bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Changes in Eating Behavior Patterns and Their Relationship with Weight Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery
Authors: da Silva Daniel Sant’Anna , da Silva Thiago Sant’Anna , Leal Paulo Roberto Falcão , Lopes Karynne Grutter , Kraemer-Aguiar Luiz Guilherme
Published: November 2024

Background/Objective: Eating behaviors (EB) correlate with weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS). Therefore, the investigation of EB could guide interventions to prevent insufficient weight outcomes. Method: A prospective cohort of 85 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB; 84.7% female, mean age 44.7 ± 9.3 years) was included. Six months after undergoing RYGB, EB patterns, including cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled (UE), and emotional eating (EE), were assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire R21 (TFEQ-R21). History, physical examination, and anthropometric assessments were collected pre- and 12 months postoperative. Patients were divided based on the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL < 80% or ≥80%) and EB patterns were correlated with weight outcomes at 12 months. Results: The %EWL ≥ 80% group demonstrated significantly higher scores in CR and EE compared to %EWL < 80% (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). UE scores were similar between groups (p = 0.41). At 12 months postoperative, the %EWL ≥ 80% group had negative correlations between CR and BMI and positive correlations between CR and EWL (rho = −0.33 and rho = 0.29; p = 0.04). Multiple logistic regression considering %EWL ≥ 80% as the aim outcome revealed that CR had a significant influence (OR = 1.037; p = 0.058), while age (OR = 0.962; p = 0.145), sex (OR = 2.984; p = 0.135), UE (OR = 0.995; p = 0.736), and EE (OR = 1.017; p = 0.296) did not. Conclusions: EBs influence outcomes after BS, and a model using TFEQ-R21 predicted them. CR six months post-surgery was the strongest predictor of higher EWL at 12 months. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between restrictive EB and BS outcomes, possibly identifying strategies to prevent disordered EB in patients with higher scores.
Oat-Protein-Based Diet Lowers Blood Pressure and Prevents Cardiac Remodeling and Dysfunction in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Raj Pema , Bouchard Jenny , Martineau-Côté Delphine , Malunga Lovemore , L’Hocine Lamia , Yu Liping , Sobhi Babak , Achouri Allaoua , Pitre Mélanie , Thandapilly Sijo Joseph , Netticadan Thomas
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Hypertension and its associated complications, such as cardiac remodeling and dysfunction, continue to impose a significant burden on global healthcare. Nutritional interventions have been recognized as playing a crucial role in addressing this devastating condition termed a ‘silent killer’. Plant-based proteins could potentially be utilized as a non-pharmacological strategy to combat hypertension and its related risk factors. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of an oat protein diet in managing hypertension and cardiac abnormalities. Methods: Four-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats were fed a regular diet with casein as a protein source or an oat-protein-based diet for 16 weeks. Twenty-week-old male SHRs showed high blood pressure (BP), cardiac remodeling, cardiac dysfunction, higher levels of markers of oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and inflammation [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], as well as lower levels of a marker of vascular function (nitric oxide). Results: The oat protein diet was able to significantly lower high BP, prevent cardiac remodeling and dysfunction, improve the levels of nitric oxide, and reduce the levels of TNF-α. Oat protein, after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, also exhibited angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and significantly higher antioxidant activity than casein when assessed with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and the iron-chelating assays in vitro. Conclusions: oat protein lowers BP and prevents cardiac remodeling and dysfunction partly via improving the levels of nitric oxide and TNF-αin SHRs. Its high antioxidant potential could contribute to the observed cardiovascular effects.
Core Competences of School Nurses for the Development of Anti-Bullying Strategies: Protocol for a Scoping Review
Authors: Brandão Neto Waldemar , Pinheiro Helena Vitória Silva , Araújo Nicolle Augusta Artoni de Brito , Albergaria Rayssa Cavalcanti Umbelino de , Carvalho Beatriz Molina , Riccioppo Maria Regina Pontes Luz , Cunha Eunice de Fátima Soares da , Veríssimo Ana Virgínia Rodrigues , Monteiro Estela Maria Leite Meirelles , Furtado Maria Cândida de Carvalho
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: School nurses are capable of fostering safe and healthy school environments that are favorable to quality learning and social interactions. To this end, it is essential that they acquire a set of skills needed to implement bullying intervention programs. This article describes the protocol for a scoping review to identify and map the core competences for school nurses to develop anti-bullying strategies. Methods: The review will be conducted according to the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The review will include primary, secondary, and gray literature, including theses and reports, found through comprehensive research in several databases: Scopus, WoS, APA PsycINFO, Embase, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), ERIC, LILACS, BDENF, IBECS, Cochrane Library, CAPES Dissertations and Theses Portal, RCAAP, Theses Canada, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and Google Scholar, as well as reference tracking. No geographical restrictions will be applied. The studies must include investigations into actions and interventions conducted by or involving nurses for the prevention of bullying in the school context. Two reviewers will act independently in screening the studies and extracting data using an extraction tool developed by the research team. Results: The results will be presented in a tabular format, supported by a narrative synthesis. The details of the scoping review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Conclusions: We anticipate that our scoping review will to strengthen a field of nursing that is still little explored, showing the school nurses’ role in prevent bullying episodes.
Novel Synthetic Peptide Agelaia-12 Has Improved Activity Against Mycobacterium abscessus Complex
Authors: Coelho Arthur Alves , Barbosa Lília Cristina de Souza , da Costa Adeliane Castro , Kipnis André , Junqueira-Kipnis Ana Paula
Published: November 2024

