bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three Years of Google Earth Engine-Based Archaeological Surveys in Iraqi Kurdistan: Results from the Ground
Authors: Valente Riccardo , Maset Eleonora , Iamoni Marco
Published: November 2024

This paper presents the results of a three-year survey (2021–2023), conducted in an area of approximately 356 km2 in Iraqi Kurdistan with the aim of identifying previously undetected archaeological sites. Thanks to the development of a multi-temporal approach based on open multispectral satellite data, greater effectiveness was achieved for the recognition of archaeological sites when compared to the use of single archival or freely accessible satellite images, which are typically employed in archaeological research. In particular, the Google Earth Engine services allowed for the efficient utilization of cloud computing resources to handle hundreds of remote sensing images. Using different datasets, namely Landsat 5, Landsat 7 and Sentinel-2, several products were obtained by processing entire stacks of images acquired at different epochs, thus minimizing the adverse effects on site visibility caused by vegetation, crops and cloud coverage and permitting an effective visual inspection and site recognition. Furthermore, spectral signature analysis of every potential site complemented the method. The developed approach was tested on areas that belong to the Land of Nineveh Archaeological Project (LoNAP) and the Upper Greater Zab Archaeological Reconnaissance (UGZAR) project, which had been intensively surveyed in the recent past. This represented an additional challenge to the method, as the most visible and extensive sites (tells) had already been detected. Three years of direct ground-truthing in the field enabled assessment of the outcomes of the remote sensing-based analysis, discovering more than 60 previously undetected sites and confirming the utility of the method for archaeological research in the area of Northern Mesopotamia.
Precision Detection of Infrared Small Target in Ground-to-Air Scene
Authors: Dong Xiaona , Jiang Huilin , Song Yansong , Dong Keyan
Published: November 2024

Reliable infrared small target detection plays an important role in infrared search and track systems. In recent years, most target detection methods usually use the statistical features of a rectangular window to represent the contrast between the target and the background. When the size of the target is small or the target is close to the background, the statistical features of the rectangular window would reduce the significance of the target. Moreover, such methods have limited effect on interfering targets, high brightness background, background edges, and clutter suppression in complex backgrounds, and are likely to misdetect the target or even miss it. This paper proposes a non-window, structured algorithm for precision detection of infrared small targets under ground-to-air complex scenes. The non-window, structured local grayscale descent intensity and local gradient watershed (LGDI-LGW) filter can detect a 1 × 1 pixel infrared small target, and effectively suppress interfering targets and background edges. By using the adaptive threshold and centroid algorithm on the target area, the precision of target coordinates reaches sub-pixel accuracy. The results of 9 simulation experiments show that the algorithm has the lowest false alarm rate and the highest detection rate compared with the eight baseline algorithms. It can effectively detect targets with Gaussian distribution of grayscale values and targets with grayscale values approximating tree stump structure. The results of 2 engineering experiments show that under simulated near-sun conditions, a uniform target is precisely detected, and the UAV point target is precisely detected in complex ground-to-air scenes.
Methods and Evaluation of AI-Based Meteorological Models for Zenith Tropospheric Delay Prediction
Authors: Xiong Si , Mei Jiamu , Xu Xinchuang , Shen Ziyu , Huang Liangke
Published: November 2024

Zenith Tropospheric Delay (ZTD) is a significant error source affecting the accuracy of certain space geodetic measurements. This study evaluates the performance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based meteorological models, such as Fengwu and Pangu, in estimating real-time ZTD. The results from these AI models were compared with those obtained from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Atmospheric Reanalysis (ERA5), and the third generation of the Global Pressure–Temperature data model (GPT3) to assess their accuracy across different time intervals, seasons, and geographic locations. The findings reveal that AI-driven models, particularly Fengwu, offer higher long-term forecasting accuracy. An analysis of data from 81 stations throughout 2023 indicates that Fengwu’s 7-day ZTD forecast achieved an RMSE of 2.85 cm when compared to GNSS-derived ZTD. However, in oceanic regions and areas with complex climatic dynamics, the Fengwu model exhibited a larger error compared to in other land regions. Additionally, seasonal variations and station altitude were found to influence the accuracy of ZTD predictions, emphasizing the need for detailed modeling in complex climatic zones.
Energetic and Neuromuscular Demands of Unresisted, Parachute- and Sled-Resisted Sprints in Youth Soccer Players: Differences Between Two Novel Determination Methods
Authors: Grassadonia Gabriele , Bruni Michele , Alcaraz Pedro E. , Freitas Tomás T.
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in terms of (1) muscle activation patterns; (2) metabolic power (MP) and energy cost (EC) estimated via two determination methods (i.e., the Global Positioning System [GPS] and electromyography-based [EMG]); and (3) the apparent efficiency (AE) of 30-m linear sprints in seventeen elite U17 male soccer players performed under different conditions (i.e., unloaded sprint [US], parachute sprint [PS], and four incremental sled loads [SS15, SS30, SS45, SS60, corresponding to 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg of additional mass]). In a single testing session, each participant executed six trials (one attempt per sprint type). The results indicated that increasing the sled loads led to a linear increase in the relative contribution of the quadriceps (R2 = 0.98) and gluteus (R2 = 0.94) and a linear decrease in hamstring recruitment (R2 = 0.99). The MP during the US was significantly different from SS15, SS30, SS45, and SS60, as determined by the GPS and EMG approaches (p-values ranging from 0.01 to 0.001). Regarding EC, significant differences were found among the US and all sled conditions (i.e., SS15, SS30, SS45, and SS60) using the GPS and EMG methods (all p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, MP and EC determined via GPS were significantly lower in all sled conditions when compared to EMG (all p ≤ 0.001). The AE was significantly higher for the US when compared to the loaded sprinting conditions (all p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, muscle activation patterns, MP and EC, and AE changed as a function of load in sled-resisted sprinting. Furthermore, GPS-derived MP and EC seemed to underestimate the actual neuromuscular and metabolic demands imposed on youth soccer players compared to EMG.
Distance and Angle Insensitive Radar-Based Multi-Human Posture Recognition Using Deep Learning
Authors: Abdullah Sohaib , Ahmed Shahzad , Choi Chanwoo , Cho Sung Ho
Published: November 2024

