bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Function of Horn Ridges for Impact Damping
Authors: Lee Nayeon , Mun Sungkwang , Johnson Kyle L. , Horstemeyer Mark F.
Published: August 2024

This study explores the damping effects of ram horn ridges on mechanical impacts resulting from ramming. We measured the amplitudes and frequencies of ridges along the axial (pitch) direction of the ridges of ram horns obtained from eight specimens across six different species. While the horns shared a similar spiral-shaped pattern with surface ridges, our findings show variations among the horns, including ridge spacing and growth trends. Additionally, we employed finite element analysis (FEA) to compare a ridged horn model with a non-ridged counterpart to provide an understanding of the damping characteristics of the surface ridges. Our FEA results reveal that the ridged horn decreased the initial ramming pressure by 20.7%, increased the shear stress by 66.9%, and decreased the axial strain by 27.3%, the radial strain by 16.7%, and the shear strain by 14.3% at a 50 ms impact duration compared to those of the non-ridged horn. The damping ratio was increased by 7.9% because of the ridges. This study elucidates three primary functions of the different species of ram horns’ spirals and ridges: (1) to transfer longitudinal waves into shear waves, (2) to filter shear waves, and (3) to stabilize the structure by mitigating excessive strain.
Polarized and Evanescent Guided Wave Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Ligand Interactions on a Plasmonic Nanoparticle Optical Chemical Bench
Authors: Chen Xining , Andrews Mark P.
Published: August 2024

This study examined applications of polarized evanescent guided wave surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to determine the binding and orientation of small molecules and ligand-modified nanoparticles, and the relevance of this technique to lab-on-a-chip, surface plasmon polariton and other types of field enhancement techniques relevant to Raman biosensing. A simplified tutorial on guided-wave Raman spectroscopy is provided that introduces the notion of plasmonic nanoparticle field enhancements to magnify the otherwise weak TE- and TM-polarized evanescent fields for Raman scattering on a simple plasmonic nanoparticle slab waveguide substrate. The waveguide construct is called an optical chemical bench (OCB) to emphasize its adaptability to different kinds of surface chemistries that can be envisaged to prepare optical biosensors. The OCB forms a complete spectroscopy platform when integrated into a custom-built Raman spectrograph. Plasmonic enhancement of the evanescent field is achieved by attaching porous carpets of Au@Ag core shell nanoparticles to the surface of a multi-mode glass waveguide substrate. We calibrated the OCB by establishing the dependence of SER spectra of adsorbed 4-mercaptopyridine and 4-aminobenzoic acid on the TE/TM polarization state of the evanescent field. We contrasted the OCB construct with more elaborate photonic chip devices that also benefit from enhanced evanescent fields, but without the use of plasmonics. We assemble hierarchies of matter to show that the OCB can resolve the binding of Fe2+ ions from water at the nanoscale interface of the OCB by following the changes in the SER spectra of 4MPy as it coordinates the cation. A brief introduction to magnetoplasmonics sets the stage for a study that resolves the 4ABA ligand interface between guest magnetite nanoparticles adsorbed onto host plasmonic Au@Ag nanoparticles bound to the OCB. In some cases, the evanescent wave TM polarization was strongly attenuated, most likely due to damping by inertial charge carriers that favor optical loss for this polarization state in the presence of dense assemblies of plasmonic nanoparticles. The OCB offers an approach that provides vibrational and orientational information for (bio)sensing at interfaces that may supplement the information content of evanescent wave methods that rely on perturbations in the refractive index in the region of the evanescent wave.
Advancing Circular Buildings: A Review of Building Strategies for AEC Stakeholders
Authors: Motiei Mohana , Iyer-Raniga Usha , Andamon Mary Myla , Khodabakhshian Ania
Published: August 2024

The uptake of a circular economy (CE) in the building sector is challenging, primarily due to the complexity associated with the design process and the dynamic interaction among architects, engineers, and construction (AEC) stakeholders. The standard and typical design process and construction methods raise concerns about building life cycles. Buildings should not only fulfill current needs, but one also needs to consider how they will function in the future and throughout their lifetime. To address these complexities, early planning is required to guide designers in holistically applying systems thinking to deliver CE outcomes. This paper outlines a critical review of CE implementation in buildings, with a proposed trifecta of approaches that significantly contribute to the development of circular buildings (CBs). The findings outline a proposed visualized framework with a conceptual formula that integrates CE design strategies to simplify and enhance AEC stakeholders’ perception of the circularity sequence in buildings. By strategically integrating loop-based strategies with the value retention process (VRP) and design for X (DFX) strategies, along with efficient assessment tools and technologies, it becomes feasible to embrace a CE during the design phase. The outcome of this review informs AEC stakeholders to systematically and strategically integrate the critical dimensions of a CE throughout the building life cycle, striking a balance between environmental concern, economic value, and future needs.
A Literature Review of Green Building Policies: Perspectives from Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ye Junyang , Fanyang Yunlong , Wang Jingyi , Meng Shibo , Tang Daizhong
Published: August 2024

