bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomous Emergency Gliding Landing Guidance and Control of Tilt-Wing Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing for Urban Air Mobility Missions Using Control Barrier Functions
Authors: Ma Liqun , Ding Yangchen , Yang Jianzhong
Published: January 2025

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) aims to transform urban transportation through innovative applications of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This paper focuses on tilt-wing eVTOLs, which offer significant advantages in energy efficiency and operational versatility. However, their unique flight characteristics present challenges, particularly during emergency landings. To address this, we propose a novel control framework that utilizes control barrier functions (CBFs) to ensure safe landings within urban environments, characterized by numerous obstacles and varying conditions. By integrating trajectory generation, tracking, and attitude control under stringent safety constraints, our method prioritizes occupant safety while complying with FAA airworthiness standards. We illustrate the framework’s effectiveness through simulations, demonstrating its ability to guide eVTOLs to safe touchdowns despite power loss or other emergencies. This study not only advances the understanding of emergency landing mechanisms for eVTOLs but also contributes to the broader field of urban air traffic management, offering a foundation for future research and practical implementations of UAM. The innovative combination of CBFs and global optimization techniques sets a new precedent for resilient aircraft control in complex urban scenarios, paving the way for the safe integration of eVTOLs into everyday urban life.
A Landscape-Clustering Zoning Strategy to Map Multi-Crops in Fragmented Cropland Regions Using Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 Imagery with Feature Selection
Authors: Fang Guanru , Wang Chen , Dong Taifeng , Wang Ziming , Cai Cheng , Chen Jiaqi , Liu Mengyu , Zhang Huanxue
Published: January 2025

Crop mapping using remote sensing is a reliable and efficient approach to obtaining timely and accurate crop information. Previous studies predominantly focused on large-scale regions characterized by simple cropping structures. However, in complex agricultural regions, such as China’s Huang-Huai-Hai region, the high crop diversity and fragmented cropland in localized areas present significant challenges for accurate crop mapping. To address these challenges, this study introduces a landscape-clustering zoning strategy utilizing multi-temporal Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 imagery. First, crop heterogeneity zones (CHZs) are delineated using landscape metrics that capture crop diversity and cropland fragmentation. Subsequently, four types of features (spectral, phenological, textural and radar features) are combined in various configurations to create different classification schemes. These schemes are then optimized for each CHZ using a random forest classifier. The results demonstrate that the landscape-clustering zoning strategy achieves an overall accuracy of 93.52% and a kappa coefficient of 92.67%, outperforming the no-zoning method by 2.9% and 3.82%, respectively. Furthermore, the crop mapping results from this strategy closely align with agricultural statistics at the county level, with an R2 value of 0.9006. In comparison with other traditional zoning strategies, such as topographic zoning and administrative unit zoning, the proposed strategy proves to be superior. These findings suggest that the landscape-clustering zoning strategy offers a robust reference method for crop mapping in complex agricultural landscapes.
Evaluating Producer Welfare Benefits of Whole-Farm Revenue Insurance
Authors: Ahmadabadi Moharram Ainollahi , Ghahremanzadeh Mohammad , Dashti Ghader , Hosseini-Yekani Seyed-Ali
Published: January 2025

Agricultural insurance is by far the most popular risk management tool used in Iran. Despite many years of experience, Iran’s current insurance policy has not managed to protect all producers in the sector. The basic principle of whole-farm insurance consists of pooling all the insurable risks of a farm into a single policy and overcoming most of the major impediments to existing policies. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of whole-farm insurance (WFI) in Zanjan province of Iran. This study employed historical farm-level and county-level data from 1982 to 2021 to estimate yield and price density functions and predict future values. Parametric and non-parametric approaches were utilized to calculate farmers’ expected compensation and guaranteed and simulated revenues. The premium rates were then calculated using the PQH simulation and Cholesky decomposition and compared under three scenarios: the single-crop, double-crop, and triple-crop options. Finally, farmers’ welfare benefits were compared under the three scenarios with the no-insurance case. The results demonstrate that WFI provides lower loss ratios compared to yield insurance and crop-specific insurance. Furthermore, producer welfare can be improved when they insure at least one crop compared to no-insurance. For example, the welfare benefits of insuring wheat, barley, alfalfa, wheat–barley, wheat–alfalfa, barley–alfalfa, and barley–alfalfa in terms of cost reduction to producers at 75% coverage are 8.8, 1.8, 2.9, 1.2, 0.9, and 1.8, respectively. Therefore, we recommend that the Iranian Agricultural Insurance Fund adopts WFI as a new risk management tool. This policy has the potential to decrease insurance premiums and administrative costs while improving the certainty equivalents and benefits to farmers through crop insurance.
Biofertilizing Effect of Soil Cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica–Based Formulations on Wheat Growth, Physiology, and Soil Fertility
Authors: Hakkoum Zineb , Minaoui Farah , Chabili Amer , Douma Mountasser , Mouhri Khadija , Loudiki Mohammed
Published: January 2025

