bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The need for a change in medical research thinking. Eco-systemic research frames are better suited to explore patterned disease behaviors
Authors: Sturmberg Joachim P. , Martin Jennifer H. , Tramonti Francesco , Kühlein Thomas
Published: June 2024

Many practicing physicians struggle to properly evaluate clinical research studies – they either simply do not know them, regard the reported findings as ‘truth’ since they were reported in a ‘reputable’ journal and blindly implement these interventions, or they disregard them as having little pragmatic impact or relevance to their daily clinical work. Three aspects for the latter are highlighted: study populations rarely reflect their practice population, the absolute average benefits on specific outcomes in most controlled studies, while statistically significant, are so small that they are pragmatically irrelevant, and overall mortality between the intervention and control groups are unaffected. These observations underscore the need to rethink our research approaches in the clinical context – moving from the predominant reductionist to an eco-systemic research approach will lead to knowledge better suited to clinical decision-making for an individual patient as it takes into account the complex interplay of multi-level variables that impact health outcomes in the real-world setting.
A Novel Continuously Variable Transmission with Circumferentially Arranged Disks (CAD CVT)
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Zhu Qidan , Qureshi Shafiq R. , Elahi Ahsan , Nadeem Muhammad Kashif , Khan Sartaj
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a novel Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) design. CVT is highly beneficial for actuators with rotary output as it can improve the energy efficiency of the actuators by providing an optimum transmission ratio. This property of CVT is highly beneficial for fossil-fuel-based vehicles, electric vehicles, wind turbines, industrial robots, etc. With the exception of Spherical CVT and DH CVT, all known CVTs like push belt CVTs, toroidal CVTs, Milner CVTs, etc., require additional gear sets and clutches for direction reversal and neutral gear ratio. However, Spherical CVT and DH CVT have low torque capacity due to a single traction point constraint. Foregoing in view, a new CVT named CAD CVT has been developed. The paper presents the design conception, the operating principle, the transmission ratio, the torque capacity, frictional losses, and experimental verification of the basic functionality by manufacturing a Proof of Concept (PoC). The proposed CVT is the only CVT capable of independent direction reversal and high torque capacity as it can transmit torque through multiple traction points. The new CVT will significantly impact high-torque applications in different engineering applications, especially land transport consisting of heavy vehicles like trucks, buses, and trailers.
“I Had No Idea about This:” A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Sexual Health and HIV Prevention Needs among Black Youth in a Southern City
Authors: Maragh-Bass Allysha C. , Mitchell John T. , Stoner Marie C. D. , Bhushan Nivedita L. , Riggins Linda , Lightfoot Alexandra , Corneli Amy
Published: June 2024

HIV disparities continue to persist among Black youth in the South. We conducted quantitative surveys (N = 83) and follow-up qualitative interviews (n = 13) to assess sexual health needs including but not limited to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness. Participants all identified as Black; most survey respondents identified as being assigned female sex at birth and heterosexual. Both qualitatively and quantitatively, knowledge about HIV and PrEP and engagement in sexual health preventive behaviors was low. Participants described a need for more comprehensive sexual health education at younger ages and more routinized HIV testing. The latter was recommended even for people with a low perceived risk of HIV. Future studies should explore how to tailor communication to youth of color specifically and understand nuances of experiences they may have based on their sexual orientation and gender identity to promote engagement in sexual health preventive care, including but not limited to HIV prevention and PrEP uptake. The findings suggest that comprehensive sexual care that provides education on HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention is critical for youth experiencing inequities in a Southern city context.
Comprehensive Review of the Quality and Processing Suitability of U.S. Hard Red Spring Wheat: Current Strategies, Challenges, and Future Potential Scope
Authors: Hoque Md Najmol , Islam Shahidul
Published: June 2024

Hard red spring (HRS) wheat cultivated in the Northern Great Plains of the United States is often considered as premium-quality wheat because of its potential to produce high-quality end-products. The potential of HRS wheat mainly stems from its high protein and strong gluten contents, which make it a valuable ingredient for baking, especially specialized bakery products. It can also be blended with other wheat types for improved flour protein content and is well suited for sourdough, frozen dough, and clean-label baking. However, keeping its quality attributes consistent is often challenging due to the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors in regulating them. This is further intensified by unpredictable weather events and pest infestations which cause a deterioration of quality. Although HRS wheat is widely used to improve the quality of end-products, comprehensive information about the scientific reasons behind these quality attributes is still lacking. This review summarizes scientific information regarding the unique quality attributes of hard red spring (HRS) wheat and its exclusive applications in the food industry, particularly for high-quality baking. It also identifies the challenges in upholding the standards of HRS wheat and discusses possible strategic approaches to further elevate its quality attributes. The insights gained from this review will be beneficial to a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the food industry, including bakers, millers, breeders, growers, and the scientific community.
Food Security: Nutritional Characteristics, Feed Utilization Status and Limiting Factors of Aged Brown Rice
Authors: Chai Xuehong , Sun Xue , Qi Xueyan , Shan Anshan , Feng Xingjun
Published: June 2024

