bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraoperative Imaging in Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery
Authors: Husarova Tereza , MacCuaig William M. , Dennahy Isabel S. , Sanderson Emma J. , Edil Barish H. , Jain Ajay , Bonds Morgan M. , McNally Molly W. , Menclova Katerina , Pudil Jiri , Zaruba Pavel , Pohnan Radek , Henson Christina E. , Grizzle William E. , McNally Lacey R.
Published: July 2023

Hepatopancreatobiliary surgery belongs to one of the most complex fields of general surgery. An intricate and vital anatomy is accompanied by difficult distinctions of tumors from fibrosis and inflammation; the identification of precise tumor margins; or small, even disappearing, lesions on currently available imaging. The routine implementation of ultrasound use shifted the possibilities in the operating room, yet more precision is necessary to achieve negative resection margins. Modalities utilizing fluorescent-compatible dyes have proven their role in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, although this is not yet a routine practice, as there are many limitations. Modalities, such as photoacoustic imaging or 3D holograms, are emerging but are mostly limited to preclinical settings. There is a need to identify and develop an ideal contrast agent capable of differentiating between malignant and benign tissue and to report on the prognostic benefits of implemented intraoperative imaging in order to navigate clinical translation. This review focuses on existing and developing imaging modalities for intraoperative use, tailored to the needs of hepatopancreatobiliary cancers. We will also cover the application of these imaging techniques to theranostics to achieve combined diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
Solution Plasma for Surface Design of Advanced Photocatalysts
Authors: Wang Rui , Wang Changhua , Xing Yanmei , Zhang Xintong
Published: July 2023

Rational design of the surface of photocatalysts can conveniently modulate the photo-stimulated charge separation, influence the surface reaction kinetics, and other pivotal factors in the photocatalytic processes for efficient photocatalysis. Solution plasma, holding promise for mild modification of the surface structure of materials, has recently been recognized as an emerging technology for surface engineering of high-performance photocatalysts. In this review, we will briefly introduce the fundamentals of solution plasma and its applications in materials preparation and summarize the recent research progress in the surface design of advanced photocatalysts by solution plasma. Lastly, we will indicate some possible new directions. This review is expected to provide an instructive guideline for the surface design of heterogeneous photocatalysts by solution plasma.
Long-Term—But Not Short-Term—Plasticity at the Mossy Fiber–CA3 Pyramidal Cell Synapse in Hippocampus Is Altered in M1/M3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Double Knockout Mice
Authors: Zheng Fang , Wess Jürgen , Alzheimer Christian
Published: July 2023

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are well-known for their crucial involvement in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory, but the exact roles of the various receptor subtypes (M1–M5) are still not fully understood. Here, we studied how M1 and M3 receptors affect plasticity at the mossy fiber (MF)–CA3 pyramidal cell synapse. In hippocampal slices from M1/M3 receptor double knockout (M1/M3-dKO) mice, the signature short-term plasticity of the MF–CA3 synapse was not significantly affected. However, the rather unique NMDA receptor-independent and presynaptic form of long-term potentiation (LTP) of this synapse was much larger in M1/M3-deficient slices compared to wild-type slices in both field potential and whole-cell recordings. Consistent with its presynaptic origin, induction of MF-LTP strongly enhanced the excitatory drive onto single CA3 pyramidal cells, with the effect being more pronounced in M1/M3-dKO cells. In an earlier study, we found that the deletion of M2 receptors in mice disinhibits MF-LTP in a similar fashion, suggesting that endogenous acetylcholine employs both M1/M3 and M2 receptors to constrain MF-LTP. Importantly, such synergism was not observed for MF long-term depression (LTD). Low-frequency stimulation, which reliably induced LTD of MF synapses in control slices, failed to do so in M1/M3-dKO slices and gave rise to LTP instead. In striking contrast, loss of M2 receptors augmented LTD when compared to control slices. Taken together, our data demonstrate convergence of M1/M3 and M2 receptors on MF-LTP, but functional divergence on MF-LTD, with the net effect resulting in a well-balanced bidirectional plasticity of the MF–CA3 pyramidal cell synapse.
DNA-Based Mechanical Sensors for Cell Applications
Authors: Sun Xiaoya , Hao Pengyan , Wu Na
Published: July 2023

