bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living with Bears in Prahova Valley, Romania: An Integrative Analysis
Authors: Cimpoca Alina-Lucia , Voiculescu Mircea , Creţan Remus , Voiculescu Sorina , Ianăş Ana-Neli
Published: February 2024

Our research focuses on a complex and integrative analysis of bear presence in four tourist resorts in Prahova Valley, Romania: Sinaia, Bușteni, Azuga and Predeal. Employing innovative mixed methods, including questionnaires, interviews, newspaper analysis, and consideration of the local toponymy, including bear-related names and souvenirs, we aim to highlight the extent to which a posthumanist attitude is evident in the region. The sustained appearance of bears is attributed to habitat invasion through deforestation, road construction, residential neighborhoods, and tourist infrastructure. Ambiguity arises from the presence of food sources and voluntary feeding both by locals and tourists. The mass media initially heightened fear and panic during the onset of human–bear interactions but later adopted a more tolerant tone regarding the bear’s presence in tourist resorts, reflecting an openness to the posthumanist approach in Prahova Valley. That is why locals express fear and concern about bear encounters, advocating for a clear separation between animal and human spaces. Tourists exhibit attitudes ranging from unconscious appreciation to ambivalence, often contributing to the problem through practices such as feeding bears for fun. The use of bear-related names for tourist establishments is identified as anthropocentric, despite their appeal for attracting tourists. Souvenir sales, through increasing socio-economic value and contributing to tourist experiences, are also recognized as anthropocentric. However, souvenirs can provide elements of support for bear conservation efforts and the equal consideration of human and non-human entities. This study concludes that a successful adaptive coexistence requires a posthumanist vision, overcoming anthropocentrism in a landscape altered by human activities, supported by bear management programs in Bucegi Natural Park, and conservation efforts in Prahova Valley in a landscape altered by people.
Exploring the Sheep MAST4 Gene Variants and Their Associations with Litter Size
Authors: Akhmet Nazar , Zhu Leijing , Song Jiajun , Akhatayeva Zhanerke , Zhang Qingfeng , Su Peng , Li Ran , Pan Chuanying , Lan Xianyong
Published: February 2024

The economic efficiency of sheep breeding can be improved by enhancing sheep productivity. A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) unveiled the potential impact of the MAST4 gene on prolificacy traits in Australian White sheep (AUW)). Herein, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 26 different sheep breeds worldwide (n = 1507), including diverse meat, wool, milk, or dual-purpose sheep breed types from China, Europe, and Africa, were used. Moreover, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping of the MAST4 gene polymorphisms in (n = 566) Australian white sheep (AUW) was performed. The 3 identified polymorphisms were not homogeneously distributed across the 26 examined sheep breeds. Findings revealed prevalent polymorphisms (P3-ins-29 bp and P6-del-21 bp) with varying frequencies (0.02 to 0.97) across 26 breeds, while P5-del-24 bp was presented in 24 out of 26 breeds. Interestingly, the frequency of the P3-ins-29 bp variant was markedly higher in Chinese meat or dual-purpose sheep breeds, while the other two variants also showed moderate frequencies in meat breeds. Notably, association analysis indicated that all InDels were associated with AUW sheep litter size (p < 0.05). These results suggest that these InDels within the MAST4 gene could be useful in marker-assisted selection in sheep breeding.
Assessment of Cleaning and Disinfection Practices on Pig Farms across Ten European Countries
Authors: Makovska Iryna , Chantziaras Ilias , Caekebeke Nele , Dhaka Pankaj , Dewulf Jeroen
Published: February 2024

This study delves into the assessment of cleaning and disinfection (C&D) measures within the context of European pig farming, employing the Biocheck.UGent™ tool as an effective instrument for evaluation. A comprehensive set of relevant parameters was examined to enable meaningful comparisons across farms from 10 European countries during four years (2019–2022). Findings indicate a notable increase in C&D measure implementation in select countries (Belgium, Finland, Italy, and Spain), reflecting heightened awareness and responsibility among farmers. Additionally, the overall score for the C&D subcategory highlights variation across countries, with Italy (75), Poland (74), and Belgium (72) displaying the highest scores, while Ireland (56), Slovenia (55), and Serbia (50) reported the lowest scores. However, the considerable variation in the number of participating farms necessitates cautious comparisons. The study identifies well-implemented C&D measures in the frame of external biosecurity but underscores gaps in the application of C&D measures for the material introduction practices across farms (22% of farms), which are attributed to awareness gaps and resource limitations. In the areas of internal biosecurity, strong points include C&D procedures after each production cycle (79%), implementing different stages in the C&D process (65%) and sufficient sanitary break (82%), while gaps are evident in the presence and using of hand hygiene stations (19% of farms) and boots disinfection equipment (40% of farms) between compartments/units. Notably, the study reveals a lack of evaluation of hygiene after C&D procedures (only 1% of farms), signaling critical knowledge gaps among farmers regarding proper assessment tools and methods. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis sheds light on the implementation status of C&D measures in European pig farming, offering insights into both areas of progress and those requiring improvement. The findings emphasize the need for targeted awareness campaigns and training initiatives to bolster biosecurity practices within the industry.
First Reported Circulation of Equine Influenza H3N8 Florida Clade 1 Virus in Horses in Italy
Authors: Ricci Ida , Tofani Silvia , Lelli Davide , Vincifori Giacomo , Rosone Francesca , Carvelli Andrea , Diaconu Elena Lavinia , La Rocca Davide , Manna Giuseppe , Sabatini Samanta , Costantini Donatella , Conti Raffaella , Pacchiarotti Giulia , Scicluna Maria Teresa
Published: February 2024

