bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Naringenin Induces HepG2 Cell Apoptosis via ROS-Mediated JAK-2/STAT-3 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Zhang Ming , Lai Jianmei , Wu Qianlong , Lai Jia , Su Jingyao , Zhu Bing , Li Yinghua
Published: June 2023

Hepatocarcinoma is one of the most prevalent digestive system tumors worldwide and lacks effective therapy. Recently, naringenin has been isolated from some citrus fruits, and its anticancer effects have been tested. However, the molecular mechanisms of naringenin and the potential implications of oxidative stress in naringenin-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells remain elusive. Based on the above, the present study examined the effect of naringenin on the cytotoxic and anticancer mechanisms of HepG2 cells. Naringenin-induced HepG2 cell apoptosis was confirmed via the accumulation of the sub-G1 cell population, phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondrial transmembrane potential loss, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and caspase-9 activation. Furthermore, naringenin enhanced cytotoxic effects on HepG2 cells and triggered intracellular reactive oxygen species; the signaling pathways of JAK-2/STAT-3 were inhibited, and caspase-3 was activated to advance cell apoptosis. These results suggest that naringenin plays an important role in inducing apoptosis in HepG2 cells and that naringenin may be a promising candidate for cancer therapy.
Morphological and Compositional Analysis on Thermal Deposition of Supercritical Aviation Kerosene in Micro Channels
Authors: Sun Ao , Ye Cui , Yao Chenyang , Zhang Lifeng , Mi Ji , Fang Wenjun
Published: June 2023

The integration of active cooling systems in super or hypersonic aircraft using endothermic hydrocarbon fuels is considered an effective way to relieve the thermal management issues caused by overheating. When the temperature of aviation kerosene exceeds 150 °C, the oxidation reaction of fuel is accelerated, forming insoluble deposits that could cause safety hazards. This work investigates the deposition characteristic as well as the morphology of the deposits formed by thermal-stressed Chinese RP-3 aviation kerosene. A microchannel heat transfer simulation device is used to simulate the heat transfer process of aviation kerosene under various conditions. The temperature distribution of the reaction tube was monitored by an infrared thermal camera. The properties and morphology of the deposition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The mass of the deposits was measured using the temperature-programmed oxidation method. It is observed that the deposition of RP-3 is highly related to dissolved oxygen content (DOC) and temperature. When the outlet temperature increased to 527 °C, the fuel underwent violent cracking reactions, and the structure and morphology of deposition were significantly different from those caused by oxidation. Specifically, this study reveals that the structure of the deposits caused by short-to-medium term oxidation are dense, which is different from long-term oxidative deposits.
A Reliable Production System of Large Quantities of [13N]Ammonia for Multiple Human Injections
Authors: Alonso Martinez Luis Michel , Naim Nabil , Saiz Alejandro Hernandez , Simard José-Mathieu , Boudjemeline Mehdi , Juneau Daniel , DaSilva Jean N.
Published: June 2023

[13N]Ammonia is one of the most commonly used Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiotracers in humans to assess myocardial perfusion and measure myocardial blood flow. Here, we report a reliable semi-automated process to manufacture large quantities of [13N]ammonia in high purity by proton-irradiation of a 10 mM aqueous ethanol solution using an in-target process under aseptic conditions. Our simplified production system is based on two syringe driver units and an in-line anion-exchange purification for up to three consecutive productions of ~30 GBq (~800 mCi) (radiochemical yield = 69 ± 3% n.d.c) per day. The total manufacturing time, including purification, sterile filtration, reformulation, and quality control (QC) analyses performed before batch release, is approximately 11 min from the End of Bombardment (EOB). The drug product complies with FDA/USP specifications and is supplied in a multidose vial allowing for two doses per patient, two patients per batch (4 doses/batch) on two separate PET scanners simultaneously. After four years of use, this production system has proved to be easy to operate and maintain at low costs. Over the last four years, more than 1000 patients have been imaged using this simplified procedure, demonstrating its reliability for the routine production of large quantities of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)-compliant [13N]ammonia for human use.
Polyamine–Drug Conjugates: Do They Boost Drug Activity?
Authors: Basagni Filippo , Marotta Giambattista , Rosini Michela , Minarini Anna
Published: June 2023

Over the past two decades, the strategy of conjugating polyamine tails with bioactive molecules such as anticancer and antimicrobial agents, as well as antioxidant and neuroprotective scaffolds, has been widely exploited to enhance their pharmacological profile. Polyamine transport is elevated in many pathological conditions, suggesting that the polyamine portion could improve cellular and subcellular uptake of the conjugate via the polyamine transporter system. In this review, we have presented a glimpse on the polyamine conjugate scenario, classified by therapeutic area, of the last decade with the aim of highlighting achievements and fostering future developments.
Diet Restriction Impact on High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity by Regulating Mitochondrial Cardiolipin Biosynthesis and Remodeling
Authors: Li Qiaoyu , Lin Yuqi , Xu Jinlin , Liu Yukun , Jing Yuxuan , Huang Rongzeng , Song Chengwu , Zhang Lijun , Jin Shuna
Published: June 2023

