bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease Using Injectable Biomaterials and Drug-Coated Balloons: Safety and Efficacy Perspective
Authors: Qamar Safi , Spahić Lemana , Benolić Leo , Zivanovic Marko , Filipović Nenad
Published: June 2023

The possibility of injectable biomaterials being used in the therapy of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is investigated in this article. We conducted a thorough review of the literature on the use and efficacy of biomaterials (BMs) and drug-coated balloons (DCBs). These BMs included hydrogels, collagen scaffolds, and nanoparticles. These BMs could be used alone or in combination with growth factors, stem cells, or gene therapy. The treatment of peripheral artery disease with DCBs is increasingly common in the field of interventional angiology. Studies have been carried out to examine the effectiveness of paclitaxel-coated balloons such as PaccocathTM in lowering the frequency with which further revascularization operations are required. PCB angioplasty and angioplasty without paclitaxel did not significantly vary in terms of mortality, according to the findings of a recent meta-analysis that included the results of four randomized controlled studies. On the other hand, age was found to be a factor that predicted mortality. There was a correlation between the routine utilization of scoring balloon angioplasty along with DCBs and improved clinical outcomes in de novo lesions. In both preclinical and clinical testing, the SelutionTM DCB has demonstrated efficacy and safety, but further research is required to determine whether or not it is effective and safe over the long term. In addition, we reviewed the difficulties involved in bringing injectable BMs-based medicines to clinical trials, including the approval processes required by regulatory bodies. Injectable BMs have a significant amount of therapeutic promise for PAD, which highlights the need for more research and clinical studies to be conducted in this field. In conclusion, this research focuses on the potential of injectable BMs and DCBs in the treatment of PAD as well as the hurdles that must be overcome in order to translate these treatments into clinical trials. In this particular field, there is a demand for further research as well as clinical trials.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Treatments for Osteoarthritis
Authors: Yuan Shunling , Li Guangfeng , Zhang Jinbo , Chen Xiao , Su Jiacan , Zhou Fengjin
Published: June 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the joints characterized by cartilage damage and severe pain. Despite various pharmacological and surgical interventions, current therapies fail to halt OA progression, leading to high morbidity and an economic burden. Thus, there is an urgent need for alternative therapeutic approaches that can effectively address the underlying pathophysiology of OA. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) represent a new paradigm in OA treatment. MSC-EVs are small membranous particles released by MSCs during culture, both in vitro and in vivo. They possess regenerative properties and can attenuate inflammation, thereby promoting cartilage healing. Importantly, MSC-EVs have several advantages over MSCs as cell-based therapies, including lower risks of immune reactions and ethical issues. Researchers have recently explored different strategies, such as modifying EVs to enhance their delivery, targeting efficiency, and security, with promising results. This article reviews how MSC-EVs can help treat OA and how they might work. It also briefly discusses the benefits and challenges of using MSC-EVs and talks about the possibility of allogeneic and autologous MSC-EVs for medical use.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Landraces Can Be Used in a Water-Limited Environment
Authors: Kalamartzis Iakovos , Papakaloudis Paschalis , Dordas Christos
Published: June 2023

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a member of the Labiatae family and is one of the most widely consumed aromatic and medicinal plants in many countries due to its numerous properties and uses. The objective of the study was to determine whether landraces are better adapted to water-limited environments compared to commercial cultivars. Irrigation levels and genotypes affected plant height and leaf area index, with 25% and 33% higher values observed under complete irrigation, respectively. Additionally, limited water availability resulted in a 20% reduction in dry matter yield and a 21% reduction in essential oil yield over the three years in all of the genotypes tested, specifically in the lower irrigation treatment (d40), compared to the control treatment (d100). The landraces that performed the best under limited water supply were Athos white spike (AWS) and Gigas white spike (GWS), indicating their suitability for environments with limited water resources. The results demonstrate that there are landraces that can be utilized in dryland climates with appropriate water management, enabling water conservation and utilization of fields in water-scarce areas for irrigation purposes.
Pimpinella anisum L. Essential Oil a Valuable Antibacterial and Antifungal Alternative
Authors: Dumitrescu Eugenia , Muselin Florin , Tîrziu Emil , Folescu Mihai , Dumitrescu Carmen S. , Orboi Dora M. , Cristina Romeo T.
Published: June 2023

Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) essential oils are intensely investigated worldwide for the beneficial properties, due to the specific bioactive compound’s structure. (1) Background: This study characterized the structure of the Pimpinella anisum essential oil and evaluated its antimicrobial properties. (2) Methods: An evaluation of the antibacterial and antifungal activity targeted strains of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 19615), and levure Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used for structure identification, and the optical density mass loss was applied for the analysis of different dilutions of aniseed essential oils antimicrobial activity. (3) Results: A total of 13 compounds were identified, of which trans-anethole was in the highest proportion (72.49%), followed by limonene (10.01%), anisole (5%), and α-pinene (3.26%). The results obtained and statistically analyzed, utilizing one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test, indicated the antimicrobial activity (p < 0.001) of anise essential oil. (4) Conclusion: Anise essential oil is a promising phyto-remedy with important antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Inhibition high percentages were found for the p. aeruginosa and S. aureus strains, but also excellent antifungal activity against C. albicans was ascertained.
Analysis of Altered Flowering Related Genes in a Multi-Silique Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Line zws-ms Based on Combination of Genome, Transcriptome and Proteome Data
Authors: Chai Liang , Li Haojie , Zhao Xiaoguang , Cui Cheng , Zheng Benchuan , Zhang Ka , Jiang Jun , Zhang Jinfang , Jiang Liangcai
Published: June 2023

Based on previous researches, we further investigated the multi-silique trait in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) line zws-ms. In this study, we used a relatively comprehensive list of flowering related genes in rapeseed and compared them between zws-ms and its near-isogenic line (NIL) zws-217. Genes were studied on genome, transcriptome and proteome levels and then we focused on genes with non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) or frame-shift insertion-deletion (InDel), finding some genes on the list which changes their sequences. Then, combined with their annotation and the information of their orthologs, certain genes such as BnaA09g05900D, ortholog of AGAMOUS-LIKE 42 (AGL42), which encodes an MADS-box protein, were assumed as probably responsible for the multi-silique trait. Also, we analyzed the Differentially Accumulated Proteins (DAPs) between zws-ms and zws-217, revealing some genes involved in homologous recombination and mismatch repair pathways. Since the development of flowers/siliques is crucial to crops and it influences the yield of rapeseed, this study paved a way to deeply understand the mechanism of the multi-pistil flower formation, which may facilitate researches on rapeseed production in future.
Irradiated Pollen-Induced Parthenogenesis for Doubled Haploid Production in Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)
Authors: Wang Hongxia , Hou Hongyan , Jan Chao-Chien , Chao Wun S.
Published: June 2023

Doubled haploid (DH) technology is a tool used to develop large numbers of inbred lines and increase the rate of genetic gain by shortening the breeding cycles. However, previous attempts to produce DH sunflower plants (Helianthus spp.) have resulted in limited success. In this research, we applied gamma-induced parthenogenesis to assist the production of DH sunflowers. The objectives of the study included (1) identifying optimal gamma ray doses for inducing DH sunflowers using two cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) lines as female plants and two male pollinators with recognizable morphological markers, (2) selecting new male pollinators from wild sunflower varieties, and (3) testing the efficacy of the selected male pollinators using emasculated non-male sterile sunflower lines as female plants. In these experiments, pollen grains were irradiated with gamma ray doses ranging from 50 to 200 Gy. The optimal gamma ray dose for pollen grain irradiation and DH plant production was identified to be 100 Gy. In addition, a cultivated (G11/1440) and a wild-type (ANN1811) sunflower line can be used as common male pollinators for their distinctive morphological markers and wide capacity for DH induction by gamma-irradiated pollen grains.
The Impact of Nitrogen on the Yield Formation of Artemisia dubia Wall: Efficiency and Assessment of Energy Parameters
Authors: Šiaudinis Gintaras , Jasinskas Algirdas , Karčauskienė Danutė , Skuodienė Regina , Repšienė Regina
Published: June 2023

With the increasing importance of energy crops, research on potential energy crops is carried out to identify plant species with high productivity and energy value. The field experiment with the new promising energy crop, Artemisia dubia (wormwood), was executed at the Vėžaičiai Branch of the LAMMC. The soil site was naturally acidic Retisol (pH 4.2–4.4). The species was investigated as an energy crop through the evaluation of its biomass productivity and some energetical qualities. According to the three investigation years, DM yield significantly varied depending on the growing season, cutting time and nitrogen rate. The highest average DM yield was observed in 2020—10.58 t ha−1. On average, the DM yield varied from 6.49 t ha−1 (first cutting) to 11.82 t ha−1 (third cutting). The DM yield was positively correlated with stem height and the mass of one stem. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) depended on the growing season, cutting time and nitrogen rate. Both N90 and N180 rates should be used for A. dubia fertilization. Energy growing analysis (including direct and indirect expenses) revealed that the highest share of energy expenses are due to indirect energy expenses (particularly nitrogen application). EUE (energy utilization efficiency) tends to decrease as a result of increasing nitrogen fertilization. Overall, A. dubia granules are characterized by a high calorific value.
Photosynthesis in the Biomass Model Species Lemna minor Displays Plant-Conserved and Species-Specific Features
Authors: Liebers Monique , Hommel Elisabeth , Grübler Björn , Danehl Jakob , Offermann Sascha , Pfannschmidt Thomas
Published: June 2023

