bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stratified Metamodeling to Predict Concrete Compressive Strength Using an Optimized Dual-Layered Architectural Framework
Authors: Neto Geraldo F. , Macêdo Bruno da S. , Boratto Tales H. A. , Gontijo Tiago Silveira , Bodini Matteo , Saporetti Camila , Goliatt Leonardo
Published: February 2025

Concrete is one of the most commonly used construction materials worldwide, and its compressive strength is the most important mechanical property to be defined at the time of structural design. Establishing a relationship between the amount of each component in the mixture and the properties of the concrete is not a trivial task, since a high degree of nonlinearity is involved. However, the use of machine learning methods as modeling tools has assisted in overcoming this difficulty. The objective of this work is to investigate the efficiency of using stacking as a technique for predicting the compressive strength of concrete mixtures. Four datasets obtained from the literature were used to verify the generalization capacity of the stacking technique; these datasets included a number of samples and numbers and types of attributes. Statistical tests were used to compare the existence of significant similarities between stacking and individual machine learning models. The results obtained from the statistical tests and evaluation metrics show that stacking yields results similar to those of the standalone machine learning models, with better performance.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Behavior of Additively Manufactured 316L Steel Under Challenging Conditions
Authors: Kunčická Lenka , Kocich Radim , Pagáč Marek
Published: February 2025

AISI 316L stainless steel, widely used in numerous industrial fields, can be fabricated by conventional methods, but also by additive manufacturing. As materials prepared by additive manufacturing typically feature various printing defects deteriorating their mechanical and utility properties, post-processing by plastic deformation is able to enhance their performance. The determination of optimized post-processing conditions can advantageously be performed by combining experimental work and numerical simulations using the finite element method. The presented research focuses on investigating the deformation behavior of AISI 316L stainless steel prepared by additive manufacturing under a variety of thermomechanical conditions (temperatures of 900–1250 °C, strain rates of 0.1–100 s−1). Together with the deformation behavior of the steel, the kinetics of the occurring softening processes is also discussed. The experimentally acquired data are further used for numerical simulations to predict the expected magnitudes of force and imposed strains during prospective post-processing. Observing the microstructures and mechanical properties reveals that the prospective post-processing of AISI 316L stainless steel, prepared by additive manufacturing, via plastic deformation is the most favorable when performed at the temperature of 900 °C and using high strain rates. The flow stress/microhardness generally increase at lower temperatures and higher strain rates, as a result of the development of a substructure. On the contrary, higher temperatures support the recrystallization of grains and their coarsening, which consequently decreases the mechanical properties.
Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of AA2024 Aluminum Alloy with Multimodal Gradient Structures
Authors: Xie Zhenwei , Zhou Liexing , Li Jun , Duan Yonghua , Peng Mingjun , Xiao Hongbo , Du Xiong , Zhao Yuanjie , Li Mengnie
Published: February 2025

Enhancing the strength and toughness of aluminum alloys using microstructure optimization remains a key challenge. In this study, an AA2024 aluminum alloy with a double-layer multi-gradient structure was fabricated using 50% constrained deformation and single-stage peak aging at 150 °C. Microstructural and compositional analysis was performed using SEM, XRD, and TEM to investigate grain structures, dislocation density, and the distribution of precipitated phases. The results revealed a heterogeneous microstructure with variations in grain size, dislocation gradient, and precipitation phases between the constrained and deformation layers. Mechanical testing demonstrated a 30.9% increase in yield strength, a 16.4% increase in tensile strength, and a 13.9% improvement in uniform elongation compared to the T6 temper. Corrosion tests showed enhanced resistance, with a shallower intergranular corrosion depth and higher self-corrosion potential. The improved mechanical properties were attributed to the dislocation gradient and heterogeneous precipitation phases, while the enhanced corrosion resistance resulted from the transformation of the S phase from a continuous grain boundary distribution to a discontinuous distribution along dislocations. This study provides a novel approach for optimizing the mechanical and corrosion properties of AA2024 aluminum alloy using microstructure design and precise thermal–mechanical treatment.
Advanced Machine Learning for Comparative Synovial Fluid Analysis in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kopeć Karolina Krystyna , Uccheddu Gabrieleanselmo , Chodnicki Paweł , Noto Antonio , Piras Cristina , Spada Martina , Atzori Luigi , Fanos Vassilios
Published: February 2025

