Search Results (22,311)

Background: Fluorescence-guided resection (FGR) of glioblastomas has been previously explored with the use of 5-amivelulinic acid (5-ALA) and sodium fluoresceine (SF), allowing us to maximize the extent of resection (EoR). In this study, we highlight the most relevant concerns regarding this technique and present the methods and results from the experience of our center. Methods: A case series of 100 patients operated on in AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza in Turin with a histological diagnosis of glioblastoma (grade IV, according to WHO 2021) was retrospectively analyzed. Both 5-ALA and SF were administered and intraoperatively assessed with an optical microscope. Results: 5-ALA is the only approved drug for FGR in glioblastoma, reporting an increased EoR. Nevertheless, SF can be positively used in addition to 5-ALA to reduce the risk of false positives without increasing the rate of adverse effects. In our experience, SF was used to guide the initial phase of resection while 5-ALA was used to visualize tumor spots within the surgical cavity. In 96% of cases, gross total resection was achieved, with supra-maximal resection in 11% of cases. Conclusions: Combined FGR using 5-ALA and SF seems to be a promising method of increasing the extent of resection and to improving the prognosis in glioblastoma patients. Full article

Globally, dockless bike-sharing (DBS) systems are acclaimed for their convenience and seamless integration with public transportation, such as buses and metros. While much research has focused on the connection between the built environment and the metro–DBS integration, the influence of urban road characteristics on DBS and bus integration remains underexplored. This study defined the parking area of DBS around bus stops by a rectangular buffer so as to extract the DBS–bus integration, followed by measuring the access and egress integration using real-time data on dockless bike locations. This indicated that the average trip distance for DBS–bus access and egress integration corresponded to 1028.47 m and 1052.33 m, respectively. A zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression model assessed how urban roads and other transportation facilities correlate with DBS–bus integration across various scenarios. The findings revealed that certain street patterns strongly correlate with frequent connection hotspots. Furthermore, high-grade roads and ‘dense loops on a stick’ street types may negatively influence DBS–bus integration. The increase in the proportion of three-legged intersections and culs-de-sac in the catchment makes it difficult for bus passengers to transfer by DBS. These insights offer valuable guidance for enhancing feeder services in public transit systems. Full article

This study investigated the effects of U.S. student loans on attainment via the GPA of non-white undergraduates. The data for the study were drawn from the 2012/2017 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS: 12/17), encompassing a nationally representative sample of 1500 African American, Hispanic, Asian, multiracial, and other non-white students. The results, based on regression models and the bootstrapped confidence interval (BCI) method, indicated that student loans were associated with GPA, and both student loans and GPA were associated with attainment. Notably, the indirect effect of loan status on attainment was negative, whereas the indirect effect of high debt on attainment was positive. These findings highlight the indirect relationship between student loans and attainment and suggest that high debt has the potential to offset the negative effect of loan status on academic outcomes. The implications of these findings for higher education practice and policy debates are critical, particularly in the context of addressing non-white students’ financial needs and enhancing their academic outcomes. Full article

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) represents a matter of social and environmental concern due to its potential release in the atmosphere during rock excavation and grinding in quarry and road tunnel activities. In most cases, NOA occurs in serpentinites, i.e., rocks deriving from low-grade metamorphic hydration of mantle peridotites. The potential release of asbestos fibers from serpentinite outcrops depends on several features, such as serpentinization degree, rock deformation, weathering, and abundance of fibrous veins. In this study, we selected a set of serpentinite samples from a representative outcrop in Tuscany (Italy), and we analyzed them by Optical, Scanning, and Transmission Electron Microscopies. The samples were treated by grinding tests following the Italian guidelines Decrees 14/5/96 and 152/2006 for the determination of the Release Index (RI), i.e., the fiber amount released through controlled crushing tests. The fine-grained powder released during the tests was analyzed by quantitative Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the variety and the amount of released fibers and to assess the potential hazard of the different serpentinite samples. Results indicate that the amount of released fibers is mostly related to serpentinite deformation, with the highest RI values for cataclastic and foliated samples, typically characterized by widespread occurrence of fibrous veins. Conversely, massive pseudomorphic serpentinite revealed a very low RI, even if their actual chrysotile content is up to 20–25%. Based on our original findings from the RI results, a preliminary investigation of the outcrop at the mesoscale would be of primary importance to obtain a reliable hazard assessment of NOA sites, allowing the primary distinction among the different serpentinites lithotypes and the effective fiber release. Full article