Lemnaceae are small freshwater plants with extraordinary high growth rates. We aimed to test whether this correlates with a more efficient photosynthesis, the primary energy source for growth. To this end, we compared photosynthesis properties of the duckweed Lemna minor and the terrestrial model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Chlorophyll fluorescence analyses revealed high similarity in principle photosynthesis characteristics; however, Lemna exhibited a more effective light energy transfer into photochemistry and more stable photosynthesis parameters especially under high light intensities. Western immunoblot analyses of representative photosynthesis proteins suggested potential post-translational modifications in Lemna proteins that are possibly connected to this. Phospho-threonine phosphorylation patterns of thylakoid membrane proteins displayed a few differences between the two species. However, phosphorylation-dependent processes in Lemna such as photosystem II antenna association and the recovery from high-light-induced photoinhibition were not different from responses known from terrestrial plants. We thus hypothesize that molecular differences in Lemna photosynthesis proteins are associated with yet unidentified mechanisms that improve photosynthesis and growth efficiencies. We also developed a high-magnification video imaging approach for Lemna multiplication which is useful to assess the impact of external factors on Lemna photosynthesis and growth.
Expression of EPL1 from Trichoderma atroviride in Arabidopsis Confers Resistance to Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens
Authors: Rojas Moreno Mónica Montserrat , González-Pérez Enrique , Rodríguez-Hernandez Aida Araceli , Ortega-Amaro María Azucena , Becerra-Flora Alicia , Serrano Mario , Jiménez-Bremont Juan Francisco
Published: June 2023

During plant interaction with beneficial microorganisms, fungi secrete a battery of elicitors that trigger plant defenses against pathogenic microorganisms. Among the elicitor molecules secreted by Trichoderma are cerato-platanin proteins, such as EPL1, from Trichoderma atroviride. In this study, Arabidopsis thaliana plants that express the TaEPL1 gene were challenged with phytopathogens to evaluate whether expression of EPL1 confers increased resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. Infection assays showed that Arabidopsis EPL1-2, EPL1-3, EPL1-4 expressing lines were more resistant to both pathogens in comparison to WT plants. After Pseudomonas syringae infection, there were reduced disease symptoms (e.g., small chlorotic spots) and low bacterial titers in the three 35S::TaEPL1 expression lines. Similarly; 35S::TaEPL1 expression lines were more resistant to Botrytis cinerea infection, showing smaller lesion size in comparison to WT. Interestingly, an increase in ROS levels was detected in 35S::TaEPL1 expression lines when compared to WT. A higher expression of SA- and JA-response genes occurred in the 35S::TaEPL1 lines, which could explain the resistance of these EPL1 expression lines to both pathogens. We propose that EPL1 is an excellent elicitor, which can be used to generate crops with improved resistance to broad-spectrum diseases.
Identification of Floral Volatile Components and Expression Analysis of Controlling Gene in Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdan’ under Different Cultivation Conditions
Authors: Ma Huili , Zhang Chenjie , Niu Tongfei , Chen Meida , Guo Lili , Hou Xiaogai
Published: June 2023

In order to explore the release rule of floral volatile substances and the diurnal variation of different flower development stages of Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdan’ in potted and ground-planted conditions, dynamic headspace adsorption combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) was used to analyze the dynamic changes in floral volatile components and contents. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze changes in flower fragrance-regulating genes PsPAL, PsTPSs, and PsbHLH at different flower development stages and a daily change process at the full-blooming stage. The results show that there were differences in aroma components and contents of Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdan’ at different flower development stages and different time quantum of every day. There were 25 and 28 aroma components identified in 7 flower development stages of tree peonies planted in pots and in the field, respectively, and 23 and 22 aroma components identified at different time quantum of the day, of which the largest and highest content was alkanes. The main characteristic aroma substances were (E)-β-ocimene, 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, methyl jasmonate, nerol, and cinnamyl alcohol; released amounts of the abovementioned substances varied depending on the development stage and the time of the day. The expression of flower fragrance-controlling genes (PsPAL, PsTPSs, and PsbHLH) in tree peonies varied greatly in different conditions. The results of this study provide a valuable resource to investigate floral fragrance formation in tree peonies.
Polylactic Acid/Lignin Composites: A Review
Authors: Shi Kang , Liu Guoshuai , Sun Hui , Weng Yunxuan
Published: June 2023

With the gradual depletion of petroleum resources and the increasing global awareness of environmental protection, biodegradable plastics are receiving more and more attention as a green substitute for traditional petroleum-based plastics. Poly (lactic acid) is considered to be the most promising biodegradable material because of its excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility, and good processability. However, the brittleness and high cost limit its application in more fields. Lignin, as the second largest renewable biopolymer in nature after cellulose, is not only rich in reserves and low in cost, but it also has an excellent UV barrier, antioxidant activity, and rigidity. The molecular structure of lignin contains a large number of functional groups, which are easy to endow with new functions by chemical modification. Currently, lignin is mostly treated as waste in industry, and the value-added utilization is insufficient. The combination of lignin and poly (lactic acid) can on the one hand solve the problems of the high cost of PLA and less efficient utilization of lignin; on the other hand, the utilization of lignocellulosic biomass in compounding with biodegradable synthetic polymers is expected to afford high-performance wholly green polymer composites. This mini-review summarizes the latest research achievements of poly (lactic acid)/lignin composites. Emphasis was put on the influence of lignin on the mechanical properties of its composite with poly (lactic acid), as well as the compatibility of the two components. Future research on these green composites is also prospected.
Chemical Recycling of Fully Recyclable Bio-Epoxy Matrices and Reuse Strategies: A Cradle-to-Cradle Approach
Authors: Saitta Lorena , Rizzo Giuliana , Tosto Claudio , Cicala Gianluca , Blanco Ignazio , Pergolizzi Eugenio , Ciobanu Romeo , Recca Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

