bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Growth Factors on In Vitro Culture of Neonatal Piglet Testicular Tissue Fragments
Authors: Ibtisham Fahar , Cham Tat-Chuan , Fayaz Mohammad Amin , Honaramooz Ali
Published: September 2023

In vitro spermatogenesis (IVS) has important applications including fertility preservation of prepubertal cancer patients; however, thus far, IVS has only been achieved using mouse models. To study the effects of growth factors on the maintenance of testicular tissue integrity, germ cell numbers, and potential induction of IVS using a porcine model, we cultured small testicular fragments (~2 mg) from 1-wk-old piglets under six different media conditions (DMEM + 10%KSR alone or supplemented with GDNF, bFGF, SCF, EGF, or a combination of all) for 8 weeks. Overall, tissues supplemented with GDNF and bFGF had the greatest seminiferous tubule integrity and least number of apoptotic cells. GDNF-supplemented tissues had the greatest number of gonocytes per tubule, followed by bFGF-supplemented tissues. There was evidence of gradual Sertoli cell maturation in all groups. Moreover, histological examination and the expression of c-KIT (a marker of differentiating spermatogonia and spermatocytes) and STRA8 (a marker of the pre/meiotic stage germ cells) confirmed the induction of IVS in all groups. However, GDNF- and bFGF-supplemented tissue cultures had greater numbers of seminiferous tubules with spermatocytes compared to other groups. In conclusion, overall, GDNF and bFGF supplementation better maintained the tissue integrity and gonocyte numbers and induced IVS in cultured testicular tissues.
Rapid Mobilization of an Evidence-Based Psychological Intervention for Pediatric Pain during COVID-19: The Development and Deployment of the Comfort Ability® Program Virtual Intervention (CAP-V)
Authors: Hale Amy E. , Bujoreanu Simona , LaVigne Timothy W. , Coakley Rachael
Published: September 2023

Background: The gold standard of treatment for chronic pain is a multidisciplinary approach in which psychology plays a leading role, but many children and caregivers do not gain access to this treatment. The Comfort Ability® Program (CAP) developed a CBT-oriented group intervention for adolescents and caregivers designed expressly to address access to evidence-based psychological care for pediatric chronic pain. Before the COVID-19 disruption of in-person services, the CAP workshop had been disseminated to a network of 21 children’s hospitals across three countries. In March 2020, a virtual (telehealth) format was needed to ensure that children with chronic pain could continue to access this clinical service throughout the CAP Network. Methods: A model of knowledge mobilization was used to adapt the CAP workshop to a virtual format (CAP-V) and disseminate it to network sites. A pilot study assessing participant and clinician perceptions of acceptability, feasibility, and treatment satisfaction included baseline, post-sessions, and post-program questionnaires. Results: A knowledge mobilization framework informed the rapid development, refinement, and mobilization of CAP-V. Data from a pilot study demonstrated feasibility and high acceptability across participants and clinicians. Conclusions: A knowledge mobilizationframework provided a roadmap to successfully develop and deploy a virtual behavioral health intervention for adolescents with chronic pain and their caregivers during a worldwide pandemic. While CAP-V has demonstrated preliminary clinical feasibility and acceptability at the CAP hub, ongoing research is needed.
A Comprehensive Outlook of Scope within Exterior Automotive Plastic Substrates and Its Coatings
Authors: Thomas Jomin , Patil Renuka Subhash , John Jacob , Patil Mahesh
Published: September 2023

Among non-metal substrate coatings, plastic substrates have certainly asserted themselves as a key market, especially in the automotive industry. The substrates within exterior automotive industries are being diversified and commercialized at a rapid pace. Mainly attributed to the emergence of electric vehicles, environmental regulations, and functional requirements, there is huge scope and many opportunities for advancements and groundbreaking technologies. The above factors have led to the dawn of new and improved coating materials within the revolutionizing new substrate market. At the same time, new product innovations within ultraviolet (UV)-curable technologies, powder coating, nanotechnologies, and several other platforms have brought the possibility of novel coating systems into the picture. This review outlines the inherent challenges, the progress made thus far, and the future opportunities of two significant exterior plastic substrates: thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and polycarbonate (PC). While the former serves as the historical choice for plastic bumpers across the globe, the latter has captured the most research attention in recent times as a lightweight option against glass coatings. A meticulous overview of the existing literature was conducted to summarize the recent approaches with a few critical analyses. To surpass the challenges to the equivalent performances, a few of the most promising research studies were also examined, including the sustainability aspect.
Balanced Anti-Corrosion Action of Reduced Graphene Oxide in Zn-Al Coating during Medium-Term Exposure to NaCl Solution
Authors: Shi Qifeng , Wu Huishu , Zhang Peipei , Wang Dongsheng , Wang Jingwen , Jie Xiaohua
Published: September 2023