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are joint diseases that share similar clinical features but have different etiologies, making a differential diagnosis particularly challenging. Background/Objectives: Utilizing advanced machine learning (ML) techniques on metabolomic data, this study aimed to identify key metabolites in synovial fluid (SF) that could aid in distinguishing between OA and RA. Methods: Metabolite data from the MetaboLights database (MTBLS564), analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), were processed using normalization, a principal component analysis (PCA), and a partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to reveal prominent clustering. Results: Decision forests and random forest classifiers, optimized using genetic algorithms (GAs), highlighted a selection of a few metabolites—primarily glutamine, pyruvate, and proline—with significant discriminative power. A Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) analysis confirmed these metabolites to be pivotal predictors, offering a streamlined approach for clinical diagnostics. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a minimal set of key metabolites can effectively be relied upon to distinguish between OA and RA, supported by an optimized ML model achieving high accuracy. This workflow could streamline diagnostic efficiency and enhance clinical decision-making in rheumatology.
The Global Trends and Advances in Oral Microbiome Research on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dumitrescu Ramona , Bolchis Vanessa , Fratila Aurora Doris , Jumanca Daniela , Buzatu Berivan Laura Rebeca , Sava-Rosianu Ruxandra , Alexa Vlad Tiberiu , Galuscan Atena , Balean Octavia
Published: February 2025

The oral microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key factor in the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Dysbiosis has been associated with inflammation and tumorigenesis, highlighting the potential of microbial alterations and salivary biomarkers as tools for early, non-invasive diagnosis. This review examines recent advancements in understanding the oral microbiome’s role in OSCC. A comprehensive synthesis of studies from 2016 to 2024 was conducted to identify emerging themes and significant findings in the field. Key topics included the interplay between microbiome-driven mechanisms and cancer development, with a focus on microbial communities and their metabolic byproducts. The findings emphasize the importance of specific microbial alterations in modulating immune responses and tumor microenvironments, as well as the promise of biomarkers such as interleukins and miRNA signatures in improving diagnostic accuracy. Recent research trends indicate growing interest in the therapeutic potential of targeting the oral microbiome in OSCC management. Despite significant advancements, gaps remain in the understanding of the precise mechanisms linking dysbiosis to cancer progression. This review underscores the need for continued research to develop personalized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on the oral microbiome, with the potential to transform OSCC management.
Invasive Fungal Disease After Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Immunotherapy in Adult and Pediatric Patients
Authors: Evangelidis Paschalis , Tragiannidis Konstantinos , Vyzantiadis Athanasios , Evangelidis Nikolaos , Kalmoukos Panagiotis , Vyzantiadis Timoleon-Achilleas , Tragiannidis Athanasios , Kourti Maria , Gavriilaki Eleni
Published: February 2025

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) have been documented among the causes of post-chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapy complications, with the incidence of IFDs in CAR-T cell therapy recipients being measured between 0% and 10%, globally. IFDs are notorious for their potentially life-threatening nature and challenging diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we searched the recent literature aiming to examine the risk factors and epidemiology of IFDs post-CAR-T infusion. Moreover, the role of antifungal prophylaxis is investigated. CAR-T cell therapy recipients are especially vulnerable to IFDs due to several risk factors that contribute to the patient’s immunosuppression. Those include the underlying hematological malignancies, the lymphodepleting chemotherapy administered before the treatment, existing leukopenia and hypogammaglobinemia, and the use of high-dose corticosteroids and interleukin-6 blockers as countermeasures for immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome and cytokine release syndrome, respectively. IFDs mostly occur within the first 60 days following the infusion of the T cells, but cases even a year after the infusion have been described. Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., and Pneumocystis jirovecii are the main cause of these infections following CAR-T cell therapy. More real-world data regarding the epidemiology of IFDs and the role of antifungal prophylaxis in this population are essential.
The Prevalence of Invasive Bacterial Infection in Febrile Infants Presenting to Hospital Following Meningococcal B Immunisation: A Case Series
Authors: Drummond Holly , Umana Etimbuk , Mills Clare , Waterfield Thomas
Published: February 2025

Objectives: To report the prevalence of invasive bacterial infection (IBI) in febrile infants ≤90 days presenting to hospital within 72 h of meningococcal B (MenB) immunisation. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from two previous multicentre studies of febrile infants conducted at UK and Irish hospitals. The first study was a retrospective study, conducted at six sites between 31 August 2018 and 1 September 2019. The second study was a prospective study conducted at 35 sites between 6 July 2022 and 31 August 2023. Febrile infants ≤90 days who had received the MenB vaccine within 72 h preceding presentation were included. Results: A total of 102 infants met the inclusion criteria, with a median age of 61 days and a male predominance of 65.7%. The most reported clinical features were an abnormal cry, decreased feeding and coryzal symptoms. In total, 68/102 (66.7%) were admitted to hospital; the median length of stay was 1 day. Median C-reactive protein (CRP) was 20.5 mg/L, mean white cell count was 13.7 × 109/L, mean neutrophil count was 7.3 × 109/L and mean lymphocyte count was 4.7 × 109/L. In total, 38/102 (37.3%) had blood cultures performed, 26/102 (25.5%) had respiratory viral testing performed, 55/102 (53.9%) had urine culture performed and 14/102 (13.7%) had lumbar puncture performed. Additionally, 26/102 (25.5%) received parenteral antibiotics. There were no cases of IBI, and 3/102 (2.9%) cases of urinary tract infection. Conclusions: The rate of IBI is negligible in febrile infants following MenB immunisations. Current blood tests such as CRP are unreliable in this cohort, as many exhibit a moderate CRP rise above suggested international cut-offs for this age range.
University Pharmacy Clinic: Preventing Errors and Enhancing Lives Through Expert Medication Management
Authors: Smith Alesha , Nair Dhanya Hariharan , Smith Emma R. , Wheeler Tara F. , Smith Lauren E. , Russell Bruce R. , Marra Carlo A.
Published: February 2025

