bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using feminist methodologies to explore female genital mutilation/cutting and child marriage in low- and middle-income contexts
Authors: Jones Nicola , Pincock Kate , Alheiwidi Sarah
Published: December 2024

This paper discusses how harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) can be effectively explored through feminist methodologies that center the lived experiences of girls and young women affected by these issues. Eliminating harmful practices, which are rooted in gender inequality and have myriad life-course consequences for those who experience them, has become a global priority in recent years. However, dominant conceptualizations of the drivers and consequences of child marriage and FGM/C often fail to adequately engage with or reflect adolescent girls' own nuanced experiences and perceptions. A feminist epistemology underlines the need for research methods that can uncover and address dynamics of power and inequality, as well as the complexities of voice and agency surrounding these practices, both of which perpetuate harmful practices and marginalize the voices of those who are most affected. The paper discusses adaptations to two key sets of methodological tools used with adolescent girls in research on FGM/C in Ethiopia and on child marriage in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Jordan, and Lebanon as part of the Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) longitudinal study. The purpose of these tools was to address and shift power inequalities, both within the research process and in girls' lives more widely. The Social Network Hexagon, Marriage Chain, and Marriage Decision-Making Pairs tools were used to explore child marriage decision-making processes and dynamics and outcomes for adolescent girls. A vignette-based discussion on FGM/C and child marriage and a version of a Social Network Hexagon tool were used to improve understanding of adolescents' social networks and the extent to which these shape their options for change. We find that context-specific adaptations to the tools, determined through ongoing reflexive dialogue with local researchers, were key to creating space for deep reflection and engagement by girls. Exploring the wider structural and social dynamics that enable and constrain girls' agency and decision-making around harmful practices was also key. It enabled insights into the complex ways in which gender- and age-based social norms are exercised within girls' socio-ecological contexts, as well as possible entry points for change.
Enteral Feeding in Patients With Open Abdomen and Negative Pressure Therapy: A Propensity Score Analysis
Authors: Petit Laurent , Faure Nicolas , Pereira Bruno , Dubuisson Vincent , Berard Xavier , Biais Matthieu , Carrié Cédric
Published: December 2024

Introduction

In critically ill surgical patients treated with open abdomen and negative pressure therapy (OA/NPT), the association between nutritional support and clinical outcome is still controversial. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of enteral nutritional support during the acute phase (i.e., the first 7 days) on clinical outcome (abdominal wall closure rate or fistula formation) in critically ill surgical patients treated by OA/NPT.

Methods

Over a 5-year period, every critically ill patient who underwent nutritional support while treated by OA/NPT was retrospectively included. The main study outcome was a composite criterion, defined as delayed abdominal closure ≥8 days and/or secondary abdominal complications (secondary anastomotic leak, intra-abdominal abscess and fascial dehiscence). Inverse probability of treatment weight (IPTW) was derived from a propensity score model. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association between clinical outcome and different modalities of nutritional support (enteral nutrition vs. nil per os during the first week after OA/NPT, early vs. late enteral nutrition, normal vs. low caloric/protein intake).

Results

Over the study period, 171 patients were included and 50% underwent delayed abdominal closure and/or secondary abdominal complications. The rate of delayed abdominal closure or secondary abdominal complications was significantly lower in patients who received enteral nutrition versus those who remained nil per os (40% vs. 61%, p = 0.007), with an IPTW-adjusted OR of poor clinical outcome of 0.49 [95%CI: 0.25–0.98]. There was no other statistical association between modalities of nutritional support and the study outcome.

Conclusion

In critically ill patients with OA/NPT, the use of enteral feeding within 7 days after surgery was associated with better clinical outcome. Further studies are mandatory to better define the adequate timing for enteral feeding, the energy needs and the protein requirements during the acute phase after OA/NPT.
Forced Landing Flight Test of Compound-Wing UAVs Based on Proportional Guidance
Authors: Zhou Zan , Yang Yi , Gong Zheng
Published: December 2024

With the development of the low-altitude economy, the demand for low-altitude flight missions has steadily increased. However, such flights often encounter special circumstances requiring emergency landings. To address this, a forced landing guidance law is designed in this paper, using a small compound-wing aircraft as the research object and based on proportional guidance principles. The guidance law calculates lateral and longitudinal acceleration commands using azimuth and elevation angles provided by a seeker, which are then input into the inner-loop control law to generate control surface commands. These commands guide the aircraft toward a nearby landing point. Hardware-in-the-loop simulations demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed guidance law, and flight tests further validate its practical applicability.
A Review of Soft Robotic Actuators and Their Applications in Bioengineering, with an Emphasis on HASEL Actuators’ Future Potential
Authors: Perera Osura , Liyanapathirana Ranjith , Gargiulo Gaetano , Gunawardana Upul
Published: December 2024