Cells constantly experience mechanical forces during growth and development. Increasing evidence suggests that mechanical forces can regulate cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Therefore, developing new tools to measure and manipulate cellular mechanical forces is essential. DNA nanostructures, due to their simple design and high programmability, have been utilized to create various mechanical sensors and have become a key tool for studying mechanical information in both cellular and non-cellular systems. In this article, we review the development of DNA-based mechanical sensors and their applications in measuring mechanical forces in the extracellular matrix and cell–cell interactions and summarize the latest advances in monitoring and manipulating cellular morphology and function. We hope that this review can provide insights for the development of new mechanical nanodevices.
Assessing the Correlation between Blood Trace Element Concentrations, Picky Eating Habits, and Intelligence Quotient in School-Aged Children
Authors: Saati Abdullah A. , Adly Heba M.
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Inadequate levels of iron, zinc, and copper have been linked to growth impairment and cognitive and motor development deficits. The objective of this study is to examine the deficiencies of trace elements and their correlation with selective eating patterns and the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children. Methods and Patients: The cross-sectional analysis involved 430 children aged between 7 and 10 years. Blood samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the trace elements levels. Children’s IQs were assessed using Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices. Results: Among the sample group, 20.3% exhibited iron deficiency, 42.5% had zinc deficiency, and 14% had insufficient copper levels. Single trace element deficiency was observed in 56.9% of the children, while 66.7% showed coexisting deficiencies of iron and zinc. Children with lower development levels exhibited significantly lower serum zinc levels compared to those with higher development levels (76.78 ± 10.67 vs. 81.14 ± 10.19 μg/dL). The analysis reveals that picky eaters had lower serum iron levels (76.59 ± 10.42 μg/dL) and higher serum copper levels (123.74 ± 13.45 μg/dL). Conclusion: A strong association was observed between zinc deficiency, picky eating habits, and lower developmental stages. The findings underscore the importance of monitoring nutritional status in children, given the significant implications for their cognitive development.
EMT Features in Claudin-Low versus Claudin-Non-Suppressed Breast Cancers and the Role of Epigenetic Modifications
Authors: Voutsadakis Ioannis A.
Published: July 2023

Background: Breast cancers are heterogeneous and are classified according to the expression of ER, PR and HER2 receptors to distinct groups with prognostic and therapeutic implications. Within the triple-negative group, with no expression of these three receptors, molecular heterogeneity exists but is currently not exploited in the clinic. The claudin-low phenotype is present in a subset of triple-negative breast cancers and constitutes together with basal-like cancers the most extensive groups within triple-negative breast cancers. Suppression of epithelial cell adhesion molecules in claudin-low cancers is also a hallmark of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Methods: The groups of claudin-low and claudin-non-suppressed breast cancers from the extensive publicly available genomic cohorts of the METABRIC study were examined to delineate and compare their molecular landscape. Genetic and epigenetic alterations of key factors involved in EMT and potentially associated with the pathogenesis of the claudin-low phenotype were analyzed in the two groups. Results: Claudin-low cancers displayed up-regulation of several core transcription factors of EMT at the mRNA level, compared with claudin-non-suppressed breast cancers. Global promoter DNA methylation was increased in both groups of triple-negative cancers and in claudin-low ER-positive cancers compared with the rest of ER-positive cancers. Histone modifier enzymes, including methyltransferases, demethylases, acetyltransferases and deacetylases displayed amplifications more frequently in claudin-non-suppressed triple-negative cancers than in claudin-low counterparts and the expression of some of these enzymes differed significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: Claudin-low and claudin-non-suppressed triple-negative breast cancers differ in their landscape of EMT core regulators and epigenetic regulators. These differences may be explored as targets for therapeutic interventions specific to the two groups of triple-negative breast cancers.
The Glaze Icing Performance of a Robust Superhydrophobic Film Composed of Epoxy Resin and Polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Zhuang Aoyun , Li Chao , Yu Jianping , Lu Yao
Published: July 2023

Ice accretion on transmission lines can cause operational difficulties and disastrous events. In this study, a micro/nano-structured epoxy resin/polydimethylsiloxane (EP/PDMS) film on glass, with water droplet contact angles (CA) observed as high as 160° and the water droplet sliding angle (SA) < 1° was fabricated by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD). The glaze icing performance of the superhydrophobic EP/PDMS films have been investigated by comparing the bare glass and room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicon rubber-coated glass substrate representing the glass insulators and silicone rubber insulators, respectively. Compared with the bare glass and the RTV silicon rubber coating, the EP/PDMS superhydrophobic coating showed excellent performance in delaying glaze icing, especially in the early stages of icing. After 20 min of glaze icing with tilting angle of 90° at −5 and −10 °C, 38.9% and 85.7% of the RTV silicon rubber coating were covered, respectively, and less than 3% of the EP/PDMS coating was covered by ice when the blank glass sheet was completely covered. The EP/PDMS films also showed good mechanical robustness and long-term stability, which are important considerations in their widespread real-world adoption.
Large-Scale Production and Optical Properties of a High-Quality SnS2 Single Crystal Grown Using the Chemical Vapor Transportation Method
Authors: Tripathi Prashant , Kumar Arun , Bankar Prashant K. , Singh Kedar , Gupta Bipin Kumar
Published: July 2023

