bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-World Experience, Effectiveness, and Safety of Direct-Acting Antivirals for the Treatment of Hepatitis C in Oman: A Cross-Sectional, Multicenter Study
Authors: Al-Naamani Khalid M. , Omar Heba , Al Busafi Said A. , Al Shuaili Halima H. , Al-Naamani Zakariya , Al-Khabori Murtadha , Said Elias A. , AlKalbani Abdullah H. , Kamath B. R. , Emad Bashar , Daar Shahina , Alhajri Lolo , AlKalbani Alya , AlFarsi Zainab , Alzuhaibi Haifa
Published: December 2024

Background: The advent of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive research study of the real-world effectiveness and safety of DAA treatment, representing the first study conducted in the Omani population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 375 HCV patients with different genotypes, treated using different DAA regimens, with or without ribavirin, between January 2012 and December 2020 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and the medical city for military and security services, two tertiary hospitals in Muscat, Oman. The rate of sustained virologic response 12 weeks after completing the regimen (SVR-12) was analyzed as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included treatment safety and adverse events related to DAA therapy, as reported by patients and treating physicians. Results: A total of 375 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 47.3 ± 15.4 years. Most were male (59.2%) and treatment-naïve (71.7%). The prevalence of liver cirrhosis was 19.7%, while 4.0% had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The SVR-12 rate among treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients was 95.0% and 93.4%, respectively. Several parameters were associated with DAA treatment failure, including liver cirrhosis (p = 0.004) and active HCC (p = 0.009). Following SVR-12, significant improvements were observed in alanine transaminase, bilirubin, and albumin levels, Fibrosis-4 Index, and liver stiffness measurements compared to baseline (p <0.001 each). No significant adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: Based on our real-world experience, DAAs are highly effective in treating patients with HCV infection in Oman, with an excellent tolerability and safety profile.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor in Patients Using Left Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Hasabo Elfatih A. , Isik Burce , Elgadi Ammar , Eljack Mohammed Mahmmoud Fadelallah , Yacoub Magdi S. , Elzomor Hesham , Sultan Sherif , Caliskan Kadir , Soliman Osama
Published: December 2024

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) have been shown to reduce risks of clinical events in patients with heart failure (HF). However, data on the use of SGLT2-i in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are scarce. We thought to assess the efficacy and safety of SGLT2-i in patients with LVADs. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane from inception to November 2024. We used all relevant words for “SGLT2-i” and “LVAD” to search in databases, and we included studies and published abstracts in peer-reviewed journals of studies that assessed SGLT2-i in patients with LVAD. Results: Four studies and seven abstracts totaling 228 patients using SGLT2-i were included. Empagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Canagliflozin were the used SGLT2-i across the included studies. Pooled analysis showed that SGLT2-i significantly improved ejection fraction (EF) (Mean= 4.2, 95% CI [1.22, 7.19]) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (Mean = −0.44, 95% CI [−0.79, −0.09]) from baseline. However, no significant changes in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were noticed. Other outcomes of interest not included in the meta-analysis did not show significant changes, such as cardiac index (CI), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), mean arterial pressure (MAP), or mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP). The pooled percentage of people with driveline infection was 9%, 95% CI (3, 19). Conclusions: SGLT2-i effectively improves EF and HbA1c in patients using LVAD. Further adequately powered randomized studies are warranted to ascertain its clinical efficacy and safety in that unique population.
Iron-Doped Biochar from Hospital Sludge for Efficient Arsenic Removal from Groundwater
Authors: Nguyen Nhat-Thien , Kang Sy-Yuan , Chang Chang-Tang , Hong Gui-Bing
Published: December 2024

Arsenic contamination in groundwater poses serious health risks, as exemplified by the Blackfoot disease epidemic in Taiwan, which was caused by prolonged arsenic exposure. This study investigates the use of biochar derived from the wastewater treatment sludge of the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (New Taipei City, Taiwan) as an efficient adsorbent for arsenic removal. A novel iron-doped sludge biochar (Fe-SBC) was developed to enhance arsenic adsorption efficiency, facilitate adsorbent recovery, and reduce operational costs. The adsorption mechanism of arsenic on Fe-SBC, modified with iron hydroxide complexes, was examined through Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations. The results demonstrate a high arsenic removal efficiency of approximately 90% using continuous adsorption systems. The DFT calculations revealed strong chemical interactions between arsenic and the biochar, evidenced by high adsorption energy (−156.8 kJ mol−1) and a short bond distance (1.48 Å), correlating with the high adsorption performance observed experimentally. Additionally, arsenic byproducts desorbed from the adsorbent were repurposed into antibacterial agents and pigments. Four distinct pigment colors—green, blue, gray, and orange—were produced through different preparation methods, with the antibacterial agents showing effective antimicrobial properties. This study highlights the potential of Fe-SBC for sustainable arsenic remediation and resource recovery.
Impact of Five Weeks of Strengthening Under Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) or Supplemental Oxygen Breathing (Normobaric Hyperoxia) on the Medial Gastrocnemius
Authors: Vervloet Grégory , Fregosi Lou , Gauthier Arthur , Grenot Pierre , Balestra Costantino
Published: December 2024