Any system for evaluating the safety service performance of heavy-haul railway lines must effectively reflect the real-time service status of the line. The working conditions of heavy-load lines are complex and diverse, particularly on uphill sections. Existing evaluation systems struggle to accurately reflect the service conditions of long and steep uphill sections bearing heavy loads, posing a significant threat to the safe operation of these lines. To address this problem, we propose a new method for evaluating the safety service performance of long and steep uphill sections of heavy-haul railway lines by establishing a scoring system based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). First, damage indicators for heavy-haul lines are categorized into three groups: track geometry status indicators, track structure status indicators, and track traffic status indicators. Using data from existing heavy-haul lines and maintenance experiences, we determine a score deduction standard, classifying lines into four levels based on their safety service quality. Next, we establish a coefficient table for the service performance of long and steep uphill sections after the corresponding scores are deducted. Using data for the length and elevation grade of the actual uphill section, we adjust the deducted scores of the track structure status indicators, enhancing the evaluation system’s accuracy in describing the working conditions. Finally, we verify the stability of the entire system by conducting a sensitivity analysis of the indicator evaluation results using the One-At-a-Time (OAT) method. This method fills a critical gap in the safe operation and maintenance of heavy-haul railways and provides a safety guarantee for the operation of long uphill sections of heavy-haul railways. Full article

A main topic in mass production of machine parts is how to increase the productivity to produce more parts in a given time while maintaining the prescribed surface quality on the machined surfaces. Novel machining procedures have been introduced to achieve this goal; however, the further development of already established and wide-spread procedures can offer simply accessible solutions. Tangential turning is a rediscovered variant of the traditional turning procedure, where a specially designed cutting tool ensures chip removal with a feed tangential to the workpiece. This process results in low surface roughness even at higher feed rates. In this paper, the achievable surface roughness is analyzed by analytical and experimental steps. In the mathematical analysis, the theoretical surface roughness is determined using the constructive geometric modelling method. The worked-out equations are validated in cutting experiments on 42CrMo4 grade steel workpieces. The theoretical and experimental analyses show that the strictly prescribed surface roughness can be achieved with high feed rates by the application of tangential turning. Full article

Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) is one of the most widely distributed viruses; it often exhibits combined infection with white clover mosaic virus (WCMV). Even so, little is known about the effects of co-infection with AMV and WCMV on plants. To determine whether there is a synergistic effect of AMV and WCMV co-infection, virus co-infection was studied by electron microscopy, the double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA), and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) of AMV and WCMV co-infection in Nicotiana benthamiana. Meanwhile, measurements were carried out on the photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic gas exchange parameters, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The results showed that the most severe disease development was induced by AMV and WCMV co-infection, and the disease grade was scale 7. N. benthamiana leaves induced mottled yellow-green alternating patterns, leaf wrinkling, and chlorosis, and chloroplasts were observed to be on the verge of disintegration. The relative accumulation of AMV CP and WCMV CP was significantly increased by 15.44-fold and 10.04-fold upon co-infection compared to that with AMV and WCMV single infection at 21 dpi. In addition, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, the net photosynthetic rate, the water use efficiency, the apparent electron transport rate, the PSII maximum photochemical efficiency, the actual photochemical quantum yield, and photochemical quenching were significantly reduced in leaves co-infected with AMV and WCMV compared to AMV- or WCMV-infected leaves and CK. On the contrary, the carotenoid content, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, minimal fluorescence value, and non-photochemical quenching were significantly increased. These findings suggest that there was a synergistic effect between AMV and WCMV, and AMV and WCMV co-infection severely impacted the normal function of photosynthesis in N. benthamiana. Full article