This review will examine the rapidly growing field of soft robotics, with a special emphasis on soft robotic actuators and their applications in bioengineering. Bioengineering has increasingly utilized soft robotics due to their mechanical adaptability and flexibility, with applications including drug delivery, assistive and wearable devices, artificial organs, and prosthetics. Soft robotic applications, as well as the responsive mechanisms employed in soft robotics, include electrical, magnetic, thermal, photo-responsive, and pressure-driven actuators. Special attention is given to hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) actuators due to their biomimetic properties and innovative combination of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) and hydraulic actuators, which eliminates the limitations of each actuator while introducing capabilities such as self-healing. HASEL actuators combine the fast response and self-sensing features of DEAs, as well as the force generation and adaptability of hydraulic systems. Their self-healing ability from electrical damage not only makes HASELs a unique technology among others but also makes them promising for long-term bioengineering applications. A key contribution of this study is the comparative analysis of the soft actuators, presented in detailed tables. The performance of soft actuators is assessed against a common set of critical parameters, including specific power, strain, maximum actuation stress, energy efficiency, cycle life, and self-healing capabilities. This study has also identified some important research gaps and potential areas where soft robotics may still be developed in the future. Future research should focus on improvements in power supply design, long-term material durability, and enhanced energy efficiency. This review will serve as an intermediate reference for researchers and system designers, guiding the next generation of advancements in soft robotics within bioengineering.
Improved You Only Look Once v.8 Model Based on Deep Learning: Precision Detection and Recognition of Fresh Leaves from Yunnan Large-Leaf Tea Tree
Authors: Wang Chun , Li Hongxu , Deng Xiujuan , Liu Ying , Wu Tianyu , Liu Weihao , Xiao Rui , Wang Zuzhen , Wang Baijuan
Published: December 2024

Yunnan Province, China, known for its superior ecological environment and diverse climate conditions, is home to a rich resource of tea-plant varieties. However, the subtle differences in shape, color and size among the fresh leaves of different tea-plant varieties pose significant challenges for their identification and detection. This study proposes an improved YOLOv8 model based on a dataset of fresh leaves from five tea-plant varieties among Yunnan large-leaf tea trees. Dynamic Upsampling replaces the UpSample module in the original YOLOv8, reducing the data volume in the training process. The Efficient Pyramid Squeeze Attention Network is integrated into the backbone of the YOLOv8 network to boost the network’s capability to handle multi-scale spatial information. To improve model performance and reduce the number of redundant features within the network, a Spatial and Channel Reconstruction Convolution module is introduced. Lastly, Inner-SIoU is adopted to reduce network loss and accelerate the convergence of regression. Experimental results indicate that the improved YOLOv8 model achieves precision, recall and an mAP of 88.4%, 89.9% and 94.8%, representing improvements of 7.1%, 3.9% and 3.4% over the original model. This study’s proposed improved YOLOv8 model not only identifies fresh leaves from different tea-plant varieties but also achieves graded recognition, effectively addressing the issues of strong subjectivity in manual identification detection, the long training time of the traditional deep learning model and high hardware cost. It establishes a robust technical foundation for the intelligent and refined harvesting of tea in Yunnan’s tea gardens.
Rhizobacteria Enterobacter sp. LHB11 and Bacillus sp. PIXIE Induced Systemic Tolerance Against Drought Stress in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Authors: Muñoz-Carvajal Eduardo , González Máximo , Fuentes Yihajara , Oetiker Nia , Giordano Ady , Stoll Alexandra
Published: December 2024

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) induce changes in the plant metabolism, improving plant growth under drought stress conditions by employing different mechanisms of interaction. In this study, two bacterial strains (Enterobacter sp. LHB11 and Bacillus sp. PIXIE) were evaluated in vitro regarding their PGPR traits, including the ACC-Deaminase enzyme activity. Both PGPR strains produced indole acetic acid (40.65–75.81 µg−1mL−1), exopolysaccharides (39.23–40.20 µg eq CR mL−1), proline (61.5–106.1 mM), and volatile organic compounds. Furthermore, both solubilized phosphate (1.15–1.53 ratio, halo/colony) and fixed the atmospheric nitrogen. Only LHB11 showed ACC-Deaminase activity. Furthermore, both strains tolerated osmotic stress induced in liquid media with up to 20% of Polyethylene glycol-6000. In a drought stress pot experiment, both strains were applied to tomato roots, exposed to normal irrigation (100%) and drought stress (decreasing irrigation by 50%). The inoculation of both strains improved the plant growth parameters under stress conditions significantly, e.g., the root dry weight (+41.0–43.4%), while the proline content decreased to a level similar to the unstressed control. In addition, strain inoculation increased the total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity measured as the inhibitions of the ABTS radical and as the reduction in ferric ions and increased the catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity. The bacterial contribution to the changes in biochemical parameters is higher than in morphological parameters. At the same time, the strains modulate specific parameters depending on the stress condition, e.g., ABTS, catalase activity, and proline content. In conclusion, both strains Induced Systemic Tolerance (IST), regardless of their capacity to use the ACC-Deaminase mechanism, by modulating several mechanisms of plant response to drought stress. Our results showcase the relevance of considering the orchestration of several plant response mechanisms in order to fully assess the potential and efficiency of the plant–PGPR interaction under drought stress.
Changes in the Composition and Properties of Cultured Bacterial Strains of Ginseng Rhizosphere According to Soil Characteristics in the Forest and Plots
Authors: Gorpenchenko Tatiana Y. , Sidorenko Marina L. , Kim Alexandra V. , Vologzhanina Yuliya V. , Rusakova Darya A. , Timofeeva Yana O. , Perepelkina Polina A. , Kazarin Vitalii M. , Zhuravlev Yuriy N.
Published: December 2024

