bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Non-Toxic Binuclear Vanadium(IV) Complex as Insulin Adjuvant Improves the Glycemic Control in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Lopes Mateus S. , Baptistella Gabriel B. , Nunes Giovana G. , Ferreira Matheus V. , Cunha Joice Maria , Oliveira Kauê Marcel de , Acco Alexandra , Lopes Maria Luiza C. , Couto Alves Alexessander , Valdameri Glaucio , Moure Vivian R. , Picheth Geraldo , Manica Graciele C. M. , Rego Fabiane G. M.
Published: April 2024

Diabetes mellitus (DM) complications are a burden to health care systems due to the associated consequences of poor glycemic control and the side effects of insulin therapy. Recently. adjuvant therapies, such as vanadium compounds, have gained attention due to their potential to improve glucose homeostasis in patients with diabetes. In order to determine the anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects of the oxidovanadium(IV) complex (Et3NH)2[{VO(OH}2)(ox)2(µ–ox)] or Vox2), rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were treated with 30 and 100 mg/kg of Vox2, orally administered for 12 days. Vox2 at 100 mg/kg in association with insulin caused a 3.4 times decrease in blood glucose in STZ rats (424 mg/dL), reaching concentrations similar to those in the normoglycemic animals (126 mg/dL). Compared to insulin alone, the association with Vox2 caused an additional decrease in blood glucose of 39% and 65% at 30 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, and an increased pancreatic GSH levels 2.5 times. Vox2 alone did not cause gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, and hepatic or renal toxicity and was not associated with changes in blood glucose level, lipid profile, or kidney or liver function. Our results highlight the potential of Vox2 in association with insulin in treating diabetes.
Bioactive Properties of Venoms Isolated from Whiptail Stingrays and the Search for Molecular Mechanisms and Targets
Authors: Doupnik Craig A. , Luer Carl A. , Walsh Catherine J. , Restivo Jessica , Brick Jacqueline Xinlan
Published: April 2024

The venom-containing barb attached to their ‘whip-like’ tail provides stingrays a defensive mechanism for evading predators such as sharks. From human encounters, dermal stingray envenomation is characterized by intense pain often followed by tissue necrosis occurring over several days to weeks. The bioactive components in stingray venoms (SRVs) and their molecular targets and mechanisms that mediate these complex responses are not well understood. Given the utility of venom-derived proteins from other venomous species for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, we set out to characterize the bioactivity of SRV extracts from three local species that belong to the Dasyatoidea ‘whiptail’ superfamily. Multiple cell-based assays were used to quantify and compare the in vitro effects of these SRVs on different cell lines. All three SRVs demonstrated concentration-dependent growth-inhibitory effects on three different human cell lines tested. In contrast, a mouse fibrosarcoma cell line was markedly resistant to all three SRVs, indicating the molecular target(s) for mediating the SRV effects are not expressed on these cells. The multifunctional SRV responses were characterized by an acute disruption of cell adhesion leading to apoptosis. These findings aim to guide future investigations of individual SRV proteins and their molecular targets for potential use in biomedical applications.
Prebiotic Systems Containing Anthocyanin-Rich Pomegranate Flower Extracts with Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Effects
Authors: Gościniak Anna , Rosiak Natalia , Szymanowska Daria , Miklaszewski Andrzej , Cielecka-Piontek Judyta
Published: April 2024

Pomegranate flower extract, rich in anthocyanins, demonstrates beneficial health-promoting properties such as an anti-diabetic and antioxidant effect, among others. However, the potential health-promoting properties may be hindered by the low stability of anthocyanins. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess whether stabilizing carriers, namely HP-γ-cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD), α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (Me-β-CD), Inulin (Inu) and Arabic gum (AGu) affect the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of lyophilized pomegranate flower extract, how they influence stability, release profile, and whether the systems exhibit prebiotic activity. Interactions between pomegranate flower extract and these factors were analyzed using FT-IR. The structures were examined through microscopic imaging while for the prepared prebiotic systems, antidiabetic activity was determined and confirmed by the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase; antioxidant activity was expressed by DPPH and CUPRAC assays. The content of pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside in these systems was assessed using the HPLC method. The release profiles of pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside were examined in a medium at pH = 6.8 and pH = 1.2, and the stability was assessed after subjecting the systems to high temperatures (T = 90 °C). The prebiotic potential was evaluated for 10 prebiotic bacterial strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis Lactobacillus rhamnosus gg, Lactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus fermentum lf, Streptococcus thermophilus). As a result of the conducted research, better functionalities of the obtained systems containing Pomegranate flower extract were proven in terms of prebiotic and antidiabetic effects. The obtained delivery systems for pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside allow for better use of its health-promoting effects.
Investigation of a Pyramid-like Optical Absorber with High Absorptivity in the Range of Ultraviolet A to Middle Infrared
Authors: Chen Qinyin , Huang Jo-Ling , Wang Chih-Hsuan , Ke Pei-Xiu , Yang Cheng-Fu , Tseng Hsien-Wei
Published: April 2024

