bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Dynamics of Profitability–Liquidity Relations in Crisis, Pre-Crisis and Post-Crisis
Authors: Ratajczak Piotr , Szutowski Dawid , Nowicki Jarosław
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study is to verify the stability of the profitability–liquidity relationship over time, as well as to determine this relationship in terms of its level and structure. In this context, three main research questions were formulated. First, is the profitability–liquidity relationship stable in times of crisis? Second, what is the profitability of companies with high and low liquidity? Third, what is the liquidity of companies with high and low profitability? This study uses a self-organizing map (SOM), a data visualization technique that is a type of artificial neural network trained in an unsupervised manner. A dataset covering the period from 2019 to 2021, consisting of 300 Polish companies from the wholesale and retail sectors, was used. The main results of this study indicate that: (1) companies with a balanced profitability–liquidity relationship in the pre-crisis period (2019) maintained this relationship in the crisis (2020) and post-crisis periods (2021); (2) companies in the clusters with the relatively highest and lowest profitability have the relatively lowest and moderate liquidity both before and after the crisis period; (3) the majority of companies during non-crisis periods demonstrate that profitability is not reliant on liquidity, suggesting an absence of a clear relationship; (4) in the post-crisis period, companies with the relatively lowest operating cash flow margin (OCFM) exhibited the relatively highest net profit margin (NPM) and other profitability ratios, as opposed to the pre-crisis and crisis periods. This study fills the gap resulting from the incomplete—most of all static—understanding of the relationship between profitability and liquidity. Moreover, this study employs a self-organizing map (SOM) which has not been used in the literature regarding the research area undertaken.
Changes in the Networks of Attention across the Lifespan: A Graphical Meta-Analysis
Authors: Klein Raymond M. , Good Samantha R. , Christie John J.
Published: February 2024

Three Posnerian networks of attention (alerting, orienting, and executive control) have been distinguished on the bases of behavioural, neuropsychological, and neuroscientific evidence. Here, we examined the trajectories of these networks throughout the human lifespan using the various Attention Network Tests (ANTs), which were specifically developed to measure the efficacy of these networks. The ANT Database was used to identify relevant research, resulting in the inclusion of 36 publications. We conducted a graphical meta-analysis using network scores from each study, based on reaction time plotted as a function of age group. Evaluation of attentional networks from childhood to early adulthood suggests that the alerting network develops relatively quickly, and reaches near-adult level by the age of 12. The developmental pattern of the orienting network seems to depend on the information value of the spatial cues. Executive control network scores show a consistent decrease (improvement) with age in childhood. During adulthood (ages 19–75), changes in alerting depend on the modality of the warning signal, while a moderate increase in orienting scores was seen with increasing age. Whereas executive control scores, as measured in reaction time, increase (deterioration) from young adulthood into later adulthood an opposite trend is seen when scores are based on error rates.
Biometry, Growth, and Recruitment Pattern of a Commercially Important Nereid polychaete, Namalycastis fauveli, from the East Coast of Bangladesh
Authors: Sarker Md. Jahangir , Sarker Pallab Kumer , Islam Md. Ariful , Rima Nazmun Naher , Joydas Thadickal Viswanathan , Sultana Nahid , Islam Md. Monirul , Hossain Md. Yeamin , Hossain Mohammad Belal
Published: February 2024

Certain benthic polychaetes, such as species within the genus Namalycastis, are employed in the diet of gravid shrimps in aquaculture due to their amino acids and highly unsaturated fatty acid content, enhancing the quality of gravid shrimp. Despite its importance in the rapidly developing shrimp culture industry, the population parameters of this economically valuable species are unknown. Therefore, the present study examines the population parameters of Namalycastis fauveli to assess its occurrence, growth, recruitment, exploitation level, and stock status in Bangladesh. Monthly samplings of N. fauveli and environmental variables were collected from five sites of the Cox’s Bazar coast using a square-shaped mud corer with a 0.093 m2 (or 1.0 ft2) mouth opening from August 2020 to July 2021 to measure or estimate. Within the 8.0–30.0 cm depth range of the intertidal zone, polychaete samples were collected from the sediment. The results showed negative allometric growth (b < 3), but there was a significant L–W relationship (p < 0.05, r2 = 0.43 to 0.94). The estimated L∝, K, and ϕ were 22.05 cm, 0.99 year−1, and 2.69, respectively, while total mortality (Z) was 4.56 year−1. It was calculated that the fishing mortality and capture probability proportionally increased with the total length at a certain age. Recruitment mostly occurred in October and March, and temperature had a greater impact than salinity. The evaluated exploitation level (E = 0.57) indicated that the stock was overexploited. Thus, the above results provide some valuable information for shrimp farmers and stakeholders, as well as for policymakers in the move towards restoration, species conservation, and efficient management of N. fauveli natural stocks.
Biological Activities of Secondary Metabolites from the Edible-Medicinal Macrofungi
Authors: Sun Xiaoqi , Shi Ying , Shi Dongxiao , Tu Yu , Liu Ling
Published: February 2024

