bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Bacterial Conjunctivitis in the Adult and Pediatric Inpatient vs. Outpatient Population
Authors: Voinescu Adela , Musuroi Corina , Licker Monica , Muntean Delia , Musuroi Silvia-Ioana , Baditoiu Luminita Mirela , Dugaesescu Dorina , Jumanca Romanita , Munteanu Mihnea , Cosnita Andrei
Published: February 2025

The etiology and resistance pattern of bacterial conjunctivitis varies depending on the patient’s care setting and age. A retrospective, observational study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 126 patients—76 adults and 50 children—diagnosed with conjunctival infection during inpatient or ambulatory care were analyzed. In the samples of adult patients, isolates were represented by Gram-positive cocci (57.7%; Staphylococcus spp., S. pneumoniae) followed by Enterobacterales (17.97%; P. mirabilis, E. coli, Klebsiella spp.), and non-fermenters (7.69%; Pseudomonas spp., A. baumannii). Multidrug-resistant (52.17%) and extensively drug-resistant (21.73%) pathogens (predominantly Gram-negative bacilli) were identified in conjunctival swabs of hospitalized adult patients. The main isolates (55.77%) identified in children’s conjunctival swabs belonged to S. aureus, H. influenzae, and S. pneumoniae, followed by Enterobacterales (19.22%; E. coli, P. mirabilis, M. morganii) and fungi (3.48%). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (35.71%) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing K. pneumoniae (8.7%) were identified in the pediatric subgroup of patients. In critically ill adult patients assisted in the intensive care or burn functional units, bacterial conjunctivitis followed the pattern of infections and antimicrobial resistance specific to these categories of patients. In the case of hospitalized children, conjunctivitis was an integral part of the age-related pathology.
Magnetic Properties as Proxies for Geochemical Prediction in Mining Tailings: A Semi-Supervised Spatial Approach
Authors: Lam Elizabeth J. , Keith Brian , Bech Jaume , Herrera Christian , Urrutia Javier , Montofré Ítalo L.
Published: February 2025

Mine tailings require careful monitoring and management, but traditional geochemical characterization methods are costly and time-consuming. This study demonstrates that magnetic properties can serve as effective proxies for predicting copper concentrations in mine tailings through an innovative spatial modeling approach. Analysis of magnetic and geochemical measurements from a Chilean copper mine tailing showed that magnetic properties combined with spatial modeling techniques could predict copper concentrations with high accuracy (R2 = 0.873 ± 0.085). The spatial distribution of magnetic properties revealed coherent patterns that effectively predicted geochemical characteristics. This approach substantially reduces characterization costs compared to traditional methods while maintaining accuracy. Our findings establish magnetic properties as valuable screening tools for tailings characterization, offering mining operations a cost-effective approach to environmental monitoring and management.
Magnetic Ionic Liquid: A Multifunctional Platform for the Design of Hybrid Graphene/Carbon Nanotube Networks as Electromagnetic Wave-Absorbing Materials
Authors: Carelo Jean C. , Soares Bluma G. , Schmitz Debora P. , Henriques Ruan R. , Silva Adriana A. , Barra Guilherme M. O. , Barthem Vitoria M. T. S. , Livi Sebastien
Published: February 2025

Magnetic ionic liquid (MIL) based on alkyl phosphonium cation was used as a curing agent for developing epoxy nanocomposites (ENCs) modified with a graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)/carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid filler. The materials were prepared by a solvent-free procedure involving ball-milling technology. ENCs containing as low as 3 phr of filler (GNP/CNT = 2.5:0.5 phr) exhibited electrical conductivity with approximately six orders of magnitude greater than the system loaded with GNP = 2.5 phr. Moreover, the use of MIL (10 phr) resulted in ENCs with higher conductivity compared with the same system cured using conventional aliphatic amine. The filler dispersion within the epoxy matrix was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), evaluated in the X- and Ku-band frequency range, revealed a great contribution of the absorption mechanism for the ENC containing the hybrid filler and cured with MIL. Moreover, the best microwave-absorbing response was achieved with the ENC containing GNP/CNT = 2.5/0.5 phr, and cured with ML, which a minimum RL of −23.61 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 5.18 GHz were observed for thickness of 1.5 mm. In summary, this system is a promising material for both civilian and military applications due to its simple and scalable nanocomposite preparation method, the lightweight nature of the composites resulting from the low filler content, the commercial availability and cost-effectiveness of GNP, and its high electromagnetic wave attenuation across a broad frequency range.
FeCo: Hysteresis, Pseudo-Critical, and Compensation Temperatures on Quasi-Spherical Nanoparticle
Authors: Madera Julio Cesar , Restrepo-Parra Elisabeth , De La Espriella Nicolás
Published: February 2025

