bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: New Pathogenetic Mechanisms, Treatment and the Most Important Complications
Authors: Młynarska Ewelina , Czarnik Witold , Dzieża Natasza , Jędraszak Weronika , Majchrowicz Gabriela , Prusinowski Filip , Stabrawa Magdalena , Rysz Jacek , Franczyk Beata
Published: January 2025

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a prevalent chronic disease affecting over 400 million people globally, is driven by genetic and environmental factors. The pathogenesis involves insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, mediated by mechanisms such as the dedifferentiation of β-cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Treatment should be based on non-pharmacological therapy. Strategies such as increased physical activity, dietary modifications, cognitive-behavioral therapy are important in maintaining normal glycemia. Advanced therapies, including SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, complement these treatments and offer solid glycemic control, weight control, and reduced cardiovascular risk. Complications of T2DM, such as diabetic kidney disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy, underscore the need for early diagnosis and comprehensive management to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Modeling Rollover Crash Risks: The Influence of Road Infrastructure and Traffic Stream Characteristics
Authors: Khishdari Abolfazl , Mirzahossein Hamid , Jin Xia , Afandizadeh Shahriar
Published: January 2025

Rollover crashes are among the most prevalent types of accidents in developing countries. Various factors may contribute to the occurrence of rollover crashes. However, limited studies have simultaneously investigated both traffic stream and road-related variables. For instance, the effects of T-intersection density, U-turns, roadside parking lots, the entry and exit ramps of side roads, as well as traffic stream characteristics (e.g., standard deviation of vehicle speeds, speed violations, presence or absence of speed cameras, and road surface deterioration) have not been thoroughly explored in previous research. Additionally, the simultaneous modeling of crash frequency and intensity remains underexplored. This study examines single-vehicle rollover crashes in Yazd Province, located in central Iran, as a case study and simultaneously evaluates all the variables. A dataset comprising three years of crash data (2015–2017) was collected and analyzed. A crash index was developed based on the weight of crash intensity, road type, road length (as dependent variables), and road infrastructure and traffic stream properties (as independent variables). Initially, the dataset was refined to determine the significance of explanatory variables on the crash index. Correlation analysis was conducted to assess the linear independence between variable pairs using the variance inflation factor (VIF). Subsequently, various models were compared based on goodness of fit (GOF) indicators and odds ratio (OR) calculations. The results indicated that among ten crash modeling techniques, namely, Poisson, negative binomial (NB), zero-truncated Poisson (ZTP), zero-truncated negative binomial (ZTNB), zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP), zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB), fixed-effect Poisson (FEP), fixed-effect negative binomial (FENB), random-effect Poisson (REP), and random-effect negative binomial (RENB), the FENB model outperformed the others. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) values for the FENB model were 1305.7 and 1393.6, respectively, demonstrating its superior performance. The findings revealed a declining trend in the frequency and severity of rollover crashes.
The Gut Bacteria of Gampsocleis gratiosa (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) by Culturomics
Authors: Li Hongmei , Huang Huimin , Jia Ying , Tong Yuwei , Zhou Zhijun
Published: January 2025

Gampsocleis gratiosa Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1862, is a type of omnivorous chirping insect with a long history of artificial breeding. It has high economic value and is also an excellent orthopteran model organism. In this study, 12 types of culture media combined with 16S rRNA sequencing were employed to isolate 838 bacterial strains from the gut of G. gratiosa. After sequence comparison, a total of 98 species of bacteria were identified, belonging to 3 phyla, 5 classes, 11 orders, 20 families, and 45 genera. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria accounted for the majority (92.86%). At the order level, Enterobacteriaceae, Bacillales, and Lactobacillales predominated (79.59%). At the genus level, Klebsiella (11.22%) and Enterococcus (7.14%) predominated. This study also enumerated the strain morphological, physiological and biochemical properties of 98 species of bacteria, including colony morphology, Gram staining, bacterial motility test, temperature gradient growth, pH gradient growth, citrate utilization test, temperature oxidase test, contact enzyme test, methyl red test, V-P test, indole test, gelatin liquefaction test, nitrate reduction test, hydrogen sulfide test, starch hydrolysis test, cellulose decomposition test, esterase (corn oil) test and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Additionally, 16 antibiotics were utilized to test the bacterial susceptibility of the strains. This study explored the types and community structure of some culturable microorganisms in the intestinal tract of G. gratiosa and recorded their physiological characteristics. These data reflect the physiological functions of the intestinal microorganisms of G. gratiosa and provide support for subsequent research on the interaction mechanism between microorganisms and their hosts.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Pires Da Silva Julie , Casa de Vito Mariana , Miyano Carissa , Sucharov Carmen C.
Published: January 2025

