bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Not uni-dimension! Exploring the multi-dimensional concept of positive body image in the Chinese context
Authors: Yan Hanqin
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Past researchers often used single measurement to explore the overall level of positive body image, which caused much misunderstanding of positive body image. With a positive psychology perspective, and based on the holistic positive body image theory, this study explored the multi-dimensional concept of positive body image in the Chinese context, integrated its three measures, examined the overall level of positive body image among Chinese college students, and tested the gender measurement invariance, as well as explored the latent categories of positive body image in the college student population.

Methods

A convenience sampling method was used to survey 670 college students in China, using the Chinese version of Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS), Body Image Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-5 (BI-AAQ-5), and the Positive Body Talk Scale (PBTS). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the three dimensions of positive body image, and a measurement invariance test was used to figure out the measurement invariance of the three scales on the gender variable, lastly, latent profile analysis was used to explore the latent categories of positive body image among Chinese college students.

Results

(1) Three measures of positive body image were able to measure Chinese college students' overall positive body image well, and had good measurement invariance on the variable of gender; (2) Chinese college students' positive body image could be divided into three potential categories, namely, “low-level of positive body image” (32.2%), “general-level positive body image” (40.4%), and “high-level positive body image” (27.4%); (3) positive body talk can significantly and positively predict the overall positive body image of Chinese college students.

Conclusion

We conclude that the three measures of positive body image are valid and versatile to Chinese college students and have high relevance with positive body talk, we also validate the multidimensional concept of positive body image in the Chinese context and hope to lead future Chinese researchers for better understanding the multi-dimensional concept of positive body image, and use the three measures to measure the holistic positive body image. We reveal and identify three latent categories of positive body image to effectively promote the healthy development of Chinese college students' macro-ecosystem.
Walking in a self-selected enjoyable colored environment: exploring gender-specific effects and dynamics of affects, perceived exertion, heart rate, and preferred walking speed
Authors: Hassanein Youmna Elsayed , Briki Walid , Majed Lina
Published: January 2025

Aim

Existing literature suggests that exposure to colored environments can influence psychological, physiological, and behavioral responses. This study examined the effects of experiencing a self-selected enjoyable colored environment, compared to a neutral one, on psychological and physiological responses, as well as preferred walking speed during a 20-min treadmill walk.

Methods

Eighty participants (40 females) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (preferred colored environment) or a control group (neutral gray environment). Data were collected at five regular intervals during the treadmill walk.

Results

Participants walked significantly slower in the colored environment compared to the neutral one, with this effect more pronounced in females, who significantly reduced their walking speed, while males remained unaffected. The walking task generally decreased depression and confusion levels; females showed a stronger reduction in depression, while males exhibited no significant change. During the task, females revealed significantly higher levels of perceived exertion and heart rate compared to males. A dynamic pattern emerged over time, with increases in perceived exertion, arousal, heart rate, and walking speed, while pleasure levels remained stable.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that females are more responsive—psychologically, physiologically, and behaviorally—to both the preferred colored environment and the walking task, demonstrating a greater tendency to derive wellbeing benefits from subtle stimuli. Furthermore, the observed dynamic pattern suggests the view that self-paced walking is intrinsically governed by a pleasure-driven dynamic. These insights offer valuable implications for designing tailored interventions and strategies to promote physical activity through walking. Future research should further explore the role of color preference perception and self-paced walking in enhancing wellbeing, particularly within exercise and rehabilitation contexts.
Relationship between sense of coherence and subjective well-being among family caregivers of breast cancer patients: a latent profile analysis
Authors: Wang Hui , Wu Yuxia , Huang Xuefang , Yan Haiou
Published: January 2025

Objective

Sense of coherence (SOC) assists cancer-affected caregivers in overcoming challenges in the process of caregiving and may potentially influence an individual’s subjective well-being (SWB). This study aimed to explore distinct SOC profiles among caregivers of breast cancer patients, identify the distribution differences of these profiles in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and explore their relationship with SWB.

Methods

A total of 360 patients with caregivers of breast cancer patients from one tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu completed the Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13), and the General Subjective Well-Being Schedule (GWB). Mplus 8.3 for latent profile was performed to identify SOC classes. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of various factors on the different categories, and ANOVA was applied to compare the SWB among caregivers of different categories.

Results

Three latent profiles of SOC were identified: the “low sense of coherence-meaning group” (7.9%), the “moderate sense of coherence-manageability group” (37.3%), and the “high sense of coherence-optimism group” (54.7%). Age, residence, health status, financial pressure, caregiving duration, and breast cancer stage significantly influenced the distribution of SOC in caregivers of breast cancer patients. The SWB level differed significantly among these three categories.