We investigated the hysteresis, pseudo-critical, and compensation behaviors of a quasi-spherical FeCo alloy nanoparticle (2 nm in diameter) using Monte Carlo simulations with thermal bath-type algorithms and a 3D mixed Ising model. The nanostructure was modeled in a body-centered cubic lattice (BCC) through the following configurations: spin S=3/2 for Co and Q=2 for Fe. These simulations reveal that, under the influence of crystal and magnetic fields, the nanoparticle exhibits compensation phenomena, exchange bias, and pseudo-critical temperatures. Knowledge of this type of phenomena is crucial for the design of new materials, since compensation temperatures and exchange bias improve the efficiency of advanced magnetic devices, such as sensors and magnetic memories. Meanwhile, pseudo-critical temperatures allow the creation of materials with controlled phase transitions, which is vital for developing technologies with specific magnetic and thermal properties. An increase in single-ion anisotropies within the nanosystem leads to higher pseudo-critical and compensation temperatures, as well as superparamagnetic behavior at low temperatures.
BiOBr/Coal Gangue-Based SAPO-5 Molecular Sieve Nanocomposite for Enhanced Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Xu Boyang , Chen Jie , Wang Kai , Li Pengfei , Kang Le , Du Huiling , Liu Qianqian , Lian Xiaoqing
Published: February 2025

The accumulation of organic pollutants and solid waste is one of the major environmental challenges faced globally. Establishing an efficient recycling system for solid waste and designing cost-effective, high-performance photocatalysts are urgent tasks for the removal of organic pollutants from water. This study utilizes coal gangue as the precursor to synthesize a coal gangue-based phosphorus–silicon–aluminum molecular sieve (SAPO-5) via hydrothermal synthesis. The resulting material was then composited with bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) to form a novel BiOBr/coal gangue-based SAPO-5 nanocomposite. When the mass ratio of BiOBr to coal gangue-based SAPO-5 molecular sieve is 0.3, the synthesized nanocomposite exhibits excellent adsorption and photocatalytic performance for the removal of methylene blue, achieving a removal rate of 97.8% and the mineralization rate of 57.4% within 30 min. The superior performance can be attributed to the optimal pore size, rapid charge transfer rate, and high photogenerated charge density of the BiOBr/coal gangue-based SAPO-5 nanocomposite. The novel BiOBr/coal gangue-based SAPO-5 molecular sieve nanocomposite catalyst presents a new approach for the harmless treatment of organic dye wastewater and the high-value utilization of coal gangue.
Complementary Feeding and Infant Gut Microbiota: A Narrative Review
Authors: Noles Danielle L. , Matzeller Kinzie L. , Frank Daniel N. , Krebs Nancy F. , Tang Minghua
Published: February 2025

Background: The complementary feeding period, spanning from 6 to 24 months of age, marks the transition from an exclusive liquid diet in infants to a dietary pattern requiring the introduction of solid foods to meet nutritional demands. Complementary feeding coincides with other critical development windows, including the maturation of the gut microbiome. However, the effects of specific solid foods on gut microbiota and the subsequent influence on health outcomes require further investigation. Methods: This narrative review analyzes published research from January 2004 to October 2024 and aims to summarize the current evidence of the effects of complementary feeding on the infant gut microbiota. Results: A total of 43 studies were included in this review. Overall, multiple studies reported an increase in alpha-diversity after solid food introduction. Bifidobacteriaceae is the predominant bacterial family during the first 6 months of life, shifting to Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Clostridium spp. after the introduction of solid foods. The timing of solid food introduction may also influence gut microbiota, though results were inconclusive. The effect of individual dietary components on the gut microbiota was conflicting, with limited evidence to make inferences. Conclusions: Because of variations in study design, dietary intake quantification, and minimal follow-up, a lack of conclusive evidence exists describing the relationship between complementary feeding and gut microbiota outcomes in infants. Future research to describe these relationships should focus on the impact of individual foods on microbial diversity and maturation, as well as the relationship between microbiota and infant health outcomes.
Role of Health-Consciousness on Purchase Intention of Health and Wellness Food: The Serial Mediating Effect of Attitude and Desire
Authors: Pan Jialiang , Wu Kun-Shan , Huang Di-Man , Sun Shu-Wen
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: This study investigates consumers’ purchase intention (PI) toward health and wellness foods (HWF) in China by examining key factors, such as health-consciousness (HC), desire, and attitude toward organic food. Methods: Data were collected via online surveys completed by Chinese respondents aged 50–65 years. Of the 270 distributed surveys, 230 valid responses (85.2% effectiveness) were analyzed. A multi-analytic approach was employed, integrating Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS–SEM), Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), and Combined Importance-Performance Map Analysis (cIPMA), to explore the hypothesized relationships. Results: The results reveal consumers’ HC has a strong influence on their PI toward HWF, with attitude and desire sequentially mediating this relationship. Furthermore, the results of NCA confirm that HC and desire are necessary conditions for purchasing HWF, whereas attitude is not. Conclusions: Based on these findings, the study provides suggestions for future research and practical recommendations for HWF businesses.
Implementation of the Anchor-Based Indirect Comparison Method for Equivalence Margin Derivation in Biosimilar Development
Authors: Hemmelmann Claudia , El Galta Rachid , Wang Jessie , Schmitt Susanne , Arani Ramin
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: To derive the equivalence margin (EQM), typically, a “classical” meta-analysis on direct within-trial estimation of the effect size of the reference drug compared to the placebo or standard of care is performed: a certain factor of the 95% confidence interval for the pooled treatment effect compared to placebo is used. However, treatment regimens in many indications are becoming more complex (e.g., combination treatments), and for most of these clinical study data, direct comparisons are not available. On the other hand, data for the comparison of the common treatment to the reference treatment in one study and to the placebo in another study are available in some situations. Methods: In such situations, an anchor-based indirect comparison can be applied to estimate the treatment effect of Reference vs. Placebo. This treatment effect (Reference vs. Placebo) can be estimated by calculating the difference of the two treatment effects and the variance as the sum of both variances. The 95% confidence interval of this estimated treatment effect can then be used to derive the EQM. To alleviate any concerns about the underlying assumptions of transitivity and consistency, multiple sensitivity analyses can be performed. Results: We present a case study for deriving the EQM using the anchor-based indirect comparison along with sensitivity analyses (i.e., direct comparison against similar reference drug, the impact of variation of treatment effect on Comparator, and effect size Reference vs. Placebo, including trial data with slightly different population characteristics) for a planned efficacy trial in the biosimilar setting. Conclusions: An anchor-based indirect comparison for EQM derivation is an approach health authorities can agree to if sufficiently supported through other means, e.g., relevant sensitivity analyses.
Targeting Cancer Stemness Using Nanotechnology in a Holistic Approach: A Narrative Review
Authors: Mitranovici Melinda-Ildiko , Caravia Laura Georgiana , Moraru Liviu , Pușcașiu Lucian
Published: February 2025

