bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 Microspheres on Carbon Cloth for Photocatalytic Decomposition of Tetracycline
Authors: Juang Sin-Ei , Chin Ning-Chien , Chang Yu-Cheng , Chou Chia-Man
Published: August 2024

Zinc cobalt oxide-zinc hydroxide (ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2) microspheres were successfully fabricated on carbon cloth via a sample hydrothermal method. The surface morphology of these microspheres and their efficacy in degrading methyl violet were further modulated by varying the thermal annealing temperatures. Adjusting the thermal annealing temperatures was crucial for controlling the porosity of the ZnCo₂O₄-Zn(OH)₂ microspheres, enhancing their photocatalytic performance. Various analytical techniques were utilized to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of the ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 microspheres, including field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field-emission transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Compared to untreated ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 microspheres, those subjected to thermal annealing exhibited increased specific surface area and light absorption capacity, rendering them highly effective photocatalysts under UVC light exposure. Subsequent studies have confirmed the superior performance of ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 microspheres as a reusable photocatalyst for degrading methyl violet and tetracycline. Furthermore, trapping experiments during the photodegradation process using ZnCo₂O₄-Zn(OH)₂ microspheres identified hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide radicals (·O₂⁻) as the primary reactive species.
Latest Perspectives on Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment: The Role of Blood-Brain Barrier and Antioxidant-Based Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Daraban Bianca Sânziana , Popa Andrei Sabin , Stan Miruna S.
Published: August 2024

There has been a growing interest recently in exploring the role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss that affects millions of people worldwide. Research has shown that the BBB plays a crucial role in regulating the entry of therapeutics into the brain. Also, the potential benefits of using antioxidant molecules for drug delivery were highlighted in Alzheimer’s treatment to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and reduce oxidative stress in affected patients. Antioxidant-based nanomedicine shows promise for treating AD by effectively crossing the BBB and targeting neuroinflammation, potentially slowing disease progression and improving cognitive function. Therefore, new drug delivery systems are being developed to overcome the BBB and improve the delivery of therapeutics to the brain, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for AD patients. In this context, the present review provides an in-depth analysis of recent advancements in AD treatment strategies, such as silica nanoparticles loaded with curcumin, selenium nanoparticles loaded with resveratrol, and many others, focusing on the critical role of the BBB and the use of antioxidant-based drug delivery systems.
Structure–Glass Transition Relationships in Non-Isocyanate Polyhydroxyurethanes
Authors: Raftopoulos Konstantinos N. , Łukaszewska Izabela , Lalik Sebastian , Zając Paulina , Bukowczan Artur , Hebda Edyta , Marzec Monika , Pielichowski Krzysztof
Published: August 2024

The molecular dynamics, with an emphasis on the calorimetric and dynamic glass transitions, of non-isocyanate polyhydroxyurethanes (PHUs) produced by the equimolar polyaddition of polyether-based dicyclic carbonates (P-CCs) and various short diamines was studied. The diamine component consisted of a short aliphatic diamine (1,4-diaminobutane, DAB) and a more complex ‘characteristic’ diamine. The study was conducted to investigate (i) the chemical structure of the characteristic amine, (ii) its molar ratio, and (iii) the structure and molar mass of the P-CC. Infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and broadband dielectric spectroscopy were employed. The P-CC, constituting the bulk of the systems, was the most crucial component for the glass transition. The characteristic amine influenced the glass transition as a result of its bulky structure, but also presumably as a result of the introduction of free volume and the formation of hydrogen bonds. The dynamic glass transition (α relaxation) trace in the Arrhenius plots showed a subtle change at a certain temperature that merits further study in the future. The charge mobility was fully coupled with the molecular mobility, as evidenced by dc conductivity being directly proportional to the characteristic frequency of α relaxation. The fluctuation in carbonyl units (β relaxation) was mildly affected by changes in their immediate environment.
The Association between Dietary Inflammatory Patterns and the Incidence of Frailty and Its Reversal in Older Adults: A Community-Based Longitudinal Follow-Up Study in Taiwan
Authors: Chuang Shu-Chun , Hsiung Chao A. , Tao Meng-Hua , Wu I-Chien , Cheng Chiu-Wen , Tseng Wei-Ting , Lee Marion M. , Chang Hsing-Yi , Hsu Chih-Cheng
Published: August 2024

