bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Deep Reinforcement Learning for Proportional–Integral–Derivative Controller Tuning on Air Handling Unit System in Existing Commercial Building
Authors: Lee Dongkyu , Jeong Jinhwa , Chae Young Tae
Published: December 2023

An effective control of air handling unit (AHU) systems is crucial not only for managing the energy consumption of buildings but ensuring indoor thermal comfort for occupants. Although the initial control schema of AHU is appropriate at installation and testing, it is frequently necessary to adjust the control variables due to the changing thermal response of the building envelope and space usage. This paper presents a novel optimization process for the control parameters of old AHU systems in existing commercial buildings without system downtime and massive operational data. First, calibrating the building and system simulator with limited system operation data and unknown building parameters can provide identical responses to the system operation with the Hooke–Jeeves algorithm during the cooling season. The deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm is employed to determine the optimal control parameters for the valve opening position of the cooling coil within less than three hours of training based on the calibrated simulator. By using actual implementations with the developed optimal control variables for an old AHU in a real building, the proposed auto-tuned PID control in the simulator and with machine learning improves thermal environments with a steady room temperature (23.5 ± 0.5 °C) by 97% in occupied periods. It is also proved that this can reduce cooling energy consumption by up to 13.71% on a daily average. The successful AHU controller can improve not only the stability of AHU systems but the efficiency of a building’s energy use and indoor thermal comfort.
Assessment of an Anticancer Effect of the Simultaneous Administration of MM-129 and Indoximod in the Colorectal Cancer Model
Authors: Kwiatkowska Iwona , Hermanowicz Justyna Magdalena , Czarnomysy Robert , Surażyński Arkadiusz , Kowalczuk Krystyna , Kałafut Joanna , Przybyszewska-Podstawka Alicja , Bielawski Krzysztof , Rivero-Müller Adolfo , Mojzych Mariusz , Pawlak Dariusz
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: The purpose of the given study was to examine the antitumor activity of the simultaneous administration of MM-129, a 1,2,4-triazine derivative, and indoximod (IND), the kynurenine pathway inhibitor, toward colon cancer. (2) Methods: The efficiency of the co-administration of the studied compounds was assessed in xenografted zebrafish embryos. Then, the effects of the combined administration of compounds on cellular processes such as cell viability, apoptosis, and intracellular signaling pathways were evaluated. In vitro studies were performed using two colorectal cancer cell lines, namely, DLD-1 and HT-29. (3) Results: The results indicated that the simultaneous application of MM-129 and indoximod induced a stronger inhibition of tumor growth in zebrafish xenografts. The combination of these compounds intensified the process of apoptosis by lowering the mitochondrial potential, enhancing the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) and activation of caspases. Additionally, the expression of protein kinase B (AKT) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-(1IDO1) was disrupted under the applied compound combination. (4) Conclusions: Simultaneous targeting of ongoing cell signaling that promotes tumor progression, along with inhibition of the kynurenine pathway enzyme IDO1, results in the enhancement of the antitumor effect of the tested compounds against the colon cancer cells.
Engineered Adoptive T-Cell Therapies for Breast Cancer: Current Progress, Challenges, and Potential
Authors: Chamorro Diego F. , Somes Lauren K. , Hoyos Valentina
Published: December 2023

Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge, and novel treatment approaches are critically needed. This review presents an in-depth analysis of engineered adoptive T-cell therapies (E-ACTs), an innovative frontier in cancer immunotherapy, focusing on their application in breast cancer. We explore the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies, highlighting their potential and challenges in targeting breast cancer. The review addresses key obstacles such as target antigen selection, the complex breast cancer tumor microenvironment, and the persistence of engineered T-cells. We discuss the advances in overcoming these barriers, including strategies to enhance T-cell efficacy. Finally, our comprehensive analysis of the current clinical trials in this area provides insights into the future possibilities and directions of E-ACTs in breast cancer treatment.
Treatment Options in Late-Line Colorectal Cancer: Lessons Learned from Recent Randomized Studies
Authors: Tarpgaard Line Schmidt , Winther Stine Brændegaard , Pfeiffer Per
Published: December 2023

Systemic treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has improved considerably over the past 20 years. First- and second-line combinations of 5FU, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan, with or without anti-angiogenic and/or anti-EGFR antibodies, were approved shortly after the turn of the millennium. Further triumphs were not seen for almost 10 years, until the approval of initially regorafenib and shortly after trifluridine/tipiracil. A growing understanding of tumor biology through molecular profiling has led to further treatment options. Here, we review the most recent clinical data for late-line treatment options in mCRC, focusing on randomized trials if available. We include recommendations for options in unselected patients and therapies that should only be offered in patients with distinct tumor profiles (e.g., BRAF mutations, KRAS G12C mutations, HER2 amplification, deficient MMR, or NTRK gene fusions).
Steam Treatment Promotion on the Performance of Pt/CeO2 Three-Way Catalysts for Emission Control of Natural Gas-Fueled Vehicles
Authors: Liu Xi , Shao Yuankai , Ren Xiaoning , Dong Anqi , Li Kaixiang , Zhou Bingjie , Yang Chunqing , Liu Yatao , Li Zhenguo
Published: December 2023

