bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Real-World Benchmark for Sentinel-2 Multi-Image Super-Resolution
Authors: Kowaleczko Pawel , Tarasiewicz Tomasz , Ziaja Maciej , Kostrzewa Daniel , Nalepa Jakub , Rokita Przemyslaw , Kawulok Michal 
Published: September 2023

AbstractInsufficient image spatial resolution is a serious limitation in many practical scenarios, especially when acquiring images at a finer scale is infeasible or brings higher costs. This is inherent to remote sensing, including Sentinel-2 satellite images that are available free of charge at a high revisit frequency, but whose spatial resolution is limited to 10m ground sampling distance. The resolution can be increased with super-resolution algorithms, in particular when performed from multiple images captured at subsequent revisits of a satellite, taking advantage of information fusion that leads to enhanced reconstruction accuracy. One of the obstacles in multi-image super-resolution consists in the scarcity of real-world benchmarks—commonly, simulated data are exploited which do not fully reflect the operating conditions. In this paper, we introduce a new benchmark (named MuS2) for super-resolving multiple Sentinel-2 images, with WorldView-2 imagery used as the high-resolution reference. Within MuS2, we publish the first end-to-end evaluation procedure for this problem which we expect to help the researchers in advancing the state of the art in multi-image super-resolution.
Dietary food patterns as determinants of the gut microbiome–endocannabinoidome axis in humans
Authors: Castonguay-Paradis Sophie , Perron Julie , Flamand Nicolas , Lamarche Benoît , Raymond Frédéric , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Veilleux Alain 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe gut microbiota and the endocannabinoidome (eCBome) play important roles in regulating energy homeostasis, and both are closely linked to dietary habits. However, the complex and compositional nature of these variables has limited our understanding of their interrelationship. This study aims to decipher the interrelation between dietary intake and the gut microbiome–eCBome axis using two different approaches for measuring dietary intake: one based on whole food and the other on macronutrient intakes. We reveal that food patterns, rather than macronutrient intakes, were associated with the gut microbiome–eCBome axis in a sample of healthy men and women (n = 195).N-acyl-ethanolamines (NAEs) and gut microbial families were correlated with intakes of vegetables, refined grains, olive oil and meats independently of adiposity and energy intakes. Specifically, higher intakes in vegetables and olive oil were associated with increased relative abundance ofClostridiaceae, VeillonellaceaeandPeptostreptococaceae, decreased relative abundance ofAcidominococaceae, higher circulating levels of NAEs, and higher HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. Our findings highlight the relative importance of food patterns in determining the gut microbiome–eCBome axis. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the contribution of dietary habits in these systems to develop personalized dietary interventions for preventing and treating metabolic disorders through this axis.
Non-MHC immunity genes do not affect parasite load in European invasive populations of common raccoon
Authors: Biedrzycka Aleksandra , Konopiński Maciej K. , Popiołek Marcin , Zawiślak Marlena , Bartoszewicz Magdalena , Kloch Agnieszka 
Published: September 2023

AbstractUnderstanding the evolutionary mechanisms behind invasion success enables predicting which alien species and populations are the most predisposed to become invasive. Parasites may mediate the success of biological invasions through their effect on host fitness. The evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA) hypothesis assumes that escape from parasites during the invasion process allows introduced species to decrease investment in immunity and allocate resources to dispersal and reproduction. Consequently, the selective pressure of parasites on host species in the invasive range should be relaxed. We used the case of the raccoon Procyon lotor invasion in Europe to investigate the effect of gastrointestinal pathogen pressure on non-MHC immune genetic diversity of newly established invasive populations. Despite distinct differences in parasite prevalence between analysed populations, we detected only marginal associations between two analysed SNPs and infection intensity. We argue that the differences in parasite prevalence are better explained by detected earlier associations with specific MHC-DRB alleles. While the escape from native parasites seems to allow decreased investment in overall immunity, which relaxes selective pressure imposed on immune genes, a wide range of MHC variants maintained in the invasive range may protect from newly encountered parasites.
