bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Spoofing Detection and Direction-Finding Approach for Global Navigation Satellite System Signals Using Off-the-Shelf Anti-Jamming Antennas
Authors: Jin Ruimin , Yan Junkun , Cui Xiang , Yang Huiyun , Zhen Weimin , Gu Mingyue , Ji Guangwang , Chen Longjiang , Li Haiying
Published: February 2025

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) spoofing induces the target receiver to obtain the wrong positioning and timing results, which is very harmful. It is necessary to develop high-precision GNSS spoofing detection and associated direction-finding methods. In order to achieve sensitive and high-precision direction-finding for GNSS spoofing, it is necessary to realize the spoofing signal detection in the capture phase. This paper first proposes a method of GNSS spoofing detection, based on machine learning, that extracts features in the capture phase, which realizes various types of spoofing detection such as matching power, carrier phase alignment, and frequency locking. Notably, existing spoofing-direction-finding methods are mainly based on dedicated antenna arrays, which incur high costs and are not conducive to large-scale deployments. The basis of the spoofing detection proposed by this paper consists of a differential phase-center correction method, which is proposed in the context of an off-the-shelf anti-jamming array antenna, which effectively reduces the impact of the phase-center jitter introduced by the mutual coupling between antenna arrays on the direction-finding. The publicly accessible Texas Spoofing Test Battery (TEXBAT) dataset and actual measured data are both used for test verification. The results demonstrate that the proposed spoofing detection method can achieve success rates of over 97% on the TEXBAT dataset and more than 96% on the measured dataset, and the accuracy of the proposed direction-finding method can reach 1°, which can realize the effective detection and direction-finding of GNSS spoofing.
Electric Power Consumption Forecasting Models and Spatio-Temporal Dynamic Analysis of China’s Mega-City Agglomerations Based on Low-Light Remote Sensing Imagery Incorporating Social Factors
Authors: Li Cuiting , Yan Dongmei , Chen Shuo , Yan Jun , Wu Wanrong , Wang Xiaowei
Published: February 2025

Analyzing the electric power consumption (EPC) patterns of China’s mega urban agglomerations is crucial for promoting sustainable development both domestically and globally. Utilizing 2017–2021 NPP/VIIRS low-light remote sensing imagery to extract total nighttime light data, this study proposed an EPC prediction method based on the K-Means clustering algorithm combined with multiple indicators integrated with socio-economic factors. Combining IPAT theory, regional GDP and population density, the final EPC prediction models were developed. Using these models, the EPC distributions for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH), Yangtze River Delta (YRD), and Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomerations in 2017–2021 were generated at both the administrative district level and the 1 km × 1 km grid scale. The spatio-temporal dynamics of the EPC distribution in these urban agglomerations during this period were then analyzed, followed by EPC predictions for 2022. The models showed a significant improvement in prediction accuracy, with the average MARE decreasing from 30.52% to 7.60%, 25.61% to 11.08% and 18.24% to 12.85% for the three urban agglomerations, respectively; EPC clusters were identified in these areas, mainly concentrated in Langfang and Chengde, Shanghai and Suzhou, and Dongguan; from 2017 to 2021, the EPC values of the three urban agglomerations show a growth trend and the distribution patterns were consistent with their economic development and population density; the R2 values and the statistical values for the 2022 EPC predictions using the improved classification EPC models reached 0.9692, 0.9903 and 0.9677, respectively, confirming that the proposed method can effectively predict the EPC of urban agglomerations and is applicable in various scenarios. This method provides a timely and accurate spatial update of EPC dynamics, offering fine-scale characterization of urban EPC patterns using night light images.
PICT-Net: A Transformer-Based Network with Prior Information Correction for Hyperspectral Image Unmixing
Authors: Zeng Yiliang , Meng Na , Zou Jinlin , Liu Wenbin
Published: February 2025

Transformers have performed favorably in recent hyperspectral unmixing studies in which the self-attention mechanism possesses the ability to retain spectral information and spatial details. However, the lack of reliable prior information for correction guidance has resulted in an inadequate accuracy and robustness of the network. To benefit from the advantages of the Transformer architecture and to improve the interpretability and robustness of the network, a dual-branch network with prior information correction, incorporating a Transformer network (PICT-Net), is proposed. The upper branch utilizes pre-extracted endmembers to provide pure pixel prior information. The lower branch employs a Transformer structure for feature extraction and unmixing processing. A weight-sharing strategy is employed between the two branches to facilitate information sharing. The deep integration of prior knowledge into the Transformer architecture effectively reduces endmember variability in hyperspectral unmixing and enhances the model’s generalization capability and accuracy across diverse scenarios. Experimental results from experiments conducted on four real datasets demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed model.
Predicting the Spatial Distribution of VLF Transmitter Signals Using Transfer Learning Models
Authors: Shi Hanqing , Xu Wei , Ni Binbin , Gu Xudong , Wang Shiwei , Feng Jingyuan , Cheng Wen , Ma Wenchen , Xu Haotian , Pan Yudi , Zhai Dongfang
Published: February 2025

