bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Major Impact of Coping Styles on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Healthcare Workers During the Outbreak of COVID-19
Authors: Wang Dongke , Chen Jie , Liu Xinghuang , Jin Yan , Ma Yanling , Xiang Xuelian , Yang Ling , Song Jun , Bai Tao , Hou Xiaohua
Published: February 2022

Background

In the early days of COVID-19 outbreak, the normally orderly health system was severely challenged by large numbers of feverish patients and shortage of healthcare workers. The outbreak played a harmful role in the mental health of these healthcare workers.

Objective

We aim to assess the prevalence of moderate or severe anxiety and depression symptoms (ADSs) of healthcare workers in different regions during COVID-19 disaster and identify the potential risk factors.

Methods

We did a cross-sectional study on ADS of healthcare workers in epicenter-Hubei province and regions in lower epidemic-other provinces by questionnaire online. The data of ADS, the demographic characteristics, occupational exposure, physical condition, family situation, and coping styles were collected and analyzed.

Results

A total of 24.68% of the respondents had experienced moderate or severe ADS. Moderate or severe ADSs were in a higher prevalence in Hubei (32.39%) than other provinces (18.22%). Suspicious symptoms on their own and in family members were independent risk factors of moderate or severe ADS of all health workers. Working on the frontline was the independent risk factor for participants in Hubei province, whereas quarantine was the independent risk factor for those in other provinces. Moreover, among all participants, those with negative coping style were more than four times more likely to have moderate or severe ADS than those with positive coping style.

Conclusion

Moderate or severe ADSs were in a higher prevalence in healthcare workers of Hubei province during COVID-19 outbreak. The coping style may have major impact on ADS in such situation.
Can We Barter Local Taxes for Maintaining Our Green? A Psychological Perspective
Authors: Theodorou Annalisa , Panno Angelo , Agrimi Mariagrazia , Masini Emanuela , Carrus Giuseppe
Published: February 2022

Previous research highlighted that the desire for neighborhood improvement is an antecedent of the citizens’ involvement in green urban areas maintenance. Nevertheless, the topic of civic participation in the maintenance of green areas is not yet well developed in the literature and a link with local legislation is missing. We investigate the intention of participation in such maintenance through a web-based experiment. We hypothesize that stimuli of poor (vs. good) maintenance will be associated with a higher intention of contributing to the upkeep of green areas following the administrative barter law. The administrative barter is a law approved in Italy, which gives citizens the possibility of a reduction of local taxes in exchange for their involvement in the improvement of the territory. One hundred ninety-six participants (Mage = 33.81) were assigned randomly to good maintenance condition (n = 100) or poor maintenance condition (n = 96). The level of maintenance was manipulated through photographs of a neighborhood depicting good or poor maintenance of the urban green ornamentation. Results pointed out that people showed a greater willingness to engage in the improvement of green urban areas in the poor condition as compared to the good condition, according to the administrative barter law. This study suggests that local legislation may provide an incentive fostering citizens’ involvement in green urban areas maintenance.
The Nurse Role in the Management of ADHD in Children and Adolescent: A Literature Review
Authors: Kleve Liv , Vårdal Lisa , Elgen Irene Bircow
Published: February 2022

Objective

To review literature regarding existing and recommended roles for nurses in the management of children with ADHD.

Methods

MEDLINE and CINAHL were searched from 2010 to the end of 2019 with the following keywords: ADHD, nurse, child, and inclusion criteria published in an English journal.

Results

Forty-three records were found. However, only five articles scientifically evaluated the nurse role. The nurse role in ADHD management seemed to vary across countries with nurses working independently or as part of a team with delegated responsibility.

Conclusion

The literature review gave information to suggest that nurses can have a significant role in providing a range of medical and non-medical management.
Health Disparities and Differences in Health-Care-Utilization in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Park Da-Hee , Meltendorf Tanja , Kahl Kai G. , Kamp Jan C. , Richter Manuel J. , Hoeper Marius M. , Olsson Karen M. , Fuge Jan
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Mental disorders are common in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and contribute to impaired quality of life (QoL). The impact of mental disorders on access to health care, differences in clinical parameters and treatment in patients with PAH is unclear. In this study we sought to assess the impact of mental disorders and other health disparities on health-care-utilization in patients with PAH.

Methods

In a cross-sectional observational study of patients with PAH, mental disorders were characterized using a structed clinical interview. In addition, patients completed a self-administered questionnaire to assess QoL, symptoms of anxiety and depression, lifestyle-factors and educational status. Number of outpatient visits and communication events per year were calculated as a surrogate for health-care-utilization and were compared by the presence of mental disorder. Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact on health-care-utilization.

Results

117 patients with PAH participated in this study (70% female, median age 59 (interquartile range, 49–70) years). Significant differences between patients with or without mental disorders were found in anxiety, depression and QoL. There were no significant differences in clinical parameters. Patients with mental disorders had higher rates of outpatient visits and communication events than patients without mental disorders. Linear regression revealed a gain of 2.2 communication events per year in the presence of any mental disorders.