Currently, the epoxy resin market is expressing concerns about epoxy resins’ non-recyclability, which can hinder their widespread use. Moreover, epoxy monomers are synthesized via petroleum-based raw materials, which also limits their use. So, it is crucial to find more environmentally friendly alternative solution for their formulation. Within this context, the aim of this paper is to exploit a Cradle-to-Cradle approach, which consists of remodeling and reshaping the productive cycle of consumer products to make sure that they can be infinitely reused rather than just being recycled with a downgrading of their properties or uses, according to the principle of the complete circular economy. Indeed, after starting with a fully-recyclable bio-based epoxy formulation and assessing its recyclability as having a process yield of 99%, we obtained a recycled polymer that could be reused, mixing with the same bio-based epoxy formulation with percentages varying from 15 wt% to 27 wt%. The formulation obtained was thoroughly characterized by a dynamic-mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and flexural tests. This approach had two advantages: (1) it represented a sustainable disposal route for the epoxy resin, with nearly all the epoxy resin recovered, and (2) the obtained recycled polymer could be used as a green component of the primary bio-based epoxy matrix. In the end, by using replicated general factorial designs (as statistical tools) combined with a proper optimization process, after carrying out a complete thermo-mechanical characterization of the developed epoxy formulations, the right percentage of recycled polymer content was selected with the aim of identifying the most performing epoxy matrix formulation in terms of its thermo-mechanical properties.
Self-Sustained Oscillation of Electrothermally Responsive Liquid Crystal Elastomer Film in Steady-State Circuits
Authors: Liu Junxiu , Yuan Zongsong , Zhao Junjie , Dai Yuntong , Li Kai
Published: June 2023

Self-excited oscillations have the advantages of absorbing energy from a stable environment and Self-control; therefore, Self-excited motion patterns have broader applications in micro devices, autonomous robots, sensors and energy-generating devices. In this paper, a Self-sustained curling liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) film-mass system is proposed on the basis of electrothermally responsive materials, which can realize Self-oscillation under a steady-state current. Based on the contact model and dynamic LCE model, a nonlinear dynamics model of LCE film in steady-state circuits is developed and numerical calculations are carried out using the Runge–Kutta method. Through numerical calculations, it is demonstrated that LCE film-mass systems have two motion patterns in steady-state circuits: namely, a Self-oscillation pattern and a stationary pattern. Self-sustained curling of LCE film originates from the fact that the energy absorbed by the system exceeds the energy dissipated due to the damping effect. In addition, the critical conditions for triggering Self-oscillation and the effects of several key dimensionless system parameters on the amplitude and period of Self-oscillation are investigated in detail. Calculation results show that the height of electrolyte solution, gravitational acceleration, elastic modulus of LCE film, limit temperature, curvature coefficient, thermal shrinkage coefficient and damping factor all have a modulating effect on the amplitude and period of Self-oscillation. This research may deepen the understanding of Self-excited oscillation, with promising applications in energy harvesting, power generation, monitoring, soft robotics, medical devices, and micro and nano devices.
Who Is Responsible for Nurse Wellbeing in a Crisis? A Single Centre Perspective
Authors: Hughes Luke , Petrella Anika , Fern Lorna A. , Taylor Rachel M.
Published: June 2023

Background: Leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic often manifested as a command-and-control style of leadership which had detrimental emotional impacts on staff, particularly the nursing workforce. Leadership can have detrimental effects on staff wellbeing, or it can greatly boost their ability to handle a crisis. We sought to explore the interrelationship between leadership and nurses’ wellbeing in an inner-city university hospital during the initial wave of the pandemic. Methods: We conducted secondary analyses of interview data collected during a hospital-wide evaluation of barriers and facilitators to changes implemented to support the surge of COVID-19 related admissions during wave one. Data were collected through semi-structured video interviews during May–July 2020. Interviews were analysed using Framework analysis. Results: Thirty-one nurses participated, including matrons (n = 7), sisters (n = 8), and specialist nursing roles (n = 16). Three overarching themes were identified: the impact on nurses, personal factors, and organisational factors. The impact on nurses manifested as distress and fatigue. Coping and help-seeking behaviours were found to be the two personal factors which underpinned nurses’ wellbeing. The organisational factors that impacted nurses’ wellbeing included decision-making, duty, and teamwork. Conclusions: The wellbeing of the workforce is pivotal to the health service, and it is mutually beneficial for patients, staff, and leaders. Addressing how beliefs and misconceptions around wellbeing are communicated and accessing psychological support are key priorities to supporting nurses during pandemics.
Prospects for Higher Shia Religious Education in Post-Soviet Countries
Authors: Tahiiev Akif
Published: June 2023