Conclusion

This study identified three distinct classes of SOC among caregivers. It is recommended that health care providers screen caregivers with diverse profiles of SOC and pay more attention to young, rural, long-term caregiving duration, heavy economic burden, and caregivers in poor physical condition.
Protocol for a nested case-control study: identifying neuroimaging biomarkers for the progression of subclinical depression and qi-stagnation constitution to major depressive disorder in adolescents
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhang Chengfeng , Zhang Yueqi , Liu Yuanyuan , Zhang Jingli , Fang Xingwei , Xia Wangyang , Xie Yanzhao , Lan Zhongli , Wang Jinhui , Lu Min , Chen Jun
Published: January 2025

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently results in suboptimal treatment outcomes and elevated recurrence rate, with patients frequently engaging in self-harm and suicidal behavior, thereby placing a heavy burden on families and society. Specifically, MDD in adolescents is linked to an elevated suicide risk. Thus, early identification and intervention is crucial for adolescents at high risk for developing MDD. Subclinical depression (SD), characterized by depressive symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for MDD, substantially increases the risk of developing MDD. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine body constitution theory, Qi-stagnation constitution (QSC) is also considered a significant risk factor for the progression to MDD. This study protocol aims to identify neuroimaging biomarkers for the progression from adolescents with SD and QSC to those with MDD, facilitating early intervention strategies.

Methods and analysis

This nested case-control study includes both longitudinal follow-up and cross-sectional comparison. Three hundred first-year senior high school students diagnosed with SD and QSC will be recruited. The 300 adolescents will undergo rs-fMRI scans at baseline and again after one year. We then divide the 300 adolescents with SD and QSC into two groups based on whether they progress to MDD after one year. Functional brain networks will be constructed based on 400 regions of interest (ROIs). Neuroimaging measures, including regional homogeneity and low-frequency fluctuation for each ROI, as well as graph-based global efficiency, nodal efficiency, and nodal centrality from the binary networks, will then be calculated. Finally, differences in these neuroimaging measures between the two groups at baseline will be analyzed to identify biomarkers that can predict the progression from adolescents with SD and QSC to those with MDD.

Study registration

This study protocol does not involve clinical interventions and is classified as an observational study, so it was not subject to prior registration.
Biochemical methods for producing and characterising recombinant spider silks
Authors: Maraldo Anton , Torpey James H. , Evans Sasha L. , Rawal Aditya , Yarger Jeffery L. , Isaacson Rivka L. , Marquis Christopher P. , Blamires Sean J.
Published: January 2025

Here, we review the processes involved in producing and assessing the quality of recombinant spider silk proteins (spidroins) and the challenges associated with their synthesis and spinning into robust fibres. We provide an overview of the techniques used to produce the proteins, from gene synthesis to expression in various host organisms. Evidence suggests that the N- and C-terminal regions of spidroins are of utmost importance for fibre assembly and the repetitive domains are responsible for the unique mechanical properties in both native and recombinant versions of spider silks. We describe the role of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) in spidroin assembly and its importance in subsequent fibre formation. Recent developments in recombinant spidroin production and co-expression strategies for improving yield and scalability are highlighted. Techniques such as mass photometry and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) for analysing protein purity and assembly behaviour are thereupon detailed. Finally, we address the role that predictive computational methods play in the future of designing novel and high-performing materials inspired by spidroins.
Clinical outcomes of dogs with high-grade cutaneous mast cell tumors
Authors: Ong Siew Mei , McKenna Charly , Pinard Christopher , Richardson Danielle , Oblak Michelle L.
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in dogs with high-grade cutaneous mast cell tumors (HGMCTs).

Methods

Medical records of dogs with a histopathologic diagnosis of HGMCTs were reviewed from a single institution. Clinical factors, treatment-related variables, and adjuvant therapies were documented to evaluate their association with clinical outcomes. Comparative and survival analyses were conducted using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, log-rank, and Fisher’s exact tests.

Results

The overall median survival time for the 77 dogs was 317 days (range 20–3,041 days) with 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival rates of 69, 50, and 30%, respectively. Surgically treated dogs had significantly prolonged survival and were 6.88 times more likely to survive beyond 5.5 months. The presence of metastasis at initial staging was strongly associated with poorer outcomes, as dogs without metastasis at initial staging had 6.94 times higher odds of surviving beyond 2 years. Surgical sites with incomplete margins had a higher local recurrence rate (58%) compared to those with clean margins (26%). Despite aggressive treatment, 75% of the dogs that received concurrent surgical and adjuvant therapy experienced disease progression. Lymph node extirpation, tumor localization, number of tumors, and local recurrence were not associated with the overall outcome.

