bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Generation of Guidance for Indoor Navigation at Metro Stations
Authors: Marciniak Jacek Bernard , Wiktorzak Bartosz
Published: November 2024

This article delves into the advancements in indoor navigation in metro stations and describes the development and implementation of algorithms for the automatic generation of navigation guidance. The LIFT project at the Warsaw University of Technology serves as a practical example, showcasing a system designed to cater to people with special needs. This article presents a rule-based algorithm that generates navigation directions based on a trade-off between landmark references and spatial references in relation to the user’s location. The research uses a spatial data model consisting of three interconnected layers: the transport network, the room topology, and the building topography. The algorithm uses these data in subsequent stages. A defined set of rules generates redundant navigation directions for all potential decision points and then, subsequent rules filter and generalise them. To discuss the details of how the algorithm works, an example route is described in this study and the consequences of applying the selected rules are analysed. Next, a few problems that arose during the testing of the algorithm at Warsaw Metro stations are presented with proposed solutions. The results of the study made it possible to develop a mobile application, which is planned to be available to users by the end of 2024.
Privacy-Preserving Live Video Analytics for Drones via Edge Computing
Authors: Nagasubramaniam Piyush , Wu Chen , Sun Yuanyi , Karamchandani Neeraj , Zhu Sencun , He Yongzhong
Published: November 2024

The use of lightweight drones has surged in recent years across both personal and commercial applications, necessitating the ability to conduct live video analytics on drones with limited computational resources. While edge computing offers a solution to the throughput bottleneck, it also opens the door to potential privacy invasions by exposing sensitive visual data to risks. In this work, we present a lightweight, privacy-preserving framework designed for real-time video analytics. By integrating a novel split-model architecture tailored for distributed deep learning through edge computing, our approach strikes a balance between operational efficiency and privacy. We provide comprehensive evaluations on privacy, object detection, latency, bandwidth usage, and object-tracking performance for our proposed privacy-preserving model.
A Study of Transmission Point Selection for Multi-Connectivity in Multi-Band Wireless Networks
Authors: Kim Eunkyung , Kim Dongwan , Choi Changbeom
Published: November 2024

In 5th generation mobile communication networks, the frequency band of the millimeter band of 30–100 GHz is supported to provide a transmission speed of 20 Gbps or higher. Furthermore, a huge transmission capacity, i.e., up to 1 Tbps, is one of the main requirements for the 6th generation mobile communication networks. In order to meet this requirement, the terahertz band is considered a new service band. Hence, we consider multi-band network environments, serving the sub-6Hz band, mmWave band, and additionally sub-terahertz band. Furthermore, we introduce the transmission point selection criteria with multiple connections for efficient multi-connectivity operation in a multi-band network environment, serving and receiving multiple connections from those bands at the same time. We also propose a point selection algorithm based on the selection criteria, e.g., achievable data rate. The proposed point selection algorithm attains lower computational complexity with a 2-approximation of the optimal solution. Our simulation results, applying the channel environment and beamforming in practical environments defined by 3GPP, show that selecting and serving multiple transmission points regardless of frequency band performs better than services through single-connectivity operation.
Image Quality and Information Parameters of Electronic Portal Imaging Devices
Authors: Tzomakas Marios K. , Peppa Vasiliki , Alexiou Antigoni , Karakatsanis Georgios , Episkopakis Anastasios , Michail Christos , Valais Ioannis , Fountos George , Kalyvas Nektarios , Kandarakis Ioannis S.
Published: November 2024

In this study, the imaging performance of electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) is evaluated, comparing measurements collected from EPID images captured at 115 cm, with a field size of 15 × 15 cm2, monitor units (MUs) in the range of 2 MU-100 MU and dose rates (DRs) of 200 MU/min, 400 MU/min and 600 MU/min, using a 6 MV LINAC system and the QC-3V image quality phantom. The analysis includes the normalized contrast transfer function (CTFnorm), the noise power spectrum (NPS) and the information capacity (IC), as well as the signal-to-noise frequency response (SNFR), which can be used as a comprehensive quality index. The results of our study are compared with previously published data captured at 100 cm under similar exposure conditions. They show similar CTF curves with different source-to-phantom distances, with the lowest values observed at specific MU and DR combinations. Moreover, NPS graphs are found to decrease with respect to spatial frequency. SNFR values also display a reduction with increasing spatial frequency. In addition, irradiation with the phantom placed closer to the EPID, 115 cm from the LINAC, yields better SNFR and IC performance characteristics, indicating better delineation of the organs closer to the EPID. The testing of EPID performance may potentially benefit from our results, which may lead to improvements in the quality of radiotherapy treatments.
Allelic Variation in gtfB–gtfC Region of Natural Variant of Streptococcus mutans Without Biofilm Formation
Authors: Kimijima Manami , Narisawa Naoki , Nakagawa-Nakamura Tomoyo , Senpuku Hidenobu
Published: November 2024

