bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the Incorporation of Biochar in Biodegradable Mulch Films Affect Soil Carbon Stock?
Authors: Iamsaard Kesinee , Khongdee Nuttapon , Rukkhun Raweerat , Sarin Charoon , Khomjek Pantip , Umponstira Chanin
Published: November 2024

The pollution caused by plastic mulch film in agriculture has garnered significant attention. To safeguard the ecosystem from the detrimental effects of plastic pollution, it is imperative to investigate the use of biodegradable materials for manufacturing agricultural plastic film. Biochar has emerged as a feasible substance for the production of biodegradable mulch film (BDM), significantly improving providing agricultural soil benefits. Although biochar has been widely applied in the BDM manufacturing, the effect of biochar-filled plastic mulch film on soil carbon stock has not been well documented. This study provides an overview of the current stage of biochar incorporated with BDM and summarizes the possible pathway of biochar incorporated BDM on soil carbon stock contribution. The application of biochar incorporated BDM can lead to substantial changes in soil microbial diversity, thereby influencing the emissions of greenhouse gas. These alterations may ultimately yield unforeseen repercussions on the carbon cycles. In light of the current knowledge vacuum and potential challenges, additional study is necessary to ascertain if biochar incorporated BDM can effectively mitigate the issues of residual mulch film and microplastic contamination in agricultural land. However, significant progress remains necessary before BDM may fully supplant traditional agricultural mulch film in agricultural production.
An In Vitro Phytohormone Survey Reveals Concerted Regulation of the Cannabis Glandular Trichome Disc Cell Proteome
Authors: Dimopoulos Nicolas , Guo Qi , Liu Lei , Nolan Matthew , Das Rekhamani , Garcia-de Heer Lennard , Mieog Jos C. , Barkla Bronwyn J. , Kretzschmar Tobias
Published: November 2024

Cannabis sativa flower glandular trichomes (GTs) are the main site of cannabinoid synthesis. Phytohormones, such as jasmonic acid (JAS) and salicylic acid (SAL) have been shown to increase cannabinoid content in Cannabis flowers, but how this is regulated remains unknown. This study aimed to understand the mechanisms of action of phytohormones on mature GT disc cells using an in vitro assay. Live GT disc cells were isolated from a high-tetrahydrocannabinol Cannabis cultivar and incubated on basal media plates supplemented with either kinetin (KIN), JAS, SAL, abscisic acid, ethephon, gibberellic acid, brassinolide, or sodium diethyldithiocarbamate. Quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that KIN, JAS and SAL caused the greatest number of changes in the GT disc cell proteome. Surprisingly, none of the treatments concertedly increased cannabinoid content or the abundance of related biosynthetic proteins in the GT, suggesting that cannabinoid increases in previous in planta phytohormone studies are likely due to other processes, such as increased GT density. As well, KIN, JAS and SAL treated GTs had numerous differentially abundant proteins in common. Several were key proteins for leucoplast differentiation, cuticular wax and fatty acid metabolism and primary metabolism regulation. Denoting that cytokinin, JAS and SAL signalling are likely important for coordinating Cannabis GT differentiation and development.
Research on the Control System for the Conveying and Separation Experimental Platform of Tiger Nut Harvester Based on Sensing Technology and Control Algorithms
Authors: Chen Sirui , Qi Jiangtao , Gao Jianping , Chen Wenhui , Fei Jiaming , Meng Hewei , Ma Zhen
Published: November 2024

Enhancing the intelligence of Tiger nut harvesting equipment with the advancement of agricultural machinery is imperative. The conveying and separating device, a critical component of Tiger nut harvesters, faces efficiency issues due to mismatches between excavation feed rate and conveying separation capacities. A visualized Tiger nut harvesting device was designed to address this, incorporating parameters like conveying speed, torque, vibration frequency, and excavation depth. The device comprises a mechanical execution part and an automatic control system, the latter including modules for screw speed, torque, excitation frequency, and excavation depth control. Based on mechanical design analysis, control parameters and methods for each module were defined. An adaptive B-PID controller was proposed for trajectory tracking, combining backstepping and PID. A control model accounting for motion damping and error compensation was derived. Simulink simulations compared B-PID with backstepping controllers, showing B-PID's stable and effective trajectory tracking. Actual experiments assessed mechanical-control coordination using relative error metrics. The results showed that the maximum relative error of rotation speed was 3.8 %, the maximum relative error of frequency was 3.67 %, and the maximum relative error of excavation depth was 1.5 %. Correction models for excavation depth and excitation frequency parameters were established. This study can provide a theoretical basis and support for the intellectualization of Tiger nut harvesting machinery.
EdgeNet: An End-to-End Deep Neural Network pretrained with Synthetic Data for a Real-World Autonomous Driving Application
Authors: Miller Leanne , Navarro Pedro J. , Rosique Francisca
Published: November 2024

