bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective Effects of Dioscin and Diosgenin on Plateau Hyperuricemia by Attenuating Renal Inflammation via EPHX2
Authors: Dang Wanyun , Li Fangyang , Gao Rong , Zhang Cheng , Cheng Hongbo , Wu Zhenhui , Yang Tingyu , Pan Jinchao , Tang Xianglin , Gao Yue
Published: December 2024

Plateau hyperuricemia is a common disease in the plateau area, and the incidence is much higher than that in the plain area. Dioscin (DIO) and its active metabolite Diosgenin (DG) exert therapeutic effects on hyperuricemia through oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, DIO and its active metabolite DG were taken as the research objects to explore their therapeutic effects on high-altitude hyperuricemia in rats. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of DIO on the rat model of high-altitude hyperuricemia, the evaluation indexes include blood biochemical indexes, renal histopathology, oil red O staining of the kidney, rat kidney index, and rat renal inflammatory factors. Transcriptomics was used to analyze the control group, model group, and drug-administered group to preliminarily explore the protective mechanism of DIO in rats with high-altitude hyperuricemia. An HK-2 high-altitude hyperuricemia cell injury model was established to verify the therapeutic mechanism of DIO in rats with high-altitude hyperuricemia. Western blot was used to detect the expression of related proteins in renal tissues and cell models. The results showed that DIO and its active metabolite DG regulate renal lipid metabolism through the EPHX2 gene, attenuate renal inflammatory reaction, and then promote the excretion of uric acid and reduce its reabsorption, which ultimately achieves the effect of treating plateau hyperuricemia.
Biologically Active Compounds in Tomato Fruits Under the Application of Water–Ethanol Spirulina, Dunaliella and Chlorella Microalgae Extracts on Plants’ Leaves
Authors: Augšpole Ingrīda , Sivicka Irina , Kampuss Kaspars , Semjonovs Pāvels , Missa Imants
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to detect an impact of water–ethanol extracts of different microalgae species—Spirulina platensis, Dunaliella salina and Chlorella vulgaris—on the accumulation of bioactive compounds in tomatoes. A treatment with the corresponding ethanol solution and pure drinking water was used as a control. Tomato cultivar ‘Belle’ F1 (Enza Zaden) was grown in a polycarbonate greenhouse, in 25 L pots filled with a peat substrate (pH KCl 5.5). The plants were sprayed weekly from germination until the start of harvesting, in total nine times. Fruits were analysed at the stage of full ripeness. Bioactive compounds’ contents such as vitamin C, titratable acidity, pH value, β-carotene, lycopene, anthocyanin, total phenols as well as total soluble solids and dry matter were analysed, and the connection between fruit mass and the taste index was determined. The influence of the tested extracts on the bioactive compounds and quality parameters of tomatoes was different, but no significant differences for most of the analysed active compounds were found, with the exception of total phenols (from 137.59 ± 1.34 to 166.93 ± 2.01 mg 100 g−1) and total soluble solids (from 3.93 ± 0.12 to 4.4 ± 0.18 °Brix). In the next research, a more detailed study about the influence of the ethanol concentration on changes in biologically active compounds should be provided.
6G Visible Providing Advanced Weather Services for Autonomous Driving
Authors: Sukuvaara Timo , Mäenpää Kari , Honkanen Hannu , Pikkarainen Ari , Myllykoski Heikki , Karsisto Virve , Sebag Etienne
Published: December 2024

Business Finland 6G Visible project’s objective is the development of 6G-era service and architecture solutions utilizing autonomous and semi-autonomous driving, with both physical and logical computational elements and with use cases for real-life verification and validation. Finnish Meteorological Institute is focusing especially on weather- and safety-related services for autonomous vehicles. We are tailoring our road weather services for the special needs of autonomous driving, keeping in mind that autonomous vehicles are more sensitive to the harsh winter weather conditions and benefit from more accurate weather information considering the sensor systems of each vehicle. Employing weather radar-based nowcasting of more accurate short-term precipitation forecasting benefits autonomous traffic, especially in cases of heavy local precipitation by re-routing/route planning and avoiding heaviest precipitation. Evaluation of autonomous vehicles’ sensor systems’ sensitivity to harsh weather conditions allows for weather forecasting based on the real vulnerability of each vehicle.
Carbon Nanotubes for Slope Stabilization of Silty Soil
Authors: Ahmadi Hussain , Satyanaga Alfrendo , Orazayeva Saltanat , Kalimuldina Gulnur , Rahardjo Harianto , Qian Zhai , Kim Jong
Published: December 2024

Landslides are a common occurrence that results in both human and financial losses each year around the world. The conventional methods use a variety of techniques, such as the application of lime, cement, and fly ash, for slope stabilization. Nevertheless, all these materials, to some extent, have their own shortcomings. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) application was investigated for slope stabilization. Extensive saturated and unsaturated laboratory testing as well as numerical analyses were conducted in this study for both scenarios of soil with and without MWCNTs. The result from unsaturated testing demonstrates that the air-entry value and saturated volumetric water content of soil with MWCNTs increased compared to soil without MWCNTs, while the unsaturated permeability of soil stabilized with MWCNTs decreased. The result from the SEEP/W analysis during rainfall shows that the pore-water pressure (PWP) in the slope without carbon nanotubes was higher than the PWP in the slope with MWCNTs in the surface area. During rainfall, the factor of safety (FoS) of the slope without MWCNTs declined rapidly and at a high rate according to the Slope/W analysis, whereas the FoS of the slope with MWNCTs only changed slightly and remained safe when compared to the non-stabilized slope.
Comparison of Gallium Cluster Polyhedra with Those of the Most Spherical Deltahedra: Effects of Bulky External Groups and Local Surface Curvature
Authors: King R. Bruce
Published: December 2024