The University of Otago School of Pharmacy Clinic serves as a model for innovative medication management, tackling critical medication-related problems (MRPs) to enhance patient outcomes and advance pharmacy education. This study evaluated the clinic’s impact, examining 456 patient consultations over four years, with a focus on MRPs such as dosing errors, non-adherence, and inadequate monitoring. Using the DOCUMENT classification system, pharmacists identified 754 MRPs and issued 836 recommendations, primarily related to medication adjustments and monitoring. Patients reported significant improvements in health-related quality of life, as measured by the SF12V2 survey, with notable gains in mental and physical health metrics. This outcome highlights the clinic’s dual role in optimising patient care and providing pharmacy students with experiential learning opportunities. By integrating hands-on training within a supervised clinical environment, the clinic addresses workforce shortages and reinforces the value of pharmacist-led interventions. The findings advocate for university-based clinics as pivotal hubs for resolving MRPs through interprofessional collaboration, targeted interventions, and innovative technologies such as telepharmacy. The study underscores the need for expanded roles for clinical pharmacists in healthcare policy and practice, showcasing their potential to prevent medication errors, enhance lives, and reshape the future of pharmacy education and patient care.
Temporal Faraday and Other Magneto-Optic Effects
Authors: Mendonça José Tito
Published: February 2025

We consider temporal optical effects in the presence of static fields, and more generally in anisotropic optical media, such as magnetized materials. Magneto-optical effects are due not just to phase shifts between the different eigenmodes, as in static media, but also to temporal variations in the frequency and mode amplitudes. Faraday rotations, Cotton–Mouton effects and other polarimetric processes due to static magnetic or electric fields are discussed. Examples of magneto-plasmas are compared with those in nonlinear Kerr media. These temporal processes could be of general interest in plasma physics and photonics.
National Populism and Religion: The Case of Fratelli d’Italia and Vox
Authors: Innerarity Carmen , Giansante Antonello Canzano
Published: February 2025

Religion has become increasingly important in the discourse and ideology of the ‘fourth wave’ of the populist radical right which began in 2000 in Europe. To achieve its normalization in the political contest, these formations have shifted from openly racist positions to other arguments that, like religion, can be used to present their proposals in terms that are, at least apparently, democratic. This paper analyzes how Fratelli d’Italia and Vox appeal to religion in their efforts to construct national identity and differentiate from the “Other”. To develop our research, we have carried out a qualitative analysis of the programs, founding documents, speeches, parliamentary interventions, interviews, and key messages of the leaders of both parties from their foundation until the European elections of June 2024. Despite the differences, the emergence of religion in a broad sense, as a form of a sacralization of politics, can be observed in both parties. In both cases, there is also a “politicization” of religion, which emerges as a secularized Christianity. Both parties appeal to a “Christian secularity”, which, in their opinion, must be defended against Islam.
Philosophy of Religion: Taking Leave of the Abstract Domain
Authors: Wilson Philip
Published: February 2025

John Cottingham argues that traditional university modules in the philosophy of religion take us into a ‘very abstract domain that is often far removed from religion as it actually operates in the life of the believer’. This paper makes four moves based on Cottingham. First, it argues that the application of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s methods supports and facilitates a shift to the anthropological in the philosophy of religion (as evidenced in the work of Mikel Burley). Second, literature is examined as a tool for doing the philosophy of religion, following Danielle Moyal-Sharrock’s notion of the literary text as surveyable representation. Three works are investigated, namely Silence by Shūshaku Endō, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and the Gospel of John. It is argued that, far from being merely illustrative of religion, story is (in its widest sense) constitutive of belief. Third, it is shown how Wittgenstein’s remarks on mysticism in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus can be read as a transmutation of literary writing that creates a non-abstract mysticism of the world. Wittgenstein’s remarks are placed in dialogue with Angelus Silesius’s poetry and Leo Tolstoy’s The Gospel in Brief. Fourth, the relevance of Wittgenstein to the current debate on cultural Christianity is brought out. Philosophers of religion must take leave of the abstract, if only to return to it and to view it differently. Wittgenstein’s thought is too important to ignore in this venture.
A Doctrinal and Practical Continuity: Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis on the Ecological Crisis
Authors: Görföl Tibor
Published: February 2025

