bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability of Potential Heterocyclic Drugs via Biomimetic IAM Chromatography Technique Combined with QSAR Methodology
Authors: Janicka Małgorzata , Sztanke Małgorzata , Sztanke Krzysztof
Published: January 2024

Penetration through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is desirable in the case of potential pharmaceuticals acting on the central nervous system (CNS), but is undesirable in the case of drug candidates acting on the peripheral nervous system because it may cause CNS side effects. Therefore, modeling of the permeability across the blood-brain barrier (i.e., the logarithm of the brain to blood concentration ratio, log BB) of potential pharmaceuticals should be performed as early as possible in the preclinical phase of drug development. Biomimetic chromatography with immobilized artificial membrane (IAM) and the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) methodology were successful in modeling the blood-brain barrier permeability of 126 drug candidates, whose experimentally-derived lipophilicity indices and computationally-derived molecular descriptors (such as molecular weight (MW), number of rotatable bonds (NRB), number of hydrogen bond donors (HBD), number of hydrogen bond acceptors (HBA), topological polar surface area (TPSA), and polarizability (α)) varied by class. The QSARs model established by multiple linear regression showed a positive effect of the lipophilicity (log kw, IAM) and molecular weight of the compound, and a negative effect of the number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, on the log BB values. The model has been cross-validated, and all statistics indicate that it is very good and has high predictive ability. The simplicity of the developed model, and its usefulness in screening studies of novel drug candidates that are able to cross the BBB by passive diffusion, are emphasized.
Dissolution of Metals (Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn) from Different Metal-Bearing Species (Sulfides, Oxides, and Sulfates) Using Three Deep Eutectic Solvents Based on Choline Chloride
Authors: Aragón-Tobar Carlos F. , Endara Diana , de la Torre Ernesto
Published: January 2024

Nowadays, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are seen as environmentally friendly alternatives with the potential to replace traditional solvents used in hydrometallurgical processes. Although DESs have been successfully applied in the recovery of metals from secondary sources, there is still innovative potential regarding DESs as green leaching agents applied in the recovery of metals from primary sources like polysulfide ores. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of DESs as solvents for some of the main metals present in typical polymetallic concentrates, like Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn. Thus, three DESs based on choline chloride (ChCl) were prepared: 1:2 ChCl-urea (also known as reline), 1:2 ChCl-ethylene glycol (also known as ethaline), and 1:2 ChCl-glycerol (also known as glyceline). Then, dissolution tests at 30 °C were carried out with these DESs and different metal- (Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn) bearing compounds (sulfates, oxides, and sulfides). According to the dissolution tests, it was found that the solubility of the studied metals (expressed as g of metal per Kg of DES) was dictated by the bearing species, reaching the dissolution of the metals from sulfates with values as high as two orders of magnitude higher than the metal solubility values for metal oxides and sulfides.
Interface Properties of MoS2 van der Waals Heterojunctions with GaN
Authors: Panasci Salvatore Ethan , Deretzis Ioannis , Schilirò Emanuela , La Magna Antonino , Roccaforte Fabrizio , Koos Antal , Nemeth Miklos , Pécz Béla , Cannas Marco , Agnello Simonpietro , Giannazzo Filippo
Published: January 2024

The combination of the unique physical properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with those of gallium nitride (GaN) and related group-III nitride semiconductors have recently attracted increasing scientific interest for the realization of innovative electronic and optoelectronic devices. A deep understanding of MoS2/GaN interface properties represents the key to properly tailor the electronic and optical behavior of devices based on this heterostructure. In this study, monolayer (1L) MoS2 was grown on GaN-on-sapphire substrates by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 700 °C. The structural, chemical, vibrational, and light emission properties of the MoS2/GaN heterostructure were investigated in detail by the combination of microscopic/spectroscopic techniques and ab initio calculations. XPS analyses on as-grown samples showed the formation of stoichiometric MoS2. According to micro-Raman spectroscopy, monolayer MoS2 domains on GaN exhibit an average n-type doping of (0.11 ± 0.12) × 1013 cm−2 and a small tensile strain (ε ≈ 0.25%), whereas an intense light emission at 1.87 eV was revealed by PL analyses. Furthermore, a gap at the interface was shown by cross-sectional TEM analysis, confirming the van der Waals (vdW) bond between MoS2 and GaN. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the heterostructure were carried out, considering three different configurations of the interface, i.e., (i) an ideal Ga-terminated GaN surface, (ii) the passivation of Ga surface by a monolayer of oxygen (O), and (iii) the presence of an ultrathin Ga2O3 layer. This latter model predicts the formation of a vdW interface and a strong n-type doping of MoS2, in closer agreement with the experimental observations.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Markers of Thrombosis in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Reiner Martin F. , Bertschi Daniela A. , Werlen Laura , Wiencierz Andrea , Aeschbacher Stefanie , Lee Pratintip , Rodondi Nicolas , Moutzouri Elisavet , Bonati Leo , Reichlin Tobias , Moschovitis Giorgio , Rutishauser Jonas , Kühne Michael , Osswald Stefan , Conen David , Beer Jürg H.
Published: January 2024

Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) are associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Antithrombotic mechanisms may in part explain this observation. Therefore, we examined the association of n-3 FAs with D-dimer and beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), markers for activated coagulation and platelets, respectively. The n-3 FAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were determined via gas chromatography in the whole blood of 2373 patients with AF from the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02105844). In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined the association of total n-3 FAs (EPA + DHA + DPA + ALA) and the association of individual fatty acids with D-dimer in patients with detectable D-dimer values (n = 1096) as well as with BTG (n = 2371) using multiple linear regression models adjusted for confounders. Median D-dimer and BTG levels were 0.340 ug/mL and 448 ng/mL, respectively. Higher total n-3 FAs correlated with lower D-dimer levels (coefficient 0.94, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 0.90–0.98, p = 0.004) and lower BTG levels (coefficient 0.97, Cl 0.95–0.99, p = 0.003). Likewise, the individual n-3 FAs EPA, DHA, DPA and ALA showed an inverse association with D-dimer. Higher levels of DHA, DPA and ALA correlated with lower BTG levels, whereas EPA showed a positive association with BTG. In patients with AF, higher levels of n-3 FAs were associated with lower levels of D-dimer and BTG, markers for activated coagulation and platelets, respectively. These findings suggest that n-3 FAs may exert antithrombotic properties in patients with AF.
Human Nutrition Research in the Data Era: Results of 11 Reports on the Effects of a Multiple-Micronutrient-Intervention Study
Authors: Kaput Jim , Monteiro Jacqueline Pontes
Published: January 2024

Large datasets have been used in molecular and genetic research for decades, but only a few studies have included nutrition and lifestyle factors. Our team conducted an n-of-1 intervention with 12 vitamins and five minerals in 9- to 13-year-old Brazilian children and teens with poor healthy-eating indices. A unique feature of the experimental design was the inclusion of a replication arm. Twenty-six types of data were acquired including clinical measures, whole-genome mapping, whole-exome sequencing, and proteomic and a variety of metabolomic measurements over two years. A goal of this study was to use these diverse data sets to discover previously undetected physiological effects associated with a poor diet that include a more complete micronutrient composition. We summarize the key findings of 11 reports from this study that (i) found that LDL and total cholesterol and fasting glucose decreased in the population after the intervention but with inter-individual variation; (ii) associated a polygenic risk score that predicted baseline vitamin B12 levels; (iii) identified metabotypes linking diet intake, genetic makeup, and metabolic physiology; (iv) found multiple biomarkers for nutrient and food groups; and (v) discovered metabolites and proteins that are associated with DNA damage. This summary also highlights the limitations and lessons in analyzing diverse omic data.
Unsupervised Exercise Intervention vs. Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Alone: The Role of Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis and Cardiovascular Performance in Liver-Transplanted Recipients
Authors: Mascherini Gabriele , Corsi Marco , Falconi Edoardo , Cebrián-Ponce Álex , Checcucci Pietro , Pinazzi Antonio , Russo Domenico , Gitto Stefano , Sofi Francesco , Stefani Laura
Published: January 2024

(1) Background: Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality after liver transplantation. Body composition and cardiovascular performance assessment represent a potential approach for modulating lifestyle correction and proper follow-up in chronic disease patients. This study aimed to verify the additional role of an unsupervised physical activity program in a sample of male liver transplant recipients who follow the Mediterranean diet. (2) Methods: Thirty-three male liver transplant recipients were enrolled. Sixteen subjects followed a moderate-intensity home exercise program in addition to nutritional support, and seventeen received advice on the Mediterranean diet. After six months, bioelectrical vector impedance analysis (BIVA) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were performed. (3) Results: No differences in CPET (VO2 peak: exercise 21.4 ± 4.1 vs. diet 23.5 ± 6.5 mL/kg/min; p = 0.283) and BIVA (Z/H: exercise 288.3 ± 33.9 vs. diet 310.5 ± 34.2 Ω/m; p = 0.071) were found. Furthermore, the BIVA values of resistance correlate with the submaximal performance of the Ve/VCO2 slope (R = 0.509; p < 0.05) and phase angle with the maximal effort of the VO2 peak (R = 0.557; p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Unsupervised physical exercise alone for six months does not substantially modify liver transplant recipients’ cardiovascular performance and hydration status, despite their adherence to a Mediterranean diet. The body composition analysis is useful to stratify the risk profile, and it is potentially associated with better outcomes in transplanted subjects.
Cell Fractionation and the Identification of Host Proteins Involved in Plant–Virus Interactions
Authors: Gomaa Amany E. , El Mounadi Kaoutar , Parperides Eric , Garcia-Ruiz Hernan
Published: January 2024