Experimentally accessible stable polyhedral clusters of gallium differ from clusters of its lighter homologue boron by having sterically demanding external groups such as tBu3Si, (Me3Si)3Si, (Me3Si)3C, (Me3Si)2N, and fluorenyl. This restricts closo deltahedral [GanRn]z gallane chemistry to octahedral derivatives such as Ga6R62− (R = SiBuPh2, SiBut3) and Ga6R6 (R = SiMe(SiMe3)2) in which the bulky external silyl groups are spread out because of the relatively high local curvature of the degree 4 vertices of the central Ga6 octahedron. The structures of larger gallium clusters are based on alternatives to closo deltahedra having exclusively high local curvature degree 4 vertices such as the 8-vertex square antiprismatic Ga8R8 (R = fluorenyl) or, more commonly, larger polyhedra or fused polyhedra with some bare gallium vertices. Some of the larger gallium clusters can be considered to be spherically aromatic systems with closed shells according to the jellium model. Examples include [Ga13(SitBu3)6]− with 8 cluster electrons corresponding to a filled 1S21P6 shell as well as [Ga@Ga18{C(SiMe3)3}6]− with 52 cluster electrons, Ga22{E(SiMe3)3]8, (E = C, Si) and Ga@Ga11{GaN(SiMe3)2}11 with 58 skeletal electrons, and [Ga26{Si(SiMe3)3}8]2− with 72 cluster electrons. The 10-vertex species Ga10{Si(SiMe3)3}6, [Ga10(SitBu3)6]−, and Ga10(SitBu3)6 have structures consisting of a fusion of two polyhedra sharing bare gallium vertices with skeletal electron counts, suggesting a multicenter core bond in each of the two polyhedral cavities.
Improved Photothermal Heating of NaNdF4 Microcrystals via Low-Level Doping of Sm3+ for Thermal-Responsive Upconversion Luminescence Anti-Counterfeiting
Authors: Jian Ronghua , Pang Tao
Published: December 2024

This work reports the light-to-heat conversion (LHC) behavior of NaNdF4 doped with Sm3+. Due to the cross-relaxation between Nd3+ and Sm3+, the improved LHC is obtainable by introducing 5% Sm3+. When the laser power density is only 1.72 W/cm2, the spot temperature of NaNdF4:5%Sm3+ powder reaches as high as 138.7 ± 4.04 °C. More importantly, the photoheating response to the pump laser has favorable linear characteristics within a specific power range. A simple physical model is applied to analyze the relationship between photothermal heating and pump power. Finally, the temperature-responsive luminescence anti-counterfeiting is designed by combining the LHC material with the NaYF4:Yb3+/Ho3+/Ce3+ microcrystals. This novel strategy only requires two laser beams, and thus is more convenient to apply.
Impacts of Sublethal Doses of Spinetoram on the Biological Traits and Detoxifying Enzymes of the Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
Authors: Jiang Mingjun , Qian Xiujuan , Zhou Zhaoxu , Liu Yueying , Zhang Meijiao , Yang Yaxian
Published: December 2024

Tuta absoluta is a major pest, damaging tomato crops in many countries. Spinetoram, a novel insecticide, is increasingly used for the management of various insect pests. However, limited information is available on its lethal effects on T. absoluta. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the toxicity of spinetoram concentrations in T. absoluta by exposing third-instar larvae to this insecticide through leaf-dipping bioassays under laboratory conditions. The results showed that sublethal spinetoram concentrations (LC10 and LC20) extended the developmental duration of the larval and pupal stage, as well as the oviposition period, and decreased the pupal weight, pupation and eclosion rates, fecundity, sex ratio, and egg-hatching rate compared to the control group. LC10 and LC20 treatments up-regulated the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase antioxidant enzymes in T. absoluta larvae by 51.14–88.72% and 39.34–87.76% at 12 h, 62.71–96.68% and 37.38–39.92% at 24 h, and 41.78–53.34% and 19.44–48.39% at 48 h, respectively, compared to the control. Conversely, the LC10 and LC20 treatments inhibited the activities of detoxifying enzymes, i.e., carboxylesterase (14.72–34.95%), acetylcholinesterase (9.02–48.86%), glutathione S-transferase (19.40–43.19%), and mixed-function oxidase (18.18–25.93%). These findings indicate that lethal concentrations of spinetoram influence the population dynamics of T. absoluta by reducing their survival and developmental potential and inhibiting the activity of detoxifying enzymes.
Risk Factors for Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis 1 Month After Non-Cuffed Hemodialysis Catheter Removal
Authors: Yoshida Shun , Sato Yasuyo , Naganuma Tsukasa , Nukui Ikuo , Wakasugi Masakiyo , Nakashima Ayumu
Published: December 2024