In this study, a simple pyramid-like ultra-wideband absorber was designed to explore high absorptivity across a wide bandwidth. The absorber consisted of eight layers organized into four groups, and each group comprised a metal layer followed by an oxide layer, both of which were square with equal side lengths. Specifically, the chosen oxides, arranged from bottom to top, included SiO2 (t7 layer), Al2O3 (t5 layer), SiO2 (t3 layer), and Al2O3 (t1 layer). In the initial design phase, the thickness of the t8 Ti layer was set to 50 nm and assigned initial values to the thicknesses of the t7-t1 layers, and the widths of the four groups w4, w3, w2, and w1, decreased successively from bottom to top, creating a structure reminiscent of a pyramid. Comsol (version 6.0) was utilized to simulate and systematically vary one parameter at a time, ranging from the thicknesses of the t7-t1 layers to the widths of w4-w1, in order to identify the most suitable structural parameters. Our analyses demonstrated that multimode resonance arose due to the emergence of absorption peaks at lower wavelengths between larger and smaller areas. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance and interference effects between various layers and materials were attributed to the alternating arrangement of metal and oxide layers. The enhancements in the electric field observed at different resonance peak wavelengths illustrated the Fabry–Perot cavity effect, while the impedance matching effect was observed through variations in the real and imaginary parts of the optical impedance with respect to the wave vector. After simulating using these optimally found thicknesses and widths, the aforementioned effects manifested in the pyramid-like ultra-wideband absorber we designed, with its absorptivity surpassing 0.900 across the spectrum from ultraviolet A (335 nm) to middle infrared (4865 nm).
Research on Monocular Depth Sensing Method Based on Liquid Zoom Imaging
Authors: Gan Zihao , Liu Zhaoyang , Liu Bin , Lv Jianming , Zhang Meng , Hong Huajie
Published: April 2024

Monocular stereo vision has excellent application prospects in the field of microrobots. On the basis of the geometric model of bifocal imaging, this paper proposes a monocular depth perception method by liquid zoom imaging. Firstly, the configuration of a monocular liquid vision system for depth measurement is presented, and the working mechanism of the system is analyzed through theoretical derivation. Then, to eliminate the influence of optical axis drift induced by the liquid gravity factor on the measurement results, the target image area is used as the calculation feature instead of the image vector length. A target area calculation method based on chain code classification and strip segmentation is proposed. Furthermore, in response to the fluctuation problem of liquid lens focal power caused by factors such as temperature and object distance, a dynamic focal length model of the liquid zoom imaging system is constructed after precise calibration of the focal power function. Finally, a testing experiment is designed to validate the proposed method. The experimental results show that the average error of depth perception methods is 4.30%, and its measurement time is only on the millisecond scale. Meanwhile, the proposed method has good generalization performance.
Exploring Natural Variations in Arabidopsis thaliana: Plant Adaptability to Salt Stress
Authors: Lombardi Marco , Bellucci Manuel , Cimini Sara , Locato Vittoria , Loreto Francesco , De Gara Laura
Published: April 2024

The increase in soil salinization represents a current challenge for plant productivity, as most plants, including crops, are mainly salt-sensitive species. The identification of molecular traits underpinning salt tolerance represents a primary goal for breeding programs. In this scenario, the study of intraspecific variability represents a valid tool for investigating natural genetic resources evolved by plants in different environmental conditions. As a model system, Arabidopsis thaliana, including over 750 natural accessions, represents a species extensively studied at phenotypic, metabolic, and genomic levels under different environmental conditions. Two haplogroups showing opposite root architecture (shallow or deep roots) in response to auxin flux perturbation were identified and associated with EXO70A3 locus variations. Here, we studied the influence of these genetic backgrounds on plant salt tolerance. Eight accessions belonging to the two haplogroups were tested for salt sensitivity by exposing them to moderate (75 mM NaCl) or severe (150 mM NaCl) salt stress. Salt-tolerant accessions were found in both haplogroups, and all of them showed efficient ROS-scavenging ability. Even if an exclusive relation between salt tolerance and haplogroup membership was not observed, the modulation of root system architecture might also contribute to salt tolerance.
Effects of Supplemental Lighting on Flavonoid and Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Strawberry Flesh Revealed via Metabolome and Transcriptome Co-Analysis
Authors: Chen Shen , Wang Xiaojing , Cheng Yu , Gao Hongsheng , Chen Xuehao
Published: April 2024

