bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Probiotics on Gut Microbiome and Mood in Autism: A Case Report
Authors: Aldegheri Luana , Kharrat Feras , Conti Andrea , Monica Fabio , Busa Francesca , Campisciano Giuseppina , Zanotta Nunzia , Cason Carolina , Comar Manola
Published: August 2024

Recent evidence has highlighted the role of the gut–brain axis in the progression of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with significant changes in the gut microbiome of individuals with this condition. This report investigates the effects of probiotics and human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) supplements on the gut microbiome, inflammatory cytokine profile, and clinical outcomes in an ASD adolescent with chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Following treatment, we observed a decrease in proinflammatory cytokines’ concentration alongside Sutterella relative abundance, a bacterium reported to be linked with gastrointestinal diseases. Also, we reported a notable increase in mood stability. The study aims to evaluate the use of gut microbiome-based therapy in selected ASD patients, highlighting its potential to improve related clinical symptoms.
Association between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Authors: Zhi Shihan , Zhang Lan , Cheng Wenjie , Jin Yuan , Long Zhaoqing , Gu Wei , Ma Le , Zhang Shunming , Lin Jing
Published: August 2024

(1) Background: Diet holds a pivotal position in exacerbating or ameliorating chronic inflammation, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). However, no study has explored the association between dietary inflammatory potential and HG. This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between following a pro-inflammatory diet and the likelihood of developing HG. (2) Methods: A total of 2033 Chinese pregnant women (mean age: 31.3 ± 3.4 years) were included in this cross-sectional study from April 2021 to September 2022 as part of the China Birth Cohort Study (CBCS). Dietary inflammatory index (DII) scores with 23 food components were constructed through dietary intakes collected via a reliable 108-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. HG was defined as a pregnancy-unique quantification of emesis (PUQE) score ≥13 points, severe nausea and vomiting leading to weight loss ≥5%, or being hospitalized for treatment due to the disease. The relationship between DII and HG was conducted utilizing binary logistic regression and restricted cubic spline regression. (3) Results: Overall, 8.2% (n = 167) of study participants had HG. The DII scores ranged from −4.04 to 3.82. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with the highest tertile of DII score had a higher risk of HG (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.62, Ptrend = 0.032). Such an association was stronger in those with pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity (Pinteraction = 0.018). (4) Conclusions: A higher DII score, which serves as a marker for a diet promoting inflammation, is correlated with an elevated risk of developing HG. This finding suggests that dietary recommendations for HG should focus on minimizing the DII through incorporating foods abundant in anti-inflammatory components.
Characteristics of Vitamin D Concentration in Elite Israeli Olympic Athletes
Authors: Abulafia Ori , Ashkenazi Elya , Epstein Yoram , Eliakim Alon , Nemet Dan
Published: August 2024

Background: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been a growing concern in recent years. Vitamin D is important in many of the body’s physiological systems, such as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and immune functions. A deficiency of vitamin D in athletes may negatively impact both muscle functions and recovery and, thus, affect performance and increase the risk of injury. Many studies assessed the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in athletes; however, as of today, there are no official recommendations/protocols for screening vitamin D levels in athletes, and only a few studies were performed in male and female elite athletes (i.e., Olympic level), in different sport disciplines. Method: We investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among athletes entering the Israeli Olympic team. A total of 761 samples of Vitamin D(OH)25 from 334 athletes were analyzed. For this analysis, we used the first test the athlete had performed when joining the Olympic team. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/L, as defined by the Endocrine Society Committee) was investigated according to gender, types of sports and outdoor vs. indoor sports through the different seasons of the Israeli Olympic team athletes. Result: Twenty-five athletes (7.5%) were diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. One hundred and thirty-one athletes (39.2%) had insufficient levels of vitamin D (50–75 nmol/L). The highest incidence of vitamin D deficiency was found amongst gymnastics and combat sport athletes. A significant difference was also found in vitamin D concentration between seasons. Vitamin D average concentration in the winter was 74.1 nmol/L compared to 86.4 nmol/L in the Summer (p < 0.0005). Conclusions: Due to the importance of vitamin D to athletic performance and the high prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency, we suggest careful and frequent monitoring of groups at risk, including elite athletes, especially in susceptible sports and during the winter. Future studies are necessary to investigate the effectiveness of Vitamin D supplementation in athletes with low baseline vitamin D levels.
Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in a School in Interior Portugal—A Teen without Risk Study
Authors: Coelho Patrícia , Duarte Maria , Cabral Ema Torres , Mateus Sónia , Rodrigues Francisco
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Over the past 40 years, there has been a significant increase in the global prevalence of childhood obesity, which is associated with an increased risk of heart problems and the earlier onset of heart diseases. Objective: The aim of this research is to assess the prevalence of obesity and its risk factors in children and adolescents among students from the second and third cycle and secondary education of a school grouping in the interior of Portugal. Materials and Methods: The sample was collected from a school grouping in Alcains, among attending students from the fifth to the twelfth grade. The sample consisted of a total of 156 students aged between 10 and 18 years. A questionnaire was proposed, and blood pressure measurement and lipid profile evaluation were performed for each individual. The collection and statistical treatment of data for this study required a submission and authorization request to the Ethics Committee of the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, followed by authorization from the school group’s administration. Results: The percentage of elevated BMI was 30.8%, and was higher in males. A higher prevalence of hypertension (37.8%), elevated triglyceride levels in students who did not exercise outside of school, and in individuals who consumed larger amounts of meat, who also showed a higher prevalence of lower-than-expected high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, were observed. Discussion: A high percentage of elevated BMI, high blood pressure levels, and changes in lipid profile were observed among high school students in this school in the interior of Portugal, as has been observed in other studies. Conclusions: It is essential to conduct more studies, screenings, and investigations that can identify these cases early, in order to mitigate risk factors.
The Pivotal Role of Preclinical Animal Models in Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery and Personalized Cancer Therapy Strategies
Authors: Guo Haochuan , Xu Xinru , Zhang Jiaxi , Du Yajing , Yang Xinbing , He Zhiheng , Zhao Linjie , Liang Tingming , Guo Li
Published: August 2024