Human posture recognition has a wide range of applicability in the detective and preventive healthcare industry. Recognizing posture through frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar poses a significant challenge as the human subject is static. Unlike existing radar-based studies, this study proposes a novel framework to extract the postures of two humans in close proximity using FMCW radar point cloud. With radar extracted range, velocity, and angle information, point clouds in the Cartesian domain are retrieved. Afterwards, unsupervised clustering is implemented to segregate the two humans, and finally a deep learning model named DenseNet is applied to classify the postures of both human subjects. Using four base postures (namely, standing, sitting on chair, sitting on floor, and lying down), ten posture combinations for two human scenarios are classified with an average accuracy of 96%. Additionally, using the centroid information of human clusters, an approach to detect and classify overlapping human participants is also introduced. Experiments with five posture combinations of two overlapping humans yielded an accuracy of above 96%. The proposed framework has the potential to offer a privacy-preserving preventive healthcare sensing platform for an elderly couple living alone.
Syntactic–Semantic Detection of Clone-Caused Vulnerabilities in the IoT Devices
Authors: Kalinin Maxim , Gribkov Nikita
Published: November 2024

This paper addresses the problem of IoT security caused by code cloning when developing a massive variety of different smart devices. A clone detection method is proposed to identify clone-caused vulnerabilities in IoT software. A hybrid solution combines syntactic and semantic analyses of the code. Based on the recovered code, an attributed abstract syntax tree is constructed for each code fragment. All nodes of the commonly used abstract syntax tree are proposed to be weighted with semantic attribute vectors. Each attributed tree is then encoded as a semantic vector using a Deep Graph Neural Network. Two graph networks are combined into a Siamese neural model, allowing training to generate semantic vectors and compare vector pairs within each training epoch. Semantic analysis is also applied to clones with low similarity metric values. This allows one to correct the similarity decision in the case of incorrect matching of functions at the syntactic level. To automate the search for clones, the BinDiff algorithm is added in the first stage to accurately select clone candidates. This has a positive impact on the ability to apply the proposed method to large sets of binary code. In an experimental study, the developed method—compared to BinDiff, Gemini, and Asteria tools—has demonstrated the highest efficiency.
Gaze Zone Classification for Driving Studies Using YOLOv8 Image Classification
Authors: Hermens Frouke , Anker Wim , Noten Charmaine
Published: November 2024

Gaze zone detection involves estimating where drivers look in terms of broad categories (e.g., left mirror, speedometer, rear mirror). We here specifically focus on the automatic annotation of gaze zones in the context of road safety research, where the system can be tuned to specific drivers and driving conditions, so that an easy to use but accurate system may be obtained. We show with an existing dataset of eye region crops (nine gaze zones) and two newly collected datasets (12 and 10 gaze zones) that image classification with YOLOv8, which has a simple command line interface, achieves near-perfect accuracy without any pre-processing of the images, as long as a model is trained on the driver and conditions for which annotation is required (such as whether the drivers wear glasses or sunglasses). We also present two apps to collect the training images and to train and apply the YOLOv8 models. Future research will need to explore how well the method extends to real driving conditions, which may be more variable and more difficult to annotate for ground truth labels.
R-RDSP: Reliable and Rapidly Deployable Wireless Ad Hoc System for Post-Disaster Management over DDS
Authors: Jan Baber , Munir Adnan , Khan Ayaz H. , Khan Ajmal , Al-Madani Basem
Published: November 2024

After natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or wars occur, cellular communication networks often sustain significant damage or become impaired. In these critical situations, first responders must coordinate with other rescue teams to communicate essential information to central command and survivors. To address this challenge, we have developed a reliable and rapidly deployable wireless ad hoc system for post-disaster management using Data Distribution Service (DDS) middleware, specifically RTI-DDS, named R-RDSP. The R-RDSP further enhances these metrics, achieving a 14.5% improvement in end-to-end delay and a 20.24% improvement in round-trip delay over the RDSP scheme. The R-RDSP system consists of three main modules: client, relay, and server. Each module connects to others via an ad hoc network, ensuring direct device-to-device communication without relying on existing infrastructure. The client module collects and sends the victim’s location and emergency messages. The relay modules forward these messages across the ad hoc networks, ensuring minimal delay and high reliability. Finally, the server module receives the messages, processes them, and coordinates the response. Leveraging RTI-DDS for reliable message distribution, the system demonstrates robust performance even under challenging network conditions.
Canadian Strategy Against Gender-Based Violence and Gaps
Authors: Chen Lanyan , McCarthy Jennifer , Chen Miao
Published: November 2024

Promoting the Essential Services Package (ESP) for Women and Girls Subject to Violence has led to an emphasis on legislative commitments to a survivor-centred strategy. Such legislation includes provisions for fiscal planning, standards of services, and official programs to support networks of community-based interventions to build capacity, share information, and co-generate knowledge across regions. This study identifies gaps in the Canadian strategy against gender-based violence in the operation of mechanisms for coordinating multi-sectoral trauma-informed “wrap-around” services that prioritize survivors in their distinct and diverse contexts and communities. It also recommends ways to transform the Canadian strategy in a global context.
Assessing Drought Patterns in Al-Baha: Implications for Water Resources and Climate Adaptation
Authors: Ibrahim Hesham M. , Alghamdi Abdulaziz G. , Aly Anwar A.
Published: November 2024

Due to growing water demands and changing hydro-meteorological variables brought on by climate change, drought is becoming an increasingly serious climate concern. The Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia is the subject of this study because it is susceptible to both agricultural and meteorological droughts. This study investigates how climate change affects patterns of drought in Al-Baha by analyzing four drought indices (Agricultural Standardized Precipitation Index (aSPI), the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), the Rainfall Deficiency Index (RDI), and the Effective Reconnaissance Drought Index (eRDI)) for the years 1991–2022. Analysis of rainfall data was carried out to classify drought events according to their duration, frequency, and severity. Results showed that severe droughts occurred in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2022, with 2010 being the worst year. Results also indicated a notable decrease in precipitation, which has resulted in extended dry spells. Several indices indicate that this tendency has significant ramifications for agriculture, particularly in areas where farming is a major economic activity. In addition, the possible occurrence of hydrological drought was also observed based on the negative values for the Reservoir Storage Index (RSI) in Al-Baha. Projections for the future under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) showed notable variations in temperature and precipitation. Both the RCP4.5 (low emission) and the RCP8.5 (high emission) projection scenarios indicate that drought conditions will likely worsen further. Depending on the emission scenario, it is projected to show a temperature increase of 1–2 °C, whereas the variability in precipitation projections indicates significant uncertainty, with a reduction change in the range of 1.2–27% between 2050 and 2100. The findings highlight the urgent need for proactive adaptation strategies, effective water resource management, and the development of sophisticated drought prediction tools. Addressing these challenges is crucial for sustaining agriculture and managing water scarcity in Saudi Arabia in the face of increasing drought risk.
Innovative Production and Innovative Agricultural Products in the Food Economy in the Context of Selected Lifestyle Elements of the Inhabitants of South-Eastern Poland: Case Study
Authors: Badora Aleksandra , Kud Krzysztof
Published: November 2024

Sustainable development in the agriculture of the future will lead to innovative production, providing the possibility of obtaining better quality agricultural products. In turn, these innovative agricultural products will fit into new social lifestyles. Therefore, in this study, the authors asked the following research questions: (i) How do respondents perceive innovative agricultural production and innovative products in the area of food economy?; (ii) what is the relationship between selected lifestyle elements and the perception of innovative agricultural production and products? The research tool was a survey questionnaire. The diagnostic study was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) technique. The study was partial and non-probabilistic in nature. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous, and completion of the form could be interrupted at any time. The target group were adults aged ≥ 18 years. They were residents of south-eastern Poland, from the Podkarpackie and Lublin provinces. The study was of a correlational nature, as it sought relationships between the elements studied, without the possibility of influencing the level of individual variables. A five-point Likert scale with a neutral value was used for the assessment. Spearman correlation analysis (rS) was performed to find the relationship between the items. This type of correlation was chosen because the variables subjected to calculations were on an ordinal scale. The Kruskal–Wallis H test was also calculated to determine the effect of independent variables (lifestyle elements) on dependent variables (perception of innovative production and food products). The Mann–Whitney U test was utilized to calculate and identify differences between groups (sex and place of residence). Statistical significance was assessed at the level of α = 0.05. To illustrate these differences more clearly, categorized graphs of the average ratings of the items studied were also drawn up. The research results indicate a different approach from men and women to the issues studied. The place of residence and the approach of the respondents from south-eastern Poland to the studied lifestyle elements influenced their perception of sustainable agricultural production and innovative features of agricultural products. The examined lifestyle elements demonstrated a varied impact on the perception of innovative production and innovative food products.
Modeling Resilience of Metro-Based Urban Underground Logistics System Based on Multi-Layer Interdependent Network
Authors: Li Jiaojiao , Dong Jianjun , Ren Rui , Chen Zhilong
Published: November 2024

