bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Efficient Photoinitiation Systems Based on Dibenzo[a,c]phenazine Sensitivity to Visible Light for Dentistry
Authors: Pyszka Ilona , Jędrzejewska Beata
Published: May 2024

In this work, photoinitiation systems based on dibenzo[a,c]phenazine sensitivity to visible light were designed for their potential application in dentistry. Modification of the structure of dibenzo[a,c]phenazine consisted of introducing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents and heavy atoms into position 11. The synthesized compounds are able to absorb radiation emitted by dental lamps during photoinitiation of the polymerization process. In the presence of acrylates, dibenzo[a,c]phenazines show excellent photoinitiating abilities in systems containing an electron donor or a hydrogen-atom donor as a second component. The developed systems initiate the polymerization process comparable to a commercial photoinitiator, i.e., camphorquinone. Moreover, the performed studies showed a significant shortening of the polymerization time and a reduction in the amount of light absorber. This indicates that polymeric materials are obtained at a similar rate despite a significant reduction in the concentration of the newly developed two-component photoinitiating systems.
The Influence of Selected Process Parameters on the Efficiency of the Process of Gas Nitriding of AISI 1085 Steel
Authors: Frączek Tadeusz , Prusak Rafał , Michalski Jerzy , Skuza Zbigniew , Ogórek Marzena
Published: May 2024

The main aim of the manuscript was to investigate the impact of modifying the parameters of the gas nitriding process of samples made from AISI 1085 steel on the course and results of the process carried out in a chemical reactor allowing for thermogravimetric measurements. The tested steel was subjected in a chemical reactor to the process of gas nitriding in the temperature range of 490–580 °C, using different sample heating rates (in the range of 1–25 °C/min) and various mixtures of nitriding gases (pure NH3, or NH3 with the addition of H2 or N2). To assess the impact of the tested process parameters on its efficiency, the thickness of the nitrided layers produced, the change in sample mass, the structure of the phases produced, the phase composition and the microhardness were examined. For the research methodology used, it was found that reducing the amount of NH3 and/or using H2 or N2 admixtures adversely affects the thickness of the nitride layers produced. At the same time, the use of a lower maximum process temperature with the same gas mixture resulted in a significant difference in the thickness of the layers. It was also found that the use of pure NH3 or a gas mixture (NH3 + H2) with higher NH3 contents resulted in higher surface microhardnesses of the samples and that for these samples, the hardness increased to a greater depth.
Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructure Assessment of Wastepaper Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Containing Metakaolin
Authors: Valizadeh Kiamahalleh Mohammad , Gholampour Aliakbar , Rezaei Shahmirzadi Mohsen , Ngo Tuan D. , Ozbakkaloglu Togay
Published: May 2024

This study evaluates the potential use of discarded plasterboard paper as fibers from buildings to reinforce concrete. Various concentrations of wastepaper fibers (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% by weight of the binder) were investigated in this research. To mitigate the water absorption effect of the paper fibers, metakaolin was employed as a partial cement replacement. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of the wastepaper fiber enhances the mechanical and durability performance of the concrete. The optimal fiber proportion was identified as 1%, leading to a 29% increase in the compressive strength, a 38% increase in the splitting tensile strength, a 12% decrease in the water absorption, and a 23% decrease in the drying shrinkage with respect to the concrete containing 20% metakaolin. However, exceeding this optimal fiber content results in decreased mechanical and durability properties due to the fiber agglomeration and non-uniform fiber distribution within the concrete matrix. Based on the microstructural analysis, the improved performance of the concrete is ascribed to decreased porosity, more refined pore structure, and reduced propagation of microcracks within the concrete matrix in the presence of wastepaper fiber. According to the results, concrete containing 20% metakaolin and 1% wastepaper fiber exhibits durability and mechanical properties comparable to those of the traditional concrete. This finding highlights the significant promise of reducing dependency on conventional cement and incorporating suitable recycled materials, such as discarded plasterboard, and secondary by-products like metakaolin. Such a strategy encourages the preservation of resources, reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, and a decrease in the ecological footprint resulting from concrete production.
Pinctada martensii Hydrolysate Modulates the Brain Neuropeptidome and Proteome in Diabetic (db/db) Mice via the Gut–Brain Axis
Authors: Li Jiayun , Lv Yijun , Wei Yuanqing , Wang Xinzhi , Yan Shenghan , Zhao Binyuan , Sun Jipeng , Liu Rui , Lai Yueyang
Published: May 2024