Macrofungi are well-known as edible-medicinal mushrooms, which belong mostly to Basidiomycota, with a few from Ascomycota. In recent years, macrofungi have been recognized as a rich resource of structurally unique secondary metabolites, demonstrating a wide range of bioactivities, including anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimalarial, neuro-protective, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities. This review highlights over 270 natural products produced by 17 families of macrofungi covering 2017 to 2023, including their structures, bioactivities, and related molecular mechanisms.
Multi-Layer Perceptron-Based Classification with Application to Outlier Detection in Saudi Arabia Stock Returns
Authors: Rashedi Khudhayr A. , Ismail Mohd Tahir , Al Wadi Sadam , Serroukh Abdeslam , Alshammari Tariq S. , Jaber Jamil J.
Published: February 2024

We aim to detect outliers in the daily stock price indices from the Saudi Arabia stock exchange (Tadawul) with 2026 observations from October 2011 to December 2019 provided by the Saudi Authority for Statistics and the Saudi Central Bank. We apply the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) algorithm for detecting outliers in stock returns. We select the inflation rate (Inflation), oil price (Loil), and repo rate (Repo) as input variables to the MLP architecture. The performance of the MLP is evaluated using standard metrics for binary classification, namely the false positive rate (FP rate), false negative rate (FN rate), F-measure, Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC), accuracy (ACC), and area under the ROC curve (AUC). The results demonstrate the efficiency and good performance of the MLP algorithm based on different criteria tests.
Time-Lapse Electromagnetic Conductivity Imaging for Soil Salinity Monitoring in Salt-Affected Agricultural Regions
Authors: Eltarabily Mohamed G. , Amer Abdulrahman , Farzamian Mohammad , Bouksila Fethi , Elkiki Mohamed , Selim Tarek
Published: February 2024

In this study, the temporal variation in soil salinity dynamics was monitored and analyzed using electromagnetic induction (EMI) in an agricultural area in Port Said, Egypt, which is at risk of soil salinization. To assess soil salinity, repeated soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) measurements were taken using an electromagnetic conductivity meter (CMD2) and inverted (using a time-lapse inversion algorithm) to generate electromagnetic conductivity images (EMCIs), representing soil electrical conductivity (σ) distribution. This process involved converting EMCI data into salinity cross-sections using a site-specific calibration equation that correlates σ with the electrical conductivity of saturated soil paste extract (ECe) for the collected soil samples. The study was performed from August 2021 to April 2023, involving six surveys during two agriculture seasons. The results demonstrated accurate prediction ability of soil salinity with an R2 value of 0.81. The soil salinity cross-sections generated on different dates observed changes in the soil salinity distribution. These changes can be attributed to shifts in irrigation water salinity resulting from canal lining, winter rainfall events, and variations in groundwater salinity. This approach is effective for evaluating agricultural management strategies in irrigated areas where it is necessary to continuously track soil salinity to avoid soil fertility degradation and a decrease in agricultural production and farmers’ income.
Analysis of Changes in Ecological Environment Quality and Influencing Factors in Chongqing Based on a Remote-Sensing Ecological Index Mode
Authors: Liu Yizhuo , Zhou Tinggang , Yu Wenping
Published: February 2024

Chongqing is a large municipality in southwestern China, having the characteristics of a vast jurisdiction, complex topography, and a prominent dual urban–rural structure. It is vitally important to optimize the spatial layout of land and efficiency of natural resource allocation, achieve sustainable development, and conduct influence assessment and causation analysis in this region. Here, using the Google Earth Engine platform, we selected Landsat remote-sensing (RS) images from the period 2000–2020 and constructed a remote-sensing ecological index (RSEI) model. Considering the urban spatial pattern division in Chongqing, the Sen + Mann–Kendall analytical approach was employed to assess the fluctuating quality of the ecological environment in different sectors of Chongqing. Subsequently, single-factor and interaction detectors in the Geodetector software tool were used to conduct causation analysis on the RSEI, with the use of eight elements: elevation, slope, aspect, precipitation, temperature, population, land use, and nighttime lighting. Findings indicate that, over the course of the investigation period, the eco-quality in Chongqing displayed a pattern of degradation, succeeded by amelioration. The RSEI decreased from 0.700 in 2000 to 0.590 in 2007, and then gradually recovered to 0.716 in 2018. Overall, the eco-environment quality of Chongqing improved. Spatially, changes in the RSEI were consistent with the planning and positioning of the urban spatial pattern. The main new urban area and periphery of the central urban area showed a slight deterioration, while other regions showed marked improvement. The combined effect of any two elements enhanced the explanatory power of a single factor, with elevation, temperature, and land use being the strongest explanatory elements of eco-quality in Chongqing. The most influential factor explaining the spatial variation of the RSEI was determined to be the combined impact of elevation and land use. At the temporal scale, elements related to human activities showed the most evident trend in explanatory power.
Anthropogenic Impact on the Terrestrial Environment in the Lake Dian Basin, Southwestern China during the Bronze Age and Ming–Qing period
Authors: Liu Peilun , Liu Fengwen , Li Gang , Li Yuejiao , Cao Huihui , Li Xiaorui
Published: February 2024