The opportunity to receive religious education plays an important role in the formation of the religious elite of society. It forms the Muslim clergy, which, in turn, represents this community in front of other members of society. Their statements directly affect the attitude of non-Muslims towards the members of this community, which is very important, especially in the cases where Muslims are a minority, and Shi’ites, in turn, are a minority in all post-Soviet countries except Azerbaijan. The Shia communities of the post-Soviet region are little studied in general. Analysing their specifics, one can see that almost all the clerics of these communities received religious education in Iran and/or Iraq, while the Sunni clerics of the same countries most often studied in their homeland. This problem in the aspect of comparing Sunni and Shia education, as well as the past (starting from the USSR times), the present and the future of Shia higher religious education were studied in this paper.
Architectural Strategies of Dis- and Re-Enchantment: Building for the European Union Is Not a Master Narrative
Authors: Rüdiger Julia
Published: June 2023

This contribution looks at the different architectures for the institutions of the European Union in Brussels. Based on the ideas of the sociologist Max Weber, and later the theologian Harvey Cox, of an increasingly secularized, disenchanted urban society, the author first analyzes the earlier buildings for the European Community as an expression of a rationalist, even ‘disenchanted’ architectural strategy. This contrasts with the efforts of the European Union in the 21st century, which attempts to strengthen identification with the European Union by various means. One of these strategies—as the author points out—is to increasingly charge architecture with auratic meaning, in other words, to re-enchant it. Nevertheless, both architectural solutions do not offer a nation-like master narrative but are intended—each in its own manner—to represent a network of many individual parts.
Is a Theological Synthesis Still Possible? The Paradigm of Objective Mariology
Authors: Kunka Sławomir Jerzy
Published: June 2023

As a “doctrinal synthesis of the Christian faith” (St. John Paul II), the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God could serve as a focal point that brings together various theological concepts and approaches pertaining to salvation history. For that to happen, however, it is necessary to delve into and discover the richness of Mariology. Often regarded as a secondary discipline, as a context for other disciplines or even as a source of difficulties in ecumenical dialogue, Mariology nowadays needs a revival of its own. The call for constructing an “objective Mariology” presumes that the autonomy of theology as an academic discipline will be preserved and that theological reflection on the Virgin Mary will be objectivized in terms of both form and content. To meet these demands, one must strive to respect the supernatural purpose and sources of theology as such, and strengthen and develop biblical Mariology as well as the reflection of the Church Fathers. Furthermore, there is a need to draw from the rich legacy of the Franciscan school when reflecting on the unity of God’s plan of creation and Redemption in His eternal reasons. Finally, one must not accept a departure from the “hermeneutic of continuity” in the Catholic doctrine on the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Immaculate and Assumed. The article sets out to describe the essence of the above assumptions and proposes specific conditions that would foster the development of an “objective Mariology”. In that respect, it is important to establish the First Person of the Holy Trinity as the starting point for any reflection on the plan of salvation—of which the Immaculate Conception is the ultimate origin and ultimate goal.
The Geo-Cultural Heritage of Kos Revisited: Web-GIS Applications and Storytelling Promoting the Well-Known Island of Dodecanese, Greece
Authors: Antoniou Varvara , Panousis Dimitris , Nikoli Elisavet , Katsigera Anna , Vlasopoulos Othonas , Nomikou Paraskevi
Published: June 2023

Kos is the third largest island of the Dodecanese, located in the southeastern Aegean Sea, Greece. The island’s remarkable location both in a prominent geodynamic space and at a crossroads of East, West and South has endowed it with a unique wealth of geological, biological, cultural, and traditional heritage. Steep mountain ranges consisting of Alpine Mesozoic rocks alternate with low-altitude plateaus featuring marine and lacustrine sediments that contain fossils of past life. In addition, the transition of barren land to lush forests where numerous species of flora and fauna thrive is unique to Greek ecosystems. This environment hosted civilizations and activities that gradually led to the present-day cultural and religious state of the island, where people and nature coexist respectfully on one of the country’s most favourite destinations. In an effort to further enhance the public’s awareness of the geo-cultural heritage of Kos, an online ESRI Hub was created, featuring several individual ESRI StoryMaps web apps regarding each specific aspect of the island’s heritage. The goal of this paper is to discuss the importance of using such means for disseminating geoscientific information to the public, to describe the methods used and to give a brief presentation of its content.
Surface-Related Multiples Elimination for Waterborne GPR Data
Authors: Shen Ruiqing , Zhao Yonghui , Cheng Hui , Hu Shufan , Chen Shifeng , Ge Shuangcheng
Published: June 2023

