bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Traditional Medicine to the Laboratory: A Multidisciplinary Investigation on Agrimonia eupatoria L. Collected in Valle Imagna (BG, North of Italy)
Authors: Milani Fabrizia , Muratore Chiara , Biella Sara , Bottoni Martina , Rossi Elio , Colombo Lorenzo , Colombo Paola Sira , Bruschi Piero , Papini Alessio , Landini Paolo , Giuliani Claudia , Araniti Fabrizio , Prinsi Bhakti , Fico Gelsomina
Published: January 2025

A previous ethnobotanical investigation conducted in Valle Imagna (Northern Italy) highlighted the traditional use of Agrimonia eupatoria L. (Rosaceae) as a disinfectant and wound-healing agent. This use seemed to be linked to a local 18th century manuscript. This species was chosen for a multidisciplinary investigation to validate or refute its traditional use in the valley. Samples from fresh leaves were observed under Scanning Electron and Light Microscopy. The phenolic profiles of an epicuticular aqueous extract of the whole leaves and of infusions and decoctions of leaves and aerial parts were analyzed through Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of fresh leaves were analyzed through Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction coupled with Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Growth inhibition and adhesion modulation were assessed on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. warneri by minimum inhibitory concentration and adhesion assays. Two trichome morphotypes were observed: a capitate with a one-celled rounded head and a capitate with a teo-celled cylindrical head. Both were responsible for producing terpenes, while the cylindrical capitates also produced polyphenols. Thirty-four phenolic compounds were characterized. Luteolin-7-O-glucoside, Catechin, and Epicatechin were common to all five extracts. The VOC profiles highlighted the dominance of (+)-α-Pinene. The infusions and the decoctions had a significant inhibitory activity on E. coli, and the extracts (specifically, the infusion of the leaves and both decoctions) also had a stimulating effect on the biofilm formation of S. warneri. These results already hold particular interest because of the strong connection they have to the traditional use of agrimony described in Valle Imagna.
Function of WAKs in Regulating Cell Wall Development and Responses to Abiotic Stress
Authors: Yao Xiaocui , Humphries John , Johnson Kim L. , Chen Jinhui , Ma Yingxuan
Published: January 2025

Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are instrumental in regulating plant cell surface sensing and vascular tissue differentiation. Wall-associated kinases (WAKs) are a unique group of RLKs that have been identified as key cell wall integrity (CWI) sensors. WAK signaling is suggested to be activated during growth in response to cell expansion or when the cell wall is damaged, for example, during pathogen attack. WAKs are proposed to interact with pectins or pectin fragments that are enriched in primary walls. Secondary walls have low levels of pectins, yet recent studies have shown important functions of WAKs during secondary wall development. Several wak mutants show defects in secondary wall thickening of the xylem vessels and fibers or the development of vascular bundles. This review will discuss the recent advances in our understanding of WAK functions during plant development and responses to abiotic stresses and the regulation of vascular tissue secondary wall development.
ABA and Pre-Harvest Sprouting Differences in Knockout Lines of OsPHS3 Encoding Carotenoid Isomerase via CRISPR/Cas9 in Rice
Authors: Jung Yu-Jin , Go Jiyun , Kim Jin-Young , Lee Hyo-Ju , Kim Jong-Hee , Lee Hye-Mi , Cho Yong-Gu , Kang Kwon-Kyoo
Published: January 2025

We generated and characterized knockout mutant lines of the OsPHS3 gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The knockout lines of the OsPHS3 gene showed that 1 bp and 7 bp deletion, early termination codons were used for protein production. Agronomic characteristics of knock-out lines were reduced in plant height, culm diameter, panicle length, seed size and weight, except for the number of tillers. In addition, we analyzed the expression levels of carotenoid biosynthesis genes by qRT-PCR. Among the genes encoding carotenoid metabolic pathway enzymes, the level of transcripts of PSY1, PSY2, PSY3, PDS and ZDS were higher in the KO lines than in the WT line. In contrast, transcription of the ε-LCY, β-LCY and ZEP1 genes were downregulated in the KO lines compared to the WT line. Also, the KO lines decreased carotenoid content and ABA amount compared to WT, while preharvest sprouts increased. These results suggested that they would certainly help explain the molecular mechanisms of PHS in other crops, such as wheat and barley, which are susceptible to PHS.
Experimental Investigation on the Electrical Properties of DPPT-TT Polymer Field-Effect Transistors Featuring Stair Gate Dielectric
Authors: Zhu Hong , Qian Yi , Yan Yu , Chen Lijian , Chen Quanhua , Sun Huabin , Xu Yong , Yang Guangan
Published: January 2025

