bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organic food consumption in Kenitra, Morocco: attitudes, motivations, and barriers
Authors: Lafram Amina , Belfakira Chaimaa , Hindi Zakia , Bikri Samir , Benayad Asmaa , El Bilali Hamid , Bügel Susanne Gjedsted , Średnicka-Tober Dominika , Pugliese Patrizia , Strassner Carola , Rossi Laura , Stefa-novic Lilliana , Aboussaleh Youssef
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Morocco is currently witnessing a growing interest in organic food as awareness of health and environmental benefits rises.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate organic food consumption as well as to understand the underlying factors influencing the consumption patterns, including consumers’ preferences and motivations as well as the challenges they face in Kenitra (Morocco).

Method

Data was collected through an anonymous household survey involving 442 respondents, aged 18 and above targeting the population of Kenitra.

Results

The findings reveal that in 60% of the Kenitra households organic foods comprise 1-25% of all the foods consumed, highlighting a growing interest in these products. However, several barriers were identified, including insufficient availability and accessibility of organic products, as well as limited product variety at local shopping places, and the perceived high prices of organic foods, which continue to hinder organic food consumption. Moreover, consumers expressed a need for better access to organic products and emphasized the importance of reasonable pricing, considering it as a significant factor in their decision-making process.

Conclusion

Understanding the dynamics of organic food consumption in Kenitra and the eating attitudes and behaviors of its residents will provide valuable insights that can be employed to reshape future local policies, strategies, and market developments, in response to the changing demands and preferences of the population while promoting the adoption of organic food in the region and the whole country.
Dependence of the Molecular Interactions Between Cyanoacrylate and Native Copper Surfaces on the Process Atmosphere
Authors: Moritz Philipp , Wegewitz Lienhard , Maus-Friedrichs Wolfgang
Published: December 2024

Cyanoacrylates, known for their rapid polymerization and strong bonding capabilities, are widely used in industrial and medical applications. This study investigates the impacts of different process atmospheres with varying water and oxygen contents—air, argon, and argon/silane—on the curing and adhesion mechanisms of cyanoacrylate adhesives on oxidized copper substrates. Raman spectroscopy indicated that the curing process in argon and argon/silane atmospheres was slower compared to ambient air, likely due to the reduced moisture content of the atmosphere. However, the degree of curing and the inter- and intramolecular interactions within the adhesive volume showed no significant differences across atmospheres. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) revealed that strong ionic interactions between cyanoacrylate and the copper surface oxide were absent in the low-moisture argon atmosphere. The introduction of silane resulted in the formation of silicon oxides and other silane-derived compounds, which probably contributed to the formation of these ionic interactions, similar to those observed in air. This study highlights the critical influence of the surrounding atmosphere on the adhesive properties of cyanoacrylates, with implications for optimizing bonding processes in various environments.
CanKiwi: A Mechanistic Competition Model of Kiwifruit Bacterial Canker Disease Dynamics
Authors: Hadj Abdelkader Oussama , Bouzebiba Hadjer , Santos Miguel G. , Pena Danilo , Aguiar António Pedro , Carvalho Susana M. P.
Published: December 2024

This paper proposes a mathematical model based on a mechanistic approach and previous research findings for the bacterial canker disease development in kiwifruit vines. This disease is a leading cause of severe damage to kiwifruit vines, particularly in humid regions, and contributes to significant economic challenges for growers in many countries. The proposed model contains three parts. The first one is the model of the kiwifruit vine describing its light interception, its carbon acquisition, and the partitioning dynamics. The carbon resource represents the chemical energy required for maintaining the necessary respiration of the living organs and their growth processes. The second part of the model is the dynamics of the pathogenic bacterial population living within the vine’s tissues and competing with them for the carbon resource required for their proliferation. The third part of the model is the carbon dynamics described by a mass conservation formula which computes the remaining amount of carbon available for competition. The model was validated by comparing simulations with experimental results obtained from growth chambers. The results show that the proposed model can simulate reasonably well the functional part of the vine in both the healthy case and the disease case without plant defense mechanisms in which the bacteria are always dominant under favorable environmental conditions. They also show that the environmental effects on the vine’s growth and the infection progress are taken into account and align with the previous studies. The model can be used to simulate the infection process, predict its outcomes, test disease management techniques, and support experimental analyses.
Impact of Regional Location and Territorial Characteristics on Profitability in the Spanish Pig Farming Industry
Authors: Cardil Alba , Gallizo José Luis , Salvador Manuel
Published: December 2024

