bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Election Satire: The Evolution of The Daily Show as a Cultural Artifact Reflecting Democratic Processes
Authors: Jaballah Najla Lilya
Published: January 2025

The Trump era marked a turning point for political satire, where The Daily Show’s coverage of the last two election cycles reveals a dynamic interplay between satire, ideology, and democratic processes. This study examines how The Daily Show has progressively altered its satirical voice and multimodal strategies to capture the changing landscape of U.S. presidential elections, spotlighting the different eras of Trevor Noah in 2020 and Jon Stewart in 2024. It decodes how news satire along with visuals reflect political and cultural moments, and the way social and political representations are depicted in this show. To achieve these aims, a Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) approach is used to analyze the semiotic and multimodal features of four episodes of The Daily Show, ranging from Noah’s pandemic-era coverage of the 2020 elections to Stewart’s live studio format in 2024. This article reveals both hosts’ role in social and political representation by different means of satirical and multimodal techniques. It highlights how The Daily Show has remained a cultural touchstone, adapting its style and substance to meet the demands of its time.
The Orientation of the Prosthetic Trochlear Angle Is Predictable in Kinematically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Cacciola Giorgio , Vezza Daniele , Massè Alessandro , Sabatini Luigi
Published: January 2025

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to predict the orientation of the prosthetic trochlear angle (PTA) relative to the quadriceps line of force (QLF) in kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (KA-TKA) by using preoperative radiographic parameters. Methods: This study included 144 patients who underwent KA-TKA with a femoral component designed for mechanical alignment (MADFC), with a PTA of 6°. Radiographic parameters, including the lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) and the QLF^FMA (quadriceps line of force–femoral mechanical axis angle), were measured pre- and postoperatively. We developed and validated a formula to predict PTA orientation based on these values: “X = QLF^FMA−(PTA−(90°−LDFA))”, where values of x > 0° predict a lateral PTA orientation, while x < 0° predicts a medial PTA. Results: The formula accurately predicted PTA orientation in 100% of the cases, with a difference between the predicted and actual PTA values of <0.5° in 75% of the cases. Patients with an LDFA < 86° and lower QLF^FMA values were identified as at risk for medial PTA orientation, which can affect patellar tracking. Conclusions: Our formula offers a reliable preoperative tool for predicting PTA orientation in KA-TKA, aiding in component selection and alignment strategies to improve patellofemoral function and patient outcomes.
Exploring Marine Natural Compounds: Innovative Therapeutic Candidates Against Chagas Disease Through Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Maya-Ramírez Carlos Eliel , Saih Asmae , Méndez Tenorio Alfonso , Wong Baeza Carlos , Nogueda Torres Benjamín , Santiago Hernández Juan Carlos
Published: January 2025

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, represents a significant public health challenge, particularly in Latin America’s endemic regions. The limited efficacy and frequent adverse effects of current treatments underscore the need for novel therapeutic options. This research explores marine natural compounds as potential candidates for Chagas disease treatment using virtual screening and in silico evaluation methods. Techniques such as molecular docking, drug-likeness evaluation, and pharmacokinetic analysis were employed to identify promising anti-parasitic compounds. Among the candidates, chandrananimycin A, venezueline A, and dispacamide demonstrated high binding affinities to key targets in T. cruzi alongside favorable docking scores and compliance with essential drug-likeness criteria. Pharmacokinetic profiling further supported their therapeutic potential, revealing desirable properties like effective absorption and minimal toxicity. These findings underscore the promise of marine-derived compounds as a valuable source of new drugs, emphasizing the need for further in vitro and in vivo investigations to elucidate their molecular mechanisms and optimize their development as viable treatments for Chagas disease.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Dowel Bars in Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements Using Finite Element Modelling
Authors: Yaqoob Saima , Silfwerbrand Johan
Published: January 2025

Aggregate interlocking and dowel bar systems are the two primary mechanisms in a jointed plain concrete pavement for transferring the wheel loads from the loaded slab to the adjacent unloaded slab, avoiding critical stresses and excessive deformations across the joint. Aggregate interlocking is suitable for small joint openings, while the dowel bar provides effective load transmission for both smaller and wider joint openings. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element model was developed to investigate the structural performance of dowelled jointed plain concrete pavements. The developed model was compared with an analytical solution, i.e., Westergaard’s method. The current study investigated the effectiveness of the dowel bars in jointed plain concrete pavements considering the modulus of elasticity and the thickness of the base layer, as well as dowel bar diameter and length. Furthermore, the load transfer efficiency (LTE) of a rounded dowel bar was compared with that of plate dowel bars (i.e., rectangular and diamond-shaped dowel bars) of a similar cross-sectional area and length. This study showed that the LTE was enhanced by 4% when the base layer’s modulus of elasticity increased from 450 MPa to 6000 MPa, while the increase in stress was 23%. A 1.2% improvement in the LTE and a 2.1% reduction in flexural stress were observed as the base layer’s thickness increased from 100 to 250 mm. Moreover, increasing the dowel bar’s diameter from 20 mm to 38 mm enhanced the LTE by 4.3% and 3.8% for base layer moduli of 450 MPa and 4000 MPa, respectively. The corresponding rise in stresses was 10% and 5%. The diamond-shaped dowel bar of a 50 × 32 mm size showed a 0.48% increase in the LTE, while sizes of 100 × 16 mm and 200 × 8 mm reduced the stress 6.7% and 23.1%, respectively, compared to that in the rounded dowel bar. With rectangular dowel bars, a 4% rise in the stress was noted compared to that with the rounded dowel bar. Increasing the length of the diamond-shaped dowel bar slightly improved the LTE but had no impact on the stress in the concrete slab. The findings from this study can help highway engineers improve pavements’ durability, make cost-effective decisions, contribute to resource savings in large-scale concrete pavement projects, and enhance the overall quality of infrastructure.
Study of the Effect of Graphene Content on the Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Aluminium–Graphene Composites
Authors: Smyrak Beata , Gniełczyk Marek
Published: January 2025