Plant viruses depend on host cellular factors for their replication and movement. There are cellular proteins that change their localization and/or expression and have a proviral role or antiviral activity and interact with or target viral proteins. Identification of those proteins and their roles during infection is crucial for understanding plant–virus interactions and to design antiviral resistance in crops. Important host proteins have been identified using approaches such as tag-dependent immunoprecipitation or yeast two hybridization that require cloning individual proteins or the entire virus. However, the number of possible interactions between host and viral proteins is immense. Therefore, an alternative method is needed for proteome-wide identification of host proteins involved in host–virus interactions. Here, we present cell fractionation coupled with mass spectrometry as an option to identify protein–protein interactions between viruses and their hosts. This approach involves separating subcellular organelles using differential and/or gradient centrifugation from virus-free and virus-infected cells (1) followed by comparative analysis of the proteomic profiles obtained for each subcellular organelle via mass spectrometry (2). After biological validation, prospect host proteins with proviral or antiviral roles can be subject to fundamental studies in the context of basic biology to shed light on both virus replication and cellular processes. They can also be targeted via gene editing to develop virus-resistant crops.
Furofuranoid-Type Lignans and Related Phenolics from Anisacanthus virgularis (Salisb.) Nees with Promising Anticholinesterase and Anti-Ageing Properties: A Study Supported by Molecular Modelling
Authors: Orabi Mohamed A. A. , Abdelhamid Reda A. , Elimam Hanan , Elshaier Yaseen A. M. M. , Ali Ahmed A. , Aldabaan Nayef , Alhasaniah Abdulaziz Hassan , Refaey Mohamed S.
Published: January 2024

Lignan phytomolecules demonstrate promising anti-Alzheimer activity by alleviating dementia and preserving nerve cells. The purpose of this work is to characterize the lignans of Anisacanthus virgularis and explore their potential anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-ageing effects. Phytochemical investigation of A. virgularis aerial parts afforded a new furofuranoid-type lignan (1), four known structural analogues, namely pinoresinol (2), epipinoresinol (3), phillyrin (4), and pinoresinol 4-O-β-d-glucoside (5), in addition to p-methoxy-trans-methyl cinnamate (6) and 1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde (7). The structures were established from thorough spectroscopic analyses and comparisons with the literature. Assessment of the anticholinesterase activity of the lignans 1–5 displayed noticeable enzyme inhibition of 1 (IC50 = 85.03 ± 4.26 nM) and 5 (64.47 ± 2.75 nM) but lower activity of compounds 2–4 as compared to the reference drug donepezil. These findings were further emphasized by molecular docking of 1 and 5 with acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Rapid overlay chemical similarity (ROCS) and structure–activity relationships (SAR) analysis highlighted and rationalized the anti-AD capability of these compounds. Telomerase activation testing of the same isolates revealed 1.64-, 1.66-, and 1.72-fold activations in cells treated with compounds 1, 5, and 4, respectively, compared to untreated cells. Our findings may pave the way for further investigations into the development of anti-Alzheimer and/or anti-ageing drugs from furofuranoid-type lignans.
Effect of Picloram and Desiccation on the Somatic Embryogenesis of Lycium barbarum L.
Authors: Khatri Poonam , Joshee Nirmal
Published: January 2024

An efficient and reproducible in vitro method for indirect somatic embryogenesis was optimized by culturing leaf and leaf with petiole explants of Lycium barbarum L. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, supplemented with various concentrations of Picloram and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), individually and in combinations, were tested. Picloram (1.0 µM) showed a better response compared to 2,4-D and results indicate it to be a better auxin for induction of somatic embryos for Goji berry. It was seen that the leaf explants were more responsive in callus and somatic embryo induction than the leaf with petiole explant when incubated in the dark for 5 weeks. Embryogenic callus, after being transferred to MS medium containing Benzyl amino purine (BAP) in 1.0 µM, 5.0 µM and 10.0 µM, began to differentiate in light after one week. MS medium with 1.0 µM Picloram + 10 µM BAP resulted as the most favorable treatment for somatic embryogenesis in Lycium barbarum L. Removal of plant growth regulators from MS medium and culturing induced calluses under 16 h photoperiod resulted in globular, heart, torpedo, cotyledons, and further development into plantlets. Well-developed plants have been obtained and are capable of acclimatizing in ex vitro conditions. In addition, the effects of desiccation treatments (0, 1, 3, 6, 9 h, and 12 h) on embryogenic callus for somatic embryo induction were found to be directly proportional to the length of desiccation treatment at room temperature. After 9 h and 12 h of desiccation treatments, 60% and 90% of plated calluses resulted in somatic embryos, respectively. In a L. barbarum callus mass, Acetocarmine and Evans blue double staining differentiated between embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus. These findings will help Goji berry improvement by elite clone production, ex situ conservation projects, scaling up plant production, and agronomy for the commercial production of this superfruit in the future.
Microwave Control of Reynoutria japonica Houtt., Including Ecotoxicological Aspects and the Resveratrol Content in Rhizomes
Authors: Słowiński Krzysztof , Grygierzec Beata , Baran Agnieszka , Tabor Sylwester , Piatti Diletta , Maggi Filippo , Synowiec Agnieszka
Published: January 2024

