bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological Oxidation of Manganese Mediated by the Fungus Neoroussoella solani MnF107
Authors: Wei Shiping , Wang Wenxiu , Xiao Feirong
Published: December 2023

Manganese oxides are highly reactive minerals and influence the geochemical cycling of carbon, nutrients, and numerous metals in natural environments. Natural Mn oxides are believed to be dominantly formed by biotic processes. A marine Mn-oxidizing fungus Neoroussoella solani MnF107 was isolated and characterized in this study. SEM observations show that the Mn oxides are formed on the fungal hyphal surfaces and parts of the hypha are enveloped by Mn oxides. TEM observations show that the Mn oxides have a filamentous morphology and are formed in a matrix of EPS enveloping the fungal cell wall. Mineral phase analysis of the fungal Mn oxides by XRD indicates that it is poorly crystalline. Chemical oxidation state analysis of the fungal Mn oxides confirms that it is predominantly composed of Mn(IV), indicating that Mn(II) has been oxidized to Mn (IV) by the fungus.
Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) Scoring, by Means of Two Different Shallow Whole-Genome Sequencing Pipelines (sWGS), in Ovarian Cancer Patients: A Comparison with Myriad MyChoice Assay
Authors: Scaglione Giovanni L. , Pignata Sandro , Pettinato Angela , Paolillo Carmela , Califano Daniela , Scandurra Giuseppa , Lombardo Valentina , Di Gaudio Francesca , Pecorino Basilio , Mereu Liliana , Scollo Paolo , Capoluongo Ettore D.
Published: December 2023

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) patients carrying the BRCA1/2 mutation or deficient in the homologous recombination repair system (HRD) generally benefit from treatment with PARP inhibitors. Some international recommendations suggest that BRCA1/2 genetic testing should be offered for all newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer, along with HRD assessment. Academic tests (ATs) are continuously under development, in order to break down the barriers patients encounter in accessing HRD testing. Two different methods for shallow whole-genome sequencing (sWGS) were compared to the reference assay, Myriad. All these three assays were performed on 20 retrospective HGSOC samples. Moreover, HRD results were correlated with the progression-free survival rate (PFS). Both sWGS chemistries showed good correlation with each other and a complete agreement, even when compared to the Myriad score. Our academic HRD assay categorized patients as HRD-Deficient, HRM-Mild and HRN-Negative. These three groups were matched with PFS, providing interesting findings in terms of HRD scoring and months of survival. Both our sWGS assays and the Myriad test correlated with the patient’s response to treatments. Finally, our AT confirms its capability of determining HRD status, with the advantage of being faster, cheaper, and easier to carry out. Our results showed a prognostic value for the HRD score.
Human Chondrocytes, Metabolism of Articular Cartilage, and Strategies for Application to Tissue Engineering
Authors: Bačenková Darina , Trebuňová Marianna , Demeterová Jana , Živčák Jozef
Published: December 2023

Hyaline cartilage, which is characterized by the absence of vascularization and innervation, has minimal self-repair potential in case of damage and defect formation in the chondral layer. Chondrocytes are specialized cells that ensure the synthesis of extracellular matrix components, namely type II collagen and aggregen. On their surface, they express integrins CD44, α1β1, α3β1, α5β1, α10β1, αVβ1, αVβ3, and αVβ5, which are also collagen-binding components of the extracellular matrix. This article aims to contribute to solving the problem of the possible repair of chondral defects through unique methods of tissue engineering, as well as the process of pathological events in articular cartilage. In vitro cell culture models used for hyaline cartilage repair could bring about advanced possibilities. Currently, there are several variants of the combination of natural and synthetic polymers and chondrocytes. In a three-dimensional environment, chondrocytes retain their production capacity. In the case of mesenchymal stromal cells, their favorable ability is to differentiate into a chondrogenic lineage in a three-dimensional culture.
A New RNA-Dependent Cas12g Nuclease
Authors: Gunitseva Natalia , Evteeva Martha , Korzhenkov Aleksei , Patrushev Maxim
Published: December 2023

The development of RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems represents a major step forward in the field of gene editing and regulation. RNA editing presents a viable alternative to genome editing in certain scenarios as it offers a reversible and manageable approach, reducing the likelihood of runaway mutant variants. One of the most promising applications is in the treatment of genetic disorders caused by mutations in RNA molecules. In this study, we investigate a previously undescribed Cas12g nuclease which was found in metagenomes from promising thermophilic microbial communities during the expedition to the Republic of North Ossetia—Alania in 2020. The method outlined in this study can be applied to other Cas orthologs and variants, leading to a better understanding of the CRISPR-Cas system and its enzymatic activities. The cis-cleavage activity of the new type V-G Cas effector was indicated by in vitro RNA cleavage experiments. While CRISPR-Cas systems are known for their high specificity, there is still a risk of unintended cleavage of nontargeted RNA molecules. Ultimately, the search for new genome editing tools and the study of their properties will remove barriers to research in this area. With continued research and development, we may be able to unlock their full potential.
Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal-Stem-Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Reduce Skin Inflammation In Vitro
Authors: Lin Tzou-Yien , Chang Tsong-Min , Tsai Wei-Cheng , Hsieh Yi-Ju , Wang Li-Ting , Huang Huey-Chun
Published: December 2023

