bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: Ictal hypersalivation: a stereoelectroencephalography exploration
Authors: Ouchida Sumika , Nikpour Armin , Wilson David Neville , Fairbrother Greg
Published: February 2025

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition with various etiologies, and recurrent unprovoked seizures characterize it. Hypersalivation is a recognized symptom of insular-opercular epilepsies. A wide range of symptoms can occur during a seizure, including hypersalivation, autonomic responses, oropharyngeal sensations, visceral sensations, somatosensory disturbances, and emotional manifestations. In this case study, we examine a unique scenario of a patient who experienced predominantly salivary seizures. Hypersalivation, pill-rolling movements, and lip-smacking characterized these seizures. Importantly, the patient became seizure-free after undergoing radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) with the assistance of Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). Our discussion will focus on the treatment approach involving SEEG-guided RFTC and the careful identification of the brain cortex responsible for triggering excessive salivation during seizures.
Comprehensive overview of the toxicities of small-molecule cryoprotectants for carnivorous spermatozoa: foundation for computational cryobiotechnology
Authors: Karimi Isaac , Mohammad Layth Jasim , Suvitha A. , Haidari Zohreh , Schiöth Helgi B.
Published: February 2025

Background

The specific and non-specific toxicities of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) for semen or spermatozoa cryopreservation/vitrification (SC/SV) remain challenges to the success of assisted reproductive technologies.

Objective

We searched for and integrated the physicochemical and toxicological characteristics of small-molecule CPAs as well as curated the information of all extenders reported for carnivores to provide a foundation for new research avenues and computational cryobiology.

Methods

The PubMed database was systematically searched for CPAs reported in SC/SV of carnivores from 1964 to 2024. The physicochemical features, ADMET parameters, toxicity classes, optimized structures, biological activities, thermodynamic equilibrium constants, and kinetic parameters were curated and assessed computationally.

Results

Sixty-two relevant papers pertaining to CPAs used in SC/SV were found, and 11 CPAs were selected. Among the properties of CPAs, the molecular weight range (59–758 g/mol), melting point (−60°C to 236°C), XlogP3 (−4.5 to 12.9), topological polar surface area (TPSA; 20–160 Å2), Caco2 permeability (−0.62 to 1.55 log(Papp) in 10–6 cm/s), volume of distribution (−1.04 to 0.19 log L/kg), unbound fraction of a CPA in plasma (0.198–0.895), and Tetrahymena pyriformis toxicity (log µg/L; −2.230 to 0.285) are reported here. Glutathione, dimethyl formamide, methyl formamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide were used as the P-glycoprotein substrates. Ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, methyl formamide, glycerol, and soybean lecithin showed Caco2 permeabilities in this order, whereas fructose, glutathione, glutamine, glucose, and citric acid were not Caco2-permeable. The CPAs were distributed in various compartments and could alter the physiological properties of both seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Low volume distributions of all CPAs except glucose indicate high water solubility or high protein binding because higher amounts of the CPAs remain in the seminal plasma.

Conclusion

ADMET information of the CPAs and extenders in the bipartite compartments of seminal plasma and intracellular spaces of spermatozoa are very important for systematic definition and integration because the nature of the extenders and seminal plasma could alter the physiology of cryopreserved spermatozoa.
Incidence of hypernatremia in dogs treated with single dose activated charcoal for acute toxicant ingestion: multi-center retrospective study (2018–2023)
Authors: Young Timothy , Walton Rebecca A. L. , Cheng Poyee , Cai Jiazhang , Mochel Jonathan P. , Peterson Katherine
Published: February 2025

Objective

To retrospectively evaluate the incidence and clinical significance of hypernatremia in dogs administered a single dose of activated charcoal (AC) or activated charcoal with sorbitol (ACS) for acute toxicant ingestion.

Methods

Retrospective study between the years 2018–2023. Ninety-six dogs evaluated by a university teaching hospital and private practice emergency hospital treated for acute toxicant ingestion with a single dose of activated charcoal, with or without sorbitol.

Results

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. No dog developed hypernatremia, defined as sodium >155 mEq/L, during the study period. The toxicant ingested was not significantly associated with a change in sodium (Na) at any time point (P = 0.433 at 6–12 h, P = 0.09 at 12–14 h, and P = 0.486 at 24–48 h). Ingestion of multiple toxicants, compared to single toxicant ingestion, was also not significantly associated with a change in Na at any time point (P = 0.126 at P = 6–12 h, P = 0.452 at 12–24 h, and P = 0.516 at 24–48 h). Time from ingestion to presentation was not significantly associated with a change in Na at any time point (P = 0.422 at 6–12 h, P = 0.881 at 12–24 h, and P = 0.516 at 24–48 h). The administration of AC compared to ACS was not significantly associated with a change in Na at any time period (P = 0.715 at 6–12 h, P = 0.137 at 12–24 h, P = 0.582 at 24–48 h). There was a significant difference between Na on presentation and at 12–24 h and 24–48 h (P = 0.025 and P = 0.015, respectively.) Median Na values decreased at all-time points when compared to presentation, −0.90 at 6–12 h (standard deviation (SD) 2.74), −1.38 at 12–24 h (SD 4.81) and −2.11 at 24–48 h (SD 5.34).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a statistically significant, but unlikely clinically significant, decrease in Na in dogs who received single dose AC or ACS for acute toxicant ingestion.
Fine-Grained Mapping Between Daily Activity Features in Smart Homes
Authors: Wang Yahui , Liu Yaqing
Published: February 2025

