bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular and Functional Key Features and Oncogenic Drivers in Thymic Carcinomas
Authors: Barachini Serena , Pardini Eleonora , Burzi Irene Sofia , Sardo Infirri Gisella , Montali Marina , Petrini Iacopo
Published: December 2023

Thymic epithelial tumors, comprising thymic carcinomas and thymomas, are rare neoplasms. They differ in histology, prognosis, and association with autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis. Thymomas, but not thymic carcinomas, often harbor GTF2I mutations. Mutations of CDKN2A, TP53, and CDKN2B are the most common thymic carcinomas. The acquisition of mutations in genes that control chromatin modifications and epigenetic regulation occurs in the advanced stages of thymic carcinomas. Anti-angiogenic drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have shown promising results for the treatment of unresectable tumors. Since thymic carcinomas are frankly aggressive tumors, this report presents insights into their oncogenic drivers, categorized under the established hallmarks of cancer.
Precision Immunotherapy Utilizing Adapter CAR-T Cells (AdCAR-T) in Metastatic Breast Cancer Leads to Target Specific Lysis
Authors: Önder Cansu E. , Moustafa-Oglou Moustafa , Schröder Sarah M. , Hartkopf Andreas D. , Koch André , Seitz Christian M.
Published: December 2023

A frequent symptom of metastasized breast cancer (BC) includes the development of malignant pleural effusion (MPE), which contains malignant cells derived from the primary tumor site. The poor prognosis of MPE in metastasized BC indicates the necessity for dependable precision oncology and the importance of models representing the heterogenous nature of metastatic BC. In this study, we cultured MPE-derived metastatic tumor cells from four advanced BC patients using organoid technology. We assessed the expression of tumor-associated antigens on MPE-derived organoid lines by flow cytometry (FC). Based on an individual antigen expression pattern, patient-derived organoids were treated with adapter CAR-T cells (AdCAR-T) and biotinylated monoclonal antibodies targeting CD276, HER2, EGFR, TROP2, or EpCAM. Co-culture assays revealed specific organoid lysis by AdCAR-T depending on individual antigen expression patterns. Our results demonstrate that MPE-derived organoids can serve as a reliable tool for assessing the efficacy of AdCAR-T on metastatic BC in a patient-individualized manner. This approach could potentially be applied in a preclinical setting to instruct therapy decisions. Further, our study demonstrates the feasibility of precision immunotherapy utilizing AdCAR-T to target patient-individualized antigen patterns.
EBP50 Depletion and Nuclear β-Catenin Accumulation Engender Aggressive Behavior of Colorectal Carcinoma through Induction of Tumor Budding
Authors: Itou Takashi , Ishibashi Yu , Oguri Yasuko , Hashimura Miki , Yokoi Ako , Harada Yohei , Fukagawa Naomi , Hayashi Misato , Ono Mototsugu , Kusano Chika , Saegusa Makoto
Published: December 2023

Ezin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50) is a scaffold protein that interacts with several partner molecules including β-catenin. Here, we examined the crosstalk between EBP50 and nuclear catenin during colorectal carcinoma (CRC) progression. In clinical samples, there were no correlations between the subcellular location of EBP50 and any clinicopathological factors. However, EBP50 expression was significantly lower specifically in the outer areas of tumor lesions, in regions where tumor budding (BD) was observed. Low EBP50 expression was also significantly associated with several unfavorable prognostic factors, suggesting that EBP50 depletion rather than its overexpression or subcellular distribution plays an important role in CRC progression. In CRC cell lines, knockout of EBP50 induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like features, decreased proliferation, accelerated migration capability, and stabilized nuclear β-catenin due to disruption of the interaction between EBP50 and β-catenin at the plasma membrane. In addition, Slug expression was significantly higher in outer lesions, particularly in BD areas, and was positively correlated with nuclear β-catenin status, consistent with β-catenin-driven transactivation of the Slug promoter. Together, our data suggest that EBP50 depletion releases β-catenin from the plasma membrane in outer tumor lesions, allowing β-catenin to accumulate and translocate to the nucleus, where it transactivates the Slug gene to promote EMT. This in turn triggers tumor budding and contributes to the progression of CRC to a more aggressive phase.
The Multifaceted Role of Human Dickkopf-3 (DKK-3) in Development, Immune Modulation and Cancer
Authors: Mourtada Jana , Thibaudeau Chloé , Wasylyk Bohdan , Jung Alain C.
Published: December 2023

The human Dickkopf (DKK) family includes four main secreted proteins, DKK-1, DKK-2, DKK-3, and DKK-4, as well as the DKK-3 related protein soggy (Sgy-1 or DKKL1). These glycoproteins play crucial roles in various biological processes, and especially modulation of the Wnt signaling pathway. DKK-3 is distinct, with its multifaceted roles in development, stem cell differentiation and tissue homeostasis. Intriguingly, DKK-3 appears to have immunomodulatory functions and a complex role in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or an oncogene, depending on the context. DKK-3 is a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target that can be modulated by epigenetic reactivation, gene therapy and DKK-3-blocking agents. However, further research is needed to optimize DKK-3-based therapies. In this review, we comprehensively describe the known functions of DKK-3 and highlight the importance of context in understanding and exploiting its roles in health and disease.
Optimizing Sustainability of Concrete Structures Using Tire-Derived Aggregates: A Performance Improvement Study
Authors: Younis Zeinab A. , Nazari Maryam
Published: December 2023

