bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Whatever I said didn’t register with her”: medical fatphobia and interactional and relational disconnect in healthcare encounters
Authors: Kost Carolin , Jamie Kimberly , Mohr Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

Introduction

This article focuses on medical fatphobia as a specific phenomenon structuring interactions between patients and healthcare practitioners. Throughout the article, we use ‘fat’ and ‘fatphobia’ as the preferred terms in the body positivity and fat acceptance communities. It is well documented that ‘fat’ people frequently experience negative and highly stigmatising healthcare encounters where weight is disproportionately centred and over-attributed as a cause of ill-health. This can compound and worsen disordered eating, trigger mental health problems, and lead to healthcare avoidance. Although the regularity and risks of these weight-focused encounters are well established, there does not yet exist a coherent theoretical framework for understanding such discriminatory practises.

Methods

In this article, we draw on the experiences of 15 fat women who are members of the Health at Every Size (HAES) online community to explore how they perceive their fatness impacting medical encounters.

Results and discussion

Through these data and specifically drawing on the framework of ‘cultural health capital,’ we suggest that given the deep purchase of cultural tropes surrounding it, fatness is perceived to embody and therefore confer on patients’ assumptions of low cultural health capital. We argue that ubiquitously characteristic of medical fatphobia is what we call an ‘interactional and relational disconnect’ between fat patients and healthcare practitioners. We suggest that this disconnect structures fatphobic interactions by over-attributing fatness as the underlying cause of medical problems, which entrenches patient and practitioner ambivalence because of a lack of joint decision-making. We argue that interactional and relational disconnect is produced by, sustained by, and reproduces asymmetric power relations between patients and practitioners. While we demonstrate that patients develop tactics to mitigate and manage fatphobia in healthcare encounters, the persistent interactional asymmetry between doctors and patients means these attempts often fail. We conclude with a plea for sociology to take medical fatphobia seriously as a form of intersectional systemic discrimination. While movements like HAES, fat positivity, and body acceptance create kinship and support fat patients with self-advocacy in healthcare interactions, we suggest that systemic rather than individual change is necessary for effective healthcare inclusion and interaction.
Selection of treatment strategies for lumbar Brucella spondylitis: a retrospective clinical study
Authors: Liu Changhao , Liu Qiang , Zheng Jianping , Niu Ningkui , Shi Jiandang , Yang Zongqiang
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aims to investigate the treatment strategies for lumbar brucellar spondylitis by comparing the outcomes of pure pharmacological treatment with diseased intervertebral fixation fusion, with or without lesion clearance.

Methods

A total of 157 patients with lumbar brucellar spondylitis were categorized into three groups: Group A (52 cases) received pure pharmacological treatment, Group B (53 cases) underwent posterior vertebral fixation fusion, and Group C (52 cases) received posterior (or anterior) lesion clearance followed by posterior vertebral fixation fusion. Clinical data were analyzed, and the efficacy of the three treatment methods was evaluated.

Results

The surgical groups showed better outcomes at various time points compared to the pharmacological treatment group (P < 0.05). The pure fixation group outperformed the lesion clearance fusion group during the perioperative period (P < 0.05). The ESR, CRP, ODI scores, imaging evaluation and complications of the lesion clearance followed by fixation group were all better than those of the other two groups (P < 0.05). Surgical treatment groups showed no statistically significant difference in VAS scores (P > 0.05), and both were superior to the pharmacological treatment group. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical efficacy among the three groups at the last follow-up.

Conclusion

Surgical treatment achieves early recovery goals compared to pharmacological treatment for brucellar spondylitis. However, individualized treatment principles should guide surgical decisions to select the most suitable approach for patients.
Enzymolytic soybean meal—impact on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidative capacity, and intestinal health of weaned piglets
Authors: Tan Kai , Bian Zhiyao , Liang Huiqing , Hu Wenyue , Xia Miao , Han Shuaijuan , Chen Baojiang
Published: March 2024

Enzymolytic soybean meal (ESBM) enriches free amino acids and small peptides, while mitigating anti-nutritional factors. Substituting soybean meal with ESBM enhances animal performance, though optimal piglet dietary supplementation levels vary. The present study aimed to assess the impact of ESBM on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidative capacity and intestinal health of weaned piglets. A total of 120 piglets (initial body weight, 7.0 ± 0.4 kg) were randomly allocated into 4 dietary groups, each comprising 5 replicates with 6 piglets per replicate. The control group received the basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed diets containing 2, 4% or 8% ESBM as a replacement for soybean meal over 28 days. Compared with the control group, piglets supplemented with 4% ESBM exhibited a significant increase (p < 0.05) in average daily gain and the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, ether extract and gross energy (p < 0.05), alongside a notable decrease (p < 0.05) in diarrhea incidence. Fed ESBM linearly increased (p < 0.05) the villus height in the ileum of piglets. The levels of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in serum of piglets increased (p < 0.05) in the 2 and 4% ESBM groups, while diamine oxidase content decreased (p < 0.05) in the 4 and 8% ESBM group. ESBM inclusion also upregulated (p < 0.05) the expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), Catalase (CAT) and claudin-1 mRNA. In terms of cecal fermentation characteristics, ESBM supplementation resulted in a increase (p < 0.05) in valerate content and a linear rise (p < 0.05) in propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids levels, accompanied by a decrease (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of tryptamine and NH3 in cecal digesta. ESBM had no discernible effect on cecal microbial composition. In summary, substitution of soybean meal with ESBM effectively improved the growth performance of piglets by enhancing nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal barrier and cecal microbial fermentation characteristics, with the optimal replacement level identified at 4%.
Design and Testing of Friction-Type Nail-Tooth-Chain-Plate Residual-Film-Picking System
Authors: Jiang Deli , Chen Xuegeng , Yan Limin , Zhang Jinhao , Wu Tao , Fu Xuanhe
Published: March 2024

