bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mechanisms of Cadmium Stress Mitigation by Fungal Endophytes from Maize Grains
Authors: Awais Muhammad , Xiang Yingying , Yang Dian , Lai Yibin , Cai Fenglian , Shah Naila , Khan Majid , Li Haiyan
Published: August 2024

Maize is a crucial staple crop that ensures global food security by supplying essential nutrients. However, heavy metal (HM) contamination inhibits maize growth, reduces output, and affects food security. Some endophytic fungi (EFs) in maize seeds have the potential to enhance growth and increase dry biomass, offering a solution to mitigate the negative effect of HM contamination. Using these functional EFs could help maintain crop production and ensure food safety in HM-contaminated areas. In the present study, the diversity of EFs in corn grains from various HM-contaminated areas in China was studied through culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. We tested the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits of several dominant culturable isolates and evaluated the growth-promoting effects of these twenty-one isolates through pot experiments. Both studies showed that HM contamination increased the diversity and richness of corn grain EFs and affected the most dominant endophytes. Nigrospora and Fusarium were the most prevalent culturable endophytes in HM-contaminated areas. Conversely, Cladosporium spp. were the most isolated endophytes in non-contaminated areas. Different from this, Saccharomycopsis and Fusarium were the dominant EFs in HM-contaminated sites, while Neofusicoccum and Sarocladium were dominant in non-contaminated sites, according to a culture-independent analysis. PGP trait tests indicated that 70% of the tested isolates (forty-two) exhibited phosphorus solubilization, IAA production, or siderophore production activity. Specifically, 90% of the tested isolates from HM-contaminated sites showed better PGP results than 45% of the isolates from non-contaminated sites. The benefit of the twenty-one isolates on host plant growth was further studied through pot experiments, which showed that all the isolates could improve host plant growth. Among them, strains derived from HM-contaminated sites, including AK18 (Nigrospora), AK32 (Beauveria), SD93 (Gibberellia), and SD64 (Fusarium), had notable effects on enhancing the dry biomass of shoots and roots of maize under Cd stress. We speculate that the higher ratio of PGP EFs in corn grains from HM-contaminated areas may explain their competitiveness in such extreme environments. Fusarium and Cladosporium isolates show high PGP properties, but they can also be phytopathogenic. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate their pathogenic properties and safety for crops before considering their practical use in agriculture.
Simulation-Based Echocardiography Teaching in Medical Education: A Test-Based Pilot Study
Authors: Otorkpa Michael , Kirk Alan , Philp Nichola , Omran Asmaa
Published: August 2024

Echocardiography is fundamental to diagnostic medicine, yet medical students seldom learn it. Simulation-based training to improve echocardiography learning is promising. This study examined how simulation-based echocardiography training affects final-year medical students’ knowledge and abilities. The study involved 16 medical students. Prior ultrasound experience and self-assessed competence were assessed using a pre-test that also had six multiple-choice questions on cardiac anatomy and physiology. The students went through an echocardiography teaching session using a simulator and a post-test with similar questions as the pre-test was administered thereafter. We compared both tests, and data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. Most students had little echocardiography experience before the class. After the teaching, scores averaged 5.07, up from 4.13 in the pre-test. Differences in pre-test and post-test scores were statistically significant (p = 0.007). The responses represented an improvement in self-assessed competence after the session. Simulation-based echocardiography improved medical students’ knowledge and skills. This study emphasizes the need for simulation-based training research to determine its long-term effects on clinical practice.
Volatility Spillovers among the Major Commodities: A Review
Authors: Melas Konstantinos D. , Faitatzoglou Anastasia , Michail Nektarios A. , Artemiou Anastasia
Published: August 2024

The integration of commodities into stock exchanges marked a pivotal moment in the analysis of price dynamics. Commodities are essential for both daily sustenance and industrial processes and are separated into hard commodities, like metals, and soft commodities, such as agricultural produce. This paper provides a review of the relevant literature concerning the implications of commodity price volatility on commercial and financial landscapes, recognizing its profound impact on global economies. Drawing from Google Scholar and Science Direct, we analyze trends in academic publications until 2022, particularly focusing on the interplay between volatility spillover and ten different commodities, providing insights into the evolution of research paradigms over time. In a nutshell, the literature suggests that relationships between hard commodities are stronger since, in addition to being raw materials, they also serve as investment products. For the same reason, relationships between agricultural products appear to be relatively weaker.
Spillover Impacts of the Utilization of Winter Fallow Fields on Grain Production and Carbon Emissions
Authors: Tang Lanping , Shen Ge , Cheng Min , Zuo Chengchao , Li Feiyang , Liu Hang , Wu Shaohua
Published: August 2024