The spectral composition of light influences the biosynthesis of flavonoids in many plants. However, the detailed composition of flavonoids and anthocyanins and the molecular basis for their biosynthesis in strawberry fruits under two light-quality treatments, red light supplemented with blue light (RB) and ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation, remain unclear. In this study, the content of flavonoids and anthocyanins was significantly increased in strawberry fruits under RB light and UVB, respectively. The content of flavonoids and anthocyanins in strawberry fruits under UVB light was dramatically higher than that in strawberry fruits irradiated with RB light, and a total of 518 metabolites were detected by means of LC-MS/MS analysis. Among them, 18 phenolic acids, 23 flavonoids, and 8 anthocyanins were differentially accumulated in the strawberry fruits irradiated with red/blue (RB) light compared to 30 phenolic acids, 46 flavonoids, and 9 anthocyanins in fruits irradiated with UVB. The major genes associated with the biosynthesis of flavonoids and anthocyanins, including structural genes and transcription factors (TFs), were differentially expressed in the strawberry fruits under RB and UVB irradiation, as determined through RNA-seq data analysis. A correlation test of transcriptome and metabolite profiling showed that the expression patterns of most genes in the biosynthesis pathway of flavonoids and anthocyanins were closely correlated with the differential accumulation of flavonoids and anthocyanins. Two TFs, bZIP (FvH4_2g36400) and AP2 (FvH4_1g21210), induced by RB and UVB irradiation, respectively, exhibited similar expression patterns to most structural genes, which were closely correlated with six and eight flavonoids, respectively. These results indicated that these two TFs regulated the biosynthesis of flavonoids and anthocyanins in strawberry fruit under RB light and UVB, respectively. These results provide a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the accumulation of flavonoids and anthocyanins and the molecular basis for their biosynthesis in strawberry fruits under RB light and UVB.
Determination of Morpho-Physiological Traits for Assessing Drought Tolerance in Sugarcane
Authors: Wirojsirasak Warodom , Songsri Patcharin , Jongrungklang Nakorn , Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke , Klomsa-ard Peeraya , Ukoskit Kittipat
Published: April 2024

Drought is a significant constraint to sugarcane productivity. Therefore, understanding how different varieties of sugarcane respond to drought stress can facilitate breeding programs and set up criteria for selecting drought-tolerant varieties. In the present study, we examined eight morpho-physiological traits to distinguish 40 sugarcane genotypes categorized into four groups based on significant differences in cane yield under non-stressed conditions and reduction of cane yield under drought-stressed conditions. The study was conducted during the formative stage in a greenhouse, encompassing both control and drought conditions. Drought treatments resulted in significant changes and differences in the mean values of various morpho-physiological traits. The hierarchical clustering analysis, utilizing stay-green traits such as higher chlorophyll fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm), leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), leaf relative water content (RWC), and lower leaf rolling score (LR), leaf drying score (LD), and drought recovery score (DR), successfully grouped 40 sugarcane genotypes into four major clusters, similar to the previously categorized groups. Correlation analysis showed significant relationships among cane yield, reduction of cane yield under drought conditions, and the stay-green traits. Our results demonstrated that morpho-physiological traits contributing to the “stay-green” phenotypes could be useful as selection criteria for drought tolerance in sugarcane.
Metabolomic Profile and Functional State of Oat Plants (Avena sativa L.) Sown under Low-Temperature Conditions in the Cryolithozone
Authors: Nokhsorov Vasiliy V. , Protopopov Fedor F. , Sleptsov Igor V. , Petrova Lidia V. , Petrov Klim A.
Published: April 2024

Oats are one of the most useful and widespread cereal crops in the world. In permafrost conditions (Central Yakutia), based on metabolic changes in late summer-sown oat plants (Avena sativa L.), the key processes involved in the cold acclimation of a valuable cereal species were identified. During the onset of low ambient temperatures, metabolites from leaf samples were profiled using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 41 metabolites were identified in oat leaves. It was found that acclimation to suboptimal temperatures during the fall period leads to biochemical (accumulation of mono- and disaccharides and decrease in fatty acids and polyols) as well as physiological and biophysical changes (decrease in leaf PRI reflectance indices and chlorophyll a fluorescence). Therefore, the study contributes to a more holistic understanding of oat metabolism under low-temperature cryolithozone stress. It is believed that the analysis of changes in leaf reflection properties and JIP-test parameters of chlorophyll a fluorescence using leaf metabolomic profiling can be used in the selection of valuable varieties of cereal crops to obtain plant fodders with high nutrient contents under conditions of a sharply continental climate.
Recent Developments in the Use of Plasma in Medical Applications
Authors: O’Neill Fiona , O’Neill Liam , Bourke Paula
Published: April 2024

A detailed review of the scientific literature was undertaken to examine the most recent developments in plasma processing in the field of medicine. The first part of the review includes a detailed breakdown of the different types of coatings that can be applied onto medical devices using plasma, with a specific focus on antimicrobial surfaces. The developments in plasma-deposited biocompatibles, drug delivery and adhesive coatings in 2023 are described, and specific applications in additive manufacturing are highlighted. The use of plasma and plasma-activated liquids as standalone therapeutics continues to evolve, and pertinent advances in this field are described. In addition, the combination of plasma medicine with conventional pharmaceutical interventions is reviewed, and key emerging trends are highlighted, including the use of plasma to enhance drug delivery directly into tissue. The potential synergies between plasma medicine and chemotherapeutics for oncology and infection treatment are a growing area, and recent advancements are noted. Finally, the use of plasma to control excess antibiotics and to intentionally degrade such materials in waste streams is described.
Preparation and Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Carbonized Waste Rubber Biocomposite Films
Authors: Zor Mustafa , Şen Ferhat , Candan Zeki , Ivanov Evgeni , Batakliev Todor , Georgiev Vladimir , Menseidov Dzhihan
Published: April 2024

