bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal characterization of mercury contamination along the Portuguese coast: human health and environmental risk assessment
Authors: Cardoso Patrícia Gonçalves , Morais Hugo , Crespo Daniel , Tavares Daniela , Pereira Eduarda , Pardal Miguel Ângelo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA seasonal characterization of mercury (Hg) accumulation in three different estuaries along the Portuguese coast (i.e. Ria de Aveiro, Tagus estuary and Ria Formosa) was done. For that, it was evaluated: (1) Hg concentrations in abiotic (water) and biotic matrices (flora and fauna); (2) the risk of consumption of local seafood species (e.g. bivalves) to human health; and (3) the environmental risk to Hg exposure. During 1 year, water and biological samples were collected during low tide, in each system for Hg quantification. Our findings revealed that total Hg concentrations in surface waters were higher in Ria de Aveiro and Tagus estuary than in Ria Formosa. In Ria de Aveiro, a particular attention should be given in autumn periods, where Hg levels (≈ 100 µg L−1) were considered quite high according to European quality parameters. The same was observed for the Tagus estuary during spring time. Regarding macrofauna Hg levels, no clear seasonal trend was observed. Also, total Hg concentrations in edible species (< 0.5 µg. g−1 ww) represent no risk for consumption. However, considering the environmental risk, in Ria de Aveiro, there is a moderate risk (RQ > 0.1) in autumn periods, which can be a matter of concern.
Effect of Nitrogen Pressure and Substrate Bias Voltage on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Vacuum Arc Deposited VN Coatings
Authors: Kuprin A. S. , Gilewicz A. , Tolmachova G. N. , Klimenko I. O. , Kolodiy I. V. , Vasilenko R. L. , Warcholinski B. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe binary vanadium–nitrogen (V–N) coatings were formed using cathodic arc evaporation. Two sets of coatings were produced using: (a) nitrogen pressure (pN2) from 0.001 Pa to 3 Pa at a constant substrate bias voltage (UB) of − 100 V and (b) a substrate bias voltage from − 50 to − 300 V at a constant nitrogen pressure of 1.5 Pa. The influence of the above parameters on the coating properties, in particular on the insufficiently investigated and described adhesion of the coatings to the substrate, was demonstrated. The phase transformation V → V + V2N → V + c-VN → h-VN → h-VN + c-VN and c-VN → h-VN occurs for coatings formed with increasing nitrogen pressure and substrate bias voltage, respectively. With the increase in pN2 and UB, an increase in coating hardness and adhesion to the substrate is observed, as well as an improvement in wear resistance.
Microstructure and Elevated Temperature Flexure Testing of Tungsten Produced by Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Zhang Haozhi , Carriere Paul R. , Amoako Emmanuel D. , Rock Chris D. , Thielk Seiji U. , Fletcher Colin G. , Horn Timothy J. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDue to their superior high-temperature thermomechanical capabilities, sputter erosion durability, and excellent resistance to hydrogen isotopes, tungsten materials have garnered significant interest in fusion nuclear applications. However, low room-temperature ductility and complex machining strategies present significant challenges for traditional fabrication. Electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) shows promise in manufacturing pure tungsten via high thermal energy input, elevated build temperature, and a tightly controlled high-vacuum environment. This work explores the process, structure, and property relationship of pure tungsten fabricated by EB-PBF, where 99.8% relative density was achieved with reduced cracking by isolating the build substrate and optimizing the print parameter suite. Optical and electron imaging revealed that the microstructure contained equiaxed grains along the build direction, with subgrains present in all inspected grains. Flexural testing at ambient and elevated temperatures demonstrated high ductility at 900°C and flexural strength of 470 MPa at room temperature of additively manufactured tungsten.
Experimental Study and Thermodynamic Modelling of Equilibrium Distributions of Ni, Sn and Zn Between Slag and Black Copper for E-Scrap Recycling Applications
