bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taking Flight for a Greener Planet: How Swarming Could Help Monitor Air Pollution Sources
Authors: Baumgart Jan , Mikołajewski Dariusz , Czerniak Jacek M.
Published: January 2024

As the world grapples with the pressing challenge of environmental sustainability, the need for innovative solutions to combat air pollution has become paramount. Air pollution is a complex issue that necessitates real-time monitoring of pollution sources for effective mitigation. This paper explores the potential of swarm algorithms applied as a novel and efficient approach to address this critical environmental concern. Swarm algorithms offer a promising framework for coordinating fleets of drones to collaboratively monitor and analyze air pollution sources. The unique capabilities of drones, including their agility, accessibility, and versatility, make them ideal candidates for aerial data collection. When harnessed in a swarm, these drones can create a dynamic and adaptable network that provides a more comprehensive and fine-grained understanding of air pollution dynamics. This paper delves into the conceptual foundations of using swarm algorithms in drone-based air pollution monitoring.
An Adaptive Control Method and Learning Strategy for Ultrasound-Guided Puncture Robot
Authors: Li Tao , Zeng Quan , Li Jinbiao , Qian Cheng , Yu Hanmei , Lu Jian , Zhang Yi , Zhou Shoujun
Published: January 2024

The development of a new generation of minimally invasive surgery is mainly reflected in robot-assisted diagnosis and treatment methods and their clinical applications. It is a clinical concern for robot-assisted surgery to use a multi-joint robotic arm performing human ultrasound scanning or ultrasound-guided percutaneous puncture. Among them, the motion control of the robotic arm, and the guiding and contact scanning processes of the ultrasonic (US-) probe determine the diagnosis effect, as well as the accuracy and safety of puncture surgery. To address these challenges, this study developed an intelligent robot-assisted system integrating autonomous US inspection and needle positioning, which has relation to several intelligent algorithms such as adaptive flexible control of the robot arm, autonomous US-scanning, and real-time attitude adjustment of the puncture needle. To improve the cooperativity of the spatial operation of the robot end-effector, we propose an adaptive flexible control algorithm that allows the operator to control the robot arm flexibly with low damping. To achieve the stability and uniformity of contact detection and imaging, we introduced a self-scanning method of US-probe based on reinforcement learning and built a software model of variable stiffness based on MuJoco to verify the constant force and velocity required by the end mechanism. We conducted a fixed trajectory scanning experiment at a scanning speed of 0.06 m/s. The force curve generally converges towards the desired contact force of 10 N, with minor oscillations around this value. For surgical process monitoring, we adopted the puncture needle detection algorithm based on Unet++ to acquire the position and attitude information of the puncture needle in real time. In short, we proposed and verified an adaptive control method and learning strategy by using an UR robotic arm equipped with a US-probe and puncture needle, and we improved the intelligence of the US-guided puncture robot.
A Linear Multi-Band Voltage-Controlled Oscillator with Process Compensation for SerDes Applications
Authors: Bertsias Panagiotis , Tsimpos Andreas , Souliotis George
Published: January 2024

A new voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) topology for serializer–deserializer (SerDes) applications is proposed in this paper. The topology is suitable for SATA, PCI Express, and USB 3 protocols. The VCO is based on two-ring oscillator cores and operates in several frequency bands, as required by the corresponding protocol specifications, with a constant VCO gain and improved linear control over the frequency tuning. Additionally, it is supported by an automatic digital compensation mechanism for process variations. The VCO has been designed to cover the several speeds of the SATA and PCI Express protocols, with optimized performance in all of them, including the current consumption, the phase noise, and the frequency tuning in each case. Designed in a CMOS 22 nm technology node with a 0.8 V supply voltage, it can achieve, at 3 GHz frequency, a phase noise better than −90 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset and an average power consumption equal to 3.84 mW. Extended digital control can set optimized configurations for phase noise, current consumption, and VCO gain vs. process variations. Extensive post-layout simulation results verify the superior performance.
A Contemporary Survey on Deepfake Detection: Datasets, Algorithms, and Challenges
Authors: Gong Liang Yu , Li Xue Jun
Published: January 2024

Deepfakes are notorious for their unethical and malicious applications to achieve economic, political, and social reputation goals. Recent years have seen widespread facial forgery, which does not require technical skills. Since the development of generative adversarial networks (GANs) and diffusion models (DMs), deepfake generation has been moving toward better quality. Therefore, it is necessary to find an effective method to detect fake media. This contemporary survey provides a comprehensive overview of several typical facial forgery detection methods proposed from 2019 to 2023. We also analyze and group them into four categories in terms of their feature extraction methods and network architectures: traditional convolutional neural network (CNN)-based detection, CNN backbone with semi-supervised detection, transformer-based detection, and biological signal detection. Furthermore, it summarizes several representative deepfake detection datasets with their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we evaluate the performance of these detection models with respect to different datasets by comparing their evaluating metrics. Across all experimental results on these state-of-the-art detection models, we find that the accuracy is largely degraded if we utilize cross-dataset evaluation. These results will provide a reference for further research to develop more reliable detection algorithms.
Sentiment Analysis in Portuguese Restaurant Reviews: Application of Transformer Models in Edge Computing
Authors: Branco Alexandre , Parada Daniel , Silva Marcos , Mendonça Fábio , Mostafa Sheikh Shanawaz , Morgado-Dias Fernando
Published: January 2024