The establishment and utilization of preclinical animal models constitute a pivotal aspect across all facets of cancer research, indispensably contributing to the comprehension of disease initiation and progression mechanisms, as well as facilitating the development of innovative anti-cancer therapeutic approaches. These models have emerged as crucial bridges between basic and clinical research, offering multifaceted support to clinical investigations. This study initially focuses on the importance and benefits of establishing preclinical animal models, discussing the different types of preclinical animal models and recent advancements in cancer research. It then delves into cancer treatment, studying the characteristics of different stages of tumor development and the development of anti-cancer drugs. By integrating tumor hallmarks and preclinical research, we elaborate on the path of anti-cancer drug development and provide guidance on personalized cancer therapy strategies, including synthetic lethality approaches and novel drugs widely adopted in the field. Ultimately, we summarize a strategic framework for selecting preclinical safety experiments, tailored to experimental modalities and preclinical animal species, and present an outlook on the prospects and challenges associated with preclinical animal models. These models undoubtedly offer new avenues for cancer research, encompassing drug development and personalized anti-cancer protocols. Nevertheless, the road ahead continues to be lengthy and fraught with obstacles. Hence, we encourage researchers to persist in harnessing advanced technologies to refine preclinical animal models, thereby empowering these emerging paradigms to positively impact cancer patient outcomes.
Development and Evaluation of Different Electrospun Cysteamine-Loaded Nanofibrous Webs: A Promising Option for Treating a Rare Lysosomal Storage Disorder
Authors: Omer Safaa , Nagy Nándor , Pinke Balázs , Mészáros László , Kazsoki Adrienn , Zelkó Romána
Published: August 2024

Nanofibers can be utilized to overcome the challenges faced by conventional ophthalmic formulations. This study aimed to develop and characterize cysteamine (Cys)-loaded nanofiber-based ophthalmic inserts (OIs) as a potential candidate for the treatment of ophthalmic cystinosis using water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/poloxamer 407 (PO-407) and water-insoluble tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)/PVA nanofibers. Plain and Cys-loaded fibers in different proportions were prepared by the electrospinning method and studied for their morphological, physicochemical, release study, cytocompatibility effects, and stability study. The fiber formation was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, while Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the most critical peaks for the Cys and the excipients. The release of the Cys was fast from the two polymeric matrices (≤20 min). The release from TEOS/PVA nanofibers is characterized by Case II transport (0.75 < β < 1), while the release from PVA/PO-407 nanofibers follows Fickian diffusion (β < 0.75). The cytocompatibility of compositions was confirmed by hen eggs tested on the chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) of chick embryos. All formulations remained stable under stress conditions (40 ± 2 °C, 75 ± 5% relative humidity) regarding morphology and physicochemical characteristics. The developed nanofibrous mats could be an excellent alternative to available Cys drops, with better stability and convenience of self-administration as OIs.
Geraniol Potentiates the Effect of Fluconazole against Planktonic and Sessile Cells of Azole-Resistant Candida tropicalis: In Vitro and In Vivo Analyses
Authors: Silva-Rodrigues Gislaine , Castro Isabela Madeira de , Borges Paulo Henrique Guilherme , Suzukawa Helena Tiemi , Souza Joyce Marinho de , Bartolomeu-Gonçalves Guilherme , Pelisson Marsileni , Medeiros Cássio Ilan Soares , Bispo Marcelle de Lima Ferreira , Almeida Ricardo Sérgio Couto de , Ishida Kelly , Tavares Eliandro Reis , Yamauchi Lucy Megumi , Yamada-Ogatta Sueli Fumie
Published: August 2024