Increasing evidence shows that a very small population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is responsible for cancer recurrence, drug resistance, and metastasis. CSCs usually reside in hypoxic tumor regions and are characterized by high tumorigenicity. Their inaccessible nature allows them to avoid the effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. In addition, conventional chemo- and radiotherapy is potentially toxic and could help CSCs to spread and survive. New therapeutic targets against CSCs are sought, including different signaling pathways and distinct cell surface markers. Recent advances in nanotechnology have provided hope for the development of new therapeutic avenues to eradicate CSCs. In this review, we present newly discovered nanoparticles that can be co-loaded with an apoptosis-inducing agent or differentiation-inducing agent, with high stability, cellular penetration, and drug release. We also summarize the molecular characteristics of CSCs and the signaling pathways responsible for their survival and maintenance. Controlled drug release targeting CSCs aims to reduce stemness-related drug resistance, suppress tumor growth, and prevent tumor relapse and metastases.
Small-Molecule Probes: Recent Progress in the Rapid Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Bacteria
Authors: Xie Feiran , Zhou Yanzhi , Zhang Fei , Xiao Peihong
Published: February 2025

As the last resort and one of the most crucial antibiotics for multidrug-resistant bacteria, carbapenem is considered the best hope for treating bacterial infections. However, the prompt emergence of carbapenemase-producing bacteria (CPB) poses a striking global health threat. Thus, accurate and rapid methods for the detection of carbapenemase are being requested to guide precise diagnosis, appropriate treatment strategies, and antibiotic stewardship. Although genotypic, phenotypic, and biochemical methods are currently used in clinical practice for CPB detection, they each have their problems that cannot commendably meet the need. In recent years, small-molecule probes have made significant progress and breakthroughs in the rapid detection and subtyping of CPB, providing insights and innovative solutions for the ultra-sensitive detection of CPB. In this minireview, some of the advances, namely, chromogenic probes and methods, fluorogenic probes, dual fluorogenic–chromogenic probes, a chemiluminescent probe, and a novel label-free intracellular calorimetric approach, are summarized, appreciated, and discussed. These methods offer high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in a short period in clinical settings without the utilization of sophisticated equipment or professional personnel. We hope that this minireview can provide a reference for the development of rapid detection of CPB and eventually contribute to antibiotic resistance management.
Effects of Modification on Properties of Wood Flour/PBAT Biocomposites
Authors: Yu Wangwang , Qiu Rui , Lei Wen , Chen Yong
Published: February 2025

Wood flour (WF)-reinforced poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) composites were successfully fabricated by injection-molding process after being mixed using an extruder. The effects of fiber modifications, including mercerization, acetylation, as well as coupling agent treatment on the properties of WF/PBAT composites, were studied. The results indicated that all the modifications increased the mechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, elongation at break, and Charpy impact strength) of the composites. After modification, all the composites showed better interfacial bonding, hydrophobicity, and thermal properties compared to the untreated fiber composites; meanwhile, the moisture absorption test showed that all the modified fiber composites exhibited a much lower saturated water absorption rate than untreated ones. WF modification by addition of a coupling agent could improve the properties most obviously, except for the tensile strength, elongation at break, and saturated water absorption rate. By this modification, the tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, onset temperature during thermal degradation, degree of crystallinity, and water contact angle of the composite were 313.47 MPa, 20.55 MPa, 830.79 MPa, 16.01 kJ/cm2, 367.71 °C, 17.10%, and 101.8°, all increased from those of untreated composites by 17.95%, 30.73%, 87.52%, 35.79%, 61.49%, 25.67 °C, 89.16%, and 6.6°, respectively.
Research on Well Pattern Optimization Method for Multilayer Thin Gas Reservoir Based on DNN Algorithm
Authors: Liang Liang , Cheng Youyou , Luo Xiang , Qiu Linhao , Tan Chengqian
Published: February 2025

