bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accounting for Climate and Inherent Soil Quality in United Nations (UN) Land Degradation Analysis: A Case Study of the State of Arizona (USA)
Authors: Mikhailova Elena A. , Zurqani Hamdi A. , Lin Lili , Hao Zhenbang , Post Christopher J. , Schlautman Mark A. , Post Gregory C. , Shepherd George B.
Published: November 2024

Climate change and land degradation (LD) are some of the most critical challenges for humanity. Land degradation (LD) is the focus of the United Nations (UN) Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 15: Life on Land). Land degradation is composed of inherent and anthropogenic LD, which are both impacted by inherent soil quality (SQ) and climate. Conventional LD analysis does not take into account inherent SQ because it is not the result of land use/land cover change (LULC), which can be tracked using remote sensing platforms. Furthermore, traditional LD analysis does not link anthropogenic LD to climate change through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study uses one of the indicators for LD for SDG 15 (15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over the total land area) to demonstrate how to account for inherent SQ in anthropogenic LD with corresponding GHG emissions over time using the state of Arizona (AZ) as a case study. The inherent SQ of AZ is skewed towards low-SQ soils (Entisols: 29.3%, Aridisols: 49.4%), which, when combined with climate, define the inherent LD status. Currently, 8.6% of land in AZ has experienced anthropogenic LD primarily because of developments (urbanization) (42.8%) and agriculture (32.2%). All six soil orders have experienced varying degrees of anthropogenic LD. All land developments in AZ can be linked to damages from LD, with 4862.6 km2 developed, resulting in midpoint losses of 8.7 × 1010 kg of total soil carbon (TSC) and a midpoint social cost of carbon dioxide emissions (SC-CO2) of $14.7B (where B = billion = 109, USD). Arizona was not land degradation neutral (LDN) based on an increase (+9.6%) in the anthropogenic LD overall and an increase in developments (+29.5%) between 2001 and 2021. Considering ongoing climate change impacts in AZ, this increase in urbanization represents reverse climate change adaptation (RCCA) because of the increased population. The state of AZ has 82.0% of the total state area for nature-based solutions (NBS). However, this area is dominated by soils with inherently low SQ (e.g., Entisols, Aridisols, etc.), which complicates efforts for climate change adaptation.
TiO2 Coated with Carbon via Chemical Vapor Deposition as Li-Ion Batteries Anode
Authors: Zhu Bin , Li Wenjun , Tang Wu , Tang Hui
Published: November 2024

With the increasing demand for renewable energy and sustainable technologies, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become crucial energy storage components. Despite the promising properties of the high capacity and stability of TiO2, its large-scale application as an anode for LIBs is hindered by challenges like poor conductivity and volumetric changes during cycling. Here, a rutile TiO2 composite material with a thinned carbon coating (TiO2@TC) was synthesized through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and a subsequent annealing process, which significantly improved the reversibility, cycling stability, and rate performance of the TiO2 anode materials. The thickness of the carbon layer on TiO2 was precisely controlled and thinned from 4.2 nm to 1.9 nm after secondary annealing treatment, leading to a smaller steric hindrance and an improved conductivity while serving as protective coatings by preventing the electrochemical degradation of the TiO2 surface and hindering volumetric changes during cycling. The resulting TiO2@TC with the thin carbon layer demonstrated a high specific capacity of 167 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C in Li-based half cells, which could stably run for 200 cycles with nearly 100% capacity retention. The thin carbon layer also contributes to an improved rate performance of 90 mAh g−1 at even 20 C. This work provides an innovational strategy for improving the conductivity and volumetric changes during the cycling of TiO2 anodes.
Development of Transethosomes Loaded with Fruit Extract from Carissa carandas L. as a Brightening and Anti-Aging Cosmeceutical Ingredient
Authors: Soradech Sitthiphong , Tiatragoon Worawan , Phanphothong Phongsapak , Ouamkan Kanyarat , Kengkwasingh Pattarawadee , Ruengsomwong Supatjaree , Intawong Somkamol , Muangman Thanchanok
Published: November 2024

The ethanolic extract of Carissa carandas L. (ECE) inhibited the enzyme tyrosinase, enhanced the proliferation of normal human dermal fibroblast cells, and increased the formation of collagen type I, indicating possible anti-aging and whitening effects. However, the stratum corneum acts as a rate-limiting stage in the absorption of herbal extracts through the skin, resulting in limited absorption of ECE via the skin, which affects the efficacy of ECE. The purpose of this study was to develop ECE encapsulated in transethosomes for improved skin penetration as a novel brightening and anti-aging cosmeceutical ingredient. Transethosomes were successfully developed using the sonication technique, with a suitable formulation including 1.00% (w/w) phosphatidylcholine, 0.10% (w/w) polysorbate 80 and 28.55% (v/v) ethanol. The physicochemical properties, encapsulation efficacy, in vitro skin permeation and toxicity of ECE-loaded transethosomes were also investigated. The result showed that the percentages of encapsulation of ECE loaded in transethosomes increased slightly with higher concentrations of the ECE. When compared to the liquid extract, the ECE loaded in transethosomes significantly increased (p < 0.05) skin penetration. Furthermore, ECE loaded with transethosomes showed low cytotoxicity in normal human dermal fibroblast cells and caused no skin irritation when evaluated on reconstructed human epidermal skin. Given these abilities, it is evident that transethosomes containing ECE are highly effective anti-aging and skin-whitening agents, making them a promising new cosmeceutical ingredient.
Associations Between Cancer-Related Fatigue and Healthcare Use During Cancer Follow-Up Care: A Survey-Administrative Health Data Linkage Study
Authors: Urquhart Robin , Kendell Cynthia , Lethbridge Lynn
Published: November 2024

