bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture and related therapies for anxiety and depression in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency and diminished ovarian reserve: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Sidan , Zhang Danni , Shi Xuliang , Zhang Yi , Wang Xuesong , She Yanfen , Liang Ce , Li Xinyue , Zaslawski Christopher
Published: December 2024

Background

The decreased ovarian function has a negative impact on the mental health of women and increases the risk of anxiety and depression. A growing number of clinical studies have demonstrated that acupuncture-related therapies can effectively and safely restore hormone levels and improve ovarian reserve function. However, the effectiveness of acupuncture-related therapies in alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with ovarian hypofunction has not been thoroughly evaluated. Therefore, this study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of the different acupuncture-related therapies on the mental health of patients with ovarian hypofunction.

Methods

We comprehensively searched eight famous databases for randomized controlled trials up to October 30, 2024. Databases include PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane Library, China Biomedical (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database and VIP Database.

Results

The study included 12 RCTs, involving 780 patients with ovarian hypofunction, including 403 patients with POI, 297 patients with DOR, and 80 patients with POF. Acupuncture-related therapy was obviously superior to hormone therapy in relieving anxiety symptoms (SMD: -0.90; 95%CI: -1.28, -0.53; P<0.000 01) and depressive symptoms (SMD: -0.82; 95% CI: -1.25, -0.40; P=0.0001).

Conclusions

Acupuncture-related therapy was more effective than hormone therapy in improving anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with ovarian hypofunction. This study supports the use of acupuncture-related therapies for women experiencing decreased ovarian function associated with mental health issues.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, identifier CRD42023488015.
Chaperone-mediated autophagy as a modulator of aging and longevity
Authors: Endicott S. Joseph
Published: December 2024

Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) is the lysosomal degradation of individually selected proteins, independent of vesicle fusion. CMA is a central part of the proteostasis network in vertebrate cells. However, CMA is also a negative regulator of anabolism, and it degrades enzymes required for glycolysis, de novo lipogenesis, and translation at the cytoplasmic ribosome. Recently, CMA has gained attention as a possible modulator of rodent aging. Two mechanistic models have been proposed to explain the relationship between CMA and aging in mice. Both of these models are backed by experimental data, and they are not mutually exclusionary. Model 1, the “Longevity Model,” states that lifespan-extending interventions that decrease signaling through the INS/IGF1 signaling axis also increase CMA, which degrades (and thereby reduces the abundance of) several proteins that negatively regulate vertebrate lifespan, such as MYC, NLRP3, ACLY, and ACSS2. Therefore, enhanced CMA, in early and midlife, is hypothesized to slow the aging process. Model 2, the “Aging Model,” states that changes in lysosomal membrane dynamics with age lead to age-related losses in the essential CMA component LAMP2A, which in turn reduces CMA, contributes to age-related proteostasis collapse, and leads to overaccumulation of proteins that contribute to age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, atherosclerosis, and sterile inflammation. The objective of this review paper is to comprehensively describe the data in support of both of these explanatory models, and to discuss the strengths and limitations of each.
Willingness to pay for improved solid waste management and associated factors among households in Debre Berhan town, North Shoa Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Chernet Dawit , Sema Wondimu , Gebeyehu Amare , Wogayehu Belachew Tekleyohannes
Published: December 2024

Background

The willingness to pay for better solid waste management serves as a framework that allows households to contribute a maximum amount of money to service improvement.

Objectives

This study determined the willingness to pay for improved solid waste management and the associated factors among households in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia, in 2022.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Debre Berhan town, from June to July 2022. Multistage sampling techniques were employed to select household heads using semi-structured and pre-tested questionnaires. Data were entered using EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed using Stata version 14. The multivariable Tobit regression model was built upon a univariable Tobit regression framework. The relationship between dependent and independent variables was declared statistically significant in the final model at a p-value of ≤0.05 in the 95% confidence interval.

Results

This study included 518 households, with a response rate of 99.23%. A total of 472 households 91.1% (95% CI: 88.1–93.5) reported their willingness to pay for improved solid waste management. The average monthly willingness to pay was 54.83 Ethiopian Birr. The amount of solid waste generated (β: 10.49; 95% CI: 2.85–18.12), knowledge (β: 7.33; 95% CI: 2.43–12.22), perception (β: 10.01; (95% CI: 5.83–14.19), monthly income (β: 13.23; 95% CI: 6.20–20.26), education level (β: 14.30; 95% CI: 3.48–13.63), house ownership (β: 8.56; 95% CI: 3.48–13.63), family size (β: 3.88; 95% CI: 2.01–5.74), and being a female household head (β: 5.73; 95% CI: 1.73–9.70) were the significantly associated factors.