Candida tropicalis is regarded as an opportunistic pathogen, causing diseases ranging from superficial infections to life-threatening disseminated infections. The ability of this yeast to form biofilms and develop resistance to antifungals represents a significant therapeutic challenge. Herein, the effect of geraniol (GER), alone and combined with fluconazole (FLZ), was evaluated in the planktonic and sessile cells of azole-resistant C. tropicalis. GER showed a time-dependent fungicidal effect on the planktonic cells, impairing the cell membrane integrity. Additionally, GER inhibited the rhodamine 6G efflux, and the molecular docking analyzes supported the binding affinity of GER to the C. tropicalis Cdr1 protein. GER exhibited a synergism with FLZ against the planktonic and sessile cells, inhibiting the adhesion of the yeast cells and the viability of the 48-h biofilms formed on abiotic surfaces. C. tropicalis biofilms treated with GER, alone or combined with FLZ, displayed morphological and ultrastructural alterations, including a decrease in the stacking layers and the presence of wilted cells. Moreover, neither GER alone nor combined with FLZ caused toxicity, and both treatments prolonged the survival of the Galleria mellonella larvae infected with azole-resistant C. tropicalis. These findings indicate that the combination of GER and FLZ may be a promising strategy to control azole-resistant C. tropicalis infections.
It Is Not All about Alkaloids—Overlooked Secondary Constituents in Roots and Rhizomes of Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) J.St.-Hil
Authors: Mailänder Lilo K. , Nosrati Gazafroudi Khadijeh , Lorenz Peter , Daniels Rolf , Stintzing Florian C. , Kammerer Dietmar R.
Published: August 2024

Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) J.St.-Hil. is an evergreen shrub occurring naturally in North and Middle America. So far, more than 120 alkaloids have been identified in this plant in addition to steroids, coumarins and iridoids, and its use in traditional medicine has been traced back to these compound classes. However, a comprehensive phytochemical investigation of the plant with a special focus on further compound classes has not yet been performed. Therefore, the present study aimed at an extensive HPLC-MSn characterization of secondary metabolites and, for the first time, reports the occurrence of various depsides and phenolic glycerides in G. sempervirens roots and rhizomes, consisting of benzoic and cinnamic acid derivatives as well as dicarboxylic acids. Furthermore, mono- and disaccharides were assigned by GC-MS. Applying the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, the phenolic content of extracts obtained with different solvents was estimated to range from 30 to 50% calculated as chlorogenic acid equivalents per g dry weight and was related to the DPPH radical scavenging activity of the respective extracts. Upon lactic acid fermentation of aqueous G. sempervirens extracts, degradation of phenolic esters was observed going along with the formation of low-molecular volatile metabolites.
Intelligent Biopolymer-Based Films: Promising New Solutions for Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Dăescu Diana Ionela , Dreavă Diana Maria , Todea Anamaria , Peter Francisc , Păușescu Iulia
Published: August 2024

The development of biopolymer-based films represents a promising direction in the packaging industry that responds to stringent needs for sustainability, reducing the ecological impact. Traditional fossil-derived polymers present major concerns because of their long decomposition time and their significant contribution to the pollution of the environment. On the contrary, biopolymers such as chitosan, PVA, and PLA offer viable alternatives. This study aimed to obtain an innovative pH indicator for smart packaging using a synthetic non-toxic anthocyanin analogue dye incorporated in bio-based films to indicate meat freshness and quality. The pH-responsive color-changing properties of the dye make it suitable for developing intelligent films to monitor food freshness. The obtained polymeric films were characterized by FT-IR and UV–VIS spectroscopy, and their thermal properties were assessed using thermogravimetric methods. Moisture content, swelling capacity, and water solubility of the polymeric films were also evaluated. The sensitivity of the biopolymer–flavylium composite films to pH variations was studied in the pH range of 2 to 12 and noticeable color variations were observed, allowing the monitoring of the meat’s quality damage through pH changes. The pH-responsive films were applied directly on the surface or in the proximity of pork and chicken meat samples, to evaluate their colorimetric response to fresh and spoilt meat. This study can be the starting point for creating more durable packaging solutions leading to a circular economy.
Alternatives for Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Recycled Rubber Seismic Isolators
Authors: Rivas-Ordonez Faider S. , Meza-Munoz Alex O. , Madera-Sierra Ingrid E. , Rojas-Manzano Manuel A. , Patino Edwin D. , Salmerón-Becerra Manuel I. , Dyke Shirley J.
Published: August 2024

