bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial-Based Bioactive Compounds to Alleviate Inflammation in Obesity
Authors: Apalowo Oladayo Emmanuel , Adegoye Grace Adeola , Obuotor Tolulope Mobolaji
Published: February 2024

The increased prevalence of obesity with several other metabolic disorders, including diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, has reached global pandemic proportions. Lifestyle changes may result in a persistent positive energy balance, hastening the onset of these age-related disorders and consequently leading to a diminished lifespan. Although suggestions have been raised on the possible link between obesity and the gut microbiota, progress has been hampered due to the extensive diversity and complexities of the gut microbiota. Being recognized as a potential biomarker owing to its pivotal role in metabolic activities, the dysregulation of the gut microbiota can give rise to a persistent low-grade inflammatory state associated with chronic diseases during aging. This chronic inflammatory state, also known as inflammaging, induced by the chronic activation of the innate immune system via the macrophage, is controlled by the gut microbiota, which links nutrition, metabolism, and the innate immune response. Here, we present the functional roles of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics as bioactive compounds by underscoring their putative contributions to (1) the reduction in gut hyperpermeability due to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inactivation, (2) increased intestinal barrier function as a consequence of the upregulation of tight junction proteins, and (3) inhibition of proinflammatory pathways, overall leading to the alleviation of chronic inflammation in the management of obesity.
Wastewater Treatment Utilizing Industrial Waste Fly Ash as a Low-Cost Adsorbent for Heavy Metal Removal: Literature Review
Authors: Jadaa Waleed
Published: February 2024

Wastewater discharges from industrial processes typically include elevated concentrations of contaminants, which largely consist of potentially harmful chemicals such as heavy metals. These contaminants are characterized by their slow rate of decomposition. Hence, the removal of these metallic ions from effluents poses a challenge. Among different treatments, the adsorption approach has considerable potential due to its ability to effectively eliminate both soluble and insoluble pollutants from effluent, even at lower levels of concentration. Of various wastes, fly ash (FA) material has been the subject of attention because it is abundant, has favorable qualities, and contains a high percentage of minerals. This review investigates multiple facets, with a specific focus on the application of FA, an industrial byproduct, as an adsorbent in removing heavy metals. A comprehensive examination was conducted on a range of concerns pertaining to the pollution caused by metallic ions, including the underlying causes, levels of contamination, health implications of heavy metals, and removal methods. Multiple factors were found to affect the adsorption process. Of all the factors, the pH value considerably influences the elimination of heavy metals. An acidic pH range of 2.5–4.5 was found to be optimal for achieving the highest possible elimination of As(V), Cu(II), Hg(II), and Cr(VI). The latter elimination rate reached 89% at the optimal pH level. Most heavy metals’ adsorption isotherms conformed to the Langmuir or Freundlich models, while the pseudo-second-order kinetics provided a satisfactory match for their removal. Using a raw FA, adsorption capacities were achieved in the removal of metallic ions, Ni(II), Pb(II), and Cr(VI), that ranged from 14.0 to 23.9 mg g−1. Meanwhile, the FA-zeolite showed a remarkable capacity to adsorb ions Mn(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II), with values ranging from about 31 to 66 mg g−1. The cost analysis showed that the treatment of FA is economically advantageous and may result in significant cost reductions in comparison to commercial adsorbents. In summary, FA is an inexpensive waste material with potential for water treatment applications and several other purposes due to its excellent chemical and mineralogical composition.
Investigating the Impact of Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD)-Coated Cutting Tools on Stress Corrosion Cracking Susceptibility in Turning Super Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Locks Edinei , He Qianxi , DePaiva Jose M. , Guimaraes Monica , Arif Abul Fazal , Veldhuis Stephen C. , Kish Joey R.
Published: February 2024

This work aimed to ascertain the corresponding influences of several PVD-coated cutting tools on the susceptibility of the machined surface of super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) to stress corrosion cracking. Coatings comprised of AlCrN, AlCrN/TiSiN, and AlTiN were applied to cemented carbide cutting tools using the PVD method; these were then used to turn the outer surface of the SDSS tube section. During the cutting process, the material presents the following combination of features: (i) a tendency for strain hardening, reflected in microstructural modifications and residual stresses of the machined surface and (ii) high temperatures in the cutting region, reducing the tool life. The goal of this work was to evaluate the surface integrity (work hardening and corrosion behaviour) of the SDSS obtained after the machining process (finish turning) with cemented carbide tools coated with three different PVD coatings.
Proposed Fuzzy-Stranded-Neural Network Model That Utilizes IoT Plant-Level Sensory Monitoring and Distributed Services for the Early Detection of Downy Mildew in Viticulture
Authors: Kontogiannis Sotirios , Koundouras Stefanos , Pikridas Christos
Published: February 2024

