Introduction: Injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are commonly found in the general population, both among adult and pediatric patients, and their incidence has been increasing in recent years. Most of the late literature agrees that surgical reconstruction of the ACL is effective in improving long-term outcomes in pediatric patients, while others in the past have pleaded for non-surgical management. Purpose/Hypothesis: Our study aims to verify if ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using transphyseal technique in skeletally immature patients will provide angular deviations or growth restrictions. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study; Level of evidence 4. Methods: We perfomed a retrospective study to verify if transphyseal ACLR in children with less than or equal to 2 years of remaining growth leads to either limb length discrepancies or axis deviations. Results: Most patients who were treated using transphyseal technique showed significant improvements in their functional scores. There were statistically significant differences in lateral distal femoral angles (LDFA) and medial proximal tibial angles (MPTA), with no clinical impact. There was no significant limb length discrepancy (LLD) during the 2-year follow-up. Conclusions: Transphyseal ACLR is safe among children who have less than or equal to 2 years of remaining growth and brings no risk of axis deviations or limb length discrepancy. Full article

In this paper, a novel method is demonstrated to sustain vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication on curvy roads via the arrangement of the lateral position of a self-angle-adjustable mirror–reflective road sign (SAAMRS) and light-direction-sensing wide-angle complementary photodiodes (CPDs). Visible light communication (VLC) between vehicles attracts attention as a complementary technology to radio-frequency-based (RF-based) communication technologies due to its wide, license-free spectrum and immunity to interferences. However, V2V VLC may be interrupted on curvy roads due to the limited field of view (FOV) of the receiver or the line of sight (LOS) being interrupted. To solve this problem, an experiment was developed using an SAAMRS along with wide-angle light-direction-sensing CPDs that used a precise peak detection (PPD) method to sustain communication between vehicles in dynamic environments by rerouting the incident light with the highest signal intensity level to the receiver vehicle on curvy roads. We also used real images of curvy roads simulated as polynomials to calculate the necessary rotation angles for the SAAMRS and regions where communication exist. Our experimental results overlapped almost completely with our simulations, with small errors of approximately 4.8% and 4.4% for the SAAMRS angle and communication region, respectively. Full article

Electronic textiles (E-textiles) have experienced an increase in interest in recent years leading to a variety of new concepts emerging in the field. Despite these technical innovations, there is limited literature relating to the testing of E-textiles for some of the fundamental properties linked to wearer comfort. As such, this research investigates four fundamental properties of E-textiles: air permeability, drape, heat transfer, and moisture transfer. Three different types of E-textiles were explored: an embroidered electrode, a knitted electrode, and a knitted structure with an embedded electronic yarn. All of the E-textiles utilized the same base knitted fabric structure to facilitate a comparative study. The study used established textile testing practices to evaluate the E-textiles to ascertain the suitability of these standards for these materials. The study provides a useful point of reference to those working in the field and highlights some limitations of existing textile testing methodologies when applied to E-textiles. Full article

Even though Electric Powered Wheelchairs (EPWs) are a useful tool for meeting the needs of people with disabilities, some disabled people find it difficult to use regular EPWs that are joystick-controlled. Smart wheelchairs that use Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) technology present an efficient solution to this problem. This article presents a cutting-edge intelligent control wheelchair that is intended to improve user involvement and security. The suggested method combines facial expression analysis via a camera with EEG signal processing using the EMOTIV Insight EEG dataset. The system generates control commands by identifying specific EEG patterns linked to facial expressions such as eye blinking, winking left and right, and smiling. Simultaneously, the system uses computer vision algorithms and inertial measurements to analyze gaze direction in order to establish the user’s intended steering. The outcomes of the experiments prove that the proposed system is reliable and efficient in meeting the various requirements of people, presenting a positive development in the field of smart wheelchair technology. Full article

