bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations of Electronic Device Use and Physical Activity with Headaches in Saudi Medical Students
Authors: Alqassim Ahmad Y. , Alharbi Abdullah A. , Muaddi Mohammed A. , Makeen Anwar M. , Shuayri Waleed H. , Safhi Abdelelah M. , Alfifa Abdulrahman Y. , Samily Idris H. , Darbashi Nawaf A. , Otayn Mohammed A. , Moafa Abdulaziz Y. , Wafi Ahmed M. , Mahfouz Mohamed Salih
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives: Primary headaches are highly prevalent among medical students, negatively impacting their health and academic performance. Excessive electronic device use has been implicated as a risk factor, in contrast to physical activity, which may be a protective factor; however, comprehensive data are lacking, especially for Saudi medical trainees. This study aims to investigate the associations between device use, exercise, and headaches among Saudi medical students. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 504 medical students at Jazan University completed an online survey collecting sociodemographic factors, headache characteristics/triggers, electronic device habits, exercise frequency, and headache impacts. Descriptive analyses summarized sample characteristics. Logistic regression identified predictors of 12-month headache prevalence. Results: Overall, 83% reported experiencing headaches in the past year. High headache prevalence was observed among females (86.6%) and third-year students (88.3%). Using electronic devices ≥4 h daily was associated with higher adjusted odds of headaches (OR 13.89, 95% CI 1.96–98.54) compared to ≤1 h daily. Low physical activity (exercising 1 day vs. 7 days a week) also increased headache odds (OR 3.89, 95% CI 1.61–9.42). Headaches impairing productivity (OR 4.39, 95% CI 2.28–8.45) and exacerbated by exercise (OR 10.37, 95% CI 2.02–53.35) were further associated with headache susceptibility. Conclusions: Excessive electronic device use and physical inactivity appear to be modifiable risk factors for frequent headaches in Saudi medical students. Multifaceted interventions incorporating education campaigns, skills training, and support services focused on promoting responsible technology habits, and regular exercise may help mitigate headaches in this population. Robust longitudinal studies and trials are warranted to establish causal mechanisms between lifestyle factors and headaches among medical undergraduates.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Forming Limit Diagrams during Single Point Incremental Forming for Al/Cu Bimetallic Sheets
Authors: Tayebi Payam , Nasirin Amir Reza , Akbari Habibolah , Hashemi Ramin
Published: February 2024

This article investigated the formability of aluminum/copper bimetal sheets during single-point incremental forming. First, the two-layer sheets were produced by the explosive welding process; then, the rolling process was performed with 50% strain on two-layer samples. Considering the importance of examining the mechanical and metallurgical properties on the formability of the two-layer samples, the mechanical properties were first examined, including the uniaxial tensile and micro-hardness tests. Then, metallurgical tests were performed, including scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) to investigate the fracture surface and penetration depth and an X-ray diffraction (XRD) test to check the secondary phase particles in the penetration zone of Al and Cu in five different annealing temperature conditions. Considering that the forming limit diagram (FLD) is dependent on the strain path, to study the effect of the strain path, the two-layer samples were formed by three geometries: pyramid, cone, and straight groove. Simulations of FLD by Abaqus software 6.14-4 with four different methods were studied: FLDCRT, effective strain rate (ESR), second derivation of thinning (SDT), and maximum strain rate (MSR). The results showed that the FLDCRT criterion provided a more accurate estimate of the necking time. In the following, the values of the thickness distribution were carried out by experimental and numerical methods, and the results between the methods were in good agreement.
Effect of Microstructure on the Precipitation of β-Mg2Si during Cooling after Homogenisation of Al-Mg-Si Alloys
Authors: Hennum Endre , Marthinsen Knut , Tundal Ulf H.
Published: February 2024

For Al-Mg-Si alloys, cooling after homogenisation is a crucial step because the precipitation of the equilibrium β-Mg2Si phase determines the processing capabilities in subsequent steps, as well as the subsequent precipitation age hardening potential, and thus, the final properties. It is therefore important to understand how microstructural variations affect the transformation of β-Mg2Si during cooling after homogenisation. In the present work, alloys with similar effective solute contents of Mg and Si, but with different microstructures and a different amount of primary Al-Fe-Si phases, were produced. Characterisation of the precipitation reaction was performed using interrupted quench experiments with cooling rates of 1–6 K/min, monitored by light optical microscopy (LOM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and conductivity measurements. Precipitation kinetics for β-Mg2Si was found to increase in microstructures with shorter secondary dendrite arm spacing (DAS). However, despite measuring both a higher density and volume fraction of the primary phases, no effect on the phase transformation from an increased iron content was found in terms of precipitation kinetics or particle count statistics. Furthermore, comparisons with iron-free high-purity-based alloys revealed that the precipitation reaction for β-Mg2Si was identical in the two different microstructures both in terms of onset temperature and overall kinetics. The present results show that nucleation of β-Mg2Si is not dependent on the larger constituent phases and indicates that overall transformation kinetics is governed by bulk diffusion rates.
Identification of Flo11-like Adhesin in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and the Mechanism of Small-Molecule Compounds Mediating Biofilm Formation in Yeasts
Authors: Zhang Yu-Gang , Zhang Tong , Lin Lan
Published: February 2024

