bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policies for agroforestry, a narrative review of four ‘continental’ regions: EU, India, Brazil, and the United States
Authors: Venn Rosemary , Montero-de-Oliveira Fernando-Esteban , Buratti-Donham Jesse , Eden Jonathan , Reinecke Sabine
Published: December 2024

Agroforestry is receiving renewed interest due to its highly diversified, multifunctional nature. With a long history and roots in many indigenous farming systems, agroforestry offers a ‘win-win’ for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, on-farm profitability, resilience, and social wellbeing. However, the re-integration of trees on farms goes against the previous decades’ push for de-mixing, intensifying, and simplifying production methods, and farmer uptake remains low. As understanding and support for more integrated, complex farming systems builds, an enabling policy landscape is needed. This narrative policy review considers policies for agroforestry across four ‘continental’ regions: the EU, India, Brazil, and the United States. Using an agroecological framework, we explore the content, development, objectives, and alignment of both direct and indirect policies to provide insight into: how policies for agroforestry are currently framed; their development process; and, whether over-lapping and interconnected policy objectives are included. We find that policies for agroforestry are increasing gradually, but are typically confined to an agronomic understanding, with limited inclusion of the socio-political aspects of food and farming. Except in Brazil, policies appear to be narrow in scope, with few stakeholders included in their development. Policies do not challenge the status quo of the dominant corporate agri-food system and appear to miss the transformative potential of agroforestry. We recommend: greater coordination of policy instruments to achieve co-benefits; focused integration of agricultural and climate policies; greater inclusion of diverse stakeholders in policy development; and a widening of agroforestry systems’ objectives, both in policy and practice.
Nitrification and urease inhibitors reduce gaseous N losses and improve nitrogen use efficiency in wheat exposed to elevated CO2 and temperature
Authors: Chakrabarti Bidisha , Bhatia Arti , Sharma Shikha , Tomer Ritu , Sharma Abhilasha , Paul Ankita , Kumar Vinod , Sutton Mark A.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Climate change significantly impacts food production by influencing crop growth and soil processes. Rising atmospheric CO2 levels and temperatures may affect reactive nitrogen losses from cultivated soils. This study aimed to quantify the effects of nitrification and urease inhibitors on reactive nitrogen losses from wheat soils in the context of elevated CO2 and temperature interactions.

Methods

An experiment was conducted in open top chambers for two consecutive years to quantify the effect of nitrification and urease inhibitors on ammonia (NH3), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in wheat under elevated carbon dioxide (EC), elevated temperature (ET) and their interaction (ECT). The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration ranged from 552 to 568 ppm in the EC treatment, while the average temperature was 2.1–2.5°C higher in ET treatment than ambient (AMB).

Results and discussion

The N2O–N emission increased under ECT than ambient. Use of neem oil coated urea (NOCU) reduced the N2O–N emission by 10.3%, whereas, Limus coated urea reduced N2O–N emission by 14% as compared to prilled urea treatment under ECT. NH3–N emission from wheat soil also increased under ECT treatment as compared to AMB. Application of N through Limus, reduced NH3–N emission from wheat by 35.7–36.8% when compared with NH3–N emission from prilled urea ECT condition. Elevated temperature reduced grain weight by 7.6%. The grain N content reduced by 10.9% with prilled urea under ECT. The application of NOCU and Limus increased grain N by 6 and 9%, respectively, as compared to urea under ECT interaction. The application of nitrification and urease inhibitors may reduce reactive nitrogen losses and enhance nitrogen use efficiency under future climatic conditions.
Coupling of urbanization and grain production: patterns, processes, and mechanisms—a case study from China
Authors: Chang Xiaodong , Wang Shijun , Yang Zhipeng , Li Ke , Wang Siqi , Qin Mengze , Meng Xinjie
Published: December 2024

Food security is crucial for national stability and public welfare. Since the 21st century, China’s grain production has been significantly influenced by the rapid process of urbanization. In this context, this paper systematically measures the multidimensional coupling patterns and dynamic coupling processes between urbanization and grain production from 2000 to 2022, and preliminarily summarizes the complex coupling mechanisms within the Chinese context. The goal is to provide scientific references for achieving high-quality coordinated development of urbanization and grain production in China. The study reveals the following key findings: (1) The coupling relationship between urbanization and grain production exhibits both regional heterogeneity and temporal variability, demonstrating specific levels of coupling and dynamic processes under distinct spatiotemporal conditions. (2) Between 2000 and 2022, both urbanization and grain production patterns in China underwent significant reconstruction, with the coupling coordination level displaying a long-term spatial pattern of “high in the north, low in the south; high in the east, low in the west.” Although there is an overall upward trend in coupling coordination states, spatial imbalances and dimensional heterogeneity persist. (3) Since the beginning of the 21st century, the dynamic coupling processes between provincial urbanization and grain production have primarily manifested as two types: simultaneous increase (with urbanization outpacing grain production) and urban increase accompanied by grain production decrease. Various dynamic coupling types exhibit significant spatial clustering, and the multidimensional dynamic coupling processes reveal notable similarities. (4) The evolution of coupling states demonstrates an overall trend of optimization, with clear bidirectional migration trends observed in coupling dynamics, primarily transitioning from simultaneous increase (urbanization outpacing grain production) to urban increase with grain production decrease, and vice versa. (5) The formation of the complex coupling relationship between urbanization and grain production in the Chinese context is fundamentally influenced by changes in population quantity and structure between urban and rural areas, shifts in land use, economic transformation, regional specialization, technological interactions, and factor mobility. These influences exhibit significant negative effects in the domains of population, land, and economy, while showcasing notable positive effects in terms of technology and factor mobility.
Data Assimilated Atmospheric Forecasts for Digital Twin of the Ocean Applications: A Case Study in the South Aegean, Greece
Authors: Parasyris Antonios , Metheniti Vassiliki , Alexandrakis George , Kozyrakis Georgios V. , Kampanis Nikolaos A.
Published: December 2024

