bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Risk Assessment of Wind-Supported Transmission of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus to Dutch Poultry Farms via Fecal Particles from Infected Wild Birds in the Environment
Authors: de Vos Clazien J. , Elbers Armin R. W.
Published: July 2024

A quantitative microbial risk assessment model was developed to estimate the probability that the aerosolization of fecal droppings from wild birds in the vicinity of poultry farms would result in the infection of indoor-housed poultry with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIv) in the Netherlands. Model input parameters were sourced from the scientific literature and experimental data. The availability of data was diverse across input parameters, and especially parameters on the aerosolization of fecal droppings, survival of HPAIv and dispersal of aerosols were uncertain. Model results indicated that the daily probability of infection of a single poultry farm is very low, with a median value of 7.5 × 10−9. Accounting for the total number of poultry farms and the length of the bird-flu season, the median overall probability of at least one HPAIv-infected poultry farm during the bird-flu season is 2.2 × 10−3 (approximately once every 455 years). This is an overall estimate, averaged over different farm types, virus strains and wild bird species, and results indicate that uncertainty is relatively high. Based on these model results, we conclude that it is unlikely that this introduction route plays an important role in the occurrence of HPAIv outbreaks in indoor-housed poultry.
Assessment of Radiolabelled Derivatives of R954 for Detection of Bradykinin B1 Receptor in Cancer Cells: Studies on Glioblastoma Xenografts in Mice
Authors: Shukuri Miho , Onoe Satoru , Karube Tsubasa , Mokudai Risa , Wakui Hayate , Asano Haruka , Murai Shin , Akizawa Hiromichi
Published: July 2024

Bradykinin B1 receptor (B1R) has garnered attention as a cancer therapeutic and diagnostic target. Several reports on radiolabelled derivatives of B1R antagonists have shown favourable properties as imaging agents in cells highly expressing hB1R following transfection. In the present study, we assessed whether radiolabelled probes can detect B1R endogenously expressed in cancer cells. To this end, we evaluated 111In-labelled derivatives of a B1R antagonist ([111In]In-DOTA-Ahx-R954) using glioblastoma cell lines (U87MG and U251MG) with different B1R expression levels. Cellular uptake studies showed that the specific accumulation of [111In]In-DOTA-Ahx-R954 in U87MG was higher than that in U251MG, which correlated with B1R expression levels. Tissue distribution in U87MG-bearing mice revealed approximately 2-fold higher radioactivity in tumours than in the muscle in the contralateral leg. The specific accumulation of [111In]In-DOTA-Ahx-R954 in the tumour was demonstrated by the reduction in the tumour-to-plasma ratios in nonlabelled R954-treated mice. Moreover, ex vivo autoradiographic images revealed that the intratumoural distribution of [111In]In-DOTA-Ahx-R954 correlated with the localisation of B1R-expressing glioblastoma cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that [111In]In-DOTA-Ahx-R954 radioactivity correlated with B1R expression in glioblastoma cells, indicating that radiolabelled derivatives of the B1R antagonist could serve as promising tools for elucidating the involvement of B1R in cancer.
Integrated miRNA Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles from Uterine Aspirates, Malignant Ascites and Primary-Cultured Ascites Cells for Ovarian Cancer Screening
Authors: Skryabin Gleb O. , Komelkov Andrei V. , Zhordania Kirill I. , Bagrov Dmitry V. , Enikeev Adel D. , Galetsky Sergey A. , Beliaeva Anastasiia A. , Kopnin Pavel B. , Moiseenko Andey V. , Senkovenko Alexey M. , Tchevkina Elena M.
Published: July 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are of growing interest in the context of screening for highly informative cancer markers. We have previously shown that uterine aspirate EVs (UA EVs) are a promising source of ovarian cancer (OC) diagnostic markers. In this study, we first conducted an integrative analysis of EV-miRNA profiles from UA, malignant ascitic fluid (AF), and a conditioned medium of cultured ascites cells (ACs). Using three software packages, we identified 79 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) in UA EVs from OC patients and healthy individuals. To narrow down this panel and select miRNAs most involved in OC pathogenesis, we aligned these molecules with the DE-miRNA sets obtained by comparing the EV-miRNA profiles from OC-related biofluids with the same control. We found that 76% of the DE-miRNAs from the identified panel are similarly altered (differentially co-expressed) in AF EVs, as are 58% in AC EVs. Interestingly, the set of miRNAs differentially co-expressed in AF and AC EVs strongly overlaps (40 out of 44 miRNAs). Finally, the application of more rigorous criteria for DE assessment, combined with the selection of miRNAs that are differentially co-expressed in all biofluids, resulted in the identification of a panel of 29 miRNAs for ovarian cancer screening.
New Members of the Centrapalus Coumarin and Pauciflorin Series from Centrapalus pauciflorus
Authors: Saidu Muhammad Bello , Krstić Gordana , Bombicz Petra , De Sourav , Barta Anita , Ali Hazhmat , Zupkó István , Berkecz Róbert , Gallah Umar Shehu , Rédei Dóra , Hohmann Judit
Published: July 2024

