bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantity of within-sport distance variety – what can pool swimmers and track runners learn from each other?
Authors: Born Dennis-Peter , Lorentzen Jenny , Björklund Glenn , Ruiz-Navarro Jesús J.
Published: December 2024

Objective

To determine the relationship between success at peak performance age and quantity of within-sport distance variety and compare the dose-time-effect between swimming and track running by determining probability of becoming an international-class female athlete based on the number of different race distances the athletes compete in each year throughout their development process.

Methods

Race times of female Tier 2 to Tier 5 freestyle pool swimmers (n = 2,778) and track runners (n = 9,945) were included in the present study. All athletes were ranked according to their personal best at peak performance age. Subsequently, number of different race distances during each year were retrospectively extracted from peak performance to early junior age. Personal best performance points at peak performance age were correlated with the number of different race distances across the various age categories. Poisson distribution determined the dose-time-effect of becoming an international-class athlete based on the number of different swimming strokes.

Results

At peak performance age, correlation analysis showed a larger within-sport distance variety for higher ranked athletes, particularly for track runners (r ≤ 0.35, P < 0.001). Despite reaching statistical significance, the effects were small to moderate. While swimmers showed a generally larger within-sport distance variety than track runners, Poisson distribution revealed a dose-time-effect for the probability of becoming an international-class swimmer. Sprint and middle-distance swimmers benefit from competing in three race distances during junior age and a transition to two race distances at 17–18, 18–19, 20–21 and 25–26 years of age for 50 m, 100 m, 200 m and 400 m races, respectively. Long-distance swimmers should maintain three different race distances throughout peak performance age. Probability analysis showed a consistent benefit of competing in one or two race distances for 100 m, 200 m, 400 m and 800 m track runners.

Conclusion

Within-sport distance variety is not a continuum but an ever-evolving process throughout the athletes' careers. While swimmers generally show larger variety than track runners, the progressive specialization towards peak performance age improves success chances to become an international-class swimmer.
The economic and environmental sustainability dimensions of agriculture: a trade-off analysis of Italian farms
Authors: Arru Brunella , Cisilino Federica , Sau Paola , Furesi Roberto , Pulina Pietro , Madau Fabio A.
Published: December 2024

Crop and livestock farms are central to achieving the 2030 Agenda goals and a sustainable agri-food system. However, the transition toward a sustainable agri-food system requires optimizing several economic and environmental farm targets that, interacting with one another, would lead to win-win opportunities, at least as desired by the European Union (EU) policies. Indeed, in recent years, the EU has fostered sustainable development in a logic of synergy between farms’ environmental and economic performances. This work fits into the agricultural sustainability assessment with the aim of improving our understanding of the existence of synergy or a trade-off between the economic and environmental dimensions at a crop and livestock field and farm scale. Specifically, using a set of appropriate agricultural economic and environmental indicators, two composite indexes were created and used to perform trade-off analysis on 7.891 farms that participated in 2019 and 2020 in the Italian Farm Accountancy Data Network. The findings showed a trade-off between economic and environmental dimensions in all livestock sub-sectors and the cereals sector, while a synergy in the horticulture sector. Considering the new European sustainability policies on agriculture and global scenarios, the study significantly contributes to policymakers, practitioners, and academic debate on sustainability in agriculture.
Exploring the sustainability of farmers’ livelihood–land use systems from a coupled coordination perspective
Authors: Liu Zhaoxu , Sun Jinghua , Li Yu , Wang Hao , Zhang Ziyu
Published: December 2024

The harmonization of rural human -land relations, centered on the interaction between rural livelihoods and land use, is crucial for sustainable rural development. This study explores the relationship between rural households’ livelihood capital status and land use effects (LUEs) in Qufu City, Shandong Province, China. The analysis is based on data collected through a triangulation method, combining quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interview) approaches. Using a coupling degree (CD) model and a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model within a human -land system framework, this study evaluates the coupling and coordination between rural households’ livelihoods and land use as subsystems. It also examines the impact of LUE and CCD on rural households’ livelihood strategies through Skinner’s reinforcement theory. Results indicate variable CD and CCD across households with different livelihood strategies. In particular, the CD for the four household types ranged from 0.9 to 1, denoting a high-level coupling stage, with off-farm employment-oriented households registering the highest degree of 0.996. In CCD, professional households achieved a high degree of 0.761, whereas the others displayed a medium coupling coordination stage between 0.5 and 0.7. Professional households and balanced households showed superior LUE and CCD, with more than 50% of these households planning to maintain their original strategies. By contrast, households with off-farm employment-oriented or conventional strategies exhibited low LUE and CCD, with fewer than 50% of these households planning to retain their initial strategies. Professional agriculture-based livelihood strategies help improve the livelihood levels of farmers and promote the rational use of cultivated land resources, thereby making them particularly attractive to households engaged in agricultural production. This research contributes insights valuable for promoting the sustainable development of rural households’ livelihoods and land use.
Trends in the Disease Burden and Risk Factors of Women’s Cancers in China From 1990 to 2019
Authors: Ning Wei , Liu Jinnan , Lu Yongbo , Zhu Bin , Zhang Wei-Hong , Mao Ying
Published: December 2024

Objectives

To examine age-specific trends and risk factors in the burden of women’s cancers (WCs) in China from 1990 to 2019 to inform strategies.