Mitochondria play a crucial role in multiple cellular processes such as energy metabolism, generation of reactive oxygen species, excitation–contraction coupling, cell survival and death. Dysfunction of mitochondria contributes to the development of cancer; neuromuscular, cardiovascular/congenital heart disease; and metabolic diseases, including diabetes. Mitochondrial dysfunction can result in excessive reactive oxygen species, a decrease in energy production, mitophagy and apoptosis. All these processes are known to be dysregulated in cardiovascular diseases. The focus of this review is to summarize our current knowledge of mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitophagy and apoptosis, in pediatric congenital heart disease due to maternal diabetes or due to structural cardiac defects, with a focus on single-ventricle congenital heart disease. We also discuss recent mitochondria-targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases.
Numerical Analysis on the Scale Effect of a Free-Running Ship’s Manoeuvring Characteristics
Authors: Choi Woo-Seok , Min Gyeong-Seo , Yun Hae-Chan , Do Young-Uk , Kim Kang-Min , Terziev Momchil , Dai Saishuai , Kim Daejeong , Jung Doojin , Song Soonseok
Published: January 2025

This study focuses on the manoeuvring characteristics of model- and full-scale ships. Various methods, including free-running model tests (FRMTs), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and theoretical approaches, were employed to estimate ship manoeuvring performance. However, these methods are typically simulated at model-scale, which introduces discrepancies in the Reynolds number due to Froude scaling laws. Although numerous studies have investigated scale effects, most have concentrated on ship resistance, with limited research on manoeuvring performance. To address this gap, this study developed a free-running CFD simulation model for both a model-scale and full-scale ONRT. The study involved a detailed analysis of manoeuvring trajectories, forces, and moments. This analysis aimed to highlight differences in manoeuvring performance caused by Reynolds number discrepancies between model- and full-scale ships, providing a quantitative assessment of performance variations across scales and contributing to a more accurate understanding of manoeuvring characteristics at full scale.
Low-Complexity 2D DOA Estimation via L-Shaped Array for Underwater Hexapod Robot
Authors: Sun Yingzhe , Tian Qiyan , Yao Di , Zhang Qifeng
Published: January 2025

This paper takes underwater hexapod robot target grasping in an extremely shallow water environment as the research goal and carries out the research on a high-precision and low-complexity method of target positioning. We address the above problem of estimating the two-dimensional (2D) directions of arrival (DOAs) of targets, using an L-shaped ultrasonic array. Based on the above considerations, low-complexity 2D multiple signal classification (MUSIC) based on sparse signal recovery (SSR) is proposed to enhance the super-resolution capability and DOA estimation accuracy. In the first step, subspace dimension is determined based on space distance. Then, a mixed-norm method is exploited to construct the projection subspace and new noise subspace. Finally, the orthogonality between the noise and signal subspaces is used to estimate DOAs. Via a numerical simulations analysis, we illustrate that the proposed technique can enhance the accuracy of DOA estimation while also being robust against coherent sources and limited snapshots.
Spatial-Temporal Evolution of Maritime Accident Hot Spots in the East China Sea: A Space-Time Cube Representation
Authors: Feng Yiyang , Huang Daozheng , Hong Xijie , Wang Huanxin , Loughney Sean , Wang Jin
Published: January 2025

As public concern for maritime safety grows, there is a pressing need to delve deeper into the root causes of maritime accidents and develop effective preventive strategies. Spatial-temporal analysis stands out as a powerful approach to pinpointing accident hot spots. While previous research has shed light on the spatial aspects of these incidents, a comprehensive understanding of their temporal dimensions remains elusive. This paper bridges this gap by leveraging the Space-Time Cube tool in conjunction with traditional Kernel Density analysis to chart the spatial-temporal dynamics of maritime accident hot spots. Focusing on the East China Sea, a region notorious for its high incidence of maritime accidents and home to numerous world-class ports, we present a case study that offers fresh insights. Data spanning from 1994 to 2020, sourced from the Lloyd’s List Intelligence (LLI) database, reveal the evolving landscape of maritime accidents in the area. Notably, since 2005, the Yangtze River Delta Region in China has emerged as a persistent hot spot for accidents, underscoring its significance in maritime safety discourse. Furthermore, our analysis from the 2010s detects a new hot spot expanding towards the southwest of Kaohsiung Port, China, signaling a burgeoning area of concern for maritime safety. While the Fujian coast of China has seen its share of accidents, it is not qualified as a hot spot zone. The Space-Time Cube proves to be an indispensable tool in unraveling the progression of maritime accidents, and our findings indicate that maritime accidents in certain areas may not be merely random occurrences but exhibit intricate patterns.
News Media Effects on Policy Priorities: A Second-Level Agenda-Setting Analysis of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Projects in Myanmar
Authors: Oo Zeyar , Dai Yonghong
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the impact of the media’s secondary agenda-setting on public perception and policy priorities regarding the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Myanmar from to 2011–2024. Three hypotheses (Hs) were examined: H1 posits that media coverage aligns with public and policy perspectives; H2 proposes that media emphasis on specific attributes influences their prominence in public opinion and policymaking; and H3 suggests that public opinion mediates the relationship between media coverage and policy priorities, indicating an indirect media influence on policymaking. This study employed a cross-sectional research design, utilizing both quantitative content analysis and survey methodologies. The content comprises the analysis of two news outlets’ coverage (n = 144), surveys with 385 respondents (n = 385), and in-depth interviews with 30 participants (n = 30), and the findings revealed a significant positive correlation between media coverage and public opinion and policy priorities (r = 0.86, r = 0.81, respectively). SEM path analysis reveals that the media agenda indirectly shapes the policy agenda through the public agenda, with an indirect effect path coefficient of 0.718, highlighting the media’s role in policymaking processes. This is evidenced by a significant correlation between media coverage and public opinion (p < 0.05), and a strong direct association between public opinion and policy priorities (p < 0.05). This study extends the agenda-setting theory by empirically demonstrating the media’s indirect effect on policy formation in global infrastructure projects within a developing Southeast Asian country. Future studies should examine the evolution of media patterns across different administrations, including the current one. The results also suggest examining the broader media portrayal of governance issues and conducting extensive research on the media’s impact on public opinion.
Masculinities in Doraemon: A Critical Discourse Analysis
Authors: Wu Zhouyan , Song Zhaoxun
Published: January 2025