This study investigated advancements in atmospheric forecasting by integrating real-time observational data into the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model through the WRF-Data Assimilation (WRF-DA) framework. By refining atmospheric models, we aimed to improve regional high-resolution wave and hydrodynamic forecasts essential for environmental management. Focused on southern Greece, including Crete, the study applied a 3D-Var assimilation technique within WRF, downscaling forecasting data from the Global Forecast System (GFS) to resolutions of 9 km and 3 km. The results showed a 4.7% improvement in wind speed predictions, with significant gains during forecast hours 26–72, enhancing model accuracy across METAR validation locations. These results underscore the positive impact of the integration of additional observational data on model accuracy. This study also highlights the utility of refined atmospheric models for real-world applications through their use in forcing ocean circulation and wave models and subsequent Digital Twin of the Ocean applications. Two such applications—optimal ship routing to minimize CO2 emissions and oil spill trajectory forecasting to mitigate marine pollution—demonstrate the practical utility of improved models through what-if scenarios in easily deployable, containerized formats.
Impact of El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Mechanical Pruning Strategies on the Productivity, Alternate Bearing, and Vegetative Growth of Olive Hedgerows
Authors: Calvo Franco E. , Calahorra María A. , Trentacoste Eduardo R.
Published: December 2024

Mechanical pruning in narrow olive hedgerows is essential for managing alternate bearing and facilitating mechanical harvesting by influencing the number of fruit load points. In olive cv. Arbequina hedgerows (2000 trees ha−1), two pruning times (winter and spring) and two pruning types (unilateral and bilateral) were applied under contrasting bearing conditions (ON and OFF seasons) over four consecutive seasons in La Rioja, Argentina. A strong El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event during the final season had a profound impact, increasing winter temperatures by 2 °C and reducing the average chill accumulation by 23%, significantly reducing productivity and exacerbating alternate bearing. The results demonstrated that pruning timing alone was ineffective in controlling alternate bearing, while bilateral pruning during ON seasons showed promise in regularizing fruit and oil yields and enhancing water use efficiency. However, the severe effects of the ENSO, which disrupted the winter dormancy break of fruiting buds, could not be mitigated by the evaluated pruning strategies.
Understanding Market Actors’ Perspectives on Agri-Food Data Sharing: Insights from the Digital Food Passports Pilot in Poland
Authors: Kosior Katarzyna , Młodawska Paulina
Published: December 2024

This study examines market actors’ perspectives on agri-food data sharing within traceability- and transparency-oriented digital systems, which are crucial for enhancing sustainable food supply chains. Drawing on the ‘Digital Food Passports’ pilot in Poland, the research aimed to identify factors influencing market actors’ willingness to share data to provide reliable and comprehensive information on the origin, journey, and quality of agri-food products. Through thematic analysis, key motivators and barriers to stakeholder engagement were identified. Findings highlight the necessity of a clear value proposition for all actors within the production and distribution chain to invest resources and time in additional data-exchange systems. For farmers, reducing burdensome reporting procedures and providing direct financial incentives were key motivators. Agri-food processing, transport, and packaging companies viewed data collaboration as a practical tool to ensure high-quality raw materials and promote premium-priced food. Appropriate data management policies were critical for all stakeholders. While sustainability was recognized as important, opportunities for collaboration going beyond economic considerations were not widely explored. Additionally, concerns about how data will be interpreted—even among producers demonstrating sustainable practices—emerged as a significant issue, a topic not extensively discussed in the existing literature. These findings underscore the need for data-sharing strategies that better align economic benefits with broader sustainability goals. Further research should also explore strategies to mitigate concerns over data misinterpretation to encourage greater involvement in data-sharing initiatives.
Comparative Analysis of Petaurus Cryptic Species of ‘Sugar Glider’ from Australia and New Guinea Using 3D Geometric Morphometrics
Authors: Powley Meagan , Mikac Katarina
Published: December 2024