The technological properties of composite materials (thermal, strength, rheology, electrical and morphology) are very important parameters for high-performance applications. In this study, we aimed to improve the properties of PVA by using carbon materials obtained by the pyrolysis of waste tires, with the aim of recycling them instead of disposing of them. For this purpose, PVA biocomposite films containing carbonized waste rubber at different rates were prepared. The thermal properties of the prepared biocomposite films were examined via thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. While rheological measurements were carried out with a rheometer, bulk conductivities were measured with a pico-ammeter. In addition, the morphology of biocomposite films was determined via field emission scanning electron microscopy. The nanomechanical properties of biocomposite film was investigated via XPM analyses. According to the rheological measurements and nanoindentation hardness results, it is understood that as the amount of carbonized waste rubber increases, flexibility decreases and harder and brittle structures are observed in biocomposite films. The electrical measurement results showed that electrical conductivity increased as the amount of carbonized waste rubber increased. When all the results obtained were evaluated, it could be concluded that biocomposite films obtained by increasing the electrical conductivity and hardness of PVA can be used in the electronics industry.
Valorization of Cork Stoppers, Coffee-Grounds and Walnut Shells in the Development and Characterization of Pectin-Based Composite Films: Physical, Barrier, Antioxidant, Genotoxic, and Biodegradation Properties
Authors: Cruz Rui M. S. , Rainer Bernhard , Wagner Isabella , Krauter Victoria , Janalíková Magda , Vicente António A. , Vieira Jorge M.
Published: April 2024

The development of sustainable materials from the valorization of waste is a good alternative to reducing the negative environmental impact of plastic packaging. The objectives of this study were to develop and characterize pectin-based composite films incorporated with cork or cork with either coffee grounds or walnut shells, as well as to test the films’ genotoxicity, antioxidant properties, and biodegradation capacity in soil and seawater. The addition of cork, coffee grounds, or walnut shells modified the films’ characteristics. The results showed that those films were thicker (0.487 ± 0.014 mm to 0.572 ± 0.014 mm), more opaque (around 100%), darker (L* = 25.30 ± 0.78 to 33.93 ± 0.84), and had a higher total phenolic content (3.17 ± 0.01 mg GA/g to 4.24 ± 0.02 mg GA/g). On the other hand, the films incorporated only with cork showed higher values of elongation at break (32.24 ± 1.88% to 36.30 ± 3.25%) but lower tensile strength (0.91 ± 0.19 MPa to 1.09 ± 0.08 MPa). All the films presented more heterogeneous and rougher microstructures than the pectin film. This study also revealed that the developed films do not contain DNA-reactive substances and that they are biodegradable in soil and seawater. These positive properties could subsequently make the developed films an interesting eco-friendly food packaging solution that contributes to the valorization of organic waste and by-products, thus promoting the circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of plastic materials.
Out-of-Mold Sensor-Based Process Parameter Optimization and Adaptive Process Quality Control for Hot Runner Thin-Walled Injection-Molded Parts
Authors: Cheng Feng-Jung , Chang Chen-Hsiang , Wen Chien-Hung , Hwang Sheng-Jye , Peng Hsin-Shu , Chu Hsiao-Yeh
Published: April 2024

Injection molding is a highly nonlinear procedure that is easily influenced by various external factors, thereby affecting the stability of the product’s quality. High-speed injection molding is required for production due to the rapid cooling characteristics of thin-walled parts, leading to increased manufacturing complexity. Consequently, establishing appropriate process parameters for maintaining quality stability in long-term production is challenging. This study selected a hot runner mold with a thin wall fitted with two external sensors, a nozzle pressure sensor and a tie-bar strain gauge, to collect data regarding the nozzle peak pressure, the timing of peak pressure, the viscosity index, and the clamping force difference value. The product weight was defined as the quality indicator, and a standardized parameter optimization process was constructed, including injection speed, V/P switchover point, packing, and clamping force. Finally, the optimized process parameters were applied to the adaptive process control experiments using the developed control system operated within the micro-controller unit (MCU). The results revealed that the control system effectively stabilized the product weight variation and standard deviation of 0.677% and 0.0178 g, respectively.
Improved Energy Storage Performance of Composite Films Based on Linear/Ferroelectric Polarization Characteristics
Authors: Chen Chen , Shen Lifang , Liu Guang , Cui Yang , Yan Shubin
Published: April 2024