Monoterpene and 5-methylcoumarin- or 5-methylchromone-coupled meroterpenoids occurring mainly in the Asteraceae species proved to have high potency against protozoans, worms, and various tumor cells, which make them interesting targets for searching for new bioactive compounds. The African plant Centrapalus pauciflorus was applied in traditional medicine for healing chest pain and stomach aches. Three new meroterpenoids named centrapalus coumarin N (2), pauciflorins P (3), and Q (4), and the already known cyclohoehnelia coumarin (1), were isolated from the chloroform extract of C. pauciflorus, together with centrapalus coumarin O (5), which was obtained for the first time from a natural source. The structures were established from HRESIMS, 1D (1H NMR, 13C NMR JMOD) and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, 1H-1H COSY, NOESY) spectroscopies, and the absolute stereochemistry of 5 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 are hybrid molecules of 5-methylcoumarin–monoterpene origin. Centrapalus coumarin N is the first example of meroterpenoids, where a monoterpene is fused with a coumarin and an acetophenone unit. Pauciflorins P and Q are dimeric meroterpenoid isomers. Centrapalus coumarins N and O were tested for antiproliferative activity against human adherent breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231), cervical (HeLa, SiHa), and ovarian (A2780) cancer cell lines, and were additionally included to obtain data concerning cancer selectivity. Both compounds exhibited moderate (IC50 > 10 µM) but selective activity against A2780 cells.
Inhibition of Enzyme and Bacteria Activities in Diabetic Ulcer-like Scenarios via WAAPV-Loaded Electrospun Fibers
Authors: Ribeiro Ana R. M. , Miranda Catarina S. , Silva Ana Francisca G. , Mendes Filipa D. P. , Silva Beatriz M. , Oliveira Bruna A. S. , Paiva Eduardo D. , Gonçalves Sónia P. , Pereira-Lima Sílvia M. M. A. , Costa Susana P. G. , Felgueiras Helena P.
Published: July 2024

In diabetic ulcers, an increased secretion of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) and bacterial infections play crucial roles in hindering healing. Considering that, the present study proposed the development of multi-action polycaprolactone (PCL)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) electrospun fibers incorporating elastase-targeting peptides, AAPV and WAAPV, via blending. Characterization confirmed WAAPV’s efficacy in regulating proteolytic enzymes by inhibiting HNE. The engineered fibers, particularly those containing PEG, exhibited optimal wettability but an accelerated degradation that was mitigated with the peptide’s inclusion, thus promoting a sustained peptide release over 24 h. Peptide loading was verified indirectly through thermal stability and hydration capacity studies (hydrophobic bonding between PCL and WAAPV and hydrophilic affinities between PCL/PEG and AAPV) and determined at ≈51.1 µg/cm2 and ≈46.0 µg/cm2 for AAPV and ≈48.5 µg/cm2 and ≈51.3 µg/cm2 for WAAPV, respectively, for PCL and PCL/PEG. Both AAPV and WAAPV effectively inhibited HNE, with PEG potentially enhancing this effect by interacting with the peptides and generating detectable peptide–PEG complexes (≈10% inhibition with PCL + peptide fibers after 6 h of incubation, and ≈20% with PCL/PEG + peptide fibers after 4 h incubation). Peptide-loaded fibers demonstrated antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (up to ≈78% inhibition) and Escherichia coli (up to ≈66% inhibition), with peak effectiveness observed after 4 and 2 h of incubation, respectively. This study provides initial insights into the WAAPV’s potential for inhibiting HNE and bacteria activities, showing promise for applications in diabetic ulcer management.
Beneficial Effects of Phosphite in Arabidopsis thaliana Mediated by Activation of ABA, SA, and JA Biosynthesis and Signaling Pathways
Authors: Pérez-Zavala Francisco Gabriel , Ojeda-Rivera Jonathan Odilón , Herrera-Estrella Luis , López-Arredondo Damar
Published: July 2024

Phosphite (Phi) has gained attention in agriculture due to its biostimulant effect on crops. This molecule has been found to benefit plant performance by providing protection against pathogens, improving yield and fruit quality as well as nutrient and water use efficiency. It is still unclear how Phi enhances plant growth and protects against multiple stresses. It has been hypothesized that Phi acts by directly affecting the pathogens and interacting with the plant cellular components and molecular machinery to elicit defense responses. This study elucidates the mechanisms underlying Phi’s beneficial effects on plants, revealing their complex interplay with fundamental signaling pathways. An RNA-seq study of Arabidopsis seedlings under optimal and limiting phosphate conditions helped us unveil Phi’s role in promoting plant growth by activating the expression of the genes involved in the biosynthesis and signaling pathways associated with abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA). The expression of ABA-related genes, known for their involvement in stress response and development regulation, is triggered by Phi treatment, contributing to enhanced resilience and growth. Simultaneously, the activation of the SA pathway, associated with defense responses, suggests Phi’s potential in bolstering plant immunity. Moreover, Phi influences JA biosynthesis and signaling, which are crucial for defense against herbivores and pathogens, thereby strengthening plants’ defenses. Our findings reveal a multifaceted mechanism through which Phi benefits Arabidopsis development. Understanding its intricate interplay with key signaling pathways opens avenues for leveraging Phi as a strategic tool to enhance plant resilience, immunity, and growth in agricultural and ecological contexts.
Transcriptomics Identifies Differentially Expressed Genes Inducing Tuber Formation in Early- and Late-Maturing Potatoes
Authors: Ma Yongzhen , Li Mengtao , Wang Shujuan , Deng Ke , Zhao Long , Luo Jia , Wang Wenquan , Wang Fang , Wang Jian
Published: July 2024