This study focuses on improving sentiment analysis in restaurant reviews by leveraging transfer learning and transformer-based pre-trained models. This work evaluates the suitability of pre-trained deep learning models for analyzing Natural Language Processing tasks in Portuguese. It also explores the viability of utilizing edge devices for Natural Language Processing tasks, considering their computational limitations and resource constraints. Specifically, we employ bidirectional encoder representations from transformers and robustly optimized BERT approach, two state-of-the-art models, to build a sentiment review classifier. The classifier’s performance is evaluated using accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve as the primary metrics. Our results demonstrate that the classifier developed using ensemble techniques outperforms the baseline model (from 0.80 to 0.84) in accurately classifying restaurant review sentiments when three classes are considered (negative, neutral, and positive), reaching an accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve higher than 0.8 when examining a Zomato restaurant review dataset, provided for this work. This study seeks to create a model for the precise classification of Portuguese reviews into positive, negative, or neutral categories. The flexibility of deploying our model on affordable hardware platforms suggests its potential to enable real-time solutions. The deployment of the model on edge computing platforms improves accessibility in resource-constrained environments.
Detection-Free Object Tracking for Multiple Occluded Targets in Plenoptic Video
Authors: Yong Yunjeong , Kang Jiwoo , Oh Heeseok
Published: January 2024

Multiple object tracking (MOT) is a fundamental task in vision, but MOT techniques for plenoptic video are scarce. Almost all 2D MOT algorithms that show high performance mostly use the detection-based method which has the disadvantage of operating only for a specific object. To enable tracking of arbitrary desired objects, this paper introduces a groundbreaking detection-free tracking method for MOT in plenoptic videos. The proposed method deviates from traditional detection-based tracking methods, emphasizing the challenges of tracking targets with occlusions. The paper presents specialized algorithms that exploit the multifocal information of plenoptic video, including the focal range restriction and dynamic focal range adjustment schemes to secure robustness for occluded object tracking. To the improvement of the spatial searching capability, the anchor ensemble and the dynamic change of spatial search region algorithms are also proposed. Additionally, in terms of MOT, to reduce the computation time involved, the motion-adaptive time scheduling technique is proposed, which improves computation speed while guaranteeing a certain level of accuracy. Experimental results show a significant improvement in tracking performance, with a 77% success rate based on intersection over union for occluded targets in plenoptic videos, marking a substantial advancement in the field of plenoptic object tracking.
FPGA-Accelerated Erasure Coding Encoding in Ceph Based on an Efficient Layered Strategy
Authors: Lei Fan , Chen Junqi , Wang Yong , Yang Sijie
Published: January 2024

Distributed storage systems such as Ceph have been widely adopted, with erasure coding technology being an essential fault-tolerance technique. While ensuring data reliability and security, it significantly reduces the cost of data storage. Due to the computational overhead and encoding latency introduced by the erasure coding process, the data encoding rate is often constrained. To address this issue, an FPGA-accelerated erasure coding encoding scheme in Ceph, based on an efficient layered strategy (FPGA-Accelerated Erasure Coding Encoding in Ceph with an Efficient Layered Strategy, LFEC-Accelerator), is proposed and implemented. This approach takes full advantage of FPGA’s parallel computing capabilities to accelerate the erasure coding algorithm at the hardware level. Furthermore, to maximize the utilization of the FPGA controller’s resources and ensure that all processing steps are properly managed and scheduled, our approach introduces a hierarchical structure comprising a communication interface layer, task scheduling layer, and hardware acceleration layer. Experimental results indicate that, under the same erasure coding configurations and file sizes, our solution outperforms native Ceph-supported erasure coding libraries such as Jerasure, Clay, Shec and ISA, with an encoding rate improvement of up to 3.04 times.
Sustainable Ground Transportation and the E-Commerce Revolution: Innovations and Challenges at the Intersection
Authors: Poo Mark Ching-Pong , Lau Yui-yip , Qi Baomin , Pun Cecilia Fung-kan
Published: January 2024