Fast-growing mycobacteria cause difficult-to-treat infections due to their high intrinsic resistance to antibiotics as well as disinfectant agents. Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MAC) is the main cause of nontuberculous mycobacteria diseases. In this work, we evaluated the activity of the novel synthetic antimicrobial peptide, Agelaia-12, against Mycobacterium abscessus and M. massiliense. Agelaia-12 showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 25 μM detected against M. abscessus and M. massiliense with no cytotoxicity. The scanning electronic microscopy analysis of mycobacterial treated with Agelaia-12 demonstrated the presence of filamentous structures and aggregation of the cells. Congo red binding assay of M. abscessus exhibited altered dye accumulation after treatment with Agelaia-12. Treatment of M. abscessus- or M. massiliense-infected murine macrophages with Agelaia-12 decreased the mycobacterial load by 92% for the tested strains. Additionally, IFN-y KO mice infected with M. abscessus or M. massiliense and treated with Agelaia-12 showed a 98% reduction in lung bacterial load. Thus, the synthetic peptide Agelaia-12 may be a promising biomolecule for the treatment of mycobacteriosis, and its structural properties may serve as a foundational model for the design and development of novel pharmaceutical agents aimed at combating this disease.
Wavelength Locking and Calibration of Fiber-Optic Ultrasonic Sensors Using Single-Sideband-Modulated Laser
Authors: Alshammari Mohammed , Han Ming
Published: November 2024

Implementation of edge-filter detection for interrogating optical interferometric ultrasonic sensors is often hindered by the lack of cost-effective laser sources with agile wavelength tunability and good noise performance. The detected signal can also be affected by optical power variations and locking-point drift, negatively affecting the sensor accuracy. Here, we report the use of laser single-sideband generation with a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder interferometer (DP-MZI) for laser wavelength tuning and locking in edge-filter detection of fiber-optic ultrasonic sensors. We also demonstrate real-time in situ calibration of the sensor response to ultrasound-induced wavelength shift tuning. The DP-MZI is employed to generate a known wavelength modulation of the laser, whose response is used to gauge the sensor response to the ultrasound-induced wavelength shifts in real time and in situ. Experiments were performed on a fiber-optic ultrasonic sensor based on a high-finesse Fabry–Perot interferometer formed by two fiber Bragg gratings. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the laser locking against laser wavelength drift and temperature variations and the effectiveness of the calibration method against optical power variations and locking-point drift. These techniques can enhance the operational robustness and increase the measurement accuracy of optical ultrasonic sensors.
Genetic Dissection of Milled Rice Grain Shape by Using a Recombinant Inbred Line Population and Validation of qMLWR11.1 and qMLWR11.2
Authors: Zhang Liting , Lu Zhanhua , Pan Zhaoyang , Chen Tengkui , Wang Shiguang , Liu Wei , Wang Xiaofei , Wu Haoxiang , Chen Hao , Zhan Yunyi , He Xiuying
Published: November 2024

Grain shape in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a complex trait governed by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs). To dissect the genetic basis of rice shape, QTL analysis was conducted for milled rice grain width (MGW), milled rice grain length (MGL), and milled rice length-to-width ratio (MLWR) using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of F10 and F11 generations derived from a cross between Yuexiangzhan and Shengbasimiao. A high-density genetic map consisting of 2412 bins was constructed by sequencing 184 RILs, spanning a total length of 2376.46 cM. A total of 19 QTLs related to MGL, MGW, and MLWR were detected under two environments. The range of phenotypic variation attributed to individual QTL ranged from 1.67% to 32.08%. Among those, a novel locus for MGL, MGW and MLWR, designated as qMLWR3.2, was pinpointed within a specific ~0.96-Mb region. Two novel loci for MGW and MLWR, qMLWR11.1 and qMLWR11.2, were verified within ~1.22-Mb and ~0.52-Mb regions using three RIL-developed populations, respectively. These findings lay the foundation for further map-based cloning and molecular design breeding in rice.
Responses of Hybrid Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Plants to Different Application Modes of Nanosized Selenium
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Luo Haowen , Xing Pipeng , Gu Qichang , Yi Wentao , Yu Xianghai , Zuo Changjian , Tang Xiangru
Published: November 2024