Tire-derived aggregate concrete (TDAC), or rubberized concrete, is gaining ground as an eco-friendly option in civil engineering. By substituting traditional coarse aggregates with recycled rubber tires, TDAC offers a greener choice with excellent energy absorption capabilities. This leads to robust structures and reduced upkeep expenses. Nonetheless, TDAC’s lower strength than regular concrete requires a delicate balance between energy absorption and strength. This study investigates two enhancements to TDAC performance: (a) the impact of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution pretreatment and SikaLatex bonding agent addition on TDAC’s compressive strength, and (b) the use of varying water–cement ratios and superplasticizer to enhance TDAC’s mechanical properties. This study involves concrete cylinder compression tests and the creation of strength estimation equations. Results show that NaOH-treated tire-derived aggregate (TDA) boosts workability, increasing slump by 4.45 cm (1.75 in), yet does not significantly enhance compressive strength, causing a 34% reduction. Conversely, combining NaOH pretreatment with Sikalatex bonding agent enhances workability by 28% and boosts compressive strength by 21% at the same water-cement ratio. To optimize performance, it is advised to employ modified TDA concrete with a water–cement ratio under 0.34 and superplasticizer. These findings highlight the potential of modified TDA concrete in sustainable and seismic-resistant designs.
Water in Epoxy Coatings: Basic Principles of Interaction with Polymer Matrix and the Influence on Coating Life Cycle
Authors: Bratasyuk Nikita A. , Latyshev Alexandr V. , Zuev Vjacheslav V.
Published: December 2023

This review describes the interaction of epoxy coatings with water, the kinetics of water uptake in epoxy resins, and the methods of studying the latter (gravimetric, IR (Infrared) and NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopies). The analysis of experimental data requires using mathematical models which simulate the processes that occur during water uptake in a polymer matrix. This review classifies the numerous models applied for the study of water absorption into two large groups: Fickian and non-Fickian models. Fickian models involve the Fickian diffusion model and its development for the case of anomalous diffusion, as well as the models of Jacobs–Jones, Berens–Hopfenberg, and the time-varying diffusion coefficient model. The Carter–Kibler approach is provided as an example of a non-Fickian or Langmuir-type model. A critical analysis of the experimental methods is provided, including advantages and possible experimental errors. The methods used for processing experimental data are discussed as well as the effect of water on the exploitation properties and life cycle of epoxy coatings.
A Study of Visual Perception Based on Colour and Texture of Reconstituted Decorative Veneer
Authors: Huang Ting , Zhou Chengmin , Wang Xiaomeng , Kaner Jake
Published: December 2023

Color and texture, as vital physical attributes of recombinant decorative thin wood, represent the initial visual information perceived by the human eye. These elements play a crucial role in shaping the human viewing experience. This paper centers on the user’s visual perception of recombinant decorative thin wood and is divided into two main sections: the extraction and analysis of color and texture features, and experimental research evaluating combinations of color and texture. The experiments yielded conclusions indicating that the design of color and texture significantly influences objective eye movement data. Specific findings include: (1) The gaze duration, gaze counts, and hotspot maps of the subjects consistently demonstrate high agreement across the three eye movement indicators. Notably, a significant difference is observed between gaze indicators and color blending modes. (2) Asymmetric oblique blending and high-brightness circumferential blending tend to attract subjects’ eye attention more effectively. These color groups are characterized by transparent layers, increased brightness, and a pronounced visual impact. Such features enhance the design effect of the texture, highlighting its layers.
Characterization of Red, Pink, Orange, and Purple Gem-Quality Spinel from Four Important Areas
Authors: Xu Qian , Xu Bo , Gao Yujie , Li Siying
Published: December 2023