Dietary patterns related to inflammation have garnered great interest in disease prevention. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether a proinflammatory diet affects the incidence of frailty and its reversal in a prospective follow-up study. Data were taken from 5663 community-dwelling individuals ≥ 55 years old in Taiwan. The energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (DII) and the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Patterns-Healthy Aging Longitudinal Study in Taiwan (EDIP-HALT) at baseline were calculated using a food frequency questionnaire. Frailty was assessed with Fried’s criteria in 2008–2013 and 2013–2020. Associations with changes in frailty status were assessed with multinominal logistic regressions and adjusted for major confounders. Higher EDIP-HALST scores (proinflammatory) were associated with higher odds of frailty among baseline robust participants in men (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.42–4.21, p-trend < 0.01) and broadline associated in women (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 0.96–3.98, p-trend = 0.05), but associated with lower odds of reversing back to robust among baseline prefrail participants. However, the later association was only observed in women, and the relationships were stronger in the middle tertile (second vs. first tertile, OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.25–0.65). A pro-inflammatory diet pattern was associated with higher odds of frailty onset in baseline robust participants and lower odds of reversal in baseline prefrail female participants.
Nuclear-Magnetic-Resonance-Spectroscopy-Derived Serum Biomarkers of Metabolic Vulnerability Are Associated with Disability and Neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Wicks Taylor R. , Shalaurova Irina , Browne Richard W. , Wolska Anna , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Zivadinov Robert , Remaley Alan T. , Otvos James D. , Ramanathan Murali
Published: August 2024

Purpose: Metabolic vulnerabilities can exacerbate inflammatory injury and inhibit repair in multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose was to evaluate whether blood biomarkers of inflammatory and metabolic vulnerability are associated with MS disability and neurodegeneration. Methods: Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were obtained from serum samples from 153 healthy controls, 187 relapsing–remitting, and 91 progressive MS patients. The spectra were analyzed to obtain concentrations of lipoprotein sub-classes, glycated acute-phase proteins, and small-molecule metabolites, including leucine, valine, isoleucine, alanine, and citrate. Composite indices for inflammatory vulnerability, metabolic malnutrition, and metabolic vulnerability were computed. MS disability was measured on the Expanded Disability Status Scale. MRI measures of lesions and whole-brain and tissue-specific volumes were acquired. Results: Valine, leucine, isoleucine, alanine, the Inflammatory Vulnerability Index, the Metabolic Malnutrition Index, and the Metabolic Vulnerability Index differed between healthy control and MS groups in regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. The Expanded Disability Status Scale was associated with small HDL particle levels, inflammatory vulnerability, and metabolic vulnerability. Timed ambulation was associated with inflammatory vulnerability and metabolic vulnerability. Greater metabolic vulnerability and inflammatory vulnerability were associated with lower gray matter, deep gray matter volumes, and greater lateral ventricle volume. Conclusions: Serum-biomarker-derived indices of inflammatory and metabolic vulnerability are associated with disability and neurodegeneration in MS.
Correction: Cheng et al. Dietary Chlorella vulgaris Ameliorates Altered Immunomodulatory Functions in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressive Mice. Nutrients 2017, 9, 708
Authors: Cheng Dai , Wan Zhaodong , Zhang Xinyu , Li Jian , Li He , Wang Chunling
Published: August 2024

In the original publication [...]
Mapping and Characterizing Instruments for Assessing Family Nurses’ Workload: Scoping Review
Authors: Dias António , Araújo Beatriz , Jesus Élvio
Published: August 2024

Background: The importance of knowing the workload of family nurses lies essentially in the possibility of improving health outcomes, care processes and the nurse’s professional life. There is a lack of studies that fully describe the nursing workload in primary care, particularly, in the context of family health nursing, and the ideal metrics to be used remain unknown, making it impossible to characterize and therefore provide the necessary insight to acknowledge the different contributions of several aspects that embody the global workload of family nurses. The objective of this scoping review was to map the known evidence and characterize the instruments used to assess the workload of family nurses. Methods: Scoping review, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute, proposed a methodology for scoping reviews, consisting of three research stages: (1) an initial research in Medline and CINHAL; (2) an extended search, using keywords and search terms, in the following databases: JBI, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Scopus; and (3) a search of the reference lists of the selected articles. No time limit was defined. Results: Fourteen studies referring to ten assessment instruments were included. Nine of them analyze workload as a dimension of a broader instrument, and two studies refer to an instrument that focuses exclusively on workload. Conclusions: The diversity of professional competencies and contexts, the conceptual complexity of workload and the absence of a theoretical framework make it difficult to identify consensual instruments to assess the workload of family nurses. This study was prospectively registered with the Open Science Framework® on 6 September 2023, with the registration number: 3k6vr.
A Systematical Review on ART Use in HTLV Infection: Clinical, Virological, and Immunological Outcomes
Authors: Fernandez Tatiana , Marconi Cleyde , Montaño-Castellón Iris , Deminco Felice , Brites Carlos
Published: August 2024

