bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant Activity and Peptide Levels of Water-Soluble Extracts of Feta, Metsovone and Related Cheeses
Authors: Kalle Athina , Lambropoulos Ioannis , Bourazas Konstantinos , Roussis Ioannis G.
Published: December 2023

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activity and peptide levels of Feta cheese and other brined cheeses, and Metsovone cheese and other smoked cheeses. Feta, goat and cow cheeses are classified as brined. Feta cheese is made exclusively from ewe milk or ewe milk with the addition of a small amount of goat milk. Metsovone and other smoked cheeses are made from cow milk with a possible addition of small amounts of ewe and goat milk. The antioxidant activity was determined using Folin and FRAP assays, while the peptide content was determined using Bradford and Lowry assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the lipoxygenase inhibition assay. The assays were applied in the water-soluble extract of cheeses. The results showed that Feta cheese and brined cow cheese differed in antioxidant activity. Feta cheese and brined goat cheese also differed in both antioxidant activity and peptide levels. Specifically, Feta cheese had higher antioxidant activity in comparison with both goat and cow cheeses. As for peptide content, Feta cheese had a higher peptide level compared to goat cheese. The results also showed that Metsovone cheese and other smoked cheeses exhibited significant antioxidant activity and peptide levels. Moreover, the water-soluble extracts of all cheeses showed some anti-inflammatory activity.
Estimation of the Genome Size and Complete Chloroplast Genome in Adenophora remotiflora: Genome Structures, Comparative Genomics, and Phylogenetic Diversity
Authors: Yoon Won-Sub , Kim Chang-Kug , Kim Yong-Kab
Published: December 2023

Adenophora remotiflora is a wild perennial plant used as oriental medicine and ornamental flowers in East Asia. The haploid genome size of A. remotiflora was estimated at 3.9 Gb with a 2.42% heterozygosity ratio. The chloroplast genome of 174,455 base pairs (bp) shows a circular map structure, and has four conserved regions consisting of a large single-copy region of 108,423 bp, a small single-copy region of 10,444 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (each 27,794 bp). A total of 108 unique genes were annotated, comprising 74 protein-coding genes, 4 ribosomal RNA genes, and 30 transfer RNA genes. A total of 155 repeat sequences were identified, and comparative genome structures were characterized among the Adenophora species. Phylogenetic diversity showed that A. remotiflora is in a close position within the Adenophora genus, and Adenophora erecta is in the closest evolutionary position.
Effect of Vascular Lumen Reduction on the Performance and Energy Consumption of an Innovative Implantable LVAD
Authors: Jasinski Ryszard , Tesch Krzysztof , Dabrowski Leszek , Rogowski Jan
Published: December 2023

This paper presents the results of a study on the effect of vascular lumen reduction on the performance of an innovative implantable LVAD (left ventricular assist device). It details the pressures in the individual cardiac chambers as a function of device frequency. In addition, mass flow rates and energy consumption of the device are examined, varying with lumen reduction and operating frequency. While the lumen reduction of the vessels has little effect on energy consumption, the mass flow rates vary considerably, i.e., above 140 cyc/min, the mass flow rate increment is no longer achieved for specified initial conditions. There are also differences regarding the pressures in the heart; namely, it was found that the pressure plots look similar in all cases, leading to the conclusion that the reduction of the vessel lumen does not affect their shape, but does affect the maximum values of the left ventricular and aortic pressures. Importantly, the innovative device in the form of an intra-cardiac balloon assembly for circulatory support is based on a pulsatile flow strategy and is synchronized with the ECG signal. Other advantages of the proposed solution include a minimally invasive method of implantation, which is important for patients with end-stage heart failure. The design of the device is portable and the device itself is battery-powered, allowing for shorter hospitalization times and faster recovery, even in patients with end-stage heart failure associated with mitral regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension.
Study of the Characteristics of the Long-Term Persistence of Hourly Wind Speed in Xinjiang Based on Detrended Fluctuation Analysis
Authors: Wang Xiuqin , Lu Xinyu , Li Qinglei , Zhou Hongkui , Li Cheng , Zou Xiaohui
Published: December 2023

Profound research on the characteristics of the long-term persistence of wind is greatly significant for understanding the characteristics of wind speed mechanisms as well as for avoiding disasters caused by wind. In the current study, we selected the hourly 10 min wind speed series between 2017 and 2021 from 105 nation-level meteorological stations in Xinjiang and investigated the spatiotemporal variations in the long-term persistence of wind speed in different regions of Xinjiang and in different seasons using detrended fluctuation analysis. The main findings are as follows: (1) The wind speed in Xinjiang shows noticeable annual and seasonal variations, exhibiting satisfactory long-term sustainability. Winter has the best long-term sustainability, followed sequentially by spring, autumn, and summer because of wind speed stability. (2) The long-term persistence of hourly wind speed in Xinjiang exhibits remarkable regionality, with regions with strong wind superior to the remaining regions. (3) The long-term persistence of wind speed within the same season is primarily associated with wind speed magnitude and the dispersion degree between 90% and 100% of the wind speed numerical values. A higher wind speed indicates better long-term persistence. At the same speed, the more discrete the numerical values in the 90–100% distribution range, the better the persistence.
Advances in Non-Electrochemical Sensing of Human Sweat Biomarkers: From Sweat Sampling to Signal Reading
Authors: Yang Mingpeng , Sun Nan , Lai Xiaochen , Zhao Xingqiang , Zhou Wangping
Published: December 2023