The development and integration of high-performance electronic devices are critical in advancing energy storage with dielectric capacitors. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) (PVTC), as an energy storage polymer, exhibits high-intensity polarization in low electric strength fields. However, a hysteresis effect can result in significant residual polarization, leading to a severe energy loss, which impacts the resultant energy storage density and charge/discharge efficiency. In order to modify the polarization properties of the polymer, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film with linear characteristics has been selected as an insulating layer and combined with the PVTC ferroelectric polarization layer to construct PVTC/BOPP bilayer films. The hetero-structure and polarization characteristics of the bilayer film have been systematically studied. Adjusting the BOPP volume content to 67% resulted in a discharge energy density of 10.1 J/cm3 and an energy storage efficiency of 80.9%. The results of this study have established the mechanism for a composite structure regulation of macroscopic energy storage performance. These findings can provide a basis for the effective application of ferroelectric polymer-based composites in dielectric energy storage.
Biopolymeric Nanocomposites for CO2 Capture
Authors: Cigala Rosalia Maria , De Luca Giovanna , Ielo Ileana , Crea Francesco
Published: April 2024

Carbon dioxide (CO2) impacts the greenhouse effect significantly and results in global warming, prompting urgent attention to climate change concerns. In response, CO2 capture has emerged as a crucial process to capture carbon produced in industrial and power processes before its release into the atmosphere. The main aim of CO2 capture is to mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gas and reduce the anthropogenic impact on climate change. Biopolymer nanocomposites offer a promising avenue for CO2 capture due to their renewable nature. These composites consist of biopolymers derived from biological sources and nanofillers like nanoparticles and nanotubes, enhancing the properties of the composite. Various biopolymers like chitosan, cellulose, carrageenan, and others, possessing unique functional groups, can interact with CO2 molecules. Nanofillers are incorporated to improve mechanical, thermal, and sorption properties, with materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and metallic nanoparticles enhancing surface area and porosity. The CO2 capture mechanism within biopolymer nanocomposites involves physical absorption, chemisorption, and physisorption, driven by functional groups like amino and hydroxyl groups in the biopolymer matrix. The integration of nanofillers further boosts CO2 adsorption capacity by increasing surface area and porosity. Numerous advanced materials, including biopolymeric derivatives like cellulose, alginate, and chitosan, are developed for CO2 capture technology, offering accessibility and cost-effectiveness. This semi-systematic literature review focuses on recent studies involving biopolymer-based materials for CO2 capture, providing an overview of composite materials enriched with nanomaterials, specifically based on cellulose, alginate, chitosan, and carrageenan; the choice of these biopolymers is dictated by the lack of a literature perspective focused on a currently relevant topic such as these biorenewable resources in the framework of carbon capture. The production and efficacy of biopolymer-based adsorbents and membranes are examined, shedding light on potential trends in global CO2 capture technology enhancement.
The Influence of CO2 Physical Properties on Casing and Its Prediction Method
Authors: Cai Meng , Li Junliang , Ma Wenhai , Zhang Nan , Wang Peng , Zhang Xiaochuan , Yang Shangyu , Cao Jing
Published: April 2024

In order to reveal the physical properties of CO2 under actual formation conditions, this paper establishes a mathematical model of the temperature field and pressure field in the wellbore under CO2 injection conditions, optimizes the state equation of CO2 physical-property parameters, calculates the change trend of CO2 density, viscosity, and compression factor along the wellbore, and obtains the influence law of CO2 corrosion on the casing and interface. The viscosity showed a downward trend along the well depth; the compression factor showed an upward trend. The surfaces of the three casings were smooth and flat without obvious defects, the cement structure was dense, and there was no obvious pore structure. After corrosion, with the increase of Cr content, the change of interfacial corrosion decreases. The morphology of the Q125 and 3Cr interface is loose after corrosion, while there is no obvious change in the 13Cr interface. With the prolongation of corrosion time, low wellbore internal pressure easily causes casing yield, and high wellbore internal pressure easily causes cement-sheath compression failure. The circumferential stress of the casing increases with the corrosion time extension, and the radial stress of the casing and cement sheath decreases first and then increases with the corrosion time. The compressive strength of the cement sheath does not exceed the compressive strength.
Determination of Wax Deposition Rate Model of Blended Oils with Different Blending Ratios
Authors: Han Zhuo , Ma Lihui , Li Xiaowei , Zhu Haoran , Li Wei , Xia Xiaohang , Zhang Xiaohan , Guo Rui
Published: April 2024

Blending with light oil is a commonly used and reliable method of crude oil transportation, and the blending ratio is a crucial operating parameter in determining the safe and efficient operation of the pipeline. In this paper, in-house flow and deposition experiments are used to evaluate the flow and deposition characteristics of crude oils with varying blending ratios. The results show that (1) blending with light oil basically does not affect the shape of the DSC curve of crude oil; (2) blending with light oil will not eliminate the thermal treatment effect, and the mixed oil flowability still remains highly dependent on the thermal treatment temperature; (3) blending with light oil can greatly decrease the abnormal point and oil viscosity, in which the low-temperature viscosity decreases more significantly; and (4) a wax deposition model of mixed oil is obtained through the fitting of Huang’s model, where the blending ratio is a crucial factor in the determination of the model parameters k, m, and n.
Christian Iconography on Ming and Qing Chinese Porcelain: Religious Influence and Artistic Hybridization
Authors: Guo Mo
Published: April 2024

