bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of physical activity levels on blood lipids, insulin resistance, and adipokines in children with obesity
Authors: Sohn Seongmin , Lee Jae-Hoon , Joung Hyojee , Lee Minchul , Ha Min-Seong
Published: January 2024

[Purpose] Our study was performed to observe children with obesity by using accelerometers and identify their differences in blood lipid levels, insulin resistance, and adipokines based on their physical activity levels.[Methods] 197 obese children were classified into three groups based on their physical activity levels over a period of 7 days, using the average counts per minute: Sedentary Time (ST), Light Physical Activity (LPA), and Moderate to Vigorous Intensity Physical Activity (MVPA). Blood lipids, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), were analyzed. Insulin resistance was assessed using the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) formula. Adipokines, including leptin and resistin, were measured. Our results were obtained through one-way analysis of variance was employed, with Scheffe post-hoc analysis. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05 for all analyses.[Results] Results showed that the levels of blood lipids (TG: p<0.001, TC: p<0.01, LDL-C: p<0.001, HDL-C: p< 0.05) and adipokines (Leptin, Resistin: p<0.01) of children who had obesity and maintained moderate to vigorous physical activity were healthier than those who engaged in ST or LPA. Specifically, children with obesity engaging in MVPA demonstrated blood lipid and adipokine levels that were normal or close to normal. However, no significant differences in insulin resistance were observed in all groups.[Conclusion] In summary, encouraging moderate to vigorous physical activity in children with obesity could help improve obesity indicators, such as blood lipids and adipokines.
Potential involvement of neutrophils on exercise effects in breast cancer malignancy
Authors: Ko Kangeun , Woo Song Won , Chae Young Chan , Lee Minchul , Moon Hyo Youl
Published: January 2024

[Purpose] This review aimed to comprehensively explore and elucidate multifaceted neutrophils in breast cancer, particularly in the context of physical activity. Neutrophils play a critical role in the tumor microenvironment and systemic immune response, despite their short half-life and terminal differentiation. Through a thorough review of research related to changes in immunity in breast cancer during exercise, this review aims to provide comprehensive insights into immunological changes, especially focusing on neutrophils. Recognizing that much of the existing research has predominantly focused on T cells and nature killer (NK) cells, our review seeks to shift the spotlight toward understanding how exercise affects neutrophils, a less-explored but critical immune response component in breast cancer.[Methods] This study involved an extensive review of the literature (from 2000 to 2023) using the PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. The keywords chosen for the searches were “immune cells and exercise,” “exercise and breast cancer,” “tumor microenvironment and neutrophils,” and “neutrophils and exercise and breast cancers.”[Results] Neutrophils in the tumor microenvironment can exhibit distinct phenotypes and functions. These differences have yielded conflicting results regarding tumor progression. Exercise plays a positive role in breast cancer and alters the immune system. Physical activity can quantitatively and functionally regulate neutrophils under various conditions such as metabolic disruption or senescence.[Conclusion] This short communication outlines exercise-induced neutrophil diversification and its role in breast cancer progression, both within and systemically within the tumor microenvironment. Exercise may provide benefits through the potential neutrophil involvement in breast cancer.
The potential role of creatine supplementation in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Chang Hyukki , Leem Yea-Hyun
Published: January 2024

[Purpose] The maintenance of energy balance in the body, especially in energy-demanding tissues like the muscles and the central nervous system, depends on creatine (Cr). In addition to improving muscle function, Cr is necessary for the bioenergetics of the central nervous system because it replenishes adenosine triphosphate without needing oxygen. Furthermore, Cr possesses anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-excitotoxic properties. Clinical research on neurodegenerative illnesses has shown that Cr supplementation results in less effective outcomes. With a brief update on the possible role of Cr in human, animal, and in vitro experiments, this review seeks to offer insights into the ideal dosage regimen.[Methods] Using specified search phrases, such as “creatine and neurological disorder,” “creatine supplementation and neurodegenerative disorders,” and “creatine and brain,” we searched articles in the PubMed database and Google Scholar. We investigated the association between creatine supplementation and neurodegenerative illnesses by examining references.[Results] The neuroprotective effects of Cr were observed in in vitro and animal models of certain neurodegenerative diseases, while clinical trials failed to reproduce favorable outcomes.[Conclusion] Determining the optimal creatinine regime for increasing brain creatinine levels is essential for maintaining brain health and treating neurodegeneration.
Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy: The Latest Stage
Authors: Solyanova M.
Published: January 2024