The role of human activity in shaping the terrestrial environment has been a core scientific issue of interest across various disciplines. However, it remains unclear whether there are significant differences in the patterns of the anthropogenic impact on the terrestrial environment in terms of spatial and temporal dimensions, and we are yet to identify the underlying factors that have driven it. Here, we present an analysis of sporopollen and geochemical proxies from a section of the Anjiangbei site (AJB) on the Yunnan Plateau, spanning the Ming–Qing period, in order to explore the spatio-temporal variation in the anthropogenic impact on the terrestrial environment in the Lake Dian basin. Integrating the reported multidisciplinary evidence, we aim to reveal the influencing factors of anthropogenic impact. Our results show that there were remarkable differences in anthropogenic impact on the terrestrial environment in the Lake Dian basin between the Late Bronze Age and the Ming–Qing period. Changes in crop vegetation and the forest were all affected by human activity in the Lake Dian basin during the two periods, and were more evident during the Ming–Qing period. The heavy metal pollution in the soil was obvious during the Ming–Qing period. The increase in the intensity of human activity, especially the rise in population, could be attributed to changes in the hydrological environment in the Lake Dian basin during the Late Bronze Age and to geopolitical change during the Ming–Qing period. This study reveals the different patterns in human impact on the terrestrial environment in the Lake Dian basin during the Late Bronze Age and the Ming–Qing period, providing new evidence to enable a deeper understanding of past human–environment interactions on the Yunnan Plateau.
Digital Twins to Predict Crack Propagation of Sustainable Engineering Materials under Different Loads
Authors: Li Xu , Li Gangjun , Bi Zhuming
Published: February 2024

Computer-aided engineering (CAE) is an essential tool in a digital twin not only to verify and validate a virtual twin before it is transformed into a physical twin, but also to monitor the use of the physical twin for enhanced sustainability. This paper aims to develop a CAE model for a digital twin to predict the fatigue life of materials. Fatigue damage is represented by the size of a macro-crack that grows with a cluster of micro-cracks subjected to three different loads. The growth angle is related to the maximum circumferential tensile stress, and the growth rate is determined by the stress intensity factor (SIF) at the crack tip. The prediction model takes into consideration the main factors, including micro-cracks, crack closures, and initial configurations. Simulations are developed for the growth of macro-cracks with radially distributed micro-cracks and randomly distributed micro-cracks, and we find that (1) the macro-crack in the second case grows faster than that in the first case; (2) a pure shear load affects the macro-crack propagation more than a combined shear and tensile load or a tensional load; (3) the external stresses required to propagate are reduced when the inclination angle of the micro-crack is small and within (−25° < β < 25°); (4) micro-cracks affect the propagating path of the macro-crack and generally guide the direction of propagation. The developed model has been verified and validated experimentally for its effectiveness in predicting the fracture or fatigue damage of a structure.
Compatibility of LaFe13−x−yMnxSiyH1.6 and Eutectic Liquid GaInSn Alloy
Authors: Brechtl Jamieson , Rendall Joseph , Zhang Mingkan , Koehler Michael R. , Nawaz Kashif , Momen Ayyoub M.
Published: February 2024

The heat transfer rate of magnetocaloric regenerators is a topic of extensive research and the cyclability of these regenerators is critical to the operation of systems with a high coefficient of performance (e.g., potentially >22, significantly higher than typical vapor compression cooling technologies). To enable a high operating frequency that will result in a high specific cooling power, the heat transfer fluid should have high thermal conductivity and lower specific heat, i.e., higher thermal diffusivity. Eutectic metal alloys possess these qualities, such as gallium–indium–tin (Galinstan), whose thermal diffusivity has been found to be approximately an order of magnitude higher than water. For this study, the effects of eutectic liquid Galinstan exposure on the phase stability of LaFe13−x−yMnxSiyH1.6 magnetocaloric powders in an active magnetic regenerator device were investigated. The powders were characterized before and after exposure to Galinstan using X-ray diffraction, in which the phases were determined using the Rietveld refinement technique and X-ray fluorescence. It was found that after Galinstan exposure, hydrogen containing phases were present in the powder, suggesting that the hydrogen was lost from the magnetocaloric phase. The magnetocaloric phase degradation indicates that the powder was incompatible with the Galinstan metal in an environment with moisture.
Intersection Properties of Finite Disk Collections
Authors: Espinoza Jesús F. , Esquer-Pérez Cynthia G.
Published: February 2024

In this article, we study the intersection of a finite collection of disks in Euclidean space by examining spheres of various dimensions and their poles (extreme values with respect to canonical projections) contained within the intersection’s boundary. We derive explicit formulae for computing these extreme values and present two applications. The first application involves computing the smallest common rescaling factor for the radii of the disk system, which brings the system to a single point of intersection. This calculation allows us to compute the generalized Čech filtration, a crucial tool for the topological data analysis of weighted point clouds. The second application focuses on determining the minimal Axis-Aligned Bounding Box (AABB) for the intersection of a finite collection of disks in Euclidean space, addressing a significant problem in computational geometry. We consider that this work aims to contribute to the fields of topological data analysis and computational geometry by providing new tools for analyzing complex geometric structures.
Seasonal Testing, Results, and Effect of the Pandemic on Coxsackievirus Serum Studies
Authors: Kordi Ramesh , Chang Arthur J. , Hicar Mark D.
Published: February 2024

