bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Emissions—Part 1: Chemical Composition of Fine Particles (PM2.5)
Authors: Claassen Matthew , Bingham Bjoern , Chow Judith C. , Watson John G. , Wang Yan , Wang Xiaoliang
Published: August 2024

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) pose a safety risk due to their high specific energy density and toxic ingredients. Fire caused by LIB thermal runaway (TR) can be catastrophic within enclosed spaces where emission ventilation or occupant evacuation is challenging or impossible. The fine smoke particles (PM2.5) produced during a fire can deposit in deep parts of the lung and trigger various adverse health effects. This study characterizes the chemical composition of PM2.5 released from TR-driven combustion of cylindrical lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and pouch-style lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) LIB cells. Emissions from cell venting and flaming combustion were measured in real time and captured by filter assemblies for subsequent analyses of organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), elements, and water-soluble ions. The most abundant PM2.5 constituents were OC, EC, phosphate (PO43−), and fluoride (F−), contributing 7–91%, 0.2–40%, 1–44%, and 0.7–3% to the PM2.5 mass, respectively. While OC was more abundant during cell venting, EC and PO43− were more abundant when flaming combustion occurred. These freshly emitted particles were acidic. Overall, particles from LFP tests had higher OM but lower EC compared to LCO tests, consistent with the higher thermal stability of LFP cells.
Research on Dual-Phase Composite Forming Process and Platform Construction of Radial Gradient Long Bone Scaffold
Authors: Zhang Haiguang , Wang Rui , Song Yongteng , Wang Yahao , Hu Qingxi
Published: August 2024

The structure and composition of natural bone show gradient changes. Most bone scaffolds prepared by bone tissue engineering with single materials and structures present difficulties in meeting the needs of bone defect repair. Based on the structure and composition of natural long bones, this study proposed a new bone scaffold preparation technology, the dual-phase composite forming process. Based on the composite use of multiple biomaterials, a bionic natural long bone structure bone scaffold model with bone scaffold pore structure gradient and material concentration gradient changes along the radial direction was designed. Different from the traditional method of using multiple nozzles to achieve material concentration gradient in the scaffold, the dual-phase composite forming process in this study achieved continuous 3D printing preparation of bone scaffolds with gradual material concentration gradient by controlling the speed of extruding materials from two feed barrels into a closed mixing chamber with one nozzle. Through morphological characterization and mechanical property analysis, the results showed that BS-G (radial gradient long bone scaffolds prepared by the dual-phase composite forming process) had obvious pore structure gradient changes and material concentration gradient changes, while BS-T (radial gradient long bone scaffolds prepared by printing three concentrations of material in separate regions) had a discontinuous gradient with obvious boundaries between the parts. The compressive strength of BS-G was 1.00 ± 0.19 MPa, which was higher than the compressive strength of BS-T, and the compressive strength of BS-G also met the needs of bone defect repair. The results of in vitro cell culture tests showed that BS-G had no cytotoxicity. In a Sprague–Dawley rat experimental model, blood tests and key organ sections showed no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. The prepared BS-G was verified to have good biocompatibility and lays a foundation for the subsequent study of the bone repair effect of radial gradient long bone scaffolds in large animals.
Production of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) by Haloferax mediterranei Using Candy Industry Waste as Raw Materials
Authors: Simó-Cabrera Lorena , García-Chumillas Salvador , Benitez-Benitez Sergio J. , Cánovas Verónica , Monzó Fuensanta , Pire Carmen , Martínez-Espinosa Rosa María
Published: August 2024

The haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei synthesizes poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) under unfavorable nutritional conditions without the addition of any precursor to the culture, which is an advantage compared to other microbial counterparts able to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). PHBV is a biodegradable polymer showing physiochemical properties of biotechnological and biomedical interest and can be used as an alternative to plastics made from chemical synthesis (which are not environmentally friendly). The versatile metabolism of H. mediterranei makes the use of waste as a carbon source for cellular growth and PHA synthesis possible. In this work, cellular growth and the production and characterization of PHBV using two different types of confectionery waste were analyzed and compared with cellular growth and PHBV synthesis in a standard culture media with glucose of analytical grade as a carbon source. The PHBV granules produced were analyzed by TEM and the biopolymer was isolated and characterized by GC-MS, FTIR NMR, and DSC. The results reveal that H. mediterranei can use these two residues (R1 and R2) for pure PHBV production, achieving 0.256 and 0.983 g PHBV/L, respectively, which are among the highest yields so far described using for the first-time waste from the candy industry. Thus, a circular economy-based process has been designed to optimize the upscaling of PHBV production by using haloarchaea as cell factories and valorizing confectionery waste.
Biomimetic Strategies for Sustainable Resilient Cities: Review across Scales and City Systems
Authors: Borham Omar , Croxford Ben , Wilson Duncan
Published: August 2024