Methods

Data were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 and World Population Prospects 2019. Time trends, age differences, and key factors for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers (BC, CC, and OC) were analyzed based on age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate.

Results

ASIRs for BC and CC increased over the study period, with a slower growth rate for CC after 2005, likely due to targeted HPV prevention. OC showed the highest ASIR and DALY increases, indicating a growing concern. Peak ASIR for BC and CC was in women aged 50–55, while OC showed a higher burden in women aged 70–79. Lower DALYs in women born after 1985 suggest improved healthcare access.

Conclusion

This study highlights significant trends in cancer burden among Chinese women, driven by age and reproductive health policies. Future efforts should enhance screening, health literacy, and age-targeted risk reduction for specific cancer types.
What Genetic Modifications of Source Pigs Are Essential and Sufficient for Cell, Tissue, and Organ Xenotransplantation?
Authors: Ali Asghar , Kurome Mayuko , Kessler Barbara , Kemter Elisabeth , Wolf Eckhard
Published: December 2024

Xenotransplantation of porcine organs has made remarkable progress towards clinical application. A key factor has been the generation of genetically multi-modified source pigs for xenotransplants, protected against immune rejection and coagulation dysregulation. While efficient gene editing tools and multi-cistronic expression cassettes facilitate sophisticated and complex genetic modifications with multiple gene knockouts and protective transgenes, an increasing number of independently segregating genetic units complicates the breeding of the source pigs. Therefore, an optimal combination of essential genetic modifications may be preferable to extensive editing of the source pigs. Here, we discuss the prioritization of genetic modifications to achieve long-term survival and function of xenotransplants and summarise the genotypes that have been most successful for xenogeneic heart, kidney, and islet transplantation. Specific emphasis is given to the choice of the breed/genetic background of the source pigs. Moreover, multimodal deep phenotyping of porcine organs after xenotransplantation into human decedents will be discussed as a strategy for selecting essential genetic modifications of the source pigs. In addition to germ-line gene editing, some of these modifications may also be induced during organ preservation/perfusion, as demonstrated recently by the successful knockdown of swine leukocyte antigens in porcine lungs during ex vivo perfusion.
The Role of Intrapreneurs in Driving Entrepreneurial Transformation in Universities: A Bibliographic Analysis Between 1990 and 2024
Authors: Gregán Orsolya Gabriella , Kovács Sándor , Gabnai Zoltán
Published: December 2024

Prior research has demonstrated the value of an entrepreneurial mindset in business. The so-called third mission is also becoming an increasingly important aspect of university operations. This involves leveraging knowledge generated at the university level to create close links with society and the economy. The role of intrapreneurs has been examined in the corporate, for-profit sector. However, these agents of change also play a significant role in the advancement of entrepreneurial universities. The present research investigates the role of intrapreneurs in entrepreneurial universities through a bibliographic analysis using RStudio biblioshiny on the Scopus and Web of Science databases. It is evident that the literature on this subject has gained interest in recent years, yet the number of documents remains limited, with a small number of authors publishing them. The development of keywords is also notable, including the emergence of sustainability, which is linked to intrapreneurs and the entrepreneurial universities. Although this study has its limitations, it can show how and where authors should publish, what the basic and the emerging topics are, what the most important keywords are and how these are connected and how countries cooperate in searching for solutions in this globally recognized research area.
Public Sector Corporate Social Investments in Namibia: The Case of the Mobile Telecommunications Company
Authors: Marenga Ralph
Published: December 2024

A bias in research has seen studies focus mostly on corporate social investments (CSIs) in the private sector. The current study aims to provide an alternative perspective to the traditional association of CSIs with private sector organisations by including public sector entities such as public enterprises (PEs), using the case of the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) in Namibia. A qualitative research method and a single case study research design focusing on MTC was used, and data were analysed through themes and deductive reasoning. The major findings of this study show that MTC is exemplary in practicing CSI in Namibia’s public sector. MTC has various impactful socio-economic and environmental focus areas of CSI, which contribute to the development agenda of the Namibian government. The issue of CSI in the public sector is intriguing and could be usefully explored in further research, particularly from a developing country perspective. It is now possible to conclude that PEs can also be dominant players in the CSI sphere, particularly from a public sector perspective. The findings in this study make important contributions to the literature by providing a public sector institutional perspective of CSI that is different from the traditional view that mostly associates CSIs with the private sector.
Sustainable Management and Tillage Practice in Agriculture
Authors: Wang Xing , Qi Jianying , Kan Zhengrong
Published: December 2024

