bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Forecasting Accuracy in Commodity and Financial Markets: Insights from GARCH and SVR Models
Authors: Ampountolas Apostolos
Published: June 2024

The aim of this study is to enhance the understanding of volatility dynamics in commodity returns, such as gold and cocoa, as well as the financial market index S&P500. It provides a comprehensive overview of each model’s efficacy in capturing volatility clustering, asymmetry, and long-term memory effects in asset returns. By employing models like sGARCH, eGARCH, gjrGARCH, and FIGARCH, the research offers a nuanced understanding of volatility evolution and its impact on asset returns. Using the Skewed Generalized Error Distribution (SGED) in model optimization shows how important it is to understand asymmetry and fat-tailedness in return distributions, which are common in financial data. Key findings include the sGARCH model being the preferred choice for Gold Futures due to its lower AIC value and favorable parameter estimates, indicating significant volatility clustering and a slight positive skewness in return distribution. For Cocoa Futures, the FIGARCH model demonstrates superior performance in capturing long memory effects, as evidenced by its higher log-likelihood value and lower AIC value. For the S&P500 Index, the eGARCH model stands out for its ability to capture asymmetry in volatility responses, showing superior performance in both log-likelihood and AIC values. Overall, identifying superior modeling approaches like the FIGARCH model for long memory effects can enhance risk management strategies by providing more accurate estimates of Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES). Additionally, the out-of-sample evaluation reveals that Support Vector Regression (SVR) outperforms traditional GARCH models for short-term forecasting horizons, indicating its potential as an alternative forecasting tool in financial markets. These findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate modeling techniques tailored to specific asset classes and forecasting horizons. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential of advanced techniques like SVR in enhancing forecasting accuracy, thus offering valuable implications for portfolio management and risk assessment in financial markets.
A Study of Delayed Competitive Influence Propagation Based on Shortest Path Calculation
Authors: Li Yang , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: June 2024

In social network applications, competitive influence propagation often exhibits a certain degree of time lag. In the scenario of positive and negative competitive propagation studied in this paper, under the premise that negative nodes are activated first, how to find a set of positive seed nodes to participate in competitive propagation is studied, aiming to minimize the spread of negative influence. In the current study, the time complexity of the improved algorithms based on greedy strategies is high, which limits their scope of application in practical scenarios; some heuristic algorithms achieve better scalability, but there is still much room for improvement. Therefore, this paper proposes a new method to solve the influence propagation problem of delayed competition, also known as a heuristic propagation factor evaluation algorithm (HeuPFE). The main process is as follows: (1) We build a shortest path snapshot for the nearest propagation region of negative nodes and reduce the search space of competing nodes. (2) Then, we construct a node propagation factor evaluation method based on this shortest negative-oriented node path snapshot to reduce computational complexity. Comparing results with those of traditional heuristic algorithms, we carry out experiments on real datasets and verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Research Progress of TiO2 Modification and Photodegradation of Organic Pollutants
Authors: Mao Tan , Zha Junyan , Hu Ying , Chen Qian , Zhang Jiaming , Luo Xueke
Published: June 2024

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysts, characterized by exceptional photocatalytic activity, high photoelectric conversion efficiency, and economic viability, have found widespread application in recent years for azo dye degradation. However, inherent constraints, such as the material’s limited visible light absorption stemming from its bandgap and the swift recombination of charge carriers, have impeded its broader application potential. Encouragingly, these barriers can be mitigated through the modification of TiO2. In this review, the common synthesis methods of TiO2 are reviewed, and the research progress of TiO2 modification technology at home and abroad is discussed in detail, including precious metal deposition, transition metal doping, rare earth metal doping, composite semiconductors, and composite polymers. These modification techniques effectively enhance the absorption capacity of TiO2 in the visible region and reduce the recombination rate of carriers and electrons, thus significantly improving its photocatalytic performance. Finally, this paper looks forward to the future development direction of TiO2 photocatalytic materials, including the exploration of new modified materials, in-depth mechanism research, and performance optimization in practical applications, to provide useful references for further research and application of TiO2 photocatalytic materials.
Prevalence of Risk Factors in Patients with Postprocedural Ischemic Lesions after Coiling of Very Small Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Lukic Snezana , Zornic Nenad , Jovanovic Nemanja , Rasulic Lukas , Kovacevic Vojin
Published: June 2024