Conclusion

Mental disorders in patients with PAH are common and significantly affect health-care-utilization. This higher demand in patients with mental disorder needs to be addressed by physicians, psychiatrists and specialized nurses offering therapeutic strategies.
Patient's Perception of Digital Symptom Assessment Technologies in Rheumatology: Results From a Multicentre Study
Authors: Knitza Johannes , Muehlensiepen Felix , Ignatyev Yuriy , Fuchs Franziska , Mohn Jacob , Simon David , Kleyer Arnd , Fagni Filippo , Boeltz Sebastian , Morf Harriet , Bergmann Christina , Labinsky Hannah , Vorbrüggen Wolfgang , Ramming Andreas , Distler Jörg H. W. , Bartz-Bazzanella Peter , Vuillerme Nicolas , Schett Georg , Welcker Martin , Hueber Axel J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

An increasing number of digital tools, including dedicated diagnostic decision support systems (DDSS) exist to better assess new symptoms and understand when and where to seek medical care. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient's previous online assessment experiences and to compare the acceptability, usability, usefulness and potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI)-based symptom checker (Ada) and an online questionnaire-based self-referral tool (Rheport).

Materials and Methods

Patients newly presenting to three German secondary rheumatology outpatient clinics were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to complete consecutively Ada or Rheport in a prospective non-blinded multicentre controlled crossover randomized trial. DDSS completion time was recorded by local study personnel and perceptions on DDSS and previous online assessment were collected through a self-completed study questionnaire, including usability measured with the validated System Usability Scale (SUS).

Results

600 patients (median age 52 years, 418 women) were included. 277/600 (46.2%) of patients used an online search engine prior to the appointment. The median time patients spent assessing symptoms was 180, 7, and 8 min, respectively using online using search engines, Ada and Rheport. 111/275 (40.4%), 266/600 (44.3%) and 395/600 (65.8%) of patients rated the respective symptom assessment as very helpful or helpful, using online search engines, Ada and Rheport, respectively. Usability of both diagnostic decision support systems (DDSS) was “good” with a significantly higher mean SUS score (SD) of Rheport 77.1/100 (16.0) compared to Ada 74.4/100 (16.8), (p < 0.0001). In male patients, usability of Rheport was rated higher than Ada (p = 0.02) and the usability rating of older (52 years ≥) patients of both DDSS was lower than in younger participants (p = 0.005). Both effects were independent of each other. 440/600 (73.3%) and 475/600 (79.2%) of the patients would recommend Ada and Rheport to friends and other patients, respectively.

Conclusion

In summary, patients increasingly assess their symptoms independently online, however only a minority used dedicated symptom assessment websites or DDSS. DDSS, such as Ada an Rheport are easy to use, well accepted among patients with musculoskeletal complaints and could replace online search engines for patient symptom assessment, potentially saving time and increasing helpfulness.
Application of Finite Element Analysis Combined With Virtual Computer in Preoperative Planning of Distal Femoral Fracture
Authors: He Yuanming , Liu Yang , Yin Bo , Wang Dong , Wang Hanzhou , Yao Peifeng , Zhou Junlin
Published: February 2022

Background

Distal femoral fractures are increasing with an aging population. The computer-assisted preoperative planning has great potential, but there are no preoperative plans to determine appropriate fixation methods for distal femoral fractures on an individual basis. The aims of this study are: (1) to describe the technique of finite element analysis combined with computer-assisted preoperative planning to determine a fixation method for distal femoral fractures and (2) to evaluate the intra-operative realization of this technology and the clinical outcomes based on it for distal femoral fractures.

Materials and Methods

Between January 2017 and January 2020, 31 patients with distal femoral fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation were included and randomly divided into two groups based on preoperative planning methods: conventional group (n = 15) and computer-assisted group (n = 16). Firstly, how to determine the most appropriate plate and screw length and placement in the preoperative planning of distal femoral fractures was described. The time taken for preoperative planning for different fracture types in the computer-assisted group was then analyzed. Finally, intraoperative and postoperative parameters were compared between the conventional and computer-assisted groups, assessing operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, days of hospital stay, Visual Analog Scale for Pain Score (VAS), and Knee Society Score (KSS).

Results

Mean total planning time for 33-A, 33-B, and 33-C fractures in computer-assisted group were 194.8 ± 6.49, 163.71 ± 9.22, and 237 ± 5.33 min, respectively. Compared with the conventional group, the patients in the computer-assisted group had less blood loss, fewer fluoroscopic images, and shorter operation time (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the hospitalization days, KSS score and VAS score between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of this study show that finite element combined with computer-assisted preoperative planning can effectively help surgeons to make accurate and clinically relevant preoperative planning for distal femoral fractures, especially in the selection of appropriate plate length and screw positioning.
Comparison of Different Blood Transfusion Methods in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section
Authors: Guo Fei , Tang Heshan , Wei Xiaoqiang
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To compare the effect of allogeneic transfusion and acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) autologous transfusion in patients undergoing cesarean section.