Pinctada martensii hydrolysate (PMH) has been proved to have the effect of ameliorating disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice, but the mechanism of its hyperglycemia effect is still unclear. Bacterial communities in fecal samples from a normal control group, a diabetic control group, and a PMH-treated diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) group were analyzed by 16S gene sequencing. Nano LC-MS/MS was used to analyze mice neuropeptides and proteomes. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that PMH modulated the structure and composition of the gut microbiota and improved the structure and composition of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level and Desulfovibrionaceae and Erysipelatoclostridiaceae at the family level. Furthermore, the expressions of functional proteins of the central nervous system, immune response-related protein, and proteins related to fatty acid oxidation in the brain disrupted by an abnormal diet were recovered by PMH. PMH regulates the brain neuropeptidome and proteome and further regulates blood glucose in diabetic mice through the gut–brain axis. PMH may be used as a prebiotic agent to attenuate T2DM, and target-specific microbial species may have unique therapeutic promise for metabolic diseases.
Biomechanical Comparison of Fixation Methods for Posterior Wall Fractures of the Acetabulum: Conventional Reconstruction Plate vs. Spring Plate vs. Variable Angle Locking Compression Plate
Authors: Chung HoeJeong , Sohn Hoon-Sang , Oh Jong-Keon , Lee Sangho , Kim DooSup
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives: Acetabular fractures, though infrequent, present considerable challenges in treatment due to their association with high-energy trauma and poor prognoses. Posterior wall fractures, the most common type among them, typically have a more favorable prognosis compared to other types. Anatomical reduction and stable fixation of the posterior wall are crucial for optimal treatment outcomes. This study aimed to biomechanically compare three commonly used fixation methods for posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum—a conventional reconstruction plate, a spring plate, and a 2.7 mm variable angle locking compression plate (VA-LCP). Materials and Methods: The study utilized 6 fresh-frozen cadavers, yielding 12 hemipelvises free from prior trauma or surgery. Three fixation methods were compared using a simple acetabulum posterior wall fracture model. Fixation was performed by an orthopedic specialist, with prebending of plates to minimize errors. Hemipelvises were subjected to quasi-static and cyclic loading tests, measuring fracture gap, stiffness, and displacement under load. Results: It showed no significant differences in fracture gap among the three fixation methods under cyclic loading conditions simulating walking. However, the conventional reconstruction plate exhibited a greater stiffness compared to the spring and variable angle plates. Fatigue analysis revealed no significant differences among the plates, indicating a similar stability throughout cyclic loading. Despite differences in stiffness, all three fixation methods demonstrated adequate stability under loading conditions. Conclusions: While the conventional reconstruction plate demonstrated a superior stiffness, all three fixation methods provided sufficient stability under cyclic loading conditions similar to walking. This suggests that postoperative limitations are unlikely with any of the three methods, provided excessive activities are avoided. Furthermore, the variable angle plate—like the spring plate—offers an appropriate stability for fragment-specific fixation, supporting its use in surgical applications. These findings contribute to understanding the biomechanical performance of different fixation methods for acetabular fractures, facilitating improved surgical outcomes in challenging cases.
Maxillary Osteonecrosis Related with Herpes Zoster: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Park Kwan-Soo
Published: May 2024

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) can occur through various mechanisms including radiation, medication, and viral infections such as herpes zoster. Although herpes zoster is a varicella-zoster virus infection that can affect the trigeminal nerve, it rarely causes oral complications. The author reports a rare case of herpes zoster-related ONJ, followed by a review of the relevant literature pertaining to herpes zoster-related oral complications, including ONJ. A 73-year-old woman presented with a scarred skin lesion on her left midface with an exposed alveolar bone of the left maxilla. Based on her medical records, she received a diagnosis and treatment for herpes zoster six months prior and experienced a few teeth loss in the left maxilla following a fall preceding the onset of herpes zoster. Sequestrectomy of the left maxilla was performed and ONJ was diagnosed. The operative site recovered favorably. Although unusual, several cases of localized extensive ONJ in herpes zoster-infected patients have been reported. This case illustrates the possibility of a rare occurrence of unilateral widespread osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) even in the maxilla associated with herpes zoster. The exact mechanism has not been elucidated; nevertheless, surgeons should consider the possibility of oral and dental complications, including ONJ, related to a history of herpes zoster.
Early Intervention in Septic Arthritis of the Hand, Optimizing Patient Outcomes in Hand Infections—A Five-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Hodea Florin-Vlad , Grosu-Bularda Andreea , Teodoreanu Razvan Nicolae , Cretu Andrei , Ratoiu Vladut-Alin , Lascar Ioan , Hariga Cristian-Sorin
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives: Hand septic arthritis is a potentially debilitating condition that can significantly affect patient functionality and quality of life. Understanding the demographic, clinical, and microbiological characteristics of this condition is crucial for its effective treatment and management. This study aimed to analyze the demographic and clinical profiles of patients with hand septic arthritis, to identify common microbial pathogens, and to evaluate the impact of various factors on clinical course and treatment outcomes. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study examined patients diagnosed with septic arthritis of the hand, focusing on their demographic data, clinical presentation, causative organisms, treatment methods, and outcomes. Data on age, sex, cause of infection, affected sites, surgical interventions, microbiological findings, and patient outcomes were also collected. Results: This study found a higher prevalence of septic arthritis in males and identified bite as the predominant cause. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen. A large number of patients did not exhibit bacterial growth, and bacterial resistance did not significantly affect the outcome. Outcomes were statistically influenced by the timing of medical presentation and the presence of comorbidities. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for effective management of hand septic arthritis. This study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that considers patient demographic and clinical characteristics to optimize treatment outcomes. Awareness and preventive measures are essential to reduce the incidence and severity of this condition.
Effect of Molten Salts Composition on the Corrosion Behavior of Additively Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel for Concentrating Solar Power
Authors: Abu-warda Najib , García-Rodríguez Sonia , Torres Belén , Utrilla María Victoria , Rams Joaquín
Published: May 2024

