bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of the Oligocene Dalongtan Shoshonitic Syenite Porphyry in Central Yunnan, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints from Geochronology, Geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Hf Isotopes
Authors: Yang Hang , Liu Anlin , Wu Peng , Wang Feng
Published: March 2024

Shoshonitic rocks are widely distributed in post-collisional settings and provide key information on deep geodynamic mechanisms and magmatic evolution. In this paper, we present petrographic, zircon U-Pb age-related, trace elemental, Hf isotopic, bulk-rock elemental, and Sr-Nd isotopic data of the Dalongtan shoshonitic syenite porphyries (DSSPs) in central Yunnan, southeastern Tibet. The DSSPs formed at 33.2 ± 0.3 Ma in a post-collisional setting. They define linear trends on Harker diagrams, and they display similar trace element patterns and enriched bulk-rock Sr-Nd isotopes [(87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.70964–0.70968, εNd(t) = −12.9 to −12.7] and zircon Hf isotopes (εHf(t) = −15.7 to −13.1) to the coeval mantle-derived potassic mafic rocks. This suggests that the DSSPs were fractionated from the lithospheric mantle-derived mafic magmas. The DSSPs, along with the coeval felsic and mafic magmatic rocks (37.2–32.3 Ma), exhibit a planar distribution on the SE Tibet and predate the left-lateral shearing of the Ailaoshan–Red River shear zone (ARSZ) (32–22 Ma), suggesting that there are no genetic relationships between them. The DSSPs have geochemical characteristics similar to those of A-type granites, with high total alkalinity (10.39–11.17 wt.%), HFSE concentrations (Zr + Nb + Ce + Y = 890.2–1054.3 ppm), Ga/Al ratios (10,000 × Ga/Al = 2.95–3.46), whole-rock zircon saturation temperatures (906–947 °C), and oxygen fugacity (ΔFMQ = +3.30–+4.65), indicating that they are products of the high-temperature melting of the lithosphere as a result of asthenosphere upwelling in extensional settings. Based on our data and regional observations, it is proposed that the generation of the DSSPs may be linked to the convective thinning of the thickened lithospheric mantle following the India–Asia collision.
Mineralogical Evolution of High-pH/Low-pH Cement Pastes in Contact with Seawater
Authors: Kobayashi Yutaro , Sato Tsutomu
Published: March 2024

In facilities for the geological disposal of radioactive waste in coastal areas, the long-term alteration of cementitious materials in engineered barriers is expected to occur due to the ingress of groundwater derived from seawater. Although the reaction between cement and seawater has been studied, the alteration behavior caused by the reaction between seawater and low-pH cement, which is expected to be used in a disposal facility, has not yet been clarified. In this study, the effects of cement type on cement–seawater interactions were investigated, and the chemical stability and mineral evolution of cement pastes caused by reactions with seawater were determined. The dissolution of cement hydrates occurred upon increased contact with seawater, and the formation of secondary minerals, including carbonate and Mg-containing minerals, was observed. The progress of dissolution depended on the mineral composition of the initially formed cement hydrates, and low-pH cement containing pozzolanic materials showed less resistance to seawater. Differences in pH and Si concentration that are due to the type of cement used had a strong influence on the evolution of minerals (especially Mg-containing minerals), implying that the formed mineral species possibly affect the migration characteristics of radionuclide.
Design and Implementation of Sampling Wells in Phosphate Mine Waste Rock Piles: Towards an Enhanced Composition Understanding and Sustainable Reclamation
Authors: El Ghorfi Mustapha , Inabi Omar , Amar Hicham , Taha Yassine , Elghali Abdellatif , Hakkou Rachid , Benzaazoua Mostafa
Published: March 2024

Establishing a circular economy in mining begins with a dedicated sampling strategy as its fundamental phase. This specific approach is crucial for enhancing resource retrieval and isolating essential minerals from mining residues. By carefully examining and defining the makeup of waste materials, mining activities can discover overlooked possibilities, promoting sustainability. A thoughtfully planned sampling strategy not only reduces environmental harm but also sets the stage for the effective use of resources. In doing so, the mining industry can shift towards a circular model, adhering to the principles of waste reduction, material reuse, and ultimately promoting a more environmentally conscious and economically viable industry. In the phosphate industry and during the pre-concentration process of phosphate ore through screening, significant amounts of mining waste, consisting of various lithologies including indurated and fine phosphate, coarse-grained silicified phosphate, limestone, and marls, are deposited in waste rock stockpiles. Collecting representative samples from these heterogeneous materials presents challenges in accurately characterizing the entire stockpile. To overcome this issue, circular mining wells were implemented as a novel sampling method in waste rock stockpiles, enabling the collection of intact representative samples. This paper shares a successful experience in constructing three concrete-lined wells within a phosphate mine waste rock stockpile measuring 662 m in length, 240 m in width, and ranging in height from 0 to 65 m. The wells were dug at various depths, ranging from 20 m to 55 m, with a circular section and a diameter of 1.5 m. An integrated method utilizing analytical techniques in conjunction with numerical modeling via Robot Structural Analysis software (version of 2020) was utilized to assess the stress on the well supports and confirm their stability. This methodology serves as a valuable tool for evaluating the stability of similar wells, ensuring the safety of operators. The structural model yielded a stress level of 1 MPa, which aligned with the values obtained from the analytical model. Sensitivity analysis was performed on various parameters (friction angle, Poisson Ratio, and gravity), and the safety factor consistently remained above 1.5 for all scenarios investigated up to a depth of 60 m. Consequently, this study demonstrates that concrete-lined wells can be utilized safely for intact sampling in waste rock stockpiles. This sampling operation will allow the pursuit of optimizing resource utilization and enhancing environmental sustainability, by studying phosphate distribution in the Phosphate Mine Waste Rock (PMWR) for better recovery.
A CALPHAD-Informed Enthalpy Method for Multicomponent Alloy Systems with Phase Transitions
Authors: Scherr Robert , Liepold Philipp , Markl Matthias , Körner Carolin
Published: March 2024