Considering the electronegativity and shielding anti-sepsis characteristic of reduced graphene oxide (G), we design a Zn-Al coating with embedded G (Zn-G/Al) on low-carbon steel using the low-pressure cold spray (LPCS) method. In this method, G-coated Al powders (G/Al) prepared using in situ reduction and Zn powders were mixed as a raw material for spraying. Embedding G could boost the cathodic protection performance of Zn-Al (70 wt.% zinc and 30 wt.% aluminum) coating, as has been confirmed in previous work. In this work, the microstructure, composition and electrochemical parameters of Zn-G/Al coating during full immersion were measured to investigate G’s effect on the corrosion protection properties of the Zn-Al coating. The test results showed that embedded G could facilitate the generation of many corrosion products and pile on the coating surface to form a corrosion product film during full immersion. The corrosion product film on the Zn-0.2 wt.%G/Al coating surface demonstrated an excellent protective property, which reflects the fact that the Ecorr and icorr values for Zn-0.2 wt.%G/Al after 20d immersion (Ecorr = −1.143 Vvs.SCE, icorr= 49.96 μA/cm2) were lower than the initial value (Ecorr = −1.299 Vvs.SCE, icorr = 82.16 μA/cm2). It can be concluded that adding an appropriate amount of G to the coating can balance the cathodic protection and shielding property of the coating. The equilibrium mechanism was also analyzed in this work.
Coupling Effect of Expansion Agent and Internal Curing Aggregate on Shrinkage of High-Modulus Ultra-High-Performance Concrete
Authors: Zhou Min , Yang Tengyu , Li Jinhui , Qiu Bing , Qiu Wenjun , Chen Dongdong , Li Baiyun , Shu Benan , Zhou Changsheng , Guo Lixian , Yu Zi , Li Yongling
Published: September 2023

In the realm of bridge structural engineering, it is customary to meticulously contemplate the material’s strength and rigidity attributes during the dimensioning phase. In recent years, there has been a burgeoning interest in employing Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete (abbreviated as UHPC) for the construction of bridge decks and wet joints. However, the large self-shrinkage of UHPC can easily lead to shrinkage cracking and affect its service life. This study delves into the utilization of a blend of basalt coarse aggregate and high-modulus aggregate (HMA) in the formulation of Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete (UHPC) with the objectives of achieving exceptional strength (>180 MPa), superior modulus of elasticity (>56 GPa), and synergistic effect of using prewetted internal curing aggregate (ICA), metallurgical ore sand (MOS), and calcium–magnesium composite-based expansion agent (EA) to reduce the shrinkage of UHPC. Furthermore, the mechanical properties, shrinkage, hydration process, and microstructure of UHPC prepared with EA and ICA were studied. The results show that UHPC prepared with both 3% EA and 20% ICA had the optimal volume stability (the shrinkage was only 273 με at 180 d). In contrast, the 180 d shrinkage of UHPC with 3% EA and 20% ICA separately was 287 με and 373 με, respectively. In addition, the incorporation of EA and ICA can effectively improve the flexural strength of UHPC, although it affects the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of UHPC (small decrease).
Effect of Shellac Microcapsules Blended with Carbonyl Iron Powder and Carbon Nanotubes on the Self-Healing and Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Properties of Waterborne Coatings on Fiberboard Surface
Authors: Xia Yongxin , Li Wenbo , Yan Xiaoxing
Published: September 2023

An orthogonal experiment was conducted to prepare nine different coatings by changing four influencing factors of shellac microcapsule content, carbonyl iron powder (CIP) content, the content of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and primer coating thickness. By testing the morphology and performance of the shellac microcapsules, CIP, CNT blended coatings (SCCBC), and using the elongation at tensile failure of the SCCBC as the orthogonal experimental analysis, it was determined that the biggest factor affecting the elongation at tensile failure of SCCBC was the shellac microcapsule content. With the aim of further optimizing the properties of the SCCBC, a single-factor experiment was performed using shellac microcapsule content as the sole variable, and it was determined that the SCCBC exhibited optimal performance when shellac microcapsule content reaches 4.2%. The optical properties of SCCBC were tested, showing that there were minor fluctuations in the glossiness and color difference of the SCCBC. The mechanical properties of SCCBC were tested. The presence of shellac microcapsules can contribute to an improvement of the SCCBC toughness, restraining the formation of microcracks, and have a certain self-healing effect. The electromagnetic wave absorption properties of the mixed powder of shellac microcapsules, CIP and CNTs were tested. The CIP and CNTs can enhance the electromagnetic wave absorption properties of the waterborne coating, but the electromagnetic wave absorption properties were weaker in low-frequency bands. The SCCBC on the surface of fiberboard not only have a self-healing effect, but also have a certain electromagnetic wave absorption function through the mixing of shellac microcapsules, CIP, and CNTs, expanding the application range of waterborne coatings for wood.
Advancing Safe Broiler Farming in Bangladesh: An Investigation of Management Practices, Financial Profitability, and Consumer Perceptions
Authors: Akter Mst Shanaz , Uddin Md Taj , Dhar Aurup Ratan
Published: September 2023