This study presents a novel end-to-end architecture based on edge detection for autonomous driving. The architecture has been designed to bridge the domain gap between synthetic and real-world images for end-to-end autonomous driving applications and includes custom edge detection layers before the Efficient Net convolutional module. To train the architecture, RGB and depth images were used together with inertial data as inputs to predict the driving speed and steering wheel angle. To pretrain the architecture, a synthetic multimodal dataset for autonomous driving applications was created. The dataset includes driving data from 100 diverse weather and traffic scenarios, gathered from multiple sensors including cameras and an IMU as well as vehicle control variables. The results show that including edge detection layers in the architecture improves performance for transfer learning when using synthetic and real-world data. In addition, pretraining with synthetic data reduces training time and enhances model performance when using real-world data.
The Effect of Fluid Restriction and Intake Conditions on the Shooting Performance of Competitive Adolescent Handball Players
Authors: Uylas Erdem , Mancı Egemen , Rodriguez-Sanchez Nidia , Bediz Cem Şeref , Günay Erkan
Published: November 2024

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fluid restriction and intake (water vs. sports drink) on shooting accuracy and speed in adolescent handball players, a population with high sensitivity to hydration levels yet understudied in this context (2) Methods: The study included 47 adolescent competitive handball players (15.04 ±1.5 years), and the participants were divided into low, middle, and high performance according to their shooting performance in the familiarisation session. All participants were exposed to fluid restriction, water intake, and sports drink intake conditions during handball training on different days. In all sessions, a shooting performance test was performed before and after the training session and the changes in shooting accuracy and shooting speed were evaluated. (3) Results: The training protocol resulted in a 1% body mass loss. Fluid restriction reduced shooting accuracy by an average of 88.34% and speed by 14.18% (p:
Usefulness of Polydeoxyribonucleotide in Lateral Epicondylitis Injection Therapy: A New Strategy for a Rapid Pain Reduction and Functional Recovery for Tennis Players
Authors: Bruni Danilo , Caulo Massimo , Pantalone Andrea , Delli Pizzi Andrea , Paolucci Teresa , Patruno Antonia , Fiandanese Niccolò , Pesce Mirko , Vaccaro Adele , Di Pangrazio Stefano , Brizielli Luigi , Cannataro Giovanni , Izzi Jacopo
Published: November 2024

Background: This study assesses the efficacy of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) injection therapy in treating lateral epicondylitis (LE), commonly known as tennis elbow. Methods: The study included twelve patients who had persisting pain for more than six weeks and had failed conservative therapy. The patients (M: 7; F: 5; age: 46 ± 12 years old) received three PDRN injections in different sessions over eight weeks. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale in five different evaluation times (T0= baseline, up to T4= 6 months after treatment beginning. Results: The VAS scores were reduced by an average of 40% at T2 compared to baseline, indicating a significant clinical improvement. The CGI-I scale showed a reduction of at least 3 points between T2 and the baseline visit, which is considered clinically significant. Ultrasound evaluation was also performed to assess tendon trophism, and PDRN was found to have a trophic/reparative effect on the tendon. Conclusions: the preliminary data suggest that PDRN injection could be an efficacy treatment for lateral epicondylitis in terms of pain reduction and tendon trophism. Further investigations are warranted to validate these findings and explore the broader applicability of PDRN in tendinopathies.
Impact of Ethical Leadership on Autonomy and Self-Efficacy in Virtual Work Environments: The Disintegrating Effect of an Egoistic Climate
Authors: Santiago-Torner Carlos , Corral-Marfil José-Antonio , Jiménez-Pérez Yirsa , Tarrats-Pons Elisenda
Published: November 2024

Ethical management is key to ensuring organizational sustainability, through resources such as autonomy or self-efficacy. However, economic and social uncertainty occasionally leads to adaptive responses that prioritize profit as the primary interest, blurring the integrating role of ethical leadership. There are a number of studies that support this reality in a virtual work environment. This sector-specific and cross-sectional research explores how ethical leadership influences self-efficacy among teleworkers, through active commitment to job autonomy, and how an egoistic climate hinders this influence. The analysis is quantitative and correlational, and the sample includes 448 teleworkers. A model of conditional indirect effects, including both a mediation process and a moderation process, is used. Results support that ethical leadership enhances followers' self-efficacy through a redistribution of responsibilities, which increases the perception of autonomy. However, when ethical leadership coincides with a climate that has opposing interests, such as an egoistic climate, ethical leadership is unable to counteract it, and its effect on self-efficacy gradually diminishes. The benefits of this management style are widely known, but it is crucial to understand under what circumstances it loses efficacy. This research presents a new theoretical model that contributes to the existing literature on ethical leadership.
Does the Use of Two Major Opioids Have an Impact on Improving Pain Treatment and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients?—A Literature Review
Authors: Duarte Shirley , Dourado Marília , Ribeiro Hugo
Published: November 2024

