bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Resolution Land Use Land Cover Dataset for Meteorological Modelling—Part 1: ECOCLIMAP-SG+ an Agreement-Based Dataset
Authors: Bessardon Geoffrey , Rieutord Thomas , Gleeson Emily , Pálmason Bolli , Oswald Sandro
Published: November 2024

ECOCLIMAP-SG+ is a new 60 m land use land cover dataset, which covers a continental domain and represents the 33 labels of the original ECOCLIMAP-SG dataset. ECOCLIMAP-SG is used in HARMONIE-AROME, the numerical weather prediction model used operationally by Met Éireann and other national meteorological services. ECOCLIMAP-SG+ was created using an agreement-based method to combine information from many maps to overcome variations in semantic and geographical coverage, resolutions, formats, accuracy, and representative periods. In addition to ECOCLIMAP-SG+, the process generates an agreement score map, which estimates the uncertainty of the land cover labels in ECOCLIMAP-SG+ at each location in the domain. This work presents the first evaluation of ECOCLIMAP-SG and ECOCLIMAP-SG+ against the following trusted land cover maps: LUCAS 2022, the Irish National Land Cover 2018 dataset, and an Icelandic version of ECOCLIMAP-SG. Using a set of primary labels, ECOCLIMAP-SG+ outperforms ECOCLIMAP-SG regarding the F1-score against LUCAS 2022 over Europe and the Irish national land cover 2018 dataset. Similarly, it outperforms ECOCLIMAP-SG against the Icelandic version of ECOCLIMAP-SG for most of the represented secondary labels. The score map shows that the quality ECOCLIMAP-SG+ is hetereogeneous. It could be improved once new maps become available, but we do not control when they will be available. Therefore, the second part of this publication series aims at improving the map using machine learning.
The Influence of Erosion and Deposition Processes on the Selected Soil Properties of Chernozems and Cambisols
Authors: Šarapatka Bořivoj , Bednář Marek , Pospíšilová Lubica , Badalíková Barbora , Černohorský Jan , Netopil Patrik , Sedlák Luboš
Published: November 2024

Water erosion significantly affects soil properties, yet comparative studies between different soil types are limited. This study examines the impact of erosion on the physical, chemical, and biochemical properties of Chernozems and Cambisols in the South Moravian and Vysočina regions of the Czech Republic. We combined field sampling, laboratory analysis, and geospatial modeling to identify erosion, transition, and deposition zones on slopes. Soil samples were collected from these zones in both soil types and analyzed for particle size distribution, organic carbon content, humus quality, stability of aggregates, pH, nutrient levels, enzyme activities, and glomalin content. Chernozems showed more pronounced differences between the erosion and deposition zones, particularly in organic matter content, nutrient levels, and enzyme activities. Cambisols exhibited different patterns, with less pronounced differences between the zones, except for humic substances and cellulase activity. Chernozems had higher carbonate content and pH in erosion areas, while Cambisols showed an opposite trend. These differences relate to both substrate and slope shape: concave–convex for Chernozems and convex to convex–concave for Cambisols. The findings highlight the importance of considering soil type and topography in erosion studies and have significant implications for tailored soil management and erosion control strategies in different agricultural landscapes.
Evaluation of the Impact of Courtyard Layout on Wind Effects on Coastal Traditional Settlements
Authors: Wang Zefa , Huang Tiantian , Wang Yaolong , Dai Shan , Zeng Yuee , Chen Jing , Tang Fengliang
Published: November 2024

In the context of global climate change, the rising frequency of extreme weather events has increasingly highlighted their impact on human settlements. This study examines the influence of courtyard layout on the wind environment in coastal, traditional villages, focusing on its relevance and importance for enhancing living comfort and preserving cultural heritage. Utilizing data from 204 typical courtyards in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China, 18 representative courtyard models were abstracted and analyzed for their winter wind conditions using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The study findings indicate (1) that an increase in the courtyard area index gradually decreases wind comfort, with the most optimal wind comfort, stability, and adaptability observed in courtyards of 15 m2, 15 m2, and 110 m2. (2) Wind comfort follows a fluctuating pattern as the aspect ratio changes. Courtyards with aspect ratios of 0.8, 1, and 1.2 demonstrate the highest levels of wind comfort, stability, and adjustability. (3) Wind comfort varies in a wave-like manner depending on orientation, with courtyards facing northeast, southeast, and northwest providing superior wind comfort, stability, and adjustability. These findings offer insights into optimizing courtyard designs to enhance environmental quality and promote sustainable living in coastal, traditional villages.
Genetic Insights on Meropenem Resistance Concerning Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates
Authors: Elkady Fathy M. , Badr Bahaa M. , Alfeky Abdel-Aty E. , Abdulrahman Mohammed S. , Hashem Amr H. , Al-Askar Abdulaziz A. , AbdElgayed Gehad , Hashem Hany R.
Published: November 2024

