bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Data to Assess Relationships among Plasma Folate, Vitamin B12, Non-esterified Fatty Acid, and β-Hydroxybutyrate Concentrations of Holstein Cows during the Transition Period
Authors: Duplessis Mélissa , Chorfi Younes , Girard Christiane L.
Published: April 2023

It is well established that the plasma metabolite profile changes during metabolic dysfunction, such as elevated non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) release when body reserve mobilization is excessive in early lactation cows. Relationships between changes in plasma concentrations of metabolites caused by a metabolic impairment and the status of vitamins, such as folates and vitamin B12, have barely been studied in cattle. This study was undertaken to assess relationships between peripartum plasma concentrations of folates, vitamin B12, NEFA, and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Longitudinal data of 48 multiparous Holstein cows from 5 studies were taken from days −14 to 21 relative to calving. Blood samples were taken weekly before calving and either twice or thrice per week postpartum, and plasma was analyzed for folate, vitamin B12, NEFA, and BHB concentrations. Postpartum plasma NEFA and BHB concentrations were negatively related to plasma folate concentration at days −14 and −7 relative to parturition, whereas the opposite relationship was noted for the plasma vitamin B12:folate ratio. The plasma folate and NEFA areas under the curve from the whole studied period were negatively associated, and the opposite was observed with the association between the plasma vitamin B12:folate ratio and NEFA as well as the BHB areas under the curve. The results suggest that there is an increased use of folate for metabolic functions during elevated concentrations of plasma NEFA and BHB. Future research should focus on finding an optimal plasma vitamin B12:folate ratio to favor cow health during the challenging period of parturition.
Design and Implementation of an Integrated Control Scheme for GaN-Based Multiple Power Converters
Authors: Ma Chao-Tsung , Yao Bing-Hong
Published: April 2023

In response to the rapid changes in the international energy environment, developing renewable energy (RE)-based distributed generation (DG) and various smart micro-grid systems is crucial for creating a robust electric power grid and new energy industries. In this aspect, there is an urgent need to develop hybrid power systems suitable for coexistent AC and DC power grids, integrated by high-performance wide ban gap (WBG) semiconductor-based power conversion interfaces and advanced operating and control strategies. Due to the intrinsic feature of variation in RE-based power generation, the design and integration of energy storage devices, real-time regulation of power flow, and intelligent energy control schemes are key technologies for further promoting DG systems and micro-grids. This paper investigates an integrated control scheme for multiple GaN-based power converters in a small- to medium-capacity, grid-connected, and RE-based power system. This is the first time that a complete design case demonstrating three GaN-based power converters with different control functions integrated with a single digital signal processor (DSP) chip to achieve a reliable, flexible, cost effective, and multifunctional power interface for renewable power generation systems is presented. The system studied includes a photovoltaic (PV) generation unit, a battery energy storage unit, a grid-connected single-phase inverter, and a power grid. Based on system operation condition and the state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage unit, two typical operating modes and advanced power control functions are developed with a fully digital and coordinated control scheme. Hardware of the GaN-based power converters and digital controllers are designed and implemented. The feasibility and effectiveness of the designed controllers and overall performance of the proposed control scheme are verified with results from simulation and experimental tests on a 1-kVA small-scale hardware system.
Microfluidic Bi-Layer Platform to Study Functional Interaction between Co-Cultured Neural Networks with Unidirectional Synaptic Connectivity
Authors: Pigareva Yana , Gladkov Arseniy , Kolpakov Vladimir , Bukatin Anton , Li Sergei , Kazantsev Victor B. , Mukhina Irina , Pimashkin Alexey
Published: April 2023

The complex synaptic connectivity architecture of neuronal networks underlies cognition and brain function. However, studying the spiking activity propagation and processing in heterogeneous networks in vivo poses significant challenges. In this study, we present a novel two-layer PDMS chip that facilitates the culturing and examination of the functional interaction of two interconnected neural networks. We utilized cultures of hippocampal neurons grown in a two-chamber microfluidic chip combined with a microelectrode array. The asymmetric configuration of the microchannels between the chambers ensured the growth of axons predominantly in one direction from the Source chamber to the Target chamber, forming two neuronal networks with unidirectional synaptic connectivity. We showed that the local application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) to the Source network did not alter the spiking rate in the Target network. The results indicate that stable network activity in the Target network was maintained for at least 1–3 h after TTX application, demonstrating the feasibility of local chemical activity modulation and the influence of electrical activity from one network on the other. Additionally, suppression of synaptic activity in the Source network by the application of CPP and CNQX reorganized spatio-temporal characteristics of spontaneous and stimulus-evoked spiking activity in the Target network. The proposed methodology and results provide a more in-depth examination of the network-level functional interaction between neural circuits with heterogeneous synaptic connectivity.
Swirl-like Acoustofluidic Stirring Facilitates Microscale Reactions in Sessile Droplets
Authors: Lan Huaize , Qian Jingui , Liu Yansong , Lu Shanshan , Zhang Bowei , Huang Liang , Hu Xuefeng , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2023