This review paper offers a comprehensive exploration of the symbiotic relationship between sustainable ground transportation and the dynamic realm of e-commerce. It delves into the critical intersection of environmental sustainability, technological innovation, and the evolving landscape of online commerce. This review synthesises cutting-edge technologies and strategies aimed at reducing energy requirements and environmental impacts in ground transportation. It explores advancements in lightweight materials, aerodynamics, and alternative fuels, emphasising their potential to mitigate the environmental footprint of vehicles. Additionally, the transition towards zero-emission vehicles, including battery-operated and fuel-cell vehicles, is analysed, taking into account both short-term and long-term outlooks. Simultaneously, the paper delves into the evolving landscape of e-commerce, which has become an integral part of modern consumer behaviour. It investigates the influence of e-commerce on ground transportation practices, emphasising the importance of efficient logistics, last-mile delivery, and sustainability in meeting the demands of the digital commerce era. By providing a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities at the nexus of sustainable ground transportation and e-commerce, this review paper offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders striving to shape a more sustainable and responsive future for ground transportation in the digital age.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in Homeless People from Urban Shelters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2023)
Authors: Riccò Matteo , Baldassarre Antonio , Corrado Silvia , Bottazzoli Marco , Marchesi Federico
Published: January 2024

Homeless people (HP) are disproportionally affected by respiratory disorders, including pneumococcal and mycobacterial infections. On the contrary, more limited evidence has been previously gathered on influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and very little is known about the occurrence of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of respiratory tract infections among children and the elderly. The present systematic review was designed to collect available evidence about RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections in HP, focusing on those from urban homeless shelters. Three medical databases (PubMed, Embase and Scopus) and the preprint repository medRxiv.org were therefore searched for eligible observational studies published up to 30 December 2023, and the collected cases were pooled in a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistics. Reporting bias was assessed by funnel plots and a regression analysis. Overall, 31 studies were retrieved, and of them, 17 reported on the point prevalence of respiratory pathogens, with pooled estimates of 4.91 cases per 1000 HP (95%CI: 2.46 to 9.80) for RSV, 3.47 per 1000 HP for influenza and 40.21 cases per 1000 HP (95%CI: 14.66 to 105.55) for SARS-CoV-2. Incidence estimates were calculated from 12 studies, and SARS-CoV-2 was characterized by the highest occurrence (9.58 diagnoses per 1000 persons-months, 95%CI: 3.00 to 16.16), followed by influenza (6.07, 95%CI: 0.00 to 15.06) and RSV (1.71, 95%CI: 0.00 to 4.13). Only four studies reported on the outcome of viral infections in HP: the assessed pathogens were associated with a high likelihood of hospitalization, while high rates of recurrence and eventual deaths were reported in cases of RSV infections. In summary, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections were documented in HP from urban shelters, and their potential outcomes stress the importance of specifically tailored preventive strategies.
Reproduction of a Serotinous Conifer, the Giant Sequoia, in a Large High-Severity Fire Area
Authors: Hanson Chad T. , Chi Tonja Y. , Khosla Maya , Baker Bryant C. , Swolgaard Craig
Published: January 2024

Giant sequoia groves, located on the western slope of the central and southern Sierra Nevada mountains in California, USA, have been experiencing regeneration failure for more than a century due to the exclusion of wildfires. Giant sequoias are serotinous conifers and have evolved a strong relationship between high-severity fire and reproduction. While this relationship is widely recognized, only one previous peer-reviewed study has directly investigated giant sequoia reproduction and fire severity, and that study used different fires for each severity class. We conducted a study of giant sequoia reproduction and fire severity in a single fire, the KNP Complex fire of 2021, within the Redwood Mountain Grove in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. We found that giant sequoia seedlings are more dominant relative to other conifer species and are growing faster in a large high-severity fire area than in adjacent low/moderate-severity areas. Distance to the nearest live sequoia seed source was not a significant factor in sequoia seedling density. Our results call into question the basis for widespread plans and projects designed to prevent high-severity fires and should reevaluate moving forward with proposed tree planting activities in high-severity fire areas within giant sequoia groves.
Sensing Offshore Aquaculture Infrastructures for Data-Driven Dynamic Stress Analysis
Authors: Sanz-González Juan Carlos , Jurado-Mc Allister Amalia , Navarro-Martínez Mercedes , Martínez Álvarez-Castellanos Rosa , Felis-Enguix Ivan , Yazid Yassine , El-Mansouri Yahya , De Miquel-Moral Fernando , Errachdi Hamid , Juan-Licián Ana
Published: January 2024

The presence of escaped fish in aquaculture facilities as a result of harsh meteorological conditions (more pressing in the face of climate change) requires a better understanding of this dynamic behaviour through vigilant monitoring and validated numerical models. In this context, data from strain and stress sensors as well as meteorological and current sensors installed at an aquaculture farm in the Region of Murcia (Spain) were collected, processed and analysed. Among them, the first results on the relationship between load and current sensors are presented. Due to the complexity of the time series, various analyses were conducted to examine their interrelation, encompassing the regression analysis of raw data and data segmented into different time intervals. Through this analysis, it was observed that employing distinct time windows better elucidated the data variability. Furthermore, an optimal data window of 240 data points was identified, demonstrating a significantly improved explanatory power, with the coefficient of determination (R2) increasing by approximately 0.8 depending on the section. This paves the way for optimising the monitoring features that must be carried out to relate cause-and-effect variables in the behaviour of these offshore infrastructures.
Urban Environment’s Contributory Factors for the Adoption of Cargo Bike Usage: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Chatziioannou Ioannis , Bakogiannis Efthimios , Karolemeas Christos , Kourmpa Efthymia , Papadaki Kalliopi , Vlastos Thanos
Published: January 2024

