bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minerals of the Au-Cu-Ag System in Grains from the Placers of the Olkhovaya-1 River (Eastern Kamchatka, Russia)
Authors: Palyanova Galina A. , Beliaeva Tatiana V. , Savelyev Dmitry P. , Seryotkin Yurii V.
Published: April 2024

Heterogeneous grains in the heavy fractions of the placers of the Olkhovaya-1 river (Kamchatka Cape Peninsula, Eastern Kamchatka, Russia) containing Au-Ag, Au-Cu, and Au-Ag-Cu particles were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, electron-probe microanalysis, and X-ray powder diffractometry. The analyses showed that auricupride dominates in some grains, whereas in others, the main phases are tetra-auricupride or Ag-rich and (or) Au-rich alloys. It was revealed that in the central parts of some grains of exsolution structures, auricupride Cu3.04–2.74Au0.96–1.26 (Ag < 1 wt.%) occurs in intergrowths with low-fineness Ag0.86–0.67Au0.09–0.33Cu<0.05 solid solutions (160‰–480‰), and tetra-auricupride Cu1.12–0.87Au0.88–1.11Ag<0.02 (Ag < 2 wt.%) occurs with higher-fineness Au0.73–0.62Ag0.2–0.38Cu<0.07 solid solutions (520‰–850‰). We also observed, mainly in the peripheral parts of the grains, insignificant amounts of secondary phases that were compositionally similar to Cu2Au, Cu3Au2, Au3Cu2, Au2Cu, Au3Cu, high-fineness gold with impurities of Cu and occasionally Ag (>850‰), and pure gold. In intergrowths with auricupride and tetra-auricupride, we also observed earlier-formed silicates (garnet, pyroxene, chlorite, epidote, titanite), syngenetic sulfides (pyrrhotite, bornite, galena), and later minerals (chalcocite, covellite, anilite, cuprite, goethite, etc.). The XRD analysis of the peripheral parts of some grains showed the presence of auricupride (Cu3Au), tetra-auricupride CuAu (I) and Cu(Au0.92Ag0.08) (II), and gold. The profiles show the absence of peaks of the Au3Cu phase and other Au-Ag-Cu phases identified by the EMPA, which is likely due to their low concentrations in the samples or their structural similarity to gold. It is assumed that the probable source of Au-Ag-Cu mineralization in the Olkhovaya-1 river placers is located in the upper reaches of watercourses that erode the ultrabasic massif of Mounts Soldatskaya and Golaya (Kamchatka Cape Peninsula).
Development of Light, Strong, and Water-Resistant PVA Composite Aerogels
Authors: Abdolazizi Amir , Wijesinghe Ishara , Marriam Ifra , Chathuranga Hiran , Golberg Dmitri , Yan Cheng
Published: April 2024

A significant weakness of many organic and inorganic aerogels is their poor mechanical behaviour, representing a great impediment to their application. For example, polymer aerogels generally have higher ductility than silica aerogels, but their elastic modulus is considered too low. Herein, we developed extremely low loading (<1 wt%) 2D graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets modified poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aerogels via a facile and environmentally friendly method. The aerogel shows a 9-fold increase in compressional modulus compared to a pure polymer aerogel. With a low density of 0.04 mg/mm3 and a thermal conductivity of only 0.035 W/m·K, it outperforms many commercial insulators and foams. As compared to a pure PVA polymer aerogel, a 170% increase in storage modulus is obtained by adding only 0.6 wt% GO nanosheets. The nanocomposite aerogel demonstrates strong fire resistance, with a 50% increase in burning time and little smoke discharge. After surface modification with 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane, the aerogel demonstrates water resistance, which is suitable for outdoor applications in which it would be exposed to precipitation. Our research demonstrates a new pathway for considerable improvement in the performance and application of polymer aerogels.
Efficacy and Safety of Oral Supplementation with Liposomal Iron in Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Iron Deficiency
Authors: Cesarano Davide , Borrelli Silvio , Campilongo Giorgia , D’Ambra Annarita , Papadia Federica , Garofalo Carlo , De Marco Antonia , Marzano Federica , Ruotolo Chiara , Gesualdo Loreto , Cirillo Pietro , Minutolo Roberto
Published: April 2024