Background: Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious viral disease of equids characterized by pyrexia and respiratory signs. Like other influenza A viruses, antigenic drift or shift could lead to a vaccine-induced immunity breakdown if vaccine strains are not updated. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize EIV strains circulating in Italy, detected in PCR-positive samples collected from suspected cases, especially in the absence of formal active surveillance. Methods: Between February and April 2019, blood samples and nasal swabs collected from each of the 20 symptomatic horses from North and Central Italy were submitted to the National Reference Centre for Equine Diseases in Italy to confirm preliminary analysis performed by other laboratories. Results: None of the sera analysed using haemagglutination inhibition and single radial haemolysis presented a predominant serological reactivity pattern for any antigen employed. All nasal swabs were positive with IAV RRT-PCR. Only one strain, isolated in an embryonated chicken egg from a sample collected from a horse of a stable located in Brescia, Lombardy, was identified as H3N8 Florida lineage clade 1 (FC1). In the constructed phylogenetic trees, this strain is located within the FC1, together with the virus isolated in France in 2018 (MK501761). Conclusions: This study reports the first detection of H3N8 FC1 in Italy, highlighting the importance of monitoring circulating EIV strains to verify the vaccine composition appropriateness for maximum efficacy.
Relevance of Individual Data When Assessing the Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection Level, Nutritional and Productive Variables in a Tropical Farm Context: The Median Isn’t the Message
Authors: Ortíz-Domínguez Gabriel Andrés , González-Pech Pedro Geraldo , Torres-Acosta Juan Felipe de Jesús , Ventura-Cordero Javier , Villalba Juan , Sandoval-Castro Carlos Alfredo
Published: February 2024

We evaluated the relationship between individual and herd GIN infection level, nutrition, production performance and anemia parameters in a tropical farm context. Fifty-four female goats were monitored to assess their body condition score (BCS, nutritional status indicator), live weight (LW) and LW gain (LWG, both used as production level indicators), FAMACHA© and hematocrit (HT, both used as anemia indicators). Goats browsed for 4 h in a tropical forest and received balanced feed and chopped grass. The eggs per gram of feces (EPG) indicated the GIN burden, with fecal samples obtained at 7:00 (AM) and 15:00 h (PM.) from each goat at six sampling points during the study. The variables and their relationship with GIN burdens were analyzed using Kruskall–Wallis, ANOVA and Friedman tests and Spearman correlations. The fecal samples obtained in the AM and PM can be equally representative of parasitic burdens (similar and highly correlated). However, the EPG of individual goats from periods of 30 days apart can be considered independent. The BCS and LWG varied between sampling times (p < 0.05), whereas EPG, LW and HT did not (p > 0.05). The GIN burden was negatively correlated with HT and BCS (−0.21, p = 0.01 for each one). The individual pattern of infection demonstrates the true impact of GINs on their hosts. Additionally, feeding and nutritional status may present important variations influencing the performance of the goats more than the impact of GINs under the farm conditions of the present study. However, GIN infection contributed to the variation in goat health and productivity in this tropical farm.
Cephalotin Versus Dicloxacillin for the Treatment of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bacteraemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Quiñonez-Flores Alejandro , Martinez-Guerra Bernardo A. , Román-Montes Carla M. , Tamez-Torres Karla M. , González-Lara María F. , Ponce-de-León Alfredo , Rajme-López Sandra
Published: February 2024

Background: First-line treatments for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) bacteraemia are nafcillin, oxacillin, or cefazolin. Regional shortages of these antibiotics force clinicians to use other options like dicloxacillin and cephalotin. This study aims to describe and compare the safety and efficacy of cephalotin and dicloxacillin for the treatment of MSSA bacteraemia. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a referral centre in Mexico City. We identified MSSA isolates in blood cultures from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2022. Patients ≥ 18 years of age, with a first episode of MSSA bacteraemia, who received cephalotin or dicloxacillin as the definitive antibiotic treatment, were included. The primary outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Results: We included 202 patients, of which 48% (97/202) received cephalotin as the definitive therapy and 52% (105/202) received dicloxacillin. In-hospital all-cause mortality was 20.7% (42/202). There were no differences in all-cause in-hospital mortality between patients receiving cephalotin or dicloxacillin (20% vs. 21%, p = 0.43), nor in 30-day all-cause mortality (14% vs. 18%, p = 0.57) or 90-day all-cause mortality (24% vs. 22%, p = 0.82). No severe adverse reactions were associated with either antibiotic. Conclusions: Cephalotin and dicloxacillin were equally effective for treating MSSA bacteraemia, and both showed an adequate safety profile.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Antibiotic Consumption in a Secondary Care Hospital in Mexico
Authors: Dávila-López Elda Carolina , Berumen-Lechuga María Guadalupe , Molina-Pérez Carlos José , Jimenez-Juarez Rodolfo Norberto , Leaños-Miranda Alfredo , Robles-Ordoñez Natali , Peña-Cano María Isabel , Venegas-Esquivel German Alberto
Published: February 2024

