bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Different Animal Models in Hindlimb Functional Recovery after Acute Limb Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Zheleznova Nadezhda N. , Sun Claire , Patel Nakul , Hall Nathan , Williams Kristof M. , Zhang Jie , Wei Jin , Xiang Lusha , Patel Ridham , Soni Sahil , Sheth Divya , Lai Enyin , Qiu Xingyu , Hernandez Soto Nohely , Liu Ruisheng
Published: September 2024

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a sudden lack of blood flow to a limb, primarily caused by arterial embolism and thrombosis. Various experimental animal models, including non-invasive and invasive methods, have been developed and successfully used to induce limb ischemia-reperfusion injuries (L-IRI). However, there is no consensus on the methodologies used in animal models for L-IRI, particularly regarding the assessment of functional recovery. The present study aims to compare different approaches that induce L-IRI and determine the optimal animal model to study functional limb recovery. In this study, we applied a pneumatic cuff as a non-invasive method and ligated the aorta, iliac, or femoral artery as invasive methods to induce L-IRI. We have measured grip strength, motor function, creatine kinase level, inflammatory markers such as nuclear factor NF-κB, interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypoxia markers such as hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α), and evaluated the muscle injury with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining in Sprague Dawley rats after inducing L-IRI. The pneumatic pressure cuff method significantly decreased the muscle strength of the rats, causing the loss of ability to hold the grid and inducing significant limb function impairment, while artery ligations did not. We conclude from this study that the tourniquet cuff method could be ideal for studying functional recovery after L-IRI in the rat model.
High Impostors Are More Hesitant to Ask for Help
Authors: Chen Si , Son Lisa K.
Published: September 2024

Help-seeking behavior requires both components of metacognition—monitoring (being aware of the need for help) and control (initiating the help-seeking action). Difficulties in initiating help-seeking, therefore, can be indicative of a metacognitive breakdown, for instance, when a student believes that a gap in knowledge is something to hide. To explore the relationship between knowing that one needs help and actually seeking it, we examined the potential influences of impostorism, which refers to the feeling of being a “fraud”, despite one’s objective accomplishments. Participants were asked to solve math reasoning and verbal reasoning insight problems, while also being given a “help” button that could be pressed at any time in order to get the solution. Results showed that, overall, students were more likely to ask for help with math than verbal reasoning problems—help also correlated with boosted performance. There was also a slight indication that individuals who scored relatively high on impostorism were numerically less likely to seek help and waited longer to do so for the math problems. Our findings suggest that a fear of being exposed as an impostor may hinder one’s help-seeking behaviors, especially in more challenging subjects, such as math.
Preliminary Study on Gender Differences in EEG-Based Emotional Responses in Virtual Architectural Environments
Authors: Li Zhubin , Wang Kun , Hai Mingyue , Cai Pengyu , Zhang Ya
Published: September 2024

In traditional cultural perceptions of gender, women are stereotyped as being more “emotional” than men. Although significant progress has been made in studying gender differences in emotional responses over the past few decades, there is still no consistent conclusion as to whether women are more emotional than men. In this study, we investigated gender differences in emotional responses between two groups of students (10 males and 10 females) in the same architectural environment, particularly in a digital cultural tourism scenario. Participants viewed the “Time Tunnel” of the ancient city of Qingzhou through VR simulation. Brainwave evoked potentials were recorded using wearable EEG devices. The results showed that females typically reported stronger emotional responses, as evidenced by higher arousal, lower potency, and stronger avoidance motivation. In contrast, males exhibited higher potency, lower arousal, and stronger comfort. The findings suggest that males have a more positive emotional response in virtual digital environments, whereas females are more sensitive and vulnerable to such environments, experiencing some discomfort. These findings can be used to guide the design and adaptation of virtual built environments.
Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry and RC Building Stocks: A Simplified Methodology
Authors: Ferretti Francesca , Mazzotti Claudio , Savoia Marco
Published: September 2024

Assessing the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings at the territorial scale is a crucial aspect for seismic-prone regions to properly plan effective strategies for disaster risk management. This paper presents a simplified methodology for the seismic vulnerability assessment of existing masonry and reinforced concrete buildings. The main purpose is to provide a tool able to evaluate the vulnerability of large building stocks, with the aim of defining priorities for further investigations or interventions. The procedure, inspired by methods in the literature devoted to the large-scale evaluation of structural vulnerability, allows defining the collapse peak ground acceleration (PGAc) through the evaluation of the resisting shear force, the latter being estimated by mechanical considerations and by taking expert judgment into account to consider the real structural complexities involved. A classification is proposed, which aims to categorize buildings within homogenous groups characterized by a level of seismic vulnerability belonging to given intervals. The method was calibrated with reference to several case studies in order to reach a sufficient level of reliability in the vulnerability estimate and was then applied to a significant number of school buildings in the province of Ravenna, Italy. For some of them, the simplified methodology was validated through comparisons with results obtained by means of vulnerability assessment procedures based on finite element analyses.
Exploring Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reactions: A Study on Nanocellulose, Dopamine, and Cobalt Complex-Derived Non-Precious Electrocatalyst
Authors: Patwary Md Mohsin , Haque Shanzida , Szwedo Peter , Hasan Ghada , Kondrapolu Raja Shekhar , Watanabe Fumiya , KC Krishna , Wang Daoyuan , Ghosh Anindya
Published: September 2024

