bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loss-of-function mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma variants cause vascular smooth muscle cells to secrete a diffusible mitogenic factor
Authors: Rothwell Samantha , Ng Irvin , Shalchy-Tabrizi Sophia , Kalinowski Pola , Taha Omnia M. , Paris Italia , Baniqued Angelica , Lin Lisa , Mezei Michelle M. , Lehman Anna , Julian Lisa M. , Poburko Damon
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Mitochondrial dysfunction promotes vascular aging and disease through diverse mechanisms beyond metabolic supply, including calcium and radical signaling and inflammation. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication by the POLG-encoded mitochondrial DNA polymerase (POLG) is critical for mitochondrial health. Loss-of-function POLG variants are associated with a predisposition to hypertension. We hypothesized that impaired POLG, through reduced mtDNA copy number or other mechanisms, would promote smooth muscle hypertrophy or hyperplasia that drives vascular remodeling associated with hypertension.

Methods

We characterized the effect of over-expressing POLG variants that were previously observed in a cohort of hypertensive patients (p.Tyr955Cys, p.Arg964Cys, p.Asn1098Ile, and p.Arg1138Cys) in A7r5 cells.

Results

AlphaFold modeling of the POLG holoenzyme complexed with DNA predicted changes in the catalytic site in the p.Tyr955Cys and p.Asn1098Ile variants, while p.Arg964Cys and p.Arg1138Cys showed minimal effects. The POLG variants reduced mtDNA copy number, assessed by immunofluorescence and droplet digital PCR, by up to 27% in the order p.Tyr955Cys > p.Arg964Cys > p.Asn1098Ile > p.Arg1138Cys relative to wild-type-transfected cultures. Loss of mtDNA was reduced in cultures grown in low serum and glucose media, but the cell density was increased in the same rank order in both 10% serum and 1% serum. POLG constructs contained a Myc epitope, the counterstaining for which showed that the mtDNA copy number was reduced in both transfected cells and untransfected neighbors. Live-cell imaging of mitochondrial membrane potential with TMRM and radical oxygen species production with MitoSOX showed little effect of the POLG variants. POLG variants had little effect on oxygen consumption, assessed by Seahorse assay. Live-cell imaging growth analyses again showed increased growth in A7r5 cells transfected with p.Tyr955Cys but a decreased growth with p.Arg1138Cys, while p.Tyr955Cys increased growth of HeLa cells. Conditioned media from HeLa cells transfected with POLG variants reduced doubling times in naïve cultures. Pharmacologically, wedelolactone and MitoTEMPOL, but not indomethacin or PD98059, suppressed the mitogenic effects of p.Tyr955Cys and p.Arg964Cys in A7r5 cells.

Discussion

We conclude that POLG dysfunction induces secretion of a mitogenic signal from A7r5 and HeLa cells even when changes in mtDNA copy number are below the limit of detection. Such mitogenic stimulation could stimulate hypertrophic remodeling that could contribute to drug-resistant hypertension in patient populations with loss-of-function POLG variants.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of woody breast myopathy in broiler chickens
Authors: Greene Elizabeth S. , Chen Paula R. , Walk Carrie , Bedford Mike , Dridi Sami
Published: February 2025

The woody breast (WB) myopathy poses significant economic and welfare concerns to the poultry industry, however, there is no effective strategy to mitigate this pathology due to its unknown etiology. After showing previously that hypoxia is a key factor in WB progression, we used here various techniques demonstrating dysregulated mitochondria (morphology, biogenesis, tethering, function, and bioenergetics) in WB-affected muscles and in hypoxic myoblasts compared to healthy tissues and normoxic cells, respectively. The increased levels of calcium (Ca2+) in both WB-affected tissues and hypoxic myoblasts suggested that mitochondrial Ca2+ overload is likely a leading cause for mitochondrial dysfunction that merits further in-depth investigation. These findings are the first, to the best of our knowledge, to provide fundamental insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of WB and open new vistas for understanding the interplay between calcium, mitochondrial (dys)function, and avian muscle health for subsequent development of effective preventative/corrective strategies.
The organelle genomes of the endangered seagrass Zostera caespitosa reveal sequence divergences, massive gene transfer, and uncommon RNA editing types
Authors: Yong Yushun , Wang Yulian , Wang Dawei , Yuan Xingfang , Zhang Quansheng
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Zostera caespitosa, a rare submerged angiosperm, is considered endemic to the northwestern Pacific.

Methods

This study assembled and compared the mitochondrial (mt) and chloroplast (cp) genomes of Z. caespitosa to understand the organelle evolutionary patterns.

