bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Tornado Detection Algorithm Based on XGBoost
Authors: Zeng Qiangyu , Zhang Guoxiu , Huang Shangdan , Song Wenwen , He Jianxin , Wang Hao , Liu Yin
Published: January 2025

Tornadoes are severe convective weather exhibiting localized and sudden occurrences. Weather radar is widely regarded as the most effective tool for monitoring tornadoes and issuing early warnings. Dual-polarization updating has significantly improved tornado prediction and forecasting abilities. This article proposes an innovative tornado detection algorithm based on XGBoost which is suitable for dual-polarization radar data, was upgraded and has been used in China since 2019, and has been applied in the Tornado Key Open Laboratory of the China Meteorological Administration. The characteristics associated with the velocity attributes, reflectivity, velocity spectrum width, differential reflectivity, and correlation coefficient are used in the algorithm to achieve real-time tornado detection. Experimental evaluations have demonstrated that the proposed algorithm significantly improves tornado detection rates and leading times. Compared with the traditional TDA-RF algorithm based on Doppler weather radar data, the TDA-XGB algorithm introduces dual polarization parameters (such as differential reflectivity and the correlation coefficient), which effectively improves tornado identification performance. In addition, the TDA-XGB algorithm combines artificial intelligence-assisted learning to optimize the traditional algorithm based on the tornado vortex signature (TVS) and tornado debris signature (TDS), further improving the detection effect. Furthermore, the algorithm provides classification probabilities in the genesis and evolution of tornadoes, thereby supporting forecasters in their efforts to anticipate and issue timely tornado warnings.
Assessing the Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Environmental Parameters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: A Comprehensive Study and Future Projections
Authors: Khan Mehjabeen , Chen Ruishan
Published: January 2025

Land use and land cover (LULC) change, driven by environmental and human activities, significantly impacts ecosystems, climate, biodiversity, and socio-economic systems. This study focuses on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, a region with sensitive ecosystems and diverse landscapes, to analyze LULC dynamics and their environmental consequences. Based on Landsat imagery from 2000, 2010, and 2020, we used the Random Forest algorithm on Google Earth Engine (GEE) to classify LULC, and the CA-ANN model to project future scenarios for 2030, 2050, and 2100. Additional simulations were conducted using the MOLUSCE Plugin in QGIS. The results revealed a 138.02% (4071.98 km2) increase in urban areas from 2000 to 2020, marking urbanization as a major driver of LULC change. Urban expansion strongly correlated with land surface temperature (LST) (R2 = 0.89), amplifying the urban heat island effect. Rising LST showed negative correlations with the key environmental indices NDVI (−0.88), MNDWI (−0.49), and NDMI (−0.62), signaling declining vegetation cover, water resources, and soil moisture, respectively. Projections for 2100 predict LST rising to 55.3 °C, with NDVI, MNDWI, and NDMI dropping to 0.36, 0.17, and 0.21, respectively. Vegetation health, as indicated by the Leaf Area Index (LAI), also declined, with maximum and minimum values falling from 4.66 and −5.75 in 2000 to 2.16 and −2.55 in 2020, reflecting increased barren land and reduced greenness. The spatial analysis highlights significant transitions from vegetated to barren or urban land, leading to declining moisture levels, water stress, soil erosion, and biodiversity. Projections show continued reductions in forests, vegetation, and agricultural lands, replaced by barren and built-up areas. Declines in key indices such as NDVI, MNDWI, and NDMI indicate deteriorating vegetation, water resources, and soil moisture levels. These findings emphasize the need for sustainable urban planning and environmental management. Expanding urban green spaces, using reflective materials, and preserving vegetation and water resources are vital to mitigating heat island effects and maintaining ecological balance. Anticipated declines in LST, NDVI, MNDWI, NDMI, and LAI stress the urgency for climate adaptation strategies to protect human health, ecosystem services, and economic stability in KPK.
MAL-Net: Model-Adaptive Learned Network for Slow-Time Ambiguity Function Shaping
Authors: Wang Jun , Xiao Xiangqing , Hu Jinfeng , Zhao Ziwei , Zhong Kai , Li Chaohai
Published: January 2025

Designing waveforms with a Constant Modulus Constraint (CMC) to achieve desirable Slow-Time Ambiguity Function (STAF) characteristics is significantly important in radar technology. The problem is NP-hard, due to its non-convex quartic objective function and CMC constraint. Existing methods typically involve model-based approaches with relaxation and data-driven Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) methods, which face the challenge of dataimitation. We observe that the Complex Circle Manifold (CCM) naturally satisfies the CMC. By projecting onto the CCM, the problem is transformed into an unconstrained minimization problem that can be tackled using the CCM gradient descent model. Furthermore, we observe that the gradient descent model over the CCM can be unfolded as a Deep Learning (DL) network. Therefore, byeveraging the powerfulearning ability of DL and the CCM gradient descent model, we propose a Model-Adaptive Learned Network (MAL-Net) method without relaxation. Initially, we reformulate the problem as an Unconstrained Quartic Problem (UQP) on the CCM. Then, the MAL-Net is developed toearn the step sizes of allayers adaptively. This is accomplished by unrolling the CCM gradient descent model as the networkayer. Our simulation results demonstrate that the proposed MAL-Net achieves superior STAF performance compared to existing methods.
Recent Advancements in Localization Technologies for Wireless Capsule Endoscopy: A Technical Review
Authors: Ali Muhammad A. , Tom Neil , Alsunaydih Fahad N. , Yuce Mehmet R.
Published: January 2025