Cobalt-based catalysts are recognized as promising electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) in fuel cells that operate within acidic electrolytes. A synthesis process involving a cobalt complex, nanocellulose, and dopamine, followed by pyrolysis at 500 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere, was used to create a cobalt and nitrogen-doped carbonaceous material. Additionally, urea was incorporated to enhance nitrogen doping in the carbonaceous material. The morphology and structure of the material were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), where SEM unveiled dispersed metal oxides within the carbonaceous framework. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed an even distribution of elements across the cobalt-doped carbonaceous material. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis further highlighted significant alterations in the elemental composition due to pyrolysis. The electrochemical behavior of the cobalt-doped carbonaceous material, with respect to the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in an acidic medium, was investigated via cyclic voltammetry (CV), revealing an ORR peak at 0.30 V against a reversible hydrogen reference electrode, accompanied by a notably high current density. The catalyst’s performance was evaluated across different pH levels and with various layers deposited, showing enhanced effectiveness in acidic conditions and a more pronounced reduction peak with uniformly applied electrode layers. Rotating disk electrode (RDE) studies corroborated the mechanism of a four-electron reduction of oxygen to water, emphasizing the catalyst’s efficiency.
An Advanced Surface Treatment Technique for Coating Three-Dimensional-Printed Polyamide 12 by Hydroxyapatite
Authors: Alhotan Abdulaziz , Alhijji Saleh , Abdalbary Sahar Ahmed , Bayoumi Rania E. , Matinlinna Jukka P. , Hamdy Tamer M. , Abdelraouf Rasha M.
Published: September 2024

Polymer 3D printing has is used in a wide range of applications in the medical field. Polyamide 12 (PA12) is a versatile synthetic polymer that has been used to reconstruct bony defects. Coating its surface with calcium phosphate compounds, such as hydroxyapatite (HA), could enhance its bonding with bone. The aim of this study was to coat 3D-printed polyamide 12 specimens with hydroxyapatite by a simple innovative surface treatment using light-cured resin cement. Polyamide 12 powder was printed by selective laser sintering to produce 80 disc-shaped specimens (15 mm diameter × 1.5 mm thickness). The specimens were divided randomly into two main groups: (1) control group (untreated), where the surface of the specimens was left without any modifications; (2) treated group, where the surface of the specimens was coated with hydroxyapatite by a new method using a light-cured dental cement. The coated specimens were characterised by both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), (n = 10/test). The control and treated groups were further randomly subdivided into two subgroups according to the immersion in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The first subgroup was not immersed in PBS and was left as 3D-printed, while the second subgroup was immersed in PBS for 15 days (n = 10/subgroup). The surfaces of the control and treated specimens were examined using an environmental scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) before and after immersion in PBS. Following the standard American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D3359), a cross-cut adhesion test was performed. The results of the FTIR spectroscopy of the coated specimens were confirmed the HA bands. The TEM micrograph revealed agglomerated particles in the coat. The SEM micrographs of the control 3D-printed polyamide 12 specimens illustrated the sintered 3D-printed particles with minimal porosity. Their EDXA revealed the presence of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen as atomic%: 52.1, 23.8, 24.1 respectively. After immersion in PBS, there were no major changes in the control specimens as detected by SEM and EDXA. The microstructure of the coated specimens showed deposited clusters of calcium and phosphorus on the surface, in addition to carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, with atomic%: 9.5, 5.9, 7.2, 30.9, and 46.5, respectively. This coat was stable after immersion, as observed by SEM and EDXA. The coat adhesion test demonstrated a stable coat with just a few loose coating flakes (area removed <5%) on the surface of the HA-coated specimens. It could be concluded that the 3D-printed polyamide 12 could be coated with hydroxyapatite using light-cured resin cement.
A Novel Approach to Protect Brazil Nuts from Lipid Oxidation: Efficacy of Nanocellulose–Tocopherol Edible Coatings
Authors: Nascimento Debora Ribeiro , Mesquita Juliana , da Silva Thayanne , Hernandes Thais , Lengowski Elaine Cristina , Takeuchi Katiuchia
Published: September 2024