Conclusion

Willingness to pay for improved solid waste management services was high. The town municipality should take advantage of this willingness to pay by installing an improved solid waste management, which can help alleviate budget constraints through active household participation in funding these services.
Growth Kinetics Modeling and Evaluation of Antiphytopathogenic Activity of Newly Isolated Fungicolous Epicoccum nigrum Associated with Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporaceae)
Authors: Baldzhieva Radka , Brazkova Mariya , Blazheva Denica , Goranov Bogdan , Stefanova Petya , Ganeva Zlatka , Teneva Desislava , Denev Petko , Angelova Galena
Published: December 2024

In the present study, an unknown fungal strain was isolated from the fruiting body of a local Dryad’s Saddle mushroom (Polyporaceae). The molecular identification of the isolate was performed by amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and the strain was identified with 100.00% confidence as Epicoccum nigrum. The morphological characteristics, including the distinctive colony pigmentation, conidiophore structure, and conidial shape, were determined to ensure comprehensive characterization of the fungus. The modeling of the kinetics of the growth process was conducted with the applying the logistic curve model and the reverse autocatalytic growth model, and the concentrations of the compounds in the nutrient medium required for the E. nigrum development were established. Controlled submerged cultivation was carried out for cultural liquid obtaining, which was further used for the evaluation of the biological activities. The untreated cultural liquid demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum where the minimal inhibitory concentration was 1.25 mg/mL. Antimicrobial activity was also detected toward Botrytis cinerea (2.5 mg/mL) and Aspergillus flavus (2.5 mg/mL). The direct utilization of crude cultural liquid for phytopathogenic control is a sustainable approach that will provide the opportunity for the development of an environmentally friendly manufacturing process.
The Dynamic Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Soil Respiration in Different Types of Grasslands in the Barkol Lake Basin
Authors: Cao Xiangdong , Zhao Chengyi , Jia Hongtao , Yang Jinyu
Published: December 2024

Determining regional and global carbon cycles hinges on investigating the dynamic characteristics and influencing factors of soil respiration in various types of natural grasslands located in arid regions, and these characteristics are important indicators for assessing the structural and functional health of grassland ecosystems. Such investigations also provide theoretical support for carbon sink monitoring, energy conservation, emission reduction and low-carbon development in the western arid zone and are important for obtaining an in-depth understanding of the carbon cycle, as well as for ecosystem management, restoration and the reconstruction of arid areas. In this study, during the growing season (from May to October) of 2022, the LI-8100A automated soil CO2 flux system was used to measure the soil respiration rate (Rs), temperature from 1.5 m above the surface to depths of 5–25 cm (T, T5, T10, T15, T20 and T25) and the soil moisture content (SM) at a depth of 20 cm in four types of grasslands: lowland meadow, alpine meadow, temperate desert steppe and temperate steppe desert. Five replicates were established for each plot, and the responses of Rs to T and SM were fitted to construct the optimal regression model. The results revealed that (1) the daily average soil respiration was highest in the lowland meadow (0.07 to 5.76 μmol·m−2·s−1), followed by the alpine meadow (−0.57 to 0.95 μmol·m−2·s−1), the temperate desert steppe (−0.45 to 3.0 μmol·m−2·s−1) and the temperate steppe desert (−1.29 to 1.61 μmol·m−2·s−1); (2) the soil respiration rates of the four grassland types were significantly correlated with the temperature in the 5–15 cm soil layer, and the best model was an exponential function; the peak values generally appeared between 13:00 and 17:00 (h), with the minimum values at 2:00 or 8:00 (h); the maximum value was observed in July–August, and the minimum value was observed in October; and the soil respiration in the lowland meadow was higher than that in the other three types of grassland during the same period. The average variation intensities of the soil respiration from May to October were as follows: temperate steppe desert (91.78%) > temperate desert steppe (76%) > alpine meadow (58.77%) > lowland meadow (43.93%). (3) The partial correlation analysis revealed that when soil temperature was used as a control, the correlation between SM and soil respiration in the four types of grasslands changed, and the coefficient of determination (R2) increased to varying degrees, explaining up to 80% of the variation in the soil respiration in the lowland meadows. The correlation between soil respiration and the SM normalized to 10 °C explained up to 93.8% of the variation in soil respiration; the two-factor fitting equations revealed that the model with soil temperature and SM was superior to the single-factor model with either soil temperature or SM.
Antimicrobial Nanoparticles Composed of Zein and Arginine-Phenylalanine-Based Surfactants for Wound Related Infections: Antioxidant and Skin-Related Anti-Enzymatic Activities and Toxicity
Authors: Sousa Francisco Fábio Oliveira de , Hafidi Zakaria , García María Teresa , Moran Maria del Carmen , Vazquez Sergio , Pérez Lourdes
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Cationic surfactants are potential antimicrobial candidates. Even so, they are the foremost irritative and incompatible group, which limits their usage. The incorporation of surfactants in biopolymer-based nanoparticles is a feasible strategy to improve their efficacy and reduce those drawbacks. Methods: Surfactants with one amino acid on the polar head (lauroyl arginine methyl ester—LAM and phenylalanine dodecyl amide—PNHC12) and surfactants with two amino acids on the polar heads, arginine-phenylalanine (Lauroyl phenylalanine arginine methyl esther—C12PAM and phenylalanine-arginine dodecyl amide—PANHC12) were loaded to zein nanoparticles. Their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities were evaluated. Also, the inhibitory activities of the surfactants and nanoparticles over skin-related enzymes were accessed in silico and in vitro, while their cytotoxicity was determined comparatively over immortal human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human fibroblasts (3T3). Finally, the Vibrio fisheri luminescence reduction test was used to detect its ecotoxicity. Results: The nanoparticles were obtained successfully and exhibited good biocide activity against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria and yeasts. The surfactants were found active over the enzymes assayed: elastase > tyrosinase > collagenase > lipoxygenase, while the inhibitory activity was superior when nanoencapsulated over the enzymes tyrosinase and lipoxygenase. The surfactants and their corresponding nanoparticles presented acceptable cytotoxic levels, except for PNHC12 in both forms, while their ecotoxicity was limited and acceptable. Conclusions: Accordingly, the nanoencapsulation of the arginine-phenylalanine surfactants loaded to zein nanoparticles was found to be a smart strategy to enhance the antimicrobial activity and improve their selectivity over representative skin and connective tissues cell lines. These biological properties render the arginine-phenylalanine surfactant nanoparticles as promising candidates for antimicrobial and tissue repairing applications in wound treatments.
A Convenient One-Pot Synthesis of Novel Benzimidazole–Thiazinone Derivatives and Their Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Samreen Sabahat , Ali Asghar , Ahmedi Saiema , Raghib Mohammad , Haque Anzarul , Manzoor Nikhat , Hussain Afzal , Abid Mohammad , Inam Afreen
Published: December 2024

