bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promoting Rural Revitalization via Natural Resource Value Realization in National Parks: A Case Study of Baishanzu National Park
Authors: Luo Hongyu , Sun Guangning , Zhou Weilong , Lian Jihe , Sun Yanfei , Hu Yingen
Published: January 2025

The realization of natural resource value serves as a critical entry point for advancing rural revitalization within the framework of ecological civilization construction, representing an essential approach to balancing ecological conservation and economic development in national parks. Based on clarifying the logical relationship and the driving mechanisms between the realization of natural resource value and rural revitalization, this paper employs field observation and in-depth interviews using Baishanzu National Park as a case study to analyze how general control zones in national parks can promote rural revitalization under ecological constraints through the realization of natural resource value. The results indicate the following: (1) By constructing a framework of “realistic background—pathway selection—model condensation—effectiveness analysis”, the mechanism of how natural resource value realization promotes rural revitalization can be analyzed, with a focus on its pathways and models. (2) The pathways for realizing natural resource value to promote rural revitalization include resource integration, investment development, capital production and operation, and the circulation and exchange of ecological products and services. These pathways contribute to various dimensions of rural revitalization at different stages: assetization, capitalization, productization, and monetization. (3) Within different functional zones of the general control area in national parks, including ecological restoration zones, traditional utilization zones, and recreation and exhibition zones, the value of natural resources can promote rural revitalization through three realization modes: preservation, transformation, and value-added enhancement, reflecting diverse approaches and differentiated outcomes of value realization. To comprehensively promote rural revitalization in national parks through the realization of natural resource value, it is first necessary to fully identify regional resource endowments, conservation objectives, and developmental constraints. Second, regional resources should be integrated to pursue synergistic innovation. Finally, attention must be paid to achieving comprehensive benefits for sustainable development. The research findings provide valuable references for the high-quality development of national parks and rural revitalization.
High-Resolution Mapping of Maize in Mountainous Terrain Using Machine Learning and Multi-Source Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Liu Luying , Yang Jingyi , Yin Fang , He Linsen
Published: January 2025

In recent years, machine learning methods have garnered significant attention in the field of crop recognition, playing a crucial role in obtaining spatial distribution information and understanding dynamic changes in planting areas. However, research in smaller plots within mountainous regions remains relatively limited. This study focuses on Shangzhou District in Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province, utilizing a dataset of high-resolution remote sensing images (GF-1, ZY1-02D, ZY-3) collected over seven months in 2021 to calculate the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and construct a time series. By integrating field survey results with time series images and Google Earth for visual interpretation, the NDVI time series curve for maize was analyzed. The Random Forest (RF) classification algorithm was employed for maize recognition, and comparative analyses of classification accuracy were conducted using Support Vector Machine (SVM), Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The results demonstrate that the random forest algorithm achieved the highest accuracy, with an overall accuracy of 94.88% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.94, both surpassing those of the other classification methods and yielding satisfactory overall results. This study confirms the feasibility of using time series high-resolution remote sensing images for precise crop extraction in the southern mountainous regions of China, providing valuable scientific support for optimizing land resource use and enhancing agricultural productivity.
A Review of the Impact of Gestational Diabetes on Fetal Brain Development: An Update on Neurosonographic Markers During the Last Decade
Authors: Oikonomou Efthymios , Chatzakis Christos , Stavros Sofoklis , Potiris Anastasios , Nikolettos Konstantinos , Sotiriou Sotirios , Domali Ekaterini , Nikolettos Nikolaos , Sotiriadis Alexandros , Gerede Angeliki
Published: January 2025

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent medical complication in pregnancy that is rapidly escalating worldwide, with epidemic implications. This systematic review aims to identify fetal brain changes using neurosonography and pinpoint potential markers for the early diagnosis of GDM. We conducted a literature search from 6 January 2013 to 4 September 2024 to identify studies examining fetal brain development using ultrasound in pregnancies affected by GDM compared to uncomplicated pregnancies. The outcome measures included the cavum septum pellucidum (CSP), corpus callosum (CC), lateral ventricle (LV), cisterna magna (CM), transcerebellar diameter (TCD), cerebral fissures (CF), and others. For pregnancies affected by GDM, results were reported. Five studies were included. The findings suggest that the width of the CSP was larger in fetuses of mothers with GDM compared to the control group, and the mean widths of LVs were also larger in the fetuses of diabetic mothers compared to the control group. The influence of GDM on fetal brain development as assessed by neurosonography necessitates thorough investigation in future studies.
Durability of Cutting Tools Obtained by U-FAST Technology in Particleboard Machining
Authors: Wachowicz Joanna , Wilkowski Jacek , Dembiczak Tomasz , Kruzel Robert
Published: January 2025

