bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Optimization of Lifter of an SAG Mill Based on DEM Simulation and Orthogonal Tests and Applications
Authors: Wang Guobin , Xiao Qingfei , Wang Xiaojiang , Li Yunxiao , Jin Saizhen , Wang Mengtao , Shao Yunfeng , Zhang Qian , Pei Yingjie , Liu Ruitao
Published: February 2025

The unreasonable parameters of mill liner lifter bars will not only decrease the operating rate of the mill and increase electricity consumption but, also, seriously restrict the production capacity of the mill. Therefore, optimizing the parameters of liner lifter bars is helpful to save energy, improve its production capacity, and increase benefits for enterprises. Given the unreasonable parameters of the lifter bars of the semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill in a beneficiation plant in Yunnan (China), the distinct element method (DEM) with orthogonal tests was used to conduct simulation, the simulation results demonstrating that the three parameters all had significant influence on the collision energy, with the order of group numbers > angles > heights by the analysis of range and variance, and the optimal parameters combination, with angles of 20°, groups of 12, and heights of 210 mm, was obtained. Then, the lifer bars optimized were applied in industrial tests to verify their effect, and the results illustrated that all of the service life of lifter bars, the operating rate, production capacity, and electricity consumption were significantly improved at 159 days, 92.32%, 54.37 t/h, and 21.45 kW·h/t, respectively. This paper proposes a reference for the similar design and optimization of lifter bars for the other beneficiation plants.
Optimized SDS-Based Protocol for High-Quality RNA Extraction from Musa spp.
Authors: Saha Kishan , Ihearahu Onyinye C. , Naitchede L. H. Stevenson , Ray Supriyo , Ude George
Published: February 2025

The high quantity of polyphenols and polysaccharides present in the tissues of Musa spp. often leads to the degradation of nucleic acids, which is why all previously established methods resulted in lesser yield and poor quality of RNA. In this study, we present a modified SDS-based RNA extraction method to improve the quality and yield of RNA from different tissues of Musa spp. for downstream applications. The modification of RNA extraction buffer, SDS, heat incubation, and use of LiCl resulted in high-intensity RNA bands and increased RNA yield. The clear ribosomal RNA bands ensured the high quality of intact RNA without genomic DNA contamination, along with A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios ranging from 1.83 to 2.25, which indicated the high quality of RNA across different banana varieties and tissue types. This method was found to be very effective when RNA was extracted from drought-stressed plants yielding 2.92 to 6.30 µg/100 mg fresh weight with high RNA integrity and quality (RNA IQ) 7.8–9.9 from the different groups of Musa tissues. Additionally, the RNA was successfully applied in PCR and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), confirming downstream application in gene expression analysis. This method is a reliable and efficient technique for RNA extraction methods like Trizol, NucleoSpin, RNeasy, and CTAB procedures reported so far.
Nutritional Status in Children with Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus—A Narrative Review
Authors: Pop Daniela , Ichim Edita Gabriela , Farcău Dorin
Published: February 2025

In children with type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and celiac disease (CD), malabsorption could add to a deficient nutritional status, resulting in impaired growth and weight and height deficits, as well as deficiencies in vitamins and micronutrients. This narrative review aims to assess the current evidence regarding the consequences of the concomitant diagnoses of CD and T1DM on the nutritional status of children. Results regarding the influence of CD and T1DM weight, height, and BMI are controversial, especially if we consider that most of the studies have a small number of patients and that adherence to a gluten-free diet is not adequately assessed. There is a lack of studies considering specific dietary habits and ethnic and cultural differences. Children with T1DM and longer time with positive serology for CD have lower levels of ferritin, vitamin D 25OH, and folate and also lower bone mineral density.
Design, Synthesis, and Mechanistic Anticancer Evaluation of New Pyrimidine-Tethered Compounds
Authors: Reymova Farida , Sever Belgin , Topalan Edanur , Sevimli-Gur Canan , Can Mustafa , Tuyun Amaç Fatih , Başoğlu Faika , Ece Abdulilah , Otsuka Masami , Fujita Mikako , Demirci Hasan , Ciftci Halilibrahim
Published: February 2025