Sessile droplets play a crucial role in the microreactors of biochemical samples. Acoustofluidics provide a non-contact and label-free method for manipulating particles, cells, and chemical analytes in droplets. In the present study, we propose a micro-stirring application based on acoustic swirls in sessile droplets. The acoustic swirls are formed inside the droplets by asymmetric coupling of surface acoustic waves (SAWs). With the merits of the slanted design of the interdigital electrode, the excitation position of SAWs is selective by sweeping in wide frequency ranges, allowing for the droplet position to be customized within the aperture region. We verify the reasonable existence of acoustic swirls in sessile droplets by a combination of simulations and experiments. The different periphery of the droplet meeting with SAWs will produce acoustic streaming phenomena with different intensities. The experiments demonstrate that acoustic swirls formed after SAWs encountering droplet boundaries will be more obvious. The acoustic swirls have strong stirring abilities to rapidly dissolve the yeast cell powder granules. Therefore, acoustic swirls are expected to be an effective means for rapid stirring of biomolecules and chemicals, providing a new approach to micro-stirring in biomedicine and chemistry.
Designing Viscoelastic Gelatin-PEG Macroporous Hybrid Hydrogel with Anisotropic Morphology and Mechanical Properties for Tissue Engineering Application
Authors: Dey Kamol , Agnelli Silvia , Sartore Luciana
Published: April 2023

The mechanical properties of scaffolds play a vital role in regulating key cellular processes in tissue development and regeneration in the field of tissue engineering. Recently, scaffolding material design strategies leverage viscoelasticity to guide stem cells toward specific tissue regeneration. Herein, we designed and developed a viscoelastic Gel-PEG hybrid hydrogel with anisotropic morphology and mechanical properties using a gelatin and functionalized PEG (as a crosslinker) under a benign condition for tissue engineering application. The chemical crosslinking/grafting reaction was mainly involved between epoxide groups of PEG and available functional groups of gelatin. FTIR spectra revealed the hybrid nature of Gel-PEG hydrogel. The hybrid hydrogel showed good swelling behavior (water content > 600%), high porosity and pore interconnectivity suitable for tissue engineering application. Simple unidirectional freezing followed by a freeze-drying technique allowed the creation of structurally stable 3D anisotropic macroporous architecture that showed tissue-like elasticity and was capable of withstanding high deformation (50% strain) without being damaged. The tensile and compressive modulus of Gel-PEG hybrid hydrogel were found to be 0.863 MPa and 0.330 MPa, respectively, which are within the range of normal human articular cartilage. In-depth mechanical characterizations showed that the Gel-PEG hybrid hydrogel possessed natural-tissue-like mechanics such as non-linear and J-shaped stress-strain curves, stress softening effect, high fatigue resistance and stress relaxation response. A month-long hydrolytic degradation test revealed that the hydrogel gradually degraded in a homogeneous manner over time but maintained its structural stability and anisotropic mechanics. Overall, all these interesting features provide a potential opportunity for Gel-PEG hybrid hydrogel as a scaffold in a wide range of tissue engineering applications.
In Vitro Efficacy of Terpenes from Essential Oils against Sarcoptes scabiei
Authors: Li Meilin , Feng Shenrui , Huang Siyi , Guillot Jacques , Fang Fang
Published: April 2023

The mite Sarcoptes scabiei is responsible for the emerging or re-emerging skin disease called scabies in humans and sarcoptic mange in animals. Essential oils represent an appealing alternative strategy for the control of Sarcoptes infections, but the commercial development of essential oils may be hampered by their inconsistency in efficacy due to their varied chemical compositions. In order to address this issue, we assessed the efficacy of six components (carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, citral, terpinen-4-ol, and linalool) against S. scabiei. At a concentration of 0.5%, carvacrol presented the best miticidal efficacy, with a median lethal time (LT50) value of 6.7 min, followed by eugenol (56.3 min), geraniol (1.8 h), citral (6.1 h), terpinen-4-ol (22.3 h), and linalool (39.9 h). The LC50 values at 30 min for carvacrol, eugenol, and geraniol were 0.24, 0.79, and 0.91%, respectively. In conclusion, carvacrol, eugenol, and geraniol represent potential complementary or alternative agents for S. scabiei infections in humans or animals. Our study provides a scientific basis for the development of scabicidal products based on essential oils.
A Novel Intelligent Indicator Film: Preparation, Characterization, and Application
Authors: Han Bing , Chen Peifeng , Guo Jiaxuan , Yu Hongliang , Zhong Shaojing , Li Dongmei , Liu Chunhong , Feng Zhibiao , Jiang Bin
Published: April 2023