The transferable genetic elements are associated with the dissemination of virulence determinants amongst Klebsiella pneumoniae. Thus, we assessed the correlated antimicrobial resistance in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. Each isolate’s ability to biosynthesize biofilm, carbapenemase, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase were examined. Genotypically, the biofilm-, outer membrane porin-, and some plasmid-correlated antimicrobial resistance genes were screened. About 50% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant while 98.4% were extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers and 89.3% were carbapenem-resistant. Unfortunately, 93.1% of the multidrug-resistant isolates produced different biofilm levels. Additionally, fimD and mrkD genes encoding adhesins were detected in 100% and 55.2% of the tested isolates, respectively. Also, the blaKPC, blaOXA-48-like, and blaNDM-encoding carbapenemases were observed in 16.1%, 53.6%, and 55.4% of the tested isolates, respectively. Moreover, the blaSHV and blaCTX-M extended-spectrum β-lactamase-associated genes were detected at 95.2% and 61.3%, respectively. Furthermore, aac(3)IIa, qnrB, and tetB resistance-correlated genes were observed in 38.1%, 46%, and 7.9% of the tested isolates, respectively. Certainly, the tested antimicrobial resistance-encoding genes were concurrently observed in 3.2% of the tested isolates. These findings confirmed the elevated prevalence of various antimicrobial resistance-associated genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae. The concurrent transferring of plasmid-encoding antimicrobial resistance-related genes could be associated with the possible acquisition of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae phenotypes.
Positive Outcomes of Supplementation with Lecithin-Based Delivery Formulation of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata in IBS Subjects with Small Bowel Dysbiosis
Authors: Giacosa Attilio , Barrile Gaetan Claude , Perna Simone , Rondanelli Mariangela
Published: November 2024

Background: Small bowel dysbiosis (SBD) is a frequent finding in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The sunflower lecithin (phytosome) formulation of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata demonstrated beneficial effects on intestinal microbiota. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a lecithin-based delivery formulation of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extracts (CUBO) on SBD in IBS subjects. Subjects: Forty-nine adult subjects with IBS and SBD were randomly supplemented for 30 days with CUBO and a low-FODMAP diet (LFD) (intervention) or with LFD and placebo (control group). Results: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in urinary indican (p < 0.001), which was the marker of SBD, and of abdominal bloating (p < 0.001) and abdominal pain (p < 0.001). The pre–post control group analysis did not evidence significant differences. The comparison between the two groups (net effect in intervention minus control subjects) showed that the changes differ significantly for urinary indican p < 0.001 (−42.88; 95% CI: −62.04 to −23.72), abdominal bloating p < 0.001 (−1.50; 95% CI: −1.93 to −1.07), and abdominal pain p < 0.001 (−2.37; 95% CI: −3.61 to −1.13) and for the global assessment of efficacy (p < 0.001). The efficacy was 20% greater in males than in females. Conclusions: In IBS subjects, the intervention with CUBO and LFD shows a significantly higher reduction in SBD, abdominal pain, and bloating compared to LFD and placebo. Additional research is needed to confirm these data.
Metagenomic Analysis of Sediment Bacterial Diversity and Composition in Natural Lakes and Artificial Waterpoints of Tabuk Region in King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Awthan Yahya S. , Mir Rashid , Alharbi Basmah M. , Alatawi Abdulaziz S. , Almutairi Fahad M. , Khafaga Tamer , Shohdi Wael M. , Fakhry Amal M. , Alatawi Mashari M.
Published: November 2024

The Tabuk region is located in the northern part of Saudi Arabia, and it has an area of 117,000 km2 between longitudes 26° N and 29° N and latitudes 34° E and 38° E. King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR) is the largest natural reserve in Saudi Arabia and covers about 130,700 km2. It represents a new tourist attraction area in the Tabuk region. Human activities around the lake may lead to changes in water quality, with subsequent changes in microenvironment components, including microbial diversity. The current study was designed to assess possible changes in bacterial communities of the water sediment at some natural lakes and artificial waterpoints of KSRNR. Water samples were collected from ten different locations within KSRNR: W1, W2, W3 (at the border of the royal reserve); W4, W5, W6, W7 (at the middle); and W8, W9, and W10 (artificial waterpoints). The total DNA of the samples was extracted and subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analysis; also, the environmental parameters (temperature and humidity) were recorded for all locations. Metagenomic sequencing yielded a total of 24,696 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were subsequently annotated to 193 phyla, 215 classes, 445 orders, 947 families, and 3960 genera. At the phylum level, Pseudomonadota dominated the microbial communities across all samples. At the class level, Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridia, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Betaproteobacteria were the most prevalent. The dominant families included Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Clostridiaceae, Comamonadaceae, and Moraxellaceae. At the genus level, Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Acinetobacter, Paenibacillus, and Acidovorax exhibited the highest relative abundances. The most abundant species were Hungatella xylanolytica, Pseudescherichia vulneris, Pseudorhizobium tarimense, Paenibacillus sp. Yn15, and Enterobacter sp. Sa187. The observed species richness revealed substantial heterogeneity across samples using species richness estimators, Chao1 and ACE, indicating particularly high diversity in samples W3, W5, and W6. Current study results help in recognizing the structure of bacterial communities at the Tubaiq area in relation to their surroundings for planning for environmental protection and future restoration of affected ecosystems. The findings highlight the dominance of various bacterial phyla, classes, families, and genera, with remarkable species richness in some areas. These results underscore the influence of human activities on microbial diversity, as well as the significance of monitoring and conserving the reserve’s natural ecosystems.
A Novel Solid Media-Free In-Planta Soybean (Glycine max. (L) Merr.) Transformation Approach
Authors: Khan Muhammad Waqar , Shaheen Aaqib , Zhang Xuebin , Dewir Yaser Hassan , Mendler-Drienyovszki Nóra
Published: November 2024