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a global health problem, due to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The misuse of antimicrobials is the main cause of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to report antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic consumption in a secondary care hospital in Mexico. Methods: Within a cross-sectional study, antimicrobial resistance data on ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) and antibiotic consumption from 2020 to 2022 were collected. Antimicrobial resistance was reported based on percentages of resistance and consumption was analyzed using the defined daily dose (DDD)/100 bed days and the AWaRe (Access, Surveillance, Reservation) antibiotic group. Results: Antibiotic consumption in 2020, 2021 and 2022 was 330, 175 and 175 DDD/100 beds day, respectively. The rate of ceftriaxone resistance in E. coli (n = 526) and K. pneumoniae (n = 80) was 76% and 69%, respectively, the rate of carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii (n = 168) and P. aeruginosa (n = 108) was 92% and 52%, respectively; the rate of oxacillin resistance in S. aureus (n = 208) was 27%; and the rate of vancomycin resistance in E. faecium (n = 68) was 47%. Conclusion: The reported results are congruent with global estimates of antibiotic resistance and consumption, providing an overview that could generate actions for antimicrobial optimization at the local and regional levels.
Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (SuPAR) Analysis for Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Klim Sebastian M. , Prattes Jürgen , Amerstorfer Florian , Niedrist Tobias , Zurl Christoph , Stradner Martin , Dreo Barbara , Glehr Gunther , Leithner Andreas , Glehr Mathias , Reinbacher Patrick , Sadoghi Patrick , Hauer Georg
Published: February 2024

Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptors (suPARs) are a biomarker for inflammatory diseases. This study aims to investigate its diagnostic properties regarding periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent joint puncture for suspected PJI. The presence of PJI was determined according to the criteria of the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS). Laboratory study analyses included the determination of white blood cells (WBC) in whole blood, C-reactive protein (CRP) in blood plasma, and suPAR in both blood plasma and synovial fluid. Appropriate diagnostic cut-off values were identified utilizing Youden’s J, and their diagnostic performance was determined by calculating the positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for each marker. Sixty-seven cases were included in the final analysis. Forty-three samples (64%) were identified as periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and twenty-four specimen (36%) were PJI negative cases. The PPV and NPV were 0.80 and 0.70 for synovial suPAR, 0.86 and 0.55 for CRP, 0.84 and 0.31 for WBC and 1.00 and 0.31 for plasma suPAR. Synovial suPAR showed a solid diagnostic performance in this study and has the potential to be an alternative or complementary biomarker for PJI. Further investigations in larger patient collectives are indicated.
Textural and Conventional Pretherapeutic [18F]FDG PET/CT Parameters for Survival Outcome Prediction in Stage III and IV Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients
Authors: Palomino-Fernández David , Milara Eva , Galiana Álvaro , Sánchez-Ortiz Miguel , Seiffert Alexander P. , Jiménez-Almonacid Justino , Gómez-Grande Adolfo , Ruiz-Solís Sebastián , Ruiz-Alonso Ana , Gómez Enrique J. , Tabuenca María José , Sánchez-González Patricia
Published: February 2024

Evidence is emerging about the value of textural features as powerful outcome predictors in cancer lesions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of [18F]FDG PET/CT conventional and textural parameters as survival predictors in patients with stage III and IV oropharyngeal cancer. The database includes 39 patients. Segmentation of the primary lesions was performed. A total of 48 features were extracted, comprising conventional parameters and textural features. A 2-year follow-up period to analyze the Overall Survival (OS) and Relapse-Free Survival (RFS) rates was defined. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were computed. Higher TLG (p = 0.001) and Surface (p = 0.001) are significantly related to better OS in Cox regression analysis after multiple-testing correction. Higher GLZLM_ZLNU (p = 0.001) is significantly related to greater relapse rates in RFS Kaplan–Meier analysis after multiple-testing correction. Quantitative [18F]FDG PET/CT image features, especially the TLG, have been confirmed as predictors of OS and RFS. Textural features, such as GLZLM_ZLNU, demonstrated a potential predictive value for the OS and RFS of the patients. RFS analysis suggest stabilization of patients adhering to the treatment, showing no relapse events after 20 months of follow-up. [18F]FDG PET/CT is a useful tool for predicting prognosis after chemoradiation therapy of oropharyngeal cancer patients.
Seaweed Calliblepharis jubata and Fucus vesiculosus Pigments: Anti-Dermatophytic Activity
Authors: Gomes Louisa , Cotas João , Fernandes Chantal , Gonçalves Teresa , Pereira Leonel
Published: February 2024