Streptococcus mutans is primarily found in biofilms on tooth surfaces and is associated with the development of dental caries. S. mutans synthesizes water-insoluble glucan (WIG) using sucrose as a substrate, inducing the formation of three-dimensional biofilms. WIG is produced by glucosyltransferases (GTFs) encoded by the tandem and highly homologous gtfB and gtfC genes. Conversely, the homologous recombination of gtfB and gtfC readily happens, producing natural variants without WIG. These WIG− variants are thought to have ecologically pleiotropic functions; however, the molecular basis for their appearance is unclear. This study aimed to determine the sequence of the gtfB–gtfC regions of WIG− variants. We sequenced the gtfB–gtfC regions of 23 WIG− variants derived from S. mutans UA159 and revealed the presence of five alleles and four types of single homologous recombination patterns. Regardless of the allele type, the WIG− variants showed low biofilm formation and GTF activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the presence of alleles in WIG− variants. These findings provide important information for explaining the appearance of mechanisms in WIG− variants.
Predictors of Hepatic Fibrosis in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: de Abreu Joana D’Arc Matos França , Azulay Rossana Sousa , Rodrigues Vandilson , de Abreu Sterffeson Lamare Lucena , da Glória Tavares Maria , Pinheiro Flávia Coelho Mohana , de Oliveira Neto Clariano Pires , Andrade Caio , Facundo Alexandre , Sá Adriana Guimarães , Azevedo Patrícia Ribeiro , Almeida Ana Gregória Pereira de , Costa Debora Camelo de Abreu , Castro Rogério Soares , Magalhães Marcelo , Nascimento Gilvan Cortês , Faria Manuel dos Santos , Ferreira Adalgisa de Souza Paiva
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Approximately 25% of the world’s population and more than 60% of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The association between these pathologies is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil and worldwide due to the high frequency of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiologic and clinical-laboratory profile of patients with T2D and MASLD treated at an endocrinology reference service in a state in northeastern Brazil, and to investigate the association of liver fibrosis with anthropometric and laboratory measurements. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in a specialized outpatient clinic with 240 patients evaluated from July 2022 to February 2024, using a questionnaire, physical examination, laboratory tests, and liver elastography with FibroScan®. Results: Estimates showed that women (adjusted OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.35–5.35, p = 0.005), obesity (adjusted OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.22–4.07, p = 0.009), high GGT (adjusted OR = 3.78, 95% CI = 2.01–7.14, p < 0. 001), high AST (adjusted OR = 6.07, 95% CI = 2.27–16.2, p < 0.001), and high ALT (adjusted OR = 3.83, 95% CI = 1.80–8.11, p < 0.001) were associated with the risk of liver fibrosis even after adjusted analysis. Conclusions: The study findings suggested that female sex and BMI were associated with an increased risk of liver fibrosis, highlighting the importance of comprehensive evaluation of these patients. In addition, FIB-4 and MAF-5 provided a good estimate of liver fibrosis in our population and may serve as a useful tool in a public health setting with limited resources.
Lunarminer Framework for Nature-Inspired Swarm Robotics in Lunar Water Ice Extraction
Authors: Tan Joven , Melkoumian Noune , Harvey David , Akmeliawati Rini
Published: November 2024

The Lunarminer framework explores the use of biomimetic swarm robotics, inspired by the division of labor in leafcutter ants and the synchronized flashing of fireflies, to enhance lunar water ice extraction. Simulations of water ice extraction within Shackleton Crater showed that the framework may improve task allocation, by reducing the extraction time by up to 40% and energy consumption by 31% in scenarios with high ore block quantities. This system, capable of producing up to 181 L of water per day from excavated regolith with a conversion efficiency of 0.8, may allow for supporting up to eighteen crew members. It has demonstrated robust fault tolerance and sustained operational efficiency, even for a 20% robot failure rate. The framework may help to address key challenges in lunar resource extraction, particularly in the permanently shadowed regions. To refine the proposed strategies, it is recommended that further studies be conducted on their large-scale applications in space mining operations at the Extraterrestrial Environmental Simulation (EXTERRES) laboratory at the University of Adelaide.
Bipedal Stepping Controller Design Considering Model Uncertainty: A Data-Driven Perspective
Authors: Song Chao , Zang Xizhe , Chen Boyang , Heng Shuai , Li Changle , Zhu Yanhe , Zhao Jie
Published: November 2024

This article introduces a novel perspective on designing a stepping controller for bipedal robots. Typically, designing a state-feedback controller to stabilize a bipedal robot to a periodic orbit of step-to-step (S2S) dynamics based on a reduced-order model (ROM) can achieve stable walking. However, the model discrepancies between the ROM and the full-order dynamic system are often ignored. We introduce the latest results from behavioral systems theory by directly constructing a robust stepping controller using input-state data collected during flat-ground walking with a nominal controller in the simulation. The model uncertainty discrepancies are equivalently represented as bounded noise and over-approximated by bounded energy ellipsoids. We conducted extensive walking experiments in a simulation on a 22-degrees-of-freedom small humanoid robot, verifying that it demonstrates superior robustness in handling uncertain loads, various sloped terrains, and push recovery compared to the nominal S2S controller.
Enhancing Energy Access in Rural Indonesia: A Holistic Assessment of a 1 kW Portable Power Generator Based on Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs)
Authors: Tambunan Handrea Bernando , Widhiyanurrochmansyach Reynolds , Pranindityo Sabastian , Sentanuhady Jayan
Published: November 2024