Biomimicry applications in different domains, from material science to technology, have proven to be promising in inspiring innovative solutions for present-day challenges. However, biomimetic applications in the built environment face several barriers including the absence of biological knowledge of architects and planners and the lack of an adequate common means to transfer biomimetic concepts into strategies applicable in the urban context. This review aims to create a multidimensional relational database of biomimetic strategies from successful precedent case studies in the built environment across different city systems and on different application scales. To achieve this, a thorough systematic search of the literature was implemented to map relevant biomimetic case studies, which are analyzed to extract biomimetic strategies that proved to be applicable and successful in an urban context. These strategies are then classified and documented in a relational database. This will provide a guide for architects and planners on how to transfer biomimetic strategies to strategies applicable in the urban context, thus bridging the gap of their lack of biological knowledge. The resulting matrix of strategies provides potential strategies across most of the different city systems and scales with few exceptions. This gap will be covered in a future work, currently in progress, to expand the database to include all city systems and scales.
Developing New Peptides and Peptide–Drug Conjugates for Targeting the FGFR2 Receptor-Expressing Tumor Cells and 3D Spheroids
Authors: Biggs Mary A. , Das Amrita , Goncalves Beatriz G. , Murray Molly E. , Frantzeskos Sophia A. , Hunt Hannah L. , Phan Chau Ahn N. , Banerjee Ipsita A.
Published: August 2024

In this work, we utilized a biomimetic approach for targeting KATO (III) tumor cells and 3D tumoroids. Specifically, the binding interactions of the bioactive short peptide sequences ACSAG (A-pep) and LPHVLTPEAGAT (L-pep) with the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR2) kinase domain was investigated for the first time. Both peptides have been shown to be derived from natural resources previously. We then created a new fusion trimer peptide ACSAG-LPHVLTPEAGAT-GASCA (Trimer-pep) and investigated its binding interactions with the FGFR2 kinase domain in order to target the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), which is many overexpressed in tumor cells. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed critical interactions with the activation loop, hinge and glycine-rich loop regions of the FGFR2 kinase domain. To develop these peptides for drug delivery, DOX (Doxorubicin) conjugates of the peptides were created. Furthermore, the binding of the peptides with the kinase domain was further confirmed through surface plasmon resonance studies. Cell studies with gastric cancer cells (KATO III) revealed that the conjugates and the peptides induced higher cytotoxicity in the tumor cells compared to normal cells. Following confirmation of cytotoxicity against tumor cells, the ability of the conjugates and the peptides to penetrate 3D spheroids was investigated by evaluating their permeation in co-cultured spheroids grown with KATO (III) and colon tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Results demonstrated that Trimer-pep conjugated with DOX showed the highest permeation, while the ACSAG conjugate also demonstrated reasonable permeation of the drug. These results indicate that these peptides may be further explored and potentially utilized to create drug conjugates for targeting tumor cells expressing FGFR2 for developing therapeutics.
Radiation Dose-Induced Carotid Artery Stenosis and Brain Necrosis in Head and Neck Cancer—A Real World Cohort Study
Authors: Leung Henry W. C. , Wang Shyh-Yau , Lin Cheng-Li , Chan Agnes L. F.
Published: August 2024

Objective: This study aims to examine whether radiation therapy doses are related to incidences of carotid artery stenosis and brain necrosis in a large-scale real-world database. Methods: We identified a cohort of HNC patients from the catastrophic illness patient dataset using ICD-9 or ICD-10 to compare the incidence and risks of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and brain necrosis (RIBN) in patients who received a radiation therapy dose of ≥5400 cGy/30 fractions (group A) with those who received a radiation therapy dose of <5400 cGy/30 fractions (group B). The incidence and hazard ratios were quantified using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: A total of 19,964 patients were identified in group A and group B. Among them, 965 and 863 cases of CAS and 435 and 359 cases of RIBN were identified in group A and group B, respectively. There was no statistically significant association between the two groups for CAS risk, whereas there was a statistically significant association between the two groups for RIBN risk. The most common primary site of head and neck cancers was the nasopharynx (1144 of 19,964, 5.73%). Conclusions: Our study suggests that RT may increase the risk of carotid stenosis and brain necrosis in patients with NPC. To ensure patient safety during treatment, the optimal balance between tumor control and toxicity prevention in individual patients through minimization of the radiation dose to all relevant OARs must be properly understood.
Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS): Immunological Features Underpinning Controversial Entities
Authors: Leonardi Lucia , Perna Camilla , Bernabei Irene , Fiore Marco , Ma Meiqian , Frankovich Jennifer , Tarani Luigi , Spalice Alberto
Published: August 2024

Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), represent an overlapping group of disorders which is characterized by acute-onset obsessive compulsive disorders, eating restriction, tics, cognitive and behavioral deterioration which typically follows a relapsing-remitting course but some patients have a primary or secondary persistent progress. This condition is likely caused by heterogeneous inflammatory mechanisms (autoantibodies, complement activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine production) involving the basal ganglia as evidenced by imaging studies (patients vs. controls), sleep studies that found movements and/or atonia during REM sleep, and neurological soft signs that go along with basal ganglia dysfunction. The condition causes significant psychiatric and behavioral symptoms, caregiver burden and sleep abnormalities. Autoantibodies resulting from molecular mimicry of infectious agents (namely group A Streptococcus) and neuronal autoantigens that map to the basal ganglia play also a subtle role. This narrative review aims to describe the key immunological features documented thus far and that likely play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of this disorder.
The Study of Environmental Exposure of Mothers and Infants Impacted by Large-Scale Agriculture (SEMILLA): Description of the Aims and Methods of a Community-Based Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Handal Alexis J. , Orozco Fadya , Montenegro Stephanie , Cadena Nataly , Muñoz Fabián , Ramírez del Rio Eileen , Kaciroti Niko
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: Women of childbearing age not only reside in agricultural communities but also form an integral part of the agricultural labor force. Limited research investigates the impact of prenatal fungicide exposure on infant health, specifically ethylenebisdithiocarbamates and their toxic by-product, ethylenethiourea (ETU), particularly in occupational settings. This paper describes the background, aims, protocol, and baseline sample characteristics for the SEMILLA study, which investigates prenatal ETU exposure, neonatal thyroid function, infant growth, and neurobehavioral development in an agricultural region of Ecuador. Methods: This cohort study follows pregnant women and their infants up to 18 months of age, incorporating urinary biomarkers and survey data on ETU exposure and infant growth and neurodevelopmental measures. Data collection includes detailed questionnaires, scales, and physical examinations on maternal and infant health and development, as well as environmental factors. Descriptive statistics on key characteristics of the study population at baseline are presented. Results: SEMILLA enrolled 409 participants (72% enrollment rate): 111 agricultural workers (mostly floricultural), 149 non-agricultural workers, and 149 non-workers. Baseline characteristics show comparability between work sector groups, with some economic differences. Conclusions: SEMILLA will provide key evidence on prenatal fungicide exposure and infant development and encompass comprehensive multistage data collection procedures in pregnancy and infancy, focusing on structural and social determinants of health as well as individual-level chemical exposures. The community-based approach has proven essential, even amid challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. The medium-term objective is to inform sustainable interventions promoting maternal and child health, with a long-term goal to reduce community exposures and improve worker health policies, particularly for women and pregnant workers.
Advances in Juvenile Dermatomyositis: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatment and Interstitial Lung Diseases—A Narrative Review
Authors: Kobayashi Ichiro
Published: August 2024

Juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (JIIM) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease characterized by skeletal muscle weakness with or without a skin rash. Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is the most common subtype of JIIM, accounting for 80% of JIIM. Recent studies identified several myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) and myositis-associated autoantibodies (MAAs). Each MSA or MAA is associated with distinct clinical features and outcomes, although there are several differences in the prevalence of MSA/MAA and autoantibody–phenotype relationships between age and ethnic groups. Histopathological studies have revealed critical roles of type I interferons and vasculopathy in the development of JDM. Serological classification mostly corresponds to clinicopathological classification. Novel therapeutic agents, such as biologics and Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), have been developed; however, to date, there is a lack of high-level evidence. As advances in treatment have reduced the mortality rate of JIIM, recent studies have focused on medium- and long-term outcomes. However, rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) remains a major cause of death in anti-melanoma differentiation gene 5 autoantibody-positive JDM. Early diagnosis and intervention using a multi-drug regimen is critical for the treatment of RP-ILD. Rituximab and JAKi may reduce mortality in patients with JDM-associated RP-ILD refractory to conventional therapy.
Pogostemon cablin Extract Promotes Wound Healing through OR2AT4 Activation and Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Authors: Choo Jung Ha , Kim Daehyun , Min Kyoungin , Lee So Young , Kang Nae Gyu
Published: August 2024

