bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Review of Small-Molecule Inhibitors Targeting Bruton Tyrosine Kinase: Synthetic Approaches and Clinical Applications
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wen Changming , Zhao Lijie , Wang Yatao
Published: December 2023

Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) is an essential enzyme in the signaling pathway of the B-cell receptor (BCR) and is vital for the growth and activation of B-cells. Dysfunction of BTK has been linked to different types of B-cell cancers, autoimmune conditions, and inflammatory ailments. Therefore, focusing on BTK has become a hopeful approach in the field of therapeutics. Small-molecule inhibitors of BTK have been developed to selectively inhibit its activity and disrupt B-cell signaling pathways. These inhibitors bind to the active site of BTK and prevent its phosphorylation, leading to the inhibition of downstream signaling cascades. Regulatory authorities have granted approval to treat B-cell malignancies, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), with multiple small-molecule BTK inhibitors. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of the synthesis and clinical application of conventional small-molecule BTK inhibitors at various clinical stages, as well as presents promising prospects for the advancement of new small-molecule BTK inhibitors.
Characteristics and Key Features of Antimicrobial Materials and Associated Mechanisms for Diverse Applications
Authors: Agarwalla Aaruci , Ahmed Waleed , Al-Marzouqi Ali H. , Rizvi Tahir A. , Khan Mushtaq , Zaneldin Essam
Published: December 2023

Since the Fourth Industrial Revolution, three-dimensional (3D) printing has become a game changer in manufacturing, particularly in bioengineering, integrating complex medical devices and tools with high precision, short operation times, and low cost. Antimicrobial materials are a promising alternative for combating the emergence of unforeseen illnesses and device-related infections. Natural antimicrobial materials, surface-treated biomaterials, and biomaterials incorporated with antimicrobial materials are extensively used to develop 3D-printed products. This review discusses the antimicrobial mechanisms of different materials by providing examples of the most commonly used antimicrobial materials in bioengineering and brief descriptions of their properties and biomedical applications. This review will help researchers to choose suitable antimicrobial agents for developing high-efficiency biomaterials for potential applications in medical devices, packaging materials, biomedical applications, and many more.
Risk Factors of Low Bone Mineral Density in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Ahn Moon Bae , Yoo In Hyuk
Published: December 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with an increasing worldwide incidence. IBD is frequently diagnosed during childhood in the adolescent period of ongoing growth and development, and it can affect patients’ linear growth, puberty, nutrition, and bone health. Therefore, its treatment and monitoring are critical to prevent secondary outcomes. However, few studies have highlighted the association between pediatric IBD and skeletal outcomes in Asian populations. We aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean children and adolescents with newly diagnosed IBD. Patients aged 10–18 years diagnosed with either Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) who underwent lumbar spine bone mineral density (LSBMD) and femoral bone mineral density (FBMD) analyses via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the time of IBD diagnosis were included. Low BMD was considered when the age- and sex-matched BMD Z-score was <−1.0. The LSBMD and FBMD Z-scores were correlated with clinical parameters, including general characteristics, anthropometry, and IBD-associated laboratory markers. Regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for low BMD. Although the general characteristics between CD (n = 42) and UC (n = 9) groups did not differ, the mean Z-scores of LSBMD and FBMD of the 51 subjects were −0.11 ± 1.24 and −0.58 ± 1.38, respectively. Furthermore, 7.8% and 18% of the study subjects had LSBMD and FBMD Z-scores < −2.0, whereas more than 50% had scores of 0–−1.0. Among the clinical factors, body mass index (BMI) Z-score, duration of clinical manifestations, and serum alanine aminotransferase and selenium levels were associated with LSBMD Z-scores in the final multivariate regression analyses. Odds ratios of BMI < −2.0 standard deviation for low LSBMD and FBMD Z-scores were 31.97 and 41.45, respectively. A BMI Z-score < −0.93 was determined as the best cut-off for predicting low BMD. In newly diagnosed pediatric IBD, a substantial number of children are likely to have low BMD in prior to initial treatment while lower BMI, longer duration of clinical manifestation, and higher selenium concentration could affect initial BMD status. Routine bone health surveillance from initial IBD diagnosis throughout the treatment’s completion is recommended for preventing the early development of secondary osteoporosis.
Totum-070, a Polyphenol-Rich Plant Extract, Prevents Hypercholesterolemia in High-Fat Diet-Fed Hamsters by Inhibiting Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption
Authors: Langhi Cédric , Vallier Marie , Otero Yolanda F. , Maura Maheva , Le Joubioux Florian , Groult Hugo , Achour Oussama , Pebriana Ratna Budhi , Giera Martin , Guigas Bruno , Maugard Thierry , Chassaing Benoit , Peltier Sébastien , Bard Jean-Marie , Sirvent Pascal
Published: December 2023