The description of the Petaurus sp. has been ongoing since first described and especially within the last fifteen years. Recently from the known P. breviceps species, three subspecies have been recognized at the species level. Two of these species, P. notatus and P. ariel, have been geographically described throughout Australia; however, the northeast Queensland labeled P. breviceps remain unrevised. A third species, P. papuanus, is located throughout New Guinea and is associated with at least one divergence event to Australia. Our research used geometric morphometrics and linear measurements to compare known Australian species with specimens from Cape York and New Guinea. No significant shape difference was found between the known specimens of P. notatus and Cape York specimens. Our findings support an earlier identification of P. notatus (P. longicaudatus) at this location. Significant shape variation was found between Cape York specimens and New Guinea, indicating no association with the New Guinea species. Significant shape changes were also found in island specimens when compared with the mainland New Guinea specimens, which was likely a result of their isolation and accelerated evolutionary responses to novel environments. No significant shape change was found for mainland New Guinea specimens, which was likely associated with overlapping distribution and hybridization.
Effect of Low- and High-Sulfur-Containing Amino Acid Inclusion in Diets Fed to Primiparous Sows in Late Gestation on Pre-Partum Nitrogen Retention and Offspring Pre- and Post-Weaning Growth Performance
Authors: Munoz Alfonso Cristhiam Jhoseph , Huber Lee-Anne , Levesque Crystal L.
Published: December 2024

Twenty-seven gestating primiparous sows (203 ± 9.1 kg initial body weight on d 89 ± 1 of gestation) were selected to determine the effect of standardized ileal digestible (SID) sulfur-containing amino acid (SAA) intake during late gestation on whole-body nitrogen (N) retention and subsequent litter performance. Primiparous sows were assigned to one of two experimental diets that provided SAAs at 63 or 200% of the estimated requirements during late gestation (0.29 and 0.92% SID SAAs, respectively; n = 15 and 12, respectively). The diets were isoenergetic, and the SID Lys was 0.80% in both diets. Each gilt received 2.50 kg of the assigned diet between gestation d 90 and farrowing. Common lactation and nursery diets were provided to all primiparous sows after farrowing and offspring after weaning, respectively. Gilt whole-body N balance was determined between d 107 and 109 of gestation using total urine collection and fecal grab sampling. After farrowing, litters were standardized to 13 piglets and were not offered creep feed. Whole-body N retention was greater in primiparous sows fed the diet containing 0.92 vs. 0.29% SID SAAs in late gestation (27.2 vs. 19.3 ± 1.8 g/d; p < 0.05), but the number of piglets born alive, litter birth weight, subsequent piglet growth rates, and litter size at weaning were not different between the treatment groups. The post-weaning growth performance of the offspring was not influenced by maternal dietary treatment in late gestation. At farrowing, the post-absorptive plasma concentration of Tau was greater (p < 0.01) for primiparous sows fed 0.92 vs. 0.29% SID SAAs in late gestation, and offspring from primiparous sows fed 0.92% SID SAAs tended to have greater plasma homocysteine (Hcys; p = 0.066). Post-absorptive plasma AAs Ile, Leu, Val, and Tyr were greater (p < 0.05), and Ser tended to be greater (p = 0.071) in sows fed 0.92 vs. 0.29% SID SAAs. For the offspring, there were no diet effects on any of the dispensable and indispensable AA concentrations in plasma at birth, at weaning, or 3 and 6 weeks post-weaning. The primary finding is that the sow has a remarkable ability to buffer dietary AA imbalances, ensuring fetal growth even when SAA intake is below the current requirement estimates. While sufficient supplemental SAA intake is essential for the sow’s well-being, excessive SAA levels may not confer additional advantages in terms of sow or piglet growth and the production of vital metabolites. This research emphasizes the importance of meticulously balanced diets for pregnant sows to simultaneously support maternal growth and nitrogen retention, which may also have an impact on the synthesis of biomolecules linked to improving health outcomes for the offspring.
Assessment of Replicability and Efforts to Refine an Operant Conditioning Procedure for Larval Zebrafish
Authors: Agrillo Christian , Rovegno Eleonora , Dadda Marco , Bertolucci Cristiano , Bisazza Angelo
Published: December 2024

The zebrafish model is rapidly advancing numerous areas of basic and translational research, including toxicology, drug discovery, molecular genetics, genomic research, developmental biology, and the study of human diseases (reviewed in [...]
Effects of Dietary Bromide, Magnesium and Tryptophan and Immunocastration on Growth Performance and Behaviour of Entire Male Pigs
Authors: Dunshea Frank R. , McCauley Ian , Smits Robert J.
Published: December 2024