Fungal infection is initiated by the adhesion of pathogens to biotic and abiotic surfaces, with various manifestations including biofilm formation and invasive growth, etc. A previous report, though devoid of functional data, speculated that the Schizosaccharomyces pombe glycoprotein SPBPJ4664.02 could be the homology of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Flo11. Here, our studies with S. pombe substantiated the previously proposed speculation by (1) the deletion of SPBPJ4664.02 attenuated biofilm formation and invasive growth in S. pombe; (2) the S. pombe’s lack of SPBPJ4664.02 could be complemented by expressing S. cerevisiae flo11. Furthermore, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and dodecanol were examined in S. pombe for their respective effects on biofilm formation. IAA and dodecanol at high concentrations could inhibit biofilm formation, whereas opposing effects were observed with low concentrations of these molecules. Mechanism studies with the SPBPJ4664.02Δ and SPBPJ4664.02Δ/flo11OE versus the wild type have demonstrated that IAA or dodecanol might exert regulatory effects downstream of SPBPJ4664.02 in the signaling pathway for biofilm formation. Moreover, our research extrapolated to Candida albicans has pinpointed that IAA inhibited biofilm formation at high concentrations, consistent with the transcriptional downregulation of the biofilm-related genes. Dodecanol suppressed C. albicans biofilm formation at all the concentrations tested, in accord with the downregulation of biofilm-related transcripts.
Antifungal Activities of L-Methionine and L-Arginine Treatment In Vitro and In Vivo against Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Li Shengwang , Yu Youwei , Xie Peng , Zhu Xianran , Yang Chao , Wang Linjing , Zhang Shaoying
Published: February 2024

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is a common postharvest fungal disease in fruit and vegetables. The prevention and treatment of postharvest gray mold has been one of the hot research issues addressed by researchers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of L-methionine and L-arginine on Botrytis cinerea in vitro and on cherry tomato fruit. The results of the in vitro experiment showed that L-methionine and L-arginine had significant inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth and spore germination of Botrytis cinerea, and the inhibitory effects were enhanced with increasing L-methionine or L-arginine concentration. In addition, L-methionine and L-arginine treatment increased the leakage of Botrytis cinerea electrolytes, proteins and nucleic acids. The experiment involving propidium iodide staining and malondialdehyde content assay also confirmed that L-methionine and L-arginine treatment could lead to cell membrane rupture and lipid peroxidation. The results of scanning electron microscopy further verified that the morphology of hyphae was damaged, deformed, dented and wrinkled after treatment with L-methionine or L-arginine. Fruit inoculation experiments displayed that L-methionine and L-arginine treatments significantly inhibited the occurrence and development of gray mold in postharvest cherry tomato. Therefore, treatment with L-methionine or L-arginine might be an effective means to control postharvest gray mold in fruit and vegetables.
Editorial for Special Issue: “Airborne Microbes and Their Potential Influence”
Authors: Tanaka Daisuke , Maruyama Fumito
Published: February 2024

Airborne microbes, comprising a diverse range of bacteria and fungi, are a pervasive component of the atmosphere, with concentrations typically ranging from 102 to 107 cells per cubic meter [...]
From Viral Infection to Autoimmune Reaction: Exploring the Link between Human Herpesvirus 6 and Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Sokolovska Liba , Cistjakovs Maksims , Matroze Asnate , Murovska Modra , Sultanova Alina
Published: February 2024

The complexity of autoimmunity initiation has been the subject of many studies. Both genetic and environmental factors are essential in autoimmunity development. Among others, environmental factors include infectious agents. HHV-6 is a ubiquitous human pathogen with a high global prevalence. It has several properties suggestive of its contribution to autoimmunity development. HHV-6 has a broad cell tropism, the ability to establish latency with subsequent reactivation and persistence, and a range of immunomodulation capabilities. Studies have implicated HHV-6 in a plethora of autoimmune diseases—endocrine, neurological, connective tissue, and others—with some studies even proposing possible autoimmunity induction mechanisms. HHV-6 can be frequently found in autoimmunity-affected tissues and lesions; it has been found to infect autoimmune-pathology-relevant cells and influence immune responses and signaling. This review highlights some of the most well-known autoimmune conditions to which HHV-6 has been linked, like multiple sclerosis and autoimmune thyroiditis, and summarizes the data on HHV-6 involvement in autoimmunity development.
β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Promotes Cell Proliferation and Hair Growth by Reducing Oxidative Stress
Authors: Xu Chuntao , Dai Jiawei , Ai Hongxia , Du Weian , Ji Hongbing
Published: February 2024

