bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation on the Adhesion Property of Recycled Asphalt Based on the Multi-Scale Experiments
Authors: Yin Peng , Liu Fei , Li Zihan , Pan Baofeng , Liu Tao
Published: July 2024

The adhesion property has consistently been a critical focus in the utilization of recycled asphalt (RA). This research aimed to elucidate the mechanisms influencing the adhesion property of RA at various scales. Specimens of base asphalt (BA), aged asphalt (AA), and RA were systematically prepared. The impacts of aging and rejuvenators on the nano adhesion property of asphalt were assessed using multi-scale testing methods. The findings revealed that aging adversely affected the adhesive interaction between BA and aggregate, whereas the application of rejuvenators substantially improved this effect. When compared to acidic aggregate of granite, the alkaline aggregate of limestone demonstrated superior adhesion properties with RA. Moreover, the correlation analysis affirmed that mechanical testing across various scales consistently evaluated the trends in the adhesion property of RA with aggregates.
Boosting the Hydrogen Evolution Performance of Ultrafine Ruthenium Electrocatalysts by a Hierarchical Phosphide Array Promoter
Authors: Wang Jing , Cao Yuzhe , Wei Mingyang , Xiang Pengbo , Ma Xiaoqing , Yuan Xiaolei , Xiang Yong , Cai Zhao
Published: July 2024

Tuning the chemical and structural environment of Ru-based nanomaterials is a major challenge for achieving active and stable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysis. Here, we anchored ultrafine Ru nanoparticles (with a size of ~4.2 nm) on a hierarchical Ni2P array (Ru/Ni2P) to enable highly efficient HER. The Ni2P promoter weakened the adsorption of proton on Ru sites by accepting electrons from Ru nanoparticles. Moreover, the hierarchical Ni2P endowed Ru catalysts with a large surface area and stable open structure. Consequently, the as-fabricated Ru/Ni2P electrode displayed a low overpotential of 57 and 164 mV at the HER current densities of 10 and 50 mA cm−2, respectively, comparable to the state-of-the-art Pt catalysts. Moreover, the Ru/Ni2P electrode can operate stably for 96 h at 50 mA cm−2 without performance degradation. After pairing with a commercial RuO2 anode, the Ru/Ni2P anode catalyzed overall water splitting at 1.73 V with a current density of 10 mA cm−2, which was 0.16 V lower than its commercial Ni counterpart. In situ Raman studies further revealed the optimized proton adsorption at the Ru-active sites on Ni2P promoter, thus enhancing the electrocatalytic HER performance.
Catalyst Development for Biogas Dry Reforming: A Review of Recent Progress
Authors: Hu Wei , Wu Jundao , Huang Zeai , Tan Hao , Tang Yifan , Feng Zilong , Deng Rui , Zhang Hongwei , Zairov Rustem , Pan Zhicheng
Published: July 2024

Amidst the rapid expansion of the global economy, the demand for energy has escalated. The depletion of traditional energy sources coupled with environmental pollution concerns has catalyzed a shift towards the development and utilization of clean, renewable energy. Biogas, as a renewable energy source, provides diverse applications and holds the potential to alleviate energy shortages. Recently, biogas dry reforming technology has garnered substantial attention as a significant pathway for renewable energy utilization, particularly in the development and optimization of catalysts. Contemporary research predominantly focuses on enhancing the activity and stability of catalysts, with particular emphasis on their resistance to coking and sintering. This review delineates the classification of biogas dry reforming catalysts, their catalytic activity, and issues related to carbon deposition, contrasting biogas dry reforming with traditional dry reforming in catalyst design. It synthesizes numerous studies from recent years aimed at mitigating carbon deposition during the biogas dry reforming process and boosting catalytic activity via active components, carriers, and promoters in both precious and non-precious metal catalysts. Furthermore, it discusses the current challenges of biogas dry reforming technology and outlines prospective future development trends. This discussion provides an in-depth understanding of biogas dry reforming technology and catalyst design, offering insights and recommendations for future research and industrial applications.
Ultrasound-Assisted Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes under Visible Light Irradiation Using Polythiophene-Decorated CoFe2O4 Nanohybrids
Authors: Hauser Kristen , Hassou Sara Ou , Riaz Ufana
Published: July 2024

The present work reports the synthesis of cobalt ferrite and its nanohybrids with polythiophene (PTh) in the weight ratios of 10% and 20%. The ferrite and its nanohybrids were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental mapping (Fe-SEM) to confirm the morphology as well as the structure of the synthesized nanohybrids. The nanohybrids were tested for their photocatalytic activity upon modification of PTh against Alizarin Yellow (AY), Congo Red (CR) and Brilliant Blue (BB). Almost 100% degradation was achieved in 30 min using 50 mg of the photocatalyst. The effect of catalyst concentration and dye concentration was also investigated to explore optimum concentration of the photocatalyst required for rapid degradation of the dye. The generation of radicals responsible for degradation was analyzed by radical scavenging experiments and a probable mechanism of degradation was proposed.
The Potential of Metabolomics to Find Proper Biomarkers for Addressing the Neuroprotective Efficacy of Drugs Aimed at Delaying Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease Progression
Authors: Franco Rafael , Garrigós Claudia , Lillo Jaume , Rivas-Santisteban Rafael
Published: July 2024