Authors: Sineva Svetlana , Shishin Denis , Prostakova Viktoria , Lindgren Mari , Starykh Roman , Chen Jiang , Jak Evgueni 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe recycling of waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) and other secondary copper-containing materials through the "black copper" process relies on the selective distribution of metals among the gas, slag, and copper-rich liquid phase. This distribution is controlled by the effective oxidation/reduction potential, often expressed in terms of oxygen partial pressure. Separation of Ni and Sn presents a certain challenge in recycling though black copper route due to similar distribution coefficients over a wide range of oxygen partial pressures and possibly can be improved by optimizing the slag chemistry. This study provides experimental information on the distribution of Ni, Sn, and Zn between fayalite slags or calcium ferrite slags and copper-rich metal at 1250°C. The study uses high-temperature equilibration, quenching, and electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) techniques along with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for selected measurements of low concentrations. The oxygen partial pressure is controlled by the CO/CO2/Ar gas flow or by measuring the concentration of copper oxide in the slag. The effect of slag composition in terms of Fe/SiO2 or Fe/CaO ratio is studied by using different holding materials, such as silica (SiO2) ampoule, solid spinel (Fe3O4), wüstite (FeO), or dicalcium ferrite (Ca2Fe2O5). The experimental results are compared with literature data and used to optimize thermodynamic models for FactSage® software. The results demonstrate an opportunity for more effective separation of Ni and Sn using at oxidizing stage by using calcium ferrite slag promoting the formation of Sn4+.
Microstructure and Early-Stage Oxidation Behavior of Co-Cr-Cu-Fe-Mn-Ni High-Entropy Alloys
Authors: Apell Jonathan , Wonneberger Robert , Pügner Marc , Lampke Thomas , Lippmann Stephanie , Undisz Andreas 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe microstructure and early-stage oxidation behavior of the equiatomic CoCrCuFeMnNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) and its six sub-alloys, obtained by omitting one element each, were investigated. Alloys were prepared using induction levitation melting, cold rolled, and oxidized for 1 h at 800°C in air. The Ni-free and Co-free HEAs showed an inhomogeneous microstructure associated with liquid phase separation. The other alloys were either single-phase (Cu-free HEA) or contained two face-centered cubic phases, one Cu-rich and one Cu-poor. The Cu and Mn-containing two-phase alloys showed preferential oxidation of the Cu/Mn-rich phase, leading to Mn-rich oxides that are prone to spallation. The Mn-free alloy exhibited a thicker oxide (~ 5 µm) on the Cu-rich phase, whereas the Cu-poor phase was covered by a thin base oxide (< 1 µm). The single-phase Cu-free (‘Cantor’) alloy formed an approximately 1-µm-thick oxide of the crystal structure types of Mn3O4, Mn2O3, MnCr2O4, and Cr2O3. For prospective high-temperature applications, reducing the Cu and Mn content and thus avoiding formation of a second Cu-rich phase is a promising route to facilitate formation of a protective oxide.
Fighting drift sands with pine trees: Reforestation of coastal areas of NW Portugal at the end of eighteenth century
Authors: Lopes Ana Isabel 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFrom the late Middle Ages until the end of the nineteenth century, the northwest coast of Portugal was severely affected by drift sands, which led to the disappearance of villages or forced the population to migrate or suffer several losses. Along the northern European Atlantic coast, the most effective response to the drift sands was the reforestation of coastal areas, starting from the end of the eighteenth century and in the nineteenth century. In the northwest coast of Portugal, until the end of the nineteenth century, coastal planning and management was mainly the responsibility of local civil, manorial, and religious institutions. Based on historical sources, monastic institutions' forest management actions will be analyzed, and whether these initiatives successfully made communities in north-western Portugal less vulnerable to drift sands. This study will also allow a comparison of how the coastal landscape in the Portuguese Northwest has been reshaped and managed over two centuries, the profound impacts caused by tourism activities in the second half of the twentieth century, and the implementation of coastal management plans by the Portuguese State from 1993 onwards.
Cellular Therapy in NSCLC: Between Myth and Reality
Authors: Imbimbo Martina , Wetterwald Laureline , Friedlaender Alex , Parikh Kaushal , Addeo Alfredo 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose of Review
In this paper, we review the current state and modalities of adoptive cell therapies (ACT) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). We also discuss the challenges hampering the use of ACT and the approaches to overcome these barriers.