Conventional endoscopy is limited in its ability to examine the small bowel and perform long-term monitoring due to the risk of infection and tissue perforation. Wireless Capsule Endoscopy (WCE) is a painless and non-invasive method of examining the body’s internal organs using a small camera that is swallowed like a pill. The existing active locomotion technologies do not have a practical localization system to control the capsule’s movement within the body. A robust localization system is essential for safely guiding the WCE device through the complex gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Moreover, having access to the capsule’s trajectory data is highly desirable for drug delivery and surgery, as well as for creating accurate user profiles for diagnosis and future reference. Therefore, a robust, real-time, and practical localization system is imperative to advance the field of WCE and make it desirable for clinical trials. In this work, we have identified salient features of different localization techniques and categorized studies in comprehensive tables. This study is self-contained as it offers a comprehensive overview of emerging localization techniques based on magnetic field, radio frequency (RF), video, and hybrid methods. A summary at the end of each method is provided to point out the potential gaps and give directions for future research. The main point of this work is to present an in-depth review of the most recent localization techniques published in the past five years. This will assist researchers in comprehending current techniques and pinpointing potential areas for further investigation. This review can be a significant reference and guide for future research on WCE localization.
Monitoring Excavation-Induced Deformation of a Secant Pile Wall Using Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors
Authors: Hong Chengyu , Xu Chengkai , Chen Weibin , Liu Jianwei , Tan Junkun
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates the use of the BOTDA (Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Analysis) technology to monitor a large-scale bored pile wall in the field. Distributed fiber optic sensors (DFOSs) were deployed to measure internal temperature and strain changes during cement grouting, hardening, and excavation-induced deformation of a secant pile wall. The study details the geological conditions and DFOS installation process. During grouting, the temperature increased by approximately 69 °C due to cement hydration 30 min post-grouting, while the strain decreased by 0.5% on average due to cement slurry shrinkage. During excavation, the temperature changes were minimal, but the excavation depth significantly influenced the strain distribution, with continuous compressive deformation observed in two monitored boreholes. Two analytical methods, the numerical integration method (NIM) and the finite difference method (FDM), were used to calculate the lateral pile displacement based on the monitored strain data. The results were compared with previous monitoring data, showing that the lateral displacement of the pile was minimal after excavation and was attributed to the high stiffness of the secant pile wall. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of DFOSs and BOTDA technology for monitoring complex pile wall behaviors during construction.
Reducing Cross-Sensor Domain Gaps in Tactile Sensing via Few-Sample-Driven Style-to-Content Unsupervised Domain Adaptation
Authors: Jing Xingshuo , Qian Kun
Published: January 2025

Transferring knowledge learned from standard GelSight sensors to other visuotactile sensors is appealing for reducing data collection and annotation. However, such cross-sensor transfer is challenging due to the differences between sensors in internal light sources, imaging effects, and elastomer properties. By understanding the data collected from each type of visuotactile sensors as domains, we propose a few-sample-driven style-to-content unsupervised domain adaptation method to reduce cross-sensor domain gaps. We first propose a Global and Local Aggregation Bottleneck (GLAB) layer to compress features extracted by an encoder, enabling the extraction of features containing key information and facilitating unlabeled few-sample-driven learning. We introduce a Fourier-style transformation (FST) module and a prototype-constrained learning loss to promote global conditional domain-adversarial adaptation, bridging style-level gaps. We also propose a high-confidence guided teacher–student network, utilizing a self-distillation mechanism to further reduce content-level gaps between the two domains. Experiments on three cross-sensor domain adaptation and real-world robotic cross-sensor shape recognition tasks demonstrate that our method outperforms state-of-the-art approaches, particularly achieving 89.8% accuracy on the DIGIT recognition dataset.
Attention Score-Based Multi-Vision Transformer Technique for Plant Disease Classification
Authors: Baek Eu-Tteum
Published: January 2025

This study proposes an advanced plant disease classification framework leveraging the Attention Score-Based Multi-Vision Transformer (Multi-ViT) model. The framework introduces a novel attention mechanism to dynamically prioritize relevant features from multiple leaf images, overcoming the limitations of single-leaf-based diagnoses. Building on the Vision Transformer (ViT) architecture, the Multi-ViT model aggregates diverse feature representations by combining outputs from multiple ViTs, each capturing unique visual patterns. This approach allows for a holistic analysis of spatially distributed symptoms, crucial for accurately diagnosing diseases in trees. Extensive experiments conducted on apple, grape, and tomato leaf disease datasets demonstrate the model’s superior performance, achieving over 99% accuracy and significantly improving F1 scores compared to traditional methods such as ResNet, VGG, and MobileNet. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the proposed model for precise and reliable plant disease classification.
A Comparison Study of Person Identification Using IR Array Sensors and LiDAR
Authors: Liu Kai , Bouazizi Mondher , Xing Zelin , Ohtsuki Tomoaki
Published: January 2025