This paper conducts a bibliometric analysis of 2875 articles on green building published between 2014 and 2024, followed by a systematic literature review on green building policies inspired by the findings from the bibliometric analysis. The study employs the bibliometric software CiteSpace 6.3 to analyze co-occurrence networks and identify research hotspots, determining key research trends, influential authors, institutions, and journals, thus providing a comprehensive overview of the field. Innovatively, it comprehensively analyzes the development of green building policies from the perspectives of life cycle and policy mechanisms, integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) into policy-making. The findings emphasize the importance of combining regulatory measures, financial incentives, and tailored regional approaches to promote sustainable construction and achieve long-term environmental goals, addressing the urgent need for sustainable building practices driven by global climate change and carbon neutrality goals.
Sensitivity Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Ground Heave Caused by Jet Grouting
Authors: Chen Dashuo , Wu Yuedong , Liu Jian , Wu Huiguo , Zhu Yongyang
Published: August 2024

Jet grouted piles are widely used to reduce post-construction settlement of soft clay roadbeds. Nevertheless, it is easy to cause ground heave due to the jet grouted pile. According to the analytical method and numerical method, a sensitivity analysis of the factors affecting ground heave caused by a single jet grouted pile was performed. It is found that the influence of each parameter on ground heave is in the following order: grout pump pressure > embankment load > soil type (including the cohesion, friction angle, and Young’s modulus) > pile diameter > pile length. Considering the effect of the pump pressure on the ground heave is more significant, based on the analytical method of ground heave caused by a single jet grouted pile combined with the solution of small-deflection bending of a circular thin plate, the calculation method for the suggested limit grout pressure for construction under different embankment heights was established. Suggested values of theoretical grout pump pressure were given to prevent ground heave from harming the pavement of operating highways. This study provides some theoretical basis for the subsequent research on the jet grouted pile.
Machine Learning for Real-Time Building Outdoor Wind Environment Prediction Framework in Preliminary Design: Taking Xinjiekou Area of Nanjing, China as the Case
Authors: Sun Lin , Ji Guohua
Published: August 2024

The incorporation of physical environmental performance as a primary consideration in building design can facilitate the harmonization of the built environment with the surrounding site and climate, enhance the building’s environmental adaptability and environmental friendliness, and contribute to the achievement of energy-saving and emission-reduction objectives through the integration of natural lighting and ventilation. General computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can help architects make accurate predictions and effectively control the building’s wind environment. However, CFD integration into the design workflow in the preliminary stages is frequently challenging due to program uncertainty, intricate parameter settings, and substantial computational expenses. This study offers a methodology and framework based on machine learning to overcome the complexity and computational cost barriers in simulating outdoor wind environments of buildings. In this framework, the machine learning model is trained using an automated CFD simulation system based on Butterfly and implemented within the Rhino and Grasshopper environment. This framework provides real-time simulation feedback within the design software and exhibits promising accuracy, with a Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) ranging from 90–97% on a training dataset of 1200 unique urban geometries in Xinjiekou Area of Nanjing, China. Furthermore, we programmatically integrate various parts of the simulation and computation process to automate multiscenario CFD simulations and computations. This automation saves a significant amount of time in producing machine-learning training sets. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed working framework in the design process through a case study. Although our approach cannot replace CFD simulation computation in the later design stages, it can support architects in making design decisions in the preliminary stages with minimal effort and immediate performance feedback.
Analysis of Seismic Responses and Vibration Serviceability in a High-Rise Timber–Concrete Hybrid Building
Authors: Zong Chao , Zhai Jiajun , Sun Xiaoluan , Liu Xingxing , Cheng Xiaowu , Wang Shenshan
Published: August 2024

Timber–concrete hybrid structures are commonly employed in multi-story timber buildings; however, further research is necessary to fully understand the seismic performance of these structures as well as the dynamic properties of the floor. The two dynamic concerns, seismic effects and the vibration of floors in hybrid structures, are key issues, in view of which this study aimed to investigate the small-seismic-response spectra and elastic time histories in a high-rise timber hybrid building, specifically the medical technology building of Jiangsu Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital in China. The dynamic characteristics of a localized cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor were tested in situ, and the impacts of human-induced vibration were quantified. Comprehensive theoretical analysis results reveal that the basic vibration pattern of the structure was mainly translational in nature and that the period ratio, inter-story displacement angle, and shear-to-weight ratio all met the demands of the Chinese timber building design code. The experimental test results show that the vertical natural frequency of the CLT floor was about 15.96 Hz and thus met appropriate requirements with respect to natural frequency. However, peak floor acceleration was found to be high under the conditions of a single person walking quickly, a single person trotting, and multiple persons walking randomly. In light of these findings, the floor should be paved with a fine-grained concrete building surface, according to design requirements, so that its serviceability might be improved. Overall, the relevant analytical methods presented in this paper provide guidance and practical reference for the seismic analysis of timber hybrid structures, as well as vibration serviceability analysis for CLT floors.
Research on Cu-Site Modification of g-C3N4/CeO2-like Z-Scheme Heterojunction for Enhancing CO2 Reduction and Mechanism Insight
Authors: Zhou Yiying , Cai Junxi , Sun Yuming , Jia Shuhan , Liu Zhonghuan , Tang Xu , Hu Bo , Zhang Yue , Yan Yan , Zhu Zhi
Published: August 2024