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection affects over ten million people worldwide, but there is no effective treatment so far. This review describes the virological, immunological, and clinical outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people with HTLV infection. This systematic review followed PRISMA reporting guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42022350076. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, adapted for cross-sectional studies, and Rob-2 were used to assess the methodological quality of these studies. Systematic searches were conducted in the Medline (PubMed), Scopus (Elsevier), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) databases. We retrieved data from eight methodologically diverse articles on treatment of patients infected by HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 alone, or coinfected by HIV-1, who received Raltegravir, Tenofovir, Lamivudine, or Zidovudine. The proviral load decreased in three out of seven studies over 4 to 48 weeks of antiretroviral use. Cellular immune response (CD4, CD8, CD25, CD69, and CD71 cells) was evaluated in six studies. While no significant clinical improvement was observed, all studies reported clinical stability during treatment. Despite the demonstrated antiviral activity of ART, in vitro, clinical improvement was not proven. Most studies showed disease stability during ART use, suggesting potential clinical benefits. There is a need of larger, well-controlled trials to define the role of ART in the treatment of HTLV infection.
Evaluation of the Reveal® AST (SPECIFIC) for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing from Positive Blood Culture Spiked with Carbapenem-Resistant Isolates
Authors: Girlich Delphine , Jousset Agnès B. , Emeraud Cécile , Rezzoug Inès , Burwell Reece , Singh Pragya , Rhodes Paul A. , Naas Thierry , Bonnin Rémy A. , Dortet Laurent
Published: August 2024

As bloodstream infections and associated septic shock are common causes of mortality in hospitals, rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) performed directly on positive blood cultures is needed to implement an efficient therapy in clinical settings. We evaluated the Reveal® rapid AST system on a collection of 197 fully characterized carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, including 177 carbapenemase producers (CPE) spiked in blood culture bottles. The clinical categorization based on the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination of eighteen antimicrobial molecules was compared to the clinical categorization based on the disk diffusion assay as a reference. The Reveal AST system provided results within a mean time to result of 5 h. Overall, the categorical agreement (CA) between the two techniques was 94.1%. The rates of very major errors (VMEs), major errors (MEs) and minor errors (mEs) were 3.8%, 3.7% and 5.6%, respectively. Imipenem was the antimicrobial with the lowest CA rate (78.7%), with rates of 15% VMEs and 10.7% MEs, but the performances were better when considering only the non-CPE category (CA of 89%). On this resistant collection of Enterobacterales with numerous acquired β-lactamases, the Specific Reveal assay proved to be useful for a rapid determination of AST compatible with a quick adaptation of the patient’s antimicrobial treatment.
The Cardioprotective Potential of Herbal Formulas in Myocardial Infarction-Induced Heart Failure through Inhibition of JAK/STAT3 Signaling and Improvement of Cardiac Function
Authors: Jang Youn-Jae , Kim Hye-Yoom , Na Se-Won , Hong Mi-Hyeon , Yoon Jung-Joo , Lee Ho-Sub , Kang Dae-Gill
Published: August 2024

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of heart failure, characterized by adverse cardiac remodeling. This study evaluated the cardioprotective potential of Dohongsamul-tang (DHT), a traditional Korean herbal formula, in a rat model of MI-induced heart failure. Rats underwent left anterior descending (LAD) artery ligation and were treated with either 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg of DHT daily for 8 weeks. DHT treatment significantly improved cardiac function, as evidenced by increased ejection fraction (EF) from 62.1% to 70.1% (100 mg/kg) and fractional shortening (FS) from 32.3% to 39.4% (200 mg/kg) compared to the MI control group. Additionally, DHT reduced infarct size by approximately 63.3% (from 60.0% to 22.0%) and heart weight by approximately 16.7% (from 3.6 mg/g to 3.0 mg/g), and significantly decreased levels of heart failure biomarkers: LDH was reduced by 37.6% (from 1409.1 U/L to 879.1 U/L) and CK-MB by 47.6% (from 367.3 U/L to 192.5 U/L). Histological analysis revealed a reduction in left ventricle (LV) fibrosis by approximately 50% (from 24.0% to 12.0%). At the molecular level, DHT inhibited the expression of phospho-JAK by 75% (from 2-fold to 0.5-fold), phospho-STAT3 by 30.8% (from 1.3-fold to 0.9-fold), Bax/Bcl-2 by 56.3% (from 3.2-fold to 1.4-fold), and caspase-3 by 46.3% (from 1.23-fold to 0.66-fold). These results suggest that DHT exerts cardioprotective effects by modulating the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic option for heart failure.
Bioactive Properties and In Vitro Digestive Release of Cannabidiol (CBD) from Tailored Composites Based on Carbon Materials
Authors: Zapata Karol , Vélez Angie D. , Correa Jorge A. , Carrasco-Marín Francisco , Rojano Benjamín A. , Franco Camilo A. , Cortés Farid B.
Published: August 2024