The D-region ionosphere (60–100 km altitude) is critical for radio communication and space weather research but cannot be easily measured because it is too low for satellites and too high for balloons. The most effective technique is to remotely sense by measuring Very-Low-Frequency (VLF, 3–30 kHz) waves emitted from man-made transmitters, a technique that was traditionally utilized to estimate the average ionospheric condition between the transmitter and receiver. Recently, various methods have been proposed to remotely sense the D-region ionosphere in large areas using network observation of VLF transmitter signals. The key component of these methods is the VLF propagation model, and the Long-Wavelength Propagation Capability (LWPC) model is employed in most cases due to its relatively fast computation speed. However, it is still too long and thus insufficient for real-time remote sensing. To overcome this limitation, we have proposed a neural network model to replace the LWPC model and to shorten the computation time of VLF propagation. This model is specifically obtained using the transfer learning method by retraining the last three layers of the well-established VGG16, GoogLeNet, and ResNet architectures. We have tested different methods to organize the input data for these neural network models and verified their performance using the validation dataset and real measurements. Among the three models, GoogLeNet outperforms the other two, and the root mean squared error (RMSE), with respect to LWPC results, is as low as 0.334. Moreover, the proposed neural network model can dramatically reduce the computation time. The computation time to calculate the signal distribution near the transmitter is 1184 s if one uses the LWPC model but 0.87 s if the present neural network model is used. The performance of this model is also excellent for ionospheric conditions that are not included in the validation dataset. Therefore, this model is robust and can be used to remotely sense, in real time, the D-region ionosphere in large areas, as well as various scientific and engineering needs.
Exploring Sentinel-1 Radar Polarisation and Landsat Series Data to Detect Forest Disturbance from Dust Events: A Case Study of the Paphos Forest in Cyprus
Authors: Theocharidis Christos , Eliades Marinos , Kolokoussis Polychronis , Miltiadou Milto , Danezis Chris , Gitas Ioannis , Kontoes Charalampos , Hadjimitsis Diofantos
Published: February 2025

Monitoring forest health has become essential due to increasing pressures caused by climate change and dust events, particularly in semi-arid regions. This study investigates the impact of dust events on forest vegetation in Paphos forest in Cyprus, which is a semi-arid area prone to frequent dust storms. Using multispectral and radar satellite data from Sentinel-1 and Landsat series, vegetation responses to eight documented dust events between 2015 and 2019 were analysed, employing BFAST (Breaks For Additive Season and Trend) algorithms to detect abrupt changes in vegetation indices and radar backscatter. The outcomes showed that radar data were particularly effective in identifying only the most significant dust events (PM10 > 100 μg/m3, PM2.5 > 30 μg/m3), indicating that SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) is more responsive to pronounced dust deposition, where backscatter changes reflect more substantial vegetation stress. Conversely, optical data were sensitive to a wider range of events, capturing responses even at lower dust concentrations (PM10 > 50 μg/m3, PM2.5 > 20 μg/m3) and detecting minor vegetation stress through indices like SAVI, EVI, and AVI. The analysis highlighted that successful detection relies on multiple factors beyond sensor type, such as rainfall timing and imagery availability close to the dust events. This study highlights the importance of an integrated remote sensing approach for effective forest health monitoring in regions prone to dust events.
Assessment of Hammer Energy Measurement for the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) Using Pile Driving Analyzer and Kallpa Analyzer Devices in Peru
Authors: Ortiz Carmen , Alva Jorge , Oliden José , Huarcaya Nelly , Riveros Grover , Raucana Roberto
Published: February 2025

Energy measurement in dynamic penetration tests is key to correctly interpreting test results and ensuring comparable geotechnical data. Although commercial devices are widely used, their high cost limits adoption in developing regions such as Peru, affecting the accuracy of soil evaluation in many geotechnical studies. In this context, this research presents an energy measurement system called Kallpa, which uses low-cost electronic components to digitize sensor signals during Standard Penetration Tests (SPTs). Kallpa employs high-resolution analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with an advanced sampling frequency, processing and storing data via a Raspberry Pi 4 microcomputer. The sensors, including accelerometers and strain gauges, were calibrated and compared with the Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) to validate their accuracy in the Kallpa system. This study involved sixteen Standard Penetration Tests (SPTs) conducted in various regions of Peru using donut hammers and two tests involving automatic hammers. The results demonstrate that the Kallpa system is comparable to other energy measurement devices on the market, such as the Dynamic Penetration Test (DPT), which provides accurate SPT energy measurements. The Kallpa Processor (Version 1.0) software was developed to perform data acquisition and calibration, analyzing approximately 500 hammer blows and comparing peak values with those of the Pile Driving Analyzer. The data collected by Kallpa’s sensors strongly agreed with the PDA data, validating the reliability of the device. The Energy Transfer Ratio (ETR) for manual hammers ranged from 43.5% to 68.4%, with an average of 58.9%, whereas automatic hammers presented ETR values between 82% and 87%. The correction of the N60 blow count allowed for the estimation of the relative density of soils evaluated at different depths and locations across Peru.
Study on the Consistency of Elements in 1-1-3-Type Piezoelectric Composite Materials
Authors: Du Zhongrui , Shen Nianyi , Zhong Chao , Qin Lei
Published: February 2025