Cancer pain is a highly prevalent problem and one of the most distressing symptoms in cancer patients. The management of cancer pain is one of the most significant challenges in the care of these patients. Cancer pain must be treated quickly and effectively, as it affects the quality of life and reduces the patient's life expectancy. Major opioids are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as first-line treatment for moderate to severe cancer pain, but their use is often hampered by individual variations, comorbidities, and complications associated with cancer. Since the simultaneous use of two major opioids has become frequent, a narrative review was conducted, whose main objectives were: to evaluate whether the combination of two major opioids improves pain and quality of life in cancer patients, considering their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and evaluate the impact of this combination on the frequency and intensity of side effects. The search for information was carried out in evidence-based medicine databases, namely PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, National Guideline Clearinghouse, NHS Evidence and Index das Revistas Médicas Portuguesas using the MeSH terms “opioids” and “quality of life”. Articles and documents published between January 1, 2010 and June 1, 2023, in English, Portuguese and Spanish, were considered, including original articles, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and clinical guidelines. A total of 342 articles were retrieved and of these, only 13 were selected for reading. From the analysis carried out, it was observed that the combination of opioids is based on the principle that different opioids act through different mechanisms, which can reduce dose-related adverse effects. Simultaneous use of two major opioids may allow for more modest increases in the equivalent dose of the second opioid, providing better pain control and reduced side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation. More studies on the combination of larger opioids are needed to improve cancer pain treatment. The lack of personalized therapies limits the effectiveness of opioids, and variability in treatment responses requires individualized approaches. Personalized medicine, based on pharmacogenomics, is one of the most promising strategies to optimize pain relief and reduce adverse effects.
Decoupling CO2 Emissions and Economic Growth Across the U.S
Authors: Bagwell Andrew , Colby Jeffrey , Duncan Caity , Fehlman Caroline A. , Gastelle Nicholas , Gilfillan Dennis , Marland Gregg
Published: November 2024

Abstract: To mitigate climate change, it will be necessary to decouple greenhouse gas emissions and economic development. We explore trends in CO2/GDP as an indicator of decoupling. CO2/GDP is most often studied at the national level, but data are available for the 2010-2015 time period to explore the indicator at both the state and county scales in the U.S. County-level data reveal large heterogeneity with adjacent counties often exhibiting very different trends and many states showing diverse patterns of change. Although CO2 emissions have been decreasing as GDP increases in the U.S. as a whole, the same is true in only four-fifths of its states and in only around one-third of its counties. There are many counties in which CO2 is increasing as GDP declines, or in other combinations. Decoupling of CO2 emissions and economic growth are most apparent in counties with a large fraction of their emissions coming from electricity generation while decou-pling is less common in counties with large emissions from the industrial sector. Counties from large urban concentrations are also more likely to be decoupling. The spatial heterogeneity at the county level suggests the variety and challenges in motivating the decoupling of emissions from economic growth.
Updates on Inflammatory Molecular Pathways Mediated by ADAM17 in Autoimmunity
Authors: Sisto Margherita , Lisi Sabrina
Published: November 2024

ADAM17 is a component of the disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family of transmembrane proteases with immunoregulatory activity in multiple signaling pathways. The functional ADAM17 is involved in “ectodomain shedding” of many substrates belonging to growth factors, cytokines, receptors, and adhesion molecules. The ADAM17-dependent pathways are known to be crucial in tumor development and progression and in the modulation of many pathological and physiological processes. In the last decade, ADAM17 was considered the driver of several autoimmune pathologies, and numerous substrate-mediated signal transduction pathways were identified. However, the discoveries made to date lead researchers to try to clarify the multiple mechanisms in which ADAM17 involved, and to identify any molecular gaps between the different transductional cascades. In this review, we summarized the most recent updates on multiple regulatory activity of ADAM17, focusing reported data on the field of autoimmunity.
The Practices of an Integrated Infrastructure Planning in Ethiopian Metropolitan Cities, the Case of Addis Ababa and Sheger Cities
Authors: Alemneh Geremew Worku , Adugna Dagnachew
Published: November 2024

Integrated infrastructure planning between two cities is a coordinated approach that aligns infrastructure systems such as transportation networks, waste management, water supply, and digital connectivity across municipal boundaries. This type of regional planning creates synergy between neighboring cities, helping achieve broader economic, environmental, and social objectives. In particular, it emphasizes improved connectivity, resource sharing, and resilience, all of which support regional growth, reduce redundancies, and ensure that infrastructure systems work efficiently for both cities. On the other hand, disjointed approaches to infrastructure development could lead to unsustainable urban sprawl, traffic jams, poor public service delivery, environmental degradation, inefficiencies, and inequality. The study used a mixed-methods approach, using convenience sampling techniques and collected data through questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions, which was analyzed using Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS, and SPSS. The study examines infrastructure systems and planning practices in Addis Ababa and Sheger, focusing on efficiency improvements in sewerage and drainage management, waste management, and transportation networks. It also analyzes challenges and provides recommendations for effective inter-city coordination.
Use of the Children’s Observation and Severity Tool (COAST), an Adaptation of the Paediatric Early Warning Score, in the Emergency Department as a Predictor for Hospital Admission: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Truell James , Neville-Smith Sara , Hutton Hayley
Published: November 2024