Diet restriction (DR) ameliorates obesity by regulating mitochondrial function. Cardiolipin (CL), a mitochondrial phospholipid, is closely associated with mitochondrial function. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of graded levels of DR based on mitochondrial CL levels in the liver. Obese mice were treated with 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% reductions in the normal diet compared to normal animals (0 DR, 20 DR, 40 DR, and 60 DR groups, respectively). Biochemical and histopathological analyses were performed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of DR on obese mice. The altered profile of mitochondrial CL in the liver was explored using a targeted metabolomics strategy by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography MS/MS coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Finally, gene expression associated with CL biosynthesis and remodeling was quantified. Tissue histopathology and biochemical index evaluations revealed significant improvements in the liver after DR, except for the 60 DR group. The variation in mitochondrial CL distribution and DR levels showed an inverted U-shape, and the CL content in the 40 DR group was the most upregulated. This result is consistent with the results of the target metabolomic analysis, which showed that 40 DR presented more variation. Furthermore, DR led to increased gene expression associated with CL biosynthesis and remodeling. This study provides new insights into the mitochondrial mechanisms underlying DR intervention in obesity.
Photo-Enhanced Health Promotion Messages to Target Reduction in Dietary Sugar among Residents of Public Housing
Authors: Velez Mabeline , Quintiliani Lisa M. , Fuertes Yinette , Román Annelli , Heaton Brenda
Published: June 2023

Interventions intended to reduce the consumption of dietary sugars among those population groups demonstrating disproportionately greater and more frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods (SSBF) would benefit from intervention strategies that are tailored to population-specific barriers and facilitators. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the acceptability of photo-enhanced and theory-based health promotion messages that target the reduction in SSBF among adult residents of public housing developments, a population known for their high rates of chronic disease. Using the message development tool as a framework, we developed a series of 15 SSBF reduction messages, using an iterative process with community member input. We then evaluated the acceptability of the messages and compared three delivery mechanisms: print, text, and social media. We recruited participants who were residents of urban public housing developments, and who spoke either English or Spanish. A majority of participants identified as being of Hispanic ethnicity (73%). The message acceptability scoring did not appear to differ according to the assigned delivery mechanism, despite some imbalances in participants’ characteristics across delivery mechanisms. The messages that targeted motivation were least likely to be accepted. In conclusion, our findings suggest that engaging members of the community at all phases of the development process was a feasible method to develop SSBF reduction messages with a high perceived acceptability.
Can the Substitution of Milk with Plant-Based Drinks Affect Health-Related Markers? A Systematic Review of Human Intervention Studies in Adults
Authors: Biscotti Paola , Del Bo’ Cristian , Carvalho Catarina , Torres Duarte , Reboul Emmanuelle , Pellegrini Beatrice , Vinelli Valentina , Polito Angela , Censi Laura , Porrini Marisa , Martini Daniela , Riso Patrizia
Published: June 2023

The consumption of plant-based drinks (PBDs) in substitution for cow’s milk (CM) is increasing due to concerns for human and planet health and animal welfare. The present review aims to analyze the main findings from intervention trials investigating the effect of PBDs in comparison with CM on markers of human health. Suitable articles published up to July 2022 were sourced from PubMed and Scopus databases. A total of 29 papers were collected, with 27 focusing on soy drinks (1 of which also evaluated the effects of an almond drink), while only 2 focused on rice drinks. Among studies focused on soy drinks, the most investigated factors were anthropometric parameters (n = 13), the lipid profile (n = 8), markers of inflammation and/or oxidative stress (n = 7), glucose and insulin responses (n = 6) and blood pressure (n = 4). Despite some evidence of a beneficial effect of PBDs, especially for the lipid profile, it was not possible to draw any overall conclusions due to some conflicting results. As well as the low number of studies, a wide heterogeneity was found in terms of the characteristics of subjects, duration and markers, which reduces the strength of the available results. In conclusion, further studies are needed to better elucidate the effects of substituting CM with PBDs, especially in the long term.
Dietary Intake of Multiple Nutrient Elements and Associated Health Effects in the Chinese General Population from a Total Diet Study
Authors: Ma Lan , Shen Huijing , Shang Xiaohong , Zhou Shuang , Lyu Bing , Zhao Xin , Li Jingguang , Zhao Yunfeng , Wu Yongning
Published: June 2023

