bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Seasonal Changes in Food Intake and Energy Metabolism, Physical Activity, and Body Composition in Young Japanese Women
Authors: Tanaka Noriko , Okuda Toyoko , Shinohara Hisae , Yamasaki Rie Shimonaka , Hirano Naomi , Kang Jangmi , Ogawa Manami , Nishi Nao Nishioka
Published: January 2022

We investigated seasonal changes in food intake, energy metabolism, and physical activity (PA) and explored their associations with body composition. In total, 28 women aged 20–23 years in the Kansai area of Japan participated in this year-long study spanning the winter, spring, and summer seasons. A dietary investigation was performed using the weight recording method, and the amount of histidine in the diet, which may be related to the regulation of energy intake, was calculated. Resting metabolic rate (RMR), body composition, and PA were measured using indirect calorimetry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and uniaxial accelerometry, respectively. The results showed that energy intake was highest in winter, decreased significantly with increasing temperature, and decreased by 25% in summer. As the intake of histidine in the diet did not increase in summer, it did not seem to be involved in the suppression of energy intake. RMR was highest in winter and decreased significantly in summer by 20%. The amount of PA was low in winter, increased significantly in the spring, and decreased again in summer. Body weight increased in winter, with an accumulation of fat in the trunk and arms, and decreased in summer, with a reduction in the amount of fat. Greater energy intake and less PA in winter induced an increment in body weight despite the increase in RMR. There were no significant changes in lean body mass between the seasons; however, the muscle weight of the lower limbs increased significantly in spring and in summer compared with that in winter (p < 0.001). Thus, seasonal changes in food intake, energy metabolism, and PA occur, with resultant changes in the body composition under comfortable air-conditioned environments.
Motor Unit Fatigability following Chronic Carnosine Supplementation in Aged Rats
Authors: Łochyński Dawid , Pawlak Maciej , Everaert Inge , Podgórski Tomasz , Gartych Magdalena , Borucka Anna-Maria , Celichowski Jan , Derave Wim , Kaczmarek Dominik
Published: January 2022

Studies suggest that carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is effective in treating neuromuscular diseases associated with aging, but there is still a need to clarify its role in motor units (MUs) function during aging. In this study, 40 male Wistar rats aged 15 months were randomly assigned to a control or to two experimental groups in which 0.1% carnosine supplementation was performed for 10 or 34 weeks. After 34 weeks, we examined fast fatigable (FF), fast fatigue-resistant (FR) and slow (S) MUs’ force properties and fatigability, as well as antioxidant potential, advanced glycation end products, activity of enzymes, and histidyl dipeptides content in the medial gastrocnemius muscle. Short- and long-term carnosine supplementation maintained the force of FF MUs at a higher level during its rapid decline seen from the initial 10 to 70 s of the fatigue test. In FF, especially long-term, and in FR MUs, especially short-term, carnosine supplementation resulted in less rapid force decline during the initial 70 s of the second fatigue protocol. Carnosine supplementation did not change muscle antioxidant potential and mortality rate (~35% in all groups), nor muscle mass with aging. Moreover, instead of the expected increase, a decrease in histidyl dipeptides by ~30% in the red portion of medial gastrocnemius muscle after long-term supplementation was found. After chronic carnosine supplementation, the specific changes in fatigue resistance were observed in FF and FR units, but not in S MU types that were not accompanied by an improvement of antioxidant potential and activity of glycolytic or oxidative enzymes in aged rats. These observations indicate that carnosine supplementation during aging may generate different physiological adaptations which should be considered as an important factor when planning treatment strategies.
Changes of 25(OH)D Concentration, Bone Resorption Markers and Physical Performance as an Effect of Sun Exposure, Supplementation of Vitamin D and Lockdown among Young Soccer Players during a One-Year Training Season
Authors: Jastrzębska Joanna , Skalska Maria , Radzimiński Łukasz , López-Sánchez Guillermo F. , Weiss Katja , Hill Lee , Knechtle Beat
Published: January 2022

The main purpose of this research was to demonstrate the changes in 25(OH)D concentration, bone resorption markers, and physical fitness along the one-year training season in young soccer players. A total of 24 young soccer players (age: 17.2 ± 1.16 years, mass: 70.2 ± 5.84, height: 179.1 ± 4.26 cm) were tested at four different time points across one year (T1—September 2019; T2—December 2019; T3—May 2020; T4—August 2020). After T2 (during COVID-19 lockdown), players were divided into a supplemented (GS) group and a placebo group (GP). Variables such as 25(OH)D, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), parathyroid hormone (PTH), aerobic capacity, speed, and explosive power were measured. Analyses performed for all participants indicated significant changes in all selected blood markers and running speed. The highest values in 25(OH)D were noted during summertime in T1 and T4. After individuals were split into two groups, a two-factorial ANOVA demonstrated a significant time interaction for 25(OH)D, Ca, P, PTH, 30 m sprint, and counter-movement jump. Significant time x group effect was calculated for aerobic capacity. This study confirmed that 25(OH)D concentration varies between four seasons, with the greatest decreases in the low sunlight periods. Vitamin D supplementation did not cause a preventive and long-lasting effect of increasing the 25(OH)D concentration in the young soccer players.
Care Their Diet and Mind: Association between Eating Habits and Mental Health in Chinese Left-behind Children
Authors: Liang Kaixin , Chen Sitong , Chi Xinli
Published: January 2022