For daily activity recognition in smart homes, it is possible to reduce the effort required for labeling by transferring a trained model. This involves utilizing a labeled daily activity dataset from one smart home to recognize other activities in another. The foundation of this transfer lies in establishing a shared common feature space between the two smart homes, achieved through a feature mapping approach for daily activities. However, existing heuristic feature mapping methods are often coarse, resulting in only moderate recognition performance. In this paper, we propose a fine-grained daily activity feature mapping approach. Sensors are ranked by their significance using the PageRank algorithm, and a novel alignment algorithm is introduced for sensor mapping. Experiments conducted on the publicly available CASAS dataset demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms existing daily activity feature mapping approaches.
The Effect of a Magnetic Field on the Enzymatic Activities of Common Airborne Aspergillus Strains Isolated from Indoor Environments
Authors: Anaya-Villalpanda Matilde , Gámez-Espinosa Erasmo , Borrego-Alonso Sofía
Published: February 2025

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an extremely low-frequency oscillating magnetic field on the enzymatic activities of common airborne Aspergillus sp. strains that were isolated from indoor environments. A D-optimal experimental design with three factors was applied: magnetic field density (0.5 to 2 mT), exposure time (0.5 to 2 h), and Aspergillus sp. strains (A. ellipticus, A. japonicus, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus). The response variables were exoenzymatic indexes (cellulolytic, amylolytic, proteolytic, lipolytic, and hemolytic) and pH, as a measure of organic acid production. A. ellipticus was the highest producer of organic acids, and A. japonicus was as pathogenic as A. fumigatus. Different magnetobiological effects were observed: on enzyme secretion in the remaining strains, we detected no appreciable effect (Ilip and Iprot of A. flavus), inhibition (Ilip of A. ellipticus; Icel and Iamil of A. japonicus; Iamil and Iprot of A. fumigatus), and stimulation. Predictive quadratic models were obtained, and 2 mT for 2 h was the magnetic treatment regime that influenced the fungal enzymatic activity. These physiological changes following magnetobiological effects could be influenced during fungal sporulation and must thus be considered in aeromicrobiology studies. They can also be beneficial for obtaining industrial-use enzymes, but detrimental to the biodeterioration of different materials and human health.
Analysis of Dynamic Changes in Carbon Footprints of Agricultural Production in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River
Authors: He Zonggui , Jiao Cuicui , Ou Lanman
Published: February 2025

Taking six provinces and one city in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River as the main research object, this study investigated the carbon footprint of agricultural production in the region and promoted the development of agricultural carbon reduction. This study used the internationally mainstream IPCC emission factor method to calculate the carbon footprint of agricultural production, and selected indicators such as rural population, crop planting area, rural per capita GDP, and urbanization rate to analyze the influencing factors of agricultural carbon footprint in various provinces in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River based on an extensible STIRPAT model. Due to differences in agricultural production conditions, the carbon footprint per unit area and unit yield vary among provinces and cities in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. From the 15 year average, the carbon footprint per unit area is synchronized with the carbon footprint per unit yield, with Zhejiang Province having the highest (9830.48 kg (CO2 eq)/hm2, 0.65 kg (CO2 eq)/kg), Hubei Province in the middle (5017.90 kg (CO2 eq)/hm2, 0.54 kg (CO2 eq)/kg), and Jiangxi Province having the lowest (3446.181 kg (CO2 eq)/hm2, 0.46 kg (CO2 eq)/kg). From the perspective of emission structure, the carbon footprint generated by agricultural resource inputs accounts for the largest proportion, with fertilizer and fuel use being the main contributors to emissions. In the analysis of influencing factors, the indicators that mainly promote the carbon footprint of agricultural production include the following: rural population (R), ratio of agricultural value added to GDP(Z), total sown area of crops (B), level of agricultural technology (total power of agricultural machinery) (J), and degree of agricultural mechanization (N). The indicators that mainly inhibit the carbon footprint of agricultural production include the per capita disposable income of rural residents (P), rural GDP per capita (G), and urbanization rate (C). Other indicators have a relatively weak impact on carbon footprint. Overall, optimizing agricultural resource input, improving mechanized productivity, and reasonably controlling fertilizers are important ways of reducing carbon emissions from agricultural production. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, it is still necessary to formulate emission reduction measures tailored to different ecological environment characteristics to achieve sustainable agricultural development.
Maintaining High Yield and Improving Quality of Non-Heading Chinese Cabbage Through Nitrogen Reduction in Different Seasons
Authors: Liu Xingchen , Wang Yachen , Qian Xiaojun , Wu Zhen , Zhou Rong , Hou Xilin , Qi Yingbin , Jiang Fangling
Published: February 2025