Background: The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistant highlights the urgent need for the new therapeutic agents. This study aimed to design and synthesize fused tricyclic benzimidazole–thiazinone derivatives (CS1–CS10) through a convenient method and evaluate their antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms. Methods: A series of fused tricyclic benzimidazole–thiazinone derivatives was rationally designed and synthesized in one pot by the reaction between trans substituted acrylic acids and 1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-thiol using coupling reagent TBTU (2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate). The structure of these compounds was confirmed through various spectroscopic techniques like IR, 1H and 13C NMR, the DEPT and 2D-HMQC NMR techniques were also performed to confirm the relation of both carbon and proton. Further, the compounds were in vitro evaluated for their effectiveness against the Candida species and a panel of standard bacterial isolates. Results: The synthesized compounds showed moderate antimicrobial activity. Among all of the compounds, CS4 exhibited potent inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli at 256 and 512 μg/mL concentrations, respectively. Additional research indicated that compound CS4 demonstrated a synergistic effect after combining with the standard antibacterial drug ciprofloxacin. Conclusions: These results suggest that CS4 is the best-synthesized antibacterial agent particularly in combination therapies. These findings highlight its promise for further development as a novel antibacterial agent.
Hemoglobin in Submicron Particles (HbMPs) Is Stabilized Against Oxidation
Authors: Rerkshanandana Pichayut , Zhao Xiaotong , Xiong Yu , Chen Yao , Steffen Axel , Chaiwaree Saranya , Kloypan Chiraphat , Pruss Axel , Georgieva Radostina , Bäumler Hans
Published: December 2024

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) play a crucial role as the first line of defense antioxidant enzymes in a living cell. These enzymes neutralize the superoxide anion from the autooxidation of oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) and convert hydrogen peroxides into water and molecular oxygen. In this study, we fabricated hemoglobin submicron particles (HbMPs) using the Coprecipitation Crosslinking Dissolution (CCD) technique and incorporating first-line antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD) and second-line antioxidant (ascorbic acid, Vit. C) to investigate a protective effect of modified HbMPs via cyclically oxygenation and deoxygenation. Thereafter, the total hemoglobin (Hb) content and Oxy-Hb content to HbMPs were determined. The results revealed that the HbMPs have a protective effect against oxidation from hydrogen peroxide and potentially neutralizing hydrogen peroxide to water over 16 times exposure cycles. No significant differences in total Hb content were found between normal HbMPs and enzyme-modified HbMPs in the absence of Vit. C. The Oxy-Hb of CAT-HbMPs showed significantly higher values than normal HbMPs. The functional Hb of normal HbMPs and enzyme-modified HbMPs was increased by 60–77% after a short time Vit. C (1:25) exposure. The co-immobilization of CAT and SOD in hemoglobin particles (CAT-SOD-HbMPs) in the presence of Vit. C provides protective effects against oxidation in cyclic Oxygenation and Deoxygenation and shows the lowest reduction of functional Hb. Our studies show that the CCD technique-modified HbMPs containing antioxidant enzymes and a reducing agent (ascorbic acid) demonstrate enhanced Hb functionality, providing protective effects and stability under oxidative conditions.
Analysis of the Preventive Effect of Lonicera caerulea Pomace and Its Isolated Components on Colitis in Mice Based on Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolomics
Authors: Zhou Zinuo , Huang Xinwen , Zhang Baixi
Published: December 2024