Person identification is a critical task in applications such as security and surveillance, requiring reliable systems that perform robustly under diverse conditions. This study evaluates the Vision Transformer (ViT) and ResNet34 models across three modalities—RGB, thermal, and depth—using datasets collected with infrared array sensors and LiDAR sensors in controlled scenarios and varying resolutions (16 × 12 to 640 × 480) to explore their effectiveness in person identification. Preprocessing techniques, including YOLO-based cropping, were employed to improve subject isolation. Results show a similar identification performance between the three modalities, in particular in high resolution (i.e., 640 × 480), with RGB image classification reaching 100.0%, depth images reaching 99.54% and thermal images reaching 97.93%. However, upon deeper investigation, thermal images show more robustness and generalizability by maintaining focus on subject-specific features even at low resolutions. In contrast, RGB data performs well at high resolutions but exhibits reliance on background features as resolution decreases. Depth data shows significant degradation at lower resolutions, suffering from scattered attention and artifacts. These findings highlight the importance of modality selection, with thermal imaging emerging as the most reliable. Future work will explore multi-modal integration, advanced preprocessing, and hybrid architectures to enhance model adaptability and address current limitations. This study highlights the potential of thermal imaging and the need for modality-specific strategies in designing robust person identification systems.
CTHNet: A CNN–Transformer Hybrid Network for Landslide Identification in Loess Plateau Regions Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Li Juan , Zhang Jin , Fu Yongyong
Published: January 2025

The Loess Plateau in northwest China features fragmented terrain and is prone to landslides. However, the complex environment of the Loess Plateau, combined with the inherent limitations of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), often results in false positives and missed detection for deep learning models based on CNNs when identifying landslides from high-resolution remote sensing images. To deal with this challenge, our research introduced a CNN–transformer hybrid network. Specifically, we first constructed a database consisting of 1500 loess landslides and non-landslide samples. Subsequently, we proposed a neural network architecture that employs a CNN–transformer hybrid as an encoder, with the ability to extract high-dimensional, local-scale features using CNNs and global-scale features using a multi-scale lightweight transformer module, thereby enabling the automatic identification of landslides. The results demonstrate that this model can effectively detect loess landslides in such complex environments. Compared to approaches based on CNNs or transformers, such as U-Net, HCNet and TransUNet, our proposed model achieved greater accuracy, with an improvement of at least 3.81% in the F1-score. This study contributes to the automatic and intelligent identification of landslide locations and ranges on the Loess Plateau, which has significant practicality in terms of landslide investigation, risk assessment, disaster management, and related fields.
Leveraging Segment Anything Model (SAM) for Weld Defect Detection in Industrial Ultrasonic B-Scan Images
Authors: Naddaf-Sh Amir-M. , Baburao Vinay S. , Zargarzadeh Hassan
Published: January 2025

Automated ultrasonic testing (AUT) is a critical tool for infrastructure evaluation in industries such as oil and gas, and, while skilled operators manually analyze complex AUT data, artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods show promise for automating interpretation. However, improving the reliability and effectiveness of these methods remains a significant challenge. This study employs the Segment Anything Model (SAM), a vision foundation model, to design an AI-assisted tool for weld defect detection in real-world ultrasonic B-scan images. It utilizes a proprietary dataset of B-scan images generated from AUT data collected during automated girth weld inspections of oil and gas pipelines, detecting a specific defect type: lack of fusion (LOF). The implementation includes integrating knowledge from the B-scan image context into the natural image-based SAM 1 and SAM 2 through a fully automated, promptable process. As part of designing a practical AI-assistant tool, the experiments involve applying both vanilla and low-rank adaptation (LoRA) fine-tuning techniques to the image encoder and mask decoder of different variants of both models, while keeping the prompt encoder unchanged. The results demonstrate that the utilized method achieves improved performance compared to a previous study on the same dataset.
Empowering People with Disabilities in Smart Homes Using Predictive Informing
Authors: Periša Marko , Teskera Petra , Cvitić Ivan , Grgurević Ivan
Published: January 2025

The possibilities of the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL)/Enhanced Living Environments (ELE) concept in the environment of a smart home were investigated to improve accessibility and improve the quality of life of a person with disabilities. This paper focuses on the concept of predictive information for a person with disabilities in a smart home environment concept where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) systems use data on the user’s preferences, habits, and possible incident situations. A conceptual mathematical model is proposed, the purpose of which is to provide predictive user information from defined data sets. This paper defines the taxonomy of communication technologies, devices, and sensors in the environment of the user’s smart home and shows the interaction of all elements in the environment of the smart home. Through the integration of assistive technologies, it is possible to adapt the home to users with diverse types of disabilities and needs. The smart home environment with diverse types of sensors whose data are part of sets defined by a mathematical model is also evaluated. The significance of establishing data sets as a foundation for future research, the development of ML models, and the utilization of AI is highlighted in this paper.
Bioactive Properties of Pentacalia vaccinioides (Kunth) Cuatrec. (Asteraceae) Essential Oils: Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Sequeda-Castañeda Luis G. , Castellanos-Gómez María A. , Céspedes-Acuña Carlos L. A.
Published: January 2025