The supply chain sector plays a crucial role in driving economic development and globalization. However, the environmental repercussions of logistics and freight transport have become more pronounced. Nowadays, there is an ever-increasing acceptance regarding the opinion that the use of more sustainable urban freight transport has the potential to offer great social, economic, and environmental benefits. This study examines and highlights, via a systematic literature review, the urban environment’s factors that can essentially influence the promotion and usage of cargo bikes for last-mile deliveries in the urban environment. The aforementioned literature review revealed the importance of the quality of the urban environment’s components for the perceived and objective safety of people who make use of cargo bikes. In particular, the most essential factors for the increased use of cargo bikes were found to be traffic load, speed limits, and heavy vehicle traffic. Bicycle infrastructure is also an important factor in bicycling acceptance, as it provides the backbone for a comfortable and safe bicycle ride. Two other factors that can seriously affect cyclists’ sense of safety are street intersections and the width and number of road lanes, as the interaction between cargo bikes and motorized vehicles increases the possibility of traffic accidents. All the above factors need to be considered via various public policies that are not isolated countermeasures but form part of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans that are currently being implemented in many European cities to ensure continuity and create a sustainable future.
Listening and Processing Skills in Young School Children with a History of Developmental Phonological Disorder
Authors: Kalnak Nelli , Nakeva von Mentzer Cecilia
Published: January 2024

There is a lack of longitudinal studies on the broad-based outcomes in children with Developmental Phonological Disorder (DPD). The aim of this study was to investigate listening and processing skills in a clinical sample of 7-to-10-year-old children diagnosed with DPD in their preschool years and compare these to same-aged typically developing (TD) children. The Evaluation of Children’s Listening and Processing Skills (ECLiPS) was completed by parents of 115 children with DPD and by parents of 46 TD children. The total ECLiPS mean score, and the five subscale mean scores, the proportion of children with clinically significant difficulties (≤10th percentile), and the proportion of children with co-occurrence of clinically significant difficulties on more than one subscale, were calculated. Results showed that the ECLiPS mean scores did not differ between the groups. There was no difference between groups regarding language and literacy, but a higher proportion of children with DPD than TD had difficulties in the total score, speech, and auditory processing, environmental and auditory sensitivity, and pragmatic and social skills. In addition, 33.9% of children with DPD had clinically significant difficulties in two or more subscales compared to 10.9% of TD children.
Analysing Early Diagnosis Strategies for HIV Infection: A Retrospective Study of Missed Diagnostic Opportunities
Authors: Giménez-Arufe Víctor , Rotea-Salvo Sandra , Martínez-Pradeda Alejandro , Mena-de-Cea Álvaro , Margusino-Framiñán Luis , Suanzes-Hernández Jorge , Martín Herranz María Isabel , Cid-Silva Purificación
Published: January 2024

Early diagnosis of a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected person represents a cornerstone of HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Numerous publications have developed recommendations where HIV serology is indicated to reduce missed diagnostic opportunities (MDOs). This retrospective study analyses new HIV infection diagnoses and the relationship between late diagnosis (LD)/advanced HIV disease (AHD), baseline characteristics, and MDOs. Sociodemographic data and data related to contact with the health system in the 5 years before diagnosis were collected. Most of the 273 diagnoses were made in primary care (48.5%). Approximately 50.5% and 34.4% had LD and AHD criteria, respectively. Female sex was associated with a higher incidence of LD. Persons infected through the heterosexual route and those at an older age had a higher risk for LD and AHD. People with previous HIV serology presented a lower percentage of LD and AHD. In total, 10% of the health contact instances were classified as MDOs, mostly occurring in primary care. A significant increase in the median of MDOs was observed in patients with LD/AHD. Female sex and hepatitis C virus co-infection were associated with an increase in the number of MDOs. The high percentage of LD and AHD and the significant number of MDOs show that the current screening system should be improved.
An Inclusive Framework for Collaboration between Midwives and Traditional Birth Attendants and Optimising Maternal and Child Healthcare in Restricted Rural Communities in South Africa: Policy Considerations
Authors: Musie Maurine Rofhiwa , Mulaudzi Fhumulani Mavis , Anokwuru Rafiat , Sepeng Nombulelo Veronica
Published: January 2024