Compared with the conventional horizontal conveyor-chain-type plastic-film-picking device, the longitudinal nail-tooth-chain-plate-type plastic-film-picking device developed by our team in the early stage has little tearing effect on the mulching film, and the separation effect of the plastic film and the impurity is better. With a view to further enhancing the performance of the plastic-film-picking device, this study optimized it and designed a friction-type nail-tooth-chain-plate plastic-film-picking chain that does not overload or slip and also facilitates the installation of functional components. The kinematic analysis of the picking nail teeth on the film-picking chain was carried out, and the motion equation and trajectory of the nail teeth during the operation were determined, as well as the requirements for the nail teeth to complete the mulching-film pickup. The key parameters of the plastic-film-picking system were determined by analyzing the no-leakage condition of the plastic film and the force. Moreover, the structural design and key parameters of the shovel-type film-lifting device were determined. According to the design results, a prototype was developed, and a multi-factor test of the operating parameters was carried out. The operating speed, spacing of the pickup nail teeth, depth of the film shovel into the soil, and distance between the tip of the film shovel and center of the picking drum were used as the experimental factors. The plastic-film pickup rate, impurity rate of the recovered mulching film, and traction resistance were used as the test indicators. A four-factor, five-level quadratic regression orthogonal combination experiment was conducted using the Central Composite Design (CCD). The effect of each test factor on the test index of the plastic-film-picking system was studied, the regression models were established, and the optimal parameter combination was acquired by using the multi-objective optimization method. When the working speed was 6 km/h, the pickup-nail-tooth spacing was 228.6 mm, the depth of the film-lifting shovel into the soil was 37 mm, and the distance between the tip of the film shovel and the center of the pickup drum was 130 mm, the field experiment shows that the plastic-film pickup rate was 90.12%, the impurity rate of the recovered mulching film was 8.96%, and the traction resistance was 19.905 kN. The relative errors between the test results and the predicted values of the regression models were less than 5%, indicating that the parameter optimization regression models were reliable, and the designed friction-type nail-tooth-chain-plate plastic-film-picking system met the technical requirements of agricultural-plastic-film recycling. The research results can provide a technical reference for the development of mulching-film collection machines.
Weed Species’ Diversity and Composition as Shaped by the Interaction of Management, Site, and Soil Variables in Olive Groves of Southern Greece
Authors: Vahamidis Petros , Chachalis Demosthenis , Akrivou Antigoni , Karanasios Evangelos , Ganopoulou Maria , Argiri Apostolia , Mandoulaki Athanasia , Hatzigiannakis Evangelos , Arampatzis Georgios , Panagopoulos Andreas , Mantzouni Irene , Markellou Emilia
Published: March 2024

Gaining a comprehensive understanding of how weed communities respond to both environmental and human-induced factors is of paramount importance in developing effective and ecologically sound weed control strategies. The objectives of the current research were to (1) assess the effect of the main weed management practices used in Greek olive groves on weed species’ diversity; (2) explore the filtering effect of management, site, and soil variables in determining weed species’ composition; and (3) shed light on the association between weed species’ composition and the diversity of the understory vegetation of olive groves. To accomplish these objectives, winter weed species’ coverage was assessed in 116 olive groves, both conventional and organic, distributed across three provinces in southern Greece. The investigation encompassed 29 explanatory variables, categorized into three groups: soil (22), management practices (6), and site conditions (1). It was confirmed that glyphosate use may lower biodiversity and species richness; however, this trend was not universal. In fact, the negative influence of the presence of Oxalis pes-caprae L. on species richness and diversity far outweighed the effect of spraying glyphosate. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that among the 29 variables used to describe the ecological niche, eight (i.e., Mn, Mg, chemical spraying, mowing, rotary tiller, grazing, irrigation, and elevation) were significant and explained 21.5% of the total variation in weed species’ data. Interestingly, the soil Mn concentration was identified as the most influential one, highlighting the importance of soil micronutrients in determining weed species’ composition. The variation partitioning procedure demonstrated that the effect of the management variables on weed species’ composition accounted for 2.2 times the variance of soil variables and 4.5 times the variance of elevation. The present findings might help to enhance optimal management in olive groves that can sustain the biodiversity of flora and, in turn, provide various ecosystem services to agro-ecosystems.
Efficacy and Persistence of Entomopathogenic Fungi against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus on Date Palm: Host to Host Transmission
Authors: Alwaneen Waleed S. , Wakil Waqas , Kavallieratos Nickolas G. , Qayyum Mirza Abdul , Tahir Muhammad , Rasool Khawaja G. , Husain Mureed , Aldawood Abdulrahman S. , Shapiro-Ilan David
Published: March 2024