The metro-based underground logistics system (M-ULS) has been identified as an effective solution to urban problems resulting from the expansion of urban freight traffic. However, there is a paucity of current research that examines the resilience of a M-ULS in the context of unexpected events during operations. Therefore, this paper presents a methodology for assessing the resilience of the M-ULS. The method considers the propagation paths of various failures in a multi-layered, interdependent network that includes topology, functionality, facilities, and information, as well as network performance indicators based on network freight flow and logistics timeliness. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated using the case of the Nanjing Metro. The results show that the type of disruption, the duration, and the direction of train travel all have a significant impact on the resilience of the M-ULS. The method proposed in this paper provides a scientific basis for the assessment and optimization of M-ULS resilience and also offers new insights into the use of urban rail transit to promote the sustainable development of urban logistics.
Structural Characteristics of Expressway Carbon Emission Correlation Network and Its Influencing Factors: A Case Study in Guangdong Province
Authors: Wu Hailing , Li Yuanjun , Liao Kaihuai , Wu Qitao , Shen Kanhai
Published: November 2024

Understanding the spatial correlation of transportation carbon emissions and their influencing factors is significant in achieving an overall regional carbon emission reduction. This study analyzed the structure characteristics of the expressway carbon emission correlation network in Guangdong Province and examined its influencing factors with intercity expressway traffic flow data using social network analysis (SNA). The findings indicate that the correlation network of expressway carbon emissions in Guangdong Province exhibited a “core-edge” spatial pattern. The overall network demonstrated strong cohesion and stability, and a significant difference existed between the passenger vehicle and freight vehicle carbon emission networks. The positions and roles of different cities varied within the carbon emission network, with the Pearl River Delta (PRD) cities being in a dominant position in the carbon network. Cities such as Guangzhou, Foshan, and Dongguan play the role of “bridges” in the carbon network. The expansion of differences in GDP per capita, industrial structure, technological level, and transportation intensity facilitates the formation of a carbon emission network. At the same time, geographical distance between cities and policy factors inhibit them. This study provides references for developing regional collaborative carbon emission governance programs.
Smart Integration of Renewable Energy Sources Employing Setpoint Frequency Control—An Analysis on the Grid Cost of Balancing
Authors: Shobayo Laolu Obafemi , Dao Cuong Duc
Published: November 2024

The increasing installation of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) presents significant challenges to the stability and reliability of power systems. This paper introduces an advanced control method to mitigate the adverse effects of intermittent generation from RES on the power system frequency stability. The proposed approach emphasizes the critical role of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and RES in enhancing the resilience of modern power networks. The Generation Export Management Schemes (GEMS) are employed to curtail the excessive export of RES, thereby contributing to improved frequency stability. This research involves a comprehensive analysis of the dynamic behavior of the network under various operational scenarios, particularly focusing on power exchanges between RES, BESS, and synchronous generation units. Furthermore, this paper focuses on the economic implications of integrating RES into the grid, with a detailed cost of balancing (COB) modelling and analysis conducted to assess the financial viability of the proposed frequency management solutions. The analysis encompasses both short-term and long-term perspectives, providing insights into the development of economically sustainable smart power networks that effectively integrate renewable energy and storage technologies while maintaining system stability.
On the Discretization of the Weibull-G Family of Distributions: Properties, Parameter Estimates, and Applications of a New Discrete Distribution
Authors: Balubaid Abeer , Klakattawi Hadeel , Alsulami Dawlah
Published: November 2024

In this article, we introduce a new three-parameter distribution called the discrete Weibull exponential (DWE) distribution, based on the use of a discretization technique for the Weibull-G family of distributions. This distribution is noteworthy, as its probability mass function presents both symmetric and asymmetric shapes. In addition, its related hazard function is tractable, exhibiting a wide range of shapes, including increasing, increasing–constant, uniform, monotonically increasing, and reversed J-shaped. We also discuss some of the properties of the proposed distribution, such as the moments, moment-generating function, dispersion index, Rényi entropy, and order statistics. The maximum likelihood method is employed to estimate the model’s unknown parameters, and these estimates are evaluated through simulation studies. Additionally, the effectiveness of the model is examined by applying it to three real data sets. The results demonstrate that, in comparison to the other considered distributions, the proposed distribution provides a better fit to the data.
Explicit Runge–Kutta Numerical Manifold Method for Solving the Burgers’ Equation via the Hopf–Cole Transformation
Authors: Sun Yue , Chen Qian , Chen Tao , Yong Longquan
Published: November 2024