Three-way catalyst (TWC) is the mainstream technology for stoichiometric natural gas vehicle gas emission purification to meet the China VI emission standard for heavy-duty vehicles. Due to the high price of Pd-Rh TWC widely used at present, it is of great significance to develop cheaper Pt-only catalysts as substitutes. However, there are few studies on Pt-only TWC, especially for natural gas vehicles. It remains a formidable challenge to develop Pt-only TWC with excellent activity and stability. In this study, we significantly improved the catalytic performance of Pt/CeO2 TWC through thermal treatment, especially steam treatment at 800 °C, and used XRD, TEM, H2-TPR, and XPS techniques to investigate how Pt/CeO2 can be activated via these treatments. Our results suggested that after these treatments, CeO2 crystallites sintered slightly, while platinum particles remained highly dispersed. Moreover, these treatments also weakened the Pt-CeO2 interaction, promoted the formation of oxygen vacancies in CeO2 support, and generated a new type of active surface oxygen in the vicinity of Ptδ+, thus improving the activity of the catalyst. After 800 °C steam treatment, the T50 of CH4 and NO decreased by 31 and 36 °C, respectively. The results obtained in this study provide implications for the synthesis of efficient Pt-based catalysts.
Targeted Inhibitors of EGFR: Structure, Biology, Biomarkers, and Clinical Applications
Authors: Shaban Nina , Kamashev Dmitri , Emelianova Aleksandra , Buzdin Anton
Published: December 2023

Members of the EGFR family of tyrosine kinase receptors are major regulators of cellular proliferation, differentiation, and survival. In humans, abnormal activation of EGFR is associated with the development and progression of many cancer types, which makes it an attractive target for molecular-guided therapy. Two classes of EGFR-targeted cancer therapeutics include monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which bind to the extracellular domain of EGFR, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which mostly target the intracellular part of EGFR and inhibit its activity in molecular signaling. While EGFR-specific mAbs and three generations of TKIs have demonstrated clinical efficacy in various settings, molecular evolution of tumors leads to apparent and sometimes inevitable resistance to current therapeutics, which highlights the need for deeper research in this field. Here, we tried to provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of the rationale, molecular mechanisms, and clinical significance of the current EGFR-targeting drugs, highlighting potential candidate molecules in development. We summarized the underlying mechanisms of resistance and available personalized predictive approaches that may lead to improved efficacy of EGFR-targeted therapies. We also discuss recent developments and the use of specific therapeutic strategies, such as multi-targeting agents and combination therapies, for overcoming cancer resistance to EGFR-specific drugs.
Predictive and Diagnostic Values of Systemic Inflammatory Indices in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Cao Linxia , Liu Xiangye , Sun Tingting , Zhang Yuan , Bao Tianping , Cheng Huaiping , Tian Zhaofang
Published: December 2023

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common respiratory complication in preterm infants, and there is a lag in the diagnosis of BPD. Inflammation is a vital pathogenic factor for BPD; we aim to evaluate the predictive and diagnostic values of systemic inflammatory indices in BPD. Methods: Between 1 January 2019 and 31 May 2023, the clinical data of 122 premature infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks in the Department of Neonatology, the Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, were retrospectively collected and classified into non-BPD (n = 72) and BPD (n = 50) groups based on the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 2018 criteria. To compare the general characteristics of each group, we identified the independent risk variables for BPD using multivariate logistic regression analysis, compared the systemic inflammatory indices at birth, 72 h, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), and constructed the receiver operating characteristic curves of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) diagnosis of BPD at different time points. Results: ① The independent risk factors for BPD in preterm infants were birth weight, small for gestational age, and days of oxygen therapy (all p < 0.05). ② At 72 h and 1 week after birth, the serum NLR of the BPD group was higher than for the non-BPD group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the neutrophil count (N), NLR, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and pan-immune-inflammation value of infants with BPD were higher than the non-BPD group at 3 weeks after birth (p < 0.05). Moreover, at 36 weeks of PMA, the serum N, NLR, MLR, and SIRI of BPD infants were higher than those of non-BPD infants (p < 0.05). ③ The NLR of infants with and without BPD gradually increased after birth, reaching a peak at 72 h and 1 week, respectively. At 3 weeks postnatal, the NLR had the highest predictive power for BPD, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.717 (p < 0.001); the sensitivity was 56% and specificity was 86.1%. In addition, the NLR at 36 weeks of PMA exhibited some diagnostic value for BPD. The AUC was 0.693 (p < 0.001), the sensitivity was 54%, and specificity was 83.3%. Conclusions: At 3 weeks after birth and 36 weeks of PMA, some systemic inflammation indices (like N, NLR, SIRI) of preterm infants with BPD have specific predictive and diagnostic values; these indices may help the management of high-risk preterm infants with BPD.
Natural History of Influenza B Virus—Current Knowledge on Treatment, Resistance and Therapeutic Options
Authors: Din Ghayyas Ud , Hasham Kinza , Amjad Muhammad Nabeel , Hu Yihong
Published: December 2023