Soybean’s lengthy protocols for transgenic plant production are a bottleneck in the transgenic breeding of this crop. Explants cultured on a medium for an extended duration exhibit unanticipated modifications. Stress-induced somaclonal variations and in vitro contaminations also cause substantial losses of transgenic plants. This effect could potentially be mitigated by direct shoot regeneration without solid media or in-planta transformation. The current study focused primarily on developing a rapid and effective media-free in-planta transformation technique for three soybean genotypes (Wm82) and our newly developed two hybrids, designated as ZX-16 and ZX-3. The whole procedure for a transgenic plant takes the same time as a stable grown seedling. Multiple axillary shoots were regenerated on stable-grown soybean seedlings without the ectopic expression of developmental regulatory genes. An approximate amount of 200 µL medium with a growth regulator was employed for shoot organogenesis and growth. The maximal shoot regeneration percentages in the Wm82 and ZX-3 genotypes were 87.1% and 84.5%, respectively. The stable transformation ranged from 3% to 8.0%, with an average of 5.5%. This approach seems to be the opposite of the hairy root transformation method, which allowed transgenic shoots to be regenerated on normal roots. Further improvement regarding an increase in the transformation efficiency and of this technique for a broad range of soybean genotypes and other dicot species would be extremely beneficial in achieving increased stable transformation.
Nitroglycerin (NTG) Infusion for Intraprocedural Vasospasm in Transarterial Microembolization (TAME): A Case Series
Authors: Li Kuan-Wei , Liang Keng-Wei , Liao Wen-Ying , Wang Chien-Kuo , Liu Yi-Sheng , Yang Tai-Hua , Wu Chun-Hsin , Wang Bow
Published: November 2024

Transarterial microembolization (TAME) is an innovative approach to treating chronic musculoskeletal pain. During the procedure, intraprocedural vasospasm, presenting juxta-catheter stenosis, and poor distal artery perfusion and flow through the anastomosis commonly pose challenges. Difficulty of the catheter reaching the target vessel and restricted drug delivery are possible consequences. To address these issues, transcatheter nitroglycerin (NTG) infusion at the extremity’s small-sized artery has been introduced. We investigated patients who underwent the TAME procedure wherein NTG was employed and sourced from two institutional settings. Transcatheter NTG infusion was administered in seven instances of chronic musculoskeletal pain manifesting with intraprocedural vasospasm during TAME procedures. Patient profiles, preprocedural imaging, fluoroscopic findings, adverse events, and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores were evaluated. As a result, all seven cases experiencing intraprocedural vasospasm exhibited rapid responses to transcatheter NTG infusion. Angiography conducted pre- and post-infusion demonstrated increased vessel size, resolved proximal catheter stenosis, and improved distal perfusion. One case presented an adverse effect of self-limited transient hypotension. The NRS scores decreased following the procedure. Transcatheter NTG infusion at the extremity’s small-sized muscular artery can be an effective technique for resolving intraprocedural vasospasm in TAME procedures, irrespective of the target diseases and approach vessels.
Machine Learning-Based Prediction of the Adsorption Characteristics of Biochar from Waste Wood by Chemical Activation
Authors: Chang Jinman , Lee Jai-Young
Published: November 2024

This study employs machine learning models to predict the adsorption characteristics of biochar-activated carbon derived from waste wood. Activated carbon is a high-performance adsorbent utilized in various fields such as air purification, water treatment, energy production, and storage. However, its characteristics vary depending on the activation conditions or raw materials, making explaining or predicting them challenging using physicochemical or mathematical methods. Therefore, using machine learning techniques to determine the adsorption characteristics of activated carbon in advance will provide economic and time benefits for activated carbon production. Datasets, consisting of 108 points, were used to predict the adsorption characteristics of biochar-activated carbon derived from waste wood. The input variables were the activation conditions, and the iodine number of activated carbon was used as the output variable. The datasets were randomly split into 75% for training and 25% for model validation and normalized by the min-max function. Four models, including artificial neural networks, random forests, extreme gradient boosting, and support vector machines, were used to predict the adsorption properties of biochar-activated carbon. After optimization, the artificial neural network model was identified as the best model, with the highest coefficient determination (0.96) and the lowest mean squared error (0.004017). As a result of the SHAP analysis, activation time was the most crucial variable influencing the adsorption properties. The machine learning model precisely predicts the adsorption characteristics of biochar-activated carbon and can optimize the activated carbon production process.
Adiabatic Shear Localization in Metallic Materials: Review
Authors: Guan Xinran , Qu Shoujiang , Wang Hao , Cao Guojian , Feng Aihan , Chen Daolun
Published: November 2024