Spinel is a precious stone with a long history. In ancient societies spinel was considered to be an imitation of ruby. With the depletion of ruby mineral resources, gem—grade spinel has attracted more and more attention from consumers. In the last decade, as the popularity of spinel in the global colored gem market continues to rise, plenty of domestic and foreign jewelry brands have launched spinel based jewelry. This study takes spinels from Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania as its research objects and performs a series of tests to obtain their gemological characteristics, spectral characteristics, and chemical composition, with the aim of comparing the differences between spinels with different colors from different areas and exploring the chromogenic mechanism of spinels. Only Burmese red spinels have a typical Cr spectrum. The types of inclusions and the contents of trace elements are the main differences between spinels from the four areas. Burmese spinel is characterized by an octahedral negative crystal filled with dolomite or a mixture of dolomite and calcite. Magnesite is present in Sri Lankan spinels, and dolomite is present in Tanzanian spinel. Dislocation systems and the presence of titanite and talc inclusions are strongly indicative features of Vietnamese spinel. Sri Lankan spinel is characterized by abundant gas–liquid inclusions, such as the beaded healing fissure. The trace element contents of the four areas are different. Burmese spinel is poor in Fe and Zn (Fe: 135.68–3925 ppm; Zn: 338.58–1312 ppm), while Burmese red spinel is rich in Cr (up to 7387 ppm). Vietnamese spinel is rich in Fe (3669.63–19,425 ppm) and poor in Ti content (<89 ppm), while Tanzanian spinel is rich in Zn (5129.96–7008 ppm). High content of Cr + V can lead to the red color in spinel, and the contents of Cr and V change obviously with color. Spinels appear red when Cr content is higher than V, while spinels appear orange when V content is higher than Cr. The red, pink, and orange spinels are colored by Cr3+ and V3+, showing a wide absorption band centered at 400 nm and 550 nm. Fe plays a dominant role in purple spinels. The purple spinel is colored by Fe3+ and Fe2+.
Successful Multidisciplinary Treatment with Laparoscopic Hepatectomy and Adjuvant Therapy for Metachronous Solitary Hepatic Metastasis after Excision of a Primary Anorectal Malignant Melanoma: A Case Report
Authors: Shimazaki Ryotaro , Hagiwara Masahiro , Tani Chikayoshi , Iwata Hiroyoshi , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Fukuyama Marika , Matsuya Taisuke , Imai Koji , Yuzawa Sayaka , Tanino Mishie , Yokoo Hideki
Published: December 2023

Anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) is extremely rare and generally lethal, irrespective of the treatment administered. The disease is often diagnosed late, metastases being present in approximately two-thirds of patients at the time of initial diagnosis. Solitary metastasis of ARMM to a distant organ is exceedingly rare. A 76-year-old woman with a history of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection of an ARMM 13 months previously, was found to have a solitary liver metastasis in the follow-up computed tomography. A preoperative work-up showed no other distant metastases nor contraindication to surgery. It was therefore considered that resection was indicated. The metachronous solitary liver metastasis from an ARMM was treated by laparoscopic wedge hepatectomy of the eighth segment 18 months after excision of her primary ARMM. Adjuvant therapy with pembrolizumab was initiated and continued at 6-week intervals. The patient has not exhibited any immune related Adverse Effects (irAE) during or subsequent to treatment with pembrolizmab and has now completed 12 months of adjuvant pembrolizumab therapy, having survived 33 months from the initial operation for primary ARMM, and remaining recurrence-free 14 months after hepatectomy. ARMM is extremely rare and resection of a metachronous solitary metastasis followed by adjuvant therapy has not previously been reported. We hope this case will be useful for clinicians who might treat similar patients.
Prediction of Chemoresistance—How Preclinical Data Could Help to Modify Therapeutic Strategy in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Wilczyński Jacek , Paradowska Edyta , Wilczyńska Justyna , Wilczyński Miłosz
Published: December 2023

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is one of the most lethal tumors generally and the most fatal cancer of the female genital tract. The approved standard therapy consists of surgical cytoreduction and platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy, and of targeted therapy in selected patients. The main therapeutic problem is chemoresistance of recurrent and metastatic HGSOC tumors which results in low survival in the group of FIGO III/IV. Therefore, the prediction and monitoring of chemoresistance seems to be of utmost importance for the improvement of HGSOC management. This type of cancer has genetic heterogeneity with several subtypes being characterized by diverse gene signatures and disturbed peculiar epigenetic regulation. HGSOC develops and metastasizes preferentially in the specific intraperitoneal environment composed mainly of fibroblasts, adipocytes, and immune cells. Different HGSOC subtypes could be sensitive to distinct sets of drugs. Moreover, primary, metastatic, and recurrent tumors are characterized by an individual biology, and thus diverse drug responsibility. Without a precise identification of the tumor and its microenvironment, effective treatment seems to be elusive. This paper reviews tumor-derived genomic, mutational, cellular, and epigenetic biomarkers of HGSOC drug resistance, as well as tumor microenvironment-derived biomarkers of chemoresistance, and discusses their possible use in the novel complex approach to ovarian cancer therapy and monitoring.
Taxonomy, Biodiversity, and Ecology of Parasites of Aquatic Organisms: A Special Issue
Authors: Alves Philippe Vieira , Luque José Luis
Published: December 2023

Parasitism is ubiquitous and one of the most successful lifestyles on Earth, with more than 200 independent transitions from non-parasitic ancestors considered only in the kingdom Animalia [...]
Paving the Way for Last-Mile Delivery in Greece: Data-Driven Performance Analysis with a Customized Quadrotor
Authors: Ioannidis Charalabos , Boutsi Argyro-Maria , Tsingenopoulos Georgios , Soile Sofia , Chliverou Regina , Potsiou Chryssy
Published: December 2023

