bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Screening Capability of the SarQoL Questionnaire in Sarcopenic Obesity: A Comparison Study Between Spanish and Belgian Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Diago-Galmés Angela , Guillamón-Escudero Carlos , Tenías-Burillo Jose M. , Soriano Jose M. , Fernandez-Garrido Julio
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the potential of the SarQoL questionnaire as a screening tool for sarcopenic obesity by comparing its effectiveness in Spanish and Belgian community-dwelling older people. This research seeks to address the primary question of whether the SarQoL can reliably differentiate quality of life impacts between these groups. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving community-dwelling older adults from Valencia (Spain) and Liège (Belgium). Participants were assessed using the SarQoL questionnaire, which measures health-related quality of life specifically for sarcopenia, and a sarcopenic obesity diagnostic method based on a combination of the EWGSOP2 criteria for sarcopenia and of body mass index for obesity. The sample included diverse demographic and clinical characteristics to ensure comprehensive analysis. Statistical methods were employed to compare the outcomes between the two populations. Results: The study highlighted a significant relationship between quality-of-life scores and the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in the Spanish and Belgian populations. The SarQoL questionnaire effectively identified lower quality of life in individuals with sarcopenic obesity, demonstrating its potential as a reliable screening tool across different populations. In conclusion, the SarQoL questionnaire proved to be an effective tool for evaluating quality of life and for screening individuals with sarcopenic obesity. Conclusions: Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to determine the SarQoL questionnaire’s predictive value and investigate interventions to alleviate the adverse effects of sarcopenic obesity. Our results highlight the critical need to include quality of life assessments in managing sarcopenic obesity, advocating for a comprehensive approach to patient care.
Molecular Exploration of Mycoplasma fermentans and Mycoplasma genitalium in Mexican Women with Cervicitis
Authors: Bustos-López Abraham David , Escobedo-Guerra Marcos R. , López-Hurtado Marcela , Villagrana-Zesati Jesús Roberto , Valdés-Ramírez Martha , Giono-Cerezo Silvia , Guerra-Infante Fernando M.
Published: November 2024

Genital Mycoplasmas are implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes and the development of infertility. However, the role of Mycoplasma fermentans in these outcomes has not been adequately studied; therefore, its participation in these sufferings requires further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of M. fermentans in pregnant and non-pregnant women. End-point PCR was used to analyze two hundred and twenty-eight endocervical samples for M. hominis, M. genitalium, M. fermentans, M. pirum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and U. parvum diagnoses. The prevalence of Mycoplasma spp. was as follows: U. parvum was found in 83 samples (36.4%), U. urealyticum in 39 instances (17.1%), M. hominis in 36 (15.7%), M. fermentans in 32 (14%), M. genitalium in 15 (6.6%), and M. pirum in 0 samples. No association was found between the Mycoplasma spp. and some infertility conditions or adverse pregnancy. However, M. fermentans and M. hominis were found to be associated with bacterial vaginosis (RR = 3.4 CI 95% 1.85–6.3, p < 0.005). In conclusion, M. fermentans and M. hominis were isolated more often in women with bacterial vaginosis, which suggests that these bacteria could contribute to the development of this pathology.
Correction: Taha et al. Activation of SIRT-1 Pathway by Nanoceria Sheds Light on Its Ameliorative Effect on Doxorubicin-Induced Cognitive Impairment (Chemobrain): Restraining Its Neuroinflammation, Synaptic Dysplasticity and Apoptosis. Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15, 918
Authors: Taha Medhat , Elazab Sara T. , Badawy Alaa. M. , Saati Abdullah A. , Qusty Naeem F. , Al-Kushi Abdullah G. , Sarhan Anas , Osman Amira , Farage Amira E.
Published: November 2024

In the original publication [...]
Corema album Berry Juice as a Protective Agent Against Neurodegeneration
Authors: Canoyra Antonio , Martín-Cordero Carmen , Muñoz-Mingarro Dolores , León-González Antonio J. , Parsons Richard B. , Acero Nuria
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Corema album berries are edible fruits from the Iberian Atlantic coast, characterized by a rich polyphenolic composition, which endows their juice with potential protective effects against neurodegeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of the relatively lesser-known C. album berries as a novel neuroprotective agent against neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: The phenolic compounds of the juice were characterized using UHPLC-HRMS (Orbitrap). The SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma line was used to determine the preventive effect of the juice against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, neuronal cells were differentiated into dopaminergic and cholinergic lines and exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine and okadaic acid, respectively, to simulate in vitro models of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The ability of the juice to enhance neuronal viability under toxic conditions was examined. Additionally, its inhibitory effects on neuroprotective-related enzymes, including MAO-A and MAO-B, were assessed in vitro. Results: Phytochemical characterization reveals that 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid constitutes 80% of the total phenolic compounds. Higher concentrations of the juice effectively protected both differentiated and undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells from H2O2-induced oxidative damage, reducing oxidative stress by approximately 20% and suggesting a dose-dependent mechanism. Moreover, the presence of the juice significantly enhanced the viability of dopaminergic and cholinergic cells exposed to neurotoxic agents. In vitro, the juice inhibited the activity of MAO-A (IC50 = 87.21 µg/mL) and MAO-B (IC50 = 56.50 µg/mL). Conclusions: While these findings highlight C. album berries as a promising neuroprotective agent, further research is required to elucidate its neuroprotective mechanisms in cell and animal models and, ultimately, in human trials.
Classification Importance of Seed Morphology and Insights on Large-Scale Climate-Driven Strophiole Size Changes in the Iberian Endemic Chasmophytic Genus Petrocoptis (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Calvo-Yuste Jorge , Ruiz-Rodríguez Ángela Lis , Hermosilla Brais , Agut Agustí , Martínez-Ortega María Montserrat , Tejero Pablo
Published: November 2024