The development of intelligent indicator film that can detect changes in food quality is a new trend in the food packaging field. The WPNFs-PU-ACN/Gly film was prepared based on whey protein isolate nanofibers (WPNFs). Anthocyanin (ACN) and glycerol (Gly) were used as the color indicator and the plasticizer, respectively, while pullulan (PU) was added to enhance mechanical properties of WPNFs-PU-ACN/Gly edible film. In the study, the addition of ACN improved the hydrophobicity and oxidation resistance of the indicator film; with an increase in pH, the color of the indicator film shifted from dark pink to grey, and its surface was uniform and smooth. Therefore, the WPNFs-PU-ACN/Gly edible film would be suitable for sensing the pH of salmon, which changes with deterioration, as the color change of ACN was completely consistent with fish pH. Furthermore, the color change after being exposed to grey was evaluated in conjunction with hardness, chewiness, and resilience of salmon as an indication. This shows that intelligent indicator film made of WPNFs, PU, ACN, and Gly could contribute to the development of safe food.
Recent Research on Cannabis sativa L.: Phytochemistry, New Matrices, Cultivation Techniques, and Recent Updates on Its Brain-Related Effects (2018–2023)
Authors: Siracusa Laura , Ruberto Giuseppe , Cristino Luigia
Published: April 2023

Cannabis sativa L. is a plant that humankind has been using for millennia. The basis of its widespread utilization is its adaptability to so many different climatic conditions, with easy cultivability in numerous diverse environments. Because of its variegate phytochemistry, C. sativa has been used in many sectors, although the discovery of the presence in the plant of several psychotropic substances (e.g., Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) caused a drastic reduction of its cultivation and use together with its official ban from pharmacopeias. Fortunately, the discovery of Cannabis varieties with low content of THC as well as the biotechnological development of new clones rich in many phytochemical components endorsed with peculiar and many important bioactivities has demanded the reassessment of these species, the study and use of which are currently experiencing new and important developments. In this review we focus our attention on the phytochemistry, new matrices, suitable agronomic techniques, and new biological activities developed in the five last years.
Special Issue: Recent Advances in Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Sensing and Nano-Biosensing
Authors: Kwon Seong Jung
Published: April 2023

Nanomaterials have been instrumental in the development of electrochemical nano-biosensors, offering high sensitivity and selectivity [...]
Iron Oxide@Mesoporous Silica Core-Shell Nanoparticles as Multimodal Platforms for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetic Hyperthermia, Near-Infrared Light Photothermia, and Drug Delivery
Authors: Adam Alexandre , Mertz Damien
Published: April 2023

The design of core-shell nanocomposites composed of an iron oxide core and a silica shell offers promising applications in the nanomedicine field, especially for developing efficient theranostic systems which may be useful for cancer treatments. This review article addresses the different ways to build iron oxide@silica core-shell nanoparticles and it reviews their properties and developments for hyperthermia therapies (magnetically or light-induced), combined with drug delivery and MRI imaging. It also highlights the various challenges encountered, such as the issues associated with in vivo injection in terms of NP–cell interactions or the control of the heat dissipation from the core of the NP to the external environment at the macro or nanoscale.
Identification of Metabolism-Related Proteins as Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance and Potential Mechanisms of m6A Modification
Authors: Li Yan-Ling , Li Long , Liu Yu-Hong , Hu Li-Kun , Yan Yu-Xiang
Published: April 2023

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a major contributing factor to the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Adipocyte metabolism is known to play a crucial role in IR. Therefore, the aims of this study were to identify metabolism-related proteins that could be used as potential biomarkers of IR and to investigate the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in the pathogenesis of this condition. Methods: RNA-seq data on human adipose tissue were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes of metabolism-related proteins (MP-DEGs) were screened using protein annotation databases. Biological function and pathway annotations of the MP-DEGs were performed through Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. Key MP-DEGs were screened, and a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING, Cytoscape, MCODE, and CytoHubba. LASSO regression analysis was used to select primary hub genes, and their clinical performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The expression of key MP-DEGs and their relationship with m6A modification were further verified in adipose tissue samples collected from healthy individuals and patients with IR. Results: In total, 69 MP-DEGs were screened and annotated to be enriched in pathways related to hormone metabolism, low-density lipoprotein particle and carboxylic acid transmembrane transporter activity, insulin signaling, and AMPK signaling. The MP-DEG PPI network comprised 69 nodes and 72 edges, from which 10 hub genes (FASN, GCK, FGR, FBP1, GYS2, PNPLA3, MOGAT1, SLC27A2, PNPLA3, and ELOVL6) were identified. FASN was chosen as the key gene because it had the highest maximal clique centrality (MCC) score. GCK, FBP1, and FGR were selected as primary genes by LASSO analysis. According to the ROC curves, GCK, FBP1, FGR, and FASN could be used as potential biomarkers to detect IR with good sensitivity and accuracy (AUC = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.94; AUC = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.74–0.94; AUC = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.64–0.92; AUC = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64–0.92). The expression of FASN, GCK, FBP1, and FGR was significantly correlated with that of IGF2BP3, FTO, EIF3A, WTAP, METTL16, and LRPPRC (p < 0.05). In validation clinical samples, the FASN was moderately effective for detecting IR (AUC = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69–0.80), and its expression was positively correlated with the methylation levels of FASN (r = 0.359, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Metabolism-related proteins play critical roles in IR. Moreover, FASN and GCK are potential biomarkers of IR and may be involved in the development of T2D via their m6A modification. These findings offer reliable biomarkers for the early detection of T2D and promising therapeutic targets.
2′-Fucosyllactose and 3-Fucosyllactose Alleviates Interleukin-6-Induced Barrier Dysfunction and Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis by Improving Intestinal Barrier Function and Modulating the Intestinal Microbiome
Authors: Kim Yeon-Ji , Kim Han-Hae , Shin Chul-Soo , Yoon Jong-Won , Jeon Seon-Min , Song Young-Ha , Kim Kwang-Youn , Kim Kyungho
Published: April 2023