Methods

Patients who underwent cesarean section and received blood transfusion therapy from February 2019 to July 2021 in our hospital were observed and divided into the allogeneic group (n = 55) who received allogeneic transfusion therapy and the autologous group (n = 55) who received ANH autologous transfusion therapy according to the mode of transfusion. Observations included vital signs [heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), stroke volume variation (SVV)], blood routine [red blood cells (RBC), platelets (PLT), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (Hb)], T-cell subsets (CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+), immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), inflammatory factors [C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6], and adverse effects were counted in both groups.

Results

There was no statistical significance in the intra-group and inter-group comparisons of HR, MAP, and SVV between the two groups before transfusion and transfusion for 10 min (P > 0.05). 5d after operation, the RBC, PLT, HCT, and Hb of the allogeneic group were lower than those before operation, and the autologous group was higher than that of the allogeneic group (P < 0.05). 5d after operation, the CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 of the allogeneic group were higher than those before operation, and the autologous group was lower than that of the allogeneic group (P < 0.05). 5d after operation, the CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ of the allogeneic group were lower than before operation, and the CD8+ was higher than before operation. The CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ of the autologous group were higher than that of the allogeneic group, and CD8+ was lower than that of the allogeneic group (P < 0.05). 5d after operation, the IgA, IgG, and IgM of the allogeneic group were lower than those before operation, and the autologous group was higher than that of the allogeneic group (P < 0.05). During blood transfusion, there was no significant difference in the adverse reaction rate between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Both allogeneic transfusion and ANH autologous transfusion have little effect on the vital signs of patients undergoing cesarean section, but ANH autologous transfusion is more helpful to the stability of blood routine, T-cell subsets, immunoglobulin, and inflammation levels after surgery, which is a safe and effective way of blood transfusion.
Case Report: Tricuspid Annuloplasty for Right-Sided Congestive Heart Failure Secondary to Pulmonary Hypertension in a Dog
Authors: Mizuno Takeshi , Sasaki Kenta , Suzuki Sayaka , Nagao Itsuma , Isayama Noriko
Published: February 2022

An 11-year-old, 12.3-kg, female Miniature Dachshund was presented to our institution with ascites of unknown etiology. The dog had been administered moxidectin for 3 years to treat a heartworm infection. Thoracic radiographs showed enlargement of the right heart. Echocardiography revealed right atrial and ventricular dilatation as well as flattening of the interventricular septum. Heartworm was identified in the main pulmonary artery, which was dilated. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was observed using color Doppler ultrasonography, and 2.5 L of ascites were removed. The dog was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, severe TR, and right-sided congestive heart failure. Except at the initial site, heartworm was not detected using echocardiography, and the antigen test was negative. However, pharmacological treatment did not improve the right-sided congestive heart failure. Instead, De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) was performed on the beating heart under cardiopulmonary bypass with the owner's consent. Sutures terminated between the two commissures in the middle of the annulus and were secured using another pledget. Annular reduction was performed by tying down the plication suture while the cylindrical sizer was inserted into the tricuspid valve orifice. The size of the cylindrical sizer was 16 mm, which was set based on the height and width of the septal leaflet. A 6-month follow-up showed a reduction of TR and right-sided volume overload with no evidence of ascites retention/recurrence or any other complication. Our findings indicate that TAP may be a valid treatment option for dogs with right-sided congestive heart failure caused by secondary TR.
The Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase Gene CCD7-B, at Large, Is Associated with Tillering in Common Wheat
Authors: Yang Wenlong , Mirbahar Ameer , Shoaib Muhammad , Lou Xueyuan , Sun Linhe , Sun Jiazhu , Zhan Kehui , Zhang Aimin
Published: February 2022

Wheat, an important cereal crop, is responsible for the livelihoods of many people, and a component of national food security. Tillering, which determines plant architecture and spike number, is a critical agronomic trait of wheat. The carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 7 (CCD7) has an important effect on the growth of tillers or lateral branches and lateral roots of plants. In order to study the relationship between CCD7 and tillering in wheat, CCD7-B was isolated from 10 Chinese wheat varieties with different tiller numbers. Subsequently, bioinformatics, allelic variation analysis, and field experiments were performed. Wheat CCD7-B belongs to the retinal pigment epithelial membrane receptor (RPE65) superfamily; it displays the greatest homology with monocot CCD7 proteins. Phylogenetic analysis of wheat CCD7-B proteins indicated division into dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous clades. Allelic variation analysis of CCD7-B via SrgAI enzyme digestion (a marker of cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences) suggested that 262 Chinese wheat micro-core collections and 121 Chinese wheat major cultivars from the Yellow and Huai River Valley winter wheat region can be divided into two groups: CCD7-B1 (C/T/T) and CCD7-B2 (G/C/A). CCD7-B1 showed better allelic variation than did CCD7-B2 for increasing the number of effective tillers of wheat varieties in China. This study provides reference data for the application of CCD7-B alleles to wheat breeding and supports further research regarding the mechanism of tillering in common wheat.
Measuring Soil Quality Indicators under Different Climate-Smart Land Uses across East African Climate-Smart Villages
Authors: Recha John Walker , Olale Kennedy O. , Sila Andrew M. , Ambaw Gebermedihin , Radeny Maren , Solomon Dawit
Published: February 2022

