bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observation of Zigzag-Shaped Magnetic Domain Boundaries in Granular Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Media Using Alternating Magnetic Force Microscopy
Authors: Makarova M. V. , Tanaka Hanamichi , Sonobe Hiroshi , Matsumura Toru , Saito Hitoshi
Published: December 2024

In granular media for perpendicular magnetic recording, zigzag-shaped magnetic domain boundaries form between magnetic grains isolated by a non-magnetic grain boundary phase. They are the main source of jitter noise caused by the position fluctuation of magnetic bit transitions. The imaging of zigzag boundaries thus becomes an important task to increase recording density with decreasing bit size, when the zigzag and bit sizes become comparable. We visualized the zigzag boundaries of magnetic domains in as-sputtered granular media with a spatial resolution of less than 3 nm using our developed Alternating Magnetic Force Microscopy (A-MFM). We used a soft magnetic amorphous FeCoB tip with high saturation magnetization, which further enhances the spatial resolution through the inverse magnetostrictive effect. The zigzag size ranged from 2 to 8 nm in media with an estimated grain size of around 5 nm. Additionally, we observed zigzag bit boundaries in commercially recorded granular media with a recording density of 500 kfci.
The Orbits of Twisted Crossed Cubes
Authors: Liu Jia-Jie
Published: December 2024

Two vertices u and v in a graph G=(V,E) are in the same orbit if there exists an automorphism ϕ of G such that ϕ(u)=v. The orbit number of a graph G, denoted by Orb(G), is the number of orbits that partition V(G). All vertex-transitive graphs G satisfy Orb(G)=1. Since the n-dimensional hypercube, denoted by Qn, is vertex-transitive, it follows that Orb(Qn)=1 for n≥1. The twisted crossed cube, denoted by TCQn, is a variant of the hypercube. In this paper, we prove that Orb(TCQn)=1 if n≤4, Orb(TCQ5)=Orb(TCQ6)=2, and Orb(TCQn)=2⌊n−12⌋ if n≥7.
The Human Nasal Microbiome: A Perspective Study During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Malta
Authors: Pinzauti David , De Jaegher Simon , D’Aguanno Maria , Biazzo Manuele
Published: December 2024

The human respiratory tract is colonized by a complex microbial community that helps maintain respiratory health and plays a crucial role in defending the host from infections. Respiratory viruses have been demonstrated to alter microbiota composition, resulting in opportunistic species expansion, and increasing the disease severity and host susceptibility to bacterial co-infections. This study aims to examine the compositional differences in the nasal microbiota between SARS-CoV-2-infected and non-infected patients. We conducted Oxford Nanopore full-length 16S rRNA sequencing on nasal swabs from 94 COVID-19 negative and 85 COVID-19 positive patients collected during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Malta. Our analysis identified significant alpha and beta diversity differences in the nasal microbiota composition among our study groups. We observed a trend toward decreased microbial richness and evenness in the COVID-Positive cohort with and increased abundance of common nasal opportunistic species including Citrobacter koseri, Dolosigranulum pigrum, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. The findings from this study are in line with previously published papers identifying key alterations in the nasal microbiota composition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Understanding these microbiome-driven mechanisms could present novel prognostic markers or offer new approaches for disease prevention and treatment.
The Clinical Anatomy of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in Central Greece During October 2020–July 2022
Authors: Voulgaridi Ioanna , Bogogiannidou Zacharoula , Dadouli Katerina , Galanopoulos Achilleas P. , Kyritsi Maria A. , Vontas Alexandros , Matziri Alexia , Kola Konstantina , Vachtsioli Evangelia , Anagnostopoulos Lemonia , Tsispara Anastasia , Oikonomou Katerina G. , Babalis Dimitris , Petinaki Efthymia , Tseroni Maria , Kalala Fani , Speletas Matthaios , Mouchtouri Varvara A. , Hadjichristodoulou Christos
Published: December 2024

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates investigation into their clinical differentiation and outcomes. This study aimed to examine these differences among VOCs, considering multiple related factors. An observational cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection via nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab who visited the emergency department of a public Greek hospital between October 2020 and July 2022 during different VOC circulation in the region. Data on clinical manifestations, outcomes, and medical history (comorbidities, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination status against COVID-19) were collected through a questionnaire and medical records for those hospitalized. A total of 913 patients were included in this study (813 adults ≥18 years old, 100 children <18 years old). Significant differences were observed across VOCs for both adults and children. A lower proportion of children developed symptoms during the non-Omicron variants, 73.5%, compared to Omicron variants, 86.4%. Fever, dyspnea, and taste and smell disorders were observed more frequently among non-Omicron adult cases, in contrast to upper respiratory symptoms, which were more common symptoms among Omicron infections. The non-Omicron variants were associated with higher rates of hospitalization at 30.6%, pneumonia at 23.0%, and death at 6.1% compared to Omicron variants at 8.0%, 5.0%, and 1.8%, respectively. Vaccination against COVID-19 was shown to be a protective factor for severe outcomes. Our findings suggest distinct clinical presentations and outcomes associated with different VOCs. Despite the fact that current VOCs circulating are less severe, the COVID-19 vaccine continues to play a protective role for severe cases.
Understanding the Epidemiology of Monkeypox Virus to Prevent Future Outbreaks
Authors: Velásquez Jimmy Steven , Herrera-Echeverría Fabiola Beatriz , Porres-Paredes Héctor Salvador , Rodríguez-Cerdeira Carmen
Published: December 2024