This study introduces a novel 1-1-3-type piezoelectric array structure and investigates variations in the piezoelectric phase’s volume fraction. Its performance and consistency are compared with that of a conventional 1-3-type piezoelectric array of identical volume fraction. Finite element analysis was applied to study the effects of the positions of the elements in 1-1-3-type and 1-3-type piezoelectric arrays on the electrical conductivity curves, as well as the differences in vibration modes. To validate the theoretical models, experimental fabrication and testing were performed, and we developed a high-precision testing fixture designed to minimize experimental errors. The results demonstrate that the resonance frequency fluctuations in the 1-1-3-type piezoelectric array are maintained within 1%, and conductance fluctuations within 13.4%, significantly enhancing consistency compared to the 1-3-type array. Furthermore, the electromechanical coupling coefficient of the 1-1-3 array was also found to be superior to that of the 1-3-type, indicating improved performance parameters.
Human-Centered Sensor Technologies for Soft Robotic Grippers: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Rana Md. Tasnim , Islam Md. Shariful , Rahman Azizur
Published: February 2025

The importance of bio-robotics has been increasing day by day. Researchers are trying to mimic nature in a more creative way so that the system can easily adapt to the complex nature and its environment. Hence, bio-robotic grippers play a role in the physical connection between the environment and the bio-robotics system. While handling the physical world using a bio-robotic gripper, complexity occurs in the feedback system, where the sensor plays a vital role. Therefore, a human-centered gripper sensor can have a good impact on the bio-robotics field. But categorical classification and the selection process are not very systematic. This review paper follows the PRISMA methodology to summarize the previous works on bio-robotic gripper sensors and their selection process. This paper discusses challenges in soft robotic systems, the importance of sensing systems in facilitating critical control mechanisms, along with their selection considerations. Furthermore, a classification of soft actuation based on grippers has been introduced. Moreover, some unique characteristics of soft robotic sensors are explored, namely compliance, flexibility, multifunctionality, sensor nature, surface properties, and material requirements. In addition, a categorization of sensors for soft robotic grippers in terms of modalities has been established, ranging from the tactile and force sensor to the slippage sensor. Various tactile sensors, ranging from piezoelectric sensing to optical sensing, are explored as they are of the utmost importance in soft grippers to effectively address the increasing requirements for intelligence and automation. Finally, taking everything into consideration, a flow diagram has been suggested for selecting sensors specific to soft robotic applications.
Redesigning Sustainable Rural Tourism: A Stakeholder-Centered Approach to Interest Symbiosis in Post-Planning Villages
Authors: Fang Pingping , Liu Yonghong , Bai Xiangtian , Niu Zhengbei
Published: February 2025

Rural tourism has become a crucial engine of economic growth in traditional villages, with numerous regions completing planning and development stages. However, along with the growth of tourism, challenges such as cultural conflicts, resource competition, and conflicting interests have emerged, threatening the long-term sustainability of tourism in these villages. Based on the unique characteristics of traditional villages, this study proposes a stakeholder-centered system design approach to address and improve these issues. This approach focuses on governing existing traditional village systems by constructing a stakeholder interest map through an analysis of the behavioral traits and interest demands of key stakeholders and identifying the main factors that hinder the flow of benefits. Furthermore, a large-scale symbiotic model is developed to explore the optimal path for the rebalancing of interests within traditional village systems. In terms of practical research, the study takes Gangtou Village in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, as a case study. Through interviews, expert consultations, and tracking experiments, the research comprehensively analyzes the interests and flows of stakeholders within the system. A symbiotic interest model is collaboratively established, and based on this model, a redesigned planning scheme for Gangtou Village is proposed. In the design validation phase, expert ratings and the Wilcoxon non-parametric test were employed to compare the sustainability of the new and old plans. The results indicate that the new plan outperforms the old one, thereby validating the feasibility of the proposed holistic system design approach.
Presence of High-Density Polyethylene Nanoplastics (HDPE-NPs) in Soil Can Influence the Growth Parameters of Tomato Plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at Various Stages of Development
Authors: Hao Jinxue , Prasher Shiv O. , Mawof Ali , Tovar Irene , George Saji
Published: February 2025

