bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Predictors of Mortality Among Preterm Neonates Admitted to Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia: a Retrospective Follow-Up Study
Authors: Toma Temesgen Mohammed , Merga Hailu , Dube Lamessa
Published: July 2024

Objective

This study aimed to assess incidence and predictors of mortality among preterm neonates in Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 505 preterm neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Jimma University Medical Center from 01 January 2017, to 30 December 2019. Data were collected from medical records using a data collection checklist. Data were entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and analyzed with STATA 15. Cox-regression analysis was fitted to identify predictors of preterm neonatal mortality. Variables with p-value <0.05 were declared a statistical significance.

Result

The cumulative incidence of preterm neonatal death was 25.1%. The neonatal mortality rate was 28.9 deaths (95%CI: 24.33, 34.46) per 1,000 neonate-days. Obstetric complications, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal sepsis, perinatal asphyxia, antenatal steroid exposure, gestational age at birth, and receiving kangaroo-mother care were predictors of preterm neonatal mortality.

Conclusion

Preterm neonatal mortality rate was high. Hence, early detection and management of obstetric and neonatal complications, use of antenatal steroids, and kangaroo-mother care should be strengthened to increase preterm neonatal survival.
A Fault Confessed Is Half Redressed: The Impact of Deviant Workplace Behavior on Proactive Behavior
Authors: Zhang Sen , Zhao Mengru
Published: July 2024

The extant research on deviant workplace behavior has mainly examined the consequences of such behavior from a “victim-centric” perspective, while ignoring the psychological and behavioral responses of the employees who engaged in it. Drawing upon moral cleansing theory, we adopt a “victimizer-centric” perspective and contend that employees experience moral deficits after engaging in deviant workplace behavior, which consequently lead to subsequent proactive behavior. We also propose that the indirect relationship between deviant workplace behavior and proactive behavior is contingent upon individuals’ moral courage. Specifically, employees with high moral courage are more inclined to perform subsequent proactive behavior upon perceiving a moral deficit than those with low moral courage. Our hypotheses are supported by empirical data from an experimental study involving 128 participants in the United Kingdom (Study 1) and a multi-wave survey-based field study with a sample of 180 employees conducted in the United States (Study 2). Our research provides contributions to the literature on deviant workplace behavior by demonstrating how and when deviant workplace behavior can lead to subsequent compensatory behavior, as well as practical insights for both employees and organizations.
Experimental Investigation of Particulate Number Measurement Methodology for Micro-Turbojet Engine Emissions
Authors: Xu Zheng , Wang Minghua , Li Guangze , Hu Xuehuan , Yang Pengfei , Zhu Meiyin , Zhang Bin , Chang Liuyong , Chen Longfei
Published: July 2024

Increasing aviation activities have heightened concerns about particulate emissions from aircraft engines. Current ICAO standards mainly focus on large civil turbofan engines, leaving a gap in the research on PN emissions from small aircraft engines. This study examined the PN emission characteristics of micro-turbojet engines, including the morphology, PN, and size distribution under different load conditions, compared with a micro-piston engine. The results showed that the nvPM from micro-turbojet engines was larger and more complex than typical aviation soot, likely due to reduced combustion efficiency and incomplete fuel combustion. Micro-turbojet engines exhibited fewer fluctuations in their emission index number (EIn) and emission index mass (EIm) at lower speeds. The geometric mean diameter (GMD) of particles was inversely correlated with thrust, while the geometric standard deviation (GSD) slightly increased with thrust. Quantitative comparisons indicated that PN emissions from micro-turbojet engines were higher, with EIn values ranging from 2.0 to 3.3 × 1016/kg fuel compared with 1.2 to 1.5 × 1016/kg fuel for micro-piston engines. EIm values for micro-turbojet engines ranged from 8 to 40 mg/kg fuel, while micro-piston engines had slightly higher values due to better carbonization. These findings validated the measurement methodology used to accurately assess PN emissions under low-thrust conditions in micro-turbojet engines. These results provide crucial insights and support for the future monitoring and regulation of PN emissions across all thrust conditions in small aircraft engines.
Antiparasitic Activity of Isolated Fractions from Parthenium incanum Kunth against the Hemoflagellate Protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Hernández-Marín David Alejandro , Castro-Rios Rocio , Chávez-Montes Abelardo , Castillo-Hernández Sandra L. , Elizondo-Luevano Joel Horacio , Muñoz-Ortega Martín Humberto , Sánchez-García Eduardo
Published: July 2024