The question of a possible discontinuity between the papacies of Benedict XVI and Francis are broadly discussed in the Catholic public square, as well as in the literature. This paper aims at demonstrating the continuity of the two papal magisteria in a special area, the assessment of the ecological crisis. While Benedict XVI approached the issue from a theological and theoretical point of view, he was not indifferent to the practical consequences, which were then highlighted in a sometimes harsh and passionate manner by Francis. I argue that Francis’ alarmist claims about the ecological situation are partly based on the theological imagination of Benedict XVI (while, of course, having other sources, as well). Continuity between the two Popes can also be observed in their relation to Orthodox ecological thought, a relation deserving careful attention.
The Pact of the Catacombs as a Pathway for a Poor-Servant Church
Authors: Iheanacho Valentine Ugochukwu
Published: February 2025

On 16 November 1965, three weeks before the end of the Second Vatican Council, about forty conciliar bishops gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in the Catacombs of St. Domitilla. The Mass was presided over by Msgr. Charles-Marie Himmer (1902–1994). At the end of the Mass, the assembled bishops walked up to the altar and appended their signatures to what is now known as “The Pact of the Catacombs.” This document later went into oblivion and suffered obscurity for half a century. Nevertheless, its significance was never lost on some of the bishops who pledged themselves, among other things, to work for the emergence of a “poor and servant Church” with a commitment to justice and charity. The bishops seemed to have followed the example of Pope Paul VI, who on 12 September 1965, in the same Catacombs of St. Domitilla, had spoken about the lessons of simplicity, poverty, charity, and justice that are historically engraved in the Church’s memory of the catacombs. This research examines “The Pact of the Catacombs”, its recent coming to light, and its significance as a pathway for a possible poor-servant church. As a qualitative research, its approach is historical, and its analysis of primary and secondary sources will be both narrative and descriptive in connecting it to other important documents of the same milieu.
Ethics Beyond Being?: Human Dignity and the Ontology of the Good in Twentieth-Century Catholic Thought
Authors: Taylor Michael Dominic
Published: February 2025

The terrors of the twentieth century left those who still believed in man’s capacity for the Good seeking new approaches. Martin Heidegger’s anti-metaphysical critique had called into question the systems of the past. In Poland, where these crises were felt acutely by a profoundly Catholic society, two thinkers can serve as a case study that helps give insight into the rebuilding of an ethical society and system of thought from within, namely, Jozef Tischner and Karol Wojtyła (John Paul II). Regarding the crucial question of human dignity, Tischner follows Emmanuel Levinas, who seems to have accepted Martin Heidegger’s anti-metaphysical critique, to a conception of goodness “beyond being” by which being becomes the enemy of goodness. This position is contrasted with that of John Paul II and others—such as Hans Urs von Balthasar, Robert Spaemann, and D. C. Schindler—who adhere to the comprehension of being and goodness as coextensive and bring it into the twenty-first century. While numerous points of contact exist, the contrast between Tischner and John Paul II is one of alternate priorities—phenomenology or metaphysics, respectively—which results in two different trajectories for comprehending ethics, encounter, solidarity, and the Good. While Tischner’s openness to dialogue with his contemporary world is laudable and necessary, John Paul II’s insistence on the ontological grounding of the Good is indispensable.
The Introducing, Adapting and Practicing of Catholic Notion of Works of Mercy in China in the Early 17th Century
Authors: Sun Xuliang
Published: February 2025

In the initial phase of their mission in late Ming China, Jesuits particularly emphasized the ethical and charitable facets of Catholicism, aligning them with Confucian ethics to garner acceptance and support from the scholar-official class. This strategic adaptation is evident in their introduction of works of mercy to China and their translation of “works of mercy” into the Confucian term aijin (哀矜, compassion or mercy), highlighting parallels between Catholic notion of works of mercy and the Confucian concept of ren (仁, benevolence). Chinese Catholic literati embraced this introduction, perceiving works of mercy as complementary to and enhancing Confucian charitable traditions. To implement this notion, some Catholic literati established charitable societies named renhui (仁會, humanitarian society) with distinct Catholic influences, engaging in social-assistance activities guided by the principles of works of mercy. This integration of the Catholic notion of works of mercy within Chinese moral frameworks exemplifies Jesuits’ efforts to bridge Catholicism with Confucianism in late Ming China.
Blind Recognition of Convolutional Codes Based on the ConvLSTM Temporal Feature Network
Authors: Xu Lu , Ma Yixin , Shi Rui , Li Juanjuan , Zhang Yijia
Published: February 2025

