bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying sustainability and resilience in food systems: a systematic analysis for evaluating the convergence of current methodologies and metrics
Authors: Hassan Rasha , Di Martino Marcello , Daher Bassel
Published: February 2025

The global food system faces multiple challenges including growing demand, climate change, conflicts, economic shocks, pandemics, and disasters. Food systems aim to provide healthy and nutritious food for all, while minimizing environmental impacts, ensuring social equity and economic viability, and enhancing resilience to shocks and stresses. The fragility of the global food system has been exposed by COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, resulting in disruptions in supply chains and reduced access to food for vulnerable populations. Recognizing the importance of transitioning to more “sustainable” and “resilient” food systems, a notable gap exists in clear metrics for quantifying “sustainability” and “resilience,” hindering the ability to track progress and inform evidence-based decision-making. This paper explores the alignment of definitions and evaluation methods for “sustainability” and “resilience” in food systems literature, the diversity of existing metrics across regions and scales, and the distribution and distinctive characteristics of case studies that have implemented these quantification approaches. The analysis of the literature highlights a lack of consensus in defining food systems sustainability and resilience, highlighting the need for stakeholder- informed, context-specific metrics. The divergence observed in conceptualizations and methodologies illustrates challenges in achieving a unified assessment framework and bridging the gap between definitions and practical implementation. To address this, we propose the co-creation of practical, interpretable metrics tailored through stakeholder engagement, acknowledging the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach. Notably, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Food-Energy-Water Nexus (FEWN) emerge as promising methodologies for comprehensively evaluating sustainability and resilience dimensions. This review underscores the importance of further conceptual and methodological refinement, alongside fostering regional and international collaboration, to advance the discourse and evidence-based action on sustainable and resilient food systems.
Linkage of jockey falls and injuries with racehorse injuries and fatalities in Thoroughbred flat racing in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Morrice-West Ashleigh V. , Thomas Megan , Wong Adelene S. M. , Flash Meredith , Whitton R. Chris , Hitchens Peta L.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Racehorse and jockey incidents on race-days frequently occur together, yet risk factors for their occurrence have historically been investigated separately. Consideration of both horses and humans in tandem is required for a One Health approach to risk reduction. Our objectives were to therefore identify modifiable risk factors for adverse outcomes that are common or conflicting to both horses and their jockeys in Thoroughbred racing.

Methods

Australian Single National System records for the 2004/05 to 2018/19 flat racing season were merged with the corresponding Australian Racing Incident Database records. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for the outcomes of racehorse musculoskeletal injury (MSI), racehorse fatality, jockey falls and jockey injury using Poisson regression. Horse-level, race-level, jockey-level and trainer-level factors associated with each adverse outcome during or post-race were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The incidence of MSI was 21.21 (20.84, 21.59), racehorse fatalities 0.55 (0.50, 0.61), jockey falls was 3.01 (2.80, 3.24), and jockey injuries 1.79 (1.63, 1.97) per 1000 flat race starts. There was a decrease in racehorse MSI and jockey falls over the study period but no change in racehorse fatality or jockey injury incidence. In multivariable analysis, longer race distances and higher caliber races were associated with horse (p < 0.01), but not jockey, incidents. Firmer turf surfaces were associated with greater risk of both horse incidents and jockey falls (p < 0.05). Racehorses that were of older age at their first start, and/or had prior race-day injuries had a greater risk of injury and fatality (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). The most prominent risk factor for jockey fall or injury was a racehorse incident, although overall contributing to a relatively small proportion; 8.6% (n = 42/489) of jockey falls and 15.3% (n = 24/147) of injuries. Jockeys with fewer career starts were at greater risk of falling, and those with a higher percentage of last place finishing positions were at greater risk of injury (p < 0.001).

Discussion

As there were no conflicting risk factors identified between racehorse and jockey injury, policies aimed at reducing horse injury risk are also expected to benefit their riders.
Enhancing Soil Physical Quality with Compost Amendments: Effects of Particle Size and Additives
Authors: Głąb Tomasz , Gondek Krzysztof , Mierzwa-Hersztek Monika
Published: February 2025