Abandoned cropland is a widespread issue globally, with the impacts of utilizing abandoned cropland, such as grain production and carbon emissions, raising increasing concern. However, existing studies have largely overlooked the potential spillover effects on other regions through grain flows when increasing grain production in one region by utilizing abandoned cropland. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively estimate the impacts of using winter fallow fields (a typical seasonal abandoned cropland) on grain production and carbon emissions, particularly its neglected spillover impact. Focusing on Zhejiang province, this study used remote sensing techniques to identify winter fallow fields in 2018 and then assessed the impact of using those winter fallow fields on grain production based on grain yield data from the FAO, as well as its local and spillover impacts on carbon emissions based on the Greenhouse Gas Emission Factor method and a transportation carbon emission model. The results indicate the following: (1) The winter fallow fields in Zhejiang cover 5,161,000 hectares, accounting for 40.8% of the total cropland, with a notable prevalence in Jiaxing, Huzhou, Jinhua, and Quzhou. (2) Using winter fallow fields would increase grain production by 1,870,000 tons. (3) At the same time, local carbon emissions would rise by 261,000 tons if using winter fallow fields, but this would be paired with a reduction of 668,000 tons of carbon emissions from other regions (that is, a spillover impact), reflecting a net reduction (−447,000 tons) in overall emissions. In conclusion, using winter fallow fields can achieve a ‘win–win’ effect, increasing grain production while reducing carbon emissions. This study highlights that the spillover effects of using winter fallow fields on carbon emissions significantly surpass the localized impact, underscoring a critical aspect that has been traditionally undervalued, which should be paid more attention when policymakers formulate and implement cropland use policies. This study not only contributes to the academic discourse on sustainable land management but also serves as a practical guide for policymakers seeking to optimize agricultural productivity while curtailing the carbon footprint, thereby advancing towards a more secure and environmentally responsible food system.
Investigating the Nonlinear Effect of Land Use and Built Environment on Public Transportation Choice Using a Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Wang Zhenbao , Liu Shuyue , Lian Haitao , Chen Xinyi
Published: August 2024

Understanding the relationship between the demand for public transportation and land use is critical to promoting public-transportation-oriented urban development. Taking Beijing as an example, we took the Public Transportation Index (PTI) during the working day’s early peak hours as the dependent variable. And 15 land use and built environment variables were selected as the independent variables according to the “7D” built environment dimensions. According to the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP), the size and shape of the spatial units will affect the aggregation results of the dependent variable and the independent variables. To find the ideal spatial unit division method, we assess how well the nonlinear model fits several spatial units. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) was utilized to investigate the nonlinear effects of the built environment on PTI and threshold effects based on the ideal spatial unit. The results show that (1) the best spatial unit division method is based on traffic analysis zones (TAZs); (2) the top four explanatory variables affecting PTI are, in order: mean travel distance, residential density, subway station density, and public services density; (3) there are nonlinear relationships and significant threshold effects between the land use variables and PTI. The priority regeneration TAZs were identified according to the intersection analysis of the low PTI TAZs set and the PTI-sensitive TAZs set based on different land use variables. Prioritized urban regeneration TAZs require targeted strategies, and the results of the study may provide a scientific basis for proposing strategies to renew land use to increase PTI.
Identity Framing as Resilience in Selected Nicknames of Nigerian Street Children
Authors: Olajimbiti Ezekiel Opeyemi
Published: August 2024

Street children who are forced onto the streets due to oppressive experiences use a variety of strategies, including nicknaming, to cope with street adversities. Previous studies have not adequately considered street children’s nicknames as resilience enablers. This study fills this gap by unpacking identity frames in street children’s nicknames as resilience enablers in southwestern Nigeria. Using the unstructured interview method, 65 nicknames of street children in the six southwestern states of Nigeria were sampled and subjected to discourse analysis with insights from social identity theory and the concept of frames. Findings reveal that the sampled names manifest Yorùbá and English with five syntactic patterns. Yorùbá nicknames are characterised by animal metaphors, food/body-parts/virtue-related terms, while the English forms indicate force, weather, and political-related terms, with meanings oriented to street culture. The nicknames configure the identity frames associated with ingroup norms and attributes of self-enhancement. Given the complexity of street life, the children adopt nicknames for discursive functions such as evasive mechanisms, reinforcement of an ingroup affiliation, group management, and bestowal of preferences. This study concludes that full-time street children in southwestern Nigeria use nicknames as adaptations to street culture, routine communication, and psychological strength boosters to withstand the adversities of street culture.
Rosmarinic Acid Potentiates Cytotoxicity of Cisplatin against Colorectal Cancer Cells by Enhancing Apoptotic and Ferroptosis
Authors: Huang Jhen-Yu , Hsu Ta-Wen , Chen Yu-Ru , Kao Shao-Hsuan
Published: August 2024