Introduction. Iron deficiency is common in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD). Oral iron supplementation is recommended in these patients, but it is associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Liposomal iron therapy has been proposed as a new iron formulation, improving iron bioavailability with less side effects; however, few data are available in patients with NDD-CKD. Methods. We designed a single-arm pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of liposomal iron administered for six months in correcting iron deficiency (defined as serum ferritin < 100 ng/mL and/or transferrin saturation < 20%) in patients with NDD-CKD stages 1–5. The primary endpoints were the achievement of serum ferritin ≥ 100 ng/mL and transferrin saturation ≥ 20%. Secondary outcomes were hemoglobin (Hb) changes and the safety of liposomal iron. Results. The efficacy population included 34/38 patients, who completed at least one visit after baseline. Liposomal iron increased the achievement of transferrin saturation targets from 11.8% at baseline to 50.0% at month 6 (p = 0.002), while no significant correction of serum ferritin (p = 0.214) and Hb was found (p = 0.465). When patients were stratified by anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL in women and Hb < 13 g/dL in men), a significant improvement of transferrin saturation was observed only in anemic patients (from 13.3 ± 5.8% to 20.2 ± 8.1%, p = 0.012). Hb values slightly increased at month 6 only in anemic patients (+0.60 g/dL, 95%CI −0.27 to +1.48), but not in those without anemia (+0.08 g/dL, 95%CI −0.73 to +0.88). In patients taking at least one dose of liposomal iron (safety population, n = 38), the study drug was discontinued in eight patients due to death (n = 2), a switch to intravenous iron (n = 2), and the occurrence of side effects (n = 4). Conclusions. The use of liposomal iron in patients with NDD-CKD is associated with a partial correction of transferrin saturation, with no significant effect on iron storage and Hb levels.
Ketogenic Diet in the Treatment of Epilepsy
Authors: Borowicz-Reutt Kinga , Krawczyk Marlena , Czernia Julia
Published: April 2024

Epilepsy is one of the most disabling neurological diseases. Despite proper pharmacotherapy and the availability of 2nd and 3rd generation antiepileptic drugs, deep brain stimulation, and surgery, up to 30–40% of epilepsy patients remain drug-resistant. Consequences of this phenomenon include not only decreased a quality of life, and cognitive, behavioral, and personal disorders, but also an increased risk of death, i.e., in the mechanism of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients (SUDEP). The main goals of epilepsy treatment include three basic issues: achieving the best possible seizure control, avoiding the undesired effects of treatment, and maintaining/improving the quality of patients’ lives. Therefore, numerous attempts are made to offer alternative treatments for drug-resistant seizures, an example of which is the ketogenic diet. It is a long-known but rarely used dietary therapy for intractable seizures. One of the reasons for this is the unpalatability of the classic ketogenic diet, which reduces patient compliance and adherence rates. However, its antiseizure effects are often considered to be worth the effort. Until recently, the diet was considered the last-resort treatment. Currently, it is believed that a ketogenic diet should be used much earlier in patients with well-defined indications. In correctly qualified patients, seizure activity may be reduced by over 90% or even abolished for long periods after the diet is stopped. A ketogenic diet can be used in all age groups, although most of the available literature addresses pediatric epilepsy. In this article, we focus on the mechanisms of action, effectiveness, and adverse effects of different variants of the ketogenic diet, including its classic version, a medium-chain triglyceride diet, a modified Atkins diet, and a low glycemic index treatment.
Validation of Nutritional Approaches to Modulate Cardiovascular and Diabetic Risk Factors in Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia or Prediabetes—The MoKaRi II Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Braun Theresa S. , Drobner Timo , Kipp Kristin , Kiehntopf Michael , Schlattmann Peter , Lorkowski Stefan , Dawczynski Christine
Published: April 2024

Hypertriglyceridemia and diabetes mellitus type 2 are among the most important metabolic diseases globally. Diet plays a vital role in the development and progression of both clinical pictures. For the 10-week randomized, controlled, intervention study, 67 subjects with elevated plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations (≥1.7 mmol/L) and 69 subjects with elevated fasting glucose concentrations (≥5.6 < 7.0 mmol/L) were recruited. The intervention groups received specially developed, individualized menu plans and regular counseling sessions to lower (A) TG or (B) fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c as well as other cardiovascular and diabetic risk factors. The hypertriglyceridemia intervention group was further supplemented with fish oil (3.5 g/d eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid). The two control groups maintained a typical Western diet. Blood samples were taken every 2 weeks, and anthropometric data were collected. A follow-up examination was conducted after another 10 weeks. In both intervention groups, there were comparable significant reductions in blood lipids, glucose metabolism, and anthropometric parameters. These results were, with a few exceptions, significantly more pronounced in the intervention groups than in the corresponding control groups (comparison of percentage change from baseline). In particular, body weight was reduced by 7.4% (6.4 kg) and 7.5% (5.9 kg), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations by 19.8% (0.8 mmol/L) and 13.0% (0.5 mmol/L), TG concentrations by 18.2% (0.3 mmol/L) and 13.0% (0.2 mmol/L), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance by 31.8% (1.1) and 26.4% (0.9) (p < 0.05) in the hypertriglyceridemia and prediabetes intervention groups, respectively. Some of these changes were maintained until follow-up. In patients with elevated TG or fasting glucose, implementing individualized menu plans in combination with regular counseling sessions over 10 weeks led to a significant improvement in cardiovascular and diabetic risk factors.
Isoeugenol Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes with Impaired Mitotic Clonal Expansion
Authors: Choi Yae Rim , Na Hyun-Jin , Lee Jaekwang , Kim Young-Suk , Kim Min Jung
Published: April 2024