Essential oils (EOs) have unique properties, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral activities, which are beneficial in various industries, including cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals. In this study, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Pentacalia vaccinioides EOs obtained from leaves and flowers (fresh and dried plant material) were evaluated using hydrodistillation (HD), steam distillation (SD), simultaneous distillation–extraction (SDE), and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) techniques. Antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC) and antioxidant capacity (half-maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50) were determined. The identification and quantification of the compounds present in the EOs were conducted by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main secondary metabolites identified in most samples obtained by different extraction techniques included phenol (~18%), 1S-α-pinene (~15%), β-phellandrene (~13%), β-pinene (~12%), 4-terpineol (~10%), γ-terpinene (~10%), trans-nerolidol (~8%), limonene (~8%), and β-thujene (~6%). EOs obtained by HD, SD, and SDE exhibited antioxidant activity, with IC50 values between 621.7 and 696.6 µg/mL. Additionally, the EOs demonstrated bactericidal activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values of 5.0 and 45 µg/mL, respectively. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not show antimicrobial susceptibility to EOs. This study constitutes the first evaluation of Pentacalia vaccinioides EOs, demonstrating their bioactive potential and the relevance of the extraction method. The findings highlight this species as a promising source of natural compounds for therapeutic and preservative applications, depending on the type of plant material and extraction technique used. Future research should investigate how microclimatic conditions and plant development affect the chemical composition and elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind the observed bioactivities to better understand their cellular actions. Furthermore, the evaluation of the applications of EOs and hydrolates in the pharmaceutical and food industries, along with the exploration of the bioactive potential of extraction-derived hydrolates, offers a promising avenue to maximize plant utility.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Landscape Pattern and Vegetation Ecological Quality in Sanjiangyuan National Park
Authors: Peng Xiangbin , Tang Ruomei , Li Junjie , Tang Huanchen , Guo Zixi
Published: January 2025

As one of China’s largest national parks, Sanjiangyuan National Park (SNP) plays a crucial role in preserving ecological security and biodiversity. Conducting a scientific evaluation of dynamic changes in vegetation ecological quality and landscape patterns within the park is essential for ensuring its sustainable development and conservation as a national ecological security barrier. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal dynamics of vegetation ecological quality index (VEQI) and Landscape Pattern Metrics (LPM) in SNP using the VEQI model and Fragstats 4.2.1, along with spatial correlation analyses spanning from 2007 to 2022. The findings indicated an overall upward trend in VEQI, with a notable increase of approximately 38.88% over the 15-year period. Particularly in the Yangtze River Source Park, VEQI exhibited the most significant increase, reaching 48.99%. Furthermore, forest and shrub cover types displayed higher VEQI values and demonstrated an increasing trend, signifying significant ecological improvement in these ecosystems. Regarding landscape patterns, patch density (PD) and landscape shape index (LSI) demonstrated an increasing trend, while average patch area and edge density (ED) gradually decreased, indicating a rising level of landscape fragmentation. High values of the largest patch index (LPI) were primarily concentrated in the Lancangjiang source park, the Yellow River source park, and the southern part of the Yangtze River source, suggesting greater ecological connectivity in these regions. Spatial autocorrelation analysis between VEQI and LPM revealed significant spatial heterogeneity. Specifically, VEQI exhibited positive correlations with LPI and mean patch area, while showing negative correlations with PD, ED, PR, TE, NP, and mean shape index. This indicates that areas with lower vegetation ecological quality tend to exhibit higher landscape fragmentation and complexity. The study’s findings highlight the increasing trend in VEQI and changing landscape fragmentation within SNP, offering a scientific foundation for ecological protection policy formulation and sustainable park development.
Effect of TiS2 on Hydrogen Absorption and Desorption Performance of Mechanically Ball-Milled Mg95Ce5 Alloy
Authors: Lv Haitao , Wang Liangrui , Ou Xiulong , Li Zhiming
Published: January 2025

Magnesium-based materials have been considered to be potential hydrogen storage materials due to their high hydrogen storage capacity and abundance in natural resources. In order to improve the hydrogen storage performance of magnesium-based materials, a Mg95Ce5 alloy was prepared by using the vacuum induction melting method. Moreover, TiS2 was used as a catalyst, and a series of Mg95Ce5 + x wt% TiS2 (x = 0, 3, 5 and 10) composites with different TiS2 contents were prepared by the mechanical ball-milling method. The addition of TiS2 as a catalyst broke the inherent symmetry of the Mg95Ce5 alloy at both the atomic and defect levels, potentially improving hydrogen storage by modifying hydrogen diffusion pathways and interaction sites. The structural analysis results indicate that the Mg95Ce5 alloy is composed of Mg and CeMg12 phases. After the hydrogenation process, the Mg and CeMg12 phases in the Mg95Ce5–TiS2 composites transformed into CeH2.73 and MgH2. In addition, CeS2 and TiH1.5 could be detected in the hydrogenated samples, indicating that the TiS2 decomposed and changed into CeS2 and TiH1.5 during the hydrogenation reaction. Adding TiS2 to Mg95Ce5 alloy could significantly improve the hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetic properties, and the dehydrogenation peak temperature of the composites was reduced from 389.5 °C to 329.7 °C when the TiS2 content increased from 0 to 10 wt%. However, the addition of TiS2 inevitably reduced the reversable hydrogen storage capacity of the composites. The hydrogen absorption and desorption thermodynamic measurement results indicate that the TiS2 catalyst has almost no influence on the enthalpy and entropy changes of the composites during the hydrogenation process.
Mysterious Anomalies in Earth’s Atmosphere and Strongly Interacting Dark Matter
Authors: Zhitnitsky Ariel , Maroudas Marios
Published: January 2025