Conventional development technologies for gas reservoirs have made significant advancements, particularly in well pattern optimization, enhanced recovery, and dynamic monitoring. However, multilayer thin gas reservoirs face challenges such as strong heterogeneity, thin effective thickness, poor interlayer connectivity, and difficulties in characterizing dynamic features. These factors complicate the direct application of traditional well pattern optimization methods. The gas reservoir in the western part of Block B, Right Bank of the Amu River, serves as a typical example of a multilayered thin gas reservoir. This study aims to optimize well patterns for composite layer development. A numerical simulation model is established and verified through historical fitting of production data. Using the DNN algorithm and 150 orthogonal experimental models, the optimal horizontal well pattern is determined, with a training error of 7.6% when the training set reached 120 sets. Five optimization charts for multilayer thin gas reservoirs are developed, improving the reservoir recovery factor and supporting efficient production. This work provides a theoretical foundation for the development of similar multilayer composite gas reservoirs.
Cost-Efficient Pipelined Modular Polynomial Multiplier for Post-Quantum Cryptography Saber
Authors: Li Hua
Published: February 2025

The development of quantum computers presents a great challenge for current cryptographic algorithms. Post-quantum cryptography has been proposed to secure against quantum computers in the near future. Modular polynomial multiplication is a frequent arithmetic operation in post-quantum cryptography. In this paper, a low-cost and efficient pipelined architecture for modular polynomial multiplication in Saber has been proposed and synthesized with the Virtex UltraScale + xcu200-fsgd2104-2-e board. It can achieve a frequency of 250 MHz and only uses 11,499 LUTs, 7034 FFs and 32 IOs.
Beach Erosion Characteristics Induced by Human Activities—A Case Study in Haiyang, Yellow Sea
Authors: Zhang Changle , Wang Yongzhi , Du Jun , Tian Ziwen , Zhong Yi
Published: February 2025

Coastal zones, which serve as transitional areas between land and sea, possess unique ecological values. Sandy coasts, celebrated for their distinctive natural beauty and ideal recreational settings, have garnered significant attention. However, uncontrolled human activities can exacerbate erosion or even trigger more severe erosion along these coasts. This study utilizes unmanned aerial photography and typical beach profile survey data collected from the main areas of Wanmi Beach over the past eight years to quantify annual changes in beach erosion and elucidate the erosion characteristics and their variations across different shore profiles. Additionally, the impact of various types of human activities in different regions is analyzed, revealing the erosion patterns prevalent in the main areas of Wanmi Beach. The findings indicate that the eastern research area (ERA) has been in a continuous state of erosion, primarily due to a reduction in sediment supply in the region, with severe erosion observed on the foreshore of Fengxiang Beach and Wanmi Bathing Beach (WBB). In contrast, the central research area (CRA), particularly around Yangjiao Bay, has experienced significant siltation in recent years, with the highest siltation volume recorded between 2021 and 2023, totaling 90,352.91 m3. Nevertheless, the foreshore areas at both ends of the research area, distant from Yangjiao Bay, have been subject to erosion. The western research area (WRA) is notably impacted by surrounding aquaculture activities, leading to alternating periods of erosion and siltation on the beach surface. Consequently, due to the influence of human activities on different shore profiles, most of Wanmi Beach, except for the area near Yangjiao Bay, is experiencing erosion.
A Detection Method for Open–Close States of High-Voltage Disconnector in Smoky Environments
Authors: Wang Lujia , Chen Yifan , Qi Jianghao , Zhou Kai , He Zhijie , Jin Lei
Published: February 2025

Computer vision-based state recognition is widely employed in substations, but conventional video monitoring systems often encounter challenges during emergency situations, such as smoke from fires. In such scenarios, LiDAR emerges as an appealing alternative, capable of capturing the depth information of the target. However, when smoke concentration is high, the quality of collected point cloud data deteriorates, impacting the assessment of the disconnector open–close status. This paper delves into the impact of a smoky environment on point cloud data and introduces a two-stage discrimination process. Firstly, a feature extraction method using sliced point clouds is employed to construct edge features of the conductive arm. Building upon this foundation, an open–close position identification method based on edge pre-processing is employed to obtain the final measurement results. Field experiments demonstrate that the proposed method effectively mitigates smoke interference and accurately determines the disconnector’s open–close status with high reliability and precision. This approach could serve as a reference for the development of continuous disconnector closing state monitoring technology.
Drunk Driver Detection Using Multiple Non-Invasive Biosignals
Authors: Kim Sang Hyuk , Son Hyo Won , Lee Tae Mu , Baek Hyun Jae
Published: February 2025