The protective roles of extracellular vesicles derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells against oxazolone-induced damage in the immortalized human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT were investigated. The cells were pretreated with or without UCMSC-derived extracellular vesicles 24 h before oxazolone exposure. The pretreated UVMSC-EVs showed protective activity, elevating cell viability, reducing intracellular ROS, and reducing the changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential compared to the cells with a direct oxazolone treatment alone. The UCMSC-EVs exhibited anti-inflammatory activity via reducing the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. A mechanism study showed that the UCMSC-EVs increased the protein expression levels of SIRT1 and P53 and reduced P65 protein expression. It was concluded that UVMSC-EVs can induce the antioxidant defense systems of HaCaT cells and that they may have potential as functional ingredients in anti-aging cosmetics for skin care.
Interplay between Vitamin D and Sphingolipids in Cardiometabolic Diseases
Authors: Fenizia Simona , Gaggini Melania , Vassalle Cristina
Published: December 2023

Sphingolipids (SLs) are structural, bioactive molecules with several key cellular roles, whereas 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D), the active form of vitamin D, is considered the major regulator of calcium homeostasis, although it also exerts other extraskeletal effects. Many studies reported the physiological connection between vitamin D and SLs, highlighting not only the effects of vitamin D on SL metabolism and signaling but also the influence of SLs on vitamin D levels and function, thus strongly suggesting a crosstalk between these molecules. After a brief description of 1,25(OH)D and SL metabolism, this review aims to discuss the preclinical and clinical evidence on the crosstalk between SLs and 1,25(OH)D, with a special focus on cardiometabolic diseases.
Band Gap Engineering in Ultimately Thin Slabs of CdTe with Different Layer Stackings
Authors: Kuznetsov Vladimir G. , Gavrikov Anton A. , Kolobov Alexander V.
Published: December 2023

Ultrathin solid slabs often have properties different from those of the bulk phase. This effect can be observed both in traditional three-dimensional materials and in van der Waals (vdW) solids in the few monolayer limit. In the present work, the band gap variation of the CdTe slabs, induced by their thickness, was studied by the density functional theory (DFT) method for the sphalerite (zinc-blende) phase and for the recently proposed inverted phase. The sphalerite phase has the Te–Cd–Te–Cd atomic plane sequence, while in the inverted phase Cd atoms are sandwiched by Te planes forming vdW blocks with the sequence Te–Cd–Cd–Te. Based on these building blocks, a bulk vdW CdTe crystal was built, whose thermodynamical stability was verified by DFT calculations. Band structures and partial densities of states for sphalerite and inverted phases were calculated. It was demonstrated for both phases that using slabs with a thickness of one to several monolayers for sphalerite phase (vdW blocks for inverted phase), structures with band gaps varying in a wide range can be obtained. The presented results allow us to argue that ultrathin CdTe can be a promising electronic material.
A Method of Producing Low-Density, High-Strength Thin Cement Sheets: Pilot Run for a Glass-Free Solar Panel
Authors: Deng Jyh-Jeng , Lin Teng-Hsuan , Wang Jean-Shyan , Hsiao Yao-Chung , Tu Grung-Yi , Huang Qi-Hung
Published: December 2023

This paper presents an innovative method of producing a low-density, high-strength, thin cement sheet. A seaweed powder was mixed with Portland cement, a foaming agent, calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA), and a quantity of water to create an A4-sized thin sheet with a thickness of 7 mm, which can withstand 1.5 kg in weight. This sheet was then covered with ethylene vinyl acetate and a backsheet to create a sandwiched cement sheet. The advantages of this sandwiched cement sheet are two-fold. First, it can support up to 13 kg in a static mechanical loading test, without bending, for over eight hours. Second, it can be quickly recovered at the end of its life cycle. This was a preliminary experiment to produce a large cement sheet that could satisfy the loading requirements for a solar panel. The purpose of the large, thin cement sheet is to replace the glass in a conventional solar panel and create a lightweight solar panel of less than 10 kg, which would mean that the installation of solar panels would become a one-person operation rather than a two-person operation. It would also increase the efficiency of the solar panel installation process.
Physical Rehabilitation and Post-Stroke Pneumonia: A Retrospective Observational Study Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination Database
Authors: Nishimura Takehiro , Matsugaki Ryutaro , Matsuda Shinya
Published: December 2023