Background and Objectives: This study investigates the effects of a five-week training program on the medial gastrocnemius muscle, comparing two approaches: blood flow restriction (BFR) training and normobaric hyperoxia (oxygen supplementation). It evaluates three strengthening modalities (dynamic, isometric, and the 3/7 method) analyzing their impact on maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), muscle architecture, and perceived exertion. Methods: A total of 36 young healthy participants (21 females, 15 males) were randomized into six subgroups (n = 6 each) based on the type of contraction and oxygen condition. Training sessions (three per week) were conducted for five weeks at 30% of MVC. Measurements of MVC, muscle circumference, pennation angle, fascicle length, and perceived exertion were taken at baseline (T0), mid-protocol (T1), and post-protocol (T2). Results: All groups demonstrated significant increases in MVC after five weeks, with no notable differences between BFR and oxygen conditions. Structural changes were observed in specific subgroups: the BFR-isometric group showed increased calf circumference (p < 0.05), and the 3/7 groups exhibited significant fascicle length gains (p < 0.05). Perceived exertion was consistently higher in BFR groups compared to oxygen supplementation, particularly in dynamic exercises. Conclusions: Both BFR and oxygen supplementation are effective in enhancing strength with light loads, though they elicit different structural and perceptual responses. Oxygen supplementation may be more comfortable and less strenuous, offering a viable alternative for populations unable to tolerate BFR. Future research should focus on optimizing training parameters and exploring applications tailored to specific athletic or clinical contexts.
Elemental Composition and Morphometry of Rhyssoplax olivacea (Polyplacophora): Part II—Intraspecific Variation
Authors: Voulgaris Konstantinos , Varkoulis Anastasios , Mygdalias Thomas , Zaoutsos Stefanos , Vafidis Dimitris
Published: December 2024

Rhyssoplax olivacea is a common mediterranean chiton that exhibits great geographic distribution characterized by variability in its abiotic parameters. Using morphometric measurements of the valves and radula, as well as the element composition of its tooth types from individuals sampled from five different regions across the Hellenic seas, intraspecific differences were examined. The relationship between the abiotic factors and elemental composition was also investigated. Hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC) was employed separately on the radular and valve characteristics to determine whether these traits can distinguish regions in the form of clusters, while canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) with ANOVA testing were used to examine the effect of temperature, depth and salinity on these features. Both datasets resulted in three clusters; however, investigation of the radula appeared to better distinguish populations among the examined regions, differentiating Kymi and Pagasitikos. The morphometrics of the valves distinguished the North Aegean Sea (Chalkidiki) from the other regions. The CCA reported that the depth, minimum temperature and average salinity influenced the elemental composition of the radular teeth, while the depth and maximum temperature explained variation regarding the valve morphometrics.
Experimental Compressive Assessment of Different Stiffened Plate Welding Configurations
Authors: Saad-Eldeen S. , Mansour Mohamed , Eltaramsy Menat-Allah
Published: December 2024

The application of fillet welding in the shipbuilding industry is essential for composing different structural components such as stiffened plates and panels, which are the sub-structural elements of the entire hull. The connection between the base plating and its reinforcement members as stiffeners may be found in different fillet welding configurations such as continuous and intermittent chain welding. The application of each welding configuration may differ according to the importance of the structural component, its location and the acting load. The aim of the present work is to experimentally evaluate the ultimate compressive capacity of a stiffened plate with different base plating thicknesses and a welded stiffener using different fillet welding configurations. The results are presented in the form of different relationships between axial force–vertical/lateral displacement relationships and corresponding collapse modes. Discussion and analysis of results are performed for a deep understating of both the local and global behaviour of the stiffened plate, accounting for the absorbed energy within the elastic regime and up to the ultimate limit, with developed regression formulations. Also, a comparison between the experimental results and existing empirical formulations is performed, showing a good agreement and reasonable behaviour.
Single but Not Combined In Vitro Exposure to Bisphenol A and Nanoplastics Affects the Cholinergic Function of the Ascidian Ciona robusta
Authors: Melki Safa , Ferrari Emma , Ahmed Raja Ben , Spagnuolo Antonietta , Corsi Ilaria
Published: December 2024