It has been recently argued that numerous enigmatic observations remain challenging to explain within the framework of conventional physics. These anomalies include unexpected correlations between temperature variations in the stratosphere, the total electron content of the Earth’s atmosphere, and earthquake activity on one hand and the positions of planets on the other. Decades of collected data provide statistically significant evidence for these observed correlations. These works suggest that these correlations arise from strongly interacting “streaming invisible matter” which gets gravitationally focused by the solar system bodies including the Earth’s inner mass distribution. Here, we propose that some of these, as well as other anomalies, may be explained by rare yet energetic events involving the so-called axion quark nuggets (AQNs) impacting the Earth. In other words, we identify the “streaming invisible matter” conjectured in that works with AQNs, offering a concrete microscopic mechanism to elucidate the observed correlations. It is important to note that the AQN model was originally developed to address the observed similarity between the dark matter and visible matter densities in the Universe, i.e., ΩDM∼Ωvisible, and not to explain the anomalies discussed here. Nonetheless, we support our proposal by demonstrating that the intensity and spectral characteristics of AQN-induced events are consistent with the aforementioned puzzling observations.
A Comprehensive Review of Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering for Enhancing Comfort and Efficiency in Transport Systems
Authors: Blaga Petruța , Cășeriu Bianca-Mihaela , Bucur Bogdan , Veres Cristina
Published: January 2025

This research provides an integrated perspective on the application of ergonomics and human factors engineering (HFE) to enhance comfort and efficiency in military transport systems (MTS) and civilian transport systems (CTS), identified as imperative research needs. Comfort has become the definition of vehicle quality in CTS, while in MTS, comfort directly influences crew performance in operational environments, and protecting their health is essential. The study emphasizes the importance of adopting an integrative and scientifically grounded approach that eliminates systematic errors to meet user needs and ensure optimal vehicle performance in diverse operational settings. It further highlights how applying ergonomic principles optimizes human–machine interactions, improving user comfort and safety while providing a basis for future innovations in artificial intelligence and adaptive ergonomics. This study introduces a novel hybrid methodology combining bibliometric analysis and case studies to provide fresh insights into the application of ergonomics and human factors engineering, bridging gaps between civilian and military transport systems. This approach aims to promote efficiency, comfort, and performance in operational environments. The results confirm the research hypotheses, demonstrating that ergonomic principles and human factors engineering (HFE) can significantly enhance the comfort, safety, and performance of vehicle users in both civilian and military contexts.
A Systematic Review of Parental Occupational Pesticide Exposure and Geographical Proximity to Agricultural Fields in Association with Neural Tube Defects
Authors: Felisbino Karoline , Milhorini Shayane da Silva , Kirsten Nathalia , Sato Mariane Yoshie , Silva Davi Paula da , Kulik Juliana Danna , Guiloski Izonete Cristina
Published: January 2025

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital anomaly and have been widely associated with exposure to pesticides. This systematic review which analyzes the association between parental exposure to pesticides and NTDs was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The search strategy was designed considering the population, exposure, controls, outcomes, and study design (PECOS). The inclusion criteria were epidemiological studies involving pesticides exposure during embryonic development, written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, and performed in 12 databases. Based on the eligibility criteria, 16 articles were selected for analysis. The most frequently assessed NTDs were anencephaly and spina bifida, with 14 studies investigating each of these conditions. The assessment of pesticide exposure was based on parental occupation and residential proximity to agricultural fields. Studies differed regarding the pesticides assessed, exposure windows, and parents exposed. Regarding the outcomes, it was observed that geographic proximity to agricultural fields and a greater association with family members exposed to pesticides were found in mothers and neonates with NTDs. In relation to occupational exposure, some articles found an association with NTDs, while others did not. Therefore, an analysis of the available evidence suggests that pesticides are a risk factor in the development of NTDs.
Association Between Fine Particle Waves and Sexual Function: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in China
Authors: Zhang Weiqian , Qu Rui , Cheng Guan , Wang Jingxuan , Yin Tailang , Liu Jue , Tang Dongdong , Zhang Yan
Published: January 2025