Cyanobacteria are well known for their biofertilizing capacities, which can enhance soil fertility and plant growth. This study aims to evaluate the biofertilizing effects of the indigenous nitrogen-fixing soil cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica on the growth, biochemical, and physiological responses of wheat, as well as soil fertility. Medium filtrate, aqueous extract, sonicated culture, and crude culture of A. cylindrica at different doses (50%, 25%, 1%, and 0.2% v/v) were applied using a soil drench under greenhouse conditions. After 40 days of growth, all cyanobacterial suspensions significantly increased wheat growth, biochemical properties, and plant mineral composition compared to the controls. The greatest improvements were observed with the application of cyanobacterial suspensions at the highest concentrations, 25% and 50%. These doses also significantly enhanced the nutritional and physicochemical properties of the soil. Among the different treatments, soil inoculation with crude culture (living cells) and growth medium filtrate at 50% were the most efficient. The wheat growth–promoting effect was attributed to the intracellular or released bioactive compounds of A. cylindrica, such as polysaccharides, proteins, indole acetic acid phytohormone, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This study demonstrates that terrestrial A. cylindrica-derived suspensions promote wheat growth and can be used as an effective and eco-friendly biofertilizer to enhance plant growth and crop productivity.
Resulting Key Physiological Changes in Triticum aestivum L. Plants Under Drought Conditions After Priming the Seeds with Conventional Fertilizer and Greenly Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Corn Wastes
Authors: Rizk Roquia , Ahmed Mostafa , Abdul-Hamid Donia , Zedan Mostafa , Tóth Zoltán , Decsi Kincső
Published: January 2025

This research study investigated the production and properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles derived from corn husks and their priming effects on wheat plant proliferation and antioxidant mechanisms compared to the nutri-priming technique under regular irrigation and drought-stressed conditions. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), and X-ray diffraction confirmed the nanoparticles’ hexagonal morphology and typical dimensions of 51 nm. The size and stability of these nanoparticles were assessed through the size distribution and zeta potential analysis, indicating reasonable stability. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) detected the newly formed functional groups. This study emphasized the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phenolic compounds in plant responses to nanoparticle treatment, particularly in detoxifying harmful radicals. The research also examined the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR), in alleviating stress caused by oxidation while subjected to various treatments, including micronutrient seed priming with DR GREEN fertilizer. Some biochemical compounds, such as total phenolics (TPCs), total flavonoids (TFCs), and total hydrolysable sugars, were estimated as well to show the effect of the different treatments on the wheat plants. The findings suggested that ZnO nanoparticles can enhance antioxidant enzyme activity under certain conditions while posing phytotoxic risks, underscoring the complexity of plant–nanoparticle interactions and the potential for improving crop resilience through targeted micronutrient applications.
Biological and Molecular Characterization of Moroccan Isolates of Spiroplasma citri
Authors: Sagouti Tourya , Legrifi Ikram , Rhallabi Naima , Belabess Zineb , El Jarroudi Moussa , Amiri Said , Barka Essaid Ait , Tahiri Abdessalem , Lahlali Rachid
Published: January 2025

Spiroplasma citri, a bacterium from the class Mollicutes, is the causative agent of citrus stubborn disease, a serious threat to Moroccan citrus crops, with yield losses reaching 45%. Despite its long-standing presence since 1949 and regulations mandating disease-free citrus plants, data on S. citri in Morocco remain scarce. This study investigates the pathogenicity and symptom variability of Moroccan S. citri isolates using biological indexing and genetic mapping based on the Spiralin and P58 genes. Biological indexing through reverse inoculation revealed that seven out of ten isolates caused moderate to intense symptoms within 8 to 10 weeks, with symptom severity varying across citrus cultivars and regions. These findings suggest variations in pathogen titer. Molecular analysis showed that Moroccan isolates (27GH, 3GH, 8GH, 56MK, 16MK, 60MK, 2GLK, 13SS, and 30S1) exhibited complete (100%) sequence similarity with each other and the reference strain R2-A8. Furthermore, these isolates displayed a high degree of similarity (99.75%) to a Corsican isolate (U13995) and a 94% similarity to an Iranian isolate (KP666137). Analysis of the P58 gene confirmed a high level of homogeneity with Moroccan reference strain R8-A2, closely aligning (99.75%) with the American BR3-3X strain, and 98% similarity to isolates from Syria and Iran. This study lays a foundational insight into the molecular characterization of S. citri in Morocco and provides a groundwork for future research into managing citrus stubborn disease.
Study on the Impact of LDA Preprocessing on Pig Face Identification with SVM
Authors: Yan Hongwen , Wu Yulong , Bo Yifan , Han Yukuan , Ren Gaifeng
Published: January 2025