Solid–liquid phase transitions of metals and alloys play an important role in many technical processes. Therefore, corresponding numerical process simulations need adequate models. The enthalpy method is the current state-of-the-art approach for this task. However, this method has some limitations regarding multicomponent alloys as it does not consider the enthalpy of mixing, for example. In this work, we present a novel CALPHAD-informed version of the enthalpy method that removes these drawbacks. In addition, special attention is given to the handling of polymorphic as well as solid–liquid phase transitions. Efficient and robust algorithms for the conversion between enthalpy and temperature were developed. We demonstrate the capabilities of the presented method using two different implementations: a lattice Boltzmann and a finite difference solver. We proof the correct behaviour of the developed method by different validation scenarios. Finally, the model is applied to electron beam powder bed fusion—a modern additive manufacturing process for metals and alloys that allows for different powder mixtures to be alloyed in situ to produce complex engineering parts. We reveal that the enthalpy of mixing has a significant effect on the temperature and lifetime of the melt pool and thus on the part properties.
The Relationship of Hedonic Hunger, Macronutrient Balance, Nutrition Knowledge, and Body Image and Weight Control with Dietary Intake in Student Athletes and Exercisers
Authors: Janiczak Amy , Forsyth Adrienne , Li Xia , Trakman Gina
Published: March 2024

Dietary intake is known to impact athletic performance. The factors that influence dietary intake have been investigated widely, but their collective effect has not been examined. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship between dietary intake and nutrition knowledge, body image, weight control, macronutrient balance, and hedonic hunger. Forty-two student athletes or active individuals were recruited through contact with sporting organisations and course coordinators, advertising via twitter, and flyers posted within university buildings. Nutrition knowledge, body image, weight control, macronutrient balance, and hedonic hunger were measured using the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire, Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire and Contour Drawing Rating Scale, a Weight Fluctuation Measure, Australian Eating Score, and Power of Food Scale, respectively. Hierarchical regression analysis, correlation testing, and mean difference testing were applied. Carbohydrate intake, body image disturbance scores, weight fluctuation, and hedonic hunger for food tasted had a significant relationship (R2 = 64.6%, Adj R2 = 0.608%, p < 0.001) with dietary energy intake. Student athletes’ dietary intakes are influenced by multiple potentially modifiable factors. Future studies should use larger sample sizes, with interventions focusing on individual modifiable factors to determine how dietary intake can be most significantly impacted.
The Most Common Types of Bias in a Human Bitemark Analysis
Authors: Masood Tayyaba , Mânica Scheila , Pandey Hemlata
Published: March 2024

Given that some suspected perpetrators were wrongly convicted, a defective bitemark analysis is comparable to dentists’ most crucial clinical decisions regarding assessment. Bias affects human bitemark analysis beyond the limitation of the evidence itself. The aim of this study was to explore the potential for different types of bias in bitemark analysis and the methods involved in that analysis by conducting a scoping review. Results showed that the 14 articles that explore the topic of bias in bitemark analysis were published from 2006-2022. Publications were from the USA mainly (n = 7), followed by the UK (n = 3), Australia (n = 2), New Zealand, (n = 1) and the Netherlands (n = 1). Of these publications, 36% addressed contextual bias, while 57% acknowledged cognitive bias. According to the findings, preventive measures consist of limiting the availability of unrelated data during research, employing several comparison samples for a more impartial assessment, and repeating the analysis while being blind to past findings. Nevertheless, the physical limitations of the evidence such as distortions are still strongly present.
Hunting for Answers: Assessing Brucella spp. Seroprevalence and Risks in Red Deer and Wild Boar in Central Portugal
Authors: Pires Humberto , Cardoso Luís , Lopes Ana Patrícia , Fontes Maria da Conceição , Santos-Silva Sérgio , Matos Manuela , Pintado Cristina , Roque Natália , Fonseca Leonardo Filipe , Morgado Inês , Dias Ana Sofia , Figueira Luís , Matos Ana Cristina , Mesquita João Rodrigo , Coelho Ana Cláudia
Published: March 2024