Background: Paediatric Early warning scores (PEWS) are designed to detect the clinically unwell or deteriorating child within a hospital setting. There is a drive within the NHS to standardise this scoring system across various settings. According to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, there is currently a national review on triage tools used within emergency departments, however evidence to date is scarce. Within Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, we utilise both the Manchester Triage System (MTS) and the Children’s Observation and Severity tool (COAST), an adaption of PEWS, in our Paediatric Emergency Department (PED). Methods: This retrospective cohort study is the largest of its kind, and was performed to both validate COAST and determine if it is a good predictor of hospital admission. Demographic data, initial MTS scores, initial COAST scores and admission outcomes of 41030 paediatric emergency department at-tendances were analysed, encompassing 27196 unique patients. Results: Results demonstrated that high COAST scores on arrival are strongly correlated with hospital admission, with positive predictive values of 59.52% with COAST of ≥3 and 100% for with score threshold of ≥5. In comparison with the MTS, COAST is better at predicting ad-mission. Conclusions: We conclude that COAST performs well in correlating to and thus predicting paediatric hospital admission outcome from the PED.
Fatty Acids of European Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) White Muscle can Successfully Discriminate Its Geographic Origin Along the Iberian Atlantic Coast
Authors: Calado Ricardo , Palma Marcos , Domingues Maria Rosário , Ricardo Fernando , Rey Felisa
Published: November 2024

The European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) ranks among the most valuable species of Iberian fisheries and the accurate tracing of its geographic origin, once landed, is paramount to secure a sustainable management of fishing stocks and discourage fraudulent practices associated with illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The present study investigated the potential use of S. pilchardus white muscle fatty acids (FA) to successfully discriminate the geographic origin of samples obtained in seven commercially important fishing harbors along the Iberian Atlantic Coast. While 35 FAs were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the white muscle of S. pilchardus, the following, as determined by the Boruta algorithm, were key for sample discrimination: 14:0, 22:6n-3, 22:5n-3, 18:0, 20:5n-3, 16:1n-7, 16:0, and 18:1n-7 (in increasing order of relevance). An average 83% correct allocation of landed specimens was achieved, with some landing locations presenting 100% correct allocation (e.g., Ria de Pontevedra in northern Spain and Peniche central Portugal). Linear discriminant analysis revealed a clear separation of samples from northern Spain and Peniche, and a partial overlap of all other locations. The present results highlight the potential of using FA of S. pilchardus white muscle to reliably discriminate the geographic origin of landed individuals along the Iberian Atlantic coast.
Carbon Black and Calcium Lignosulfonate Reinforced Rubber Composites
Authors: Kruželák Ján , Džuganová Michaela , Kvasničáková Andrea , Hronkovič Ján , Preťo Jozef , Chodak Ivan , Hudec Ivan
Published: November 2024

Rubber compounds based on SBR and NBR were filled with constant amount of carbon black – 25 phr and calcium lignosulfonate – 30 phr. Glycerol as cheap and environmentally friendly softener was added into the rubber compounds in concentration scale from 0 to 20 phr to plasticize the rubber matrix and the biopolymer and to improve the adhesion between the components of rubber compounds. The results revealed that the addition of glycerol resulted in the decrease of rubber compounds viscosity. Based on dynamical-mechanical analysis it can be concluded that glycerol softened lignosufonate and lowered its glass transition temperature. The softened lignosufonate was better distributed and dispersed within the rubber matrices, which was clearly demonstrated by performing scanning electron microscopy. Glycerol contributed to better adhesion and compatibility between the rubber and the biopolymer, which was subsequently reflected in improvement of tensile behavior of vulcanizates. Due to compatibility in polarity among rubber matrix, biopolymer and plasticizer, higher tensile strength, and higher enhancement of tensile strength in dependence on glycerol content exhibited composites based on NBR. The main point of the work was to show that improvement of the composites properties can be reached by simple addition of suitable plasticizer into the rubber formulations with applied biopolymer without additional cost and time-consuming treatment procedures.
The Design and Deployment of a Self-Powered, LoRaWAN-Based IoT Environment Sensor Ensemble for Integrated Air Quality Sensing and Simulation
Authors: Wijeratne Lakitha , Kiv Daniel , Waczak John , Dewage Prabuddha , Balagopal Gokul , Iqbal Mazhar , Aker Adam , Fernando Bharana Ashen , Lary Matthew D. , Sooriyaarachchi Vinu , Patra Rittik , Desmond Nora , Zabiepour Hannah , Xi Darren , Agnihotri Vardhan , Lee Seth , Simmons Chris , Lary David J.
Published: November 2024