In this study, the implementation of traditional machine learning models in the intelligent management of swine is explored, focusing on the impact of LDA preprocessing on pig facial recognition using an SVM. Through experimental analysis, the kernel functions for two testing protocols, one utilizing an SVM exclusively and the other employing a combination of LDA and an SVM, were identified as polynomial and RBF, both with coefficients of 0.03. Individual identification tests conducted on 10 pigs demonstrated that the enhanced protocol improved identification accuracy from 83.66% to 86.30%. Additionally, the training and testing durations were reduced to 0.7% and 0.3% of the original times, respectively. These findings suggest that LDA preprocessing significantly enhances the efficiency of individual pig identification using an SVM, providing empirical evidence for the deployment of SVM classifiers in mobile and embedded systems.
Hidden Urban Biodiversity: A New Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Southwest China
Authors: Jia Ru-Wan , Gao Zong-Yuan , Wu Di-Hao , Wang Guan-Qi , Liu Gang , Liu Min , Jiang Ke , Jiang De-Chun , Ren Jin-Long , Li Jia-Tang
Published: January 2025

The genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950, belonging to the family Scincidae, exhibits considerable morphological convergence, complicating species delimitation and resulting in underestimated diversity. Currently, 41 species are formally recognized in this genus, although this figure likely underestimates its true richness. In this study, a new species of the genus Scincella, Scincella chengduensis sp. nov., is described from urban and suburban areas of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Southwest China. Morphological features and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the new species is distinct from all previously recognized congeners. The new species can be clearly distinguished by a combination of the following unique characters: (1) slender, medium-sized body, snout-vent length 28.4–43.2 mm; (2) infralabials seven, rarely six; (3) supraciliaries six or seven; (4) tympanum deeply recessed without lobules, tympanum diameters equal to or exceeding palpebral disc diameters; (5) midbody scale-row counts 23; (6) dorsal scales smooth, slightly enlarged, paravertebral scale-row counts 57–60, ventral scale-row counts 42–44, gulars 21–22; (7) upper edge of lateral longitudinal stripes relatively straight, four rows of dorsal scales in middle; (8) enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath finger IV 8–9, enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath toe IV 10–12; (9) ventral surface densely covered with dark spots; (10) grayish-brown, irregular dorsal stripes 2–3, black dorsolateral stripes from posterior corner of eye to lateral side of tail. This discovery underscores the underestimated diversity of Scincella in China and highlights the importance of urban habitats as reservoirs of hidden biodiversity. A diagnostic key to the Scincella species of China is also provided.
A New, Easy-to-Learn, Fear-Free Method to Stop Purring During Cardiac Auscultation in Cats
Authors: Vliegenthart Tessa , Szatmári Viktor
Published: January 2025

Background: Purring in cats can interfere with cardiac auscultation. If the produced noise is loud enough, purring makes it impossible to perform a meaningful auscultation as it is much louder than heart sounds and murmurs. Our study introduced and tested a new, simple, fear-free, cat-friendly method to stop purring during auscultation. Methods: The technique involves grasping the cat’s larynx from ventral with one hand, while simultaneously holding the stethoscope in the other hand to perform the auscultation. Results: The incidence of purring was evaluated in 582 cats, in a veterinary teaching hospital and in a cat-friendly private practice. Fifty-one (8.8%) cats were purring during their physical examination. The tested method had a success rate of 89% in terminating purring. A comparison between investigators (a veterinary student versus an experienced veterinary cardiology specialist) showed no significant difference in the effectiveness of the method (p = 0.57). The incidence of purring was not significantly different between the teaching hospital and the cat-friendly practice (p = 1.00). Sick and older cats purred more often than healthy and younger cats. Conclusions: This new, simple, easy-to-master method is an improvement over previously reported techniques and supports the need for stress-free, cat-friendly handling in veterinary practice.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Improved Boar Sperm Quality via Maintaining Mitochondrial Function During Cryopreservation
Authors: Wang Shanpeng , Wang Qi , Min Lingjiang , Cao Hailiang , Adetunji Adedeji O. , Zhou Kaifeng , Zhu Zhendong
Published: January 2025

Due to oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, boar semen cryopreservation remains a significant challenge. This study investigates the effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, on the post-thaw boar sperm quality during cryopreservation. Boar semen was diluted in a freezing extender containing different concentrations of PQQ (0, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000 nM). After freezing–thawing, the sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, DNA integrity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, mitochondrial transcription proteins levels, and fertilization capacity were assessed. The results show that 1000 nM PQQ supplementation to the freezing extender significantly enhanced post-thaw sperm motility, viability, and acrosome integrity compared to the control (p < 0.05). Additionally, 1000 nM PQQ increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP levels, while decreasing MDA and mitochondrial ROS levels, and reducing DNA damage (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of mitochondrial-encoded proteins were significantly elevated in the 1000 nM PQQ group compared to the control (p < 0.05). Interestingly, sperm in the 1000 nM PQQ group showed a higher binding rate to oviductal epithelial cells and the zona pellucida (ZP), indicating higher fertilization potential. These findings suggest that the use of mitochondria-target antioxidant, PQQ, can improve post-thaw boar sperm quality and fertilization via its capacity to reduce oxidative stress and protect mitochondrial function.
Software Project Risk Identification Based on Scrum Artifacts
Authors: Bisikirskienė Lina , Čeponienė Lina , Vilutis Gytis , Nečionytė Adelė
Published: January 2025