The timing of potato tuberization is affected by potato ripeness, environmental factors, and polygene regulation. The accurate control of the transition to tuberization has both scientific and practical production value, but the key factors regulating this transition remain unclear. This study grafted an early-maturing potato variety (Favorita) scion to the late-maturing Qingshu 9 variety and demonstrated that a heterologous early-maturing scion can induce early potato formation on a late-maturing rootstock. The transcriptome of functional leaves and stolons of grafted plants was comprehensively analyzed and 593 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 38 transcription factors. Based on gene molecular function analysis and previous reports, we propose that PIF5, bHLH93, CBF3, ERF109, TCP19, and YABBY1 are the key DEGs that induce tuber formation in early- and late-maturing potatoes. The YABBY1 gene was subjected to functional verification. The leaf area of StYABBY1-overexpressing plants was smaller than the wild type and no potato tubercles were formed, while an RNA interference plant line showed no change in leaf area and formed tubers, indicating that StYABBY1 has a role in leaf size regulation and tuber formation.
Clubroot-Induced Changes in the Root and Rhizosphere Microbiome of Susceptible and Resistant Canola
Authors: Cordero-Elvia Jorge , Galindo-González Leonardo , Fredua-Agyeman Rudolph , Hwang Sheau-Fang , Strelkov Stephen E.
Published: July 2024

Clubroot is a soilborne disease of canola (Brassica napus) and other crucifers caused by the obligate parasite Plasmodiophora brassicae. In western Canada, clubroot is usually managed by planting-resistant cultivars, but the emergence of resistance-breaking pathotypes of P. brassicae represents a major threat to sustainable canola production. The rhizosphere and root contain beneficial microorganisms that can improve plant health. In this study, we evaluated the effect of two P. brassicae isolates (termed A and B) with different levels of virulence on the root and rhizosphere microbiomes of clubroot-resistant and clubroot-susceptible canola. Additionally, potential biocontrol microorganisms were identified based on taxa antagonistic to clubroot. Although both P. brassicae isolates were classified as pathotype 3A, isolate A caused a higher disease severity index in the resistant canola genotype compared with isolate B. Metabarcoding analysis indicated a shift in the bacterial and fungal communities in response to inoculation with either field isolate. Root endophytic bacterial and fungal communities responded to changes in inoculation, isolate type, sampling time, and canola genotype. In contrast, fungal communities associated with the rhizosphere exhibited significant differences between sampling times, while bacterial communities associated with the rhizosphere exhibited low variability.
Toughness Evolution of Flax-Fiber-Reinforced Composites under Repeated Salt Fog–Dry Aging Cycles
Authors: Calabrese Luigi , Sanfilippo Carmelo , Valenza Antonino , Proverbio Edoardo , Fiore Vincenzo
Published: July 2024

This research examined the response of flax-fiber-reinforced composites (FFRCs) to simulated outdoor conditions involving repeated exposure to salt fog and drying. The study investigated the effect of cycles on the toughness of the FFRCs. To achieve this, the composites were exposed to humidity (salt fog) for 10 days, followed by 18 days of drying in cycles. A total of up to 3 cycles, each lasting 4 weeks, were conducted over a 12-week period. Throughout this process, changes in the material’s weight, water absorption, and mechanical properties were monitored by water uptake and three-point bending tests. The findings revealed the significant impact of these humid–dry cycles on the mechanical response of the FFRCs. When exposed to humid environments without drying, the composite’s toughness increased significantly, due to a weakening effect more pronounced for stiffness, with strength reductions of about 20%. However, subsequent drying partially restored the material’s performance. After 18 days of drying, the composite regained most of its initial performance.
Novel Optical Methodology Unveils the Impact of a Polymeric Pour-Point Depressant on the Phase Morphology of Waxy Crude Oils
Authors: Perna Irene , Ferraro Rosalia , Carillo Consiglia , Coppola Salvatore , Caserta Sergio
Published: July 2024

Crude oil, also known as petroleum, plays a crucial role in global economies, politics, and technological advancements due to its widespread applications in industrial organic chemistry. Despite environmental concerns, the dwindling supply of easily accessible oil reservoirs necessitates the exploration of unconventional resources, such as heavy and extra-heavy oils. These oils, characterized by high viscosity and complex composition, pose challenges in extraction, transportation, and refinement. With decreasing temperatures, heavy oils undergo phase changes, with transitions from Newtonian to non-Newtonian fluid behavior, leading to difficulties in transportation. Alternative methods, such as the use of polymeric pour-point depressants, help mitigate flowability issues by preventing wax precipitation. Understanding the properties of waxy crude oil, such as the wax appearance temperature (WAT), is crucial for effective mitigation strategies. The objective of this research is to determine the WATs of different types of waxy crude oils through a comparative analysis using advanced techniques such as cross-polar microscopy (CPM), standard rheology, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Disparities in WAT identified through different analytical methods highlight the potential of microscopy to enhance our understanding of complex fluid dynamics in real time in order to proactively identify and address crystallization issues in oilfields.
Impact of Composition and Autoclave Sterilization on the Mechanical and Biological Properties of ECM-Mimicking Cryogels
Authors: Di Muzio Laura , Zara Susi , Cataldi Amelia , Sergi Claudia , Carriero Vito Cosimo , Bigi Barbara , Carradori Simone , Tirillò Jacopo , Petralito Stefania , Casadei Maria Antonietta , Paolicelli Patrizia
Published: July 2024