Skin healing occurs through an intricate process called wound healing which comprises four phases: coagulation and hemostasis, inflammation, cellular proliferation, and remodeling. Chronic wounds often arise because of prolonged or excessive inflammation, which hinders the healing process and wound closure. Despite the recognized efficacy of Pogostemon cablin (patchouli) in wound healing, the precise mechanism of action of Pogostemon cablin extract (PCE) on inflammation and wound healing remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of PCE on cell proliferation and wound healing, as well as its anti-inflammatory activity, using in vitro experiments. We found that PCE increased cell proliferation and expression of the cell proliferation marker Ki67 and accelerated wound healing in human keratinocytes through the activation of OR2AT4. Furthermore, PCE exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and -8 in lipopolysaccharide-treated and TNF-α-exposed THP-1 and HaCaT cells, respectively. Overall, these findings suggest that PCE holds therapeutic potential by promoting cell proliferation, facilitating wound healing, and exerting anti-inflammatory effects.
Two Decades of Advances and Limitations in Organ Recellularization
Authors: Stoian Alina , Adil Aisha , Biniazan Felor , Haykal Siba
Published: August 2024

The recellularization of tissues after decellularization is a relatively new technology in the field of tissue engineering (TE). Decellularization involves removing cells from a tissue or organ, leaving only the extracellular matrix (ECM). This can then be recellularized with new cells to create functional tissues or organs. The first significant mention of recellularization in decellularized tissues can be traced to research conducted in the early 2000s. One of the landmark studies in this field was published in 2008 by Ott, where researchers demonstrated the recellularization of a decellularized rat heart with cardiac cells, resulting in a functional organ capable of contraction. Since then, other important studies have been published. These studies paved the way for the widespread application of recellularization in TE, demonstrating the potential of decellularized ECM to serve as a scaffold for regenerating functional tissues. Thus, although the concept of recellularization was initially explored in previous decades, these studies from the 2000s marked a major turning point in the development and practical application of the technology for the recellularization of decellularized tissues. The article reviews the historical advances and limitations in organ recellularization in TE over the last two decades.
Pushing the Limits: Aesthetic Surgery Breakthrough in a High-Dose Cortisone Dermatomyositis Patient
Authors: Sobec Raluca Laura , Giuglea Carmen , Dobreanu Codrin Nicolae , Zdroba Sorin , Florea Lavinia Iulia
Published: August 2024

Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and skin rashes. Management typically involves high-dose cortisone treatment, which raises concerns about the feasibility and safety of aesthetic surgeries for affected individuals. This case report presents a successful outcome of an aesthetic surgery conducted on a dermatomyositis patient undergoing high-dose cortisone therapy. The patient, a 39-year-old female with a history of juvenile dermatomyositis, expressed a desire for aesthetic improvement, first in the periocular area and then in terms of the appearance of her breasts. Despite the challenges posed by the underlying condition and ongoing corticosteroid treatment, the patient underwent elective aesthetic surgeries with meticulous perioperative care and close collaboration between the surgical, anesthetic, and rheumatology teams. The successful outcome of the procedures enhanced the patient’s self-esteem and quality of life. This case underscores the importance of individualized treatment planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and careful perioperative management for achieving favorable aesthetic outcomes for patients with dermatomyositis undergoing corticosteroid therapy for more than 20 years. Further research and awareness are warranted to guide the safe performance of aesthetic surgeries on this unique patient population.
ESCRT Protein VPS4A Is Required for the Formation of Replication Centers and Replication of Human Coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E)
Authors: Kumar Rinki , Maldonado Rebecca Kaddis , Christensen Neil D. , Bewley Maria C. , Flanagan John M. , Buchkovich Nicholas J. , Parent Leslie J.
Published: August 2024

Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) is an alpha coronavirus that infects humans and bats. In common with all positive-strand RNA viruses, 229E infection causes rearrangements of the host’s intracellular membranes to form replication organelles, a highly conserved and vital step in the viral replication cycle. Here, we investigated the role of the ESCRT protein VPS4A in 229E infection. We found that functional VPS4A was required for the formation of replication organelles and localizing viral RNA to these structures in host cells to facilitate viral genome replication. We validated this effect using small molecule inhibitors to VPS4A, significantly reducing virus replication. We also showed that other ESCRTS, like CHMP4B, were required for the virus replication step, whereas VPS37A was involved in the post-replication stages. The absence of a functional VPS4A prevented the remodeling of membranes to form viral replication centers and, therefore, exposed the viral RNA, triggering an inflammatory immune response as indicated by elevated levels of IL-6. Interestingly, we observed the role of VPS4A to be similar for the OC43 coronavirus, indicating it could be conserved across all four coronavirus genera, including SARS-CoV-2. Understanding more about the replication of coronaviruses is imperative to finding more effective ways to control them.
Efficient Commutative PQC Algorithms on Isogenies of Edwards Curves
Authors: Bessalov Anatoly , Sokolov Volodymyr , Abramov Serhii
Published: August 2024