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and hypercholesterolemia is a central risk factor for atherosclerosis. This study evaluated the effects of Totum-070, a plant-based polyphenol-rich supplement, in hamsters with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced dyslipidemia. The molecular mechanisms of action were explored using human Caco2 enterocytes. Totum-070 supplementation reduced the total cholesterol (−41%), non-HDL cholesterol (−47%), and triglycerides (−46%) in a dose-dependent manner, compared with HFD. HFD-induced hepatic steatosis was also significantly decreased by Totum-070, an effect associated with the reduction in various lipid and inflammatory gene expression. Upon challenging with olive oil gavage, the post-prandial triglyceride levels were strongly reduced. The sterol excretion in the feces was increased in the HFD-Totum-070 groups compared with the HFD group and associated with reduction of intestinal cholesterol absorption. These effects were confirmed in the Caco2 cells, where incubation with Totum-070 inhibited cholesterol uptake and apolipoprotein B secretion. Furthermore, a microbiota composition analysis revealed a strong effect of Totum-070 on the alpha and beta diversity of bacterial species and a significant decrease in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. Altogether, our findings indicate that Totum-070 lowers hypercholesterolemia by reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption, suggesting that its use as dietary supplement may be explored as a new preventive strategy for cardiovascular diseases.
Assessing Antecedents of Restaurant’s Brand Trust and Brand Loyalty, and Moderating Role of Food Healthiness
Authors: Sun Kyung-A , Moon Joonho
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this research was to apply DINESERV to a food brand: Shake Shack. Six sub-dimensions (e.g., taste, healthiness, employee service, price fairness, ambience, and convenience) were adopted. This study used brand trust and brand loyalty to explain attributes. This research additionally assessed the moderating impact of healthiness on the relationship between taste and brand loyalty. For data collection, this study used Amazon Mechanical Turk. The main instrument of this research is a survey. The number of valid observations was 353. Confirmatory factor analysis and a correlation matrix were used to ensure the convergent and discriminant validity of measurement items. Structural equation modeling was employed for hypothesis testing. Plus, Hayes process macro model 1 was employed to test the moderating effect of healthiness. Results indicated that brand trust was positively associated with taste (p < 0.05), employee service (p < 0.05), and ambience (p < 0.05), while brand loyalty was positively associated with taste (p < 0.05), healthiness (p < 0.05), price fairness (p < 0.05), ambience (p < 0.05), and brand trust (p < 0.05). However, the convenience of casual restaurants appeared as a non-significant attribute to account for both brand trust and brand loyalty. The results also revealed that healthiness negatively moderates the relationship between taste and brand loyalty (p < 0.05). This study sheds light on the literature by demonstrating the accountability of DINESERV to casual dining customer behavior. Also, this research presents information for the assistance of brand management in the domain of casual dining sector.
Seasonal Serum 25(OH) Vitamin D Level and Reproductive or Immune Markers in Reproductive-Aged Women with Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study in East Japan
Authors: Ota Kuniaki , Mitsui Junichiro , Katsumata Shoko , Takayanagi Yuko , Nako Yurie , Tajima Makiko , Komiya Akira , Takahashi Toshifumi , Kawai Kiyotaka
Published: December 2023

Several studies have reported that vitamin D may modify human reproductive functions; however, the results are conflicting. We aimed to comprehensively evaluate serum vitamin D levels and examine the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and ovarian reserve markers, and immune markers of implantation, in reproductive-aged Japanese women with infertility.in reproductive-aged women with infertility. This cross-sectional, single-center study included reproductive-aged women who underwent preconception screening for fertility. Serum vitamin D levels and reproductive and immune markers were measured. Standard and advanced statistical techniques were used. We observed a statistically significant difference in the seasonal and monthly 25(OH) vitamin D levels; the 25(OH) vitamin D level during winter was the lowest among all seasons. However, there was no linear correlation between 25(OH) vitamin D levels and ovarian reserve markers, such as follicle-stimulating hormone and anti-Müllerian hormone, or the Th1/Th2 cell ratio, which is used as an implantation-related immunological marker. In this large-scale study, we evaluated the serum 25(OH) vitamin D concentration in reproductive-aged women with infertility in Japan; however, there was no association between reproductive function and vitamin D levels.
The Health Effects of Low Glycemic Index and Low Glycemic Load Interventions on Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Literature Review of RCTs
Authors: Peres Maria , Costa Helena S. , Silva Mafalda Alexandra , Albuquerque Tânia Gonçalves
Published: December 2023

Diets with a low glycemic index (GI) and a low glycemic load (GL) can improve glycemic control, blood lipids, blood pressure and BMI in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), but evidence regarding other aspects of cardiometabolic health is limited. We searched the literature for RCTs published from 2013 to 2023 and reviewed the evidence on low-GI/GL diets and their effects on different aspects of health in prediabetes and T2DM, aiming to build a report on all relevant outcomes included in the studies. We included 14 RCTs with 1055 participants, who were mostly middle-aged individuals with T2DM. Interventions were mostly low GI and lasted 1–36 months. Low-GI/GL foods and diets showed benefits in terms of short-term glycemic control, weight and adiposity. Longer-term trials would be necessary to determine whether these benefits persist over time and/or lead to lower CVD risk and mortality. Effects on lipid profile were inconsistent. Some studies also reported positive effects of low-GI/GL interventions on blood pressure, inflammatory biomarkers, renal function and gut microbiota composition. Future trials should focus on some of these novel outcome measures, which may provide important insights into the metabolic effects of low-GI diets on individuals with diabetes.
Causal Effect of Selenium Levels on Osteoporosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Li Jinjie , Li Hong , Ullah Amin , Yao Shuyuan , Lyu Quanjun , Kou Guangning
Published: December 2023