In this work, the successful synthesis of a Cu@g-C3N4/CeO2-like Z-scheme heterojunction through hydrothermal and photo-deposition methods represents high CO2 reduction activity with remarkable CO selectivity, as evidenced by the impressive CO yield of 33.8 μmol/g for Cu@g-C3N4/CeO2, which is over 10 times higher than that of g-C3N4 and CeO2 individually. The characterization and control experimental results indicate that the formation of heterojunctions and the introduction of Cu sites promote charge separation and the transfer of hot electrons, as well as the photothermal effect, which are the essential reasons for the improved CO2 reduction activity. Remarkably, Cu@g-C3N4/CeO2 still exhibits about 92% performance even after multiple cycles. In situ FTIR was utilized to confirm the production of COOH* at 1472 cm−1 and to elucidate the mechanism behind the high selectivity for CO production. The study’s investigation into the wide-ranging applicability of the Cu@g-C3N4/CeO2-like Z-scheme heterojunction catalysts is noteworthy, and the exploration of potential reaction mechanisms for CO2 reduction adds valuable insights to the field of catalysis.
Photoinduced Mechanisms of C–S Borylation of Methyl(p-tolyl)Sulfane with Bis(Pinacolato)diboron: A Density Functional Theory Investigation
Authors: Ming Yuxiao , Feng Tiantian , Chen Bin , Zhou Dagang
Published: August 2024

The reaction mechanisms of C–S borylation of aryl sulfides catalyzed with 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) were investigated by employing the M06-2X-D3/ma-def2-SVP method and basis set. In this study, the SMD model was taken to simulate the solvent effect of 1,4-dioxane. Also, TD-DFT calculations of BQ and methyl(p-tolyl)sulfane were performed in an SMD solvent model. The computational results indicated that BQ and methyl(p-tolyl)sulfane, serving as a photo-catalyst, would be excited under a blue LED of 450 nm, aligning well with experimental observations. Additionally, the role of 3O2 was investigated, revealing that it could be activated into 1O2 from the released energy of 1[BQ + methyl(p-tolyl)sulfane]* or 3[BQ + methyl(p-tolyl)sulfane]*→BQ + methyl(p-tolyl)sulfane process. Then, 1O2, bis(pinacolato)diboron, and methyl(p-tolyl)sulfane would, through a series of reactions, yield the final product, P. The Gibbs free energy surface shows that path a2-2 is optimal, and this path has fewer steps and a lower energy barrier. Electron spin density isosurface graphs were employed to analyze the structures and elucidate the single electron distribution. These computational results offer valuable insights into the studied interactions and related processes and shed light on the mechanisms governing C–S borylation from aryl sulfides and b2pin2 catalyzed with BQ and methyl(p-tolyl)sulfane.
Assessment of the Circulating PD-1 and PD-L1 Levels and P53 Expression as a Predictor of Relapse in Pediatric Patients with Wilms Tumor and Hypernephroma
Authors: Sahyon Heba A. , Alharbi Nadaa S. , Asad Zummar , El Shishtawy Mohamed A. , Derbala Safaa A.
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common form of pediatric renal tumor, accounting for over 90% of cases followed by hypernephroma. Some pediatric patients with WT (10%) experience relapse or metastasis and have poor survival rates. PD-L1 assists cancer cells in escaping damage from the immune system. P53 mutations are found in relapsed WT tumor samples. We hypothesized that testing circulating PD-1 and PD-L1 and P53 expression levels could offer a simple method to predict patient relapse and explore novel treatments for pediatric WTs and hypernephroma. Methods: Flow cytometric detection of cPD-1, cPD-L1, and P53 expression in relapsed and in-remission WT and hypernephroma before and after one year of chemotherapy was performed. Results: Our data shows increased levels of cPD-L1 in relapsed pediatric patients with WT or hypernephroma before and after chemotherapy. There were also slight and significant increases in cPD-1 levels in relapsed groups before chemotherapy. Additionally, we observed significant decreases in P53 expression after one year of chemotherapy in relapsed pediatric patients. Conclusions: Our study found that circulating PD-L1 can be used as a predictor marker for WT and hypernephroma relapse. In conclusion, these circulating markers can assist in monitoring relapse in WT and hypernephroma patients without the need for several biopsies.
Advances in Charge Carrier Mobility of Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Organic Semiconductors
Authors: He Zhengran , Asare-Yeboah Kyeiwaa , Bi Sheng
Published: August 2024