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a well-respected, effective, and efficient geophysical technique. However, for underwater engineering detection and underwater archaeology, the measured B-scan profiles typically contain surface-related multiple waves, which can reduce the signal to noise ratio and interfere with the interpretation of results. SRME is a feedback iteration method based on wave equation, which is frequently utilized in marine seismic explorations but very rarely in GPR underwater engineering detection. To fill this gap, we applied SRME to suppress multiples that appear in GPR underwater images. When we compared the effectiveness of the underwater horizontal layered model and the underwater undulating interface model, we found a high match rate between the predicted and the real-world multiples. In addition, the addition of the Gaussian random noise level with a 4% maximum amplitude to the B-scan profile of the horizontal stratified model yielded satisfactory multiple suppression results. Finally, we applied this method to the B-scan GPR section of actual underwater archaeological images to achieve multiple suppression, which can more effectively weaken and inhibit the surface-related multiples. Both numerical simulations and actual field data show that the SRME method is highly suitable for interpreting waterborne GPR data, and more accurate interpretation can be obtained from the GPR profile after multiples suppression.
SiamCAF: Complementary Attention Fusion-Based Siamese Network for RGBT Tracking
Authors: Xue Yingjian , Zhang Jianwei , Lin Zhoujin , Li Chenglong , Huo Bihan , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2023

The tracking community is increasingly focused on RGBT tracking, which leverages the complementary strengths of corresponding visible light and thermal infrared images. The most well-known RGBT trackers, however, are unable to balance performance and speed at the same time for UAV tracking. In this paper, an innovative RGBT Siamese tracker named SiamCAF is proposed, which utilizes multi-modal features with a beyond-real-time running speed. Specifically, we used a dual-modal Siamese subnetwork to extract features. In addition, to extract similar features and reduce the modality differences for fusing features efficiently, we designed the Complementary Coupling Feature fusion module (CCF). Simultaneously, the Residual Channel Attention Enhanced module (RCAE) was designed to enhance the extracted features and representational power. Furthermore, the Maximum Fusion Prediction module (MFP) was constructed to boost performance in the response map fusion stage. Finally, comprehensive experiments on three real RGBT tracking datasets and one visible–thermal UAV tracking dataset showed that SiamCAF outperforms other tracking methods, with a remarkable tracking speed of over 105 frames per second.
Bayesian Direction of Arrival Estimation with Prior Knowledge from Target Tracker
Authors: Jia Tianyi , Liu Hongwei , Wang Penghui , Gao Chang
Published: June 2023

The performance of traditional direction of arrival (DOA) estimation methods always deteriorates at a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or without sufficient observations. This paper investigates the Bayesian DOA estimation problem aided by the prior knowledge from the target tracker. The Bayesian Cramér–Rao lower bounds (CRLB) and the expected CRLB are first derived to evaluate the theoretical performance of Bayesian DOA estimation. Based on the maximum a posterior (MAP) estimator in the Bayesian framework, two methods are proposed. One is a two-step grid search method for a single target DOA case. The other is a gradient-based iterative solution for multiple targets DOA case, which extends the traditional Newton method by incorporating the prior knowledge. We also propose a minimum mean square error (MMSE) estimator using a Monte Carlo method, which requires trading off accuracy against computational complexity. By comparing with the maximum likelihood (ML) estimators and the MUSIC algorithm, the proposed three Bayesian estimators improve the DOA estimation performance in low SNR or with limited snapshots. Moreover, the performance is not affected by the correlation between sources.
An Efficient Fault Detection and Exclusion Method for Ephemeris Monitoring
Authors: Jiang Yiping , Li Wang , Zhang Hengwei
Published: June 2023

The ephemeris fault needs to be detected and mitigated in the ground-based augmentation system to provide precision approach for the aircraft. In the current fault detection and exclusion (FDE) method, the double-differenced carrier phase (DDCP) observation is used as a test statistic to detect a faulty satellite caused by an ephemeris fault, taking advantage of the residual spatial gradient. However, the current FDE method cannot distinguish whether the fault comes from a reference satellite (RS) or a non-reference satellite (NRS) in DDCP. One way to address this issue is to pre-validate the RS before it can be used to form a DDCP test statistic for detecting ephemeris fault on the NRS. The RS is pre-validated using the previous ephemeris for any newly acquired and re-acquired satellite. This method is developed in detail to present the shortcomings. A more efficient FDE method using multiple hypothesis testing to detect ephemeris fault on both the RS and NRS simultaneously in real time is proposed. Moreover, to facilitate the application in integrity monitoring, the test risks and minimum detectable error are analyzed. The numerical results of the proposed FDE method show an improved performance in detecting ephemeris fault on the RS and a comparable performance on the NRS compared with the current FDE method.
Exploring the Potential of Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence Monitoring Drought-Induced Net Primary Productivity Dynamics in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain Based on the SIF/NPP Ratio
Authors: Wang Yanan , He Jingchi , Shao Ting , Tu Youjun , Gao Yuxin , Li Junli
Published: June 2023

