bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Challenges in Healthcare Applications: A Comprehensive Review in the Context of the European GDPR Mandate
Authors: Mohammad Amini Mohammad , Jesus Marcia , Fanaei Sheikholeslami Davood , Alves Paulo , Hassanzadeh Benam Aliakbar , Hariri Fatemeh
Published: August 2023

This study examines the ethical issues surrounding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, specifically nursing, under the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The analysis delves into how GDPR applies to healthcare AI projects, encompassing data collection and decision-making stages, to reveal the ethical implications at each step. A comprehensive review of the literature categorizes research investigations into three main categories: Ethical Considerations in AI; Practical Challenges and Solutions in AI Integration; and Legal and Policy Implications in AI. The analysis uncovers a significant research deficit in this field, with a particular focus on data owner rights and AI ethics within GDPR compliance. To address this gap, the study proposes new case studies that emphasize the importance of comprehending data owner rights and establishing ethical norms for AI use in medical applications, especially in nursing. This review makes a valuable contribution to the AI ethics debate and assists nursing and healthcare professionals in developing ethical AI practices. The insights provided help stakeholders navigate the intricate terrain of data protection, ethical considerations, and regulatory compliance in AI-driven healthcare. Lastly, the study introduces a case study of a real AI health-tech project named SENSOMATT, spotlighting GDPR and privacy issues.
Dyslipidemia in Pediatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Constantin Andreea Teodora , Delia Corina , Tudor Lucia Maria , Rosca Ioana , Irimie Ana Daniela , Năstase Leonard , Gherghina Ioan
Published: August 2023

There is an increasing interest in dyslipidemia in adult patients since it is known to contribute to early cardiovascular disease. Often, dyslipidemia starts in childhood, and it is associated with aggravating lifestyle choices concerning eating habits, such as the tendency to consume processed food and fast food, as well as the tendency to be more and more sedentary. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study describing the prevalence of dyslipidemia in a single medical center in Romania and the associated pathology. We evaluated all lipid profiles that were ordered in our clinic over nine years. We included 2413 patients that were evaluated in our clinic in the timeframe 2011–2020. Out of them, 18.23% had high values for LDL-cholesterol. More than a quarter (25.91%) were diagnosed with obesity. 11.37% of the patients with high LDL-cholesterol levels had various metabolic disorders including primary dyslipidemia. A small number of patients with hypercholesterolemia had thyroid disorders (4.10%). Patients with high LDL-cholesterol had various diagnoses ranging from metabolic to neurologic disorders, keeping in mind that there are multiple pathologies that can lead to dyslipidemia. Evaluating children for dyslipidemia is at hand for medical professionals. Screening for dyslipidemia in children would provide the opportunity to prevent rather than treat cardiovascular events.
Interaction of Naturally Occurring Phytoplankton with the Biogeochemical Cycling of Mercury in Aquatic Environments and Its Effects on Global Hg Pollution and Public Health
Authors: Gojkovic Zivan , Simansky Samuel , Sanabria Alain , Márová Ivana , Garbayo Inés , Vílchez Carlos
Published: August 2023

The biogeochemical cycling of mercury in aquatic environments is a complex process driven by various factors, such as ambient temperature, seasonal variations, methylating bacteria activity, dissolved oxygen levels, and Hg interaction with dissolved organic matter (DOM). As a consequence, part of the Hg contamination from anthropogenic activity that was buried in sediments is reinserted into water columns mainly in highly toxic organic Hg forms (methylmercury, dimethylmercury, etc.). This is especially prominent in the coastal shallow waters of industrial regions worldwide. The main entrance point of these highly toxic Hg forms in the aquatic food web is the naturally occurring phytoplankton. Hg availability, intake, effect on population size, cell toxicity, eventual biotransformation, and intracellular stability in phytoplankton are of the greatest importance for human health, having in mind that such Hg incorporated inside the phytoplankton cells due to biomagnification effects eventually ends up in aquatic wildlife, fish, seafood, and in the human diet. This review summarizes recent findings on the topic of organic Hg form interaction with natural phytoplankton and offers new insight into the matter with possible directions of future research for the prevention of Hg biomagnification in the scope of climate change and global pollution increase scenarios.
Tick Species Diversity and Molecular Identification of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae Collected from Migratory Birds Arriving from Africa
Authors: Mancuso Elisa , Di Domenico Marco , Di Gialleonardo Luigina , Menegon Michela , Toma Luciano , Di Luca Marco , Casale Francesca , Di Donato Guido , D’Onofrio Laura , De Rosa Angela , Riello Sara , Ferri Andrea , Serra Lorenzo , Monaco Federica
Published: August 2023