Canada, despite its geographical location in North America, following its closest allies, mainly the USA, seeks to strengthen its influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The Canadian Government sees significant opportunities for the development of its economic, diplomatic and military potential. Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, announced in 2022, has become the doctrinal basis of this policy, systematizing it in three key areas – economic, military and humanitarian. The article examines the issue of the transformation of the terminology base used, the regional Strategy of Canada as a mid-ranking power in the Indo-Pacific region, the main directions of its policy, and analyzes its doctrinal design with regard to the presence of goals, objectives, risks and threats in the Strategy. The author also focuses on the “anti-Chinese” aspect of the Strategy as a combination of diplomatic, economic and military means of the Canadian “containment” policy toward the Communist Party of China, whose growing influence, according to the Canadian political circles and the expert community, carries risks for regional stability and security, for a regional order based on rules and regulations. The study shows that in the long term, the priorities of Canada’s Strategy in the Indo-Pacific are updating the system of bilateral economic, diplomatic and defense agreements, as well as supporting the defense potential of partner countries. At the same time, despite the desire to strengthen its military presence in the region, the expansion of economic and trade development with regional actors will remain a key aspect of Canada’s policy.
Globalization AND Russia: Do We Need New Priorities?
Authors: Sutyrin S. , Korgun I.
Published: January 2024

This paper contributes to a discussion on globalization and its prospects. Authors argue that the existing definition of globalization is, at least, incomplete as it focuses too much on macroeconomic aspects while ignoring the role played by international businesses in global trade and investments. Linking globalization with production and distribution decisions made by multination companies would alleviate ambiguity surrounding populist proclamations that globalization is over. Research argues that globalization is far from over because multinational companies are far from retreating from their global activities, but the nature of this activities is undergoing fundament changes in response to new technological trends. In the coming years services, data, rise of production robots will change the way global trade and investments are done and thus, will change how globalization is viewed at. Geopolitical developments challenge Russia’s participation in globalization, and the country has to seek answers for how position itself in the world economy. This search is complicated by the fact that in the previous 30 years a lot of efforts has been spent on the so-called integration into the world economy that has resulted in an excessive dependence of parts of the national economy on foreign markets. New sources of economic growth need to be uncovered. Authors suggest that rather then retreating from the global scene, Russia needs to refocus its efforts away from external trade for the sake of external trade towards an active participation in global economic governance and propose its own vision on how to face the new global trends.
Carbonaceous particles and PM2.5 optical properties in Mexico City during the ACU15 campaign
Authors:   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Santiago-de la Rosa Naxieli , Prieto Cristina ,   Posgrado en Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Pavia Ruben ,   Posgrado en Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Peralta Oscar ,   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Alvarez-Ospina Harry ,   Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Saavedra Isabel ,   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Castro Telma ,   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, García Rocío ,   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Espinosa María de la Luz ,   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ortinez-Alvarez Abraham ,   Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático, Ruíz-Suárez Gerardo ,   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Martínez-Arroyo Amparo ,   Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Published: January 2024

We measured the optical properties of aerosols with two photoacoustic spectrometers operating at 532 and 870 nm wavelengths and sampled PM2.5 to analyze the organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) content. The measuring site was in the southwest corner of Mexico City. We sorted the data by OC/EC ratios and calculated four mass absorption efficiencies (MAEs) for each wavelength with linear regressions. The MAEs ranged from 2.27 to 19.75 and 2.03 to 15.26 m2 g–1 at 532 and 870 nm, respectively, with determination coefficients above 0.88, showing that the amount of OC modifies the absorption properties of particles, sometimes underestimating or overestimating the black carbon concentration. It is possible to choose the MAE based on the daily median O3 concentration when there is no information about the EC and OC composition.
Critical Periods and Vulnerability of Cerebellar Development in Human and Rodent
Authors: Westerhuis Judith A.W. , Dudink Jeroen , De Zeeuw Chris I. , Canto Cathrin B.
Published: January 2024

A significant percentage of children suffer from neurodevelopmental aberrations, which have long-term effects on both individuals and society. Since the developmental timelines of different brain regions vary, the type, severity and timing of harmful exposures are crucial for understanding the specific pathological processes and consequences involved. During development, the cerebellum is one of the first brain structures to begin to differentiate, but one of the last to achieve maturity. This relatively long period underscores its vulnerability to detrimental environmental exposures throughout gestation. Moreover, as the postnatal functionality of the cerebellum is multifaceted, enveloping sensorimotor, cognitive, and emotional domains, prenatal disruptions in cerebellar development can result in a variety of neurological and mental health disorders. Here, we review major intrauterine insults that affect cerebellar development in both humans and rodents, ranging from abuse of toxic chemical agents such as alcohol and nicotine, to stress and sleep, malnutrition as well as infections. Understanding these pathological mechanisms in the context of the different stages of cerebellar development in humans and rodents may help us to identify critical and vulnerable periods and thereby to prevent the risk of associated prenatal and early postnatal damage that can lead to lifelong neurological and cognitive disabilities.
The Chimera Revisited: Wall- and Magnetically-Bounded Turbulent Flows
Authors: Basse Nils Tångefjord
Published: January 2024