β-Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has shown promising effects on intestinal health, and it is extensively applied as an anti-aging and Alzheimer’s disease therapeutic, due to its medicinal properties. The effects of NMN on the growth of mouse hair were observed after hair removal. The results indicated that NMN can reverse the state of hair follicle atrophy, hair thinning, and hair sparsity induced by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), compared to that of minoxidil. In addition, the action mechanisms of NMN promoting hair growth in cultured human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs) treated with DHT were investigated in detail. The incubation of HDPCs with DHT led to a decrease in cell viability and the release of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1Beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor Alpha (TNF-α). It was found that NMN can significantly lower the release of inflammatory factors induced by DHT in HDPCs. HDPCs cells are protected from oxidative stress damage by NMN, which inhibits the NF-κB p65 inflammatory signaling pathway. Moreover, the levels of androgen receptor (AR), dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), and β-catenin in the HDPCs were assessed using PCR, indicating that NMN can significantly enhance the expression of VEGF, reduced IL-6 levels and suppress the expression of AR and DKK-1, and notably increase β-catenin expression in DHT-induced HDPCs.
Assessment of Popcorn’s Bioactive Status in Response to Popping
Authors: Vukadinović Jelena , Srdić Jelena , Kravić Natalija , Mladenović Drinić Snežana , Simić Milena , Brankov Milan , Dragičević Vesna
Published: February 2024

Popcorn is a specialty maize variety with popping abilities. Although considered a snack, popcorn flakes provide a variety of benefits for the human diet. To evaluate the change in content of bioactive compounds in response to microwave popping, the kernels and flakes of twelve popcorn hybrids were assayed. Accordingly, the content of phytic acid, glutathione, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and tocopherols, as well as the antioxidant activity, were evaluated. In all evaluated popcorn hybrids, the most pronounced significant average decrease of 71.94% was observed for GSH content, followed by 57.72% and 16.12% decreases for lutein + zeaxanthin and phytic acid content, respectively. In response to popping, in the majority of the evaluated hybrids, the most pronounced significant average changes of a 63.42% increase and a 27.61% decrease were observed for DPPH, followed by a 51.52% increase and a 24.48% decrease for β-carotene, as well as, a 48.62% increase and a 16.71% decrease for α-Tocopherol content, respectively. The applied principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses revealed the distinct separation of popcorn hybrids’ kernels and flakes, indicating the existence of a unique linkage of changes in bioactive compound content in response to popping.
A Versatile Broadband Attached Proton Test Experiment for Routine 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Bigler Peter , Gjuroski Ilche , Chakif Dib , Furrer Julien
Published: February 2024

The proposed broadband attached proton test sequence allows the user to easily record 13C nuclear magnetic resonance multiplicity-edited and quaternary-carbon-only spectra. Compared to earlier attached proton test experiments, it preserves both a tolerance for wide ranges of one-bond-coupling constant values and the effective suppression of residual CHn signals in the quaternary-carbon-only spectra. The recording of edited spectra or quaternary-carbon-only spectra is made easy by a single, user-controllable constant. These attributes make the broadband attached proton test experiment attractive for the 13C analysis of small molecules, including spectral editing, particularly in high-throughput analysis laboratories.
Discovery of a New Compound, Erinacerin W, from the Mycelia of Hericium erinaceus, with Immunomodulatory and Neuroprotective Effects
Authors: Lin Jing-Yi , Chen Yen-Po , Lin Ting-Wei , Li Tsung-Ju , Chen Yu-Wen , Li I-Chen , Chen Chin-Chu
Published: February 2024

One new compound with an isoindolinone skeleton, along with erinacines A, C, and S, was isolated from the mycelia of Hericium erinaceus, an edible fungus with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. Based on analysis of MS and NMR spectral data, the structure of the compound was identified as (2E,6E)-8-(2-(1-carboxy-3-methylbutyl)-4,6-dihydroxy-1-oxoisoindolin-5-yl)-2,6-dimethylocta-2,6-dienoic acid. In light of this discovery, we have given this compound the name erinacerin W. Using a co-culture in vitro LPS-activated BV2 microglia-induced SH-SY5Y neuroinflammation model, the results showed that erinacerin W demonstrated protection against the LPS-activated BV-2 cell-induced overexpression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α on SH-SY5Y cells. This finding may provide potential therapeutic approaches for central nervous disorders.
Plant Extracts and Phytochemicals from the Asteraceae Family with Antiviral Properties
Authors: Borgo Jimena , Wagner Mariel S. , Laurella Laura C. , Elso Orlando G. , Selener Mariana G. , Clavin María , Bach Hernán , Catalán César A. N. , Bivona Augusto E. , Sepúlveda Claudia S. , Sülsen Valeria P.
Published: February 2024