The basic material used for tools for machining wood and wood-based materials is WC-Co (Tungsten Carbide with Cobalt)-cemented carbide. The advantages of WC-Co carbides are significant resistance to high temperatures, high hardness, and wear resistance. Wood-based materials, such as particleboard, are particularly difficult to machine due to their considerable inhomogeneity and the presence of various types of hard particle inclusions, such as sand. In addition, unlike metals, wood has a low thermal conductivity, which means that most of the heat generated during milling is transferred to the tool. The consequence of this phenomenon is an increased tool temperature. In addition, the use of a coolant is not possible when machining wood-based materials. The durability of carbide blades is mainly influenced by grain size and cobalt content. When analysing WC-Co as a tool material, it is necessary to consider how it is obtained, as this can also significantly affect its properties. This paper presents the results of a durability study of cutting blades produced by the innovative Upgraded Field-Assisted Sintering Technology (U-FAST) sintering method during particleboard milling. The wear of the blades was measured until the wear value, i.e., the maximum loss at the contact surface VBmax, was 0.2 mm. Three groups of WC-Co carbides with different WC grain sizes were tested: 0.1, 0.4, and 0.8 µm. Three rotational speeds were used: 12,000, 15,000, and 18,000 rpm. In the machinability tests, blades with a WC grain size of 0.8 µm showed a twofold increase in tool life compared to commercial blades with a similar grain size gradation.
Study of Low-Temperature (Al)GaN on N-Polar GaN Films Grown by MOCVD on Vicinal SiC Substrates
Authors: Yang Yong , Ni Xianfeng , Fan Qian , Gu Xing
Published: January 2025

N-polar GaN HEMTs feature a natural back-barrier and enable the formation of low-resistance Ohmic contacts, with the potential to suppress short-channel effects and current collapse effects at sub-100 nm gate lengths, rendering them particularly promising for high-frequency communication applications. In this study, N-polar GaN films were grown on C-face SiC substrates with a 4° misorientation angle via MOCVD. By employing a two-step growth process involving LT-GaN or LT-AlGaN, the surface roughness of N-polar GaN films was reduced to varying degrees, accompanied by an improvement in crystalline quality. The growth processes, including surface morphology at each growth stage, such as the AlN nucleation layer, LT-GaN, LT-AlGaN, and the initial 90 nm HT-GaN, were investigated. The results revealed that a high V/III ratio and low-temperature growth conditions for the low-temperature layers, along with the introduction of a minor amount of Al, influenced adatom migration behavior and facilitated the suppression of step bunching. Suppressing step bunching during the initial growth stages was demonstrated to be critical for improving the surface quality and crystalline quality of N-polar GaN films. An N-polar GaN HEMT epitaxial structure was successfully achieved using the optimized surface morphology with a dedicated Fe-doped buffer process.
Enhanced Performance of Austenitic Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened 316L Steel: A Study on Y2O3 Reinforcement and Corrosion Behaviour
Authors: Pokorný Jan , Kubásek Jiří , Donik Črtomir , Nečas David , Hybášek Vojtěch , Fojt Jaroslav , Dobkowska Anna , Paulin Irena , Čapek Jaroslav , Godec Matjaž
Published: January 2025

This study explores the mechanical and corrosion properties of yttria-reinforced 316L stainless steel. Powder precursor materials were prepared using mechanical alloying. Varying yttria (Y2O3) contents (1, 3, and 5 wt%) were used to assess its impact on the steel’s properties. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the successful dispersion of Y2O3 within the matrix, with the formation of chromium carbides during spark plasma sintering (SPS). The mechanical properties, including hardness and compressive yield strength, improved with increasing Y2O3 contents, with the highest strength observed in the 316L-5Y2O3 sample. However, corrosion resistance decreased with higher yttria concentrations. The 3 wt% Y2O3 sample exhibited the highest corrosion rate due to localized corrosion in areas enriched with oxide particles and chromium carbides. Electrochemical testing revealed that carbide formation and Cr-depleted regions from SPS processing contributed to the corrosion behaviour. These findings suggest that while yttria reinforcement enhances mechanical strength, optimizing the Y2O3 content and processing methods is crucial to balance both mechanical and corrosion performance in ODS 316L stainless steel.
Using the Support Functions to Embed the Families of Fuzzy Sets into Banach Spaces
Authors: Wu Hsien-Chung
Published: January 2025

