bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blunt Trauma in Children: Efficacy and Safety of Transarterial Embolization, 10-Year Experiences in a Single Trauma Center
Authors: Ko Seyoung , Kwon Hoon , Kim Chang Won , Lee Hojun , Kim Jae Hun , Kim Hohyun , Park Chan Ik
Published: November 2023

Background: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is an established approach for controlling hemorrhage in adults with acute abdominal and pelvic trauma. However, its application in pediatric trauma is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TAE in a population of pediatric patients with blunt trauma. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in pediatric patients (<18 years) who underwent TAE for blunt trauma between February 2014 and July 2022. The patients were categorized into subgroups based on age and body weight. Patient demographics, injury severity, transfusion requirements, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: Exactly 73 patients underwent TAE. Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%), and clinical success was achieved in 83.6%. The mortality and complication rates were 4.1% and 1.4%, respectively. The mean duration of hospitalization was 19.3 days. Subgroup analysis showed that age, body weight, and sex did not significantly affect clinical success. The injury severity score and transfusion requirement were predictors of clinical success, with lower values associated with better outcomes. Conclusions: TAE is effective and safe for managing blunt pediatric trauma in younger and lighter patients. Injury severity and transfusion requirement are predictors of clinical success.
Gaucher-like Cells in Thalassemia Intermedia: Is It a Challenge?
Authors: Komninaka Veroniki , Flevari Pagona , Karkaletsis Georgios , Androutsakos Theodoros , Karkaletsi Theofili , Ntanasis-Stathopoulos Ioannis , Ntelaki Evaggelia-Eleni , Terpos Evangelos
Published: November 2023

We describe two cases of thalassemia intermedia (TI) patients with the presence of Gaucher-like cells in hematopoietic tissue biopsies, raising diagnostic dilemmas. The first is a 56-year-old female with bone lesions, splenomegaly, hypochromic microcytic anemia and Gaucher-like cells in the bone marrow, with a final diagnosis of TI, and the second is a 69-year-old male with TI, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) that accelerated to multiple myeloma (MM) requiring treatment, bone disease and Gaucher-like cells in the bone marrow and the spleen, and heterozygoty of Gaucher disease (GD). Gaucher-like cells are difficult to differentiate from true Gaucher cells, that are the hallmark of GD suspicion. These cells are usually reported in the lymphohematopoietic system. They have been described in myeloproliferative disorders, hematological malignancies, infectious diseases, hemoglobinopathies and other hemolytic anemias. The presence of Gaucher-like cells in patients with thalassemia major has been well documented, whereas there are limited references regarding cases with thalassemia intermedia. The identification of these cells in thalassemia probably reflects the high cell turnover. The bony complications in GD and TIare not yet fully explained in the literature, and this raises the question of whether Gaucher-like cells could play a pathogenetic role in the bone disease of thalassemia, as Gaucher cells are considered to play a similar role in bone complications of GD. Moreover, given the rarity and similarity of Gaucher and Gaucher-like cells, we would like to highlight that the presence of Gaucher-like cells in the bone marrow should not be overlooked, as they might be obscuring an underlying pathology, in order to ensure that hematologists, internists and hematopathologists will be promptly and accurately diagnosed.
Efficiency and Predictability of Coronal Maxillary Expansion Repercussion with the Aligners System: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Rocha Ana Sofia , Gonçalves Maria , Oliveira Ana Catarina , Azevedo Rui M. S. , Pinho Teresa
Published: November 2023

The Invisalign® system (SmartForce® G8) aims to guarantee aesthetics and provide good orthodontic treatment results. Dentoalveolar expansion is possible with clear aligners and can be used to correct dentoalveolar crossbite, resolve crowding or modify the arch shape. Despite the treatment’s effectiveness, there is still disagreement among professionals concerning its true clinical potential. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness and predictability of coronal tooth expansion movement in permanent dentition in patients who had completed the first phase of treatment with Invisalign® orthodontic aligners. Materials and Methods: The tooth movement tables of 75 previously selected cases were analyzed in terms of dental-arch width and expansion efficiency, through the Invisalign® platform, considering the pre-treatment (T0), planned treatment (TP) and post-treatment models (T1) using ClinCheck Pro® 6.0 software. All patients were treated by an orthodontic specialist and Invisalign® Diamond Provider in a private practice (T.P.). Results: Difference between T1 and T0: for each maxillary and mandibular measurement, there was a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-aligner treatment values. The greatest amount of expansion occurred in both the upper and the lower premolars. Difference between TP and T1: for each maxillary measurement, statistically significant differences were verified for the molar and canine. At the mandibular level, statistically significant differences were only verified in the first molar. Conclusions: The Invisalign® clear aligners are effective for simultaneous intra-arch expansion in both jaws.
A Link Prediction Algorithm Based on Weighted Local and Global Closeness
Authors: Wang Jian , Ning Jun , Nie Lingcong , Liu Qian , Zhao Na
Published: November 2023