P-type polymer field-effect transistors (PFETs) achieve wide applications due to their environmental compatibility and inherent flexibility. However, the dielectric in PFETs presents a vulnerability that restricts the development of the advancement of p-type power devices and power integrated circuits with high voltage in power devices. In this work, we provide a novel method that employs p-type polymer DPPT-TT high-voltage PFETs with a stair gate dielectric structure (SGD) at both the source and drain sides. The breakdown voltage of this device is significantly increased, rising from 19 V to 80 V. This improvement is attributable to the SGD structure’s ability to reduce the electric field between the source and drain. Although the step gate length (LSGD) is 50 μm, the on-state resistance only increases by 20% in comparison to conventional devices. The step region contributes an additional resistance of 2.5 × 104 Ω/μm. The operational mechanism of the SGD PFET is demonstrated by TCAD simulations.
High-Performance PET-TM/PTFE-like Composite Membranes for Efficient Salt Rejection via Air Gap Membrane Distillation
Authors: Satulu Veronica , Kravets Liubov I. , Orelovich Oleg L. , Mitu Bogdana , Dinescu Gheorghe
Published: January 2025

The global water scarcity crisis requires urgent action to improve wastewater treatment and develop sustainable water resources. This study focuses on producing Thin Film Composite (TFC) membranes based on polyethylene terephthalate track membranes (PET-TM) coated with polytetrafluorethylene-like material (PTFE), named PET-TM/PTFE-like, designed to purify saline water using Air Gap Membrane Distillation (AGMD) technique. The research emphasizes the optimization of these membranes’ chemical composition and surface characteristics by plasma that enhances their hydrophobicity and overall operational efficiency. A systematic investigation was conducted to clarify the relationship between water flux and salt rejection, enabling the customization of membrane properties for better performance. It was shown that salt rejection exceeding 99% is obtained for all the investigated PET-TM/PTFE-like membranes, with values up to 99.63% for the PET-TM(250 nm)/PTFE-like(200 nm) system and condensate flows as high as 1325 g/m2h for the PET-TM(450 nm)/PTFE-like(200 nm) system. This comprehensive analysis identified the most effective TFC configurations for AGMD applications, providing a promising pathway to advance desalination techniques and wastewater treatment solutions.
Real-Time Observation of Polymer Fluctuations During Phase Transition Using Transmission Electron Microscope
Authors: Shiina Takaaki , Ohkubo Tatsunari , McGehee Keegan , Inamasu Rena , Arai Tatsuya , Sasaki Daisuke , Sasaki Yuji C. , Mio Kazuhiro
Published: January 2025

Measuring molecular dynamics improves understanding of the structure–function relationships of materials. In this study, we present a novel technique for observing material dynamics using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in which the gold nanoparticles are employed as motion probes for tracing the polymer dynamics in real space. A thin layer of polymer materials was generated on the 2 μm diameter holes of Quantifoil grids, and gold nanoparticles were dispersed on the membrane surface. By tracking the movement of gold nanoparticles from a series of TEM images taken under continuous temperature control, we obtained mean squared displacement (MSD) curves. The dynamics of poly{2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate} (PC8FA) and poly(stearyl acrylate) (PSA) were analyzed. In the temperature-dependent analysis of the MSD, sharp peaks were observed for both PC8FA and PSA at positions corresponding to their melting and crystallization temperatures. These results demonstrate the capability of TEM to provide valuable insights into the dynamics of polymer materials, highlighting its potential for widespread application in materials sciences.
Polyethylene Transformation Chain: Evaluation of Migratable Compounds
Authors: Vázquez-Loureiro Patricia , García-Batista Nuria , Morreale Antonio , Llorens-Chiralt Raquel , Villar Hernando , Bacaicoa Beatriz , Rodríguez Bernaldo de Quirós Ana , Sendón Raquel
Published: January 2025

Polyethylene (PE) is a widely used material for packaging food. However, certain additives and their degradation products, which may be generated during transformation processes, may pose risks to consumers health if they migrate into food at levels exceeding safety thresholds. Therefore, identifying and quantifying these potential migrant compounds is crucial to ensuring consumer safety. In the present work, PE films and the raw materials used in their production were kindly provided by the industry to evaluate undesired compounds throughout the PE transformation chain. For that purpose, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds were evaluated using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Alkanes were identified as the most abundant compounds, along with antioxidants, lubricants, or Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS), like 7,9-di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4,5)deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione in the films. For the unidentified compounds, evaluations were conducted at various stages of the transformation chain, and migration assays were performed to assess their behavior.
Mechanical Characterization of Cardanol Bio-Based Epoxy Resin Blends: Effect of Different Bio-Contents
Authors: Iadarola Andrea , Di Matteo Pietro , Ciardiello Raffaele , Gazza Francesco , Lambertini Vito Guido , Brunella Valentina , Paolino Davide Salvatore
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the impact of an increased bio-content on the mechanical properties of bio-based epoxy resins. Cardanol-based epoxy and novolac resins (65% and 84% bio-content, respectively) were combined with two commercial cardanol-based epoxy systems to achieve higher total bio-contents. Quasi-static tensile tests showed that resin blends with up to 40% bio-content maintain tensile properties comparable to traditional formulations, with a glass transition temperature (Tg) suitable for automotive requirements. The results highlight that an increased bio-content enhances flexibility and viscoelastic behavior. Additionally, the tests showed that epoxy resins with a high bio-content represent a sustainable alternative with reduced environmental impact. This work benchmarks novel cardanol-based epoxy formulations with existing bio-based systems, supporting their industrial application.
Improvement of Polymer/Metal Adhesion Using Anodizing Treatment and 3D Printing Process
Authors: Ryu Seung Wan , Kim Dong Hyun , Lee Wonhwa , Hong Jin-Yong , Jeon Young-Pyo , Lee Jea Uk
Published: January 2025

