bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced Digital Solutions for Food Traceability: Enhancing Origin, Quality, and Safety Through NIRS, RFID, Blockchain, and IoT
Authors: Lukacs Matyas , Toth Fruzsina , Horvath Roland , Solymos Gyula , Alpár Boglárka , Varga Peter , Kertesz Istvan , Gillay Zoltan , Baranyai Laszlo , Felfoldi Jozsef , Nguyen Quang D. , Kovacs Zoltan , Friedrich Laszlo
Published: February 2025

The rapid growth of the human population, the increase in consumer needs regarding food authenticity, and the sub-par synchronization between agricultural and food industry production necessitate the development of reliable track and tracing solutions for food commodities. The present research proposes a simple and affordable digital system that could be implemented in most production processes to improve transparency and productivity. The system combines non-destructive, rapid quality assessment methods, such as near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and computer/machine vision (CV/MV), with track and tracing functionalities revolving around the Internet of Things (IoT) and radio frequency identification (RFID). Meanwhile, authenticity is provided by a self-developed blockchain-based solution that validates all data and documentation “from farm to fork”. The system is introduced by taking certified Hungarian sweet potato production as a model scenario. Each element of the proposed system is discussed in detail individually and as a part of an integrated system, capable of automatizing most production flows while maintaining complete transparency and compliance with authority requirements. The results include the data and trust model of the system with sequence diagrams simulating the interactions between participants. The study lays the groundwork for future research and industrial applications combining digital tools to improve the productivity and authenticity of the agri-food industry, potentially increasing the level of trust between participants, most importantly for the consumers.
Effect of Patient Age on Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Fibrin Treatments for Skin Density and Thickness: A Single-Center Ultrasound Study
Authors: Majewska Lidia , Kijowski Jacek , Dorosz Karolina
Published: February 2025

Objective: This study aimed to establish a reproducible protocol for obtaining four plasma fractions (autologous platelet-rich plasma (C-PRP, PRP LCC) and platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF, F-PRF)) from a single blood draw and to evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing skin density and thickness in facial aesthetic treatments across different age groups. Methodology: Twenty participants aged 30–60 years received three treatments at 4–6 week intervals, with C-PRP, PRP LCC, I-PRF, and F-PRF injections in targeted facial areas. Ultrasound measurements provided an objective method to assess the outcomes, and statistical analysis evaluated the changes in skin density and thickness. A comprehensive literature review contextualized our findings within the broader scientific discourse on PRP and PRF applications in aesthetic medicine. Results: The protocol successfully yielded four distinct plasma fractions from a single blood draw. Ultrasound and statistical analyses demonstrated significant improvements in skin density and thickness, particularly in the lower eyelid area. These improvements were consistent across all the age groups, suggesting that the therapy’s effectiveness is independent of age. The findings also align with previous research, underscoring PRP’s and PRF’s roles in stimulating fibroblast activity, promoting collagen synthesis, and enhancing skin quality.
Pareto Analysis of Electro-Mechanical Variables in Predictive Control of Drives
Authors: Satué Manuel G. , Arahal Manuel R. , Ortega Manuel G.
Published: February 2025

Variable speed drives are often controlled by a double-loop scheme in which a proportional integral controller takes on the speed loop. The tuning of this loop is a complex job. In most cases just mechanical variables are considered for tuning. This paper presents a new Pareto analysis incorporating mechanical and electrical variables. A state of the art finite state model predictive controller is used for stator current control. The analysis is performed using experimental data from a five-phase induction motor and considers considering commonly found performance indicators derived from experimental data. The results show undocumented connections between those performance indicators. The analysis not only helps in PI tuning but, more importantly, prompts for a revision of the methods usually utilized to report performance enhancements of new methods.
Economy Optimization by Multi-Strategy Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm Based on User Driving Cycle Construction for Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Ma Jie , Pan Mingzhang , Guan Wei , Zhang Zhiqing , Zhou Jingcheng , Ye Nianye , Qin Haifeng , Li Lulu , Man Xingjia
Published: February 2025

Nowadays, there is an increasing focus on enhancing the economy of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). This study builds a framework model for the parameter optimization of hybrid powertrains in user driving cycles. Unlike the optimization under standard driving cycles, the applied user driving cycle incarnates realistic driving situations, and the optimization results are more realistic. Firstly, the user driving cycle with high accuracy is constructed based on actual driving data, which provides a basis for the performance analysis of HEV. Secondly, the HEV model with good power and economy is constructed under user driving cycles. Finally, a multi-strategy improved whale optimization algorithm (MIWOA) is proposed, which can guarantee better economy of HEV compared with the original whale optimization algorithm (WOA). The economy optimization of HEV is completed by MIWOA under user driving cycles, and the hybrid vehicle economy parameters that are more in line with the user’s actual driving conditions are obtained. After optimization, the 100 km equivalent fuel consumption (EFC) of HEV is reduced by 5.20%, which effectively improves the vehicle’s economy. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the MIWOA method in improving economy and contributes a fresh thought and method for the economic optimization of the hybrid powertrain.
The Tragic Downfall and Peculiar Revival of Quaternions
Authors: Brezov Danail
Published: February 2025