This review is a first attempt at bringing together various concepts from research on wall- and magnetically-bounded turbulent flows. Brief reviews of both fields are provided: The main similarities identified are coherent (turbulent) structures, flow generation and transport barriers. Examples are provided and discussed.
New Evidence for Retrospectively Cued Perception
Authors: Szaszkó Bence , Stolte Moritz , Bachmann Lea , Ansorge Ulrich
Published: January 2024

Past research suggests a continuity between perception and memory, as reflected in influences of orienting of spatial attention by cues presented after a visual target offset (post-target cues) on target perception. Conducting two experiments, we tested and confirmed this claim. Our study revealed an elevated reliance on post-target cues for target detection with diminishing target visibility, leading to better performance in validly versus invalidly cued trials, indicative for contrast gain. We demonstrated this post-target cueing impact on target perception without a postcue response prompt, meaning that our results truly reflected a continuity between perception and memory rather than a task-specific impact of having to memorize the target due to a response prompt. We further showed an influence of attention by the post-target cues with cues presented away from a clearly visible target, meaning that visual interactions at the target location provided no better explanation of our results. Our results generalize prior research with liminal targets and confirm the view of a perception-memory continuum, so that visual target processing is not shielded against visuospatial orienting of attention elicited by events following offset of the visual target.
The Models of Primary Particles
Authors: Fu Lan
Published: January 2024

If we assume that: a. The four fundamental forces of nature are independent waves without rest masses, and their speeds are constant in a vacuum, just like light. b. Light or electromagnetic waves and gravity are comparable in structures. Weak and strong interactions are similar in structures. c. Light and weak interaction have the same speed cL with spin number +1 or –1. d. Gravity and strong interaction have the same speed cG without spin. e. The primary particles, namely electrons, electron neutrinos, and dark neutrinos in this paper, are made by the above four waves. We can find and describe some fundamental characteristics of the primary particles (e.g., their sizes, energies, and interactions) and introduce new attractive results from them (e.g., the source of the Pauli exclusion principle, the solution to the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, and cG slightly faster than cL).
Comparative Studies between Frequency Domain Analysis and Time Domain Analysis on Free Field One-Dimensional Shear Wave Propagation
Authors: Kim Sun-Hoon , Kim Kwang-Jin
Published: January 2024

In Korea, the underground silo structure for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facilities has been constructed and operated since 2014. Large-scale earthquakes occurred in 2016 and 2017, respectively, in Gyeongju and Pohang areas near the underground silo structures, and interest in the stability of the underground silo increased significantly. In this paper, one-dimensional free field analyses have been carried out before the three-dimensional silo dynamic analyses subjected to earthquake loadings. As an additional study, a new form of finite element equilibrium equation is derived in terms of relative motions, which is essentially the same equation as that expressed in terms of total motions where the base shear force is applied for earthquake load. The accuracy of conventional finite element solutions is evaluated by directly comparing them with closed-form solutions by frequency domain analysis such as SHAKE91.
Research on Influencing Factors of Load Capacity of Pneumatic Actuator
Authors: Liu Yisi , Sheng Hanlin
Published: January 2024

As the most important component of soft robot, the pneumatic actuator can drive robot movement. However, the effect of the actuator pneumatic network geometry on the actuator load capacity is insufficient. In this paper, the finite element analysis method is applied to calculate the load force and stability torque of the pneumatic actuator under a wide range of length and height dimensions of the pneumatic network. The effect of the network size on the structure rigidity, load capacity and deformation of the actuator is analyzed. Based on the calculation results, the effect of network structure size on the deformation and load capacity is analyzed, and the optimal geometric results with the maximum load capacity are obtained. This study provides theoretical guidance for the structural design and optimization of the pneumatic actuator.
Social Brain Perspectives on the Social and Evolutionary Neuroscience of Human Language
Authors: Oesch Nathan
Published: January 2024