Novel monitoring architecture approaches are required to detect viticulture diseases early. Existing micro-climate decision support systems can only cope with late detection from empirical and semi-empirical models that provide less accurate results. Such models cannot alleviate precision viticulture planning and pesticide control actions, providing early reconnaissances that may trigger interventions. This paper presents a new plant-level monitoring architecture called thingsAI. The proposed system utilizes low-cost, autonomous, easy-to-install IoT sensors for vine-level monitoring, utilizing the low-power LoRaWAN protocol for sensory measurement acquisition. Facilitated by a distributed cloud architecture and open-source user interfaces, it provides state-of-the-art deep learning inference services and decision support interfaces. This paper also presents a new deep learning detection algorithm based on supervised fuzzy annotation processes, targeting downy mildew disease detection and, therefore, planning early interventions. The authors tested their proposed system and deep learning model on the grape variety of protected designation of origin called debina, cultivated in Zitsa, Greece. From their experimental results, the authors show that their proposed model can detect vine locations and timely breakpoints of mildew occurrences, which farmers can use as input for targeted intervention efforts.
Characterization of the SIDDHARTA-2 Setup via the Kaonic Helium Measurement
Authors: Sgaramella Francesco , Clozza Francesco , Abbene Leonardo , Artibani Francesco , Bazzi Massimiliano , Borghi Giacomo , Bragadireanu Mario , Buttacavoli Antonino , Cargnelli Michael , Carminati Marco , Clozza Alberto , Deda Griseld , Del Grande Raffaele , De Paolis Luca , Dulski Kamil , Fiorini Carlo , Guaraldo Carlo , Iliescu Mihail , Iwasaki Masahiko , Khreptak Aleksander , Manti Simone , Marton Johann , Miliucci Marco , Moskal Paweł , Napolitano Fabrizio , Niedźwiecki Szymon , Ohnishi Hiroaki , Piscicchia Kristian , Principato Fabio , Scordo Alessandro , Silarski Michal , Sirghi Diana , Sirghi Florin , Skurzok Magdalena , Spallone Antonio , Toho Kairo , Tüchler Marlene , Zmeskal Johann , Curceanu Catalina
Published: February 2024

The aim of the SIDDHARTA-2 experiment is to perform the first measurement ever of the width and shift induced by the strong interaction to the 2p→1s energy transition of kaonic deuterium. This ambitious goal implies a challenging task due to the very low X-ray yield of kaonic deuterium, which is why an accurate and thorough characterization of the experimental apparatus is mandatory before starting the data-taking campaign. Helium-4 is an excellent candidate for this characterization since it exhibits a high yield in particular for the 3d→2p transition, roughly 100 times greater than that of the kaonic deuterium. The ultimate goal of the work reported in this paper is to study the performances of the full experimental setup in view of the kaonic deuterium measurement. This is carried out by measuring the values of the shift and the width for the 3d→2p energy transition of kaonic helium-4, induced by the strong interaction. The values obtained for these quantities, for a total integrated luminosity of ∼31/pb, are ε2p=2.0±1.2(stat)±1.5(syst)eV and Γ2p=1.9±5.7(stat)±0.7(syst)eV. The results, compared to the value of the shift measured by the SIDDHARTA experiment ε2p=0±6(stat)±2(syst)eV, show a net enhancement of the resolution of the apparatus, providing strong evidence of the potential to perform the challenging measurement of the kaonic deuterium.
Enhancement of Creep Lifetime of Aluminum through Severe Plastic Deformation
Authors: Král Petr , Dvořák Jiří , Kvapilová Marie , Kadomtsev Andrej G. , Sklenička Václav
Published: February 2024

This work investigates the creep behavior of severely deformed commercial aluminum. The commercial aluminum was processed by helical rolling (HR) and equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at room temperature. During these processes, the equivalent strain up to about 4 was imposed into the as-received material. The creep testing at 200 °C revealed that HR and ECAP significantly increased the time to fracture compared to the as-received material. The stress dependences showed that the value of stress exponent n decreased with the value of the imposed strain. The stress-change tests showed that as-received and severely deformed states exhibited different recovery rates after unloading. The microstructure analysis showed that creep behavior was influenced by the microstructure formed during severe plastic deformation. The relationships between creep behavior and microstructure in the investigated states are discussed.
Defect Modes Generated in a Stack of Spin-Coated Chiral Liquid Crystal Layers
Authors: Van Acker Frederik , Lin Bo-Han , Wang Chun-Ta , Neyts Kristiaan , Beeckman Jeroen
Published: February 2024

Nematic chiral liquid crystals (CLCs) are characterized by a helical arrangement of nematic LC molecules. A layer of CLC typically exhibits an optical reflection band due to Bragg reflection in the helical structure. When several layers of CLC are spin-coated and polymerized on top of each other without a barrier layer in between, defect modes can form in their reflection spectrum. By comparing experimental results and simulations, we investigate the origin of the defect modes, thereby revealing details on the behavior of the materials at the interfaces during deposition. Simulations show that these defect modes can originate from the migration of chiral dopant leading to a layer with a smaller pitch or from a discontinuity in the director orientation at the interface between two layers.
Risk Factors for Mucosal Redness in the Duodenal Bulb as Detected via Linked Color Imaging
Authors: Takeda Tsutomu , Abe Daiki , Asaoka Daisuke , Iwano Tomoyo , Yamamoto Momoko , Uchida Ryota , Utsunomiya Hisanori , Oki Shotaro , Suzuki Nobuyuki , Ikeda Atsushi , Akazawa Yoichi , Ueda Kumiko , Ueyama Hiroya , Hojo Mariko , Nojiri Shuko , Nagahara Akihito
Published: February 2024