Influenza B virus (IBV) significantly impacts the health and the economy of the global population. WHO global health estimates project 1 billion flu cases annually, with 3 to 5 million resulting in severe disease and 0.3 to 0.5 million influenza-related deaths worldwide. Influenza B virus epidemics result in significant economic losses due to healthcare expenses, reduced workforce productivity, and strain on healthcare systems. Influenza B virus epidemics, such as the 1987–1988 Yamagata lineage outbreak and the 2001–2002 Victoria lineage outbreak, had a significant global impact. IBV’s fast mutation and replication rates facilitate rapid adaptation to the environment, enabling the evasion of existing immunity and the development of resistance to virus-targeting treatments. This leads to annual outbreaks and necessitates the development of new vaccination formulations. This review aims to elucidate IBV’s evolutionary genomic organization and life cycle and provide an overview of anti-IBV drugs, resistance, treatment options, and prospects for IBV biology, emphasizing challenges in preventing and treating IBV infection.
Crosslinked Polymer Coatings of Poly (Acrylic Acid-co-acrylamide)/Polyethyleneimine (P(AA-co-AAm)/PEI) on Titanium Alloy with Excellent Lubrication Performance for Artificial Joints
Authors: Deng Yaling , Xu Yu , Nie Lei , Huang Yiyang
Published: December 2023

The development of coatings with efficient lubrication and load-bearing capacity is an urgent need for artificial joints. Here, we successfully fabricated poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/polyethyleneimine (P(AA-co-AAm)/PEI) coating on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) surface via UV irradiation and thermal treatment technique. The dual crosslinked network structures were composed of a P(AA-co-AAm) network via free radical polymerization and a PAA-co-PEI network via thermal crosslinking of amine and carboxyl groups. The thermally crosslinked P(AA-co-AAm)/PEI coatings exhibit a stable low friction coefficient (approximately 0.022) and exceptionally low wear volume, with a 93.8% and 92.6% reduction, respectively, in comparison to the pristine Ti6Al4V. These thermally crosslinked P(AA-co-AAm)/PEI hydrogel coatings exhibit excellent lubrication and anti-wear properties, providing a strategy for developing novel lubricating coatings in the biomedical field.
MSVR & Operator-Based System Design of Intelligent MIMO Sensorless Control for Microreactor Devices
Authors: Kato Tatsuma , Nishizawa Kosuke , Deng Mingcong
Published: December 2023

Recently, microreactors, which are tubular reactors capable of fast and highly efficient chemical reactions, have attracted attention. However, precise temperature control is required because temperature changes due to reaction heat can cause reactions to proceed differently from those designed. In a previous study, a single-input/output nonlinear control system was proposed using a model in which the microreactor is divided into three regions and the thermal equation is formulated considering the temperature gradient, but it could not control two different temperatures. In this paper, a multi-input, multi-output nonlinear control system was designed using operator theory. On the other hand, when the number of parallel microreactors is increased, a sensorless control method using M–SVR with a generalized Gaussian kernel was incorporated into the MIMO nonlinear control system from the viewpoint of cost reduction, and the effectiveness of the proposed method was confirmed via experimental results.
Basic Modelling of General Strength and Creep Properties of Alloys
Authors: Sandström Rolf
Published: December 2023

There are excellent methods for modelling physical and elastic properties, for example, those based on ab initio atomistic procedures. For mechanical properties that are controlled by the motion of the dislocations, such methods have not been available in the past. One has been forced to resort to fitting the experimental data with empirical methods by involving a number of adjustable parameters. However, in recent years, methods based on physical principles have been developed for a number of mechanical properties. These methods can predict properties accurately without the use of fitting parameters. A review of such methods will be given, for example, for the modelling of creep deformation in metallic materials. It will be demonstrated that some properties can be described over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates. The advantage of these new methods is that they can be used for prediction, identification of mechanisms and extrapolation of results for new conditions.
Optical Photon Propagation Characteristics and Thickness Optimization of LaCl3:Ce and LaBr3:Ce Crystal Scintillators for Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Authors: Tseremoglou Stavros , Michail Christos , Valais Ioannis , Ninos Konstantinos , Bakas Athanasios , Kandarakis Ioannis , Fountos George , Kalyvas Nektarios
Published: December 2023