Prior research has demonstrated equivocal associations between selenium (Se) concentrations and osteoporosis (OP), yielding inconclusive findings. The purpose of the current study was to examine the potential correlation between Se levels and the risk of OP by using the Mendelian randomization (MR) study design. The genetic variants related to Se levels were obtained from a meta-analysis of a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) conducted on toenail Se levels (n = 4162) and blood Se levels (n = 5477). The data summary for OP and bone mineral density (BMD) was obtained by utilizing the GWAS database. To examine the association between Se levels and BMD and OP, we employed three statistical methods: inverse variance weighted, weighted median, and MR-Egger. The reliability of the analysis was verified by sensitivity testing. All three methods of MR analysis revealed that Se levels had no effect on OP risk. In addition, the sensitivity analysis revealed no heterogeneity or pleiotropy, and the significance of the overall effect remained unaffected by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as determined by the leave-one-out analysis, indicating that our findings are relatively reliable. The results of our study indicate that there is no causal association between Se levels and the risk of OP. However, additional investigation is necessary to ascertain whether there is a potential association between these variables.
Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Management of Bone Loss in Patients with Critical Illness
Authors: Kim Taejin , Kim Hyojin
Published: December 2023

Patients with critical illnesses are at higher risk of comorbidities, which can include bone mineral density loss, bone turnover marker increase, and fragility fractures. Patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) have a higher risk of bone fractures. Since hypermetabolism is a characteristic of ICU patients, such patients are often rapidly affected by systemic deterioration, which often results in systemic wasting disease. Major risk factors for ICU-related bone loss include physical restraint, inflammation, neuroendocrine stress, malnutrition, and medications. A medical history of critical illness should be acknowledged as a risk factor for impaired bone metabolism. Bone loss associated with ICU admission should be recognized as a key component of post-intensive care syndrome, and further research that focuses on treatment protocols and prevention strategies is required. Studies aimed at maintaining gut integrity have emphasized protein administration and nutrition, while research is ongoing to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of anti-resorptive agents and physical therapy. This review examines both current and innovative clinical strategies that are used for identifying risk factors of bone loss. It provides an overview of perioperative outcomes and discusses the emerging novel treatment modalities. Furthermore, the review presents future directions in the treatment of ICU-related bone loss.
Research Progress of Metal Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Bai Yun , Aodeng Gerile , Ga Lu , Hai Wenfeng , Ai Jun
Published: December 2023

Cancer treatments, including traditional chemotherapy, have failed to cure human malignancies. The main reasons for the failure of these treatments are the inevitable drug resistance and serious side effects. In clinical treatment, only 5 percent of the 50 percent of cancer patients who are able to receive conventional chemotherapy survive. Because of these factors, being able to develop a drug and treatment that can target only cancer cells without affecting normal cells remains a big challenge. Since the special properties of cisplatin in the treatment of malignant tumors were accidentally discovered in the last century, metal anticancer drugs have become a research hotspot. Metal anticancer drugs have unique pharmaceutical properties, such as ruthenium metal drugs with their high selectivity, low toxicity, easy absorption by tumor tissue, excretion, and so on. In recent years, efficient and low-toxicity metal antitumor complexes have been synthesized. In this paper, the scientific literature on platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), gold (Au), and other anticancer complexes was reviewed by referring to a large amount of relevant literature at home and abroad.
Mueller-Polarimetry of Barley Leaves I: Depolarization Metrics
Authors: Savenkov Sergey , Oberemok Yevgen , Kolomiets Ivan , Muttiah Ranjan
Published: December 2023

In this paper, Mueller polarimetry is applied to study the three groups of common barley leaf samples (Hordeum vulgare) in the visible spectrum (λ = 632.8 nm): Chlorina mutant, Chlorina etiolated mutant and Cesaer varieties. These samples differed in internal leaf structure from genetic mutation or by illumination during growth. Our main concern is to discriminate and characterize these three groups of leaf samples by depolarization metrics: degree of polarization (DoP), average degree of polarization (Average DoP), depolarization index (DI(M)), and Q(M) and R(M) metrics. The results obtained show that all depolarization metrics are sensitive to the sample’s polarization properties. The most effective observable is the Q(M) metric in both forward and backward scattering. The DoP metric showed presence of depolarization anisotropy, which is significantly different for forward and backward scattering for all three groups of samples. Dichroism is observed for both forward and backward scattering, with lower dichroism in forward scattering.
Self-Sustained Chaotic Jumping of Liquid Crystal Elastomer Balloon under Steady Illumination
Authors: Sun Xin , Dai Yuntong , Li Kai , Xu Peibao
Published: December 2023