The cultivation of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, a valuable medicinal plant, presents a number of challenges due to its physiology and life cycle. The composition of the soil and the microbiome living in it are important for plant growth and root quality. Modern analytical methods were used to identify differences in the rhizosphere soils of plants in the forest and in the plots. Microbiological and molecular genetic methods were used to isolate and identify bacterial isolates from these soils, allowing for the establishment of a working collection of potentially useful bacterial strains. Increases in soil pH in the plots and changes in the amount of macronutrients partially explained the changes in the activity of the forest and plot isolates and the composition of the cultivated strains. The cultivated strains belonged to the rhizosphere-dominant phyla Pseudomonadota, Bacillota, and Actinomycetota of the main functional groups of soil potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen transformations. The ratio of bacteria functional groups was comparable in the forest and in the plots. The most common phylum of cultured microorganisms was Bacillota, while the main differences were observed in the functional group of potassium-solubilizing bacteria belonging to the phyla Pseudomonadota.
Refinement of Retention Indices in Gas Chromatography for a Number of Substituted Phenols
Authors: Sholokhova Anastasia Yu. , Borovikova Svetlana A. , Matyushin Dmitriy D.
Published: December 2024

Substituted phenols, including chlorophenols, are important analytes, particularly in the context of environmental analysis. Chlorophenols are formed during the disinfection of drinking water by chlorination and are important water pollutants. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is an important method for the analysis of chlorophenols. Retention indices are used in GC-MS analysis to improve the accuracy of identification. Our research reveals that the retention indices currently available for substituted phenols are erroneous in a number of cases. We report reliable retention index values for pentafluorophenol, 5-methoxy-2-nitrophenol, 4-cyanophenol (stationary phase: 5%-phenyl-polymethylsiloxane), 3-methoxyphenol, 2-chlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,3-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, 3,4-dichlorophenol, 3,5-dichlorophenol, 2,3,5-trichlorophenol, 2,3,6-trichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (stationary phase: polyethylene glycol modified with 2-nitroterephthalic acid). The structures of the standard samples were confirmed, and measurements were performed under various conditions. The analysis of the causes of the incorrect records appearing in the well-known NIST database was also carried out.
Genome-Wide Structural Variation Analysis and Breed Comparison of Local Domestic Ducks in Shandong Province, China
Authors: Ren Pengwei , Zhang Meixia , Khan Muhammad Zahoor , Yang Liu , Jing Yadi , Liu Xiang , Yang Xiaohui , Zhang Chaoran , Zhang Min , Zhu Zhiming , Zheng Nenzhu , Zhang Lujiao , Zhang Shuer , Zhu Mingxia
Published: December 2024

Structural variations in the duck genome significantly impact the environmental adaptability and phenotypic diversity of duck populations. Characterizing these SVs in local domestic duck breeds from Shandong province offers valuable insights for breed selection and the development of new breeds. This study aimed to profile the genomic SVs in three local duck breeds (Matahu duck, Weishan partridge duck, and Wendeng black duck) and explore their differential distributions. A total of 21,673 SVs were detected using LUMPY (v0.2.13) and DELLY (v1.0.3) software, with 46% located in intergenic regions, 33% in intronic regions, and frameshift deletions being the most prevalent in exonic regions (3%). SVs distribution showed a decreasing trend with shorter chromosome lengths. Population structure analysis revealed distinct genetic profiles, with Matahu and Weishan partridge ducks showing closer affinities and the Wendeng black duck having a more homogeneous genetic background, likely due to geographic isolation. Functional annotation identified genes related to nervous system development, mitosis, spindle assembly, and energy metabolism. Notable genes included PLXNA4, NRP2, SEMA3A, PTEN, MYBL2, ADK, and COX4I1. Additionally, genes such as PRKG1, GABRA2, and FSHR were linked to energy metabolism and reproductive activity. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of SVs, revealing significant genetic differentiation and identifying genes associated with economically important traits, offering valuable resources for the genetic improvement and breeding of local duck breeds.
Genome-Wide In Silico Analysis of Microsatellite Loci in Rabbits
Authors: Safaa Hosam M. , Helal Mostafa , Yasser Seif , Raafat Zahra , Ayman Habiba , Mostafa Hasnaa , Bozhilova-Sakova Milena , Elsayed Dalia A. A.
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to characterize microsatellites in the rabbit genome using an in silico approach and to develop and validate microsatellite markers. Blood samples were collected from 15 Baladi rabbits and 18 New Zealand White (NZW rabbits). The GMATA software was used to define SSRs in the extracted sequences. Twelve primer pairs were used to validate the loci identified and the primers developed. The total number of the detected microsatellite loci overall chromosomes was 1,136,253. The di-nucleotide microsatellite repeats dominated and exceeded 88% of the detected microsatellites in all chromosomes. There were no microsatellites detected in mitochondrial DNA. The highest relative microsatellite abundance was obtained for chromosome 19, followed by 13 and 6. The highest estimated SSR density was obtained for chromosome 14, and the lowest was for mitochondrial DNA, followed by chromosome 13. The polymorphism was 81.63% and 75.51% for Baladi and NZW rabbits, respectively. The number of detected alleles ranged between two and seven alleles/loci, and polymorphic information content was from 35% to 71%. The AMOVA analysis showed that the total variance of all levels of population structure was 15.734. The results definitely confirmed higher genetic diversity in Baladi compared with NZW rabbits.
Microbial Colonization, Biofilm Formation, and Malodour of Washing Machine Surfaces and Fabrics and the Evolution of Detergents in Response to Consumer Demands and Environmental Concerns
Authors: Osta-Ustarroz Patricia , Theobald Allister J. , Whitehead Kathryn A.
Published: December 2024