On October 16th 1843, the prominent Irish mathematician Sir William Rowan Hamilton, in an inspired act of vandalism, carved his famous i2=j2=k2=ijk=−1 on the Brougham Bridge in Dublin, thus starting a major clash of ideas with the potential to change the course of history. Quaternions, as he called his invention, were quite useful in describing Newtonian mechanics, and as it turned out later—also quantum and relativistic phenomena, which were yet to be discovered in the next century. However, the scientific community did not embrace this new approach with enthusiasm: there was a battle to be fought and Hamilton failed to make a compelling case probably because he was standing alone at the time. Although Quaternions were soon to find useful applications in geometry and physics (with the works of Clifford, Cayley, Maxwell, Einstein, Pauli, and Dirac), the battle seemed lost a few decades after Hamilton’s death. But, a century later computer algorithms turned the tides, and nowadays we are witnessing a revived interest in the subject, prompted by technology.
EHAFF-NET: Enhanced Hybrid Attention and Feature Fusion for Pedestrian ReID
Authors: Yang Jun , Wang Yan , Xie Haizhen , Chen Jiayue , Sun Shulong , Zhang Xiaolan
Published: February 2025

This study addresses the cross-scenario challenges in pedestrian re-identification for public safety, including perspective differences, lighting variations, occlusions, and vague feature expressions. We propose a pedestrian re-identification method called EHAFF-NET, which integrates an enhanced hybrid attention mechanism and multi-branch feature fusion. We introduce the Enhanced Hybrid Attention Module (EHAM), which combines channel and spatial attention mechanisms. The channel attention mechanism uses self-attention to capture long-range dependencies and extracts multi-scale local features with convolutional kernels and channel shuffling. The spatial attention mechanisms aggregate features using global average and max pooling to enhance spatial representation. To tackle issues like perspective differences, lighting changes, and occlusions, we incorporate the Multi-Branch Feature Integration module. The global branch captures overall information with global average pooling, while the local branch integrates features from different layers via the Diverse-Depth Feature Integration Module (DDFIM) to extract multi-scale semantic information. It also extracts features based on human proportions, balancing high-level semantics and low-level details. Experiments demonstrate that our model achieves a mAP of 92.5% and R1 of 94.7% on the Market-1501 dataset, a mAP of 85.4% and R1 of 88.6% on the DukeMTMC-reID dataset, and a mAP of 49.1% and R1 of 73.8% on the MSMT17 dataset, demonstrating significant accuracy advantages over several advanced models.
The Influence of Conical Pick Cutter Wear Conditions on Physical Characteristics and Particle Size Distribution of Coal: Health and Safety Considerations with a Focus on Silica
Authors: Sesay Manso , Rostami Jamal , Slouka Syd , Miller Hugh , Kaunda Rennie , Mohanty Anshuman
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the correlations between the wear conditions of conical pick cutters and key variables such as the physical properties (shape, aspect ratio, roughness), explosive potential, health and safety implications, and particle size distribution of coal dust and larger fragments using the linear cutting machine (LCM). This research was conducted within the framework of recent regulatory developments, notably implementing the new silica rule in the mining and construction sectors and climate change consideration. This study reveals critical insights into optimizing operational processes while adhering to stringent health and safety regulations. The findings indicate that as cutting tools wear, there is a significant increase in generated fine particles, including respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which elevates the risk of respiratory diseases and, in the case of coal dust, a higher potential for explosions. The results show that the silica content in respirable dust is a function of rock mineralogy; however, the results showed that the absolute amount of silica-containing dust increased with bit wear in rocks containing pertinent minerals. For the larger fragments, the new bit produced a 1699 fragment count, while the completely worn-out bit produced a 5608 count. The results of the dust concentration show that the new bit produces 89.2 mg/m3 (17.84%); the moderate bit produces 165.1 mg/m3 (33.03%), and the worn-out bit produces 245.6 mg/m3 (49.13%). Moreover, this study highlights the impact of bit wear on the production of larger fragments, which decreases with tool degradation, further contributing to dust generation. These results suggest the necessity for proactive equipment maintenance, enhanced dust control measures, and continuous monitoring of cutting tool wear to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and to protect workers’ health and safety.
Mapping Sulphide Mineralization in the Hawiah Area Using Transient Electromagnetic Methods
Authors: Kirmizakis Panagiotis , Khogali Abid , Chavanidis Konstantinos , Eatwell Timothy , Bryan Tomos , Soupios Pantelis
Published: February 2025

The Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS) hosts numerous volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits formed in submarine volcanic settings and enriched by hydrothermal processes, making it a critical region for mineral exploration due to the types of deposits it hosts and its geological complexity. The Wadi Bidah Mineral Belt (WBMB), located within the Arabian Shield, contains over 30 polymetallic VMS occurrences associated with an island arc system active between 950 and 800 million years ago. Despite its mineral potential, the WBMB still needs to be explored, with limited geophysical studies to support resource evaluation. This study focuses on the Hawiah area, a prominent VMS site within the WBMB, to delineate subsurface mineralization using transient electromagnetic (TEM) methods. TEM surveys were conducted to characterize the conductivity structure and identify potential zones of sulphide mineralization. Data were processed and inverted to generate 1D, 2D, and 3D resistivity models, providing critical insights into the depth, geometry, and continuity of the mineralized zones based on the final 3D resistivity distribution. The results revealed distinct conductive (very low resistivity) anomalies, correlating with known surface gossans and inferred sulphide-rich layers, and extended these features into the subsurface. The integration of TEM results with geological and geochemical data highlights the effectiveness of this approach in detecting and mapping concealed mineral deposits in complex geological environments. This study advances the understanding of VMS systems in the WBMB and demonstrates the potential of TEM surveys as a key tool for mineral exploration in the Arabian Shield.
New Cyclam-Based Fe(III) Complexes Coatings Targeting Cobetia marina Biofilms
Authors: Carvalho Fábio M. , Gomes Luciana C. , Teixeira-Santos Rita , Carapeto Ana P. , Mergulhão Filipe J. , Almada Stephanie , Silva Elisabete R. , Alves Luis G.
Published: February 2025

Recent research efforts to mitigate the burden of biofouling in marine environments have focused on the development of environmentally friendly coatings that can provide long-lasting protective effects. In this study, the antifouling performance of novel polyurethane (PU)-based coatings containing cyclam-based Fe(III) complexes against Cobetia marina biofilm formation was investigated. Biofilm assays were performed over 42 days under controlled hydrodynamic conditions that mimicked marine environments. Colony-forming units (CFU) determination and flow cytometric (FC) analysis showed that PU-coated surfaces incorporating 1 wt.% of complexes with formula [{R2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam}FeCl2]Cl (R = H, HOCH2CH2CH2) significantly reduced both culturable and total cells of C. marina biofilms up to 50% (R = H) and 38% (R = HOCH2CH2CH2) compared to PU-coated surface without complexes (control surface). The biofilm architecture was further analyzed using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which showed that biofilms formed on the PU-coated surfaces containing cyclam-based Fe(III) complexes exhibited a significantly reduced thickness (58–61% reduction), biovolume (50–60% reduction), porosity (95–97% reduction), and contour coefficient (77% reduction) compared to the control surface, demonstrating a more uniform and compact structure. These findings were also supported by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) images, which showed a decrease in biofilm surface coverage on PU-coated surfaces containing cyclam-based Fe(III) complexes. Moreover, FC analysis revealed that exposure to PU-coated surfaces increases bacterial metabolic activity and induces ROS production. These results underscore the potential of these complexes to incorporate PU-coated surfaces as bioactive additives in coatings to effectively deter long-term bacterial colonization in marine environments, thereby addressing biofouling-related challenges.
Promising Natural Remedies for Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy
Authors: Thawabteh Amin Mahmood , Ghanem Aseel Wasel , AbuMadi Sara , Thaher Dania , Jaghama Weam , Karaman Donia , Karaman Rafik
Published: February 2025

This study examines the intricacies of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), its origins, and the potential advantages of various herbal extracts and natural compounds for enhancing memory and cognitive performance. Future studies into AD treatments are encouraged by the review’s demonstration of the effectiveness of phytoconstituents that were extracted from a number of plants. In addition to having many beneficial effects, such as improved cholinergic and cognitive function, herbal medicines are also much less harmful, more readily available, and easier to use than other treatments. They also pass without difficulty through the blood–brain barrier (BBB). This study focused on natural substances and their effects on AD by using academic databases to identify peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024. According to the literature review, 66 phytoconstituents that were isolated from 21 distinct plants have shown efficacy, which could be encouraging for future research on AD therapies. Since most clinical trials produce contradictory results, the study suggests that larger-scale studies with longer treatment durations are necessary to validate or refute the therapeutic efficacy of herbal AD treatments.
The Effect of Ethanol on the Compound Thresholds and Aroma Perception in Chinese Baijiu
Authors: Lu Jialing , Zheng Jia , Zhao Dong , Xu Yan , Chen Shuang
Published: February 2025

Strong-aroma type Baijiu and its diluted samples were characterized through descriptive analysis. Significant changes were observed in four (ethanol, Jiao-aroma, fruity, and grain) of the nine aroma attributes, primarily attributed to variations in ethanol concentration rather than other compounds. The thresholds of 40 compounds in aqueous solutions with alcohol concentrations of 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% were measured using three-alternative forced-choice tests. The thresholds of 30 compounds were significantly positively correlated with ethanol concentration. The thresholds of 40 compounds were affected by ethanol concentration to varying degrees, with changes ranging from 2 to 692 times. Due to the varying degrees of alcohol influence on the compound threshold, the aroma profile of diluted Baijiu sample is different from the original Baijiu sample.
High Performance Phototransistor Based on 0D-CsPbBr3/2D-MoS2 Heterostructure with Gate Tunable Photo-Response
Authors: Yang Chen , Xie Yangyang , Zheng Lei , Liu Hanqiang , Liu Peng , Wang Fang , Wei Junqing , Zhang Kailiang
Published: February 2025