The present study assessed soil physical-chemical characteristics as reliable soil health indicators in six climate-smart land use types; agroforestry, community forest, cropland with soil and water conservation (SWC), crop land without SWC, grassland and control across climate-smart villages (CSVs) in Lushoto (Tanzania), Hoima (Uganda), Wote and Nyando (Kenya). Soils were sampled at three depths; 0–15 cm, 15–45 cm and 45–100 cm and then analyzed for bulk density (BD), pH, exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K, Na), extractable Fe, Mn, Zn, exchangeable acidity (ExAc), Electrical conductivity (EC), total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Land use types and sampling depths significantly affected soil properties (p < 0.05), High bulk density (BD) was measured at 45–100 cm depth in grassland (1.47 g/cm3) and crop land (1.50 g/cm3) in Kenya and Tanzania, respectively. BD in Ugandan grasslands was statistically lower (p < 0.05) than BD in other land use types at all depths. Soil pH of surface soil (0–15 cm) ranged from 6.67 ± 0.67 (agroforestry) to 6.27 ± 0.85 (grassland). Ex. bases (Ca, Mg, K and Na) and extractable Fe, Mn, Zn, ExAc, EC, TC, TN and CEC were significantly affected by land uses (p ≤ 0.05). Soil properties were significantly correlated, a positive correlation between silt % (p < 0.01) and pH, sand and Ca (p < 0.05). EC and pH, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable bases, exchangeable K and C: N ratio was observed. There was a negative correlation (p < 0.05) between pH and clay. The study has shown that improving soil properties using land use systems leads to an increase in soil nutrients.
Salivary Cortisol Reaction Norms in Zoo-Housed Great Apes: Diurnal Slopes and Intercepts as Indicators of Stress Response Quality
Authors: Behringer Verena , Stevens Jeroen M. G. , Sonnweber Ruth
Published: February 2022

Monitoring changes in cortisol levels is a widespread tool for measuring individuals’ stress responses. However, an acute increase in cortisol levels does not necessarily denote an individual in distress, as increases in cortisol can be elicited by all factors that signal the need to mobilize energy. Nor are low levels of cortisol indicative for a relaxed, healthy individual. Therefore, a more fine-grained description of cortisol patterns is warranted in order to distinguish between cortisol fluctuations associated with different stress response qualities. In most species, cortisol shows a distinct diurnal pattern. Using a reaction norm approach, cortisol levels across the day can be described by the two regression coefficients: the intercept and the slope of the curve. We measured immunoreactive salivary cortisol in three zoo-housed ape species under three conditions (routine days, enrichment days, and after the move to a new house). We examined salivary cortisol intercepts (SCI) and salivary cortisol slopes (SCS) of the diurnal curves. SCI and SCS were independent from each other. SCI was highest on enrichment days and lowest on routine days. SCS was steep on routine days and blunted after the move. Only SCI was species-specific. Our study provides evidence that combining SCI and SCS measures allows us to differentiate between types of stress responses, thereby constituting a useful tool for welfare assessment.
A Descriptive Study of the Clinical Presentation, Management, and Outcome of Horses with Acute Soft Tissue Trauma of the Tarsus and the Association with Synovial Involvement
Authors: Vajs Taja , Nekouei Omid , Biermann Nora M.
Published: February 2022

The tarsus is one of the most common areas of traumatic injury with associated synovial involvement (SI) in horses. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, management (emphasizing the type, duration, and route of antimicrobial administration), and outcome of cases with acute soft tissue trauma to the tarsal region. The presenting clinical features, the results of diagnostic modalities, and the initial response to therapy were assessed for their usefulness to predict SI. Medical records of 72 cases were included and SI was diagnosed in 34 cases (47.2%). Increased synovial effusion, lameness on admission (OR = 4.1; 95%CI 1.0–16.4), persistent lameness (OR = 5.7; 95%CI 1.8–17.9), increased blood SAA values (≥200 mg/L) from initial to second measurement (OR = 4.3; 95%CI 1.2–15.5), and wound location on the plantar/plantarolateral/plantaromedial compared to the lateral aspect of the tarsus (OR = 7.0; 95%CI 1.6–30.9) were associated with SI. Radiographs, ultrasonography, and the use of pressure testing when a wound was present proved to be useful in correctly diagnosing SI. The median duration of systemic antimicrobial administration was 8 (IQR: 5 to 9) days and most horses received local antimicrobial therapy. This study highlights several relevant clinical features and their association with SI and emphasizes the usefulness of local antimicrobial therapy in these cases.
Effect of Different Water Cooling Treatments on Changes in Rectal and Surface Body Temperature in Leisure Horses after Medium-Intensity Effort
Authors: Janczarek Iwona , Wiśniewska Anna , Tkaczyk Ewelina , Wnuk-Pawlak Elżbieta , Kaczmarek Beata , Liss-Szczepanek Marta , Kędzierski Witold
Published: February 2022