This work aimed to identify the locational, territorial and financial characteristics that impact the profitability of companies in the Spanish pig sector. The data were extracted from the SABI database, which contains economic and financial information. A sample of 1247 Spanish companies (14,254 observations) was obtained, providing an unbalanced panel dataset for the 2004–2018 period. The statistical analysis considered factors that potentially influence the profitability of companies, considering the potential existence of endogeneity issues among some of the variables analyzed. Companies tended to be located in autonomous communities in inland areas, which had higher depopulation rates and shorter average distances from companies to feed mills and slaughterhouses. There was regional specialization, which was influenced by the ability to invest in infrastructure, proximity to the markets, farm size and efficiency in resource management, which had a positive influence on profitability. These factors led to differences between regions, together with the support of public administration for companies that invest in sparsely populated areas. The results obtained will be of interest to policymakers developing measures aimed at providing better access to inputs through proximity to feed mills and slaughterhouses, as well as to new entrepreneurs in the sector who want to establish their businesses in the most specialized regions.
Three-Dimensional Time-Series Monitoring of Maize Canopy Structure Using Rail-Driven Plant Phenotyping Platform in Field
Authors: Ma Hanyu , Wen Weiliang , Gou Wenbo , Liang Yuqiang , Zhang Minggang , Fan Jiangchuan , Gu Shenghao , Zhang Dongsheng , Guo Xinyu
Published: December 2024

The spatial and temporal dynamics of crop canopy structure are influenced by cultivar, environment, and crop management practices. However, continuous and automatic monitoring of crop canopy structure is still challenging. A three-dimensional (3D) time-series phenotyping study of maize canopy was conducted using a rail-driven high-throughput plant phenotyping platform (HTPPP) in field conditions. An adaptive sliding window segmentation algorithm was proposed to obtain plots and rows from canopy point clouds. Maximum height (Hmax), mean height (Hmean), and canopy cover (CC) of each plot were extracted, and quantification of plot canopy height uniformity (CHU) and marginal effect (MEH) was achieved. The results showed that the average mIoU, mP, mR, and mF1 of canopy–plot segmentation were 0.8118, 0.9587, 0.9969, and 0.9771, respectively, and the average mIoU, mP, mR, and mF1 of plot–row segmentation were 0.7566, 0.8764, 0.9292, and 0.8974, respectively. The average RMSE of plant height across the 10 growth stages was 0.08 m. The extracted time-series phenotypes show that CHU tended to vary from uniformity to nonuniformity and continued to fluctuate during the whole growth stages, and the MEH of the canopy tended to increase negatively over time. This study provides automated and practical means for 3D time-series phenotype monitoring of plant canopies with the HTPPP.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties of Residual Hemp Leaves Following Optimized Pressurized Liquid Extraction
Authors: Athanasiadis Vassilis , Mantiniotou Martha , Kalompatsios Dimitrios , Makrygiannis Ioannis , Alibade Aggeliki , Lalas Stavros I.
Published: December 2024

Cannabis sativa, often called hemp, is a medicinal plant belonging to the Cannabaceae family and is widely recognized for its therapeutic applications. After the industrial supercritical CO2 extraction method, hemp residue biomass was recovered, and a significant quantity of bioactive compounds was identified. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to study whether they can be further exploited using green techniques. In the present work, hemp leaf residues were treated using two extraction techniques: one conventional stirring extraction (STE) and one green pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The latter technique is a promising and swift method for the efficient extraction of valuable molecules from natural sources. The two techniques were optimized through Response Surface Methodology, and the optimized parameters were the appropriate solvent, temperature, and extraction duration. The aim was to maximize the yield of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid) from hemp leaf residue and evaluate their antioxidant activity using the most appropriate technique. The results showed that after three 5 min PLE cycles, the recovered individual polyphenols were comparable (p > 0.05) to a 45 min STE (19.34 and 20.84 mg/g, respectively), as well as in antioxidant capacity assays and other bioactive compounds. These findings emphasize the efficacy of the rapid PLE approach as an effective extraction technique to enhance the value of hemp leaf residues while maximizing the concentration of high-added value molecules.
Novel Insertion/Deletion Polymorphisms and Genetic Studies of the Shadow of Prion Protein (SPRN) in Raccoon Dogs
Authors: Choi Da-In , Zayed Mohammed , Na Eun-Jee , Oem Jae-Ku , Jeong Byung-Hoon
Published: December 2024

Prion diseases, or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are a group of invariably fatal neurodegenerative disorders. One of the candidate genes involved in prion diseases is the shadow of the prion protein (SPRN) gene. Raccoon dogs, a canid, are considered to be a prion disease-resistant species. To date, the genetic polymorphisms of the SPRN gene and the predicted protein structure of the shadow of prion protein (Sho) have not been explored in raccoon dogs. SPRN was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We also investigated the genetic polymorphisms of SPRN by analyzing the frequencies of genotypes, alleles, and haplotypes, as well as the linkage disequilibrium among the identified genetic variations. In addition, in silico analysis with MutPred-Indel was performed to predict the pathogenicity of insertion/deletion polymorphisms. Predicted 3D structures were analyzed by the Alphafold2. We found a total of two novel synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms and three insertion/deletion polymorphisms. In addition, the 3D structure of the Sho protein in raccoon dogs was predicted to resemble that of the Sho protein in dogs. This is the first study regarding the genetic and structural characteristics of the raccoon dog SPRN gene.
Dairy Goat Production Systems: A Comprehensive Analysis to Reframe Their Global Diversity
Authors: Meza-Herrera Cesar A. , Navarrete-Molina Cayetano , Macias-Cruz Ulises , Arellano-Rodriguez Gerardo , De Santiago-Miramontes Angeles , Sariñana-Navarrete Maria A. , Marin-Tinoco Ruben I. , Perez-Marin Carlos C.
Published: December 2024