Monolayer MoS2 has been widely researched in high performance phototransistors for its high carrier mobility and strong photoelectric conversion ability. However, some defects in MoS2, such as vacancies or impurities, provide more possibilities for carrier recombination; thus, restricting the formation of photocurrents and resulting in decreased responsiveness. Herein, all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots (QDs) with high photoelectric conversion efficiency and light absorption coefficients are introduced to enhance the responsivity of a 2D MoS2 phototransistor. The CsPbBr3/MoS2 heterostructure has a type II energy band, and it has a high responsivity of ~1790 A/W and enhanced detectivity of ~2.4 × 1011 Jones. Additionally, the heterostructure CsPbBr3/MoS2 enables the synergistic effect mechanism of photoconduction and photogating effects with the gate tunable photo-response, which could also contribute to an improved performance of the MoS2 phototransistor. This work provides new strategies for performance phototransistors and is expected to play an important role in many fields, such as optical communication, environmental monitoring and biomedical imaging, and promote the development and application of related technologies.
Early Life Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in a Sample of Mexico City Preschoolers
Authors: Sámano Reyna , Lopezmalo-Casares Salma , Martínez-Rojano Hugo , Chico-Barba Gabriela , Gamboa Ricardo , Plascencia-Nieto Estibeyesbo Said , Diaz-Medina Ashley , Rodríguez-Marquez Cristina , Téllez-Villagómez María Elena
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a growing public health problem with long-term consequences. Understanding the early contributing factors is crucial for prevention and early intervention. This study explored the influence of breastfeeding, birth weight, gestational age, parental education, and sex on body mass index (BMI) during infancy. Methods: Standardized weight and height measurements of children followed a common World Health Organization protocol. Information on sex, gestational age, birth weight, breastfeeding practices and duration, family income, and mother’s educational level, as well as other sociodemographic factors, was collected from clinical records. Linear regression models were calculated. Results: This study analyzed factors associated with overweight and obesity in 286 children under 5 years of age, using data from daycare records. Several significant associations were found. Regarding breastfeeding, while 85% of children received breast milk, only 23% did so exclusively for at least six months. Although no significant difference was observed in BMI change between exclusive and partial breastfeeding groups between birth and 5 years of age, the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, the birth BMI, and the educational level predicted 54% of the variability in BMI percentile change from birth to two years (p = 0.001). In addition, girls showed significantly longer exclusive breastfeeding. Regarding gestational age, preterm infants showed a significantly greater increase in BMI percentile compared to term infants. Gestational age also proved to be a significant factor in explaining BMI variability up to 5 years of age. Regarding sex, at age 5, boys showed a significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than girls. With respect to family income, no statistically significant difference was found in BMI change between birth and 2 years of age; however, this variable warrants further investigation in future studies with greater statistical power. Finally, birth BMI was a significant predictor of BMI variability at 5 years of age. Conclusions: In this study, gestational age, sex, birth BMI, and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding were the most important determinants of BMI and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children up to 5 years of age. Further studies are needed to thoroughly explore the role of family income and other factors.
The Effects of White Wine and Ethanol Consumption on the Proliferative Phase of Repair After a Surgically Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Authors: Boban Danica , Grković Ivica , Dželalija Ana Marija , Gujinović Diana , Mudnić Ivana , Boban Mladen
Published: February 2025

Background: Our recent findings, of the highest survival rate of animals that consumed moderate amounts of white wine for four weeks prior to surgically induced myocardial infarction by the ligation of the left anterior descending artery, prompted us to investigate the inflammatory aspects of the post-infarction healing process. In order to examine whether the effects of wine consumption differ from that of ethanol, experimental animals were randomized into three groups: white wine, 13% v/v ethanol/water or water-only controls. Methods: Hearts for immunohistochemical analysis were collected from animals that survived 96 h after infarction, consumed no less than 8 mL of white wine or ethanol/water solution per day and had transmural infarcts of comparable sizes. After accounting for all of the above criteria, the final number of animals was seven per group. Tissue slices were stained with a pan-macrophage marker CD68 and an anti-inflammatory macrophage marker CD163 to investigate macrophage polarization that is crucial for the inflammatory aspects of post-infarction healing. Immunofluorescent imaging was performed on four zones surrounding the infarcted area with detritus: subepicardial, subendocardial and two peri-infarct zones. Results: The largest CD163/CD68 ratios for comparable volumes of alcohol consumption were observed in the wine group in all zones. CD163/CD68 ratios decreased in both the ethanol and wine group as the average amount of alcoholic beverage consumed by the animals increased. Conclusions: Our results indicate that non-alcoholic constituents of white wine contribute to its superior effects in the favorable modulation of post-infarction inflammation and healing processes relative to that of ethanol alone.
Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Vascular Structure and Arterial Stiffness in Adults Diagnosed with Persistent COVID: BioICOPER Study
Authors: Arroyo-Romero Silvia , Gómez-Sánchez Leticia , Suárez-Moreno Nuria , Navarro-Cáceres Alicia , Domínguez-Martín Andrea , Lugones-Sánchez Cristina , Tamayo-Morales Olaya , González-Sánchez Susana , Castro-Rivero Ana B. , Gómez-Sánchez Marta , Rodríguez-Sánchez Emiliano , García-Ortiz Luis , Navarro-Matías Elena , Gómez-Marcos Manuel A.
Published: February 2025