The global population is expected to rise from 7 [...]
Valorization of Arbutus unedo L. Bark Through Chemical Composition Analysis, Liquefaction, and Bio-Based Foam Production
Authors: Cruz-Lopes Luísa , Dulyanska Yuliya , Lopes Rogério , Domingos Idalina , Ferreira José , Esteves Bruno
Published: December 2024

Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree) is a small Mediterranean tree capable of vigorous regrowth after disturbances like fire. Traditionally used for biomass fuel, its bark and branches hold potential for higher-value products through ecovalorization into liquid mixtures that could replace petroleum-based materials. This study aimed to explore the chemical composition of various components of Arbutus unedo and to produce a liquefied material from its internal (IB) and external bark (EB). Chemical compositions of internal and external bark were determined using TAPPI standards including ash, extractive content, lignin, and cellulose. Metal cations were analyzed by ICP. Liquefaction of bark was optimized in a PARR reactor, evaluating factors such as particle size, temperature, and time, and the best polyols were monitored by FTIR-ATR. Polyurethane foams were made with internal and external bark materials liquefied by polymerization with isocyanate, a catalyst, and water as a blowing agent. Results showed that EB has a higher extractive and lignin content, while IB contains more cellulose. Liquefaction yields were higher for IB (74%) than EB (68%), with IB yielding polyols that produced stronger and more resilient foams with higher compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. Mechanical properties of the foams were influenced by the NCO/OH ratio and catalyst levels. Overall, the internal bark demonstrated superior performance for foam production, highlighting its potential as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-derived materials.
Effects of Light Intensity and Spectrum Mix on Biomass, Growth and Resource Use Efficiency in Microgreen Species
Authors: Mir Saad , Krumins Roberts , Purmale Liva , Chaudhary Vaibhav Pradip , Ghaley Bhim Bahadur
Published: December 2024

Light spectrum and intensity is one of the key factors in the production of microgreens in controlled-environment agriculture and is directly related to plant growth and biomass accumulation. Hence, the objective of this research study was to investigate the biomass, growth, and resource use efficiencies (RUEs) in 14 different species of microgreen grown in two light recipes with 209.5 (OSRAM LED) and 45 µmol m−2 s−1 (INSTAGREEN LED) with a 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod in a growth chamber. Under both LEDs, fresh biomass accumulation and the SPAD content were highest in sunflower. Nasturtium recorded the maximum hypocotyl length under both LEDs. The leaf area index (LAI) was significantly higher in mungbean under the INSTAGREEN LED compared to other microgreens, while the maximum LAI was measured in lentils under the OSRAM LED. This shows that the two different LEDs had species-specific effects. The RUE of the cheaper INSTAGREEN LED was more efficient in terms of light and energy use efficiency, while OSRAM LED was more efficient in terms of water and surface use efficiencies. Overall, the results showed that different species of microgreens exhibit different responses to fresh biomass accumulation and SPAD contents in the leaves, demonstrating the diversity of their growth responses. Across both LEDs (OSRAM LED and INSTAGREEN LED), the top performing microgreen in terms of biomass accumulation as well as SPAD contents in the leaves was sunflower. Consequently, a high chlorophyll content in sunflower led to a higher biomass production by enhancing photosynthesis.
Genetic Variation Analysis of Avenin Components in the Population of F2 Common Oat Hybrids
Authors: Lyubimova Anna V. , Eremin Dmitry I. , Renev Evgeny P.
Published: December 2024

The use of avenins as biochemical markers successfully complements the use of molecular markers in oat breeding. Currently, the genes controlling the synthesis of oat prolamins are insufficiently studied. The purpose of the work was to study the genetic variation of avenin components in populations of F2 common oat hybrids and to describe new allelic variants of component blocks. The avenins component of F2 grain in 19 hybrid oat populations was studied using the native electrophoresis method. Cultivars with new combinations of avenin components were used as parental genotypes to produce hybrids. The protein separation was conducted in vertical plates of 13.2% polyacrylamide gel. The number of avenin components in the spectra of cultivars varied from 8 to 12. The observed ratio of the grain number that compose the phenotypic classes for allele pairs at each of the loci corresponded to the theoretically expected one for codominant monohybrid inheritance. Our results confirm the assumption that avenin synthesis is controlled by three independent gene clusters located on three chromosomes. In the course of the studies, hybrid combinations were not identified in the spectra of which avenin components were manifested that were absent in both parents. The prolamin component blocks in oat are formed by 2–5 components, are characterized by high stability, and are inherited unchanged. Fifteen new allelic variants of blocks of components of the avenin electrophoretic spectrum have been identified: six for the Avn A locus, six for the Avn B locus, and three for the Avn C locus. This expands the possibilities of using prolamins as biochemical markers of economically valuable oat traits and certification of new cultivars and valuable breeding lines.
NPI-WGNN: A Weighted Graph Neural Network Leveraging Centrality Measures and High-Order Common Neighbor Similarity for Accurate ncRNA–Protein Interaction Prediction
Authors: Khoushehgir Fatemeh , Noshad Zahra , Noshad Morteza , Sulaimany Sadegh
Published: December 2024