The article presents the author’s works in the field of modifications and modeling of the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Commutative Supersingular Isogeny Diffie-Hellman (CSIDH) algorithm on non-cyclic supersingular Edwards curves and its predecessor Couveignes-Rostovtsev-Stolbunov (CRS) scheme on ordinary non-cyclic Edwards curves are reviewed. Lower estimates of the computational speed gains of the modified algorithms over the original ones are obtained. The most significant results were obtained by choosing classes of non-cyclic Edwards curves connected as quadratic twist pairs instead of cyclic complete Edwards curves, as well as the method of algorithm randomization as an alternative to “constant time CSIDH”. It is shown that in the CSIDH and Commutative Supersingular Isogeny Key Encapsulation (CSIKE) algorithms, there are two independent cryptosystems with the possibility of parallel computation, eliminating the threat of side-channel attacks. There are four such cryptosystems for the CRS scheme. Integral lower bound estimates of the performance gain of the modified CSIDH algorithm are obtained at 1.5 × 29, and for the CRS scheme are 3 × 29.
Revolutionizing Biomass Processing: The Design and Functionality of an Innovative Extruder for Sugarcane Bagasse Milling Pretreatment
Authors: Ramirez Cabrera Paula Andrea , Lozano Pérez Alejandra Sophia , Lozada Castro Juan José , Sierra Vargas Fabio Emiro , Guerrero Fajardo Carlos Alberto
Published: August 2024

Milling pretreatment is a crucial step in the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass such sugarcane bagasse because it facilitates access to cellulose for subsequent chemical treatments. However, most experiments have been conducted at the laboratory scale, where it has been identified that high energy is required for the processing of biomass. For this reason, it is proposed to implement the screw extruder technique for the processing of cellulose. This article focuses on the characteristics, types, and applications of milling pretreatment for sugarcane bagasse, with a particular emphasis on its role in lignin removal and the milling design. Milling pretreatment reduces the particle size of lignocellulose biomass through compression shear and tearing mechanisms, which enhances the accessibility of cellulose and hemicellulose to enzymes and chemicals, thereby improving the efficiency of bioconversion processes. Innovative mathematical modeling, a mechanical design in a CAD application, and an FEA analysis of the milling pretreatment equipment are presented, providing insights into the design and optimization of milling pretreatment processes. This article presents an innovative potential system for milling pretreatment in sugarcane bagasse for the production of bioethanol, heat and power, and other value-added products, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy.
Communication Challenges for People with Chronic Aphasia: A Systematic Qualitative Review of Barriers and Facilitators in Local Services
Authors: Poirier Sarah-Ève , Voyer Laurie-Anne , Poulin Valérie , Lamontagne Marie-Eve , Monetta Laura
Published: August 2024

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder caused by a cerebral lesion, such as a stroke. People with aphasia can experience various difficulties that may involve speaking, listening, reading, or writing. These difficulties have multiple impacts on their expression of their needs, interests, and opinions. Accordingly, people with aphasia often encounter barriers and facilitators when using local services, which reduces their participation. For instance, grocery shopping or going to a coffee house can be challenging for them. Hence, this systematic review was conducted to synthetize the barriers and facilitators for people with aphasia when using local services. Following the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research guidelines, five databases and Google Scholar were searched for the literature published through April 2024. A total of nine studies were included in the present work. The results highlight that most of the barriers to communicational access to local services are environmental ones related to other people or society. A few environmental facilitators were mentioned, but these were mainly a reflection of the barriers. Personal facilitators were noted, but people with aphasia said that they were insufficient for counterbalancing environmental barriers. The results highlight the need to raise awareness of aphasia.
Using the MSFNet Model to Explore the Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Crop Planting Area and Increase Its Contribution to the Application of UAV Remote Sensing
Authors: Hu Gui , Ren Zhigang , Chen Jian , Ren Ni , Mao Xing
Published: August 2024

Remote sensing technology can be used to monitor changes in crop planting areas to guide agricultural production management and help achieve regional carbon neutrality. Agricultural UAV remote sensing technology is efficient, accurate, and flexible, which can quickly collect and transmit high-resolution data in real time to help precision agriculture management. It is widely used in crop monitoring, yield prediction, and irrigation management. However, the application of remote sensing technology faces challenges such as a high imbalance of land cover types, scarcity of labeled samples, and complex and changeable coverage types of long-term remote sensing images, which have brought great limitations to the monitoring of cultivated land cover changes. In order to solve the abovementioned problems, this paper proposed a multi-scale fusion network (MSFNet) model based on multi-scale input and feature fusion based on cultivated land time series images, and further combined MSFNet and Model Diagnostic Meta Learning (MAML) methods, using particle swarm optimization (PSO) to optimize the parameters of the neural network. The proposed method is applied to remote sensing of crops and tomatoes. The experimental results showed that the average accuracy, F1-score, and average IoU of the MSFNet model optimized by PSO + MAML (PSML) were 94.902%, 91.901%, and 90.557%, respectively. Compared with other schemes such as U-Net, PSPNet, and DeepLabv3+, this method has a better effect in solving the problem of complex ground objects and the scarcity of remote sensing image samples and provides technical support for the application of subsequent agricultural UAV remote sensing technology. The study found that the change in different crop planting areas was closely related to different climatic conditions and regional policies, which helps to guide the management of cultivated land use and provides technical support for the realization of regional carbon neutrality.
Spatial-Temporal Contextual Aggregation Siamese Network for UAV Tracking
Authors: Chen Qiqi , Wang Xuan , Liu Faxue , Zuo Yujia , Liu Chenglong
Published: August 2024