Nutrient elements are essential for human health. The intake of nutrient elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Mo, and Cr) in the general Chinese population was comprehensively evaluated via a recent total diet study (2016–2019), covering more than two-thirds of the total population. The contents of nutrient elements in 288 composite dietary samples were determined by ICP-MS. The dietary sources, regional distribution, the relationship with the earth’s crust, dietary intake, and health effects were discussed. Plant foods were the main source of both macro-elements and trace elements, accounting for 68–96% of total intake. Trace elements in food were compatible with their abundance in the earth’s crust. Na intake reduced by 1/4 over the last decade but was still high. The average intake of Ca, Mg, Zn, and Se did not reach the health guidance values, while the average intake of K, P, Mn, Fe, Cu, Mo, and Cr fell within a reasonable range. No element exceeded the UL. However, an imbalance was identified in the dietary Na/K ratio and Ca/P ratio. This paper provides a most recent and national-representative assessment of nutrient element intake, indicating the significance of salt reduction and dietary structure optimization for the population.
The Use of a Natural Polysaccharide as a Solidifying Agent and Color-Fixing Agent on Modern Paper and Historical Materials
Authors: Emanuele Lucia , Dujaković Tanja , Roselli Graziella , Campanelli Simone , Bellesi Giulia
Published: June 2023

This article presents results on the use of a new material as a solidifying agent and/or color-fixing agent. A special polysaccharide material extracted from the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) was tested on historical materials and modern papers. An old book from the 18th century was chosen as historical material. From the mentioned book 42 pages were taken, on which a conservation and restoration pretreatment was performed before applying the polysaccharide material: sampling, fiber analysis, dry cleaning, ink solubility, pH test, thickness measurement and wet cleaning. The paper sheets provided for the test were divided into 4 groups, 3 of which were treated with gel and one left untreated as a reference. The division into groups is not only due to the different method of application, but also due to the process of gel extraction. The effect of the treatment was analyzed using FTIR-ATR. To test the mucilage as color-fixing agent 2 samples were prepared using watercolor papers colored with 6 different watercolors applied to 2.5 cm2 samples for each color in two rows of different intensity. One of the 2 samples was treated with gel, but both were immersed for 3 times in a water-ethanol solution for approximately 20 min as is standard practice in conservation and restoration. After washing, both specimens were subjected to colorimetric analysis to assess their differences. The results provided satisfactory evidence for the protection of paints sensitive to aqueous treatments and suggest the use of mucilage as a new material in cleaning method for water-soluble media.
Blocking BAFF Alleviates Hepatic Fibrosis in Schistosoma japonicum-Infected Mice
Authors: Dong Panpan , Mei Congjin , Yang Yingying , Zhou Yonghua , Xu Yongliang , Song Lijun , Yu Chuanxin
Published: June 2023

Schistosomiasis is an immunopathogenic disease characterized by egg granuloma and fibrosis. The hepatic fibrosis of schistosomiasis is caused by the coordinated action of local immune cells, liver-resident cells and related cytokines around the eggs of the liver. B-cell-activating factor (BAFF), expressed in many cells, is an essential factor for promoting the survival, differentiation, and maturation of cells. The overexpression of BAFF is closely related to many autoimmune diseases and fibrosis, but has not been reported to play a role in liver fibrosis caused by schistosomiasis. In the study, we found that, during Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) infection in mice, the level of BAFF and its receptor BAFF-R progressively increased, then decreased with the extension of infection time, which was consistent with the progression of hepatic granuloma and fibrosis. Anti-BAFF treatment attenuated the histopathological damage in the liver of infected mice. The average areas of individual granulomas and liver fibrosis in anti-BAFF treatment mice were significantly lower than those in control mice, respectively. Anti-BAFF treatment increased the IL-10, decreased IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, TGF-β, and downregulated the antibody level against S. japonicum antigens. These results suggested that BAFF acts a strong player in the immunopathology of schistosomiasis. Anti-BAFF treatment may influence Th2 and Th17 responses, and reduce the inflammatory reaction and fibrosis of schistosomiasis liver egg granuloma. It is suggested that BAFF might be a prospective target for the development of new methods to treat schistosomiasis liver fibrosis.
Effect of Benzophenone Type UV Filters on Photodegradation of Co-existing Sulfamethoxazole in Water
Authors: Kodikara Dilini , Guo Zhongyu , Yoshimura Chihiro
Published: June 2023

Benzophenones (BPs) frequently occur in water environments, and they are able to both screen UV light and to sensitize reactive intermediate (RI) production. However, BPs have largely been overlooked as a background water component when studying photodegradation of co-existing organic micropollutants (OMPs). Therefore, in this study, we investigated the influence of BP and its derivative oxybenzone (BP3) on the degradation of the co-existing model OMP sulfamethoxazole (SMX). A series of photodegradation experiments were conducted covering a range of BPs concentrations in μg/L levels, and the degradation of 1.00 μM of SMX was studied. The addition of BP at 0.10 μM, 0.25 μM, and 0.30 μM, and BP3 at 0.10 μM and 0.25 μM, significantly increased the first order degradation rate constant of 1.00 μM of SMX (kobs(BP)) by 36.2%, 50.0%, 7.3%, 31.5%, and 36.2% respectively, compared to that in the absence of any BPs. The maximum indirect photodegradation induced by BP and BP3 reached 33.8% and 27.7%, respectively, as a percentage of the observed SMX degradation rate at the [BPs]/[SMX] ratio of 0.25. In general, triplet excited dissolved organic matter (3SMX*, 3BP*, and 3BP3*) played the major role in the photosensitizing ability of BPs. The results further implied that the increase of SMX degradation at the molar ratio of 0.25 was possibly due to 3BP* for the mixture of SMX and BP. Overall, this study revealed the sensitizing ability of BP and BP3 on the co-existing OMP, SMX, in water for the first time. Our findings can be applied to other BP type UV filters which are similar to BP and PB3 in molecular structure.
A High-Quality Optical Sensor with High Resolution Based on Coin-like Resonator
Authors: Yu Congzhi , Lv Naijing
Published: June 2023

