bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intervention effects and long-term changes in physical activity and cardiometabolic outcomes among children at risk of noncommunicable diseases in South Africa: a cluster-randomized controlled trial and follow-up analysis
Authors: Arnaiz Patricia , Seelig Harald , Gerber Markus , Adams Larissa , Degen Jan , Dolley Danielle , Joubert Nandi , Nienaber Madeleine , Nqweniso Siphesihle , Steinmann Peter , Utzinger Jürg , du Randt Rosa , Walter Cheryl , Pühse Uwe , Müller Ivan
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Risk factors for noncommunicable diseases such as insufficient physical activity (PA), overweight or hypertension are becoming increasingly predominant among children globally. While school-based interventions are promising preventive strategies, evidence of their long-term effectiveness, especially among vulnerable populations, is scarce. We aim to assess the short-term effects of the physical and health KaziKidz intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors and the long-term, pre-and post-COVID-19 pandemic changes thereof in high-risk children from marginalized communities.

Methods

The intervention was tested in a cluster-randomized controlled trial between January and October 2019 in eight primary schools near Gqeberha, South Africa. Children with overweight, elevated blood pressure, pre-diabetes, and/or borderline dyslipidemia were identified and re-assessed 2 years post-intervention. Study outcomes included accelerometry-measured PA (MVPA), body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), glucose (HbA1c), and lipid levels (TC to HDL ratio). We conducted mixed regression analyses to assess intervention effects by cardiometabolic risk profile, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate longitudinal changes in the high-risk subpopulation.

Results

We found a significant intervention effect on MVPA during school hours for physically inactive children, and among active as well as inactive girls. In contrast, the intervention lowered HbA1c and TC to HDL ratio only in children with glucose or lipid values within the norm, respectively. At follow-up, the intervention effects were not maintained in at-risk children, who showed a decline in MVPA, and an increase in BMI-for-age, MAP, HbA1c and TC to HDL ratio.

Conclusion

We conclude that schools are key settings in which to promote PA and improve health; however, structural changes are necessary to ensure that effective interventions reach marginalized school populations and achieve sustainable impact.
Policy responses to real world challenges associated with NEET youth: a scoping review
Authors: Paabort Heidi , Flynn Paul , Beilmann Mai , Petrescu Claudia
Published: May 2023

In the last decades, young people not in education or employment have become the focus of policy-makers worldwide, and there are high political expectations for various intervention initiatives. Despite the global focus, there is currently a lack of systemic knowledge of the factors supporting policy-making. Therefore, using scoping review methodology, a systematic literature overview of research findings in 2013–2021 on young people not in education or employment will be provided. The research revealed five categories to consider from a policy-making perspective: “NEET” as a concept, the heterogeneity of the target group, the impact of policies for young people, possible interventions, and factors influencing young people's coping strategies. Based on analysis, the target group requires applying the holistic principle where the young person is a unique person whose involvement in service creation supports the service's compliance with the actual needs of young people. To support young people, it is important to consider differences within a single social group; the interaction between the different site-based policies; young people's sense of self-perception and autonomy in entering support services; possible coping strategies and the need to provide support in a time and place-based flexible and caring environment through multidisciplinary teams. The study's results support the importance of implementation and the identification of existing opportunities of the EU's reinforced Youth Guarantee guidelines and point to possible future research topics related to the target group.
“Speak Up!” Investigating U.S. professional sports teams' #BlackLivesMatter statements
Authors: Kwak Dae Hee , Pradhan Sean , Chen Zhjing
Published: May 2023

George Floyd's death caused by police brutality fueled a wave of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement both nationally and globally. Almost every professional sports team in the United States released a statement pertaining to racial inequality and social injustice. The current study investigated the content and word counts of the BLM statements posted on Twitter by all teams across the four major men's professional sports leagues: Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), and National Hockey League (NHL). Based on a series of text analyses, we found differences in both the content and word counts of statements put forth by each league. Notably, compared to teams in other leagues, NFL teams avoided negative sentiment words (e.g., by not using words like “racism”) and utilized more action-oriented terms like “support”, “listen”, and “conversation” in their statements. Practical implications and future directions for research are discussed.
Association between elite swimmers’ force production and 100 m front crawl inter-lap pacing and kinematics
Authors: Costa Mário J. , Santos Catarina C. , Ferreira Francisco , Arellano Raul , Vilas-Boas J. Paulo , Fernandes Ricardo J.
Published: May 2023

