bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying the role of vision transformer for skin cancer—A scoping review
Authors: Khan Sulaiman , Ali Hazrat , Shah Zubair
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Detecting and accurately diagnosing early melanocytic lesions is challenging due to extensive intra- and inter-observer variabilities. Dermoscopy images are widely used to identify and study skin cancer, but the blurred boundaries between lesions and besieging tissues can lead to incorrect identification. Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, including vision transformers, have been proposed as a solution, but variations in symptoms and underlying effects hinder their performance.

Objective

This scoping review synthesizes and analyzes the literature that uses vision transformers for skin lesion detection.

Methods

The review follows the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Revise) guidelines. The review searched online repositories such as IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed to retrieve relevant articles. After screening and pre-processing, 28 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included.

Results and discussions

The review found that the use of vision transformers for skin cancer detection has rapidly increased from 2020 to 2022 and has shown outstanding performance for skin cancer detection using dermoscopy images. Along with highlighting intrinsic visual ambiguities, irregular skin lesion shapes, and many other unwanted challenges, the review also discusses the key problems that obfuscate the trustworthiness of vision transformers in skin cancer diagnosis. This review provides new insights for practitioners and researchers to understand the current state of knowledge in this specialized research domain and outlines the best segmentation techniques to identify accurate lesion boundaries and perform melanoma diagnosis. These findings will ultimately assist practitioners and researchers in making more authentic decisions promptly.
Reduced immunomodulatory metabolite concentrations in peri-transplant fecal samples from heart allograft recipients
Authors: Dela Cruz Mark , Lin Huaiying , Han Jiho , Adler Emerald , Boissiere Jaye , Khalid Maryam , Sidebottom Ashley , Sundararajan Anitha , Lehmann Christopher , Moran Angelica , Odenwald Matthew , Stutz Matthew , Kim Gene , Pinney Sean , Jeevanandam Valluvan , Alegre Maria-Luisa , Pamer Eric , Nguyen Ann B.
Published: July 2023

Background

Emerging evidence is revealing the impact of the gut microbiome on hematopoietic and solid organ transplantation. Prior studies postulate that this influence is mediated by bioactive metabolites produced by gut-dwelling commensal bacteria. However, gut microbial metabolite production has not previously been measured among heart transplant (HT) recipients.

Methods

In order to investigate the potential influence of the gut microbiome and its metabolites on HT, we analyzed the composition and metabolite production of the fecal microbiome among 48 HT recipients at the time of HT.

Results

Compared to 20 healthy donors, HT recipients have significantly reduced alpha, i.e. within-sample, microbiota diversity, with significantly lower abundances of key anaerobic commensal bacteria and higher abundances of potentially pathogenic taxa that have been correlated with adverse outcomes in other forms of transplantation. HT recipients have a wide range of microbiota-derived fecal metabolite concentrations, with significantly reduced levels of immune modulatory metabolites such as short chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids compared to healthy donors. These differences were likely due to disease severity and prior antibiotic exposures but were not explained by other demographic or clinical factors.

Conclusions

Key potentially immune modulatory gut microbial metabolites are quantifiable and significantly reduced among HT recipients compared to healthy donors. Further study is needed to understand whether this wide range of gut microbial dysbiosis and metabolite alterations impact clinical outcomes and if they can be used as predictive biomarkers or manipulated to improve transplant outcomes.
Interactive effects of catchment mean water residence time and agricultural area on water physico-chemical variables and GHG saturations in headwater streams
Authors: Mwanake Ricky Mwangada , Gettel Gretchen Maria , Wangari Elizabeth Gachibu , Butterbach-Bahl Klaus , Kiese Ralf
Published: July 2023

Greenhouse gas emissions from headwater streams are linked to multiple sources influenced by terrestrial land use and hydrology, yet partitioning these sources at catchment scales remains highly unexplored. To address this gap, we sampled year-long stable water isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) from 17 headwater streams differing in catchment agricultural areas. We calculated mean residence times (MRT) and young water fractions (YWF) based on the seasonality of δ18O signals and linked these hydrological measures to catchment characteristics, mean annual water physico-chemical variables, and GHG % saturations. The MRT and the YWF ranged from 0.25 to 4.77 years and 3 to 53%, respectively. The MRT of stream water was significantly negatively correlated with stream slope (r2 = 0.58) but showed no relationship with the catchment area. Streams in agriculture-dominated catchments were annual hotspots of GHG oversaturation, which we attributed to precipitation-driven terrestrial inputs of dissolved GHGs for streams with shorter MRTs and nutrients and GHG inflows from groundwater for streams with longer MRTs. Based on our findings, future research should also consider water mean residence time estimates as indicators of integrated hydrological processes linking discharge and land use effects on annual GHG dynamics in headwater streams.
The impact of technology transfer on the green innovation efficiency of Chinese high-tech industry
Authors: Zhou Shuzhen , Peng Feng
Published: July 2023