This study conducts a Critical Discourse Analysis of the masculinities of male characters in Doraemon, a famous Japanese manga series. It explores the masculinities in Doraemon from three perspectives by utilising the following Critical Discourse Analysis framework: text, process and society. Five male characters in Doraemon were selected as the main research objects. Firstly, the text analysis of the male characters in terms of their appearances, characteristics, behaviours and values reveals major masculine traits such as the maintenance of patriarchy, the pursuit and yearning for fame and fortune, competition and aggression. Analysing these masculinities can help remind audiences and consumers to be cautious about works that seemingly do not convey gender stereotypes to viewers. The process analysis identifies corresponding masculinities of the creator of Doraemon through his life experiences. Innovative spirit led him to create characters and manga that could both reflect and confront social reality and promote new gender concepts and ideas that were different from the mainstream at the time. The social analysis of Doraemon attributes the masculinities in the manga to Japanese culture, which has been deeply influenced by the culture of the salaryman, Confucianism, androcentrism and Bushido. For audiences in Japan, anime is a way of spreading and consolidating traditional Japanese cultural ideas, at the same time provoking reflection on whether these inherent gender roles are reasonable and should be perpetuated in the contemporary era. For audiences outside of Japan, this manga and cartoon is equivalent to a typical case of the export and recreation of Japanese culture to the world. This study conveys gender equality values, especially in children’s TV programmes.
The Unique Capability of Endolysin to Tackle Antibiotic Resistance: Cracking the Barrier
Authors: Sabur Abdus , Khan Angkan , Borphukan B. , Razzak Abdur , Salimullah M. , Khatun Muslima
Published: January 2025

The lack of new antibacterial medicines and the rapid rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics pose a major threat to individuals and healthcare systems. Despite the availability of various antibiotics, bacterial resistance has emerged for almost every antibiotic discovered to date. The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains has rendered some infections nearly untreatable, posing severe challenges to health care. Thus, the development of alternatives to conventional antibiotics is critical for the treatment of both humans and food-producing animals. Endolysins, which are peptidoglycan hydrolases encoded by bacteriophages, represent a promising new class of antimicrobials. Preliminary research suggests that endolysins are more effective against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria when administered exogenously, although they can still damage the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. Numerous endolysins have a modular domain structure that divides their binding and catalytic activity into distinct subunits, which helps maximize their bioengineering and potential drug development. Endolysins and endolysin-derived antimicrobials offer several advantages as antibiotic substitutes. They have a unique mechanism of action and efficacy against bacterial persisters (without requiring an active host metabolism); subsequently, they target both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (including antibiotic-resistant strains), and mycobacteria. Furthermore, there has been limited evidence of endolysin being resistant. Because these enzymes target highly conserved links, resistance may develop more slowly compared to traditional antibiotics. This review provides an overview and insight of the potential applications of endolysins as novel antimicrobials.
Understanding the Dynamics of e-WOM in Food Delivery Services: A SmartPLS Analysis of Consumer Acceptance
Authors: Boldureanu Daniel , Gutu Ioana , Boldureanu Gabriela
Published: January 2025