Risk identification, as a foundational step in risk management, is essential for the success of software development projects, including those using the Scrum methodology. However, risk management in Scrum often lacks structured practices, relying instead on the iterative and collaborative nature of the methodology. This paper presents a novel risk identification framework tailored for Scrum projects, leveraging Scrum artifacts and their associated attributes to enhance risk detection and analysis. The framework encompasses automated data collection from project management environments, such as Jira, thus minimizing the effort required from the project team for risk-related data gathering. By monitoring deviations in artifact attributes and applying predefined thresholds, the framework facilitates the detection of risks at any point in the project lifecycle. Experimental evaluation across three distinct Scrum projects demonstrated the framework’s applicability in identifying a wide range of risks, including long-term ones. The proposed framework contributes to Agile project management by offering a structured, automated approach to risk identification, fostering a culture of proactive risk management within Scrum teams.
Bidirectional Fluid–Structure Interaction Study on Hydrofoil Hardness and Oscillation Mode Optimization
Authors: Hua Ertian , Xiang Mingwang , Sun Qizong , Wang Tao , Song Yabo , Lu Caiju
Published: January 2025

This paper investigated the optimization of the hardness and oscillation mode of flexible hydrofoils using bidirectional fluid–structure interaction (FSI) to address the issue of insufficient guidance in engineering applications. A two-dimensional flexible symmetric hydrofoil model of NACA0012 with a chord length of 1 m was constructed for this research. The hydrodynamic characteristics of low-frequency flexible hydrofoils with varying hardness and oscillation modes were analyzed through numerical simulation. The results indicated that the flexible hydrofoil with a Shore hardness of D50 exhibited the most optimal hydrodynamic performance under low-frequency conditions across the five groups of hardness tests. Among the three commonly utilized oscillation modes, the inboard oscillation mode demonstrated the most favorable performance. The hydrodynamic performance of the flexible hydrofoil surpassed that of the rigid hydrofoil in both inward and outward oscillation motions; however, it was inferior in pure pitching motions. Comparative analysis of the vortex structure and velocity distribution in the flow field revealed that the inward oscillation motion effectively enhanced the kinetic energy of the wake vortex and slowed down vortex dissipation, thereby improving the overall flow velocity. These findings provide theoretical support for the study of flexible hydrofoils and contribute to their advancement in pumping applications under actual ultra-low head conditions.
Volumetric and Linear Adaptation of an Indirect Adhesive Restoration: Comparison of Chairside 3D Printing and Milling Techniques
Authors: Baldi Andrea , Rossi Tommaso , Stura Ilaria , Comba Allegra , Fazioni Mauro , Rolando Chiara , Ferrero Giorgio , Ceruti Paola , Scotti Nicola
Published: January 2025

The aim of this study was to the evaluate volumetric and linear adaptation of an indirect adhesive restoration, comparing a novel chairside 3D printer to conventional milling techniques. An intact upper premolar was selected, prepared for an overlay restoration, and replicated. A standardized overlay restoration was designed with CAD software (Cerec inLab CAD SW 4.5.2, Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA), maintaining equal morphology for each sample. Restorations were produced with three CAM processes: chairside 3D printer (D-FAB, DWS, Thiene, Italy), chairside milling unit (Cerec MCXL, Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA), and an industrial milling machine serving as control (Micro 5x, Aman Girrbach, Mäder, Austria). Once cemented, specimens were scanned using micro-computed tomography to assess volumetric, internal, and external adaptation. Data were statistically analyzed with ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni tests. CAM technique significantly affected volumetric adaptation (p < 0.001), with the chairside 3D printer performing the best and chairside milling unit the worst. Concerning internal adaptation, the chairside milling unit performed significantly worse than the other groups (p < 0.001). No significant differences were reported for external adaptation (p > 0.05). In conclusion, CAM technique influenced volumetric and internal adaptation, with the 3D printer showing optimal volumetric adaptation and chairside milling poor internal adaptation.
Technological Evolution of Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Structural Health Monitoring of Bridges in Peru: History, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Cacciuttolo Carlos , Muñoz Esteban , Sotil Andrés
Published: January 2025

