bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Price Volatility in the European Wheat and Corn Market in the Black Sea Agreement Context
Authors: Kacperska Elżbieta M. , Łukasiewicz Katarzyna , Skrzypczyk Marta , Stefańczyk Joanna
Published: January 2025

The outbreak of war in Ukraine has severely disrupted global food and agricultural markets and affected commodity prices. The grain agreement, also known as the Black Sea Initiative, was concluded on 22 July 2022 by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and the United Nations, to alleviate the global food crisis caused by the conflict. This study aims to ascertain whether the agreement has resulted in the stabilization of cereal markets, examining the evolution of prices of wheat and corn, which are of significant importance in Ukrainian exports, throughout the duration of the agreement, including its signing, implementation, and expiration. The analysis, based on the GARCH model and using daily quotations of corn and wheat futures contracts of the European futures exchange Euronext from December 2021 to May 2024, indicates that prices were characterized by exceptionally high volatility in the period preceding the signing of the agreement, and at the time of its expiration. The uncertainty regarding cereal trade conditions has triggered shocks, with a long-lasting impact on price volatility.
Design and Experiment of Orchard Air-Assisted Sprayer with Airflow Graded Control
Authors: Feng Fan , Dou Hanjie , Zhai Changyuan , Zhang Yanlong , Zou Wei , Hao Jianjun
Published: January 2025

The orchard air-assisted sprayer exhibits strong droplet penetration, allowing uniform adhesion on both the front and back surfaces of leaves. The spray deposition and spray drift are influenced not only by the amount of pesticide but also by the airflow provided by the air-assisted system. To meet the requirements for regulating airflow and pesticide application in orchards, a method based on the iris structure for continuous adjustment of the air inlet area was proposed. An airflow control mechanism for orchard air-assisted sprayers, which is easy to install, was developed, and a circular recirculating pressure-stabilized spray system was designed. Additionally, an orchard sprayer supporting graded airflow control was developed. Experiments were conducted to assess airflow variation within the tree canopy and the spray deposition and spray drift under different airflow levels. The results showed that the average airflow attenuation rates in the canopy were 63.0%, 71.8%, and 82.5% for the leaf areas and canopy thicknesses of 826.5 cm2, 1409.8 cm2, and 1931.1 cm2, and 1.5 m, 2.0 m, and 2.5 m, respectively. Graded variable control of airflow based on canopy variation helps improve droplet uniformity within the canopy and reduce spray drift in non-target areas. When the airflow in the middle of the tree canopy exceeds 1.50 m/s, the spray deposition ratio on both sides of the leaves increases to 83.55%, and the coefficient of variation in the droplet deposition on both sides is less than 33.24%. These findings provide support for pesticide precision application and spray drift control in orchards.
Transfer of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility to the Female Parents of Heat- and Drought-Resilient Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids
Authors: Patil Ayyanagouda , Gowda Kushal , Lakshman Shivananda T. , Kuchanur Prakash H. , Saykhedkar Gajanan , Nair Sudha Krishnan , Jadhav Kisan B. , Yeri Sharanabasappa , Sunkad Gururaj , Nidagundi Jayaprakash M. , Thayil Vinayan Madhumal , Zaidi Pervez H.
Published: January 2025

Maize is the second most important staple food crop in the world after wheat. For maize hybrid seed production, a prominent step is detasseling in the female parent, which is laborious, time consuming, and increases the hybrid seed cost by 15 to 20 percent. Hence, to overcome this problem, exploitation of male sterility in maize crops gains special significance. In this direction, the research was conducted to transfer cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS-C) from a CMS donor (VL192114) into the female parents (CAL1514 and ZL153493) of heat- and drought-resilient maize hybrids (RCRMH-2 and RCRMH-3) by a marker-assisted backcross scheme. The present research used Diversity Array Technology (DArTag) and Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP)-based single-nucleotide polymorphic markers for background selection in backcross populations. Genome recovery percentage ranged from 64.25 to 72.70, 78.94 to 87.69 and 82.28 to 90.77 percent in the BC1F1, BC2F1 and BC3F1 population, respectively, in the CAL1514 population, while it was 63.47 to 73.55, 78.16 to 88.76 and 83.96 to 91.81 percent in the BC1F1, BC2F1 and BC3F1 population, respectively, in the ZL153493 population. When the near-isogenic CMS lines of both populations are compared for agro-morphological traits with their recurrent parents, the agronomic qualities of recurrent parents, as well as the attributes of distinctness, uniformity and stability, are shown. Therefore, male sterility-transferred, female lines of RCRMH-2 and RCRMH-3 maize hybrids can be used directly to produce maize hybrid seed without the need of the detasseling process.
Impact of Meteorological Factors on Seasonal and Diurnal Variation of PM2.5 at a Site in Mbarara, Uganda
Authors: Basemera Shilindion , Onyango Silver , Tumwesigyire Jonan , Mukama Martin , Santorino Data , North Crystal M. , Parks Beth
Published: January 2025