Bacterial attachment and biofilm formation are associated with the contamination and fouling at several locations in a washing machine, which is a particularly complex environment made from a range of metal, polymer, and rubber components. Microorganisms also adhere to different types of clothing fibres during the laundering process as well as a range of sweat, skin particles, and other components. This can result in fouling of both washing machine surfaces and clothes and the production of malodours. This review gives an introduction into washing machine use and surfaces and discusses how biofilm production confers survival properties to the microorganisms. Microbial growth on washing machines and textiles is also discussed, as is their potential to produce volatiles. Changes in consumer attitudes with an emphasis on laundering and an overview regarding changes that have occurred in laundry habits are reviewed. Since it has been suggested that such changes have increased the risk of microorganisms surviving the laundering process, an understanding of the interactions of the microorganisms with the surface components alongside the production of sustainable detergents to meet consumer demands are needed to enhance the efficacy of new antimicrobial cleaning agents in these complex and dynamic environments.
Classical and Modern Models for Biofilm Studies: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Yang Zhihe , Khan Sadaf Aiman , Walsh Laurence J. , Ziora Zyta M. , Seneviratne Chaminda Jayampath
Published: December 2024

Biofilms are structured microbial communities that adhere to various abiotic and biotic surfaces, where organisms are encased in an exo-polysaccharide matrix. Organisms within biofilms use various mechanisms that help them resist external challenges, such as antibiotics, rendering them more resistant to drugs. Therefore, researchers have attempted to develop suitable laboratory models to study the physical features of biofilms, their resistance mechanisms against antimicrobial agents, and their gene and protein expression profiles. However, current laboratory models suffer from various limitations. In this comprehensive review, we have summarized the various designs that have been used for laboratory biofilm models, presenting their strengths and limitations. Additionally, we have provided insight into improving these models to more closely simulate real-life scenarios, using newly developed techniques in additive manufacturing, synthetic biology, and bioengineering.
Antioxidant Responses and Redox Regulation Within Plant-Beneficial Microbe Interaction
Authors: González María-Cruz , Roitsch Thomas , Pandey Chandana
Published: December 2024

The increase in extreme climate events associated with global warming is a great menace to crop productivity nowadays. In addition to abiotic stresses, warmer conditions favor the spread of infectious diseases affecting plant performance. Within this context, beneficial microbes constitute a sustainable alternative for the mitigation of the effects of climate change on plant growth and productivity. Used as biostimulants to improve plant growth, they also increase plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses through the generation of a primed status in the plant, leading to a better and faster response to stress. In this review, we have focused on the importance of a balanced redox status for the adequate performance of the plant and revisited the different antioxidant mechanisms supporting the biocontrol effect of beneficial microbes through the adjustment of the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, the different tools for the analysis of antioxidant responses and redox regulation have been evaluated. The importance of redox regulation in the activation of the immune responses through different mechanisms, such as transcriptional regulation, retrograde signaling, and post-translational modification of proteins, emerges as an important research goal for understanding the biocontrol activity of the beneficial microbes.
Effects of the Interaction Between Oxidative Balance Score and Polygenic Risk Scores on Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-Aged Korean Adults
Authors: Kim Minyeong , Shin Dayeon
Published: December 2024

Oxidative stress is implicated in insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndromes (MetSs). However, the interplay between oxidative stress and genetic predisposition during the development of MetS remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the interaction between oxidative balance score (OBS) and polygenic risk score (PRS) on the incidence of MetS in middle-aged Korean adults. We analyzed data from 25,879 participants aged ≥40 years from the Health Examinees Cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. The OBS was calculated using 11 antioxidant and five pro-oxidant factors. A genome-wide association study and clumping analysis identified 16 independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with MetS that were used to calculate individual PRSs. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for confounding variables were used to assess the impact of OBS and PRS on the incidence of MetS. During a mean follow-up period of 4.3 years, we recorded 3153 cases of MetS. In both men and women, the group with the lowest OBS and a high PRS had a 1.50-fold (hazard ratio [HR] 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–2.11) and 1.89-fold (HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.40–2.56) higher incidence, respectively, of MetS compared to those with the highest OBS and a low PRS. Among women with a high PRS, the HRs decreased significantly across OBS quintiles 1 through 5 (p for trend = 0.009). These findings suggest that managing the oxidative balance may be particularly crucial for individuals with a high genetic risk for MetS.
Accounting for the Different Propagation Velocities for the Focusing and Time–Depth Conversion in a Layered Medium
Authors: Yang Ding , Capozzoli Luigi , Catapano Ilaria , Martino Gregory De , Esposito Giuseppe , Morelli Gianfranco , Persico Raffaele
Published: December 2024