Isoeugenol (IEG), a natural component of clove oil, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. However, the effects of IEG on adipogenesis have not yet been elucidated. Here, we showed that IEG blocks adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells at an early stage. IEG inhibits lipid accumulation in adipocytes in a concentration-dependent manner and reduces the expression of mature adipocyte-related factors including PPARγ, C/EBPα, and FABP4. IEG treatment at different stages of adipogenesis showed that IEG inhibited adipocyte differentiation by suppressing the early stage, as confirmed by lipid accumulation and adipocyte-related biomarkers. The early stage stimulates growth-arrested preadipocytes to enter mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) and initiates their differentiation into adipocytes by regulating cell cycle-related factors. IEG arrested 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and attenuated cell cycle-related factors including cyclinD1, CDK6, CDK2, and cyclinB1 during the MCE stage. Furthermore, IEG suppresses reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during MCE and inhibits ROS-related antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) and catalase. The expression of cell proliferation-related biomarkers, including pAKT and pERK1/2, was attenuated by the IEG treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. These findings suggest that it is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity.
Cholinergic Stimulation Exerts Cardioprotective Effects and Alleviates Renal Inflammatory Responses after Acute Myocardial Infarction in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHRs)
Authors: Bricher Choque Pamela Nithzi , Porter Maria Helena , Teixeira Manuella S. , Dellê Humberto , Elias Rosilene Motta , Durante Bruno , Dutra Marina Rascio Henriques , Metz Christine N. , Pavlov Valentin A. , Consolim Colombo Fernanda M.
Published: April 2024

Background: In this investigation, we explored the effects of pharmacological cholinergic stimulation on cardiac function and renal inflammation following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods: Adult male SHRs were randomized into three experimental groups: sham-operated; AMI + Veh (infarcted, treated with vehicle); and AMI + PY (infarcted, treated with the cholinesterase inhibitor, pyridostigmine bromide (PY)—40 mg/kg, once daily for seven days). Rats were euthanized 7 or 30 days post-surgery. The clinical parameters were assessed on the day before euthanasia. Subsequent to euthanasia, blood samples were collected and renal tissues were harvested for histological and gene expression analyses aimed to evaluate inflammation and injury. Results: Seven days post-surgery, the AMI + PY group demonstrated improvements in left ventricular diastolic function and autonomic regulation, and a reduction in renal macrophage infiltration compared to the AMI + Veh group. Furthermore, there was a notable downregulation in pro-inflammatory gene expression and an upregulation in anti-inflammatory gene expression. Analysis 30 days post-surgery showed that PY treatment had a sustained positive effect on renal gene expression, correlated with a decrease in biomarkers, indicative of subclinical kidney injury. Conclusions: Short-term cholinergic stimulation with PY provides both cardiac and renal protection by mitigating the inflammatory response after AMI.
High-Efficiency and Large-Angle Homo-Metagratings for the Near-Infrared Region
Authors: Tsai Wei-Cheng , Chang Chia-Hsun , Yu Tai-Cherng , Huang Yi-Hsuan , Chow Chi-Wai , Hong Yu-Heng , Kuo Hao-Chung , Huang Yao-Wei
Published: April 2024

Compact photonic devices that integrate metasurfaces with light sources have been widely studied. However, experimental demonstrations of a higher efficiency of integration are still lacking. To enhance the efficiency of light sources integrated with metasurfaces, we employed a forward design optimization method and index matching between the light source and metasurface substrate to design metagratings. To optimize the overall diffraction efficiency, we manipulated the degrees of freedom in phase, the lattice constants, and the number of unit cells. The same material was utilized for the nanostructures and substrate (homo-metagrating) for index matching, while Si and GaAs materials were used for working at 1550 and 940 nm, respectively. The experimental homo-metagratings operating at 1550 nm and made of Si exhibited an overall average efficiency of 51.3% at diffraction angles of 60.3°. On the other hand, experimental homo-metagratings operating at 940 nm and made of GaAs exhibited an overall average efficiency of 52.4% at diffraction angles of 49.3°. This suggests that the future integration of metagratings with a polarization-specific laser can further enhance the overall diffraction efficiency.
Uniform Lighting of High-Power LEDs at a Short Distance to Plants for Energy-Saving and High-Density Indoor Farming
Authors: Wong Ten It , Zhou Xiaodong
Published: April 2024

A tunable LED panel with multiple types of LEDs on a panel can provide various spectra for optimal plant growth. However, it is difficult for a lighting panel with multiple types of high-power LEDs to achieve uniform lighting. We demonstrated that by using optical reflectors at the sides of an LED panel to trap photons of LED arrays or using both the above-mentioned reflectors and optical lenses on each LED, high lighting uniformity can be achieved at a short distance to plants. The ray tracing simulation results show that the LED panel equipped with reflectors and optical lenses can achieve a high uniformity of >0.80 when the LED-plant distance is at half of the LED array’s pitch. We further verified that an LED panel (at a size of 88 cm × 54 cm) installed with reflectors can achieve light uniformities around 0.90 at a 15 cm LED-plant distance for the 6 types of LEDs (4 color LEDs and 2 white LEDs) on the panel. Compared with a branded tunable LED panel, our LED panel saves >25 cm vertical distance for each tier of plants and has 92.5% higher photon efficacy for 660 nm LEDs that exist on both panels.
Investigation of Characteristics of Ultraviolet Light Pulse Weak Signal Communication System Based on Fourth-Order Frequency-Shift Keying Modulation
Authors: Zhao Yingkai , Du Axin , Jiao Yu , Kuang Li , Chen Jiawen , Sun Ning , Liu Jianguo
Published: April 2024