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica Houtt.) is Poland’s invasive weed, for which there is no efficient control method. The rhizomes of this species are rich in resveratrol. In this work, we evaluated (1) the effectiveness of electromagnetic microwaves (MV) in destroying Japanese knotweed using an original device, HOGWEED (MV of 2450 MHz), (2) the ecotoxic effect of the MV on the soil environment, and (3) the resveratrol content in knotweed rhizomes after MV treatment. The field studies were carried out in 2022 in southern Poland. Cut plants were MV-treated for times of 5.0–25.0 min. The MV efficiency was checked 10 and 56 days after treatment (DAT). After MV treatment, fresh soil samples were taken to analyze their ecotoxicity. As a result, at 56 DAT, knotweed was controlled if MV was used for at least 20.0 min. The MV did not affect the soil ecotoxicity. The MV-treated soils were classified as non-toxic or low-toxic. To analyze the resveratrol content, healthy knotweed rhizomes were dug out, treated with MV in the laboratory at 2.5–10.0 min, and analyzed for resveratrol content in HPLC-MS/MS. As a result, the resveratrol in the rhizomes significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner following MV exposure.
The Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan/Calcium Phosphate Composite Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Wu Meng-Ying , Huang Shih-Wei , Kao I-Fang , Yen Shiow-Kang
Published: January 2024

In this study, we successfully prepared porous composite microspheres composed of hydroxyapatite (HAp), di-calcium phosphate di-hydrated (DCPD), and chitosan through the hydrothermal method. The chitosan played a crucial role as a chelating agent to facilitate the growth of related calcium phosphates. The synthesized porous composite microspheres exhibit a specific surface area of 38.16 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.24 cm3/g, with the pore size ranging from 4 to 100 nm. Given the unique properties of chitosan and the exceptional porosity of these composite microspheres, they may serve as carriers for pharmaceuticals. After being annealed, the chitosan transforms into a condensed form and the DCPD transforms into Ca2P2O7 at 300 °C. Then, the Ca2P2O7 initially combines with HAp to transform into β tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) at 500 °C where the chitosan is also completely combusted. Finally, the microspheres are composed of Ca2P2O7, β-TCP, and HAp, also making them suitable for applications such as injectable bone graft materials.
Birefringence in Injection-Molded Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Substrates and Its Impact on Integrated Photonic Structures
Authors: Kefer Stefan , Limbach Tobias , Pape Natalie , Klamt Kathrin , Schmauss Bernhard , Hellmann Ralf
Published: January 2024

This contribution quantifies the birefringence within injection-molded cyclic olefin copolymer plates and discusses its impact on the mechanical properties of the plates. It also focuses on the impact of birefringence on integrated waveguides and Bragg gratings and provides fabrication guidelines for such structures. The anisotropy in all three dimensions of the workpiece is examined by means of polarimetry and a prism coupler. It is found that the birefringence is inhomogenously distributed within the workpieces, whereas the maximum birefringence not only varies locally, but also depends on the observation direction. Overall, a maximum birefringence of 10 × 10−4 is found at the plate’s surface near the injection gate. The anisotropy then reduces exponentially towards the center of the workpiece and saturates at 1.8 × 10−4, in a depth of 0.4 mm. Thus, the birefringence strongly affects near-surface photonic structures. It is found that, depending on their orientation and the local birefringence of the substrate, waveguides and Bragg gratings fabricated with comparable parameters behave completely differently in terms of polarization-dependent optical attenuation, cross-sectional intensity distribution and Bragg reflection signal. For example, the support of the TM mode can vary between total loss and an optical attenuation of 0.9 dB × cm−1. In consequence, this study underlines the importance of quantifying the birefringent state of an injection-molded cyclic olefin copolymer workpiece if it is supposed to serve as a substrate for integrated photonic structures. The study furthermore demonstrates that birefringence effects can be omitted by burying the photonic structures deeper into the volume of the thermoplastic.
Synthesis Methods, Properties, and Modifications of Biochar-Based Materials for Wastewater Treatment: A Review
Authors: Díaz Bryan , Sommer-Márquez Alicia , Ordoñez Paola E. , Bastardo-González Ernesto , Ricaurte Marvin , Navas-Cárdenas Carlos
Published: January 2024

