The objectives of this paper are to investigate the trade-offs between a physically constrained neural network and a deep, convolutional neural network and to design a combined ML approach (“VarioCNN”). Our solution is provided in the framework of a cyberinfrastructure that includes a +newly designed ML software, GEOCLASS-image (v1.0), modern high-resolution satellite image data sets (Maxar WorldView data), and instructions/descriptions that may facilitate solving similar spatial classification problems. Combining the advantages of the physically-driven connectionist-geostatistical classification method with those of an efficient CNN, VarioCNN provides a means for rapid and efficient extraction of complex geophysical information from submeter resolution satellite imagery. A retraining loop overcomes the difficulties of creating a labeled training data set. Computational analyses and developments are centered on a specific, but generalizable, geophysical problem: The classification of crevasse types that form during the surge of a glacier system. A surge is a glacial catastrophe, an acceleration of a glacier to typically 100–200 times its normal velocity. GEOCLASS-image is applied to study the current (2016-2024) surge in the Negribreen Glacier System, Svalbard. The geophysical result is a description of the structural evolution and expansion of the surge, based on crevasse types that capture ice deformation in six simplified classes. Full article

The aim of the article is to inventory gestures related to mockery, insult, attracting good luck, or warding off bad luck that a group of informants from Barcelona have performed. The data come from the application of the survey from the Atlas de Gestos, whose task is to collect gestures from the Pan-Hispanic context to describe the gestural repertoire of each territory and conduct comparative studies. The results, interpreted based on social factors (gender, age, and level of instruction), confirm the wide range of gestures for different functions (10 for mockery, 11 for insult and attracting good luck, and 9 for warding off bad luck). Regarding differences based on social variables, the results allow for indicating trends, namely, while the most used gesture to express mockery is sticking out the tongue, young people prefer the gesture of pointing and laughing, and informants over 55 years old only prefer laughing. Concerning insults, the use of peineta is widespread, although differences in behavior between men and women are observed. As for attracting good luck, Barcelona informants opt for crossing fingers, although older generations use gestures with more religious connotations, such as clasping hands. Finally, to ward off bad luck, Barcelona locals mention the gesture of crossing made with the index fingers of each hand. Full article

The Mediterranean diet well known for its beneficial health effects, including mood enhancement, is characterised by the relatively high consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is rich in bioactive phenolic compounds. Over 200 phenolic compounds have been associated with Olea europaea, and of these, only a relatively small fraction have been characterised. Utilising the OliveNet^TM library, phenolic compounds were investigated as potential inhibitors of the epigenetic modifier lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1). Furthermore, the compounds were screened for inhibition of the structurally similar monoamine oxidases (MAOs) which are directly implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Molecular docking highlighted that olive phenolics interact with the active site of LSD1 and MAOs. Protein–peptide docking was also performed to evaluate the interaction of the histone H3 peptide with LSD1, in the presence of ligands bound to the substrate-binding cavity. To validate the in silico studies, the inhibitory activity of phenolic compounds was compared to the clinically approved inhibitor tranylcypromine. Our findings indicate that olive phenolics inhibit LSD1 and the MAOs in vitro. Using a cell culture model system with corticosteroid-stimulated human BJ fibroblast cells, the results demonstrate the attenuation of dexamethasone- and hydrocortisone-induced MAO activity by phenolic compounds. The findings were further corroborated using human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neurons stimulated with all-trans retinoic acid. Overall, the results indicate the inhibition of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent amine oxidases by olive phenolics. More generally, our findings further support at least a partial mechanism accounting for the antidepressant effects associated with EVOO and the Mediterranean diet. Full article

Pulse oximeters are widely used in hospitals and homes for measurement of blood oxygen saturation level (SpO₂) and heart rate (HR). Concern has been raised regarding a possible bias in obtaining pulse oximeter measurements from different fingertips and the potential effect of skin pigmentation (white, brown, and dark). In this study, we obtained 600 SpO₂ measurements from 20 volunteers using three UK NHS-approved commercial pulse oximeters alongside our custom-developed sensor, and used the Munsell colour system (5YR and 7.5YR cards) to classify the participants’ skin pigmentation into three distinct categories (white, brown, and dark). The statistical analysis using ANOVA post hoc tests (Bonferroni correction), a Bland–Altman plot, and a correlation test were then carried out to determine if there was clinical significance in measuring the SpO₂ from different fingertips and to highlight if skin pigmentation affects the accuracy of SpO₂ measurement. The results indicate that although the three commercial pulse oximeters had different means and standard deviations, these differences had no clinical significance. Full article