Results and discussion

The cp genome (143,972 bp) was the second smallest within the seagrasses, whereas the mt genomes (192,246 bp) of Z. caespitosa and other seagrasses were smaller compared to those of other monocotyledons. The protein-coding genes (PCGs) in the organelle genome exhibit a strong A/U bias at codon endings, a selection-driven codon bias. The rates of nonsynonymous (Ka) and synonymous (Ks) substitutions in the mt genes of Zostera were two times higher than those in the cp genes. Additionally, 50 mitochondrial plastid DNA (MTPT) segments, totaling 44,662 bp, were identified, constituting 23.23% of the mt genome, which is significantly higher than those in most land plants. Phylogenetic analysis of 13 seagrass core cp-PCGs supported previous studies showing two genera in family Zosteraceae: Phyllospadix and Zostera, the latter comprising Zostera and Zosterella as subgenera. RNA editing was remarkably abundant in the 167 mt-PCGs and 172 in cp-PCGs, particularly in the cp genome. There are 11 different RNA editing types in the cp and 3 in the mt, most of which are C to U. Unexpectedly rare editing events, such as A to C, A to U, U to A, G to C, and U to G, have also been found in the cp.
Arginine metabolism and neurocognitive impairment in offspring of bipolar parents: a high-risk case-control study
Authors: Arıcı Sağlıyan Gökçeçiçek , Çetin Fatih Hilmi , Akyürek Fikret , Tok Oğuzhan , Çiçek Zekey Özlem , Tezcan Mustafa Esad , Sağlıyan Bilal , Türkoğlu Serhat , Uçar Halit Necmi , Öztürk Bahadır , Altınbaş Kürşat
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The aim of this study is to investigate whether arginine and its metabolites can be an endophenotype for bipolar disorder (BD) and to evaluate the role of arginine metabolites and neurocognitive function levels in unaffected healthy children of parents diagnosed with BD in cognitive impairment.

Methods

The study included 37 healthy children of parents diagnosed with BD Type I as the high-risk group and 36 healthy children of parents without any psychiatric disorders as the control group. The arginine, n-monomethyl-l-arginine acetate (L-NMMA), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), citrulline, homoarginine, ornithine serum levels, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity level of both groups were compared.

Results

The study found that in the high-risk group, ADMA, SDMA, and ornithine levels were significantly higher compared to the controls, while citrulline and NOS activity level were significantly lower in the high-risk group compared to the controls. All neurocognitive performances of the high-risk group were considered statistically significantly worse compared to controls. The impairment in neurocognitive functions in the high-risk group was found to be correlated with ADMA, L-NMMA, citrulline, homoarginine, ornithine levels, and NOS activity level.

Discussion

These findings highlight a potential link between arginine metabolism and executive dysfunction in individuals at high risk for BD. Further longitudinal studies are essential to fully understand the complex interactions between these factors.
Exploring the interconnections of loneliness, anxiety, and depression among nursing students: a network analysis approach
Authors: Mi Yuqing , Ahn Sukhee , Ren Liping
Published: February 2025

Objective

Nursing students experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than students in other disciplines due to the demanding academic requirements and clinical training challenges. Loneliness and symptoms of anxiety and depression occur simultaneously; however, the specific interrelationships between these states remain inadequately investigated. This study aimed to utilize network analysis to examine the item-level reciprocal action between loneliness, anxiety, and depression among nursing students.

Methods

A total of 888 nursing students were assessed using the short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Questionnaire (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) on loneliness, anxiety, and depression, respectively. Descriptive analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0, whereas other statistical analytical procedures were performed using R software. The Gaussian graphical model was used to estimate network, and the Network Comparison Test was applied to compare differences in networks across gender and grades.

Results

The results indicated that 58.6% of nursing students exhibited varying degrees of loneliness. Network analysis revealed that loneliness formed a separate cluster with limited connections to anxiety and depression communities. The edges between PHQ3-PHQ4 (insomnia or hypersomnia and fatigue), GAD1-GAD2 (feeling anxious and excessive worrying), ULS1-ULS2 (lonely and no one) showed the strongest positive edges within their communities, respectively. And the strongest inter-community edges were observed between GAD5-PHQ8 (fidgety-retardation), ULS6-PHQ4 (isolation-fatigue), and ULS1-GAD1 (lonely-feeling anxious). The centrality analysis identified GAD2 (excessive worrying), ULS6 (isolation), PHQ4 (fatigue), and PHQ2 (feeling down) as the most central node, indicating their significant influence on the overall network structure. Additionally, PHQ8 (retardation), PHQ2 (feeling down), GAD5 (fidgety), and GAD1(feeling anxious) played a crucial role as bridging symptoms that linked the three communities. In addition, there is no statistically significant difference in the network structure except strength of GAD3 (generalized anxiety) and GAD6 (irritable) between sexes.

Conclusions

This study highlights the high prevalence of loneliness among nursing students and its distinct yet limited connection to anxiety and depression, emphasizing its unique role as a standalone psychological construct. The central symptoms in the network and important bridge symptoms across different psychological communities highlight the complexity of mental health symptom networks. This underscores the importance of targeting central symptoms for domain-specific interventions and addressing bridge symptoms to mitigate comorbidities across psychological conditions among nursing students.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards occupational burnout among doctors and nurses in intensive care unit
Authors: Lu Xiahui , Li Dawei , Luo Hu , Wang Lishan , Lou Yan , Yu Yanyan
Published: February 2025

Background

Occupational burnout is prevalent among doctors and nurses. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of ICU doctors and nurses regarding occupational burnout.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2023 and June 2024 at the Zhejiang Medical & Health Group Hangzhou Hospital in Zhejiang Province. Demographic information and KAP scores were collected through distributed questionnaires. Occupational burnout was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS).