Joining materials with different physicochemical properties presents significant challenges. This study investigates the one-step anodization of aluminum in a mixed phosphoric acid and hydrogen peroxide solution, followed by the direct injection molding of polymer resin to enhance joint properties. The anodizing treatment is performed at constant electrical current with phosphoric acid solutions of various concentrations. Phosphoric acid anodizing enables the formation of 3D channeling pore structure with micropits and uniform nanopores on the aluminum surface. Hydrogen peroxide acts as an oxidizing agent and promotes the dissolution reaction, thereby increasing the size of the nanopores. Larger pores facilitated the penetration of polymer resin into the aluminum oxide layer during injection molding, resulting in bonding strengths up to 40.34 MPa. This improvement is substantial when compared to the bonding strengths achieved through conventional injection molding processes. These results highlight that the increase in nanopore size due to hydrogen peroxide addition played a critical role in enhancing the bonding strength, as it facilitated better penetration and interlocking of the polymer resin within the anodized aluminum layer. Furthermore, a three-dimensional (3D) printing process was able to join polymer resins to the anodized aluminum surface, where the larger nanopores with the addition of the hydrogen peroxide is more beneficial to the bonding strengths than the direct injection molding is. This alternative approach addresses the environmental issues associated with the use of Cr(VI)-based anodizing solutions and the lightweight composites with applicability to various industries that could be produced using this method.
Development of Recombinant Human Collagen-Based Porous Scaffolds for Skin Tissue Engineering: Enhanced Mechanical Strength and Biocompatibility
Authors: Yang Yang , Yu Ting , Tao Mengdan , Wang Yong , Yao Xinying , Zhu Chenkai , Xin Fengxue , Jiang Min
Published: January 2025

Skin tissue engineering scaffolds should possess key properties such as porosity, degradability, durability, and biocompatibility to effectively facilitate skin cell adhesion and growth. In this study, recombinant human collagen (RHC) was used to fabricate porous scaffolds via freeze-drying, offering an alternative to animal-derived collagen where bovine collagen (BC)-based scaffolds were also prepared for comparison. The internal morphology of the RHC scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the pore size ranged from 68.39 to 117.52 µm. The results from compression and fatigue tests showed that the mechanical strength and durability of RHC scaffolds could be tailored by adjusting the RHC concentration, and the maximum compressive modulus reached to 0.003 MPa, which is comparable to that of BC scaffolds. The degradation test illustrated that the RHC scaffolds had a slower degradation rate compared to BC scaffolds. Finally, the biocompatibilities of the porous scaffolds were studied by seeding and culturing the human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in samples. The fluorescent images and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay revealed RHC porous scaffolds were non-cytotoxic and supported the attachment as well as the proliferation of the seeded cells. Overall, the results demonstrated that RHC-based scaffolds exhibited adequate mechanical strength, ideal biodegradability, and exceptional biocompatibility, making them highly suitable for skin-tissue-engineering applications.
Preparation and Characterizations of Intrinsically Black Polyesterimide Films with Good Thermal Endurance at Elevated Temperatures for Potential Two-Layer Flexible Copper Clad Laminate Applications
Authors: Han Shujun , Ren Xi , Li Duanyi , Song Zhenyang , Yang Changxu , Wang Zhenzhong , Liu Jingang
Published: January 2025

Polymer films with combined properties of good thermoplasticity, good electrical properties, and good thermal endurance are highly required for two-layer flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL) applications. Meanwhile, the black appearance is also required for specific FCCL applications. Therefore, in the present work, a series of ester-linked polyimide (PEsI) films were designed and developed via the copolymerization chemistry of an ester-containing dianhydride of biphenyl dibenzoate-3,3′,4,4′-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BPTME), a rigid-rod dianhydride of 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BPDA), an ester-bridged diamine of 2-(4-aminobenzoate)-5-aminobiphenyl (ABABP), and a functional diamine of 4,4′-iminodianiline (NDA). The molar proportion of the BPTME/BPDA was fixed to be 20:80 and that of ABABP/NDA increased from 50:50 for PEsI-1 to 0:100 for PEsI-VI. The afforded PEsI films showed obviously enhanced blackness with the increasing molar ratio of NDA in the polymers. The PEsI-VI film exhibited the optical transmittance values of 0 and 27.4% at the wavelength of 500 nm (T500) and 760 nm (T760), respectively. The values were apparently lower than those of the standard PI-ref produced from common pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) (T500 = 63.2%; T760 = 86.3%). Meanwhile, the PEsI-V film showed good blackness with the CIE Lab optical parameters of 1.83 for L*, 11.46 for a*, 3.13 for b*, and 0 for haze. The PEsI samples exhibited good thermoplasticity and the storage and loss modulus of the films rapidly decreased around the glass transition temperatures (Tg) in the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests. The PEsI samples revealed the Tg values from 247.2 °C to 286.1 °C in the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The PEsI samples exhibited the linear coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of (27.1~33.4) × 10−6/K from 50 to 250 °C, which was comparable to that of the PI-ref sample (CTE = 29.5 × 10−6/K), however, a bit higher than that of the copper foil (CTE = 17.0 × 10−6/K).
Decellularization and an In Situ Tissue Engineering Approach in the Development of an Aortic Graft: Technological Features and Mechanobiological Studies
Authors: Sergeevichev David , Fomenko Vladislav , Chepeleva Elena , Kuznetsova Elena , Vaver Andrey , Zhulkov Maxim , Vasiliyeva Maria
Published: January 2025

