bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Res-BiANet: A Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Arrhythmia Detection Based on PPG Signal
Authors: Wu Yankun , Tang Qunfeng , Zhan Weizong , Li Shiyong , Chen Zhencheng
Published: February 2024

Arrhythmias are among the most prevalent cardiac conditions and frequently serve as a direct cause of sudden cardiac death. Hence, the automated detection of arrhythmias holds significant importance for assisting in the diagnosis of heart conditions. Recently, the photoplethysmography (PPG) signal, capable of conveying heartbeat information, has found application in the field of arrhythmia detection research. This work proposes a hybrid deep learning model, Res-BiANet, designed for the detection and classification of multiple types of arrhythmias. The improved ResNet and BiLSTM models are connected in parallel, and spatial and temporal features of PPG signals are extracted using ResNet and BiLSTM, respectively. Subsequent to BiLSTM, a multi-head self-attention mechanism was incorporated to enhance the extraction of global temporal correlation features over long distances. The model classifies five types of arrhythmia rhythms (premature ventricular contractions, premature atrial contractions, ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation) and normal rhythm (sinus rhythm). Based on this foundation, experiments were conducted utilizing publicly accessible datasets, encompassing a total of 46,827 PPG signal fragments from 91 patients with arrhythmias. The experimental results demonstrate that Res-BiANet achieved exceptional classification performance, including an F1 score of 86.88%, overall accuracy of 92.38%, and precision, sensitivity, and specificity of 88.46%, 85.15%, and 98.43%, respectively. The outstanding performance of the Res-BiANet model suggests significant potential in supporting the auxiliary diagnosis of multiple types of arrhythmias.
Scalable Hardware-Efficient Architecture for Frame Synchronization in High-Data-Rate Satellite Receivers
Authors: Crocetti Luca , Pagani Emanuele , Bertolucci Matteo , Fanucci Luca
Published: February 2024

The continuous technical advancement of scientific space missions has resulted in a surge in the amount of data that is transferred to ground stations within short satellite visibility windows, which has consequently led to higher throughput requirements for the hardware involved. To aid synchronization algorithms, the communication standards commonly used in such applications define a physical layer frame structure that is composed of a preamble, segments of modulation symbols, and segments of pilot symbols. Therefore, the detection of a frame start becomes an essential operation, whose accuracy is undermined by the large Doppler shift and quantization errors in hardware implementations. In this work, we present a design methodology for frame synchronization modules that are robust against large frequency offsets and rely on a parallel architecture to support high throughput requirements. Several algorithms are evaluated in terms of the trade-off between accuracy and resource utilization, and the best solution is exemplified through its application to the CCSDS 131.2-B-1 and CCSDS 131.21-O-1 standards. The implementation results are reported for a Xilinx KU115 FPGA, thereby showing the capability of supporting baud rates that are greater than 2 Gbaud, as well as a corresponding throughput of 15.80 Gbps. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to propose a design methodology for parallel frame synchronization modules that has applicability to the CCSDS 131.2-B-1 and CCSDS 131.21-O-1 standards.
High-Performance Hardware Implementation of the Saber Key Encapsulation Protocol
Authors: Li Dejian , Zhong Junjie , Cheng Song , Zhang Yuantuo , Gao Shunxian , Cui Yijun
Published: February 2024

Information is pivotal in contemporary society, highlighting the necessity for a secure cryptographic system. The emergence of quantum algorithms and the swift advancement of specialized quantum computers will render traditional cryptography susceptible to quantum attacks in the foreseeable future. The lattice-based Saber key encapsulation protocol holds significant value in cryptographic research and practical applications. In this paper, we propose three types of polynomial multipliers for various application scenarios including lightweight Schoolbook multiplier, high-throughput multiplier based on the TMVP-Schoolbook algorithm and improved pipelined NTT multiplier. Other principal modules of Saber are designed encompassing the hash function module, sampling module and functional submodule. Based on our proposed multiplier, we implement the overall hardware circuits of the Saber key encapsulation protocol. Experimental results demonstrate that our overall hardware circuits have different advantages. Our lightweight implementation has minimal resource consumption. Our high-throughput implementation only needs 23.28 μs to complete the whole process, which is the fastest among the existing works. The throughput rate is 10,988 Kbps and the frequency is 416 MHz. Our hardware implementation based on the improved pipelined NTT multiplier achieved a good balance between area and performance. The overall frequency can reach 357 MHz.
A Novel IoT Photovoltaic-Powered Water Irrigation Control and Monitoring System for Sustainable City Farming
Authors: Don Chua Wei Feng , Lim Chong Lye , Koh Yit Yan , Kok Chiang Liang
Published: February 2024