Cryogels represent a valid strategy as scaffolds for tissue engineering. In order to adequately support adhesion and proliferation of anchorage-dependent cells, different polymers need to be combined within the same scaffold trying to mimic the complex features of a natural extracellular matrix (ECM). For this reason, in this work, gelatin (Gel) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), both functionalized with methacrylic groups to produce CSMA and GelMA derivatives, were selected to prepare cryogel networks. Both homopolymer and heteropolymer cryogels were produced, via radical crosslinking reactions carried out at −12 °C for 2 h. All the scaffolds were characterized for their mechanical, swelling and morphological properties, before and after autoclave sterilization. Moreover, they were evaluated for their biocompatibility and ability to support the adhesion of human gingival fibroblasts and tenocytes. GelMA-based homopolymer networks better withstood the autoclave sterilization process, compared to CSMA cryogels. Indeed, GelMA cryogels showed a decrease in stiffness of approximately 30%, whereas CSMA cryogels of approximately 80%. When GelMA and CSMA were blended in the same network, an intermediate outcome was observed. However, the hybrid scaffolds showed a general worsening of the biological performance. Indeed, despite their ability to withstand autoclave sterilization with limited modification of the mechanical and morphological properties, the hybrid cryogels exhibited poor cell adhesion and high LDH leakage. Therefore, not only do network components need to be properly selected, but also their combination and ability to withstand effective sterilization process should be carefully evaluated for the development of efficient scaffolds designed for tissue engineering purposes.
Analysis of Diffracted Mode Outcoupling in the Context of Amplified Spontaneous Emission of Organic Thin Films
Authors: Pudleiner Thilo , Hoinkis Jan , Karnutsch Christian
Published: July 2024

The existence of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is a fundamental principle of laser dyes. ASE indicates the spectral variation of the optical gain of a laser dye. Analyzing the spectral distribution of ASE is important for designing lasers. We demonstrate ASE investigations on planar waveguides made of a (co-)polymer. Similar to organic DFB (distributed feedback) lasers, a line grating allows a partial decoupling of the guided radiation. This decoupled radiation is detected as an indicator of the guided radiation. The diffraction of the radiation is utilized to perform a spectrally selective investigation of the ASE by spatially splitting it. This analysis method reduces the influence of isotropic photoluminescence and allows ASE to be analyzed across its entire spectrum. We were able to observe ASE in F8BT over a range from λASE,min = 530 nm to λASE,max = 570 nm and determine ASE threshold power densities lower than EASE< 2.57 μJ/cm2. The study of the power density of the ASE threshold is performed spectrally selectively.
Determination of High Concentration Copper Ions Based on Ultraviolet—Visible Spectroscopy Combined with Partial Least Squares Regression Analysis
Authors: Liang Qian , Jiang Linhua , Zheng Jiwu , Duan Ning
Published: July 2024

With the rapid development of industrialization, the problem of concentration determination based on the copper production process has been widely concerned, and the accurate determination of high-concentration copper ions (Cu2+) is of great significance for enterprise production, resource utilization, and pollution prevention. The characteristics of different spectrophotometric methods for the determination of Cu2+ are discussed, and it is found that these methods are suitable for the determination of trace or low concentration of Cu2+ (0.5 μg/L–5 mg/L), whereas for the determination of high Cu2+ concentration pre-treatments such as dilution, complexation, and coloring are required. In this study, a method based on ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) combined with partial least squares regression analysis (PLS) was proposed for the determination of high copper ions (>100 mg/L), which performs rapid and accurate determination of high Cu2+ concentration by preprocessing and feature extraction of UV-Vis spectral data, followed by model construction with PLS analysis, which is easy to operate and applicable to a wide range of concentrations. The correlation coefficient (R2), mean relative error (MRE), and root mean square error (RMSECV) of the model prediction of Cu2+ concentrations were 0.99946, 0.006343, and 11.237 mg/L, respectively, indicating that the accuracy of the model prediction is very high. This study not only provides an efficient method for the precise determination of high Cu2+ concentration but also enables the simultaneous determination of Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ ions, which provides a new technical means for environmental monitoring and pollution prevention.
Zinc Extraction from Primary Lead Smelting Slags by Oxidant Alkaline Leaching
Authors: Najera Ibarra Juana María , Soria-Aguilar Ma. de Jesus , Martínez-Luevanos Antonia , Picazo-Rodriguez Nallely Guadalupe , Almaguer-Guzman Isaias , Chaidez-Felix Josue , Carrillo-Pedroza Francisco Raúl
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this work is to obtain the optimum conditions for leaching the zinc contained in an industrial lead smelting slag. In this type of slag, zinc oxide, sulfide, and ferrite are contained. Zinc extraction from these compounds consists of using a single aqueous medium, where oxidant alkaline leaching with NaOH and NaClO was used. The parameters evaluated during the experiment were as follows: percentage of solids, NaOH/NaClO ratio, and temperature. The maximum amount of recovered Zn obtained during the leaching was 58%. This percentage was achieved by using the following optimal conditions: temperature of 60 °C, 0.22 of NaOH/NaClO ratio, 10% of solids, and a reaction time of 40 min. The calculated values of activation energy confirmed that the rate-limiting step of the reaction using the decreasing particle model is diffusion. The maximum percentage of zinc obtained could only have been achieved if the zinc oxide and part of the zinc sulfide (both present in almost equal proportions in the sample) were leached into the alkaline aqueous medium in the presence of NaClO.
Fabrication of NiO-CuO/RGO Composite for Lithium Storage Property
Authors: Fu Yuanxiang , Chen Yuxin , Wang Fan , Zhou Guoyong
Published: July 2024