In this study, the relationship between the duration of physical rehabilitation and occurrence of pneumonia after ischemic stroke was examined. We included 426,508 patients aged ≥75 years with acute ischemic stroke. A multilevel logistic regression analysis nested at the hospital level was conducted to examine the association between the duration of physical rehabilitation and occurrence of pneumonia. The duration of physical rehabilitation refers to the hours of physical rehabilitation performed daily until the 7th day of hospitalization. In the multivariable analysis, the intensity of rehabilitation for durations of 20–39 min/day (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.78, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.75–0.81, p < 0.001), 40–59 min/day (aOR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.66–0.71, p < 0.001), 60–79 min/day (aOR:0.56, 95% CI: 0.53–0.58, p < 0.001), and ≥80 min/day (aOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.44–0.48, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a reduced incidence of pneumonia. In addition, the trend identified for duration of rehabilitation was significant (p < 0.001). The results of this study suggest the usefulness of high-duration physical rehabilitation for preventing pneumonia in older patients with ischemic stroke.
Thyme Extract Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Gut Dysfunction
Authors: Lee Yu Ra , Lee Hye-Bin , Oh Mi-Jin , Kim Yoonsook , Park Ho-Young
Published: December 2023

Prolonged intake of a high-fat diet (HFD) disturbs the composition of gut microbiota, contributing to the development of metabolic diseases, notably obesity and increased intestinal permeability. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), an aromatic plant, is known for its several therapeutic properties. In this study, we explored the potential of thyme extract (TLE) to mitigate HFD-induced metabolic derangements and improve the gut environment. Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were administered 50 or 100 mg/kg TLE for eight weeks. Administration of 100 mg/kg TLE resulted in decreased weight gain and body fat percentage, alongside the regulation of serum biomarkers linked to obesity induced by a HFD. Moreover, TLE enhanced intestinal barrier function by increasing the expression of tight junction proteins and ameliorated colon shortening. TLE also altered the levels of various metabolites. Especially, when compared with a HFD, it was confirmed that 2-hydroxypalmitic acid and 3-indoleacrylic acid returned to normal levels after TLE treatment. Additionally, we investigated the correlation between fecal metabolites and metabolic parameters; deoxycholic acid displayed a positive correlation with most parameters, except for colon length. In contrast, hypoxanthine was negatively correlated with most parameters. These results suggest a promising role for thyme in ameliorating obesity and related gut conditions associated with a HFD.
Local Drug Delivery in Bladder Cancer: Advances of Nano/Micro/Macro-Scale Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Marchenko Irina , Trushina Daria
Published: December 2023

Treatment of bladder cancer remains a critical unmet need and requires advanced approaches, particularly the development of local drug delivery systems. The physiology of the urinary bladder causes the main difficulties in the local treatment of bladder cancer: regular voiding prevents the maintenance of optimal concentration of the instilled drugs, while poor permeability of the urothelium limits the penetration of the drugs into the bladder wall. Therefore, great research efforts have been spent to overcome these hurdles, thereby improving the efficacy of available therapies. The explosive development of nanotechnology, polymer science, and related fields has contributed to the emergence of a number of nanostructured vehicles (nano- and micro-scale) applicable for intravesical drug delivery. Moreover, the engineering approach has facilitated the design of several macro-sized depot systems (centimeter scale) capable of remaining in the bladder for weeks and months. In this article, the main rationales and strategies for improved intravesical delivery are reviewed. Here, we focused on analysis of colloidal nano- and micro-sized drug carriers and indwelling macro-scale devices, which were evaluated for applicability in local therapy for bladder cancer in vivo.
Assessment of Hydrothermal Treatment Effects on Coir Fibers for Incorporation into Polyurethane Matrix Biocomposites Derived from Castor Oil
Authors: Camillo Mayara de Oliveira , Gonçalves Bárbara Maria Mateus , Candido Veronica Scarpini , Dias Luciano Da Costa , Moulin Jordão Cabral , Monteiro Sergio Neves , Oliveira Michel Picanço
Published: December 2023

The incorporation of natural lignocellulosic fibers as reinforcements in polymer composites has witnessed significant growth due to their biodegradability, cost-effectiveness, and mechanical properties. This study aims to evaluate castor-oil-based polyurethane (COPU), incorporating different contents of coconut coir fibers, 5, 10, and 15 wt%. The investigation includes analysis of the physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of these composites. Additionally, this study evaluates the influence of hydrothermal treatment on the fibers, conducted at 120 °C and 98 kPa for 30 min, on the biocomposites’ properties. Both coir fibers (CFs) and hydrothermal-treated coir fibers (HTCFs) were subjected to comprehensive characterization, including lignocellulosic composition analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The biocomposites were subjected to water absorption analysis, bending tests, XRD, SEM, FTIR, and TGA. The results indicate that the 30 min hydrothermal treatment reduces the extractive content, enhancing the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the matrix, as evidenced by SEM. Notably, the composite containing 5 wt% CF exhibits a reduced water absorption, approaching the level observed in pure COPU. The inclusion of 15 wt% HTCF results in a remarkable improvement in the composite’s flexural strength (100%), elastic modulus (98%), and toughness (280%) compared to neat COPU. TGA highlights that incorporating CFs into the COPU matrix enhances the material’s thermal stability, allowing it to withstand temperatures of up to 500 °C. These findings underscore the potential of CFs as a ductile, lightweight, and cost-effective reinforcement in COPU matrix biocomposites, particularly for engineering applications.
Extracting Citrus in Southern China (Guangxi Region) Based on the Improved DeepLabV3+ Network
Authors: Li Hao , Zhang Jia , Wang Jia , Feng Zhongke , Liang Boyi , Xiong Nina , Zhang Junping , Sun Xiaoting , Li Yibing , Lin Shuqi
Published: December 2023