The global impact of water and soil contamination has become a serious issue that affects the world and all living beings. In this sense, multiple treatment alternatives have been developed at different scales to improve quality. Among them, biochar has become a suitable alternative for environmental remediation due to its high efficiency and low cost, and the raw material used for its production comes from residual biomass. A biochar is a carbonaceous material with interesting physicochemical properties (e.g., high surface area, porosity, and functional surface groups), which can be prepared by different synthesis methods using agricultural wastes (branches of banana rachis, cocoa shells, cane bagasse, among others) as feedstock. This state-of-the-art review is based on a general description of biochar for environmental remediation. Biochar’s production, synthesis, and multiple uses have also been analyzed. In addition, this work shows some alternatives used to improve the biochar properties and thus its efficiency for several applications, like removing heavy metals, oil, dyes, and other toxic pollutants. Physical and chemical modifications, precursors, dopants, and promoting agents (e.g., Fe and N species) have been discussed. Finally, the primary uses of biochar and the corresponding mechanism to improve water and soil quality (via adsorption, heterogeneous photocatalysis, and advanced oxidation processes) have been described, both at laboratory and medium and large scales. Considering all the advantages, synthesis methods, and applications, biochar is a promising alternative with a high potential to mitigate environmental problems by improving water and soil quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting the circular economy through residual biomass, generating value-added products for several uses.
Estimation for Refined Carbon Storage of Urban Green Space and Minimum Spatial Mapping Scale in a Plain City of China
Authors: Li Nan , Deng Liang , Yan Ge , Cao Mengmeng , Cui Yaoping
Published: January 2024

Current cities are not concrete jungles and deserts with sparse vegetation. Urban green space (UGS) appears widely in human activity areas and plays an important role in improving the human living environment and accumulates carbon storage. However, given the scattered distribution of UGS, studies on both the refined spatial estimation of carbon storage and appropriate mapping scale are still lacking. Taking the downtown area of Kaifeng, China, as the study area, this study verified the i-Tree Eco model on the basis of a field survey and accurately estimated the spatial carbon storage of UGS by combining it with remote sensing data, and finally, we obtained the minimum spatial mapping scale of UGS carbon storage by scaling. The results showed that (1) the total area of UGS in study area was 26.41 km2, of which the proportion of total area of residential area and park green spaces was about 50%. The area of UGS per capita in the study area is 40.49 m2. (2) Within the 123 survey samples, the proportion of communities with tree–shrub–herbs structure was the highest, 51.22%. The average carbon density was 5.89 kg m−2, among which the park, protective and square green spaces had the highest carbon density in all land use types. (3) The total carbon storage of UGS in the study area was 114,389.17 t, and the carbon storage of UGS per capita was 175.39 kg. Furthermore, the scaling analysis showed that 0.25 km spatial resolution was the minimum spatial scale for UGS carbon storage mapping. This study improves our understanding of urban carbon storage, highlights the role and potential of UGS in carbon neutrality, and clarifies the importance of estimating urban carbon storage at appropriate scales. This study is also of great significance for rationally understanding the terrestrial carbon cycle in urban areas and improving regional climate simulations.
The ESA Permanent Facility for Altimetry Calibration in Crete: Advanced Services and the Latest Cal/Val Results
Authors: Mertikas Stelios P. , Donlon Craig , Kokolakis Costas , Piretzidis Dimitrios , Cullen Robert , Féménias Pierre , Fornari Marco , Frantzis Xenophon , Tripolitsiotis Achilles , Bouffard Jérôme , Di Bella Alessandro , Boy François , Saunier Jerome
Published: January 2024

Two microwave transponders have been operating in west Crete and Gavdos to calibrate international satellite radar altimeters at the Ku-band. One has been continuously operating for about 8 years at the CDN1 Cal/Val site in the mountains of Crete, and the other at the GVD1 Cal/Val site on Gavdos since 11 October 2021. This ground infrastructure is also supported at present by four sea-surface Cal/Val sites operating, some of them for over 20 years, while two additional such Cal/Val sites are under construction. This ground infrastructure is part of the European Space Agency Permanent Facility for Altimetry Calibration (PFAC), and as of 2015, it has been producing continuously a time series of range biases for Sentinel-3A, Sentinel-3B, Sentinel-6 MF, Jason-2, Jason-3, and CryoSat-2. This work presents a thorough examination of the transponder Cal/Val responses to understand and determine absolute biases for all satellite altimeters overflying this ground infrastructure. The latest calibration results for the Jason-3, Copernicus Sentinel-3A and -3B, Sentinel-6 MF, and CryoSat-2 radar altimeters are described based on four sea-surface and two transponder Cal/Val sites of the PFAC in west Crete, Greece. Absolute biases for Jason-3, Sentinel-6 MF, Sentinel-3A, Sentinel-3B, and CryoSat-2 are close to a few mm, determined using various techniques, infrastructure, and settings.
Integration of Data and Predictive Models for the Evaluation of Air Quality and Noise in Urban Environments
Authors: Govea Jaime , Gaibor-Naranjo Walter , Sanchez-Viteri Santiago , Villegas-Ch William
Published: January 2024