Cooling a horse after intensive exercise under hot conditions is commonly recommended. The study aimed to analyze changes in the rectal and surface temperature of the horses subjected to various water cooling treatments. This followed medium-intensity exercise performed by leisure horses under moderate air temperature. The experiment involved a control group without water application, and three variants of water cooling applied to 19 warmblood geldings after medium-intensity effort. Cooling of lower, upper, and lower and upper body parts was performed. In each variant, the rectal and body surface temperatures were measured five times: before; immediately after; and 10, 20, and 30 min after effort. Using water cooling under the studied conditions did not influence a post-exercise decrease in the rectal temperature. The decrease in body surface temperature depended on the used variant of cooling down the horse. Cooling the limbs by pouring water several times changed the surface body temperature from 34.2 ± 0.37 °C to 32.0 ± 0.32 °C and was more efficient than the repeated application of cool water on both the upper and lower body parts, leading to a temperature change from 34.6 ± 0.26 °C to 33.2 ± 0.36 °C. Thus, the application of cold water on the limbs only is sufficient for cooling the horse after medium-intensity exercise under moderate air temperature (about 24 °C).
A Virtual Necropsy: Applications of 3D Scanning for Marine Mammal Pathology and Education
Authors: Chenoweth Ellen M. , Houston Josh , Burek Huntington Kathy , Straley Jan M.
Published: February 2022

Stranded large whales represent an opportunity to learn about the anatomy and health of these cryptic free-ranging animals. However, where time and access is frequently limited, law enforcement and management priorities often take precedence over research, outreach, and educational uses. On 14 March 2021, a dead female adult humpback whale was reported stranded on an uninhabited island 15 miles west of Sitka, Alaska. The whale was three-dimensionally scanned using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and photogrammetry before, during, and at multiple time points after a necropsy, including full decomposition 17 days later (NOAA Fisheries permit 18786-01). These scans were organized and displayed on the site Sketchfab with annotations and made publically available as a “4D virtual necropsy” (the fourth dimension is time). After one month, our user survey indicated widespread interest in the platform by both the local community and worldwide by stranding professionals, researchers, and educators. We are unaware of another 3D scan involving a large whale with soft tissue for teaching, research, or public display, despite the ease of 3D scanning with current technologies and the wide-ranging applications.
Logistic Regression Model for Determination of the Age of Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus Pall.) Based on Body Weight
Authors: Flis Marian , Czyżowski Piotr , Beeger Sławomir , Rataj Bogusław , Karpiński Mirosław
Published: February 2022

We developed an algorithm to classify brown hares into two age classes, juveniles (up to 1 year old) and adults (over 1 year old), based on body weight, which can be determined by both the examination of live animals and postmortem analysis. Considering the strong correlation between lens weight and carcass weight, we assumed that hares could be classified into one of the two age groups based only on carcass weight, using a logistic regression model. Using logistic regression, a model was constructed to assess the age of hares based on their body weight. For comparison with the current age-assessment method based on the dry lens weight, a logistic regression classifying the hares based on the dry lens weight was performed as well. The results of the study facilitated the development of a method to classify hares into age groups based on body weight. The proposed approach is innovative, as it allows for the determination of the age of not only culled (postmortem) but also live hares. The method is easy and does not require laboratory tests; hence, the results can be used immediately following evaluation. This method allows hares to be categorized into two age groups (juveniles and adults). With an accuracy of 97.52% and 95.45% in the case of juvenile and adult hares, respectively, the proposed approach can be widely used both in population management and scientific research.
Composting Strategy Instead of Waste-to-Energy in the Urban Context—A Case Study from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Fogarassy Csaba , Hoang Nguyen Huu , Nagy-Pércsi Kinga
Published: February 2022

The waste-to-energy programs that have taken place in recent years present a daunting picture in terms of sustainable material management. The incineration of much organic and unorganized waste in metropolitan waste treatment facilities is not meet with sustainable development. The solution to this problem may be to increase urban composting programs in the future, which is a sustainable treatment option but also a serious technical challenge. Our research question is whether composting programs can play a key role in rapidly evolving urban ecosystems in Asia, due to the specificities associated with the waste rates outlined and developmental differences outlined. Instead of the waste-to-energy or waste-to-landfill strategies often used today, can central composting focusing on high organic matter content be a suitable alternative? Using the AHP method (Analytical Hierarchy Process), the following alternatives were examined to clarify the issue: Wastes are commingled and processed at the treatment facilities; Classification of organic and non-organic waste at source for composting; Totally separating waste at source before processing at the treatment facilities. We have found that the use of central composting (separation of organic and non-organic waste at source) strategies to support circular development is one of the most innovative development strategies in the fast-growing cities of Asia, in line with E.U. targets.
DeepProfile: Accurate Under-the-Clothes Body Profile Estimation
Authors: Lu Shufang , Lu Funan , Shou Xufeng , Zhu Shuaiyin
Published: February 2022