Nanoplastics are known to represent a threat to marine ecosystems. Their combination with other contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) may amplify ecotoxic effects, with unknown impacts on marine biodiversity. This study investigates the effects, single and combined, of bisphenol A (BPA)—one of the most hazardous CECs—and polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs)—as a proxy for nanoplastics, being among the most commonly found asmarine debris—on cholinesterase (ChE) activities of the ascidian Ciona robusta. ChE activity was first measured in the siphons, tunic, and viscera of wild-caught adult specimens and exposed in vitro to BPA (0.01, 0.21, 0.69 mM) and PS NPs (0.0096–0.096 mM; 8.096 × 109–1010 particles, respectively) alone and combined for 15 min of incubation. PS NPs’ behavior in milliQ water and in the ChE assay reaction buffer was characterized alone, combined with BPA, and analyzed through ζ-potential measurements via Dynamic Light Scattering. The results revealed that ChE activity was predominant in the viscera and siphons of C. robusta; PS NPs did not affect the ChE activity alone or combined, while BPA caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of ChE activity in the viscera. No changes in ζ-potential were observed for PS NPs alone or combined with BPA in the ChE buffer, suggesting no interaction. Further investigations are needed to understand the potential neurotoxic consequences for C. robusta and ecological risk scenarios due to exposure to BPA and nanoplastics in marine coastal waters.
Drivers, Constraints, and Policy Regulation Strategies for the Abandonment of Farmland: Insights from China
Authors: Sun Yong , Jiang Hongjun , Zhu Xiaoli
Published: December 2024

The increasing trend of farmers abandoning their farmland amid urbanization poses significant challenges to sustainable agricultural development and threatens national food security. This study employs evolutionary game theory to analyze the drivers, constraints, and policy regulation strategies associated with the farmland abandonment by farmers in the context of urbanization and aging in China. The findings indicate that urbanization and demographic aging significantly influence farmers’ decisions to abandon their farmland. Government regulations, including incentives and penalties, face constraints from various factors. Farmers are often drawn to abandon their land because of the higher income potential from urban employment and land rental, coupled with the burden of farming and opportunity costs. Conversely, potential losses from land transfer income, agricultural product revenues, the quality of farmland, and lower levels of aging serve as constraints that affect farmers’ decision-making and land utilization behaviors. Furthermore, proactive regulation by local governments can effectively deter farmers from abandoning their land. However, the success of government policies in protecting farmland relies on a synergistic approach that balances incentives and regulations. Therefore, it is crucial for policymakers to consider multiple factors and adapt policy designs flexibly to align with local conditions. This study aims to provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for developing more effective and scientifically grounded farmland protection policies.
Urbanization and Carbon Storage Dynamics: Spatiotemporal Patterns and Socioeconomic Drivers in Shanghai
Authors: Wu Hao , Yang Caihua , Liang Anze , Qin Yifeng , Dunchev Dobri , Ivanova Boryana , Che Shengquan
Published: December 2024

Combating climate change by increasing urban carbon storage is one of the critical issues which urban policymakers must address. Understanding the characteristics and driving factors of carbon storage changes during urbanization can assist urban managers in formulating responsive land use policies. This study employs the INVEST model to evaluate carbon storage in Shanghai from 2000 to 2020, analyzing land use changes and their carbon impacts. It analyzes the transformation of land use in Shanghai during the same period and its impact on carbon storage. Using a 1 km grid for sampling, this study examines the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of carbon storage in Shanghai. Furthermore, it employs linear regression to discuss the social and economic drivers influencing carbon storage in the city. Carbon storage in Shanghai, predominantly from cultivated land and artificial surfaces, increased from 16.78 Mt in 2000 to 18.40 Mt in 2020, with an annual rise of 0.81 Mt. The spatial distribution of carbon storage exhibited a stable southeast-northwest pattern, with variations in dispersion between the north-south and east-west directions. The distribution of carbon storage shifted from a bimodal to a unimodal pattern, indicating an overall increase. There was a significant positive correlation between carbon storage and both the per capita green space area and the industrial output value, which can be attributed to Shanghai’s policies on green industrial development. This research aids in formulating land use policies to enhance urban carbon storage.
Hydrology–Soil–Vegetation Element Interactions in the Largest Single-Port Artesian Irrigation Area of Asia
Authors: Wang Ziniu , Duan Limin , Han Yahui , Ji Jianxun , Shi Qiwei , Yao Rongjiang , Luo Yanyun , Liu Tingxi
Published: December 2024

Climate change and anthropogenic activities have increased the complexity of hydrology–soil–vegetation interactions in arid-region irrigation areas. Therefore, studies on the spatiotemporal characteristics of these interactions can greatly benefit the sustainable development of arid areas. This study developed a spatially granular dataset of the key hydrology, soil, and vegetation elements for the Hetao Irrigation District (HID) for 2000–2020, recognized as the largest single-port artesian irrigation area in Asia, and explored the interactions between these elements by means of a geodetector, the analytic hierarchy process, and the Pearson correlation coefficient. The key results indicated the following: (1) a declining trend of 0.1–0.15 in the comprehensive influence of hydrology–soil–vegetation interactions; increasing significance of hydrologically driven soil and vegetation evolution, with feedback between soil and vegetation; (2) the maximization of the interactions between soil moisture and precipitation and groundwater, with evapotranspiration as the dominant factor regulating hydrology–vegetation interactions; (3) the interactions between hydrology, soil, and vegetation showing nonlinear synergism; (4) and the spatial distributions of the hydrology–soil–vegetation interactions showing significant band-like patterns with weak coupling between the elements.
Multi-Decadal Land Subsidence Risk Assessment at Major Italian Cities by Integrating PSInSAR with Urban Vulnerability
Authors: Lenardón Sánchez Michelle , Farías Celina Anael , Cigna Francesca
Published: December 2024