Background: The relationship between alcohol consumption and vascular structure and arterial stiffness is not clear, especially in people diagnosed with persistent COVID. The aim of this study was to evaluate how alcohol use is related to vascular structure and arterial stiffness in adults with persistent COVID. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 305 individuals (97 men and 208 women) diagnosed with persistent COVID according to the WHO criteria. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) with a VaSera VS-1500 device, and the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) with a Sphygmocor device. Vascular structure was assessed by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) with a Sonosite Micromax ultrasound unit. Alcohol intake was calculated using a standardized questionnaire and quantified in g/week. Results: Mean alcohol intake was 29 ± 53 g/week (men 60 ± 76 g/w and women 15 ± 27 g/w; p < 0.001). Heavy drinkers showed higher levels of c-IMT, cf-PWV, ba-PWV and CAVI than non-drinkers (p < 0.05). The multinomial regression analysis adjusted for sex and lifestyles showed a positive association between heavy drinking and c-IMT and cf-PWV values (β = 1.08 (95% CI 1.01–1.17); β = 1.37 (95% CI 1.04–1.80); ba-PWV and CAVI figures showed a similar trend, without reaching statistical significance. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that high alcohol use in patients with persistent COVID is linked to higher c-IMT and cf-PWV figures than in non-drinkers.
Old Bug—New Challenges After COVID-19 Pandemic: Severe Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes Infections in Adults—A Single-Center Experience in Poland
Authors: Leśnik Patrycja , Janc Jarosław , Biała Martyna , Bartoszewicz Marzenna , Łysenko Lidia , Słabisz Natalia
Published: February 2025

Since the beginning of December 2022, an unusually high number of cases and deaths of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections has been reported in many European countries. GAS infection frequently causes mild diseases such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, impetigo, cellulitis, and scarlet fever. However, in rare instances, GAS infection can lead to invasive, life-threatening conditions like necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome, which are associated with high mortality. The aim of the study was to present the clinical course of invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infections and to highlight the increase in the incidence of severe infections of this etiology, similar to trends observed in other European countries. The study included 11 patients with severe, invasive infections caused by S. pyogenes accompanied by sepsis or septic shock, treated at the 4th Clinical Military Hospital in Wroclaw between December 2022 and May 2023. Among 11 patients, 6 had streptococcal skin and soft tissue infections, 3 had pneumonia caused by S. pyogenes, 1 had streptococcal otitis, and 1 had a knee joint infection. Nine developed septic shock, and three died from fulminant streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Physicians should be aware of the increased prevalence of invasive GAS (iGAS) infections; timely diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial to reducing the risk of severe complications, including death.
Drug Treatment Direction Based on the Molecular Mechanism of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis
Authors: Zhang Yumin , Shang Haotian , Zhang Jiaxuan , Jiang Yizhi , Li Jiahao , Xiong Huihua , Chao Tengfei
Published: February 2025

Today, breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Brain metastases (BMs) are a common complication among individuals with advanced breast cancer, significantly impacting both survival rates and the overall condition of life of patients. This review systematically analyzes the innovative approaches to drug treatment for breast cancer brain metastases (BCBMs), with particular emphasis placed on treatments targeting molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways and drug delivery strategies targeting the blood brain barrier (BBB). The article discusses various drugs that have demonstrated effectiveness against BCBM, featuring a mix of monoclonal antibodies, nimble small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and innovative antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). This study of various drugs and techniques designed to boost the permeability of the BBB sheds light on how these innovations can improve the treatment of brain metastases. This review highlights the need to develop new therapies for BCBM and to optimize existing treatment strategies. With a deeper comprehension of the intricate molecular mechanisms and advances in drug delivery technology, it is expected that more effective personalized treatment options will become available in the future for patients with BCBM.
Development and Transportation Pathway Evaluation of Liposomes with Bile Acids for Enhancing the Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration of Methotrexate
Authors: Charernsriwilaiwat Natthan , Thaitrong Rattanan , Plianwong Samarwadee , Opanasopit Praneet , Songprakhon Pucharee , Subongkot Thirapit
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to create bile acid-containing liposomes to improve methotrexate blood-brain barrier penetration and to assess the liposome transportation mechanism across the blood–brain barrier. Methods: The improvement of liposome penetration was investigated utilizing human brain microvascular endothelial cells in an in vitro blood-brain barrier model. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry, liposomes were labeled with fluorescent phospholipids to facilitate their passage across the blood–brain barrier. Results: The produced liposomes with bile acid exhibited a negative surface charge and an average particle size of between 30 and 148 nm. According to an in vitro blood-brain barrier penetration study, the methotrexate penetration was increased by liposomes containing 1% glycocholic acid but not by liposomes containing taurocholic acid. For transport pathway evaluation across the blood-brain barrier of these liposomes, CLSM revealed that fluorescent liposomes were present inside cells treated with specific endocytosis inhibitors, indicating that the cellular internalization of the particles was not involved in endocytosis. Conclusions: Liposomes supplemented with 1% glycocholic acid could enhance the penetration of methotrexate across the blood-brain barrier, while taurocholic acid could not. The transport of liposomes with 1% glycocholic acid across the blood-brain barrier occurs via the transcellular pathway through which it penetrates cells. In contrast, the paracellular pathway was a minor pathway.
Phytochemical Investigation of Chamaemelum nobile L. and Evaluation of Acetylcholinesterase and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Polcaro Luciana Maria , Cerulli Antonietta , Masullo Milena , Piacente Sonia
Published: February 2025