Background: Very small intracranial aneurysms, generally considered to be those 3 mm in diameter or smaller, pose particular technical challenges for endovascular surgeons. For this reason, very small aneurysms have been excluded from many relevant studies. The aim of our research was to establish the risk factors for the occurrence of stroke complications after endovascular embolization of ruptured and unruptured small intracranial aneurysms. Methods: During the period of 2009–2023, our team performed endovascular embolizations of intracranial aneurysms in 1567 patients across four different centers within the territory of Serbia and Montenegro. Within the total number of patients mentioned, aneurysms of less than 4 mm were treated 185 times, with 119 ruptured and 66 unruptured. Results: In the group of 119 patients with ruptured small intracranial aneurysms, 19 (16%) patients had ischemia after the endovascular treatment, 6 (5%) patients had minor neurological deficits, while 13 (10.9%) patients had major neurological deficits, of which 6 (5%) patients died. In the group of 66 patients with unruptured small intracranial aneurysms, 7 (10.6%) patients had ischemia after the endovascular treatment, 5 (7.6%) patients had minor neurological deficits, and 2 (3.03%) had major neurological deficits. Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that the risk factors for the occurrence of ischemia were the patient’s age, smoking and alcohol consumption. The type of endovascular treatment used also had a statistically significant effect on the development of ischemia. Conclusions: Understanding the influence of possible risk factors for the occurrence of ischemic insult after embolization of small intracranial aneurysms is of great importance. By recognizing them, periprocedural complications can be reduced to a minimum.
Splenomegaly and Response to Splenectomy in Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Rabinovich Emma , Pradhan Kith , Islam Iffath , Davido Helen Tracy , Gali Radhika , Muscarella Peter , Billett Henny H.
Published: June 2024

Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disorder affecting patients of all ages and backgrounds. While current standards favor medical therapy in the frontline setting, splenectomy remains an integral part of treatment in refractory cases. Ideal parameters for patient selection for surgery remain elusive. Methods: Data for 40 adult patients undergoing splenectomy for ITP at a large urban center between 1 January 2010 and 1 July 2021 were collected and analyzed. Results: Most patients underwent uneventful laparoscopic splenectomy (95%). Complete or partial response at the time of last follow-up occurred in most patients (92.5%), with 60.0% requiring no additional medical therapy following surgery. Thrombosis was the predominant adverse event and the leading cause of death for two patients. Age and presence of splenomegaly appear to be associated with response to splenectomy. Conclusions: Splenectomy remains an effective therapy for selected patients with ITP. Predictors of positive response to splenectomy, such as younger age and the presence of splenomegaly, may help inform clinicians during patient selection for therapy. With strict attention paid to postoperative thromboprophylaxis, the diminishing use of splenectomy may not be warranted.
Basic Susceptibility of Patients with Psoriasis under Systemic Therapy for Respiratory Infections: Data from the German Psoriasis Registry PsoBest
Authors: Stephan Brigitte , Rustenbach Stephan Jeff , Ben-Anaya Nesrine , Augustin Matthias , Boehncke Wolf-Henning , Hertl Michael , Mrowietz Ulrich , Staubach-Renz Petra , Thaçi Diamant , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Sorbe Christina
Published: June 2024

Background: Patients with psoriasis under systemic treatments are in focus regarding their susceptibility to respiratory infections. To analyse real-world data for respiratory infections in patients with psoriasis under systemic treatments. Methods: We analysed data of the prospective, non-interventional German Psoriasis Registry PsoBest and compared rates for respiratory infections of 13,823 patients on systemic treatments for psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis in different therapy cohorts before the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In total, 1415 respiratory infections were observed in 970 patients. Significant differences were observed between biologics and non-biologics, but not within these groups. The highest event rates (events/100 patient years) were identified for TNF-α inhibitors, 8.1, (CI 7.4–8.9), followed by 7.0 for IL-17 inhibitors (6.2–7.9), 5.7 for IL-12/23 and IL-23 inhibitors (5.1–6.5), 4.8 for methotrexate (4.3–5.4), 3.7 for small molecules (3.3–4.2), and 2.7 for retinoids (1.2–5.1). Conclusions: Overall, the susceptibility for respiratory infections in patients under systemic therapy for psoriasis is low compared to published study data and is sufficient as comparative data for COVID-19 studies.
Clinical Outcomes of Aspirin and Clopidogrel among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease: Insights from a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alhawiti Naif M. , Ismaeil Taha T. , Fouda Sherouk , Alotaibi Badi A. , El-Metwally Ashraf , Barhoumi Tlili , Alotaibi Tareq F.
Published: June 2024

(1) Background: Aspirin and clopidogrel have been found helpful in improving clinical outcomes among patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). However, the evidence on the efficacy of aspirin and/or clopidogrel on clinical outcomes has not been synthesized and summarized in the prior reviews. Hence, we undertook a meta-analysis of the research studies examining the effect of aspirin and/or clopidogrel on varying clinical outcomes among COPD patients; (2) Methods: Using key search terms, we searched databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and EMBASE to find observational studies and RCTs. Our search was limited to research written in English. We used a random effect model to calculate the 95% confidence intervals and pooled hazard ratio; (3) Results: We included 12 eligible research studies (33,8008 patients) in the current meta-analysis. Among COPD patients, the hazard of all-cause mortality among users of aspirin or clopidogrel was 17% lower (HR: 0.83; 95% CIs (0.70, 0.97; I2 = 73%, X2: 33.34) compared to non-users of anticoagulants (aspirin or clopidogrel). The hazard of dyspnea among users of aspirin or clopidogrel was 3% lower (HR: 0.97; 95% CIs (0.27, 3.49; I2 = 93%, X2: 42.15) compared to non-users of anticoagulants (aspirin or clopidogrel). There was no statistically significant effect of aspirin on other clinical outcomes such as myocardial infarction (HR: 2.04; 95% CIs (0.02, 257.33) and major bleeding (HR: 1.93; 95% CIs (0.07, 1002.33). The funnel plot and Egger’s regression test did not show any evidence of publication bias; (4) Conclusions: Overall, we found a positive and beneficial effect of aspirin and/or clopidogrel in reducing all-cause mortality among COPD patients. However, there is uncertainty of evidence for other clinical outcomes such as exacerbation of dyspnea, myocardial infarction, and major bleeding. A limited number of studies examining other clinical outcomes warrant conducting more robust epidemiological studies to assess the efficacy and safety of aspirin and clopidogrel on other clinical outcomes among COPD patients.
Safety and Efficacy of Photocatalytic Micro-Mist Desktop Humidifier for Dry Eye Caused by Digital Environment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Arita Reiko , Fukuoka Shima
Published: June 2024