This study aims to analyze the load-bearing characteristics of non-pneumatic tires with composite spokes using experimental and finite element simulation methods and to establish a mechanical analysis model based on the Timoshenko beam theory. Subsequently, experiments were conducted on carbon fiber-reinforced plastics and rubbers to establish the corresponding constitutive model. A finite element model of the non-pneumatic tires with composite spokes was also developed. The main structural and material parameters were selected, and their correlation with the vertical stiffness of the non-pneumatic tires with composite spokes was studied using response surface methodology. The stiffness characteristics of the composite spokes were simplified, and a load-bearing characteristic analysis model was established. The results indicated that among the parameters of the reinforcement plate structure and rubber, the constitutive parameter C₁₀ of the rubber in the spokes had the greatest impact, with a comprehensive influence value of 319.83 N/mm. Under a load of 5000 N, the load-bearing characteristic analysis model results were consistent with those of the finite element simulation, with a maximum relative error of 7.49%. The proposed load-bearing characteristic analysis model can assist in the rapid design and performance prediction of non-pneumatic tires with composite spokes. Full article

The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of dissociation in emotional regulation and parental child-containing function skills of mothers exposed to childhood trauma. The research was conducted with 400 mothers between the ages of 20–60 who had childhood trauma and currently have children between the ages of 0–18. The relational screening model, one of the general screening models, was used in the research. The sample of the research was selected using the convenient sampling method and the simple random method. Research data were collected with the Sociodemographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Scale (CTS), Parental Child-Containing Function Scale (PCCFS), Emotion Regulation Difficulty Scale (ERDS), and Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). According to the results obtained in the study, physical abuse (β = 0.197; 95% CI [0.124; 0.268]), physical neglect (β = 0.232; 95% CI [0.161; 0.306]), emotional abuse (β = 0.238; 95% CI [0.169; 0.309]), emotional neglect (β = 0.210; 95% CI [0.150; 0.275]), and sexual abuse (β = 0.139; 95% CI [0.058; 0.220]) were found to have a significant indirect effect on emotion regulation difficulties through dissociative experiences. In addition, physical abuse (β = 0.122; 95% CI [0.071; 0.181]), physical neglect (β = 0.151; 95% CI [0.084; 0.228]), emotional abuse (β = 0.158; 95% CI [0.086; 0.238]), emotional neglect (β = 0.159; 95% CI [0.093; 0.235]), and sexual abuse (β = 0.086; 95% CI [0.039; 0.150] was found to have a significant indirect effect on parental child-containing function skills through dissociative experiences. Full article

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive polyphagous pest often observed in vineyards. In Europe, a gap needs to be filled in the knowledge on H. halys seasonal dynamics and damage on grapes. With this study, we described the seasonal dynamics of H. halys and its distribution in multi-cultivar vineyards, and we evaluated the damage on grape clusters induced by different pest densities. In vineyards, the seasonal occurrence of H. halys varied across time and grape cultivars, and the pest was more abundant on Cabernet Franc, Merlot and, to a lesser extent, Pinot gris. Moreover, higher densities of H. halys were found on red berry cultivars than on white ones, and on cultivars ripening late in the season. An edge effect was also detected in pest distribution within vineyards, with more stink bugs observed in the borders. In the study on pest infestation density, H. halys caused damage on berries, showing differences in susceptibility among different cultivars and with regard to the time of infestation (i.e., plant phenological stages). Halyomorpha halys infestation induced an increase in Botrytis cinerea and sour rot incidence, which probably represents the main issue related to the impact of brown marmorated stink bug on grapevine. Full article