Linked color imaging (LCI) for image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) highlights mucosal color differences. We investigated risk factors associated with mucosal redness of the duodenal bulb using LCI. Consecutive patients were retrospectively selected after their duodenal bulbs were observed via LCI. A symptom questionnaire (Izumo scale) was completed. The LCI of the duodenal bulb was subjectively evaluated on whether redness was present and objectively evaluated based on L* a* b* color values. The clinical characteristics of the 302 study participants were: male/female, 120/182; mean age, 70.9 years. Twenty-one cases (7.0%) were in the redness (+) group. After multiple regression analysis, independent predictors for the red component (a*) of the duodenal bulb using LCI were: age (β = −0.154, p < 0.01), female (β = −0.129, p < 0.05), body mass index (BMI; β = −0.136, p < 0.05), Helicobacter pylori eradication (β = 0.137, p < 0.05), endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy score (EGAS; β = −0.149, p < 0.05), and constipation-related quality of life (QOL) (β = −0.122, p < 0.05) scores. Lower age, lower BMI, lower EGAS, a constipation-related QOL score, post-H. pylori eradication, and being male were associated with mucosal redness in the duodenal bulb with IEE using LCI.
Correlation of the HPV 16 Genotype Persistence in Women Undergoing LEEP for CIN3 with the Risk of CIN2+ Relapses in the First 18 Months of Follow-Up: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Bruno Maria Teresa , Valenti Gaetano , Ruggeri Zaira , Incognito Giosuè Giordano , Coretti Paola , Montana Giuseppe Dario , Panella Marco Marzio , Mereu Liliana
Published: February 2024

Objective: Specific hr-HPV genotypes have different natural histories and different oncogenic capacity. This study aimed to investigate the risk of CIN2+ recurrence of the individual genotypes and evaluate how the duration of HPV persistence influences the risk of developing recurrent 16 cervical dysplasia of high grade (CIN2+). Methods: Data from patients with persistent HPV infection after primary conization were retrospectively extracted. Kaplan-Meier proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations between the duration of HPV persistence and the risk of developing recurrent CIN2+. Kruskal-Wallis testing with Dunn’s multiple comparison test was used to test whether there was a statistically significant difference in the time to development of tumor recurrences between different genotypes. Results: Overall, 333 patients met the inclusion criteria. In 285 cases the HPV infection was persistent, in 48 cases (18%) it was transient, i.e., different genotypes after LEEP. Overall were diagnosed 39 relapses (13.7%), 79.5% (31/39 cases) were due to genotype 16, 20.5% (8/39) were linked to the other genotypes. Persistence of genotype 16 showed a 7-fold increased risk of developing a CIN2+ relapse, OR = 7.08 (95%CI: 3.12–16.08). Furthermore, the majority of relapses (38/39) occurred within 24 months of persistence with a cut-off represented by 18 months (p = 0.001) in which the relapse rate is maximum and the most frequently found genotype was the 16th with 31 (79.5%) cases of recurrence. Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s multiple comparisons has shown statistically significant difference in the time of development of CIN2 relapses among HPV16 and other genotypes. (p < 0.05). Kaplan-meier analysis has shown statistically significant difference between the time to CIN2+ relapse onset in patients with HPV 16 infection and patients with other hrHPV genotypes. (p < 0.05) Conclusions: the study results suggest that persistent HPV infection after LEEP with the same HR genotype present before surgery represents one of the most important predictive factors of the risk of CIN2+ recurrence. The persistence of HPV16 for the first 18 months strongly correlates with the risk of developing a CIN2+ recurrence.
Analytical Validation of Loss of Heterozygosity and Mutation Detection in Pancreatic Fine-Needle Aspirates by Capillary Electrophoresis and Sanger Sequencing
Authors: Timmaraju Venkata Arun , Finkelstein Sydney David , Levine Jonathan Adam
Published: February 2024

Pancreatic cystic disease, including duct dilation, represents precursor states towards the development of pancreatic cancer, a form of malignancy with relatively low incidence but high mortality. While most of these cysts (>85%) are benign, the remainder can progress over time, leading to malignant transformation, invasion, and metastasis. Cytologic diagnosis is challenging, limited by the paucity or complete absence of cells representative of cystic lesions and fibrosis. Molecular analysis of fluids collected from endoscopic-guided fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic cysts and dilated duct lesions can be used to evaluate the risk of progression to malignancy. The basis for the enhanced diagnostic utility of molecular approaches is the ability to interrogate cell-free nucleic acid of the cyst/duct and/or extracellular fluid. The allelic imbalances at tumor suppressor loci and the selective oncogenic drivers are used clinically to help differentiate benign stable pancreatic cysts from those progressing toward high-grade dysplasia. Methods are discussed and used to determine the efficacy for diagnostic implementation. Here, we report the analytical validation of methods to detect causally associated molecular changes integral to the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer from pancreatic cyst fluids.
The Conundrum of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: Lesson Learned from Two Intriguing Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Laurino Simona , Russi Sabino , Omer Ludmila Carmen , D’Angelo Alberto , Bozza Giovanni , Gallucci Giuseppina , Falco Geppino , Roviello Giandomenico , Bochicchio Anna Maria
Published: February 2024