Background: Complications, namely, catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) and venous stenosis, are associated with non-cuffed hemodialysis catheters used for emergency vascular access. However, only a few reports have demonstrated changes in the venous lumen and intravenous thrombosis after catheter removal. In this study, we comprehensively investigated the risk factors for residual thrombus 1 month after hemodialysis catheter removal. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from June 2021 to October 2022. We included patients with end-stage kidney disease who underwent hemodialysis catheter placement in the internal jugular vein (IJV). After catheter removal, we observed the IJV using vascular ultrasound and evaluated the thrombus and vein properties. Furthermore, we observed thrombosis 1 month after catheter removal, and investigated the risk factors for residual thrombus 1 month after catheter removal. Results: A thrombus was observed at the site of catheter removal in all the cases. Of the 37 patients who were followed up, 11 exhibited a residual thrombus 1 month after catheter removal. Patients with arteriovenous (AV) access dysfunction and enlarged lymph nodes during catheter removal were significantly more likely to have a residual thrombus 1 month after catheter removal. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for age, sex, and diabetes status. Conclusions: In 29.7% of the patients, CRT persisted even 1 month after the removal of the non-cuffed hemodialysis catheter. The provision of early intervention in patients with AV access dysfunction and enlarged lymph nodes during catheter removal may prevent CRT persistence.
Mental Health Outcomes of a National Cohort of Adults Born with Very Low Birthweight
Authors: Moody Georgina L. , Horwood John , Harris Sarah L. , Darlow Brian A. , Woodward Lianne J.
Published: December 2024

Background: Children born with a very low birthweight (VLBW; <1500 g) and/or very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks) are at increased risk of mental health problems, but adult data are inconsistent. Objectives: We examined the prevalence of a range of mental health disorders in a national cohort of adults born with a VLBW, as well as associations between gestational age and mental health outcomes. Methods: All infants born with a VLBW in New Zealand in 1986 were followed prospectively from birth. The 12-month prevalence of mental health outcomes, in addition to substance use and violent/property offending were assessed at a median age of 28 years in this cohort relative to 100 full-term (FT) controls. Outcomes were assessed using structured interview methods. Results: There was a modest increase in the overall rate of mental health problems in VLBW adults compared to controls (ARR 1.33 [95% CI 0.83, 2.12]), reflecting slightly higher rates of anxiety disorders, notably agoraphobia (ARR 2.98 [0.64, 13.85]), social phobia (ARR 1.61 [0.71, 3.65]), and suicidal ideation/attempt (ARR 1.66 [0.45, 6.08]), but not depression (ARR 1.02 [0.57, 1.81]). There were no clear differences in substance use/offending outcomes. VLBW individuals born extremely preterm (<28 weeks) were most vulnerable to later mental health problems relative to controls (overall rate of mental health problems ARR 1.54 [0.86, 2.73]). Effect sizes for any anxiety disorder were also higher for VLBW females than VLBW males compared to same-sex controls. Conclusions: This population-based longitudinal cohort study showed that adults born preterm with a VLBW reported more mental health problems than FT controls; however, this difference was small. Pooled analyses involving larger sample sizes are needed, but findings suggest only modest individual and public health impacts of preterm birth on adult mental health functioning.
Willingness to Receive COVID-19 Booster Dose Using the Health Belief Model (HBM) Among University Students: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alqarni Yousef Saeed , Alsulami Fahad T. , Alhomoud Farah Kais , Alhomoud Faten , Alshayban Dhafer , Alamer Khalid A. , Alshehail Bashayer , Alsultan Mohammed M. , Alanazi Ahmed A. , Algarni Majed A. , Fadil Haifa Abdulrahman
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: COVID-19 has significantly impacted lives, and data show that receiving a booster vaccination has been demonstrated to lower the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the severity of the risk of infection. The Saudi government has actively promoted booster dose vaccines among university students who can spread the virus to older populations, especially in high-density environments, where the risk of virus transmission and spread is elevated. This study focuses on the acceptance of COVID-19 booster shots among students at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University. The study assessed students’ willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster dose and the factors influencing their decision. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study design using an online self-administered survey was conducted among medical and non-medical students at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University. A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit participants via email and social media platforms (WhatsApp version 2.3). Quantitative analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 28.0. using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict factors affecting COVID-19 booster dose acceptance and hesitancy. Results: Among 315 respondents, 171 (54.3%) were males, and 144 (45.7%) were females. All the respondents fell in the 18–25 years age group. About 173 (54.9%) respondents were from health-related colleges. Overall, 24.44% (77/315) agreed to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. However, 77.14% (243/315) were confident of getting the vaccine whenever they wanted. About 48.88% (154/315) of respondents considered COVID-19 a serious severe infection, while 14.06% (46/315) of respondents were concerned about the probability of receiving COVID-19 immunization (World Health Organization, 2021). Conclusions: The study revealed that students were not accepting COVID-19 booster doses, highlighting the need for awareness campaigns to dispel myths and improve vaccination rates.
The Prognostic Value of the Muscle Regional Oxygen Saturation Index in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Chen Yen-Huey , Kao Kuo-Chin , Hsieh Meng-Jer , Leu Shaw-Woei , Huang Chung-Chi
Published: December 2024