In ultraviolet (UV) communication, On–Off Keying (OOK) is the primary modulation technique. Compared to OOK, frequency modulation offers stronger resistance to path attenuation. Currently, research on frequency modulation demodulation schemes for UV communication is limited, mainly employing waveform detection and laser pulse response methods, which require high detection sensitivity to light. This study presents a novel frequency modulation communication scheme using discrete Poisson channel distribution and optical pulse signal processing algorithms, enhancing the signal processing sensitivity of the existing frequency modulation scheme to the level of photons. The proposed system model is rigorously evaluated through theoretical derivations and simulations. Additionally, a hardware system integrating optical pulse counting, frequency detection, and clock data recovery algorithms is developed. Experimental results show the system achieving a 5 kbps transmission rate under frequency modulation. In non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios, communication reaches up to 65 m, with the receiver elevation angle ranging from 10° to 25° and the bit error rate (BER) stabilized at 10−4, while in line-of-sight (LOS) situations, the BER remains at 10−5 up to 400 m and 10−4 up to 700 m, achieving the farthest distance and fastest communication rate achievable in the current FSK modulation scheme of ultraviolet communication systems. The integrated components enhance its applicability in communication systems. This study offers a valuable addition to UV communication technology.
Crown Ether Copolymerized Polyimide Film: Enhanced Mechanical, Thermal Properties and Low Dielectric Constant under High Frequency
Authors: Li Heming , Wang Xinming , Ding Ziyang , Gao Weiguo , Liu Yan , Ma Ke , Hu Zhizhi , Wang Yongqi
Published: April 2024

Polymer materials with a low dielectric constant and low dielectric loss have the potential to be applied to high-frequency signal transmissions, such as mobile phone antennas and millimeter wave radars. Two types of diamines, 4,4′-diamino-p-tetraphenyl (DPT) and crown ether diamine (CED), were prepared for ternary copolymerization with BPDA in this study. Cross-links with molecular chains were formed, increasing molecular chain distance by utilizing rings of CED. The MPI films exhibit a good thermal performance with the increase in CED addition, with Tg > 380 °C and CTE from −4 × 10−6 K−1 to 5 × 10−6 K−1. The Young’s modulus can reach 8.6 GPa, and the tensile strength is above 200 MPa when 5% and 7% CED are introduced. These MPI films exhibit good mechanical performances. The dielectric constant of PI−10% film can go as low as 3.17. Meanwhile, the relationship between dielectric properties and molecular structure has been demonstrated by Molecular Simulation (MS). PI molecules are separated by low dielectric groups, resulting in a decrease in the dielectric constant.
Enhancing the Strength and the Environmental Performance of Concrete with Pre-Treated Crumb Rubber and Micro-Silica
Authors: Rajagopal M. R. , Ganta Jyothikumari , Pamu Yashwanth
Published: April 2024

Dumped non-biodegradable tires present a significant environmental threat, with overflowing landfills and associated health risks highlighting the urgency of tire waste disposal. Current disposal methods, such as stacking tires in open spaces, exacerbate the problem. The large-scale recycling of tire rubber waste offers environmental benefits. This study examines the effects of pre-treatment using NaOH and micro-silica as a mineral admixture on the mechanical strength of crumb rubber concrete (CRC) with partial replacement of natural sand. Samples of M20 and M30 grade were prepared with varying levels of crumb rubber (CR) replacement and evaluated at 28 days. CRC prepared with pre-treated NaOH solution and micro-silica showed improved workability and strength compared to conventional concrete and untreated CRC, with the highest strength observed for 5% CR replacement using micro-silica. Predictive models and micro-structural analysis validated these findings. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using OpenLCA v2.10 software and the ecoinvent database revealed that incorporating micro-silica into CRC did not significantly increase environmental impacts, compared to conventional concrete across different mixes.
A Contemporary Aristotelian–Thomistic Perspective on the Evolutionary View of Reality and Theistic Evolution
Authors: Tabaczek Mariusz
Published: April 2024

This article presents a coherent and comprehensive proposal of a renewed contemporary Aristotelian–Thomistic approach to the evolutionary view of reality and the position of theistic evolution. Beginning with a proposal of a hylomorphically–grounded essentialist definition of species—framed within a broader revival of biological essentialism—a constructive model of the Aristotelian–Thomistic metaphysics of evolution is being offered, together with a reflection on the alleged violation of the principle of proportionate causation in evolutionary transitions and the role of teleology and chance in evolution. The theological part of the article addresses a number of questions concerning the Thomistic school of theology in its encounter with the evolutionary worldview, including the question of whether God creates through evolution, the query concerning the concurrence of divine and created causes in evolutionary transitions, and the question regarding evolutionary and theological notions of anthropogenesis. A list of ten postulates grounding a contemporary Thomistic version of theistic evolution is offered as a conclusion to the research presented in the text.
Sickness and the Power of Healing Prayer in 2 Kings 20:1–11 and Isaiah 38:1–22
Authors: Udoekpo Michael Ufok
Published: April 2024