Studies have shown that the prevalence of mental health problems is high among left-behind children (LBC). Modifiable eating habits may play an important role in promoting mental health among these adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the situation of dietary habits and their association with mental health problems in a sample of Chinese LBC. We conducted this cross-sectional study in an economically disadvantaged area of China in May 2020. Information on socio-demographic factors, eating habits (the frequency of eating carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, protein, and breakfast), and mental health problems (insomnia, depression, and anxiety) were collected among local adolescents. Among 8939 adolescents were recruited, a total of 3314 LBC (1455 males and 1859 females, aged 12–17 years) were identified and included in the current study. Associations between dietary habits and mental health were analyzed by generalized linear models. Results indicated that the dietary pattern was unhealthy among LBC and even worse in females. Compared to routinely eating breakfast and fruits, lower frequencies of eating breakfast and fruits were identified as two significant factors with higher risks of mental health problems. Moreover, the association was more pronounced in females. Therefore, improving diet quality, particularly the frequency of eating breakfast and fruit intake may be an effective approach in the mental health promotion for LBC, especially for females.
Colonic Microbiota Profile Characterization of the Responsiveness to Dietary Fibre Treatment in Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Granado-Serrano Ana Belen , Martín-Garí Meritxell , Sánchez Virginia , Riart Solans Marissa , Lafarga Giribets Antonia , Berdún Rebeca , Vilaprinyó Ester , Portero-Otín Manuel , Serrano José C. E.
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to determine how the microbiota profile might be predisposed to a better response in blood lipid profiles due to dietary fibre supplementation. A three-arm intervention study that included three different fibre types (mainly insoluble, soluble, and antioxidant fibre) supplemented (19.2 g/day) during 2 months in individuals with hypercholesterolemia was developed. Changes in faecal microbiota and blood lipid profile after fibre supplementation were determined. In all volunteers, regardless of fibre type, an increase in the abundance of Bifidobacterium was observed, and similarly, an inverse relationship between faecal propionic acid and blood LDL-cholesterol, LDL particle size, and LDL/HDL particle ratio (p-values 0.0067, 0.0002, and 0.0067, respectively) was observed. However, not all volunteers presented an improvement in lipid profile. The non-responders to fibre treatment showed a decrease in microbiota diversity (Shannon and Simpson diversity index p-values of 0.0110 and 0.0255, respectively) after the intervention; where the reduction in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producing bacterial genera such as Clostridium XIVa and Ruminococcus after dietary fibre treatment was the main difference. It was concluded that the non-responsiveness to dietary fibre treatment might be mediated by the lack of ability to maintain a stable SCFA producing bacteria diversity and composition after extra fibre intake.
Evaluation of Bioactive Properties of Lipophilic Fractions of Edible and Non-Edible Parts of Nasturtium officinale (Watercress) in a Model of Human Malignant Melanoma Cells
Authors: Kyriakou Sotiris , Tragkola Venetia , Alghol Heba , Anestopoulos Ioannis , Amery Tom , Stewart Kyle , Winyard Paul G. , Trafalis Dimitrios T. , Franco Rodrigo , Pappa Aglaia , Panayiotidis Mihalis I.
Published: January 2022

Watercress is an enriched source of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), among other phytochemicals, with an antioxidant capacity. The aim of this study was to (i) chemically characterize and (ii) biologically evaluate the profile of the main health-promoting compounds contained in edible (i.e., mixture of leaves and lateral buds) and non-edible (i.e., stems) parts of watercress in an in vitro model of malignant melanoma consisting of human malignant melanoma (A375), non-melanoma (A431) and keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. The extraction of the main constituents of watercress was performed by subjecting the freeze-dried edible and non-edible samples through different extraction protocols, whereas their concentration was obtained utilizing analytical methodologies. In addition, cell viability was evaluated by the Alamar Blue assay, whereas levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis were determined by commercially available kits. The edible watercress sample contained a higher amount of various nutrients and phytochemicals in the hexane fraction compared to the non-edible one, as evidenced by the presence of PEITC, phenolics, flavonoids, pigments, ascorbic acid, etc. The cytotoxicity potential of the edible watercress sample in the hexane fraction was considerably higher than the non-edible one in A375 cells, whereas A431 and HaCaT cells appeared to be either more resistant or minimally affected, respectively. Finally, levels of oxidative stress and apoptotic induction were increased in both watercress samples, but the magnitude of the induction was much higher in the edible than the non-edible watercress samples. Herein, we provide further evidence documenting the potential development of watercress extracts (including watercress waste by-products) as promising anti-cancer agent(s) against malignant melanoma cells.
Uni-Directionally Oriented Fibro-Porous PLLA/Fibrin Bio-Hybrid Scaffold: Mechano-Morphological and Cell Studies
Authors: Uehlin Andrew F. , Vines Jeremy B. , Feldman Dale S. , Nyairo Elijah , Dean Derrick R. , Thomas Vinoy
Published: January 2022