The role of migratory birds in the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens along their routes from Africa to Europe is increasingly emerging. Wild birds can host several tick species, often infected by bacteria responsible for zoonoses. The aim of the study is to assess the possible introduction of exotic ticks carried by migratory birds into Italy from Africa and to detect the presence of Rickettsia species and Coxiella burnetii they may harbor. During a two-year survey, we collected ticks from migratory birds captured during their short stop-over on Ventotene Island. Specimens were first identified by morphology or sequencing molecular targets when needed, and then tested by real-time PCR for the presence of selected pathogens. A total of 91% of the collection consisted of sub-Saharan ticks, more than 50% of which were infected by Rickettsia species belonging to the spotted fever group, mainly represented by R. aeschlimannii. In contrast, the suspected C. burnetii detected in two soft ticks were confirmed as Coxiella-like endosymbionts and not the pathogen. Although there are still gaps in the knowledge of this dispersal process, our findings confirm the role of migratory birds in the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, suggesting the need for a continuous surveillance to monitor the potential emergence of new diseases in Europe.
Enabling High Activity Catalyst Co3O4@CeO2 for Propane Catalytic Oxidation via Inverse Loading
Authors: Wang Xuan , Liang Wei , Lin Changqing , Zhang Tie , Zhang Jing , Sheng Nan , Song Zhaoning , Jiang Jie , Sun Bing , Xu Wei
Published: August 2023

Propane catalytic oxidation is an important industrial chemical process. However, poor activity is frequently observed for stable C–H bonds, especially for non-noble catalysts in low temperature. Herein, we reported a controlled synthesis of catalyst Co3O4@CeO2–IE via inverse loading and proposed a strategy of oxygen vacancy for its high catalytic oxidation activity, achieving better performance than traditional supported catalyst Co3O4/CeO2–IM, i.e., the T50 (temperature at 50% propane conversion) of 217 °C vs. 235 °C and T90 (temperature at 90% propane conversion) of 268 °C vs. 348 °C at the propane space velocity of 60,000 mL g−1 h−1. Further investigations indicate that there are more enriched oxygen vacancies in Co3O4@CeO2–IE due to the unique preparation method. This work provides an element doping strategy to effectively boost the propane catalytic oxidation performance as well as a bright outlook for efficient environmental catalysts.
Host Dynamics under General-Purpose Force Fields
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Huai Zhe , Sun Zhaoxi
Published: August 2023

Macrocyclic hosts as prototypical receptors to gaseous and drug-like guests are crucial components in pharmaceutical research. The external guests are often coordinated at the center of these macromolecular containers. The formation of host–guest coordination is accompanied by the broken of host–water and host–ion interactions and sometimes also involves some conformational rearrangements of the host. A balanced description of various components of interacting terms is indispensable. However, up to now, the modeling community still lacks a general yet detailed understanding of commonly employed general-purpose force fields and the host dynamics produced by these popular selections. To fill this critical gap, in this paper, we profile the energetics and dynamics of four types of popular macrocycles, including cucurbiturils, pillararenes, cyclodextrins, and octa acids. The presented investigations of force field definitions, refitting, and evaluations are unprecedently detailed. Based on the valuable observations and insightful explanations, we finally summarize some general guidelines on force field parametrization and selection in host–guest modeling.
Actinomycins from Soil-Inhabiting Streptomyces as Sources of Antibacterial Pigments for Silk Dyeing
Authors: Nuanjohn Tananya , Suphrom Nungruthai , Nakaew Nareeluk , Pathom-Aree Wasu , Pensupa Nattha , Siangsuepchart Apiradee , Dell Bernard , Jumpathong Juangjun
Published: August 2023

Actinobacteria produce a broad spectrum of bioactive substances that are used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biotechnology industries. This study investigates the production of bioactive substances in Streptomyces, isolated from soil under five tropical plants, focusing on their potential as natural antibacterial dyes for silk fabrics. Out of 194 isolates, 44 produced pigments on broken rice as a solid substrate culture. Eight antibacterial pigmented isolates from under Magnolia baillonii (TBRC 15924, TBRC 15927, TBRC 15931), Magnolia rajaniana (TBRC 15925, TBRC 15926, TBRC 15928, TBRC 15930), and Cinnamomum parthenoxylon (TBRC 15929) were studied in more detail. TBRC 15927 was the only isolate where all the crude extracts inhibited the growth of the test organisms, Staphylococcus epidermidis TISTR 518 and S. aureus DMST 4745. The bioactive compounds present in TBRC 15927 were identified through LC-MS/MS analysis as belonging to the actinomycin group, actinomycin D (or X1), X2, and X0β. Also, the ethyl acetate crude extract exhibited non-toxicity at an IC50 value of 0.029 ± 0.008 µg/mL on the mouse fibroblast L-929 assay. From the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, TBRC 15927 had 100% identity with Streptomyces gramineus JR-43T. Raw silk dyed with the positive antimicrobial TBRC 15927 extract (8.35 mg/mL) had significant (>99.99%) antibacterial properties. Streptomyces gramineus TBRC 15927 is the first actinomycin-producing strain reported to grow on broken rice and shows promise for antibacterial silk dyeing.
Computational Insights into Excited State Intramolecular Double Proton Transfer Behavior Associated with Atomic Electronegativity for Bis(2′-benzothiazolyl)hydroquinone
Authors: Zhao Jinfeng , Liu Chang
Published: August 2023