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including relapsing-remitting ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a non-specific chronic intestinal inflammatory disease. Lonicera caerulea, which is rich in polyphenolic compounds, has been shown to exert antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. The research evaluates the dietary impacts of Lonicera caerulea pomace, its polyphenol-rich extract, and fiber-rich residue on colitis symptoms. Colitis was induced with 2.5% DSS (dextran sulfate sodium) aqueous solution after continuous feeding of customized Lonicera caerulea feed for 2.5 weeks. The results indicate that the intake of the polyphenol-rich extract has an effect in preventing colitis in mice, but the effect is less than that by the pomace itself, and the fiber residue alone does not prevent the condition when ingested. The pomace and polyphenol-rich extract have a positive regulatory effect on the gut microbiota of mice with colitis, and the intake of Lonicera caerulea pomace significantly restores 15 metabolites in mice with colitis, significantly improving five metabolic pathways, including steroid biosynthesis, with the regulation of metabolites and metabolic pathways being significantly correlated with the gut microbiota.
Development of Artificial Intelligent-Based Methodology to Prepare Input for Estimating Vehicle Emissions
Authors: Yavuz Elif , Öztürk Alihan , Balkanlı Nedime Gaye Nur , Engin Şeref Naci , Kuzu S. Levent
Published: December 2024

Machine learning has significantly advanced traffic surveillance and management, with YOLO (You Only Look Once) being a prominent Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithm for vehicle detection. This study utilizes YOLO version 7 (YOLOv7) combined with the Kalman-based SORT (Simple Online and Real-time Tracking) algorithm as one of the models used in our experiments for real-time vehicle identification. We developed the “ISTraffic” dataset. We have also included an overview of existing datasets in the domain of vehicle detection, highlighting their shortcomings: existing vehicle detection datasets often have incomplete annotations and limited diversity, but our “ISTraffic” dataset addresses these issues with detailed and extensive annotations for higher accuracy and robustness. The ISTraffic dataset is meticulously annotated, ensuring high-quality labels for every visible object, including those that are truncated, obscured, or extremely small. With 36,841 annotated examples and an average of 32.7 annotations per image, it offers extensive coverage and dense annotations, making it highly valuable for various object detection and tracking applications. The detailed annotations enhance detection capabilities, enabling the development of more accurate and reliable models for complex environments. This comprehensive dataset is versatile, suitable for applications ranging from autonomous driving to surveillance, and has significantly improved object detection performance, resulting in higher accuracy and robustness in challenging scenarios. Using this dataset, our study achieved significant results with the YOLOv7 model. The model demonstrated high accuracy in detecting various vehicle types, even under challenging conditions. The results highlight the effectiveness of the dataset in training robust vehicle detection models and underscore its potential for future research and development in this field. Our comparative analysis evaluated YOLOv7 against its variants, YOLOv7x and YOLOv7-tiny, using both the “ISTraffic” dataset and the COCO (Common Objects in Context) benchmark. YOLOv7x outperformed others with a mAP@0.5 of 0.87, precision of 0.89, and recall of 0.84, showing a 35% performance improvement over COCO. Performance varied under different conditions, with daytime yielding higher accuracy compared to night-time and rainy weather, where vehicle headlights affected object contours. Despite effective vehicle detection and counting, tracking high-speed vehicles remains a challenge. Additionally, the algorithm’s deep learning estimates of emissions (CO, NO, NO2, NOx, PM2.5, and PM10) were 7.7% to 10.1% lower than ground-truth.
Mexican Bee Honey Identification Using Sugar Crystals’ Image Histograms
Authors: Calderon-Hermosillo Cruz Y. , De la Torre Ibarra Manuel H. , Frausto-Reyes Claudio , Flores-Moreno Jorge M. , Casillas-Peñuelas Rafael
Published: December 2024

Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy is applied to image honey sugar crystals, with the advantage of avoiding the surrounding signal of the liquid honey. It is a non-contact method where the specialized preparation of the honey is not required. Since the crystallization process of honey depends upon its floral origin, among other conditions, analyzing its crystallographic behavior results in a challenging task as the crystals are mixed and overlapped. This work introduces a simple, multi-variable data analysis requiring only one SHG image, where its gray-level histogram was retrieved and processed from eight Mexican bee honey samples. These honey samples represent a broad range of regions from the central–east part of Mexico, describing different environments and climates. The results obtained with this simplified methodology can differentiate among the botanical origin of the honey samples at different crystallization times and storage conditions. A repeatability test was performed using three honey samples with different crystal morphologies to expand the method to all of the samples. The results show that the proposed methodology could be a helpful alternative to identifying the botanical origin of honey despite its crystallization time.
An Oxygenated Layer Coating to Enhance the Healing Process of Non-Healing Wounds—A Case Report
Authors: Miłek Tomasz , Grzeczkowicz Anna , Lipko Agata , Mesjasz Maria , Oklesiński Leszek , Kwiatkowska Angelika , Strawski Marcin , Drabik Monika , Granicka Ludomira H.
Published: December 2024

The ever-increasing problem of chronic, non-healing wound treatment is a challenge in contemporary medicine. This study aims to verify the effect of a designed dressing containing a coating involving oxygenating factors on the promotion of wound healing in all healing phases in a single clinical case. An alginate-based coating, which incorporates the oxygenating factor, was produced. The obtained surface physicochemical features were examined using FTIR and AFM. The bandage support was modified with the developed coating and applied to patients who suffered from chronic wounds (treated with non-modified commercially available bandages) and had required treatment at least 3 months before starting the study. During bandage application, the chosen characteristics of the wound-healing process were examined. A histological evaluation of granulation tissue confirmed the presence of fibroblasts, hemorrhage, and lymphocytes during the second week of treatment. Moreover, epithelization tissue in the third week of treatment exhibited the presence of keratinocytes. A 100% wound reduction was observed between 3 and 4 weeks of treatment with the modified dressing. It can be recommended that the applied coating, which provides a supportive effect through oxygenating elements, inducing the remodeling phase in up to 4 weeks of treatment, be developed for use in hard-to-heal wound treatment.
Terminalia catappa Kernel Flour Characterization as a Functional and Bioactive Ingredient for Cookies Formulation
Authors: Vingadassalon Audrey , Pejcz Ewa , Wojciechowicz-Budzisz Agata , Olędzki Remigiusz , Groton Kristy , Aurore Guylene , Harasym Joanna
Published: December 2024