The accurate identification of channel-coding types plays a crucial role in wireless communication systems. The recognition of convolutional codes presents challenges, primarily due to their strong temporal dependencies, varying constraint lengths, and additional contamination from noise. However, existing algorithms often rely on manual feature extraction or are limited to a restricted number of coding types, rendering them inadequate for practical applications. To tackle this problem, we propose ConvLSTM-TFN (temporal feature network), an innovative blind-recognition network that integrates convolutional layers, long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, and a self-attention mechanism. The proposed approach enhances the acquisition of features from soft-decision sequence information, leading to improved recognition performance without necessitating prior knowledge of coding parameters, sequence starting positions, or other metadata. The experimental results demonstrate that our method is effective within a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range of 0 to 20 dB, achieving more than 90% recognition accuracy across 17 convolutional code types, with an average accuracy of 98.7%. Our method effectively distinguishes diverse coding features, surpassing existing models and establishing a new benchmark for channel-coding recognition.
Design of a Full-Range Capacitive Sensor Extensometer Using a High-Precision Ultrasonic Motor
Authors: Dou Chen , Wang Wenbo , Li Hong , Dong Yunkai , Zhan Weiwei , Wu Liheng , Chen Jiaxin
Published: February 2025

Extensometers are critical instruments for accurately measuring small displacements in terrain deformation monitoring. Conventional extensometers often employ eddy current displacement sensors or differential transformer sensors, which are constrained by structural limitations that hinder their ability to meet high-precision requirements. The capacitive micro-displacement sensor has a high precision of up to 0.1 µm, but it is typically limited by its measurement range, making it unsuitable for directly capturing rapidly changing geological phenomena such as earthquakes and landslides. This range limitation can result in exceedance and measurement errors, severely compromising the reliability and timeliness of the data. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel design for a full-range capacitive sensor extensometer powered by a high-precision ultrasonic motor. The system integrates an ultrasonic motor with high-sensitivity capacitive sensors, enhanced by a grating scale and PID control algorithms. By enabling real-time signal processing and adaptive correction, the proposed design ensures a wide measurement range while significantly improving the measurement stability and accuracy. Laboratory experiments and field validations confirm the extensometer’s performance, achieving a resolution of 2.0 × 10−11 strain, a linearity of 0.024%, and a calibration repeatability of 0.06%. These results meet the stringent requirements of terrain deformation observation and establish the extensometer as a robust solution for micro-displacement measurements. This innovative design enhances the reliability of terrain deformation monitoring and contributes to the advancement of rock mechanics observation technologies.
CylinDeRS: A Benchmark Visual Dataset for Robust Gas Cylinder Detection and Attribute Classification in Real-World Scenes
Authors: Stavrothanasopoulos Klearchos , Gkountakos Konstantinos , Ioannidis Konstantinos , Tsikrika Theodora , Vrochidis Stefanos , Kompatsiaris Ioannis
Published: February 2025

Gas cylinder detection and the identification of their characteristics hold considerable potential for enhancing safety and operational efficiency in several applications, including industrial and warehouse operations. These tasks gain significance with the growth of online trade, emerging as critical instruments to combat environmental crimes associated with hazardous substances’ illegal commerce. However, the lack of relevant datasets hinders the effective utilization of deep learning techniques within this domain. In this study, we introduce CylinDeRS, a domain-specific dataset for gas cylinder detection and the classification of their attributes in real-world scenes. CylinDeRS contains 7060 RGB images, depicting various challenging environments and featuring over 25,250 annotated instances. It addresses two tasks: (a) the detection of gas cylinders as objects of interest, and (b) the attribute classification of the detected gas cylinder objects for material, size, and orientation. Extensive experiments using state-of-the-art (SotA) models are reported to validate the dataset’s significance and application prospects, providing baselines for further performance evaluation and in-depth analysis. The results show a maximum mAP of 91% for the gas cylinder detection task and a maximum accuracy of 71.6% for the attribute classification task, highlighting the challenges posed by real-world scenarios and underlining the proposed dataset’s importance in advancing the field.
Accuracy of an Ultra-Wideband-Based Tracking System for Time–Motion Analysis in Tennis
Authors: Yang Wenpu , Wang Jinzheng , Zhao Zichen , Cui Yixiong
Published: February 2025

Player-tracking systems provide vital time–motion and tactical data for analyzing athletic performance. Ultra-wideband (UWB) systems are promising for racquet sports due to their accuracy and cost-effectiveness compared to GNSS and optical systems. This study evaluated the accuracy of a UWB tracking system (GenGee Insait KS) for tennis-specific movements by comparing it with an optical motion capture system (VICON). Ten amateur players (International Tennis Numbers: 2–5) participated, performing seven exercises, including warm-up, agility drills, and tactical drills, with and without racquets. Raw data from both systems were processed to calculate the distances traversed. The average root mean square error between the two systems was 0.65 m (X-axis) and 0.76 m (Y-axis). Significant measurement discrepancies were observed (standardized mean difference: 0.86–1.95), except for jogging and walking exercises (p > 0.05). The overall percentage error was 16.29%. The intraclass correlation coefficient for distance measurements was 0.91, indicating good reliability. Tasks involving rapid acceleration and directional changes, such as the spider run, exhibited larger errors (mean bias: 4.13 m, effect size: 1.03). While the UWB system demonstrated acceptable accuracy for steady movements, it showed notable discrepancies during high-speed, tennis-specific activities. Overestimation due to arm movement and hip rotation suggests caution when applying arm-mounted UWB devices in training and competitive settings.
A Usability Pilot Study of a Sensor-Guided Interactive System for Dexterity Training in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Krummenacher Nic , Gerber Stephan M. , Pastore-Wapp Manuela , Single Michael , Bohlhalter Stephan , Nef Tobias , Vanbellingen Tim
Published: February 2025