The correlation between cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is solid, whereas the knowledge about cancer-related arterial thromboembolism (ATE) still needs a deeper investigation to clarify its pathogenesis. We describe two cases that represent useful hints for a comprehensive review of the thrombotic issue. A 75-year-old man with advanced rectal cancer treated with fluoropyrimidines suffered two catheter-related VTE events managed according to current guidelines. There was no indication for “extended” anticoagulant therapy for him, but during antithrombotic wash-out and fluoropyrimidines plus panitumumab regimen, he suffered a massive right coronary artery (RCA) thrombosis. Another patient with no cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and affected by advanced bladder cancer was treated with a platinum-containing regimen and suffered an acute inferior myocardial infarction 2 days after chemotherapy administration. He was successfully treated with primary Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty of RCA, discontinuing platinum-based therapy. Our observations raise the issue of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) complexity and the potential correlation between arterial and venous thrombotic events. Moreover, physicians should be aware of the thrombotic risk associated with anticancer therapies, suggesting that an appropriate prophylaxis should be considered.
Ridge Preservation and Augmentation Using a Carbonated Apatite Bone Graft Substitute: A Case Series
Authors: Taniguchi Yoichi , Koyanagi Tatsuro , Takagi Toru , Kitanaka Yutaro , Aoki Akira , Iwata Takanori
Published: February 2024

The newly developed mineral carbonated apatite has recently been proposed as a bone graft material for bone regenerative treatment in implant therapy. This case series details the clinical and radiographic outcomes of ridge preservation and ridge augmentation using only carbonated apatite as bone graft material for implant treatment. Twenty patients (36 sites) who required bone regeneration and implant placement were retrospectively assessed. Simultaneous carbonated apatite implant placement was performed using the simultaneous ridge preservation or augmentation approach on 24 sites in 13 patients with sufficient bone quantity for primary stabilization based on preoperative evaluation results. A staged ridge preservation or augmentation approach was used for the remaining 12 sites in seven patients with insufficient bone quantity. The mean regenerated bone height for each treatment method was as follows: simultaneous preservation, 7.4 ± 3.3 mm; simultaneous augmentation, 3.6 ± 2.3 mm; staged preservation, 7.2 ± 4.5 mm; and staged augmentation, 6.1 ± 2.7 mm. The mean regenerated bone width for each treatment method was as follows: simultaneous preservation, 6.5 ± 2.9 mm; simultaneous augmentation, 3.3 ± 2.5 mm; staged preservation, 5.5 ± 1.7 mm; and staged augmentation, 3.5 ± 1.9 mm. Ultimately, the use of carbonated apatite alone as a bone graft material in implant therapy resulted in stable and favorable bone regeneration.
PVswin-YOLOv8s: UAV-Based Pedestrian and Vehicle Detection for Traffic Management in Smart Cities Using Improved YOLOv8
Authors: Tahir Noor Ul Ain , Long Zhe , Zhang Zuping , Asim Muhammad , ELAffendi Mohammed
Published: February 2024

In smart cities, effective traffic congestion management hinges on adept pedestrian and vehicle detection. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer a solution with mobility, cost-effectiveness, and a wide field of view, and yet, optimizing recognition models is crucial to surmounting challenges posed by small and occluded objects. To address these issues, we utilize the YOLOv8s model and a Swin Transformer block and introduce the PVswin-YOLOv8s model for pedestrian and vehicle detection based on UAVs. Firstly, the backbone network of YOLOv8s incorporates the Swin Transformer model for global feature extraction for small object detection. Secondly, to address the challenge of missed detections, we opt to integrate the CBAM into the neck of the YOLOv8. Both the channel and the spatial attention modules are used in this addition because of how well they extract feature information flow across the network. Finally, we employ Soft-NMS to improve the accuracy of pedestrian and vehicle detection in occlusion situations. Soft-NMS increases performance and manages overlapped boundary boxes well. The proposed network reduced the fraction of small objects overlooked and enhanced model detection performance. Performance comparisons with different YOLO versions ( for example YOLOv3 extremely small, YOLOv5, YOLOv6, and YOLOv7), YOLOv8 variants (YOLOv8n, YOLOv8s, YOLOv8m, and YOLOv8l), and classical object detectors (Faster-RCNN, Cascade R-CNN, RetinaNet, and CenterNet) were used to validate the superiority of the proposed PVswin-YOLOv8s model. The efficiency of the PVswin-YOLOv8s model was confirmed by the experimental findings, which showed a 4.8% increase in average detection accuracy (mAP) compared to YOLOv8s on the VisDrone2019 dataset.
Learning Styles Impact Students’ Perceptions on Active Learning Methodologies: A Case Study on the Use of Live Coding and Short Programming Exercises
Authors: Masegosa Andrés R. , Cabañas Rafael , Maldonado Ana D. , Morales María
Published: February 2024