Cargo drones are a cutting-edge solution that is becoming increasingly popular as flight times extend and regulatory frameworks evolve to accommodate new delivery methods. The aim of this paper was to comprehensively understand cargo drone dynamics and guide their effective deployment in Greece. A 5 kg payload quadrotor with versatile loading mechanisms, including a cable-suspended system and an ultra-light box, was manufactured and tested in five Greek cities. A comprehensive performance evaluation and analysis of flight range, energy consumption, altitude-related data accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and environmental were conducted. Based on hands-on experimentation and real-world data collection, the study proposes a novel data-driven methodology for strategically locating charging stations and addressing uncertainties like weather conditions and battery discharge during flights. Results indicate significant operational cost savings (89.44%) and a maximum emissions reduction (77.42%) compared to conventional transportation. The proposed strategic placement of charging stations led to substantial reductions in travel distance (41.03%) and energy consumption (56.73%) across five case studies in Greek cities.
Enhancing Urban Mobility through Traffic Management with UAVs and VLC Technologies
Authors: Garau Guzman Javier , Baeza Victor Monzon
Published: December 2023

This paper introduces a groundbreaking approach to transform urban mobility by integrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Visible Light Communication (VLC) technologies into traffic management systems within smart cities. With the continued growth of urban populations, the escalating traffic density in large cities poses significant challenges to the daily mobility of citizens, rendering traditional ground-based traffic management methods increasingly inadequate. In this context, UAVs provide a distinctive perspective for real-time traffic monitoring and congestion detection using the YOLO algorithm. Through image capture and processing, UAVs can rapidly identify congested areas and transmit this information to ground-based traffic lights, facilitating dynamic traffic control adjustments. Moreover, VLC establishes a communication link between UAVs and traffic lights that complements existing RF-based solutions, underscoring visible light’s potential as a reliable and energy-efficient communication medium. In addition to integrating UAVs and VLC, we propose a new communication protocol and messaging system for this framework, enhancing its adaptability to varying traffic flows. This research represents a significant stride toward developing more efficient, sustainable, and resilient urban transportation systems.
Edutuber and Gender in STEM
Authors: Amorós-Poveda Lucía , Bernárdez-Gómez Abraham
Published: December 2023

The gender gap in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is nothing new. Recent research warns of this through programs and initiatives that use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a resource to reduce this gap. However, new questions and some areas of concern are arising out of the mass use of digital repositories. The possibility of consuming and producing video (prosumers) in these digital ecosystems brings to light the prejudices and stereotypes in these fields through their content. Considering the YouTube repository, this research analyses the edutubers on 81 STEM channels from a gender perspective in 190 immersions. Through a critical approach, oriented towards change for social transformation, an exploratory and descriptive paper has been written. It employs a mixed quantitative–qualitative method. The results are described in the form of four descriptive grids about edutuber environments where an evident gender gap in the STEM edutubers can be observed, and guidelines are subsequently outlined to attempt to eliminate it. It is concluded that the educational resources offered by YouTube are popular and have a significant impact on the young population, but these resources inherit past behaviours that also entail a new risk associated with the use of ICT.
Time Balance and Family Functioning: The Role of Time Perspective in the Cohesion and Adaptability of Families with Adolescents
Authors: Oyanadel Cristián , Worrell Frank C. , Pinto-Vigueras Jorge , Betancur Sara , Véliz Tapia Tamara , Au-Castro Marisol , Peña-Reyes Génesis , González-Loyola Melissa , Peñate Wenceslao
Published: December 2023

Family functioning, understood as cohesion and adaptability, is critical in families with adolescent children, given the changes that this stage implies at the family level. Time perspective is one variable that can facilitate better family functioning through the way people give meaning to the process they live. In this study, we examined the relationship between family functioning and the time perspective of adolescent children’s parents. The FACES IV and ZTPI were administered to 276 parents of adolescents. Regression analyses indicated that the past positive, past negative, and future scores predicted family cohesion and adaptability, explaining at least 20% of the variance. Balanced families, with greater cohesion and adaptability, presented a higher level of past positive and future-oriented temporal perspectives, compared to unbalanced families, which presented a greater orientation to the past negative and deviated from the balanced temporal profile. The importance of considering the inter-relationship between family functioning and time perspective was discussed, considering its impact on the health and well-being of families with adolescents.
A Lightweight Network for Human Pose Estimation Based on ECA Attention Mechanism
Authors: Ji Xu , Niu Yanmin
Published: December 2023

This paper presents a novel approach to address the problem of increasing the number of parameters in existing human posture estimation network models while trying to improve prediction accuracy. We propose a human posture estimation optimization network model, called BDENet, which is based on the high-resolution detection network (HRNet). BDENet incorporates a bottleneck structure and depth-separable convolution to reduce the number of parameters. Additionally, it introduces an efficient channel attention (ECA) lightweight attention mechanism to enhance accuracy. We evaluate the proposed model using the MSCOCO dataset and compare it with HRNet. The experimental results demonstrate that BDENet achieves a 41.4% reduction in the number of parameters compared to HRNet, while achieving a 0.6% increase in accuracy. These findings confirm that the network model proposed in this paper can effectively improve accuracy while reducing the number of parameters.
An Active Equalization Method of Battery Pack Based on Event-Triggered Consensus Algorithm
Authors: Yu Longjie , Zhang Yao , Huang Na , Zhang Fan
Published: December 2023