In recent years, the charge carrier mobility study of organic semiconductors has seen significant progress and surpassed that of amorphous silicon thanks to the development of various molecular engineering, solution processing, and external alignment methods. These advances have allowed the implementation of organic semiconductors for fabricating high-performance organic electronic devices. In particular, diketopyrrolopyrrole-based small-molecular and polymeric organic semiconductors have garnered considerable research interest due to their ambipolar charge-carrier properties. In this article, we focus on conducting a comprehensive review of previous studies that are dedicated to the external alignment, thermal annealing, and molecular engineering of diketopyrrolopyrrole molecular structures and side-chain structures in order to achieve oriented crystal orientation, optimized thin-film morphology, and enhanced charge carrier transport. By discussing these benchmark studies, this work aims to provide general insights into optimizing other high-mobility, solution-processed organic semiconductors and sheds lights on realizing the acceleration of organic electronic device applications.
Direct Ink Writing of Highly Conductive and Strongly Adhesive PEDOT:PSS-EP Coatings for Antistatic Applications
Authors: Lv Ning , Liu Shuhan , Liu Guiqun , Liu Ximei
Published: August 2024

As the information age progresses, the electronics industry is evolving towards smaller and more sophisticated products. However, electrostatic potentials easily penetrate these components, causing damage. This underscores the urgent need for materials with superior antistatic properties to safeguard electronic devices from such damage. Antistatic coatings typically rely on polymers as the primary material, enhanced with conductive fillers and additives to improve performance. Despite significant progress, these coatings still face challenges related to advanced processing technologies and the integration of electrical and mechanical properties. Among various conductive fillers, the conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS stands out for its exceptional conductivity, environmental stability, and long cycle life. Additionally, epoxy resin (EP) is widely utilized in polymer coatings due to its strong adhesion to diverse substrates during curing. Here, we develop highly conductive and strongly adhesive PEDOT:PSS inks by combining PEDOT:PSS with EP using a composite engineering approach. These inks are used to fabricate PEDOT:PSS coatings by direct ink writing (DIW). We systematically evaluate the DIW of PEDOT:PSS-EP coatings, which show high electrical conductivity (ranging from 0.59 ± 0.07 to 41.50 ± 3.26 S cm−1), strong adhesion (ranging from 15.84 ± 2.18 to 99.3 ± 9.06 kPa), and robust mechanical strength (8 MPa). Additionally, we examine the surface morphology, wettability, and hardness of the coatings with varying PEDOT:PSS content. The resultant coatings demonstrate significant potential for applications in antistatic protection, electromagnetic shielding, and other flexible electronic technologies.
Microplastics (MPs) in Cosmetics: A Review on Their Presence in Personal-Care, Cosmetic, and Cleaning Products (PCCPs) and Sustainable Alternatives from Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers
Authors: Bikiaris Nikolaos , Nikolaidis Nikolaos F. , Barmpalexis Panagiotis
Published: August 2024

Since the emergence of microplastics, the scientific community has been extremely alarmed regarding their potential risks for and threats to both the environment and human lives. MPs are traced in freshwater and marine environments, day-to-day-life ecosystems, and the bodies of animals and humans. Due to their usage advancements, MPs have become directly or indirectly an integral part of personal care, cosmetics, and cleaning products and appeared as a domestic cause of environmental pollution. Over the years, researchers have ascertained the harmful effects of MPs on the environment. In this regard, the monitoring and assessment of MPs in PCCPs necessitates considerable attention. The worldwide ban legislation on plastic μBs used in cosmetic products has driven researchers to investigate sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. This review paper summarizes the potential threats of MPs used in cosmetics and the utilization of potential alternatives.
A Novel Algorithm for Forensic Identification Using Geometric Cranial Patterns in Digital Lateral Cephalometric Radiographs in Forensic Dentistry
Authors: Kavousinejad Shahab , Yazdanian Mohsen , Kanafi Mohammad Mahboob , Tahmasebi Elahe
Published: August 2024