This research investigates the impact of compost particle size, compost additives, and application rate on the physical properties of loamy sand soil, particularly focusing on water retention characteristics. Compost, enriched with additives like zeolite, biochar, and diatomite, was applied to soil in different rates: 1%, 2%, and 4%. Compost particles were divided into three particle size classes: 0–500 µm, 500–1000 µm, and 1000–2000 µm. The study revealed significant effects of compost on soil physical quality, including bulk density, porosity, and water retention. Zeolite-enriched compost showed the most pronounced improvements in soil water retention by modifying pore diameter. However, the effectiveness of compost additives varied depending on the type and rate of application. Compost with zeolite resulted in a decrease in the volume of large soil pores with diameters of 50–500 µm and above 500 µm. This resulted in higher water retention related to mesopores. Larger compost particles (1.0–2.0 mm) exhibited superior effects on soil physical quality compared to smaller particles (<1.0 mm), although finer particles (0.5–1.0 mm) were associated with higher water repellency. Compost with diatomite resulted in higher water repellency than other compost types. The findings underscore the importance of considering compost particle size, component type, and application rate to optimize soil hydraulic characteristics, particularly in agricultural practices where water management is crucial.
Thermal Behavior of Alveoli with Phase Change Materials in Fruit Packaging
Authors: Antunes João Laia , Silva Pedro Dinho , Gaspar Pedro Dinis
Published: February 2025

Fruits are perishable fresh products with a short shelf life after harvesting. Perishable foods and their shelf lives are directly related to the temperature at which they are stored. Refrigeration is therefore essential in the conservation of fruits, as it allows the temperature to be lowered, helping to delay microbial, physiological, and chemical changes. This work aimed to compare the thermal behaviors of alveoli with different phase change materials (PCMs) placed inside a modular packaging developed for the transport and storage of fruits. The cooling tests were carried out inside a cold storage chamber with the set-point programmed to 2 °C. To simulate the placement in packages exposed to the store environment, heating tests were carried out while the chamber door was opened and the packaging was exposed to external environmental conditions. The phase change materials tested were RT2HC, RT5HC, and RT8HC. The temperature variation in the tests during cooling and heating proved that the new type of alveoli with PCM inside the fruit transport packaging is extremely important, as it can extend the useful life of the fruits after they are removed from the cold chamber, managing to maintain adequate conservation conditions for longer in contact with room temperature. The phase change material RT8HC was the one that showed the best results overall, managing to maintain the temperature of the fruit inside the packaging at a temperature below 10 °C for up to eight hours after being exposed to ambient conditions of 20 °C.
Predicting the Compression Index of Clayey Soils Using a Hybrid Genetic Programming and XGBoost Model
Authors: Baghbani Abolfazl , Kiany Katayoon , Abuel-Naga Hossam , Lu Yi
Published: February 2025

The accurate prediction of the compression index (Cc) is crucial for understanding the settlement behavior of clayey soils, which is a key factor in geotechnical design. Traditional empirical models, while widely used, often fail to generalize across diverse soil conditions due to their reliance on simplified assumptions and regional dependencies. This study proposed a novel hybrid method combining Genetic Programming (GP) and XGBoost methods. A large database (including 385 datasets) of geotechnical properties, including the liquid limit (LL), the plasticity index (PI), the initial void ratio (e0), and the water content (w), was used. The hybrid GP-XGBoost model achieved remarkable predictive performance, with an R2 of 0.966 and 0.927 and mean squared error (MSE) values of 0.001 and 0.001 for training and testing datasets, respectively. The mean absolute error (MAE) was also exceptionally low at 0.030 for training and 0.028 for testing datasets. Comparative analysis showed that the hybrid model outperformed the standalone GP (R2 = 0.934, MSE = 0.003) and XGBoost (R2 = 0.939, MSE = 0.002) models, as well as traditional empirical methods such as Terzaghi and Peck (R2 = 0.149, MSE = 0.090). Key findings highlighted that the initial void ratio and water content are the most influential predictors of Cc, with feature importance scores of 0.55 and 0.27, respectively. The novelty of the proposed method lies in its ability to combine the interpretability of GP with the computational efficiency of XGBoost and results in a robust and adaptable predictive tool. This hybrid approach has the potential to advance geotechnical engineering practices by providing accurate and interpretable models for diverse soil profiles and complex site conditions.
A Study on the Mechanism of the Precipitation-Induced Slope Instability of Colluvium
Authors: Wang Jingying , Yang Jihong , Yang Xinglong , Shi Fengge
Published: February 2025