Hydrogen energy is a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels, offering a clean and sustainable solution to address the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. Fuel cells provide direct and environmentally friendly conversion of chemical energy from a fuel source into electrical energy, emitting only water vapor when utilizing hydrogen from renewable sources. This study delves into the design of a portable proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) device tailored for household use in rural areas. The research focuses on achieving a minimum peak power of 1000 W and a voltage of 220 VAC at 50 Hz for the fuel cell. Employing theoretical calculations derived from existing formulas and literature reviews, various fuel cell components are meticulously assessed, including real power, voltage drop, performance under current load, and pressure drop on the bipolar plate. Additionally, the study encompasses the selection of auxiliary components like converters, inverters, fans, and others. The resultant fuel cell design showcases a device capable of generating a peak power of 1132.32 W with an efficiency rating of 48.66%. Identifying suitable auxiliary components further contributes to developing a practical and efficient portable power solution for rural households.
Information Propagation in Hypergraph-Based Social Networks
Authors: Xiao Hai-Bing , Hu Feng , Li Peng-Yue , Song Yu-Rong , Zhang Zi-Ke
Published: November 2024

Social networks, functioning as core platforms for modern information dissemination, manifest distinctive user clustering behaviors and state transition mechanisms, thereby presenting new challenges to traditional information propagation models. Based on hypergraph theory, this paper augments the traditional SEIR model by introducing a novel hypernetwork information dissemination SSEIR model specifically designed for online social networks. This model accurately represents complex, multi-user, high-order interactions. It transforms the traditional single susceptible state (S) into active (Sa) and inactive (Si) states. Additionally, it enhances traditional information dissemination mechanisms through reaction process strategies (RP strategies) and formulates refined differential dynamical equations, effectively simulating the dissemination and diffusion processes in online social networks. Employing mean field theory, this paper conducts a comprehensive theoretical derivation of the dissemination mechanisms within the SSEIR model. The effectiveness of the model in various network structures was verified through simulation experiments, and its practicality was further validated by its application on real network datasets. The results show that the SSEIR model excels in data fitting and illustrating the internal mechanisms of information dissemination within hypernetwork structures, further clarifying the dynamic evolutionary patterns of information dissemination in online social hypernetworks. This study not only enriches the theoretical framework of information dissemination but also provides a scientific theoretical foundation for practical applications such as news dissemination, public opinion management, and rumor monitoring in online social networks.
Exact Expressions for Kullback–Leibler Divergence for Univariate Distributions
Authors: Nawa Victor , Nadarajah Saralees
Published: November 2024

The Kullback–Leibler divergence (KL divergence) is a statistical measure that quantifies the difference between two probability distributions. Specifically, it assesses the amount of information that is lost when one distribution is used to approximate another. This concept is crucial in various fields, including information theory, statistics, and machine learning, as it helps in understanding how well a model represents the underlying data. In a recent study by Nawa and Nadarajah, a comprehensive collection of exact expressions for the Kullback–Leibler divergence was derived for both multivariate and matrix-variate distributions. This work is significant as it expands on our existing knowledge of KL divergence by providing precise formulations for over sixty univariate distributions. The authors also ensured the accuracy of these expressions through numerical checks, which adds a layer of validation to their findings. The derived expressions incorporate various special functions, highlighting the mathematical complexity and richness of the topic. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of KL divergence and its applications in statistical analysis and modeling.
An Explainable Student Performance Prediction Method Based on Dual-Level Progressive Classification Belief Rule Base
Authors: Mai Jiahao , Wei Fanxu , He Wei , Huang Haolan , Zhu Hailong
Published: November 2024

Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) is crucial in education for making educational technologies more transparent and trustworthy. In the domain of student performance prediction, both the results and the processes need to be recognized by experts, making the requirement for explainability very high. The belief rule base (BRB) is a hybrid-driven method for modeling complex systems that integrates expert knowledge with transparent reasoning processes, thus providing good explainability. However, class imbalances in student grades often lead models to ignore minority samples, resulting in inaccurate assessments. Additionally, BRB models face the challenge of losing explainability during the optimization process. Therefore, an explainable student performance prediction method based on dual-level progressive classification BRB (DLBRB-i) has been proposed. Principal component regression (PCR) is used to select key features, and models are constructed based on selected metrics. The BRB’s first layer classifies data broadly, while the second layer refines these classifications for accuracy. By incorporating explainability constraints into the population-based covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (P-CMA-ES) optimization process, the explainability of the model is ensured effectively. Finally, empirical analysis using real datasets validates the diagnostic accuracy and explainability of the DLBRB-i model.
Management of the Fuel Supply Chain and Energy Security in Poland
Authors: Dyczkowska Joanna Alicja , Chamier-Gliszczynski Norbert , Woźniak Waldemar , Stryjski Roman
Published: November 2024