Seaweeds have been explored as a natural resource of compounds of interest due to their bioactivities. Although many studies report the interest and the application of seaweeds in various areas, from food or human health to the economy, these data mostly focus on raw extracts and not on specific compounds, such as seaweed pigments. Fungal infections of the skin, nails, and hair caused by dermatophytes are the most common fungal infections worldwide. These pathologies require long periods of topical and/or systemic treatment associated with adverse effects and increased antifungal resistance. So, this study had two objectives: the first was to isolate and characterize the pigments of the seaweeds Calliblepharis jubata and Fucus vesiculosus; the second was to assess their antifungal activity. The extraction of pigments was performed using a method of extraction by exhaustion, and the purification was achieved via column chromatography. Three techniques were used to characterize the pigments: thin-layer chromatography (TLC), UV–visible spectrophotometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antifungal activity against the three most common dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Microsporum canis, was evaluated using a microdilution methodology, following the EUCAST international standards. It was possible to observe that the extracts obtained from the seaweed C. jubata, corresponding to the purified pigment phycobiliprotein, and the crude extract (an enriched extract) showed antifungal activity against the three fungal agents of human skin infection.
FlexBFT: A Flexible and Effective Optimistic Asynchronous BFT Protocol
Authors: Song Anping , Zhou Cenhao
Published: February 2024

Currently, integrating partially synchronous Byzantine-fault-tolerant protocols into asynchronous protocols as fast lanes represents a trade-off between robustness and efficiency, a concept known as optimistic asynchronous protocols. Existing optimistic asynchronous protocols follow a fixed path order: they execute the fast lane first, switch to the slow lane after a timeout failure, and restart the fast lane after the slow lane execution is completed. However, when confronted with prolonged network fluctuations, this fixed path sequence results in frequent failures and fast lane switches, leading to overhead that diminishes the efficiency of optimistic asynchronous protocols compared with their asynchronous counterparts. In response to this challenge, this article introduces FlexBFT, a novel and flexible optimistic asynchronous consensus framework designed to significantly enhance overall consensus performance. The key innovation behind FlexBFT lies in the persistence of slow lanes. In the presence of persistent network latency, FlexBFT can continually operate round after round within the slow lane—the current optimal path—until the network conditions improve. Furthermore, FlexBFT offers the flexibility to combine consensus modules adaptively, further enhancing its performance. Particularly in challenging network conditions, FlexBFT’s experimental outcomes highlight its superiority across a range of network scenarios compared with state-of-the-art algorithms. It achieves a performance with 31.6% lower latency than BDT, effectively merging the low latency characteristic of deterministic protocols with the robustness inherent in asynchronous protocols.
Optimal Design and Operation of Wind Turbines in Radial Distribution Power Grids for Power Loss Minimization
Authors: Phan Tan Minh , Duong Minh Phuc , Doan Anh Tuan , Duong Minh Quan , Nguyen Thang Trung
Published: February 2024

This research proposes a strategy to minimize the active power loss in the standard IEEE 85-node radial distribution power grid by optimizing the placement of wind turbines in the grid. The osprey optimization algorithm (OOA) and walrus optimization algorithm (WOA) are implemented to solve the problem. The two algorithms are validated in three study cases of placing two wind turbines (WTs) in the system for power loss reduction. Mainly, in Case 1, WTs can only produce active power, while in Case 2 and Case 3, WTs can supply both active and reactive power to the grid with different ranges of power factors. In Case 4, the best-applied methods between the two are reapplied to reach the minimum value of the total energy loss within one year. Notably, this case focuses on minimizing the total power loss for each hour in a day under load demand variations and dynamic power supply from WTs. On top of that, this case uses two different sets of actual wind power data acquired from the Global Wind Atlas for the two positions inherited from the previous case. Moreover, the utilization of wind power is also evaluated in the two scenarios: (1) wind power from WTs is fully used for all values of load demand, (2) and wind power from WTs is optimized for each load demand value. The results in the first three cases indicate that the WOA achieves better minimum, mean, and maximum power losses for the two cases than the OOA over fifty trial runs. Moreover, the WOA obtains an excellent loss reduction compared to the Base case without WTs. The loss of the base system is 224.3 kW, but that of Case 1, Case 2, and Case 3 is 115.6, 30.6 kW, and 0.097 kW. The placement of wind turbines in Case 1, Case 2, and Case 3 reached a loss reduction of 48.5%, 84.3%, and 99.96% compared to the Base case. The optimal placement of WTs in the selected distribution power grid has shown huge advantages in reducing active power loss, especially in Case 3. For the last study case, the energy loss in a year is calculated by WSO after reaching hourly power loss, the energy loss in a month, and the season. The results in this case also indicate that the optimization of wind power, as mentioned in Scenario 2, results in a better total energy loss value in a year than in Scenario 1. The total energy loss in Scenario 2 is reduced by approximately 95.98% compared to Scenario 1. So, WOA is an effective algorithm for optimizing the placement and determining the power output of wind turbines in distribution power grids to minimize the total energy loss in years.
Preparation of Manganese Dioxide Lithium Ion Sieve and Its Application in Lithium Extraction from Coal Fly Ash
Authors: Zhang Pengpeng , Li Yanheng , Xu Mingjing , Yao Bin , Zhang Chenliang
Published: February 2024