The present study aimed to analyse the associations between force production and 100 m front crawl inter-lap pacing and kinematics. Eleven elite male swimmers performed a 100 m front crawl maximal effort to collect 50 m lap time (T50, s) and velocity (v, m·s−1) for pacing, stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and stroke index (SI) as kinematic variables. A 30 s tethered effort allowed to determine the peak (Fpeak) and mean force (Fmean) as force production variables. The relative change (Δ) between 50 m laps was also calculated for all measures. A paired sample t-test was used to check differences between laps and Pearson correlation coefficients allowed to quantify the associations between force and remaining variables. The T50 increased from the first to the second lap (ΔT50 = 10.61%, p < 0.01, d = 2.68), while v (Δv = −5.92%, p < 0.01, d = 1.53), SR (ΔSR = −6.61%, p < 0.01, d = 0.45) and SI (ΔSI = −4.92%, p = 0.02, d = 0.45) decreased. SL remained unchanged between laps (ΔSL = 1.07%, p = 0.66, d = 0.08). No associations were found between force production and most of Δ, with the only exception being the reasonable good association between Fpeak and Δv (r = 0.62, p = 0.04). Although both pacing and kinematics fall from the first to the second sections of a 100 m front-crawl effort, the swimmers who exhibit higher Fpeak show a more stable front crawl v between both 50 m laps.
An effective droplet digital PCR method for identifying and quantifying meat adulteration in raw and processed food of beef (Bos taurus) and lamb (Ovis aries)
Authors: He Yuxuan , Yan Wei , Dong Liming , Ma Yue , Li Congcong , Xie Yanbo , Liu Na , Xing Zhenjuan , Xia Wei , Long Likun , Li Feiwu
Published: May 2023

Meat adulteration caused by economic intentions has long been concerning food safety. Accurate quantification of meat products can distinguish between artificial adulteration and unintentional contamination during its processing or packaging. After determining the species-specific constant and the correlation between mass fraction and copy number of each species, we developed an effective approach-based droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) platform that can identify target species with high detection sensitivity: 13 copies of beef, 6 copies of lamb, 13 copies of pork, 13 copies of chicken, 6 copies of duck, and 6 copies of turkey. Using this method, a level as low as 1% of the adulterated ingredients blended in beef and lamb was accurately quantified. Following the addition of reference species, several quantitative equations were constructed for simultaneous analysis of different species in commercial processed products; even the animal components with a minimum content of 0.5% can be quantified to judge whether the label ingredients are fraudulent. This suggests the feasibility of the proposed strategy for the accurate identification and quantification of animal-derived adulteration according to the processing degree and food commodity.
Navigating the bridge between wet and dry lab toxicology research to address current challenges with high-dimensional data
Authors: Payton Alexis , Roell Kyle R. , Rebuli Meghan E. , Valdar William , Jaspers Ilona , Rager Julia E.
Published: May 2023

Toxicology research has rapidly evolved, leveraging increasingly advanced technologies in high-throughput approaches to yield important information on toxicological mechanisms and health outcomes. Data produced through toxicology studies are consequently becoming larger, often producing high-dimensional data. These types of data hold promise for imparting new knowledge, yet inherently have complexities causing them to be a rate-limiting element for researchers, particularly those that are housed in “wet lab” settings (i.e., researchers that use liquids to analyze various chemicals and biomarkers as opposed to more computationally focused, “dry lab” researchers). These types of challenges represent topics of ongoing conversation amongst our team and researchers in the field. The aim of this perspective is to i) summarize hurdles in analyzing high-dimensional data in toxicology that require improved training and translation for wet lab researchers, ii) highlight example methods that have aided in translating data analysis techniques to wet lab researchers; and iii) describe challenges that remain to be effectively addressed, to date, in toxicology research. Specific aspects include methodologies that could be introduced to wet lab researchers, including data pre-processing, machine learning, and data reduction. Current challenges discussed include model interpretability, study biases, and data analysis training. Example efforts implemented to translate these data analysis techniques are also mentioned, including online data analysis resources and hands-on workshops. Questions are also posed to continue conversation in the toxicology community. Contents of this perspective represent timely issues broadly occurring in the fields of bioinformatics and toxicology that require ongoing dialogue between wet and dry lab researchers.
Design Optimization of a Miniaturized Pneumatic Artificial Muscle and Experimental Validation
Authors: Zabihollah Shakila , Moezi Seyed Alireza , Sedaghati Ramin
Published: May 2023