Non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. chinensis) is an important vegetable crop. In its production, the excessive application of chemical fertilizers is common, resulting in increased production costs and decreased quality. Therefore, exploring appropriate nitrogen (N) application amounts is essential. Here, we investigated the effects of a single application of different gradients of N fertilizer on the growth, yield, and quality of cabbage by setting eight N fertilizer treatments, specifically, 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 kg/6.67 × 10−2 ha. We found a positive correlation between the N application amount and the yield in different seasons and a negative correlation with nitrate. The relationship between the yield of cabbage and the N application amount in three seasons was consistent with y = −ax2 + bx + c (a > 0), and the corresponding fertilizer application rates for the highest yields in spring and autumn were predicted to be 9.3 and 8.4 kg/6.67 × 10−2 ha, which was reduced by 19.1% and 30.0%, respectively, compared with conventional application rates. In addition, after two consecutive N fertilizer reductions, the second crop plants did not reduce significantly under each treatment. While, compared with the first crop, the second crop plants grew weaker with lower flavor quality and yield, they also had higher nitrate contents. In conclusion, appropriate but not excessive N reduction was beneficial in obtaining high-yielding and high-quality non-heading Chinese cabbage in spring and autumn.
Storage Conditions of Sperm Samples and Gametic Characterization by Sperm Head Morphometry in Drones (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Esteso Milagros Cristina , Toledano-Díaz Adolfo , Castaño Cristina , Higes Mariano , Martín-Hernández Raquel , López-Goya Agustin , De la Rúa Pilar , Martínez-Madrid Belén , Santiago-Moreno Julián
Published: February 2025

The present study aimed to evaluate an optimal method to transport and store drone sperm samples, as well as to characterize drone spermatozoa through sperm head morphometry. A total of 291 mature drones were used. We performed three experiments. In a first experiment, sperm variables were assessed under different incubation conditions (5 °C, 15 °C, and 37 °C with 5% CO2). Results showed that sperm viability was optimally maintained at 15 °C (p ˂ 0.05). In the second experiment, the supplementation of extender with catalase (200 UI) improved (p ˂ 0.05) the sperm viability and motility during liquid storage at different incubation times. Finally, a morphometric analysis of sperm head was made: length 5.13 µm, width 0.85 µm, area 3.78 µm2, perimeter 15.01 µm, acrosome length 3.50 µm. The variability in sperm head morphometry was calculated by coefficients of variation (CV) within- and between-drones. The CV within-drone was higher than the CV between-drones for all morphometric parameters regardless of hive origin, indicating a high degree of sperm pleomorphism.
Alterations in Whey Protein Abundance Correlated with the Somatic Cell Count Identified via Label-Free and Selected Reaction Monitoring Proteomic Approaches
Authors: Li Jing , Chen Kaixu , Zang Changjiang , Zhao Xiaowei , Cheng Zhiqiang , Li Xiaobin , Wang Caidie , Chen Yong , Yang Kailun
Published: February 2025

The somatic cell count (SCC) is widely used to assess milk quality and diagnose intramammary infections. Several whey proteins have been shown to correlate significantly with SCC and are considered potential indicators of udder health. However, the relationship between milk whey proteins and SCC has not been fully elucidated. In this study, milk samples were grouped into five categories based on SCC levels. Subsequently, whey proteins were identified using a label-free proteomics approach, and the differential abundance of proteins was validated through a selected reaction monitoring (SRM) method. The levels of various proteins, including azurocidin 1 and kininogen-2, exhibited an increase, whereas topoisomerase I, tropomyosin-1, and desmin showed a significant decrease depending on the SCCs. Principal component analysis unveiled that these proteins contributed to the developmental alterations in milk proteins. A majority of these differentially abundant proteins were associated with response to stimulus, localization, and defense response. Our results provide fundamental information on the SCC that can be utilized for evaluating milk quality and serve as potential indicators for detecting intramammary infections.
Effect of Selected Optical Navigation Methods on the Energy Consumption of Automated Guided Vehicles
Authors: Balawender Krzysztof , Jaworski Artur , Jakubowski Mirosław , Kuszewski Hubert
Published: February 2025

The study compares the performance parameters of an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) equipped with optical navigation, focusing on two solutions: one utilizing reflective optocouplers and the other employing a camera. These components, commonly used in AGV optical navigation systems, differ in factors such as cost and the sophistication of control methods. The primary objective of the research was to evaluate the performance criteria of the analyzed optical navigation methods, with particular attention paid to electricity consumption, power profiles during specific transit tasks, and total transit time. The analysis also investigated two potential installation locations for the reflective optocouplers and the camera on the vehicle. The results indicate that the camera-based optical navigation method is more efficient. Specifically, the average energy consumption was approximately 26% lower when using the camera compared to the reflective optocouplers. Furthermore, the study revealed that the location of the camera had minimal influence on the vehicle’s energy consumption, whereas the location of the reflective optocouplers significantly affected energy usage.
Evaluation of Optimum Insulation Thickness According to External Wall Types to Be Used in Buildings to Be Reconstructed in Turkey
Authors: Timuralp Cisil , Aras Nil , Sisman Nuri , Aras Haydar
Published: February 2025