The present paper is dedicated to the search for an alternative material based on an aluminum (Al)—few-layer graphene (FLG) composite for use in electrical applications. Due to its excellent properties, graphene has the potential for use in many applications, especially in electronics, electrical engineering, aerospace, and the automotive industry. One area where the properties of graphene can be exploited is in overhead power transmission, where the main challenge at the moment is to reduce transmission losses. The utilization of conductors that exhibit superior electrical conductivity is instrumental in ensuring the mitigation of transmission losses. The utilization of graphene or other carbon allotropes is appealing due to their elevated electrical conductivity, substantial mechanical strength, and considerable heat resistance, which can enhance the properties of the composite, thereby increasing its resistance to operational conditions, particularly long-term exposure to temperature, a parameter closely related to the current carrying capacity of the OHL. This article presents the findings of research on the production of a composite based on aluminum powder and graphene, as well as the identification of its electrical and mechanical properties. The primary challenge in this research lies in the development of a method to synthesize carbon materials with aluminum using powder metallurgy, with particular attention paid to the mixing and compacting process, which is of significant importance in ensuring the appropriate distribution of carbon material in the composite. The research carried out has determined the influence of the graphene content (0.1–1 wt.%) on the electrical conductivity (max. 35.4 MS/m) and mechanical properties of Al-FLG composites (UTS = 156 MPa).
Studies of Corrosion Inhibition Performance of Inorganic Inhibitors for Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Farid Redouane , Sarkar Dilip K. , Das Santanu
Published: January 2025

In this study, the behavior of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), manganese sulfate monohydrate (MnSO4·H2O), and ammonium metavanadate (NH4VO3) as corrosion inhibitors for AA6061 aluminum alloy (Al) was investigated. The polarization resistance (Rp) of the Al substrate immersed in 0.1 M NaCl solution was found to be 13 kΩ·cm2. In comparison, the Rp of the Al substrate immersed in 0.1 M NaCl in the presence of Na2SiO3, Na2SiO3/MnSO4·H2O, and Na2SiO3/NH4VO3 inhibitors was found to be 100, 133, and 679 kΩ·cm2, respectively. The best inhibition result was obtained when the mixture of the inhibitors was used with Rp of 722 kΩ·cm2. The maximum percentage of the corroded area calculated from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images was found to be 5.7% for Al substrate immersed in 0.1 M NaCl, which decreased to 0.06% when the mixture of the inhibitors was used. The synergetic effects between the three inhibitors were studied, and the results illustrated that the combination of Na2SiO3, MnSO4·H2O, and NH4VO3 provided the best corrosion inhibition properties for Al in aqueous NaCl environments.
Hydrogen-Induced Degradation of Metallic Materials—A Short Review
Authors: Krella Alicja
Published: January 2025

Hydrogen is currently used as an energy source, and there are already vehicles (cars and buses) that run on hydrogen in our public spaces. Additionally, in the chemical, petrochemical and nuclear industries, many devices come into contact with hydrogen. This short review covers a broad range of topics related to HE, i.e., the main hydrogen charging methods, aspects related to hydrogen diffusion in metallic materials, and the main models of hydrogen-induced material degradation and their assumptions, and discusses the influence of hydrogen on the properties and degradation of different metallic materials used in the industry based on the latest research results. This review focuses on the four primary groups of materials used in hydrogen devices, i.e., steels, aluminium alloys, nickel alloys and titanium alloys. The basic information on the influence of hydrogen on the structure and properties, mainly elongation, hardness and tensile strength, of these metallic material groups are presented. The influence of the method of hydrogen charging and the time of hydrogen saturation, as well as the effect of structure, on the content of hydrogen in the material, as well as on such material properties as hardness, tensile strength, and fatigue strength, is shown.
An Innovative Approach to Tailor Sandwich Core Structures for Multi-Directional Loading Scenarios
Authors: Candelaria Caraballo Samir , Menegozzo Marco , Serrano Acevedo David
Published: January 2025