In this study, the evolution process of a landslide model under continuous rainfall conditions with a rainfall intensity of 30 mm/h is studied in depth based on an outdoor rainfall model test of a colluvial slope as the research material. The response law of pore water pressure and settlement amount is also obtained, and the influence of bedrock inclination angle on the development and deformation failure of the colluvial landslide is discussed. When the dip angle of the bedrock is 40°, it is prone to sudden slip-type landslides, and the evolution process is as follows: tensile cracks appear at the trailing edge, and these cracks continue to increase, leading to overall sliding. When the bedrock dip angle is 30°, traction landslides are prone to occur, and the evolution process is as follows: there is sliding at the foot of the slope, tensile cracks appear in the middle, sliding occurs in the middle, and tensile cracks appear in the upper part, leading to overall sliding. Before the landslide starts, the pore water pressure rises significantly. In the process of landslide evolution, the fine particles move to the foot of the slope with the rainwater, and the larger the angle of the slope, the greater the number of fine particles that accumulate at the foot of the slope, and the higher the elevation and the larger the scale of the trailing edge of the sliding body during sliding.
Decoding Analyses Show Dynamic Waxing and Waning of Event-Related Potentials in Coma Patients
Authors: Herrera-Diaz Adianes , Boshra Rober , Kolesar Richard , Pajankar Netri , Tavakoli Paniz , Lin Chia-Yu , Fox-Robichaud Alison , Connolly John F.
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Coma prognosis is challenging, as patient presentation can be misleading or uninformative when using behavioral assessments only. Event-related potentials have been shown to provide valuable information about a patient’s chance of survival and emergence from coma. Our prior work revealed that the mismatch negativity (MMN) in particular waxes and wanes across 24 h in some coma patients. This “cycling” aspect of the presence/absence of neurophysiological responses may require fine-grained tools to increase the chances of detecting levels of neural processing in coma. This study implements multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to automatically quantify patterns of neural discrimination between duration deviant and standard tones over time at the single-subject level in seventeen healthy controls and in three comatose patients. Methods: One EEG recording, containing up to five blocks of an auditory oddball paradigm, was performed in controls over a 12 h period. For patients, two EEG sessions were conducted 3 days apart for up to 24 h, denoted as day 0 and day 3, respectively. MVPA was performed using a support-vector machine classifier. Results: Healthy controls exhibited reliable discrimination or classification performance during the latency intervals associated with MMN and P3a components. Two patients showed some intervals with significant discrimination around the second half of day 0, and all had significant results on day 3. Conclusions: These findings suggest that decoding analyses can accurately classify neural responses at a single-subject level in healthy controls and provide evidence of small but significant changes in auditory discrimination over time in coma patients. Further research is needed to confirm whether this approach represents an improved technology for assessing cognitive processing in coma.
Psychometric Analysis of Items Evaluating Health Belief Model Constructs in Social Media Posts: Application of Rasch Measurement Model
Authors: Jia Xiaofeng , Ahn Soyeon
Published: February 2025

Social media is a crucial tool for health communication as it provides an immediate, wide-reaching platform to share information, correct misinformation, and promote health behaviors. The Health Belief Model (HBM) offers a structured approach for designing more effective social media messages by employing unique constructs predicting health behaviors, such as severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy. While prior research has explored HBM constructs in health messages, most studies have collected the survey data with items lacking robust psychometric evidence, particularly in evaluating social media posts. This study addresses this gap by using Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT) to analyze the psychometric properties of HBM items evaluating social media posts promoting COVID-19 vaccination. The findings indicate that severity, benefits, and barriers are the most reliable HBM constructs in social media posts, while susceptibility and self-efficacy are underutilized in health messaging for social media. Also, dimensionality analysis confirms distinct patterns, but unexplained variance suggests that additional factors influence vaccine messaging, raising validity concerns. These results underscore the need to refine HBM-based message strategies by emphasizing overlooked constructs and improving item effectiveness. This study provides guidelines for using HBM-related measures in social media by establishing comprehensive psychometric properties, especially when applied in social media contexts. It also presents practical guidelines for designing and evaluating social media health messages, ensuring they effectively utilize HBM constructs to promote positive health behaviors. Future research should explore measurement invariance and content creators’ emphasis on HBM constructs, leveraging high-engagement tweets while expanding to diverse perspectives for broader applicability.
Untangling Relational Ties: How Internalized Homonegativity and Adult Attachment Shape Relationship Quality in Lesbian and Gay Couples
Authors: Trombetta Tommaso , Fusco Chiara , Rollè Luca , Santona Alessandra
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Several studies point to an association between minority stress, especially internalized homonegativity and the quality of the couple relationship. However, the dimensions of psychological functioning that might moderate this relationship seem to be scarcely explored. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the association between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality by examining the moderating role of adult attachment (dimensions of anxiety and avoidance) in lesbian and gay (LG) people. Materials and Methods: A total of 674 LG participants who had been in a couple relationship for at least 12 months were included in the study and completed self-report questionnaires. Results: The results show a direct negative effect of internalized homonegativity on relationship quality. Adult attachment seems to moderate this relationship: on the one hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality is significant at high levels of anxious attachment, but not at low levels. On the other hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality turns out to be significant at low levels of avoidant attachment, but not at high levels. Discussion: The results suggest that attachment anxiety and avoidance play different roles in the relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality. While high levels of anxious attachment appear to be a risk factor, high levels of avoidant attachment seem to play a protective role. Although future studies are needed to investigate the present preliminary findings further, the results of the present study provide useful clinical and research insights.
Analysis of Damage Mechanism of Ellipsoidal Assembled Tower Joint
Authors: Li Miao , Ma Jiaxin , Wen Yang
Published: February 2025