This study focused on isolating, identifying, and evaluating the trypanocidal potential against the hemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi of compounds from Parthenium incanum (Mariola), a plant used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat stomach and liver disorders. P. incanum has a wide distribution in Mexico. This study found that methanolic extracts of P. incanum, obtained by static maceration and successive reflux, had promising results. The fractions were compared using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and those that showed similarities were mixed. A bioguided assay was performed with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, using agar diffusion and bioautography techniques to determine the preliminary biological activity. The fractions with antimicrobial activity were purified using a preparative thin-layer chromatography (PTLC) plate, obtaining the bioactive bandages that were subjected to a trypanocidal evaluation against the Ninoa strain of T. cruzi in its epimastigote stage. This revealed an IC50 of up to 45 ± 2.5 µg/mL, in contrast to the values obtained from the crude extracts of less than 100 µg/mL. The TLC, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) techniques were used to identify the compounds, demonstrating the presence of sesquiterpene lactones, parthenin, and coronopolin. We concluded that these compounds have the potential to inhibit T. cruzi growth.
Synergistic Effects of Atomic Oxygen and UV Radiation on Carbon/Carbon Plates at Different Attitude Positions
Authors: Delfini Andrea , Pastore Roberto , Albano Marta , Santoni Fabio , Piergentili Fabrizio , Marchetti Mario
Published: July 2024

Atomic oxygen (AtOx) is a major component of the space environment between 200 and 800 km (LEO—low Earth orbit region) and is the principal source of erosion for exposed aerospace structures. The damage to surface materials is proportional to the AtOx fluence, which depends on altitude, exposure time, orbital inclination, and solar activity, and it is caused by the formation of volatile oxides which do not adhere to the surface; furthermore, the mass loss may also be worsened by UV radiation, which increases the chemical degradation of the exposed material. Carbon/carbon (C/C) is an advanced ceramic composite that is frequently found as a base component of thermal protection systems (TPS), rocket nozzles, or other spacecraft subsystems. In this work, a simulation of the AtOx/UV synergistic effects on C/C plates exposed at different attitude positions were carried out by experimental tests performed at the Aerospace Systems Laboratory (LSA—Sapienza University of Rome) by means of an Atomic Oxygen OS-Prey RF plasma source, which also included a high-power UV-ray generator. The present experimental plan was built on the activity developed during recent years at LSA concerning the study of C/C materials for protecting aerospace structures from thermal shock in re-entry missions. The tests were conceived by considering a fixed time of exposure with a base fluence of 7.6 × 1019 n.s./cm2, as evaluated from the erosion of the reference samples exposed to AtOx flux at a normal incidence; the simulation of the different attitude positions was then analyzed, also considering the simultaneous effect of UV radiation. The results of the aging ground test suggest the following: (i) C/C oxidation in LEO must be taken into full consideration in the TPS design with reference to protective coating solutions, (ii) the LEO environment simulation is closely related to AtOx/UV combined irradiation, as well as to the spacecraft’s in-orbit attitude.
Application of Micro-Plane Projection Moving Least Squares and Joint Iterative Closest Point Algorithms in Spacecraft Pose Estimation
Authors: Li Youzhi , Han Yuan , Yao Jiaqi , Wang Yanqiu , Zheng Fu , Sun Zhibin
Published: July 2024

Accurately determining the attitude of non-cooperative spacecraft in on-orbit servicing (OOS) has posed a challenge in recent years. In point cloud-based spatial non-cooperative target attitude estimation schemes, high-precision point clouds, which are more robust to noise, can offer more accurate data input for three-dimensional registration. To enhance registration accuracy, we propose a noise filtering method based on moving least squares microplane projection (mpp-MLS). This method retains salient target feature points while eliminating redundant points, thereby enhancing registration accuracy. Higher accuracy in point clouds enables a more precise estimation of spatial target attitudes. For coarse registration, we employed the Random Sampling Consistency (RANSAC) algorithm to enhance accuracy and alleviate the adverse effects of point cloud mismatches. For fine registration, the J-ICP algorithm was utilized to estimate pose transformations and minimize spacecraft cumulative pose estimation errors during movement transformations. Semi-physical experimental results indicate that the proposed attitude parameter measurement method outperformed the classic ICP registration method. It yielded maximum translation and rotation errors of less than 1.57 mm and 0.071°, respectively, and reduced maximum translation and rotation errors by 56% and 65%, respectively, thereby significantly enhancing the attitude estimation accuracy of non-cooperative targets.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Combustion Efficiency for Full-Size Upstream Flare Experiments
Authors: Wang Anan , Sadovnik Isaac , Tao Chong , Chow Jon , Sui Lei , Bottino Gerard , Venuturumilli Raj , Evans Peter , Newman David , Lowe Jon , Liekens Johan
Published: July 2024