Contamination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) has raised significant global concerns. While most studies have focused on aquatic contamination, knowledge concerning the effect of MPs and NPs in biosolids on agricultural field crops remains limited, as is the range of polymer types tested. In this study, polyethylene nanoplastics (HDPE-NPs, <500 nm diameter) were produced in the lab, and their effect on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was studied at different growth stages. Physical and chemical characterizations of the HDPE-NPs were performed. Compared to the control group, the presence of 2.8 mg/kg HDPE-NPs in soil increased tomato leaf greenness (p < 0.05), while the presence of 0.5 mg/kg HDPE-NPs in the soil lowered water use efficiency (WUE, p < 0.05) of the plants in the early vegetative stage. Soil CO2 emissions were significantly lower under both the 0.5 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and 2.8 mg/kg HDPE-NPs treatments (p < 0.05). At the early germination stage, HDPE-NPs in the soil resulted in stunted seedlings (p < 0.001). Moreover, the average fruit weight and number of fruits borne by mature plants were adversely affected, possibly because of potential alterations in soil nitrogen content and associated plant uptake pathways. A pattern of hormetic dose response was observed for some measured parameters, including leaf greenness, plant WUE, and soil CO2 emissions, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Overall, the range between 1 and 5 mg/kg concentration of HDPE-NPs in soil was found to have the greatest impact on tomato plants, while other factors may contribute to the observed effects.
Response Characteristics of Soil Water in Vegetated Slopes to Spring Rainfall Under Different Covers
Authors: Zhou Xinlong , Yang Zhengquan , Zheng Lifei , Shi Yunfeng
Published: February 2025

Spring is the optimal season for the ecological restoration of slopes. Addressing the response of soil water to spring rainfall is crucial to constructing a suitable hydrothermal environment for plant growth. In this study, three model slopes under different vegetation covers were constructed to measure soil water content during the spring. The accumulated increment in soil water (AISW), the growth rate of the soil water content rate (GRSW), the soil water recharge amount (∆SW), and the response time (Tr) of soil water were introduced to analyze its response to different spring rainfall events. The effects of vegetation and rainfall intensity were discussed. The results indicate that Cynodon dactylon mainly regulates surface soil water (0–20 cm), with a rapid and significant response in shallow soil. Magnolia multiflora is more effective in regulating deeper soil water (40–100 cm), especially during heavy rainfall, where shrubs enhance water infiltration into deeper layers. This study further demonstrates that increased rainfall intensity exacerbates the differences in water distribution between vegetation types. The combined effect of the canopy and root structure is crucial for water redistribution.
Early Warning of Coal Mine Production Environment Safety Risks Based on Multi-Source Information Feature Fusion
Authors: Zhang Pei , Wang Qi , Xu Shilei , Zhu Jiachen , Zhong Shuheng , Zhang Yu
Published: February 2025

As intelligent mining develops, utilizing coal mine production monitoring data for early warnings has become a crucial means of ensuring safety in mining operations. Assisting decision-makers in making scientific choices through multi-source and massive data is a complex yet vital task. Based on multi-source information fusion, a model for the coal mine production environment is proposed in this paper. It is designed to provide early warnings regarding the safety status of coal production environments in order to assist management and control personnel in making scientific decisions. Firstly, data integration of multi-source heterogeneous datasets was conducted. Multi-source heterogeneous data collected by various types of monitoring sensors in coal mines were analyzed, including temperature, dust, wind speed, vibration energy, and gas. Based on this, the factors influencing coal mine production safety were identified. These factors were then screened through factor analysis to determine the index. An early warning index system for coal mine production environment safety was established. The index weight was established by the principal component analysis method, and the index system for coal mine production environment safety and early warning systems was established. Secondly, based on BP neural networks, a multi-input single-output feature-level fusion model and a multi-input multi-output feature-level fusion model were constructed. Based on the above model, the safety warning for coal mine production environments was implemented. The accuracy of model was 89.29%. Based on multi-source information fusion, the early warning system for coal mine production environments was constructed. The system exhibited good feasibility. It could assist management and control personnel in making scientific decisions.
Exploring the Hydrochemical Characteristics and Controlling Processes of Groundwater in Agricultural Lower Reaches of a Typical Arid Watershed on Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Liu Gongxi , Qin Guangxiong , Chen Huijuan , Chen Huizhu , Hu Wenxu , Yang Shaokang , Wang Jie , Zhang Yuqing , Zhao Dongyang , Liu Yu , Xiao Yong
Published: February 2025