Terminalia catappa (tropical almond) represents an underutilized resource with potential applications in functional food development. This study investigated the technological properties and bioactive characteristics of T. catappa kernel flour and its application in cookie formulation. The research examined the techno-functional properties, pasting behavior, and bioactive profile of T. catappa flour and its blends with different sweeteners (erythritol and cane sugar at 5% and 15% concentrations). Cookies were formulated using optimized ingredients, and their quality parameters were evaluated through physical, chemical, and sensory analyses. T. catappa flour demonstrated significant water holding capacity (4.48 g H2O/g DM) and notable antioxidant activity in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts (DPPH: 1.95–3.35 mg TE/g DM). The addition of sweeteners influenced pasting properties, with higher concentrations generally reducing peak viscosity and pasting temperature. Developed cookies exhibited stable water activity (0.294–0.320) over one month of storage and contained substantial dietary fiber (5.018 g/100 g). Sensory evaluation revealed superior acceptability for thicker (10 mm) cookies, particularly in texture and appearance attributes. This study establishes T. catappa kernel flour as a promising functional ingredient for gluten-free bakery applications, offering both technological functionality and bioactive properties suitable for health-conscious product development.
Research on ECG Signal Classification Based on Hybrid Residual Network
Authors: Qi Tianyu , Zhang He , Zhao Huijun , Shen Chong , Liu Xiaochen
Published: December 2024

Arrhythmia detection in electrocardiogram (ECG) signals is essential for monitoring cardiovascular health. Current automated arrhythmia classification methods frequently encounter difficulties in detecting multiple cardiac abnormalities, particularly when dealing with imbalanced datasets. This paper proposes a novel deep learning approach for the detection and classification of arrhythmias in ECG signals using a Hybrid Residual Network (Hybrid ResNet). Our method employs a Hybrid Residual Network architecture that integrates standard convolution, depthwise separable convolution, and residual connections to enhance the feature extraction efficiency and classification accuracy. To guarantee superior input signals, we preprocess the ECG signals by removing baseline drift with a high-pass Butterworth filter, denoising via discrete wavelet transform, and segmenting heartbeat cycles through R-peak detection. Additionally, we rectify the class imbalance in the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database by applying the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE), therefore enhancing the model’s ability to detect infrequent arrhythmia types. The suggested system achieves a classification accuracy of 99.09% on the MIT-BIH dataset, surpassing conventional convolutional neural networks and other state-of-the-art methodologies. Compared to existing approaches, our strategy exhibits superior effectiveness and robustness in managing diverse irregular heartbeats and arrhythmias.
Research on Risk Quantification Methods for Connected Autonomous Vehicles Based on CNN-LSTM
Authors: Wang Kedong , Qu Dayi , Shao Dedong , Wei Liangshuai , Zhang Zhi
Published: December 2024

Quantifying and predicting driving risks for connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) is critical to ensuring the safe operation of traffic in complex environments. This study first establishes a car-following model for CAVs based on molecular force fields. Subsequently, using a convolutional neural network and long short-term Memory (CNN-LSTM) deep-learning model, the future trajectory of the target vehicle is predicted. Risk is quantified by employing models that assess both the collision probability and collision severity, with deep-learning techniques applied for risk classification. Finally, the High-D dataset is used to predict the vehicle trajectory, from which the speed and acceleration of a target vehicle are derived to forecast driving risks. The results indicate that the CNN-LSTM model, when compared with standalone CNN and LSTM models, demonstrates a superior generalization performance, a higher sensitivity to risk changes, and an accuracy rate exceeding 86% for medium- and high-risk predictions. This improved accuracy and efficacy contribute to enhancing the overall safety of connected vehicle platoons.
Estimation of the Occurrence and Significance of Noise Effects on Pedestrians Using Acoustic Variables Related to Sound Energy in Urban Environments
Authors: Morillas Juan Miguel Barrigón , Montes González David , Vílchez-Gómez Rosendo , Rey-Gozalo Guillermo
Published: December 2024