Between 2016 and 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the central region of Portugal in order to better understand the epidemiology and public health risks resulting from the handling and consumption of game animals infected with Brucella spp. The seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella spp. seropositivity were evaluated. Antibodies against Brucella spp. were determined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results showed that in the 650 serum samples collected from red deer (n = 298) and wild boars (n = 352) in Portugal, 21.7% (n = 141; 95% CI: 18.6–25.1%) tested positive. Wild boar had a significantly higher prevalence (35.5%; 95% CI: 30.5–40.8%) than red deer (5.4%, 95% CI: 3.1–8.6%; p ≤ 0.001). Risk factors for seropositivity were investigated using multivariable logistic regression models. The odds of being seropositive was 8.39 (95% CI: 4.75–14.84; p ≤ 0.001) times higher in wild boar than in red deer. Correlations between sex, age, body condition, and seropositivity could not be observed. The higher seroprevalence in wild boar suggests that this species may primarily contribute to the Brucella spp. ecology in central Portugal.
Influence of Weather Conditions in the Northwestern Russian Federation on Flax Fiber Characters According to the Results of a 30-Year Study
Authors: Pavlov Andrey V. , Porokhovinova Elizaveta A. , Slobodkina Anastasia A. , Matvienko Inna I. , Kishlyan Natalya V. , Brutch Nina B.
Published: March 2024

Weather has significant impact on plant growth and development. It is important to analyze the influence of changing climate conditions on the expression of plant agronomic characters. Two flax varieties were grown from 1987 to 2018 in the Northwest of Russia. Weather conditions and their influence on flax agronomic characters were analyzed using the variance and correlations analyses. Significant influence of conditions of a particular year on the manifestation of all evaluated characters was revealed. Starting from June, high temperatures accelerate plant development at all stages. Prolongation of the germination-flowering period is most important for improving fiber productivity, while fast ripening in hot weather after flowering is preferable for the formation of high-quality fiber. Such data give a possibility to predict the yield amount and quality. The use of weather conditions data also makes possible a comparison of the results obtained in different years. The suggested method of classifying meteorological conditions of a year can be used in other genebanks for systematizing and analyzing the results of crop evaluation in the field. The correlation analysis revealed 3 correlated pleiades, namely (1) of productivity, (2) of fiber quality and yield, and (3) of the growing season phase durations, the sums of active temperatures and precipitation during each period. The great influence of growing conditions on the economically valuable traits indicates the necessity of searching for genotypes with stable character manifestations for breeding new varieties with stable yields and good fiber quality.
Using Machine Learning Methods Combined with Vegetation Indices and Growth Indicators to Predict Seed Yield of Bromus inermis
Authors: Ou Chengming , Jia Zhicheng , Sun Shoujiang , Liu Jingyu , Ma Wen , Wang Juan , Mi Chunjiao , Mao Peisheng
Published: March 2024

Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) is a perennial, high-quality forage grass. However, its seed yield is influenced by agronomic practices, climatic conditions, and the growing year. The rapid and effective prediction of seed yield can assist growers in making informed production decisions and reducing agricultural risks. Our field trial design followed a completely randomized block design with four blocks and three nitrogen levels (0, 100, and 200 kg·N·ha−1) during 2022 and 2023. Data on the remote vegetation index (RVI), the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the leaf nitrogen content (LNC), and the leaf area index (LAI) were collected at heading, anthesis, and milk stages. Multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) regression models were utilized to predict seed yield. In 2022, the results indicated that nitrogen application provided a sufficiently large range of variation of seed yield (ranging from 45.79 to 379.45 kg ha⁻¹). Correlation analysis showed that the indices of the RVI, the NDVI, the LNC, and the LAI in 2022 presented significant positive correlation with seed yield, and the highest correlation coefficient was observed at the heading stage. The data from 2022 were utilized to formulate a predictive model for seed yield. The results suggested that utilizing data from the heading stage produced the best prediction performance. SVM and RF outperformed MLR in prediction, with RF demonstrating the highest performance (R2 = 0.75, RMSE = 51.93 kg ha−1, MAE = 29.43 kg ha−1, and MAPE = 0.17). Notably, the accuracy of predicting seed yield for the year 2023 using this model had decreased. Feature importance analysis of the RF model revealed that LNC was a crucial indicator for predicting smooth bromegrass seed yield. Further studies with an expanded dataset and integration of weather data are needed to improve the accuracy and generalizability of the model and adaptability for the growing year.
Fabrication of a Controlled-Release Core-Shell Floating Tablet of Ketamine Hydrochloride Using a 3D Printing Technique for Management of Refractory Depressions and Chronic Pain
Authors: Karami Tahmineh , Ghobadi Emad , Akrami Mohammad , Haririan Ismaeil
Published: March 2024

