bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Characterization of the SHIP1-Domains Regarding Their Contribution to Inositol 5-Phosphatase Activity
Authors: Müller Spike Murphy , Nelson Nina , Jücker Manfred
Published: January 2025

The Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) is a multidomain protein consisting of two protein–protein interaction domains, the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, and the proline-rich region (PRR), as well as three phosphoinositide-binding domains, the pleckstrin homology-like (PHL) domain, the 5-phosphatase (5PPase) domain, and the C2 domain. SHIP1 is commonly known for its involvement in the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by dephosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) at the D5 position of the inositol ring. However, the functional role of each domain of SHIP1 for the regulation of its enzymatic activity is not well understood. To determine the contribution of the individual domains to catalytic activity, the full-length protein was compared with truncated constructs lacking one or more domain(s), regarding the substrate turnover (kcat) and catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) towards ci8-PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. With this approach, it was possible to verify the allosteric activation of SHIP1 mediated by the C2 domain as described previously, while the PHL domain seemed instead to have a negative effect regarding catalytic efficiency. The full-length SHIP1 clearly displayed the highest turnover and the second-highest catalytic efficiency, showing the role of the SH2 domain and PRR not only in protein–protein interactions but also in catalysis. The SH2 domain increased substrate turnover but negatively affected catalytic efficiency. The linker between the SH2 and the PHL domains decreased the turnover number but positively influenced the catalytic efficiency. The PRR increased both the substrate turnover and the protein’s catalytic efficiency. The regression analysis of the Michaelis–Menten graph revealed SHIP1 to be an allosteric enzyme, with the PRR and the linker being the most involved domains in that regard. In summary, our data indicate a complex regulation of the enzymatic activity of SHIP1 by its individual domains. While the C2 domain and PRR at the carboxy-terminus have a positive effect on enzymatic activity, the SH2 and PHL domain at the amino-terminus inhibit catalytic efficiency.
The VaMa (Vatavuk and Marić) Artificial Intraocular Lens Capsule: A Novel Device and Method for Reversible Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation in Patients with Aphakia Without Efficient Capsular Support
Authors: Marić Goran , Godec Damir , Krajačić Bruno , Radmilović Marin , Vatavuk Zoran
Published: January 2025

We describe a novel experimental device, the VaMa (Vatavuk and Marić) artificial intraocular lens (IOL) capsule, and a method that enables all IOL types to be implanted in the bag. We present the application of the device and the procedure in patients with aphakia and native capsule damage and without efficient capsular support. The VaMa device and the method facilitate IOL exchange due to refractive errors and, in the case of their invention, the implementation of superior IOLs in the future. The postoperative results after the implantation of the VaMa capsule along with IOLs in three patients are promising, with significant visual improvement and without adverse events 7 to 10 months postoperatively.
Impact of First- and Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors on the Development of Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Individuals with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Retrospective Analysis on Behalf of the Polish Adult Leukemia Group
Authors: Giordano Ugo , Piekarska Agnieszka , Prejzner Witold , Gil Lidia , Zaucha Jan Maciej , Kujawska Joanna , Dybko Zuzanna , Dudek Krzysztof , Giebel Sebastian , Dybko Jarosław
Published: January 2025

Background: The implementation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has brought a significant improvement in the prognosis for CML patients and a decrease in the number of patients requiring allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Nevertheless, the impact of TKIs on allo-HCT outcomes has not been thoroughly explored. Objectives: The main endpoint of our research was to assess the impact of prior TKI treatment on acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD). Methods: In our retrospective analysis, we included 240 patients treated between 1993 and 2013 and divided them into three groups according to the therapy administered prior to haploidentical, matched-related, or matched-unrelated donor allo-HCT (imatinib group n = 41, dasatinib/nilotinib group n = 28, TKI-naïve group n = 171). Results: Both the cumulative incidence of aGvHD (p = 0.044) and cGvHD (p < 0.001) in individuals receiving second-generation TKIs (2G-TKIs) prior to allo-HCT were decreased compared to patients receiving no TKIs or imatinib (IMA) (40.7% vs. 61.4% vs. 70.7%, p = 0.044; 25.0% vs. 76.4% vs. 51.2%, p < 0.001, respectively). In the case of the 2G-TKI cohort, the number of low-grade aGvHD and cGvHD was significantly lower compared to the IMA and TKI-naïve groups (p = 0.018, p = 0.004; p < 0.001 versus TKI-naïve, respectively). In terms of 3-year overall survival (OS), there were no important variations between TKI-naïve, IMA, and 2G-TKI (55% vs. 49.9% vs. 69.6%, p = 0.740). Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that TKI treatment prior to allo-HCT may have a protective impact on immune-mediated outcomes.
Comparison of BCG Tokyo172 Strain Induction Therapy Between Low Dose and Standard Dose for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: Intravesical Instillation of BCG Tokyo172 Strain
Authors: Isobe Hideyuki , Shimizu Fumitaka , Ieda Takeshi , Nakamura So , Takazawa Naoko , Suetsugu Hanna , Kajino Kazunori , Hirai Shu , Hirano Hisashi , Yuzawa Katsuhito , Horie Shigeo
Published: January 2025