High levels of unsaturated fatty acids in Brazil nuts compromise their sensory quality through lipid oxidation. To mitigate this reaction, it is crucial to package nuts under a vacuum and in aluminate packaging. An alternative method is the application of an edible coating with antioxidant properties. This study aimed to develop an edible coating composed of carboxymethylcellulose and sorbitol, physically reinforced with nanocellulose, and chemically fortified with tocopherol. The edible coating was characterized based on its physical properties, mechanical strength, biodegradability, optical light transmission properties, color parameters, and water vapor permeability. Formulations CC5 (Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) + sorbitol + 5% nanocellulose) and CCT5 (CMC + sorbitol + tocopherol + soy lecithin + 5% nanocellulose) showed enhanced mechanical strength. The combination of nanocellulose with tocopherol in formulations CCT3 (CMC + sorbitol + tocopherol + soy lecithin + 3% nanocellulose) and CCT5 developed superior barriers to visible and ultraviolet light, a desired characteristic for coatings intended to increase the shelf life of Brazil nuts. The nuts coated with CC5 and CCT3 showed the lowest PV values at the end of the accelerated oxidation test conducted at 60 °C.
Effect of Fatty Acids on Vegetable-Oil-Derived Sustainable Polyurethane Coatings for Controlled-Release Fertilizer
Authors: Pang Minhui , Liu Zirui , Li Hongyan , Liang Lina , Li Lixia
Published: September 2024

Vegetable-oil-based polyurethane has become a promising sustainable candidate for controlled-release fertilizer based on green chemistry. The purpose of this study was to prepare a series of coatings from selective feedstocks including five vegetable oils with a high saturation degree, mono-unsaturation degree, or poly-unsaturation degree, considering that vegetable oil fatty acids played a key role in the synthesis of polyol and polyurethane. The effect of the type and proportion of fatty acids on the physicochemical properties, microstructure, and macro-properties of vegetable-oil-derived polyols and their resulting coatings was characterized and discussed. The position and number of the hydroxy groups were determined by the type and proportion of fatty acid, and polyol from linseed oil with a high poly-unsaturation degree and three carbon–carbon double bonds had a high hydroxyl value and functionality, whereas polyol from palm oil with a high saturation degree possessed the lowest hydroxyl value and functionality. The resultant coating from linseed-oil-based polyol had a good cross-linking density, and the nitrogen release longevity of coated urea was 56 days at a coating percentage of 3%, and its nitrogen use efficiency was increased by 27.15% compared with conventional urea. Although the palm-oil-based coating had good hydrophobicity, its coated urea was not ideal. Overall, this study has enriched theories of bio-based polyurethane coatings for controlled-release fertilizers; using vegetable oil with a poly-unsaturation degree, it is easy to obtain an excellent coating for controlled-release fertilizer, and this will help provide economic and environmental benefits.
Decorating TiO2 Nanoparticle Thin Film with SnSx (x < 1): Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Xu Fang , Scaramuzza Nicola , Versace Carlo
Published: September 2024

We report a study on the SnSx (x < 1) decoration of porous TiO2 nanoparticle thin films using the ionic layer adsorption and reaction (ILAR) method. UV-vis absorption measurements revealed a direct bandgap of 1.40–2.10 eV for SnSx (with x = 0.85) and 3.15 eV for TiO2. Degradation of rhodamine B molecules in aqueous solutions shows that coating with a Sn-to-Ti molar ratio of 2% improves the efficiency of the photocatalytic performance of titanium dioxide, but excessive coverage decreases it. We interpret the observed behavior as due to a delicate balance of many competing factors. The formation of intimate interfaces guaranteed by the ILAR growth technique and a nearly optimal alignment of conduction band edges facilitate electron transfer, reducing electron–hole recombination rates. However, the valence hole transfer from TiO2 to SnS reduces the oxidative potential, which is crucial in the degradation mechanism.
Advances in Pharmaceutical Crystals: Control over Nucleation and Polymorphism
Authors: Artusio Fiora , Contreras-Montoya Rafael , Gavira José A.
Published: September 2024

The Special Issue “Advances in Pharmaceutical Crystals: Control over Nucleation and Polymorphism” collects eight papers focusing on different aspects of crystallization processes for pharmaceuticals [...]
Kinetic Phase Behavior of Binary Mixtures of Tri-Saturated Triacylglycerols Containing Lauric Acid
Authors: Danthine Sabine
Published: September 2024