Clinical relevance

The combination of aggressive local therapy and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy provides a notable survival benefit in dogs with HGMCTs. The limited therapeutic benefit of locoregional lymph node extirpation, combined with a persistently high metastatic rate despite systemic chemotherapy, highlights the critical need for more effective regional and systemic treatment approaches for HGMCT patients.
Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Differences in Flavonoid Synthesis During Fruit Development of Capsicum frutescens pericarp
Authors: Yang Yinxin , Cai Qihang , Wang Xuan , Yang Yanbo , Li Liping , Sun Zhenghai , Li Weiwei
Published: January 2025

Capsicum frutescens is a valuable economic crop that is widely cultivated for its unique flavor and rich nutritional content. While some studies have shown differences in flavonoid content among different chili species, the mechanism by which changes in flavonoid composition lead to fruit color variations in C. frutescens remains underreported. We performed transcriptomics and widely targeted metabolome sequencing on three different growth stages of the C. frutescens fruit and analyzed the data to better understand the mechanism of color change. Based on previous research on the genes that regulate flavonoid compounds and the MBW complex, we have identified a total of 28 core genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis and 8 genes that may be related to flavonoid synthesis. Through extensive targeted metabolomic analysis, 581 differential metabolites were identified, including 43 flavonoids. Most anthocyanins, flavonols, and flavonoids were found to be more abundant during the immature fruit stage, which we presume is associated with the differential expression of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and regulation. These findings provide a useful reference for understanding flavonoid synthesis and the accumulation of fruits in C. frutescens.
The Quality Turn of Food Deserts into Food Oases in European Cities: Market Opportunities for Local Producers
Authors: Fernández-Casal Laura , Karakaya Ayalp Emel , Öztürk Sevim Pelin , Navas-Gracia Luis Manuel , Geçer Sargın Feral , Pinedo-Gil Julia
Published: January 2025

The current conventional food system is led by large-scale agribusinesses, characterized by industrialized production and increasing distance between food production and consumption. In response, alternative food initiatives (AFIs) have typically emerged as grassroots initiatives that may not be uniformly distributed or accessible. Food deserts, areas with limited access to healthy and affordable food, are often discussed without considering food quality. Addressing this, this article aims to assess food deserts for healthy, local, and sustainable products in 11 European cities, comparing conditions before and after the implementation of innovative actions focused on shortening food chains during three years of study. The methodology involves locating alternative production and consumption spaces (APSs and ACSs) and drawing a walking distance around them, identifying densely populated areas outside these radii as food deserts. The results show that the implementation of AFIs has reduced food deserts in 9 out of 11 cities (average from 10.1% at T0 to 7.4% at Tf), opening new market opportunities for local producers and increasing consumer access to local and sustainable produce. The implementation of this study’s approach can potentially transform food deserts into food oases, enhancing food security and sustainability.
Exploring Suitable Nitrification Inhibitor in an Intensively Cultivated Greenhouse Soil and Its Effect on the Abundance and Community of Soil Ammonia Oxidizers
Authors: Liu Xing , Cheng Yanan , Zhang Ying , Wang Fei , Li Yonggang , Shen Changwei , Chen Bihua
Published: January 2025

The application of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) is an effective way to reduce soil nitrogen (N) losses and increase crop N uptake. Yet, the efficacy of NIs commonly varies with dosages, crop systems and soil environmental conditions. Hence, clarifying the suitable type and dosage of NIs is extremely important for structuring the best N management regime at a regional scale. Here, based on microcosm experiments, we evaluated the influence of three widely used NIs [Dicyandiamide, DCD; 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate, DMPP; 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine, Nitrapyrin] on the nitrification activity of an intensively cultivated greenhouse soil. The results showed that both DCD and DMPP imposed a transient inhibition on nitrification (less than five days) regardless of the dosages applied, and, on the contrary, Nitrapyrin presented a persistent suppression, with a longer duration of the inhibition action by a higher dosage. Accordingly, the incorporation of Nitrapyrin at 2% of the applied N rate (w/w) is a recommendable dosage for local intensive greenhouse production. Further, we assessed the influence of various dosages of Nitrapyrin incorporation (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 2% and 5%) on the abundance and community of three groups of soil ammonia oxidizers [i.e., ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and completely ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (Comammox Nitrospira)] by qPCR and high-throughput amplicon sequencing. Nitrapyrin incorporation strongly lowered both the AOB and Comammox Nitrospira abundances and their community richness even at the lowest dosage. Nitrapyrin incorporation also significantly altered the community structure of all of the tested ammonia oxidizers, and the average relative abundance of some major community members (i.e., the Nitrososphaerales Clade Nitrososphaera, Nitrososphaerales Clade A, Nitrosospira briensis Clade, Nitrosospira multiformis Clade, Comammox Nitrospira Clade A.2 and Comammox Nitrospira Clade A-associated) obviously responded to Nitrapyrin incorporation. Overall, our findings indicated that AOB and Comammox Nitrospira were more sensitive to Nitrapyrin incorporation as compared with AOA. The results obtained here highlight the importance of optimizing the type and dosage of NIs for N fertilization management in intensive greenhouse vegetable production. Nitrapyrin incorporation inhibits soil nitrification probably by suppressing the Nitrosospira multiformis Clade in the AOB community at the level tested herein.
A Novel Large-Particle Slow-Release Fertilizer Improves Nutrient Use Efficiency and Yield of Cassava by Boundary Layer Limitation
Authors: He Cuicui , Wang Hua , Li Guichun , Huang Jie , Wang Dengfeng , Qin Xindao , Zhang Wen , Wu Dongming , Jiu Yuanda , Zhao Min , Xie Yi , Chen Qingmian , Zhou Rongfei , Xu Minggang
Published: January 2025

