bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid and Accurate Ecotoxicological Assessment of Heavy Metals Using Cyprinus carpio Cells
Authors: Lee Yun Haeng , Kuk Myeong Uk , Park Ji Ho , Lee Hojun , Lee Haneur , So Moon Kyoung , Yoon Jee Hee , Lee Yoo Jin , Kim Duyeol , So Byeonghyeon , Kim Minseon , Park Jihae , Han Taejun , Park Joon Tae
Published: September 2024

Heavy metals have serious negative effects on various aquatic organisms, and therefore rapid and accurate ecotoxicological assessments of heavy metals are necessary. Fish-derived cells sensitive to heavy metals have been used as valuable tools for ecotoxicological assessments. However, this method requires a minimum toxicity treatment time of 96 h, which limits its use when rapid ecotoxicological assessments are required or ecotoxicological assessments of a large number of toxicants are performed. In this study, these limitations were overcome by adjusting parameters including the concentration of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the medium and the treatment time of the toxicant. Specifically, we found that the maximum time for fish cells to remain unstarved was 6 h when using a medium containing 1% FBS. We applied both parameters to the ecotoxicological assessment (using a medium containing 1% FBS for the toxicity assessment and treating the toxicant for only 6 h). Surprisingly, these adjusted parameters allowed us to obtain faster and more accurate data than the traditional assessment. This improvement was due to the new assessment conditions that minimized the possibility that the growth-inducing effects of nutrients present in excess in the medium could interfere with the cellular response to the toxicant. The accuracy of this assessment was not limited to measuring the toxicity of heavy metals. In conclusion, we have established an ecotoxicity assessment that can generate rapid and accurate data on heavy metals. This new platform will become the cornerstone of rapid and accurate ecotoxicity assessments of heavy metals.
Subgrain Size Modeling and Substructure Evolution in an AA1050 Aluminum Alloy during High-Temperature Compression
Authors: Yang Qi , Wojcik Tomasz , Kozeschnik Ernst
Published: September 2024

For materials with high stacking fault energy (SFE), such as aluminum alloys, dynamic recovery (DRV) and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) are essential softening mechanisms during plastic deformation, which lead to the continuous generation and refinement of newborn subgrains (2° ˂ misorientation angle ˂ 15°). The present work investigates the influence of compression parameters on the evolution of the substructures for a 1050 aluminum alloy at elevated temperatures. The alloy microstructure was investigated under deformation temperatures ranging from 300 °C to 500 °C and strain rates from 0.01 to 0.1 s−1, respectively. A well-defined substructure and subsequent subgrain refinement provided indication of the evolution laws of the substructure under high-temperature compression. Corresponding experimental data on the average subgrain size under various compression conditions were obtained. Two different independent average subgrain size evolution models (empirical and substructure-based) were used and applied with several internal state variables. The substructure model employed physical variables to simulate subgrain refinement and thermal coarsening during deformation, incorporating a corresponding dislocation density evolution model. The correlation coefficient (R) and root mean square error (RMSE) of the substructure-based model were calculated to be 0.98 and 5.7%, respectively. These models can provide good estimates of the average subgrain size, with both predictions and experiments reproducing the expected subgrain size evolution using physically meaningful variables during continuous deformation.
Integrated Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of Wheeled Vehicle with Outer-Rotor In-Wheel Motors and Key Units
Authors: Liu Xingyu , Che Jixing , Wu Jiulin , Jiang Wei , Liu Rui , Zhao Yihui
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this paper is to accurately establish a model of a special vehicle driven by in-wheel motors (IWMs) and investigate its dynamic characteristics. This study proposes a novel integrated vehicle modeling strategy, focusing on the IWM and other key subsystems. Based on this strategy, the vehicle model is developed and simulated in ADAMS. The natural frequencies of the vehicle and transmission characteristics of key components are compared with MATLAB simulation results to validate the accuracy of the model. In the time-domain analysis, the vehicle system’s time-domain characteristics are obtained by using random road spectra of different road grades as excitations. Our simulation results demonstrate that vibration input can be reduced by between 97% and 99% after multi-stage vibration reduction. This work will provide relevant parameters for the design of special vehicles driven by IWMs.
Leveraging Large Language Models and BERT for Log Parsing and Anomaly Detection
Authors: Zhou Yihan , Chen Yan , Rao Xuanming , Zhou Yukang , Li Yuxin , Hu Chao
Published: September 2024

Computer systems and applications generate large amounts of logs to measure and record information, which is vital to protect the systems from malicious attacks and useful for repairing faults, especially with the rapid development of distributed computing. Among various logs, the anomaly log is beneficial for operations and maintenance (O&M) personnel to locate faults and improve efficiency. In this paper, we utilize a large language model, ChatGPT, for the log parser task. We choose the BERT model, a self-supervised framework for log anomaly detection. BERT, an embedded transformer encoder, with a self-attention mechanism can better handle context-dependent tasks such as anomaly log detection. Meanwhile, it is based on the masked language model task and next sentence prediction task in the pretraining period to capture the normal log sequence pattern. The experimental results on two log datasets show that the BERT model combined with an LLM performed better than other classical models such as Deelog and Loganomaly.
Sphaerococcenol A Derivatives: Design, Synthesis, and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Sousa Dídia , Fortunato Milene A. G. , Silva Joana , Pingo Mónica , Martins Alice , Afonso Carlos A. M. , Pedrosa Rui , Siopa Filipa , Alves Celso
Published: September 2024