Recruitment poses significant challenges for narrow endemic plant species inhabiting extreme environments like vertical cliffs. Investigating seed traits in these plants is crucial for understanding the adaptive properties of chasmophytes. Focusing on the Iberian endemic genus Petrocoptis A. Braun ex Endl., a strophiole-bearing Caryophyllaceae, this study explored the relationships between seed traits and climatic variables, aiming to shed light on the strophiole’s biological role and assess its classificatory power. We analysed 2773 seeds (557 individuals) from 84 populations spanning the genus’ entire distribution range. Employing cluster and machine learning algorithms, we delineated well-defined morphogroups based on seed traits and evaluated their recognizability. Linear mixed-effects models were utilized to investigate the relationship between climate predictors and strophiole area, seed area and the ratio between both. The combination of seed morphometric traits allows the division of the genus into three well-defined morphogroups. The subsequent validation of the algorithm allowed 87% of the seeds to be correctly classified. Part of the intra- and interpopulation variability found in strophiole raw and relative size could be explained by average annual rainfall and average annual maximum temperature. Strophiole size in Petrocoptis could have been potentially driven by adaptation to local climates through the investment of more resources in the production of bigger strophioles to increase the hydration ability of the seed in dry and warm climates. This reinforces the idea of the strophiole being involved in seed water uptake and germination regulation in Petrocoptis. Similar relationships have not been previously reported for strophioles or other analogous structures in Angiosperms.
Structural Parameter Optimization of a Tomato Robotic Harvesting Arm: Considering Collision-Free Operation Requirements
Authors: Peng Chuanlang , Feng Qingchun , Guo Zhengwei , Ma Yuhang , Li Yajun , Zhang Yifan , Gao Liangzheng
Published: November 2024

The current harvesting arms used in harvesting robots are developed based on standard products. Due to design constraints, they are unable to effectively avoid obstacles while harvesting tomatoes in tight spaces. To enhance the robot’s capability in obstacle-avoidance picking of tomato bunches with various postures, this study proposes a geometric parameter optimization method for a 7 degree of freedom (DOF) robotic arm. This method ensures that the robot can reach a predetermined workspace with a more compact arm configuration. The optimal picking posture for the end-effector is determined by analyzing the spatial distribution of tomato bunches, the main stem position, and peduncle posture, enabling a quantitative description of the obstacle-avoidance workspace. The denavit–hartenberg (D-H) model of the harvesting arm and the expected collision-free workspace are set as constraints. The compactness of the arm and the accessibility of the harvesting space serve as the optimization objectives. The Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) multi-objective genetic algorithm is employed to optimize the arm length, and the results were validated through a virtual experiment using workspace traversal. The results indicate that the optimized structure of the tomato harvesting arm is compact, with a reachability of 92.88% in the workspace, based on the collision-free harvesting criteria. This study offers a reference for structural parameter optimization of robotic arms specialized in fruit and vegetable harvesting.
Climate Response and Radial Growth Dynamics of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) Plus Trees and Their Half-Sib Progeny in Periods of Severe Droughts in the Forest-Steppe Zone of Eastern Europe
Authors: Litovchenko Daria A. , Popova Anna A. , Shestibratov Konstantin A. , Krutovsky Konstantin V.
Published: November 2024