Background: Despite recent breakthroughs in cancer treatment, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer remain major causes of death from all malignancies. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important mediator of the pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Thus, its overexpression triggers several types of cancer, including NSCLC and breast cancer. Methods: In the current study, we synthesized new pyrimidine-tethered compounds (chalcone derivative (B-4), pyrazoline–carbothioamide (B-9), and pyrazoline–thiazole hybrids (BH1-7)). These compounds were then tested for cytotoxicity against A549 NSCLC and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Results: Of these, B-4 displayed significant cytotoxicity against both cells (IC50 = 6.70 ± 1.02 µM for MCF-7; IC50 = 20.49 ± 2.7 µM for A549) compared to the standard agent lapatinib (IC50 = 9.71 ± 1.12 µM for MCF-7; IC50 = 18.21 ± 3.25 µM for A549). The anticancer potential of B-4 between Jurkat leukemic T cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (healthy) was found to be selective. Mechanistically, 11.9% and 10.2% of A549 and MCF-7 cells treated with B-4, respectively, underwent apoptosis and B-4 produced 46% EGFR inhibition at a concentration of 10 μM. The B-4/EGFR complex obtained after induced fit docking was subjected to 300 ns of molecular dynamics simulation, which confirmed the stability of the complex in a mimicked biological environment. On the other hand, B-4 was shown to have drug-like properties by in silico pharmacokinetic estimation. Conclusions: B-4 is an EGFR inhibitor and apoptosis inducer for future NSCLC and breast cancer studies.
The Therapeutic Potential of Spirooxindoles in Cancer: A Focus on p53–MDM2 Modulation
Authors: Girgis Adel S. , Zhao Yujun , Nkosi Angel , Ismail Nasser S. M. , Bekheit Mohamed S. , Aboshouk Dalia R. , Aziz Marian N. , Youssef M. Adel , Panda Siva S.
Published: February 2025

The p53, often referred to as the “guardian of the genome”, is a well-established tumor-suppressor protein that plays a critical role in regulating the cell cycle, DNA repair, differentiation, and apoptosis, with its activity primarily modulated by the MDM2 protein (murine double minute 2, also known as HDM2 in humans). Disrupting the protein-protein interaction between p53 and MDM2 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for developing anticancer agents. Recent studies have shown that several spirooxindole-containing compounds exhibit significant antitumor properties, primarily by inhibiting the p53–MDM2 interaction. This review provides an overview of structure-based spirooxindoles that could have therapeutic potential. It highlights findings from the past decade concerning their antiproliferative properties and implications for interfering with the p53–MDM2 interaction. The discussion includes various analogs of spirooxindoles as promising candidates for optimizing leads in drug discovery programs aimed at developing novel and clinically effective agents.
Efficient Photosensitizer Delivery by Neutrophils for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy of Glioblastoma
Authors: Wen Ruojian , Liu Yuwei , Tian Xiang , Xu Yonghong , Chen Xiao
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest type of brain tumor and photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment modality of GBM. However, insufficient photosensitizer distribution in the GBM critically limits the success of PDT. To address this obstacle, we propose tumoritropic neutrophils (NE) as active carriers for photosensitizer delivery to achieve GBM-targeted PDT. Methods: Isolated mouse NE were loaded with functionalized hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles carrying the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (BNPD-Ce6). In vitro experiments were conducted to determine drug release from the loaded NE (BNPD-Ce6@NE) to mouse GBM cells and consequential photo-cytotoxicity. In vivo experiments were performed on mice bearing intracranial graft GBMs to demonstrate GBM-targeted drug delivery and the efficacy of anti-GBM PDT mediated by BNPD-Ce6@NE. Results: BNPD-Ce6@NE displayed good viability and migration ability, and rapidly released BNPD-Ce6 to co-cultured mouse GBM cells, which then exhibited marked reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cytotoxicity following 808 nm laser irradiation (LI). In the in vivo study, a single intravenous bolus injection of BNPD-Ce6@NE resulted in pronounced Ce6 distribution in intracranial graft GBMs 4 h post injection, which peaked around 8 h post injection. A PDT regimen consisting of multiple intravenous BNPD-Ce6@NE injections each followed by one extracranial tumor-directed LI 8 h post injection significantly slowed the growth of intracranial graft GBMs and markedly improved the survival of host animals. Histological analysis revealed massive tumor cell damage and NE infiltration in the PDT-treated GBMs. Conclusions: NE are efficient carriers for GBM-targeted photosensitizer delivery to achieve efficacious anti-GBM PDT.
Natural Bioactive Compounds in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic (Dysfunction)-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Ciobârcă Daniela , Cătoi Adriana Florinela , Gavrilaș Laura , Banc Roxana , Miere Doina , Filip Lorena
Published: February 2025

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic (dysfunction)-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affect a growing number of individuals worldwide. T2D and MASLD often coexist and substantially elevate the risk of adverse hepatic and cardiovascular clinical outcomes. Several common pathogenetic mechanisms are responsible for T2D and MASLD onset and progression, including insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and low-grade inflammation, among others. The latter can also be induced by gut microbiota and its derived metabolites. Natural bioactive compounds (NBCs) have been reported for their therapeutic potential in both T2D and MASLD. A large amount of evidence obtained from clinical trials suggests that compounds like berberine, curcumin, soluble fibers, and omega-3 fatty acids exhibit significant hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hepatoprotective activity in humans and may be employed as adjunct therapy in T2D and MASLD management. In this review, the role of the most studied NBCs in the management of T2D and MASLD is discussed, emphasizing recent clinical evidence supporting these compounds’ efficacy and safety. Also, prebiotics that act against metabolic dysfunction by modulating gut microbiota are evaluated.
Portable Filter-Free Lens-Free Incoherent Digital Holography System
Authors: Tahara Tatsuki
Published: February 2025