Asteraceae (Compositae), commonly known as the sunflower family, is one of the largest plant families in the world and includes several species with pharmacological properties. In the search for new antiviral candidates, an in vitro screening against dengue virus (DENV) was performed on a series of dichloromethane and methanolic extracts prepared from six Asteraceae species, including Acmella bellidioides, Campuloclinium macrocephalum, Grindelia pulchella, Grindelia chiloensis, Helenium radiatum, and Viguiera tuberosa, along with pure phytochemicals isolated from Asteraceae: mikanolide (1), eupatoriopicrin (2), eupahakonenin B (3), minimolide (4), estafietin (5), 2-oxo-8-deoxyligustrin (6), santhemoidin C (7), euparin (8), jaceidin (9), nepetin (10), jaceosidin (11), eryodictiol (12), eupatorin (13), and 5-demethylsinensetin (14). Results showed that the dichloromethane extracts of C. macrocephalum and H. radiatum and the methanolic extracts prepared from C. macrocephalum and G. pulchella were highly active and selective against DENV-2, affording EC50 values of 0.11, 0.15, 1.80, and 3.85 µg/mL, respectively, and SIs of 171.0, 18.8, >17.36, and 64.9, respectively. From the pool of phytochemicals tested, compounds 6, 7, and 8 stand out as the most active (EC50 = 3.7, 3.1, and 6.8 µM, respectively; SI = 5.9, 6.7, and >73.4, respectively). These results demonstrate that Asteraceae species and their chemical constituents represent valuable sources of new antiviral molecules.
Assessing the Efficacy of an Accessible Computing Curriculum for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Arslanyilmaz Abdu , Briley Margaret L. , Boerio Gregory V. , Petridis Katie , Ilyas Ramlah
Published: February 2024

There is a limited amount of research dedicated to designing and developing computing curricula specifically tailored for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and thus far, no study has examined the effectiveness of an accessible computing curriculum designed specifically for students with ASD. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an accessible curriculum in improving the learning of computational thinking concepts (CTCs) such as sequences, loops, parallelism, conditionals, operators, and data, as well as the development of proficiency in computational thinking practices (CTPs) including experimenting and iterating, testing and debugging, reusing and remixing, and abstracting and modularizing. The study involved two groups, each comprising twenty-four students. One group received instruction using the accessible curriculum, while the other was taught with the original curriculum. Evaluation of students’ CTCs included the analysis of pretest and posttest scores for both groups, and their CTPs were assessed through artifact-based interview scores. The results indicated improvement in both groups concerning the learning of CTCs, with no significant difference between the two curricula. However, the accessible computing curriculum demonstrated significant enhancements in students’ proficiency in debugging and testing, iterating and experimenting, modularizing and abstracting, as well as remixing and reusing. The findings suggest the effectiveness of accessible computing curricula for students with ASD.
Multifaceted Assessment of Porous Silica Nanocomposites: Unraveling Physical, Structural, and Biological Transformations Induced by Microwave Field Modification
Authors: Strach Aleksandra , Dulski Mateusz , Wasilkowski Daniel , Matus Krzysztof , Dudek Karolina , Podwórny Jacek , Rawicka Patrycja , Grebnevs Vladlens , Waloszczyk Natalia , Nowak Anna , Poloczek Paulina , Golba Sylwia
Published: February 2024

In response to the persistent challenge of heavy and noble metal environmental contamination, our research explores a new idea to capture silver through porous spherical silica nanostructures. The aim was realized using microwave radiation at varying power (P = 150 or 800 W) and exposure times (t = 60 or 150 s). It led to the development of a silica surface with enhanced metal-capture capacity. The microwave-assisted silica surface modification influences the notable changes within the carrier but also enforces the crystallization process of silver nanoparticles with different morphology, structure, and chemical composition. Microwave treatment can also stimulate the formation of core–shell bioactive Ag/Ag2CO3 heterojunctions. Due to the silver nanoparticles’ sphericity and silver carbonate’s presence, the modified nanocomposites exhibited heightened toxicity against common microorganisms, such as E. coli and S. epidermidis. Toxicological assessments, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) determinations, underscored the efficacy of the nanocomposites. This research represents a significant stride in addressing pollution challenges. It shows the potential of microwave-modified silicas in the fight against environmental contamination. Microwave engineering underscores a sophisticated approach to pollution remediation and emphasizes the pivotal role of nanotechnology in shaping sustainable solutions for environmental stewardship.
Collaborative Prescribing Practice in Managing Patients Post-Bariatric Surgery in a Tertiary Centre in Singapore
Authors: Khee Giat Yeng , Lim Paik Shia , Chan Yoke Ling , Lee Phong Ching
Published: February 2024