This study examined the rearing and management methods, financial profitability, and consumer perceptions towards safe broiler production in Bangladesh. Employing stratified random sampling, 60 participants (30 farmers and 30 consumers) from two sub-districts in Mymensingh district were interviewed. A mix of descriptive, mathematical, and statistical approaches was used for data analysis and representation. This study identified key components of safe broiler management, including brooding, housing, feed and water management, lighting, litter maintenance, medication and vaccination, and biosecurity and hygiene control. A benefit–cost of 1.40 obtained from profitability analysis indicated the profitability of safe broiler farming. Consumer awareness of safe broiler meat was assessed using the Likert scale, highlighting the significance of nutrition, packaging, freshness, taste, and natural ingredients in purchasing decisions. The Logit model revealed that factors such as meat size, freshness, taste, and family income significantly impacted consumer purchasing choices. The main challenges faced by safe broiler producers included high prices and limited availability of feed, day-old chicks, medicine and vaccines, and lack of knowledge. To ensure efficient safe broiler production in Bangladesh, this study recommends the implementation of stable input supplies, accessible credit, skill development, and infrastructure enhancement.
Assessing Landslide Susceptibility along India’s National Highway 58: A Comprehensive Approach Integrating Remote Sensing, GIS, and Logistic Regression Analysis
Authors: Sharma Mukta , Upadhyay Ritambhara K. , Tripathi Gaurav , Kishore Naval , Shakya Achala , Meraj Gowhar , Kanga Shruti , Singh Suraj Kumar , Kumar Pankaj , Johnson Brian Alan , Thakur Som Nath
Published: September 2023

The NH 58 area in India has been experiencing an increase in landslide occurrences, posing significant threats to local communities, infrastructure, and the environment. The growing need to identify areas prone to landslides for effective disaster risk management, land use planning, and infrastructure development has led to the increased adoption of advanced geospatial technologies and statistical methods. In this context, this research article presents an in-depth analysis aimed at developing a landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) map for the NH 58 area using remote sensing, GIS, and logistic regression analysis. The study incorporates multiple geo-environmental factors for analysis, such as slope aspect, curvature, drainage density, elevation, fault distance, flow accumulation, geology, geomorphology, land use land cover (LULC), road distance, and slope angle. Utilizing 50% of the landslide inventory data, the logistic regression model was trained to determine correlations between causal factors and landslide occurrences. The logistic regression model was then employed to calculate landslide probabilities for each mapping unit within the NH 58 area, which were subsequently classified into relative susceptibility zones using a statistical class break technique. The model’s accuracy was verified through ROC curve analysis, resulting in a 92% accuracy rate. The LSZ map highlights areas near road cut slopes as highly susceptible to landslides, providing crucial information for land use planning and management to reduce landslide risk in the NH 58 area. The study’s findings are beneficial for policymakers, planners, and other stakeholders involved in regional disaster risk management. This research offers a comprehensive analysis of landslide-influencing factors in the NH 58 area and introduces an LSZ map as a valuable tool for managing and mitigating landslide risks. The map also serves as a critical reference for future research and contributes to the broader understanding of landslide susceptibility in the region.
Effect of Humidity Exposure on Microstructure and Photoluminescence Properties of Polycrystalline CsI(Tl) Screens
Authors: Guo Lina , Jiang Biyou , Tian Chunhui , Chen Ping , Liu Shuang
Published: September 2023

CsI(Tl) scintillation screens have been widely applied in X-ray nondestructive testing (NDT) because of their low cost, high scintillation efficiency, and fluorescence guide columnar microstructures. The effect of humidity exposure on the microstructure and photoluminescence properties of polycrystalline CsI(Tl) screens was investigated in this work. The results indicate that the grain diameter of the columnar microstructure increased with increased exposure time in a humid environment. The degree of anisotropy of polycrystalline screens changed from (211) and (310) to (110) orientation with exposure time. FT-IR Spectra of the exposed screens peaked at 3734 cm−1, 3710 cm−1, 3676 cm−1, 3647 cm−1, 3627 cm−1, 3598 c−1, and 3566 cm−1 due to the symmetrical and asymmetrical stretching vibrations of water molecules. In addition, the photoluminescence properties of exposed screens decreased with increased humidity exposure time due to the deliquescence caused by water molecules. After hours of humidity exposure, the photoluminescence and imaging properties of the screens decrease obviously and tend to reduce slowly. The moisture absorption and deliquescence would directly affect the service reliability and the storage lifetime of polycrystalline CsI(Tl) screens.
Reversible Transformations of Palladium–Indium Intermetallic Nanoparticles upon Repetitive Redox Treatments in H2/O2
Authors: Bukhtiyarov Andrey V. , Panafidin Maxim A. , Prosvirin Igor P. , Smirnova Nadezhda S. , Markov Pavel V. , Baeva Galina N. , Mashkovsky Igor S. , Bragina Galina O. , Vinokurov Zakhar S. , Zubavichus Yan V. , Bukhtiyarov Valerii I. , Stakheev Alexander Yu.
Published: September 2023