Sweat, commonly referred to as the ultrafiltrate of blood plasma, is an essential physiological fluid in the human body. It contains a wide range of metabolites, electrolytes, and other biologically significant markers that are closely linked to human health. Compared to other bodily fluids, such as blood, sweat offers distinct advantages in terms of ease of collection and non-invasive detection. In recent years, considerable attention has been focused on wearable sweat sensors due to their potential for continuous monitoring of biomarkers. Electrochemical methods have been extensively used for in situ sweat biomarker analysis, as thoroughly reviewed by various researchers. This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of recent advances in non-electrochemical methods for analyzing sweat, including colorimetric methods, fluorescence techniques, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and more. The review covers multiple aspects of non-electrochemical sweat analysis, encompassing sweat sampling methodologies, detection techniques, signal processing, and diverse applications. Furthermore, it highlights the current bottlenecks and challenges faced by non-electrochemical sensors, such as limitations and interference issues. Finally, the review concludes by offering insights into the prospects for non-electrochemical sensing technologies. By providing a valuable reference and inspiring researchers engaged in the field of sweat sensor development, this paper aspires to foster the creation of innovative and practical advancements in this domain.
Evening Chronotype and Suicide: Exploring Neuroinflammation and Psychopathological Dimensions as Possible Bridging Factors—A Narrative Review
Authors: Magnani Luca , Aguglia Andrea , Alexander Jacques , Maiorano Alessandra , Richard-Lepouriel Hélène , Iancau Sidonia , Amerio Andrea , Parise Alberto , Serafini Gianluca , Amore Mario , Nguyen Khoa , Costanza Alessandra
Published: December 2023

A chronotype is generally defined as the variability of the phase angle of entrainment, while the latter reflects the relationship between the timing of a certain rhythm (e.g., the sleep–wake cycle) and the timing of an external temporal cue. Individuals can be placed on a spectrum from “morning types” (M types) to “evening types” (E types). E-chronotype has been proposed as a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychiatric conditions, and it has been associated with psychopathological dimensions. Eveningness seems to be correlated with both suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal behavior (SB) through several possible mediating factors. Immunological alterations have also been linked to later chronotypes and SI/SB. This narrative review aims to summarize the evidence supporting the possible association between chronotypes and suicide and the eventual mediating role of neuroinflammation and several psychopathological dimensions. A search of the literature (2003–2023) was conducted using various databases: PUBMED, EMBASE, Scopus, UpToDate, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. English-language articles were collected and screened for eligibility. Despite the apparent absence of a direct correlation between E-chronotype and suicidality, E-chronotype promotes a chain of effects that could be involved in an increased risk of SB, in which with neuroinflammation possibly plays an intriguing role and some psychopathological dimensions may stand out.
Acid Activation in Low-Carbon Binders: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Park Janaina Aguiar , Pimenta Marcio Mateus , Bezerra Augusto Cesar da Silva
Published: December 2023

Geopolymers have emerged as an alternative binding material to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Recently, there has been an increase in studies exploring the synthesis of these materials using acid activation rather than traditional alkaline activation. This approach offers benefits such as good strength at an early age, better thermal properties, and a chemical activator that emits less carbon to be produced. In addition, it provides resistance to efflorescence and leaching, which are common challenges associated with alkali-activated products. This work analyzed the scientific advances in acid activation in synthesizing an alternative binder to OPC. To this end, a systematic review of the last five years of scientific literature was carried out using the Systematic Review for Engineering and Experiments (SREE) method. The results show a notable increase in research focused on acid activation over the last few years. The acid activators were always phosphate solutions, mainly phosphoric acid. Metakaolin was the most tested precursor, followed by fly ash, and volcanic ash. The research requires improvements in the methodological quality, providing data on molar ratios (Al/P, Si/Al, and Si/P), Liquid/Solid mass ratio, activator solution molarity, and curing process, in addition to statistical treatment and comparison of results. There exists a paucity of diversity in the examined precursors, activators, and additives. Future research developments need to clarify the behavior of mechanical resistance over time, better curing process, water resistance, durability, and the role of iron, magnesium, and calcium silicates and/or oxides. The paper identifies the main research gaps in the area and functions as a database, guiding researchers in selecting raw materials, dosing methodology, and curing processes.
Textile Membrane for Façade Retrofitting: Exploring Fabric Potentialities for the Development of Innovative Strategies
Authors: Procaccini Giulia , Prieto Alejandro , Knaack Ulrich , Monticelli Carol , Konstantinou Thaleia
Published: December 2023