Inspired by the distinguished regulated photochemical and photophysical properties of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole derivatives, in this work, the novel bis(2′-benzothiazolyl)hydroquinone (BBTHQ) fluorophore is explored, looking at its photo-induced behaviors associated with different substituted atomic electronegativities, i.e., BBTHQ-SO, BBTHQ-SS and BBTHQ-Se compounds. From the structural changes, infrared (IR) vibrational variations and simulated core-valence bifurcation (CVB) indexes for the dual hydrogen bonds for the three BBTHQ derivatives, we see that low atomic electronegativity could be conducive to enhancing hydrogen bonding effects in the S1 state. Particularly, the O4-H5⋯N6 of BBTHQ-SO and the O1-H2⋯N3 of BBTHQ-SSe could be strengthened to be more intensive in the S1 state, respectively. Looking into the charge recombination induced by photoexcitation, we confirm a favorable ESDPT trend deriving from the charge reorganization of the dual hydrogen bonding regions. By constructing the potential energy surfaces (PESs) along with the ESDPT paths for the BBTHQ-SO, BBTHQ-SS and BBTHQ-Se compounds, we not only unveil stepwise ESDPT behaviors, but also present an atomic electronegativity-regulated ESDPT mechanism.
Advancements in Sustainable Natural Dyes for Textile Applications: A Review
Authors: Pizzicato Barbara , Pacifico Severina , Cayuela Diana , Mijas Gabriela , Riba-Moliner Marta
Published: August 2023

The dyeing and finishing step represents a clear hotspot in the textile supply chain as the wet processing stages require significant amounts of water, energy, and chemicals. In order to tackle environmental issues, natural dyes are gaining attention from researchers as more sustainable alternatives to synthetic ones. This review discusses the topic of natural dyes, providing a description of their main features and differences compared to synthetic dyes, and encompasses a summary of recent research in the field of natural dyes with specific reference to the following areas of sustainable innovation: extraction techniques, the preparation of substrates, the mordanting process, and the dyeing process. The literature review showed that promising new technologies and techniques have been successfully employed to improve the performance and sustainability of natural dyeing processes, but several limitations such as the poor fastness properties of natural dyes, their low affinity with textiles substrates, difficulties in the reproducibility of shades, as well as other factors such as cost-effectiveness considerations, still prevent industry from adopting natural dyes on a larger scale and will require further research in order to expand their use beyond niche applications.
Following the Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide in On-Site Mixture Explosives: Study of the Effect of the Auxiliary Oxidising Agent and Binder
Authors: Fabin Magdalena , Stolarczyk Agnieszka , Zakusylo Roman , Jarosz Tomasz
Published: August 2023

The issues of safety and its impact on both human health and the environment are on-going challenges in the field of explosives (EXs). Consequently, environmentally-friendly EXs have attracted significant interest. Our previous work, dedicated to on-site mixed (OSM) EXs utilising concentrated hydrogen peroxide (HTP) as an oxidising agent, revealed that the gradual decomposition of HTP may be harnessed as an additional safety measure, e.g., protection from theft. The rate of HTP decomposition is dependent on the OSM components, but this dependence is not straightforward. Relevant information about the decomposition of HTP in such complex mixtures is unavailable in literature. Consequently, in this work, we present a more detailed picture of the factors influencing the dynamics of HTP decomposition in EXformulations. The relevant measurement and validation methodology is laid out and the most relevant factors for determining the rate of HTP decomposition are highlighted. Among these, the choice of auxiliary oxidising agent is of particular relevance and it can be seen that the choice to use ammonium nitrate (AN), made in previous works dealing with HTP-based EXs, is sub-optimal in terms of maintaining the stability of HTP. Another important finding is that glass microspheres are not as inert to HTP as would be expected, as replacing them with polymer microspheres significantly slowed the decomposition of HTP in the investigated OSM samples.
The Value of Pharmacogenomics for White and Indigenous Americans after Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Brady Alexandra , Misra Suman , Abdelmalek Mina , Kekic Adrijana , Kunze Katie , Lim Elisabeth , Jakob Nicholas , Mour Girish , Keddis Mira T.
Published: August 2023