Groundwater is crucial for domestic, agricultural, and ecological uses, particularly in the lower reaches of arid basins, where its quality often limits availability. A total of 26 phreatic groundwater samples were collected from a typical endorheic watershed on the Tibetan Plateau to assess the hydrochemical characteristics of phreatic groundwater in the lower reaches of arid inland watersheds. The hydrochemical characteristics, quality, and formation mechanisms of groundwater were analyzed using the Entropy-Weight Water Quality Index (EWQI), irrigation water quality indexes (such as sodium adsorption ratio, soluble sodium percentage, and permeability index), hydrochemical diagrams, and correlation analysis. The findings indicate that phreatic groundwater in the lower reaches is slightly alkaline, with a substantial TDS variation from 252.58 to 1810.41 mg/L. Groundwater is predominantly characterized by fresh hydrochemical facies of HCO3-Ca and HCO3-Na types, with a few saline Cl-Na types present. The concentrations of NO3−, NO2− and NH4+, in groundwater range from 0.32 to 100.00 mg/L, 0.00 to 0.48 mg/L, and 0.00 to 0.20 mg/L, respectively, and 3.59%, 26.92%, and 7.69% of the samples exceeding the permissible drinking limits recommended by Chinese guideline and World Health Organization. Groundwater is classified as fresh at 80.8% of sampling sites and brackish at 19.2%. Approximately 96.2% of the sampled groundwaters is rated as excellent to medium quality according to EWQI assessments, suitable for domestic use, while 3.8% is of extremely poor quality and should be avoided for direct consumption. Groundwater from all sampling sites is suitable for agricultural irrigation and does not pose permeability hazards to the soil. Most groundwaters are suitable for long-term irrigation in terms of sodium hazards, with only 3.8% and 7.7% of samples falling into the “Permissible to Doubtful” and “Doubtful to Unsuitable” categories, respectively. Salinity poses the primary threat in long-term irrigation, with 38.5%, 53.8%, and 7.7% of sampled groundwaters exhibiting moderate, high, and very high salinity risks, respectively. Groundwater chemistry is primarily governed by water-rock interaction and evaporation, with additional impacts from agricultural inputs of nitrogen contaminants and chemicals. Agricultural practices contribute to elevated groundwater salinity in the study area, while natural evaporation drives salinity accumulation in the lower parts. In managing and utilizing groundwater resources in the study area and similar arid regions globally, attention should be paid to salinity caused by agricultural activities and natural evaporation, as well as nitrogen pollution from farming.
Weed Detection in Lily Fields Using YOLOv7 Optimized by Chaotic Harris Hawks Algorithm for Underground Resource Competition
Authors: Tang Junjie , Wang Huafei , Zhao Mingyue , Sun Ping , Hao Yutao , Zhu Zhiyuan
Published: February 2025

Lilies, a key cash crop in Lanzhou, China, widely planted in coal-based fields, cultivated fields, and gardens, face significant yield and quality reduction due to weed infestation, which competes for essential nutrients, water, and light. To address this challenge, we propose an advanced weed detection method that combines symmetry-based convolutional neural networks with metaheuristic optimization. A dedicated weed detection dataset is constructed through extensive field investigation, data collection, and annotation. To enhance detection efficiency, we introduce an optimized YOLOv7-Tiny model, integrating dynamic pruning and knowledge distillation, which reduces computational complexity while maintaining high accuracy. Additionally, a novel Chaotic Harris Hawks Optimization (CHHO) algorithm, incorporating chaotic mapping initialization and differential evolution, is developed to fine-tune YOLOv7-Tiny parameters and activation functions. Experimental results demonstrate that the optimized YOLOv7-Tiny achieves a detection accuracy of 92.53% outperforming traditional models while maintaining efficiency. This study provides a high-performance, lightweight, and scalable solution for real-time precision weed management in lily fields, offering valuable insights for agricultural automation and smart farming applications.
Linear Models with Nested Random Effects
Authors: Ferreira Dário
Published: February 2025

Symmetry is a crucial concept in various fields of mathematics, offering a systematic approach to understanding structural properties and simplifying complex problems. This study focuses on linear mixed models, emphasizing the role of symmetry in the design of experiments and the structure of variance–covariance matrices. Building on foundational works, this paper introduces the concept of nested models and employs Wishart matrices for variance component estimation, enhancing the efficiency of complex model analysis. The methodology is particularly applicable when variance–covariance matrices conform to a commutative Jordan algebra (CJA). The practical significance of this modeling approach is demonstrated through numerical applications using both simulated and real-world data.
Oxidative and Molecular–Structural Alterations of Spermatozoa in Swine and Ram Exposed to the Triazole Ipconazole
Authors: Falero Cristian , Huanca Wilfredo , Barrios-Arpi Luis , Lira-Mejía Boris , Ramos-Coaguila Olger , Torres Edith , Ramos Eva , Romero Alejandro , Ramos-Gonzalez Mariella
Published: February 2025

Triazole pesticides are widely used throughout the world, but their abuse causes toxic effects in non-targeted organisms. In the present study, the cytotoxic effect of the triazole ipconazole was evaluated in porcine and ram spermatozoa. Ipconazole significantly reduced sperm viability, increased ROS levels, altered catalase and SOD enzyme activity, and caused alterations in the molecular mRNA expression of structural biomarkers (PRM1, ODF2, AKAP4, THEG, SPACA3 and CLGN) related to fertility in males, as well as the overexpression of BAX (cell death) and ROMO1 (oxidative stress) mRNA. Our results indicate that the fungicide triazole is involved in cellular, enzymatic and molecular alteration of porcine and ram spermatozoa, and is possibly a factor in the development of infertility in male mammals.
Effects of the UV Filter Octocrylene and Its Degradation Product Benzophenone on Pacific Oyster (Magallana gigas) Larvae: A Call for Reassessment of Environmental Hazards
Authors: Carvalhais Ana , Lippa Romina , Oliveira Isabel Benta , Di Lorenzo Gaetano , Mieiro Cláudia , Pacheco Mário
Published: February 2025