Little is known about the impacts of fatigue after cancer treatment, including whether cancer-related fatigue impacts people’s use of healthcare. This study sought to examine how cancer-related fatigue impacts healthcare use after completing cancer treatment. A population-based survey was administered in Nova Scotia, Canada, to examine survivors’ experiences and needs after completing cancer treatment. Respondents included survivors of breast, melanoma, colorectal, prostate, hematologic, and young adult cancers who were 1–3 years post-treatment. Survey responses were linked to cancer registry, physicians’ claims, hospitalization, and ambulatory care data. Data were analyzed descriptively and using regression models. The final study cohort included 823 respondents. Younger respondents reported higher levels of cancer-related fatigue compared to older respondents. More females than males reported cancer-related fatigue. Upon adjusted analyses, those with cancer-related fatigue had lower odds of being discharged to primary care for their cancer-related follow-up (odds ratio = 0.71, p = 0.029). Moreover, those with cancer-related fatigue had 19% higher primary care use (incidence rate ratio = 1.19, p < 0.0001) and 37% higher oncology use (incidence rate ratio = 1.37, p < 0.016) during the follow-up period compared to those without cancer-related fatigue. Providers (oncology and primary care) may require additional support to identify clinically relevant fatigue and refer patients to appropriate resources and services.
Exploiting Integrin-αVβ3 to Enhance Radiotherapy Efficacy in Medulloblastoma via Ferroptosis
Authors: Gotorbe Célia , Segui Fabien , Echavidre William , Durivault Jérôme , Blanchard Thays , Vial Valérie , Pagnuzzi-Boncompagni Marina , Villeneuve Rémy , Amblard Régis , Garnier Nicolas , Ortholan Cécile , Serrano Benjamin , Picco Vincent , Pouysségur Jacques , Vucetic Milica , Montemagno Christopher
Published: November 2024

Medulloblastoma, a malignant pediatric brain tumor, has a poor prognosis upon relapse, highlighting a critical clinical need. Our previous research linked medulloblastoma cell radioresistance to integrin-αvβ3 expression. β3-depleted (β3_KO) medulloblastoma cells exhibit lipid hydroxyperoxide accumulation after radiotherapy, indicating ferroptosis, a regulated cell death induced by ROS and inhibited by antioxidants such as cysteine, glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4). However, the link between αvβ3 expression, ferroptosis inhibition, and sensitivity to radiotherapy remains unclear. We showed that irradiated β3_KO medulloblastoma cells primarily die by ferroptosis, with β3-subunit expression correlating with radiotherapy sensitivity and anti-ferroptotic protein levels. Our findings suggest that integrin-αvβ3 signaling boosts oxidative stress resilience via mTORC1. Thus, targeting integrin-αvβ3 could enhance radiotherapy efficacy in medulloblastoma by inducing ferroptotic cell death.
The Fishery Biology of Two Deep-Water Skates, Bathyraja schroederi and Amblyraja frerichsi (Rajiformes: Rajidae), from the Southeast Pacific Ocean
Authors: Vargas-Caro Carolina , Indurain María J. , Bustamante Carlos
Published: November 2024

Chile is a biodiverse region for deep-water skates (Rajiformes), with 36 species documented in national waters, of which 73% correspond to deep-water species. Among them, the Thickbody skate (Amblyraja frerichsi) and Whitemouth skate (Bathyraja schroederi) are two poorly documented species with relatively high abundances. However, the current information is limited to a few specimens reported over the last 50 years between southern Brazil (SW Atlantic) and central Chile (SE Pacific). In the Southeast Pacific, both species are bycatch in the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) fishery, which operates along the Chilean coast between 800 and 1600 m of depth. This study examined aspects of demography and reproductive biology based on data from 190 specimens (125 A. frerichsi and 65 B. schroederi) obtained from the fishery in northern Chile. The new data contribute to enhancing our understanding of deep-water skate communities and highlight the vulnerability and fishing pressure experienced across their geographic distribution.
Spatial and Temporal Diversity of Fishes at Wuzhizhou Island in the South China Sea Based on Environmental DNA
Authors: Jiang Ting , Cao Kun , Wang Xin , Xi Rui , Wang Chongzhao , Yang Rui , Yang Wei , Ma Zhenhua , Xing Yingchun
Published: November 2024