Predicting ncRNA–protein interactions (NPIs) is essential for understanding regulatory roles in cellular processes and disease mechanisms, yet experimental methods are costly and time-consuming. In this study, we propose NPI-WGNN, a novel weighted graph neural network model designed to enhance NPI prediction by incorporating topological insights from graph structures. Our approach introduces a bipartite version of the high-order common neighbor (HOCN) similarity metric to assign edge weights in an ncRNA–protein network, refining node embeddings via weighted node2vec. We further enrich these embeddings with centrality measures, such as degree and Katz centralities, to capture network hierarchy and connectivity. To optimize prediction accuracy, we employ a hybrid GNN architecture that combines graph convolutional network (GCN), graph attention network (GAT), and GraphSAGE layers, each contributing unique advantages: GraphSAGE offers scalability, GCN provides a global structural perspective, and GAT applies dynamic neighbor weighting. An ablation study confirms the complementary strengths of these layers, showing that their integration improves predictive accuracy and robustness across varied graph complexities. Experimental results on three benchmark datasets demonstrate that NPI-WGNN outperforms state-of-the-art methods, achieving up to 96.1% accuracy, 97.5% sensitivity, and an F1-score of 0.96, positioning it as a robust and accurate framework for ncRNA–protein interaction prediction.
The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Polysaccharides Extracted from Moringa oleifera Leaves on IEC6 Cells Stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide In Vitro
Authors: Husien Hosameldeen Mohamed , Peng Weilong , Essa Mohamed Osman Abdalrahem , Adam Saber Y. , Ur Rehman Shahab , Ali Rahmat , Saleh Ahmed A. , Wang Mengzhi , Li Jingui
Published: December 2024

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) is a plant with significant medicinal and nutritional value and contains various bioactive compounds, particularly in its leaves (MOL). This study sought to explore the impact of M. oleifera leaf polysaccharides (MOLPs) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated intestinal epithelial cells (IEC6) and to uncover the mechanisms involved. The cytotoxicity of MOLP on IEC6 cells was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, which demonstrated a safe concentration range of 0–1280 µg/mL. The impact of MOLP on cell viability was further evaluated over 12 to 48 h. IEC6 cells were treated with three concentrations of MOLP low (25 µg/mL), medium (50 µg/mL), and high (100 µg/mL) alongside LPS (50 µg/mL) stimulation for one day. The findings revealed that treatment with MOLP significantly promoted cell migration and increased the production of interleukin-10 (IL-10), while it simultaneously decreased cell apoptosis and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Additionally, MOLP treatments across all concentrations significantly reduced the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B-alpha (pIκB-α), and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 signalling pathways. Moreover, MOLP restored the expression of tight junction proteins, such as zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, which had been disrupted by LPS. These results indicate that MOLP exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting inflammatory signalling pathways and maintaining intestinal barrier integrity through the upregulation of tight junction proteins in IEC6 cells. This study enhances our understanding of the anti-inflammatory capabilities of MOLP.
Performance and Health Parameters of Sows and Their Litters Using a Probiotic Supplement Composed of Bacillus subtilis 541 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 516
Authors: Barbosa Aline Maria Silva , Carvalho Maria Paula Souza , Naves Luciana de Paula , da Motta Stephane Alverina Briguente , Chaves Rhuan Filipe , Resende Maíra , Lima Daniele de , Hansen Lea Hübertz Birch , Cantarelli Vinícius de Souza
Published: December 2024

This study investigated the efficacy of using probiotics on the performance and health parameters of sows and their litters. A randomized block design was used with 584 sows and 292 replications, with two dietary treatments: the control group (basal diet without probiotics) and the probiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 400 g/ton of a probiotic composed of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) 541 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (B. amyloliquefaciens) 516). Feed intake was evaluated throughout the experimental period. Bodyweight and backfat thickness of the sows were measured at the beginning and end of each phase. Piglets were weighed individually at birth and at weaning. Performance variables and physiological parameters were analyzed. Sows that received the probiotic supplement exhibited increased milk production (p = 0.05) and bodyweight loss, along with reduced postpartum cortisol levels (p < 0.05). The piglets from the probiotic treatment group had higher (p < 0.001) weaning weight and fewer (p < 0.05) crushing deaths, received fewer (p < 0.001) medications, and had lower (p < 0.05) excretion of pathogenic bacteria and lower (p < 0.05) excretion of fecal Lactobacillus sp. They also had higher (p < 0.05) concentration of fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO) close to weaning and improved ileal histomorphometric measures. In conclusion, supplementation with the probiotic product improves performance and promotes health parameters of the sows their litters.
Development of BCMA-Targeted Bispecific Natural Killer Cell Engagers for Multiple Myeloma Treatment
Authors: Zhang Minchuan , Loh Han Ping , Goh Fang Shiyi , Yang Yuansheng , Lam Kong-Peng , Xu Shengli
Published: December 2024