Link prediction aims to identify unknown or missing connections in a network. The methods based on network structure similarity, known for their simplicity and effectiveness, have garnered widespread attention. A core metric in these methods is “proximity”, which measures the similarity or linking probability between two nodes. These methods generally operate under the assumption that node pairs with higher proximity are more likely to form new connections. However, the accuracy of existing node proximity-based link prediction algorithms requires improvement. To address this, this paper introduces a Link Prediction Algorithm Based on Weighted Local and Global Closeness (LGC). This algorithm integrates the clustering coefficient to enhance prediction accuracy. A significant advantage of LGC is its dual consideration of a network’s local and global features, allowing for a more precise assessment of node similarity. In experiments conducted on ten real-world datasets, the proposed LGC algorithm outperformed eight traditional link prediction methods, showing notable improvements in key evaluation metrics, namely precision and AUC.
Energy-Limited Joint Source–Channel Coding of Gaussian Sources over Gaussian Channels with Unknown Noise Level
Authors: Lev Omri , Khina Anatoly
Published: November 2023

We consider the problem of transmitting a Gaussian source with minimum mean square error distortion over an infinite-bandwidth additive white Gaussian noise channel with an unknown noise level and under an input energy constraint. We construct a universal joint source–channel coding scheme with respect to the noise level, that uses modulo-lattice modulation with multiple layers. For each layer, we employ either analog linear modulation or analog pulse-position modulation (PPM). We show that the designed scheme with linear layers requires less energy compared to existing solutions to achieve the same quadratically increasing distortion profile with the noise level; replacing the linear layers with PPM layers offers an additional improvement.
Exploring the Interplay between Facial Expression Recognition and Emotional Intelligence in Adults: Implications for Novel Learning Methods
Authors: Boccaccio Francesco Maria , Gubitosa Sarah , Pirrone Concetta
Published: November 2023

Background: Considering the widespread use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, which conceals facial expressions, this study aims (1) to explore facial expression recognition ability; (2) to assess the ability to read facial expressions under different conditions of face coverage; and (3) to investigate the role of emotional intelligence in facial expression recognition. This multidimensional exploration provides vital insights for creating novel learning methods, emphasizing the pivotal role of emotions. Methods: The study sample comprised 124 Italian adult subjects, consisting of 71 females (57.3%) and 53 males (42.7%), with a mean age of 35.31 years. The present investigation employed the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) and an image-based questionnaire administered via the online platform Google Forms. Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA were computed with SPSS (v. 29). Results: Significant differences were found based on gender, profession, and level of education in face expression recognition and emotional intelligence. The implications for learning processes are discussed. Conclusion: This study unveils the intricate dynamics of emotion recognition, gender, occupation, level of education’s influence, and emotional intelligence. By incorporating these insights into educational programs, a transformative process can be initiated, nurturing not only empathy, cultural insight, and emotional intelligence but also catalyzing the evolution toward inclusive and emotionally equipped societies.
Robust Constant Exponent Coefficient Fixed-Time Control Based on Finite-Time Extended Sliding Mode Observer of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors
Authors: Cholahan Varin , Wongvanich Napasool , Tangsrirat Worapong
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the Robust Constant Exponent Coefficient Fixed-Time Control (CECFSMC), an innovative control technique for precisely regulating the speed of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) by utilizing fixed-time stability with constant exponent coefficients to provide not only faster convergence but also in a specific period of time. The effect of chattering is also lessened. To ensure that the designed controller produces the desired performance under bounded disturbances, a finite-time extended sliding-mode observer (ESMO) is also designed to estimate the PMSM velocity while also estimating lumped load disturbances. The considered PMSM is the surface-mounted PMSM. Finally, a numerical simulation with PMSM drive shows good robustness against load disturbances, better convergence, and a reaching time of less than 2 s, thereby demonstrating that the proposed fixed-time constant exponent coefficient offers good performance and is much simpler than the conventional finite-time method.
Energy Industry Transition Transformation in the Wake of COVID-19
Authors: Xydis George , Nanaki Evanthia
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant shifts in energy demand and generation patterns, going beyond geographical boundaries and demanding creative responses from the energy industry as a whole [...]
Thermal Simulation and Analysis of Dry-Type Air-Core Reactors Based on Multi-Physics Coupling
Authors: Wu Jie , Chang Zhengwei , Zhang Huajie , Zhang Man , Peng Yumin , Liao Jun , Huang Qi
Published: November 2023

A reactor is an important piece of equipment used for reactive power compensation in power system and has a significant impact on the safe operation of power system. Thermal behavior is one of the main causes of reactor failures. For an accurate analysis of the thermal behavior of reactors, electromagnetic–thermal–fluid multi-physics coupling modeling is chosen. However, there is a huge difference in size between the overall structure of the reactor and its insulating material, which makes it difficult to perform mesh generation, resulting in dense mesh and significantly increased solution degrees of freedom, thus making the solution of the reactor’s multi-physics field model very time-consuming. To address this, this paper proposes a simplified processing method to accelerate the solution calculation of the reactor’s multi-physics model. This method calculates the equivalent turns of each encapsulate with parallel coils in the reactor, simplifying the encapsulate into a single-layer coil, thereby greatly reducing the division and solution degrees of freedom of the multi-physics model, and thus accelerating the simulation calculation. Taking a BKDCKL-20000/35 dry-type air-core shunt reactor as an example, the outer diameter of the coil is nearly 12,000 times bigger than the coil insulation, which is a huge size difference. Both refined models and simplified models are established. Compared to the simulation results of the detailed model, the simplified model demonstrates good accuracy; the maximum relative error of temperature is just 2.19%. Meanwhile, the computational time of the simplified model is reduced by 35.7%, which shows promising effectiveness and significant potential for applying the optimization design and operation prediction of dry-type air-core shunt reactors for enhanced thermal performance.
Kenya’s Low Carbon Futures: An Assessment Using the KCERT Model
Authors: Gachanja Jeremy , Muriithi Betsy , Mwabonje Onesmus , Mugwe Alvin , Olukuru John , Da Silva Izael Pereira , Mwangi Francis , Strapasson Alexandre , Sukpanit Paisan
Published: November 2023