This review aims to emphasize the important role that goats and dairy goats play for many small-scale rural families worldwide, as well as to introduce a proposal for categorizing the main dairy goat production systems (DGPSs), using a multifactorial approach but emphasizing rainfall and nutritional supplementation level, as the focal categorization factors. The main DGPSs were divided into two metasystems based on available resources, each consisting of three production subsystems. In the first metasystem, the three subsystems have limited water, biotic, and economic resources, whose main economic rationality is based on reducing risk rather than maximizing outputs. In contrast, the three subsystems of the second metasystem usually have increased biotic, economic, and water resources, whose main emphasis involves maximizing product yield rather than reducing risk. The first metasystem involves DGPSs with a very limited or null nutritional supplementation: (a) subsistence, (b) extensive, and (c) agro-silvopastoral. The second metasystem includes those DGPSs with different levels of nutritional supplementation: (d) semi-extensive, (e) semi-intensive, and (f) intensive. There are numerous significant global initiatives focused on scientific collaboration and sharing information regarding nutrition, reproductive, and genetic technologies related to the safety and nutraceutical quality of goat milk and products while contextualized in different DGPSs. Hence, such scenarios should create additional opportunities for researchers, producers, policymakers, and development workers to come together and align interests and needs and exchange knowledge on effective goat farmer support strategies, environmental management, and consumer education. Undoubtedly, it is essential to reevaluate the DGPSs in the world since millions of producers and their families—most of them poor and marginalized—need this species, society needs their products, most of the worldwide arid and semi-arid lands need their recovery, and all of us should encourage the fulfillment of the sustainable development goals.
Clinicopathologic Parameters of Peritoneal Fluid as Predictors of Gastrointestinal Lesions, Complications, and Outcomes in Equine Colic Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Martin Emily , Sarkan Kate , Viall Austin , Hostetter Shannon , Epstein Kira
Published: December 2024

Neutrophil characteristics in peritoneal fluid (PF) may aid in diagnosing and treating specific colic lesions and complications. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate quantitative PF leukocyte values, as well as PF total protein (TP) and lactate, for associations with diagnosis, morbidity, and mortality in horses with acute colic. Three hundred and forty-two horses that presented to one institution between January 2010–2020 for the evaluation of acute colic were included. The PF total nucleated cell count (TNCC), % and total neutrophil counts, total protein (TP), and lactate were analyzed for associations with lesion location and type, the development of postoperative reflux (POR) or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and survival to discharge via Kruskal–Wallis testing. Horses with strangulating lesions had higher PF % neutrophils, neutrophil count, and TNCC compared to non-strangulating lesions. The development of SIRS or POR was associated with higher PF TNCC, total neutrophil count, TP, and lactate. Horses that did not survive to discharge had increased PF % neutrophils, neutrophil count, TP, lactate, and ratio of PF-to-systemic TP than those that survived via univariable analysis. Identified associations between increased PF neutrophils and the development of POR and SIRS warrant further investigation to better understand their role in the pathogenesis of equine colic and potential as targets for therapeutic intervention.
Autoantibodies, Oxidative Stress, and Nutritional State in Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Amerio Andrea , Martino Eleonora , Strangio Antonella , Aguglia Andrea , Escelsior Andrea , Conio Benedetta , Sukkar Samir Giuseppe , Saverino Daniele
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by an extreme fear of gaining weight, leading to severe calorie restriction and weight loss. Beyond its psychiatric challenges, AN has significant physical consequences affecting multiple organ systems. Recent research has increasingly focused on the interplay between autoantibodies, oxidative stress, and nutritional state in this condition. Methods: Ninety-six subjects were evaluated: forty-eight with AN and forty-eight normal-weight control subjects. The serum levels of IgG reactive to hypothalamic antigens, uric acid, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated by laboratory assays. Results: Anti-hypothalamic autoantibodies were found in AN patients. Furthermore, increased levels of oxidative stress were reported, as measured by decreased serum uric acid and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and they reduced with the disease duration and the restoration of body mass index (BMI). Finally, a decrease in both autoantibodies and oxidative stress was observed as patients’ clinical condition improved, as measured by time since diagnosis and BMI recovery. Conclusions: The clinical improvement of AN patients seems to be associated with a decrease in the autoimmune response to hypothalamic cellular antigens and a reduction in oxidative stress. Dysregulation of the immune system and oxidative stress appear to be interconnected in various diseases, including autoimmune and psychiatric disorders. These findings, although preliminary, may offer potential avenues for the treatment of this challenging condition.
Cathelicidins: Opportunities and Challenges in Skin Therapeutics and Clinical Translation
Authors: Dzurová Lenka , Holásková Edita , Pospíšilová Hana , Schneider Rauber Gabriela , Frébortová Jitka
Published: December 2024