The evidence on e-commerce rapidly adopting and expanding has led to a high degree of changes in consumer behavior, with food delivery platforms playing a pivotal role in the digital economy. The current study highlights the interplay between consumer perception, consumer acceptance, and electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) assessed in the context of the food delivery chain. By integrating latent variables, such as trust, consumer purchase intentions, perceived usefulness, and psychological distance, the current study explores the role of e-WOM in influencing consumer perception and acceptance within the food delivery services. Data collection and analysis implied a qualitative approach by issuing an online survey and gathering 835 valid responses, further quantitatively assessed through structural equation modelling. The data reveal the validity of the two general hypotheses, according to which consumer acceptance is positively connected to consumer perception, to which the influence of electronic word of mouth was added. The current study stresses the importance for food delivery chains to gain insight and implement strategies based on its electronic peers’ online suggestions and recommendations. The current research actively contributes to the theoretical discourse on food delivery chain management related to the electronic consumers’ experience, in order to competitively position it on electronic markets as well as the food delivery global industry.
Multifunctional Evolution Response Mechanisms to Urbanization Processes on Peri-Urban Cultivated Land, Nanchang City, China
Authors: Luo Xinzhou , Ye Yingcong , Guo Xi , Zhao Xiaomin , Kuang Lihua
Published: January 2025

Cultivated land is an important material carrier providing multiple supplies for production, living, and ecological benefits. As an area of cultivated land subject to high levels of human activity during urbanization, the functional level and structure of suburban cultivated land have been strongly impacted. In this study, we took the suburban cultivated land in Nanchang City as the research subject and constructed a multi-functional indicator system for cultivated land in the context of production, ecology, and landscape culture. Using the improved CRITIC-entropy weight method and the optimal parameter geographical detector model, we examined the multi-functional evolution of suburban cultivated land from 2012 to 2022 and its response mechanisms to urbanization. The results showed that (1) the multifunctionality of cultivated land in the peri-urban area of Nanchang City shows a general decreasing trend, with the decline gradually decreasing with an increase in distance from the central urban area. (2) In contrast, the multifunctionality level of a few cultivated land areas away from the central area of the city showed a small to medium increase. The function of cultivated land in the peri-urban area showed a decreasing trend in 2012–2022 due to the urbanization level. However, the production and ecological functions increased slightly, whereas the cultural function decreased significantly. (3) The impact of urbanization on the multifunctional transformation of peri-urban cultivated land is a complex process that is largely shaped by economic urbanization and is influenced by a multitude of factors. Therefore, cultivated land management policies must fully mobilize the socioeconomic resources of each region.
Introduction to the Special Issue Spanish in the US: A Sociolinguistic Approach
Authors: Pastor Alberto
Published: January 2025

This Special Issue highlights the pivotal role of Spanish as a linguistic and cultural force in the United States, emphasizing its relevance in shaping identities, fostering community connections, and navigating complex sociopolitical landscapes [...]
Investigation of the Effect of Camellia Sinensis Essence Cream on Skin Burns
Authors: Mercantepe Tolga , Yilmaz Adnan , Topcu Atilla , Bilgin Ali , Tumkaya Levent , Mercantepe Filiz
Published: January 2025

Background/Objective: Burn injuries are among the most common causes of trauma globally, affecting millions annually. Current treatments often rely on topical agents, but alternatives to synthetic formulations are increasingly sought due to safety and efficacy concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of a cream containing Camellia sinensis (white tea) extract on third-degree burn-induced skin lesions in a rat model. Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups: control, Burn only, Burn + Camellia sinensis extract, and Burn + Camellia sinensis cream. Skin biopsies were evaluated using histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured to assess oxidative stress, while histological damage and immunoreactivity for collagen I, collagen III, NF-kβ/p65, TNF-alfa, 8-OhDG, and caspase-3 were analyzed. Results: The Camellia sinensis cream significantly reduced MDA levels and increased GSH levels compared to the burn-only group (p < 0.001). Histological analysis revealed enhanced epidermal regeneration and reduced dermal damage. The immunohistochemical findings demonstrated reduced NF-kβ/p65, TNF-alfa, 8-OhDG, caspase-3, collagen I, and collagen III immunopositivity in the cream-treated group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Camellia sinensis cream demonstrated significant protective and reparative effects on burn-induced skin damage, suggesting its potential as a natural, effective, and safe alternative for burn management.
Research on Rotor Dynamic Characteristics of High Speed Aviation Piston Pump
Authors: Chen Lijun , Deng Rushen , Zha Jun , Gu Jianning , Xia Tianxiang , Chen Runlin
Published: January 2025

The high-speed aviation piston pump plays a vital role in hydraulic systems in the aviation field. Extremely complex force situations happen during running operations due to the coupling between multiple components, as a result of the overall dynamic characteristics being complex and changeable, which brings great difficulties and challenges to its performance optimization. Taking the high-speed aviation piston pump as the research object, a mechanical balance equation of the piston based on the dynamic balance method was proposed. The reaction force of the swashplate and the influence of rotational speed and outlet pressure on it were modeled. Through the balance of the system and the component subsystem, the load of the support bearing of the piston pump under different working conditions is analyzed, as well as the influence of the rotational speed and the outlet pressure on the bearing stiffness by the quasi-static method. In addition, the discrete model of the piston pump spindle and the discrete model of the rotor system are established. The accuracy of the model is verified by the finite element method. The maximum error of the spindle discrete model is 6.13%, and the maximum error of the rotor system discrete model is 15.28%. The transfer matrix analysis shows that the working condition parameters have little effect on the critical speed of the spindle and rotor system, and the outlet pressure has a more significant effect than the speed. The research results provide a theoretical basis and analysis method for the dynamic analysis and structural optimization of the high-speed aviation piston pump.
Study on the Macroscopic Properties and Microstructure of High Fly Ash Content Alkali-Activated Fly Ash Slag Concrete Cured at Room Temperature
Authors: Yuan Zhu , Jia Yanmin , Xie Xuanben , Xu Junming
Published: January 2025

Fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag are both bulk industrial solid wastes. Using these two raw materials to completely replace cement and prepare alkali-activated fly ash slag concrete (AAFSC) at room temperature can not only efficiently utilize industrial solid waste and reduce the carbon footprint, but also reduce the economic cost and technical difficulty of construction, which is of great significance for promoting the sustainable development of the concrete industry. In this article, the content of fly ash accounted for 80% of the total precursor (fly ash + slag), and a mixed solution of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide was used as alkali activator to prepare AAFSC by curing at room temperature. The effects of alkali equivalent and activator modulus on compressive strength, impermeability, water absorption, and microstructure were systematically studied and compared with ordinary Portland cement concrete. The conclusions drawn were as follows. The 7-day compressive strength of AAFSC was lower than that of cement concrete, while its 28-day compressive strength was 104.86% to 131.94% of that of cement concrete. AAFSC exhibited excellent impermeability protection performance. The water absorption rate of AAFSC was lower, with A8M1 having a water absorption rate of 2.13%, which was only 60.86% of cement concrete. Through microscopic analysis, it was found that the alkali-activated fly ash slag cementitious matrix had good bonding with the aggregate, and there existed fly ash particles with different degrees of reaction. The Ca/Si value of AAFSC was smaller than that of cement concrete.
Structural Effects on Compressive Strength Enhancement of Cellular Concrete During the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar Test
Authors: Zhou Ling , Deng Zhiping , Ren Junru , Zhu Yuhao
Published: January 2025

In recent years, a kind of novel cellular concrete, fabricated by spherical saturated superabsorbent polymers, was developed. Its compressive behavior under high strain rate loadings has been studied by split Hopkinson pressure bar equipment in previous research, which revealed an obvious strain rate effect. It has been found by many researchers that the dynamic increase factor (DIF) of compressive strength for concrete-like materials measured by SHPB includes considerable structural effects, which cannot be considered as a genuine strain rate effect. Based on the extended Drucker–Prager model in Abaqus, this paper uses numerical SHPB tests to investigate structural effects in dynamic compression for this novel cellular concrete. It is found that the increment in compressive strength caused by lateral inertia confinement decreases from 5.9 MPa for a specimen with a porosity of 10% to 2 MPa for a specimen with a porosity of 40% at a strain rate level of 70/s, while the same decreasing trend was found at other strain rate levels of 100/s and 140/s. The lateral inertia confinement effect inside the cellular concrete specimen can be divided into the elastic development stage and plastic development stage, bounded by the moment dynamic stress equilibrium is achieved. The results obtained in this research can help to obtain a better understanding of the enhancement mechanism of the compressive strength of cellular concrete.
Effect of Tempering Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr-Ni-Mo-V Rotor Steel
Authors: Zhao Chao , Zhang Xinyi , Liang Xiaojie , Song Guowang , Wang Bin , Guo Liqiang , Zhang Pengjun , Zhang Shuguang
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we investigated the effects of the matrix and precipitates in Cr-Ni-Mo-V rotor steel on its mechanical properties after water quenching and tempering (450–700 °C). The results indicate that the microstructure and mechanical properties of the steel can be significantly adjusted by changing the tempering temperature. An excellent combination of tensile strength (1028.608 MPa) and elongation (19%) was obtained upon tempering at 650 °C. This is attributed to the martensite lath with a high dislocation density, solid solution strengthening and the strengthening effect of spherical Mo2C and VC particles. At a tempering temperature of 550 °C, the precipitation and development of rod-shaped Fe3Mo3C resulted in a considerable drop in strength. At 650 °C, the dissolution of Fe3Mo3C and dispersion precipitation of Mo2C and VC led to a large rise in strength. At 700 °C, the coarsening of Mo2C and VC, together with the recrystallization of the martensite lath, resulted in a loss in strength. Meanwhile, as the tempering temperature was increased from 450 °C to 700 °C, the tensile fracture characteristics of Cr-Ni-Mo-V rotor steel gradually changed from cleavage fractures to dimple fractures.
Buckling Analysis of Functionally Graded GPL-Reinforced Composite Plates Under Combined Thermal and Mechanical Loads
Authors: Cho Jin-Rae
Published: January 2025