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the usability of a new, feedback-based dexterity training system in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) and healthy adults. Seven PwPD and seven healthy adults participated in the study. The System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire Version 3 (PSSUQ) were used to assess usability. Additionally, the feedback shown as a counter, detected through newly developed algorithms, was evaluated by comparing the device-detected repetitions during six exercises to those counted by a supervisor. High median SUS scores of 92.5 were obtained in both PwPD (IQR = 81.25–98.75) and healthy adults (IQR = 87.5–93.75, maximum score 100, minimum score 0). Similarly, high PSSUQ median scores were achieved after the session (1.14, IQR = 1.00–1.33, PD; 1.08, IQR = 1.00–1.58, healthy adults, maximum score 1, minimum score 7). PwPD completed 648 repetitions, with 551 (85%) correctly recognized by the system. For healthy adults, 883 out of 913 (97%) repetitions were classified as right. The present study showed high usability and high perceived user satisfaction for the new training system in all study participants. The system effectively detects exercise repetition rates but requires further refinement to enhance accuracy for specific pinch grip exercises.
Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future Directions
Authors: Eckart Adam C. , Ghimire Pragya Sharma , Stavitz James , Barry Stephen
Published: February 2025

Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) risk screening has gained significant attention in rehabilitation, sports, and fitness due to its ability to predict injuries and guide preventive interventions. This review analyzes the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) landscape. Although these instruments are widely used because of their simplicity and ease of access, their accuracy in predicting injuries is inconsistent. Significant issues include reliance on broad scoring systems, varying contextual relevance, and neglecting individual characteristics such as age, gender, fitness levels, and past injuries. Meta-analyses reveal that the FMS and YBT overall scores often lack clinical relevance, exhibiting significant variability in sensitivity and specificity among different groups. Findings support the effectiveness of multifactorial models that consider modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors such as workload ratios, injury history, and fitness data for better prediction outcomes. Advances in machine learning (ML) and wearable technology, including inertial measurement units (IMUs) and intelligent monitoring systems, show promise by capturing dynamic and personalized high-dimensional data. Such approaches enhance our understanding of how biomechanical, physiological, and contextual injury aspects interact. This review discusses the problems of conventional movement screens, highlights the necessity for workload monitoring and personalized evaluations, and promotes the integration of technology-driven and data-centered techniques. Adopting tailored, multifactorial models could significantly improve injury prediction and prevention across varied populations. Future research should refine these models to enhance their practical use in clinical and field environments.
An Investigation into the Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of a Biodegradable Natural Coagulant Derived from Phaseolus vulgaris Seeds and Coagulation Mechanism
Authors: Prodanović Jelena M. , Nastić Nataša M. , Šćiban Marina B. , Lukić Dragana V. , Vasić Vesna M. , Blagojev Nevena T.
Published: February 2025

One of the major criteria for monitoring water and wastewater quality is turbidity, which is most often reduced using chemical coagulants and flocculants, such as alum and iron salts and acrylamide. However, due to their detrimental effects, intensive investigations into natural coagulants and flocculants have recently been conducted. These coagulants are biodegradable, derived from renewable sources, and do not pose health risks, making them a sustainable solution for water and wastewater treatment. Coagulation and flocculation using natural coagulants is a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors. In this study, the impact of the solvent used to extract the natural coagulant from Phaseolus vulgaris seeds on its coagulation effectiveness was examined, along with the effects of pH, the initial turbidity of the treated water, and the applied coagulant dose. The extract obtained using 0.5 mol/L NaCl demonstrated higher coagulation activity compared to the extract obtained with distilled water. Both extracts exhibited improved performance in water with higher initial turbidity (200 NTU) and at the lowest pH tested (pH 6). Under these conditions, the water extract achieved a maximum coagulation activity of 58.4% at a dose of 0.1 mL/L, while the NaCl extract reached an 83.5% turbidity reduction at a dose of 0.4 mL/L. The dominant coagulants in the NaCl extract of Phaseolus vulgaris seeds are anionic polyelectrolytes. In the presence of divalent cations, these coagulants destabilize negatively charged particles through either the bridging mechanism or the sweep coagulation mechanism.
Uncovering Barriers to Circular Construction: A Global Scientometric Review and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Metinal Yusuf Berkay , Gumusburun Ayalp Gulden
Published: February 2025