Cathelicidins are a group of cationic, amphipathic peptides that play a vital role in the innate immune response of many vertebrates, including humans. Produced by immune and epithelial cells, they serve as natural defenses against a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In humans, the cathelicidin LL-37 is essential for wound healing, maintaining skin barrier integrity, and combating infections. Cathelicidins of different origins have shown potential in treating various skin conditions, including melanoma, acne, and diabetic foot ulcers. Despite their promising therapeutic potential, cathelicidins face significant challenges in clinical application. Many peptide-based therapies have failed in clinical trials due to unclear efficacy and safety concerns. Additionally, the emergence of bacterial resistance, which contradicts initial claims of non-resistance, further complicates their development. To successfully translate cathelicidins into effective clinical treatments, therefore, several obstacles must be addressed, including a better understanding of their mechanisms of action, sustainable large-scale production, optimized formulations for drug delivery and stability, and strategies to overcome microbial resistance. This review examines the current knowledge of cathelicidins and their therapeutic applications and discusses the challenges that hinder their clinical use and must be overcome to fully exploit their potential in medicine.
Sustainable Parking Space Management Using Machine Learning and Swarm Theory—The SPARK System
Authors: Janowski Artur , Hüsrevoğlu Mustafa , Renigier-Bilozor Malgorzata
Published: December 2024

The utilization of contemporary technology enhances the efficiency of parking resource management, contributing to more liveable and sustainable cities. In response to the growing challenges of urbanization, intelligent parking systems have emerged as a crucial solution for optimizing parking management, reducing traffic congestion, and minimizing pollution. The primary aim of this study is to present the concept of the developed web application that supports finding available parking spaces, embodied in the SPARK system (Smart Parking Assistance and Resource Knowledge). The integration of the YOLOv9 (You Only Look Once) segmentation algorithm with Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) optimization, combined with the use of crowdsourced data and deep learning for image analysis, significantly enhances the SPARK system’s operational efficiency. It enables rapid and precise detection of available parking spaces while ensuring robustness and continuous improvement. The accuracy of detecting available parking spaces in the presented system, estimated at 87.33%, is satisfactory compared to similar studies worldwide.
Fine-Grained Tasks for Crowdsourced Entity Resolution
Authors: Nie Tiezheng , Mao Hanyu , Liu Xin , Yu Sining
Published: December 2024

Entity resolution aims to identify records that point to the same entity in the real world. In recent years, crowdsourcing approaches have provided new ideas for entity resolution, using human intelligence to bring entity resolution to a higher level that can meet the short-term needs of a variety of users, unlike deep learning models that require large amounts of labeled data to train the model and are therefore subject to more research and development. Earlier approaches relied excessively on propagation relationships, and manual tasks were typically about whether record pairs matched. Balancing quality and cost is an important research problem. To address the above issues, this paper proposes a crowdsourced entity resolution approach with fine-grained tasks, proposing two fine-grained manual tasks that focus on the connections within the data, combine human intelligence, and are easier to answer. The entity resolution is considered a splitting problem of the dataset. And the problem of a large number of records sharing the same attribute in the data is solved by using scoring tasks. The experimental results on real datasets show that the FGTER algorithm proposed in this paper can achieve a higher F-1 score with cost control.
CGM: Copy Mechanism GPT with Mask for Ellipsis and Anaphora Resolution in Dialogue
Authors: Cho Ji-Won , Oh Jinyoung , Cha Jeong-Won
Published: December 2024

GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a generative language model that demonstrates outstanding performance in the field of text generation. Generally, the attention mechanism of the transformer model behaves similarly to a copy distribution. However, due to the absence of a dedicated encoder, it is challenging to ensure that the input is retained for generation. We propose a model that emphasizes the copy mechanism in GPT. We generate masks for the input words to initialize the distribution and explicitly encourage copying through training. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we conducted experiments to restore ellipsis and anaphora in dialogue. In a single domain, we achieved 0.4319 (BLEU), 0.6408 (Rouge-L), 0.9040 (simCSE), and 0.9070 (BERTScore), while in multi-domain settings we obtained 0.4611 (BLEU), 0.6379 (Rouge-L), 0.8902 (simCSE), and 0.8999 (BERTScore). Additionally, we evaluated the operation of the copy mechanism on out-of-domain data, yielding excellent results. We anticipate that applying the copy mechanism to GPT will be useful for utilizing language models in constrained situations.
Artificial Empathy and Imprecise Communication in a Multi-Agent System
Authors: Siwek Joanna , Pierzyński Konrad , Siwek Przemysław , Wójcik Adrian , Żywica Patryk
Published: December 2024