Promoting technology transfer is an important strategic measure for China to promote industrial innovation. However, there is little research exploring the influence of technology transfer on the green innovation efficiency (GIE) of China's high-tech industry (HTI). From the perspective of process, green innovation in HTI is a continuous three-stage system including research and development (R&D), commercialization, and diffusion. Therefore, we measure the GIE of China's HTI by using a three-stage network data envelopment analysis (NDEA) model considering environmental pollution and establish a series of regression models to investigate the role of the two main ways of technology transfer, domestic technology acquisition (DTA) and foreign technology introduction (FTI), in improving the GIE of HTI. The results show that the average GIE of China's HTI is 0.7727 from 2011 to 2020. Except for Jiangsu, Guangdong, Qinghai, and Xinjiang, green innovation in HTI in other provinces in China is inefficient. DTA has significantly promoted GIE in HTI. FTI has a positive impact on the GIE of HTI but is not statistically significant. The robustness test confirmed these results. This study is helpful to understand the differences between the effects of DTA and FTI on the GIE of China's HTI, to provide a basis for adjusting technology transfer policies.
Effect of florfenicol on nirS-type denitrifying communities structure of water in an aquatic microcosm model
Authors: Zhang Tengyue , Peng Jinju , Dai Yue , Xie Xingpeng , Luo Shuaishuai , Ding Yuexia , Ma Yi
Published: July 2023

Florfenicol is used worldwide for its low side effects and strong bactericidal effect. Florfenicol is physicochemically stable and can persist in natural water bodies and affect water denitrification. Indoor aquatic microcosm models were constructed and water samples were collected at different florfenicol concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/L) on days 0, 7, 30, and 60 to extract the microbial genome DNA and determine the water properties. qPCR and amplicon sequencing were used to study the dynamic changes of nirS gene and nirS-type denitrifying communities structure, diversity and abundance, respectively. The results showed that higher florfenicol concentrations caused accumulation of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen in water. Florfenicol stress caused orders of magnitude changes in nirS gene abundance, showing a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. 100 mg/L florfenicol addition led to a sustained increase of nirS gene abundance in water bodies. The florfenicol addition altered denitrifying community structure and suppressed the richness and diversity index of denitrifying bacteria in water body. Over time, the richness and diversity index gradually recovered. Proteobacteria was always the dominant denitrifying phylum in water. The relative abundance of Pseudomonas and beta proteobacterium showed obvious positive correlation with nirS gene abundance and were the dominant genera under florfenicol stress. Our study provided a scientific basis for the rational use of florfenicol in aquaculture to maintain a healthy and stable microecological environment, and also provided a preliminary understanding of the response characteristics of water denitrifying microorganisms to florfenicol exposure.
A Blockchain-Based Auction Framework for Location-Aware Services
Authors: Almiani Khaled , Alrub Mutaz Abu , Lee Young Choon , Rashidi Taha H. , Pasdar  Amirmohammad
Published: July 2023

As a critical factor in ensuring the growth of the electronic auction (e-auction) domain, the privacy and security of the participants (sellers and buyers) must always be guaranteed. Traditionally, auction data, including participant details, are stored in a third party (auctioneer) database. This leads to a high risk of a single point of failure in terms of privacy and security. Toward this end, blockchain technology has emerged as a promising decentralized communication paradigm to address such risks. This paper presents a blockchain-based auction framework as a decentralized e-auctioning framework for location-aware services. In particular, the framework consists of three components: pre-auctioning, main auctioning, and post-auctioning processes with four algorithms. Our primary focus is on location-aware services, such as storage space rental, apartment rental, transport hire, and parking space rental. The trading volumes are expected to be high; hence, simplifying the design is a crucial requirement. In addition to the benefits of eliminating the centralized entity (the auctioneer), fees are redistributed among participants as rewards. Further, we incorporate a service quality monitoring method that ranks the services provided by participants. This ranking allows participants to determine the rank of other participants with whom they wish to trade. We have conducted several experiments to evaluate the proposed framework’s cost feasibility and to ensure the ease of the business flow.
Disruptive Technologies Certification Standard Approach
Authors: Buzzo Gianpiero , Travascio Lidia , Vozella Angela , Baldizzone Mauro , Gily Monica , Casagrande Clarissa , Martina Vincenzo , Quarona Emanuele
Published: July 2023

The current rapid technological change identifies the evolution of people’s transportation as one of the primary effects. Hybrid-electric propulsion reveals potential advantages, including fuel savings, lower pollution, and reduced noise emissions. It is becoming a viable alternative propulsion technology for ground and marine applications and the aviation sector. Hybrid-electric propulsion systems can meet the high demands of next-generation aircraft in terms of lower operating costs, economy, and fuel efficiency while maintaining high flight performance. Introducing similar disruptive technologies requires an evolution of the traditional certification approach and associated means of compliance. Even if it starts with evaluating a hybrid propulsion system, the proposed process can also be adopted in other areas where disruptive technologies need to be adopted, such as H2 fuel systems and active wings, to summarize some potential applications. The Certification Approach for Disruptive Technologies adopts a top–down process, reversing and mixing the usual certification approach currently used for aircraft. It is based on a safety assessment fully integrated into the system’s development. The result of this process will consist of a list of gaps in certification requirements, their classification based on gap solution impact, and proposals to close those gaps.
JT9D Engine Thrust Estimation and Model Sensitivity Analysis Using Gradient Boosting Regression Method
Authors: Wen Hung-Ta , Wu Hom-Yu , Liao Kuo-Chien , Chen Wei-Chuan
Published: July 2023