Enhancing the mechanical properties of sandwich core structures is important for crashworthiness applications, including protecting passengers and payloads. Existing structures, such as prismatic cells, present limitations like reduced lateral mechanical properties, among others. Non-prismatic reinforcements (NPRs) are introduced as an alternative to developing core structures tailored for multiple loading scenarios. Several NPR ideas are presented. While additive manufacturing allows for exploring the inner space of core structures with different NPRs, manufacturing such structures may present challenges due to their complexities. One of the NPR ideas was combined with the hexagonal honeycomb, a sandwich core widely used for crashworthiness applications, to create a non-prismatic reinforced honeycomb (NPRH). Utilizing fused filament fabrication, NPRH specimens were manufactured as self-supporting structures at three scales. Quasi-static compression experiments were performed in multiple loading directions. Because comparing structures’ mechanical properties in multiple loading directions simultaneously may present difficulties, the multi-direction comparison factor and the angle comparison factor are presented as alternatives that relate mechanical properties in multiple loading directions and that can be adapted to different loading scenarios. These parameters were used to compare the NPRH with structures from the literature. The NPRH showed greater specific energy absorption, positioning it as a possible solution for multi-loading crashworthiness applications.
Experimental Study on the Mechanical Performance of Reinforced Concrete Joints Connected by T-Shaped Steel Plates
Authors: Wu Jian , Jiang Ying , Zhou Jian , Hu Chaoqun , Wang Jianhui , Ding Weigao
Published: January 2025

In the case of engineering structures, the performance of a structure will gradually deteriorate with an increase in the usage time, leading to a decrease in the safety of the structure. In addition, even if the safety of a structure is reliable, its current structure type may no longer meet the latest usage requirements. Therefore, four reinforced concrete specimens were produced in this study: one was a cast-in-place specimen, and three were specimens connected by a T-shaped steel plate with steel cladding reinforcement. This article first introduces the structural form and construction method of the new types of joints, and then it describes the quasi-static testing that was conducted to analyze seismic performance indicators such as the failure characteristics, bearing capacity, ductility, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation. Finally, combined with a strain analysis of the steel bars and steel plates, the force transmission mechanism of the new types of joints was investigated. The research content of this paper helps to promote the progress of structural retrofitting and strengthening work and the sustainable development of the construction industry.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study of Piston Rebound Energy Storage Characteristics for Nitrogen-Hydraulic Combined Impact Hammer
Authors: Chen Hu , Shi Boqiang , Guo Hui
Published: January 2025

The objective of this study is to analyze the piston rebound energy storage characteristics of the nitrogen-hydraulic combined impact hammer and to investigate the manner in which the piston rebound energy is converted and utilized. The kinetic equation of the impact hammer system is established. A numerical calculation model is constructed based on AMEsim, which incorporates the piston, cylinders, reversing valve, accumulator, power source, drill rod, and impacted device. The performance experiment system is designed, the oil pressure experiment and the piston motion experiment are constructed, and the accuracy of the numerical calculation model is verified by comparing the numerical calculation results with the experimental results. This paper investigates the fundamental principles of the piston rebound energy storage and analyzes the relationship between the opening percentage of the reversing valve high-pressure port and the piston rebound energy storage at the outset of the rebound stage. Furthermore, the influence of the length of the piston middle section and the number of high-pressure grooves in the signal chamber on the piston rebound energy storage is investigated. Finally, the experimental comparison allows for an analysis of the influence of the piston rebound energy storage on the performance of the nitrogen-hydraulic combined impact hammer.
Magnetic Nanoparticles: Advances in Synthesis, Sensing, and Theragnostic Applications
Authors: Adeeyo Adeyemi O. , Alabi Mercy A. , Oyetade Joshua A. , Nkambule Thabo T. I. , Mamba Bhekie B. , Oladipo Adewale O. , Makungo Rachel , Msagati Titus A. M.
Published: January 2025

The synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) via the chemical, biological, and physical routes has been reported on along with advantages and attendant limitations. This study focuses on the sensing and emerging theragnostic applications of this category of nanoparticles (NPs) in clinical sciences by unveiling the unique performance of these NPs in the biological sensing of bacteria and nucleotide sequencing. Also, in terms of medicine and clinical science, this review analyzes the emerging theragnostic applications of NPs in drug delivery, bone tissue engineering, deep brain stimulation, therapeutic hyperthermia, tumor detection, magnetic imaging and cell tracking, lymph node visualization, blood purification, and COVID-19 detection. This review presents succinct surface functionalization and unique surface coating techniques to confer less toxicity and biocompatibility during synthesis, which are often identified as limitations in medical applications. This study also indicates that these surface improvement techniques are useful for refining the selective activity of MNPs during their use as sensors and biomarkers. In addition, this study unveils attendant limitations, especially toxicological impacts on biomolecules, and suggests that future research should pay attention to the mitigation of the biotoxicity of MNPs. Thus, this study presents a proficient approach for the synthesis of high-performance MNPs fit for proficient medicine in the detection of microorganisms, better diagnosis, and treatment in medicine.
YOLO-SSW: An Improved Detection Method for Printed Circuit Board Surface Defects
Authors: Yuan Tizheng , Jiao Zhengkuo , Diao Naizhe
Published: January 2025