With the help of support functions of fuzzy sets, we are able to embed some interesting families of fuzzy sets into Banach spaces. It is better to make the embedded Banach spaces as small as possible, which can be achieved by considering the weak* topology. In this case, the weak* continuity of support functions should be studied. The concept of a maximal embedding behavior is also presented in this paper, which shows the maximal subset satisfying the completeness.
Mean Platelet Volume-to-Platelet Count Ratio (MPR) in Acute Exacerbations of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Novel Biomarker for ICU Mortality
Authors: Ari Maside , Akinci Ozyurek Berna , Yildiz Murat , Ozdemir Tarkan , Hosgun Derya , Sahin Ozdemirel Tugce , Ensarioglu Kerem , Erdogdu Mahmut Hamdi , Eraslan Doganay Guler , Doganci Melek , Mentes Oral , Tuten Omer Faruk , Celik Deniz
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF-AE) often results in severe respiratory distress requiring treatment in the intensive care unit and has a high mortality rate. Identifying prognostic markers and assessing disease severity are crucial for clinicians to gain detailed insights. The mean platelet volume-to-platelet count ratio (MPR) is an inflammatory marker commonly used in malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate MPR and other factors affecting mortality in patients with IPF-AE who were monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients monitored in the ICU for IPF-AE between 2017 and 2023. Demographic characteristics, vital signs, laboratory and imaging findings, and administered treatments were reviewed. MPR was calculated by dividing the mean platelet volume by the platelet count. The primary endpoint was defined as 1-month in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 59 patients monitored in the ICU for IPF-AE were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 62.75 years, and 81.4% of the participants were male. During the 30-day follow-up period, 62.7% of the patients died. The need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) was significantly associated with increased mortality (p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff value for MPR was determined to be 0.033, with a sensitivity of 83.7% and specificity of 63.64%, indicating its predictive value for mortality (AUC: 0.764; 95% CI: 0.635–0.864; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, the need for IMV emerged as a critical parameter in predicting mortality in patients with IPF-AE. Additionally, the use of the MPR as a prognostic biomarker may offer a novel approach in the management of IPF patients. These findings could contribute to the development of strategies aimed at early intervention in IPF patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these results. This study has demonstrated that MPR is a significant prognostic biomarker for predicting mortality in patients with IPF-AE who are managed in the intensive care unit. The potential use of MPR as a biomarker in clinical decision-making may provide new approaches to the management of IPF patients. Additionally, the need for IMV in IPF-AE emerges as a critical parameter for predicting mortality. These findings may contribute to the development of early intervention strategies for IPF patients. Further studies with larger cohorts are needed to validate these results.
In Situ Formation of WC/W2C Heterostructures on N-Doped Carbon for Deep Oxidative Desulfurization of Fuel Oil
Authors: Zuo Peng , Zhao Fuyan , Liu Fanfan , Hei Jinpei , Lv Guozheng , Huang Xianzong , Zhang Jun , Zhang Meng , Liu Yefeng , Ma Tao
Published: January 2025

A novel tungsten-based heterojunction nanocomposite material was developed for the efficient oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of fuel oil, enabling the production of low-sulfur fuel and a reduction in harmful SOx emissions. In this material, the WC/W2C heterojunction was uniformly immobilized on a porous nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) matrix structure through facile in situ pyrolysis of polyaniline–phosphotungstic acid (PANI/PTA) precursors. The resultant WC/W2C@NC catalyst demonstrated remarkable desulfurization performance, achieving 100% removal of 4000 ppm dibenzothiophene (DBT) in just 15 min at 60 °C in the presence of 0.03 g of WC/W2C@NC and a H2O2/S molar ratio of 2. This exceptional activity is attributed to the synergistic effects stemming from the accelerated electron transfer by the NC matrix, the intricate porous network, and the abundant WC/W2C heterojunction active sites. Moreover, the in situ formation of NC around WC/W2C mitigated active site leaching, ensuring remarkable stability, with a DBT removal rate of 97.2% maintained even after eight recycling cycles. This work provides a versatile and scalable approach for fabricating tungsten-based heterojunction catalysts and highlights the potential of WC/W2C@NC as a high-performance, durable ODS catalyst, paving the way for further advancements in sustainable desulfurization technologies.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rhamnolipids Produced by Andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.) (Sapindales: Meliaceae) Biomass Waste from Amazon: A Potential Weapon Against Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Sá Giulian César da Silva , Bezerra Pedro Vitor Vale , Ramos Evelly Oliveira , Orsato Alexandre , Leite Karoline , Feio Alan Moura , Pimentel Lucas Mariano Siqueira , Alves Joane de Almeida , Gomes Glenda Soares , Rodrigues Pamela Dias , Quintella Cristina M. , Fragoso Sinara Pereira , da Silva Emilly Cruz , Uchôa Adriana Ferreira , dos Santos Sidnei Cerqueira
Published: January 2025

Rhamnolipids, biosurfactants synthesized from natural resources, demonstrate significant applications, including notable insecticidal efficacy against Aedes aegypti L., the primary vector for numerous arboviruses. The global spread of A. aegypti poses substantial public health challenges, requiring innovative and sustainable control strategies. This research investigates the use of andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.) biomass waste as a substrate for synthesizing a rhamnolipid biosurfactant (BSAW) produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and evaluates its insecticidal activity against A. aegypti. The findings indicate a biosurfactant yield of 4.42 mg mL−1, alongside an emulsification index approaching 60%. BSAW successfully reduced both surface and interfacial tensions to below 30 mN/m and 4 mN/m, respectively. Characterization revealed that BSAW is a di-rhamnolipid, consisting of two rhamnose units covalently linked to a saturated C10 fatty acid chain. At a concentration of 1.0 mg mL−1, BSAW exhibited notable larvicidal activity, leading to structural impairments and cellular dysfunctions in A. aegypti larvae while also disrupting their associated bacterial microbiota. Moreover, BSAW effectively deterred oviposition in adult mosquitoes. These findings underscore BSAW’s potential to compromise various developmental stages of A. aegypti, supporting integrated arbovirus management approaches. Furthermore, this research emphasizes the feasibility of utilizing agro-industrial waste as substrates for microbial rhamnolipid production.
Spontaneous Emission Mediated by Moiré Hyperbolic Metasurfaces
Authors: Liu Yuying , Yang Zhanrong , Wang Tongbiao , Yang Jianrong , Yu Tianbao , Liao Qinghua
Published: January 2025

