bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of digital transformation on green total factor productivity of heavily polluting enterprises
Authors: Han Jiabin , Sun Ruyu , Zeeshan Muhammad , Rehman Alam , Ullah Irfan
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Digital transformation has become an important engine for economic high-quality development and environment high-level protection. However, green total factor productivity (GTFP), as an indicator that comprehensively reflects economic and environmental benefits, there is a lack of studies that analyze the effect of digital transformation on heavily polluting enterprises’ GTFP from a micro perspective, and its impact mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we aim to study the impact of digital transformation on heavily polluting enterprises’ GTFP and its mechanism, and explore the heterogeneity of its impact.

Methods

We use Chinese A-share listed enterprises in the heavily polluting industry data from 2007 to 2019, measure enterprise digital transformation indicator using text analysis, and measure enterprise GTFP indicator using the GML index based on SBM directional distance function, to investigate the impact of digital transformation on heavily polluting enterprises’ GTFP.

Results

Digital transformation can significantly enhance heavily polluting enterprises’ GTFP, and this finding still holds after considering the endogenous problem and conducting robustness tests. Digital transformation can enhance heavily polluting enterprises’ GTFP by promoting green innovation, improving management efficiency, and reducing external transaction costs. The improvement role of digital transformation on heavily polluting enterprises’ GTFP is more obvious in the samples of non-state-owned enterprises, non-high-tech industries, and the eastern region. Compared with blockchain technology, artificial intelligence technology, cloud computing technology, big data technology, and digital technology application can significantly improve heavily polluting enterprises’ GTFP.

Discussion

Our paper breaks through the limitations of existing research, which not only theoretically enriches the literature related to digital transformation and GTFP, but also practically provides policy implications for continuously promoting heavily polluting enterprises’ digital transformation and facilitating their high-quality development.
Compliance with medical regimen among hematological cancer patients and its association with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and adjustment disorder
Authors: Springer Franziska , Esser Peter , Friedrich Michael , Ernst Jochen , Platzbecker Uwe , Vucinic Vladan , Mehnert-Theuerkauf Anja
Published: November 2023

Background

Hematological cancer patients must comply with extensive medical instructions to prevent cancer progression or relapse. Psychological comorbidities and patient characteristics have been shown to affect compliance. However, the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorder (AjD) on compliance in cancer patients remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate compliance in hematological cancer patients more comprehensively and to investigate its association with PTSD and AjD symptomatology as well as sociodemographic and medical factors.

Methods

Hematological cancer patients were cross-sectionally assessed via validated questionnaires for PTSD (PCL-5) and AjD (ADMN-20), and three internally developed items on compliance with medical regimen, with two referring to compliance behavior and one item assessing perceived difficulties with complying. Each compliance item was analyzed descriptively. Multiple linear regression models tested the association between compliance and PTSD and AjD symptomatology, sociodemographic and medical factors.

Results

In total, 291 patients were included (response rate 58%). Nine out of ten patients reported to either never (67%) or rarely (25%) change their medical regimen. However, 8% reported to change it once in a while or often. Compliance behavior was mostly rated as very easy (36%) or easy (45%) to implement. Nevertheless, 19% perceived it to be partly difficult or difficult to follow medical regimen. Symptoms of AjD (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) were associated with more difficulties to comply. Higher compliance behavior in turn was associated with stem cell transplantation (SCT) treatment (β = −0.21, p < 0.001) and lower education (β = −0.19, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Although most patients indicated that they comply with medical regimen, a considerable subgroup of patients indicated subjectively perceived difficulties and thus seem to require additional support in implementing medical instructions possibly through improved medical communication and patient health literacy or shared decision-making.
How far can the self be extended? Automatic attention capture is triggered not only by the self-face
Authors: Żochowska Anna , Wójcik Michał J. , Nowicka Anna
Published: November 2023