In recent years, many studies have used Siamese networks (SNs) for UAV tracking. However, there are two problems with SNs for UAV tracking. Firstly, the information sources of the SNs are the invariable template patch and the current search frame. The static template information lacks the perception of dynamic feature information flow, and the shallow feature extraction and linear sequential mapping severely limit the mining of feature expressiveness. This makes it difficult for many existing SNs to cope with the challenges of UAV tracking, such as scale variation and viewpoint change caused by the change in height and angle of the UAV, and the challenges of background clutter and occlusion caused by complex aviation backgrounds. Secondly, the SNs trackers for UAV tracking still struggle with extracting lightweight and effective features. A tracker with a heavy-weighted backbone is not welcome due to the limited computing power of the UAV platform. Therefore, we propose a lightweight spatial-temporal contextual Siamese tracking system for UAV tracking (SiamST). The proposed SiamST improves the UAV tracking performance by augmenting the horizontal spatial information and introducing vertical temporal information to the Siamese network. Specifically, a high-order multiscale spatial module is designed to extract multiscale remote high-order spatial information, and a temporal template transformer introduces temporal contextual information for dynamic template updating. The evaluation and contrast results of the proposed SiamST with many state-of-the-art trackers on three UAV benchmarks show that the proposed SiamST is efficient and lightweight.
Econometric Analysis of South Africa’s Fiscal and Monetary Policy Effects on Economic Growth from 1980 to 2022
Authors: Majenge Luyanda , Mpungose Sakhile , Msomi Simiso
Published: August 2024

This study examined South Africa’s economic growth rate from 1980 to 2022 through an econometric analysis of fiscal and monetary policies. The study sought to investigate the relationships between the economy’s growth rate and various fiscal and monetary policy variables, taking into account different economic approaches such as Keynesian, monetarist, and Wagner’s perspectives. The methodology used consisted of data preparation, multiple unit root tests, Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration analysis, diagnostic tests, and pairwise Granger causality analysis. The empirical analysis found a long-term cointegration among the economic growth rate, government debt, expenditure, and revenue in fiscal policy, though government debt and expenditure were not statistically significant. Contrary to economic theory, increased government revenue had a negative correlation with economic growth. There was no long-term relationship found between the economic growth rate and monetary policy variables such as the official exchange rate, inflation rate, real interest rates, and M3 money supply. Pairwise Granger causality tests revealed a one-way relationship between government spending and economic growth, providing support to the Keynesian approach to fiscal policy. This study also discovered evidence that economic growth Granger-causes inflation, implying that economic growth may have predictive power for inflation, consistent with the demand-pull inflation hypothesis. However, no direct predictive relationships were found between the selected monetary policy variables and economic growth, supporting the long-run theory of monetary neutrality. This study suggests evaluating spending, managing inflation, implementing reforms, closing infrastructure gaps, encouraging investment, and ensuring fiscal sustainability.
The Impact of Using Digital Video Recordings by Prospective Teachers on Their Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Authors: Shayeb Shaheen , Daher Wajeeh
Published: August 2024

Analyzing digital video recordings (DVRs) is an effective instructional strategy for professionally preparing and developing prospective teachers. This study examines the impact of using DVRs among prospective teachers at Al-Qasimi College on their technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and its seven domains (TK, PK, CK, PCK, TCK, TPK, TPACK). The study was based on a mixed methodology approach, and the study sample included 70 prospective teachers who were distributed into an experimental group and a control group. Data were collected using the TPACK questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with 10 participants. The quantitative and qualitative results showed that prospective teachers in the experimental group significantly and positively impacted TPACK and its seven domains. The results of the study indicated that digital video recordings allowed prospective teachers to reflect and ponder on their teaching skills, content delivery, and the appropriate use of technology and its relevant tools in the educational process to identify strengths for development and weaknesses for improvement. Therefore, the results of the current study provide concrete evidence for the need to use DVRs as a promising educational approach in future professional preparation and to develop prospective teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK).
Analysis of the Second-Order NS SAR ADC Performance Enhancement Based on Active Gain
Authors: Jia Shichao , Ye Tianchun , Xiao Shimao
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a novel second-order passive noise shaping (NS) successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) based on active gain. The proposed scheme achieves a further improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the proposed NS SAR ADC by reducing the kT/C noise and the conversion rate. After having presented the conversion principle, the theoretical analysis of the performance enhancement based on noise and other considerations is presented.
Research Trends in the Recovery of By-Products from Organic Waste Treated by Anaerobic Digestion: A 30-Year Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Castillo García Pablo , Fernández-Rodríguez María José , Borja Rafael , Mancilla-Leytón Juan Manuel , de la Lama-Calvente David
Published: August 2024