The present study focuses on the determination of the optimal crystal thickness of LaCl3:Ce and LaBr3:Ce crystal scintillators for Nuclear Medicine Imaging applications. A theoretical model was applied for the estimation of the optical efficiency of the two single-crystal scintillators in terms of Detector Optical Gain (DOG). The theoretical model was validated against the experimental values of the Absolute Efficiency (AE) of the two crystals, obtained in the energy range 110 kVp–140 kVp. By fitting the theoretical model to these experimental data, the propagation probability per elementary thickness k was determined and DOG was theoretically calculated for crystal thicknesses from 0.005 cm to 2 cm, in the energy range of Nuclear Medicine Imaging. k values for LaCl3:Ce and LaBr3:Ce crystals were significantly higher compared to other single-crystal scintillators. The DOG values of the two crystals may serve as evidence that the LaBr3:Ce crystal exhibits significantly better performance compared to the LaCl3:Ce crystal. With an increase in energy, the optimum thickness increases for both crystals. Additionally, crystal efficiency generally demonstrates a decrease beyond a certain thickness. The aforementioned insights may provide valuable guidance for the design and optimization of crystal scintillators in Nuclear Medicine Imaging systems.
Optimizing Hot-Work Tool Steel Microstructure for Enhanced Toughness
Authors: Bajželj Anže , Balaško Tilen , Šetina Batič Barbara , Burja Jaka
Published: December 2023

Hot-work tool steels play a crucial role in applications exposed to extreme thermal, mechanical, and chemical stresses and require exceptional properties such as high strength, hardness, wear resistance, and toughness. The latter is crucial to prevent an unexpected tool failure due to the formation and propagation of fatigue cracks in demanding environments. In addition, high thermal conductivity is crucial to prevent overheating of the tool and the resulting degradation of the material. This study focuses on a new generation hot-work tool steel with increased Mo and W contents, which has excellent thermal conductivity but limited toughness, as it contains stable Mo-W carbides that remain stable up to 1100 °C. To improve toughness, an alternative heat-treatment method involving austempering at different temperatures was applied. The investigation begins with the characterisation of the chemical composition of the steel, followed by the determination of the martensite-start (MS) and martensite-finish (Mf) temperatures. Based on the results, the researchers established a set of samples for austempering heat treatment. They investigated the effects of different isothermal holding temperatures on the microstructure of the steel and its subsequent mechanical properties. The results show that reduced bainite formation, achieved by austempering at certain temperatures, led to significantly improved impact toughness and moderate hardness. This study also showed a correlation between the isothermal holding temperature and the extent of martensitic transformation, which affected the microstructure and mechanical properties of the steel.
Surrogate-Based Calculation Method for Robust Design Optimization Considering the Fatigue Probability for Variable Service Loads of eBike Drive Units
Authors: Steck Marco , Husung Stephan
Published: December 2023

This paper proposes a robust design-optimization approach for eBike drive units that incorporates the highly variable driver-dependent load collectives and system conditions into a fatigue calculation. In an initial step, the relevant influences and loads on the investigated system are examined and reviewed in relation to the current normative requirements. From a methodical viewpoint, this paper presents a surrogate-based simulation-based approach to assess reliability across the entire geometry according to a probabilistic fatigue calculation. The probabilistic evaluation considers the several measured load collectives of different drivers and driving scenarios to enable a robust and type-oriented bike design. In addition to methods of fatigue calculation, this approach also includes common methods of order reduction and reliability-based design optimization. To avoid additional uncertainties in the calculation, this approach considers a complex critical-plane-based multiaxial-fatigue calculation to correctly evaluate the multiaxial and non-proportional stress state across the whole geometry. A data-based surrogate model that supports the fatigue calculation by predicting the load across the given uncertainties is the key to the efficient assessment of the service life of the eBike. Lastly, the identified uncertainties in the design of eBike drive units are investigated and evaluated by this method.
The Assessment of Serum Fibronectin Levels as a Potential Biomarker for the Severity of Drug-Sensitive Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kulkarni Shreedhar , Arunachala Sumalatha , Chaya Sindaghatta Krishnarao , ShankaraSetty Rekha Vaddarahalli , Karnik Medha , Bansal Nidhi , Ravindran Sukanya , Lokesh Komarla Sundararaja , Mohan Mikash , Kaleem Ullah Mohammed , Siddaiah Jayaraj Biligere , Mahesh Padukudru Anand
Published: December 2023