Drought causes significant losses in vegetation net primary productivity (NPP). However, the lack of real-time, large-scale NPP data poses challenges in analyzing the relationship between drought and NPP. Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) offers a real-time approach to monitoring drought-induced NPP dynamics. Using two drought events in the Huang–Huai–Hai Plain from 2010 to 2020 as examples, we propose a new SIF/NPP ratio index to quantify and evaluate SIF’s capability in monitoring drought-induced NPP dynamics. The findings reveal distinct seasonal changes in the SIF/NPP ratio across different drought events, intensities, and time scales. SIF demonstrates high sensitivity to commonly used vegetation greenness parameters for NPP estimation (R2 > 0.8, p < 0.01 for SIF vs NDVI and SIF vs LAI), as well as moderate sensitivity to land surface temperature (LST) and a fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR) (R2 > 0.5, p < 0.01 for SIF vs FAPAR and R2 > 0.6, p < 0.01 for SIF vs LST). However, SIF shows limited sensitivity to precipitation (PRE). Our study suggests that SIF has potential for monitoring drought-induced NPP dynamics, offering a new approach for real-time monitoring and enhancing understanding of the drought–vegetation productivity relationship.
Reducing the Impact of Sensor Orientation Variability in Human Activity Recognition Using a Consistent Reference System
Authors: Gil-Martín Manuel , López-Iniesta Javier , Fernández-Martínez Fernando , San-Segundo Rubén
Published: June 2023

Sensor- orientation is a critical aspect in a Human Activity Recognition (HAR) system based on tri-axial signals (such as accelerations); different sensors orientations introduce important errors in the activity recognition process. This paper proposes a new preprocessing module to reduce the negative impact of sensor-orientation variability in HAR. Firstly, this module estimates a consistent reference system; then, the tri-axial signals recorded from sensors with different orientations are transformed into this consistent reference system. This new preprocessing has been evaluated to mitigate the effect of different sensor orientations on the classification accuracy in several state-of-the-art HAR systems. The experiments were carried out using a subject-wise cross-validation methodology over six different datasets, including movements and postures. This new preprocessing module provided robust HAR performance even when sudden sensor orientation changes were included during data collection in the six different datasets. As an example, for the WISDM dataset, sensors with different orientations provoked a significant reduction in the classification accuracy of the state-of-the-art system (from 91.57 ± 0.23% to 89.19 ± 0.26%). This important reduction was recovered with the proposed algorithm, increasing the accuracy to 91.46 ± 0.30%, i.e., the same result obtained when all sensors had the same orientation.
Application of Machine Learning Algorithms for Tool Condition Monitoring in Milling Chipboard Process
Authors: Przybyś-Małaczek Agata , Antoniuk Izabella , Szymanowski Karol , Kruk Michał , Kurek Jarosław
Published: June 2023

In this article, we present a novel approach to tool condition monitoring in the chipboard milling process using machine learning algorithms. The presented study aims to address the challenges of detecting tool wear and predicting tool failure in real time, which can significantly improve the efficiency and productivity of the manufacturing process. A combination of feature engineering and machine learning techniques was applied in order to analyze 11 signals generated during the milling process. The presented approach achieved high accuracy in detecting tool wear and predicting tool failure, outperforming traditional methods. The final findings demonstrate the potential of machine learning algorithms in improving tool condition monitoring in the manufacturing industry. This study contributes to the growing body of research on the application of artificial intelligence in industrial processes. In conclusion, the presented research highlights the importance of adopting innovative approaches to address the challenges of tool condition monitoring in the manufacturing industry. The final results provide valuable insights for practitioners and researchers in the field of industrial automation and machine learning.
On the Application of Microfluidic-Based Technologies in Forensics: A Review
Authors: Bazyar Hanieh
Published: June 2023

Microfluidic technology is a powerful tool to enable the rapid, accurate, and on-site analysis of forensically relevant evidence on a crime scene. This review paper provides a summary on the application of this technology in various forensic investigation fields spanning from forensic serology and human identification to discriminating and analyzing diverse classes of drugs and explosives. Each aspect is further explained by providing a short summary on general forensic workflow and investigations for body fluid identification as well as through the analysis of drugs and explosives. Microfluidic technology, including fabrication methodologies, materials, and working modules, are touched upon. Finally, the current shortcomings on the implementation of the microfluidic technology in the forensic field are discussed along with the future perspectives.
A Robotized Raspberry-Based System for Pothole 3D Reconstruction and Mapping
Authors: Bruno Salvatore , Loprencipe Giuseppe , Di Mascio Paola , Cantisani Giuseppe , Fiore Nicola , Polidori Carlo , D’Andrea Antonio , Moretti Laura
Published: June 2023