2 Kings 20:1–11; Isaiah 38:1–22 and 2 Chronicles 32:24–26 discuss Hezekiah’s sickness and the power of healing prayer. They are called Hezekiah-Isaiah narratives since they deal not only with (a) the threats and salvation of Jerusalem from Assyria, (b) the disease and the miraculous recovery or healing (ḥāyâ/rāքā’) of Hezekiah and description of the representatives from Babylon, but share a common narrative pattern in which Hezekiah is healed with a poultice/lump of fig tree (dəbelet təʾnim), having received advise and healing support from God’s messenger, Isaiah. Past scholars have approached this text differently, searching for its dating, literary growths, differences, originality with the desire to reveal the history of the various traditional components and relationship among parallel texts, as well the prophetic and kingly images of Isaiah and Hezekiah. Built on this past scholarship and African cultural perspectives and experiences, this work contextually, historically and theologically study, develop and analyze the story of Hezekiah’s sickness and healing.
Evolution and Built-Up Age Dependency of Urban Thermal Environment
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Liu Shuguang , Liu Maochou , Guo Rui , Shi Yi , Peng Xi , Feng Shuailong
Published: April 2024

The urban heat island (UHI) represents an anthropogenic modification to the earth’s surface, and its relationship with urban development, built-up age dependency in particular, is poorly understood. We integrated global artificial impervious areas to analyze the impacts of built-up age and urban development intensity (UDI) on land surface temperatures (LSTs) in Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province of China, from 2000 to 2019. A key finding was that the built-up areas with different built-up ages were strongly associated with LST, and this relationship does not change significantly over time, suggesting temporal stability of spatial patterns of LSTs. This finding puts forward a challenge to the application of the classic concept of space-for-time in LST studies because the premise of space-for-time is that spatial and temporal variation are equivalent. This result reveals the vital importance of annual development activities on the urban thermal environment. Another highlighted result was LST sensitivity to UDI, an effective measure of the impact of urbanization on LST, which increased significantly from 0.255 °C per 10% UDI to 0.818 °C per 10% UDI. The more than doubling of LST sensitivity to UDI should be a major concern for city administration. These findings have crucial theoretical and practical significance for the regulation of LSTs and UHI.
Optimizing Optical Coastal Remote-Sensing Products: Recommendations for Regional Algorithm Calibration
Authors: Simão Rafael , Távora Juliana , Salama Mhd. Suhyb , Fernandes Elisa
Published: April 2024

The remote sensing of turbidity and suspended particulate matter (SPM) relies on atmospheric corrections and bio-optical algorithms, but there is no one method that has better accuracy than the others for all satellites, bands, study areas, and purposes. Here, we evaluated different combinations of satellites (Landsat-8, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-3), atmospheric corrections (ACOLITE and POLYMER), algorithms (single- and multiband; empirical and semi-analytical), and bands (665 and 865 nm) to estimate turbidity and SPM in Patos Lagoon (Brazil). The region is suitable for a case study of the regionality of remote-sensing algorithms, which we addressed by regionally recalibrating the coefficients of the algorithms using a method for geophysical observation models (GeoCalVal). Additionally, we examined the results associated with the use of different statistical parameters for classifying algorithms and introduced a new metric (GoF) that reflects performance. The best performance was achieved via POLYMER atmospheric correction and the use of single-band algorithms. Regarding SPM, the recalibrated coefficients yielded a better performance, but, for turbidity, a tradeoff between two statistical parameters occurred. Therefore, the uncertainties in the atmospheric corrections and algorithms used were analyzed based on previous studies. In the future, we suggest the use of in situ radiometric data to better evaluate atmospheric corrections, radiative transfer modeling to bridge data gaps, and multisensor data merging for compiling climate records.
Analysis and Compensation of Lorentz Force Magnetic Bearing Magnetic Flux Density Uniformity Error
Authors: Yu Chunmiao , Cai Yuanwen , Wang Weijie , Han Wenjing , Yin Zengyuan , Han Wenting
Published: April 2024