Base isolators, traditionally made from natural rubber reinforced with steel sheets (SERIs), mitigate energy during seismic events, but their use in developing countries has been limited due to high cost and weight. To make them more accessible, lighter, cost-effective reinforcement fibers have been utilized. Additionally, the increasing use of natural rubber has caused waste storage and disposal issues, contributing to environmental pollution and disease spread. Exploring recycled rubber matrices as alternatives, this study improves seismic isolators’ mechanical properties through modified reinforcements and layer adhesion. Eight reinforcement materials and eight adhesives, which may be activated with or without heat application, are systematically evaluated. Employing the chosen reinforcements and adhesives, prototypes are tested mechanically to examine their vertical and horizontal performance through cyclic compression and cyclic shear testing. Two innovative devices using recycled rubber matrices were developed, one using a layering technique and another through a monolithic approach shaped with heat and pressure. Both integrate a fiberglass mesh reinforced with epoxy resin; one employs a heat-activated hybrid adhesive, while the other uses a cold bonding adhesive. These prototypes exhibit potential in advancing seismic isolation technology for low-rise buildings in developing countries, highlighting the viability of recycled materials in critical structural applications.
Technical-Economical Study on the Optimization of FDM Parameters for the Manufacture of PETG and ASA Parts
Authors: Iacob Dragos Valentin , Zisopol Dragos Gabriel , Minescu Mihail
Published: August 2024

The article presents the results of the technical–economical study regarding the optimization of fused deposition modeling (FDM) parameters (the height of the layer deposited in one pass—Lh and the filling percentage—Id) for the manufacture of Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) and Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) parts. To carry out this technical–economical study, was used the fundamental principle of value analysis, which consists of maximizing the ratio between Vi and Cp, where Vi represents the mechanical characteristic, and Cp represents the production cost. The results of the study show that for tensile specimens made of PETG, the parameter that significantly influences the results of the Vi/Cp ratios is the height of the layer deposited in one pass, (Lh), and in the case of the compression specimens made of PETG, the parameter that significantly influences the results of the Vi/Cp ratios is filling percentage (Id). In the case of specimens manufactured via FDM from ASA, the parameter that decisively influences the results of the Vi/Cp ratios of the tensile and compression specimens is the filling percentage (Id). By performing optimization of the process parameters with multiple responses, we identified the optimal parameters for FDM manufacturing of parts from PETG and ASA: the height of the layer deposited in one pass, Lh = 0.20 mm, and the filling percentage, Id = 100%.
Parameter Optimization of an Absorption Heat Exchanger with Large Temperature Difference
Authors: Chen Jiangtao , Wang Jinxing , Jiang Huawei , Yang Xin , Zuo Xiangli , Yuan Miao
Published: August 2024

The absorption heat exchanger with a large temperature difference has a higher heat transfer superiority than the other heat exchangers (including plate heat exchanger), which is more suitable for long-distance heating. To improve its system performance, parameter collaborative optimization (including building accurate predictive models) has become an effective method because it does not require too much investment. In this study, a heat exchange station was chosen as a case study, and a model of a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network was used to predict the temperatures of primary return water and secondary return water. Accordingly, the reliability of the fitting result based on the model was confirmed through a contrastive analysis with the prediction results of a support vector machine (SVM) model, a random forest (RF) model, and an extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model. In addition, the algorithm of particle swarm optimization was used to optimize the flow rate of primary supply water. The results showed that the temperature of primary-side return water decreased from 29.6 °C to 28.2 °C, the temperature of secondary-side return water decreased from 39.8 °C to 38.6 °C, and the flow rate of primary-side supply water decreased from 39 t/h to 35.2 t/h after the optimization of the flow rate of primary supply water. The sensibility assessment emerged that the secondary-side flow rate to the secondary-side supply water temperature was about 7 times more sensitive than the primary-side supply water temperature, and concretely, the lower the temperature, the higher the sensibility. In summary, the accuracy of the proposed prediction model was validated and the optimization direction was pointed out, which can be used to provide guidance for designing and planning absorption heat exchange stations with large temperature differences.
William James: The Mystical Experimentation of a Sick Soul
Authors: Nikkel David H.
Published: August 2024

Especially in The Varieties of Religious Experience, William James developed the polar categories of healthy-minded individuals content with their once-born religion versus sick souls who need to become twice-born in order to find religious peace. Biographers of James have concluded that he does not fit well under either of his polar categories. Drawing on both data about James’ life and on his philosophical and theological writings, I demur from the biographers’ conclusion and instead advance the thesis that the overall pattern of William James’ life is best understood as a sick soul searching for—and ultimately finding—twice-born religion in connection with mystical experiences. Notably, James attempted to theorize about mystical experiences as connecting with divine reality/ies in naturalistic ways compatible with scientific knowledge of his time. Scientific knowledge today makes it more difficult to find evidence of direct divine input in religious experiences, yet one might find value in religious experiences in terms of James’ pragmatic criterion for truth: their beneficial or adaptive effects.
Muslim and Christian Communities in Bilecik in 1843: A Comparative Analysis through Demography, Naming, and Anthropometric Characteristics
Authors: Demiryürek Halim , Arıkan Refik , Şen Muhammet
Published: August 2024