A portable incoherent digital holography system without a polarization filter or a refractive lens was developed. Phase-shifted self-interference incoherent holograms of light diffracted from an object were generated without attenuation due to a polarization filter using two polarization-sensitive phase-only spatial light modulators (TPP-SLMs). The number of optical elements in filter-free lens-free incoherent digital holography was reduced to make the system compact and portable. Experiments were conducted using the developed digital holography system set on a tripod stand and objects illuminated by a light-emitting diode.
Changes in the Stress Response and Fitness of Hybrids Between Transgenic Soybean and Wild-Type Plants Under Heat Stress
Authors: Zhang Li , Yu Qi , Yin Xin , Liu Laipan , Ren Zhentao , Fang Zhixiang , Shen Wenjing , Liu Shengnan , Liu Biao
Published: February 2025

Understanding the ability of hybrids of genetically modified (GM) soybean and wild soybean to survive and reproduce under unfavorable conditions is critical for answering questions regarding risk assessment and the existence of transgenes in the environment. To investigate the effects of high-temperature stress on soybean growth and competitive ability, the GM soybean DBN8002, which expresses the VIP3Aa and PAT proteins, and F2 generations derived from a cross between GM soybean and NJW (wild soybean) were placed in a greenhouse with an elevated temperature (38/32 °C) for 14 days, and the plant agronomic performance and foreign protein levels of hybrid soybean were evaluated to observe their responses to high temperature. The results revealed that the VIP3Aa and PAT protein levels in F2 and GM were not influenced by high-temperature stress. In contrast, the pollen germination, pod number, hundred-seed weight, and seed vigor of the F2 hybrid and parent soybean plants decreased after high-temperature stress. However, except for the number of fully filled seeds per plant, the above parameters of the F2 hybrid were similar to or slightly lower than those of wild soybean, and no significant difference in fitness was observed between the F2 hybrid and wild soybean, indicating that the growth and competitive ability of the hybrid were similar to those of its female parent under heat stress conditions, resulting in the transgenes persisting and spreading within agricultural ecosystems. Our results enhance the understanding of the GM soybean plant’s response to heat stress, lay the foundation for breeding heat-resistant soybean varieties, and provide new insights and advanced information on the ecological risks arising from the escape of transgenes.
Effects of New Special Formula Fertilizer on Potato Growth, Yield, and Fertilizer Utilization Efficiency
Authors: Xu Fulin , Meng Ajing , Liu Yi , Li Jiangtao , Wu Nan
Published: February 2025

This study addresses the low yield and fertilizer utilization efficiency of potatoes in the arid region of Xinjiang, Northwest China. The effect of a novel, fulvic acid-based specialized fertilizer for drip application on potato growth, development, yield, and fertilizer efficiency is investigated. The aim is to identify a suitable fertilizer formula for potato cultivation in Xinjiang and promote its demonstration and application, providing a theoretical basis for improving fertilizer efficiency and achieving stable, high yields in the region. The experiment was conducted with potato variety ‘Xisen 6’ using a field trial design, which included five treatments: no fertilizer (CK), conventional fertilizer (CF: N-P-K = 258-245-338 kg·ha−1), formulated fertilizer 1 (F1: 120 g·L−1 fulvic acid, N-P-K = 110-100-120 g·L−1), formulated fertilizer 2 (F2: 60 g·L−1 fulvic acid, N-P-K = 130-120-150 g·L−1), and formulated fertilizer 3 (F3: 30 g·L−1 fulvic acid, N-P-K = 170-150-130 g·L−1). Agronomic traits, gas exchange parameters of leaves during the tuber expansion stage, and yield components at harvest were measured, along with the fertilizer use efficiency for each treatment. Results show that F1, F2, and F3 improved the potato plant height, stem diameter, aboveground dry weight, SPAD value, stomatal conductance (Gs), and yield. Among these, F2 significantly enhanced plant height, stem diameter, aboveground dry weight, and the accumulation of relative chlorophyll content (SPAD value) during the tuber expansion stage, increased photosynthesis, and further improved yield and fertilizer efficiency, resulting in a yield increase of 121.29% and 34.6% compared to CK and CF, respectively. Therefore, formula fertilizer F2 is identified as the optimal fertilization strategy for potato cultivation in Xinjiang. Its application has been further extended in demonstration trials. Field demonstration results show that F2 significantly increased potato yield, with a 14.79% yield increase compared to CK, proving its effectiveness in replacing conventional fertilizers and enhancing production.
Biopriming of Cucumis sativus L. Seeds with a Consortium of Nitrofixing Cyanobacteria Treated with Static Magnetic Field
Authors: Ortega Díaz Yadenis , Gómez Luna Liliana , Fung Boix Yilan , Silveira Font Yadira , Prinsen Els , Huybrechts Michiel , Vandamme Dries , Cuypers Ann
Published: February 2025