Accurately recognizing tiny defects on printed circuit boards (PCBs) remains a significant challenge due to the abundance of small targets and complex background textures. To tackle this issue, this article proposes a novel YOLO-SPD-SimAM-WIoU (YOLO-SSW) network, based on an improved YOLOv8 algorithm, to detect tiny PCB defects with greater accuracy and efficiency. Firstly, a high-resolution feature layer (P2) is incorporated into the feature fusion part to preserve detailed spatial information of small targets. Secondly, a Non-strided Convolution with Space-to-Depth (Conv-SPD) module is incorporated to retain fine-grained information by replacing traditional strided convolutions, which helps maintain spatial resolution. Thirdly, the Simple Parameter-Free Attention Module (SimAM) is integrated into the backbone to enhance feature extraction and noise resistance, focusing the model’s attention on small targets in relevant areas. Finally, the Wise-IoU (WIoU) loss function is adopted to dynamically adjust gradient gains, reducing the impact of low-quality examples, thereby enhancing localization accuracy. Comprehensive evaluations on publicly available PCB defect datasets have demonstrated that the proposed YOLO-SSW model significantly outperforms several state-of-the-art models, achieving a mean average precision (mAP) of 98.4%. Notably, compared to YOLOv8s, YOLO-SSW improved the mAP, precision, and recall by 0.8%, 0.6%, and 0.8%, respectively, confirming its accuracy and effectiveness.
A Two-Stage Adaptive Differential Evolution Algorithm with Accompanying Populations
Authors: Min Chao , Zhang Min , Zhang Qingxia , Jiang Zeyun , Zhou Liwen
Published: January 2025

Stochastic simulations are often used to determine the crossover rates and step size of evolutionary algorithms to avoid the tuning process, but they cannot fully utilize information from the evolutionary process. A two-stage adaptive differential evolution algorithm (APDE) is proposed in this article based on an accompanying population, and it has unique mutation strategies and adaptive parameters that conform to the search characteristics. The global exploration capability can be enhanced by the accompanying population to achieve a balance between global exploration and local search. This algorithm has proven to be convergent with a probability of 1 using the theory of Markov chains. In numerical experiments, the APDE is statistically compared with nine comparison algorithms using the CEC2005 and CEC2017 standard set of test functions, and the results show that the APDE is statistically superior to the comparison methods.
Differences in Metabolite Profiles and Bioactivities of Intra-Strain Variants of Marine Fungus Penicillium antarcticum KMM 4668
Authors: Borkunov Gleb V. , Kirichuk Natalya N. , Chausova Viktoria E. , Popov Roman S. , Zhuravleva Olesya I. , Chingizova Ekaterina A. , Yurchenko Ekaterina A. , Isaeva Marina P. , Yurchenko Anton N.
Published: January 2025

Background: During the cultivation of the marine fungus KMM 4668 on solid agar medium, the morphological instability of the strain was observed. As a result of the selection work, five intra-strain variants, named KMM 4711, KMM 4712, KMM 4713, KMM 4714, and KMM 4715, were obtained. Methods: The main objectives of this work were to compare the parent strain and its intra-strain variants using multi-locus phylogenetic analysis and to study the UPLC MS metabolite profiles and cytotoxic activities of their extracts. Results: A study of the original strain, KMM 4668, and its intra-strain variants using multi-locus phylogenetic analysis showed that they are sequence identical and belong to Penicillium antarcticum. UPLC MS metabolite profiling of fungal extracts revealed 20 compounds, including cladosporin-related polyketides, carotane sesquiterpenoids, andrastine meroterpenoids, and alkaloids. It was shown that the intra-strain variants KMM 4713 and KMM 4714 differed most strongly from the others in the increased production of cladosporin-related compounds, carotanoids, and the alkaloid chrysogin. In addition, the influence of fungal extracts on the viability of four mammalian cell lines was investigated. Conclusions: It has been shown that the intra-strain variants of P. antarcticum KMM 4668 may be promising sources of bioactive secondary metabolites.
Analysis of Gene Differences Between F and B Epidemic Lineages of Bandavirus Dabieense
Authors: Ma Wenzhou , Hao Yujia , Peng Chengcheng , Zhang Duo , Yuan Yuge , Xiao Pengpeng , Li Nan
Published: January 2025

The prevalence of SFTS is becoming increasingly widespread and is expected to become a significant security issue. The article discusses the prevalence regions and genetic differences in two SFTSV lineages, so as to provide a scientific data basis for the clinical control and prevention of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. The literature involving SFTSV patients from 2009 to 2023 and SFTSV complete genome sequences uploaded by NCBI were collected and sorted out, based on time and SFTSV lineage division, we analyzed viral gene sequence. SFTSV patient data were continuously reported from 2009 to 2023, involving five countries including China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. There are obvious lineage and host divisions between the SFTSV lineages prevalent in China and abroad. The sources of B-lineage SFTSV samples are mainly concentrated in South Korea, Japan, and the middle and lower reaches of Hubei or Zhejiang in China, with half of the samples coming from humans and half from animals, and the F series SFTSV samples were mainly collected from provinces such as Anhui and Henan in China, with the main source being human patients. The F-lineage SFTSV is the highest proportion in the middle and upper provinces in China. The B lineage has recently appeared in Zhejiang and Taiwan and is prevalent abroad. Using prediction software based on molecular structure prediction technology, analyze the differences between the B and F lineages of SFTSV through prediction methods such as nucleotide mutations, gene recombination, mutation sites, and evolution rates. Conclusively, the differences in SFTSV between B and F lineages may be related to gene recombination of M and L fragments, it was also found that the B lineage had a lower recombination rate and mutation rate than the F lineage, and the evolutionary rate was prominently different. Comparative analysis of the differences in two SFTSV lineage genes could further understand the epidemic status of SFTSV and provide help and more insights for the prevention of the spread of specific types of SFTSV.
Combining Artificial Intelligence with Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Education: Current Trends and Future Perspectives
Authors: Lampropoulos Georgios
Published: January 2025