Recent Findings
Several trials are ongoing investigating the three main modalities of T cell-based ACT: tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), genetically engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. The latter, in particular, has revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies. However, the efficacy against solid tumor is still sparse. Major limitations include the following: severe toxicities, restricted infiltration and activation within the tumors, antigen escape and heterogeneity, and manufacturing issues.

Summary
ACT is a promising tool to improve the outcome of metastatic NSCLC, but significant translational and clinical research is needed to improve its application and expand the use in NSCLC.
Novel Insights Into the Recovery and Stabilization of Rosmarinus officinalis Volatile Aroma Compounds Using Green Solvents
Authors: Vladić Jelena , Kovačević Strahinja , Aladić Krunoslav , Rebocho Silvia , Jokić Stela , Podunavac-Kuzmanović Sanja , Duarte Ana Rita C. , Jerković Igor 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn this study, the integrated application of supercritical CO2 and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) was investigated in order to establish a green procedure that enables obtaining and stabilizing the aroma volatile constituents of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Supercritical CO2 was used to obtain rosemary extracts that possessed an abundance of terpenes, particularly monoterpenes 68.97–88.08% and sesquiterpenes 5.38–21.22%. The obtained extracts were further dispersed in different NADES (betaine/glycerol (Bet/Gly), betaine/ethylene glycol (Bet/EG), and betaine/glycerol/sucrose/water (Bet/Gly/Suc/W) and their stability was assessed at room temperature. The headspace profile of the samples and their antioxidant activity were monitored for 6 months. Changes in the chemical profile of the extract were detected, which corresponded to terpene transformation reactions. In the control (CO2 extract), the development of non-terpene components such as acetic acid was detected, which make the product unsuitable for use. Conversely, the accumulation of acetic acid was not observed in the NADES samples. The antioxidant activity of the control was the most significantly decreased during 6 months, while among the NADES samples, the reduction of activity occurred only in Bet/Gly sample. In Bet/EG and Bet/Gly/Suc/W samples, activity remained the same during the same period. The results suggest that the NADES could serve as stabilization media for CO2-extracted rosemary volatile components. Furthermore, this represents a simple, green process of obtaining readily applicable products with extended stability at room temperature.
Analysis of the prognostic value of uric acid on the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with primary liver cancer
Authors: Rao Hui , Wang Qi , Zeng Xiaoli , Wen Xuejiao , Huang Li 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Uric acid (UA) plays a dual role as an antioxidant and a prooxidant in patients with malignant tumors; however, the relationship between serum UA and malignancy is currently unclear. This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of serum uric acid level before immunotherapy on the efficacy of primary liver cancer (PLC) immunotherapy, which might provide a basis for optimizing the comprehensive treatment scheme.

Methods
Patients with PLC who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College from January 2019 to June 2022 and underwent immunotherapy were collected retrospectively. The difference between serum UA levels in patients with PLC, the correlation between serum UA levels, and the clinical characteristics of patients with PLC were analyzed using the chi-square test, and the survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier analysis. To further assess the prognostic significance of UA concentrations, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed.

Results
Ninety-nine patients were included in this study cohort. The median follow-up was 7 months (range: 1–29 months), and 76 (76.8%) of the 99 patients with PLC died as of December 31, 2022. Serum UA concentrations ranged from 105 to 670 μmol/l, with a median of 269 μmol/l. The results showed that the serum UA level of patients with PLC was higher than that of healthy subjects (P < 0.001). After subgroup analyses, only male patients with liver cancer had higher serum UA levels than healthy men (P = 0.001). The results of the Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that higher UA levels were associated with poor overall survival (OS) (P = 0.005). In univariate analysis, the OS rate of patients with elevated serum UA levels was significantly lower than the cut-off value (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.191, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.456–6.993, P = 0.004), with a median survival time of 151 and 312 days in the high and low serum UA groups, respectively. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the UA level was an independent prognostic factor for immunotherapy in patients with PLC (HR: 3.131, 95% CI: 1.766–5.553, P < 0.001).