The construction industry is critical to economic growth and environmental sustainability. However, its substantial resource consumption and waste generation highlight the urgent need for a transition toward circular construction (CC) practices. This study uses scientometric and content analyses of 199 articles published between 2017 and 2024 to uncover the barriers to adopting CC principles. This study aims to identify these barriers, map key research trends, and propose future directions for addressing obstacles to CC adoption. This research focuses on global contributions to CC, highlighting influential nations, journals, and scholars and analyzing keyword trends over time. Additionally, it examines the recurring themes and patterns to provide a holistic understanding of the systemic challenges faced by the construction industry in embracing CC principles. By presenting the first comprehensive overview of barriers to CC, this study fills a critical research gap and offers insights for researchers and policymakers. The findings reveal that 12% of the total publications in the field originate from Australia and China, leading in contributions, while journals such as Sustainability and the Journal of Cleaner Production account for 31.5% of the articles. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identifies “management”, “barriers”, and “waste management” as prevailing themes. The annual growth rate of CC-related publications is 44.78%, underscoring its rising importance. Furthermore, 41 barriers to CC were revealed with content analysis. These insights offer a foundational understanding for policymakers and researchers, emphasizing collaboration, government intervention, and innovation in materials and technology to overcome barriers and transition to a circular, resource-efficient construction model.
Evaluating the Impacts of Different Car Washing Systems on Carbon Footprint: Insights from Poland
Authors: Maciejewska Katarzyna , Reizer Magdalena
Published: February 2025

With over 1 billion passenger cars worldwide, even an indiscernible carbon footprint (CF) of the maintenance of a single vehicle has the potential for a relatively large overall environmental effect on the part of the car washing services sector. This study presents a methodology for assessing the CF of car washing services with a focus on Polish conditions. It compares four types of professional car washes, i.e., jet, rollover, tunnel, and hand, analyzing their environmental impact based on CO2 emissions from water heating systems, energy consumption, water supply, and wastewater treatment. The results reveal that the total CF per vehicle ranges from 0.88 kg CO2 (hand wash with gas water heating) to 4.46 kg CO2 (rollover wash with electric heating). The key contributors to CF are electricity usage and the water heating system applied. Annual CO2 emissions from car washing services in Poland are estimated at between 373.5 and 709.4 Gg, representing 0.13–0.26% of the country’s total net CO2 emissions. Transitioning entirely to hand washes could reduce the emissions of the whole sector by approximately 50%. This study highlights the environmental significance of car washing services and provides practical insights for consumers and service providers.
Carbon Abatement Technology Transformation and Correlated Risks in the Airline Industry
Authors: Xu Lei , Yin Han , Sun Min , Wang Mengyu , Shen Kaiwen , Ji Jie
Published: February 2025

The airline industry is currently navigating a pivotal period characterized by rapid development and increasing global pressure to reduce carbon emissions. Airlines, as the first to be significantly impacted, must actively manage their carbon footprints, adopt carbon abatement technologies, and address the inherent risks in this transformation. This paper examines the risk factors correlated with the technology transformation of carbon abatement and proposes effective abatement strategies. Using panel data of China Southern Airlines from 2009 to 2023 and applying the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method based on the Kaya identity, we analyze the differential impacts of various factors on unit carbon emissions. Multiple scenarios, derived from the influences of these factors, are constructed, and the Monte Carlo algorithm is employed to simulate the impact and volatility of correlated risks in the technology transformation for the abatement of carbon emissions. The findings are as follows: on the one hand, carbon emissions are strongly driven by energy consumption (0.99), flight volume (0.941), flight hours (0.931), transportation turnover (0.923), and take-off frequency (0.833). On the other hand, technology (56%) and scale (54.74%) significantly reduce unit carbon emissions, while take-off frequency negatively impacts emissions (−35.19%). Technology-related risks are controllable and relatively stable, whereas scale-related risks are highly uncertain. Additionally, operation-related risks can be partially hedged to ensure a certain level of risk controllability.
Nexus of Foreign Direct Investment in Services, Digital Transformation, and Enterprise Green Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhao Yuetong , Pan Yuchen , Zhang Naili , Liu Zhen
Published: February 2025

Despite the recognized importance of green total factor productivity (GTFP) in the literature, there remains a scarcity of studies examining the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on GTFP at the level of service enterprises, particularly regarding the role of DT in this relationship. To address this gap, we utilize data from listed service enterprises in China to examine the impact of FDI on enterprise GTFP and the role of digital transformation (DT) in this link. The results indicate that enhanced FDI significantly decreases GTFP. Moreover, the negative impact of FDI on GTFP is primarily attributable to the decline in green technological innovation. Additionally, enterprise DT alleviates the detrimental effect of FDI in services on enterprise GTFP. Furthermore, moderated mediation tests reveal that DT exerts a moderate mediating effect in the latter segment of the mediation pathway linking FDI to GTFP. These insights offer valuable guidance on harnessing FDI in services for higher enterprise GTFP, informing practical policy recommendations.
Approximate Globally Optimal Energy Management Strategy for Fuel Cell Hybrid Mining Trucks Based on Rule-Interposing Balance Cost Minimization
Authors: Qin Yixv , Li Zhongxing , Geng Guoqing , Wang Bo
Published: February 2025