The dendrochronological parameters of 97 pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) trees including 20 plus trees (142-year-old on average) and four half-sib families for four of them were analyzed considering also specifically years of the most severe droughts that were identified using average monthly air temperature and precipitation data. The tree-ring width (TRW) was mostly affected by air temperature that had the largest cross-dating indices (CDI), up to 78% maximum. However, the 32-year Brückner–Egeson–Lockyer cycle (a climatic cycle of approximately 30–40 years that correlates with sunspot activity) was more reflected in the TRW dynamics in plus trees than precipitation and air temperature. A high-frequency of abnormal TRW was clearly observed during drought periods and in the following 2–3 years. Tree radial-growth reduction due to drought stress varied significantly between families. The resistance to drought based on TRW was higher in the maternal plus oak trees than in progeny. Drought resulted in reduced growth during the subsequent year(s); hence, the minimum growth occurred after the actual climate event. Autumn–winter precipitation and weather conditions were of the greatest importance at the onset of active vegetation in April and May. The influence of air temperature on oak growth was the largest in March (r = 0.39, p < 0.05). The strongest positive correlation between precipitation and growth (with r up to 0.38) was observed in May 2023. Plus trees had a high adaptive potential due to the stability of radial growth during drought with high resistance (Rt = 1.29) and resilience (Rs = 1.09) indexes. The offspring of families 1 (Rt = 0.89, Rs = 0.89) and 2 (Rt = 1.04, Rs = 0.87) had similar resistance and resilience, but the recovery indices (Rc) for offspring in families 1, 2 and 3 exceeded the recovery values for plus trees. For offspring in families 3 and 4, the index values were lower. The revealed responses of wood growth of plus trees to climatic parameters estimated as resistance (Rt), resilience (Rs) and recovery (Rc) indexes and similar responses in their progeny can be used in breeding pedunculate oak for wood growth productivity and drought resistance.
Experimental Investigation of Cr12 Steel Under Electrostatic Minimum Quantity Lubrication During Grinding
Authors: Feng Bohua , Guo Xiaomei , Guo Pengcheng , Tong Zeqi , Xu Xuefeng
Published: November 2024

In this work, electrostatic minimum quantity lubrication (EMQL) has been applied in grinding. When the droplets were charged, it could promote penetrability in the processing area. The electric field formed between the charged droplets and the surface of Cr12 die steel could affect the hardness of the workpiece surface. The grinding mechanism of EMQL has been revealed under different charging voltage by analyzing the wetting angle of droplets and the hardness of Cr12 surface. The reduction of grinding force (11.5% to 49%), surface roughness (10% to 22.1%), and the increase in grinding ratio (1.9% to 27.3%) and surface quality of EMQL under various charging voltages were studied. The results showed that the wetting angle decreased when the droplets were charged. Compared to MQL, the charged lubricant droplets with better penetrability are easier to penetrate and spread on the contact surface between the grinding wheel and the workpiece, thereby improving the lubrication of the friction interface and obtaining better grinding performance. Moreover, we also found that the positively charged EMQL not only effectively improves the penetrability of droplets but reduces the hardness of the Cr12 surface. Thus, the grinding performances under positively charged EMQL are always better than these under negatively charged when grinding Cr12.
Orthodox Christian Conception of Hell and African Traditional Religion (ATR) Eschatology
Authors: Agada Ada , Ikuli Bruno Yammeluan
Published: November 2024

Hell in orthodox Christian eschatology is presented as a place of eternal punishment for the damned or sinners. Damnation follows from disobedience to God’s will. Hell is contrasted with heaven, a place of eternal reward and benefits for the righteous. In contrast to this eschatology, African Traditional Religion (ATR) broadly denies the existence of hell. ATR rather asserts that violators of God’s moral codes receive their punishment on earth while those who have lived ethically laudable lives transition to a new phase of existence in the ancestral realm, the ideal home. Given that the ancestral realm can be compared with the Christian heaven, more or less, African eschatology paints a less gloomy picture of human destiny than orthodox Christian eschatology. We assert, in this article, that the ATR eschatology that denies the existence of hell is more ethically attractive than the Christian eschatology that punishes temporally bounded wrongdoing with eternal damnation. We argue the attractiveness of the African view from the perspective of the understanding of God as a benevolent being, which both orthodox Christian theism and traditional African theism endorse.
Religious Doubts and Emotions Toward God in Adolescents: Relation to Self-Esteem and Meaning in Life
Authors: Kosarkova Alice
Published: November 2024

Religious doubt (RD) and emotions toward God (EtGs) are areas of religiosity and spirituality that can play a role in the development and well-being of youth. The aim of this study is to investigate whether RD and EtGs are related to self-esteem and meaning in life in adolescents and what factors may be associated with them in a secular setting. A sample of Czech adolescents (n = 984, mean age 16.61, SD 1.21; 28% male) participated in the online survey. We measured RD, EtGs, meaning in life (ML) divided into presence (ML-P) and seeking (ML-S), adolescents’ self-esteem (ASE), faith in the adolescent environment, the perception of religion and church, and religious education (RE). RD and negative EtGs were associated with reduced ML-P. Negative EtGs were associated with a reduction in ASE. However, positive EtGs were associated with an increase in ML-P. Respondents experiencing faith in their environment, having a positive view of church and religion, and enriching RE were more likely to report a decrease in RD and an increase in positive EtGs and vice versa. Our findings suggest that RD and EtGs are related to adolescents’ well-being and point to factors to be adequately addressed to minimize the negative impact of RD and promote positive EtGs.
Refraction-Aware Structure from Motion for Airborne Bathymetry
Authors: Makris Alexandros , Nicodemou Vassilis C. , Alevizos Evangelos , Oikonomidis Iason , Alexakis Dimitrios D. , Roussos Anastasios
Published: November 2024