The preferential processing of self-related information is thought to be driven by its high level of familiarity. However, some behavioral studies have shown that people may exhibit a preference for initially unfamiliar stimuli that have been associated with themselves arbitrarily. One of the key questions that needs to be addressed concerns the role of early attention in the prioritization of newly acquired information associated with the self. Another question is whether both highly familiar as well as new information referring to a subjectively significant person (i.e. close-other) benefits from preferential attentional processing. We aimed to tackle both questions by investigating the neural mechanisms involved in processing extremely familiar stimuli, like one’s own face or the face of a close-other, as well as stimuli (abstract shapes) that were newly linked to each person. We used a dot-probe paradigm that allowed us to investigate the early stages of attentional prioritization. Our analysis of the N2pc component unveiled that attention was automatically captured by the self-face, a shape associated with oneself, and the face of the close person. However, a shape associated with the close-other did not elicit the same attentional response, as the N2pc was absent. Thus, both the self-face and information referring to the extended self (self-assigned shape, close-other’s face) benefit from preferential early and automatic attentional processing.
Progression of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazilian healthcare workers’ emotional burden and the effects on professional fulfillment at the end of the third wave: a longitudinal study
Authors: Loureiro Sonia Regina , Zuardi Antônio Waldo , Silveira Isabella Lara Machado , Crippa José Alexandre de Souza , Hallak Jaime Eduardo Cecílio , Osório Flávia de Lima
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Even though the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ mental health remain unknown, such effects might negatively impact health services and patient safety, especially in countries like Brazil, where there is little investment in public health policies.

Objectives

To assess how the mental health indicators of Brazilian healthcare workers progressed between the beginning and 2 years after the pandemic (at the end of the third wave when there was a significant decrease in the number of new cases and deaths).

Methods

The sample comprised healthcare workers whose mental health indicators have been monitored since the beginning of the pandemic in Brazil. The potential participants were addressed via social media and contacted through class councils and health institutions across Brazil. A total of 165 participants answered instruments at the baseline and 2 years after the pandemic. Data were collected online using the Redcap platform and addressed symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, insomnia, and burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and professional fulfillment).

Results

Brazilian healthcare workers faced three periods of intensified incidence of new cases and deaths due to COVID-19 for 2 years. Approximately one-third of the sample still experiences high levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Insomnia indicators remained the most prevalent compared to the baseline assessment, while post-traumatic stress symptoms (p = 0.04) and professional fulfillment (p = 0.005) decreased.

Conclusion

The lack of positive changes in mental health indicators coupled with decreased professional fulfillment over time highlights the pandemic’s chronic effects and the need for organizations to monitor these workers’ mental health, especially in developing countries like Brazil, where there is a high demand for health services and public policies are poorly structured and unstable.
A social innovation to empower community-led monitoring and mobilization for HIV prevention in rural Kenya: experimenting to reduce the HIV prevention policy-implementation gap
Authors: Goodman Michael , Turan Janet , Keiser Philip , Seidel Sarah , Raimer-Goodman Lauren , Gitari Stanley , Mukiri Fridah , Brault Marie , Patel Premal
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Strong policy guidance has recently emerged identifying focal points at multiple levels and across sectors to end the persistent HIV pandemic and related inequities. Reducing the policy-implementation gap, as with the evidence-policy gap, requires strategic alignment between interventional research and policy realms. Global- and national-level HIV policy indicate a need for community-led efforts to reduce HIV stigma, and increase uptake of HIV prevention tools.

Methods

This study assesses a process-driven approach to facilitating community-led efforts to reduce HIV stigma, and build a generative context for community-led HIV prevention. The study intervention combines an adapted group-based microfinance process, a novel psychological curriculum, and leadership development at a scale now involving over 10,000 rural Kenyans across 39 villages.

Results

Consistent with interventional goals, and current relevant psychosocial theories, we find collective emotion, and HIV stigma (blame and discrimination) significantly improve with more time participating in the in the program and novel curriculum. Further, HIV stigma predicts subsequent reporting of ever being tested for HIV, and the intervention led to the development of “HIV prevention resource committees” – groups of participants committed to undergo training to reduce HIV stigma and prevent HIV within their communities.

Discussion

Implications for further research to reduce the HIV policy-implementation gap are discussed, directly within this interventional context and more generally.
Continuous false positive results by SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing: a case report
Authors: Galipeau Yannick , Xavier Abishek , Dyks Aaron , Cooper Curtis , Langlois Marc-André
Published: November 2023

Efficient and rapid identification of active SARS-CoV-2 infections has been key to monitoring and mitigating the spread of the virus. The implementation of nucleic acid testing (e.g., RT-PCR) was broadly adopted by most public health organizations at the national and community levels across the globe, which was followed by more accessible means of home testing including lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFA), also known as a rapid antigen test. Here we report the case of an adult female who repeatedly and consecutively tested positive by RAT (BTNX inc). This sustained false positive was not linked with an active SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was ruled out by RT-PCR and serological analyses. SARS-CoV-2 serology revealed no detectable levels of antibodies against the nucleocapsid suggesting no recent prior infection by SARS-CoV-2. This continuous false positive was limited to BTNX testing devices. This case report aims to describe that such continuous false positives can occur and describes alternative testing approaches that can be performed to confirm RAT results. In addition, broader awareness of such occurrences is warranted in the healthcare and public health community to avoid unnecessary negative impacts on individual’s day to day life.
Characterizing the role of human behavior in the effectiveness of contact-tracing applications
Authors: Fosch Ariadna , Aleta Alberto , Moreno Yamir
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Although numerous countries relied on contact-tracing (CT) applications as an epidemic control measure against the COVID-19 pandemic, the debate around their effectiveness is still open. Most studies indicate that very high levels of adoption are required to stop disease progression, placing the main interest of policymakers in promoting app adherence. However, other factors of human behavior, like delays in adherence or heterogeneous compliance, are often disregarded.