This study aims to decrease the number of drunk drivers, a significant social problem. Traditional methods to measure alcohol intake include blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) tests. While BAC testing requires blood samples and is impractical, BrAC testing is commonly used in drunk driving enforcement. In this study, the multiple biological signals of electrocardiogram (ECG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and electrodermal activity (EDA) were collected non-invasively and with minimal driver restraint in a driving simulator. Data were collected from 10 participants for approximately 10 min at BrAC levels of 0.00%, 0.03%, and 0.08%, which align with the latest Korean drunk driving standards. The collected data underwent frequency filtering and were segmented into 30 s intervals with a 10 s overlap to extract heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse arrival time (PAT). Using more than 10 machine learning algorithms, the classification accuracy reached 88%. The results indicate that it is possible to classify a driver’s level of intoxication using only non-invasive biological signals within a short period of about 30 s, potentially aiding in the prevention of drunk driving.
PSMDet: Enhancing Detection Accuracy in Remote Sensing Images Through Self-Modulation and Gaussian-Based Regression
Authors: Zhu Jiangang , Ruan Yang , Jing Donglin , Fu Qiang , Ma Ting
Published: February 2025

Conventional object detection methods face challenges in addressing the complexity of targets in optical remote sensing images (ORSIs), including multi-scale objects, high aspect ratios, and arbitrary orientations. This study proposes a novel detection framework called Progressive Self-Modulating Detector (PSMDet), which incorporates self-modulation mechanisms at the backbone, feature pyramid network (FPN), and detection head stages to address these issues. The backbone network utilizes a reparameterized large kernel network (RLK-Net) to enhance multi-scale feature extraction. At the same time, the adaptive perception network (APN) achieves accurate feature alignment through a self-attention mechanism. Additionally, a Gaussian-based bounding box representation and smooth relative entropy (smoothRE) regression loss are introduced to address traditional bounding box regression challenges, such as discontinuities and inconsistencies. Experimental validation on the HRSC2016 and UCAS-AOD datasets demonstrates the framework’s robust performance, achieving the mean Average Precision (mAP) scores of 90.69% and 89.86%, respectively. Although validated on ORSIs, the proposed framework is adaptable for broader applications, such as autonomous driving in intelligent transportation systems and defect detection in industrial vision, where high-precision object detection is essential. These contributions provide theoretical and technical support for advancing intelligent image sensor-based applications across multiple domains.
Neuropsychological Performance: How Mental Health Drives Attentional Function in University-Level Football Athletes
Authors: Assadourian Sacha , Daher Dima , Leclerc Catherine , Branco Lopes Antony , Saj Arnaud
Published: February 2025

This preliminary study investigates the potential relationship between electrophysiological profiles measured by quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) and attentional performance in 34 university American football players. QEEG data revealed patterns associated with burnout, chronic pain, and insomnia among the athletes. Attentional performance was generally average, but players exhibited faster reaction times in the alertness task without warning, fewer errors in the sustained attention task, and lower scores in the divided attention task, favoring visual information over auditory information. Significant negative correlations emerged between QEEG profiles associated with burnout, ADHD, depression, and anxiety and specific attentional subcomponents. These findings suggest a link between mental health-related brain activity and attentional performance. In a clinical context, they emphasize the need for early detection and intervention in mental health problems. This might improve cognitive performance and well-being in athletes. However, due to the small sample size and the lack of a control group, these results are considered preliminary, and further research is required to confirm and expand on these associations.
Multi-Objective Design Optimization and Experimental Investigation of a Low-Cost Solar Desalination System Under Al Qassim Climate
Authors: Najlaoui Bilel , Alghafis Abdullah , Sadig Hussain , Raouf Eihab A. , Hassen Mohamed Alobaidi
Published: February 2025

Water is one of humanity’s most fundamental needs. The demand for freshwater rises in tandem with population expansion. Only 0.01 percent of freshwater is available as surface water in lakes, wetlands, and rivers. As a result, the only choice is to extract water from the oceans. Desalination is an effective option for this. This study focused on the multi-objective design optimization, fabrication, and thermal evaluation of an integrated desalination system combining a solar still with a flat plate collector (SS-FPC). The study investigated the trade-off between two competing objectives: maximizing the efficiency of the SS-FPC system while minimizing its total cost. A numerical code is written in MATLAB to simulate the influence of changing design parameters (DPs) on the SS-FPC performances. The optimal SS-FPC design, offering low costs and a high thermal efficiency, was identified using the multi-objective colonial competitive algorithm (MOCCA). This design was subsequently fabricated and experimentally evaluated under the climatic conditions of Unaizah in Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. The optimal numerical results were compared with both the literature values and experimental measurements. The comparison revealed strong agreement with the experimental data, with a maximum relative error of 4%. Moreover, the obtained results indicate that the optimized SS-FPC design is capable of achieving a 31% increase in efficiency and a 49% reduction in total cost relative to those reported in the literature.
Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Management in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Future Challenges and Challenging Futures
Authors: Solari Federico , Bottani Eleonora , Romagnoli Giovanni
Published: February 2025