This article conducts a thorough examination of the demographic structure, naming conventions, and anthropometric characteristics of the Muslim and Christian communities in Bilecik in 1843. The study utilizes qualitative content analysis methods, employing population registers from the Ottoman Archives and other contemporary documents. The findings reveal that Muslims predominantly opted for names of Arabic origin, while Armenian and Greek Christian communities enhanced regional diversity through names reflecting their religious and cultural identities. Anthropometric analyses demonstrate that both communities exhibited similar average heights. Furthermore, the use of beards and mustaches reflects cultural differences; among Muslim men, these features were significant symbols of religious identity and social status, whereas among Christian men, they signified age-related esthetic choices and cultural diversity. Ultimately, this research illuminates the social and cultural framework of 19th-century Anatolia, providing detailed documentation of Bilecik’s religious and ethnic diversity.
Clergy Wives and Well-Being: The Impact of Perceived Congregational Perfectionism and Protective Factors
Authors: Lin Ching-Ying , Wang Kenneth T.
Published: August 2024

Clergy wives often face high congregational expectations that impact their psychological well-being. This study investigates the impact of perceived congregational perfectionism on the psychological well-being of 215 Asian clergy wives and explores the moderating effects of self-compassion, social support, and communion with God. The results indicated that the two perceived congregational perfectionism dimensions—perceived congregational standards and judgment—were positively associated with depression, emotional exhaustion, and loneliness. Contrary to the previous literature, high congregational standards alone (without critical judgment) were associated with negative psychological outcomes. Additionally, self-compassion and communion with God emerged as significant buffers against depression associated with congregational perfectionism. However, these protective factors did not significantly prevent ministry burnout or loneliness. This study highlights the maladaptive nature of congregational perfectionism in clergy wives and emphasizes the importance of protective factors like communion with God and self-compassion. It also suggests the need for further research on diverse samples and additional protective factors while providing insights for clinicians and ministry organizations in developing coping strategies that emphasize self-compassion and spiritual practices.
The Evolving Maternal Vaccine Platform
Authors: Adams Rebecca M. , Gonik Bernard
Published: August 2024

Maternal vaccination is a safe and effective means of preventing infection in pregnant women, their fetuses, and infants after birth. Several vaccines are routinely administered in pregnancy as a valuable part of prenatal care with supporting recommendations from national and international health organizations. Fears concerning vaccine safety in pregnancy are pervasive despite sufficient available safety data to support their use, leading to underutilization of maternal immunization. Despite this hesitancy, the field of maternal vaccination is evolving to include more vaccines in the routine prenatal vaccination schedule, including the new RSV vaccine. This review discusses the currently recommended vaccines in pregnancy, evidence for their use, and an overview of ongoing clinical trials investigating prospective vaccines for pregnant women.
Complex-Valued 2D-3D Hybrid Convolutional Neural Network with Attention Mechanism for PolSAR Image Classification
Authors: Li Wenmei , Xia Hao , Zhang Jiadong , Wang Yu , Jia Yan , He Yuhong
Published: August 2024

The recently introduced complex-valued convolutional neural network (CV-CNN) has shown considerable advancements for polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) image classification by effectively incorporating both magnitude and phase information. However, a solitary 2D or 3D CNN encounters challenges such as insufficiently extracting scattering channel dimension features or excessive computational parameters. Moreover, these networks’ default is that all information is equally important, consuming vast resources for processing useless information. To address these issues, this study presents a new hybrid CV-CNN with the attention mechanism (CV-2D/3D-CNN-AM) to classify PolSAR ground objects, possessing both excellent computational efficiency and feature extraction capability. In the proposed framework, multi-level discriminative features are extracted from preprocessed data through hybrid networks in the complex domain, along with a special attention block to filter the feature importance from both spatial and channel dimensions. Experimental results performed on three PolSAR datasets demonstrate our present approach’s superiority over other existing ones. Furthermore, ablation experiments confirm the validity of each module, highlighting our model’s robustness and effectiveness.
A Review of Computer Vision-Based Crack Detection Methods in Civil Infrastructure: Progress and Challenges
Authors: Yuan Qi , Shi Yufeng , Li Mingyue
Published: August 2024

Cracks are a common defect in civil infrastructures, and their occurrence is often closely related to structural loading conditions, material properties, design and construction, and other factors. Therefore, detecting and analyzing cracks in civil infrastructures can effectively determine the extent of damage, which is crucial for safe operation. In this paper, Web of Science (WOS) and Google Scholar were used as literature search tools and “crack”, “civil infrastructure”, and “computer vision” were selected as search terms. With the keyword “computer vision”, 325 relevant documents were found in the study period from 2020 to 2024. A total of 325 documents were searched again and matched with the keywords, and 120 documents were selected for analysis and research. Based on the main research methods of the 120 documents, we classify them into three crack detection methods: fusion of traditional methods and deep learning, multimodal data fusion, and semantic image understanding. We examine the application characteristics of each method in crack detection and discuss its advantages, challenges, and future development trends.
On Optimizing Hyperspectral Inversion of Soil Copper Content by Kernel Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Guo Fei , Xu Zhen , Ma Honghong , Liu Xiujin , Gao Lei
Published: August 2024