Conclusions
The serum UA level is a reliable biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients undergoing immunotherapy for PLC, and might provide a basis for the individualized treatment of these patients. Dynamic monitoring of the serum UA level may compensate for the deficiency of the current liver cancer staging system.
Classification of Pulmonary Nodules in 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT Images with a 3D Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Alves Victor Manuel , dos Santos Cardoso Jaime , Gama João 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
2-[18F]FDG PET/CT plays an important role in the management of pulmonary nodules. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) automatically learn features from images and have the potential to improve the discrimination between malignant and benign pulmonary nodules. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a CNN model for classification of pulmonary nodules from 2-[18F]FDG PET images.

Methods
One hundred thirteen participants were retrospectively selected. One nodule per participant. The 2-[18F]FDG PET images were preprocessed and annotated with the reference standard. The deep learning experiment entailed random data splitting in five sets. A test set was held out for evaluation of the final model. Four-fold cross-validation was performed from the remaining sets for training and evaluating a set of candidate models and for selecting the final model. Models of three types of 3D CNNs architectures were trained from random weight initialization (Stacked 3D CNN, VGG-like and Inception-v2-like models) both in original and augmented datasets. Transfer learning, from ImageNet with ResNet-50, was also used.

Results
The final model (Stacked 3D CNN model) obtained an area under the ROC curve of 0.8385 (95% CI: 0.6455–1.0000) in the test set. The model had a sensibility of 80.00%, a specificity of 69.23% and an accuracy of 73.91%, in the test set, for an optimised decision threshold that assigns a higher cost to false negatives.