The present Special Issue (SI) aims to explore the new challenges and emerging trends in logistics and supply chain management that were generated as a response to the requirements imposed by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the international energy crisis, which hit significant parts of the world from the second half of 2022 [...]
Sustainability of Meat Value Chain: Bibliometric Review of Main Trends and Theoretical Connections
Authors: Traça Ana Bárbara , Campos Susana , Dionisio Andreia , Jesus Meirielly , Santos Joana , Mata Fernando
Published: February 2025

The sustainability of the meat value chain is a topic of global importance, with slaughtering close to farms emerging as a significant measure that not only enhances animal welfare, but also integrates economic, environmental, and social aspects into the meat production process. In this study, we conducted a thorough analysis of 99 academic articles focusing on the sustainability of the meat value chain, published between 1985 and 2024. Utilizing VOSviewer software version 1.6.20, we performed both bibliometric and thematic analyses to gain insights into the evolution of research in this field. Our findings reveal a substantial increase in studies on this subject since 2017, with 80% of publications emerging in the last seven years, indicating a growing interest in this area of research. Swedish universities and researchers were identified as key contributors to this body of work, demonstrating a significant commitment to exploring the sustainability of the meat value chain. Furthermore, we observed that studies related to sustainability and the circular economy are predominantly published in journals focused on environmental issues, highlighting the interconnectedness of these concepts. This review aims to provide valuable support to researchers and academics by elucidating the boundaries and potential of research on the sustainability of the meat value chain. By shedding light on current trends and areas of focus, we hope to inspire further exploration and innovation in improving the supply chain in the future.
Enzyme Activities Transforming Sulphur in Brunic Arenosols in Forest Exposure to the Nitrogen Plants
Authors: Siwik-Ziomek Anetta , Skowrońska Monika , Atilgan Atilgan , Sayin Burak
Published: February 2025

This study has been conducted to assess the anthropogenic impact of the ANWIL S.A. nitrogen plants, one of the largest producers of nitrogen fertilizers in Poland, on the activity of arylsulphatase (AR), rhodanese (RDN) and catalase (CAT) related to sulphur transformation in forest soils. Samples of rusty brown soils were collected in the area adjacent to the ANWIL S.A. nitrogen plants in Włocławek. The profiles were located in the vicinity of the following production plants: No. W1—approximately 2.5 km away, No. W2—approximately 2 km away, and No. W3—approximately 0.8 km away. The control profile was established in the Tuchola Forest, which is part of the Biosphere Reserve. In order to recognize the impact caused by pollutants and the capacity of soil for re-generation, the resistance index (RS) and resilience index (RL) were determined. The highest RS value (0.964) was noted for rhodanese activity in layer Bv in W2, where the lowest RS for CAT (0.019) was observed. This study demonstrated the resilience of CAT activity in layer Bv in all the soil profiles adjacent to ANWIL. The highest resilience indicator was soil catalase activity. Enzymatic activity can be used to indicate the anthropogenic impact and the transformation of nutrients in forest soil.
Modeling the Impact of Interaction Factors for Transport System Elements on Quality of Life Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making and Applied Statistical Methods
Authors: Sivilevičius Henrikas , Žuraulis Vidas
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an improved model of the interaction among transport system elements, which identifies six levels of interaction and their analysis. A framework of eight factors (criteria) and their interactions that improve the quality of life is developed. The Analytic Hierarchy Process, Average Rank Transformation into Weight, and rank correlation methods were used to calculate the normalized weights and compatibility indicators of the 54 expert criteria. The results show that the most significant improvements in quality of life are the development of transport infrastructure and its quality, the reduction of road traffic accidents, and the reduction of environmental pollution caused by the transport sector, all of which directly contribute to a sustainable urbanized society. The improvement in quality of life is least affected by the increase in the number of vehicles and their technical parameters, as well as by the increase in the share of the country’s Gross Domestic Product generated in the transport sector. The variance of the weights of the criteria was shown to depend on the different magnitudes of the fundamental scale of the pairwise comparison chosen by the experts, the variance (stability) of the experts’ personal opinions, and the net variance of the weights assigned to the criteria by the expert team. The results of this study can be used to develop a national or regional transport sector development strategy that takes into account the factors that have the greatest impact on quality of life.
Multi-Temperature Synchronous Prediction of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Based on a Non-Stationary Crossformer
Authors: Chang Liqun , Wang Wei , Zhang Luyang , Lv Jing , Fu Yunlai , Hu Xianhui
Published: February 2025

In this study, we designed a multi-temperature synchronous prediction method for municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) based on a non-stationary Crossformer model. It is mainly divided into the following steps: First, use a normalization module to normalize the preprocessed temperature sample data. Secondly, add a non-stationary attention module to calculate the non-stationary attention of a single time series. Next, construct an attention convolutional network to extract non-stationary attention features, and based on this, calculate the attention between multiple temperature time series. Finally, perform data restoration based on a de-normalization module. By using the above methods, not only can the data characteristics lost during the model’s over-processing of the original temperature data during training be restored, but also the deeper level of data features and the correlation between various temperatures can be captured. The non-stationary recovery and correlation calculation of multi-temperature time series were achieved simultaneously. The experimental results based on actual data from Chinese MSWI factories show that this method has high accuracy in the multi-temperature synchronous prediction of MSWI.
A Study of Generalized Symmetric Metric Connection on Nearly Kenmotsu Manifolds
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Chawngthu Laltluangkima , Bahadir Oğuzhan , Khan Meraj Ali
Published: February 2025