The goal of this study is to describe a design architecture for a self-powered IoT (Internet of Things) sensor network that is currently being deployed at various locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to measure and report on Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations. This system leverages diverse low-cost PM sensors, enhanced by machine learning for sensor calibration, with LoRaWAN connectivity for long-range data transmission. Sensors are GPS-enabled, allowing precise geospatial mapping of collected data, which can be integrated with urban air quality forecasting models and operational forecasting systems. To achieve energy self-sufficiency, the system uses a small-scale solar-powered solution, allowing it to operate independently from the grid, making it both cost-effective and suitable for remote locations. This novel approach leverages multiple operational modes based on power availability to optimize energy efficiency and prevent downtime. By dynamically adjusting system behavior according to power conditions, it ensures continuous operation while conserving energy during periods of reduced supply. This innovative strategy significantly enhances performance and resource management, improving system reliability and sustainability. This IoT network provides localized real-time air quality data, which has significant public health benefits, especially for vulnerable populations in densely populated urban environments. The project demonstrates the synergy between IoT sensor data, machine learning-enhanced calibration, and forecasting methods, contributing to scientific understanding of microenvironments, human exposure, and public health impacts of urban air quality. In addition, this study emphasizes open source design principles, promoting transparency, data quality, and reproducibility by exploring cost-effective sensor calibration techniques and adhering to open data standards. The next iteration of the sensors will include edge processing for short-term air quality forecasts.
Characterization of the Plasma Generated by a Compact Theta Pinch
Authors: Turiel Sagi , Gribov Alexander , Maler Daniel , Krasik Yakov E.
Published: November 2024

Theta Pinch is one of the promising methods for the generation of hot and dense plasma. In this paper we describe the results of experimental research on a small-scale Theta Pinch creating with Helium or Hydrogen plasmas. Different plasma diagnostics, namely, optical, microwave cut-off, laser interferometry, visible spectroscopy, Thomson scattering, and Laser Induced Fluorescence were used to characterize the time- and space-resolved evolution of the plasma parameters, and the specific features of these diagnostic results obtained are discussed. The measured plasma density and the electron and ion temperature evolution, obtained by these various diagnostic tools agree to a satisfactory level. These methods will be applied for studies of the parameters of the plasma in the device which is developing in Nt-Tao company towards the fusion energy.
Emergence of Techniques to Combat Biological Warfare During and After COVID-19
Authors: Rezaei Ahmad Reza
Published: November 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the unpreparedness of the global healthcare sector to combat with biological warfare. From lack of trainings to unavailability of diagnostic equipment, many healthcare deficiencies existed during the pandemic which eventually fueled the spread of the virus. However, several defense measures were taken after the pandemic so as to ensure the safety of people in case of similar future health hazard including better communication systems, robust training of healthcare staff, new regional centers for disease control (CDC), faster development of medicines and vaccines. This article discusses the limitations and subsequent defense actions taken by healthcare sector to combat bioterrorism by different nations across the globe.
Solid-State NMR of Chemical Compounds – a Review
Authors: Marinova Petya , Tamahkyarova Kristina
Published: November 2024

Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has become an invaluable tool for elucidating the structural, dynamic, and compositional properties of chemical compounds across various fields, from organic and inorganic chemistry to materials science. This review summarizes recent advancements in solid-state NMR techniques, including high-field NMR, magic-angle spinning (MAS), and multidimensional approaches, which have significantly enhanced spectral resolution and sensitivity. The review explores applications in studying crystalline and amorphous compounds, probing atomic-level structure, and investigating molecular dynamics critical to catalysts, polymers, pharmaceuticals, and complex hybrid materials. Additionally, it highlights the synergy between solid-state NMR and other characterization methods, such as X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, which together provide a comprehensive understanding of material properties. Concluding with an outlook on future developments, this review underscores solid-state NMR’s growing impact on molecular and materials characterization.
Enhancing K-Means Clustering Accuracy Through Modified Robust Scaling Technique
Authors: Prasad Maradana Durga Venkata , T Srikanth
Published: November 2024

Data normalization is a critical step in machine learning workflows, particularly for clustering algorithms sensitive to feature scaling. This paper introduces a modified Robust Scaling method defined as X1​= X−median(X) / mean(X), which combines the resilience of the median with the global sensitivity of the mean. The proposed scaling method is evaluated on standard datasets, including Iris and Wine, using K-means clustering. Results demonstrate that X1​ scaling effectively handles outliers, enhances clustering accuracy. Additionally, we provide a detailed analysis of sorted label accuracy, confusion matrices, and the optimal random initialization seed for clustering. The findings highlight the potential of X1​ scaling as a robust alternative for preprocessing in machine learning tasks.
Study on the Prediction Method for Multi-Row Film Cooling Superposition of the Turbine Outer Ring Considering Energy Conservation
Authors: Gao Ziqiang , Qiu Tian , Liu Peng , Ding Shuiting , Li Zongchao , Cheng Ronghui , Yuan Qiyu
Published: November 2024