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health burden caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Fibronectin (Fn) facilitates Mtb attachment to host cells. We studied the Fn levels in smear-positive TB patients to assess its correlation with disease severity based on sputum smears and chest X-rays. Methods: Newly detected consecutive sputum AFB-positive pulmonary TB patients (n = 78) and healthy control subjects (n = 11) were included. The mycobacterial load in the sputum smear was assessed by IUATLD classification, ranging from 0 to 3. The severity of pulmonary involvement was assessed radiologically in terms of both the number of zones involved (0–6) and as localized (up to 2 zones), moderate (3–4 zones), or extensive (5–6 zones). The serum human fibronectin levels were measured by using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Catalogue No: CK-bio-11486, Shanghai Coon Koon Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China). Results: The PTB patients showed lower Fn levels (102.4 ± 26.7) compared with the controls (108.8 ± 6.8), but they were not statistically significant. Higher AFB smear grades had lower Fn levels. The chest X-ray zones involved were inversely correlated with Fn levels. The Fn levels, adjusted for age and gender, decreased with increased mycobacterial load and the number of chest radiograph zones affected. A Fn level <109.39 g/mL predicted greater TB severity (sensitivity of 67.57% and specificity of 90.38%), while a level <99.32 pg/mL predicted severity based on the chest radiology (sensitivity of 84.21% and specificity of 100%). Conclusions: The Fn levels are lower in tuberculosis patients and are negatively correlated with severity based on sputum mycobacterial load and chest radiographs. The Fn levels may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing TB severity, which could have implications for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Dry Eye Subtype Classification Using Videokeratography and Deep Learning
Authors: Yokoi Norihiko , Kusada Natsuki , Kato Hiroaki , Furusawa Yuki , Sotozono Chie , Georgiev Georgi As.
Published: December 2023

We previously reported on ‘Tear Film Oriented Diagnosis’ (TFOD), a method for the dry eye (DE) subtype classification using fluorescein staining and an examination of fluorescein breakup patterns via slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Here, we report ‘AI-supported TFOD’, a novel non-invasive method for DE subtype classification using videokeratography (VK) and “Blur Value” (BV), a new VK indicator of the extent of blur in Meyer-ring images and deep learning (DL). This study involved 243 eyes of 243 DE cases (23 males and 220 females; mean age: 64.4 ± 13.9 (SD) years)—i.e., 31 severe aqueous-deficient DE (sADDE) cases, 73 mild-to-moderate ADDE (m/mADDE) cases, 84 decreased wettability DE (DWDE) cases, and 55 increased evaporation DE (IEDE) cases diagnosed via the fluorescein-supported TFOD pathway. For DL, a 3D convolutional neural network classification model was used (i.e., the original image and BV data of eyes kept open for 7 s were randomly divided into training data (146 cases) and the test data (97 cases), with the training data increased via data augmentation and corresponding to 2628 cases). Overall, the DE classification accuracy was 78.40%, and the accuracies for the subtypes sADDE, m/mADDE, DWDE, and IEDE were 92.3%, 79.3%, 75.8%, and 72.7%, respectively. ‘AI-supported TFOD’ may become a useful tool for DE subtype classification.
A Rare Case of Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma with Osteosarcomatous Differentiation-Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges
Authors: Sosnowska-Sienkiewicz Patrycja , Mańkowski Przemysław , Stadnik Honorata , Dłubak Agata , Czekała Anna , Karczewski Marek
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Liposarcomas are the most common of all sarcomas. A well-differentiated liposarcoma can transform into a dedifferentiated liposarcoma with myogenic, osteo- or chondrosarcomatous heterologous differentiation. Genomic amplification of MDM2 gene is then characteristic. Treatment usually involves surgical resection to radically remove the tumor. Other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be used. Case report: A 60-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital for surgical treatment of a left renal mass. The true location of the tumor was discovered only intraoperatively. The lesion was completely removed laparoscopically with preservation of the capsule. Genomic amplification of MDM2 gene was confirmed. One and a half years after surgery, despite the removal of the tumor without the surrounding margin of healthy tissue, the patient remains without recurrence. Conclusion: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma with osteosarcomatous differentiation is a sporadic case and may occur in various locations of the retroperitoneal space, also mimicking a renal tumor. The laparoscopic technique is a safe surgical treatment for tumors of unclear origin. Removal of dedifferentiated liposarcoma with osteosarcomatous differentiation tumor with preservation of the lesion capsule without maintaining a margin of healthy tissue also allows for long-term cure. Precise immunohistochemical and molecular studies may have an impact on the effectiveness of further treatment and the prognosis of the patient. A patient after surgical treatment of liposarcoma requires constant outpatient follow-up for the reason of the high risk of local and distant recurrence.
A Co-Adaptation Method for Resilience Rebound in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Swarms in Surveillance Missions
Authors: Wei Kunlun , Zhang Tao , Zhang Chuanfu
Published: December 2023

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarm is a fast-moving system where self-adaption is necessary when conducting a mission. The major causative factors of mission failures are inevitable disruptive events and uncertain threats. Given the unexpected disturbances of events and threats, it is important to study how a UAV swarm responds and enable the swarm to enhance resilience and alleviate negative influences. Cooperative adaptation must be established between the swarm’s structure and dynamics, such as communication links and UAV states. Thus, based on previous structural adaptation and dynamic adaptation models, we provide a co-adaptation model for UAV swarms that combines a swarm’s structural characteristics with its dynamic characteristics. The improved model can deal with malicious events and contribute to a rebound in the swarm’s performance. Based on the proposed co-adaptation model, an improved resilience metric revealing the discrepancy between the minimum performance and the standard performance is proposed. The results from our simulation experiments show that the surveillance performance of a UAV swarm bounces back to its initial state after disruptions happen in co-adaptation cases. This metric demonstrates that our model can contribute towards the swarm’s overall systemic resiliency by withstanding and resisting unpredictable threats and disruptions. The model and metric proposed in this article can help identify best practices in improving swarm resilience.
Features of Degassing from Overburden Rock Massifs: A Case Study Using Radon
Authors: Leshukov Timofey , Larionov Aleksey , Nastavko Ekaterina , Kaizer Philipp , Legoshchin Konstantin
Published: December 2023