Self-sustained chaotic jumping systems composed of active materials are characterized by their ability to maintain motion through drawing energy from the steady external environment, holding significant promise in actuators, medical devices, biomimetic robots, and other fields. In this paper, an innovative light-powered self-sustained chaotic jumping system is proposed, which comprises a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) balloon and an elastic substrate. The corresponding theoretical model is developed by combining the dynamic constitutive model of an LCE with Hertz contact theory. Under steady illumination, the stationary LCE balloon experiences contraction and expansion, and through the work of contact expansion between LCE balloon and elastic substrate, it ultimately jumps up from the elastic substrate, achieving self-sustained jumping. Numerical calculations reveal that the LCE balloon exhibits periodic jumping and chaotic jumping under steady illumination. Moreover, we reveal the mechanism underlying self-sustained periodic jumping of the balloon in which the damping dissipation is compensated through balloon contact with the elastic substrate, as well as the mechanism involved behind self-sustained chaotic jumping. Furthermore, we provide insights into the effects of system parameters on the self-sustained jumping behaviors. The emphasis in this study is on the self-sustained chaotic jumping system, and the variation of the balloon jumping modes with parameters is illustrated through bifurcation diagrams. This work deepens the understanding of chaotic motion, contributes to the research of motion behavior control of smart materials, and provides ideas for the bionic design of chaotic vibrators and chaotic jumping robots.
Catalytic Behavior of Cobalt Complexes Bearing Pyridine–Oxime Ligands in Isoprene Polymerization
Authors: Du Yuanxu , Gao Shuo , Ma Hui , Lu Siqi , Zhang Zhenhua , Zhao Mengmeng
Published: December 2023

Several cobalt(II) complexes Co1–Co3 bearing pyridine–oxime ligands (L1 = pyridine-2-aldoxime for Co1; L2 = 6-methylpyridine-2-aldoxime for Co2; L3 = phenyl-2-pyridylketoxime for Co3) and picolinaldehyde O-methyl oxime (L4)-supported Co4 were synthesized and well characterized by FT-IR, mass spectrum and elemental analysis. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction of complex Co2 reveals that the cobalt center of CoCl2 is coordinated with two 6-methylpyridine-2-aldoxime ligands binding with Npyridine and Noxime atoms, which feature a distorted octahedral structure. These Co complexes Co1–Co4 displayed extremely high activity toward isoprene polymerization upon activation with small amount of AlClEt2 in toluene, giving polyisoprene with high activity up to 16.3 × 105 (mol of Co)−1(h)−1. And, the generated polyisoprene displayed high molecular weights and narrow molecular distribution with a cis-1,4-enriched selectivity. The type of cobalt complexes, cocatalyst and reaction temperature all have effects on the polymerization activity but not on the microstructure of polymer.
Sonochemical Synthesis of Magnetite/Poly(lactic acid) Nanocomposites
Authors: de França Juliene Oliveira Campos , Lima Quezia dos Santos , Barbosa Mariana Martins de Melo , Fonseca Ana Lívia Fernandes , Machado Guilherme de França , Dias Sílvia Cláudia Loureiro , Dias José Alves
Published: December 2023

Nanocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and magnetite nanoparticles (MNP-Fe3O4) show promise for applications in biomedical treatments. One key challenge is to improve the stabilization and dispersion of MNP-Fe3O4. To address this, we synthesized MNP-Fe3O4/PLA nanocomposites using ultrasound mediation and a single iron(II) precursor, eliminating the need for surfactants or organic solvents, and conducted the process under ambient conditions. The resulting materials, containing 18 and 33 wt.% Fe3O4, exhibited unique thermal behavior characterized by two mass losses: one at a lower degradation temperature (Td) and another at a higher Td compared to pure PLA. This suggests that the interaction between PLA and MNP-Fe3O4 occurs through hydrogen bonds, enhancing the thermal stability of a portion of the polymer. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis supported this finding, revealing shifts in bands related to the terminal –OH groups of the polymer and the Fe–O bonds, thereby confirming the interaction between the groups. Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that the PLA serves as a protective layer against the oxidation of MNP-Fe3O4 in the 18% MNP-Fe3O4/PLA nanocomposite when exposed to a high-power laser (90 mW). Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses confirmed that the synthetic procedure yields materials with dispersed nanoparticles within the PLA matrix without the need for additional reactants.
Investigation of Novel Solid Dielectric Material for Transformer Windings
Authors: Ersoy Aysel , Atalar Fatih , Aydoğan Alper
Published: December 2023