Collaboration between midwives and traditional birth attendants for maternal and child healthcare is a challenge in rural South African communities due to the absence of a guiding framework. To address this, this study sought to develop and validate an inclusive framework informed by the Donabedian structure–process–outcome (SPO) framework for collaboration between these healthcare professionals. Method: Key stakeholders were invited to participate in a co-creation workshop to develop the framework. Twenty (20) participants were purposively sampled based on their maternal and child healthcare expertise. A consensus design using the nominal group technique was followed. Results: Participants identified the components needed in the framework, encompassing (i) objectives, (ii) structures, (iii) processes, and (iv) outcomes. Conclusion: This paper will contribute to the development of an inclusive healthcare framework, providing insights for stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to improve maternal and child healthcare outcomes in resource-constrained, rural settings. Ultimately, the proposed framework will create a sustainable and culturally sensitive model that optimises the strengths of midwives and TBAs and fosters improved healthcare delivery to rural South African communities.
Early Biofilm Formation on the Drain Tip after Total Knee Arthroplasty Is Not Associated with Prosthetic Joint Infection: A Pilot Prospective Case Series Study of a Single Center
Authors: Grassi Marco , Senarighi Marco , Farinelli Luca , Masucci Annamaria , Mattioli-Belmonte Monica , Licini Caterina , Gigante Antonio
Published: January 2024

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of arthroplasties that could occur during the surgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biofilm formation through microbiological culture tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the tip of surgical drainage removed 24 h after arthroplasty surgery. Methods: A total of 50 consecutive patients were included in the present prospective observational study. Drains were removed under total aseptic conditions twenty-four hours after surgery. The drain tip was cut in three equal parts of approximately 2–3 cm in length and sent for culture, culture after sonication, and SEM analysis. The degree of biofilm formation was determined using a SEM semi-quantitative scale. Results: From the microbiological analysis, the cultures of four samples were positive. The semi-quantitative SEM analysis showed that no patient had grade 4 of biofilm formation. A total of 8 patients (16%) had grade 3, and 14 patients (28%) had grade 2. Grade 1, scattered cocci with immature biofilm, was contemplated in 16 patients (32%). Finally, 12 patients (24%) had grade 0 with a total absence of bacteria. During the follow-up (up to 36 months), no patient showed short- or long-term infectious complications. Conclusions: Most of the patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) showed biofilm formation on the tip of surgical drain 24 h after surgery even though none showed a mature biofilm formation (grade 4). Furthermore, 8% of patients were characterized by a positivity of culture analysis. However, none of the patients included in the study showed signs of PJI up to 3 years of follow-up.
Provenance of Neolithic Stone Artefacts through Minimally Invasive or Absolutely Non-Destructive Petroarchaeometric Investigations: Some Cases from Calabria (Southern Italy)
Authors: Acquafredda Pasquale , Festa Vincenzo , Micheletti Francesca , Fornelli Annamaria
Published: January 2024

In the present work, more than one hundred and thirty lithic artefacts rediscovered in several archaeological sites dating from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages from Calabria (Southern Italy) were petroarchaeometrically characterised through minimally invasive techniques. In more detail, 110 specimens were found in the Grotta della Monaca site (Sant’Agata di Esaro), and the other 23 belong to a collection kept in the Museo Nazionale Preistorico ed Etnografico “Luigi Pigorini” (Roma), coming from several localities (Longobucco, Spezzano della Sila, Cicala, Gimigliano, Roccaforte del Greco, and Bova). For preservation needs, 2 small axes in polished stone and 2 obsidians collected from Grotta della Monaca were analysed by absolutely non-destructive techniques. Optical and electron microscopic investigations, sometimes integrated with wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectrometry, allowed us to ascertain that the source area of all the lithic tools was in Calabria, except for obsidians, which come from the island of Lipari (Messina, Southern Italy). For a small number of particularly favourable cases, it was possible to define with great precision the outcrop area of the used rocks given their textural and mineralogical features. The specific source area contained a pickaxe originating from Cetraro–Fuscaldo metabasalt (lawsonite–albite facies) outcrops and two small axes in polished stone, one derived from migmatitic metapelites from Palmi and the other from meta-ultramafic rocks from Curinga. The choice of the used lithologies, harder or softer, had to be linked to the use that humans had to make of the lithic artefacts.
Natural Cement in Portugal: Context in Cement Production and Architectural Use
Authors: Velosa Ana , Andrejkovičová Slavka , Vale Clara Pimenta do , Rocha Fernando
Published: January 2024