The present study focuses on the synthesis of a manganese dioxide lithium ion sieve and its application for the extraction of lithium from coal fly ash. The preparation and adsorption experiments of the manganese dioxide lithium ion sieve were carried out using the orthogonal method, while the HCl elution experiment was carried out using the single factor method. The results showed that the optimum preparation conditions under which the average lithium adsorption efficiency reached 99.98% were a 10:1 mass ratio of manganese dioxide to lithium hydroxide, calcination at 800 °C for 60 min, 1.5 mol/L HCl, soaking for 24 h and stirring for 18 h. Additionally, the optimum adsorption efficiency was observed with an adsorption time of 30 min, KOH pH of 8 and KOH scrubbing time of 10 min, resulting in 100% lithium adsorption efficiency. The optimum elution conditions for lithium were determined to be an HCl concentration of 0.01 mol/L and an elution time of 40 min, giving 100% lithium elution efficiency.
Unveiling the Essential Parameters Driving Mineral Reactions during CO2 Storage in Carbonate Aquifers through Proxy Models
Authors: Machado Marcos Vitor Barbosa , Khanal Aaditya , Delshad Mojdeh
Published: February 2024

Numerical simulation is a commonly employed technique for studying carbon dioxide (CO2) storage processes in porous media, particularly saline aquifers. It enables the representation of diverse trapping mechanisms and the assessment of CO2 retention capacity within the subsurface. The intricate physicochemical phenomena involved necessitate the incorporation of multiphase flow, accurate depiction of fluid and rock properties, and their interactions. Among these factors, geochemical reaction rates and mechanisms are pivotal for successful CO2 trapping in carbonate reactive rocks. However, research on kinetic parameters and the influence of lithology on CO2 storage remains limited. This limitation is partly due to the challenges faced in laboratory experiments, where the time scale of the reactions and the lack of in situ conditions hinder accurate measurement of mineral reaction rates. This study employs proxy models constructed using response surfaces calibrated with simulation results to address uncertainties associated with geochemical reactions. Monte Carlo simulation is utilized to explore a broader range of parameters and identify influential factors affecting CO2 mineralization. The findings indicate that an open database containing kinetic parameters can support uncertainty assessment. Additionally, the proxy models effectively represent objective functions related to CO2 injectivity and mineralization, with calcite dissolution playing a predominant role. pH, calcite concentration, and CO2 injection rate significantly impact dolomite precipitation, while quartz content remains unaffected.
A Multi-Agent Driving-Simulation Approach for Characterizing Hazardous Vehicle Interactions between Autonomous Vehicles and Manual Vehicles
Authors: Jung Aram , Jo Young , Oh Cheol , Park Jaehong , Yun Dukgeun
Published: February 2024

The advent of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the traffic stream is expected to innovatively prevent crashes resulting from human errors in manually driven vehicles (MVs). However, substantial safety benefits due to AVs are not achievable quickly because the mixed-traffic conditions in which AVs and MVs coexist in the current road infrastructure will continue for a considerably long period of time. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology to evaluate the driving safety of mixed car-following situations between AVs and MVs on freeways based on a multi-agent driving-simulation (MADS) technique. Evaluation results were used to answer the question ‘What road condition would make the mixed car-following situations hazardous?’ Three safety indicators, including the acceleration noise, the standard deviation of the lane position, and the headway, were used to characterize the maneuvering behavior of the mixed car-following pairs in terms of driving safety. It was found that the inter-vehicle safety of mixed pairs was poor when they drove on a road section with a horizontal curve length of 1000 m and downhill slope of 1% or 3%. A set of road sections were identified, using the proposed evaluation method, as hazardous conditions for mixed car-following pairs consisting of AVs and MVs. The outcome of this study will be useful for supporting the establishment of safer road environments and developing novel V2X-based trafficsafetyinformation content that enables the enhancement of mixed-traffic safety.
Advancing Quantitative Seismic Characterization of Physical and Anisotropic Properties in Shale Gas Reservoirs with an FCNN Framework Based on Dynamic Adaptive Rock Physics Modeling
Authors: Deng Xinhui , Kang Xinze , Yang Duo , Fu Wei , Luo Teng
Published: February 2024