The scientific community believes that high-quality, bulk layered, semiconducting single crystals are crucial for producing two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets. This has a significant impact on current cutting-edge science in the development of next-generation electrical and optoelectronic devices. To meet this ever-increasing demand, efforts have been made to manufacture high-quality SnS2 single crystals utilizing low-cost CVT (chemical vapor transportation) technology, which allows for large-scale crystal production. Based on the chemical reaction that occurs throughout the CVT process, a viable mechanism for SnS2 growth is postulated in this paper. Optical, XRD with Le Bail fitting, TEM, and SEM are used to validate the quality, phase, gross structural/microstructural analyses, and morphology of SnS2 single crystals. Furthermore, Raman, TXRF, XPS, UV–Vis, and PL spectroscopy are used to corroborate the quality of the SnS2 single crystals, as well as the proposed energy level diagram for indirect transition in the bulk SnS2 single crystals. As a result, the suggested method provides a cost-effective method for growing high-quality SnS2 single crystals, which could lead to a new alternative resource for producing 2D SnS2 nanosheets, which are in great demand for designing next-generation optoelectronic and quantum devices.
Potential Distribution of Bryophyte, Entodon challengeri (Entodontaceae), under Climate Warming in China
Authors: Cong Mingyang , Li Yongkun , Yang Wenjing
Published: July 2023

Entodon challengeri (Paris) Cardot has important environmental monitoring and medical value. It is critical we inspect the influence of climate warming on its spatiotemporal distribution pattern. Based on actual geographical distribution records and environmental datasets, a MaxEnt model coupled with ArcGIS was executed to display the potential suitable habitats of E. challengeri in China under future climate warming scenarios. We showed the following. (i) The simulation accuracy of the MaxEnt model was excellent, with an AUC value of 0.918. (ii) Annual precipitation and precipitation during the wettest month were the critical factors that restricted the distribution range of E. challengeri. (iii) Current suitable habitats were concentrated in the northern temperate zone in eastern China. (iv) Under climate warming scenarios, on the spatial scale, the distributional pattern presented a shrinkage in the south and expansion in the north, which was more obvious in the RCP8.5 than in the RCP2.6 scenario. On the time scale, shrinkage of the potential distributional range was greater in the 2070s than in the 2050s. (v) The distributional centroids shifted to the northeast. In general, future climate warming will have a great negative effect on the suitability of habitats of E. challengeri.
Wild Plant Diversity and Soil Characteristics of Desert Roadside Vegetation in the Eastern Desert
Authors: Sallam Heba , Alzain Mashail Nasser , Abuzaid Amani Omar , Loutfy Naglaa , Badry Mohamed O. , Osman Ahmed K. , Hammad Sabah A.
Published: July 2023

The wild vegetation of the Eastern Desert is characterized by openness and comprises perennials and ephemerals. The current study investigated the relationship between the edaphic factors of the natural vegetation along El Sheikh Fadl–Ras Gharib Road, Southwest Suez Gulf, in the northern sector of the Eastern Desert. The vegetation structure of the study area is relatively simple. The surveyed plants included 93 species from 22 families (51 perennials and 42 annuals). Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Fabaceae were the richest families, constituting the majority of plant species (53.76%). Therophytes were the most frequent life forms. About 83.87% of the total flora were pluriregional elements of different affinities. Most of the recorded taxa occupied the Irano-Turanian/Mediterranean/Saharo-Sindian/Sudano-Zambezian chorotypes. The application of TWINSPAN classification resulted in grouping the vegetation into three main vegetation groups (A, B, and C), representing distinct microhabitats. The CCA ordination indicates diversity in vegetation group A. Group B was highly associated with Na, Mg, CaCO3, silt, clay, and C/N. Group C showed a high correlation with sand, K, and N. The differences in wild plant life forms, richness, and diversity along the studied desert roadsides, in association with the soil differences, provide a good indication of plant biodiversity.
Artificial Intelligence for Image Analysis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review
Authors: Pereira-Prado Vanesa , Martins-Silveira Felipe , Sicco Estafanía , Hochmann Jimena , Isiordia-Espinoza Mario , González Rogelio , Pandiar Deepak , Bologna-Molina Ronell
Published: July 2023

Head and neck tumor differential diagnosis and prognosis have always been a challenge for oral pathologists due to their similarities and complexity. Artificial intelligence novel applications can function as an auxiliary tool for the objective interpretation of histomorphological digital slides. In this review, we present digital histopathological image analysis applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma. A literature search was performed in PubMed MEDLINE with the following keywords: “artificial intelligence” OR “deep learning” OR “machine learning” AND “oral squamous cell carcinoma”. Artificial intelligence has proven to be a helpful tool in histopathological image analysis of tumors and other lesions, even though it is necessary to continue researching in this area, mainly for clinical validation.
Do Energy Prices Put the Tourism Sector at Risk?
Authors: Poutakidou Georgia , Menegaki Angeliki N.
Published: July 2023