This study presents a novel method to enhance the biocompatibility of decellularized porcine aortic segments while preserving their mechanical properties and histological structure. Detergent-decellularized aortic segments were treated with modified globular chitosan (Novochizol™) at varying concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3%) by sonication and subsequently subjected to mechanical testing. To further improve cell infiltration, blind-ended laser channels were created within the decellularized segments. The modified grafts were then seeded with porcine vascular interstitial cells in vitro for 7 days or implanted into the thoracic aorta of minipigs for 30 days. Histological analysis was performed at each stage of the study. Impregnation with Novochizol™ significantly increased the specific strength (from 0.97 ± 0.19 MPa to 4.99 ± 2.43 MPa) and Young’s modulus (from 0.73 ± 0.06 MPa to 14.66 ± 7.14 MPa) of the decellularized aortic segments. Histological examination confirmed the preservation of the connective tissue matrix’s morphological structure. Optimal modification conditions were identified as a 30 min sonication in a 1% Novochizol™ solution at 25 °C. A 35 ms continuous laser treatment was sufficient to create a 1 mm deep blind-ended channel, thereby promoting the seeding of vascular interstitial cells within the acellular graft, as confirmed by implantation in minipigs.
The Design and Experimental Study of a Deep-Condensing Waste Heat Recovery System for Boiler Flue Gas Based on Baoneng Heating Plant
Authors: Zhang Shaolin , Shen Miao , Kang Yuzhen , Tang Zhiwei
Published: January 2025

As China continues to adjust its energy structure in order to address energy security and environmental crises, changes in centralized heating technology and energy saving are gradually being promoted. Flue gas waste heat recovery from traditional gas boilers has the potential to play a significant role in the promotion of low-carbon heating, energy saving, and emission reduction. This study took the Beijing Baoneng Heating Plant as its research object. We designed a flue gas deep-condensation waste heat recovery system based on the combination of absorption heat pump technology and stepped waste heat recovery technology. We determined that 40 °C is the target temperature for flue gas: At this point, the condensate in the flue gas is precipitated by approximately 60%. This results in a 12.18% efficiency improvement in the boiler. Subsequently, experimentation demonstrated that the recovered flue gas heat was able to fulfill the heating requirements of the Baoneng plant and that it was able to enhance the heating capacity of the heat source plant by utilizing the flue gas waste heat without increasing energy consumption. This represents a mutually beneficial scenario for environmental and economic considerations.
Investigations of Internal Flow Characteristics of Multi-Hole Nozzle Using X-Ray Imaging Technique
Authors: Gao Ya , Li Pei , Huang Weidi
Published: January 2025

This study introduces a novel application of synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging to investigate the internal flow dynamics and liquid jet characteristics in a direct injection gasoline nozzle. Using optimized imaging parameters, including a 19 mm insertion gap and a 0.15 ns electron pulse (16 mA), we achieved high-quality visualization of needle motion and in-nozzle flip flow. The results show that cavitation appears rapidly with increasing needle valve lift, transitioning from unstable behavior below 40 µm to stable flip flow at higher lifts. The flip flow characteristics vary between nozzle holes due to differences in inlet angles. Internal flow velocity analysis reveals significant radial and axial gradients, with initial velocity overshoot during injection start followed by stable flow. The presence of flip flow accelerates jet breakup on the flip-contact side, leading to droplet–wall interactions in the counterbore. Different nozzle geometries, particularly hole inlet angle and length-to-diameter ratio, significantly influence jet width and velocity distributions. This comprehensive approach advances our understanding of practical nozzle internal flow dynamics and provides valuable insights for optimizing fuel injection system performance in engines.
Exploring the Eastward Transmission of Augustine’s Confessions in Mainland China: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Zhou Weichi , Zhang Yingying
Published: January 2025