Wuzhizhou Island (WZZ) is one of the most mature tourism islands on the coast of the South China Sea, and its surrounding waters are rich in tropical coral reef fishes. Tourism could affect marine biodiversity, especially the coral reef fish community. In order to understand the species diversity of fish surrounding WZZ, environmental DNA (eDNA) samples were collected from six sampling sites around the island, located in the core and non-core tourism areas, respectively, from 2022 to 2023. In total, 188 fish species, belonging to 124 genera, 63 families and 17 orders, were detected using eDNA method. The Perciformes contained the highest number of species (n = 130, 69.15% of total number). Compared to traditional fishing nets, eDNA could provide more information on fish species. The results indicated that species richness and Margalef’s index were higher at the sampling sites in the core area of tourism of WZZ, which maybe relevant to tourism-based provisioning. By contrast, the Shannon–Wiener index, Pielou’s index and dominant species of fish did not display significant differences between core and non-core tourism areas. On the basis of the results of the β-diversity index, the differences in fish communities had a closer relationship to geographical location. Furthermore, there were obvious differences in fish communities in different seasons, which may be attributed to the influence of ocean currents.
Intraoperative OCT-Guided Selective Epiretinal Membrane (ERM) Peeling Versus ERM and Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Tractional Macular Edema in Diabetic Eyes
Authors: Pignatelli Francesco , Niro Alfredo , Viggiano Pasquale , Boscia Giacomo , Addabbo Giuseppe , Boscia Francesco , Iaculli Cristiana , Giancipoli Ermete
Published: November 2024

Background and Aim: Despite the abundant literature, internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling remains a controversial topic, especially in diabetic eyes. We compared the safety and effectiveness of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT)-assisted selective epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling with dye-assisted ERM and ILM peeling, for the treatment of tractional diabetic macular edema (tDME). Material and Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we evaluated consecutive patients with tDME who underwent iOCT-assisted selective ERM peeling (Group A) or “dual blue” dye-assisted ERM and ILM peeling (Group B). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were compared over a 12-month follow-up. A linear mixed model analysis was performed. Results: At baseline, the two groups were comparable in terms of their demographic and clinical outcomes. No significant difference between BCVA and CMT was observed among the groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in outcomes at the last follow-up (p < 0.001), although only iOCT-assisted ERM peeling ensured significant visual gain and macular thinning (p < 0.001) one month after surgery. A significant effect of time on both outcomes (p < 0.001) and of time–treatment interaction on visual change (p = 0.02) were observed. In eight patients, macular edema recurred (Group A: two patients; Group B: six patients) and was managed with an intravitreal dexamethasone implant. In Group A, one patient developed a recurrence of ERM without the need for reoperation. Conclusions: iOCT-assisted ERM removal may be as effective as dye-assisted ERM and ILM peeling to treat tDME. Additionally, it ensures a quicker recovery of visual function and macular thickness. The observed ERM recurrence within the 1-year follow-up was mild and did not necessitate additional surgery.
Functional Assessment of Anal Sphincter with Transperineal Ultrasound and Its Relationship to Anal Continence
Authors: Degirmenci Yaman , Steetskamp Joscha , Schwab Roxana , Hasenburg Annette , Schepers Markus , Shehaj Ina , Skala Christine
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Anal incontinence is linked to pelvic floor dysfunction. Diagnosis involves assessing both the function and structure of the anorectal unit. Although transperineal ultrasound has gained attention as a less invasive option, its effectiveness as a diagnostic tool for evaluating the relationship between structure and function is still debated. This study aimed to explore the relationship between quantitative measurements of anal sphincter and pelvic floor structures as well as the subjective symptoms and objective assessments of sphincter function regarding anal incontinence. Methods: 50 women with pelvic floor dysfunction were recruited for the study. The severity of anal incontinence was assessed using the CACP score. Ultrasound imaging was employed to measure anal sphincter area, while sphincter pressures were evaluated through manometry. The relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation tests. Results: The mean anal sphincter area was 5.51 cm2 at rest and 4.06 cm2 during maximal contraction. Resting anal sphincter pressure had an average of 46.29 mmHg, and contraction pressure averaged 103.25 mmHg. No significant correlation was found between the anal sphincter area and pressure at rest (r = 0.018) or during contraction (r = −0.210). However, a moderate correlation was observed between the change in sphincter pressure and area during contraction (r = 0.312). The CACP score showed no significant correlation with the sphincter area at rest (r = −0.084) but was weakly correlated during contraction (r = −0.270). Conclusions: Conventional diagnostic tools for evaluating anal incontinence can be uncomfortable and are not always readily available. Perineal sonography presents a promising, less invasive alternative for dynamic assessment of the anal sphincter.
Clinico–Pathological Features of Diffuse Midline Glioma, H3 K27-Altered in Adults: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature with an Additional Single-Institution Case Series
Authors: Broggi Giuseppe , Salzano Serena , Failla Maria , Barbagallo Giuseppe Maria Vincenzo , Certo Francesco , Zanelli Magda , Palicelli Andrea , Zizzo Maurizio , Koufopoulos Nektarios , Magro Gaetano , Caltabiano Rosario
Published: November 2024