Rosmarinic acid (RA) has demonstrated anticancer effects on several types of malignancies. However, whether RA promotes the anticancer effect of cisplatin on colorectal cancer cells remains sketchy. This study aimed to explore whether RA potentiates the cytotoxicity of cisplatin against colon cancer cells and the underlying mechanism. Cell viability, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis was evaluated using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, flow cytometric analysis, and propidium iodide/Annexin V staining, respectively. Western blotting was utilized to analyze signaling pathways. Our findings showed that RA significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect on cell viability and the induction of apoptosis on the colon cancer cell lines DLD-1 and LoVo. Signaling cascade analysis revealed that the combination of RA and cisplatin jointly induced Bax and caspase activation while downregulating Bcl-2, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and SLC7A11 in DLD-1 cells. Moreover, caspase inhibitor and ferroptosis inhibitor significantly reversed the inhibition of cell viability in response to RA combined with cisplatin. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that RA enhances the cytotoxicity of cisplatin against colon cancer cells, attributing to the promotion of apoptosis and ferroptosis.
Surgical Skill Decay as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Olszewska Natalia , Guzel Tomasz , Carus Thomas , Słodkowski Maciej
Published: August 2024

Background: This study aimed to objectively evaluate the impact of the gap in surgical practice caused by COVID-19 on surgical skill decay. Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 148 cases of adult patients who were qualified for elective or urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study compared the period of nine months before the pandemic outbreak and nine months after the end of the pandemic. We analyzed the duration of surgery, the number of intraoperative adverse events (IAEs), postoperative complications (PCs), and differences between the surgeries performed by residents and those performed by specialists. Results: The number of IAEs did not differ significantly between groups (after COVID-19 (AC) and before COVID-19 (BC)). A difficult gallbladder (DGB) was associated with an increased risk of IAEs during surgery in both groups (BC:OR = 2.94, p = 0.049; AC:OR = 2.81, p = 0.35). The multivariate analyses showed no significant differences in IAEs or PCs when the residents performed surgeries compared to specialists. The average duration of surgery was significantly longer in the post-pandemic group (BC–102.4 min vs. AC–119.9 min, p = 0.024). Conclusions: Measurable determinants of surgical skills are the duration of surgery and the number of intraoperative adverse events. By defining this indicators, our study objectively shows that the reduction in the volume of surgeries during COVID-19 resulted in a phenomenon known as surgical skill decay.
Process-Integrated Component Microtexturing for Tribologically Optimized Contacts Using the Example of the Cam Tappet—Numerical Design, Manufacturing, DLC-Coating and Experimental Analysis
Authors: Orgeldinger Christian , Reck Manuel , Seynstahl Armin , Rosnitschek Tobias , Merklein Marion , Tremmel Stephan
Published: August 2024

To meet the demand for energy-efficient and, at the same time, durable, functional components, the improvement of tribological behavior is playing an increasingly important role. One approach to reducing friction in lubricated tribological systems is the microtexturing of the surfaces tailored to the application, but in most cases, this leads to increased manufacturing costs and thus often makes their use in industry more difficult. In this work, we, therefore, present an approach for an efficient design and fully integrated production process using a cam tappet as an example. For the used cam tappet contact, we first determined the optimal texture geometries using two differently complex EHL (elastohydrodynamic lubrication) simulation models. Based on these, textured tappets were manufactured in a combined manner using sheet-bulk metal-forming and deposition with a diamond-like-carbon (DLC) coating for additional wear protection without further post-processing of the coating. We show that the simulation approach used has a rather subordinate influence on the optimization result. The combined forming of components with textured surfaces is limited by the local material flow, the resulting texture distortion, and tool wear. However, a targeted process design can help to exploit the potential of single-stage forming. The applied DLC coating has good adhesion and can completely prevent wear in subsequent reciprocal pin-on-disc tests, while the friction in the run-in behavior is initially higher due to the soothing effects of the coating. The experiments also show a tendency for shallow textures to exhibit lower friction compared to deeper ones, which corresponds to the expectations from the simulation.
2-(2,6-Diisopropylphenyl)-1-methylimidazo[1,5-a]quinolin-2-ium Tetrafluoroborate
Authors: Borislavov Lyuben , Koleva Iskra Z. , Lozanova Vesela , Ivanova Maria , Lyapchev Rumen
Published: August 2024

A new heterocyclic compound, 2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1-methylimidazo[1,5-a]quinolin-2-ium tetrafluoroborate 1 was obtained from its precursor, N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-N-(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)acetamide 2, by POCl3-mediated cyclization. For the first time, tertiary acetamide 2, the precursor of 1, was synthesized by using commercially available starting materials. The structure of 1 was unquestionably confirmed by 1H, 13C, 2D-NMR, and IR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. Its optical properties were also studied.
Towards the Reuse of Fire Retarded Polyamide 12 for Laser Sintering
Authors: Seigler Dylan , Batistella Marcos , Lopez-Cuesta José-Marie
Published: August 2024