Cassava is a crucial food and economic crop in tropical regions globally. In response to challenges in fertilizer use efficiency for cassava cultivation, which is traditionally compromised by extensive leaching and broad root zone distribution, a novel large-particle slow-release fertilizer (LPF) was developed in this study. This fertilizer was synthesized through solution polymerization using non-metallic minerals and seaweed extract. Compared to conventional SFs that release 99% of nutrients within 1 min, the LPF prolonged the release duration to 51 min under optimal synthesis conditions: drying temperature of 80 °C, total extrusion force of 40 t, drying air pressure of −0.40 bar, auxiliary mineral proportion of 50%, and water content of 15%. Microbeam characterization (e.g., FTIR) and kinetic modeling revealed that the superior performance of LPF resulted from mineral crystal enrichment in the outer layer of fertilizer granules, facilitating intra-particle diffusion processes and imposing boundary layer limitations on nutrient release (e.g., N, P, and K). Field experiments validated the slow-release performance of the fertilizer. Notably, soil treated with LPF exhibited superior nutrient retention in the topsoil layer (0–20 cm) both horizontally and vertically. Even with two-thirds of the nutrient content relative to conventional fertilizers, LPF also displayed significant improvements in crop yield, partial factor productivity, and agronomic efficiency by 33.56%, 200.01%, and 513.84%, respectively. These results indicate that LPF presents a promising solution for sustainable cassava cultivation.
Effects of Resveratrol on Redox Status, Jejunal Injury, and Mitochondrial Function in Intrauterine Growth-Retarded Weaned Piglets
Authors: Cheng Kang , Yao Jinxiu , Song Zhihua , Huang Jin , Zhao Hongyue , Yang Ranya , Meng Yao , Wang Jinrong , Zhang Yong
Published: January 2025

This study investigated the effects of resveratrol (RSV) on redox status, jejunal injury, and mitochondrial function in intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) weaned piglets. In total, 12 male normal birth weight (NBW) newborn piglets and 24 male IUGR newborn piglets were selected. They were weaned at 26 days of age and then divided into three treatments in a three-week trial: (1) NBW piglets fed a basal diet; (2) IUGR piglets fed a basal diet; (3) IUGR piglets fed a basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg RSV. Compared with NBW piglets, IUGR piglets showed decreased growth performance, altered redox status, impaired jejunal morphology, tight junction protein expression, energy production, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. RSV enhanced antioxidant defense capacity and improved jejunal morphology, ATP generation, and mitochondrial complex I content in IUGR weaned piglets. Dietary RSV supplementation alleviated the IUGR-induced jejunal injury in weaned piglets probably by improving redox status and mitochondrial function, suggesting that RSV has the potential to be a dietary intervention in the regulation of intestinal injury in IUGR piglets.
Benzoic Acid, Enterococcus faecium, and Essential Oil Complexes Improve Ovarian and Intestinal Health via Modulating Gut Microbiota in Laying Hens Challenged with Clostridium perfringens and Coccidia
Authors: Zhang Hongye , Liang Fengjia , Gong Haojie , Mao Xiangbing , Ding Xuemei , Bai Shiping , Zeng Qiufeng , Xuan Yue , Zhang Keying , Wang Jianping
Published: January 2025