The growth of boars may be inhibited because of aggressive and/or sexual activity. Dietary Br, Mg and tryptophan (Trp) as well as immunocastration may reduce these behaviours. In Experiment 1, 200 boars and 40 barrows were allocated to six groups of four pens of 10 pigs per treatment. Control and immunocastrate (Improvac-vaccinated at 13 and 17 weeks, Imp) boars and barrows were fed a finisher ration while the others were fed diets supplemented with Mg (5 g Mg proteinate/kg), Br (140 mg NaBr/kg) and Trp (5 g Trp/kg). In experiment 2, 300 boars were stratified by weight and within three weight classes allocated to two pens of ten pigs per treatment. Control and Imp boars were fed a finisher ration while the other diets were supplemented with Br, Trp or both Br and Trp. In Experiment 1, average daily gain (ADG) was not affected by diet but the Imp boars had higher ADG than controls. Feed intake (FI) tended to be higher in all treatments compared to controls except for the Trp group. In Experiment 2, Imp boars had higher ADG and FI than other treatments while Br+Trp boars had higher ADG and FI than controls. These data suggest that immunocastration and dietary Trp and Br show promise for improving performance in group-housed boars.
Integrating In Silico and In Vitro Tools for Optimized Antibody Development—Design of Therapeutic Anti-oxMIF Antibodies
Authors: Rossmueller Gregor , Mirkina Irina , Thiele Michael , Puchol Tarazona Alejandro , Rueker Florian , Kerschbaumer Randolf J. , Schinagl Alexander
Published: December 2024

Background: Rigorous assessment of antibody developability is crucial for optimizing lead candidates before progressing to clinical studies. Recent advances in predictive tools for protein structures, surface properties, stability, and immunogenicity have streamlined the development of new biologics. However, accurate prediction of the impact of single amino acid substitutions on antibody structures remains challenging, due to the diversity of complementarity-determining regions (CDRs), particularly CDR3s. Methods: In this study, we combined in silico tools with in vitro assessments to engineer improved antibodies against the oxidized isoform of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (oxMIF), building on the first generation anti-oxMIF antibody imalumab. Results: We identified hydrophobic hotspots conferring increased self-interaction and aggregation propensity on imalumab, which unravels its unusually short half-life in humans. By introducing mutations into the variable regions, we addressed these liabilities. Structural prediction tools and molecular dynamics simulations guided the selection of mutations, which were then experimentally validated. The lead candidate antibody, C0083, demonstrated reduced hydrophobicity and self-interaction due to the restructuring of its heavy chain CDR3 loop. Despite these structural changes, C0083 retained target specificity and binding affinity to oxMIF. Conclusions: Altogether, this study shows that a small number of well-selected mutations was sufficient to substantially improve the biophysicochemical properties of imalumab.
Bioactive Content and Antioxidant Properties of Spray-Dried Microencapsulates of Peumus boldus M. Leaf Extracts
Authors: Polanco Valentina , Cerdá-Bernad Débora , Quispe-Fuentes Issis , Bernal Claudia , López Jéssica
Published: December 2024

Boldo (Peumus boldus M.), an plant endemic to central and southern Chile, has been recognized as a medicinal herb, especially its leaves that are rich in bioactive compounds with beneficial properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antimicrobial properties, among others. This research aimed to evaluate solid-liquid extraction using a response surface methodology to obtain phenolic-rich extracts from boldo leaves and to encapsulate them through spray-drying. A Box-Behnken design was applied to optimize extraction process variables (temperature, time, and solid-liquid ratio). Extracts were characterized in terms of their total phenolic content, with the maximum value obtained being 37.78 mg GAE/g using extraction conditions of a temperature of 100 °C, a time of 60 min, and a solid-liquid ratio of 1:100. The developed microcapsules containing the optimal boldo extracts were characterized (moisture, water activity, scanning electron microscopy, zeta potential, FTIR, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic profile by HPLC-DAD), highlighting their high phenolic content (5.38–5.49 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant capacity, as well as their bioactive content in terms of catechin (445 ± 37 mg/100 g), pyrogallol (304 ± 24 mg/100 g), and epigallocatechin (156 ± 12 mg/100 g). Overall, this study revealed an efficient technique by which to isolate and stabilize bioactive compounds from boldo leaves, with the microcapsules being promising candidates as high added-value ingredients.
Correction: Ogawa et al. Micronutrient Antioxidants for Men (Menevit®) Improve Sperm Function by Reducing Oxidative Stress, Resulting in Improved Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes. Antioxidants 2024, 13, 635
Authors: Ogawa Seiji , Nishizawa Kaori , Shinagawa Masumi , Katagiri Mikiko , Kikuchi Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Hideyuki , Yoshida Hiroaki
Published: December 2024

In the originally published article [...]
Immersive Cave Environments in VR: A Tool for Exploring Altered States of Consciousness and Creativity in Archaeology
Authors: De Pisapia Nicola , Penazzi Gabriele , Herrera Ibarra Isaias De Jesus , Rastelli Clara , Zancanaro Massimo
Published: December 2024