Human language and social cognition are two key disciplines that have traditionally been studied as separate domains. However, emerging research from detailed studies of comparative animal behavior, human social behavior, language acquisition in children, social cognitive neuroscience, and the cognitive neuroscience of language suggest that language and social cognition are two deeply interrelated capacities of the human species. For instance, recent developmental studies on the acquisition of language in infants and young children, draw attention to the important crucial benefits associated with several different aspects of social stimulation for youngsters, including the quantity and quality of linguistic input, dyadic infant/child-to-parent verbal and non-verbal social interactions, and other important social cues integral for facilitating language learning and social bonding. Studies of the adult human brain further suggest a high degree of specialization for sociolinguistic information processing, memory retrieval, and comprehension, suggesting the function of these regions may link language with social cognition and social bonding. In effect, the social brain and social complexity hypotheses may jointly help to explain how neurotypical children and adults learn language, why autistic adults and children exhibit simultaneous deficits in language and social cognition, and why nonhuman primates and other animals with significant computational abilities do not acquire the capacity for language. But perhaps most critically, the following article argues that this and related research will allow scientists to generate a holistic profile and deeper understanding of the healthy adult social brain, while developing more innovative and effective diagnoses, prognoses, and treatments for maladies and deficits also associated with the social brain.
Waterproofing a Thermally-Actuated Vibrational MEMS Viscosity Sensor
Authors: Gan Luis , Choudhary Shreyas , Reddy Raja Reddy Kavana , Levine Connor , Jander Lukas , Uchil Amogh , Puchades Ivan
Published: January 2024

The electrical signal of micro-transducers operating in electrically conductive fluids must be effectively isolated from the surrounding environment while remaining in contact for sensing purposes. A thermally actuated MEMS viscosity sensor uses a buried resistive heat element for actuating a thin silicon membrane whose movement is monitored with embedded piezoresistive elements since the frequency response and behavior of the membrane are used to correlate the viscosity of the fluid being tested. The post-processing materials, (1) Parylene-C, (2) flouroacrylate-based polymer, and (3) nitrocellulose-based polymer, were coated as thin layers of waterproofing materials on different sensors. All three coating materials provided adequate protection when they were used to waterproof the sensors when tested under normal operating conditions. Although the vibration response of the sensors was slightly modified, it did not affect their functionality in a significant way when measuring conductive fluids based on glycerol-water mixtures. All the treated sensors lasted over 1.2 million actuations without any decay in performance or failures. When the test bias conditions were increased by 5x to accelerate failures, the flouroacrylate-based polymer samples lasted 2x longer than the others. Visual analysis of the failures indicates that the edge of the diaphragm, which undergoes the most significant stress and strain values during actuation, was the location of the mechanical failure. This work guides post-processed waterproofing coatings for micro-scale actuators operating in harsh and damaging environments.
Sound-Absorbing, Thermal-Insulating Material Based on Poly (methylsiloxane) Xerogel and Cellulose Nanofibers
Authors: Katsura Daiji , Maeda Tetsuya , Kanamori Kazuyoshi , Yamamoto Takashi , Ohshita Joji
Published: January 2024

The automotive industry needs to improve energy efficiency rapidly to achieve carbon neutrality while creating a safe, secure, comfortable driving environment for customers. Porous sound-absorbing materials and porous thermal insulators are typically used to satisfy these requirements despite limitations in mass and space. While these porous materials are similar, the microstructures they offer for high performance differ in the size and connectivity of their fluid phases, which enhances the difficulty of achieving excellent sound absorption and thermal insulation in the same material. In this study, a hydrophobic cellulose nanofiber–poly(methylsiloxane) xerogel composite was developed using computational microstructure modeling. This porous material has high porosity and excellent thermal insulation and sound absorption properties.
Unified Classical Thermodynamics: Primacy of Dissymmetry over Free Energy
Authors: Wang Lin-shu
Published: January 2024

In thermodynamic theory, free energy (i.e., available energy) is the concept facilitating the
combined applications of the theory’s two fundamental laws, the first and the second laws
of thermodynamics. The critical step was taken by Kelvin, then by Helmholtz and Gibbs—
that in natural processes, free energy dissipates spontaneously. With the formulation of
the second law of entropy growth, this may be referred to as the dissymmetry proposition
manifested in the spontaneous increase of system/environment-entropy towards
equilibrium. Because of Kelvin’s pre-entropy-law formulation of free energy, our concept
of free energy is still defined, energy-centrally, as body’s internal energy or enthalpy,
subtracted by energy that is not available within a framework on the premise of primacy
of energy, in which free energy dissipates spontaneously and universally. This primacy of
energy is called into question because the driving force to cause a system’s change is the
purview of the second law. This paper makes a case for an engineering thermodynamics
framework, instead, to be based on the premise of the primacy of dissymmetry over free
energy. With Gibbsian thermodynamics undergirded with dissymmetry proposition and
engineering thermodynamics with the dissymmetry premise, the two branches of
thermodynamics are unified to become classical thermodynamics.
A review on Digital Twins and its Application in the Modeling of Photovoltaic Installations
Authors: Angelova Dorotea Dimitrova , Fernández Diego Carmona , Godoy Manuel Calderón , Moreno Juan Antonio Álvarez , González Juan Félix González
Published: January 2024