The application of selenium (Se) fertilizer not only promotes crop growth but also meets the human demand for Se by increasing the Se content in food. However, the application of nanosized selenium (nano-Se) in hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) production has not been reported. Therefore, the present study conducted a field experiment to investigate hybrid rice’s performance under the different application modes of nano-Se. The nano-Se solution was foliar-applied: once at the end of the tillering (S1), heading (S2), and grain-filling (S3) stages or twice at the end of the tillering stage and the heading stage (S4), and at the end of the tillering stage and the grain-filling stage (S5). The treatment without Se application was taken as the control (CK). The results showed that compared with CK, the S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 treatments increased the grain yield by 27.83–40.60%, 16.06–25.95%, 14.78–40.86%, 20.94–43.79%, and 22.41–43.52%, respectively. The highest or equally highest grain yield was recorded in the S1 treatment. Yield-related traits including the effective panicle number, grain number per panicle, seed-setting rate, and 1000-grain weight significantly increased under nano-Se treatments. Compared with CK, nano-Se treatment increased the SPAD value (chlorophyll content), net photosynthetic rate, and dry matter accumulation by 3.82–32.83%, 2.85–59.55%, and 8.09–55.29%, respectively. An 11.51–572.85% higher grain Se content was recorded in nano-Se treatments than CK. Moreover, nano-Se application significantly enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. In conclusion, the foliar application of nano-Se enhanced the growth and yield formation of hybrid rice plants, and the S1 treatment was considered as the best application due to having the highest yield.
The Role of Polyploidy in the Genetic Structure and Expansion of Lepisorus clathratus in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountains
Authors: Zhao Cunfeng , Zhang Xianchun
Published: November 2024

Polyploidy plays a crucial role in plant evolution, particularly in shaping genetic diversity and geographic distribution. This study investigates the genetic diversity and distribution of Lepisorus clathratus (C. B. Clarke) Ching, a polyploid fern species endemic to the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountains. We sampled 586 individuals from 66 populations and identified three ploidy levels: diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid. Flow cytometry and chloroplast DNA sequencing were used to assess ploidy variation and genetic structure. Tetraploid populations dominated the Hengduan Mountains and exhibited wider geographic ranges, while diploids were largely confined to the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Molecular variance analysis revealed significant genetic differentiation among regions, with polyploid populations demonstrating higher cross-region migration rates compared with diploids, as evidenced by the historical gene flow analysis. Ecological niche modeling suggested that polyploids expanded more successfully in post-glacial periods, likely due to their greater ecological flexibility and capacity for long-distance colonization. These findings highlight the critical role of polyploidy in shaping genetic structure and species expansion, contributing to the understanding of plant adaptation in response to historical climatic changes.
Effects of Straw Addition on Soil Priming Effects Under Different Tillage and Straw Return Modes
Authors: Cai Peixuan , Wang Haixia , Zhao Zhihui , Li Xue , Wang Ying , Zhan Xiumei , Han Xiaori
Published: November 2024

This study aims to investigate the impact of straw addition on soil activation effects under different tillage practices, providing a scientific basis for establishing reasonable straw return measures in the southern Northeast Plain, thus enhancing soil fertility, and mitigating greenhouse effects. Soil samples were collected from various straw return practices that were conducted continuously for two years as follows: rotary tillage without straw return (RTO), deep tillage combined with straw incorporation (PT), rotary tillage with straw incorporation (RT), and no-till with straw cover (NT). The samples were incubated in the dark at 25 °C for 70 days. We measured the CO2 release rate and cumulative release, apparent activation effect, soil organic carbon, active microbial biomass organic carbon, soluble organic carbon, and easily oxidizable organic carbon to clarify the effects of straw addition on soil activation under different tillage practices. The results indicate that a straw addition promotes the mineralization of soil organic carbon while also increasing the content of active organic carbon components. The CO2 release rates and cumulative release under different tillage practices were as follows: PT > NT > RT. The contents of the active microbial biomass organic carbon, soluble organic carbon, and easily oxidizable organic carbon increased by 16.62% to 131.88%, 4.36% to 57.59%, and 12.10% to 57.97%, respectively, compared to the control without the straw addition. Except for the RT practice, the addition of straw significantly enhanced the instability of soil organic carbon in the PT, NT, and RTO practices, with increases of 51.75%, 48.29%, and 27.90%, respectively. Different straw return practices altered the physical and chemical properties of the soil, resulting in significant differences in the strength of the apparent activation effect. Notably, the apparent activation effect of RT was reduced by 86.42% compared to RTO, while that of NT was reduced by 36.99% compared to PT. A highly significant positive correlation was observed between the apparent activation effect and the unstable carbon components in the soil, indicating that higher levels of easily decomposable organic carbon corresponded to stronger apparent activation effects. In conclusion, it is recommended that in this region, rotary tillage should be adopted for straw return in the first 2 to 3 years, as this practice is beneficial for the formation and stabilization of organic carbon in the short term. As the duration of straw return increases, adjustments can be made based on the degree of soil organic carbon retention and soil fertility status.
From Waste to Worth: Using Fermented Orange Pomace in Sustainable Feed Production
Authors: Elsakhawy Tamer , Alshaal Tarek , Elakhdar Ammar , El-Akhdar Ibrahim
Published: November 2024