Intestinal disease is becoming increasingly prevalent in poultry production; however, the effect of BEC in laying hens challenged with C. perfringens and coccidia is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with BEC on intestinal and ovarian health in laying hens challenged with C. perfringens and coccidia. A total of 80 Lohmann gray hens (35 weeks) were randomly assigned to two dietary groups supplemented with BEC (0 or 1000 mg/kg). Each group contained 40 replicates, with one bird each (one hen per cage). During the sixth week of the trial, half of the laying hens in each group (n = 20) were administered 40 mL C. perfringens (2.5 × 1010 CFU/mL) and 0.15 mL coccidia (55,000 sporangia/mL), while the other half (n = 20) were administered 40 mL phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The results indicated that those challenged with C. perfringens and coccidia had severely damaged jejunal and ovarian histopathological morphology, increased oxidative damage, decreased cecal acetic acid and butyric acid content (p < 0.05), and resulted in lower gut microbial richness and diversity. The diet of 1000 mg/kg BEC reduced the jejunal and ovarian pathological damage and oxidative damage, increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content, and enhanced gut microbial richness and diversity (p < 0.05) in laying hens challenged with C. perfringens and coccidia. Furthermore, the positive effects of BEC on intestinal health were associated with changes in gut microbial composition and structure. In summary, dietary supplementation with BEC has the potential to reduce the severity of intestinal and ovarian damage caused by challenges posed by C. perfringens and coccidia through the modulation of gut microbiota.
The Secondary Resistome of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to β-Lactam Antibiotics
Authors: Abdelmalek Nader , Yousief Sally Waheed , Bojer Martin Saxtorph , Alobaidallah Mosaed Saleh A. , Olsen John Elmerdahl , Paglietti Bianca
Published: January 2025

Background: Therapeutic strategies for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are increasingly limited due to the ability of the pathogen to evade conventional treatments such as vancomycin and daptomycin. This challenge has shifted the focus towards novel strategies, including the resensitization of β-lactams, which are still used as first-line treatments for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). To achieve this, it is essential to identify the secondary resistome associated with the clinically relevant β-lactam antibiotics. Methods: Transposon-Directed Insertion Site Sequencing (TraDIS) was employed to assess conditional essentiality by analyzing the depletion of mutants from a highly saturated transposon library of MRSA USA300 JE2 exposed to ½ minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin or cefazolin. Results: TraDIS analysis led to the identification of 52 shared fitness genes involved in β-lactam resistance that are primarily linked to cell wall metabolism and regulatory systems. Among these, both known resistance factors and novel conditionally essential genes were highlighted. As proof of concept, transposon mutants corresponding to nine genes (sagB, SAUSA300_0657, SAUSA300_0957, SAUSA300_1683, SAUSA300_1964, SAUSA300_1966, SAUSA300_1967, SAUSA300_1692, and mazF) were grown in the presence of β-lactam antibiotics and their MICs were determined. All mutants showed significantly reduced resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. Conclusions: This comprehensive genome-wide investigation provides novel insights into the resistance mechanisms of β-lactam antibiotics, and suggests potential therapeutic targets for combination therapies with helper drugs.
ARCS: Adaptive Reinforcement Learning Framework for Automated Cybersecurity Incident Response Strategy Optimization
Authors: Ren Shaochen , Jin Jianian , Niu Guanchong , Liu Yang
Published: January 2025

The increasing sophistication and frequency of cyber attacks necessitate automated and intelligent response mechanisms that can adapt to evolving threats. This paper presents ARCS (Adaptive Reinforcement learning for Cybersecurity Strategy), a novel framework that leverages deep reinforcement learning to optimize automated incident response strategies in cybersecurity systems. Our approach uniquely combines state representation learning of security events with a hierarchical decision-making process to map attack patterns to optimal defense measures. The framework employs a custom reward mechanism that balances incident resolution time, system stability, and defense effectiveness. Using a comprehensive dataset of 20,000 cybersecurity incidents, we demonstrate that ARCS achieves 27.3% faster incident resolution times and 31.2% higher defense effectiveness compared to traditional rule-based approaches. The framework shows particular strength in handling complex, multi-stage attacks, reducing false positive rates by 42.8% while maintaining robust system performance. Through extensive experiments, we validated that our approach can effectively generalize across different attack types and adapt to previously unseen threat patterns. The results suggest that reinforcement learning-based automation can significantly enhance cybersecurity incident response capabilities, particularly in environments requiring rapid and precise defensive actions.
NDEExplorer: Visual Analytics for Exploring Damage Modes via Multimodal Data in the Non-Destructive Examination of Composite Materials
Authors: Guo Dongliang , Zhou Lisha , Luo Xingfa
Published: January 2025

Non-destructive examination (NDE) in the field of materials engineering is a technique based on acoustics and optical principles used for detecting and evaluating internal defects in materials without causing any damage. The majority of current research on material damage focuses on the analysis of a single NDE method, resulting in low correlation between different NDE methods, and their results are frequently presented as complex data and images, making it difficult for professionals to obtain intuitive inspection results. Therefore, we propose a visual analytics system, NDEExplorer, aimed at solving these problems through visual analytics techniques. The system supports the use of two NDE methods, Acoustic Emission (AE) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC), providing interactive and intuitive views for observing composite material damage features. In addition, the system features a fusion analysis approach and a view that combines AE and DIC methods, enabling users to explore the correlations and trends in multimodal data generated during the material damage process. For users, the application of this system can help accurately identify the various material damage stages and their accompanying damage modes. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, we conduct a case study using two modal datasets from the same composite material damage scenario and carry out qualitative interviews with professionals and graduate students in the field. Finally, the quantitative feedback from a user study confirms the usefulness of our visual system for the multimodal analysis of material damage datasets.
Mass Estimation-Based Path Tracking Control for Autonomous Commercial Vehicles
Authors: Wang Zhihong , Zhong Jiefeng , Hu Jie , Zhang Zhiling , Zhao Wenlong
Published: January 2025

