bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Membrane Computing Algorithms for Optimizing Customer-to-Green-Manufacturer Decision-Making in Industrial Internet Platforms
Authors: Li Wenhua , Lv Jinfang , Sun Qi
Published: January 2025

This paper proposes a dynamic membrane algorithm (DMA)-oriented computing framework designed to optimize decision-making in Customer-to-Green-Manufacturer (C2GM) operations on industrial internet platforms. Unlike traditional methods that focus solely on economic metrics, the DMA integrates membrane computing principles with evolutionary optimization techniques and incorporates green manufacturing objectives (e.g., energy efficiency, waste reduction, carbon footprint). By doing so, it dynamically aligns customer demands with manufacturing capabilities in real time, ensuring both operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. The DMA facilitates parallel and hierarchical processing of complex decision tasks, mapping evolutionary rules and manufacturing operations into a structured membrane system that accelerates convergence and improves scalability. Experimental evaluations—both in controlled simulations and a real-world case study of C2GM operations in Yiwu—demonstrate that the DMA not only achieves faster and more stable convergence than genetic algorithms but also supports greener production processes. This integrated approach thus enhances strategic decision-making, offering a sustainable pathway for advancing industrial internet ecosystems and global supply chains.
From Prediction to Explanation: Using Explainable AI to Understand Satellite-Based Riot Forecasting Models
Authors: Warnke Scott , Runfola Daniel
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the application of explainable AI (XAI) techniques to understand the deep learning models used for predicting urban conflict from satellite imagery. First, a ResNet18 convolutional neural network achieved 89% accuracy in distinguishing riot and non-riot urban areas. Using the Score-CAM technique, regions critical to the model’s predictions were identified, and masking these areas caused a 20.9% drop in the classification accuracy, highlighting their importance. However, Score-CAM’s ability to consistently localize key features was found to be limited, particularly in complex, multi-object urban environments. Analysis revealed minimal alignment between the model-identified features and traditional land use metrics, suggesting that deep learning captures unique patterns not represented in existing GIS datasets. These findings underscore the potential of deep learning to uncover previously unrecognized socio-spatial dynamics while revealing the need for improved interpretability methods. This work sets the stage for future research to enhance explainable AI techniques, bridging the gap between model performance and interpretability and advancing our understanding of urban conflict drivers.
Spatiotemporal Variation of Water Use Efficiency and Its Responses to Climate Change in the Yellow River Basin from 1982 to 2018
Authors: Li Jie , Qin Fen , Wang Yingping , Zhao Xiuyan , Yu Mengxiao , Chen Songjia , Jiang Jun , Wang Linhua , Yan Junhua
Published: January 2025

The ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) plays a critical role in many aspects of the global carbon cycle, water management, and ecological services. However, the response mechanisms and driving processes of WUE need to be further studied. This research was conducted based on Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), Evapotranspiration (ET), meteorological station data, and land use/cover data, and the methods of Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD), trend variation analysis, the Mann–Kendall Significant Test (M-K test), and Partial Correlation Analysis (PCA) methods. Our study revealed the spatio-temporal trend of WUE and its influencing mechanism in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) and compared the differences in WUE change before and after the implementation of the Returned Farmland to Forestry and Grassland Project in 2000. The results show that (1) the WUE of the YRB showed a significant increase trend at a rate of 0.56 × 10−2 gC·kg−1·H2O·a−1 (p < 0.05) from 1982 to 2018. The area showing a significant increase in WUE (47.07%, Slope > 0, p < 0.05) was higher than the area with a significant decrease (14.64%, Slope < 0, p < 0.05). The region of significant increase in WUE in 2000–2018 (45.35%, Slope > 0, p < 0.05) was higher than that of 1982–2000 (8.23%, Slope > 0, p < 0.05), which was 37.12% higher in comparison. (2) Forest WUE (1.267 gC·kg−1·H2O) > Cropland WUE (0.972 gC·kg−1·H2O) > Grassland WUE (0.805 gC·kg−1·H2O) under different land cover types. Forest ecosystem WUE has the highest rate of increase (0.79 × 10−2 gC·kg−1·H2O·a−1) from 2000 to 2018. Forest ecosystem WUE increased by 0.082 gC·kg−1·H2O after 2000. (3) precipitation (37.98%, R > 0, p < 0.05) and SM (10.30%, R > 0, p < 0.05) are the main climatic factors affecting WUE in the YRB. A total of 70.39% of the WUE exhibited an increasing trend, which is mainly attributed to the simultaneous increase in GPP and ET, and the rate of increasing GPP is higher than the rate of increasing ET. This study could provide a scientific reference for policy decision-making on the terrestrial carbon cycle and biodiversity conservation.
Tiltmeter Data Revealing Transient Magma Viscosity Changes During Eruptions
Authors: Gomez-Ortiz David , Arnoso Jose , Martín-Velázquez Silvia , Martín-Crespo Tomás , Montesinos Fuensanta González , Vélez Emilio , Benavent Maite
Published: January 2025