This paper introduces a novel artificial intelligence model that integrates artificial empathy into the decision-making processes of collaborative agent systems. The existing models of collaborative behaviors, especially in swarm applications, lack the aspect of empathy, known to improve cooperation in human teams. Emphasizing both cognitive and emotional aspects of empathy, the introduced model navigates communication uncertainties and ambiguities, transforming these challenges into opportunities for learning and adaptation in dynamic environments. A significant feature of this model is its handling of imprecision through fuzzy logic, using fuzzy similarity measures in the decision process. The main objective of the presented research is to introduce a new model for improving cooperativeness in multi-agent systems with the use of cognitive empathy. Future research focus on implementing the model on physical platform and optimize the artificial empathy algorithms in the decision-making module.
Application of Foundry Wastes in Eco-Efficient Construction Materials: A Review
Authors: Aguiar Ingried , Cunha Sandra , Aguiar José
Published: December 2024

Foundries generate millions of tons of waste annually, posing a challenge to companies that generate it and to the environment due to landfill disposal. Meanwhile, the construction sector contributes heavily to global resource consumption. Adopting a circular economy approach by integrating foundry wastes into construction materials offers two main benefits: reducing landfill accumulation and preserving natural reserves of raw materials while also supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This paper presents a review of recent studies on the use of foundry wastes in construction materials and provides an overview of the foundry industry, including its background, waste management, and statistics. Furthermore, a bibliometric analysis highlights the evolution of research in this area, showing a 182% increase in publications over the last 10 years. Key findings include that waste foundry sand is the most widely utilized foundry waste in construction materials, while ceramic mold shells and paraffin waxes remain underexplored. Concrete is the primary material incorporating foundry waste. The incorporation of foundry waste into construction materials improves durability and mechanical strength when used in appropriate proportions. The replacement content can reach up to 100%. These results underscore the feasibility of foundry waste as a sustainable alternative in construction, building circularity, and reducing environmental impact.
Characteristics of Donghe Sandstone Transport Conductor in Hudson Oilfield, Tarim Basin and Its Oil and Gas Control Effect
Authors: Zhao Haitao , Wu Dongsheng , Wang Kaiyu , Jiang Shan
Published: December 2024

The Hudson Oilfield’s Donghe sandstone reservoir has multiple independent oil–water systems. The complex oil–water relationship is mainly due to reservoir heterogeneity, especially the sealing and shielding effects of interlayers. This paper uses methods like well logging and test well data interpretation, seismic impedance inversion, and the simulation of oil and gas preferential migration paths. It analyzes and quantifies parameters related to sand layer oil content, physical properties, and the development degree of interbedded layers using small layers as units. Sandstone horizontal transportability has three types. Type I matches structural forms to form preferential migration paths. Type II transportability has enclosed sand bodies that obstruct oil and gas flow and change their migration paths. Unevenly distributed calcareous interbedded layers are the main controlling factor for vertical sand body transportability. Locally continuous cemented calcareous interbedded layers can form the base of a dome-shaped pinch-out lithologic trap in sandstone. The closure area of the trap is controlled by the pinch-out line of sandstone and the distribution of continuous interbedded layers together.
Signal-Centric Framework Based on Probability of Detection for Real-Time Reliability of Concrete Damage Inspection
Authors: Tayfur Sena
Published: December 2024

Passive nondestructive testing (NDT) methods allow one to detect damage by the energies emitted from the internal processes. While the test conditions can be controlled and repeatable, obtained data are random, and the probability of detection (PoD) is affected. However, in concrete with complex fracture behavior, factors such as signal attenuation, sensor-damage distance, and test configuration influence the reliability of the test. The conventional practice of proceeding without assessing credibility prevents the ability to determine whether a configuration modification is required, necessitating reassessment. The main objective of this study is to develop a signal-centric framework to enhance the real-time reliability of inspection by investigating the PoD of acoustic emission (AE), a widely used passive NDT method for the real-time monitoring of structures. This study’s purpose is to evaluate the mechanical processes and the passive signal responses, emphasizing the detectability of cracking in concrete with two PoD approaches, namely, amplitude- and energy-based PoDs. Additionally, critical signal signatures, namely, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and frequency, were pinpointed for their direct influence on the detectability of the crack. With the outcomes obtained, a novel framework, which aims to provide an adaptive evaluation of the PoD of the technique, was suggested to achieve the desired quality in the damage detection of structures.
Development and Evaluation of a Haptic Virtual Walker for Wheelchair Users in Immersive VR Environments
Authors: Riera Jose Vicente , Palma Belen , Casanova-Salas Pablo , Pérez Manolo , Gimeno Jesus , Fernandez Marcos
Published: December 2024