Aiming at the influence of the magnetic flux density uniformity error (MFDUE) of the Lorentz force magnetic bearing (LFMB) on the sensitivity accuracy of magnetically suspended control and sensing gyroscopes (MSCSGs) on the angular rate of a spacecraft, a high precision measurement method of the angular rate of a spacecraft based on the MFDUE compensation of LFMB is proposed. Firstly, the structure of MSCSG and the sensitivity principle of MSCSG to the spacecraft angular rate are introduced. The mechanism influencing the accuracy of MSCSG to spacecraft angular rate sensitivity is deduced based on the definition of magnetic flux density uniformity. Secondly, the 3D magnetic flux distribution of LFMB is analyzed using ANSYS. The relationship between the rotor tilt angle, tilt angular rate, and magnetic flux density is established. The induced current calculation model due to MFDUE is proposed, and the LFMB magnetic flux density error compensation is realized. Finally, the simulation results show that the estimation accuracy of the induced current by the proposed method can reach 96%, and the simulation and the experiment show that the error compensation method can improve the accuracy of MSCSG in measuring the spacecraft angular rate by 12.5%.
Study on the Improvement of Droplet Penetration Effect by Nozzle Tilt Angle under the Influence of Orthogonal Side Wind
Authors: Sun Daozong , Hu Junyutai , Huang Xinghan , Luo Wenhao , Song Shuran , Xue Xiuyun
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the impact of varying side wind velocities and nozzle inclination angles on droplet penetration during plant protection spraying operations, focusing on citrus trees. Experiments were conducted across four wind speed levels (0, 1, 2, 3 m/s) perpendicular to the nozzle direction and seven nozzle inclination levels (0°, 8°, 15°, 23°, 30°, 38°, 45°) to evaluate droplet distribution under different spraying parameters. A baseline condition with 0 m/s wind speed and a 0° nozzle angle served as the control. Utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and regression analysis techniques in conjunction with field trials, the droplet penetration was analyzed. Results indicate that at constant wind speeds, adjusting the nozzle inclination angle against the direction of the side wind can significantly enhance droplet deposition in the canopy, with a 23° inclination providing the optimal increase in deposition volume, averaging a change of +16.705 μL/cm2. Multivariate nonlinear regression analysis revealed that both wind speed and nozzle inclination angle significantly affect the droplet penetration ratio, demonstrating a correlation between these factors, with wind speed exerting a greater impact than nozzle angle. Increasing the nozzle inclination angle at higher wind speeds improves the penetration ratio, with the optimal parameters being a 23° angle and 3 m/s wind speed, showing a 12.6% improvement over the control. The model fitted for the impact of nozzle angle and wind speed on droplet penetration was validated through field experiments, identifying optimal angles for enhancing penetration at wind speeds of 1, 2, and 3 m/s as 8°, 17°, and 25°, respectively. This research provides insights for improving droplet penetration techniques in plant protection operations.
Characterization of Anisotropic Salt Weathering through Nondestructive Techniques Mapping Using a GIS Environment
Authors: Gomez-Heras Miguel , López-González Laura , Gil-Muñoz María Teresa , Cabello-Briones Cristina , Benavente David , Martínez-Martínez Javier
Published: April 2024

Doctrinal texts on architectural heritage conservation emphasize the importance of fully understanding the structural and material characteristics and utilizing information systems. Photogrammetry allows for the generation of detailed, geo-referenced Digital Elevation Models of architectural elements at a low cost, while GIS software enables the addition of layers of material characteristic data to these models, creating different property maps that can be combined through map algebra. This paper presents the results of the mechanical characterization of materials and salt-related decay forms of the polygonal apse of the 13th-century monastery of Santa María de Bonaval (Guadalajara, Spain), which is primarily affected by salt crystallization. Rock strength is estimated using on-site nondestructive testing (ultrasound pulse velocity and Leeb hardness). They are mapped and combined through map algebra to derive a single mechanical soundness index (MSI) to determine whether the decay of the walls could be dependent on the orientation. The presented results show that salt decay in the building is anisotropic, with the south-facing side of the apse displaying an overall lower MSI than the others. The relative overheating of the south-facing side of the apse enhances the effect of salt crystallization, thereby promoting phase transitions between epsomite and hexahydrite.
Study on Gesture Recognition Method with Two-Stream Residual Network Fusing sEMG Signals and Acceleration Signals
Authors: Hu Zhigang , Wang Shen , Ou Cuisi , Ge Aoru , Li Xiangpan
Published: April 2024

Currently, surface EMG signals have a wide range of applications in human–computer interaction systems. However, selecting features for gesture recognition models based on traditional machine learning can be challenging and may not yield satisfactory results. Considering the strong nonlinear generalization ability of neural networks, this paper proposes a two-stream residual network model with an attention mechanism for gesture recognition. One branch processes surface EMG signals, while the other processes hand acceleration signals. Segmented networks are utilized to fully extract the physiological and kinematic features of the hand. To enhance the model’s capacity to learn crucial information, we introduce an attention mechanism after global average pooling. This mechanism strengthens relevant features and weakens irrelevant ones. Finally, the deep features obtained from the two branches of learning are fused to further improve the accuracy of multi-gesture recognition. The experiments conducted on the NinaPro DB2 public dataset resulted in a recognition accuracy of 88.25% for 49 gestures. This demonstrates that our network model can effectively capture gesture features, enhancing accuracy and robustness across various gestures. This approach to multi-source information fusion is expected to provide more accurate and real-time commands for exoskeleton robots and myoelectric prosthetic control systems, thereby enhancing the user experience and the naturalness of robot operation.
Image Reconstruction Requirements for Short-Range Inductive Sensors Used in Single-Coil MIT
Authors: Feldkamp Joe R.
Published: April 2024