The control of powder aging during Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) processing is one of the challenges to be overcome for the implementation of this technique in serial production. Aging phenomena, because of the elevated temperatures and long processing times, need to be considered when a fraction of the polymer powders present in the build chamber and not used to manufacture the parts are reused at various times. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of successive reuse of blends of pure Polyamide 12 and its blends with two types of flame retardants (FR): ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and zinc borate (ZB). The composition of the blends was 70/30 (wt/wt) PA 12/FR. Four successive processing stages have been carried out by collecting the remaining powder blend each time. The powders were re-used using the same processing parameters after sieving. DSC measurements showed that the incorporation of FRs entailed a reduction in the processing window up to 4 °C; nevertheless, no further reduction was noted after aging. The TGA curves of aged blends of powders were also similar for pure PA 12 and PA 12 with FR. In addition, initial and reused powders presented a higher degree of crystallinity than the specimens processed from the powders. The heterogeneous character of the PA 12 after LS processing or reprocessing was shown through Pyrolysis Combustion Flow Calorimetry (PCFC) and cone calorimeter (CC) tests. FTIR analysis also showed that post-condensation reactions have occurred. The mode of action of the flame retardants was clearly seen on HRR curves at both tests. The first reuses of PA 12 powders entailed a significant reduction in time to ignition at the cone calorimeter (150 for the initial material to around 90 s for the reused material), indicating the formation of short polymer chains. Only in the case of zinc borate was it noticed that re-used powder was detrimental to the fire performance because of a strong increase in the value of pHRR (between 163 and 220 kW/m2 for reused material instead of 125 kW/m2 for the initial one).
Experimental and Numerical Investigations on the Seismic Performance of High-Strength Exterior Beam-Column Joints with Steel Fibers
Authors: Wu Bingliu , Liu Xingjian , Jia Junyu , Fang Deming , Shao Jianwen , Kong Wei
Published: August 2024

Steel fiber reinforced high-strength concrete (SFRHSC) is a composite material composed of cement, coarse aggregate, and randomly distributed short steel fibers. The excellent tensile strength of steel fiber can significantly improve the crack resistance and ductility of high-strength concrete (HSC). In this study, experimental and numerical investigations were performed to study the cyclic behavior of the HSC beam-column joint. Three SFRHSC and one HSC beam-column joint were prepared and tested under cyclic load. Two different volume ratios of steel fibers and three stirrups ratios in the joint core area were experimentally studied. After verification of the experimental results, numerical simulations were further carried out to investigate the influence of steel fibers volume ratio and stirrups ratio in the joint core area on the seismic performance. Evaluation of the hysteretic response, ductility, energy dissipation, stiffness, and strength degradation were the main aims of this study. Results indicate that the optimal volume fraction of steel fibers is 1.5%, and the optimal stirrups ratio in the joint core area is 0.9% in terms of the enhancement of the seismic performance of the SFRHSC beam-column joint.
Design, Analysis and Application of Control Techniques for Driving a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor in an Elevator System
Authors: Vlachou Vasileios I. , Efstathiou Dimitrios E. , Karakatsanis Theoklitos S.
Published: August 2024

An electrical motors, together with its appropriate drive system, is one of the most important elements of electromobility. In recent years, there has been a particular interest by academic researchers and engineers in permanent-magnet motors (PMSMs) in various applications, such as electric vehicles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), elevator systems, etc., as the main source of drive transmission. Nowadays, the elevator industry, with the evolution of magnetic materials, has turned to gearless PMSMs over geared induction motors (IMs). One of the most important elements that is given special emphasis in these applications is proper motor design in consideration of the weight and speed of the chamber to be served during operation. This paper presents a design of a high-efficiency PMSM, in which finite elements analysis (FEA) and the study of the lift operating cycle provided useful conclusions on the magnetic field of the machine in different operating states. In addition, a simulated model was compared with experimental results of test operations. Furthermore, the drive system also required the use of appropriate electrical power and controls to drive the PMSM. Especially in elevator applications, the control of the motor speed by the variable voltage variable frequency technique (VVVF) is the most common technology used to avoid endangering the safety of the passengers. Thus, suitable speed and current controllers were used for this purpose. In our research, we focused on studying different control techniques using a suitable inverter to compare the system operation in each case studied.
In-Depth Analysis of the Processing of Nomex Honeycomb Composites: Problems, Techniques and Perspectives
Authors: Zarrouk Tarik , Nouari Mohammed , Salhi Jamal-Eddine , Essaouini Hilal , Abbadi Mohammed , Abbadi Ahmed , Lahlaouti Mohammed Lhassane
Published: August 2024

Nomex honeycomb composites are widely recognized for their advanced structural applications in the aerospace, automotive and defense industries. These materials are distinguished by exceptional characteristics such as thin cell walls and a hexagonal structure, as well as layers made of phenolic resins and aramid fibers. However, complex machining and the maintenance of high quality at a large scale presents considerable challenges. This study provides a comprehensive review of the literature on the processing of Nomex composites, highlighting the design challenges related to processing technologies, the impact of conventional and ultrasonic processing methods, and the associated mechanical properties and microstructural topographies. Moreover, it reviews research advances in machining techniques, current challenges, and future perspectives, thereby providing valuable guidance to ensure the optimal cutting of Nomex honeycomb composite structures (NHCs).
Double-Sided Surface Structures with Undercuts on Cold-Rolled Steel Sheets for Interlocking in Hybrid Components
Authors: Ringel Aron , Shayan Sindokht , Bailly David
Published: August 2024