Because PM2.5 concentrations are not regularly monitored in Mbarara, Uganda, this study was implemented to test whether correlations exist between weather parameters and PM2.5 concentration, which could then be used to estimate PM2.5 concentrations. PM2.5 was monitored for 24 h periods once every week for eight months, while weather parameters were monitored every day. The mean dry and wet season PM2.5 concentrations were 70.1 and 39.4 µg/m3, respectively. Diurnal trends for PM2.5 levels show bimodal peaks in the morning and evening. The univariate regression analysis between PM2.5 and meteorological factors for the 24 h averages yields a significant correlation with air pressure when all data are considered, and when the data are separated by season, there is a significant correlation between PM2.5 concentration and wind speed in the dry season. A strong correlation is seen between diurnal variations in PM2.5 concentration and most weather parameters, but our analysis suggests that in modeling PM2.5 concentrations, the importance of these meteorological factors is mainly due to their correlation with underlying causes including diurnal changes in the atmospheric boundary layer height and changes in sources both hourly and seasonally. While additional measurements are needed to confirm the results, this study contributes to the knowledge of short-term and seasonal variation in PM2.5 concentration in Mbarara and forms a basis for modeling short-term variation in PM2.5 concentration and determining the effect of seasonal and diurnal sources on PM2.5 concentration.
Polysaccharides of Atractylodes Macrocephala Koidz Alleviate LPS-Induced Bursa of Fabricius Injury in Goslings by Inhibiting EREG Expression
Authors: Gong Shuying , Zhang Bingqi , Sun Xiang , Liang Weijun , Hong Longsheng , Zhou Xiang , Li Wanyan , Tian Yunbo , Xu Danning , Wu Zhongping , Li Bingxin
Published: January 2025

The bursa of Fabricius (BF) plays crucial roles in the goslings’ immune system. During waterfowl breeding, the presence of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the environment can induce inflammatory damage in geese. Polysaccharides of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (PAMKs), as the main active component of the Chinese medicine Atractylodes macrocephala, have significant immune-enhancing effects. Accordingly, this study intended to investigate the effect of PAMKs on LPS-induced BF injury in goslings. Two hundred 1-day-old goslings (half male and half female) were selected and randomly divided into control, PAMK, LPS, and PAMK + LPS groups. The control and LPS groups were fed the basal diet, and the PAMK and PAMK + LPS groups were fed the basal diet containing PAMKs at 400 mg/kg. The goslings in the LPS and PAMK + LPS groups were injected intraperitoneally with LPS at a concentration of 2 mg/kg on days 24, 26, and 28 of this study. The control and PAMK groups were injected with equal amounts of saline. On the 28th day, 1 h after the LPS injection, the BF and serum were collected and analyzed for organ indices, cytokines, antioxidant indicators, and histological observations. Histological examination and HE staining demonstrated that the PAMK treatment ameliorated the LPS-induced BF atrophy, structural damage, increased cellular exudation, and reticulocyte hyperplasia in the goslings. The cytokine and antioxidant marker analyses in the BF cells demonstrated that the PAMK treatment mitigated the LPS-induced increase in the interleukin-1β (IL-1β), malondialdehyde (MDA), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels, as well as the decrease in the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Further transcriptome sequencing identified a total of 373 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the LPS and PAMK + LPS groups. The KEGG enrichment pathway analysis showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in the Toll-like receptor, p53, MAPK, GnRH, and ErbB signaling pathways. Among them, EREG played key roles in the activation of the MAPK, GnRH, and ErbB signaling pathways. Further research showed that the addition of PAMKs significantly inhibited the LPS-induced EREG expression, increased the cell viability, promoted the cell cycle entry into the S and G2 phases, and inhibited apoptosis. Meanwhile, PAMKs can reduce the protein expression of p-JNKs and c-FOS by inhibiting EREG. In summary, this study found that PAMKs could alleviate LPS-induced BF injury in goslings by inhibiting the expression of EREG.
Clinical Characteristics, Pathogen Distribution, and Factors Affecting Visual Outcomes of Pediatric Post-Traumatic Endophthalmitis
Authors: Li Xiaoxia , Zhou Yibin , Chen Zhi , Zhang Xiuwen , Zhou Zimei , Boost Maureen , Huang Taomin , Zhou Xingtao
Published: January 2025