Modern agriculture faces the dual challenge of producing environmentally friendly feed while minimizing chemical fertilizers and energy use. This study evaluates the use of orange pomace fermentation liquor (OPFL) as a bio-fertilizer to enhance the growth and nutritional content of sprouted barley for sustainable feed production. We conducted multiple assays to determine OPFL’s growth-promotion potential, including in vitro phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial effects. Biosafety assays confirmed the absence of coliforms and hemolytic activity. Four barley varieties (Giza 2000, Giza 138, Giza 132, and Giza 126) were treated with OPFL in a hydroponic germination system, with significant improvements observed across several parameters. For example, in Giza 2000, chlorophyll content increased from 4.28 to 4.74, protein content rose from 12.15% to 22.07%, and plant height grew from 13.6 cm to 16.4 cm, representing increases of 10.7%, 81.6%, and 20.6%, respectively. Fresh biomass yield also saw a slight increase, though not statistically significant. This comprehensive evaluation suggests that OPFL is a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, enhancing barley yield and quality in animal feed systems.
Antiseptic Surface Based on Antibacterial Polyethylene Composites with Silver Fillers: Stability in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Gallegos-García Marisol , Quiñones-Jurado Zoe V. , González-Lozano María Azucena , Ponce-Peña Patricia , Escobedo-Bretado Miguel Ángel , Cadenas-Pliego G. , Cabello-Alvarado C.
Published: November 2024

One method to reduce the spread of pathogens is to use clean surfaces. These have long-acting components, and their use would reduce the massive consumption of disinfectants and cleaning products. In order to ensure the safety of these surfaces in water-based systems and prevent mishandling and potential health and environmental risks, this study analyzed the stability of clean surfaces made of polyethylene with three silver compounds with different water solubility. The surfaces were subjected to erosion at 40 °C by immersing them in aqueous solutions of 3% acetic acid (w/v), 50% ethanol (v/v), and deionized water. The ionic silver release was monitored in real-time in situ via voltammetry using an Ag/S2− electrode. Analytical methods such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to elucidate the surface alteration. The plastic residue after immersion varied depending on the pH and the type of solvent used, with a higher plastic migration observed when in contact with the water-ethanol mixture. Furthermore, a correlation was identified between surface stability, oxygen composition in the antibacterial, and water solubility, influencing increased surface oxidation.
Electrospun Micro/Nanofiber-Based Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: A Review
Authors: Li Xiuhong , He Youqi , Li Kai , Zhang Shuailong , Hu Xinyu , Li Yi , Zhang Daode , Liu Yong
Published: November 2024

Hydrogen is regarded as an ideal energy carrier to cope with the energy crisis and environmental problems due to its high energy density, cleanliness, and renewability. Although there are several primary methods of industrial hydrogen production, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is an efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainably green method for the preparation of hydrogen which has attracted considerable attention. However, this technique is characterized by slow reaction kinetics and high energy potential owing to lack of electrocatalysts with cost-effective and high performance which impedes its scale-up. To address this issue, various studies have focused on electrospun micro/nanofiber-based electrocatalysts for HER due to their excellent electron and mass transport, high specific surface area, as well as high porosity and flexibility. To further advance their development, recent progress of highly efficient HER electrospun electrocatalysts is reviewed. Initially, the characteristics of potential high-performance electrocatalysts for HER are elucidated. Subsequently, the advantages of utilizing electrospinning technology for the preparation of electrocatalysts are summarized. Then, the classification of electrospun micro/nanofiber-based electrocatalysts for HER are analyzed, including metal-based electrospun electrocatalyst (noble metals and alloys, transition metals, and alloys), metal–non-metal electrocatalysts (metal sulfide-based electrocatalysts, metal oxide-based electrocatalysts, metal phosphide-based electrocatalysts, metal nitride-based electrocatalysts, and metal carbide-based electrocatalysts), metal-free electrospun micro/nanofiber-based electrocatalysts, and hybrid electrospun micro/nanofiber-based electrocatalysts. Following this, enhancement strategies for electrospun micro/nanofiber-based electrocatalysts are discussed. Finally, current challenges and the future research directions of electrospun micro/nanofiber-based electrocatalysts for HER are concluded.
Repeated Fed-Batch Culture Strategy for the Synthesis of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Biopolymers from Sugar Cane Juice Using Azotobacter vinelandii
Authors: Dujjanutat Praepilas , Singhaboot Pakjirat , Kaewkannetra Pakawadee
Published: November 2024

In this research work, a main biopolymer group of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) in the form of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was synthesised by a pure bacterial strain of Azotobacter vinelandii via repeated fed-batch fermentation. An agricultural crop, sugar cane, was used as the sole carbon source. Firstly, batch fermentation was investigated considering variations in incubation times (24 h, 48 h, and 96 h). The highest dry cell weight (DCW) and PHAs of 5.15 ± 0.04 g/L and 4.00 ± 0.04 g/L were obtained after 48 h of incubation time. The optimum time obtained was further varied to investigate the effect of the sugar concentrations in the medium. It was found that bacteria could grow very well and produced the highest DCW and PHAs (11.17 ± 0.15 g/L and 8.77 ± 0.06 g/L) when the culture medium with a 100 g/L sugar concentration was added. Later, repeated fed-batch fermentation was carried out to improve productivity. The results obtained revealed that PHA production was increased in the next cycle of the process. Furthermore, the final productivity (0.104 g/L·h) was increased 1.65-fold compared to the first cycle (0.063 g/L·h). Moreover, the culture strategy showed remarkable results, with reductions in both fermentation time and preparation cost.
Laser-Induced Graphene on Novel Crosslinked Poly(dimethylsiloxane)/Triton X-100 Composites for Improving Mechanical, Electrical and Hydrophobic Properties
Authors: Pergal Marija V. , Rašljić Rafajilović Milena , Vićentić Teodora , Pašti Igor A. , Ostojić Sanja , Bajuk-Bogdanović Danica , Spasenović Marko
Published: November 2024