The film superposition prediction model is a crucial tool in the preliminary design of hot-end components, enabling rapid prediction of film adiabatic wall temperatures and reducing computational costs. This paper establishes the relationship between the mainstream temperature correction coefficient and the air bleed ratio based on energy conservation principles at the boundary layer during film injection, developing a superposition model grounded in mainstream temperature corrections. The proposed model uses cooling effectiveness characteristics based on an equivalent blowing ratio to accurately predict the cooling effectiveness of multi-row hole layouts with different hole spacings. Experiments on adiabatic film cooling effectiveness were conducted with four different hole arrangements under various blowing ratios. The shortcomings of the traditional Sellers superposition method in predicting cooling effectiveness distribution are discussed by comparing it with the experimental results. Comparison results show that The Sellers method accumulates prediction errors as the number of hole rows increases, leading to an overestimation of cooling effectiveness compared to experimental results. Introducing a mainstream temperature correction factor could effectively solve the above problems. The prediction accuracy tends to be higher at lower blowing ratios and with a larger number of hole rows.Compared to the existing models in the literature, the proposed model has higher prediction accuracy under most conditions.
An Erdős-Révész Type Law for the Length of the Longest Match of Two Coin-Tossing Sequences
Authors: Grill Karl
Published: November 2024

Consider a coin-tossing sequence, i.e., a sequence of independent variables taking values 0 and 1 with probability 1/2. The famous Erdős-Rényi (1970) law of large numbers implies that the longest run of ones in the first n observations has a length Rn that behaves like log2(n) as n tends to infinity. Erdős and Révész (1976) refined this result by giving a description of the Lévy upper and lower classes of the process Rn. In another direction, Arratia and Waterman (1985) extended the Erdős-Rényi result to the longest matching subsequence (with shifts) of two coin-tossing sequences, finding that it behaves asymptotically like 2log2(n). The present paper gives some Erdős-Révész-type results in this situation, obtaining a complete description of the upper classes and a partial result on the lower ones.
Investigation of Fiber Optic Cables Installation Conditions on the Support Infrastructure of Overhead MV/LV Substations and Power Supply Cables
Authors: Karamouza Alexandra , Kollatou Theofano , Stimoniaris Dimitrios , Tsiamitros Dimitrios , Lettas Nikolaos , Boutsiadis Evangelos , Beis Stefanos
Published: November 2024

Initially, the paper involves a thorough analysis and documentation of international literature (research publications, global standards like IEEE, European standards like EN, experimental outcomes, etc.), along with existing studies conducted by the Hellenic Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) on these topics. Subsequently, there will be a comparative assessment between the international findings and Greek standards and regulations regarding these matters. The final stage includes presenting a substantiated and detailed recommendation for each technical issue. Where feasible, an optimal proposal for fiber optic cable installation is developed for each case, ensuring technical compliance with all constraints.
Investigation of the Performance Characteristics of Unequal Co-Axial Rotors
Authors: Miles Max , Prior Stephen D.
Published: November 2024

Co-axial rotors are a well understood propulsion method, which are especially practical for large Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), due to their increased thrust without changing the vehicle footprint. However, for co-axial systems with varying propeller diameters between the two disks, available research is more limited. The goal of this paper was to determine an optimal configuration for a variety of different unequal co-axial setups, using a plurality of different propeller combinations and separation ratios. Propellers with diameters of 26 and 29 inches are used in this study at separation ratios of 0.05 to 0.35. Experimental data was collected using an off-the-shelf FS15 TYTO thrust stand. The results show that in an unequal co-axial combination the user should place the smaller propeller upstream to minimise the aerodynamic losses on the downstream propeller. When compared to two independent rotors of the same size, with no interference losses, a 26” upstream rotor matched with a 29” downstream rotor minimised thrust loss to 16%, compared to 23% for the opposite arrangement. This configuration also reduced the power increase from 25.5% to 22.5%. It was also found that the optimal separation ratio (z/D) is approximately 0.2, regardless of the unequal propeller combination.
Development of High Glucosinolates-Retaining Lactic Acid Bacteria Co-Fermented Cabbage Products
Authors: Hsieh Chen-Che , Liu Yuan-Heng , Lin Shin-Ping , Santoso Shella Permatasari , Jantama Kaemwich , Tsai Tsung-Yu , Hsieh Chang-Wei , Cheng Kuan-Chen
Published: November 2024

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is enriched with dietary fiber, vitamins, trace elements, and functional components like glucosinolates, essential for promoting health. This study aims to enhance the health benefits and nutritional content of cabbage through lactic acid fermentation using a bioreactor, with a particular focus on glucosinolates retention. The fermentation utilized a consortium of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, known for its robust acidifying capabilities, and antioxidant-rich strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum. A 5-L bioreactor facilitated the controlled fermentation process. The efficacy of glucosinolate retention was quantitatively assessed alongside the analysis of antioxidant properties via DPPH and ABTS assays. Results indicated a notable enhancement in antioxidant capacity with a 16.32% increase in the DPPH radical scavenging rate compared to non-fermented cabbage. Glucosinolate retention was impressively sustained at 82.02% in bioreactor conditions. Storage stability tests conducted at 4°C revealed minimal degradation of glucosinolates, maintaining significant levels up to 14 days. This study underscores the potential of bioreactor-facilitated lactic acid fermentation in preserving and enhancing the nutritional and functional qualities of cabbage, thereby extending its market value and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
EchoTilt: An Acoustofluidic Method for the Capture and Enrichment of Nanoplastics towards Drinking Water Monitoring
Authors: Costa Martim , van der Geer Liselotte , Joaquim Miguel , Hammarström B , Tanriverdi S , Jönsson HN. , Wiklund Martin , Russom Aman
Published: November 2024