The prevailing extractive economic model is unsustainable due to the finite nature of resources, thereby necessitating the development of alternative models and policies. The anaerobic digestion (AD) process is key to achieving this objective, as it facilitates the conversion of organic waste into biogas and nutrient-rich digestate. This approach is aligned with the principles of a circular economy and contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature published over the past three decades (1993–2023). The analysis will be based on data drawn from the Scopus database and then analysed using the VOSviewer software, which allows for the interconnection of the revised bibliography through a series of selected keywords. The results demonstrated the existence of four clusters: (i) the beneficial valorisation of waste; (ii) volatile fatty acids and biohydrogen as added value by-products resulting from AD; (iii) lignocellulosic substrates and their by-products; and iv) the main products of AD, biogas and digestate. The bibliometric analysis demonstrates a growing interest in AD within the biorefinery concept in recent years, showcasing its potential for effective waste management and integration into the production chain through the principles of the circular economy.
Evaluation of a New-Concept Secure File Server Solution
Authors: Arányi Gábor , Vathy-Fogarassy Ágnes , Szücs Veronika
Published: August 2024

Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and defensive solutions must necessarily evolve. Unfortunately, automated backup management through validation—critical for data recovery after an attack—and strengthening file server protection are not sufficiently addressed in current protection strategies. To focus on this area, an architectural model has been developed that complements traditional central data storage with an additional high-level file server protection solution. However, in addition to the functional adequacy of file server protection solutions, the measurability of operational performance is also important. In order to validate and evaluate the developed ransomware-proof file server protection, a dynamic performance metric is introduced for comparability, by which the performance results measured on the tested client–server architectures are presented, together with the methodology and results of the measurements. Our results show that the investigated model does not cause any performance degradation when moving sensitive data files and their backups during operation and even shows performance improvements in some frequently used configurations. The result proves that the developed real-time approach provides a solution to this critical problem in terms of the time required to restore key data from backups and to ensure file availability and continuity of accessibility. Based on a review of the literature and available solutions, it is concluded that there is no integrated solution for implementing a similar concept in practice, and therefore, the developed model is a gap-filling in this priority area.
Impact of Starfish Predatory Pressure on the Immune and Antioxidant Functions of Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Sun Yongxin , Wang Shuo , Wang Chong , Wang Meng , Kang Wenbin , Qu Liang , Song Jian , Zhao Chong , Wang Qingzhi
Published: August 2024

This study simulated the effects of direct predatory pressure, indirect predatory pressure, and conspecific injury signals on sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) to determine changes in the activity of immune defense enzymes (lysozyme, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase) and antioxidant stress enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde). Samples of sea cucumber juveniles were collected at 3 h, 12 h, 72 h, and 96 h post predatory stress, and six enzymes related to immune defense and antioxidant stress were selected for activity assays, namely, lysozyme (LZM), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The results indicate that under direct predatory pressure, the activity of catalase in sea cucumbers was significantly higher than that of the control group at 3 h (P < 0.05), while the activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and catalase were significantly lower at 72 h (P < 0.05). Under indirect predatory pressure, the activity of malondialdehyde in sea cucumbers was significantly higher than that of the control group at 12 h (P < 0.05), the activity of alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher at 72 and 96 h (P < 0.05), the activity of catalase was significantly lower at 72 h, and the activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly higher at 72 h (P < 0.05). Under the influence of conspecific injury signals, the activity of malondialdehyde in sea cucumbers was significantly higher than that of the control group at 12 h (P < 0.05), and the activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly higher at 96 h (P < 0.05). The sea cucumber enhanced its antioxidant capacity 3 h after facing a predator, while its immune defense mechanism was suppressed at 72 h. When facing indirect predatory pressure, the sea cucumber may have made immune and antioxidant preparations for the arrival of unknown risks. The experimental results show that predatory pressure has a significant impact on the immune and antioxidant functions of sea cucumbers, which may be related to the physiological state and environmental adaptability of the sea cucumber. This study provides a new perspective for understanding how sea cucumbers cope with predatory pressure in the natural environment and offers theoretical support for the cultivation management of sea cucumbers.
An Intelligent Fishery Detection Method Based on Cross-Domain Image Feature Fusion
Authors: Xie Yunjie , Xiang Jian , Li Xiaoyong , Yang Chen
Published: August 2024