The European building stock demands urgent renovation due to the age of the buildings, their expected lifetime, and their excessive energy consumption, which accounts for more than a third of the EU’s total emissions. However, the complexities involved, such as time, costs, and structural modifications, often discourage clients, tenants, and occupants from undergoing a building renovation process. Textile membranes, despite their long history in various architectural applications, have only been employed in façades in the last decades. Their intrinsic properties, such as lightness and flexibility, together with rapid assembly and low maintenance make these materials particularly suitable for façade retrofitting. Therefore, they are worth exploring as a way to promote the development of lightweight and easy-to-assemble façade products that could help overcome the current limitations of building retrofitting efforts. This paper aims to establish relationships between textile membranes and potential building retrofit applications. To this end, this study builds on the categorization of traditional façade retrofit strategies and proposes a new classification for textile façade retrofit products. The methodology includes a comprehensive literature review of textile properties and characteristics, along with a thorough assessment through case studies, of membrane use in façade applications. A sequential investigation leads to the main outcome of identifying three clear pathways for the development of new textile-based façade products for building retrofit.
Patient-Reported Sexual Function, Bladder Function and Quality of Life for Patients with Low Rectal Cancers with or without a Permanent Ostomy
Authors: Rooney Michael K. , Pasli Melisa , Chang George J. , Das Prajnan , Koay Eugene J. , Koong Albert C. , Ludmir Ethan B. , Minsky Bruce D. , Noticewala Sonal S. , Peacock Oliver , Smith Grace L. , Holliday Emma B.
Published: December 2023

Background: Despite the increasing utilization of sphincter and/or organ-preservation treatment strategies, many patients with low-lying rectal cancers require abdominoperineal resection (APR), leading to permanent ostomy. Here, we aimed to characterize overall, sexual-, and bladder-related patient-reported quality of life (QOL) for individuals with low rectal cancers. We additionally aimed to explore potential differences in patient-reported outcomes between patients with and without a permanent ostomy. Methods: We distributed a comprehensive survey consisting of various patient-reported outcome measures, including the FACT-G7 survey, ICIQ MLUTS/FLUTS, IIEF-5/FSFI, and a specific questionnaire for ostomy patients. Descriptive statistics and univariate comparisons were used to compared demographics, treatments, and QOL scores between patients with and without a permanent ostomy. Results: Of the 204 patients contacted, 124 (60.8%) returned completed surveys; 22 (18%) of these had a permanent ostomy at the time of survey completion. There were 25 patients with low rectal tumors (≤5 cm from the anal verge) who did not have an ostomy at the time of survey completion, of whom 13 (52%) were managed with a non-operative approach. FACTG7 scores were numerically lower (median 20.5 vs. 22, p = 0.12) for individuals with an ostomy. Sexual function measures IIEF and FSFI were also lower (worse) for individuals with ostomies, but the results were not significantly different. MLUTS and FLUTS scores were both higher in individuals with ostomies (median 11 vs. 5, p = 0.06 and median 17 vs. 5.5, p = 0.01, respectively), suggesting worse urinary function. Patient-reported ostomy-specific challenges included gastrointestinal concerns (e.g., gas, odor, diarrhea) that may affect social activities and personal relationships. Conclusions: Despite a limited sample size, this study provides patient-centered, patient-derived data regarding long-term QOL in validated measures following treatment of low rectal cancers. Ostomies may have multidimensional negative impacts on QOL, and these findings warrant continued investigation in a prospective setting. These results may be used to inform shared decision making for individuals with low rectal cancers in both the settings of organ preservation and permanent ostomy.
Cystoscopy Accuracy in Detecting Bladder Tumors: A Prospective Video-Confirmed Study
Authors: Guldhammer Cathrine Silberg , Vásquez Juan Luis , Kristensen Vibeke Møllegaard , Norus Thomas , Nadler Naomi , Jensen Jørgen Bjerggaard , Azawi Nessn
Published: December 2023

Background: Bladder cancer ranks as the 10th most common cancer globally. The diagnosis of bladder tumors typically involves cystoscopy. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of cystoscopy in detecting bladder tumors within a surveillance program following a bladder cancer diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: This study utilized recordings of cystoscopies conducted at the Department of Urology, Zealand University Hospital, between July 2021 and November 2022. Clinical observations were cross-referenced with pathological results or follow-up cystoscopies. Clinically negative cystoscopies were further scrutinized for potential overlooked tumors. Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Sensitivity and specificity of cystoscopy were assessed through ROC curve analysis. Results and Limitations: A total of 565 cystoscopies were recorded, with 135 indicating clinical positivity. Among 181 cystoscopies with clinically negative results that underwent a follow-up cystoscopy, 17 patients (9.4%) were subsequently diagnosed with bladder cancer, with the lesions identified in the initial cystoscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of cystoscopy in these cases were 81% and 73%, respectively. Conclusion: This trial underscores the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of bladder tumors within the current surveillance program. Additionally, aggressive malignant lesions may be overlooked, heightening the risk of disease progression. Therefore, it is recommended that cystoscopies be complemented by other diagnostic methods to ensure accurate diagnosis and proper patient treatment. Patient Summary: This study involved 316 patients who underwent video-recorded cystoscopies and subsequent follow-up. Of these patients, 181 initially exhibited no clinical signs of bladder cancer. However, upon reviewing the recorded cystoscopy, bladder cancer was identified in 17 patients (9.4%).
The Warburg Trap: A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Targeting Osteosarcoma
Authors: Fellenberg Joerg , Losch Sarina , Tripel Elena , Lehner Burkhard , Melnik Svitlana
Published: December 2023