This paper studies the effect of a shock in the hospitality sector, namely the energy price increase, with stated preference methods and performs the subsequent analysis with a mixture of quantitative and qualitative tools. The hospitality sector is very important and is the backbone of the tourism industry worldwide. We designed and administered two semi-structured anonymous questionnaires that were sent randomly to recipients for completion. One questionnaire investigated tourists’ behavior, visit and their stay and their spending intentions, whereas the second questionnaire investigated the hoteliers/managers estimations and beliefs on energy price increases and whether or how this price increase would have an effect on tourists’ behavior and their visit, stay and spending intentions in the destination. Through two surveys, we collected answers to questions for three consecutive years—2021: representing the past/before the energy crisis, 2022: the present/the time of the crisis breakout and 2023: the future/after the crisis outbreak. Overall, a lower tourist expenditure is found for the future due to the energy price shock, but there are no significant differences between the answers of the two groups. Our results are insightful for tourism policy makers, hoteliers and managers and particularly those economies that rely heavily on tourism, e.g., island economies.
Developing Entrepreneurial Society: Have We Ignored the Opportunities of Preschool Education?
Authors: Seikkula-Leino Jaana , Håkansson Lindqvist Marcia , Jónsdóttir Svanborg R. , Ólafsdóttir Sara M. , Verma Priti
Published: July 2023

Entrepreneurship education has much potential to act as the main driver for society, which promotes well-being, economic sustainability, and solving global wicked challenges, such as climate change. Thus, education strategies and political programs emphasize that entrepreneurship education or strengthening entrepreneurs’ activities should occur through the educational system. However, entrepreneurship education has its roots in adult education or teaching older students. In addition, the field reflects a business orientation, making it difficult for the theme to be integrated into education for young children. In this paper, we study “How has entrepreneurship education been studied in the preschool context?”. This study utilizes a semi-structural literature review which was conducted in the fall of 2022. This approach allows for a better understanding of complex areas within a given research topic, such as studying entrepreneurship education in the context of preschool education. Eleven peer-reviewed studies were included in the analysis. The articles were coded deductively and inductively using a concept-centric approach. The results show the potential of entrepreneurship education to be utilized more in educating young children if we want to develop societies more ambitiously. In general, more research is needed in the field. Furthermore, there is a need to study what happens in entrepreneurship education preschool interventions and what results can be achieved. Our research can also contribute to preparing educational strategies and developing curricula, providing ideas to early childhood educators.
Decree-Law 54/2018: Perspectives of Early Childhood Educators on Inclusion in Preschool Education in Portugal
Authors: Bonança Rita Simas , Bulhões Paulo César Fróes , Leonido Levi , Morgado Elsa Maria Gabriel
Published: July 2023

In this study, we analyze the perspectives of early childhood educators working in various teaching sectors on inclusion in preschool education, following the publication of Decree-Law no. 54/2018, as of 6 July, at a time when learning and inclusion support measures are being extended to all children and the SARS-CoV-19 (COVID-19) pandemic prevails in Portugal and worldwide. Based on a mixed methodological approach and the application of a questionnaire survey of 250 early childhood educators, we reflect on the implementation of the legal framework, involvement of the multidisciplinary learning and inclusion support team (EMAEI), teacher training, pedagogical/collaborative work, and mobilized support for preschool education children. The results obtained indicate quality and effectiveness in the pedagogical plan, and collaborative work between teachers and specialist technicians, although higher education in the field of inclusive education does not seem to provide professionals with the necessary and in-depth knowledge on the subject. They also indicate that, alongside dissatisfaction with the insufficient support provided to preschool education children, the relevant diploma is not fully applied, with doubts still remaining about its application.
How Effective Is Entrepreneurship Education in Schools? An Empirical Study of the New Curriculum in Spain
Authors: Núñez-Canal Margarita , Sanz Ponce Roberto , Azqueta Arantxa , Montoro-Fernández Elisabet
Published: July 2023

This research analyzes the results of an entrepreneurship education program focused on knowledge and attitudes in 1036 students of secondary education, high school, and vocational training, differentiated into two groups, control and experimental. It analyzes the outcomes after incorporating entrepreneurship content into the school curriculum and participating in a program of entrepreneurial potential, which develops creativity, leadership, personal control, achievement motivation, and problem-solving. Non-parametric statistics were used to assess the influence of the acquisition of entrepreneurial knowledge on the gender, age, school ownership, and socio-educational level of the parents. This study shows that students with a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship improve their entrepreneurial knowledge and that the impact is more significant if they participate in the specific program. The results are not significant for the variables gender, school type, and parents’ level of education, but they are significant for age and school level. The effectiveness of including content on entrepreneurship in the curriculum and the specific program is ratified. It is proposed to reinforce education in entrepreneurial knowledge that strengthens the students’ identity and future entrepreneurial intention.
To Make Known in Order to Recognize: Schools as Vehicles for Constructing Identity for the Maya Peoples
Authors: Rodorigo Monia , González-Martín Javier , Fernández-Larragueta Susana
Published: July 2023