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been applied in different research fields. In this study, the XGBoost regression model is proposed to estimate JT9D engine thrust. The model performance mean absolute error (MAE) is 0.004845, the mean-squared error (MSE) is 0.000161, and the coefficient of determination (R2) values of the training, validation, and testing subsets are 0.99, 0.99, and 0.98, respectively. Based on a model sensitivity analysis, the four parameters’ optimal values are as follows: the number of estimators is 900; the learning rate is 0.1; the maximum depth is 4, and the random state is 3. In addition, a comparison between the model performance in this study and that in a previous one was conducted. The MSE value is as low as 0.000021.
Formicidal Potential of Thymol Derivatives: Adverse Effects on the Survival and Behavior of Acromyrmex balzani
Authors: Dantas Jaciele O. , Cavalcanti Sócrates C. H. , Araújo Ana Paula A. , Silva Jefferson E. , Brito Thaysnara B. , Andrade Valfran S. , Pinheiro Heloisa S. S. , Tavares Swamy R. S. A. , Blank Arie F. , Bacci Leandro
Published: July 2023

Leaf-cutting ants are important pests of agricultural and forest crops. Currently, few insecticides are registered for the control of these insects. Natural bioactive molecules can serve as models for the synthesis of new insecticidal compounds. Such ant killer products must be sustainable and efficient, considering not only lethal effects, but also sublethal effects, which can interfere with behavior and communication between colony members. In this study, we analyzed the toxicity of the monoterpene thymol and its derivatives, as well as the sublethal effects of these compounds on the behavior of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex balzani. These effects were compared with the conventional synthetic insecticide deltamethrin. Although deltamethrin showed higher toxicity (LD50 = 0.87 × 10−5 µg/mg), all other tested compounds increased ant mortality, with thymyl chloroacetate being the most toxic derivative (LD50 = 1.41 µg/mg), followed by thymol (LD50 = 2.23 µg/mg). These three most toxic compounds interfered differentially in the behavior of ants. Thymyl chloroacetate caused increased self-cleaning and reduced allogrooming, which may be related to an attempt to avoid contamination between nestmates. In general, thymol caused greater avoidance among ants, reduced walking speed and caused disorientation in workers. On the other hand, thymyl chloroacetate (LD30) considerably increased the walking speed of the group, without changing the orientation of the individuals. Such changes may interfere with basic activities such as foraging and altering colony cohesion via different mechanisms. Thus, despite the desirable effects of deltamethrin on ant control, this insecticide is highly toxic and should be discontinued soon. Our results show that thymol and its structural modification in thymyl chloroacetate may represent potential ant killers to be used in the management of A. balzani.
Comparative Analysis of Primary and Secondary Metabolites in the Peel of Eight Blood Orange Varieties
Authors: Melgarejo Pablo , Ballesta-de los Santos Manuel , Martínez-Nicolás Juan José , Melián-Navarro Amparo , Ruíz-Canales Antonio , Forner-Giner María Ángeles , Legua Pilar
Published: July 2023

The global cultivation of blood oranges is experiencing an increase due to their remarkable nutritional properties. Blood orange by-products, especially the peel, have a high concentration of bioactive compounds with exceptional antioxidant potential, making them an ideal choice for incorporation into various food products. This study aimed to determine the morphological parameters and primary and secondary metabolite content of peel of eight blood orange varieties using 1H NMR and HPLC-ESI-DAD-MSn. “Tarocco Meli” had the highest weight (367.83 g), caliber (94.13 mm and 88.87 mm), peel thickness (6.73 mm), and peel weight (155.0 g). “Tarocco Rosso”, “Sanguinelli”, and “Tarocco Gallo” had the highest levels of total amino acids (25.57 g kg−1 DW), total organic acids (29.99 g kg−1 DW), and total sugars (68.56 g 100 g−1 DW), respectively. The peel of “Moro” had significantly higher concentrations of total anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavones (650.67, 263.33, and 449.85 mg kg−1, respectively) compared to the other varieties. In conclusion, “Tarocco Meli” had the most interesting values for morphological parameters, “Tarocco Rosso”, “Sanguinelli”, and “Tarocco Gallo” for primary metabolites, and “Moro” for secondary metabolites. With the increasing interest in utilizing co-products, these findings could be useful in developing functional food products that meet consumer demands for healthier and more sustainable food choices.
An Improved YOLOv5s-Based Agaricus bisporus Detection Algorithm
Authors: Chen Chao , Wang Feng , Cai Yuzhe , Yi Shanlin , Zhang Baofeng
Published: July 2023