In this study, a novel floating, controlled-release and core-shell oral tablet of ketamine hydrochloride (HCl) was produced using a dual extrusion by 3D printing method. A mixture of Soluplus® and Eudragit® RS-PO was extruded by a hot-melt extrusion (HME) nozzle at 150–160 °C to fabricate the tablet shell, while a second nozzle known as a pressure-assisted syringe (PAS) extruded the etamine HCl in carboxymethyl cellulose gel at room temperature (25 °C) inside the shell. The resulting tablets were optimized based on the United States pharmacopeia standards (USP) for solid dosage forms. Moreover, the tablet was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and buoyancy techniques. The results showed a desired dissolution profile for a 100% infill optimized tablet with total drug release (100%) during 12 h. Weight variation and content uniformity of the tablets achieved the USP requirements. SEM micrographs showed a smooth surface with acceptable layer diameters. According to the FTIR analysis, no interference was detected among peaks. Based on DSC analysis, the crystallinity of ketamine HCl did not change during melt extrusion. In conclusion, the floating controlled-release 3D-printed tablet of ketamine HCl can be a promising candidate for management of refractory depressions and chronic pain. Additionally, the additive manufacturing method enables the production of patient-tailored dosage with tunable-release kinetics for personalized medicine in point-of care setting.
Assessing Radiation Effects on Chemo-Treated BT20 and 4T1 Breast Cancer, and Neuroblastoma Cell Lines: A Study of Single and Multiple-Cell Ionization via Infrared Laser Trapping
Authors: Goangul Mulugeta S. , Erenso Daniel B. , Gao Ying , Chen Li , Eshun Kwame O. , Alvarez Gisela , Crogman Horace T.
Published: March 2024

Background: Our study aimed to assess the radiation sensitivity of BT20, a human breast tumor cell line, using the laser-trapping technique and compare it with N2a and 4T1 cells. Additionally, we investigated the impact of the antitumor compound 2-Dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) on radiation sensitivity. Methods and Materials: We employed laser trapping to calculate both the threshold ionization energy (TIE) and threshold radiation dose (TRD) for BT20, N2a, and 4T1 cells. We assessed the effect of DMDD on BT20 cells’ radiosensitivity and conducted comparisons across these cell lines. Results: Our findings reveal that DMDD significantly enhances the radiosensitivity of BT20 breast carcinoma cells. Moreover, we observed distinct trends in TIE and TRD across the three cell lines, with differences attributed to variations in cell size and composition. When multiple cell ionizations were considered, a notable reduction in TRD was observed, implicating factors such as the chain effect of ionizing radiation and the influence of DMDD. The study found that TIE increased with the number of cells in the trap while TRD consistently decreased across all three cell lines, suggesting comparable radiation sensitivity, and oligostilbene treatment further reduced TRD, presenting the potential for enhancing therapeutic ratios in cancer treatment. Conclusion: The antitumor compound DMDD enhances the radiosensitivity of BT20 breast carcinoma cells, highlighting its potential in cancer treatment. Furthermore, our study underscores the impact of cell size and multiple-cell ionizations on TRD. Leveraging laser trapping techniques, biocompatible nanoparticles, and advanced optical tweezers opens promising avenues for personalized and effective cancer therapy approaches.
Pursuing Partners: Traveling for Marital Partners in the Hebrew Bible
Authors: Lorenzen Søren
Published: March 2024

Pursuing marital partners far from home can be a complicated endeavor, and the motives to travel for a companion can be a combination of pushes from one’s locality and pulls toward something new. In the Hebrew Bible, several narratives concern pursuing a partner far from home, but the motives of the person traveling have not seen much scholarly attention. In this contribution, the entangled motives are traced in three select narratives (Judg 14; Gen 24; Tob) that each represents a specific category of pursuing a partner. Samson pursues a known partner, Isaac and his family pursue an unknown partner, and Tobias unknowingly pursues a partner. These three narrative categories are explored utilizing the framework of actor-network theory to tease out the entangled human and non-human actants that affect the motives and the pursuit itself. This contribution reveals that motives are always entangled in more extensive networks, agency is distributed among various actants, and no pursuit of a companion in the Hebrew Bible is exactly like another.
Material Wealth or Wealth of Time and Culture? Lessons from Australian Aboriginal Economy for Catholic Social Teaching
Authors: Ogilvie Matthew C.
Published: March 2024

This paper will explicate ways in which Aboriginal Australian economy can inform, augment, and vindicate Catholic social teaching and related scholarship on work, the use of technology, and leisure. Collaterally, Aboriginal Australian economy gives an example of what could happen if key parts of Catholic social teaching were to be implemented concretely. That is, we can argue that Aboriginal economy gives an indication of what a society would be like if it adopted these parts of Catholic social teaching.
Spatiotemporal Changes and Driving Analysis of Ecological Environmental Quality along the Qinghai–Tibet Railway Using Google Earth Engine—A Case Study Covering Xining to Jianghe Stations
Authors: Zou Fengli , Hu Qingwu , Liu Yichuan , Li Haidong , Zhang Xujie , Liu Yuqi
Published: March 2024