Miniaturized pneumatic artificial muscles (MPAMs) are widely utilized in various applications due to their unique characteristics, such as a high power-to-weight ratio, flexibility, and compatibility with the human environment, as well as being compact enough to fit within small-scale mechanical systems. Maximizing the amount of force generated by these actuators while keeping their dimensions minimized can greatly affect their efficiency. In this study, a formal design optimization problem was formulated to identify optimal sizes of MPAMs while maximizing their blocked force as a novel approach to address the issue of low force outputs of these actuators. A force model for an MPAM including various correction terms was derived to better predict the response behavior of the actuator. The optimization results reveal that an MPAM with a bladder that has an outer diameter of 6 mm and a thickness of 0.7 mm, as well as a braid angle of 72 degrees, can produce up to almost 239 N of blocked force if the inlet pressure is increased to 600 kPa. An MPAM with optimal parameters was subsequently fabricated and experimentally tested to evaluate its quasi-static response behavior and to validate the theoretical optimization results. Experimental tests were conducted under a wide range of pressures (0–300 kPa) to evaluate the variation of the generated blocked force versus inlet pressure. The overall error between the simulation and the experimental blocked forces was found to be less than 10%. This study represents a significant contribution to the design optimization of MPAMs, and the resulting optimal design offers potential applications in various fields, from soft robots to medical devices.
Money, Economic Abuse, and Food Insecurity: A Qualitative Study among Young Nigerian Women with a History of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Frost Elizabeth L. , Fawole Olufunmilayo I. , Okedare Omowumi O. , Salawu Mobolaji M. , Kiene Susan M. , Augusto Camarina , Reed Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs in high proportions among young women, with long-lasting adverse health and social outcomes. Recent research findings suggest that experiencing economic vulnerability may influence the ways in which young women experience or are at risk for IPV, including economic abuse. Economic abuse, a form of IPV, involves a partner’s control over money and other economic resources or activities. This study explored economic vulnerability and IPV, including economic abuse, among young Nigerian women reporting a recent history of IPV. In-depth interviews (n = 25) were conducted with women aged 18–30 years who had experienced IPV in the past year. Women were recruited from community and health facilities in low-income neighborhoods of Ibadan, Nigeria. A semi-structured interview guide was used to gather data on women’s economic vulnerability (e.g., food security, living situation, employment/education opportunities, family financial support, economic independence) and experiences of IPV. An analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis approach. The coding scheme was based on interview protocols, adding open codes from emergent themes identified in the interviews. On average, participants were 21 years old, most had children (68%) and reported to be cohabitating with a male partner (56%), and 48% had less than a secondary level of education. Among the emergent themes, women reported economic vulnerability as being financially dependent on a male partner for basic needs. Among this sample, economic vulnerability was exacerbated by limited education, training, and work opportunities, and a disproportionate burden of household labor. Economic vulnerability precipitated all forms of IPV, including economic abuse, as well as sexual and pregnancy coercion. Economic abuse was reported to occur when male partners controlled household finances and denied women adequate allowance to purchase household food, including food for children. Findings from this qualitative study suggest that interventions promoting educational and employment opportunities may be critical to reducing financial reliance on male partners and young women’s vulnerability to economic abuse and other forms of IPV. More research and programmatic work are needed on food deprivation as a form of economic abuse affecting women and their children.
NARX-Elman Based Mach Number Prediction and Model Migration of Wind Tunnel Conditions
Authors: Zhao Luping , Shao Yawen , Jia Wei
Published: May 2023

Mach number, as an important index to judge the system performance in wind tunnel tests, its stability determines the quality of the flow field of this wind tunnel and needs to be controlled precisely. Due to the complex process in the wind tunnel test, it is difficult to ensure the smooth operation of the Mach number by the traditional control strategy, therefore, a Mach number prediction model based on a nonlinear autoregressive exogenous model (NARX)-Elman is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the NARX model is adopted as the basic framework of this model, the false nearest neighbor (FNN) is used for model order solving, and the Elman network is used for dynamic nonlinear fitting of the model. Secondly, considering the wind tunnel system with multiple conditions and the high cost of conducting complete data experiments, a new model migration method, the input-output slope/bias correction-genetic algorithm (IOSBC-GA), is proposed, which uses IOSBC method as the basic framework to construct the migration model based on the historical condition model and a small amount of data of the new condition, and uses GA to find the slope of deviation in the new model and correct the input-output relationship between the old and new conditions, so as to establish the model for the new condition. By comparing the model respectively with the traditional algorithm and the model built without migration, the root mean square error (RMSE) and the maximum deviation (MD) of this model are less than 0.001, indicating that the model has high prediction accuracy.
Performance of Additively Manufactured Fuels for Hybrid Rockets
Authors: Nguyen Calvin , Thomas James C.
Published: May 2023

Hybrid rocket engine (HRE) performance is dependent on fuel/oxidizer selection and fuel grain geometry. A literature review was performed to identify key trends and findings related to the application of the additive manufacturing (AM) of fuel systems for HREs. The effects of complex combustion port geometries, embedded structures, and end-burning systems, along with the use of metallic additives, turbulators, diaphragms, gel-like fuels, powdered fuels, liquid fuels, and liquifying fuels and their impact on regression rates, combustion efficiencies, and/or mechanical strength are thoroughly documented here. In general, the application of AM to HRE fuels can be implemented to increase regression rates and combustion efficiency, and tailor HRE designs. Chemical equilibrium analysis computations were completed to characterize the theoretical performance of HTPB and common AM fuels (ABS, PLA, PC, PMMA, Nylon 6, and a UV-based fuel) with common oxidizers (LOX and N2O). AM fuels exhibit a similar theoretical performance as the commonly used HTPB fuel, and proper selection of the fuel can yield improved performance and design metrics. Development of AM approaches for HRE fuel design have significantly expanded their design trade space and should enable the competitive application of HREs for future propulsion missions.
Influence of Plant Growth Retardants and Nitrogen Doses on the Content of Plant Secondary Metabolites in Wheat, the Presence of Pests, and Soil Quality Parameters
Authors: Lemanowicz Joanna , Dębska Bożena , Lamparski Robert , Michalska Agata , Pobereżny Jarosław , Wszelaczyńska Elżbieta , Bartkowiak Agata , Szczepanek Małgorzata , Banach-Szott Magdalena , Knapowski Tomasz
Published: May 2023