The first objective is to highlight the lack of tools to measure whether a given intervention affords neuroprotection in patients with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases. A second aim is to present the primary outcome measures used in clinical trials in cohorts of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The final aim is to discuss whether metabolomics using body fluids may lead to the discovery of biomarkers of neuroprotection. Information on the primary outcome measures in clinical trials related to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease registered since 2018 was collected. We analysed the type of measures selected to assess efficacy, not in terms of neuroprotection since, as stated in the aims, there is not yet any marker of neuroprotection. Proteomic approaches using plasma or CSF have been proposed. PET could estimate the extent of lesions, but disease progression does not necessarily correlate with a change in tracer uptake. We propose some alternatives based on considering the metabolome. A new opportunity opens with metabolomics because there have been impressive technological advances that allow the detection, among others, of metabolites related to mitochondrial function and mitochondrial structure in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid; some of the differentially concentrated metabolites can become reliable biomarkers of neuroprotection.
The Clinical Approach to Interstitial Lung Disease in Childhood: A Narrative Review Article
Authors: Drobňaková Simona , Vargová Veronika , Barkai László
Published: July 2024

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) comprises a group of respiratory diseases affecting the interstitium of the lungs, which occur when a lung injury triggers an abnormal healing response, and an inflammatory process leads to altered diffusion and restrictive respiratory dysfunction. The term “interstitial” may be misleading, as other components of the lungs are usually also involved (epithelium, airways, endothelium, and so on). Pediatric conditions (childhood interstitial lung disease, chILD) are different from adult forms, as growing and developing lungs are affected and more diverse and less prevalent diseases are seen in childhood. Diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) and diffuse lung disease (DLD) can be used interchangeably with ILD. Known etiologies of chILD include chronic infections, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, aspiration, genetic mutations leading to surfactant dysfunction, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to drugs or environmental exposures. Many forms are seen in disorders with pulmonary involvement (connective tissue disorders, storage diseases, malignancies, and so on), but several conditions have unknown origins (desquamative pneumonitis, pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis, neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia in infancy, and so on). Currently, there is no consensus on pediatric classification; however, age grouping is proposed as some specific forms are more prevalent in infancy (developmental and growth abnormalities, surfactant dysfunction mutations, etc.) and others are usually seen in older cohorts (disorders in normal or immunocompromised hosts, systemic diseases, etc.). Clinical manifestations vary from mild nonspecific symptoms (recurrent respiratory infections, exercise intolerance, failure to thrive, dry cough, etc.) to a severe clinical picture (respiratory distress) and presentation related to the child’s age. The diagnostic approach relies on imaging techniques (CT), but further investigations including genetic tests, BAL, and lung biopsy (VATS) are needed in uncertain cases. Pharmacological treatment is mostly empiric and based on anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs. Lung transplantation for selected cases in a pediatric transplantation center could be an option; however, limited data and evidence are available regarding long-term survival. International collaboration is warranted to understand chILD entities better and improve the outcomes of these patients.
Efficacy and Safety of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome: A Scoping Review
Authors: Samanta Debopam
Published: July 2024

Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by drug-resistant seizures, cognitive impairments, and abnormal electroencephalographic patterns. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a widely used neuromodulation therapy for LGS, but its effects on seizure outcomes, different seizure types, non-seizure outcomes, and adverse events in this population have not been comprehensively reviewed. To conduct a scoping review on the use of VNS in LGS, a literature search was performed in PubMed, OVID, Web of Science, and Embase from inception to 9 June 2024, using relevant keywords and without restrictions on study design. The search yielded forty eligible studies (twenty-four retrospective cohorts, fourteen prospective cohorts, and two registry analyses) comprising 1400 LGS patients treated with VNS. No randomized controlled trials were identified. Across studies, the median seizure reduction ranged from 20.6% to 65%, with 0% to 100% of patients achieving a ≥50% seizure reduction. No consistent preoperative biomarker of VNS responsiveness was identified in LGS. Although inconsistent among different studies, tonic, atonic, and tonic–clonic seizures responded best, while focal seizures responded worst. Improvements in seizure severity, alertness, and quality of life were reported in some studies, but cognitive and adaptive functioning generally remained unchanged. Adverse events were mostly mild and transient, including hoarseness, cough, and paresthesia. Device-related complications and infections were uncommon. In conclusion, further research is needed to better understand VNS’s position in the evolving LGS treatment landscape and its cost effectiveness.
Management of Pediatric Elbow Fractures and Dislocations
Authors: Bašković Marko , Pešorda Domagoj , Zaninović Luca , Hasandić Damir , Lohman Vuga Katarina , Pogorelić Zenon
Published: July 2024