China is one of the countries with the largest citrus cultivation areas, and its citrus industry has received significant attention due to its substantial economic benefits. Traditional manual forestry surveys and remote sensing image classification tasks are labor-intensive and time-consuming, resulting in low efficiency. Remote sensing technology holds great potential for obtaining spatial information on citrus orchards on a large scale. This study proposes a lightweight model for citrus plantation extraction that combines the DeepLabV3+ model with the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) attention mechanism, with a focus on the phenological growth characteristics of citrus in the Guangxi region. The objective is to address issues such as inaccurate extraction of citrus edges in high-resolution images, misclassification and omissions caused by intra-class differences, as well as the large number of network parameters and long training time found in classical semantic segmentation models. To reduce parameter count and improve training speed, the MobileNetV2 lightweight network is used as a replacement for the Xception backbone network in DeepLabV3+. Additionally, the CBAM is introduced to extract citrus features more accurately and efficiently. Moreover, in consideration of the growth characteristics of citrus, this study augments the feature input with additional channels to better capture and utilize key phenological features of citrus, thereby enhancing the accuracy of citrus recognition. The results demonstrate that the improved DeepLabV3+ model exhibits high reliability in citrus recognition and extraction, achieving an overall accuracy (OA) of 96.23%, a mean pixel accuracy (mPA) of 83.79%, and a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 85.40%. These metrics represent an improvement of 11.16%, 14.88%, and 14.98%, respectively, compared to the original DeepLabV3+ model. Furthermore, when compared to classical semantic segmentation models, such as UNet and PSPNet, the proposed model achieves higher recognition accuracy. Additionally, the improved DeepLabV3+ model demonstrates a significant reduction in both parameters and training time. Generalization experiments conducted in Nanning, Guangxi Province, further validate the model’s strong generalization capabilities. Overall, this study emphasizes extraction accuracy, reduction in parameter count, adherence to timeliness requirements, and facilitation of rapid and accurate extraction of citrus plantation areas, presenting promising application prospects.
An Integrated Approach for 3D Solar Potential Assessment at the City Scale
Authors: Waqas Hassan , Jiang Yuhong , Shang Jianga , Munir Iqra , Khan Fahad Ullah
Published: December 2023

The use of solar energy has shown the fastest global growth of all renewable energy sources. Efforts towards careful evaluation are required to select optimal locations for the installation of photovoltaics (PV) because their effectiveness is strongly reliant on exposure to solar irradiation. Assessing the shadows cast by nearby buildings and vegetation is essential, especially at the city scale. Due to urban complexity, conventional methods using Digital Surface Models (DSM) overestimate solar irradiation in dense urban environments. To provide further insights into this dilemma, a new modeling technique was developed for integrated 3D city modeling and solar potential assessment on building roofs using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data. The methodology used hotspot analysis to validate the workflow in both site and without-site contexts (e.g., trees that shield small buildings). Field testing was conducted, covering a total area of 4975 square miles and 10,489 existing buildings. The results demonstrate a considerable impact of large, dense trees on the solar irradiation received by smaller buildings. Considering the site’s context, a mean annual solar estimate of 99.97 kWh/m2/year was determined. Without considering the site context, this value increased by 9.3% (as a percentage of total rooftops) to 109.17 kWh/m2/year, with a peak in July and troughs in December and January. The study suggests that both factors have a substantial impact on solar potential estimations, emphasizing the importance of carefully considering the shadowing effect during PV panel installation. The research findings reveal that 1517 buildings in the downtown area of Austin have high estimated radiation ranging from 4.7 to 6.9 kWh/m2/day, providing valuable insights for the identification of optimal locations highly suitable for PV installation. Additionally, this methodology can be generalized to other cities, addressing the broader demand for renewable energy solutions.
Delineation of Backfill Mining Influence Range Based on Coal Mining Subsidence Principle and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar
Authors: Yuan Yafei , Zheng Meinan , Li Huaizhan , Chen Yu , Guo Guangli , Su Zhe , Huo Wenqi
Published: December 2023

The present study explores a three-dimensional deformation monitoring method for the better delineation of the surface subsidence range in coal mining by combining the mining subsidence law with the geometries of SAR imaging. The mining surface subsidence of the filling working face in Shandong, China, from March 2018 to June 2021, was obtained with 97 elements of Sentinel-1A data, the small baseline subset (SBAS) technique, and the proposed method, respectively. By comparison with the ground leveling of 46 observation stations, it is shown that the average standard deviation of the SBAS monitoring results is 10.3 mm; with this deviation, it is difficult to satisfy the requirements for the delimitation of the mining impact area. Meanwhile, the average standard deviation of the vertical deformation obtained by the proposed method is 6.2 mm. Compared to the SBAS monitoring accuracy, the monitoring accuracy of the proposed method is increased by 39.8%; thus, it meets the requirements for the precise delineation of the surface subsidence range for backfill mining.
Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Total Suspended Sediments in the Belize Coastal Lagoon
Authors: Maniyar Chintan B. , Rudresh Megha , Callejas Ileana A. , Osborn Katie , Lee Christine M. , Jay Jennifer , Phillips Myles , Auil Gomez Nicole , Cherrington Emil A. , Griffin Robert , Evans Christine , Rosado Andria , Rosado Samir , Felgate Stacey L. , Evans Claire , Martín-Arias Vanesa , Mishra Deepak R.
Published: December 2023