Overburden rock massifs resulting from open-pit coal mining are very common objects in the world’s mining regions. These locations pose a significant challenge as the global mining industry expands. These dumps are capable of self-burning for quite a long time. The displacement and sliding of these massifs can cause catastrophic consequences. In addition, these objects emit a significant amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Therefore, it is necessary to manage such objects and implement appropriate measures to limit their impact on the environment. In this work, we studied soil radon volume activity (VAR) and radon flux density (RFD) on the surface of the overburden rock massif of coal-bearing mining rocks and also made visual fixation of disturbances in the body of the massif, which appeared in the process of its movement. We found anomalies of VAR and RFD on the surface of the overburden extending from north to south. These anomalies were extended along the strike of the faults found in the body of the massif. Additionally, the radon anomalies coincided with the anomalies of methane gas emission previously measured for this object. Thus, we determined that the exit of gases from the body of the massif is carried out through fault (weakened) zones in the body of the massif. According to the results of the study, we propose to carry out radon monitoring in order to detect the spontaneous ignition process of the massif or the increase of its mobility. This will also allow us to take appropriate measures to stabilize the massif or to extinguish the dump before or simultaneously with the biological stage of reclamation.
Educational Mismatch and Gender: A Comparison between Industry and Services in Spain
Authors: Lasso-Dela-Vega Elena , Sánchez-Ollero José Luis , García-Pozo Alejandro
Published: December 2023

This study analysed the presence and influence of educational mismatch in the service and industry sectors in Spain, due to the lack of studies of this phenomenon in the latter sector. We also analyse its effect on wages and its role in creating a gender wage gap in the returns to a set of professional and personal characteristics. The heterogeneity in the improvement of workers’ qualifications between sectors in Spain and the lack of studies of this phenomenon in the industrial sector motivates interest in this comparative research between industry and services, which includes a gender perspective, given the interest of this topic in wage studies. To this end, an extension of the Mincer wage equation was applied to data from the 2018 Wages Structure Survey conducted by the Spanish National Statistics Institute. The results suggest that educational mismatch has a greater impact on women’s wages in the service sector than on those in the industrial sector and on men’s wages in both sectors. We also found wage differences in the returns to a set of professional and personal characteristics that suggest that the gender wage gap is greater in the service sector than in the industrial sector.
Augmenting the Impact of STEAM Education by Developing a Competence Framework for STEAM Educators for Effective Teaching and Learning
Authors: Spyropoulou Natalia , Kameas Achilles
Published: December 2023

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education is gaining increasing attention worldwide, with many initiatives being implemented to promote its adoption and effectiveness; thus, its successful integration into educational systems has become increasingly critical. Educators will play a central role in this integration; that is why it is critical to assess their needs, map the necessary roles and competences, and provide the means to guide their professional development in a systematic way. To address these requirements, our study introduces the STEAM Competence Framework for Educators (STEAMComp Edu), as a culmination of literature reviews, expert consultations, and empirical validation by 302 educational professionals, policymakers, and scholars. The framework includes 41 vital competences, organized across 14 competence areas, from five broad educators’ perspectives. STEAMComp Edu captures STEAM educators’ roles, from teaching methods to community engagement, and stands as a pivotal tool in enhancing STEAM education quality and effectiveness. This paper also highlights STEAMComp Edu’s significance in the professional development of educators and focuses on the framework’s value in developing self-assessment tools and in designing STEAM educator occupational profiles that are aligned with the ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations) standards, thereby contributing to a more structured and recognized approach in the field of STEAM education.
An Ecological Inquiry on Young People’s Suicidal Ideation at University: Individual, Relational and Cultural Factors and Their Interactions
Authors: Nuñez Fadda Silvana , Ciambelli Romero Hugo , Gradilla Lizardo Naiara , Sánchez Castillón Jorge
Published: December 2023