In this work, we introduce the first pipeline that combines a refraction-aware structure from motion (SfM) method with a deep learning model specifically designed for airborne bathymetry. We accurately estimate the 3D positions of the submerged points by integrating refraction geometry within the SfM optimization problem. This way, no refraction correction as post-processing is required. Experiments with simulated data that approach real-world capturing conditions demonstrate that SfM with refraction correction is extremely accurate, with submillimeter errors. We integrate our refraction-aware SfM within a deep learning framework that also takes into account radiometrical information, developing a combined spectral and geometry-based approach, with further improvements in accuracy and robustness to different seafloor types, both textured and textureless. We conducted experiments with real-world data at two locations in the southern Mediterranean Sea, with varying seafloor types, which demonstrate the benefits of refraction correction for the deep learning framework. We made our refraction-aware SfM open source, providing researchers in airborne bathymetry with a practical tool to apply SfM in shallow water areas.
Learning Omni-Dimensional Spatio-Temporal Dependencies for Millimeter-Wave Radar Perception
Authors: Yan Hang , Li Yongji , Wang Luping , Chen Shichao
Published: November 2024

Reliable environmental perception capabilities are a prerequisite for achieving autonomous driving. Cameras and LiDAR are sensitive to illumination and weather conditions, while millimeter-wave radar avoids these issues. Existing models rely heavily on image-based approaches, which may not be able to fully characterize radar sensor data or efficiently further utilize them for perception tasks. This paper rethinks the approach to modeling radar signals and proposes a novel U-shaped multilayer perceptron network (U-MLPNet) that aims to enhance the learning of omni-dimensional spatio-temporal dependencies. Our method involves innovative signal processing techniques, including a 3D CNN for spatio-temporal feature extraction and an encoder–decoder framework with cross-shaped receptive fields specifically designed to capture the sparse and non-uniform characteristics of radar signals. We conducted extensive experiments using a diverse dataset of urban driving scenarios to characterize the sensor’s performance in multi-view semantic segmentation and object detection tasks. Experiments showed that U-MLPNet achieves competitive performance against state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods, improving the mAP by 3.0% and mDice by 2.7% in RD segmentation and AR and AP by 1.77% and 2.03%, respectively, in object detection. These improvements signify an advancement in radar-based perception for autonomous vehicles, potentially enhancing their reliability and safety across diverse driving conditions.
Investigating Tropical Cyclone Warm Core and Boundary Layer Structures with Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate 2 Radio Occultation Data
Authors: Qi Xiaoxu , Yang Shengpeng , He Li
Published: November 2024

The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate 2 (COSMIC-2) collects data covering latitudes primarily between 40 degrees north and south, providing abundant data for tropical cyclone (TC) research. The radio occultation data provide valuable information on the boundary layer. However, quality control of the data within the boundary layer remains a challenging issue. The aim of this study is to obtain a more accurate COSMIC-2 radio occultation (RO) dataset through quality control (QC) and use this dataset to validate warm core structures and explore the planetary boundary layer (PBL) structures of TCs. In this study, COSMIC-2 data are used to analyze the distribution of the relative local spectral width (LSW) and the confidence parameter characterizing the random error of the bending angle. An LSW less than 20% is set as a data QC threshold, and the warm core and PBL composite structures of TCs at three intensities in the Northwest Pacific Ocean are investigated. We reproduce the warm core intensity and warm core height characteristics of TCs. In the radial direction of the typhoon eyewall, the impact height of the PBL increases from 3.45 km to 4 km, with the tropopause ranging from 160 hPa to 100 hPa. At the bottom of the troposphere, the variations in the positive and negative bias between the RO-detected and background field bending angles correspond well to the PBL heights, and the variations in the positive bias between the RO-detected and background field refractivity reach 14%. This research provides an effective QC method and reveals that the bending angle is sensitive to the PBL height.
Differentiating Cheatgrass and Medusahead Phenological Characteristics in Western United States Rangelands
Authors: Benedict Trenton D. , Boyte Stephen P. , Dahal Devendra
Published: November 2024

Expansions in the extent and infestation levels of exotic annual grass (EAG) within the rangelands of the western United States are well documented. Land managers are tasked with developing plans to limit EAG spread and prevent irreversible ecosystem deterioration. The most common EAG species and the subject of extensive study is Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass). Cheatgrass has spread rapidly in western rangelands since its initial invasion more than 100 years ago. Another concerning aggressive EAG, Taeniatherum caput-medusae (medusahead), is also commonly found in some of these areas. To control the spread of EAGs, researchers have investigated applying several control methods during different developmental stages of cheatgrass and medusahead. These control strategies require accurate maps of the timing and spatial patterns of the developmental stages to apply mitigation strategies in the correct areas at the right time. In this study, we developed annual phenological datasets for cheatgrass and medusahead with two objectives. The first objective was to determine if cheatgrass and medusahead can be differentiated at 30 m resolution using their phenological differences. The second objective was to establish an annual phenology metric regression tree model used to map the growing seasons of cheatgrass and medusahead. Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS)-derived predicted weekly cloud-free 30 m normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) images were used to develop these metric maps. The result of this effort was maps that identify the start and end of sustained growing season time for cheatgrass and medusahead at 30 m for the Snake River Plain and Northern Basin and Range ecoregions. These phenological datasets also identify the start and end-of-season NDVI values, along with maximum NDVI throughout the study period. These metrics may be utilized to characterize annual growth patterns for cheatgrass and medusahead. This approach can be utilized to plan time-sensitive control measures such as herbicide applications or cattle grazing.
Modeling the Land Surface Phenological Responses of Dominant Miombo Tree Species to Climate Variability in Western Tanzania
Authors: Nkya Siwa E. , Shirima Deo D. , Masolele Robert N. , Hedenas Henrik , Temu August B.
Published: November 2024