Describing fat phase behavior is of significant interest for food and non-food applications. One recognized approach to understand the behavior of complex fatty systems is to simplify the fat matrix and to emphasize only the main triacylglycerol (TAG) components. In this context, the kinetic phase behavior and phase transformation paths of binary mixtures of selected saturated monoacids (trilaurin (LaLaLa), trimyristin (MMM), and tripalmitin (PPP)) and of mixed saturated triacylglycerols containing lauric (La) and myristic (M) acids (MMLa and LaLaM) typical from lauric fats were investigated. Kinetic phase diagrams were constructed based on DSC heating thermograms (fast cooling and reheating at 5 °C min−1) and powder X-ray diffraction data. The investigated binary kinetic phase diagram presented an apparently typical eutectic behavior, with a eutectic point that varies depending on the blend composition. Introducing mixed saturated TAGs (MMLa or LaLaM) in binary blends led to a shift in the position of the eutectic point. Considering the binary blends made of LaLaLa, it was shifted from XLaLaLa = 0.7 in the LaLaLa–MMM system to XLaLaLa = 0.5 for the LaLaLa–MMLa mixture, and to XLaLaLa = 0.25 for the LaLaLa–LaLaM blend. Finally, the blend made of the two mixed TAGs (MMLa–LaLaM) also presented a complex non-ideal behavior.
Enhanced Corrosion Resistance of CuAl/BN Coatings through the Addition of Rare Earth Elements and High-Temperature Oxidation Treatment
Authors: Liu Yongjun , Huang Chuanbing , Yang Hao , Sun Xiaoming , Zhang Huifeng , Sun Yonghui , Zhang Weigang , Lan Hao , Yu Shouquan
Published: September 2024

Abradable seal coatings represent a critical technology within the realm of advanced power systems, designed to minimize airflow channel leakage, thereby reducing energy consumption and enhancing overall efficiency. In the present study, CuAl/BN, CuAlLaF3/BN, and CuAlY/BN abradable seal coatings were prepared using plasma spraying technology. Both the as-deposited coatings and high-temperature oxidation-treated coatings were comprehensively investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), open-circuit potentials (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), salt-spray corrosion testing, and bond strength evaluations. The results show that the addition of rare earth elements to the CuAl/BN coatings does not enhance the corrosion resistance of the coatings and even leads to a decrease in the corrosion resistance of the coatings. In contrast, the CuAlY/BN coatings exhibited a significant improvement in corrosion resistance following an oxidation treatment at 550 °C. This enhancement is attributed to the yttrium (Y) element, which facilitates the formation of passivation films and confers a resistance effect, thereby bolstering the coatings’ resistance to corrosion. The bond strength of the high-temperature oxidation-treated CuAlY/BN coating was improved by about 30% after 960 h of salt-spray corrosion.
Study on the Mechanical Properties and Calculation Method of the Bearing Capacity of Concrete-Filled Steel Pipes under Axial Pressure Load
Authors: Liu Xin , Hu Jisheng , Zheng Yuzhou
Published: September 2024

Circular steel pipe concrete can give full play to the combination of steel pipes and concrete, resulting in an improvement in the steel pipe’s concrete bearing capacity and ductility. In this study, the axial compression load capacities of nine steel pipe concrete columns, including one traditional steel pipe concrete column and eight steel pipe self-stressed concrete columns, were analyzed using an axial pressure test. The damage patterns and stress–strain curves of all the specimens under axial compression load were analyzed, and a comparison analysis was made between the test results of the different specimens. The test results show that the longitudinal expansion displacement of concrete increases with the increase in the expansion agent content. The greater the self-stress, the higher the bearing capacity of steel-tube concrete columns under axial compressive load within a certain range of the expansion agent, indicating that self-stress can increase the bearing capacity of steel-tube concrete columns under axial compressive load, but the effect of the magnitude of the self-stress on the damage pattern of the specimens is limited. The damage patterns of all the specimens were bulging in the center and concave at both ends. In addition, the existing theoretical calculation method of the bearing capacity of steel pipe concrete columns is modified, and a theoretical calculation method applicable to steel pipe self-stressed concrete columns is proposed to simplify the calculation method of the bearing capacity of steel pipe self-stressed concrete columns, which provides a basis for decision-making in practical engineering.
Predictive Value of Quantitative Parameters of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients with Liposarcoma
Authors: Martiniova Lucia , Kamel Serageldin , Kairemo Kalevi , Benjamin Robert , Somaiah Neeta , Ravizzini Gregory , Haddad Elise F. Nassif
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive features of baseline F-18-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET)/computed tomography (CT) parameters in patients with dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLPSs) and well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLPSs) receiving systemic treatment. A total of 24 patients with liposarcoma who underwent longitudinal 18F-FDG PET/CT in systemic therapy were included. All volumetric segmentation of each tumor section and semiquantitative imaging parameters were extracted from the axial field of view from both PET and CT images. Maximum, mean, and minimum standardized uptake values (SUVmax, SUVmean, and SUVmin), Hounsfield units (HUs), and their respective changes from baseline and posttreatment were calculated. The voxel values from unenhanced CT images were correlated with PET-derived parameters. The 18F-FDG uptake decreased by more than 56% on average in responders for both SUVmax and SUVmean in DDLPS. There was a decrease in HUmax in DDLPS among responders. Using AUC > 0.8 as a reasonable predictor, we found that the ratios of SUVmaxD/HUmean, SUVmaxD/HUmedian, and SUVmeanD/HUmedian at baseline were significant indicators of the response to treatment in patients with liposarcoma. The changes in SUVmean and not just SUVmax parameters could be considered as accurate tumor response indicators. For the first time, we introduced baseline SUV/HU ratios as a valuable diagnostic tool in predicting liposarcoma treatment outcomes. This ability was not revealed by classic semiquantitative PET or CT parameters at baseline.
When Undergoing Thoracic CT (Computerized Tomography) Angiographies for Congenital Heart Diseases, Is It Possible to Identify Coronary Artery Anomalies?
Authors: Uner Cigdem , Gulmez Ali Osman , Cinar Hasibe Gokce , Bulut Hasan , Kaya Ozkan , Gokharman Fatma Dilek , Aydin Sonay
Published: September 2024