In this study, we report a biohybrid oriented fibrous scaffold based on nanofibers of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)/fibrin produced by electrospinning and subsequent post-treatment. Induced hydrolytic degradation of the fibers in 0.25 M NaOH solution for various time periods followed by the immobilization of fibrin on the hydrolyzed fiber surfaces was shown to significantly affect the mechanical properties, with the tensile strength (40.6 MPa ± 1.3) and strain at failure (38% ± 4.5) attaining a value within the range of human ligaments and ligament-replacement grafts. Unidirectional electrospinning with a mandrel rotational velocity of 26.4 m/s produced highly aligned fibers with an average diameter of 760 ± 96 nm. After a 20-min hydrolysis treatment in NaOH solution, this was further reduced to an average of 457 ± 89 nm, which is within the range of collagen bundles found in ligament tissue. Based on the results presented herein, the authors hypothesize that a combination of fiber orientation/alignment and immobilization of fibrin can result in the mechanical and morphological modification of PLLA tissue scaffolds for ligament-replacement grafts. Further, it was found that treatment with NaOH enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs and the additional inclusion of fibrin further enhanced osteogenic differentiation, as demonstrated by decreased proliferative rates and increased ALP activity.
A Novel Multilayer Natural Coating for Fed-State Gastric Protection
Authors: Habashy Rober , Khoder Mouhamad , Isreb Abdullah , Alhnan Mohamed A.
Published: January 2022

Several nutraceutical products require gastric protection against the hostile environment in the stomach. Currently marketed synthetic and semi-synthetic coatings suffer from major shortcomings such as poor gastric protection, slow-release response to pH change, and the use of artificial ingredients. The challenge of coating natural products is further exacerbated by the relatively high gastric pH in the fed state. In this work, a novel natural enteric coating is presented as a breakthrough alternative to current solutions. Two coating systems were devised: (i) a triple-layer coating that comprises a wax layer embedded between two alginate-based coatings, and (ii) a double-layer coating, where an overcoat of organic acids (fumaric or citric acid) is applied to an alginate-based coating. The multi-layer architecture did not impact the pH-responsive nature of the coating even when more biologically relevant Krebs bicarbonate buffer of lower buffer capacity was used. Interestingly, the gastric protection barrier of organic acid-based coating remained resistant at elevated gastric pH 2, 3, or 4 for 2 h. This is the first report of using an alginate-based coating to provide gastric protection against fed-state stomach conditions (pH 2–4). Being biodegradable, naturally occurring, and with no limit on daily intake, the reported novel coating provides a superior platform to current coating solutions for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.
Preparation and Characterization of Diene Rubbers/Silica Composites via Reactions of Hydroxyl Groups and Blocked Polyisocyanates
Authors: Ge Lun , Liu Qiang
Published: January 2022

To improve the curing reaction rate and efficiency of sulfur-cured diene-based rubbers, the introduction of some chemical compounds as activators and accelerants is inevitably required, causing potential harm to humans and ecological systems. Moreover, silica is usually employed as a green filling material for rubber reinforcement, and a silane coupling agent is always required to improve its dispersion. Herein, we reported an effective method to cure hydroxyl-functionalized rubbers/silica composites with blocked polyisocyanates, avoiding the use of any other additives. The enhanced dispersion of silica by interaction with hydroxyl groups on molecular chains endowed the composites with high-mechanical performance. The mechanical properties and crosslinking kinetics of the resultant silica composites can be regulated by adjusting the content of hydroxyl groups in the rubber, as well as the amount of the blocked polyisocyanates. The dynamic heat build-up was related to the distance between crosslinking points. A SBROH/B-TDI/silica composite prepared with blocked toluene diisocyanatem (TDI) exhibited comparable tanδ (0.21 at 0 °C and 0.11 at 60 °C) to that of silica composites cured by sulfur with the help of a silane coupling agent (SBR/S/Si69/silica, 0.18 and 0.10), suggesting great applicable potential for new tire rubber compounds.
Mechanical, Corrosion, and Ion Release Studies of Ti-34Nb-6Sn Alloy with Comparable to the Bone Elastic Modulus by Powder Metallurgy Method
Authors: Correa-Rossi Mariana , Romero-Resendiz Liliana , Leal-Bayerlein Daniel , Garcia-Alves Ana , Segovia-López Francisco , Amigó-Borrás Vicente
Published: January 2022