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify factors that predict recurrence by comparing low-dose and standard-dose Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) induction therapy in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Methods: A total of 273 consecutive NMIBC patients who received low-dose (40 mg) or standard-dose (80 mg) BCG intravesical instillation therapy between January 2004 and December 2023 were analyzed. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method with the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of recurrence based on the Club Urológico Español de Tratamiento Oncológico (CUETO) criteria. Results: The log-rank test showed that older age, low BCG dose, number of tumors, and a history of recurrence increased the risk of recurrence significantly. Regarding older patients, recurrence rates were similar between the two dose groups. However, younger patients had significantly lower recurrence rates with standard-dose BCG compared to low-dose BCG. Multiple Cox regression analysis confirmed that older age, low-dose BCG, greater than three tumors, and a history of recurrence were significant predictors of recurrence. Conclusions: In this study, we found that low-dose BCG induction therapy was associated with higher relapse rates compared with standard doses, especially in younger patients. Age-related differences in the immune response to BCG may influence these relapse patterns.
Discovery of Innate Immune Response mRNAs That Are Impacted by Structure-Specific Oral Baker’s Yeast Beta Glucan Consumption
Authors: McFarlin Brian K. , Curtis John H. , Vingren Jakob L. , Hill David W. , Bridgeman Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2025

The study of nutritional compounds with the potential to train the innate immune response has implications for human health. The objective of the current study was to discover by what means 6 weeks of oral baker’s yeast beta glucan (BYBG) supplementation altered the mRNA expression of genes that reflect innate immune training in the absence of a physical stressor. Nineteen adults were randomly assigned to either a Wellmune® BYBG or Placebo for 6 weeks. BYBG uniquely altered the expression of 40 mRNAs associated with Dectin-1 and trained innate immunity, the innate immune response, the pathogen-associated (PAMP) and damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), and the inflammatory response. The observed changes were classified as immune training rather than immune priming due to the progressive increase in the expression of myeloid immune-associated mRNA. Combined with the findings of previous research, the findings of the present study support the claim that oral BYBG supplementation may be associated with trained innate immunity during resting homeostasis. Further, the key findings associated with BYBG may reflect improved responsiveness to future infection (exogenous) and/or sterile-inflammatory (endogenous) challenge.
Linking Context to Language Switching: Effects of Background Noise on Bilingual Language Comprehension
Authors: Jiao Lu , Wang Zejun , Duan Xiaoting , Yu Yingying , Liu Cong
Published: January 2025

In the present study, we set out to examine the effect of background noise on bilingual language comprehension between a person’s first language (L1) and second language (L2). Language control systems seem to systematically engage in bilingual language production, as evidenced by the presence of switch costs with slower responses to switch trials than repeat trials. However, this systematic engagement does not uniformly apply to comprehension, as the involvement of language control in bilingual comprehension may vary depending on external contexts. In two experiments, we investigated how background noise influenced language switching in comprehension for unbalanced Chinese–English bilinguals. Overall, when comprehending words from two languages, participants experienced significant language switch costs across all conditions, but smaller switch costs were observed in the noise condition than in the quiet condition. However, the symmetrical patterns of switch costs were not modulated by background noise. This is the first study that supports the flexibility of bilingual language comprehension depending on the presence of background noise, expanding the adaptive control hypothesis.
The Distribution, Structure, and Chemical Composition of Alkali-Silica Gels in Calcined Clay Concretes
Authors: Krüger Miriam E. , Heisig Anne , Lode Stefanie , de Weerdt Klaartje , Machner Alisa
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the effect of calcined clays (metakaolin, metasilt, metaclay) on the chemical composition, distribution, and structure of alkali–silica reaction (ASR) gels. Using 10 wt% of calcined clays reduced concrete expansion and minimized cracking but did not inhibit ASR gel formation. Micro X-ray fluorescence mapping revealed an average ASR gel content of 3 wt% in concrete, incorporating up to two-thirds of K2O and nearly all Na2O from the binder. Raman spectroscopy indicated structural similarities among gels in different concrete mixes, with an increased degree of polymerization in the metakaolin-containing concrete. Automated mineralogy identified four gel phases: Si gel, Ca-Si gel, Al-Ca-Si gel, and Al-Si gel. Ca-Si gels are formed at binder interfaces, while non-swellable Al-bearing gels are mainly formed in metakaolin-containing concrete located within aggregates. This study shows that aluminum can be incorporated into gels in calcined clay concretes, altering their structure and potentially affecting their expansion behavior in concrete.
Unmasking Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities in United States Chordoma Clinical Trials: Systematic Review
Authors: Bangash Ali Haider , Ryvlin Jessica , Chakravarthy Vikram , Akinduro Oluwaseun O. , Zadnik Sullivan Patricia L. , Niu Tianyi , Galgano Michael A. , Shin John H. , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Fourman Mitchell S. , Gelfand Yaroslav , Murthy Saikiran G. , Yassari Reza , De la Garza Ramos Rafael
Published: January 2025