Sphaerococcenol A is a cytotoxic bromoditerpene biosynthesized by the red alga Sphaerococcus coronopifolius. A series of its analogues (1–6) was designed and semi-synthesized using thiol-Michael additions and enone reduction, and the structures of these analogues were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Cytotoxic analyses (1–100 µM; 24 h) were accomplished on A549, DU-145, and MCF-7 cells. The six novel sphaerococcenol A analogues displayed an IC50 range between 14.31 and 70.11 µM on A549, DU-145, and MCF-7 malignant cells. Compound 1, resulting from the chemical addition of 4-methoxybenzenethiol, exhibited the smallest IC50 values on the A549 (18.70 µM) and DU-145 (15.82 µM) cell lines, and compound 3, resulting from the chemical addition of propanethiol, exhibited the smallest IC50 value (14.31 µM) on MCF-7 cells. The highest IC50 values were exhibited by compound 4, suggesting that the chemical addition of benzylthiol led to a loss of cytotoxic activity. The remaining chemical modifications were not able to potentiate the cytotoxicity of the original compounds. Regarding A549 cell viability, analogue 1 exhibited a marked effect on mitochondrial function, which was accompanied by an increase in ROS levels, Caspase-3 activation, and DNA fragmentation and condensation. This study opens new avenues for research by exploring sphaerococcenol A as a scaffold for the synthesis of novel bioactive molecules.
Technology beyond Biology; Isn’t It Time to Update WHO’s Definition of Health?
Authors: Baretić Maja , Primorac Dragan , de Bruijn David , Altabas Velimir
Published: September 2024

Technology is increasingly shaping human life, particularly in healthcare, where recent advancements have revolutionized patient care. Despite these advances, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health remains rooted in traditional notions, raising questions about its adequacy in light of technological progress. This paper explores the conceptual and practical limitations of the current definition and argues for its revision to encompass the role of technology in health. This paper examines the evolving landscape of healthcare technology and its philosophical implications, drawing on theories such as the Extended Health Hypothesis and the Extended Mind Hypothesis. It claims that health extends beyond traditional biological boundaries and includes the influence of technology on well-being. This paper advocates for a re-examination of the WHO definition of health to reflect the integral role of technology in modern healthcare. Recognizing technology as part of health necessitates a broader conceptual framework that acknowledges the interconnectedness of biology, technology, and human well-being. Given technology’s transformative role in healthcare, this paper argues for a revaluation of the WHO’s definition of health to encapsulate the evolving relationship between technology and human well-being. At the end, we propose a new definition recognizing that health is a dynamic state of physical, mental, social, and technological well-being, wherein individuals can achieve optimal quality of life through the harmonious integration of biological, psychological, and technological factors. This state encompasses not only the absence of disease but also the effective utilization of advanced technologies.
Compensation Techniques for Photosensors Used in High-Precision Accelerometers
Authors: Wei Yuan , Yang Jianhua , Li Pengfei , Zhang Junling , Liang Pu
Published: September 2024

Temperature exerts a profound influence on the fidelity of photosensors, making the attainment of reliable temperature compensation a formidable task within engineering realms. This research delves into the intricacies of photosensors used in high-precision accelerometers, proposing an innovative, high-precision, adaptive, closed-loop compensation mechanism. Our design stands in stark contrast to traditional open-loop models, demonstrating superior performance by achieving a remarkable reduction in compensation error—nearly 98%. This advancement in consistency and precision marks a significant leap forward for the application of high-precision photosensors in engineering contexts.
Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Induce Pro-Inflammatory TNF-α and iNOS via PI3K/Akt Pathway in a TLR 2-Dependent Manner
Authors: Singh Sudha B. , Braun Cody A. , Carroll-Portillo Amanda , Coffman Cristina N. , Lin Henry C.
Published: September 2024

Desulfovibrio, resident gut sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), are found to overgrow in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and Parkinson’s disease. They activate a pro-inflammatory response, suggesting that Desulfovibrio may play a causal role in inflammation. Class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway regulates key events in the inflammatory response to infection. Dysfunctional PI3K/Akt signaling is linked to numerous diseases. Bacterial-induced PI3K/Akt pathway may be activated downstream of toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Desulfovibrio vulgaris (DSV) may induce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression via PI3K/Akt in a TLR 2-dependent manner. RAW 264.7 macrophages were infected with DSV, and protein expression of p-Akt, p-p70S6K, p-NF-κB, p-IkB, TNF-α, and iNOS was measured. We found that DSV induced these proteins in a time-dependent manner. Heat-killed and live DSV, but not bacterial culture supernatant or a probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum, significantly caused PI3K/AKT/TNF/iNOS activation. LY294002, a PI3K/Akt signaling inhibitor, and TL2-C29, a TLR 2 antagonist, inhibited DSV-induced PI3K/AKT pathway. Thus, DSV induces pro-inflammatory TNF-α and iNOS via PI3K/Akt pathway in a TLR 2-dependent manner. Taken together, our study identifies a novel mechanism by which SRB such as Desulfovibrio may trigger inflammation in diseases associated with SRB overgrowth.
Distinct Replication Kinetics, Cytopathogenicity, and Immune Gene Regulation in Human Microglia Cells Infected with Asian and African Lineages of Zika Virus
Authors: Bird Ian M. , Cavener Victoria , Surendran Nair Meera , Nissly Ruth H. , Chothe Shubhada K. , Jacob Joshy , Kuchipudi Suresh V.
Published: September 2024