This study explores the use of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) cave environments to investigate hypotheses concerning altered states of consciousness, creativity, and flexible thinking in archaeological contexts. Building on the premise that ancient humans used caves as sites for rituals involving altered consciousness, we recreated a virtual cave environment to simulate these experiences and examine their impact on participants’ cognitive processes. Participants engaged in pareidolic tasks within both a virtual cave and a virtual open-space environment, allowing for comparative analysis of semantic network organization and subjective experiences. Our findings show that the cave environment elicited higher emotional arousal and spiritual engagement, as well as an improvement in the aspects of creativity and flexible thinking. These results suggest that VR can serve as a powerful tool in archaeology for reconstructing early humans’ experiences and investigating their psychological and cognitive states, thus providing new insights into their use of caves for mind-altering or ritualistic purposes. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to both cognitive archaeology and the development of immersive VR technologies in scientific research.
Mesh Stiffness and Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of Modified Straight Bevel Gears
Authors: Zhang Ding , Hu Ze-Hua , Liu Wen-Tao , Tang Jin-Yuan , Sun Zhou , Tian Zhao-Yang
Published: December 2024

Gear modification, which involves the removal of material from the theoretical surface to improve the contact characteristics of the gear face, is widely applied in gear vibration reduction and noise optimization design. This paper establishes a dynamic model of the straight bevel gear (SBG) transmission system to accurately and efficiently evaluate the effects of different modification strategies on the vibrational characteristics of SBGs. Initially, the time-varying meshing stiffness (TVMS) of standard SBGs was calculated, and methods such as the slicing method and deformation coordination equations were used to calculate the TVMS under tooth profile modification (TPM), Lead crown relief (LCR), and comprehensive modification (CM), which were then validated against finite element method (FEM) calculations. Subsequently, taking into account the impact of time-varying meshing point vectors and the degree of contact overlap, a finite element node dynamic model of the SBG transmission system was established. Finally, by comparing the dynamic characteristics under different modification conditions, the study further elucidates that selecting the appropriate modification method and amount according to different service scenarios is an effective means to suppress gear transmission vibration. This research provides a theoretical basis for the design of gear modification and vibration control for SBGs.
Using a Smartphone Application to Strengthen Pelvic Floor and Manage Symptomatology of Female Track and Field Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Romero-Franco Natalia , Bosch-Donate Elisa , Vico-Moreno Elena , Oliva-Pascual Vaca Ángel , Martínez-Bueso Pau , Molina-Mula Jesús , Fernández-Domínguez Juan Carlos
Published: December 2024

Despite the high prevalence of pelvic floor (PF) dysfunctions in female athletes, help-seeking is low due to embarrassment and disinformation. This study evaluated the effects of a 6-week exercise program guided by a specific app, with and without intravaginal biofeedback on the PF symptoms, strength, and sonographic measures of female athletes. Compliance with the program was evaluated. Thirty-nine athletes with PF symptoms used the app with different functionalities: experimental group 1 (n = 13) (EG1: exercises, PF information, and physiotherapists contact); experimental group 2 (n = 14) (EG2: exercises with biofeedback, PF information, and physiotherapists contact); and the control group (n = 12) (CG: PF information, and physiotherapists contact). Before and after the 6 weeks, PF symptoms, strength with the Oxford scale, and sonographic measures were evaluated. EG1 and EG2 improved strength (p = 0.028 and p = 0.001, respectively) and incontinence urinary symptoms (p = 0.041 and p = 0.002, respectively) over the baseline, without between-group differences (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in sonography (p > 0.05). Regarding compliance, 84.6 and 71.4% of athletes from EG1 and EG2 completed the program twice per week or more. A 6-week PF exercise program guided by the app improved PF symptoms and strength of female athletes and ensured high compliance with the program but was insufficient to improve sonography.
Radiation-Hardened 16T SRAM Cell with Improved Read and Write Stability for Space Applications
Authors: Oh Jong-Yeob , Jo Sung-Hun
Published: December 2024

The critical charge of sensitive nodes decreases as transistors scale down with the advancement of CMOS technology, making SRAM cells more susceptible to soft errors in the space industry. When a radiation particle strikes a sensitive node of a conventional 6T SRAM cell, a single event upset (SEU) can occur, flipping in the stored data in the cell. Additionally, charge sharing between transistors can cause single-event multi-node upsets (SEMNUs), where data in multiple nodes are flipped simultaneously due to a single particle strike. Therefore, this paper proposes a radiation-hardened high stability 16T (RHHS16T) cell for space applications. The characteristics of RHHS16T are evaluated and compared with previously proposed radiation-hardened SRAM cells such as QUCCE12T, WEQUATRO, RHBD10T, RHD12T, RSP14T, RHPD14T, and RHBD14T. Simulation results for RHHS16T indicated that the proposed cell demonstrates improved performance in read stability, write access time, and write stability compared to all comparison cells. These improvements in the proposed cell are achieved with higher power consumption and a minor area penalty. Notably, isolating the storage node from the bit line during read operations and the feedback loop between nodes during write operations enables the proposed RHHS16T to achieve enhanced read stability and write stability, respectively. The proposed integrated circuit was implemented using a 90 nm CMOS process and operates at a supply voltage of 1V. Furthermore, RHHS16T provides high immunity against SEUs and SEMNUs. Through its enhanced read and write stability, it ensures reliable data retention for space applications.
A Novel Method for Automatically and Accurately Diagnosing Demagnetization Fault in Direct-Drive PMSMs Using Three PNNs
Authors: Xiong Yiyong , Zhao Jinghong , Yan Sinian , Wei Kun , Zhou Haiwen
Published: December 2024

Direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous machines (DDPMSMs) have recently become an ideal candidate for applications such as military, robotics, electric vehicles, etc. These machines eliminate the need for a transmission mechanism and excitation coil circuits, which enhances the system’s overall efficiency and decreases the likelihood of failures. However, it may incur demagnetization faults. Due to the characteristic of having a large number of pole pairs, this type of machine exhibits numerous demagnetization fault modes, which poses a challenge in locating demagnetization faults. This paper proposed a probabilistic neural network (PNN)-based diagnostic system to detect and locate demagnetization faults in DDPMSMs, using information obtained through three toroidal-yoke-type search coils arranged at the bottom of the stator slot. A rotor partition method is proposed to solve the problem of demagnetization fault location difficulty caused by various fault modes. Demagnetization fault location is achieved by sequentially diagnosing the condition of each partition of permanent magnets. Three demagnetization fault identified signals (DFISs) are constructed by the voltage of the three toroidal-yoke coils, which are used as inputs of PNNs. Three PNNs have been designed to map the extracted features and their corresponding types of demagnetization faults. The database for training and testing the PNNs is generated from a DDPMSM with different demagnetization conditions and different operating conditions, which are established through an experimentally validated mathematical model, an FEM model, and experiments. The simulation and experimental test results showed that the accuracy in diagnosing the location of the demagnetization fault is 99.2% when the demagnetization severity is 10%, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed three PNN-based diagnostic approach.
Analysis of Driving Behavior of Micromobility Vehicle Users at Mini-Roundabouts
Authors: Distefano Natalia , Leonardi Salvatore , Litrico Alessandro
Published: December 2024

The rapid spread of micromobility vehicles such as bicycles and electric scooters poses new challenges to urban transportation systems, particularly in terms of road safety and infrastructure integration. This study investigates the driving behavior of micromobility users at a mini-roundabout, focusing on their speed profiles and their position within the lane during the entry, circulation, and exit phases. A structured recruitment process was used to select 20 participants with previous micromobility experience. Participants performed crossing maneuvers at a mini-roundabout in Gravina di Catania, Italy, which were monitored using drone footage and analyzed with tracking software to extract trajectories and speed data. The results show significant differences between e-scooter and bicycle users, with bicycles showing less speed variability, especially during the crossing and exit phases, while e-scooters showed greater variability, especially during the entry and exit phases. The results highlight the influence of vehicle stability and user posture on riding behavior and emphasize the need for infrastructure adaptations to increase safety. Mini-roundabouts designed for moderate speed are identified as a promising solution to improve the coexistence of micromobility and motor vehicles. This research identifies key differences in speed profiles and behavioral patterns between e-scooter and bicycle users, offering actionable insights and recommendations for safer and more efficient urban infrastructure. These contributions provide valuable guidance for urban planners and policymakers in promoting safer and more sustainable urban mobility.
Microencapsulation of Polyphenols and Their Application in Food Technology
Authors: Bińkowska Weronika , Szpicer Arkadiusz , Stelmasiak Adrian , Wojtasik-Kalinowska Iwona , Półtorak Andrzej
Published: December 2024

Microencapsulation of polyphenols is an innovative approach in food technology by which to protect these bioactive compounds from degradation and increase their bioavailability. Polyphenols, naturally occurring in plants, exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, which make them valuable functional ingredients in foods. However, their susceptibility to external factors, such as light, temperature and pH, presents a significant challenge for their incorporation into food products. Microencapsulation, based on various techniques and carriers such as polysaccharides, proteins and lipids, allows polyphenols to be stabilized and released in a controlled manner in the digestive system. This article reviews the different microencapsulation techniques, carrier properties, and the applications of microencapsulated polyphenols in food products, including bakery, dairy and functional beverages. Additionally, the article discusses the benefits and challenges associated with this technology, highlighting its potential to improve the stability, nutritional value and sensory acceptance of food products.
Climate Factors Dominate the Spatial Distribution of Soil Nutrients in Desert Grassland
Authors: Guo Chunrong , Zhao Ruixu , Jiang Hongtao , Qu Wenjing
Published: December 2024