In this paper, a control strategy of a cell-based multi-agent system is proposed to solve the problem of inconsistency of series lithium-ion battery packs. The bidirectional Cuk converter is utilized as an equalizing circuit serving for balancing adjacent cells in a pack. A SOC-based consensus control with a time-triggered mechanism (TTM) is proposed. In order to reduce the actuator updates, the control method is ameliorated by altering TTM to an event-triggered mechanism (ETM). Adjustable balancing currents are designed in both TTM and ETM methods for the acceleration of the equalization process. The cases in dynamic environments under externally imposed charging/discharging currents by adopting TTM and ETM methods are investigated in detail. By comparison, the simulations and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiments with a Typhoon real-time simulator are illustrated to show that, both in standby or external charging/discharging conditions, the proposed ETM algorithms are superior to TTM’s in terms of equalization time and adaptability to the external environment.
MSGeN: Multimodal Selective Generation Network for Grounded Explanations
Authors: Li Dingbang , Chen Wenzhou , Lin Xin
Published: December 2023

Modern models have shown impressive capabilities in visual reasoning tasks. However, the interpretability of their decision-making processes remains a challenge, causing uncertainty in their reliability. In response, we present the Multimodal Selective Generation Network (MSGeN), a novel approach to enhancing interpretability and transparency in visual reasoning. MSGeN can generate explanations that seamlessly integrate diverse modal information, providing a comprehensive and intuitive understanding of its decisions. The model consists of five collaborative components: (1) the Multimodal Encoder, which encodes and fuses input data; (2) the Reasoner, which is responsible for generating stepwise inference states; (3) the Selector, which is utilized for selecting the modality for each step’s explanation; (4) the Speaker, which generates natural language descriptions; and (5) the Pointer, which produces visual cues. These components work harmoniously to generate explanations enriched with natural language context and visual cues. Our extensive experimentation demonstrates that MSGeN surpasses existing multimodal explanation generation models across various metrics, including BLEU, METEOR, ROUGE, CIDEr, SPICE, and Grounding. We also show detailed visual examples highlighting MSGeN’s ability to generate comprehensive and coherent explanations, showcasing its effectiveness through practical case studies.
Performance Evaluation of a Low-Cost Semitransparent 3D-Printed Mesh Patch Antenna for Urban Communication Applications
Authors: Inclán-Sánchez Luis
Published: December 2023

This study explores the possibility of designing simple semitransparent antennas that allow for the passage of most visible light while maintaining good electromagnetic performance. We propose a substrateless metal mesh patch antenna manufactured using low-cost 3D printing and silver conductive paint. Our goal is to integrate numerous such radiators onto office building windows, preserving natural lighting with minimal visual impact, aiming to alleviate infrastructure congestion or improve antenna placement in sub-6 GHz frequency bands. In this paper, we conduct an analysis of the primary parameters influencing patches constructed with substrateless metal mesh wires, focusing on the grid topology and the width of the metallic wires, as well as their effects on antenna transparency and back radiation. Owing to the absence of a substrate, the antenna demonstrates minimal losses. Furthermore, in this study, we thoroughly investigate the effects of conductivity and roughness on surfaces printed with metallic paint. A prototype at 2.6 GHz is presented, achieving over 60% transparency, a 2.7% impedance-matching bandwidth, and a realized peak gain of 5.4 dBi. The antenna is easy to manufacture and cost-effective and considers sustainability. Its large-scale implementation can alleviate building infrastructure, enhancing radio connectivity in urban environments and offering new cost-effective and energy-efficient wireless solutions.
Analysis of the Relationship between Personality Traits and Driving Stress Using a Non-Intrusive Wearable Device
Authors: Scherz Wilhelm Daniel , Corcoba Victor , Melendi David , Seepold Ralf , Martínez Madrid Natividad , Ortega Juan Antonio
Published: December 2023

While driving, stress is caused by situations in which the driver estimates their ability to manage the driving demands as insufficient or loses the capability to handle the situation. This leads to increased numbers of driver mistakes and traffic violations. Additional stressing factors are time pressure, road conditions, or dislike for driving. Therefore, stress affects driver and road safety. Stress is classified into two categories depending on its duration and the effects on the body and psyche: short-term eustress and constantly present distress, which causes degenerative effects. In this work, we focus on distress. Wearable sensors are handy tools for collecting biosignals like heart rate, activity, etc. Easy installation and non-intrusive nature make them convenient for calculating stress. This study focuses on the investigation of stress and its implications. Specifically, the research conducts an analysis of stress within a select group of individuals from both Spain and Germany. The primary objective is to examine the influence of recognized psychological factors, including personality traits such as neuroticism, extroversion, psychoticism, stress and road safety. The estimation of stress levels was accomplished through the collection of physiological parameters (R-R intervals) using a Polar H10 chest strap. We observed that personality traits, such as extroversion, exhibited similar trends during relaxation, with an average heart rate 6% higher in Spain and 3% higher in Germany. However, while driving, introverts, on average, experienced more stress, with rates 4% and 1% lower than extroverts in Spain and Germany, respectively.
Performance Analysis of Two-Zone-Based Registration System with Timer in Wireless Communication Networks
Authors: Jang Hee-Seon , Baek Jang-Hyun
Published: December 2023