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae), is a destructive and voracious pest of palm species worldwide. Due to environmental and regulatory concerns, ecologically safe alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides are needed to manage this cryptic insect species. Entomopathogenic fungi have the potential to manage this pest. The scope of management and effectiveness can be improved by direct control or horizontal transmission of entomopathogenic fungal isolates. We tested in the laboratory the virulence and pathogenicity of fifteen different entomopathogenic fungal isolates belonging to the following species: Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria brongniartii and Purpureocillium lilacinum. All fungal isolates were found virulent against larvae (14.9 ± 1.06 to 81.5 ± 1.48% mortality) and adults (5.6 ± 1.12 to 51.7 ± 1.51% mortality) at 12 d post-treatment. From a screening bioassay, five M. anisopliae (WG-08, WG-09) and B. bassiana (WG-23, WG-24, WG-25) isolates were tested for their concentration response mortality against larvae and adults after 7, 14 and 21 days (d) of treatment. Mortality was found positively correlated with concentration and time. At 21 d of treatment, WG-23 and WG-25 1 × 108 conidia/mL resulted in 100% mortality against larvae while only WG-25 1 × 109 conidia/mL caused 100% mortality of adults. Along with mortality, all the potential isolates have strong ovicidal effects that reduced 81.49% at 1 × 108 conidia/mL. The horizontal transmission bioassay indicated that the infected adults transmitted the disease to healthy individuals. Horizontal transmission of fungi from infected to non-infected adults not only caused significant mortality but also had a serious sublethal impact on insect development and fitness including reduced number of eggs/d fecundity, egg viability and neonate survival. Isolate WG-25 reduced oviposition (0.5 eggs/d), fecundity (11.7 eggs/female), egg viability (11.6%) along with larval survival 25.9% when infected male mated with normal female. In semi-field trials, all fungal isolates reduced survival of larvae found inside the palms and ultimately reduced infestations over a period of two months. The results of this study indicate that entomopathogenic fungi should be further tested for sustainable and efficient control of RPW in date palm production systems.
Is the Removal of Nettles along Ditches Effective in Controlling Bois Noir in Vineyards?
Authors: Pavan Francesco , Frizzera Davide , Martini Marta , Lujan Carlos , Cargnus Elena
Published: March 2024

Bois noir (BN) is a grapevine yellows disease associated with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma (Ca. P.) solani’ that is transmitted to grapevines by the planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret which uses herbaceous plants such as Urtica dioica as a pathogen reservoir. Urtica dioica is often widespread along ditches bordering vineyards, and a gradient in decreasing BN symptomatic grapevines is observed from the vineyard edges facing these ditches. In two vineyards in north-eastern Italy, over eight or seven years, the ditch bordering one edge of each vineyard was divided into two sections; in one of these, U. dioica was chemically weeded in April, while the other one remained untreated. The impact of chemical weeding on the spatial distribution of both H. obsoletus captures and newly BN symptomatic grapevines was assessed. The reduction in H. obsoletus captures in the vineyard sector facing the section of the ditch subjected to weeding corresponded to a decrease in newly symptomatic grapevines. These findings demonstrated that nettle removal from areas surrounding vineyards can effectively control BN.
Estimation of Cadmium Content in Lactuca sativa L. Leaves Using Visible–Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Technology
Authors: Zhou Lina , Zhou Leijinyu , Wu Hongbo , Jing Tingting , Li Tianhao , Li Jinsheng , Kong Lijuan , Chen Limei
Published: March 2024

In order to monitor cadmium contamination in lettuce quickly, non-invasively, and accurately, and to understand the growth status of lettuce under cadmium pollution, lettuce was used as the test material to detect and analyze the visible–near-infrared reflectance spectra and leaf cadmium content under different concentrations of cadmium stress. A model for estimating lettuce leaf cadmium content was established. For model establishment, firstly, the original spectra were preprocessed using smoothing (Savitzky–Golay, SG), SG combined with multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), SG combined with standard normal variable transformation (SNV), SG combined with mean normalization (MN), SG combined with the first derivative (FD), SG combined with the second derivative (SD), SG combined with the baseline offset (B), and SG combined with de-trending (D). Then, the principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to perform dimensionality reduction on the data. Finally, the reduced dataset was divided into training and testing sets in a 2:1 ratio, and separate models for estimating the lettuce leaf cadmium content were built using partial least squares regression (PLSR), the backpropagation neural network (BP-NN), and support vector regression (SVR) in combination. The results showed that the accumulated cadmium content in lettuce leaves increased with an increase in the soil cadmium concentration. In the visible light range, the spectral reflectance of lettuce leaves increased with an increase in the cadmium concentration. In the near-infrared range, the spectral reflectance of the lettuce leaves under 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg cadmium stress was lower than that of the control group. The PLSR models established using the SG + MSC and SG + SNV preprocessing methods exhibited the strongest estimation capability for lettuce leaf cadmium content, with Rp2 and RMSEp values of 0.92 and 1.53 mg/kg, respectively, for the testing dataset. This study demonstrated that visible–near-infrared spectroscopy has great potential in monitoring cadmium contamination in lettuce.
High-Resolution Printing of Various Electronic Materials by Electrophotography
Authors: Ngu Chen Yi , Kozuki Kaito , Oshida Hinata , Lee Sang Bin , Hanazaki Raiki , Kado Sayaka , Kudo Kazuhiro , Sakai Masatoshi
Published: March 2024