This work addresses assessing air quality and noise in urban environments by integrating predictive models and Internet of Things technologies. For this, a model generated heat maps for PM2.5 and noise levels, incorporating traffic data from open sources for precise contextualization. This approach reveals significant correlations between high pollutant/noise concentrations and their proximity to industrial zones and traffic routes. The predictive models, including convolutional neural networks and decision trees, demonstrated high accuracy in predicting pollution and noise levels, with correlation values such as R2 of 0.93 for PM2.5 and 0.90 for noise. These findings highlight the need to address environmental issues in urban planning comprehensively. Furthermore, the study suggests policies based on the quantitative results, such as implementing low-emission zones and promoting green spaces, to improve urban environmental management. This analysis offers a significant contribution to scientific understanding and practical applicability in the planning and management of urban environments, emphasizing the relevance of an integrated and data-driven approach to inform effective policy decisions in urban environmental management.
Raman Spectroscopy of Glass Beads in Ammonium Nitrate Solution and Compensation of Signal Losses
Authors: Spoor Erik , Rädle Matthias , Repke Jens-Uwe
Published: January 2024

In the present study, the influence of disperse systems on Raman scattering was investigated. How an increasing particle concentration weakens the quantitative signal of the Raman spectrum is shown. Furthermore, the change in the position of the optimal measurement point in the fluid was considered in detail. Additional transmission measurements can be used to derive a simple and robust correction method that allows the actual concentration of the continuous phase to be determined with a standard deviation of 2.6%.
Conv3D-Based Video Violence Detection Network Using Optical Flow and RGB Data
Authors: Park Jae-Hyuk , Mahmoud Mohamed , Kang Hyun-Soo
Published: January 2024

Detecting violent behavior in videos to ensure public safety and security poses a significant challenge. Precisely identifying and categorizing instances of violence in real-life closed-circuit television, which vary across specifications and locations, requires comprehensive understanding and processing of the sequential information embedded in these videos. This study aims to introduce a model that adeptly grasps the spatiotemporal context of videos within diverse settings and specifications of violent scenarios. We propose a method to accurately capture spatiotemporal features linked to violent behaviors using optical flow and RGB data. The approach leverages a Conv3D-based ResNet-3D model as the foundational network, capable of handling high-dimensional video data. The efficiency and accuracy of violence detection are enhanced by integrating an attention mechanism, which assigns greater weight to the most crucial frames within the RGB and optical-flow sequences during instances of violence. Our model was evaluated on the UBI-Fight, Hockey, Crowd, and Movie-Fights datasets; the proposed method outperformed existing state-of-the-art techniques, achieving area under the curve scores of 95.4, 98.1, 94.5, and 100.0 on the respective datasets. Moreover, this research not only has the potential to be applied in real-time surveillance systems but also promises to contribute to a broader spectrum of research in video analysis and understanding.
Application of the Five-Step Phase-Shifting Method in Reflective Ghost Imaging for Efficient Phase Reconstruction
Authors: Chen Ziyan , Cheng Jing , Wu Heng
Published: January 2024

The conventional approach to phase reconstruction in Reflective Ghost Imaging (RGI) typically involves the introduction of three reference screens into the reference path, deeming the Fourier transform step indispensable. However, this method introduces complexity to the system and raises concerns regarding potential errors in phase retrieval. In response to these challenges, we advocate for adopting the Five-Step Phase-Shifting (FSPS) method in the RGI system. This method presents two key advantages over traditional approaches: (1) It streamlines the phase reconstruction process by eliminating the requirement for a Fourier inverse transform. (2) It avoids the need to insert objects into the reference optical path, simplifying the computation of reference optical path intensity and enabling seamless application to Computational Ghost Imaging (CGI), overcoming the constraints of Dual-Arm Ghost Imaging (DAGI). We substantiate the theoretical proposition through numerical simulations involving two intricate objects. Furthermore, our discussion delves into exploring the influence of varying reflective angles on the phase reconstruction performance.
On-Chip Circularly Polarized Circular Loop Antennas Utilizing 4H-SiC and GaAs Substrates in the Q/V Band
Authors: Asfour Rawad , Khamas Salam K. , Ball Edward A. , Ng Jo Shien , Huang Guanwei , Allanic Rozenn , Le Berre Denis , Quendo Cédric , Leuliet Aude , Merlet Thomas
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the performance of on-chip circularly polarized (CP) circular loop antennas that have been designed and fabricated to operate in the Q/V frequency band. The proposed antenna design incorporates two concentric loops, with the outer loop as the active element and the inner loop enhancing the CP bandwidth. The study utilizes gallium arsenide (GaAs) and silicon carbide (4H-SiC) semiconductor wafer substrates. The measured results highlight the successful achievement of impedance matching at 40 GHz and 44 GHz for the 4H-SiC and GaAs substrates, respectively. Furthermore, both cases yield an axial ratio (AR) of less than 3 dB, with variations in bandwidths and frequency bands contingent upon the dielectric constant of the respective substrate material. Moreover, the outcomes confirm that utilizing 4H-SiC substrates results in a significantly higher radiation efficiency of 95%, owing to lower substrate losses. In pursuit of these findings, a 4-element circularly polarized loop array antenna has been fabricated for operation at 40 GHz, employing a 4H-SiC wafer as a low-loss substrate. The results underscore the antenna’s remarkable performance, exemplified by a broadside gain of approximately 9.7 dBic and a total efficiency of circa 92%. A close agreement has been achieved between simulated and measured results.
Optimizing Winter Air Quality in Pig-Fattening Houses: A Plasma Deodorization Approach
Authors: Zhang Liping , Zhang Meng , Yu Qianfeng , Su Shiguang , Wang Yan , Fang Yu , Dong Wei
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two circulation modes of a plasma deodorization unit on the air environment of pig-fattening houses in winter. Two pig-fattening houses were selected, one of which was installed with a plasma deodorizing device with two modes of operation, alternating internal and external circulation on a day-by-day basis. The other house did not have any form of treatment and was used as the control house. Upon installing the system, this study revealed that in the internal circulation mode, indoor temperature and humidity were sustained at elevated levels, with the NH3 and H2S concentrations decreasing by 63.87% and 100%, respectively, in comparison to the control house. Conversely, in the external circulation mode, the indoor temperature and humidity remained subdued, accompanied by a 16.43% reduction in CO2 concentration. The adept interchange between these two operational modes facilitates the regulation of indoor air quality within a secure environment. This not only effectively diminishes deleterious gases in the pig-fattening house but also achieves the remote automation of environmental monitoring and hazardous gas management; thereby, it mitigates the likelihood of diseases and minimizes breeding risks.
Posterior Approximate Clustering-Based Sensitivity Matrix Decomposition for Electrical Impedance Tomography
Authors: Wang Zeying , Sun Yixuan , Li Jiaqing
Published: January 2024