This study aims to improve the Agaricus bisporus detection efficiency and performance of harvesting robots in the complex environment of the mushroom growing house. Based on deep learning networks, an improved YOLOv5s algorithm was proposed for accurate A. bisporus detection. First, A. bisporus images collected in situ from the mushroom growing house were preprocessed and augmented to construct a dataset containing 810 images, which were divided into the training and test sets in the ratio of 8:2. Then, by introducing the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) into the backbone network of YOLOv5s and adopting the Mosaic image augmentation technique in training, the detection accuracy and robustness of the algorithm were improved. The experimental results showed that the improved algorithm had a recognition accuracy of 98%, a single-image processing time of 18 ms, an A. bisporus center point locating error of 0.40%, and a diameter measuring error of 1.08%. Compared with YOLOv5s and YOLOv7, the YOLOv5s-CBAM has better performance in recognition accuracy, center positioning, and diameter measurement. Therefore, the proposed algorithm is capable of accurate A. bisporus detection in the complex environment of the mushroom growing house.
The Effect of a Preparation Containing Humic Acids on the Growth, Yield, and Quality of Strawberry Fruits (Fragaria × ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier)
Authors: Zydlik Zofia , Zydlik Piotr
Published: July 2023

Humic acids are plant biostimulants, which can be used in horticulture as an effective and relatively inexpensive alternative to chemical means of production. The aim of the study was to assess how the fertiliser containing humic acids affected the growth, yield, and quality of strawberry fruits. In 2021, an experiment was conducted on two-year-old strawberry bushes (Fragaria× ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier) of the ‘Rumba’ cultivar growing on a horticultural farm in northern Wielkopolska, Poland. During the growing season, the soil was fertilized by the mineral fertilization and the bushes were sprayed two, three, or four times with the Humi Brown Gold fertiliser containing humic acids. In the experiment, the soil enzymatic activity, biometric parameters of strawberry leaves, fruit yield and fruit quality was assessed. It was determined that, in the experimental treatments where foliar fertilisation had been applied, the activities of proteases and dehydrogenases as well as soil respiration increased by more than double and were significantly higher than in the variants where soil fertilisers had been applied. The strawberry bushes treated with the humic acids fertiliser developed more than 60% larger surface leaves, bloomed more intensively and gave a higher yield. Fruits with significantly higher firmness were harvested from such bushes, with higher weight and extract content than those where the soil fertiliser had been applied. The difference was several tens of percent. This leads to the conclusion that the foliar application of humic acids could be an effective alternative to mineral fertilisation in strawberry plantations.
PacBio Sequencing Unravels Soil Bacterial Assembly Processes along a Gradient of Organic Fertilizer Application
Authors: Wang Wenhui , Gao Yuan , Li Na , Lu Hongmei , Lan Ranxiang , Gu Xungang
Published: July 2023

The application of organic fertilizer is an important agricultural practice for improving soil health and the soil microflora, and the microbial community assembly process relating to this application is also closely associated with soil health. However, the effects of organic fertilizer intensification on the bacterial community assembly processes of farmland soil are often overlooked. In this study, bacterial community structure, ecological networks, and bacterial community assembly processes were evaluated using the investment soil-cultivation test and PacBio sequencing. The PCoA, Mantel test, and Procrustes analysis showed that overfertilization changed soil physicochemical properties and caused significant succession of soil bacterial communities (p < 0.05). The neutral community model indicated that the spread of bacteria in the low-fertilization group was greater than that in the high-fertilization group. Under conditions of overfertilization via organic fertilizer (organic matter ≥ 50% and N-P2O5-K2O ≥ 5%), the bacterial network topology and stability of nutrient-rich loess brown (H) soil were improved compared with those of red (R) soils, and the slope of the robustness analysis displayed a 10.9% decrease in H soil and a 37.2% decrease in R soil. The inference of community assembly mechanisms via phylogenetic-bin-based null model analysis (iCAMP) confirmed that with increasing fertilization, the relative importance of ecological drift gradually increased, and the importance of homogeneous selection was reduced (p < 0.01, permutational ANOVA). A total of 103 bins (in the selected top 200 bins) of the dominant process were different between the H and R soils. The results clarified that homogeneous selection and drift were the dominant processes driving the assembly of bacterial communities in different soil types along the gradient of organic fertilizer application and confirmed that excessive fertilization enhanced the relative importance of drift among the construction mechanisms. Changes in soil construction mechanisms due to overfertilization are related not only to soil type but also to different microbial lineages.
Developmental Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle during the Embryonic Stage in Chinese Yellow Quail (Coturnix japonica)
Authors: Liu Li , Yin Lingqian , Yuan Yaohan , Tang Yuan , Lin Zhongzhen , Liu Yiping , Yang Jiandong
Published: July 2023