Methane emissions from oil and gas production can occur throughout the value chain, but for many producers, one of the most significant sources is flaring. Understanding the influence of the operating conditions and the environmental factors the combustion efficiency and destruction and removal efficiency (CE/DRE) of flares is essential if their role in methane emissions, a potent but short-lived greenhouse gas, is to be better understood and mitigated. An industry-scale experimental study was focused on the emissions of un-assisted flares commonly encountered in upstream oil and gas production. This paper simulates two un-assisted flare tips combustions by using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package Fluent 21R2 to augment the physical experimental testing. Two three-dimensional (3D) flare tips models are built, and the k-omega SST turbulence model and flamelet generated manifold (FGM) combustion model are applied to simulate flaring combustion. The CFD model is first validated against full-scale industry flare tests that use extractive sampling of the combustion plume. CFD results are in good agreement with measured results when the vent gas net heating value (NHV) is greater than 300 BTU/SCF. Greater uncertainty exists for both CFD results and measured data if the NHV is less than 300 BTU/SCF. Then, the CFD model is extended to include high crosswind states up to 50 m/s that cannot be readily or safely examined empirically. The results emphasize the critical role of the vent gas net heating value (NHV) on flare combustion and crosswind in reducing the CE. The comparison helps pave the way for further use of CFD simulation to improve flare designs and modes of operation and supports the use of parametric models to track and report methane losses from flaring.
Enhancing Liver Transplant Outcomes through Liver Precooling to Mitigate Inflammatory Response and Protect Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Tran Minh H. , Gao Jie , Wang Xinzhe , Liu Ruisheng , Parris Colby L. , Esquivel Carlos , Fan Yingxiang , Wang Lei
Published: July 2024

Transplanted organs experience several episodes of ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion. The graft injury resulting from ischemia-reperfusion (IRI) remains a significant obstacle to the successful survival of transplanted grafts. Temperature significantly influences cellular metabolic rates because biochemical reactions are highly sensitive to temperature changes. Consequently, lowering the temperature could reduce the degradative reactions triggered by ischemia. In mitigating IRI in liver grafts, the potential protective effect of localized hypothermia on the liver prior to blood flow obstruction has yet to be explored. In this study, we applied local hypothermia to mouse donor livers for a specific duration before stopping blood flow to liver lobes, a procedure called “liver precooling”. Mouse donor liver temperature in control groups was controlled at 37 °C. Subsequently, the liver donors were preserved in cold University of Wisconsin solution for various durations followed by orthotopic liver transplantation. Liver graft injury, function and inflammation were assessed at 1 and 2 days post-transplantation. Liver precooling exhibited a significant improvement in graft function, revealing more than a 47% decrease in plasma aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, coupled with a remarkable reduction of approximately 50% in liver graft histological damage compared to the control group. The protective effects of liver precooling were associated with the preservation of mitochondrial function, a substantial reduction in hepatocyte cell death, and a significantly attenuated inflammatory response. Taken together, reducing the cellular metabolism and enzymatic activity to a minimum level before ischemia protects against IRI during transplantation.
Reconstructing Energy-Efficient Buildings after a Major Earthquake in Hatay, Türkiye
Authors: Saleh Yousif Abed Saleh , Gokcen Akkurt Gulden , Turhan Cihan
Published: July 2024

Türkiye’s earthquake zone, primarily located along the North Anatolian Fault, is one of the world’s most seismically active regions, frequently experiencing devastating earthquakes, such as the one in Hatay in 2023. Therefore, reconstructing energy-efficient buildings after major earthquakes enhances disaster resilience and promotes energy efficiency through retrofitting, renovation, or demolition and reconstruction. To this end, this study proposes implementing energy-efficient design solutions in dwelling units to minimize energy consumption in new buildings in Hatay, Southern Turkiye, an area affected by the 2023 earthquake. This research focused on a five-story residential building in the district of Kurtlusarımazı, incorporating small-scale Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) with thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels, along with the application of a green wall surrounding the building. ANSYS Fluent v.R2 Software was used for a numerical investigation of the small-scale IceWind turbine, and DesignBuilder Software v.6.1.0.006 was employed to simulate the baseline model and three energy-efficient design strategies. The results demonstrated that small-scale VAWTs, PV panels, and the application of a green wall reduced overall energy use by 8.5%, 18%, and 4.1%, respectively. When all strategies were combined, total energy consumption was reduced by up to 28.5%. The results of this study could guide designers in constructing innovative energy-efficient buildings following extensive demolition such as during the 2023 earthquake in Hatay, Türkiye.
Correction: Tsai et al. Polyethylene (PE) Waste Minimization Study of Cement Mortar with Adding PE Content under Different W/B Ratios. Buildings 2022, 12, 2117
Authors: Tsai Shen-Lun , Lin Keng-Ta , Hung Chang-Chi , Wang Her-Yung , Wen Fu-Lin
Published: July 2024

Following publication [...]
Indoor Air Quality and Personnel Satisfaction in Different Functional Areas of Semi-Underground Buildings
Authors: Ma Xiaoming , Guo Lina
Published: July 2024

With the increasing application of semi-underground buildings, it is of greater significance to understand indoor air quality and personnel satisfaction in different functional areas within such buildings. In this study, a semi-underground building in Xi’an was taken as an example to test and study the indoor air quality in different functional areas, and a questionnaire survey based on the satisfaction of indoor personnel was conducted at the same time. The comprehensive results showed that the places with the highest concentrations of PM2.5 exceeding the standard limit in the semi-underground building were the milk tea shops, hair salons, and driving schools, presenting 1.01 times, 1.15 times, and 1.08 times the standard limit, respectively. Hair salons were the sites with the highest pollution. The second most frequent pollutants were formaldehyde (HCHO) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). In contrast to the wind speed parameters, the indoor concentrations of pollutants were higher than those outdoors. The upper limits of personnel satisfaction for particulate matter with a diameter less than 1.0 microns (PM1.0), particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), and TVOCs were all higher than the standard limits. The upper limits of personnel satisfaction for PM10, HCHO, wind speed, carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) were all below the standard limits. This provides data support and reference values for the widespread development and application of semi-underground buildings.
The LDHC-STAT3 Signaling Network Is a Key Regulator of Basal-like Breast Cancer Cell Survival
Authors: Naik Adviti , Thomas Remy , Sikhondze Martin , Babiker Abeer , Lattab Boucif , Qasem Hanan , Jafar Umar , Decock Julie
Published: July 2024