The lithium storage performance of binary transition metal oxide/graphene composites as anode materials has been attracting more interest from researchers, based on the fact that binary transition metal oxides and graphene are expected to create a synergistic effect and exhibit improved lithium storage characteristics. In this work, a NiO-CuO/reduced graphene oxide composite (NiO-CuO/RGO) was prepared by an ultrasonic agitation process. When the NiO-CuO/RGO is applied to the anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the batteries display high discharge capacities (at 730 mA h/g after 100 cycles at 100 mA/g), high-rate performance (311 mA h/g with 5000 mA/g), and excellent stable cyclability (375 mA h/g within 2000 mA/g after 400 cycles). Such results indicate that the combination of NiO-CuO and RGO leads to enhanced lithium storage performance, for the RGO sheets inhibit the large volume change of binary NiO-CuO and enhance the fast transport of both lithium ions and electrons during the repeated lithium cycling processes.
Strength Weakening and Phase Transition Mechanisms in Nanoindentation of Al/Mg-Layered Nanocomposites: A Molecular Dynamic Study
Authors: Li Zhou , Li Junhao , Shen Tong , Xia Shiqi , Jia Xianshi , Zhang Lu , Zhang Che
Published: July 2024

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to investigate the nanoindentation behavior of Al/Mg-layered nanocomposites with varying layer thicknesses and Mg layer orientations in this study. The aim is to understand the weakening mechanisms at low layer thicknesses and the phase transition mechanisms associated with the dislocation slip angle in the Mg layer. Results indicate that the nanoindentation strength of nanocomposites increases with the layer thickness in the range of 1–10 nm, with the strength of 9.5 × 10−7 N at 10 nm being approximately 73% higher than that at 1 nm. This strength increase is mainly attributed to high interfacial stress, the higher percentage of amorphous atoms, weakened interatomic interactions, and the transition of adjacent interfaces to fully coherent interfaces that significantly reduce their ability to hinder dislocations at the low-layer thickness range. Additionally, in the initial deformation process, the hexagonal close-packed (HCP) phase of the Mg layer firstly transforms into the body-centered cubic (BCC) phase due to its lower energy barrier, followed by the emergence of a faced-centered cubic (FCC) phase driven by 1/3<1−100> dislocations. In the late stage of deformation, new dislocations are generated in the FCC phase and move along its slip planes, altering the dislocation direction. The FCC/HCP interfacial configuration also affects the HCP phase transition mechanism in the Mg layer. When the dislocation slip angle is 0°, the primary phase transition is the BCC phase, whereas a 45° slip angle results in the FCC phase. These findings will provide a guide for the preparation and manufacturing of new high-quality layered nanocomposites.
“Six Linglong Windows, Eyes Hearing and Ears Seeing”: The Influence of the True Mind of the Śūraṅgama Sūtra on the Imageries of Guanyin and Sages in Song Literature
Authors: Zhu Tianzhu
Published: July 2024

The “Functional interchangeability of Six Roots” also known as the “Six Roots being unrestraint” is according to thoughts regarding Tathagatagarbha in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, rather than mysterious personal experience of Buddhist meditation. The true mind and the delusive mind are distinguished in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra. The true mind recognizes the world through six roots so that the six roots can be functionally exchangeable. Scholars represented by SuShi, Huang Tingjian, and Hui Hong not only identify thoughts of the True mind of Buddhism but also apply them to literary creation, overthrowing previous aesthetics and literary performances and giving rise to changes. First, seeing with the ears and listening with the eyes originate from descriptions of Guanyin Bodhisattva’s enlightenment from hearing, whereby poets break through the limit of the eyes and ears. Second, burning incense, tasting tea, and admiring food become poetry themes. The emphases of those poems and essays are fantastic functions of the true mind. These changes are closely related to the new images of sages in their mind.
On Becoming Human and Being Humane: Human Rights, Women’s Rights, Species Rights
Authors: Bergoffen Debra
Published: July 2024