Background: Diffuse midline glioma (DMG), H3 K27-altered, is a WHO grade 4 malignant glioma located at midline structures, including the thalamus, brainstem and spinal cord. While H3 K27-altered DMG is more common in pediatric age in which it shows a uniformly aggressive clinical behavior, its occurrence is relatively unusual among adults, and its clinico–pathological and prognostic features are not fully characterized in this age group. Methods: In this present paper, a review of the literature, including all cases of adult H3 K27-altered DMG published from January 2010 to December 2023 was performed, and the following clinical parameters were evaluated: sex, age (median and range), anatomic site, median follow-up, leptomeningeal dissemination, local recurrence and treatment. In addition, the clinico–pathological features of three additional adult cases from our retrospective series were also reported and discussed. Results: All tumors from our series exhibited a high-grade morphology with brisk mitotic activity; microvascular proliferation and necrosis were seen only in one case. The immunohistochemical loss of H3 K27me3 along with diffuse and strong immunoreactivity for H3 K27M was found in all cases, leading to the diagnosis of H3 K27-altered DMG. Conclusions: The literature review showed that adult H3 K27-altered DMG more frequently occurred in males aged between 18 and 40 years. The thalamus was the most affected site, followed by the brainstem and spinal cord, in both sex groups. Adult tumors exhibited less aggressive clinical behavior, with leptomeningeal dissemination and local recurrence reported in only 23.78% and 37.75% of cases, respectively.
Technical Complications Associated with Embolic Protection Device During Carotid Artery Stenting: Incidence, Risk Factors, Clinical Implications, and Rescue Maneuvers
Authors: Kim Bo Kyu , Kim Byungjun , You Sung-Hye , Ryoo Inseon , Jung Hye Na
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, clinical implications, and rescue maneuvers of technical complications related to embolic protection devices (EPDs) during carotid artery stenting (CAS). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who had undergone CAS with EPDs between April 2018 and March 2024. The incidence and types of technical complication associated with EPDs were assessed. Clinical, angiographical, and procedural factors were analyzed to identify risk factors for the occurrence of EPD-related adverse events. Various rescue techniques for managing adverse events were investigated based on the procedure record. Results: Of the 158 enrolled patients, the rate of EPD-related technical complications was 23.4% (n = 37). Among them, complicated filter retrieval was the most common adverse event (n = 23, 14.6%). Older age, a higher degree of residual stenosis, and the type of the EPD were significant risk factors for complicated filter retrieval (p < 0.05). Although distal thrombus migration requiring thrombectomy was more frequent in patients with complicated filter removal (2.2% vs. 13.0%, p = 0.041), there was no significant increase in postprocedural thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications. When complicated filter retrieval occurred, careful to-and-fro movement of the patients’ neck, such as rotation, or asking them to swallow was tried first in all 23 patients. When these attempts failed, manipulation of a curved-tip guiding catheter, the balloon bridge technique, and alternative use of a 5 Fr angiocatheter as a retrieval sheath were sequentially tried, and all filters were successfully retrieved. Conclusions: Complicated filter retrieval was the most common technical complication during CAS. Various rescue techniques for successful filter removal were effective for ensuring safety of CAS.
Mobility-Aware Task Offloading and Resource Allocation in UAV-Assisted Vehicular Edge Computing Networks
Authors: Chen Long , Du Jiaqi , Zhu Xia
Published: November 2024

The rapid development of the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) and intelligent transportation systems has led to increased demand for real-time data processing and computation in vehicular networks. To address these needs, this paper proposes a task offloading framework for UAV-assisted Vehicular Edge Computing (VEC) systems, which considers the high mobility of vehicles and the limited coverage and computational capacities of drones. We introduce the Mobility-Aware Vehicular Task Offloading (MAVTO) algorithm, designed to optimize task offloading decisions, manage resource allocation, and predict vehicle positions for seamless offloading. MAVTO leverages container-based virtualization for efficient computation, offering flexibility in resource allocation in multiple offload modes: direct, predictive, and hybrid. Extensive experiments using real-world vehicular data demonstrate that the MAVTO algorithm significantly outperforms other methods in terms of task completion success rate, especially under varying task data volumes and deadlines.
Know Your Grip: Real-Time Holding Posture Recognition for Smartphones
Authors: Hörschinger Rene , Kurz Marc , Sonnleitner Erik
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces a model that predicts four common smartphone-holding postures, aiming to enhance user interface adaptability. It is unique in being completely independent of platform and hardware, utilizing the inertial measurement unit (IMU) for real-time posture detection based on sensor data collected around tap gestures. The model identifies whether the user is holding and operating the smartphone with one hand or using both hands in different configurations. For model training and validation, sensor time series data undergo extensive feature extraction, including statistical, frequency, magnitude, and wavelet analyses. These features are incorporated into 74 distinct sets, tested across various machine learning frameworks—k-nearest neighbors (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF)—and evaluated for their effectiveness using metrics such as cross-validation scores, test accuracy, Kappa statistics, confusion matrices, and ROC curves. The optimized model demonstrates a high degree of accuracy, successfully predicting the holding hand with a 95.7% success rate. This approach highlights the potential of leveraging sensor data to improve mobile user experiences by adapting interfaces to natural user interactions.
Development of a Battery Diagnostic Method Based on CAN Data: Examining the Accuracy of Data Received via a Communication Network
Authors: Baráth Balázs , Sütheö Gergő , Pekk Letícia
Published: November 2024