This paper presents an efficient numerical manifold method for solving the Burgers’ equation. To improve accuracy and streamline the solution process, we apply a nonlinear function transformation technique that reformulates the original problem into a linear diffusion equation. We utilize a dual cover mesh along with an explicit multi-step time integration method for spatial and temporal discretization, respectively. Constant cover functions are employed across mathematical covers, interconnected by a linear weight function for each manifold element. The full discretization formulation is derived using the Galerkin weak form. To efficiently compute the inverse of the symmetric positive definite mass matrix, we employ the Crout algorithm. The performance and convergence of our method are rigorously evaluated through several benchmark numerical tests. Extensive comparisons with exact solutions and alternative methods demonstrate that our approach delivers an accurate, stable, and efficient computational scheme for the Burgers’ equation.
A Mycovirus Representing a Novel Lineage and a Mitovirus of Botrytis cinerea Co-Infect a Basidiomycetous Fungus, Schizophyllum commune
Authors: Duan Jie , Zhang Anmeng , Fu Yanping , Lin Yang , Xie Jiatao , Cheng Jiasen , Chen Tao , Li Bo , Yu Xiao , Lyu Xueliang , Jiang Daohong
Published: November 2024

Strain IBc-114 was isolated from a gray mold lesion and was identified as the fungus Schizophyllum commune. In this strain, two mycoviruses, Schizophyllum commune RNA virus 1 (ScRV1, C_AA053475.1) and Botrytis cinerea mitovirus 9 strain IBc-114 (BcMV9/IBc-114, C_AA053476.1), were isolated and characterized. ScRV1 has flexuous filamentous particles about 20 ± 2.1 nm in diameter and 1000 ± 94.2 nm in length. The genome of ScRV1 is 7370 nt in length and contains two open reading frames (ORFs) which encode a polyprotein and a coat protein, respectively. The polyprotein has 1967 aa, including a helicase domain and an RdRp domain which has the highest identity of 28.21% with that of Entomophthora benyvirus E (EbVE). The coat protein has 241 aa which is mostly phylogenetically close to the coat proteins of Alphatetraviridae. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of ScRV1 and viruses selected, ScRV1 might represent a new family (temporarily named Mycobenyviridae) of the order Hepelivirales. The genome of BcMV9/IBc-114 that infects S. commune is 2729 nt in length and has only one ORF encoding an RdRp protein with 719 aa. BcMV9/IBc-114 has the highest identity of 98.61% with Botrytis cinerea mitovirus 9 (BcMV9) (MT089704). ScRV1, but not BcMV9/IBc-114, has certain effects on the host growth of S. commune. Furthermore, BcMV9/IBc-114 has been demonstrated to replicate in the ascomycetous fungi Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and it negatively affects the growth and pathogenicity of B. cinerea, but it does not affect S. sclerotiorum. This is the first report of mycoviruses in S. commune and cross-phyla transmission of mitovirus in nature.
Benzocarbazoledinones as SARS-CoV-2 Replication Inhibitors: Synthesis, Cell-Based Studies, Enzyme Inhibition, Molecular Modeling, and Pharmacokinetics Insights
Authors: de Souza Luana G. , Penna Eduarda A. , Rosa Alice S. , da Silva Juliana C. , Schaeffer Edgar , Guimarães Juliana V. , de Paiva Dennis M. , de Souza Vinicius C. , Ferreira Vivian Neuza S. , Souza Daniel D. C. , Roxo Sylvia , Conceição Giovanna B. , Constant Larissa E. C. , Frenzel Giovanna B. , Landim Matheus J. N. , Baltazar Maria Luiza P. , Silva Celimar Cinézia , Brand Ana Laura Macedo , Nunes Julia Santos , Montagnoli Tadeu L. , Zapata-Sudo Gisele , Alves Marina Amaral , Allonso Diego , Goliatt Priscila V. Z. Capriles , Miranda Milene D. , da Silva Alcides J. M.
Published: November 2024

Endemic and pandemic viruses represent significant public health challenges, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality over time. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for the development and discovery of new, potent antiviral agents. In this study, we present the synthesis and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of a series of benzocarbazoledinones, assessed using cell-based screening assays. Our results indicate that four compounds (4a, 4b, 4d, and 4i) exhibit EC50 values below 4 μM without cytotoxic effects in Calu-3 cells. Mechanistic investigations focused on the inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro) have used enzymatic assays. Notably, compounds 4a and 4b showed Mpro inhibition activity with IC50 values of 0.11 ± 0.05 and 0.37 ± 0.05 µM, respectively. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking, physicochemical, and pharmacokinetic studies were conducted to validate the mechanism and assess bioavailability. Compound 4a was selected for preliminary drug-likeness analysis and in vivo pharmacokinetics investigations, which yielded promising results and corroborated the in vitro and in silico findings, reinforcing its potential as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 lead compound.
Longitudinal 1H NMR-Based Metabolomics in Saliva Unveils Signatures of Transition from Acute to Post-Acute Phase of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Mendes Luiza Tomé , Gama-Almeida Marcos C. , Reis Desirée Lopes , Silva Ana Carolina Pires e , Neris Rômulo Leão Silva , Galliez Rafael Mello , Castiñeiras Terezinha Marta Pereira Pinto ,   on behalf of the UFRJ COVID-19 Working Group, Ludwig Christian , Valente Ana Paula , Costa dos Santos Junior Gilson , El-Bacha Tatiana , Assunção-Miranda Iranaia
Published: November 2024

