Search Results (53)

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) require authentication systems that balance privacy, scalability, and post-quantum security. While lattice-based V-LDAA offers quantum resistance, it faces challenges in signature size, traceability, and integration. We propose post-quantum traceable direct anonymous attestation (PQ-TDAA), combining National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-standard Dilithium2 and Falcon-512 signatures with adapted Beullens-style blind signatures and Fiat–Shamir simplified Schnorr proofs, reducing proof size by 69.2% (8 kB vs. V-LDAA’s 26 kB) and supporting European Telecommunications Standards Institute Technical Specification (ETSI TS) 102 941-compliant traceability through Road Side Unit (RSU)-assisted verification. Evaluated using SageMath, Python 3.11, and NS-3, PQ-TDAA-Falcon-512 achieves 8.1 ms and 49.7 ms end-to-end delays at 10 and 20 vehicles, respectively, with 64.7 Mbps goodput on congested 802.11p channels, showing promise for densities of ≤50 vehicles and advantages over Dilithium2. Real-world validation on ARM Cortex-A76 (Raspberry Pi 5, emulating automotive OBUs) yields sub-0.5 ms V2V cycles within 100 ms beacon intervals, supporting practical embedded deployment. Future work will extend PQ-TDAA to emerging 5G and NR-V2X settings, integrate more realistic mobility and channel models through coupled NS-3 and SUMO co-simulation, and investigate side-channel resistance for enhanced scalability and robustness in real deployments. Full article

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are transforming transportation by improving safety, efficiency, and intelligence through integrated sensing, computing, and communication technologies. However, their growing reliance on Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication exposes them to cybersecurity vulnerabilities, particularly at the physical layer. Among these, jamming attacks represent a critical threat by disrupting wireless channels and compromising message delivery, severely impacting vehicle coordination and safety. This work investigates the robustness of New Radio (NR)-V2X-enabled vehicular systems under jamming conditions through a dual-methodology approach. First, two Cooperative Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS) scenarios standardized by 3GPP—Do Not Pass Warning (DNPW) and Intersection Movement Assist (IMA)—are implemented in the OMNeT++ simulation environment using Simu5G, Veins, and SUMO. The simulations incorporate four types of jamming strategies and evaluate their impact on key metrics such as packet loss, signal quality, inter-vehicle spacing, and collision risk. Second, a complementary laboratory experiment is conducted using AnaPico vector signal generators (a Keysight Technologies brand) and an Anritsu multi-channel spectrum receiver, replicating controlled wireless conditions to validate the degradation effects observed in the simulation. The findings reveal that jamming severely undermines communication reliability in NR-V2X systems, both in simulation and in practice. These findings highlight the urgent need for resilient NR-V2X protocols and countermeasures to ensure the integrity of cooperative autonomous systems in adversarial environments. Full article

In recent years, edible by-products (including the liver) have gained growing popularity among consumers. That is why the study aimed to assess the energy value, chemical composition, and mineral content of broiler chicken livers after including wheat germ expeller (WGE) in the feed of the broilers. Liver samples were obtained from 32 Ross-308 chickens (8 individuals per treatment). The control group received a basal diet, whereas the remaining treatments (EX5, EX10, and EX15) were characterized by a partial substitution of ground wheat with 5%, 10%, and 15% WGE. The WGE inclusion did not influence liver weight or chemical composition. However, livers from the CT group showed a higher energy value (p ≤ 0.05) than the EX15 group. Sodium and calcium contents were higher in CT and EX5 livers than in EX10 and EX15. No differences were observed in micronutrient levels between groups. A 100 g portion of EX15 livers provided the highest NRV coverage for phosphorus, iron, zinc, and copper, while EX5 livers were richest in calcium and magnesium, and CT livers in manganese. Total Hazard Quotients for Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn in chicken livers were below 1, suggesting no potential health risk to consumers. These findings indicate that livers, also from WGE-fed broilers, may serve as a valuable dietary source of minerals for people. Full article

Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) are commonly used proxies to measure respiratory muscle strength. Current literature lacks recent large-scale normative reference values (NRV) for these pressures in healthy Singaporean adults. Moreover, no consensus exists on the variables that could influence MIP and MEP. This cross-sectional study aims to: (1) establish the NRV of MIP and MEP; (2) determine the correlations of variables that could influence these pressures; and (3) develop regression equations using non-spirometry variables to estimate reference values for MIP and MEP in the healthy Singaporean population aged 21 to 80 years. MIP and MEP were measured alongside demographic and anthropometric data collected from 391 participants (202 females, 189 males) recruited via convenience sampling. Median MIP and MEP values were significantly higher in males (112 and 85 cmH₂O) than in females (83 and 64 cmH₂O). Spearman correlations revealed significant associations between MIP/MEP and gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio, and spirometric variables. Regression models using age, gender, height, and weight explained 27.5% and 32.1% of the variance in MIP and MEP, respectively. This study updated the NRV of MIP and MEP and provided practical predictive equations for assessing respiratory muscle strength in Singapore. Full article