Background: B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted T cell-redirecting immunotherapies, including Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and T-cell engagers have demonstrated remarkable success in treating relapsed/refractory (RR) multiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of plasma cells. However, a significant challenge is the severe side effects associated with T-cell overactivation, leading to cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity in MM patients undergoing such therapies. Bispecific NK cell engagers (NKCEs) may offer a promising alternative by redirecting NK cell cytotoxic activity towards tumor cells without triggering cytokine release syndrome. Methods: In this study, we designed a series of BCMA × CD16 NKCEs that simultaneously engage BCMA and CD16 on MM and NK cells, respectively. We evaluated the functionality of these NKCEs in vitro with respect to their molecular design. Results: Our results indicate that the format design of NKCEs influences their functionalities, underscoring the importance of format selection in optimizing NKCE-based therapies for MM. This study provides valuable insights for developing next-generation NKCEs and advancing therapeutic strategies for MM and potentially other malignancies.
Analysis of the Antibiotic-Potentiating Activity, Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) and the Molecular Docking Properties of Phytol Against Multi-Drug-Resistant (MDR) Strains
Authors: Almeida-Bezerra José Weverton , Menezes Saulo Almeida , Silva José Thyálisson da Costa , de Sousa Simone Galdino , Alves Daniel Sampaio , Alencar Gabriel Gonçalves , Araújo Isaac Moura , Rodrigues Ewerton Yago de Sousa , Oliveira-Tintino Cícera Datiane de Morais , da Cruz Rafael Pereira , Rocha Janaína Esmeraldo , Tintino Saulo Relison , Barbosa-Filho José Maria , Morais-Braga Maria Flaviana Bezerra , de Menezes Irwin Rose Alencar , Raposo António , Coutinho Henrique Douglas Melo
Published: December 2024

Background: Phytol is a diterpene from the long-chain unsaturated acyclic alcohols, known for its diverse biological effects, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Present in essential oils, phytol is a promising candidate for various applications in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological sectors. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and drug-potentiating effects of phytol against multidrug-resistant bacteria and to evaluate its in silico properties: ADME and molecular docking. Methods: The in vitro antibacterial activity of phytol and the phytol combined with conventional drugs was evaluated by microdilution tests against standard and resistant bacterial strains. Finally, the SwissADME platform was employed to analyse the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of phytol. Results: Phytol significantly reduced the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of norfloxacin and gentamicin required to inhibit multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Additionally, ADME analysis revealed that phytol exhibits low toxicity and favourable pharmacokinetic properties; in addition, it is revealed through molecular docking that phytol showed a relevant affinity with the proteins 6GJ1 and 5KDR, however, with values lower than the drugs gentamicin and ampicillin. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings suggest that phytol holds potential as an effective adjuvant in combating antimicrobial resistance.
The Air Transportation System as a Subsystem of Modern Communication Space: Analysis Based on Transfer Entropy Graphs
Authors: Valeev Sagit , Kondratyeva Natalya
Published: December 2024

The processes of information exchange and the movement of material flows form a communication space that reflects the relationship of complex intersystem interactions in various spheres of our life within the framework of the concepts of information-theoretical theory. One of these concepts, reflecting the mutual influence between processes at a qualitative level, is the transfer of entropy. The direction and intensity of these flows reflect the main social and economic processes. As it is known, air transport is one of the most reliable and high-speed modes of transport, influencing the processes of socio-cultural interaction between different regions. This indirectly affects the development of industrial relations, the development of technology and intercultural exchange. New technologies in aviation improve the flight performance of airliners and reduce the costs of transporting passengers. The size and range of modern airliners are increasing, and ticket prices are being optimized. The processes of the liberalization of developing air transportation markets, the emergence of low-cost air carriers, open skies agreements, and the reduction in restrictions on the nomenclature of carriers and routes have led to the growth and diversity of air transport links. This article considers air transport as a complex system that takes into account the interconnectedness of the elements of the transportation system and the influence of some subsystems on others, which are not always obvious. The object of the study was the communication space formed on the basis of air transportation between regions of the world. To assess the dynamic properties of the world communication space, ICAO data for the period of 1970–2021 were used. The subject of the analysis was a time series reflecting the flows of passengers and cargo over the considered time horizon. The entropy transfer algorithm was used as an analysis tool. In the course of the research, the features of dynamic changes in the properties of the communication space were revealed. The analysis showed that the flows of entropy transfer between regions of the world change depending on political, economic, social, and technological factors. Examples of the application of the proposed approach are considered: an analysis of the cognitive model of the air transport flow structure, an analysis of the regional communication space, and an analysis of changes in the global communication field. The results of the analysis can be useful for assessing the development of the communication field of various regions, which will allow us to solve the problems of forming forecasts and effective scenarios for the development of transport flows at different hierarchical levels of economic management.
An Evaluation of Image Slicing and YOLO Architectures for Object Detection in UAV Images
Authors: Telçeken Muhammed , Akgun Devrim , Kacar Sezgin
Published: December 2024