The Qinghai–Tibet Railway is located in the most fragile and sensitive terrestrial ecosystem of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in China, and once the ecological environment is damaged, it is difficult to restore. This study, based on the Google Earth Engine platform, focuses on the section of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway from Xining to Jianghe. It utilizes Landsat series satellite imagery data from 1986 to 2020 to calculate the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI). This approach enables large-scale and long-term dynamic monitoring, analysis, and assessment of the ecological changes along the Qinghai–Tibet Railway corridor. The results indicate that (1) the average RSEI of the study area increased from 0.37 in 1986 to 0.53 in 2020, showing an overall trend of improvement. The ecological environment quality is mainly categorized as medium and good. (2) The quality of the ecological environment in the areas along the railway experienced fluctuations during different periods of railway construction and operation. From 1986 to 1994, after the first phase of the railway opened, the overall ecological environment showed a relative decline in quality. From 1994 to 2002, the ecological quality of 60% of the region saw slight improvements. During the extension construction of the second phase of the railway from 2002 to 2007, the regional ecology fluctuated again. However, from 2013 to 2020, during the operational period, a stable recovery trend was observed in the ecological environment. (3) The ecological environment in the study area is influenced by multiple factors. Different railway station areas exhibit strong spatial heterogeneity. The impact of single factors is significant, with the existence of spatial stratification and enhanced interactions among multiple factors. The strongest interactive effects are observed between land use types, the intensity of human activities, and temperature.
MineCam: Application of Combined Remote Sensing and Machine Learning for Segmentation and Change Detection of Mining Areas Enabling Multi-Purpose Monitoring
Authors: Jabłońska Katarzyna , Maksymowicz Marcin , Tanajewski Dariusz , Kaczan Wojciech , Zięba Maciej , Wilgucki Marek
Published: March 2024

Our study addresses the need for universal monitoring solutions given the diverse environmental impacts of surface mining operations. We present a solution combining remote sensing and machine learning techniques, utilizing a dataset of over 2000 satellite images annotated with ten distinct labels indicating mining area components. We tested various approaches to develop comprehensive yet universal machine learning models for mining area segmentation. This involved considering different types of mines, raw materials, and geographical locations. We evaluated multiple satellite data set combinations to determine optimal outcomes. The results suggest that radar and multispectral data fusion did not significantly improve the models’ performance, and the addition of further channels led to the degradation of the metrics. Despite variations in mine type or extracted material, the models’ effectiveness remained within an Intersection over Union value range of 0.65–0.75. Further, in this research, we conducted a detailed visual analysis of the models’ outcomes to identify areas requiring additional attention, contributing to the discourse on effective mining area monitoring and management methodologies. The visual examination of models’ outputs provides insights for future model enhancement and highlights unique segmentation challenges within mining areas.
Comparison of Machine Learning Models in Simulating Glacier Mass Balance: Insights from Maritime and Continental Glaciers in High Mountain Asia
Authors: Ren Weiwei , Zhu Zhongzheng , Wang Yingzheng , Su Jianbin , Zeng Ruijie , Zheng Donghai , Li Xin
Published: March 2024

Accurately simulating glacier mass balance (GMB) data is crucial for assessing the impacts of climate change on glacier dynamics. Since physical models often face challenges in comprehensively accounting for factors influencing glacial melt and uncertainties in inputs, machine learning (ML) offers a viable alternative due to its robust flexibility and nonlinear fitting capability. However, the effectiveness of ML in modeling GMB data across diverse glacier types within High Mountain Asia has not yet been thoroughly explored. This study addresses this research gap by evaluating ML models used for the simulation of annual glacier-wide GMB data, with a specific focus on comparing maritime glaciers in the Niyang River basin and continental glaciers in the Manas River basin. For this purpose, meteorological predictive factors derived from monthly ERA5-Land datasets, and topographical predictive factors obtained from the Randolph Glacier Inventory, along with target GMB data rooted in geodetic mass balance observations, were employed to drive four selective ML models: the random forest model, the gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) model, the deep neural network model, and the ordinary least-square linear regression model. The results highlighted that ML models generally exhibit superior performance in the simulation of GMB data for continental glaciers compared to maritime ones. Moreover, among the four ML models, the GBDT model was found to consistently exhibit superior performance with coefficient of determination (R2) values of 0.72 and 0.67 and root mean squared error (RMSE) values of 0.21 m w.e. and 0.30 m w.e. for glaciers within Manas and Niyang river basins, respectively. Furthermore, this study reveals that topographical and climatic factors differentially influence GMB simulations in maritime and continental glaciers, providing key insights into glacier dynamics in response to climate change. In summary, ML, particularly the GBDT model, demonstrates significant potential in GMB simulation. Moreover, the application of ML can enhance the accuracy of GMB modeling, providing a promising approach to assess the impacts of climate change on glacier dynamics.
Multi-Scale Feature Fusion Network with Symmetric Attention for Land Cover Classification Using SAR and Optical Images
Authors: Xu Dongdong , Li Zheng , Feng Hao , Wu Fanlu , Wang Yongcheng
Published: March 2024