Results

This study included 105 doctors and 165 nurses, with an average age of 32.23 ± 7.38 years. Among all the participants, 6 (2.22%) reported no occupational burnout, 230 (85.19%) experienced moderate occupational burnout, and 34 (12.59%) reported severe occupational burnout. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 9.64 ± 4.21 (possible range: 0–18), 29.01 ± 3.15 (possible range: 7–35), and 16.96 ± 4.29 (possible range: 6–30), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that a higher knowledge score was independently associated with more proactive practice (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: [1.18, 1.50], p < 0.001). Structural equation modeling showed that knowledge positively influenced both (β = 0.33, p < 0.001) and practice (β = 0.37, p < 0.001), while practice negatively impacted the MBI-GS (β = −0.92, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Most ICU doctors and nurses exhibited moderate occupational burnout, with insufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and moderate practice toward occupational burnout. Implementing strategies to increase knowledge and promote active practical engagement is essential to effectively mitigate occupational burnout among ICU staff.
Climate change will alter Amazonian bumblebees’ distribution, but effects are species-specific
Authors: Nunes-Silva Patrícia , Acosta André Luis , Borges Rafael Cabral , Freitas Breno Magalhães , Oliveira Ricardo Caliari , Giannini Tereza Cristina , Imperatriz-Fonseca Vera Lucia
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Understanding how climate change affects the distribution of Amazonian bumblebee species is essential for their conservation and the pollination services they provide. This study focuses on two poorly known species, Bombus brevivillus and Bombus transversalis, evaluating how future climate scenarios may alter their suitable habitats in the Brazilian Amazon. Identifying potential refugia and vulnerable areas is crucial for developing targeted conservation strategies.

Methods

Species distribution models were applied using occurrence data from museum records and field collections. Climatic suitability was projected under the baseline period (1970–2000) and two future periods (2021–2040 and 2041–2060) using the high-emission scenario (SSP5-8.5) from the IPCC AR6 report. An ensemble modeling approach combining five different algorithms was used to predict areas of stability, habitat loss, and potential range expansion.

Results

By 2060, B. brevivillus is projected to lose 41.6% of its current suitable habitat, with significant reductions in northern and coastal regions. Conversely, B. transversalis is expected to retain 89.5% of its current range, showing a westward distribution shift. New climatically suitable areas may emerge for both species, particularly in the western Amazon, potentially serving as future refugia.

Discussion

The findings highlight species-specific responses to climate change, with B. brevivillus being more vulnerable than B. transversalis. These results emphasize the need for proactive conservation measures to protect critical habitats and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Future research should focus on assessing thermal tolerance and habitat connectivity to refine conservation strategies and ensure the persistence of these essential pollinators in changing environmental conditions.
Clinical analysis of percutaneous endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression for single segment degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis
Authors: Jiang Tianqi , Chen Zhijun , Luo Yitong , Tian Xinyue , Zhou Yanni , Huan Yanqiang , He Yongxiong
Published: February 2025

Background

In recent years, percutaneous endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (PE-ULBD) has been used to treat degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and has achieved good results. Some researchers have conducted statistical analysies and evaluated the efficacy of this technology. In this systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis, the effectiveness of PE-ULBD as a surgical method for treating single segment LSS was evaluated from the perspective of evidence-based medicine. The aim was to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of this technology in LSS treatment.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 396 studies published before May 29, 2024 were collected from the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), and WanFang databases.

Results

Eight retrospective studies were found with 287 patients who met the inclusion criteria set for the systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis. We used the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) scale to evaluate the quality of the included studies. The results indicated that significant difference in VAS scores between preoperative and postoperative back and leg pain and the difference between the control results recorded before and after the two types of pain scores was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In addition, the difference between the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores recorded in the different groups before and after surgery was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Although the results showed high heterogeneity, a sensitivity analysis showed that there was no significant deviation in other results except for the VAS and ODI score for leg pain in the preoperative and three-month postoperative groups. Secondary clinical outcomes included an average operational time of 97.15 min (95% CI = 82.83, 111.47), an average intraoperative bleeding volume of 26.52 ml (95% CI = 10.51, 42.52), an average hospital stay of 4.16 days (95% CI = 2.96, 5.35), and an incidence of complications of 0.10 (95% CI = 0.06, 0.14).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the PE-ULBD technique has significant short and long-term clinical efficacy for the treatment of single-segment LSS and is worthy of clinical application and promotion.
Peroneal artery pseudoaneurysm with arteriovenous fistula after calcaneal fracture surgery: a case report
Authors: Li Yu-Long , Chen Sheng , Ai Yu , Zhang Wei , Liu Ji-Chao , Yang Ya-Fan
Published: February 2025

Background

Peroneal artery injury following internal fixation of a calcaneal fracture is rare. The occurrence of a delayed pseudoaneurysm with an arteriovenous fistula after a peroneal artery injury is even rarer and has not been reported previously.