Numerous studies have been conducted on wireless communication networks to reduce the costs associated with location registration and paging traffic caused by the movement of user equipment (UE). Among them, a zone-based registration scheme is commonly used due to its convenience of implementation. In a zone-based scheme, a set of non-overlapping cells are managed as a single zone called a registration area (RA). The UE requests registration each time it enters a new RA. The most significant drawback of the 1Z system (an RA consisting of one zone) is the degradation in the service quality due to the registration traffic that frequently occurs at the RA boundaries. To overcome this drawback, a 2Z system that can manage two zones with one RA has been proposed. However, in the 2Z system, the paging costs for the UE that has returned to the previous zone increase, which can significantly degrade the performance compared to the 1Z system if the call-to-mobility ratio (CMR) is large or if the probability of returning to the previous zone is small. In this study, a new 2Z_Timer scheme is proposed to enhance the performance of the 2Z system. This method involves initiating a Timer for the previously visited zone when the UE enters a new zone, making it possible to retain the information of the previous zone for a specified threshold period. Simulations were conducted using flowchart-based RAPTOR software to compare its performance to those of the 1Z and 2Z systems. The results showed that the 2Z_Timer system effectively reduced the paging costs, even when the CMR was high or the probability of returning to the previous zone was low. Numerical results for various Timer thresholds showed that the 2Z_Timer system could lead to cost reductions of 10.6% and 28.6% compared to the 1Z and 2Z systems, respectively.
Experimental Study on The Performance of External Open-Circuit Failure Gas Discharge Tubes under Power-Frequency Follow Currents
Authors: Lu Hao , Chen Yuhang , Li Hongchang , Zheng Chuanxiao , Hu Heng
Published: December 2023

A short-circuit fault in the gas discharge tube (GDT) is one of the latent hazards of electrical equipment. It may cause the ignition of electrical equipment. Therefore, based on the existing GDT, an improved external open-circuit failure gas discharge tube (EOFGDT) which can remove short-circuit (SC) failure is presented in this paper, and its structure and working mechanisms are introduced. This EOFGDT can utilize the combustion and heat transfer of continuous arcs due to SC failures to increase the temperature of its end electrode, so as to induce a solder joint failure, by which the elastic sheet on the solder joint becomes disconnected from the end electrode, forming an external gap that reduces the rising speed and amplitude of the recovery voltage across the arc gap, and eventually forms an open circuit (OC) within the structure. The EOFGDT SC condition was simulated and a test of the EOFGDT ability to remove SC faults by using an 8/20 µs impulse current generator coupled with a power-frequency power supply test bed was conducted. The experimental results show that the magnitude of the SC follow currents, power-frequency voltages, and the impulse currents are positively correlated to the OC response time, which is greatly affected by the power-frequency follow currents. When the SC current reaches 30 A, the EOFGDT OC response time is about 350 ms. The experimental waveform is consistent with the screen result of the OC response time of the EOFGDT, which proves the effectiveness of EOFGDTs for the inhibition of SC follow-current failures.
Field and Laboratory Research of the Rut Development Process on Forest Roads
Authors: Machuga Oleg , Shchupak Andriy , Styranivskiy Oleg , Krilek Jozef , Helexa Milan , Kováč Ján , Kuvik Tomáš , Mancel Vladimír , Findura Pavol
Published: December 2023

The main tasks of this research are an extended analysis of the technological rut formation process’s geometric, force, and energy characteristics as a result of repeated passage of a forest machine on the soil surface. Existing experimental studies of the rutting process are associated with significant material costs and disruption of the forest ecosystem. The purpose of this study is to obtain similar experimental data in laboratory conditions, as well as establishing the correspondence of these experimental results to the results of field studies. The experiments were carried out on the specialized “soil channel” stand of Technical University in Zvolen (Slovakia), as well as in natural conditions in Brody Forestry of the Lviv Region (Ukraine). Geometric track characteristics were determined by length gauges. Power and energy characteristics of the track development process were determined using dynamometers, ammeters, and voltmeters. The physical and mechanical characteristics of the soil with which the mover interacted were determined by a dynamic hardness tester, a penetrometer, and a moisture meter. The characteristics of rut development processes in natural and laboratory conditions are similar to each other. This makes it possible to carry out a wide range of studies of a wheel with soil on a specialized stand and save considerable money during the implementation of full-scale experiments. So, the process of track development can be analyzed with the help of the geometric, force, and energy characteristics of the “wheel-soil” system obtained on laboratory equipment.
Evaluating Embeddings from Pre-Trained Language Models and Knowledge Graphs for Educational Content Recommendation
Authors: Li Xiu , Henriksson Aron , Duneld Martin , Nouri Jalal , Wu Yongchao
Published: December 2023