The focus of this research is on investigating a new category of generalized symmetric metric connections within nearly Kenmotsu manifolds. The study delves into recognizing the generalized symmetric connections of type (α, β), which represent broader versions of the semi-symmetric metric connection (α=1, β=0) and the quarter-symmetric metric connection (α=0, β=1).
Development of a Functional and Logical Reference System Architecture in Automotive Engineering
Authors: Krog Jonas , Akbas Caner , Nolte Bastian , Vietor Thomas
Published: February 2025

The automobile is evolving from a mechanically dominated to a cyber-physical, software-defined system. Future complex functionalities, such as autonomous driving, require multidisciplinary, interconnected systems. Hence, interdisciplinary architecture development based on Systems Engineering principles becomes essential, leading to a methodology for vehicle system architecture with the RFLP-Framework. For its application in the automotive industry, building upon the established mechanical and electronical platform approaches, the methodology incorporates the concept of a Reference System Architecture. This is defined as a basic architecture that sets out the common architectural specifications to support the efficient and systemic interdisciplinary architecture development across multiple projects. Its corresponding characteristics and quality criteria are defined and the understanding of the functional and logical reference architecture view, based on the RFLP-Framework, is described. Based on this understanding, an exemplary functional and logical Reference System Architecture for passenger vehicles is proposed. Its methodical user-oriented and knowledge-based development within the scientific circumstances is discussed and concluded.
Carbon Cycling in Wetlands Under the Shadow of Microplastics: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Liu Linan , Hua Yizi , Sun Jingmin , Ahmad Shakeel , He Xin , Zhuo Yuguo , Tang Jingchun
Published: February 2025

Wetlands are one of the most crucial ecosystems for regulating carbon sequestration and mitigating global climate change. However, the disturbance to carbon dynamics caused by microplastics (MPs) in wetlands cannot be overlooked. This review explores the impacts of MPs on the carbon cycles within wetland ecosystems, focusing on the underlying physicochemical and microbial mechanisms. The accumulation of MPs in wetland sediments can severely destabilize plant root functions, disrupting water, nutrient, and oxygen transport, thereby reducing plant biomass development. Although MPs may temporarily enhance carbon storage, they ultimately accelerate the mineralization of organic carbon, leading to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions and undermining long-term carbon sequestration. A critical aspect of this process involves shifts in microbial community structures driven by selective microbial colonization on MPs, which affect organic carbon decomposition and methane production, thus posing a threat to greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, dissolved organic matter derived from biodegradable MPs can promote the photoaging of coexisting MPs, enhancing the release of harmful substances from aged MPs and further impacting microbial-associated carbon dynamics due to disrupted metabolic activity. Therefore, it is imperative to deepen our understanding of the adverse effects and mechanisms of MPs on wetland health and carbon cycles. Future strategies should incorporate microbial regulation and ecological engineering techniques to develop effective methodologies aimed at maintaining the sustainable carbon sequestration capacity of wetlands affected by MP contamination.
Challenges of Urban Water Security and Drivers of Water Scarcity in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Authors: Poudel Namita , Shaw Rajib
Published: February 2025

Water security and quality are among the six focal areas of the Eighth Phase of the International Hydrological Program. Several cities are struggling to meet water demand due to factors such as urbanization, pollution, and disasters. Consequently, water scarcity impacts various sectors, including human health and socio-economic development. Against this backdrop, we conducted research to examine the current state of water resources and the factors contributing to water scarcity in the Kathmandu Valley (KV), currently experiencing acute water shortages. The study employed three primary data collection methods, observation, interviews, and secondary data analysis, followed by qualitative analysis to achieve its research objectives. We analyzed the findings using the framework of the three pillars of Urban Water Security (UWS): water resource security, water environment security, and water disaster security. The dimensions of water quantity and quality interconnect with these pillars, which define the manifestations of water insecurity. The analysis showed that the KV significantly weakens all three of the UWS pillars. Through this research, the author developed a novel framework (PUMI): pollution, urbanization, management, and investment are root causes of water insecurity in the KV. These four factors identified and analyzed specific challenges such as inadequate building permit regulations, donor-driven investments, and poor management practices.
Pathogenicity of Novel H3 Avian Influenza Viruses in Chickens and Development of a Promising Vaccine
Authors: Zhou Shuning , Zhang Yaxin , Liu Shuo , Peng Cheng , Shang Jiajing , Tian Jie , Li Xiaoqi , Liu Fuxiao , Jiang Wenming , Liu Hualei
Published: February 2025