Although the Guatemalan population is made up of 53% Indigenous peoples, there is a certain belief according to which Indigenous peoples are still currently associated with underdevelopment, inferiority, submission, and exploitation, causing the belief that, for many, being Mayan is not synonymous with identity, but with poverty, neglect, and inferiority. Through a biographical–naturalist study, we delve into how Guatemalan teachers experienced not only their Mayan being, but also how the construction of their identity was gestated in schools. After carrying out the data analysis process, we underline and describe how the Mayan culture, worldview, and language still constitutes a difficulty and an obstacle to the construction of the personal identity of Indigenous peoples in Guatemala. We describe the experience lived in monolingual and monoethnic schools in which not only is the Mayan culture not recognized, but the use of the language and its expression are prohibited. We review the repercussions that the actions of the political agendas have on the key of recognition, highlighting how, beyond the legislative indications, it is the involvement and personal actions of teachers that is making it possible to make known and recognize the Mayan culture.
Using a Virtual Avatar Teaching Simulation and an Evidence-Based Teacher Observation Tool: A Synergistic Combination for Teacher Preparation
Authors: Berg Craig , Dieker Lisa , Scolavino Raymond
Published: July 2023

The authors describe the combination of a mixed-reality simulation program and a teacher observation software tool to gather and analyze both comments and data in a teacher preparation program. Current research on this simulation experience for teachers to practice their craft, called TLE TeachLivE, is presented, along with the general and specific uses of this mixed-reality simulator. The authors also describe a recently developed teacher observation web-based app called SeeMeTeach that provides a platform for evidence-based teacher observations both within the simulator and in real classroom settings. The authors provide a description of how the pair of tools work in concert to identify strengths and weaknesses of teacher–student discourse, student engagement in lessons, and classroom management. The synergetic use of these tools provides a low-risk opportunity to practice teaching while maximizing data gathering for optimizing feedback and coaching based on evidence. In merging TLE TeachLive and SeeMeTeach, our work examined the following research questions using a mixed-methods research design: (1) How can the teacher observation tool aid teacher educators in identifying and collecting data during a teacher observation regarding key and discrete factors in teacher–student interactions and student engagement when attempting to improve teaching effectiveness? And (2) Does the TLE TeachLivE simulation produce a realism that offers potential for a wide enough variation in the display of teaching skills so that teaching fingerprints emerge?
Social Media Influence on Students’ Knowledge Sharing and Learning: An Empirical Study
Authors: Sivakumar Arunkumar , Jayasingh Sudarsan , Shaik Shahenaz
Published: July 2023

Social media brought new opportunities not only for entertainment and marketing but also for knowledge sharing and learning. This research attempted to examine the effectiveness of social media as an educational tool and its impact on knowledge sharing among college and university students. The study used social cognitive and connective theories to develop a model that examines the influence of personal motivations (such as reputation) and social networking features (such as file sharing and student engagement) on information sharing. The study concluded that social media can promote knowledge sharing and can increase student motivation and performance. The findings suggest that social networking is a valuable method of information dissemination and can be used to encourage student engagement. The article also provides implications, restrictions, and future research directions for using social media in education. This study provides valuable insights for educators and institutions looking to incorporate social media into their teaching and learning strategies.
SiamUT: Siamese Unsymmetrical Transformer-like Tracking
Authors: Yang Lingyu , Zhou Hao , Yuan Guowu , Xia Mengen , Chen Dong , Shi Zhiliang , Chen Enbang
Published: July 2023

Siamese networks have proven to be suitable for many computer vision tasks, including single object tracking. These trackers leverage the siamese structure to benefit from feature cross-correlation, which measures the similarity between a target template and the corresponding search region. However, the linear nature of the correlation operation leads to the loss of important semantic information and may result in suboptimal performance when faced with complex background interference or significant object deformations. In this paper, we introduce the Transformer structure, which has been successful in vision tasks, to enhance the siamese network’s performance in challenging conditions. By incorporating self-attention and cross-attention mechanisms, we modify the original Transformer into an asymmetrical version that can focus on different regions of the feature map. This transformer-like fusion network enables more efficient and effective fusion procedures. Additionally, we introduce a two-layer output structure with decoupling prediction heads, improved loss functions, and window penalty post-processing. This design enhances the performance of both the classification and the regression branches. Extensive experiments conducted on large public datasets such as LaSOT, GOT-10k, and TrackingNet demonstrate that our proposed SiamUT tracker achieves state-of-the-art precision performance on most benchmark datasets.
Language-Led Visual Grounding and Future Possibilities
Authors: Sui Zezhou , Zhou Mian , Feng Zhikun , Stefanidis Angelos , Jiang Nan
Published: July 2023