Wheat is the cereal most susceptible to lodging, particularly during the flowering period and at the early ripening stage. The use of plant growth retardants (PGRs) is especially recommended when intensive nitrogen (N) fertilisation is applied, which increases the susceptibility of plants to lodging. This paper presents the results of tests into the effects of PGRs (PGR0—control; PGR1—chlormequat chloride (CCC) + trinexapac-ethyl (TE); PGR2—chlormequat chloride (CCC) + ethephon (ET)), and N dose—N0, N20, N40, and N60 [0, 20, 40, and 60 kg N ha−1] on the content of selected plant secondary metabolites (PSM) in the Indian dwarf wheat (Triticum sphaerococcum Percival) of the Trispa cultivar, and on the abundance of insect pests. In the developmental stage of wheat (BBCH 39), insects were collected with an entomological net. The study also investigated the effect of experimental factors on the physicobiochemical properties of the soil (pH in KC, granulometric composition, total organic carbon TOC, total nitrogen TN, fractional composition of humus, and the activity of enzymes). An increase in the plant secondary metabolite (PSM) and FRAP (ferring reducing ability of plasma) contents following the application of PGRs and N fertilisation already from as low a rate as 20 kg ha−1 was demonstrated. A significant positive correlation was noted between the abundance of Oulema spp. and the contents of total polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, and FRAP. No such relationship was noted for Aphididae or Thysanoptera. TOC content was higher on the plots on which N fertilisation was applied at the highest rate and after the application of PGRs. The factor determining the TN content was N fertilisation. Soil samples of the PGR0 N0 treatment were characterised by the greatest proportion of carbon in the humic and fulvic acid fractions and by the smallest proportion of carbon in the humin fraction. N fertilisation increased the proportion of carbon in the humin fraction on the plots on which no PGRs were applied. The study demonstrated an increase in the activity of oxidoreductive enzymes following the application of higher N rates. The application of PGRs resulted in no inhibition of enzymes in the soil compared to the control (PGRs0).
Importance of Knife Sharpness during Slaughter: Shariah and Kosher Perspective and Scientific Validation
Authors: Kumar Pavan , Abubakar Ahmed Abubakar , Imlan Jurhamid Columbres , Ahmed Muideen Adewale , Goh Yong-Meng , Kaka Ubedullah , Idrus Zulkifli , Sazili Awis Qurni
Published: May 2023

Halal and kosher slaughter have given the utmost importance to the sharpness of knives during the slaughter of animals. A sharp knife of appropriate dimension (blade length) makes slaughter less painful during neck severance and facilitates desirable bleeding. The role of knife sharpness has not been given due credit from an animal welfare perspective and is likely ignored by the people involved in slaughterhouses. A neat, clean, and efficient neck cut by an extremely sharp knife reduces the pain. It improves the bleeding out, thus making animals unconscious early without undergoing unnecessary pain and stress. It also helps in improving meat quality and food safety. A slight incremental improvement in knife sharpness could significantly improve the animal welfare, productivity, efficiency, and safety of meat plant workers. The present review critically analyzed the significance of knife sharpness in religious slaughter by reducing stress and pain and improving meat quality and food safety. The objective quantification of knife sharpness, proper regular training of slaughterers, and slow slaughter rate are the challenges faced by the meat industry.
Antibiotic Resistance of Enterococcus Species in Ornamental Animal Feed
Authors: Soares Rúben , Miranda Carla , Cunha Sandra , Ferreira Luís , Martins Ângela , Igrejas Gilberto , Poeta Patrícia
Published: May 2023

Enterococcus is a bacterial genus that is strongly associated with nosocomial infections and has a high capacity to transfer and acquire resistance genes. In this study, the main objective was to evaluate the presence of Enterococcus species in ornamental animal feed and characterize their antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using 14 antimicrobial agents by the disk diffusion method, complemented by genotypic analysis to identify Enterococcus species and the presence of 14 antimicrobial resistance and 10 virulence genes. From 57 samples of ornamental animal feed, 103 Enterococcus isolates were recovered from 15 bird, 9 fish and 4 reptile feed samples. Enterococcus isolates were highly resistance to rifampicin (78%) and erythromycin (48%), and 48% of isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant. Enterococcus faecalis (36.7%) and E. faecium (31.7%) were the species most frequently identified. Most isolates carried the resistance genes ermB (57%) and tetL (52%) and the virulence genes, cylL (52%) and esp (40%). Enterococcus gallinarum was the species with the highest number of multidrug-resistant isolates (50%) and virulence genes (80%). These results highlight the high levels of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus spp. present in ornamental animal feed and the growing interaction of these animals with humans as a public health concern.
Signatures of Admixture and Genetic Uniqueness in the Autochthonous Greek Black Pig Breed Deduced from Gene Polymorphisms Affecting Domestication-Derived Traits
Authors: Ribani Anisa , Taurisano Valeria , Karatosidi Despoina , Schiavo Giuseppina , Bovo Samuele , Bertolini Francesca , Fontanesi Luca
Published: May 2023