An assembled elliptical joint was designed for a lattice wind turbine tower, and four samples were analyzed under static loads. Additionally, finite element analysis software was employed to create 40 models, with the wall thickness of the ball seat and the web being the variable parameters. This enabled the identification of the variation pattern in the ultimate bearing capacity. It was found that the failure parts of the four test pieces were located in the connection area between the tensioned web member and the ball table. Increasing the wall thickness of the ball table and the web member significantly increased the joint’s load-bearing capacity. However, increasing the table wall thickness somewhat reduced the joint’s deformation capacity. Increasing the web member thickness significantly improved the deformation capacity and the energy absorption capacity of the joint. Increasing the table wall and the member web thickness reduced the peak equivalent stress in the ball table area and the press plate, as well as the overall stress level. Finite element simulations showed that the joint’s load-bearing ability was adversely impacted when the table wall thickness exceeded 10 mm. When the web member wall thickness exceeded 5 mm, the joint bearing capacity was less sensitive to the increase in the wall thickness.
Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Beijing Residents’ Lifestyles: Data-Driven Insights into Apartment Interior Design
Authors: Liu Feifei , Wang Yuzhe , An Qi
Published: February 2025

The urbanization of Beijing has precipitated a shift in the design of living spaces, with the focus transitioning from the design of new houses to existing residential properties. The concept of the living environment is inherently multifaceted, evolving in response to societal and lifestyle shifts. The employment of computer-assisted observation in acquiring lifestyle data about residential behavior circumvents the subjectivity inherent in questionnaires, thereby providing a novel approach to considering user behavior within the design process. This observational study utilizes video data collected by the Oriental Culture & Design Center, offering a comprehensive depiction of the daily lives of Beijing residents. The Noldus Observer XT program was utilized to encode and analyze the data, thereby facilitating the acquisition of insights into urban dwelling patterns in China. Over 14 days, 53,550 behavioral codes were recorded for six households, meticulously organized axially based on a 24 h cycle to capture the behavioral facts of living spaces. Through the synthesis of quantitative data analysis and qualitative observations, this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the general lifestyle patterns exhibited by these urban residents. In addition, based on the insights gained, we propose four directions for the future design of living spaces. This comprehensive temporal dataset on living behaviors offers significant data support for design practitioners and researchers developing residential spaces. This study’s findings can optimize living environments for mental health and well-being by providing empirical data and design recommendations grounded in real-life observations.
Correction: Wang et al. Identification and Verification of a Novel MAGI2-AS3/miRNA-374-5p/FOXO1 Network Associated with HBV-Related HCC. Cells 2022, 11, 3466
Authors: Wang Chao , Su Kunkai , Lin Hanchao , Cen Beini , Zheng Shusen , Xu Xiao
Published: February 2025

In the original publication [...]
Hedgehog and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathways Involvement in Leukemic Malignancies: Crosstalk and Role in Cell Death
Authors: Sicurella Mariaconcetta , De Chiara Marica , Neri Luca Maria
Published: February 2025

The Hedgehog (Hh) and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways play a pivotal role in driving the initiation and progression of various cancers, including hematologic malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These pathways are often dysregulated in leukemia cells, leading to increased cell growth, survival, and drug resistance while also impairing mechanisms of cell death. In leukemia, the Hh pathway can be abnormally activated by genetic mutations. Additionally, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is frequently overactive due to genetic changes. A key aspect of these pathways is their interaction: activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway can trigger a non-canonical activation of the Hh pathway, which further promotes leukemia cell growth and survival. Targeted inhibitors of these pathways, such as Gli inhibitors and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies.
Left Atrial Strain Value Versus Tissue Doppler Echocardiography and the Left Atrium Volume Index in the Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Elsheikh Eman , Amjad Zainab , Abohamr Samah I , Al Sahlawi Muthana , Khairat Ibtsam
Published: February 2025