In order to reduce the emissions caused by internal combustion engine vehicles, the industry is introducing more and more electric or hybrid vehicles to the market nowadays. The battery cells and modules of these vehicles require a lot of care, as improper or improperly maintained battery units can cause serious problems inside vehicles and can be extremely dangerous. The safest solution is to keep this unit of a vehicle under constant supervision so that it can be repaired immediately in case of an issue. Since all necessary data can be extracted from a vehicle’s communication network(s) through standard communication protocols, it is advisable to use them for continuous monitoring and diagnostics of units, while also considering cost-effectiveness and simplicity. The data received from here can also be used for measurement of electric powertrains and other parameters. However, since these data go through many conversions and computers (ECUs) before reaching us, their accuracy is questionable. In this study, we present our own custom battery diagnostic tool based on data extracted from a communication network. With the help of commercially available diagnostic tools, we also compare several measurements of the extent of the error limits of the data arriving at the communication network, how far they differ from the real values, and with the help of these, we analyze the accuracy of the device we have made. We present the commonly used Controller Area Network (CAN) communication protocol for passenger vehicles and briefly describe the construction of the high-voltage battery unit of the test vehicle.
An Experimental Comparison of the Performances of a Small Water-to-Water Heat Pump Working with R1234ze(E) and Its Mixture R515B
Authors: Molinaroli Luca , Lucchini Andrea , Colombo Luigi Pietro Maria
Published: November 2024

The study presents the results of an experimental investigation aimed at evaluating the performance of a water-to-water heat pump utilising R1234ze(E) and R515B in a drop-in application. Several operating conditions are tested, varying the mass flow rates and temperatures of the secondary fluids that pass through the heat exchangers while maintaining the compressor shaft rotational frequency and the vapour superheating at the evaporator outlet constant. Overall, when compared to R1234ze(E), the utilisation of R515B results in capacity and COP variations within −6.81% to +2.46% and −2.41% to +6.29%, respectively. Regarding the performance of the compressor, R515B exhibits comparable volumetric and overall efficiency, while a slightly lower refrigerant temperature at the compressor discharge is found, with differences ranging from −3.1 °C to −0.5 °C. Overall, R515B appears to be more suitable than R1234ze(E) for applications in the high-temperature range.
A Study on the Influence of Different Inflow Conditions on the Output Power and Dynamic Response Characteristics of a Variable Pitch Wind Turbine Structure
Authors: Bao Daorina , Shi Zhongyu , Li Chengze , Jiang Aoxiang , Han Qingsong , Luo Yongshui , Zhang Shaohua
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces a novel pitch adjustment device applicable to small wind turbines. To validate its feasibility under high wind speeds and analyze the impact of pitch angle on the power output characteristics of small wind turbines, a prototype model was manufactured for wind tunnel experiments. Additionally, we conducted simulations to analyze the stress and displacement responses of key components under uniform airflow, shear airflow, and Extreme Operated Gust conditions. The numerical simulation results were compared with experimental results based on actual measurement points in the wind tunnel experiment, demonstrating that the simulation data accurately reflect the experimental test results, with an overall discrepancy of around 10%, thereby validating the accuracy of the load and constraint settings in the transient dynamics analysis. This study found that, as the pitch angle increased, the structural dynamic response of key wind turbine components under uniform airflow conditions exhibited a decreasing trend, which was proportional to wind speed. Under shear airflow conditions, the response of key components was positively correlated with the shear index, while Extreme Operated Gust significantly increased the amplitude of the response fluctuations. Furthermore, this research revealed that, with an increase in pitch angle, the maximum stress value of the gear under uniform airflow conditions decreased from 27.42 MPa to 7.64 MPa, a reduction of 72.1%. Under shear airflow conditions, the root stress of the gear decreased from 14.441 MPa to 8.879 MPa, a reduction of 49.60%. Under Extreme Operated Gust conditions, the maximum stress of the gear decreased from 17.82 MPa to 15.18 MPa, a reduction of 22.99%.
Modeling and Optimization of a Nuclear Integrated Energy System for the Remote Microgrid on El Hierro
Authors: Williams Logan , Doster J. Michael , Mikkelson Daniel
Published: November 2024

Nuclear microreactors are a potential technology to provide heat and electricity for remote microgrids. There is potential for the microgrid on the island of El Hierro to use a microreactor, within an integrated energy system (IES), to generate electricity and provide desalinated water. This work proposes a workflow for optimizing and analyzing IESs for microgrids. In this study, an IES incorporating a microreactor, thermal energy storage (TES) system, combined heat and power plant, and a thermal desalination plant was designed, optimized, and analyzed using Idaho National Laboratory’s Framework for Optimization of Resources and Economics (FORCE) toolset. The optimization tool, Holistic Energy Resource Optimization Network (HERON), was used to determine the optimal capacity sizes and dispatch for the reactor and thermal energy storage systems to meet demand. The optimized reactor and TES sizes were found to be 11.61 MWth and 58.47 MWhth, respectively, when optimizing the IES to replace 95% of the island’s existing diesel generation needs. A dynamic model of the system was created in the Modelica language, using models from the HYBRID repository, to analyze and verify the dispatch from the optimizer. The dynamic model was able to meet the ramp rates while maintaining reactor power with minimal control adjustments.
Validation of Electromechanical Transient Model for Large-Scale Renewable Power Plants Based on a Fast-Responding Generator Method
Authors: Zhao Dawei , Ning Yujie , Zhang Chuanzhi , Ma Jin , Qian Minhui , Liu Yanzhang
Published: November 2024