KCERT 2050 is a modelling tool designed to assist in the identification and evaluation of synergies and trade-offs within sectoral decarbonization pathways for Kenya. KCERT 2050 is positioned as a user-friendly and dynamic tool that bridges complex energy systems and emissions models with integrated impact assessment tools, aimed at aiding decision making towards carbon neutrality in both public and private sectors. The tool considers greenhouse gas emissions from various economic sectors and is validated through a collaborative process involving experts from diverse backgrounds. This study uses KCERT 2050 to examine the prospects of achieving a net−zero emissions pathway by 2050. In the baseline scenario, a significant emission trajectory is observed, with the transport sector emerging as the largest contributor. Transitioning to the net−zero pathway reveals substantial reductions across key sectors, such as transport, industry, and land use, driven by strategies including electrification, waste reduction, and afforestation. The sensitivity analysis underscores the potential for emission mitigation through various levers, including land use optimization and the adoption of cleaner transportation modes. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the potential and feasibility of Kenya’s ambitious net−zero emissions target. To attain this goal, it is imperative to prioritize sustainable land use and innovative waste management strategies.
In Vitro Antioxidant Activity, Bioaccessibility, and Thermal Stability of Encapsulated Strawberry Fruit (Fragaria × ananassa) Polyphenols
Authors: Seke Faith , Adiamo Oladipupo Q. , Sultanbawa Yasmina , Sivakumar Dharini
Published: November 2023

Bioactive compounds in red fruits, such as strawberries, are vulnerable to digestion, and encapsulation has become an alternative for their protection. This study aims at encapsulating strawberry juice (SJ) by freeze-drying with pea protein and okra mucilage (SJPO), pea protein and psyllium mucilage (SJPP), and pea protein, psyllium mucilage, and okra mucilage (SJPPO) and investigating the in vitro release. The highest encapsulation efficiency was observed in capsule SJPPO (95.38%) and the lowest efficiency in SJPO (82.45%). Scanning electron microscopy revealed an amorphous glassy structure for the structure of the strawberry microcapsules, and X-ray diffraction confirmed that observation. However, X-ray diffraction further showed that SJPPO was crystalline, indicating a tighter crosslinking density than the other microcapsules. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed peaks at 3390 and 1650 cm−1, confirming the presence of polyphenols and polysaccharides in the strawberry microcapsules. Thermal stability was higher for SJPPO, and the observed thermal transitions were due to the bonds formed between the polymers and polyphenols. Pelargonidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin 3-glucoside, ellagic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, and kaempferol were identified in the strawberry microcapsules. Digestion affected the compounds’ content; the bioaccessibility for SJ was 39.26% and 45.43% for TPC and TAC, respectively. However, encapsulation improved the bioaccessibility of both TPC (SJPP, 51.54%; SJPO, 48.52%; and SJPPO, 54.39%) and TAC (SJPP, 61.08%; SJPO, 55.03%; and SJPPO, 71.93%). Thus, encapsulating pea protein isolate, psyllium mucilage, and okra mucilage is an effective method to facilitate targeted release and preserve the biological activities of fruits.
Design and Performance Evaluation of a Second-Order Iterated Circular Minkowski Fractal Antenna for Ultra-Wideband Applications
Authors: Joseph Elijah , Kumar Pradeep , Afullo Thomas
Published: November 2023

In this article, a second-order iterated Circular Minkowski fractal antenna (CMFA) tailored for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications is designed and developed. Leveraging the power of Minkowski fractal geometry, this antenna design achieves a high gain across the UWB frequency spectrum. The design utilizes a circular groove on the ground plane and an arc slot on the radiating element for improving the antenna performance. The proposed antenna is fabricated using cost-effective material, an FR-4 substrate. The antenna is simulated and optimized. The fabricated optimized antenna undergoes real-world testing. Measured results reveal an impressive 120.6% impedance bandwidth spanning from 3.37 GHz to 13.6 GHz, with resonant frequencies at 4.43 GHz, 6.07 GHz, and 9.3 GHz. Meanwhile, the simulated results indicate an impedance bandwidth of 118% ranging from 3.17 GHz to 12.44 GHz. Real-world measurements validate the anticipated UWB traits, closely aligning with the simulation data, and confirming efficient impedance matching with a VSWR of less than 2 across the 3.37 GHz to 13.6 GHz frequency range. The radiation pattern analysis demonstrates a robust bidirectional E-plane pattern and a nearly omnidirectional H-plane pattern. This research introduces a highly promising circular Minkowski fractal antenna for UWB applications, offering exceptional bandwidth and resonance characteristics. This antenna design holds excellent potential for multi-functional wireless systems and opens avenues for enhanced UWB communication and sensing capabilities in diverse applications.
First-of-Its-Kind Frequency Enhancement Methodology Based on an Optimized Combination of FLC and TFOIDFF Controllers Evaluated on EVs, SMES, and UPFC-Integrated Smart Grid
Authors: Alghamdi Sultan , Alqarni Mohammed , Hammad Muhammad R. , AboRas Kareem M.
Published: November 2023