Case summary

Herein, we report the case of a 65-year-old female patient with a calcaneal fracture (Sanders Type ⅢAB) who underwent an open reduction and internal fixation surgery through the tarsal sinus approach. Two months postoperatively, she experienced left foot pain. Physical examination revealed pulsation at the surgical site and a positive Branham sign, which was suggestive of a delayed pseudoaneurysm. Emergency digital subtraction angiography (DSA) examination was performed, and this revealed a pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula at the distal end of the peroneal artery. Therefore, the patient underwent transcatheter coil embolization of the peroneal artery and had good postoperative outcomes.

Conclusion

Arterial injury should be suspected if massive hemorrhage occurs shortly after internal fixation for calcaneal fractures, and appropriate hemostatic measures should be promptly instituted. If unexplained pain and swelling develop along with a palpable pulse at the surgical site, a pseudoaneurysm should be suspected, and appropriate examinations should be promptly performed. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment are also crucial.
A Reasoned Attempt to Mitigate Vibrations in Nonlinear Flexible Systems Influenced by Tractive–Elastic Rolling Contact Friction Through Input Shaping: A Case Study on a Trolley–Pipe Benchmark Transport System
Authors: Peláez Gerardo , Izquierdo Pablo , Peláez Gustavo , Rubio Higinio
Published: February 2025

The well-regarded feedforward control strategy known as Input Shaping is aimed at improving the dynamic response of flexible mechanical systems by reducing overshoot and residual vibration amplitude. Its validity has been confirmed by numerous studies dealing with linear system dynamics. However, its application in nonlinear systems, particularly those influenced by tractive–elastic rolling contact friction, remains a challenging and less explored open research area. This paper investigates whether Input Shaping, without tractive rolling friction compensation, can effectively mitigate vibrations in a trolley–pipe benchmark transport system. In this system, the pipe is modeled as a rolling disc attached to the trolley by a spring at its center of mass, while the trolley itself is connected to a guiding body frame by an additional spring acting as a proportional control. The natural frequencies of the system are analytically estimated and numerically verified from a corresponding well-suited multibody model. Thus, tailored two-mode shapers are designed based on simultaneous constraints and the convolution sum, respectively. Through multibody simulations, this study evaluates the performance of Input Shaping under tractive–elastic rolling contact friction conditions. The findings highlight both the potential and limitations of this control method in addressing nonlinear mechanical systems influenced by tractive–elastic rolling contact friction.
Comprehensive Design and Experimental Validation of Tethered Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Yan Changjin , Yang Jinchuan , Zhang Donghui , Zhang Shu , Zhang Taihua
Published: February 2025

The limited battery capacity currently restricts the flight duration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Additionally, tethered rotorcraft UAVs suffer from low efficiency, and deploying tethered balloons presents significant challenges. Consequently, tethered fixed-wing UAVs exhibit highly promising development prospects. This study designs and constructs both simulation and physical models of a tethered fixed-wing UAV system. With the utilization of methods such as system identification and trust region algorithms, a comprehensive simulation model was developed, and its accuracy was rigorously validated. Furthermore, the feasibility of the system was confirmed through the integration of UAV hardware with a constructed power supply system, incorporating open source flight control software. The results demonstrate that the tethered fixed-wing UAV system is both feasible and reliable, offering rapid deployment capabilities and commendable flight stability. These findings highlight the potential of tethered fixed-wing UAVs as efficient and stable platforms for various applications, laying the groundwork for future research focused on developing more robust and adaptive control systems tailored to the specific challenges posed by tethered operations.
Optimal Drought Index Selection for Soil Moisture Monitoring at Multiple Depths in China’s Agricultural Regions
Authors: Yao Peiwen , Fan Hong , Wu Qilong
Published: February 2025