The combination of artificial intelligence with extended reality technologies can significantly impact the educational domain. This study aims to present an overview regarding the combination of artificial intelligence with augmented reality and virtual reality technologies and their integration in education through an analysis of the existing literature. Hence, this study examines 201 documents from Scopus and the Web of Science (WoS). This study focuses on examining the basic characteristics of the document collection, highlighting the most prevalent themes, areas, and topics, exploring the thematic evolution of the topic, revealing current challenges and limitations and on identifying emerging topics and future research directions. Based on the outcomes, a significant annual growth rate (60.58%) was observed indicating the increasing interest in the topic. Additionally, the potential of combining artificial intelligence with virtual reality and augmented reality technologies to provide personalized, affective, interactive, and immersive learning experiences across educational levels in both formal and informal settings supporting both teachers and students arose. Therefore, through this combination, intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs), which offer behavioral, cognitive, and social personalization, have a virtual presence, and can effectively be used as tutors or peer learners, can be created. Such ITSs can be characterized as affective and social entities that can increase students’ learning performance, learning motivation, and engagement and promote both self-directed learning and collaborative learning. This study also highlights the need to examine how the physical presence that characterizes some new technologies compares to the virtual presence that extended reality technologies offer in terms of overall learning outcomes and students’ development.
Antitumor Activity of Warbugia ugandensis: Methanolic Extracts and Gene Regulation in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Macharia John M. , Maina John K. , Zand Afshin , Rono Cheriro Betsy , Varjas Tímea , Sipos Dávid , Káposztás Zsolt , Budán Ferenc , Kövesdi Orsolya Liza , Raposa Bence L.
Published: January 2025

A promising approach to accelerating the development of innovative anti-cancer therapies involves the evaluation of natural plant compounds. In this study, we focused on examining the effects of Warbugia ugandensis (W. ugandensis) methanolic root and stem infusions on the activity of five target genes—COX-2, CASPS-9, Bcl-xL, Bcl2, and 5-LOX—using colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines (Caco-2). The plant extracts were prepared for testing by dissolving them in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) after undergoing a step-by-step extraction process. Caco-2 cells were then treated with different concentrations of the extracts, and RNA was extracted and purified for analysis. Our results demonstrated a dose-dependent relationship between the phytoconstituents of W. ugandensis and the overexpression of CASP9, along with the downregulation of COX-2, 5-LOX, Bcl-xL, and Bcl2 genes. This suggests that W. ugandensis acts as a potent natural inhibitor of CRC progression. Given the potential clinical benefits, we propose the use of W. ugandensis methanolic root and stem extracts as promising organic inhibitors for CRC tumorigenesis, with more in vitro studies warranted to validate and expand on our findings. Additionally, we recommend further studies to identify and characterize the specific metabolites in W. ugandensis that contribute to the modulation of pathways responsible for inhibiting CRC growth.
Targeted Elimination of Influenza Virus and Infected Cells with Near-Infrared Antiviral Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-AVPIT)
Authors: Mizukoshi Terumi , Tateishi Koichiro , Tokusanai Mizuki , Yoshinaka Yoshiyuki , Yamamoto Aisaku , Yamamoto Naoki , Yamamoto Norio
Published: January 2025

Background: Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality each year. Since viruses can easily acquire drug-resistant mutations, it is necessary to develop new antiviral strategies with different targets. Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a type of anti-cancer therapy that has recently attracted considerable attention, with favorable outcomes reported for several cancers. In this study, we investigated whether this approach could be used as a novel anti-influenza therapy to destroy influenza virus and infected cells. Methods: To evaluate the efficacy of near-infrared antiviral photoimmunotherapy (NIR-AVPIT), we prepared an anti-hemagglutinin (HA) monoclonal antibody without neutralizing activity against influenza A virus (FluV) labeled with IR-700 and reacted it with FluV and infected cells, as well as HA-expressing HEK293 cells. Results: NIR-AVPIT strongly inactivated FluV virions, suppressed cytopathic effects, and achieved more than a 4-log reduction in viral RNA amplification. Treatment of FluV-infected cells with the antibody-IR700 complex and NIR in the early stages of infection significantly inhibited viral propagation, and double treatment with time apart exerted a greater inhibitory effect. NIR-AVPIT rapidly induced morphological changes in HA-expressing HEK293 cells and inhibited the proliferation of these cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that NIR-AVPIT targeting HA antigens could inactivate FluV and eliminate infected cells in vitro. This strategy is a promising approach to treat various viral infections, including influenza.
The Effect of Applying Treatment Sludge and Vermicompost to Soil on the Biodegradability of Poly(lactic acid) and Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate)
Authors: Erkul Seyma Nur , Ucaroglu Selnur
Published: January 2025