The most recent advancements in renewable energy resources, as well as their broad acceptance in power sectors, have created substantial operational, security, and management concerns. As a result of the continual decrease in power system inertia, it is critical to maintain the normal operating frequency and reduce tie-line power changes. The preceding issues sparked this research, which proposes the Fuzzy Tilted Fractional Order Integral Derivative with Fractional Filter (FTFOIDFF), a unique load frequency controller. The FTFOIDFF controller described here combines the benefits of tilt, fuzzy logic, FOPID, and fractional filter controllers. Furthermore, the prairie dog optimizer (PDO), a newly developed metaheuristic optimization approach, is shown to efficiently tune the suggested controller settings as well as the forms of the fuzzy logic membership functions in the two-area hybrid power grid investigated in this paper. When the PDO results are compared to those of the Seagull Optimization Algorithm, the Runge Kutta optimizer, and the Chaos Game Optimizer for the same hybrid power system, PDO prevails. The system model incorporates physical constraints such as communication time delays and generation rate constraints. In addition, a unified power flow controller (UPFC) is put in the tie-line, and SMES units have been planned in both regions. Furthermore, the contribution of electric vehicles (EVs) is considered in both sections. The proposed PDO-based FTFOIDFF controller outperformed many PDO-based traditional (such as proportional integral derivative (PID), proportional integral derivative acceleration (PIDA), and TFOIDFF) and intelligent (such as Fuzzy PID and Fuzzy PIDA) controllers from the literature. The suggested PDO-based FTFOIDFF controller has excellent performance due to the usage of various load patterns such as step load perturbation, multi-step load perturbation, random load perturbation, random sinusoidal load perturbation, and pulse load perturbation. Furthermore, a variety of scenarios have been implemented to demonstrate the advantageous effects that SMES, UPFC, and EV units have on the overall performance of the system. The sensitivity of a system is ascertained by modifying its parameters from their standard configurations. According to the simulation results, the suggested PDO-based FTFOIDFF controller can improve system stability despite the multiple difficult conditions indicated previously. According to the MATLAB/Simulink data, the proposed method decreased the total fitness function to 0.0875, representing a 97.35% improvement over PID, 95.84% improvement over PIDA, 92.45% improvement over TFOIDFF, 83.43% improvement over Fuzzy PID, and 37.9% improvement over Fuzzy PIDA.
Antibacterial Efficacy of Manuka Honey-Doped Chitosan-Gelatin Cryogel and Hydrogel Scaffolds in Reducing Infection
Authors: Mitchell Karina , Panicker Sreejith S. , Adler Calista L. , O’Toole George A. , Hixon Katherine R.
Published: November 2023

Honey has been used for centuries to reduce bacterial infection; Manuka honey (MH) possesses an additional antibacterial agent, Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). However, MH’s physical properties challenge delivery to the wound site. Tissue-engineered scaffolds (cryogels/hydrogels) provide a potential vehicle for MH delivery, but effects on bacterial clearance and biofilm formation demand further examination. MH (0, 1, 5, or 10%) was incorporated into both chitosan-gelatin (1:4 ratio; 4%) cryogels and hydrogels. To assess physical changes, all scaffolds were imaged with scanning electron microscopy and subjected to swell testing to quantify pore size and rehydration potential, respectively. As MH concentration increased, both pore size and scaffold swelling capacity decreased. Both bacterial clearance and biofilm formation were also assessed, along with cellular infiltration. Bacterial clearance testing with S. aureus demonstrated that MH cryogels are superior to 0% control, indicating the potential to perform well against Gram-positive bacteria. However, higher concentrations of MH resulted in cell death over time. These results support our hypothesis that MH release from 5% cryogels would induce reduced viability for four bacteria species without compromising scaffold properties. These outcomes assist in the development of a standard of practice for incorporating MH into scaffolds and the evaluation of biofilm reduction.
The Role of ChatGPT in the Advancement of Diagnosis, Management, and Prognosis of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease
Authors: Chlorogiannis David-Dimitris , Apostolos Anastasios , Chlorogiannis Anargyros , Palaiodimos Leonidas , Giannakoulas George , Pargaonkar Sumant , Xesfingi Sofia , Kokkinidis Damianos G.
Published: November 2023