Improvement techniques aimed at enhancing the dielectric strength and minimizing the dielectric loss of insulation materials have piqued the interest of many researchers. It is worth noting that the electrical breakdown traits of insulation material are determined by their electrochemical and mechanical performance. Possible good mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties of new materials are considered during the generation process. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is often used as a high-voltage insulator due to its favorable mechanical properties, high insulation resistance, lightweight qualities, recovery, large actuation strain, and cost-effectiveness. The elastomer structure of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) enables its application in a broad range of high-voltage (HV) insulation systems. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using TPU on transformer windings as a solid insulator instead of pressboards. The investigation conducted through experiments sheds light on the potential of TPU in expanding the range of insulating materials for HV transformers. Transformers play a crucial role in HV systems, hence the selection of suitable materials like cellulose and polyurethane is of utmost importance. This study involved the preparation of an experimental setup in the laboratory. Breakdown tests were conducted by generating a non-uniform electric field using a needle–plane electrode configuration in a test chamber filled with mineral oil. Various voltages ranging from 14.4 kV to 25.2 kV were applied to induce electric field stress with a step rise of 3.6 kV. The partial discharges and peak numbers were measured based on the predetermined threshold values. The study investigated and compared the behaviors of two solid insulating materials under differing non-electric field stress conditions. Harmonic component analysis was utilized to observe the differences between the two materials. Notably, at 21.6 kV and 25.2 kV, polyurethane demonstrated superior performance compared to pressboard with regards to the threshold value of leakage current.
Flexible Piezoresistive Polystyrene Composite Sensors Filled with Hollow 3D Graphitic Shells
Authors: Guzenko Nataliia , Godzierz Marcin , Kurtyka Klaudia , Hercog Anna , Nocoń-Szmajda Klaudia , Gawron Anna , Szeluga Urszula , Trzebicka Barbara , Yang Ruizhi , Rümmeli Mark H.
Published: December 2023

The objective of this research was to develop highly effective conductive polymer composite (CPC) materials for flexible piezoresistive sensors, utilizing hollow three-dimensional graphitic shells as a highly conductive particulate component. Polystyrene (PS), a cost-effective and robust polymer widely used in various applications such as household appliances, electronics, automotive parts, packaging, and thermal insulation materials, was chosen as the polymer matrix. The hollow spherical three-dimensional graphitic shells (GS) were synthesized through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles serving as a support, which was removed post-synthesis and employed as the conductive filler. Commercial multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as a reference one-dimensional graphene material. The main focus of this study was to investigate the impact of the GS on the piezoresistive response of carbon/polymer composite thin films. The distribution and arrangement of GS and CNTs in the polymer matrix were analyzed using techniques such as X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, while the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the composites were also evaluated. The results revealed that the PS composite films filled with GS exhibited a more pronounced piezoresistive response as compared to the CNT-based composites, despite their lower mechanical and thermal performance.
Impact Response of Monolithic and Laminated Polycarbonate Panels: An Experimental and Numerical Investigation
Authors: Ghavanini Navid , Caporale Antonio Maria , Astori Paolo , Airoldi Alessandro , Panichelli Paolo
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact resistance of monolithic and laminated polycarbonate plates for windshields in motorsport applications through a coupled experimental–numerical study. Both low- and high-velocity impact tests were performed by using a drop tower and a gas gun, respectively, considering a sharp-edged projectile impacting on flat panels. The response of the polycarbonate plates was evaluated in terms of the failure mode, perforation velocity threshold, and energy absorption mechanism. The experiments allowed for the assessment and the generalization of a 3D finite element modeling approach originally developed for supersonic application based on different state-of-the-art constitutive theories, including temperature-dependent and rate-dependent von Mises plasticity coupled with ductile damage, Mie–Grüneisen equation of state, and temperature variation due to energy dissipation under adiabatic assumptions. The approach was completed with a cohesive zone model for a laminate plate and studies were performed to highlight the relevancy of different aspects of material characterization. The tests and numerical analyses performed at different velocity ranges highlight the importance of viscoplastic behavior in a polycarbonate windshield. The numerical approach showed its capability to model the different failure modes for monolithic and laminated panels and capture the perforation velocity thresholds with appreciable accuracy, which were actually found to be quite similar for the two types of panels in the test conditions considered. A numerical investigation suggests that the development of delaminations could lead to the improved energy absorption of laminated polycarbonate. To further assess the numerical model, it was used to successfully predict the penetration threshold velocity of a polycarbonate windshield subjected to a gas gun impact test.
Comparative Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Valorization by Anaerobic Digestion as an Alternative in a Mediterranean Market
Authors: Trujillo-Reyes Ángeles , Jiménez-Páez Elena , Serrano Antonio , Kassab Ghada , Fermoso Fernando G. , Alonso-Fariñas Bernabé
Published: December 2023

Landfilling and incineration are the most widely used methods for the management and treatment of fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) in Mediterranean markets, despite their potential environmental impact. A comparative life cycle assessment was conducted in this study to evaluate the environmental improvements from replacing the current landfill disposal method for FVW management and treatment in the wholesale market of Amman (Jordan) with an integrated anaerobic digestion process followed by composting. The proposed FVW treatment scenario is the best treatment option for all the assessed impact categories under the system expansion approach. Significant reductions in global warming and terrestrial ecotoxicity impacts categories would be achieved, reaching up to 322% and 352%, respectively, when compared to the current treatment scenario. Furthermore, the higher production of electrical energy (413%), as well as the production of co-products that would avoid the production of 100 kg/d of inorganic fertilizers, would contribute to such a low value of avoided impacts.
The Effects of Fluidized Bed Drying, Soaking, and Microwaving on the Phytic Acid Content, Protein Structure, and Digestibility of Dehulled Faba Beans
Authors: Cheng Shu , Skylas Daniel J. , Whiteway Chris , Messina Valeria , Langrish Timothy A. G.
Published: December 2023