The growing demand for sustainable agriculture necessitates innovative strategies to enhance crop productivity while minimizing environmental impact. This study explores the biopriming potential of Cucumis sativus L. seeds using extracts derived from a consortium of nitrofixing cyanobacteria Nostoc commune, Calothrix sp., and Aphanothece minutissima subjected to static magnetic field (SMF) treatments. The cyanobacterial consortia were exposed to SMF at varying magnetic inductions (40–50 mT and 100–200 mT), followed by extract preparation and application as biopriming agents. Results demonstrated significant improvements in key seedling growth parameters, including root and stem length, vigor index I, and fresh biomass. The consortium treated with 40–50 mT SMF showed the most pronounced growth-stimulating activity, suggesting enhanced bioactive compound production under this treatment that might be related to auxin biosynthesis. Biopriming with cyanobacterial extracts maintained a balanced nutritional uptake and plant health, as indicated by stable fresh weight dry weight ratios. These findings highlight the potential of SMF-enhanced cyanobacterial consortia as biopriming agents for horticultural crops. Future research should elucidate the underlying modes of action and optimize conditions for broader crop applications.
Exploring Hormonal Pathways and Gene Networks in Crown Root Formation Under Stress Conditions: An Update
Authors: Dabravolski Siarhei A. , Isayenkov Stanislav V.
Published: February 2025

Crown root (CR) initiation and development are crucial for the establishment of robust root systems in plants, contributing significantly to stress tolerance and overall growth. This manuscript explores the regulatory roles of key hormones and genes involved in CR formation, with a focus on their interactions under conditions of drought and salt stress. Cytokinins (CK) act as a negative regulator of CR development, while auxin (AUX) serves as a positive driver, facilitating cellular growth and division. Wuschel-related homeobox (WOX) genes, particularly OsWOX11, play a central role by integrating CK and AUX signalling to regulate downstream targets such as OsCRL1 and auxin biosynthetic pathways. Other hormones, including jasmonic acid (JA) and gibberellin (GA), display context-dependent effects, modulating CR initiation based on environmental conditions. Critical genes like OsESG1 and OsFBX257 have been associated with improved drought resilience, interacting with proteins and kinases such as OsGF14b/c and OsCDPK1. Despite progress, significant challenges remain in mapping the full extent of hormonal crosstalk and gene regulation under stress conditions. This manuscript emphasises the need for future studies to incorporate comprehensive multi-omics approaches, expand the exploration of stress-related hormones like abscisic acid (ABA), and leverage advanced gene-editing techniques. Addressing these gaps will enhance our understanding of CR development and contribute to the development of crops with greater resistance to environmental stresses.
Synergistic Effect of Microbial-Induced Carbonate Precipitation Modified with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose on Improving Loess Disintegration and Seepage Resistance
Authors: Wang Xingyu , Sun Hong
Published: February 2025

Microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an eco-friendly soil stabilization technique. This study explores the synergistic effects of incorporating hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) into the MICP process to enhance the disintegration and seepage resistance of loess. A series of disintegration, seepage, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests were conducted. The results show that HPMC forms protective membranes around calcium carbonate crystals produced by MICP and soil aggregates, which enhance cementation, reduce soluble salt dissolution, promote soil particle aggregation, and seal pore structures. At the optimal 0.4% HPMC dosage, the maximum accumulative disintegration percentage and the disintegration velocity decreased to zero. Additionally, HPMC-modified MICP reduced the amount, size, and flow velocity of seepage channels in loess. The integration of MICP with HPMC provides an efficient and sustainable solution for mitigating loess disintegration and seepage issues.
Power Load Forecasting System of Iron and Steel Enterprises Based on Deep Kernel–Multiple Kernel Joint Learning
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Junsheng , Sun Jie , Sun Ruiqi , Qin Dawei
Published: February 2025

The traditional power load forecasting learning method has problems such as overfitting and incomplete learning of time series information when dealing with complex nonlinear data, which affects the accuracy of short–medium term power load forecasting. A joint learning method, LSVM-MKL, was proposed based on the bidirectional promotion of deep kernel learning (DKL) and multiple kernel learning (MKL). The multi-kernel method was combined with the input layer, the highest coding layer, and the highest encoding layer to model the network of the stack autoencoder (SAE) to obtain more comprehensive information. At the same time, the deep kernel was integrated into the optimization training of Gaussian multi-kernel by means of the nonlinear product to form the nonlinear composite kernel. Through a large number of reference datasets and actual industrial data experiments, it was shown that compared with the Elman and LSTM-Seq2Seq methods, the proposed method achieved a higher prediction accuracy of 4.32%, which verified its adaptability to complex time-varying power load forecasting processes and greatly improved the accuracy of power load forecasting.
From “Franciscans in China” to “Chinese Franciscans”: Franciscan Missionaries and Chinese Assistants, Priests, and Bible Translators
Authors: De Gruttola Raissa
Published: February 2025