Droughts are a major driver of global environmental degradation, threatening lives and causing significant economic losses, with approximately 80% of these losses linked to agricultural drought, characterized by soil moisture deficits. Remote sensing technology offers high spatiotemporal resolution data for continuous monitoring of soil moisture and drought severity. However, the effectiveness of remote sensing drought indices across different soil depths remains unclear. This study assessed the performance of eight widely used drought indices—Perpendicular Drought Index (PDI), Modified Perpendicular Drought Index (MPDI), Temperature Condition Index (TCI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Vegetation Health Index (VHI), Normalized Vegetation Supply Water Index (NVSWI), Temperature–Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI), and Standardized Precipitation–Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) at multiple timescales—in monitoring soil moisture at five depths (0–50 cm, at 10 cm intervals) across nine agricultural regions of China from 2001 to 2020. Results reveal that the monitoring performance of drought indices varies significantly across regions and soil depths, with a general decline in performance as soil depth increases. For soil depths between 10–40 cm, VCI and NVSWI exhibited the highest accuracy, while PDI, MPDI, and VHI performed optimally in the Northeast China Plain. At 50 cm depth, however, optical remote sensing indices struggled to accurately capture soil moisture conditions. Additionally, TCI and TVDI showed notable lag effects, with 4-month and 5-month delays, respectively, while SPEI exhibited cumulative effects over 3–6 months. These findings provide critical insights to guide the selection of appropriate drought indices for soil moisture monitoring, aiding agricultural drought management and decision-making.
Green Manure-Based Nitrogen Management in Rice and Zero Tillage in Succeeding Toria and Sweet Corn Sustain System Yield and Soil Quality in Eastern India
Authors: Behera Stuti Debapriya , Garnayak Lalita Mohan , Sarangi Sukanta Kumar , Behera Basudev , Behera Biswaranjan , Jena Jagadish , Mangaraj Satyabrata , Behera Swosti D. , Mahapatra Subrat K. , Dwibedi Sanat K.
Published: February 2025

Rice-based cropping systems are the predominant sources of livelihood for farmers in South Asia, where soil quality decline is a major concern. An experiment was conducted at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, in 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. It comprised two rice cultivars, ‘Manaswini’ (M) and ‘Hasanta’ (H), and three nitrogen management practices—100% soil test-based nitrogen (STN) (N100), 75% STN + in situ green manuring (Sesbania) (N75+GM), and 50% STN + green manuring (N50+GM)—in the main plot. Meanwhile, sub-plots consisted of three tillage methods for succeeding toria–sweet corn, namely zero tillage (ZT), conventional tillage (CT), and a furrow-irrigated raised bed (FIRB). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four replications to assess system nutrient uptake, productivity, and soil quality. Both rice cultivars were equal in terms of system nutrient uptake. The N75+GM practice recorded the highest system NPK uptake (304.1, 70.34, and 343.5 kg ha−1, respectively), enhancing the system N uptake by 10.7 and 7.4%, P uptake by 18.8 and 12.2%, and K uptake by 9.8 and 9.6% over N100 and N50+GM, respectively. ZT recorded the highest system NPK uptake (299.9, 70.6, and 339.7 kg ha−1, respectively). The most promising treatments, M+(N75+GM)-ZT and H+(N75+GM)-ZT, recorded the maximum system economic yield (10.72 and 10.64 t ha−1), residue yield (22.36 and 21.98 t ha−1), biological yield (33.07 and 32.63 t ha−1), and relative soil quality index (0.84 and 0.91). Correlation and principal component analyses exhibited positive and close relationships between all biological yield and soil quality parameters, except for micro water-stable aggregates, the fungal population, and the bulk density. The application of N75+GM in M or H rice and ZT in succeeding toria–sweet corn can sustain productivity and soil quality in Eastern India.
Global Dynamic Landslide Susceptibility Modeling Based on ResNet18: Revealing Large-Scale Landslide Hazard Evolution Trends in China
Authors: Jiang Hui , Ding Mingtao , Li Liangzhi , Huang Wubiao
Published: February 2025

Large-scale and long-term landslide susceptibility assessments are crucial for revealing the patterns of landslide risk variation and for guiding the formulation of disaster prevention and mitigation policies at the national level. This study, through the establishment of a global dynamic landslide susceptibility model, uses the multi-dimensional analysis strategy and studies the development trend of China’s large-scale landslide susceptibility. First, a global landslide dataset consisting of 8023 large-scale landslide events triggered by rainfall and earthquakes between 2001 and 2020 was constructed based on the GEE (Google Earth Engine) platform. Secondly, a global dynamic landslide susceptibility model was developed using the ResNet18 (18-layer residual neural network) DL (deep learning) framework, incorporating both dynamic and static LCFs (landslide conditioning factors). The model was utilized to generate sequential large-scale landslide susceptibility maps for China from 2001 to 2022. Finally, the MK (Mann–Kendall) test was used to investigate the change trends in the large-scale landslide susceptibility of China. The results of the study are as follows. (1) The ResNet18 model outperformed SVMs (support vector machines) and CNNs (convolutional neural networks), with an AUC value of 0.9362. (2) SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations) analyses revealed that precipitation played an important factor in the occurrence of landslides in China. In addition, profile curvature, NDVI, and distance to faults are thought to have a significant impact on landslide susceptibility. (3) The large-scale landslide susceptibility trends in China are complex and varied. Particular emphasis should be placed on Southwest China, including Chongqing, Guizhou, and Sichuan, which exhibit high landslide susceptibility and notable upward trends, and also consider Northwest China, including Shaanxi and Shanxi, which have high susceptibility but decreasing trends. These results provide valuable insights for disaster prevention and mitigation in China.
Application of Ultrafiltration for Recovery of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds from Rose Wastewater
Authors: Dushkova Mariya , Mitova Marina , Bakardzhiyski Ivan , Miteva-Petrova Milena , Menkov Nikolay
Published: February 2025