Coxsackieviruses (CVs) are common causes of infections and can be life-threatening. Unfortunately, rigorous studies guiding the clinician in interpreting CV serum antibody titer testing is lacking. To explore the epidemiology of circulating CVs and the serological test utility in aiding diagnosis of CV infections in our community, we obtained results of CV immunologic diagnostic tests between 2018 and 2022 from a regional healthcare database. For CV type A, rare individuals had positive CF (complement fixation) tests whereas all 16 individuals with IFA testing showed at least one positive serotype. For CV type B CF testing, 52.2% of 222 patients had at least one serotype positive, with B5 being most common and also the most common with higher titers (14.8% with ≥1:32). We found a significant reduction in seropositivity rate during the pandemic in 2020 compared to 2018, which continued through 2022 (OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.08–0.49, p-value < 0.001). During the pandemic, the seasonal pattern of positive tests varied from the pre-pandemic pattern. Testing for CVs was increased after the first year of the pandemic. Overall, the variability by month and seasonal change in our data support that CF testing can be used to identify recent CVB infection.
Integrated Analysis of the Transcriptome and Microbial Diversity in the Intestine of Miniature Pig Obesity Model
Authors: Qi Wenjing , Zhu Siran , Feng Lingli , Liang Jinning , Guo Xiaoping , Cheng Feng , Guo Yafen , Lan Ganqiu , Liang Jing
Published: February 2024

Obesity, a key contributor to metabolic disorders, necessitates an in-depth understanding of its pathogenesis and prerequisites for prevention. Guangxi Bama miniature pig (GBM) offers an apt model for obesity-related studies. In this research, we used transcriptomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to discern the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) within intestinal (jejunum, ileum, and colon) tissues and variations in microbial communities in intestinal contents of GBM subjected to normal diets (ND) and high-fat, high-carbohydrate diets (HFHCD). After a feeding duration of 26 weeks, the HFHCD-fed experimental group demonstrated notable increases in backfat thickness, BMI, abnormal blood glucose metabolism, and blood lipid levels alongside the escalated serum expression of pro-inflammatory factors and a marked decline in intestinal health status when compared to the ND group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a total of 1669 DEGs, of which 27 had similar differences in three intestinal segments across different groups, including five immune related genes: COL6A6, CYP1A1, EIF2AK2, NMI, and LGALS3B. Further, we found significant changes in the microbiota composition, with a significant decrease in beneficial bacterial populations within the HFHCD group. Finally, the results of integrated analysis of microbial diversity with transcriptomics show a positive link between certain microbial abundance (Solibacillus, norank_f__Saccharimonadaceae, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and unclassified_f__Butyricicoccaceae) and changes in gene expression (COL6A6 and NMI). Overall, HFHCD appears to co-contribute to the initiation and progression of obesity in GBM by aggravating inflammatory responses, disrupting immune homeostasis, and creating imbalances in intestinal flora.
Antiherpetic Activity of a Root Exudate from Solanum lycopersicum
Authors: Bajetto Greta , Arnodo Davide , Biolatti Matteo , Trifirò Linda , Albano Camilla , Pasquero Selina , Gugliesi Francesca , Campo Eva , Spyrakis Francesca , Prandi Cristina , De Andrea Marco , Dell’Oste Valentina , Visentin Ivan , Blangetti Marco
Published: February 2024

The rise of drug resistance to antivirals poses a significant global concern for public health; therefore, there is a pressing need to identify novel compounds that can effectively counteract strains resistant to current antiviral treatments. In light of this, researchers have been exploring new approaches, including the investigation of natural compounds as alternative sources for developing potent antiviral therapies. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the antiviral properties of the organic-soluble fraction of a root exudate derived from the tomato plant Solanum lycopersicum in the context of herpesvirus infections. Our findings demonstrated that a root exudate from Solanum lycopersicum exhibits remarkable efficacy against prominent members of the family Herpesviridae, specifically herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) (EC50 25.57 µg/mL, SI > 15.64) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) (EC50 9.17 µg/mL, SI 32.28) by inhibiting a molecular event during the herpesvirus replication phase. Moreover, the phytochemical fingerprint of the Solanum lycopersicum root exudate was characterized through mass spectrometry. Overall, these data have unveiled a novel natural product with antiherpetic activity, presenting a promising and valuable alternative to existing drugs.
The Hypersaline Soils of the Odiel Saltmarshes Natural Area as a Source for Uncovering a New Taxon: Pseudidiomarina terrestris sp. nov
Authors: Galisteo Cristina , de la Haba Rafael R. , Ventosa Antonio , Sánchez-Porro Cristina
Published: February 2024