Introduction and Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the coronary arteries in patients undergoing thoracic CT angiography for congenital heart disease, to determine the frequency of detection of coronary artery anomalies in congenital heart diseases, and to determine which type of anomaly is more common in which disease. Materials and Methods: In our investigation, a 128-detector multidetector computed tomography machine was used to perform thorax CT angiography. The acquisition parameters were set to 80–100 kVp based on the patient’s age and mAs that the device automatically determined based on the patient’s weight. During the examination, an intravenous (IV) nonionic contrast material dose of 1–1.5 mL/kg was employed. An automated injector was used to inject contrast material at a rate of 1.5–2 mL/s. In the axial plane, 2.5 mm sections were extracted, and they were rebuilt with 0.625 mm section thickness. Results: Between October 2022 and May 2024, 132 patients who were diagnosed with congenital heart disease by echocardiography and underwent Thorax CT angiography in our department were retrospectively evaluated. Of the evaluated patients, 32 were excluded with exclusion criteria such as patients being younger than 3 months, older than 18 years, insufficient contrast enhancement in imaging and contrast-enhanced imaging, thin vascular structure, and motion and contrast artifacts; the remaining 100 patients were included in this study. The age range of these patients was 3 months to 18 years (mean age 4.4 years). Conclusion: In congenital heart diseases, attention to the coronary arteries on thoracic CT angiography examination in the presence of possible coronary anomalies may provide useful information.
A Lightweight Real-Time Infrared Object Detection Model Based on YOLOv8 for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Ding Baolong , Zhang Yihong , Ma Shuai
Published: September 2024

Deploying target detection models on edge devices such as UAVs is challenging due to their limited size and computational capacity, while target detection models typically require significant computational resources. To address this issue, this study proposes a lightweight real-time infrared object detection model named LRI-YOLO (Lightweight Real-time Infrared YOLO), which is based on YOLOv8n. The model improves the C2f module’s Bottleneck structure by integrating Partial Convolution (PConv) with Pointwise Convolution (PWConv), achieving a more lightweight design. Furthermore, during the feature fusion stage, the original downsampling structure with ordinary convolution is replaced with a combination of max pooling and regular convolution. This modification retains more feature map information. The model’s structure is further optimized by redesigning the decoupled detection head with Group Convolution (GConv) instead of ordinary convolution, significantly enhancing detection speed. Additionally, the original BCELoss is replaced with EMASlideLoss, a newly developed classification loss function introduced in this study. This loss function allows the model to focus more on hard samples, thereby improving its classification capability. Compared to the YOLOv8n algorithm, LRI-YOLO is more lightweight, with its parameters reduced by 46.7% and floating-point operations (FLOPs) reduced by 53.1%. Moreover, the mean average precision (mAP) reached 94.1%. Notably, on devices with moderate computational power that only have a Central Processing Unit (CPU), the detection speed reached 42 frames per second (FPS), surpassing most mainstream models. This indicates that LRI-YOLO offers a novel solution for real-time infrared object detection on edge devices such as drones.
Advancing Women’s Leadership in United Arab Emirates Higher Education: Perspectives from Emirati Women
Authors: Al-Naqbi Shaikha Ali , Aderibigbe Semiyu Adejare
Published: September 2024

The imperative for an ongoing review and comprehension of the challenges and methodologies for enhancing diversity and inclusion of women in senior leadership within higher education is well-documented. This study aims to illuminate the perspectives of Emirati women regarding their leadership trajectories, evaluating the effectiveness of current policies, the obstacles encountered, and strategies to advance women’s leadership in higher education. Utilizing a concurrent mixed-methods approach, we collected and analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data from 103 female Emirati leaders in higher education institutions across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The findings reveal a prevailing sentiment among participants that policies intended to promote Emirati women’s inclusion in senior leadership roles are mostly ineffective. Key challenges identified include barriers to career progression, disparities in institutional support, and pervasive gender biases. However, participants also offered insights into potential strategies to enhance the inclusion of Emirati women in leadership positions, including leadership training programs, robust policy development, and initiatives to improve work–life balance, networking opportunities, and reward systems.
Curating Hybrid-Style University Experiences: Framework Development for Student Social Connectedness Using Interaction Design and Placemaking
Authors: Wheele Theresa , Lindkvist Carmel , Haugen Tore , Weber Clara , Windlinger Lukas
Published: September 2024