Educational content recommendation is a cornerstone of AI-enhanced learning. In particular, to facilitate navigating the diverse learning resources available on learning platforms, methods are needed for automatically linking learning materials, e.g., in order to recommend textbook content based on exercises. Such methods are typically based on semantic textual similarity (STS) and the use of embeddings for text representation. However, it remains unclear what types of embeddings should be used for this task. In this study, we carry out an extensive empirical evaluation of embeddings derived from three different types of models: (i) static embeddings trained using a concept-based knowledge graph, (ii) contextual embeddings from a pre-trained language model, and (iii) contextual embeddings from a large language model (LLM). In addition to evaluating the models individually, various ensembles are explored based on different strategies for combining two models in an early vs. late fusion fashion. The evaluation is carried out using digital textbooks in Swedish for three different subjects and two types of exercises. The results show that using contextual embeddings from an LLM leads to superior performance compared to the other models, and that there is no significant improvement when combining these with static embeddings trained using a knowledge graph. When using embeddings derived from a smaller language model, however, it helps to combine them with knowledge graph embeddings. The performance of the best-performing model is high for both types of exercises, resulting in a mean Recall@3 of 0.96 and 0.95 and a mean MRR of 0.87 and 0.86 for quizzes and study questions, respectively, demonstrating the feasibility of using STS based on text embeddings for educational content recommendation. The ability to link digital learning materials in an unsupervised manner—relying only on readily available pre-trained models—facilitates the development of AI-enhanced learning.
Population Genetic Differentiation of Walleye (Sander vitreus) across the Eastern Highlands of the United States
Authors: Harris Sheila C. , Palmer George , Stepien Carol A. , Hallerman Eric M.
Published: December 2023

Walleye is an important sportfish across eastern North America, is commercially fished in the Laurentian Great Lakes region, and has been introduced outside its native range. Thirty-eight Walleye populations within six watersheds across the Eastern Highlands and other portions of the native range were screened at eight microsatellite DNA loci to better understand evolutionary history and to inform fishery management and conservation efforts. Population genetic variation showed divergent assemblages of populations, respectively, living in the Mobile Bay, Mississippi River, Eastern Highlands (Tennessee, New, and Ohio Rivers), and Great Lakes drainages today. All estimates of effective numbers of breeding individuals were under 25, and all populations within all watersheds had ~15–20% inter-individual relatedness, likely attributable to the effects of both natural demographic processes and stocking. The extent of Eastern Highlands Walleye includes both the Ohio and Tennessee River basins.
Legal Aspects of Microalgae in the European Food Sector
Authors: Cruz José Diogo , Vasconcelos Vitor
Published: December 2023

The interest in microalgae as food in Europe is growing due to its remarkable features that can foster a sustainable economy. The lack of tradition on their use among Europeans is changing and a demand for more sustainable products is increasing. The legal framework from the microalgae stakeholders’ point of view has been consistently identified as a bottleneck, regardless of its nutritional value and potential to provide added-value metabolites. Microalgae-based products have been mostly consumed as food supplements, which are characterized by some general uncertainty with regards to food security of products sourced from non-European countries. The novel foods regulation is a landmark in Europe’s food law defining the conditions in which a new type of food can be commercialized. Currently, a more simplified and centralized version is in place, and around eleven microalgae-based products are on the market; however, more than half are represented by Schizochytrium sp. derived products (DHA-rich oil). Microalgae have immense potential as a sustainable food source; nonetheless, there is limited experience in assessing the safety of these microorganisms, considering the uncertainty around undesirable substances present in the way they are produced and their diverse metabolites. Here, we overview the regulatory use of microalgae as food in Europe with a focus on market introduction, highlighting the administrative procedures and scientific requirements to assess food safety. We also discuss the implications of the Transparency regulation related to microalgae as novel foods and provide considerations for a more solid interaction between academia and industry.
Spatial Distribution and Enrichment Dynamics of Foodborne Norovirus in Oyster Tissues
Authors: Mao Mao , Zhang Zilei , Zhao Xuchong , Geng Haoran , Xue Liang , Liu Danlei
Published: December 2023