To understand the factors related to suicidal ideation in university students, we examined individual and microsystemic variables with an ecological model organizing bidirectional influences between different dimensions. Suicidal ideation, psychological distress, multidimensional self-concept, loneliness, community social support, life satisfaction, family functioning, bullying victimization, and problematic use of virtual social networks were measured in a sample of 376 Mexican university students (67% women) from 18 to 34 years of age (M = 20.8). Data were collected in March 2020, before mandatory confinement for COVID started in Mexico. Discriminant analyses showed that psychological distress, loneliness, self-concept, life satisfaction, family functioning, internet violence/rejection, and informal social support predicted belonging to high or no suicidal ideation groups with 88% accuracy. Only psychological distress and family self-concept predicted suicidal ideation in multilinear regression analyses. There were differences by gender in multilinear regression, with family self-concept significant for women and physical self-concept, but not family self-concept for boys. Conclusions: Early Suicide prevention in universities should include periodic screening of psychological distress, loneliness, and virtual social media use to identify students that need further evaluation and intervention. University-based strategies of mental health promotion that strengthen family relationships and the sense of community, including gender-sensitive orientation, could enhance the effect of protective factors.
A Comprehensive Review of DeepFake Detection Using Advanced Machine Learning and Fusion Methods
Authors: Gupta Gourav , Raja Kiran , Gupta Manish , Jan Tony , Whiteside Scott Thompson , Prasad Mukesh
Published: December 2023

Recent advances in Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) have increased the possibility of generating hyper-realistic DeepFake videos or images to cause serious harm to vulnerable children, individuals, and society at large with misinformation. To overcome this serious problem, many researchers have attempted to detect DeepFakes using advanced machine learning techniques and advanced fusion techniques. This paper presents a detailed review of past and present DeepFake detection methods with a particular focus on media-modality fusion and machine learning. This paper also provides detailed information on available benchmark datasets in DeepFake detection research. This review paper addressed the 67 primary papers that were published between 2015 and 2023 in DeepFake detection, including 55 research papers in image and video DeepFake detection methodologies and 15 research papers on identifying and verifying speaker authentication. This paper offers lucrative information on DeepFake detection research and offers a unique review analysis of advanced machine learning and modality fusion that sets it apart from other review papers. This paper further offers informed guidelines for future work in DeepFake detection utilizing advanced state-of-the-art machine learning and information fusion models that should support further advancement in DeepFake detection for a sustainable and safer digital future.
ProvGRP: A Context-Aware Provenance Graph Reduction and Partition Approach for Facilitating Attack Investigation
Authors: Li Jiawei , Zhang Ru , Liu Jianyi
Published: December 2023

Attack investigation is a crucial technique in proactively defending against sophisticated attacks. Its purpose is to identify attack entry points and previously unknown attack traces through comprehensive analysis of audit data. However, a major challenge arises from the vast and redundant nature of audit logs, making attack investigation difficult and prohibitively expensive. To address this challenge, various technologies have been proposed to reduce audit data, facilitating efficient analysis. However, most of these techniques rely on defined templates without considering the rich context information of events. Moreover, these methods fail to remove false dependencies caused by the coarse-grained nature of logs. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a context-aware provenance graph reduction and partition approach for facilitating attack investigation named ProvGRP. Specifically, three features are proposed to determine whether system events are the same behavior from multiple dimensions. Based on the insight that information paths belonging to the same high-level behavior share similar information flow patterns, ProvGRP generates information paths containing context, and identifies and merges paths that share similar flow patterns. Experimental results show that ProvGRP can efficiently reduce provenance graphs with minimal loss of crucial information, thereby facilitating attack investigation in terms of runtime and results.
The Effects of Stack Configurations on the Thermal Management Capabilities of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells
Authors: Kim Youchan , Lim Kisung , Salihi Hassan , Heo Seongku , Ju Hyunchul
Published: December 2023

In this study, we analyze the impacts of various stack configurations of a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) that includes U-type and Z-type stack structures as well as co-flow and counter-flow configurations. The primary focus of this study is to analyze the impact of these SOEC stack configurations on the temperature distribution within the stack and the temperature variations of key components. Furthermore, by predicting the thermal stress and thermal deformation of individual SOEC components, the study can provide design guidelines for enhancing the durability of the SOEC stack. Among various SOEC stack configurations, the counter-flow design outperformed others in temperature uniformity and component temperature variation. The Z-type stack structure slightly surpassed the U-type in flow uniformity, while both had a minimal influence on thermal management. Besides conventional flow-field configurations, such as the parallel flow field, we introduce a metal-foam-based flow-field design and analyze the effects of using metal foam to ensure flow uniformity within the stack and achieve temperature uniformity. The metal foam design has a lower average temperature (2–5 °C) and ∆T (4–7 °C) compared to the parallel flow field in each cell, but this improvement is accompanied by a substantial pressure-drop: 2359.3 Pa for vapor flow (11.7 times higher) and 4409.0 Pa for air flow (4.6 times higher). Additionally, structural analysis was performed using CFD temperature data. The co-flow configuration induced higher thermal stress at the front of the stack, whereas the counter-flow configuration mitigated thermal stress in the front cells. The metal foam structure consistently demonstrated a reduction in thermal stress across all cells by about 1 MPa, highlighting its potential to alleviate thermal stress in SOEC stacks. This study presents a novel CFD analysis approach for a 10-cell SOEC stack, enabling the development of an optimized stack design with improved heat and flow distribution. The integrated CFD–FEM analysis provides reliable thermal stress data that elucidates the correlation between temperature and stress distributions within the stack.
Model of a Predictive Neural Network for Determining the Electric Fields of Training Flight Phases
Authors: Michalowska Joanna
Published: December 2023