Accurate human body profiles have many potential applications. Image-based human body profile estimation can be regarded as a fine-grained semantic segmentation problem, which is typically used to locate objects and boundaries in images. However, existing image segmentation methods, such as human parsing, require significant amounts of annotation and their datasets consider clothes as part of the human body profile. Therefore, the results they generate are not accurate when the human subject is dressed in loose-fitting clothing. In this paper, we created and labeled an under-the-clothes human body contour keypoint dataset; we utilized a convolutional neural network (CNN) to extract the contour keypoints, then combined them with a body profile database to generate under-the-clothes profiles. In order to improve the precision of keypoint detection, we propose a short-skip multi-scale dense (SMSD) block in the CNN to keep the details of the image and increase the information flow among different layers. Extensive experiments were conducted to show the effectiveness of our method. We demonstrate that our method achieved better results—especially when the person was dressed in loose-fitting clothes—than and competitive quantitative performance compared to state-of-the-art methods, while requiring less annotation effort. We also extended our method to the applications of 3D human model reconstruction and body size measurement.
Applicability Study on Modified Argillaceous Slate as Subgrade Filling for High-Speed Railway
Authors: Hu Ping , Guo Wei , Wei Limin
Published: February 2022

Modifying weathered argillaceous slate (WAS) to fill the subgrades of high-speed railways not only leads to obvious environmental benefits but also significantly saves natural resources. Previous studies have used several additives together with cement/quicklime. Using cement/quicklime as an additive would also improve the strength of weathered soft rock. Therefore, cement/quicklime can be used effectively as a sustainable solution. To illustrate the feasibility of cement/quicklime in WAS improvement, the mineral components and physical, mechanical and hydraulic characters for cement/quicklime-modified WAS were investigated via laboratory test. The dynamic behaviors were then analyzed by establishing a 3D vertical coupling dynamic model and performing dynamic triaxial tests. After mixing cement/quicklime, the following was proved: (1) The particles were coarsened, the content of kaolinite and amorphous phase increased, and the content of muscovite decreased, resulting in weakened hydrophilicity, reduced plasticity and enhanced water stability; (2) Mechanical and deformation characters were enhanced, reflecting an unconfined compression strength of quicklime/cement-modified soil greater than 0.5 MPa and elastic deformation for the subgrade of less than 0.1 mm; (3) For the quicklime-modified WAS, the dynamic strength was below the allowable value, and the sample disintegrated in water in 2 min, indicating it to be unsuitable for subgrade filling in HSR; (4) For cement-modified WAS, the water stability and dynamic strength were improved greatly, as well as the static strength. The sum of results highlights that 5% cement-modified WAS is recommended for filling subgrades of HSR for comprehensive factors.
The Behavior of Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Elements: A New Stress-Strain Model Using an Evolutionary Approach
Authors: Abdulhameed Ali A. , Al-Zuhairi Alaa Hussein , Al Zaidee Salah R. , Hanoon Ammar N. , Al Zand Ahmed W. , Hason Mahir M. , Abdulhameed Haider A.
Published: February 2022

Several stress-strain models were used to predict the strengths of steel fiber reinforced concrete, which are distinctive of the material. However, insufficient research has been done on the influence of hybrid fiber combinations (comprising two or more distinct fibers) on the characteristics of concrete. For this reason, the researchers conducted an experimental program to determine the stress-strain relationship of 30 concrete samples reinforced with two distinct fibers (a hybrid of polyvinyl alcohol and steel fibers), with compressive strengths ranging from 40 to 120 MPa. A total of 80% of the experimental results were used to develop a new empirical stress-strain model, which was accomplished through the application of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique. It was discovered in this investigation that the new stress-strain model predictions are consistent with the remaining 20% of the experimental stress-strain curves obtained. Case studies of hybrid–fiber–reinforced concrete constructions were investigated in order to better understand the behavior of such elements. The data revealed that the proposed model has the highest absolute relative error (ARE) frequencies (ARE 10%) and the lowest absolute relative error (ARE > 15%) frequencies (ARE > 15%).
Comparative Analysis of Human Operators and Advanced Technologies in the Visual Inspection of Aero Engine Blades
Authors: Aust Jonas , Pons Dirk
Published: February 2022