This paper introduces a sensitivity matrix decomposition regularization (SMDR) method for electric impedance tomography (EIT). Using k-means clustering, the EIT-reconstructed image can be divided into four clusters, derived based on image features, representing posterior information. The sensitivity matrix is then decomposed into distinct work areas based on these clusters. The elimination of smooth edge effects is achieved through differentiation of the images from the decomposed sensitivity matrix and further post-processing reliant on image features. The algorithm ensures low computational complexity and avoids introducing extra parameters. Numerical simulations and experimental data verification highlight the effectiveness of SMDR. The proposed SMDR algorithm demonstrates higher accuracy and robustness compared to the typical Tikhonov regularization and the iterative penalty term-based regularization method (with an improvement of up to 0.1156 in correlation coefficient). Moreover, SMDR achieves a harmonious balance between image fidelity and sparsity, effectively addressing practical application requirements.
Validation of Machine Learning-Aided and Power Line Communication-Based Cable Monitoring Using Measurement Data
Authors: Huo Yinjia , Wang Kevin , Lampe Lutz , Leung Victor C.M.
Published: January 2024

The implementation of power line communications (PLC) in smart electricity grids provides us with exciting opportunities for real-time cable monitoring. In particular, effective fault classification and estimation methods employing machine learning (ML) models have been proposed in the recent past. Often, the research works presenting PLC for ML-aided cable diagnostics are based on the study of synthetically generated channel data. In this work, we validate ML-aided diagnostics by integrating measured channels. Specifically, we consider the concatenation of clustering as a data pre-processing procedure and principal component analysis (PCA)-based dimension reduction for cable anomaly detection. Clustering and PCA are trained with measurement data when the PLC network is working under healthy conditions. A possible cable anomaly is then identified from the analysis of the PCA reconstruction error for a test sample. For the numerical evaluation of our scheme, we apply an experimental setup in which we introduce degradations to power cables. Our results show that the proposed anomaly detector is able to identify a cable degradation with high detection accuracy and low false alarm rate.
Inclusionary Leadership-Perspectives, Experiences and Perceptions of Principals Leading Autism Classes in Irish Primary Schools
Authors: Dennehy Linda , Cahill Kevin , Moynihan Joseph A.
Published: January 2024

This study explores the experiences, practices and perceptions of primary school principals currently leading autism classes in Ireland. Autism classes in mainstream primary schools are becoming increasingly common in the Irish education system. The prevalence of autism classes highlights the importance of their role in enabling autistic children to attend mainstream schools. It reflects the increasing number of autistic pupils who require these specialised placements. Primary schools serve all children. It is essential that autistic children are supported in the best way possible so they can reach their full potential. The principal has a pivotal role in all aspects of his or her school, including leading the autism classes. Given the centrality of their role, it is imperative that the principal is supported by the best practices and theory available. This study sought to give the principals time to reflect on their inclusive leadership and decipher what it meant for them in their lived experience and context. Theories of leadership through a socio-cultural lens frame the overall study. A qualitative research design was adopted using semi-structured interviews with 15 primary school principals. Analysis of the data was conducted using a reflective thematic analysis approach. Findings of the research reveal that there are particular leadership styles that align with an inclusive leadership approach. These styles are distributed leadership, transformational leadership and instructional leadership. A positive disposition towards inclusion is an important factor in the principal’s perceptions of their leadership. The idea of inclusionary leadership is borne out of the study. This term indicates that leaders striving for inclusion in their schools do not view it as a destination to be reached but rather a long-term journey they travel. This research is a pathway for further study in the field. It has implications for pupils, principals, school communities and policy makers regarding the value of the work of inclusionary leaders. All participants referred to in this paper have been given two letter pseudonyms to protect their identity.
Seeding a Sustainable Future: Navigating the Digital Horizon of Smart Agriculture
Authors: Balyan Sakshi , Jangir Harsita , Tripathi Shakti Nath , Tripathi Arpita , Jhang Tripta , Pandey Praveen
Published: January 2024