The complementary characteristics of SAR and optical images are beneficial in improving the accuracy of land cover classification. Deep learning-based models have achieved some notable results. However, how to effectively extract and fuse the unique features of multi-modal images for pixel-level classification remains challenging. In this article, a two-branch supervised semantic segmentation framework without any pretrained backbone is proposed. Specifically, a novel symmetric attention module is designed with improved strip pooling. The multiple long receptive fields can better perceive irregular objects and obtain more anisotropic contextual information. Meanwhile, to solve the semantic absence and inconsistency of different modalities, we construct a multi-scale fusion module, which is composed of atrous spatial pyramid pooling, varisized convolutions and skip connections. A joint loss function is introduced to constrain the backpropagation and reduce the impact of class imbalance. Validation experiments were implemented on the DFC2020 and WHU-OPT-SAR datasets. The proposed model achieved the best quantitative values on the metrics of OA, Kappa and mIoU, and its class accuracy was also excellent. It is worth mentioning that the number of parameters and the computational complexity of the method are relatively low. The adaptability of the model was verified on RGB–thermal segmentation task.
An Open-Circuit Fault Diagnosis Method for Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped Inverters Based on Multi-Scale Shuffled Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Yan Yan , Wu Jiaqi , Cao Yanfei , Liu Bo , Li Chen , Shi Tingna
Published: March 2024

This study constructs a power switching device open-circuit fault diagnosis model for a three-level neutral point clamped inverter based on the multi-scale shuffled convolutional neural network (MSSCNN) and extracts and classifies the fault information contained in the output current of inverters. The model employs depthwise separable convolution and channel shuffle techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce model complexity. The experimental results show that the new model has lower model complexity, better noise resistance and higher average diagnostic accuracy compared with fault diagnosis models based on CNN, ResNet, ShuffleNet V2 and Mobilenet V3 networks.
Research on Human-Robot Collaboration Method for Parallel Robots Oriented to Segment Docking
Authors: Sun Deyuan , Wang Junyi , Xu Zhigang , Bao Jianwen , Lu Han
Published: March 2024

In the field of aerospace, large and heavy cabin segments present a significant challenge in assembling space engines. The substantial inertial force of cabin segments’ mass often leads to unexpected motion during docking, resulting in segment collisions, making it challenging to ensure the accuracy and quality of engine segment docking. While traditional manual docking leverages workers’ expertise, the intensity of the labor and low productivity are impractical for real-world applications. Human-robot collaboration can effectively integrate the advantages of humans and robots. Parallel robots, known for their high precision and load-bearing capacity, are extensively used in precision assembly under heavy load conditions. Therefore, human-parallel-robot collaboration is an excellent solution for such problems. In this paper, a framework is proposed that is easy to realize in production, using human-parallel-robot collaboration technology for cabin segment docking. A fractional-order variable damping admittance control and an inverse dynamics robust controller are proposed to enhance the robot’s compliance, responsiveness, and trajectory tracking accuracy during collaborative assembly. This allows operators to dynamically adjust the robot’s motion in real-time, counterbalancing inertial forces and preventing collisions between segments. Segment docking assembly experiments are performed using the Stewart platform in this study. The results show that the proposed method allows the robot to swiftly respond to interaction forces, maintaining compliance and stable motion accuracy even under unknown interaction forces.
Introduction to the Special Issue “Selected Papers from 11th International Digital Storytelling Conference 2023: Radical Listening: Story Work for a Just Future”
Authors: Shewbridge Bill , Hessler Brooke , Şimşek Burcu
Published: March 2024

Digital storytelling (DS) is a term that has come to mean different things in different contexts [...]
What Are the Risk Factors for Mechanical Failure in Spinal Arthrodesis? An Observational Study
Authors: Peccerillo Vincenzo , Culcasi Antonio , Ruisi Riccardo , Amaducci Francesca , Benedetti Maria Grazia , Girolami Marco , Evangelista Andrea , Morri Mattia
Published: March 2024

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of early mechanical failure in the first post-surgical year in patients who had undergone spinal surgery and to assess the related risk factors. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted examining all patients who consecutively underwent arthrodesis surgery. The incidence of postoperative mechanical failure during the first year was calculated as the primary outcome. Results: A total of 237 patients were identified for statistical analysis. The median age of the group of patients was 47 years (IQR of 44), and 66.6% were female. The incidence of mechanical failure in the first postoperative year was 5.1% overall, with 12 events, and the median time between surgery and the need for revision surgery was 5 months (IQR = 7.75). ASA score (OR = 2.39; p = 0.134), duration of the surgical procedure (OR = 1.27; p = 0.118), and inability to walk at discharge (OR = 7.86; p = 0.007) were independent risk factors associated with the mechanical failure. Conclusions: A higher ASA score and longer duration of surgery were risk factors for mechanical failure in the first year in patients who had undergone spinal surgery and must be carefully considered when planning spinal surgery. Early recovery of ambulation must be encouraged to prevent mechanical failure.
Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Storm Surge-Induced Salinity Augmentation in the Pearl River Estuary, South China
Authors: Gao Yixiao , Wang Xianwei , Dong Chunyu , Ren Jie , Zhang Qingnian , Huang Ying
Published: March 2024