Monkeypox (Mpox) is an infectious disease caused by the Mpox virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family and has been declared by the WHO as a global health emergency owing to its rapid spread during 2022 and 2023. All patients diagnosed with Mpox who were confirmed by PCR between July 2022 and April 2023 were included in this study. In total, 405 patients in whom clade 2 was identified were included. Notably, 99% of included patients were men, with 82% of them aged 20–39 years. Furthermore, 71% were men who had sex with men, and 34% were HIV carriers. Regarding the morphology of the lesions, approximately 63% presented with papulonecrotic rash, which sometimes alternated with pustules depending on the stage they were in. All patients presented with systemic symptoms. Five patients required hospital admission, one of whom died, and presented with HIV and severe immunosuppression. Clinical findings suggest that contact during sexual intercourse is the most likely transmission mechanism and genital involvement is the most frequent clinical form. HIV was the primary comorbidity. Genital lesions were common, especially in vulnerable populations such as those who engage in high-risk sexual behaviors.
Integrons in the Age of Antibiotic Resistance: Evolution, Mechanisms, and Environmental Implications: A Review
Authors: Ali Niyaz , Ali Izhar , Din Ahmad Ud , Akhtar Kashif , He Bing , Wen Ronghui
Published: December 2024

Integrons, which are genetic components commonly found in bacteria, possess the remarkable capacity to capture gene cassettes, incorporate them into their structure, and thereby contribute to an increase in genomic complexity and phenotypic diversity. This adaptive mechanism allows integrons to play a significant role in acquiring, expressing, and spreading antibiotic resistance genes in the modern age. To assess the current challenges posed by integrons, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of their characteristics. This review aims to elucidate the structure and evolutionary history of integrons, highlighting how the use of antibiotics has led to the preferential selection of integrons in various environments. Additionally, it explores their current involvement in antibiotic resistance and their dissemination across diverse settings, while considering potential transmission factors and routes. This review delves into the arrangement of gene cassettes within integrons, their ability to rearrange, the mechanisms governing their expression, and the process of excision. Furthermore, this study examines the presence of clinically relevant integrons in a wide range of environmental sources, shedding light on how anthropogenic influences contribute to their propagation into the environment.
The Significance of the Cell-Mediated Host Immune Response in Syphilis
Authors: Kaminiów Konrad , Kiołbasa Martyna , Pastuszczak Maciej
Published: December 2024

Syphilis, caused by the highly invasive pathogen Treponema pallidum, remains one of the oldest and most significant public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of new syphilis cases among adults aged 15–49 years in 2022 was estimated at approximately 8 million, with notable increases observed in Europe, the Americas, and Africa. The cellular immune response plays a critical role in combating this infection, and its insufficient activity may contribute to chronic progression of the disease. T. pallidum effectively evades the host immune response, enabling its prolonged survival within the host and increasing the risk of late complications such as neurosyphilis and cardiovascular syphilis. This review article discusses the mechanisms of cellular immune responses in T. pallidum infection, including T lymphocyte activation, proinflammatory cytokine production, and the roles of macrophages and dendritic cells in pathogen recognition and elimination. Additionally, it examines the immune evasion strategies employed by T. pallidum, such as the low immunogenicity of its antigens and its ability to suppress the activation of effector cells. A comprehensive understanding of the current knowledge regarding cellular immune mechanisms may contribute to the development of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in syphilis management.
Microorganism Strains, Environmentally Friendly and Biological Preparations Against Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood, 1949 and Their Impact on Fruit Quality and Tomato Crop Structure
Authors: Nekoval Svetlana Nikolaevna , Churikova Arina Konstantinovna , Maskalenko Oksana Aleksandrovna , Tukhuzheva Zhanneta Zaurovna , Ivanov Valentin Valentinovich
Published: December 2024

The primary aim of this research was to study the effectiveness of various strains of antagonist microorganisms and biological preparations against Meloidogyne hapla, in addition to their impact on the quality of tomato fruits and crop structure. Four microorganism strains and three registered environmentally safe nematicides were used in the experiment presented herein. The results showed that the strains Paecilomyces lilacinus F-22BK/6 and Arthrobotrys conoides F-22BK/4 had the greatest biological efficacy, reducing the number of galls on tomato plants by 91.8% and 88.4%, values comparable with the results of the chemical control Vydate 5G. The Metarhizium anisopliae F-22BK/2 and Arthrobotrys conoides F-22BK/4 treatments showed the best results, increasing the fruit weight by 8.6% and 9.9%, in addition to increasing the tomato yield by 5.0% and 13.3%. These strains contributed to an increase in sugar content, whereas the concentration of vitamin C was reduced in the Trichoderma viride F-294 and Fitoverm treatments, indicating a high level of oxidative stress in the latter treatments. The results of this study confirm the prospects of using biological nematicides against phytoparasitic nematodes, which will not only enable effective control of their population but also improve the quality of agricultural products, minimizing harm to the environment and human health.
Apatite in Pegmatoid Gabbro (Khudolaz Differentiated Complex, Southern Urals): Electron-Microprobe and LA-ICP-MS Geochemical Study in Context of Petrogenesis
Authors: Rakhimov Ildar R.
Published: December 2024