The effects of different molten salts on the corrosion resistance of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) 316L stainless steel was evaluated at 650 and 700 °C. The samples were characterized via XRD and SEM/EDX after high-temperature corrosion tests to evaluate the corrosion damage to the L-PBF 316L stainless steel caused by the molten salts. The presence of the salts accelerated the corrosion process, the chloride-based salts being the most aggressive ones, followed by the carbonate-based and the nitrate/nitrite-based salts, respectively. The L-PBF 316L did not react strongly with the nitrate/nitrite-based salts, but some corrosion products not found in the samples tested in the absence of salts, such as NaFeO2, were formed. LiFeO2 and LiCrO2 were identified as the main corrosion products in the samples exposed to the carbonate-based molten salts, due to the high activity of Li ions. Their growth produced the depletion of Fe and Cr elements and the formation of vacancies that acted as diffusion paths on the surface of the steel. In the samples exposed to chloride-based molten salts, the attacked area was much deeper, and the corrosion process followed an active oxidation mechanism in which a chlorine cycle is assumed to have been involved.
Effects of Increasing Glycerin Levels in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Carvalho Elaine de Assis , Silva Weslane Justina da , Rodrigues Denise Russi , Santos Ludmilla Faria dos , Rezende Camila Ferreira , Vieites Flávio Medeiros , Santos Fabiana Ramos dos , Silva Fabiano Guimarães , Minafra Cibele Silva
Published: May 2024

Glycerin contributes to the animal’s energy metabolism as an important structural component of triglycerides and phospholipids. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of replacing corn with 0, 5, 10, and 15% of glycerin in terms of performance, digestibility, carcass yield, relative weights of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) organs, and nutrient metabolism. Four hundred chickens (40.0 g ± 0.05 g) were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates. Growth parameters were measured at 7, 14, 21, and 42 days. Digestibility of crude protein and fat, carcass yield, relative weights of GIT organs, and biochemical blood profile were measured. The results were subject to an analysis of variance by Tukey’s HSD test (p > 0.05). The inclusion of 5%, 10%, or 15% of glycerin did not influence performance or affect the crude protein and fat digestibility in broilers (p > 0.05) when compared to that of the basal (0%) diet. Similarly, the supplementation of glycerin levels showed no significant influence (p > 0.05) on the relative GIT organ weights, carcass yield, or nutrient metabolism. Thus, we concluded that glycerin may be included in the broilers’ diets in rations of up to 15%.
Design of Lidar Receiving Optical System with Large FoV and High Concentration of Light to Resist Background Light Interference
Authors: Li Qingyan , Wang Shuo , Wu Jiajie , Chen Feiyue , Gao Han , Gong Hai
Published: May 2024

Lidar has the advantages of high accuracy, high resolution, and is not affected by sunlight. It has been widely used in many fields, such as autonomous driving, remote sensing detection, and intelligent robots. However, the current lidar detection system belongs to weak signal detection and generally uses avalanche photoelectric detector units as detectors. Limited by the current technology, the photosensitive surface is small, the receiving field of view is limited, and it is easy to cause false alarms due to background light. This paper proposes a method based on a combination of image-side telecentric lenses, microlens arrays, and interference filters. The small-area element detector achieves the high-concentration reception of echo beams in a large field of view while overcoming the interference of ambient background light. The image-side telecentric lens realizes that the center lines of the echo beams at different angles are parallel to the central axis, and the focus points converge on the same focal plane. The microlens array collimates the converged light beams one by one into parallel light beams. Finally, a high-quality aspherical focusing lens is used to focus the light on the small-area element detector to achieve high-concentration light reception over a large field of view. The system achieves a receiving field of view greater than 40° for a photosensitive surface detector with a diameter of 75 μm and is resistant to background light interference.
Binary Enterotoxin Producing Clostridium perfringens Isolated in Blood Cultures: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ben Saïd Linda , Diancourt Laure , Rabeau Audrey , Gallet Virginie , Delvallez Gauthier , Grare Marion
Published: May 2024

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is an anaerobic, spore-forming Gram-positive rod responsible for necrotizing gangrene, bacteremia in patients with cancer or gastrointestinal tract infection. C. perfringens virulence is due in large part to toxin production. In 2014, a new enterotoxin, BEC (binary enterotoxin of Clostridium perfringens) encoded by becA and becB genes, distinct from enterotoxin (CPE) encoded by the cpe gene, has been described. BEC-producing strains can be causative agents of acute gastroenteritis in humans. We present herein the case of a 64-year-old man who presented to the emergency department of Toulouse University Hospital with pneumonia and septic shock, without digestive symptoms. Blood cultures showed C. perfringens bacteremia and despite appropriate antibiotic treatment the patient passed away 7 h after admission. The characterization of the strain by whole genome sequencing revealed the presence of typical genes of C. perfringens: plc gene (alpha-toxin, phospholipase C) and pfoA (theta-toxin, perfringolysine). Surprisingly, this strain also harbored becA and becB genes encoding the recently described BEC toxin. Interestingly, alpha-toxin typing of our isolate and other published BEC isolates showed that they belonged to different PLC subtypes, confirming the high genetic diversity of these strains. To our knowledge, it is the first clinical case reporting bacteremia due to a BEC-producing C. perfringens isolate.
Characterization of Key Odor-Active Compounds in Draft Beers for the Chinese Market Using Molecular Sensory Science Approaches
Authors: Zhang Yu , Li Sinuo , Meng Qi , Song Huanlu , Wang Xiaojun
Published: May 2024

Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage worldwide. However, limited research has been conducted on identifying key odor-active components in lager-type draft beers for the Chinese market. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the odor characteristics of the four most popular draft beer brands through a sensory evaluation and an electronic nose. Subsequently, the four draft beers were analyzed through solid-phase microextraction and liquid–liquid extraction using a two-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography–olfactometry–mass spectrometry analysis (GC×GC–O–MS). Fifty-five volatile odor compounds were detected through GC×GC–O–MS. Through an Aroma Extract Dilution Analysis, 22 key odor-active compounds with flavor dilution factors ≥ 16 were identified, with 11 compounds having odor activity values > one. An electronic nose analysis revealed significant disparities in the odor characteristics of the four samples, enabling their distinct identification. These findings help us to better understand the flavor characteristics of draft beer and the stylistic differences between different brands of products and provide a theoretical basis for objectively evaluating the quality differences between different brands of draft beer.
Comparative Evaluation of Boron Sorption Dynamics on Zeolites in Irrigation Waters: An Isothermal Modeling Approach
Authors: Núñez-Gómez Dámaris , Martínez-Nicolás Juan José , Legua Pilar , Giménez-Valero Carlos , Maciá-Vázquez Alejandro Andy , Melgarejo Pablo
Published: May 2024

Efficient boron removal from irrigation waters is crucial for sustainable agriculture, as elevated levels of boron can be toxic to many plants, limiting growth and crop productivity. In this context, the present study investigated the sorption equilibrium of boron using zeolites in two types of aqueous matrices: a synthetic solution containing only boron and natural irrigation waters. Through the application of various isothermal sorption models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, Toth, Jovanovic, Temkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Redlich–Peterson), the efficacy of zeolite for boron removal under controlled and real conditions was evaluated. The results indicated a notable difference in sorption behavior between the two matrices, reflecting the complexity and heterogeneity of interactions in the boron–zeolite system. In the synthetic solution, the Freundlich model provided the best fit (R2 = 0.9917), suggesting heterogeneous and multilayer sorption, while the Sips model showed high efficacy in describing the sorption in both matrices, evidencing its capability to capture the complex nature of the interaction between boron and zeolite under different environmental conditions. However, in natural irrigation waters, the Jovanovic model demonstrated the most accurate fit (R2 = 0.999), highlighting the importance of physical interactions in boron sorption. These findings underscore the significant influence of the water matrix on the efficacy of zeolite as a boron removal agent, emphasizing the need to consider the specific composition of irrigation water in the design of removal treatments. Additionally, the results stress the importance of selecting the appropriate isothermal model to predict boron sorption behavior, which is crucial for developing effective and sustainable treatment strategies. This study provides a basis for optimizing boron removal in various agricultural and industrial applications, contributing to the design of more efficient and specific water treatment processes.
Electrochemical Detection of Glyphosate in Surface Water Samples Based on Modified Screen-Printed Electrodes
Authors: Geana Elisabeta-Irina , Ciucure Corina Teodora , Soare Amalia , Enache Stanica , Ionete Roxana Elena , Dinu Livia Alexandra
Published: May 2024

This study addresses the necessity to monitor the presence of glyphosate (Gly) in waters, highlighting the need for on-site detection of Gly by using electrochemical sensors in environmental and agricultural monitoring programs. Two approaches were employed: (1) modification with graphene decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-Gr) and dispersed in either dimethylformamide (DMF) or a solution containing Nafion and isopropanol (NAF), and (2) molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) based on polypyrrole (PPy) deposited on gold SPEs (AuSPE). Electrochemical characterization revealed that sensors made of AuNPs-Gr/SPCE exhibited enhanced conductivity, larger active area, and improved charge transfer kinetics compared to unmodified SPEs and SPEs modified with graphene alone. However, the indirect detection mechanism of Gly via complex formation with metallic cations in AuNPs-Gr-based sensors introduces complexities and compromises sensitivity and selectivity. In contrast, MIPPy/AuSPE sensors demonstrated superior performance, offering enhanced reliability and sensitivity for Gly analysis. The MIPPy/AuSPE sensor allowed the detection of Gly concentrations as low as 5 ng/L, with excellent selectivity and reproducibility. Moreover, testing in real surface water samples from the Olt River in Romania showed recovery rates ranging from 90% to 99%, highlighting the effectiveness of the detection method. Future perspectives include expanding the investigation to monitor Gly decomposition in aquatic environments over time, providing insights into the decomposition’s long-term effects on water quality and ecosystem health, and modifying regulatory measures and agricultural practices for mitigating its impact. This research contributes to the development of robust and reliable electrochemical sensors for on-site monitoring of Glyphosate in environmental and agricultural settings.
Prenatal Exposures, Diagnostic Outcomes, and Life Experiences of Children and Youths with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Popova Svetlana , Dozet Danijela , Faulkner Mary-Rose , Howie Lesley , Temple Valerie
Published: May 2024