In recent years, with the rapid development of computer vision technology and the popularity of intelligent hardware, as well as the increasing demand for human–machine interaction in intelligent products, visual localization technology can help machines and humans to recognize and locate objects, thereby promoting human–machine interaction and intelligent manufacturing. At the same time, human–machine interaction is constantly evolving and improving, becoming increasingly intelligent, humanized, and efficient. In this article, a new visual localization model is proposed, and a language validation module is designed to use language information as the main information to increase the model’s interactivity. In addition, we also list the future possibilities of visual localization and provide two examples to explore the application and optimization direction of visual localization and human–machine interaction technology in practical scenarios, providing reference and guidance for relevant researchers and promoting the development and application of visual localization and human–machine interaction technology.
Aircraft Detection and Fine-Grained Recognition Based on High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Guan Qinghe , Liu Ying , Chen Lei , Zhao Shuang , Li Guandian
Published: July 2023

In order to realize the detection and recognition of specific types of an aircraft in remote sensing images, this paper proposes an algorithm called Fine-grained S2ANet (FS2ANet) based on the improved Single-shot Alignment Network (S2ANet) for remote sensing aircraft object detection and fine-grained recognition. Firstly, to address the imbalanced number of instances of various aircrafts in the dataset, we perform data augmentation on some remote sensing images using flip and color space transformation methods. Secondly, this paper selects ResNet101 as the backbone, combines space-to-depth (SPD) to improve the FPN structure, constructs the FPN-SPD module, and builds the aircraft fine feature focusing module (AF3M) in the detection head of the network, which reduces the loss of fine-grained information in the process of feature extraction, enhances the extraction capability of the network for fine aircraft features, and improves the detection accuracy of remote sensing micro aircraft objects. Finally, we use the SkewIoU based on Kalman filtering (KFIoU) as the algorithm’s regression loss function, improving the algorithm’s convergence speed and the object boxes’ regression accuracy. The experimental results of the detection and fine-grained recognition of 11 types of remote sensing aircraft objects such as Boeing 737, A321, and C919 using the FS2ANet algorithm show that the mAP0.5 of FS2ANet is 46.82%, which is 3.87% higher than S2ANet, and it can apply to the field of remote sensing aircraft object detection and fine-grained recognition.
The Economic Value of New Sustainable Products: The Case of Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) Hybrid Solar Collectors
Authors: Lee Jeongbin , Shin Jungwoo
Published: July 2023

Among green energy technologies, solar power is a promising technology in the net-zero era of the power industry. Conventional solar modules have decreasing efficiency weaknesses as the temperature rises, whereas photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems do not remove heat from the module or lower the temperature. However, the profitability of PVT systems has been underestimated. The profitability of new convergence products, such as PVT technology, entering the market for the first time allows for the evaluation of the appropriate starting price and policy requirements to support the product’s market entrance. We used the contingent valuation method (CVM) to solve this problem. The survey derived the respondents’ mean willingness to pay (WTP) and the total amount of social benefits. Among these CVM models, the one-and-one-half-bound (OOHB) spike model was used to distinguish zero WTP. Based on a survey of 300 households, respondents were willing to pay an additional yearly average income tax of KRW 10,608 (USD 7.90), and the total social benefit of PVT technology was calculated to be KRW 145 billion (USD 108 million). This result shows that individuals evaluate the value of PVT as 3.69% of their monthly electricity bill and 2.8% of their monthly gas bill. Several additional factors that influence WTP were analyzed, indicating a high possibility of PVT adoption by individuals who have replaced or are planning to replace photovoltaic (PV) modules. This study is significant because it examines the economic value of PVT and proposes a focus group for the effective market entry of new carbon neutrality products.
Leakage Analysis of PEMFC Sealing System Considering Temperature Cycling
Authors: Chen Zhi , Xing Yanfeng , Cao Juyong , Yang Fuyong , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: July 2023