Different pre-treatments of pulses affect the content of antinutritional factors and protein digestibility. This study addresses the challenge of removing phytic acid, which is one of the major anti-nutritional factors present in faba beans. From this study, fluidized bed drying at 120 °C and 140 °C removed 8–22% of the phytic acid present. Phytic acid is thermally stable, and drying did not lead to a large reduction in concentration. Greater drying temperatures and drying times had little effect on the removal of phytic acid. Soaking the dehulled faba beans in 0.1% citric acid for 12 h at 37 °C removed 51 ± 11% of the phytic acid. After soaking for 12 h, microwaving the faba beans for two minutes removed over 70% of the phytic acid, including soaking in water or soaking in 0.1% citric acid solution. The mechanism for phytic acid reduction after microwaving appears to be linked with changes in the cotyledon cellular structure of the faba bean, as demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy. The protein secondary structure in the faba bean was modified after microwaving. The in vitro protein digestibility of dehulled faba beans used in this study increased by 15.7% compared with the fresh faba beans of 75.5 ± 0.5%. The in vitro digestibility of dehulled faba beans increased to 88.3 ± 0.6% after two minutes of microwaving, so both dehulling and microwaving improved the digestibility of the faba bean proteins.
Use of Simulated Sunlight Radiation and Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Xenobiotics from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Babić Visković Bruna , Maslač Anamaria , Dolar Davor , Ašperger Danijela
Published: December 2023

Xenobiotics, which include a wide range of synthetic chemicals and compounds, have become a significant threat to water quality and biodiversity. The need for innovative and sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of pollutants on our ecosystems has become a hot topic of numerous discussions and research. One such solution lies in the potential application of simulated solar radiation and hydrogen peroxide to remove pesticides from aqueous solutions. In this paper, we investigated the possibility of removing selected pesticides (acetamiprid, clothianidin, and thiacloprid) under the influence of simulated solar radiation with and without the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The influence of pH value and H2O2 concentration on removal and toxicity before and after photolytic removal was examined. The results showed that clothianidin is almost completely removed (94.80–96.35%) after 5 h under the influence of simulated solar radiation, while thiacloprid and acetamiprid confirm their persistence and resistance to photolytic degradation. The addition of H2O2 leads to the removal of all three pesticides and results in a significant acceleration of the degradation process itself and the removal of the individual pesticides already within 2 h. According to the data obtained, the k values obtained in the paper follow the following trend: clothianidin > thiacloprid > acetamiprid.
Correction: Heuritsch, J. Reflexive Behaviour: How Publication Pressure Affects Research Quality in Astronomy. Publications 2021, 9, 52
Authors: Heuritsch Julia
Published: December 2023

The author was responsible for these errors in the original publication [...]
MSISR-STF: Spatiotemporal Fusion via Multilevel Single-Image Super-Resolution
Authors: Zheng Xiongwei , Feng Ruyi , Fan Junqing , Han Wei , Yu Shengnan , Chen Jia
Published: December 2023

Due to technological limitations and budget constraints, spatiotemporal image fusion uses the complementarity of high temporal–low spatial resolution (HTLS) and high spatial–low temporal resolution (HSLT) data to obtain high temporal and spatial resolution (HTHS) fusion data, which can effectively satisfy the demand for HTHS data. However, some existing spatiotemporal image fusion models ignore the large difference in spatial resolution, which yields worse results for spatial information under the same conditions. Based on the flexible spatiotemporal data fusion (FSDAF) framework, this paper proposes a multilevel single-image super-resolution (SISR) method to solve this issue under the large difference in spatial resolution. The following are the advantages of the proposed method. First, multilevel super-resolution (SR) can effectively avoid the limitation of a single SR method for a large spatial resolution difference. In addition, the issue of noise accumulation caused by multilevel SR can be alleviated by learning-based SR (the cross-scale internal graph neural network (IGNN)) and then interpolation-based SR (the thin plate spline (TPS)). Finally, we add the reference information to the super-resolution, which can effectively control the noise generation. This method has been subjected to comprehensive experimentation using two authentic datasets, affirming that our proposed method surpasses the current state-of-the-art spatiotemporal image fusion methodologies in terms of performance and effectiveness.
Risk Assessment and Analysis of Its Influencing Factors of Debris Flows in Typical Arid Mountain Environment: A Case Study of Central Tien Shan Mountains, China
Authors: Li Zhi , Wu Mingyang , Chen Ningsheng , Hou Runing , Tian Shufeng , Rahman Mahfuzur
Published: December 2023