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the etiology, pathogens, antibiotic susceptibility, treatments, and factors influencing the visual prognosis of pediatric post-traumatic endophthalmitis (PTE) to provide valuable insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Results: A total of 301 children were included, with 142 (47.2%) cultures yielding positive results. Gram-positive cocci were the predominant pathogens (71.1%), with high sensitivity to vancomycin (95.4%). Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was performed in 216 eyes (71.8%), with emergency or immediate vitrectomy within 24 h of hospitalization performed on 171 eyes (56.8%). The first intravitreal antibiotic injection, consisting of ceftazidime and norvancomycin, was administered to 248 patients (82.4%). The absence of retinal detachment (OR, 0.191; 95% CI, 0.065–0.560; p = 0.002), normal intraocular pressure (OR, 1.894; 95% CI, 1.151–3.117; p = 0.012), and no lens extraction (OR, 0.187; 95% CI, 0.069–0.504; p < 0.001) were found to be independent factors associated with better visual outcomes (BCVA) in pediatric PTE patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric PTE patients treated between January 2012 and June 2022. Data were collected on clinical characteristics, causative pathogens, antibiotic sensitivity, treatments, and visual outcomes. Conclusions: Gram-positive cocci are the most common pathogens in pediatric PTE, with early vitrectomy and intravitreal ceftazidime and norvancomycin being the most effective treatments. Favorable visual outcomes are strongly associated with the absence of retinal detachment, normal intraocular pressure, and no lens extraction. These findings highlight the need for timely surgical and antimicrobial interventions tailored to each patient to improve visual prognosis.
Retrospective Analysis of Penicillin G Minimum Inhibitory Concentration for Gram-Positive Isolates of Non-Severe Clinical Mastitis
Authors: Leimbach Stefanie , Nankemann Franziska , Tellen Anne , Klocke Doris , Wente Nicole , Zhang Yanchao , Krömker Volker
Published: January 2025

Background: Despite penicillin having a longstanding reputation as being scientifically approved for the treatment of bovine mastitis, its market share and practical application rate seem rather low. While in some countries, cases of mild and moderate mastitis are treated almost completely with simple penicillin, in other countries, penicillin is rarely used as a mono-substance in udder tubes. Methods: Based on minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) studies of 1489 isolates of Gram-positive microorganisms isolated from bovine mastitis cases, the extent to which penicillin preparations can fulfil their role as first-line treatment and in how many cases insufficient efficacy must be assumed was assessed in comparison with more recent studies on the achievable levels of active substances in milk. Results: Of the isolates, 76% had an MIC of ≤0.125 µg/mL and 95% of the isolates had an MIC of ≤1 µg/mL. Conclusions: The data show that in Northern Germany, it can be assumed that penicillin is a good choice in most cases of mastitis caused by Gram-positive mastitis pathogens, at least from the perspective of antibiotic resistance.
Relieving Effect of Artemisia ordosica Krasch Extract on DSS-Induced Colitis by Regulating Immunity, Antioxidant Function, Gut Microbiota, and Bile Acid Metabolism in Mice
Authors: Jiang Min , Zhang Xuekai , Jin Xiao , Shi Binlin , Xu Yuanqing , Wang Zheqi
Published: January 2025

Artemisia ordosica Krasch, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, possesses antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Artemisia ordosica Krasch extraction (AOE) in treating colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice. The in vitro antioxidant activity of AOE was evaluated by assessing its iron reduction capacity and scavenging capacity towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH). The protective effect of AOE on colitis in mice was determined by monitoring key indicators such as body weight, colon length, and survival rate in mice, as well as by assessing the expression of colon-related genes and cytokine levels. We evaluated the impact of AOE on intestinal microbiota by measuring the 16s sequencing of cecal contents and bile acid metabolism. The results showed that the iron reduction capacity of AOE was positively correlated with its concentration. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for scavenging DPPH and hydroxyl radicals were 3.126 mg/mL and 6.139 mg/mL, with a 95% confidence interval of 95%. In vivo studies demonstrated that AOE reduced DSS-induced colitis in mice by increasing the colon length, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, inhibiting inflammatory cell infiltration, suppressing the formation of TNF-α and IL-6, and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. qPCR analysis revealed that AOE reversed the down-regulation of Claudin mRNA expression, and altered the composition of cecal microbiota, thus mitigating DSS-induced colitis. AOE plays a crucial role in alleviating colitis in mice and effectively improves DSS-induced colitis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel diseases.
Stability and Control of Surrounding Rock of a Trapezoidal Roadway Retained with Hard Roof Cutting
Authors: Zhang Shizhong , Ren Chuangnan , Gao Xinyao , Gao Yongsheng , Nie Lianyi , Li Shaodong , Jiang Moulie
Published: January 2025

Hard roof top-cutting and gob-side roadway retention is an effective way to improve the panel recovery ratio and reduce ground pressure. Based on the condition of Pingmei No.2 Mine, this paper establishes a stability mechanics model for the roof in a trapezoidal top-cutting roadway with inclined coal seam, in order to analyze the factors influencing the stability of the roof. This paper studies the deformation characteristics and control mechanism of the surrounding rock in a trapezoidal top-cutting roadway, and proposes targeted stability control technologies for the surrounding rock. The results showed that: (1) in a trapezoidal top-cutting roadway in the hard roof with inclined coal seam, the tensile stress of the uncut roof was inversely proportional to the coal seam dip angle, roof thickness and top-cutting height, while it was proportional to the top-cutting angle. According to actual engineering conditions, the top-cutting angle and height of the roof of the 21,100-panel were determined to be 10° and 5.0 m, respectively; (2) the special structure of the trapezoidal roadway led to asymmetric stress distribution in the surrounding rock, especially in the roof and rib. Using top-cutting, the pressure relief reduced the roof stress from 6.73 MPa to 2.04 MPa, the high stress zone moved to the inside of the solid coal, and the roof slid and deformed along the top line, showing characteristics of a “large deformation on the top side”; and (3) high-strength long anchor cables were used to reinforce the roof on the cut top side. Telescopic U-shaped steel and windshield cloth were used to block gangue and prevent wind leakage in the roadway. The on-site industrial test measured the maximum subsidence of the roof at 120 mm, and the maximum layer separation was 29 mm. Relative to non-top-cutting methods, the roof and sides showed significantly reduced deformation throughout the mining operations, which verified the reliability of the control technology.
Pre-Treatment of Vegetable Raw Materials (Sorghum Oryzoidum) for Use in Meat Analog Manufacture
Authors: Bulgaru Viorica , Netreba Natalia , Ghendov-Mosanu Aliona
Published: January 2025