Rice is one of the most significant food crops for human sustenance. Every year, many countries around the world hoard enormous amounts of rice to avert emergencies and guarantee food security and sufficiency. As a result, the inventory of aged rice is growing as the number of inventory years rises. Aged rice stored over three years loses its nutritional value and is no longer suitable for human consumption. There is a pressing need to find a solution to effectively utilize aged brown rice produced from aged rice after dehulling. Developing and utilizing aged brown rice as feed is economical and efficient due to its massive resources and rich nutritional content, which will also lessen food waste while resolving the problem of excessive hoarding of aged rice. This review mainly summarizes the nutritional value, application in feed, and nutritional limiting factors of aged brown rice. It provides a theoretical basis for solving the overstock of aged brown rice and the feasibility of using aged brown rice as feed in a cost-effective way.
Biochemical and Physical Screening Using Optical Oxygen-Sensing and Multispectral Imaging in Sea Oats Seeds
Authors: Egesa Andrew Ogolla , Davidson Maria Teresa , Pérez Héctor E. , Begcy Kevin
Published: June 2024

Physical, physiological, and biochemical traits control critical seed functions such as germination, longevity, persistence, and seedling establishment. These traits are diverse between and among species, and they are also controlled by the environment in which the seed originated. Therefore, screening seed traits and understanding their roles in seed functions is crucial to facilitate the economical use of resources in collecting, sorting, and conserving seed materials of agronomical and ecological importance. We hypothesized the existence of physical and biochemical traits in sea oats seeds that can be used as proxies to predict viability and vigor to develop underpinnings for survival after non-optimal storage conditions. Using multispectral imaging and optical oxygen-sensing analyses, we evaluated the physical and biochemical traits of Uniola paniculata L. (sea oats) seeds collected from the US Atlantic and Gulf coastlines. Our results showed that several traits correlate to aging stress survival in sea oats seeds. These results confirm the potential of using physical and biochemical screening to predict seed quality while offering insights into extended seed longevity periods. Therefore, exploring and analyzing the physical and biochemical properties of seeds could reveal salient markers that contribute to viability and longevity.
Effects of Biochar Type on the Growth and Harvest Index of Onion (Allium cepa L.)
Authors: Cedeño Ángel , Saldarriaga Veris , Cedeño Galo , López Geoconda , Mendoza José
Published: June 2024

This study examined using peanut shells, rice husks, and cocoa husks as soil conditioners to boost yields in Allium cepa var. Alvara onions. Three types of biochar and four application rates (1%, 1.5%, 3%, and 5%) were compared to a control with no biochar. The biochars had different nutrient makeups, with cocoa husk biochar (CHB) containing the most essential elements. While overall plant growth (height, leaves, and roots) was not significantly affected (p > 0.05) by any biochar type compared to the control, some plant parts responded differently. CHB (5%) and peanut husk biochar (PHB) (1%) yielded the tallest onion plants (71 and 65 cm), while 1% rice and cocoa biochar resulted in the shortest (below 42 cm). PHB (3% and 5%) produced the longest roots (9 cm), while 1.5% rice husk biochar (RHB) had the shortest. Biochar application had no significant effect on leaf count. However, specific application rates of RHB and PHB increased the harvest index (HI), indicating more efficient yield allocation. HI values > 0.85 were obtained with specific biochar rates (e.g., 1.0–1.5% PHB, 1.5–5% RHB, or 5.0% CHB).
Rapid pH Value Detection in Secondary Fermentation of Maize Silage Using Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Yu Yang , Tian Haiqing , Zhao Kai , Guo Lina , Zhang Jue , Liu Zhu , Xue Xiaoyu , Tao Yan , Tao Jinxian
Published: June 2024

As pH is a key factor affecting the quality of maize silage, its accurate detection is essential to ensuring product quality. Although traditional methods for testing the pH of maize silage feed are widely used, the procedures are often complex and time-consuming and may damage the sample. This study presents a non-destructive hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology that provides a more efficient and cost-effective method of monitoring pH by capturing the spectral information of samples and analyzing their chemical and physical properties rapidly and without contact. We applied four spectral preprocessing methods, among which the multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) preprocessing method yielded the best results. To minimize model redundancy and enhance predictive performance, we utilized six feature extraction methods for characteristic wavelength extraction, integrating these with partial least squares (PLS), non-linear support vector machine regression (SVR), and extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithms to construct a quantitative pH value prediction model. The results showed that the model based on the bootstrapping soft shrinkage (BOSS) feature wavelength extraction method outperformed the other feature extraction methods, selecting 20 pH value-related feature wavelengths from 256 bands and building a stable BOSS–ELM model with prediction set determination coefficient (RP2), root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP), and relative percentage deviation (RPD) values of 0.9241, 0.4372, and 3.6565, respectively. To further optimize the model for precisely predicting pH at each pixel in hyperspectral images, we employed three algorithms: the genetic algorithm (GA), whale optimization algorithm (WOA), and bald eagle search (BES). These algorithms optimized and compared the BOSS–ELM model to obtain the best model for predicting maize silage pH: the BOSS–BES–ELM model. This model achieved a determination coefficient (RP2) of 0.9598, an RMSEP of 0.3216, and an RPD of 5.1448. We generated a visualized distribution map of pH value variation in maize silage using the BOSS–BES–ELM model. This study provides strong technical support and a reference for the rapid, non-destructive detection of maize silage pH from an image, an advancement of great significance to ensuring the quality of maize silage.
Microbiological and Mechanism Analysis of Novel Wheat Seed Coating Agents-Induced Growth Promotion of Wheat Seedlings
Authors: Chen Chao , Wang Wei , Li Shuying , He Shun , Zheng Shufeng , Xu Daoqing
Published: June 2024