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with relapsing and remitting patterns, and it is caused by varied factors, such as the intestinal inflammation extent and duration. We examined the preventative effects of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) on epithelial barrier integrity and intestinal inflammation in an interleukin (IL)-6-induced cell model and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute mouse colitis model. HMOs including 2′-fucosyllactose (FL) and 3-FL and positive controls including fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and 5-acetylsalicylic acid (5-ASA) were orally administrated once per day to C57BL/6J mice with colitis induced by 5% DSS in the administered drinking water. 2′-FL and 3-FL did not affect the cell viability in Caco-2 cells. Meanwhile, these agents reversed IL-6-reduced intestinal barrier function in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, 2′-FL and 3-FL reversed the body weight loss and the remarkably short colon lengths in DSS-induced acute colitis mice. Moreover, 2′-FL and 3-FL obviously protected the decreasing expression of zonula occluden-1 and occludin in colon tissue relative to the findings in the DSS-treated control group. 2′-FL and 3-FL significantly reduced IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in serum relative to the control findings. The summary of these results shows that HMOs prevent colitis mainly by enhancing intestinal barrier function and advancing anti-inflammatory responses. Therefore, HMOs might suppress inflammatory responses and represent candidate treatments for IBD that protect intestinal integrity.
Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, Toxicological, and Pharmacological Properties of Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam.: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Bencheikh Noureddine , Radi Fatima Zahrae , Fakchich Jamila , Elbouzidi Amine , Ouahhoud Sabir , Ouasti Mohammed , Bouhrim Mohamed , Ouasti Imane , Hano Christophe , Elachouri Mostafa
Published: April 2023

Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. (Rhamnaceae) is a plant species found across the Mediterranean area. This comprehensive overview aims to summarize the botanical description and ethnobotanical uses of Z. lotus and its phytochemical compounds derived with recent updates on its pharmacological and toxicological properties. The data were collected from electronic databases including the Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SpringerLink, and Google Scholars. It can be seen from the literature that Z. lotus is traditionally used to treat and prevent several diseases including diabetes, digestive problems, urinary tract problems, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disorders, neurological diseases, and dermal problems. The extracts of Z. lotus demonstrated several pharmacological properties in vitro and in vivo such as antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-oxidant, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, analgesic, anti-proliferative, anti-spasmodic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects. The phytochemical characterization of Z. lotus extracts revealed the presence of over 181 bioactive compounds including terpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and fatty acids. Toxicity studies on Z. lotus showed that extracts from this plant are safe and free from toxicity. Thus, further research is needed to establish a possible relationship between traditional uses, plant chemistry, and pharmacological properties. Furthermore, Z. lotus is quite promising as a medicinal agent, so further clinical trials should be conducted to prove its efficacy.
Evaluation of the Fruit Quality and Phytochemical Compounds in Peach and Nectarine Cultivars
Authors: Petruccelli Raffaella , Bonetti Alessandra , Ciaccheri Leonardo , Ieri Francesca , Ganino Tommaso , Faraloni Cecilia
Published: April 2023

Qualitative traits and chemical properties of 32 peach cultivars (yellow flesh and white flesh fruits) and 52 nectarine cultivars (yellow flesh and white flesh fruits) of different pomological characteristics is performed, and the correlation between cultivars and chemical characteristics is analyzed. Yellow nectarines have a higher variability in soluble solids concentration (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) values. Evaluation of color parameters (a*, b*, L*) shows a significant interaction between pulp color (white vs. yellow) and types (peaches vs. nectarines) of fruit. The difference between yellow and white fruits is stronger in nectarines than in peaches. Sucrose is the main sugar detected in peach fruits, with a percentage content of 78.37% and 76.70% of the total sugar content in yellow and white peaches, respectively, and 78.29% and 78.12% in yellow and white nectarines, respectively. Variability is found among cultivars for the chemical compounds analyzed. The yellow flesh has higher amounts of total carotenoids and TPC, while white-flesh fruits present an average antioxidant value higher than yellow-flesh fruits. No significant correlation is found for polyphenol content and DPPH, while an interaction (p < 0.005) between neochlorogenic acid content and peaches and nectarines is evidenced, with a neochlorogenic acid content higher in nectarines than in peaches.
Mechanical Analysis of 3D Printed Polyamide Composites under Different Filler Loadings
Authors: Mohd Radzuan Nabilah Afiqah , Khalid Nisa Naima , Foudzi Farhana Mohd , Rajendran Royan Nishata Royan , Sulong Abu Bakar
Published: April 2023