The increasing frequency and duration of marine heatwaves (MHWs) due to climate change pose severe threats to aquaculture, causing drastic physiological and growth impairments in farmed fish, undermining their resilience against additional environmental pressures. To ensure sustainable production that meets the global seafood demand and animal welfare standards, cost-effective and eco-friendly strategies are urgently needed. This study explored the efficacy of the red macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis on juvenile white seabream Diplodus sargus reared under optimal conditions and upon exposure to a MHW. Fish were fed with four experimental diets (0%, 1.5%, 3% or 6% of dried powdered A. taxiformis) for a prophylactic period of 30 days (T30) and subsequently exposed to a Mediterranean category II MHW for 15 days (T53). Biometric data and samples were collected at T30, T53 and T61 (8 days post-MHW recovery), to assess performance indicators, biomarker responses and histopathological alterations. Results showed that A. taxiformis supplementation improved catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities and reduced lipid peroxidation promoted by the MHW, particularly in fish biofortified with 1.5% inclusion level. No histopathological alterations were observed after 30 days. Additionally, fish biofortified with 1.5% A. taxiformis exhibited increased citrate synthase activity and fish supplemented with 1.5% and 3% showed improved digestive enzyme activities (e.g., pepsin and trypsin activities). Overall, the present findings pointed to 1.5% inclusion as the optimal dosage for aquafeeds biofortification with A. taxiformis, and confirmed that this seaweed species is a promising cost-effective ingredient with functional properties and great potential for usage in a climate-smart context. Full article

Clinical walk tests may not predict the development of frailty in healthy older adults. With advancements in wearable technology, it may be possible to predict the development of frailty using loading asymmetry parameters during clinical walk tests. This prospective cohort study aimed to test the hypothesis that increased limb loading asymmetry predicts frailty risk in community-living older adults. Sixty-three independently ambulant community-living adults aged ≥ 65 years were recruited, and forty-seven subjects completed the ten-month follow-up after baseline. Loading asymmetry index of net and regional (forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot) plantar forces were collected using force sensing insoles during a 10 m walk test with their maximum speed. Development of frailty was defined if the participant progressed from baseline at least one grading group of frailty at the follow-up period using the Kihon Checklist. Fourteen subjects developed frailty during the follow-up period. Increased risk of frailty was associated with each 1% increase in loading asymmetry of net impulse (Odds ratio 1.153, 95%CI 1.001 to 1.329). Net impulse asymmetry significantly correlated with asymmetry of peak force in midfoot force. These results indicate the feasibility of measuring plantar forces of gait during clinical walking tests and underscore the potential of using load asymmetry as a tool to augment frailty risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults. Full article

Background: We evaluated the comparative effectiveness of all intra-articular injection corticosteroids for treating internal temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and LILACS through December 2023. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) enrolling patients with symptomatic internal disorders of the TMJ comparing any type of intra-articular corticosteroid therapy against another or to another minimally invasive therapy. The outcomes of interest were pain, range of mandibular motion (RoM), quality of life (QoL) and adverse effects at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. We conducted a frequentist network meta-analysis and assessed the certainty of the evidence (CoE) using GRADE. Results: We included 20 RCTs enrolling 810 participants, which assessed five corticosteroids alone or combined with arthrocentesis or hyaluronic acid. Based on moderate CoE, betamethasone is among the most effective corticosteroids for reducing pain at one (mean difference compared to arthrocentesis [MD], −3.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], −4.55 to −3.05) and three months (MD, −2.74; 95%CI, −3.42 to −2.06), and arthrocentesis plus dexamethasone at six months (MD, −0.80; 95%CI, −1.57 to −0.03). There was no convincing evidence that any intervention was better than arthrocentesis for improving the RoM and QoL at any follow-up time. Methylprednisolone may be more harmful than arthrocentesis for adverse effects. Discussion: Betamethasone and arthrocentesis plus dexamethasone are the most effective in managing pain in the short and medium term compared to arthrocentesis (moderate CoE). Decisions about their use should consider other factors, such as costs, feasibility, and acceptability. Future research should consider QoL as an outcome and assess participants at longer follow-up periods. Full article