Addressing the leakage rate prediction problem of the PEMFC sealing system is of great importance for its stable operation. The leakage calculation method of the PEMFC sealing system is proposed based on thermal coupling. The parallel plate leakage model is improved to make it applicable to the leakage rate calculation with a variable channel cross-section height. The interface macroscopic contact pressure is solved using a finite element simulation for solid mechanics analysis. The Greenwood–Williamson model is used for contact mechanics analysis to solve for the average height of the leakage channel. The effects of the ambient temperature, compression ratio, bipolar plate misalignment, and gasket size on the cell sealing effect were studied numerically. The data indicated that as the ambient temperature, compression ratio, and gasket size became larger, the volume leakage rate began to be reduced. The leakage rate as a parameter to characterize the sealing performance, considering the influence of gasket size, operating conditions, and other factors on the cell sealing effect, is more meaningful for the durability study and failure analysis of PEMFC.
Storage Optimization (r, Q) Strategy under Condition-Based Maintenance of Key Equipment of Coal-Fired Power Units in Carbon Neutrality Era
Authors: Sun Tao , Zhang Qiang , Ye Jing , Guo Rong , Chen Rongze , Chen Jianguo , Xiong Rui , Zhu Jitao , Cao Yue
Published: July 2023

For the safe, stable, and economic operation of thermal power units in new power systems, the condition-based maintenance mode and storage strategy of key equipment and materials for power generation enterprises were selected. According to the storage linkage demand of condition-based maintenance, a Weibull probability density function was used to calculate spare parts demand, and an intelligent storage optimization model with an availability constraint was established. The application cases of spare parts cost and availability of high-value key equipment and low-value key equipment of coal-fired thermal power units were analyzed, respectively, and the influence of different life spans and the number of covered units on the model were expounded. The results show that the cost of spare parts borne by a single unit is greatly reduced via the optimization of an intelligent inventory (r, Q) strategy on the premise that the availability of units is not less than 99.5%.
Impact of Biodiesel Blending on Emission Characteristics of One-Cylinder Engine Using Waste Swine Oil
Authors: Khujamberdiev Ramozon , Cho Haengmuk
Published: July 2023

The influence of biodiesel blending on the emission parameters of a one-cylinder engine using waste swine oil was investigated in this research. This research focused on particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide emissions at various engine speeds and biodiesel mixing percentages. According to the results, increasing the amount of biodiesel in diesel blends might result in considerable reductions in particulate matter emissions while potentially raising nitrogen oxide emissions due to biodiesel’s higher oxygen content. Engine speed considerably affects hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, with biodiesel mixes benefiting more at higher engine speeds. This study also discovered that when the amount of biodiesel in a fuel blend grows, so do carbon dioxide emissions, but brake thermal efficiency drops. These findings indicate that using waste swine oil biodiesel as a fuel source has both advantages and disadvantages in terms of engine emissions, and more study is needed to optimize biodiesel consumption and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
Optimization Design of a Parallel Flow Field for PEMFC with Bosses in Flow Channels
Authors: Zhang Guodong , Guan Zhen , Li Da , Li Guoxiang , Bai Shuzhan , Sun Ke , Cheng Hao
Published: July 2023

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a promising energy conversion device due to its high reliability, fast response speed, and low pollutant emission. However, the reality of its commercial application requires further cost reduction and efficiency improvement. The material distribution in the channel and the performance of PEMFC can be improved by setting the boss inside the flow channels. In this paper, the performance of PEMFC with the boss in flow channels in a parallel flow field was analyzed by simulation. The influence of different boss arrangements and heights on gas pressure drop, distribution uniformity, gas component distribution, temperature distribution, and output performance of the fuel cell were analyzed in detail. The bosses would increase the pressure drop and the distribution uniformity of reactive gases in flow channels significantly. The cross-arrangement of bosses is better than the cross-arrangement of bosses and juxtaposition according to increasing performance and pressure drop. The cross-arrangement with a boss height of 0.4 mm is suitable for the parallel flow field in this paper. The improved scheme of flow channel design is proposed to provide a reference for fuel cells for subsequent research.
Hydropower and Pumped Storage Hydropower Resource Review and Assessment for Alaska’s Railbelt Transmission System
Authors: Bredeson Leif , Cicilio Phylicia
Published: July 2023