The use of carriers to improve cannabidiol (CBD) bioavailability during digestion is at the forefront of research. The main objective of this research was to evaluate CBD bioactivity and develop CBD composites based on tailored carbon support to improve availability under digestive conditions. The antioxidant capacity of CBD was evaluated using spectrophotometric methods, and anti-proliferative assays were carried out using human colon carcinoma cells (SW480). Twenty-four composites of CBD + carbon supports were developed, and CBD desorption tests were carried out under simulated digestive conditions. The antioxidant capacity of CBD was comparable to and superior to Butylhydrox-ytoluene (BHT), a commercial antioxidant. CBD reflected an IC-50 of 10,000 mg/L against SW480 cancer cells. CBD in biological systems can increase the shelf life of lipid and protein foods by 7 and 470 days, respectively. Finally, acid carbons showed major CBD adsorption related to electrostatic interactions, but basic carbons showed better delivery properties related to electrostatic repulsion. A tailored composite was achieved with a CBD load of 27 mg/g with the capacity to deliver 1.1 mg, 21.8 mg, and 4 mg to the mouth, stomach, and duodenum during 18 h, respectively. This is a pioneering study since the carriers were intelligently developed to improve CBD release.
Rapeseed Flower Counting Method Based on GhP2-YOLO and StrongSORT Algorithm
Authors: Wang Nan , Cao Haijuan , Huang Xia , Ding Mingquan
Published: August 2024

Accurately quantifying flora and their respective anatomical structures within natural ecosystems is paramount for both botanical breeders and agricultural cultivators. For breeders, precise plant enumeration during the flowering phase is instrumental in discriminating genotypes exhibiting heightened flowering frequencies, while for growers, such data inform potential crop rotation strategies. Moreover, the quantification of specific plant components, such as flowers, can offer prognostic insights into the potential yield variances among different genotypes, thereby facilitating informed decisions pertaining to production levels. The overarching aim of the present investigation is to explore the capabilities of a neural network termed GhP2-YOLO, predicated on advanced deep learning techniques and multi-target tracking algorithms, specifically tailored for the enumeration of rapeseed flower buds and blossoms from recorded video frames. Building upon the foundation of the renowned object detection model YOLO v8, this network integrates a specialized P2 detection head and the Ghost module to augment the model’s capacity for detecting diminutive targets with lower resolutions. This modification not only renders the model more adept at target identification but also renders it more lightweight and less computationally intensive. The optimal iteration of GhP2-YOLOm demonstrated exceptional accuracy in quantifying rapeseed flower samples, showcasing an impressive mean average precision at 50% intersection over union metric surpassing 95%. Leveraging the virtues of StrongSORT, the subsequent tracking of rapeseed flower buds and blossom patterns within the video dataset was adeptly realized. By selecting 20 video segments for comparative analysis between manual and automated counts of rapeseed flowers, buds, and the overall target count, a robust correlation was evidenced, with R-squared coefficients measuring 0.9719, 0.986, and 0.9753, respectively. Conclusively, a user-friendly “Rapeseed flower detection” system was developed utilizing a GUI and PyQt5 interface, facilitating the visualization of rapeseed flowers and buds. This system holds promising utility in field surveillance apparatus, enabling agriculturalists to monitor the developmental progress of rapeseed flowers in real time. This innovative study introduces automated tracking and tallying methodologies within video footage, positioning deep convolutional neural networks and multi-target tracking protocols as invaluable assets in the realms of botanical research and agricultural administration.
Heterologous Expression of Sunflower HaHPT and HaTMT Genes Enhances Rice-Grain Vitamin E Content
Authors: Song Shuang , Li Hang , Lin Shaoyan , Dong Xiaoou , Tian Ruiping , Wu Zewan , Li Qing , Li Mingyi , Zhang Keying , Liu Xi , Wan Jianmin , Liu Linglong
Published: August 2024

Insufficient dietary vitamin intake can lead to severe health conditions in humans. Improving the vitamin E (VE) content of food crops such as rice through breeding is an economical and effective means to alleviate this problem. In this study, Homogentisate phytyltransferase (HPT) and γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT), two genes derived from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., a high VE species), were introduced into an elite rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar “Ningjing 7” for biofortification. We verified the successful expression of the two genes in multiple transformation events. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that transgenic plants expressing either HaHPT alone or HaHPT and HaTMT accumulate more VE compared with the wild type. We also revealed that the level of α-tocopherol, the form of VE with the highest biological activity, had increased to 2.33 times in transgenic HaTMT plants compared with the wild type. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression levels of some chlorophyll synthesis pathway genes related to VE precursor synthesis significantly increased during grain filling in transgenic rice grains. No difference in agronomic traits was observed between the transgenic plants and their wild type except for a slightly reduced plant height associated with the transgenic plants. These data demonstrate that the heterologous expression of HaHPT gene is effective in increasing the total VE content, while HaTMT plays an important role in the relative abundance of α-tocopherol in rice grains. This study demonstrates a promising strategy for breeding rice with elevated VE content via metabolic engineering.
Simulation Study on Rock Crack Expansion in CO2 Directional Fracturing
Authors: Wang Kang , Chang Chunguang
Published: August 2024