Skyrise greenery, including green roofs and vertical gardens, has emerged as an indispensable tool for sustainable urban planning with multiple ecological and economic benefits. A bibliometric analysis was used to provide a systematic review of the functions associated with skyrise greenery in urban landscapes. Key research tools, including the “Bibliometrix” R package and “CiteSpace” 6.2 R4, highlight the depth and breadth of the literature covering skyrise greenery. In 2000–2022, a total of 1474 original journal articles were retrieved. Over this period, there was an exponential increase in the number of publications, reflecting both enhanced knowledge and increasing concerns regarding climate change, the urban heat island, and urbanization. Of the total, ~58% of the articles originated from China, followed by the USA, Italy, Australia, and Canada. The research themes, such as urban heat islands, carbon sequestration, hydrology, and air quality, have been identified as the frontier in this fields. Furthermore, researchers from developed countries contributed the most publications to this domain, while developing countries, such as China, play an increasing role in the design and performance evaluation of vertical greenery. Key benefits identified in vertical green systems (e.g., green roofs and walls) include thermal regulation, sustainable water management, air-quality improvement, noise reduction, and biodiversity enhancement. In addition, several potential future research prospectives are highlighted. This review provides a comprehensive insight into exploring the pivotal role of skyrise greenery in shaping sustainable, resilient urban futures, coupled with sustainable urban planning. Full article

Financial inclusion (FI) relates to the access and availability of financial services to society, especially in low-income groups. FI is pivotal in achieving 7 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper explores the level of FI in the rural areas of Maharashtra and measures the impact of FI on the social conditions of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) prevalent in these areas. The study is based on a 424 SHGs survey conducted in the Pune, Thane, and Palghar districts of Maharashtra, India. The impact of FI on SHGs is evaluated using a Structural Equation Model (SEM). The results of the study show that physical banking services, Business Facilitators (BFs), and Business Correspondents (BCs) improve the social conditions of rural SHGs. Additionally, BCs and BFs mediate the relationship between physical banking services and social conditions. The study also reveals an insignificant association between BCs and BFs and insurance services. The present study highlights the importance of increasing the awareness of insurance policies through financial literacy programs and making timely availability and accessibility of BCs and BFs to enhance financial inclusion in rural areas. Full article

Chlorphenamine maleate is a prohibited additive found in herbal teas and health foods. Excessive intake of this substance can result in adverse health effects. In this study, two novel haptens, PEM and bepotastine (PB1), mimicking chlorphenamine maleate structure were designed and synthesized based on molecular simulation for developing two corresponding polyclonal antibodies (PEM-Ab and PB1-Ab), respectively. Afterward, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) was developed to quickly and accurately detect chlorphenamine maleate in herbal teas using PB1-Ab, which has a high sensitivity and specificity. For chlorphenamine maleate, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) and limit of detection (LOD) of PB1-Ab under ideal circumstances were found to be 1.18 µg/L and 0.07 µg/L, respectively. Besides, an environmentally friendly sample pre-treatment strategy was employed that allowed easy and effective elimination of complex matrices. The ic-ELISA method observed the average recovery rate from 87.7% to 94.0% with the variance coefficient (CV) ranging from 2.2% to 9.4%. Additionally, the identification of 25 commercially available herbal teas using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) further confirmed the validity of our detection. The results of the two methods are consistent. Overall, the proposed ic-ELISA could be an ultrasensitive and reliable method for chlorphenamine maleate adulterated in foods or exposure to the environment. Full article

In this study, Silicon Carbide (SiC) nanoparticle-based serigraphic printing inks were formulated to fabricate highly sensitive and wide temperature range printed thermistors. Inter-digitated electrodes (IDEs) were screen printed onto Kapton^® substrate using commercially avaiable silver ink. Thermistor inks with different weight ratios of SiC nanoparticles were printed atop the IDE structures to form fully printed thermistors. The thermistors were tested over a wide temperature range form 25 °C to 170 °C, exhibiting excellent repeatability and stability over 15 h of continuous operation. Optimal device performance was achieved with 30 wt.% SiC-polyimide ink. We report highly sensitive devices with a TCR of −0.556%/°C, a thermal coefficient of 502 K ($\beta$-index) and an activation energy of $0.08$ eV. Further, the thermistor demonstrates an accuracy of ±1.35 °C, which is well within the range offered by commercially available high sensitivity thermistors. SiC thermistors exhibit a small 6.5% drift due to changes in relative humidity between 10 and 90%RH and a 4.2% drift in baseline resistance after 100 cycles of aggressive bend testing at a 40° angle. The use of commercially available low-cost materials, simplicity of design and fabrication techniques coupled with the chemical inertness of the Kapton^® substrate and SiC nanoparticles paves the way to use all-printed SiC thermistors towards a wide range of applications where temperature monitoring is vital for optimal system performance. Full article