Background/Objectives: Modern life is inconceivable without visual display terminal (VDT) work, including smartphones, computers, and games for both children and adults. VDT work under air conditioning and low humidity poses a high risk of dry eye and digital eye strain. Methods: Thirty-one participants were randomly divided into two groups using a desktop humidifier with photocatalytic technology, namely the “with mist” (humidifier) group and “without mist” (control) group. Participants performed VDT tasks using the humidifier with or without mist for 1 h. Ocular subjective symptoms and objective tear film parameters were assessed before, immediately after, and 1.5 h after the VDT task with or without mist. (Registry ID: UMIN000054379) Results: Ocular symptom scores improved significantly in the humidifier group immediately after the VDT task and up to 1.5 h later compared to before the task (p < 0.001, =0.006, respectively). Immediately after the VDT task, tear meniscus height was significantly higher and non-invasive breakup time was significantly longer in the humidifier group than in the control group (p < 0.001, =0.040, respectively). Plugging of the meibomian gland orifices was significantly reduced only in the humidifier group immediately after the VDT task compared to before the VDT task and remained significantly reduced up to 1.5 h later (p = 0.004, 0.016, respectively). Conclusions: The use of the photocatalytic desktop humidifier during VDT task resulted in significant improvements in the tear film parameters and subjective symptoms. The photocatalytic desktop humidifier could be effective in alleviating dry eye and eye strain in computer users in a modern office environment.
Upper Airway Alarmin Cytokine Expression in Asthma of Different Severities
Authors: Marriott Hazel , Duchesne Marc , Moitra Subhabrata , Okoye Isobel , Gerla Luke , Mayers Irvin , Moolji Jalal , Adatia Adil , Lacy Paige
Published: June 2024

Background: The secretion of alarmin cytokines by epithelial cells, including thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-25, and IL-33, initiates inflammatory cascades in asthma. However, alarmin cytokine expression in the upper airways in asthma remains largely unknown. Methods: We recruited 40 participants with asthma into four groups as per the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) steps (10 in each group of GINA 1/2, 3, 4, and 5). Cells were derived from nasal, buccal, and throat brushings. Intracellular cytokine expression (TSLP, IL-25, and IL-33) was assessed by flow cytometry in cytokeratin 8+ (Ck8+) epithelial cells immediately following collection. Results: TSLP was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in GINA 5 patients across nasal, buccal, and throat Ck8+ epithelial cells, while IL-25 was elevated in nasal and throat samples (p < 0.003), and IL-33 levels were variable, compared with GINA 1–4 patients. Individual GINA subgroup comparison showed that TSLP levels in nasal samples from GINA 5 patients were significantly (p = 0.03) elevated but did not differ between patients with and without nasal comorbidities. IL-25 and IL-33 (obtained from nasal, buccal, and throat samples) were not significantly different in individual groups. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates for the first time that Ck8+ nasal epithelial cells from GINA 5 asthma patients express elevated levels of TSLP.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Diagnosis of Gastric Mesenchymal Tumors Using Digital Endosonography Image Analysis
Authors: Joo Dong Chan , Kim Gwang Ha , Lee Moon Won , Lee Bong Eun , Kim Ji Woo , Kim Kwang Baek
Published: June 2024

Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) diagnostic tools have shown excellent performance in diagnosing gastric mesenchymal tumors. This study aimed to assess whether incorporating clinical and endoscopic factors into AI-assisted EUS classification models based on digital image analysis could improve the diagnostic performance of AI-assisted EUS diagnostic tools. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 464 patients who underwent both EUS and surgical resection of gastric mesenchymal tumors, including 294 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), 52 leiomyomas, and 41 schwannomas. AI-assisted classification models for GISTs and non-GIST tumors were developed utilizing clinical and endoscopic factors and digital EUS image analysis. Results: Regarding the baseline EUS classification models, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) values of the logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and support vector machine (SVM) models were 0.805, 0.673, 0.781, 0.740, and 0.791, respectively. Using the new classification models incorporating clinical and endoscopic factors into the baseline classification models, the AUC values of the logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, KNN, and SVM models increased to 0.853, 0.715, 0.896, 0.825, and 0.794, respectively. In particular, the random forest and KNN models exhibited significant improvement in performance in Delong’s test (both p < 0.001). Conclusion: The diagnostic performance of the AI-assisted EUS classification models improved when clinical and endoscopic factors were incorporated. Our results provided direction for developing new AI-assisted EUS models for gastric mesenchymal tumors.
Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor for Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Women with a Short Cervix after Ultrasound-Indicated Cerclage
Authors: Lee Kyong-No , Kim Youngmi , Bae Yeo Kyeong , Hwang Jisong , Seo Yejin , Lee Keun-Young , Lee Jae Jun , Son Ga-Hyun
Published: June 2024