This study proposes to analyze the chemical composition and the hydration kinetics of soryz (Sorghum Oryzoidum) grains in water at different temperatures (20, 30, 40, 45, 50, and 60 °C). The analyzed soryz variety presented a starch content of over 70%, and protein of about 10%, with an important supply of amino acids and a good source of K, Mg, and Ca. The efficiency of the hydration process was studied by applying Peleg’s model, which predicted water absorption by soryz under the experimental conditions. With increasing temperature, the Peleg’s rate constant, K1, and capacity constant, K2, decreased from 251 to 239 min/% and 2.52 to 2.49%−1, respectively. Fick’s second law was used to calculate the diffusion coefficient values. These values increased linearly with the temperature increase from 20 to 50 °C, ranging from 0.65 × 10−11 to 1.54 × 10−11 m2/s. They decreased with the subsequent rise in the environmental temperature up to 60 °C, 1.49 × 10−11 m2/s. The activation energy of soryz grains was 23.86 kJ/mol. The Arrhenius equation satisfactorily described the temperature dependence of the diffusivity coefficient. The results regarding the hydration kinetics of the soryz grains obtained are decisive in preparing this cereal for further use in meat analog manufacture.
A Literature Review of Virtual Reality Exergames for Older Adults: Enhancing Physical, Cognitive, and Social Health
Authors: Song Xiacheng , Ali Nazlena Mohamad , Mhd Salim Mohamad Hidir , Rezaldi Muhammad Yudhi
Published: January 2025

Virtual reality (VR) sports games are increasingly becoming important tools for enhancing cognitive and physical health among older adults. However, current research faces several challenges. Many experimental studies utilize existing games designed for general populations, lacking those specifically tailored for older adults; small sample sizes limit the generalizability of results; and issues such as cybersickness and technology adaptability remain challenges, although progress has been made. This literature review employs the PRISMA method to assess the latest research findings on the impact of VR sports games in improving cognitive and physical functions in older adults. We conducted a search in the Web of Science and SCOPUS databases, selecting literature related to VR interventions for balance, muscle strength, memory, and concentration enhancement. From an initial pool of 1705 articles, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that VR sports games significantly enhance older adults’ exercise motivation through immersive experiences, while real-time feedback promotes the simultaneous improvement of cognitive and physical abilities. Furthermore, the social interaction elements within the VR environment effectively alleviate feelings of loneliness and enhance engagement longevity. Future research should focus on developing personalized and collaborative VR game designs and exploring their applications in home rehabilitation and community care to enhance accessibility and long-term effects. This review provides theoretical and practical support for the innovative application of VR technology in promoting healthy aging. It will benefit technology developers and researchers focused on the cognitive and physical health of older adults.
Searching for the Ideal Recipe for Preparing Synthetic Data in the Multi-Object Detection Problem
Authors: Staniszewski Michał , Kempski Aleksander , Marczyk Michał , Socha Marek , Foszner Paweł , Cebula Mateusz , Labus Agnieszka , Cogiel Michał , Golba Dominik
Published: January 2025

The advancement of deep learning methods across various applications has forced the creation of enormous training datasets. However, obtaining suitable real-world datasets is often challenging for various reasons. Consequently, numerous studies have emerged focusing on the generation and utilization of synthetic data in the training process. Hence, there is no universal formula for preparing synthetic data and leveraging it in network training to maximize the effectiveness of various detection methods. This work provides a comprehensive overview of several synthetic data generation techniques, followed by a thorough investigation into the impact of training methods and the selection of synthetic data quantities. The outcomes of this research enable the formulation of conclusions regarding the recipe for developing synthetic data with high efficacy in enhancing detection methods. The main conclusion for the synthetic data generation methods is to ensure maximum diversity at a high level of photorealism, which allows improving the classification quality by more than 5% to even 19% for different detection metrics.
Numerical Model for Studying the Properties of a New Friction Damper Developed Based on the Shell with a Helical Cut
Authors: Velychkovych Andrii , Mykhailiuk Vasyl , Andrusyak Andriy
Published: January 2025