Heavy metal pollution not only causes detrimental effects on the environment but also poses threats to human health; thus, it is crucial to monitor the heavy metal content in the soil. Hyperspectral technology, characterized by high spectral resolution, rapid response, and non-destructive detection, is widely employed in soil composition monitoring. This study aims to investigate the effects of dimensionality reduction methods on the performance of hyperspectral inversion. To this end, 56 soil samples were collected in Daye, with the corresponding hyperspectral data acquired by the advanced ASD Fieldspec4 instrument. We employed the linear dimensionality reduction method, i.e., the principal component analysis (PCA), and non-linear method in terms of kernel PCA (KPCA) with polynomial, radial basis function (RBF), and sigmoid kernels to reduce the dimensionalities of original spectral reflectance and that processed by first-derivative transformation (FDT). Building upon this foundation, we applied the Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost) algorithm for inverting the soil copper (Cu) content. The performance of each inversion model was evaluated by evaluation indices in terms of the coefficient of determination (R2), root-mean-square error (RMSE), and residual prediction deviation (RPD). The results revealed that the KPCA with polynomial kernel function applied to the FDT-based spectra could yield the optimal inversion accuracy, with corresponding R2, RMSE, and RPD being 0.86, 21.47 mg·kg−1, and 2.72, respectively. This study demonstrates that applying the FDT with KPCA processing can significantly improve the accuracy of the hyperspectral inversion for soil Cu content, providing a potential approach for monitoring heavy metal pollution using hyperspectral technology.
Multi-Degradation Super-Resolution Reconstruction for Remote Sensing Images with Reconstruction Features-Guided Kernel Correction
Authors: Qin Yi , Nie Haitao , Wang Jiarong , Liu Huiying , Sun Jiaqi , Zhu Ming , Lu Jie , Pan Qi
Published: August 2024

A variety of factors cause a reduction in remote sensing image resolution. Unlike super-resolution (SR) reconstruction methods with single degradation assumption, multi-degradation SR methods aim to learn the degradation kernel from low-resolution (LR) images and reconstruct high-resolution (HR) images more suitable for restoring the resolution of remote sensing images. However, existing multi-degradation SR methods only utilize the given LR images to learn the representation of the degradation kernel. The mismatches between the estimated degradation kernel and the real-world degradation kernel lead to a significant deterioration in performance of these methods. To address this issue, we design a reconstruction features-guided kernel correction SR network (RFKCNext) for multi-degradation SR reconstruction of remote sensing images. Specifically, the proposed network not only utilizes LR images to extract degradation kernel information but also employs features from SR images to correct the estimated degradation kernel, thereby enhancing the accuracy. RFKCNext utilizes the ConvNext Block (CNB) for global feature modeling. It employs CNB as fundamental units to construct the SR reconstruction subnetwork module (SRConvNext) and the reconstruction features-guided kernel correction network (RFGKCorrector). The SRConvNext reconstructs SR images based on the estimated degradation kernel. The RFGKCorrector corrects the estimated degradation kernel by reconstruction features from the generated SR images. The two networks iterate alternately, forming an end-to-end trainable network. More importantly, the SRConvNext utilizes the degradation kernel estimated by the RFGKCorrection for reconstruction, allowing the SRConvNext to perform well even if the degradation kernel deviates from the real-world scenario. In experimental terms, three levels of noise and five Gaussian blur kernels are considered on the NWPU-RESISC45 remote sensing image dataset for synthesizing degraded remote sensing images to train and test. Compared to existing super-resolution methods, the experimental results demonstrate that our proposed approach achieves significant reconstruction advantages in both quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Additionally, the UCMERCED remote sensing dataset and the real-world remote sensing image dataset provided by the “Tianzhi Cup” Artificial Intelligence Challenge are utilized for further testing. Extensive experiments show that our method delivers more visually plausible results, demonstrating the potential of real-world application.
Mapping the Fraction of Vegetation Coverage of Potamogeton crispus L. in a Shallow Lake of Northern China Based on UAV and Satellite Data
Authors: Chen Junjie , Yu Quanzhou , Zhao Fenghua , Zhang Huaizhen , Liang Tianquan , Li Hao , Yu Zhentan , Zhang Hongli , Liu Ruyun , Xu Anran , Wang Shaoqiang
Published: August 2024