This contribution deals with the focusing and time–depth conversion of GPR data in a two-layer scenario. In a layered scenario, the different propagation velocities of the electromagnetic waves in different layers can induce distortion in the reconstruction. In particular, it is not possible, with common data processing, to achieve the focusing of both the targets embedded in the upper and deeper layers at the same time. We will present a strategy for mitigating this problem. The strength points of this strategy are its simplicity and the fact that it only requires a commercial code for the GPR data processing plus some steps easily implementable through a homemade code. This work extends a contribution of the same authors at the 20th International GPR conference held in Chanchung, China, in June 2024, and the conclusions are updated with three-dimensional numerical results, including depth slices determined directly in the spatial domain. Both numerical and experimental data will be shown.
Exploring the Impact of Nature-Based Solutions for Hydrological Extremes Mitigation in Small Mixed Urban-Forest Catchment
Authors: Pérez-Corredor Lina , Hume Samuel Edward , Alivio Mark Bryan , Bezak Nejc
Published: December 2024

Many regions in Europe face increasing issues with flooding and droughts due to changing rainfall patterns caused by climate change. For example, higher rainfall intensities increase urban flooding. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are suggested as a key mitigation strategy for floods. This study aims to address and mitigate the challenges faced in Tivoli natural park in Ljubljana regarding high peak discharges and low-flow issues in the creek entering the sewer system. The study involves setting up, calibrating and validating a Hydrologic Engineering Centre–Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC-HMS) model using available data. This study analyses NbS, such as small ponds, green roofs and permeable paving, to reduce peak discharge. Runoff was reduced by an average of 32.4% with all NbS implemented and peak discharge by 20 L/s. Permeable parking performed best, with an average runoff reduction of 6.4%, compared to 4.8% for permeable streets and 5.9% for green roofs. The ponds reduced peak discharge, although their effectiveness varied between rainfall events. Rainfall events with higher volumes and durations tended to overwhelm the proposed solutions, reducing their effectiveness. The ability of HEC-HMS to model NbS is also discussed. The curve number (CN) parameter and impervious % alterations to simulate NbS provided quantitative data on changes in runoff and discharge.
Anti-Seismic Performance Research of Complicated Nodes Involved in Ultra-Limited Steel Structures Subjected to Rare Occurrence Earthquakes
Authors: Ma Yan , Lu Hua , Ma Xiaotong , Yang Jun
Published: December 2024

This study focuses on the seismic performance of complicated nodes in the ultra-limited steel structure under rare occurrence earthquakes. The Xi’an Urban Exhibition Center (Chang’an Cloud) is chosen as the engineering background, and the ANSYS (18.0) analysis software is employed. Based on the overall importance and the extent of post-damage impacts, the critical nodes are selected for structural design. The research aims to develop simplified and reliable structural forms that can withstand the most adverse conditions at both the overall nodes and local component levels. Stress distribution under the most unfavorable scenarios is calculated to achieve the seismic design objectives of the overall structure. The research results indicate that localized stress concentration areas can reach or exceed the yield strength of the steel, which enters the plastic phase. The Von Mises stresses in the remaining nodes are lower than the yield strength of the steel. The overall performance is excellent without significant plastic deformation. Thus, the design requirements for non-yielding performance under rare seismic events are met. The conclusions can provide reliable references for the critical structural techniques and seismic design of complicated nodes.
Romanian Fake News Detection Using Machine Learning and Transformer-Based Approaches
Authors: Moisi Elisa Valentina , Mihalca Bogdan Cornel , Coman Simina Maria , Pater Alexandrina Mirela , Popescu Daniela Elena
Published: December 2024