Conclusion
A 3D CNN model was effective at distinguishing benign from malignant pulmonary nodules in 2-[18F]FDG PET images.
A new approach for real-time prediction of stick–slip vibrations enhancement using model agnostic and supervised machine learning: a case study of Norwegian continental shelf
Authors: Elahifar Behzad , Hosseini Erfan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEfficient and safe drilling operations require real-time identification and mitigation of downhole vibrations like stick-slip, which can significantly diminish performance, reliability, and efficiency. This pioneering research introduces a robust machine learning approach combining model-agnostic regression techniques with Bayesian Optimized Extra Trees (BO_ET) to accurately predict stick-slip events in real-time using downhole sensor data. The model is rigorously tested and validated on a substantial offshore dataset comprising over 78,000 data points from a Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) oil field. The key input features encompassing real-time downhole and surface drilling parameters are carefully selected, including critical variables such as collar rotational speed, shock risks, annular pressure, torque, mud flow rate, drill string vibration severity, and other relevant measurements. These parameters offer significant insights into the occurrence of harmful stick-slip vibrations. Among several sophisticated machine learning models, the Extra Trees (ET) algorithm demonstrates superior performance with the lowest errors of 5.5056 revolutions per minute (r/min) Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and 9.9672 r/min Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) on out-of-sample test data. Further hyperparameter tuning of the ET algorithm via Bayesian Optimization dramatically reduces errors down to 0.002156 MAE and 0.024495 RMSE, underscoring the significant innovation and advantages of the proposed approach. By seamlessly incorporating real-time downhole sensor data and drill string mechanics, the model enables reliable identification of stick-slip events as they occur downhole. This grants opportunities to optimize critical drilling parameters including revolutions per minute (RPM), weight-on-bit (WOB), mud flow rates, and more to effectively mitigate stick-slip severity and improve the rate of penetration (ROP). Integrating the approach into automatic driller systems on offshore rigs offers immense benefits for drilling operations through substantially increased efficiency, fewer premature failures, lower costs, and significantly improved productivity and safety. Overall, this research strongly emphasizes the immense transformative potential of advanced data analytics and machine learning in enabling more efficient, economical, and sustainable drilling practices. The proposed model demonstrates clear superiority over existing methods and establishes a robust and reliable platform for real-time stick-slip prediction and mitigation, maximizing drilling performance.
Graphical abstract
Crossing the Fictional Line: Moral Graveness, the Gamer’s Dilemma, and the Paradox of Fictionally Going Too Far
Authors: Montefiore Thomas , Formosa Paul 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe Gamer’s Dilemma refers to the philosophical challenge of justifying the intuitive difference people seem to see between the moral permissibility of enacting virtual murder and the moral impermissibility of enacting virtual child molestation in video games (Luck Ethics and Information Technology, 1:31, 2009). Recently, Luck in Philosophia, 50:1287–1308, 2022 has argued that the Gamer’s Dilemma is actually an instance of a more general “paradox”, which he calls the “paradox of treating wrongdoing lightly”, and he proposes a graveness resolution to this paradox. In response, we argue for four key claims. First, we accept Luck’s expansion of the Gamer’s Dilemma to be applicable to a wider set of media, but give a novel recasting of this in terms of the Paradox of Fictionally Going Too Far. Second, we develop a novel criticism of Luck in Philosophia, 50:1287–1308, 2022 graveness resolution to this broader paradox. Third, we argue that the Paradox of Fictionally Going Too Far helps to expose an implicit moralism in the Gamer’s Dilemma literature when compared to relevant nearby literatures about other forms of media. Fourth, we consider a range of non-moral, cultural and media conventions that plausibly help to dissolve the intuitive moral gap between non-sexual and sexual violence that is central to this paradox.
Guillain-Barré syndrome as clinical presentation of a recently acquired hepatitis C
Authors: Boccia Filomena , Florio Letizia Lucia , Durante-Mangoni Emanuele , Zampino Rosa 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAbout 40% of the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases are associated with prodromal infections; occasionally, it has been associated to chronic hepatitis C or its reactivation. A 38-year-old man came to our attention after transaminase elevation occurred during recovery from GBS. All the possible causes of acute hepatitis were excluded except for the positivity of HCVRNA, and a diagnosis of new onset hepatitis C was made. Recalling patient history, we observed that (i) anti-HCV antibodies were negative and liver enzymes were normal 7 weeks before GBS onset; (ii) in the early stages of ICU admission, liver enzymes started to rise, but the elevation remained mild under steroid treatment; (iii) serum aminotransferase peak occurred 11 weeks after GBS onset; and (iv) HCV RNA was already significantly high when anti-HCV antibodies became positive, consistent with an acute hepatitis. Furthermore, anti-HCV seroconversion was likely delayed or blurred by steroids and immunoglobulin infusions. The interval of time between GBS onset and transaminase elevation compared with the patient clinical history allows us to establish a cause-effect relationship between the two diseases. All patients with GBS should be tested for hepatitis C, or its reactivation if already present, and followed up for an early diagnosis and treatment.
AYA-zorg onmisbaar in de zorg voor patiënten met zaadbalkanker
Authors: Vliem-van Doorn Daphne , Zweers Daniëlle 
Published: August 2023

SamenvattingPer jaar worden zo’n 3.900 adolescenten en jongvolwassen in de leeftijd van 18 tot en met 39 jaar, AYA’s, geconfronteerd met de diagnose kanker. Samen vormen zij 3,5% van het totaal aantal patiënten met kanker. Deze patiëntengroep behoeft extra aandacht door de unieke fysieke, psychische en maatschappelijke uitdagingen waar jongvolwassenen met kanker mee te maken krijgen. Zaadbalkanker is de meest voorkomende vorm van kanker onder jonge mannen. Uit de praktijk blijkt dat voeding en beweging, familie, gezin en vrienden, werk/opleiding en re-integratie, hypotheken en verzekeringen, emoties en seksualiteit veel voorkomende thema’s in deze patiëntengroep. Leeftijdspecifieke AYA-zorg dient dan ook integraal onderdeel te zijn van de zorg voor patiënten met zaadbalkanker.