After the onset of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Poland was forced to change its markets for sourcing raw materials, specifically oil and gas. Simultaneously, as a member of the EU and due to its geographical location in Europe, Poland must meet emission standards and ensure energy security. The aim of this publication is to analyze and evaluate the management of the fuel supply chain (FSC) in Poland in the context of energy security. The main research question formulated is to what extent the management of the FSC can ensure Poland’s energy security. The publication employs two models: MAED (Model for Analysis of Energy Demand) and CDM (canonical distribution model). The research is based on data from the Statistical Office and data provided by the fuel industry. Between 2021 and 2023, Poland diversified its supply sources, mainly from Saudi Arabia (45.2%) and Norway (35.2%), which together account for 80.4% of imports. The current fuel storage capacity (15.05 million m3) is capable of securing production logistics in the event of SC disruptions and market uncertainties. The shift in fuel supply logistics during the discussed period, along with the increase in the fuel safety stock coefficient to quantities exceeding current demand in case of further disruptions caused by external factors, affects the security of the Polish state as well as neighboring countries in Central Europe. Distribution logistics are managed domestically through networks of fuel stations operated by Polish and foreign corporations, including a group of independently owned private fuel stations (47.5%). The fuel industry in Poland has risen to the challenge, maintaining the stability of fuel supplies and their prices.
A Comparison of the Energy Expenditure in Different Storage Tank Geometries to Maintain H2 in the Liquid State
Authors: Monteiro Joaquim , Ribeiro Leonardo , Pinto Gustavo F. , Cavadas Adélio , Coutinho Beatriz , Baptista Andresa
Published: November 2024

The aim of this paper is the study of the storage of hydrogen in the liquid state, LH2, with a focus on the thermal gains for cylindrical and spherical tank geometries. A given tank volume was assumed; three geometries for such a tank were taken, similar to the most common tanks for LH2 storage: cylindrical (vertical and horizontal) and spherical. An integrated refrigeration system was considered for LH2 stored at a temperature around 22 K and at a pressure around 3 bar. Then, the energy expenditure by the refrigeration system to maintain LH2 in the liquid state was determined and compared with the value of the energy contained in the LH2, in order to compare such a storage method to other hydrogen storage methods, namely compressed hydrogen, in the gaseous state. The most important conclusion was that spherical tanks had lower thermal gains than tanks with other geometries.
A Review of Well Life Cycle Integrity Challenges in the Oil and Gas Industry and Its Implications for Sustained Casing Pressure (SCP)
Authors: Ibukun Matthew , Elyan Eyad , Amish Mohamed , Njuguna James , Oluyemi Gbenga F.
Published: November 2024

Sustained Casing Pressure (SCP) is a condition in oil and gas wells where continuous pressure buildup in the well casing over a long period of time occurs. Several factors might be responsible for this, including the influx of formation fluids, the leakage of fluids from the well, and other possible sources. SCP is a serious concern as it can indicate well integrity issues and lead to catastrophic failure. This paper covers the multifaceted integrity challenges that arise over the whole life cycle of a well, the capture and storage of carbon dioxide, and the storage of hydrogen in depleted reservoirs. The review study suggests that inadequate cement coverage, weak bonding, and inadequate gas or water movement routes could lead to connection issues, leakage, and equipment malfunction. Implementing safety barrier systems correctly is the solution to preventing sustained casing pressure and ensuring the stability of well integrity. It is revealed that more than 45% (6650 wells out of 12,927) of Gulf of Mexico wells had SCP difficulties, whereas 35% of UK North Sea wells have at least one problem. Ten per cent of the 6137 wells studied on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf had either a barrier failure or a well integrity failure.
Micro-Energy Grid Energy Utilization Optimization with Electricity and Heat Storage Devices Based on NSGA-III Algorithm
Authors: Yang Junchao , Li Li
Published: November 2024

With the implementation of policies to promote renewable energy generation on the supply side, a micro-energy grid, which is composed of different electricity generation categories such as wind power plants (WPPs), photovoltaic power generators (PVs), and energy storage devices, can enable the local consumption of renewable energy. Energy storage devices, which can overcome the challenges of an instantaneous balance of electricity on the supply and demand sides, play an especially key role in making full use of generated renewable energy. Considering both minimizing the operation costs and maximizing the renewable energy usage ratio is important in the micro-energy grid environment. This study built a multi-objective optimization model and used the NSGA-III algorithm to obtain a Pareto solution set. According to a case study and a comparative analysis, NSGA-III was better than NSGA-II at solving the problem, and the results showed that a higher renewable generation ratio means there is less electricity generated by traditional electricity generators like gas turbines, and there is less electricity sold into the electricity market to obtain more benefits; therefore, the cost of the system will increase. Energy storage devices can significantly improve the efficiency of renewable energy usage in micro-energy grids.
Energy-Saving Effects of the Intermittent Control of Pumps in Ground Source Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems with a Buffer Water Tank
Authors: Tanaka Toya , Kindaichi Sayaka , Kawasaki Keita , Nishina Daisaku
Published: November 2024

Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems are common air-conditioning systems used in regions with moderate climates that have cooling and heating demands. Unlike typical air-source VRF systems, ground-source VRF systems require heat-source water circulation, and reducing the pumping power remains a significant problem. Herein, the intermittent pump control for circulating heat source water was achieved by installing a buffer water tank between the ground heat exchangers and VRF units. An intermittent control methodology was developed based on the indices of water transport efficiency and incorporated into a system simulation model with 72 boreholes, a cooling capacity of 252 kW, and a buffer water tank of 30 m3. Results indicated that intermittent control was achieved at heat load ratios lower than 40% as expected. This intermittent control allowed more efficient water transport with 38% lower pumping power than conventional inverter controls. Although the proposed system equipped more pumps and heat exchangers than conventional systems, it exhibited higher energy efficiencies for most measurement days than the conventional air-conditioning systems. The annual energy consumption was thus reduced by 34% and 8% compared to air-source VRF systems and conventional ground-source VRF systems, respectively.
Optimization of an Organic Rankine Cycle–Vapor Compression Cycle System for Electricity and Cooling Production from Low-Grade Waste Heat
Authors: Witanowski Łukasz
Published: November 2024

In light of the intensifying global climate crisis and the increasing demand for efficient electricity and cooling systems, the exploration of advanced power generation technologies has become crucial. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of Organic Rankine Cycle–Vapor Compression Cycle (ORC-VCC) systems utilizing low-grade waste heat for the dual purpose of electricity and cooling production. The study focuses on systems that harness waste heat below 90 °C with thermal inputs up to 500 kW. An in-house Python code was developed to calculate cycle parameters and perform multi-objective optimization targeting the maximization of both ORC-VCC efficiency and power output. The optimization was conducted for 10 different cases by evaluating five working fluids across two different ambient temperatures. The analysis reveals that the optimized system achieved an impressive overall cycle efficiency exceeding 90%, demonstrating the significant potential of ORC-VCC technology in waste heat recovery applications. The Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) multi-objective optimization approach was found to be particularly effective at navigating the multi-dimensional solution space and identifying the global optimum. This study provides valuable insights into system performance across a range of operating conditions and design parameters. Sensitivity analyses highlight key factors influencing cycle efficiency and power output. These findings have important implications for the development and deployment of ORC-VCC systems as a sustainable and efficient solution to meet growing energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Optimizing Power Density in Partially Coated Cantilever Beam Energy Harvesters: A Cost-Effective Design Strategy
Authors: Mohiuddin Md. , Rahman Kazi Mostafijur , Ahmed Zahir , Ahmed Riaz
Published: November 2024

Cantilever beams with piezoelectric coating are the most widely used form of strain-driven energy harvesting. Almost all prior research on cantilever beam shapes aimed at enhancing energy output accounts for beams fully coated with piezoelectric materials. While a larger coating area, up to a certain limit, can enhance energy output, it also escalates the cost of the structure, as piezoelectric materials are very expensive. Output power density over the length of the beam/piezoelectric material varies significantly. Hence, a partially coated beam with an optimized positioning of piezoelectric material can not only cut the cost of the system but also warrant a higher output power density. On the other hand, optimizing the base beam shape always remains one of the top approaches to increasing the power output. As such, this work aims to select a cantilever beam design by investigating a wide variety of cantilever beam shapes while the beam is partially coated with the piezoelectric material to maximize the power output capacity of the harvester. In the first part of the study, an efficient size of the piezoelectric material and its placement in the host beam are selected based on the power capacity of the system. Next, the selected effective size and placement of the piezoelectric material is implemented in a wide range of cantilever beam shapes (e.g., trapezoidal, triangular, V-cut, concave, and convex) to select a host beam design for maximizing the output power density. To ascertain a comparable argument, the surface area, volume, and mass of all the considered beam shapes are kept consistent, as these parameters influence the power output of the harvester. The geometry of each shape is systematically varied to understand the effect of geometric configuration on the output power density. Additionally, an analysis is conducted to validate that the findings/selection of this study are independent of the thickness of the host beam or piezoelectric material.
Examining Sentiment Analysis for Low-Resource Languages with Data Augmentation Techniques
Authors: Thakkar Gaurish , Preradović Nives Mikelić , Tadić Marko
Published: November 2024