Nowadays, the consequence of quick access to information has lead to the spread of fake news, which has a strong damaging impact on democracy, justice, and public trust. Thus, it is crucial to analyze and evaluate detection methods for fake news. This paper focuses on the detection of Romanian fake news. In this study, we made a comparative analysis of machine learning algorithms and Transformer-based models on Romanian fake news detection using three datasets—FakeRom, NEW, and both FakeRom + NEW. The NEW dataset was build using a scrapping algorithm applied on the Veridica platform. Our approach uses the following machine learning models for detection: Naive Bayes (NB), Logistic Regression (LR), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). We also used two Transformer-based models—BERT-based-multilingual-cased and RoBERTa-large. The performance of the models was evaluated using various metrics: accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. The results revealed that the BERT model trained on the NEW dataset consistently achieved the highest performance metrics across all test sets, with 96.5%. Also, Support Vector Machine trained on NEW was another top performer, reaching a very good accuracy of 94.6% on the combined test set.
Quasi-Classical Models of Nonlinear Relaxation Polarization and Conductivity in Electric, Optoelectric, and Fiber Optic Elements Based on Materials with Ionic–Molecular Chemical Bonds
Authors: Kalytka Valeriy , Mekhtiyev Ali , Neshina Yelena , Alkina Aliya , Senina Yelena , Bilichenko Arkadiy , Sidorina Yelena , Beissekov Akylbek , Tatkeyeva Galina , Sarsikeyev Yermek
Published: December 2024

A generalized scientific review with elements of additions and clarifications has been carried out on the methods of theoretical research on the electrophysical properties of crystals with ionic–molecular chemical bonds (CIMBs). The main theoretical tools adopted are the methods of quasi-classical kinetic theory as applied to ionic subsystems relaxing in layered dielectrics (natural silicates, crystal hydrates, various types of ceramics, and perovskites) in an electric field. A universal (applicable for any CIMBs class crystals) nonlinear quasi-classical kinetic equation of theoretical and practical importance has been constructed. This equation describes, in complex with the Poisson equation, the mechanism of ion-relaxation polarization and conductivity in a wide range of polarizing field parameters (0.1–1000 MV/m) and temperatures (1–1550 K). The physical model is based on a system of non-interacting ions (due to the low concentration in the crystal) moving in a one-dimensional, spatially periodic crystalline potential field, perturbed by an external electric field. The energy spectrum of ions is assumed to be continuous. Elements of quantum mechanical theory in a quasi-classical model are used to mathematically describe the influence of tunnel transitions of hydrogen ions (protons) during the interaction of proton and anion subsystems in hydrogen-bonded crystals (HBC) on the polarization of the dielectric in the region of nitrogen (50–100 K) and helium (1–10 K) temperatures. The mathematical model is based on the solution of a system of nonlinear Fokker-Planck and Poisson equations, solved by perturbation theory methods (via expanding solutions into infinite power series in a small dimensionless parameter). Theoretical frequency and temperature spectra of the dielectric loss tangent were constructed and analyzed, the molecular parameters of relaxers were calculated, and the physical nature of the maxima of the experimental temperature spectra of dielectric losses for a number of HBC crystals was discovered. The low-temperature maximum, which is caused by the quantum tunneling of protons and is absent in the experimental spectra, was theoretically calculated and investigated. The most effective areas of scientific and technical application of the theoretical results obtained were identified. The application of the equations and recurrent formulas of the constructed model to the study of nonlinear optical effects in elements of laser technologies and nonlinear radio wave effects in elements of microwave signal control systems is of the greatest interest.
A Scalable and User-Friendly Framework Integrating IoT and Digital Twins for Home Energy Management Systems
Authors: Stogia Myrto , Naserentin Vasilis , Dimara Asimina , Eleftheriou Orfeas , Tzitzios Ioannis , Papaioannou Christoforos , Pantusheva Mariya , Papaioannou Alexios , Spaias George , Anagnostopoulos Christos-Nikolaos , Logg Anders , Krinidis Stelios
Published: December 2024

The rise in electricity costs for households over the past year has driven significant changes in energy usage patterns, with many residents adopting smarter energy-efficient practices, such as improved indoor insulation and advanced home energy management systems powered by IoT and Digital Twin technologies. These measures not only mitigate rising bills but also ensure optimized thermal comfort and sustainability in typical residential settings. This paper proposes an innovative framework to facilitate the adoption of energy-efficient practices in households by leveraging the integration of Internet of Things technologies with Digital Twins. It introduces a novel approach that exploits standardized parametric 3D models, enabling the efficient simulation and optimization of home energy systems. This design significantly reduces deployment complexity, enhances scalability, and empowers users with real-time insights into energy consumption, indoor conditions, and actionable strategies for sustainable energy management. The results showcase that the proposed method significantly outperforms traditional approaches, achieving a 94% reduction in deployment time and a 98% decrease in memory usage through the use of standardized parametric models and plug-and-play IoT integration.
Experimental Determination of Circumferential Mechanical Properties of GFRP Pipes Using the Split-Disk Method: Evaluating the Impact of Aggressive Environments
Authors: Tănase Maria , Diniță Alin , Lvov Gennadiy , Portoacă Alexandra Ileana
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the mechanical properties of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) pipes in the circumferential direction using the split-disk method, with a focus on understanding the influence of aggressive environmental conditions. The split-disk method was used to determine the key mechanical properties, including the hoop tensile strength and modulus, and also the Poisson’s ratio, which are critical for the performance of GFRP pipes under internal pressure. The experiment was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, and the results were analyzed to assess the effects of exposure to aggressive environments (saltwater and alkaline solutions at 20 °C and 50 °C). The correlations between the UTS, elastic modulus, and Poisson’s ratio highlight how GFRP pipes degrade under environmental exposure. As the UTS decreases, so do the stiffness and lateral deformability, with the most significant reductions occurring in chemically aggressive environments at high temperatures. Exposure to an alkaline solution weakens the GFRP pipes, with the strength dropping more sharply at higher temperatures, with the UTS decreasing by 21%. Saltwater exposure reduces the elastic modulus, especially at higher temperatures, with a 14% decrease, accelerating material degradation and reducing deformation resistance. An alkaline solution further lowers the modulus, with a 21% decrease at 50 °C, showing the lowest stiffness. Air exposure, in contrast, has a less severe effect, with the pipes retaining much of their mechanical integrity. These findings collectively suggest that environmental degradation affects the overall mechanical behavior of GFRP pipes, providing valuable insights for the design and maintenance of GFRP piping systems, particularly in industries where exposure to aggressive environments is common. This study underscores the importance of considering environmental factors in the material selection and design processes to ensure the long-term reliability of GRP pipes.
The Importance of Gene Variants Related to Folate Uptake and Distribution in the Etiology of Recurrent Miscarriage and Intrauterine Fetal Demise
Authors: Kozłowska-Wytyk Martyna , Kurzawińska Grażyna , Ożarowski Marcin , Mrozikiewicz Aleksandra E. , Olbromski Piotr , Karpiński Tomasz M. , Czerny Bogusław , Wolski Hubert
Published: December 2024