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease incidence has risen mainly due to poor control of preventable risk factors and still constitutes a significant financial and health burden worldwide. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence language-based model developed by OpenAI. Due to the model’s unique cognitive capabilities beyond data processing and the production of high-quality text, there has been a surge of research interest concerning its role in the scientific community and contemporary clinical practice. To fully exploit ChatGPT’s potential benefits and reduce its possible misuse, extreme caution must be taken to ensure its implications ethically and equitably. In this narrative review, we explore the language model’s possible applications and limitations while emphasizing its potential value for diagnosing, managing, and prognosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.
Effectiveness of Palliative Care before Death in Reducing Emergency Care Utilization for Patients with Terminal Cancer and Trends in the Utilization of Palliative Care from 2005–2018
Authors: Tsai Yi-Shiun , Tsai Wen-Chen , Chiu Li-Ting , Kung Pei-Tseng
Published: November 2023

This retrospective cohort study aimed to examine the effect of palliative care for patients with terminal cancer on healthcare utilization. The National Health Insurance (NHI) Research Database and death certificates were utilized to identify patients who died of cancer between 2005 and 2018. The number of terminal cancer patients between 2005 and 2018 was 605,126. Propensity score matching and conditional logistic regression were performed. The odds ratios (ORs) for “emergency care utilization”, “CPR”, “endotracheal intubation”, and “ICU admission” were significantly lower for enrolled patients regardless of enrollment time compared to unenrolled patients. Compared to unenrolled patients, the OR for “emergency care utilization” increased from 0.34 to 0.68, the OR for “CPR use” increased from 0.13 to 0.26, the OR for “intubation” increased from 0.15 to 0.26, and the OR for “ICU admission” increased from 0.27 to 0.40 in enrolled patients. Between 2005 and 2010, CPR utilization, intubation, and ICU admission in patients enrolled in palliative care declined each year. Since the inclusion of palliative care in NHI (from 2010 onward), its utilization has increased slightly each year. Patients with terminal cancer enrolled in palliative care consume fewer medical resources before death than unenrolled patients; however, the difference decreases with longer times before death.
New Media Use and Mental Health of Married Women: Mediating Effects of Marital Quality
Authors: Zhou Dong , Xu Yi , He Qixuan
Published: November 2023

While previous studies have investigated the influence of new media on mental health, little is known about its effects on the mental health of married women. This is a crucial research area, given that married women commonly encounter distinct mental health difficulties. Also, current research fails to provide comprehensive, population-based studies, with most relying on cross-sectional designs. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between new media use and mental health among married women in China, utilizing a nationally representative longitudinal dataset. We utilized a balanced panel dataset from 2016 to 2020 to establish a causal connection between internet use and the mental health of these women. Our findings indicate that internet use has a positive impact on the mental health of married women in China. Additionally, a structural estimation model (SEM) with 2020 wave data was utilized to investigate various new media use effects and explore mediating pathways of marital satisfaction. Consistently, there were negative findings between new media use, marital satisfaction, and depression. Furthermore, it was determined that new media usage had a significant negative impact on married women’s overall satisfaction with their spouses’ housework contribution, which, in turn, negatively affected marital satisfaction as a whole. The pathways that mediate the effect of marital satisfaction on depression differ across general internet use, streaming media use, and WeChat use. Examining various theoretical perspectives, we interpreted the indirect impact of new media use on mental health through marital satisfaction as passive mediation.
Personality Traits and Risk of Eating Disorders in Men: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Berengüí Rosendo , Castejón María A.
Published: November 2023

Eating disorders (EDs) have been understudied and misunderstood in men. Among the relevant factors in the risk, onset, and maintenance of EDs, personality stands out. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze the relationships between personality traits and risk variables for the development of EDs in men. A total of 443 male university students (mean = 22.16 years) who completed the Spanish versions of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) participated. Correlation analyses were performed, and in order to determine the predictive role of personality traits on risk scales, a hierarchical multiple regression was performed. The results showed that neuroticism was positively associated with drive for thinness, being its main predictor variable. In bulimia, the main relationships were positively associated with neuroticism and negatively with conscientiousness. As for body dissatisfaction, the main predictor variables were neuroticism and, in a negative sense, extraversion and openness to experience. In conclusion, personality traits are related to the risk of developing EDs in male university students, with neuroticism being the main associated trait.
Geo-Visualization of Spatial Occupancy on Smart Campus Using Wi-Fi Connection Log Data
Authors: Zhao Zihao , Wang Tao , Zhang Yiru , Wang Zixiang , Geng Ruixuan
Published: November 2023