The buckling-like mechanical behavior of functionally graded graphene platelet-reinforced composite (FG-GPLRC) structures is increasingly attracting research attention. However, buckling behavior has previously been studied separately as thermal buckling and mechanical buckling. In this context, this study investigates the buckling behavior of FG-GPLRC plates under combined thermal and mechanical loads. The coupled buckling problem is formulated according to the minimum potential energy theorem using first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). In addition, the problem is approximated by the 2-D natural element method (NEM), and the resulting coupled eigen matrix equations are derived to compute the critical buckling temperature rise (CBTR) and the mechanical buckling load. The developed numerical method can solve thermal, mechanical, and coupled thermo-mechanical buckling problems, and its reliability is examined through convergence and benchmark tests. Using the developed numerical method, the buckling behavior of FG-GPLRC plates under thermal and mechanical buckling loads is examined in depth with respect to the key parameters. In addition, a comparison with functionally graded CNT-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) plates is also presented.
The Multiferroic, Magnetic Exchange Bias Effect, and Photodetection Multifunction Characteristics in MnSe/Ga0.6Fe1.4O3 Heterostructure
Authors: Zhao Ye , Yang Ruilong , Yang Ke , Dou Jiarui , Guo Jinzhong , Yang Xiaoting , Zhou Guowei , Xu Xiaohong
Published: January 2025

Artificial heterostructures are typically created by layering distinct materials, thereby giving rise to unique characteristics different from their individual components. Herein, two-dimensional α-MnSe nanosheets with a non-layered structure were fabricated on Ga0.6Fe1.4O3 (GFO) films. The superior crystalline properties of MnSe/GFO heterostructures were confirmed through structural and morphological analyses. The remanent polarization is around 1.5 μC/cm2 and the leakage current density can reach 2 × 10−3 A/cm2 under 4 V. In addition, the piezo-response force microscopy amplitude and phase images further supported the ferroelectric property. The significant improvement of coercive field and saturated magnetization, along with the antiparallel signals of Mn and Fe ions observed through synchrotron X-ray analyses, suggest the presence of magnetic interaction within the MnSe/GFO heterostructure. Finally, the excellent photodetector with a photo detectivity of 6.3 × 108 Jones and a photoresponsivity of 2.8 × 10−3 A·W−1 was obtained under 532 nm in the MnSe/GFO heterostructure. The characteristics of this heterostructure, which include multiferroic, magnetic exchange bias effect, and photodetection capabilities, are highly beneficial for multifunctional devices.
Generating Special Curves for Cubic Polynomials
Authors: Mamayusupov Khudoyor , Çilingir Figen , Ruziboev Marks , Ibragimov Gafurjan , Pansera Bruno Antonio
Published: January 2025

An algorithmic method is proposed to generate all cubic polynomials with a critical orbit relation. We generate curves (polynomials of parameters) that correspond to those functions with critical orbit relations. The irreducibility of the polynomials obtained is left as an open problem. Our approach also works to generate critical orbit relations in all families of rational functions with active critical points.
Joint Optimal Policy for Maintenance, Spare Unit Selection and Inventory Control Under a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process
Authors: Ogura Nozomu , Kasuya Mizuki , Jin Lu
Published: January 2025

This research investigates the joint optimization of maintenance and spare unit management for series systems composed of multiple heterogeneous units. With advancements in communication and sensing technologies, condition-based maintenance has gained attention as an integral aspect of spare unit management. Furthermore, the inherent interaction between maintenance activities and spare unit management underscores the necessity of their simultaneous optimization to enhance overall system performance. Based on uncertain information about the system’s deterioration state and spare unit inventory, decision-makers determine actions related to spare units and maintenance, such as replacements, selection of spare units for corresponding units, order quantities and inventory levels. Within the framework of a partially observable Markov decision process, this research proposes an optimal joint policy for maintenance and spare unit management with the objective of minimizing total expected costs. The proposed policy is demonstrated through a three-state, two-unit series system. Sensitivity analyses and comparisons with benchmark policies are also conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed policy and to investigate the impact of various cost parameters on the proposed decisions.
Collaborative Control of UAV Swarms for Target Capture Based on Intelligent Control Theory
Authors: Chi Yuan , Dong Yijie , Zhang Lei , Qiu Zhenyue , Zheng Xiaoyuan , Li Zequn
Published: January 2025

Real-time dynamic capture of a single moving target is one of the most crucial and representative tasks in UAV capture problems. This paper proposes a multi-UAV real-time dynamic capture strategy based on a differential game model to address this challenge. In this paper, the dynamic capture problem is divided into two parts: pursuit and capture. First, in the pursuit–evasion problem based on differential games, the capture UAVs and the target UAV are treated as adversarial parties engaged in a game. The current pursuit–evasion state is modeled and analyzed according to varying environmental information, allowing the capture UAVs to quickly track the target UAV. The Nash equilibrium solution in the differential game is optimal for both parties in the pursuit–evasion process. Then, a collaborative multi-UAV closed circular pipeline control method is proposed to ensure an even distribution of capture UAVs around the target, preventing excessive clustering and thereby significantly improving capture efficiency. Finally, simulations and real-flight experiments are conducted on the RflySim platform in typical scenarios to analyze the computational process and verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Results indicate that this approach effectively provides a solution for multi-UAV dynamic capture and achieves desirable capture outcomes.
Research on Urban Road Traffic Flow Prediction Based on Sa-Dynamic Graph Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Hu Song , Gu Jian , Li Shun
Published: January 2025