This essay focuses on the nexus of vulnerability and rights. It argues that in transforming vulnerability from a stigma that alienated women from their humanity to the signature of human dignity, women bridged the gap between the liberatory promise of human rights and its exploitative patriarchal politics. It finds that the ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft, Simone de Beauvoir, Drucilla Cornell, and Jean-Luc Nancy were/are crucial to this transformed idea of dignity. Religious ideas have played a complex role in this transformation. Wollstonecraft appealed to theological ideas of the soul to contest men’s claims that the Bible enshrined women’s subordination to men. Current abortion politics in the U.S., and the Iranian women’s Women, Life, Freedom rebellion continue to show how sacred texts have been used to defend and reject women’s demands for rights. Religious and secular arguments for the dignity of vulnerability, used by feminists to re-write the sexual difference, direct us to rethink our exploitative relationship to the earth and the multiple species it harbors. As we take up the task of confronting the environmental crisis of our times, they call on us to see ourselves as stewards of the earth’s bounty who are morally obliged to create humane relationships with our other-than-human neighbors.
Observed Retrogressive Thaw Slump Evolution in the Qilian Mountains
Authors: Liu Xingyun , Peng Xiaoqing , Zhang Yongyan , Frauenfeld Oliver W. , Wei Gang , Chen Guanqun , Huang Yuan , Mu Cuicui , Du Jun
Published: July 2024

Climate warming can lead to permafrost degradation, potentially resulting in slope failures such as retrogressive thaw slumps (RTSs). The formation of and changes in RTSs could exacerbate the degradation of permafrost and the environment in general. The mechanisms of RTS progression and the potential consequences on the analogous freeze–thaw cycle are not well understood, owing partly to necessitating field work under harsh conditions and with high costs. Here, we used multi-source remote sensing and field surveys to quantify the changes in an RTS on Eboling Mountain in the Qilian Mountain Range in west-central China. Based on optical remote sensing and SBAS-InSAR measurements, we analyzed the RTS evolution and the underlying drivers, combined with meteorological observations. The RTS expanded from 56 m2 in 2015 to 4294 m2 in 2022, growing at a rate of 1300 m2/a to its maximum in 2018 and then decreasing. Changes in temperature and precipitation play a dominant role in the evolution of the RTS, and the extreme weather in 2016 may also be a primary contributor to the accelerated growth, with an average deformation of −8.3 mm during the thawing period, which decreased slope stability. The RTS evolved more actively during the thawing and early freezing process, with earthquakes having potentially contributed further to RTS evolution. We anticipate that the rate of RTS evolution is likely to increase in the coming years.
SA3Det: Detecting Rotated Objects via Pixel-Level Attention and Adaptive Labels Assignment
Authors: Wang Wenyong , Cai Yuanzheng , Luo Zhiming , Liu Wei , Wang Tao , Li Zuoyong
Published: July 2024

Remote sensing of rotated objects often encounters numerous small and dense objects. To tackle small-object neglect and inaccurate angle predictions in elongated objects, we propose SA3Det, a novel method employing Pixel-Level Attention and Adaptive Labels Assignment. First, we introduce a self-attention module that learns dense pixel-level relations between features extracted by the backbone and neck, effectively preserving and exploring the spatial relationships of potential small objects. We then introduce an adaptive label assignment strategy that refines proposals by assigning labels based on loss, enhancing sample selection during training. Additionally, we designed an angle-sensitive module that enhances angle prediction by learning rotational feature maps and incorporating multi-angle features. These modules significantly enhance detection accuracy and yield high-quality region proposals. Our approach was validated by experiments on the DOTA and HRSC2016 datasets, demonstrating that SA3Det achieves mAPs of 76.31% and 89.4%, respectively.
An Inverse Modeling Approach for Retrieving High-Resolution Surface Fluxes of Greenhouse Gases from Measurements of Their Concentrations in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer
Authors: Mukhartova Iuliia , Sogachev Andrey , Gibadullin Ravil , Pridacha Vladislava , Kerimov Ibragim A. , Olchev Alexander
Published: July 2024

This study explores the potential of using Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAVs) as a measurement platform for estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes over complex terrain. We proposed and tested an inverse modeling approach for retrieving GHG fluxes based on two-level measurements of GHG concentrations and airflow properties over complex terrain with high spatial resolution. Our approach is based on a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model capable of determining the airflow parameters that affect the spatial distribution of GHG concentrations within the atmospheric boundary layer. The model is primarily designed to solve the forward problem of calculating the steady-state distribution of GHG concentrations and fluxes at different levels over an inhomogeneous land surface within the model domain. The inverse problem deals with determining the unknown surface GHG fluxes by minimizing the difference between measured and modeled GHG concentrations at two selected levels above the land surface. Several numerical experiments were conducted using surrogate data that mimicked UAV observations of varying accuracies and density of GHG concentration measurements to test the robustness of the approach. Our primary modeling target was a 6 km2 forested area in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains in Russia, characterized by complex topography and mosaic vegetation. The numerical experiments show that the proposed inverse modeling approach can effectively solve the inverse problem, with the resulting flux distribution having the same spatial pattern as the required flux. However, the approach tends to overestimate the mean value of the required flux over the domain, with the maximum errors in flux estimation associated with areas of maximum steepness in the surface topography. The accuracy of flux estimates improves as the number of points and the accuracy of the concentration measurements increase. Therefore, the density of UAV measurements should be adjusted according to the complexity of the terrain to improve the accuracy of the modeling results.
Intelligent RCS Extrapolation Technology of Target Inspired by Physical Mechanism Based on Scattering Center Model
Authors: Zhu Fang-Yin , Chai Shui-Rong , Guo Li-Xin , He Zhen-Xiang , Zou Yu-Feng
Published: July 2024