Early life stages are pivotal to the functioning and resilience of ecological systems, displaying heightened vulnerability to environmental changes and exposure to contaminants. Octocrylene (OC), an organic ultraviolet (UV) filter, and its breakdown product benzophenone (BP) are commonly found in aquatic environments, but their impact on keystone processes determining the success or failure of the early life stages of marine organisms remains underexplored. This study aims to assess the impacts of OC and BP at environmentally realistic concentrations (1, 10, and 100 µg.L−1), over a 24 h exposure period, on larvae of the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas). A multiparametric approach was employed, examining DNA integrity, embryo–larval development and swimming velocity. The results showed that DNA integrity and swimming velocity were not affected by OC or BP; however, both compounds increased developmental abnormalities in D-shaped larvae in all concentrations tested. Considering the robustness of morphological parameters, often assumed as irreversible, and their critical influence on larvae survival, these findings suggest that environmentally relevant concentrations of OC and BP may threaten the success of oyster larvae, potentially impacting the population’s long-term stability and, ultimately, raising ecological health issues.
Environmental Performance of Existing Cities and Green Infrastructures—Two Case Studies Compared: Reggio Calabria and Enna, Italy
Authors: Fazia Celestina
Published: February 2025

There is growing awareness that there is a link between climate change and human influence and that human activities contribute to the warming of the atmosphere. The research identifies two ways to prepare cities to meet the challenges: the first is to optimize the way the urban organism functions by containing CO2 emissions and consumption of nonrenewable resources by indicating strategies to regenerate the existing city according to an ecosystem approach; the second is to preserve the natural areas of the peri-urban area through graded forms of protection and enhancement by curbing the settlement thrusts of the existing city. The article illustrates two case studies for comparison (Reggio Calabria and Enna) chosen in the context of two Italian regions. Both have urban planning laws that provide for new urban planning instruments sensitive to these aspects. The two case studies were selected because of the similarity of their physical characteristics and the types of agricultural production affecting large areas of land, which has been partially compressed over the years. The respective regional regulations provide solutions to increase protection while allowing for better sustainable use and enhancement.
Patient-Reported Urinary Symptom Progression After Bacillus Calmette–Guerin Therapy for Bladder Cancer
Authors: Singh Zorawar , Punyala Ananth , Sze Christina , Bhojani Naeem , Zorn Kevin C. , Elterman Dean , Chughtai Bilal
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTs) are commonly reported complications of intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) instillation for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer; however, there is limited characterization of the severity of the symptoms. We aim to explore the progression of LUTs with BCG treatment for bladder cancer. Methods: Patients were given the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-q SF) to complete prior to their weekly BCG instillation during their primary six-week induction course. Mean symptom scores were compared for weeks 2 through 6 to baseline scores (week 1) utilizing two-sample tests. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify cohorts at increased risk for urinary symptom progression. Simple linear regression was performed to determine the change in mean symptom scores over time. Results: A total of 60 patients completed the full six-week induction course and completed the required questionaries. Intravesical BCG administration was associated with no significant change in scores across either the symptom bothers or HFQL surveys, which were taken independently or in aggregate. No statistically significant differences in symptom scores were found between subgroups created based on demographic variables, tumor characteristics, or clinical presentation. Conclusions: Although intravesical BCG may cause acute urinary symptoms, it does not seem to impact a patient’s baseline urinary symptom profile. This is important when counseling patients about the perceived chronic urinary symptom risk associated with BCG treatment.
Hepatitis B Hospitalizations in Brazil: Temporal and Regional Patterns from 2008 to 2023
Authors: Kassada Danielle Satie , Rocha Igor de Lima Peixoto , Eberhardt Leonardo Dresch
Published: February 2025

Hepatitis B remains a significant global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where prevention and control measures often face challenges. In Brazil, substantial efforts have been made over the years to combat the burden caused by hepatitis B through public health interventions, including vaccination programs, antenatal screening, and prevention of vertical transmission. However, despite these advancements, disparities in disease trends persist across regions and vulnerable populations, requiring ongoing analysis and intervention. This study aimed to analyze the trend in hospital admissions for hepatitis B in Brazil from 2008 to 2023. Data were collected from the SUS Hospital Information System. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Joinpoint Regression Program (version 5.0.2), applying a 5% significance level to identify significant trends over the study period. A total of 19,735 hospitalizations for hepatitis B were recorded during the study period. The overall trend showed a significant decline in hospital admissions, reflecting the effectiveness of public health interventions such as expanded vaccination coverage, screening programs, and prevention strategies. Despite this overall decline, notable regional disparities were observed. The midwest region exhibited an increasing trend in hospitalizations, contrasting with the national decline. Furthermore, a concerning rise in hospital admissions among infants under one year of age was identified, indicating potential shortcomings in the prevention of the vertical transmission of the virus. This study highlights both the successes and persistent challenges in controlling hepatitis B hospitalizations in Brazil. Maintaining high vaccination coverage and implementing targeted public health campaigns for vulnerable populations are crucial for sustaining progress. The regional disparities and failures in vertical transmission prevention require continued attention and intervention to advance toward the goal of eliminating hepatitis B as a public health threat in Brazil.
Recent Advances in Nose and Lung Organoid Models for Respiratory Viral Research
Authors: Svensson Lennart , Nordgren Johan , Lundkvist Åke , Hagbom Marie
Published: February 2025