The vibration properties of materials play a role in their conduction of electric charges. Ionic conductors such as electrodes and solid electrolytes are also relevant in this respect. The vibration properties are typically assessed with infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and inelastic neutron scattering, which all allow for the derivation of the phonon density of states (PDOS) in part of a full portion of the Brioullin zone. Nuclear resonant vibration spectroscopy (NRVS) is a novel method that produces the element-specific PDOS from Mössbauer-active isotopes in a compound. We employed NRVS operando on a pouch cell battery containing a Li⁵⁷FePO₄ electrode, and thus could derive the PDOS of the ⁵⁷Fe in the electrode during charging and discharging. The spectra reveal reversible vibrational changes associated with the two-phase conversion between LiFePO₄ and FePO₄, as well as signatures of metastable intermediate states. We demonstrate how the NRVS data can be used to tune the atomistic simulations to accurately reconstruct the full vibration structures of the battery materials in operando conditions. Unlike optical techniques, NRVS provides bulk-sensitive, element-specific access to the full phonon spectrum under realistic operando conditions. These results establish NRVS as a powerful method to probe lattice dynamics in working batteries and to advance the understanding of ion transport and phase transformation mechanisms in electrode materials. Full article

Background/Objectives: Heat processing techniques can alter the energy and nutritional value of meat. This study examined the effect of various types of heat processing (water bath cooking WBC, oven convection roasting OCR, grilling G, and pan frying PF) on the content and retention of vitamins A, D, E, K, and cholesterol in White Kołuda^® goose breast meat without or with skin (n = 36). Methods: The contents of fat-soluble vitamins and cholesterol were determined by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Cooking loss (CL), retention, and the percentage coverage of the Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) for vitamins in adults by 100 g of meat were calculated. Results: The CL was higher (p ≤ 0.01) in goose breast meat with skin (43.2%) compared to skinless meat (37.1%). The contents of vitamins A, D, E, K, and cholesterol were also significantly greater (p ≤ 0.01) in meat with skin than in meat without skin. The G and PF resulted in the greatest reductions in A, D, E, and K compared with raw meat. The highest retention (>52%) was observed after WBC, whereas the lowest (<43.7%) occurred after PF, although the difference was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) only for vitamin D. While 100 g of raw goose breast meat provided the highest percentage of NRV for the analyzed components, WBC appeared to be the most favorable cooking method for consumers. Conclusions: Our research can help consumers choose goose meat as an alternative to red meat to diversify and balance their diet. WBC ensures the least loss of fat-soluble vitamins while ensuring the health safety of meat, which may be important information for consumers, the catering industry, and the poultry industry. Full article

Information about the trace elements content of goose carcass parts with or without skin can be important for consumers when making dietary choices. This study aimed to (1) determine the effects of popular heat processing techniques on the content of chromium (Cr), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), and bromine (Br) in goose breast muscle, and (2) estimate the extent to which 100 g of goose meat—both with and without skin—cover the Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) for Cr, I, Mn, and the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for Br in adults. The heat processing techniques used in the study were water bath cooking (WBC), Oven Convection Roasting (OCR), grilling (G), and pan frying (PF). Grilled goose breast without skin had the highest Br retention (97.4%) and TDI (2.41%). Cooked goose breast (WBC) with skin exhibited the highest retention of Cr (73.8%) and I (73.6%). The highest Mn content was found in meat without skin after OCR processing and grilled meat with skin (0.170 and 0.191 mg/100 g, respectively). The iodine content in the meat decreased (from 0.020 raw to 0.003 mg/100 g after PF) with each heat treatment. The results of our study may provide helpful information for consumers when making dietary choices and using heat treatment techniques. Goose breast muscles, depending on heat treatment and the presence of skin, provide trace elements in the range of 2.21% of NRV (Nutrient Reference Value) for Br without skin to 740.7% of NRV for Cr with skin and may be a valuable component of a varied diet (apart from iodine). The Br content in the meat decreases after WBC treatment (1.29 without skin or 1.43 with skin mg/100 g). For this reason, it seems to be the most beneficial for the consumer’s health because it minimizes the risk of exceeding the TDI value. Total hazard quotients (THQ) in meat (regardless of the treatment and skin presence) for Cr, Mn, and Br contents were <1, indicating a low risk to Polish consumer health. Full article