Weight reduction strategies are essential for the transportation sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or extend the range of electric vehicles. In the field of lightweight assembly strategies, multi-material design offers great potential. Joining materials typically used in the automotive sector, such as aluminum and steel, brings challenges as conventional processes such as fusion welding are unsuitable. Therefore, new technologies can extend the design options. In previous studies, a mechanical interlocking between cold-rolled surface structures with undercuts on a steel sheet and die-cast aluminum was presented. This method has now been extended to double-sided structures for more complex applications with a joint on both sheet surfaces. Numerical simulations and validation experiments were performed to investigate the manufacturing of the double-sided structures. Furthermore, the influence of the alignment of the upper and lower structures in relation to each other on the resulting structural geometry and the rolling forces were analyzed. More advantageous geometric parameters, e.g., 24% larger undercuts, and approx. 24.1% lower forming forces at 20% height reduction were observed for a shifted alignment. However, significantly higher wear of the structured rollers occurred in the corresponding experiments.
Pipeline Landmark Classification of Miniature Pipeline Robot π-II Based on Residual Network ResNet18
Authors: Wang Jian , Chen Chuangeng , Liu Bingsheng , Wang Juezhe , Wang Songtao
Published: August 2024

A pipeline robot suitable for miniature pipeline detection, namely π-II, was proposed in this paper. It features six wheel-leg mobile mechanisms arranged in a staggered manner, with a monocular fisheye camera located at the center of the front end. The proposed robot can be used to capture images during detection in miniature pipes with an inner diameter of 120 mm. To efficiently identify the robot’s status within the pipeline, such as navigating in straight pipes, curved pipes, or T-shaped pipes, it is necessary to recognize and classify these specific pipeline landmarks accurately. For this purpose, the residual network model ResNet18 was employed to learn from the images of various pipeline landmarks captured by the fisheye camera. A detailed analysis of image characteristics of some common pipeline landmarks was provided, and a dataset of approximately 908 images was created in this paper. After modifying the outputs of the network model, the ResNet18 was trained according to the proposed datasets, and the final test results indicate that this modified network has a high accuracy rate in classifying various pipeline landmarks, demonstrating a promising application prospect of image detection technology based on deep learning in miniature pipelines.
Reentrant Spin Glass and Magnetic Skyrmions in the Co7Zn7Mn6−xFex β-Mn-Type Alloys
Authors: Malta José F. , Henriques Marta S. C. , Paixão José A. , Gonçalves António P.
Published: August 2024

Co7Zn7Mn6 is a β-Mn-type alloy belonging to the CoxZnyMnz (x+y+z=20) family that notoriously features a skyrmionic magnetic phase below the ferromagnetic ordering temperature and, in addition, a reentrant spin glass transition at low temperatures. In this work, we have studied the effect of partial substitution of Mn by Fe in the magnetic properties of this alloy. Samples of Co7Zn7Mn6−xFex, 0≤x≤1, were synthesised using the Bridgman–Stockbarger method, and their structure and composition were fully characterised by XRD and EDS. VSM and AC susceptibility measurements show that the partial substitution of Mn by Fe increases TC and the skyrmionic region of the magnetic phase diagram is suppressed for x>0.5. The AC susceptibility behaviour at low temperatures can be ascribed to the presence of a reentrant spin glass state observed for all compositions, with a spin glass freezing temperature, Tg, that shifts to lower temperatures as the Fe content increases.
Separable CenterNet Detection Network Based on MobileNetV3—An Optimization Approach for Small-Object and Occlusion Issues
Authors: Jiao Zhengkuo , Dong Heng , Diao Naizhe
Published: August 2024

This paper proposes a novel object detection method to address the challenges posed by small objects and occlusion in object detection. This work is performed within the CenterNet framework, leveraging the MobileNetV3 backbone to model the input image’s abstract representation in a lightweight manner. A sparse convolutional skip connection is introduced in the bottleneck of MobileNetV3, specifically designed to adaptively suppress redundant and interfering information, thus enhancing feature extraction capabilities. A Dual-Path Bidirectional Feature Pyramid Network (DBi-FPN) is incorporated, allowing for high-level feature fusion through bidirectional flow and significantly improving the detection capabilities for small objects and occlusions. Task heads are applied within the feature space of multi-scale information merged by DBi-FPN, facilitating comprehensive consideration of multi-level representations. A bounding box-area loss function is also introduced, aimed at enhancing the model’s adaptability to object morphologies and geometric distortions. Extensive experiments on the PASCAL VOC 2007 and MS COCO 2017 datasets validate the competitiveness of our proposed method, particularly in real-time applications on resource-constrained devices. Our contributions offer promising avenues for enhancing the accuracy and robustness of object detection systems in complex scenarios.
Generalized Framework for Liquid Neural Network upon Sequential and Non-Sequential Tasks
Authors: Karn Prakash Kumar , Ardekani Iman , Abdulla Waleed H.
Published: August 2024