COVID-19 can range from a mild to severe acute respiratory syndrome and also could result in multisystemic damage. Additionally, many people develop post-acute symptoms associated with immune and metabolic disturbances in response to viral infection, requiring longitudinal and multisystem studies to understand the complexity of COVID-19 pathophysiology. Here, we conducted a 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance metabolomics in saliva of symptomatic subjects presenting mild and moderate respiratory symptoms to investigate prospective changes in the metabolism induced after acute-phase SARS-CoV-2 infection. Saliva from 119 donors presenting non-COVID and COVID-19 respiratory symptoms were evaluated in the acute phase (T1) and the post-acute phase (T2). We found two clusters of metabolite fluctuation in the COVID-19 group. Cluster 1, metabolites such as glucose, (CH3)3 choline-related metabolites, 2-hydroxybutyrate, BCAA, and taurine increased in T2 relative to T1, and in cluster 2, acetate, creatine/creatinine, phenylalanine, histidine, and lysine decreased in T2 relative to T1. Metabolic fluctuations in the COVID-19 group were associated with overweight/obesity, vaccination status, higher viral load, and viral clearance of the respiratory tract. Our data unveil metabolic signatures associated with the transition to the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection that may reflect tissue damage, inflammatory process, and activation of tissue repair cascade. Thus, they contribute to describing alterations in host metabolism that may be associated with prolonged symptoms of COVID-19.
How Do Time Since Diagnosis and Sociodemographic Factors Influence Attitudes Towards HIV Status Disclosure in People Living with HIV in Poland? Data from Go Holistic Go Beyond Project
Authors: Lara Martyna , Bursa Dominik , Rozpłochowski Błażej , Waszczuk Agata , Bociąga-Jasik Monika , Kowalska Justyna D.
Published: November 2024

The aim of this publication is to present the data from Polish respondents of the Go Holistic Go Beyond Project, which investigates social, professional and intimate relations of people living with HIV in Central and Eastern Europe. We analyze how the patients’ attitude towards disclosing their HIV status changes over time from diagnosis. A questionnaire was distributed among patients by three HIV out-patient clinics. Respondents were compared in three groups defined by the time from diagnosis: over 10 years ago, 6–10 years ago and within 5 years. In total, 381 persons living with HIV participated in the survey, 354 of respondents were male, 23 were female and 4 of the respondents did not identify with any of the above sexes. A significant decrease in hospital-diagnosed cases (from 53% to 39%) was observed, alongside an increased role of private laboratories and voluntary counseling and testing centers. Eighty-nine percent of participants shared their HIV status with at least one social group. There was no significant change in the patterns of HIV status disclosure, reason and form of HIV testing. Our results emphasize the importance of survey-based studies in identifying the needs of people living with HIV in order to improve their general well-being.
Investigation of the Effective Numerical Model for Seismic Response Analysis of Concrete-Faced Rockfill Dam on Deep Overburden
Authors: Tang Chuan , Qu Yongqian , Zou Degao , Kong Xianjing
Published: November 2024

The construction of high rockfill dams on deep overburden in seismically active regions poses significant challenges. Currently, there are no standardized guidelines for defining the computational domain range in seismic analysis, necessitating the establishment of a universally applicable computational domain range that optimizes the balance between computational accuracy and efficiency. This has critical engineering implications for the seismic analysis of rockfill dams on deep overburden. This study employed the seismic wave input method to consider the dynamic interaction between the dam, overburden, and infinite domain. A systematic investigation was conducted on a concrete-faced rockfill dam (CFRD) constructed on deep overburden, considering the influences of overburden thickness, dam height, overburden properties, soil layer configuration, ground motion intensity, and the frequency content of the seismic waves. The acceleration response and seismic deformation of the dam were analyzed. Subsequently, the computational domain range corresponding to various levels of acceptable engineering precision was established. The results indicated that the lateral boundary length should extend a minimum distance equal to the sum of 3 times the overburden depth and 1.2 times the maximum dam height. Additionally, the depth below the overburden–bedrock interface should extend at least 1.2 times the maximum dam height. This study provides a crucial foundation for determining the optimal computational domain range in the seismic analysis of rockfill dams constructed on deep overburden.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study of Water Clusters of Hydrogen-Rich Water (HRW)
Authors: Vassilev Nikolay , Ignatov Ignat , Popova Teodora P. , Huether Fabio , Ignatov Alexander I. , Iliev Mario T. , Marinov Yordan
Published: November 2024