In this paper, a technology named SCM−ANN combining physical scattering mechanisms and artificial intelligence is proposed to realize radar cross-section (RCS) extrapolation of non-cooperative conductor targets with higher efficiency. Firstly, an adaptive scattering center (SC) extraction algorithm is used to construct the scattering center model (SCM) for non-cooperative targets from radar echoes in the low-frequency band (LFB). Secondly, an artificial neural network (ANN) is constructed to capture the nonlinear relationship between the real LFB echoes and those reconstructed from the SCM. Finally, the SCM is used to reconstruct echoes in the high-frequency band (HFB), and these reconstructions, together with the trained ANN, optimize the extrapolated HFB RCS. For the SCM−ANN technology, physical mechanistic modes are used for trend prediction, and artificial intelligence is used for regression optimization based on trend prediction. Simulation results show that the proposed method can achieve a 50% frequency extrapolation range, with an average prediction error reduction of up to 40% compared with the traditional scheme. By incorporating physical mechanisms, this proposed approach offers improved accuracy and an extended extrapolation range compared with the RCS extrapolation techniques relying solely on numerical prediction.
Planar Hall Effect Magnetic Sensors with Extended Field Range
Authors: Lahav Daniel , Schultz Moty , Amrusi Shai , Grosz Asaf , Klein Lior
Published: July 2024

The magnetic field range in which a magnetic sensor operates is an important consideration for many applications. Elliptical planar Hall effect (EPHE) sensors exhibit outstanding equivalent magnetic noise (EMN) on the order of pT/Hz, which makes them promising for many applications. Unfortunately, the current field range in which EPHE sensors with pT/Hz EMN can operate is sub-mT, which limits their potential use. Here, we fabricate EPHE sensors with an increased field range and measure their EMN. The larger field range is obtained by increasing the uniaxial shape-induced anisotropy parallel to the long axis of the ellipse. We present measurements of EPHE sensors with magnetic anisotropy which ranges between 12 Oe and 120 Oe and show that their EMN at 10 Hz changes from 800 pT/Hz to 56 nT/Hz. Furthermore, we show that the EPHE sensors behave effectively as single magnetic domains with negligible hysteresis. We discuss the potential use of EPHE sensors with extended field range and compare them with sensors that are widely used in such applications.
ML-Based Edge Node for Monitoring Peoples’ Frailty Status
Authors: Nocera Antonio , Senigagliesi Linda , Ciattaglia Gianluca , Raimondi Michela , Gambi Ennio
Published: July 2024

The development of contactless methods to assess the degree of personal hygiene in elderly people is crucial for detecting frailty and providing early intervention to prevent complete loss of autonomy, cognitive impairment, and hospitalisation. The unobtrusive nature of the technology is essential in the context of maintaining good quality of life. The use of cameras and edge computing with sensors provides a way of monitoring subjects without interrupting their normal routines, and has the advantages of local data processing and improved privacy. This work describes the development an intelligent system that takes the RGB frames of a video as input to classify the occurrence of brushing teeth, washing hands, and fixing hair. No action activity is considered. The RGB frames are first processed by two Mediapipe algorithms to extract body keypoints related to the pose and hands, which represent the features to be classified. The optimal feature extractor results from the most complex Mediapipe pose estimator combined with the most complex hand keypoint regressor, which achieves the best performance even when operating at one frame per second. The final classifier is a Light Gradient Boosting Machine classifier that achieves more than 94% weighted F1-score under conditions of one frame per second and observation times of seven seconds or more. When the observation window is enlarged to ten seconds, the F1-scores for each class oscillate between 94.66% and 96.35%.
Design Method of Freeform Surface Optical Systems with Low Coupling Position Error Sensitivity
Authors: Xia Yu , Huang Yawei , Yan Changxiang , Shao Mingxiao
Published: July 2024

Freeform off-axis reflective systems are significantly more difficult to align and assemble owing to their asymmetric surface shapes and system structures. In this study, a freeform surface system design method with low coupling position error sensitivity (FCPESM) was proposed. First, we established a mathematical model of a reflective system when it was perturbed by coupling position errors and used the clustering-microelement method to establish the coupling error sensitivity evaluation function. The evaluation function was then applied to the design process of a freeform surface off-axis three-mirror optical system. The results showed that the FCPESM optical design method can significantly relax the assembly tolerance requirements of optical systems on the basis of ensuring image performance. In this study, the reflective system was perturbed by tilt and decenter simultaneously, and the disturbance mechanism of position errors on optical systems was further improved. Through this research, freeform surface systems with both image performance and error sensitivity can be obtained, which makes freeform off-axis reflective systems with better engineering realizability.
Electromagnetic Exposure Levels of Electric Vehicle Drive Motors to Passenger Wearing Cardiac Pacemakers
Authors: Dong Xuwei , Qian Yidan , Lu Mai
Published: July 2024