Under the background of global change, the lake water environment is facing a huge threat from eutrophication. The rapid increase in curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus L.) in recent years has seriously threatened the ecological balance and the water diversion safety of the eastern route of China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The monitoring and control of curly-leaf pondweed is imperative in shallow lakes of northern China. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have great potential for monitoring aquatic vegetation. However, merely using satellite remote sensing to detect submerged vegetation is not sufficient, and the monitoring of UAVs on aquatic vegetation is rarely systematically evaluated. In this study, taking Nansi Lake as a case, we employed Red–Green–Blue (RGB) UAV and satellite datasets to evaluate the monitoring of RGB Vegetation Indices (VIs) in pondweed and mapped the dynamic patterns of the pondweed Fractional Vegetation Coverage (FVC) in Nansi Lake. The pondweed FVC values were extracted using the RGB VIs and the machine learning method. The extraction of the UAV RGB images was evaluated by correlations, accuracy assessments and separability. The correlation between VIs and FVC was used to invert the pondweed FVC in Nansi Lake. The RGB VIs were also calculated using Gaofen-2 (GF-2) and were compared with UAV and Sentinel-2 data. Our results showed the following: (1) The RGB UAV could effectively monitor the FVC of pondweed, especially when using Support Vector Machine that (SVM) has a high ability to recognize pondweed in UAV RGB images. Two RGB VIs, RCC and RGRI, appeared best suited for monitoring aquatic plants. The correlations between four RGB VIs based on GF-2, i.e., GCC, BRI, VDVI, and RGBVI and FVCSVM calculated by the UAV (p < 0.01) were better than those obtained with other RGB VIs. Thus, the RGB VIs of GF-2 were not as effective as those of the UAV in pondweed monitoring. (2) The binomial estimation model constructed by the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) of Sentinel-2 showed a high accuracy (R2 = 0.7505, RMSE = 0.169) for pondweed FVC and can be used for mapping the FVC of pondweed in Nansi Lake. (3) Combined with the Sentinel-2 time-series data, we mapped the dynamic patterns of pondweed FVC in Nansi Lake. It was determined that the flooding of pondweed in Nansi Lake has been alleviated in recent years, but the rapid increase in pondweed in part of Nansi Lake remains a challenging management issue. This study provides practical tools and methodology for the innovative remote sensing monitoring of submerged vegetation.
A Three-Dimensional Method for Analysis of the Body Mode of Classical Guitars Using a Laser Displacement Sensor
Authors: Su Kuan-Cheng , Hsieh Tsung-Yu , Lin Wei-Chih , Hsiao Fu-Li , Ryzhkova Tatyana , Chen Chii-Chang
Published: August 2024

In classical guitar acoustic spectra, the lowest frequency body mode’s amplitude often significantly surpasses that of the string overtones. However, the characteristics of the body mode have not been systematically utilized to quantitatively represent the timbre of classical guitars. In this study, we propose a quantitative method for describing the body mode, which can effectively differentiate the timbre of classical guitars. Our approach involves three key parameters presented in a three-dimensional space, as follows: the frequency and quality factors of the body mode, along with the amplitude ratio of the plucked string note to the body mode in the soundboard’s vibration spectrum. This representation allows for the visualization, quantitative comparison, and classification of the body mode note and damping properties across classical guitars. The differences in body mode among guitars can be analyzed quantitatively using Euclidean distance.
The Transition to Adulthood from the Perspective of Former Foster Youth: A Socio-Educational Approach
Authors: Alemán Ramos Pedro , Morales Almeida Paula , Brito Sánchez Miriam
Published: August 2024

Background: The transition to adulthood is especially critical for young people who have been in the child protection system, as they face significant challenges in areas such as education, mental health, employment, and economics. Methods: This qualitative study examines the perceptions of 20 young adults from Spain who have exited the child protection system regarding their transition to adulthood. Structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed using IRAMuTeQ software to identify thematic patterns. Results: The young adults reported inadequate preparation and a need for ongoing support, and they faced challenges in areas such as housing, employment, financial education, and mental health. They emphasized the importance of social and emotional support networks for successful adaptation. The results reveal a deficit in training programs and structural support, suggesting the need for a review of existing Spanish policies. Conclusions: Social educators play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to adulthood for young people who have been in protective systems in Spain, providing emotional support and resources to aid in their integration and autonomy. Effective coordination between institutional actors and Spanish society is vital to ensure a successful transition to adulthood.
Social Intervention That Facilitates Recovery from Gender-Based Violence: Dialogic Reconstruction of Memory
Authors: Melgar Patricia , Serradell Olga , Hereu Claudia , Racionero-Plaza Sandra , Mut-Montalva Elena
Published: August 2024

Services for victims of gender-based violence are an interdisciplinary work space where the recovery of women and, thus, preventing their social exclusion are among the main objectives. Although previous scientific literature provides some indicators of the social impact of these services, that is, the improvements in the lives of these women, and allow them to advance in their recovery, it is necessary to deepen and broaden this knowledge. One of the objectives of the SOLNET R&D research was to more comprehensively identify the indicators of the social impact of these interventions. This objective was achieved by carrying out 8 case studies and a total of 56 interviews—32 of which involved women who were victims of violence—in third-sector organisations that tend to women victims in 7 different regions of Spain. The results of our research show that the dialogical reconstruction of the memory of violence contributes to overcoming one of the main barriers to women’s recovery: emotional dependency. To achieve this impact, the dialogic reconstruction of memory should focus on changing the image these women have of the abuser and the conceptions of love associated with violence. These results have important implications for the design and evaluation of interventions carried out in services for women victims of gender-based violence. The application of these results can help these women successfully leave the situation of violence and build a violence-free future.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Purchasing, Food Packaging, and Food Wastage
Authors: Lau Yui-yip , Not Christelle , Pant Gaurika , Poo Mark Ching-Pong
Published: August 2024