TFC (10% thifluzamide–fludioxonil–clothianidin) is a novel wheat seed-coating agent. In the field, we confirmed that 10% TFC plays a positive role in preventing soil-borne diseases and promoting wheat seedling growth. However, its effects on rhizosphere microecology and the underlying molecular mechanism are not fully understood. Field trials revealed a positive effect on the biomass, plant height, and root length of wheat sharp eyespots in a Yingshang field, with 95.3% control efficiency. The effects of 10% TFC on the rhizosphere soil microbiome of young wheat plants were evaluated using high throughput sequencing technology. The results demonstrated that seed-coating agents significantly changed bacterial and fungal communities, and reduced the number of bacteria but increased the number of fungi. Sequence analysis revealed that the abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Patescibacteria in bacteria and Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, and Basidiomycota in fungi were significantly enriched, which have been reported as being beneficial for plant growth and pathogen resistance. In contrast, the abundance of Mucoromycota in fungi was reduced, and most of the related genera identified were pathogenic to plants. In this study, 15-day-old wheat plant tissues treated with 10% TFC were subjected to global transcriptome analysis by RNA sequencing to provide insights into the effects of 10% TFC on seedling growth. The comparative analysis of Triticum aestivum L. libraries identified 8286 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 2290 and 5996 genes were up- and downregulated in seedling growth in the presence of 10% TFC, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional analyses were performed for up- and downregulated DEGs separately, showing that these DEGs were enriched for terms related to the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, the protein products of which promote cell differentiation and seedling growth. This research provides comprehensive insights into its effects on wheat seedling growth and the rhizosphere microecology of seed coatings and provides important insights into their regulation and into understanding the potential benefits of seed coatings in disease management and plant growth promotion.
Interferon-Tau in Maternal Peripheral Blood and Its Relationship with Progesterone and Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins in the Early Phases of Gestation in Water Buffalo
Authors: Barbato Olimpia , Menchetti Laura , Casano Anna Beatrice , Ricci Giovanni , De Matteis Giovanna , Agradi Stella , Curone Giulio , Brecchia Gabriele , Achihaei Emilia Larisa , Barile Vittoria Lucia
Published: June 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the interferon tau (IFNt) concentration in the peripheral maternal blood during the early phase of pregnancy in buffalo cows and improve the knowledge on the physiological importance of circulating IFNt, evaluating the possible interaction with pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and progesterone (P4). Blood samples were taken from buffalo cows on day 0 (day of AI), 7, 14, 18, 28, and 40 post insemination for the IFNt, PAG, and P4 analysis and to determine the IFNt mRNA expression. The animals were categorized ex post into Pregnant, Non-pregnant and Embryo mortality groups. The interferon value was influenced by group (p = 0.003), being always higher in pregnant buffalo cows than in non-pregnant ones, while the embryo mortality group showed intermediate values between those for pregnant and non-pregnant animals. The mRNA expression of IFNt was not influenced by groups or any time points. The regression analysis that included IFNt as the independent variable showed that PAGs, from day 18 (p < 0.01), and P4, from day 28 (p < 0.05), were positively associated with IFNt values. The close associations among IFNt, PAGs and P4 demonstrate that all three molecules work together for fetal–placental well-being and pregnancy support. Unfortunately, the great individual variability in circulating IFNt makes this analysis unsuitable for early pregnancy diagnosis.
Mitochondrial Protein-Coding Gene Expression in the Lizard Sphenomorphus incognitus (Squamata:Scincidae) Responding to Different Temperature Stresses
Authors: Zhan Lemei , He Jingyi , Meng Siqi , Guo Zhiqiang , Chen Yuxin , Storey Kenneth B. , Zhang Jiayong , Yu Danna
Published: June 2024