A nanoscale plasmonic temperature sensor via a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure is proposed in this paper, and the waveguide structure is composed of a coin-like resonator. The finite element method (FEM) is used to study the structure’s transmission characteristics and electromagnetic field distributions. The calculated maximum temperature sensitivity is about 0.38 nm/°C, and the figure of (FOM) merit can be as high as 30,158, higher than most of the published MIM structure research. Compared to the structure without a square resonator, the FOM is enhanced by about 479%. We believe the proposed sensor can be a promising platform for future sensing applications such as filters, absorbers, and splitters.
Tailoring Black TiO2 Thin Films: Insights from Hollow Cathode Hydrogen Plasma Treatment Duration
Authors: Godoy-Junior Armstrong , Pereira André , Damasceno Barbara , Horta Isabela , Gomes Marcilene , Leite Douglas , Miyakawa Walter , Baldan Maurício , Massi Marcos , Pessoa Rodrigo , Sobrinho Argemiro da Silva
Published: June 2023

In this study, we report the use of a radiofrequency plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (RF-CVD) system with a hollow cathode geometry to hydrogenate anatase TiO2 thin films. The goal was to create black TiO2 films with improved light absorption capabilities. The initial TiO2 was developed through magnetron sputtering, and this study specifically investigated the impact of hollow cathode hydrogen plasma (HCHP) treatment duration on the crucial characteristics of the resulting black TiO2 films. The HCHP treatment effectively created in-bandgap states in the TiO2 structure, leading to enhanced light absorption and improved conductivity. Morphological analysis showed a 24% surface area increase after 15 min of treatment. Wettability and surface energy results displayed nonlinear behavior, highlighting the influence of morphology on hydrophilicity improvement. The anatase TiO2 phase remained consistent, as confirmed by diffractograms. Raman analysis revealed structural alterations and induced lattice defects. Treated samples exhibited outstanding photodegradation performance, removing over 45% of methylene blue dye compared to ~25% by the pristine TiO2 film. The study emphasized the significant impact of 15-min hydrogenation on the HCHP treatment. The research provided valuable insights into the role of hydrogenation time using the HCHP treatment route on anatase TiO2 thin films and demonstrated the potential of the produced black TiO2 thin films for photocatalytic applications.
Prediction of Mean Sea Level with GNSS-VLM Correction Using a Hybrid Deep Learning Model in Australia
Authors: Raj Nawin , Brown Jason
Published: June 2023

The prediction of sea level rise is extremely important for improved future climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. This study uses a hybrid convolutional neural Network (CNN) and a bidirectional long short-term (BiLSTM) model with successive variational mode decomposition (SVMD) to predict the absolute sea level for two study sites in Australia (Port Kembla and Milner Bay). More importantly, the sea level measurements using a tide gauge were corrected using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements of the vertical land movement (VLM). The SVMD-CNN-BiLSTM model was benchmarked by a multi-layer perceptron (MLP), support vector regression (SVR) and gradient boosting (GB). The SVMD-CNN-BiLSTM model outperformed all the comparative models with high correlation values of more than 0.95 for Port Kembla and Milner Bay. Similarly, the SVMD-CNN-BiLSTM model achieved the highest values for the Willmott index, the Nash–Sutcliffe index and the Legates and McCabe index for both study sites. The projected linear trend showed the expected annual mean sea rise for 2030. Using the current trend, Port Kembla was projected to have an MSL value of 1.03 m with a rate rise of approx. 4.5 mm/year. The rate of the MSL for Milner Bay was comparatively lower with a value of approx. 2.75 mm/year and an expected MSL value of 1.27 m for the year 2030.
Present-Day Three-Dimensional Deformation across the Ordos Block, China, Derived from InSAR, GPS, and Leveling Observations
Authors: Liu Chuanjin , Ji Lingyun , Zhu Liangyu , Xu Caijun , Zhang Wenting , Qiu Jiangtao , Xiong Guohua
Published: June 2023