This paper presents the development of a virtual walker for wheelchair users designed for use in highly immersive environments, such as Cave Automatic Virtual Environments (CAVEs). The system allows users to navigate virtual environments using their natural wheelchair movements, providing haptic feedback based on the terrain they traverse. Both the control software and hardware have been developed from scratch and integrated into various CAVEs, including one with a six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion platform. To test the system, a comparative study was conducted with 21 users, measuring the time taken to complete the same course using different interaction methods and various feedback configurations with the virtual environment. The results show that the shortest times were achieved when users navigated using their natural interaction with their wheelchairs.
CS-FL: Cross-Zone Secure Federated Learning with Blockchain and a Credibility Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Chongzhen , Sun Hongye , Shen Zhaoyu , Wang Dongyu
Published: December 2024

Federated learning enables multiple intelligent devices to collaboratively perform machine learning tasks while preserving local data privacy. However, traditional FL architectures face challenges such as centralization and lack of effective defense mechanisms against malicious nodes, particularly in large-scale edge computing scenarios, which can lead to system instability. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a cross-zone secure federated learning method with blockchain and credibility mechanism, named CS-FL. By constructing a dual-layer blockchain network and introducing a blockchain ledger between zone servers, CS-FL establishes a decentralized trust mechanism for index detection and model aggregation. In node selection, CS-FL considers multiple dimensions, including node quality, communication resources, and historical credibility, and employs a three-stage mechanism that introduces lightweight probe tasks to assess node status before formal FL training, ensuring high-quality nodes participate. Additionally, the credibility incentive mechanism penalizes nodes that bypass probe mechanism and engage in malicious behaviors, effectively mitigating the impact of deceptive attacks. Experimental results show that CS-FL significantly improves the defense performance of FL, reducing attack success rates from 75–85% to below 5–20% when facing different types of threats, and effectively maintaining the training accuracy of the FL model. This demonstrates the potential of CS-FL to enhance the security and stability of FL systems in complex edge computing scenarios.
Multi-Fidelity Machine Learning for Identifying Thermal Insulation Integrity of Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Tanks
Authors: Lin Wei , Zou Meitao , Zhao Mingrui , Chang Jiaqi , Xie Xiongyao
Published: December 2024

The thermal insulation integrity of liquefied natural gas storage tanks is essential for their life-cycle safety. However, perlite settlement (insulation material) can result in thermal leaks and lead to engineering risks. The direct measurement of perlite settlement is difficult due to the enclosed structure of these tanks. To address this challenge, this study presents a data-driven approach based on machine learning and real-time monitoring data. This study proposes a multi-fidelity machine learning framework to enhance generalizability and leverage multi-fidelity data effectively. Low-fidelity data are readily available but contain systematic errors, while high-fidelity data are accurate but limited in accessibility. By combining both types of data, this framework enhances the generalisability and prediction accuracy of trained models. The results of the data experiments demonstrate that the multi-fidelity framework outperforms models trained solely on low- or high-fidelity data, achieving a coefficient of determination of 0.980 and a root mean square error of 0.078 m. Three machine learning algorithms—Multilayer Perceptron, Random Forest, and Extreme Gradient Boosting—were evaluated to determine the optimal implementation. This approach provides a reliable method for the real-time monitoring of thermal insulation integrity in liquefied natural gas storage tanks, contributing to improved industrial safety and operational efficiency.
The Effect of Pitch Surface on Match Running Performance in Women’s Soccer
Authors: Kutnjak Manca , Pavlinovic Vladimir , Modric Toni
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to identify differences in match running performance (MRP) on artificial turf (AT) and natural grass (NG) among female football players. The players’ MRPs (AT; 96 observations, NG; 80 observations) were obtained from all matches (n = 22) of the First Slovenian women’s football league in the season 2023/24 using a global positioning system. Data were categorized into four subsets according to the players’ tactical roles: central defensive player (CD), wide defensive player (FB), midfield player (CM), and offensive player (OF). The variables included total distance (TD), high-intensity running (HIR), high-intensity accelerations (HIA), and decelerations (HID). Results indicated that (i) CDs (Cohen’s d (d) = 0.93) and CMs (d = 1.07) covered significantly greater TD on AT compared to NG, with (ii) no significant differences in TD among FBs and OFs. Additionally, (iii) similar HIR, HIA, and HID values were found for players on all playing positions, irrespective of the pitch surface. These findings suggest that overall match intensity remains consistent between surfaces, but that AT may impose a higher physical demand regarding match volume for CDs and CMs. Therefore, the physical condition of these players should be a major consideration when playing on AT.
Impact of Changes in Rainfall and Temperature on Production of Darjeeling Tea in India
Authors: Sahu Netrananda , Nayan Rajiv , Panda Arpita , Varun Ayush , Kesharwani Ravi , Das Pritiranjan , Kumar Anil , Mallick Suraj Kumar , Mishra Martand Mani , Saini Atul , Aggarwal Sumat Prakash , Nayak Sridhara
Published: December 2024