Natural cement, also known as “Roman cement”, was used across Europe during a historic period, mainly in many building facades, due to its hydraulic properties and aesthetic qualities. In Portugal, the use of natural cement occurred in buildings from the second half of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, a period during which the use of lime binders decreased and before the massive use of Portland cement. Recent conservation and rehabilitation actions resulting from necessary interventions in heritage buildings from this period have played an important role in revealing evidence of the use of natural cement and clarifying the lacunae of information about this material. Due to the inadequate use of reparation materials in previous conservation and rehabilitation interventions, this study summarizes the historical production, study, and use of natural cement in Portugal. Natural cement results from the calcination of clay-rich limestone (marlstone) without any compositional changes after extraction, distinguishing itself from hydraulic lime due to its higher clay content and allowing for the formation of higher quantities of hydraulic reactive phases without free lime. Although this topic has been approached at a European level, mainly focusing on the production and use of natural cement in Central Europe, in Portugal, it is still necessary to produce and disseminate information on this specific subject. Therefore, this study focuses on the evolution of cement production in Portugal and an analysis of the existing knowledge of the binders used in architectural heritage based on the scientific and historical bibliography.
A Study on the Fruiting and Correlation between the Chemical Indicators and Antimicrobial Properties of Hippophae rhamnoides L.
Authors: Netreba Natalia , Sandulachi Elisaveta , Macari Artur , Popa Sergiu , Ribintev Ion , Sandu Iuliana , Boestean Olga , Dianu Irina
Published: January 2024

Sea buckthorn is a promising species that, under the conditions of Eastern Europe, has shown high productivity and is also a good and possible source of a wide range of bioactive compounds that have a positive effect on the human body, especially polyphenols and carotenoids. Due to the content of biologically active substances in sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), the species is of growing interest to scientists, the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the cosmetics industry and consumers. The aim of this study is to investigate the productivity and the correlation between the chemical composition and the antibacterial effect of four cultivars of sea buckthorn (Clara, Dora, Cora, Mara), cultivated in the Republic of Moldova. Sea buckthorn fruits were harvested at the stage of full ripening. Berry samples were frozen at minus 25 °C, stored for 6 months and whole fruits of sea buckthorn were studied. All quantitative characteristics were calculated in terms of absolutely dry raw material (dry weight). The sea buckthorn cultivars tested were found to have a different carotenoid contents (1.79–48.92 mg/100 g), ascorbic acid contents (74.36–373.38 mg/100 g), organic acids (malic acid 5.8–13.4 mg/100 g, citric acid 0.08–0.321 mg/100 g, succinic acid 0.03–1.1 mg/100 g), total dry matter contents (16.71–24.54%), titratable acidities (2.15–8.76%) and pH values (2.73–3.00). The antimicrobial activity of sea buckthorn, evaluated by the diameter of the inhibition zone, constituted for Bacillus pumilus 3.70–15.91 mm/g−1 for whole sea buckthorn fruits and 13.33–26.67 mm/g−1 for sea buckthorn purees.
Inadequate Pollination Is a Key Factor Determining Low Fruit-to-Flower Ratios in Avocado
Authors: Alcaraz María L. , Hormaza Jose I.
Published: January 2024

Avocado is an evergreen tree that exhibits protogynous dichogamy and displays a massive flower production, characterized by a high abscission of unfertilized flowers and developing fruitlets, ultimately leading to a low final fruit set. A common practice to improve avocado pollination involves introducing honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) hives during the flowering season. To evaluate the extent of inadequate pollination in avocado, the effect of different beehive densities on the percentage of flowers receiving pollen during the female flower stage was examined for seven years in an experimental orchard located in Southern Spain. A total of 17,288 flowers were observed under the microscope for this purpose. Additionally, pollen deposition was evaluated in five “Hass” avocado commercial orchards under different management strategies situated in the Malaga province (3960 flowers). The results obtained reveal that the percentage of flowers with pollen at the end of the female stage ranged from 2.85 (0.13% fruits retained at the end of June) in orchards without honey bee hives to 4.34 (0.11% fruits retained) in orchards in which 10 beehives per ha were placed. This percentage increased significantly to 13.79 after introducing 24 honey beehives per ha (0.21% fruits retained). Furthermore, the percentage of pollinated flowers in the commercial orchards remained below 15% even in those orchards in which pollen donors and honey bee hives were present. Thus, insufficient pollination could be considered as a primary limiting factor in avocado production under Mediterranean climates. Enhancing pollinator diversity and increasing their numbers could be a viable strategy to improve the percentage of avocado flowers receiving pollen during the female stage.
Phytochemical Analysis and Specific Activities of Bark and Flower Extracts from Four Magnolia Plant Species
Authors: Cristea Ramona Maria (Iancu) , Sava Camelia , Căpățână Ciprian , Kanellou Anastasia
Published: January 2024