In underground construction projects, traversing hard rock layers demands concentrated CO2 fracturing energy and precise directional crack expansion. Due to the discontinuity of the rock mass at the tip of prefabricated directional fractures in CO2 fracturing, traditional simulations assuming continuous media are limited. It is challenging to set boundary conditions for high strain rate and large deformation processes. The dynamic expansion mechanism of the 3D fracture network in CO2 directional fracturing is not yet fully understood. By treating CO2 fracturing stress waves as hemispherical resonance waves and using a particle expansion loading method along with dynamic boundary condition processing, a 3D numerical model of CO2 fracturing is constructed. This model analyzes the dynamic propagation mechanism of 3D spatial fractures network in CO2 directional fracturing rock materials. The results show that in undirected fracturing, the fracture network relies on the weak structures near the rock borehole, whereas in directional fracturing, the crack propagation is guided, extending the fracture’s range. Additionally, the tip of the directional crack is vital for the re-expansion of the rock mass by high-pressure CO2 gas, leading to the formation of a symmetrical, umbrella-shaped structure with evenly developed fractures. The findings also demonstrate that the discrete element method (DEM) effectively reproduces the dynamic fracture network expansion at each stage of fracturing, providing a basis for studying the CO2 directional rock cracking mechanism.
A Novel Optimal Planning and Operation of Smart Cities by Simultaneously Considering Electric Vehicles, Photovoltaics, Heat Pumps, and Batteries
Authors: Shokri Masoud , Niknam Taher , Sarvarizade-Kouhpaye Miad , Pourbehzadi Motahareh , Javidi Giti , Sheybani Ehsan , Dehghani Moslem
Published: August 2024

A smart city (SC) includes different systems that are highly interconnected. Transportation and energy systems are two of the most important ones that must be operated and planned in a coordinated framework. In this paper, with the complete implementation of the SC, the performance of each of the network elements has been fully analyzed; hence, a nonlinear model has been presented to solve the operation and planning of the SC model. In the literature, water treatment issues, as well as energy hubs, subway systems (SWSs), and transportation systems have been investigated independently and separately. A new method of subway and electric vehicle (EV) interaction has resulted from stored energy obtained from subway braking and EV parking. Hence, considering an SC that simultaneously includes renewable energy, transportation systems such as the subway and EVs, as well as the energy required for water purification and energy hubs, is a new and unsolved challenge. In order to solve the problem, in this paper, by presenting a new system of the SC, the necessary planning to minimize the cost of the system is presented. This model includes an SWS along with plug-in EVs (PEVs) and different distributed energy resources (DERs) such as Photovoltaics (PVs), Heat Pumps (HPs), and stationary batteries. An improved grey wolf optimizer has been utilized to solve the nonlinear optimization problem. Moreover, four scenarios have been evaluated to assess the impact of the interconnection between SWSs and PEVs and the presence of DER technologies in the system. Finally, results were obtained and analyzed to determine the benefits of the proposed model and the solution algorithm.
Biodecolorization and Biodegradation of Sulfur Black by the Strain Aspergillus sp. DS-28
Authors: Guan Zhipeng , Wang Yating , Chen Wentao , Li Yanchen , Yue Wenlong , Cai Zhiqiang
Published: August 2024

The textile industry significantly contributes to environmental pollution through its use of synthetic dyes, especially sulfur black, known for its toxicity and resistance to degradation. This research focuses on a fungal strain, Aspergillus sp. strain DS-28, isolated from activated sludge, which exhibits an exceptional ability to biodegrade sulfur black dye. This study systematically assessed the biodegradation capacity of this strain through a series of experiments conducted over a 7-day period. Analytical techniques including high-performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF/MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to monitor the degradation process. SEM showed a significant reduction in particle size, with surfaces becoming smoother and flatter post treatment. XRD indicated a decrease in the intensity of several chemical bonds, and FTIR analysis demonstrated the enhanced vibrational absorption peaks of benzene ring bonds, with the disappearance of -C-S- and -C-S-S-C- groups. The results demonstrate that Aspergillus sp. DS-28 degrades sulfur black by initiating the oxidative breakdown of its complex structures into simpler forms. This study not only elucidates the biodegradation pathway facilitated by Aspergillus sp. DS-28, but also highlights its potential application in developing eco-friendly waste management strategies for treating dye-contaminated wastewater.
Beyond Keywords: Effective Strategies for Building Consistent Reference Lists in Scientific Research
Authors: Abusaada Hisham , Elshater Abeer
Published: August 2024

Critical to navigating research literature is ensuring the inclusion of relevant sources while filtering out irrelevant ones. Selecting suitable references demands careful attention and methodological rigor. This review article presents a systematic approach consisting of 11 sequential steps for constructing a reference list, ranging from broad initial searches to excluding irrelevant references. It emphasizes refining methodologies to develop a coherent list of references aligned with the study’s scope, bolstering the knowledge base, and facilitating subsequent analyses. Urban planners and designers can apply these steps in database searches to create robust reference lists, thereby enhancing the quality and reliability of their research and ensuring future adaptability.
Carrying Capacity, Available Meat and the Fossil Record of the Orce Sites (Baza Basin, Spain)
Authors: Rodríguez-Gómez Guillermo , Espigares M. Patrocinio , Martínez-Navarro Bienvenido , Ros-Montoya Sergio , Guerra-Merchán Antonio , Martín-González Jesús A. , Campaña Isidoro , Pérez-Ramos Alejandro , Granados Alejandro , García-Aguilar José Manuel , Rodríguez-Ruiz María Dolores , Palmqvist Paul
Published: August 2024