Object detection in aerial images poses significant challenges due to the high dimensions of the images, requiring efficient handling and resizing to fit object detection models. The image-slicing approach for object detection in aerial images can increase detection accuracy by eliminating pixel loss in high-resolution image data. However, determining the proper dimensions to slice is essential for the integrity of the objects and their learning by the model. This study presents an evaluation of the image-slicing approach for alternative sizes of images to optimize efficiency. For this purpose, a dataset of high-resolution images collected with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) has been used. The experiments evaluated using alternative YOLO architectures like YOLOv7, YOLOv8, and YOLOv9 show that the image dimensions significantly change the performance results. According to the experiments, the best mAP@05 accuracy was obtained by slicing 1280×1280 for YOLOv7 producing 88.2. Results show that edge-related objects are better preserved as the overlap and slicing sizes increase, resulting in improved model performance.
Timed-Release Silica Microcapsules for Consistent Fragrance Release in Topical Formulations
Authors: Yeom Junseok , Kang Minseo , Goh Areum , Jeon Jeonghoon , Shim Woo Sun , Kang Nae Gyu
Published: December 2024

Microcapsules are widely utilized in various applications to preserve active ingredients for prolonged durations while enabling controlled release. However, limited release of active ingredients often hampers their effectiveness in daily-use products. In this study, we demonstrated the synthesis of silica core–shell microcapsules designed for controlled fragrance release in topical formulations. The microcapsules were synthesized via the sol–gel polymerization of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) on the surface of an oil/water emulsion, leveraging the shrinkage and deformation characteristics of sol–gel-derived silica during drying. The concentrations of dipalmitoylethyl dimethylammonium chloride, a cationic emulsifier used in cosmetics, and TEOS were optimized to sustain fragrance release for up to 24 h after topical application. An additional silica coating on the microcapsules reduced the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area by 76.54%, enhancing fragrance stability for long-term storage. The timed-release behavior was assessed using fragrance evaluation tests and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The fragrance intensity and release profiles confirmed the potential of these microcapsules in daily-use cosmetics. These findings suggest that silica microcapsules with extended-release properties have application potential in both cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.
Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Cataract Diagnosis Assistance
Authors: Feng Zonghong , Xu Kai , Li Liangchang , Wang Yong
Published: December 2024

With the population aging globally, cataracts have become one of the main causes of vision impairment. Early diagnosis and treatment of cataracts are crucial for preventing blindness. However, the use of deep learning models for assisting in the diagnosis of cataracts is limited due to reasons such as scarce data labeling, small sample size, uneven distribution, and poor generalization ability in the field. Therefore, this paper proposes a hybrid deep learning network for assisting in the diagnosis of cataract fundus images, attempting to solve the above problems and limitations. The network is based on the idea of transfer learning for feature extraction of fundus images, and introduces the Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) module and prototype network for feature enhancement and classification, improving the model’s generalization ability for new disease samples. Finally, this paper verifies the role of each part of the model through ablation experiments, especially the significant contribution of the SE_block module and the prototype network classifier in enhancing the model’s performance. The experimental results show that the proposed model achieves excellent performance in the task of cataract fundus image recognition, with an accuracy of 0.9875, AUC value of 0.9984, and F1 score of 0.9855. The establishment of this hybrid model not only provides an effective tool for the auxiliary diagnosis of cataracts but also provides a new perspective and method for the application of deep learning in the field of ophthalmic disease recognition.
Infrastructure and Tools for Testing the Vulnerability of Control Systems to Cyberattacks: A Coal Mine Industrial Facility Case
Authors: Plamowski Sebastian , Chaber Patryk , Ławryńczuk Maciej , Nebeluk Robert , Niewiadomska-Szynkiewicz Ewa , Suchorab Jakub , Zarzycki Krzysztof , Kozakiewicz Adam , Stachurski Andrzej
Published: December 2024