The Greek Black Pig (or Greek Pig) is the only recognized autochthonous pig breed raised in Greece, usually in extensive or semi-extensive production systems. According to its name, the characteristic breed coat color is solid black. In this study, with the aim to start a systematic genetic characterization of the Greek Black Pig breed, we investigated polymorphisms in major genes well known to affect exterior and production traits (MC1R, KIT, NR6A1, VRTN and IGF2) and compared these data with population genetic information available in other Mediterranean and Western Balkan pig breeds and wild boars. None of the investigated gene markers were fixed for one allele, suggesting that, in the past, this breed experienced introgression from wild boars and admixture from cosmopolitan pig breeds, enriching the breed genetic pool that should be further investigated to design appropriate conservation genetic strategies. We identified a new MC1R allele, containing two missense mutations already reported in two other independent alleles, but here present in the same haplotype. This allele might be useful to disclose biological information that can lead to better understanding the cascade transmission of signals to produce melanin pigments. This study demonstrated that autochthonous genetic resources can be an interesting reservoir of unexpected genetic variants.
Pacing of Human Locomotion on Land and in Water: 1500 m Swimming vs. 5000 m Running
Authors: Demarie Sabrina , Pycke Jean Renaud , Pizzuti Alessia , Billat Veronique
Published: May 2023

The study of pace strategy in different environments could help to understand its dependence on athletes’ energetic limits or on sport-specific factors. The aim of this study was to analyse the pacing strategy of finalists during seven swimming and running world events held in 2021–2022. The speed of 32 swimmers every 50 m in 1500 m freestyle competitions, and the speed of 55 runners every 100 m in 5000 m track competitions, were analysed. Differences between swimming and running were statistically significant for Total Time (p = 0.00, ES = 1.9), Average Time of splits (p = 0.00, ES = 2.0), Median Time of splits (p = 0.00, ES = 2.0), and Maximal length of split sequences (p = 0.00, ES = 1.3), and non-significantly different for number of Sequences of splits (p = 0.12, ES = 0.5), Percentage of total splits faster than the median speed (p = 0.08, ES = 0.2), Percentage of splits faster than the median speed in the first half (p = 0.16, ES = 0.4) and Percentage of splits faster than the median speed in the second half (p = 0.21, ES = 0.3). In conclusion, despite similar metabolic requirements of 1500 m swimming and 5000 m running, the influence of specific environment and sport type on the pacing strategy of world level competitions seems to be supported.
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Carbon Sink Indicators—NPP and Its Driving Analysis in Ordos City, China
Authors: Zhu Linye , Sun Wenbin , Wu Jianfei , Fan Deqin
Published: May 2023

Ordos City is an important energy supply city for Chinese provinces and cities, providing a secure energy supply for China while also generating corresponding environmental pollution. Examining the spatiotemporal patterns of net primary productivity (NPP) in Ordos City and its driving factors is relevant to the realization of the carbon emission policy in Inner Mongolia. This study was undertaken to analyze NPP and its driving factors in Ordos City from 2000 to 2019 using NPP data, CO2 spatial grid data, meteorological data and statistical yearbook data accordingly. The NPP in Ordos City increased significantly from 2000 to 2019, mainly showing low values of NPP in the northwest and high values in the southeast. The usable grassland area and annual mean precipitation had a significant positive correlation with NPP, whereas the other factors had a more significant negative correlation. The usable grassland area had the largest influence on NPP, and fixed asset investment had the smallest influence on NPP. The total NPP–anthropogenic factor regression model and the mean NPP–natural factor regression model constructed allow for the prediction of NPP. Anthropogenic carbon emissions, population growth and usable grassland area were the main causes of NPP changes. Planting and protecting green plants and scientific and effective energy extraction plans are measures that enhance the degree of carbon sequestration in Ordos City.
A Novel Automated Model for Evaluation of the Efficiency of Hole Cleaning Conditions during Drilling Operations
Authors: Al-Rubaii Mohammed , Al-Shargabi Mohammed , Al-Shehri Dhafer
Published: May 2023

Hole cleaning for the majority of vertical and directional drilling wells continues to be a substantial difficulty despite improvements in drilling fluids, equipment, field techniques, and academic and industrial research. Poor hole cleaning might cause issues such as stuck pipe incidents, drilling cuttings accumulation, torque and drag, the erratic equivalent circulating density in the annulus, wellbore instability, tight spots, and hole condition issues. In order to enable the real-time and automated evaluation of hole cleaning efficiency for vertical and directional drilling, the article’s objective is to develop a novel model for the cutting transport ratio (CTRm) that can be incorporated into drilling operations on a real-time basis. The novel CTRm model provides a robust indicator for hole cleaning, which can assess complications and enhance drilling efficiency. Moreover, the novel CTRm model was successfully tested and validated in the field for four wells. The results of the real-time evaluation showed that the novel model was capable of identifying the hole cleaning efficiency in a normal drilling performance for Well-C and a stuck pipe issue in Well-D. In addition, the novel CTRm improved the rate of penetration by 52% in Well-A in comparison to Well-B.
Trajectory Tracking Control Study of Unmanned Fully Line-Controlled Distributed Drive Electric Vehicles
Authors: Tian Tian , Li Gang , Li Yuzhi , Li Ning , Bai Hongfei
Published: May 2023