Breast cancer treatment has evolved drastically with the addition of immunotherapy and novel targeted drugs to the current treatment options. However, achieving long-term responses with minimal adverse events remains challenging. Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) offer novel opportunities for drug development thanks to their tumor specificity, immunogenicity, pro-tumorigenic functions, and negative prognostic connotations. We previously reported that lactate dehydrogenase C (LDHC) plays a key role in regulating genomic stability and that targeting LDHC significantly improved treatment response to DNA damage response drugs in breast cancer. Here, we explored the molecular mechanisms associated with LDHC silencing in two basal-like breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-468 and BT-549, and a Her2-enriched breast cancer cell line, HCC-1954. Transcriptomic analyses identified the cell line-dependent differential activation of the pro-survival STAT3 pathway following LDHC depletion. While LDHC silencing significantly compromised cell survival in basal-like breast cancer cells in conjunction with a downregulation of STAT3 signaling, the opposite effect was observed in Her2-enriched breast cancer cells, which demonstrated the enhanced activation of the pro-survival STAT3 signaling pathway. The inhibition of STAT3 not only reversed the unfavorable effect of LDHC silencing in the Her2-enriched cancer cells but also demonstrated significant anti-cancer activity when used as a single agent. Our findings suggest that the LDHC-STAT3 signaling axis plays a role in regulating breast tumor cell survival in a subtype-dependent manner. Thus, LDHC-targeted therapy could be a viable therapeutic approach for a subset of breast cancer patients, particularly patients with basal-like breast cancer, whereas patients carrying Her2-enriched tumors may likely benefit more from monotherapy with STAT3 inhibitors.
Process Optimization and Biotransformation of Ferulic Acid to Vanillin in a Low-Cost Nitrogen Source
Authors: Taiwo Abiola Ezekiel , Madzimbamuto Tafirenyika Nyamayaro , Ojumu Tunde Victor
Published: July 2024

Consumers’ growing knowledge of healthy, environmentally friendly flavors and scents drives the demand for vanillin bioproduction. To save costs on nitrogen during the bioproduction of vanillin, this study investigated the feasibility of using corn steep as a substitute. Using the response surface methodology (RSM) model, the synergistic effects of three variables on vanillin yield were evaluated using Box–Behnken design (BBD). When corn steep liquid, ferulic acid concentration, and pH were 7.72 g/L, 2.33 g/L, and 9.34, respectively, the highest vanillin production of 386 mg/L was achieved. The findings indicated that a maximum overall desirability (D) of 1.0 and a significant (p < 0.05) quadratic model with a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.995 can be used to establish ideal circumstances for the bioproduction of vanillin. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of using corn steep liquor as a low-cost nitrogen source in the medium formulation for the extraction and production of vanillin.
Orofacial Clefts and Maternal Risk Factors: A Population-Based Case–Control Study
Authors: Santoro Michele , Mezzasalma Lorena , Coi Alessio , Pierini Anna
Published: July 2024

Background/Objectives: Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are some of the most common congenital anomalies worldwide. The aim of this case–control study was to evaluate the association of OFCs with selected maternal characteristics. Methods: Data on isolated non-syndromic cases of OFCs were extracted from the population-based registry of congenital anomalies of Tuscany. A sample of live-born infants without any congenital anomaly was used as the control group. We investigated the association with sex and some maternal characteristics: age, body mass index, smoking, and education. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated using a logistic regression model. Analyses were performed for the total OFCs and separately for cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP). Results: Data on 219 cases and 37,988 controls were analyzed. A higher proportion of males (57.9%) was observed, particularly for CL. A decreasing trend among the maternal age classes was observed (OR:0.81 (95%CI 0.70–0.94)). Underweight mothers had a higher prevalence of OFCs, in particular for CL (OR:1.88 (95%CI 1.08–3.26)). Conclusions: We found an association of OFCs with lower maternal age. The association with maternal age remains controversial and further epidemiological evidence is needed through multicenter studies. We observed that CL was more common in underweight mothers, suggesting actions of primary prevention.
The Association of Social Media Use and Eating Behaviour of Belgian Adolescent Girls Diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa—A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Praet Nathalie , Stevens Jeff , Casteels Kristina , Toelen Jaan
Published: July 2024