Although urgently needed, no significant improvements in osteosarcoma (OS) therapy have been achieved within the last decades. Here, we present a new therapeutic approach based on drug combinations consisting of mitochondrial complex I (MCI) inhibitors and ionophores that induce cancer cell-specific cell death based on a modulation of cellular energy metabolism and intracellular pH (pHi) named the Warburg Trap (WT). The effects of several drug combinations on intracellular pH, cell viability, colony-forming capacity and expression of WNT-target genes were analysed using OS cell lines and primary human osteoblasts (HOB). Tumour take rates and tumour volumes were analysed in vivo using a chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM). Several WT drug combinations induced the intracellular acidification and apoptotic cell death in OS cells, whereas HOBs tolerated the treatment. A significant inhibition of the colony-forming ability of OS cells and downregulation of WNT-target genes suggest that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are also targeted by the WT approach. In vivo, we observed a significant reduction in the tumour take rates in response to WT drug treatment. Our data suggest that the Warburg Trap is a promising approach for the development of a novel and effective OS therapy to replace or supplement the current OS chemotherapy.
Immunohistochemical and Immunoelectron Microscopical Distribution of MEGF8 in the Mouse Central Nervous System
Authors: Nakadate Kazuhiko , Kawakami Kiyoharu
Published: December 2023

Mutations in multiple epidermal growth factor-like domain 8 (MEGF8), a multidomain transmembrane protein encoded by a gene conserved across species, cause Carpenter’s syndrome, which is associated with learning disabilities, mental health issues, and left–right patterning abnormalities. MEGF8 interacts with MGRN1, a protein that functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase and is involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes. However, the mechanism underlying the distribution of MEGF8 in the central nervous system (CNS) and its cellular and subcellular locations remain unknown. This study aimed to map MEGF8 in the mouse CNS using a new antibody. We discovered that MEGF8 was distributed in the majority of neuronal cell somata across most CNS regions. High levels of MEGF8 were expressed in the neuropils of the CNS gray matter. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that MEGF8 was present in the synapses and around the outer mitochondrial membrane. These findings show that MEGF8 is uniformly distributed throughout the mouse CNS, and its distribution indicates that it plays a substantial role in synaptic and mitochondrial functions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to document MEGF8 distribution in the CNS.
Regulation of m6A Methylome in Cancer: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Bhattarai Poshan Yugal , Kim Garam , Bhandari Dibikshya , Shrestha Pratikshya , Choi Hong Seok
Published: December 2023

Reversible N6-adenosine methylation of mRNA, referred to as m6A modification, has emerged as an important regulator of post-transcriptional RNA processing. Numerous studies have highlighted its crucial role in the pathogenesis of diverse diseases, particularly cancer. Post-translational modifications of m6A-related proteins play a fundamental role in regulating the m6A methylome, thereby influencing the fate of m6A-methylated RNA. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that regulate m6A-related proteins and the factors contributing to the specificity of m6A deposition has the potential to unveil novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. This review provides an in-depth overview of our current knowledge of post-translational modifications of m6A-related proteins, associated signaling pathways, and the mechanisms that drive the specificity of m6A modifications. Additionally, we explored the role of m6A-dependent mechanisms in the progression of various human cancers. Together, this review summarizes the mechanisms underlying the regulation of the m6A methylome to provide insight into its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer.
Optimization of the Electrophoretic Deposition Parameters and Mechanism of Formation of Ag-TiO2 Nanocoatings on a NiTi Shape Memory Alloy: Part I
Authors: Dudek Karolina , Dulski Mateusz , Podwórny Jacek , Kujawa Magdalena , Rawicka Patrycja
Published: December 2023

This paper reports research findings on the functionalization of NiTi shape memory alloy through the electrophoretic deposition of innovative complex layers comprising a silver-rutile (Ag-TiO2) nanocomposite. A colloidal suspension of a chemically synthesized Ag-TiO2 nanosystem prepared with a 59.4 ± 0.9 mV Zeta potential for anaphoretic deposition. Employing a design of experiment method (DoE), the optimal parameters for uniform coating depositions were identified as 40 V/3 min. Dilatometric tests and high-temperature microscopy determined that the deposited layers’ heat treatment temperature should not exceed 800 °C. Raman spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided comprehensive structural and morphological insights into the resulting continuous and crack-free layer. The article extensively explores the impact of annealing on structural changes within the layer, proposing mechanisms for its formation. The findings affirm the feasibility of creating a highly reactive layer on the NiTi alloy, holding potential significance in implantation medicine.
Transferring Crystallization Conditions from Small to Larger Scale for Achieving Targeted Crystal Morphologies of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
Authors: Ramos Ojeda Nicolás Antonio , Kind Matthias
Published: December 2023