Volcanic processes related to episodes of inflation, dike propagation, effusive activity, etc., can be detected by continuous surface tilt measurements. The interpretation of these measurements helps comprehend medium-to-short-term precursors of volcanic eruptions or establishes early warning alerts. Additionally, studying the transport and evolution of magmas from the Moho to the crust is key to understanding the eruptive process, but to date, they have not been traced from surface tilts. In this work, we witnessed two relevant and unique dynamic eruptive processes, as revealed by tilt signals, both in the 2021 La Palma eruption and in the 2011–2012 El Hierro eruption (Canary Islands). On the one hand, magma injection from the reservoir at depth is controlled by a pressure gradient. On the other hand, changes in magma viscosity, resulting from pressure variations, have been revealed from cyclic tilt signals. In the case of these signals, matching with a physical model helped us decipher them and establish the duration of this magmatic process, which varied depending on the size and rheological properties of the respective magma plumbing systems.
Feasibility Study on Additive Manufacturing of Feed Horn Operating in D-Band
Authors: Addamo Giuseppe , Scalcinati Lorenzo , Zannoni Mario , Peverini Oscar , Calignano Flaviana
Published: January 2025

This paper presents the outcomes of a feasibility study on the manufacturing of D-band horn antennas through the Low Power Bed Fusion process. Different prototypes have been realized and tested, showing nice results in terms of the co-polarization component. On the other hand, a spurious cross-polarization component is present in the radiation pattern even in the principal planes, limiting the device to single-polarization applications. A mechanical study of the realized devices has been conducted on the horn internal channel to understand the reasons for this issue, and, subsequently, to address where to improve the manufacturing process.
Segment Any Leaf 3D: A Zero-Shot 3D Leaf Instance Segmentation Method Based on Multi-View Images
Authors: Wang Yunlong , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: January 2025

Exploring the relationships between plant phenotypes and genetic information requires advanced phenotypic analysis techniques for precise characterization. However, the diversity and variability of plant morphology challenge existing methods, which often fail to generalize across species and require extensive annotated data, especially for 3D datasets. This paper proposes a zero-shot 3D leaf instance segmentation method using RGB sensors. It extends the 2D segmentation model SAM (Segment Anything Model) to 3D through a multi-view strategy. RGB image sequences captured from multiple viewpoints are used to reconstruct 3D plant point clouds via multi-view stereo. HQ-SAM (High-Quality Segment Anything Model) segments leaves in 2D, and the segmentation is mapped to the 3D point cloud. An incremental fusion method based on confidence scores aggregates results from different views into a final output. Evaluated on a custom peanut seedling dataset, the method achieved point-level precision, recall, and F1 scores over 0.9 and object-level mIoU and precision above 0.75 under two IoU thresholds. The results show that the method achieves state-of-the-art segmentation quality while offering zero-shot capability and generalizability, demonstrating significant potential in plant phenotyping.
GravelSens: A Smart Gravel Sensor for High-Resolution, Non-Destructive Monitoring of Clogging Dynamics
Authors: Koca Kaan , Schleicher Eckhard , Bieberle André , Haun Stefan , Wieprecht Silke , Noack Markus
Published: January 2025

Engineers, geomorphologists, and ecologists acknowledge the need for temporally and spatially resolved measurements of sediment clogging (also known as colmation) in permeable gravel-bed rivers due to its adverse impacts on water and habitat quality. In this paper, we present a novel method for non-destructive, real-time measurements of pore-scale sediment deposition and monitoring of clogging by using wire-mesh sensors (WMSs) embedded in spheres, forming a smart gravel bed (GravelSens). The measuring principle is based on one-by-one voltage excitation of transmitter electrodes, followed by simultaneous measurements of the resulting current by receiver electrodes at each crossing measuring pores. The currents are then linked to the conductive component of fluid impedance. The measurement performance of the developed sensor is validated by applying the Maxwell Garnett and parallel models to sensor data and comparing the results to data obtained by gamma ray computed tomography (CT). GravelSens is tested and validated under varying filling conditions of different particle sizes ranging from sand to fine gravel. The close agreement between GravelSens and CT measurements indicates the technology’s applicability in sediment–water research while also suggesting its potential for other solid–liquid two-phase flows. This pore-scale measurement and visualization system offers the capability to monitor clogging and de-clogging dynamics within pore spaces up to 10,000 Hz, making it the first laboratory equipment capable of performing such in situ measurements without radiation. Thus, GravelSens is a major improvement over existing methods and holds promise for advancing the understanding of flow–sediment–ecology interactions.
Integrating Machine Learning for Predictive Maintenance on Resource-Constrained PLCs: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Mennilli Riccardo , Mazza Luigi , Mura Andrea
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the potential of deploying a neural network model on an advanced programmable logic controller (PLC), specifically the Finder Opta™, for real-time inference within the predictive maintenance framework. In the context of Industry 4.0, edge computing aims to process data directly on local devices rather than relying on a cloud infrastructure. This approach minimizes latency, enhances data security, and reduces the bandwidth required for data transmission, making it ideal for industrial applications that demand immediate response times. Despite the limited memory and processing power inherent to many edge devices, this proof-of-concept demonstrates the suitability of the Finder Opta™ for such applications. Using acoustic data, a convolutional neural network (CNN) is deployed to infer the rotational speed of a mechanical test bench. The findings underscore the potential of the Finder Opta™ to support scalable and efficient predictive maintenance solutions, laying the groundwork for future research in real-time anomaly detection. By enabling machine learning capabilities on compact, resource-constrained hardware, this approach promises a cost-effective, adaptable solution for diverse industrial environments.
Men’s Experiences of Psychological and Other Forms of Abuse in Intimate Relationships: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Macassa Gloria , Stål Frida , Rydback Michelle , Pliakas Joan , Winsjansen Daniel , Hiswåls Anne-sofie , Soares Joaquim
Published: January 2025