This study rigorously investigates the bioactive properties and characteristics of extracts derived from the flowers and bark of four distinct Magnolia species: Magnolia champaca, Magnolia denudata, Magnolia grandiflora and Magnolia officinalis. The primary objective is to evaluate the potential application of these extracts in cosmetics and other relevant industries. We used ethanol to extract compounds from these plants and conducted various tests, including spectrophotometry, HPLC, GC-MS, and microbiological analyses. The extracts, particularly rich in polyphenols (55.18 mg GAE/g), displayed significant antioxidant capabilities, with IC 50 values ranging between 9.99 mg/mL and 23.23 mg/mL. We quantified different compounds: phenolic acids (6.259 to 27.883 mg/g dry weight), aglycone flavonoids (61.224 to 135.788 mg/g dw), glycosidic flavonoids (17.265 to 57.961 mg/g dw), and lignans (150.071 to 374.902 mg/g dw). We identified 76 volatile compounds, predominantly oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, which contribute to the antibacterial effectiveness of the extracts. These extracts showed greater inhibitory potential against Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria. The diverse chemical compounds and their demonstrated activities suggest these extracts could be valuable in the cosmetics industry, pharmaceutical industry, or other industries.
Board Structure, CEO Equity-Based Compensation, and Financial Performance: Evidence from MENA Countries
Authors: Aljughaiman Abdullah A. , Almulhim Abdulateif A. , Al Naim Abdulaziz S.
Published: January 2024

This paper investigates the association between board of director (BOD) structures and CEO equity-based compensation (long-term incentive) for commercial banks (conventional and Islamic banks) in MENA countries. Specifically, we take board size and board independence to measure the board structure. Furthermore, we investigate the influence of board structure on the association between CEO equity-based compensation and financial performance. Moreover, we compare conventional and Islamic banks in testing these relationships. Using a sample of 65 banks in MENA countries for the period between 2009 and 2020, we show a significant positive association between board size and CEO compensation. However, we find the same association between these variables for IBs, but the effect of board size on CEO compensation is less. We also show that board independence is negatively correlated with CEO compensation. Nevertheless, the relationship between board independence and CEO ownership is positive for IBs. For the moderating test, we find that effective board structure provides more incentives to the CEO, leading them to achieve higher financial performance. The Islamic bank’s business model (based on Shari’ah principles) contributes to the different influences of board structure on CEO compensation. Our results provide the insight that a strong and effective board is important for managing the executive’s compensation system. The findings of this study have implications for financial firms, policymakers, and regulators. Specifically, the study may help in understanding the benefits of different compensation structures relative to different types of financial firms.
How Do Public Perceptions Affect the Security of Connected Places? A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Dutkowska-Zuk Agnieszka , Bourne Joe , An Chengyuan , Gao Xuan , Cetinkaya Oktay , Novitzky Peter , Ogunniye Gideon , Cooper Rachel , De Roure David , McCann Julie , Watson Jeremy , Watson Tim , Jones Eleri
Published: January 2024

This systematic literature review explores the scholarly debate around public perceptions and behaviors in the context of cybersecurity in connected places. It reveals that, while many articles highlight the importance of public perceptions and behaviors during a cyberattack, there is no unified consensus on how to influence them in order to minimize the attack’s impact and expedite recovery. Public perceptions can affect the success and sustainability of connected places; however, exactly how and to what extent remains unknown. We argue that more research is needed on the mechanisms to assess the influence of public perceptions and associated behaviors on threats to security in connected places. Furthermore, there is a need to investigate the models and tools currently being deployed by connected place design and management to understand and influence public perceptions and behaviors. Lastly, we identify the requirements to investigate the complex relationship between the public and connected place managers, define all stakeholders clearly, and explore the patterns between specific connected place cybersecurity incidents and the methods used to transform public perceptions.
Utilizing an Internet of Things (IoT) Device, Intelligent Control Design, and Simulation for an Agricultural System
Authors: Amertet Finecomess Sairoel , Gebresenbet Girma , Alwan Hassan Mohammed
Published: January 2024

In an agricultural system, finding suitable watering, pesticides, and soil content to provide the right nutrients for the right plant remains challenging. Plants cannot speak and cannot ask for the food they require. These problems can be addressed by applying intelligent (fuzzy logic) controllers to IoT devices in order to enhance communication between crops, ground mobile robots, aerial robots, and the entire farm system. The application of fuzzy logic in agriculture is a promising technology that can be used to optimize crop yields and reduce water usage. It was developed based on language and the air properties in agricultural fields. The entire system was simulated in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment with Cisco Packet Tracer integration. The inputs for the system were soil moisture sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors, and the outputs were pump flow, valve opening, water level, and moisture in the sounding. The obtained results were the output of the valve opening, moisture in the sounding, pump flow rate, outflow, water level, and ADH values, which are 10.00000013 rad/s, 34.72%, 4.494%, 0.025 m3/s, 73.31 cm3, and 750 values, respectively. The outflow rate increase indicates that water is being released from the tanks, and the control signal fluctuates, indicating that the valve is opening.
When Is a Two-Stage Surgical Procedure Indicated in the Treatment of Pseudotumors of the Hip? A Retrospective Study of 21 Cases and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Cerchiaro Mariachiara , Trovarelli Giulia , Angelini Andrea , Pala Elisa , Berizzi Antonio , Biz Carlo , Ruggieri Pietro
Published: January 2024