Quantitative seismic methods are crucial for understanding shale gas reservoirs. This study introduces a dynamic adaptive rock physics model (DARPM) designed to systematically quantify the relationship between physical parameters and elastic parameters within shale formations. The DARPM uniquely adapts to changes in formation dip angle, allowing adaptive reservoir property assessment. An innovative adaptive rock physics inversion methodology is subsequently proposed to compute values for reservoir physical and seismic anisotropy parameters. This is achieved using well log data and building upon the foundation laid by the established DARPM. We introduce the RPM-FCNN (rock physics model—fully connected neural network) framework, seamlessly integrating the DARPM with the corresponding inversion results into a comprehensive model. This framework facilitates a quantitative analysis of the nonlinear relationship between elastic and reservoir physical parameters. Utilizing the trained RPM-FCNN framework, the spatial distribution of reservoir and seismic anisotropic characteristics can be precisely characterized. Within this framework, the organic matter mixture aspect ratio indicates the continuity of organic matter, while the organic matter porosity reveals the maturity of organic matter. Simultaneously, seismic anisotropy characteristics signify the degree of stratification within the reservoirs. This method, therefore, establishes a robust foundation for identifying favorable areas within shale gas reservoirs.
Graph Neural Network and BERT Model for Antimalarial Drug Predictions Using Plasmodium Potential Targets
Authors: Mswahili Medard Edmund , Ndomba Goodwill Erasmo , Jo Kyuri , Jeong Young-Seob
Published: February 2024

Malaria continues to pose a significant global health burden despite concerted efforts to combat it. In 2020, nearly half of the world’s population faced the risk of malaria, underscoring the urgency of innovative strategies to tackle this pervasive threat. One of the major challenges lies in the emergence of the resistance of parasites to existing antimalarial drugs. This challenge necessitates the discovery of new, effective treatments capable of combating the Plasmodium parasite at various stages of its life cycle. Advanced computational approaches have been utilized to accelerate drug development, playing a crucial role in every stage of the drug discovery and development process. We have witnessed impressive and groundbreaking achievements, with GNNs applied to graph data and BERT from transformers across diverse NLP text analysis tasks. In this study, to facilitate a more efficient and effective approach, we proposed the integration of an NLP based model for SMILES (i.e., BERT) and a GNN model (i.e., RGCN) to predict the effect of antimalarial drugs against Plasmodium. The GNN model was trained using designed antimalarial drug and potential target (i.e., PfAcAS, F/GGPPS, and PfMAGL) graph-structured data with nodes representing antimalarial drugs and potential targets, and edges representing relationships between them. The performance of BERT-RGCN was further compared with that of Mordred-RGCN to evaluate its effectiveness. The BERT-RGCN and Mordred-RGCN models performed consistently well across different feature combinations, showcasing high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, MCC, AUROC, and AUPRC values. These results suggest the effectiveness of the models in predicting antimalarial drugs against Plasmodium falciparum in various scenarios based on different sets of features of drugs and potential antimalarial targets.
Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Anisotropic Slate under Different Water Contents
Authors: Yang Xiuzhu , Li Jiahua , Zhang Yongguan , Lei Jinshan , Li Xilai , Huang Xinyue , Xu Chengli
Published: February 2024

Slate typically possesses a pronounced layered structure and tends to soften when exposed to water, leading to numerous detrimental effects on the construction of related underground projects. In this study, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was first performed to investigate the mineral composition of the typical slate from Changsha, China. Then, uniaxial and triaxial compression tests under varying bedding angles (i.e., 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) and moisture levels (i.e., dry state, natural state, and saturated state) were conducted to explore the anisotropy characteristics and susceptibility to water-induced softening of the slate. The results reveal that: (1) The exposure of slate to water exacerbates the deterioration of its layered structure, making it more prone to shear failure along the bedding planes. Furthermore, the energy released during shear-slip damage is reduced, which is macroscopically manifested by the decrease in slate brittleness and the increase in plasticity. (2) The slate’s compressive strength, elastic modulus, and cohesion vary in a U-shaped pattern with the increase in bedding angles. However, Poisson’s ratio and internal friction angle are slightly affected by the bedding angle and water content, which do not exhibit a clear variation pattern. (3) In addition, the formulations for strength and stiffness predictions of slate were also discussed in this study. The results show that the modified Hoek–Brown criterion characterizes the uniaxial and triaxial compressive strengths of slate more accurately, and the generalized Hooke’s Law more effectively predicts the elastic modulus.
Effects of Adding Mechanical Vibration and a Stick on Acceleration and Movement Variability during a Slide-Board Skating Exercise: Differences between the Dominant and Non-Dominant Legs
Authors: Gisbert-Orozco Jose F. , Moras Gerard , Illera-Domínguez Víctor , Toro-Román Víctor , Pérez-Chirinos Buxadé Carla , Fernández-Valdés Bruno
Published: February 2024