The conducted study shows that apatite is one of the key accessory minerals in the ultramafic-mafic rocks of the Khudolaz differentiated complex in the Southern Urals, including late pegmatoid gabbro. Petrographic and mineralogical investigations determine apatite crystallizing simultaneously with hornblende in pegmatoid gabbro from the residual water-saturated melt after plagioclase crystallization at a temperature of 990–800 °C, a pressure of 1–3 kbar, oxygen fugacity from −13.9 to −10.7, and water content of 3.9–5.5 wt. %. Pegmatoid gabbro apatite (Appg) from the Severnyi Buskun composite massif differs from early ultramafic-mafic apatite having a fairly high potential for sulfide-platinum metal mineralization in low chlorine and high fluorine content. Low sulfur concentrations in Appg testify to the lack of sulfide-platinum metal mineralization potential of pegmatoid gabbro, but a scanty potential for rare-metal mineralization (e.g., REE) is possible. Appg is quite poor in REE despite the enrichment of pegmatoid gabbros in REE relative to early ultramafic-mafics, which indicates REE accumulation in the fluid. The ratios of cerium and europium anomalies characterize the Appg crystallization under conditions transitional from the magmatic to the hydrothermal stage. Generally, apatite is a good indicator of the difference in the conditions of formation of late pegmatoid gabbro and early ultramafic-mafic rocks, which determines the importance of this mineral in mineralogical and petrological studies.
Low-Toxicity and High-Stability Fluorescence Sensor for the Selective, Rapid, and Visual Detection Tetracycline in Food Samples
Authors: Wang Jixiang , Qin Yaowei , Ma Yue , Meng Minjia , Xu Yeqing
Published: December 2024

With the development and improvement of analysis and detection systems, low-toxicity and harmless detection systems have received much attention, especially in the field of food detection. In this paper, a low-toxicity dual-emission molecularly imprinted fluorescence sensor (CdTe QDs@SiO2/N-CDs@MIPs) was successfully designed for highly selective recognition and visual detection of tetracycline (TC) in food samples. Specifically, the non-toxic blue-emission N-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) with high luminous performance acted as the response signals to contact TC via the covalent bond between amino and carboxyl groups. The red-emission CdTe quantum dots (CdTe QDs) were coated in silica nanospheres as stable reference signals, which effectively avoided the direct contact of CdTe QDs. Under optimum conditions, CdTe QDs@SiO2/N-CDs@MIPs had a rapid response within 1.0 min to TC, and the detection limit of CdTe QDs@SiO2/N-CDs@MIPs was calculated at 0.846 μM in the linear range of 0–140 μM. In complex environments, the CdTe QDs@SiO2/N-CDs@MIPs also exhibited excellent capabilities for the selective, rapid, and visual detection of TC. Furthermore, the accuracy of CdTe QDs@SiO2/N-CDs@MIPs to detect TC was verified by the HPLC method, and satisfactory results were obtained. Moreover, CdTe QDs@SiO2/N-CDs@MIPs showed a satisfactory recovery when measuring TC in milk and egg samples. This work provided an ideal approach for low-toxicity fluorescence sensor design and application.
Effects of Nanosilica on the Properties of Ultrafine Cement–Fly Ash Composite Cement Materials
Authors: Wang Kai , Guo Siyang , Ren Jiahui , Chen Pengyu , Zhang Qihao
Published: December 2024

The increasing incidence of structural failures, such as cracks and collapses, in rock masses within mines, tunnels, and other civil engineering environments has attracted considerable attention among scholars in recent years. Grouting serves as a principal solution to these issues. The Renlou Coal Mine in the Anhui Province is used as a case study to evaluate the effectiveness of nanosilica (NS) as an additive in ultrafine cement (UC), introducing a novel grouting material for practical applications. This study investigates the physical and microscopic properties of a UC–ultrafine fly ash (UFA) mixed slurry containing powdered NS. Slurries of pure UC, UFA-blended UC, and UFA-blended UC with NS were prepared, and their viscosity, water precipitation rate, and compressive strength were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used for microscopic analyses. The results showed that the addition of UFA and NS to the UC slurry induced a more compact structure with reduced porosity. It was found that the viscosity and 7 d and 28 d compressive strengths of the slurry containing 50% UFA decreased by 91%, 51%, and 29.2%, respectively, and the water separation rate increased by 306.5%. The decrease in early strength was more pronounced, and the UFA content should not exceed 25%. Compared with the slurry without NS, the viscosity and 7 d and 28 d compressive strength of the slurry containing 1.5% NS increased by 216%, 51.2%, and 37%, respectively, and the water separation rate decreased by 45%. Notably, when the NS content is 1.5%, the performance of cement slurry is improved the most, and more C-S-H gel is produced. Cement consumption costs could be lowered and slurry performance improved by replacing a part of the cement with UFA and NS. Finally, orthogonal tests were conducted to select the optimal proportions for cement grouting. The optimal blend was determined to be composed of 20% UFA and 1.5% NS, with a water–cement ratio of 0.6. The study’s results not only demonstrate that NS has a good effect on improving the performance of cement-based grouting materials but also provide new insights for the design and application of grouting support in underground engineering.
Influence of Substrate Bias Voltage on Structure and Properties of (AlCrMoNiTi)N Films
Authors: Gao Xue , Li Bin , Zhao Yiman , Shi Xunwang , Chen Yujie , Liao Bin , Ren Erzhou
Published: December 2024