In Singapore’s limited land space, hydroponics, a soil-free method of that uses irrigation gained popularity for urban farming. Vertical farming can be made more sustainable by integrating Internet-of-Things (IoT) and solar photovoltaic (PV) as an intelligent system. This study aims to conduct a feasibility study on using PV cells to reduce energy consumption in IoT-enabled irrigation control and monitoring systems. In the experiment, an intelligent water irrigation system was designed for data collection including energy harvested from PV, climate conditions, and water quality. It was observed that a 45 Watt peak (Wp) solar PV was able to produce up to 460-watt hours of stored electricity in a day which can power a standalone hydroponic system that consists of a 19 W water pump and light emitting diode (LED) grow lights rated at 14 W/m. The climate monitoring system matched meteorological data from online sources proving to be applicable in the prototype. Water conditions such as water temperature and electrical conductivity (EC) also correlate to readings taken from traditional handheld water quality testers. Based on the fabricated prototype, integration is deemed to be feasible using power harvested from the sun.
Diffusion of Solar PV Energy in Italy: Can Large-Scale PV Installations Trigger the Next Growth Phase?
Authors: Bessi Alessandro , Guidolin Mariangela , Manfredi Piero
Published: February 2024

The National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of the EU Member States have established comprehensive goals for 2030 to speed up the process of energy transition. Though Italy was an innovator in the area of photovoltaics (PV) up until 2014, the subsequent collapse and stagnation of its PV market have revealed an intrinsic fragility, which makes reaching international targets in the future unclear. This study used the Generalized Bass Model in a multi-phase extension to offer insights into and perspectives on the Italian PV market with the use of new data at finer temporal and market-size scales. Our model-based evidence suggests the possibility of a remarkable structural change corresponding to the “reboot” period after the pandemic crisis. In this period, small- and large-scale PV adoption, after years of parallel pathways, have taken largely different routes. On the one hand, small-scale adoption exhibited a fast decline with the end of the post-COVID-19 incentive programs, thus confirming the traditional “addiction to incentive” issue. On the other hand, during the “reboot” period, large-scale installations showed, for the first time, symptoms of exponential growth. This is consistent with the possibility that, finally, this sector is on an autonomous growth path. The latter evidence might represent a critically important novelty in the Italian PV landscape, where firms—rather than households—take the lead in the process. Nonetheless, future public monitoring and guidance are both urgent requirements to avoid a further catastrophic fall in the residential PV market and to make the sustained growth of the large-scale PV industry a robust phenomenon.
Adoption Model Choice Affects the Optimal Subsidy for Residential Solar
Authors: Tibebu Tiruwork B. , Hittinger Eric , Miao Qing , Williams Eric
Published: February 2024

Understanding the adoption patterns of clean energy is crucial for designing government subsidies that promote the use of these technologies. Existing work has examined a variety of adoption models to explain and predict how economic factors and other technology and demographic attributes influence adoption, helping to understand the cost-effectiveness of government policies. This study explores the impact of adoption modeling choices on optimal subsidy design within a single techno–economic framework for residential solar PV technology. We applied identical datasets to multiple adoption models and evaluated which model forms appear feasible and how using different choices affects policy decisions. We consider three existing functional forms for rooftop solar adoption: an error function, a mixed log-linear regression, and a logit demand function. The explanatory variables used are a combination of net present value (NPV), socio-demographic, and prior adoption. We compare how the choice of model form and explanatory variables affect optimal subsidy choices. Among the feasible model forms, there exist justified subsidies for residential solar, though the detailed schedule varies. Optimal subsidy schedules are highly dependent on the social cost of carbon and the learning rate. A learning rate of 10% and a social carbon cost of USD 50/ton suggest an optimal subsidy starting at USD 46/kW, while the initial subsidy is 10× higher (USD 540/kW) with a learning rate of 15% and social carbon cost of USD 70/ton. This work illustrates the importance of understanding the true drivers of adoption when developing clean energy policies.
Research of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Modeling on Concentration Polarization under Variable-Temperature Operating Conditions
Authors: Teng Teng , Zhang Xin , Xue Qicheng , Zhang Baodi
Published: February 2024

In this study, a concentration overvoltage model that focuses on describing variable-temperature operating condition properties for PEMFCs is established. Sensitivity analysis and a quantification study of oxygen transport resistance are carried out based on the oxygen transport resistance model and measurement data. By analyzing the influence of temperature on cathode oxygen transport resistance, the key structural parameters of the cathode oxygen transport resistance models are estimated, and the parameter modification method of fuel cell limiting current density under variable temperatures is proposed. Based on the polarization curve test experiments under variable-temperature conditions, it is demonstrated that the newly developed concentration overvoltage model reduces the relative error of simulation for a low Pt loading fuel cell in the high current region by 2.97% and 10.06% at 60 °C and 80 °C, respectively. The newly established concentration overvoltage model of a PEMFC solves the problem that the parameter of limiting current density is set without considering the influence of fuel cell temperature fluctuation, which leads to the poor simulation accuracy of the concentration overvoltage model in the high current region.
Investigating the Possibility of Using Renewable Energies in Livestock Units in Iran (A Case Study: Fereydounshahr)
Authors: Sharabiani Vali Rasooli , Akbari Reza , Mousavi Seyed Ali , Tahmasebi Mohammad , Szymanek Mariusz , Dziwulski Jacek
Published: February 2024