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is a significant global health concern due to its association with neurodevelopmental disorders such as congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). This study aimed to compare the replication kinetics, viral persistence, cytopathogenic effects, and immune gene expression in human microglia cells (CHME-3) infected with an Asian lineage ZIKV (PRVABC59, referred to as ZIKV-PRV) and an African lineage ZIKV (IBH30656, referred to as ZIKV-IBH). We found that ZIKV-PRV replicated more efficiently and persisted longer while inducing lower levels of cell death and inflammatory gene activation compared with ZIKV-IBH. These findings suggest that the enhanced replication and persistence of ZIKV-PRV, along with its ability to evade innate immune responses, may underlie its increased neuropathogenic potential, especially in the context of CZS. In contrast, ZIKV-IBH, with its stronger immune gene activation and higher cytopathogenicity, may lead to more acute infections with faster viral clearance, thereby reducing the likelihood of chronic central nervous system (CNS) infection. This study provides crucial insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving the differential pathogenicity of ZIKV lineages and highlights the need for further research to pinpoint the viral factors responsible for these distinct clinical outcomes.
Thermal Stabilisation of Lysozyme through Ensilication
Authors: Abdulkareem Reveng A. , Doekhie Aswin , Fotaki Nikoletta , Koumanov Francoise , Dodson Charlotte A. , Sartbaeva Asel
Published: September 2024

Protein therapeutics, vaccines, and other commercial products are often sensitive to environmental factors, such as temperature and long-term storage. In many cases, long-term protein stability is achieved by refrigeration or freezing. One alternative is the encapsulation of the protein cargo within an inert silica matrix (ensilication) and storage or transport at room temperature as a dry powder. In this paper, we test the effect of three commonly used biological buffers on the ensilication, storage, and desilication of the enzyme lysozyme. We show that ensilication protects lysozyme from heat (100 °C for 1 h) and during storage (18 months at room temperature). The choice of ensilication buffer has little effect on the activity of lysozyme after desilication. Our results provide confidence in the continued pursuit of ensilication as a methodology for protein stabilisation and in its compatibility with biological buffers.
Is Passynski’s Approach to Hydration Numbers Consistent with Thermodynamics?
Authors: Marczak Wojciech
Published: September 2024

Hydrophilic and hydrophobic phenomena occur in aqueous solutions. Despite the complex nature of the molecular interactions, the propensity of molecules and ions to hydration is sometimes characterized by a single “hydration number”. Passynski’s method for determining the hydration numbers in dilute aqueous solutions belongs to the group of methods based on the analysis of the isentropic compressibility of a mixture. Isentropic compressibility is a thermodynamic material constant; thus, the paper deals with Passynski’s approach discussed in terms of thermodynamics. First, Passynski’s assumptions were applied to the volume of the mixture. Subsequent strict thermodynamic derivation led to a formula for the hydration number which resembled that of Onori rather than the original one. Passynski’s number turned out to be inconsistent with the thermodynamics and mechanics of fluids. This is a rather purely empirical measure of the slope of the dependence of isentropic compressibility on the solute mole fraction in a dilute aqueous solution. Being the quotient of the slope and the isentropic compressibility of pure water, Pasynski’s numbers are more convenient to analyze and discuss than the slopes themselves. Conclusions about molecular interactions based on these numbers must be treated with considerable caution.
Enhancement of Forskolin Production Using Aeroponic Cultivation of Coleus forskohlii and the Impact on the Plant Phytochemistry
Authors: Le Cabec Audrey , Campos Pierre-Eric , Yzebe Olivier , Pelé Ronan , Colas Cyril , Destandau Emilie
Published: September 2024