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health and social problem worldwide. However, most studies have concentrated on violence against women and not also against men. Interventions for victimized men will only be successful if there is a better understanding of the real experiences, as narrated by the victims themselves, and how these impact their health and wellbeing. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of intimate partner violence, health, and wellbeing among men in east-central Sweden. Data were gathered using eleven in-depth, semi-structured interviews with men who were victims of IPV. Four categories emerged from the analyses: experiences of abuse in the relationship; feelings of isolation, loneliness, and shame; perceived deterioration of health and wellbeing; and negative experiences with public services. The findings indicate that interviewees experienced psychological (rather than physical) violence at the hands of their intimate partner. The abuse had consequences for their health and wellbeing, as they experienced stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. In some instances, it affected their health behavior, as they reverted to alcohol and drug use to cope with the abuse. Moreover, the interviewees felt lonely and unwilling to disclose their suffering because of fear of what family, friends, society, and professionals across different services would think of them. Also, they experienced negative responses from the health and social care services and police when seeking help, which made them even more entrenched in their fear of disclosing the suffering caused by the abuse.
A Risk Analysis Model for Biosecurity in Brazil Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)
Authors: Silva Fillipe Augusto da , Vivoni Adriana Marcos , Gomes Harrison Magdinier , Oliveira Leonardo Augusto dos Santos , Sant’Anna Annibal Parracho , Gavião Luiz Octávio
Published: January 2025

This study proposes a risk analysis model based on the principles of ISO 31000 and decision theory for biological agents with potential for offensive use in Brazil. Bibliographic research was conducted on the main models already published on the subject. The German risk classification system was adopted as the main reference because it is adjustable and adopts a semiquantitative approach. After translating and adapting this model to the Brazilian context, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to generate a hierarchical tree with criteria and subcriteria to be considered in the risk assessment. A questionnaire was administered to a group of experts to evaluate the relevant criteria and subcriteria and the risks related to three biological agents (Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and Francisella tularensis), which were selected in an exploratory manner to exemplify the application of the model. According to the results, the criterion of impact of a biological attack was given greater importance when compared with the probability of occurrence of this event. According to the subcriteria, the greatest weight was attributed to human health when compared with agriculture, the environment, or the economy. Finally, in the evaluation of the three pathogens, B. anthracis was identified as having the highest risk for offensive use in Brazil. This research is focused on a practical approach and can be implemented by competent agencies to foster their capacity for biological defense by determining which pathogens represent the greatest risk to society.
Uncertainty-Based Industrial Water Supply and Demand Balance Pattern Recognition: A Case Study in the Yellow River Basin of Gansu Province, China
Authors: Ma Mingyue , Chu Junying , Zhou Zuhao , Tang Zuohuai , Zhang Yunfu , Zhou Tianhong , Zhang Xusheng , Wang Ying
Published: January 2025

The balance between water supply and demand is essential for industrial growth, affecting economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Our research employs a Gaussian process regression for demand prediction. Additionally, it takes into account water limits and policy thresholds when determining the supply, thereby defining a range of uncertainty for both the industrial demand and the supply. A pattern recognition method matches this trade-off range, identifying three patterns to support water management. The study focuses on the analysis of industrial water supply and demand dynamics under uncertain conditions in nine cities (Baiyin, Dingxi, Gannan, Lanzhou, Linxia, Pingliang, Qingyang, Tianshui, and Wuwei) in Gansu Province of China’s Yellow River Basin in 2030. The results of the study show that industrial water use in Baiyin, Linxia, Dingxi, and Tianshui cities falls into Pattern I, providing water resources to support industrial development. Industrial water use in Wuwei, Pingliang, Qingyang, and Gannan cities represents Pattern II, which maintains a balance between supply and demand while allowing flexibility in water demand. Finally, the industrial water use in Lanzhou city is characterized by Pattern III, which requires optimization through structural, technological, and management improvements to mitigate the negative impacts of water scarcity on the sustainable development of the economy and society. The results of the research can be used as a reference for policy making in water resources planning and management in the basin.
BiVO4-Based Systems Magnetron Sputtered with Silver Nanoparticles for the Artificial Photosynthesis Reaction
Authors: Naughton Eva , Kohlrausch Emerson C. , Alves Fernandes Jesum , Sullivan James A.
Published: January 2025