Unmanned fully line-controlled distributed drive electric vehicles with four-wheel independent drive, dependent braking and dependent steering have significant advantages over conventional vehicles in terms of dynamic control, but at the same time multiple actuators with multiple degrees of freedom also pose the risk of failure in the steering system, which is studied in this paper for trajectory tracking control. Rational control of multiple systems such as drive, braking, steering and fault tolerance of the unmanned fully line-controlled distributed drive electric vehicles are carried out. For longitudinal control, a fuzzy PI algorithm is used to input velocity error and velocity error rate of change, and to solve the required drive torque of the vehicle based on fuzzy rules; for lateral control, according to model prediction control theory, the exact model is predicted and an optimized search is performed to reasonably allocate the forward and backward wheels turning corners ensuring the accuracy and roadholding of trajectory tracking; for fault-tolerant control, differential drive and other methods of control, when a fault is detected, the number and position information of the faulty steering motor is transmitted to the fault-tolerant decision module, which outputs control commands according to the decision. The outcomes demonstrate that the presented trajectory following the control policy enhances the precision, roadholding and safety of trajectory following in an effective way.
Incremental Bag of Words with Gradient Orientation Histogram for Appearance-Based Loop Closure Detection
Authors: Li Yuni , Wei Wu , Zhu Honglei
Published: May 2023

This paper proposes a novel approach for appearance-based loop closure detection using incremental Bag of Words (BoW) with gradient orientation histograms. The presented approach involves dividing and clustering image blocks into local region features and representing them using gradient orientation histograms. To improve the efficiency of the loop closure detection process, the vocabulary Clustering Feature (CF) tree is generated and updated in real time using the Balanced Iterative Reducing and Clustering using Hierarchies (BIRCH) algorithm, which is combined with an inverted index for the efficient selection of candidates and calculation of similarity. Moreover, temporally close and highly similar images are grouped to generate islands, which enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the loop closure detection process. The proposed approach is evaluated on publicly available datasets, and the results demonstrate high recall and precision.
High-Mode Purity 1 μm Cylindrical Vector Beam All-Fiber Laser Based on a Symmetric Two-Mode Coupler
Authors: Yang Boyi , Pei Siqi , Zhang Tianyu , Zhang Yizhuo , Hao He , Zhang Kun , Liu Xuesheng , Lan Tian , Yan Anru , Liu Youqiang , Wang Zhiyong
Published: May 2023

Cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) are the product of polarization modulation of optical fields, and possess both unique focusing characteristics and excellent properties applicable to machining, imaging, communication and other fields. Mode selection couplers comprise a promising new method to realize the long-term stable output of cylindrical vector beam all-fiber lasers. Mode selection couplers have the advantages of a simple structure, high mode conversion efficiency and high mode purity. However, the production process of conventional asymmetric mode selection couplers is more complicated. Therefore, in this paper, a symmetric two-mode coupler with a 1 μm band is designed and fabricated using the finite element method, beam propagation method and fused pull-cone method, and a set of all-fiber passive mode-locked lasers based on symmetric dual-mode couplers are constructed. Finally, we obtain cylindrical vector beam outputs with central wavelengths of 1038.97 nm/1067.72 nm, a repetition rate of 8.78 MHz, pulse durations of 660 ps/656 ps, maximum average powers of 5.25 mW/5.2 mW, and the high mode purity of TM (transverse magnetic)01 mode and TE (transverse electric)01 mode is 97.18% and 97.07%, respectively.
Application of Functional Principal Component Analysis in the Spatiotemporal Land-Use Regression Modeling of PM2.5
Authors: Taghavi Mahmood , Ghanizadeh Ghader , Ghasemi Mohammad , Fassò Alessandro , Hoek Gerard , Hushmandi Kiavash , Raei Mehdi
Published: May 2023

Functional data are generally curves indexed over a time domain, and land-use regression (LUR) is a promising spatial technique for generating high-resolution spatial estimation of retrospective long-term air pollutants. We developed a methodology for the novel functional land-use regression (FLUR) model, which provides high-resolution spatial and temporal estimations of retrospective pollutants. Long-term fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the megacity of Tehran, Iran, was used as the practical example. The hourly measured PM2.5 concentrations were averaged for each hour and in each air monitoring station. Penalized smoothing was employed to construct the smooth PM2.5 diurnal curve using averaged hourly data in each of the 30 stations. Functional principal component analysis (FPCA) was used to extract FPCA scores from pollutant curves, and LUR models were fitted on FPCA scores. The mean of all PM2.5 diurnal curves had a maximum of 39.58 µg/m3 at 00:26 a.m. and a minimum of 29.27 µg/m3 at 3:57 p.m. The FPCA explained about 99.5% of variations in the observed diurnal curves across the city using just three components. The evaluation of spatially predicted long-term PM2.5 diurnal curves every 15 min provided a series of 96 high-resolution exposure maps. The presented methodology and results could benefit future environmental epidemiological studies.
Transitional Strength Under Plasma: Precise Estimations of Astrophysically Relevant Electromagnetic Transitions of Ar7, Kr7, Xe7, and Rn7 Under Plasma Atmosphere++++
Authors: Biswas Swapan , Bhowmik Anal , Das Arghya , Pal Radha Raman , Majumder Sonjoy
Published: May 2023