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has become a highly promising material for flexible functional devices due to its robust mechanical stability, excellent electrical properties, and ease of fabrication. Most research has been focused on LIG production on rigid or flexible substrates, with an obvious gap in laser induction of graphene on elastic, stretchable substrates, which limits the scope of application of LIG in flexible electronics. We demonstrate laser induction of graphene on a novel, cross-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/Triton X-100 composite substrates. The effect of varying Triton content (1–30 wt.%) on the structural, thermal, surface, nanomechanical, and electrical properties of LIG was systematically studied. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the successful induction of LIG on the surface of PDMS/Triton composites. A higher content of Triton in the PDMS matrix improves the quality of LIG, increases stiffness and hydrophobicity, and somewhat decreases sheet resistance. Similar thermal properties and super-hydrophobicity were observed for LIG/PDMS/Triton materials as compared to their counterparts without LIG. Direct laser irradiation of graphene on the surface of PDMS/Triton composites results in the formation of extremely promising materials, which have great potential for use in flexible electronic devices.
Experimental Investigation on Bending Properties of DP780 Dual-Phase Steel Strengthened by Hybrid Polymer Composite with Aramid and Carbon Fibers
Authors: Marszałek Jerzy
Published: November 2024

Lowering passenger vehicle weight is a major contributor to improving fuel consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One fundamental method to achieving lighter cars is to replace heavy materials with lighter ones while still ensuring the required strength, durability, and ride comfort. Currently, there is increasing interest in hybrid structures obtained through adhesive bonding of high-performance fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) to high-strength steel sheets. The high weight reduction potential of steel/FRP hybrid structures is obtained by the thickness reduction of the steel sheet with the use of a lightweight FRP. The result is a lighter structure, but it is challenging to retain the stiffness and load-carrying capacity of an unreduced-thickness steel sheet. This work investigates the bending properties of a non-reinforced DP780 steel sheet that has a thickness of 1.45 mm (S1.45) and a hybrid structure (S1.15/ACFRP), and its mechanical properties are examined. The proposed hybrid structure is composed of a DP780 steel sheet with a thickness of 1.15 mm (S1.15) and a hybrid composite (ACFRP) made from two plies of woven hybrid fabric of aramid and carbon fibers and an epoxy resin matrix. The hybridization effect of S1.15 with ACFRP is investigated, and the results are compared with those available in the literature. S1.15/ACFRP is only 5.71% heavier than S1.15, but its bending properties, including bending stiffness, maximum bending load capacity, and absorbed energy, are higher by 29.7, 49.8, and 41.2%, respectively. The results show that debonding at the interface between S1.15 and ACFRP is the primary mode of fracture in S1.15/ACFRP. Importantly, S1.15 is permanently deformed because it reaches its peak plastic strain. It is found that the reinforcement layers of ACFRP remain undamaged during the entire loading process. In the case of S1.45, typical ductile behavior and a two-stage bending response are observed. S1.15/ACFRP and S1.45 are also compared in terms of their weight and bending properties. It is observed that S1.15/ACFRP is 16.47% lighter than S1.45. However, the bending stiffness, maximum bending load capacity, and absorbed energy of S1.15/ACFRP remain 34.4, 11.5, and 21.1% lower compared to S1.45, respectively. Therefore, several modifications to the hybrid structure are suggested to improve its mechanical properties. The results of this study provide valuable conclusions and useful data to continue further research on the application of S1.15/ACFRP in the design of lightweight and durable thin-walled structures.
Effect of Part Size, Displacement Rate, and Aging on Compressive Properties of Elastomeric Parts of Different Unit Cell Topologies Formed by Vat Photopolymerization Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Bezek Lindsey B. , Nakarmi Sushan , Pantea Alexander C. , Leiding Jeffery A. , Daphalapurkar Nitin P. , Lee Kwan-Soo
Published: November 2024

Due to its ability to achieve geometric complexity at high resolution and low length scales, additive manufacturing (AM) has increasingly been used for fabricating cellular structures (e.g., foams and lattices) for a variety of applications. Specifically, elastomeric cellular structures offer tunability of compliance as well as energy absorption and dissipation characteristics. However, there are limited data available on compression properties for printed elastomeric cellular structures of different designs and testing parameters. In this work, the authors evaluate how unit cell topology, part size, the rate of compression, and aging affect the compressive response of polyurethane-based simple cubic, body-centered, and gyroid structures formed by vat photopolymerization AM. Finite element simulations incorporating hyperelastic and viscoelastic models were used to describe the data, and the simulated results compared well with the experimental data. Of the designs tested, only the parts with the body-centered unit cell exhibited differences in stress–strain responses at different part sizes. Of the compression rates tested, the highest displacement rate (1000 mm/min) often caused stiffer compressive behavior, indicating deviation from the quasi-static assumption and approaching the intermediate rate response. The cellular structures did not change in compression properties across five weeks of aging time, which is desirable for cushioning applications. This work advances knowledge on the structure–property relationships of printed elastomeric cellular materials, which will enable more predictable compressive properties that can be traced to specific unit cell designs.
Modeling a Strain and Piezo Potentials in an InAs/GaAs Quantum Dot
Authors: Filikhin Igor , Vlahovic Branislav , Zatezalo Tanja , Karoui Abdennaceur , Oxley Jimmie
Published: November 2024