Studies on human respiratory viral infections and pathogenesis have historically been conducted using immortalized cells and animal models. However, these models are limited in their ability to recapitulate the complex structure of the human airway or the full spectrum of disease symptoms observed in humans. Recently, nose and lung organoids have revolutionized culture complexity in infection biology and have demonstrated potential for research on respiratory virus infections in humans. In this opinion, we review how advances in human nose and lung organoid models, which are able to express all cell types of the respiratory epithelia, i.e., Club, basal, goblet, and ciliated cells, have provided novel insight into the pathogenesis, age-dependent susceptibility, viral attenuation signature, and immune mechanisms of respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza virus. The models have also demonstrated potential for studying hitherto uncultivable human viruses and to be useful for studies of zoonotic risk.
The In Situ Structure of T-Series T1 Reveals a Conserved Lambda-Like Tail Tip
Authors: Chen Yuan , Xiao Hao , Zhou Junquan , Peng Zeng , Peng Yuning , Song Jingdong , Zheng Jing , Liu Hongrong
Published: February 2025

It is estimated that over 60% of known tailed phages are siphophages, which are characterized by a long, flexible, and non-contractile tail. Nevertheless, entire high-resolution structures of siphophages remain scarce. Using cryo-EM, we resolved the structures of T-series siphophage T1, encompassing its head, connector complex, tail tube, and tail tip, at near-atomic resolution. The density maps enabled us to build the atomic models for the majority of T1 proteins. The T1 head comprises 415 copies of the major capsid protein gp47, arranged into an icosahedron with a triangulation number of seven, decorated with 80 homologous trimers and 60 heterotrimers along the threefold and quasi-threefold axes of the icosahedron. The T1 connector complex is composed of two dodecamers (a portal and an adaptor) and two hexamers (a stopper and a tail terminator). The flexible tail tube comprises approximately 34 hexameric rings of tail tube. The extensive disulfide bond network along the successive tail rings may mediate the flexible bending. The distal tip of T1, which is cone-shaped and assembled by proteins gp33, gp34, gp36, gp37, and gp38, displays structural similarity to that of phage lambda. In conjunction with previous studies of lambda-like siphophages, our structure will facilitate further exploration of the structural and mechanistic aspects of lambda-like siphophages.
Evaluation of a Novel Cisplatin Poloxamer Gel Formulation in the Treatment of Incompletely Excised Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: 42 Dogs
Authors: Lai Nicholas , Langova Veronika , Thomas Penny , Nguyen Sandra , Todd Johanna , Herbert Joe , Blaxill John Edward
Published: February 2025

Soft-tissue sarcomas are a heterogenous group of mesenchymal tumours that occur in dogs. Complete surgical excision is the ideal treatment for this tumour, but often, the location of the tumour makes this challenging, and the morbidity and cost of such a procedure may be prohibitive. This study describes the use of intralesional cisplatin in a novel poloxamer gel formulation, injected into the tumour bed as an adjuvant treatment to try and lower rates of local recurrence following incomplete and marginal excision. This formulation of cisplatin transiently solidifies at body temperature and exposes the tumour bed to high concentrations of this cytotoxic drug. An overall recurrence rate of 36% (15/42) was recorded in this cohort, with recurrence more likely to occur in tumours that had previously recurred and in larger (≥50 mm) tumours. Whilst this drug formulation is easy to administer and is well tolerated, subsequent use should be weighed against other adjuvant options. Other clinical utilisations of poloxamers in veterinary oncology should be explored.
Dynamics of Steel Gas Pipelines: Finite Element Simulation of Damaged Sections Reinforced with Composite Linings
Authors: Moldagaliyev Arman , Zhangabay Nurlan , Bonopera Marco , Ristavletov Raimberdi , Ibraimova Ulzhan , Yeshimbetov Shairbek
Published: February 2025