In advanced engineering applications, there has been an increasing demand for the service performance of materials under high-strain-rate conditions where a key phenomenon of adiabatic shear instability is inevitably involved. The presence of adiabatic shear instability is typically associated with large shear strains, high strain rates, and elevated temperatures. Significant plastic deformation that concentrates within a adiabatic shear band (ASB) often results in catastrophic failure, and it is necessary to avoid the occurrence of such a phenomenon in most areas. However, in certain areas, such as high-speed machining and self-sharpening projectile penetration, this phenomenon can be exploited. The thermal softening effect and microstructural softening effect are widely recognized as the foundational theories for the formation of ASB. Thus, elucidating various complex deformation mechanisms under thermomechanical coupling along with changes in temperatures in the shear instability process has become a focal point of research. This review highlights these two important aspects and examines the development of relevant theories and experimental results, identifying key challenges faced in this field of study. Furthermore, advancements in modern experimental characterization and computational technologies, which lead to a deeper understanding of the adiabatic shear instability phenomenon, have also been summarized.
Investigating the Surface Quality of Aramid Honeycomb Materials Through Longitudinal–Torsional Ultrasonic Milling
Authors: Zhang Mingxing , Hong Yang , Li Xiangqun , Zhang Yuzhu , Wang Xiaodong
Published: November 2024

During the milling process of aramid honeycomb, residual stresses arise, which will affect the surface quality of the honeycomb. Studies have shown that reasonable processing techniques can reduce residual stresses, indicating a close relationship between residual processing stresses and the processing parameters, such as technique. By investigating the changes in residual stresses after the processing of aramid honeycomb materials, the influence of processing techniques on these changes is analyzed. Leveraging the correlation between residual stresses and surface quality, this study proposes the use of residual stress as an indicator for evaluating processing techniques. The longitudinal–torsional ultrasonic vibration milling method is applied to the processing of aramid honeycombs. A single-factor experimental approach is adopted, utilizing ABAQUS 2020 software to mimic the longitudinal–torsional ultrasonic milling process. This study explores the influence patterns of various process parameters on the residual stresses generated during the milling of honeycombs. The simulation results indicate that within the selected range, the residual stress decreases as the tool rotation speed increases, while it increases with the increase in feed rate. The influence of milling depth on residual stress can be negligible. Furthermore, experiments were conducted based on the proposed correlation between residual stress and surface quality. The experimental results show good agreement with the simulation results, indicating that under reasonable process parameters, the residual stress values decrease, thereby improving the milling surface quality of aramid honeycomb materials. Therefore, measuring residual stress can serve as an effective method for evaluating the processing technique.
Slow Magnetic Relaxation in a [Co4O4] Cubane Complex with Tridentate NNO-Schiff Base Ligands
Authors: Suemitsu Yuki , Amakusa Yoshitaka , Yoshino Haruka , Ohba Masaaki , Koikawa Masayuki
Published: November 2024

Two tetranuclear Co(II) complexes, [Co4(pmab)4Cl4] (1) and [Co4(pmab)4(OBz)2]Cl2 (2) [Hpmab = 2-{(p-pyridinylmethylene)amino}benzenemethanol], have been synthesized and characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. Structural analysis revealed that both complexes possess a [Co4O4] cubane-like metal core connected by μ3-alkoxo bridges. Magnetic measurements of Complex 1 indicate weak ferromagnetic interactions (J ~ +0.75 cm−1) within the tetranuclear core, while Complex 2 exhibits antiferromagnetic behavior due to the presence of syn-syn bridging benzoate ligands. Alternating current (AC) magnetic measurements suggest that Complex 1 exhibits slow magnetic relaxation behavior.
Two New 2p–3d Metal Complexes with a Nitronyl-Nitroxide Ligand Derived from o-Vanillin: Synthesis, Crystals Structures and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Spinu Cristian Andrei , Martins Daniel O. T. A. , Mocanu Teodora , Hillebrand Mihaela , Sutter Jean-Pascal , Tuna Floriana , Andruh Marius
Published: November 2024

Two new 2p–3d complexes, (Et3NH)[ML(hfac)2], have been obtained using the nitronyl-nitroxide radical (HL) derived from 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde (M = Mn 1; Co 2). The two compounds are isomorphous and their structures consist of anionic mononuclear species, [M(hfac)2L]−, M = Mn 1; Co 2, and triethylammonium cations, Et3NH+. The metal ions adopt an octahedral geometry, being coordinated by phenoxido and aminoxyl oxygen atoms from the ligand and four oxygen atoms from the hexafluoroacetylacetonato (hfac−) ligand. The cryomagnetic behaviors of the two compounds reveal relatively strong antiferromagnetic M(II)-Rad interactions (JMnRad = −191 cm−1, JCoRad = −166 cm−1 with H = −JSMSRad). The EPR spectra (X- and Q-band) of compound 1 below 70 K show the characteristical features of a S = 2 spin system with zero field splitting terms of D = 0.26 cm−1 and E = 0.031 cm−1.
New Cryptanalysis of Prime Power RSA with Two Private Exponents
Authors: Wang Shixiong , Sun Minghao
Published: November 2024