Pediatric elbow fractures and dislocations have always been a challenge from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view, primarily due to the complex nature of the pediatric elbow, especially its developmental anatomy. They must be diagnosed and treated on time to prevent numerous complications with long-term consequences. With the development of radiology and pediatric surgery and orthopedics, as well as the development of modern osteosynthesis materials, concerning current scientific and professional knowledge, the outcomes are getting better, with fewer acute and chronic complications. This comprehensive review aims to provide clinicians current knowledge about pediatric elbow fractures and dislocations so that in daily practice they have as few doubts as possible with the best possible treatment outcomes.
Exploring the Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Pediatric Diabetes: Current Practices, Innovative Metrics, and Future Implications
Authors: Chobot Agata , Piona Claudia , Bombaci Bruno , Kamińska-Jackowiak Olga , Mancioppi Valentina , Passanisi Stefano
Published: July 2024

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, including real-time CGM and intermittently scanned CGM, have revolutionized diabetes management, particularly in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). These systems provide detailed insights into glucose variability and detect asymptomatic and nocturnal hypoglycemia, addressing limitations of traditional self-monitoring blood glucose methods. CGM devices measure interstitial glucose concentrations constantly, enabling proactive therapeutic decisions and optimization of glycemic control through stored data analysis. CGM metrics such as time in range, time below range, and coefficient of variation are crucial for managing T1D, with emerging metrics like time in tight range and glycemia risk index showing potential for enhanced glycemic assessment. Recent advancements suggest the utility of CGM systems in monitoring the early stages of T1D and individuals with obesity complicated by pre-diabetes, highlighting its therapeutic versatility. This review discusses the current CGM systems for T1D during the pediatric age, established and emerging metrics, and future applications, emphasizing the critical role of CGM devices in improving glycemic control and clinical outcomes in children and adolescents with diabetes.
Non-Genetic Healthcare Providers’ Experiences and Perspectives with Rapid Genome-Wide Sequencing in Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Authors: Piers Lauren , Wainstein Tasha , Pelligra Gustavo , Osiovich Horacio , GenCOUNSEL Study GenCOUNSEL Study , Elliott Alison M.
Published: July 2024

Background/Objectives: Rapid genome-wide sequencing (rGWS) continues to transform the care provided to infants with genetic conditions in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Previous research has demonstrated that rGWS has immense benefits on patient care; however, little is known about non-genetic healthcare providers’ (HCPs) experiences and perspectives of working with rGWS and supporting families through the rGWS testing process in Canadian NICU facilities. To address this gap, we surveyed and conducted semi-structured interviews with non-genetic HCPs of diverse professions from NICUs in British Columbia. Methods: An interpretive description approach was used to analyze interview transcripts to identify patterns and variations in non-genetic HCPs’ experiences and perceptions with rGWS. Results: Participants had varying degrees of exposure to rGWS and levels of comfort with the testing process. Numerous barriers affecting the implementation of rGWS were identified, including low levels of comprehension of rGWS, longer turn-around times than expected, and having to apply for provincial government approval to access testing. Participants desired more education on rGWS, clear guidelines on the use of rGWS in NICUs, and resources for non-genetic HCPs and parents to support implementation. Conclusions: The results from this study can inform the development of workflows and educational resources on the use of rGWS in NICUs, helping to ensure that the NICU team is supported to optimize rGWS implementation.
A Novel Mixed Finite/Infinite Dimensional Port–Hamiltonian Model of a Mechanical Ventilator
Authors: Madahana Milka C. I. , Ekoru John E. D. , Nyandoro Otis T. C.
Published: July 2024

Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving treatment for critically ill patients who are struggling to breathe independently due to injury or disease. Globally, per year, there has always been a large number of individuals who have required mechanical ventilation. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the significance of mechanical ventilation, which played a significant role in sustaining COVID-19-infected critically ill patients who could not breathe on their own. The pandemic drew the attention of the world to the shortage of ventilators globally. Some of the challenges to providing an adequate number of ventilators include: increased demand for ventilators, supply chain disruptions, manufacturing constraints, distribution inequalities, financial constraints, maintenance and logistics difficulties, training and expertise shortages, and the lack of design and development of affordable mechanical ventilators that satisfy the stipulated requirements. This research work presents the formulation of a detailed Port–Hamiltonian model of a mechanical ventilator integrated with the human respiratory system. The interconnection and coupling conditions for the various subsystems within the mechanical ventilator and the coupling between the mechanical ventilator and the human respiratory system are also presented. Structure-preserving discretization is provided alongside numerical simulations and results. The obtained results are found to be comparable to results presented in the literature. Future work will include the design of suitable controllers for the system.
Measuring Undergraduates’ Motivation Levels When Learning to Program in Virtual Worlds
Authors: López Solórzano Juan Gabriel , Ángel Rueda Christian Jonathan , Vergara Villegas Osslan Osiris
Published: July 2024