This paper introduces a novel approach to neural networks: a Generalized Liquid Neural Network (GLNN) framework. This design excels at handling both sequential and non-sequential tasks. By leveraging the Runge Kutta DOPRI method, the GLNN enables dynamic simulation of complex systems across diverse fields. Our research demonstrates the framework’s capabilities through three key applications. In predicting damped sinusoidal trajectories, the Generalized LNN outperforms the neural ODE by approximately 46.03% and the conventional LNN by 57.88%. Modelling non-linear RLC circuits shows a 20% improvement in precision. Finally, in medical diagnosis through Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) image analysis, our approach achieves an F1 score of 0.98, surpassing the classical LNN by 10%. These advancements signify a significant shift, opening new possibilities for neural networks in complex system modelling and healthcare diagnostics. This research advances the field by introducing a versatile and reliable neural network architecture.
Large-Scale Group Decision-Making Method with Public Participation and Its Application in Urban Management
Authors: Niu Xiuhong , Song Yongming , Xu Zhongwen
Published: August 2024

Civic participation is of great significance to urban management decision-making. In order to facilitate citizens to participate in city management decision-making, this paper proposes a large-scale group decision-making (LSGDM) method based on multi-granular probabilistic linguistic preference relations (MG-PLPRs). First, each decision maker selects a language terms set from the multi-granularity language terms set to represent individual preference relations, and the MG-PLPRs are obtained by statistical calculation to represent sub-group’s preferences information. Then, an optimization model based on the expected consistency of PLPR and consensus measure of groups is established for achieving consensus-reaching processes, which can ensure satisfactory individual consistency and group consensus. Finally, the validity and applicability of the proposed method is verified by a case of a city “shared garden” site selection with the participation of citizens.
Comparative Evaluation of Model Accuracy for Predicting Selected Attributes in Agile Project Management
Authors: Alzeyani Emira Mustafa Moamer , Szabó Csaba
Published: August 2024

In this study, we evaluate predictive modelling techniques within project management, employing diverse architectures such as the LSTM, CNN, CNN-LSTM, GRU, MLP, and RNN models. The primary focus is on assessing the precision and consistency of predictions for crucial project parameters, including completion time, required personnel, and estimated costs. Our analysis utilises a comprehensive dataset that encapsulates the complexities inherent in real-world projects, providing a robust basis for evaluating model performance. The findings, presented through detailed tables and comparative charts, underscore the collective success of the models. The LSTM model stands out for its exceptional performance in consistently predicting completion time, personnel requirements, and estimated costs. Quantitative evaluation metrics, including Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), corroborate the efficacy of the models. This study offers insights into the success observed, reflecting the potential for further refinement and continuous exploration to enhance the accuracy of predictive models in the ever-evolving landscape of project management.
A Numerical Investigation of Activation Energy Impact on MHD Water-Based Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 Flow between the Rotating Cone and Expanding Disc
Authors: Nihaal Kandavkovi Mallikarjuna , Mahabaleshwar Ulavathi Shettar , Swaminathan Nedunchezhian , Laroze David , Shevchuk Igor V.
Published: August 2024

Hybrid nanofluids have caught the attention of scholars and investigators in the present technological period due to their improved thermophysical features and the desire to boost heat transfer rates compared to those of conventional fluids. The present paper is mainly concerned with heat transmission in cone-disk geometry in the presence of a magnetic field, activation energy, and non-uniform heat absorption/generation. In this work, the cone-disk (CD) apparatus is considered to have a rotating cone (RC) and a stretching disk, along with iron oxide and cobalt ferrite-based hybrid nanofluid. Appropriate similarity transformations are employed to change the physically modeled equations into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Heat transfer rates at both surfaces are estimated by implementing a modified energy equation with non-uniform heat absorption/generation. The outcomes illustrated that the inclusion of such physical streamwise heat conduction variables in the energy equation has a significant impact on the well-known conclusions of heat transfer rates. To understand flow profile behavior, we have resorted to the RKF-45 method and the shooting method, which are illustrated using graphs. The findings provide conclusive evidence that wall stretching alters the flow, heat, and mass profile characteristics within the conical gap. The wall deformation caused by disk stretching was found to have a potential impact of modifying the centripetal/centrifugal flow characteristics of the disk, increasing the flow velocity and swirling angles. A rise in activation energy leads to an improved concentration field.
A Distorted-Image Quality Assessment Algorithm Based on a Sparse Structure and Subjective Perception
Authors: Yang Yang , Liu Chang , Wu Hui , Yu Dingguo
Published: August 2024