The aim of the present study was to analyse differences in acceleration and movement variability caused by adding whole-body vibration (WBV) and an implement (stick) while performing a slide-board (SB) skating exercise. A total of 10 professional ice-hockey players (age 20.4 ± 2.07 years) participated in the study. Participants performed 30 s of lateral sliding on a slide vibration board (SVB). Four conditions were analysed: no vibration and no stick (NVNS), no vibration with a stick (NVS), vibration without a stick (VNS) and vibration with a stick (VS). Peak acceleration, mean acceleration and movement variability (MV) were analysed in the dominant and non-dominant legs in each condition. Peak acceleration was higher in the non-dominant leg (p < 0.01). However, MV was higher in the dominant leg (p < 0.01). Regarding differences between conditions, mean acceleration was higher in VNS and VS than in NVS (p < 0.05). Regarding MV (sample entropy), there were differences in NVNS compared to VNS and VS (p < 0.01) and in NVS compared to VNS and VS (p < 0.01), with the values being superior in VNS and VS. The addition of WBV during an SB skating exercise results in an increase in MV and mean acceleration. The dominant leg shows greater MV regardless of the addition of vibration and a stick during sliding on an SVB.
Pre-Fermentative Cryogenic Treatments: The Effect on Aroma Compounds and Sensory Properties of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc Wine—A Review
Authors: van Breda Valmary M. , van Jaarsveld Francois P. , van Wyk Jessy
Published: February 2024

Low-temperature treatments preceding alcoholic fermentation are becoming increasingly popular and have been used in winemaking as a tool to improve wine colour, aroma, and quality. Additionally, the pre-fermentative treatment of grapes with cryogenic agents protects the grape juice (must) from oxidation by reducing the diffusion of atmospheric oxygen into the liquid phase during the winemaking process. Resultant wines were reported to have enhanced varietal aromas, increased complexity, and higher thiol levels. Indications are that increased contact time between skin and juice improves the extraction of the compounds and/or precursors. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the production of wines with enhanced varietal aromas and improved quality by applying innovative winemaking technologies. This review aims to provide an overview of the aroma and organoleptic quality of Sauvignon blanc and Chenin blanc wines produced from grapes that were subjected to pre-fermentative cryogenic treatments including the impact aroma compounds, i.e., volatile thiols and methoxypyrazines.
Therapeutic Effectiveness of Postural Treatment on Youth Swimmers’ Anterior Shoulder Pain—An Interventional Study
Authors: Szabó Dorottya , Kiss Gabriella , Tékus Eva , Mayer Petra , Váczi Márk , Fekete Judit Diana , Novográdecz Gergely , Lázár István , Gocze Katalin , Vermes Csaba , Mintál Tibor
Published: February 2024

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a 24-week-long training program on changes in static body posture, as well as the characteristics of anterior shoulder pain in youth swimmers, and the relationship between changes in whole-body posture and the frequency and intensity of anterior shoulder pain. Competitive young swimmers (n = 54, 13.9 ± 1.79 years) were divided into experimental group and control group and both groups performed their usual swimming training. In addition, the experimental group performed a 24-week-long whole-body posture correction program. Before and after the implemented training, whole-body posture was analyzed using the PostureScreen (version 13.7) mobile application, and subjective intensity of pain was determined using the swimmer’s functional pain scale. Significant changes were found between the two groups in numerous measured postural parameters. A significant reduction in the prevalence of shoulder pain and score of the pain scale was observed after the posture correction program in the experimental group. Our results may imply that more optimal biomechanical conditions may indirectly reduce the incidence of swimmer’s shoulder in terms of prevention. Analysis and monitoring of body posture of swimmers using an on-field mobile application continuously, and the application of preventive training programs, may help to avoid developing injuries.
Development of Circuits for Antilogarithmic Converters with Efficient Error–Area–Delay Product Using the Fractional-Bit Compensation Scheme for Digital Signal Processing Applications
Authors: Kuo Chao-Tsung
Published: February 2024

Digital signal processing (DSP) has been widely adopted in sensor systems, communication systems, digital image processing, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things applications. However, these applications require circuits for complex arithmetic computation. The logarithmic number system is a method to reduce the implementation area and transmission delay for arithmetic computation in DSP. In this study, we propose antilogarithmic converters with efficient error–area–delay products (eADPs) based on the fractional-bit compensation scheme. We propose three mathematical approximations—case 1, case 2, and case 3—to approximate the accurate antilogarithmic curve with different DSP requirements. The maximum percentage errors of conversion for case 1, case 2, and case 3 are 1.9089%, 1.7330%, and 1.2063%, respectively. Case 1, case 2, and case 3 can achieve eADP savings of 15.66%, 80.80%, and 84.61% compared with other methods reported in the literature. The proposed eADP-efficient antilogarithmic converters can achieve lower eADP and digitalized circuit implementation. The hardware implementation utilizes Verilog Hardware Description Language and the digital circuits are created via very-large-scale integration by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company with 0.18 µm CMOS technology. This proposed antilogarithmic converter can be efficiently applied in DSP.
Functional Foods’ Consumption in Children and Parents: A Literature Review
Authors: Votsi Irene Chrysovalantou , Koutelidakis Antonios E.
Published: February 2024