The transformations of chemical states and structures occurring in the PdIn/Al2O3 catalyst upon redox treatments in different gaseous atmospheres at different temperatures are addressed by an assortment of in situ bulk- (XRD) and surface-sensitive (XPS and DRIFTS CO) techniques. Any desired state of the catalyst between two opposite extremes of highly dispersed oxide species and regularly ordered PdIn intermetallic compound could be set in fully controlled and reversible ways by selecting appropriate conditions for the reductive treatment starting from the fully oxidized state. Since mutual conversions of multi-atomic Pdn centers into single-site Pd1 centers are involved in these transformations, the methodology could be used to find an optimum balance between the activity and selectivity of the catalytic system.
Influence of the Arsenic Pressure during Rapid Overgrowth of InAs/GaAs Quantum Dots on Their Photoluminescence Properties
Authors: Balakirev Sergey , Kirichenko Danil , Chernenko Natalia , Shandyba Nikita , Komarov Sergey , Dragunova Anna , Kryzhanovskaya Natalia , Zhukov Alexey , Solodovnik Maxim
Published: September 2023

In this paper, for the first time, we report a strong effect of the arsenic pressure used for the high-rate GaAs capping of self-assembled InAs quantum dots on their optical properties. A 140 nm red shift of the photoluminescence peak position is observed when the overgrowth arsenic pressure increases threefold. We explain this behavior in terms of different intensities of quantum dot decomposition, which occurs during the overgrowth under different conditions. When the arsenic pressure is sufficiently high, a GaAs capping layer is formed by deposited species with a low impact on initial quantum dots. At a low arsenic pressure, arsenic deficiency leads to the intensive intermixing caused both by the enhanced Ga/In atom exchange and by the consumption of arsenic atoms belonging to quantum dots for the GaAs capping layer formation. As a result of the overgrowth, quantum dots are divided into families with a large (high pressure) and a small (low pressure) average size, yielding long-wave (1.23 µm) and short-wave (1.09 µm) photoluminescence peaks, respectively. Thus, a significant influence of the overgrowth arsenic pressure on the characteristics of InAs quantum dots is evidenced in this study.
Efficacy of Giant River Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Controlling the Invasive Snail Pomacea canaliculata: Implications for Ecological Farming
Authors: Wang Yingying , Zhang Yixiang , Lv He , Sheng Qiang
Published: September 2023

The invasive golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculata has a strong reproductive capacity and has rapidly spread in Asian countries. Current control methods include physical, chemical, and biological approaches, but there has been limited research on the control of P. canaliculata in its different life stages. This study assessed the effectiveness of using giant river prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii in controlling juveniles of P. canaliculata through a controlled indoor experiment. The density, size, and dispersal range of recently hatched juvenile snails were significantly lower among those kept with prawns than those kept without prawns, indicating a control effect of M. rosenbergii at least on P. canaliculata juveniles. Furthermore, the study speculates on the potential application of M. rosenbergii in the context of a rice–prawn symbiotic system of ecological farming to control invasive P. canaliculata. In terms of effectiveness and safety, its application might lead to a win-win situation for both rice-farm profits and the ecological benefits of invasive species control.
Mitogenomics of Three Ziczacella Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) from Karst Area, Southwest China, and Their Phylogenetic Implications
Authors: Wang Jinqiu , Zhang Ni , Pu Tianyi , Li Can , Song Yuehua
Published: September 2023

Leafhoppers (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae) are distributed worldwide and include around 2550 genera, more than 21,000 species, including almost 2000 species in China. Typhlocybinae is the second largest subfamily in Cicadellidae after Deltocephalinae. Previously, morphological characteristics were the diagnostic basis of taxonomy, but they were not combined with molecular biology. The genus Ziczacella Anufryev, 1970 has only six known species worldwide. The mitogenomes of Ziczacella steggerdai Ross, 1965, Ziczacella dworakowskae Anufriev, 1969 and Ziczacella heptapotamica Kusnezov, 1928 were sequenced and identified here for the first time. They all contained 13 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region, and the complete mitochondrial genomes were 15,231 bp, 15,137 bp, and 15,334 bp, respectively. The results show heavy AT nucleotide bias. Phylogenetic analysis yielded the following topology: (Empoascini + Alebrini) + ((Erythroneurini + Dikraneurini) + (Zyginellini + Typhlocybini)). In this study, three newly sequenced species were closely related to Mitjaevia dworakowskae and M. shibingensis. We confirmed the monophyly of the four tribes within Typhlocybinae again, and Zyginellini should be combined with Typhlocybini, which supports Chris’s points.
Peripheral Interventional Strategy Assessment (PISA) for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Revascularization: Preliminary Outcomes of a Multidisciplinary Pilot Study
Authors: Berchiolli Raffaella , Bertagna Giulia , Adami Daniele , Piaggesi Alberto , Iacopi Elisabetta , Giangreco Francesco , Torri Lorenzo , Troisi Nicola
Published: September 2023