The external walls of a building represent the interface between the interior and exterior environments. Insulating external walls represents the most cost-effective means of ensuring indoor comfort. Despite the prevailing assumption that insulation will increase the cost of the building, this study has demonstrated that this is not the case. Notwithstanding the increase in investment costs, the application of insulation to the external walls has been demonstrated to result in a reduction in fuel consumption and operating costs. In accordance with TS 825, there are five distinct degree-day zones, with the requisite heat loads in these zones exhibiting variability. Accordingly, a cost-based methodology is required to ascertain the optimal insulation thicknesses for the various degree-day zones. In this study, the gains to be obtained in the case of using three different insulation materials for five different wall types to be used in the buildings to be built instead of the buildings destroyed in the earthquake in Turkey in 2023 were analyzed. Samples from three degree-day zones affected by earthquakes were assessed for insulation, wall structures, and fuel types. The study assesses optimum insulation thickness, investment cost, annual fuel savings, annual economic benefits, and investment payback period.
Effect of Final Fermentation pH and Pre-Drying Storage Temperature on Properties of Kefir Powder Produced by Kefir Grains
Authors: Dimitreli Georgia , Exarhopoulos Stylianos , Apidopoulou Parthena , Groztidou Olga , Georgiou Despoina , Kalogianni Eleni P. , Goulas Athanasios
Published: February 2025

The demand of consumers for a healthier and functional diet necessitates amongst others, extending the shelf life of the natural probiotic kefir, reducing simultaneously packaging, transportation, and storage costs. Among the different drying methods, spray drying is widely used and industrially favorable to produce powdered products. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of the final fermentation pH and the pre-drying storage temperature (4 °C for 7 days) on the physicochemical properties, moisture content, pH, color, adsorption isotherms, and the microbiological characteristics of spray dried kefir. Kefir grains were used for the fermentation and the production of the samples. Viabilities of lactococci, lactobacilli, and yeasts were determined during a storage period of 45 days. Both final fermentation pH and low-temperature storage significantly affected the properties of the kefir powders and their respective reconstituted samples. According to the findings of the study, the desirable microbial populations of the reconstituted kefir powders are possible to accomplish by using an increased final fermentation pH at 5.2 and/or by applying low-temperature storage of the fermented milk, together with the kefir grains, at 4 °C for 7 days prior to drying. The yeast population was affected the least by the studied factors, and the use of kefir grains as starter culture favored the viability of lactococci and lactobacilli after spray drying and during storage up to 45 days.
Advancements in Glucose Monitoring: From Traditional Methods to Wearable Sensors
Authors: Dey Koyel , Santra Tuhin Subhra , Tseng Fan Gang
Published: February 2025

Accurate in vivo glucose monitoring is essential for effective diabetes management and for the care of pre-term infants in critical care. Glucose-monitoring techniques are broadly categorized into three types: invasive, minimally invasive, and non-invasive. Each method presents distinct advantages and challenges. Non-invasive glucose sensors, despite impressive advancements in recent years, still face issues with signal interference and accuracy, limiting their widespread clinical application. In contrast, implanted devices offer more reliable and consistent results in clinical settings, making them the current gold standard. This review provides an overview of the leading glucose-sensing technologies, detailing both their advantages and drawbacks. We discuss invasive techniques, such as implanted electrodes, which allow continuous glucose monitoring with high accuracy, but often come with risks of infection and discomfort. Minimally invasive methods, such as fluorescence sensors, Raman sensors, and microneedle arrays, aim to reduce discomfort while providing more precise measurements than non-invasive devices. Additionally, non-invasive methods, such as optical, infrared, and microwave techniques, are explored for their potential to provide pain-free, continuous glucose monitoring. Finally, the review highlights a brief comparison among the current technologies and future directions in the field, particularly the use of signal enhancement algorithms and integration with wearable devices.
A New Multi-Axial Flux Pm Motor–Generator System for Flywheel Energy Storage
Authors: Hüner Engin
Published: February 2025

This study presents a flywheel energy storage system utilizing a new multi-axial flux permanent magnet (MAFPM) motor–generator for coil launchers. The traditional winding structure of the flywheel is effective for energy recovery over several minutes. However, because the projectile is launched from coil launchers in less than one second, the traditional winding structure experiences insulation deterioration and winding damage due to the high current. This study proposes a winding structure made of an 8 × 0.5 mm conductor with eight turns to meet the energy requirements of coil launchers. Furthermore, the motor winding was divided into two sections, which were compared using both series and parallel connection methods as described in the literature. The proposed system produces energy that is 29.96%, 85.63%, and 81.11% lower than the A winding (where A and B are identical), the A + B winding (series connected), and A//B winding (parallel connected) at the same speed. However, as the speed increases by 258.26%, the energy output rises by 215.88%. The flywheel motor–generator’s series-parallel winding structure reaches its current carrying capacity at 1188 rpm. By utilizing a separate winding instead of the traditional motor–generator winding, a current of 38.4 A is achieved, ensuring that the winding’s current carrying capacity remains within the design parameters. Experimental data have proven that the proposed multi-wire winding structure is an innovative solution for coil launchers, surpassing various combinations of motor–generator windings found in the literature. Furthermore, the placement of the proposed winding in a single slot in the design ensures a compact structure.
Encapsulation of Rose Extract in Polyurethane Structures Modified for Enhanced Aqueous Solubility
Authors: Albulescu Ramona-Carmen , Borcan Livia-Cristina , Borcan Florin , Szuhanek Camelia-Alexandrina
Published: February 2025