We investigated the single-electron spectrum of an InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) using an effective potential model developed in previous studies. Our objective was to explore the limits of applicability of this model. We conducted numerical simulations, introducing a piezoelectric potential as a perturbation to the effective potential. The profile of this additional potential was derived from theoretical numerical studies presented in the literature. We analyzed the impact of variations in this profile within the framework of the perturbation theory. Our findings indicate that within a variation range of 25%, the effective potential model remains applicable.
Microfluidic Study of Application of Nanosuspension with Aluminum Oxide Nanofibers to Enhance Oil Recovery Factor During Reservoir Flooding
Authors: Pryazhnikov Andrey , Zhigarev Vladimir , Pryazhnikov Maxim , Minakov Andrey
Published: November 2024

The paper presents the results of a comparative microfluidic study of the oil displacement process from a microfluidic chip simulating rock. Suspensions of spherical nanoparticles of silicon oxide (22 nm) and aluminum oxide (11 nm), as well as aluminum oxide nanofibers (8.7 nm in diameter and with an aspect ratio of 58), were used as displacing liquids. The nanofibers represent a unique new-generation crystalline material with a high aspect ratio. This work presents the first consideration of the use of aluminum oxide nanofibers as an additive for enhanced oil recovery. The comparative analysis has demonstrated that the addition of nanofibers can markedly enhance the oil recovery factor relative to the addition of spherical nanoparticles, other things being equal. Thus, in particular, it was demonstrated that the addition of nanofibers into the system allows for the greatest enhancement of the oil recovery factor, reaching a value of 25%, whereas the addition of spherical nanoparticles results in a maximum increment of approximately 10%. This is due to the fact that nanofiber additives have a tenfold stronger effect on the viscosity of nanosuspensions compared to similar additives of spherical particles. Nanosuspensions of aluminum oxide nanofibers exhibit non-Newtonian behavior at low concentrations. This opens the possibility of their extensive use in enhanced oil recovery.
Forecasting Blue and Green Water Footprint of Wheat Based on Single, Hybrid, and Stacking Ensemble Machine Learning Algorithms Under Diverse Agro-Climatic Conditions in Nile Delta, Egypt
Authors: Lotfy Ashrakat A. , Abuarab Mohamed E. , Farag Eslam , Derardja Bilal , Khadra Roula , Abdelmoneim Ahmed A. , Mokhtar Ali
Published: November 2024

The aim of this research is to develop and compare single, hybrid, and stacking ensemble machine learning models under spatial and temporal climate variations in the Nile Delta regarding the estimation of the blue and green water footprint (BWFP and GWFP) for wheat. Thus, four single machine learning models (XGB, RF, LASSO, and CatBoost) and eight hybrid machine learning models (XGB-RF, XGB-LASSO, XGB-CatBoost, RF-LASSO, CatBoost-LASSO, CatBoost-RF, XGB-RF-LASSO, and XGB-CatBoost-LASSO) were used, along with stacking ensembles, with five scenarios including climate and crop parameters and remote sensing-based indices. The highest R2 value for predicting wheat BWFP was achieved with XGB-LASSO under scenario 4 at 100%, while the minimum was 0.16 with LASSO under scenario 3 (remote sensing indices). To predict wheat GWFP, the highest R2 value of 100% was achieved with RF-LASSO across scenario 1 (all parameters), scenario 2 (climate parameters), scenario 4 (Peeff, Tmax, Tmin, and SA), and scenario 5 (Peeff and Tmax). The lowest value was recorded with LASSO and scenario 3. The use of individual and hybrid machine learning models showed high efficiency in predicting the blue and green water footprint of wheat, with high ratings according to statistical performance standards. However, the hybrid programs, whether binary or triple, outperformed both the single models and stacking ensemble.
Mapping Crop Types for Beekeepers Using Sentinel-2 Satellite Image Time Series: Five Essential Crops in the Pollination Services
Authors: Mahdizadeh Gharakhanlou Navid , Perez Liliana , Coallier Nico
Published: November 2024