Prime Power RSA is a variant of the RSA scheme due to Takagi with modulus N=prq for r⩾2, where p,q are of the same bit-size. In this paper, we concentrate on one type of Prime Power RSA which assumes e·d≡1modpr−1(p−1)(q−1). Two new attacks on this type of Prime Power RSA are presented when given two pairs of public and private exponents, namely, (e1,d1) and (e2,d2) with the same modulus N. Suppose that d1<Nβ1,d2<Nβ2. In 2015, Zheng and Hu showed that when β1β2<(r−1)3/(r+1)3, N may be factored in probabilistic polynomial time. The first attack of this paper shows that one can obtain the factorization of N in probabilistic polynomial time, provided that β1β2<r/(r+1)3. Later, in the second attack, we improve both the first attack and the attack of Zheng and Hu, and show that the condition β1β2<r(r−1)2/(r+1)3 already suffices to break the Prime Power RSA. By introducing multiple parameters, our lattice constructions take full advantage of known information, and obtain the best known attack. Specifically, we make full use of the information that pr is a divisor of N, while the attack of Zheng and Hu only assumes that pr−1 is a divisor of N. As a consequence, this method implies a better lattice construction, and thus improves the previous attack. The experiments which reach a better upper bound than before also verify it. Our approaches are based on Coppersmith’s method for finding small roots of bivariate modular polynomial equations.
Missing Data Imputation in Balanced Construction for Incomplete Block Designs
Authors: Yu Haiyan , Han Bing , Rios Nicholas , Chen Jianbin
Published: November 2024

Observational data with massive sample sizes are often distributed on many local machines. From an experimental design perspective, investigators often desire to identify the effect of new treatments (even ML algorithms) on many blocks of experimental data. With time requirements or budget constraints, assigning all treatments to each block is not always feasible. This creates incomplete responses with respect to a randomized complete block design (RCBD). These incomplete responses are missing by design. However, whether they can be estimated with missing imputation methods is not well understood. Thus, it is challenging to correctly identify the treatment effects with missing data. To this end, this paper provides a method for imputation and analysis of the responses with missing data. The proposed method consists of three steps: Reconstruction, Imputation, and ‘Complete’-data Analysis (RICA). The incomplete responses are imputed with the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The RCBD model is then fitted by the resulting dataset. The identifiability result suggests that the missing may be nonignorable for each block, but the whole data of an incomplete design are missing by design when the design is balanced. Theoretical results on relative efficiency also inform us when the missingness should be imputed for incomplete designs with the role of balanced variance. Applications on real-world data verify the efficacy of this method.
Optimizing Traveler Behavior Between MADINA and JEDDA Using UPPAAL Stratego: A Stochastic Priced Timed Games Approach
Authors: Krichen Moez , Harbaoui Ahmed
Published: November 2024

This study looks at how travelers move between MADINA and JEDDA, using the UPPAAL Stratego tool to tackle the complexities of urban mobility. As cities grow, effective transportation planning becomes more challenging. Travelers have three options: car, bus, and train. The choices for car and bus travel are impacted by traffic conditions, which can vary between heavy and light, affecting both travel time and cost. We propose a detailed mathematical model that captures all possible scenarios related to these travel options, incorporating the uncertainties of real life. This allows us to simulate different traffic situations. By using UPPAAL Stratego, we evaluate three strategies: the Safe Strategy, which minimizes risk; the Fast Strategy, which aims to reduce travel time; and the Fast and Safe Strategy, which seeks a balance between speed and safety. This paper starts with an introduction to the Stochastic Priced Timed Games approach, highlighting its relevance in modeling dynamic travel environments. We then provide an overview of UPPAAL Stratego, showcasing its abilities in generating, optimizing, and comparing strategies. Next, we outline our mathematical model, explaining the assumptions, parameters, and data sources we used. Our simulation results illustrate how each strategy performs under different conditions, shedding light on traveler preferences and behaviors. The findings underscore the significance of accounting for traffic variability in travel planning and offer important insights for urban transportation policies aimed at improving the traveler experience and optimizing resource use. Additionally, we emphasize the theoretical contributions of our model by demonstrating its applicability to real-world scenarios and its potential to inform future research in urban mobility optimization. Ultimately, this research adds to the growing knowledge of smart transportation systems, demonstrating how formal mathematical modeling can address complex real-world challenges and inform future urban mobility strategies.
A Higher-Order Theory for Nonlinear Dynamic of an FG Porous Piezoelectric Microtube Exposed to a Periodic Load
Authors: Al Muhammadi Marwa F. S. , Al Mukahal Fatemah H. H. , Sobhy Mohammed
Published: November 2024