Background: A collaborative prescribing (CP) practice model, established by the endocrinologists, pharmacists, and advanced practice nurses, aims to provide for the postoperative monitoring and medical and nutritional management of stable patients after bariatric surgery. Method: Under the CP agreement, endocrinologists refer patients who have undergone bariatric surgery with stable medical conditions to CP practitioners, comprising senior pharmacists and advanced practice nurses. CP practitioners review the patient’s weight loss progress, blood test results and vitals, the sufficiency of micronutrient repletion, adherence to supplements and medications, and chronic disease control. CP practitioners can prescribe and adjust the medications and supplements, in accordance with a clinical evaluation and standard guidance. Patients who require immediate attention due to complications or red flags are referred to the primary endocrinologist for further management. Results: From 5 May 2020 to 30 September 2023, CP practitioners provided 672 consultations. At least 68% and 80% of patients achieved appropriate weight loss post-surgery during the acute and maintenance phases, respectively. Less than 10% of the patients presented with anaemia and iron deficiency, and vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D deficiency. More than 80% of patients achieved a HbA1c of less than 7%. Conclusions: The CP practice framework provides a sustainable and viable model to facilitate optimal outcomes after bariatric surgery.
PVA-Based Films with Strontium Titanate Nanoparticles Dedicated to Wound Dressing Application
Authors: Kaczmarek-Szczepańska Beata , Zasada Lidia , Wekwejt Marcin , Brzezinska Maria Swiontek , Michno Anna , Ronowska Anna , Ciesielska Magdalena , Kovtun Ganna , Cuberes M. Teresa
Published: February 2024

Bioactive materials may be applied in tissue regeneration, and an example of such materials are wound dressings, which are used to accelerate skin healing, especially after trauma. Here, we proposed a novel dressing enriched by a bioactive component. The aim of our study was to prepare and characterize poly(vinyl alcohol) films modified with strontium titanate nanoparticles. The physicochemical properties of films were studied, such as surface free energy and surface roughness, as well as the mechanical properties of materials. Moreover, different biological studies were carried out, like in vitro hemo- and cyto-compatibility, biocidal activity, and anti-biofilm formation. Also, the degradation of the materials’ utilization possibilities and enzymatic activity in compost were checked. The decrease of surface free energy, increase of roughness, and improvement of mechanical strength were found after the addition of nanoparticles. All developed films were cyto-compatible, and did not induce a hemolytic effect on the human erythrocytes. The PVA films containing the highest concentration of STO (20%) reduced the proliferation of Eschericha coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus significantly. Also, all films were characterized by surface anti-biofilm activity, as they significantly lowered the bacterial biofilm abundance and its dehydrogenase activity. The films were degraded by the compost microorganism. However, PVA with the addition of 20%STO was more difficult to degrade. Based on our results, for wound dressing application, we suggest using bioactive films based on PVA + 20%STO, as they were characterized by high antibacterial properties, favorable physicochemical characteristics, and good biocompatibility with human cells.
Synergistic Self-Healing Enhancement in Multifunctional Silicone Elastomers and Their Application in Smart Materials
Authors: Kowalewska Anna , Majewska-Smolarek Kamila
Published: February 2024

Organosilicon polymers (silicones) are of enduring interest both as an established branch of polymer chemistry and as a segment of commercial products. Their unique properties were exploited in a wide range of everyday applications. However, current silicone trends in chemistry and materials engineering are focused on new smart applications, including stretchable electronics, wearable stress sensors, protective coatings, and soft robotics. Such applications require a fresh approach to methods for increasing the durability and mechanical strength of polysiloxanes, including crosslinked systems. The introduction of self-healing options to silicones has been recognized as a promising alternative in this field, but only carefully designed multifunctional systems operating with several different self-healing mechanisms can truly address the demands placed on such valuable materials. In this review, we summarized the progress of research efforts dedicated to the synthesis and applications of self-healing hybrid materials through multi-component systems that enable the design of functional silicon-based polymers for smart applications.
Numerical Simulation Study on the Mechanics and Pore Characteristics of Tectonically Deformed Coal under Multi-Level and Multi-Cycle Loading and Unloading Conditions
Authors: Wang He , Sang Shuxun , Liu Shiqi , Wang Ziliang , Wang Wenkai
Published: February 2024