Most image quality assessment (IQA) algorithms based on sparse representation primarily focus on amplitude information, often overlooking the structural composition of images. However, structural composition is closely linked to perceived image quality, a connection that existing methods do not adequately address. To fill this gap, this paper proposes a novel distorted-image quality assessment algorithm based on a sparse structure and subjective perception (IQA-SSSP). This algorithm evaluates the quality of distorted images by measuring the sparse structure similarity between a reference and distorted images. The proposed method has several advantages. First, the sparse structure algorithm operates with reduced computational complexity, leading to faster processing speeds, which makes it suitable for practical applications. Additionally, it efficiently handles large-scale data, further enhancing the assessment process. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of the algorithm, showing that it achieves a high correlation with human visual perception, as reflected in both objective and subjective evaluations. Specifically, the algorithm yielded a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.929 and a mean squared error of 8.003, demonstrating its robustness and efficiency. By addressing the limitations of existing IQA methods and introducing a more holistic approach, this paper offers new perspectives on IQA. The proposed algorithm not only provides reliable quality assessment results but also closely aligns with human visual experience, thereby enhancing both the objectivity and accuracy of image quality evaluations. This research offers significant theoretical support for the advancement of sparse representation in IQA.
NIGA: A Novel Method for Investigating the Attacker–Defender Model within Critical Infrastructure Networks
Authors: Ren Jiaqi , Liu Jin , Dong Yibo , Li Zhe , Li Weili
Published: August 2024

The field of infrastructure security has garnered significant research attention. By integrating complex network theory with game theory, researchers have proposed many methods for studying the interactions between the attacker and the defender from a macroscopic viewpoint. We constructed a game model of infrastructure networks to analyze attacker-defender confrontations. To address the challenge of finding the Nash equilibrium, we developed a novel algorithm—node-incremental greedy algorithm (NIGA)—which uses less strategy space to solve the problem. The experiments performed further showed that NIGA has better optimization ability than other traditional algorithms. The optimal defense strategies under different conditions of initial strategy ratios and attacker-defender resources were analyzed in this study. Using intelligent computing to solve the Nash equilibrium is a new approach by which for researchers to analyze attacker-defender confrontations.
Uniformly Continuous Generalized Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Muñoz-Vázquez Aldo Jonathan , Fernández-Anaya Guillermo
Published: August 2024

This paper explores a general class of singular kernels with the objective of designing new families of uniformly continuous sliding mode controllers. The proposed controller results from filtering a discontinuous switching function by means of a Sonine integral, producing a uniformly continuous control signal, preserving finite-time sliding motion and robustness against continuous but unknown and not necessarily integer-order differentiable disturbances. The principle of dynamic memory resetting is considered to demonstrate finite-time stability. A set of sufficient conditions to design singular kernels, preserving the above characteristics, is presented, and several examples are exposed to propose new families of continuous sliding mode approaches. Simulation results are studied to illustrate the feasibility of some of the proposed schemes.
Symbolic Computation of the Lie Algebra se(3) of the Euclidean Group SE(3): An Application to the Infinitesimal Kinematics of Robot Manipulators
Authors: Gallardo-Alvarado Jaime , Garcia-Murillo Mario A. , Tabares-Martinez Juan Manuel , Sandoval-Castro X. Yamile
Published: August 2024

This paper reports an application of the Lie algebra se(3) of the Euclidean group SE(3), which is isomorphic to the theory of screws in the velocity and acceleration analyses of serial manipulators. The symbolic computation of the infinitesimal kinematics allows one to obtain algebraic expressions related to the kinematic characteristics of the end effector of the serial manipulator, while in the case of complex manipulators, numerical computations are preferred owing to the emergence of long terms. The algorithm presented enables the symbolic computation of the velocity and acceleration characteristics of the end effector in serial manipulators in order to allow the compact and efficient modeling of velocity and acceleration analyses of both parallel and serial robotic manipulators. Unlike other algebras, these procedures can be extended without significant effort to higher-order analyses such as the jerk and jounce.
Enhancing LS-PIE’s Optimal Latent Dimensional Identification: Latent Expansion and Latent Condensation
Authors: Stevens Jesse , Wilke Daniel N. , Setshedi Isaac I.
Published: August 2024

The Latent Space Perspicacity and Interpretation Enhancement (LS-PIE) framework enhances dimensionality reduction methods for linear latent variable models (LVMs). This paper extends LS-PIE by introducing an optimal latent discovery strategy to automate identifying optimal latent dimensions and projections based on user-defined metrics. The latent condensing (LCON) method clusters and condenses an extensive latent space into a compact form. A new approach, latent expansion (LEXP), incrementally increases latent dimensions using a linear LVM to find an optimal compact space. This study compares these methods across multiple datasets, including a simple toy problem, mixed signals, ECG data, and simulated vibrational data. LEXP can accelerate the discovery of optimal latent spaces and may yield different compact spaces from LCON, depending on the LVM. This paper highlights the LS-PIE algorithm’s applications and compares LCON and LEXP in organising, ranking, and scoring latent components akin to principal component analysis or singular value decomposition. This paper shows clear improvements in the interpretability of the resulting latent representations allowing for clearer and more focused analysis.
New Secondary Metabolites of Mangrove-Associated Strains
Authors: Yu Yunxia , Wang Zimin , Xiong Dingmi , Zhou Liman , Kong Fandong , Wang Qi
Published: August 2024