We investigate the spontaneous emission of a quantum emitter (QE) placed near the twisted hyperbolic metasurfaces (HMTSs) made of graphene strips. We demonstrate that the spontaneous emission can be enhanced distinctly due to the existence of moiré hyperbolic plasmon polaritons (HPPs) supported by the twisted HMTSs. Moreover, the spontaneous emission decay rate can be efficiently modulated by the chemical potential of graphene, the thickness of the dielectric spacer, and the twist angle between two HMTSs. The maximum spontaneous emission is achieved when topological transition occurs. The spontaneous emission will be enhanced as the thickness of the dielectric spacer increases for most cases. In particular, the twisted HMTSs make it possible to flexibly modify the spontaneous emission through the external field. The findings in this work not only extend past studies of twisted photonic structures but also have important applications in optical sensing and integrated photonics.
Investigating the Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Academic Performance in the Adolescent Population: The EHDLA Study
Authors: López-Gil José Francisco , Cisneros-Vásquez Emily , Olivares-Arancibia Jorge , Yañéz-Sepúlveda Rodrigo , Gutiérrez-Espinoza Héctor
Published: January 2025

Background: Previous studies have tested the link between diet quality and academic performance in the young population. However, no study has analyzed the specific relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and academic performance in adolescents. The aim of the present study was to test the link of UPF consumption with academic performance in a sample of adolescents from Spain. Methods: This secondary cross-sectional analysis utilized information from 788 youths aged 12–17 participating in the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities study. The sample comprised 44.7% boys and 55.3% girls, with a median age of 14.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 13.0 to 15.0). The UPF consumption was measured through a self-completed food frequency survey. Academic performance was determined using end-of-year academic records provided by each educational institution. To examine the relationships between these variables, generalized linear models were employed. The models were adjusted for factors including sex, age, socioeconomic status, conduct, physical activity, sleep duration, body mass index, and sedentary behavior. Results: Significant dose–response associations between UPF consumption and all the different academic performance indicators, showing that higher UPF consumption is consistently associated with poorer academic performance (p < 0.001 for all). Higher daily UPF servings were associated with lower adjusted marginal means for grade point average, language, maths, and English. Furthermore, adolescents in the highest UPF tertile had a grade point average of 5.6 compared to 6.6 in the lowest tertile, with similar patterns being observed for language (6.0 vs. 7.0), maths (5.2 vs. 6.2), and English (5.7 vs. 6.6). Conclusions: Our study identifies a negative association between UPF consumption and academic performance in adolescents, highlighting it as a modifiable factor that could impact academic outcomes. Adolescents with higher UPF consumption exhibited consistently lower grades across various academic indicators, emphasizing the importance of dietary quality during this critical developmental period.
The Effect of Dietary Supplementation on Physical Performance in Adolescent Male Soccer Players Infected with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Timnea-Florescu Andreea-Consuela , Dinulescu Alexandru , Prejmereanu Ana , Timnea Olivia Carmen , Nemes Alexandra Floriana , Nemes Roxana Maria
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The impact of the COVID-19 infection on athletes was reported to influence physical health, both decreasing performance and increasing the risk of injuries. This study aimed to assess the physical performance (maximal aerobic power, muscle function, and speed) of a group of male adolescent soccer players before and after COVID-19 infection and to compare the effects of nutrition intervention on physical performance. Methods: This study included 99 male soccer players, between 13 and 15 years old, that had mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Their physical performance was evaluated in three periods (1 month before and 1 and 3 months after the infection). The subjects were divided into two groups, one with rigorous nutrition intervention and one without. Physical performance was evaluated through five tests: hand grip strength, 10 m sprint test, 30 m sprint test, beep test, and bench press. Results: A total of 20.2% had mild restrictions at spirometry after infection. One month after the infection, four of the five tests (hand grip strength, 10 m sprint test, 30 m sprint test, and beep test) showed statistically significantly (p < 0.005) better results in the nutrition intervention group. The same difference in results in the four tests was maintained 3 months after infection (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Nutrition intervention with a strict dietary plan and an increase in daily calories and protein and also vitamin and mineral supplements in young athletes may be effective for faster recovery of physical parameters from COVID-19 infection, and its beneficial effects should be studied further in this infection as well as in other respiratory tract infections.
Adequate Food and Nutrition in School: Acceptability and Consumption by Students of a Brazilian Municipality
Authors: Henriques Patricia , Alvarenga Camile R. T. de , Menezes Marina M. S. , Ferreira Daniele M. , Burlandy Luciene , Soares Beatriz D.
Published: January 2025