Background: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) still represents the gold standard for anatomical arterial mapping and revascularization decision-making in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), although DUS (Doppler Ultrasound) remains a primary non-invasive examination tool. The Global Vascular Guidelines established the importance of preoperative arterial mapping to guarantee an adequate in-line flow to the foot. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of DUS in guiding therapeutic vascular treatments on the basis of Global Vascular Guidelines without the need of a second-level examination. Methods: Between January 2022 and June 2022, all consecutive patients with CLTI to be revascularized underwent clinical examination and DUS without further diagnostic examinations. Primary outcomes assessed were technical success, and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were 1-year amputation free survival, and time between evaluation and revascularization. Results: Sixty-eight patients with a mean age of 73.6 ± 8.5 years underwent lower limb revascularization. Technical success was 100%, and the 30-day mortality rate was 2.9%. Mean time between evaluation and revascularization was 29 ± 17 days. One-year amputation free survival was 97.1%. Conclusions: DUS without further diagnostic examinations can accurately assess the status of the vascular tree and foot runoff, providing enough information about target vessels to guide revascularization strategies.
High-Grade Surface Osteosarcoma of the Rib Mimicking a Neurogenic Tumor: Radiologic and Pathologic Findings
Authors: Bae Kyungsoo , Moon Jin Il , An Hyo Jung , Jung Jae Jun , Jeon Kyung Nyeo
Published: September 2023

Osteosarcoma commonly occurs in the intramedullary cavity of long bones such as the femur, tibia, and humerus in children and adolescents. Osteosarcoma occurring as a primary tumor in the chest wall is rare. Only a limited number of such cases have been documented in the existing literature. Herein, we present radiologic and pathologic findings of a high-grade surface osteosarcoma of the rib mimicking a neurogenic tumor in a 44-year-old woman.
Empowering Lower Limb Disorder Identification through PoseNet and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Siddiqui Hafeez Ur Rehman , Saleem Adil Ali , Raza Muhammad Amjad , Villar Santos Gracia , Lopez Luis Alonso Dzul , Diez Isabel de la Torre , Rustam Furqan , Dudley Sandra
Published: September 2023

A novel approach is presented in this study for the classification of lower limb disorders, with a specific emphasis on the knee, hip, and ankle. The research employs gait analysis and the extraction of PoseNet features from video data in order to effectively identify and categorize these disorders. The PoseNet algorithm facilitates the extraction of key body joint movements and positions from videos in a non-invasive and user-friendly manner, thereby offering a comprehensive representation of lower limb movements. The features that are extracted are subsequently standardized and employed as inputs for a range of machine learning algorithms, such as Random Forest, Extra Tree Classifier, Multilayer Perceptron, Artificial Neural Networks, and Convolutional Neural Networks. The models undergo training and testing processes using a dataset consisting of 174 real patients and normal individuals collected at the Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Sadiq Abad. The evaluation of their performance is conducted through the utilization of K-fold cross-validation. The findings exhibit a notable level of accuracy and precision in the classification of various lower limb disorders. Notably, the Artificial Neural Networks model achieves the highest accuracy rate of 98.84%. The proposed methodology exhibits potential in enhancing the diagnosis and treatment planning of lower limb disorders. It presents a non-invasive and efficient method of analyzing gait patterns and identifying particular conditions.
Enhancing Cervical Pre-Cancerous Classification Using Advanced Vision Transformer
Authors: Darwish Manal , Altabel Mohamad Ziad , Abiyev Rahib H.
Published: September 2023

One of the most common types of cancer among in women is cervical cancer. Incidence and fatality rates are steadily rising, particularly in developing nations, due to a lack of screening facilities, experienced specialists, and public awareness. Visual inspection is used to screen for cervical cancer after the application of acetic acid (VIA), histopathology test, Papanicolaou (Pap) test, and human papillomavirus (HPV) test. The goal of this research is to employ a vision transformer (ViT) enhanced with shifted patch tokenization (SPT) techniques to create an integrated and robust system for automatic cervix-type identification. A vision transformer enhanced with shifted patch tokenization is used in this work to learn the distinct features between the three different cervical pre-cancerous types. The model was trained and tested on 8215 colposcopy images of the three types, obtained from the publicly available mobile-ODT dataset. The model was tested on 30% of the whole dataset and it showed a good generalization capability of 91% accuracy. The state-of-the art comparison indicated the outperformance of our model. The experimental results show that the suggested system can be employed as a decision support tool in the detection of the cervical pre-cancer transformation zone, particularly in low-resource settings with limited experience and resources.
A Review of the Clinical Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Abdominal Imaging
Authors: Mervak Benjamin M. , Fried Jessica G. , Wasnik Ashish P.
Published: September 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a topic of substantial interest for radiologists in recent years. Although many of the first clinical applications were in the neuro, cardiothoracic, and breast imaging subspecialties, the number of investigated and real-world applications of body imaging has been increasing, with more than 30 FDA-approved algorithms now available for applications in the abdomen and pelvis. In this manuscript, we explore some of the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning, review major functions that AI algorithms may perform, introduce current and potential future applications of AI in abdominal imaging, provide a basic understanding of the pathways by which AI algorithms can receive FDA approval, and explore some of the challenges with the implementation of AI in clinical practice.
Participatory Research Partnership in Rehabilitation—Co-Development of a Model for Collaboration Process
Authors: Sipari Salla , Vänskä Nea , Lehtonen Krista , Helenius Sari , Harra Toini , Kinnunen Anu , Väisänen Sara , Jeglinsky Ira
Published: September 2023