This paper addresses the significant variations in model parameters observed in autonomous commercial vehicles in comparison to passenger cars, with a disparity noted largely due to changes in load. Additionally, it tackles the issue of path tracking inaccuracy caused by external factors such as delays in steering system execution. The proposed solution is a hierarchical control method, grounded in mass estimation and model predictive control(MPC). Initially, to counter the variation in model parameters, a mass estimator is developed. This estimator utilizes the recursive least squares method with a forgetting factor, coupled with M-estimation, thereby enhancing the robustness of the estimation and achieving model correction. Subsequently, an upper-level MPC controller is constructed based on the error model, thereby augmenting the precision of tracking control. To address the delay in the steering system execution common in autonomous commercial vehicles, a lower-level steering angle compensator is designed to expedite the response speed of the execution. The feasibility of the vehicle’s front wheel angle is constrained via the rollover index, thereby enhancing vehicle stability during operation. The efficacy of the proposed control strategy is demonstrated with joint simulations using TruckSim/Simulink and real vehicle tests. The results indicate that this strategy can effectively manage the model mismatch caused by load changes in commercial vehicles and the delay in steering system execution, thereby exhibiting commendable tracking accuracy, adaptability, and driving stability.
Thermal and Acoustic Design of a Shelter for High-Voltage Electrical Equipment
Authors: Basu Somayan , Piana Edoardo
Published: January 2025

The growing demand for electric energy requires smarter and quicker distribution systems. In urban contexts, a smarter distribution of electric power to various classes of consumers, according to their demands, is possible through compact sorters. Since this type of device must be protected from unwanted access by people, wildlife and inclement weather, protection must be placed around the main components. When deployed in urban areas, housing can be built using solid panels. However, there is a risk of overheating the vital and costly parts of the system with the possibility to cause malfunction and, in extreme cases, damage. Moreover, leaving the system open exposes nearby residents to the impulsive noise produced during the operation of the switchgears being part of the system. Hence, there is a need to reach a suitable trade-off between optimal heat transfer and noise propagation. This article attempts to explain the thermal design backed by experimental validation and the noise-spreading modelling necessary to assess the respect of environmental legislation.
Characterization of Cantal and Salers Protected Designation of Origin Cheeses Based on Sensory Analysis, Physicochemical Characteristics and Volatile Compounds
Authors: Bord Cécile , Lenoir Louis , Benoit Julie , Guérinon Delphine , Dechambre Gilles , Chassard Christophe , Coelho Christian
Published: January 2025

In this work, the aim was to characterize and differentiate two Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) semi-hard French cheese categories (Salers and Cantal cheeses) by focusing on their sensory, biochemical and volatile characteristics. A total of twelve cheeses, including six Cantal and six Salers cheeses, were analyzed. The provenance of milk from two dairy cow breeds (Salers and non-Salers) was discussed sensorially and chemically for each cheese sample and for each cheese category. Despite very few significant differences in biochemical parameters, differences were observed concerning the volatile composition and sensory profiles between each cheese category. Salers cheeses were clearly differentiated by their appearance and their more intense aromatic characteristics compared to Cantal cheeses. A large number of volatile compounds (VOCs) belonging to acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and esters were detected in each cheese category (n = 78). The relative quantity of each compound varied depending on the cheese category but was lowly impacted by the origin of the breed’s milk. The results suggest that the provenance of milk (Salers vs. non-Salers) have a low impact on the chemical and sensory differentiation of cheeses regardless of the PDO cheese category. However, the PDO cheese categories (Salers vs. Cantal) were clearly differentiated by their volatile and sensory characteristics. The PDO Salers cheeses presented the highest flavor variability compared to the PDO Cantal cheeses due to compounds belonging to alcohols, acids, aldehydes and ester conferring ammonia, vegetal and animal flavors compared to the PDO Cantal cheeses that were perceived as more pungent and bitter.
Contrast-Invariant Edge Detection: A Methodological Advance in Medical Image Analysis
Authors: Li Dang , Pang Patrick Cheong-Iao , Lam Chi-Kin
Published: January 2025