The Ordos Block in China experiences tectonic activity and frequent earthquakes due to compression from the Tibetan Plateau and extension from the North China Block. This has prompted the construction of a high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) deformation field to better understand the region’s crustal movement. Considering the limitations of the existing geodetic observations, we used InSAR, GPS, and leveling observations to create a high-precision 3D deformation field for the Ordos Block. Spherical wavelet decomposition was used to separate tectonic and non-tectonic deformation signals. Short-wavelength non-tectonic deformation fields revealed complex surface deformation patterns caused by groundwater, oil, gas extraction, and coal mining. Long-wavelength tectonic deformation fields showed subsidence in the southern margin of the block, while the interior and northeastern margins were uplifted. By combining imaging results from the seismic velocity structure and magnetotellurics, we infer that the upwelling of deep materials beneath the northeastern margin leads to surface uplift with tensile strain rates. The crustal uplift in the area south of 38°N matches the thickening of the lower crust. The weak subsidence and eastward horizontal movement disappearing near 108°E at the southern margin support the existence of asthenosphere flow beneath the Qinling orogenic belt.
The CNES CLS 2022 Mean Sea Surface: Short Wavelength Improvements from CryoSat-2 and SARAL/AltiKa High-Sampled Altimeter Data
Authors: Schaeffer Philippe , Pujol Marie-Isabelle , Veillard Pierre , Faugere Yannice , Dagneaux Quentin , Dibarboure Gérald , Picot Nicolas
Published: June 2023

A new mean sea surface (MSS) was determined by focusing on the accuracy provided by exact-repeat altimetric missions (ERM) and the high spatial coverage of geodetic (or drifting) missions. The goal was to obtain a high-resolution MSS that would provide centimeter-level precision. Particular attention was paid to the homogeneity of the oceanic content of this MSS, and specific processing was also carried out, particularly on the data from the geodetic missions. For instance, CryoSat-2 and SARAL/AltiKa data sampled at high frequencies were enhanced using a dedicated filtering process and corrected from oceanic variability using the results of the objective analysis of sea-level anomalies provided by DUACS multi-missions gridded sea-level anomalies fields (MSLA). Particular attention was also paid to the Arctic area by combining traditional sea-surface height (SSH) with the sea levels estimated within fractures in the ice (leads). The MSS was determined using a local least-squares collocation technique, which provided an estimation of the calibrated error. Furthermore, our technique takes into account altimetric noises, ocean-variability-correlated noises, and along-track biases, which are determined independently for each observation. Moreover, variable cross-covariance models were fitted locally for a more precise determination of the shortest wavelengths, which were shorter than 30 km. The validations performed on this new MSS showed an improvement in the finest topographic structures, with amplitudes exceeding several cm, while also continuing to refine the correction of the oceanic variability. Overall, the analysis of the precision of this new CNES_CLS 2022 MSS revealed an improvement of 40% compared to the previous model, from 2015.
Obstacle Detection System for Navigation Assistance of Visually Impaired People Based on Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Said Yahia , Atri Mohamed , Albahar Marwan Ali , Ben Atitallah Ahmed , Alsariera Yazan Ahmad
Published: June 2023

Visually impaired people seek social integration, yet their mobility is restricted. They need a personal navigation system that can provide privacy and increase their confidence for better life quality. In this paper, based on deep learning and neural architecture search (NAS), we propose an intelligent navigation assistance system for visually impaired people. The deep learning model has achieved significant success through well-designed architecture. Subsequently, NAS has proved to be a promising technique for automatically searching for the optimal architecture and reducing human efforts for architecture design. However, this new technique requires extensive computation, limiting its wide use. Due to its high computation requirement, NAS has been less investigated for computer vision tasks, especially object detection. Therefore, we propose a fast NAS to search for an object detection framework by considering efficiency. The NAS will be used to explore the feature pyramid network and the prediction stage for an anchor-free object detection model. The proposed NAS is based on a tailored reinforcement learning technique. The searched model was evaluated on a combination of the Coco dataset and the Indoor Object Detection and Recognition (IODR) dataset. The resulting model outperformed the original model by 2.6% in average precision (AP) with acceptable computation complexity. The achieved results proved the efficiency of the proposed NAS for custom object detection.
A Brief Review on Flexible Electronics for IoT: Solutions for Sustainability and New Perspectives for Designers
Authors: Scandurra Graziella , Arena Antonella , Ciofi Carmine
Published: June 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) is gaining more and more popularity and it is establishing itself in all areas, from industry to everyday life. Given its pervasiveness and considering the problems that afflict today’s world, that must be carefully monitored and addressed to guarantee a future for the new generations, the sustainability of technological solutions must be a focal point in the activities of researchers in the field. Many of these solutions are based on flexible, printed or wearable electronics. The choice of materials therefore becomes fundamental, just as it is crucial to provide the necessary power supply in a green way. In this paper we want to analyze the state of the art of flexible electronics for the IoT, paying particular attention to the issue of sustainability. Furthermore, considerations will be made on how the skills required for the designers of such flexible circuits, the features required to the new design tools and the characterization of electronic circuits are changing.
Joint Particle Swarm Optimization of Power and Phase Shift for IRS-Aided D2D Underlaying Cellular Systems
Authors: Wang Ruijie , Wen Xun , Xu Fangmin , Ye Zhijian , Cao Haiyan , Hu Zhirui , Yuan Xiaoping
Published: June 2023