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability of a specific menu preparation based on minimally processed foods and the factors associated with the consumption of school meals by students in Brazilian public schools. Methods: A hedonic scale was employed to assess the acceptability of a milk preparation with 100% cocoa and sugar. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate school food consumption, addressing consumption frequency, dietary habits, environmental conditions, and consumption of competing foods. A binomial logistic regression model was conducted to verify the association between individual variables and conditions of meal supply and consumption. Data analyses were performed using the Jamovi 2022 software. Results: A total of 1080 students participated, with 630 taking part in the acceptability test, and 450 completing the consumption questionnaire. The study highlighted acceptance below the minimum PNAE standards (79.68%) for the tested preparation, indicating a need for further investigation into student preferences. Pleasant taste was the most frequently cited reason (53.2%) for consumption. Disliking the served lunch increased the likelihood of not consuming school meals by 2.73% (p = 0.03). Bringing snacks from home showed no significant impact on consumption (p = 0.677). Using inadequate cutlery increased the likelihood of not consuming school meals by 6.44% (p = 0.009). Conclusions: The study underscored the low acceptance of milk prepared with 100% cocoa and sugar, along with irregular school meal consumption, emphasizing the need for strategies to align students’ taste preferences with healthier menu options. While PNAE ensures nutrient-rich meals, improving flavor, variety, and dining conditions, alongside permanent food and nutrition education, is essential to enhance adherence and support students’ health. Although snacks do not affect the consumption of school meals, controlling snack intake is important from a health perspective.
Perspectives on Berberine and the Regulation of Gut Microbiota: As an Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Authors: Jael Teresa de Jesús Quintero Vargas , Gálvez-Ruíz Juan-Carlos , Márquez Ibarra Adriana Alejandra , Leyva-Peralta Mario-Alberto
Published: January 2025

Berberine is a promising agent for modulating the intestinal microbiota, playing a crucial role in human health homeostasis. This natural compound promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus while reducing harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli. Clinical and preclinical studies demonstrate that Berberine helps regulate T2D and metabolic disorders, improves blood glucose levels during T2D, and reduces lipid profile and chronic inflammation, especially when combined with probiotics. Berberine represents a promising adjuvant therapy for inflammatory diseases, particularly intestinal disorders, due to its multifaceted actions of inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines and pathways during IBS, IBD, and UC and its modulation of gut microbiota and/or enhancement of the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier. This review establishes the basis for future treatment protocols with berberine and fully elucidates its mechanisms.
Evaluation of Drug Permeation Enhancement by Using In Vitro and Ex Vivo Models
Authors: Steyn Johan D. , Haasbroek-Pheiffer Anja , Pheiffer Wihan , Weyers Morné , van Niekerk Suzanne E. , Hamman Josias H. , van Staden Daniélle
Published: January 2025

Drugs administered by means of extravascular routes of drug administration must be absorbed into the systemic circulation, which involves the movement of the drug molecules across biological barriers such as epithelial cells that cover mucosal surfaces or the stratum corneum that covers the skin. Some drugs exhibit poor permeation across biological membranes or may experience excessive degradation during first-pass metabolism, which tends to limit their bioavailability. Various strategies have been used to improve drug bioavailability. Absorption enhancement strategies include the co-administration of chemical permeation enhancers, enzymes, and/or efflux transporter inhibitors, chemical changes, and specialized dosage form designs. Models with physiological relevance are needed to evaluate the efficacy of drug absorption enhancement techniques. Various in vitro cell culture models and ex vivo tissue models have been explored to evaluate and quantify the effectiveness of drug permeation enhancement strategies. This review deliberates on the use of in vitro and ex vivo models for the evaluation of drug permeation enhancement strategies for selected extravascular drug administration routes including the nasal, oromucosal, pulmonary, oral, rectal, and transdermal routes of drug administration.
In Silico Approach for Antibacterial Discovery: PTML Modeling of Virtual Multi-Strain Inhibitors Against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Kleandrova Valeria V. , Cordeiro M. Natália D. S. , Speck-Planche Alejandro
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Infectious diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) have become alarming health issues worldwide due to the ever-increasing emergence of multidrug resistance. In silico approaches can accelerate the identification and/or design of versatile antibacterial chemicals with the ability to target multiple S. aureus strains with varying degrees of drug resistance. Here, we develop a perturbation theory machine learning model based on a multilayer perceptron neural network (PTML-MLP) for the prediction and design of versatile virtual inhibitors against S. aureus strains. Methods: To develop the PTML-MLP model, chemical and biological data associated with antibacterial activity against S. aureus strains were retrieved from the ChEMBL database. We applied the Box–Jenkins approach to convert the topological indices into multi-label graph-theoretical indices; the latter were used as inputs for the creation of the PTML-MLP model. Results: The PTML-MLP model exhibited accuracy higher than 80% in both training and test sets. The physicochemical and structural interpretation of the PTML-MLP model was performed through the fragment-based topological design (FBTD) approach. Such interpretations permitted the analysis of different molecular fragments with favorable contributions to the multi-strain antibacterial activity and the design of four new drug-like molecules using different fragments as building blocks. The designed molecules were predicted/confirmed by our PTML model as multi-strain inhibitors of diverse S. aureus strains, thus representing promising chemotypes to be considered for future synthesis and biological testing of versatile anti-S. aureus agents. Conclusions: This work envisages promising applications of PTML modeling for early antibacterial drug discovery and related antimicrobial research areas.
Do It Again: Repetition, Reproduction, Reenactment in Performance and Music
Authors: Grüny Christian
Published: January 2025