Society is showing a growing concern about the welfare of cetaceans in captivity as well as cetaceans in the wild threatened by anthropogenic disturbances. The study of the physiological stress response is increasingly being used to address cetacean conservation and welfare issues. Within it, a newly described technique of extracting cortisol from epidermal desquamation may serve as a non-invasive, more integrated measure of a cetacean’s stress response and welfare. However, confounding factors are common when measuring glucocorticoid hormones. In this study, we validated a steroid hormone extraction protocol and the use of a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test to measure cortisol concentrations in common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) epidermal samples. Moreover, we examined the effect of sample mass and body location on cortisol concentrations. Validation tests (i.e., assay specificity, accuracy, precision, and sensitivity) suggested that the method was suitable for the quantification of cortisol concentrations. Cortisol was extracted from small samples (0.01 g), but the amount of cortisol detected and the variability between duplicate extractions increased as the sample mass decreased. In common bottlenose dolphins, epidermal skin cortisol concentrations did not vary significantly across body locations while there was a significant effect of the individual. Overall, we present a contribution towards advancing and standardizing epidermis hormone assessments in cetaceans. Full article

In the search for a more effective chemotherapy for the treatment of Chagas’ disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, the use of gold compounds may be a promising approach. In this work, four gold(I) compounds [AuCl(HL)], (HL = bioactive 5-nitrofuryl containing thiosemicarbazones) were studied. The compounds were theoretically characterized, showing identical chemical structures with the metal ion located in a linear coordination environment and the thiosemicarbazones acting as monodentate ligands. Cyclic voltammetry and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) studies demonstrated that the complexes could generate the nitro anion radical (NO₂⁻) by reduction of the nitro moiety. The compounds were evaluated in vitro on the trypomastigote form of T. cruzi and human cells of endothelial morphology. The gold compounds studied showed activity in the micromolar range against T. cruzi. The most active compounds (IC₅₀ of around 10 μM) showed an enhancement of the antiparasitic activity compared with their respective bioactive ligands and moderate selectivity. To get insight into the anti-chagasic mechanism of action, the intracellular free radical production capacity of the gold compounds was assessed by ESR and fluorescence measurements. DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pirroline-N-oxide) spin adducts related to the bioreduction of the complexes and redox cycling processes were characterized. The potential oxidative stress mechanism against T. cruzi was confirmed. Full article

Caves serve as time capsules, preserving significant markers of tectonic activity and offering insights into geological history. Fault geometries and past activations found in caves can be correlated with known deformational events in the broader area, temporally delimiting the speleogenesis. More specifically, cave passage formation is suggested to be affected by the regional stress-field. The Asprorema Cave in Northern Greece is a typical example of a fracture guided cave, with passage geometry influenced by relative sidewall movements, revealing these discontinuities as faults. This study constructs the timeframe and conceptual model of speleogenesis in relation to tectonic events, geomorphological evolution and hydrological zones, and verifies its relation to the stress-field. Active tectonics, mineralogy and cave geomorphology are investigated. Results suggest syntectonic speleogenesis under phreatic and epiphreatic conditions. The absence of corrosion on fault slip surfaces implies recent activations post cave’s shift to the vadose zone. Structural analysis identifies three main neotectonic phases: NNW-SSE striking faults (oldest group of structures), NE-SW striking faults with dextral strike-slip movement (post-middle Miocene), and NE-SW striking normal faults indicating extensional stress-regime (Quartenary). The last two phases affect cave passage shape causing wall displacement, highlighting passage formation along discontinuities perpendicular to the horizontal minimum stress axis. Full article

The synthesis of amphiphilic diblock and statistical (random) copolymers of poly(dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate) and poly((2-(diisopropylamino) ethyl methacrylate) using the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization technique (RAFT polymerization) is reported. The precursor copolymers were chemically modified to create derivative copolymers of polyelectrolyte and polyampholyte nature with novel solution properties. Moreover, their molecular and physicochemical characteristics, as well as their self-assembly in aqueous media as a function of molecular architecture and composition, are investigated by using size exclusion chromatography, spectroscopic characterization techniques and light scattering techniques. Furthermore, the behavior and properties of the obtained micelles and aggregates were studied, depending on the pH, temperature and ionic strength of the aqueous solutions. The response of the systems to changes in these parameters shows interesting behavior and new properties that are useful for their utilization as nanocarriers of pharmaceutical compounds. Full article