The present study investigated the 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) produced using the EVObooster device. The analyzed HRW has pH = 7.1 ± 0.11, oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) of (−450 ± 11) mV, and a dissolved hydrogen concentration of 1.2 ppm. The control sample was tap water filtered by patented technology. A 600 NMR spectrometer was used to measure NMR spectra. Isotropic 1H nuclear magnetic shielding constants of the most stable clusters (H2O)n with n from 3 to 28 have been calculated by employing the gauge-including-atomic-orbital (GIAO) method at the MPW1PW91/6-311+G(2d,p) density function level of theory (DFT). The HRW chemical shift is downfield (higher chemical shifts) due to increased hydrogen bonding. More extensive formations were formed in HRW than in control filtered tap water. The exchange of protons between water molecules is rapid in HRW, and the 1H NMR spectra are in fast exchange mode. Therefore, we averaged the calculated chemical shifts of the investigated water clusters. As the size of the clusters increases, the number of hydrogen bonds increases, which leads to an increase in the chemical shift. The dependence is an exponential saturation that occurs at about N = 10. The modeled clusters in HRW are structurally stabilized, suggesting well-ordered hydrogen bonds. In the article, different processes are described for the transport of water molecules and clusters. These processes are with aquaporins, fusion pores, gap-junction channels, and WAT FOUR model. The exponential trend of saturation shows the dynamics of water molecules in clusters. In our research, the chemical shift of 4.257 ppm indicates stable water clusters of 4–5 water molecules. The pentagonal rings in dodecahedron cage H3O+(H2O)20 allow for an optimal arrangement of hydrogen bonds that minimizes the potential energy.
Prediction of Floor Failure Depth in Coal Mines: A Case Study of Xutuan Mine, China
Authors: Feng Yu , Bi Yaoshan , Li Dong
Published: November 2024

Accurately predicting the failure depth of coal seam floors is crucial for preventing water damage, ensuring the safe and efficient mining of coal seams, and protecting the ecological environment of mining areas. In order to improve the prediction accuracy of the coal seam floor failure depth, an improved support vector regression (SVR) model is proposed to predict the floor failure depth by taking the 3234 working face in Xutuan Mine as an example. This improved model incorporates principal component analysis (PCA) and slime mould algorithm (SMA) optimization techniques. First, based on the measured data of seam floor failure depth in several mining areas, a prediction index system of floor failure depth was constructed. Subsequently, the PCA method was used to reduce the dimension of the measured data of the coal seam floor failure depth, and the input structure of the SVR model was optimized. Then, the SMA was used to optimize the key parameters, namely the penalty factor (C) and kernel function parameter (g), in the SVR model, achieving automatic parameter selection and obtaining the optimal parameter combination. This process led to the establishment of a coal seam floor failure depth prediction model based on PCA-SMA-SVR. The predictive performance of the PCA-SMA-SVR model, SMA-SVR model, and SVR model was quantitatively evaluated and compared using four quantitative indicators, and the results showed that the PCA-SMA-SVR model had the smallest MAE, RMSE, MRE, and TIC values, which were 1.0470 m, 1.2928 m, 0.0628, and 0.0374, respectively. Finally, the PCA-SMA-SVR model was used to predict that the floor failure depth of the 3234 working face in Xutun Mine was 17.09 m, and the predicted result was compared and analyzed with the results of four commonly used empirical formulas (16.03–21.74 m). The results show that the model is close to the results of four commonly used empirical formulas, indicating that the model has high predictive performance and good practicality. This study is of great significance for the safety, green mining, and ecological environment protection of coal mines.
An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Two-Phase Flow in a Manifold on Water Jet Lengths
Authors: Tumur Seyhmus , Ata Arjin , Bagatur Tamer
Published: November 2024

The outlet flow rates and changes in behaviors of five outlet ports where water and air–water (two-phase) mixtures pass horizontally in a manifold pipe system were investigated experimentally. The effects of different air-flow rates, vacuumed from the atmosphere with a Venturi device in the system, on the outlet flow rates and diameters of the manifold port outlets were compared by measuring the outlet jet lengths. The system performance provided homogeneity of manifold port outlet flows and was tested. As a result, it was observed that homogeneous jet lengths were obtained in both single and two-phase low main manifold flows and equal outlet port diameters. When the main manifold flow rate V is 1.5–2 m/s, the system is stable and produces high jet lengths. The manifold pipe systems used in the experimental setup provide suitable working conditions for d/D = 0.433. The system does not show a smooth flow pattern with Venturi devices for d/D < 0.433. The low flow rates in this study’s tests are key. They are vital for designing micro irrigation systems. This depends on the critical d/D ratio of the system.
A Pore-Scale Simulation of the Effect of Heterogeneity on Underground Hydrogen Storage
Authors: Song Hongqing , Zhou Yiyang , Xie Zhenhuan , Lao Junming , Yue Ming
Published: November 2024