The requirements for accurate models of renewable energy power plants are urgent for power system operation analysis. Most existing model research in this area is for wind turbine and photovoltaic (PV) power generation units; a rare renewable power plant model validation mainly adopts the single-machine infinite-bus system. The single equivalent machine method is always used, and the interactions between the power plant and the grid are ignored. The voltage at the interface bus is treated as constant, although this is not consistent with its actual characteristics. The phase shifter method of hybrid dynamic simulation has been applied in the model validation of wind farms. However, this method is heavily dependent on phasor measurement units (PMU) data, resulting in a limited application scope, and it is difficult to realize the model error location step by step. In this paper, the fast-responding generator method is used for renewable power plant model validation. The complete scheme comprising model validation, error localization, parameter sensitivity analysis, and parameter correction is proposed. Model validation is conducted based on measured records from a large-scale PV power plant in northwest China. The comparison of simulated and measured data verifies the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed scheme. Compared to the conventional model validation method, the maximum deviation of the active power simulation values obtained by the method proposed in this paper is only 38.8% of that of the conventional method, and the overall simulation curve fits the actual measured values significantly better.
Using Multimodal Foundation Models for Detecting Fake Images on the Internet with Explanations
Authors: Pendyala Vishnu S. , Chintalapati Ashwin
Published: November 2024

Generative AI and multimodal foundation models have fueled a proliferation of fake content on the Internet. This paper investigates if foundation models help detect and thereby contain the spread of fake images. The task of detecting fake images is a formidable challenge owing to its visual nature and intricate analysis. This paper details experiments using four multimodal foundation models, Llava, CLIP, Moondream2, and Gemini 1.5 Flash, to detect fake images. Explainable AI techniques such as Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) and removal-based explanations are used to gain insights into the detection process. The dataset used comprised real images and fake images generated by a generative artificial intelligence tool called MidJourney. Results show that the models can achieve up to a 69% accuracy rate in detecting fake images in an intuitively explainable way, as confirmed by multiple techniques and metrics.
A Transfer Reinforcement Learning Approach for Capacity Sharing in Beyond 5G Networks
Authors: Vilà Irene , Pérez-Romero Jordi , Sallent Oriol
Published: November 2024

The use of Reinforcement Learning (RL) techniques has been widely addressed in the literature to cope with capacity sharing in 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) slicing. These algorithms consider a training process to learn an optimal capacity sharing decision-making policy, which is later applied to the RAN environment during the inference stage. When relevant changes occur in the RAN, such as the deployment of new cells in the network, RL-based capacity sharing solutions require a re-training process to update the optimal decision-making policy, which may require long training times. To accelerate this process, this paper proposes a novel Transfer Learning (TL) approach for RL-based capacity sharing solutions in multi-cell scenarios that is implementable following the Open-RAN (O-RAN) architecture and exploits the availability of computing resources at the edge for conducting the training/inference processes. The proposed approach allows transferring the weights of the previously learned policy to learn the new policy to be used after the addition of new cells. The performance assessment of the TL solution highlights its capability to reduce the training process duration of the policies when adding new cells. Considering that the roll-out of 5G networks will continue for several years, TL can contribute to enhancing the practicality and feasibility of applying RL-based solutions for capacity sharing.
Effects of Waste Glass Bottle Nanoparticles and High Volume of Waste Ceramic Tiles on Concrete Performance When Exposed to Elevated Temperatures: Experimental and Theoretical Evaluations
Authors: Joudah Zahraa Hussein , Hafizah A. Khalid Nur , Algaifi Hassan Amer , Mhaya Akram M. , Xiong Teng , Alsultani Riyadh , Huseien Ghasan Fahim
Published: November 2024

This article reports the durability performance of modified concrete with silica nanoparticles and a high volume of waste ceramic tiles under varying elevated temperatures. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was replaced with 60% waste ceramic tiles powder (WTCPs) and supplemented with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% nanopowders from waste glass bottles (WGBNPs) as a rich source of silica. The natural aggregates (both coarse and fine) were fully replaced by the crushed waste ceramic tiles (WTCAs). After 28 days of curing, the modified specimens were exposed to varying elevated temperatures (200, 400, 600, and 800 °C) in a furnace followed by air cooling. Tests such as residual compressive strength, weight loss, ultrasonic plus velocity, visual appearance, and microstructural analysis were conducted. Additionally, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to validate the performance of the proposed predictive equations, as well as their terms, using p-values and F-values. It was discerned that OPC substitution with WTCPs and WGBNPs significantly improved the concrete’s performance under elevated temperatures. It is observed that the addition of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% WGBNPs lowered the concrete deterioration by increasing the residual strength and reducing both internal and external cracks. This study provides some new insights into the utilization of WTCPs and WGBNPs to produce sustainable and eco-friendly modified concrete with high spalling resistance characteristics at elevated temperatures.
Monitoring and Conservation of Freshwater and Marine Fishes: Synopsis
Authors: Vadas Robert L. , Hughes Robert M.
Published: November 2024

Globally, native migratory and resident fishes are declining from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem degradation resulting from physicochemical habitat alteration, migration barriers, over-exploitation, hatchery supplementation, non-native species introductions, and the climate crisis [...]
Research on Rapid Detection Methods of Tea Pigments Content During Rolling of Black Tea Based on Machine Vision Technology
Authors: Zou Hanting , Lan Tianmeng , Jiang Yongwen , Yu Xiao-Lan , Yuan Haibo
Published: November 2024