Communication technologies offer new opportunities for building and maintaining social connections at university. However, these technologies need to be better understood for their influence on student experiences in hybrid-style classrooms and guided more effectively. This study identified qualities of social connection to understand how students built/maintained social connection. The study was conducted over two autumn semesters in three hybrid-style classes in Switzerland and Norway. Qualitative methods included observations, interviews, and auto-photography. Approximately 150 h of observational data were gained, including auto-photography of 17 students’ physical online learning spaces, and four interviews with class lecturers. The findings indicated that informal/private spaces, crucial for building/maintaining social connection, were hard to access in hybrid-style learning environments. Communication cultures and social structures offered limited support for accessing these spaces for building/maintaining social connection. Addressing this issue required a processual effort across user-levels to support social connection within a hybrid-style university culture. This effort involved opening access to informal/private spaces by applying the concept of affective atmospheres within placemaking and interaction-design theories. A dimensions of affect framework is developed to help curate learning environments towards social connection. For university campus development, addressing these people–place relations with communication technology could foster technology more effectively to support connection.
Set Restabilization of Perturbed Boolean Control Networks
Authors: Hou Yanfang , Tian Hui
Published: September 2024

This paper develops a parameter tuning method for solving the set restabilization problem of perturbed Boolean control networks (BCNs). First, the absorbable attractor, which we previously proposed, is recalled. Based on the relationship between attractors, a necessary and sufficient restabilizability criterion is derived. This criterion is used to check whether a perturbed BCN can be stabilized to the original target set by modifying the least number of parameters to the old controller. Furthermore, a constructive method for fine-tuning the old controller is provided if the criterion condition derived above is satisfied. Compared with the existing relevant results, ours have clear advantages, since they can address the set restabilization problem of BCNs subject to multi-column function perturbations, which has not been solved yet. Finally, two examples are employed to show the effectiveness and advantages of our results.
Generalizing Source Camera Identification Based on Integral Image Optimization and Constrained Neural Network
Authors: Wang Yan , Sun Qindong , Rong Dongzhu
Published: September 2024

Source camera identification can verify whether two videos were shot by the same device, which is of great significance in multimedia forensics. Most existing identification methods use convolutional neural networks to learn sensor noise patterns to identify the source camera in closed forensic scenarios. While these methodologies have achieved remarkable results, they are nonetheless constrained by two primary challenges: (1) the interference of semantic information and (2) the incongruity in feature distributions across different datasets. The former will interfere with the extraction of effective features of the model. The latter will cause the model to fit the characteristic distribution of the training data and be sensitive to unseen data features. To address these challenges, we propose a novel source camera identification framework that determines whether a video was shot by the same device by obtaining similarities between source camera features. Firstly, we extract video key frames and use the integral image to optimize the smoothing blocks selection algorithm of inter-pixel variance to remove the interference of video semantic information. Secondly, we design a residual neural network fused with a constraint layer to adaptively learn video source features. Thirdly, we introduce a triplet loss metric learning strategy to optimize the network model to improve the discriminability of the model. Finally, we design a multi-dimensional feature vector similarity fusion strategy to achieve highly generalized source camera recognition. Extensive experiments show that our method achieved an AUC value of up to 0.9714 in closed-set forensic scenarios and an AUC value of 0.882 in open-set scenarios, representing an improvement of 5% compared to the best baseline method. Furthermore, our method demonstrates effectiveness in the task of deepfake detection.
Evaluation of Traffic Engineering Routing Models Based on Type of Service in Communication Networks
Authors: Barkalov Alexander , Lemeshko Oleksandr , Persikov Anatoliy , Yeremenko Oleksandra , Titarenko Larysa
Published: September 2024

This article is devoted to enhancing the mathematical models for traffic engineering routing and load balancing to ensure differentiated quality of service for packet flows with varying priorities in communication networks. The research focuses on formulating updated load-balancing conditions considering packet-flow priorities and conducting a comparative analysis of different models to identify the most effective solution. The study introduces a multipath routing model based on the type of service and presents numerical research to evaluate the proposed solutions in varying network conditions. The findings allowed us to select the model that offers the most precise regulation of service differentiation for different priority flows by optimizing the load-balancing strategy. This model directs higher-priority packet flows through less heavily loaded links and routes, while lower-priority flows are sent through more heavily loaded paths. Moreover, the routes for higher-priority flows are designed to have fewer hops than those for lower-priority flows. This approach improves network resource utilization and simplifies the architecture for delivering differentiated quality of service, potentially reducing the need for the manual configuration of congestion management mechanisms. The study concludes that the proposed enhanced model is the most effective for practical implementation in modern networks, offering a robust solution for managing diverse priority traffic.
Time Series Forecasting for Energy Management: Neural Circuit Policies (NCPs) vs. Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Networks
Authors: Palma Giulia , Chengalipunath Elna Sara Joy , Rizzo Antonio
Published: September 2024