The process of rose oil distillation generates a huge amount of waste byproducts, which often remain unused, and poses serious environmental challenges; at the same time, they contain polyphenols with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and therapeutic properties. The purpose of this work is to investigate the possible application of ultrafiltration using three polyacrylonitrile membranes (molecular weight cut-off 1 kDa, 10 kDa, and 25 kDa) to recover the total polyphenolic compounds, phenolic acids, and flavonoids from rose wastewater. The permeate flux, energy demand, contents of total polyphenolic compounds, phenolic acids, and flavonoid phenolic compounds were determined during ultrafiltration at a volume reduction ratio of 2, 4, 6 and 8, and the rejections and concentration factors were established. The optimal operation conditions for permeate flux, energy demand, rejection, concentration factor, and antioxidant activity were established at a volume reduction ratio of 8, transmembrane pressure of 0.5 MPa, and 1 kDa membrane. These working conditions will be used in our future investigations to obtain extrudates from rice semolina enriched with ultrafiltered rose wastewater. Protocatechuic and vanillic acid, determined by HPLC, increased in the retentate when the 1 kDa membrane was used, while gallic acid, catechin, p-coumaric acid, rutin, hesperidin, and rosmarinic acid decreased.
Mobility-as-a-Service Personalised Multi-Modal Multi-Objective Journey Planning with Machine-Learning-Guided Shortest-Path Algorithms
Authors: Bayliss Christopher , Ouelhadj Djamila , Dadashzadeh Nima , Fletcher Graham
Published: February 2025

Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) apps provide a single platform for journey planning, booking, payment and ticketing, and are proposed as a medium for encouraging sustainable travel behaviour. Generating sustainable-vehicle-based journey alternatives can be formulated as a multi-modal multi-objective journey-planning problem, one that is known to have a prohibitively large solution space. Building on prior insights, we develop a scalable decomposition-based solution strategy. A Pareto set of journey profiles is generated based on inter-transfer-zone objective criteria contributions. Then, guided by neural-network predictions, extended versions of existing shortest-path algorithms for open and public transport networks are used to optimise the paths and transfers of journey profiles. A novel hybrid k-means and Dijkstra’s algorithm is introduced for generating transfer-zone samples while accounting for transport network connectivity. The resulting modularised algorithm knits together and extends the most effective existing shortest-path algorithms using neural networks as a look-ahead mechanism. In experiments based on a large-scale transport network, query response times are shown to be suitable for real-time applications and are found to be independent of transfer-zone sample size, despite smaller transfer-zone samples, leading to higher quality and more diverse Pareto sets of journeys: a win-win scenario.
From Forest Berry Leaf Waste to Micellar Extracts with Cosmetic Applications
Authors: Zięba Małgorzata , Ruszkowska Millena , Klepacka Joanna
Published: February 2025

The fruit of berry plants is primarily used for industrial purposes, while the leaves are often regarded as waste. However, these leaves, rich in valuable bioactive compounds, have the potential to serve as raw materials for various industries, including cosmetics. This study compared the content of micro- and macronutrients in the leaves of wild strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry plants. It revealed a high mineral content, particularly in the leaves of wild strawberry and blackberry plants. The plant leaves were also shown to contain vitamin C and exhibited antioxidant activity. The leaves of berry plants were used to obtain micellar extracts, which were then incorporated into the formulation of prototype bath washes. A cosmetic formulation without any extracts served as a reference. In the next step, the prototype cosmetics were evaluated for their chosen properties. The findings showed that incorporating micellar leaf extracts into cosmetic formulations reduced their viscosity and ability to generate long-lasting foam, even in the presence of model sebum. Furthermore, the cosmetics formulated with the extracts exhibited a reduced capacity to emulsify fatty soils compared to the reference formulation, which could present an advantageous option for individuals with sensitive skin.
A Spatial–Temporal Adaptive Graph Convolutional Network with Multi-Sensor Signals for Tool Wear Prediction
Authors: Xia Yu , Zheng Guangji , Li Ye , Liu Hui
Published: February 2025

Tool wear monitoring is crucial for optimizing cutting performance, reducing costs, and improving production efficiency. Existing tool wear prediction models usually design integrated models based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) and recurrent neural network (RNN) to extract spatial and temporal features separately. However, the topological structures between multi-sensor networks are ignored, and the ability to extract spatial features is limited. To overcome these limitations, a novel spatial–temporal adaptive graph convolutional network (STAGCN) is proposed to capture spatial–temporal dependencies with multi-sensor signals. First, a simple linear model is used to capture temporal patterns in individual time-series data. Second, a spatial–temporal layer composed of a bidirectional Mamba and an adaptive graph convolution is established to extract degradation features and reflect the dynamic degradation trend using an adaptive graph. Third, multi-scale triple linear attention (MTLA) is used to fuse the extracted multi-scale features across spatial, temporal, and channel dimensions, which can assign different weights adaptively to retain important information and weaken the influence of redundant features. Finally, the fused features are fed into a linear regression layer to estimate the tool wear. Experimental results conducted on the PHM2010 dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed STAGCN model, achieving a mean absolute error (MAE) of 3.40 μm and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 4.32 μm in the average results across three datasets.
Effects of Age, Maturation, and Sex on Trunk Muscle Performance in Elementary and Secondary School Students: ISQUIOS Program
Authors: Martínez-Romero María Teresa , Robles-Palazón Francisco Javier , De Ste Croix Mark , Sainz de Baranda Pilar
Published: February 2025