Purpose: Collaboration that engages diverse stakeholders to actively participate in the rehabilitation research process is becoming a crucially important approach when the purpose is to promote well-being in everyday life. The aim of this study was to co-develop a partnership-based participation model for research with stakeholders such as researchers, rehabilitees, close ones, rehabilitation professionals and experts by experience. Methods: We applied an action research approach. The Participatory Research Partnership (PaRe) model was co-developed in a multi-phase process including a literature review, workshops and focus group discussions (64 participants). The model was tested, evaluated and further developed in a developmental training process with 50 experts in rehabilitation. Results: The PaRe model consists of five phases: (1) starting the research partnership; (2) building a research team; (3) reciprocal co-planning of research; (4) co-production of new research data; and (5) utilization of research data in everyday life. The model comprises examples and templates including developmental and ethical evaluation. Conclusions: The PaRe model enhances co-agency, interaction and co-learning in rehabilitation research and practices. Active participation of users and providers of rehabilitation services in scientific research promotes everyday accessibility and relevance of research-based knowledge. The model ensures that the research process and results are meaningful and empowering for the participants.
Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Autonomous Path Planning Algorithm Based on Whale-Inspired Deep Q-Network
Authors: Wang Wenshan , Zhang Guoyin , Da Qingan , Lu Dan , Zhao Yingnan , Li Sizhao , Lang Dapeng
Published: September 2023

In emergency rescue missions, rescue teams can use UAVs and efficient path planning strategies to provide flexible rescue services for trapped people, which can improve rescue efficiency and reduce personnel risks. However, since the task environment of UAVs is usually complex, uncertain, and communication-limited, traditional path planning methods may not be able to meet practical needs. In this paper, we introduce a whale optimization algorithm into a deep Q-network and propose a path planning algorithm based on a whale-inspired deep Q-network, which enables UAVs to search for targets faster and safer in uncertain and complex environments. In particular, we first transform the UAV path planning problem into a Markov decision process. Then, we design a comprehensive reward function considering the three factors of path length, obstacle avoidance, and energy consumption. Next, we use the main framework of the deep Q-network to approximate the Q-value function by training a deep neural network. During the training phase, the whale optimization algorithm is introduced for path exploration to generate a richer action decision experience. Finally, experiments show that the proposed algorithm can enable the UAV to autonomously plan a collision-free feasible path in an uncertain environment. And compared with classic reinforcement learning algorithms, the proposed algorithm has a better performance in learning efficiency, path planning success rate, and path length.
Edaphosphere: A Perspective of Soil Inside the Biosphere
Authors: Herreño Brian , De la Colina Federico , Delgado-Iniesta María José
Published: September 2023

The integration of soil into ecology in the current climate crisis is essential for correct environmental management. Soil is a part of ecosystems; above all, it is a component of the biosphere. It is necessary to establish a definition of soil that integrates biota and biodiversity without losing sight of the historical development of edaphology, the science that studies soil. In this opinion article, we proposes a definition for all soils grouped together in the edaphosphere, which is, in fact, a subsystem of the biosphere. In addition, we highlight the importance of the definition of soil provided by Vasily Dokuchaev, the founder of edaphology, with respect to the integration of soil into the biosphere and the differences between the concepts of pedosphere and edaphosphere.
Development of a Graded Biodiversity Assessment (GBA) Index for the Assessment of the Biodiversity of Managed Natural Forests
Authors: Bourma Kyriaki , Milios Elias , Radoglou Kalliopi , Kitikidou Kyriaki
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this research is to develop a Graded Biodiversity Assessment (GBA) index to provide an estimation of the biodiversity in managed natural forests. In order to facilitate the present project, parameters are performed, confirmed, and annotated for their use as GBA components, notably the wood stock, age, canopy density, regeneration existence, and aspect of the forest under study. These five parameters are easily retrieved from the standard forest management plans. To assist the application of this forest-specific GBA index, data for each of the five index components is coded in three biodiversity levels as per the original description, with group cut-offs of 0, 0.5, and 1. We compute the Consistency Index to quantify the degree of reliability of our selection of GBA components ξ (Ksi) of the Best-Worst Method (BWM). With the proposed GBA index, foresters canhave a new tool at their disposal, which can be used to drive decision making and determineforest regions with low or high biodiversity value, with five parameters that are common in the standard forest management plans.
A Scoping Review on the Impact of Educational Technology in Agricultural Education
Authors: Xu Zhihong , Adeyemi Anjorin Ezekiel , Landaverde Rafael , Kogut Ashlynn , Baker Matt
Published: September 2023