Children and youths diagnosed with FASD may experience a range of adverse health and social outcomes. This cross-sectional study investigated the characteristics and outcomes of children and youths diagnosed with FASD between 2015 and 2018 at the Sunny Hill Centre in British Columbia, Canada and examined the relationships between prenatal substance exposures, FASD diagnostic categories, and adverse health and social outcomes. Patient chart data were obtained for 1187 children and youths diagnosed with FASD and analyzed. The patients (mean age: 9.7 years; range: 2–19) had up to 6 physical and 11 mental health disorders. Prenatal exposure to other substances (in addition to alcohol) significantly increased the severity of FASD diagnosis (OR: 1.18): the odds of FASD with sentinel facial features (SFF) were 41% higher with prenatal cigarette/nicotine/tobacco exposure; 75% higher with exposure to cocaine/crack; and two times higher with exposure to opioids. Maternal mental health issues and poor nutrition also increase the severity of FASD diagnosis (60% and 6%, respectively). Prenatal exposure to other substances in addition to alcohol significantly predicts involvement in the child welfare system (OR: 1.52) and current substance use when adjusted for age (aOR: 1.51). Diagnosis of FASD with SFF is associated with an increased number of physical (R2 = 0.071, F (3,1183) = 30.51, p = 0.000) and mental health comorbidities (R2 = 0.023, F (3,1185) = 9.51, p = 0.000) as compared to FASD without SFF adjusted for age and the number of prenatal substances. Screening of pregnant women for alcohol and other substance use, mental health status, and nutrition is extremely important.
Impact of Intergenerational Shokuiku (Food and Nutrition Education) Programs on Alleviating Loneliness in Japanese Communities across Ages
Authors: Kurotani Kayo , Katane Rin , Nagashima Momoko , Saegusa Miho , Yokode Nonoka , Watanabe Nakamichi , Ohkawara Kazunori
Published: May 2024

As loneliness is a risk factor for mental and physical health problems in various age groups, this study aimed to explore the impact of the intergenerational Shokuiku (food and nutrition education) program (IGSP) on loneliness in a Japanese community. This single-arm intervention study conducted between 2022 and 2023 included children (n = 21), guardians (n = 16), university students (n = 3), and older adults (n = 6). The IGSP was a one-day program that included participants making and eating their own bread, butter, and sorbet. Loneliness was measured using the Five-item Loneliness Scale for Children (Five-LSC; Japanese) and the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (Japanese; for adults) with other direct questions. Social capital, including civic participation, social cohesion, and reciprocity, was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The Five-LSC score significantly decreased post-intervention (p = 0.04). There was a significant increase in adults who reported not feeling lonely (p = 0.001). However, the UCLA Loneliness Scale scores did not show any significant changes. A positive change in social cohesion, including community contribution (p = 0.001) and attachment (p = 0.002), was observed among adults. This study suggests that IGSPs have a positive impact on loneliness in children and a partly positive one in adults. These findings emphasize the potential of intergenerational programs to reduce loneliness in communities.
High Frequencies of kdr Mutation and Chikungunya Infection in Aedes aegypti Population from Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Almeida-Souza Pedro Augusto , Oliveira Cirilo Henrique de , Brito Luiz Paulo , Teixeira Thaynara de Jesus , Celestino Iago Alves , Penha Gabriele Barbosa , dos Santos Ronaldo Medeiros , Mendes Wexley Miranda , Ribeiro Bergmann Morais , Campos Fabrício Souza , Roehe Paulo Michel , Guimarães Natalia Rocha , Iani Felipe C. M. , Martins Ademir Jesus , Abreu Filipe Vieira Santos de
Published: May 2024

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) presents global health challenges, with Brazil experiencing outbreaks since its introduction in 2014. In 2023, following a CHIKV outbreak in Minas Gerais (MG), social media was used to optimize an entomological survey aimed at identifying vectors and viral lineages and assessing insecticide resistance. Following Instagram posts, residents with suspected CHIKV infection were able to schedule mosquito aspirations. In total, 421 mosquitoes (165 Aedes aegypti and 256 Culex quinquefasciatus) were captured from 40 households in Salinas city (MG) and tested for the Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses through RT-qPCR. Twelve of 57 pools (10 Ae. aegypti and two Cx. quinquefasciatus) tested positive for CHIKV RNA. Viral RNA was also detected in the heads of nine Ae. aegypti, indicating viral dissemination but not in Cx. quinquefasciatus. Genome sequencing yielded the first near-complete genome from the 2023 outbreak, unveiling that the CHIKV strain belonged to the East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotype. Additionally, genetic analyses revealed high frequencies of kdr alleles, including in CHIKV-infected mosquitoes, suggesting resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in this Ae. aegypti population. Social media was important for guiding mosquito-capture efforts in CHIKV transmission hotspots, thus optimizing the opportunity for viral detection. These findings emphasize the urgent need for innovative vector studies and control strategies, as well as interdisciplinary approaches in public health interventions.
Study on the Robustness of an Atmospheric Scattering Model under Single Transmittance
Authors: Shi Xiaotian , Ming Yue , Ju Lin , Chen Shouqian
Published: May 2024