Electrophotography is a digital, on-demand, dry, and page printing technique that operates based on toner particles of electronic materials using an electrostatic force and generates an electrical circuit via distribution of the toner particles. We developed a 10 μm linewidth resolution with various electronic materials, including conductors, semiconductors, and insulators, without any chemical pretreatments on the substrate films, while a 5 μm resolution was also possible for limited materials. The electrical resistivity of the printed Ag–Ni after an intense pulse light sintering was comparable to that of commercial indium tin oxide transparent films.
Activity and Dose Rate Calculations for Joint European Torus Outer Long-Term Irradiation Station during Tritium and Second Deuterium Tritium Experiment Campaigns
Authors: Tidikas Andrius , Stankūnas Gediminas , Breidokaitė Simona
Published: March 2024

The Joint European Torus (JET) is playing an important role in preparing for the operation of the future world’s largest tokomak, ITER. In this respect, the tritium campaign (C40) and second deuterium–tritium experiment (DTE2, C41) took place in the JET during the years 2021 and 2022. In this work, a corresponding irradiation scenario was utilized for the activation calculations of eight material foils located at the JET outer long-term irradiation station (OLTIS). Neutron-induced activities and dose rates at a 30 cm distance after shutdown at specified cooling intervals were calculated with the FISPACT-II code, employing the EAF-2010 nuclear and TENDL-2021 data libraries. The Monte Carlo MCNP6.2 particle transport code equipped with the FENDL-3.1d nuclear data library was used for the calculation of the neutron flux densities.
Experimental Study on Energy Evolution and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Fractured Sandstone under Cyclic Loading and Unloading
Authors: Xie Xuebin , Sun Kangshuai , Sheng Yeshan
Published: March 2024

To investigate the dynamic response of fractured rock under cyclic loading and unloading, a WHY-300/10 microcomputer-controlled electro-hydraulic servo universal testing machine was used to conduct uniaxial cyclic loading and unloading tests. Simultaneously, acoustic emission (AE) and a CCD high-speed camera were employed to monitor the fracturing characteristics of sandstone. The mechanical properties, energy evolution, AE characteristics, and deformation of 45° sandstone were analyzed. The results indicate that as the load cycle level increases, both the elastic modulus and deformation modulus exhibit a “parabolic” increase, with a rapid rise initially and a slower rate of increase later. The damping ratio generally shows a decreasing trend but tends to rise near the peak load. The total energy, elastic energy, dissipated energy, damping energy, and damage energy all follow exponential function increases with the load level. The b-value fluctuates significantly during the stable crack propagation phase, unstable crack propagation phase, and peak phase. When the FR (Felicity ratio > 1), the rock is relatively stable; when the FR (Felicity ratio < 1), the rock gradually extends towards an unstable state. The Felicity ratio can be used as a predictive tool for the precursors of rock failure. Shear fractures dominate during the compaction and peak phases, while tensile fractures dominate during the crack propagation phase, ultimately leading to a failure characterized by tensile fracture. High-speed camera observations revealed that deformation first occurs at the tips of the prefabricated cracks and gradually spreads and deflects toward the ends of the sandstone. This study provides theoretical support for exploring the mechanical behavior and mechanisms of fractured rock under cyclic loading and unloading, and it has significant practical implications.
Green Macroalgae Hydrolysate for Biofuel Production: Potential of Ulva rigida
Authors: Sayed Walaa , Cabrol Audrey , Salma Alaa , Amrane Abdeltif , Benoit Maud , Pierre Ronan , Djelal Hayet
Published: March 2024

In this study, the green macroalgae Ulva rigida, which contains 34.9% carbohydrates, underwent treatment with commercial hydrolytic enzymes. This treatment yielded a hydrolysate that contained 23 ± 0.6 g·L−1 of glucose, which was subsequently fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The fermentation process resulted in an ethanol concentration of 9.55 ± 0.20 g·L−1. The optimal conditions for ethanol production by S. cerevisiae were identified as follows: non-sterilized conditions, an absence of enrichment, and using an inoculum size of 118 mg·L−1. Under these conditions, the fermentation of the green macroalgal hydrolysate achieved a remarkable conversion efficiency of 80.78%. The ethanol o/t ratio, namely the ratios of the experimental to theoretical ethanol produced, for Scheffersomyces stipitis, Candida guilliermondii, Kluyveromyces marxianus, and S. cerevisiae after 48 h of fermentation were 52.25, 63.20, 70.49, and 82.87%, respectively. Furthermore, S. cerevisiae exhibited the best outcomes in terms of ethanol production (9.35 g·L−1) and conversion efficiency (80.78%) after 24 h (optimal time) of fermentation.
The Impact of Praise on Cooperative Behavior in Three-Player Public Goods Games and Its Gender Differences
Authors: Lv Jieyu , Zhang Yingjun
Published: March 2024