Species-level phenology models are essential for predicting shifts in tree species under climate change. This study quantified phenological differences among dominant miombo tree species and modeled seasonal variability using climate variables. We used TIMESAT version 3.3 software and the Savitzky–Golay filter to derive phenology metrics from bi-monthly PlanetScope Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from 2017 to 2024. A repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) assessed differences in phenology metrics between species, while a regression analysis modeled the Start of Season (SOS) and End of Season (EOS). The results show significant seasonal and species-level variations in phenology. Brachystegia spiciformis differed from other species in EOS, Length of Season (LOS), base value, and peak value. Surface solar radiation and skin temperature one month before SOS were key predictors of SOS, with an adjusted R-squared of 0.90 and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 13.47 for Brachystegia spiciformis. SOS also strongly predicted EOS, with an adjusted R-squared of 1 and an RMSE of 3.01 for Brachystegia spiciformis, indicating a shift in the growth cycle of tree species due to seasonal variability. These models provide valuable insights into potential phenological shifts in miombo species due to climate change.
Electrochemical Aptamer-Based Biosensor for Detecting Pap31, a Biomarker for Carrion’s Disease
Authors: Silver Keaton , Smith Andrew , Colling Haley V. , Tenorio Nico , Rowland Teisha J. , Bonham Andrew J.
Published: November 2024

Carrion’s disease, caused by infection with the bacterium Bartonella bacilliformis (B. bacilliformis), is effectively treated with antibiotics, but reaches fatality rates of ~90% if untreated. Current diagnostic methods are limited, insufficiently sensitive, or require laboratory technology unavailable in endemic areas. Electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) biosensors provide a potential solution for this unmet need, as these biosensors are portable, sensitive, and can rapidly report the detection of small molecule targets. Here, we developed an E-AB biosensor to detect Pap31, a biomarker of Carrion’s disease and an outer membrane protein in B. bacilliformis. We identified an aptamer with Pap31-specific binding affinity using a magnetic pull-down assay with magnetic bead-bound Pap31 and an aptamer library followed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. We incorporated the Pap31-binding aptamer into a DNA oligonucleotide that changes conformation upon binding Pap31. The resultant Pap31 E-AB biosensor produced a rapid, significant, and target-specific electrical current readout in the buffer, demonstrating an apparent KD of 0.95 nM with a limit of detection of 0.1 nM, and no significant signal change when challenged with off-target proteins. This proof-of-concept Pap31 biosensor design is a first step toward the development of more rapid, sensitive, and portable diagnostic tools for detecting Carrion’s disease.
Multi-Level Cross-Modal Interactive-Network-Based Semi-Supervised Multi-Modal Ship Classification
Authors: Song Xin , Chen Zhikui , Zhong Fangming , Gao Jing , Zhang Jianning , Li Peng
Published: November 2024

Ship image classification identifies the type of ships in an input image, which plays a significant role in the marine field. To enhance the ship classification performance, various research focuses on studying multi-modal ship classification, which aims at combining the advantages of visible images and infrared images to capture complementary information. However, the current methods simply concatenate features of different modalities to learn complementary information, which neglects the multi-level correlation between different modalities. Moreover, the existing methods require a large amount of labeled ship images to train the model. How to capture the multi-level cross-modal correlation between unlabeled and labeled data is still a challenge. In this paper, a novel semi-supervised multi-modal ship classification approach is proposed to solve these issues, which consists of two components, i.e., multi-level cross-modal interactive network and semi-supervised contrastive learning strategy. To learn comprehensive complementary information for classification, the multi-level cross-modal interactive network is designed to build local-level and global-level cross-modal feature correlation. Then, the semi-supervised contrastive learning strategy is employed to drive the optimization of the network with the intra-class consistency constraint based on supervision signals of unlabeled samples and prior label information. Extensive experiments on the public datasets demonstrate that our approach achieves state-of-the-art semi-supervised classification effectiveness.
Fault-Tolerant Control for Quadcopters Under Actuator and Sensor Faults
Authors: Okada Kenji Fabiano Ávila , Morais Aniel Silva , Ribeiro Laura , Amaral da Luz Caio Meira , Tofoli Fernando Lessa , Lima Gabriela Vieira , Lopes Luís Cláudio Oliveira
Published: November 2024

Fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) methods and fault-tolerant control (FTC) have been the focus of intensive research across various fields to ensure safe operation, reduce costs, and optimize maintenance tasks. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly quadcopters or quadrotors, are often prone to faults in sensors and actuators due to their complex dynamics and exposure to various external uncertainties. In this context, this work implements different FDD approaches based on the Kalman filter (KF) for fault estimation to achieve FTC of the quadcopter, considering different faults with nonlinear behaviors and the possibility of simultaneous occurrences in actuators and sensors. Three KF approaches are considered in the analysis: linear KF, extended KF (EKF), and unscented KF (UKF), along with three-stage and adaptive variations of the KF. FDD methods, especially the adaptive filter, could enhance fault estimation performance in the scenarios considered. This led to a significant improvement in the safety and reliability of the quadcopter through the FTC architecture, as the system, which previously became unstable in the presence of faults, could maintain stable operation when subjected to uncertainties.
Seamless Transition to Post-Quantum TLS 1.3: A Hybrid Approach Using Identity-Based Encryption
Authors: Astrizi  Thiago Leucz , Custódio  Ricardo
Published: November 2024

We propose a novel solution to streamline the migration of existing Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol implementations to a post-quantum Key Encapsulation Mechanism for Transport Layer Security (KEMTLS). By leveraging Identity-Based Encryption (IBE), our solution minimizes the necessary modifications to the surrounding infrastructure, enabling the reuse of existing keys and certificates. We provide a proof-of-concept implementation and performance analysis, demonstrating the practical feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed approach.
A Stride Toward Wine Yield Estimation from Images: Metrological Validation of Grape Berry Number, Radius, and Volume Estimation
Authors: Lanza Bernardo , Botturi Davide , Gnutti Alessandro , Lancini Matteo , Nuzzi Cristina , Pasinetti Simone
Published: November 2024

Yield estimation is a key point theme for precision agriculture, especially for small fruits and in-field scenarios. This paper focuses on the metrological validation of a novel deep-learning model that robustly estimates both the number and the radii of grape berries in vineyards using color images, allowing the computation of the visible (and total) volume of grape clusters, which is necessary to reach the ultimate goal of estimating yield production. The proposed algorithm is validated by analyzing its performance on a custom dataset. The number of berries, their mean radius, and the grape cluster volume are converted to millimeters and compared to reference values obtained through manual measurements. The validation experiment also analyzes the uncertainties of the parameters. Results show that the algorithm can reliably estimate the number (MPE=−5%, σ=6%) and the radius of the visible portion of the grape clusters (MPE=0.8%, σ=7%). Instead, the volume estimated in px3 results in a MPE=0.4% with σ=21%, thus the corresponding volume in mm3 is affected by high uncertainty. This analysis highlighted that half of the total uncertainty on the volume is due to the camera–object distance d and parameter R used to take into account the proportion of visible grapes with respect to the total grapes in the grape cluster. This issue is mostly due to the absence of a reliable depth measure between the camera and the grapes, which could be overcome by using depth sensors in combination with color images. Despite being preliminary, the results prove that the model and the metrological analysis are a remarkable advancement toward a reliable approach for directly estimating yield from 2D pictures in the field.
An Enhanced Feature-Fusion Network for Small-Scale Pedestrian Detection on Edge Devices
Authors: Hu Min , Zhang Yaorong , Jiao Teng , Xue Huijun , Wu Xue , Luo Jianguo , Han Shipeng , Lv Hao
Published: November 2024

Small-scale pedestrian detection is one of the challenges in general object detection. Factors such as complex backgrounds, long distances, and low-light conditions make the image features of small-scale pedestrians less distinct, further increasing the difficulty of detection. To address these challenges, an Enhanced Feature-Fusion YOLO network (EFF-YOLO) for small-scale pedestrian detection is proposed. Specifically, this method employs a backbone based on the FasterNet block within YOLOv8n, which is designed to enhance the extraction of spatial features while reducing redundant operation. Furthermore, the gather-and-distribute (GD) mechanism is integrated into the neck of the network to realize the aggregation and distribution of global information and multi-level features. This not only strengthens the faint features of small-scale pedestrians but also effectively suppresses complex background information, thereby improving the accuracy of small-scale pedestrians. Experimental results indicate that EFF-YOLO achieves detection accuracies of 72.5%, 72.3%, and 91% on the three public datasets COCO-person, CityPersons, and LLVIP, respectively. Moreover, the proposed method reaches a detection speed of 50.7 fps for 1920 × 1080-pixel video streams on the edge device Jetson Orin NX, marking a 15.2% improvement over the baseline network. Thus, the proposed EFF-YOLO method not only boasts high detection accuracy but also demonstrates excellent real-time performance on edge devices.
High-Performance Telescope System Design for Space-Based Gravitational Waves Detection
Authors: Ji Huiru , Zhao Lujia , Fan Zichao , Fan Rundong , Cao Jiamin , Mo Yan , Tan Hao , Jiang Zhiyu , Ma Donglin
Published: November 2024