Background: There is a paucity of evidence to inform the value of pharmacogenomic (PGx) results in patients after kidney transplant and how these results differ between Indigenous Americans and Whites. This study aims to identify the frequency of recommended medication changes based on PGx results and compare the pharmacogenomic (PGx) results and patients’ perceptions of the findings between a cohort of Indigenous American and White kidney transplant recipients. Methods: Thirty-one Indigenous Americans and fifty White kidney transplant recipients were studied prospectively. Genetic variants were identified using the OneOme RightMed PGx test of 27 genes. PGx pharmacist generated a report of the genetic variation and recommended changes. Pre- and post-qualitative patient surveys were obtained. Results: White and Indigenous American subjects had a similar mean number of medications at the time of PGx testing (mean 13 (SD 4.5)). In the entire cohort, 53% received beta blockers, 30% received antidepressants, 16% anticoagulation, 47% pain medication, and 25% statin therapy. Drug–gene interactions that warranted a clinical action were present in 21.5% of patients. In 12.7%, monitoring was recommended. Compared to the Whites, the Indigenous American patients had more normal CYP2C19 (p = 0.012) and CYP2D6 (p = 0.012) activities. The Indigenous American patients had more normal CYP4F2 (p = 0.004) and lower VKORC (p = 0.041) activities, phenotypes for warfarin drug dosing, and efficacy compared to the Whites. SLC6A4, which affects antidepressant metabolism, showed statistical differences between the two cohorts (p = 0.017); specifically, SLC6A4 had reduced expression in 45% of the Indigenous American patients compared to 20% of the White patients. There was no significant difference in patient perception before and after PGx. Conclusions: Kidney transplant recipients had several drug–gene interactions that were clinically actionable; over one-third of patients were likely to benefit from changes in medications or drug doses based on the PGx results. The Indigenous American patients differed in the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters from the White patients.
Evaluating the Quality of the Core Entrustable Professional Activities for New Pharmacy Graduates
Authors: Elmes Abigail T. , Schwartz Alan , Tekian Ara , Jarrett Jennie B.
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs) for New Pharmacy Graduates according to standards outlined in competency-based education literature utilizing the Queen’s EPA Quality (EQual) rubric. A cohort of pharmacists with EPA expertise rated Core EPA quality with the EQual rubric and provided recommendations for revisions. A generalizability study determined the reliability of the EQual ratings with pharmacist users. Nine pharmacists responded (4.4%). Most EPAs (9/15) did not reach the overall cut-off score, indicating low quality. EPAs 1 through 5 and EPA 14 (fulfill a medication order) were deemed high quality. EPA 12 (use evidence-based information to advance patient care) scored the lowest at 3.47 (SEM 0.29). EPA 14 scored the highest at 4.60 (SEM 0.14). EPA 15 (create a written plan for continuous professional development) was the only EPA to fail to reach the cut-off across all EQual domains. EPAs in the Patient Care Provider Domain received significantly higher ratings than other EPAs. On average, three respondents recommended revision for each. Most comments aligned with the EPA’s EQual rubric performance. The generalizability study analysis revealed excellent reliability (G = 0.80). Determining EPA quality utilizing objective measurement tools should drive EPA development and revisions to more accurately reflect the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of pharmacists on the healthcare team.
Investigating the Role of Temperature in Laser Assisted Chemical Bath Deposition for ZnO Growth for Photodetector Application
Authors: Ahmed Naser , Qi Loh , Alshammari Anoud , Muhson Naji Amel , Cabrera Humberto , M. Binzowaimil Ayed , Aldaghri Osamah , Ibnaouf Khalid
Published: August 2023

ZnO microrods (ZnO-MRs) have unique properties that make them highly attractive for applications such as optoelectronics, electronics, and sensors. This work demonstrates the successful synthesis of high-quality ZnO-MRs using a laser-assisted chemical bath deposition method. The optimal growth temperature for high-quality ZnO-MRs was found to be 61.10 °C, considerably lower than that required for conventional chemical methods. Various characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and UV-Vis spectrometry, confirmed the structural and optical properties of the synthesized ZnO-MRs. The UV detection potentialities of the fabricated ZnO-MRs were investigated. All samples exhibited good UV detection capabilities with the sample grown at 61.10 °C showing the best performance with fast response and recovery times of 1.260 s and 1.398 s, respectively. These findings hold immense potential for developing more efficient methods for synthesizing ZnO-MRs for use in various applications.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Changes in Whole Gene Expression, Biological Process, and Molecular Functions Induced by Nickel in Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana)
Authors: Moy Alistar , Czajka Karolina , Michael Paul , Nkongolo Kabwe
Published: August 2023

Understanding the genetic response of plants to nickel stress is a necessary step to improving the utility of plants in environmental remediation and restoration. The main objective of this study was to generate whole genome expression profiles of P. banksiana exposed to nickel ion toxicity compared to reference genotypes. Pinus banksiana seedlings were screened in a growth chamber setting using a high concentration of 1600 mg of nickel per 1 kg of soil. RNA was extracted and sequenced using the Illumina platform, followed by de novo transcriptome assembly. Overall, 25,552 transcripts were assigned gene ontology. The biological processes in water-treated samples were analyzed, and 55% of transcripts were distributed among five categories: DNA metabolic process (19.3%), response to stress (13.3%), response to chemical stimuli (8.7%), signal transduction (7.7%) and response to biotic stimulus (6.0%). For molecular function, the highest percentages of genes were involved in nucleotide binding (27.6%), nuclease activity (27.3%) and kinase activity (10.3%). Sixty-two percent of genes were associated with cellular compartments. Of these genes, 21.7% were found in the plasma membrane, 16.1% in the cytosol, 12.4% with the chloroplast and 11.9% in the extracellular region. Nickel ions induced changes in gene expression, resulting in the emergence of differentially regulated categories. Overall, there were significant changes in gene expression with a total 4128 genes upregulated and 3754 downregulated genes detected in nickel-treated genotypes compared to water-treated control plants. For biological processes, the highest percentage of upregulated genes in plants exposed to nickel were associated with the response to stress (15%), the response to chemicals (11,1%), carbohydrate metabolic processes (7.4%) and catabolic processes (7.4%). The largest proportions of downregulated genes were associated with the biosynthetic process (21%), carbohydrate metabolic process (14.3%), response to biotic stimulus (10.7%) and response to stress (10.7%). For molecular function, genes encoding for enzyme regulatory and hydrolase activities represented the highest proportion (61%) of upregulated gene. The majority of downregulated genes were involved in the biosynthetic processes. Overall, 58% of upregulated genes were located in the extracellular region and the nucleus, while 42% of downregulated genes were localized to the plasma membrane and 33% to the extracellular region. This study represents the first report of a transcriptome from a conifer species treated with nickel.
Assessment of Soybean Lodging Using UAV Imagery and Machine Learning
Authors: Sarkar Shagor , Zhou Jing , Scaboo Andrew , Zhou Jianfeng , Aloysius Noel , Lim Teng Teeh
Published: August 2023