Accessing plant resources to extract compounds of interest can sometimes be challenging. To facilitate access and limit the environmental impact, innovative cultivation strategies can be developed. Forskolin is a molecule of high interest, mainly found in the roots of Coleus forskohlii. The aim of this study was to develop aeroponic cultivation methods to provide a local source of Coleus forskohlii and to study the impact of abiotic stress on forskolin and bioactive metabolite production. Three cultivation itineraries (LED lighting, biostimulant, and hydric stress) along with a control itinerary were established. The forskolin content in the plant roots was quantified using HPLC-ELSD, and the results showed that LED treatment proved to be the most promising, increasing root biomass and the total forskolin content recovered at the end of the cultivation period threefold (710.1 ± 21.3 mg vs. 229.9 ± 17.7 mg). Statistical analysis comparing the LED itinerary to the control itinerary identified stress-affected metabolites, showing that LEDs positively influence mainly the concentration of phenolic compounds in the roots and diterpenes in the aerial parts of Coleus forskohlii. Moreover, to better define the phytochemical composition of Coleus forskohlii cultivated in France using aeroponic cultivation, an untargeted metabolomic analysis was conducted using UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis and molecular networks on both the root and aerial parts. This study demonstrates that aeroponic cultivation, especially with the application of an LED treatment, could be a very promising alternative for a local source of Coleus forskohlii leading to easy access to the roots and aerial parts rich in forskolin and other bioactive compounds.
Optimization of Different Extraction Methods for Phenolic Compound Verbascoside from Chinese Olea europaea Leaves Using Deep Eutectic Solvents: Impact on Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities
Authors: Deng Yan , Zhou Junlin , Wang Bixia , Xu Xiao , Huang Tingyu , Xu Zhou , Zhao Chunyan
Published: September 2024

Chinese Olea europaea leaves, rich in verbascosides, were extracted using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and wall-breaking extraction (WBE) with deep eutectic solvents (Optimal UAE: 55 min, 200 mL/g liquid–solid ratio, 20% moisture, yielding 206.23 ± 0.58 mg GAE/g total phenolic content (TPC) and 1.59 ± 0.04% verbascoside yield (VAY); Optimal WBE: 140 s, 210 mL/g, 30% moisture, giving 210.69 ± 0.97 mg GAE/g TPC and 1.33 ± 0.2% VAY). HPLC analysis showed that young leaves accumulated higher TPC and phenolic compounds. Among the five olive varieties, Koroneiki and Chemlal showed the highest TPC in UAE, while Arbosana and Chemlal excelled in WBE. WBE yielded a higher TPC and rutin, whereas UAE marginally increased other phenolics. Additionally, the DPPH• assay showed that WBE-extracted verbascoside-rich extracts (VREs) of Chemlal exhibited high antioxidant activity (EC50 of 57 mg/mL), but Koroneiki-VREs exhibited lower activity against the ABTS•+ radical (EC50 of 134 mg/mL). Remarkably, the UAE/WBE-extracted Chemlal-VREs promoted the normal esophageal Het-1A cell line at 25 μg/mL for 24 h; yet, the esophageal cancer Eca-109 cells were sensibly inhibited, especially at 50 μg/mL; and the cell viability decreased dramatically. The results confirmed WBE as a relatively efficient method, and the Chemlal variety may be an excellent source of verbascoside.
Structure-Aided Computational Design of Triazole-Based Targeted Covalent Inhibitors of Cruzipain
Authors: Cerutti Juan Pablo , Diniz Lucas Abreu , Santos Viviane Corrêa , Vilchez Larrea Salomé Catalina , Alonso Guillermo Daniel , Ferreira Rafaela Salgado , Dehaen Wim , Quevedo Mario Alfredo
Published: September 2024

Cruzipain (CZP), the major cysteine protease present in T. cruzi, the ethiological agent of Chagas disease, has attracted particular attention as a therapeutic target for the development of targeted covalent inhibitors (TCI). The vast chemical space associated with the enormous molecular diversity feasible to explore by means of modern synthetic approaches allows the design of CZP inhibitors capable of exhibiting not only an efficient enzyme inhibition but also an adequate translation to anti-T. cruzi activity. In this work, a computer-aided design strategy was developed to combinatorially construct and screen large libraries of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole analogues, further identifying a selected set of candidates for advancement towards synthetic and biological activity evaluation stages. In this way, a virtual molecular library comprising more than 75 thousand diverse and synthetically feasible analogues was studied by means of molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations in the search of potential TCI of CZP, guiding the synthetic efforts towards a subset of 48 candidates. These were synthesized by applying a Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) centered synthetic scheme, resulting in moderate to good yields and leading to the identification of 12 hits selectively inhibiting CZP activity with IC50 in the low micromolar range. Furthermore, four triazole derivatives showed good anti-T. cruzi inhibition when studied at 50 μM; and Ald-6 excelled for its high antitrypanocidal activity and low cytotoxicity, exhibiting complete in vitro biological activity translation from CZP to T. cruzi. Overall, not only Ald-6 merits further advancement to preclinical in vivo studies, but these findings also shed light on a valuable chemical space where molecular diversity might be explored in the search for efficient triazole-based antichagasic agents.
Effect of Nano-Zinc Oxide, Rice Straw Compost, and Gypsum on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Yield and Soil Quality in Saline–Sodic Soil
Authors: El-Sharkawy Mahmoud , Alotaibi Modhi O. , Li Jian , Mahmoud Esawy , Ghoneim Adel M. , Ramadan Mohamed S. , Shabana Mahmoud
Published: September 2024