Friction dampers based on the effects of dry friction are attractive to engineers because of their simple design, low manufacturing and maintenance costs, and high efficiency under heavy loads. This study proposes a new damper design based on an open shell with a deformable filler, with the shell cut along a cylindrical helical line. The key idea in developing the design was to use the bending effect of the shell in contact with the weakly compressible filler. Another idea was to use the frictional interaction between the filler and the open shell to obtain the required damping characteristics. The working hypothesis of this study was that, ceteris paribus, a change in the configuration of the shell cut would cause a change in the stiffness of the structure. To analyse the performance characteristics of the proposed damper and test the hypothesis put forward, a numerical model of the shell damper was built, and a boundary value problem was formulated and solved for the frictional interaction between the shell cut along the helical line and the weakly compressible filler, taking into account the dry friction forces between them. As a result, the strength, stiffness, and damping properties of the developed damper were investigated, and a comparative analysis of the new design with the prototype was carried out. It is predicted that the proposed friction damper will be used in the energy and construction industries, in particular in drilling shock absorbers for the oil and geothermal industries, as well as in earthquake-resistant structures.
Recollections and Reflections About My Dad, Leo Mazel (1907–2000)
Authors: Zholkovsky Alexander
Published: January 2025

This first-hand memoir essay offers a reflective narrative on the life and legacy of professor Leo Mazel, a prominent Soviet musicologist. Recounted by his stepson, the text weaves together personal memories, anecdotes, and cultural insights into Mazel’s professional contributions and personal life. As a pioneer in the field of music theory and analysis, Mazel’s rigorous approach blended mathematical precision with a deep commitment to artistic integrity. His unique scholarship extended to stylistic studies of composers like Beethoven, Chopin, and Shostakovich, with an emphasis on “holistic analysis”—a method that integrates historical and aesthetic contexts. Through rich storytelling, the memoir also provides glimpses into Soviet academic life, artistic censorship, and Mazel’s resilience against political pressures. Interactions with notable figures and intellectuals punctuate this account, painting a vivid picture of a life devoted to music, intellectual curiosity, and mentorship.
Spatial Differentiation in Urban Thermal Environment Pattern from the Perspective of the Local Climate Zoning System: A Case Study of Zhengzhou City, China
Authors: Pan Jinghu , Yu Bo , Zhi Yuntian
Published: January 2025

In order to assess the spatial and temporal characteristics of the urban thermal environment in Zhengzhou City to supplement climate adaptation design work, based on the Landsat 8–9 OLI/TIRS C2 L2 data for 12 periods from 2019–2023, combined with the lLocal climate zone (LCZ) classification of the urban subsurface classification, in this study, we used the statistical mono-window (SMW) algorithm to invert the land surface temperature (LST) and to classify the urban heat island (UHI) effect, to analyze the differences in the spatial distribution of thermal environments in urban areas and the aggregation characteristics, and to explore the influence of LCZ landscape distribution pattern on surface temperature. The results show that the proportions of built and natural landscape types in Zhengzhou’s main metropolitan area are 79.23% and 21.77%, respectively. The most common types of landscapes are wide mid-rise (LCZ 5) structures and large-ground-floor (LCZ 8) structures, which make up 21.92% and 20.04% of the study area’s total area, respectively. The main urban area’s heat island varies with the seasons, pooling in the urban area during the summer and peaking in the winter, with strong or extremely strong heat islands centered in the suburbs and a distribution of hot and cold spots aggregated with observable features. As building heights increase, the UHI of common built landscapes (LCZ 1–6) increases and then reduces in spring, summer, and autumn and then decreases in winter as building heights increase. Water bodies (LCZ G) and dense woods (LCZ A) have the lowest UHI effects among natural settings. Building size is no longer the primary element affecting LST as buildings become taller; instead, building connectivity and clustering take center stage. Seasonal variations, variations in LCZ types, and variations in the spatial distribution pattern of LCZ are responsible for the spatial differences in the thermal environment in the study area. In summer, urban areas should see an increase in vegetation cover, and in winter, building gaps must be appropriately increased.
Analysis of Health Impacts from Future Air Quality Changes Considering the Aging Population in Korea
Authors: Kim Jinseok , Jang Youjung , Hu Hyejung , Kim Younha , Kim Bomi , Yoo Seung Jick , Lee Jae-Bum , Eun Seung-Hee , Hong Sung-Chul , Jin Hyungah , Woo Jung-Hun
Published: January 2025

When predicting the health impacts of PM2.5 from future air quality changes, it is crucial to consider both air quality improvements and population aging. This study divided future emission scenarios into a base and control scenario to project air quality from 2015 to 2030 and assess health outcomes. The GUIDE model, an Integrated Assessment Model (IAM), was used to estimate future emissions, while the CMAQ (Chemical Transport Model) and BenMAP (Health Impact Model) evaluated health impacts resulting from changes in air quality in Korea. The study focused on the impact of population aging on future health outcomes. Both scenarios showed improved PM2.5 concentrations, with the control scenario showing more substantial improvements due to stronger policy measures. When applying current age patterns, health impacts decreased as PM2.5 concentrations decreased. However, when considering future population aging, health impacts increased despite improved air quality. The results excluding aging show that the number of premature deaths due to cardiovascular disease and all other causes caused by PM2.5 is 18,413 in the base year, while in the future control scenario, the number decreases to 11,729. In contrast, when aging is taken into account, the number of premature deaths increases to 23,037. This finding suggests that, although PM2.5 concentrations are expected to decline, the increasing proportion of elderly individuals will exacerbate health risks. Therefore, accounting for aging population trends is essential when studying the health impacts of future air quality changes.
Trends and Spatiotemporal Patterns of the Meteorological Drought in the Ili River Valley from 1961 to 2023: An SPEI-Based Study
Authors: Hang Su , Abbas Alim , Imin Bilal , Kasim Nijat , Zunun Zinhar
Published: January 2025