Background: Impaired systemic tissue oxygenation and microvascular perfusion are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Tissue oxygenation and microvascular reactivity, assessed by using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), are correlated with disease severity in critically ill populations. This study aimed to detect alterations in these factors and their ability to predict outcomes in patients with ARDS. Methods: We performed NIRS measurements on the first (Day 1) and third (Day 3) days after ARDS diagnosis in 29 patients. We recorded the baseline forearm muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) and calculated the deoxygenation slope (Deoxy) and reoxygenation (Reoxy) slope. We divided the subjects into 28-day survival and non-survival subgroups to compare microcirculatory and oxygenation status differences. Results: The Day 1 StO2 values were significantly higher for the survival subgroup (60.1 ± 13.5%) than the non-survival subgroup (47.2 ± 6.9%) (p = 0.025). The ROC curve showed that Day 1 StO2 was a significant predictor of 28-day mortality (p = 0.025). There was no significant difference between the Deoxy and Reoxy slopes of the two groups (p > 0.05). The ROC of the Day 1 Reoxy slope for survival prediction (AUC0.74) was not statistically significant (p = 0.074). Conclusions: Our study showed poor survival outcomes in patients who had lower skeletal muscle StO2 values in early-stage ARDS. NIRS measurements may provide prognostic value for the survival outcomes in patients with this syndrome.
Tailored Compositions of Ni-Ti-Sn Nanopowders Deposited on Polymer Fiber Optics Through Flash Evaporation
Authors: Natarajan Elango , Chouhan Anil , Ramanathan Santheraleka , Markandan Kalaimani , Mozhuguan Sekar Santhosh , Ang Chun Kit , Deivanayagampillai Nagarajan , Franz Gérald
Published: December 2024

Fiber coatings protect the glass surface of fiber from extrinsic environmental factors. The coating of shape memory alloy over fiber is useful in sensor fabrication where the state of deformation is affected by the phase transformation of the coated material. In addition, coated plastic fibers can be used in elevated temperature environments. To this end, the present research aims to investigate the effect of the Ni-Ti-Sn composite coating over the fiber. Homogeneous particle distribution, agglomeration, porosity and the ability to obtain uniform coating thickness have been general concerns in fiber coatings. Hence, the present study comprehensively investigated the mechanical and thermal behavior as well as morphological properties of Ni-Ti-Sn nanopowders deposited on polymer fiber optics. Five sets of polyamide-coated samples with different Ni-Ti-Sn proportions were fabricated and characterized. Morphological studies confirmed that an even coating thickness enhanced the mechanical integrity and optical performance. The optimum composition demonstrated superior tensile strength of 29.5 MPa and a 25% increase in elongation compared to the uncoated sample. The Ni-Ti-Sn alloy composition investigated in the present study is promising for industrial applications where thermal stability and mechanical performance are warranted.
DAT: Deep Learning-Based Acceleration-Aware Trajectory Forecasting
Authors: Sharifi Ali Asghar , Zoljodi Ali , Daneshtalab Masoud
Published: December 2024

As the demand for autonomous driving (AD) systems has increased, the enhancement of their safety has become critically important. A fundamental capability of AD systems is object detection and trajectory forecasting of vehicles and pedestrians around the ego-vehicle, which is essential for preventing potential collisions. This study introduces the Deep learning-based Acceleration-aware Trajectory forecasting (DAT) model, a deep learning-based approach for object detection and trajectory forecasting, utilizing raw sensor measurements. DAT is an end-to-end model that processes sequential sensor data to detect objects and forecasts their future trajectories at each time step. The core innovation of DAT lies in its novel forecasting module, which leverages acceleration data to enhance trajectory forecasting, leading to the consideration of a variety of agent motion models. We propose a robust and innovative method for estimating ground-truth acceleration for objects, along with an object detector that predicts acceleration attributes for each detected object and a novel method for trajectory forecasting. DAT is trained and evaluated on the NuScenes dataset, demonstrating its empirical effectiveness through extensive experiments. The results indicate that DAT significantly surpasses state-of-the-art methods, particularly in enhancing forecasting accuracy for objects exhibiting both linear and nonlinear motion patterns, achieving up to a 2× improvement. This advancement highlights the critical role of incorporating acceleration data into predictive models, representing a substantial step forward in the development of safer autonomous driving systems.
Research on the Decision-Making and Control System Architecture for Autonomous Berthing of MASS
Authors: Zhang Haoze , Zhang Yingjun , Lu Hongrui , Niu Yihan
Published: December 2024