During the late Qing Dynasty and the Republican China period, Augustine’s book, Confessions, had been translated into Chinese. Out of the six Chinese versions of the book available, the one published by the Commercial Press in 1963, translated by Mr. Zhou Shiliang 周士良, is the most widely used version in mainland China. It is worth noting that this version was preceded by five other Chinese translations. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the translation of Augustine’s Confessions in mainland China. This study examines the distinct features of the Chinese versions during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period. Additionally, this article explores the transmission of the translated book title, Chanhui Lu 懺悔錄 (Confessions), and the discussions surrounding its precise meaning and translation during the Republic of China period. Ultimately, this study sheds light on the eastward transmission of Augustine’s Confessions in mainland China.
Transnationality, Community and the Digital: Cultural Regrouping and the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Comparative Ethnographic Case Study of a Muslim and a Hindu Community in Germany
Authors: Menzel Gero , Pirker Viera
Published: January 2025

In this article, we discuss the results of two ethnographic case studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a Sunni Muslim DITIB mosque community and an Indian Hindu temple community in Hesse, Germany, conducted in the context of the ReCoVirA research project. The two cases were selected to represent established and less established religious communities. We connect our research to the RSST-Approach to understand the proactive aspect of religious communities and the concept of the refiguration of religion to describe the impacts of the shift to the digital during the pandemic on religious communities. Cultural regrouping emerges as a framework for understanding the changes to the observed socio-religious milieu and diaspora communities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Impact of the Assyrian Conquests on Judahite Society: The Social, Psychological, and Physical Contexts for Religious Development
Authors: Faust Avraham
Published: January 2025

Various scholars have noted Mesopotamian impact on various aspects of Israelite religious beliefs and practices and extrapolated from these on the broader nature of the relations between the regions. Indeed, no society is an island, and influences are inevitable, especially when a small, peripheral society is in contact with a powerful center. Still, insufficient attention has been paid to the social and cultural contexts of the interaction, and studies have often extrapolated from examples that are exceptional. A systematic examination of the cultural and social reactions in Judah to the intensifying interaction with Assyria reveals that avoidance, subversion, and resistance were far more prevalent than emulation. The large-scale death and deportations that accompanied the destruction of sites and regions by the Assyrian armies in the last third of the 8th century (mostly outside Judah) resulted in an understanding that nothing was secure anymore, that complete kinship groups could be annihilated overnight, and that long-held traditions could simply vanish. This gave rise to a mentality of “life in the shadow of the bomb”, which explains many subsequent developments in Judah, providing the context for various religious changes.
Data Uncertainty of Flood Susceptibility Using Non-Flood Samples
Authors: Zhang Yayi , Wei Yongqiang , Yao Rui , Sun Peng , Zhen Na , Xia Xue
Published: January 2025

Flood susceptibility provides scientific support for flood prevention planning and infrastructure development by identifying and assessing flood-prone areas. The uncertainty posed by non-flood sample datasets remains a key challenge in flood susceptibility mapping. Therefore, this study proposes a novel sampling method for non-flood points. A flood susceptibility model is constructed using a machine learning algorithm to examine the uncertainty in flood susceptibility due to non-flood point selection. The influencing factors of flood susceptibility are analyzed through interpretable models. Compared to non-flood datasets generated by random sampling with the buffer method, the non-flood dataset constructed using the spatial range identified by the frequency ratio model and sampling method of one-class support vector machine achieves higher accuracy. This significantly improves the simulation accuracy of the flood susceptibility model, with an accuracy increase of 24% in the ENSEMBLE model. (2) In constructing the flood susceptibility model using the optimal non-flood dataset, the ENSEMBLE learning algorithm demonstrates higher accuracy than other machine learning methods, with an AUC of 0.95. (3) The northern and southeastern regions of the Zijiang River Basin have extremely high flood susceptibility. Elevation and drainage density are identified as key factors causing high flood susceptibility in these areas, whereas the southwestern region exhibits low flood susceptibility due to higher elevation. (4) Elevation, slope, and drainage density are the three most important factors affecting flood susceptibility. Lower values of elevation and slope and higher drainage density correlate with higher flood susceptibility. This study offers a new approach to reducing uncertainty in flood susceptibility and provides technical support for flood prevention and disaster mitigation in the basin.
FERDNet: High-Resolution Remote Sensing Road Extraction Network Based on Feature Enhancement of Road Directionality
Authors: Zhong Bo , Dan Hongfeng , Liu MingHao , Luo Xiaobo , Ao Kai , Yang Aixia , Wu Junjun
Published: January 2025

The identification of roads from satellite imagery plays an important role in urban design, geographic referencing, vehicle navigation, geospatial data integration, and intelligent transportation systems. The use of deep learning methods has demonstrated significant advantages in the extraction of roads from remote sensing data. However, many previous deep learning-based road extraction studies overlook the connectivity and completeness of roads. To address this issue, this paper proposes a new high-resolution satellite road extraction network called FERDNet. In this paper, to effectively distinguish between road features and background features, we design a Multi-angle Feature Enhancement module based on the characteristics of remote sensing road data. Additionally, to enhance the extraction capability for narrow roads, we develop a High–Low-Level Feature Enhancement module within the directional feature extraction branch. Furthermore, experimental results on three public datasets validate the effectiveness of FERDNet in the task of road extraction from satellite imagery.
Analysis of Cardiac Arrhythmias Based on ResNet-ICBAM-2DCNN Dual-Channel Feature Fusion
Authors: Wang Chuanjiang , Ma Junhao , Wei Guohui , Sun Xiujuan
Published: January 2025