Soil nutrient distribution in desert grasslands is predominantly influenced by climatic factors, particularly precipitation and temperature. Siziwang Banner, situated within the desert grassland belt of Inner Mongolia, represents a typical arid zone where soil nutrient dynamics are shaped by the interplay of precipitation, temperature, and topography. This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution of soil nutrients and assess the dominant role of climatic factors in this region, using geostatistical analyses and GIS techniques. The results reveal that soil nutrients exhibit higher concentrations in surface layers, gradually decreasing with depth. Horizontally, a pronounced gradient can be observed, with nutrient levels being higher in the southern regions and lower in the northern regions. Precipitation and temperature emerge as decisive factors driving these patterns; increased precipitation enhances the accumulation of soil organic matter and nitrogen, whereas elevated temperatures accelerate decomposition of organic matter, leading to nutrient losses. These findings underscore the critical role of climatic factors in governing soil nutrient distribution, offering valuable insights for soil management and ecological restoration efforts in arid ecosystems.
Typologizing the Hydro-Environmental Research on Climate Change Adaptation of Water Infrastructure in the Mediterranean Region
Authors: Stamou Anastasios I. , Mitsopoulos Georgios , Sfetsos Athanasios , Stamou Athanasia Tatiana , Varotsos Konstantinos V. , Giannakopoulos Christos , Koutroulis Aristeidis
Published: December 2024

Water Infrastructure (WI), incorporating water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems, is vulnerable to climate change impacts that can disrupt their functionality; thus, WI needs to be adapted to climate change. In 2021, the European Commission (EC) released the technical guidelines on “Climate-proofing Infrastructure” that include mitigation and adaptation strategies; these guidelines, and the relevant guides that followed, focus mainly on climate change aspects without examining sufficiently the engineering features of WI that are described mainly in the relevant hydro-environmental research; this research is vast and includes various terminologies and methods for all aspects of climate change adaptation. The adaptation procedure of WI to climate change is improved when this research is known to guidelines’ developers. In the present work, to facilitate this knowledge transfer, we typologize the hydro-environmental research via its classification into five categories that are based on the EC guidelines and then perform a literature review that we present as follows: firstly, we introduce and typologize the climate hazards for WI systems and identify the most common of them in the Mediterranean region that we classify into seven groups; then, we classify the hydro-environmental research into five categories based on the EC guidelines, present the main aspects for each of these categories, discuss the future research; and finally, we summarize the conclusions.
Parametric Inference in Biological Systems in a Random Environment
Authors: Molina-Fernández Manuel , Mota-Medina Manuel
Published: December 2024

This research focuses on biological systems with sexual reproduction in which female and male individuals coexist together, forming female–male couples with the purpose of procreation. The couples can originate new females and males according to a certain probability law. Consequently, in this type of biological systems, two biological phases are involved: a mating phase in which the couples are formed, and a reproduction phase in which the couples, independently of the others, originate new offspring of both sexes. Due to several environmental factors of a random nature, these phases usually develop over time in a non-predictable (random) environment, frequently influenced by the numbers of females and males in the population and by the number of couples participating in the reproduction phase. In order to investigate the probabilistic evolution of these biological systems, in previous papers, by using a methodology based on branching processes, we had introduced a new class of two-sex mathematical models. Some probabilistic properties and limiting results were then established. Additionally, under a non-parametric statistical framework, namely, not assuming to have known the functional form of the offspring law, estimates for the main parameters affecting the reproduction phase were determined. We now continue this research line focusing the attention on the estimation of such reproductive parameters under a parametric statistical setting. In fact, we consider offspring probability laws belonging to the family of bivariate power series distributions. This general family includes the main probability distributions used to describe the offspring dynamic in biological populations with sexual reproduction. Under this parametric context, we propose accurate estimates for the parameters involved in the reproduction phase. With the aim of assessing the quality of the proposed estimates, we also determined optimal credibility intervals. For these purposes, we apply the Bayesian estimation methodology. As an illustration of the methodology developed, we present a simulated study about the demographic dynamics of Labord’s chameleon populations, where a sensitivity analysis on the prior density is included.
Changes in Toe Clearance Due to Adjusting the Dorsiflexion Angle of Ankle–Foot Orthoses: A Study in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Hosokawa Hiroshi , Tamiya Fumiaki , Fujii Ren , Ishimoto Ryu , Mukaino Masahiko , Otaka Yohei
Published: December 2024