This research paper explores the effectiveness of live coding as an active learning methodology in teaching programming, particularly in the context of diverse learning styles. Live coding, characterized by real-time coding demonstrations by instructors, has been increasingly adopted to enhance the learning experience in programming education. It offers immediate feedback, demonstrates problem-solving in action, and allows instructors to incorporate student suggestions, making it a dynamic and engaging teaching tool. However, its effectiveness varies among students with different learning preferences. This study investigates the impact of various learning style dimensions, as defined by the Felder–Silverman model, on the effectiveness of live coding in an introductory object-oriented programming course. The study was conducted at Aalborg University, Denmark, with students from the BSc Software program. It aims to provide empirical evidence on how different learning style dimensions influence student preferences and the effectiveness of live coding, offering insights to educators for tailoring active learning methodologies in programming courses to diverse learner needs.
Creativity and Decision Making in Giftedness
Authors: Valadez Sierra María de los Dolores , Rodríguez Cervantes Celia Josefina , Verche Emilio , Panduro Espinoza Beatriz Verónica
Published: February 2024

Creativity is the ability to re-experience mental representations and is the basis of intuitive thinking when constructing images prior to the elaboration of an action plan. Creativity is thought to be related to orbitofrontal functions that govern decision making, such as inhibitory control, risk–benefit evaluation and acceptance of limits and rules, given that these processes prepare one against possible scenarios. Objective: In this study, the relationship between creativity and decision making is investigated to understand the needs of gifted students. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with gifted students (IQ mean = 133) aged 8–10 years old (n = 25). Instruments: Creative Imagination Test (PIC) and subtests of the Neuropsychological Battery of Executive Functions and Frontal Lobes (BANFE-2) were employed. Analysis: A Spearman correlation analysis was conducted between the normalized BANFE-2 scores and the percentiles of PIC. Results: Moderate correlations were found between creative/narrative flexibility and decision making/risk percentage (r = 0.432, p ≤ 0.05) and decision making/response-effectiveness (r = 0.426, p ≤ 0.05), as well as between graphic creativity/shadow and color with decision making/response-effectiveness (r = 0.452, p ≤ 0.05) and inhibition (r = 0.673, p ≤ 0.01); moderate negative correlations were found between inhibition and graphic creativity/title (r = −0.570, p ≤ 0.05) and general graphic creativity (r = −0.489, p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Creativity in students with intellectual giftedness is favored by a relationship with orbitofrontal functions. Analysis of risk situations and effective decision making increase narrative creation and diminished inhibition allows for greater creative graphic production.
Changes in Healthy Behaviors among Arab Israeli Children Diagnosed with ASD amid the Coronavirus Outbreak: Mothers’ Perceptions
Authors: Ghanamah Rafat
Published: February 2024

The constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic may have adverse effects on the health behaviors of children and adolescents, particularly those with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to examine changes in health-related behaviors, including physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration, among children with ASD and their adherence to the 24-h movement guidelines during the pandemic. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with 46 Arab Israeli mothers of children diagnosed with ASD. According to the responses provided by the mothers, the findings indicate a noteworthy reduction in physical activity, a marked rise in screen time, and a considerable increase in sleep duration amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, there was a decline in the portion of the sample complying with physical activity and screen time recommendations, coupled with an increase in the percentage of children meeting sleep duration guidelines. The prevalence of ASD children adhering to the overall 24-h movement guidelines was notably low during the COVID-19 outbreak. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature indicating adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic on individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing the urgent necessity for healthcare, interventions, and programs tailored to ASD children.
Teacher Agency in the Pedagogical Uses of ICT: A Holistic Perspective Emanating from Reflexive Practice
Authors: Novoa-Echaurren Ángela
Published: February 2024

This article discusses a case study on teacher agency about the pedagogical uses of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The investigation explored a school ecosystem that has developed a model of reflexive practice aimed at promoting teacher agency from a holistic and relational perspective. The primary case comprised six sub-cases using ICTs with students and deliberated on these uses by applying the reflexive model promoted within the school boundaries. Data were analyzed thematically. Observations of teaching practices with ICTs, reflexive practice sessions on ICT uses, and interviews with the heads of departments of the observed teachers yielded the relevance of collaborative agency in the context of the digital age as it brings together policy, theory, and practice. In line with the claims of relevant literature, the study shows that an articulated dialogue between these dimensions is relevant for using technologies in education according to the specificities of teachers’ institutional ecosystem.
SC-IZ: A Low-Cost Biologically Plausible Izhikevich Neuron for Large-Scale Neuromorphic Systems Using Stochastic Computing
Authors: Liu Wei , Xiao Shanlin , Li Bo , Yu Zhiyi
Published: February 2024

Neurons are crucial components of neural networks, but implementing biologically accurate neuron models in hardware is challenging due to their nonlinearity and time variance. This paper introduces the SC-IZ neuron model, a low-cost digital implementation of the Izhikevich neuron model designed for large-scale neuromorphic systems using stochastic computing (SC). Simulation results show that SC-IZ can reproduce the behaviors of the original Izhikevich neuron. The model is synthesized and implemented on an FPGA. Comparative analysis shows improved hardware efficiency; reduced resource utilization, which is a 56.25% reduction in slices, 57.61% reduction in Look-Up Table (LUT) usage, and a 58.80% reduction in Flip-Flop (FF) utilization; and a higher operating frequency compared to state-of-the-art Izhikevich implementation.
An Aero-Engine Classification Method Based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer Spectral Feature Vectors
Authors: Du Shuhan , Han Wei , Shi Zhengyang , Liao Yurong , Li Zhaoming
Published: February 2024