Horizontal well cavern completion and stress release is considered a potential technique for efficient development of coalbed methane in tectonically deformed coal (TDC). Pulsating loading and unloading is a key technique for the controlled expansion of caverns and broader stress release within the reservoir. However, current understanding of the mechanical characteristics and pore network structure evolution of TDC under cyclic loading and unloading conditions is still limited. This paper employs numerical simulation methods to study the mechanical behavior and damage characteristics of TDC under cyclic loading and unloading. After obtaining a set of micromechanical parameters reflecting the behavior of TDC samples under triaxial compression in high-stress states, the effects of different stress gradients and cyclic amplitudes on the stress–strain curve, porosity changes, and crack propagation in TDC samples were analyzed. The study results indicate that under various cyclic loading and unloading conditions, the mechanical response characteristics of TDC samples are broadly similar, primarily divided into compression, slow expansion, and accelerated expansion phases. Under low unloading level conditions, the volume expansion of TDC samples is minimal. Also, at the same unloading level, the strain increment decreases with an increasing number of cycles. Correspondingly, under these conditions, the porosity and microcrack expansion in TDC are less than in high-stress gradient scenarios. Under the same unloading level but different amplitudes, the volume expansion rate at 50% unloading amplitude is higher than at 1 MPa unloading amplitude for TDC, with an increased number of crack expansions. Therefore, under cyclic loading conditions, the sensitivity of crack propagation within TDC samples to amplitude is greater than that to unloading level. Under actual pulsating excitation conditions, a low-amplitude, low-stress gradient pulsation method should be used to maintain the stability of horizontal well caverns, and gradually increase the cyclic amplitude to achieve the efficient extraction of coalbed methane in TDC reservoirs. The findings of this study can serve as an important reference for optimizing process parameters in cyclic pulsating stress release engineering for TDC.
Numerical Simulation and Environmental Impact Assessment of VOCs Diffusion Based on Multi-Emission Sources in the Natural Gas Purification Plant
Authors: Ge Yuqian , Huang Weiqiu , Li Xufei , Xu Ziqiang , Yang Qin , Zhang Cheng , Zhou Ning , Kong Xiangyu , Tian Xinchen
Published: February 2024

The rising number of natural gas purification plants has raised concerns about safety and environmental issues related to VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) leakage. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct in-depth research on oil vapor emission patterns in these plants. Taking a typical natural gas purification plant as an example, a 1:1 scale model was established. Using methanol as the simulated medium, a study was conducted to investigate the impact of multiple leaks on the dispersion process of VOCs at the plant, combining field sampling with numerical simulation. The results indicate that wind speed influences the concentration of oil vapor, particularly on the leeward side, where vortex and reflux phenomena occur. The area of high concentration of oil vapor at v = 4 m·s−1 is eight times that at v = 8 m·s−1. Gravity and eddy currents contribute to the accumulation of oil vapor, especially closer to the central area of the plant where surrounding buildings obstruct dispersion. Smaller distances between leakage sources result in higher concentrations of oil vapor in the central region, leading to a larger affected area in the event of an accident. The study holds significant practical significance for the research, prevention, and management of leakage and dispersion incidents.
Hybrid 3D Reconstruction of Indoor Scenes Integrating Object Recognition
Authors: Li Mingfan , Li Minglei , Xu Li , Wei Mingqiang
Published: February 2024

Indoor 3D reconstruction is particularly challenging due to complex scene structures involving object occlusion and overlap. This paper presents a hybrid indoor reconstruction method that segments the room point cloud into internal and external components, and then reconstructs the room shape and the indoor objects in different ways. We segment the room point cloud into internal and external points based on the assumption that the room shapes are composed of some large external planar structures. For the external, we seek for an appropriate combination of intersecting faces to obtain a lightweight polygonal surface model. For the internal, we define a set of features extracted from the internal points and train a classification model based on random forests to recognize and separate indoor objects. Then, the corresponding computer aided design (CAD) models are placed in the target positions of the indoor objects, converting the reconstruction into a model fitting problem. Finally, the indoor objects and room shapes are combined to generate a complete 3D indoor model. The effectiveness of this method is evaluated on point clouds from different indoor scenes with an average fitting error of about 0.11 m, and the performance is validated by extensive comparisons with state-of-the-art methods.
A Method for Determining the Directional Angle of a Railway Route Based on Field Measurements
Authors: Koc Wladyslaw
Published: February 2024

The most effective method for determining the coordinates of the railway track axis is based on using mobile satellite measurements. However, there are situations in which the satellite signal may be disturbed (due to field obstructions) or completely disappear (e.g., in tunnels). In these situations, the ability to measure the value of the directional angle of a moving rail vehicle using an inertial system is useful. The directional angle is determined on a topographic map as the angle between the direction of the vehicle’s longitudinal axis (or the direction of a tangent to the track axis) and the reference direction, which is the north. This article presents a method for determining the directional angle of a railway line based on appropriate measurement data. The latter should be Cartesian coordinates of the track axis, allowing for the visualization of a given railway route and permitting a general orientation of its course to be obtained. The presented proposal for solving the problem refers to the assumptions made in the method for determining the curvature of the railway track axis using the moving chord. The assumptions of the proposed method for determining the directional angle of the railway route are discussed, along with the appropriate computational algorithms. The accuracy of this method is assessed using the adopted model geometric layout. Reference is also made to the appropriate method for determining the curvature of the railway track axis. In conclusion, we provide an example of determining the directional angle based on measurement data.
Remote Fault Diagnosis for the Powertrain System of Fuel Cell Vehicles Based on Random Forest Optimized with a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Quan Rui , Zhang Jian , Feng Zixiang
Published: February 2024