Methods

To characterize the impact of human behavior on the effectiveness of CT apps we propose a multilayer network model reflecting the co-evolution of an epidemic outbreak and the app adoption dynamics over a synthetic population generated from survey data. The model was initialized to produce epidemic outbreaks resembling the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and was used to explore the impact of different changes in behavioral features in peak incidence and maximal prevalence.

Results

The results corroborate the relevance of the number of users for the effectiveness of CT apps but also highlight the need for early adoption and, at least, moderate levels of compliance, which are factors often not considered by most policymakers.

Discussion

The insight obtained was used to identify a bottleneck in the implementation of several apps, such as the Spanish CT app, where we hypothesize that a simplification of the reporting system could result in increased effectiveness through a rise in the levels of compliance.
Reducing the negative impact of accidents associated with the release of dangerous substances to environment
Authors: Marková Iveta , Kubás Jozef , Štofková Zuzana , Petrlová Katarína
Published: November 2023

Background

The article is concerned with an evaluation of the current state of emergency readiness of industrial companies in the event of dangerous substance leakage and with a presentation of textile sorbents used for the purposes of capturing an escaped substance.

Methods

A part of the article is concerned with the experimental designation of sorption capacity of hydrophobic, chemical, and universal sorption mats for chosen polar (water and alcohol) and non-polar (oil and gasoline) liquids. Experiments were realized according to Standard Test Method for Sorbent Performance of Adsorbents for use on Crude Oil and Related Spills, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F726-17), type I. and Test methods for non-woven fabrics, European Union International Organization for Standardization (EN ISO 9073-6:2004). The aim of the article is an experimental designation of sorption capacity of textile sorption mats using two different methods, a comparison of the acquired results and a comparison of the acquired data with the data given by the manufacturer.

Results

Textile sorbents, which can, owing to their sorption ability, allow the elimination or mitigation of a negative impact of a possible accident in the company connected with an escape of a liquid dangerous substance were tested and compared with the established values. Based on the obtained results it is possible to state that sorption capacities of the chemical and universal mat for the substrate water are equal and consistent with the data given by the manufacturer. Textile sorption mats also have a comparable sorption capacity. The sorption capacity on the substrate gasoline is the same in all textile sorbents. The adsorption capacity per unit mass all type’s sorbents was similar for non-polar liquids (gasoline was values from 6.41 to 6.57 and oil was values from 9.54 to 10.24).

Conclusion

The acquired results confirmed the universality of textile sorption mats for gasoline. Sorption capacities of the chemical and universal mat for the substrate water are equal and match the data given by the manufacturer. Textile sorption mats have a maximum sorption output up to 60 s, afterwards the sorption capacity values remain unchanged.
A guaranteed income intervention to improve the health and financial well-being of low-income black emerging adults: study protocol for the Black Economic Equity Movement randomized controlled crossover trial
Authors: Lippman Sheri A. , Libby Margaret K. , Nakphong Michelle K. , Arons Abigail , Balanoff Monica , Mocello Adrienne Rain , Arnold Emily A. , Shade Starley B. , Qurashi Fahad , Downing Alexandria , Moore Alexis , Dow William H. , Lightfoot Marguerita A.
Published: November 2023

Background

Economic inequity systematically affects Black emerging adults (BEA), aged 18–24, and their healthy trajectory into adulthood. Guaranteed income (GI)–temporary, unconditional cash payments–is gaining traction as a policy solution to address the inequitable distribution of resources sewn by decades of structural racism and disinvestment. GI provides recipients with security, time, and support to enable their transition into adulthood and shows promise for improving mental and physical health outcomes. To date, few GI pilots have targeted emerging adults. The BEEM trial seeks to determine whether providing GI to BEA improves financial wellbeing, mental and physical health as a means to address health disparities.