Plant lodging is one of the most essential phenotypes for soybean breeding programs. Soybean lodging is conventionally evaluated visually by breeders, which is time-consuming and subject to human errors. This study aimed to investigate the potential of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based imagery and machine learning in assessing the lodging conditions of soybean breeding lines. A UAV imaging system equipped with an RGB (red-green-blue) camera was used to collect the imagery data of 1266 four-row plots in a soybean breeding field at the reproductive stage. Soybean lodging scores were visually assessed by experienced breeders, and the scores were grouped into four classes, i.e., non-lodging, moderate lodging, high lodging, and severe lodging. UAV images were stitched to build orthomosaics, and soybean plots were segmented using a grid method. Twelve image features were extracted from the collected images to assess the lodging scores of each breeding line. Four models, i.e., extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN) and artificial neural network (ANN), were evaluated to classify soybean lodging classes. Five data preprocessing methods were used to treat the imbalanced dataset to improve classification accuracy. Results indicate that the preprocessing method SMOTE-ENN consistently performs well for all four (XGBoost, RF, KNN, and ANN) classifiers, achieving the highest overall accuracy (OA), lowest misclassification, higher F1-score, and higher Kappa coefficient. This suggests that Synthetic Minority Oversampling-Edited Nearest Neighbor (SMOTE-ENN) may be a good preprocessing method for using unbalanced datasets and the classification task. Furthermore, an overall accuracy of 96% was obtained using the SMOTE-ENN dataset and ANN classifier. The study indicated that an imagery-based classification model could be implemented in a breeding program to differentiate soybean lodging phenotype and classify lodging scores effectively.
Palynology of Gardens and Archaeobotany for the Environmental Reconstruction of the Charterhouse of Calci-Pisa in Tuscany (Central Italy)
Authors: Gattiglia Gabriele , Rattighieri Eleonora , Clò Eleonora , Anichini Francesca , Campus Antonio , Rossi Marta , Buonincontri Mauro , Mercuri Anna Maria
Published: August 2023

In central Italy, the Charterhouse of Calci hosts the Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa. This monumental monastery was founded in 1366 by Carthusian monks. The Charterhouse has experienced various transformations over the centuries, until its abandonment in the 1970s. Since 2018, interdisciplinary archaeological research focused on the monks’ gardens (and particularly: the Prior’s, the Apothecary’s, and the Master’s garden) and the green spaces outside the cloister walls, consisting of courtyards and orchards, to determine the individual (gardens) and collective (green spaces and surrounding woods) practices adopted by Carthusians. Palynology and archaeobotany have allowed to reconstruct the plant biodiversity, with flowers and ornamental, aromatic, and medicinal herbs that grew in the gardens, as well as the management of local hilly woods and agricultural practices, including the cultivation of fruit trees, such as chestnut, olive tree, almond tree, and grapevine. Our research has been based on a solid theoretical approach, interpreting archaeological and archaeobotanical data in relation to the intricate network of human and non-human connections. Gardens are seen as a co-creation made together by human and non-human agencies, and their diachronic transformation is read as an expression of personalities of the monks, feelings, and connections with nature and divinity.
Did the Virtuosity of the Pen Compensate for the Shortfall of the Sword? Remembering the Eighth Crusade against Tunis (1270)
Authors: Garnier Sébastien
Published: August 2023