Peru is one of the most diverse countries from a geographical and climatic point of view, where there are three large ecosystem regions called coast, Sierra, and jungle. These characteristics result in the country having many hydrographic basins, with rivers of significant dimensions in terms of the width and length of the channel. In this sense, there is a permanent need to provide connectivity and promote trade between communities through road bridge infrastructure. Thus, Peru historically developed a road network and bridges during the Inca Empire in the Tawantinsuyu region, building a cobblestone road network and suspension bridges with rope cables made of plant fibers from vegetation called Coya-Ichu. This is how bridges in Peru have evolved to meet contemporary vehicular demands and provide structural stability and functionality throughout their useful life. This article presents the following sections: (a) an introduction to the evolution of bridges, (b) the current typology and inventory of bridges, (c) the characterization of the largest bridges, (d) a discussion on the architecture, engineering, construction, and structural health monitoring (AECSHM) of bridges in the face of climate change, earthquakes, and material degradation, and (e) conclusions. Finally, this article presents opportunities and challenges in terms of Peru’s architecture, engineering, construction, and structural health monitoring of road bridges. Special emphasis is given to the use of technologies from the era of Industry 4.0 to promote the digital construction and structural health monitoring of these infrastructures. Finally, it is concluded that the integration of technologies of sensors, the IoT (Internet of Things), AI (artificial intelligence), UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), remote sensing, BIM (Building Information Modeling), and DfMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly), among others, will allow for more safe, reliable, durable, productive, cost-effective, sustainable, and resilient bridge infrastructures in Peru in the face of climate change.
Ammonia Gas Adsorption in Fixed Bed and Fluidized Bed Using Bentonite Particles
Authors: Muntianu Gabriela , Georgescu Ana-Maria , Rosu Ana-Maria , Platon Nicoleta , Arus Vasilica Alisa , Jinescu Cosmin Valeriu , Nistor Ileana Denisa
Published: January 2025

The present paper investigates the ammonia adsorption kinetic from air on sodium bentonite particles and on aluminum pillared bentonite particles in fixed bed and fluidized bed. The sodium bentonite is used as adsorbents and as raw material for chemically modified bentonite with aluminum polyhydroxocations. The aluminum pillared bentonite is prepared by a classical pillaring process to create high porosity and to increase the ammonia particle surface contact. Adsorbents used were characterized by the following analysis: granulometric distribution, acid–base character determination by Thermal Programmed Desorption (TPD), elemental microanalysis by Energy Dispersive X-Ray coupled with scanning electron microscopy (EDX-SEM), X-Ray diffractograms, adsorption–desorption isotherms by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method and distribution of pore sizes and pore volume calculation by Barrett–Joyner–Halenda method. The variable parameters used in ammonia adsorption capacity on bentonite particle determination are particles size, gas velocity and total gas flow rate. The parameters kept constant during the ammonia adsorption process on bentonite particles are geometric ratio, adsorbent mass and initial ammonia gas concentration. The ammonia adsorption capacity on sodium bentonite particles and on aluminum pillared bentonite particles was measured until bed saturation as a function of the gas–particle contact technique. The best results are obtained with homogeneous fluidization with small gas bubbles for the aluminum pillared bentonite particles after 100 s bed saturation with ammonia adsorption capacity of 0.945 mmol NH3/g. To complete the study, ammonia desorption determination was carried out by a thermo-desorption process in order to recover the used particles. The adsorbent particles studied proved to be high-performance materials in order to use them in ammonia air depollution. Fluidized bed adsorption can be an efficient technique to accelerate mass transfer between ammonia from air and adsorbent particles.
Traffic Collision Severity Modeling Using Multi-Level Multinomial Logistic Regression Model
Authors: Alsaleh Rushdi , Walia Kawal , Moshiri Ghoncheh , Alsaleh Yasmeen T.
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the various factors contributing to the severity of traffic collisions, with specific attention given to elements such as the involvement of pedestrians and cyclists, the roles played by motor vehicles, prevailing weather conditions, road characteristics, and geographical contexts. Drawing from a comprehensive dataset from the Virginia Department of Transportation, encompassing over 500,000 data points, this study utilizes two statistical models. Specifically, it utilizes Multinomial Logistic Regression and Multi-Level (Mixed Effect) Multinomial Logistic Regression, which accounts for group-level heterogeneity, to explore the intricate interplay between various factors and collision severity outcomes. The findings underscore the superiority of the Multi-Level Multinomial Logistic Regression model over the standard Multinomial Logistic Regression model in capturing road user severity. Furthermore, this paper highlights the heightened odds of fatalities associated with the presence of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. Collisions involving unbelted drivers exhibited odds ratios exceeding 10, indicating a substantially elevated likelihood of severe outcomes compared to their belted counterparts.
Applying Finite Element Method–Dirichlet Boundary Condition Iteration to the Computation of Coupling Factors for a 3-D Human Model
Authors: Aiello Giovanni , Alfonzetti Salvatore , Rizzo Santi Agatino , Salerno Nunzio
Published: January 2025

The hybrid FEM-DBCI numerical method is proposed for the computation of coupling factors between time-harmonic magnetic fields and human bodies. Characteristics are highlighted which make FEM-DBCI very suitable to perform such computations. Several coil geometries are considered (circular coils) at low frequency. A simplified model of the human body is assumed as suggested by IEC standards. Details of the method are highlighted, and numerical results are also provided.
Mastigoproctus spinifemoratus, a New Species of Giant Vinegaroon (Thelyphonida: Thelyphonidae) from Mexico
Authors: Castro-Pereira Daniel , Pinto-da-Rocha Ricardo , Prendini Lorenzo
Published: January 2025