Background: The effect of the long-term persistently elevated air pollutants, often referred to as air pollution waves, on sexual function has not been sufficiently addressed. Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study involved 12,157 participants, with 5496 females and 5039 males. PM waves were characterized by daily average PM concentrations surpassing Grade II thresholds of China’s ambient air quality standards (PM2.5 > 75 μg/m3, PM10 > 150 μg/m3) for three or more consecutive days (3–8 days). Male sexual function was assessed through the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), while female sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). A multivariate linear regression model was employed to investigate the link between PM wave exposure and sexual function. Results: Exposure to PM10 waves, defined as 3 (β = −0.0145, 95%CI = −0.0280, −0.0010), 4 (β = −0.0145, 95%CI = −0.0280, −0.0010), 5 (β = −0.0193, 95%CI = −0.0371, −0.0015), 6 (β = −0.0218, 95%CI = −0.0415, −0.0021), 7 (β = −0.0243, 95%CI = −0.0458, −0.0028), and 8 (β = −0.0243, 95%CI = −0.0458, −0.0028) consecutive days, negatively impacted IIEF-5 scores and male sexual function. Moreover, depression levels, as evaluated by the PHQ-9, played a mediating role in the connection between PM10 waves and IIEF-5 scores. The potentially vulnerable subgroups were the younger 20–30 and the low-income groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest for the first time that PM10 waves are associated with decreased IIEF-5 scores, which are mediated by depression score PHQ-9, informing policy formulation for public health interventions and individual safeguarding.
Holocellulose from a Winemaking By-Product to Develop a Biopolymeric System for Bacterial Immobilization: Adsorption of Ochratoxin A in Wine Model Solutions (Box–Behnken Design)
Authors: Carrasco-Sánchez Verónica , Laurie V. Felipe , Muñoz-Vera Marcelo , Castro Ricardo Ignacio
Published: January 2025

Significant agro-industrial waste is produced during the winemaking process, including grape stalks, which are a rich source of the valuable biopolymer holocellulose that can be utilized for biotechnological processes. The purpose of this study was to delignify grape stalks in order to extract holocellulose. Then Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) was immobilized in the interstitial spaces of holocellulose and then coated with natural polymers (chitosan, Ch; and alginate, Al) to create the Holo-LP/Ch/Al complex. A physicochemical analysis of the system revealed strong bacterial immobilization and stability. The efficiency of the complex in adsorbing ochratoxin A (OTA) from wine model solutions was assessed using a Box–Behnken design under various pH, time, and concentration conditions. The results showed that at pH 3.0, 75.39 min, and a complex concentration of 43.82 mg mL−1, the best OTA removal (53.68%) took place. Because of its physicochemical interactions, the complex showed improved OTA adsorption in acidic environments. This study demonstrates the potential of biopolymeric systems based on holocellulose for reducing mycotoxin contamination in beverages and stabilizing bacterial cells. These results offer a viable way to increase food safety and value winemaking by-products.
From Airwaves to Farmlands: How Radio Programmes in Indigenous Languages Are Shaping Agricultural Development in North-Central Nigeria
Authors: Adeyeye Babatunde , Salawu Abiodun
Published: January 2025

This study investigated agricultural radio programmes in specific indigenous languages (Hausa and Tiv) and their role in supporting agricultural development in North-Central Nigeria. Data were collected through interviews with the programme producers. Qualitative data were analysed using Systematic content analysis (SCA). The results showed the programme format, the topics treated per season, the availability of discussants, the feedback mechanism of previous programmes, and the programme’s influence on the audience. The study concluded that radio programmes in indigenous languages play a crucial role in agricultural development. However, the study also highlighted the urgent need for more support for these programmes, particularly in partnerships with agricultural sector organisations for technical and financial support. The study drives a crucial political debate on the role of media in rural development, the promotion of indigenous languages, support for agricultural policy, and political influence, including creating more inclusive and community-focused policies and increased engagement between government, media organisations, and agricultural stakeholders.
Efecto de la variación temporal de la temperatura sobre la producción del camarón Penaeus vannamei en sistemas de cultivo en lagunas
Authors: Narvaez Vega Ana Noemi , Romero Bustamante Génesis Estefanía , Velásquez López Patricio Colón
Published: January 2025

El presente estudio analizó las variaciones de temperatura durante el cultivo de Penaeus vannamei en sistemas abiertos con un método de transferencia trifasico para comprender los patrones de variación en las estaciones lluviosa (EL) y seca (ES) y su efecto sobre el oxígeno disuelto (OD), el consumo de alimento y el rendimiento de producción de camarón. En la ES la mínima temperatura se registró por la mañana en la Fase 1 con 23,8 °C y la máxima temperatura por la tarde en la Fase 3 con 29,8 °C. En la EL, la mínima temperatura fue de 20,5 °C y la máxima por la tarde con 34,7 °C, correspondientes a la fase 3 de cultivo. En la ES La mínima concentración de oxígeno se registró en la Fase 1 con 2,04 mg/L y la máxima con 11,8 mg/L en la tarde. En la EL la mínima concentración de OD en el agua la se registró en la fase 1 con 2,16 mg/L y la máxima fue en el atardecer de las fases 2 y 3 con 11,8 mg/L. Durante la EL, la temperatura tuvo una variabilidad más significativa que en la ES, mientras que las concentraciones de OD registradas en ambas estaciones no fueron significativamente diferentes. Durante la EL se registró mayor mortalidad y un crecimiento semanal superior en comparación con la ES. Sin embargo, la biomasa producida en la ES fue 17,62% superior, generando mejores ingresos económicos. Los patrones estacionales en Ecuador están aumentando la temperatura por encima de los niveles permisibles, influyendo en las concentraciones de OD en el agua y afectando la productividad del camarón P. vannamei en sistemas de cultivo abierto.
Cambios Hematológicos en Orthopristis rubra (Cuvier 1830) (Haemulidae: Haemulinae) durante la Transición del Entorno Natural al Confinamiento
Authors: Nirchio Mauro , Fischer Godoy César A
Published: January 2025