Background—Aircraft inspection is crucial for safe flight operations and is predominantly performed by human operators, who are unreliable, inconsistent, subjective, and prone to err. Thus, advanced technologies offer the potential to overcome those limitations and improve inspection quality. Method—This paper compares the performance of human operators with image processing, artificial intelligence software and 3D scanning for different types of inspection. The results were statistically analysed in terms of inspection accuracy, consistency and time. Additionally, other factors relevant to operations were assessed using a SWOT and weighted factor analysis. Results—The results show that operators’ performance in screen-based inspection tasks was superior to inspection software due to their strong cognitive abilities, decision-making capabilities, versatility and adaptability to changing conditions. In part-based inspection however, 3D scanning outperformed the operator while being significantly slower. Overall, the strength of technological systems lies in their consistency, availability and unbiasedness. Conclusions—The performance of inspection software should improve to be reliably used in blade inspection. While 3D scanning showed the best results, it is not always technically feasible (e.g., in a borescope inspection) nor economically viable. This work provides a list of evaluation criteria beyond solely inspection performance that could be considered when comparing different inspection systems.
The Influence of Fly Ash on the Mechanical Performance of Cementitious Materials Produced with Recycled Cement
Authors: Cantero Blas , Bravo Miguel , de Brito Jorge , del Bosque Isabel Fuencisla Sáez , Medina César
Published: February 2022

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world; as such, the best way to promote a more sustainable construction industry is to improve the environmental performance of this material. Since cement production is the main source of the high environmental impact of concrete, due to the high calcination temperature that clinker requires, replacing this binder with recycled cement would allow for the establishment of a new concrete design with a much lower ecological footprint. This research intends to analyse the mechanical performance of mortars with recycled cement and fly ash. Mixes with two replacement ratios of recycled cement (5% and 10%) were studied separately or in combination with fly ash (10% and 20%). An exhaustive experimental programme was designed to assess the variation in air content, density, compressive and flexural strengths, modulus of elasticity, and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The results suggest that the simultaneous use of recycled cement and fly ash improves the mechanical performance of mortars relative to those with recycled cement only or fly ash only.
Temperature Forecasting Correction Based on Operational GRAPES-3km Model Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wang Yaqiang , Chen Dandan , Feng Dian , You Xiaoxiong , Wu Weichen
Published: February 2022

Postprocess correction is essential to improving the model forecasting result, in which machine learning methods play more and more important roles. In this study, three machine learning (ML) methods of Linear Regression, LSTM-FCN and LightGBM were used to carry out the correction of temperature forecasting of an operational high-resolution model GRAPES-3km. The input parameters include 2 m temperature, relative humidity, local pressure and wind speed forecasting and observation data in Shaanxi province of China from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. The dataset from September 2018 was used for model evaluation using the metrics of root mean square error (RMSE), average absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of determination (R2). All three machine learning methods perform very well in correcting the temperature forecast of GRAPES-3km model. The RMSE decreased by 33%, 32% and 40%, respectively, the MAE decreased by 33%, 34% and 41%, respectively, the R2 increased by 21.4%, 21.5% and 25.2%, respectively. Among the three methods, LightGBM performed the best with the forecast accuracy rate reaching above 84%.
The Impact of Obesity, Adipose Tissue, and Tumor Microenvironment on Macrophage Polarization and Metastasis
Authors: Habanjar Ola , Diab-Assaf Mona , Caldefie-Chezet Florence , Delort Laetitia
Published: February 2022

Tumor metastasis is a major cause of death in cancer patients. It involves not only the intrinsic alterations within tumor cells, but also crosstalk between these cells and components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumorigenesis is a complex and dynamic process, involving the following three main stages: initiation, progression, and metastasis. The transition between these stages depends on the changes within the extracellular matrix (ECM), in which tumor and stromal cells reside. This matrix, under the effect of growth factors, cytokines, and adipokines, can be morphologically altered, degraded, or reorganized. Many cancers evolve to form an immunosuppressive TME locally and create a pre-metastatic niche in other tissue sites. TME and pre-metastatic niches include myofibroblasts, immuno-inflammatory cells (macrophages), adipocytes, blood, and lymphatic vascular networks. Several studies have highlighted the adipocyte-macrophage interaction as a key driver of cancer progression and dissemination. The following two main classes of macrophages are distinguished: M1 (pro-inflammatory/anti-tumor) and M2 (anti-inflammatory/pro-tumor). These cells exhibit distinct microenvironment-dependent phenotypes that can promote or inhibit metastasis. On the other hand, obesity in cancer patients has been linked to a poor prognosis. In this regard, tumor-associated adipocytes modulate TME through the secretion of inflammatory mediators, which modulate and recruit tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). Hereby, this review describes the cellular and molecular mechanisms that link inflammation, obesity, and cancer. It provides a comprehensive overview of adipocytes and macrophages in the ECM as they control cancer initiation, progression, and invasion. In addition, it addresses the mechanisms of tumor anchoring and recruitment for M1, M2, and TAM macrophages, specifically highlighting their origin, classification, polarization, and regulatory networks, as well as their roles in the regulation of angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and immunosuppression, specifically highlighting the role of adipocytes in this process.
Imaging Techniques for Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections in Mice: Comparisons of Ex Vivo, In Situ, and Ultrasound Approaches
Authors: Ito Sohei , Lu Hong S. , Daugherty Alan , Sawada Hisashi
Published: February 2022