Background: In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and decreased ejection fraction (HFrEF), LA strain, an indicator of the filling and discharge of the left atrium (LA), was recently identified as a sign of diastolic dysfunction. Our objective was to examine the significance of left atrial (LA) strain relative to tissue Doppler echocardiography and the left atrial volume index (LAVI) in evaluating left ventricular (LV) diastolic performance in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 outpatients with CKD who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were referred to the cardiology clinic at Tanta University for routine echocardiographic assessment during a period of 6 months (April to September 2024). Based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), patients were divided into five groups: GFR ranges from 90 to 120 mL/min/1.73 m2 in Group 1, 60 to 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 in Group 2, 30 to 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in Group 3, 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m2 in Group 4, and less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 in Group 5. All participants were evaluated using echocardiographic measurements, such as the E/e ratio, left ventricular systolic and diastolic volumes, left atrial strain, left atrial volume index (LAVI), and ejection fraction (EF). Results: LA strain conduit and reservoir strain can significantly diagnose LV diastolic function in CKD patients (p < 0.001; AUC = 0.819 and 0.869, respectively) using cutoffs of ≤36 and ≥23, with 86% and 95.5% sensitivity, 65% and 60% specificity, 96.1% and 96% PPV, and 31.7% and 57.1%, NPV respectively. An AUC = 0.926 was observed with LAVI among grade 1 vs. grade 0 (0.9 is considered excellent in diagnosing patients with and without the disease). Other markers had AUC values of 0.5–0.6 among the grades of the diastolic function, suggesting no discrimination in diagnosing the disease. Conclusions: LA conduit strain and reservoir strain are independent markers that represent a superior and more sensitive approach than LAVI and tissue Doppler echocardiography for evaluating LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with CKD, even in the early stages.
Stabilizing Perovskite Solar Cells by Methyltriphenylphosphonium Iodide Studied with Maximum Power Point Tracking
Authors: Manikowsky Niklas , Gebremichael Zekarias Teklu , Ugokwe Chikezie Williams , Bhandari Bashudev , Stumpf Steffi , Schubert Ulrich S. , Hoppe Harald
Published: February 2025

The use of organic halide salts to passivate metal halide perovskite (MHP) surface defects has been studied extensively. Passivating the surface defects of the MHP is of critical importance for realizing highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, the successful application of a multifunctional organic salt, methyltriphenylphosphonium iodide (MTPPI), used as a passivation additive for grain boundary defects and as a molecular sealing layer in terms of stabilization, has been used to stabilize the mixed cation perovskite RbCsMAFA-PbIBr. To assess the passivating and stabilizing effects of MTPPI on RbCsMAFA-PbIBr PSCs, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) was applied as the most realistic and closest-to-application condition for the ageing test. Here, perovskite solar cells were aged under a light source yielding an excitation intensity corresponding to one sun with maximum power point tracking, which was interrupted periodically by current–voltage sweeps. This allowed for the extraction of all photovoltaic parameters necessary for a proper understanding of the ageing process. The MTPPI additive can donate iodine anions to halide vacancies and compensate a negative surface excess charge with cation interactions. On top of this, the large and bulky methyltriphenylphosphonium (MTPP+) cation may block both the escape of volatile perovskite components and the ingress of oxygen and water vapour. These collective roles of MTPPI have improved both the efficiency and stability of the solar cells compared to the reference without passivation additives.
Rapid Rates of Change in Multiple Biodiversity Measures in Breeding Avian Assemblages
Authors: Acosta Alamo Marlen , Manne Lisa L.
Published: February 2025

Species respond to environmental changes at different rates, resulting in no change, increased, or decreased resemblance among species assemblages. We explored the patterns of rate of change in bird diversity in five ecoregions of the United States across 30 years. We characterized the rate of change in breeding avian biodiversity using measures of species richness and assemblage dissimilarity, detecting changes in the same for 50% and 70% of the assemblages, respectively. Fast richness declines and species replacement were associated with rapid biotic differentiation within ecoregions, while rapid increases in richness and slowed species replacement were tied to high within-ecoregion biotic homogenization rates. Further, it was exceedingly rare for any biodiversity measured to change slowly over time; most changes were rapid. For the species assemblages studied here, changes in assemblage dissimilarity patterns were more common than changes in species richness, even though species richness has received more research attention. These results underscore the need to combine measures capturing different aspects of biodiversity (e.g., species richness and assemblage differentiation) to provide greater insight into the underlying mechanisms and pathways driving changes in biodiversity patterns.
Automatic Evaluation of Bone Age Using Hand Radiographs and Pancorporal Radiographs in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Andleeb Ifrah , Hussain Bilal Zahid , Joncas Julie , Barchi Soraya , Roy-Beaudry Marjolaine , Parent Stefan , Grimard Guy , Labelle Hubert , Duong Luc
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex, three-dimensional spinal deformity that requires monitoring of skeletal maturity for effective management. Accurate bone age assessment is important for evaluating developmental progress in AIS. Traditional methods rely on ossification center observations, but recent advances in deep learning (DL) might pave the way for automatic grading of bone age. Methods: The goal of this research is to propose a new deep neural network (DNN) and evaluate class activation maps for bone age assessment in AIS using hand radiographs. We developed a custom neural network based on DenseNet201 and trained it on the RSNA Bone Age dataset. Results: The model achieves an average mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.87 months on more than 250 clinical testing AIS patient dataset. To enhance transparency and trust, we introduced Score-CAM, an explainability tool that reveals the regions of interest contributing to accurate bone age predictions. We compared our model with the BoneXpert system, demonstrating similar performance, which signifies the potential of our approach to reduce inter-rater variability and expedite clinical decision-making. Conclusions: This study outlines the role of deep learning in improving the precision and efficiency of bone age assessment, particularly for AIS patients. Future work involves the detection of other regions of interest and the integration of other ossification centers.
Fault Diagnosis of Wind Turbine Gearbox Based on Improved Multivariate Variational Mode Decomposition and Ensemble Refined Composite Multivariate Multiscale Dispersion Entropy
Authors: Xia Xin , Wang Xiaolu , Chen Weilin
Published: February 2025