Fuel cell hybrid vehicles offer significant potential in heavy-duty transportation due to their high efficiency, extended range, and zero emissions, making them a key enabler of sustainable transportation. To enhance the energy consumption economy and lifecycle economy of fuel cell hybrid mining trucks (FCHMTs) while reducing total operating costs and promoting environmental sustainability, this paper proposes an approximate globally optimal energy management strategy (EMS) based on a rule-interposing balance cost minimization strategy (AGO-BCMS). First, an FCHMT power system model is established, including degradation models for the fuel cell and battery. Then, the global optimality of dynamic programming (DP) is utilized to extract the fuel cell output characteristics under different battery states and vehicle power demands. Subsequently, optimal rules are designed and embedded into the cost minimization optimization model to plan the fuel cell output range under actual driving conditions. Simultaneously, dynamic threshold updates are performed based on vehicle driving condition phase recognition. Finally, energy distribution optimization is calculated using sequential quadratic programming (SQP). This strategy not only improves the economic viability of FCHMTs but also contributes to the broader goals of advancing sustainable transportation solutions. The proposed strategy was validated under both single round-trip and continuous operational conditions. Simulation results show that, under single round-trip conditions, the proposed strategy reduces the total operational cost by 3.13%, 4.09%, and 10.90% compared to balance cost-minimization strategies (BCMS), equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS), and rule-based strategies, respectively. Under continuous operational conditions, the total cost is reduced by 3.61%, 6.63%, and 15.90%, respectively.
How Are Travel E-Commerce Platforms Becoming Sustainable? A Discrete Choice Experiment Based on the Technology Acceptance Preferences of Elderly Tourists
Authors: Xia Liwen , Qiu Mengyuan
Published: February 2025

The technology acceptance preferences of elderly tourists is one of the important factors influencing their continuous use of tourism e-commerce platforms and promoting the sustainable development of tourism e-commerce platforms. The current tourism market continues to expand within the elderly population. Further, the internet has become the primary channel for tourists’ online consumption in the digital age. This study aims to explore the technology acceptance preferences of elderly tourists for tourism e-commerce platforms, considering active aging and its influence by constructing two adaptation to aging scenarios for tourism e-commerce platforms composed of technology acceptance attributes. Using experimental data from 94 elderly tourists in Nanjing, a mixed logit regression analysis was conducted to explore the characteristics and personalized differences in the respondents’ technology acceptance preferences while using tourism e-commerce platforms. The study found that information access, information understanding, information protection policy and privacy protection technology have a significant positive impact on the consumption preference of elderly tourists. Among them, in the scenario without adaptation to aging, the order of the variables which influence the consumption preferences of elderly tourists online is information access, privacy protection policy, information understanding and privacy protection technology, which reflects the current demand of elderly tourists for easy access to effective information and strong privacy protection. In the context of adaptation to aging, the order is privacy protection policy, information understanding, information access and privacy protection technology, which shows that in the context of improved information access and understanding, elderly people pay more attention to the privacy protection provided by the platform. Moreover, there is individual heterogeneity in elderly tourists’ preferences for the technology acceptance of tourism e-commerce platforms. With the aging population and the digital processes, exploring the influencing factors of elderly tourists’ internet technology acceptance preferences is helpful in promoting the sustainable development of tourism e-commerce platforms in the era of active aging, bridging the digital divide and providing decision support for the practice of an active aging strategy.
To Compete or to Collaborate? An Exploratory Study on the Influence of Business Networks and the Adoption of Sustainable Practices
Authors: Mendiola-Ramírez Emely , Briseño-García Arturo , Castillo Ana Luz Zorrilla-Del , Cumpean-Luna Joel
Published: February 2025

Business sustainability emerges as a cornerstone for balancing economic growth, environmental preservation, and social well-being, establishing itself as a global priority. However, this approach still faces significant challenges among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in emerging regions such as Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. This study examines how business networks facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices through knowledge transfer and inter-organizational collaboration, emphasizing the influence of sociological factors and social interactions. Using a qualitative approach that combines semi-structured interviews and social network analysis with UCINET software version 6.776, an active network of 54 companies is analyzed. The results highlight central nodes with high betweenness centrality, underscoring their role as catalysts in disseminating sustainable practices. A significant correlation is also identified between types of business interactions and the implementation of these practices, emphasizing the strategic value of cooperation in fostering responsible behaviors. This study helps bridge the theoretical gap regarding sustainability in MSMEs and offers practical implications for designing policies that enhance business collaboration for sustainable development. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of understanding business interaction dynamics and their implications for driving sustainable transformation in regional contexts.