The Tien Shan Mountain range connects Central Asia with northwestern China and is a crucial transport junction between East and West Asia. It is a common location for regional debris flows, which pose a significant risk to ecological security and the safety of people and property. Nevertheless, limited knowledge exists about the distribution of disaster risks and the impacted populations. This study uses advanced machine learning techniques to identify the key natural and social factors influencing these hazards and incorporates the Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) to assess societal vulnerability. The outcomes demonstrate that (1) the debris flow hazard in the Tien Shan Mountain area is primarily governed by the geological structure, which dictates the material source and, in turn, dictates the onset of debris flows. (2) The vulnerability demonstrates a high spatial tendency in the north and a low one in the south, with evident spatial clustering characteristics. (3) A total of 19.13% of the study area is classified as high-hazard, with specific distribution zones including the northern foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains, the low-mountain zones of the southern foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains, and the Yili Valley zone. This holistic approach offers valuable insights into the spatial distribution of risks, aiding in prioritizing disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts. Also, our findings and conclusions are beneficial for local decision makers to allocate resources effectively and promote sustainable development practices in the region.
An Error Estimation System for Close-Range Photogrammetric Systems and Algorithms
Authors: Poroykov Anton , Pechinskaya Olga , Shmatko Ekaterina , Eremin Danil , Sivov Nikita
Published: December 2023

Close-range photogrammetry methods are widely used for non-contact and accurate measurements of surface shapes. These methods are based on calculating the three-dimensional coordinates of an object from two-dimensional images using special digital processing algorithms. Due to the relatively complex measurement principle, the accurate estimation of the photogrammetric measurement error is a non-trivial task. Typically, theoretical estimations or computer modelling are used to solve this problem. However, these approaches cannot provide an accurate estimate because it is impossible to consider all factors that influence the measurement results. To solve this problem, we propose the use of physical modelling. The measurement results from the photogrammetric system under test were compared with the results of a more accurate reference measurement method. This comparison allowed the error to be estimated under controlled conditions. The test object was a flexible surface whose shape could vary smoothly over a wide range. The estimation of the measurement accuracy for a large number of different surface shapes allows us to obtain new results that are difficult to obtain using standard approaches. To implement the proposed approach, a laboratory system for the error estimation of close-range photogrammetric measurements was developed. The paper contains a detailed description of the developed system and the proposed technique for a comparison of the measurement results. The error in the reference method, which was chosen to be phasogrammetry, was evaluated experimentally. Experimental testing of the stereo photogrammetric system was performed according to the proposed technique. The obtained results show that the proposed technique can reveal dependencies that may not be detected by standard approaches.
A Soluble Porous Coordination Polymer for Fluorescence Sensing of Explosives and Toxic Anions under Homogeneous Environment
Authors: Jiang Jiang , Li Zi-Wei , Wu Zhao-Feng , Huang Xiao-Ying
Published: December 2023

In the past decades, porous coordination polymers (PCPs) based fluorescent (FL) sensors have received intense attention due to their promising applications. In this work, a soluble Zn-PCP is presented as a sensitive probe towards explosive molecules, chromate, and dichromate ions. In former reports, PCP sensors were usually ground into fine powders and then dispersed in solvents to form FL emulsion for sensing applications. However, their insoluble characters would cause the sensing accuracy which is prone to interference from environmental effects. While in this work, the as-made PCP could be directly soluble in organic solvents to form a clear solution with bright blue emission, representing the first soluble PCP based fluorescence sensor to probe explosive molecules under a homogeneous environment. Moreover, the FL PCP solution also shows sensitive detection behaviors towards the toxic anions of CrO42− and Cr2O72−, which exhibit a good linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity of Zn-PCP and the concentrations of both analytes. This work provides a reference for designing task-specific PCP sensors utilized under a homogeneous environment.
A Small Intestinal Stromal Tumor Detection Method Based on an Attention Balance Feature Pyramid
Authors: Xie Fei , Ju Jianguo , Zhang Tongtong , Wang Hexu , Liu Jindong , Wang Juan , Zhou Yang , Zhao Xuesong
Published: December 2023

Small intestinal stromal tumor (SIST) is a common gastrointestinal tumor. Currently, SIST diagnosis relies on clinical radiologists reviewing CT images from medical imaging sensors. However, this method is inefficient and greatly affected by subjective factors. The automatic detection method for stromal tumors based on computer vision technology can better solve these problems. However, in CT images, SIST have different shapes and sizes, blurred edge texture, and little difference from surrounding normal tissues, which to a large extent challenges the use of computer vision technology for the automatic detection of stromal tumors. Furthermore, there are the following issues in the research on the detection and recognition of SIST. After analyzing mainstream target detection models on SIST data, it was discovered that there is an imbalance in the features at different levels during the feature fusion stage of the network model. Therefore, this paper proposes an algorithm, based on the attention balance feature pyramid (ABFP), for detecting SIST with unbalanced feature fusion in the target detection model. By combining weighted multi-level feature maps from the backbone network, the algorithm creates a balanced semantic feature map. Spatial attention and channel attention modules are then introduced to enhance this map. In the feature fusion stage, the algorithm scales the enhanced balanced semantic feature map to the size of each level feature map and enhances the original feature information with the original feature map, effectively addressing the imbalance between deep and shallow features. Consequently, the SIST detection model’s detection performance is significantly improved, and the method is highly versatile. Experimental results show that the ABFP method can enhance traditional target detection methods, and is compatible with various models and feature fusion strategies.
A Dual-Threshold Algorithm for Ice-Covered Lake Water Level Retrieval Using Sentinel-3 SAR Altimetry Waveforms
Authors: Tang Fucai , Chen Peng , An Zhiyuan , Xiong Mingzhu , Chen Hao , Qiu Liangcai
Published: December 2023