Teaching/learning programming is complex, and conventional classes often fail to arouse students’ motivation in this discipline. Therefore, teachers should look for alternative methods for teaching programming. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be a valuable alternative, especially virtual worlds. This study measures the students’ motivation level when using virtual worlds to learn introductory programming skills. Moreover, a comparison is conducted regarding their motivation levels when students learn in a traditional teaching setting. In this study, first-semester university students participated in a pedagogical experiment regarding the learning of the programming subject employing virtual worlds. A pre-test-post-test design was carried out. In the pre-test, 102 students participated, and the motivation level when a professor taught in a traditional modality was measured. Then, a post-test was applied to 60 students learning in virtual worlds. With this research, we have found that the activity conducted with virtual worlds presents higher motivation levels than traditional learning with the teacher. Moreover, regarding gender, women present higher confidence than men. We recommend that teachers try this innovation with their students based on our findings. However, teachers must design a didactic model to integrate virtual worlds into daily teaching activities.
A Multimodal Fuzzy Approach in Evaluating Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease Using Kidney Biomarkers
Authors: Dușa Cristian Petru , Bejan Valentin , Pislaru Marius , Starcea Iuliana Magdalena , Serban Ionela Lacramioara
Published: July 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important causes of chronic pediatric morbidity and mortality and places an important burden on the medical system. Current diagnosis and progression monitoring techniques have numerous sensitivity and specificity limitations. New biomarkers for monitoring CKD progression have been assessed. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has had some promising results in adults, but in pediatric patients, due to the small number of patients included in the studies, cutoff values are not agreed upon. The small sample size also makes the statistical approach limited. The aim of our study was to develop a fuzzy logic approach to assess the probability of pediatric CKD progression using both NGAL (urinary and plasmatic) and routine blood test parameters (creatinine and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) as input data. In our study, we describe in detail how to configure a fuzzy model that can simulate the correlations between the input variables ESR, NGAL-P, NGAL-U, creatinine, and the output variable Prob regarding the prognosis of the patient’s evolution. The results of the simulations on the model, i.e., the correlations between the input and output variables (3D graphic presentations) are explained in detail. We propose this model as a tool for physicians which will allow them to improve diagnosis, follow-up, and interventional decisions relative to the CKD stage. We believe this innovative approach can be a great tool for the clinician and validates the feasibility of using a fuzzy logic approach in interpreting NGAL biomarker results for CKD progression.
Efficacy of Ultrasound for the Detection of Possible Fatty Liver Disease in Children
Authors: Lowry Sarah B. , Joseph Shelly , Psoter Kevin J. , Dunn Emily , Mansoor Sana , Smith S. Kathryn , Karnsakul Wikrom , Naguib Gihan , Ng Kenneth , Scheimann Ann O.
Published: July 2024

Pediatric MASLD (previously referred to as NAFLD) incidence has continued to rise along with the obesity pandemic. Pediatric MASLD increases the risk of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in adulthood. Early detection and intervention can prevent and reduce complications. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis, although imaging modalities are increasingly being used. We performed a retrospective study of 202 children seen in a pediatric gastroenterology clinic with a complaint of abdominal pain, elevated liver enzymes or MASLD, or a combination of the three to evaluate screening methods for MASLD. A total of 134 of the 202 patients included in the study underwent laboratory testing and abdominal ultrasound. Ultrasound images were reviewed with attention to liver size and echotexture by a fellowship-trained pediatric radiologist for liver size and echotexture. Overall, 76.2% of the initial radiology reports correctly identified hepatomegaly based on age and 75.4% of the initial radiology reports correctly described hepatic echogenicity that was consistent with increased hepatic fat deposition. Use of screening ultrasound in concert with other clinical evaluations can be helpful to identify children at risk of MASLD. Utilizing ranges for liver span according to age can help to diagnose hepatomegaly, and understanding how to identify hepatic echogenicity is important for identifying possible hepatic steatosis.
Shear-Wave Elastography Gradient Analysis of Newly Diagnosed Breast Tumours: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Deeg Johannes , Swoboda Michael , Egle Daniel , Wieser Verena , Soleiman Afschin , Ladenhauf Valentin , Galijasevic Malik , Amort Birgit , Gruber Leonhard
Published: July 2024