The growing interest in atomic structures of moderately stripped alkali-like ions in the diagnostic study and modeling of astrophysical and laboratory plasma makes an accurate many-body study of atomic properties inevitable. This work presents transition line parameters in the absence or presence of plasma atmosphere for astrophysically important candidates Ar7+, Kr7+, Xe7+, and Rn7+. We employ relativistic coupled-cluster (RCC) theory, a well-known correlation exhaustive method. In the case of a plasma environment, we use the Debye Model. Our calculations agree with experiments available in the literature for ionization potentials, transition strengths of allowed and forbidden selections, and lifetimes of several low-lying states. The unit ratios of length and velocity forms of transition matrix elements are the critical estimation of the accuracy of the transition data presented here, especially for a few presented for the first time in the literature. We do compare our findings with the available recent theoretical results. Our reported data can be helpful to the astronomer in estimating the density of the plasma environment around the astronomical objects or in the discovery of observational spectra corrected by that environment. The present results should be advantageous in the modeling and diagnostics laboratory plasma, whereas the calculated ionization potential depression parameters reveal important characteristics of atomic structure.
Controlled Attenuation Parameter Is Associated with a Distinct Systemic Inflammatory Milieu after Clearance of HCV Infection
Authors: Du Yanqin , Khera Tanvi , Liu Zhaoli , Tudrujek-Zdunek Magdalena , Dworzanska Anna , Cornberg Markus , Xu Cheng-Jian , Tomasiewicz Krzysztof , Wedemeyer Heiner
Published: May 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is closely associated with lipid metabolism defects along with a high prevalence of hepatic steatosis. After HCV clearance, steatosis persists in many patients. However, the reasons behind this phenomenon are not completely clear. To investigate the association between 92 soluble inflammatory mediators (SIMs) and the steatosis grade, we made use of a cohort of 94 patients with chronic HCV infection who cleared HCV after direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) treatment. Patients were classified into three groups according to their controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). CAP is associated with ALT, γ-GT and liver stiffness after HCV clearance. While stem cell factor (SCF) and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 12 (TWEAK) levels were significantly reduced in patients with CAP > 299 dB/m, the levels of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 and interleukin-18 receptor 1 (IL-18R1) were higher in those patients at week 96 after virus clearance. These four markers also showed a linear correlation with CAP values. FGF-21 levels correlated with CAP only after HCV clearance. Taken together, these four biomarkers, namely SCF, TWEAK, FGF-21 and IL-18R1, are associated with CAP status after virus clearance. A potential role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of post-sustained viral response (SVR) nonalcoholic steatohepatitis requires further investigation.
Genetic and Epigenetic Host–Virus Network to Investigate Pathogenesis and Identify Biomarkers for Drug Repurposing of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus via Real-World Two-Side RNA-Seq Data: Systems Biology and Deep-Learning Approach
Authors: Hsu Bo-Wei , Chen Bor-Sen
Published: May 2023

Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) affects more than 33 million people each year, but there are currently no effective drugs or vaccines approved. In this study, we first constructed a candidate host–pathogen interspecies genome-wide genetic and epigenetic network (HPI-GWGEN) via big-data mining. Then, we employed reversed dynamic methods via two-side host–pathogen RNA-seq time-profile data to prune false positives in candidate HPI-GWGEN to obtain the real HPI-GWGEN. With the aid of principal-network projection and the annotation of KEGG pathways, we can extract core signaling pathways during hRSV infection to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of hRSV infection and select the corresponding significant biomarkers as drug targets, i.e., TRAF6, STAT3, IRF3, TYK2, and MAVS. Finally, in order to discover potential molecular drugs, we trained a DNN-based DTI model by drug–target interaction databases to predict candidate molecular drugs for these drug targets. After screening these candidate molecular drugs by three drug design specifications simultaneously, i.e., regulation ability, sensitivity, and toxicity. We finally selected acitretin, RS-67333, and phenformin to combine as a potential multimolecule drug for the therapeutic treatment of hRSV infection.
Calcitriol Protects against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice
Authors: Sriphoosanaphan Supachaya , Rattanachaisit Pakkapon , Somanawat Kanjana , Wanpiyarat Natcha , Komolmit Piyawat , Werawatganon Duangporn
Published: May 2023