Background: Social media have become integral in adolescents’ lives, presenting both opportunities and risks, especially concerning psychiatric issues like eating disorders, prevalent in this vulnerable age group. Methods: This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with seven adolescent girls (aged 15–17) diagnosed with eating disorders. Interviews covered seven predefined topics, recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Results: Participants identified four key themes: exposure to selective content, biased interpretation, behavioural adaptation, and evolving perspectives during recovery. They highlighted social media’s role in exacerbating body dissatisfaction and altering behaviours related to eating disorders. Conclusions: This research underscores the critical need for awareness and guidance in adolescents’ social media use to mitigate negative impacts, emphasizing the potential link between exposure to specific content and cognitive-behavioural changes in those with eating disorders. Further investigation is warranted to deepen our comprehension of these dynamics.
Shifts in Climatic Influences on Radial Growth of Scots Pine in the Central Scandinavian Mountains with an Evident Transition in the 1970s
Authors: Gomm Ulrika , Bromfält Emilia , Kling Selma , Zhang Qiong
Published: July 2024

Radial growth of trees, as reflected by tree ring width, serves as a vital proxy for past climate conditions, offering insights into climate dynamics over centennial and millennial time scales. Traditionally, in the high altitudes and latitudes of the central Scandinavian Mountains, summer temperatures, particularly in July, have significantly influenced the radial growth of Scots pine. This research aims to reassess the climatic determinants of Scots pine radial growth in Jämtland, central Scandinavian Mountains, by incorporating a refined analysis that considers temperature, precipitation, and snow depth, and their correlations with tree growth over time. Using a dynamic moving window heatmap correlation analysis, this study revisits a Scots pine chronology to explore the evolving climatic influences on radial growth. This approach allows for the identification of temporal shifts in growth-limiting factors. We observe a notable transition in the 1970s, marking a shift where water availability, rather than temperature, emerges as a critical limiting factor for radial growth at both the beginning and the end of the growing season. This shift is reflective of the broader global trend of decreasing tree growth response to increasing temperatures in the latter half of the 20th century, underscoring the significant impact of ongoing climate change on forest ecosystems. The results highlight the necessity for adaptive forest management strategies that consider the changing dynamics of climatic influences on tree growth. Furthermore, our study contributes to the broader understanding of forest growth patterns in the face of climate change, with substantial implications for ecological research and forest management.
Reducing Pitting Corrosion Trend of Cast GCr15 Steel by Inoculation: An In Situ Corrosion Morphology Study
Authors: Liu Jiacheng , Liu Qingao , Zhao Lichen , Yang Wei , Wang Xin
Published: July 2024

The corrosion resistance of bearing materials is crucial for the long-term service and high precision of modern equipment, and has aroused widespread research interest. Inoculation treatment is beneficial for improving the mechanical properties of GCr15 bearing steel, but its impact on corrosion behavior remains to be investigated. In the present work, the influence of inoculation treatment on the corrosion morphology, open circuit potential, impedance spectrum, and polarization curve evolution of GCr15 steel was studied through in situ corrosion morphology analysis and electrochemical testing. The results showed that the samples treated after inoculation showed a reduced tendency for pitting corrosion and an obviously improved corrosion resistance. This improvement is related to the transformation of columnar grains into equiaxed grains during the inoculation process, which reduces the amount and distribution of inclusions and pores, thereby delaying the rapid development of pitting corrosion. This study provides new insights into the corrosion mechanism of gestational steel.
Designs of Miniature Optomechanical Sensors for Measurements of Acceleration with Frequencies of Hundreds of Hertz
Authors: Rezinkina Marina , Braxmaier Claus
Published: July 2024

Some applications, such as aerospace testing and monitoring the operating conditions of equipment on space missions, require mechanical sensors capable of measuring accelerations at frequencies of several hundred hertz. For such measurements, optomechanical sensors can be used, providing the ability to measure accelerations without calibration. To enable such measurements, improved designs of drum-type sensors with the assigned performance have been elaborated. Such designs make it possible to provide the necessary levels of natural frequencies for optomechanical sensors and eliminate crosstalk. Using mathematical modeling, the dependencies of the mechanical characteristics of the proposed types of acceleration sensors versus their parameters were obtained. The use of such sensor designs ensures their compactness, making their manufacturing more technologically sound and suitable for use, in particular, in space missions.
C-Reactive Protein Pretreatment-Level Evaluation with Histopathological Correlation for Chondrosarcoma Prognosis Assessment—A 15-Year Retrospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Consalvo Sarah , Hinterwimmer Florian , Stephan Maximilian , Breden Sebastian , Lenze Ulrich , Peeken Jan , von Eisenhart-Rothe Rüdiger , Knebel Carolin
Published: July 2024