(AlCrMoNiTi)N high-entropy alloy nitride (HEAN) films were synthesized at various bias voltages using the co-filter cathodic vacuum arc (co-FCVA) deposition technique. This study systematically investigates the effect of bias voltage on the microstructure and performance of HEAN films. The results indicate that an increase in bias voltage enhances the energy of ions while concomitantly reducing the deposition rate. All synthesized (AlCrMoNiTi)N HEAN films demonstrated the composite structure composed of FCC phase and metallic Ni. The hardness of the (AlCrMoNiTi)N HEAN film synthesized at a bias voltage of −100 V attained a maximum value of 38.7 GPa. This high hardness is primarily attributed to the synergistic effects stemming from the formation of strong metal-nitrogen (Me-N) bonding formed between the target elements and the N element, the densification of the film structure, and the ion beam-assisted bombardment strengthening of the co-FCVA deposition technique. In addition, the corrosion current density of the film prepared at this bias voltage was measured at 4.9 × 10−7 A·cm−2, significantly lower than that of 304 stainless steel, indicating excellent corrosion resistance.
Hf Doping Boosts the Excellent Activity and Durability of Fe-N-C Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Li-O2 Batteries
Authors: Liu Mingrui , Ke Shaoqiu , Sun Chuangqing , Zhang Chenzhuo , Liao Shijun
Published: December 2024

Developing highly active and durable non-noble metal catalysts is crucial for energy conversion and storage, especially for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries. Non-noble metal catalysts are considered the greatest potential candidates to replace noble metal catalysts in PEMFCs and Li-O2 batteries. Herein, we propose a novel type of non-noble metal catalyst (Fe-Hf/N/C) doped with Hf into a mesoporous carbon material derived from Hf-ZIF-8 and co-doping with Fe and N, which greatly enhanced the activity and durability of the catalyst. When applied in the cathode of PEMFCs, the current density can reach up 1.1 and 1.7 A cm−2 at 0.7 and 0.6 V, respectively, with a maximum power density of 1.15 W cm−2. The discharge capacity of the Li-O2 batteries is up to 15,081 mAh g−1 with Fe-Hf/N/C in the cathode, which also shows a lower charge overpotential, 200 mV lower than that of the Fe/N/C. Additionally, the Fe-Hf/N/C catalyst has demonstrated better stability in both PEMFCs and Li-O2 batteries. This reveals that Hf can not only optimize the electronic structure of iron sites and increase the active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction, but can also anchor the active sites, enhancing the durability of the catalyst. This study provides a new strategy for the development of high-performance and durable catalysts for PEMFCs and Li-O2 batteries.
Muscle Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer Outpatients: Agreement Between Computed Tomography, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, and Nutritional Ultrasound
Authors: Jiménez-Sánchez Andrés , Soriano-Redondo María Elisa , Roque-Cuéllar María del Carmen , García-Rey Silvia , Valladares-Ayerbes Manuel , Pereira-Cunill José Luis , García-Luna Pedro Pablo
Published: December 2024

Background: Muscle quality and mass in cancer patients have prognostic and diagnostic importance. Objectives: The objectives are to analyze agreement between gold-standard and bedside techniques for morphofunctional assessment. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 156 consecutive colorectal cancer outpatients that underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning at lumbar level 3 (L3), whole-body bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), point-of-care nutritional ultrasound® (US), anthropometry, and handgrip strength in the same day. Measured muscle biomarkers were stratified by sex, age, BMI-defined obesity, and malnutrition using Global Leadership in Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Whole-body estimations for muscle mass (MM) and fat-free mass were calculated using two different equations in CT (i.e., Shen, and Mourtzakis) and four different equations for BIA (i.e., Janssen, Talluri, Kanellakis, and Kotler). Muscle cross-sectional area at L3 was estimated using the USVALID equation in US. Different cut-off points for muscle atrophy and myosteatosis were applied. Sarcopenia was defined as muscle atrophy plus dynapenia. Intra-technique and inter-technique agreement were analyzed with Pearson, Lin (ρ), and Cohen (k) coefficients, Bland–Altman analyses, and hypothesis tests for measures of central tendency. Results: Intra-technique agreements on muscular atrophy (CT k = 0.134, BIA k = −0.037, US k = 0.127) and myosteatosis (CT k = 0.122) were low, but intra-technique agreement on sarcopenia in CT was fair (k = 0.394). Inter-technique agreement on muscular atrophy and sarcopenia were low. Neither CT and BIA (ρ = 0.468 to 0.772 depending on equation), nor CT and US (ρ = 0.642), were interchangeable. Amongst the BIA equations, MM by Janssen proved the best, with a 1.5 (3.6) kg bias, (−5.6, 8.6) kg LoA, and 9/156 (5.7%) measurements outside the LoA. Muscle biomarkers in all techniques were worse in aged, female, or malnourished participants. Obesity was associated with higher muscle mass or surface biomarkers in all techniques. Conclusions: Bedside techniques adequately detected patterns in skeletal muscle biomarkers, but lacked agreement with a reference technique in the study sample using the current methodology.
A Retrospective Epidemiological Analysis of Microscopically Detected Babesiosis in Dogs of Southern Poland (2018–2022)
Authors: Pawełczyk Olga , Iwase Paulina , Wierzba Bartosz , Kretschmer Milena , Wojtyczka Robert , Solarz Krzysztof
Published: December 2024