Space-based gravitational wave (GW) detection employs the Michelson interferometry principle to construct ultra-long baseline laser interferometers in space for detecting GW signals with a frequency band of 10−4–1 Hz. The spaceborne telescope, as a core component directly integrated into the laser link, comes in various configurations, with the off-axis four-mirror design being the most prevalent. In this paper, we present a high-performance design based on this configuration, which exhibits a stable structure, ultra-low wavefront aberration, and high-level stray light suppression capabilities, effectively eliminating background noise. Also, a scientifically justified positioning of the entrance and exit pupils has been implemented, thereby paving adequate spatial provision for the integration of subsequent optical systems. The final design realizes a wavefront error of less than λ/500 in the science field of view, and after tolerance allocation and Monte Carlo analysis, a wavefront error of less than λ/30 can be achieved with a probability of 92%. The chief ray spot diagram dimensions are significantly small, indicating excellent control of pupil aberrations. Additionally, the tilt-to-length (TTL) noise and stray light meet the stringent requirements for space-based gravitational wave detection. The refined design presented in this paper proves to be a more fitting candidate for GW detection projects, offering more accurate and rational guidance.
A Comparative Study on the Use of Smartphone Cameras in Photogrammetry Applications
Authors: Patonis Photis
Published: November 2024

The evaluation of smartphone camera technology for close-range photogrammetry includes assessing captured photos for 3D measurement. In this work, experiments are conducted on many smartphones to study distortion levels and accuracy performance in close-range photogrammetry applications. Analytical methods and specialized digital tools are employed to evaluate the results. OpenCV functions estimate the distortions introduced by the lens. Diagrams, evaluation images, statistical quantities, and indicators are utilized to compare the results among sensors. The accuracy achieved in photogrammetry is examined using the photogrammetric bundle adjustment in a real-world application. In the end, generalized conclusions are drawn regarding this technology’s use in close-range photogrammetry applications.
Illuminating Malaria: Spectroscopy’s Vital Role in Diagnosis and Research
Authors: Wood Bayden R. , Adegoke John A. , Chakkumpulakkal Puthan Veettil Thulya , Dodla Ankit , Dias Keith , Mehlawat Neha , Gassner Callum , Stock Victoria , Joshi Sarika , Giergiel Magdalena , Bedolla Diana E. , Heraud Philip
Published: November 2024

Spectroscopic techniques have emerged as crucial tools in the field of malaria research, offering immense potential for improved diagnosis and enhanced understanding of the disease. This review article pays tribute to the pioneering contributions of Professor Henry Mantsch in the realm of clinical biospectroscopy, by comprehensively exploring the diverse applications of spectroscopic methods in malaria research. From the identification of reliable biomarkers to the development of innovative diagnostic approaches, spectroscopic techniques spanning the ultraviolet to far-infrared regions have played a pivotal role in advancing our knowledge of malaria. This review will highlight the multifaceted ways in which spectroscopy has contributed to the field, with a particular emphasis on its impact on diagnostic advancements and drug research. By leveraging the minimally invasive and highly accurate nature of spectroscopic techniques, researchers have made significant strides in improving the detection and monitoring of malaria parasites. These advancements hold the promise of enhancing patient outcomes and aiding in the global efforts towards the eradication of this devastating disease.
Correction: Holzer, K.; Poor, C. Reduction of Runoff Pollutants from Major Arterial Roads Using Porous Pavement. Sustainability 2024, 16, 7506
Authors: Holzer Katie , Poor Cara
Published: November 2024

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper [1]:(1)In the abstract, the word “overly” should be replaced by word “overlay” in the following sentence: [...]
Heterogeneous Impacts of Traditional and Modern Information Channels on Farmers’ Green Production: Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Zimei , Chen Ke , Ren Yezhi
Published: November 2024

Efficient agricultural input is crucial for agricultural green production and sustainable development. The swift evolution of information and communication technologies has diversified the avenues through which farmers access information. However, how different information channels affect farmers’ production input remain poorly understood. Leveraging a two-way fixed-effects model and the Karlson-–Holm–Breen (KHB) method, this study delves into the mechanisms underlying the influence of both traditional and modern information channels on farmers’ inputs of seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides (SCFP) based on over 15,000 sample of Chinese farmers. The findings reveal the following: (1) modern information channels significantly decrease farmers’ SCFP input, whereas traditional channels exhibit the opposite effect; (2) environmental pollution perception acts as a mediator in the influence of both traditional and modern information channels on farmers’ SCFP input; (3) traditional information channels significantly promote farmers’ SCFP input in the grain production and marketing balance areas, and modern information channels inhibit farmers’ SCFP input in major grain-producing areas; and (4) traditional and modern information channels have an impact on farmers’ SCFP input in the western region, but not in the central region. To promote sustainable agricultural development, government departments should enhance rural Internet access, diversify information sources, advocate for eco-farming, ensure regional digital equity, and enhance green agri-tech promotion.
The Optimal Arrangement of Boats in a Coastal Maritime Passenger Lines System Using Graph Theory
Authors: Mišura Antonija , Vukičević Damir , Perić Hadžić Ana
Published: November 2024