The development of a Ti-34Nb-6Sn alloy by the powder metallurgy method, employing two different compaction conditions, A (100 MPa) and B (200 MPa), was carried out. To evaluate the feasibility of the Ti-34Nb-6Sn alloy as an implant biomaterial, microstructural and mechanical characterizations, as well as corrosion susceptibility and ion release tests, were performed. Results indicated microstructures dominated by the presence of β-Ti phase and a lower percentage of α-Ti and Nb phases. The porosity percentage decreased when the compaction pressure increased. Both conditions presented a good match between the elastic moduli of the alloy (14.0 to 18.8 GPa) and that reported for the bone tissue. The Ti, Nb and Sn ions released for both compaction conditions were within the acceptable ranges for the human body. Condition B showed higher corrosion resistance in comparison with condition A. Based on the obtained results, the produced porous Ti-34Nb-6Sn alloys are feasible materials for orthopedic implant applications.
Association between Neuroticism and Premenstrual Affective/Psychological Symptomatology
Authors: Hamidovic Ajna , Dang Nhan , Khalil Dina , Sun Jiehuan
Published: January 2022

Neuroticism and premenstrual conditions share pleiotropic loci and are strongly associated. It is presently not known which DSM-5 symptoms of premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual mood disorder are associated with neuroticism. We enrolled 45 study participants to provide prospective daily ratings of affective (“depression”, “anxiety, “anger”, “mood swings”) and psychological (“low interest”, “feeling overwhelmed”, and “difficulty concentrating”) symptoms across two-three menstrual cycles (128 total cycles). Generalized additive modeling (gam function in R) was implemented to model the relationships between neuroticism and the premenstrual increase in symptomatology. Significance level was adjusted using the False Discovery Rate method and models were adjusted for current age and age of menarche. Results of the association analysis revealed that “low interest” (p ≤ 0.05) and “difficulty concentrating” (p ≤ 0.001) were significantly associated with neuroticism. None of the remaining symptoms reached statistical significance. The late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is characterized by complex symptomatology, reflecting a physiological milieu of numerous biological processes. By identifying co-expression between neuroticism and specific premenstrual symptomatology, the present study improves our understanding of the premenstrual conditions and provides a platform for individualized treatment developments.
Spatio-Temporal Estimation of Rice Height Using Time Series Sentinel-1 Images
Authors: Yang Huijin , Li Heping , Wang Wei , Li Ning , Zhao Jianhui , Pan Bin
Published: January 2022

Rice height, as the fundamental biophysical attribute, is a controlling factor in crop phenology estimation and yield estimation. The aim of this study was to use time series Sentinel-1A images to estimate the spatio-temporal distribution of rice height. In this study, a particle filter (PF) was applied for the real-time estimation of rice height compared with a simplified water cloud model (SWCM) on the basis of rice mapping and transplanting date. It was found that the VH backscatter (σvho) can potentially be applied to accurately estimate rice height compared with VV backscatter (σvvo), the σvho/σvv0 ratio, and the Radar Vegetation Index (RVI, 4* σvho/(σvho+σvvo)). The results show that the rice height estimation by PF generated a better result with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) equal to 7.36 cm and a determination factor (R2) of 0.95 compared with SWCM (RMSE = 12.59 cm and R2 = 0.86). Moreover, rice height in the south and east of the study area was higher than in the north and west. The reason for this is that the south and east are near to the South China Sea, and there are higher temperatures and earlier transplanting. Altogether, our results demonstrate the potential of PF and σvho to study the spatio-temporal distribution of crop height estimation. As a result, the PF method can contribute greatly to improvements in crop monitoring.
Post-Earthquake Building Evaluation Using UAVs: A BIM-Based Digital Twin Framework
Authors: Levine Nathaniel M. , Spencer Billie F.
Published: January 2022

Computer vision has shown potential for assisting post-earthquake inspection of buildings through automatic damage detection in images. However, assessing the safety of an earthquake-damaged building requires considering this damage in the context of its global impact on the structural system. Thus, an inspection must consider the expected damage progression of the associated component and the component’s contribution to structural system performance. To address this issue, a digital twin framework is proposed for post-earthquake building evaluation that integrates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, component identification, and damage evaluation using a Building Information Model (BIM) as a reference platform. The BIM guides selection of optimal sets of images for each building component. Then, if damage is identified, each image pixel is assigned to a specific BIM component, using a GrabCut-based segmentation method. In addition, 3D point cloud change detection is employed to identify nonstructural damage and associate that damage with specific BIM components. Two example applications are presented. The first develops a digital twin for an existing reinforced concrete moment frame building and demonstrates BIM-guided image selection and component identification. The second uses a synthetic graphics environment to demonstrate 3D point cloud change detection for identifying damaged nonstructural masonry walls. In both examples, observed damage is tied to BIM components, enabling damage to be considered in the context of each component’s known design and expected earthquake performance. The goal of this framework is to combine component-wise damage estimates with a pre-earthquake structural analysis of the building to predict a building’s post-earthquake safety based on an external UAV survey.
Hybrid Interacting Multiple Model Filtering for Improving the Reliability of Radar-Based Forward Collision Warning Systems
Authors: Pak Jung Min
Published: January 2022