Testing the vulnerability of information systems to cyberattacks is essential to ensure the operational security of organizations and industrial processes. In particular, it is essential to ensure the resilience of industrial processes, as a possible cyberattack can lead to process malfunctions and even process shutdowns, which can lead to substantial economic losses. The possibility of various attacks, e.g., ransomware, phishing, or advanced persistent threats (APTs), requires the evaluation of the effectiveness of cyberattack detection and incident response mechanisms. In industry, it is often impossible to carry out this type of test without risking system disruption, making it difficult to assess the true effectiveness of security features. This article discusses the issues concerned with testing the cyber resilience of a system operating in a real coal mine. First, this work briefly presents the hardware and software architecture used in the coal mine. Secondly, it describes the problem of replicating a real system in the laboratory and the necessary tools and methods used to implement a resilient system architecture. Finally, the scenarios of cyberattacks are detailed, and the obtained results are discussed.
Preparation of Nano- and Microparticles Obtained from Polymerization Reaction and Their Application to Surface Coating of Woody Materials
Authors: Shimanouchi Toshinori , Hirota Daichi , Yoshida Masafumi , Yasuhara Kazuma , Kimura Yukitaka
Published: December 2024

A surface coating of polymer particles of different hydrophobicity and wide-ranged size is helpful for the surface modification of materials such as woody thin board (WTB) derived from biomass. A preparation method for polymer particles was, in this study, proposed using a capillary-type flow system. Under hydrothermal conditions, the refinement of dispersed oil droplets in water (O/W emulsions) and the polymerization reaction could be simultaneously advanced, and polymer particles of polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) with a particle size of about 100 nm could be synthesized. The coating of polymer particles gave an improved effect on the water repellency of WTBs due to the hydrophobicity of polymer particles and an alteration of surface roughness, and it also provided long-term stability (more than 6 years).
Profile of Bacteria Isolated from the Cell Phones of Health Care Providers in a Hospital Setting in Cameroon
Authors: Flore Nguemaïm Ngoufo , Ghangha Ghangha Jamin , Lucien Kamga Fouamno Henri
Published: December 2024

Health care providers are an integral part of the era of mobile phones. During various activities linked to health care services, they come in contact with their cell phones regularly. These cell phones act as a perfect substrate for nosocomial pathogens, especially in hot–humid conditions, and may serve as a vehicle in transmitting nosocomial infections. This study aimed at determining the profile of bacteria isolated from the cell phones of healthcare providers. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from 1 April to 3 June 2023, where 115 swab samples were collected from the cell phones of health care providers (laboratory personnel, nurses/midwives and doctors) at the Regional Hospital Bamenda. These swabs were inoculated on blood, chocolate and Mac Conkey plates, and the bacteria were identified according to standard microbiological methods and biochemical tests to the genus/specie level. Data were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The results were presented in frequencies and proportions. The chi square test was used to compare proportions between variables, and the results were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. The bacteria isolated from these cell phones included coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus species and Neisseria species. All the cell phones of the laboratory personnel were contaminated, followed by those of the nurses/midwives (38; 33.0%) and, lastly, by those of the medical doctors (24; 20.9%). No statistically significant difference was observed between the three categories of health care providers with respect to the presence or absence of bacteria on their cell phones. This study presented that the mobile phones of health care providers are a risk of nosocomial pathogens. The result implies that there is an urgent need to implement and emphasize strategies such as hand washing and decontamination of mobile phones to limit nosocomial infections in the hospital.
Polyelectrolytes and Polyelectrolyte Complexes as Future Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Alsayyed Rahaf , Ribeiro Adriana , Cabral-Marques Helena
Published: December 2024

Antibiotic-resistance (ABR) poses a critical public health challenge within the broader antimicrobial resistance crisis. This review evaluates the potential of polyelectrolytes (PEs) and polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) for controlled antibiotic delivery as a strategy to combat ABR and biofilm-related infections. PECs, particularly those incorporating chitosan and other polycations, enhance antibacterial efficacy by disrupting bacterial cell walls and obstructing their nutrient flow. They are also effective in penetrating biofilms and providing sustained drug release. Despite these advantages, there is a need for further in vivo research and clinical trials to validate these findings. This review provides a comprehensive overview of PECs’ potential to advance antibacterial therapies and outlines future research directions to further explore their applications.
Effect of Alkanna tinctoria Root Against MRSA and MDR-Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms on Excision Wound in Diabetic Mice: Comparative Study Between Methanolic Extract and Traditional Hydrophobic Preparation
Authors: Almuhanna Yasir , Asad Mohammed , Alshammari Mohammed S. , Joseph Babu
Published: December 2024