Fereydounshahr experiences growing electricity shortfalls and an overreliance on polluting diesel generators. This analysis models renewable hybrid systems to electrify a local dairy operation using HOMER Pro 3.11 software. Despite higher upfront costs, adding just 5% solar photovoltaics maintained low net present costs while increasing clean energy penetration versus diesel generators alone. Furthermore, a combined diesel-solar-wind system reduced carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by over 1%. Although diesel generators had the shortest payback period at 48 years, the capital recovery factor for a diesel–solar combination reached 62 years. Thus, tailored hybrid renewable systems could provide an affordable, low-emissions electricity solution for the Fereydounshahr livestock facility. With suitable wind and solar resources, the right policy incentives could also unlock substantial local renewable capacity to meet rising demand and mitigate dependence on imported, climate-harming fossil fuels.
Dual-Stage Optimization Scheduling Model for a Grid-Connected Renewable Energy System with Hybrid Energy Storage
Authors: Lu Di , Peng Yonggang , Sun Jing
Published: February 2024

To operate the grid-connected renewable energy system economically, this study presents a dual-stage optimization scheduling model for grid-connected systems with hybrid energy storage, including day-ahead and intra-days stages. In the day-ahead stage, an economically optimal scheduling model is developed, considering the price peak-to-valley difference. This model aims to enhance the economic efficiency of the system by utilizing hybrid energy storage. In the intra-day stage, more accurate renewable energy forecasts with a shorter time scale are considered. The objectives are to minimize the curtailment rate of renewable energy and to track the day-ahead scheduling outcomes. The NSGA-II algorithm is employed for multi-objective optimization, achieving equilibrium solutions considering multiple optimization objectives. Compared to other published works, the proposed model achieves a balance between different optimization objectives, enabling the system to operate economically and stably. It provides a comprehensive approach to optimize the scheduling of grid-connected systems with hybrid energy storage by considering both economic and operational aspects. Overall, this proposed dual-stage optimization model presents a viable approach to improve economic efficiency and mitigate renewable energy curtailment in grid-connected systems. By effectively integrating renewable energy sources and optimizing their utilization, this model contributes to enhancing the sustainability and optimal operation of the power grid.
List of Issues That Require Legal Regulation as Part of the Renewable Energy Regulation in Component States of Federation
Authors: Kirichenko Evgeniy , Kirichenko Ksenia , Kirichenko Anna
Published: February 2024

The transition to renewable energy is strongly affected by legal regulation. To increase the efficiency of the introduction of renewable energy into the energy systems of component states of federations and accelerate the energy transition, it is necessary to carry out systematic work to improve regional legislation in this area. The purpose of this study was to analyze the current regulatory legal acts on the renewable energy of the regions of a number of countries such as the USA, Germany, India, Switzerland and Russia in order to form a universal list of issues that need regulation at the regional level. The main methods for achieving the objectives set in this study were the comparative legal method and the method of analysis and synthesis. As a result, a number of recommendations were developed describing how legal relations primarily need to be regulated by regional legislation, and examples of different approaches to their settlement were presented. The issues in need of legal regulation were divided into three groups according to the degree of importance of their regulation by the legislation of the component state of the federation. Further development of this study will be aimed at identifying the most effective industrial practices for resolving each of the issues included in the compiled list which will help improve the efficiency of regional legal regulation of renewable energy.
Design of Step Voltage Regulator Based on IGBT
Authors: Lee Min-Gu , Kim Jong-Bin , Park Kwang-Jae , Song Ju-Won , Kim Ye-Jung , Kim Jae-Eon
Published: February 2024

The introduction of distributed generation (DG) into distribution systems is expanding due to carbon neutral policies. DG with intermittent output characteristics brings frequent voltage variations in distribution systems. Generally, a step voltage regulator (SVR) is installed in the long distribution line and controls its voltage, which has limits of stable voltage regulations due to the slow tap-changing rate, switching losses, and short life span. To solve those problems, this paper proposes an IGBT-based SVR using zero-voltage switching. It is verified that the stable operation can be obtained through simulation by PSCAD/EMTDC 4.6 software and empirical experiments.
Bulk Power Systems Emergency Control Based on Machine Learning Algorithms and Phasor Measurement Units Data: A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Senyuk Mihail , Beryozkina Svetlana , Safaraliev Murodbek , Pazderin Andrey , Odinaev Ismoil , Klassen Viktor , Savosina Alena , Kamalov Firuz
Published: February 2024