Automotive forward collision warning (FCW) systems based on radar sensors attracted widespread attention in recent years. To achieve a reliable FCW, it is essential to accurately estimate the position and velocity of a preceding vehicle. To this end, this study proposed a novel estimation algorithm, which is a hybrid of interacting multiple model probabilistic data association (IMM-PDA) and finite impulse response (FIR) filters. Although the IMM-PDA filter is one of the most successful algorithm for tracking a maneuvering target in clutters, it sometimes exhibits divergence owing to modeling errors. In this study, the divergent IMM-PDA filter in the novel algorithm was reset and recovered using an assisting FIR filter. Consequently, this enabled reliable estimation for FCW. The improved reliability of the proposed algorithm was demonstrated through the simulation of preceding vehicle tracking using automotive radars.
Adaptive Model for Magnetic Particle Mapping Using Magnetoelectric Sensors
Authors: Friedrich Ron-Marco , Faupel Franz
Published: January 2022

Imaging of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is of great interest in the medical sciences. By using resonant magnetoelectric sensors, higher harmonic excitations of MNPs can be measured and mapped in space. The proper reconstruction of particle distribution via solving the inverse problem is paramount for any imaging technique. For this, the forward model needs to be modeled accurately. However, depending on the state of the magnetoelectric sensors, the projection axis for the magnetic field may vary and may not be known accurately beforehand. As a result, the projection axis used in the model may be inaccurate, which can result in inaccurate reconstructions and artifact formation. Here, we show an approach for mapping MNPs that includes sources of uncertainty to both select the correct particle distribution and the correct model simultaneously.
FaceMask: A New Image Dataset for the Automated Identification of People Wearing Masks in the Wild
Authors: Vrigkas Michalis , Kourfalidou Evangelia-Andriana , Plissiti Marina E. , Nikou Christophoros
Published: January 2022

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, in early 2020, has radically changed the lives of people. In our daily routine, the use of a face (surgical) mask is necessary, especially in public places, to prevent the spread of this disease. Furthermore, in crowded indoor areas, the automated recognition of people wearing a mask is a requisite for the assurance of public health. In this direction, image processing techniques, in combination with deep learning, provide effective ways to deal with this problem. However, it is a common phenomenon that well-established datasets containing images of people wearing masks are not publicly available. To overcome this obstacle and to assist the research progress in this field, we present a publicly available annotated image database containing images of people with and without a mask on their faces, in different environments and situations. Moreover, we tested the performance of deep learning detectors in images and videos on this dataset. The training and the evaluation were performed on different versions of the YOLO network using Darknet, which is a state-of-the-art real-time object detection system. Finally, different experiments and evaluations were carried out for each version of YOLO, and the results for each detector are presented.
A New Method of Deep Convolutional Neural Network Image Classification Based on Knowledge Transfer in Small Label Sample Environment
Authors: Kong Yunchen , Ma Xue , Wen Chenglin
Published: January 2022

The problem of deep learning network image classification when a large number of image samples are obtained in life and with only a small amount of knowledge annotation, is preliminarily solved in this paper. First, a support vector machine expert labeling system is constructed by using a bag-of-words model to extract image features from a small number of labeled samples. The labels of a large number of unlabeled image samples are automatically annotated by using the constructed SVM expert labeling system. Second, a small number of labeled samples and automatically labeled image samples are combined to form an augmented training set. A deep convolutional neural network model is created by using an augmented training set. Knowledge transfer from SVMs trained with a small number of image samples annotated by artificial knowledge to deep neural network classifiers is implemented in this paper. The problem of overfitting in neural network training with small samples is solved. Finally, the public dataset caltech256 is used for experimental verification and mechanism analysis of the performance of the new method.
On the Electroanalytical Detection of Zn Ions by a Novel Schiff Base Ligand-SPCE Sensor
Authors: Bressi Viviana , Akbari Zahra , Montazerozohori Morteza , Ferlazzo Angelo , Iannazzo Daniela , Espro Claudia , Neri Giovanni
Published: January 2022

A novel bidentate Schiff base (L) is here proposed for the detection of Zn ions in water. The structure of the synthesized Schiff base L was characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Optical characteristics were addressed by UV-Visible spectroscopy and Photoluminescence (PL) measurements. PL demonstrated that L displays a “turn-off” type fluorescence quenching in the presence of Zn2+ ion in aqueous solution, indicating its ability to preferentially coordinate this ion. Based on these findings, an L-M (where M is a suitable membrane) modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was developed to evaluate the electrochemical behavior of the Schiff base (L) with the final objective of undertaking the electroanalytical determination of Zn ions in water. Using various electrochemical techniques, the modified L-M/SPCE sensor demonstrates high sensitivity and selectivity to Zn ions over some common interferents ions, such as Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Ni++ and Cd++. The potentiometric response of the L-M/SPCE sensor to Zn ions was found to be linear over a relatively wide concentration range from 1 μM to 100 mM.
Influence of Formulations on Characteristics of Ruthenium-Based Temperature-Sensitive Paints
Authors: Ikami Tsubasa , Fujita Koji , Nagai Hiroki
Published: January 2022