The hypersaline soils of the Odiel Saltmarshes Natural Area are an extreme environment with high levels of some heavy metals; however, it is a relevant source of prokaryotic diversity that we aim to explore. In this study, six strains related to the halophilic genus Pseudidiomarina were isolated from this habitat. The phylogenetic study based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and the fingerprinting analysis suggested that they constituted a single new species within the genus Pseudidiomarina. Comparative genomic analysis based on the OGRIs indices and the phylogeny inferred from the core genome were performed considering all the members of the family Idiomarinaceae. Additionally, a completed phenotypic characterization, as well as the fatty acid profile, were also carried out. Due to the characteristics of the habitat, genomic functions related to salinity and high heavy metal concentrations were studied, along with the global metabolism of the six isolates. Last, the ecological distribution of the isolates was studied in different hypersaline environments by genome recruitment. To sum up, the six strains constitute a new species within the genus Pseudidiomarina, for which the name Pseudidiomarina terrestris sp. nov. is proposed. The low abundance in all the studied hypersaline habitats indicates that it belongs to the rare biosphere in these habitats. In silico genome functional analysis suggests the presence of heavy metal transporters and pathways for nitrate reduction and nitrogen assimilation in low availability, among other metabolic traits.
Scrutinizing Clinical Biomarkers in a Large Cohort of Patients with Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Infections
Authors: Xi David , Garg Kunal , Lambert John S. , Rajput-Ray Minha , Madigan Anne , Avramovic Gordana , Gilbert Leona
Published: February 2024

Standard clinical markers can improve tick-borne infection (TBI) diagnoses. We investigated immune and other clinical biomarkers in 110 patients clinically diagnosed with TBIs before (T0) and after antibiotic treatment (T2). At T0, both the initial observation group and patients without seroconversion for tick-borne pathogens exhibited notably low percentages and counts of CD3 percentage (CD3%), CD3+ cells, CD8+ suppressors, CD4 percentage (CD4%), and CD4+ helper cells, with the latter group showing reductions in CD3%, CD3+, and CD8+ counts in approximately 15-22% of cases. Following treatment at the T2 follow-up, patients typically experienced enhancements in their previously low CD3%, CD3+ counts, CD4%, and CD4+ counts; however, there was no notable progress in their low CD8+ counts, and a higher number of patients presented with insufficient transferrin levels. Moreover, among those with negative serology for tick-borne infections, there was an improvement in low CD3% and CD3+ counts, which was more pronounced in patients with deficient transferrin amounts. Among those with CD57+ (n = 37) and CD19+ (n = 101) lymphocyte analysis, 59.46% of patients had a low CD57+ count, 14.85% had a low CD19 count, and 36.63% had a low CD19 percentage (CD19%). Similar findings were observed concerning low CD57+, CD19+, and CD19% markers for negative TBI serology patients. Overall, this study demonstrates that routine standard clinical markers could assist in a TBI diagnosis.
A Review on the Use of Deep Eutectic Solvents in Protection Reactions
Authors: Scarpelli Rosa , Bence Renata , Cano Natividad Carolina Herrera , Procopio Antonio , Wunderlin Daniel , Nardi Monica
Published: February 2024

Given the recent research on the application of eco-sustainable methods in organic chemistry, we have focused our attention on the derivatization processes for fundamental functional groups in organic chemistry, such as amino, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. Protection reactions are needed to temporarily block a certain reactive site on a molecule. The use of green solvents in this context has made an excellent contribution to the development of eco-sustainable methods. In recent years, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have had great success as a new class of green solvents used in various chemical applications, such as extraction or synthetic processes. These solvents are biodegradable and nontoxic. In this framework, a list of relevant works found in the literature is described, considering DESs to be a good alternative to classic toxic solvents in the protection reactions of important functional groups.
Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiviral Bioactive Compounds from Natural Products
Authors: Song Xun
Published: February 2024

In the relentless pursuit of innovative therapeutic agents, natural products have emerged as a transformative avenue in the battle against infectious diseases [...]
Chitosan-Supported ZnO Nanoparticles: Their Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Application for the Removal of Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6) from Aqueous Media
Authors: Ali Samah , Dayo Marwa , Alahmadi Sana , Mohamed Amr
Published: February 2024

A composite of chitosan-supported ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO/CS) was green-synthesized via an easy and cost-effective method using Chicory (Cichorium intybus) plant extract. The synthesis was confirmed using uv-vis spectrometry at a λmax of 380 nm, and the surface of the material was characterized via FT−IR spectroscopy, and finally via SEM, which confirmed the distribution of ZnO nanoparticles on the surface of chitosan biopolymer (CS). The synthesized material was applied in the adsorptive removal of residues of the pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) pharmaceutical drug from aqueous media using the batch technique. The material’s removal capacity was studied through several adjustable parameters including pH, contact time, the dose of the adsorbent, and the capacity for drug adsorption under the optimal conditions. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were applied to describe the adsorption process. The removal was found to obey the Freundlich model, which refers to a chemisorption process. Different kinetic models were also studied for the removal process and showed that the pseudo-second-order model was more fitted, which indicates that the removal was a chemisorption process. Thermodynamic studies were also carried out. The maximum removal of vitamin B6 by the nano-ZnO/CS composite was found to be 75% at optimal conditions. The results were compared to other reported adsorbents. Reusability tests showed that the nano-ZnO/CS composite can be efficiently reused up to seven times for the removal of PDX drugs from aqueous media.
Optical Signal Attenuation through Smog in Controlled Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Khalid Hira , Sajid Sheikh Muhammad , Cheema Muhammad Imran , Leitgeb Erich
Published: February 2024