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is a significant challenge in contemporary obstetrics, affecting over one in ten infants worldwide and accounting for 75% of perinatal mortality. Short cervical length during mid-trimester is well known to be associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). Ultrasound-indicated cerclage (UIC) is recommended to prevent sPTB in women with a short cervix at mid-trimester and a history of sPTB. Objectives: This retrospective observational study aimed to examine the impact of diabetes and obesity on the occurrence of sPTB in women who underwent UIC due to mid-trimester cervical shortening. Methods/Results: The analysis revealed that cervical length at the time of operation, preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels, and diabetes were independent risk factors for sPTB. Additionally, the presence of diabetes, particularly when combined with obesity, significantly elevated the risk of sPTB. Women with pregestational diabetes or those requiring insulin treatment had a higher propensity for preterm delivery compared to those with gestational diabetes managed through diet control alone. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of considering maternal metabolic factors, such as diabetes and obesity, in women with a short cervix when planning for UIC and highlight the crucial role of optimizing maternal glucose control and weight management in reducing the risk of sPTB.
The Dynamics of Cardiovascular Risk—An Analysis of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) Poland Cohort Study
Authors: Lubieniecki Paweł , Lewandowski Łukasz , Wołyniec Maria , Połtyn-Zaradna Katarzyna , Zatońska Katarzyna , Szuba Andrzej
Published: June 2024

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the major cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors and their trends in the study population. Methods: The results of subjects in the Polish Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological Study (PURE) study group were interpreted. CVR was calculated for each participant according to the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE2) scale or the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation–Older Persons (SCORE2–OP) scale. Data from the beginning of the analysis (2013) and nine years later (2022) were included. In addition, the use of lipid–lowering therapy (LLT) and meeting the low–density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL–c) target criterion at the beginning and end of the study were analyzed. Results: Patients in the high and very high CVR groups who had abnormal LDL–c results accounted for 64% and 91% of their group in 2013 and 70% and 92% in 2022, respectively. Conclusions: Regardless of age, patients using LLT at the start of the analysis had a greater increase in future CVR, especially if they had lipid abnormalities at the start of the study. This may be due to reverse causality and multimorbidity in these patients, highlighting the importance of appropriate treatment of lipid abnormalities.
Impact of Tafamidis on Delaying Clinical, Functional, and Structural Cardiac Changes in Patients with Wild-Type Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Palmiero Giuseppe , Monda Emanuele , Verrillo Federica , Dongiglio Francesca , Cirillo Chiara , Caiazza Martina , Rubino Marta , Cirillo Annapaola , Fusco Adelaide , Diana Gaetano , Ciccarelli Giovanni , Dellegrottaglie Santo , Calabrò Paolo , Golino Paolo , Limongelli Giuseppe
Published: June 2024

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of treatment with tafamidis on clinical, laboratory, functional, and structural cardiovascular imaging parameters at the 12-month follow-up timepoint in patients with wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTRwt-CM) and to assess the response to treatment in terms of disease progression. Methods: Patients with ATTRwt-CM undergoing treatment with tafamidis for >12 months were included. The patients underwent a comprehensive evaluation (including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, six-minute walking test, assessment of quality of life, and laboratory tests) at baseline and the 12-month follow-up timepoint. Disease progression was assessed using a set of tools proposed by an international panel of experts, evaluating three main domains (clinical, biochemical, and structural). Results: The study cohort consisted of 25 patients (mean age of 75.9 ± 6.1 years, with 92% males). At the 12-month follow-up timepoint, an improvement in quality of life calculated with the KCCQ overall score (64 ± 20 vs. 75 ± 20, p = 0.002) and a reduction in pulmonary artery pressure (34 ± 10 mmHg vs. 30 ± 5 mmHg, p-value = 0.008) and in native T1 time were observed (1162 ± 66 ms vs. 1116 ± 52 ms, p-value = 0.001). Clinical, biochemical, and structural disease progression was observed in 6 (24%), 13 (52%), and 7 (28%) patients, respectively. Overall disease progression was observed in two patients (8%). Conclusions: This study described the impact of tafamidis treatment on clinical, laboratory, and functional parameters. Disease progression, assessed using a multiparametric tool recommended by a recent position paper of experts, was observed in a minority of patients.
Assessment of Adhesion in Woven Fabric-Reinforced Laminates (FRLs) Using Novel Yarn Pullout in Laminate Test
Authors: Adekunle Feyi , Li Ang , Vallabh Rahul , Seyam Abdel-Fattah M.
Published: June 2024