Aortic aneurysms and dissections are life-threatening conditions that have a high risk for lethal bleeding and organ malperfusion. Many studies have investigated the molecular basis of these diseases using mouse models. In mice, ex vivo, in situ, and ultrasound imaging are major approaches to evaluate aortic diameters, a common parameter to determine the severity of aortic aneurysms. However, accurate evaluations of aortic dimensions by these imaging approaches could be challenging due to pathological features of aortic aneurysms. Currently, there is no standardized mode to assess aortic dissections in mice. It is important to understand the characteristics of each approach for reliable evaluation of aortic dilatations. In this review, we summarize imaging techniques used for aortic visualization in recent mouse studies and discuss their pros and cons. We also provide suggestions to facilitate the visualization of mouse aortas.
The COVID Era Unveils Flaws in Pain Treatment
Authors: Bellieni Carlo Valerio
Published: February 2022

The definition of the word “pain” has recently been changed by the International agency for the studies of pain (IASP), to include also non-verbal and pre-verbal people. During the COVID pandemic, we have seen a new category of people who cannot speak: in many countries, anxiety and isolation and the cuts to home-assistance and to many hospital services, have brought to de-crease the explicit request for healthcare. This is a problem to be solved and an important alert about what is still an unsatisfactory response given by the national healthcare systems: the care of those who are most frail and voiceless. In this article, this scenario is described, and proposals for a future improvement of pain treatment for those who cannot speak are described. The first is to create a “Medicine of Abundance”: it is possible to avoid wastes in healthcare, and with these funds, a better welcoming of people in hospitals, a better stay, and more motivated personnel can be provided. Abundance is a right of the poorest and sickest even more than the general population; when people are at their ease, they can express better their wishes and their sufferings. The hospital should become a place of hospitality, its walls should be the first care for the sick: now in too many cases it is a cold hub/container of services. The second proposal is having caregivers always measure the pain level in hospitalized patients before taking decisions on implementing or withdrawing medical treatments, in particular those that can accelerate their end-of-life; this is called the “pain principle”.
Rethinking Art Museum Spaces and Investigating How Auxiliary Paths Work Differently
Authors: Lee Jae Hong , Kim Yong Seung
Published: February 2022

It has been recognized that one of the key issues in designing museums is the interaction between the layout of space and the layout of objects, and spatial configurations are strongly related to didactic narratives, social implications, and curatorial intentions. However, it has not yet been examined thoroughly how museums work from a spatial perspective. Apart from the layout of objects, spatial configurations play an important role in creating various walking sequences, ranging from main routes to auxiliary paths. Art museums in particular can be characterized by such deviations generated by the auxiliary path, but they are hardly understood from this aspect. Therefore, this study aims to explore the auxiliary paths and examine how they work through in-depth theoretical analysis based on space syntax. By analyzing four art museums in terms of isovist attributes, syntactic measures, spatial sequences, and possible trails, it has been concluded that in the cases of the Uffizi Gallery and the Moderna Museet, spatial sequences work conservatively, so that auxiliary paths are channeled back to the gathering space. This is because the walking experience is strongly correlated with visual syntactic features such as connectivity, integration, and intelligibility. Conversely, walking sequences in the case of the Centre Pompidou and the Alte Pinakothek work generatively, and auxiliary paths are rarely related to the gathering space because the walking experience is strongly concerned with visual geometric properties such as isovist area/perimeter and occlusivity.
Body CoM Acceleration for Rapid Analysis of Gait Variability and Pedestrian Effects on Structures
Authors: Bedon Chiara
Published: February 2022

Knowledge of body motion features and walk-induced effects is of primary importance for the vibration analysis of structures, especially low-frequency slabs and lightweight and/or slender systems, as well as for clinical applications. Structurally speaking, consolidated literature procedures are available for a wide set of constructional solutions and typologies. A basic assumption consists in the description of walking humans’ effects on structures through equivalent deterministic loads, in which the ground vertical reaction force due to pedestrians depends on their mass and motion frequency. However, a multitude of additional parameters should be taken into account and properly confirmed by dedicated laboratory studies. In this paper, the focus is on the assessment of a rapid analysis protocol in which attention is given to pedestrian input, based on a minimized sensor setup. The study of gait variability and related effects for structural purposes is based on the elaboration of single Wi-Fi sensor, body centre of mass (CoM) accelerations. A total of 50 walking configurations was experimentally investigated in laboratory or in field conditions (for more than 500 recorded gaits), with the support of an adult volunteer. Parametric gait analysis is presented considering different substructure conditions and motion configurations. Body CoM acceleration records are then used for the analysis of a concrete slab, where the attention is focused on the effects of (i) rough experimental body CoM input, or (ii) experimentally derived synthetized gait input. The effects on the structural side of rough experimental walk time histories or synthetized experimental stride signals are discussed.