Modern electrical power systems are characterized by a high rate of transient processes, the use of digital monitoring and control systems, and the accumulation of a large amount of technological information. The active integration of renewable energy sources contributes to reducing the inertia of power systems and changing the nature of transient processes. As a result, the effectiveness of emergency control systems decreases. Traditional emergency control systems operate based on the numerical analysis of power system dynamic models. This allows for finding the optimal set of preventive commands (solutions) in the form of disconnections of generating units, consumers, transmission lines, and other primary grid equipment. Thus, the steady-state or transient stability of a power system is provided. After the active integration of renewable sources into power systems, traditional emergency control algorithms became ineffective due to the time delay in finding the optimal set of control actions. Currently, machine learning algorithms are being developed that provide high performance and adaptability. This paper contains a meta-analysis of modern emergency control algorithms for power systems based on machine learning and synchronized phasor measurement data. It describes algorithms for determining disturbances in the power system, selecting control actions to maintain transient and steady-state stability, stability in voltage level, and limiting frequency. This study examines 53 studies piled on the development of a methodology for analyzing the stability of power systems based on ML algorithms. The analysis of the research is carried out in terms of accuracy, computational latency, and data used in training and testing. The most frequently used textual mathematical models of power systems are determined, and the most suitable ML algorithms for use in the operational control circuit of power systems in real time are determined. This paper also provides an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of existing algorithms, as well as identifies areas for further research.
On the Preferential Concentration of Particles in Turbulent Channel Flow: The Effect of the Added-Mass Factor
Authors: Zaza Domenico , Iovieno Michele
Published: February 2024

Preferential concentration, observed in turbulent flows when particle response times are of the same order of the flow’s characteristic timescales, manifests as non-uniform particle distributions in space. Unraveling its governing mechanisms holds crucial implications for both natural and industrial processes reliant on particle-laden flows. Focusing on particles with small inertia, this study employs Direct Numerical Simulations coupled with Lagrangian particle tracking to investigate the influence of the added-mass factor on the preferential concentration of particles denser than the fluid in the one-way coupling regime. It is shown how the added-mass factor β affects particle distribution within the channel through the statistical correlations between particle concentration and typical descriptors of the flow topology. The results suggest that increasing values of β (corresponding to lighter particles) significantly reduce the effectiveness of turbophoresis in producing particle accumulation in the near-wall region. Resulting in a gradual decorrelation between particle concentration and both the strain-rate and the vorticity tensors, higher values of β lead to a more uniform particle distribution, regardless of the Stokes number.
Autumnal Potassium Induced Modulations in Plant Osmoprotectant Substances, Nutrient Stoichiometry and Precision Sustainable Seedling Cultivation in Parashorea chinensis
Authors: Ullah Saif , Liu Fang , Xie Le , Liao Si , Li Wannian , Ali Izhar , Yang Mei , Xu Yuanyuan
Published: February 2024

Parashorea chinensis, an endemic tree species in China’s tropical rainforests, holds ecological and economic importance. Challenges like low resistance, poor quality, and low survival rates hinder its successful cultivation. This study explores the potential of autumn potassium fertilization on Parashorea seedlings from two provenances (Napo and Tianyang). The treatments included no fertilizer (CK-1), a single application of 160 mg K·plant−1 (CK-2), and various potassium levels K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, and K6 (corresponding to 0, 40, 80, 160, 320, and 640 mg·K·plant−1, respectively) combined with nitrogen (200 mg·plant−1) and phosphorus (80 mg·plant−1) fertilization. The findings indicate that autumn potassium application, in conjunction with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization, significantly enhances seedling height and biomass in both provenances, resulting in an average increase of 101% and 89% under the K4 treatment compared to CK-1 and CK-2, comparatively. Both Napo and Tianyang provenances exhibited distinct responses in photosynthetic rate (2.70 μmol·m−2·s−1 and 1.97 μmol·m−2·s−1, respectively) and stomatal conductance (0.042 mol·m−2·s−1 and 0.029 mol·m−2·s−1, respectively) to the K4 treatment, which proved most effective. The chlorophyll content was significantly higher for Napo provenance with the K3 treatment (74.31%, 58.99%), while for Tianyang, it was higher with the K4 treatment (41.48%, 17.36%), compared to CK-1 and CK-2, respectively. Antioxidant enzymes activity, osmoregulatory capacity, and malondialdehyde content all exhibited variations with potassium application levels, with the K4 treatment offering significant benefits. In Napo provenance, lignin (199.82 mg·g−1) and cellulose (252.38 mg·g−1) peaked at K4, while Tianyang exhibited variation, higher lignin (184.25 mg·g−1) at K3, and cellulose (257.73 mg·g−1) at K4. Nutrient content analysis demonstrates that the K4 treatment enhances nutrient absorption and storage, increasing total N (21.56 mg·kg−1), P (4.69 mg·kg−1), and K (13.49 mg·kg−1) content. A comprehensive analysis reveals that the K4 treatment yields the highest quality scores (1.87, 1.85) and membership values (0.82, 0.68) for both Napo and Tianyang seedlings, with Napo seedlings outperforming their Tianyang provenance. Thus, treatment K4 underscores the effectiveness of autumn potassium applications for robust seedling cultivation and adaptation, offering valuable insights for sustainable cultivation practices.
Effect of Isopropyl Ester of Hydroxy Analogue of Methionine on Rumen Microbiome, Active Enzymes, and Protein Metabolism Pathways of Yak
Authors: Zhang Xirui , Liu Yao , Zuo Zizhen , Wang Chenxi , Peng Zhongli , Zhong Jincheng , Wang Haibo
Published: February 2024