People spend up to 45% of their time in their living space, which has a major impact on their physical and mental health, behaviour, happiness and overall life satisfaction. In these times of rapid change and new, modern demands on living, it is necessary to understand the needs of residents and current design trends in order to incorporate both into the design of new living spaces. The aim of this study is to use the views of residents and architects collected through surveys to rank apartments and identify differences in the definition of what a high-quality apartment would be based on their spatial characteristics. The previously developed Housing Quality Assessment Model was used to assess the 126 most represented apartment layouts in the city of Osijek, Croatia, built since 1930. Apartment layouts were further divided according to the time of their construction, location, and size for comparison purposes. The research shows that residents rated apartments with higher ratings than architects in all categories and that residents and architects gave different ratings on certain characteristics of the apartment, e.g., the existence of additional storage space, the existence of a bathroom window, the size and orientation of living rooms, the type of spatial organisation, etc. Full article

Mesotrione, as a widely used herbicide, is present in the environment in detectable amounts, causing serious damage. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of mesotrione on Caco-2 cells and the possibility of its toxicity mitigation by cichoric acid. Therefore, we analyzed the cytotoxicity of both these compounds and the selected oxidative stress parameters, apoptosis and interaction of both the tested compounds with the cell membrane and their accumulation within the cells. In cytotoxicity studies, the stimulating activity of mesotrione was observed, and simultaneously, the inhibitory effect of cichoric acid was noticed. This effect was related to the results of oxidative stress analysis and apoptosis measurements. The activity level of key enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) in Caco-2 cells exposed to cichoric acid was higher as compared to that of the control. The treatment with mesotrione did not induce apoptosis in the Caco-2 cells. The penetration of the studied compounds into the Caco-2 cells was measured by using an HPLC methodology, and the results indicate mesotrione’s high penetration capacity. The distribution of charge on the surface of the cell membranes changed under the influence of both compounds. Considering the mutual interactions of beneficial and potentially toxic food ingredients, it should be noted that, despite the observed favorable trend, cichoric acid is not able to overcome the toxic and cancer-stimulating effects of this pesticide. Full article

The main units of persimmon proanthocyanidins (PAs) are composed of flavan-3-ols including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and gallocatechin gallate (GCG). Precise quantification of GCG is challenging due to its trace amounts in persimmon. In this study, to establish the optimal UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS technique for the determination of PAs monomer composition in persimmon fruit flesh of different astringency types, mass spectrometry and chromatographic conditions were optimized. The results showed that when operating in negative ion mode, using a T3 chromatographic column (a type of C18 column with high-strength silica), acetonitrile as the organic phase, a 0.1% mobile phase acid content, and a mobile phase flow rate of 0.2 mL/min, the chromatographic peak shape and resolution of the PAs monomer composition improved. Additionally, there was no tailing phenomenon observed in the chromatographic peaks. At the same time, the intra-day and inter-day precision, stability, and recovery of the procedure were good. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of stability was less than 5%. The intra-day precision was in the range of 1.14% to 2.36%, and the inter-day precision ranged from 1.03% to 2.92%, both of which were less than 5%. The recovery rate ranged from 94.43% to 98.59% with an RSD less than 5%. The results showed that the UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS technique established in this study can not only be used for the quantification of EGCG and GCG in persimmon fruit flesh but also be suitable for analyzing other PAs monomer compositions, providing robust support for the related research on persimmon PAs. Full article

In breast cancer, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is positively associated with programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and immune escape, and TWIST1 silences ERα expression and induces EMT and cancer metastasis. However, how TWIST1 regulates PD-L1 and immune evasion is unknown. This study analyzed TWIST1 and PD-L1 expression in breast cancers, investigated the mechanism for TWIST1 to regulate PD-L1 transcription, and assessed the effects of TWIST1 and PD-L1 in cancer cells on cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Interestingly, TWIST1 expression is correlated with high-level PD-L1 expression in ERα-negative breast cancer cells. The overexpression and knockdown of TWIST1 robustly upregulate and downregulate PD-L1 expression, respectively. TWIST1 binds to the PD-L1 promoter and recruits the TIP60 acetyltransferase complex in a BRD8-dependent manner to transcriptionally activate PD-L1 expression, which significantly accelerates the exhaustion and death of the cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Accordingly, knockdown of TWIST1 or BRD8 or inhibition of PD-L1 significantly enhances the tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells to suppress the growth of breast cancer cells. These results demonstrate that TWIST1 directly induces PD-L1 expression in ERα-negative breast cancer cells to promote immune evasion. Targeting TWIST1, BRD8, and/or PD-L1 in ERα-negative breast cancer cells with TWIST1 expression may sensitize CD8+ T-cell-mediated immunotherapy. Full article