Babesia canis is the parasite responsible for a life-threatening disease for dogs in Central Europe, of which the main vector is the ornate dog tick—Dermacentor reticulatus. The objective of the presented study was to assess the prevalence of Babesia infection in dogs with clinical suspicion of babesiosis, which tested positive for B. canis from locations where there is no or very limited information about dog exposure to this pathogen. In order to confirm the presence of this protozoan, blood samples were collected from dogs treated in veterinary clinics with suspicion of canine babesiosis. The samples were sent for microscopic analysis to Vetlab, a commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory, to confirm the diagnosis. Overall, 3032 dog blood samples from Southern Poland were examined between 1 August 2018 and 31 December 2022 at the Vetlab laboratory. A total of 282 (9.3%) samples were found to be Babesia-positive using Wright–Giemsa stain peripheral blood smears, with an increase in two periods per year—April and October. Among the five voivodships, from which the laboratory analyzed blood samples, the highest number of Babesia-positive samples came from Częstochowa (Silesia) and its surroundings. Moreover, Babesia protozoans occurred more frequently in blood smears of pure-breed rather than mixed-breed dogs. The obtained results showed that infections with large Babesia in dogs from Southern Poland (with a special indication for the Śląskie Voivodship) should be taken into consideration during the differential diagnosis of tick-borne diseases at veterinary clinics. The presented study increases the vigilance and awareness of veterinarians and dog owners in this region, where babesiosis was very rarely diagnosed until date.
Spatial Ensemble Mapping for Coded Aperture Imaging—A Tutorial
Authors: Joshi Narmada , Ignatius Xavier Agnes Pristy , Gopinath Shivasubramanian , Tiwari Vipin , Anand Vijayakumar
Published: December 2024

Coded aperture imaging (CAI) is a well-established computational imaging technique consisting of two steps, namely the optical recording of an object using a coded mask, followed by a computational reconstruction using a computational algorithm using a pre-recorded point spread function (PSF). In this tutorial, we introduce a simple yet elegant technique called spatial ensemble mapping (SEM) for CAI that allows us to tune the axial resolution post-recording from a single camera shot recorded using an image sensor. The theory, simulation studies, and proof-of-concept experimental studies of SEM-CAI are presented. We believe that the developed approach will benefit microscopy, holography, and smartphone imaging systems.
Erbium-Doped Fibers Designed for Random Single-Frequency Lasers Operating in the Extended L-Band
Authors: Lipatov Denis , Abramov Alexey , Lobanov Alexey , Burmistrov Denis , Popov Sergei , Ryakhovsky Dmitry , Chamorovskiy Yuriy , Bazakutsa Alexey , Iskhakova Liudmila , Egorova Olga , Rybaltovsky Andrey
Published: December 2024

The paper presents the results of developing Er-doped optical fibers for creating random single-frequency lasers in the wavelength range of 1570–1610 nm. The possibility of broadening the luminescence band of Er3+ ions in silicate glasses in the long-wavelength region of the spectrum by introducing a high concentration of P2O5, as well as by additional doping with Sb2O3, is investigated. It is found that both approaches do not improve the dynamics of luminescence decay in the L-band. In addition, Er2O3-GeO2-Al2O3-SiO2 and Er2O3-GeO2-Al2O3-P2O5-SiO2 glasses were studied as the core material for L-band optical fibers. The developed fibers exhibited high photosensitivity and a high gain of 5 and 7.2 dB/m, respectively. In these fibers, homogeneous arrays of extended weakly reflecting Bragg gratings were recorded directly during the fiber drawing process. Samples of arrays 5 m long and with a narrow reflection maximum at ~1590 nm were used as the base for laser resonators. Narrow-band random laser generation in the wavelength region of 1590 nm was recorded for the first time. At a temperature of 295 K, the laser mode was strictly continuous wave and stable in terms of output power. The maximal power exceeded 16 mW with an efficiency of 16%.
Superellipse Equation Describing the Geometries of Abies alba Tree Rings
Authors: Huang Weiwei , Ma Kehang , Tan Jiaxin , Wei Meixiang , Lu Yunjie
Published: December 2024