This paper investigates the effectiveness of Neural Circuit Policies (NCPs) compared to Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks in forecasting time series data for energy production and consumption in the context of predictive maintenance. Utilizing a dataset generated from the energy production and consumption data of a Tuscan company specialized in food refrigeration, we simulate a scenario where the company employs a 60 kWh storage system and calculate the battery charge and discharge policies to assess potential cost reductions and increased self-consumption of produced energy. Our findings demonstrate that NCPs outperform LSTM networks by leveraging underlying physical models, offering superior predictive maintenance solutions for energy consumption and production.
Internet of Things and Big Data Analytics in Preventive Healthcare: A Synthetic Review
Authors: Šajnović Urška , Vošner Helena Blažun , Završnik Jernej , Žlahtič Bojan , Kokol Peter
Published: September 2024

Background: The IoT and big data are newer technologies that can provide substantial support for healthcare systems, helping them overcome their shortcomings. The aim of this paper was to analyze the relevant literature descriptively, thematically, and chronologically from an interdisciplinary perspective in a holistic way to identify the most prolific research entities and themes. Methods: Synthetic knowledge synthesis qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes the production of literature through a combination of descriptive bibliometrics, bibliometric mapping, and content analysis. For this analysis, the Scopus bibliometric database was used. Results: In the Scopus database, 2272 publications were found; these were published between 1985 and 10 June 2024. The first article in this field was published in 1985. Until 2012, the production of such literature was steadily increasing; after that, exponential growth began, peaking in 2023. The most productive countries were the United States, India, China, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, and Italy. The content analysis resulted in eight themes (four from the perspective of computer science and four from the perspective of medicine) and 21 thematic concepts (8 from the perspective of computer science and 13 from the perspective of medicine). Conclusions: The results show that the IoT and big data have become key technologies employed in preventive healthcare. The study outcomes might represent a starting point for the further development of research that combines the multidisciplinary aspects of healthcare.
Reuse of Brewer’s Spent Grain (BSG) for the Induction of Wickerhamomyces anomalus BS91 β-Glucosidase with Bioflavoring Potential
Authors: Parafati Lucia , Proetto Ilaria , Palmeri Rosa , Pesce Fabiola , Fallico Biagio , Restuccia Cristina
Published: September 2024

Glucosidases are important enzyme largely used in food industry; for this reason, different research studies have been aimed at investigating new producing microorganisms and cheap growth medium that can help to minimize their production costs and time. Food by-products and wastes are considered low-cost substrates that can play an important role from the perspective of a circular economy concept. Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is the most abundant by-product of beer production that, thanks to its chemical and nutritional composition, has recently been re-evaluated for its application in various sectors. The aim of the present study was to induce the production of β-glucosidase in Wickerhamomyces anomalus BS91 using BSG as the main component. The results obtained during our research show that BSG is an attractive by-product of beer industry that can be used for the production of glucosidase. Enzyme activity obtained using this microorganism was equal to 369.7 ± 8.0 U/mL, six time greater than that observed in conventional nutritional medium (59.0 ± 5.7 U/mL). Also, we conducted additional research concerning β-glucosidase localization, and the obtained results show that the enzyme is tightly bound to the yeast cell wall, and this can probably greatly affect its stability since it is being protected by the cell wall itself.
Effect of Monensin Supplementation in the Bovine Diet on the Composition and Anaerobic Digestion of Manure with and without Screening
Authors: Leite Brenda Kelly Viana , Orrico Ana Carolina Amorim , Orrico Junior Marco Antônio Previdelli , Aspilcueta Borquis Rusbel Raul , da Costa Érika Cecília Pereira , Menezes Isabella da Silva , Oliveira Juliana Dias de , Macena Isabelly Alencar
Published: September 2024

The incorporation of monensin into cattle diets can significantly alter the physicochemical properties of excreted manure, potentially affecting waste management and treatment systems given the persistence of substantial concentrations of ionophores in the effluent. This study assessed the impact of monensin on the compositional characteristics of cattle manure and its implications for anaerobic digestion efficiency, with and without the separation of manure fractions across two hydraulic retention times (HRTs). Manure samples were collected from cattle fed with doses of monensin at 0, 1.8, 3.6, 5.4, and 7.2 mg per kg of dry matter intake. The HRTs investigated were 20 days (HRT20) and 30 days (HRT30). Increasing monensin inclusion in the diets resulted in a notable decrease in the quantities of total solids (TSs), volatile solids (VSs), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) per animal per day, accompanied by an increase in lignin content and mass. Fraction separation during anaerobic digestion enhances the reduction of TSs, VSs, and NDF, thereby optimizing biogas and methane production potentials and elevating methane concentrations. The presence of monensin correlated with the reduced degradation of organic components during the anaerobic digestion process. To maximize the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion of manure from cattle diets supplemented with monensin, a 30-day HRT combined with fraction separation is recommended. This approach can enhance biogas yield and methane content, thereby improving the sustainability and efficacy of waste treatment processes.
ARISA: Collection of Health Information at Farm Level in Spanish Fish Farming
Authors: Muniesa Ana , Ruiz-Zarzuela Imanol , Peribañez Miguel , de Blas Ignacio , Basurco Bernardo
Published: September 2024