Since the arrival of Christian missionaries in China through maritime trade networks, missionary activities have been changing from the 16th century to the 18th century. Christian missionaries faced numerous challenges stemming from cultural context and religious policies in China. Throughout history, various religious strategies have been employed to address these challenges. The use of Chinese porcelain to depict Christian imagery holds significant importance. The present study is focused on four representative Chinese porcelains dating from the Ming to Qing dynasties, each associated with specific phases of Christianity in China. Examining the connections between the Christian mission in China and Christian iconography on Chinese porcelain leads to the conclusion that the visual culture associated with the Christian mission in China is influenced by and reflects intercultural or interreligious dialogue with mutual understanding. In the meantime, it signifies an intricate process of interaction, appropriation, hybridization, and adaptation, through which Christian iconography gained new significance on Chinese porcelain.
Introduction of the Special Issue “Transcendence and Happiness: New Perspectives from Religion and Philosophy”
Authors: Verhoef Anné H.
Published: April 2024

This Special Issue aimed to stimulate and revive scholarly interest in the relationship between transcendence and happiness, specifically from religious and philosophical perspectives [...]
Ocean Variability in the Costa Rica Thermal Dome Region from 2012 to 2021
Authors: Shi Wei , Wang Menghua
Published: April 2024

Satellite ocean color and sea surface temperature (SST) observations from 2012 to 2021 and sea surface salinity (SSS) measurements from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission from 2015 to 2021 are used to characterize and quantify the seasonal and interannual variability in the physical, optical, and biological sea surface features in the Costa Rica Thermal Dome (CRTD) region. High-resolution climatology and the seasonal variability in SST, SSS, and ocean color properties are produced. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration, SST, and SSS show these three properties are linked with similar spatial patterns and seasonal variations, i.e., elevated Chl-a concentrations, match the depressed SST and increased SSS and vice versa. This reflects that the physical driving force is the same for these three ocean properties and implies that nutrient supply associated with the physical processes is the major driver for the seasonal biological variability. The interannual changes in Chl-a, SST, and SSS also show that these three ocean properties are consistent among themselves. The positive (negative) Chl-a anomaly generally occurs with negative (positive) SST anomaly and enhanced (reduced) SSS. The in situ measurements evidently show that the subsurface ocean dynamics in the upper 100 m controls the sea surface variability for Chl-a, SST, and SSS. We report that no significant enhancement of Chl-a is observed in the CRTD region during the central Pacific (CP)-type 2020–2021 La Niña event, while Chl-a changes are significant in the other three of four ENSO events between 2012 and 2021. Furthermore, the difference in Chl-a variability driven by the CP-type ENSO and eastern Pacific (EP)-type ENSO is further discussed.
Prospecting Prediction for the Yulong Metallogenic Belt in Tibet Based on Remote Sensing Alteration Information and Structural Interpretation
Authors: Feng Yilin , Dai Jingjing , Bai Longyang , Wu Changyu
Published: April 2024

The Yulong porphyry copper belt in eastern Tibet is located in the middle of Tethys–Himalayan metallogenic mega-province, which is one of the three major porphyry copper metallogenic mega-provinces. The Yulong copper belt belongs to the super porphyry copper belt and represents one of the most important copper mineralization prospecting areas in China. A significant quantity of research data shows that this study area belongs to the environment of intracontinental collision and compression, with a complex geological structure, magmatic rock development and excellent metallogenic geological background. However, because this area is located in an alpine and high-altitude area, it is difficult to carry out any traditional field geological surveys, and the existing studies of both prospecting and prediction are relatively weak. This study focused on information extraction for alteration minerals in the Yulong metallogenic belt and its surroundings based on multispectral data and hyperspectral data, establishing a spectral library of alteration minerals in this area. Based on Sentinel-1A radar data and Landsat-8 OLI color synthesis data, the linear structure of the study area was interpreted. On this basis, the information extraction results relating to alteration minerals obtained from multi-source remote sensing data, linear structure interpretation results and the geochemical exploration data of the study area were superimposed to comprehensively analyze the metallogenic geological conditions and mineralization characteristics in the area, establish remote sensing prospecting indicators there and optimize the potential areas for prospecting, providing technical support for the next step of prospecting and exploration in the area.
Deep Learning for Exploring Landslides with Remote Sensing and Geo-Environmental Data: Frameworks, Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wang Teng
Published: April 2024

This article offers a comprehensive AI-centric review of deep learning in exploring landslides with remote-sensing techniques, breaking new ground beyond traditional methodologies. We categorize deep learning tasks into five key frameworks—classification, detection, segmentation, sequence, and the hybrid framework—and analyze their specific applications in landslide-related tasks. Following the presented frameworks, we review state-or-art studies and provide clear insights into the powerful capability of deep learning models for landslide detection, mapping, susceptibility mapping, and displacement prediction. We then discuss current challenges and future research directions, emphasizing areas like model generalizability and advanced network architectures. Aimed at serving both newcomers and experts on remote sensing and engineering geology, this review highlights the potential of deep learning in advancing landslide risk management and preservation.
A Method to Track 3D Knee Kinematics by Multi-Channel 3D-Tracked A-Mode Ultrasound
Authors: Niu Kenan , Sluiter Victor , Lan Bangyu , Homminga Jasper , Sprengers André , Verdonschot Nico
Published: April 2024