Based on a reduced model of a linear section of a steel gas pipeline between four supports and with a crack-like through defect, ANSYS FE software is used in this study to develop numerical approaches regarding three key parameters of a composite bandage in the form of a circular lining: the type of composite material and the length and thickness of the composite lining. The approach for assessing the static strength of a damaged section of a steel pipeline with a composite lining that is subjected to internal pressure allows for the determination of the optimal thickness of the composite lining itself, which is equal to the indicator “50.0% to 62.5%” of the pipe thickness. Furthermore, the approach for assessing the dynamic strength and analyzing the possible destruction of the reinforced damaged section of a pipeline experiencing an increase in internal pressure allows for the determination of the optimal length of the composite lining, which, in turn, should be at least 241.2 mm. This work also considers cases when there is no internal pressure and the steel pipeline is subjected to critical pressure. It is found that the frequency spectrum of pipeline oscillations without a composite lining is higher than that with a composite lining. The difference between the corresponding dynamic oscillations increases with the thickness or the length of the composite lining. In the absence of internal pressure, all frequencies of the steel pipeline with a crack closed by a composite lining are paired. This pairing is disrupted when the pipeline is subjected to critical internal pressure, and the difference between its oscillation frequency spectrum without and with a composite lining increases. In this case, the oscillation modes significantly differ from those of the same pipeline structure when unloaded. The results ensure the optimal stress distribution in the defect area of a steel pipeline wall and improve the reliability and safety of pipelines under seismic actions. The approach for increasing dynamic strength and eliminating defects can be applied to pipelines with a large diameter regardless of the causes and geometric dimensions of the defects. Moreover, this approach to increasing the strength can be used by various industries and/or institutes which work on the design of new, earthquake-resistant, reinforced pipelines.
Digital-Twin of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Specified Energy Rebound Testing Device: Kinetic-Energy Absorption by a Basketball Rim and Backboard Modeled with ANSYS Workbench Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Winarski Daniel , Nygren Kip P. , Winarski Tyson
Published: February 2025

This paper is the first to offer a digital-twin of the Energy Rebound Testing Device, which is specified by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for the sport of basketball. This digital-twin replicates the physical ERTD, which was previously studied empirically. This paper merges the original finite element analysis of a basketball rim and backboard with the finite element analysis of the Energy Rebound Testing Device, using the ANSYS Workbench 2024R2, student edition. The first modal model was of the ERTD in isolation in the Workbench Modal Analysis system, and the natural frequency modeled via finite element analysis, 12.776 Hz, compared favorably with the empirical modal analysis value of 12.72 Hz. The second modal model, also in the Workbench Modal Analysis system, was of the ERTD rotatably attached to a basketball rim and backboard. This second model was then imported into the Transient Structural Analysis system and first used to confirm the hypothesis that the ERTD did indeed transfer kinetic energy from its drop-mass to the basketball rim and backboard. Then, an energy transfer surface was used to confirm the hypothesis that this kinetic energy transfer was responsive to changes in rim and backboard stiffness via changes in the respective Young’s moduli. Finally, a second-generation ERTD was proposed, where the control box transmits its energy readings to “the cloud” via the WiFi capabilities of the Arduino UNO R4 WiFi.
Failure Characteristics and Stress Distribution of Intact Floor Under Coupled Static and Dynamic Loads in Mining Projects
Authors: Huang Qisong , Xu Bo , Feng Junjun , Peng Jun , Wang Xiangyu
Published: February 2025

Numerous floor water inrush (FWI) disasters have occurred during the roof weighting period in China. Therefore, to clarify why FWI accidents tend to cluster at a specific mining stage, a novel method for evaluating the failure depth of mining floors (FDMF) under dynamic loads induced by roof breakage is proposed in this study. By employing Matlab programming, the stress distribution and failure patterns of the intact floor were analyzed, revealing the dynamic stress response and failure characteristics. In addition, the accuracy of the proposed theoretical model was further verified through numerical simulation and field measurement. The results indicate that dynamic loads significantly impact vertical stress and shear stress, but only have a minor impact on horizontal stress. This leads to an expansion of the stress concentration zone and an increase in the intensity of the mining floor. Moreover, the FDMF is notably enhanced under the dynamic load induced by roof weighting. Besides, both the numerical simulations and field measurement results align closely with the theoretical predictions, which confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. This study provides a theoretical foundation for understanding FWI mechanisms under the combined influence of dynamic and static loads.
Effect of Co-Dewatering for Aerobic Granular Sludge and Alum Sludge
Authors: Chen Yongfei , Tu Kangmei , Qian Dongsheng , Li Ningyu , Yan Ailan
Published: February 2025

Sludge dewatering plays a crucial and indispensable role in the sludge treatment and disposal process, directly affecting the subsequent disposal costs and environmental risks. Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and alum sludge (AS) from water treatment plants are two common types of sludge with distinct dewatering properties. In this experiment, we thoroughly investigated the effects of co-dewatering by mixing AGS and AS in different proportions. The results showed that the addition of the AS effectively altered the composition and characteristics of the AGS, which significantly improved its settlement performance. When the AGS and AS were mixed in a specific proportion, the water content of the dewatered AGS was reduced from 81.2% to 70.9%, which fully demonstrated a significant improvement in the AGS dewatering performance achieved through the mixed treatment. It is recommended to be widely promoted and applied in practical engineering.