This study assesses subsidence-induced risk to urban infrastructure in three major Italian cities—Rome, Bologna, and Florence—by integrating satellite-based persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PSInSAR) ground displacement data with urban vulnerability metrics into a novel risk assessment workflow, incorporating land use and population data from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS)—Urban Atlas. This analysis exploits ERS-1/2, ENVISAT, and COSMO-SkyMed PSInSAR datasets from the Italian Extraordinary Plan of Environmental Remote Sensing, plus Sentinel-1 datasets from CLMS—European Ground Motion Service (EGMS), and spans a 30-year period, thus capturing both historical and recent subsidence trends. Angular distortion is introduced as a critical parameter for assessing potential structural damage due to differential settlement, which helps to quantify subsidence-induced hazards more precisely. The results reveal variable subsidence hazard patterns across the three cities, with specific areas exhibiting significant differential ground deformation that poses risks to key infrastructure. A total of 36.15, 11.44, and 0.43 km2 of land at high to very high risk are identified in Rome, Bologna, and Florence, respectively. By integrating geospatial and vulnerability data at the building-block level, this study offers a more comprehensive understanding of subsidence-induced risk, potentially contributing to improved management and mitigation strategies in urban areas. This study contributes to the limited literature on embedding PSInSAR data into urban risk assessment workflows and provides a replicable framework for future applications in other urban areas.
Urban Public Space Safety Perception and the Influence of the Built Environment from a Female Perspective: Combining Street View Data and Deep Learning
Authors: Chen Shudi , Lin Sainan , Yao Yao , Zhou Xingang
Published: December 2024

Women face disadvantages in urban public spaces due to their physiological characteristics. However, limited attention has been given to assessing safety perceptions from a female perspective and identifying the factors that influence these perceptions. Despite advancements in machine learning (ML) techniques, efficiently and accurately quantifying safety perceptions remains a challenge. This study, using Wuhan as a case study, proposes a method for ranking street safety perceptions for women by combining RankNet with Gist features. Fully Convolutional Network-8s (FCN-8s) was employed to extract built environment features, while Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) were used to explore the relationship between these features and women’s safety perceptions. The results reveal the following key findings: (1) The safety perception rankings in Wuhan align with its multi-center urban pattern, with significant differences observed in the central area. (2) Built environment features significantly influence women’s safety perceptions, with the Sky View Factor, Green View Index, and Roadway Visibility identified as the most impactful factors. The Sky View Factor has a positive effect on safety perceptions, whereas the other factors exhibit negative effects. (3) The influence of built environment features on safety perceptions varies spatially, allowing the study area to be classified into three types: sky- and road-dominant, building-dominant, and greenery-dominant regions. Finally, this study proposes targeted strategies for creating safer and more female-friendly urban public spaces.
Evaluation of an Antisense Oligonucleotide Targeting CAG Repeats: A Patient-Customized Therapy Study for Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Ocampo-Ortega Sergio Adrian , Sierra-Sanchez Vivany Maydel , Blancas-Napoles Citlali Margarita , González-Carteño Asdrúbal , Mera-Jiménez Elvia , Macías-Pérez Martha Edith , Hernandez-Guerra Adriana , Romero-Nava Rodrigo , Huang Fengyang , Hong Enrique , Villafaña Santiago
Published: December 2024

Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive neuronal cell damage in some areas of the brain; symptoms are commonly associated with chorea, rigidity and dystonia. The symptoms in Huntington’s Disease are caused by a pathological increase in the number of Cytokine-Adenine-Guanine (CAG) repeats on the first exon of the Huntingtin gene, which causes a protein to have an excessive number of glutamine residues; this alteration leads to a change in the protein’s conformation and function. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to design, synthesize and evaluate an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO; 95 nucleotides) HTT 90-5 directed to the Huntingtin CAG repeats in primary leukocyte culture cells from a patient with Huntington’s Disease; approximately 500,000 leukocytes per well extracted from venous blood were used, to which 100 pMol of ASO were administered, and the expression of Huntingtin was subsequently evaluated at 72 h by RT-PCR. Our results showed that the administration of the HTT 90-5 antisense decreased the expression of Huntingtin mRNA in the primary culture leukocyte cells from our patient. These results suggest that the use of long antisense targeting the CAG Huntingtin cluster may be an option to decrease the expression of Huntingtin and probably could be adjusted depending on the number of CAG repeats in the cluster.
Exosome-Derived miRNAs in Liquid Biopsy for Lung Cancer
Authors: Martínez-Espinosa Israel , Serrato José A. , Cabello-Gutiérrez Carlos , Carlos-Reyes Ángeles , Ortiz-Quintero Blanca
Published: December 2024

Exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for lung cancer detection and monitoring through liquid biopsy. These small, non-coding RNA molecules are found within exosomes, which are extracellular vesicles released from cells. Their stability in biofluids, such as blood, positions them as candidates for minimally invasive diagnostics. Multiple studies have shown that lung cancer patients exhibit distinct miRNA profiles compared to healthy individuals. This finding suggests that exosome-derived miRNAs could serve as valuable biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluating therapeutic responses. This review summarizes recent research on exosome-derived miRNAs in liquid biopsies, including blood, pleural effusion, and pleural lavage, as biomarkers for lung cancer, focusing on publications from the last five years.
Numerical Analysis of the Trapping Effect of Grooves with Various Cross-Sectional Shapes and Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Hong Sung-Ho
Published: December 2024

This study searches for an effective cross-sectional shape of grooves by evaluating their trapping effect using numerical methods. Grooves are widely employed to enhance lubrication performance across various systems, including in bearings and valves, where they serve multiple functions, such as improving load-carrying capacity, addressing pressure imbalances, storing lubricant, and minimizing leakage. Beyond these roles, grooves are crucial in preventing three-body abrasive wear by capturing solid particles, such as wear debris, within the system. This study specifically focuses on the trapping effect of grooves, examining how variations in their cross-sectional shape and the Reynolds number of the lubricant used influence this effect. To evaluate the groove’s trapping capability, the study analyzed particle trajectories and streamlines within the groove, as well as the number of particles effectively trapped. The results indicate that grooves with certain cross-sectional shapes, particularly those generating multiple vortices and small eddy currents, demonstrate superior trapping effectiveness. These findings contribute to the design of more efficient grooves in lubrication systems, providing insights into how groove geometry can be optimized to enhance the performance and longevity of mechanical components by mitigating wear through effective particle entrapment. This research has potential applications in the design and improvement of lubrication systems where managing wear and enhancing efficiency are critical concerns.
Soft Grippers in Robotics: Progress of Last 10 Years
Authors: Dzedzickis Andrius , Petronienė Jūratė Jolanta , Petkevičius Sigitas , Bučinskas Vytautas
Published: December 2024

This paper is dedicated to soft grippers, robot tools with a wide application area in various activities where an accurate and delicate grabbing movement is required such as routine manipulation tasks with fragile objects, operation in unknown or dangerous environments, and manipulation with unknown shape objects, as well as exploring the depths of the sea or harvesting vegetables in agriculture. The main goal of this paper is to review and systematize the main ideas about and achievements of soft grippers published from 2015 to 2024. The paper provides a statistical analysis of the performed research and systematized advancements of soft grippers according to their operating principle, forces and effects that enable their operation, and the properties of potential manipulation objects. Grippers inspired by nature are also discussed, as most successful solutions are based on ideas derived from nature. This study discusses the latest achievements of soft grippers and their various applications and presents a unique distribution of soft grippers according to the physical principle of the forces they act on, according to the size of the object to be grasped, and according to technological realizations. The results of this analysis can be useful for practical gripper users aiming to improve their workplace and find optimal design solutions, for gripper manufacturers or developers, or for scientists of material sciences looking for applications for their products.
Fabrication of a Portable Magnetic Microcantilever Using Fe40Ni38Mo4B18 Amorphous Ribbon and Its Application as a Humidity Sensor by Coating with TiO2 Nanotubes
Authors: Atalay Selçuk , Erdemoglu Sema , Çağlar Yılmaz Hatice , Mete Emine , Inan Orhan , Kolat Veli
Published: December 2024

Microcantilevers (MCs) are highly sensitive sensors capable of detecting mass changes on the surface at the nanogram and even picogram scale. In this study, microcantilevers were fabricated for the first time using the Sodick AP250L Wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) from amorphous 2826MB (Fe40Ni38Mo4B18) ferromagnetic ribbons. This method is advantageous because it allows for the simultaneous production of a large number of microcantilevers, with about 100 MCs being produced in a single manufacturing process. Additionally, a straightforward and cost-effective measurement system was developed to measure the resonance frequency and frequency shift of the MC entirely through magnetic means, a technique not previously reported in the literature. To evaluate the performance of the MC, we employed it as a humidity sensor. For the TiO2-NT-coated MC, a frequency shift of approximately 202 Hz was observed when the humidity level changed from 5% to 95% relative humidity (RH).
A Transport Mode Detection Framework Based on Mobile Phone Signaling Data Combined with Bus GPS Data
Authors: Zhong Shuqi , Chen Jiatao , Cai Ming
Published: December 2024