Any human action can be repeated; none can be repeated exactly. In fact, most human actions will be repeated—in its most basic sense, culture is the establishment of forms and standards of repeatability. The performing arts are based on this fact, they make it explicit and explore it, albeit in very different ways. In light of these differences, it becomes obvious that ontological questions in music and the performing arts have a cultural index—rather than asking about the nature of identity and repetition, we should ask what counts as identical under what circumstances. These circumstances differ widely across cultures as well as across disciplines, and they are subject to change. Drawing on examples from performance art and music, this paper will explore the different constellations of repeatability we find in these fields. This comparative perspective promises to reshape some gridlocked debates in music as well as in the theory of performance. In particular, Christopher Bedford’s idea of a “viral ontology” of performance and the displacement of the concept of the work by Bruno Nettl’s notion of the model prove fruitful.
Music Criticism Reconsidered: Bias, Expertise, and the Language of Sound
Authors: Giombini Lisa
Published: January 2025

Despite its growing prominence on social and media platforms, scholarly engagement with music criticism today remains unexpectedly limited, especially when compared to the extensive attention devoted to visual and literary criticism. This article seeks to revitalize the discourse by confronting the biases that have long undermined the credibility of music critics in the eyes of both musicians and the public. Inspired by the myth of King Midas—punished by Apollo for his “misguided” musical judgment—the discussion investigates the persistent critiques leveled at music critics, such as accusations of arbitrariness, inadequacy, and irrelevance. Central to this analysis are key questions: how can critics establish authority when their judgments are often shaped by prevailing cultural trends, what expertise distinguishes them from the average listener, and how do they articulate music’s ephemeral essence in words? To address these questions, the article examines the critic’s role through the lenses of journalism, musicology, and criticism itself, highlighting the tension between objectivity and subjectivity and identifying the distinctive skills necessary for effective critique.
An Approach to Nuclear Fusion Utilizing the Dynamics of High-Density Electrons and Neutrals, Part I
Authors: Wong Alfred YiuFai , Shih Chun-Ching
Published: January 2025

An approach to achieve nuclear fusion utilizing the formation of high densities of electrons and neutrals is described. The abundance of low energy free electrons produces intense electric fields that reduce the Coulomb barrier in nuclear fusion. Meanwhile, high-density rotating neutrals provide high centrifugal forces to achieve the extreme pressure gradients of electrons and consequent negative electric fields to reduce the ion repulsive Coulombic fields. These high-density neutrals also provide better stability and higher reaction rates. Ion–neutral coupling is responsible for the control of neutral dynamics. Since high-frequency excitations favor the generation of free electrons, pulsed operations are recommended to achieve fusion with higher gains.
Development of Short Jute Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Pre-Preg Tapes
Authors: Dun Mengyuan , Fu Haitao , Hao Jianxiu , Wang Weihong
Published: January 2025

Jute fibers are renewable, light, and strong, allowing them to be considered as attractive materials in composite manufacturing. In the present work, a simple and effective method for preparing continuous pre-preg tapes from short jute fiber bundles (without twist) is developed and its application in winding forming is evaluated. Linear low-density polyethylene film (LLDPE) with good flexibility and weather resistance was used as the thermoplastic matrix; jute fiber bundles were first spread parallel to each other on an LLDPE film and then rolled up to form a pre-roll. The pre-roll enclosing fiber bundles was hot-pressed in a designed mold to form a pre-preg tape, where the fiber bundles were more parallel to the tape than the fibers in twine. Although the untwisted structure exhibited a lower tensile strength for the fiber bundle, it could be processed into a continuous pre-preg with higher tensile strength than the jute twine-impregnated pre-preg. This is based on the good impregnation of the short fiber bundle and its unidirectional, uniform strengthening in the continuous pre-preg. The tensile strength and modulus of the fiber bundle-reinforced pre-preg increased by 16.70% and 257.14%, respectively, compared with jute twine-reinforced pre-preg (within the fiber proportion of 40.wt%). When applied to winding, the fiber bundle-reinforced pre-preg showed advantages of interlayer fusion, surface flatness, and ring stiffness. In contrast, the twisted continuous structure did not retain its advantage in pre-preg. The development of pre-preg tapes by discontinuous fibers might be a good way for utilizing natural fibers in the field of green engineering due to its diverse secondary processing.
All-Organic Quantum Dots-Boosted Energy Storage Density in PVDF-Based Nanocomposites via Dielectric Enhancement and Loss Reduction
Authors: Guo Ru , Yuan Xi , Zhou Xuefan , Chen Haiyan , Xie Haoran , Hu Quan , Luo Hang , Zhang Dou
Published: January 2025