The Pearl River Estuary (PRE) frequently experiences the impacts of typhoons, storm surges, and saltwater intrusion. While previous research has mainly focused on saltwater intrusion during the dry season, there is limited research on saltwater intrusion caused by storm surges in the PRE. In this study, we systematically investigate the effects of ten typical autumnal typhoons and associated storm surges on saltwater intrusion in the Modaomen Waterway using in situ data of water level, river discharge, and chloride concentrations from 2006 to 2022. We introduce the concept of Storm surge-Induced Salinity Augmentation (SISA) and analyze its characteristics and primary influencing factors. Our findings reveal that SISA primarily occurs in autumn, with reduced upstream river discharge and the dominance of high-salinity water in the estuary. SISA occurs immediately after storm surges and grows rapidly and violently, with a time lag of 2–4 h, but rapidly recedes after the typhoon passage due to heavy rainfall and high freshwater discharge. Typhoons with a westward trajectory have a greater influence, and the southeastern winds outside the estuary during typhoon events are the primary factors determining the intensity of SISA. Pre-typhoon river discharge affects the range and duration of saltwater intrusion. Moreover, the coupling effect of extreme river dryness, spring tide, and storm surges significantly enhances saltwater intrusion. Further research is needed to quantify the spatiotemporal characteristics of SISA accurately.
Family Businesses Overcoming the COVID-19 Crisis with Innovation: An Exploratory Analysis of the Jewelry Retail Sector in Spain
Authors: Soler-Porta Mariano , Rodríguez Díaz Beatriz
Published: March 2024

Innovation is a trending topic in many disciplines but has a particular focus when it is studied in family businesses (FBs) due to their unique behavior in decision-making. Moreover, there is a gap in research on how these family businesses overcome economic crises by applying innovation. The main purpose of this paper is to provide empirical insight regarding this gap in an understudied sector, such as the Jewelry retail sector. This research was conducted in five cases, taken as examples of what these companies did, in terms of innovation, to overcome the COVID-19 crisis situation. This was considered sufficient, given the homogeneous structure of the sector and the exploratory nature of the research. The results revealed that different strategies caused them to obtain different results and clearly showed that FBs that used innovation during the crisis had better financial results. This paper contributes to the understanding of how FBs overcome economic crises by applying innovation. The implications for this type of business are also included.
Assessment of Urban Sustainability and Coupling Coordinated Development: An Empirical Study in Anhui Province, China
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Wang Tao , Gao Weijun , Guo Yuang
Published: March 2024

The conflict between economic development and environmental degradation has significantly impeded urban development. Currently, the Chinese government is actively promoting the comprehensive transformation of new-type urbanization. This study measured the quality of urbanization and its degree of coupling coordination in 16 cities in Anhui Province from 2010 to 2020, utilizing 32 indicators across six dimensions: economic development (ED), infrastructure (INF), population development (PD), social development (SD), environmental protection (EP) and urban–rural integration (URI). Additionally, a novel method of sequential relationship analysis, oriented towards “interaction–change” was introduced to calculate indicator weights, which take the interactive degree among various indices and dependencies between neighboring cities into account. The results indicate that urban development in Anhui Province is imbalanced due to a low degree of resource matching. However, there is a positive trend in the relationship between urbanization quality and economic development. Furthermore, although the coupling coordination degree of urbanization quality in most cities fluctuates at different scales, it is still necessary to narrow and optimize the gap between subsystems. For one thing, the above achievements may provide reference for breaking through the traditional static weighting method from the theoretical level. For another, it can also provide decision-makers with valuable insights to establish an intercity complementary management system, so as to achieve sustainable development across the entire region.
The Effect of Temperature on a Single-Electron Transistor I-V Curve
Authors: Papadopoulou Panagiota , Ovaliadis Kyriakos , Philippousi Eleni , Hanias Michael P. , Magafas Lykourgos , Stavrinides Stavros G.
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the effect of temperature on Single-Electron Transistor (SET) electrical behavior is investigated. In particular, a study of the current-voltage (I-V) curves according to parameter (temperature and gate voltage) variation is presented. Among others, the interesting phenomenon of the N-type negative differential resistance is reported as the temperature increases from absolute zero (0 K) to room temperature. Finally, theoretical analysis and simulation shows that the choice of the appropriate temperature and gate-voltage combination the SET I-V curves demonstrates either a negative differential resistance region, a switching effect, or a simple resistance behavior.
TinyGS vs. SatNOGS: A Comparative Analysis of Open-Source Satellite Ground Station Networks
Authors: Sá Gomes João , Ferreira da Silva Alexandre
Published: March 2024

In recent years, two of the largest open-source ground station (GS) networks capable of enabling Earth–satellite communication have emerged: TinyGS and SatNOGS. These open-source projects enable anyone to build their own GS inexpensively and easily, integrate into a GS network, and receive data from satellites listed in the database. Additionally, it enables satellite developers to add satellites to the databases of these projects and take advantage of this GS network to receive data from the satellites. This article introduces the TinyGS and SatNOGS projects and conducts a comparative analysis between them. Generally, the TinyGS project seems to have simpler implementation as well as lower associated costs. In a deeper analysis, it was observed that on the 29 July 2023, the TinyGS project had a higher number of online GSs and a more favorable geographic distribution. On the other hand, the SatNOGS project managed to communicate and decode a larger number of satellites up to 29 July 2023. Additionally, in both projects, it was noted that frequencies between 436 and 437 had the highest number of satellites with decoded data. Ultimately, the choice between these projects depends on critical parameters defined by the reader.
Inhibition of Aflatoxin Production in Aspergillus flavus by a Klebsiella sp. and Its Metabolite Cyclo(l-Ala-Gly)
Authors: Sakuda Shohei , Sunaoka Masaki , Terada Maho , Sakoda Ayaka , Ishijima Natsumi , Hakoshima Noriko , Uchida Kenichi , Enomoto Hirofumi , Furukawa Tomohiro
Published: March 2024