Background: Chordoma is a rare bone cancer with limited treatment options. Clinical trials are crucial for developing effective therapies, but their success depends on including diverse patient populations. The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the reporting of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity in United States clinical trials exploring treatment for chordoma. Methods: A literature search was conducted through PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, Epistemonikos, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for published US chordoma trials up until 19 August 2024. The data collected included trial characteristics and racial and ethnic data, as well as socioeconomic indicators when available. Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) and Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB2) analyses were adopted to assess the methodological quality. The N-1 Chi-squared (χ2) test was implemented to compare the reported racial and ethnic data with the most recent US Census Bureau data. Results: Five trials involving 111 patients (median age: 63 years; 34% female) were included. Four studies (80%) were single-arm non-randomized studies with one study (25%) having a high methodological quality and three (75%) having a moderate quality based on the MINORS analysis. Most patients (91%, n = 82) were White/Caucasian, representing a proportion which was significantly higher than the reported 75% in the US population (p = 0.0005). Black/African American patients (2%, n = 2) were significantly underrepresented compared to the 14% in the US population (p = 0.0015). Regarding ethnicity, Hispanic/Latino patients (7%, n = 6) were significantly underrepresented compared to the 20% in the US population (p = 0.0021). No measures of socioeconomic status were reported. Conclusions: This systematic review highlighted the need for improved racial and ethnic diversity in chordoma trials and the better reporting of socioeconomic data. The underrepresentation of minority groups may obscure potential disparities in disease incidence, treatment access, and clinical outcomes.
A Phenyl-Modified Aggregation-Induced Phosphorescent Emission-Active Cationic Ru(II) Complex for Detecting Picric Acid in Aqueous Media
Authors: Chen Ruimin , Zhang Qinglong , Zhang Liyan , Liu Chun
Published: January 2025

A cationic Ru(II) complex Ru1 with 5-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine as ligand was synthesized and fully characterized. Ru1 exhibits significant aggregation-induced phosphorescent emission (AIPE) activity in THF/H2O. The AIPE property of Ru1 has been successfully used to detect picric acid (PA) in aqueous media. Ru1 exhibits a sensitive luminescence quenching response to PA, with a high quenching constant (KSV = 2.5 × 104 M−1) and a low limit of detection (LOD = 91 nM). In addition, Ru1 demonstrates high sensitivity and selectivity for detecting PA in different common water samples. The UV-vis absorption spectra and luminescence lifetime of Ru1 show an obvious change after the addition of PA into the Ru1 samples, indicating that the quenching process is a combination of dynamic and static quenching. The density functional theory calculations indicate that the mechanism for the detection of PA is photo-induced electron transfer.
Evaluation of Bone–Implant Interface: Effects of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockade in Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Mulinari-Santos Gabriel , Santos Jaqueline Silva dos , de Souza Batista Fábio Roberto , Pitol-Palin Letícia , Silva Ana Cláudia Ervolino da , Botacin Paulo Roberto , Antoniali Cristina , Okamoto Roberta
Published: January 2025

Hypertension is a global health concern not only correlated with cardiovascular complications, but also with impaired bone metabolism, potentially affecting healing at the bone–implant interface. Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) commonly prescribed for hypertension, has shown beneficial effects on bone healing in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). However, the influence of hypertension and ARBs like losartan on the bone cellular response at the bone–implant interface remains underexplored. Methods: A total of 32 rats were included in this study: 16 SHRs, with 8 receiving losartan (30 mg/kg daily) and 8 receiving no treatment, and 16 normotensive Wistar rats, with 8 receiving losartan and 8 receiving no treatment. After one week of treatment, titanium implants were placed into the tibia of all the animals. The bone–implant interface was assessed 60 days post-implantation using micro-computed tomography (µCT) and an immunohistochemical analysis. Results: (i) The ARB treatment significantly increased the bone volume and bone–implant contact in the SHRs receiving losartan compared to the untreated SHRs. (ii) Consistent with the µCT findings, the immunohistochemistry further confirmed regular bone turnover and increased osteocalcin (OC) mineralization in the treated SHRs. In contrast, no alterations in the bone microarchitecture were noted in the Wistar rats treated with losartan. Conclusions: The results suggest that losartan, an ARB drug, improves bone volume and bone turnover at the bone–implant interface in SHRs.
Implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing in The Bahamas: A Precautionary Tale
Authors: Sherman Krista , Dahlgren Craig , Dunn Charlotte , Claridge Diane , Higgs Nicholas
Published: January 2025