Dielectric capacitors offer immense application potential in advanced electrical and electronic systems with their unique ultrahigh power density. Polymer-based dielectric composites with high energy density are urgently needed to meet the ever-growing demand for the integration and miniaturization of electronic devices. However, the universal contradictory relationship between permittivity and breakdown strength in traditional ceramic/polymer nanocomposite still poses a huge challenge for a breakthrough in energy density. In this work, all-organic carbon quantum dot CDs were synthesized and introduced into a poly(vinylidene fluoride) PVDF polymer matrix to achieve significantly boosted energy storage performance. The ultrasmall and surface functionalized CDs facilitate the polar β-phase transition and crystallinity of PVDF polymer and modulate the energy level and traps of the nanocomposite. Surprisingly, a synergistic dielectric enhancement and loss reduction were achieved in CD/PVDF nanocomposite. For one thing, the improvement in εr and high-field Dm originates from the CD-induced polar transition and interface polarization. For another thing, the suppressed dielectric loss and high-field Dr are attributed to the conductive loss depression via the introduction of deep trap levels to capture charges. More importantly, Eb was largely strengthened from 521.9 kV mm−1 to 627.2 kV mm−1 by utilizing the coulomb-blockade effect of CDs to construct energy barriers and impede carrier migration. As a result, compared to the 9.9 J cm−3 for pristine PVDF, the highest discharge energy density of 18.3 J cm−3 was obtained in a 0.5 wt% CD/PVDF nanocomposite, which is competitive with most analogous PVDF-based nanocomposites. This study demonstrates a new paradigm of organic quantum dot-enhanced ferroelectric polymer-based dielectric energy storage performance and will promote its application for electrostatic film capacitors.
Changing Identities of Religious People: The Role of Religiosity and the Public Discourse in Evaluating Gay People in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Bognár Bulcsu , Kmetty Zoltán
Published: January 2025

This study examines the values of religious and non-religious people in Central and Eastern Europe over the past thirty years. It focuses on changes in perceptions of gay people and explores how the emergence of sexual orientation in public discourse has influenced its acceptance or rejection. The research highlights a specific duality in the region where religiosity is accompanied by an increasing acceptance of gay people in the region; but in some countries, differences between religious and non-religious perceptions of gay people are increasing. The study argues that this duality is shaped by different public discourses, identity politics, and the varied roles of churches in these processes across countries. Consequently, it offers a new interpretation of the relationship between religiosity and attitudes toward gay people.
The Quest for Inner Freedom: An Artist’s Perspective
Authors: Gagić Kičinbači Ivana
Published: January 2025

The article examines my artist’s struggle for inner freedom in practice-led artistic research through the medium of drawing. This inquiry, framed within a Catholic perspective, investigates the idea that the quest for inner freedom is vital for artistic work that aims to create and communicate the ineffable. This article focuses on my strive to reach deeper levels of spiritual experience and to work from that state of consciousness. I explore the artist’s role as a mediator, connecting the invisible, intuitively understood dimensions, and making them visible through artistic creations. I conducted research by closely observing the artmaking process and the conditions in which it is undertaken. Research methodologies specific to the artistic field (visual arts) and the qualitative narrative research method were predominantly used. The process of preparation for the drawing by engaging in contemplative practice is also a subject of inquiry. The article highlights contemplative practices as tools for achieving inner freedom and unlocking creative potential.
Forecasting Urban Sprawl Dynamics in Islamabad: A Neural Network Approach
Authors: Sarwar Saddam , Khan Hafiz Usman Ahmed , Wu Falin , Hasan Sarah , Zohaib Muhammad , Abbasi Mahzabin , Hu Tianyang
Published: January 2025

In the past two decades, Islamabad has experienced significant urbanization. As a result of inadequate urban planning and spatial distribution, it has significantly influenced land use–land cover (LULC) changes and green areas. To assess these changes, there is an increasing need for reliable and appropriate information about urbanization. Landsat imagery is categorized into four thematic classes using a supervised classification method called the support vector machine (SVM): built-up, bareland, vegetation, and water. The results of the change detection of post-classification show that the city region increased from 6.37% (58.09 km2) in 2000 to 28.18% (256.49 km2) in 2020, while vegetation decreased from 46.97% (428.28 km2) to 34.77% (316.53 km2) and bareland decreased from 45.45% (414.37 km2) to 35.87% (326.49 km2). Utilizing a land change modeler (LCM), forecasts of the future conditions in 2025, 2030, and 2035 are predicted. The artificial neural network (ANN) model embedded in IDRISI software 18.0v based on a well-defined backpropagation (BP) algorithm was used to simulate future urban sprawl considering the historical pattern for 2015–2020. Selected landscape morphological measures were used to quantify and analyze changes in spatial structure patterns. According to the data, the urban area grew at a pace of 4.84% between 2015 and 2020 and will grow at a rate of 1.47% between 2020 and 2035. This growth in the metropolitan area will encroach further into vegetation and bareland. If the existing patterns of change persist over the next ten years, a drop in the mean Euclidian Nearest Neighbor Distance (ENN) of vegetation patches is anticipated (from 104.57 m to 101.46 m over 2020–2035), indicating an accelerated transformation of the landscape. Future urban prediction modeling revealed that there would be a huge increase of 49% in urban areas until the year 2035 compared to the year 2000. The results show that in rapidly urbanizing areas, there is an urgent need to enhance land use laws and policies to ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem, urban development, and the preservation of natural resources.
An FPGA-Based Hybrid Overlapping Acceleration Architecture for Small-Target Remote Sensing Detection
Authors: Fang Nan , Li Liyuan , Zhou Xiaoxuan , Zhang Wencong , Chen Fansheng
Published: January 2025