Alkanna tinctoria, commonly called dyer’s alkanet (family-Boraginaceae), is used traditionally in Saudi Arabia to treat skin infections. A methanolic extract and a traditional formulation of the root used in folklore were prepared. LC-MS analysis was conducted to identify probable compounds present in the extract and the traditional hydrophobic formulation. The in vivo activity on excision wound was evaluated in diabetic mice while crystal violet assay was employed for in vitro evaluation. Human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells were used to study in vitro cytotoxic effects. Several probable phytoconstituents were revealed by LC-MS analysis in the methanolic extract and the traditional formulation, and three of the constituents were the same. The extract ointment and traditional hydrophobic extract exhibited antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against both tested pathogens. The methanolic extract was relatively more cytotoxic on HaCaT cells compared to the hydrophobic formulation. The methanolic extract ointment did not significantly affect the wound healing, whereas the traditional formulation accelerated wound healing in diabetic mice. The results revealed that A. tinctoria in its traditional formulation is an effective wound healing agent but the methanolic extract of the plant does not affect the healing of wounds.
IAV Antagonizes Host Innate Immunity by Weakening the LncRNA-LRIR2-Mediated Antiviral Functions
Authors: Chen Na , Zhang Baoge
Published: December 2024

A growing number of studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in many biological processes, including the regulation of innate immunity and IAV replication. In addition, IAV has been found to be able to hijack lncRNAs and thus antagonize host innate immunity. Nonetheless, whether IAV can antagonize host innate immunity by weakening the antiviral functions mediated by lncRNAs is unknown. In this study, we found that LncRNA-ENST00000491430 regulates IAV replication and named it LRIR2. Interestingly, we found that the expression of LRIR2 was suppressed during IAV infection. Importantly, LRIR2 overexpression inhibited IAV replication, suggesting that LRIR2 plays an antiviral role during IAV infection. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that LRIR2 inhibits the transcription and replication of the IAV genome. In addition, the antiviral function of LRIR2 is mainly dependent on the stem-loop structures of 1–118 nt and 575–683 nt. Taken together, IAV could antagonize host innate immunity by weakening the LncRNA-LRIR2-mediated antiviral functions. Our study provides novel perspectives into viral strategies to antagonize host innate immunity. It lays a theoretical foundation for the design of novel anti-IAV drugs that target host lncRNAs or the antagonism effect.
Consequences of Early Maternal Deprivation on Neuroinflammation and Mitochondrial Dynamics in the Central Nervous System of Male and Female Rats
Authors: San Felipe Diego , Martín-Sánchez Beatriz , Zekri-Nechar Khaoula , Moya Marta , Llorente Ricardo , Zamorano-León Jose J. , Marco Eva M. , López-Gallardo Meritxell
Published: December 2024

Early life stress (ELS) is associated with an increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, and both neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction seem to be central to mental health. Herein, using an animal model of ELS, a single episode of maternal deprivation (MD, 24 h on pnd 9) extensively documented to elicit behavioural anomalies in male and female Wistar rats, we investigated its consequences in terms of neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dynamics in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampal formation (HCF). MD differentially affected the brain content of cytokines: MD induced a transient increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) in the PFC, as well as in the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the HCF. MD also induced a significant decrease mitochondria citrate synthase activity, but MD did not exert significant changes in mitochondria Complex IV activity, revealing a generalized decrease in mitochondrial density without any change in mitochondrial respiration. In the present study, we demonstrate that MD induces neuroinflammatory processes in specific brain regions. Additional research is needed to better understand the temporal pattern of such changes, their impact on the developing brain, and their participation in the already well-known behavioural consequences of MD.
The Relationship Between Foot Anthropometrics, Lower-Extremity Kinematics, and Ground Reaction Force in Elite Female Basketball Players: An Exploratory Study Investigating Arch Height Index and Navicular Drop
Authors: Cairns Catherine I. , Van Citters Douglas W. , Chapman Ryan M.
Published: December 2024

Static and dynamic foot function can be evaluated using easy-to-implement, low-cost measurements like arch height index (AHI) and navicular drop (ND). Connections between AHI/ND and lower-extremity kinematics/kinetics have largely focused on gait. Some studies exist evaluating basketball players; however, these predominantly focus on men. To our knowledge, few studies evaluate female athletes, and none have investigated connections between AHI/ND and lower-extremity biomechanics in elite female basketball players. Thus, we conducted an IRB-approved observational investigation of 10 female, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 basketball players, evaluating connections between AHI/ND and lower-extremity biomechanics during basketball activities. Participants completed one visit wherein bilateral AHI/ND measurements and kinematics/kinetics were captured via optical motion capture and force-instrumented treadmill during basketball activities (walking, running, vertical/horizontal jumping, side shuffles, 45° cuts). No connections existed between the AHI and any variable during any task. Contrastingly, ND was statistically significantly correlated with medial/lateral force maximum and range during left cutting. This implies that individuals with stiffer feet produced more side-to-side force than those with more foot mobility during cutting. This is the first report connecting ND to lower-extremity biomechanics in elite, female basketball players. This could inform novel interventions and technologies to improve frontal kinematics/kinetics.