The Eighth Crusade was launched by Saint Louis against Tunis in Summer 1270. For a few months, the French kingdom and its allies posed a serious threat to the Hafsid regime. Even though they ultimately failed to conquer the capital city, they heavily weakened the rule of al-Mustanṣir (r. 1249–77), emptying his coffers and damaging his prestige. In this paper, we first inventoried the points at stake. Then, we identified the rationale behind the expedition, evaluated the balance of the armed forces, and measured the losses and gains for each side. Second, the sources showed how the authors could depict the situation and assess its aftermath, depending on their political agenda. The Hafsid thurifers tended to minimize the sultan’s impotency, while others (e.g., the Mamluks) sometimes harshly criticized it. Third, the courtiers resorted to poetry and satirized “al-Franṣīṣ” for his setback of the Seventh Crusade (1248–1254) which he had led too. They mocked him in famous epigrams that we translated and analyzed. In conclusion, we examined why they concealed the blow. The Literati of the Restoration (ca 1370–1488) strove to portray al-Mustanṣir as a model king for the First Golden Age (until 1277) in a long series of sovereigns that stretched over more than two centuries.
Enhanced Dual Convolutional Neural Network Model Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence of Fault Prioritization for Industrial 4.0
Authors: Kidambi Raju Sekar , Ramaswamy Seethalakshmi , Eid Marwa M. , Gopalan Sathiamoorthy , Alhussan Amel Ali , Sukumar Arunkumar , Khafaga Doaa Sami
Published: August 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly used in corporate security measures to predict the status of assets and suggest appropriate procedures. These programs are also designed to reduce repair time. One way to create an efficient system is to integrate physical repair agents with a computerized management system to develop an intelligent system. To address this, there is a need for a new technique to assist operators in interacting with a predictive system using natural language. The system also uses double neural network convolutional models to analyze device data. For fault prioritization, a technique utilizing fuzzy logic is presented. This strategy ranks the flaws based on the harm or expense they produce. However, the method’s success relies on ongoing improvement in spoken language comprehension through language modification and query processing. To carry out this technique, a conversation-driven design is necessary. This type of learning relies on actual experiences with the assistants to provide efficient learning data for language and interaction models. These models can be trained to have more natural conversations. To improve accuracy, academics should construct and maintain publicly usable training sets to update word vectors. We proposed the model dataset (DS) with the Adam (AD) optimizer, Ridge Regression (RR) and Feature Mapping (FP). Our proposed algorithm has been coined with an appropriate acronym DSADRRFP. The same proposed approach aims to leverage each component’s benefits to enhance the predictive model’s overall performance and precision. This ensures the model is up-to-date and accurate. In conclusion, an AI system integrated with physical repair agents is a useful tool in corporate security measures. However, it needs to be refined to extract data from the operating system and to interact with users in a natural language. The system also needs to be constantly updated to improve accuracy.
Optimized Classifier Learning for Face Recognition Performance Boost in Security and Surveillance Applications
Authors: Poměnková Jitka , Malach Tobiáš
Published: August 2023

Face recognition has become an integral part of modern security processes. This paper introduces an optimization approach for the quantile interval method (QIM), a promising classifier learning technique used in face recognition to create face templates and improve recognition accuracy. Our research offers a three-fold contribution to the field. Firstly, (i) we strengthened the evidence that QIM outperforms other contemporary template creation approaches. For this reason, we investigate seven template creation methods, which include four cluster description-based methods and three estimation-based methods. Further, (ii) we extended testing; we use a nearly four times larger database compared to the previous study, which includes a new set, and we report the recognition performance on this extended database. Additionally, we distinguish between open- and closed-set identification. Thirdly, (iii) we perform an evaluation of the cluster estimation-based method (specifically QIM) with an in-depth analysis of its parameter setup in order to make its implementation feasible. We provide instructions and recommendations for the correct parameter setup. Our research confirms that QIM’s application in template creation improves recognition performance. In the case of automatic application and optimization of QIM parameters, improvement recognition is about 4–10% depending on the dataset. In the case of a too general dataset, QIM also provides an improvement, but the incorporation of QIM into an automated algorithm is not possible, since QIM, in this case, requires manual setting of optimal parameters. This research contributes to the advancement of secure and accurate face recognition systems, paving the way for its adoption in various security applications.
Unveiling the Dynamics of Thermal Characteristics Related to LULC Changes via ANN
Authors: Khachoo Yasir Hassan , Cutugno Matteo , Robustelli Umberto , Pugliano Giovanni
Published: August 2023

Continuous and unplanned urbanization, combined with negative alterations in land use land cover (LULC), leads to a deterioration of the urban thermal environment and results in various adverse ecological effects. The changes in LULC and thermal characteristics have significant implications for the economy, climate patterns, and environmental sustainability. This study focuses on the Province of Naples in Italy, examining LULC changes and the Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI) from 1990 to 2022, predicting their distributions for 2030. The main objectives of this research are the investigation of the future seasonal thermal characteristics of the study area by characterizing land surface temperature (LST) through the UTFVI and analyzing LULC dynamics along with their correlation. To achieve this, Landsat 4-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat 9 Operational Land Imager (OLI) imagery were utilized. LULC classification was performed using a supervised satellite image classification system, and the predictions were carried out using the cellular automata-artificial neural network (CA-ANN) algorithm. LST was calculated using the radiative transfer equation (RTE), and the same CA-ANN algorithm was employed to predict UTFVI for 2030. To investigate the multi-temporal correlation between LULC and UTFVI, a cross-tabulation technique was employed. The study’s findings indicate that between 2022 and 2030, there will be a 9.4% increase in built-up and bare-land areas at the expense of the vegetation class. The strongest UTFVI zone during summer is predicted to remain stable from 2022 to 2030, while winter UTFVI shows substantial fluctuations with a 4.62% decrease in the none UTFVI zone and a corresponding increase in the strongest UTFVI zone for the same period. The results of this study reveal a concerning trend of outward expansion in the built-up area of the Province of Naples, with central northern regions experiencing the highest growth rate, predominantly at the expense of vegetation cover. These predictions emphasize the urgent need for proactive measures to preserve and protect the diminishing vegetation cover, maintaining ecological balance, combating the urban heat island effect, and safeguarding biodiversity in the province.
Living-Neuron-Based Autogenerator
Authors: Gerasimova Svetlana A. , Beltyukova Anna , Fedulina Anastasia , Matveeva Maria , Lebedeva Albina V. , Pisarchik Alexander N.
Published: August 2023