Using underground hydrogen storage technology has been recognized as an effective way to store hydrogen on a large scale, yet the physical mechanisms of hydrogen flow in porous media remain complex and challenging. Studying the heterogeneity of pore structures is crucial to enhance the efficiency of hydrogen storage. In order to better understand the pore-scale behavior of hydrogen in underground heterogeneous porous structures, this paper investigates the effects of wettability, pore–throat ratio, and pore structure heterogeneity on the behavior of the two-phase H2–brine flow using pore-scale simulations. The results show that the complex interactions between wettability, heterogeneity, and pore geometry play a crucial role in controlling the repulsion pattern. The flow of H2 is more obstructed in the region of the low pore–throat ratio, and the obstructive effect is more obvious when adjacent to the region of the high pore–throat ratio than that when adjacent to the region of the medium pore–throat ratio. In high-pore–throat ratio structures, the interfacial velocity changes abruptly as it passes through a wide pore and adjacent narrower throat. Interfacial velocities at the local pore scale may increase by several orders of magnitude, leading to non-negligible viscous flow effects. It is observed that an increase in the pore–throat ratio from 6.35 (low pore–throat ratio) to 12.12 (medium pore–throat ratio) promotes H2 flow, while an increase from 12.12 (medium pore–throat ratio) to 23.67 (high pore–throat ratio) negatively affects H2 flow. Insights are provided for understanding the role of the heterogeneity of pore structures in H2–brine two-phase flow during underground hydrogen storage.
Modern pharmacotherapy approaches to treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Part 1: Main and additional groups of drugs used in COPD therapy
Authors:   FSAEI CPE Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Maksimov M.L. ,   FSAEI HE Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Bontsevich R.A. ,   Kazan State Medical Academy - Branch of the FSBEI CPE Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Kazan; FSBEI HE Mari State University, Yoshkar-Ola, A.A. Shikaleva A.A. Shikaleva ,   Kazan State Medical Academy - Branch of the FSBEI CPE Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Kazan
Published: November 2024

The review article contains current data on the main groups of drugs used in COPD. COPD pharmacotherapy includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Phar macological treatments include bronchodilators, combined ICS and long-acting bronchodilators (LABD), phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, theophylline, and COPD prevention methods such as influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. The described approaches to COPD pharmacotherapy are based on current national and international guidelines for COPD treatment.
Anthropological markers of existential imagery in Gaito Gazdanov's 1930s novels “Night Roads” and “Th e Story of a Journey”
Authors:   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Pronin A.A. , Khmara I.V. ,   Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies of the Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy named after F.M. Dostoevsky
Published: November 2024

The article examines the problem of existential imagery of Gaito Gazdanov’s 1930 novels “Night Roads” and “The Story of a Journey” in the aspect of anthropological characteristics of the formation of a system of characters, outlines the prospect of their analysis in the context of studying the literature of emigration (in particular, “sociological novels” by A. Zinoviev). The identification of gastronomic markers significant for expressing the point of view of the author and the narrator-hero makes it possible to clarify the characteristic features and the juxtaposition of static and mobile figures forming the world of novels. As a result of the analysis of the texts, a conclusion is made about the effectiveness of using gastronomic markers as an artistic means of creating existential imagery in the novels “Night Roads” and “The Story of One Journey”.
Contributions of directors trained by the (former) Soviet Union to Vietnamese drama
Authors:   Hanoi Institute of Cinema and Film of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Lai Bùi Như
Published: November 2024

The later directors who were trained in the former Soviet Union or studied in socialist countries such as Bulgaria and Romania had a solid foundation in theatrical theory and in the organization of performances according to the Stanislavsky system, a scientifi c theatrical theory system, an advanced and very valuable artistic method, of world stature. After having professional directors, the Vietnamese drama theater has undergone great changes. The directors have matured, and today's performances are much diff erent from the past. There is no longer a state of arbitrariness on theater, the actors have a full sense of responsibility towards the audience and towards the image of the character they play. The art of directing has had good achievements with the success of plays that have been widely welcomed by audience and recognized by people in the industry.
Features of social rehabilitation and adaptation of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors:   Department of Social Work and Psychological and Pedagogical Education, FSBEI HE Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Sadovina D. E. , Ispulova S. N. ,   Department of Social Work and Psychological and Pedagogical Education, FSBEI HE Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University
Published: November 2024

This article is devoted to the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, namely the adaptation of children with this diagnosis. The results of an empirical study of social work specialists in the institutions of ANO «RAStem together», MU «Social Rehabilitation Centre for Children and Adolescents with Disabilities» and Centre for Social Assistance to Children «MOSAIKA» in Magnitogorsk, ANO «Atmosphere» in Novosibirsk. The authors present an analysis of the results of a study on the awareness of specialists about the diagnosis. Based on the findings, the authors developed a social rehabilitation programme for children with autism spectrum disorder to ensure the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of children with the disorder and to try to maximise their potential for learning.