Background: Neonatal cerebral stroke includes a range of focal and multifocal ischemic and hemorrhagic brain lesions, occurring in about one of 3000 live births. More than 50% of children with neonatal stroke develop adverse outcomes, mainly unilateral cerebral palsy. Asymmetries in segmental movements at three months have been proven to be an early sign of CP in infants with unilateral brain damage. Recognition of additional early signs could enhance prognostic assessment and enable an early and targeted intervention. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess early signs of CP in infants with arterial cerebral stroke through the General Movements Assessment and the Motor Optimality Score—Revised (MOS-R). Method: Twenty-four infants born at term (12 females and 12 males) diagnosed with ACS, and 24 healthy infants (16 females and 8 males) were assessed. The GMs (fidgety movements) and MOS-R were assessed from videos recorded at 11–14 weeks of post-term age. Cognitive and motor outcomes were assessed at 24 months using the Griffiths III developmental quotient and Amiel-Tison neurological examination. The gross motor function classification system expanded and revised (GMFCS-E&R) was adopted to categorize CP. Results: Among infants with ACS, 21 (87.5%) developed unilateral CP. Most of them showed non-disabling CP (14 had GMFCS-E&R grade 1 [66.6%], 6 grade 2 [28.6%], and 1 grade 5 [4.8%]). Fidgety movements (FMs) were absent in 17 (70.8%), sporadic in 4 (16.7%) infants, and normal in 3 (12.5%). Segmental movement asymmetry was found in 22/24 (91.7%). According to the MOS-R, motor items (kicking, mouth movements), postural patterns (midline centered head, finger posture variability), and movement character (monotonous and stiff) were statistically different among infants with ACS and healthy infants. The MOS-R median global score was lower in the group with ACS compared to the control group (6 vs 26; p < 0.01). FMs, segmental movement asymmetry, and MOS-R global score were significantly correlated with abnormal outcome. MOS-R global scores less than or equal to 13 had 100% specificity and sensitivity in predicting GMFCS-E&R grade ³ 2 CP in infants with ACS. Conclusions: The rate of CP was high among infants with ACS, but in most cases it showed low GMFCS-E&R grades. The study highlighted a significant correlation between MOS-R, together with absent FMs and unilateral CP in infants with ACS. Moreover, the MOS-R showed high sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of CP. Combined assessment of FMs and MOS-R could help to better identify infants at high risk of developing UCP in a population of infants with ACS. Early identification of precocious signs of unilateral CP is fundamental to providing an early individualized intervention. Full article

Froth flotation is a widespread and important method for mineral separation, significantly influencing the purity and quality of extracted minerals. Traditionally, workers need to control chemical dosages by observing the visual characteristics of flotation froth, but this requires considerable experience and operational skills. This paper designs a deep ensemble learning-based sensor for flotation froth image recognition to monitor actual flotation froth working conditions, so as to assist operators in facilitating chemical dosage adjustments and achieve the industrial goals of promoting concentrate grade and mineral recovery. In our approach, training and validation data on flotation froth images are partitioned in K-fold cross validation, and deep neural network (DNN) based learners are generated through pre-trained DNN models in image-enhanced training data, in order to improve their generalization and robustness. Then, a membership function utilizing the performance information of the DNN-based learners during the validation is proposed to improve the recognition accuracy of the DNN-based learners. Subsequently, a technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) based on the F1 score is proposed to select the most probable working condition of flotation froth images through a decision matrix composed of the DNN-based learners’ predictions via a membership function, which is adopted to optimize the combination process of deep ensemble learning. The effectiveness and superiority of the designed sensor are verified in a real industrial gold–antimony froth flotation application. Full article