Agriculture is essential to the existence of the human race, as well as the foundation of our civilization, because it provides food, fuel, fiber, and other resources necessary for survival; however, it is facing critical challenges due to anthropogenic climate change, which hampers food and nutritional security. Consequently, the agriculture industry must adjust to farming issues, such as the shift in global temperatures and environmental degradation, the scarcity of farm workers, population growth, and dietary changes. Several measures have been implemented to enhance agricultural productivity, including plant breeding, genetic engineering, and precision agriculture. In recent years, the world has witnessed the burgeoning development of novel scientific innovations and technological advancements enabled by drones, smart sensors, robotics, and remote sensing, resulting in a plethora of revolutionary methods that can be applied to real-time crop modeling, high-throughput phenotyping, weather forecasting, yield prediction, fertilizer application, disease detection, market trading, farming practices, and other environmental practices vital to crop growth, yield, and quality. Furthermore, the rise in big data, advanced analytics, falling technology costs, faster internet connections, increased connectivity, and increases in computational power are all part of the current digitalization wave that has the potential to support commercial agriculture in achieving its goals of smart farming, resilience, productivity, and sustainability. These technologies enable efficient monitoring of crops, soil, and environmental conditions over large areas, providing farmers with data to support precise management that optimizes productivity and minimizes environmental impacts. Though smart farming has significant potential, challenges like high implementation costs, data security concerns, and inadequate digital literacy among farmers remain. In summary, agriculture is rapidly transforming from conventional to digital farming, offering global solutions, efficient resource utilization, and minimized input costs while fostering farmer livelihoods and economic growth. Delivering a comprehensive view of how technology could help in tackling critical issues like environmental degradation and threatened world biodiversity, this perspective emphasizes the perks of digitalization. Future advancements may involve data encryption, digital literacy, and particular economic policies.
Revolutionising the 4D BIM Process to Support Scheduling Requirements in Modular Construction
Authors: Mayouf Mohammad , Jones Jamie , Elghaish Faris , Emam Hassan , Ekanayake E. M. A. C. , Ashayeri Ilnaz
Published: January 2024

Given the heightened importance of revolutionising 4D BIM-based construction scheduling in modular construction, it has become vital to explore how 4D-BIM could be integrated with the lean concept. Therefore, this research aims to develop a lean-integrated process model to revolutionise the 4D BIM-based construction scheduling in modular construction projects. A case study approach was used to obtain the data. The data was obtained using semi-structured interviews with construction scheduling professionals, site observations, and extracts from the BIM model used within the selected case in the UK. Findings showed that conventional (component/object based) 4D BIM supersedes conventional scheduling methods in terms of foreseeing potential implications during design and construction. The findings also showed that lean-integrated 4D BIM in modular construction have different considerations when compared with component/object-based scheduling. A lean-integrated 4D BIM process model was developed from the analysis and it was validated using an interactive workshop with eight participants from two UK construction companies and two modular construction manufacturers. The developed process model identified a number of considerations for 4D BIM in modular projects including constructability, operations, health and safety risks and time. This study suggested the further potential of 4D BIM in scheduling for modular construction projects.
Unveiling the Allelopathic Potential of Wedelia Leaf Extract as a Bioherbicide against Purple Nutsedge: A Promising Strategy for Sustainable Weed Management
Authors: Uyun Qurrotul , Respatie Dyah Weny , Indradewa Didik
Published: January 2024

Weed management is a crucial aspect of sustainable agriculture. In this study, we investigated the allelopathic potential of wedelia (Wedelia trilobata L.) leaf extract as a bioherbicide against purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.). The experiments were carried out through greenhouse experiments using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Five different concentrations were evaluated: C10% (10% wedelia extract concentration), C20% (20% wedelia extract concentration), C40% (40% wedelia extract concentration), C+ (92 mg L−1 of gallic acid), and C− (aquadest). Allelochemicals present in the wedelia leaf extract inhibited plant height, shoot number, leaf number, leaf area, root area, and total root length. The fresh weight, dry weight, and photosynthetic pigments decreased with increasing wedelia leaf extract concentrations. Malondialdehyde contents were highest when C40% was used. Additionally, peroxide activities decreased at the highest wedelia leaf extract concentration, indicating the failure of the plant’s antioxidant defense mechanism. The decrease in growth, photosynthetic pigment, and antioxidant activity indicates that wedelia leaf extract may be able to help control the growth of purple nutsedge. The results of this study could contribute to the development of a new cropping system based on the use of wedelia as a bioherbicide for sustainable agriculture.