The salinity and alkalinity of soils are two fundamental factors that limit plant growth and productivity. For that reason, a field study conducted at Sakha Agric. Res. Station in Egypt during the 2022–2023 winter season aimed to assess the impact of gypsum (G), compost (C), and zinc foliar application in two images, traditional (Z1 as ZnSO4) and nanoform (Z2 as N-ZnO), on alleviating the saline–sodic conditions of the soil and its impact on wheat productivity. The results showed that the combination of gypsum, compost, and N-ZnO foliar spray (G + C + Z2) decreased the soil electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) by 14.81%, 40.60%, and 35.10%, respectively. Additionally, compared to the control, the G + C + Z2 treatment showed improved nutrient content and uptake as well as superior wheat biomass parameters, such as the highest grain yield (7.07 Mg ha−1), plant height (98.0 cm), 1000-grain weight (57.03 g), and straw yield (9.93 Mg ha−1). Interestingly, foliar application of N-ZnO was more effective than ZnSO4 in promoting wheat productivity. Principal component analysis highlighted a negative correlation between increased grain yield and the soil EC and SAR, whereas the soil organic matter (OM), infiltration rate (IR), and plant nutrient content were found to be positively correlated. Furthermore, employing the k-nearest neighbors technique, it was predicted that the wheat grain yield would rise to 7.25 t ha−1 under certain soil parameters, such as EC (5.54 dS m−1), ESP (10.02%), OM (1.41%), bulk density (1.30 g cm−3), infiltration rate (1.15 cm h−1), and SAR (7.80%). These results demonstrate how adding compost and gypsum to foliar N-ZnO can improve the soil quality, increase the wheat yield, and improve the nutrient uptake, all of which can support sustainable agriculture.
The Return on Investment for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity in Beijing: A Modeling Study
Authors: Li Zhenhui , Meyer Christina L. , Xu Haiquan , Jackson-Morris Angie , Zhang Man , Wu Daphne , He Hairong , Chang Suying , Ma Guansheng
Published: September 2024

Background: The increasing prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity (CAOAO) in Beijing poses significant health and economic challenges. This study assesses the potential health and economic outcomes of implementing specific interventions to address CAOAO in Beijing. Methods: A deterministic Markov cohort model was used to estimate the impact of five interventions from 2025 to 2115: restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children, mandatory front of package labeling (FOPL), family-based nutrition and exercise education, school-based nutritional health education, and nutritional counseling in primary healthcare. The model evaluated societal costs, healthcare savings, wages, and economic productivity in adulthood, calculating the return on investment (ROI) for each intervention and their combined effect. Result: Without intervention, Beijing is projected to experience a loss of 13.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to CAOAO. The health and economic impact of childhood obesity in Beijing is projected to be CNY 14.6 trillion (USD 2.1 trillion), or a lifetime loss of CNY 6.8 million (USD 0.96 million) per affected child, exceeding the sum of Beijing’s GDP from 2021 to 2023. Restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children and nutrition counseling in primary healthcare are projected to yield the highest returns, with benefits accruing within one year of implementation. Owing to the substantial upfront costs, including personnel, materials, and training, school-based and family-based interventions require a longer time horizon to realize significant health and economic benefits. Conclusions: Effective management of CAOAO in Beijing demands a multifaceted approach. The combination of restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children, mandatory front of package labeling, nutrition counseling in primary healthcare, school-based intervention, and family-based intervention presents the most substantial health and economic returns. This comprehensive strategy aligns with global best practices and addresses the unique challenges faced by Beijing in combating childhood obesity.
Correction: Belal et al. Therapeutic Potential of Zeolites/Vitamin B12 Nanocomposite on Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis as a Bone Disorder: In Vivo Study and Bio-Molecular Investigations. Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16, 285
Authors: Belal Amany , Mahmoud Rehab , Taha Mohamed , Halfaya Fatma Mohamed , Hassaballa Ahmed , Elbanna Esraa Salah , Khaled Esraa , Farghali Ahmed , Abo El-Ela Fatma I. , Mahgoub Samar M. , Ghoneim Mohammed M. , Zaky Mohamed Y.
Published: September 2024

In the original publication [...]
Joint Constellation and Reflectance Optimization for Tunable Intelligent Reflecting Surface-Aided VLC Systems
Authors: Jia Linqiong , Wang Qikai , Zhang Yijin
Published: September 2024

The intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) is an emerging technology that can conquer visible light communication’s (VLC) dependency on the line-of-sight (LoS) channel by offering additional non-light-of-sight (NLoS) communication links. In this paper, a newly proposed electro-tunable intelligent reflecting metasurface is deployed in dimmable single-input single-output (SISO) VLC systems. We aim to improve the bit error rate (BER) performance by jointly optimizing the transmit constellation and the reflectance of the IRS units. To this end, the optimization problem can be solved in two steps. The minimum distance of the received constellation is firstly maximized by a convex problem, which guarantees the minimum BER. Then, the transmit constellation and the synchronously-tunable reflectance of the IRS units that correspond to the optimal received constellation are determined with an iterative alternate optimization algorithm. Finally, the simulation results show the BER performance improvement and the dimming relaxation benefit of the tunable IRS-aided SISO VLC systems.
Measured and Predicted Speckle Correlation from Diffractive Metasurface Diffusers
Authors: Fugger Sif , Gow Jonathan , Ma Hongfeng , Johansen Villads Egede , Quaade Ulrich J.
Published: September 2024