This study investigates the impact of nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and iron (Fe) fertilization on secondary metabolites, particularly quercetin and its forms, in onion bulbs (Allium cepa L.). Field experiments over two years examined four onion varieties with red, yellow, and white colors of bulbs: Kamal, Robin, Pueblo, and Mundo. The parameters investigated included the yield, dry matter content, and average onion weight. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were also analyzed. The free quercetin, bound quercetin, and total quercetin contents were determined using the HPLC method. The results demonstrated notable increases in yield following the application of nitrogen (NH⁴⁺) and sulfur (SO₄²⁻) fertilizers. Incorporating iron (Fe²⁺) alongside these fertilizers did not yield a significant impact compared to N+S variant. The phenolic and flavonoid content varied with fertilization, while the quercetin content did not yield statistically significant results. Overall, the study highlights the complex relationship between fertilization practices and secondary metabolite production in onions, emphasizing the need for sustainable intensification in modern agriculture. Full article

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of skin and bloodstream infections in humans. Antibiotic resistant strains of S. aureus continue to be a problem in treating patients that are infected, so treatment options are needed. A drug discovery project identified SK-03-92 as a novel anti-staphylococcal drug, but the SK-03-92 mechanism of action is unknown. We hypothesized that a lethal factor was being released by the bacteria that killed siblings. Methods: In this study, filtration through molecular weight cut-off filters as well as boiling, trypsin treatment, and proteinase K treatment were used to ascertain what the lethal factor was released by SK-03-92 treated S. aureus cells. Results: Filtration through molecular weight cut-off filters demonstrated the lethal factor released by SK-03-92 treated S. aureus cells had a molecular cut-off between 10,000 Da and 30,000 Da that killed fresh S. aureus cells but was not released by untreated cells. Through proteinase K digestion, trypsin digestion, and boiling experiments, the lethal factor was shown to be a protein. Further experiments are needed to identify what proteins released following SK-03-92 treatment cause the death of S. aureus cells. Conclusions: The data show that SK-03-92 treatment causes S. aureus to release a lethal factor protein that kills S. aureus cells, suggesting a new mechanism of action for an antibacterial drug. Full article

In tropical deciduous forests (TDFs), plants have developed various strategies to tolerate desiccation during the dry season. One strategy is osmotic adjustment, which includes the accumulation of secondary metabolites. Annona lutescens, a species that inhabits TDFs, increases and accumulates liriodenine alkaloid in its roots during the dry season. In this study, we evaluate the possible role of this molecule as an osmolyte and in pH homeostasis. We performed growth analyses and determined liriodenine concentrations during water stress in Annona lutescens seedlings grown under controlled temperature, water, and light conditions. We also calculated their osmotic adjustment based on pressure–volume curves and performed solubility tests along a pH gradient. Osmotic adjustment was compared between control plants (irrigated) and plants subjected to 15, 25, and 35 days of water stress. Osmotic adjustment was dramatically higher in plants subjected to 35 days of water stress compared to the control. The solubility of liriodenine was 54% at pH 4.5, and when liriodenine was in contact with malic acid solutions, the pH increased slightly. The highest concentration of liriodenine was in the roots, with a significant increase from 540.855 μg g⁻¹ after 15 days of water stress to 1239.897 μg g⁻¹ after 35 days. Our results suggest that liriodenine plays an important role in the response to water stress as an osmolyte and in pH homeostasis. Full article