Globally, there has been a lot of focus on climate variability, especially variability in annual precipitation and temperatures. Depending on the area, different climate variables have different degrees of variation. Therefore, analyzing the temporal and spatial changes or dynamics of meteorological or climatic variables in light of climate change is crucial to identifying the changes induced by climate and providing workable adaptation solutions. This study examined how climate variability affects tea production in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. It also looked at trends in temperature and rainfall between 1991 and 2023. In order to identify significant trends in these climatic factors and their relationship to tea productivity, the study used a variety of statistical tests, including the Sen’s Slope Estimator test, the Mann–Kendall’s test, and regression tests. The study revealed a positive growth trend in rainfall (Sen’s slope = 0.25, p = 0.001, R2 = 0.032), maximum temperature (Sen’s slope = 1.02, p = 0.026, R2 = 0.095), and minimum temperature (Sen’s slope = 4.38, p = 0.006, R2 = 0.556). Even with the rise in rainfall, there has been a decline in tea productivity, as seen by the sharp decline in both the tea cultivated area and the production of tea. The results obtained from the regression analysis showed an inverse relationship between temperature anomalies and tea yield (R = −0.45, p = 0.02, R2 = 0.49), indicating that the growing temperatures were not favorable for the production of tea. Rainfall anomalies, on the other hand, positively correlated with tea yield (R = 0.56, p = 0.01, R2 = 0.68), demonstrating that fluctuations in rainfall have the potential to affect production but not enough to offset the detrimental effects of rising temperatures. These results underline how susceptible the tea sector in Darjeeling is to climate change adversities and the necessity of adopting adaptive methods to lessen these negative consequences. The results carry significance not only for regional stakeholders but also for the global tea industry, which encounters comparable obstacles in other areas.
Microdifferential Pressure Measurement Device for Cellular Microenvironments
Authors: Akaike Mami , Hatakeyama Jun , Saito Yoichi , Nakanishi Yoshitaka , Shimamura Kenji , Nakashima Yuta
Published: December 2024

Mechanical forces influence cellular proliferation, differentiation, tissue morphogenesis, and functional expression within the body. To comprehend the impact of these forces on living organisms, their quantification is essential. This study introduces a novel microdifferential pressure measurement device tailored for cellular-scale pressure assessments. The device comprises a glass substrate and a microchannel constructed of polydimethylsiloxane, polytetrafluoroethylene tubes, a glass capillary, and a microsyringe pump. This device obviates the need for electrical measurements, relying solely on the displacement of ultrapure water within the microchannel to assess the micropressure in embryos. First, the device was subjected to arbitrary pressures, and the relationship between the pressure and the displacement of ultrapure water in the microchannel was determined. Calibration results showed that the displacement dx [μm] could be calculated from the pressure P [Pa] using the equation dx = 0.36 P. The coefficient of determination was shown to be 0.87, indicating a linear response. When utilized to measure brain ventricular pressure in mouse embryos, the fabricated device yielded an average pressure reading of 1313 ± 640 Pa. This device can facilitate the measurement of pressure within microcavities in living tissues and other areas requiring precise and localized pressure evaluations.
The Influence of Biomass Burning on the Organic Content of Urban Aerosols
Authors: Sopčić Suzana , Godec Ranka , Jakovljević Ivana , Bešlić Ivan
Published: December 2024

This study examines the influence of biomass burning on the organic content of urban aerosols in Zagreb, Croatia, by analyzing anhydrosugars, elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) in PM2.5 and PM1 fractions collected during different seasons of 2022. Seasonal trends showed that the highest average concentrations of PM2.5 (27 µg m−3) and PM1 (17 µg m−3) were measured during the winter and decreased in the spring, summer, and autumn, which is in accordance with the specific activities and environmental conditions typical for each season. Different sources of OC and WSOC were noticed across different seasons; levoglucosan (LG) was measured during the winter (1314 ng m−3 in PM2.5 and 931 ng m−3 in PM1), indicating that biomass that was mostly used for residential heating was the main source rather than the agricultural activities that are usually common during warmer seasons. The contribution of LG to PM was 5.3%, while LG contributed to OC by up to 13.4% and LG contributed to WSOC by up to 36.5%. Deviations in typical seasonal variability of LG/WSOC revealed more intense biomass burning episodes during the autumn and several times during the winter season. A back trajectories HYSPLIT model revealed a long-range transport biomass emission source. The levoglucosan-to-mannosan (LG/MNS) ratios indicated the burning of mixed softwood and hardwood during colder seasons and the burning of softwood during warmer seasons. Spearman’s correlation tests and principal component analysis showed a strong and statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlation between LG, PM, OC, EC, and WSOC only during the winter season, demonstrating that they had the same origin in the winter, while their sources in other seasons were diverse.
Sex-Specific Differences in Vertical Jump Force–Time Metrics in Youth Basketball Players
Authors: Petrovic Milos , Cabarkapa Dimitrije , Aleksic Jelena , Cabarkapa Damjana V. , Ramos Jorgelina , Hafsteinsson Thrainn , Gisladottir Thordis
Published: December 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in countermovement jump (CMJ) force–time metrics between male and female youth basketball players. Methods: Twenty-two female and seventeen male basketball players (ages 12–16) performed CMJs on a portable force plate system (VALD Performance). The data collected were analyzed for differences in force–time characteristics, specifically during the concentric and eccentric phases of the CMJ. Results: The results showed no statistically significant differences in anthropometric characteristics between the sexes. However, male athletes demonstrated better performance in several force–time metrics during the concentric phase of the CMJ, including concentric impulse, peak velocity, and mean power, ultimately leading to higher vertical jump heights. Sex-specific differences in the eccentric phase were less pronounced, though males exhibited greater relative eccentric mean power. Conclusions: The findings suggest that male players tend to display greater force and power-producing capabilities during the propulsive (concentric) phase of the CMJ. These differences highlight the importance of tailoring training programs to address specific needs, particularly focusing on enhancing concentric force and power production in female basketball players.
The Effect of Ankle Dorsiflexion on Sagittal Posture and Core Muscle Activation
Authors: Reis e Silva Miguel , Lerebourg Lucie
Published: December 2024