The incorporation of Ag nanoparticles onto BiVO4 (a known H2O oxidising photocatalyst) through magnetron sputtering to form a composite was studied. ICP-OES results showed that the loading of Ag on BiVO4 was below 1% in all cases. UV-Vis DRS and CO2-TPD analyses demonstrated that upon incorporation of Ag onto BiVO4, an increase in the extent of visible light absorption and CO2 adsorption was seen. TEM imaging showed the presence of Ag particles on the surface of larger BiVO4 particles, while XRD analysis provided evidence for some doping of Ag into BiVO4 lattices. The effect of the composite formation on the activity of the materials in the artificial photosynthesis reaction was significant. BiVO4 alone produces negligible amounts of gaseous products. However, the Ag-sputtered composites produce both CO and CH4, with a higher loading of Ag leading to higher levels of product formation. This reactivity is ascribed to the generation of a heterojunction in the composite material. It is suggested that the generation of holes in BiVO4 following photon absorption is used to provide protons (from H2O oxidation), and the decay of an SPR response on the Ag NPs provides hot electrons, which together with the protons reduce CO2 to produce CH4, CO, and adsorbed hydrocarbonaceous species.
A Broken Heart and Windy Nights: Single Center Results of Inpatient Sleep Studies and Interventions in Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Durland Justin N. , Hoyland Frank , Epps John Elliott , Gregoski Mathew J. , Angles Jacqueline , Jackson Gregory R.
Published: January 2025

Background: Past studies have found mixed benefits to treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in heart failure (HF) patients. Here we evaluate the effect of OSA treatment in symptomatic HF patients who received an inpatient sleep study. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational review of 6-month outcomes in 109 hospitalized HF patients with newly diagnosed OSA who followed up to initiate PAP therapy (N = 48) or never started PAP (N = 61). Primary outcomes were cardiovascular readmissions and all-cause mortality. Results: Patients who started PAP overall had worse apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) compared to those who did not (AHI 49.4 vs. 31.3). There were significantly fewer deaths in the “PAP” group versus the “non-PAP” group: 2% versus 15% (p = 0.04). We then sub-analyzed our population based on strict CPAP adherence, defined as ≥4 PAP hours per night and at least ≥70% of nights used. Twenty-eight out of 48 PAP patients met adherence criteria. The “Adherent” group (N = 28) had notable PAP use of 6.3 h per night (interquartile range 5–7.7 h/night). In comparison to the “Non-Adherent or Never Started PAP” group (N = 81), the Adherent group had no observed deaths and significantly fewer first-time readmissions: 11% versus 33% (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Despite worse baseline OSA in our PAP population, we found an association between PAP compliance and improved cardiovascular outcomes. Future research should investigate dose–response relationships between PAP use and HF outcomes. There are important limitations to our study.
Aflatoxin B1: Challenges and Strategies for the Intestinal Microbiota and Intestinal Health of Monogastric Animals
Authors: Choi Hyunjun , Garavito-Duarte Yesid , Gormley Alexa R. , Kim Sung Woo
Published: January 2025

The objective of this review is to investigate the impacts of aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), on intestinal microbiota, intestinal health, and growth performance in monogastric animals, primarily chickens and pigs, as well as dietary interventions to mitigate these effects. Aflatoxin B1 contamination in feeds disrupts intestinal microbiota, induces immune responses and oxidative damage, increases antioxidant activity, and impairs jejunal cell viability, barrier function, and morphology in the small intestine. These changes compromise nutrient digestion and reduce growth performance in animals. The negative impact of AFB1 on the % change in average daily gain (ΔADG) of chickens and pigs was estimated based on meta-analysis: ΔADG (%)chicken = −0.13 × AFB1 intake per body weight (ng/g·d) and ΔADG (%)pig = −0.74 × AFB1 intake per body weight (µg/kg·d), indicating that increasing AFB1 contamination linearly reduces the growth of animals. To mitigate the harmful impacts of AFB1, various dietary strategies have been effective. Mycotoxin-detoxifying agents include mycotoxin-adsorbing agents, such as clay and yeast cell wall compounds, binding to AFB1 and mycotoxin-biotransforming agents, such as specific strains of Bacillus subtilis and mycotoxin-degrading enzyme, degrading AFB1 into non-toxic metabolites such as aflatoxin D1. Multiple mycotoxin-detoxifying agents are often combined and used together to improve the intestinal health and growth of chickens and pigs fed AFB1-contaminated feeds. In summary, AFB1 negatively impacts intestinal microbiota, induces immune responses and oxidative stress, disrupts intestinal morphology, and impairs nutrient digestion in the small intestine, leading to reduced growth performance. Supplementing multi-component mycotoxin-detoxifying agents in feeds could effectively adsorb and degrade AFB1 co-contaminated with other mycotoxins prior to its absorption in the small intestine, preventing its negative impacts on the intestinal health and growth performance of chickens and pigs.
The First Large Identification of 3ANX and NX Producing Isolates of Fusarium graminearum in Manitoba, Western Canada
Authors: Henriquez Maria Antonia , Sura Srinivas , Walkowiak Sean , Kaminski David , Kirk Anne , Sumarah Mark W. , Santhanam Parthasarathy , Kepeshchuk Nina , Carlson Jules , Ojo E. RoTimi , de Rocquigny Pam , Derksen Holly
Published: January 2025