This study investigated the effects of ankle dorsiflexion angle adjustments in ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs) on the gait of healthy individuals. Fifteen healthy participants engaged in treadmill walking tasks while wearing AFOs with dorsiflexion angles set at 0°, 5°, 10°, and 15°. Three-dimensional treadmill gait analysis was used to collect data during treadmill walking. The analysis focused on toe clearance and the contribution of the vertical component of limb shortening (LS), and compared them across different dorsiflexion angles. The results indicated a significant increase in toe clearance at 10° (median [interquartile change]: 5.03 [0.90] vs. 5.98 [1.18], p < 0.01) and 15° (5.03 [0.90] vs. 5.82 [1.11], p < 0.01) dorsiflexion angle conditions compared to the 0° condition. Similarly, LS demonstrated significant increases at 10° (4.89 [1.97] vs. 5.87 [1.31], p < 0.01) and 15° (4.89 [1.97] vs. 5.61 [1.65], p < 0.01) conditions when compared with the 0° condition. These findings support the notion that higher dorsiflexion angles in AFOs lead to increased toe clearance and LS, suggesting the effectiveness of dorsiflexion angle adjustments as a strategy to address reduced toe clearance.
Analyzing How Skinfold Thickness Affects Log-Transformed EMG Amplitude–Power Output Metrics
Authors: Kraydich Matthew J. , Gonzalez Jacob , Ziebold Marcus A. , Asmar Patrick N. , Chehab Amanda , Malek Moh H.
Published: December 2024

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether accounting for skinfold thickness would reduce the variability observed on a subject-by-subject basis for the y-intercept and slope terms derived from the log-transformed EMG amplitude–power output relationship. We hypothesized that using skinfold thickness as a covariate would reduce the subject-by-subject variability in the y-intercept and slope terms and, therefore, indicate potential mean differences between muscle groups. Methods: Subjects had the skinfold from their three superficial quadriceps femoris muscles measured and then EMG electrodes placed over the three muscles. Thereafter, each subject performed an incremental single-leg knee-extensor ergometer exercise test to voluntary exhaustion. Results: The results indicated that using skinfold thickness as a covariate did not change the statistical outcome when comparing the mean values for the y-intercept or slope terms across the three superficial quadriceps femoris muscles. Conclusion: These findings suggest that there may be other factors that are influencing the subject-by-subject variability for the y-intercept and slope terms, respectively.
Optimization and Standardization of Stable De-Epidermized Dermis (DED) Models for Functional Evaluation of Cutaneous Cell Therapies
Authors: Chen Xi , Scaletta Corinne , Liao Zhifeng , Laurent Alexis , Applegate Lee Ann , Hirt-Burri Nathalie
Published: December 2024

The human skin is a remarkable organ capable of extensive regeneration, especially after severe injuries such as burns and related wounds. The de-epidermized dermis (DED) model has become a valuable in vitro tool for skin regeneration studies, particularly for testing the mechanism of action and the efficacy of clinical cutaneous cell therapies. To further improve the quality and robustness of these applications, our study focused on optimizing and standardizing DED tissue preparation and storage, enhancing its effectiveness for clinical testing. Therefore, we optimized the air-liquid interfacial culture medium composition by simplifying the historical formulation without compromising keratinocyte (therapeutic cell model) viability or proliferation. Furthermore, we investigated the impacts of adding burn wound exudates in the model by focusing on cell behavior for enhanced translational significance. The results revealed notable differences in keratinocyte adhesion and proliferation between burn wound exudates collected at the early stages and late stages of acute patient treatment, providing new information on a possible therapeutic window to apply cell therapies on burn patients. Generally, this study reported a robust method for the preclinical in vitro assessment of keratinocyte-based cutaneous cell therapies using DED models. Overall, the study underscored the importance of using in vitro models with enhanced translational relevance to better predict the clinical effects of cutaneous cell therapies in burn patient populations.
Development of a Microfluidic Viscometer for Non-Newtonian Blood Analog Fluid Analysis
Authors: Chang Yii-Nuoh , Yao Da-Jeng
Published: December 2024

The incidence of stroke is on the rise globally. This affects one in every four individuals each year, underscoring the urgent need for early warning and prevention systems. The existing research highlights the significance of monitoring blood viscosity in stroke risk evaluations. However, the current methods lack the precision to measure viscosity under low shear rate conditions (<100 s⁻¹), which are observed during pulsatility flow. This study addresses this gap by introducing a novel microfluidic platform designed to measure blood viscosity with high precision under pulsatility flow conditions. The systolic blood viscosity (SBV) and diastolic blood viscosity (DBV) can be differentiated and evaluated by using this system. The non-Newtonian behavior of blood is captured across specific shear rate conditions. The platform employs a meticulously designed microarray to simulate the variations in blood viscosity during pulsation within blood vessels.The results demonstrate an impressive accuracy of 95% and excellent reproducibility when compared to traditional viscometers and rheometers and are within the human blood viscosity range of 1–10 cP. This monitoring system holds promise as a valuable addition to stroke risk evaluation methods, with the potential to enhance prediction accuracy.
Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms of Purine Compounds Synergistically Inducing Larval Settlement in Mytilopsis sallei Using Multi-Group Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis
Authors: He Jian , Hao Huanhuan , Pan Huakang , Yao Shanshan , Zhao Yiran , Guo Shifeng , Huang Jianfang , Feng Danqing
Published: December 2024

Most benthic marine invertebrates exhibit a characteristic biphasic life cycle, consisting of a planktonic larval stage followed by a benthic adult stage [...]