En esta investigación, se analiza la dinámica de las respuestas hematológicas en Orthopristis rubra abordando los impactos durante la captura, el transporte y el estrés inducido por el confinamiento. Abarcando 504 horas, el estudio captura los cambios en las variables hematológicas durante la aclimatación de esta especie en ambientes artificiales. Los resultados obtenidos de dos grupos de peces, capturados y examinados con cuatro meses de diferencia, respaldan la reproducibilidad de los cambios hematológicos observados. Las notables fluctuaciones de parámetros como la concentración total de hemoglobina, el hematocrito, el recuento de glóbulos rojos, la concentración media de hemoglobina corpuscular y el recuento de glóbulos blancos ponen de manifiesto respuestas de estrés agudo en las primeras horas, seguidas de una estabilización, indicativa de una adaptación satisfactoria a los retos que plantea el cautiverio. Estos indicadores fiables de aclimatación son cruciales para evaluar el bienestar de los peces en entornos artificiales. Las variaciones hidrológicas críticas, incluidos los niveles de oxígeno y las disparidades de temperatura, afectan significativamente a los parámetros hematológicos. La capacidad de los peces para responder y mantener valores elevados tras la aclimatación pone de relieve su habilidad para afinar los mecanismos fisiológicos. El estudio no sólo mejora nuestra comprensión de las respuestas de O. rubra, sino que también sienta las bases para futuras investigaciones sobre los mecanismos subyacentes que rigen el estrés y la aclimatación en los peces.
Substitución de la harina de pescado por harina de soya en el crecimiento de juveniles del “caracol tegogolo” Pomacea patula catemacensis en laboratorio
Authors: Sepúlveda Carlos Humberto , García Ulloa Manuel
Published: January 2025

El cultivo de especies acuáticas alimentados con ingredientes de fácil manejo, disponibles y baratos, representa una opción para cubrir la creciente demanda de proteína de alta calidad para consumo humano. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la substitución de harina de pescado (HP) por harina de soya (HS) en diferentes porcentajes (100HP, 20HS/80HP, 40HS/60HP, 60HS/40HP, 80HS/20HP y 100HS) en el crecimiento de juveniles del “caracol tegogolo”, Pomacea patula catemacensis (< 0,20 g peso inicial promedio), bajo condiciones de laboratorio. Las variables del agua en las peceras (temperatura = 27,36±0,50 °C), oxígeno disuelto = 4,09±0,87 mg L−l y pH = 7,56±0,29) se mantuvieron estables en todo el tiempo experimental. Las dietas (isoproteicas = 39,9±0,54%) se suministraron ad libitum y se realizó un recambio de agua de 100% diariamente. Los caracoles de cada pecera (n = 10) fueron pesados y medidos al inicio del ensayo y cada semana durante los 60 días experimentales. Además, se calculó el rango de crecimiento específico (CE, %) y la ganancia en peso promedio por día (GPPD, g). Los valores más altos del peso húmedo y longitud de la concha de los caracoles al final del cultivo se registraron para la dieta 100HP (4,70±0,40 g y 2,64±0,47 cm, respectivamente), mientras que los más bajos (2,30±0,19 g y 2,13±0,45 cm, respectivamente) se observaron para el tratamiento 80HS/20HP (p < 0,05). El CE final fluctuó desde 2,14±1,13 hasta 4,65±2,39% para los grupos 80HS/20HP y 100HS, respectivamente. El tratamiento 100HP obtuvo la mayor GPPD (0,153±0,013 g) en la sexta semana. El costo de la dieta 100HS resultó ser 35,62% más barata que la 100HP. Se recomienda la substitución total de HP por HS en la dieta de juveniles del tegogolo, aunque es necesario evaluar su efecto hasta que alcancen la talla comercial (32 mm de longitud).
Migrantes ecuatorianos: problemáticas que notician las crónicas
Authors: Salazar Estrada Yovany , Jáimez Esteves Rita
Published: January 2025

Este artículo analiza las principales problemáticas que enfrentan los migrantes ecuatorianos de acuerdo con estas crónicas: Me fui a volver: narrativas, autorías y lecturas teorizadas de las migraciones ecuatorianas (2014), Lo que aprendí en la peluquería (2011), Permiso de residencia (2013); El color de los sueños: historias de migrantes (2016) y Cuaderno de la lluvia (2021). Para obtener tales dificultades, acudimos a las fases sugeridas por Braun y Clarke (2006). Hallamos que, pese a las extenuantes jornadas laborales, no logran poder adquisitivo. Entre las dificultades más recurrentes mencionan el abuso del patrono con la paga, la xenofobia, la legalización de su estatus como residentes y el espacio físico de las viviendas. Se lamentan de la ausencia física que puede traducirse en olvido.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Emigrantes ecuatorianos; Crónicas de migración; Trabajos de migrantes; Xenofobia; Legalización.
Uso de herramientas tecnológicas para la comprensión de conceptos en Física
Authors: Pinargote Benavides Luis Miguel , Mestre Gómez Ulises
Published: January 2025