Fusarium head blight, caused by Fusarium graminearum, continues to be one of the most important and devastating fungal diseases on cereal grains including wheat, barley, and oat crops. F. graminearum produces toxic secondary metabolites that include trichothecene type A and type B mycotoxins. There are many variants of these toxins that are produced, and in the early 2010s, a novel type A trichothecene mycotoxin known as 3ANX (7-α hydroxy,15-deacetylcalonectrin) and its deacetylated product NX (7-α hydroxy, 3,15-dideacetylcalonectrin) were identified in Minnesota, USA. In the current study, a total of 31,500 wheat spikes over a period of 6 years (2015–2020) within Manitoba, Canada, were screened for the F. graminearum pathogen, which accounted for 72.8% (2015), 98.3% (2016), 71.9% (2017), 74.4% (2018), 92.6% (2019), and 66.1% (2020) of isolations. A total of 303 F. graminearum isolates, confirmed through sequencing of the ribosomal intergenic spacer, were further investigated for variation in the gene Tri1, which was previously associated with the production of the NX toxin, as well as the accumulation of mycotoxins. A subset of these isolates, consisting of 73 isolates, which tested positive or negative for the NX-Tri1-F/R assay in this study, were cultured in vitro using rice media. Mycotoxins were quantified in these samples using mass spectrometry. Using the same rice culture, genomic DNA was isolated, and the Tri1 coding sequence along with its flanking regions (upstream and downstream of the Tri1 gene) was amplified and sequenced. Deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulated in 96% of the cultures from these isolates, while 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol (3ADON) and 3ANX mycotoxins accumulated in 66% and 63%, respectively. Nivalenol, 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol, and NX mycotoxins were detected in 62%, 36%, and 19% of samples, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between 3ADON and 3ANX (r2 = 0.87), as well as between DON and 3ANX (r2 = 0.89). This study highlights the first large identification of 3ANX- and NX-producing isolates of F. graminearum in Western Canada. In addition, it is the first identification of 15ADON chemotypes producing 3ANX in Western Canada and the first identification of 3ANX and NX-producing isolates in Manitoba, collected from wheat samples.
Low-Level Zoonotic Transmission of Clade C MERS-CoV in Africa: Insights from Scoping Review and Cohort Studies in Hospital and Community Settings
Authors: Karani Andrew , Ombok Cynthia , Situma Silvia , Breiman Robert , Mureithi Marianne , Jaoko Walter , Njenga M. Kariuki , Ngere Isaac
Published: January 2025

Human outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are more common in Middle Eastern and Asian human populations, associated with clades A and B. In Africa, where clade C is dominant in camels, human cases are minimal. We reviewed 16 studies (n = 6198) published across seven African countries between 2012 and 2024 to assess human MERS-CoV cases. We also analyzed data from four cohort studies conducted in camel-keeping communities between 2018 and 2024 involving camel keepers, camel slaughterhouse workers, and hospital patients with acute respiratory illness (ARI). The analysis showed a pooled MERS-CoV prevalence of 2.4% (IQR: 0.6, 11.4) from 16 publications and 1.14% from 4 cohort studies (n = 2353). Symptomatic cases were rarely reported, with most individuals reporting camel contact, and only 12% had travel history to the Middle East. There was one travel-associated reported death, resulting in a mortality rate of 0.013%. The findings suggest a low camel-to-human transmission of clade C MERS-CoV in Africa. Ongoing research focuses on genomic comparisons between clade C and the more virulent clades A and B, alongside the surveillance of viral evolution. This study highlights the need for continuous monitoring but indicates that MERS-CoV clade C currently poses a minimal public health threat in Africa.
Optimization of Conditions for Expression of Dengue Serotype 2 EDIII Protein in Escherichia coli and Immune Responses of Adjuvant-Free EDIII Ferritin Nanoparticles Against Dengue Virus in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Tennakoon M.S.B.W.T.M. Nipuna Sudaraka , Lee Kyoung-Ho , Lee Hye-Mi , Park Jae-Yeon , Shin Hyun-Jin
Published: January 2025

Self-assembling ferritin nanoparticle technology is a widely used vaccine development platform for enhancing the efficacy of subunit vaccines by displaying multiple antigens on nanocages. The dengue virus (DENV) envelope domain III (EDIII) protein, the most promising antigen for DENV, has been applied in vaccine development, and it is essential to evaluate the relative immunogenicity of the EDIII protein and EDIII-conjugated ferritin to show the efficiency of the ferritin delivery system compared with EDIII. In this study, we optimized the conditions for the expression of the EDIII protein in E. coli, protein purification, and refolding, and these optimization techniques were applied for the purification of EDIII ferritin nanoparticles. Thus, purified DENV2 EDIII and EDIII human ferritin heavy chain nanoparticles were immunized intramuscularly into BALB/c mice without an adjuvant, and the immunogenicity was analyzed using IgG ELISA and a serum-neutralizing assay. Purified, properly refolded, aggregate-free EDIII and EDIII ferritin proteins were obtained, and ferritin nanoparticles were identified using an electron microscope. By analyzing the immunogenicity of mouse serum, EDIII ferritin generated significantly higher IgG responses and neutralizing activity than EDIII-immunized mice. The IgG ELISA results confirmed that EDIII ferritin can induce a significantly higher IgG titer (O.D.:1.8) than EDIII (O.D.:0.05). Furthermore, EDIII ferritin produced a neutralizing titer of 1:68, whereas EDIII protein produced an average titer of 1:16, which is the serum dilution that inhibited 90% of the viruses. The longevity of the immune responses was analyzed using the serum obtained 2 months after the final immunization, and the results confirmed that EDIII ferritin induced constant immunity throughout the period.
Eight Years of Norovirus Surveillance in Urban Wastewater: Insights from Next-Generation
Authors: Bonanno Ferraro Giusy , Brandtner David , Mancini Pamela , Veneri Carolina , Iaconelli Marcello , Suffredini Elisabetta , La Rosa Giuseppina
Published: January 2025