Free-space optical (FSO) communication is a line-of-sight (LOS) communication technology that uses light, typically lasers, to transmit data through the atmosphere. FSO can provide high data transfer rates, but factors like weather conditions can affect its performance. Like fog, smog also degrades the availability and reliability of FSO links, as the particulate matter (PM) present in smog scatters the light beam, causing perceptible attenuation. In this paper, we have investigated the attenuation of an optical signal under laboratory-controlled smog conditions, using both theoretical and experimental approaches. A 6 m long acrylic chamber is used to contain artificial smog and measure the optical attenuation through it. The experimental result shows that smog attenuation is approximately 1.705 times more than fog attenuation. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the effects of smog on optical links and can contribute to the development and optimization of these systems in regions with high levels of smog.
A Study on the Thermal Behavior of Series and Parallel Connection Methods in the Process of Hydrogenation of Ship-Borne Hydrogen Storage Cylinder
Authors: Li Jiqiang , Wang Jiabao , Wu Tong , Li Jichao , Kwon Jeong-Tae
Published: February 2024

As a subdivision of the hydrogen energy application field, ship-borne hydrogen fuel cell systems have certain differences from vehicle or other application scenarios in terms of their structural type, safety, environmental adaptability, and test verification. The connection method of the ship-borne hydrogen storage cylinder (SHSC) is very important for the hydrogen fuel cell ship, and the structural parameters of the SHSC are particularly important in the hydrogen refueling process. To ensure the safe and reliable operation of the hydrogen-powered ship, research on the filling of the SHSC under different connection modes was carried out during refueling. In our study, a thermal flow physical model of the SHSC was established to research the hydrogen refueling process of the series and parallel SHSCs. The influence of series and parallel modes of the SHSCs on the hydrogen refueling process was explored, and the evolution law of the internal flow field, pressure, and temperature of series and parallel SHSCs under different filling parameters was analyzed by numerical simulation. Our results confirmed the superiority of the parallel modular approach in terms of thermal safety during refueling. The results can supply a technical basis for the future development of hydrogen refueling stations and ship-board hydrogenation control algorithms.
Design and Performance Analysis of Foldable Solar Panel for Agrivoltaics System
Authors: Lama Ramesh Kumar , Jeong Heon
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the use of a foldable solar panel system equipped with a dynamic tracking algorithm for agrivoltaics system (AVS) applications. It aims to simultaneously meet the requirements for renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. The design focuses on improving solar energy capture while facilitating crop growth through adjustable shading. The results show that foldable panels, controlled by the tracking algorithm, significantly outperform fixed panels in energy efficiency, achieving up to a 15% gain in power generation and uniform power generation throughout the day. Despite the presence of shadows of adjacent panels in the early morning and late evening, the system’s effectiveness in creating microclimates for diverse crops demonstrates its substantial value. The foldable design not only protects crops from adverse climate conditions across different seasons but also generates energy efficiently. This demonstrates a step forward in sustainable land use and food security.
An IoT Real-Time Potable Water Quality Monitoring and Prediction Model Based on Cloud Computing Architecture
Authors: Wiryasaputra Rita , Huang Chin-Yin , Lin Yu-Ju , Yang Chao-Tung
Published: February 2024

In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), it is imperative to ensure the safety of drinking water. The characteristics of each drinkable water, encompassing taste, aroma, and appearance, are unique. Inadequate water infrastructure and treatment can affect these features and may also threaten public health. This study utilizes the Internet of Things (IoT) in developing a monitoring system, particularly for water quality, to reduce the risk of contracting diseases. Water quality components data, such as water temperature, alkalinity or acidity, and contaminants, were obtained through a series of linked sensors. An Arduino microcontroller board acquired all the data and the Narrow Band-IoT (NB-IoT) transmitted them to the web server. Due to limited human resources to observe the water quality physically, the monitoring was complemented by real-time notifications alerts via a telephone text messaging application. The water quality data were monitored using Grafana in web mode, and the binary classifiers of machine learning techniques were applied to predict whether the water was drinkable or not based on the data collected, which were stored in a database. The non-decision tree, as well as the decision tree, were evaluated based on the improvements of the artificial intelligence framework. With a ratio of 60% for data training: at 20% for data validation, and 10% for data testing, the performance of the decision tree (DT) model was more prominent in comparison with the Gradient Boosting (GB), Random Forest (RF), Neural Network (NN), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) modeling approaches. Through the monitoring and prediction of results, the authorities can sample the water sources every two weeks.
Lightweight Vehicle Detection Based on Improved YOLOv5s
Authors: Wang Yuhai , Xu Shuobo , Wang Peng , Li Kefeng , Song Ze , Zheng Quanfeng , Li Yanshun , He Qiang
Published: February 2024