The quail is an important research model, and the demand for quail meat has been increasing in recent years; therefore, it is worthwhile investigating the development of embryonic skeletal muscle and the expression patterns of regulatory genes. In this study, the expression of MyoD and Pax7 in the breast muscle (m. pectoralis major) and leg muscle (m. biceps femoris) of quail embryos on days 10 through 17 were determined using qRT-PCR. Paraffin sections of embryonic muscle were analyzed to characterize changes over time. Results showed that MyoD and Pax7 were expressed in both breast and leg muscles and played a significant role in embryonic muscle development. Compared to breast muscle, leg muscle grew faster and had greater weight and myofiber size. The findings suggested that embryonic day 12 (E12) may be a key point for muscle development. Correlation analysis showed that MyoD expression was significantly negatively correlated with muscle and embryo weight, whereas Pax7 gene expression had no significant correlation with these characteristics. These fundamental results provide a theoretical basis for understanding the characteristics and transition points of skeletal muscle development in quail embryos and an important reference for farmers raising quail from eggs.
The Impact of Sea Ice Loss on Benthic Communities of the Makarov Strait (Northeastern Barents Sea)
Authors: Pavlova Lyudmila V. , Dvoretsky Alexander G. , Frolov Alexander A. , Zimina Olga L. , Evseeva Olga Yu. , Dikaeva Dinara R. , Rumyantseva Zinaida Yu. , Panteleeva Ninel N.
Published: July 2023

The continental shelf of the northeastern Barents Sea is presently experiencing a weak influx of Atlantic water from the west. In recent times, warming in Arctic regions has led to an increase in extended ice-free periods in this area, instead of significantly elevating water temperatures. The implications of this phenomenon on the structure and functioning of benthic communities were investigated during the autumn of 2019 within the Makarov Strait, located in the southwestern part of the St. Anna Trough. The macrozoobenthic communities exhibited a clear connection with the duration of ice-free periods. This variable influenced a vertical carbon flux, which subsequently served as the primary predictor for faunal abundance and diversity, as demonstrated by redundancy and correlation analyses. Two faunal groups were identified, corresponding to short and long open-water periods. Both groups had similar alpha diversity (65 ± 6 and 61 ± 9 species per station) and biomasses (39 ± 13 and 47 ± 13 g m−2) but displayed differing abundances (1140 ± 100 vs. 4070 ± 790 ind. m−2) and other diversity indices. We observed a decline in the proportion of polychaetes, accompanied by an increase in the proportion and diversity of bivalves, as well as a rise in the abundance of infaunal species, sub-surface deposit feeders, and mobile suspension feeders, in response to the increasing vertical carbon flux. The potential increase in anthropogenic pressures related to oil development in the northeastern Barents Sea highlights the importance of our study for conservation and monitoring efforts in the region.
Life Cycle Cost Model for Life Support Systems of Crewed Autonomous Transport for Deep Space Habitation
Authors: Kabashkin Igor , Glukhikh Sergey
Published: July 2023

Intelligent transport systems are used in various transport systems, among which a special place is occupied by crewed autonomous transport systems such as space stations for deep space habitation. These objects have a complex and critical requirement for life support systems (LSSs) to maintain safe and habitable conditions for the crew in the isolated environment. This paper explores the different architectural options for life support systems (LSSs) in autonomous transport systems, specifically focusing on space stations. Three alternative LSS architectures are discussed: Open LSS (OLSS), Closed LSS (CLSS), and Mixed LSS (MLSS). Each architecture has its own advantages and disadvantages. OLSS relies on external resource delivery, reducing initial costs but increasing dependence on resupply missions. CLSS operates autonomously, generating resources onboard, but has higher initial costs and technological complexity. MLSS combines external delivery and onboard generation, providing flexibility and adaptability. The material emphasizes the importance of cost-effectiveness analysis at the early stages of design and identifies the boundary values of mission duration that determine the most effective LSS architecture choice. The material highlights the significance of striking the right balance between cost and performance to develop intelligent ecosystems of LSS for space stations and other autonomous transport systems.
Non-Destructive Damage Evaluation Based on Static Response for Beam-like Structures Considering Shear Deformation
Authors: Meng Xiangwei , Xiao Feng , Yan Yu , Chen Gang S. , Ma Yanlong
Published: July 2023

Shear deformation plays an important role in certain structures, and neglecting shear deformation can affect the accuracy of structural response. This paper proposes a non-destructive damage evaluation method that considers shear deformation, based on static response, for identifying corrosion in beam-like structures. The influence of shear deformation on nodal displacement for simply supported beams with different cross-sections was analyzed. The results indicate that even small errors yield inaccurate identification results when neglecting shear deformation. To solve this problem, analytical displacements of the structure were determined based on the Timoshenko beam theory, and the objective function was established. Additionally, the damage identification results were obtained by minimizing the objective function using the interior point method. Several progressively complex examples were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in identifying damage in beam-like structures.
How Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Techniques and Numerical Simulations Can Work Together in the Evaluation of the Elastic Properties of Glasses
Authors: Siafarika Panagiota , Nasikas Nektarios K. , Kalampounias Angelos G.
Published: July 2023