This investigation investigates the influence of a variety of data augmentation techniques on sentiment analysis in low-resource languages, with a particular emphasis on Bulgarian, Croatian, Slovak, and Slovene. The following primary research topic is addressed: is it possible to improve sentiment analysis efficacy in low-resource languages through data augmentation? Our sub-questions look at how different augmentation methods affect performance, how effective WordNet-based augmentation is compared to other methods, and whether lemma-based augmentation techniques can be used, especially for Croatian sentiment tasks. The sentiment-labelled evaluations in the selected languages are included in our data sources, which were curated with additional annotations to standardise labels and mitigate ambiguities. Our findings show that techniques like replacing words with synonyms, masked language model (MLM)-based generation, and permuting and combining sentences can only make training datasets slightly bigger. However, they provide limited improvements in model accuracy for low-resource language sentiment classification. WordNet-based techniques, in particular, exhibit a marginally superior performance compared to other methods; however, they fail to substantially improve classification scores. From a practical perspective, this study emphasises that conventional augmentation techniques may require refinement to address the complex linguistic features that are inherent to low-resource languages, particularly in mixed-sentiment and context-rich instances. Theoretically, our results indicate that future research should concentrate on the development of augmentation strategies that introduce novel syntactic structures rather than solely relying on lexical variations, as current models may not effectively leverage synonymic or lemmatised data. These insights emphasise the nuanced requirements for meaningful data augmentation in low-resource linguistic settings and contribute to the advancement of sentiment analysis approaches.
Distribution, Occupancy, and Habitat of the Endangered Carolina Madtom: Implications for Recovery of an Endemic Stream Fish
Authors: Cope W. Robert , Kwak Thomas J. , Black Tyler R. , Pacifici Krishna , Archambault Jennifer M. , Cope W. Gregory
Published: November 2024

Endemic fish are important components of freshwater ecosystems because they contribute to biodiversity and provide vital ecological functions. The Carolina Madtom, Noturus furiosus, is a small catfish endemic to the Neuse and Tar river basins of North Carolina, USA. Three previous surveys over the past 60 years have shown declining occurrence and abundance in the basins, and as such, the species was listed as federally endangered in 2021. To provide critical information to guide Carolina Madtom conservation and recovery strategies, we surveyed 36 sites (75 locations) in both basins to (1) determine the current distribution of the Carolina Madtom, (2) develop occupancy models to estimate probability of detection and occurrence of the species throughout its range, and (3) determine its instream habitat use and suitability. We collected 59 Carolina Madtom during snorkel surveys in the Tar River basin and none from the Neuse River basin, indicating that Carolina Madtom populations are still declining in both occurrence and abundance throughout their historical and recent range, especially in the Neuse River basin. Occupancy modeling estimated low occupancy probability (0.35), while detection probability was high (0.81). Carolina Madtom occupied slow-to-moderate velocity water over sand and gravel substrate, using cobble and woody debris as cover. Habitat suitability distributions quantified the most suitable ranges of microhabitat parameters for Carolina Madtom occupancy. A comparison of available suitable habitat in the two river basins revealed that adequate suitable habitat was available in both basins, suggesting that other factors such as pollution or predation from the non-native Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris, may be contributing to population declines. The application of our results will aid in management and recovery actions for the species.
A Nondestructive Detection Method for the Muti-Quality Attributes of Oats Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Li Linglei , Li Long , Gou Guoyuan , Jia Lang , Zhang Yonghu , Shen Xiaogang , Cao Ruge , Wang Lili
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to achieve a precise and non-destructive quantification of the amounts of total starch, protein, β-glucan, and fat in oats using near-infrared technology in conjunction with chemometrics methods. Eight preprocessing methods (SNV, MSC, Nor, DE, FD, SD, BC, SS) were employed to process the original spectra. Subsequently, the optimal PLS model was obtained by integrating feature wavelength selection algorithms (CARS, SPA, UVE, LAR). After SD-SPA, total starch reached its optimal state (Rp2 = 0.768, RMSEP = 2.057). Protein achieved the best result after MSC-CARS (Rp2 = 0.853, RMSEP = 1.142). β-glucan reached the optimal value after BC-SPA (Rp2 = 0.759, RMSEP = 0.315). Fat achieved the optimal state after SS-SPA (Rp2 = 0.903, RMSEP = 0.692). The research has shown the performance of the portable FT-NIR for a rapid and non-destructive quantification of nutritional components in oats, holding significant importance for quality control and quality assessment within the oat industry.
Advances in Grape Seed Oil Extraction Techniques and Their Applications in Food Products: A Comprehensive Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Laqui-Estaña Jaime , Obreque-Slier Elías , García-Nauto Nidia , Saldaña Erick
Published: November 2024

Global wine production has grown, resulting in an increase in waste within the industry. This has raised concerns among producers and scientists worldwide, prompting them to seek solutions for its management. The aim is to explore the latest advancements in using grape seed oil as a byproduct and its applications within the food industry. To achieve this, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database covering the period from 1990 to 2023. Additionally, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on extraction techniques, compositions, properties, and innovative applications in food. A bibliometric analysis revealed that interest in grape seed oil has grown over the past fifteen years. The majority of research on this grape byproduct is concentrated in Asian countries. Grape seed oil is a rich source of lipophilic compounds, including fatty acids, phytosterols, and vitamin E, which provide antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The literature indicates that only oil obtained through pressing is used in food products, such as meat products, dairy drinks, and chocolates, either directly or in emulsions. These findings suggest that further research and innovation are needed to explore how this waste can be used in new food sources, particularly in countries with high wine production.
Impact of Fermentation of Pumpkin Leaves and Melon Varieties with Lactobacillus Strains on Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Activity, and Carotenoid Compounds
Authors: Mhlanga Pretty , Mianda Sephora Mutombo , Sivakumar Dharini
Published: November 2024