To enhance the safety and reliability of fuel cell vehicles, a remote monitoring system based on 5th generation (5G) mobile networks and controller area networks (CANs) was designed, and a random forest (RF) algorithm for the fault diagnosis for eight typical malfunctions of its powertrain system was incorporated. Firstly, the information on the powertrain system was obtained through a 5G-based monitoring terminal, and the Alibaba Cloud IoT platform was utilized for data storage and remote monitoring. Secondly, a fault diagnosis model based on the RF algorithm was constructed for fault classification; its parameters were optimized with a genetic algorithm (GA), and it was applied on the Alibaba Cloud PAI platform. Finally, the performance of the proposed RF fault diagnosis model was evaluated by comparing it with three other classification models: random search conditioning, grid search conditioning, and Bayesian optimization. Results show that the model accuracy, F1 score, and kappa value of the optimized RF fault classification model are higher than the other three. The model achieves an F1 value of 97.77% in identifying multiple typical faults of the powertrain system, as validated by vehicle malfunction data. The method demonstrates the feasibility of remote monitoring and fault diagnosis for the powertrain system of fuel cell vehicles.
Low-Cost Optical Sensors for Soil Composition Monitoring
Authors: Diaz Francisco Javier , Ahmad Ali , Parra Lorena , Sendra Sandra , Lloret Jaime
Published: February 2024

Studying soil composition is vital for agricultural and edaphology disciplines. Presently, colorimetry serves as a prevalent method for the on-site visual examination of soil characteristics. However, this technique necessitates the laboratory-based analysis of extracted soil fragments by skilled personnel, leading to substantial time and resource consumption. Contrastingly, sensor techniques effectively gather environmental data, though they mostly lack in situ studies. Despite this, sensors offer substantial on-site data generation potential in a non-invasive manner and can be included in wireless sensor networks. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to develop a low-cost red, green, and blue (RGB)-based sensor system capable of detecting changes in the composition of the soil. The proposed sensor system was found to be effective when the sample materials, including salt, sand, and nitro phosphate, were determined under eight different RGB lights. Statistical analyses showed that each material could be classified with significant differences based on specific light variations. The results from a discriminant analysis documented the 100% prediction accuracy of the system. In order to use the minimum number of colors, all the possible color combinations were evaluated. Consequently, a combination of six colors for salt and nitro phosphate successfully classified the materials, whereas all the eight colors were found to be effective for classifying sand samples. The proposed low-cost RGB sensor system provides an economically viable and easily accessible solution for soil classification.
SGO: Semantic Group Obfuscation for Location-Based Services in VANETS
Authors: Ullah Ikram , Shah Munam
Published: February 2024

Location privacy is an important parameter to be addressed in the case of vehicular ad hoc networks. Each vehicle frequently communicates with location-based services to find the nearest location of interest. The location messages communicated with the location server may contain sensitive information like vehicle identity, location, direction, and other headings. A Location-Based Services (LBS) server is not a trusted entity; it can interact with an adversary, compromising the location information of vehicles on the road and providing a way for an adversary to extract the future location tracks of a target vehicle. The existing works consider two or three neighboring vehicles as a virtual shadow to conceal location information. However, they did not fully utilize the semantic location information and pseudonym-changing process, which reduces the privacy protection level. Moreover, a lot of dummy location messages are generated that increase overheads in the network. To address these issues, we propose a Semantic Group Obfuscation (SGO) technique that utilizes both location semantics as well as an efficient pseudonym-changing scheme. SGO creates groups of similar status vehicles on the road and selects random position coordinates for communication with the LBS server. It hides the actual location of a target vehicle in a vicinity. The simulation results verify that the proposed scheme SGO improves the anonymization and entropy of vehicles, and it reduces the location traceability and overheads in the network in terms of computation cost and communication cost. The cost of overhead is reduced by 55% to 65% compared with existing schemes. We also formally model and specify SGO using High-Level Petri Nets (HLPNs), which show the correctness and appropriateness of the scheme.
A Comparative Study of Preprocessing and Model Compression Techniques in Deep Learning for Forest Sound Classification
Authors: Paranayapa Thivindu , Ranasinghe Piumini , Ranmal Dakshina , Meedeniya Dulani , Perera Charith
Published: February 2024

Deep-learning models play a significant role in modern software solutions, with the capabilities of handling complex tasks, improving accuracy, automating processes, and adapting to diverse domains, eventually contributing to advancements in various industries. This study provides a comparative study on deep-learning techniques that can also be deployed on resource-constrained edge devices. As a novel contribution, we analyze the performance of seven Convolutional Neural Network models in the context of data augmentation, feature extraction, and model compression using acoustic data. The results show that the best performers can achieve an optimal trade-off between model accuracy and size when compressed with weight and filter pruning followed by 8-bit quantization. In adherence to the study workflow utilizing the forest sound dataset, MobileNet-v3-small and ACDNet achieved accuracies of 87.95% and 85.64%, respectively, while maintaining compact sizes of 243 KB and 484 KB, respectively. Henceforth, this study concludes that CNNs can be optimized and compressed to be deployed in resource-constrained edge devices for classifying forest environment sounds.
Characterization of an In-Situ Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) via a Smart-Electrochemical Sensing Approach
Authors: Dhamu Vikram Narayanan , Somenahally Anil C , Paul Anirban , Muthukumar Sriram , Prasad Shalini
Published: February 2024