Background: An aberrant cellular microenvironment characterized by pathological cells or inflammation represents an added risk factor across various cancer types. While the significance of chronic inflammation in the development of most diffuse tumors has been extensively studied, an exception to this analysis exists in the context of chondrosarcomas. Chondrosarcomas account for 20–30% of all bone sarcomas, with an estimated global incidence of 1 in 100,000. The average age at diagnosis is 50, and over 70% of patients are over 40. This retrospective study aimed to examine the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a prognostic factor in relation to the histopathological findings in chondrosarcoma. Methods: In this retrospective study, 70 patients diagnosed with chondrosarcoma and treated between 2004 and 2019 were included. Preoperative CRP levels were measured in mg/dL, with non-pathological values defined as below 0.5 mg/dL. Disease-free survival time was calculated from the initial diagnosis to events such as local recurrence or metastasis. Follow-up status was categorized as death from disease, no evidence of disease, or alive with disease. Patients were excluded if they had insufficient laboratory values, missing follow-up information, or incomplete histopathological reports. Results: The calculated risk estimation of a reduced follow-up time was 2.25 timed higher in the patients with a CRP level >0.5 mg/dL (HR 2.25 and 95% CI 1.13–4.45) and 3 times higher in patients with a tumor size > pT2 (HR 3 and 95% CI 1.59–5.92). We can easily confirm that risk factors for reduced prognosis lie in chondrosarcoma high grading, preoperative pathological CRP- level, and a size > 8 cm. Conclusions: A pretreatment CRP value greater than 0.5 mg/dL can be considered a sensitive prognostic and risk factor for distant metastasis for chondrosarcoma patients.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection Positively Correlates with Hyperglycemia and Inflammatory Markers in COVID-19 Patients: A Clinical Research Study
Authors: Chikkahonnaiah Prashanth , Dallavalasa Siva , Tulimilli SubbaRao V. , Dubey Muskan , Byrappa Shashidhar H. , Amachawadi Raghavendra G. , Madhunapantula SubbaRao V. , Veeranna Ravindra P.
Published: July 2024

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common comorbidity in COVID-19 subjects. Hyperglycemia at hospital admission identified as a major risk factor and is responsible for poor prognosis. Hematological and inflammatory parameters have been recognized as predictive markers of severity in COVID-19. In this clinical study, we aimed to assess the impact of hyperglycemia at hospital admission on hematological and several inflammatory parameters in COVID-19 patients. A total of 550 COVID-19 subjects were primarily categorized into two major groups (normoglycemic and hyperglycemic) based on random blood sugar levels. On the first day of hospitalization, subjects’ oxygen saturation, random blood sugar, hematological variables, and inflammatory parameters were recorded. The hyperglycemic group exhibited higher levels of serum ferritin, total leukocyte count (TLC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neutrophil count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). In contrast, oxygen saturation and lymphocyte count were lower compared to the normoglycemic group. Significantly elevated levels of hematological variables (TLC, neutrophil count, NLR) and inflammatory parameters (serum ferritin) were observed in the hyperglycemic group. Among inflammatory parameters, only serum ferritin levels showed statistical significance. This study supports the clinical association between hyperglycemia and an increased severity of COVID-19. Consequently, the identification of these parameters is a crucial and valuable prognostic indicator for assessing disease severity in hyperglycemic subjects.
Secure and Efficient Federated Learning Schemes for Healthcare Systems
Authors: Song Cheng , Wang Zhichao , Peng Weiping , Yang Nannan
Published: July 2024

The swift advancement in communication technology alongside the rise of the Medical Internet of Things (IoT) has spurred the extensive adoption of diverse sensor-driven healthcare and monitoring systems. While the rapid development of healthcare systems is underway, concerns about the privacy leakage of medical data have also attracted attention. Federated learning plays a certain protective role in data, but studies have shown that gradient transmission under federated learning environments still leads to privacy leakage. Therefore, we proposed secure and efficient federated learning schemes for smart healthcare systems. In this scheme, we used Paillier encryption technology to encrypt the shared training models on the client side, ensuring the security and privacy of the training models. Meanwhile, we designed a zero-knowledge identity authentication module to verify the authenticity of clients participating in the training process. Second, we designed a gradient filtering compression algorithm to eliminate locally updated gradients that were irrelevant to the convergence trend and used computationally negligible compression operators to quantize updates, thereby improving communication efficiency while ensuring model accuracy. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed scheme not only had high model accuracy but also had significant advantages in communication overhead compared with existing schemes.
Virtual Reality for Career Development and Exploration: The CareProfSys Profiler System Case
Authors: Dascalu Maria-Iuliana , Stanica Iulia-Cristina , Bratosin Ioan-Alexandru , Uta Beatrice-Iuliana , Bodea Constanta-Nicoleta
Published: July 2024