Natural restoration of vegetation and plantation are effective land use measures to promote soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. How soil physicochemical properties, microorganisms, Glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSPs), and aggregates interact to regulate SOC accumulation and sequestration remains unclear. This study examined five land uses in the karst region of Southwest China: corn field (CF), corn intercropped with cabbage fields (CICF), orchard (OR), plantation (PL), and natural restoration of vegetation (NRV). The results revealed that SOC, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total GRSP (T-GRSP), and easily extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) contents were significantly higher under NRV and PL than in the CF, CICF, and OR, with increases ranging from 10.69% to 266.72%. Land use significantly influenced bacterial α-diversity, though fungal α-diversity remained unaffected. The stability of soil aggregates among the five land uses followed the order: PL > NRV > CF > OR > CICF. Partial least-squares path modeling (PLS-PM) identified land use as the most critical factor influencing SOC. SOC accumulation and stability were enhanced through improved soil properties, increased microbial diversity, and greater community abundance, promoting GRSP secretion and strengthening soil aggregate stability. In particular, soil microorganisms adhere to the aggregates of soil particles through the entanglement of fine roots and microbial hyphae and their secretions (GRSPs, etc.) to maintain the stability of the aggregates, thus protecting SOC from decomposition. Natural restoration of vegetation and plantation proved more effective for soil carbon sequestration in the karst region of Southwest China compared to sloping cropland and orchards. Full article

Genetics and mitochondrial (mt) dysfunction contribute to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Recently, we demonstrated that the co-presence of PNPLA3, TM6SF2 and MBOAT7 polymorphisms predisposes to disease progression in MASLD patients and that their deletion triggers mt maladaptation in vitro. Here, we deepened the impact of the silencing of these genes on mt dynamism and respiration by reintroducing TM6SF2 and/or MBOAT7 wild-type proteins in deleted cells through lentiviral infection. Since hepatic mt bioenergetics is impaired in MASLD, in the attempt to identify a non-invasive signature, we then compared the enzymatic mt activity of seahorses, which was assessed in liver biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of biopsy-proven MASLD patients (n = 44; Discovery cohort) stratified according to the number of the three at-risk variants (3NRV). Concerning the in vitro results, the rescue of MBOAT7 and/or TM6SF2 wild-type proteins resulted in the assembly of spaghetti-shaped mitochondria with improved oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity. In the Discovery cohort, the hepatic bioenergetic profile fully reflected that in PBMCs and was impaired especially in 3NRV carriers. A lowered serum respiration rate was confirmed in noninvasively assessed MASLD (n = 45; Fibroscan-MASLD cohort), while it did not change in unrelated liver disease patients (n = 45). In summary, we firstly demonstrated that mt circulating respirometry reflects that in liver and is specific in defining genetic MASLD. Full article

Vibration spectroscopy is routinely used in analytical chemistry for molecular speciation. Less common is its use in studying the dynamics of reaction and transport processes. A shortcoming of vibration spectroscopies is that they are not inherently specific to chemical elements. Progress in synchrotron radiation-based X-ray technology has developed nuclear resonance vibration spectroscopy (NRVS), which can be used to produce element-specific vibration spectra and partial vibrational density of states (PVDOS), provided the material under investigation contains a Mössbauer-active element. While the method has been recently used successfully for protein spectroscopy, fewer studies have been conducted for condensed matter. We have employed NRVS on the BaSnO₃ perovskite structure, which is a model compound for ceramic proton conductors in intermediate temperature fuel cells. Since we used ¹¹⁹Sn as a Mössbauer isotope, the derived experimental PVDOS is specific to the element Sn in BaSnO₃. We show how this phonon DOS is used as an experimental anchor for the interpretation of the DFT-calculated PVDOS of BaSnO₃. Full article

Background: Dietary intake during the first year of life is a key determinant of a child’s growth and development. ORIGINS is a longitudinal birth cohort study investigating factors that contribute to a ‘healthy start to life’ and the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to describe the dietary intakes of one-year-old children participating in ORIGINS and compare these to the Australian Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). Between 2020 and 2023, dietary intake data were collected on 779 one-year-old children using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The analysis explored milk intake (breastmilk, infant formula, and cow’s milk), the introduction to solids, macronutrient, micronutrient, and food group intakes. Results: The results indicated that 41.5% were still being breastfed at one year of age, while 58.0% continued to receive formula milk. While the cohort met NRV cut-offs for most micronutrients, iodine intake fell below requirements, and sodium intake exceeded recommendations. Diet quality, based on the food group intake, did not meet recommendations, with children over-consuming fruit and discretionary foods, while under-consuming vegetables and cereals and grains foods. Conclusions: These findings highlight areas for improvement in the dietary intake of one-year-old children. Full article