Since 2022, three cases of human infections of novel H3N8 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have been confirmed in China. Given the potential for significant public health implications, the prompt detection and containment of the virus is particularly important. Comprehensive analyses were conducted of the complete viral gene sequences of five H3 subtype AIVs that were isolated from chickens, pigeons, and geese in live poultry markets in China in 2023. Four strains exhibited a high degree of homology with the H3N8 viruses responsible for human infections in 2022 and 2023. A subsequent study was conducted to investigate the pathogenicity differences among multiple subtypes of the H3 AIVs in chickens. The study revealed that all infected chickens exhibited clinical signs and viral shedding. Notably, two H3N8 viruses, which were highly homologous to human strains, demonstrated significant differences in adaptability to chickens. The goose-derived H3N5 strain displayed high adaptability to chickens and could replicate in multiple organs, with the highest titer in the cloaca. Additionally, a potential vaccine strain, designated CK/NT308/H3N3, was successfully developed that provided complete clinical protection and effectively prevented viral shedding against both H3N3 and H3N8 viruses. In conclusion, CK/NT308/H3N3 presents a promising vaccine candidate.
Molecular Detection, Seroprevalence and Biochemical Analysis of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus
Authors: Gupta Vandana , Pravalika Annapureddy , Pandey Megha Katare , Mareddy Vineetha , Jain Anand Kumar , Singh Akansha , Nayak Anju , Tripathi Swati , Rajoriya Shweta
Published: February 2025

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a transboundary viral disease caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), belonging to the Capripoxvirus genus and Poxviridae family. This study reports on the molecular detection, seroprevalence and biochemical analysis of samples from cattle infected with LSDV in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Telangana. A total of 189 samples (116 blood, 26 tissue, 47 nasal swabs) were collected from MP during 2022–2023. Molecular detection was performed using conventional PCR targeting the P32 and fusion genes, while seroprevalence was assessed using an indirect ELISA kit on 184 serum samples collected from MP and Telangana between 2022 and 2024. Tissue samples showed a higher positivity rate (69.23%) for the P32 gene, while nasal swabs had a 6.38% positivity rate. The fusion gene was detected in 77.77% of tissue and 66.66% of nasal swab samples. The seroprevalence study revealed that 19.56% of serum samples were positive, with a higher prevalence of 86.11% in MP. Biochemical analysis indicated elevated levels of SGPT, SGOT, BUN, creatinine, albumin, globulin and the A/G ratio in LSDV-infected cattle, though these differences were not statistically significant. The study emphasizes that blood samples are not ideal for LSDV detection and the timing of serum sample collection plays a critical role in seroprevalence studies.
Characterizing the Roles of Life Stage and Season on the Prevalence of Select Viral Pathogens in Acheta domesticus Crickets on a Commercial Cricket Farm in the United States
Authors: Boykin Kimberly L. , Bitter Amy , Lex Zoey N. , Tuminello John , Mitchell Mark A.
Published: February 2025

Commercial cricket production has been plagued by viral disease outbreaks that have decimated their potential outputs and profit margins. To date, no epidemiological studies have been performed to estimate the prevalence of major viruses affecting crickets raised in commercial settings. A cross-sectional study was performed to estimate the prevalence of three important viruses (Acheta domesticus densovirus [AdDV], Acheta domesticus volvovirus [AdVVV], and invertebrate iridovirus 6 [CrIV]). Samples were collected across age groups (2-, 4-, and 6-week-olds) and seasons (January, May, August, and October) to determine the effect that these variables had on the prevalence rates. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed and revealed the following high overall prevalence rates: 46.7, 100, and 100% for AdDV, AdVVV, and CrIV, respectively. Viral loads varied from 101–5 for AdDV, 102–7 for AdVVV, and 102–9 for CrIV. AdDV prevalence rates were statistically significant across age and season (age: χ2 = 8.3, p = 0.015; season: χ2 = 59.7, p < 0.001), with crickets more likely to be infected as they aged and during the colder winter months. CrIV followed similar trends when looking at changes in viral loads between ages and seasons. AdVVV experienced a spike in viral loads across all ages during the month of August. Understanding the epidemiology of these viruses is instrumental in determining best management practices for commercially raised crickets.
A Two-State Linear Flux Weakening Strategy for an Operation Region Extension of the Variable-Flux Memory Machine
Authors: Liu Chuanjin , Liu Xing , Wang Chenggang , Yang Hui , Huang Lei
Published: February 2025

The variable-flux memory machine (VFMM) can perform flexible online PM flux adjustment by utilizing a magnetizing current pulse, effectively extending the machine operation range. However, the continuous flux adjustment (CFA) method generally suffers from sophisticated control effort due to frequent actions of the power converters. Thus, a new two-state magnetization state (TS-MS) manipulation method is developed to simplify the MS manipulation process, while maintaining almost the same operating envelope compared to the CFA method. In addition, for further extension of the operation region, this paper proposes a novel two-state linear FW (TS-LFW) strategy with simple implementation. In the TS-LFW strategy, piecewise linear approximations for FW are, respectively, planned at MS1 and MS2. Distinctively, the determination of the two working MS of all the two-state methods in this paper is discussed to avoid the unnecessary MS manipulations. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed TS-LFW strategy are verified through the experimental results on a hybrid magnetic circuit VFMM (HMC-VFMM) prototype.