In this research work, a coated paper was prepared with poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) film to explore its use in eco-friendly food packaging. The paper was coated with PBAT film for packaging using hot pressing, a production method currently employed in the packaging industry. The coated papers were evaluated for their structural, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. The structural morphology and chemical analysis of the coated paper confirmed the consistent formation of PBAT bi-layered on paper surfaces. Surface coating with PBAT film increased the water resistance of the paper samples, as demonstrated by tests of barrier characteristics, including the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), and water contact angle (WCA) of water drops. The transmission rate of the clean paper was 2010.40 cc m⁻² per 24 h for OTR and 110.24 g m⁻² per 24 h for WVTR. If the PBAT-film was coated, the value decreased to 91.79 g m⁻² per 24 h and 992.86 cc m⁻² per 24 h. The hydrophobic nature of PBAT, confirmed by WCA measurements, contributed to the enhanced water resistance of PBAT-coated paper. This result presents an improved PBAT-coated paper material, eliminating the need for adhesives and allowing for the fabrication of bi-layered packaging. Full article

Soy isoflavones (SIF) are bioactive compounds with low bioavailability due to their poor water solubility. In this study, we utilized polymerized goat milk whey protein (PGWP) as a carrier to encapsulate SIF with encapsulation efficiency of 89%, particle size of 135.53 nm, and zeta potential of −35.16 mV. The PGWP-SIF nanoparticles were evaluated for their stability and in vitro digestion properties, and their ability to transport SIF was assessed using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The nanoparticles were resistant to aggregation when subjected to pH changes (pH 2.0 to 8.0), sodium chloride addition (0–200 mM), temperature fluctuations (4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C), and long-term storage (4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C for 30 days), which was mainly attributed to the repulsion generated by steric hindrance effects. During gastric digestion, only 5.93% of encapsulated SIF was released, highlighting the nanoparticles’ resistance to enzymatic digestion in the stomach. However, a significant increase in SIF release to 56.61% was observed during intestinal digestion, indicating the efficient transport of SIF into the small intestine for absorption. Cytotoxicity assessments via the MTT assay showed no adverse effects on Caco-2 cell lines after encapsulation. The PGWP-stabilized SIF nanoparticles improved the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of Caco-2 cells for SIF by 11.8-fold. The results indicated that using PGWP to encapsulate SIF was an effective approach for delivering SIF, while enhancing its bioavailability and transcellular transport. Full article

Recently, nonlinear fractional models have become increasingly important for describing phenomena occurring in science and engineering fields, especially those including symmetric kernels. In the current article, we examine two reliable methods for solving fractional coupled nonlinear Schrödinger models. These methods are known as the Sardar-subequation technique (SSET) and the improved generalized tanh-function technique (IGTHFT). Numerous novel soliton solutions are computed using different formats, such as periodic, bell-shaped, dark, and combination single bright along with kink, periodic, and single soliton solutions. Additionally, single solitary wave, multi-wave, and periodic kink combined solutions are evaluated. The behavioral traits of the retrieved solutions are illustrated by certain distinctive two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and contour graphs. The results are encouraging, since they show that the suggested methods are trustworthy, consistent, and efficient in finding accurate solutions to the various challenging nonlinear problems that have recently surfaced in applied sciences, engineering, and nonlinear optics. Full article