The production of fabricated filaments for fused deposited modelling printing is critical, especially when higher loading filler (>20 wt.%) is involved. At higher loadings, printed samples tend to experience delamination, poor adhesion or even warping, causing their mechanical performance to deteriorate considerably. Hence, this study highlights the behaviour of the mechanical properties of printed polyamide-reinforced carbon fibre at a maximum of 40 wt.%, which can be improved via a post-drying process. The 20 wt.% samples also demonstrate improvements of 500% and 50% in impact strength and shear strength performance, respectively. These excellent performance levels are attributed to the maximum layup sequence during the printing process, which reduces the fibre breakage. Consequently, this enables better adhesion between layers and, ultimately, stronger samples.
“Gifts of Light”—Chiara Lubich’s Mystical Narrative with Hindus: An Analysis of a Hindu–Christian Dialogue Experience
Authors: Catalano Roberto
Published: April 2023

The present paper offers a presentation and a phenomenological analysis of a rather unusual event in the sphere of interreligious dialogue: a Catholic woman, the protagonist of a mystical experience, shared some of the traits of this experience with people of another culture and religion. The protagonists of this experience include Chiara Lubich and a group of Hindus, some neo-Vedanta scholars and other social activists inspired by Gandhian philosophy and ideals. These pages represent an initial study of this case, which, at least so far, appears to be rather unique.
Using Drones to Determine Chimpanzee Absences at the Edge of Their Distribution in Western Tanzania
Authors: Wich Serge A. , Bonnin Noémie , Hutschenreiter Anja , Piel Alex K. , Chitayat Adrienne , Stewart Fiona A. , Pintea Lilian , Kerby Jeffrey T.
Published: April 2023

Effective species conservation management relies on detailed species distribution data. For many species, such as chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), distribution data are collected during ground surveys. For chimpanzees, such ground surveys usually focus on detection of the nests they build instead of detection of the chimpanzees themselves due to their low density. However, due to the large areas they still occur in, such surveys are very costly to conduct and repeat frequently to monitor populations over time. Species distribution models are more accurate if they include presence as well as absence data. Earlier studies used drones to determine chimpanzee presence using nests. In this study, therefore, we explored the use of drones to determine the absence of chimpanzee nests in areas we flew over on the edge of the chimpanzee distribution in western Tanzania. We conducted 13 flights with a fixed-wing drone and collected 3560 images for which manual inspection took 180 h. Flights were divided into a total of 746 25 m2 plots for which we determined the absence probability of nests. In three flights, we detected nests, in eight, absence was assumed based on a 95% probability criterion, and in two flights, nest absence could not be assumed. Our study indicates that drones can be used to cover relatively large areas to determine the absence of chimpanzees. To fully benefit from the usage of drones to determine the presence and absence of chimpanzees, it is crucial that methods are developed to automate nest detection in images.
Study of Human Activity Intensity from 2015 to 2020 Based on Remote Sensing in Anhui Province, China
Authors: Wu Jinchen , Gao Wenwen , Zheng Zhaoju , Zhao Dan , Zeng Yuan
Published: April 2023

The interactions between human activities and land cover have a significant impact on ecosystems. Therefore, studying human activity intensity based on land use or land cover is crucial for understanding the sustainable development of ecosystems. In this study, we selected Anhui Province as the study area and estimated the human activity intensity of land surface (HAILS) in 2015 and 2020 based on the ChinaCover datasets. We further analyzed the spatial, slope, and hydrological distribution characteristics of HAILS and explored the drivers of HAILS changes. The results show that the areas with higher HAILS were mainly located in the central part of Hefei, as well as along the Yangtze and the Huaihe rivers. The largest changes from 2015 to 2020 happened in the gentle slopes with the HAILS of 20–30%, and the percentage of HAILS > 20% decreased over the slope of 15°. In the riparian zone, the HAILS showed a clear decreasing trend after 2 km, while the HAILS in 2020 were higher than in 2015 in each flow-path distance belt, except for the Huaihe river. The HAILS index was strongly correlated with population density, rural population density, urban population density, average land GDP of primary industry, and nighttime light data. The rapid growth of the urban population and economy, as well as ecological protection policies, were identified as drivers of the above changes. Therefore, the HAILS in 2015 and 2020 of Anhui Province provide effective data support to address regional ecological conservation issues.
Evaluation and Analysis of the Accuracy of Open-Source Software and Online Services for PPP Processing in Static Mode
Authors: Vázquez-Ontiveros Jesus René , Padilla-Velazco Jorge , Gaxiola-Camacho J. Ramon , Vázquez-Becerra Guadalupe Esteban
Published: April 2023