Background: A better understanding of the peritumoral stroma changes due to tumour invasion using non-invasive diagnostic methods may improve the differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions. This study aimed to assess the correlation between breast lesion differentiation and intra- and peritumoral shear-wave elastography (SWE) gradients. Methods: A total of 135 patients with newly diagnosed breast lesions were included. Intratumoral, subsurface, and three consecutive peritumoral SWE value measurements (with three repetitions) were performed. Intratumoral, interface, and peritumoral gradients (Gradient 1 and Gradient 2) were calculated using averaged SWE values. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and an ordinary one-way ANOVA to compare overall and individual gradients among Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 2, 3, and 5 groups. Results: Malignant tumours showed higher average SWE velocity values at the tumour centre (BI-RADS 2/3: 4.1 ± 1.8 m/s vs. BI-RADS 5: 4.9 ± 2.0 m/s, p = 0.04) and the first peritumoral area (BI-RADS 2/3: 3.4 ± 1.8 m/s vs. BI-RADS 5: 4.3 ± 1.8 m/s, p = 0.003). No significant difference was found between intratumoral gradients (0.03 ± 0.32 m/s vs. 0.0 ± 0.28 m/s; p > 0.999) or gradients across the tumour–tissue interface (−0.17 ± 0.18 m/s vs. −0.13 ± 0.35 m/s; p = 0.202). However, the first peritumoral gradient (−0.16 ± 0.24 m/s vs. −0.35 ± 0.31 m/s; p < 0.0001) and the second peritumoral gradient (−0.11 ± 0.18 m/s vs. −0.22 ± 0.28 m/s; p = 0.037) were significantly steeper in malignant tumours. The AUC was best for PTG1 (0.7358) and PTG2 (0.7039). A threshold value for peritumoral SWI PT1 above 3.76 m/s and for PTG1 below −0.238 m/s·mm−1 indicated malignancy in 90.6% of cases. Conclusions: Evaluating the peritumoral SWE gradient may improve the diagnostic pre-test probability, as malignant tumours showed a significantly steeper curve of the elasticity values in the peritumoral stroma compared to the linear regression with a relatively flat curve of benign lesions.
Application of Deep Reinforcement Learning to Defense and Intrusion Strategies Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in a Versus Game
Authors: Chen Chieh-Li , Huang Yu-Wen , Shen Ting-Ju
Published: July 2024

Drones are used in complex scenes in different scenarios. Efficient and effective algorithms are required for drones to track targets of interest and protect allied targets in a versus game. This study used physical models of quadcopters and scene engines to investigate the resulting performance of attacker drones and defensive drones based on deep reinforcement learning. The deep reinforcement learning network soft actor-critic was applied in association with the proposed reward and penalty functions according to the design scenario. AirSim UAV physical modeling and mission scenarios based on Unreal Engine were used to simultaneously train attacking and defending gaming skills for both drones, such that the required combat strategies and flight skills could be improved through a series of competition episodes. After 500 episodes of practice experience, both drones could accelerate, detour, and evade to achieve reasonably good performance with a roughly tie situation. Validation scenarios also demonstrated that the attacker–defender winning ratio also improved from 1:2 to 1.2:1, which is reasonable for drones with equal flight capabilities. Although this showed that the attacker may have an advantage in inexperienced scenarios, it revealed that the strategies generated by deep reinforcement learning networks are robust and feasible.
Research on Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control Based on Grid-Forming Distributed Photovoltaics
Authors: Liu Kexuan , Zhang Lixia , Kang Wei
Published: July 2024

The “double carbon” policy promotes an increasing ratio of new energy installation and generation capacity annually, reducing system inertia and rendering the grid-forming (GFM) power grid increasingly susceptible to frequency fluctuations and other issues. This paper designs a power–frequency controller for grid-forming distributed photovoltaic systems by integrating LADRC and VSG control, aiming to enhance system robustness and stability under disturbances or faults. Furthermore, this study introduces the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm based on LADRC principles to optimize LADRC, thereby improving the robustness and stability of grid-forming distributed photovoltaic systems to a certain extent. The feasibility and effectiveness of these two proposed control strategies are analyzed and validated separately using the MATLAB/Simulink R2022a simulation platform.
Ditching the Queue: Optimizing Coprocessor Utilization with Out-of-Order CPUs on Compact Systems on Chip
Authors: Caon Michele , Masera Guido , Martina Maurizio
Published: July 2024

The growing demand for high-performance and energy-efficient processing in edge-oriented Systems-on-Chip is driving the adoption of dedicated integrated circuits that accelerate computationally intensive workloads. To minimize area and performance overhead, low-power, general-purpose CPUs are often tightly coupled with domain-specific coprocessors implementing custom instructions, thereby delivering higher throughput and reduced memory traffic. However, commonly used in-order CPUs are not optimized for instruction-level parallelism, leading to stalls in the instruction stream while waiting for long-latency coprocessor operations and under-utilization of the coprocessor while executing other instructions. This work investigates the benefits of replacing simple in-order cores with a more complex out-of-order architecture to dynamically schedule instructions for the main core and coprocessor, optimizing resource utilization and reducing execution time. To ensure generality, an in-depth analysis was carried out by offloading instructions to a custom dummy coprocessor capable of emulating iterative and pipelined operations with arbitrary latency. Various workloads simulating real-world applications were executed on two variants of an open-source microcontroller equipped with a recent out-of-order core and the state-of-the-art CV32E40X in-order core, respectively. Results from Register Transfer Level simulations show that the former configuration executes up to 60% more instructions per cycle, with a modest 12% system area overhead on a 65 nm CMOS technology node.
Dual Kalman Filter Based on a Single Direction under Colored Measurement Noise for INS-Based Integrated Human Localization
Authors: Wu Qingdong , Yang Ruohan , Liu Kaixin , Xu Yuan , Miao Jijun , Sun Mingxu
Published: July 2024