Tests on the content of the electrical component of the electromagnetic field (EMF) were carried out with an NHT3DL broadband meter by Microrad using a 01E (100 kHz ÷ 6.5 GHz) measuring probe. Measurements were made during training flights (Cessna C172, Cessna C152, Aero AT3, and Technam P2006T aircrafts). A neural network was used, the task of which was to learn to predict the successive values of average (ERMS) and instantaneous (EPEAK) electromagnetic fields used here. Such a solution would make it possible to determine the most favorable routes for all aircrafts. This article presents a model of an artificial neural network which aims to predict the intensity of the electrical component of the electromagnetic field. In order to create the developed model, that is, to create a training sequence for the model, a series of measurements was carried out on four types of aircraft (Cessna C172, Cessna C152, Aero AT3, and Technam P2006T). The model was based on long short-term memory (LSTM) layers. The tests carried out showed that the accuracy of the model was higher than that of the reference method. The developed model was able to estimate the electrical component for the vicinity of the routes on which it was trained in order to optimize the exposure of the aircraft to the electrical component of the electromagnetic field. In addition, it allowed for data analysis of the same training flight routes. The reference point for the obtained electric energy results were the normative limits of the electromagnetic field that may affect the crew and passengers during a flight. Monitoring and measuring the electromagnetic field generated by devices is important from an environmental point of view, as well as for the purposes of human body protection and electromagnetic compatibility. In order to improve reliability in general aviation and to adapt to the proposed requirements, aviation training centers are obliged to introduce systems for supervising and analyzing flight parameters.
Energy Recovery Maximisation Modelling Subject to Constrained Cooling
Authors: Bester Johannes Petrus , Van Eldik Martin , Venter Philip van Zyl
Published: December 2023

The primary heat rejection cycle, which is critical for the stability and integrity of the metal production process and equipment, involves the transfer of heat from flue gas to a fluid circulated through a gas-cooler. The rate of heat transfer from the flue gas is influenced by several parameters, including the temperature of the cooling fluid. Heat transfer rates that are too high or too low can negatively impact equipment’s life, emphasising the need for a temperature operational envelope in the cooling fluid prior to entering the gas-cooler. Rejected heat is used for power generation, transferred to the environment, or both. This study examines the impact of control philosophies on both temperature and power generation, while maintaining the exit temperature within the desired range as the highest priority. A more advanced philosophy that combines bypass control with feedforward parameters can maintain temperatures within safe operating limits at all times, while improving the power generation, compared to a typical works approach which is used as a baseline. This study presents a formulation that increased power generation from an average of 6.11 MW for a typical works philosophy to 10.68 MW, while maintaining the temperature within the operating temperature envelope.
Biophysics and Quantum Limitation of Photoreceptive Processes
Authors: Barsanti Laura , Gualtieri Paolo
Published: December 2023

This entry paper is an attempt to explain how the discrete nature of light (energy discreteness in the form of photons) constrains the light detection process all along the evolutionary path, in the not-fully-understood photoreceptive systems of unicellular microorganisms (nonimaging systems) and in the complex and well-known visual system of higher organisms (imaging systems). All these systems are perfect examples of the interplay between physics and biology, i.e., they are the perfect topic of research for biophysicists. The paper describes how photoreceptive and visual systems achieve the goal of photon counting, which information is conveyed by a finite number of photons, and which noise factors limit light-detecting processes.
Lactococcus lactis in Dairy Fermentation—Health-Promoting and Probiotic Properties
Authors: Kondrotiene Kristina , Zavistanaviciute Paulina , Aksomaitiene Jurgita , Novoslavskij Aleksandr , Malakauskas Mindaugas
Published: December 2023

The use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the fermentation process to produce fermented foods has a long history. Furthermore, LAB are beneficial microorganisms known for their health-promoting characteristics. During fermentation, LAB have the capacity to produce significant amounts of bioactive substances, such as peptides, bacteriocins, lactic acid, exopolysaccharides (EPSs), enzymes, and others. Lactococcus lactis as one of the best-known and well-characterized species of LAB serves as a model organism for studying LAB. For a very long time, L. lactis has been used in milk fermentation, both in well-monitored industrial settings and on a small scale in traditional operations. Furthermore, L. lactis is a vital microorganism in the dairy food fermentation industry due to its role in acidification, flavor development, and the creation of various dairy products, including cheese, fermented butter, and others. The novelty of this review is the comprehensive and organized presentation of the main benefits of the use of L. lactis in milk fermentation processes including technological and safety features relevant for the dairy industry, probiotic potential, the ability to produce bioactive compounds (e.g., bacteriocins, GABA), and the recent development of such bacteria research methods like whole genome sequencing (WGS).