The Franciscan presence in China is one of the first expressions of the Chinese encounter with Christianity. Despite the significant number of preserved documents and archives, research on the Franciscans in China is still limited. Furthermore, previous studies have predominantly focused on the texts and activities of foreign missionaries, often neglecting the role of their Chinese collaborators and converts. The purpose of this paper is to examine the interactions between Franciscans and Chinese people from a diachronic perspective, starting from the first phases of the Franciscan presence in China during the Yuan dynasty and tracing its development through the centuries up to the 20th century. Analyzing the transformation of these interactions, this paper will outline the long and gradual evolution of Franciscan foreign missions into expressions of a local church, detecting unexplored issues such as the establishment of institutes for the local clergy or the shift in the assignment of significant tasks in the Order to Chinese members. The preliminary findings of this research underscore the necessity for further studies to fully address these complex dynamics.
Improving National Forest Mapping in Romania Using Machine Learning and Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imagery
Authors: Keskes Mohamed Islam , Mohamed Aya Hamed , Borz Stelian Alexandru , Niţă Mihai Daniel
Published: February 2025

Forest attributes, such as standing stock, diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, and basal area, are critical for effective forest management; yet, traditional estimation methods remain labor-intensive and often lack the spatial detail required for contemporary decision-making. This study addresses these challenges by integrating machine learning algorithms with high-resolution remotely sensed data and rigorously collected ground truth measurements to produce accurate, national-scale maps of forest attributes in Romania. To ensure the reliability of the model predictions, extensive field campaigns were conducted across representative Romanian forests. During these campaigns, detailed measurements were recorded for every tree within selected plots. For each tree, DBH was measured directly, and tree heights were obtained either by direct measurement—using hypsometers or clinometers—or, when direct measurements were not feasible, by applying well-established DBH—height allometric relationships that have been calibrated for the local forest types. This comprehensive approach to ground data collection, supplemented by an independent dataset from Brasov County collected using the same protocols, allowed for robust training and validation of the machine learning models. This study evaluates the performance of three machine learning algorithms—Random Forest (RF), Classification and Regression Trees (CART), and the Gradient Boosting Tree Algorithm (GBTA)—in predicting the forest attributes from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. While Random Forest consistently delivered high R2 values and low root mean square errors (RMSE) across all attributes, GBTA showed particular strength in predicting standing stock, and CART excelled in basal area estimation but was less reliable for other attributes. A sensitivity analysis across multiple spatial resolutions revealed that the performance of all algorithms varied significantly with changes in resolution, emphasizing the importance of selecting an appropriate scale for accurate forest mapping. By focusing on both the methodological advancements in machine learning applications and the rigorous, detailed empirical forest data collection, this study provides a clear solution to the problem of obtaining reliable, spatially detailed forest attribute maps.
Dam Deformation Data Preprocessing with Optimized Variational Mode Decomposition and Kernel Density Estimation
Authors: Chen Siyu , Lin Chaoning , Gu Yanchang , Sheng Jinbao , Hariri-Ardebili Mohammad Amin
Published: February 2025

Deformation is one of the critical response quantities reflecting the structural safety of dams. To enhance outlier identification and denoising in dam deformation monitoring data, this study proposes a novel preprocessing method based on optimized Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE). The approach systematically processes data in three steps: First, VMD decomposes raw data into intrinsic mode functions without recursion. The parallel Jaya algorithm is used to adaptively optimize VMD parameters for improved decomposition. Second, the intrinsic mode functions containing outlier and noise characteristics are identified and separated using sample entropy and correlation coefficients. Finally, KDE thresholds are applied for outlier localization, while a data superposition method ensures effective denoising. Validation using simulated deformation data and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-based observed horizontal deformation from dam engineering demonstrates the method’s robustness in accurately identifying outliers and denoising data, achieving superior preprocessing performance.
Microservice Workflow Scheduling with a Resource Configuration Model Under Deadline and Reliability Constraints
Authors: Li Wenzheng , Li Xiaoping , Chen Long , Wang Mingjing
Published: February 2025

With the continuous evolution of microservice architecture and containerization technology, the challenge of efficiently and reliably scheduling large-scale cloud services has become increasingly prominent. In this paper, we present a cost-optimized scheduling approach with resource configuration for microservice workflows in container environments, taking into account deadline and reliability constraints. We introduce a graph deep learning model (DeepMCC) that automatically configures containers to meet various service quality (QoS) requirements. Additionally, we propose a reliability microservice workflow scheduling algorithm (RMWS), which incorporates heuristic leasing and deployment strategies to ensure reliability while reducing cloud resource leasing cost. Experiments on four scientific workflow datasets show that the proposed approach achieves an average cost reduction of 44.59% compared to existing reliability scheduling algorithms, with improvements of 26.63% in the worst case and 73.72% in the best case.
A Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the Most Fundamental Time-Domain Input–Output System Identification Methods for the Normal Modal Analysis of Flexible Structures
Authors: Lök Şefika İpek , Pappalardo Carmine Maria , La Regina Rosario , Guida Domenico
Published: February 2025