Micro and nanoplastics have become increasingly relevant as contaminants to be monitored due to their potential health effects and environmental impact. Nanoplastics, in particular, have been shown to be difficult to detect in drinking water, requiring new capture technologies. In this work, we applied the acoustofluidic seed particle method to capture nanoplastics in an optimized, tilted grid of silica clusters even at the high flow rate of 5 mL/min. Moreover, we achieved, using this technique, the enrichment of nanoparticles ranging from 500 nm to 25 nm as a first in the field. We employ fluorescence to observe the enrichment profiles according to size, using washing buffer flow at 0.5 mL/min, highlighting the size-dependent nature of silica seed particle release of various sizes of nanoparticle. These results highlight the versatility of acoustic trapping for a wide range of nanoplastic particles and allow further study into the complex dynamics of the seed particle method at these size ranges. Moreover, with reproducible size-dependent washing curves, we provide a new window into the rate of nanoplastic escape in high-capacity acoustic traps, relevant for both environmental and biomedical applications.
Psychological Factors and Performance in Basketball: The Relationship between Motivation, Basic Needs, and Commitment
Authors: KOSTOPOULOS NIKOLAOS , RACHIOTIS THEODOROS , AGROTOU STELLA , KOSTOPOULOS PANAGIOTIS , ARMENIS ELIAS
Published: November 2024

This research investigates the intricate relationship among motivation, fundamental psychological needs, and commitment in basketball players, using a cross-sectional survey methodology. Data were gathered from a sample of athletes using standardized questionnaires that evaluated intrinsic and extrinsic motivation levels, psychological needs fulfilment, and other commitment characteristics. Findings demonstrate that moderate motivation levels are associated with enhanced resilience and a less likelihood of burnout, hence promoting continued participation in sports. Athletes indicated elevated levels of competence and relatedness, highlighting the significance of situations that satisfy fundamental psychological needs. Elevated commitment levels correlated with satisfaction, worthwhile opportunities, and social support, so strengthening their function in cultivating devotion. Gender-based differences indicated distinct motivational orientations, suggesting that customized assistance might improve performance and satisfaction for both male and female athletes. Differences in commitment across competition levels indicated that players in less competitive leagues exhibited greater dedication, presumably owing to reduced stressors. This study emphasizes the need of fostering psychological well-being and social support to maintain commitment and resilience, providing essential insights for coaches and sports psychologists in developing motivating environments that enhance athlete performance and long-term well-being.
Trauma-Informed Care as a Promising Avenue for Supporting the Transition to Adulthood Among Trauma-Exposed Youth: A Scoping Review
Authors: Matte-Landry Alexandra , Lemire-Harvey Annabelle , de Serres-Lafontaine Amélie , Fournier Vanessa
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Childhood trauma has a documented impact on development, which may also affect functioning and well-being in transition-age youth (TAY). There is a need to explore approaches, such as trauma-informed care (TIC), to enhance services provided during the transition to adulthood. The objective of this scoping review was to explore the extent of the literature on the potential of TIC for supporting TAY. Methods: We focused on initiatives grounded in TIC to support TAY between the ages of 14 and 25 who have histories of trauma. The search strategy involved nine databases and gray literature. The titles, abstracts and full text were screened in duplicate by reviewers, and then data were extracted. Results: A total of 19 references were included and classified into three categories: (1) importance of TIC to support TAY (k=5); (2) description of TIC initiatives (k=6); and (3) evaluation of TIC initiatives supporting TAY (k=2). Seven references were classified into more than one category. The references documented 10 TIC models or initiatives, half of which were evaluated and showed promising results. Important components of TIC initiatives supporting TAY included staff training and support; collaborative and multidisciplinary work; systemic changes; addressing trauma and its impacts; and a strength-based and youth-focused approach. Conclusions: Strengths, limitations, as well as future lines of work are discussed. Overall, the literature is emerging and needs to be expanded to ascertain the efficacy of TIC in supporting TAY. TIC is at least promising in terms of transforming services and supporting TAY with histories of trauma.
(Dis)Order in Submarine Fans at Different Observational Scales: An Example From Unit a of the Laingsburg Formation, Karoo Basin
Authors: Spychala Yvonne , Burgess Peter , Stevenson Christopher
Published: November 2024