As the global demand for agricultural systems increases, agricultural education programs are implementing educational technologies to train industry professionals to meet 21st-century agricultural demands. No reviews have focused exclusively on the use of educational technologies in agricultural education. This scoping review presents a summary of 83 journal articles and conference papers published between 2000 and 2022 aimed at examining the impact of the use of educational technologies in agricultural education programs. Our results indicate: (1) most studies on this topic have been conducted in the United States in the context of agricultural sciences; (2) most of the studies implemented quantitative designs using researcher-designed instruments; (3) online/distance education technologies were the most widely used; and (4) there was a statistically significant increase in the use of simulation/digital games between 2000 and 2010 and 2011 and 2022. Based on our analysis, we discuss the methodological and reporting limitations that should be considered in future research, the pedagogical contributions of educational technologies in agricultural education, and the current and future research trends, highlighting gaps in the literature.
Achievement Goals, Student Engagement, and the Mediatory Role of Autonomy Support in Lecture-Based Courses
Authors: Montenegro Aida , Schmidt Manuela
Published: September 2023

What makes first-semester students stay engaged in non-mandatory lecture-based courses? This study aims to answer this question by analyzing the relationship between student engagement with autonomy support and achievement goals. Data gathered through self-reports from 340 students attending four introductory lecture-based courses at four German universities were used to test the following hypotheses: (1) students who pursue goals for self-improvement display emotional, behavioral, and cognitive engagement, (2) emotional engagement is predicted by students’ perceptions of autonomy support, and (3) students who aim to outperform their peers display higher emotional engagement compared to cognitive engagement. After confirming the hypotheses with multiple regression analyses, additional results indicated a statistically significant relationship between both emotional engagement and achievement goals with autonomy. Further, results indicate a moderate positive association between emotional engagement and both behavioral and cognitive engagements. These findings confirm the presence of both mastery and performance goals in courses with a lecture-based teaching. This study highlights some limitations for statistical analyses with agentic engagement as well as the need to analyze study participants’ school culture for further research on student engagement.
Enhancing Learning Outcomes in Econometrics: A 12-Year Study
Authors: Erden Seyhan
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the findings of 12 years of data from studying the teaching of econometrics. The first course on the topic of econometrics has always been a challenging course for both students and instructors. Students come from different quantitative backgrounds, and mostly with the prejudice that this is one of the most challenging courses in their academic career. We showed that using Classroom Response Systems (CRSs) such as polls closes the achievement gap between students from higher and lower quantitative levels. Besides students’ performance, we also investigated instructor performance through teaching and course evaluations utilizing data from 38 classes over the course of 12 years. We showed that the instructor performance is higher under the in-class modality compared to the online modality and showed that this gap in performance between the two modalities widens as students’ grades improve; a positive association between grades and instructor performance under the in-class modality exists; however, the association is negative under the online modality.
Emotions Matter: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Detection and Classification of Students’ Emotions in STEM during Online Learning
Authors: Anwar Aamir , Rehman Ikram Ur , Nasralla Moustafa M. , Khattak Sohaib Bin Altaf , Khilji Nasrullah
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the rapid growth of online learning has highlighted the need for effective methods to monitor and improve student experiences. Emotions play a crucial role in shaping students’ engagement, motivation, and satisfaction in online learning environments, particularly in complex STEM subjects. In this context, sentiment analysis has emerged as a promising tool to detect and classify emotions expressed in textual and visual forms. This study offers an extensive literature review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) technique on the role of sentiment analysis in student satisfaction and online learning in STEM subjects. The review analyses the applicability, challenges, and limitations of text- and facial-based sentiment analysis techniques in educational settings by reviewing 57 peer-reviewed research articles out of 236 articles, published between 2015 and 2023, initially identified through a comprehensive search strategy. Through an extensive search and scrutiny process, these articles were selected based on their relevance and contribution to the topic. The review’s findings indicate that sentiment analysis holds significant potential for improving student experiences, encouraging personalised learning, and promoting satisfaction in the online learning environment. Educators and administrators can gain valuable insights into students’ emotions and perceptions by employing computational techniques to analyse and interpret emotions expressed in text and facial expressions. However, the review also identifies several challenges and limitations associated with sentiment analysis in educational settings. These challenges include the need for accurate emotion detection and interpretation, addressing cultural and linguistic variations, ensuring data privacy and ethics, and a reliance on high-quality data sources. Despite these challenges, the review highlights the immense potential of sentiment analysis in transforming online learning experiences in STEM subjects and recommends further research and development in this area.
Impacts of a COVID-19 Educational Video: Evaluation of the Influence of Race, Gender, Political Affiliation, Study Major, and Age on Vaccine Acceptance among University Students
Authors: Lee Audrey J. , Vu Tiffany T. , Sanz Reina Marie , Kim Myo-Kyoung
Published: September 2023