Soil is a vital component of the ecosystem that drives the holistic homeostasis of the environment. Directly, soil quality and health by means of sufficient levels of soil nutrients are required for sustainable agricultural practices for ideal crop yield. Among these groups of nutrients, soil carbon is a factor which has a dominating effect on greenhouse carbon phenomena and thereby the climate change rate and its influence on the planet. It influences the fertility of soil and other conditions like enriched nutrient cycling and water retention that forms the basis for modern ‘regenerative agriculture’. Implementation of soil sensors would be fundamentally beneficial to characterize the soil parameters in a local as well as global environmental impact standpoint, and electrochemistry as a transduction mode is very apt due to its feasibility and ease of applicability. Organic Matter present in soil (SOM) changes the electroanalytical behavior of moieties present that are carbon-derived. Hence, an electrochemical-based ‘bottom-up’ approach is evaluated in this study to track soil organic carbon (SOC). As part of this setup, soil as a solid-phase electrolyte as in a standard electrochemical cell and electrode probes functionalized with correlated ionic species on top of the metalized electrodes are utilized. The surficial interface is biased using a square pulsed charge, thereby studying the effect of the polar current as a function of the SOC profile. The sensor formulation composite used is such that materials have higher capacity to interact with organic carbon pools in soil. The proposed sensor platform is then compared against the standard combustion method for SOC analysis and its merit is evaluated as a potential in situ, on-demand electrochemical soil analysis platform.
Life Story Research with People Aging with Intellectual Disabilities: An Adaptation of the Lifeline Interview Method
Authors: van Heumen Lieke , Heller Tamar
Published: February 2024

A key feature of inclusive research is the accessibility of research procedures to meaningfully engage people with intellectual disabilities in research processes. Creating accessible research procedures requires innovations in methods traditionally used in research. This paper describes how the Lifeline Interview Method by Assink and Schroots was adapted and implemented in a study using life story research to better understand the experiences of older adults with intellectual disabilities. Twelve adults with intellectual disabilities over the age of 50 participated between two and seven times in interviews about their life histories. The interviewer assisted in the construction of timelines of key events in the participants’ individual life stories, and the participants decorated their lifelines throughout the course of the interviews. The lifeline process was an effective tool to engage the participants in the research process, support participation, and provide access for people with intellectual disabilities to retrieve their life experiences. Challenges in the lifeline process included barriers to gathering sufficient information to construct timelines and gatekeepers withholding access to information.
Examining People’s Experiences of Working in Collaborative Relationships While Conducting Inclusive Research Involving Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: van den Bogaard Kim , Frielink Noud , Schippers Alice , Embregts Petri
Published: February 2024

This study examined the experiences of working in collaborative relationships while conducting inclusive research involving persons with intellectual disabilities. More specifically, the study explored work relationships, social relationships, and factors that influence collaboration within inclusive research teams. Interviews were conducted with nine researchers with intellectual disabilities, eight academic researchers, and nine principal investigators who were all involved in six inclusive research projects together. The analysis of the interviews produced four themes: (1) the diverse nature of the involvement of researchers with intellectual disabilities; (2) the significance of involving researchers with intellectual disabilities within academic research; (3) shaping equity in research projects; and (4) stereotyping hindering collaborations with researchers with intellectual disabilities. These findings have implications for research and practice, both in terms of promoting inclusive research and facilitating the meaningful participation of persons with intellectual disabilities within various aspects of society, including education, employment, healthcare, and social activities.
On Estimation of Shannon’s Entropy of Maxwell Distribution Based on Progressively First-Failure Censored Data
Authors: Kumar Kapil , Kumar Indrajeet , Ng Hon Keung Tony
Published: February 2024

Shannon’s entropy is a fundamental concept in information theory that quantifies the uncertainty or information in a random variable or data set. This article addresses the estimation of Shannon’s entropy for the Maxwell lifetime model based on progressively first-failure-censored data from both classical and Bayesian points of view. In the classical perspective, the entropy is estimated using maximum likelihood estimation and bootstrap methods. For Bayesian estimation, two approximation techniques, including the Tierney-Kadane (T-K) approximation and the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, are used to compute the Bayes estimate of Shannon’s entropy under the linear exponential (LINEX) loss function. We also obtained the highest posterior density (HPD) credible interval of Shannon’s entropy using the MCMC technique. A Monte Carlo simulation study is performed to investigate the performance of the estimation procedures and methodologies studied in this manuscript. A numerical example is used to illustrate the methodologies. This paper aims to provide practical values in applied statistics, especially in the areas of reliability and lifetime data analysis.