Fiber-reinforced laminates with flexibility (FRLs) are becoming increasingly crucial across diverse sectors due to their adaptability and outstanding mechanical attributes. Their ability to deliver high performance relative to their weight makes them indispensable in lighter-than-air (LTA) applications, such as aerostats, inflatable antennas, surge bladders, gas storage balloons, life rafts, and other related uses. This research delved into employing woven fabrics as the reinforcement material and explored how their specific parameters, like fiber type, fabric count (warp thread density × weft thread density), fabric areal density, and fabric cover influence the bonding and mechanical properties of laminates. A thorough analysis encompassing standard T-peel (ASTM standard D1876) and a newly proposed yarn pullout in laminate test were conducted on laminates fabricated with various woven reinforcements, each with its unique specifications. The T-peel test was utilized to gauge the adhesive strength between FRL components, offering crucial insights into interfacial bonding within the laminates. Nevertheless, challenges exist with the T-peel test, including instances where the adherents lack the strength to withstand rupture, resulting in unsuccessful peel propagation and numerous outliers that necessitate costly additional trials. Thus, our research group introduced a novel yarn pullout in laminate test to accurately assess adhesion in FRLs. This study uncovered correlations between both adhesion tests (T-peel and yarn pullout in laminate), indicating that the innovative yarn pullout in laminate test could effectively substitute for characterizing adhesion in FRLs. Furthermore, the findings unveiled a complex relationship between woven fabric specifications and laminate properties. We noted that variations in fiber type, yarn linear density, and adhesive type significantly impacted adhesion strength. For instance, Kevlar exhibited markedly superior adhesion compared to Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) when paired with Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) adhesive, whereas UHMWPE demonstrated better adhesion with Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA). Moreover, the adhesion quality lessened as fabric count increased for the same adhesive quantity. These discoveries carry practical implications for material selection and design across industries, from automotive to aerospace, offering avenues to enhance FRL performance.
Optimizing Filament-Based TCP Scaffold Design for Osteoconduction and Bone Augmentation: Insights from In Vivo Rabbit Models
Authors: Guerrero Julien , Maevskaia Ekaterina , Ghayor Chafik , Bhattacharya Indranil , Weber Franz E.
Published: June 2024

Additive manufacturing has emerged as a transformative tool in biomedical engineering, offering precise control over scaffold design for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. While much attention has been focused on optimizing pore-based scaffold architectures, filament-based microarchitectures remain relatively understudied, despite the fact that the majority of 3D-printers generate filament-based structures. Here, we investigated the influence of filament characteristics on bone regeneration outcomes using a lithography-based additive manufacturing approach. Three distinct filament-based scaffolds (Fil050, Fil083, and Fil125) identical in macroporosity and transparency, crafted from tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) with varying filament thicknesses and distance, were evaluated in a rabbit model of bone augmentation and non-critical calvarial defect. Additionally, two scaffold types differing in filament directionality (Fil and FilG) were compared to elucidate optimal design parameters. Distance of bone ingrowth and percentage of regenerated area within scaffolds were measured by histomorphometric analysis. Our findings reveal filaments of 0.50 mm as the most effective filament-based scaffold, demonstrating superior bone ingrowth and bony regenerated area compared to larger size filament (i.e., 0.83 mm and 1.25 mm scaffolds). Optimized directionality of filaments can overcome the reduced performance of larger filaments. This study advances our understanding of microarchitecture’s role in bone tissue engineering and holds significant implications for clinical practice, paving the way for the development of highly tailored, patient-specific bone substitutes with enhanced efficacy.
The Proteome Profile of Halimeda macroloba under Elevated Temperature: A Case Study from Thailand
Authors: Chintakovid Nutwadee , Phaonakrop Narumon , Surachat Komwit , Phetcharat Sinjai , Wutiruk Tarawit , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Mayakun Jaruwan
Published: June 2024

An elevated sea temperature is considered a key abiotic stressor causing thermal stress to intertidal macroalgae and influencing their populations. Halimeda macroloba is an important CaCO3 producer that contributes to the carbonate budget in marine ecosystems. The population decline of this intertidal algal species could lead to considerable declines in both regional and global carbonate production. However, the impact of increasing temperature on the molecular mechanisms and protein profile of calcified H. macroloba is unclear and remains to be explored. In this study, H. macroloba was exposed to 30 °C and 35 °C for 7 days. The whole protein was then extracted using 0.5% SDS and digested using trypsin before an analysis using LC-MS. The protein profile of H. macroloba was characterized using the MaxQuant program aligned with the UniProt database. A total of 407 proteins were identified, and 12 proteins were found to be significantly upregulated or downregulated in response to the elevated temperature. Cell division protein, protein kinase domain-containing protein, phospholipid transport protein, and small ribosomal subunit protein were the significant proteins identified in our dataset. The proteins associated with cell division, cellular metabolic processes, localization, oxidoreductase activity, and biosynthetic process pathways were overexpressed with a more than 2-fold change at a high temperature. An interaction map generated using STITCH revealed that the significant protein change altered the other proteins related to abiotic stress, producing energy and inducing calcification. This information could be useful in understanding how H. macroloba responds to an elevated sea temperature.
Enhancing the Stability of Small Rescue Boats: A Study on the Necessity and Impact of Hydraulic Interconnected Suspensions
Authors: Mu Xiaochun , Du Hongwang , Wang Wenchao , Xiong Wei
Published: June 2024