Wind turbine planetary gearboxes have complex structures and operating environments, which makes it difficult to extract fault features effectively. In addition, it is difficult to achieve efficient fault diagnosis. To improve the efficiency of feature extraction and fault diagnosis, a fault diagnosis method based on improved multivariate variational mode decomposition (IMVMD) and ensemble refined composite multivariate multiscale dispersion entropy (ERCmvMDE) with multi-channel vibration data is proposed. Firstly, the IMVMD is proposed to obtain the optimal parameters of the MVMD, which would make the MVMD more effective. Secondly, the ERCmvMDE is proposed to extract rich and effective feature information. Finally, the fault diagnosis of the planetary gearbox is achieved using the least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) with features consisting of ERCmvMDE. Simulations and experimental studies indicate that the proposed method performs feature extraction well and obtains higher fault diagnosis accuracy.
Financial Literacy Games—Increasing Utility Value by Instructional Design in Upper Secondary Education
Authors: Platz Liane , Zauner Marina
Published: February 2025

Empirical findings show that students often have insufficient financial literacy, even though they increasingly make independent financial decisions. Financial education at school can provide a foundation for a lifelong proactive approach to financial matters with increasing utility value and financial interest. This includes the simulation of future financial decisions with serious games. Despite a wide range of serious games to promote financial literacy, there is a lack of empirical research on the instructional design of such games. This includes the instructional design of game mechanics as action-guiding and reflection prompts for debriefing. In a quasi-experimental intervention study with a 2 × 2 research design, upper secondary students were assigned to four groups (n = 293). They played the game Moonshot with different combinations of game mechanics and reflection prompts. Based on mixed ANOVA analysis, the combination of strategic game mechanics and direct reflection prompts significantly increased students’ utility value for a financial literacy game, which underlines the importance of the instructional design of game mechanics and reflection prompts in serious games. But only a group-independent time effect was found for financial interest. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Transforming Academic Literacy: Centering Indigenous Identities in the Classroom
Authors: Eybers Oscar
Published: February 2025

This article explores the transformational potential of centering indigenous identities and heritage within academic literacy instruction in higher education. The dominance of Eurocentric pedagogies in higher education has often marginalized African epistemologies and cultural narratives, limiting students’ engagement and sense of belonging. Drawing on examples such as the Ma’at and Tewahedo traditions, this work argues that academic literacy should embrace Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the cultural capital students bring to the classroom. By integrating indigenous identities into disciplinary discourses, educators can create more inclusive learning environments that challenge historical power dynamics and elevate marginalized voices. This analysis highlights practical strategies for educators to foster critical thinking, reading, and writing while affirming students’ identities. Ultimately, this article demonstrates that activating Indigenous Knowledge Systems can create classrooms that are inclusive and reflective of African identities.
Utilizing Target Sequences with Multiple Flanking Protospacer Adjacent Motif (PAM) Sites Reduces Off-Target Effects of the Cas9 Enzyme in Pineapple
Authors: Shu Haiyan , Luan Aiping , Ullah Hidayat , He Junhu , Wang You , Chen Chengjie , Wei Qing , Zhan Rulin , Chang Shenghe
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: CRISPR-Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)-associated protein 9 is now widely used in agriculture and medicine. Off-target effects can lead to unexpected results that may be harmful, and these effects are a common concern in both research and therapeutic applications. Methods: In this study, using pineapple as the gene-editing material, eighteen target sequences with varying numbers of PAM (Protospacer-Adjacent Motif) sites were used to construct gRNA vectors. Fifty mutant lines were generated for each target sequence, and the off-target rates were counted. Results: Selecting sequences with multiple flanking PAM sites as editing targets resulted in a lower off-target rate compared to those with a single PAM site. Target sequences with two 5′-NGG (“N” represents any nucleobase, followed by two guanine “G”) PAM sites at the 3′ end exhibited greater specificity and a higher probability of binding with the Cas9 protein than those only with one 5′-NGG PAM site at the 3′ end. Conversely, although the target sequence with a 5′-NAG PAM site (where “N” is any nucleobase, followed by adenine “A” and guanine “G”) adjacent and upstream of an NGG PAM site had a lower off-target rate compared to sequences with only an NGG PAM site, their off-target rates were still higher than those of sequences with two adjacent 5′-NAG PAM sites. Among the target sequences of pineapple mutant lines (AcACS1, AcOT5, AcCSPE6, AcPKG11A), more deletions than insertions were found. Conclusions: We found that target sequences with multiple flanking PAM sites are more likely to bind with the Cas9 protein and induce mutations. Selecting sequences with multiple flanking PAM sites as editing targets can reduce the off-target effects of the Cas9 enzyme in pineapple. These findings provide a foundation for improving off-target prediction and engineering CRISPR-Cas9 complexes for gene editing.
Innovative Tree Peony and Herbaceous Peony Germplasm Display Balls with High Application Potential
Authors: Han Chenjing , Ji Xinyue , Wang Zhiwei , Lu Yizeng
Published: February 2025

Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. (tree peony) and Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (herbaceous peony) are traditional Chinese flowers with great ornamental value. To maintain the aesthetic value and show the characteristics of these species, preserved flowers named ‘germplasm display balls’ were developed. Firstly, dried flowers were obtained by vacuum freeze-drying. Secondly, to embed dried flowers and develop germplasm display balls, highly transparent crystal glue (in wrapped display balls type 1 and drop-type display balls type 2) and highly transparent silicone gel (in wrapped display balls, type 3) were used. Finally, the first pass yield (FPY), labor productivity (LP), average cost (AC), and popularity of three kinds of germplasm display balls were compared. The results showed that with the support of a paper cup, the deformation rate of flowers significantly decreased by 91.11%. The FPY of dried flowers was as high as 98.89% at 18 °C. The optimal process for type 1 and type 2 was a glue dosage of 20 g, stirring time of 3 min, and room temperature of 25 °C. Although there was a higher AC in type 3 display ball process, moderate LP and higher FPY and popularity than in other two types, accompanied by high durability, render it the best choice.
COVID-19 as a Mirror: Reflecting the Pandemic of Racism and the Historical Roots of Health Inequities
Authors: Grant Tiffany J.
Published: February 2025

Historically, the attribution of biology to race has shaped societies and manifested in innumerable disparities and irreparable harm, especially in communities of color. From the earliest days of the United States to the present day, the dehumanization and “othering” of African Americans have caused deep racial inequities that have been perpetuated and embedded in American culture. The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the deep racial inequalities in the US, especially in health outcomes for communities of color. Structural racism has played a critical role in exacerbating disparities, with Black, Hispanic, Latinx, and Indigenous populations experiencing higher rates of severe disease and mortality. The interconnectedness of racism with the social determinants of health, concomitant with higher rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, increases vulnerability to severe COVID-19. Health disparities are compounded by implicit biases in the medical field, a lack of diversity among healthcare providers, and historical medical mistrust among marginalized groups. Underrepresentation in the medical field, biomedical sciences, and academia hinders efforts to address health disparities effectively. This essay seeks to raise awareness of how the concepts of race and racism have resulted in racial hierarchies that perpetuate systems of oppression and impede efforts toward racial and health equity. Specifically, this essay covers time periods in American history, including slavery, the Jim Crow Era, the Civil Rights Movement, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and discusses how addressing race and racism and the achievement of racial health equity require targeted efforts to increase diversity in healthcare and biomedical fields, improve cultural competence, and foster trust between medical professionals and communities of color.
Two Terpene Synthases Are Involved in Multiple Sesquiterpene Biosynthesis in the Woody Vegetable, Toona sinensis
Authors: Zheng Yaping , Li Wenjing , Dai Jianhua , Zhang Yaoyi , Wang Minyan , Liu Jun , Yin Hengfu , Li Haimei
Published: February 2025