It has been proven that precise point positioning (PPP) is a well-established technique to obtain high-precision positioning in the order between centimeters and millimeters. In this context, different studies have been carried out to evaluate the performance of PPP in static mode as a possible alternative to the relative method. However, only a few studies have evaluated the performance of a large number of different open-source software programs and have focused extensively on online free PPP services. Therefore, in this paper, a comprehensive comparison of processing in static mode between different open-source software and the online free PPP services is developed. For the evaluation, different GNSS observation files collected at 45 International GNSS Service (IGS) stations distributed worldwide were processed in static PPP mode. Within this frame of reference, ten open-source PPP software and five online free PPP services were studied. The results from the processing strategy demonstrate that it is possible to obtain precision in the order of millimeters with both open-source software and online PPP services. In addition, online PPP services experienced better performance than some other specialized PPP software. In summary, the results show that the daily solutions for the E (East), N (North), and U (Up) components estimated by the ten open-source software and by the five online free PPP services can reach millimeter precision for some stations. Among the open-source software, the PRIDE-PPPAR presented the best performance with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 5.52, 5.40, and 6.79 mm in the E, N, and U components, respectively. Alternatively, in the case of the online free PPP services, the APPS and CSRS-PPP produced the most accurate results, with RMSE values less than 12 mm for the three components. Finally, the open-source software and online free PPP services experienced similar positioning performance in the horizontal and vertical components, demonstrating that both can be implemented in static mode without compromising the accuracy of the measurement.
Smart Transportation: An Overview of Technologies and Applications
Authors: Oladimeji Damilola , Gupta Khushi , Kose Nuri Alperen , Gundogan Kubra , Ge Linqiang , Liang Fan
Published: April 2023

As technology continues to evolve, our society is becoming enriched with more intelligent devices that help us perform our daily activities more efficiently and effectively. One of the most significant technological advancements of our time is the Internet of Things (IoT), which interconnects various smart devices (such as smart mobiles, intelligent refrigerators, smartwatches, smart fire alarms, smart door locks, and many more) allowing them to communicate with each other and exchange data seamlessly. We now use IoT technology to carry out our daily activities, for example, transportation. In particular, the field of smart transportation has intrigued researchers due to its potential to revolutionize the way we move people and goods. IoT provides drivers in a smart city with many benefits, including traffic management, improved logistics, efficient parking systems, and enhanced safety measures. Smart transportation is the integration of all these benefits into applications for transportation systems. However, as a way of further improving the benefits provided by smart transportation, other technologies have been explored, such as machine learning, big data, and distributed ledgers. Some examples of their application are the optimization of routes, parking, street lighting, accident prevention, detection of abnormal traffic conditions, and maintenance of roads. In this paper, we aim to provide a detailed understanding of the developments in the applications mentioned earlier and examine current researches that base their applications on these sectors. We aim to conduct a self-contained review of the different technologies used in smart transportation today and their respective challenges. Our methodology encompassed identifying and screening articles on smart transportation technologies and its applications. To identify articles addressing our topic of review, we searched for articles in the four significant databases: IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Science Direct, and Springer. Consequently, we examined the communication mechanisms, architectures, and frameworks that enable these smart transportation applications and systems. We also explored the communication protocols enabling smart transportation, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks, and how they contribute to seamless data exchange. We delved into the different architectures and frameworks used in smart transportation, including cloud computing, edge computing, and fog computing. Lastly, we outlined current challenges in the smart transportation field and suggested potential future research directions. We will examine data privacy and security issues, network scalability, and interoperability between different IoT devices.
Design of Smartphone-Assisted Point-of-Care Platform for Colorimetric Sensing of Uric Acid via Visible Light-Induced Oxidase-Like Activity of Covalent Organic Framework
Authors: Kang Qi , Xu Yulong , Chen Xuwei
Published: April 2023