In this study, the biodegradability of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), the most widely produced bioplastic, and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), known for its very biodegradability, was investigated in soil and soil amended with nitrogen sources, such as treatment sludge and vermicompost. Biodegradability was evaluated over 180 days by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and analyzing samples with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). PLA showed a low biodegradation (6%) in soil, but this increased to 40% in soil amended with treatment sludge and 45% in soil amended with vermicompost. PHB completely degraded within 90 days in soil; however, this process extended to 120 days in soil amended with vermicompost and 150 days in soil amended with treatment sludge. The organic and microbial content of the amendments enhanced PLA biodegradation, while PHB degradation slowed after 50 days as microorganisms prioritized other organic matter. SEM and FTIR analyses after 60 days showed more intense degradation of both bioplastics in soil amended with vermicompost. These findings highlight the potential of treatment sludge and vermicompost for improving bioplastic degradation, contributing to sustainable waste management and soil enhancement.
Influence of Resin Grade and Mat on Low-Velocity Impact on Composite Applicable in Shipbuilding
Authors: Cristea George Cătălin , Deleanu Lorena , Chiracu Ioana Gabriela , Boțan Mihail , Ojoc George Ghiocel , Vasiliu Alexandru Viorel , Cantaragiu Ceoromila Alina
Published: January 2025

In this study, the composition and mechanical properties of composites designed for shipbuilding are described. Four different composites were designed and fabricated by the research team, using quadriaxial glass fiber fabric (eight layers in all composites), two different resins (the epoxy resin SikaBiresin® CR82 with the hardener CH80-2 or the polyester resin Enydyne H 68372 TA with Metox-50 W as the accelerator), and a middle layer of Coremat Xi 3 (only applied in some composites). The experimental results of low-velocity impact tests are also discussed, including the graphics force (displacement) and absorbed energy (displacement and velocity). The displacement and composite quality were evaluated through several parameters, such as maximum force, absorbed energy, and maximum displacement. Impact tests were carried out using four impact energy values (50–200 J), with an average impact velocity in the range of 4.37 ± 0.05 m/s. Only partial penetrations were obtained for all tested composites. For the low energy tests (50 J), the four composite materials were not well differentiated by graph shapes and parameter values, but for the higher energy tests, the composites containing Coremat Xi 3 displayed better behavior, having Fmax reduced with 10.8% to 29.08%. The higher absorbed energy of these composites can be explained by the plateau generated by the force from a longer impactor displacement in contact with the composite. The results generated in this study confirm the suitability of the designed composites for shipbuilding applications. Still, the composites have light differences in terms of energy absorption in low-velocity impact and a significant reduction in maximum force.
Biodegradable Thermoplastic Materials with Application in the Manufacture of Bags Without Synthetic Polymers
Authors: Airinei Denisa Nicoleta , Modrogan Cristina , Orbuleț Oanamari Daniela , Dǎncilǎ Annette Madelene , Boşomoiu Magdalena , Matei Cristian
Published: January 2025

Non-degradable plastic bags are a major contributor to marine and soil pollution. They represent a significant percentage of the generated solid waste and can last for hundreds of years in the environment. The aim of the present study was to find alternatives to conventional non-degradable plastic bags by obtaining biodegradable and compostable bags starting from simple materials like starch, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and glycerol. Increasing the strength and hardness of the polymer was achieved by adding a mineral (talcum). The preliminary studies indicated that two compositions are suitable for advanced testing to produce the initial granular material. These materials were tested for the determination of melt flow index (MFI), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and the polymers response to heating (thermogravimetric analysis, TGA and differential scanning calorimetry, DSC). The polymer biodegradability was evaluated by burial in two types of soil. The obtained results were compared with the same set of experiments performed on conventional polyethylene bags. After three months in the soil, only the materials synthesized in this study show signs of accentuated degradation while polyethylene bags are still intact. The surface morphology was explored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the biodegradable thermoplastic material meets the requirements of the European standard EN13432/2002 regarding compostable and biodegradable packaging.
Exploring the Weathering and Accelerated Environmental Aging of Wave-Transparent Reinforced Composites
Authors: Haider Imran , Khan Muhammad Ali , Aziz Shahid , Jaffery Syed Husain Imran , Faraz Muhammad Iftikhar , Gul Iftikhar Hussain , Jung Dong-Won , Saidani Taoufik , Shewakh Walid M.
Published: January 2025