Mastigoproctus Pocock, 1894, is the most speciose genus in the thelyphonid subfamily Mastigoproctinae Speijer, 1933, with eighteen described species distributed from the Southern United States to Colombia and Venezuela. Ten of these species occur in Mexico. In the present contribution, Mastigoproctus spinifemoratus, sp. nov., is described based on an adult male and two juveniles from Eastern Nuevo León and Southwestern Tamaulipas, Mexico. It differs from five other species of Mastigoproctus, in which spiniform tubercles are present on the retrolateral surface of the pedipalp femur, in the ventrally directed epistome of the carapace, and the absence of an accessory spine on the prodorsal margin of the pedipalp trochanter. The new species raises the number of Mastigoproctus species to nineteen and the number in Mexico to eleven.
Cooperative Decay of N Atoms in a Ring Configuration
Authors: Piovella Nicola
Published: January 2025

We provide an analytic expression of the spectrum of the cooperative decay rate of N two-level atoms regularly distributed on a ring in the single-excitation configuration. The results are obtained first for the scalar model and then extended to the vectorial light model, assuming all the dipoles are aligned.
Hydrodynamic Characteristics Study of Bionic Dolphin Tail Fin Based on Bidirectional Fluid–Structure Interaction Simulation
Authors: Wang Ning , Zhang Yu , Peng Linghui , Zhao Wenchuan
Published: January 2025

Using bidirectional fluid–structure interaction technology, the dorsal–ventral motion of the dolphin tail fin was simulated, and the feasibility of the numerical simulation method was validated through underwater motion experiments. This study investigated the effects of structural parameters and motion modes of bionic dolphin tail fins on their propulsion performance. The results show that flexible tail fins can enhance propulsion performance. Compared to equal-thickness flexible tail fins, variable-thickness flexible tail fins that conform to the structural characteristics of real dolphin tail fins exhibit better propulsion performance. Asymmetric motion modes have a certain thrust-enhancing effect, but altering the frequency ratio F and amplitude ratio H of heaving motion leads to an increase in pitching moment, reducing swimming stability. Additionally, the greater the difference in frequency and amplitude between the up-and-down motions, the larger the pitching moment. The study results provide references for the optimized design and motion control of bionic tail fins.
Migration Phenology and Spatial Distribution of Soaring Birds in Greece: From Citizen Science Data to Implications for Monitoring and Conservation Strategies
Authors: Bounas Anastasios , Tsiopelas Nikos , Evangelidis Angelos , Barboutis Christos
Published: January 2025

Timing and spatial distribution patterns of migratory birds are crucial for their conservation, particularly in Greece, which serves as a vital migratory corridor between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Traditional monitoring methods face challenges due to resource limitations and the country’s complex geography. This study aimed to determine the migration phenology and spatial distribution of 18 species of raptors and soaring birds in Greece using citizen science data from eBird, analyzed with generalized additive models (GAMs). We processed 15,940 checklists for spring migration and 9131 for autumn migration from 2010 to 2023. GAMs successfully modeled the migration phenology for most species, revealing variable peak migration dates in spring and more synchronized migration in autumn, with most species migrating in early September. A spatial analysis highlighted the importance of coastal areas and islands (particularly the Aegean islands and Crete) as key migratory routes and stopover sites. Validation with standardized counts from the Antikythira Bird Observatory showed some discrepancies, emphasizing the limitations of relying on a single monitoring site and the value of broad-scale citizen science data. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating citizen science data with robust analytical techniques to fill knowledge gaps, providing valuable insights for designing monitoring programs and informing conservation strategies.
Cerebellar Volume Measures Differentiate Multiple Sclerosis Fallers from Non-Fallers
Authors: Takla Taylor N. , Feldpausch Jennie , Edwards Erin M. , Han Shuo , Calabresi Peter A. , Prince Jerry , Zackowski Kathleen M. , Fritz Nora E.
Published: January 2025

Introduction: The cerebellum is a common lesion site in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Physiologic and anatomic studies have identified a topographic organization of the cerebellum including functionally distinct motor and cognitive areas. In this study, a recent parcellation algorithm was applied to a sample of PwMS and healthy controls to examine the relationships among specific cerebellar regions, fall status, and common clinical measures of motor and cognitive functions. Methods: Thirty-one PwMS and twenty-nine age- and sex-matched controls underwent an MRI scan and motor and cognitive testing. The parcellation algorithm was applied to all images and divided the cerebellum into 28 regions. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to compare cerebellar volumes among PwMS and controls, and MS fallers and MS non-fallers. Relationships between cerebellar volumes and motor and cognitive function were evaluated using Spearman correlations. Results: PwMS performed significantly worse on functional measures compared to controls. We found significant differences in volumetric measures between PwMS and controls in the corpus medullare, lobules I–III, and lobule V. Volumetric differences seen between the PwMS and controls were primarily driven by the MS fallers. Finally, functional performance on motor and cognitive tasks was associated with cerebellar volumes. Conclusions: Using the parcellation tool, our results showed that the volumes of motor and cognitive lobules impact both motor and cognitive performance, and that functional performance and cerebellar volumes distinguishes the MS fallers from non-fallers. Future studies should explore the potential of cerebellar imaging to predict falls in PwMS.
Crossing Gender Boundaries: Exploring the Chain-Mediated Causal Role of Social Media Sharing in Shaping Interpersonal Networks and Enhancing Job Satisfaction
Authors: Liu Xin , Qin Nan , Wei Xiaochong
Published: January 2025