Previous research has primarily focused on static factors influencing cooperative behavior in social dilemmas, with less attention given to dynamic factors within group social interactions, such as positive feedback received during interactions, i.e., praise. This study, through a between-subjects online experiment with a single-factor, two-level design (praise: public praise/no praise), investigates the impact of praise on cooperative behavior changes across two rounds of a three-player public goods problem. Results revealed the following: (1) A positive correlation between individuals’ contributions across two rounds and a negative correlation with the number of correct answers in rule comprehension questions were evident; for men, a correlation between rule comprehension and first-round contributions was observed. (2) Multilevel model results showed that praise, role, and rule comprehension significantly positively affected contribution changes across two rounds; gender did not significantly affect contribution changes. Specifically, under public-praise conditions, contribution changes were greater. Publicly praised individuals showed positive or negative behavior changes, while those not praised in the same group showed positive changes. Men contributed significantly more in the first round than women, with no gender difference found in contribution changes. Rule comprehension positively predicted contribution changes, indicating that more correct answers led to greater positive changes in contributions. These results not only support the inferential social learning perspective, suggesting that through praise, individuals can infer external world perceptions and self-evaluations, affecting both the praised (positively or negatively) and positively influencing non-praised individuals in the same group, but also provide a theoretical basis and intervention strategies for team and organizational management in groups.
Wireless Sensor Placement Optimization for Bridge Health Monitoring: A Critical Review
Authors: Chen Gang , Shi Weixiang , Yu Lei , Huang Jizhuo , Wei Jiangang , Wang Jun
Published: March 2024

In recent years, wireless sensors have progressively supplanted conventional limited sensors owing to their attributes of small size, low cost, and high accuracy. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in leveraging wireless sensor networks for bridge structural health monitoring applications. By employing wireless sensor nodes to gather data from various segments of the bridge, information is relayed to a signal-receiving base station. Subsequently, the health status of the bridge is inferred through specific data processing and analysis, aiding monitoring personnel in making informed decisions. Nonetheless, there are limitations in this research, particularly pertaining to power consumption and efficiency issues in data acquisition and transmission, as well as in determining the appropriate wireless sensor types and deployment locations for different bridge configurations. This study aims to comprehensively examine research on the utilization of wireless sensor networks in the realm of bridge structural health monitoring. Employing a systematic evaluation methodology, more than one hundred relevant papers were assessed, leading to the identification of prevalent sensing techniques, data methodologies, and modal evaluation protocols in current use within the field. The findings indicate a heightened focus among contemporary scholars on challenges arising during the data acquisition and transmission processes, along with the development of optimal deployment strategies for wireless sensor networks. In continuing, the corresponding technical challenges are provided to address these concerns.
An Effective Digital Twin Modeling Method for Infrastructure: Application to Smart Pumping Stations
Authors: Feng Fan , Liu Zhansheng , Shi Guoliang , Mo Yanchi
Published: March 2024

Digital twin technology has evolved from a theoretical concept to practical application, facilitating seamless data exchange between virtual and physical domains. Although there has been progress, the infrastructure industry, which is recognized for its intricate nature and the need for timely action, is still in the first phases of digital twin advancement. A significant obstacle in this field is the absence of established definitions and modeling standards, which impede the precise depiction of infrastructure systems. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a high-precision digital twin modeling method tailored for pumping stations. The method focuses on two key scenarios: first, we construct an overall digital twin model that contains both physical entities and operational processes of pumping stations; second, we design a modeling process applicable to pumping stations by analyzing the deficiencies of the existing standard system. Additionally, we selected the East–West Water Transfer Project in China as a case study to demonstrate the high-precision digital twin model of a pumping station. This model will include essential components, such as the modeling of pumping stations, the operational processes of pumping stations, and the modeling of system operation analysis. Serving as the database for the digital twin, it can complete the automatic inspection of the pumping station, optimization of scheduling, prediction and regulation of energy and carbon emissions, and visualization of results for display and other applications. The model realized the benefits of 100% automatic inspection rate, reduction of eight corresponding operating personnel, and comprehensive cost saving of RMB 2.25 million. The objective of this research is to narrow the divide between theoretical concepts and real-world implementations by pushing the boundaries of digital twin modeling and offering valuable insights for its utilization in the infrastructure industry. It establishes the foundation for progress in the field of digital twin technology in the specific context of intricate infrastructure projects. This project aims to improve the practicality of digital twin technology in real-world situations, namely in the infrastructure industry.
Removal of Emerging Organic Pollutants by Zeolite Mineral (Clinoptilolite) Composite Photocatalysts in Drinking Water and Watershed Water
Authors: Zhou Pengfei , Wang Fei , Shen Yanbai , Duan Xinhui , Zhao Sikai , Chen Xiangxiang , Liang Jinsheng
Published: March 2024