Industry 4.0 is in continuous technological growth that benefits all sectors of industry and society in general. This article reviews the concept of Digital Twin (DT) and the interest of its application in photovoltaic installations. A comparison is made on how other authors use the DT approach in photovoltaic installations to improve the efficiency of the renewable energy generated and consumed, the energy prediction and the reduction of the operation and maintenance costs of the photovoltaic installation. It is reviewed how, by providing real-time data and analysis, DTs enable more informed decisions in the solar energy sector. The objectives of the review are to study the digital twin technology and to analyze its application and implementation in photovoltaic systems.
Swarm intelligence methods for Extreme Mass Ratio Inspiral search: First application of Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Zou Xiao-Bo , Mohanty Soumya D. , Luo Honggang , Liu Yu-Xiao
Published: January 2024

Swarm intelligence (SI) methods are nature-inspired metaheuristics for global optimization that exploit a coordinated stochastic search strategy by a group of agents. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is an established SI method that has been applied successfully to the optimization of rugged high-dimensional likelihood functions, a problem that presents the main bottleneck across a variety of gravitational wave (GW) data analysis challenges. We present results from a first application of PSO to one of the most difficult of these challenges, namely, the search for Extreme Mass Ratio Inspiral (EMRI) in data from future spaceborne GW detectors such as LISA, Taiji, or Tianqin. We use the standard Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test formalism, with minimal use of restrictive approximations, to search 6 months of simulated LISA data and quantify the search depth, in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and breadth, in the ranges of the EMRI parameters, that PSO can handle. Our results demonstrate that a PSO-based EMRI search is successful over a search region that is in the ballpark of the one that current hierarchical schemes can identify. Directions for future improvements, including computational bottlenecks to be overcome, are identified.
Prediction of the Posture of High-Rise Building Machine Based on Multivariate Time Series Neural Network Models
Authors: Pan Xi , Huang Junguang , Zhang Yiming , Zuo Zibo , Zhang Longlong
Published: January 2024

High-rise building machines (HBMs) play a critical role in the successful construction of super-high skyscrapers, providing essential support and ensuring safety. The HBM’s climbing system relies on a jacking mechanism consisting of several independent jacking cylinders. A reliable control system is imperative to maintain a smooth posture of the construction steel platform (SP) under the action of the jacking mechanism. This research introduces three multivariate time series neural network models—namely, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), and Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN)—to predict the posture of HBM. The models take pressure and stroke measurements from the jacking cylinders as inputs, and their outputs determine the levelness of the SP and the posture of the HBM at various climbing stages. The development and training of these neural networks are based on historical on-site data, with the predictions subjected to thorough comparative analysis. All proposed neural network models exhibit the capability to dynamically predict the posture of the HBM during the climbing process, using data from sensors. Notably, the GRU model shows better predictive performance.
The Lower Limb Muscle Co-activation Map during Human Locomotion: From Slow Walking to Running.
Authors: Fiori Lorenzo , Castiglia Stefano Filippo , Chini Giorgia , Draicchio Francesco , Sacco Floriana , Serrao Mariano , Tatarelli Antonella , Varrecchia Tiwana , Ranavolo Alberto
Published: January 2024

The central nervous system (CNS) controls movements and regulates joint stiffness with muscle coactivation, but until now few studies have examined muscle pairs during running. This study aims to investigate differences in lower limb muscle coactivation during gait at different speeds from walking to running. Nineteen healthy runners walked and ran at speeds ranging from 0.8 km/h to 9.3 km/h. Twelve lower limb muscles' coactivation was calculated using the time-varying multi-muscle coactivation function (TMCf) with global, flexor-extension, and rostro-caudal approaches. Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters were also measured. We found that TMCf, spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters were significantly affected by gait speed for all approaches. Significant differences were observed in the main parameters of each coactivation approach, and in the spatiotemporal, and kinematic parameters at the transition between walking and running. Positive and negative strong correlations were found between global coactivation parameters and center of mass displacements, as well as some spatiotemporal parameters, regardless of gait speed. Our findings suggest that walking and running have different coactivation patterns and kinematic characteristics, with the whole-limb stiffness exerted more synchronously and stably in running. The coactivation indexes and kinematic parameters could be the result of global coactivation, which is a sensory-control integration process used by the CNS to deal with more demanding and potentially unstable tasks like running.
GY-SLAM: A Dense Semantic SLAM System for Plant Factory Transport Robots
Authors: Xie Xiaolin , Qin Yibo , Zhang Zhihong , Yan Zixiang , Jin Hang , Xu Man , Zhang Cheng
Published: January 2024