(1) Background: A pseudotumor of the hip is a sterile, non-neoplastic soft tissue mass associated with total hip arthroplasties. Pseudotumors may mimic soft tissue tumors or infections, and thus a differential diagnosis is crucial, and biopsy is recommended. The purpose of this study was to compare the complications and functional results between one-stage and two-stage procedures. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 21 patients surgically treated at our institution with “pseudotumors” associated with hip prosthesis (8 male, 13 female with a mean age of 69 years). One-stage revision was performed in 10 cases and two-stage reversion in 10, with excision only in 1 case. Complications were classified as major and minor and functional results assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS). (3) Results: Five patients (24%) reported major complications. The survival rate for all complications was 75%. The overall survival rate was 95% at 5 years. The mean HHS ranged from 35 pre-op to 75 post-op, highlighting improved functional results in all cases. We recorded no differences in complications or functional outcomes between the one- and two-stage procedures. (4) Conclusions: In our experience, the two-stage surgical approach is preferable in cases with major bone defects and larger pseudotumor sizes. The use of custom-made 3D-printed prostheses is increasing and is a further reason to prefer two-stage revision.
Primary Cutaneous CD30-Positive Lymphoproliferative Disorders—Current Therapeutic Approaches with a Focus on Brentuximab Vedotin
Authors: Stein Tomasz , Robak Tadeusz , Biernat Wojciech , Robak Ewa
Published: January 2024

One of the most common subgroups of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas is that of primary cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders. The group includes lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL), as well as some borderline cases. Recently, significant progress has been made in understanding the genetics and treatment of these disorders. This review article summarises the clinical evidence supporting the current treatment options for these diseases. Recent years have seen the introduction of novel agents into clinical practice; most of these target CD30, such as anti-CD30 monoclonal antibodies and conjugated antibodies (brentuximab vedotin), bispecific antibodies and cellular therapies, particularly anti-CD30 CAR-T cells. This paper briefly reviews the biology of CD30 that makes it a good therapeutic target and describes the anti-CD30 therapies that have emerged to date.
The Treatment of Periprosthetic Fracture Revision of the Humerus with “Bamboo Support” Structural Allograft Technique—Atrophic Non-Union of a Post-Operative Periprosthetic Fracture after Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Case Report
Authors: Chang Hsien-Hao , Lim Joon-Ryul , Yoon Tae-Hwan , Chun Yong-Min , Kim Hyoung-Sik
Published: January 2024

Periprosthetic fractures are a serious complication of joint replacement surgery. With the growing prevalence of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), the incidence of relatively uncommon periprosthetic humeral fractures has increased. Here, we present the unique case of a 74-year-old woman who developed atrophic non-union after plate osteosynthesis for a periprosthetic fracture associated with RTSA. Fixation failure was evident 3 months after the surgical intervention; the patient underwent a 3-month course of arm sling immobilization. However, bone resorption continued, and varus angulation of the fracture developed. In this case, surgical strategy involved the use of long proximal humerus internal locked system plate (DePuy Synthes, Paoli, PA, USA), augmented with autologous iliac bone graft and allogenic humerus structural bone graft with the “bamboo support technique”, fixed with Cable System (DePuy Synthes, Paoli, PA, USA). No reports have addressed the management of failed periprosthetic fractures using allogeneic humeral strut bone grafts. This report aims to fill the gap by presenting a novel surgical technique for the management of periprosthetic fractures associated with RTSA in case of treatment failure.
Systemic Inflammatory Response and the Noble and Underwood (NUn) Score as Early Predictors of Anastomotic Leakage after Esophageal Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Van Daele Elke , Vanommeslaeghe Hanne , Decostere Flo , Beckers Perletti Louise , Beel Esther , Van Nieuwenhove Yves , Ceelen Wim , Pattyn Piet
Published: January 2024

Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains the main cause of post-esophagectomy morbidity and mortality. Early detection can avoid sepsis and reduce morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of the Nun score and its components as early detectors of AL. This single-center observational cohort study included all esophagectomies from 2010 to 2020. C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin (Alb), and white cell count (WCC) were analyzed and NUn scores were calculated. The area under the curve statistic (AUC) was used to assess their predictive accuracy. A total of 74 of the 668 patients (11%) developed an AL. CRP and the NUn-score proved to be good diagnostic accuracy tests on postoperative day (POD) 2 (CRP AUC: 0.859; NUn score AUC: 0.869) and POD 4 (CRP AUC: 0.924; NUn score AUC: 0.948). A 182 mg/L CRP cut-off on POD 4 yielded a 87% sensitivity, 88% specificity, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%, and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 47.7%. A NUn score cut-off > 10 resulted in 92% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 99% NPV, and 68% PPV. Albumin and WCC have limited value in the detection of post-esophagectomy AL. Elevated CRP and a high NUn score on POD 4 provide high accuracy in predicting AL after esophageal cancer surgery. Their high negative predictive value allows to select patients who can safely proceed with enhanced recovery protocols.