Autonomous berthing is a critical phase in the fully autonomous navigation process of MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship). However, the autonomous berthing stage of MASS is significantly influenced by environmental factors and involves a wide range of technical fields, making the technology not yet fully mature. Therefore, this paper addresses three key technological challenges related to ship path planning, guidance and motion control, as well as position and state perception. Additionally, it explores the decision-making and control system architecture for autonomous berthing of MASS. An effective autonomous berthing solution for MASS is proposed. Based on vessel berthing maneuvering, a decision-making algorithm for autonomous berthing is designed. The A-star algorithm is optimized, and an expected path for unmanned boat experiments is designed offline using this algorithm. Subsequently, an indirect ship guidance and motion control program is proposed based on a CFDL-MFAC (Compact Form Dynamic Linearization based Model-Free Adaptive Control) algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed autonomous berthing decision-making and control system architecture can effectively assist the unmanned boat in achieving autonomous berthing and help it to berth in a stable and desirable state.
Numerical Permeation Models to Predict the Annulus Composition of Flexible Pipes
Authors: Vieira João Marcos B. , de Sousa José Renato M.
Published: December 2024

The migration of acid gases through the pressure sheath of flexible pipes may induce a corrosive environment that can lead to steel armors’ failure by SCC (stress corrosion cracking). This permeation process depends on temperature, partial pressures, materials, and the pipe’s geometry. However, there are few works related to permeation modeling in flexible pipes, and these works usually contain significant simplification in pipes’ geometry. Hence, this work proposes two finite element (FE) permeation models and discusses the effects of the pipe’s characteristics. The models were developed in Ansys®, considering two- (2DFE) and three-dimensional (3DFE) approaches, and rely on gas fugacities instead of concentrations to describe the mass transport phenomenon. A radial temperature gradient is also considered, and the heat transfer is uncoupled from the mass transfer. Dry and flooded annulus analyses were conducted with the proposed models. In dry conditions, the results obtained with the 2DFE and the 3DFE approaches showed no significant differences, demonstrating that 3D effects are irrelevant. Hence, the permeation phenomenon is ruled by the permeation properties of the polymeric layers (pressure and outer sheaths) and possible shield effects promoted by the metallic armors. In contrast, the flooded annulus analyses resulted in a non-uniform fugacity distribution in the annulus with significant differences between the 2DFE and the 3DFE approaches, showing the importance of modeling the helical geometries of the metallic armors in this condition. Finally, a conservative 2DFE approach, which neglects the contribution of the pressure sheath, is proposed to analyze the flooded annulus condition, aiming to overcome the high computational cost demanded by the 3DFE approach.
Bearing-Only Multi-Target Localization Incorporating Waveguide Characteristics for Low Detection Rate Scenarios in Shallow Water
Authors: Mei Xiaohan , Zhang Bo , Zhai Duo , Peng Zhaohui
Published: December 2024

Bearing-only multi-target localization (BOMTL) determines the positions of multiple targets by intersecting bearing lines from multiple spatial locations. However, non-ideal measurements can result in a large number of ghost targets. A β-S-dimensional assignment (β-SDA) method incorporating waveguide characteristics is proposed to address the BOMTL problem in shallow water with low detection rates. The estimated distance for the warping transformation is derived from the intersection points of the bearing lines, then the autocorrelation function of the broadband beamforming output is transformed using a warping operator to obtain the corresponding characteristic spectrum. The peaks in the characteristic spectrum correspond to the cross-correlation terms of the normal modes, with the frequencies of these peaks related to the ratio of the actual distance to the estimated distance of the sound source. The global target localization results are obtained using the proposed method, which incorporates confidence coefficients derived from the characteristic spectrum and geometric intersection information from the bearing lines. Simulation and sea trial data demonstrate that the β-SDA method effectively overcomes the limitation of pure bearing-only localization in low detection rate scenarios under a given signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and can localize target positions without requiring precise prior environmental parameters.
Candida albicans Horizontal Transmission in COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Skóra Magdalena , Rosam Katharina , Namysł Magdalena , Sepioło Anna , Gajda Mateusz , Jędras Justyna , Krzyściak Paweł , Zorska Joanna , Wordliczek Jerzy , Heczko Piotr B. , Würzner Reinhard , Lackner Michaela , Wójkowska-Mach Jadwiga
Published: December 2024

Background: Invasive candidiasis is a predominant mycosis in hospitalized patients, and Candida albicans is the species most often responsible for this infection. Most candidiasis cases originate from endogenous mycobiota; therefore, Candida strains can easily be transferred among hospital patients and personnel. The aim of this study was to assess the possible horizontal transmission of C. albicans in patients with severe COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization in the intensive care unit. Methods: In total, 59 C. albicans strains from 36 patients were collected from blood and lower-respiratory samples. The strains were genotyped using the RAPD method with the OPA-18 primer (5′-AGCTGACCGT-3′). Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed for amphotericin B (AMB), fluconazole (FCZ), voriconazole (VCZ), and anidulafungin (ANF) using the EUCAST method. Results: C. albicans strains were separated into 13 different groups according to their RAPD pattern. Two predominant clonal clusters of 17 strains isolated from 12 patients and 12 strains from 7 patients were identified, followed by clusters with 6, 4, and 8 strains isolated from 5, 4, and 3 patients, respectively. C. albicans strains were sensitive to AMB, FCZ, VCZ, and ANF, and antifungal susceptibility profiles were similar in all genetic clusters. Conclusions: Our study indicates that C. albicans strains can spread horizontally. The routes of transmission for strains in the ward have not been explained due to there being insufficient data. The transmission could have been caused by the unintentional spread of pathogens by medical personnel.
Diversity and Distribution of Fungi in the Marine Sediments of Zhanjiang Bay, China
Authors: Gao Menghan , Liu Bihong , Li Jianming , Deng Yunyan , Zhang Yulei , Zhang Ning , Li Feng , Li Changling , Huang Xianghu , Hu Zhangxi
Published: December 2024