Approaches to retain or improve wave-transparent composite properties received ongoing attention. Silica glass fiber composites are being utilized in wave transparency applications owing to their excellent dielectric properties. During operational service life, they are exposed to ambient and harsh environments, which degrade their performance and properties. The objective is to evaluate the progressive degradation of silica fiber wave-transparent composite material’s properties and overall performance. Silica fiber/epoxy wave-transparent composites (SFWCs) were fabricated by stacking high-silica glass cloth (HSG) plies via multi-layer compression and curing at 150 °C (14 hrs) and were investigated upon one-year real-time weathering and 20-year accelerated aging (Hallberg peck model). The morphology of one-year-aged SFWC composite was found to be better than that of 20-year-aged SFWC, where relatively weakened interfacial bonding and composite structure were observed. One year weathering the dielectric constant (εr) was increased to 4.34%, and dielectric loss (δ) was found to be 5.6%, whereas upon accelerated conditions (equivalent to 20 yrs of ambient conditions), εr was significantly raised 30.63% from its original value (3.2), and δ was increased 22.8% (0.035). In the 20-year aged SFWC composite, the maximum absorbed moisture was 3.1%. Tensile strength dropped from 147.8 MPa to 136.48 MPa, and compressive strength from 388.54 MPa to 374.41 MPa. Upon aging (from 1 year of weathering to 20 years of accelerated aging), SFWC composite properties and functional performance were lowered but remained reasonable. SFWC properties, as revealed by microscale characterization, can contribute to the determination of the impact of deterioration and useful service life in respective microelectronics wave transparency applications.
A Study on Fracture Propagation of Hydraulic Fracturing in Oil Shale Reservoir Under the Synergistic Effect of Bedding Weak Plane–Discrete Fracture
Authors: You Guiyang , Feng Fuping , Zhang Jianwei , Zhang Jinyuan
Published: January 2025

Hydraulic fracturing is a critical process in the development of oil shale reservoirs. The presence of widespread bedding planes and natural fractures significantly influences the propagation of hydraulic fractures. Additionally, the injection point density plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of reservoir reconstruction. The Global Embedded Cohesive Zone Method (FEM-CZM) was employed to model the initiation and propagation of fractures from perforation holes, considering the combined effects of bedding planes and natural fractures. The results indicate the following: (1) the initiation and propagation of fractures from perforation holes lead to the co-propagation of two to four asymmetric main fractures, alongside open bedding planes and natural fractures; (2) larger bedding plane thickness and smaller bedding plane spacing promote hydraulic fractures’ tendency to propagate along the bedding planes, resulting in longer fracture lengths and predominance of tensile failure; and (3) a higher in situ stress difference facilitates the fracture’s penetration of the bedding plane, leading to an initial increase and subsequent decrease in fracture length. Tensile failure remains dominant, while the proportion of shear failure increases. Based on these findings, it is recommended to select fracturing sites with thicker bedding planes, larger bedding plane spacing, and a smaller vertical in situ stress field. Additionally, a perforation scheme with six injection points should be adopted to enhance the formation of high-efficiency seepage and heat transfer channels between hydraulic fractures, bedding planes, and natural fractures.
Modbus RTU Protocol Timing Evaluation for Scattered Holding Register Read and ModbusE-Related Implementation
Authors: Găitan Vasile Gheorghiță , Zagan Ionel , Găitan Nicoleta Cristina
Published: January 2025

In parallel with the development of data transmission in the telecommunications sector to connect peripheral devices, hardware engineers have defined interfaces for independent communication systems. The basic idea of having standardized interfaces for external devices was quickly extended to control and instrumentation equipment, as the real-time characteristic of distributed systems became a challenge in the field. The proposed Modbus Extension (ModbusE) builds on these new techniques introduced in the UART interface, so that the newly introduced extension retains all the characteristics of the Modbus RTU except for the character bit structure. The validation of the ModbusE protocol allowed the proposal of a new communication message structure, a description of Modbus devices, an acquisition cycle to attain a deterministic temporal response behavior and the definition of an architecture for IIoT integration. In this work, practical research is based on data update times in SMARTConvert software when between 1 and 50 registers are accessed. These registers can, in the most favorable case, be at consecutive addresses and can all be read in a single bus query request, or at addresses 1 to 50, or the registers must be read in separate requests. The contributions of this paper are related to highlighting cases where Modbus modules are incorporated, the addressed registers are not consecutive and the Modbus reads 1 or more holding register records and the ModbusE proposal. As these registers must not be on consecutive addresses, it is necessary to make several requests, defining the function of a Modbus acquisition cycle, adapting the equations to the purpose of the tests carried out, measuring the Modbus communication signals and describing the ModbusE communication concept.
Palaeoclimatic Signatures Based on Pollen Fingerprints: Reconstructing Mid–Late Holocene Climate Dynamics in Northwestern Himalaya, India
Authors: Nag Anupam , Trivedi Anjali , Farooqui Anjum , Morthekai P.
Published: January 2025