The adequate collection of health information at the farm level is the first step in good health management. The objective of this study was to analyze how Spanish fish farms collect their census, disease occurrence, and mortality data through their farm record books and how they use them for reporting to competent authorities. Comparing and contrasting farm books between regions (autonomous communities) revealed a lack of standardization and substantial differences in the reporting. Therefore, this study points out the need to improve and standardize, at the national level, the design of fish farm record books in order to ensure the better collection of farm census data on mortality and disease occurrence, which may facilitate the production of epidemiological reports and the early detection of emerging diseases at the national level.
Designing Stimuli-Responsive Supramolecular Gels by Tuning the Non-Covalent Interactions of the Functional Groups
Authors: Kuppadakkath Geethanjali , Volkova Ira , Damodaran Krishna K.
Published: September 2024

The physical characteristics of a supramolecular gel are greatly influenced by the nature and arrangement of functional groups in the gelator. This work focuses on the impact of the functional groups, specifically the hydroxyl group, on the stimuli-responsive properties of a gel. We used a C3-symmetric benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) platform, which was attached to the methyl ester of phenylalanine (MPBTA) and tyrosine (MTBTA). The gelation studies revealed that MPBTA gelled in alcohols, non-polar aromatic solvents, and aqueous mixtures (1:1, v/v) of high-polar solvents, whereas MTBTA gelled only in an aqueous mixture of DMF (1:1, v/v). The mechanical and thermal strength of the gels were evaluated by rheological and Tgel studies, and the results indicated that MPBTA gels were stronger than MTBTA gels. The gels were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis of stimuli-responsive properties revealed that MPBTA gels were intact in the presence of sodium/potassium salts, but the MTBTA gel network was disrupted. These results indicate that the elegant choice of functional groups could be used to tune the constructive or destructive stimuli-responsive behavior of gels. This study highlights the significant role of functional groups in modulating the stimuli-responsive properties of supramolecular gels.
Review on the Polymeric and Chelate Gel Precursor for Li-Ion Battery Cathode Material Synthesis
Authors: Islam Mobinul , Ahmed Md. Shahriar , Faizan Muhammad , Ali Basit , Bhuyan Md Murshed , Bari Gazi A. K. M. Rafiqul , Nam Kyung-Wan
Published: September 2024

The rapid design of advanced materials depends on synthesis parameters and design. A wide range of materials can be synthesized using precursor reactions based on chelated gel and organic polymeric gel pathways. The desire to develop high-performance lithium-ion rechargeable batteries has motivated decades of research on the synthesis of battery active material particles with precise control of composition, phase-purity, and morphology. Among the most common methods reported in the literature to prepare precursors for lithium-ion battery active materials, sol-gel is characterized by simplicity, homogeneous mixing, and tuning of the particle shape. The chelate gel and organic polymeric gel precursor-based sol-gel method is efficient to promote desirable reaction conditions. Both precursor routes are commonly used to synthesize lithium-ion battery cathode active materials from raw materials such as inorganic salts in aqueous solutions or organic solvents. The purpose of this review is to discuss synthesis procedure and summarize the progress that has been made in producing crystalline particles of tunable and complex morphologies by sol-gel synthesis that can be used as active materials for lithium-ion batteries.
Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Poly(Acrylic Acid) Gel Polymer Electrolyte Modified with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and SiO2 Nanospheres to Increase Rechargeability of Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Díaz-Patiño Lucia , Guerra-Balcázar Minerva , Álvarez-Contreras Lorena , Arjona Noé
Published: September 2024

Zn–air batteries (ZABs) are a promising technology; however, their commercialization is limited by challenges, including those occurring in the electrolyte, and thus, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) and hydrogels have emerged as substitutes for traditional aqueous electrolytes. In this work, PVA/PAA membranes were synthesized by the solvent casting method and soaked in 6 M KOH to act as GPEs. The thickness of the membrane was modified (50, 100, and 150 μm), and after determining the best thickness, the membrane was modified with synthesized SiO2 nanospheres and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). SEM micrographs revealed that the CNTs displayed lengths of tens of micrometers, having a narrow diameter (95 ± 7 nm). In addition, SEM revealed that the SiO2 nanospheres had homogeneous shapes with sizes of 110 ± 10 nm. Physicochemical experiments revealed that SiO2 incorporation at 5 wt.% increased the water uptake of the PVA/PAA membrane from 465% to 525% and the ionic conductivity to 170 mS cm−1. The further addition of 0.5 wt.% CNTs did not impact the water uptake but it promoted a porous structure, increasing the power density and the stability, showing three-times-higher rechargeability than the ZAB operated with the PVA/PAA GPE.