This paper presents an innovative use case of virtual reality (VR) for career development and exploration, within the context of the CareProfSys recommendation system for professions. The recommender users receive recommendations not only in textual format but as WebVR gamified scenarios as well, having thus the possibility to try activities specific to the suggested professions and decide whether they are suitable for them or not. This paper describes, from a functional and technical point of view, scenarios for six different jobs: computer network specialists, civil engineers, web and multimedia developers, chemical engineers, project managers, and university professors. Extended experiments were performed, using an internal protocol, with 47 students enrolled in engineering studies. The results of the experiments were measured with the aid of four instruments: two questionnaires, one unstructured interview, and the VR simulation performance recording module. Positive results were obtained: the users admitted that such a tool was useful when choosing one’s career and that it was entertaining. Most of the students considered the VR scenarios as learning or testing experiences, too. Thus, we claim that a VR form of providing job recommendations is more appealing to young people and brings value to career development initiatives.
Climate as a Driver of Aboveground Biomass Density Variation: A Study of Ten Pine Species in Mexico
Authors: Girón-Gutiérrez Dioseline , Méndez-González Jorge , Osorno-Sánchez Tamara G. , Cerano-Paredes Julián , Soto-Correa José C. , Cambrón-Sandoval Víctor H.
Published: July 2024

The native pine species of Mexico, constituting 55% of all pine species, play a crucial economic role for local populations. Climatic factors affected by climate change, such as temperature and precipitation, influence tree physiology and distribution. Our study focused on the aboveground biomass density (AGBd) distribution of ten Mexican pine species and its correlation with bioclimatic variables. Dendrometric data were obtained from National Forest and Soil Inventory (INFyS) (period: 2009 and 2014) while data on bioclimatic variables were obtained from WorldClim2. AGBd distribution maps were generated for the ten species. Spearman and Bayesian correlations were determined between AGBd and the 19 bioclimatic variables. Six species showed a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between AGBd and bioclimatic variables. The results did not show geographical regionalization for AGBd and highlighted the complexity of responses in each species. Temperature variables showed the highest number of correlations with AGBd (76%), which varied between species. Regarding precipitation, correlations were mostly positive. In general, our findings suggest an important link between climate and AGBd, from which relevant strategies can be developed for sustainable forest management of the country’s forests in relation to expected climate change.
Violence against Women within Italian and European Context: Italian “Pink Code”—Major Injuries and Forensic Expertise of a Socio-Cultural Problem: A Narrative Review
Authors: De Paola Lina , Tripi Dalila , Napoletano Gabriele , Marinelli Enrico , Montanari Vergallo Gianluca , Zaami Simona
Published: July 2024

Background: Violence against women or other vulnerable individuals is a serious violation of human rights and a global public health issue representing a significant “problem of enormous global health proportions”. Violence against women is an endemic phenomenon; the numbers are very high, highlighting the severity and urgency of the problem. Methods: We conducted this research by examining the field of violence against women. Our analysis involved reviewing papers published between 2018 and December 2023, which were identified through electronic database searches. Out of a total of 136 papers initially identified, we considered 71 documents. Results: This research highlights the global nature of violence against women, including psychological assessments of harm, as a socio-cultural problem and underlines the more common injuries. Conclusions: We examined how the presence of forensic experts can be beneficial in identifying and evaluating injuries, as well as reconstructing the dynamics of the events, particularly for judicial purposes.
Overview of Dynamic Bond Based Hydrogels for Reversible Adhesion Processes
Authors: Condò Ilaria , Giannitelli Sara Maria , Lo Presti Daniela , Cortese Barbara , Ursini Ornella
Published: July 2024

Polymeric hydrogels are soft materials with a three-dimensional (3D) hydrophilic network capable of retaining and absorbing large amounts of water or biological fluids. Due to their customizable properties, these materials are extensively studied for developing matrices for 3D cell culture scaffolds, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering. However, conventional hydrogels still exhibit many drawbacks; thus, significant efforts have been directed towards developing dynamic hydrogels that draw inspiration from organisms’ natural self-repair abilities after injury. The self-healing properties of these hydrogels are closely associated with their ability to form, break, and heal dynamic bonds in response to various stimuli. The primary objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of dynamic hydrogels by examining the types of chemical bonds associated with them and the biopolymers utilized, and to elucidate the chemical nature of dynamic bonds that enable the modulation of hydrogels’ properties. While dynamic bonds ensure the self-healing behavior of hydrogels, they do not inherently confer adhesive properties. Therefore, we also highlight emerging approaches that enable dynamic hydrogels to acquire adhesive properties.
Social Robots for Meaningful Seated Activities: Acceptance & Use by Older Adults
Authors: Sadler James R. , Khan Aila , Lwin Michael , Mubin Omar
Published: July 2024

Healthy aging requires the maintenance of good physical and cognitive activity. However, as they age, older adults often experience a decline in physical and cognitive activity, leading to a more sedentary lifestyle. Some older adults may not have a choice but to become increasingly sedentary as they age due to injury or deteriorated physicality. As such, they require assistive technologies to aid in their daily lives and activities to maintain healthy cognitive function. Social Robots are a newer form of assistive technology, specifically designed for social interactions and gameplay. As with other assistive technologies, compliance barriers to their acceptance and use for meaningful, seated activities among older adults are expected. To better explore this phenomenon, improve quality of life and understand what drives older adults to accept and use newer forms of technology like social robots, this conceptual paper conjoins two theoretical frameworks: The Activity Theory of Aging (ATA) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). As social robots hold great promise for improving the quality of life for older adults, exploring what driving factors could enable their greater acceptance and use is essential to furthering this field of study within Australia.
The Effects of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy on Quality of Life: The Importance of Research on Youth
Authors: Mazur Monika , Larionow Paweł
Published: July 2024

Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) plays a significant role in the medical care of transgender individuals, helping to align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. While numerous studies have investigated the impact of GAHT on adults, research focusing on its effects on the quality of life (QoL) of transgender youth is limited. In this opinion paper, we aim to address selected challenges associated with gender-affirming medical care, such as (1) the necessity for evidence-based youth gender-affirming medical care, (2) the urge to explore different approaches to gender-affirming medical care diversely in transgender youth research, and (3) understanding the challenges of the detransition process (which refers to stopping or reversing gender-affirming medical or surgical treatments), as well as suggest possible solutions for meaningful progress. Notably, the available evidence underlines a positive impact of GAHT on various aspects of QoL of transgender youth, such as mental health and social functioning, by alleviating gender dysphoria, improving body satisfaction, and facilitating appearance congruence (the degree to which an individual’s physical appearance represents their gender identity). However, challenges related to methodological limitations, as well as ethical considerations, and several sociocultural factors highlight the need for further research to better understand the long-term effects of GAHT on the QoL of transgender youth. Ethical considerations, such as ensuring informed consent and weighing potential benefits against risks, are pivotal in guiding healthcare decisions. Additionally, navigating these ethical responsibilities amid sociocultural contexts is crucial for providing inclusive and respectful care to transgender youth. Addressing these research gaps is, therefore, crucial to developing successful healthcare programmes, raising awareness, and promoting the holistic well-being of transgender youth through comprehensive and affirming care.
Effect of Foliar Selenate Supplementation on Biochemical Characteristics of Purslane Weed (Portulaca oleracea L.)
Authors: Golubkina Nadezhda , Amagova Zarema , Kharchenko Viktor , Bogachuk Maria , Makarenko Maria , Paleeva Maria , Malinkin Alexey , Andreeva Katherine , Kavarnakaeva Zulfia , Matsadze Visita , Murariu Otilia Cristina , Caruso Gianluca
Published: July 2024

The high biological activity of cultivated and wild purslane offers broad possibilities for utilizing this plant in medicine and human nutrition. To assess the prospects of obtaining new functional food products based on the wild form of P. oleracea L., foliar biofortification of this species with sodium selenate (VI) was carried out, and the changes in leaf and seed biochemical characteristics were investigated. Selenium significantly enhanced plant yield, photosynthetic pigments and the ascorbic acid content, and showed a tendency to seed productivity increase. The application of selenium augmented quinic acid content in leaves by 1.7 times but did not affect the oxalic acid content. Oxalic acid prevailed in wild purslane and quinic acid in cultivated purslane (cv. Makovey). Seed oil in Se-enriched purslane was characterized by a two-fold decrease in saturated fatty acids and squalene and 2.3-fold decrease in malonic dialdehyde content, along with a 1.4-fold increase in ascorbic acid. Selenium supplementation resulted in an increase in total lipids and mono- and di-unsaturated fatty acids and did not affect the concentration of ω-3 fatty acids and sterol accumulation. Among the identified sterols, only the minor ones (fucosterol, 7-stigmasterol and ∆7-avenosterol) showed a slight decrease upon Se supply. Compared to seeds of cv. Makovey, wild purslane seeds had higher levels of antioxidant activity by a factor of 2 and of polyphenols by a factor of 3.2 but did not differ significantly in oil fatty acid composition. The results indicate the importance of wild purslane leaves/seeds both fortified and not fortified with Se in human nutrition and medicine.
Instances of Safety-Related Advances in Hydrogen as Regards Its Gaseous Transport and Buffer Storage and Its Solid-State Storage
Authors: Lamari Farida , Weinberger Benno , Langlois Patrick , Fruchart Daniel
Published: July 2024

As part of the ongoing transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies, advances are particularly expected in terms of safe and cost-effective solutions. Publicising instances of such advances and emphasising global safety considerations constitute the rationale for this communication. Knowing that high-strength steels can prove economically relevant in the foreseeable future for transporting hydrogen in pipelines by limiting the pipe wall thickness required to withstand high pressure, one advance relates to a bench designed to assess the safe transport or renewable-energy-related buffer storage of hydrogen gas. That bench has been implemented at the technology readiness level TRL 6 to test initially intact, damaged, or pre-notched 500 mm-long pipe sections with nominal diameters ranging from 300 to 900 mm in order to appropriately validate or question the use of reputedly satisfactory predictive models in terms of hydrogen embrittlement and potential corollary failure. The other advance discussed herein relates to the reactivation of a previously fruitful applied research into safe mass solid-state hydrogen storage by magnesium hydride through a new public–private partnership. This latest development comes at a time when markets have started driving the hydrogen economy, bearing in mind that phase-change materials make it possible to level out heat transfers during the absorption/melting and solidification/desorption cycles and to attain an overall energy efficiency of up to 80% for MgH2-based compacts doped with expanded natural graphite.