Increased tourism in Belize over the last decade and the growth of the local population have led to coastal development and infrastructure expansion. Land use alteration and anthropogenic activity may change the sediment and nutrient loads in coastal systems, which can negatively affect ecosystems via mechanisms such as reducing photosynthetically active radiation fields, smothering sessile habitats, and stimulating eutrophication events. Accurate monitoring and prediction of water quality parameters such as Total Suspended Sediments (TSS), are essential in order to understand the influence of land-based changes, climate, and human activities on the coastal systems and devise strategies to mitigate negative impacts. This study implements machine learning algorithms such as Random Forests (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and Deep Neural Networks (DNN) to estimate TSS using Sentinel-2 reflectance data in the Belize Coastal Lagoon (BCL) and validates the results using TSS data collected in situ. DNN performed the best and estimated TSS with a testing R2 of 0.89. Time-series analysis was also performed on the BCL’s TSS trends using Bayesian Changepoint Detection (BCD) methods to flag anomalously high TSS spatio-temporally, which may be caused by dredging events. Having such a framework can ease the near-real-time monitoring of water quality in Belize, help track the TSS dynamics for anomalies, and aid in meeting and maintaining the sustainable goals for Belize.
FreeGaze: A Framework for 3D Gaze Estimation Using Appearance Cues from a Facial Video
Authors: Tian Shang , Tu Haiyan , He Ling , Wu Yue Ivan , Zheng Xiujuan
Published: December 2023

Gaze is a significant behavioral characteristic that can be used to reflect a person’s attention. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in estimating gaze from facial videos. However, gaze estimation remains a challenging problem due to variations in appearance and head poses. To address this, a framework for 3D gaze estimation using appearance cues is developed in this study. The framework begins with an end-to-end approach to detect facial landmarks. Subsequently, we employ a normalization method and improve the normalization method using orthogonal matrices and conduct comparative experiments to prove that the improved normalization method has a higher accuracy and a lower computational time in gaze estimation. Finally, we introduce a dual-branch convolutional neural network, named FG-Net, which processes the normalized images and extracts eye and face features through two branches. The extracted multi-features are then integrated and input into a fully connected layer to estimate the 3D gaze vectors. To evaluate the performance of our approach, we conduct ten-fold cross-validation experiments on two public datasets, namely MPIIGaze and EyeDiap, achieving remarkable accuracies of 3.11° and 2.75°, respectively. The results demonstrate the high effectiveness of our proposed framework, showcasing its state-of-the-art performance in 3D gaze estimation.
A Laser-Induced Graphene-Based Sensor Modified with CeO2 for Determination of Organophosphorus Pesticides with Improved Performance
Authors: Zhang Wenna , Sun Qiu , Zhang Xuelin , Yuan Weijian , Wu Jianfeng
Published: December 2023

In this work, a flexible electrochemical sensor was developed for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). To fabricate the sensor, graphene was generated in situ by laser-induced graphene (LIG) technology on a flexible substrate of polyimide (PI) film to form a three-electrode array, and pralidoxime (PAM) chloride was used as the probe molecule. CeO2 was used to modify the working electrode to improve the sensitivity of the sensor because of its electrocatalytic effect on the oxidation of PAM, and the Ag/AgCl reference electrode was prepared by the drop coating method. The effects of the laser power, laser scanning speed, and CeO2 modification on the electrochemical properties of the sensor were studied in detail. The results prove that the sensor has good repeatability, stability, and anti-interference ability, and it shows an excellent linear response in the chlorpyrifos concentration range from 1.4 × 10−8 M to 1.12 × 10−7 M with the detection limit of 7.01 × 10−10 M.
CLensRimVision: A Novel Computer Vision Algorithm for Detecting Rim Defects in Contact Lenses
Authors: Chunhachatrachai Pawat , Lin Chyi-Yeu
Published: December 2023

Automated optical inspection (AOI) plays a pivotal role in the quality control of contact lenses, safeguarding the safety and integrity of lenses intended for both medical and cosmetic applications. As the role of computer vision in defect detection expands, our study probes its effectiveness relative to traditional methods, particularly concerning subtle and irregular defects on the lens rim. In this research study, we propose a novel algorithm designed for the precise and automated detection of rim defects in contact lenses called “CLensRimVision”. This algorithm integrates a series of procedures, including image preprocessing, circle detection for identifying lens rims, polar coordinate transformation, setting defect criteria and their subsequent detection, and, finally, visualization. The method based on these criteria can be adapted either to thickness-based or area-based approaches, suiting various characteristics of the contact lens. This approach achieves an exemplary performance with a 0.937 AP score. Our results offer a richer understanding of defect detection strategies, guiding manufacturers and researchers towards optimal techniques for ensuring quality in the contact lens domain.
Estimating the Inertia Tensor Components of an Asymmetrical Spacecraft When Removing It from the Operational Orbit at the End of Its Active Life
Authors: Sedelnikov A. V. , Orlov D. I. , Bratkova M. E. , Khnyryova E. S.
Published: December 2023