When light propagates in a scattering medium such as haze, it is partially scattered and absorbed, resulting in a decrease in the intensity of the light emitted by the imaging target and an increase in the intensity of the scattered light. This phenomenon leads to a significant reduction in the quality of images taken in hazy environments. To describe the physical process of image degradation in haze, the atmospheric scattering model is proposed. However, the accuracy of the model applied to the usual fog image restoration is affected by many factors. In general, fog images, atmospheric light, and haze transmittances vary spatially, which makes it difficult to calculate the influence of the accuracy of parameters in the model on the recovery accuracy. In this paper, the atmospheric scattering model was applied to the restoration of hazed images with a single transmittance. We acquired hazed images with a single transmittance from 0.05 to 1 using indoor experiments. The dehazing stability of the atmospheric scattering model was investigated by adjusting the atmospheric light and transmittance parameters. For each transmittance, the relative recovery accuracy of atmospheric light and transmittance were calculated when they deviated from the optimal value of 0.1, respectively. The maximum parameter estimation deviations allowed us to obtain the best recovery accuracies of 90%, 80%, and 70%.
Synthesis and Characterization of Multiple Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescent Polymer Hydrogels Based on Terpyridine and N-Isopropylacrylamide
Authors: Ma Zihan , Zhao Longhao , Xie Chunhua , Wang Xianjian , He Ziyuan , Chen Xuegang
Published: May 2024

A series of stimuli-responsive fluorescent hydrogels were successfully synthesized via micelle radical copolymerization of hydrophilic acrylamide (AM), hydrophobic chromophore terpyridine-based monomer (TPY), and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). These hydrogels presented blue emissions (423–440 nm) under room temperature, which is caused by the π-π* transition of the conjugated structures. Once the ambient temperature was increased to 55 °C, the fluorescence color changed from blue (430 nm) to pink (575 nm) within 10 min, subsequently to yellow (535 nm), and eventually back to pink. The thermal-responsive properties are attributed to the transition of the TPY units from unimer to dimer aggregation via the intermolecular charge transfer complex at high temperatures. The hydrogels showed pH-responsive properties. The emission peak of the hydrogel exhibited a blue shift of ~54 nm from neuter conditions to acidic conditions, while a 6 nm red shift to an alkaline environment was observed. The hydrogels demonstrated an obvious change in fluorescence intensity and wavelength upon adding different metal ions, which is caused by the coordination between the terpyridine units incorporated on the backbones and the metal ions. As a consequence, the hydrogels presented a sharp quenching fluorescence interaction with Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, and Co2+, while it exhibited an enhanced fluorescence intensity interaction with Sn2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+. The microstructural, mechanical, and rheological properties of these luminescent hydrogels have been systematically investigated.
‘Mary Magdalene Rises from the Dust,’ Twice
Authors: Maurey Yossi
Published: May 2024

Liturgy was the perfect and unparalleled medium for public relations in the Middle Ages, and when it came to relics, it could transform any stone, bone, or a piece of wood into an object worthy of devotion. This article revolves around the activating force of the relics of Mary Magdalene in medieval France. It examines two liturgies—from Vézelay and from Saint-Maximin in Provence—honouring the saint, representing two distinct responses whose character reflects the priorities of the communities that produced them and the agendas that set them in motion. Liturgy was accorded a special role in bolstering the claims of Provence over the corporeal presence of Mary Magdalene in its midst, with liturgists adopting a more audacious and unreserved vocabulary to validate these claims over those of Vézelay.
Freeing the Will from Neurophilosophy: Voluntary Action in Thomas Aquinas and Libet-Style Experiments
Authors: De Haan Daniel D.
Published: May 2024

This essay presents a substantive Thomist response to neurophilosophy’s main experimental challenge to free will: the Libet-style experiments on the neural antecedents of conscious voluntary actions. My response to this challenge will disclose that Thomists are rationally justified in rejecting both the conclusions of neurophilosophy skeptics of free will, and more fundamentally, the rival philosophical conceptions of voluntary action and free will that were chosen to be operationalized in these neuroscientific experiments. I show how the Thomists’ alternative conception of human action justifies a significantly different interpretation of Libet-style experiments, one which reveals the psychological phenomenon targeted by these experiments is miscategorized as a voluntary action.
The Synergy between Artificial Intelligence, Remote Sensing, and Archaeological Fieldwork Validation
Authors: Canedo Daniel , Hipólito João , Fonte João , Dias Rita , do Pereiro Tiago , Georgieva Petia , Gonçalves-Seco Luís , Vázquez Marta , Pires Nelson , Fábrega-Álvarez Pastor , Menéndez-Marsh Fernando , Neves António J. R.
Published: May 2024