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), as one of the core technologies in intelligent robotics, has gained substantial attention in recent years. Addressing the limitations of SLAM systems in dynamic environments, this research proposes a system specifically designed for plant factory transportation environments, named GY-SLAM. GY-SLAM incorporates a lightweight target detection network GY based on YOLOv5, which utilizes GhostNet as the backbone network. This integration is further enhanced with CoordConv coordinate convolution, CARAFE up-sampling operators, and SE attention mechanism, leading to simultaneous improvements in detection accuracy and model complexity reduction. While improving mAP@0.5 by 0.514%, the model simultaneously reduces the number of parameters by 43.976%, computational cost by 46.488%, and model size by 41.752%. Additionally, the system constructs pure static octree maps and grid maps. Tests conducted on the TUM dataset and a proprietary dataset demonstrate that GY-SLAM significantly outperforms ORB-SLAM3 in dynamic scenarios in terms of system local-ization accuracy and robustness. It shows a remarkable 92.58% improvement in RMSE for Absolute Trajectory Error (ATE). Compared to YOLOv5s, the GY model brings a 41.5944% improvement in detection speed and a 17.7975% increase in SLAM operation speed to the system, indicating strong competitiveness and real-time capabilities. These results validate the effectiveness of GY-SLAM in dynamic environments and provide substantial support for the automation of logistics tasks by robots in specific contexts.
Preventing Catastrophic Cyber-physical Attacks on the Global Maritime Transportation System: a case study of hybrid maritime security in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore
Authors: Fenton Adam James
Published: January 2024

This paper examines hybrid threats to maritime transportation systems, and their governance re-sponses; focusing on the congested Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) as an illustrative case study. The methodology combines secondary sources with primary data from 42 expert in-terviews, a 30-respondent survey, and two maritime security roundtables. Key findings were that ships’ critical systems are increasingly interconnected, yet aging IT infrastructure and minimal cybersecurity awareness among crews heighten risks. Meanwhile, regional terrorist groups have previously targeted shipping and shown considerable skill in exploiting online tools, aligning with broader calls for jihadist violence. Further, opportunistic piracy persists in the SOMS with the po-tential to disrupt shipping. Experts confirmed maritime cybersecurity lags other critical infra-structure sectors and needs updated governance. Initial International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines lack specificity but revisions and updated IMO guidance are in process, while Port state implementation of maritime cybersecurity standards varies. Crucially, information sharing remains inadequate, even as recorded attacks increase. Findings underscore that although major hybrid incidents have not occurred, simulations and threat actors’ capabilities demonstrate potential for catastrophic collisions or cascading disruption in congested waterways. Mitigating factors like redundancy and crew training are deficient currently. Some alignment between SOMS states on maritime security cooperation exists, but not cyber threats specifically. Key recommen-dations include an anonymous cyber-attack reporting system, reinforced training and shipboard systems, and consolidated regional frameworks. Until these priorities are addressed, the analysis concludes that hybrid vulnerabilities in this vital global chokepoint remain a serious concern.
Elimination of Shrinkage in Ductile Iron Castings Using Computer Simulation of Casting and Solidification
Authors: Futas Peter , Pribulova Alena , Sabik Vladimir , Petrik Jozef , Blasko Peter , Brzeziński Marcin
Published: January 2024

