bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An eXplainable Artificial Intelligence analysis of Raman spectra for thyroid cancer diagnosis
Authors: Bellantuono Loredana , Tommasi Raffaele , Pantaleo Ester , Verri Martina , Amoroso Nicola , Crucitti Pierfilippo , Di Gioacchino Michael , Longo Filippo , Monaco Alfonso , Naciu Anda Mihaela , Palermo Andrea , Taffon Chiara , Tangaro Sabina , Crescenzi Anna , Sodo Armida , Bellotti Roberto 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRaman spectroscopy shows great potential as a diagnostic tool for thyroid cancer due to its ability to detect biochemical changes during cancer development. This technique is particularly valuable because it is non-invasive and label/dye-free. Compared to molecular tests, Raman spectroscopy analyses can more effectively discriminate malignant features, thus reducing unnecessary surgeries. However, one major hurdle to using Raman spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool is the identification of significant patterns and peaks. In this study, we propose a Machine Learning procedure to discriminate healthy/benign versus malignant nodules that produces interpretable results. We collect Raman spectra obtained from histological samples, select a set of peaks with a data-driven and label independent approach and train the algorithms with the relative prominence of the peaks in the selected set. The performance of the considered models, quantified by area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, exceeds 0.9. To enhance the interpretability of the results, we employ eXplainable Artificial Intelligence and compute the contribution of each feature to the prediction of each sample.
Quantitative polarization-sensitive super-resolution solid immersion microscopy reveals biological tissues’ birefringence in the terahertz range
Authors: Chernomyrdin N. V. , Il’enkova D. R. , Zhelnov V. A. , Alekseeva A. I. , Gavdush A. A. , Musina G. R. , Nikitin P. V. , Kucheryavenko A. S. , Dolganova I. N. , Spektor I. E. , Tuchin V. V. , Zaytsev K. I. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTerahertz (THz) technology offers a variety of applications in label-free medical diagnosis and therapy, majority of which rely on the effective medium theory that assumes biological tissues to be optically isotropic and homogeneous at the scale posed by the THz wavelengths. Meanwhile, most recent research discovered mesoscale ($$\sim \lambda $$

∼
λ

) heterogeneities of tissues; $$\lambda $$
λ
is a wavelength. This posed a problem of studying the related scattering and polarization effects of THz-wave–tissue interactions, while there is still a lack of appropriate tools and instruments for such studies. To address this challenge, in this paper, quantitative polarization-sensitive reflection-mode THz solid immersion (SI) microscope is developed, that comprises a silicon hemisphere-based SI lens, metal-wire-grid polarizer and analyzer, a continuous-wave 0.6 THz ($$\lambda = 500$$

λ
=
500

µm) backward-wave oscillator (BWO), and a Golay detector. It makes possible the study of local polarization-dependent THz response of mesoscale tissue elements with the resolution as high as $$0.15 \lambda $$

0.15
λ

. It is applied to retrieve the refractive index distributions over the freshly-excised rat brain for the two orthogonal linear polarizations of the THz beam, aimed at uncovering the THz birefringence (structural optical anisotropy) of tissues. The most pronounced birefringence is observed for the Corpus callosum, formed by well-oriented and densely-packed axons bridging the cerebral hemispheres. The observed results are verified by the THz pulsed spectroscopy of the porcine brain, which confirms higher refractive index of the Corpus callosum when the THz beam is polarized along axons. Our findings highlight a potential of the quantitative polarization THz microscopy in biophotonics and medical imaging.
Effect of subconscious changes in bodily response on thought shifting in people with accurate interoception
Authors: Sakuragi Mai , Shinagawa Kazushi , Terasawa Yuri , Umeda Satoshi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractOur thought states shift from one state to another from moment to moment. The relationship between the thought shifting and bodily responses is yet to be directly examined. This exploratory study examined the influence of cardiovascular reactivity and interoception—sensing an internal bodily state—on the shifting of thought states. Participants (N = 100, 70 women) completed two tasks: the heartbeat counting task (HCT) and the vigilance task (VT). We assessed their interoceptive accuracy through their performance on the HCT. The VT was a simple sustained attention task in which participants pressed a key when the target stimulus appeared and were asked to report their thoughts. We presented subliminal vibration stimuli to induce alterations in heart rate (i.e., vibration block). Results showed that participants with higher interoceptive accuracy reported more continuation of self-referential thought (about past episodes and future plans regarding themselves) during the vibration block than did those with lower interoceptive accuracy. These results suggest that individuals with higher interoceptive accuracy are more likely to be influenced by their subliminal bodily response, resulting in divergent attention from the task and intermittent self-referential thought.
Improving antibacterial ability of Ti-Cu thin films with co-sputtering method
Authors: Mahmoudi-Qashqay Samaneh , Zamani-Meymian Mohammad-Reza , Sadati Seyed Javad 
Published: October 2023