This study presents a high-resolution palaeoclimate reconstruction based on a radiocarbon-dated 240 cm deep trench profile from Renuka Lake, Northwestern Himalaya, India. The palynological analysis provides insight into the palaeovegetation and palaeoclimatic dynamics of a subtropical, dense, mixed deciduous forest, predominantly characterized by Sal (Shorea robusta). The fossil pollen reveals the presence of tropical Sal mixed deciduous taxa, including Shorea robusta, Emblica officinalis, Murraya koenigii, Toona ciliata, Syzygium cumini, and Terminalia spp., which indicate that the region experiences a warm and humid climate with the strong Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) during ~7500–4460 cal yr BP. Subsequently, Sal-mixed deciduous forests were replaced by highland taxa, viz., Pinus roxburghii and Abies pindrow, suggesting dry and cold conditions during ~4460–3480 cal yr BP. Additionally, warm and humid (~3480–3240, ~3060–2680, ~2480–2270 cal yr BP) and cold and dry conditions (~3240–3060, ~2680–2480, ~2270–1965 cal yr BP) recorded alternatively in this region. Improved ISM prevailed ~1965–940 cal yr BP, followed by cold and dry conditions ~940–540 cal yr BP. From ~540 cal yr BP to present, the appearance of moist deciduous taxa alongside dry deciduous and highland taxa in similar proportions suggests moderate climate conditions in the region. Environmental reconstructions are supported by the Earth System Palaeoclimate Simulation (ESPS) model, providing an independent validation of the pollen-based interpretations. This research contributes to our understanding of long-term vegetation dynamics in the Northwestern Himalaya and offers valuable insights into the historical variability of the Indian Summer Monsoon, establishing a foundation for future investigations of climate-driven vegetation changes in the region.
Forgotten Nunneries: A Challenge to Our Understanding of the Rock “Monasteries” of Kucha
Authors: Wang Qian , Vignato Giuseppe
Published: January 2025

The existence of Buddhist nuns (bhikṣuṇīs) in Kucha is documented in Chinese Buddhist literature and further validated by the fragments of the Bhikṣuṇīprātimokṣasūtra recovered from sites in the region. Through the analysis of archaeological remains, this paper explores whether it is possible to identify the nunneries where bhikṣuṇīs resided. While the emphasis is placed on the rock monasteries of Kucha, contemporary material from other areas of China will be examined to facilitate a better understanding of the role, form and functionality of these Kuchean nunneries. Through an examination of the location and degree of concealment within the sites, as well as pictorial representation, this paper provides a tentative identification of the nunnery sites in Kucha. By locating women within the archaeological record, this identification adds a crucial dimension to the already complex archaeological picture of Kucha. Although the role of women in Kucha has previously been overlooked, a clear acknowledgement of their presence and a focus on their location within the archaeological landscape will allow for a better understanding of the Buddhist remains in Kucha. Currently, differences among rock monasteries are interpreted only in terms of chronological or doctrinal variations. However, as this paper highlights, some of these variations are due to the gender of the site’s occupant, essentially whether the site was a monastery or a nunnery.
Fusing LiDAR and Photogrammetry for Accurate 3D Data: A Hybrid Approach
Authors: Maskeliūnas Rytis , Maqsood Sarmad , Vaškevičius Mantas , Gelšvartas Julius
Published: January 2025

The fusion of LiDAR and photogrammetry point clouds is a necessary advancement in 3D-modeling, enabling more comprehensive and accurate representations of physical environments. The main contribution of this paper is the development of an innovative fusion system that combines classical algorithms, such as Structure from Motion (SfM), with advanced machine learning techniques, like Coherent Point Drift (CPD) and Feature-Metric Registration (FMR), to improve point cloud alignment and fusion. Experimental results, using a custom dataset of real-world scenes, demonstrate that the hybrid fusion method achieves an average error of less than 5% in the measurements of small reconstructed objects, with large objects showing less than 2% deviation from real sizes. The fusion process significantly improved structural continuity, reducing artifacts like edge misalignments. The k-nearest neighbors (kNN) analysis showed high reconstruction accuracy for the hybrid approach, demonstrating that the hybrid fusion system, particularly when combining machine learning-based refinement with traditional alignment methods, provides a notable advancement in both geometric accuracy and computational efficiency for real-time 3D-modeling applications.
Automated 3D Modeling vs. Manual Methods: A Comparative Study on Historic Timber Tower Structure Assessment
Authors: Özkan Taşkın , Lavric Iosif , Hochreiner Georg , Pfeifer Norbert
Published: January 2025

The present study focuses on the preservation of historic timber constructions, crucial cultural heritage assets that demand effective structural health monitoring (SHM) to ensure safety and integrity. SHM aims to detect and evaluate potential structural deviations that may compromise performance, requiring both detailed geometric data acquisition and 3D modeling. For this purpose, contactless tools such as photogrammetry, laser scanning, and other topographic methods are employed to gather point cloud data. This research utilizes a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) to generate 3D models of the historic timber tower of St. Michaeler church in Vienna. A novel automated modeling method is compared with two manual modeling approaches. The first is a traditional as-designed structural model created in Dlubal RSTAB software, and the second is a manually generated as-built model created using a scan-to-BIM application in Revit. While the first model is based on 2D plan documents created from the TLS point cloud, the second and automated models use the point cloud as direct input. The findings demonstrate that this automated model significantly enhances early-stage structural assessment efficiency, providing reliable insights into structural conditions with minimal processing time. This research underscores the potential of automated 3D modeling in preliminary structural assessments of historic timber structures.