This study assesses the technical feasibility of a forward-osmosis-based system for concentrating produced water and extracting freshwater. Forward osmosis was combined with nanofiltration, the latter system used to restore the initial osmotic pressure of the diluted draw solutions while concurrently obtaining the final freshwater product. Three draw solutions, namely, MgCl₂, NaCl, and C₃H₅NaO₂, were initially tested against a synthetic water mimicking a pretreated produced water effluent having an osmotic pressure equal to 16.3 bar. MgCl₂ was thus selected for high-recovery experiments. Different combinations of draw solution osmotic pressure (30, 40, 60, 80, and 120) and draw-to-feed initial volume ratios (1, 1.6, and 2.2) were tested at the laboratory scale, achieving recovery rates between roughly 35% and 70% and water fluxes between 4 and 8 L m⁻²h⁻¹. One-dimensional, system-wide simulations deploying the analytical FO water flux equation were utilized to validate the experiments, investigate co-current and counter-current configurations, and understand the system potential. The diluted draw solutions were then transferred to nanofiltration to regenerate their original osmotic pressure. There, the highest observed rejection was 96.6% with an average flux of 21 L m⁻²h⁻¹, when running the system to achieve 100% relative recovery. Full article

With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning is widely used in various industries. At CRYPTO 2019, researchers used deep learning to analyze the block cipher for the first time and constructed a differential neural network distinguisher to meet a certain accuracy. In this paper, a mixture differential neural network distinguisher using ResNet is proposed to further improve the accuracy by exploring the mixture differential properties. Experiments are conducted on SIMON32/64, and the accuracy of the 8-round mixture differential neural network distinguisher is improved from 74.7% to 92.3%, compared with that of the previous differential neural network distinguisher. The prediction accuracy of the differential neural network distinguisher is susceptible to the choice of the specified input differentials, whereas the mixture differential neural network distinguisher is less affected by the input difference and has greater robustness. Furthermore, by combining the probabilistic expansion of rounds and the neutral bit, the obtained mixture differential neural network distinguisher is extended to 11 rounds, which can realize the 12-round actual key recovery attack on SIMON32/64. With an appropriate increase in the time complexity and data complexity, the key recovery accuracy of the mixture differential neural network distinguisher can be improved to 55% as compared to 52% of the differential neural network distinguisher. The mixture differential neural network distinguisher proposed in this paper can also be applied to other lightweight block ciphers. Full article

It is essential and forward-thinking to investigate the personalized use of four-wheel driving and steering wire-controlled unmanned chassis. This paper introduces a personalized path-tracking approach designed to adapt the vehicle’s control system to human-like characteristics, enhancing the fit and maximizing the potential of the chassis’ multi-directional driving and steering capabilities. By modifying the classic vehicle motion controller design, this approach aligns with individual driving habits, significantly improving upon traditional path-tracking control methods that rely solely on reference vector fields. First, the classic reference vector field’s logic was expanded upon, and it is shown that a personalized upgrade is feasible. Then, driving behavior data from multiple drivers were collected using a driving simulator. The fuzzy c-means clustering method was used to categorize drivers based on typical states that match vehicle path-tracking performance. Additionally, the random forest algorithm was used as the method for recognizing driving style. Subsequently, a personalized path-tracking control strategy based on the reference vector field was developed and a distributed execution architecture for four-wheel driving and steering wire-controlled unmanned chassis was established. Finally, the proposed personalized path-tracking approach was validated using a driving simulator. The results of the experimental tests demonstrated that the personalized path-tracking control approach not only fits well with various driving styles but also delivers high accuracy in driving style identification, making it highly suitable for application in four-wheel driving and steering wire-controlled chassis. Full article