This study aims to investigate the effect of methionine analogue 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid isopropyl ester (HMBi) on the rumen microbial community, microbial carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZy), and protein metabolism pathways in yak. Twenty-four male Maiwa yaks (252.79 ± 15.95 kg) were selected and randomly divided into groups that received the basal diet alone, or a diet supplemented with different amounts of HMBi (5 g, 10 g or 15 g). At the phylum level, the group receiving 5 g of HMBi showed a considerably higher relative abundance of Lentisphaerae than the other treatment groups (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Actinobacteria decreased linearly with the increase in HMBi supplemental levels (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Prevotella increased linearly with the increasing level of HMBi supplementation (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Butyrivibrio linearly decreased (p < 0.05), and the relative abundance of Alistipes tended to linearly decrease (p = 0.084). The addition of HMBi had linear or quadratic effects on the relative abundance of CAZy enzymes and functional proteins in the rumen of yak (p < 0.05). Conclusively, these results indicated that feeding yaks a diet supplemented with HMBi is an excellent strategy to enhance carbohydrate breakdown, and improve rumen microbial structure and function.
Bioactive Compounds in Grain Fermentation
Authors: Wu Peng , Wang Ni
Published: February 2024

As we conclude our exploration of the Special Issue, “Bioactive Compounds in Grain Fermentation”, it is essential to revisit the origins of this initiative, providing a clear understanding of its objectives [...]
State-of-the-Art Future Internet Technology in Italy 2022–2023
Authors: Cafaro Massimo , Epicoco Italo , Pulimeno Marco
Published: February 2024

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in Future Internet Technology in Italy [...]
Minced Beef Meat Paste Characteristics: Gel Properties, Water Distribution, and Microstructures Regulated by Medium Molecular Mass of γ-Poly-Glutamic Acid
Authors: Qiao Mengmeng , Zhang Tao , Miao Ming
Published: February 2024

The influences of various m-γ-PGA (0.08–0.20%, w/w) concentrations on the properties of minced beef meat paste in terms of rheological properties, texture, moisture distribution, and microstructures were evaluated. The results indicated that m-γ-PGA enhanced the water-holding capacity, gel strength, texture, and whiteness of the minced beef meat paste. Based on the microstructural results, m-γ-PGA helped form a more organized and compact gel, thereby limiting the migration of water through the gel matrix. In contrast to the control group, the water-holding property, gel strength, and whiteness of minced meat paste gels with m-γ-PGA content of 0.12% increased from 75.89%, 584.51 g·cm, and 61.83 to 79.91%, 780.87 g·cm, and 62.54, respectively (p < 0.05), exhibiting the highest water-holding property and gel strength. Thus, m-γ-PGA exhibits great potential for minced meat paste products as a healthy gel water retainer and enhancer in low-fat meat products.
Singapore’s Total Diet Study (2021–2023): Study Design, Methodology, and Relevance to Ensuring Food Safety
Authors: Lim Geraldine Songlen , Er Jun Cheng , Bhaskaran Kalpana , Sin Paul , Shen Ping , Lee Kah Meng , Teo Guat Shing , Chua Joachim Mun Choy , Chew Peggy Chui Fong , Ang Wei Min , Lee Joanna , Wee Sheena , Wu Yuansheng , Li Angela , Chan Joanne Sheot Harn , Aung Kyaw Thu
Published: February 2024

A total diet study is often used to evaluate a population’s baseline dietary exposure to chemical hazards from across the diet. In 2021–2023, Singapore carried out a TDS, and this article presents an overview of the study design and methodological selections in Singapore’s TDS, as well as its relevance to ensuring food safety. A food consumption survey was conducted on Singapore citizens and permanent residents, where food consumption patterns of the Singapore population were identified. The selection of chemical hazards and foods for inclusion in Singapore’s TDS, as well as principal considerations on sampling, food preparation, and analytical testing are discussed. Commonly consumed foods by the Singapore population in food categories such as grain and grain-based products, meat and meat products, fish and seafood, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy products were included in this study, and mean concentrations of chemicals tested in each food category were reported, with food categories possessing higher levels identified. Future work will include dietary exposure assessments for the population and analysis of the contributions by food and cooking method.
Peasant Food Provision Strategies and Scientific Proposals for Famine Foods in Eighteenth-Century Sweden
Authors: Svanberg Ingvar , Ståhlberg Sabira
Published: February 2024