Background: The volatile compounds present in rose extracts exhibit significant potential applications in medicine and cosmetics due to their capacity to enhance skin hydration and barrier function, two factors that are crucial for anti-aging and skin protection. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties of these extracts also suggest their potential utility in oral health applications. The aim of the current study was to obtain a new type of polyurethane delivery system based on a polyaddition process in the presence of a surfactant. Methods: Lysine-diisocyanate, polyethylene glycol, polycaprolactone diol, hexanediol, glycerol-1,2-diacetate, Tween® 20, and caffeine were used to synthesize two samples of PU structures, one with and one without rose extract. The structures’ shape, size and surface charge, encapsulation efficacy, pH, solubility, release kinetics, and permeation rate were all assessed; the irritation potential of samples was verified by skin parameters testing the cytotoxicity by in vitro cell viability assay. Results: Within our findings, structures measuring between 98 and 203 nm were found, while the sample containing the rose extract showed an entrapment efficacy of 71.76%. Almost 90% of the structures penetrated the membrane in 48 h, and around 45% were released from the carrier in the same period. Biosafety evaluations conducted both in vivo and in vitro confirmed that PU structures are safe as delivery vehicles. Conclusions: This study shows the potential of polyurethane structures with rose extracts for use in biomedical applications and cosmetics. However, more research is needed to examine the clinical testing of polyurethane delivery systems and optimize release kinetics and permeation rates for particular therapeutic uses.
Prolonged Power Outages and Air Quality: Insights from Quito’s 2023–2024 Energy Crisis
Authors: Vallejo Fidel , Villacrés Patricio , Yánez Diana , Espinoza Lady , Bodero-Poveda Elba , Díaz-Robles Luis Alonso , Oyaneder Marcelo , Campos Valeria , Palmay Paúl , Cordovilla-Pérez Alejandro , Díaz Valeria , Leiva-González Jorge , Alejandro-Martin Serguei
Published: February 2025

The 2023–2024 blackouts in Quito, Ecuador, led to severe air quality deterioration, primarily driven by diesel generator use and increased vehicular traffic. This study analyzed data from seven urban and peri-urban monitoring stations, applying meteorologically normalized data and machine learning models (Boosted Regression Trees and Random Forests) to isolate the direct impact of blackouts on pollutant concentrations. The results revealed that PM10 increased by up to 45% and PM2.5 by 30%, frequently exceeding regulatory limits, particularly in industrial and residential zones. SO2 exhibited the most extreme rise, surging by 390%, with peak values reaching 500 µg/m3 in areas heavily reliant on high-sulfur diesel generators. The NO2 concentrations exceeded 200 µg/m3 in high-traffic areas, while O3 showed dual behavior, decreasing in urban cores due to titration effects but increasing by 15% in suburban valleys, driven by photochemical interactions. A comparison between 2023 and 2024 blackouts highlighted worsening pollution trends, with longer (8–12 h) outages in 2024 causing severe environmental impacts. The findings demonstrate that blackouts significantly worsen air quality, posing critical public health risks. This study underscores the urgent need for policy interventions to mitigate the environmental impact of energy disruptions. Key recommendations include stricter fuel quality standards, diesel generator emission controls, and an accelerated transition to renewable energy. These results provide scientific evidence for future environmental regulations, supporting sustainable air quality management strategies to minimize future energy crises’ health and ecological consequences.
PixMed-Enhancer: An Efficient Approach for Medical Image Augmentation
Authors: Rasool M. J. Aashik , Abdusalomov Akmalbek , Kutlimuratov Alpamis , Ahamed M. J. Akeel , Mirzakhalilov Sanjar , Shavkatovich Buribeov Abror , Jeon Heung Seok
Published: February 2025

AI-powered medical imaging faces persistent challenges, such as limited datasets, class imbalances, and high computational costs. To overcome these barriers, we introduce PixMed-Enhancer, a novel conditional GAN that integrates the ghost module into its encoder—a pioneering approach that achieves efficient feature extraction while significantly reducing the computational complexity without compromising the performance. Our method features a hybrid loss function, uniquely combining binary cross-entropy (BCE) and a Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), to ensure pixel-level precision while enhancing the perceptual realism. Additionally, the use of conditional input masks offers unparalleled control over the generation of tumor features, marking a breakthrough in fine-grained dataset augmentation for segmentation and diagnostic tasks. Rigorous testing on diverse datasets establishes PixMed-Enhancer as a state-of-the-art solution, excelling in its realism, structural fidelity, and computational efficiency. PixMed-Enhancer establishes a robust foundation for real-world clinical applications in AI-driven medical imaging.
Generic Patterns in HIV Transmission Dynamics: Insights from a Phenomenological Risk-Stratified Modeling Approach
Authors: Awad Susanne F. , Cuadros Diego F.
Published: February 2025