Crystal morphology plays a critical role in the processability and physicochemical behavior of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Manipulating crystal morphology involves consideration of crystallization conditions such as temperature, supersaturation, and solvent choice. Typically, experimental screenings on a small scale are conducted to find targeted crystal morphologies. However, results from such small-scale experiments do not assure direct success at a larger scale, particularly if the small-scale setup differs significantly from a conventional stirred crystallizator. In this study, we successfully validated the morphologies observed in the small-scale experiments of an exemplary API, Bitopertin, when scaled up by a factor of 200, through the maintenance of identical process conditions and geometrical vessel relations. This successful scalability highlights the significant potential of small-scale crystallization studies to provide a reliable foundation for further exploration in large-scale endeavors.
Investigation of the Electronic Properties of Silicon Carbide Films with Varied Si/C Ratios Annealed at Different Temperatures
Authors: Shan Dan , Sun Daoyuan , Wang Menglong , Cao Yunqing
Published: December 2023

Hydrogenated amorphous SiC (a-SiC:H) films with various Si/C ratios were prepared using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique. These films were then subjected to thermal annealing at different temperatures to induce crystallization. The electronic properties of the annealed SiC films were investigated through temperature-dependent Hall mobility measurements. It was found that the room-temperature Hall mobilities in the SiC films increased with both the annealing temperature and the Si/C ratio. This increase was attributed to the improved crystallization in the SiC films. Importantly, SiC films with different Si/C ratios annealed at different temperatures exhibited varying temperature dependence behaviors in their Hall mobilities. To understand this behavior, a detailed investigation of the transport processes in SiC films was carried out, with a particular emphasis on the grain boundary scattering mechanisms.
Performance Evaluation of Microscanner Plus, an Automated Image-Based Cell Counter, for Counting CD4+ T Lymphocytes in HIV Patients
Authors: Jang Woong Sik , Lee Junmin , Park Seoyeon , Lim Chae Seung , Kim Jeeyong
Published: December 2023

Counting CD4+ T lymphocytes using flow cytometry is a standard method for monitoring patients with HIV infections. Simpler and cheaper alternatives to flow cytometry are in high demand because getting access to flow cytometers is difficult or impossible in resource-limited settings. We evaluated the performance of the Microscanner Plus, a simple and automated image-based cell counter, in determining CD4 counts against a flow cytometer. CD4 count results of the Microscanner Plus and flow cytometer were compared using samples from 47 HIV-infected patients and 87 healthy individuals. All CV% for precision and reproducibility tests were less than 10%. The Microscanner Plus’s lowest detectable CD4 count was determined to be 15.27 cells/µL of whole blood samples. The correlation coefficient (R) between Microscanner Plus and flow cytometry for CD4 counting in 134 clinical samples was very high, at 0.9906 (p < 0.0001). The automated Microscanner Plus showed acceptable analytical performance for counting CD4+ T lymphocytes and may be particularly useful for monitoring HIV patients in resource-limited settings.
Bias Reduction News Recommendation System
Authors: Raza Shaina
Published: December 2023

News recommender systems (NRS) are crucial for helping users navigate the vast amount of content available online. However, traditional NRS often suffer from biases that lead to a narrow and unfair distribution of exposure across news items. In this paper, we propose a novel approach, the Contextual-Dual Bias Reduction Recommendation System (C-DBRRS), which leverages Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks optimized with a multi-objective function to balance accuracy and diversity. We conducted experiments on two real-world news recommendation datasets and the results indicate that our approach outperforms the baseline methods, and achieves higher accuracy while promoting a fair and balanced distribution of recommendations. This work contributes to the development of a fair and responsible recommendation system.
Development and Validation of an Assessment Tool for Physical Education for Sustainable Development
Authors: Baena-Morales Salvador , Prieto-Ayuso Alejandro , González-Víllora Sixto , Merma-Molina Gladys
Published: December 2023

The study presents the design and validation of a Physical Education for Sustainable Development (PESD) instrument. This consists of a 25-item quantitative instrument that assesses the teaching interventions of physical education teachers. A total of 358 physical education teachers completed the questionnaire. The instrument uses an 8-point Likert scale. For the validation of the instrument, content validation, factorial validation, reliability through Cronbach’s alpha, and stability through test–retest were considered. The results show that the PESD is a two-factor instrument with very high reliability (0.95). In addition, positive results were found for the temporal stability of the scale. The principal component factor analysis results show that the scale consists of two factors: (1) environmental, health, and economic sustainability; and (2) social sustainability, gender, and inclusion. This questionnaire is the first valid and reliable tool to measure the ability of physical education teachers to promote attitudes that favour sustainable actions.
Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge: An Australian Case Study
Authors: Gromik Nicolas , Litz David , Liu Bing
Published: December 2023