Biodiversity is incredibly important for the myriad ecosystem services it provides, especially for coastal nations such as The Bahamas. However, the newly implemented access and benefit sharing (ABS) regime is undermining scientific research, which is essential to effectively manage and conserve the country’s biodiversity. Key challenges include a poorly drafted legislation with punitive damages (financial and criminal), an overly bureaucratic and dysfunctional permitting process, and cost-prohibitive registration fees that are unsustainable for most researchers and organizations. As a result, the newly implemented ABS regime is driving the demise of academic and conservation research needed to protect the country’s biodiversity, diverting funding away from The Bahamas, jeopardizing relationships with the international scientific community, reducing its capacity to advance science innovation, and impeding much needed experiential learning opportunities for Bahamian students and professionals. A critical solution under the current permitting regime is the need to distinguish between commercial and non-commercial research in the regulatory framework and provide separate accommodations for the same. Furthermore, countries that consider establishing national ABS frameworks are advised to thoroughly engage with all relevant stakeholders through a transparent and consultative process during ABS design and implementation. This will help to ensure that the resulting legislation and policies do not unnecessarily obstruct the research needed for biodiversity conservation and natural resource management.
Retrotransposon-Based Genetic Diversity of Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae) from Kazakhstan Altai
Authors: Khapilina Oxana , Turzhanova Ainur , Zhumagul Moldir , Tagimanova Damelya , Raiser Olesya , Kubentayev Serik , Shevtsov Vladislav , Hohn Maria
Published: January 2025

The analysis of genetic diversity in natural populations of valuable medicinal plant species experiencing overexploitation is a key aspect of their natural conservation strategy. Mobile genetic elements and other interspersed repeats, which are major components of eukaryotic genomes, serve as effective tools for studying plant biodiversity and variability. The genetic diversity of four valuable medicinal plant Rhodiola rosea L. populations was investigated using the inter-repeat amplified PCR method with inter-priming binding sites (iPBSs) for genome profiling. At the interpopulation level, unique amplicons characteristic of specific R. rosea populations were identified. Molecular variance analysis revealed that the biodiversity of R. rosea populations in the Kazakh Altai region is 56% attributed to interpopulation differences and 44% to intrapopulation differences. It was shown that populations located in favorable environmental conditions have greater genetic diversity compared to those in extreme habitats. This study identified a high degree of polymorphism among R. rosea populations using the inter-repeat amplified PCR method. The genetic diversity of the populations ranged from 0.105 to 0.156, with an average heterozygosity of 0.134. The findings provide new insights into the population structure of R. rosea in the Kazakh Altai, enabling the identification of different genotypes, which will significantly complement traditional methods for conserving this valuable medicinal plant.
Molecular Data Confirm the Occurrence of the Allochthonous Gambusia holbrooki (Pisces: Poeciliidae) in Sicily and the Maltese Archipelago
Authors: Vecchioni Luca , Liuzzo Mirko , Sciberras Arnold , Sciberras Jeffrey , Formosa Justin , Deidun Alan , Giacalone Gabriele , Arizza Vincenzo , Arculeo Marco , Marrone Federico , Faraone Francesco Paolo
Published: January 2025

A major threat to biodiversity is represented by Invasive Alien Species (IAS), particularly on freshwater ecosystems, which are already heavily altered by human activities. Two of the most pernicious IAS are the eastern and western mosquitofish, i.e., Gambusia holbrooki and G. affinis. These two poeciliids are morphologically very close to each other, and soon after their formal description, G. holbrooki was considered a subspecies of G. affinis. In the following years, several studies proved that these two entities belonged to two different species; nevertheless, it was only at the end of the 1990s that their separate taxonomic status was re-established. In the 1920s and 1930s, both G. holbrooki and G. affinis were asynchronously introduced from the United States into Europe and subsequently translocated globally as biocontrol agents of the malaria vector (i.e., the larvae of the Anopheles mosquitoes), with dramatic consequences for the inland water native fauna. However, due to taxonomic uncertainties and nomenclatural instability, for years, there were doubts about which Gambusia species had been introduced in different regions. The first available molecular studies confirmed the occurrence of G. holbrooki in Europe, but no evidence confirming the occurrence of G. affinis was found. Despite this, some records report the occurrence of western mosquitofish in Italy and Malta. Considering the negative effects that the mosquitofish has on the native biota, it is of paramount importance to know the precise biological diversity of the native and non-native species to better implement environmental management strategies to properly preserve the already-fragile waterbodies. Therefore, to check for the possible occurrence of G. affinis in Italy and Malta, we conducted extensive sampling in Sicily (Italy) and in the Maltese archipelago, aiming to verify the identity of Gambusia populations occurring in the study area. Based on sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, we consistently observed the occurrence of only G. holbrooki in the investigated area, finding, almost exclusively, the most common haplotype known for the species in the whole invaded range (i.e., “HOL1”).
Clinical Dental Midline Shift Is Not a Predictor of the Side of Shorter Hemimandible: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Diagnostic Study
Authors: da Silva Lígia Pereira , López-Solache Alicia , Santana-Penín Urbano , López-Cedrún José , Mora María Jesus , Varela-Centelles Pablo , González-Mosquera Antonio , Rodríguez-Fernández Almudena , Mora Urbano Santana
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Interincisive midline deviation is frequent. Determining the cause (dental versus skeletal) is crucial for treatment planning. This study assessed the null hypothesis that neither clinical dental midline shift nor the temporomandibular disorder (TMD)-affected side correlate with maxillary/mandibular asymmetry. Methods: Thirty-eight CBCT scans were analyzed: thirty-five (92.1%) females, three (7.9%) males; mean (SD) age 34.6 (11.9) years old. Tomographic images were acquired using the i-CAT® Imaging System; mandibular/maxillary measurements were obtained with the Planmeca Romexis® software v.6.This is an ancillary study of a clinical trial (NCT02144233) that included chronic pain (TMD diagnosis; DC/TMD criteria), fully dentate, and stable normo-occlusion participants. Results: We found sixteen (42.1%) dental midline deviations to the right and thirteen (34.2%) to the left. In the study population, the right side was more developed: a hemimandible length of 119.4 (5.7) mm versus 118.6 (5.3) mm for the right and left sides, respectively (95% CI 0.21 to 1.51), p = 0.01. Conclusions: Neither the dental midline shift side nor the affected side predicted a less developed hemimandible.
Identification and Visualization of Clusters Using Network Theory Methods: The Case of the Greek Production System
Authors: Foutakis Dimitris
Published: January 2025