Edge detection methods are significant in medical imaging-assisted diagnosis. However, existing methods based on grayscale gradient computation still need to be optimized in practicality, especially in terms of actual visual quality and sensitivity to image contrast. To optimize the visualization and enhance the robustness of contrast changes, we propose the Contrast Invariant Edge Detection (CIED) method. CIED combines Gaussian filtering and morphological processing methods to preprocess medical images. It utilizes the three Most Significant Bit (MSB) planes and binary images to detect and extract significant edge information. Each bit plane is used to detect edges in 3 × 3 blocks by the proposed algorithm, and then the edge information from each plane is fused to obtain an edge image. This method is generalized to common types of images. Since CIED is based on binary bit planes and eliminates complex pixel operations, it is faster and more efficient. In addition, CIED is insensitive to changes in image contrast, making it more flexible in its application. To comprehensively evaluate the performance of CIED, we develop a medical image dataset and conduct edge image and contrast evaluation experiments based on these images. The results show that the average precision of CIED is 0.408, the average recall is 0.917, and the average F1-score is 0.550. The results indicate that CIED is not only more practical in terms of visual effects but also robust in terms of contrast invariance. The comparison results with other methods also confirm the advantages of CIED. This study provides a novel approach for edge detection within medical images.
Acute Effects of Dark Chocolate on Physical Performance in Young Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot Study
Authors: Benedetti Luca , Nigro Federico , Malaguti Marco , Di Michele Rocco , Angeloni Cristina
Published: January 2025

Background: Dark chocolate is rich in polyphenols and has been linked to cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. Its potential effects on recovery, fatigue reduction, and subjective wellness in elite athletes, however, remain underexplored. This pilot study examined the acute effects of dark chocolate consumption on wellness scores, perception of effort, and GPS-based performance measures in elite soccer players during a 4-week intervention period. Methods: Twenty-two elite soccer players were assessed in two conditions—when consuming 25g/day of 85% dark chocolate (DC), or with no dietary intervention (CG). Subjective fatigue and wellness were assessed daily through validated self-report questionnaires. External loads were monitored during training and matches. Results: Athletes in the DC group reported significant reductions in muscle soreness scores and an increase in match and training physical performance (distance at very high deceleration), as compared with the CG group. Conclusions: Daily consumption of dark chocolate may reduce muscle damage and enhance physical performance in elite athletes. These findings suggest that dark chocolate could be a practical dietary strategy to support recovery and overall well-being in high-performance contexts.
Research and Application of a Multi-Agent-Based Intelligent Mine Gas State Decision-Making System
Authors: Sun Yi , Liu Xinke
Published: January 2025

To address the issues of low efficiency in manual processing and lack of accuracy in judgment within traditional mine gas safety inspections, this paper designs and implements the Intelligent Mine Gas State Decision-Making System based on large language models (LLMs) and a multi-agent system. The system aims to enhance the accuracy of gas over-limit alarms and improve the efficiency of generating judgment reports. The system integrates the reasoning capabilities of LLMs and optimizes task allocation and execution efficiency of agents through the study of the hybrid multi-agent orchestration algorithm. Furthermore, the system establishes a comprehensive gas risk assessment knowledge base, encompassing historical alarm data, real-time monitoring data, alarm judgment criteria, treatment methods, and relevant policies and regulations. Additionally, the system incorporates several technologies, including retrieval-augmented generation based on human feedback mechanisms, tool management, prompt engineering, and asynchronous processing, which further enhance the application performance of the LLM in the gas status judgment system. Experimental results indicate that the system effectively improves the efficiency of gas alarm processing and the quality of judgment reports in coal mines, providing solid technical support for accident prevention and management in mining operations.
Reliability-Constrained Structural Design Optimization Using Visual Programming in Building Information Modeling (BIM) Projects
Authors: Yavan Feyzullah , Maalek Reza
Published: January 2025

Providing safe, environmentally conscious, and cost-effective designs is the primary duty of civil engineers. To this end, many different algorithms and methods have been developed in parallel with the progress of digital technologies over the past decades. Techniques such as AI-based Metaheuristic Algorithms (MAs), Reliability Analysis, and Building Information Modelling (BIM) are some of those methods that serve this purpose. The present study focuses on establishing a design optimization methodology by implementing the techniques in the open literature on one software environment to create a robust engineering and architectural workflow. The methodology involves multiple stages such as (i) creating parametric trusses employing Visual Programming (VP) software Dynamo (Version: 3.0.4); (ii) performing a First-order Reliability Method (FORM) analysis which includes a Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis as a Limit State Function (LSF); (iii) employing MAs to achieve optimum design variables under uncertain design constraints; (iv) testing the methodology with various real-word examples and scenarios; (v) creating an optimized model on Robot Structural Analysis 2024 (RSA) software in real time in the purpose of further adjustments. The results demonstrated that creating a design optimization workflow by utilizing a BIM environment can enhance the design process by easing the storing, sharing, and utilizing of design data by different branches capable of performing different complicated tasks successfully.
Evaluation and Selection of Hardware and AI Models for Edge Applications: A Method and A Case Study on UAVs
Authors: Canpolat Şahin Müge , Kolukısa Tarhan Ayça
Published: January 2025