Aiming to solve the problem that existing small rescue boats cannot realize the effective and stable rescue of human lives under high sea turbulence conditions, this paper proposes a parallel decoupled hydraulic interconnected suspension system for actual sea state. The system dynamics model is established, and its damping characteristics are analyzed by joint simulation. The results show that compared with the truss-type rescue ship, the suspension system can improve the transverse rocking resistance by 81.5% and the longitudinal rocking resistance by 25.0%, and the system has excellent transverse rocking resistance.
Feasibility of the Northern Sea Route: Impact of Sea Ice Thickness Uncertainty on Navigation
Authors: Li Tongtong , Wang Yangjun , Li Yan , Wang Bin , Liu Quanhong , Chen Xi
Published: June 2024

With the accelerated melting of the Arctic sea ice, the opening of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) of the Arctic is becoming increasingly accessible. The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of uncertainty in sea ice thickness (SIT) data on the opening of the NSR and to quantify the extent of this impact, which is essential to the regularized operation of polar shipping. A quantitative assessment framework was proposed to examine the influence of SIT data uncertainty on navigational uncertainty through three aspects: the navigational spatiotemporal windows, the distribution of safe sailing speeds, and the uncertainty in optimal route planning by employing four distinct SIT datasets. Furthermore, the sensitivity of navigational spatiotemporal windows, the distribution of safe sailing speeds, and route planning to variations in SIT were also evaluated. Results show that experiment results based on CS2SMOS exhibit a more aggressive profile, while results based on CPOM are more conservative. The difference in SIT data has a significant impact on the proportion of operations subject to special consideration areas, such as safety speed, sailing time, and distance in NEP. A 0.1 m discrepancy in sea ice thickness data results in an approximate 0.067 change in the proportion of operations within special consideration areas. This discrepancy also leads to an approximate speed change of 0.89 knots, a navigation duration change of approximately 4 days, and a distance change of 152 km within specified limits.
Investigation of Valve Seat Cone Angle on Small Opening Direct-Acting Relief Valve Cavitation Noise
Authors: Qiu Tiechao , Yang Liu , Zhang Jiannan , Wang Zhanqi , Song Yanhe , Ai Chao
Published: June 2024

Direct-acting relief valves are important pressure-control components in hydraulic systems; however, noise problems are now common. This study aimed to reduce and numerically analyze the valve cavitation and noise using the Zwart–Gerber–Belamri (ZBG) model with the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (FW–H) model to optimize the design based on the sound field perspective. First, a direct-acting relief valve flow field model was established to determine the relationship between the seat structure and the degree of cavitation through a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation. Second, sound field analysis was conducted based on the cavitation and non-cavitation flow fields, respectively, and the resulting noise levels were compared. Finally, prototypes of the relief valve were manufactured, and noise levels between the original and optimized valves were compared. The results revealed that cavitation within the relief valve generated noise while optimizing the valve seat cone angle suppressed this phenomenon, thereby reducing the noise emitted by the optimized valve by 18.2 dB compared to the original valve. These findings can serve as a guide for designing and optimizing direct-acting relief valves.
Nonlinear Dynamics of a General Stochastic SIR Model with Behavioral and Physical Changes: Analysis and Application to Zoonotic Tuberculosis
Authors: Sabbar Yassine , Izadi Mohammad , Raezah Aeshah A. , Adel Waleed
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive nonlinear analysis of an innovative stochastic epidemic model that accounts for both behavioral changes and physical discontinuities. Our research begins with the formulation of a perturbed model, integrating two general incidence functions and incorporating a Lévy measure to account for independent jump components. We start by confirming the well-posed nature of the model, ensuring its mathematical soundness and feasibility for further analysis. Following this, we establish a global threshold criterion that serves to distinguish between the eradication and the persistence of an epidemic. This threshold is crucial for understanding the long-term behavior of a disease within a population. To rigorously validate the accuracy of this threshold, we conducted extensive numerical simulations using estimated data on Zoonotic Tuberculosis in Morocco. These simulations provide practical insights and reinforce the theoretical findings of our study. A notable aspect of our approach is its significant advancement over previous works in the literature. Our model not only offers a more comprehensive framework but also identifies optimal conditions under which an epidemic can be controlled or eradicated.
Exploring Sustainability and Efficiency of Production Models in the Spanish Beef Cattle Industry through External Logistic Biplot
Authors: Anciones-Polo María , Rodríguez-Rosa Miguel , Queiruga-Dios Araceli , Vicente-Galindo Purificación
Published: June 2024