AbstractDue to the resistance of some bacteria to antibiotics, research in the field of dealing with bacterial infections is necessary. A practical approach utilized in this study involves the preparation of an antibacterial thin film on the surfaces, which can effectively inhibit and reduce biofilm formation and bacterial adherence. In this study, we report the fabrication of bactericidal titanium (Ti) and copper (Cu) surfaces which involves a powerful co-sputtering method. This method provides a situation in which constituent elements are deposited simultaneously to control the composition of the thin film. Prepared samples were examined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements. To evaluate antibacterial behavior, we used two bacterial strains Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Antibacterial activity of the prepared sample was assessed by determining the number of colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) using a standard viable cell count assay. Results indicated that as the Cu concentration increased, the nanoscale surfaces became rougher, with roughness values rising from 11.85 to 49.65 nm, and the contact angle increased from 40 to 80 degrees, indicating a hydrophilic character. These factors play a significant role in the antibacterial properties of the surface. The Ti-Cu films displayed superior antibacterial ability, with a 99.9% reduction (equivalent to a 5-log reduction) in bacterial viability after 2 h compared to Ti alone against both bacterial strains. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images verified that both E. coli and S. aureus cells were physically deformed and damaged the bacterial cell ultrastructure was observed. These findings highlight that adding Cu to Ti can improve the antibacterial ability of the surface while inhibiting bacterial adherence. Therefore, the Ti14-Cu86 sample with the highest percentage of Cu had the best bactericidal rate. Investigation of toxicity of Cu-Ti thin films was conducted the using the MTT assay, which revealed their biocompatibility and absence of cytotoxicity, further confirming their potential as promising biomaterials for various applications.
Countries’ vulnerability to food supply disruptions caused by the Russia–Ukraine war from a trade dependency perspective
Authors: Zhang Zhengyang , Abdullah Meshal J. , Xu Guochang , Matsubae Kazuyo , Zeng Xianlai 
Published: October 2023