Monitoring of uric acid (UA) levels in biological samples is of great significance for human health, while the development of a simple and effective method for the precise determination of UA content is still challenging. In the present study, a two-dimensional (2D) imine-linked crystalline pyridine-based covalent organic framework (TpBpy COF) was synthesized using 2,4,6-triformylphloroglucinol (Tp) and [2,2′-bipyridine]-5,5′-diamine (Bpy) as precursors via Schiff-base condensation reactions and was characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) assays. The as-synthesized TpBpy COF exhibited excellent visible light-induced oxidase-like activity, ascribed to the generation of superoxide radicals (O2•−) by photo-generated electron transfer. TpBpy COF could efficiently oxidase the colorless substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzydine (TMB) into blue oxidized TMB (oxTMB) under visible light irradiation. Based on the color fade of the TpBpy COF + TMB system by UA, a colorimetric procedure was developed for UA determination with a detection limit of 1.7 μmol L−1. Moreover, a smartphone-based sensing platform was also constructed for instrument-free and on-site detection of UA with a sensitive detection limit of 3.1 μmol L−1. The developed sensing system was adopted for UA determination in human urine and serum samples with satisfactory recoveries (96.6–107.8%), suggesting the potential practical application of the TpBpy COF-based sensor for UA detection in biological samples.
Design of Ultra-Wideband Doherty Power Amplifier Using a Modified Combiner Integrated with Complex Combining Impedance
Authors: Chen Jian , Liu Zhihui , Dong Tao , Shi Weimin
Published: April 2023

To be compatible with future wireless communication systems, it is very necessary to extend the bandwidth of the Doherty power amplifier (DPA). In this paper, a modified combiner integrated with a complex combining impedance is adopted to enable an ultra-wideband DPA. Meanwhile, a comprehensive analysis is performed on the proposed method. It is illustrated that the proposed design methodology can provide power amplifier (PA) designers with more freedom in implementing ultra-wideband DPAs. As a concept of proof, a DPA working over 1.2–2.8 GHz (a relative bandwidth of 80%) is designed, fabricated and measured in this work. Experimental results showed that the fabricated DPA delivers a saturation output power of 43.2–44.7 dBm with a gain of 5.2–8.6 dB. Meantime, the fabricated DPA achieves a saturation drain efficiency (DE) of 44.3–70.4% and a 6 dB back-off DE of 38.7–57.6%.
Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) Based on MIMO: A Survey
Authors: Zhu Mengyu , Gao Shaoshuai , Tu Guofang , Chen Deyuan
Published: April 2023

With the rapid development of wireless communication technology and the emergence of intelligent applications, higher requirements have been put forward for data communication and computing capacity. Multi-access edge computing (MEC) can handle highly demanding applications by users by sinking the services and computing capabilities of the cloud to the edge of the cell. Meanwhile, the multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology based on large-scale antenna arrays can achieve an order-of-magnitude improvement in system capacity. The introduction of MIMO into MEC takes full advantage of the energy and spectral efficiency of MIMO technology, providing a new computing paradigm for time-sensitive applications. In parallel, it can accommodate more users and cope with the inevitable trend of continuous data traffic explosion. In this paper, the state-of-the-art research status in this field is investigated, summarized and analyzed. Specifically, we first summarize a multi-base station cooperative mMIMO-MEC model that can easily be expanded to adapt to different MIMO-MEC application scenarios. Subsequently, we comprehensively analyze the current works, compare them to each other and summarize them, mainly from four aspects: research scenarios, application scenarios, evaluation indicators and research issues, and research algorithms. Finally, some open research challenges are identified and discussed, and these indicate the direction for future research on MIMO-MEC.
Study of Resource Allocation for 5G URLLC/eMBB-Oriented Power Hybrid Service
Authors: Xie Huan , Zhang Qiuming , Du Shu , Yang Yang , Wu Xue , Qin Peng , Wu Runze , Zhao Xiongwen
Published: April 2023

With the rapid development of the 5G power Internet of Things (IoT), new power systems have higher requirements for data transmission rates, latency, reliability, and energy efficiency. Specifically, the hybrid service of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) has brought new challenges to the differentiated service of the 5G power IoT. To solve the above problems, this paper first constructs a power IoT model based on NOMA for the mixed service of URLLC and eMBB. Considering the shortage of resource utilization in eMBB and URLLC hybrid power service scenarios, the problem of maximizing system throughput through joint channel selection and power allocation is proposed. The channel selection algorithm based on matching as well as the power allocation algorithm based on water injection are developed to tackle the problem. Both theoretical analysis and experimental simulation verify that our method has superior performance in system throughput and spectrum efficiency.
Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Pipelines Utilizing Fiber Optic Sensors and an AI-Based Algorithm—A Comprehensive Numerical Study
Authors: Altabey Wael A. , Wu Zhishen , Noori Mohammad , Fathnejat Hamed
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a structural health monitoring (SHM) system is proposed to provide automatic early warning for detecting damage and its location in composite pipelines at an early stage. The study considers a basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) pipeline with an embedded Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensory system and first discusses the shortcomings and challenges with incorporating FBG sensors for accurate detection of damage information in pipelines. The novelty and the main focus of this study is, however, a proposed approach that relies on designing an integrated sensing-diagnostic SHM system that has the capability to detect damage in composite pipelines at an early stage via implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm combining deep learning and other efficient machine learning methods using an Enhanced Convolutional Neural Network (ECNN) without retraining the model. The proposed architecture replaces the softmax layer by a k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) algorithm for inference. Finite element models are developed and calibrated by the results of pipe measurements under damage tests. The models are then used to assess the patterns of the strain distributions of the pipeline under internal pressure loading and under pressure changes due to bursts, and to find the relationship of strains at different locations axially and circumferentially. A prediction algorithm for pipe damage mechanisms using distributed strain patterns is also developed. The ECNN is designed and trained to identify the condition of pipe deterioration so the initiation of damage can be detected. The strain results from the current method and the available experimental results in the literature show excellent agreement. The average error between the ECNN data and FBG sensor data is 0.093%, thus confirming the reliability and accuracy of the proposed method. The proposed ECNN achieves high performance with 93.33% accuracy (P%), 91.18% regression rate (R%) and a 90.54% F1-score (F%).
An Open-Source, Interoperable Architecture for Generating Real-Time Surgical Team Cognitive Alerts from Heart-Rate Variability Monitoring
Authors: Arney David , Zhang Yi , Kennedy-Metz Lauren R. , Dias Roger D. , Goldman Julian M. , Zenati Marco A.
Published: April 2023