As a typical and special type of urban setting, the university campus usually faces similar challenges as cities raised by high-density inhabitants. The smart campus has been introduced based on the smart city, as concepts, technologies, and solutions to improve livability and energy efficiency. Inhabitants’ occupancy in buildings and open spaces on campus is critical to optimize campus management and services. Information about spatial occupancy of campus inhabitants can be produced based on various location-based solutions, such as global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), campus cameras, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. As an essential component in campus information infrastructure, Wi-Fi network covers almost the entire university campus and has advantages in collecting locations of campus inhabitants. In this paper, geo-visualization of spatial occupancy of campus inhabitants is designed and implemented using anonymized Wi-Fi network log data. First, 3-dimension building models are reconstructed based on LiDAR point clouds and construction drawings. Then, the Wi-Fi network log data are cleaned and preprocessed. Campus inhabitants’ locations are extracted from structural Wi-Fi data. Geo-visualization at room, floor, and building levels is designed and implemented. On a temporal dimension, spatial occupancy can be visualized by each second, minute, hour, or day of the week in 3D buildings. The implementation of the geo-visualization is based on CesiumJS, which offers an interface for 3D-animated visualization and interaction. The research can be used to support university management and educators to implement the smart campus and optimize pedagogical research.
Study on the Treatment of ITP Mice with IVIG Sourced from Distinct Sex-Special Plasma (DSP-IVIG)
Authors: Zhang Wei , Yuan Xin , Wang Zongkui , Xu Jixuan , Ye Shengliang , Jiang Peng , Du Xi , Liu Fengjuan , Lin Fangzhao , Zhang Rong , Ma Li , Li Changqing
Published: November 2023

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a first-line drug prepared from human plasma for the treatment of autoimmune diseases (AIDs), especially immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Significant differences exist in protein types and expression levels between male and female plasma, and the prevalence of autoimmune diseases varies between sexes. The present study seeks to explore potential variations in IVIG sourced from distinct sex-specific plasma (DSP-IVIG), including IVIG sourced from female plasma (F-IVIG), IVIG sourced from male plasma (M-IVIG), and IVIG sourced from a blend of male and female plasma (Mix-IVIG). To address this question, we used an ITP mouse model and a monocyte–macrophage inflammation model treated with DSP IVIG. The analysis of proteomics in mice suggested that the pathogenesis and treatment of ITP may involve FcγRs mediated phagocytosis, apoptosis, Th17, cytokines, chemokines, and more. Key indicators, including the mouse spleen index, CD16+ macrophages, M1, M2, IL-6, IL-27, and IL-13, all indicated that the efficacy in improving ITP was highest for M-IVIG. Subsequent cell experiments revealed that M-IVIG exhibited a more potent ability to inhibit monocyte phagocytosis. It induced more necrotic M2 cells and fewer viable M2, resulting in weaker M2 phagocytosis. M-IVIG also demonstrated superiority in the downregulation of surface makers CD36, CD68, and CD16 on M1 macrophages, a weaker capacity to activate complement, and a stronger binding ability to FcγRs on the THP-1 surface. In summary, DSP-IVIG effectively mitigated inflammation in ITP mice and monocytes and macrophages. However, M-IVIG exhibited advantages in improving the spleen index, regulating the number and typing of M1 and M2 macrophages, and inhibiting macrophage-mediated inflammation compared to F-IVIG and Mix-IVIG.
Application of Luteolin in Neoplasms and Nonneoplastic Diseases
Authors: Rakoczy Katarzyna , Kaczor Justyna , Sołtyk Adam , Szymańska Natalia , Stecko Jakub , Sleziak Jakub , Kulbacka Julita , Baczyńska Dagmara
Published: November 2023

Researchers are amazed at the multitude of biological effects of 3′,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, more commonly known as luteolin, as it simultaneously has antioxidant and pro-oxidant, as well as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cancer-preventive, properties. The anticancer properties of luteolin constitute a mosaic of pathways due to which this flavonoid influences cancer cells. Not only is it able to induce apoptosis and inhibit cancer cell proliferation, but it also suppresses angiogenesis and metastasis. Moreover, luteolin succeeds in cancer cell sensitization to therapeutically induced cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, apart from its promising role in chemoprevention, luteolin exhibits numerous potential utilizations in patients with conditions other than neoplasms, which include inflammatory skin diseases, diabetes mellitus, and COVID-19. This review aims to present the multidimensionality of the luteolin’s impact on both neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases. When it comes to neoplasms, we intend to describe the complexity of the molecular mechanisms that underlay luteolin’s anticancer effectiveness, as well as to prove the usefulness of integrating this flavonoid in cancer therapy via the analysis of recent research on breast, colon, and lung cancer. Regarding nonneoplastic diseases, this review aims to emphasize the importance of researching the potential of luteolin in areas such as diabetology, virology, and dermatology as it summarizes the most important discoveries in those fields regarding its application.
Stimulation of the Pro-Resolving Receptor Fpr2 Reverses Inflammatory Microglial Activity by Suppressing NFκB Activity
Authors: Wickstead Edward S. , Elliott Bradley T. , Pokorny Sarah , Biggs Christopher , Getting Stephen J. , McArthur Simon
Published: November 2023