Livestock farming, especially the beef cattle sector, plays a crucial role in the economy and social and environmental balance and occupies a prominent position in Spain. The aim of this study is to highlight the positive impact of this sector in socioeconomic, food, natural heritage conservation, and environmental management aspects in order to obtain an accurate profile of the national panorama and to propose sample subgroups. For this purpose, 252 beef cattle farms in Spain were examined in detail, and the external logistic biplot (ELB) was used with a multivariate approach and from an algebraic and computational perspective. By addressing aspects such as infrastructure, feeding strategies, waste management, biodiversity, productivity, and sustainability, similarities and differences between cattle farms have been obtained, providing an analytical tool for the livestock sector and generating key knowledge on its functioning and contributions to society and the environment. The analysis revealed accuracy in the zootechnical classification of livestock farms, their feeding strategies, and genetics. Finally, significant regional differences in prevailing livestock practices were identified.
Understanding Miscarriage Prevalence and Risk Factors: Insights from Women in Jordan
Authors: Al-Alami Zina , Abu-Huwaij Rana , Hamadneh Shereen , Taybeh Esra’
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Miscarriage is a complication that is influenced by many risk factors that have been reported in different studies and that vary among countries. Despite the influence of various known risk factors for miscarriage, 30% to 50% of miscarriages are from unidentified causes. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of miscarriages in Jordan and the associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Jordan among married women to investigate the prevalence of miscarriages and identify potential risk factors. Results: Women (n = 704) were surveyed, and 17.9% reported a history of miscarriage. The identified risk factors were being an active smoker during pregnancy, having more than four children, having a family history of miscarriage, having fertility problems, receiving medical assistance for conception, and traveling by air during pregnancy. Conclusions: The results suggest that there are both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for miscarriages in Jordan and that a proportion of these may be preventable. The findings can be used to enhance patient awareness and inform policy development to decrease the incidence of miscarriage in the country.
Comparison of Ten Surrogate Insulin Resistance and Obesity Markers to Identify Metabolic Syndrome in Mexican Adults
Authors: Contreras-Hernández Iván Filiberto , Vargas-De-León Cruz , García-Cortes Luis Rey , Flores-Miranda Adriana , Romero-Nava Rodrigo , Ocharán-Hernández María Esther
Published: June 2024

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of clinical traits directly linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, whose prevalence has been rising nationally and internationally. We aimed to evaluate ten known and novel surrogate markers of insulin resistance and obesity to identify MetS in Mexican adults. The present cross-sectional study analyzed 10575 participants from ENSANUT-2018. The diagnosis of MetS was based on the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, stratified by sex and age group. According to ATP III, the best biomarker was the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) in men aged 20–39 and 40–59 years and lipid accumulation product (LAP) in those aged ≥60 years. The best biomarker was LAP in women aged 20–39 and triglyceride–glucose index (TyG) in those aged 40–59 and ≥60 years. Using the IDF criteria, the best biomarker was LAP in men of all ages. TyG gave the best results in women of all ages. The best biomarker for diagnosis of MetS in Mexican adults depends on the criteria, including sex and age group. LAP and TyG are easy to obtain, inexpensive, and especially useful at the primary care level.
New Understanding of the Early Cambrian Uplift–Depression Framework and the Large-Scale Source–Reservoir Distribution along the Margin of the Awati Sag in Tarim Basin, NW China
Authors: Zhu Yongjin , Zheng Jianfeng , Chu Chunbo , Lyu Qiqi , Tian Haonan , Kang Tingting , Zhang Tianfu , Huang Lili
Published: June 2024

The uplift–depression framework controls the source–reservoir assemblage. However, the exploration breakthrough is restricted by an insufficient understanding of the uplift–depression differentiation framework in the Early Cambrian Keping–Wensu area. In this paper, based on field outcrops evaluations, thin section analysis, logging data, drilling data, and 3D seismic data, Wensu low paleo-uplift was discovered in the northern Tarim Basin, and the planar distribution was demonstrated in detail, generally shown as a SW–NE trending nose structure, extending roughly 114 km in length to the southwest, about 35 km in width to the northeast, and with the overall characteristic of being high in the west and low in the east. During the Early Cambrian, the Tabei paleo-uplift evolved into the Wensu low paleo-uplift and largely died out by the Middle Cambrian, with the development of ramps and rimmed carbonate platforms. The tectonic-sedimentary evolution of the uplift–depression framework controlled the development of a set of main source rocks and two sets of large-scale effective reservoir rocks in the Lower Cambrian, constituting two sets of effective hydrocarbon accumulation in the upper and lower stratigraphic parts of the basin. Among them, the upper assemblage holds more potential for hydrocarbon exploration, and is expected to be a next strategic target area for hydrocarbon exploration of Cambrian subsalt in the Keping–Wensu area.
Assessing an Abandoned Pyrite Cinder Deposit in Southeast Spain with Electrical Resistivity Tomography: A Case Study
Authors: Vásconez-Maza Marco D. , Martínez-Segura Marcos A. , Martínez-Pagán Pedro , Bueso María C. , Capa-Camacho Ximena , Jabrane Oussama , Faz Ángel
Published: June 2024

Industrial activities have historically generated significant quantities of by-products, including pyrite cinders, a residue produced during the synthesis of sulphuric acid. This study presents a multidisciplinary approach to characterise an abandoned pyrite cinder deposit. Combining geophysical (electrical resistivity tomography—ERT), geochemical, and statistical methods, we assess the physicochemical properties of the deposit and its environmental implications. Our findings reveal the presence of heavy metals, with lead (7017.5 mg.kg−1) being the most concentrated element on the surface of the deposit, exceeding local legal thresholds by more than 163 times, posing environmental risks and inhibiting vegetation growth. Subsurface characterisation indicates a decreasing concentration trend of metals with depth, alongside variations in pH and electrical conductivity. Clustering analysis identifies groups of similar behaviours between resistivity, the most abundant heavy metals, and other variables, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay within the deposit. Our study underscores the importance of integrated approaches in assessing and managing hazardous waste sites, with implications for environmental remediation strategies.
Identification of Rock Fragments after Blasting by Using Deep Learning-Based Segment Anything Model
Authors: Zhao Junjie , Li Diyuan , Yu Yisong
Published: June 2024