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant challenge to global health, with cardiac arrhythmia representing one of its most prevalent manifestations. The timely and precise classification of arrhythmias is critical for the effective management of CVD. This study introduces an innovative approach to enhancing arrhythmia classification accuracy through advanced Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal processing. We propose a dual-channel feature fusion strategy designed to enhance the precision and objectivity of ECG analysis. Initially, we apply an Improved Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (ICEEMDAN) and enhanced wavelet thresholding for robust noise reduction. Subsequently, in the primary channel, region of interest features are emphasized using a ResNet-ICBAM network model for feature extraction. In parallel, the secondary channel transforms 1D ECG signals into Gram angular difference field (GADF), Markov transition field (MTF), and recurrence plot (RP) representations, which are then subjected to two-dimensional convolutional neural network (2D-CNN) feature extraction. Post-extraction, the features from both channels are fused and classified. When evaluated on the MIT-BIH database, our method achieves a classification accuracy of 97.80%. Compared to other methods, our approach of two-channel feature fusion has a significant improvement in overall performance by adding a 2D convolutional network. This methodology represents a substantial advancement in ECG signal processing, offering significant potential for clinical applications and improving patient care efficiency and accuracy.
Non-FFP-Based Magnetic Particle Imaging (NFMPI) with an Open-Type RF Coil System: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Kim Chan , Nan Jiyun , Nguyen Kim Tien , Park Jong-Oh , Choi Eunpyo , Kim Jayoung
Published: January 2025

Active drug delivery systems for cancer therapy are gaining attention for their biocompatibility and enhanced efficacy compared to conventional chemotherapy and surgery. To improve precision in targeted drug delivery (TDD), actuating devices using external magnetic fields are employed. However, a key challenge is the inability to visually track magnetic drug carriers in blood vessels, complicating navigation to the target. Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) systems can localize magnetic carriers (MCs) but rely on bulky electromagnetic coils to generate a static magnetic field gradient, creating a field-free point (FFP) within the field of view (FOV). Also, additional coils are required to move the FFP across the FOV, limiting flexibility and increasing the system size. To address these issues, we propose a non-FFP-based, open-type RF coil system with a simplified structure composed of a Tx/Rx coil and a permanent magnet at the coil center, eliminating the need for an FFP. Furthermore, integrating a robotic arm for coil assembly enables easy adjustment of the FOV size and location. Finally, imaging tests with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) confirmed the system’s ability to detect and localize a minimum mass of 0.3 mg (Fe) in 80 × 80 mm2.
Improving Stroke Treatment Using Magnetic Nanoparticle Sensors to Monitor Brain Thrombus Extraction
Authors: Jyoti Dhrubo , Reeves Daniel , Gordon-Wylie Scott , Eskey Clifford , Weaver John
Published: January 2025

(1) Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) successfully treats ischemic strokes by extracting the thrombus, or clot, using a stent retriever to pull it through the blood vessel. However, clot slippage and/or fragmentation can occur. Real-time feedback to a clinician about attachment between the stent and clot could enable more complete removal. We propose a system whereby antibody-targeted magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are injected via a microcatheter to coat the clot, oscillating magnetic fields excite the particles, and a small coil attached to the catheter picks up a signal that determines the proximity of the clot to the stent. (2) Methods: We used existing simulation code to model the signal from NPs distributed on a hemispherical clot with three orthogonally applied magnetic fields. An in vitro apparatus was built that applied fields and read out signals from a 1.5 mm pickup coil at a variable distance and orientation angle from a sample of 100 nm iron oxide core/shell NPs. (3) Results: Our simulations suggest that the sum of the voltages induced in the pickup coil from three orthogonal applied fields could localize a clot to within 180 µm, regardless of the exact orientation of the pickup coil, with further precision added via rotation-correction formulae. Our experimental system validated simulations; we estimated an in vitro distance recovery precision of 41 µm with a pickup coil 1 mm from the clot. (4) Conclusions: Magnetic NP sensing could be a safe and real-time method to estimate whether a clot is attached to the stent retriever during MT.
A Posture Training System Based on Therblig Analysis and YOLO Model—Taking Erhu Bowing as an Example
Authors: Lu Bonnie , Meng Chao-Li , Dow Chyi-Ren
Published: January 2025

Computer-assisted learning can help erhu learners to analyze their playing performance and identify areas for improvement. Therefore, in this study, a computerized system based on a You Only Look Once (YOLO)-OD model was developed for erhu bowing training. First, Therblig analysis was performed to segment the erhu bowing process into multiple steps, which were then analyzed thoroughly to identify critical objects for detection. Second, a YOLO-OD model was developed to detect and track the critical objects identified in video frames. Third, scoring methodologies were developed for bow level and bow straightness. The YOLO-OD model and the aforementioned scoring methodologies were incorporated into a computerized training system for erhu bowing, which enables erhu learners to practice independently. It provides scores for bow level and bow straightness, allowing learners to evaluate their technique, as well as feedback and instant alerts regarding incorrect motions and postures, which enable learners to adjust their actions and postures in real time. In addition, teachers or coaches can refer to the videos and other data collected using the proposed system in order to identify problematic erhu bowing techniques and provide students with relevant suggestions and feedback.
Examining the Environmental Phillips Curve Hypothesis in the Ten Most Polluting Emerging Economies: Economic Dynamics and Sustainability
Authors: Sahin Goktug , Naimoglu Mustafa , Kavaz Ismail , Sahin Afsin
Published: January 2025