The Alaska Railbelt transmission system runs from Fairbanks to Anchorage to Homer and supplies 75% of the state’s population with power. In the near future, this system will experience significant increases in load due to electrification of the transportation and heating sectors. To account for this, several state organizations are working towards the creation of an integrated resource plan and reliability standards.This work encompasses the efforts of researching the operations, cost, and locations of desirable hydropower and pumped storage hydropower (PSH) resources in the areas surrounding the Railbelt transmission system. The aspects of conventional hydropower and PSH as well as adjustable-speed and ternary PSH were analyzed. With Alaska’s diverse and rugged landscape, QGIS was utilized to delineate the positions of energy resources within a reasonable distance from the Railbelt. By incorporating Digital Terrain Models and the QGIS processing toolbox, a least cost path analysis was completed to filter out resources within the designated distance of the Railbelt. Applying existing cost models to the data in this work helped to decide the energy resources that would be studied further. The future of this project includes modeling the selected energy sources in the PSS/e Railbelt model to examine their effects on the reliability and stability.
Sleep Characteristics in Adults of African Descent at Risk for and with Cardiometabolic Conditions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Magny-Normilus Cherlie , Griggs Stephanie , Sanders Julie , Hwang Youri , Longhurst Catrina
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize available studies on sleep health characteristics in adults of African descent with or at risk for cardiometabolic conditions. PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for original research studies on subgroups of African descent with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor. Studies published in English with measured sleep characteristics were included. Studies focused on participants with severe psychiatric illness, night shift workers, or with a pharmacologic sleep treatment focus were excluded. The risk for bias was assessed using the NHLBI 2021 Quality Assessment Tool. Two reviewers independently synthesized the results before reaching a consensus. Out of 340 studies screened, 35 studies were included. There were 631,756 participants with an average age of 44.3 combined (SD = 16.5) (53% female and 22% Black). Disparities in sleep health characteristics and cardiometabolic health among African American adults were found. Markers of poor cardiometabolic health were associated with disordered sleep. While the studies in this review captured key factors, the study measurement methods were inconsistent, and African Caribbean Americans were underrepresented. The studies demonstrated the intersectionality of poor sleep characteristics, cardiometabolic risk factors, and racial/ethnic groupings. Clinicians should consider these findings when providing care.
3PG-MT-LSTM: A Hybrid Model under Biomass Compatibility Constraints for the Prediction of Long-Term Forest Growth to Support Sustainable Management
Authors: Qin Jushuang , Ma Menglu , Zhu Yutong , Wu Baoguo , Su Xiaohui
Published: July 2023

Climate change is posing new challenges to forestry management practices. Thinning reduces competitive pressure in the forest by repeatedly reducing the tree density of forest stands, thereby increasing the productivity of plantations. Considering the impact of thinning on vegetation and physiological and ecological traits, for this study, we used Norway spruce (Picea abies) data from three sites in the PROFOUND dataset to parameterize the 3-PG model in stages. The calibrated 3-PG model was used to simulate the stand diameter at breast height and the stem, root, and leaf biomass data on a monthly scale. The 3PG-MT-LSTM model uses 3-PG simulation data as the input variable. The model uses a long short-term memory neural network (LSTM) as a shared layer and introduces multi-task learning (MTL). Based on the compatibility rules, the interpretability of the model was further improved. The models were trained using single-site and multi-site data, respectively, and multiple indicators were used to evaluate the model accuracy and generalization ability. Our preliminary results show that, compared with the process model and LSTM algorithm without MTL and compatibility rules, the hybrid model has higher biomass simulation accuracy and shows a more realistic biomass response to environmental driving factors. To illustrate the potential applicability of the model, we applied light (10%), moderate (20%), and heavy thinning (30%) at intervals of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years. Then, we used three climate scenarios—SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5—to simulate the growth of Norway spruce. The hybrid model can effectively capture the impact of climate change and artificial management on stand growth. In terms of climate, temperature and solar radiation are the most important factors affecting forest growth, and under warm conditions, the positive significance of forest management is more obvious. In terms of forest management practices, less frequent light-to-moderate thinning can contribute more to the increase in forest carbon sink potential; high-intensity thinning can support large-diameter timber production. In summary, moderate thinning should be carried out every 10 years in the young-aged forest stage. It is also advisable to perform light thinning procedures after the forest has progressed into a middle-aged forest stage. This allows for a better trade-off of the growth relationship between stand yield and diameter at breast height (DBH). The physical constraint-based hybrid modeling approach is a practical and effective tool. It can be used to measure long-term dynamic changes in forest production and then guide management activities such as thinning to achieve sustainable forest management.
Mathematical Modeling of Nitrification in Mixed Cultures: Insights into Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria Growth and Ammonia Starvation Effect
Authors: Manthos Georgios , Abbaszadeh Leila , Zagklis Dimitris , Kornaros Michael
Published: July 2023

Nitrification, a crucial process in wastewater treatment, involves the conversion of ammonium nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen through the sequential activities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). In the present study, a comprehensive mathematical model was developed to describe the nitrification process in mixed cultures involving isolated NOB and starved AOB. The growth equation for NOB was divided into anabolism and catabolism, elucidating the key substrates driving their metabolic activities. Considering the ammonia starvation effect, a single cell-based model was developed to capture the mass transfer phenomena across the AOB cell membrane. This addition allowed for a more accurate representation of the biological dynamics during starvation conditions. The model’s accuracy was tested using experimental data that was not used in the model calibration step. The prediction’s coefficient of determination (R2) was estimated at 0.9. By providing insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying nitrification, this model contributes to the advancement of sustainable wastewater treatment practices.