This study examined the impact of fermentation using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L75) and Bifidobacterium longum (BF) on the total soluble solids (TSS), pH, TA, LAB survival, color properties, ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content (TPC), carotenoid components, and antioxidant properties of smoothies made from melon varieties (Cantaloupe, Honeydew, and Watermelon) separately with pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita pepo). For all smoothies, pH (r = −0.74) and TSS (r = −0.79) were inversely and strongly correlated with LAB counts, while LAB counts were positively correlated with TA (r = 0.87). Fermentation time (24 to 72 h) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the TSS (%), pH, and color properties of all smoothies fermented with L75 or BF, while TA increased. Fermenting Cantaloupe melon and C pepo leaves with L75 (CMCL75) for 24 h increased the ascorbic acid content to 3.8 mg/100 mL. The sensory panel scores were highest for Watermelon and C. moschata or C. pepo fermented with L75 or BF for 24 h. TPC concentration was highest in CMCL75 (70.76 mg of gallic acid per 100 mL) after 24 h. C. pepo leaves and Cantaloupe fermented with L75 (CPCL75) showed the highest concentration of total carotenoids (70.38 mg/100 mL), lutein (2.53 µg/100 mL), cis β-carotene (25.43 µg/100 mL), and trans β-carotene (620.37 µg/100 mL). In contrast, CMCL75 showed the highest concentration of zeaxanthin (0.70 mg/100 mL). This study demonstrated the potential of fermenting Cantaloupe and pumpkin leaves together with the L75 strain to produce non-dairy functional products.
Study on the Characteristics of Fine Rice Flour by Micro-Crushing and Its Effects on the Quality Improvement of Rice Cakes
Authors: Lu Mingshou , Yang Wanshan , Zhang Huining , Yu Yang , Chen Fenglian , Hao Yanling
Published: November 2024

To investigate the impact of micro-crushing technology on rice flour characteristics and its enhancement of rice cake quality, resting angle, slip angle, solubility, water-holding capacity, emulsification, oil absorption, gelatinization, and baking quality, rice flour and rice cakes were analyzed using a texture analyzer and a gelatinization instrument. The results indicated that a decrease in particle size led to a significant increase in damaged starch from 18% to 26.5%. Both the resting angle and slip angle increased, indicating reduced fluidity. The gelatinization temperature decreased from 76.63 °C to 71.61 °C, the gelatinization time was reduced from 6.6 min to 6.4 min, and gelatinization viscosity initially increased and then decreased. Water-holding capacity increased 1.0-fold with decreased particle size, and solubility increased 11.6-fold together with the increase temperature. Emulsification and oil absorption were optimal when the particle size exceeded 120–140 mesh. The conductivity of the rice flour suspension rose with decreased particle size, while the conductivity of rice flour paste and cake batter decreased. Decreased particle size led to significantly reduced rice cake hardness and chewiness of 47.77% and 52.44%, while elasticity, restoration, specific volume, and porosity increased 18.75%, 15.15%, 31.16% and 25.10%, respectively. The skin and core color darkened with reduced luminosity, correlating with enhanced sensory scores. Correlation analysis revealed that physiochemical properties of rice flour influenced gelatinization properties, thereby affecting rice cake quality. This study provides a foundation for utilizing fine rice flour in rice cakes.
Fractionation of Winemaking Grape Stalks by Subcritical Water Extraction to Obtain Added-Value Products
Authors: Maté Irene , Vargas Maria , Atarés Lorena , Chiralt Amparo
Published: November 2024

Grape stalks (GSs) from winemaking were submitted to a green process to valorise its lignocellulosic biomass that applied subcritical water extraction (SWE) at 170 °C and 180 °C to obtain active extracts and cellulose-enriched fractions. The sum of the total phenolic content of the soluble extract and the solid residue fractions from the SWE exceeded that of the GS, which suggests the generation of compounds with antioxidant properties through SWE. All SWE fractions showed high antioxidant power. The increased temperature promoted the extraction of polyphenolic compounds, enhancing the antioxidant power of both extracts and solid residues. These solid residue fractions were bleached with alkaline hydrogen peroxide solutions (4 and 8% v/v) to purify cellulose. After two bleaching cycles, no notable delignification progress was observed, as the bleaching yield or whiteness index did not significantly change in the further cycles. The first bleaching cycle led to a significant reduction in the lignin content at both SWE temperatures. The cellulose purity was higher in the samples obtained at 170 °C and bleached with 4% alkaline hydrogen peroxide. SWE at 180 °C led to greater cellulose oxidation during the bleaching step regardless of the hydrogen peroxide concentration.
The Prevalence of Malnutrition and Sarcopenia and the Relationship with Inflammation and Anemia Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yuenyongchaiwat Kornanong , Akekawatchai Chareeporn , Changsri Khaimuk
Published: November 2024