Aiming at the classification identification problem of aero-engines, this paper adopts a telemetry Fourier transform infrared spectrometer to collect aero-engine hot jet infrared spectrum data and proposes an aero-engine classification identification method based on spectral feature vectors. First, aero-engine hot jet infrared spectrum data are acquired and measured; meanwhile, the spectral feature vectors based on CO2 are constructed. Subsequently, the feature vectors are combined with the seven mainstream classification algorithms to complete the training and prediction of the classification model. In the experiment, two Fourier transform infrared spectrometers, EM27 developed by Bruker and a self-developed telemetry FT-IR spectrometer, were used to telemeter the hot jet of three aero-engines to obtain infrared spectral data. The training data set and test data set were randomly divided in a ratio of 3:1. The model training of the training data set and the label prediction of the test data set were carried out by combining spectral feature vectors and classification algorithms. The classification evaluation indicators were accuracy, precision, recall, confusion matrix, and F1-score. The classification recognition accuracy of the algorithm was 98%. This paper has considerable significance for the fault diagnosis of aero-engines and classification recognition of aircrafts.
Multi-Scale Feature Fusion Attention Network for Building Extraction in Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Liu Jia , Gu Hang , Li Zuhe , Chen Hongyang , Chen Hao
Published: February 2024

The efficient semantic segmentation of buildings in high spatial resolution remote sensing images is a technical prerequisite for land resource management, high-precision mapping, construction planning and other applications. Current building extraction methods based on deep learning can obtain high-level abstract features of images. However, the extraction of some occluded buildings is inaccurate, and as the network deepens, small-volume buildings are lost and edges are blurred. Therefore, we introduce a multi-resolution attention combination network, which employs a multiscale channel and spatial attention module (MCAM) to adaptively capture key features and eliminate irrelevant information, which improves the accuracy of building extraction. In addition, we present a layered residual connectivity module (LRCM) to enhance the expression of information at different scales through multi-level feature fusion, significantly improving the understanding of context and the capturing of fine edge details. Extensive experiments were conducted on the WHU aerial image dataset and the Massachusetts building dataset. Compared with state-of-the-art semantic segmentation methods, this network achieves better building extraction results in remote sensing images, proving the effectiveness of the method.
The Cascade of High-Voltage Pulsed Current Sources
Authors: Dong Weigang , Chen Lei , Qiu Jian , Shi Haozheng , Zhao Hui , Liu Kefu
Published: February 2024

Currently, pulsed adders are used as pulsed voltage sources maturely. However, their use as pulsed current sources is significantly limited due to circuit impedance and the characteristics of power devices. This paper presents a simple yet effective design for a pulsed current source, incorporating a solid-state Marx pulsed adder as the primary power source and an inductor for energy storage. In the pulsed current source, a Marx pulsed adder produces high voltage to charge the inductor. Then, the stored inductance energy is converted to generate current pulses on the load; the amplitude of the pulsed current is unaffected by the load impedance within a certain range. The pulsed current source can be designed as a standard module, and several modules can form a cascade system for producing current pulses with higher voltage. Finally, a pulsed current source was developed, which can produce adjustable current pulses with high voltage. The design principles, control methods and the effects of the distribution parameters are described. The feasibility of the cascade pulsed power system was validated in experiments. Nine modules were connected to generate pulses of current 10 A on a 15 kΩ resistor.
Design of Sinusoidal Leading Edge for Low-Speed Axial Fans Operating under Inflow Distortion
Authors: Tieghi Lorenzo , Delibra Giovanni , Van der Spuy Johan , Corsini Alessandro
Published: February 2024

Axial fans may be equipped with passive flow control devices to enhance rotor efficiency or minimize noise emissions. In this regard, blade designs influenced by biomimicry, such as rotors with sinusoidal leading edges (LEs), have gained popularity in recent years. However, their design is predominantly driven by a trial-and-error approach, with limited systematic studies on the influence of rotor performance. Furthermore, their effectiveness is typically evaluated under controlled conditions that may significantly differ from operations in real installation layouts. In this work, a systematic review of the design process for sinusoidal LE axial fan rotors is provided, aiming to summarize previous design experiences. Then, a modified sinusoidal LE is designed and fitted to a 7.3 m low-speed axial fan for air-cooled condensers (ACCs). These fans operate at environmental conditions, providing a quasi-zero static pressure rise, often with inflow non-uniformities. A series of RANS computations were run to simulate the performance of the baseline fan and that of the sinusoidal leading edge, considering a real installation setup at Stellenbosh University, where the ACC is constrained between buildings and has a channel running on the ground below the fan inlet. The aim is to explore the nonbalanced inflow condition effects in both rotor geometries and to test the effect of the installation layout on fan performance. The results show that the modification to the rotor allows for a more even distribution of flow in the blade-to-blade passages with respect to the baseline geometry.
First Measurement Campaign by a Multi-Sensor Robot for the Lifecycle Monitoring of Transformers
Authors: Waikat Jakub , Jelidi Amel , Lic Sandro , Sopidis Georgios , Kähler Olaf , Maly Anna , Pestana Jesús , Fuhrmann Ferdinand , Belavić Fredi
Published: February 2024