The peasant diet during the Little Ice Age in Sweden was mainly grain-based (bread, gruel, and porridge), and the country was heavily dependent on grain imports to meet the population’s needs for food. During the eighteenth century in particular, when famines were frequent following failed harvests, Swedish peasants utilized a range of locally available resources to survive. Bark bread made of cambium (phloem) from Pinus sylvestris was, for example, commonly used as famine food. Scientists of the Enlightenment period and the state authorities tried to alleviate hunger and poverty through the introduction of new food resources and cooking techniques, including wild or agricultural plants such as lichens or potato, and the use of protein sources different from the traditional ones, such as horse meat. However, many of these proposals encountered strong resistance from the peasantry, and only at the end of the 1800s famines ceased to cause suffering in Sweden. Scientific studies have so far focused mainly on mortality, malnutrition, demography, and official responses to famines; yet the question of what the starving peasants gathered, prepared, and consumed is important for the understanding of the historical situation. Also, the difference between the scientific proposals and peasants’ decisions and choices must be clearly distinguished. This historical study using an ethnobiological approach discusses peasant subsistence strategies in Sweden in the eighteenth century using contemporary sources, which provide an opportunity to study how the population obtained foodstuffs, adapted their diet to available ingredients, and the interaction and conflicting views of peasants and scientists about new, science-based nutrition proposals.
Composite Photocatalysts with Fe, Co, and Ni Oxides on Supports with Tetracoordinated Ti Embedded into Aluminosilicate Gel during Zeolite Y Synthesis
Authors: Petcu Gabriela , Anghel Elena Maria , Atkinson Irina , Culita Daniela C. , Apostol Nicoleta G. , Kuncser Andrei , Papa Florica , Baran Adriana , Blin Jean-Luc , Parvulescu Viorica
Published: February 2024

Ti-aluminosilicate gels were used as supports for the immobilization of Fe, Co, and Ni oxides (5%) by impregnation and synthesis of efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of β-lactam antibiotics from water. Titanium oxide (1 and 2%) was incorporated into the zeolite network by modifying the gel during the zeolitization process. The formation of the zeolite Y structure and its microporous structure were evidenced by X-ray diffraction and N2 physisorption. The structure, composition, reduction, and optical properties were studied by X-ray diffraction, H2-TPR, XPS, Raman, photoluminescence, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The obtained results indicated a zeolite Y structure for all photocatalysts with tetracoordinated Ti4+ sites. The second transitional metals supported by the post-synthesis method were obtained in various forms, such as oxides and/or in the metallic state. A red shift of the absorption edge was observed in the UV–Vis spectra of photocatalysts upon the addition of Fe, Co, or Ni species. The photocatalytic performances were evaluated for the degradation of cefuroxime in water under visible light irradiation. The best results were obtained for iron-immobilized photocatalysts. Scavenger experiments explained the photocatalytic results and their mechanisms. A different contribution of the active species to the photocatalytic reactions was evidenced.
Design of Nickel-Containing Nanocomposites Based on Ordered Mesoporous Silica: Synthesis, Structure, and Methylene Blue Adsorption
Authors: Kouznetsova Tatyana , Ivanets Andrei , Prozorovich Vladimir , Shornikova Polina , Kapysh Lizaveta , Tian Qiang , Péter László , Trif László , Almásy László
Published: February 2024

Mesoporous materials containing heteroelements have a huge potential for use as catalysts, exchangers, and adsorbents due to their tunable nanometer-sized pores and exceptionally large internal surfaces accessible to bulky organic molecules. In the present work, ordered mesoporous silica containing Ni atoms as active sites was synthesized by a new low-temperature method of condensation of silica precursors on a micellar template from aqueous solutions in the presence of nickel salt. The homogeneity of the resulting product was achieved by introducing ammonia and ammonium salt as a buffer to maintain a constant pH value. The obtained materials were characterized by nitrogen sorption, X-ray and neutron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Their morphology consists of polydisperse spherical particles 50–300 nm in size, with a hexagonally ordered channel structure, high specific surface area (ABET = 900–1200 m2/g), large pore volume (Vp = 0.70–0.90 cm3/g), average mesopore diameter of about 3 nm, and narrow pore size distribution. Adsorption tests for methylene blue show sorption capacities reaching 39–42 mg/g at alkaline pH. The advantages of producing nickel silicates by this method, in contrast to precipitation from silicon alkoxides, are the low cost of reagents, fire safety, room-temperature processing, and the absence of specific problems associated with the use of ethanol as a solvent, as well as the absence of the inevitable capture of organic matter in the precipitation process.
The Role of the Mineralogical Composition on Wettability via Flotation Test and Surface Complexation Modeling (SCM)
Authors: Erzuah Samuel , Fjelde Ingebret , Omekeh Aruoture Voke
Published: February 2024