Speckles are inherent in structured laser-based light projection using diffractive optics such as metasurfaces or diffractive optical elements (DOEs). One application of structured light is to provide illumination for machine vision and depth sensing. This is particularly attractive for mobile or low-power applications, where metasurfaces provide a compact, customizable solution, which can furthermore reach extreme field of illuminations. However, the speckles might limit detection capabilities by, e.g., lowering the detection range or providing false results. In this work, we present a series of measurements with matching simulations on a 70 × 50 degrees diffractive diffuser using different light sources (varying divergence angles + VCSEL array) to quantify the impact of speckles. We observe a qualitative agreement in speckle correlation between the measurements and the simulations and explain, in part using cross-correlation for analysis, why we do not observe the same speckle pattern between the measurements and the simulations. By performing extra simulations, we conclude that by only changing the light source, there is a limit to the reduction of the speckle contrast which, we can achieve, and, to reduce it further, alternative approaches such as changing the design method of the diffractive diffuser must be harnessed.
Perception of the Vegetation Elements of Urban Green Spaces with a Focus on Flower Beds
Authors: Poje Miroslav , Vukelić Anton , Židovec Vesna , Prebeg Tatjana , Kušen Mihael
Published: September 2024

Urban vegetation plays a crucial role in meeting the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and climate change. The presence of plants and green spaces in urban areas provides a variety of environmental, social, and economic benefits. Understanding how users perceive ornamental plants in public green spaces and what their preferences are for certain vegetation elements is extremely important for planning and designing functional and aesthetically interesting urban landscapes. Although landscape experts sometimes use their creativity to create new trends, it is important not to ignore the attitudes and preferences of the public, who sometimes have a different opinion from that of the experts. The aim of the study was to determine the perceptions and preferences of the public and landscape experts for different vegetation elements and the differences in attitudes between these two groups. The study was conducted in Croatia in April 2012 using an online survey (n = 348). The results showed that trees were the most preferred vegetation element and that the public preferred flower beds and lawns to a greater extent than the professionals. All respondents perceived vegetation elements as volumes (trees, shrubs, and hedges) and plains (flower beds and lawns). In addition, respondents perceived two basic types of flower beds according to the features that characterize them: conventional and sustainable. The results show that users perceive the functional and spatial characteristics of the different vegetation elements, which is very important for the design of functional and sustainable urban green spaces.
Genome-Wide Identification of the Soybean AlkB Homologue Gene Family and Functional Characterization of GmALKBH10Bs as RNA m6A Demethylases and Expression Patterns under Abiotic Stress
Authors: Zhao Jie , Yang Tengfeng , Liu Peng , Liu Huijie , Zhang Hui , Guo Sichao , Liu Xiaoye , Chen Xiaoguang , Chen Mingjia
Published: September 2024

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) is one of the most important crops worldwide, but its yield is vulnerable to abiotic stresses. In Arabidopsis, the AlkB homologue (ALKBH) family genes plays a crucial role in plant development and stress response. However, the identification and functions of its homologous genes in soybean remain obscured. Here, we identified a total of 22 ALKBH genes in soybean and classified them into seven subfamilies according to phylogenetic analysis. Gene duplication events among the family members and gene structure, conserved domains, and motifs of all candidate genes were analyzed. By comparing the changes in the m6A levels on mRNA from hair roots between soybean seedlings harboring the empty vector and those harboring the GmALKBH10B protein, we demonstrated that all four GmALKBH10B proteins are bona fide m6A RNA demethylases in vivo. Subcellular localization and expression patterns of the GmALKBH10B revealed that they might be functionally redundant. Furthermore, an analysis of cis-elements coupled with gene expression data demonstrated that GmALKBH10B subfamily genes, including GmALKBH10B1, GmALKBH10B2, GmALKBH10B3, and GmALKBH10B4, are likely involved in the cis-elements’ response to various environmental stimuli. In summary, our study is the first to report the genome-wide identification of GmALKBH family genes in soybean and to determine the function of GmALKBH10B proteins as m6A RNA demethylases, providing insights into GmALKBH10B genes in response to abiotic stresses.
Laboratory Evaluation of Geosynthetic Interface Friction under Low Stress
Authors: Carrubba Paolo
Published: September 2024

In landfill cover, geosynthetic packages are often used to fulfil different and simultaneous functions: drainage, waterproofing, separation, reinforcement, and soil protection. In this regard, various types of geosynthetics are combined in succession to allow for water and biogas drainage and to waterproof, reinforce, and provide protection from erosion over the useful lifetime, ranging over many decades if we consider the long phases of disposal, closure, and quiescence of the landfill itself. The creation of the composite cover barrier requires the evaluation of various interfaces’ frictional strength under low contact stresses, both in static and seismic cases. The main purpose of this study is to summarize the results of past laboratory tests carried out on different geosynthetic–geosynthetic and geosynthetic–soil–geosynthetic interfaces using experimental instrumentation developed at the geotechnical laboratory of the University of Padua, which allows for the characterization of the interface geosynthetic friction at low contact stresses. The main aspects highlighted are the kinematic mode of failure, the wearing of the contact surfaces, the presence or absence of interstitial fluid, and, finally, the density level of the granular soil in contact with the geosynthetics.
Ultrasound-Assisted Process to Increase the Hydrophobicity of Cellulose from Oat Hulls by Surface Modification with Vegetable Oils
Authors: Gil-Giraldo Gina A. , Mantovan Janaina , Marim Beatriz M. , Kishima João O. F. , Beluci Natália C. L. , Mali Suzana
Published: September 2024