The impact of environmental noise on the health and well-being of people living in cities is an issue that has been addressed in the scientific literature to try to develop effective environmental policies. In this context, road traffic is the main source of noise in urban environments, but it is not the only source of noise that pedestrians hear. This paper presents an experimental study using in situ surveys and acoustic measurements to analyse the capacity of acoustic variables related to sound energy to estimate the occurrence and importance of noise effects in urban environments. The results revealed that average sound energy indicators can be considered most significant in terms of the perception of the noise effects studied on pedestrians. When estimating noise effects from them, frequency weightings related to flat or nearly flat spectra (Z and C weightings) were found to provide better results than an A weighting; however, it was also concluded that if the average energy is considered, the use of a temporal I weighting did not lead to improvements. The perception of how noisy a street is, it is strongly associated with a low frequency, and annoyance was the effect that generally showed the strongest significant correlations with acoustic indicators. The indicators of minimum sound levels explained a larger proportion of the variability of noise effects than the indicators of maximum energy; they were even better in this regard than any of the average energy indicators in terms of explaining the variability of startle and annoyance in the ears, and they were found to be equivalent when interruption of a telephone conversation was assessed. Both acoustic variables associated with sound energy in different parts of the audible spectrum and Leq in each one-third octave band showed significant correlations with the effects of noise on pedestrians. Similarities in the structure of the spectra were found between some of these effects.
The Effect of the Resin Type and Filling Placement Techniques on the Degree of Conversion of Various Resin-Based Composites
Authors: Duman Ayse Nurcan , Cevik Pinar , Doğan Arife
Published: December 2024

The degree of conversion (DC) is crucial in determining the mechanical and clinical performance of resin-based composites (RBCs). This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of the resin type and placement technique on the DC of RBCs (micro-hybrid, packable, hybrid, ormocer-based and flowable) polymerized with a second-generation LED light-curing unit (LCU). A total of 75 RBC samples were divided into three groups. Each RBC was placed into 4 mm diameter and 2 and 8 mm heigh Teflon molds with conventional standard, bulk, and incremental techniques (n = 5) and polymerized by LED LCU (229.153 mW/cm2) using the standard mode. After 24 h, DC was determined by FTIR spectrophotometry. The data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test (p < 0.05). The DC of the RBCs varied between 62.8 and 29.2%. While the same DC was obtained for 2 mm samples at the top and the bottom surfaces, the DC of the 8 mm samples gradually diminished from the top surface to the bottom surface. Significant differences were observed in the DC of the RBCs. An optimal DC was obtained for packable, micro-hybrid and ormocer-based RBCs polymerized by LED LCU with the recommended curing times. Considering that the polymerization process is versatile, further in vitro studies are needed.
Threading Statistical Disclosure Attack with EM: An Algorithm for Revealing Identity in Anonymous Communication Networks
Authors: Silva-Trujillo Alejandra Guadalupe , Briceño Luis Yozil Zamarrón , Cuevas-Tello Juan Carlos , Arjona-Villicaña Pedro David , García Villalba Luis Javier
Published: December 2024

Messages sent across multiple platforms can be correlated to infer users’ attitudes, behaviors, preferences, lifestyles, and more. Therefore, research on anonymous communication systems has intensified in the last few years. This research introduces a new algorithm, Threading Statistical Disclosure Attack with EM (TSDA-EM), that employs real-world data to reveal communication’s behavior in an anonymous social network. In this study, we utilize a network constructed from email exchanges to represent interactions between individuals within an institution. The proposed algorithm is capable of identifying communication patterns within a mixed network, even under the observation of a global passive attacker. By employing multi-threading, this implementation reduced the average execution time by a factor of five when using a dataset with a large number of participants. Additionally, it has markedly improved classification accuracy, detecting more than 79% of users’ communications in large networks and more than 95% in small ones.
Feedstock Characterization for Enhanced Heat Recovery from Composting Processes: A Review
Authors: Al-Twal Kareem Osama Fakhri , Beggio Giovanni , Schiavon Marco , Lavagnolo Maria Cristina
Published: December 2024

Compost Heat Recovery Systems (CHRS) sustainably capture heat from composting waste biomass, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel reliance. The choice of feedstock affects the performance of CHRSs as it controls the microbial activities and the amount of heat generated. This review evaluates plant-based, animal-derived, and non-agricultural feedstocks to optimize CHRS energy recovery. A systematic review of 244 studies, published from 1996 to 2023 and available on Scopus, Web of Science, and external databases, categorized feedstocks based on properties like carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N), moisture content, bulk density, and heating value to assess their impact on energy recovery and compost quality. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines, excluding irrelevant documents and those that lacked quantitative data. Animal-based materials, which have high levels of moisture and nutrients, such as nitrogen (14.50–32.20 g/kg TS) and phosphorus (13.0–13.5 g/kg TS), promote rapid growth of microbes and consistent heat production supported by their stable carbon content (353.8–450.0 g/kg TS) and optimal C/N ratios (5.90–28.90). On the other hand, plant-based materials that are rich in volatile solids (327.2–960.0 g/kg TS) and lignin (36.7–290.0 g/kg TS) offer a steady and prolonged release of heat but decompose more slowly.
Impact of Gait-Synchronized Vibrotactile Sensory Feedback on Gait in Lower Limb Amputees
Authors: Kalff Magnus N. , Hoursch Victor , Jopp Lara , Witowski Viktoria , Wilke Meike , Gardetto Alexander , Eberlin Kyle R. , Sehmisch Stephan , Ernst Jennifer
Published: December 2024