Aquatic ecosystems can suffer inadvertent contamination from widely used herbicides. This study delves into the relative toxicity of 36 herbicides on green algae, exploring 11 distinct modes of action and 25 chemical structure classes. Through a 72-h algal growth inhibition test, it was found that herbicides targeting acetolactate synthase (ALS), photosystem II (PSII inhibitors), microtubule assembly, very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis, and lipid synthesis exhibited high toxicity, with 72-h EC50 (half-maximal effective concentration) values ranging from 0.003 mg/L to 24.6 mg/L. Other pesticide types showed moderate to low toxicity, with EC50 values ranging from 0.59 mg/L to 143 mg/L. Interestingly, herbicides sharing the same mode of action but differing in chemical composition displayed significantly varied toxicity. For instance, penoxsulam and pyribenzoxim, both ALS inhibitors, demonstrated distinct toxicity levels. Similarly, terbuthylazine and bentazone, both PSII inhibitors, also exhibited differing toxicities. Notably, herbicides approved for rice cultivation showed lower toxicity to green algae compared to those intended for terrestrial plants. These data offer valuable insights for assessing the potential risks posed by these chemicals to aquatic organisms. Additionally, to prevent or minimize herbicide residual effects, modern management practices were reviewed to offer practical guidance. Full article

Complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia (CAH) carries a high probability of cancer. The intraoperative evaluation of endometrial cancer in cases of CAH has not been reliable. The safety and sensitivity of sentinel lymph node (SLN) sampling has been validated. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SLN sampling in CAH managed by the da Vinci robotic platform. A total of 113 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of CAH were included in this retrospective cohort study. All of them underwent a robot-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with 69 patients undergoing SLN sampling. A statistical analysis calculated the probability of cancer, the SLN map rate, and surgical complications. The predictors of cancer were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results; comparative statistics were used to compare the cohorts; and logistical regression analysis was used to predict the risk. Forty-seven percent of the entire cohort was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. The median age was 63 years in the SLN cohort (N = 69) and 61 in the No-SLN cohort (N = 44) (p = 0.363). The median BMI was 34 Kg/m² in the SLN cohort and 40 in the No-SLN cohort (p = 0.004). The bilateral SLN map was 92.8%, and the unilateral SLN map rate was 7.2%. There were no grade-3–4 complications in the SLN cohort, and four grade-3–4 complications in the No-SLN group (p = 0.021). A preoperative diagnosis of CAH bordering on or unable to rule out cancer was the only predictor of cancer. Sentinel lymph node sampling has a high map rate and low complications in CAH. We recommend a prospective study investigating the clinical benefit of the procedure. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic, with increased home cooking and decreased restaurant dining, significantly altered seafood consumption patterns. By applying an ordered logit model to identify factors affecting seafood consumption during the pandemic, this study found that the shift in seafood consumption was driven by factors such as changes in meal preparation methods, more time spent at home, and shifts in financial situations. While take-out consumption boosted overall seafood intake, popular varieties saw a rise in home consumption, while high-end seafood suffered from decreased demand as consumers focused more on home dining. This study underscores the importance of supporting suppliers, restaurants, and retailers dealing with high-end seafood, as they face economic challenges due to reduced consumption. In summary, pandemic-induced restrictions on mobility led to a notable transition from restaurant-prepared seafood to home-cooked options, highlighting the need for targeted policies to aid affected sectors. Full article

The decentralized nature of blockchain enables data traceability, transparency, and immutability as complementary security features to the existing Internet of Things (IoT) systems. These Blockchain-based IoT (BIoT) systems aim to mitigate security risks such as malicious control, data leakage, and dishonesty often found in traditional cloud-based, vendor-specific IoT networks. As we steadily advance into the era of situation-aware IoT, the use of machine learning (ML) techniques has become essential for synthesizing situations based on sensory contexts. However, the challenge to integrate learning-based situation awareness with BIoT systems restricts the full potential of such integration. This is primarily due to the conflicts between the deterministic nature of smart contracts and the non-deterministic nature of machine learning, as well as the high costs of conducting machine learning on blockchain. To address the challenge, we propose a framework named Situ-Oracle. With the framework, a computation oracle of the blockchain ecosystem is leveraged to provide situation analysis as a service, based on Recurrent Neural Network (RNN)-based learning models tailored for the Situ model, and specifically designed smart contracts are deployed as intermediary communication channels between the IoT devices and the computation oracle. We used smart homes as a case study to demonstrate the framework design. Subsequently, system-wide evaluations were conducted over a physically constructed BIoT system. The results indicate that the proposed framework achieves better situation analysis accuracy (above 95%) and improves gas consumption as well as network throughput and latency when compared to baseline systems (on-chain learning or off-chain model verification). Overall, the paper presents a promising approach for improving situation analysis for BIoT systems, with potential applications in various domains such as smart homes, healthcare, and industrial automation. Full article