MIT (magnetic induction tomography) image reconstruction from data acquired with a single, small inductive sensor has unique requirements not found in other imaging modalities. During the course of scanning over a target, measured inductive loss decreases rapidly with distance from the target boundary. Since inductive loss exists even at infinite separation due to losses internal to the sensor, all other measurements made in the vicinity of the target require subtraction of the infinite-separation loss. This is accomplished naturally by treating infinite-separation loss as an unknown. Furthermore, since contributions to inductive loss decline with greater depth into a conductive target, regularization penalties must be decreased with depth. A pair of squared L2 penalty norms are combined to form a 2-term Sobolev norm, including a zero-order penalty that penalizes solution departures from a default solution and a first-order penalty that promotes smoothness. While constraining the solution to be non-negative and bounded from above, the algorithm is used to perform image reconstruction on scan data obtained over a 4.3 cm thick phantom consisting of bone-like features embedded in agarose gel, with the latter having a nominal conductivity of 1.4 S/m.
Temporal Relationship-Aware Treadmill Exercise Test Analysis Network for Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Wei Jianze , Pan Bocheng , Gan Yu , Li Xuedi , Liu Deping , Sang Botao , Gao Xingyu
Published: April 2024

The treadmill exercise test (TET) serves as a non-invasive method for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite its widespread use, TET reports are susceptible to external influences, heightening the risk of misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. In this paper, we propose a novel automatic CAD diagnosis approach. The proposed approach introduces a customized preprocessing method to obtain clear electrocardiograms (ECGs) from individual TET reports. Additionally, it presents TETDiaNet, a novel neural network designed to explore the temporal relationships within TET ECGs. Central to TETDiaNet is the TETDia block, which mimics clinicians’ diagnostic processes to extract essential diagnostic information. This block encompasses an intra-state contextual learning module and an inter-state contextual learning module, modeling the temporal relationships within a single state and between states, respectively. These two modules help the TETDia block to capture effective diagnosis information by exploring the temporal relationships within TET ECGs. Furthermore, we establish a new TET dataset named TET4CAD for CAD diagnosis. It contains simplified TET reports for 192 CAD patients and 224 non-CAD patients, and each patient undergoes coronary angiography for labeling. Experimental results on TET4CAD underscore the superior performance of the proposed approach, highlighting the discriminative value of the temporal relationships within TET ECGs for CAD diagnosis.
Coupling of Modes in Step-Index Plastic Optical Fibers by Using D-Shape Technique
Authors: Silva Cláudio Márcio F. , Pacheco Gefeson M. , Panasiewicz Jognes , Ramirez Luis A. Rabanal
Published: April 2024

This article presents a technique for reducing the stabilization length of steady-state modes in step-index plastic optical fibers (POFs), which is significant for sensor networks, Internet of Things, signal processing, and data fusion in sensor systems. The results obtained with the com- putational tool developed suggest that the D-shape created in the POF effectively reduces the stabi- lization length of the modes and, by extension, minimizes the dispersion effects of the modes by filtering out high-order modes. Applying the analysis to commercial POFs, the authors experimen- tally verified a reduction in the stabilization length of modes from 27 to 10 m and from 20 m to 5 m. Reducing the mode stabilization length minimizes the bit error rate (BER) in short-length SI-POF- based optical links operating at 250 Mbp/s. A reduction from 7.6 × 10−7 to 3.7 × 10−10 was achieved.
The Influence of Nonlinear High-Intensity Dynamic Processes on the Standing Wave Precession of a Non-Ideal Hemispherical Resonator
Authors: Cheng Wei , Ren Shunqing , Xi Boqi , Tian Zhen , Ning Youhuan , Huo Yan
Published: April 2024

The properties of small size, low noise, high performance and no wear-out have made the hemispherical resonator gyroscope a good choice for high-value space missions. To enhance the precision of the hemispherical resonator gyroscope for use in tasks with large angular velocities and angular accelerations, this paper investigates the standing wave precession of a non-ideal hemispherical resonator under nonlinear high-intensity dynamic conditions. Based on the thin shell theory of elasticity, a dynamic model of a hemispherical resonator is established by using Lagrange’s second kind equation. Then, the dynamic model is equivalently transformed into a simple harmonic vibration model of a point mass in two-dimensional space, which is analyzed using a method of averaging that separates the slow variables from the fast variables. The results reveal that taking the nonlinear terms about the square of the angular velocity and the angular acceleration in the dynamic equation into account can weaken the influence of the 4th harmonic component of a mass defect on standing wave drift, and the extent of this weakening effect varies with the dimensions of the mass defects, which is very important for steering the development of the high-precision hemispherical resonator gyroscope.
Human Consumption of Non-Native Species in a Circular Economy: Determination of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Invasive Signal Crayfish from a Baltic Coastal River and Its Assessment for Consumption
Authors: Dobrzycka-Krahel Aldona , Skóra Michał E. , Malek Marika
Published: April 2024

A circular economy aims at decoupling value creation from waste generation and resource use. The signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus is kept worldwide in aquaculture and after escaping into the wild, may further be used for human consumption rather than eradicated and used for purposes such as fertilizing fields. The level of contamination by two groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in non-native signal crayfish from a Baltic coastal river, was measured in two locations (under anthropogenic pressure and semi-natural pressure) to understand whether its consumption might be a threat to human health. Concentrations of indicators and total compounds of POPs in the edible parts of crayfish (muscular tissue of crayfish) with potential human health risks were determined. The levels of concentrations of POPs meet the requirements of Regulations (EU) No. 836/2011 and No. 1259/2011 for the consumption of crustaceans. Our results also indicate no significant public health risk caused by consumption of the signal crayfish (hazard quotients (HQ) < 1). The results show that the bioaccumulation of POPs depends on the species’ traits and environment.
Revolutionizing Retail: Examining the Influence of Blockchain-Enabled IoT Capabilities on Sustainable Firm Performance
Authors: Nazir Hassan , Fan Jianqiang
Published: April 2024