Rock fragmentation is an important evaluation indicator for field blasting operations. This paper applies a deep learning-based method, the Segment Anything Model (SAM), to automatically segment rock fragments. To review the SAM’s segmentation performance, 83 images of rock fragment collected from the mine site were used as the test dataset. Pixel-level accuracy (PA), intersection over union (IOU), and dice coefficient (Dice) were employed to evaluate the model pixel-level segmentation performance. The results showed that the SAM exhibited excellent segmentation performance on the test data (PA = 94.5%, IOU = 94.4%, Dice = 95.4%). The coefficient of determination (R2) values for the 50% and 80% passing sizes (X50 and X80) were 0.970 and 0.991, respectively, which demonstrated that the SAM could achieve high precision measurement of rock fragmentation. Additionally, the effectiveness of the SAM was further evaluated by comparing it to commercial software, and the generalizability of the SAM was verified on two other datasets. The findings revealed that the SAM not only outperformed the Split-Desktop V 4.0 on the test dataset but also achieved comparable accuracy to previous studies on the two other datasets. The SAM could be regarded as a useful tool to provide fast and accurate feedback for field blasting.
Characteristics and Metallogenic Significance of Fe-Mn Carbonate Minerals in the Erdaokan Ag Deposit, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China: Constraints from Sm-Nd Geochronology and Trace Elements
Authors: Yang Yuanjiang , Li Chenglu , Wang Zeyu , Gu Huajuan , Yang Wenpeng , Yuan Maowen , Fu Anzong , Zheng Bo , Cheng Zhaoxun , Liu Baoshan
Published: June 2024

Fe-Mn carbonate is the dominant mineral in the Erdaokan Ag deposit, which represents the first large independent silver deposit during the Late Triassic Period in the Duobaoshan Cu-Mo-Au mineralization concentrated area of Heilongjiang Province, NE China. The Fe-Mn carbonates in the deposit frequently co-exist with Ag minerals. Thus, the presence of Fe-Mn carbonates plays a crucial role in the ore-formation process, making their analysis essential for obtaining valuable metallogenic information about the Erdaokan deposit. Through microexamination, SEM and EDS analysis, a clear relationship between Fe-Mn carbonate minerals and Ag minerals was established. Furthermore, electron probe microanalysis, LA-ICP-MS, and Sr-Nd isotope tests were conducted to analyze Fe-Mn carbonates for significant metallogenic insights. The distribution pattern of trace elements and rare-earth elements in Fe-Mn carbonates is similar, characterized by Zr depletion (below 0.131 ppm), enrichment of light rare-earth elements, a noticeable deficit of Eu (δEu = 0.06–0.63), and an average Y/Ho value of 34.29, indicating the involvement of upper mantle-derived deep magma in the formation of ore-forming materials. The samples had a Sm-Nd isochron age of 233.7 ± 1.2 Ma, suggesting that the Erdaokan Ag deposit was formed during the Late Triassic Period. This study highlights the significance of Fe-Mn carbonate as a valuable mineral indicator for regional silver prospecting purposes, and confirms the Late Triassic Period as another important metallogenic stage in the Duobaoshan Cu-Mo-Au mineralization concentrated area.
The Memorial Chapel (Formerly Holy Trinity Church) in the Tempio Evangelico Valdese (Florence): Surveys and Characterization of Decorative Plasters for a Conservative Recovery
Authors: Calandra Sara , Pecchioni Elena , Briani Francesca , Di Benedetto Maria , Garzonio Carlo Alberto , Pica Eleonora , Salvatici Teresa , Centauro Irene , Santo Alba Patrizia
Published: June 2024

This study focuses on the Memorial Chapel, a historical site located inside the Tempio Evangelico Valdese in Florence. In 1843, the first Anglican church in Florence, known as Holy Trinity Church, was built by D. Giraldi. Around 1892, G. F. Bodley began the reconstruction of a new building of neo-Gothic style at the same site, which was completed in 1904. This new church had a space dedicated to memory called Memorial Chapel. In 1967, the monumental complex was acquired by the Waldensians, now known as the Tempio Evangelico Valdese. This interdisciplinary investigation aimed to study the most damaged painted walls of the chapel. For this purpose, samples of decorative plaster mortars were collected from various points, after carrying out a digital mapping of the degraded areas. Mineralogical, petrographic, optical, chemical, and microchemical analyses were performed. This study made it possible to highlight the composition and the characteristics of the different layers of the plaster mortars, permitting us also to identify the types of pigments used over time in the paintings; furthermore, it was possible to reconstruct the degradation phenomena on the walls and the events that caused them, providing valuable insight for targeted restoration efforts.