This paper introduces a method for measuring 3D tibiofemoral kinematics using a multi-channel A-mode ultrasound system under dynamic conditions. The proposed system consists of a multi-channel A-mode ultrasound system integrated with a conventional motion capture system (i.e., optical tracking system). This approach allows for the non-invasive and non-radiative quantification of the tibiofemoral joint’s six degrees of freedom (DOF). We demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of this method in the cadaveric experiment. The knee joint’s motions were mimicked by manually manipulating the leg through multiple motion cycles from flexion to extension. To measure it, six custom ultrasound holders, equipped with a total of 30 A-mode ultrasound transducers and 18 optical markers, were mounted on various anatomical regions of the lower extremity of the specimen. During experiments, 3D-tracked intra-cortical bone pins were inserted into the femur and tibia to measure the ground truth of tibiofemoral kinematics. The results were compared with the tibiofemoral kinematics derived from the proposed ultrasound system. The results showed an average rotational error of 1.51 ± 1.13° and a translational error of 3.14 ± 1.72 mm for the ultrasound-derived kinematics, compared to the ground truth. In conclusion, this multi-channel A-mode ultrasound system demonstrated a great potential of effectively measuring tibiofemoral kinematics during dynamic motions. Its improved accuracy, nature of non-invasiveness, and lack of radiation exposure make this method a promising alternative to incorporate into gait analysis and prosthetic kinematic measurements later.
Real-Time Ferrogram Segmentation of Wear Debris Using Multi-Level Feature Reused Unet
Authors: You Jie , Fan Shibo , Yu Qinghai , Wang Lianfu , Zhang Zhou , Zong Zheying
Published: April 2024

The real-time monitoring and fault diagnosis of modern machinery and equipment impose higher demands on equipment maintenance, with the extraction of morphological characteristics of wear debris in lubricating oil emerging as a critical approach for real-time monitoring of wear, holding significant importance in the field. The online visual ferrograph (OLVF) technique serves as a representative method in this study. Various semantic segmentation approaches, such as DeepLabV3+, PSPNet, Segformer, Unet, and other models, are employed to process the oil wear particle image for conducting comparative experiments. In order to accurately segment the minute wear debris in oil abrasive images and mitigate the influence of reflection and bubbles, we propose a multi-level feature reused Unet (MFR Unet) that enhances the residual link strategy of Unet for improved identification of tiny wear debris in ferrograms, leading to superior segmentation results.
Bearing Fault Diagnosis via Stepwise Sparse Regularization with an Adaptive Sparse Dictionary
Authors: Yu Lichao , Wang Chenglong , Zhang Fanghong , Luo Huageng
Published: April 2024

Vibration monitoring is one of the most effective approaches for bearing fault diagnosis. Within this category of techniques, sparsity constraint-based regularization has received considerable attention for its capability to accurately extract repetitive transients from noisy vibration signals. The optimal solution of a sparse regularization problem is determined by the regularization term and the data fitting term in the cost function according to their weights, so a tradeoff between sparsity and data fidelity has to be made inevitably, which restricts conventional regularization methods from maintaining strong sparsity-promoting capability and high fitting accuracy at the same time. To address the limitation, a stepwise sparse regularization (SSR) method with an adaptive sparse dictionary is proposed. In this method, the bearing fault diagnosis is modeled as a multi-parameter optimization problem, including time indexes of the sparse dictionary and sparse coefficients. Firstly, sparsity-enhanced optimization is conducted by amplifying the regularization parameter, making the time indexes and the number of atoms adaptively converge to the moments when impulses occur and the number of impulses, respectively. Then, fidelity-enhanced optimization is carried out by removing the regularization term, thereby obtaining the high-precision reconstruction amplitudes. Simulations and experiments verify that the reconstruction accuracy of the SSR method outperforms other sparse regularization methods under most noise conditions, and thus the proposed method can provide more accurate results for bearing fault diagnosis.
TimeTector: A Twin-Branch Approach for Unsupervised Anomaly Detection in Livestock Sensor Noisy Data (TT-TBAD)
Authors: Kakar Junaid Khan , Hussain Shahid , Kim Sang Cheol , Kim Hyongsuk
Published: April 2024

Unsupervised anomaly detection in multivariate time series sensor data is a complex task with diverse applications in different domains such as livestock farming and agriculture (LF&A), the Internet of Things (IoT), and human activity recognition (HAR). Advanced machine learning techniques are necessary to detect multi-sensor time series data anomalies. The primary focus of this research is to develop state-of-the-art machine learning methods for detecting anomalies in multi-sensor data. Time series sensors frequently produce multi-sensor data with anomalies, which makes it difficult to establish standard patterns that can capture spatial and temporal correlations. Our innovative approach enables the accurate identification of normal, abnormal, and noisy patterns, thus minimizing the risk of misinterpreting models when dealing with mixed noisy data during training. This can potentially result in the model deriving incorrect conclusions. To address these challenges, we propose a novel approach called “TimeTector-Twin-Branch Shared LSTM Autoencoder” which incorporates several Multi-Head Attention mechanisms. Additionally, our system now incorporates the Twin-Branch method which facilitates the simultaneous execution of multiple tasks, such as data reconstruction and prediction error, allowing for efficient multi-task learning. We also compare our proposed model to several benchmark anomaly detection models using our dataset, and the results show less error (MSE, MAE, and RMSE) in reconstruction and higher accuracy scores (precision, recall, and F1) against the baseline models, demonstrating that our approach outperforms these existing models.
The Power, Capacity, and Resiliency of Women in Substance Use Disorder Recovery to Overcome Multiple and Complex Housing Transitions
Authors: Patton David
Published: April 2024

Gendered understandings of housing transitions amongst women and especially amongst those in substance use disorder recovery are under-researched. To address this gap, this study explores the multifaceted challenges and pathways to housing stability amongst women in substance use disorder recovery in the UK. Through qualitative analysis of life course interviews with 15 women in recovery, it becomes evident that housing insecurity, instability, and frequent transitions are common experiences. The women in the sample faced housing instability, ranging from temporary supported accommodations to homelessness. Notably, escaping negative relationships with male partners emerged as a primary cause of homelessness among these women. What this article highlights, which has not been found elsewhere to date, is that housing transitions are essentially a social process for women in recovery. This study highlights the social dimension of housing transitions. The potency of social capital and social networks in determining housing stability and security amongst women is emphasised as they exchange negative forms of social capital for positive forms of social capital. Recommendations stemming from this study include the need for drug recovery and housing policies to integrate gender-specific strategies to adequately support women in recovery. Further, they need to adopt a broader perspective, emphasizing the importance of fostering positive social connections and networks when considering housing options for individuals in recovery. For women who have spent a long time in supported residential and therapeutic environments, there is a need to develop a scaffolded support system to help women transition to independent living. The utilisation of recovery capital (and CHIME) as frameworks may provide a basis upon which to map out holistic and sustainable pathways to housing stability and security for women in recovery due to their acknowledgement of interconnected and related life domains that produce change and transformation.
Mental Health in First- and Second-Division Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bonet Lucía , Benito Ana , Usó Héctor , Peraire Marc , Haro Gonzalo , Almodóvar-Fernández Isabel
Published: April 2024

Background: The benefits of sport in mental health have been broadly studied. However, few studies have examined these outcomes in high-performance athletes. We aimed to analyze the state of the mental health of the Villarreal Soccer Club’s first- (FD) and second-division (SD) players and the possible mediating effects of sex and professional category. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with an initial sample of 108 soccer players (final sample n = 54). Data from MINI, HARS, HDRS, BARRAT-11 and SCSRQ questionnaires were analyzed. Results: The mean age was 23.41 years (SD = 4.56) and 61.1% (n = 33) were men. A proportion of 24.1% (n = 13) stated that they had undergone mental health treatment, 7.4% (n = 4) had taken psychotropic drugs, and 2.1% (n = 1) had made a suicide attempt. Differences were observed between the FD and SD players in terms of the sensitivity to punishment (t = −2.2; p = 0.033), overall impulsivity (t = −3.1; p = 0.003), unplanned impulsivity (t = 3.4; p = 0.001), and the HDRS (U = −110.5; p = 0.004), HARS-Total (U = −104.0; p = 0.006) and HARS-Psychological subscale scores (U = −104.0; p = 0.001). Differences were also observed between the female and male SD players for the HARS-Somatic subscale (U = 136.5; p = 0.028). Conclusion: The low values obtained in the clinical scales, together with the reported psychopathological histories, suggested that the Villareal players showed better mental health than the general population.
Effects of Fall and Winter Cover Crops on Weed Suppression in the United States: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dong Fengxia , Zeng Wendy
Published: April 2024

Cover cropping recently emerged as a promising alternative to conventional tillage and herbicide use for weed suppression in agricultural systems. We investigated their effectiveness in weed control and the varying effects of different management strategies using a meta-analysis. Our analysis studied two categories: weed biomass control and weed density control. We employed a random-effect model to analyze weed biomass to address between-study heterogeneity and found that cover crop treatments led to a significant 62.6% reduction in weed biomass. These results are robust to outliers and publication bias. Furthermore, subgroup analysis found that planting a mixture of cover crop types was more effective than planting a single type. Additionally, planting a mixture of cover crop species, which are subcategories of cover crop types, was found to be more effective than planting a single species. Our analysis also unveiled a persistent, albeit diminishing, reduction in weed biomass even after the termination of cover crops. For weed density analysis, we used a fixed-effect model due to the absence of between-study heterogeneity and found a statistically significant reduction (45.4%) in weed density. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference in weed density control between legume and grass cover crop types.