We present a novel closed-loop system designed to integrate biological and artificial neurons of the oscillatory type into a unified circuit. The system comprises an electronic circuit based on the FitzHugh-Nagumo model, which provides stimulation to living neurons in acute hippocampal mouse brain slices. The local field potentials generated by the living neurons trigger a transition in the FitzHugh–Nagumo circuit from an excitable state to an oscillatory mode, and in turn, the spikes produced by the electronic circuit synchronize with the living-neuron spikes. The key advantage of this hybrid electrobiological autogenerator lies in its capability to control biological neuron signals, which holds significant promise for diverse neuromorphic applications.
A Convolutional Neural Network for Electrical Fault Recognition in Active Magnetic Bearing Systems
Authors: Donati Giovanni , Basso Michele , Manduzio Graziano A. , Mugnaini Marco , Pecorella Tommaso , Camerota Chiara
Published: August 2023

Active magnetic bearings are complex mechatronic systems that consist of mechanical, electrical, and software parts, unlike classical rolling bearings. Given the complexity of this type of system, fault detection is a critical process. This paper presents a new and easy way to detect faults based on the use of a fault dictionary and machine learning. The dictionary was built starting from fault signatures consisting of images obtained from the signals available in the system. Subsequently, a convolutional neural network was trained to recognize such fault signature images. The objective of this study was to develop a fault dictionary and a classifier to recognize the most frequent soft electrical faults that affect position sensors and actuators. The proposed method permits, in a computationally convenient way that can be implemented in real time, the determination of which component has failed and what kind of failure has occurred. Therefore, this fault identification system allows determining which countermeasure to adopt in order to enhance the reliability of the system. The performance of this method was assessed by means of a case study concerning a real turbomachine supported by two active magnetic bearings for the oil and gas field. Seventeen fault classes were considered, and the neural network fault classifier reached an accuracy of 93% on the test dataset.
Multi-Patch Hierarchical Transmission Channel Image Dehazing Network Based on Dual Attention Level Feature Fusion
Authors: Zai Wenjiao , Yan Lisha
Published: August 2023

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) inspection of transmission channels in mountainous areas is susceptible to non-homogeneous fog, such as up-slope fog and advection fog, which causes crucial portions of transmission lines or towers to become fuzzy or even wholly concealed. This paper presents a Dual Attention Level Feature Fusion Multi-Patch Hierarchical Network (DAMPHN) for single image defogging to address the bad quality of cross-level feature fusion in Fast Deep Multi-Patch Hierarchical Networks (FDMPHN). Compared with FDMPHN before improvement, the Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) of DAMPHN are increased by 0.3 dB and 0.011 on average, and the Average Processing Time (APT) of a single picture is shortened by 11%. Additionally, compared with the other three excellent defogging methods, the PSNR and SSIM values DAMPHN are increased by 1.75 dB and 0.022 on average. Then, to mimic non-homogeneous fog, we combine the single picture depth information with 3D Berlin noise to create the UAV-HAZE dataset, which is used in the field of UAV power assessment. The experiment demonstrates that DAMPHN offers excellent defogging results and is competitive in no-reference and full-reference assessment indices.
In-Line Measurement of Extraction Process by Slug Flow and Determination of Mass Transfer Parameters
Authors: Okamoto Takamichi , Muto Akinori
Published: August 2023

The primary objective of this study was to pragmatically implement an extraction process using slug flow, wherein two immiscible phases, aqueous and oil, are alternatively channeled through a conduit to encourage mass exchange across the interface. To facilitate this, we introduced and empirically validated an in-line technique to precisely quantify the length of the slug and the potential extraction concentration of the two aforementioned phases. The length of the slug and its concentration were ascertained through conductivity, utilizing platinum wire as the electrode. This method consistently produced results with a maximum error margin of ±5%. Using this apparatus, we determined key mass transfer parameters, including the overall mass transfer coefficient. Notably, as the linear velocity amplified, so did the extraction rate. These findings present a significant opportunity for enhancing the efficiency of the extraction process and enabling its optimization.
Development of Transport Management Software
Authors: Gajewska Teresa , Walczyk Dominika
Published: August 2023