One of the most challenging problems for people around the world is the lack of clean water. In the past few decades, the massive discharge of emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) into natural water bodies has exacerbated this crisis. Considerable research efforts have been devoted to removing these EOPs due to their biotoxicity at low concentrations. Heterogeneous photocatalysis via coupling clay minerals with nanostructured semiconductors has proven to be an economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly technology for the elimination of EOPs in drinking water and watershed water. Natural zeolite minerals (especially clinoptilolites) are regarded as appropriate supports for semiconductor-based photocatalysts due to their characteristics of having a low cost, environmental friendliness, easy availability, co-catalysis, etc. This review summarizes the latest research on clinoptilolites used as supports to prepare binary and ternary metal oxide or sulfide semiconductor-based hybrid photocatalysts. Various preparation methods of the composite photocatalysts and their degradation efficiencies for the target contaminants are introduced. It is found that the good catalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst could be attributed to the synergistic effect of combining the clinoptilolite adsorbent with the semiconductor catalyst in the heterogeneous system, which could endow the composites with an excellent adsorption capacity and produce more e−/h+ pairs under suitable light irradiation. Finally, we highlight the serious threat of EOPs to the ecological environment and propose the current challenges and limitations, before putting the zeolite mineral composite photocatalysts into practice. The present work would provide a theoretical basis and scientific support for the application of zeolite-based photocatalysts for degrading EOPs.
Efficient Photocatalytic Core–Shell Synthesis of Titanate Nanowire/rGO
Authors: Ye Xiaofang , Tian Yang , Gao Mengyao , Cheng Fangjun , Lan Jinshen , Chen Han , Lanoue Mark , Huang Shengli , Tian Z. Ryan
Published: March 2024

Wide bandgap semiconductor-based photocatalysts are usually limited by their low solar energy conversion efficiency due to their limited absorption solar wavelength, their rapid surface recombination of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs, and their low charge-carrier mobility. Here, we report a novel stepwise solution synthesis for achieving a new photocatalytic core–shell consisting of a titanate nanowire/reduced graphene oxide shell (or titanate/rGO) 1D-nanocomposite. The new core–shell nanocomposite maximized the specific surface area, largely reduced the charge transfer resistance and reaction energy barrier, and significantly improved the absorption of visible light. The core–shell nanocomposites’ large on/off current ratio and rapid photo-responses boosted the photocurrent by 30.0%, the photocatalysis rate by 50.0%, and the specific surface area by 16.4% when compared with the results for the pure titanate nanowire core. Our numerical simulations support the effective charge separation on the new core–shell nanostructure, which can help further advance the novel photocatalysis.
Unraveling the Significance of DGCR8 and miRNAs in Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Rodrigues Lia , Da Cruz Paula Arnaud , Soares Paula , Vinagre João
Published: March 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as negative regulators for protein-coding gene expression impacting cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. These miRNAs are frequently dysregulated in cancer and constitute classes of blood-based biomarkers useful for cancer detection and prognosis definition. In thyroid cancer (TC), the miRNA biogenesis pathway plays a pivotal role in thyroid gland formation, ensuring proper follicle development and hormone production. Several alterations in the miRNA biogenesis genes are reported as a causality for miRNA dysregulation. Mutations in microprocessor component genes are linked to an increased risk of developing TC; in particular, a recurrent mutation affecting DGCR8, the E518K. In this review, we explore these novel findings and resume the current state-of-the-art in miRNAs in thyroid carcinomas.
PC-PEP, a Comprehensive Daily Six-Month Home-Based Patient Empowerment Program Leads to Weight Loss in Men with Prostate Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of a Clinical Trial
Authors: MacNevin Wyatt , Ilie Gabriela , Rendon Ricardo , Mason Ross , Spooner Jesse , Chedrawe Emily , Patil Nikhilesh , Bowes David , Bailly Greg , Bell David , Wilke Derek , Zahavich Jeffery B. L. , MacDonald Cody , Rutledge Robert David Harold
Published: March 2024