For inertial-based integrated pedestrian navigation, the navigation environment might affect the positioning accuracy in different directions. Meanwhile, complex filtering algorithms can reduce computational efficiency. Therefore, one dual Kalman filter (KF) based on a single direction under a colored measurement noise (CMN) scheme is developed herein to improve the robustness and operational efficiency. The proposed method involves designing a data fusion model for the KF that integrates data from an inertial navigation system (INS) and ultrawideband (UWB). Subsequently, the INS/UWB integrated model-based KF under CMN (cKF) will be derived. Then, two sub-cKFs are proposed to fuse the data in the east and north directions, respectively. The empirical findings highlight the superior performance of the proposed approach over the KF for position estimation accuracy and runtime reduction, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Analysis and Application of Fluid Components in High-Clay Matrix Shale Oil: A Case Study of Gulong Shale Oil
Authors: Sun Fujing , Sun Jianmeng , Wang Min , Chi Peng
Published: July 2024

Fluid components in cores are crucial parameters in evaluating the quality of a shale reservoir in both laboratory analyses and log interpretation. In the Gulong area, shale reservoirs are characterized by a high clay content, with clay spaces hosting both oil and water phases, complicating the occurrence mechanism of fluid components, as a result, traditional research methods are no longer applicable. As an advanced technique, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been applied in oilfields to determine the specific petrophysical properties of rocks. To more accurately identify the types of fluid components, this study carried out a new, well-designed 2D NMR experiment, rock pyrolysis experiment, and quantitative oil and water detection experiment (QOWDE) to study the Gulong shale. This study measured the 2D NMR map of the original state, saturation state, centrifugal state, and pyrolysis at different temperatures, and conducted mutual verification between the QOWDE and 2D NMR pyrolysis experiments to obtain the distribution of different components of Gulong shale on the 2D NMR map. Based on the experimental results, this study developed a component identification template suitable for the Gulong area and calculated the 2D NMR porosity and saturation from it. This lays a foundation for the analysis and application of fluid components in the Gulong region and provides a new experimental basis and methodological support for porosity and saturation calculations.
Polybenzoxazine/Epoxy Copolymer Reinforced with Phosphorylated Microcrystalline Cellulose: Curing Behavior, Thermal, and Flame Retardancy Properties
Authors: Bessa Wissam , Trache Djalal , Moulai Sid-Ali , Tarchoun Ahmed Fouzi , Abdelaziz Amir , Hamidon Tuan Sherwyn , Hussin Mohd Hazwan
Published: July 2024

This study aims to explore new flame-retardant composites based on a phosphorus-functionalized cellulose derivative and epoxy/benzoxazine thermosetting resins in order to broaden the use of natural fibers in advanced applications. The study involved the phosphorylation of microcrystalline cellulose followed by its characterization through employing various analytical methods to corroborate the accomplishment of its functionalization. The curing behavior of composites based on the polybenzoxazine/epoxy copolymer reinforced with (1 and 5 wt.%) modified microcrystalline cellulose was hereafter considered. The thermal behavior of these composites was correspondingly investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, where improved thermal stability and the limiting oxygen index were stressed. Flame retardancy tests using the vertical burning test UL 94 and heat of combustion analysis utilizing an oxygen bomb calorimeter were also carried out to deeply examine the possible flame retardancy ability of the considered composites.
Effect of Dietary β-Glucan on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Responses, and Immunological Parameters of Coral Trout (Plectropomus leopardus)
Authors: Hao Xiaoqi , Lin Ziyang , Ma Zhenhua , Yang Yukai , Zhou Chuanpeng , Hu Jing , Yu Wei , Lin Heizhao
Published: July 2024

Although β-glucan has diverse benefits for fish health, the potential adverse impacts of excessive supplementation are poorly understood. This study investigated the optimal dosage of β-glucan for coral trout and explored the adverse effects of excessive supplementation. The results revealed that moderate β-glucan supplementation (1) significantly enhanced the weight gain rate and specific growth rate (SGR); (2) significantly improved the intestinal villus length (0.10%), muscle thickness (0.05–0.15%), and α-amylase and chymotrypsin activities (0.05–0.15%); (3) significantly increased liver catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), alkaline phosphatase, complement 3, immunoglobulin M (IgM), lysozyme, serum superoxide dismutase, CAT, glutathione peroxidase, GR, total antioxidant capacity, acid phosphatase, complement 4, and IgM activities and significantly reduced malondialdehyde contents; (4) upregulated genes in the liver associated with copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD-2), CAT, GSH-Px1a, ACP6, AKP, LZ-c, IgM, C3, and C4-b. However, 0.20% β-glucan significantly inhibited the growth performance of coral trout compared with 0.10% β-glucan. Thus, 0.10% β-glucan represents the optimal dosage for promoting growth, antioxidant activity, and immune responses in coral trout, while higher β-glucan levels weakened these beneficial effects. With an SGR established by a cubic regression analysis, the optimal level of β-glucan for maximal growth of coral trout is 0.082%. This study provides new insights into the health impacts of β-glucan on fish.
Variation in Isotopic Trophic Niche of Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) and Shortraker Rockfish (Sebastes borealis) in the Northeast Pacific
Authors: Wilson Raquel , Hatcher Tessa J. , Suchomel Andrew D. , Belk Mark C.
Published: July 2024

Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria, Anoplopomatidae) and shortraker rockfish (Sebastes borealis, Sebastidae) co-occur in deepwater marine habitats in the northeast Pacific. Both species are economically valuable, but their ecologies are not well known. We used stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen to explore isotopic niches of A. fimbria and S. borealis in two distinct locations—a deep strait in the inside passage area and an open coastal area of the continental shelf, both in southeast Alaska, USA. Anoplopoma fimbria and S. borealis exhibited similar positions of isotopic niches based on nitrogen and carbon isotopic ratios, suggesting potential interspecific competition, especially in the inside location. In addition, S. borealis had a smaller niche breadth compared to A. fimbria in the coastal location. Both species had enriched nitrogen and carbon isotopic ratios in the inside location compared to the coastal location. Differences in isotopic niches between these two locations suggest the possibility of location-specific variation in isotopic niches of these two species of widespread, abundant deepwater fishes.
Application of Spatial Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) and Machine Learning for Sugar Syrup Adulteration Detection in UK Honey
Authors: Shehata Mennatullah , Dodd Sophie , Mosca Sara , Matousek Pavel , Parmar Bhavna , Kevei Zoltan , Anastasiadi Maria
Published: July 2024

Honey authentication is a complex process which traditionally requires costly and time-consuming analytical techniques not readily available to the producers. This study aimed to develop non-invasive sensor methods coupled with a multivariate data analysis to detect the type and percentage of exogenous sugar adulteration in UK honeys. Through-container spatial offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) was employed on 17 different types of natural honeys produced in the UK over a season. These samples were then spiked with rice and sugar beet syrups at the levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 50% w/w. The data acquired were used to construct prediction models for 14 types of honey with similar Raman fingerprints using different algorithms, namely PLS-DA, XGBoost, and Random Forest, with the aim to detect the level of adulteration per type of sugar syrup. The best-performing algorithm for classification was Random Forest, with only 1% of the pure honeys misclassified as adulterated and <3.5% of adulterated honey samples misclassified as pure. Random Forest was further employed to create a classification model which successfully classified samples according to the type of adulterant (rice or sugar beet) and the adulteration level. In addition, SORS spectra were collected from 27 samples of heather honey (24 Calluna vulgaris and 3 Erica cinerea) produced in the UK and corresponding subsamples spiked with high fructose sugar cane syrup, and an exploratory data analysis with PCA and a classification with Random Forest were performed, both showing clear separation between the pure and adulterated samples at medium (40%) and high (60%) adulteration levels and a 90% success at low adulteration levels (20%). The results of this study demonstrate the potential of SORS in combination with machine learning to be applied for the authentication of honey samples and the detection of exogenous sugars in the form of sugar syrups. A major advantage of the SORS technique is that it is a rapid, non-invasive method deployable in the field with potential application at all stages of the supply chain.
Use of House Cricket (Acheta domesticus) Powder in Yoghurt Products
Authors: Karwacka Kinga , Łobacz Adriana , Ziajka Justyna , Lis Anna , Małkowska-Kowalczyk Monika , Baranowska Maria
Published: July 2024

This study aims to implement and increase values regarding the use of cricket powder in food. This is due to the need to increase the range of products enriched with cricket powder in order to increase the market and acceptance of insects in the diet. The work analyzed properties of yoghurt with cricket powder added (chemical composition, acidity, colour, consistency, degree of syneresis, texture and sensory analysis). Research has shown that the greater the addition of cricket powder, the higher the protein, fat and dry matter content and the lower the hardness of the yoghurt. As the content of cricket powder in yoghurt increased, the brightness (L*) and redness (a*) decreased, while the yellowness (b*) of the samples increased. A change in the colour of the yoghurt was observed with the increase in the cricket powder content; the yoghurt had a darker, browner colour. The best overall sensory rating compared to the control variant (6.4) was given to the yoghurt with 1.5% cricket powder added (5.7), while the worst rating was given to the yoghurt with 5% powder added (2 points out of 7).
Subclasses of Bi-Univalent Functions Connected with Caputo-Type Fractional Derivatives Based upon Lucas Polynomial
Authors: Alsager Kholood M. , Murugusundaramoorthy Gangadharan , Breaz Daniel , El-Deeb Sheza M.
Published: July 2024

In the current paper, we introduce new subclasses of analytic and bi-univalent functions involving Caputo-type fractional derivatives subordinating to the Lucas polynomial. Furthermore, we find non-sharp estimates on the first two Taylor–Maclaurin coefficients a2 and a3 for functions in these subclasses. Using the values of a2 and a3, we determined Fekete–Szegő inequality for functions in these subclasses. Moreover, we pointed out some more subclasses by fixing the parameters involved in Lucas polynomial and stated the estimates and Fekete–Szegő inequality results without proof.
A Fast Second-Order ADI Finite Difference Scheme for the Two-Dimensional Time-Fractional Cattaneo Equation with Spatially Variable Coefficients
Authors: Nong Lijuan , Yi Qian , Chen An
Published: July 2024