Positioned at the dynamic interface between terrestrial and marine realms, mangroves embody a vibrant tapestry of biodiversity, encompassing an array of plants, animals, and microorganisms. These microbial inhabitants of mangrove habitats have emerged as a pivotal resource for antimicrobials and a plethora of pharmaceutically valuable compounds, spanning enzymes, antineoplastic agents, pesticides, immunosuppressants, and immunomodulators. This review delves into the recent landscape (January 2021 to May 2024, according to the time of publication) of novel secondary metabolites isolated from mangrove-associated microorganisms, analyzing 41 microbial strains that collectively yielded 165 distinct compounds. Our objective is to assess the productivity and potential of natural products derived from microbial populations within mangrove ecosystems in recent times. Notably, fungi stand out as the preeminent contributors to the emergence of these novel natural products, underscoring their pivotal role in the bioprospecting endeavors within these unique environments.
Is It Possible to Monitor the Safest Time to Perform Secondary Surgery on Free Flaps? A Clinical Evaluation of the Tewameter®
Authors: Bagheri Mahsa , Tietz Katharina , von Kohout Maria , Fuchs Paul C. , Lefering Rolf , Schiefer Jennifer L.
Published: August 2024

Background and Objectives: Postoperative monitoring, following free flap surgery, plays a crucial role in ensuring the survival of the flap. However, in microsurgery, not only the immediate postoperative monitoring period but also the choice of the right time for secondary surgeries is crucial for the free flap survival. There is no clear consensus concerning the right choice of timing for secondary surgery. Our aim was to evaluate transepidermal water loss (TEWL), with the objective evaluation tool Tewameter® in free flap surgery to monitor flap autonomization. Materials and Methods: Transepidermal water loss was assessed in 20 patients with microsurgically transplanted free anterior lateral thigh (ALTP) flaps. The transplantation of the ALTP-flap and the postoperative care were administered in accordance with the standard of care of the department. Measures were taken on the free flap and normal skin at follow-ups of 1, 3, and 6 months after initial free flap transplantation. Results: Transepidermal water loss gradually increased to the values found in normal skin, after 6 months. The differences between the two areas demonstrated the smallest variance after 6 months, specifically in the ALTP-flap region. The largest disparities were observed between month 1 and month 6, followed by month 3 and month 6, and month 1 and month 3. Conclusions: Free flap autonomization and physiology are complex processes. TEWL might be a valuable parameter to monitor flap autonomization. Our results indicate that TEWL in the free flap is nearly “normal” after six months. For a clear consensus of when to perform individual secondary surgery, further studies are needed.
Predictive Value of Serial Rapid Shallow Breathing Index Measurements for Extubation Success in Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Turhan Semin , Tutan Duygu , Şahiner Yeliz , Kısa Alperen , Özdemir Sibel Önen , Tutan Mehmet Berksun , Kayır Selçuk , Doğan Güvenç
Published: August 2024

Background and Objectives: Extubation success in ICU patients is crucial for reducing ventilator-associated complications, morbidity, and mortality. The Rapid Shallow Breathing Index (RSBI) is a widely used predictor for weaning from mechanical ventilation. This study aims to determine the predictive value of serial RSBI measurements on extubation success in ICU patients on mechanical ventilation. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 86 ICU patients at Hitit University between February 2024 and July 2024. Patients were divided into successful and unsuccessful extubation groups. RSBI values were compared between these groups. Results: This study included 86 patients (32 females, 54 males) with a mean age of 54.51 ± 12.1 years. Extubation was successful in 53 patients and unsuccessful in 33. There was no significant difference in age and intubation duration between the groups (p = 0.246, p = 0.210). Significant differences were found in RSBI-1a and RSBI-2 values (p = 0.013, p = 0.011). The median RSBI-2a was 80 in the successful group and 92 in the unsuccessful group (p = 0.001). The ΔRSBI was higher in the unsuccessful group (p = 0.022). ROC analysis identified optimal cut-off values: RSBI-2a ≤ 72 (AUC 0.715) and ΔRSBI ≤ −3 (AUC 0.648). RSBI-2a ≤ 72 increased the likelihood of successful extubation by 10.8 times, while ΔRSBI ≤ −3 increased it by 3.4 times. Using both criteria together increased the likelihood by 28.48 times. Conclusions: Serial RSBI measurement can be an effective tool for predicting extubation success in patients on IMV. These findings suggest that serially measured RSBI may serve as a potential indicator for extubation readiness.