Target detection technology plays a crucial role in fishery ecological monitoring, fishery diversity research, and intelligent aquaculture. Deep learning, with its distinct advantages, provides significant convenience to the fishery industry. However, it still faces various challenges in practical applications, such as significant differences in image species and image blurring. To address these issues, this study proposes a multi-scale, multi-level, and multi-stage cross-domain feature fusion model. In order to train the model more effectively, a new data set called Fish52 (multi-scene fish data set, a data set containing 52 fish species) was constructed, on which the model achieved an mAP (mean average precision is a key measure of model performance) of 82.57%. Furthermore, we compared prevalent one-stage and two-stage detection methods on the Lahatan (single-scene fish data set) and Fish30 data set (a data set containing 30 fish species) and tested them on the F4k (Fish4Knowledge (F4K) is a data set focused on fish detection and identification) and FishNet data set (it is a data set containing 94,532 images from 17,357 aquatic species). The mAP of our proposed model on the Fish30, Lahatan, F4k, and FishNet data sets reaches 91.72%, 98.7%, 88.6%, and 81.5%, respectively, outperforming existing mainstream models. Comprehensive empirical analysis indicates that our model possesses a high generalization ability and reaches advanced performance levels. In this study, the depth of the model backbone is deepened, a novel neck structure is proposed, and a new module is embedded therein. To enhance the fusion ability of the model, a new attention mechanism module is introduced. In addition, in the adaptive decoupling detection head module, introducing classes with independent parameters and regression adapters reduces interaction between different tasks. The proposed model can better monitor fishery resources and enhance aquaculture efficiency. It not only provides an effective approach for fish detection but also has certain reference significance for the identification of similar targets in other environments and offers assistance for the construction of smart fisheries and digital fisheries.
Upcycling Shellfish Waste: Distribution of Amino Acids, Minerals, and Carotenoids in Body Parts of North Atlantic Crab and Shrimp
Authors: Hossain Abul , Shahidi Fereidoon
Published: August 2024

The snow/pink crab (Chionoecetes opilio) and Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) are widely distributed in the North Atlantic Ocean. During processing/consumption, about 80% of the harvest is discarded as processing waste, which is a rich source of protein, chitin, minerals, and carotenoids. This study, for the first time, investigated the proximate composition and individual amino acids, minerals, and carotenoids from different body parts (carapace, shoulder, claw, tip, and leg) of snow crabs and shrimp shells. Shrimp proteins were found to be abundant and well-balanced in their amino acid composition. Compared to shrimp shells, a lower content of amino acids was found in the snow crab, depending on the part of the shell used. Moreover, crab shells, mainly crab claws, contained a higher (p < 0.05) level of chitin compared to shrimp shells. Seven micro-elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Ba, and Ce) and six macro-elements (Ca, Na, K, Mg, P, and Sr) were identified using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Among them, calcium and iron were higher in crab carapaces (p < 0.05), followed by shrimp shells and other crab shell segments. Additionally, shrimp and crab carapaces contained a significant level of carotenoids, and these were mainly composed of astaxanthin and its mono- and diesters, along with zeaxanthin, astacene, canthaxanthin, and lutein. Thus, this investigation provides detailed information to allow upcycling of shellfish waste and addresses the knowledge gap concerning the availability of various nutrients in different crab sections and shrimp shells.
1H NMR Spectroscopy Combined with Machine-Learning Algorithm for Origin Recognition of Chinese Famous Green Tea Longjing Tea
Authors: Hou Zhiwei , Jin Yugu , Gu Zhe , Zhang Ran , Su Zhucheng , Liu Sitong
Published: August 2024

Premium green tea is a high-value agricultural product significantly influenced by its geographical origin, making it susceptible to food fraud. This study utilized nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to perform chemical fingerprint analysis on 78 Longjing tea (LJT) samples from both protected designation of origin (PDO) regions (Zhejiang) and non-PDO regions (Sichuan, Guangxi, and Guizhou) in China. Unsupervised algorithms and heatmaps were employed for the visual analysis of the data from PDO and non-PDO teas while exploring the feasibility of linear and nonlinear machine-learning algorithms in discriminating the origin of LJT. The findings revealed that the nonlinear model random forest (92.2%), exhibited superior performance compared to the linear model linear discriminant analysis (85.6%). The random forest model identified 15 key marker metabolites for the geographical origin of LJT, such as kaempferol glycoside, glutamine, and ECG. The results support the conclusion that the integration of NMR with machine-learning classification serves as an effective tool for the quality assessment and origin identification of LJT.