Transport mode is one of the important travel characteristics for citizens, which is crucial to the planning and management of urban transportation. With the natural advantages of large sample sizes and a wide coverage of people, more and more researchers adopt mobile phone signaling data (MSD) to detect transport modes. However, due to their low positioning accuracy and temporally irregular nature, identifying transport modes with similar spatiotemporal features, such as the bus and car modes, is particularly challenging. We propose a transport detection framework using MSD combined with bus GPS data to distinguish between the car and bus modes. First, a trajectory matching algorithm is proposed to obtain the most probable bus that mobile phone users may take. Then, more features are mined to improve the accuracy of transport mode detection with different classification models. Furthermore, for signaling trajectories identified as the bus mode, more bus travel information is recognized, including the boarding and alighting station and timestamp. Finally, we built a ground truth dataset and compared the recognition accuracies under different features and classification models. The result shows that the transport mode detection accuracies of the proposed framework with the GBDT, XGBoost, and LightGBM algorithms are all higher than 94%.
Emerging Role of Gut Microbiota in Breast Cancer Development and Its Implications in Treatment
Authors: Mir Rashid , Albarqi Shrooq A. , Albalawi Wed , Alatwi Hanan E. , Alatawy Marfat , Bedaiwi Ruqaiah I. , Almotairi Reema , Husain Eram , Zubair Mohammad , Alanazi Ghaida , Alsubaie Shouq S. , Alghabban Razan I. , Alfifi Khalid A. , Bashir Shabnam
Published: December 2024

Background: The human digestive system contains approximately 100 trillion bacteria. The gut microbiota is an emerging field of research that is associated with specific biological processes in many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, brain disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiota affects the response to anticancer therapies by modulating the host immune system. Recent studies have explained a high correlation between the gut microbiota and breast cancer: dysbiosis in breast cancer may regulate the systemic inflammatory response, hormone metabolism, immune response, and the tumor microenvironment. Some of the gut bacteria are related to estrogen metabolism, which may increase or decrease the risk of breast cancer by changing the number of hormones. Further, the gut microbiota has been seen to modulate the immune system in respect of its ability to protect against and treat cancers, with a specific focus on hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Probiotics and other therapies claiming to control the gut microbiome by bacterial means might be useful in the prevention, or even in the treatment, of breast cancer. Conclusions: The present review underlines the various aspects of gut microbiota in breast cancer risk and its clinical application, warranting research on individualized microbiome-modulated therapeutic approaches to breast cancer treatment.
Sex- and Gender-Specific Considerations in Mycotoxin Screening: Assessing Differential Exposure, Health Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Thenuwara Gayathree , Javed Bilal , Singh Baljit , Byrne Hugh J. , Tian Furong
Published: December 2024

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, present significant health risks through contaminated food and feed. Despite broad documentation of their general impacts, emerging research highlights the requirement of addressing both sex- and gender-specific differences in the risk of exposure, susceptibility, and health outcomes in mycotoxin screening and mitigation strategies. Distinct biological (sex-based) and sociocultural (gender-based) factors can influence the risk of mycotoxin exposure and subsequent health impacts; women may for example exhibit specific exposures to certain mycotoxins due to physiological and hormonal differences, with increased risks during critical life stages such as pregnancy and lactation. Conversely, men may demonstrate distinct metabolic and immune responses to these toxins. Socioeconomic and cultural factors also contribute to gender-specific exposure risks, including occupational exposures, dietary habits, and healthcare access. Current mycotoxin screening methodologies and regulatory frameworks often disregard these sex and gender disparities, resulting in incomplete risk assessments and suboptimal public health interventions. This review addresses the incorporation of sex- and gender-specific data into mycotoxin research, the development of advanced screening techniques, and the implementation of targeted mitigation strategies. Addressing these sex and gender differences is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of mycotoxin management policies and safeguarding public health. Future research directions and policy recommendations are discussed to promote a more comprehensive and practical approach to mycotoxin risk assessment and control.
Trends in Bacterial and Candida Infections Before and Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Al Mana Hassan , Alhussain Hashim , Wilson Godwin , Abdel Hadi Hamad , Ibrahim Emad , Eltai Nahla O.
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)virus, resulted in significant global health consequences. The interventions introduced to limit the spread of the virus had a significant impact on the course of the pandemic, but they might also involve other pathogens besides SARS-CoV-2. This study investigates the epidemiological variations for major bacterial and common fungal pathogens represented by Candida species infection in Qatar through retrospective hospital records. Retrospective data were collected on all bacterial and Candida infections from Hamad General Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021. Statistical analyses were performed using R (Version 4.1.0). Infection count comparisons were performed using chi-square goodness of fit tests. Differences in patient numbers were tested with one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey HSD. The number of infections and measures were correlated using Spearman rank correlation. The significance level was set at 0.05, and where applicable, the Holm–Bonferroni method was used to correct for multiple testing. The general trend for bacterial and Candida infections showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) following the imposed restrictions and increases during restriction lifting periods. The number of bacterial infections correlated with the number of international visitors (ρ = 0.61, p < 0.01), while the number of Candida infections correlated with hospital admissions of COVID-19 patients (ρ = 0.59, p = 0.013). The results provide a general overview of the infection trends in Qatar during the COVID-19 pandemic and illustrate some of the pandemic interventions’ effects on bacterial and Candida infections. However, further research is needed to better understand the underlying trend dynamics.
The Yeast F-Box Protein Met30 Regulates Proline Utilization Independently of Transceptor Can1 Under Nutrient-Rich Conditions
Authors: Nishimura Akira , Tanahashi Ryoya , Takagi Hiroshi
Published: December 2024