This paper presents research in the field of optimization in maritime passenger traffic that can ensure the long-term sustainability of coastal maritime passenger lines system. For the purpose of the research contained in this paper, it has been hypothesized that the optimal arrangement of boats within a coastal maritime passenger lines system will reduce the consumption of propulsion energy, the emission of harmful gasses and operating costs. The aim of this paper is to present an efficient algorithm for a reduction in propulsion energy consumption in coastal maritime passenger lines systems by reassigning boats to lines that they service. The problem is modeled using a bipartite graph and the solution is obtained by searching for optimal matching using Edmonds’ algorithm. The authors apply, for the first time, Edmonds’ algorithm to the problems of the optimization of assignments of boats to lines. The research results were confirmed by tests on a representative example. The optimization results on only 10 ships in the given example show yearly savings of 91,097.30 L of fuel (lowering costs by EUR 69,233.95) and reducing CO2 by 243.59 tons, which proves that this algorithm found a much more efficient arrangement that could result in a significant reduction in propulsion energy consumption, thus providing economic and ecological benefits.
A Selection Model of Compositions and Proportions of Additive Lime Mortars for Restoration of Ancient Chinese Buildings Based on TOPSIS
Authors: Long Xiaolu , Liu Lizhi , Liu Qi
Published: November 2024

To improve the accuracy of choosing restoration materials for repairing ancient Chinese buildings and to mitigate the risk of decision-making, this paper establishes a novel selection model of compositions and proportions of additive lime mortars for the restoration of ancient Chinese buildings. The selection process is influenced by multi-criteria and determined by a group of experts through comprehensive judgment. Thus, it is a multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) problem. Firstly, considering subjective and objective criteria simultaneously, establish a selection index system for compositions and proportions of additive lime mortars in the restoration of ancient Chinese buildings. Secondly, applying a neutrosophic set to characterize experts’ evaluation information and quantify the evaluation information. Thirdly, the best–worst method (BWM) is implemented to obtain criteria weights, and the entropy weight method is utilized to obtain index weights. Finally, obtaining the priority of each alternative solution by using the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) ranking technique. The practicality of the proposed model was demonstrated through a specific case of the selection of repair materials for a decorative window in one ancient Chinese building. The comparative analysis was carried out to verify the reliability and validity of the model.
Negative Solvatochromism of the Intramolecular Charge Transfer Band in Two Structurally Related Pyridazinium—Ylids
Authors: Avădănei Mihaela Iuliana , Griţco-Todiraşcu Antonina , Dorohoi Dana Ortansa
Published: November 2024

Two charge transfer compounds based on pyridazinium ylids were studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy in binary and ternary solutions, with the purpose of evaluating their descriptors of the first singlet excited state and to estimate the strength of the intermolecular interactions in protic solvents. The molecular descriptors of the excited state were comparatively estimated using the variational method and the Abe model of diluted binary solutions. Analysis of electronic properties using density functional theory was performed for several key solvents, in order to understand the solvatochromic behavior. The DFT calculations revealed that, in the polar and strongly interacting solvents, the carbanion and the terminal group become a stronger electron acceptor. The bathochromic shift of the ICT band was confirmed using DFT calculus. The ability of the two ylids to recognize and discriminate the solvents was analyzed with principal component analysis and with cluster analysis. Although the study was performed in 24 solvents, the results showed that the ylids were most sensitive to alcohols, so they can be a useful tool to identify and classify different types of low-alcoholic solvents.
Identification and Characterization of Linear Epitopes of Monoclonal Antibodies Against African Horse Sickness Virus Serotype 1 VP2 Protein
Authors: Ma Xiaohua , Zhang Yingzhi , Na Lei , Qi Ting , Ma Weiwei , Guo Xing , Wang Xue-Feng , Wang Xiaojun
Published: November 2024

African horse sickness (AHS) is an acute, fatal, contagious disease of animals of the family Equidae and is caused by infection with the African horse sickness virus (AHSV). Based on the outer capsid protein VP2, AHSV is classified into nine serotypes (AHSV−1 to −9) with little or no serological cross-reactivity between them. In 2020, AHS outbreaks caused by AHSV−1 were reported in Thailand and Malaysia, marking the first occurrences of AHS in Southeast Asia. However, little is known about the antigenic profile of AHSV−1 VP2. In this study, a recombinant VP2 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and used as an immunogen, and three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), designated 7D11, 10A9, and 9E7, against AHSV−1 VP2, were generated. These three mAbs were then successfully used in IFA, WB, and ELISA for the detection of AHSV−1 VP2. Two overlapping linear epitopes, 670NEFDFE675 (E670–675) recognized by 9E7 and 670NEFDF674 (E670–674) recognized by 7D11 and 10A9, were identified through truncation of GST-fused VP2. Amino acid sequence alignment shows that the 670NEFDFE675 motif is completely conserved within AHSV−1 but is highly divergent in other AHSV serotypes. Our studies provide an important tool for basic research into AHSV−1 and for the diagnosis of AHSV−1.