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is one of the major causes of acute liver failure. Severe liver inflammation and the production of oxidative stress occur due to toxic APAP metabolites and glutathione depletion. Growing evidence has proved that vitamin D (VD) exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidative functions. Our objective was to explore the protective role of calcitriol (VD3) in acute APAP-induced liver injury. Methods: Adult male mice were randomized into three groups; control (n = 8), APAP (n = 8), and VD3 group (n = 8). All mice, except controls, received oral administration of APAP (400 mg/kg) and were sacrificed 24 h later. In the VD3 group, calcitriol (10 µg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 24 h before and after exposure to APAP. Blood samples were collected to assess serum aminotransferase and inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)]. Liver tissues were analyzed for hepatic glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and histopathology. Results: APAP administration significantly increased serum aminotransferase, inflammatory cytokines, and induced cellular inflammation and necrosis. APAP also depleted hepatic GSH and elevated oxidative stress, as indicated by high MDA levels. In the APAP group, 25% of the mice (two out of eight) died, while no deaths occurred in the VD3 group. Treatment with calcitriol significantly reduced serum aminotransferase, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in the VD3 group compared to the APAP group. Additionally, VD3 effectively restored GSH reserves, reduced lipid peroxidation, and attenuated hepatotoxicity. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that VD3 prevents APAP-induced acute liver injury and reduces mortality in mice through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity. Thus, VD3 might be a novel treatment strategy for APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.
A Bio-Inspired Decision-Making Method of UAV Swarm for Attack-Defense Confrontation via Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Chi Pei , Wei Jiahong , Wu Kun , Di Bin , Wang Yingxun
Published: May 2023

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarm is regarded as having a significant role in modern warfare. The demand for UAV swarms with the capability of attack-defense confrontation is urgent. The existing decision-making methods of UAV swarm confrontation, such as multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL), suffer from an exponential increase in training time as the size of the swarm increases. Inspired by group hunting behavior in nature, this paper presents a new bio-inspired decision-making method for UAV swarms for attack-defense confrontation via MARL. Firstly, a UAV swarm decision-making framework for confrontation based on grouping mechanisms is established. Secondly, a bio-inspired action space is designed, and a dense reward is added to the reward function to accelerate the convergence speed of training. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of our method. The experiment results show that the proposed method can be applied to a swarm of 12 UAVs, and when the maximum acceleration of the enemy UAV is within 2.5 times ours, the swarm can well intercept the enemy, and the success rate is above 91%.
Impact of Nano-CaCO3 and PVA Fiber on Properties of Fresh and Hardened Geopolymer Mortar
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Zou Pan , Wang Yiguang , Zhang Xun
Published: May 2023

Geopolymer is a green substitute for Portland cement but has low tensile strength, high brittleness and easy cracking. Therefore, fibers and nanomaterials are used to strengthen and toughen geopolymer composites. The influence of nano-calcium carbonate and PVA fiber on the properties of fresh and hardened geopolymer mortar were studied herein. The hybrid of long and short fibers with small content (0.8 vol.%) is conducive to flowability, while the hybrid with large content (1.6 vol.%) and nano-calcium carbonate is conducive to flowability. The slump flow and flow rate of geopolymer mortars with low fiber factor (product of fiber volume fraction and length-diameter ratio) decrease with the growth in nano-calcium carbonate content. As the PVA fiber factor reaches 464.8%, the slump flow and flow rate values of mortars with 0, 1 wt.% and 2 wt.% nano-calcium carbonate are close to each other. About 450% is the density packing threshold of PVA fiber in geopolymer composites. The combination of 0.8 vol.% 12 mm + 0.4 vol.% 6 mm fiber + 1 wt.% nano-calcium carbonate presents the highest flexural strength and flexural to compressive strength ratio, with a compressive strength of about 36 MPa. The optimal fiber factor range of PVA fiber in cement and geopolymer mortar is about 400% and higher than 600%, respectively. PVA fibers show more effective enhancement of flexural strength and toughness in geopolymer than cement mortar. The ultrasonic wave velocity and apparent density of geopolymer mortar show a downward trend as a whole with the increase in fiber factor. The intensity rise of the hump between 17° and 38° (2 θ) in the XRD pattern is observed. The SEM indicates that the surface of PVA fiber in geopolymer mortar with nano-calcium carbonate is heavily scratched, and the fiber filaments are rolled up, demonstrating improved bonding between PVA fiber and geopolymer mortar.
Modern Management and Diagnostics in HER2+ Breast Cancer with CNS Metastasis
Authors: Warrior Surbhi , Cohen-Nowak Adam , Kumthekar Priya
Published: May 2023

Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer have seen improved survival and outcomes over the past two decades. As patients live longer, the incidence of CNS metastases has increased in this population. The authors’ review outlines the most current data in HER2-positive brain and leptomeningeal metastases and discuss the current treatment paradigm in this disease. Up to 55% of HER2-positive breast cancer patients go on to experience CNS metastases. They may present with a variety of focal neurologic symptoms, such as speech changes or weakness, and may also have more diffuse symptoms related to high intracranial pressure, such as headaches, nausea, or vomiting. Treatment can include focal treatments, such as surgical resection or radiation (focal or whole-brain radiation), as well as systemic therapy options or even intrathecal therapy in the case of leptomeningeal disease. There have been multiple advancements in systemic therapy for these patients over the past few years, including the availability of tucatinib and trastuzumab-deruxtecan. Hope remains high as clinical trials for CNS metastases receive greater attention and as other HER2-directed methods are being studied in clinical trials with the goal of better outcomes for these patients.