Physical education students participated in this study to explore maturity status (MAT), chronological age (CA), and sex-specific trunk muscle endurance differences. Method: Static and dynamic trunk endurance were assessed using five field-based tests. The main results show differences in all trunk endurance tests according to CA and MAT, with greater performance being found at an at older CA or higher MAT. With respect to CA and sex, differences were only found in the DEE test and from the age of 14 onwards, where boys performed better than girls. In addition, interactions were also found between sex and MAT, where boys classified as having circa- and post-peak height velocity performed better than girls in all tests. Physical fitness appears to be particularly sensitive to MAT, so it is important to consider biological maturation when assessing physical fitness rather than the CA factor commonly used in international fitness batteries for children and adolescents.
Effect of Different Forms of Human Platelet Lysate on the Proliferation and Phenotype of Human Osteoblasts
Authors: Kamaruddin Mohamad Raihan , Baharuddin Bahiratuz Zulfa , Ratha Manaalan Nahgeshwarie , Wong Yi Lyn , Hassan Muhammad Najib Fathi , Abdul Aziz Suria , Muttiah Barathan , Law Jia Xian
Published: February 2025

Background and aims: Enhanced cell proliferation is crucial for reducing production time and cost in cell therapy, and human platelet lysate (HPL) is often used to boost cell proliferation due to its favorable safety profile. Understanding the roles of different HPL components and their effects on cell culture can lead to more informed choices in medium formulation, which in turn can influence cell behavior and outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of two types of HPL, i.e., heparin-supplemented HPL (He-HPL) and fibrinogen-depleted HPL without heparin (Fd-HPL), on human osteoblasts. Materials and Methods: He-HPL and Fd-HPL were prepared from expired platelet concentrates. The presence of growth factors, i.e., brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cytokines, i.e., interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), in HPL was evaluated. Human fetal osteoblast (hFOB) cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with either He-HPL or Fd-HPL. The cell morphology, viability, calcium deposition, and expression of osteogenic genes were assessed. Results: Comparable levels of BDNF (p > 0.05), VEGF (p > 0.05), and IL-6 (p > 0.05) were detected in both types of HPL, whereas He-HPL exhibited significantly higher levels of TNF-α (p < 0.05). However, there were no notable differences in cell morphology, viability, population doubling time, or total cell yield between the two HPL types. Similarly, no differences were observed in the mineralization of cells treated with He-HPL compared to Fd-HPL. Nonetheless, hFOB cells cultured with He-HPL demonstrated significantly higher expression of osteogenic markers Runx2 and ALP (p < 0.05) compared to those cultured with Fd-HPL. Conclusions: He-HPL and Fd-HPL demonstrate comparable performance in promoting osteoblast proliferation and mineralization, making both usable for bone tissue engineering. However, He-HPL might have a slight edge as it enhances osteogenic gene expression.
Quality of Service Criteria in Integrated Passenger Transport Systems: An Overview
Authors: Živković Milan , Abramović Borna
Published: February 2025

Urban mobility (UM) refers to the movement of people and goods within urban areas. It is a multidimensional and dynamic aspect of urban life. Everyday mobility is constantly increasing. Therefore, encouraging a modal shift from private vehicles to more sustainable modes such as public passenger transport (PPT) often motivates the implementation of measures that improve service quality. Implementing improvements in public transport service quality is often expected to positively affect the demand for PPT. Therefore, quality of service (QoS) represents the basic criteria for the provided service. The European Standard EN 13816:2002 states the requirement to define, set a goal and measure the quality of service in PPT. It also provides guidelines for selecting appropriate measurement methods for determining the quality of service. Integrated passenger transport systems (IPTSs), because of their complexity and specificity (unified fare system, integrated and harmonised timetable, unified ticketing system and information system), should have different criteria levels. The current standard does not define specific criteria for IPTSs. Improving QoS criteria in IPTSs is essential for enhancing user satisfaction, making them more attractive, efficient and sustainable. This paper should determine basic QoS criteria for IPTSs.
Meta-Data-Guided Robust Deep Neural Network Classification with Noisy Label
Authors: Lu Jie , Wang Yufeng , Shi Aiju , Ma Jianhua , Jin Qun
Published: February 2025