Teacher Education students, at the bachelor’s and post-graduate level, complete programs that expose them to educational theories and best teaching practices. However, the extant literature has repeatedly demonstrated that many preservice teachers (PST) are unprepared to apply such knowledge to real-world educational settings. The problem may be particularly acute when it comes to the use of technology in classrooms. Given increasing government investment in technology and the burgeoning digital industries, teachers can play a critical role in demonstrating the effective use of technology in the course of teaching and learning. This study used a survey based on the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model to evaluate PSTs self-perceived competencies in integrating technology into their teaching practices. Over a span of two years, PSTs enrolled in a unit offering six weeks’ professional experience were invited to respond to the survey and rate their cognizance of relevant teaching practices. Respondents indicated some familiarity with TPACK, but significant gaps were also evident. Moreover, despite the lack of significant differences among age groups in PSTs perceived ability to apply the TPACK model, noticeable differences were observed in their experiences regarding gender and prior employment.
A Sliding Mode Controller with Signal Transmission Delay Compensation for the Parallel DC/DC Converter’s Network Control System
Authors: Yu Juan , Zhang Weiqi , Xiong Wenwen , Wang Yanmin
Published: December 2023

The network control system (NCS) of the parallel DC/DC converter is always affected by the signal transmission delay, and the ideal output performance is lost. In this paper, a typical parallel buck converter is taken as the research object. Firstly, a sliding mode controller (SMC) in the discrete domain is designed to enhance the robustness of the system. On this basis, the effects of different delays on the stability of the converter’s NCS are analyzed, and the actual effects of long/short delays on the converter’s NCS are obtained. To further solve the problem of damage to transmitted signals of the NCS by long delay, the SM controller designed in this paper is improved by incorporating a multi-step prediction method. This enhancement enables effective prediction and compensation of the delay signals lost by the NCS, ensuring the output performance of the parallel buck converter. Finally, the superiority of the proposed method is verified by designing simulations and experiments.
LMFRNet: A Lightweight Convolutional Neural Network Model for Image Analysis
Authors: Wan Guangquan , Yao Lan
Published: December 2023

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have transformed the landscape of image analysis and are widely applied across various fields. With their widespread adoption in fields like medical diagnosis and autonomous driving, CNNs have demonstrated powerful capabilities. Despite their success, existing models face challenges in deploying and operating in resource-constrained environments, limiting their practicality in real-world scenarios. We introduce LMFRNet, a lightweight CNN model. Its innovation resides in a multi-feature block design, effectively reducing both model complexity and computational load. Achieving an exceptional accuracy of 94.6% on the CIFAR-10 dataset, this model showcases remarkable performance while demonstrating parsimonious resource utilization. We further validate the performance of the model on the CIFAR-100, MNIST, and Fashion-MNIST datasets, demonstrating its robustness and generalizability across diverse datasets. Furthermore, we conducted extensive experiments to investigate the influence of critical hyperparameters. These experiments provided valuable insights for effective model training.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Automated Path Generation of Rollers for Smart Construction
Authors: Kim Hyung-Jin , Kim Jae-Yoon , Kim Ji-Woo , Kim Sung-Keun , Na Wongi S.
Published: December 2023

The construction industry is continuously evolving, seeking innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have emerged as a transformative technology in the construction sector, offering numerous advantages in data collection and site management. This paper presents a novel approach for utilizing UAVs to automate the path generation of rollers, a crucial element in the construction of roads and other large-scale infrastructure projects. A UAV was used to scan the target area to create a model; the next step was to generate the path for the rollers. Traditionally, the process of determining optimal roller paths is labor-intensive and reliant on manual surveys and engineering expertise. This study proposes a streamlined workflow that harnesses UAVs equipped with computer vision technology to capture high-resolution topographical data of construction sites. This data is then processed through an algorithm created by the authors that automatically generates optimized roller paths based on several factors.
Uncertainty Detection in Supervisor–Operator Audio Records of Real Electrical Network Operations
Authors: Acevedo Jaime , Garcia Gonzalo , Ramirez Ricardo , Fabregas Ernesto , Hermosilla Gabriel , Dormido-Canto Sebastián , Farias Gonzalo
Published: December 2023

The quality of verbal communication, understood as the absence of uncertainty in the message transmitted, is a key factor in mission-critical processes. Several processes are handled by direct voice communication between these endpoints and any miscommunication could have an impact in success of the task. For that reason, the quality control of verbal communication is required to ensure that the instructions issued are effectively understood and adequately executed. In this context, it is expected that instructions from the command center are issued once, and that the acknowledgment from the field are minimal. In the present work, the communication between an electrical company control center and factory workers in the field was chosen for analysis. We developed two complementary approaches by using machine learning and deep learning algorithms to assess, in an automatic way, the quality of information transmission in the voice communications. Preliminary results demonstrate that the automatic uncertainty detection is feasible, despite the small number of samples available at the present time. To support further studies, a repository was created in GitHub with the spectrogram and the tokenized words of all audios.
PCNet: Leveraging Prototype Complementarity to Improve Prototype Affinity for Few-Shot Segmentation
Authors: Wang Jing-Yu , Liu Shang-Kun , Guo Shi-Cheng , Jiang Cheng-Yu , Zheng Wei-Min
Published: December 2023