The interest in clusters in the economy and regional space, which has persisted for nearly three decades, has reignited the understanding of the economy as a system of interdependencies between industries. Although the concept of clusters can be traced back to contributions dating from the early 20th century, they have become a central focus of regional development policies in recent decades, as they have been linked to enhancements of innovation, the knowledge economy, and ultimately, territorial competitiveness. Arguably, the most effective and comprehensive way to present the systemic nature of the economy is through input–output tables. The main feature of these tables, on which this work is based, is that they describe the relationships and flows between industries (or products) during the production process. These fundamental relationships among the industries in the production system are depicted in the inter-industry (and intra-industry) transaction matrix of an economy’s input–output tables. To analyze these relationships, we use network theory, in the context of which the transaction matrix can be seen as the adjacency matrix of a directed, weighted graph (or network) with loops. In this study, clusters are identified for the case of Greece, using two different approaches based on the modularity of the network, utilizing the 2010 input–output tables for this country. As a result, five clusters of industries that structure the country’s production system across 62 industries are identified, which are also presented through graphical visualizations.
Shipyard Manpower Digital Recruitment: A Data-Driven Approach for Norwegian Stakeholders
Authors: Socoliuc Bogdan Florian , Suciu Andrei Alexandru , Popescu Mădălina Ecaterina , Plesea Doru Alexandru , Nicolae Florin
Published: January 2025

This study examines the effectiveness of digital recruitment platforms in addressing labor shortages within Norway’s shipbuilding and ship-repair industry. Through a data analysis of 446 job applications over a 12-month period, this study evaluates key recruitment metrics, including application response times (ARTs), candidate acceptance rates (CARs), and the impact of machine learning on hiring outcomes. The findings reveal that specialized digital platforms can significantly improve recruitment efficiency, with 70% of applications being received within 24 h, highlighting the platforms’s great potential for time-sensitive sectors. Additionally, pre-vetting candidates enhances hiring precision, achieving a CAR of 90% and reducing mismatches. The application of machine learning algorithms provides predictive insights that support real-time adjustments to job postings, optimizing recruitment strategies. This study contributes uniquely to the literature on cross-border digital recruitment, aligning with the European Union goals of sustainable labor mobility and economic resilience.
A New Low-Power Circuit Design Optimization for Image Processing
Authors: Liu Mingkai , Feng Shuo , Shan Weihao , Que Haohua , Wang Jianchao , Yang Xinghua
Published: January 2025

A simple-to-implement and easy-to-integrate strategy for image processing is proposed in this paper, which effectively and efficiently optimizes the power consumption of both DRAM and SRAM. Since the power consumption of DRAM is proportional to the number of bit-‘1’s and the power consumption of SRAM is linear relative to the flip probability, the proposed strategy first drops and encodes the image to minimize the number of bit-‘1’s per pixel. The processed data are then decoded, with the flag bit set to “1” to reduce the flip probability. In the experimental simulations, the power consumption of DRAM was reduced by up to 64.88%, while that of SRAM was reduced by up to 62.01%, with negligible circuit costs. In image display applications, the proposed strategy effectively compensates for certain errors in the JPEG system. In image classification tasks, there was only a 1–2% reduction in test set accuracy, demonstrating the superiority of truncation compensation. Additionally, the performance of the robot was negligibly affected by the approximate strategy, which shows the significant potential of the proposed strategy in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics.
Consumer Transactions Simulation Through Generative Adversarial Networks Under Stock Constraints in Large-Scale Retail
Authors: Tkachuk Sergiy , Łukasik Szymon , Wróblewska Anna
Published: January 2025