Lateral cephalometric radiographs are crucial in dentistry and orthodontics for diagnosis and treatment planning. However, their use in forensic identification, especially with burned bodies or in mass disasters, is challenging. AM (antemortem) and PM (postmortem) radiographs can be compared for identification. This study introduces and evaluates a novel algorithm for extracting cranial patterns from digital lateral cephalometric radiographs for identification purposes. Due to the unavailability of AM cephalograms from deceased individuals, the algorithm was tested using pre- and post-treatment cephalograms of living individuals from an orthodontic archive, considered as AM and PM data. The proposed algorithm encodes cranial patterns into a database for future identification. It matches PM cephalograms with AM records, accurately identifying individuals by comparing cranial features. The algorithm achieved an accuracy of 97.5%, a sensitivity of 97.7%, and a specificity of 95.2%, correctly identifying 350 out of 358 cases. The mean similarity score improved from 91.02% to 98.10% after applying the Automatic Error Reduction (AER) function. Intra-observer error analysis showed an average Euclidean distance of 3.07 pixels (SD = 0.73) for repeated landmark selections. The proposed algorithm shows promise for identity recognition based on cranial patterns and could be enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in future studies.
Correlation between Implant Surface Roughness and Implant Stability: A Systematic Review
Authors: Romero-Serrano Marta , Romero-Ruiz Manuel-María , Herrero-Climent Mariano , Rios-Carrasco Blanca , Gil-Mur Javier
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study was to find in the literature data on the relationship between implant surface roughness and implant stability achieved, from the time of placement to three months afterward, to help us to know what type of surface roughness is more favorable to guarantee implant stability and osseointegration. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis) statement, and the protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework. The specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected using the PICOS framework. The databases Medline (PubMed), Scopus, the Web of Science and The Cochrane Library were searched up to October 2023. The selection of studies and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers. The review included a total of 11 studies. A total of 1331 dental implant placements were identified. Two of the eleven selected studies were on humans in vivo, eight were on animals in vivo, and one was on animals in vitro. A statistically significant correlation between surface roughness and implant stability as measured by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was not identified in ten of the eleven selected studies. It appears that there is no correlation between primary stability and the degree of implant roughness. However, there appears to be a correlation between the roughness of the implant and the degree of osseointegration, as indicated by bone-implant contact values. This correlation is more closely related to secondary stability. The great methodological variability makes it difficult to compare data and draw conclusions, so it would be desirable to agree on a common methodology to help draw appropriate conclusions from published studies.
CrackScopeNet: A Lightweight Neural Network for Rapid Crack Detection on Resource-Constrained Drone Platforms
Authors: Zhang Tao , Qin Liwei , Zou Quan , Zhang Liwen , Wang Rongyi , Zhang Heng
Published: August 2024

Detecting cracks during structural health monitoring is crucial for ensuring infrastructure safety and longevity. Using drones to obtain crack images and automate processing can improve the efficiency of crack detection. To address the challenges posed by the limited computing resources of edge devices in practical applications, we propose CrackScopeNet, a lightweight segmentation network model that simultaneously considers local and global crack features while being suitable for deployment on drone platforms with limited computational power and memory. This novel network features a multi-scale branch to improve sensitivity to cracks of varying sizes without substantial computational overhead along with a stripe-wise context attention mechanism to enhance the capture of long-range contextual information while mitigating the interference from complex backgrounds. Experimental results on the CrackSeg9k dataset demonstrate that our method leads to a significant improvement in prediction performance, with the highest mean intersection over union (mIoU) scores reaching 82.12%, and maintains a lightweight architecture with only 1.05 M parameters and 1.58 G floating point operations (FLOPs). In addition, the proposed model excels in inference speed on edge devices without a GPU thanks to its low FLOPs. CrackScopeNet contributes to the development of efficient and effective crack segmentation networks suitable for practical structural health monitoring applications using drone platforms.
Traversability Analysis and Path Planning for Autonomous Wheeled Vehicles on Rigid Terrains
Authors: Wang Nan , Li Xiang , Suo Zhe , Fan Jiuchen , Wang Jixin , Xie Dongxuan
Published: August 2024

Autonomous vehicles play a crucial role in three-dimensional transportation systems and have been extensively investigated and implemented in mining and other fields. However, the diverse and intricate terrain characteristics present challenges to vehicle traversability, including complex geometric features such as slope, harsh physical parameters such as friction and roughness, and irregular obstacles. The current research on traversability analysis primarily emphasizes the processing of perceptual information, with limited consideration for vehicle performance and state parameters, thereby restricting their applicability in path planning. A framework of traversability analysis and path planning methods for autonomous wheeled vehicles on rigid terrains is proposed in this paper for better traversability costs and less redundancy in path planning. The traversability boundary conditions are established first based on terrain and vehicle characteristics using theoretical methods to determine the traversable areas. Then, the traversability cost map for the traversable areas is obtained through simulation and segmented linear regression analysis. Afterward, the TV-Hybrid A* algorithm is proposed by redefining the path cost functions of the Hybrid A* algorithm through the simulation data and neural network method to generate a more cost-effective path. Finally, the path generated by the TV-Hybrid A* algorithm is validated and compared with that of the A* and Hybrid A* algorithms in simulations, demonstrating a slightly better traversability cost for the former.
Adapting CLIP for Action Recognition via Dual Semantic Supervision and Temporal Prompt Reparameterization
Authors: Deng Lujuan , Tan Jieqing , Liu Fangmei
Published: August 2024

The contrastive vision–language pre-trained model CLIP, driven by large-scale open-vocabulary image–text pairs, has recently demonstrated remarkable zero-shot generalization capabilities in diverse downstream image tasks, which has made numerous models dominated by the “image pre-training followed by fine-tuning” paradigm exhibit promising results on standard video benchmarks. However, as models scale up, full fine-tuning adaptive strategy for specific tasks becomes difficult in terms of training and storage. In this work, we propose a novel method that adapts CLIP to the video domain for efficient recognition without destroying the original pre-trained parameters. Specifically, we introduce temporal prompts to realize the object of reasoning about the dynamic content of videos for pre-trained models that lack temporal cues. Then, by replacing the direct learning style of prompt vectors with a lightweight reparameterization encoder, the model can be adapted to domain-specific adjustment to learn more generalizable representations. Furthermore, we predefine a Chinese label dictionary to enhance video representation by co-supervision of Chinese and English semantics. Extensive experiments on video action recognition benchmarks show that our method achieves competitive or even better performance than most existing methods with fewer trainable parameters in both general and few-shot recognition scenarios.
A Learner-Centric Explainable Educational Metaverse for Cyber–Physical Systems Engineering
Authors: Yun Seong-Jin , Kwon Jin-Woo , Lee Young-Hoon , Kim Jae-Heon , Kim Won-Tae
Published: August 2024