Background: Research on sensory feedback systems for prosthetic devices aims to enhance sensory capabilities to better meet user needs. Feedback systems for lower limb amputees (LLA) have been shown to reduce cognitive efforts, metabolic cost and phantom limb pain. This study evaluated the effect of a non-invasive, gait-synchronized, vibrotactile feedback system (VTFS) on the gait parameters of LLA. Methods: Four stimulators applied vibrotactile stimulation to the thigh of LLA during walking, corresponding to four pressure sensors located at the fore- and hindfoot embedded in a sock worn on the prosthetic foot. Standardized gait tests, such as the Timed “Up and Go” Test (TUG), the Four Square Step Test (FSST), the 10 Meter Walk Test (10 MWT) and the 2 Minute Walk Test (2 MWT), were performed to assess the risk of falling, coordination, walking speed and endurance before and after intervention. Results: After an average of 61.5 days using the VTFS, gait stability (TUG) improved significantly. Coordination (FSST) improved in 36% of subjects, while 45% showed a clinically relevant increase in gait speed (10 MWT). Conclusions: The results suggest an improved gait performance in the cohort. Though FSST lacked statistical significance, a p-value near 0.05 indicates a trend toward meaningful improvement. Notably, the participant with Targeted Sensory Reinnervation demonstrated the most favorable outcomes.
Quaternary Activity and Paleoearthquakes of the Fushan Fault, Shanxi, China
Authors: Yan Xiaobing , Zhou Yongsheng , Hao Xuejing , Ren Ruiguo , Sun Xiaoying
Published: December 2024

The AD 1209 M6.5 Fushan earthquake caused significant casualties and damage. The Fushan Fault, forming the boundary between the Linfen Faulted Basin and uplifted Taihang Mountains, may have been the seismogenic fault, but research is lacking. Based on UAV and field surveys, we found that the Fushan Fault has a surface exposure length of 24 km and displaces Holocene strata. Samples from offset layers within a trench showed that the most recent event occurred within the last 7 ka (i.e., Holocene activity) and that the fault has the potential to generate earthquakes exceeding magnitude 7. Since 17 ka (late Quaternary), two significant paleoearthquakes have been identified: (1) between 17 and 7 ka (displacement: 2.04 m, average slip: 0.2 mm/yr) and (2) within the last 7 ka (displacement: 3.93 m, average slip: 0.56 mm/yr). Since the Late Pleistocene, the displacement rate has increased, indicating an increasing potential seismic hazard. These results were confirmed by terrestrial LiDAR; the bedrock fault surface fractal dimensions are consistent with two paleoearthquake events since the late Quaternary (coseismic displacements of 2.51 and 3.18 m). This article uses an empirical formula to evaluate the potential maximum magnitude of the Fushan Fault based on the relationship between the distribution range of the fault surface and the magnitude. Therefore, the maximum assessed earthquake magnitudes of the Fushan Fault are Ms = 7.07, 6.94, and 7.31. This assessment result basically matches the strength of the 6.5 magnitude Fushan earthquake in 1209 AD. By comparing with historical records, our results confirm that the Fushan Fault was the seismogenic structure responsible for the AD 1209 M6.5 Fushan earthquake.
Synthesis of Ce-Based RE2Fe14B by Solid-State Reaction and Reduction-Diffusion Process
Authors: Lee Sunwoo , Lee Kanghyuk , Kang Young-Min , Lee Jung-Woo , Park Jihoon , Yoo Sang-Im , Park Chan
Published: December 2024

Rare-earth permanent magnets, such as Nd2Fe14B, have been widely used in electric vehicle and wind turbine motors due to their high anisotropy field (Ha), saturation magnetization (Ms) and coercivity (Hc). Cerium (Ce) has gained attention as a potential alternative to neodymium (Nd) due to its high abundance and low cost. The relatively poor intrinsic magnetic properties of Ce magnets, however, remain a significant challenge for their industrial applications. In this study, the synthesis of Ce-based RE2Fe14B (2-14-1) phases was achieved by a modified reduction-diffusion (R-D) process using REFeO3 (RE = Ce, Nd) as a precursor. The precursor was prepared by a solid-state reaction with CeO2, Nd2O3, Fe2O₃ and Fe powders, which is a much more suitable process for mass production and cost-effectiveness. Optimal composition and heat treatment conditions enabled the formation of single-phase Ce-based 2-14-1 particles. The as-synthesized single-phase Ce2Fe14B particles exhibited an Ms value of ~120 emu/g and an intrinsic coercivity (Hci) value of ~85 Oe, which can be attributed to the large particle size as observed by FE-SEM.
Obstructed Labor, Evolution, and Health Disparities
Authors: Light Liliana , Virdee Suman Kaur , Dickens Colin , Diogo Rui
Published: December 2024