Maintaining proper posture is essential for preventing musculoskeletal disorders and reducing injury risks. This study investigates the impact of insoles with ankle dorsiflexion (inverted drop sole) on sagittal posture, spinal curvatures, and core muscle activation. Methods: Fifty-five participants (29 men, 26 women; aged 20–70 years) were evaluated in two conditions: barefoot and with insoles incorporating an inverted drop sole. Kinematic data of trunk, hip, and knee angles, along with spinal curvatures (dorsal kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sacral slope), were collected using the Simi Aktysis 3D system and the Medi Mouse IDIAG 360®. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the rectus abdominis and rectus femoris muscles was analyzed using the Bioplux® device. Statistical analyses were conducted using Wilcoxon tests (W) for non-parametric data and Student’s t-tests (T) for parametric data with significance set at p < 0.05. For parametric data, effect size (ES) was used to assess the magnitude of differences based on the Cohen scale. For nonparametric data, the rank biserial correlation (rB) was used, considered an ES equivalent to the correlation coefficient. Results: Significant differences were observed between the barefoot and insole conditions for trunk and knee angles (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively) with moderate and large magnitude of difference (rB = −0.41 and rB = −0.96, respectively). No significant change in hip angle (p = 0.162) was observed. Spinal curvatures, including dorsal kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sacral slope, significantly decreased (p < 0.001), with a large magnitude of difference for dorsal kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sacral scope (rB = 0.71, rB = −0.94 and ES = 0.54, respectively). EMG analysis revealed the increased activation of the rectus abdominis and rectus femoris muscles (p < 0.001), with a large magnitude of difference both the rectus abdominis and rectus femoris (rB = −0.82, and ES = −0.82, respectively). Conclusions: Insoles with ankle dorsiflexion significantly improve sagittal posture by reducing spinal curvatures and enhancing core muscle activation. These findings suggest that dorsiflexion technology in footwear may serve as a non-invasive strategy for improving posture, preventing musculoskeletal disorders, and managing low back pain.
Ten-Year Persistence of Biologic Drugs in Psoriasis and Its Relationship with Pharmacogenetic Biomarkers
Authors: Rodríguez-Lopez Andrea , Martínez-Sendino María , Prieto-Pérez Rocío , Soria-Chacartegui Paula , González-Iglesias Eva , Aparicio-Domínguez Mario , Berenguer-Ruiz Sonsoles , Daudén Esteban , Abad-Santos Francisco
Published: December 2024

Background: Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by the presence of erythematous, scaly plaques on the extensor surfaces of the body. Treatment varies according to the stage of the disease, with the most severe cases being treated with biologic treatments that differ in efficacy and persistence over time. This study aimed to evaluate the 10-year persistence of biologic drugs (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and ustekinumab) in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Methods: A total of 143 patients (61 women and 82 men) were evaluated; data were collected from the electronic clinical history, and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS program. In addition, 115 of them were genotyped in a previous study for 173 immune system genetic polymorphisms. Results: The persistence of biologic drugs at 10 years was 25.9% (95% CI: 17.2–34.5%). Adalimumab was the most persistent drug (41.5%), followed by ustekinumab (34.8%), infliximab (28%) and etanercept (9.3%). The main reason for discontinuation was insufficient efficacy (51%). Adalimumab allowed an increase in the dosing interval in 82.4% of patients who persisted and ustekinumab allowed an increase in 37.5%. The 10-year persistence was related to sex (higher in men, p < 0.001), biologic drug (p = 0.002) and polymorphisms in LMO4 (rs983332) (p = 0.014) and IL20RA (rs1167846) (p = 0.013). Conclusion: The results show that 25% of psoriasis patients treated with first-line biologics persisted at 10 years.