Drought presents significant challenges in arid regions, influencing local climate and environmental dynamics. While the large-scale climatic phenomena in Xinjiang, northwest China, are well-documented, the finer-scale climatic variability in subregions such as the Ili River Valley (IRV) remains insufficiently studied. This knowledge gap impedes effective regional planning and environmental management in this ecologically sensitive area. In this study, we analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of drought in the IRV from 1961 to 2023, using data from ten meteorological stations. The SPEI drought index, along with Sen’s trend analysis, the Mann–Kendall test, the cumulative departure method, and wavelet analysis, were employed to assess drought patterns. Results show a significant drying trend in the IRV, starting in 1995, with frequent drought events from 2018 onwards, and no notable transition year observed from wet to dry conditions. The overall drought rate was −0.09 per decade, indicating milder drought severity in the IRV compared to broader Xinjiang. Seasonally, the IRV experiences drier summers and wetter winters compared to regional averages, with negligible changes in autumn and milder drought conditions in spring. Abrupt changes in the drying seasons occurred later in the IRV than in Xinjiang, with delays of 21 years for summer, and over 17 and 35 years for spring and autumn, respectively, indicating a lagged response. Spatially, the western plains are more prone to aridification than the central and eastern mountainous regions. The study also reveals significant differences in drought cycles, which are longer than those in Xinjiang, with distinct wet–dry phases observed across multiple time scales and seasons, emphasizing the complexity of drought variability in the IRV. In conclusion, the valley exhibits unique drought characteristics, including milder intensity, pronounced seasonal variation, spatial heterogeneity, and notable resilience to climate change. These findings underscore the need for region-specific drought management strategies, as broader approaches may not be effective at the subregional scale.
Fractal Continuum Maxwell Creep Model
Authors: Kryvko Andriy , Gutiérrez-Torres Claudia del C. , Jiménez-Bernal José Alfredo , Susarrey-Huerta Orlando , Reyes de Luna Eduardo , Samayoa Didier
Published: January 2025

In this work, the fractal continuum Maxwell law for the creep phenomenon is introduced. By mapping standard integer space-time into fractal continuum space-time using the well-known Balankin’s approach to variable-order fractal calculus, the fractal version of Maxwell model is developed. This methodology employs local fractional differential operators on discontinuous properties of fractal sets embedded in the integer space-time so that they behave as analytic envelopes of non-analytic functions in the fractal continuum space-time. Then, creep strain ε(t), creep modulus J(t), and relaxation compliance G(t) in materials with fractal linear viscoelasticity can be described by their generalized forms, εβ(t),Jβ(t) and Gβ(t), where β=dimS/dimH represents the time fractal dimension, and it implies the variable-order of fractality of the self-similar domain under study, which are dimS and dimH for their spectral and Hausdorff dimensions, respectively. The creep behavior depends on beta, which is characterized by its geometry and fractal topology: as beta approaches one, the fractal creep behavior approaches its standard behavior. To illustrate some physical implications of the suggested fractal Maxwell creep model, graphs that showcase the specific details and outcomes of our results are included in this study.
A Decomposition-Based Evolutionary Algorithm with Neighborhood Region Domination
Authors: Ma Hongfeng , Ning Jiaxu , Zheng Jie , Zhang Changsheng
Published: January 2025

The decomposition-based multi-objective optimization algorithm MOEA/D (multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition) introduces the concept of neighborhood, where each sub-problem requires optimization through solutions within its neighborhood. Due to the comparison being only with solutions in the neighborhood, the obtained set of solutions is not sufficiently diverse, leading to poorer convergence properties. In order to adequately acquire a high-quality set of solutions, this algorithm requires a large number of population iterations, which in turn results in relatively low computational efficiency. To address this issue, this paper proposes an algorithm termed MOEA/D-NRD, which is based on neighborhood region domination in the MOEA/D framework. In the improved algorithm, domination relationships are determined by comparing offspring solutions against neighborhood ideal points and neighborhood worst points. By selecting appropriate solution sets within these comparison regions, the solution sets can approach the ideal points more and faster, thereby accelerating population convergence and enhancing the computational efficiency of the algorithm.
Spermine Enhances the Peroxidase Activities of Multimeric Antiparallel G-quadruplex DNAzymes
Authors: Adeoye Raphael I. , Ralebitso-Senior Theresia K. , Boddis Amanda , Reid Amanda J. , Giuntini Francesca , Fatokun Amos A. , Powell Andrew K. , Ihekwaba-Ndibe Adaoha , Malomo Sylvia O. , Olorunniji Femi J.
Published: January 2025