Among young children, parents are a main factor in children’s preferences for food served as they are responsible for purchasing and providing functional foods (FFs) and they are role models for them. This review study was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and aimed at reviewing the recent data about the consumption of FFs in families as part of a balanced diet. The literature search was conducted via the online academic search engines PubMed, ResearchGate and Google Scholar. The search process was restricted to research papers published in English in reviewed journals from 2012 to 2023. Thirty-six articles were ultimately included in the present review. The findings indicated a relationship between several sociodemographic factors and a higher likelihood of purchasing FFs for children. Higher household annual income, education levels and purchase frequencies among females are all positively correlated with higher levels of nutritional knowledge and confidence in the validity of scientific research on FFs. Also, parents’ sociodemographic factors affect the children’s fruit/vegetable consumption. This study concludes that parents are role models for their children’s eating behavior and eating habits.
The Dynamic Characteristics of Railway Portal Frame Bridges: A Comparison between Measurements and Calculations
Authors: Heiland Till , Stempniewski Lothar , Stark Alexander
Published: February 2024

Railway bridges are subjected to significant dynamic loads. A numerical model of the bridge structure that captures its dynamic characteristics as accurately as possible is essential for the simulation of train crossings. However, most existing Calculation Models either do not consider the dynamic interaction between the structure and the soil, known as the soil–structure interaction (SSI), or give it only secondary importance. As a result, the accuracy of the predicted dynamic characteristics is affected. This paper illustrates how the dynamic interactions of abutments impact the portal frame bridge’s SSI. This influence prompts the question of incorporating the frequency-dependent influence of the structure–soil–structure interaction (SSSI) into the modelling process. We propose a conservative estimation of the frequency range influenced by the shear wave interference of the SSSI and recommend using it as an application limit in the development of computational models. Based on this estimation, a Calculation Model is presented. In this approach, the SSI is considered using the well-known quasi-static spring–damper method from foundation vibration analysis, adhering to limitations based on the SSSI. For the application of the presented Calculation Model, four concrete portal frame bridges with spans between 9 m and 17 m along the high-speed line from Nuremberg to Munich, Germany, are investigated by analyzing the dynamic characteristics and comparing them with the prediction of the proposed numerical Calculation Model. The presented method shows good calculation accuracy.
High-Frequency Artifacts-Resistant Image Watermarking Applicable to Image Processing Models
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Xinpeng , Wu Hanzhou
Published: February 2024

With the extensive adoption of generative models across various domains, the protection of copyright for these models has become increasingly vital. Some researchers suggest embedding watermarks in the images generated by these models as a means of preserving IP rights. In this paper, we find that existing generative model watermarking introduces high-frequency artifacts in the high-frequency spectrum of the marked images, thereby compromising the imperceptibility and security of the generative model watermarking system. Given this revelation, we propose an innovative image watermarking technology that takes into account frequency-domain imperceptibility. Our approach abandons the conventional convolutional neural network (CNN) structure typically used as the watermarking embedding network in popular watermarking techniques. This helps the image watermarking system to avoid the inherent high-frequency artifacts commonly produced by CNNs. In addition, we design a frequency perturbation generation network to generate low-frequency perturbations. These perturbations are subsequently added as watermarks to the low-frequency components of the carrier image, thus minimizing the impact of the watermark embedding process on the high-frequency properties of the image. The results show that our proposed watermarking framework can effectively embed low-frequency perturbation watermarks into images and effectively suppress high-frequency artifacts in images, thus significantly improving the frequency-domain imperceptibility and security of the image watermarking system. The introduced approach enhances the average invisibility performance in the frequency domain by up to 24.9% when contrasted with prior methods. Moreover, the method attains superior image quality (>50 dB) in the spatial domain, accompanied by a 100% success rate in watermark extraction in the absence of attacks. This underscores its capability to uphold the efficacy of the protected network and preserve the integrity of the watermarking process. It always maintains excellent imperceptibility and robustness. Thus, the framework shows great potential as a state-of-the-art solution for protecting intellectual property.
Optimal Design of a Novel Consequent-Pole Interior Permanent Magnet Motor with Flared-Structured Rotor
Authors: Yoon Keun-young , You Yong-min
Published: February 2024

Interior permanent magnet motors are widely used in applications requiring high power density and high efficiency due to their high torque-generating capabilities. Recently, given the price fluctuations and unstable supply of rare earth permanent magnets, alternative configurations with reduced use of permanent magnets are being sought. Among the various candidates related to this, the consequent-pole type rotor structure can halve the number of permanent magnets used compared with conventional structures. However, in a no-load analysis, the waveform of the back electromotive force becomes asymmetric, generating a harmonic component. As a result, there is a disadvantage that the torque ripple increases. To overcome these shortcomings, we propose a novel rotor structure that applies a consequent-pole structure to an embedded permanent-magnet motor structure, wherein a number of permanent magnets are arranged in a flared structure to constitute a single polarity. In the proposed flared-structured magnet arrangement, it is possible to adjust the angle of the permanent magnet and the polar angle to mitigate the asymmetry of the back-EMF waveform. The proposed structure was optimized with a genetic algorithm and a prototype of the optimal model was constructed and experimentally evaluated to verify its validity. Finally, the performance improvement and validity of the proposed structure were verified by comparing the analysis results of the optimal model with the experimental results.