Despite the negative impacts caused by the drawn-out COVID-19 pandemic on the usual way of life and health of billions around the world, the pandemic’s particular disruption of Hong Kong’s supply chain was revealed to have impacted food purchasing habits during the pandemic. It brought about increased health and environmental awareness through the increased purchasing of healthier food choices, home food preparation and the increased usage of reusable bags. However, despite these shifts, the residents’ behavioural attitudes towards food wastage or the use of plastic bags and containers did not change. The original finding in this study seems to suggest that food wastage behaviour in Hong Kong is not influenced by external drivers, such as strict COVID-19 containment measures, nor is it affected by increased environmental awareness. Food-waste management strategies aimed at reducing food wastage at the consumer level of the food supply chain should, therefore, focus on targeting engrained behavioural habits and not simply raising awareness on the matter. Our aim is to investigate whether pandemic restrictions have led to a shift towards less-frequent food purchases in larger quantities and how such changes may affect food wastage generation. Survey data were collected from 253 Hong Kong residents. The study mainly adopted various quantitative research methods, including descriptive statistics, reliability tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and non-response bias. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 28 was used to investigate the useable data gathered from the respondents of this study. Results suggested that Hong Kong residents preferred supermarket and online food purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic to their usual offline/wet market purchasing habits before the pandemic. Also, the food purchasing rate was principally self-reported as infrequent and at high volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic. While an increased preference for home-prepared meals took precedence over consuming meals at restaurants, no significant change in food wastage habits was observed due to pandemic measures. Interestingly, although an increasing usage of reusable bags was observed, resident behaviour toward plastic bag usage was not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic containment measures.
Heavy Metal Groundwater Transport Mitigation from an Ore Enrichment Plant Tailing at Kazakhstan’s Balkhash Lake
Authors: Muratkhanov Dauren , Mirlas Vladimir , Anker Yaakov , Miroshnichenko Oxana , Smolyar Vladimir , Rakhimov Timur , Sotnikov Yevgeniy , Rakhimova Valentina
Published: August 2024

Sustainable potable groundwater supply is crucial for human development and the preservation of natural habitats. The largest endorheic inland lake in Kazakhstan, Balkhash Lake, is the main water resource for the arid southeastern part of the country. Several ore enrichment plants that are located along its shore have heavy metal pollution potential. The study area is located around a plant that has an evident anthropogenic impact on the Balkhash Lake aquatic ecological system, with ten known heavy metal toxic hotspots endangering fragile habitats, including some indigenous human communities. This study assessed the risk of heavy metal contamination from tailing dump operations, storage ponds, and related facilities and suggested management practices for preventing this risk. The coastal zone risk assessment analysis used an innovative integrated groundwater numerical flow and transport model that predicted the spread of groundwater contamination from tailing dump operations under several mitigation strategies. Heavy metal pollution prevention models included a no-action scenario, a filtration barrier construction scenario, and two scenarios involving the drilling of drainage wells between the pollution sources and the lake. The scenario assessment indicates that drilling ten drainage wells down to the bedrock between the existing drainage channel and the lake is the optimal engineering solution for confining pollution. Under these conditions, pollution from tailings will not reach Lake Balkhash during the forecast period. The methods and tools used in this study to enable mining activity without environmental implications for the region can be applied to sites with similar anthropogenic influences worldwide.
Authenticity- and Sustainability-Based Failure Prevention in the Post-Conservation Life of Reused Historic Houses as Tourist Accommodations: Award-Winning Projects from Isfahan City
Authors: Tavakoli Sahba , Tumer Ege Uluca
Published: August 2024

This study underscores the crucial role of architectural education and oversight in managing reused historic houses as tourist accommodations in a sustainable manner. It employs a unique methodology to establish authenticity and sustainability principles in conservation and tourism development, specifically in the reused accommodation business, and to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of current practices in Iran. Focusing on two reused houses in Isfahan City, which were honored in the conservation category of the Memar Awards, the most prestigious Iranian architecture award, this study assesses and contrasts their post-conservation life under the influence of architect and non-architect managers. Data were collected through on-site observations, documentation reviews, and questionnaires and then evaluated using a mixed-methods approach that complies with the criteria set by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This study’s findings both emphasize the significance of management’s impact on preserving and enhancing conservation outcomes and identify the primary factors contributing to the unsustainability and failure of this project in Iran. As a result, a model has been developed for a successful project of this type to preserve the values of cultural heritage buildings and their surroundings, if effectively implemented. This model applies to similar cases in different contexts, making this study’s findings highly relevant and valuable.