A vehicle detection algorithm is an indispensable component of intelligent traffic management and control systems, influencing the efficiency and functionality of the system. In this paper, we propose a lightweight improvement method for the YOLOv5 algorithm based on integrated perceptual attention, with few parameters and high detection accuracy. First, we propose a lightweight module IPA with a Transformer encoder based on integrated perceptual attention, which leads to a reduction in the number of parameters while capturing global dependencies for richer contextual information. Second, we propose a lightweight and efficient multiscale spatial channel reconstruction (MSCCR) module that does not increase parameter and computational complexity and facilitates representative feature learning. Finally, we incorporate the IPA module and the MSCCR module into the YOLOv5s backbone network to reduce model parameters and improve accuracy. The test results show that, compared with the original model, the model parameters decrease by about 9%, the average accuracy (mAP@50) increases by 3.1%, and the FLOPS does not increase.
A Combined Magnetoelectric Sensor Array and MRI-Based Human Head Model for Biomagnetic FEM Simulation and Sensor Crosstalk Analysis
Authors: Özden Mesut-Ömür , Barbieri Giuseppe , Gerken Martina
Published: February 2024

Magnetoelectric (ME) magnetic field sensors are novel sensing devices of great interest in the field of biomagnetic measurements. We investigate the influence of magnetic crosstalk and the linearity of the response of ME sensors in different array and excitation configurations. To achieve this aim, we introduce a combined multiscale 3D finite-element method (FEM) model consisting of an array of 15 ME sensors and an MRI-based human head model with three approximated compartments of biological tissues for skin, skull, and white matter. A linearized material model at the small-signal working point is assumed. We apply homogeneous magnetic fields and perform inhomogeneous magnetic field excitation for the ME sensors by placing an electric point dipole source inside the head. Our findings indicate significant magnetic crosstalk between adjacent sensors leading down to a 15.6% lower magnetic response at a close distance of 5 mm and an increasing sensor response with diminishing crosstalk effects at increasing distances up to 5 cm. The outermost sensors in the array exhibit significantly less crosstalk than the sensors located in the center of the array, and the vertically adjacent sensors exhibit a stronger crosstalk effect than the horizontally adjacent ones. Furthermore, we calculate the ratio between the electric and magnetic sensor responses as the sensitivity value and find near-constant sensitivities for each sensor, confirming a linear relationship despite magnetic crosstalk and the potential to simulate excitation sources and sensor responses independently.
Editorial: Signal Processing for Brain–Computer Interfaces—Special Issue
Authors: Naseer Noman , Niazi Imran Khan , Santosa Hendrik
Published: February 2024

With the astounding ability to capture a wealth of brain signals, Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) have the potential to revolutionize humans’ quality of life [...]
A 35-Year Record (1987–2022) of Hg Concentrations in Two of the Fish Species Most Consumed by People Living in the Upper Madeira River Basin, Brazilian Amazon Region
Authors: de Lacerda Luiz Drude , de Almeida Ronaldo , Bastos Wanderley Rodrigues
Published: February 2024

This study presents a 35-year record of total mercury (Hg) concentrations in the detritivore fish Prochilodus nigricans (Curimatã) and the carnivore Cichla pleiozona (Tucunaré), two of the most widely distributed, ecologically important and consumed fish species in the upper Madeira River Basin in the Western Brazilian Amazon. Fish samples from the major Madeira River and marginal lakes and tributaries were compared. Irrespective of site, Hg concentrations were higher in the carnivore fish compared to the detritivore. Hg concentrations increased 5-fold in C. pleiozona in the past three decades, whereas they remained relatively constant in P. nigricans when analyzing the entire 35-year period. When analyzed separately, fish in the main river and marginal lake and tributaries presented the same pattern of Hg variation, with a significant increase in Hg concentrations in the carnivore and in the detritivore in marginal lakes and tributaries but not in the main river. This was in line with the increase in methyl-Hg production in tributaries, mostly associated with deforestation in the past decade in the basin. Although an increase in direct emissions from artisanal gold mining also occurred in the past decade, this caused virtually no impact on fish Hg concentrations, suggesting atmospheric emission and deposition in forests and further export to water systems as an intermediate link with fish Hg concentrations.
Thermodynamics and Phase Transitions of Dyonic AdS Black Holes in Gauss-Bonnet-Scalar Gravity
Authors: Mou Pinghui , Yan Zhengzhou , Li Guoping
Published: February 2024

In this paper, by treating the cosmological constant as a thermodynamic pressure, we study the thermodynamics and phase transitions of the dyonic AdS black holes in Gauss-Bonnet-Scalar gravity, where the conformal scalar field is considered. In a more general extended phase space, we first verified the first law of black hole thermodynamics, and find that it is always true. Meanwhile, the corresponding Smarr relation is also obtained. Then, we found that this black hole exhibits interesting critical behaviors in six dimensions, i.e., two swallowtails can be observed simultaneously. Interestingly, in a specific parameter space, we observed the small/intermediate/large black hole phase transitions, with the triple point naturally appearing. Additionally, the small/large black hole phase transition, similar to the liquid/gas phase transition of the van der Waals fluids, can also be found in other parameter regions. Moreover, we note that the novel phase structure composed of two separate coexistence curves discovered in the dyonic AdS black holes in Einstein-Born-Infeld gravity disappears in Gauss-Bonnet-Scalar gravity. This suggests that this novel phase structure may be related to gravity theory, and importantly, it is generally observed that the triple point is a universal property of dyonic AdS black holes. On the other hand, we calculated the critical exponents near the critical points and found that they share the same values as in mean field theory. Finally, it is true that these results will provide some deep insights into the interesting thermodynamic properties of the dyonic AdS black holes in the background of conformal scalar fields.
Evaluation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Virus Asia1 Genotype-V as an FMD Vaccine Candidate: Study on Vaccine Antigen Production Yield and Inactivation Kinetics
Authors: Kim Jae Young , Park Sun Young , Park Sang Hyun , Lee Gyeongmin , Jin Jong-Sook , Kim Dohyun , Park Jong-Hyeon , Jeong Seong-Yun , Ko Young-Joon
Published: February 2024