The female pelvis is often evolutionarily described as a compromise to accommodate the birthing process and bipedalism. This compromise puts a mother and baby at risk of fetopelvic disproportion, the mismatch between the size of the fetus and that of the mother’s pelvis, impacting the ease with which the vaginal birthing process occurs. Obstructed labor, commonly caused by fetopelvic disproportion, is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity and has serious medical sequelae for the fetus. In this review, this evolutionary aspect of fetopelvic disproportion is reconsidered within a broader sociocultural and environmental approach related to a change of paradigm from a more reductionist Neo-Darwinist to a more encompassing Extended Evolutionary Synthesis view. The review explores a more comprehensive understanding of several factors related to fetopelvic disproportion, including socioeconomic factors and ethnic disparities among individuals that might lead to a higher likelihood of obstructed labor and maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
A Comprehensive Assessment of the Nutritional Value, Antioxidant Potential, and Genetic Diversity of Fenneropenaeus merguiensis from Three Different Regions in China
Authors: Li Yundong , Chen Juan , Cao Siyao , Jiang Ziyi , Jiang Song , Yang Qibin , Yang Lishi , Huang Jianhua , Shi Jianzhi , Ma Zhenhua , Zhou Falin
Published: December 2024

Fenneropenaeus merguiensis is one of the largest species of penaeid shrimp. It has a wide distribution of germplasm resources in the South China Sea and the southeastern coastal regions of China, yet its germplasm characteristics remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, we conducted analyses of basic nutritional components, amino acids, fatty acids, antioxidant indices, and genetic diversity in three F. merguiensis populations (FmRP, FmSZ, FmSY). The results showed a significant difference in ash content, with FmSZ having the highest ash content (1.77 g/100 g) (p < 0.05). A total of 17 amino acids were detected, and FmSZ exhibited higher concentrations of most amino acids, especially essential amino acids (p < 0.05). The analysis of fatty acid composition revealed significant differences between the populations, with FmSY potentially having a nutritional advantage overall (p < 0.05). In terms of antioxidant capacity and genetic diversity, there were no significant differences in total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), or superoxide dismutase (SOD) among the populations (p > 0.05). However, genetic analysis indicated that FmSZ had the lowest inbreeding coefficient and relatively higher genetic diversity. In conclusion, among the three F. merguiensis populations, FmSZ has relatively higher nutritional quality and genetic diversity, and F. merguiensis is a high-quality aquatic product worth promoting. The analysis and characterization of various aspects of F. merguiensis from the three locations provide important information and data support for germplasm resources and genetic breeding efforts.
IL-4R and CXCR2 Contribute to Downregulating Neutrophil-Mediated Response in the Early Stage of Fungal Extract-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation
Authors: Shevchenko Marina A. , Servuli Ekaterina A. , Murova Dina E. , Vavilova Julia D. , Bolkhovitina Elena L. , Chursanova Ekaterina N. , Sapozhnikov Alexander M.
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Airborne exogenous antigen inhalation can induce neutrophil infiltration of the airways, while eosinophils migrate to the airways in allergic airway inflammation. During a bacterial infection, Th2-associated cytokine IL-4, by binding to the IL-4 receptor (IL-4R), can suppress neutrophil recruitment to the site of inflammation. In the present study, we estimated whether the IL-4-dependent suppression of neutrophil recruitment contributed to the development of an immune response in asthma. Methods: Using a mouse model of Aspergillus fumigatus extract-induced allergic airway inflammation, we investigated the proportions of eosinophils and neutrophils in blood, lungs, and bone marrow over time. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cytokine (including IL-4) levels and the proportions of bone marrow IL-4Rα (CD124)-expressing neutrophils were estimated. Results: We identified skewing from the neutrophil- to eosinophil-mediated immune response in the blood after five extract applications. At this point, the BAL fluid IL-4 level was not elevated, while IL-12p40 and CXCL1 levels were considerably increased. At the early stage of allergic airway inflammation, the proportions of neutrophils expressing CD124 and circulating neutrophils expressing CXCR2 (CD182) were significantly increased. Upon inflammation progression, the former remained elevated, but the latter significantly decreased. Conclusions: Thus, in allergic airway inflammation, bone marrow neutrophils become insensible to the attractive chemokine CXCL1 signals and susceptible to IL-4 effects.
Electroencephalography Longitudinal Markers of Central Neuropathic Pain Intensity in Spinal Cord Injury: A Home-Based Pilot Study
Authors: Nawaz Rab , Suen Ho , Ullah Rahmat , Purcell Mariel , Diggin Shannon , McCaughey Euan , Vuckovic Aleksandra
Published: December 2024

Background: It is well known from cross-sectional studies that pain intensity affects brain activity as measured by electroencephalography (EEG) in people with neuropathic pain (NP). However, quantitative characterisation is scarce. Methods: In this longitudinal study, ten people with spinal cord injury-related NP recorded their home EEG activity ten days before and after taking medications over a period of several weeks. Results: The reduction in pain due to medications was accompanied by changes in the resting state EEG and its reactivity to eyes opening (EO) and closing (EC). There was a significant positive correlation between the frontal theta band and the intensity of pain (visual numerical scale) pre-medication (p = 0.007, Pearson R = 0.29) and theta, alpha, and lower beta (6–15 Hz) band power and the intensity of pain after post-medication over the frontal, central, and parietal cortices. Reactivity had a negative correlation with pain intensity at all locations and frequency bands and showed similar behaviour in wider frequency bands like 8–15 Hz at the occipital cortex and 2–12 Hz at the frontal cortex. Conclusions: EEG could be used to detect the intensity of NP to serve as a surrogate or pharmacodynamic marker.