Driven by the widespread adoption of deep learning (DL) in crop mapping with satellite image time series (SITS), this study was motivated by the recent success of temporal attention-based approaches in crop mapping. To meet the needs of beekeepers, this study aimed to develop DL-based classification models for mapping five essential crops in pollination services in Quebec province, Canada, by using Sentinel-2 SITS. Due to the challenging task of crop mapping using SITS, this study employed three DL-based models, namely one-dimensional temporal convolutional neural networks (CNNs) (1DTempCNNs), one-dimensional spectral CNNs (1DSpecCNNs), and long short-term memory (LSTM). Accordingly, this study aimed to capture expert-free temporal and spectral features, specifically targeting temporal features using 1DTempCNN and LSTM models, and spectral features using the 1DSpecCNN model. Our findings indicated that the LSTM model (macro-averaged recall of 0.80, precision of 0.80, F1-score of 0.80, and ROC of 0.89) outperformed both 1DTempCNNs (macro-averaged recall of 0.73, precision of 0.74, F1-score of 0.73, and ROC of 0.85) and 1DSpecCNNs (macro-averaged recall of 0.78, precision of 0.77, F1-score of 0.77, and ROC of 0.88) models, underscoring its effectiveness in capturing temporal features and highlighting its suitability for crop mapping using Sentinel-2 SITS. Furthermore, applying one-dimensional convolution (Conv1D) across the spectral domain demonstrated greater potential in distinguishing land covers and crop types than applying it across the temporal domain. This study contributes to providing insights into the capabilities and limitations of various DL-based classification models for crop mapping using Sentinel-2 SITS.
Effect of Climatological Factors on the Horizontal Accuracy of Photogrammetric Products Obtained with UAV
Authors: Luna Torres Ana , Vergara Olivera Mónica , Almeida Del Savio Alexandre , Gracey Bambarén Georgia
Published: November 2024

The use of UAVs (drones) and photogrammetry has gained attention in recent years in the construction industry, allowing information to be obtained from a given area without having direct contact with the area, and thus, being a more efficient alternative in terms of time and costs when compared to a traditional topographic survey. Due to the increase in the use of UAVs for photogrammetry, an investigation is proposed to determine the influence of a non-controllable component in photogrammetric flights: the weather. Factors such as brightness, temperature, wind, KP index, and solar radiation affect the precision and quality of the images to be used in photogrammetry. This research determines which factors are most influential in these results through a varied database obtained over a year. In this way, the moments with the most favorable conditions for a photogrammetric flight in climates such as that of the city of Lima or similar are established. A total of 448 flights carried out over a year were analyzed, collecting climatic data such as air temperature, speed and wind direction, solar radiation, and KP index. The flights, which were carried out with a Mavic 2 Pro UAV, were carried out at 100 m high and with a camera at 90° to obtain detailed information on the works.
780 nm Narrow Linewidth External Cavity Diode Laser for Quantum Sensing
Authors: Ye Junzhu , Guan Chenggang , Lv Puchu , Wang Weiqi , Chen Xuan , Wang Ziyi , Xiao Yifan , Zhan Linfeng , Gong Jiaoli , Yao Yucheng
Published: November 2024

To meet the demands of laser communication, quantum precision measurement, cold atom technology, and other fields for narrow linewidth and low-noise light sources, an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) operating in the wavelength range around 780 nm was set up with a Fabry–Pérot etalon (F–P) and an interference filter (IF) in the experiment. The interference filter type ECDL (IF–ECDL) with butterfly-style packaging configuration has continuous wavelength tuning within a specified range through precise temperature and current control and has excellent single-mode characteristics. Experimental results indicate that the output power of the IF–ECDL is 14 mW, with a side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of 54 dB, a temperature-controlled mode-hop-free tuning range of 527 GHz (1.068 nm), and an output linewidth of 570 Hz. Compared to traditional lasers operating at 780 nm, the IF–ECDL exhibits narrower linewidth, lower noise, and higher spectral purity, and its dimensions are merely 25 × 15 × 8.5 mm3 weighing only 19.8 g, showcasing remarkable miniaturization and lightweight advantages over similar products in current research fields.
A Systematic Review of Event-Matching Methods for Complex Event Detection in Video Streams
Authors: Honarparvar Sepehr , Ashena Zahra Bagheri , Saeedi Sara , Liang Steve
Published: November 2024

Complex Event Detection (CED) in video streams involves numerous challenges such as object detection, tracking, spatio–temporal relationship identification, and event matching, which are often complicated by environmental variations, occlusions, and tracking losses. This systematic review presents an analysis of CED methods for video streams described in publications from 2012 to 2024, focusing on their effectiveness in addressing key challenges and identifying trends, research gaps, and future directions. A total of 92 studies were categorized into four main groups: training-based methods, object detection and spatio–temporal matching, multi-source solutions, and others. Each method’s strengths, limitations, and applicability are discussed, providing an in-depth evaluation of their capabilities to support real-time video analysis and live camera feed applications. This review highlights the increasing demand for advanced CED techniques in sectors like security, safety, and surveillance and outlines the key opportunities for future research in this evolving field.
Measuring Changes in Upper Body Movement Due to Fasting Using a Camera
Authors: Chen Longfei , Raza Muhammad Ahmed , Saied Imran , Arslan Tughrul , Fisher Robert B.
Published: November 2024