With the advent of large-scale datasets, significant advancements have been made in image semantic segmentation. However, the annotation of these datasets necessitates substantial human and financial resources. Therefore, the focus of research has shifted towards few-shot semantic segmentation, which leverages a small number of labeled samples to effectively segment unknown categories. The current mainstream methods are to use the meta-learning framework to achieve model generalization, and the main challenges are as follows. (1) The trained model will be biased towards the seen class, so the model will misactivate the seen class when segmenting the unseen class, which makes it difficult to achieve the idealized class agnostic effect. (2) When the sample size is limited, there exists an intra-class gap between the provided support images and the query images, significantly impacting the model’s generalization capability. To solve the above two problems, we propose a network with prototype complementarity characteristics (PCNet). Specifically, we first generate a self-support query prototype based on the query image. Through the self-distillation, the query prototype and the support prototype perform feature complementary learning, which effectively reduces the influence of the intra-class gap on the model generalization. A standard semantic segmentation model is introduced to segment the seen classes during the training process to achieve accurate irrelevant class shielding. After that, we use the rough prediction map to extract its background prototype and shield the background in the query image by the background prototype. In this way, we obtain more accurate fine-grained segmentation results. The proposed method exhibits superiority in extensive experiments conducted on the PASCAL-5i and COCO-20i datasets. We achieve new state-of-the-art results in the few-shot semantic segmentation task, with an mIoU of 71.27% and 51.71% in the 5-shot setting, respectively. Comprehensive ablation experiments and visualization studies show that the proposed method has a significant effect on small-sample semantic segmentation.
Lightweight 2D Human Pose Estimation Based on Joint Channel Coordinate Attention Mechanism
Authors: Li Zuhe , Xue Mengze , Cui Yuhao , Liu Boyi , Fu Ruochong , Chen Haoran , Ju Fujiao
Published: December 2023

Traditional human pose estimation methods typically rely on complex models and algorithms. Lite-HRNet can achieve an excellent performance while reducing model complexity. However, its feature extraction scale is relatively single, which can lead to lower keypoints’ localization accuracy in crowded and complex scenes. To address this issue, we propose a lightweight human pose estimation model based on a joint channel coordinate attention mechanism. This model provides a powerful information interaction channel, enabling features of different resolutions to interact more effectively. This interaction can solve the problem of human pose estimation in complex scenes and improve the robustness and accuracy of the pose estimation model. The introduction of the joint channel coordinate attention mechanism enables the model to more effectively retain key information, thereby enhancing keypoints’ localization accuracy. We also redesign the lightweight basic module using the shuffle module and the joint channel coordinate attention mechanism to replace the spatial weight calculation module in the original Lite-HRNet model. By introducing this new module, we not only improve the network calculation speed and reduce the number of parameters of the entire model, but also ensure the accuracy of the model, thereby achieving a balance between performance and efficiency. We compare this model with current mainstream methods on the COCO and MPII dataset. The experimental results show that this model can effectively reduce the number of parameters and computational complexity while ensuring high model accuracy.
A Systematic Review on Cavity Fires in Buildings: Flame Spread Characteristics, Fire Risks, and Safety Measures
Authors: Godakandage Rajeendra , Weerasinghe Pasindu , Gamage Kumari , Adnan Hani , Nguyen Kate
Published: December 2023

Fire spread scenarios associated with concealed cavity spaces have been relatively less discussed. The variation in studies with respect to geometry, influential parameters, and protection strategies has been an obstacle to deriving more generalized solutions in terms of cavity fire in buildings. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA method to identify the conclusive fire behaviour, safety risks, and protection strategies to enable future researchers to address cavity fire scenarios effectively, avoiding catastrophic disasters. This study identified that relative to open-fire scenarios, cavity fires could result in up to 10 times higher flame spread, up to 14 times higher heat exposure, and temperature conditions 13 times higher. Increased toxicity and smoke velocity are also found with cavity fires. Fire protection strategies and their efficiency were identified for a range of cavity geometries. Altogether, cavity spaces, especially narrow ones, cannot be neglected during fire safety, and proper risk identification is required to ensure the safety of the buildings and the occupants in a fire scenario.
Optimal Route Crowd-Shipping System for Sustainable Rapid Delivery: Algorithm, Simulation, and Feasibility Evaluation
Authors: Aronshtam Lior , Sand Benny , Shrot Tammar , Cohen Ruth , Levin Chaya , Daltrophe Hadassa
Published: December 2023