Transformers are a very important asset in the electrical transmission grid, and they can suffer from destructive events—e.g., rare transformer fires. Unfortunately, destructive events often lead to a lack of data available for investigators during post-event forensics and failure analysis. This fact has motivated our design and implementation of a robotic multi-sensor platform and cloud backend solution for the lifecycle monitoring, inspection, diagnostics, and condition assessment of transformers. The robotic platform collects data from specific viewpoints around the transformer during operation and at specific relevant lifecycle milestones of the transformer (e.g., at the factory acceptance test) in an automated, repetitive, precise, and reliable manner. The acquired data are stored in the cloud backend, which also provides computing resources and data access to relevant in- and off-premises services (e.g., respectively, SCADA systems, and weather reports). In this paper, we present the results of our first measurement campaign to showcase the value of our solution for transformer lifecycle monitoring, for anomaly detection, and as a crucial tool for post-event forensics in the case of destructive events.
Role of Microbial Fermentation in the Bio-Production of Food Aroma Compounds from Vegetable Waste
Authors: Melini Francesca , Melini Valentina
Published: February 2024

Flavour is a key driver of consumer preferences and acceptability of foods, and the food industry has made food aroma compounds a crucial area of research. At present, about 80% of food aroma compounds are produced by chemical synthesis; however, alternative production approaches have been explored to meet consumers’ demand for “clean label” food products and “natural” aromas. Bio-production of food aroma compounds from vegetable wastes through fermentation has emerged as a promising alternative. This review showed that fungi and yeasts, and also lactic acid bacteria, can be used to produce aroma compounds through the fermentation of vegetable waste. The produced compounds were mostly responsible for sweet, fruity, and floral notes. Other molecules imparting cheesy/buttery, creamy, green, herbal, grass notes were also obtained through the fermentation of vegetable food waste. Substrates varied from agricultural waste such as rice bran to by-products and waste from the fruit supply chain, in particular pomace, peels, pods. During the study, challenges and limitations for the scale-up of the process emerged. The production of aromas is still strongly strain and waste dependent. Certain aspects thus still require attention to avoid that a joint occurrence of technical challenges may cause the failure of the process.
Optimization of Ultrasound Treatment for Watermelon Vinegar Using Response Surface Methodology: Antidiabetic—Antihypertensive Effects, Bioactive Compounds, and Minerals
Authors: Tokatlı Demirok Nazan , Yıkmış Seydi
Published: February 2024

Watermelon vinegar is a traditional fermented product with antioxidant activity. This study aimed to investigate the antihypertensive and antidiabetic properties of watermelon vinegar treated through ultrasound using the RSM method. We also evaluated the antioxidant activity (CUPRAC and DPPH), bioactive content (total phenolics and total flavonoids), mineral composition, phenolic compounds, α-glucosidase inhibition %, ACE inhibition %, of optimized, and α-amylase inhibition % during 24 months of storage of optimized watermelon vinegar. Optimized antidiabetic and antihypertensive activity was achieved at 6.7 min and 69% amplitude. The optimization of gallic acid was the dominant phenolic in the optimized ultrasound-treated watermelon vinegar (UT-WV) and showed a significant decrease during the 24 months of storage. The lycopene content of the UT-WV concentrate was 8.36 mg/100 mL, 8.30 mg/100 mL, 7.66 mg/100 mL, and 7.35 mg/100 mL after 0, 6, 2, and 24 months of storage, respectively. The levels of ACE inhibitory activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and α-amylase inhibitory activity decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 24 months of storage. K, with values of 201.03 ± 28.31, was the main mineral in the UT-WV. Therefore, the bioactive components and the antidiabetic and antihypertensive properties of the UT-WV produced by conventional fermentation were necessary. Therefore, further experimental studies are necessary for a better understanding of the possible and potential health effects of watermelon vinegar.
Biogas Upgrading by Wild Alkaliphilic Microalgae and the Application Potential of Their Biomass in the Carbon Capture and Utilization Technology
Authors: Kikuchi Yuri , Kanai Daichi , Sugiyama Kenjiro , Fujii Katsuhiko
Published: February 2024

Although biogas is a renewable energy source alternative to natural gas, it contains approximately 40 vol% CO2 and, hence, a low calorific value. The sequestration of CO2 from biogas is, therefore, essential before its widespread use. As CO2 can be easily solubilized as carbonate and bicarbonate in alkaline water, in this study, we isolated and characterized alkaliphilic wild microalgae that grow under high-level CO2 conditions and evaluated their application potential in CO2-removal from biogas. For this purpose, freshwater samples were enriched with 10 vol% CO2 and an alkaline culture medium (pH 9.0), wherein almost free CO2 was converted to carbonate and bicarbonate to yield alkaliphilic and high-level CO2-tolerant microalgae. Ten microalgal strains of Micractinium, Chlorella, Scenedesmus/Tetradesmus, or Desmodesmus spp. were isolated, some of which demonstrated good growth even under conditions of >pH 10 and >30 vol% CO2. All algal strains grew well through fixing biogas-derived CO2 in a vial-scale biogas upgrading experiment, which reduced the CO2 level in biogas to an undetectable level. These strains yielded antioxidant carotenoids, including lutein, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene, particularly rich in lutein (up to 7.3 mg/g dry cells). In addition, these strains contained essential amino acids, accounting for 42.9 mol% of the total amino acids on average, and they were rich in unsaturated fatty acids (comprising 62.2 wt% of total fatty acids). The present study identified strains that can contribute to biogas upgrading technology, and the present findings suggest that their biomass can serve as useful raw material across the food, nutraceutical, and feed industries.
Integrative Taxonomy Clarifies the Historical Flaws in the Systematics and Distributions of Two Osteobrama Fishes (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in India
Authors: Laskar Boni Amin , Banerjee Dhriti , Chung Sangdeok , Kim Hyun-Woo , Kim Ah Ran , Kundu Shantanu
Published: February 2024