Background: The Prostate Cancer—Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) is a six-month daily home-based program shown to improve mental health and urinary function. This secondary analysis explores weight loss in male PC-PEP participants. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial with 128 men undergoing curative prostate cancer (PC) treatment, 66 received ‘early’ PC-PEP, while 62 were assigned to the ‘late’ waitlist-control group, receiving 6 months of standard-of-care treatment followed by 6 months of PC-PEP. PC-PEP comprised 182 daily emails with video-based exercise and dietary (predominantly plant-based) education, live online events, and 30 min strength training routines (using body weight and elastic bands). Weight and height data were collected via online surveys (baseline, 6 months, and 12 months) including medical chart reviews. Adherence was tracked weekly. Results: No attrition or adverse events were reported. At 6 months, the early PC-PEP group experienced significant weight loss, averaging 2.7 kg (p < 0.001) compared to the waitlist-control group. Weight loss was noted in the late intervention group of PC-PEP, albeit less pronounced than in the early group. Early PC-PEP surgery patients lost on average 1.4 kg (SE = 0.65) from the trial’s start to surgery day. High adherence to exercise and dietary recommendations was noted. Conclusions: PC-PEP led to significant weight loss in men undergoing curative prostate cancer treatment compared to standard-of-care.
Development of a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Protocol to Evaluate Hand Pain in Systemic Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Balbach Meridith L. , Corty Robert , Hill Bradford , Frech Tracy , Aslam Fawad , Chew Erin Y.
Published: March 2024

Hand impairment is a frequently reported complaint in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and a leading cause of disability and diminished quality of life. Managing hand pain can be particularly challenging due to the coexistence of non-inflammatory arthralgias, inflammatory arthritis, acro-osteolysis, tenosynovitis, joint contractures, tendon friction rubs, nerve entrapment, Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP), digital ulcers (DU), sclerodactyly, calcinosis, and chronic pain. While physical examination and radiographs are the first line methods for evaluating hand pain, they are limited in scope and miss many underlying etiologies of hand impairment. We propose a joint ultrasound (US) hand protocol to differentiate between various articular, periarticular, ischemic, skin, and nerve pathologies and to assist in targeted treatment strategies.
ReClassification of Patients with Ambiguous CA125 for Optimised Pre-Surgical Triage
Authors: Stephens Andrew N. , Hobbs Simon J. , Kang Sung-Woog , Oehler Martin K. , Jobling Tom W. , Allman Richard
Published: March 2024

Pre-surgical clinical assessment of an adnexal mass is a complex process, and ideally requires accurate and rapid identification of disease status. Gold standard biomarker CA125 is extensively used off-label for this purpose; however its performance is typically inadequate, particularly for the detection of early stage disease and discrimination between benign versus malignant status. We recently described a multi-marker panel (MMP) and associated risk index for the differentiation of benign from malignant ovarian disease. In this study we applied a net reclassification approach to assess the use of MMP index to rescue those cases where low CA125 incorrectly excludes cancer diagnoses, or where benign disease is incorrectly assessed as “high risk” due to elevated CA125. Reclassification of such patients is of significant value to assist in the timely and accurate referral for patients where CA125 titer is uninformative.
Prophylactic Use of Pentoxifylline and Tocopherol for Prevention of Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw after Dental Extraction in Post-Radiated Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients: An Initial Case Series
Authors: Owosho Adepitan A. , DeColibus Katherine A. , Okhuaihesuyi Osariemen , Levy Layne C.
Published: March 2024

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw is a morbid complication of radiotherapy in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancers that may be precipitated by dental extractions. Pentoxifylline and tocopherol (PENTO) has been utilized in the management of osteoradionecrosis and as prophylaxis for post-radiated head and neck oncology patients requiring an invasive dental procedure. This observational study aims to report the outcome of the prophylactic use of PENTO in the prevention of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw after dental extractions in post-radiated oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients and to review the current literature on this topic. Four post-radiated oral and oropharyngeal oncology patients were referred to the dental oncology clinic of the University Dental Practice, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center for dental extractions. All four patients were prescribed pentoxifylline 400 mg BID (twice a day) and tocopherol 400 IU BID (oral tablets) for 2 weeks before extraction(s) and for 6 weeks after extraction(s). All patients were followed up every week after the second week post-extraction if feasible until the extraction site(s) healed (covered by mucosa). The assessment endpoint was defined as 6 weeks post-extraction with the outcomes assessed as using four categories determined by the area of exposed bone: complete healing (complete mucosal coverage of extraction site); partial healing (reduction in size of extraction site); no change; and progression (increase in size of the extraction site). At the assessment endpoint, all patients had complete healing of all extraction sites. The ORN rate at the patient level (0/4) and individual tooth level (0/8) was 0%. All patients tolerated the PENTO medications and no adverse effects from the use of these medications were reported. This limited study in addition to the other reviewed studies estimates the rate of ORN at the patient level as 3.2% (14/436) for post-radiated head and neck oncology patients after dental extractions/invasive oral procedures. In conclusion, this PENTO regimen can reduce/prevent the incidence of ORN in post-radiated head and neck oncology patients. This safe and cost-effective protocol (PENTO regimen) should be further evaluated as prophylaxis for post-radiated head and neck oncology patients requiring an invasive dental procedure. We recommend large prospective studies to be carried out to further validate these findings.
RETRACTED: Liu, X.; Yuan, M. A Global Structural Hypergraph Convolutional Model for Bundle Recommendation. Electronics 2023, 12, 3952
Authors: Liu Xingtong , Yuan Man
Published: March 2024