Fungi are one of the major components of the eukaryotic microbial community in marine ecosystems, playing a significant role in organic matter cycling and food web dynamics. However, the diversity and roles of fungi in marine sediments remain poorly documented. To elucidate the diversity and spatial distribution of fungal communities in the marine sediments of an estuary–coast continuum across three distinct salinity regions in Zhanjiang Bay, China, the variations in fungal diversity, abundance, community structure, and distribution in the sediments were investigated through the application of high-throughput amplicon sequencing using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) primers. Additionally, the FUNGuild database was employed to assess the potential functional traits of fungi. A total of 1242 ASV sequences, affiliated to 144 genera and five phyla, were identified. Ascomycota (68.97%) and Basidiomycota (6.41%) were the dominant fungal groups, together accounting for 75.38% of the total relative abundance of the fungal community. Significant differences were observed in the α-diversity indices (Shannon index and richness) and β-diversity of fungal communities across the three distinct salinity regions. The fungal molecular network exhibited primarily positive species interactions, with notable structural differences across salinity gradients. The low-salinity group had a large network with high modularity; the medium-salinity group a small, simple network with high centralization, and the high-salinity group a compact, moderately complex network. Symbiotrophs, saprotrophs, and pathotrophs, being the three trophic types with the highest proportions, were estimated based on ITS. A redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that salinity was the primary factor influencing the distribution of Ascomycota communities, while the distributions of Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Mucoromycota, and Rozellomycota were more strongly affected by environmental factors such as chlorophyll a, chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, and temperature. Our work provides new scientific data on the diversity, composition, and distribution of fungal communities in Zhanjiang Bay, which helps to understand the biodiversity of fungi in the estuary–coast ecosystems.
Effects of Auto-Titrating Mandibular Advancement Device on Autonomic Nervous System in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Son Dae-Soon , Kim Jae-In , Kim Dong-Kyu
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: One prior study revealed that a newly developed auto-titrating mandibular advancement device (AMAD) could potentially enhance polysomnographic outcomes in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, evidence regarding its impact on autonomic nervous system dysregulation in OSA remains limited. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of conventional mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and AMDA on autonomic function. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients who visited a sleep center with complaints of snoring and sleep apnea (30 and 15 patients in the conventional MAD and AMAD groups, respectively). We assessed heart rate variability (HRV) frequency-domain metrics such as total power (TP), very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), and high frequency (HF) using ultra-short-term and short-term modalities, assessing sympathetic and parasympathetic activity changes across treatment groups. Results: Conventional MAD treatment was associated with reductions in LF and LF/HF ratios, whereas AMAD treatment was linked to decreases in TP, VLF, LF, and LF/HF ratios. Notably, in patients with moderate OSA, LF values were significantly lower in the AMAD group than in the conventional MAD group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both devices could reduce sympathetic over-activity in patients with OSA, with AMAD demonstrating greater efficacy, particularly in those with moderate OSA.
Design and Site-Related Factors Impacting the Cooling Performance of Urban Parks in Different Climate Zones: A Systematic Review
Authors: Norouzi Maryam , Chau Hing-Wah , Jamei Elmira
Published: December 2024

As cities expand rapidly, the combined effects of urbanization, global warming, and the intensification of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon have become more challenging for urban environments. In response, Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) has gained attention as a practical and effective tool for mitigating UHI and improving climate change. Among various UGIs, urban parks have been the subject of numerous studies due to their proven ability to reduce air and surface temperatures, improve local microclimates, and enhance overall urban livability. This systematic review synthesizes the existing body of research to identify key factors that influence the cooling performance of urban parks. A total of 131 peer-reviewed studies between 2014 and 2024 were analyzed, focusing on both design-related and site-related factors that play pivotal roles in a park’s cooling effectiveness. Design-related factors include park size, shape, vegetation density and composition, the presence of water bodies, and impervious surfaces while site-related factors encompass background climate conditions, the proximity to natural water bodies, and the urban configuration surrounding the parks. The findings reveal that park size, tree coverage, and the presence of water bodies are the most influential design-related factors in enhancing cooling performance. For site-related factors, wind speed and direction emerged as critical components for maximizing cooling benefits. Research also showed urban configuration can affect the overall cooling performance by influencing airflow patterns and shading. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for cities worldwide as they strive to design parks that address their specific environmental and climatic challenges. The findings of this review offer practical guidance for landscape architects and urban planners, enabling them to design parks that deliver enhanced cooling benefits, especially when cities face rising temperatures and an increasing number of heatwaves.
Clinicopathological Studies on the Impact of Grape Seed Extract and L-Carnitine as Cardioprotective Agents Against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Aldayel Tahany Saleh , Kilany Omnia E. , El-Hak Heba Nageh Gad , Abdelrazek Heba M. A. , Abdallah Osama , Omar Donia E.
Published: December 2024