Sickle-shaped high gain and low profile based four port MIMO antenna for 5G and aeronautical mobile communication
Authors: Armghan Ammar , Lavadiya Sunil , Udayaraju Pamula , Alsharari Meshari , Aliqab Khaled , Patel Shobhit K. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe construction of the four-port MIMO antenna in the form of a sickle is provided in the article. Initially, the single port element is designed and optimized. Next, a structure with two ports is created, and lastly, a design with four ports is completed. This process is repeated until the design is optimized. Three types of parametric analysis are considered, including variations in length, widths of sickle-shaped patches, and varying sizes of DGS. The frequency range of 2–8 GHz is used for structural investigation. The − 18.77 dB of return loss was observed at 3.825 GHz for a single-element structure. The optimized one-port structure provides a return loss of − 19.79 dB at 3.825 GHz. The port design offers a bandwidth of 0.71 GHz (3.515–4.225). The four-port design represents two bands that are observed at 3 GHz and 5.43 GHz. Both bands provide the return loss at respectively − 19.79 dB and − 20.53 dB with bandwidths of 1.375 GHz (2.14–3.515) and 0.25 GHz (5.335–5.585). The healthy isolation among both transmittance and reflectance response is achieved. The low-profile material was used to create the design that was presented. The article includes a comparison of the findings that were measured and those that were simulated. The four-port design that has been shown offers a total gain of 15.93 dB, a peak co-polar value of 5.46 dB, a minimum return loss of − 20.53 dB, a peak field distribution of 46.43 A/m and a maximum bandwidth of 1.375 GHz. The values for all diversity parameters like ECC are near zero, the Negative value of TARC, Near to zero MEG, DG is almost 10 dB, and a zero value of CCL is achieved. All diversity parameter performance is within the allowable range. The design is well suited for 5G and aeronautical mobile communication applications.
Larvicidal activity of Stemona collinsiae root extract against Musca domestica and Chrysomya megacephala
Authors: Sakulpanich Aurapa , Attrapadung Siriluck , Gritsanapan Wandee 
Published: September 2023

AbstractMusca domestica and Chrysomya megacephala, considered synanthropic insects, are medically important flies, as they transmit vector-borne diseases to humans and animals. In Thailand, Stemona (Stemonaceae) plants have been traditionally used as insecticides. This study was designed to determine the larvicidal activity of S. collinsiae root extract against M. domestica and C. megacephala larvae. A 70% ethanol crude extract from S. collinsiae roots was tested against the third-instar larvae of both species using direct and indirect contact methods. The development and mortality rates of the insects were observed, and the LC values were calculated. The extract caused irregular development in both species, shown as segmental puparia that could not emerge as adult flies. The LC50 values of the extract against M. domestica tested by direct and indirect contact methods were 0.0064 ± 0.0005 mg/larva and 0.0165 ± 0.0002 mg/cm2/larva, respectively. In the case of C. megacephala, the LC50 value determined by the indirect contact method was 1.0500 ± 0.0001 mg/cm2/larva. The ethanolic root extract of S. collinsiae was able to kill the larvae of both species after dermal administration. It is of interest to develop S. collinsiae root extract as a natural fly control biopesticide.
Propolis-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers halt breast cancer progression through miRNA-223 related pathways: an in-vitro/in-vivo experiment
Authors: Shaker Sara A. , Alshufta Shadi M. , Gowayed Mennatallah A. , El-Salamouni Noha S. , Bassam Samar M. , Megahed Magda A. , El-Tahan Rasha A. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe most frequent malignant tumor in women is breast cancer, and its incidence has been rising every year. Propolis has been used for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to examine the effect of the Egyptian Propolis Extract (ProE) and its improved targeting using nanostructured lipid carriers (ProE-NLC) in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice, the common animal model for mammary tumors. EAC mice were treated either with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), ProE, ProE-NLC, or a combination of ProE-NLC and 5-FU. Their effect on different inflammatory, angiogenic, proliferation and apoptotic markers, as well as miR-223, was examined. ProE and ProE-NLC have shown potential anti-breast cancer activity through multiple interrelated mechanisms including, the elevation of antioxidant levels, suppression of angiogenesis, inflammatory and mTOR pathways, and induction of the apoptotic pathway. All of which is a function of increased miRNA-223 expression. The efficiency of propolis was enhanced when loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers, increasing the effectiveness of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-FU. In conclusion, this study is the first to develop propolis-loaded NLC for breast cancer targeting and to recommend propolis as an antitumor agent against breast cancer or as an adjuvant treatment with chemotherapeutic agents to enhance their antitumor activity and decrease their side effects. Tumor targeting by ProE-NLC should be considered as a future therapeutic perspective in breast cancer.
Performance and pacing of professional IRONMAN triathletes: the fastest IRONMAN World Championship ever—IRONMAN Hawaii 2022
Authors: Knechtle Beat , Cuk Ivan , Villiger Elias , Forte Pedro , Thuany Mabliny , Andrade Marilia Santos , Nikolaidis Pantelis T. , Weiss Katja 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPacing during cycling and running in an IRONMAN triathlon has been investigated in only one study with elite IRONMAN triathletes. We have, however, no knowledge of how professional triathletes pace during an IRONMAN World Championship. To investigate the split-by-split speed, pacing strategies and pacing variability in professional female and male IRONMAN World Championship participants in the fastest IRONMAN World Championship ever in IRONMAN Hawaii 2022. For both cycling and running, 25 specific split times were recorded in each discipline. The best 30 men and 30 women overall were chosen from the official IRONMAN website database for further analysis. They were divided into three performance groups: Top 10, 11–20th place, and 21st–30th place. Mean speed, individual linear regressions with the corresponding correlation coefficients, and coefficient of variation were calculated to assess split-by-split speed, pacing strategies, and pacing variability, respectively. In both men’s and women’s cycling and running segments, the top ten participants exhibited faster split times compared to the slower performance groups. Notably, no discernible differences existed between the 11–20th and 21st–30th place in men’s cycling and women’s running times. Conversely, in men’s running and women’s cycling segments, those in the 11–20th place displayed quicker times than those in the 21st–30th place. In the cycling segment across all groups, men demonstrated a more negative pacing pattern (indicating an increase in speed), whereas women exhibited more consistent pacing. In the running segment, the top 10 men and all women’s groups showcased relatively similar slightly positive pacing profiles. However, men ranking 11–20th and 21st–30th displayed more pronounced positive pacing strategies, implying a more significant decline in speed over time. In terms of cycling, the variability in pacing remained relatively consistent across the three performance groups. Conversely, during the running segment, the top ten male triathletes and those in the 11–20th place displayed lower pacing variability than their counterparts in the 21st–30th position place and all women’s groups. In summary, performance and pacing were examined in professional male and female IRONMAN World Championship participants during IRONMAN Hawaii 2022. Top performers showed faster cycling and running split times, with differences in pacing strategies between sexes. The pacing was more consistent in cycling, while running pacing varied more, particularly among male triathletes in different performance groups.
Validation of the diagnostic efficacy of O-RADS in adnexal masses
Authors: Su Na , Yang Ya , Liu Zhenzhen , Gao Luying , Dai Qing , Li Jianchu , Wang Hongyan , Jiang Yuxin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to validate the performance of the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data Systems (O-RADS) series models proposed by the American College of Radiology (ACR) in the preoperative diagnosis of adnexal masses (AMs). Two experienced sonologists examined 218 patients with AMs and gave the assessment results after the examination. Pathological findings were used as a reference standard. Of the 218 lesions, 166 were benign and 52 were malignant. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, we defined a malignant lesion as O-RADS > 3 (i.e., lesions in O-RADS categories 4 and 5 were malignant). The area under the curve (AUC) of O-RADS (v2022) was 0.970 (95% CI 0.938–0.988), which wasn’t statistically significantly different from the O-RADS (v1) combined Simple Rules Risk (SRR) assessment model with the largest AUC of 0.976 (95% CI 0.946–0.992) (p = 0.1534), but was significantly higher than the O-RADS (v1) (AUC = 0.959, p = 0.0133) and subjective assessment (AUC = 0.918, p = 0.0255). The O-RADS series models have good diagnostic performance for AMs. Where, O-RADS (v2022) has higher accuracy and specificity than O-RADS (v1). The accuracy and specificity of O-RADS (v1), however, can be further improved when combined with SRR assessment.
Heteropolyacid supported on ionic liquid decorated hierarchical faujasite zeolite as an efficient catalyst for glycerol acetalization to solketal
Authors: Sadjadi Samahe , Tarighi Sara , Delangiz Motahareh , Heravi Majid 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTo handle huge amount of glycerol produced in biodiesel industry, glycerol is transformed to value-added products. In this regard, glycerol acetalization to solketal is industrially attractive. As in this process various by-products can be formed, designing highly selective catalysts is of great importance. In this line, we wish to report a novel catalyst that benefits from strong acidity, high specific surface area and thermal stability, which can selectively form solketal in glycerol acetalization. To prepare the catalyst, hierarchical zeolite was prepared via a novel method, in which partially dealuminated NaY was treated with PluronicF-127 and then reacted with NH4NO3 to furnish the H-form zeolite. Hierarchical faujasite was then achieved through calcination and template removal. Subsequently, it was functionalized with ionic liquid and used for the immobilization of heteropolyacid. The results indicated the importance of the mesoprosity of zeolite and the presense of ionic liquid functionality for achiveing high solketal yield. Moreover, among three investigated heteropolyacids, phosphomolybdic acid exhibited the highest catalytic activity. In fact, using 10 wt% catalyst at 55 °C and glycerol to acetone molar ratio of 1:20, solketal with yield of 98% was furnished under solvent-less condition. Besides, the catalyst was recyclable with low leaching of heteropolyacid.
Removal of direct dyes from wastewater using chitosan and polyacrylamide blends
Authors: Elzahar Medhat M. H. , Bassyouni M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study investigated the feasibility of employing neat chitosan powder, polyacrylamide, and chitosan micro-beads as adsorbents for the rapid and efficient removal of Direct Blue 78 dye from textile industrial wastewater. A series of batch experiments were conducted to examine the impact of adsorbent dose, contact time, and pH on the adsorption process. The physicochemical analysis, including FTIR, zeta potential analysis, and SEM were performed to identify the adsorption mechanism of chitosan powder and micro-beads. It was found that increasing the powder chitosan dose to 4.5 g/L and contact time up to 40 min resulted in achieving a significant increase in dye removal efficiency up to 94%. The highest removal efficiency of 94.2% was achieved at an initial dye concentration of 50 mg/L, a chitosan dosage of 4.5 g/L, and an optimized contact time of 60 min. Utilizing a polyacrylamide gel dose of 45 mL/L reduced the sedimentation time of chitosan from 8 h to 5 min. Equilibrium studies showed an initial L-shaped equilibrium curve, indicating that the adsorption process primarily arises from electrostatic interactions between dye molecules and adsorbent particles (physical forces). The Langmuir isothermal model demonstrated the best fit to the equilibrium data. Combining chitosan powder with polyacrylamide gel emerges as an economically viable choice for dye removal in industrial wastewater effluents, offering a cost-effective alternative to pricey commercial adsorbents. The results of the study revealed that the presence of polyacrylamide dye enhanced the removal efficiency and settling time of DB78 dye using chitosan.
Shop floor dispatching with variable urgent operations based on Workload Control: An assessment by simulation
Authors: Yuan Mingze , Ma Lin , Qu Ting , Thürer Matthias 
Published: September 2023

AbstractMeeting customer time requirements poses a major challenge in the context of high‐variety make‐to‐order companies. Companies need to reduce the lead time and process urgent jobs in time, while realising high delivery reliability. The key decision stages within Workload Control (WLC) are order release and shop floor dispatching. To the best of our knowledge, recent research has mainly focused on order release stage and inadvertently ignored shop floor dispatching stage. Meanwhile, urgency of job is not only related to its due date, but also affected by the dynamics of shop floor. Specifically, urgency of jobs may decrease at downstream operations in the job's routing, since priority dispatching for urgent jobs accelerates production speed at the upstream operations. And occupying production resources increases the waiting time of non‐urgent jobs at workstation. This phenomenon leads to the change of urgency of jobs. Misjudgement of urgent jobs therefore may result in actual urgent jobs not being processed in time. In response, the authors focus on shop floor dispatching stage and consider the transient status of urgent operations in the context of WLC. The urgency of jobs is rejudged at the input buffer of each workstation, which is firstly defined as urgent operations and non‐urgent operations. Using simulation, the results show that considering the transient status of urgent operations contributes to speeding up production for actual urgent jobs and meeting delivery performance both in General Flow Shop and Pure Job Shop. In addition, percentage tardy performance is greatly affected by norm levels, especially at the severe urgent level. These have important implications on how urgent operations should be designed and how norm level should be set at shop floor dispatching stage.
Feature attention gated context aggregation network for single image dehazing and its application on unmanned aerial vehicle images
Authors: Wu Yongquan , Zhao Xuan , Zhang Xinsheng , Long Tao , Luo Ping 
Published: September 2023

AbstractSingle‐image dehazing is a highly challenging ill‐posed task in the field of computer vision. To address this, a new image dehazing model with feature attention, named feature attention gated context aggregation network (FAGCA‐Net), is proposed to tackle the issues of incomplete or over‐dehazing caused by the original model's inability to handle non‐uniform haze density distributions. A feature attention module that combines channel attention and spatial attention is introduced. Additionally, the authors propose a new extended attention convolutional block, which not only addresses the grid artefacts caused by the extended convolution but also provides added flexibility in handling different types of feature information. At the same time, in addition to the input image itself, incorporating the dark channel and edge channel of the image as the final input of the model is helpful for the model learning process. To demonstrate the robustness of the new model, it is applied to two completely different dehazing datasets, and it achieves significant dehazing performance improvement over the original model. Finally, to verify the effectiveness of the model in practical production processes, the authors apply it as an image preprocessing step to a set of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) images of foreign objects. The result shows that the UAV images after being processed by FAGCA‐Net for haze removal have a better impact on subsequent usage.
Capturing mobile underwater pseudonoise synchronous signal using multi‐strategy in waveform domain
Authors: Hu Yaohui , Han Shuping , Zhao Heng , Han Yubo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractCapturing pseudonoise (PN) synchronous signals is an important issue in spreading spectrum underwater acoustic communication. In this letter, local waveform domain information is combined with multi‐strategy to enhance the Doppler tolerance of conventional Partial Matched Filtering‐Fast Fourier Transform (PMF‐FFT) acquisition algorithm under low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). First, an optimized algorithm based on partial reconstruction in waveform domain was proposed, such that the Doppler tolerance increased by 38.9% when the SNR = −15 dB. Second, a local baseband multi‐waveform compression algorithm was proposed to further enhance the Doppler parallel search ability multiply. At last, frequency offset estimation was completed after searching the multi‐waveform serially. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm was verified through the experiment at sea.