This study aims to understand the main nutrient composition and comprehensively evaluate the differences in the mineral element contents of fruits of different macadamia cultivars, as well as screen good cultivars that are suitable for use in rocky desert mountains. Nine macadamia nut cultivars were selected as test materials in rocky desert mountain orchards. The contents of crude fat, crude protein, and total soluble sugar in kernels and N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and B in peels and kernels were determined, respectively. Then, the kernels’ mineral element contents were comprehensively evaluated based on principal component analysis. The results showed that the kernels were rich in crude fat, protein, and soluble sugar, with the crude fat content reaching 75% or greater, and the variation among cultivars was small. However, the variation in soluble sugar content was extensive. The content of mineral elements varied in different cultivars and parts of the fruit, with the average macronutrient content being K > N > Ca > P > Mg in the pericarp and N > K > P > Mg > Ca in the kernel, and the content of micronutrients in the pericarp and the kernel being Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu > B. By principal component analysis, the 10 mineral nutrient indexes were calculated as four principal components, with a cumulative contribution rate of 88.051%. Using the affiliation function value method and the calculation of the comprehensive evaluation value, the nine cultivars could be classified into three categories. The cultivar with the highest comprehensive evaluation value of the mineral element content was O.C. The one with the lowest value was H2, which indicated that O.C is a suitable variety for popularization in rocky desert mountainous areas. Stepwise regression analysis concluded that P, K, Fe, Mn, and Cu were the indicators significantly influencing the mineral element content of macadamia nuts and fruits in rocky desert mountains. Full article

Forestry work, which is considered one of the most demanding and dangerous professions in the world, is claiming more and more lives. In a country as small as Austria, more than 50 forestry workers are killed in accidents every year, and the number is increasing rapidly. This serves as a catalyst for us to implement more stringent measures for workplace safety in order to achieve the sustainability objective of SDG 3, which focuses on health and well-being. This study contributes to the analysis of occupational accidents and focuses on two large real-world datasets from both the Austrian Federal Forests (ÖBf) and the Austrian Workers’ Compensation Board (AUVA). Decision trees, random forests, and fully connected neural networks are used for the analysis. By exploring different interpretation methods, this study sheds light on the decision-making processes ranging from basic association to causal inference and emphasizes the importance of causal inference in providing actionable insights for accident prevention. This paper contributes to the topic of explainable AI, specifically in its application to occupational safety in forestry. As a result, it introduces novel aspects to decision support systems in this application domain. Full article

Background: Graduate student wellbeing is a public health issue in the United States. The COVID-19 outbreak exacerbated the mental health burden on graduate students worldwide. Culture of Wellness (PH 104) is a 2-week wellbeing elective course that teaches evidence-based wellbeing strategies for graduate students at a university in the United States. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of this pilot wellbeing elective on Master of Public Health students’ mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Participants included 22 Master of Public Health students from the class of 2021 at a university in the United States. We provided a pre-course survey to students that assessed their perception of their own personal wellbeing, their knowledge about various wellbeing strategies, and their confidence in applying 13 wellbeing strategies before taking the course. Post-course students completed the same survey following course completion, as well as a matching evaluation and a five-month follow up survey. Results: Of the 13 strategies taught, students reported significant improvements in their ability to apply 10 strategies. There was a significant increase in self-reported emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as a significant decrease in burnout. Five months post-course, more than three quarters of respondents used strategies taught in the course on a weekly basis or more. Limitations: This pilot study is limited by its small sample size, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings. Conclusions: The PH 104 Culture of Wellness course was effective in improving graduate students’ wellbeing and confidence in applying wellbeing strategies Full article

Wearable devices are paramount in health monitoring applications since they provide contextual information to identify and recognize human activities. Although sensor-based human activity recognition (HAR) has been thoroughly examined, prior studies have yet to definitively differentiate between symmetric and asymmetric motions. Determining these movement patterns might provide a more profound understanding of assessing physical activity. The main objective of this research is to investigate the use of wearable motion sensors and deep convolutional neural networks in the analysis of symmetric and asymmetric activities. This study provides a new approach for classifying symmetric and asymmetric motions using a deep residual network incorporating channel and spatial convolutional block attention modules (CBAMs). Two publicly accessible benchmark HAR datasets, which consist of inertial measurements obtained from wrist-worn sensors, are used to assess the model’s efficacy. The model we have presented is subjected to thorough examination and demonstrates exceptional accuracy on both datasets. The ablation experiment examination also demonstrates noteworthy contributions from the residual mappings and CBAMs. The significance of recognizing basic movement symmetries in increasing sensor-based activity identification utilizing wearable devices is shown by the enhanced accuracy and F1-score, especially in asymmetric activities. The technique under consideration can provide activity monitoring with enhanced accuracy and detail, offering prospective advantages in diverse domains like customized healthcare, fitness tracking, and rehabilitation progress evaluation. Full article