In the context of the Environmental Phillips Curve hypothesis, this study investigates the impact of unemployment on environmental quality in ten emerging economies with the highest carbon emissions, as identified in the International Monetary Fund’s 2015 World Economic Outlook. The primary aim of this study is to estimate the effects of income, natural gas usage, renewable energy usage, unemployment, and population size on carbon dioxide emissions in the selected countries. The study utilizes panel data from 1990 to 2019 and employs an Autoregressive Distributed Lag model (ARDL) to evaluate the short- and long-run relationships between these variables. Findings obtained using the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimator indicate that both income and population size have a significant positive impact on air pollution levels, whereas natural gas consumption and the use of renewable energy correlate with a decrease in emissions. The results support a negative correlation between unemployment and environmental degradation, aligning with the EPC. The error correction term suggests that the process returns to equilibrium in about 2.8 years. The findings are validated through robustness tests utilizing the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimators. This study offers important insights for environmental policymaking in these emerging economies, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development strategies and green energy adoption.
A Review of Research Progress in Vertical Farming on Façades: Design, Technology, and Benefits
Authors: Shi Xuepeng , Shi Chengfei , Tablada Abel , Guan Xiaoyu , Cui Mingfeng , Rong Yangxiao , Zhang Qiqi , Xie Xudong
Published: January 2025

The surging global population and urbanization trends present new challenges to food production systems and energy, especially in resource-limited urban environments. Vertical farming on façades (VFOF) is an innovative strategy to address this challenge by growing crops on building skins, efficiently using urban space, increasing food self-sufficiency, and reducing the environmental impact of carbon emissions. This article is a comprehensive review of VFOF and closely related topics based on 166 journal articles. It covers the latest research advances in design, technology, social impact, and environmental benefits. In addition to enhancing the autonomy of urban food supply and improving residents’ quality of life, VFOF also has the potential to optimize the thermal performance of buildings and promote energy conservation by having some of the qualities of vertical greening systems (VGS). The planting system design and technical support factors for different façade locations are explained in detail. The symbiotic relationship between VFOF and architecture is examined to enhance sustainability. The popularity of VFOF is increasing in terms of social acceptance, and the government, together with the private sector and communities, play a vital role in promoting its development. In addition, this review also collates the cases of VFOF implementation in recent years. Research shows that the implementation of VFOF has many advantages, especially when considering future urban challenges under climate change scenarios and the need to provide solutions to achieve carbon neutral buildings and cities. Still, high initial investment, operating costs, technical complexity, security issue, policy and regulatory constraints, and public acceptance are all challenges to overcome. Further research should be carried out in the above fields.
Study on Quantitative Model of Water Resource Ecological Compensation in Yangtze River Basin Based on Water Footprint–Decoupling Analysis Methodology
Authors: Sun Fuhua , Pan Daoming , Zhang Dandan , Guo Jiayi , Guo Ping , Zhang Xiaojie , Chi Chen , Zhang Shengnan
Published: January 2025

Establishing a standard model for water resource ecological compensation, based on water quantity and quality, is one of the current research hotspots in the field of ecological economy. This paper calculates the water footprint from 2011 to 2021, constructs an inter-provincial water resource ecological compensation model in the Yangtze River Basin, and discusses the horizontal compensation of water resource ecology in the Yangtze River Basin. Firstly, the water footprint method and the water footprint ecological load index are used to evaluate and analyze the overall water resource utilization in the basin and in various administrative regions within the basin; secondly, the decoupling analysis method is used to study the coordinated relationship between water resource utilization and economic development among different administrative regions; finally, the identity of the compensation subject and object are determined on the basis of the calculation of ecological surplus and deficit of water resources in each administrative region, and the compensation standards are quantitatively calculated. The results indicate the following: (1) Over the 11 years, the overall water footprint of the Yangtze River Basin and its provinces has shown a growth trend, with significant differences in the quantity of water footprints among different administrative regions, and the average water footprint exhibits a decreasing distribution from “midstream—downstream—upstream”. There are significant differences in the water footprint ecological load index among provinces, with the load index showing a trend of being higher in the east and lower in the west. (2) From the perspective of the decoupling index, there has been no state of dis-coordination in the Yangtze River Basin overall over the 11 years, with 2016, 2018, and 2019 being in a high-quality coordinated state, while the other years were in a primary coordinated state. (3) In terms of horizontal payment for ecological compensation, Tibet, Yunnan, and Qinghai have consistently been regions receiving ecological compensation, while Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, and Chongqing have been determined as compensation subjects required to make payments over the years.
Harmonic–Arithmetic Index: Trees with Maximum Degrees and Comparative Analysis of Antidrugs
Authors: Ramesh Kalpana , Loganathan Shobana
Published: January 2025