The production of high-quality castings without foundry defects at minimal production costs is a constant priority for foundries. Innovation and optimization of production processes are key to achieving this goal. Computer simulation of foundry processes offers a modern alternative to expensive and time-consuming experiments in real foundries and provides a reliable representation and analysis of casting and solidification processes. A detailed analysis of the casting and solidification simulation results allows the prediction of various risks that can cause defects in cast castings, thereby reducing their quality and, last but not least, the cost of their production. The paper deals with the analysis of a computer simulation of the casting of a brake disc in the Slovak foundry. This brake disc has had shrinkages and micro shrinkages that reduce the internal quality of the casting. These defects occurred in the ribs in the upper part of the casting under the feeders. A computer simulation of the casting and solidification of this casting was made according to real conditions. It turned out that the designed ingate system with a system of feeders was not sufficient to eliminate emerging defects. A new layout of the feeders was proposed, which ultimately eliminated the occurrence of defects based on the results of computer simulation. The input parameters were set to be as close as possible to the actual needs of the foundry. 3D models of the assemblies were designed in SolidWorks CAD software, and filling and solidification simulations were performed using the NovaFlow & Solid CV 4.6r42 simulation program.
Analysis and Quantification of the Distribution of Marabou (Dichrostachys cinerea L. Wight & Arn.) in Valle de Los Ingenios, Cuba: A Remote Sensing Approach
Authors: Moreno Eduardo , Gonzalez Encarnación , Alvarez Reinaldo , Menendez Julio
Published: January 2024

Cuba is struggling with a growing environmental problem: the uncontrolled spread of the allochthonous weed species marabou (Dichrostachys cinerea) throughout the country. Over the last 70 years, marabou has become a formidable invasive species that poses a threat to Cuban biodiversity and agricultural productivity. In this paper, we present a free and affordable method for regularly mapping the spatial distribution of the marabou based on the Google Earth Engine platform and ecological surveys. To test its accuracy, we develop an 18-year analysis (2000–2018) of marabou dynamics using the Valle de los Ingenios, a Cuban UNESCO World Heritage Site, as an experimental model. Our spatial analysis reveals clear patterns of marabou distribution and highlights areas of concentrated growth. Temporal trends illustrate the dynamic nature of the species, identifying periods of expansion and decline. In addition, our system is able to detect specific, large-scale human interventions against the marabou plague in the area. The results highlight the urgent need for remedial strategies to maintain the fragile balance in the region.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Viruses and Related Conditions in Women: The Liver Link
Authors: Lorite-Ayán Nuria
Published: January 2024

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can be triggered by different factors and create a complex health situation. In the last decades incidence has been increasing. This situation is a clear example of how humans, viruses, and the environment are all connected. In the 90s cases related to CFS, com-plaints about a feeling of chronic fatigue, inability for everyday tasks, dull pain, cephalalgia, de-pression, anxiety, poor concentration. Clinical tests for EBV, HHV, CMV, IgG, IgM, T4 and T8 subsets were tested, along with hormones and hemogram tests. Most of the cases were women. The timeline of the medical history showed also myomas, breast lumps, premenstrual syndrome previously to CFS development. The nature of these conditions promoted the idea of a possible common link among them and CFS. Some cases also suffered from allergies, food intolerances, candidiasis, intestinal impairment, thyroid implications, endometriosis. As an initial working hypothesis, The Liver Link (TLL) was proposed in order to understand those different conditions affecting body, mind and emotional wellbeing. Considering liver implication can make a differ-ence in treatment and recovery. Low grade inflammatory conditions are related to Th2 predom-inance and liver functions. Functional disharmonies are very important because they usually still do not appear in any conventional tests. In 2002, TLL was presented as a framework to explain the concomitance of CFS and other conditions and the relationship with some viruses such as EBV, HHV, CMV, as a lecture in a congress at the University of Westminster (London). When SARS-CoV-2 outbroke, TLL helped to warn about the post-covid syndrome more likely to occur in specific individuals.
High-Speed 3D Printing Temperature Control with Optimized PID Parameters Based on Improved ALO Algorithm
Authors: Zhou Rui , Jiang Junchi , Du Chunzhi , Lu Shuaiyuan
Published: January 2024

To address the large hysteresis and susceptibility to instability in high-speed deposition fusion moulding (FDM) 3D printing’s temperature control, this paper proposes an improved ant-lion optimization algorithm (OCALO) to optimize the PID parameters.The improvement aims to solve the problem that the traditional ant-lion optimization algorithm (ALO) reduces the population diversity and tends to fall into the local optimal solution when it is close to the global optimal solution.The generation of the initial solution is enhanced by the introduction of a new Tent-Logistic-Cotangent composite chaotic mapping. This integration into Elite Opposition-Based Learning aids in optimizing population diversity. Concurrently, the incorporation of cosine factors of a specified parameter into the elitist formula of the traditional ALO algorithm is aimed at reducing the tendency of ants to randomly gravitate towards ant-lions with lower fitness values. This adjustment helps in balancing the exploration-exploitation trade-off in the algorithmic process. Compared with two existing classical algorithms and three improved ALO algorithms, the algorithm improves the convergence speed, global search ability and the ability to jump out of the local optimal solution. The improved algorithm was combined with PID control to design an OCALO-PID temperature controller and simulated on a high-speed 3D printing temperature model identified by modelling. The results show that the method improves the transient and steady-state performance of reactor temperature control with good control accuracy and robustness. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to a physical experimental platform to verify the feasibility of the algorithm.
Analysis of Drydock Use in Ship Repairing
Authors: Dev Arun Kr , Saha Makaraksha
Published: January 2024