Human noroviruses (HNoVs) are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, with significant public health implications. In this study, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) was used to monitor the circulation and genetic diversity of HNoVs in Rome over an eight-year period (2017–2024). A total of 337 wastewater samples were analyzed using RT-nested PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify genogroups GI and GII and their respective genotypes. The results showed that GII had higher detection rates (66.5%) compared to GI (50.7%), with significant variation between years. Detection rates peaked in 2019 before declining sharply in 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic and rebounding after the pandemic in 2023. A total of 24 genotypes were identified (8 GI and 17 GII), including persistent variants GII.2, GII.3 and GII.4 and emerging genotypes such as GII.8, GII.10 and GII.14. Only two GII.4 variants, Sydney_2016 and Sydney_2012, were detected in the study. These results demonstrate the utility of WBE in tracking HNoVs circulation, identifying genotype diversity and capturing shifts in transmission dynamics. WBE provides a cost-effective and comprehensive tool for public health surveillance, particularly in regions with limited clinical surveillance. Sustained investment in WBE is crucial for advancing our understanding of HNoVs epidemiology and its long-term trends.
Impact of Mining Area Steep Slope Conditions on the Soil and Water Conservation Benefits of Ecological Restoration
Authors: Zhao Xiaofeng , Li Haibo , Li Peng , Chen Yajun , Dai Qian , Shi Peng , Li Xin , Qu Yonglong , Ma Jianye
Published: January 2025

Steep slopes, characterized by their high gradient and limited soil and water resources, pose significant challenges to plant colonization. Consequently, the ecological restoration of steep slopes is one of the major challenges in the field of mine site rehabilitation. This study evaluated the impact of slope conditions on the restoration effectiveness during the early stages of ecological restoration. Two ecological restoration slopes with different slope conditions, excavated slope and filled slope, were selected, and restored by hanging net and soil spraying measures. The unrepaired slope was used as the control. The results showed that ecological restoration has a significant effect for soil and water conservation; runoff and sediment were reduced by 61.38% and 99.28%, respectively, and infiltration increased by 104.26%, compared to untreated slopes. Furthermore, ecological restoration could effectively reduce runoff erosion dynamics and soil erodibility, and alter the runoff–sediment relationship on slopes, thereby substantially influencing the yield processes of runoff and sediment of the slopes. Notably, the reduction effect of ecological restoration measures on runoff and sediment was more significant on excavated slopes than on filled slopes. The runoff and sediment yield of excavated slopes were 19.06% and 53.77% lower than that of filled slopes, respectively. From a soil and water conservation perspective, the ecological restoration measures of hanging net and soil spraying were more suitable for application to steep excavated rock slopes. However, further research is needed to evaluate its applicability to filled slopes.
The Importance of Artificial Intelligence in the E-Commerce Process
Authors: Kráľ Štefan , Fedorko Richard , Kráľová Lenka
Published: January 2025

Artificial intelligence technology is now playing an increasingly important role in many fields. The aim of this paper was to provide a comprehensive view of the importance of artificial intelligence technology in the field of e-commerce. Based on previous research, an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of e-commerce and artificial intelligence issues was provided. At the same time, the current status of e-commerce issues in the world and in Slovakia was described, as well as the current trends of artificial intelligence in the context of e-commerce. From the previous research and the developed comprehensive view of the issue, it was concluded that artificial intelligence is nowadays a key element in the process of e-commerce. It can increase the efficiency of e-commerce, boost sales and revenue growth, and at the same time, reduce costs by effectively managing inventory, predicting customer demand, and analysing actual customer needs. Artificial intelligence technology is used in the online shopping process to improve the customer experience and, consequently, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. These findings can help e-commerce entities in planning and decision-making to implement artificial intelligence technology in the enterprise in order to gain a competitive advantage.
The Use of Artificial Intelligene in Healthcare Facility Communication as an Important Tool of Branding
Authors: Stavař Zbyněk , Světlík Jaroslav
Published: January 2025