The Electronics Editorial Office retracts the article “A Global Structural Hypergraph Convolutional Model for Bundle Recommendation” [...]
Random Access Preamble Design and Timing Advance Estimation for OTFS Systems in High-Mobility Scenarios
Authors: Geng Xue , Zhu Ning , Chen Zhuo , Ci Cheng , Wang Zonglian , Wu Hong
Published: March 2024

The uplink timing synchronization is indispensable for establishing a reliable link between the base station and the user equipment (UE). To tackle this problem, a new random access preamble (RAP) waveform is designed for cellular communication systems operating in high-mobility scenarios for orthogonal time frequency space systems. Meanwhile, we also propose a scheme to detect access UEs and estimate the corresponding round-trip propagation delay (i.e., timing advance (TA)). Concretely, the RAP root sequence consists of chirp sequences in the delay-Doppler domain, and the set of available RAPs is generated by cyclic shifting the root sequence. Then, the cross-correlation in the fractional Fourier domain is carried out to achieve the RAP detection and TA estimation of the access UEs. Exhaustive numerical simulation results corroborate that the proposed scheme has a superior RAP detection and TA estimation performance and exhibits sufficient robustness regarding Doppler shifts and the number of UEs.
FI-NPI: Exploring Optimal Control in Parallel Platform Systems
Authors: Wang Ruiyang , Gu Qiuxiang , Lu Siyu , Tian Jiawei , Yin Zhengtong , Yin Lirong , Zheng Wenfeng
Published: March 2024

Typically, the current and speed loop closure of servo motor of the parallel platform is accomplished with incremental PI regulation. The control method has strong robustness, but the parameter tuning process is cumbersome, and it is difficult to achieve the optimal control state. In order to further optimize the performance, this paper proposes a double-loop control structure based on fuzzy integral and neuron proportional integral (FI-NPI). The structure makes full use of the control advantages of the fuzzy controller and integrator to improve the performance of speed closed-loop control. And through the feedforward branch, the speed error is used as the teacher signal for neuron supervised learning, which improves the effect of current closed-loop control. Through comparative simulation experiments, this paper verifies that the FI-NPI controller has a faster dynamic response speed than the traditional PI controller. Finally, in this paper, the FI-NPI controller is implemented in C language in the servo-driven lower computer, and the speed closed-loop test of the BLDC motor is carried out. The experimental results show that the FI-NPI double-loop controller is better than the traditional double-PI controller in performance indicators such as convergence rate and RMSE, which confirms that the FI-NPI double-loop controller is more suitable for BLDC servo control.
Causal-Based Approaches to Explain and Learn from Self-Extension—A Review
Authors: Marfil Rebeca , Bustos Pablo , Bandera Antonio
Published: March 2024

The last decades have seen a revolution in autonomous robotics. Deep learning approaches and their hardware implementations have made it possible to endow robots with extraordinary perceptual capabilities. In addition, they can benefit from advances in Automated Planning, allowing them to autonomously solve complex tasks. However, on many occasions, the robot still acts without internalising and understanding the reasons behind a perception or an action, beyond an immediate response to a current state of the context. This gap results in limitations that affect its performance, reliability, and trustworthiness. Deep learning alone cannot bridge this gap because the reasons behind behaviour, when it emanates from a model in which the world is a black-box, are not accessible. What is really needed is an underlying architecture based on deeper reasoning. Among other issues, this architecture should enable the robot to generate explanations, allowing people to know why the robot is performing, or has performed, a certain action, or the reasons that may have caused a certain plan failure or perceptual anomaly. Furthermore, when these explanations arise from a cognitive process and are shared, and thus validated, with people, the robot should be able to incorporate these explanations into its knowledge base, and thus use this understanding to improve future behaviour. Our article looks at recent advances in the development of self-aware, self-evolving robots. These robots are designed to provide the necessary explanations to their human counterparts, thereby enhancing their functional capabilities in the quest to gain their trust.
Validation of a Mid-Fidelity Numerical Approach for Wind Turbine Aerodynamics Characterization
Authors: Savino Alberto , Ferreri Andrea , Zanotti Alex
Published: March 2024

This work is aimed at investigating the capabilities and limits of the mid-fidelity numerical solver DUST for the evaluation of wind turbines aerodynamic performance. In particular, this study was conducted by analysing the benchmarks NREL-5 MW and Phase VI wind turbines, widely investigated in the literature via experimental and numerical activities. The work was started by simulating a simpler configuration of the NREL-5 MW turbine to progressively integrate complexities such as shaft tilt, cone effects and yawed inflow conditions, offering a detailed portrayal of their collective impact on turbine performance. A particular focus was then given to the evaluation of aerodynamic responses from the tower and nacelle, as well as aerodynamic behavior in yawed inflow condition, crucial for optimizing farm layouts. In the second phase, the work was focused on the NREL Phase VI turbine due to the availability of experimental data on this benchmark case. A comparison of DUST simulation results with both experimental data and high-fidelity CFD tools shows the robustness and adaptability of this mid-fidelity solver for these applications, thus opening a new scenario for the use of such mid-fidelity tools for the preliminary design of novel wind turbine configurations or complex environments as wind farms, characterised by robust interactional aerodynamics.