The ageing of the world population has led to an increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. In this regard, plants have become an important source of bioactive principles that are able to act on multiple targets. Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All. is a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family, known as Roman chamomile, less studied in the scientific literature than the more common Matricaria chamomilla. Flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones represent the main secondary metabolites. Among these, nobilin and its derivatives are considered the main components. With the aim of performing a phytochemical investigation, the extract of the fresh aerial parts of C. nobile was firstly analysed by LC-(+)ESI/QExactive/MS/MS, which guided the isolation of 15 compounds (coumarins, glucoside derivatives, flavonoids, and germacrane-type sesquiterpene lactones) characterised by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The presence of a derivative of nobilin, never been reported before, was highlighted. Moreover, for all isolated compounds, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory activity were tested by spectrophotometric assays. The results showed that the tested compounds presented interesting tyrosinase (IC50 values: 32.09–412.02 µM) and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50 values: 181.58–387.99 µM). In detail, apigenin 7-O-rutinoside (6) showed the highest tyrosinase and AchE inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 32.09 and 181.58 µM, respectively.
Effects of Nitrogen Addition on Leaf Functional Traits of Dominant Species in Bayanbulak Grassland, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Ding Xiaoyu , Liu Junjie , Wang Yao , Wang Juan , Liu Chao , Qin Mengtian , Xu Yujiao , Ma Yonggang , Yang Jianjun , Xu Zhonglin
Published: February 2025

Nitrogen inputs exert significant impacts on plant species composition and ecosystem stability within alpine grasslands. The exploration of leaf functional traits holds great potential in uncovering plants’ adaptive strategies and competitive edges, and is pivotal in comprehending the ramifications of nitrogen inputs on biodiversity. In this study, the Bayanbulak grassland was selected as the research subject to investigate the impact of nitrogen addition on leaf functional traits of different plant functional groups. Specifically, various gradients of nitrogen addition were established to observe changes in leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and leaf area (LA) among three distinct plant functional groups. Furthermore, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the pathways through which nitrogen addition influenced the LDMC of these plant functional groups. The results were as follows: (1) LA and leaf length (LL) of Poaceae changed significantly (p < 0.05) under different N addition gradients, and leaf nutrient contents of Poaceae, Rosaceae and Fabaceae showed significant changes under different N addition gradients. (2) Pearson correlation analyses showed that total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TOC) and leaf width (LW) of Rosaceae leaves had a significant positive correlation, and the TOC and total phosphorus (TP) of Fabaceae leaves showed a significant negative correlation. (3) SEM of the three plant functional groups showed direct and indirect effects of N addition on leaf dry matter content of Poaceae and Rosaceae, and only indirect effects on Fabaceae.
Detection of Apple Leaf Diseases Based on LightYOLO-AppleLeafDx
Authors: Zou Hongyan , Lv Peng , Zhao Maocheng
Published: February 2025

Early detection of apple leaf diseases is essential for enhancing orchard management efficiency and crop yield. This study introduces LightYOLO-AppleLeafDx, a lightweight detection framework based on an improved YOLOv8 model. Key enhancements include the incorporation of Slim-Neck, SPD-Conv, and SAHead modules, which optimize the model’s structure to improve detection accuracy and recall while significantly reducing the number of parameters and computational complexity. Ablation studies validate the positive impact of these modules on model performance. The final LightYOLO-AppleLeafDx achieves a precision of 0.930, mAP@0.5 of 0.965, and mAP@0.5:0.95 of 0.587, surpassing the original YOLOv8n and other benchmark models. The model is highly lightweight, with a size of only 5.2 MB, and supports real-time detection at 107.2 frames per second. When deployed on an RV1103 hardware platform via an NPU-compatible framework, it maintains a detection speed of 14.8 frames per second, demonstrating practical applicability. These results highlight the potential of LightYOLO-AppleLeafDx as an efficient and lightweight solution for precision agriculture, addressing the need for accurate and real-time apple leaf disease detection.
Multi-Angle Crack Detection in CFRP Based on Line Laser Infrared Thermography Scanning Technology
Authors: Zhou Guangyu , Zhang Zhijie , Yin Wuliang , Fu Yu , Wang Ding’erkai
Published: February 2025