This paper investigates the nonlinear dynamic deflection, natural frequency, and wave propagation in functionally graded (FG) porous piezoelectric microscale tubes under periodic load, hygrothermal conditions, and an external electric field. The piezoelectric material used to make the smart microtubes has pores that may be smoothly changed or uniformly distributed over the tube wall. Here, three types of porosity distribution are taken into consideration. The nonlinear motion equations are constructed using a novel shear deformation beam theory and the modified couple stress theory (MCST). The nonlinear motion equations are solved using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta technique and the Galerkin approach. The effects of various geometric parameters, porosity distribution type, porosity factor, periodic load amplitude and frequency, material length scale parameter, moisture, and temperature on the nonlinear dynamic deflection, natural frequency, and wave frequency of FG porous piezoelectric microtubes are explored through a number of parametric investigations.
A Comparative View of Becker, Lomnitz, and Lambert Linear Viscoelastic Models
Authors: González-Santander Juan Luis , Mainardi Francesco
Published: November 2024

We compare the classical viscoelastic models due to Becker and Lomnitz with respect to a recent viscoelastic model based on the Lambert W function. We take advantage of this comparison to derive new analytical expressions for the relaxation spectrum in the Becker and Lomnitz models, as well as novel integral representations for the retardation and relaxation spectra in the Lambert model. In order to derive these analytical expressions, we have used the analytical properties of the exponential integral and the Lambert W function, as well as the Titchmarsh’s inversion formula of the Stieltjes transform. In addition, we prove some interesting inequalities by comparing the different models considered, as well as the non-negativity of the retardation and relaxation spectral functions. This means that the complete monotonicity of the rate of creep and the relaxation functions is satisfied, as required by the classical theory of linear viscoelasticity.
Integration of Foundation Models and Federated Learning in AIoT-Based Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems
Authors: Kabashkin Igor
Published: November 2024

The study presents a comprehensive framework for integrating foundation models (FMs), federated learning (FL), and Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) technologies to enhance aircraft health monitoring systems (AHMSs). The proposed architecture uses the strengths of both centralized and decentralized learning approaches, combining the broad knowledge capture of foundation models with the privacy-preserving and adaptive nature of federated learning. Through extensive simulations on a representative aircraft fleet, the integrated FM + FL approach demonstrated consistently superior performance compared to standalone implementations across multiple key metrics, including prediction accuracy, model size efficiency, and convergence speed. The framework establishes a robust digital twin ecosystem for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and fleet-wide optimization. Comparative analysis reveals significant improvements in anomaly detection capabilities and reduced false alarm rates compared to traditional methods. The study conducts a systematic evaluation of the benefits and limitations of FM, FL, and integrated approaches in AHMS, examining their implications for system robustness, scalability, and security. Statistical analysis confirms that the integrated approach substantially enhances precision and recall in identifying potential failures while optimizing computational resources and training time. This paper outlines a detailed aviation ecosystem architecture integrating these advanced AI technologies across centralized processing, client, and communication domains. Future research directions are identified, focusing on improving model efficiency, ensuring generalization across diverse operational conditions, and addressing regulatory and ethical considerations.
Solving Viscous Burgers’ Equation: Hybrid Approach Combining Boundary Layer Theory and Physics-Informed Neural Networks
Authors: Ortiz Ortiz Rubén Darío , Martínez Núñez Oscar , Marín Ramírez Ana Magnolia
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we develop a hybrid approach to solve the viscous Burgers’ equation by combining classical boundary layer theory with modern Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs). The boundary layer theory provides an approximate analytical solution to the equation, particularly in regimes where viscosity dominates. PINNs, on the other hand, offer a data-driven framework that can address complex boundary and initial conditions more flexibly. We demonstrate that PINNs capture the key dynamics of the Burgers’ equation, such as shock wave formation and the smoothing effects of viscosity, and show how the combination of these methods provides a powerful tool for solving nonlinear partial differential equations.
Local Directional Difference and Relational Descriptor for Texture Classification
Authors: Yan Weidan , Dong Yongsheng
Published: November 2024