Understanding activity levels during fasting is important for promoting healthy fasting practices. While most existing studies focus on step counts to objectively assess the impact of fasting on activity levels and behavioral changes, the results have been mixed. Despite evidence showing that individuals spend a significant amount of time sitting while fasting, there has been no objective measurement of body movement or activity levels during sitting and fasting. This research employs a video-based, unobtrusive human body movement measurement system to monitor upper body movements during fasting and non-fasting periods over several days. Key movement features, such as inactivity, movement speed, and movement scale, were automatically extracted from the video monitoring data using a computer vision pipeline. These features were then statistically compared using t tests between fasting and non-fasting periods, analyzed by hour of the day and across different days. The results of the monitoring of five participants during typical daily sitting office work and fasting for 3–5 days indicate no consistent pattern of upper body movement changes due to fasting among the participants.
Multi-Frequency Microwave Sensing System with Frequency Selection Method for Pulverized Coal Concentration
Authors: Tian Haoyu , Gao Feng , Meng Yuwei , Jia Xiaoyan , Yu Rongdong , Wang Zhan , Liu Zicheng
Published: November 2024

The accurate measurement of pulverized coal concentration (PCC) is crucial for optimizing the production efficiency and safety of coal-fired power plants. Traditional microwave attenuation methods typically rely on a single frequency for analysis while neglecting valuable information in the frequency domain, making them susceptible to the varying sensitivity of the signal at different frequencies. To address this issue, we proposed an innovative frequency selection method based on principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithms and implemented a multi-frequency microwave sensing system for PCC measurement. This method transcended the constraints of single-frequency analysis by employing a developed hardware system to control multiple working frequencies and signal paths. It measured insertion loss data across the sensor cross-section at various frequencies and utilized PCA to reduce the dimensionality of high-dimensional full-path insertion loss data. Subsequently, the OMP algorithm was applied to select the optimal frequency signal combination based on the contribution rates of the eigenvectors, enhancing the measurement accuracy through multi-dimensional fusion. The experimental results demonstrated that the multi-frequency microwave sensing system effectively extracted features from the high-dimensional PCC samples and selected the optimal frequency combination. Filed experiments conducted on five coal mills showed that, within a common PCC range of 0–0.5 kg/kg, the system achieved a minimum mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.41% and a correlation coefficient of 0.85. These results indicate that the system could quantitatively predict PCC and promptly detect PCC fluctuations, highlighting its immediacy and reliability.
A Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Enhanced Structural Damage Detection: Integrating ResNet50, GoogLeNet, and Attention Mechanisms
Authors: Singh Vikash , Baral Anuj , Kumar Roshan , Tummala Sudhakar , Noori Mohammad , Yadav Swati Varun , Kang Shuai , Zhao Wei
Published: November 2024

Quick and accurate structural damage detection is essential for maintaining the safety and integrity of infrastructure, especially following natural disasters. Traditional methods of damage assessment, which rely on manual inspections, can be labor-intensive and subject to human error. This paper introduces a hybrid deep learning model that combines the capabilities of ResNet50 and GoogLeNet, further enhanced by a convolutional block attention module (CBAM), proposed to improve both the accuracy and performance in detecting structural damage. For training purposes, a diverse dataset of images depicting both structural damage cases and undamaged cases was used. To further enhance the robustness, data augmentation techniques were also employed. In this research, precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy were employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the introduced hybrid deep learning model. Our findings indicate that the hybrid deep neural network introduced in this study significantly outperformed standalone architectures such as ResNet50 and GoogLeNet, making it a highly effective solution for applications in disaster response and infrastructure maintenance.
Development of a Cost-Efficient and Glaucoma-Specialized OD/OC Segmentation Model for Varying Clinical Scenarios
Authors: Liu Kai , Zhang Jicong
Published: November 2024

Most existing optic disc (OD) and cup (OC) segmentation models are biased to the dominant size and easy class (normal class), resulting in suboptimal performances on glaucoma-confirmed samples. Thus, these models are not optimal choices for assisting in tracking glaucoma progression and prognosis. Moreover, fully supervised models employing annotated glaucoma samples can achieve superior performances, although restricted by the high cost of collecting and annotating the glaucoma samples. Therefore, in this paper, we are dedicated to developing a glaucoma-specialized model by exploiting low-cost annotated normal fundus images, simultaneously adapting various common scenarios in clinical practice. We employ a contrastive learning and domain adaptation-based model by exploiting shared knowledge from normal samples. To capture glaucoma-related features, we utilize a Gram matrix to encode style information and the domain adaptation strategy to encode domain information, followed by narrowing the style and domain gaps between normal and glaucoma samples by contrastive and adversarial learning, respectively. To validate the efficacy of our proposed model, we conducted experiments utilizing two public datasets to mimic various common scenarios. The results demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed model across multi-scenarios, showcasing its proficiency in both the segmentation- and glaucoma-related metrics. In summary, our study illustrates a concerted effort to target confirmed glaucoma samples, mitigating the inherent bias issue in most existing models. Moreover, we propose an annotation-efficient strategy that exploits low-cost, normal-labeled fundus samples, mitigating the economic- and labor-related burdens by employing a fully supervised strategy. Simultaneously, our approach demonstrates its adaptability across various scenarios, highlighting its potential utility in both assisting in the monitoring of glaucoma progression and assessing glaucoma prognosis.