South Korea has experienced outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) of serotypes O and A, leading to nationwide vaccination with a bivalent vaccine. Since the FMD virus (FMDV) Asia1 group-V genotype occurred in North Korea in 2007, an Asia1/MOG/05 vaccine strain belonging to the Asia1 group-V genotype was developed using a genetic recombination method (Asia1/MOG/05-R). This study aimed to evaluate the antigen productivity and viral inactivation kinetics of Asia1/MOG/05-R to assess its commercial viability. The antigen yield of Asia1/MOG/05-R produced in flasks and bioreactors was approximately 4.0 μg/mL. Binary ethylenimine (BEI) inactivation kinetics of Asia1/MOG/05-R showed that 2 mM and 1.0 mM BEI treatment at 26 °C and 37 °C, respectively, resulted in a virus titer <10−7 TCID50/mL within 24 h, meeting the inactivation kinetics criteria. During incubation at 26 °C and 37 °C, 10% antigen loss occurred, but not due to BEI treatment. When pigs were inoculated twice with the Asia1/MOG/05-R antigen, the virus neutralization titer increased to approximately 1:1000; therefore, it can sufficiently protect against Asia1/MOG/05-R and Asia1 Shamir viruses. The Asia1/MOG/05-R will be useful as a vaccine strain for domestic antigen banks.
Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) Delivery Carrier-Assisted Targeted Controlled Release mRNA Vaccines in Tumor Immunity
Authors: Wu Liusheng , Li Xiaoqiang , Qian Xinye , Wang Shuang , Liu Jixian , Yan Jun
Published: February 2024

In recent years, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have attracted extensive attention in tumor immunotherapy. Targeting immune cells in cancer therapy has become a strategy of great research interest. mRNA vaccines are a potential choice for tumor immunotherapy, due to their ability to directly encode antigen proteins and stimulate a strong immune response. However, the mode of delivery and lack of stability of mRNA are key issues limiting its application. LNPs are an excellent mRNA delivery carrier, and their structural stability and biocompatibility make them an effective means for delivering mRNA to specific targets. This study summarizes the research progress in LNP delivery carrier-assisted targeted controlled release mRNA vaccines in tumor immunity. The role of LNPs in improving mRNA stability, immunogenicity, and targeting is discussed. This review aims to systematically summarize the latest research progress in LNP delivery carrier-assisted targeted controlled release mRNA vaccines in tumor immunity to provide new ideas and strategies for tumor immunotherapy, as well as to provide more effective treatment plans for patients.
Impact of Pre-Infection COVID-19 Vaccination on the Incidence and Severity of Post-COVID Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Man Milena Adina , Rosca Daniela , Bratosin Felix , Fira-Mladinescu Ovidiu , Ilie Adrian Cosmin , Burtic Sonia-Roxana , Fildan Ariadna Petronela , Fizedean Camelia Melania , Jianu Adelina Maria , Negrean Rodica Anamaria , Marc Monica Steluta
Published: February 2024

This systematic review critically evaluated the impact of a pre-infection COVID-19 vaccination on the incidence and severity of post-COVID-19 syndrome and aimed to assess the potential protective effect across different vaccines and patient demographics. This study hypothesized that vaccination before infection substantially reduces the risk and severity of post-COVID-19 syndrome. In October 2023, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across three databases, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, focusing on studies published up to that date. Utilizing a wide array of keywords, the search strategy adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in the Open Science Framework. The inclusion criteria comprised studies focusing on patients with a breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed post-COVID-19 syndrome. We included a total of 13 articles that met the inclusion criteria, analyzing more than 10 million patients with a mean age of 50.6 years, showing that the incidence of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions post-vaccination was as low as 2.4%, with a significant reduction in mortality risk (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74). The prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome symptoms was lower in vaccinated individuals (9.5%) compared to unvaccinated (14.6%), with a notable decrease in activity-limiting symptoms (adjusted OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.48–0.73). Vaccinated patients also showed a quicker recovery and return to work (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04–1.79). The pooled odds ratio of 0.77 indicates that vaccination is associated with a 23% reduction in the risk of developing post-COVID-19 syndrome (95% CI 0.75–0.79). Despite the protective effects observed, a substantial heterogeneity among the studies was noted. In conclusion, a pre-infection COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a significant reduction in the risk and severity of post-COVID-19 syndrome. However, the observed heterogeneity across studies suggests a need for further research with standardized methods to fully comprehend vaccine efficacy against long COVID.