This paper presents an efficient finite difference method for solving the time-fractional Cattaneo equation with spatially variable coefficients in two spatial dimensions. The main idea is that the original equation is first transformed into a lower system, and then the graded mesh-based fast L2-1σ formula and second-order spatial difference operator for the Caputo derivative and the spatial differential operator are applied, respectively, to derive the fully discrete finite difference scheme. By adding suitable perturbation terms, we construct an efficient fast second-order ADI finite difference scheme, which significantly improves computational efficiency for solving high-dimensional problems. The corresponding stability and error estimate are proved rigorously. Extensive numerical examples are shown to substantiate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed numerical scheme.
A Study of Interstellar Medium in the Line of Sight of Transient Neutron Star Low-Mass X-ray Binary, MXB 1659-298, by Timing and Spectral Analysis
Authors: Mahato Rabindra , Bhattacharya Parag , Baruah Monmoyuri
Published: July 2024

This work is dedicated to the study of interstellar medium (ISM) along the line of sight (LOS) of the transient low-mass X-ray binary, MXB 1659-298, capitalizing the high resolving power of XMM-Newton in the soft energy range. We emphasized the analysis of reflection grating spectrometer (RGS) data in the energy range 0.5–2.15 keV, suitable for the study of ISM. The paper includes an explanation of why, in the soft X-ray energy range, only two observations (out of seven) were deemed eligible for analysis. Three absorption lines associated with highly ionized Fe XX (1s22p2-2p2 (3p) 4d), Si XIV (1s2-1s2p), and Mg XI (1s2-1s6p) were identified in the observations, with IDs of 8620701(2001) and 748391601(2015). These new absorption lines and the absorption edge due to the neutral oxygen K edge seen in the spectra validate the multiphase structure of ISM. The predominance of interstellar medium over the ionized absorber is established along the direction of the source. The equivalent hydrogen column density measured is nearly equal to the galactic HI value derived previously. The small value of the ionic column density of Fe, Si, and Mg in the site of the high-temperature region resembles previous findings.
Transforming Veteran Rehabilitation Care: Learnings from a Remote Digital Approach for Musculoskeletal Pain
Authors: Areias Anabela C. , Doverspike Dan , Brostek Daniel F. , Janela Dora , Erwin Michael S. , Pinter John M. , Ficke James R. , Costa Fabíola
Published: July 2024

While musculoskeletal pain (MSP) stands as the most prevalent health condition among Veterans, timely and high-quality care is often hindered due to access barriers. Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a healthier lifestyle among Veterans, aimed to assess innovative approaches to veteran care. This is a single-arm pilot study investigating the feasibility, clinical outcomes, engagement, and satisfaction of a remote multimodal digital care program among Veterans with MSP. The impact of deployment experience on outcomes was explored as a secondary aim. From 75 eligible Veterans, 61 started the program, reporting baseline pain frequently comorbid with mental distress. Program acceptance was suggested by the high completion rate (82%) and engagement levels, alongside high satisfaction (9.5/10, SD 1.0). Significant improvements were reported in all clinical outcomes: pain (1.98 points, 95%CI 0.13; 3.84, p = 0.036); mental distress, with those reporting at least moderate baseline depression ending the program with mild symptoms (8.50 points, 95%CI: 6.49; 10.51, p = 0.012); daily activity impairment (13.33 points, 95%CI 1.31; 25.34, p = 0.030). Deployed Veterans recovered similarly to their counterparts. Overall, the above results underscore the potential of a remote digital intervention to expand Veterans’ access to timely MSP care.
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Refugees: A Questionnaire-Based Study
Authors: Fink Katharina , Alkayed Kais , Schwindling Franz Sebastian , Wiesmüller Vera
Published: July 2024

Objectives: The issue of oral health problems among refugees, not only during their journey but also once they arrive at their destination, is a current one. This study aimed to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of refugees, with the intention of highlighting a potential need for improved education and easier access to dental care. Materials and methods: A questionnaire based on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was distributed via hyperlink on social media, targeting individuals with a refugee background to collect data on their OHRQoL. Results: A total of 401 participants completed the questionnaire. The median OHIP score for all participants was 8 (IQR 2–17) out of a maximum of 56, with 0 representing the best possible OHRQoL. The median OHIP score was 6 (IQR 2–16) for male and 8 (IQR 2–18) for female participants. Conclusions: A comparison of the OHIP score from this study with reference values from non-refugee populations shows an elevated score and, thus, a lower oral quality of life. Clinical relevance: The findings of this study indicate a clear need for enhanced access to dental care for refugees, coupled with an educational initiative aimed at fostering an appreciation of the importance of daily dental hygiene.