This paper presents the numerical simulation of the ultrasonic wave transmittance utilizing the elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT). With this methodology, it is possible to simulate the propagation of the ultrasound in a medium with a relatively low computational cost. The capability of this technique for determining the elastic properties of fluorophosphate and the aluminosilicate glasses is described in detail. The elastic constants of the glasses were calculated from the theoretically predicted longitudinal and transversal sound velocities and compared with the corresponding experimental data. Furthermore, the calculated and experimental elastic properties of the fluorophosphate and aluminosilicate glasses were correlated with the structural peculiarities of these glasses. This simulation technique is also suitable for unveiling the existence of possible defects in the glasses by comparing the experimental and simulation data. The EFIT technique is shown to be a very useful tool in order to provide fast and easy-to-acquire data regarding also the structural characteristics of various glassy systems. This can be used in conjunction with other spectroscopic techniques which can prove to be extremely useful for the non-destructive testing of vitreous materials. The latter can prove very important when vitreous materials used in optical or optoelectronic applications need continuous monitoring in order to ensure their optimum operation and functionality with limited intervention. The main contribution of this paper is the treatment of numerical time-domain modeling of 2D acoustic wave propagation in a viscoelastic medium by implementing the elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT).
Chemical Signatures of Ge in Magnetite of Wugang BIF, China
Authors: Moon Inkyeong , Liu Lei , Yang Xiaoyong , Suh Yeon Jee , Jung Jaewoo , Ha Youngji
Published: July 2023

Magnetite is a representative ore mineral found in various deposits. The trace element composition of ore deposits is controlled by several physiochemical factors such as temperature, pressure, and oxygen or sulfur fugacity. The chemical behavior of Germanium (Ge) is distinct in different environments. Consequently, the composition patterns of Ge in magnetite can be used to infer the provenance conditions. This study focuses on the Ge composition in magnetite from the Wugang banded iron formation (BIF) to understand the compositional characteristics of BIF sources and reconstruct of origin of Wugang BIF. The magnetite of the Wugang BIF has a porous texture, indicating high dissolution-reprecipitation processes and easy fluid infiltration, owing to its increased effective permeability. The Ge in the magnetite of the Wugang BIF was incorporated into iron hydroxide from the hydrothermal fluid and seawater during precipitation. The formation period of the Wugang BIF was consistent with significant oxidation events that led to the oxidation of ferrous ions in the Precambrian Ocean. Certain processes promote the chemisorption and coprecipitation of Ge into iron hydroxides or oxides.
Effects of Waste Cement on the Extractability of Cd, Soil Enzyme Activities, Cadmium Accumulation, Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) Content in Lettuce
Authors: Ding Xiuming , Wu Yuejun , Wang Junfeng
Published: July 2023

Waste cement, a common by-product of urban construction, is often wasted in huge quantities and is worthless. However, some studies have confirmed that waste cement can be used as an alternative heavy metal immobilizing agent. Waste cements, derived from hydrated cement mortar products, were evaluated for soil Cd bioavailability by DTPA extraction and for their efficacy in ameliorating the toxicity of cadmium to soil enzymes and plant antioxidant enzymes. Soil incubation and pot experiments were conducted on three types of waste cement (OPC (ordinary Portland cement), FAC (fly ash cement) and ZEC (zeolite cement)) with an application rate of 1%, 2%, and 3%. The addition of OPC, FAC, and ZEC significantly increased the pH and cation exchange capacity of the soil (p < 0.05). The concentration of DTPA-extractable Cd significantly reduced with a consequential decrease in Cd uptake and transport in lettuce. OPC, FAC, and ZEC application significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced FDA hydrolysis and soil urease activity, except for catalase activity. OPC, FAC, and ZEC, when applied to soil, enhanced the total dry biomass (shoots and roots). Furthermore, the activities of guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) declined in lettuce treated with OPC, FAC, and ZEC. With the addition OPC, FAC, and ZEC, the content of MDA in lettuce leaves displayed a remarkable decrease. In conclusion, the waste cements effectively reduced Cd bioavailability and enhanced the antioxidant system of lettuce.
Linear/Nonlinear Active Disturbance Rejection Switching Control for Near-Space Morphing Vehicles Based on Type-2 Fuzzy Logic System
Authors: Li Ouxun , Deng Li , Jiang Ju , Huang Shutong
Published: July 2023