AbstractDisruptions of key food and fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine have exposed many countries to challenges accessing some commodities since these countries’ war began. We evaluated the short-term, external, and direct impacts of disruptions of six food commodities and three types of fertilizer supplies from Russia and Ukraine on food access for all trading partners of the two countries by applying a set of trade and socioeconomic indicators. We found that the external food supplies of 279 countries and territories were affected to varying degrees; 24 countries—especially Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Mongolia—are extremely vulnerable because they depend almost entirely on a variety of food imports from Russia and Ukraine. Access to fertilizers was affected in 136 countries and territories, particularly Estonia (potassic fertilizer), Mongolia (nitrogenous fertilizers), Kazakhstan (mixed fertilizers), and Brazil, the United States, China, and India (all types of fertilizers). An integrated assessment of countries’ import types, purchasing power parity per capita, and populations indicated that the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Pakistan are most vulnerable to such supply disruptions. Development of research into diversification and decentralization strategies for food access is needed to guide stable food supply policies.
Effect of oxygen vacancy and Si doping on the electrical properties of Ta2O5 in memristor characteristics
Authors: Islam Md. Sherajul , Lee Jonghoon , Ganguli Sabyasachi , Roy Ajit K. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe resistive switching behavior in Ta2O5 based memristors is largely controlled by the formation and annihilation of conductive filaments (CFs) that are generated by the migration of oxygen vacancies (OVs). To gain a fundamental insight on the switching characteristics, we have systematically investigated the electrical transport properties of two different Ta2O5 polymorphs ($$\epsilon$$
ϵ
-Ta2O5 and λ-Ta2O5), using density functional theory calculations, and associated vacancy induced electrical conductivity using Boltzmann transport theory. The projected band structure and DOS in a few types of OVs, (two-fold (O2fV), three-fold (O3fV), interlayer (OILV), and distorted octahedral coordinated vacancies (OεV)) reveal that the presence of OILV would cause Ta2O5 to transition from a semiconductor to a metal, leading to improved electrical conductivity, whereas the other OV types only create localized mid-gap defect states within the bandgap. On studying the combined effect of OVs and Si-doping, a reduction of the formation energy and creation of defect states near the conduction band edge, is observed in Si-doped Ta2O5, and lower energy is found for the OVs near Si atoms, which would be advantageous to the uniformity of CFs produced by OVs. These findings can serve as guidance for further experimental work aimed at enhancing the uniformity and switching properties of resistance switching for Ta2O5-based memristors.
Analyses of unpredictable properties of a wind-driven triboelectric random number generator
Authors: Kim Moon-Seok , Tcho Il-Woong , Choi Yang-Kyu 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWind-driven triboelectric nanogenerators (W-TENGs) are a promising candidate for an energy harvester because wind itself possesses unexhausted, ubiquitous, and clean properties. W-TENG has also been used as a random number generator (RNG) due to the inherent chaotic properties of wind that is also an entropy source. Thus, a W-TENG which simultaneously generates both power and true random numbers with a two-in-one structure, is a wind-driven RNG (W-RNG) like the Janus. However, a root cause of W-RNG unpredictability has not been elucidated. In this work, the unpredictability, which is essential and critical for an RNG, is statistically and mathematically analyzed by auto-correlation, cross-correlation, joint entropy, and mutual information. Even though the overall shape of the total output analog signals from the W-RNG looks like a sinusoidal wave that is not obviously unpredictable, discretized digital signals from the continuous analog output become unpredictable. Furthermore, partial adoption of 4-bit data from 8-bit raw data, with the aid of analog-to-digital converter hardware, further boosts the unpredictability. The W-RNG, which functions as a W-TENG, can contribute to self-powering and self-securing outdoor electrical systems, such as drones, by harvesting energy and generating true random numbers.
Treatment impact of newly approved therapeutic agents for metastatic urothelial carcinoma in Japan: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Inoue Yuta , Yamada Takeshi , Fujihara Atsuko , Miyashita Masatsugu , Shiraishi Takumi , Okumi Masayoshi , Hongo Fumiya , Ukimura Osamu 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAlthough recent clinical trials of new therapeutic agents for metastatic urothelial carcinoma have shown prolonged overall survival, there are few real-world evidence. To assess the impact of new therapeutic agents, we performed retrospective analysis for consecutive 158 metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients who performed systemic therapy in our institution between May 2008 and August 2023. We defined a period from May 2008 to December 2017, when pembrolizumab was first introduced to the clinical setting in the new therapeutic agents for metastatic urothelial carcinoma in Japan, as “pre new drug era” and a period from January 2018 to August 2023 as “post new drug era”. We compared overall survival between pre- and post- new drug era using Kaplan–Meier method with log rank test. Median overall survival of pre- and post- new drug era were 14.5 months (95% confidence intervals: 11.6–16.7) and 23.1 months (95% confidence intervals: 14.5-NA), respectively (p < 0.001). Five-year survival rate of pre- and post- new drug era was 7.0% (95% confidence intervals: 2.3–15.3) and 36.3% (95% confidence intervals: 21.4–51.5), respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis of factors associated with overall survival showed that enfortumab vedotin administration, administration of second-line or more systemic therapy, best overall response of SD, PR and CR in first-line systemic therapy, higher serum albumin and lower CRP were factors for overall survival prolongation. Introduction of new therapeutic agents for metastatic urothelial carcinoma contributed to the improvement of overall survival in comparison with the era without these agents.