Neural network models based on GNNs often achieve good results in traffic flow prediction tasks of traffic networks. However, most existing GNN-based methods apply a fixed graph structure to capture spatial dependencies between nodes, and fixed graph structures may not be able to reflect the spatiotemporal changes in node dependencies. To address this, introducing a self-attention mechanism applied to an adaptive adjacency matrix, the neural network architecture is improved based on Graph WaveNet, and a new approach called self-attention dynamic graph wave network (SA-DGWN) is proposed, which can fit the spatiotemporal dependencies of the road network. In an experiment, traffic flow data were extracted based on RFID from certain roads in Nanjing, China. The results show that under the same configuration, compared to Graph WaveNet, MAE, MAPE, and RMSE from the proposed method reduced by 3.08%, 3.68%, and 2.6%, respectively. In addition, for the training data, we explored the impact of temporal feature and sampling periods on the training effect. The additional results indicate that adding hour-minute-second information to the input improved the model’s accuracy, reducing MAE, MAPE, and RMSE by 15.28%, 12.28%, and 14.01%, respectively. Adding day-of-the-week features also brought substantial performance improvements. For different sampling periods, the model performed better overall with a 10 min sampling period compared to 5 min and 15 min periods. For single-step prediction tasks, the longer the sampling period, the better the prediction effect.
Chemical Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Extracts and Fractions from Litopenaeus vannamei Muscle
Authors: De La Reé-Rodríguez Sandra Carolina , González María Jesús , Fernández Ingrid , Garrido José Luis , Silva-Campa Erika , Parra-Vergara Norma Violeta , López-Saiz Carmen María , Medina Isabel
Published: January 2025

Marine organisms are a vital source of biologically active compounds. Organic extracts from the muscle of the Pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) have shown antiproliferative effects on tumor cells, including breast adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to analyze these extracts’ composition and confirm their specificity for breast adenocarcinoma cells without harming normal cells. An organic chloroform extract from L. vannamei muscle was divided using a solvent partition procedure with methanol and hexane. The methanolic partition was fractionated through an open preparative liquid chromatography column to isolate compounds with biological activity, that were later tested on MDA-MB-231 (breast adenocarcinoma), and recently tested on MCF10-A (non-cancerous breast epithelial cells). Cells incubated with these fractions were assessed for viability and morphological changes using fluorescence confocal microscopy. Fractions F#13 and F#14 reduced MDA-MB-231 cancer cell viability at 100 µg/mL without affecting non-cancerous MCF-10A cells, inducing apoptosis-related changes in cancer cells. These fractions contained EPA and DHA free fatty acids, specifically F#13 contained free and esterified astaxanthin as well. The high levels of free linoleic acid 18:2 ω-6, EPA, and DHA (in a 2:1 ratio, EPA:DHA), along with free and esterified astaxanthin in F#13, significantly reduced breast adenocarcinoma cell viability, nearly to that achieved by cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug.
Analgesia Nociception Index Monitoring in Management of Perioperative Analgesia in Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgeries with Femoral Nerve Block
Authors: Altuncu Şule , Bollucuoğlu Keziban , Okyay Rahşan Dilek , Köksal İncegül Bengü , Baytar Çağdaş , Baytar Merve Sena , Pişkin Özcan , Ayoğlu Hilal
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: The aim of our study is to determine the effects of analgesia nociception index (ANI) monitoring on intraoperative opioid consumption, postoperative analgesia, and the recovery unit length of stay in patients with a preoperative femoral nerve block (FNB) undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery under general anesthesia. Materials and Methods: Seventy-four patients in the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) I-III scheduled for TKA under general anesthesia were included in this study. After FNB, the patients were divided into two groups (control group (n = 35)–ANI group (n = 35)). After standard anesthesia induction in both groups, maintenance was conducted using sevoflurane and remifentanil infusion with a bispectral index (BIS) between 40 and 60. In the control group, the intraoperative remifentanil infusion dose was adjusted using conventional methods, and in the ANI group, the dose was adjusted using ANI values of 50–70. The duration of operation, duration of surgery, extubation time, tourniquet duration and pressure, and the amount of remifentanil consumed intraoperatively were recorded. Results: Intraoperative remifentanil consumption was lower in the ANI group compared to the control group (p = 0.001). The time to reach a Modified Aldrete Scale score (MAS) ≥ 9 was shorter in the ANI group (p < 0.001). NRS scores in the recovery unit and 4, 8, 12, and 24 h postoperatively were lower in the ANI group compared to the control group (p = 0.006, p < 0.05). There was a weak significant inverse relationship between the last ANI values measured before extubation and NRS scores in the postoperative recovery unit (r: −0.070–0.079, p: 0.698–0.661). No difference was observed between the groups in other data. Conclusions: In patients undergoing TKA with FNB under general anesthesia, ANI monitoring decreased the amount of opioids consumed intraoperatively and postoperative pain scores and shortened the length of stay in the recovery unit. We suggest that ANI monitoring in intraoperative analgesia management may be helpful in determining the dose of opioid needed by the patient and individualized analgesia management.
Prolonged Corticosteroid Use in the Treatment of Tuberculous Meningoencephalitis: A Case Report
Authors: Holstroma Annija , Balodis Arturs , Brokans Artis , Viksna Anda
Published: January 2025