The growth of technology and the increasing competitiveness and opportunity of digital services have meant that the traditional logistic sector has changed dramatically. New technology and globalization affect the need to use solutions known to the IT industry. In recent years, we have seen significant technological growth, from smart devices communicating with each other via the IoT (Internet of Things) to artificial intelligence, and the changes it brings in the future. However, the role of user interface design in enhancing the user experience of mobile applications, such as journey planners, has been overlooked. Given the knowledge of the environmental impact of transport systems, it is important to convince users to use more sustainable modes of transport. Transport systems account for 20% to 25% of global energy consumption and carbon emissions. The aim of the article is to explain the process of creating a user interface for a public transport journey planner application that serves as a personal travel assistant. In addition, a competitive audit and research on a small group of users was also carried out. The conducted research and the audit of the competition were crucial in the ideation process, which became the basis for the first wireframes of the application. This was made possible by using the powerful Figma tool, which allowed for a more detailed design of the application’s appearance and functions. The resulting design of the application interface is a proposed solution to some of the user problems detected during the study. The final prototype needs to be turned into a real product to serve users. For this purpose, a developer must be provided with the prototype, who will bring the application to life using programming tools.
Temporal Variability of Gallium in Natural Plants
Authors: Shtangeeva Irina
Published: August 2023

The aim of the research was to study the distribution of gallium (Ga) in rhizosphere soil and in plants growing under natural conditions in uncontaminated sites, with an emphasis on temporal fluctuations of Ga concentration in plants. For this purpose, two field experiments were conducted in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2019 and 2020, at two sites. Three widespread grasses (couch grass, plantain, and dandelion) were chosen for the experiments. ICP–MS analytical technique was applied for the determination of Ga. All plants were capable of accumulating Ga, but the uptake of Ga was different in different plant species, although the plants grew under the same conditions. It can be assumed that one of the main reasons for such differences was the belonging of the plants to different botanical classes, where biochemical processes can proceed differently. The concentration of Ga in plants and rhizosphere soil varied in the daytime. The daily fluctuations of Ga in different plant species were often completely different and did not resemble the temporal fluctuations of Ga in rhizosphere soil. These short-term variations were due to natural reasons and should be considered when collecting plant and soil samples.
A Rare Human Helminth Infection in Russia
Authors: Kondrashin Anatoly V. , Morozova Lola F. , Stepanova Ekaterina V. , Turbabina Natalia A. , Maksimova Maria S. , Anikina Alina S. , Shahin-jafari Ariyo , Morozov Aleksandr E. , Mikhaylov Dmitry V. , Kupriyanova Yulia D. , Morozov Evgeny N.
Published: August 2023

Currently, more than 500,000 cases of various helminthes in humans are reported annually in the Russian Federation. This figure may not reflect the true incidence of helminthes, as only nine separate nosological forms are compulsory notifiable. The rest of the species of detected helminthes are included in a separate category of “other helminthes” or “rare helminthes”. The bulk of the latter is represented by the helminthes with a rate of incidence that does not exceed one case per 100,000 people. This review is based on data derived from publications in the Russian language, both from the Russian Federation and international, as well as data available from various health treatment facilities in Russia. These data largely cover the period of the 1990s–2010s. A total of 15 species of “rare helminthes” are described in this review: anisakiosis, capillariosis, clonorchosis, dioctophymosis, dipylidiosis, echinochasmosis, fasciolosis, gastrodiscoidosis (amphistomiosis), metagonimosis, metorchiosis, nanophyetosis, pseudamphistomosis, sparganosis (spirometrosis), strongyloidosis and trichostrongylosis. Details of their geographical distribution, clinical and epidemiological peculiarities, and the difficulties they pose in diagnosis are provided. The public health importance of “rare helminthes” in Russia at present and in the forthcoming years is stressed.
A Study on the Stability and Antimicrobial Efficacy of a Newly Modeled Teat Dip Solution Containing Chlorhexidine
Authors: Kybartas Modestas , Virgailis Marius , Ruzauskas Modestas , Klimienė Irena , Šiugždinienė Rita , Merkevičienė Lina , Štreimikytė-Mockeliūnė Žaneta , Mockeliūnas Raimundas
Published: August 2023

Despite much focus on mastitis as an endemic disease, clinical and subclinical mastitis remains an important problem for many herds. Reducing the usage of antibiotics for mastitis treatment allows the risks to be minimized related to the development of antimicrobial resistance and the excretion of antibiotics into the environment. The aim of the study was to determine the physico-chemical properties, stability and antimicrobial effect of a newly formulated biocide for post-milking udder hygiene containing a thickener made from hydroxypropyl guar gum, an antiseptic chlorhexidine digluconate and teat skin-friendly components including glycerol, Mentha Arvensis herbal oil and Aesculus hippocastanum extract. Hydroxypropyl guar gum was used as a thickener to provide the physical parameters and to retain the viscosity at 1438 mPa.s. The physical and chemical properties of the product, including the 12-month stability, were tested in long-term and accelerated stability studies. The product was effective against the primary mastitis pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger.