bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the Mechanical Behavior of High-Strength Lightweight Concrete and Its Application to Bridge Pavements
Authors: Song Qi , Qin Yue , Hou Chuantan , Gao Hongwu , Li Mengzhao
Published: September 2024

High-strength lightweight concrete (HSLC) is increasingly in demand for reducing the self-weight of concrete structures, achieved in this study using shale ceramsite aggregate. Despite its potential, HSLC has been underutilized in field projects due to concerns about its strength and long-term stability. This study investigates the impact of shale ceramsite content on the mechanical properties of HSLC through uniaxial compression, flexural, and bending tests. The results reveal that ceramsite content significantly influences the concrete’s mechanical properties and failure mechanisms. An optimal design of HSLC was proposed in this study and further used in a real field highway project, demonstrating its applicability to bridge pavements. Newly developed fiber Bragg grating sensors were installed in the material to monitor the performance of the HSLC. Concrete performance monitoring was conducted using a new type of fiber Bragg grating sensor independently developed by the research team. The results showed that the higher the ceramsite content, the greater the shrinkage deformation. And similarly, the higher the strength, the greater the shrinkage deformation. The outcome of this study would provide an alternative approach for the application of HSLC in civil infrastructures.
The Influence of Annealing Temperature on the Interfacial Heat Transfer in Pulsed Laser Deposition-Grown Ga2O3 on Diamond Composite Substrates
Authors: Gu Lin , Shen Yi , Chen Wenjie , Zuo Yuanhui , Ma Hongping , Zhang Qingchun
Published: September 2024

As devices become more miniaturized and integrated, the heat flux density has increased, highlighting the issue of heat concentration, especially for low thermal conductivity gallium oxide (Ga2O3). This study utilizes diamond composite substrates with an AlN transition layer to assist Ga2O3 in rapid thermal dissipation. All samples were prepared using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and annealed at 600–1000 °C. The microstructure, surface morphology, vacancy defects, and thermal characteristics of post-annealed Ga2O3 were then thoroughly investigated to determine the mechanism by which annealing temperature influences the heat transfer of heterostructures. The results demonstrate that increasing the annealing temperature can improve the crystallinity of Ga2O3 while also reducing oxygen vacancy defects from 20.6% to 9.9%. As the temperature rises to 1000 °C, the thermal conductivity of Ga2O3 reaches a maximum of 12.25 W/(m·K). However, the interface microstructure has no direct correlation with annealing temperature. At 700 °C, Ga2O3/diamond exhibits a maximum thermal boundary conductance of 127.06 MW/(m2·K). Higher temperatures (>800 °C) cause irregular mixtures to form near the heterointerface, intensifying phonon interface scattering and sharply deteriorating interfacial heat transfer. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the heterointerface thermal transfer influence mechanism and provide theoretical guidance for the thermal management design and physical analysis of Ga2O3-based power devices.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Using Sulfated CeO2
Authors: Rodríguez Carlos , Castañeda Claudia , Sosa Edwin , Martínez José J. , Mancipe Sonia , Rojas Hugo , Tzompantzi Francisco , Gómez Ricardo
Published: September 2024

The present study presents the results obtained from evaluating the photocatalytic behavior of a series of sulfated CeO2 materials in the photocatalytic degradation of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The CeO2 photocatalytic support was prepared using the precipitation synthesis method. Subsequently, the support was wetly impregnated with different contents of sulfate ions (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt.%). The materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, infrared spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectrophotometry, and thermal analysis. The characterization results showed that the sulfation of the material promoted an increase in the surface area and a decrease in the average size of the crystallites. Likewise, it was possible to demonstrate the surface sulfation of the support through bidentate coordination of the sulfate groups to the semiconductor metal. Concerning photoactivity, the convenience of the surface modification of CeO2 was confirmed because the sulfate groups acted as capturers of the electrons generated during the photocatalytic process, reducing the frequency of recombination of the charge carriers and allowing the availability of the gaps to favor the degradation reaction of the contaminant. Finally, it was evident that a percentage of 1.0 wt.% of the sulfate anion is the optimal content to improve the photocatalytic properties of CeO2.
Gestational CBD Shapes Insular Cortex in Adulthood
Authors: Iezzi Daniela , Cáceres-Rodríguez Alba , Pereira-Silva Jessica , Chavis Pascale , Manzoni Olivier Jacques José
Published: September 2024

Many expectant mothers use CBD to alleviate symptoms like nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and pain, despite limited research on its long-term effects. However, CBD passes through the placenta, affecting fetal development and impacting offspring behavior. We investigated how prenatal CBD exposure affects the insular cortex (IC), a brain region involved in emotional processing and linked to psychiatric disorders. The IC is divided into two territories: the anterior IC (aIC), processing socioemotional signals, and the posterior IC (pIC), specializing in interoception and pain perception. Pyramidal neurons in the aIC and pIC exhibit sex-specific electrophysiological properties, including variations in excitability and the excitatory/inhibitory balance. We investigated IC’s cellular properties and synaptic strength in the offspring of both sexes from mice exposed to low-dose CBD during gestation (E5–E18; 3 mg/kg, s.c.). Prenatal CBD exposure induced sex-specific and territory-specific changes in the active and passive membrane properties, as well as intrinsic excitability and the excitatory/inhibitory balance, in the IC of adult offspring. The data indicate that in utero CBD exposure disrupts IC neuronal development, leading to a loss of functional distinction between IC territories. These findings may have significant implications for understanding the effects of CBD on emotional behaviors in offspring.
Enhancing the Wetting Properties of Activated Biochar by Oxidation with Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Liepins Kalvis , Volperts Aleksandrs , Dobele Galina , Plavniece Ance , Bikovens Oskars , Sansonetti Errj , Zhurinsh Aivars
Published: September 2024

In order to explore the possibilities of increasing the hydrophilicity of carbon-based adsorbents, catalysts, or electrode materials in aqueous solutions, the oxidation of wood-based activated biochar using H2O2 was investigated. The properties of oxidized activated biochar obtained at different activation temperatures (600, 700, and 800 °C) and H2O2 oxidized for 15–180 min were investigated using the characteristics of surface functionality, elemental composition, porous structure, contact angle measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, and immersion calorimetry. It was observed that the optimal oxidation time was different for each sample depending on activation temperature, and the degree of oxidation can be tailored by changing the oxidation time. The course of oxidation depends on the degree of graphitization and functionalization, determined by the activation temperature. It was established that the highest degree of oxidation and increase in wettability is observed for samples with the lowest degree of activation obtained at a temperature of 600 °C.
Carbon-Based FET-Type Gas Sensor for the Detection of ppb-Level Benzene at Room Temperature
Authors: Cao Risheng , Lu Zhengyu , Hu Jinyong , Zhang Yong
Published: September 2024

Benzene, as a typical toxic gas and carcinogen, is an important detection object in the field of environmental monitoring. However, it remains challenging for the conventional resistance-type gas sensor to effectively detect low-concentration (ppb-level) benzene gas molecules, owing to their insufficient reaction activation energy, especially when operating at room temperature. Herein, a field-effect transistor (FET)-type gas sensor using carbon nanotubes as a channel material is proposed for the efficient detection of trace benzene, where carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with high semiconductor purity act as the main channel material, and ZnO/WS2 nanocomposites serve as the gate sensitive material. On the basis of the remarkable amplification effect in CNTs-based FET, the proposed gas sensor manifests desirable sensitive ability with the detection limit as low as 500 ppb for benzene even working at room temperature, and the sensor also exhibits fast response speed (90 s), high consistency with a response deviation of less than 5%, and long-term stability of up to 30 days. Furthermore, utilizing Tenax TA as the screening unit, the as-proposed gas sensor can achieve the feasible selective detection of benzene. These experimental results demonstrate that the strategy proposed here can provide significant guidance for the development of high-performance gas sensors to detect trace benzene gas at room temperature.
Psychological and Clinical Challenges in the Management of Type 1 Diabetes during Adolescence: A Narrative Review
Authors: Bombaci Bruno , Torre Arianna , Longo Alessandro , Pecoraro Maria , Papa Mattia , Sorrenti Lacrima , La Rocca Mariarosaria , Lombardo Fortunato , Salzano Giuseppina
Published: September 2024

Adolescence, a critical period of physical and psychological development, presents unique challenges in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management due to endocrinological changes, reduced therapeutic adherence, and elevated susceptibility to psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. This narrative review explores the impact of psychological and behavioral factors on glycemic control in adolescents with T1D. We examine the prevalence and influence of mental health disorders, lifestyle factors, harmful behaviors, and social dynamics on diabetes management and glycemic outcomes. Strategies for improving metabolic control are also reviewed, including cognitive behavioral therapy, technological devices, and educational interventions. The importance of tailored psychological support, family involvement, and targeted interventions to improve adherence to treatment and glycemic control in adolescents with T1D should be emphasized.
Melatonin Regulates Osteoblast Differentiation through the m6A Reader hnRNPA2B1 under Simulated Microgravity
Authors: Sun Quan , Xu Liqun , Hu Zebing , Liu Jingchun , Yu Tingfei , Li Meng , Zhang Shu , Shi Fei
Published: September 2024

Recent studies have confirmed that melatonin and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification can influence bone cell differentiation and bone formation. Melatonin can also regulate a variety of biological processes through m6A modification. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2B1) serves as a reader of m6A modification. In this study, we used the hindlimb unloading model as an animal model of bone loss induced by simulated microgravity and used 2D clinorotation to simulate a microgravity environment for cells on the ground. We found that hnRNPA2B1 was downregulated both in vitro and in vivo during simulated microgravity. Further investigations showed that hnRNPA2B1 could promote osteoblast differentiation and that overexpression of hnRNPA2B1 attenuated the suppression of osteoblast differentiation induced by simulated microgravity. We also discovered that melatonin could promote the expression of hnRNPA2B1 under simulated microgravity. Moreover, we found that promotion of osteoblast differentiation by melatonin was partially dependent on hnRNPA2B1. Therefore, this research revealed, for the first time, the role of the melatonin/hnRNPA2B1 axis in osteoblast differentiation under simulated microgravity. Targeting this axis may be a potential protective strategy against microgravity-induced bone loss and osteoporosis.
Agonists, Antagonists and Receptors of Somatostatin: Pathophysiological and Therapeutical Implications in Neoplasias
Authors: Periferakis Argyrios , Tsigas Georgios , Periferakis Aristodemos-Theodoros , Tone Carla Mihaela , Hemes Daria Alexandra , Periferakis Konstantinos , Troumpata Lamprini , Badarau Ioana Anca , Scheau Cristian , Caruntu Ana , Savulescu-Fiedler Ilinca , Caruntu Constantin , Scheau Andreea-Elena
Published: September 2024

Somatostatin is a peptide that plays a variety of roles such as neurotransmitter and endocrine regulator; its actions as a cell regulator in various tissues of the human body are represented mainly by inhibitory effects, and it shows potent activity despite its physiological low concentrations. Somatostatin binds to specific receptors, called somatostatin receptors (SSTRs), which have different tissue distributions and associated signaling pathways. The expression of SSTRs can be altered in various conditions, including tumors; therefore, they can be used as biomarkers for cancer cell susceptibility to certain pharmacological agents and can provide prognostic information regarding disease evolution. Moreover, based on the affinity of somatostatin analogs for the different types of SSTRs, the therapeutic range includes conditions such as tumors, acromegaly, post-prandial hypotension, hyperinsulinism, and many more. On the other hand, a number of somatostatin antagonists may prove useful in certain medical settings, based on their differential affinity for SSTRs. The aim of this review is to present in detail the principal characteristics of all five SSTRs and to provide an overview of the associated therapeutic potential in neoplasias.
Are Big Cities Ready to Mitigate Climate Change? Evidence from Sydney, Australia
Authors: Gocer Ozgur , Roy Anusha , Haddad Shamila , Deb Chirag , Astell-Burt Thomas
Published: September 2024

Governments across the world are facing challenges in urgently responding to the adverse impacts of climate change. Australian cities have been proactively working on various climate action plans. Despite this, the Climate Action Tracker rates Australia’s climate net zero targets, policies, and climate finance as “Insufficient”, highlighting the urgent need for substantial improvements to align Australia’s climate policies and commitments towards the Paris Agreement. This study explores the readiness of Australian cities towards climate change mitigation, with a focus on Sydney. It identifies prioritized cooling measures and proactive local governments in Great Metropolitan Sydney, through an analysis of official documents and policy statements. Interviews were conducted with local governments to gain insights into implementation processes, perceived effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities related to heat mitigation initiatives. The results reveal efforts to amend local environmental and development control plans to mitigate the urban heat island effect and create cooler, more comfortable built environments. However, challenges exist, including limited authority of local governments in urban planning, as national and state governments set stringent codes and regulations for heat mitigation. Financial constraints pose challenges, particularly in maintaining and monitoring strategic plans during their implementation stage, leading to the potential removal of sustainability measures from designs.
Is It Possible to Prevent the Thanatogenetic Processes in Premature Babies?
Authors: Ghitoi Sinziana Andra , Deacu Mariana , Aschie Mariana , Enciu Manuela , Mitroi Anca Florentina , Cozaru Georgeta Camelia , Nicolau Antonela Anca , Orasanu Cristian Ionut , Ursica Oana Andreea , Voda Raluca Ioana
Published: September 2024

Preterm births comprise all pregnancies coming to an end before the gestational age of 37 weeks and remain the leading cause of death in children under 5 years old despite efforts to reduce their occurrence. We aim to analyze all morbidity and mortality data to understand causes and risk factors, helping in prevention efforts. This study includes 140 cases collected during 2018–2022. Demographic, maternal, and thanatogenetic data were statistically analyzed. We observed an upward slope of stillborn babies. In the case of live-born premature, the average survival was 301.76 h. The multivariate analysis noted that extremely low birth weight (HR = 5.141) and very low birth weight (HR = 4.177) are risk factors involved in mortality. Increased parity was associated with premature births with low and very low birth weight (p = 0.019). We observed that a mother’s age of over 30 years is predictable for the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Cerebral and pulmonary hemorrhages were the most common intermediate morbid conditions, with prematurity and plurivisceral hemorrhages serving as their root causes. We have identified that anthropometric measurements have a high predictability on malformed babies. The identified associations indicate a shared mechanism for certain lesion processes, which can help optimize resources for predicting and preventing preterm neonatal issues.
Cathodic Protection of Carbon Steel in Soil: A Study of Induced Passivation
Authors: Refait Philippe , Jeannin Marc , Fleury Elisabeth , Raffin Florian , Fontaine Sylvain
Published: September 2024

Two-month experiments were carried out with carbon steel electrodes buried in an artificial sand wetted at 50–55% of saturation with a 0.07 mol L−1 Na2SO4·10H2O solution. Various protection potentials (corrected from the ohmic drop) were applied from −0.60 to −1.13 V/Cu-CuSO4. In each case, the behavior of the electrode protected by cathodic polarization was compared with that of an unprotected electrode. The electrochemical study was performed using voltammetry, linear polarization resistance measurements, and EIS. Surface characterization of the coupons was carried out using optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. First, cathodic protection was observed to induce a spreading of the electrolyte on the metal surface because of electrocapillary effects. The active area, or more precisely the wet area, of the electrode increased, leading to a decrease in soil electrolyte resistance Rs measured using EIS. This phenomenon was experimentally confirmed via visual observations of the surface of the coupons at the end of the experiments. Secondly, cathodic protection induced a passivation of the steel surface. The passive state persisted for 35 to 85 h after cathodic protection was stopped and could be studied during various periods of interruption of the protection. In each case, the OCP of the previously polarized coupons reached high values, actually 200–250 mV higher than those measured for the unprotected coupons, and was associated with high polarization resistance Rp values (~40 kΩ cm2). Depassivation of the metal finally occurred, a phenomenon revealed by simultaneous important drops of both OCP and Rp.
Heat Stress Impacts on Coral Reef Ecosystems and Communities: An Evaluation of Visitor Perceptions, Behaviors and Substitution Effects in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, USA
Authors: Burns Robert , Andrew Ross , Schwarzmann Danielle , Allen Mary , Cardozo Moreira Jasmine
Published: September 2024

Evaluating the effects of environmental events across both biophysical and social dimensions is important in establishing a holistic view of such events. This study focuses on the impact of a devastating heat stress incident that occurred in many locations across the Caribbean region and South Atlantic during the 2023 summer season. The survey and focus of data collection was within Monroe County, a unique nature-based setting south of Miami, Florida, USA. The impact of the heat wave is still being calculated at the time of submission of this paper, but indications are that there was a major negative impact. The survey and data collection sought to understand recreationists’ perceptions, knowledge, and behavior changes as result of the heat stress impact in the Florida Keys. Respondents were interviewed during community workshops in person and through an online sample of boating/angler license holders. The results indicated a change in behavior by some respondents, which may have a longer-term economic impact, along with trends of satisfaction with outdoor recreation over time. This rapid survey method can be applied to future scenarios where social and economic data are needed to fully contextualize environmental impacts in addition to biological endpoints.
Study of a New Novel HVOAF Coating Based on a New Multicomponent Al80Mg10Si5Cu5 Alloy
Authors: Villanueva Ester , Vicario Iban , Vaquero Carlos , Albizuri Joseba , Guraya Maria Teresa , Burgos Nerea , Hurtado Iñaki
Published: September 2024

This paper presents and demonstrates the development of a new lightweight coating for aluminum alloy from a novel multicomponent alloy based on the AlSiMgCu system. The coating was applied using a newly designed approach that combined high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) and plasma spraying processes. This hybrid technique enables the deposition of coatings with enhanced performance characteristics. The optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM + EDS) revealed a strong adhesion and compaction between the multicomponent coating and the A6061 substrate. The new coating improved hardness by 50% and increased electrical conductivity by approximately 3.3 times compared to the as-cast alloy. Corrosion tests showed a lower corrosion rate, comparable to thermally treated A6061 alloy. Tribological tests indicated over 20% reduction in friction and over 50% reduction in wear rate. This suggests that multicomponent aluminum coatings could improve automotive and parts in contact with hydrogen by enhancing hydrogen fragilization resistance, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and wear properties, with further optimization of thermal spraying potentially boosting performance even further.
Use of Historical Road Incident Data for the Assessment of Road Redesign Potential
Authors: Gkyrtis Konstantinos , Pomoni Maria
Published: September 2024

Drivers’ safety and overall road functionality are key triggers for deciding on road interventions. Because of the socioeconomical implications of traffic incidents, either fatal or no, continuous research has been dedicated over the previous decades on the assessment of factors contributing to crash potential. Apart from the behavioral aspects of driving, which are commonly studied through simulation and advanced modelling techniques, the road infrastructure status is of equal or even higher significance. In this study, an approach is presented to discuss the road redesign potentials based on the evaluation of network-level historical incident records from road crashes in Greece. Based on total and fatal crash records, the following infrastructure-related aspects were assessed as critical for the discussion of the road redesign potential needs: the status of road’s surface (i.e., dry, wet, etc.), the issue of improving driving conditions near at-grade intersections, the presence and suitability of signage and/or lighting, and the consideration of particular geometric design features. Overall, it is deemed that intervention actions for at least one of these pillars should aim at enhancing the safety and functionality of roadways.
Metabolic Syndrome Drug Therapy: The Potential Interplay of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacokinetic Interactions in Clinical Practice: A Narrative Review
Authors: Knežević Sandra , Filippi-Arriaga Francesca , Belančić Andrej , Božina Tamara , Mršić-Pelčić Jasenka , Vitezić Dinko
Published: September 2024

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) presents a significant global health challenge, characterized by a cluster of metabolic alterations including obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance/dysglycemia, and atherogenic dyslipidemia. Advances in understanding and pharmacotherapy have added complexity to MetS management, particularly concerning drug interactions and pharmacogenetic variations. Limited literature exists on drug–drug–gene interactions (DDGIs) and drug–drug–transporter gene interactions (DDTGIs), which can significantly impact pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, affecting treatment outcomes. This narrative review aims to address the following three key objectives: firstly, shedding a light on the PK metabolism, transport, and the pharmacogenetics (PGx) of medicines most commonly used in the MetS setting (relevant lipid-lowering drugs, antihypertensives and antihyperglycemics agents); secondly, exemplifying potential clinically relevant pharmacokinetic drug interactions, including drug–drug interactions, DDGIs, and DDTGIs; and, thirdly, describing and discussing their potential roles in clinical practice. This narrative review includes relevant information found with the use of interaction checkers, pharmacogenetic databases, clinical pharmacogenetic practice guidelines, and literature sources, guided by evidence-based medicine principles.
Identification of a New and Effective Marker Combination for a Standardized and Automated Bin-Based Basophil Activation Test (BAT) Analysis
Authors: Groffmann Johannes , Hoppe Ines , Ahmed Wail Abbas Nasser , Hoang Yen , Gryzik Stefanie , Radbruch Andreas , Worm Margitta , Beyer Kirsten , Baumgrass Ria
Published: September 2024

(1) Background: The basophil activation test (BAT) is a functional whole blood-based ex vivo assay to quantify basophil activation after allergen exposure by flow cytometry. One of the most important prerequisites for the use of the BAT in the routine clinical diagnosis of allergies is a reliable, standardized and reproducible data analysis workflow. (2) Methods: We re-analyzed a public mass cytometry dataset from peanut (PN) allergic patients (n = 6) and healthy controls (n = 3) with our binning approach “pattern recognition of immune cells” (PRI). Our approach enabled a comprehensive analysis of the dataset, evaluating 30 markers to achieve optimal basophil identification and activation through multi-parametric analysis and visualization. (3) Results: We found FcεRIα/CD32 (FcγRII) as a new marker couple to identify basophils and kept CD63 as an activation marker to establish a modified BAT in combination with our PRI analysis approach. Based on this, we developed an algorithm for automated raw data processing, which enables direct data analysis and the intuitive visualization of the test results including controls and allergen stimulations. Furthermore, we discovered that the expression pattern of CD32 correlated with FcεRIα, anticorrelated with CD63 and was detectable in both the re-analyzed public dataset and our own flow cytometric results. (4) Conclusions: Our improved BAT, combined with our PRI procedure (bin-BAT), provides a reliable test with a fully reproducible analysis. The advanced bin-BAT enabled the development of an automated workflow with an intuitive visualization to discriminate allergic patients from non-allergic individuals.
Recent Development Trends in Plant Protection UAVs: A Journey from Conventional Practices to Cutting-Edge Technologies—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Nahiyoon Shahzad Ali , Ren Zongjie , Wei Peng , Li Xi , Li Xiangshuai , Xu Jun , Yan Xiaojing , Yuan Huizhu
Published: September 2024

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) for plant protection play a vital role in modern agricultural operations. In recent years, advancements in UAVs and pest control technologies have significantly enhanced operational efficiency. These innovations have addressed historical challenges in agricultural practices by improving automation and precision in managing insect pests, diseases, and weeds. UAVs offer high operational efficiency, wide adaptability to different terrain, and safe applications. The development and demand for these technologies have increased to boost agricultural production. In agricultural settings where conventional machinery struggles to carry out farming operations, UAVs have transformed farming practices by providing high operational efficiency and significant profitability. The integration of UAVs and other smart technologies has driven advancements. The UAV sector has received substantial attention as a convergence of production, service, and delivery, introducing synergy through the presence of several developing areas. The market for this technology is expected to grow in the future. In this comprehensive review, we analyzed an overview of historical research, diverse techniques, the transition from conventional to advanced application, development trends, and operational milestones across diverse cropping systems. We also discussed adoption and subsidy policies. In order to properly understand UAV operational efficiency, we also analyzed and discussed smart atomization systems, spray drift, droplet deposition detection technologies, and the capabilities of related technologies. Additionally, we reviewed the role of software programs, data-driven tools, biodegradable materials, payloads, batteries, sensing technologies, weather, and operational and spraying factors. Regulatory limitations, operating and farmer’s training, economic effects, and guidelines were also acknowledged in this review. This review highlights deficiencies and provides essential knowledge of the use of UAVs for agriculture tasks in different regions. Finally, we examine the urgency of UAV technology implementations in the agricultural sector. In conclusion, we summarize the integration of UAVs and their related technologies with applications and future research prospects, offering directions for follow-up research on the key technologies of UAVs and encouraging the enhancement of agricultural production management in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability.
Index-Based Alteration of Long-Term River Flow Regimes Influenced by Land Use Change and Dam Regulation
Authors: Mostafazadeh Raoof , Zabihi Silabi Mostafa , Azizi Mobaser Javanshir , Moezzipour Bita
Published: September 2024

The growing population and expansion of rural activities, along with changing climatic patterns and the need for water during drought periods, have led to a rise in the water demand worldwide. As a result, the construction of water storage structures such as dams has increased in recent years to meet the water needs. However, dam construction can bring significant alterations to the natural flow regime of rivers, and it is therefore essential to understand the potential effects of human structures on the hydrological regime of rivers to reduce their destructive impacts. This study analyzes the hydrological changes in the Shahrchai River in response to the Shahrchai Dam construction in Urmia, Iran. The study period was from 1950 to 2017 at the Urmia Band station. The Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) were used to analyze the hydrological changes before and after regulating, accounting for land use changes and climatic factors. The results revealed the adverse effects of the Shahrchai Dam on the hydrological indices. The analysis showed an increase in the average flow rate during the summer season and a decrease in other seasons. However, the combined effects of water transferring for drinking purposes, a decrease in permanent snow cover upstream of the dam, and an increase in water use for irrigation and agricultural purposes resulted in a decrease in the released river flow. Furthermore, the minimum and maximum daily flow rates decreased by approximately 85% and 65%, respectively, after the construction of the Shahrchai Dam. Additionally, the number of days with maximum flow rates increased from 117 days in the pre-dam period to 181 days in the post-dam period. As a concluding remark, the construction of the Shahrchai Dam, land use/cover changes, and a decrease in permanent snow cover had unfavorable effects on the hydrological regime of the river. Therefore, the hydrological indicators should be adjusted to an acceptable level compared to the natural state to preserve the river ecosystem. The findings of this study are expected to guide water resource managers in regulating the sustainable flow regime of permanent rivers.
High-Voltage Electrical Burn Requiring Urgent Scalp Reconstruction after Developing a Brain Abscess
Authors: Blyth Elena , Vujcich Elizabeth , Dunn Darryl
Published: September 2024

Electrical burn injuries to the scalp are at risk of extensive tissue damage and neurological complications. We present the case of a patient who came into contact with a high-voltage power line while cherry picking, resulting in a large full-thickness scalp defect. Early on in his presentation, he developed progressive global weakness which remained relatively static during his admission. An incidental finding of an extradural abscess complicated his management, requiring urgent surgical intervention with definitive tissue coverage. The scalp was reconstructed using a free myocutaneous anterolateral thigh flap. There were no postoperative complications. Following rehabilitation, the patient was discharged home with limited functional recovery. He mobilises independently with a wheelchair and requires full-time carers.
Classification of Prehospital Electrocardiograms Performed in Ambulances According to Severity Using a Deep Learning Neural Network
Authors: Oikawa Ryo , Doi Akio , Itoh Tomonori , Sakai Toshiaki , Nishiyama Osamu
Published: September 2024

Prehospital electrocardiogram (PH-ECG) transmission is an important technology for reducing door-to-balloon time, but the decision to transmit often depends on the discretion of emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Additionally, studies based on real-world data remain insufficient. This study reports a machine learning-based method for classifying the severity of PH-ECG images and explores its feasibility. PH-ECG data were compiled from 120 patients between September 2017 and September 2020. The model we created from these data was the first classification model for PH-ECG images using data from a Japanese study population and showed a weighted F1-score of 0.85 and an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.93. This result can be interpreted as having an excellent balance of sensitivity and specificity. The Cohen’s Kappa coefficient between AI’s inferences and the correct labels created by two cardiologists was 0.68 (p < 0.05), which is considered “substantial” according to the guidelines presented by Landis and Koch. In this study, although we were not able to remove noise caused by patient movement or electrode detachment, the results indicate that image-based abnormality detection from PH-ECGs is feasible and effective, particularly in regions like Japan where ECG data are often stored and transmitted as images. In addition, in our region, paramedics follow a multi-step process to decide whether to transmit an ECG, which takes time for the first screening. However, if the ECG is transmitted when either the paramedics or the deep learning model detects an abnormality, it is expected to reduce reading time and door-to-balloon time, as well as decrease false negatives.
Leaf Trait Variability and CSR Strategy Shifts in Mediterranean Woody Species along an Edaphic Gradient
Authors: Kadaoui Khalil , Kassout Jalal , Boselli Vladimiro Andrea , Chakkour Soufian , Sahli Abdelouahab , Houssni Mhammad , Bouziane Hassan , Ater Mohammed
Published: September 2024

Plant species in Mediterranean ecosystems are expected to exhibit diverse responses to environmental stresses such as climate aridity and challenging soil conditions by adopting various functional strategies. However, intraspecific variability at the local scale has received insufficient attention in the study of CSR strategies. This study aims to evaluate intraspecific variability in leaf traits and CSR strategies of seven woody species growing on ultramafic and non-ultramafic soils in the Beni Bousera region of Northern Morocco. We first conducted a physicochemical analysis to assess differences in soil composition between the two sites. Subsequently, we measured leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, and leaf area and calculated CSR strategies for 10 individuals per species. The results revealed significant differences between the two soil types, primarily driven by a moderate serpentine effect characterized by a Ca:Mg ratio <1 in the ultramafic site, along with distinct soil texture. In response to these challenging conditions, we observed substantial intraspecific variability in leaf traits, accompanied by shifts in CSR strategies for certain species. At the ultramafic site, Quercus coccifera adopted an S strategy, while Cistus salviifolius exhibited an S/SC strategy. Lavandula stoechas and Teucrium fruticans displayed notable interindividual variability, whereas Cistus atriplicifolius, Phillyrea latifolia, and Erica arborea maintained consistent strategies across both sites. Our research contributes to the enrichment of CSR databases and highlights the applicability of the CSR strategy framework at the local, intraspecific level, offering a valuable foundation for future ecological studies and plant conservation efforts. Moreover, investigating intraspecific variability in leaf traits and CSR strategies enhances our understanding of plant adaptation mechanisms in extreme environments such as Mediterranean serpentine soils.
The Effect of Age on Survival Is Similar in Males and Females of an Aquatic Insect Species
Authors: Youcefi Abdeldjalil , Mahdjoub Hayat , Zebsa Rabah , Kahalerras Amin , Amari Hichem , Zouaimia Abdelheq , Bensouilah Soufyane , Khelifa Rassim
Published: September 2024

Age is a critical intrinsic factor that influences the probability of survival of organisms on Earth. In many animals, the lifestyles and habitat occupancy of males and females are so different that the effect of age could be sex-dependent. To reveal such patterns in wild animal populations, we here use a natural population of the Mediterranean demoiselle Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis Vander Linden (Calopterygidae: Zygoptera) in Northeast Algeria to analyze the influence of age and sex on survival probability using daily capture–mark–recapture. We used stepwise model selection on Cormack–Jolly–Seber models that explain recapture and survival probability, including age and sex as covariates. We marked a total of 214 adults throughout the study period (41 days). The sex ratio did not deviate from unity. Recapture probability depended on sex and time, with a slightly higher recapture probability in males (0.30 [95% CI: 0.27–0.35]) than females (0.26 [0.22–0.30]). The survival probability was slightly higher in females (0.89 [0.86–0.91]) than males (0.86 [0.82–0.88]). The best model for the survival probability included an additive effect of sex and age, indicating that the survival probability of both sexes declined with age. Interestingly, the lifespan of some individuals reached 119–130 days, which is surprisingly long compared to other temperate damselflies.
A Study of Bilingual Acquisition of Wh-Questions of a Mandarin-English Bilingual Preschool Child from China to Australia
Authors: Guo Qiang , Qi Ruying
Published: September 2024

This article traces the developmental trajectory of a Mandarin-English bilingual child’s acquisition of wh-questions from China to Australia between the ages of 3;04 and 5;05. There is an assumption that age 3 is the dividing line between Bilingual First Language Acquisition (BFLA) and Early Second Language Acquisition (ESLA). Determining the similarities and differences between them is of great theoretical and methodological significance. While BFLA studies show consistent results under conditions of adequate input and meaningful interaction, ESLA studies indicate that these children develop their early English skills differently from BFLA children. Previous studies mainly focused on young children’s English development in English-speaking countries without prior English input. However, an increasing number of children migrate to English-speaking countries after age 1 with limited English input. This study examines whether there is a qualitative difference between BFLA and ESLA children’s bilingual wh-questions. Drawing upon the naturalistic data before and after the child’s migration from China to Australia and CLAN analysis, our 25-month longitudinal case study indicates that the ESLA child’s bilingual wh-question developmental trajectories are qualitatively similar to, but quantitatively different from the child’s Mandarin-English BFLA peers. This study could be the first to investigate a bilingual child who acquires two languages and experiences a change of environmental language (Lε), contributing theoretically and practically to early childhood bilingualism.
Research on Designing Context-Aware Interactive Experiences for Sustainable Aging-Friendly Smart Homes
Authors: Lu Yi , Zhou Lejia , Zhang Aili , Wang Mengyao , Zhang Shan , Wang Minghua
Published: September 2024

With the advancement of artificial intelligence, the home care environment for elderly users is becoming increasingly intelligent and systematic. The context aware human–computer interaction technology of sustainable aging-friendly smart homes can effectively identify user needs, enhance energy efficiency, and optimize resource utilization, thereby improving the convenience and sustainability of smart home care services. This paper reviews literature and analyzes cases to summarize the background and current state of context-aware interaction experience research in aging-friendly smart homes. Targeting solitary elderly users aged 60–74, the study involves field observations and user interviews to analyze their characteristics and needs, and to summarize the interaction design principles for aging-friendly smart homes. We explore processes for context-aware and methods for identifying user behaviors, emphasizing the integration of green, eco-friendly, and energy-saving principles in the design process. Focusing on the living experience and quality of life for elderly users living alone, this paper constructs a context-aware user experience model based on multimodal interaction technology. Using elderly falls as a case example, we design typical scenarios for aging-friendly smart homes from the perspectives of equipment layout and innovative hardware and software design. The goal is to optimize the home care experience for elderly users, providing theoretical and practical guidance for smart home services in an aging society. Ultimately, the study aims to develop safer, more convenient, and sustainable home care solutions.
Adaptive Distributed Control for Leader–Follower Formation Based on a Recurrent SAC Algorithm
Authors: Li Mingfei , Liu Haibin , Xie Feng , Huang He
Published: September 2024

This study proposes a novel adaptive distributed recurrent SAC (Soft Actor–Critic) control method to address the leader–follower formation control problem of omnidirectional mobile robots. Our method successfully eliminates the reliance on the complete state of the leader and achieves the task of formation solely using the pose between robots. Moreover, we develop a novel recurrent SAC reinforcement learning framework that ensures that the controller exhibits good transient and steady-state characteristics to achieve outstanding control performance. We also present an episode-based memory replay buffer and sampling approaches, along with a unique normalized reward function, which expedites the recurrent SAC reinforcement learning formation framework to converge rapidly and receive consistent incentives across various leader–follower tasks. This facilitates better learning and adaptation to the formation task requirements in different scenarios. Furthermore, to bolster the generalization capability of our method, we normalized the state space, effectively eliminating differences between formation tasks of different shapes. Different shapes of leader–follower formation experiments in the Gazebo simulator achieve excellent results, validating the efficacy of our method. Comparative experiments with traditional PID and common network controllers demonstrate that our method achieves faster convergence and greater robustness. These simulation results provide strong support for our study and demonstrate the potential and reliability of our method in solving real-world problems.
Retinal Vessel Segmentation Based on Self-Attention Feature Selection
Authors: Jiang Ligang , Li Wen , Xiong Zhiming , Yuan Guohui , Huang Chongjun , Xu Wenhao , Zhou Lu , Qu Chao , Wang Zhuoran , Tong Yuhua
Published: September 2024

Many major diseases can cause changes in the morphology of blood vessels, and the segmentation of retinal blood vessels is of great significance for preventing these diseases. Obtaining complete, continuous, and high-resolution segmentation results is very challenging due to the diverse structures of retinal tissues, the complex spatial structures of blood vessels, and the presence of many small ships. In recent years, deep learning networks like UNet have been widely used in medical image processing. However, the continuous down-sampling operations in UNet can result in the loss of a significant amount of information. Although skip connections between the encoder and decoder can help address this issue, the encoder features still contain a large amount of irrelevant information that cannot be efficiently utilized by the decoder. To alleviate the irrelevant information, this paper proposes a feature selection module between the decoder and encoder that utilizes the self-attention mechanism of transformers to accurately and efficiently select the relevant encoder features for the decoder. Additionally, a lightweight Residual Global Context module is proposed to obtain dense global contextual information and establish dependencies between pixels, which can effectively preserve vascular details and segment small vessels accurately and continuously. Experimental results on three publicly available color fundus image datasets (DRIVE, CHASE, and STARE) demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms existing methods in terms of both performance metrics and visual quality.
Design of Dual Loop Control to Attenuate Vibration of Payload Carried by a UAV
Authors: Geronel Renan S. , Bueno Douglas D.
Published: September 2024

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are currently employed to carry different types of cargoes, such as medical products. Several advantages can be related to the integration of UAVs in health care systems, including the possibility to access remote areas, low costs and high mobility and speed. However, some concerns can arise regarding the payload integrity, especially considering medical products that can be sensitive to vibration and lose their therapeutic effect. This paper presents the flight dynamics of a quadrotor and an attached payload, assuming a flexible attachment between them. Constraint vector representation is used to model the flexible attachment and guarantee a physical distance between them. A dual loop control, formed by a sliding mode control and reduced dimension observer, is developed to improve the trajectory tracking and payload undesired oscillations. The estimated disturbance (DE) is then calculated by the difference between the estimated payload and the desired trajectories. Numerical results have shown that with the use of the DE strategy, the undesired oscillations are attenuated, showing a reduction from maximum peaks of 0.2 m to 0.05 m. Regarding performance index evaluation, a reduction of approximately 84% is observed in terms of payload oscillation. In a second case, with a different payload and external disturbance intensity, the proposed strategy is also able to positively estimate the payload vibration and, consequently, attenuate the undesired oscillation, with an 85% reduction. Therefore, the dual loop control represents an efficient strategy for tracking trajectory with low undesired oscillation intensity.