The corrosion behavior of copper was investigated in synthetic tap water with and without sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) at different temperatures during immersion for 70 d by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical measurement techniques. The weight loss corrosion rate and pit depth of copper first increase and then decrease with the change in solution temperature from 25 to 80 °C. This is mainly related to the corrosion products formed on the copper surface. The main corrosion products change from Cu₂O and Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃ to CuO with the increase in solution temperature. The presence of 3 ppm NaClO slightly increases the weight loss corrosion rate and pit depth of copper under all temperatures except for 50 °C and reduces the temperature of the maximum corrosion rate from 50 to 40 °C. Free chlorine reduction accelerates the cathodic reaction of the corrosion process. Full article

This paper concentrates on examining the characterization of nonlinear mixed bi-skew Lie triple *- derivations within an *-algebra denoted by $\mathcal{A}$ which contains a nontrivial projection with a unit I. Additionally, we expand this investigation to applications by describing these derivations within prime *-algebras, von Neumann algebras, and standard operator algebras. Full article

Serotonin is an essential neuromodulator for mental health and animals’ socio-cognitive abilities. However, we previously found that a constitutive depletion of central serotonin did not impair rat cognitive abilities in stand-alone tests. Here, we investigated how a mild and acute decrease in brain serotonin would affect rats’ cognitive abilities. Using a novel rat model of inducible serotonin depletion via the genetic knockdown of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), we achieved a 20% decrease in serotonin levels in the hypothalamus after three weeks of non-invasive oral doxycycline administration. Decision making, cognitive flexibility, and social recognition memory were tested in low-serotonin (Tph2-kd) and control rats. Our results showed that the Tph2-kd rats were more prone to choose disadvantageously in the long term (poor decision making) in the Rat Gambling Task and that only the low-serotonin poor decision makers were more sensitive to probabilistic discounting and had poorer social recognition memory than other low-serotonin and control individuals. Flexibility was unaffected by the acute brain serotonin reduction. Poor social recognition memory was the most central characteristic of the behavioral network of low-serotonin poor decision makers, suggesting a key role of social recognition in the expression of their profile. The acute decrease in brain serotonin appeared to specifically amplify the cognitive impairments of the subgroup of individuals also identified as poor decision makers in the population. This study highlights the great opportunity the Tph2-kd rat model offers to study inter-individual susceptibilities to develop cognitive impairment following mild variations of brain serotonin in otherwise healthy individuals. These transgenic and differential approaches together could be critical for the identification of translational markers and vulnerabilities in the development of mental disorders. Full article

Coda waves are highly sensitive to changes in medium properties and can serve as a tool for structural health monitoring (SHM). However, high sensitivity also makes them susceptible to noise, leading to excessive dispersion of monitoring results. In this paper, a coda wave multi-feature extraction method is proposed, in which three parameters, the time shift, the time stretch, and the amplitude variation of the wave trains within the time window, are totally derived. These three parameters are each mapped to the temperature variation of concrete beams, and then combined together with their optimal weight coefficients to give a best-fitted temperature–multi-parameter relationship that has the smallest errors. Coda wave signals were collected from an ultrasonic experiment on concrete beams within an environmental temperature range of 14 °C~21 °C to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results indicate that the combination of multi-features derived from coda wave signals to quantify the medium temperature is feasible. Compared to the relationship established by a single parameter, the goodness-of-fit is improved. During identification, the method effectively reduces the dispersion of identification errors and mitigates the impact of noise interference on structural state assessment. Both the identification accuracy and stability are improved by more than 50%, and the order of magnitude of the identification accuracy is improved from 1 °C to 0.1 °C. Full article