During an experiment where we were cultivating aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus on peanuts, we accidentally discovered that a bacterium adhering to the peanut strongly inhibited aflatoxin (AF) production by A. flavus. The bacterium, isolated and identified as Klebsiella aerogenes, was found to produce an AF production inhibitor. Cyclo(l-Ala-Gly), isolated from the bacterial culture supernatant, was the main active component. The aflatoxin production-inhibitory activity of cyclo(l-Ala-Gly) has not been reported. Cyclo(l-Ala-Gly) inhibited AF production in A. flavus without affecting its fungal growth in a liquid medium with stronger potency than cyclo(l-Ala-l-Pro). Cyclo(l-Ala-Gly) has the strongest AF production-inhibitory activity among known AF production-inhibitory diketopiperazines. Related compounds in which the methyl moiety in cyclo(l-Ala-Gly) is replaced by ethyl, propyl, or isopropyl have shown much stronger activity than cyclo(l-Ala-Gly). Cyclo(l-Ala-Gly) did not inhibit recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in A. flavus, unlike (l-Ala-l-Pro), which showed that the inhibition of GST was not responsible for the AF production-inhibition of cyclo(l-Ala-Gly). When A. flavus was cultured on peanuts dipped for a short period of time in a dilution series bacterial culture broth, AF production in the peanuts was strongly inhibited, even at a 1 × 104-fold dilution. This strong inhibitory activity suggests that the bacterium is a candidate for an effective biocontrol agent for AF control.
The Nucleocapsid Protein of SARS-CoV-2, Combined with ODN-39M, Is a Potential Component for an Intranasal Bivalent Vaccine with Broader Functionality
Authors: Lobaina Yadira , Chen Rong , Suzarte Edith , Ai Panchao , Huerta Vivian , Musacchio Alexis , Silva Ricardo , Tan Changyuan , Martín Alejandro , Lazo Laura , Guillén-Nieto Gerardo , Yang Ke , Perera Yasser , Hermida Lisset
Published: March 2024

Despite the rapid development of vaccines against COVID-19, they have important limitations, such as safety issues, the scope of their efficacy, and the induction of mucosal immunity. The present study proposes a potential component for a new generation of vaccines. The recombinant nucleocapsid (N) protein from the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant was combined with the ODN-39M, a synthetic 39 mer unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN), used as an adjuvant. The evaluation of its immunogenicity in Balb/C mice revealed that only administration by intranasal route induced a systemic cross-reactive, cell-mediated immunity (CMI). In turn, this combination was able to induce anti-N IgA in the lungs, which, along with the specific IgG in sera and CMI in the spleen, was cross-reactive against the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-1. Furthermore, the nasal administration of the N + ODN-39M preparation, combined with RBD Delta protein, enhanced the local and systemic immune response against RBD, with a neutralizing capacity. Results make the N + ODN-39M preparation a suitable component for a future intranasal vaccine with broader functionality against Sarbecoviruses.
Influence of Spring Water Residence Time on the Irrigation Water Stability in the Hani Rice Terraces
Authors: Wei Kun , Jiao Yuanmei , Zhang Guilin , Wang Ying , Zhang Hua
Published: March 2024

The stability of irrigation water is critical for the sustainability of alpine agriculture. Based on monthly precipitation and terraced field water and spring water samples obtained between 2015 and 2016, the study used the mean residence time and isotope mixing model to analyze the influence of spring water residence time on irrigation water stability in the Hani Rice Terraces. The results indicate that: (1) The mean residence time of precipitation and terraced field water in spring water was 2.46 years and 1.55 years, respectively, implying that the terraced field’s irrigation water source could be refilled by spring water recharged 1.5–2.5 years ago. (2) The mean residence time of precipitation in ascending and descending springs was 2.73 years and 1.95 years, respectively. The mean residence time of terraced field water in ascending and descending springs was 1.54 years and 1.04 years, respectively. The ascending spring’s recharge water residence time is 0.5–0.8 years longer than that of the descending spring, indicating that the spring water exhibits intra-seasonal and inter-seasonal staggered peak recharging. At the same time, the total recharge period of the ascending–descending spring is extended to 1–3 years, which means the terraced fields have a drought resistance of three years. (3) The mean residence time of precipitation and terraced field water at higher altitudes in the ascending spring is 2.52 times and 3.73 times, respectively, while in the descending spring, it is 3.36 times and 6.49 times to the lower altitude region. This means that the mean residence time of the recharge water source in the lower terraced fields was shorter, and the elevation difference between ascending and descending springs was smaller, thereby regulating the spatial homogeneous distribution of recharge water sources in the terraced fields.