Cyber–physical systems have become critical across industries. They have driven investments in education services to develop well-trained engineers. Education services for cyber–physical systems require the hiring of expert tutors with multidisciplinary knowledge, as well as acquiring expensive facilities/equipment. In response to the challenges posed by the need for the equipment and facilities, a metaverse-based education service that incorporates digital twins has been explored as a solution. However, the issue of recruiting expert tutors who can enhance students’ achievements remains unresolved, making it difficult to effectively cultivate talent. This paper proposes a reference architecture for a learner-centric educational metaverse with an intelligent tutoring framework as its core feature to address these issues. We develop a novel explainable artificial intelligence scheme for multi-class object detection models to assess learners’ achievements within the intelligent tutoring framework. Additionally, a genetic algorithm-based improvement search method is applied to the framework to derive personalized feedback. The proposed metaverse architecture and framework are evaluated through a case study on drone education. The experimental results show that the explainable AI scheme demonstrates an approximately 30% improvement in the explanation accuracy compared to existing methods. The survey results indicate that over 70% of learners significantly improved their skills based on the provided feedback.
LMANet: A Lightweight Asymmetric Semantic Segmentation Network Based on Multi-Scale Feature Extraction
Authors: Chen Hui , Xiao Zhexuan , Ge Bin , Li Xuedi
Published: August 2024

With the swift progress of deep learning and its wide application in semantic segmentation, the effect of semantic segmentation has been significantly improved. However, how to achieve a reasonable compromise between accuracy, model size, and inference speed is crucial. In this paper, we propose a lightweight multi-scale asymmetric encoder–decoder network (LMANet) that is designed on the basis of an encoder–decoder structure. First, an optimized bottleneck module is used to extract features from different levels, and different receptive fields are applied to obtain effective information on different scales. Then, a channel-attention module and a feature-extraction module are introduced to constitute the residual structure, and different feature maps are connected by a feature-fusion module to effectively improve segmentation accuracy. Finally, a lightweight multi-scale decoder is designed to recover the image, and a spatial attention module is added to recover the spatial details effectively. This paper has verified the proposed method on the Cityscapes dataset and CamVid dataset and achieved mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 73.9% and 71.3% with the inference speeds of 111 FPS and 118 FPS, respectively, and the number of parameters is only 0.85 M.
Effect of the Arc Extinguishing and Insulation Properties of C4F7N/CO2 Mixtures with Oxygen Addition: Experimental Investigations and Comparative Analysis
Authors: Guo Dongyu , Li Xiaolong , Wang Wen , Geng Zhenxin
Published: August 2024

The C4F7N/CO2 mixture is considered one of the most promising alternatives to sulfur SF6. Recent studies have shown that the addition of O2 to the C4F7N/CO2 mixture can suppress carbon precipitation following electric arc discharges. This paper conducts arc-burning experimental research on SF6, 10%C4F7N/90%CO2, and 10%C4F7N/85%CO2/5%O2 mixtures. Measurements were taken of the arc voltage and arc current under a 10 kA breaking current for these three gases. Additionally, the pressure at the nozzle throat during arc and cold flow conditions, as well as the pressure in the storage chamber, were measured. The post-arc current and Rate of Rise of Recovery Voltage (RRRV) for the three gases were calculated. The study also compared the solid precipitates in the gas medium after multiple arc-burning experiments. The results indicate that adding O2 to the C4F7N/CO2 mixture can increase the pressure at the nozzle throat during the arc phase, and the inclusion of O2 has minimal impact on the peak arc-extinguishing voltage and critical RRRV. It is hypothesized that a small amount of oxygen has a negligible effect on the thermal recovery properties of the C4F7N/CO2 mixture, while also inhibiting the precipitation of carbon following electric arc discharges. This research could provide a reference for developing and optimizing eco-friendly high-voltage circuit breakers.
Influence of Microwave-Assisted Chemical Thermohydrolysis of Lignocellulosic Waste Biomass on Anaerobic Digestion Efficiency
Authors: Dębowski Marcin , Zieliński Marcin , Nowicka Anna , Kazimierowicz Joanna
Published: August 2024