The paper presents a method for estimating the inertia tensor components of a spacecraft that has expired its active life using measurement data of the Earth’s magnetic field induction vector components. The implementation of this estimation method is supposed to be carried out when cleaning up space debris in the form of a clapped-out spacecraft with the help of a space tug. It is assumed that a three-component magnetometer and a transmitting device are attached on space debris. The parameters for the rotational motion of space debris are estimated using this measuring system. Then, the known controlled action from the space tug is transferred to the space debris. Next, measurements for the rotational motion parameters are carried out once again. Based on the available measurement data and parameters of the controlled action, the space debris inertia tensor components are estimated. It is assumed that the measurements of the Earth’s magnetic field induction vector components are made in a coordinate system whose axes are parallel to the corresponding axes of the main body axis system. Such an estimation makes it possible to effectively solve the problem of cleaning up space debris by calculating the costs of the space tug working body and the parameters of the space debris removal orbit. Examples of numerical simulation using the measurement data of the Earth’s magnetic field induction vector components on the Aist-2D small spacecraft are given. Thus, the purpose of this work is to evaluate the components of the space debris inertia tensor through measurements of the Earth’s magnetic field taken using magnetometer sensors. The results of the work can be used in the development and implementation of missions to clean up space debris in the form of clapped-out spacecraft.
Anomaly Detection Based on a 3D Convolutional Neural Network Combining Convolutional Block Attention Module Using Merged Frames
Authors: Hwang In-Chang , Kang Hyun-Soo
Published: December 2023

With the recent rise in violent crime, the real-time situation analysis capabilities of the prevalent closed-circuit television have been employed for the deterrence and resolution of criminal activities. Anomaly detection can identify abnormal instances such as violence within the patterns of a specified dataset; however, it faces challenges in that the dataset for abnormal situations is smaller than that for normal situations. Herein, using datasets such as UBI-Fights, RWF-2000, and UCSD Ped1 and Ped2, anomaly detection was approached as a binary classification problem. Frames extracted from each video with annotation were reconstructed into a limited number of images of 3×3, 4×3, 4×4, 5×3 sizes using the method proposed in this paper, forming an input data structure similar to a light field and patch of vision transformer. The model was constructed by applying a convolutional block attention module that included channel and spatial attention modules to a residual neural network with depths of 10, 18, 34, and 50 in the form of a three-dimensional convolution. The proposed model performed better than existing models in detecting abnormal behavior such as violent acts in videos. For instance, with the undersampled UBI-Fights dataset, our network achieved an accuracy of 0.9933, a loss value of 0.0010, an area under the curve of 0.9973, and an equal error rate of 0.0027. These results may contribute significantly to solve real-world issues such as the detection of violent behavior in artificial intelligence systems using computer vision and real-time video monitoring.
Side Effects of Single-Transgene or Pyramided Genetically Modified Maize on the Generalist Endoparasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)
Authors: de Souza Michael Willian Rocha , de Andrade Marta Pereira , dos Santos Marinalva Martins , de Oliveira Junior Gilson Geraldo Soares , da Silva Ricardo Siqueira , Demolin Leite Germano Leão , Zanuncio José Cola , Soares Marcus Alvarenga
Published: December 2023

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an agricultural pest native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, with considerable potential for global invasion and seasonal migration. Although genetically modified (GM) plants have shown positive impacts on the economy and the environment as they synthesize proteins that act as natural insecticides and are primarily intended to protect the crops from damage by specific pests, potential effects of Bt toxins on non-target organisms can occur. This experiment aimed to evaluate the potential impacts on the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), using the pupae of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as hosts, which were fed with transgenic maize genotypes such as Herculex®, expressing Cry1F protein, and PowerCore®, expressing Cry1F, Cry1A.105, and Cry2Ab2 proteins, or their non-transgenic isohybrid. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with ten replicates. Spodoptera frugiperda larvae were fed ad libitum with transgenic and non-transgenic maize until the pupal stage and then individually exposed to six P. elaeisis females for 78 h. The total number of adults, emerged males, tibia size, cephalic capsule size, and parasitoid body size were not influenced by host feeding. However, the number of emerged females from the Herculex® and PowerCore® treatments was lower than that for the isohybrid treatment. The sex ratio and longevity of parasitoids emerging from PowerCore® were 1.05 and 1.26 times lower, respectively, than that of those from the isohybrid. Furthermore, the number of dead P. elaeisis within the host pupa was 10.56 times higher in the PowerCore® genotype. Combining Bt proteins within pyramided genotypes should cause minimal impacts and promote the conservation and integration of beneficial insects. The results of this study provide helpful information for developing effective and compatible integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
Adherence to the EAT-Lancet Dietary Recommendations for a Healthy and Sustainable Diet—The Case of the Brazuca Natal Study
Authors: Oliveira Neta Rosa Sá de , Lima Severina Carla Vieira Cunha , Medeiros Maria Fernanda Araújo de , Neta Adélia da Costa Pereira de Arruda , Jacob Michelle Cristine Medeiros , Marchioni Dirce Maria Lobo , Lyra Clélia de Oliveira , Oliveira Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli da Costa
Published: December 2023