Doxorubicin (DOX) cancer therapy induces serious cardiotoxicity as a side effect. This study aimed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of grape seed extract (GSE) and L-Carnitine (L-CA) against DOX-induced cardiac toxicity in male rats. Six groups of male albino rats were used: G1 (control); G2 (GSE), given grape seed extract (100 mg/kg b.wt.) orally for 35 days; G3 (L-CA) (150 mg/kg b.wt.); Group 4 (DOX-induced cardiotoxicity), given DOX (10 mg/kg b.wt., i.p.) on the 28th day of the experiment; G5 (GSE + DOX), given GSE and DOX as previously mentioned; and G6 (L-CA + DOX), given L-CA and DOX as previously mentioned. Electrocardiographic evaluation, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants, serum cardiac markers, and inflammatory markers were estimated. Histopathological evaluation of cardiac tissue was also examined. Key findings showed that DOX induced ECG abnormalities lipid peroxidation, reduced antioxidants, and elevated cardiac and inflammatory markers. GSE and L-CA significantly ameliorated ECG abnormalities, reduced lipid peroxidation, improved antioxidant enzymes and serum cardiac markers, and reduced inflammation. These findings suggest that GSE and L-CA exhibit substantial cardioprotective effects in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity via their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials.
Noninvasive Electrical Modalities to Alleviate Respiratory Deficits Following Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Tharu Niraj Singh , Suthar Aastha , Gerasimenko Yury , Castillo Camilo , Ng Alex , Ovechkin Alexander
Published: December 2024

(1) Background: Respiratory dysfunction is a debilitating consequence of cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting from the loss of cortico-spinal drive to respiratory motor networks. This impairment affects both central and peripheral nervous systems, disrupting motor control and muscle innervation, which is essential for effective breathing. These deficits significantly impact the health and quality of life of individuals with SCI. Noninvasive stimulation techniques targeting these networks have emerged as a promising strategy to restore respiratory function. This study systematically reviewed the evidence on noninvasive electrical stimulation modalities targeting respiratory motor networks, complemented by previously unpublished data from our research. (2) Methods: A systematic search of five databases (PubMed, Ovid, Embase, Science Direct, and Web of Science) identified studies published through 31 August 2024. A total of 19 studies involving 194 participants with SCI were included. Unpublished data from our research were also analyzed to provide supplementary insights. (3) Results: Among the stimulation modalities reviewed, spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation (scTS) emerged as a particularly promising therapeutic approach for respiratory rehabilitation in individuals with SCI. An exploratory clinical trial conducted by the authors confirmed the effectiveness of scTS in enhancing respiratory motor performance using a bipolar, 5 kHz-modulated, and 1 ms pulse width modality. However, the heterogeneity in SCI populations and stimulation protocols across studies underscores the need for further standardization and individualized optimization to enhance clinical outcomes. (4) Conclusions: Developing standardized and individualized neuromodulatory protocols, addressing both central and peripheral nervous system impairments, is critical to optimizing respiratory recovery and advancing clinical implementation.
Histological Findings in Infective Endocarditis—A Retrospective Cohort Study Conducted at “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency University Hospital in Bucharest
Authors: Anton Corina-Ioana , Ștefan Ion , Duțulescu Sorin , Stăniceanu Florica , Buzilă Cosmin Alexandru , Ștefan Alexia-Teodora , Streinu-Cercel Adrian
Published: December 2024

Background: Histological findings of infective endocarditis (IEs) in mechanical valves present a complex diagnostic challenge owing to the lack of a precise definition. This ambiguity is further complicated by the natural degenerative processes that occur in the mechanical valves over time. Consequently, pathologists and clinicians face significant difficulties in distinguishing between genuine infective processes and the normal wear and tear of mechanical valves. Method: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2017 and January 2024 and examined tissue samples from 93 patients who underwent a surgical removal of mechanical heart valves, with 41 cases suspected of infective endocarditis and 52 cases of non-IE. The researchers aimed to establish more precise histological criteria for distinguishing between these two conditions, focusing on two key features: vegetations and inflammatory patterns. Results: IE in patients with prosthetic heart valves presents distinct histological features that aid in the diagnosis and differentiation of non-infective complications. Hallmark characteristics include vegetation and inflammatory infiltrates with neutrophils. Valve tissue specimens from patients whose mechanical valves were removed because of non-infectious complications showed a different histological profile. Inflammatory infiltrates were observed in approximately 26% of these cases; however, they were primarily composed of macrophages and lymphocytes rather than neutrophils. Conclusions: By emphasizing neutrophil-rich inflammation as a key indicator, clinicians and pathologists could more effectively distinguish between true infective endocarditis and non-IE that can occur in the mechanical valves. This distinction is crucial for appropriate patient management as the treatment strategies for infective and non-infective valve conditions differ significantly.
An Aminobenzenethiol-Functionalized Gold Nanocolorimetric Sensor for Formaldehyde Detection
Authors: Xu Jing , Shen Liya , You Haining , Liu Yuanli
Published: December 2024