Repairing potholes is a task for municipalities to prevent serious road user injuries and vehicle damage. This study presents a low-cost, high-performance pothole monitoring system to maintain urban roads. The authors developed a methodology based on photogrammetry techniques to predict the pothole’s shape and volume. A collection of overlapping 2D images shot by a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 connected to a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has been used to create a pothole 3D model. The Raspberry-based configuration has been mounted on an autonomous and remote-controlled robot (developed in the InfraROB European project) to reduce workers’ exposure to live traffic in survey activities and automate the process. The outputs of photogrammetry processing software have been validated through laboratory tests set as ground truth; the trial has been conducted on a tile made of asphalt mixture, reproducing a real pothole. Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies allowed visualising potholes on a map with information about their centre, volume, backfill material, and an associated image. Ten on-site tests validated that the system works in an uncontrolled environment and not only in the laboratory. The results showed that the system is a valuable tool for monitoring road potholes taking into account construction workers’ and road users’ health and safety.
Advanced Noise Indicator Mapping Relying on a City Microphone Network
Authors: Van Renterghem Timothy , Le Bescond Valentin , Dekoninck Luc , Botteldooren Dick
Published: June 2023

In this work, a methodology is presented for city-wide road traffic noise indicator mapping. The need for direct access to traffic data is bypassed by relying on street categorization and a city microphone network. The starting point for the deterministic modeling is a previously developed but simplified dynamic traffic model, the latter necessary to predict statistical and dynamic noise indicators and to estimate the number of noise events. The sound propagation module combines aspects of the CNOSSOS and QSIDE models. In the next step, a machine learning technique—an artificial neural network in this work—is used to weigh the outcomes of the deterministic predictions of various traffic parameter scenarios (linked to street categories) to approach the measured indicators from the microphone network. Application to the city of Barcelona showed that the differences between predictions and measurements typically lie within 2–3 dB, which should be positioned relative to the 3 dB variation in street-side measurements when microphone positioning relative to the façade is not fixed. The number of events is predicted with 30% accuracy. Indicators can be predicted as averages over day, evening and night periods, but also at an hourly scale; shorter time periods do not seem to negatively affect modeling accuracy. The current methodology opens the way to include a broad set of noise indicators in city-wide environmental noise impact assessment.
A Computational Model of Cn2 Profile Inversion for Atmospheric Laser Communication in the Vertical Path
Authors: Yao Haifeng , Cao Yuxi , Wang Weihao , Jiang Qingfang , Cao Jie , Hao Qun , Liu Zhi , Zhang Peng , Chang Yidi , Zhang Guiyun , Geng Tongtong
Published: June 2023

In this paper, an atmospheric structure constant Cn2 model is proposed for evaluating the channel turbulence degree of atmospheric laser communication. First, we derive a mathematical model for the correlation between the atmospheric coherence length r0, the isoplanatic angle θ0 and Cn2 using the Hufnagel–Valley (HV) turbulence model. Then, we calculate the seven parameters of the HV model with the actual measured r0 and θ0 data as input quantities, so as to draw the Cn2 profile and the θ0 profile. The experimental results show that the fitted average Cn2 contours and single-day Cn2 contours have superior fitting performance compared with our historical data, and the daily correlation coefficient between the single-day computed θ0 contours and the measured θ0 contours is up to 87%. This result verifies the feasibility of the proposed method. The results validate the feasibility of the proposed method and provide a new technical tool for the inversion of turbulence Cn2 profiles.
Evaluation of Microlenses, Color Filters, and Polarizing Filters in CIS for Space Applications
Authors: Durnez Clémentine , Virmontois Cédric , Panuel Pierre , Antonsanti Aubin , Goiffon Vincent , Estribeau Magali , Saint-Pé Olivier , Lalucaa Valérian , Berdin Erick , Larnaudie Franck , Belloir Jean-Marc , Codreanu Catalin , Chavanne Ludovic
Published: June 2023

For the last two decades, the CNES optoelectronics detection department and partners have evaluated space environment effects on a large panel of CMOS image sensors (CIS) from a wide range of commercial foundries and device providers. Many environmental tests have been realized in order to provide insights into detection chain degradation in modern CIS for space applications. CIS technology has drastically improved in the last decade, reaching very high performances in terms of quantum efficiency (QE) and spectral selectivity. These improvements are obtained thanks to the introduction of various components in the pixel optical stack, such as microlenses, color filters, and polarizing filters. However, since these parts have been developed only for commercial applications suitable for on-ground environment, it is crucial to evaluate if these technologies can handle space environments for future space imaging missions. There are few results on that robustness in the literature. The objective of this article is to give an overview of CNES and partner experiments from numerous works, showing that the performance gain from the optical stack is greater than the degradation induced by the space environment. Consequently, optical stacks can be used for space missions because they are not the main contributor to the degradation in the detection chain.