The prevalence of norovirus in oysters poses a significant threat to food safety, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of contamination patterns. This study explores the temporal dynamics of norovirus distribution in various oyster tissues over a contamination period ranging from 6 to 96 h. Four tissues—the gill, palp, digestive gland, and stomach—were subjected to systematic monitoring using RT-qPCR for absolute quantification. Results revealed rapid norovirus detection in all tissues six hours post-contamination, with subsequent variations in detection rates. Gill and digestive gland tissues exhibited a peak in detection at 12–24 h, aligning with the oyster’s gastrointestinal circulatory system. The digestive gland, distinguished by specific enrichment and adsorption capabilities, demonstrated the highest virus concentration at 48 h. In contrast, the stomach displayed a reemergence of norovirus. Beyond 72 h, detection remained exclusive to the digestive gland, with Ct values comparable to earlier time points. At 96 h, a limited amount of norovirus was detected in the digestive gland, emphasizing the importance for timely monitoring. In addition to providing critical insights into optimal detection strategies, these findings highlight the time-related characteristics of norovirus contamination in oysters. The study identifies the digestive gland as a key target for reliable monitoring, providing valuable data to improve protocols for reducing hazards associated with oyster consumption and foodborne norovirus infections. This research contributes to the understanding of norovirus dynamics in oyster tissues and reinforces current efforts aimed at ensuring food safety and public health.
A Study of an IBVP of Fractional Differential Equations in Banach Space via the Measure of Noncompactness
Authors: Mesmouli Mouataz Billah , Hamza Amjad E. , Rizk Doaa
Published: December 2023

In this article, we are concerned with a very general integral boundary value problem of Riemann–Liouville derivatives. We will study the problem in Banach space. To be more specific, we are interested in proving the existence of a solution to our problem via the measure of noncompactness and Mönch fixed-point theorem. Our study in Banach space contains two nonlinear terms and two different orders of derivatives, ς and τ, such that ς∈1,2 and τ∈0,ς. Our paper ends with a conclusion.
A Lepton–Hadron Model for the Multi-Wavelength Emission from Extreme High-Frequency Peaked BL Lacertae 1ES 1218+304
Authors: Dong Wenjing , Dong Qian , Zheng Yonggang
Published: December 2023

We develop a lepton–hadron model for the possible origin of hard very high energy (VHE) spectra from a distant blazar. The model includes synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) and hadronic components. The lepton components include synchrotron radiation and inverse Compton scattering of relativistic electrons. For the hadronic components, we consider proton synchrotron radiation and investigate the interaction of protons with the synchrotron emission soft photons or cosmic microwave background (CMB) photons. Upon adopting the parametrization of the observed spectrum of 1ES 1218+304, we obtain the following results: (1) the model is able to match the spectral energy distribution of 1ES 1218+304; (2) we find that in Ep≈1010∼1017eV, the π0→γ-ray process contributes the majority of the secondary photons; and (3) the interaction of protons with the low-energy photons may occur in or outside the jet.
Unraveling Gender Dynamics in Migration and Remittances: An Empirical Analysis of Asian Women’s “Exposure to Migration”
Authors: Ullah AKM Ahsan , Chattoraj Diotima
Published: December 2023

The concept of “exposure to migration” helped us understand family dimensions, such as the role of members who remained behind, especially wives, changing gender roles, and changing exposure to remittances. However, most existing migration studies have not examined whether exposure to migration has anything to do with gender dynamics. This has often resulted in women or wives playing a subordinate role in contemporary discourse on gendered migration. Because they have very little to do with remittances compared to male family members, their role in the family is viewed critically by their male counterparts. This research is based on interviews with women from a selection of countries in Asia. Based on the analytical framework of “exposure to migration”, this study contends that the degree of exposure to migration for women depends on the country’s social and cultural milieu. In many cases, this exposure also leads to marital problems and family complications.
Assessment of the Frequency, Causes, Degree and Consequences of Violence against Health Workers in Psychiatric Institutions
Authors: Jovanovic Zoran , Opankovic Ana , Milovanovic Srdjan , Barisic Jasmina , Nikolic Turnic Tamara , Djuric Dusan
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: The prevalence of workplace violence within the health sector varies between 50 and 88%. Depending on the health care environment, the percentages mentioned can be much higher. (2) The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, characteristics, factors, and consequences of violence against healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, and technicians) in psychiatric institutions in the Republic of Serbia. Additionally, this study should validate the Serbian version of the aggression questionnaire, which could be a significant tool in recognizing and assessing any type of violence against health care workers in psychiatric institutions. (3) Methods: This study was designed as an observational questionnaire study that included 191 health workers (physicians, medical technicians, workers in kitchens or maintenance, and others) from three psychiatric institutions. As an instrument, this study validated and used the Serbian version of the aggression standardized questionnaire. We observed the primary and secondary outcomes of potential violence in psychiatric institutions against healthcare workers using different parameters. (4) Results: The internal consistency of each item as well as the instrument was very good (the mean Cronbach alfa = 0.91). A total of 104 of the participants never experienced physical violence, while more than five times that had 20 health workers (10.5%). We observed the statistical significance of gender, age, working status (permanent/limited) and professional status (physician/medical technician/worker etc.) on physical attack incidence. (5) Conclusions: The incidence of violence against healthcare workers is very high, especially in terms of physical assault and threats in the workplace. The majority of the victims were women who work as medical technicians, attacked by male patients with unknown motivation. A number of changes in the structure and organizational culture of the hospital are required. All hospital employees, employers, patients, and their families share responsibility for the creation of a safe workplace.