This paper is concerned with the problems of robust switching control for near-space morphing vehicles (NMVs) with a large range of parameter uncertainty and external disturbance. For this purpose, a novel linear/nonlinear active disturbance rejection switching control method for the longitudinal dynamical model of NMVs based on the type-2 fuzzy logic system is proposed. Both linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) and nonlinear active disturbance rejection control (NLADRC) were designed for the velocity and altitude subsystems of NMVs. Then, the stability analysis of the cascade closed-loop and switching control systems were carried out. Furthermore, a switching control strategy based on the interval type-2 fuzzy logic system was developed, and the change rules of aerodynamic parameters with Mach number and angle of attack were examined. Finally, the experimental results validated the superior switching performance of the proposed control strategy.
Extremeness Comparison of Regional Drought Events in Yunnan Province, Southwest China: Based on Different Drought Characteristics and Joint Return Periods
Authors: Zhao Ruxin , Yang Siquan , Sun Hongquan , Zhou Lei , Li Ming , Xing Lisong , Tian Rong
Published: July 2023

Droughts frequently occur in Yunnan province, the southwest of China, which leads to crop loss, ecosystem degradation, and difficulties in drinking water for people. In order to assess and compare the extremeness for different drought events, this study quantified it by utilizing the joint return period of drought multi-characteristics. Three characteristics at the regional scale: drought duration, severity, and affected areas were obtained by a simple regional drought process methodology, and their relationship was considered based on three types of Archimedean Copulas. Standard Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index at a six-month time scale was selected as the optimal drought index based on actual drought impact data. Results showed that drought events in Yunnan province were mostly short drought duration, low severity, and high drought-affected areas. By comparing the historical reported droughts’ loss, the return periods of drought events calculated by the combination of duration and severity and drought-affected area are much more suitable to reflect the real drought situations than those calculated by one- or two-dimensional drought characteristics, especially for extreme drought events. On average, the drought in Yunnan province was almost shown a return period of ~10 yr. The frequency of droughts in Yunnan province has gradually increased due to climate change, and droughts with ~100 yr or even larger return periods occurred in 2009–2010 and 2011–2013.
Trends in Extreme Precipitation Indices over Bhutan
Authors: Lhamo Tshering , Chen Gang , Dorji Singay , Tamang Tayba Buddha , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhang Pingnan
Published: July 2023

With the changing climate, the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events are increasing. Climate change is projected to increase both mean and extreme precipitation. Socio-economic damages can be immense and require a difficult recovery, especially for developing countries such as Bhutan. Furthermore, changing precipitation patterns affect land productivity and water availability. The Experts Team on Climate Change Detection Indices (ETCCDI) is used to find the changes associated with extreme precipitation in Bhutan. The study of extreme precipitation is important for Bhutan, whose economy is dependent on agriculture and hydropower. Even for a small country, there were varying patterns of precipitation in different districts. Deothang district received less frequent and more intense rainfall, while Haa, Bumthang, Trashiyangtse, and Chukha received weak but persistent rainfall. Mann–Kendall trends revealed a drier climate for two districts, Dagana and Trashiyangtse, and a wetter climate for the Mongar district. Modeling of the extreme rainfall with extreme value theory (EVT) revealed that the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution by their T = 50-year return value, indicating an increasing value of annual maximums for all stations. This study is the first of its kind for Bhutan, and the findings can be used for decision support and the planning of appropriate adaptation strategies for hydro-meteorological disasters, hydropower, and agriculture sectors in Bhutan.
Effects of Climate Change on Greek Forests: A Review
Authors: Koulelis Panagiotis P. , Proutsos Nikolaos , Solomou Alexandra D. , Avramidou Evangelia V. , Malliarou Ermioni , Athanasiou Miltiadis , Xanthopoulos Gavriil , Petrakis Panos V.
Published: July 2023

This study reviews the impacts of climate change on Greek forests, analysing factors such as climate trends, forest management, biodiversity, genetics, insects, and wildfires, using data from the Scopus and Mendeley databases and official reports. By utilising our current understanding and allocating necessary efforts and resources, we actively address climate change consequences on forests. This study focuses on climate change and extreme weather outcomes on forests. Greek mountain forests at 520–1310 m experience decreasing annual mean and minimum temperatures (−0.015 and −0.027 °C yr–1) but increasing maximum temperatures (+0.014 °C yr–1), especially in Southern Greece (+0.047 °C yr–1). Recent findings reveal forests migrating to higher altitudes with favourable conditions, correlating with water availability, temperature, and tree growth, necessitating further research on forest productivity. A decline in fir tree-ring growth (Average Tree Ring Width Index < 0.6) is observed in mainland Greece, indicating temperature’s effect on growth. Effective forest tree conservation requires prioritising biodiversity monitoring, considering climate change impacts on phenology and addressing the absence of strategies to protect and enhance genetic diversity. Climate change influenced 70 forestry pests’ ranges, notably among Greek insect pests. Annual burned areas from forest fires data indicate a consistent long-term increasing trend, underscoring fire prevention prioritization and exploring fire risk, behaviour, and climate change. The study highlights two to four significant knowledge gaps, and one to three key challenges pertaining to the six research areas. Finally, it promotes partnerships for informed decision-making and better outcomes by integrating Indigenous knowledge, scientific understanding, and collaboration among research, policy, and local management.
Exact and Approximate Solutions for Linear and Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations via Laplace Residual Power Series Method
Authors: Khresat Haneen , El-Ajou Ahmad , Al-Omari Shrideh , Alhazmi Sharifah E. , Oqielat Moa’ath N.
Published: July 2023