Infrared thermography is a real-time and efficient method for defect detection. This study utilizes line laser scanning infrared thermography to detect cracks in manually laid-up unidirectional CFRP, 3D-printed CFRP cracks, and naturally occurring microcracks in CFRP deflectors. In manually layered unidirectional CFRP, detection performance is influenced by the layup direction, with cracks aligned to the layup exhibiting minimal hindrance to heat conduction, resulting in weaker high-frequency components in thermal images and poorer detection accuracy. In contrast, the composite structure of 3D-printed CFRP minimizes the impact of crack orientation. By analyzing the temperature characteristics of the crack center and thermal drag tail for cracks with varying opening angles, the study establishes a relationship between the crack opening angle, crack depth, and thermal features. Fitted curves of the ratio between crack opening angle and absolute temperature difference yielded an average R2 of 0.9828 and MSE of 0.1287, validating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Finally, the features of microcracks in CFRP deflector plates were effectively extracted through high-frequency filtering, which demonstrated the broad applicability and robustness of this study.
Effects of Sand Rollers with Different Grit Sizes on Processing Quality, Gelatinization, and Rheological Properties of Rice
Authors: Zhang Yang , Han Yuxin , Cao Weiwei , Liu Wenchao , Li Linlin , Chen Junliang , Duan Xu , Yang Tongxiang , Wei Xinyu , Zhang Peijie , Yang Mengmeng , Guo Mengyao , Zhang Debang , Fan Huiping , Liu Ke , Ren Guangyue
Published: February 2025

The surface roughness of sand rollers directly influences the precision of rice processing. Therefore, the effects of sand rollers with different grit sizes (46#, 36#, and 30#) on rice quality were investigated in this work. The results indicated that the embryo retention ratio of polished rice decreased, and the milling degree increased as the grit size of the sand rollers decreased. The milling degree of the polished rice milled with sand rollers 36# and 30# was higher than that of rice milled with sand roller 46#. The rice milled with sand roller 30# showed the lowest content of fat, ash, and total phenolics. The rice milled with sand roller 46# exhibited the highest scavenging of ABTS free radicals (41.55%) and DPPH free radical activity (36.79%). The polished rice milled with sand roller 30# exhibited a higher peak viscosity, trough, breakdown, and final viscosity and a lower setback. The retrogradation rate of rice decreased as the rice was milled by all grit sizes of sand rollers. In conclusion, milling brown rice with sand rollers with different abrasive particle sizes could affect the quality of polished rice. This study provides a reference for the processing techniques of polished rice with different degrees of processing.
Improving Zirconia–Resin Cement Bonding Through Laser Surface Texturing: A Comparative Study
Authors: Yoon Ji-Young
Published: February 2025

Objectives: This study evaluates the effectiveness of laser surface texturing (LST) using a Surface Transition Machine (STM) on pre-sintered zirconia, comparing its impact on surface characteristics and shear bond strength (SBS) with resin cement to conventional sandblasting techniques. Methods: Zirconia specimens were treated with either STM or sandblasting, followed by surface analysis through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and White Light Interferometry (WLI), wettability assessment via contact angle measurements, and SBS testing with resin cement and a 10-MDP-containing primer. Results: SEM and WLI revealed significant surface alterations in STM-treated zirconia, producing microscale textures. STM-treated surfaces exhibited significantly lower contact angles (28.4 ± 10.0°) compared to untreated (78.2 ± 8.0°) and sandblasted (79.2 ± 5.7°) surfaces, indicating enhanced wettability (p < 0.05). SBS was highest in the STM with primer group (46.3 ± 8.3 MPa) and STM without primer (43.4 ± 4.3 MPa), both of which significantly outperformed sandblasting with primer (30.06 ± 3.09 MPa) and sandblasting alone (9.8 ± 3.7 MPa) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that STM-based LST is a more effective method for improving zirconia surface characteristics and adhesion in dental restorations, simplifying bonding procedures, and potentially offering better clinical outcomes than conventional sandblasting.
An Efficient Method for Amplitude–Phase Error Calibration in Direct Localization for Distributed Multi-Station Systems
Authors: Ma He , Mao Xingpeng , Qu Youmin , Gao Yang
Published: February 2025

Direct localization methods offer significant advantages in modern high-frequency (HF) radar systems for maritime target localization. However, the presence of amplitude–phase errors poses severe challenges to their accuracy and reliability. Traditional active calibration methods for direct localization often face high costs and operational complexities, while self-calibration techniques are limited to addressing only single or, at most, two types of error models. To address these issues, the Multi-Station Azimuth-based Position Error Calibration Algorithm (MAPEC) is proposed in this paper, which is an active calibration algorithm to solve mixed amplitude–phase errors in direct positioning. The proposed algorithm converts the estimated amplitude–phase errors on each angle of stations into the corresponding position on the localization search grid and adjusts the steering vectors based on the converted errors. By integrating MAPEC with direct localization algorithms, the method enables precise and robust localization under complex amplitude–phase error conditions involving multiple error sources. Simulation results demonstrate that this approach significantly improves localization accuracy across various error conditions, validating its applicability to direct localization applications.
Path Planning Trends for Autonomous Mobile Robot Navigation: A Review
Authors: Tang Yuexia , Zakaria Muhammad Aizzat , Younas Maryam
Published: February 2025