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that vaccine hesitancy is an ongoing major global health threat. While vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) proves to be an effective strategy in protecting against the disease, vaccine hesitancy represents a major barrier to stopping the spread of the virus. Willingness for vaccination can be influenced by several factors, including education level and health literacy. Although several studies demonstrate the value of video educational programs in improving coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine knowledge and acceptance, no studies to date have evaluated if race, gender, and other demographic factors impact the influence of an educational video on COVID-19 vaccine knowledge and hesitancy among university students in the United States (U.S.). Aims: This study was conducted to determine the impact of an educational video on U.S. university undergraduate students’ COVID-19 vaccine perception and acceptance. It also aims to evaluate whether demographic factors affect the influence of the video. Methods: An online survey was used to measure perceived understanding and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines before and after viewing a video regarding the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccinations. The impact of demographic factors on the Video Influence Score was analyzed. Key results: After viewing the video, respondents’ (n = 285) perceived awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines significantly increased (p < 0.05). In addition, gender, political party affiliation, age, study major, and influenza vaccination history did not significantly impact the Video Influence Score (p > 0.05). However, African American/Black respondents (3.81 ± 4.24) were significantly more influenced by the video compared to respondents of other races (p < 0.05), such as White/Caucasian (1.91 ± 3.75), Hispanic/Latino (0.17 ± 3.67), Asian (0.29 ± 1.53), and Indigenous American (0.64 ± 2.52). Conclusions: This study suggests the potential impact of an educational video on COVID-19 vaccine perception and acceptance among university students. Despite limitations such as a modest survey response rate, this study provides valuable insight concerning the influential factors affecting vaccine acceptance in diverse student populations. Future studies are warranted to explore how student response to vaccine educational videos may vary depending on students’ racial and cultural backgrounds. Implications: A targeted educational video to promote vaccine acceptance is a valuable tool for public health campaigns to combat vaccine hesitancy. The study also highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to specific demographic groups such as considering racial factors to maximize the impact of educational interventions on vaccine attitudes.
Enhancement of Product-Inspection Accuracy Using Convolutional Neural Network and Laplacian Filter to Automate Industrial Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Jun Hyojae , Jung Im Y.
Published: September 2023

The automation of the manufacturing process of printed circuit boards (PCBs) requires accurate PCB inspections, which in turn require clear images that accurately represent the product PCBs. However, if low-quality images are captured during the involved image-capturing process, accurate PCB inspections cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, this study proposes a method to effectively detect defective images for PCB inspection. This method involves using a convolutional neural network (CNN) and a Laplacian filter to achieve a higher accuracy of the classification of the obtained images as normal and defective images than that obtained using existing methods, with the results showing an improvement of 11.87%. Notably, the classification accuracy obtained using both a CNN and Laplacian filter is higher than that obtained using only CNNs. Furthermore, applying the proposed method to images of computer components other than PCBs results in a 5.2% increase in classification accuracy compared with only using CNNs.
Three-Dimensional Point Cloud Reconstruction Method of Cardiac Soft Tissue Based on Binocular Endoscopic Images
Authors: Tian Jiawei , Ma Botao , Lu Siyu , Yang Bo , Liu Shan , Yin Zhengtong
Published: September 2023

Three-dimensional reconstruction technology based on binocular stereo vision is a key research area with potential clinical applications. Mainstream research has focused on sparse point reconstruction within the soft tissue domain, limiting the comprehensive 3D data acquisition required for effective surgical robot navigation. This study introduces a new paradigm to address existing challenges. An innovative stereoscopic endoscopic image correction algorithm is proposed, exploiting intrinsic insights into stereoscopic calibration parameters. The synergy between the stereoscopic endoscope parameters and the disparity map derived from the cardiac soft tissue images ultimately leads to the acquisition of precise 3D points. Guided by deliberate filtering and optimization methods, the triangulation process subsequently facilitates the reconstruction of the complex surface of the cardiac soft tissue. The experimental results strongly emphasize the accuracy of the calibration algorithm, confirming its utility in stereoscopic endoscopy. Furthermore, the image rectification algorithm exhibits a significant reduction in vertical parallax, which effectively enhances the stereo matching process. The resulting 3D reconstruction technique enables the targeted surface reconstruction of different regions of interest in the cardiac soft tissue landscape. This study demonstrates the potential of binocular stereo vision-based 3D reconstruction techniques for integration into clinical settings. The combination of joint calibration algorithms, image correction innovations, and precise tissue reconstruction enhances the promise of improved surgical precision and outcomes in the field of cardiac interventions.
AI in IIoT Management of Cybersecurity for Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 Purposes
Authors: Czeczot Grzegorz , Rojek Izabela , Mikołajewski Dariusz , Sangho Belco
Published: September 2023

If we look at the chronology of transitions between successive stages of industrialization, it is impossible not to notice a significant acceleration. There were 100 years between the industrial revolutions from 2.0 to 3.0, and only half a century passed from the conventional 3.0 to 4.0. Assuming that progress will inevitably continue to accelerate, and given that 2011 is the set date for the start of the fourth industrial revolution, we can expect Industry 5.0 by 2035. In recent years, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications proliferated, which include multiple network elements connected by wired and wireless communication technologies, as well as sensors and actuators placed in strategic locations. The significant pace of development of the industry of advantages in predicting threats to infrastructure will be related to the speed of analyzing the huge amount of data on threats collected not locally, but globally. This article sheds light on the potential role of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), to significantly impact IIoT cyber threat prediction in Industry 5.0.