Our previous study using 41 tree rings of one Abies alba Mill. disc indicated that the superellipse equation can accurately fit its tree-ring shape. This study further used the superellipse equation (xan+yβn=1 ) to model the geometries of 1090 tree rings of A. alba discs collected from five sites in Denmark. The adjusted root-mean-square-error (RMSEadj) was calculated to assess the goodness of fit between observed and predicted tree-ring boundaries. The results showed that RMSEadj ranged between 0.0038 and 0.0591, with a mean value of 0.0141. This verified that the superellipse equation sufficiently describes the A. alba tree-ring shape. In the polar coordinate system, the superellipse equation can be expressed as r=a(cosφn+sinφ/kn)−1/n. Where r and φ are the polar radius and polar angle, respectively. k=β/a, where a and β are the major and minor semi-axes of the superellipse. The mean value of k was 0.95, 94% of tree rings had k-values between 0.90 and 1.00, and only 67 tree rings had k-values between 0.71 and 0.90. n-value ranged from 1.62 to 2.81, with an average value of 2.04. 59% of the tree rings had n-values between 1.90 and 2.10, and 62% showed n-values greater than 2.0. This means that most tree rings are a hyperellipse approached to an ellipse. Sites with different soil moisture conditions influenced the size but not the shape of tree rings. This study verified that the tree-ring shape of A. alba tends to be bilaterally symmetric and hyperellipse approached ellipse. Its variation was reflected more in inter-annual differences in k- and n-values.
Comprehensive In Vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Computational Insights into Blepharis ciliaris (L.) B. L. Burtt from Hail Mountains, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sulieman Abdel Moniem Elhadi , Idriss Hajo , Alshammari Mamdouh , Almuzaini Nujud A. M. , Ibrahim Nosyba A. , Dahab Mahmoud , Alhudhaibi Abdulrahman Mohammed , Alrushud Hamad Mohammed Abdullah , Saleh Zakaria Ahmed , Abdallah Emad M.
Published: December 2024

The arid mountainous region of Hail in Saudi Arabia has a variety of desert vegetation, some of which are conventionally used in Bedouin traditional medicine. These plants need scientific examination. This research seeks to examine Blepharis ciliaris using a thorough multi-analytical methodology that includes antibacterial and antioxidant assessments as well as computational modeling. GC–MS analysis of the methanolic extract revealed 17 organic compounds, including pentadecanoic acid, ethyl methyl ester (2.63%); hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (1.00%); 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (2.74%); 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (E) (2.78%); octadecanoic acid (5.88%); 9-tetradecenoic acid (Z) (3.22%); and undec-10-enoic acid, undec-2-n-1-yl ester (5.67%). The DPPH test evaluated antioxidant activity, revealing a notable increase with higher concentrations of the methanolic extract, achieving maximum inhibition of 81.54% at 1000 µg/mL. The methanolic extract exhibited moderate antibacterial activity, with average inhibition zones of 10.33 ± 1.53 mm, 13.33 ± 1.53 mm, 10.67 ± 1.53 mm, and 10.00 ± 2.00 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens, respectively, as determined by the disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 500 µg/mL for S. aureus and B. subtilis, whereas E. coli and S. marcescens showed susceptibility at 1000 µg/mL. Computational simulations were employed to assess the toxicity, drug-likeness, and ADMET profiles of compounds derived from Blepharis ciliaris. Thirteen bioactive compounds were assessed in silico against Staphylococcus aureus sortase A (PDB: 1T2O), Bacillus subtilis BsFabHb (PDB: 8VDB), Escherichia coli LPS assembly protein (LptD) (PDB: 4RHB), and a modeled Serratia marcescens outer-membrane protein TolC, focusing on cell wall and membrane structures. Compound 3, (+)-Ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate, shown significant binding affinities to B. subtilis BsFabHb, E. coli LPS assembly protein, and S. marcescens TolC.
Modeling of Accumulator in Roll-to-Roll Coating Equipment and Tension Control with Nonlinear PID
Authors: Ju Guoli , Liu Shanhui , Feng Lei , Wang Chaoyue , Yang Kailin
Published: December 2024

This paper addresses the issue of the high-precision control of substrate tension in an accumulator during the roll-to-roll coating process. First, a coupling model for tension errors in the substrate within the accumulator is established, along with dynamic models for the input–output rollers, carriage, and the thrust model of the ball screw. Based on these models, a simulation model is built in MATLAB/Simulink to analyze the main causes of substrate tension errors in the accumulator under uncontrolled conditions. Next, to tackle the tension errors caused by carriage displacement, a nonlinear proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller is proposed, and a control strategy for substrate tension in the accumulator is designed. Finally, based on the established simulation model, experiments are conducted using the proposed nonlinear PID controller and the designed tension control strategy, and their performance is compared with that of a classical PID controller. The simulation results show that both the nonlinear PID controller and the classical PID controller, when combined with the proposed tension error control strategy, can reduce tension errors in the accumulator substrate. However, the nonlinear PID controller is more suitable for controlling substrate tension errors in the accumulator. On the one hand, the nonlinear PID controller has better anti-disturbance capability. In the anti-disturbance experiment, under PID control, the substrate tension error remains stable at around −1.6 N, with tension disturbances of ±0.2 N occurring at approximately 185 s and 135 s. On the other hand, the nonlinear PID controller demonstrates better robustness. In the robustness experiment, under the nonlinear PID controller, the substrate tension error fluctuates within the range of 0 to 0.02 N, showing excellent robustness.
Failure Behavior of Nano-Metakaolin Concrete Under Splitting Tension Based on Digital Image Correlation Method
Authors: Chen Hao , Fan Yingfang , Li Qiuchao , Peng Chang
Published: December 2024