The increasing relevance of remote sensing and artificial intelligence (AI) for archaeological research and cultural heritage management is undeniable. However, there is a critical gap in this field. Many studies conclude with identifying hundreds or even thousands of potential sites, but very few follow through with crucial fieldwork validation to confirm their existence. This research addresses this gap by proposing and implementing a fieldwork validation pipeline. In northern Portugal’s Alto Minho region, we employed this pipeline to verify 237 potential burial mounds identified by an AI-powered algorithm. Fieldwork provided valuable information on the optimal conditions for burial mounds and the specific factors that led the algorithm to err. Based on these insights, we implemented two key improvements to the algorithm. First, we incorporated a slope map derived from LiDAR-generated terrain models to eliminate potential burial mound inferences in areas with high slopes. Second, we trained a Vision Transformer model using digital orthophotos of both confirmed burial mounds and previously identified False Positives. This further refines the algorithm’s ability to distinguish genuine sites. The improved algorithm was then tested in two areas: the original Alto Minho validation region and the Barbanza region in Spain, where the location of burial mounds was well established through prior field work.
A Building Point Cloud Extraction Algorithm in Complex Scenes
Authors: Su Zhonghua , Peng Jing , Feng Dajian , Li Shihua , Yuan Yi , Zhou Guiyun
Published: May 2024

Buildings are significant components of digital cities, and their precise extraction is essential for the three-dimensional modeling of cities. However, it is difficult to accurately extract building features effectively in complex scenes, especially where trees and buildings are tightly adhered. This paper proposes a highly accurate building point cloud extraction method based solely on the geometric information of points in two stages. The coarsely extracted building point cloud in the first stage is iteratively refined with the help of mask polygons and the region growing algorithm in the second stage. To enhance accuracy, this paper combines the Alpha Shape algorithm with the neighborhood expansion method to generate mask polygons, which help fill in missing boundary points caused by the region growing algorithm. In addition, this paper performs mask extraction on the original points rather than non-ground points to solve the problem of incorrect identification of facade points near the ground using the cloth simulation filtering algorithm. The proposed method has shown excellent extraction accuracy on the Urban-LiDAR and Vaihingen datasets. Specifically, the proposed method outperforms the PointNet network by 20.73% in precision for roof extraction of the Vaihingen dataset and achieves comparable performance with the state-of-the-art HDL-JME-GGO network. Additionally, the proposed method demonstrated high accuracy in extracting building points, even in scenes where buildings were closely adjacent to trees.
Memory Augmentation and Non-Local Spectral Attention for Hyperspectral Denoising
Authors: Dong Le , Mo Yige , Sun Hao , Wu Fangfang , Dong Weisheng
Published: May 2024

In this paper, a novel hyperspectral denoising method is proposed, aiming at restoring clean images from images disturbed by complex noise. Previous denoising methods have mostly focused on exploring the spatial and spectral correlations of hyperspectral data. The performances of these methods are often limited by the effective information of the neighboring bands of the image patches in the spectral dimension, as the neighboring bands often suffer from similar noise interference. On the contrary, this study designed a cross-band non-local attention module with the aim of finding the optimal similar band for the input band. To avoid being limited to neighboring bands, this study also set up a memory library that can remember the detailed information of each input band during denoising training, fully learning the spectral information of the data. In addition, we use dense connected module to extract multi-scale spatial information from images separately. The proposed network is validated on both synthetic and real data. Compared with other recent hyperspectral denoising methods, the proposed method not only demonstrates good performance but also achieves better generalization.
A WebGIS-Based System for Supporting Saline–Alkali Soil Ecological Monitoring: A Case Study in Yellow River Delta, China
Authors: Song Yingqiang , Pan Yinxue , Xiang Meiyan , Yang Weihao , Zhan Dexi , Wang Xingrui , Lu Miao
Published: May 2024

Monitoring and evaluation of soil ecological environments are very important to ensure saline–alkali soil health and the safety of agricultural products. It is of foremost importance to, within a regional ecological risk-reduction strategy, develop a useful online system for soil ecological assessment and prediction to prevent people from suffering the threat of sudden disasters. However, the traditional manual or empirical parameter adjustment causes the mismatch of the hyperparameters of the model, which cannot meet the urgent need for high-performance prediction of soil properties using multi-dimensional data in the WebGIS system. To this end, this study aims to develop a saline–alkali soil ecological monitoring system for real-time monitoring of soil ecology in the Yellow River Delta, China. The system applied advanced web-based GIS, including front-end and back-end technology stack, cross-platform deployment of machine learning models, and a database embedded in multi-source environmental variables. The system adopts a five-layer architecture and integrates functions such as data statistical analysis, soil health assessment, soil salt prediction, and data management. The system visually displays the statistical results of air quality, vegetation index, and soil properties in the study area. It provides users with ecological risk assessment functions to analyze heavy metal pollution in the soil. Specially, the system introduces a tree-structured Parzan estimator (TPE)-optimized machine learning model to achieve accurate prediction of soil salinity. The TPE–RF model had the highest prediction accuracy (R2 = 94.48%) in the testing set in comparison with the TPE–GBDT model, which exhibited a strong nonlinear relationship between environmental variables and soil salinity. The system developed in this study can provide accurate saline–alkali soil information and health assessment results for government agencies and farmers, which is of great significance for agricultural production and saline–alkali soil ecological protection.
Automatic PCB Sample Generation and Defect Detection Based on ControlNet and Swin Transformer
Authors: Liu Yulong , Wu Hao , Xu Youzhi , Liu Xiaoming , Yu Xiujuan
Published: May 2024