Temperature-sensitive paint (TSP) can optically measure a global temperature distribution using a thermal quenching of dye molecules. The TSP measurement is often used in wind tunnel tests to measure the temperature and flow fields in the aerodynamic field. The measurement accuracy is affected by the characteristics of TSP, such as temperature sensitivity, pressure dependency, luminescent intensity, photostability, and surface condition. The characteristics depend on the formulation of TSP. This study investigates the characteristics of the TSP using dichlorotris (1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) hydrate (Ru-phen). We compare the characteristics of TSPs using different polymers, solvents, and dye concentrations. The TSPs using polyacrylic acid as a polymer shows linear calibration curves, high luminescent intensity, high photostability, and smooth surface. On the other hand, the TSPs using polymethyl methacrylate have nonlinear calibration curves, low luminescent intensity, strong photodegradation, and a rough surface.
Monolithic Integrated OLED–OPD Unit for Point-of-Need Nitrite Sensing
Authors: Titov Igor , Köpke Markus , Gerken Martina
Published: January 2022

In this study, we present a highly integrated design of organic optoelectronic devices for Point-of-Need (PON) nitrite (NO2−) measurement. The spectrophotometric investigation of nitrite concentration was performed utilizing the popular Griess reagent and a reflection-based photometric unit with an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and an organic photodetector (OPD). In this approach a nitrite concentration dependent amount of azo dye is formed, which absorbs light around ~540 nm. The organic devices are designed for sensitive detection of absorption changes caused by the presence of this azo dye without the need of a spectrometer. Using a green emitting TCTA:Ir(mppy)3 OLED (peaking at ~512 nm) and a DMQA:DCV3T OPD with a maximum sensitivity around 530 nm, we successfully demonstrated the operation of the OLED–OPD pair for nitrite sensing with a low limit of detection 46 µg/L (1.0 µM) and a linearity of 99%. The hybrid integration of an OLED and an OPD with 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm device sizes and a gap of 0.9 mm is a first step towards a highly compact, low cost and highly commercially viable PON analytic platform. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a fully organic-semiconductor-based monolithic integrated platform for real-time PON photometric nitrite analysis.
Design and Synchronization Procedures of a D&F Co-Operative 5G Network Based on SDR Hardware Interface: Performance Analysis
Authors: Verdecia-Peña Randy , Alonso José I.
Published: January 2022

Software defined radio (SDR) is a commonly used platform for its ease of operation and cost-effectiveness for the development and testing of real wireless communication systems. By supporting high transmission rates and enabling fast and cost-effective deployments, mainly in millimeter-wave (mmWave), the co-operative 5G network has been standardized by 3GPP Release 16. In this paper, a decode-and-forward (D&F) co-operative hardware network is proposed as one of the key technologies for future 5G/6G wireless networks. The proposed system consists of an emulated base station processing unit (gnodeB), a D&F protocol and the user equipment (UE). In particular, the design of the D&F relay node is based on an MIMO layer 2 relay technology. A testbed based on an SDR platform and MatlabTM software, in which the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) transmission, physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) for transport channel coding, according to the 3GPP standardized 5G downlink signal, has been designed. The key performance indicators (KPIs), namely EVM, BER, and throughput, were measured for 5G signals with 64-QAM and 256-QAM modulation schemes. The obtained results show that the D&F co-operative 5G network achieves substantially improved KPIs in the communication between the gnodeB and the UE in an outdoor-to-indoor scenario. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the D&F protocol presents a good performance and behavior being compared to one commercial equipment.
A Shallow U-Net Architecture for Reliably Predicting Blood Pressure (BP) from Photoplethysmogram (PPG) and Electrocardiogram (ECG) Signals
Authors: Mahmud Sakib , Ibtehaz Nabil , Khandakar Amith , Tahir Anas M. , Rahman Tawsifur , Islam Khandaker Reajul , Hossain Md Shafayet , Rahman M. Sohel , Musharavati Farayi , Ayari Mohamed Arselene , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Chowdhury Muhammad E. H.
Published: January 2022

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death around the world. To detect and treat heart-related diseases, continuous blood pressure (BP) monitoring along with many other parameters are required. Several invasive and non-invasive methods have been developed for this purpose. Most existing methods used in hospitals for continuous monitoring of BP are invasive. On the contrary, cuff-based BP monitoring methods, which can predict systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), cannot be used for continuous monitoring. Several studies attempted to predict BP from non-invasively collectible signals such as photoplethysmograms (PPG) and electrocardiograms (ECG), which can be used for continuous monitoring. In this study, we explored the applicability of autoencoders in predicting BP from PPG and ECG signals. The investigation was carried out on 12,000 instances of 942 patients of the MIMIC-II dataset, and it was found that a very shallow, one-dimensional autoencoder can extract the relevant features to predict the SBP and DBP with state-of-the-art performance on a very large dataset. An independent test set from a portion of the MIMIC-II dataset provided a mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.333 and 0.713 for SBP and DBP, respectively. On an external dataset of 40 subjects, the model trained on the MIMIC-II dataset provided an MAE of 2.728 and 1.166 for SBP and DBP, respectively. For both the cases, the results met British Hypertension Society (BHS) Grade A and surpassed the studies from the current literature.
An All-in-One Vehicle Type and License Plate Recognition System Using YOLOv4
Authors: Park Se-Ho , Yu Saet-Byeol , Kim Jeong-Ah , Yoon Hyoseok
Published: January 2022