As a crucial stage in the processing of black tea, rolling plays a significant role in both the color transformation and the quality development of the tea. In this process, the production of theaflavins, thearubigins, and theabrownins is a primary factor contributing to the alteration in color of rolled leaves. Herein, tea pigments are selected as the key quality indicators during rolling of black tea, aiming to establish rapid detection methods for them. A machine vision system is employed to extract nine color feature variables from the images of samples subjected to varying rolling times. Then, the tea pigment content in the corresponding samples is determined using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. In the meantime, the correlation between color variables and tea pigments is discussed. Additionally, Z-score and PCA are used to eliminate the magnitude difference and redundant information in original data. Finally, the quantitative prediction models of tea pigments based on the images’ color features are established by using PLSR, SVR, and ELM. The data show that the Z-score–PCA–ELM model has the best prediction effect for tea pigments. The Rp values for the model prediction sets are all over 0.96, and the RPD values are all greater than 3.50. In this study, rapid determination methods for tea pigments during rolling of black tea are established. These methods offer significant technical support for the digital production of black tea.
Protein and Oil Contents, Micro- and Macronutrients, and Other Quality Indicators of Soybean Cultivated in Lowland Fields
Authors: Baisch Jéssica Streck , Grohs Mara , Ferreira Paulo Ademar Avelar , Ugalde Gustavo Andrade , Tres Marcus Vinícius , Zabot Giovani Leone
Published: November 2024

The cultivation of soybean is being expanded in traditional areas cultivated with rice, called the lowlands. However, soil characteristics are different from those in the highlands, which influences the exportation of nutrients to the grains. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the physical-chemical and technological characteristics of soybean grains harvested in lowlands in Brazil. Two-year crops (2021/22 and 2022/23) were used with two types of soil preparation (scarified and non-scarified) and six cover crop treatments (oats, clover, ryegrass, fallow, ryegrass + oats, and ryegrass + clover). The influence of these treatments was evaluated in terms of the grain yield, oil and protein contents, oil composition, quality indices (acidity, peroxide, iodine, and saponification), and contents of ash, carbohydrates, and micro- and macronutrients. Grain yield achieved an average of 3829.8 kg ha−1. Soil scarification positively influenced grain yield and contributed to higher protein and oil contents, with maximum values of 32.7 wt% and 27.6 wt%, respectively. The main fatty acids in oil were oleic acid (22.13 ± 1.48–26.32 ± 0.98%) and linoleic acid (36.32 ± 1.57–52.18 ± 1.58%). The macronutrients phosphorus (5.12 ± 0.39–5.79 ± 0.37 kg ton−1), calcium (2.79 ± 0.19–3.05 ± 0.18 kg ton−1), magnesium (2.37 ± 0.14–2.57 ± 0.13 kg ton−1), and sulfur (2.85 ± 0.18–3.19 ± 0.20 kg ton−1), and the micronutrients copper (9.73 ± 1.42–11.68 ± 1.07 g ton−1), iron (111.42 ± 6.86–122.02 ± 5.00 g ton−1), and manganese (43.58 ± 3.34–47.08 ± 2.74 g ton−1) were in agreement with the values reached in the highlands. For potassium (18.87 ± 0.38–29.29 ± 1.44 kg ton−1) and zinc (30.02 ± 2.45–38.00 ± 1.03 g ton−1), soil scarification allows higher levels of absorption. The use of ryegrass as a cover crop allows higher levels of nitrogen absorption, reaching up to 44.93 ± 2.74 kg ton−1. Regarding the acidity (0.19–0.52%), peroxide (9.64–16.39 mEq O2 kg−1), iodine (85.34–91.91 mg KI g−1), and saponification (182.33–203.74 mg KOH g−1) indices of the oil, all values were obtained in accordance with the scientific literature. The conclusions of this study indicate that it is possible to cultivate soybean in lowlands after developing the proper soil preparation. Consequently, the yields are increased, and grains will benefit from higher protein and oil contents, enhancing soybean quality for commercialization.
Polymorphisms Within the IQGAP2 and CRTAC1 Genes of Gannan Yaks and Their Association with Milk Quality Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Juanxiang , Yang Guowu , Zha Xita , Ma Xiaoming , La Yongfu , Wu Xiaoyun , Guo Xian , Chu Min , Bao Pengjia , Yan Ping , Liang Chunnian
Published: November 2024

The IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 2 (IQGAP2) gene functions as a tumor suppressor, reducing the malignant properties of breast cancer cells. The circulating cartilage acidic protein 1 (CRTAC1) gene, present in the whey protein fraction of dairy cows throughout lactation, is significantly correlated with fatty acids in milk. In this study, we investigated the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IQGAP2 and CRTAC1 genes and milk quality traits in Gannan yaks, aiming to identify potential molecular marker loci for enhancing milk quality. Using the Illumina Yak cGPS 7K liquid chip, we genotyped 162 yaks and identified five SNPs in the IQGAP2 (g.232,769C>G, g.232,922G>C) and CRTAC1 (g.4,203T>C, g.5,348T>G, g.122,451T>C) genes. Genetic polymorphism analysis revealed that these five SNPs were moderately polymorphic and in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. An association analysis results showed that, at the g.232,769C>G locus of the IQGAP2 gene, the heterozygous CG genotype had significantly higher lactose content than the CC and GG homozygous genotypes (p < 0.05). Similarly, at the g.232,922G>C locus, the heterozygous GC and mutant CC genotypes significantly increased the contents of milk fat, lactose, and total solids (TS) (p < 0.05). In the CRTAC1 gene (g.4,203T>C, g.5,348T>G, g.122,451T>C), the mutant CC genotype significantly increased milk fat content, while the heterozygous TG genotype significantly increased lactose content (p < 0.05). In summary, mutations at the loci of g.232,769C>G, g.232,922G>C, g.4,203T>C, g.5,348T>G, and g.122,451T>C significantly elevated the lactose, milk fat, and TS content in Gannan yak milk, providing potential molecular marker candidates for improving Gannan yak milk quality.
Capsaicin and Quercitrin Maintained Lipid Homeostasis of Hyperlipidemic Mice: Serum Metabolomics and Signaling Pathways
Authors: Wu Yanxia , Liu Weihua , Wang Rongrong , Lian Yunhe , Cheng Xinying , Yang Ruili , Wang Xianghong , Mi Si
Published: November 2024

Capsaicin and quercitrin have proved to be two major ingredients in fresh chili pepper. However, the effect of these two compounds on hyperlipidemia and the related molecular mechanisms were still unclear. This work was performed to examine the hypolipidemic capacity of capsaicin and quercitrin as well as the related signaling pathways. Hyperlipidemia was induced in mice by feeding them with a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Both capsaicin and quercitrin were beneficial to inhibit a rise in fasting glucose, total cholesterol, total triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total bile acids and to lift the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum. The optimal lipid-lowering data were achieved in the capsaicin and quercitrin/3:1 group. Supplementation with capsaicin and quercitrin both singly and together in the feed caused a significant influence on the metabolite profiles of mouse serum. The signaling pathway for the hypolipidemic effect of capsaicin and quercitrin was related to the down-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) but the up-regulation of phosphatidylin-ositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase Bb(Akt), farnesoid X receptor 1 (FXR1), and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1). This study confirmed the jointly hypolipidemic effect of capsaicin and quercitrin, which would benefit the valorization of chili pepper resources.
Impact of Cooking Duration on Calcium Oxalate Needle-like Crystals in Plants: A Case Study of Vegetable Taro Flowers in Yunnan
Authors: Zi Haoyu , Chen Rui , Jia Nan , Ma Yuxuan , Zhao Chunchang , Chen Zhe , Zhang Jingwei
Published: November 2024

As a popular vegetable in Yunnan Province, China, taro flowers are delicious but contain substances that can cause numbing and mucous membrane damage. Prolonged high-temperature cooking is used by locals to mitigate these effects, though its mechanisms were previously unexplored. This study confirms the presence of needle-like calcium oxalate crystals in taro flowers and shows that prolonged steaming reduces their quantity, size, and sharpness, making them safer to eat. Microscopic observations revealed numerous sharp-tipped (~50 μm) calcium oxalate crystals in fresh taro flowers. After 2 h of steam heating, there were significantly fewer (~80% reduction) and smaller crystals (~70% reduction). Ion chromatography showed no significant change (p > 0.05) in calcium oxalate content (remaining ~2.5% of dry weight) after heating. Higher temperatures increase calcium oxalate solubility, causing gradual dissolution and the likely formation of small irregular structures, thus reducing the numbing effect. Prolonged cooking could be applied to other plant-based foods and medicines rich in these crystals. By analyzing statistics related to taro and taro flowers, the estimated potential economic benefits of commercializing taro flowers were USD 2.58–12.92 billion annually, potentially improving food security, creating jobs, and promoting development across regions where taro is largely cultivated in the Global South.
Virtual Cold Chain Method with Comprehensive Evaluation to Reveal the Effects of Temperature Abuse on Blueberry Quality
Authors: Fu Min , Liu Hui , Yang Wenbo , Zhang Qiang , Lv Zhenzhen , Nawaz Muhammad , Jiao Zhonggao , Liu Jiechao
Published: November 2024

Blueberry is one of the most perishable fruits, and the postharvest supply chain environment temperature has great effects on fruit quality. In order to determine the critical steps referring to non-optimal conditions and the key quality indexes in response to temperature along the cold chain, 15 time–temperature scenarios were conducted simultaneously for the storage of blueberry fruits and 17 quality attributes were determined. The results indicated that different cold chain steps under abusing temperatures significantly affected blueberry qualities. Based on the comprehensive evaluation analysis, storage in farm at 8 °C and a 10 h delay in precooling were found to be the critical steps that had strong impacts on the qualities of blueberries, affecting 33 and 31 total qualities during shelf life, respectively. Furthermore, seven effective indexes, including the sensory scores, weight loss, decay rate, content of titratable acid, malondialdehyde, respiratory rate and antioxidant activities, were confirmed to be the key quality attributes influenced by the cold chain temperature. It is necessary to circulate postharvest blueberry fruits under relatively isothermal and optimum temperatures throughout the cold chain to maintain the preferred quality, especially at the initial stage of the supply chain.