The theoretical relationship between social media use and job satisfaction, especially concerning gender-specific mechanisms, remains a subject of ongoing debate in the literature. This divergence reflects our insufficient understanding of the complex relationships among gender, social media use, and job satisfaction. Drawing on Social Role Theory (SRT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study utilizes 4651 valid samples from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) database to investigate how gender influences interpersonal relationships through social media sharing frequency, thereby enhancing job satisfaction. The findings indicate that women, compared to men, exhibit higher job satisfaction and more frequent social media sharing behavior. Moreover, the frequency of social media sharing positively affects job satisfaction by improving interpersonal relationships. This study employs a chain-mediated causal path analysis to delve into the causal relationships among gender, social media sharing frequency, and interpersonal relationships, effectively addressing previous limitations in handling multiple mediating effects. The findings not only provide new insights into the role of social media in the modern workplace but also offer empirical evidence and practical guidance for organizations on leveraging social media to foster employee relationships and enhance job satisfaction.
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Single-Session Digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention
Authors: Levin Michael E. , Mukasa Miriam N. , Bowers Emily M. , Klimczak Korena S. , Aller Ty B.
Published: January 2025

Adherence challenges are common among digital mental health interventions (DMHIs). Single-session DMHIs may help by providing a low-intensity intervention that takes less time to complete. This pilot randomized controlled trial sought to evaluate the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a single-session DMHI based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in a non-clinical sample of college students. The trial was pre-registered (NCT06139718). A total of 61 students were recruited, which was below the target of 100 participants. The participants were randomized to the single-session ACT DMHI or to a waitlist condition, with assessments completed at 1-week and 1-month follow-ups. The vast majority of participants (87%) completed the single-session ACT program. The participants provided high program satisfaction ratings. There were no differences between conditions on psychological flexibility, distress, or mental health help seeking. However, the participants assigned to ACT improved significantly more than the waitlist on well-being from baseline to 1-month follow-up (d = 0.29). Overall, the results were mixed, with some support for the acceptability and potential efficacy of a single-session ACT DMHI but also a lack of effect, most notably on psychological flexibility as the process of change in ACT.
Impact of Personal Values on School Engagement Among Chinese Adolescents: Mediating Effects of Achievement Goals
Authors: Gu Tingyu , Gai Xiaosong
Published: January 2025

Much of past research has centered on the impact of personal values on career progression. Yet, the connection between personal values and academic performance remains under-explored, especially the mechanisms through which they relate. Additionally, the relative strength of the correlation between different types of personal values and academic performance has yet to be examined. This research aimed to examine the effect of various personal values on school engagement among Chinese adolescents, as well as the role of four achievement goals as potential mediators. We surveyed 700 senior high school students from a public school in Changchun, Jilin province, China (Mage = 16.91, SDage = 0.43, 55.57% male). Participants completed the Personal Values Scale, Achievement Goal Orientation Scale, and School Engagement Scale. Materialistic values were positively correlated with performance avoidance goals, which in turn were negatively related to school engagement. In contrast, self-improvement values were positively associated with school engagement. This relationship was mediated by a higher number of mastery approach goals and fewer performance avoidance goals. Self-transcendence values were linked to an increase in mastery approach goals, which were in turn positively related to school engagement. Additionally, although both self-improvement and self-transcendence values positively correlated with adolescents’ school engagement, the correlation was stronger for self-improvement values. This study makes a unique contribution by showing that personal values are linked to school engagement through achievement goal orientations, thereby supporting and expanding the future-oriented motivation and self-regulation model. The practical value of this study lies in demonstrating that promoting self-improvement and self-transcendence values, particularly self-improvement values, fosters positive achievement goal orientations, such as mastery approach goals, which in turn enhance school engagement.
Evaluating Trends in Interior Design Strategies and Their Impact on the Emotional Experience of Older Adults
Authors: Li Lintong , Wang Suhua , Mansor Noranita , Azmi Athira , Xiang Jialing
Published: January 2025