In smart surveillance and urban mobility applications, camera-equipped embedded platforms with deep learning technology have demonstrated applicability and effectiveness in identifying various targets. These use cases can be found in a variety of contexts and locations. It is critical to collect relevant data from the location where the application will be deployed. In this paper, we propose an integrated vehicle type and license plate recognition system using YOLOv4, which consists of vehicle type detection, license plate detection, and license plate character detection to better support the context of Korean vehicles in multilane highway and urban environments. Using our dataset of one to four multilane images, our system detected six vehicle classes and license plates with mAP of 98.0%, 94.0%, 97.1%, and 84.6%, respectively. On our dataset and a publicly available open dataset, our system demonstrated mAP of 99.3% and 99.4% for the detected license plates, respectively. From 4K high-resolution images, our system was able to detect minuscule license plates as small as 100 pixels wide. We believe that our system can be used in densely populated regions to address the high demands for enhanced visual sensitivity in smart cities and Internet-of-Things.
Robot System Assistant (RoSA): Towards Intuitive Multi-Modal and Multi-Device Human-Robot Interaction
Authors: Strazdas Dominykas , Hintz Jan , Khalifa Aly , Abdelrahman Ahmed A. , Hempel Thorsten , Al-Hamadi Ayoub
Published: January 2022

This paper presents an implementation of RoSA, a Robot System Assistant, for safe and intuitive human-machine interaction. The interaction modalities were chosen and previously reviewed using a Wizard of Oz study emphasizing a strong propensity for speech and pointing gestures. Based on these findings, we design and implement a new multi-modal system for contactless human-machine interaction based on speech, facial, and gesture recognition. We evaluate our proposed system in an extensive study with multiple subjects to examine the user experience and interaction efficiency. It reports that our method achieves similar usability scores compared to the entirely human remote-controlled robot interaction in our Wizard of Oz study. Furthermore, our framework’s implementation is based on the Robot Operating System (ROS), allowing modularity and extendability for our multi-device and multi-user method.
A Survey of Security in Cloud, Edge, and Fog Computing
Authors: Ometov Aleksandr , Molua Oliver , Komarov Mikhail , Nurmi Jari
Published: January 2022

The field of information security and privacy is currently attracting a lot of research interest. Simultaneously, different computing paradigms from Cloud computing to Edge computing are already forming a unique ecosystem with different architectures, storage, and processing capabilities. The heterogeneity of this ecosystem comes with certain limitations, particularly security and privacy challenges. This systematic literature review aims to identify similarities, differences, main attacks, and countermeasures in the various paradigms mentioned. The main determining outcome points out the essential security and privacy threats. The presented results also outline important similarities and differences in Cloud, Edge, and Fog computing paradigms. Finally, the work identified that the heterogeneity of such an ecosystem does have issues and poses a great setback in the deployment of security and privacy mechanisms to counter security attacks and privacy leakages. Different deployment techniques were found in the review studies as ways to mitigate and enhance security and privacy shortcomings.
Experimental Verification of Micro-Doppler Radar Measurements of Fall-Risk-Related Gait Differences for Community-Dwelling Elderly Adults
Authors: Saho Kenshi , Fujimoto Masahiro , Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Matsumoto Michito
Published: January 2022

In a previous study, we developed a classification model to detect fall risk for elderly adults with a history of falls (fallers) using micro-Doppler radar (MDR) gait measurements via simulation. The objective was to create daily monitoring systems that can identify elderly people with a high risk of falls. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of our model by collecting actual MDR data from community-dwelling elderly people. First, MDR gait measurements were performed in a community setting, and the efficient gait parameters for the classification of fallers were extracted. Then, a support vector machine model that was trained and validated using the simulated MDR data was tested for the gait parameters extracted from the actual MDR data. A classification accuracy of 78.8% was achieved for the actual MDR data. The validity of the experimental results was confirmed based on a comparison with the results of our previous simulation study. Thus, the practicality of the faller classification model constructed using the simulated MDR data was verified for the actual MDR data.
CPT—DMT Correlations on Regional Soils from Croatia
Authors: Grabar Kristijan , Strelec Stjepan , Špiranec Miljenko , Dodigović Filip
Published: January 2022