Clinical alarm and decision support systems that lack clinical context may create non-actionable nuisance alarms that are not clinically relevant and can cause distractions during the most difficult moments of a surgery. We present a novel, interoperable, real-time system for adding contextual awareness to clinical systems by monitoring the heart-rate variability (HRV) of clinical team members. We designed an architecture for real-time capture, analysis, and presentation of HRV data from multiple clinicians and implemented this architecture as an application and device interfaces on the open-source OpenICE interoperability platform. In this work, we extend OpenICE with new capabilities to support the needs of the context-aware OR including a modularized data pipeline for simultaneously processing real-time electrocardiographic (ECG) waveforms from multiple clinicians to create estimates of their individual cognitive load. The system is built with standardized interfaces that allow for free interchange of software and hardware components including sensor devices, ECG filtering and beat detection algorithms, HRV metric calculations, and individual and team alerts based on changes in metrics. By integrating contextual cues and team member state into a unified process model, we believe future clinical applications will be able to emulate some of these behaviors to provide context-aware information to improve the safety and quality of surgical interventions.
Development of a Knowledge Graph for Automatic Job Hazard Analysis: The Schema
Authors: Pandithawatta Sonali , Ahn Seungjun , Rameezdeen Raufdeen , Chow Christopher W. K. , Gorjian Nima , Kim Tae Wan
Published: April 2023

In the current practice, an essential element of safety management systems, Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), is performed manually, relying on the safety personnel’s experiential knowledge and observations. This research was conducted to create a new ontology that comprehensively represents the JHA knowledge domain, including the implicit knowledge. Specifically, 115 actual JHA documents and interviews with 18 JHA domain experts were analyzed and used as the source of knowledge for creating a new JHA knowledge base, namely the Job Hazard Analysis Knowledge Graph (JHAKG). To ensure the quality of the developed ontology, a systematic approach to ontology development called METHONTOLOGY was used in this process. The case study performed for validation purposes demonstrates that a JHAKG can operate as a knowledge base that answers queries regarding hazards, external factors, level of risks, and appropriate control measures to mitigate risks. As the JHAKG is a database of knowledge representing a large number of actual JHA cases previously developed and also implicit knowledge that has not been formalized in any explicit forms yet, the quality of JHA documents produced from queries to the database is expectedly higher than the ones produced by an individual safety manager in terms of completeness and comprehensiveness.
Analysis of Deactivation of 18,650 Lithium-Ion Cells in CaCl2, Tap Water and Demineralized Water for Different Insertion Times
Authors: Wöhrl Katharina , Kotak Yash , Geisbauer Christian , Barra Sönke , Wilhelm Gudrun , Schneider Gerhard , Schweiger Hans-Georg
Published: April 2023

The deployment of battery-powered electric vehicles in the market has created a naturally increasing need for the safe deactivation and recycling of batteries. Various deactivating methods for lithium-ion cells include electrical discharging or deactivation with liquids. Such methods are also useful for cases where the cell tabs are not accessible. In the literature analyses, different deactivation media are used, but none include the use of calcium chloride (CaCl2) salt. As compared to other media, the major advantage of this salt is that it can capture the highly reactive and hazardous molecules of Hydrofluoric acid. To analyse the actual performance of this salt in terms of practicability and safety, this experimental research aims to compare it against regular Tap Water and Demineralized Water. This will be accomplished by performing nail penetration tests on deactivated cells and comparing their residual energy against each other. Moreover, these three different media and respective cells are analysed after deactivation, i.e., based on conductivity measurements, cell mass, flame photometry, fluoride content, computer tomography and pH value. It was found that the cells deactivated in the CaCl2 solution did not show any signs of Fluoride ions, whereas cells deactivated in TW showed the emergence of Fluoride ions in the 10th week of the insertion. However, with the addition of CaCl2 in TW, the deactivation process > 48 h for TW declines to 0.5–2 h, which could be an optimal solution for real-world situations where deactivating cells at a high pace is essential.