The local binary pattern (LBP) has been widely used for extracting texture features. However, the LBP and most of its variants tend to focus on pixel units within small neighborhoods, neglecting differences in direction and relationships among different directions. To alleviate this issue, in this paper, we propose a novel local directional difference and relational descriptor (LDDRD) for texture classification. Our proposed LDDRD utilizes information from multiple pixels along the radial direction. Specifically, a directional difference pattern (DDP) is first extracted by performing binary encoding on the differences between the central pixel and multiple neighboring pixels along the radial direction. Furthermore, by taking the central pixel as a reference, we extract the directional relation pattern (DRP) by comparing binary encodings representing different directions. Finally, we fuse the above DDP and DRP to form the LDDRD feature vector. Experimental results on six texture datasets reveal that our proposed LDDRD is effective and outperforms eight representative methods.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Active Vitamin D Use in Experimental Rat Lymphedema Model
Authors: Aksöyler Dicle , Kozanoğlu Erol , Korkut Mehmet , Akpınar Ömer Faruk , Çaylı Muhammet , Yücel Hüseyin Can , Akalın Bora , Özdemir İlkay , Sağ Fatma Beyza , Solakoğlu Seyhun , Mayadağlı Alpaslan , Arıncı Rıfat Atılla , Losco Luigi
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: Lymphedema is a progressive, chronic condition. Traumatic damage to the lymphatics, removal of lymph nodes, and/or radiation are the major causes of fibrosis and a subsequent pathological cascade. Macrophages play a crucial role in wound healing, with M1 macrophages known for their pro-inflammatory effects and M2 macrophages recognized for their anti-inflammatory effects, including improved angiogenesis, lymph angiogenesis, and tissue healing. This study aims to assess the use of calcitriol to alter the M2/M1 macrophage balance, reduce tissue fibrosis in a lymphedema model, promote new micro-lymphatic vessel formation, and evaluate the benefits of active vitamin D. Material and Methods: Forty-five rats were randomly divided into three groups: control surgery (group A), surgery with preoperative–postoperative calcitriol (group B), and postoperative calcitriol (group C). One week after the surgical ablation a total dose of 20 Gy radiation therapy was administered to the operated groin region. Micro-computed tomography was used for limb volume calculation, fluorescence lymphatic imaging was used to assess the presence of lymphedema, and histopathological analyses were conducted to evaluate the M1/M2 macrophage ratio, fibrosis accumulation, and lymph angiogenesis. Results: The micro-computed tomography evaluation revealed that 75% of the rats of group A exhibited long-lasting lymphedema. In group B, the initial lymphedema ratio was the lowest, affecting only 25% of the rats. After ligating the main vessels, a linear lymphatic microvascular structure was observed in groups B and C. Group B had a significant increase in M2 macrophages and newly formed lymphatic vessels (p < 0.05). However, group A showed a significant elevation of M1 macrophages and collagen accumulation (p < 0.05) in the surgically treated hind limb. Conclusions: Both histological analyses and clinical results reported a relevant influence of calcitriol administration. Among all groups, the most favorable outcomes were seen in group B (prophylaxis group). Hence, calcitriol administration could play a crucial role in enhancing the migration of M2 macrophages to the damaged tissue. Such migration may contribute to lymphedema resolution either by enhancing the organization of superficial lymphatic vessels or resolving fibrosis, or with a combination of both these mechanisms.
Short-Term Changes in TNF-Alpha, IL-6 and Adiponectin Following Bariatric Surgery in Caucasian Obese Adults: An Observational Case–Control Study
Authors: Ion Razvan-Marius , Hutanu Adina , Sala Daniela Tatiana , Muresan Mircea Gabriel , Fodor Stefania R. , Voidazan Septimiu , Beresescu Gabriela , Neagoe Radu Mircea
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: Overweight and obesity are well-known conditions that negatively impact the health and lifestyle of an individual. Bariatric surgery is one of the most efficient weight loss techniques. Besides the main effect on the bodyweight, improvement in the levels of inflammatory biomarkers, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalfa), and others, has been observed. The purpose of this study was to establish the correlations between obesity-linked chronic systemic inflammation (estimated with inflammatory cytokine levels) and the weight loss process after metabolic surgery. Materials and Methods: An observational cohort study included two categories: the patients with obesity–bariatric group and the patients without obesity–control group. The study was performed between 1 February 2021 and 1 March 2023. Baseline characteristics, anthropometrics, biochemical assessment and inflammatory biomarkers were measured both before surgery and one year after the procedure, in the case of the bariatric group. The control group was assessed in the same period as the pre-surgery bariatric group. The bariatric group underwent two types of bariatric procedures: the majority underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy whereas a select few underwent one anastomosis laparoscopic gastric bypass. Results: We performed a prospective study comprising 55 Caucasian patients—from which 33 patients had morbid obesity, a mean age of 41.76 ± 10.78 and a mean BMI of 43.34± 7.51 kg/m2. The preoperative levels of IL-6 were positively correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.354, p = 0.043), weight (r = 0.549, p = 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.520, p = 0.002). After applying the Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn’s test, significant differences for IL-6 (p = 0.010) and adiponectin (p = 0.024) were obtained for values recorded pre- and post-surgery. No correlation was found between adiponectin, IL-6, TNF- α levels and anthropometric indices after surgery. Our study showed that bariatric surgery significantly changes the values of inflammatory cytokines one year after surgery. Nevertheless, we did not find significant correlations between the baseline values of these inflammatory markers and the weight loss process after surgery at a short-term (one-year) follow-up. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that bariatric surgery significantly changes the level of inflammatory cytokines one year after operation. We demonstrate that preoperative levels of IL-6 are positively correlated with age, WC, and BMI.
Improved Masticatory Performance in the Partially Edentulous Rehabilitated with Conventional Dental Prostheses
Authors: Lopez-Cordon Maria Angeles , Khoury-Ribas Laura , Rovira-Lastra Bernat , Ayuso-Montero Raul , Martinez-Gomis Jordi
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: Oral rehabilitation seeks to enhance mastication, a vital component of oral function that is compromised by tooth loss. This study aimed to assess the degree of improvement of masticatory performance in partially edentulous patients rehabilitated with removable partial dentures (RPD) or fixed partial dental prosthesis (FPDP). Changes in the occlusal contact area (OCA) and satisfaction with their chewing ability during the adaptation period were also evaluated. Materials and Methods: in total, 34 partially edentulous participants (median age 65.3 years; 56% women) who received an RPD or FPDP were assessed using masticatory performance assay, OCA calculation, and a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Masticatory performance improved by 20% (range from 17% to 25%, p < 0.05) depending on the edentulism and the rehabilitation types. The OCA improved by 4.7 mm2 (p < 0.05) and satisfaction with the masticatory function improved by 9% (p < 0.05) 3 months after prosthesis insertion. Conclusions: Conventional prostheses benefited partially edentulous individuals, improving masticatory performance by 20%. Treatment also increased the OCA in all types of partial edentulism, except in Kennedy class I patients rehabilitated with RPD. Patients’ satisfaction with their chewing ability only increased in Kennedy class III patients rehabilitated with RPD.
Comparison of Prognostic Values of Seven Immune Indexes in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Nivolumab: How Effective Can They Be Regarding Our Treatment Decisions?
Authors: Ulas Arife , Temel Beyza , Kos Fahriye Tugba
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the impact of seven immune indexes on treatment response and survival outcomes in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving second-line and subsequent nivolumab treatment under real-life conditions. Materials and Methods: The pan-immune inflammation value (PIV), systemic immune inflammation value (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (d-NLR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were calculated. All immune indexes were classified as low and high based on cut-off values. Kaplan–Meier and Cox hazard models were used for survival analysis. Results: The median follow-up was 22.0 months (6.0–96.0). The median overall survival (OS) was 30.0 months and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.0 months. In the univariate analysis, comorbidity (p = 0.03) and nivolumab use for more than eight cycles (p < 0.0001) were associated with an increase in PFS, while smoking history (p < 0.005) and d-NLR (p < 0.05) were more effective regarding OS. Patients who received more than eight cycles of nivolumab had longer median PFS (4 vs. 19 months, p < 0.001) and OS (23 vs. 43 months, p < 0.001). We found longer median OS in the PLR (45.7 vs. 75.4 months; p = 0.05), PIV (53.0 vs. 66.4 months; p = 0.19), SII (50.0 vs. 71.9 vs. months, p = 0.19), and NLR (49.9 vs. 74.55 months, p = 0.10) indexes in nivolumab long-term users (high vs. low groups, respectively). In short-term users of nivolumab, only d-NLR median OS (high vs. low, 19 vs. 75.2 months, p = 0.07) was different. Complete and partial response rates to nivolumab treatment were higher in the PNI-high group (p = 0.04). Conclusions: In these real-life data, we determined that the PLR, PIV, SII, and NLR indexes were effective in the prognosis of patients who received PD1 inhibitor nivolumab for a long time, and the d-NLR index was effective in those who developed progression in a short time. We found that the PNI was effective in patients who responded well to ICI treatment.
Transforming Diabetes Care: The Expanding Role of DPP-4 Inhibitors in Cardiovascular and Renal Protection
Authors: Epelde Francisco
Published: November 2024

