386 patients underwent MRI of the liver at 3 T. In addition to routine imaging techniques, a 3D variable flip angle (VFA) gradient echo technique combined with a two-point Dixon method was acquired to calculate T1 maps from an in-phase (T1_in) and water-only (T1_W) signal. The results were correlated with proton density fat fraction using multi-echo 3D gradient echo imaging (PDFF) and multi-echo single voxel spectroscopy (PDFF_MRS). Using T1_in and T1_W, a novel parameter FF_T1 was defined and compared with PDFF and PDFF_MRS. Furthermore, the value of retrospectively calculated T1_W (T1_W_calc) based on T1_in and PDFF was assessed. Wilcoxon test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman analysis were applied as statistical tools. (3) Results: T1_in was significantly shorter than T1_W and the difference of both T1 values was correlated with PDFF (R = 0.890). FF_T1 was significantly correlated with PDFF (R = 0.930) and PDFF_MRS (R = 0.922) and yielded only minor bias compared to both established PDFF methods (0.78 and 0.21). T1_W and T1_W_calc were also significantly correlated (R = 0.986). (4) Conclusion: T1_W acquired with a water–fat separated VFA technique allows to minimize the influence of fat on liver T1. Alternatively, T1_W can be estimated retrospectively from T1_in and PDFF, if a Dixon technique is not available for T1 mapping.
Urinary CD80 and Serum suPAR as Biomarkers of Glomerular Disease among Adults in Brazil
Authors: Zen Renata de Cássia , Dominguez Wagner Vasques , Braga Ivone , dos Reis Luciene Machado , Jorge Lectícia Barbosa , Yu Luis , Woronik Viktoria , Dias Cristiane Bitencourt
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Urinary CD80 has been shown to have good specificity for minimal change disease (MCD) in children. However, the investigation of circulating factors such as soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) as biomarkers of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is quite controversial. The objective of this study was to determine whether urinary CD80 and serum suPAR can be used for the diagnosis of MCD and FSGS, respectively, in the adult population of Brazil. We also attempted to determine whether those biomarkers assess the response to immunosuppressive treatment. Methods: This was a prospective study in which urine and blood samples were collected for analysis of CD80 and suPAR, respectively, only in the moment of renal biopsy, from patients undergoing to diagnostic renal biopsy. At and six months after biopsy, we analyzed serum creatinine, serum albumin, and proteinuria in order to evaluate the use of the CD80 and suPAR collected in diagnosis as markers of response to immunosuppressive treatment. In healthy controls were collected urinary CD80 and proteinuria, serum suPAR, and creatinine. Results: The results of 70 renal biopsies were grouped, by diagnosis, as follows: FSGS (n = 18); membranous nephropathy (n = 14); MCD (n = 5); and other glomerulopathies (n = 33). There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of the urinary CD80 levels, and serum suPAR was not significantly higher in the FSGS group, as would have been expected. Urinary CD80 correlated positively with nephrotic syndrome, regardless of the type of glomerular disease. Neither biomarker correlated with proteinuria at six months after biopsy. Conclusion: In adults, urinary CD80 can serve as a marker of nephrotic syndrome but is not specific for MCD, whereas serum suPAR does not appear to be useful as a diagnostic or treatment response marker.
Repurposing Existing Infrastructure for Urban Air Mobility: A Scenario Analysis in Southern California
Authors: Li Xiangyu
Published: January 2023

The deployment of urban air mobility in built-out metropolitan regions is constrained by infrastructure opportunities, land use, and airspace zoning designations. Meanwhile, the availability and spatial distribution of infrastructure opportunities influence the travel demand that can be potentially captured by UAM services. The purpose of this study is to provide an initial assessment of the infrastructure opportunities of UAM in southern California with different mixes of spatial constraints, such as noise levels, school buffer zones, and airspace zones. The corresponding travel demand that can be potentially captured under each scenario is estimated with a home–workplace trip table. The results of the analyses indicate that supply-side infrastructure opportunities, such as heliports and elevated parking structures, are widely available to accommodate the regional deployment of UAM services. However, current spatial constraints can significantly limit the scope of vertiport location choices. Furthermore, the low-income population, blue-collar workers, and young people live farther away from supply-side opportunities than the general population. Moreover, this study proposes a network of UAM based on the top home-based and workplace-based stations for long-distance trips.
Non-Equilibrium ϕ4 Theory in a Hierarchy: Towards Manipulating Holograms in Quantum Brain Dynamics
Authors: Nishiyama Akihiro , Tanaka Shigenori , Tuszynski Jack A.
Published: January 2023

We describe non-equilibrium ϕ4 theory in a hierarchical manner to develop a method for manipulating coherent fields as a toy model of introducing control into Quantum Field Theory (QFT) of the brain, which is called Quantum Brain Dynamics (QBD). We begin with the Lagrangian density of ϕ4 model, where we adopt 2-Particle-Irreducible (2PI) effective action, and derive the Klein–Gordon equation of coherent fields with a damping term as an input–output equation proposed in areas of morphological computation or reservoir computing. Our analysis is extended to QFT in a hierarchy representing multiple layers covering cortex in a brain. We find that the desired target function is achieved via time-evolution in the Klein–Gordon equations in a hierarchy of numerical simulations when a signal in both the input and output prevails over noise in the intermediate layers. Our approach will be applied to control coherent fields in the systems (in a hierarchy) described in the QFT framework, with potential applications allowing the manipulation of quantum fields, especially holograms in QBD. We could then provide realistic physical degrees of freedom of a light–matter system in the contexts of quantum cognition and the associated free-energy principle.