In the rapidly evolving domain of large-scale retail data systems, envisioning and simulating future consumer transactions has become a crucial area of interest. It offers significant potential to fortify demand forecasting and fine-tune inventory management. This paper presents an innovative application of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to generate synthetic retail transaction data, specifically focusing on a novel system architecture that combines consumer behavior modeling with stock-keeping unit (SKU) availability constraints to address real-world assortment optimization challenges. We diverge from conventional methodologies by integrating SKU data into our GAN architecture and using more sophisticated embedding methods (e.g., hyper-graphs). This design choice enables our system to generate not only simulated consumer purchase behaviors but also reflects the dynamic interplay between consumer behavior and SKU availability—an aspect often overlooked, among others, because of data scarcity in legacy retail simulation models. Our GAN model generates transactions under stock constraints, pioneering a resourceful experimental system with practical implications for real-world retail operation and strategy. Preliminary results demonstrate enhanced realism in simulated transactions measured by comparing generated items with real ones using methods employed earlier in related studies. This underscores the potential for more accurate predictive modeling.
Romanian Style Chinese Modern Poetry Generation with Pre-Trained Model and Direct Preference Optimization
Authors: Zuo Li , Zhang Dengke , Zhao Yuhai , Wang Guoren
Published: January 2025

The poetry of distant country with different culture and language is always distinctive and fascinating. Chinese and Romanian belong to Sinitic languages of the Sino-Tibetan language family and Romance languages of the Indo-European language family, which have relatively different syntax and general imagery of literature. Therefore, in this study, we make an attempt that was rarely involved in previous poetry generation research, using modern Chinese as the carrier, and generating modern poetry with Romanian style based on pre-trained model and direct preference optimization. Using a 5-point grading system, human evaluators awarded scores ranging from 3.21 to 3.83 across seven evaluation perspectives for the generated poems, achieving 76.2% to 91.6% of the comparable scores for the Chinese translations of authentic Romanian poems. The coincidence of the 30th to the 50th most frequently occurring poetic images in both generated poems and Romanian poems can reach 58.0–63.3%. Human evaluation and comparative statistical results on poetic imagery show that direct preference optimization is of great help in improving the degree of stylization, and the model can successfully create Chinese modern poems with Romanian style.
Electro-Oxidation of Glycerol on Core–Shell M@Pt/C (M = Co, Ni, Sn) Catalysts in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Silva Rudyere Nascimento , Pocrifka Leandro Aparecido , Antolini Ermete , Passos Raimundo Ribeiro
Published: January 2025

This study explores the development of core–shell electrocatalysts for efficient glycerol oxidation in alkaline media. Carbon-supported M@Pt/C (M = Co, Ni, Sn) catalysts with a 1:1 atomic ratio of metal (M) to platinum (Pt) were synthesized using a facile sodium borohydride reduction method. The analysis confirmed the formation of the desired core–shell structure, with Pt dominating the surface as evidenced by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the presence of a face-centered cubic (fcc) Pt structure for Co@Pt/C and Ni@Pt/C. Interestingly, Sn@Pt/C displayed a PtSn alloy formation indicated by shifted Pt peaks and the presence of minor Sn oxide peaks. Notably, no diffraction peaks were observed for the core metals, suggesting their amorphous nature. Electrocatalytic evaluation through cyclic voltammetry (CV) revealed superior glycerol oxidation activity for Co@Pt/C compared to all other catalysts. The maximum current density followed the order Co@Pt/C > Ni@Pt/C > Sn@Pt/C > Pt/C. This highlights the effectiveness of the core–shell design in enhancing activity. Furthermore, Sn@Pt/C displayed remarkable poisoning tolerance attributed to a combined effect: a bifunctional mechanism driven by Sn oxides and an electronic effect within the PtSn alloy. These findings demonstrate the significant potential of core–shell M@Pt/C structures for designing highly active and poisoning-resistant electrocatalysts for glycerol oxidation. The presented approach paves the way for further development of optimized catalysts with enhanced performance and stability aiming at future applications in direct glycerol fuel cells.
Learning Coupled Meteorological Characteristics Aids Short-Term Photovoltaic Interval Prediction Methods
Authors: Guo Yue , Song Yu , Lai Zilong , Wang Xuyang , Wang Licheng , Qin Hui
Published: January 2025

In response to the challenges posed by renewable energy integration, this study introduces a hybrid Attention-TCN-LSTM model for short-term photovoltaic (PV) power forecasting. The LSTM captures the sequence characteristics of PV output, which are then combined with the meteorological sequence features extracted by the Attention-TCN module. The model leverages the strengths of the TCN, the LSTM, and the self-attention mechanism to enhance prediction accuracy and construct reliable prediction intervals. Aiming to optimize both performance and efficiency, the PSO algorithm is used for hyperparameter optimization. Ablation studies and comparisons with other models confirm the effectiveness, accuracy and robustness of the proposed model. This hybrid approach contributes to improved renewable energy integration, offering a more stable and reliable energy supply. Future work will focus on incorporating intelligent systems for autonomous risk management and real-time control of dynamic PV output fluctuations.
Dynamic Spatial–Temporal Graph Neural Network for Cooling Capacity Prediction in HVDC Systems
Authors: Sun Hao , Li Shaosen , Huang Jianxiang , Li Hao , Jing Guanxin , Tao Ye , Tian Xincui
Published: January 2025