Background: The “EAT-Lancet Commission Summary Report” commission remodeled the concept of healthy and sustainable diets by proposing a “diet for the Anthropocene”, encouraging the development of indices that measure adherence to sustainable diets with a planetary scope. We aimed to report the adherence of adults and elderly people in a northeastern Brazilian capital to the EAT-Lancet recommendations. Methods: We used data from 411 participants in the population-based study. The dietary data were collected with Globodiet, over a standardized 24 h. The diet sustainability data were verified using the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI). A Pearson correlation test verified the correlation between the PHDI and the independent variables. We conducted linear regression models that were adjusted for potential confounding variables to examine the correlation between the adherence to the PHDI and the independent variables. Results: The mean total score for the adherence to the PHDI was 29.4 points in a score with a possible range from 0 to 150. Regarding the component scores, the highest scores in the adequacy component were for fruits, followed by legumes and vegetables, while the lowest scores in the moderation group were for animal fat and red meat. We observed, in the final model, that the explanatory variables for the PHDI were being male and not consuming alcohol, which were directly related to the PHDI, while having 1 to 9 years of study and being food insecure were indirectly related to the score. Conclusions: Our results showed a low adherence to a sustainable eating pattern, far from the EAT-Lancet recommendations.
Determination of Nitrate Migration and Distribution through Eutric Cambisols in an Area without Anthropogenic Sources of Nitrate (Velika Gorica Well Field, Croatia)
Authors: Buškulić Patricia , Parlov Jelena , Kovač Zoran , Brenko Tomislav , Pejić Marija
Published: December 2023

Natural potential sources of nitrate contamination involve decaying of organic matter, bacterial production, atmospheric deposition, and soil N. The study presents the first results of nitrate distribution and migration through soil horizons of the Eutric Cambisols, one of the most common soils developed in the area of the Zagreb aquifer and situated in an area without potential anthropogenic sources of nitrate (first sanitary protection zone of the Velika Gorica well field). A total of 16 parameters of soil water and 16 parameters of soil were used to conduct statistical techniques and analyse associated factors within the soil zone. The results indicate that in the deepest soil horizon, nitrogen is present mostly as nitrate due to nitrification under aerobic conditions which promote stability and the potential for nitrate transport. It was found that nitrate concentrations are the result of soil N nitrification, caused by a NO3−/Cl− molar ratio higher than 1 and the absence of precipitation isotopic signature. The results also show that within the coarse-grained Eutric Cambisols N primarily migrates to deeper parts of unsaturated zone in the form of nitrate and nitrite.
Identifying Key Issues in Climate Change Litigation: A Machine Learning Text Analytic Approach
Authors: Raghupathi Wullianallur , Molitor Dominik , Raghupathi Viju , Saharia Aditya
Published: December 2023

As climate change, environmental, social, and governance (ESG), along with sustainability, become increasingly crucial for businesses and society, there is a noticeable scarcity of information and transparency regarding corporate practices. Often, government agency enforcement actions lead to litigation and are ultimately resolved by court decisions. Moreover, in instances when there is perceived inadequacy in government enforcement, citizens frequently turn to the courts for preventive judgments against businesses or agencies. In an effort to shed light on the multifaceted aspects of climate change, we adopted a novel, exploratory approach to analyze climate change-related litigation cases. Utilizing a blend of machine learning-based text analytics, we have extracted key insights from individual case narratives. Our analysis encompassed over four hundred cases from the Westlaw database through various keyword searches. The emergent topics from our case dataset revolved around four critical environmental themes: forest, land, water, and air emissions. Our findings provide insight into the nature and dimensions of climate change and also carry significant policy implications, laying the groundwork for future research in this domain.
Exploring Lean Six Sigma as Dynamic Capability to Enable Sustainable Performance Optimisation in Times of Uncertainty
Authors: Ndrecaj Vera , Mohamed Hashim Mohamed Ashmel , Mason-Jones Rachel , Ndou Valentina , Tlemsani Issam
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this study is to develop a nested theoretical model (LSS-DC) by critically examining two distinct theoretical concepts, including Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Dynamic Capabilities (DC), for achieving organizational sustainable performance optimizations (PO). The robust integration of this dynamic concept is achieved using a systematic literature review, synthesis, and empirical evidence derived from 2005 to 2022. The vital benefits of LSS-DC are identified. This study utilizes a systematic literature review method adapted. It reveals the cross-sectional literature search strategy deploying selective keywords DCs, LSS, DCs and LSS, DCs and LSS and PO. In this niche domain employing descriptive and thematic analysis, key insights are extracted from the literature, encompassing a total of 21 peer-reviewed journals. The selection criteria revolve around three aspects: ‘Purpose’, ‘Authorship’, and ‘Credibility and Accuracy’. The authors gathered the secondary data from credible databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ERIC, and IEEE using the keyword search. The study reveals the robust integration of theoretical concepts of LSS and DCs and their impact on organisational performance. The findings suggest that integrating the micro-foundations of DCs (sensing, seizing, and transforming) with LSS allows organisations to not only identify improvement opportunities but also efficiently and effectively act upon them, ultimately leading to sustainable performance optimisation across various aspects of the business. The specific type of DC integration with LSS depends on the organisation’s goals and priorities. The findings of this study are subjective to some extent due to the applied research methodology. Further empirical research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. This study considers LSS as DC providing an empirical (LSS-DCs) model for sustainable performance optimisation. This is achieved by robustly integrating two distinct theoretical concepts derived from an extensive literature review and the analysis of the data-driven implementation. Finally, the study offers a deeper understanding in terms of how contextual organisational characteristics enhance the outcome of LSS-DC.
Pricing Decisions for Power Battery Closed-Loop Supply Chains with Low-Carbon Input by Echelon Utilization Enterprises
Authors: Xu Nan , Xu Yaoqun , Zhong Haiyan
Published: December 2023