In the context of global warming, the frequency of severe weather occurrences, such as unexpected cold spells and heat waves, will grow, as well as the intensity of these natural disasters. Lizards, as a large group of reptiles, are ectothermic. Their body temperatures are predominantly regulated by their environment and temperature variations directly impact their behavior and physiological activities. Frequent cold periods and heat waves can affect their biochemistry and physiology, and often their ability to maintain their body temperature. Mitochondria, as the center of energy metabolism, are crucial for maintaining body temperature, regulating metabolic rate, and preventing cellular oxidative damage. Here, we used RT-qPCR technology to investigate the expression patterns and their differences for the 13 mitochondrial PCGs in Sphenomorphus incognitus (Squamata:Scincidae), also known as the brown forest skink, under extreme temperature stress at 4 °C, 8 °C, 34 °C, and 38 °C for 24 h, compared to the control group at 25 °C. In southern China, for lizards, 4 °C is close to lethal, and 8 °C induces hibernation, while 34/38 °C is considered hot and environmentally realistic. Results showed that at a low temperature of 4 °C for 24 h, transcript levels of ATP8, ND1, ND4, COI, and ND4L significantly decreased, to values of 0.52 ± 0.08, 0.65 ± 0.04, 0.68 ± 0.10, 0.28 ± 0.02, and 0.35 ± 0.02, respectively, compared with controls. By contrast, transcript levels of COIII exhibited a significant increase, with a mean value of 1.86 ± 0.21. However, exposure to 8 °C for 24 h did not lead to an increase in transcript levels. Indeed, transcript levels of ATP6, ATP8, ND1, ND3, and ND4 were significantly downregulated, to 0.48 ± 0.11, 0.68 ± 0.07, 0.41 ± 0.08, 0.54 ± 0.10, and 0.52 ± 0.07, respectively, as compared with controls. Exposure to a hot environment of 34 °C for 24 h led to an increase in transcript levels of COI, COII, COIII, ND3, ND5, CYTB, and ATP6, with values that were 3.3 ± 0.24, 2.0 ± 0.2, 2.70 ± 1.06, 1.57 ± 0,08, 1.47 ± 0.13, 1.39 ± 0.56, and 1.86 ± 0.12, respectively, over controls. By contrast, ND4L exhibited a significant decrease (to 0.31 ± 0.01) compared with controls. When exposed to 38 °C, the transcript levels of the 13 PCGs significantly increased, ranging from a 2.04 ± 0.23 increase in ND1 to a 6.30 ± 0.96 rise in ND6. Under two different levels of cold and heat stress, the expression patterns of mitochondrial genes in S. incognitus vary, possibly associated with different strategies employed by this species in response to low and high temperatures, allowing for rapid compensatory adjustments in mitochondrial electron transport chain proteins in response to temperature changes. Furthermore, this underscores once again the significant role of mitochondrial function in determining thermal plasticity in reptiles.
Ozone Therapy in the Integrated Treatment of Female Dogs with Mammary Cancer: Oxidative Profile and Quality of Life
Authors: Silva Laís Pereira , Portela Ricardo Wagner , Machado Marília Carneiro , Canuto Gisele André Baptista , Costa-Neto João Moreira , Carvalho Vitor de Moraes Pina de , Sá Hanna Carvalho de , Damasceno Karine Araújo , Souza Vinicius Ricardo Cuña de , Coelho Clarisse Simões , Estrela-Lima Alessandra
Published: June 2024

Considering the high frequency of malignant breast tumors, there is a growing search for new therapeutic strategies that control neoplastic growth and dissemination, combined with fewer adverse reactions. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of ozone therapy in female dogs with mammary cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Twenty-five canines diagnosed with malignant mammary neoplasia were divided into two groups: one treated with carboplatin alone (n = 11) and the other with carboplatin associated with ozone therapy (n = 14). Clinical and laboratory evaluations, mastectomy, analysis of the oxidative profile based on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), survival rate, and quality of life were performed. Animals in the ozone therapy group had higher concentrations of red blood cells and platelets, significantly improving the survival rate and quality of life. Furthermore, adverse reactions were less intense and frequent in this group, which was associated with an increase in TAC and a reduction in MDA. These results indicate that the combination of carboplatin and ozone therapy represents a promising complementary treatment for female dogs with mammary cancer, as it was associated with fewer adverse reactions and a better oxidative profile.
Palm Kernel Cake Extracts Obtained from the Combination of Bacterial Fermentation and Enzymic Hydrolysis Promote Swine Small Intestine IPEC-J2 Cell Proliferation and Alleviate LPS-Induced Inflammation In Vitro
Authors: Zeng Hui , Miao Jingna , Liao Jinghong , Sui Zhiyuan , Hou Meixin , Hang Suqin
Published: June 2024

Co-fermentation with bacteria and enzymes can reduce sugar content in palm kernel cake (PKC); however, the chemical changes and their effects on cell functionality are unclear. This study investigated the active components in pre-treated PKC extracts and their effects on pig small intestine IPEC-J2 cell proliferation and LPS-induced inflammation. The extracts contained 60.75% sugar, 36.80% mannose, 1.75% polyphenols and 0.59% flavone, as determined by chemical analyses, suggesting that the extracts were palm kernel cake oligosaccharides (PKCOS). Then, we found that 1000 µg/mL PKCOS counteracted the decrease in cell viability (CCK8 kit) caused by LPS induction by 5 µg/mL LPS (p < 0.05). Mechanistic studies conducted by RNA-seq and qPCR analyses suggested PKCOS promoted cell proliferation through the upregulation of TNF-α, PI3KAP1, MAP3K5 and Fos in the PI3K/MAPK signalling pathway; alleviated inflammation caused by LPS via the downregulation of the target genes Casp3 and TNF-α in association with apoptosis; and regulated the expression of the antioxidant genes SOD1, SOD2 and GPX4 to exert positive antioxidant effects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, PKCOS upregulated SLC5A1 (encoding SLGT1), HK and MPI in the glycolytic pathway (p < 0.05), suggesting cell survival. In summary, PKCOS has positive effects on promoting swine intestine cell proliferation against inflammation.
Temporal Evolution, Oscillation and Coherence Characteristics Analysis of Global Solar Radiation Distribution in Major Cities in China’s Solar-Energy-Available Region Based on Continuous Wavelet Transform
Authors: Xue Haowen , Li Guoxin , Qi Dawei , Ni Haiming
Published: June 2024