Neuroinflammation driven primarily by microglia directly contributes to neuronal death in many neurodegenerative diseases. Classical anti-inflammatory approaches aim to suppress pro-inflammatory mediator production, but exploitation of inflammatory resolution may also be of benefit. A key driver of peripheral inflammatory resolution, formyl peptide receptor 2 (Fpr2), is expressed by microglia, but its therapeutic potential in neurodegeneration remains unclear. Here, we studied whether targeting of Fpr2 could reverse inflammatory microglial activation induced by the potent bacterial inflammogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Exposure of murine primary or immortalised BV2 microglia to LPS triggered pro-inflammatory phenotypic change and activation of ROS production, effects significantly attenuated by subsequent treatment with the Fpr2 agonist C43. Mechanistic studies showed C43 to act through p38 MAPK phosphorylation and reduction of LPS-induced NFκB nuclear translocation via prevention of IκBα degradation. Here, we provide proof-of-concept data highlighting Fpr2 as a potential target for control of microglial pro-inflammatory activity, suggesting that it may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of neuroinflammatory disease.
Identification and Expressional Analysis of siRNAs Responsive to Fusarium graminearum Infection in Wheat
Authors: Fu Kai , Wu Qianhui , Jiang Ning , Hu Sijia , Ye Hongyan , Hu Yi , Li Lei , Li Tao , Sun Zhengxi
Published: November 2023

The outbreak of Fusarium head blight (FHB) poses a serious threat to wheat production as it leads to both significant yield losses and accumulation of several mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol (DON) in the grains, which are harmful to human and livestock. To date, hundreds of FHB-resistance-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been reported, but only a few of them have been cloned and used for breeding. Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) have been reported in plants to mediate host defense against pathogens, but they have rarely been reported in wheat-FHB interaction. In order to identify the key siRNAs that can potentially be used in the improvement of resistance to FHB, siRNAs from the spikes of an FHB-resistant variety Sumai 3 and an FHB-susceptible variety of Chinese Spring (CS) were sequenced after F. graminearum infection and mock inoculation, respectively. The expression patterns of the siRNAs of interest were analyzed. A total of 4019 siRNAs of high-confidence were identified, with 131 being CS-specific, 309 Sumai 3-specific and 3071 being common in both varieties. More than 87% of these siRNAs were 24 nt in length. An overall down-regulation trend was found for siRNAs in the spikes of both varieties after being infected with F. graminearum. The expression patterns for Triticum aestivum Dicer-like 3 (TaDCL3) that synthesizes 24 nt siRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR, which were positively correlated with those of the siRNAs. A total of 85% of the differentially expressed genes putatively targeted by the siRNAs were significantly up-regulated after infection, showing a negative correlation with the overall down-regulated expression of siRNAs. Interestingly, the majority of the up-regulated genes are annotated as disease resistance. These results suggested that the inhibition of siRNA by F. graminearum up-regulated the disease resistance genes, which were putatively suppressed by siRNAs through RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). Consequently, the resistant capability to F. graminearum infection was enhanced. This study provides novel clues for investigating the function of siRNA in wheat-F. graminearum interaction.
Cationic Materials for Gene Therapy: A Look Back to the Birth and Development of 2,2-Bis-(hydroxymethyl)Propanoic Acid-Based Dendrimer Scaffolds
Authors: Alfei Silvana
Published: November 2023

Gene therapy is extensively studied as a realistic and promising therapeutic approach for treating inherited and acquired diseases by repairing defective genes through introducing (transfection) the “healthy” genetic material in the diseased cells. To succeed, the proper DNA or RNA fragments need efficient vectors, and viruses are endowed with excellent transfection efficiency and have been extensively exploited. Due to several drawbacks related to their use, nonviral cationic materials, including lipidic, polymeric, and dendrimer vectors capable of electrostatically interacting with anionic phosphate groups of genetic material, represent appealing alternative options to viral carriers. Particularly, dendrimers are highly branched, nanosized synthetic polymers characterized by a globular structure, low polydispersity index, presence of internal cavities, and a large number of peripheral functional groups exploitable to bind cationic moieties. Dendrimers are successful in several biomedical applications and are currently extensively studied for nonviral gene delivery. Among dendrimers, those derived by 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propanoic acid (b-HMPA), having, unlike PAMAMs, a neutral polyester-based scaffold, could be particularly good-looking due to their degradability in vivo. Here, an overview of gene therapy, its objectives and challenges, and the main cationic materials studied for transporting and delivering genetic materials have been reported. Subsequently, due to their high potential for application in vivo, we have focused on the biodegradable dendrimer scaffolds, telling the history of the birth and development of b-HMPA-derived dendrimers. Finally, thanks to a personal experience in the synthesis of b-HMPA-based dendrimers, our contribution to this field has been described. In particular, we have enriched this work by reporting about the b-HMPA-based derivatives peripherally functionalized with amino acids prepared by us in recent years, thus rendering this paper original and different from the existing reviews.
Auraptene Enhances AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphorylation and Thereby Inhibits the Proliferation, Migration and Expression of Androgen Receptors and Prostate-Specific Antigens in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Akasaka Yasuyuki , Hasei Shun , Ohata Yukino , Kanna Machi , Nakatsu Yusuke , Sakoda Hideyuki , Fujishiro Midori , Kushiyama Akifumi , Ono Hiraku , Matsubara Akio , Hinata Nobuyuki , Asano Tomoichiro , Yamamotoya Takeshi
Published: November 2023