Today, with the number of waste power batteries and consumers’ awareness of low-carbon both increasing, a new closed-loop supply chain model in which the node enterprises of reverse supply chains are being constructed. These are responsible for the recycling, echelon utilization and low-carbon innovation of waste power batteries. This provides a new way for the development of reverse supply chain node enterprises and lays a theoretical foundation. In this paper, we use the backward solution method to solve the Nash equilibrium solution of the Stackelberg game. Through numerical calculation and simulation, the decision variables, profit and income of the supply chain are analyzed and the equilibrium results are compared. The experimental results indicate that the implementation of low-carbon innovative production by cascaded utilization enterprises is conducive to the growth of their profits with lower cost inputs. The impact of the initial waste power battery recycling rate on the decision variables is negative, while, for the supply chain as a whole, the profit growth of the node companies can be positive and the location of the inflection point appears to be particularly important. The sensitivity coefficient of low-carbonization levels has a positive regulatory effect on decision variables and location of all parties. The closed-loop supply chain model proposed in this study promotes the overall development of a power battery closed-loop supply chain, and also provides theoretical guidance for reasonable pricing decisions of node enterprises under the new model. Based on the results of this paper, the government can implement incentives such as subsidies, or formulate reasonable policies for the development of a power battery closed-loop supply chain.
To What Extent Have Nature-Based Solutions Mitigated Flood Loss at a Regional Scale in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area?
Authors: Razzaghi Asl Sina
Published: December 2023

Globally, floods are becoming more severe, lasting longer, and occurring more frequently because of changes in climate, rapid urbanization, and changing human demographics. Although traditional structural flood mitigation infrastructures (e.g., drainage systems, levees) are effective in urban areas, their functionalities in the face of extreme rainfall events and increased development largely depend on the capacity and location of such systems, making complementary solutions such as nature-based solutions (NBS) important. The concept of NBS within the context of flood mitigation has gained traction in the last decade; however, the success of NBS depends on their effectiveness and distribution over urban regions. This article seeks to examine the potential of NBS as a flood loss mitigation tool in one of the fastest-growing and flood-prone counties of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, using Generalized Linear Model (GLR) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) techniques. The analysis integrates the National Risk Index dataset for river flooding, a 100-year flood zone layer from National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) provided by FEMA, with land use and impervious surface percent data derived from National Land Cover Database (NLCD) for 2019 and socioeconomic data at the U.S. census tract level from the 2019 U.S. Census. This study’s findings partially contradict previous research by revealing an unexpected relationship between NBS quantity in floodplains and expected annual loss. Findings also suggest that small size and disconnected patches of NBS in floodplains in some dense urban areas effectively reduce total losses from flood events.
Evolving Horizons: Adenovirus Vectors’ Timeless Influence on Cancer, Gene Therapy and Vaccines
Authors: Trivedi Prasad D. , Byrne Barry J. , Corti Manuela
Published: December 2023

Efficient and targeted delivery of a DNA payload is vital for developing safe gene therapy. Owing to the recent success of commercial oncolytic vector and multiple COVID-19 vaccines, adenovirus vectors are back in the spotlight. Adenovirus vectors can be used in gene therapy by altering the wild-type virus and making it replication-defective; specific viral genes can be removed and replaced with a segment that holds a therapeutic gene, and this vector can be used as delivery vehicle for tissue specific gene delivery. Modified conditionally replicative–oncolytic adenoviruses target tumors exclusively and have been studied in clinical trials extensively. This comprehensive review seeks to offer a summary of adenovirus vectors, exploring their characteristics, genetic enhancements, and diverse applications in clinical and preclinical settings. A significant emphasis is placed on their crucial role in advancing cancer therapy and the latest breakthroughs in vaccine clinical trials for various diseases. Additionally, we tackle current challenges and future avenues for optimizing adenovirus vectors, promising to open new frontiers in the fields of cell and gene therapies.