Perceived order in submarine fans is traditionally used to support simple sequence stratigraphic interpretation of allogenic forcing but evidence is typically limited to qualitative evaluation of the geological dataset. Quantitative analysis of the well-studied ‘Unit A’ basin-floor fan from the Laingsburg Formation, Karoo Basin, South Africa suggests a more complex interpretation. We use Markov facies analysis to test for order in the facies successions, and runs tests and power spectral analyses to assess order in the succession of bed thicknesses. Some bed-by-bed order is detectable in the facies successions, but thickness successions are more complex; no order is detectable as simple consistent bed-by-bed runs of thickening or thinning-upwards. Spectral analysis does detect some significant periodicities, but the periods are different in each vertical section analysed, ranging from 35-45 beds, 50-55 beds and from 60-70 beds in respective vertical sections. This perhaps indicates that complex autogenic compensational stacking processes control the details of how patterns emerge at specific locations, even when larger-scale trends do occur in regional stacking of lobes and lobe complexes and there is no evidence for a single, dominant allogenic control the Karoo submarine fan strata.

More comprehensively, this analysis suggests that sequence stratigraphic interpretations of outcrop and core deep-water strata will be more robust with integrated quantitative bed thickness and facies trend analysis as a standard approach. Sequence stratigraphic interpretations of deep-water strata should avoid a model-driven single dominant control approach, and instead use the quantitative analysis to more fully explore the typical complexity of these strata.
Specialized curricula for training vision-language models in retinal image analysis
Authors: Holland Robbie , Taylor Thomas , Holmes Christopher , Riedl Sophie , Mai Julia , Patsiamanidi Maria , Mitsopoulou Dimitra , Hager Paul , Müller Philip , Scholl Hendrik , Bogunovic Hrvoje , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula , Rueckert Daniel , Sivaprasad Sobha , Lotery Andrew , Menten Martin
Published: November 2024

Clinicians spend a significant amount of time reviewing medical images and transcribing their findings regarding patient diagnosis, referral and treatment in text form. Vision-language models (VLMs), which automatically interpret images and summarize their findings as text, have enormous potential to alleviate clinical workloads and increase patient access to high-quality medical care. While foundational models have stirred considerable interest in the medical community, it is unclear whether their general capabilities translate to real-world clinical utility. In this work, we show that foundation VLMs markedly underperform compared to practicing ophthalmologists on specialist tasks crucial to the care of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). To address this, we initially identified the essential capabilities required for image-based clinical decision-making, and then developed a curriculum to selectively train VLMs in these skills. The resulting model, RetinaVLM, can be instructed to write reports that significantly outperform those written by leading foundation medical VLMs in disease staging (F1 score of 0.63 vs. 0.11) and patient referral (0.67 vs. 0.39), and approaches the diagnostic performance of junior ophthalmologists (who achieve 0.77 and 0.78 on the respective tasks). Furthermore, in a reader study involving two senior ophthalmologists with up to 32 years of experience, RetinaVLM's reports were found to be similarly correct (78.6% vs. 82.1%) and complete (both 78.6%) as reports written by junior ophthalmologists with up to 10 years of experience. These results demonstrate that our curriculum-based approach provides a blueprint for specializing generalist foundation medical VLMs to handle real-world clinical tasks.
Raw Sewage and Environmental Racism: Racial Disparities in Sewage Backup Risk In Syracuse, New York
Authors: Schewe Rebecca , Satterfield Dustin
Published: November 2024

Environmental racism places communities of color at higher risk of pollution in urban environments. Using data from public records in the highly segregated city of Syracuse, New York, we identify significant racial disparities related to reports of sewage backups. We use spatial analysis and multivariate regression to find evidence of greater risk of reported sewage backups in census tracts with higher proportions of minority, Black, and both Black residents and residents 65 years or older, distinct from poverty-related risks. Large hotspots of sewage backup risk exist in Syracuse’s predominantly Black census tracts. The concentration of environmental risk, in this case sewage backups, occurs in residential areas where Blacks are segregated. Residents of predominantly Black census tracts, especially those with greater numbers of both Black residents and senior citizens, experience disproportionate harm from infrastructure due to legacies of racial segregation and city planning choices.
Climatic and Soil Impacts on Avocado (Persea americana L.) Yield and Quality in Southern Ethiopia: A Comparative Study
Authors: Melke Abayneh
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the impact of climatic variables and soil characteristics on the fruit yield and quality of avocado (Persea americana L.) cultivars in Southern Ethiopia, focusing on six prominent varieties: Hass, Fuerte, Ettinger, Bacon, Pinkerton, and Nabal. Using data from Sidama and Wolaita regions, and examined how factors such as temperature, precipitation, soil pH, and organic matter influence avocado production. The analysis revealed significant regional differences, with Sidama consistently outperforming Wolaita in both yield and fruit quality. Climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation varied markedly between regions, affecting avocado performance. Regression analysis showed similar effects of temperature and organic matter across both regions, but regional differences in the significance of precipitation and soil pH were noted. ANOVA results confirmed significant differences in yield and fruit quality between regions, with Sidama demonstrating superior performance. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing avocado cultivation under varying environmental conditions in Southern Ethiopia.