This paper was prepared based on in situ measurements carried out by the authors using the CPTu and DMT static penetration probes. The list of study sites includes seven specific locations in the northern parts of Croatia and one study site on the southern border of the country. The sites were selected based on the criterion of soil type, which falls into the category of soft to firm, slightly over-consolidated silty clays and silty sands. Intermediate soils are prevalent in the wider region, and most engineers deal with them in their everyday practice. For this reason, local characterization is of most importance for engineering purposes. In this investigation, results of in-situ tests are compared in order to validate the quality of the constrained modulus obtained from a CPT test to the one obtained by a DMT flat dilatometer. A comparison was made between the CPT test cone resistance Qt1 and two DMT parameters—normalized modulus ED/σ′v0 and horizontal stress index KD. Dependencies were analyzed for the main soil groups and intermediate data groups. Clay soils were divided into two subgroups based on the identification parameter ID, while silty soils were analyzed in three subgroups. The results for each subgroup differed significantly, and the analyses showed deviations from published values, especially for the intermediate soil groups. The usefulness of the application is demonstrated with examples at two sites, showing improvements over the most commonly used formula for the constrained modulus from the CPT test.
Knowledge-Based Optimal Irrigation Scheduling of Agro-Hydrological Systems
Authors: Sahoo Soumya R. , Agyeman Bernard T. , Debnath Sarupa , Liu Jinfeng
Published: January 2022

Agricultural irrigation consumes about 70% of freshwater globally every year. To improve the water-use efficiency in agricultural irrigation is critical as we move toward water sustainability. An irrigation scheduler determines how much water to irrigate and when to irrigate for an agricultural field. To get a high-resolution irrigation-scheduling solution for a large-scale agricultural field is still an open research problem. In this work, we propose a knowledge-based optimal irrigation-scheduling approach for large-scale agricultural fields that are equipped with center pivot irrigation systems. The proposed scheduler is designed in the framework of model predictive control. The objective of the proposed scheduler is to maximize crop yield while minimizing irrigation water consumption and the associated electricity usage. First, we introduce a structure-preserving model reduction technique to significantly reduce the dimensionality of agro-hydrological systems. Then, based on the reduced model, an optimization-based scheduler is designed. In the design of the scheduler, knowledge from farmers is taken into account to further reduce the computational complexity of the scheduler. The proposed approach explicitly considers both the irrigation time and the irrigation amount as decision variables to keep the crop within the stress-free zone considering the weather uncertainty and heterogeneous soil types for large agricultural fields. The proposed approach is applied to three different scenarios with different soil types, crops, and weather uncertainty. The results show that in all the conditions, the scheduler is capable of keeping the crops stress-free, which results in maximum yield and, at the same time, minimizes water consumption and irrigation events.
AAO Template-Assisted Fabrication of Ordered Ag Nanoparticles-Decorated Au Nanotubes Array for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection
Authors: Sun Kexi , Deng Quan , Tang Haibin
Published: January 2022

Highly sensitive and reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates are the main challenge for practical applications. In this work, an ordered and hierarchical Ag nanoparticles (Ag-NPs)-decorated Au nanotubes (Au-NTs) array was achieved based on a funnel-shaped pore anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template-assisted strategy. First, funnel-pore-AAO templates were fabricated by further oxidation of conical-pore-AAO templates achieved by multistep anodization and etching. Then physical sputtering was used to assemble the Au-NTs and Ag-NPs using the as-prepared funnel-pore-AAO as sacrificial templates. SEM revealed abundant sub-10 nm neighboring gaps and sub-10 nm nanocavities at the bottom of the nanotubes because of the special shape of the AAO template, which resulted in abundant strong “hot spots” contributing to the sensitive SERS detection. The resultant hierarchical substrates manifested a SERS enhancement factor of 1.8 × 107 and reproducible response to 10−11 M rhodamine 6G and 10−8 M methyl parathion, showing potential in SERS-based rapid detection of trace pollutants in the environment.
Effect of Acorn Thermotherapy and Short-Term Storage on Morphological Characteristics of Related Quercus Robur L. Seedlings
Authors: Kranjec Orlović Jelena , Drvodelić Damir , Španjol Ela , Bogunović Sanja , Diminić Danko , Oršanić Milan
Published: January 2022

To preserve the sustainability of Quercus robur forests, which is at risk due to the disturbed natural regeneration, human assisted sowing of acorns or planting of oak seedlings is often performed. However, the success of these methods depends greatly on the use of high-quality sowing and planting material. Thermotherapy is thus often employed to decrease the acorn mycobiota and maintain their quality during the storage. The aim of this study was to test the impact of acorn thermotherapy, followed by a short-term storage at −1 °C or 3 °C, on the quality of related oak seedlings, which was assessed based on the easily observable morphological characteristics. Height, root collar diameter and seedling form were measured or noted for the 1284 and 1190 seedlings at the age of four months and three years, respectively. It was found that acorn thermotherapy affirmatively affected seedling height, especially at the early growth stage. Positive impact on other seedling attributes could not be decisively confirmed because of the lack of the continuity of the effect (not visible in both younger and older seedlings) and the prevailing impact of other factors. Different acorn thermotherapy conditions (temperature and duration) and short-term storage temperatures appeared to be associated only with the occurrence of stem forking at the earlier stage of seedling growth.