The Laplace residual power series method was introduced as an effective technique for finding exact and approximate series solutions to various kinds of differential equations. In this context, we utilize the Laplace residual power series method to generate analytic solutions to various kinds of partial differential equations. Then, by resorting to the above-mentioned technique, we derive certain solutions to different types of linear and nonlinear partial differential equations, including wave equations, nonhomogeneous space telegraph equations, water wave partial differential equations, Klein–Gordon partial differential equations, Fisher equations, and a few others. Moreover, we numerically examine several results by investing some graphs and tables and comparing our results with the exact solutions of some nominated differential equations to display the new approach’s reliability, capability, and efficiency.
A Synthetic Bio-Absorbable Membrane in Guided Bone Regeneration in Dehiscence-Type Defects: An Experimental In Vivo Investigation in Dogs
Authors: Pla Rafael , Sanz-Esporrin Javier , Noguerol Fernando , Vignoletti Fabio , Gamarra Pablo , Sanz Mariano
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to determine the performance and characteristics of a synthetic barrier membrane of polylactic acid and acetyl butyl citrate (PLAB) for the lateral bone augmentation of peri-implant dehiscence defects (mean height × depth = 3 mm × 1 mm). In eight dogs, three treatment groups were randomly allocated at each chronic peri-implant dehiscence-type defect: (i) a deproteinized bovine bone mineral covered by a synthetic barrier membrane (test group), (ii) a deproteinized bovine bone mineral covered by a natural collagen membrane (positive control), and (iii) a synthetic barrier membrane (negative control). After 4 and 12 weeks of submerged healing, dissected tissue blocks were processed for calcified and decalcified histological analysis. Histometric measurements for tissue and bone width were performed, and bone-to-implant contact and alkaline phosphatase expression where measured. After 4 and 12 weeks of healing, no statistical differences between the groups were observed for the histometric measurements. The expression of alkaline phosphatase was higher in the positive control group after 4 weeks followed by the positive and negative controls (5.25 ± 4.09, 4.46 ± 3.03, and 4.35 ± 2.28%, p > 0.05) and 12 weeks followed by the negative and positive controls (4.3 ± 2.14, 3.21 ± 1.53, and 2.39 ± 1.03%, p > 0.05). Concerning the bone-to-implant contact, after 4 weeks, the test group obtained the highest results (39.54 ± 48.7) vs. (31.24 ± 42.6) and (20.23 ± 36.1), respectively, while after 12 weeks, the positive control group obtained the highest Bone to imaplant contact (BIC) results, followed by the test and negative controls, (35.91 ± 24.9) vs. (18.41 ± 20.5) and (24.3 ± 32.1), respectively; no statistically significant differences were obtained. Within the limitations of the study, new bone formation can be achieved in guided bone regeneration procedures simultaneously with implant placement either with the use of a PLAB membrane or a native collagen membrane, although these differences were not statistically significant.
Advances in 3D Bioprinting: Techniques, Applications, and Future Directions for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Authors: Wu Catherine A. , Zhu Yuanjia , Woo Y. Joseph
Published: July 2023

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Cardiac tissue engineering is a direction in regenerative medicine that aims to repair various heart defects with the long-term goal of artificially rebuilding a full-scale organ that matches its native structure and function. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting offers promising applications through its layer-by-layer biomaterial deposition using different techniques and bio-inks. In this review, we will introduce cardiac tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting processes, bioprinting techniques, bio-ink materials, areas of limitation, and the latest applications of this technology, alongside its future directions for further innovation.
Benthic Heterotrophic Protist Communities of the Southern Baltic Analyzed with the Help of Curated Metabarcoding Studies
Authors: Sachs Maria , Dünn Manon , Arndt Hartmut
Published: July 2023

Heterotrophic protists are key components of marine ecosystems. They act as controllers of bacterial and microphytobenthos production and contribute significantly to the carbon flux to higher trophic levels. Still, metabarcoding studies on benthic protist communities are much less frequent than for planktonic organisms. Especially in the Baltic Sea, representing the largest brackish water environment on earth, so far, no extensive metabarcoding studies have been conducted to assess the diversity of benthic protists in this unique and diverse habitat. This study aims to give first insights into the diversity of benthic protist communities in two different regions of the Baltic Sea, Fehmarnbelt, and Oderbank. Using amplicon sequencing of the 18S rDNA V9 region of over 100 individual sediment samples, we were able to show significant differences in the community composition between the two regions and to give insights into the vertical distribution of protists within the sediment (0–20 cm). The results indicate that the differences in community composition in the different regions might be explained by several abiotic factors such as salinity and water depth, but are also influenced by methodological aspects such as differences between DNA and RNA results.