Predicting the cooling capacity of converter valves is crucial for maintaining the stability and efficiency of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. This task involves handling complex, multi-dimensional time-series data with strong inter-variable dependencies and temporal dynamics. Traditional machine learning methods, while effective in static scenarios, struggle to capture these dependencies, and existing deep learning models often lack the ability to jointly model spatial and temporal relationships. To address these challenges, we propose a novel framework that integrates Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) with temporal dynamics. The GNN component captures spatial dependencies by representing the data as a graph, where nodes correspond to system variables, and edges encode their relationships. Temporal dependencies are modeled using temporal convolutional layers and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), enabling the framework to learn both short-term variations and long-term trends. Additionally, a graph attention mechanism dynamically adjusts the importance of variable relationships, improving prediction accuracy and interoperability. The proposed method demonstrates superior performance over traditional machine learning and deep learning baselines on real-world cooling system data. These results validate the effectiveness of the framework for industrial applications such as cooling system monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Study of Gas–Liquid Two-Phase Flow Characteristics at the Pore Scale Based on the VOF Model
Authors: Yuan Shan , Zhang Lianjin , Li Tao , Qi Tao , Hui Dong
Published: January 2025

To study the effects of liquid properties and interface parameters on gas–liquid two-phase flow in porous media. The volume flow model of gas–liquid two-phase flow in porous media was established, and the interface of the two-phase flow was reconstructed by tracing the phase fraction. The microscopic imbibition flow model was established, and the accuracy of the model was verified by comparing the simulation results with the classical capillary imbibition model. The flow characteristics in the fracturing process and backflow process were analyzed. The influence of flow parameters and interface parameters on gas flow was studied using the single-factor variable method. The results show that more than 90% of the flowing channels are invaded by fracturing fluid, and only about 50% of the fluid is displaced in the flowback process. Changes in flow velocity and wetting angle significantly affect Newtonian flow behavior, while variations in surface tension have a pronounced effect on non-Newtonian fluid flow. The relative position of gas breakthrough in porous media is an inherent property of porous media, which does not change with fluid properties and flow parameters.
Evaluation of Technical Aspects of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Installations on Farmland
Authors: Sabino Lorenzo , Asghar Rafiq , Crescimbini Fabio , Riganti Fulginei Francesco
Published: January 2025

This research evaluates the technical and economic aspects of solar photovoltaic (PV) power installations on farmland, utilizing a simulation model in MATLAB to forecast annual system output based on nominal power and meteorological data. This study compares various configurations, including single-sided versus double-sided modules and fixed versus tracker structures, to determine their efficiency, losses, and economic viability. The findings indicate that, while theoretically superior technologies may offer better production rates, their economic feasibility varies significantly depending on specific project conditions. The main conclusions drawn from this research emphasize that land-based PV systems present a promising solution for sustainable energy generation. By addressing challenges such as solar energy intermittency and the need for supportive infrastructure, this study highlights the potential for these systems to significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy resilience. This analysis underscores the importance of optimizing configurations to maximize both technical performance and economic returns, ultimately supporting a transition towards a more sustainable energy future.
Examining the Carbon Footprint of Conferences with an Emphasis on Energy Consumption and Catering
Authors: Mannheim Viktoria , Avató Judit Lovasné
Published: January 2025

This research study presents a comparison of an in-person and an online conference in terms of environmental impact and energy efficiency. The main goal of our research was to prepare a complete life cycle assessment of a two-day (15-h), 200-participant in-person and online conference based on different impact assessment methods. Life cycle assessments focus on the numerical determination of the decarbonization of conference consumption (lunch, dinner, food and beverage consumption during breaks), conference organization (discussions, correspondence, abstract booklet, registration package), travel, and infrastructure. The meals were examined by connecting the stages of preparation, cooking, consumption and end-of-life cycle as a cradle-to-grave analysis. We paid particular attention to the calculation of energy consumption. After carbon footprint comparisons, the areas with the highest impacts with pie diagrams were identified. Lastly, a SWOT chart and an SAP-LAP analysis diagram summarize the achievable objectives and challenges. In conclusion, there is no outstanding difference between the impact assessment methods for the carbon footprint investigation. Travel contributes 57% of the overall carbon footprint at in-person conferences, while the environmental impact of meals holds the second largest share, at 8.41 kg CO2 equivalent/person/hour. Excluding meals and travel, the calculated carbon footprint is 0.362 kg CO2 equivalent/person/hour (only considering the effect of preparation, organization, administration and registration package). Our initial hypothesis was that an online conference reduces decarbonization, which the results confirm.
Generalist Pests Cause High Tree Infestation, but Specialist Pests Cause High Mortality
Authors: Guo Qinfeng , Potter Kevin M.
Published: January 2025