(1) Background: The study involves an assessment of the frequency of selected gene variants related to folate uptake and distribution (FOLR1 rs2071010, rs630074, FOLH1 rs61886492, GGH rs11545078, rs3758149 and SLC19A1 rs1051266) in a group of women with fetal demise in the Polish population. (2) Methods: A total of 310 subjects were enrolled in the study. There were 110 females with idiopathic recurrent miscarriages (RM), 80 with stillbirth (IUFD) and 120 healthy controls. Designated SNVs were determined by using PCR-RFLP methods. The difference in fetal demise prevalence was assessed using a chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. (3) Results: The rs630074 variant of the FOLR1 gene is associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of IUFD in a recessive model (OR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.06–3.90, p = 0.033). The rs61886492variant f FOLH1 is linked to an increased risk of IUFD in co-dominant (p = 0.030), dominant (OR = 2.62, 95%CI: 1.07–6.38, p = 0.032) and log-additive models (OR = 2.64, 95%CI: 1.15–6.06 p = 0.030). In female carriers of the A allele, the risk of IUFD was 2.8 times higher compared to the control group. No relationship between the mother’s genotype and the newborn’s birth weight or placental weight was observed for the studied SNVs. (4) Conclusions: Our study finds that the rs61886492 variant of the FOLH1 gene is associated with IUFD in Polish women. However, pregnancy failures have a multifactorial pathology and other genetic or environmental factors may also contribute to their complex etiology. Further research, preferably with larger groups of women from different ethnic backgrounds, is needed to confirm the results of the current study.
Intelligent Recognition of Road Internal Void Using Ground-Penetrating Radar
Authors: Kan Qian , Liu Xing , Meng Anxin , Yu Li
Published: December 2024

Internal road voids can lead to decreased load-bearing capacity, which may result in sudden road collapse, posing threats to traffic safety. Three-dimensional ground-penetrating radar (3D GPR) detects internal road structures by transmitting high-frequency electromagnetic waves into the ground and receiving reflected waves. However, due to noise interference during detection, accurately identifying void areas based on GPR-collected images remains a significant challenge. Therefore, in order to more accurately detect and identify the void areas inside the road, this study proposes an intelligent recognition method for internal road voids based on 3D GPR. First, extensive data on internal road voids was collected using 3D GPR, and the GPR echo characteristics of void areas were analyzed. To address the issue of poor image quality in GPR images, a GPR image enhancement model integrating multi-frequency information was proposed by combining the Unet model, Multi-Head Cross Attention mechanism, and diffusion model. Finally, the intelligent recognition model and enhanced GPR images were used to achieve intelligent and accurate recognition of internal road voids, followed by engineering validation. The research results demonstrate that the proposed road internal void image enhancement model achieves significant improvements in both visual effects and quantitative evaluation metrics, while providing more effective void features for intelligent recognition models. This study offers technical support for precise decision making in road maintenance and ensuring safe road operations.
In-Situ Nanoindentation Surface Topography of Lead-Free Piezoelectric Thin Films
Authors: Bigerelle Maxence , Lemesle Julie , Montagne Alex , Remiens Denis
Published: December 2024