Minerals are the chief constituents of rocks and have varied properties, such as the surface area, surface charge, site density, etc. Hence, numerous interactions are bound to occur in a reservoir during rock–fluid (i.e., rock, crude oil and brine) interactions. This study seeks to assess the role of the mineralogical composition in the wettability of sandstone rocks (SRs) and mineral mixture (MM) using both surface complexation modeling (SCM) and a flotation test. From the considered sandstone rocks, both the experimental results and the simulated counterparts revealed that the SRs were preferentially hydrophilic. For the MM, when the mass fraction of the hydrophobic mineral was increased, the affinity of the MM became slightly hydrophobic, and vice versa. For the dominant sandstone reservoir rock minerals with predominantly negatively charged surfaces, negligible oil adsorption took place due to the interfacial repulsive forces at the oil–brine and mineral–brine interfaces. For the MM with low calcite content, the wetting preference was influenced by the mineral with a prominent surface area. Our developed model portrayed that the main mechanism of oil adhesion onto sandstone minerals was divalent cation bridging. Nonetheless, adhesion of carboxylate (>COO−) onto the illite, montmorillonite and calcite sites also took place, with the latter being more pronounced.
Revolutionizing HIV-1 Viral Load Monitoring in India: The Potential of Dried Blood Spot Analysis for Expanding Access and Improving Care
Authors: Chandane Tak Madhuri , Vaidyanathan Anuradha , Mukherjee Anupam
Published: February 2024

India continues to grapple with a significant burden of HIV infections. Despite notable progress in prevention and treatment efforts, multiple challenges, such as high-risk populations, inadequate testing facilities, and limited access to healthcare in remote areas, persist. Though the Government of India offers HIV-1 plasma viral load testing at various medical centers, aiding treatment decisions and monitoring antiretroviral therapy effectiveness, enhancing care for individuals living with HIV under the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), the nation’s large population and diverse demographics further complicate its outreach and response. Hence, strategic interventions and alternative methods of testing remain crucial to curbing HIV transmission and improving the quality of life for those affected. Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling has emerged as a convenient and cost-effective alternative for HIV-1 viral load testing, revolutionizing the landscape of diagnostic and monitoring strategies for HIV infection. Though the plasma-based viral load remains the gold standard for monitoring HIV-1, DBS-based HIV-1 viral load testing holds immense promise for improving access to care, particularly in resource-limited settings where traditional plasma-based methods may be logistically challenging. DBS entails the collection of a small volume of blood onto filter paper, followed by drying and storage. This approach offers numerous advantages, including simplified sample collection, transportation, and storage, reducing the need for cold-chain logistics. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of DBS-based HIV-1 viral load testing, revealing a strong correlation between DBS and plasma measurements. Its implementation can enhance the early detection of treatment failure, guide therapeutic decisions, and ultimately contribute to better clinical outcomes for HIV-infected individuals. Hence, this review explores the principles, advancements, feasibility, and implications of DBS-based HIV-1 viral load testing.
Exposure to Traumatic Events at Work, Post-Traumatic Symptoms, and Professional Quality of Life among Italian Midwives: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Guzzon Alice , Nones Giulia , Camedda Claudia , Longobucco Yari
Published: February 2024

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the potential occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, following exposure to traumatic events, in Italian midwives and their consequent influence on the quality of midwives’ professional lives. In addition, data were collected on the major traumatic events described by midwives. Method: A cross-sectional study related the socio-demographic characteristics of 286 midwives with the scores obtained on two assessment scales, one for post-traumatic stress disorder (IES-R) and the other for quality of life (ProQOL V). The percentage of midwives who obtained a score higher than the predetermined threshold value in both questionnaires was noted, and the correlations that emerged were highlighted. Through this qualitative method, their significant work-related traumatic events were investigated to finally detect the prevalence percentage of each category. Results: The proportion of midwives scoring higher than 33 on the IES-R scale, indicating a higher likelihood of PTSD, was 48.6%. Freelancers or outpatient clinic midwives had lower mean IES scores (p = 0.049). A significant inverse correlation was observed between age and IES-R score and between the compassion satisfaction subscale and time since completing education (p = 0.028). A comparison between the IES-R and ProQOL scales showed a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001), in particular, between the burnout (BO) (p < 0.001) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) (p < 0.001) subscales. The thematic categorization of traumatic events included mother/child death, mother/child medical complications, relational problems with patients or team members, and organizational problems/medical staff’s inexperience. Conclusions: The emerging data may confirm the data in the literature, namely those showing that midwives are prone to developing work-related PTSD, particularly due to their exposure to traumatic events such as maternal and neonatal death.
The Health of Vineyard Soils: Towards a Sustainable Viticulture
Authors: Visconti Fernando , López Roberto , Olego Miguel Ángel
Published: February 2024