Background: Understanding the dynamics of HIV transmission in heterogeneous populations is crucial for effective prevention strategies. This study introduces the Risk Modulation Point (RMP), a novel threshold identifying where HIV transmission transitions from unsustainable spread to self-sustaining epidemic dynamics. Methods: Using a deterministic, risk-stratified compartmental model, we examined HIV transmission across populations stratified into 100–200 risk groups, each characterized by behavioral heterogeneity modeled through a power-law distribution. The model captures key features of HIV progression, with simulations conducted across high- (~20%), moderate- (~5%), and low (~0.2%)-prevalence regimes. Results: Our findings reveal universal patterns in HIV dynamics. The RMP marks a consistent threshold across scenarios, separating low-risk groups where transmission is minimal from higher-risk groups sustaining the epidemic. Logistic growth in HIV prevalence across risk groups, with sharp transitions near the RMP, was observed universally. The force of infection follows power-law scaling, directly reflecting the level and nature of risk behavior within each group. Importantly, the location of the RMP remains largely invariant to the underlying sexual risk distribution, population resolution, and mixing patterns, making it applicable across both generalized and concentrated epidemics. Conclusion: The RMP framework offers actionable public health insights. It identifies key populations and transition regions for targeted interventions such as antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis. By tracking shifts in the RMP, it also serves as an early warning indicator for epidemic transitions, guiding resource allocation and monitoring. The focus of the model on intrinsic epidemic dynamics, excluding external interventions, highlights its utility in uncovering fundamental transmission patterns. This study bridges theoretical modeling and practical application, providing a flexible framework for understanding HIV and other stratified epidemics. The findings advance HIV modeling by revealing generic patterns that transcend specific contexts, supporting data-driven public health strategies.
Desert Beetle-Inspired Hybrid Wettability Surfaces for Fog Collection Fabricated by 3D Printing and Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment
Authors: Lin Chia-Yi , Teng Ting-An , Chang Haw-Kai , Chen Po-Yu
Published: February 2025

Freshwater resources that humans can use directly account for 2.5 percent. Fog collection from the atmosphere is an eco-friendly and potential solution to the water shortage crisis. This study presents a biomimetic approach to fog collection inspired by the Namib Desert beetle and cacti. Using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing and atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) treatment, we fabricated hybrid wettability surfaces combining hydrophobic polypropylene (PP) and super hydrophilic polycarbonate (PC). These surfaces significantly improved fog collection efficiency, achieving 366.2 g/m2/h rates by leveraging the Laplace pressure gradient and hybrid wettability gradient. This work provides an efficient and effective methodology to fabricate hybrid wetting surfaces and can be potentially applied to fog harvesting and microfluidic devices.
Horizontal Bearing Characteristics of Large-Diameter Rock-Socketed Rigid Pile and Flexible Pile
Authors: Liu Lin , Xiao Li , Liu Yang , Zhao Mingrui , Jin Fan , Li Xiangyu , Tian Yu
Published: February 2025

In order to study the horizontal bearing characteristics of large-diameter rock-socketed rigid pile and flexible pile, two lateral loading tests in which the pile lengths are 5.2 m and 11.07 m were carried out. Unidirectional multi-cyclic loading was applied to the piles during the tests, with the maximum load reaching 3500 kN. The measured results are compared with the calculated results of Zhang’s method, m-method and the rigid pile method in the design codes. It is indicated that if the characteristic values of the horizontal bearing capacity of the large-diameter rock-socketed rigid pile and flexible pile are determined by the same horizontal displacement of the pile head, some risk will be brought to the design of the rigid pile. Compared with the rigid pile method, the m-method is more suitable for calculating the rotation angle of the pile head. In terms of the maximum bending moment of the large-diameter rock-socketed flexible pile under the critical load, the calculated result of Zhang’s method is less than the measured result, while the calculated result of the m-method is the largest. However, for the rigid pile, both Zhang’s method and m-method underestimate the maximum bending moment of the pile body. In summary, when a large-diameter rock-socketed pile is designed, reasonable calculation method and failure discrimination standard should be chosen according to the actual conditions.
Chemotherapy Options for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Review
Authors: Semenova Yuliya , Kerimkulov Altay , Uskenbayev Talgat , Zharlyganova Dinara , Shatkovskaya Oxana , Sarina Tomiris , Manatova Almira , Yessenbayeva Gulfairus , Adylkhanov Tasbolat
Published: February 2025

Cancers represent a significant global health burden, affecting millions of individuals each year [...]
Peroxymonosulfate Activation by Fe/C Composites for Paracetamol Degradation: Performance Evaluation and Mechanism Insight
Authors: Zhuo Yujun , Meng Hong , Zhang Yongqing , Chen Yu , Cui Jiaqi
Published: February 2025

Peroxymonosulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PMS-AOPs) relying on non-radical pathways offer advantages such as resistance to interference, efficient oxidant utilization, and selective degradation of pollutants. In this study, an Fe, N co-doped activator (Fe-N-C1.5) was synthesized using a simple mixed solvent pyrolysis method. The Fe-N-C1.5 exhibited excellent PMS activation activity. A total of 100% of paracetamol (PCT, 10 ppm) was degraded in the Fe-N-C1.5/PMS system in 7 min. Furthermore, this oxidation system maintained effective PCT removal even in the presence of background ions and in real water matrices. In addition, the leached Fe concentration after 60 min was only 0.084 mg/L, and 94% of PCT could still be removed during the fourth cyclic use of the catalyst. Quenching experiments, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and electrochemical analysis revealed that the Fe-N-C1.5/PMS/PCT system predominantly relies on non-radical pathways, including singlet oxygen (1O2) and catalyst-interface-mediated electron transfer process (ETP). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and KSCN toxicity experiment confirmed that the graphitic N, carbonyl (C=O), and Fe-Nx were the main PMS activation sites. This study provides an understanding of degradation mechanisms of the Fe-N-C1.5/PMS/PCT system and offers insights into the design of iron–carbon composite catalysts that carry out non-radical PMS activation.
Influence of Bottom Chloride-Induced Corrosion on Truck Collision Response and Damage of Coastal Reinforced Concrete Bridge Piers
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhou Yun
Published: February 2025

Coastal reinforced concrete (RC) bridge piers are often subjected to seawater splash and tidal action, leading to bottom corrosion of the steel reinforcement and thereby producing the corrosion–induced cracks of concrete. The increased risk of vehicle collisions to piers poses significant threats to bridge and traffic disruption, potentially causing severe pier damage or even bridge collapse. Many studies have investigated the dynamic responses of bridge piers to vehicle collisions, but no study of the effect of the corrosion degradation of piers on vehicle collision response and damage has been reported yet. This study numerically investigates the influence of bottom chloride-induced corrosion on the truck collision response and damage of coastal RC bridge piers by using LS-DYNA. The results reveal that localized damage occurs in the impact zone for both intact and corroded piers. For the corroded pier, punching shear failure becomes the dominant failure mode and the pier is more vulnerable to collapse at lower truck velocities. Corrosion degradation influences the dynamic response, increasing the lateral displacement of the pier while reducing the impact force, particularly during the engine and cargo impact stages of truck collisions. The impulses in 500 ms collision time show reductions of 1.1% and 4.3% for piers with 45-year and 90-year corrosion, respectively. Notably, the lateral displacement at the bottom corrosion zone shows no oscillations due to the punching shear failure.
Impact of Machining Parameters on Wire Arc Additively Manufactured Mild Steel Specimens of E6013 and E7018 Using an Electric Arc Heat Source
Authors: Muzamil Muhammad , Siddiqui Nabeel Ahmed , Kumar Kamal , Hussain Ghulam , Alkahtani Mohammed , Sattar Mohsin
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the machining parameters that affect the surface roughness of additively manufactured specimens employing wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) using electric arc welding as a heat source. The specimens were prepared using E6013 and E7018 filler rods for layered deposition on a mild steel base plate. For the machining operation, two variable parameters, cutting speed and depth of cut, were selected and coded as high (480 RPM, 0.5 mm depth) and low (310 RPM, 0.25 mm depth) while keeping the feed rate constant. The study employed a 2k factorial design of experiment (DOE) using Minitab software to assess the impact of parameters and their levels on the output response of surface roughness. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results show that cutting parameters like cutting speed and their interaction with the depth of cut significantly affect surface quality. The experimental data were also used to develop polynomial model response equations for predicting surface roughness. This study firmly demonstrates the critical role of machining parameters in enhancing the surface quality of low-cost additively manufactured components using an electric arc welding heat source.
Aberrant Expression of CYP2W1 in Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Clinical Significance and Potential as a Therapeutic Target
Authors: Molina-Ortiz Dora , Torres-Zárate Carmen , Cárdenas-Cardós Rocío , Hernández-Arrazola Daniel , Aguilar-Ortiz Marco R. , Palacios-Acosta José , Shalkow-Klincovstein Jaime , Dorado-González Víctor , Santes-Palacios Rebeca , Hernández-Urzúa Elizabeth , Vences-Mejía Araceli
Published: February 2025