The majority of the energy required for human survival is derived either directly or indirectly from solar radiation, thus it is important to investigate the periodic fluctuations in global solar radiation over time. In this study, six cities—Harbin, Shenyang, Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Guangzhou—located in the utilizable areas of solar energy in China, were selected, and the periodicity of the daily global solar radiation of these six cities with time were investigated by means of wavelet power spectrum analysis. Furthermore, Harbin, which has the lowest monthly average of global solar radiation in the cold of winter, was selected to explore the temporal evolution relationship between global solar radiation and other meteorological factors, and air quality factors by wavelet coherence analysis. Among the meteorological factors, the correlation between global solar radiation and sunshine duration exhibits the highest level of consistency. Global solar radiation demonstrates a positive association with atmospheric temperature/wind speed/precipitation over the annual cycle. Conversely, it displays a negative correlation with atmospheric pressure during this time frame. Additionally, on shorter timescales, global solar radiation is negatively correlated with air humidity and precipitation. Among air quality factors, the relationship between global solar radiation and CO/NO2/O3/PM2.5/PM10/SO2 primarily manifests in the broader annual cycle time scale. Within this context, global solar radiation shows a positive correlation with O3, while displaying negative associations with the other five air quality indicators. These findings contribute to urban environmental planning and the effective management and utilization of solar radiation, thereby providing valuable insights to guide the future development of cross-regional comprehensive energy utilization projects under diverse climatic and geographical conditions. Additionally, they serve as a reference for subsequent research aimed at enhancing the accuracy of global solar radiation prediction models.
Sideband Vibro-Acoustics Suppression and Numerical Prediction of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Based on Markov Chain Random Carrier Frequency Modulation
Authors: Chen Yong , Yan Bingxiao , Zhang Liming , Yao Kefu , Jiang Xue
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a Markov chain random carrier frequency modulation (MRCFM) technique for suppressing sideband vibro-acoustic responses caused by discontinuous pulse-width modulation (DPWM) in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) for new energy vehicles. Firstly, the spectral and order distributions of the sideband current harmonics and radial electromagnetic forces introduced by DPWM are characterized and identified. Then, the principle and implementation method of three-state Markov chain random number generation are proposed, and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is chosen to quickly find the key parameters of transition probability and random gain. A Simulink and JMAG multi-physics field co-simulation model is built to simulate and predict the suppression effect of the MRCFM method on the sideband vibro-acoustic response. Finally, a 12-slot-10-pole PMSM test platform is built for experimental testing. The results show that the sideband current harmonics and vibro-acoustic response are effectively suppressed after the optimization of Markov chain algorithm. The constructed multi-physics field co-simulation model can accurately predict the amplitude characteristics of the sideband current harmonics and vibro-acoustic response.
Dynamic Matching of Reconstruction and Anti-Aliasing Filters in Adaptive Active Noise Control
Authors: Zhang Fangjie , Wu Yanqin , Wang Yifan , Li Xiaodong
Published: June 2024

Constrained by the computing power, adaptive active noise control systems often have a low sampling rate. Therefore, reconstruction filters and anti-aliasing filters with fixed parameters are generally adopted to eliminate the mirror noise and aliasing noise, respectively; however, they may boost the group delay of the system. A dynamic matching method based on dual sampling rates is proposed to dynamically adjust the parameters of the reconstruction and anti-aliasing filters, according to the characteristics of the primary sound source, for a compromise between high-frequency noise and group delay. In digital high-sampling-rate regions, data that include high-frequency information are analyzed regularly, following which the parameters of the reconstruction filters and those of the anti-aliasing filters are dynamically matched. In digital low-sampling-rate regions, the estimation of the secondary path transfer function is updated. The results of laboratory experiments show that the proposed method not only can suppress the mirror and aliasing noise for primary sound sources with different spectra, but can also effectively reduce the group delay and improve the noise reduction performance of a system.
DualTrans: A Novel Glioma Segmentation Framework Based on a Dual-Path Encoder Network and Multi-View Dynamic Fusion Model
Authors: Li Zongren , Silamu Wushouer , Ma Yajing , Li Yanbing
Published: June 2024