G-quadruplex (G4) DNAzymes with peroxidase activities hold potential for applications in biosensing. While these nanozymes are easy to assemble, they are not as efficient as natural peroxidase enzymes. Several approaches are being used to better understand the structural basis of their reaction mechanisms, with a view to designing constructs with improved catalytic activities. Spermine alters the structures and enhances the activities of some G4 DNAzymes. The reported effect of spermine in shifting the conformation of some G4 DNAzymes from antiparallel to parallel has not been tested on multimeric G4 DNAzymes. In this study, we examined the effects of spermine on the catalytic activities of multivalent constructs of Bcl2, c-MYC, PS2.M, and PS5.M. Our findings show that spermine significantly improved the peroxidase activity of PS2.M, an antiparallel G4 DNAzyme, while there was no significant effect on c-MYC, which already exists in a parallel conformation. The addition of spermine led to a substantial increase in the initial velocity of PS2.M and its multimeric form, enhancing it by approximately twofold. Therefore, spermine enhancement offers promise in expanding the range of DNAzymes available for use as biosensing tools.
Neuroanatomical and Neurocognitive Differences Between the Executive Functions in Child Sexual Offenders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ara-García Yaiza , Martí-Vilar Manuel , Badenes-Ribera Laura , González-Sala Francisco
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Studies on executive functions in child sex offenders relate their findings to the presence of pedophilia, but they are not able to distinguish between paraphilia and abuse. It is therefore this lack of a distinction that leads us to complement the existing information. Thus, the purpose of this review is to find all available evidence on the neurocognitive and neuroanatomical differences in executive functions among pedophilic and non-pedophilic child sex offenders, and non-offender pedophiles. Methods: The present review, in accordance with the PRISMA statement, ran a systematic search of three databases (Web of Science, Scopus and ProQuest). This search identified 5697 potential articles, but only 16 studies met all the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were conducted in Europe, using a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample. Results: The results showed alterations in frontal, temporal and parietal structures related to executive functions (e.g., response inhibition) in child sexual offenders, regardless of the presence of pedophilia. Conclusions: In summary, there are differences in brain structure underlying executive functions related to child sexual abuse, but not to pedophilia as such.
Brain Sciences Special Issue: Insight in the Application of Rehabilitation Devices in Neurological Disease
Authors: De Cola Maria Cristina
Published: January 2025

It was a great pleasure to be the guest editor for the Brain Sciences Special Issue on understanding the use of rehabilitation devices in neurological diseases [...]
Construction and Optimisation of Economic Performance Evaluation Systems in Project Management: A Mixed-Method Approach From the Perspective of Construction Enterprises
Authors: Yang Huabin , Yang Zheng
Published: January 2025

In the current context of economic globalisation and intensifying market competition, refined management of construction projects is crucial, particularly regarding economic performance management, which directly impacts the stable development of construction companies. Most existing studies evaluate performance using a single research method. This paper combines qualitative and quantitative research methods and integrates a comprehensive, scientific, rigorous economic performance analysis system with multi-criteria decision-making. First, utilising numerous journal articles, interview data, book materials, and 407 questionnaire responses, a preliminary economic performance analysis system for engineering project management was developed through three-level coding using grounded theory. Subsequently, a factor analysis was employed to select indicators for the analysis system, resulting in an evaluation framework for the economic performance of engineering project management with eight core assessment indicators. Finally, based on the evaluation system, the relationships between the indicators and the calculation formulas for the three-level indicators were summarised, culminating in a closed-loop, systematic, and multi-dimensional analysis framework. This study enhances the evaluation framework for the economic performance dimension in engineering project management within construction enterprises. It provides robust methodological and data support for assessing economic performance in engineering project management.
Deterioration of Concrete Under Simulated Acid Rain Conditions: Microstructure, Appearance, and Compressive Properties
Authors: Li Lingxu , Muhamad Bunnori Norazura , Tan Chee Ghuan
Published: January 2025

The effects of acid rain corrosion on the properties of concrete are broadly understood. This study investigated the impact of varying corrosion conditions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of concrete, which has not received sufficient attention using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and compressive tests. In the laboratory, simulated acid rain solutions with pH levels of 0.0, 1.0, and 2.0 were prepared using sulfuric acid solution. A total of 13 sets of 39 concrete cubes each were immersed in these acid solutions for durations of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The findings clearly indicate that simulated acid rain corrosion significantly affects both the microstructure and mechanical properties of concrete. Acid alters the material composition of concrete and simultaneously increases the formation of pores within it. This not only changes the number, area, and perimeter of the pores but also affects their shape parameters, including circularity and fractal box-counting dimension. These pores typically measure less than 0.4 μm and include micro- and medium-sized pores, contributing to the more porous and structurally loose concrete matrix. As the duration of acid exposure and the concentration of the acid solution increase, there is noticeable decrease in compressive strength, accompanied by changes in the concrete structure. The rate of strength reduction varies from 6.05% to 37.90%. The corrosion process of acid solution on concrete is characterized by a gradual advancement of the corrosion front. However, this progression slows over time because as the corrosion depth increases, the penetration of the acid solution into deeper layers becomes limited, thereby reducing the rate of strength deterioration. The deterioration mechanism of concrete can be attributed to dissolution corrosion caused by H+ ions and expansion corrosion due to the coupling of SO42− ions.
Adsorption of Asymmetric and Linear Hazardous Gases on Graphene Oxides: Density Functional Study
Authors: Kwon Yongju , Kim Taeyang , Choi Jaemyeong , Lee Sangeon , Cha Sungmin , Kwon Soonchul
Published: January 2025