With the intensifying global warming trend, extreme heat and drought are becoming more frequent, seriously impacting potato yield and quality. To maintain sustainable potato production, it is necessary to breed new potato varieties that are adaptable to environmental changes and tolerant to adversity. Despite its importance, there is a significant gap in research focused on the potential mechanisms of potato resistance to abiotic stresses like drought and high temperatures. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent research available in academic databases according to subject keywords about potato drought tolerance and high temperature tolerance with a view to providing an important theoretical basis for the study of potato stress mechanism and the selection and breeding of potato varieties with drought and high-temperature resistance. The suitable relative soil moisture content for potato growth and development is 55% to 85%, and the suitable temperature is 15 °C to 25 °C. The growth and development of potato plants under drought and high-temperature stress conditions are inhibited, and plant morphology is altered, which affects the process of potato stolon formation, tuberization and expansion, ultimately leading to a significant reduction in potato tuber yields and a remarkable degradation of the market grade of tubers, the specific gravity of tubers, and the processing quality of tubers. In addition, stress also adversely affects potato physiological and biochemical characteristics, such as reduction in root diameter and leaf area, decrease in net photosynthetic rate of leaves, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increase in membrane lipid peroxidation. In addition, various types of genes and transcription factors are involved in the response to drought and heat at the molecular level in potato. This paper illustrates the effects of stress on potato growth and development and the molecular mechanisms of potato response to adversity in detail, which is intended to reduce the damage caused by drought and high temperature to potato in the context of global warming and frequent occurrence of extreme weather to ensure potato yield and quality and to further safeguard food security. Full article

As the demand for silicone polymers continues to grow across various industries, the need for effective recycling methods has become increasingly important, because recycling silicone products reduces landfill waste, conserves resources, and uses less energy. Chemical recycling involves the depolymerization of silicone waste into oligomers, which can then be used to produce virgin-grade silicone. While this sector of the recycling industry is still in its infancy—we estimate that 35,000 to 45,000 metric tons of silicone waste will be chemically recycled worldwide in 2024—an increasing number of companies are beginning to explore the implementation of closed-loop systems to recycle silicones. This article examines the technical options and challenges for recycling silicone polymers, the major degradation chemistries available for depolymerizing silicones, and the current industrial reality of chemical recycling of silicones. Full article

This 10-year retrospective cohort study at a single-center clinic in Germany aimed to analyze the outcomes of endometrial cancer patients and explore the impact of lymphovascular invasion (LV) on patient outcomes and disease-free survival (DFS). Identifying correlations among demographic data, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes could enhance patient management and improve survival rates. The study encompassed patients diagnosed and treated for endometrial cancer from January 2010 to December 2020. Clinical and pathological data were extracted from medical records for 311 patients, focusing on variables such as age, histological type, tumor grade, type of surgical treatment, and adjuvant therapies. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models to identify factors independently associated with survival. The study demonstrated that lymphovascular invasion significantly impacted survival outcomes on Kaplan–Meier analysis (log-rank p-value = 0.0058). Patients with LV showed a marked decrease in DFS compared to those without LV invasion, with a median DFS of 3.2 years and a hazard ratio of 2.18 (95% CI: 1.56–3.04, p < 0.001). Furthermore, high-grade tumors and p53 positivity were strongly associated with reduced DFS, with hazard ratios of 1.93 (p = 0.001) and 2.11 (p < 0.001), respectively. Patients with distant metastasis exhibited the most significant decline in survival, with a hazard ratio of 5.56 (95% CI: 2.45–10.18, p < 0.001). Despite comprehensive surgical and adjuvant therapies, these high-risk factors dictated poorer outcomes. The presence of lymphovascular invasion, high-grade tumors, and genetic markers like MSI and p53 are pivotal in predicting the course of endometrial cancer. This study underscores the necessity for aggressive management strategies in patients exhibiting these high-risk features to potentially improve prognosis and survival outcomes. The findings advocate for enhanced therapeutic strategies tailored to the biological behavior of the tumor, thereby aiming to elevate the overall survival rates for women diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Full article