To date, microwave radiation has been successfully used to support the chemical hydrolysis of organic substrates in the laboratory. There is a lack of studies on large-scale plants that would provide the basis for a reliable evaluation of this technology. The aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of using microwave radiation to support the acidic and alkaline thermohydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass prior to anaerobic digestion on a semi-industrial scale. Regardless of the pretreatment options, similar concentrations of dissolved organic compounds were observed, ranging from 99.0 ± 2.5 g/L to 115.0 ± 3.0 in the case of COD and from 33.9 ± 0.92 g/L to 38.2 ± 1.41 g/L for TOC. However, these values were more than twice as high as the values for the substrate without pretreatment. The degree of solubilisation was similar and ranged between 20 and 28% for both monitored indicators. The highest anaerobic digestion effects, ranging from 99 to 102 LCH4/kgFM, were achieved using a combined process consisting of 20 min of microwave heating, 0.10–0.20 g HCl/gTS dose, and alkaline thermohydrolysis. For the control sample, the value was only 78 LCH4/kgFM; for the other variants, it was between 79 and 94 LCH4/kgFM. The highest net energy gain of 3.51 kWh was achieved in the combined alkaline thermohydrolysis with NaOH doses between 0.10 and 0.20 g/gTS. The use of a prototype at the 5th technology readiness level made it possible to demonstrate that the strong technological effects of the thermohydrolysis process, as demonstrated in laboratory tests to date, do not allow for positive energy balance in most cases. This fact considerably limits the practical application of this type of solution.
The Most Promising Next-Generation Probiotic Candidates—Impact on Human Health and Potential Application in Food Technology
Authors: Lalowski Piotr , Zielińska Dorota
Published: August 2024

A substantial body of research indicates that the gut microbiota exerts a profound influence on host health. The purpose of this work was to characterize selected, most promising, well-known next-generation probiotics (NGPs) and review the potential applications of the bacteria in food technology. The isolation of gut bacteria with significant health benefits has led to the emergence of NGPs. In contrast to traditional probiotics, these originate directly from the gut microbiota, thereby ensuring their optimal adaptation to the intestinal ecosystem. NGPs exert their effects on the host organism through a variety of mechanisms, including the synthesis of bioactive compounds, modulation of the gut microbiota, and metabolism of substances provided by the host. Several bacterial species have been identified as potential candidates for NGPs, including Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Christensenella minuta, and many others. These bacteria have demonstrated the capacity to exert beneficial effects, including the reduction of obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, and even cancers. The greatest limitation to their commercialization is their lack of oxygen tolerance, which presents challenges not only for research but also for their potential application in food. The most optimal approach for their application in food appears to be microencapsulation. Further research is required to establish the safety of NGP supplementation and to protect them from environmental conditions.
The Digital Footprints on the Run: A Forensic Examination of Android Running Workout Applications
Authors: Nunes Fabian , Domingues Patrício , Frade Miguel
Published: August 2024

This study applies a forensic examination to six distinct Android fitness applications centered around monitoring running activities. The applications are Adidas Running, MapMyWalk, Nike Run Club, Pumatrac, Runkeeper and Strava. Specifically, we perform a post mortem analysis of each application to find and document artifacts such as timelines and Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of running workouts that could prove helpful in digital forensic investigations. First, we focused on the Nike Run Club application and used the gained knowledge to analyze the other applications, taking advantage of their similarity. We began by creating a test environment and using each application during a fixed period. This procedure allowed us to gather testing data, and, to ensure access to all data generated by the apps, we used a rooted Android smartphone. For the forensic analysis, we examined the data stored by the smartphone application and documented the forensic artifacts found. To ease forensic data processing, we created several Python modules for the well-known Android Logs Events And Protobuf Parser (ALEAPP) digital forensic framework. These modules process the data sources, creating reports with the primary digital artifacts, which include the workout activities and related GPS data.
Public Participation in Wildfire Rescue and Management: A Case Study from Chongqing, China
Authors: Wu Jinjin , Lyu Shoujun
Published: August 2024

In 2019, the Chinese government put forward the concept of social co-governance in the field of emergency management. This paper discusses whether the adjustment in the governance concept promotes public participation in emergency management practices and what the mechanisms are to achieve successful public participation in a wildfire emergency. Taking the Beibei wildfire in Chongqing in 2022 as a study case, this paper establishes the public participation mechanisms for wildfire rescue and management with a qualitative case study method. The result shows that adjustments to emergency management concepts and the pressure of wildfire governance make local governments and commanders seek help from the public; key persons and informal networks play an important role in public participation in a wildfire emergency; and constructing social memory in social networks, whether government-led or public-organized, is an important way to enhance public participation in wildfire governance. Our findings, grounded in the reality of the growing complexity of wildfires, provide useful lessons for future wildfire governance in other provinces in China, as well as valuable references for other countries or regions.
Optimization of Vitamin B1, B2, and B6 Absorption in Nang Tay Dum Floating Rice Grains
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thao Loan , Pham Thi Mong Nghi , Ho Thanh Binh , Ly-Nguyen Binh
Published: August 2024