Online positive-oriented counseling, taking vitamin D3 tablet, online lifestyle modification training on premenstrual syndrome: a 3-armed randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mahmoodi Maryam , Farajkhoda Tahmineh , Nadjarzadeh Azadeh , Zareei Mahmoodabadi Hassan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractLack of absolute treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), its cyclic nature, considerable prevalence (70–90%), and its mental and physical burden imply necessity of effectiveness comparison of various treatments. Although antidepressant and hormonal drugs are well-known medications for PMS, in affected women who can’t tolerate, or don’t have compatibility or compliance with these drugs, other effective treatments have always been important concern. This study aimed to compare effectiveness of online positive-oriented counseling, taking vitamin D3 tablet, and online lifestyle modification training on alleviating PMS. 3-armed parallel randomized clinical trial was performed on 84 20–40-year-old eligible women with PMS. 84 women were randomly (www.random.org/sequenc) allocated into three groups, but data of 77 women (1, n = 25) online positive-oriented counseling group (6 sessions), (2, n = 27) vitamin D3 tablet group (one vitamin D3 tablet weekly for 6 weeks), and (3, n = 25) online lifestyle training group (6 sessions) were analyzed. Vitamin D3 was measured at baseline, week6 and fallow up week10. Primary outcome variable PMS was measured with Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) at baseline, week 6, and follow-up week 10. Primary outcome satisfaction with intervention method was measured using satisfaction scale at week 6 and follow-up week 10. ANOVA, Repeated Measures, and Paired samples t-test were used for statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in PMS at baseline between three groups respectively (33 ± 5.8, 34.1 ± 7.1, & 35.2 ± 6.4, P = 0.500). However, at follow-up week 10, there was statistically significant difference between three groups (22.3 ± 4.3, 25.4 ± 6.5, & 31.8 ± 6.5; P < 0.001), with greatest improvement in online positive-oriented counseling group (P < 0.001). Satisfaction differed significantly among three groups at week 6 (51 ± 6.8, 46.4 ± 12, & 42.3 ± 6.3, P = 0.001) and follow-up week 10 (55.7 ± 11.6, 51.4 ± 12; & 43 ± 3.3, P < 0.001), with most satisfaction in positive-oriented counseling group (P < 0.001). All three interventions alleviated PMS, but online positive-oriented counseling was more effective and satisfying. Superiority of positive-oriented counseling implies mechanism of adaptation, better relationships, forgiveness, self-mood-regulation, and feasibility of its skills that could be continued individually by women after counseling completion. It is recommended health providers, health policymakers and managers support use of these interventions in treatment program and clinical guidelines.Trial registration: RCT registration number: IRCT20191231045967N1, Registration date:11/02/2020, Registration timing: prospective (IRCT | Survey the effect of vitamin D3 tablet intake, positivism group consulting with changing in life style in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome in women).
miRNA-214-3p stimulates carcinogen-induced mammary epithelial cell apoptosis in mammary cancer-resistant species
Authors: Harman Rebecca M. , Das Sanjna P. , Kanke Matt , Sethupathy Praveen , Van de Walle Gerlinde R. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMammary cancer incidence varies greatly across species and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We previously showed that mammosphere-derived epithelial cells from species with low mammary cancer incidence, such as horses, respond to carcinogen 7, 12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced DNA damage by undergoing apoptosis, a postulated anti-cancer mechanism. Additionally, we found that miR-214-3p expression in mammosphere-derived epithelial cells is lower in mammary cancer-resistant as compared to mammary cancer-susceptible species. Here we show that increasing miR-214 expression and decreasing expression of its target gene nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 in mammosphere-derived epithelial cells from horses abolishes 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced apoptosis. A direct interaction of miR-214-3p with another target gene, unc-5 netrin receptor A, is also demonstrated. We propose that relatively low levels of miR-214 in mammosphere-derived epithelial cells from mammals with low mammary cancer incidence, allow for constitutive gene nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 expression and apoptosis in response to 7, 12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. Better understanding of the mechanisms regulating cellular responses to carcinogens improves our overall understanding of mammary cancer resistance mechanisms.
Coastal permafrost was massively eroded during the Bølling-Allerød warm period
Authors: Nogarotto Alessio , Noormets Riko , Chauhan Teena , Mollenhauer Gesine , Hefter Jens , Grotheer Hendrik , Belt Simon T. , Colleoni Florence , Muschitiello Francesco , Capotondi Lucilla , Pellegrini Claudio , Tesi Tommaso 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe Bølling-Allerød interstadial (14,700–12,900 years before present), during the last deglaciation, was characterized by rapid warming and sea level rise. Yet, the response of the Arctic terrestrial cryosphere during this abrupt climate change remains thus far elusive. Here we present a multi-proxy analysis of a sediment record from the northern Svalbard continental margin, an area strongly influenced by sea ice export from the Arctic, to elucidate sea level - permafrost erosion connections. We show that permafrost-derived material rich in biospheric carbon became the dominant source of sediments at the onset of the Bølling-Allerød, despite the lack of direct connections with permafrost deposits. Our results suggest that the abrupt temperature and sea level rise triggered massive erosion of coastal ice-rich Yedoma permafrost, possibly from Siberian and Alaskan coasts, followed by long-range sea ice transport towards the Fram Strait and the Arctic Ocean gateway. Overall, we show how coastal permafrost is susceptible to large-scale remobilization in a scenario of rapid climate variability.
Tetrahedral DNA nanostructure-corbelled click chemistry-based large-scale assembly of nanozymes for ratiometric fluorescence assay of DNA methyltransferase activity
Authors: Cao Guohui , Jia Huiying , Xu Shuling , Xu Ensheng , Wang Pin , Xue Qingwang , Wang Huaisheng 
Published: October 2023