Medical tourism is an important segment of tourism as such. On the one hand, this is due to higher life expectancy, increasing demands on health care, on the other hand, price, global trends and legislative restrictions in this area of social reality play an important role. This reality is also becoming a matter of interest for the Czech Republic, and the interest in the services of specialised healthcare IVF (in vitro fertilisation) facilities on the part of foreign buyers is growing significantly, currently amounting to more than CZK 6 billion. There is no doubt about the importance of a brand that symbolises this quality and communication aimed on potential clients, so the first stage of our research was to identify the critical factors of reputation and a strong brand. The next step was a draft of effective communication, of IVF clinic in Prague. Nowadays, the communication of these facilities can be greatly streamlined by artificial intelligence. The scope of this paper is to present the results of the research and to document the use of artificial intelligence in draft of creative strategy of an advertising campaign aimed on foreign clients.
Wspólny dom polskiej mniejszości narodowej na Litwie – powstanie i działalność Domu Kultury Polskiej w Wilnie
Authors: Stukus-Haník Katarzyna
Published: January 2025

Mocno zakorzeniona w Polakach zamieszkujących państwo litewskie polska kultura przetrwała mimo wieloletniej nieprzychylnej postawy władz. Co ważne, nie tylko się zachowała, ale wręcz wzmocniła i nieustannie rozwijała. Rozwój ten stał się szczególnie zauważalny w latach 90. XX w. Wtedy to odzyskanie przez Litwę niepodległości przyniosło polskiej mniejszości znaczną poprawę w sposobie kształtowania własnej kultury. Przyczyniło się to do powstania nowych polskich organizacji, w tym do budowy Domu Kultury Polskiej w Wilnie. Choć budowa placówki od samego początku budziła wiele zastrzeżeń, udało się podjęte działania doprowadzić do końca. Niemal od początku zaczęto organizować tam przedsięwzięcia, które przyciągały rzesze widzów. Rozpoczęła się także działalność komercyjna, z której dochód przeznaczono na utrzymanie budynku. Dom ten bardzo szybko stał się miejscem organizacji życia kulturalnego Polaków w Wilnie. Pracownicy dbali o różnorodność organizowanych imprez, starając się trafić do różnych grup wiekowych tak, by każdy mógł zaleźć w bogatej ofercie programowej coś dla siebie. Tym samym starano się ocalić od zapo-mnienia wartości, które od wielu pokoleń kształtowały tożsamość narodową i kulturową Polaków na Wileńszczyźnie.
Wpływ wytycznych (procedur, instrukcji, list kontrolnych) na pracę personelu służby inżynieryjno-lotniczej w procesie obsługi samolotów szkolno-treningowych. Wybrane problemy bezpieczeństwa
Authors: Sztobryn Marcin
Published: January 2025

During the process of maintaining training aircraft, specific resources include equipment, human and financial potential, and guidelines for the implementation of the process, i.e. procedures, instructions, technical requirements and checklists. The purpose of this article is to show the importance of guidelines regarding the operation of training aircraft in ensuring flight safety. The research was based on theoretical and empirical methods. The conducted empirical research allowed to learn the opinions of technical maintenance staff on the implemented guidelines for the maintenance of training aircraft. Some staff pointed out potential problems with inappropriately constructed procedures, incor-rect (routine) implementation of services by staff, omission of some required checks and tests, or time constraints. Learning procedures and instructions and then effectively implementing them in everyday work on aviation equipment is aimed at reducing the risk of aviation incidents.
ROMANTISME ISLAM DAN POLITIK DALAM HIZBUT TAHRIR: STUDI PEMIKIRAN TAQĪ AL-DĪN AL-NABHĀNĪ
Authors: Muhtar Mohamad Khusnial
Published: January 2025

Hizbut Tahrir, an organization banned in various countries, including Indonesia, is believed to remain covertly active at the grassroots level. This research aims to reveal the underlying philosophy fueling this persistent movement specifically, the romantic interplay between Islam and politics. Examining this relationship through the perspective of its founder, Taqī al-Dīn al-Nabhānī, the study explores both ideological and practical implications. Utilizing the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method with a philosophical approach and qualitative analysis and referencing al-Nabhānī’s works, particularly Nidham ul-Islam (The System of Islam), findings indicate that Hizbut Tahrir is motivated by a mission to establish a comprehensive application of Sharia through the Khilafah Islamiyyah as the political realization of Islamic ideals. Islam and politics are seen as interconnected, with Islam as a complete divine guide and politics as essential for effective Sharia implementation. Theoretically, further research is needed on the resilience of ex-members and current societal perceptions amidst evolving ideologies with current field data. Practically, a re-evaluation of Islamic understanding in a modern context is necessary to ensure that Islamic values are applied adaptively and relevantly to contemporary challenges.
THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS FIGURES IN COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN DISASTER-PRONE AREAS
Authors: Muhasim Muhasim , Muhammad Zulfikar , Jainurakhma Janes
Published: January 2025