Segmentation methods based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) have achieved remarkable results in the field of medical image segmentation due to their powerful representation capabilities. However, for brain-tumor segmentation, owing to the significant variations in shape, texture, and location, traditional convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with limited convolutional kernel-receptive fields struggle to model explicit long-range (global) dependencies, thereby restricting segmentation accuracy and making it difficult to accurately identify tumor boundaries in medical imaging. As a result, researchers have introduced the Swin Transformer, which has the capability to model long-distance dependencies, into the field of brain-tumor segmentation, offering unique advantages in the global modeling and semantic interaction of remote information. However, due to the high computational complexity of the Swin Transformer and its reliance on large-scale pretraining, it faces constraints when processing large-scale medical images. Therefore, this study addresses this issue by proposing a smaller network, consisting of a dual-encoder network, which also resolves the instability issue that arises in the training process of large-scale visual models with the Swin Transformer, where activation values of residual units accumulate layer by layer, leading to a significant increase in differences in activation amplitudes across layers and causing model instability. The results of the experimental validation using real data show that our dual-encoder network has achieved significant performance improvements, and it also demonstrates a strong appeal in reducing computational complexity.
Primary and Secondary Stability Assessments of Dental Implants According to Their Macro-Design, Length, Width, Location, and Bone Quality
Authors: Quispe-López Norberto , Martín-Martín Soraya , Gómez-Polo Cristina , Figueras-Alvarez Oscar , Sánchez-Jorge María Isabel , Montero Javier
Published: June 2024

Some evidence supports the influence of implant macro-design on primary stability. Additionally, tactile perception can be used to assess implant stability when placing the implant. This research aimed to quantify the primary and secondary stability of three implant systems with two different macro geometries (cylindrical and conical) determined based on the insertion torque and the implant stability quotient (ISQ) at the moment of implant placement as a function of implant-related factors (length, width, dental arch, and implant location in the arch), intraoperative factors (bone density determined subjectively by the clinician’s tactile perception), and patient-related factors (age, gender, and bone density determined objectively based on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: 102 implants from three implant systems with two different macro geometries (conical and cylindrical) were placed in 53 patients. The insertion torque, the ISQ at the implant placement (ISQ0), and the bone quality according to the clinician’s tactile sensation were recorded on the day of the surgery. After a three-month healing period, the ISQ was re-evaluated (ISQ3). Results: The cylindrical implants exhibited significantly higher insertion torque and ISQ values at the moment of the surgery and after three months compared to the conical implants. The cylindrical implants also showed significantly lower indices of tactile evaluation of bone quality during the implant placement surgery. However, no differences were demonstrated in the bone density measured objectively using CBCT. (4) Conclusions: The cylindrical implants achieved the highest values for primary stability (Newtons × centimeter (Ncm) and ISQ) and secondary stability (ISQ after three months). The insertion torque was the variable that most influenced the ISQ on the day of the surgery. The implant location (incisors–canines, bicuspids–molars) and the implant macro geometry were the variables that most influenced the secondary stability (ISQ at three months).
Growth, Fatty Acid Profile and Malondialdehyde Concentration of Meagre Argyrosomus regius Fed Diets with Different Lipid Content
Authors: Matulić Daniel , Blažina Maria , Pritišanac Ena , Čolak Slavica , Bavčević Lav , Barić Renata , Križanac Silvia , Vitlov Božena , Šuran Jelena , Strunjak Perović Ivančica , Tomljanović Tea
Published: June 2024

The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth, fatty acid profile and concentration of malondialdehyde of muscle tissue of meagre Argyrosomus regius fed diets with different lipid content. The long-term experiment was conducted in three feeding groups: A (CP = 52.0; CL = 21.0), B (CP = 56.0; CL = 18.0), C (CP = 48.0; CL = 16.0) with two replicates in marine net cages on Bisage Island, Adriatic Sea over 20 months. At the beginning of the experiment, fish were of equal weight (6.83 ± 1.03 g) and length (8.57 ± 0.49 cm) and were fed to satiation during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the fish from each feeding group (n = 110) were measured and muscle tissue was collected (n = 60) and stored at −80 °C until analysis. The final weight and condition factor were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups. The highest ratio of crude fats and n-3/n-6-fatty acids was found in the muscle tissue of group A. Fish fed diet A also exhibited higher MDA levels compared to fish in the other feeding groups, indicating elevated levels of lipid peroxidation in muscle tissues. Experimental feeding group A showed better growth performance, a higher content of the beneficial fatty acids EPA and DHA and a more favorable n-3/n-6 ratio than feeding groups B and C. Continuously monitoring and adjusting feeding protocols in accordance with lipid content and fatty acid composition could maximize growth and health outcomes in meagre farming.
The Impact of Induced Acceleration Perturbations in Selected Phases of the Gait Cycle on Kinematic and Kinetic Parameters
Authors: Ciunelis Kajetan , Borkowski Rafał , Błażkiewicz Michalina
Published: June 2024

Background: The prevalence of falls among the older population underscores the imperative of comprehending human adaptations to gait perturbations. Dual-belt treadmills offer a controlled setting for such investigations. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the acceleration of one belt of the treadmill during three different phases of the gait cycle on kinematic and kinetic parameters and relate these changes to unperturbed gait. Methods: Twenty-one healthy young females walked on a treadmill in a virtual environment, in which five unexpected perturbations were applied to the left belt at the Initial Contact (IC), Mid Stance (MS), and Pre-Swing (PS) phase of the gait cycle. Data from the undisturbed gait and the first disturbance of each trial were extracted for analysis. Results: All perturbations significantly affected the gait pattern, mainly by decreasing the knee extension angle. The perturbation in the IC phase had the most significant effect, resulting in a 248.48% increase in knee flexion torque. The perturbation in the MS phase mainly affected plantar flexion torque, increasing it by 118.18%, while perturbation in the PS phase primarily increased the hip extension torque by 73.02%. Conclusions: The presence of perturbations in the IC and PS phases caused the most aggressive and significant changes in gait parameters.
The Influence of Yeast Strain on the Chemical, Chromatic, and Sensory Characteristics of ‘Wodarz’ Apple Cider
Authors: Wang Zhuoyu , Svyantek Andrej , Bogenrief Sarah , Kadium Venkateswara Rao , Hatterman-Valenti Harlene
Published: June 2024