This paper deals with developing a comparative study of the principal time-domain system identification methods suitable for performing an experimental modal analysis of structural systems. To this end, this work focuses first on analyzing and reviewing the mathematical background concerning the analytical methods and the computational algorithms of interest for this study. The methods considered in the paper are referred to as the AutoRegressive eXogenous (ARX) method, the State-Space ESTimation (SSEST) method, the Numerical Algorithm for Subspace State-Space System Identification (N4SID), the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) combined with the Observer/Kalman Filter Identification (OKID) method, and the Transfer Function ESTimation (TFEST) method. Starting from the identified models estimated through the methodologies reported in the paper, a set of second-order configuration-space dynamical models of the structural system of interest can also be determined by employing an estimation method for the Mass, Stiffness, and Damping (MSD) matrices. Furthermore, in practical applications, the correct estimation of the damping matrix is severely hampered by noise that corrupts the input and output measurements. To address this problem, in this paper, the identification of the damping matrix is improved by employing the Proportional Damping Coefficient (PDC) identification method, which is based on the use of the identified set of natural frequencies and damping ratios found for the case study analyzed in the paper. This work also revisits the critical aspects and pitfalls related to using the Model Order Reduction (MOR) approach combined with the Balanced Truncation Method (BTM) to reduce the dimensions of the identified state-space models. Finally, this work analyzes the performance of all the fundamental system identification methods mentioned before when applied to the experimental modal analysis of flexible structures. This is achieved by carrying out an experimental campaign based on the use of a vibrating test rig, which serves as a demonstrative example of a typical structural system. The complete set of experimental results found in this investigation is reported in the appendix of the paper.
Physical Activity in Pre-Ambulatory Children with Cerebral Palsy: An Exploratory Validation Study to Distinguish Active vs. Sedentary Time Using Wearable Sensors
Authors: Orlando Julie M. , Smith Beth A. , Hafer Jocelyn F. , Paremski Athylia , Amodeo Matthew , Lobo Michele A. , Prosser Laura A.
Published: February 2025

Wearable inertial sensor technology affords opportunities to record the physical activity of young children in their natural environments. The interpretation of these data, however, requires validation. The purpose of this study was to develop and establish the criterion validity of a method of quantifying active and sedentary physical activity using an inertial sensor for pre-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Ten participants were video recorded during 30 min physical therapy sessions that encouraged gross motor play activities, and the video recording was behaviorally coded to identify active and sedentary time. A receiver operating characteristic curve identified the optimal threshold to maximize true positive and minimize false positive active time for eight participants in the development dataset. The threshold was 0.417 m/s2 and was then validated with the remaining two participants; the percent of true positives and true negatives was 92.2 and 89.7%, respectively. We conclude that there is potential for raw sensor data to be used to quantify active and sedentary time in pre-ambulatory children with physical disability, and raw acceleration data may be more generalizable than the sensor-specific activity counts commonly reported in the literature.
Sliding-Window CNN + Channel-Time Attention Transformer Network Trained with Inertial Measurement Units and Surface Electromyography Data for the Prediction of Muscle Activation and Motion Dynamics Leveraging IMU-Only Wearables for Home-Based Shoulder Rehabilitation
Authors: Bai Aoyang , Song Hongyun , Wu Yan , Dong Shurong , Feng Gang , Jin Hao
Published: February 2025

Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are widely utilized in shoulder rehabilitation due to their portability and cost-effectiveness, but their reliance on spatial motion data restricts their use in comprehensive musculoskeletal analyses. To overcome this limitation, we propose SWCTNet (Sliding Window CNN + Channel-Time Attention Transformer Network), an advanced neural network specifically tailored for multichannel temporal tasks. SWCTNet integrates IMU and surface electromyography (sEMG) data through sliding window convolution and channel-time attention mechanisms, enabling the efficient extraction of temporal features. This model enables the prediction of muscle activation patterns and kinematics using exclusively IMU data. The experimental results demonstrate that the SWCTNet model achieves recognition accuracies ranging from 87.93% to 91.03% on public temporal datasets and an impressive 98% on self-collected datasets. Additionally, SWCTNet exhibits remarkable precision and stability in generative tasks: the normalized DTW distance was 0.12 for the normal group and 0.25 for the patient group when using the self-collected dataset. This study positions SWCTNet as an advanced tool for extracting musculoskeletal features from IMU data, paving the way for innovative applications in real-time monitoring and personalized rehabilitation at home. This approach demonstrates significant potential for long-term musculoskeletal function monitoring in non-clinical or home settings, advancing the capabilities of IMU-based wearable devices.
An Analysis of Motivations and Typologies for the Consumption of Prostitution as Perceived by a Young Spanish Sample
Authors: Velikova Dimitrova Mariela , Terol Cantero María del Carmen , Gelabert Maite Martin-Aragón , Vázquez Rodríguez Carolina
Published: February 2025