Surface roughness significantly affects the performance of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and piezoelectric films. This study investigates the impact of surface roughness on the mechanical properties of thin piezoelectric films using nanoindentation and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). Four piezoelectric films with different thicknesses (220, 350, and 450 nm) and substrate configurations (LNO/SiO2/Si or LNO/Si) were analyzed. A discriminant analysis revealed that the fractal dimension is more effective than the arithmetic mean height (Sa) for distinguishing surfaces, with only 2% misclassification versus 25% for Sa. A multiscale analysis identified the Smr2 parameter with low-pass filtering at 140 nm as highly effective for surface discrimination, achieving only 0.1% misclassification. The analysis of the roughness parameter Sa at various scales showed that band-pass filtering at 500 nm yielded a 0.7% misclassification rate, indicating its relevance for fractal roughness characterization. Most relevant roughness parameters for mechanical property correlation were found: Smr2 with low-pass filtering at 500 nm correlated best with hardness (R2 = 0.82), and Vvc with low-pass filtering at 2 nm correlated best with reduced elastic modulus (R2 = 0.84). These results demonstrate that surface roughness features like valley volume and voids significantly impact the apparent mechanical properties of piezoelectric films.
Linear and Nonlinear Modelling of the Usable Area of Buildings with Multi-Pitched Roofs
Authors: Dawid Leszek , Barańska Anna , Baran Paweł , Ala-Karvia Urszula
Published: December 2024

One of the key elements in real estate appraisal of residential buildings is the usable area. To determine the monetary value of real estate, appraisers in Poland often rely on transaction data registered in the Real Estate Price Register (REPR). However, the REPR may contain meaningful gaps, particularly on information concerning usable areas. This may lead to difficulties in finding suitable comparative properties, resulting in mispricing of the property. To address this problem, we used linear and nonlinear models to estimate the usable area of buildings with multi-pitched roofs. Utilizing widely available data from the Topographic Objects Database (BDOT10k) based on LiDAR technology, we have shown that three parameters (building’s covered area, building’s height, and optionally the number of storeys) are sufficient for a reliable estimate of the usable area of a building. The best linear model, using design data from architectural offices, achieved a fit of 95%, while the best model based on real data of existing buildings in the city of Koszalin, Poland achieved 92% fit. The best nonlinear model achieved slightly better results than the linear model in the case of design data (better fit by approximately 0.2%). In the case of existing buildings in Koszalin, the best fit was at 93%. The proposed method may help property appraisers determine a more accurate estimation of the usable area of comparative buildings in the absence of this information in the REPR.
Geomatics Innovation and Simulation for Landslide Risk Management: The Use of Cellular Automata and Random Forest Automation
Authors: Barrile Vincenzo , Bibbò Luigi , Bilotta Giuliana , Meduri Giuseppe M. , Genovese Emanuela
Published: December 2024

Landslides are among the most serious and frequent environmental disasters, involving the fall of large masses of rock and soil that can significantly impact human structures and inhabited areas. Anticipating these events is crucial to reduce risks through real-time monitoring of areas at risk during extreme weather events, such as heavy rains, allowing for early warnings. This study aims to develop a methodology to enhance the prediction of landslide susceptibility, creating a more reliable system for early identification of risk areas. Our project involves creating a model capable of quickly predicting the susceptibility index of specific areas in response to extreme weather events. We represent the terrain using cellular automata and implement a random forest model to analyze and learn from weather patterns. Providing data with high spatial accuracy is vital to identify vulnerable areas and implement preventive measures. The proposed method offers an early warning mechanism by comparing the predicted susceptibility index with the current one, allowing for the issuance of alarms for the entire observed area. This early warning mechanism can be integrated into existing emergency protocols to improve the response to natural disasters. We applied this method to the area of Prunella, a small village in the municipality of Melito di Porto Salvo, known for numerous historical landslides. This approach provides an early warning mechanism, allowing for alarms to be issued for the entire observed area, and it can be integrated into existing emergency protocols to enhance disaster response.
We Are Not Equipped to Identify the First Signs of Cyber–Physical Attacks: Emotional Reactions to Cybersecurity Breaches on Domestic Internet of Things Devices
Authors: Budimir Sanja , Fontaine Johnny R. J. , Huijts Nicole M. A. , Haans Antal , IJsselsteijn Wijnand A. , Oostveen Anne-Marie , Stahl Frederic , Heartfield Ryan , Loukas George , Bezemskij Anatolij , Filippoupolitis Avgoustinos , Ras Ivano , Roesch Etienne B.
Published: December 2024

The increasing number of domestic Internet of Things (IoT) devices in our lives leads to numerous benefits, but also comes with an increased risk of cybersecurity breaches. These breaches have psychological consequences for the users. We examined the nature of the psychological impact of cybersecurity breaches on domestic IoT by investigating emotional experiences in a scenario study (Study 1) and a field experiment (Study 2) using the five emotion components of the Component Process Model (CPM) and emotion regulation as a framework. We replicated a three-dimensional structure for emotional experiences found in a previous study, with an addition of an ancillary fourth dimension in the second study. The first dimension represents emotional intensity. The second bipolar dimension describes constructive vs. unconstructive action tendencies. On the third dimension, also bipolar, cognitive and motivational emotion features are opposed to affective emotion features. The fourth dimension, labeled distress symptoms, mainly reflects negative emotions. In Study 2, most of the introduced frequent irregularities on IoT devices were not noticed, and the intensity of emotional reactions and tendencies to react in a constructive way decreased throughout the phases of the experiment. These findings reveal that we are not emotionally equipped to identify potential threats in the cyber world.