Tuberculous meningoencephalitis is a rare manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), with the most severe form and highest mortality. It can cause multiple complications, and treatment is difficult, as drugs cannot properly diffuse through the haemato-encephalitic barrier. We reported the case of a 17-year-old female patient who was admitted to the emergency room department with a fever for previous two weeks (up to 39 °C), dizziness, difficulty walking, and weight loss. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated possible meningoencephalitis, and a CT scan of the lungs visualised miliary infiltrates in both lungs. After repeated tests, Mtb DNA was found in the bronchial wash, cerebrospinal fluid, faeces, and urine via an Xpert/Rif Ultra test. Treatment was started with isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, and corticosteroids as well. Although treatment was initiated within the first few days in the hospital, a reduction in glucocorticoid dosage worsened the patient’s neurological state, making treatment even more challenging. Prolonged use of glucocorticoids led to an improvement in the stage of the condition. Further, over time, the patient’s condition improved. Pulmonary infiltrations were not found after 2.5 months of starting therapy. Conclusions: Timely treatment is crucial for improving the prognosis of patients with miliary tuberculosis and tuberculous meningoencephalitis. Prompt recognition of symptoms and accurate diagnosis are essential to initiate effective treatment strategies. In this patient’s case, prolonged use of corticosteroids reduced neurologic complications, and ongoing treatment gradually improved the patient’s condition.
Depression and Anxiety Among Adolescents in Northern Sudan: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hassan Ahmed A. , Idrees Maysoon B. , Al-Nafeesah Abdullah , Alharbi Hatim Y. , AlEed Ashwaq , Adam Ishag
Published: January 2025

Background and Objective: Adolescents’ mental health, including depression and anxiety, represent a global public health problem. However, there is a paucity of data on depression and anxiety among adolescents in Sudan. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors for depression and anxiety among adolescents in Northern Sudan. Methods: This school-based cross-sectional study was conducted at randomly selected schools from August to September 2022 in Almatamah, River Nile State, Sudan. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were measured using the questionnaire tools of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), respectively. Univariate and multivariate binary analyses were performed to determine the associated factors of depression and anxiety using the adjusted odd ratios (AOR) and 95.0% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of 384 adolescents, 178 (46.4%) and 206 (53.6%) were boys and girls, respectively. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of age was 15.1 (14.0–16.3) years old. Of the total adolescents, 311 (81.0%), 42 (10.9%), 20 (5.2%), 7 (1.8%), and 4 (1.0%) had no, mild, moderate, moderate to severe, and severe depression, respectively. Of the total, 31 (8.1%) adolescents had moderate or severe depression (depression score ≥ 10). In multivariable binary analysis, female gender (AOR = 5.35, 95% CI 1.67–17.09) and anxiety (AOR = 25.98, 95% CI 7.68–87.90) were associated with increased odds of depression; there was no association between age, father’s education, and BMI for age Z-score and depression. Of the 384 adolescents, 320 (83.3%), 47 (12.2%), 11 (2.9%), and 6 (1.6%) had no mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively. Of the total, 17 (4.4%) had moderate and or severe anxiety (anxiety score ≥ 10). In multivariable logistic regressions, while family history of mental disorder (AOR = 6.31, 95% CI 1.36–29.27), being anemic (AOR = 3.95, 95% CI 1.19–13.12), and depression (AOR = 29.03, 95% CI 7.52–112.05) were associated with increased odds of anxiety; there was no association between age, gender, father’s occupation, and BMI for age Z-score and anxiety. Conclusions: The findings indicate that 1 in 10 adolescents in Northern Sudan experiences at least one mental disorder, encompassing depression, anxiety, or a combination of both. Notably, female adolescents are at a higher risk for depression, while factors such as a family history of mental disorders and anemia significantly contribute to anxiety levels. To address these pressing mental health concerns, it is imperative to implement inclusive and holistic programs that incorporate nutritional support, integrate mental health education into school curricula, and introduce community-based interventions aiming to enhance mental well-being among all adolescents, irrespective of gender.