Device-to-device (D2D) communication is a promising wireless communication technology which can effectively reduce the traffic load of the base station and improve the spectral efficiency. The application of intelligent reflective surfaces (IRS) in D2D communication systems can further improve the throughput, but the problem of interference suppression becomes more complex and challenging due to the introduction of new links. Therefore, how to perform effective and low-complexity optimal radio resource allocation is still a problem to be solved in IRS-assisted D2D communication systems. To this end, a low-complexity power and phase shift joint optimization algorithm based on particle swarm optimization is proposed in this paper. First, a multivariable joint optimization problem for the uplink cellular network with IRS-assisted D2D communication is established, where multiple DUEs are allowed to share a CUE’s sub-channel. However, the proposed problem considering the joint optimization of power and phase shift, with the objective of maximizing the system sum rate and the constraints of the minimum user signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), is a non-convex non-linear model and is hard to solve. Different from the existing work, instead of decomposing this optimization problem into two sub-problems and optimizing the two variables separately, we jointly optimize them based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Then, a fitness function with a penalty term is established, and a penalty value priority update scheme is designed for discrete phase shift optimization variables and continuous power optimization variables. Finally, the performance analysis and simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is close to the iterative algorithm in terms of sum rate, but lower in power consumption. In particular, when the number of D2D users is four, the power consumption is reduced by 20%. In addition, compared with PSO and distributed PSO, the sum rate of the proposed algorithm increases by about 10.2% and 38.3%, respectively, when the number of D2D users is four.
Application of Foot Hallux Contact Force Signal for Assistive Hand Fine Control
Authors: Cui Jianwei , Yan Bingyan , Du Han , Shang Yucheng , Tong Liyan
Published: June 2023

Accurate recognition of disabled persons’ behavioral intentions is the key to reconstructing hand function. Their intentions can be understood to some extent by electromyography (EMG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and arm movements, but they are not reliable enough to be generally accepted. In this paper, characteristics of foot contact force signals are investigated, and a method of expressing grasping intentions based on hallux (big toe) touch sense is proposed. First, force signals acquisition methods and devices are investigated and designed. By analyzing characteristics of signals in different areas of the foot, the hallux is selected. The peak number and other characteristic parameters are used to characterize signals, which can significantly express grasping intentions. Second, considering complex and fine tasks of the assistive hand, a posture control method is proposed. Based on this, many human-in-the-loop experiments are conducted using human–computer interaction methods. The results showed that people with hand disabilities could accurately express their grasping intentions through their toes, and could accurately grasp objects of different sizes, shapes, and hardness using their feet. The accuracy of the action completion for single-handed and double-handed disabled individuals was 99% and 98%, respectively. This proves that the method of using toe tactile sensation for assisting disabled individuals in hand control can help them complete daily fine motor activities. The method is easily acceptable in terms of reliability, unobtrusiveness, and aesthetics.
Langmuir–Blodgett Films with Immobilized Glucose Oxidase Enzyme Molecules for Acoustic Glucose Sensor Application
Authors: Gorbachev Ilya , Smirnov Andrey , Ivanov George R. , Venelinov Tony , Amova Anna , Datsuk Elizaveta , Anisimkin Vladimir , Kuznetsova Iren , Kolesov Vladimir
Published: June 2023

In this work, a sensitive coating based on Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films containing monolayers of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE) with an immobilized glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme was created. The immobilization of the enzyme in the LB film occurred during the formation of the monolayer. The effect of the immobilization of GOx enzyme molecules on the surface properties of a Langmuir DPPE monolayer was investigated. The sensory properties of the resulting LB DPPE film with an immobilized GOx enzyme in a glucose solution of various concentrations were studied. It has shown that the immobilization of GOx enzyme molecules into the LB DPPE film leads to a rising LB film conductivity with an increasing glucose concentration. Such an effect made it possible to conclude that acoustic methods can be used to determine the concentration of glucose molecules in an aqueous solution. It was found that for an aqueous glucose solution in the concentration range from 0 to 0.8 mg/mL the phase response of the acoustic mode at a frequency of 42.7 MHz has a linear form, and its maximum change is 55°. The maximum change in the insertion loss for this mode was 18 dB for a glucose concentration in the working solution of 0.4 mg/mL. The range of glucose concentrations measured using this method, from 0 to 0.9 mg/mL, corresponds to the corresponding range in the blood. The possibility of changing the conductivity range of a glucose solution depending on the concentration of the GOx enzyme in the LB film will make it possible to develop glucose sensors for higher concentrations. Such technological sensors would be in demand in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The developed technology can become the basis for creating a new generation of acoustoelectronic biosensors in the case of using other enzymatic reactions.
Resonance Analysis and Gain Estimation Using CMA-Based Even Mode Combination Method for Flexible Wideband Antennas
Authors: Qas Elias Bashar Bahaa , Soh Ping Jack
Published: June 2023