Cellulose obtained from oat hulls by bleaching with peracetic acid was modified, employing an ultrasound method that resulted in an esterification reaction with different vegetable oils (soybean, sunflower, and coconut) to produce modified cellulose (MC) with increased hydrophobicity. MC samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and their wettability and oil and water absorption capacities. FTIR indicated that the reaction occurred with all oils, which was observed by forming a new band associated with ester carbonyl groups at 1747 cm−1. The modification did not affect the crystalline structure or surface morphology of the cellulose. MC samples modified with all oil sources showed a 6 to 9-fold decrease in water absorption capacity, a 3-fold increase in oil absorption capacity, and a higher affinity for nonpolar solvents. The modified samples adsorbed lower amounts of water at a slower rate. Different oil sources did not affect the main properties of MC. The ultrasonication-assisted process was not only effective in modifying cellulose by esterification with vegetable oils but was also an eco-friendly and simple strategy that does not require toxic reagents, providing reassurance of its sustainability.
A Refined Identification Method for the Hidden Dangers of External Damage in Transmission Lines Based on the Generation of a Vanishing Point-Driven Effective Region
Authors: Ma Fuqi , Liu Heng , Wang Jiaxun , Jia Rong , Wang Bo , Ma Hengrui
Published: September 2024

As the carrier of electric energy transmission, transmission lines undertake the important task of electric energy distribution and transfer. However, with the increasing frequency of construction using large machinery such as tower cranes and excavators under the transmission channels, transmission line accidents occur frequently. Therefore, this paper proposes a refined identification method for the hidden dangers of external damage in transmission lines based on the generation of effective regions driven by vanishing points. The comprehensive and accurate perception of external damage targets through the perception model of scene elements based on slicing-aided hyperinference was realized. Secondly, the accuracy and robustness of the calculation of the transmission line’s vanishing point were improved based on Canny edge detection and Hough linear detection. The effective region on the visual images was generated by combining the vanishing point and the bottom of transmission tower coordinates. Finally, the relative position relationship between areas with hidden dangers of external damage and the effective warning regions were compared, and the refined identification of hidden dangers was realized. The experimental data show that the proposed method realized a perception accuracy of 82.9% in identifying hidden dangers of external damage caused by ground- and aerial-moving targets, which shows better detection performance and practical value compared with the existing method.
Impact of the Luting Technique on the Positioning of CAD-CAM Porcelain Laminate Veneers: An In Vitro Study
Authors: D’Addazio Gianmaria , Amoroso Federico , Tafuri Giuseppe , Baima Giacomo , Santilli Manlio , Mussano Federico , Sinjari Bruna
Published: September 2024

The precision of the luting protocol plays a crucial role in the success and survival rate of porcelain laminate veneers (PLVs). This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the influence of different luting techniques on the positioning of PLVs through a novel, noninvasive, scanning-based technique. A total of 45 ceramic PLVs were milled and cemented on human tooth replicas. Specimens were divided into three groups of 15, each subjected to a different luting protocol: flowable composite (Group A), dual-cure resin cement (Group B), and preheated composite resin (Group C). After luting procedures, specimens were scanned, and every STL file was superimposed with the original tooth design in Geomagic Control X version 2022.1 software to assess linear (incisal, mid, cervical) and angular discrepancies. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD tests, and regression analysis. ANOVA results showed no statistically significant differences for incisal (F = 0.327, p = 0.723), mid (F = 0.287, p = 0.752), cervical (F = 0.191, p = 0.827), and angular (F = 0.026, p = 0.975) measurements. Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests confirmed the lack of significant pairwise differences between groups. The study demonstrated that the type of luting agent used does not significantly impact the final position of PLVs. This suggests flexibility in the choice of luting agents without compromising the accuracy of PLV placement.
Israeli Jewish Attitudes toward Core Religious Beliefs in God, the Election of Israel, Eschatology, and the Temple Mount—Statistical Analysis
Authors: Inbari Motti , Bumin Kirill M.
Published: September 2024