A regionally developed and adapted dessert apple, ‘Wodarz’, was explored for its potential in apple cider production because of its consistent productivity when other apple cultivars have struggled with North Dakota’s climate. Due to the importance of yeast strain on the perceived quality of fermentation products, five commercial yeast strains, three wine yeasts (EC1118, Maurivin B, and 71B), and two cider yeasts (WLP775 and WY4766) were evaluated for their impact on the physicochemical properties, color, and sensory characteristics of ‘Wodarz’ cider. By assessing dynamic changes, such as spectral properties and sugar content, a comparison among yeasts was conducted across multiple dimensions. The lightness, chroma, and hue all showed variations throughout fermentation, though not across the final ciders. However, differences in the final color of the ciders were identified via ΔE calculations. Each yeast contributed different aromas and tastes to the final ciders. Among yeast strains, EC1118 had the strongest aroma intensity. Despite having subdued aroma intensity, 71B had strong acidity tastes and WLP775 had strong fruity tastes. Thus, our research suggests that yeast strains are an applicable factor in determining the final sensory attributes of local ‘Wodarz’ cider. This is the first report of fermentation outcomes using ‘Wodarz’ apples for cider. ‘Wodarz’ can be aromatically described using terms such as apple, honey, herbal, rose, and floral and fruit notes. The overall taste of ‘Wodarz’ cider is characterized by apple, honey, and rose notes followed by black pepper and grass.
A Conservation Strategy for the Sanatorio Carlos Duran Cartín in Costa Rica
Authors: Sibaja Matamoros Andrea Elena , Garzulino Andrea
Published: June 2024

The Sanatorio Carlos Duran Cartín in Costa Rica is a noteworthy example of tuberculosis sanatorium architecture. Positioned within the broader context of Latin American architectural heritage conservation, the research pays specific attention to tuberculosis sanatoriums as a prevalent architectural typology from the early 1900s to the 1940s. Its historical and cultural significance is explored through contextualizing its architectural value and identifying current challenges and conservation needs. Using archival documents and photographic evidence, the study aimed to delineate tangible and intangible values associated with the complex, thus justifying the need for its preservation and safeguarding. Furthermore, the study aimed to establish guidelines and a conceptual framework for a conservation strategy designed for the Sanatorio Duran.
Characterizing Dust and Biomass Burning Events from Sentinel-2 Imagery
Authors: Lolli Simone , Alparone Luciano , Arienzo Alberto , Garzelli Andrea
Published: June 2024

The detection and evaluation of biomass burning and dust events are critical for understanding their impact on air quality, climate, and human health, particularly in the Mediterranean region. This research pioneers an innovative methodology that uses Sentinel-2 multispectral (MS) imagery to meticulously pinpoint and analyze long-transport dust outbreaks and biomass burning phenomena, originating both locally and transported from remote areas. We developed the dust/biomass burning (DBB) composite normalized differential index, a tool that identifies clear, dusty, and biomass burning scenarios in the selected region. The DBB index jointly employs specific Sentinel-2 bands: B2-B3-B4 for visible light analysis, and B11 and B12 for short-wave infrared (SWIR), exploiting the specificity of each wavelength to assess the presence of different aerosols. A key feature of the DBB index is its normalization by the surface reflectance of the scene, which ensures independence from the underlying texture, such as streets and buildings, for urban areas. The differentiation involves the comparison of the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance values from aerosol events with those from clear-sky reference images, thereby constituting a sort of calibration. The index is tailored for urban settings, where Sentinel-2 imagery provides a decametric spatial resolution and revisit time of 5 days. The average values of DBB achieve a 96% match with the coarse-mode aerosol optical depths (AOD), measured by a local station of the AERONET network of sun-photometers. In future studies, the map of DBB could be integrated with that achieved from Sentinel-3 images, which offer similar spectral bands, albeit with much less fine spatial resolution, yet benefit from daily coverage.
Multi-Scale Urban Natural Ventilation Climate Guidance: A Case Study in the Shijiazhuang Metropolitan Area
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Fang Xiaoyi , Cheng Chen , Chen Jing , Guo Fengxia , Yu Ying , Yang Shanshan
Published: June 2024