This work presents an efficient design and optimization method based on characteristic mode analysis (CMA) to predict the resonance and gain of wideband antennas made from flexible materials. Known as the even mode combination (EMC) method based on CMA, the forward gain is estimated based on the principle of summing the electric field magnitudes of the first even dominant modes of the antenna. To demonstrate its effectiveness, two compact, flexible planar monopole antennas designed on different materials and two different feeding methods are presented and analyzed. The first planar monopole is designed on Kapton polyimide substrate and fed using a coplanar waveguide to operate from 2 to 5.27 GHz (measured). On the other hand, the second antenna is designed on felt textile and fed using a microstrip line to operate from about 2.99 to 5.57 GHz (measured). Their frequencies are selected to ensure their relevance in operating across several important wireless frequency bands, such as 2.45 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 5.5 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. On the other hand, these antennas are also designed to enable competitive bandwidth and compactness relative to the recent literature. Comparison of the optimized gains and other performance parameters of both structures are in agreement with the optimized results from full wave simulations, which process is less resource-efficient and more iterative.
XRecon: An Explainbale IoT Reconnaissance Attack Detection System Based on Ensemble Learning
Authors: Alani Mohammed M. , Damiani Ernesto
Published: June 2023

IoT devices have grown in popularity in recent years. Statistics show that the number of online IoT devices exceeded 35 billion in 2022. This rapid growth in adoption made these devices an obvious target for malicious actors. Attacks such as botnets and malware injection usually start with a phase of reconnaissance to gather information about the target IoT device before exploitation. In this paper, we introduce a machine-learning-based detection system for reconnaissance attacks based on an explainable ensemble model. Our proposed system aims to detect scanning and reconnaissance activity of IoT devices and counter these attacks at an early stage of the attack campaign. The proposed system is designed to be efficient and lightweight to operate in severely resource-constrained environments. When tested, the implementation of the proposed system delivered an accuracy of 99%. Furthermore, the proposed system showed low false positive and false negative rates at 0.6% and 0.05%, respectively, while maintaining high efficiency and low resource consumption.
Image Recommendation System Based on Environmental and Human Face Information
Authors: Won Hye-min , Heo Yong Seok , Kwak Nojun
Published: June 2023

With the advancement of computer hardware and communication technologies, deep learning technology has made significant progress, enabling the development of systems that can accurately estimate human emotions. Factors such as facial expressions, gender, age, and the environment influence human emotions, making it crucial to understand and capture these intricate factors. Our system aims to recommend personalized images by accurately estimating human emotions, age, and gender in real time. The primary objective of our system is to enhance user experiences by recommending images that align with their current emotional state and characteristics. To achieve this, our system collects environmental information, including weather conditions and user-specific environment data through APIs and smartphone sensors. Additionally, we employ deep learning algorithms for real-time classification of eight types of facial expressions, age, and gender. By combining this facial information with the environmental data, we categorize the user’s current situation into positive, neutral, and negative stages. Based on this categorization, our system recommends natural landscape images that are colorized using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). These recommendations are personalized to match the user’s current emotional state and preferences, providing a more engaging and tailored experience. Through rigorous testing and user evaluations, we assessed the effectiveness and user-friendliness of our system. Users expressed satisfaction with the system’s ability to generate appropriate images based on the surrounding environment, emotional state, and demographic factors such as age and gender. The visual output of our system significantly impacted users’ emotional responses, resulting in a positive mood change for most users. Moreover, the system’s scalability was positively received, with users acknowledging its potential benefits when installed outdoors and expressing a willingness to continue using it. Compared to other recommender systems, our integration of age, gender, and weather information provides personalized recommendations, contextual relevance, increased engagement, and a deeper understanding of user preferences, thereby enhancing the overall user experience. The system’s ability to comprehend and capture intricate factors that influence human emotions holds promise in various domains, including human–computer interaction, psychology, and social sciences.
Correction: Roopa et al. Development and Implementation of Cement-Based Nanocomposite Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring Applications: Laboratory Investigations and Way Forward. Sustainability 2022, 14, 12452
Authors: Roopa A. K. , Hunashyal A. M. , Mysore Rahila Rehamani M.
Published: June 2023

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]
Sustainable Analysis of Maize Production under Previous Wheat Straw Returning in Arid Irrigated Areas
Authors: Li Pan , Yin Wen , Chen Guiping , Guo Yao , Fan Zhilong , Hu Falong , Feng Fuxue , Fan Hong , He Wei
Published: June 2023