Whether specialist pests can cause more damage to their host plants than generalist pests is a critical issue in both basic biology and nonnative species management. To date, there is no consensus on how we define “specialist vs. generalist” pests and how we should assess forest damage or impacts (volume loss vs. mortality). Here, we comparatively investigate whether nonnative generalist pests may cause more damage to US forests than nonnative specialist pests using two frameworks: (1) the “binary or dichotomous approach” through a largely arbitrary classification of specialist and generalist pests, and (2) the “specialist-generalist continuum”. We measure damage or impact in two ways, one by the total host volume infested and the other by total host mortality. In the binary comparison, generalists infested more host tree volume per pest species than specialists, but the latter (mostly pathogens) caused higher mortality of host trees. The “specialist-generalist continuum” concept could reveal a different pattern regarding pest invasions and impacts when there is no clear separation between generalists and specialists in a community or region. Therefore, we suggest using the “continuum” approach to address related questions in future studies, thus offering new insights into pest invasions that have deeper implications for forest pest monitoring and management.
Weathering Resistance of Wood Following Thermal Modification in Closed Process Under Pressure in Nitrogen
Authors: Grinins Juris , Sosins Guntis , Irbe Ilze , Zicans Janis
Published: January 2025

The wood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), silver birch (Betula pendula), and European aspen (Populus tremula) was thermally modified in nitrogen under pressure. Three commercial linseed oil-based coatings without or with brown and grey pigments were applied to the specimens. Specimens were placed outside, and weathering stability was assessed for 3 months. The test measured total surface colour change (ΔE) and colonization by wood dicolouring fungi. Following the test, all uncoated specimens demonstrated poor colour fastness and resistance to fungal growth. All tested coatings were unsuitable for protecting untreated wood from dicolouring fungi. The transparent coating was inefficient since it did not significantly prevent untreated or TM wood from fading, and fungal resistance was increased only for a few TM regimes. The colour fastness of specimens with pigmented coatings was enhanced. Specimens with a grey coating exhibited the lowest ΔE and remained consistent throughout the test period. TM specimens with coloured surfaces exhibited greater fungal resistance. However, not all TM aspen and birch regimes had a sufficient growth mark (rating 0 or 1). TM aspen was less resistant to fungi, whereas TM pine displayed very strong fungal resistance across all TM regimes.
Experimental Study on Thermal Properties and Fire Risk According to Acid Value Change in Palm Oil
Authors: Kim Myung Il , Baek Jong-Bae , Lee Mi Jeong
Published: January 2025

(1) Background: this study investigates the impact of acid value changes on the thermal degradation and fire risks of palm oil. It emphasizes the need for systematic risk management in food manufacturing and preparation processes to address safety challenges associated with high-temperature operations. (2) Methods: the study employed fire reproduction experiments, fire risk characterization tests, and thermal analyses, including differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. (3) Result: higher acid values in palm oil significantly reduce smoke points, ignition points, and thermal stability, primarily due to increased free fatty acids and oxidative by-products. These effects are more pronounced in oxidative environments, highlighting the importance of controlling acid value to mitigate fire and thermal risks. (4) Conclusions: this study concludes that increased acid value in palm oil significantly reduces its thermal stability and elevates fire risks due to accelerated oxidation and thermal decomposition. It emphasizes the importance of monitoring acid value and implementing temperature control measures to enhance safety in food manufacturing and cooking processes.
Compositional Changes of Volatile Organic Compounds in Biogases and Biomethanes Depending on the Feedstock in Sweden
Authors: Arrhenius Karine , Hultmark Sandra
Published: January 2025

Biogas usually contains volatile organic compounds such as terpenes, siloxanes, halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols, furans and esters whose presence in the biogas is highly dependent on the feedstock. These trace components can affect the integrity of the materials they come into contact with, e.g., equipment, pipelines and engines, and their presence in the gas may pose health, safety and environmental risks. Understanding the composition of gases is a prerequisite to ensure the correct function of gas infrastructure, appliances and vehicles. This study examined how volatile organic compound (VOC) content in biogas varies depending on the feedstock and evaluated the efficiency of different upgrading processes in removing VOCs. The data, primarily collected in Sweden, include biogases produced in digesters and landfills. The selection of VOCs included in this study was based on extensive analysis of samples collected from numerous biogas and biomethane industrial facilities over an extended period, providing a comprehensive overview of VOC composition. The conducted research is intended to serve as a basis for more systematic studies on the influence of process parameters and feedstock composition on the formation of VOCs. The data have multiple potential uses, including predicting which VOCs would be found in biomethane for a given feedstock and upgrading techniques. Additionally, these data can also be used in standardization discussions to assess the plausibility of the proposed limit values and the need to regulate additional compounds.