We engineer DTN-corbelled click chemistry to trigger a HCR assembling a large-scale of nanozymes for ratiometric fluorescence detection of DNA Dam. The biosensor displayed a low detection limit of 0.001 U mL−1 for Dam MTase and was effective in real sample and methylation inhibitor screenings.
A Transparent Mask and Clear Speech Benefit Speech Intelligibility in Individuals With Hearing Loss
Authors: Yi Hoyoung , Choudhury Moumita , Hicks Candace 
Published: October 2023

Purpose:
The purpose of the study is to investigate the impacts of a surgical mask and a transparent mask on audio-only and audiovisual speech intelligibility in noise (i.e., 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio) in individuals with mild-to-profound hearing loss. The study also examined if individuals with hearing loss can benefit from using a transparent mask and clear speech for speech understanding in noise.

Method:
Thirty-one individuals with hearing loss (from 22 to 74 years old) completed keyword identification tasks to measure face-masked speech intelligibility in noise. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to examine the effects of face masks (no mask, transparent mask, surgical mask), presentation modes (audio only, audiovisual), speaking styles (conversational, clear), noise type (speech-shaped noise [SSN], four-talker babble [4-T babble]), hearing groups (mild hearing loss [MHL], greater than MHL: GHL), and their interactions on binary accuracy of keyword identification.

Results:
In the audio-only mode, the GHL group showed reduced speech intelligibility regardless of other factors, whereas the MHL group showed decreased speech intelligibility for the transparent mask more than for the surgical mask. The use of a transparent mask was advantageous for both hearing loss groups. Clear speech remediated the detrimental effects of face masks on speech intelligibility in noise. Both groups tended to perform better in SSN versus 4-T babble.

Conclusions:
The findings indicate that, when using face masks, either a transparent mask or a surgical mask negatively affects speech understanding in noise for individuals with hearing loss. Using a transparent mask and clear speech could be a potential solution to improve speech intelligibility in communication with face masks in noise.