Proline is the most abundant amino acid in wine and beer, largely due to the limited utilization of proline by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae during fermentation. Previous studies have shown that the arginine transporter Can1 plays a role in regulating proline utilization by acting as a transceptor, combining the functions of both a transporter and a receptor for basic amino acids. However, the CAN1-disrupted strains have exhibited the inhibition of proline utilization under nutrient-rich conditions, indicating that additional factors beyond basic amino acids contribute to the inhibition of proline utilization. Here, we used the parent strain with the CAN1 deletion to derive mutants that can utilize proline even under nutrient-rich conditions. A genomic analysis revealed a mutation in the MET30 gene, which encodes an F-box subunit of the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex, that causes reduced Met30 function. Importantly, we found that Met30 and Can1 independently regulate proline utilization. Our screening showed that the Met30-dependent inhibition of proline utilization occurs when ammonium ions, methionine or cysteine, and another amino acid (especially threonine or isoleucine) are present simultaneously. The present data offer new insights into the regulation of proline metabolism.
Determining the Effect of Varied Proportions of Cohort Administered Tulathromycin at Arrival on Nasopharyngeal Microbiota and Performance Characteristics in Yearling Steers in the First 56 Days on Feed
Authors: Johnson Blaine T. , White Brad J. , Amachawadi Raghavendra G. , Kleinhenz Michael D. , Farney Jaymelynn K. , Shippy Teresa D. , Larson Robert L.
Published: December 2024

Metaphylaxis or treating the entire population of cattle at arrival with an antimicrobial has been studied extensively in the cattle industry; however, little information is available on the impacts of treating only a proportion of the population with antimicrobials at arrival. The study objective was to determine potential associations between the proportion of animals in a pen treated with antimicrobial therapy with pen performance and nasopharyngeal microbiome. Yearling steers (n = 160) were randomly allocated to study pens (n = 40) and pens were systematically randomized to one of two antimicrobial treatments (META: all four head received tulathromycin; MIXED: two of four head randomly selected to receive tulathromycin). The study was conducted in conjunction with an essential oil feeding trial. Deep nasal pharyngeal (DNP) swabs were collected from every steer at Days 0, 14, 28, and 56. All DNP swabs were individually cultured for Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica. Samples of DNA were extracted from DNP swabs, pooled by pen, and analyzed by metagenomic shotgun sequencing to compare nasopharyngeal microbiome composition and quantity of resistance genes between test groups. Neither antimicrobial nor essential oil treatment groups had any significant associations with performance or DNP microbiome. Sampling day was significantly associated with alpha and beta diversity at the species level. Shannon’s diversity and Inverse Simpson diversity were significantly lower on Day 14 versus both Day 0 and Day 56. These data indicated a shift in microbial populations across study days; however, the microbiome diversity and relative abundance were not significantly different between antimicrobial treatment groups.
Superplasticizer Dosage Effect on Strength, Microstructure and Permeability Enhancement of Cementitious Paste Fills
Authors: Cavusoglu Ibrahim
Published: December 2024

A cementitious paste fill (CPF) ensures the long-age stability of underground cavities. Recently, superplasticizers, specifically ones that are polycarboxylate ether-based, have been incorporated to enhance CPF performance, yet their long-term effects on permeability, mechanical properties, and microstructures remain unclear. This study investigates these effects with CPF samples containing varying superplasticizer dosages (0%, 1%, 3%, 5%) that have been cured for up to 150 days. Rheological assessments (slump cone, vane shear tests), unconfined compressive strength testing, microstructural characterization (MIP, SEM), and hydraulic conductivity measurements were performed alongside XRD and thermal analyses (TAns) on high w/c (2) cement paste samples. The results showed that superplasticizer addition reduced CPF water content by 23% and yield stress by six times, aiding slurry transport. Long-term strength was enhanced by up to 2.4 times compared to the control samples, indicating improved underground stability. Superplasticizers altered the CPF samples stress–strain responses, increasing their load-bearing capacity. TG/DTG and XRD analyses revealed that hydration product development increased and porosity decreased in the presence of a superplasticizer. Hydraulic conductivity and permeability also decreased significantly. SEM and MIP analyses showed that the superplasticizer enhanced denser microstructures with fewer pores and fractures. These findings offer promising implications for designing CPFs with improved strength, durability, and environmental sustainability.
VNIR-SWIR Imaging Spectroscopy for Mining: Insights for Hyperspectral Drone Applications
Authors: Koerting Friederike , Asadzadeh Saeid , Hildebrand Justus Constantin , Savinova Ekaterina , Kouzeli Evlampia , Nikolakopoulos Konstantinos , Lindblom David , Koellner Nicole , Buckley Simon J. , Lehman Miranda , Schläpfer Daniel , Micklethwaite Steven
Published: December 2024