The rapid development of urbanization has caused obstructed urban natural ventilation and the contribution rate of urbanization is relatively high. Therefore, there is an urgent need for urban development planning that should respect natural ventilation and local climate to reduce negative impacts. By optimizing the urban construction layout to reduce obstruction and leave a passageway for wind to blow in, the natural ventilation environment could be improved. This paper presents a promising approach for natural ventilation planning at both the city and community scales. Based on the assessment of wind environment, heat island intensity, and ventilation potential, the results revealed that winds blowing from the western and northern mountainous area of Shijiazhuang play a natural ventilation inlet role which can provide clean air. The SSHI and SHI were mainly distributed within the Second Ring Road, which has a large proportion of the low ventilation potential level. Thus, six first-class ventilation corridors and thirteen secondary corridors were recommended, which were set to be adapted to the dominant wind direction. Subsequently, an urban climate analysis map (UCAnMap) was developed considering climate sensitivity, and planning recommendations were provided for different climate zones. The relationship between architectural spatial structure and ventilation efficiency was analyzed; the results revealed that increasing the height of the buildings will decrease the proportion of comfortable wind zones, and the overall ventilation efficiency will weaken, so the average building height of a typical block should be controlled within 45 m, which matches ventilation performance requirements. The ventilation efficiency of the block has a certain negative correlation with the building density, and as the building density decreased by more than 10%, the proportion of the comfortable wind zones could increase by 4–5%.
Towards Sustainable Mobility: Assessing the Benefits and Implications of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle Bans and Battery Electric Vehicle Uptake in Qatar
Authors: Alishaq Abdulla , Mehlig Daniel
Published: June 2024

The global shift towards sustainable transportation, primarily through vehicle electrification, is critical in addressing climate change. Qatar presents a knowledge gap with specific challenges and opportunities in this transition. This study calculates the potential reduction in CO2-eq, NOx, and PM2.5 emissions resulting from substituting Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs) with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in Qatar, considering ICEV ban scenarios in 2030, 2035, and 2040, alongside five policy pathways. A Vehicle Stock Model (VSM) simulates Qatar’s fleet evolution from 2022 to 2050, focusing on the vehicle’s operational phase. An ICEV ban in 2030 would result in a 34% cumulative emission reduction in road transport between 2022 and 2050 compared with the Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario. For NOx and PM2.5, cumulative emissions for the 2030 ICEV ban pathways are approximately 20% and 9% lower, respectively, compared with BAU. This study underscores the necessity of localising environmental strategies to meet Qatar’s specific needs and climate commitments, where results indicate significant emission reductions are possible through BEVs.
Machine Learning to Characterize Biogenic Isoprene Emissions and Atmospheric Formaldehyde with Their Environmental Drivers in the Marine Boundary Layer
Authors: Wang Tianyu , Wang Shanshan , Xue Ruibin , Tan Yibing , Zhang Sanbao , Gu Chuanqi , Zhou Bin
Published: June 2024

Oceanic biogenic emissions exert a significant impact on the atmospheric environment within the marine boundary layer (MBL). This study employs the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) machine learning method and clustering method combined with satellite observations and model simulations to discuss the effects of marine biogenic emissions on MBL formaldehyde (HCHO). The study reveals that HCHO columnar concentrations peaked in summer with 8.25 × 1015 molec/cm2, but the sea–air exchange processes controlled under the wind and sea surface temperature (SST) made marine biogenic emissions represented by isoprene reach their highest levels in winter with 95.93 nmol/m2/day. Analysis was conducted separately for factors influencing marine biogenic emissions and affecting MBL HCHO. It was found that phytoplankton functional types (PFTs) and biological degradation had a significant impact on marine biogenic emissions, with ratio range of 0.07~15.87 and 1.02~5.42 respectively. Machine learning methods were employed to simulate the conversion process of marine biogenic emissions to HCHO in MBL. Based on the SHAP values of the learning model, the importance results indicate that the factors influencing MBL HCHO mainly included NO2, as well as temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). Specifically, the influence of NO2 on atmospheric HCHO was 1.3 times that of T and 1.6 times that of RH. Wind speed affected HCHO by influencing both marine biogenic emission and the atmospheric physical conditions. Increased marine biogenic emissions in air masses heavily influenced by human activities can reduce HCHO levels to some extent. However, in areas less affected by human activities, marine biogenic emissions can lead to higher levels of HCHO pollution. This research explores the impact of marine biogenic emissions on the HCHO status of the MBL under different atmospheric chemical conditions, offering significant insights into understanding chemical processes in marine atmospheres.
An Accelerated Dual-Integral Structure Zeroing Neural Network Resistant to Linear Noise for Dynamic Complex Matrix Inversion
Authors: Yang Feixiang , Wang Tinglei , Huang Yun
Published: June 2024

The problem of inverting dynamic complex matrices remains a central and intricate challenge that has garnered significant attention in scientific and mathematical research. The zeroing neural network (ZNN) has been a notable approach, utilizing time derivatives for real-time solutions in noiseless settings. However, real-world disturbances pose a significant challenge to a ZNN’s convergence. We design an accelerated dual-integral structure zeroing neural network (ADISZNN), which can enhance convergence and restrict linear noise, particularly in complex domains. Based on the Lyapunov principle, theoretical analysis proves the convergence and robustness of ADISZNN. We have selectively integrated the SBPAF activation function, and through theoretical dissection and comparative experimental validation we have affirmed the efficacy and accuracy of our activation function selection strategy. After conducting numerous experiments, we discovered oscillations and improved the model accordingly, resulting in the ADISZNN-Stable model. This advanced model surpasses current models in both linear noisy and noise-free environments, delivering a more rapid and stable convergence, marking a significant leap forward in the field.