With the intensification of global population aging, attention to the emotional health of the elderly continues to grow. Traditional interior architectural design primarily focuses on optimizing physical functionality; however, this approach is no longer sufficient to meet the increasingly complex emotional needs of the elderly. Integrating the Three-Level Theory of Emotional Design (TTED) into interior design provides a significant opportunity to systematically address the multidimensional needs of the elderly. However, existing research is often fragmented and lacks thematic literature reviews to summarize the key factors, characteristics, and design strategy frameworks of interior design. This study aims to evaluate the impact of interior design on the emotional experiences of the elderly and to construct a conceptual framework to address current research gaps. By establishing rigorous selection criteria, 39 high-quality studies were identified from the Scopus, Web of Science, and Mendeley databases. Using ATLAS.ti 9 for thematic analysis, five core themes were distilled: aesthetics, use and function, emotional reflection, design strategies, and emotional experience. The findings revealed that architectural interior design practices often paid limited attention to the emotional needs of older adults. Through a comprehensive literature review, 10 key design features were identified, including multi-sensory attributes, morphological characteristics, cultural elements, and natural components, alongside 17 related research directions. The study introduces a dynamic feedback mechanism within the framework of the proposed architectural interior design strategy, highlighting the importance of employing multiple strategies that balance and complement each other in practical applications. Additionally, the study clarifies future research directions, offering theoretical support and practical guidance for designers to address the complex needs of the elderly. This achievement provides a systematic reference for the future development of interior architectural design and has significant implications for improving the emotional experience of the elderly.
Finite Element Analysis of Horizontal Bearing Capacity for the Composite Diaphragm Wall Anchor Foundation
Authors: Yin Qian , Wei Leyong , Li Xiaojuan , Gong Weiming , Yang Xueying , Dai Guoliang , Peng Shunkai
Published: January 2025

A composite diaphragm wall anchor foundation (CDWAF) is a novel type of anchor foundation, but research on its bearing performance remains limited. In this study, the horizontal bearing characteristics of a CDWAF and the interaction mechanism between the foundation and surrounding soil using finite element analysis were investigated. The foundation’s displacement behavior under external loads, the distribution of resistance from various soil components, and the failure mechanisms of the foundation were also studied. The results reveal that under external loads, the CDWAF experiences both rigid-body translation and rotational displacement, with the rotation center shifting dynamically to the upper right with the increase in load. At the failure state, a passive failure wedge forms on the outer side of the front wall of the foundation due to soil compression, while an active failure wedge develops on the outer side of the back wall, and both the displacement and rotation of the foundation increase nonlinearly with the applied load. As the load increases, the passive earth pressure on the front wall’s outer side rises, while the active earth pressure on the back wall’s outer side decreases. The distribution of soil resistance and side friction resistance of the CDWAF with depth is influenced by the critical depth, which increases with the load. The soil resistance at the bottom of the foundation shows an overall increase in the direction of the applied load, peaking at the bottom of the front wall. The plastic zone in the surrounding soil progressively develops, starting at the base and the outer sides of the front and back walls. Notably, the embedded end of the CDWAF significantly reduces the plastic failure at the bottom of the foundation. In comparison with traditional gravity caissons, the embedded end and internal compartments of the CDWAF effectively enhance its horizontal bearing capacity by 30% and 6%, respectively. At the same time, the mechanism of soil resistance is changed with the foundation type. The load-sharing ability of the cabinet foundation reaches 23% at the bottom and 45% outside the front and rear walls, respectively, while the load-sharing ratio of the composite diaphragm wall anchorage foundation is transferred from the base to the outer sides of the front and back walls, which is 5% and 58%, respectively. These findings contribute valuable insights to the design and application of underground diaphragm wall foundations in anchor foundation engineering.
Experimental Study on Fatigue Characteristics and Life Prediction of Rotating Restricted Short Suspender in Suspension Bridge
Authors: Zhao Lei , Yang Zhili , Tong Xianneng , Zhang Yang , Nie Ruifeng
Published: January 2025

The corrosion of the rotating axis pins of the short suspender will lead to the rotating restriction of its end, which will lead to the corrosion of the parallel wires and affect the performance of the short suspender. In this study, the technical condition of the rotating restricted short suspender unfixed from the suspension bridge was carefully detected. An axial tensile performance test was carried out on these short suspenders, and the subsequent availability of the rotating restricted suspender was evaluated based on the size of the fracture gap. The rotationally limited working conditions of these short suspenders were skillfully simulated by the specially designed tooling, and the fatigue performance test of the rotating restricted short suspender was carried out. A simplified simulation method was proposed based on the random traffic theory. By introducing traffic data obtained from the WIM system, the stress response of the short suspenders caused by vehicles on each lane was simulated, and the simulation results were converted by the rain flow counting method. The residual life of the rotating restricted short suspender was predicted by the comparison between the fatigue test results and the fitting curve of the simulation results. From this study, several of the following conclusions can be summarized: The measured fracture gap size is negatively correlated with the effective area of the suspender, and the gap size of 8mm is a key value. When the fatigue load cycle reaches 345,000 times, the suspender is already in a dangerous state. Additionally, the fractured gap size is considered as the judgment basis for the usability of rotating restricted short suspenders. When the gap size is less than 8 mm, the suspender can be continually used after maintenance and should be updated after 6 years. Otherwise, the suspender needs to be replaced immediately.