As a special woody vegetable, Chinese toon (Toona sinensis) has a unique flavor, which is mainly formed by a combination of volatile substances. The secretion and storage of volatile odorants in plants are often carried out in trichomes. Currently, studies on the formation of T. sinensis flavor in terms of biosynthetic processes and epidermal trichome morphology are scarce. Here, we conducted a detailed analysis of the morphology, structure, and distribution of trichomes on the leaves of T. sinensis. We identified three types of trichomes: non-glandular, sessile glandular, and stalked glandular. We found that the distribution of trichomes varies greatly in the natural populations of T. sinensis, and this may be closely related to the changes in volatile components. In order to clarify the relationship between secondary metabolism and trichome formation, we integrated the metabolic analysis of volatiles with transcriptome analysis and discovered two important (Terpene Synthase) TPS genes that may be directly involved in terpene synthesis. Through the heterologous expression in tobacco and the transient expression in T. sinensis, we showed that the TPS genes can participate in the synthesis of sesquiterpenes, among which TsTPS1262 can lead to the synthesis of elemene in T. sinensis. Our study provides insights into the synthesis pathways of complex volatile components in T. sinensis and also provides a basis for flavor breeding applications.
Comparative Outcomes of Adalimumab and Infliximab Dose Escalation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Failing First-Line Biologic Treatment
Authors: Atay Ali , Cagir Yavuz , Ergul Mucahit , Ozturk Oguz , Durak Muhammed Bahaddin , Yuksel Ilhami
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Dose escalation has been commonly used to achieve and maintain response. We aimed to compare the outcomes of adalimumab or infliximab dose escalation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Methods: Treatment persistence (TP) and predictive factors for remission-free treatment discontinuation (r-fTD) were evaluated in patients treated with adalimumab or infliximab dose escalation between 2019 and 2024. Results: Dose escalation was identified in 142 patients treated with adalimumab (UC: 23.9%; CD: 76.1%) and in 126 patients treated with infliximab (UC: 23.8%; CD: 76.2%). The TP rate was significantly lower in the adalimumab group (35.2%) than the infliximab group (53.2%) (p = 0.003). The survival analysis showed that drug persistence was lower in the adalimumab group compared with the infliximab group (mean time: 74.3 vs. 99.5 months, p < 0.001). TP rates showed no significant differences between UC and CD for both adalimumab (mean time UC: 64.7 months vs. CD: 76.2 months, p = 0.403) and infliximab (mean time UC: 80.3 months and CD: 102.6 months, p = 0.151). The r-fTD rates were significantly higher in the adalimumab group (62.7%) than the infliximab group (39.7%) (p < 0.001). Primary lack of response and secondary loss of response (sLOR) rates were both higher in the adalimumab group (7.7% and 51.4%) than the infliximab group (1.6% and 28.6%). However, serious adverse events were lower in the adalimumab group (2.1%) than the infliximab group (7.9%) (p = 0.027). Conclusions: Infliximab dose escalation was more effective than adalimumab in both UC and CD patients. Regarding the side effect profile, adalimumab dose escalation was found to be safer compared with infliximab.
Spatial Variability Analysis of Renewal Time in Harbour Environments Using a Lagrangian Model
Authors: Samper Yaiza , Hernández Ivan , Castro-Rosero Leidy M. , Liste Maria , Espino Manuel , Alsina José M.
Published: February 2025

The water quality in port domains is highly dependent on the capacity for renewal and mixing with external water. This study uses Lagrangian modelling to investigate renewal time in Barcelona, Tarragona, and Gijón harbours (Spain), which represent semi-enclosed micro-tidal and meso-tidal environments. For this purpose, different particle-tracking simulations have been carried out in each of the ports to study the trends of circulation and water renewal trends both on the surface layer and at the bottom. The results indicate that in microtidal Mediterranean ports, the renewal time is longer at the bottom (32 days in Barcelona and 61 days in Tarragona). Conversely, in the mesotidal port of Gijón, located on the Cantabrian coast, the opposite pattern is observed, with higher renewal times at the surface (14 days). While the results from Lagrangian modelling exhibit magnitudes comparable to in situ measurements from previous studies, it remains essential to evaluate the specific characteristics of each method and compare these findings with other similar works.
Laboratory Investigation of the Uplift Resistance of a New Winged H-Pile Anchor Developed for Offshore Marine Aquaculture
Authors: Yang Xu , Tang Lianghao , Mei Lili , Zhang Tianyuan , Niu Shuai , Sun Zhefei , Wang Zhenliang , Feng Dejun , Gui Fukun
Published: February 2025

To enhance the stability and safety of marine aquaculture facilities by addressing the limited uplift resistance capacity and susceptibility to deflection of conventional straight-shafted piles, this study introduces an improved H-pile anchor and conducted laboratory experiments. The new anchor incorporates resized H-piles with wing plates added to both sides, optimized for area and placement, as well as an adjusted loading angle. The findings demonstrate a positive correlation between the uplift resistance capacity of the H-pile anchor and its length and width, indicating that while increased pile length significantly enhances resistance, widening has a minimal impact. Additionally, enlarging the wing plate area improves the resistance; however, efficiency (δ) decreases with the increase in the area, suggesting the existence of an optimal size. The optimal wing plate dimensions (L = 80 mm, W = 25 mm) improve uplift resistance by at least 10.6% compared to non-wing pile anchors. Furthermore, positioning the wing plates at the base of the pile anchor rather than the top enhances resistance by approximately 13.8%. Setting the anchor layout angle to 45° reduced the displacement under inclined loads. This research provides essential theoretical support and practical guidance for strengthening the safety and stability of marine aquaculture facilities.