The taxonomy and geographical distributions of Osteobrama species have historically posed challenges to ichthyologists, leading to uncertainties regarding their native ranges. While traditional taxonomy has proven valuable in classification, the utility of an integrated approach is restricted for this particular group due to limitations in combining information from biogeography, morphology, and genetic data. This study addresses the taxonomic puzzle arising from the recent identification of Osteobrama tikarpadaensis in the Mahanadi and Godavari Rivers, casting doubt on the actual distribution and systematics of both O. tikarpadaensis and Osteobrama vigorsii. The research reveals distinctions among specimens resembling O. vigorsii from the Krishna and Godavari riverine systems. Notably, specimens identified as O. vigorsii from the Indian Museum exhibit two pairs of barbels, while those from the Godavari River in this study are identified as O. tikarpadaensis. Inter-species genetic divergence and maximum likelihood phylogeny provide clear delineation between O. vigorsii and O. tikarpadaensis. The study suggests that O. vigorsii may be limited to the Krishna River system in southern India, while O. tikarpadaensis could potentially extend from the Mahanadi River in central India to the Godavari River in southern India. Proposed revision to morphological features for both species, accompanied by revised taxonomic keys, aim to facilitate accurate differentiation among Osteobrama congeners. The data generated by this research provide a resource for future systematic investigations into cyprinids in India and surrounding regions. Further, the genetic diversity information obtained from various riverine systems for Osteobrama species will be instrumental in guiding aquaculture practices and formulating effective conservation action plans.
Molecular Mechanisms of Growth Differences in Gymnocypris przewalskii and Gymnocypris eckloni through a Comparative Transcriptome Perspective
Authors: Zhao Yun , Zhou Junming
Published: February 2024

Genetic composition plays a crucial role in the growth rate of species, and transcriptomics provides a potent tool for studying genetic aspects of growth. We explored the growth rates and transcriptomes of the Cyprinids G. przewalskii (GP) and G. eckloni (GE). A total of 500 individuals of G. przewalskii and G. eckloni, matched in size, were separately cultured for 9 months in six cement tanks (each group with three replicates). Growth indices were measured, revealing that the growth rate of GE was greater than that of GP (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in survival rates (p > 0.05). Simultaneously, we conducted RNA-Seq on the muscles of both GP and GE. The results indicated a significant difference of gene expression between GP and GE, identifying 5574 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction of 10 DEGs demonstrated consistency in expression profiles with the results from the RNA-Seq analysis. The DEGs were significantly enriched in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis (ko00010), arachidonic acid formation (ko00061), arginine biosynthesis (ko00220), and the MAPK (ko04013), PI3K-Akt (ko04151), mTOR (ko04150), and TGF-β (ko04350) signal pathways, as revealed by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. This study also identified some growth-related DEGs, such as IGF2, Noggin, Decorin and others. Notably, the low expression of IGF2 may be a factor contributing to the slower growth of GP than GE.
A Novel Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from Daylily (Hemerocallis citrina Baroni): Isolation, Structure Analysis, and Probiotics Adhesion Promotion Effect
Authors: Ke Qinfei , Wang Hui , Xiao Yuan , Kou Xingran , Chen Feng , Meng Qingran , Gao Wenjie
Published: February 2024

The daylily (Hemerocallis citrina Baroni) flower is a traditional raw food material that is rich in a variety of nutrients. In particular, the content of polysaccharides in daylily is abundant and has been widely used as a functional component in food, cosmetics, medicine, and other industries. However, studies on the structure-effective relationship of daylily flower polysaccharides are still lacking. In view of this, daylily flower polysaccharides were isolated and purified, and their physical and chemical properties, structure, antioxidant activity, and adhesion-promoting effect on probiotics were evaluated. The results showed that a novel water-soluble polysaccharide (DPW) with an average molecular weight (Mw) of 2.224 kDa could be successfully isolated using column chromatography. Monosaccharide composition analysis showed that DPW only comprised glucose and fructose, with a molar ratio of 0.242:0.758. Through methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, it was inferred that DPW belonged to the fructans group with a structure of α-D-Glcp-1→2-β-D-Fruf-1→(2-β-D-Fruf-1)n→. Antioxidant analysis showed that DPW showed strong 2-Phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-Oxide (PTIO-scavenging activity with IC50 of 1.54 mg/mL. DPW of 1.25 to 5 mg/mL could significantly increase the adhesion rate of Lactobacillus acidophilu, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, and Lactobacillus plantarum on Caco-2 cells. Considering the above results, the present study provides a theoretical basis and practical support for the development and application of daylily polysaccharides as a functional active ingredient.