Our study addresses prostitution as a phenomenon linked to the feminization of poverty, the exploitation of women, and gender inequality, highlighting the role of male demand in its perpetuation. Spain is positioned as one of the main destinations for prostitution, with a high incidence of men paying for sex, normalizing this practice. Male motivations, classified in categories such as loneliness, risk attraction, domination, and validation of masculinity, reinforce objectification and violence against women. The aim of this study is to explore the different motivational typologies of prostitution consumption perceived by the Spanish population, as well as the perceived differences between men and women with respect to these typologies. With a sample of 198 young Spaniards (57.1% female, M = 22.5 years), we used the Motives for Prostitution Consumption Scale (MCP). Factor analyses identified two main factors: experimentation and attraction to the forbidden and sexual needs, satisfaction, and companionship, consistent with previous typologies in the literature. Results revealed that women perceive control and dominance as predominant motivations, while men emphasize sexual and affective needs. The MPC demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency indices (α ≥ 0.70) and the ability to discriminate between groups with different perceptions of the motivations of women and men. Limitations include a predominantly young university sample and the need for further validation with more diverse populations. The study reinforces the importance of analyzing male motivations for prostitution use in order to design educational strategies to promote gender equality and reduce prostitution.
Mapping the Shifting Landscape of Urological Innovation
Authors: Sii Samuel , Homewood David , Dittmer Brendan , Nzembela Kalonji , Weerakoon Mahesha , O’Brien Jonathan S. , Bolton Damien , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Corcoran Niall M. , Agarwal Dinesh K.
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Surgical innovation in urology has significantly transformed clinical practice, balancing the need for dissemination of novel techniques with rigorous safety and efficacy standards. Surgical innovation is influenced by regulatory standards, cost-effectiveness, and evolving publication requirements. This study examines publication trends in pioneering urological procedures and their implications on surgical innovation. Methods: This study analyzed 68 pioneering urological publications, examining the relationship between case numbers and publication trends over time. Data were collected through comprehensive database searches and analyzed using linear regression to identify correlations between publication case numbers and innovation dissemination. Results: A significant increase in the number of cases per publication was observed over time (R2 = 0.798, OR = 6.29, 95% CI: 2.57–10.02, p = 0.007). Early transformative techniques were frequently published as single-case reports or small series, whereas incremental innovations required larger case volumes, potentially delaying publication from resource-limited settings. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for a merit-based approach to evaluating surgical innovations, balancing rigorous safety standards with timely dissemination. Frameworks like IDEAL offer structured pathways for evaluating surgical innovations, ensuring robust evidence generation while maintaining flexibility for diverse practice settings. This study advocates for a reassessment of publication criteria to foster a balance between innovation, safety, and inclusivity, ultimately promoting the efficient and equitable advancement of surgical techniques.
Social Support via WeChat? Explorations of Chinese Rural–Urban Women’s Happiness
Authors: Wang Linxin
Published: February 2025

Employing a social support perspective allows us to examine the experiences of migrant women in assembly lines using WeChat to explore the relationship between social support and their subjective well-being. Th paper takes advantage of the digital ethnography method to investigate Chinese rural–urban women using WeChat in Tianjin, China. Utilizing a snowball sampling approach to search for 47 interviewees, this study conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews. The research discovered that activities organized by companies, digital information, and virtual communication, to some extent, provide Chinese migrant women with social support, consequently positively influencing their subjective well-being. It is undeniable that the use of WeChat seems to conceal the inequality, imbalance, and many other issues behind this phenomenon. Even so, this discovery will help researchers investigate migrant women’s urban inclusion and mental health in the future.
Exposed Subsoil Under Recovery for 30 Years: Influence of Management Strategies on Soil Physical Attributes and Organic Matter
Authors: Nantes Laura Silva , Bonini Carolina dos Santos Batista , Santos Melissa Alexandre , da Silva Alves Lucas , Lourencetti Josiane , Bonini Neto Alfredo , de Souza José Augusto Liberato , da Silva Lunardelli Gabriel Augusto , Silva Mariana Bonini , Alvares Dayara Vivian , Paz-Gonzalez Antonio
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to evaluate the residual effect of different management practices on a subsoil that has been exposed since 1969, which has been under recovery for 30 years. The soil under study is an Oxisol, and its assessment was conducted in 2023 and 2024. The experiment included nine treatments, with two controls, native vegetation and exposed soil, while the remaining treatments combined green manures (velvet bean, pigeon pea replaced by jack bean), liming, and liming + gypsum application from 1992 to 1997. Starting in 1999, Urochloa decumbens was planted in all plots, and from 2009, native Cerrado tree species naturally emerged. The following parameters were evaluated: gravimetric moisture, aggregate stability, infiltration rate, bulk density, soil penetration resistance, and organic matter content. Soil recovery management techniques reduced soil mechanical penetration resistance by 50% and soil density by 19.47%. The velvet bean increased gravimetric moisture by 11.32% compared to mobilized soil. The exposed soil exhibited an infiltration rate that was 90% lower than the other treatments. Conservation management practices increased the soil organic matter content, particularly in the 0–5 cm layer. Additionally, mucuna increased soil organic matter by 7% in the 10–20 cm layer and enhanced the soil organic carbon content. The strategies involving an initial use of velvet bean, velvet bean + liming, or velvet bean with liming + gypsum positively influenced the soil moisture, bulk density, aggregate stability, and organic matter at the 5–10 cm and 10–20 cm depths. Furthermore, the use of pigeon pea/jack bean with liming + gypsum improved attributes such as moisture, infiltration, and soil bulk density. It was concluded that green manuring enhances the physical properties of soil, with velvet bean or pigeon pea/jack bean combined with liming + gypsum being effective alternatives that are capable of positively impacting soil recovery.
Institutionalization of Ecological Civilization Construction in China: Measurements and Influencing Factors
Authors: Xiao Yutong , Chen Jun , Yin Peng
Published: February 2025