Soil health encompasses the effects the uppermost part of the land have on human wellbeing in a broad sense, because soil is where most food ultimately comes from, and because it more inconspicuously fulfils other ecological functions, as important as feeding, for our planet’s welfare, which is ours. Viticulture exploits the soil’s resources from which wine, its most valuable produce, boasts to obtain some of its unique quality traits, which are wrapped within the terroir concept. However, using conventional methods, viticulture also has harsh impacts on the soil, thus jeopardizing its sustainability. How long will the terroir expression remain unchanged as vineyard soil degradation goes on? While this question is difficult to answer because of the complex nature of terroirs, it is undeniable that conventional soil management practices in viticulture leave, in general, ample room for improvement, in their impact on vineyards as much as on the environment. In response, viticulture must adopt practices that enable the long-lasting preservation of its grounds for both on-farm and off-farm benefits. In this regard, the increase in the soil’s organic matter alongside the enhancement of the soil’s biological community are key because they benefit many other soil properties of a physical, chemical, and biological nature, thus determining the soil’s healthy functioning, where the vines may thrive for a long time, whereas its surroundings remain minimally disturbed. In the present review, the importance of soil health as it relates to vineyards is discussed, the soil degradation factors and processes that threaten winegrowing areas are presented, successful soil-health enhancement practices are shown, and future research trends are identified for the benefit of researchers and stakeholders in this special agricultural industry.
HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing Utilisation among School of Healthcare Sciences Undergraduate Students at the University of Limpopo
Authors: Rasweswe Melitah Molatelo , Bopape Mamare Adelaide , Ntho Tshepo Albert
Published: February 2024

Existing evidence indicates that South African university students have low utilisation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the utilisation of HIV VCT among undergraduate students in the School of Healthcare Sciences. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data through Google Forms. The results are presented through descriptions and percentages and illustrated in tables. Out of 389 undergraduate students, only 324 completed the questionnaire. The majority (97.2%) were aware of the health centre on campus, while only (74.7%) knew about the HIV VCT services offered on campus. Despite the awareness, many (36.7%) do not utilise the campus HIV VCT services, and some (9.6%) have never tested for HIV. There was an association between awareness of Voluntary Counselling and Testing of HIV services offered at the campus health and wellness centre and utilisation of HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing at (<0.001). Therefore, it is imperative to urgently escalate the level of HIV/AIDS education in higher institutions of learning and emphasise the mounting danger of HIV infection and the immense importance of regular HIV testing. The findings of this study could serve as a foundation for creating HIV prevention and control programmes for youth, particularly in higher education institutions.
Reaching out to Patients with Long COVID to Better Understand Their Life Experiences and How to Support Their Recovery: A Patient-Oriented Knowledge Sharing Session
Authors: Pommer Alexa , Halas Gayle , Mendis Rukmali , Campbell Cindy , Semenko Brenda , Stadnyk Brandy , Thalman Leyda , Mair Susan , Sun Yue , Johnston Neil , Sanchez-Ramirez Diana C.
Published: February 2024

This article reports on participants’ experiences with long COVID-19 (LC) (symptoms, impact, healthcare use, and perceived needs) and satisfaction with a patient-oriented knowledge-sharing session organized by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, researchers, and a patient partner. Twenty-six participants completed a pre-session survey. On average, they were 21 months post-COVID-19 infection (SD 10.9); 81% of them were female, and 84% were 40+ years old. The main symptoms reported included fatigue (96%), cognitive problems (92%), and general pain or discomfort (40%). More than half of the participants reported that LC has had a significant impact on their health-related quality of life. Eighty-one percent of the participants reported seeking medical help for their LC symptoms and found the services provided by physical therapists, primary care providers, and acupuncturists to be helpful in managing their condition. Participants would like to have access to healthcare providers and clinics specializing in LC. They liked the session and found the information presented useful. This information helps to better understand the experiences of people living with LC and how to support their recovery.
Genetic Diversity in Bronchial Asthma Susceptibility: Exploring the Role of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Varied Geographic Contexts
Authors: Paramonova Natalia , Trapina Ilva , Gradauskiene (Sitkauskiene) Brigita , Plavina Samanta , Tamasauskiene Laura , Bastyte Daina , Rumba-Rozenfelde Ingrida , Tapina Sandra , Stakaitiene Ieva , Ugenskiene Rasa , Shih-Hsin Wu Lawrence , Wang Jiu-Yao , Hsieh Miao-Hsi , Chen Pei-Chi , Sjakste Nikolajs
Published: February 2024

Bronchial asthma (BA) exhibits varying prevalence across global populations, prompting a comprehensive investigation into genetic and environmental determinants. Vitamin D is a potent immunomodulator capable of suppressing inflammatory signals in several cell types involved in the asthmatic response; it exerts effects on the immune system by binding to the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). VDR gene genetic variations are affecting serum vitamin D levels with a possible role in the BA risk. The current study aimed to examine the complex interaction of various factors (genetic background, serum vitamin D levels, and geographic location) to identify differences in the influence of these factors on the susceptibility to asthma between populations at different latitudes. Focusing on Eastern European cohorts from Latvia and Lithuania and comparing them with published data on East Asian populations, we explore the impact of VDR gene polymorphisms on BA susceptibility. Genotyping four key VDR SNPs and assessing their association with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, our study unveils significant associations of the studied loci with the risk of asthma—both risk-reducing and increasing effects, differently distributed between Baltic and East Asian populations. The functional effects of in silico VDR gene genetic variations are also identified and discussed.