The introduction of functional groups, such as graphene oxide, can improve the reactivity between molecules, increasing the potential for their use in many fields such as gas sensing and adsorption. It was reported that that graphene materials are actively utilized in toxic gas sensor materials by modifying the surface with their chemical and structural stability. In order to understand the mechanisms of graphene and graphene oxides for adsorbing the hazardous gases, we classified the four gases (H2S, NH3, HF and COS) with their phases (two asymmetric and two linear), and conducted density functional theory calculations to determine the adsorption affinity, which represents the binding energy, bond distance, energy charge (Mulliken and Hirshfeld methods) and band gap between the HOMO (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital) and the LUMO (Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital). The results showed that introducing a functional group enhanced the binding energy with a narrowed band gap in asymmetric gas adsorption (H2S and NH3), while the results of the linear gases (HF and COS) showed lowered binding energy with a narrowed band gap. It is judged that the oxygen functional groups can narrow the band gap by introducing localized states between the valence and conduction bands or by forming new hybrid states through interactions with all the gases. However, from the differences in the phases, the linear gases stably interacted with a defect-free, porous and flat structure like with π–π interactions. In short, the theoretical findings confirm that the oxidation functional groups narrowed the band gap with a local interaction; however, linear gases showed enhanced binding energies with pristine graphene, which highlights the importance of surface material selection dependent on the target gases.
Bispecific Antibodies for Lymphoid Malignancy Treatment
Authors: Bisio Matteo , Legato Luca , Fasano Filippo , Benevolo Savelli Corrado , Boccomini Carola , Nicolosi Maura , Santambrogio Elisa , Freilone Roberto , Novo Mattia , Botto Barbara
Published: January 2025

Backgroud: The introduction of highly active immunotherapies has changed the outcome of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHLs) in the last two decades. Since then, important progress has been shown using newer and more active immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T), conjugated monoclonal antibodies, and bispecific antobodies, which currently plays a significant role in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL), follicular (FL), and mantle cell (MCL) lymphoma. Purpose: In this review, we provide an updated overview of recently completed and ongoing BsAb trials in patients with relapsed/refractory(R/R) B-NHL and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including single-agent results, emerging combinations, safety data, and novel constructs. Conclusions: Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are a novel class of “off-the-shelf” T-cell-redirecting drugs capable of targeting various cell-surface antigens. New antigen targets are currently under investigation, such as CD19 × CD3 and CD30 × CD3 or CD30 × CD16, in different settings. BsAbs are among the most promising therapeutic options for lymphoma today since they have demonstrated significant single-agent activity, along with a manageable toxicity profile, in patients with heavily pretreated B-NHL.
Prediction of Persistent Tumor Status in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Post-Radiotherapy-Related Treatment: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Tseng Hsien-Chun , Shen Chao-Yu , Kao Pan-Fu , Chuang Chun-Yi , Yan Da-Yi , Liao Yi-Han , Lu Xuan-Ping , Sheu Ting-Jung , Shen Wei-Chih
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The duration of the response to radiotherapy-related treatment is a critical prognostic indicator for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Persistent tumor status, including residual tumor presence and early recurrence, is associated with poorer survival outcomes. To address this, we developed a prediction model to identify patients at a high risk of persistent tumor status prior to initiating treatment. Methods: This retrospective study included 104 patients with NPC receiving radiotherapy-related treatment who had completed a 3-year follow-up period; 29 were classified into the persistent tumor status group and 75 into the disease-free group. Radiomic features were extracted from pretreatment positron emission tomography (PET) images and used to construct a prediction model by employing machine learning algorithms. The model’s diagnostic performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), whereas SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis was conducted to determine the contribution of individual features to the model. Results: The prediction model developed using the AdaBoost algorithm and validated through five-fold cross-validation achieved the highest AUC of 0.934. Its sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 89.66%, 86.67%, 72.22%, 95.59%, and 87.5%, respectively. SHAP analysis revealed that the feature of high dependence low metabolic uptake emphasis50 had the greatest impact on model predictions. Furthermore, patients classified as disease-free exhibited markedly higher overall survival rates compared with those with persistent tumor status. Conclusions: In conclusion, the proposed prediction model efficiently identified patients with NPC at a high risk of persistent tumor status by using radiomic features extracted from pretreatment PET images.
Correction: Dekker, S.E.; Deng, L. Clinical Advances and Challenges in Targeting KRAS Mutations in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers 2024, 16, 3885
Authors: Dekker Simone E. , Deng Lei
Published: January 2025

In the original publication [...]