Citrus hassaku extract reportedly activates AMPK. Because this extract contains an abundance of auraptene, we investigated whether pure auraptene activates AMPK and inhibits proliferation using prostate cancer cell lines. Indeed, auraptene inhibited the proliferation and migration of LNCaP cells and induced phosphorylation of AMPK or its downstream ACC in LNCaP, PC3, and HEK-293 cells, but not in DU145 cells not expressing LKB1. In addition, the mTOR-S6K pathway, located downstream from activated AMPK, was also markedly suppressed by auraptene treatment. Importantly, it was shown that auraptene reduced androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) expressions at both the protein and the mRNA level. This auraptene-induced downregulation of PSA was partially but significantly reversed by treatment with AMPK siRNA or the AMPK inhibitor compound C, suggesting AMPK activation to, at least partially, be causative. Finally, in DU145 cells lacking the LKB1 gene, exogenously induced LKB1 expression restored AMPK phosphorylation by auraptene, indicating the essential role of LKB1. In summary, auraptene is a potent AMPK activator that acts by elevating the AMP/ATP ratio, thereby potentially suppressing prostate cancer progression, via at least three molecular mechanisms, including suppression of the mTOR-S6K pathway, reduced lipid synthesis, and AR downregulation caused by AMPK activation.
Synergy of the microRNA Ratio as a Promising Diagnosis Biomarker for Mucinous Borderline and Malignant Ovarian Tumors
Authors: Dolivet Enora , Gaichies Léopold , Jeanne Corinne , Bazille Céline , Briand Mélanie , Vernon Mégane , Giffard Florence , Leprêtre Frédéric , Poulain Laurent , Denoyelle Christophe , Vigneron Nicolas , Fauvet Raffaèle
Published: November 2023

Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are a heterogeneous collection of malignancies, each with their own developmental origin, clinical behavior and molecular profile. With less than 5% of EOC cases, mucinous ovarian carcinoma is a rare form with a poor prognosis and a 5-year survival of 11% for advanced stages (III/IV). At the early stages, these malignant forms are clinically difficult to distinguish from borderline (15%) and benign (80%) forms with a better prognosis due to the large size and heterogeneity of mucinous tumors. Improving their diagnosis is therefore a challenge with regard to the risk of under-treating a malignant form or of unnecessarily undertaking radical surgical excision. The involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in tumor progression and their potential as biomarkers of diagnosis are becoming increasingly recognized. In this study, the comparison of miRNA microarray expression profiles between malignant and borderline tumor FFPE samples identified 10 down-regulated and 5 up-regulated malignant miRNAs, which were validated by individual RT-qPCR. To overcome normalization issues and to improve the accuracy of the results, a ratio analysis combining paired up-regulated and down-regulated miRNAs was performed. Although 21/50 miRNA expression ratios were significantly different between malignant and borderline tumor samples, any ratio could perfectly discriminate the two groups. However, a combination of 14 pairs of miRNA ratios (double ratio) showed high discriminatory potential, with 100% of accuracy in distinguishing malignant and borderline ovarian tumors, which suggests that miRNAs may hold significant clinical potential as a diagnostic tool. In summary, these ratio miRNA-based signatures may help to improve the precision of histological diagnosis, likely to provide a preoperative diagnosis in order to adapt surgical procedures.
Why Do People Use Telemedicine Apps in the Post-COVID-19 Era? Expanded TAM with E-Health Literacy and Social Influence
Authors: Jang Moonkyoung
Published: November 2023

This study delves into the determinants influencing individuals’ intentions to adopt telemedicine apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to offer a comprehensive framework for understanding behavioral intentions by leveraging the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), supplemented by e-health literacy and social influence variables. The study analyzes survey data from 364 adults using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to empirically examine the internal relationships within the model. Results indicated that e-health literacy, attitude, and social influence significantly impacted the intention to use telemedicine apps. Notably, e-health literacy positively influenced both perceived usefulness and ease of use, expanding beyond mere usage intention. The study underscored the substantial role of social influence in predicting the intention to use telemedicine apps, challenging the traditional oversight of social influence in the TAM framework. The findings will help researchers, practitioners, and governments understand how social influence and e-health literacy influence the adoption of telehealth apps and promote the use of telehealth apps through enhancing social influence and e-health literacy.
Patent Parasites: Non-Inventors Patenting Existing Open-Source Inventions in the 3-D Printing Technology Space
Authors: Kulkarni Apoorv , Pearce Joshua
Published: November 2023

Open-source 3-D printing has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the additive manufacturing (AM) landscape by making distributed manufacturing economic, democratizing access, and fostering far more rapid innovation than antiquated proprietary systems. Unfortunately, some 3-D printing manufacturing companies began deviating from open-source principles and violating licenses for the detriment of the community. To determine if a pattern has emerged of companies patenting clearly open-source innovations, this study presents three case studies from the three primary regions of open-source 3-D printing development (EU, U.S., and China) as well as three aspects of 3-D printing technology (AM materials, an open-source 3-D printer, and core open-source 3-D printing concepts used in most 3-D printers). The results of this review have shown that non-inventing entities, called patent parasites, are patenting open-source inventions already well-established in the open-source community and, in the most egregious cases, commercialized by one (or several) firm(s) at the time of the patent filing. Patent parasites are able to patent open-source innovations by using a different language, vague patent titles, and broad claims that encompass enormous swaths of widely diffused open-source innovation space. This practice poses a severe threat to innovation, and several approaches to irradicate the threat are discussed.