Conservation tillage is widely recognized as an important way to improve soil quality, ensure food security and mitigate climate change. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the subject in terms of sustainable evaluation of environmental and economic benefits of the combination of no tillage and straw returning for maize production in arid irrigated areas. In this study, grain yield (GY) and water use efficiency based on grain yield (WUEGY), soil carbon emission characteristics and economic benefits were investigated, and a sustainability evaluation index based on the above indicators was assessed in maize production under a wheat–maize rotation system from 2009 to 2012. Four wheat straw returning approaches were designed: no tillage with 25 to 30 cm tall wheat straw mulching (NTSMP), no tillage with 25 to 30 cm tall wheat straw standing (NTSSP), conventional tillage with 25 to 30 cm tall wheat straw incorporation (CTSP), and conventional tillage without wheat straw returning (CTP). The results showed that NTSMP treatment could effectively regulate water consumption characteristics of maize fields and meet the water conditions for high grain yield formation, thus gaining higher GY and WUEGY. NTSMP increased GY and WUEGY of maize by 13.7–17.5% and 15.4–16.7% over the CTP treatment, and by 5.6–9.0% and 2.3–11.2% over the CTSP treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, compared with CTP, the NTSMP treatment could effectively reduce carbon emissions from maize fields, where average soil carbon emission fluxes (ACf), carbon emission (CE) and water use efficiency based on carbon emission (WUECE) were reduced by 17.7–18.9%, 11.1–11.2% and 8.8–12.8% and carbon emission efficiency (CEE) was increased by 10.2–14.7%. In addition, the NTSMP and NTSSP treatments could effectively increase total output and reduce human labor and farm machinery input, resulting in higher economic benefit. Among them, the NTSMP treatment was the most effective, net income (NI) and benefit per cubic meter of water (BPW) were increased by 16.1–34.2% and 19.1–31.8% over the CTP treatment, and by 13.2–13.3% and 9.8–15.6% over the CTSP treatment, respectively. The sustainability analysis showed that the NTSMP treatment had a high sustainability evaluation index and was a promising field-management strategy. Therefore, no tillage with 25 to 30 cm tall wheat straw mulching is a sustainable maize-management practice for increasing economic benefits and improving environmental impacts in arid irrigated areas.
Does the Shield Effect of CSR Work in Crises? Evidence in Korea
Authors: Jahan Fariha , Kim Jungmu
Published: June 2023

This paper investigates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on shareholders’ wealth during market downturn, focusing on the market crash caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermaths. We evaluate the relationship between firms’ CSR and stock returns using a sample of 803 firms listed on the Korean stock market. The results of our study reveal that firms’ pre-crisis CSR activities do not protect shareholders’ wealth during the crisis; in fact, they negatively affected stock returns during the COVID-19 crisis. This finding is consistent across several robustness tests and challenges the prevailing notion that CSR is solely a philanthropic endeavor. This study suggests that firms need to reconsider their CSR approach in order to better align it with shareholders’ interest.
How Do Geographical Factors Affect the Distribution of Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of Xinjiang, China
Authors: Liu Caicai , Kang Lei
Published: June 2023

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is the essence of excellent traditional culture and the treasure of human civilization. At present, major countries pay more and more attention to the study of ICH. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the spatial distribution characteristics of ICH and to understand the factors affecting the development of ICH. Systematically studying the spatial distribution patterns, influencing factors, differentiation characteristics, and formation mechanisms of ICH is essential for effectively promoting its protection and development, guiding the planning of cultural tourism, and implementing cultural power strategies. There are clear differences between municipal and county-level ICH in Xinjiang. The overall distribution trend shows a spatial aggregation structure with more ICH in the north and fewer in the south. ICH resources are concentrated mainly in Kashgar, Yili, Tacheng, Bazhou, and Urumqi, where the Urumqi-Turpan-Korla region is the high-density core area for all types of ICH. Meanwhile, the Yining and Kashgar areas have a large number of non-relics. Ethnic distributions, cultural environments, policy supports, and other social and cultural factors have greater impacts on the spatial distribution of ICH in Xinjiang, while natural geographical environment factors such as runoff water systems and average precipitation have less influence. Interaction studies revealed that the synergistic effects of natural, economic, and social and cultural factors had a more profound influence on the spatial distribution of ICH. Lastly, to promote sustainable development, suggestions were made to optimize the spatial layout, protection, and development of Xinjiang ICH.
Professional Training in Beekeeping: A Cross-Country Survey to Identify Learning Opportunities
Authors: Guiné Raquel P. F. , Oliveira Jorge , Coelho Catarina , Costa Daniela Teixeira , Correia Paula , Correia Helena Esteves , Dahle Bjørn , Oddie Melissa , Raimets Risto , Karise Reet , Tourino Luis , Basile Salvatore , Buonomo Emilio , Stefanic Ivan , Costa Cristina A.
Published: June 2023

Habitat loss, climate change, and other environmental degradations pose severe challenges to beekeepers. Therefore, this sector needs to rely on updated information so that the intervening actors can deal with the problems. In this context, and assuming that professional training can greatly help those acting in the beekeeping sector, this work intended to investigate the gaps in the updated knowledge of beekeepers and how these can be filled through lifelong learning. The research was conducted in seven European countries (Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, and Spain). The data were collected through a questionnaire survey translated into the native languages of all participating countries. The results revealed that the topics of highest interest are apiary health and pest control and the management of the colonies throughout the year. The beekeepers update their knowledge through family, complemented by professional training, with participants preferring in-person courses as well as, in the workplace or in internships. The learning methodologies they consider most useful are project-based learning and learning through gamification. The videos and paper books or manuals are particularly valued as learning materials, and practical exercises are considered the most helpful assessment format. Finally, considering the effect of sociodemographic variables on the learning experiences and preferences of beekeeping actors, it was observed that the country was the most influential of the variables under study. In conclusion, this work revealed valuable information that should be used to design professional training actions to help the professionals in the beekeeping sector enhance their competencies and be better prepared to manage their activities successfully.