With the development of robotics technology, there is a growing demand for robots to perform path planning autonomously. Therefore, rapidly and safely planning travel routes has become an important research direction for autonomous mobile robots. This paper elaborates on traditional path-planning algorithms and the limitations of these algorithms in practical applications. Meanwhile, in response to these limitations, it reviews the current research status of recent improvements to these traditional algorithms. The results indicate that these improved path-planning algorithms perform well in tests or practical applications, and multi-algorithm fusion for path planning outperforms single-algorithm path planning.
Full-Field Thickness Measurement of Paint Sensors Using Pulsed Terahertz Waves
Authors: Han Dae-Hyun
Published: February 2025

This study presents a method for measuring the thickness and adhesion status of paint sensors using pulsed terahertz (THz) waves. Traditional measurement techniques, such as optical, X-ray, ultrasonic (UT), eddy current, and mechanical methods, are prone to accuracy issues and potential sample damage, particularly when evaluating adhesion. The pulsed THz wave approach enables the high-resolution, nondestructive evaluation of both thickness and adhesion status. The analysis of pulsed THz wave reflections from the interfaces of the paint sensor enables accurate measurements of thickness and the detection of adhesion issues. Validation against traditional thickness gauges and UT devices demonstrates the superior performance of the THz-wave-based method, particularly for identifying significant changes in thickness and adhesion defects. Furthermore, a full-field visualization technique is developed to map thickness variations across the entire sensor surface, offering detailed insights into the sensor conditions. The THz-wave-based method represents a significant advancement in nondestructive testing, providing a precise and comprehensive analysis of paint sensors while overcoming the limitations of conventional techniques.
B2B: Bladder Cancer Summary
Authors: Black Peter C. , Lerner Seth P. , Desai Mihir M. , Konety Badrinath R. , Gupta Shilpa , Joshi Amit , Oualla Karima , Rajappa Senthil , Talwar Vineet , Prakash Gagan , Tanguay Simon
Published: February 2025

The 6th Bench-to-Bedside Uro-Oncology: GU Cancers Triad Meeting, organized in conjunction with the 44th Annual Congress of the Société Internationale d’Urologie, was held on 25 October 2024, in New Delhi, India, and transmitted live on the SIU@U Congress platform [...]
Responsible Artificial Intelligence Hyper-Automation with Generative AI Agents for Sustainable Cities of the Future
Authors: De Silva Daswin , Mills Nishan , Moraliyage Harsha , Rathnayaka Prabod , Wishart Sam , Jennings Andrew
Published: February 2025

Smart cities are Hyper-Connected Digital Environments (HCDEs) that transcend the boundaries of natural, human-made, social, virtual, and artificial environments. Human activities are no longer confined to a single environment as our presence and interactions are represented and interconnected across HCDEs. The data streams and repositories of HCDEs provide opportunities for the responsible application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that generates unique insights into the constituent environments and the interplay across constituents. The translation of data into insights poses several complex challenges originating in data generation and then propagating through the computational layers to decision outcomes. To address these challenges, this article presents the design and development of a Hyper-Automated AI framework with Generative AI agents for sustainable smart cities. The framework is empirically evaluated in the living lab setting of a ‘University City of the Future’. The developed AI framework is grounded on the core capabilities of acquisition, preparation, orchestration, dissemination, and retrospection, with an independent cognitive engine for hyper-automation of these AI capabilities using Generative AI. Hyper-automation output feeds into a human-in-the-loop process prior to decision-making outcomes. More broadly, this framework aims to provide a validated pathway for university cities of the future to take up the role of prototypes that deliver evidence-based guidelines for the development and management of sustainable smart cities.
A Novel Optimization Approach Using Chaos Game Optimization Algorithm for Parameters Estimation of Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Wereda Galal Borham , Diaaeldin Ibrahim Mohamed , Omar Othman A. M. , Attia Mahmoud A. , Badr Ahmed O.
Published: February 2025

The utilization of solar photovoltaics (PV) in electricity generation is progressively increasing due to its environmental benefits, such as reducing power transmission costs and mitigating global warming. This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of the extracted PV parameters. To estimate the parameters of the PV model, a recent optimization algorithm called the Chaos Game Optimization algorithm (CGO) is employed to precisely choose PV parameters. In this work, PV cells are modeled using two different models, including the single-diode model (SDM) and the double-diode model (DDM). The CGO algorithm outperformed nine well-known optimization algorithms based on the root–mean squares of error (RMSE) with a percentage of up to 97% for the single-diode model (SDM) and up to 92.92% for the double-diode model (DDM).