El proceso de enseñanza de la Física en el segundo año de Bachillerato General Unificado presenta ciertos inconvenientes debido a la dificultad de los estudiantes para comprender conceptos abstractos y a la ineficacia de los métodos tradicionales. La urgencia de modernizar la enseñanza se debe a que los enfoques pedagógicos convencionales limitan la participación y no satisfacen las demandas educativas actuales. En respuesta a esta problemática, el objetivo de esta investigación es elaborar una estrategia metodológica para la utilización de herramientas tecnológicas que mejore la comprensión de los conceptos de Física, promoviendo un aprendizaje más dinámico y efectivo en el segundo año de Bachillerato General Unificado. La investigación adoptó un enfoque mixto, combinando métodos cualitativos y cuantitativos para evaluar cómo las herramientas tecnológicas mejoran la comprensión de la Física. Se utilizó una encuesta estructurada con escala de Likert para recopilar datos cuantitativos sobre la percepción estudiantil y entrevistas semiestructuradas con docentes para obtener perspectivas cualitativas sobre la implementación de tecnología. Los datos fueron analizados mediante estadísticas descriptivas y revisión teórica para interpretar su impacto en el aprendizaje de Física. La muestra incluyó a 40 estudiantes y 4 docentes, proporcionando una visión representativa y detallada de las experiencias y percepciones de ambos grupos. La estrategia metodológica para usar herramientas tecnológicas en Física es pertinente y viable, con expertos respaldando su capacidad para mejorar el aprendizaje. Su éxito depende de la capacitación docente y la infraestructura adecuada.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Enseñanza y aprendizaje de la Física, Recursos tecnológicos, PhET Simulations, Educaplus, STEM online.
Psicoterapia grupal y su relación con las prácticas restaurativas en adolescentes
Authors: Bravo Ayala Leonor Carolina , Gómez Reyna Robert Rafael
Published: January 2025

Esta investigación busca describir la relación existente entre psicoterapia grupal y las prácticas restaurativas con círculos restaurativos reactivos, cuya problemática se centra en las dificultades en la comunicación entre padres e hijos adolescentes es uno de los factores familiares que más se asocia con el surgimiento de problemas de salud mental en los jóvenes, como síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés, en el ámbito escolar,también se han identificado varios elementos que pueden afectar de manera negativa la adaptación psicológica de los adolescentes como el rendimiento escolar o la convivenciaentre compañeros, por ello, se planteó como objetivo principal determinar la relación que existe con la psicoterapia grupal y las prácticas restaurativas en adolescentes.La metodología empleada tiene un enfoque cualitativo de tipo analítica-descriptiva, contempla la investigación de literatura comprendida de los años 2019 a 2023 en bases de datos de Google Scholar, Scielo, así como también de repositorios de Universidades de Ecuador, Perú, España, entre otras, aplicando análisis documental de diferentes artículos, libros digitales y tesis. Se seleccionó un total de 65 documentos, siendo registrados en el gestor bibliográfico Zotero para su repaso y citados 35 como encuadre teórico evidenciados en la referencia bibliográfica. En conclusión, la psicoterapia es un proceso terapéutico que involucra la interacción entre un profesional de la salud mental y un individuo o grupo, este enfoque tiene como objetivo mejorar la salud emocional, mental y conductual del paciente. A través de diversas técnicas y enfoques, la psicoterapia aborda problemas psicológicos, emocionales o sociales.
Síndrome de burnout en profesionales de la salud de Portoviejo
Authors: Zambrano Vinces Jaquelin Geovanna , Vega Intriago Jisson Oswaldo
Published: January 2025

El síndrome de burnout es un problema en donde se ve implicada tanto la salud física, salud mental, las relaciones interpersonales y el rendimiento laboral, este puede estarasociado a múltiples factores tanto individuales internos, externos y relacionados con el trabajo. A nivel mundial, va incrementando de manera significativa y suele presentarse mayormente en profesionales de salud, o que trabajen directamente enservicios humanitarios. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de esta investigación es determinar la prevalencia del síndrome de burnout en profesionales de salud de Portoviejo. El diseño de la investigación es no experimental, con un enfoque cuantitativo y un alcance descriptivo de corte transversal. Dentro de la metodología se aplicó el método analítico-sintético, inductivo-deductivo, la revisión bibliográfica y el métodoestadístico- descriptivo. La muestra que se utilizó fueron 40 profesionales de salud de la Clínica San Francisco de Portoviejo, con más de 3 meses de antigüedad laborando en la institución. Se realizó un análisis de las dimensiones según el sexo, se encontró una prevalencia del síndrome de burnout del 22,5% en la muestra estudiada, con un nivel alto de agotamiento emocional de 7,5% y medio del 15%, despersonalizacióncon un nivel alto del 12,5% y medio del 10% y realización personal con un nivel bajo del 22,5%. Estos resultados permiten definir que hay un nivel bajo de síndrome de burnout en la Clínica San Francisco de Portoviejo.