Blockchain has revolutionized the field of supply chain management, allowing firms to optimize their operations and achieve enhanced levels of efficiency and environmental responsibility. This study investigates the relationships between the functionalities of the blockchain-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) and many aspects of the supply chain, namely, supplier integration, internal integration, customer integration, and sustainable logistic capabilities. It also analyses the impact of these correlations on the supply chain performance and sustainability of firms. This study is grounded in an empirical inquiry carried out using a questionnaire survey of the retail industry in Pakistan. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the data. The findings indicate a direct correlation between the use of BC-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities and the integration of the supply chain, as well as logistic capabilities. Furthermore, there is a strong and meaningful correlation between blockchain-enabled supply chain integration and sustainable logistic capabilities and firm performance. The research findings indicate that the combined impact of digital innovations results in higher levels of corporate performance and sustainability. By embracing digitization through blockchain technology, business organizations can attain supply chain excellence. This integration enhances the adoption of environmentally beneficial actions, minimizes waste, and decreases carbon emissions across supply chains, thus reinforcing the connection between sustainable firm performance and environmental sustainability. As a result, the enterprises may execute sustainably through improved logistical capabilities and effective integration. The results hold great theoretical and practical significance for improving supply chain management efficacy and accomplishing multiple SDGs, including SDG-8, SDG-9, SDG-11, and SDG-12.
Emerging Sustainability Trends in Tourist Facilities: A Comparative Assessment of Multiple Hotels and Resorts
Authors: Papallou Erasmia , Katafygiotou Martha , Dimopoulos Thomas
Published: April 2024

This study presents a comparative assessment of emerging sustainability trends in tourist facilities, focusing on multiple hotels and resorts. By analyzing various aspects, such as energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, and community engagement, this study evaluates the sustainability initiatives undertaken by these establishments. Through a systematic review of sustainability reports, practices, challenges, and innovations, it identifies key trends shaping the future of sustainable tourism in the hospitality industry. Initially, two case studies of hospitality developments that are awarded with sustainability prizes have been reviewed. These real estate developments are located in the Maldives and Greece, and following their detailed review, a comparison is drawn with a sample of multiple hotels in Pafos City, Cyprus. This study aims to ascertain the presence of a reciprocal relationship between sustainable tourism destinations and their immediate environs, encompassing the local community. This investigation hinges on an analysis of the sustainable practices implemented by hotels situated within these destinations. Moreover, this study explores the distance of hotels from achieving sustainable development by analyzing their environmental, social, and economic practices. This investigation encompasses a range of hotels in Cyprus and internationally. Recommendations toward a more sustainable approach for touristic real estate units has been made, and it is concluded that the development of sustainable tourist destinations requires active involvement from the local and the government authorities, supported by programs facilitating sustainable tourism. Encouraging synergies among businesses and supporting destination management partnerships are crucial. Sustainable hospitality should adhere to environmental excellence, social responsibility, and economic viability. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, hotel managers, and stakeholders seeking to enhance environmental performance and social responsibility within tourist accommodations.
From Farm to Fork: Irrigation Management and Cold Storage Strategies for the Shelf Life of Seedless Sugrathirtyfive Table Grape Variety
Authors: Alba Vittorio , Russi Alessandra , Forte Giovanna , Milella Rosa Anna , Roccotelli Sabino , Campi Pasquale , Modugno Anna Francesca , Pipoli Vito , Gentilesco Giovanni , Tarricone Luigi , Caputo Angelo Raffaele
Published: April 2024

Background: Sustainable water management for table grape has the primary goal of optimizing irrigation through Smart Irrigation (SI) approaches, particularly in Mediterranean regions. In addition, extending the shelf life of table grapes through effective cold storage practices is crucial to meet consumer demands year-round. This research examined the journey “from farm to fork” of Sugrathirtyfive variety (Autumn Crisp® brand), exploring the combined effects of Irrigation Volumes (IV), SO2-Generating Pads (SGPs) and Cold Storage Duration (CSD) on the quality of grapes. Methods: Normal Irrigation (NI—based on the farmer’s experience) and SI (100% vine evapotranspiration restored) were supplied in 2023 to Sugrathirtyfive variety white table grape, trained to an overhead tendone system. Yield and quality parameters, berry texture, CIELAB colour coordinates, phenolic content, flavonoids, antioxidant activity and sensory attributes were evaluated on grapes subjected to different times and methods of cold storage. Results: SI grapes showed higher Total Soluble Solids (TSSs) and nutraceutical content, as well as improved CIELAB coordinates with interesting improved berry texture parameters. No differences emerged between single- or dual-release SGPs after 15 days (T1) and 40 days (T2) of CSD. Conclusions: Under our cold storage conditions (3 °C, 85% U.R.), 40 days represent the maximum temporal limit for the cold storage of Sugrathirtyfive variety, regardless of IV, provided they are refrigerated with the aid of SGPs.