The Early Pleistocene sites of Orce in southeastern Spain, including Fuente Nueva-3 (FN3), Barranco León (BL) and Venta Micena (VM), provide important insights into the earliest hominin populations and Late Villafranchian large mammal communities. Dated to approximately 1.4 million years ago, FN3 and BL preserve abundant Oldowan tools, cut marks and a human primary tooth, indicating hominin activity. VM, approximately 1.6 million years old, is an outstanding site because it preserves an exceptionally rich assemblage of large mammals and predates the presence of hominins, providing a context for pre-human conditions in the region. Research suggests that both hominins and giant hyenas were essential to the accumulation of skeletal remains at FN3 and BL, with secondary access to meat resources exploited by saber-toothed felids. This aim of this study aims to correlate the relative abundance of large herbivores at these sites with their estimates of Carrying Capacity (CC) and Total Available Biomass (TAB) using the PSEco model, which incorporates survival and mortality profiles to estimate these parameters in paleoecosystems. Our results show: (i) similarities between quarries VM3 and VM4 and (ii) similarities of these quarries with BL-D (level D), suggesting a similar formation process; (iii) that the role of humans would be secondary in BL-D and FN3-LAL (Lower Archaeological Level), although with a greater human influence in FN3-LAL due to the greater presence of horses and small species; and (iv) that FN3-UAL (Upper Archaeological Level) shows similarities with the expected CC values for FN3/BL, consistent with a natural trap of quicksand scenario, where the large mammal species were trapped according to their abundance and body mass, as there is a greater presence of rhinos and mammoths due to the greater weight per unit area exerted by their legs. Given the usefulness of this approach, we propose to apply it first to sites that have been proposed to function as natural traps.
The Healing Heuristic of the Medicine Buddha in Bhutan
Authors: Chophel Kunzang , Smith Sue Erica , Mason Jon
Published: August 2024

This paper examines the role of the Medicine Buddha in the healthcare system in Bhutan, a bipartite system where allopathic and Bhutanese Traditional Medicine co-exist. Discussion is informed by a wider study that explored the use of mindfulness practices by nurses across both sectors. An emergent theme from this narrative inquiry is that health practitioners across the sectors spoke of the importance of the Medicine Buddha in their professional practice. To better understand this centrality, we provide a historical overview of the long-standing presence of the Medicine Buddha in Bhutanese society and the materiality and spirituality of Medicine Buddha practice, and review how this healing aspect of Awakened Mind (Buddha) is integrated into nurse training. We then explore how this unique holistic education is integrated into the lives and practices of nurses and their workplaces. While recognizing that empirical proofs remain elusive, this paper is also informed by our own reflective practice and individual experience with the Medicine Buddha in affirming a healing heuristic in our own lived experiences. To wit, we can see value in the pivotal role of Medicine Buddha in the Bhutanese health system, and, more broadly, the health of Bhutanese society.
Design of a Three-Degree of Freedom Planar Parallel Mechanism for the Active Dynamic Balancing of Delta Robots
Authors: Mirz Christian , Hüsing Mathias , Takeda Yukio , Corves Burkhard
Published: August 2024

Delta robots are the most common parallel robots for manipulation tasks. In many industrial applications, they must be operated at reduced speed, or dwell times have to be included in the motion planning, to prevent frame vibrations. As a result, their full potential cannot be realized. Against this background, this publication is concerned with the mechanical design of an active dynamic balancing unit for the reduction of frame vibrations. In the first part of this publication, the main design requirements for an active dynamic balancing mechanism are discussed, followed by a presentation of possible mechanism designs. Subsequently, one the most promising mechanisms is described in detail and its kinematics and dynamics equations are derived. Finally, the dimensions of a prototype mechanism designed to experimentally validate the concept of active dynamic balancing are defined using the example of Suisui Bot, a low-cost Delta robot.
An Ensemble Machine Learning Approach for Sea Ice Monitoring Using CFOSAT/SCAT Data
Authors: Luo Yanping , Liu Yang , Huang Chuanyang , Han Fangcheng
Published: August 2024

Sea ice is a crucial component of the global climate system. The China–French Ocean Satellite Scatterometer (CFOSAT/SCAT, CSCAT) employs an innovative rotating fan beam system. This study applied principal component analysis (PCA) to extract classification features and developed an ensemble machine learning approach for sea ice detection. PCA identified key features from CSCAT’s backscatter information, representing outer and sweet swath observations. The ensemble model’s performances (OA and Kappa) for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres were 0.930, 0.899, and 0.844, 0.747, respectively. CSCAT achieved an accuracy of over 0.9 for close ice and open water but less than 0.3 for open ice, with misclassification of open ice as closed ice. The sea ice extent discrepancy between CSCAT and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) was −0.06 ± 0.36 million km2 in the Northern Hemisphere and −0.03 ± 0.48 million km2 in the Southern Hemisphere. CSCAT’s sea ice closely matched synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, indicating effective sea ice and open water differentiation. CSCAT accurately distinguished sea ice from open water but struggled with open ice classification, with misclassifications in the Arctic’s Greenland Sea and Hudson Bay, and the Antarctic’s sea ice–water boundary.
Virtual Array-Based Signal Detection and Carrier Frequency Offset Estimation in a Multistatic Collaborative Passive Detection System
Authors: Cao Xiaomao , Ma Hong , Zhang Hua , Jin Jiang
Published: August 2024