In order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of multitarget detection of soldering defects on surface-mounted components in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) fabrication, we propose a sample generation method using Stable Diffusion Model and ControlNet, as well as a defect detection method based on the Swin Transformer. The method consists of two stages: First, high-definition original images collected in industrial production and the corresponding prompts are input to Stable Diffusion Model and ControlNet for automatic generation of nonindependent samples. Subsequently, we integrate Swin Transformer as the backbone into the Cascade Mask R-CNN to improve the quality of defect features extracted from the samples for accurate detection box localization and segmentation. Instead of segmenting individual components on the PCB, the method inspects all components in the field of view simultaneously over a larger area. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in scaling up nonindependent sample datasets, thereby enabling the generation of high-quality datasets. The method accurately recognizes targets and detects defect types when performing multitarget inspection on printed circuit boards. The analysis against other models shows that our improved defect detection and segmentation method improves the Average Recall (AR) by 2.8% and the mean Average Precision (mAP) by 1.9%.
Using 5TE Sensors for Monitoring Moisture Conditions in Green Parks
Authors: Dafalla Muawia
Published: May 2024

The ground surface and subsurface of green parks in arid and desert areas may be subjected to desiccation as a result of weather and hot temperatures. It is not wise to wait until plants are turning pale and yellow before watering is resumed. Given the scarcity of water in typical desert zones, we recommend full control of irrigation water. This study presents a method of recycling irrigation water using 5TE sensors, employing time-domain reflectometry (TDR) technology. A trial test section was constructed along the coast of the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Water recycling involves using clay–sand liners placed below the top agricultural soils to intercept excess water and direct it towards a collection tank, and then it is pumped out to a major water supply tank. The main properties of soils and clay–sand liners normally taken into account include moisture content, density, and hydraulic conductivity. An assessment of geotechnical properties of clay–sand mixtures containing 20% clay content was conducted. The profiles of moisture and temperature changes were monitored using 5TE sensors and data loggers. The 5TE sensors provided continuous measurements at varying temperatures and watering cycles. Twenty-nine watering cycles were conducted over a six-month period. An additional section was considered with a liner consisting of the same clay but enhanced with bentonite as one-third of the clay content. The volumetric water content was found to vary from 0.150 to 0.565 following changing weather and direct watering cycles. The results indicated that the use of a TDR instrumentation is a cost-effective and time-saving technique to construct a system for saving irrigation water.
Fine Segmentation of Chinese Character Strokes Based on Coordinate Awareness and Enhanced BiFPN
Authors: Mo Henghui , Wei Linjing
Published: May 2024

Considering the complex structure of Chinese characters, particularly the connections and intersections between strokes, there are challenges in low accuracy of Chinese character stroke extraction and recognition, as well as unclear segmentation. This study builds upon the YOLOv8n-seg model to propose the YOLOv8n-seg-CAA-BiFPN Chinese character stroke fine segmentation model. The proposed Coordinate-Aware Attention mechanism (CAA) divides the backbone network input feature map into four parts, applying different weights for horizontal, vertical, and channel attention to compute and fuse key information, thus capturing the contextual regularity of closely arranged stroke positions. The network’s neck integrates an enhanced weighted bi-directional feature pyramid network (BiFPN), enhancing the fusion effect for features of strokes of various sizes. The Shape-IoU loss function is adopted in place of the traditional CIoU loss function, focusing on the shape and scale of stroke bounding boxes to optimize the bounding box regression process. Finally, the Grad-CAM++ technique is used to generate heatmaps of segmentation predictions, facilitating the visualization of effective features and a deeper understanding of the model’s focus areas. Trained and tested on the public Chinese character stroke datasets CCSE-Kai and CCSE-HW, the model achieves an average accuracy of 84.71%, an average recall rate of 83.65%, and a mean average precision of 80.11%. Compared to the original YOLOv8n-seg and existing mainstream segmentation models like SegFormer, BiSeNetV2, and Mask R-CNN, the average accuracy improved by 3.50%, 4.35%, 10.56%, and 22.05%, respectively; the average recall rates improved by 4.42%, 9.32%, 15.64%, and 24.92%, respectively; and the mean average precision improved by 3.11%, 4.15%, 8.02%, and 19.33%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the YOLOv8n-seg-CAA-BiFPN network can accurately achieve Chinese character stroke segmentation.