Joint communication and sensing (JCS) is becoming an important trend in 6G, owing to its efficient utilization of spectrums and hardware resources. Utilizing echoes of the same signal can achieve the object location sensing function, in addition to the V2X communication function. There is application potential for JCS systems in the fields of ADAS and unmanned autos. Currently, the NR-V2X sidelink has been standardized by 3GPP to support low-latency high-reliability direct communication. In order to combine the benefits of both direct communication and JCS, it is promising to extend existing NR-V2X sidelink communication toward sidelink JCS. However, conflicting performance requirements arise between radar sensing accuracy and communication reliability with the limited sidelink spectrum. In order to overcome the challenges in the distributed resource allocation of sidelink JCS with a full-duplex, this paper has proposed a novel consecutive-collision mitigation semi-persistent scheduling (CCM-SPS) scheme, including the collision detection and Q-learning training stages to suppress collision probabilities. Theoretical performance analyses on Cramér–Rao Lower Bounds (CRLBs) have been made for the sensing of sidelink JCS. Key performance metrics such as CRLB, PRR and UD have been evaluated. Simulation results show the superior performance of CCM-SPS compared to similar solutions, with promising application prospects. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rise in chronic metabolic diseases has led to the exploration of alternative diets. The carnivore diet, consisting exclusively of animal products, has gained attention, anecdotally, for imparting benefit for inflammatory conditions beyond that possible by other restrictive dietary approaches. The aim was to assess the micronutrient adequacy of four versions of the carnivore diet against national nutrient reference values (NRVs). Methods: This study assessed the nutrient adequacy of the carnivore diet against national NRVs from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and New Zealand Ministry of Health. Four meal plans for hypothetical average Australian adults were developed and analysed using Foodworks.online (Version 1, Xyris Pty Ltd., Brisbane, Australia, 2024), dietary software. Two female and two male plans were included; one set including dairy products and the other set including offal. Results: The carnivore diet met several NRV thresholds for nutrients such as riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, zinc, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, selenium, and Vitamin A, and exceeded the sodium threshold. However, it fell short in thiamin, magnesium, calcium, and Vitamin C, and in iron, folate, iodine and potassium in some cases. Fibre intake was significantly below recommended levels. Conclusion: The carnivore diet may offer benefits for managing certain chronic conditions. Whether the metabolic contexts from consuming such a diet facilitates a lower requirement of certain nutrients, or whether it poses risks of micronutrient inadequacies remains to be determined. Tailored nutritional guidance and supplementation strategies are recommended to ensure careful consideration of micronutrient intake to prevent deficiencies. Full article

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication is one of the essential technologies in 5G systems and will certainly play an important role in incoming 6G communications. Two modes of 5G New Radio V2X communication (NR-V2X) have been defined to standardize the direct exchange of messages between vehicles. This paper concentrates on Mode 1, in which message exchange takes place with the support of the cellular infrastructure. In this mode, each vehicle uses a fixed number of subchannels with pre-configured subchannel sizes to transmit packet messages. However, if the packet sizes vary in each transmission, some resource blocks (RBs) assigned to V2X links are wasted. This paper presents the results of investigations on more efficient use of resource blocks, intending to minimize their waste and limit the delay in resource selection. In this paper, two new algorithms for radio resource block assignment are proposed and analyzed. The algorithms are characterized by a lower waste of RBs and a shorter delay in resource assignment compared to current solutions. The first algorithm uses adjacent RBs, whereas the second one can assign non-adjacent RBs, resulting in an even lower waste of radio resources and a shorter delay in their assignment. The simulation results presented confirm the quality of the proposed algorithms. Full article

5G New Radio (NR)-V2X, standardized by 3GPP Release 16, includes a distributed resource allocation Mode, known as Mode 2, that allows vehicles to autonomously select transmission resources using either sensing-based semi-persistent scheduling (SB-SPS) or dynamic scheduling (DS). In unmanaged 5G-NR-V2X scenarios, SB-SPS loses effectiveness with aperiodic and variable data. DS, while better for aperiodic traffic, faces challenges due to random selection, particularly in high traffic density scenarios, leading to increased collisions. To address these limitations, this study models the Cellular V2X network as a decentralized multi-agent networked Markov decision process (MDP), where each vehicle agent uses the Shared Experience Actor–Critic (SEAC) technique to optimize performance. The superiority of SEAC over SB-SPS and DS is demonstrated through simulations, showing that the SEAC with an N-step approach achieves an average improvement of approximately 18–20% in enhancing reliability, reducing collisions, and improving resource utilization under high vehicular density scenarios with aperiodic traffic patterns. Full article