To tackle the problem of difficult signal detection and carrier frequency synchronization faced by wireless communication among stations of the multistatic passive detection system in interference environments, an adaptive signal detection and carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimation method based on a virtual array is proposed in this paper. This is a data-aided method that utilizes a training sequence composed of three segments of sub-training sequences with different symbols. This method first uses spatial spectrum estimation to obtain the coarse frequency estimations of interference signals and CFO from virtual array signals constructed from the first two sub-training sequences. Then, beamforming is conducted accordingly on the virtual array signals constructed from the third sub-training sequence to suppress the in-band interferences and protrude the expected signal. Finally, improved performance of signal detection and CFO estimation is obtained with the beamformed signals. Simulation experiments show that a missed detection probability as low as 1 × 10−4, with a false detection probability of 1 × 10−3, can be obtained under a signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) of −10 dB and Eb/N0 of 1 dB. Moreover, the proposed method can also simultaneously achieve a CFO estimation error that is lower than 3%, with the condition of Eb/N0 being as low as −5 dB under different SIRs. Simulation results validate the proposed method and demonstrate the promising application prospects of the proposed method in networked passive detection scenarios.
Cross-Hopping Graph Networks for Hyperspectral–High Spatial Resolution (H2) Image Classification
Authors: Chen Tao , Wang Tingting , Chen Huayue , Zheng Bochuan , Deng Wu
Published: August 2024

As we take stock of the contemporary issue, remote sensing images are gradually advancing towards hyperspectral–high spatial resolution (H2) double-high images. However, high resolution produces serious spatial heterogeneity and spectral variability while improving image resolution, which increases the difficulty of feature recognition. So as to make the best of spectral and spatial features under an insufficient number of marking samples, we would like to achieve effective recognition and accurate classification of features in H2 images. In this paper, a cross-hop graph network for H2 image classification(H2-CHGN) is proposed. It is a two-branch network for deep feature extraction geared towards H2 images, consisting of a cross-hop graph attention network (CGAT) and a multiscale convolutional neural network (MCNN): the CGAT branch utilizes the superpixel information of H2 images to filter samples with high spatial relevance and designate them as the samples to be classified, then utilizes the cross-hop graph and attention mechanism to broaden the range of graph convolution to obtain more representative global features. As another branch, the MCNN uses dual convolutional kernels to extract features and fuse them at various scales while attaining pixel-level multi-scale local features by parallel cross connecting. Finally, the dual-channel attention mechanism is utilized for fusion to make image elements more prominent. This experiment on the classical dataset (Pavia University) and double-high (H2) datasets (WHU-Hi-LongKou and WHU-Hi-HongHu) shows that the H2-CHGN can be efficiently and competently used in H2 image classification. In detail, experimental results showcase superior performance, outpacing state-of-the-art methods by 0.75–2.16% in overall accuracy.
Adaptive Channel Estimation Based on Multidirectional Structure in Delay-Doppler Domain for Underwater Acoustic OTFS System
Authors: Shi Wentao , Jin Mingqi , Jing Lianyou , Tu Nan , He Chengbing
Published: August 2024

Time-varying underwater acoustic (UWA) channels are the key challenge of underwater acoustic communication (UAC). Although UAC exhibits time-variance characteristics significantly in time domains, its delay-Doppler (DD) domain representation tends to be time-invariant. Orthogonal time–frequency space (OTFS) modulation has recently been proposed and has acquired widespread interest due to its excellent performance over time-varying channels. In the UWA OTFS system, the novel DD domain channel estimation algorithm that employs a multidirectional adaptive moving average scheme is proposed. Specifically, the proposed scheme is cascaded by a channel estimator and moving average filter. The channel estimator can be employed to estimate the time-invariant channel of the DD domain multidirectionally, improving proportionate normalized least mean squares (IPNLMS). Meanwhile, the moving average filter is used to reduce the output noise of the IPNLMS. The performance of the proposed method is verified by simulation experiments and real-world lake experiments. The results demonstrate that the proposed channel estimation method can outperform those of benchmark algorithms.
Analysing Temporal Evolution of OpenStreetMap Waterways Completeness in a Mountain Region of Portugal
Authors: Monteiro Elisabete S. Veiga , Patrício Glória Rodrigues
Published: August 2024