Satellite altimetry has been proven to measure water levels in lakes and rivers effectively. The Sentinel-3A satellite is equipped with a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar altimeter (SRAL), which allows for inland water levels to be measured with higher precision and improved spatial resolution. However, in regions at middle and high latitudes, where many lakes are covered by ice during the winter, the non-uniformity of the altimeter footprint can substantially impact the accuracy of water level estimates, resulting in abnormal readings when applying standard SRAL synthetic aperture radar (SAR) waveform retracking algorithms (retrackers). In this study, a modified method is proposed to determine the current surface type of lakes, analyzing changes in backscattering coefficients and brightness temperature. This method aligns with ground station observations and ensures consistent surface type classification. Additionally, a dual-threshold algorithm that addresses the limitations of the original bimodal algorithm by identifying multiple peaks without needing elevation correction is introduced. This innovative approach significantly enhances the precision of equivalent water level measurements for ice-covered lakes. The study retrieves and compares the water level data of nine North American lakes covered by ice from 2016–2019 using the dual-threshold and the SAMOSA-3 algorithm with in situ data. For Lake Athabasca, Cedar Lake, Great Slave Lake, Lake Winnipeg, and Lake Erie, the root mean square error (RMSE) of SAMOSA-3 is 39.58 cm, 46.18 cm, 45.75 cm, 42.64 cm, and 6.89 cm, respectively. However, the dual-threshold algorithm achieves an RMSE of 6.75 cm, 9.47 cm, 5.90 cm, 7.67 cm, and 5.01 cm, respectively, representing a decrease of 75%, 79%, 87%, 82%, and 27%, respectively, compared to SAMOSA-3. The dual-threshold algorithm can accurately estimate water levels in ice-covered lakes during winter. It offers a promising prospect for achieving long-term, continuous, and high-precision water level measurements for middle- and high-latitude lakes.
The Impact of LiDAR Configuration on Goal-Based Navigation within a Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework
Authors: Olayemi Kabirat Bolanle , Van Mien , McLoone Sean , McIlvanna Stephen , Sun Yuzhu , Close Jack , Nguyen Nhat Minh
Published: December 2023

Over the years, deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has shown great potential in mapless autonomous robot navigation and path planning. These DRL methods rely on robots equipped with different light detection and range (LiDAR) sensors with a wide field of view (FOV) configuration to perceive their environment. These types of LiDAR sensors are expensive and are not suitable for small-scale applications. In this paper, we address the performance effect of the LiDAR sensor configuration in DRL models. Our focus is on avoiding static obstacles ahead. We propose a novel approach that determines an initial FOV by calculating an angle of view using the sensor’s width and the minimum safe distance required between the robot and the obstacle. The beams returned within the FOV, the robot’s velocities, the robot’s orientation to the goal point, and the distance to the goal point are used as the input state to generate new velocity values as the output action of the DRL. The cost function of collision avoidance and path planning is defined as the reward of the DRL model. To verify the performance of the proposed method, we adjusted the proposed FOV by ±10° giving a narrower and wider FOV. These new FOVs are trained to obtain collision avoidance and path planning DRL models to validate the proposed method. Our experimental setup shows that the LiDAR configuration with the computed angle of view as its FOV performs best with a success rate of 98% and a lower time complexity of 0.25 m/s. Additionally, using a Husky Robot, we demonstrate the model’s good performance and applicability in the real world.
Design and Implementation of an Event-Driven Smart Sensor Node for Wireless Monitoring Systems
Authors: Liu Changrong , Yang Junjie , Lu Zhenghao , Chen Changnan , Wang Jiachou , Xu Dacheng , Li Xinxin
Published: December 2023

In this paper, an event-driven wireless sensor node is proposed and demonstrated. The primary design objective is to devise a wireless sensor node with miniaturization, integration, and high-accuracy recognition ability. The proposed wireless sensor node integrates two vibration-threshold-triggered energy harvesters that sense and power a threshold voltage control circuit for power management, a microcontroller unit (MCU) for system control, a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) environment data analysis and vibration events distribution, and a radio frequency (RF) digital baseband transmitter with IEEE 802.15.4-/.6 protocols. The dimensions of the wireless sensor node are 4 × 2 × 1 cm3. Finally, the proposed wireless sensor node was fabricated and tested. The alarming time for detecting the vibration event is less than 6 s. The measured recognition accuracy of three events (knock, shake, and heat) is over 97.5%. The experimental results showed that the proposed integrated wireless sensor node is very suitable for wireless environmental monitoring systems.