Hyperspectral imaging technology holds great potential for various stages of the mining life cycle, both in active and abandoned mines, from exploration to reclamation. The technology, however, has yet to achieve large-scale industrial implementation and acceptance. While hyperspectral satellite imagery yields high spectral resolution, a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and global availability with breakthrough systems like EnMAP, EMIT, GaoFen-5, PRISMA, and Tanager-1, limited spatial and temporal resolution poses challenges for the mining sectors, which require decimetre-to-centimetre-scale spatial resolution for applications such as reconciliation and environmental monitoring and daily temporal revisit times, such as for ore/waste estimates and geotechnical assessments. Hyperspectral imaging from drones (Uncrewed Aerial Systems; UASs) offers high-spatial-resolution data relevant to the pit/mine scale, with the capability for frequent, user-defined re-visit times for areas of limited extent. Areas of interest can be defined by the user and targeted explicitly. Collecting data in the visible to near and shortwave infrared (VNIR-SWIR) wavelength regions offers the detection of different minerals and surface alteration patterns, potentially revealing crucial information for exploration, extraction, re-mining, waste remediation, and rehabilitation. This is related to but not exclusive to detecting deleterious minerals for different processes (e.g., clays, iron oxides, talc), secondary iron oxides indicating the leakage of acid mine drainage for rehabilitation efforts, swelling clays potentially affecting rock integrity and stability, and alteration minerals used to vector toward economic mineralisation (e.g., dickite, jarosite, alunite). In this paper, we review applicable instrumentation, software components, and relevant studies deploying hyperspectral imaging datasets in or appropriate to the mining sector, with a particular focus on hyperspectral VNIR-SWIR UASs. Complementarily, we draw on previous insights from airborne, satellite, and ground-based imaging systems. We also discuss common practises for UAS survey planning and ground sampling considerations to aid in data interpretation.
Modeling and Simulation of Electric–Hydrogen Coupled Integrated Energy System Considering the Integration of Wind–PV–Diesel–Storage
Authors: Zhao Shuguang , Han Yurong , Xu Qicheng , Wang Ziping , Shan Yinghao
Published: December 2024

Hydrogen energy plays an increasingly vital role in global energy transformation. However, existing electric–hydrogen coupled integrated energy systems (IESs) face two main challenges: achieving stable operation when integrated with large-scale networks and integrating optimal dispatching code with physical systems. This paper conducted comprehensive modeling, optimization and joint simulation verification of the above IES. Firstly, a low-carbon economic dispatching model of an electric–hydrogen coupled IES considering carbon capture power plants is established at the optimization layer. Secondly, by organizing and selecting representative data in the optimal dispatch model, an electric–hydrogen coupled IES planning model considering the integration of wind, photovoltaic (PV), diesel and storage is constructed at the physical layer. The proposed electric–hydrogen coupling model mainly consists of the following components: an alkaline electrolyzer, a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank with a compressor and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The IES model proposed in this paper achieved the integration of optimal dispatching mode with physical systems. The system can maintain stable control and operation despite unpredictable changes in renewable energy sources, showing strong resilience and reliability. This electric–hydrogen coupling model also can integrate with large-scale IES for stable joint operation, enhancing renewable energy utilization and absorption of PV and wind power. Co-simulation verification showed that the optimized model has achieved a 29.42% reduction in total system cost and an 83.66% decrease in carbon emissions. Meanwhile, the simulation model proved that the system’s total harmonic distortion rate is controlled below 3% in both grid-connected and islanded modes, indicating good power quality.
Switchable Fluorescence of a Mechanical Stimulus-Responsive Au-P-S Complex
Authors: Huang Jieqiong , Hu Yuanyuan , Xu Wendi , Yang Wei , Lu Chengrong , Young David James , Ren Zhi-Gang
Published: December 2024

The reaction of [(3-bdppmapy)(AuCl)2] with NaHmna (3-bdppmapy = N,N’-bis-(diphenylphosphanylmethyl-3-aminopytidine, H2mna = 2-mercaptonicotinic acid)) resulted in a tetranuclear Au-P-S complex [(3-bdppmapy)2(AuHmna)2(AuCl)2] (1) which emitted bright yellow fluorescence at 542 nm under 377 nm excitation (QY = 5.3%, τ = 0.83 ns). Upon grinding, the emission intensity of 1 significantly and rapidly decreased, but could be recovered by exposure to CH2Cl2 vapor. This switchable fluorescence is attributed to the breaking and reforming of intermolecular hydrogen bonds with concomitant collapse and the restoration of the crystalline phase, which is not caused by static pressure or increased temperature.