Chemical graph theory connects the analysis of molecular structures with mathematical graph theory, allowing for the prediction of chemical and physical properties through the use of topological indices. Among these, the recently introduced Harmonic–Arithmetic (HA) index, proposed by Abeer M. Albalahi et al. in 2023, offers a novel method to quantify molecular and graph structures. It is defined as HA(G)=∑μω∈E(G)4dG(μ)dG(ω)(dG(μ)+dG(ω))2, where dG(μ) and dG(ω) are degrees of nodes μ and ω in G. In this paper, the HA index examines the bounds for a tree T of order n, with a maximum degree ∆. The application of the HA index extends to QSPR/QSAR analyses, where topological indices play a crucial role in predicting the relationship between molecular structures and physicochemical properties, such as in Parkinson’s, disease-related antibiotics by calculating their topological indices and analyzing them using QSPR models. Comparative analyses were performed between linear regression models and curvilinear-approach quadratic and cubic regression models to identify the minimal RMSE and enhance predictive accuracy for physicochemical properties. The results demonstrate that the HA index effectively connects mathematical graph theory with molecular characterization, offering reliable predictions, dependable bounds for tree graphs, and meaningful insights into molecular properties. These findings highlight the HA index’s potential as a versatile and innovative tool in advancing chemical graph theory and its applications to real-world problems in chemistry.
Transforming Telemedicine: Strategic Lessons and Metrics from Italy’s Telemechron Project (Telemechron Study)
Authors: Jayousi Sara , Cinelli Martina , Bigazzi Roberto , Bianchi Stefano , Scalvini Simonetta , Borghi Gabriella , Bernocchi Palmira , Inchiostro Sandro , Giovanazzi Alexia , Mastellaro Marina , Gentilini Maria Adalgisa , Gios Lorenzo , Grigioni Mauro , Daniele Carla , D’Avenio Giuseppe , Morelli Sandra , Giansanti Daniele
Published: January 2025

Background: The Telemechron project addresses critical needs in telemedicine by evaluating technology assessment frameworks and key performance indicators (KPIs), among other objectives. Effective frameworks and KPIs are crucial for assessing telemedicine services, especially in terms of their impact on patient outcomes and service efficiency. Methods: This study adopted a dual approach to assess the contributions of the Telemechron project. Firstly, it applied a technology assessment framework to quantitatively evaluate telemedicine services, focusing on measurable improvements and systematic analysis. Secondly, it investigated a set of predefined KPIs using specific metrics and parameters to evaluate their applicability and limitations in telemedicine settings. Results and Discussion: The technology assessment framework demonstrated significant utility by providing structured, quantifiable improvements across key aspects of telemedicine services. It was effective in evaluating the alignment of services with strategic goals and their integration with existing healthcare systems. The predefined KPIs, although not developed within this study and not directly used by the different operational units (OUs)—which established their own context-specific KPIs—still provided valuable insights into telemedicine performance. However, the study revealed that these KPIs highlighted a need for further customization to enhance their relevance across various contexts. While the KPIs may offer useful performance indicators, their general applicability necessitated adjustments to better address the specific needs of telemedicine applications. The analysis model for the KPI set, in terms of metrics and parameters, is exportable and generalizable to other national and international telemedicine contexts. Conclusions: The study confirms the effectiveness of the framework in delivering measurable improvements in telemedicine services and underscores the importance of adapting KPIs for specific contexts. Future research should focus on further applying and expanding the framework and metrics, refining KPI models, integrating new technologies, and conducting cross-national comparisons to enhance the applicability and effectiveness of telemedicine evaluations.
The Value of Skills for a Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Authors: Silva Susana , Silva Cândida , Oliveira Mónica
Published: January 2025

Skills are one of the main themes in academic and labor environments. Nowadays, digital, green, and social and cultural skills are the key to achieving sustainable practices and sustainable development goals. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the current and future needs of digital, green, and social and cultural skills for the tourism and hospitality sectors. This was a quantitative study, with an online survey applied to students, teachers, and professionals. It was a convenience sample with 150 participants. Data were analyzed statistically with IBM SPSS version 28.0. Our results suggested that students, professionals, and trainers value digital, green, and social and cultural skills. With reference to digital skills, all participants considered themselves having an intermediate or advanced level of proficiency. All the participants considered themselves having an intermediate or advanced level of green skills. Regarding social and cultural skills, all the participants considered themselves having an advanced level of proficiency. Therefore, professionals reported higher levels of proficiency in all skills. In the same way, in the tourism sector, we observed higher proficiency levels of skills. To summarize, educational, sectorial, and entrepreneurial sectors recognize the relevance of digital, green, and social-cultural skills for the tourism and hospitality industry. With these skills, the sector will be more prepared to implement sustainability practices and achieve sustainability goals. Additionally, entrepreneurs should value these skills in professionals, and education institutions should integrate the development of these skills into their curricula.