Background: Older people are more likely to have poor nutrition and low muscle mass, which leads to poor physical performance and anemia, resulting in a poor quality of life and risks to mobility and mortality. Furthermore, malnutrition may, in part, raise the level of inflammatory biomarkers as well as muscle catabolism. Moreover, a range of indices related to systemic inflammation, obtained from routine complete blood count (CBC) tests, have been applied to inflammation markers. However, these biomarkers remain insufficiently addressed in the evidence supporting the presence of sarcopenia and malnutrition. This study aimed to explore sarcopenia in terms of malnutrition, anemia, and inflammation among Thai community-dwelling older people. Methods: This study enrolled community-dwelling older people aged 60 years and above. All participants were requested to complete a questionnaire assessing for sarcopenia (SARC-F) and nutritional status using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA). In addition, blood samples were obtained for the CBC test. Logistic regression analysis explored the risk of sarcopenia, CBC, and malnutrition status. Results: Of 126 older people (aged 62–88 years) enrolled, 12 individuals (9.52%) had sarcopenia. Furthermore, 34.9% and 5.56% of the participants were demonstrated to have anemia and malnutrition, respectively. Nutrition status was positively associated with hemoglobin levels (r = 0.241, p = 0.007) and negatively related to SARC-F scores (r = −0.190, p = 0.034). Older people with anemia show an increased risk of malnutrition at an odds ratio (OR) of 3.375. Moreover, individuals with anemia were at a higher risk of developing sarcopenia (OR 4.982) than those with no anemia. However, individuals with a high level of inflammatory markers, e.g., a high systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), had a higher risk of sarcopenia than those with low SIRI and MLR values. The systemic immune–inflammation index (SII) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were also positively associated with SARC-F scores. Conclusions: The association between sarcopenia, malnutrition status, and anemia might overlap in clinical manifestation. In addition, future research directions regarding the utility of routine CBC testing should focus on sarcopenia and malnutrition status.
An Evaluation of Drug Prescribing Patterns and Prescription Completeness
Authors: Idris Saadeldin Ahmed , Hussien Tarig Mahmoud Ahmed , Al-Shammari Faraj Farih , Nagi Hatim Adam , Bashir Abdelhafiz Ibrahim , Elhussein Gamal Eldin Mohamed Osman , Abdalla Rania Abdeen Hussain , Mohammed Halima Mustafa Elagib , Abdelaziz Wafa Elhassan , Alshammari Amal Daher , Alreshidi Hend Faleh Hamad , Alshammari Hind Naif Mhaileb , Ibrahim Somaia Ibrahim Bashir
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: The rational use of medicines, in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, is crucial for optimizing healthcare outcomes. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate drug prescribing patterns and assess prescription completeness based on the WHO core drug use criteria. A comprehensive analysis was conducted at the University Clinic in the Northern region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: The study assessed drug prescribing patterns and examined prescription completeness by analyzing various parameters recommended by the WHO core drug use criteria. Results: Upon analyzing the 615 prescriptions, it was observed that each prescription had a mean of 2.56 prescribed drugs. Multiple medicines per prescription were prevalent in 71.4%, whereas polypharmacy was evident in 2.9%. Analgesics were the most frequently prescribed medication, accounting for 50.4% of the prescriptions, followed by supplements (31.7%), decongestants (16.1%), cough syrup (12%), and antihypertensive and diabetes treatments at 17%. Furthermore, antimicrobials were prescribed in 21.5% of the prescriptions. During the evaluation, it was found that 19.8% of the prescriptions were incomplete, lacking important information on dosing, duration, and drugs not suited to the diagnosis. Conclusions: Most of the parameters evaluated in this study were determined to fall outside the range of recommended guidelines criticized by the WHO. As a result, the implementation of efficient intervention programs, such as education initiatives, is recommended to enhance the practice of rational drug use. Contribution: This study highlights the importance of improving prescription indicators at the national level, focusing on both medication prescribing characteristics and prescription quality as a practice.
Obstacles in “Time to Spine”: Challenges for the Timely Delivery of Acute Surgical Care for Patients with Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Pedro Karlo M. , Alvi Mohammed Ali , Fehlings Michael G.
Published: November 2024

Over the past three decades, advancements in our understanding of the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) have underscored the critical importance of early treatment for both traumatic and non-traumatic cases. Early surgical intervention significantly improves outcomes by limiting the extent of secondary damage. Despite numerous studies highlighting the superior outcomes associated with early decompression surgery for patients with SCIs, hospital reviews reveal that less than 60% of patients undergo surgical decompression within 24 h of injury. This occurs despite consensus among physicians regarding the benefits of early surgery. Therefore, it is important to highlight the multifactorial causes of this knowledge to action discordance. This review aims to elucidate the administrative, logistical, and technical challenges that hinder timely access to surgery for SCIs.