In recent decades, the creation and availability of Voluntary Geographic Information (VGI) have changed the paradigm associated with the production of Geospatial Information (GI), since, due to its free access, citizens can view, analyse, process, and validate this type of data. One of the most popular examples of VGI is the collaborative OpenStreetMap (OSM) project which covers a wide range of themes or characteristics associated with the real world. One of these themes is the feature “waterway” that represents watercourses. The quality of OSM data characteristics is a topic that has been published by many authors in recent years, particularly on the analysis of the completeness indicator. However, few references are found in the literature about studies that analyse the completeness of OSM watercourses or even watercourses obtained by other sources. All this motivated the authors to develop a study that aims to analyse the completeness of these specific lines that have so much relevance to hydrologists. The study presents an analysis of the variation over time in completeness/coverage of the OSM “waterway” feature in the period between 2014 and 2023 in a mountainous region included in the Mondego River basin, located in the Inland of Portugal. The methodology applied is supported by classical methods of measuring the completeness of lines that may be found in the literature. The total length of the watercourses was calculated and compared in percentage terms with the total length of the reference watercourses for dates under analysis. The watercourses of the military official hydrography of the 1/25,000 scale were used as a reference. The relation of the OSM completeness with some indicators related to terrain surface (altitude, slope, and location/proximity settlements) was also analysed. The choice of these indicators was motivated by the fact that the study area has strong mountain characteristics and is crossed by the main Portuguese river. The analysis was performed using the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model (SRTM DEM) data and satellite image of Geographic Information System software. The results show that the completeness of this OSM feature (waterway) has a slight increase, considering the amplitude of the studied period (nine years) and the fact that, nowadays, digital mobile devices enable easy access to satellite images, allowing the digitalization of geographic entities or objects of the real world remotely. Regarding the indicator altitude, slope, and location/proximity of the settlements, we believe that there is no influence of these indicators on the evolution of the completeness of the OSM waterways in the study area.
Multiview Multistatic vs. Multimonostatic Three-Dimensional Ground-Penetrating Radar Imaging: A Comparison
Authors: Masoodi Mehdi , Gennarelli Gianluca , Soldovieri Francesco , Catapano Ilaria
Published: August 2024

The availability of multichannel ground-penetrating radar systems capable of gathering multiview, multistatic, multifrequency data provides novel chances to improve subsurface imaging results. However, customized data processing techniques and smart choices of the measurement setup are needed to find a trade-off between image quality and acquisition time. In this paper, we adopt a Born Approximation-based full 3D approach, which can manage multiview-multistatic, multifrequency data and faces the imaging as a linear inverse scattering problem. The inverse problem is solved by exploiting the truncated singular value decomposition as a regularization scheme. The paper presents a theoretical study aimed at assessing how the reconstruction capabilities of the imaging approach depend on the adopted measurement configuration. In detail, the performance achievable in the standard case of multimonostatic, multifrequency data is compared with that provided by a multiview-multistatic, multifrequency configuration, where the data are gathered by considering a progressively increasing number of transmitting antennas. The comparison of the achievable imaging performance is carried out by exploiting the spectral content and the point spread function, which are general tools to foresee the achievable reconstruction capabilities. Reconstruction results related to a numerical experiment based on full-wave data are also provided.
Generalization of the Synthetic Aperture Radar Azimuth Multi-Aperture Processing Scheme—MAPS
Authors: Mapelli Daniele , Guccione Pietro , Giudici Davide , Stasi Martina , Imbembo Ernesto
Published: August 2024

This paper analyzes the advantages and the drawbacks of using the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) azimuth multichannel technique known as Multi-Aperture Processing Scheme (MAPS), in a set of relevant application cases that are far from the canonical ones. In the scientific literature on this topic, equally distributed azimuth channels with the quasi-monostatic deployment are assumed. With this research, we aim at extending the models from the current literature to (i) a generic bistatic acquisition geometry, (ii) a set of cases where the number of receiving tiles is not the same for each channel, or (iii) the tiles are shared between adjacent channels thus creating an overlapping configuration. The paper introduces the mathematical models for the listed non-conventional MAPS cases. Dealing with the bistatic MAPS, we first solve the problem by interpreting multichannel acquisition as a bank of Linear Time Invariant (LTI) filters. Then, a more physical approach, based on discrimination of the direction of arrivals (DoAs) is pursued. The effectiveness of the two methods and the advantages of the second approach on the first are proved by using a simplified 1D end-to-end simulation. Even limiting to the monostatic configuration, the azimuth antenna tiles have always been supposed equally partitioned among the RX channels. Overcoming this limit has two advantages: (i) more MAPS possible solutions in case few azimuth tiles are available, as in the ROSE-L mission; (ii) the number of channels can be designed independently of the number of tiles, also allowing asymmetric solutions, useful for a phase array antenna with an odd number of tiles such as in the SAOCOM-1 mission. Conversely, sharing one or more receiving tiles in different receiving channels makes the input noise partially correlated. The drawback is an increase in the noise level. A trade-off is determined for the different solutions obtained using simulations with real mission parameters. The theoretical performance and the end-to-end simulations are compared.