Small-object detection in satellite remote sensing images plays a pivotal role in the field of remote sensing. Achieving high-performance real-time detection demands not only efficient algorithms but also low-power, high-performance hardware platforms. However, most mainstream target detection methods currently rely on graphics processing units (GPUs) for acceleration, and the high power consumption of GPUs limits their use in resource-constrained platforms such as small satellites. Moreover, small-object detection faces multiple challenges: the targets occupy only a small number of pixels in the image, the background is often complex with significant noise interference, and existing detection models typically exhibit low accuracy when dealing with small targets. In addition, the large number of parameters in these models makes direct deployment on embedded devices difficult. To address these issues, we propose a hybrid overlapping acceleration architecture based on FPGA, along with a lightweight model derived from YOLOv5s that is specifically designed to enhance the detection of small objects in remote sensing images. This model incorporates a lightweight GhostBottleneckV2 module, significantly reducing both model parameters and computational complexity. Experimental results on the TIFAD thermal infrared small-object dataset show that our approach achieves an average precision (mAP) of 67.8% while consuming an average power of only 2.8 W. The robustness of the proposed model is verified by the HRSID dataset. Combining real-time performance with high energy efficiency, this architecture is particularly well suited for on-board remote sensing image processing systems, where reliable and efficient small-object detection is paramount.
An Optimized Diffuse Kalman Filter for Frequency and Phase Synchronization in Distributed Radar Networks
Authors: Geng Xueyin , Wang Jun , Yang Bin , Sun Jinping
Published: January 2025

Distributed radar networks have emerged as a key technology in remote sensing and surveillance due to their high transmission power and robustness against node failures. When performing coherent beamforming with multiple radars, frequency and phase deviations introduced by independent oscillators lead to a decrease in transmission power. This paper proposes an optimized diffuse Kalman filter (ODKF) for the frequency and phase synchronization. Specifically, each radar locally estimates its frequency and phase, then shares this information with neighboring nodes, which are used for incremental update and diffusion update to adjust local estimates. To further reduce synchronization errors, we incorporate a self-feedback strategy in the diffusion step, in which each node balances its own estimate with neighbor information by optimizing the diagonal weights in the diffusion matrix. Numerical simulations demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method in terms of mean squared deviation (MSD) and convergence speed.
The Impacts of Assimilating Radar Reflectivity for the Analysis and Forecast of “21.7” Henan Extreme Rainstorm Within the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation–Ensemble Kalman Filter System: Issues with Updating Model State Variables
Authors: Shu Aiqing , Xu Dongmei , Min Jinzhong , Luo Ling , Fei Haiyan , Shen Feifei , Guan Xiaojun , Sun Qilong
Published: January 2025

Based on the “21.7” Henan extreme rainstorm case, this study investigates the influence of updating model state variables in the GSI-EnKF (Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation–ensemble Kalman filter) system with the Thompson microphysics scheme. Six sensitivity experiments are conducted to assess the impact of updating different model state variables on the EnKF analysis and subsequent forecast. The experiments include the Z_ALL experiment (updating all variables), the Z_NoEnv experiment (excluding dynamical and thermodynamical variables), the Z_NoNr experiment (excluding rainwater number concentration), and three additional experiments that examine the removal of updating horizontal wind (U, V), vertical wind (W), and perturbation potential temperature (T), which are marked as Z_NoUV, Z_NoW, and Z_NoT. The results indicate that updating different model state variables leads to various effects on dynamical, thermodynamical, and hydrometeor fields. Specifically, excluding the update of vertical wind or perturbation potential temperature has little effect on the rainwater mixing ratio, whereas excluding the update of the rainwater number concentration causes a significant increase in the rainwater mixing ratio, particularly in the northern region of Zhengzhou. Not updating horizontal wind or environmental variables shifts the rainwater mixing ratio northward, deviating from the observed rainfall center. The analysis of near-surface divergence and vertical wind also reveals that not updating certain variables could result in weaker or less detailed wind structures. Although radar reflectivity, which is mainly influenced by the mixing ratios of hydrometeors, shows consistent spatial distribution across experiments, their intensity varies, with the Z_ALL experiment showing the most accurate prediction. The 4 h deterministic forecasts based on the ensemble mean analysis demonstrate that updating all variables provides the best improvement in predicting the “21.7” Henan extreme rainstorm. These results emphasize the importance of updating all relevant model variables for improving predictions of extreme rainstorms.