Religious leaders in Indonesia are one of the keys to the success of community resilience to disasters, especially in socializing and communicating disaster resilience and giving early warnings appropriately and accurately to the community. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of religious figures in disaster resilience among Muslim communities affected by the eruption of Mount Kelud. This research uses a qualitative approach using interpretive phenomenological methods. Purposive sampling is the way used in this study, with criteria: religious and community leaders who live in Pandan Sari Village, Ngantang District, Malang Regency, have experienced or been affected by the eruption of Mount Kelud, and are not deaf. Semi-structured interviewing methods were used, and Colaizzi's model approach was used for analysis. The results of the study found that there were five themes, including (1) being active in disaster management planning activities; (2) being active in the involvement of cooperation and protection of Muslim communities in the village; (3) playing an active role as a disaster volunteer; (4) play an active role as a presenter of information against early warning; (5) play an active role in physical mitigation. The recommendation that can be given is the need for religious figures to be involved in every disaster mitigation activity in the village area because the role of religious figures greatly affects the resilience of community disasters in the village area.
PERKAWINAN ADAT MERARIQ SALAH TADAH BERDASARKAN PERSPEKTIF HUKUM ISLAM
Authors: Mawardi Mawardi
Published: January 2025

Allah SWT created humans in pairs and cannot live without other people. The way to realize this is, of course, in a good way so that in Islam, the best path is shown for humans (men and women). The best path is a Merariq, where when the person takes the straight path then he will be free from sin and the wrath of Allah SWT. In responding to Merariq as a path that is approved by Allah SWT, Muslims who live in Indonesia, in general, and Muslims who live on the island of Lombok, in particular, have different ways, styles, and cultures of implementing marriage. One of these customary processions is the custom of wrong Tadah marriage that occurs when there is a wedding. What is meant by this researcher is, first, how is the practice of the Merariq wrong Tadah custom in Pengembur Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok Regency. Second: what is the perspective of Islamic law on the Merariq wrong Tadah custom with the concept of Kafa'ah in marriage in Pengembur Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok Regency. To facilitate understanding in this study, the researcher uses research methods, including increasing the exploration of data sources from various works of literature related to the Merariq salah Tadah custom, while the data is obtained by the researcher in the field by conducting interviews, observations, and documentation. After discussing the problems studied, the researcher can conclude that first, the wrong marriage in the custom is required by custom to the party who has violated the agreed custom. Second, according to the perspective of Islamic law, the wrong marriage is permitted as long as there is no prohibition in the sharia that is violated. The wrong marriage custom, which is binding based on custom (‘Urf), is called binding because of the good tradition that has been agreed upon together.
La construcción de una mirada
Authors: Murillo Aliaga Mauricio
Published: January 2025

La asignatura CAR-183 (Escritura Creativa) dependiente del Departamento de Cultura y Arte de la Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo" funcionó como un taller, un espacio de intercambio y crecimiento donde no solo se analizaron textos literarios, sino que se produjeron, revisaron y compartieron textos propios. El aula se transformó en un territorio de curiosidad, debate y descubrimiento, un lugar donde las ideas individuales y colectivas se entrelazaron para enriquecer las perspectivas de todos. Catorce textos de catorce estudiantes conforman esta publicación.
SiGe epitaxial growth using screen printing of Al-Ge paste on Si followed by pulsed laser annealing
Authors: Sato Takeshi , Miyamoto Satoru , Suzuki Shota , Minamiyama Hideaki , Dhamrin Marwan , Usami Noritaka
Published: January 2025

We have developed a method for growing SiGe epitaxial layers by using screen printing of Al-Ge paste on Si substrates, and then melting the paste locally with pulsed laser annealing. This method builds upon our previous technology for SiGe epitaxial growth using printing and firing of Al-Ge paste under atmospheric pressure to enable non-equilibrium growth. When using a mixed paste containing Al and Ge particles, laser ablation dominates the process, while with a homogeneous AlGe alloyed paste, efficient melting and epitaxial growth occur. Excessive laser irradiation resulted in an inhomogeneous composition with surface irregularities due to Marangoni convection. On the other hand, appropriate laser irradiation led to flat and uniform SiGe formation, paving the way for advancements in the facile growth of metastable semiconductors.
Polarity inversion of N-polar GaN by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy via thermal oxidation
Authors: Ikeda Kazuhisa , Uemukai Masahiro , Tanikawa Tomoyuki , Katayama Ryuji
Published: January 2025

Epitaxial polarity inversion of N-polar (−c) GaN to Ga-polar (+c) GaN was demonstrated by combining metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) and surface oxidation processes. Annealing –c-GaN films at 900 °C in oxygen and the introduction of a low-temperature GaN buffer layer resulted in successful polarity inversion. Annealing time impacted the formation of voids at the regrowth interface due to the etching of the oxide film and the GaN growth mode. These results represent a promising approach to pseudomorphic epitaxial polarity inversion of GaN for novel devices that utilize both polarities, such as high-efficiency wavelength conversion devices.
Coagulation testing method using magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Yamashita Kei , Naito Kosuke , Wang Jin , Kasuda Shogo , Kiwa Toshihiko
Published: January 2025

This study presents a blood coagulation test method based on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) undergoing Brownian relaxation in response to a magnetic field. Because Brownian relaxation depends on viscosity and particle volume, coagulation and MNP aggregation need to be separately evaluated. We assess the effects of coagulation and aggregation on the basis of alternating current susceptibility of MNPs. The magnetic signal is observed to considerably increase to 177 ± 3.71 μV in the case with coagulation, compared with only 133 ± 3.87 μV in the case without coagulation, thereby indicating that coagulation inhibits ion-induced aggregation of MNPs.