The institutionalization of ecological civilization construction (IECC) is a process that grounds ecological civilization construction in people’s ideas and actions; it promotes the combination of ecological civilization concepts, systems, actions, and effects in an institutionalized way, and promotes higher quality, greater efficiency, and improved equity in ecological civilization construction. In accordance with the logic of institutionalized operation, we construct a measurement index system to evaluate the IECC level in China from 2012 to 2022. The results show that during the study period, the IECC level exhibited a rising trend, with the institutional design and institutional efficiency index improving rapidly. The IECC level was unbalanced, showing a spatial distribution trend of being higher in the east, lower in the west, and higher in the coastal areas than in the inland areas; additionally, the absolute gap between regions gradually widened. The government’s anticorruption efforts, degree of market openness, degree of public participation, and improvement in educational quality had a significant positive impact on the IECC. On the basis of our findings, we provide several policy recommendations for countries progressing toward modernization to promote the IECC.
Biochar-Induced Microbial Shifts: Advancing Soil Sustainability
Authors: Sharma Meesha , Kaushik Rishabh , Pandit Maharaj K. , Lee Yi-Hsuan
Published: February 2025

Biochar utilisation as a soil enhancer has gathered considerable interest owing to its notable capacity to boost soil productivity, enhance carbon sequestration, and improve agricultural sustainability. Nonetheless, how biochar affects the soil microbiome, a key to soil health and ecological functioning, remains a contested subject. Given the critical role microbial communities play in maintaining soil health and functioning, variations in soil microbiota may have a substantial impact on soil fertility and stability. Despite a wealth of studies on the effects of biochar on soil microbial communities, the results demonstrate that the reaction of the microbiome to biochar varies greatly depending on the edaphic and biochar properties and other factors such as the experimental conditions and agricultural practices. Notably, different components of the soil microbiome may respond to soil/biochar properties in a unique way, which makes generalising the impacts of biochar on the soil microbiome a difficult task. In this review, we comprehensively examine the factors governing the impacts of biochar on the soil microbiome, especially in terms of its repercussions on microbial diversity, community structure, and functional dynamics, and the potential ramifications for agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
Leaching of a Cs- and Sr-Rich Waste Stream Immobilized in Alkali-Activated Matrices
Authors: Frederickx Lander , Mukiza Emile , Phung Quoc Tri
Published: February 2025

In the context of the disposal of spent radioactive fuel, heat-emitting radionuclides such as Cs and Sr are of utmost concern, as they have a major influence on the distance at which disposal galleries should be spaced apart and, thus, the cost of a disposal facility. Therefore, certain scenarios investigate the partitioning and transmutation of spent fuel to optimize the disposability of both Cs- and Sr-rich waste streams and the remaining fractions. In this study, the Cs- and Sr-rich waste stream, a nitrate-based solution, was immobilized in metakaolin and blast furnace slag-based alkali-activated matrices. These matrices were chosen for immobilization because they are known to offer advantages in terms of durability and/or heat resistance compared with traditional cementitious materials. The goal of this study is to develop an optimal recipe for the retention of Cs and Sr. For this purpose, recipes were developed following a design-of-experiments approach by varying the water-to-binder ratio, precursor, and waste loading while respecting matrix constraints. Leaching tests in deionized water showed that the metakaolin-based matrix was superior for the combined retention of both Cs and Sr. The optimal recipe was further tested under accelerated leaching conditions in an ammonium nitrate solution, which revealed that the leaching of Cs and Sr remained within reasonable limits. These results confirm that alkali-activated materials can be effectively used for the immobilization and long-term retention of heat-emitting radionuclides.