The approach to managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has significantly progressed, evolving beyond strict glycemic control to addressing the wider complications associated with the disease, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) [...]
Advances in Imaging-Based Machine Learning and Therapeutic Technology in the Management of Retinal Diseases
Authors: Ong Joshua , Chhablani Jay
Published: November 2024

Retinal conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), and retinal vein occlusion can drastically affect a patient’s quality of life [...]
The Trend of Changes in Adiponectin, Resistin, and Adiponectin–Resistin Index Values in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with the Development of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Fajkić Almir , Jahić Rijad , Ejubović Malik , Đešević Miralem , Ejubović Amira Jagodić , Lepara Orhan
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the novel adiponectin–resistin (AR) index as a predictor of the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MetS is common in T2DM and increases cardiovascular risk. Adiponectin and resistin, adipokines with opposing effects on insulin sensitivity and inflammation, make the AR index a potential marker for metabolic risk. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 80 T2DM participants (ages 30–60) from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, over 24 months. The participants were divided into two groups: T2DM with MetS (n = 48) and T2DM without MetS (n = 32). Anthropometric data, biochemical analyses, and serum levels of adiponectin and resistin were measured at baseline and every six months. The AR index was calculated using the formula AR = 1 + log10(R) − 1 + log10(A), where R and A represent resistin and adiponectin concentrations. Logistic regression identified predictors of MetS. Results: T2DM patients who developed MetS showed a significant decline in adiponectin levels (40.19 to 32.49 ng/mL, p = 0.02) and a rise in resistin levels (284.50 to 315.21 pg/mL, p = 0.001). The AR index increased from 2.85 to 2.98 (p = 0.001). The AR index and resistin were independent predictors of MetS after 18 months, with the AR index showing a stronger predictive value (p = 0.007; EXP(B) = 1.265). Conclusions: The AR index is a practical marker for predicting MetS development in T2DM participants, improving metabolic risk stratification. Incorporating it into clinical assessments may enhance early detection and treatment strategies.