The determination of formaldehyde is of paramount importance, as it is present in numerous locations throughout life. In this study, aminophenol-modified gold nanoparticles (ATP-AuNPs) with different relative positions of hydroxyl and amino groups were synthesized for the detection of formaldehyde. They were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy tests. The results demonstrated that the position plays a crucial role in the composites, which exhibit good stability when the sulfhydryl group and amino group transition from the para position to the neighboring position. Furthermore, the para position was identified as the optimal configuration for formaldehyde detection. When it was used to detect formaldehyde in ultrapure and Li River water, the limit of detection (LOD) was calculated to be 1.03/1.15 mM, respectively. This work not only provides a novel ATP-AuNP sensor but also highlights its practical situations.
Factors Determining Unique Thermal Resistance and Surface Properties of Silicone-Containing Composites
Authors: Zielecka Maria , Rabajczyk Anna
Published: December 2024

This review discusses the key factors influencing the exceptional thermal resistance and surface properties of silicone-containing composites. Silicone polymers, known for their excellent chemical and physical properties, are widely used in a number of innovative products. In order to make silicone composites suitable for innovative applications, it is essential to ensure that they have both very good thermal resistance and superhydrophobic properties. Identification of the key factors influencing these properties enables the use of these composites in coatings, electronics and photovoltaic panels. The discussion includes the role of organosilicon polymer structures and the incorporation of micro- and nanoadditives to enhance the performance of these materials. Different methods for the modification and production of silicone composites are analyzed, with an emphasis on achieving thermal stability and surface superhydrophobicity simultaneously. The review highlights the growing demand for silicone-based coatings due to technological advances and environmental concerns. Furthermore, the role of surface modification and hierarchical surface structures in achieving these unique properties is discussed, as well as the potential applications and challenges in the development of next-generation silicone-containing materials.
Artificial-Weld-Crack Detection Network, YOLOv6-NW, Based on Target Recognition Technology
Authors: Wang Yiming , Shang Lunhua , Li Bin , Liu Yu , Ji Ye , Hao Linbo , Zhang Yang , Li Yuchen , Tian Menghan
Published: December 2024

Aiming at the problems of scarce datasets and the low identification accuracy faced in the field of weld-crack detection, this paper proposes an artificial-weld-crack preparation method based on the doping of dissimilar metal particles to augment the number of samples of weld-crack defects. Meanwhile, data augmentation methods such as random cropping, scaling and Mosaic are combined to further enhance the richness of the samples, so as to provide strong data support for the proposed weld-crack-defect detection model. Given the limitations of storage and computational resources in industrial application scenarios, this paper designs the lightweight detection network YOLOv6-NW. It is achieved by optimizing the YOLOv6-N model for width and depth compression to efficiently identify and locate weld-crack defects. The experimental results demonstrate that YOLOv6-NW significantly outperforms YOLOv5 in terms of both model detection performance and model size. Compared to YOLOv6-N, the number of model parameters in YOLOv6-NW is only 16% of that in YOLOv6-N, yet its model detection accuracy and recall rate remain on a comparable level with YOLOv6-N. Additionally, the precision of crack detection by YOLOv6-NW under low-resolution or low-illumination conditions remains above 0.9.
Effect of ZrB2 Content on the Properties of Copper Matrix Composite
Authors: Sulima Iwona , Kowalik Remigiusz , Stępień Michał , Hyjek Paweł
Published: December 2024

This study examined the physical, mechanical, tribological, and corrosion properties of copper metal matrix composites reinforced with zirconium diboride (ZrB2). Cu-xZrB2 composites (x = 0.5, 10, 15, 20 wt.%) were produced by the ball-milling process and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Introducing ZrB2 particles into copper matrix composites significantly improves their mechanical and tribological properties while deteriorating their density, porosity, and corrosion properties. It was shown that the relative densities of the composites gradually decreased from 96% to 90%, with an increase in the ZrB2 content to 20 wt.%. Likewise, hardness, compressive strength, and wear resistance improved with increasing ZrB2 content in the copper matrix. Corrosion resistance tests in a 0.05 M sulfuric acid environment showed a disproportionate decrease in the resistance of this composite with an increase in the concentration of the ceramic phase compared to other environments.
Preparation of the New Magnetic Nanoadsorbent Fe3O4@SiO2-yl-VP and Study on the Adsorption Properties of Hg (II) and Pb (II) in Water
Authors: Chen Dun , Chen Jianxin , Zhou Wanyong , Sawut Amatjan
Published: December 2024

This article reports the preparation of a novel functionalized magnetic nanoadsorbent through an addition reaction between Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with allyl silica gel and 4-pyridinyl ethylene. A detailed characterization of Fe3O4@SiO2-yl-VP was conducted. Among them, in the infrared spectrum, we can easily see that the absorption peak of the C=C stretching vibration at 1660 cm−1 in the raw material disappears after the addition reaction, indicating the successful grafting of polymer on the surface of silica gel. The appearance of N element in the EDS spectrum also proves the successful completion of the addition reaction and the successful synthesis of Fe3O4@SiO2-yl-VP. At pH = 5 and pH = 7, it only takes half an hour for Fe3O4@SiO2-yl-VP to achieve maximum adsorption capacities of 85.06 and 73.78 mg/g for Hg (II) and Pb (II), respectively. The adsorption process conforms to the Langmuir model and the pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic models and can be reused 11 times, demonstrating excellent reusability.