This study proposes a method for selecting suitable edge hardware and Artificial Intelligence (AI) models to be deployed on these edge devices. Edge AI, which enables devices at the network periphery to perform intelligent tasks locally, is rapidly expanding across various domains. However, selecting appropriate edge hardware and AI models is a multi-faceted challenge due to the wide range of available options, diverse application requirements, and the unique constraints of edge environments, such as limited computational power, strict energy constraints, and the need for real-time processing. Ad hoc approaches often lead to non-optimal solutions and inefficiency problems. Considering these issues, we propose a method based on the ISO/IEC 25010:2011 quality standard, integrating Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) techniques to assess both the hardware and software aspects of Edge AI applications systematically. For the proposed method, we conducted an experiment consisting of two stages: In the first stage of the experiment, to show the applicability of the method across different use cases, we tested the method with four scenarios on UAVs, each presenting distinct edge requirements. In the second stage of the experiment, guided by the method’s recommendations for Scenario I, where the STM32H7 series microcontrollers were identified as the suitable hardware and the object detection model with Single Shot Multi-Box Detector (SSD) architecture and MobileNet backbone as the suitable AI model, we developed a TensorFlow Lite model from scratch to enhance the efficiency and versatility of the model for object detection tasks across various categories. This additional TensorFlow Lite model is aimed to show how the proposed method can guide the further development of optimized AI models tailored to the constraints and requirements of specific edge hardware.
Long-Range Multispectral Thermal Imager for Simultaneous Measurement of Distance and Temperature
Authors: Luo Jiashun , Sun Xiaogang , Wei Yanxiu
Published: January 2025

The multispectral thermal imager is a cutting-edge tool for the real-time measurement of high-temperature and transient-temperature fields. It can achieve high-precision temperature distribution measurements in complex scenes by acquiring multi-spectral radiation information. However, the existing research mainly focuses on the temperature measurement function, and there is little exploration of its potential application. In this paper, the method of measuring the distance of a high-temperature target based on a multispectral thermal imager is proposed and verified for the first time, which solves the problem that the traditional ranging model cannot be accurately measured in high-temperature environments. By constructing the theoretical model of the multi-aperture optical splitting system, the internal relationship between temperature field pixel migration and target distance is analyzed, and the feasibility and applicability of the method is verified by experiments. The results show that the multispectral thermal imager can overcome the interference of high-temperature radiation to traditional ranging technology, realize high-precision temperature measurement, and obtain the target distance information simultaneously. The measurement error of 300 m is 12.09%, which can be applied to the real-time measurement of the flame temperature field.
Lithium-like O5+ Emission near 19 Å
Authors: Lepson Jaan K. , Brown Gregory V. , Clementson Joel H. T. , Fairchild Alexander J. , Gu Ming Feng , Hell Natalie , Träbert Elmar , Beiersdorfer Peter
Published: January 2025

Using a high-resolution grating spectrometer on the Livermore EBIT-I electron beam ion trap, we have measured three n=3,4→n=1 K-shell emission lines in lithium-like O5+, which are situated near the O VIII Lyman-α lines at 19 Å. Two of the resulting wavelengths agree well with the wavelengths of these lines we reported earlier, but the wavelength of the third line does not. In contrast, our new wavelengths now fully agree with those from resonant photo-absorption experiments on the PETRA III synchrotron facility.
Design Analysis of 26650 and 18650 LFP Cells for High Power and Low Temperature Use Cases
Authors: Wätzold Florian , Schlösser Anton , Leistikow Max , Kowal Julia
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the design and geometric properties of high-power and low-temperature 18650 and 26650 lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. The analysis focuses on the geometry and components’ thicknesses and deriving CAD models for both cell formats. Design variations were observed, even within cells from the same manufacturer. For instance, one manufacturer’s 26650 cell was not a scaled-up version of their 18650 cell, and no equivalence was found between the designs of high-power and low-temperature cells from the same manufacturer. Thus, modifications are not purely chemistry based. The results also reveal deviations from the literature values for jelly roll component thicknesses, with anode current collectors averaging 61 µm and cathode current collectors averaging 60 µm. Coating thicknesses varied, with anode coatings averaging 32 µm and cathode coatings averaging 52 µm. These variations in current collector and coating thicknesses suggest that both high-power and low-temperature LFP cell designs differ from the typical literature values. Furthermore, a trade-off was observed between low-temperature operation with two-tab designs and high pulse capability with limited minimum operating temperatures. Additionally, smaller particle sizes in anode coatings were associated with lower impedance.