As reported by the FAO, in 2022, approximately 735 million people experienced undernourishment, underscoring the critical need for effective strategies to address micronutrient deficiencies. Among these strategies, the mass fortification of staple foods, particularly rice—a dietary staple for half of the global population—has emerged as one of the most effective approaches. Conventional milling processes diminish the nutritional content of rice, necessitating the development of fortification methods to enhance its nutrient profile. This study investigates advanced fortification techniques to improve the nutritional value of rice, focusing on vitamins B1, B2, and B6, with guidelines from the US Institute of Medicine’s Dietary Reference Intakes. The results indicate that implementing ultrasonic treatments and optimal soaking conditions (60 °C for 60 min) significantly enhances the absorption of these vitamins. Effective parameters included a concentration of 1500 ppm for vitamin B1 and higher levels for vitamins B2 and B6, with a rice-to-vitamin solution ratio of 1:4. These conditions yielded an absorbed vitamin B1 content of 1050 mg/kg, bringing the fortified rice closer to meeting recommended intake levels. Given the global average daily consumption of 100 g of rice per person, this research demonstrates the feasibility of fortifying rice to address nutrient deficiencies effectively and contribute to improved dietary health worldwide. Further enhancement of vitamin B2 and B6 levels remains essential for optimal fortification, highlighting the potential of fortified rice as a sustainable solution for improving global nutrition.
Extraction, Identification, and Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoids from Hylotelephium spectabile (Boreau) H. Ohba
Authors: Li Na , Wu Xiao , Yin Qin , Dong Zeng , Zheng Lele , Qian Yihui , Sun Yulu , Chen Ziping , Zhai Kefeng
Published: August 2024

The extraction of total flavonoids from Hylotelephium spectabile (Boreau) H. Ohba (H. spectabile) leaves was studied through the use of a double enzyme-assisted ultrasonic method, and the extraction process was optimized using the Box–Behnken design. Eight different macroporous resins were screened for purification in single-factorial experiments, and the flavonoid compounds in the extract of H. spectabile leaves were identified using HPLC-MS. Through the evaluation of the total reducing capacity and capacity for reducing 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH), hydroxyl radicals (·OH), and 2,2’-biazobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), the in vitro antioxidant activities of the crude extracts of the total flavonoids and purified total flavonoids of H. spectabile leaves were investigated. The results showed that the most efficient conditions for flavonoid extraction were an ultrasonic extraction time of 60 min, an ethanol concentration of 35%, a liquid-to-material ratio of 20:1 mL/g, and an amount of enzyme (cellulose/pectinase = 1:1) of 1.5%, forming H. spectabile powder. Under these conditions, the total flavonoid extraction rate in the H. spectabile leaf extract was 4.22%. AB-8 resin showed superior performance in terms of purification, and the optimal adsorption and desorption times were 1.5 h and 3 h, respectively. The recommended parameters for purification included a liquid volume of 5.5 BV, a flow rate of 1.2 BV/min, a pH of 5, and a concentration of 0.8 mg/mL. The observed order for reducing capacity was ascorbic acid (VC) > rutin > purified total flavonoids > crude extract of total flavonoids. The purified total flavonoid extract from H. spectabile showed a good scavenging ability against DPPH, ·OH, and ABTS·+, suggesting strong antioxidant activity. Therefore, this study can serve as technical support and reference data for the further development and utilization of H. spectabile resources.
Current Trends in Food Processing By-Products as Sources of High Value-Added Compounds in Food Fortification
Authors: Darko Helen Stephanie Ofei , Ismaiel Lama , Fanesi Benedetta , Pacetti Deborah , Lucci Paolo
Published: August 2024

Along the food production chain of animal, fish, and vegetable products, a huge amount of by-products are generated every year. Major nutritional, financial, and environmental advantages can be achieved by transforming them into functional ingredients for food formulation and fortification. In this review, we investigated various conventional and emerging treatments recently employed to obtain functional ingredients rich in proteins, fibers, and bioactive compounds from vegetables, fish, meat, and dairy by-products. The optimal enrichment level in food as well as the nutritional, techno-functional, and sensory properties of the final food were also discussed. Novel technologies such as ultrasounds, microwaves, and high pressure have been successfully adopted to enhance the extraction of target compounds. The functional ingredients, added both in liquid or powder form, were able to improve the nutritional quality and antioxidant potential of food, although high levels of fortification may cause undesired changes in texture and flavor. This review provides important considerations for further industrial scale-up.
Gels/Hydrogels in Different Devices/Instruments—A Review
Authors: Bhuyan Md Murshed , Jeong Jae-Ho
Published: August 2024

Owing to their physical and chemical properties and stimuli-responsive nature, gels and hydrogels play vital roles in diverse application fields. The three-dimensional polymeric network structure of hydrogels is considered an alternative to many materials, such as conductors, ordinary films, constituent components of machines and robots, etc. The most recent applications of gels are in different devices like sensors, actuators, flexible screens, touch panels, flexible storage, solar cells, batteries, and electronic skin. This review article addresses the devices where gels are used, the progress of research, the working mechanisms of hydrogels in those devices, and future prospects. Preparation methods are also important for obtaining a suitable hydrogel. This review discusses different methods of hydrogel preparation from the respective raw materials. Moreover, the mechanism by which gels act as a part of electronic devices is described.