Delivery systems are ubiquitous in today’s economy. However, those systems usually operate through purpose-built vehicles, which are inefficient, expensive, and highly harmful to the environment. We propose an optimal route crowd-shipping (OR-CS) system, a delivery service based on crowd transportation. The OR-CS system utilizes service points (SPs) and occasional couriers (OCs) to transfer deliveries. Senders drop packages at SPs, while receivers collect them from different SPs. The system is based on a new algorithm that assigns to each package an optimal route. The route is chosen individually for the package and is personally tailored according to the sender’s preferences and to the predefined routes of the OCs. To assess the real-life feasibility of the system, we developed a general simulator that emulates a city environment with authentic service points specifically selected based on desired attributes. The routes of OCs and the origins and destinations of packages were generated using a random process that differed between simulations. The results indicate that the system can be implemented and utilized. In addition, it yields positive results when the number of OCs surpasses a minimum threshold, which is feasible in most cities, given existing traffic loads. By adopting OR-CS, we can expect lowered delivery costs, reduced traffic congestion, and enhanced environmental sustainability.
Exploring the Relationship between CLPTM1L-MS2 Variants and Susceptibility to Bladder Cancer
Authors: Jeong Mi-So , Mun Jeong-Yeon , Yang Gi-Eun , Kim Min-Hye , Lee Sang-Yeop , Choi Yung Hyun , Kim Heui Soo , Nam Jong-Kil , Kim Tae Nam , Leem Sun-Hee
Published: December 2023

CLPTM1L (Cleft Lip and Palate Transmembrane Protein 1-Like) has previously been implicated in tumorigenesis and drug resistance in cancer. However, the genetic link between CLPTM1L and bladder cancer remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated the genetic association of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR; minisatellites, MS) regions within CLPTM1L with bladder cancer. We identified four CLPTM1L-MS regions (MS1~MS4) located in intron regions. To evaluate the VNTR polymorphic alleles, we analyzed 441 cancer-free controls and 181 bladder cancer patients. Our analysis revealed a higher frequency of specific repeat sizes within the MS2 region in bladder cancer cases compared to controls. Notably, 25 and 27 repeats were exclusively present in the bladder cancer group. Moreover, rare alleles within the medium-length repeat range (25–29 repeats) were associated with an elevated bladder cancer risk (odds ratio [OR] = 5.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49–22.47, p = 0.004). We confirmed that all MS regions followed Mendelian inheritance, and demonstrated that MS2 alleles increased CLPTM1L promoter activity in the UM-UC3 bladder cancer cells through a luciferase assay. Our findings propose the utility of CLPTM1L-MS regions as DNA typing markers, particularly highlighting the potential of middle-length rare alleles within CLPTM1L-MS2 as predictive markers for bladder cancer risk.
Transcriptome Profiling Identifies Differentially Expressed Genes in Skeletal Muscle Development in Native Chinese Ducks
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Lu Yinglin , Yu Minli , Wang Jin , Du Xubin , Zhao Dong , Pian Huifang , He Zongliang , Wu Guansuo , Li Shiwei , Wang Sike , Yu Debing
Published: December 2023

China boasts a rich diversity of indigenous duck species, some of which exhibit desirable economic traits. Here, we generated transcriptome sequencing datasets of breast muscle tissue samples from 1D of four groups: Pekin duck pure breeding group (P), Jinling White duck breeding group (J), P ♂ × J ♀ orthogonal group (PJ) and J ♂ × P ♀ reciprocal-cross group (JP) (n = 3), chosen based on the distinctive characteristics of duck muscle development during the embryonic period. We identified 5053 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the four groups. Network prediction analysis showed that ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation-related genes were the most enriched, and muscular protein-related genes were found in the 14-day-old embryonic group. We found that previously characterized functional genes, such as FN1, AGRN, ADNAMST3, APOB and FGF9, were potentially involved in muscle development in 14-day-old embryos. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that genes that participated in molecular function and cell component and key signaling pathways (e.g., hippo, ribosome, oxidative phosphorylation) were significantly enriched in the development of skeletal muscle at 14 days of embryonic age. These results indicate a possible role of muscle metabolism and myoglobin synthesis in skeletal muscle development in both duck parents and hybrids.
Seismic Behavior of Retaining Walls: A Critical Review of Analytical and Field Performance Studies
Authors: Khan Sabahat Ali , Karray Mourad , Paultre Patrick
Published: December 2023

Given the abundance and importance of earth retention structures, the problem of seismic earth pressure has attracted not only the research community but also industry and government establishments. The dynamic response, even in the case of the simplest retaining wall, presents a complex problem of soil–structure interaction, encompassing a multitude of competing and complementary factors. This article presents a thorough and critical evaluation of notable analytical and field studies related to the dynamic earth pressures acting on retaining walls. Despite numerous studies spanning nearly a century regarding seismically induced lateral earth pressures, there remains a noticeable disparity between theoretical understanding and the actual field performance of retaining structures during seismic events. This review underscores the necessity for a more meticulous examination of dynamic analysis techniques and the existing design methodologies for retaining structures.