The number of individuals wearing cardiac pacemakers is gradually increasing as the population ages and cardiovascular disease becomes highly prevalent. The safety of pacemaker wearers is of significant concern because they must ensure that the device properly functions in various life scenarios. Electric vehicles have become one of the most frequently used travel tools due to the gradual promotion of low-carbon travel policies in various countries. The electromagnetic environment inside the vehicle is highly complex during driving due to the integration of numerous high-power electrical devices inside the vehicle. In order to ensure the safety of this group, the paper takes passengers wearing cardiac pacemakers as the object and the electric vehicle drive motors as the exposure source. Calculation models, with the vehicle body, human body, heart, and cardiac pacemaker, are built. The induced electric field, specific absorption rate, and temperature changes in the passenger’s body and heart are calculated by using the finite element method. Results show that the maximum value of the induced electric field of the passenger occurs at the ankle of the body, which is 60.3 mV/m. The value of the induced electric field of the heart is greater than that of the human trunk, and the maximum value (283 mV/m) is around the pacemaker electrode. The maximum specific absorption rate of the human body is 1.08 × 10−6 W/kg, and that of heart positioned near the electrode is 2.76 × 10−5 W/kg. In addition, the maximum temperature increases of the human torso, heart, and pacemaker are 0.16 × 10−5 °C, 0.4 × 10−6 °C, and 0.44 × 10−6 °C within 30 min, respectively. Accordingly, the induced electric field, specific absorption rate, and temperature rise in the human body and heart are less than the safety limits specified in the ICNIRP. The electric field intensity at the pacemaker electrode and the temperature rise of the pacemaker meet the requirements of the medical device standards of ICNIRP and ISO 14708-2. Consequently, the electromagnetic radiation from the motor operation in the electric vehicle does not pose a safety risk to the health of passengers wearing cardiac pacemakers in this paper. This study also contributes to advancing research on the electromagnetic environment of electric vehicles and provides guidance for ensuring the safe travel of individuals wearing cardiac pacemakers.
Acoustic Signal-Based Defect Identification for Directed Energy Deposition-Arc Using Wavelet Time–Frequency Diagrams
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wu Qianru , Tang Wenlai , Yang Jiquan
Published: July 2024

Several advantages of directed energy deposition-arc (DED-arc) have garnered considerable research attention including high deposition rates and low costs. However, defects such as discontinuity and pores may occur during the manufacturing process. Defect identification is the key to monitoring and quality assessments of the additive manufacturing process. This study proposes a novel acoustic signal-based defect identification method for DED-arc via wavelet time–frequency diagrams. With the continuous wavelet transform, one-dimensional (1D) acoustic signals acquired in situ during manufacturing are converted into two-dimensional (2D) time–frequency diagrams to train, validate, and test the convolutional neural network (CNN) models. In this study, several CNN models were examined and compared, including AlexNet, ResNet-18, VGG-16, and MobileNetV3. The accuracy of the models was 96.35%, 97.92%, 97.01%, and 98.31%, respectively. The findings demonstrate that the energy distribution of normal and abnormal acoustic signals has significant differences in both the time and frequency domains. The proposed method is verified to identify defects effectively in the manufacturing process and advance the identification time.
Impacts of Wearable Resistance Placement on Running Efficiency Assessed by Wearable Sensors: A Pilot Study
Authors: Promsri Arunee , Deedphimai Siriyakorn , Promthep Petradda , Champamuang Chonthicha
Published: July 2024

Wearable resistance training is widely applied to enhance running performance, but how different placements of wearable resistance across various body parts influence running efficiency remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the impacts of wearable resistance placement on running efficiency by comparing five running conditions: no load, and an additional 10% load of individual body mass on the trunk, forearms, lower legs, and a combination of these areas. Running efficiency was assessed through biomechanical (spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic) variables using acceleration-based wearable sensors placed on the shoes of 15 recreational male runners (20.3 ± 1.23 years) during treadmill running in a randomized order. The main findings indicate distinct effects of different load distributions on specific spatiotemporal variables (contact time, flight time, and flight ratio, p ≤ 0.001) and kinematic variables (footstrike type, p < 0.001). Specifically, adding loads to the lower legs produces effects similar to running with no load: shorter contact time, longer flight time, and a higher flight ratio compared to other load conditions. Moreover, lower leg loads result in a forefoot strike, unlike the midfoot strike seen in other conditions. These findings suggest that lower leg loads enhance running efficiency more than loads on other parts of the body.
Acoustic Comfort Prediction: Integrating Sound Event Detection and Noise Levels from a Wireless Acoustic Sensor Network
Authors: Bonet-Solà Daniel , Vidaña-Vila Ester , Alsina-Pagès Rosa Ma
Published: July 2024

There is an increasing interest in accurately evaluating urban soundscapes to reflect citizens’ subjective perceptions of acoustic comfort. Various indices have been proposed in the literature to achieve this purpose. However, many of these methods necessitate specialized equipment or extensive data collection. This study introduces an enhanced predictor for dwelling acoustic comfort, utilizing cost-effective data consisting of a 30-s audio clip and location information. The proposed predictor incorporates two rating systems: a binary evaluation and an acoustic comfort index called ACI. The training and evaluation data are obtained from the “Sons al Balcó” citizen science project. To characterize the sound events, gammatone cepstral coefficients are used for automatic sound event detection with a convolutional neural network. To enhance the predictor’s performance, this study proposes incorporating objective noise levels from public IoT-based wireless acoustic sensor networks, particularly in densely populated areas like Barcelona. The results indicate that adding noise levels from a public network successfully enhances the accuracy of the acoustic comfort prediction for both rating systems, reaching up to 85% accuracy.