Deep neural network (DNN)-based classifiers have witnessed great applications in various fields. Unfortunately, the labels of real-world training data are commonly noisy, i.e., the labels of a large percentage of training samples are wrong, which negatively affects the performance of a trained DNN classifier during inference. Therefore, it is challenging to practically formulate a robust DNN classifier using noisy labels in training. To address the above issue, our work designs an effective architecture for training the robust DNN classifier with noisy labels, named a cross dual-branch network guided by meta-data on a single side (CoNet-MS), in which a small amount of clean data, i.e., meta-data, are used to guide the training of the DNN classifier. Specifically, the contributions of our work are threefold. First, based on the principle of small loss, each branch using the base classifier as a neural network module infers partial samples with pseudo-clean labels, which are then used for training another branch through a cross structure that can alleviate the cumulative impact of mis-inference. Second, a meta-guided module is designed and inserted into the single branch, e.g., the upper branch, which dynamically adjusts the ratio between the observed label and the pseudo-label output by the classifier in the loss function for each training sample. The asymmetric dual-branch design makes two classifiers diverge, which facilitates them to filter different types of noisy labels and avoid confirmation bias in self-training. Finally, thorough experiments demonstrate that the trained classifier with our proposal is more robust: the accuracy of the classifier trained with our proposed CoNet-MS on multiple datasets under various ratios of noisy labels and noise types outperforms other classifiers of learning with noisy labels (LNLs), including the state-of-the-art meta-data-based LNL classifier.
Topology Optimization and Testing of Connecting Rod Based on Static and Dynamic Analyses
Authors: Nainaragaram Ramasamy Mahalingam , Slíva Aleš , Govindaraj Prasath , Nag Akash
Published: February 2025

This research article outlines our aim to perform topology optimization (TO) by reducing the mass of the connecting rod of an internal combustion engine based on static structural and dynamic analyses. The basic components of an internal combustion engine like the connecting rods, pistons, crankshaft, and cylinder liners were designed using Autodesk Inventor Professional 2025. Using topology optimization, we aimed to achieve lesser maximum von Mises stress during static structural analysis and maintain a factor of safety (FOS) above 2.5 during rigid body dynamics. A force of 64,500 N was applied at the small end of the connecting rod while the big end was fixed. Topology optimization was carried out using ANSYS Discovery software at various percentages on a trial-and-error basis to determine better topology with lesser maximum von Mises stress. Target reduction was set to 4%, and as a result, 5.66% mass reduction from the original design and 6.25% reduced maximum von Mises stress was achieved. Later, transient analysis was carried out to evaluate the irregular motion loads and moments acting on the connecting rod at 1000 rpm. The results showed that the FOS remained above 2.5. Finally, the optimized connecting rod was simulated and verified for longevity using Goodman fatigue life analysis.
Research on Seismic Signal Denoising Model Based on DnCNN Network
Authors: Duan Li , Cai Jianxian , Wang Li , Shi Yan
Published: February 2025

Addressing the noise in seismic signals, a prevalent challenge within seismic signal processing, has been the focus of extensive research. Conventional algorithms for seismic signal denoising often fall short due to their reliance on manually determined feature functions and threshold parameters. These limitations hinder effective noise removal, resulting in suboptimal signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and post-denoising waveform distortion. To address these shortcomings, this study introduces a novel denoising approach leveraging a DnCNN network. The DnCNN framework, which integrates batch normalization with residual learning, is adept at swiftly identifying and eliminating noise from seismic signals through its residual learning capabilities. To assess the efficacy of this DnCNN-based model, it was rigorously tested against a curated test set and benchmarked against other denoising techniques, including wavelet thresholding, empirical mode decomposition, and convolutional auto-encoders. The findings demonstrate that the DnCNN model not only significantly enhances the SNR and correlation coefficient of the processed seismic signals but also achieves superior noise reduction performance.
IoT-Driven Resilience Monitoring: Case Study of a Cyber-Physical System
Authors: Aghazadeh Ardebili Ali , Martella Cristian , Longo Antonella , Rucco Chiara , Izzi Federico , Ficarella Antonio
Published: February 2025

This study focuses on Digital Twin-integrated smart energy systems, which serve as an example of Next-Generation Critical Infrastructures (CI). The resilience of these systems is influenced by a variety of internal features and external interactions, all of which are subject to change following cyber-physical disturbances. This necessitates real-time resilience monitoring for CI during crises; however, a significant gap remains in resilience monitoring. To address this gap, this study leverages the role of Internet of Things (IoT) in monitoring complex systems to enhance resilience through critical indicators relevant to cyber-physical safety and security. The study empirically implements Resilience-Key Performance Indicators (R-KPIs) from the domain, including Functionality Loss, Minimum Performance, and Recovery Time Duration. The main goal is to examine real-time IoT-based resilience monitoring in a real-life context. A cyber-physical system equipped with IoT-driven Digital Twins, data-driven microservices, and a False Data Injection Attack (FDIA) scenario is simulated to assess the real-time resilience of this smart system. The results demonstrate that real-time resilience monitoring provides actionable insights into resilience performance based on the selected R-KPIs. These findings contribute to a systematic and reusable model for enhancing the resilience of IoT-enabled CI, advancing efforts to ensure service continuity and secure essential services for society.