In this article, we aim to gauge the perspectives of Israeli Jews on core Jewish beliefs in God, the ideas of the Election of Israel, the afterlife, the advent of the messiah, and the significance of the Temple Mount at the End of Days. We conducted a survey among a representative sample of 1204 Israeli–Jewish respondents. The survey was administered in Hebrew and fielded between 27 March and 18 April 2023. This study shows that among the Israeli public, there is a so-called secular–religious dichotomy, at least to some extent. We were able to confirm that about 50% of the sample prays often, believes that Judaism is the only true religion, and identifies as traditional or Orthodox. We also analyze a typology of secular Israelis, including traditionalist seculars, spiritual seculars, and atheist or agnostic seculars. This study further shows that there are important generational differences in Israeli society when it comes to questions of faith. The youngest Israelis comprise the most religious age cohort, while the older generations are the least religious. In the survey, we asked multiple questions on the opinions toward visiting, praying, and constructing a synagogue or a Temple on the Temple Mount.
AIDCON: An Aerial Image Dataset and Benchmark for Construction Machinery
Authors: Ersoz Ahmet Bahaddin , Pekcan Onur , Akbas Emre
Published: September 2024

Applying deep learning algorithms in the construction industry holds tremendous potential for enhancing site management, safety, and efficiency. The development of such algorithms necessitates a comprehensive and diverse image dataset. This study introduces the Aerial Image Dataset for Construction (AIDCON), a novel aerial image collection containing 9563 construction machines across nine categories annotated at the pixel level, carrying critical value for researchers and professionals seeking to develop and refine object detection and segmentation algorithms across various construction projects. The study highlights the benefits of utilizing UAV-captured images by evaluating the performance of five cutting-edge deep learning algorithms—Mask R-CNN, Cascade Mask R-CNN, Mask Scoring R-CNN, Hybrid Task Cascade, and Pointrend—on the AIDCON dataset. It underscores the significance of clustering strategies for generating reliable and robust outcomes. The AIDCON dataset’s unique aerial perspective aids in reducing occlusions and provides comprehensive site overviews, facilitating better object positioning and segmentation. The findings presented in this paper have far-reaching implications for the construction industry, as they enhance construction site efficiency while setting the stage for future advancements in construction site monitoring and management utilizing remote sensing technologies.
Sugarcane Mosaic Virus Detection in Maize Using UAS Multispectral Imagery
Authors: Bevers Noah , Ohlson Erik W. , KC Kushal , Jones Mark W. , Khanal Sami
Published: September 2024

One of the most important and widespread corn/maize virus diseases is maize dwarf mosaic (MDM), which can be induced by sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). This study explores a machine learning analysis of five-band multispectral imagery collected via an unmanned aerial system (UAS) during the 2021 and 2022 seasons for SCMV disease detection in corn fields. The three primary objectives are to (i) determine the spectral bands and vegetation indices that are most important or correlated with SCMV infection in corn, (ii) compare spectral signatures of mock-inoculated and SCMV-inoculated plants, and (iii) compare the performance of four machine learning algorithms, including ridge regression, support vector machine (SVM), random forest, and XGBoost, in predicting SCMV during early and late stages in corn. On average, SCMV-inoculated plants had higher reflectance values for blue, green, red, and red-edge bands and lower reflectance for near-infrared as compared to mock-inoculated samples. Across both years, the XGBoost regression model performed best for predicting disease incidence percentage (R2 = 0.29, RMSE = 29.26), and SVM classification performed best for the binary prediction of SCMV-inoculated vs. mock-inoculated samples (72.9% accuracy). Generally, model performances appeared to increase as the season progressed into August and September. According to Shapley additive explanations (SHAP analysis) of the top performing models, the simplified canopy chlorophyll content index (SCCCI) and saturation index (SI) were the vegetation indices that consistently had the strongest impacts on model behavior for SCMV disease regression and classification prediction. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential for the development of UAS image-based tools for farmers, aiming to facilitate the precise identification and mapping of SCMV infection in corn.
Stripe Noise Elimination with a Novel Trend Repair Method for Push-Broom Thermal Images
Authors: Zhang Zelin , Li Hua , Du Yongming , Chen Yao , Zhao Guoxiang , Bian Zunjian , Cao Biao , Xiao Qing , Liu Qinhuo
Published: September 2024

Stripe noise is a general phenomenon in original remote sensing images that both degrades image quality and severely limits its quantitative application. While the classical statistical method is effective in correcting common stripes caused by inaccurately calibrating relative gains and offsets between detectors, it falls short in correcting other nonlinear stripe noises originating from subtle nonlinear changes or random contamination within the same detector. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel trend repair method based on two normal columns directly adjacent to a defective column to rectify the trend by considering the geospatial structure of contaminated pixels, eliminating residual stripe noise evident in level 0 (L0) remote sensing images after histogram matching. GF5-02 VIMI (Gaofen5-02, visual and infrared multispectral imager) images and simulated Landsat 8 thermal infrared sensor (TIRS) images deliberately infused with stripe noise are selected to test the new method and two other existing methods, the piece-wise method and the iterated weighted least squares (WLS) method. The effectiveness of these three methods is reflected by streaking metrics (Streaking), structural similarity (SSIM), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and improvement factor (IF) on the uniformity, structure, and information content of the corrected GF5-02 VIMI images and by the accuracy of the corrected simulated Landsat 8 TIRS images. The experimental results indicate that the trend repair method proposed in this paper removes nonlinear stripe noise effectively, making the results of IF > 20. The remaining indicators also show satisfactory results; in particular, the mean accuracy derived from the simulated image remains below a digital number (DN) of 15, which is far superior to the other two methods.