Nano metakaolin (NMK) has attracted considerable interest for its potential to improve the durability of cementitious materials. However, the effect of NMK on the splitting tensile performance of concrete has not been systematically investigated. This study investigates the splitting tensile performance of NMK concrete and analyzes its failure behavior under splitting load. Different NMK dosages (0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) were considered, and splitting tensile tests were conducted. The crack propagation process, crack width, and crack growth rate on the surface of NMK concrete during the splitting tensile test are analyzed using the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method. The mechanisms by which NMK affects the splitting tensile performance of concrete were examined using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG). The results indicate that the incorporation of NMK enhances the splitting tensile performance of concrete. Concrete with 5% NMK addition exhibited the highest splitting tensile strength, with an increase of 17.4% compared to ordinary concrete. NMK improved the cracking resistance and overall integrity under splitting tensile load. With 5% NMK addition, the surface crack length, width, and main crack propagation rate of the concrete decreased by 4.5%, 35.3%, and 29.6%, respectively. NMK contributed to a denser internal structure of the concrete, promoted the formation of C-S-H gel, and increased the degree of cement hydration. Moreover, a lower thickness and Ca/Si ratio of interfacial transition zone (ITZ) were observed in NMK concrete. The ITZ thickness and Ca/Si ratio of concrete with 5% NMK were reduced by 64.4% and 85.4%, respectively, compared to ordinary concrete. In summary, the influence mechanism of NMK addition on the splitting tensile strength and failure behavior of concrete is explored in this study, providing experimental data to support the application of NMK concrete in practical engineering.
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anticancer Effects of Nanoencapsulated Brazilian Red Propolis Extract: Applications in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Justino Isabela Araújo , Furlan João Pedro Rueda , Ferreira Iasmin Rosane Silva , Marincek Andréia , Aldana-Mejía Jennyfer A. , Tucci Luiz Fernando Fortunato , Bastos Jairo Kenupp , Stehling Eliana Guedes , Marzocchi-Machado Cleni M. , Marcato Priscyla Daniely
Published: December 2024

This study evaluates the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects of Brazilian red propolis extract (BRPE) and its nanoencapsulated form (NCBRPE) to address bacteria and conditions associated with the ovarian cancer microenvironment. The NCBRPE showed an average size of 178.3 ± 3.3 nm, a polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.06, and an encapsulation efficiency exceeding 97% for the main bioactive compounds of propolis. Antimicrobial assays revealed that BRPE exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 4 to 256 mg/L against seven bacterial strains, while NCBRPE demonstrated sustained efficacy, with a biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) of 128 mg/L against Burkholderia cepacia. In clonogenic assays, NCBRPE reduced long-term cancer cell proliferation, achieving a 10-fold decrease in colony formation compared to untreated controls, significantly outperforming BRPE. Flow cytometry indicated that NCBRPE induced apoptosis in 29% ± 0.4 of ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR-3). Additionally, the DPPH assay confirmed the antioxidant activity of NCBRPE, demonstrating that it retained most of the extract’s original antioxidant capacity. This was further supported by oxidative burst assays, which showed a significant reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in neutrophils. These findings position NCBRPE as a multi-functional therapeutic candidate for managing infections, oxidative stress, and tumor progression in the ovarian cancer microenvironment.
Manipulating Traditional Korean Confucianism: The Impact of Japanese Colonial Rule and Its Aftermath
Authors: Rhyu Mi-na , Kim Hyosook , Kim Ye Jin
Published: December 2024

Confucian values are widely recognized as integral to traditional Korean culture. However, some aspects of this culture were significantly altered during Japanese colonial rule. This study explored how Japanese colonial policies reshaped Korean Confucianism and their lasting impacts on contemporary practices. It employed a historical analysis of colonial regulations, newspaper articles, and primary historical documents. This approach helped to trace the changes in Confucian practices and ideologies during and after the colonial period. The study found that Japanese authorities utilized Confucian values, such as loyalty and filial piety, to promote assimilation into the imperial state, redirecting these concepts toward the Japanese emperor and government. Efforts to democratize Confucianism included repurposing traditional sites for non-traditional uses, which were parts of a broader strategy to embed imperial ideology in Korean society. Despite Korea’s liberation, some aspects of this altered Confucianism continued to influence Korean politics and society. Understanding the transformation of Korean Confucianism during the colonial era is crucial for grasping the evolution of contemporary Confucian practices in Korea. This study provides insight into the origins and motivations behind cultural practices that are often misinterpreted as “traditional”.
A Sequential Importance Sampling for Estimating Multi-Period Tail Risk
Authors: Seo Ye-Ji , Kim Sunggon
Published: December 2024

Plain or crude Monte Carlo simulation (CMC) is commonly applied for estimating multi-period tail risk measures such as value-at-risk (VaR) and expected shortfall (ES). After fitting a volatility model to the past history of returns and estimating the conditional distribution of innovations, one can simulate the return process following the fitted volatility model with the estimated conditional distribution of innovations. Repeated generation of the return processes with the desired length gives a sufficient number of simulated multi-period returns. Then, the multi-period VaR and ES are directly estimated from the empirical distribution of them. CMC is easily applicable. However, it needs to generate a huge number of multi-period returns for the accurate estimation of a tail risk measure, especially when the confidence level of the measure is close to 1. To overcome this shortcoming, we propose a sequential importance sampling, which is a modification of CMC. In the proposed method. The sampling distribution of innovations is chosen differently from the estimated conditional distribution of innovations so that the simulated multi-period losses are more severe than in the case of CMC. In other words, the simulated losses over the VaR that is wanted to estimate are common in the proposed method, which reduces very much the estimation error of ES, and requires the less simulated samples. We propose how to find the near optimal sampling distribution. The multi-period VaR and ES are estimated from the weighted empirical distribution of the simulated multi-period returns. We propose how to compute the weight of a simulated multi-period return. An empirical study is given to backtest the estimated VaRs and ESs by the proposed method, and to compare the performance of the proposed sequential importance sampling with CMC.
MambaHR: State Space Model for Hyperspectral Image Restoration Under Stray Light Interference
Authors: Xing Zhongyang , Wang Haoqian , Liu Ju , Cheng Xiangai , Xu Zhongjie
Published: December 2024

Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) excels in material identification and capturing spectral details and is widely utilized in various fields, including remote sensing and environmental monitoring. However, in real-world applications, HSI is often affected by Stray Light Interference (SLI), which severely degrades both its spatial and spectral quality, thereby reducing overall image accuracy and usability. Existing hardware solutions are often expensive and add complexity to the system, and despite these efforts, they cannot fully eliminate SLI. Traditional algorithmic methods, on the other hand, struggle to capture the intricate spatial–spectral dependencies needed for effective restoration, particularly in complex noise scenarios. Deep learning methods present a promising alternative because of their flexibility in handling complex data and strong restoration capabilities. To tackle this challenge, we propose MambaHR, a novel State Space Model (SSM) for HSI restoration under SLI. MambaHR incorporates state space modules and channel attention mechanisms, effectively capturing and integrating global and local spatial–spectral dependencies while preserving critical spectral details. Additionally, we constructed a synthetic hyperspectral dataset with SLI by simulating light spots of varying intensities and shapes across spectral channels, thereby realistically replicating the interference observed in real-world conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that MambaHR significantly outperforms existing methods across multiple benchmark HSI datasets, exhibiting superior performance in preserving spectral accuracy and enhancing spatial resolution. This method holds great potential for improving HSI processing applications in fields such as remote sensing and environmental monitoring.
Assimilating Satellite-Based Biophysical Variables Data into AquaCrop Model for Silage Maize Yield Estimation Using Water Cycle Algorithm
Authors: Akbari Elahe , Boloorani Ali Darvishi , Verrelst Jochem , Pignatti Stefano
Published: December 2024

Accurate crop yield estimation is critical to successful agricultural operations. Current crop growth models often overlook the spatial and geographic components of the lands, leading to suboptimal yield estimates. To address this issue, assimilation of satellite vegetation products into these models can account for spatial variations in the land and improve estimation accuracy. In this paper, the AquaCrop model, a water-driven crop growth model, was selected for recalibration and assimilation of satellite-derived biophysical products due to its simplicity and lack of computational complexity. To this end, field samples of soil (sampled before cultivation) and crop features were collected during the growing season of silage maize. Digital hemisphere photography (DHP) and destructive sampling methods were used for measuring fraction vegetation cover (fCover) and biomass in Qaleh-Now County, southern Tehran, in 2019. Based on our proposed workflow in previous studies, a Gaussian process regression–particle swarm optimization (GPR-PSO) algorithm and global sensitivity analysis were applied to retrieve the fCover and biomass from Sentinel-2 satellite data and to identify the most sensitive parameters in the AquaCrop model, respectively. Here, we propose the use of an optimization water cycle algorithm (WCA) instead of a PSO algorithm as an assimilation method for the parameter calibration of AquaCrop. This study also focused on using both fCover and biomass state variables simultaneously in the model, as opposed to only the fCover, and found that using both variables led to significantly higher calibration accuracy. The WCA method outperformed the PSO method in AquaCrop’s calibration, leading to more accurate results on maize yield estimates. It has enhanced results, decreasing RMSE values by 3.8 and 4.7 ton/ha, RRMSE by 6.4% and 10%, and increasing R2 by 0.17 and 0.35 for model calibration and validation, respectively. These results suggest that assimilating satellite-derived data and optimizing the calibration process through WCA can significantly improve the accuracy of crop yield estimations in water-driven crop growth models, highlighting the potential of this approach for precision agriculture.
Monitoring Saltmarsh Restoration in the Upper Bay of Fundy Using Multi-Temporal Sentinel-2 Imagery and Random Forests Classifier
Authors: Naojee Swarna M. , LaRocque Armand , Leblon Brigitte , Norris Gregory S. , Barbeau Myriam A. , Rowland Matthew
Published: December 2024

Saltmarshes provide important ecosystem services, including coastline protection, but face decline due to human activities and climate change. There are increasing efforts to conserve and restore saltmarshes worldwide. Our study evaluated the effectiveness of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to monitor landcover changes using a saltmarsh restoration project undergoing its 9th to 12th year of recovery in the megatidal Bay of Fundy in Maritime Canada. Specifically, in 2019–2022, five satellite images per growing season were acquired. Random Forests classification for 13 landcover classes (ranging from bare mud to various plant communities) achieved a high overall classification accuracy, peaking at 96.43% in 2021. Field validation points confirmed this, with high validation accuracies reaching 93.02%. The classification results successfully distinguished ecologically significant classes, such as Spartina alterniflora–S. patens mix. Our results reveal the appearance of high marsh species in restoration sites and elevational-based zonation patterns, indicating progression. They demonstrate the potential of Sentinel-2 imagery for monitoring saltmarsh restoration projects in north temperate latitudes, aiding management efforts.