Pediatric soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) are aggressive malignancies with poor prognoses, particularly in recurrent and metastatic cases. Standard therapies, such as cytotoxic chemotherapy, offer limited survival benefits and carry significant toxicities, underscoring the urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches. CYP2W1, a tumor-specific monooxygenase enzyme, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target due to its aberrant expression in various cancers. However, its role in pediatric STSs remains poorly understood. This study evaluated CYP2W1 expression in 42 pediatric STS samples across seven histological subtypes using qPCR and Western blot analyses. High CYP2W1 expression was detected in 69% of tumor samples at the mRNA level and in 40.5% at the protein level, compared to absent or negligible expression in matched normal tissues (p < 0.001). Synovial sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes exhibited the highest CYP2W1 protein expression, at 70% and 62.5%, respectively. Furthermore, CYP2W1 expression was significantly associated with higher histological grade, advanced tumor stage, and a trend toward reduced overall survival (p = 0.082). These findings indicate that CYP2W1 is aberrantly expressed in a subset of pediatric STSs, contributing to tumor aggressiveness and highlighting its potential as a novel therapeutic target for these challenging malignancies.
Determination of Dispersal Corridors Used by Large Mammals Between Close Habitats
Authors: Uzun Göktuğ , Evcin Özkan
Published: February 2025

In recent years, due to the expansion of cities, the transformation of agricultural areas, the forestry activities carried out solely for wood production, and the spread of transportation networks, natural habitats have become increasingly fragmented, and suitable habitats for wildlife are rapidly decreasing. As a result, natural areas are being divided, connections are being cut off, species’ living spaces are shrinking, and species and habitats are being isolated. This fragmentation significantly hinders the natural movements of large mammals (Ursus arctos, Sus scrofa, and Canis lupus), leading to reduced genetic diversity and threatening the long-term viability of their populations. This research, conducted in the Ballıdağ and Kurtgirmez regions of the Western Black Sea Region of Türkiye, aimed to determine the movement corridors of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and wolf (Canis lupus) in the area and to evaluate the habitat connections for these species. This study relied on data obtained through field studies and the previous literature. Ecological modeling was used with the Maximum Entropy Method (MaxEnt) to understand the relationships between these species and environmental variables, and the barriers posed by the latter. Ecological corridor maps were created to evaluate the effects of habitat fragmentation in the region and species’ potential to maintain critical connection points despite this fragmentation using Circuitscape software based on the Circuit Theory approach. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the AUC values were between 0.75 and 0.8; the most important variables in the models were road density, vegetation, and elevation; focal points and resistance surface areas were determined for three large mammal species; and important ecological corridors were defined between the Ballıdağ and Kurtgirmez regions. This study revealed that preserving habitat connections and reducing fragmentation is critical for the long-term existence of predator species and ecosystem health.
Comparative Study of AI Modes in Ultrasound Diagnosis of Breast Lesions
Authors: Hong Yu-Ting , Yu Zi-Han , Chou Chen-Pin
Published: February 2025

Objectives: This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the S-Detect ultrasound system’s three selectable AI modes—high-sensitivity (HSe), high-accuracy (HAc), and high-specificity (HSp)—for breast lesion diagnosis, comparing their performance in a clinical setting. Methods: This retrospective analysis evaluated 260 breast lesions from ultrasound images of 232 women (mean age: 50.2 years) using the S-Detect system. Each lesion was analyzed under the HSe, HAc, and HSp modes. The study employed ROC curve analysis to comprehensively compare the diagnostic performance of the AI modes against radiologist diagnoses. Subgroup analyses focused on the age (<45, 45–55, >55 years) and lesion size (<1 cm, 1–2 cm, >2 cm). Results: Among the 260 lesions, 73% were identified as benign and 27% as malignant. Radiologists achieved a sensitivity of 98.6%, specificity of 64.2%, and accuracy of 73.5%. The HSe mode exhibited the highest sensitivity at 95.7%. The HAc mode excelled with the highest accuracy (86.2%) and positive predictive value (71.3%), while the HSp mode had the highest specificity at 95.8%. In the age-based subgroup analyses, the HAc mode consistently showed the highest area under the curve (AUC) across all categories. The HSe mode achieved the highest AUC (0.726) for lesions smaller than 1 cm. In the case of lesions sized 1–2 cm and larger than 2 cm, the HAc mode showed the highest AUCs of 0.906 and 0.776, respectively. Conclusions: The S-Detect HSe mode matches radiologists’ performance. Alternative modes provide sensitivity and specificity adjustments. The patient age and lesion size influence the diagnostic performance across all S-Detect modes.
Consensus-Based Formation Control for Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Systems in Complex Environments
Authors: Chang Xiaofei , Yang Yiming , Zhang Zhuo , Jiao Jiayue , Cheng Haoyu , Fu Wenxing
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this paper is to develop formation control strategies for heterogeneous multi-intelligent-agent systems in complex environments, with the goal of enhancing their performance, reliability, and stability. Complex flight conditions, such as navigating narrow gaps in urban high-rise buildings, pose considerable challenges for agent control. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a consensus-based formation strategy that integrates graph theory and multi-consensus algorithms. This approach incorporates time-varying group consistency to strengthen fault tolerance and reduce interference while ensuring obstacle avoidance and formation maintenance in dynamic environments. Through a Lyapunov stability analysis, combined with minimum dwell time constraints and the LaSalle invariance principle, this work proves the convergence of the proposed control scheme under changing network topologies. Simulation results confirm that the proposed strategy significantly improves system performance, mission execution capability, autonomy, synergy, and robustness, thereby enabling agents to successfully maintain formation and avoid obstacles in both homogeneous and heterogeneous clusters in complex environments.