Drydocking a ship is essential to the routine maintenance process during its service/operational life. During the drydocking time, various surveys/inspections are carried out per requirements of the classification society, flag administration, and statutory bodies, particularly the underwater items. For shipyards, optimum utilization of drydock capacity (deadweight) is the most considered factor to optimize the physical performance indicators like drydock occupancy rate, capacity utilization rate, and drydock utilization. However, in real life, even after mobilizing all available resources to achieve the optimum usage rate, the overall physical performance could be higher or lower or not up to the expectation. The average size (deadweight) of ships calling to the drydock is observed to be far below the expected capacity, resulting in under-utilization of installed capacity. However, although the drydock occupancy rate is satisfactory, even 100%. For a substantial amount of time, the drydock has been under-utilized in terms of capacity utilization and drydock utilization rate. Drydocking activities of ships in two (2) drydocks of a shipyard are collected and analyzed. Various physical performance indicators (PPIs) are calculated. They are diagnosed year-wise and presented in tabular and graphical form to demonstrate their behavior over the operating period. Authors have investigated the behavior of the above-mentioned physical performance indicators to justify, technically, the selection of capacity of a drydock. A further attempt has been made to propose some recommendations and guidelines from technical viewpoints for the selection criteria of a drydock capacity based on available resources.
Deciphering the Role of Post-translational Modifications and Cellular Location of HDV Antigens in HDV-Mediated Liver Damage in Mice
Authors: Maestro Sheila , Usai Carla , Gomez-Echarte Nahia , Camps Gracian , Olagüe Cristina , Vales Africa , Aldabe Rafael , Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza Gloria
Published: January 2024

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection represents the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. We have shown that the delivery of HDV replication-competent genomes to the hepatocytes using adenoassociated virus (AAV-HDV) as gene delivery vehicles offers a unique platform to investi-gate the molecular aspects of HDV and associated liver damage. Here, we generated HDV ge-nomes modified by site directed mutagenesis aimed to: i) prevent some post-translational modi-fications of HDV antigens (HDAgs) such as Large-HDAg (L-HDAg) isoprenylation or Short-HDAg (S-HDAg) phosphorylation ii) alter the localization of HDAgs within the subcellular compartments and iii) inhibit the right conformation of the delta ribozyme. First, the different HDV mutants were tested in vitro using plasmid-transfected Huh-7 cells and then in vivo in C57BL/6 mice using AAV vectors. We found that Ser 177 phosphorylation and the ribozymal ac-tivity are essential for HDV replication and HDAg expression. Mutation of the isoprenylation domain prevent the formation of infectious particles and increase cellular toxicity and liver dam-age. Finally, altering the intracellular localization od HDAg have a profound on viral replication in vivo but liver toxicity is maintained. Mutation in the nuclear export signal impair the for-mation of infectious viral particles. These findings contribute valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms of HDV biology and have implications for therapeutic considerations
Salt Intake of Children and Adolescents: Influence of Socio- Environmental Factors and School Education
Authors: Malczyk Ewa , Muc-Wierzgoń Małgorzata , Fatyga Edyta , Dzięgielewska-Gęsiak Sylwia
Published: January 2024

(1) Background: The aim of study was to investigate the salt consumption by children and adolescents from the Silesian Province (Poland), taking into account the region’s dietary traditions and number of years of school education. (2) Methods : 300 students aged 10–18 from different types of schools, were enrolled in the study and divided into groups in terms of: school, sex, the state of nutrition. The survey questionnaire about dietary habits, including the frequency and serving size with respect to 12 salty products was used. On the basis of the frequency and the amount of consumed products, as well as the data on salt content, the amount of total daily intake of salt was estimated.; (3) Results: The mean daily intake of salt by children and adolescents was 1.083 g ( 0.433 g of sodium); children aged 10–12 consumed the highest amount of salt (1.296 g/day) compared to pupils aged 13–15 (1.131 g of sodium) and adolescents aged 16–18 (0.863 g/day); (4) Conclusions: With age, as a result of various factors, the consumption of salt declines. The parents impact and the familial socio-environmental factors begin to wane, and other factors start to have influence, e.g. school education of healthy lifestyle, health behavior of peers.