Methods/design

Using a randomized controlled crossover trial design, 300 low-income BEA from San Francisco and Oakland, California, are randomized to receive a $500/month GI either during the first 12-months of follow-up (Phase I) or during the second 12-months of a total of 24-months follow-up (Phase II). All participants are offered enrollment in optional peer discussion groups and financial mentoring to bolster financial capability. Primary intention-to-treat analyzes will evaluate the impact of GI at 12 months among Phase I GI recipients compared to waitlist arm participants using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Primary outcomes include: (a) financial well-being (investing in education/training); (b) mental health status (depressive symptoms); and (c) unmet need for mental health and sexual and reproductive health services. Secondary analyzes will examine effects of optional financial capability components using GEE with causal inference methods to adjust for differences across sub-strata. We will also explore the degree to which GI impacts dissipate after payments end. Study outcomes will be collected via surveys every 3 months throughout the study. A nested longitudinal qualitative cohort of 36 participants will further clarify how GI impacts these outcomes. We also discuss how anti-racism praxis guided the intervention design, evaluation design, and implementation.

Discussion

Findings will provide the first experimental evidence of whether targeted GI paired with complementary financial programming improves the financial well-being, mental health, and unmet health service needs of urban BEA. Results will contribute timely evidence for utilizing GI as a policy tool to reduce health disparities.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05609188.
Client satisfaction and associated factors towards the health service provided to members of a community-based health insurance scheme in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Babore Getachew Ossabo , Ashine Taye Mezigebu , Heliso Asnakech Zekiwos , Habebo Teshome Tesfaye
Published: November 2023

Background

Globally, 1.3 billion poor people have no access to health services due to their inability to afford payment when they need services. According to a report published by the WHO in 2014, globally 150 million people are pushed into poverty as a result of direct payment for health services.

Objective

This study aims to assess the satisfaction level of clients and associated factors toward health services provided to members of a community-based health insurance (CBHI) scheme.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A total sample size of 393 people was estimated using a single population formula, and three health facilities (HFs) were selected using a simple random sampling method, whereas study participants were selected by using a systematic sampling method. All patients who visited the HFs were included, whereas women who visited the HFs for maternity service were excluded from the study. A reliability test (Cronbach’s alpha) was performed to determine the internal consistency for these items to measure the satisfaction level of the clients. Epi Info software version 7 was used to calculate the sample size and to enter data, whereas further data cleaning and analysis were conducted using SPSS software version 20.

Results

A total of 367 clients enrolled in the community-based health insurance scheme were interviewed, showing a response rate of 93%. The reliability test (Cronbach's alpha) value for the items used to measure level of client satisfaction was 0.817. The overall level of the clients’ mean satisfaction toward health service provision was 63.1% (3.95 + 0.47 SD). This study found that age with AOR = 0.11 [95% CI (0.01–0.79)], residence with AOR = 1.80 [95% CI (1.79–3.66)], number of family with AOR = 2.27 [95% CI (1.46–11.22)], frequency of visits to HFs with AOR = 13.62 [95% CI (2.09–88.58)], and clients’ level of knowledge with AOR = 3.33 [95% CI (1.06–10.42) had a statistical significant association with client satisfaction toward health service provision.

Conclusion

Our study found that the perceived level of client satisfaction is higher than previous studies. Residence, frequency of visits, level of knowledge, payment during referral time, number of family members, and frequency of visits were identified as predictors of client satisfaction on the health service provision.
Sacral terminal filar cyst: a distinct variant of spinal meningeal cyst and midterm clinical outcome following combination resection surgery
Authors: Lin Guozhong , Yang Chenlong , Yu Tao , Zhang Jia , Si Yu , Wu Chao , Ma Changcheng , Liu Bin , Yang Jun , Xie Jingcheng
Published: November 2023

Objective

Spinal meningeal cysts (SMCs) are currently classified into three types: extradural cysts without nerve root fibers (Type I), extradural cysts with nerve root fibers (Type II), and intradural cysts (Type III). However, the sacral terminal filar cyst is a distinct subtype with the filum terminale rather than nerve roots within the cyst. This study aimed to investigate the clinicoradiological characteristics and surgical outcomes of sacral terminal filar cysts.

Methods

A total of 32 patients with sacral terminal filar cysts were enrolled. Clinical and radiological profiles were collected. All patients were surgically treated, and preoperative and follow-up neurological functions were evaluated.

Results

Chronic lumbosacral pain and sphincter dysfunctions were the most common symptoms. On MRI, the filum terminale could be identified within the cyst in all cases, and low-lying conus medullaris was found in 23 (71.9%) cases. The filum terminale was dissociated and cut off in all cases, and the cyst wall was completely resected in 23 (71.9%) cases. After a median follow-up period of 26.5 ± 15.5 months, the pain and sphincter dysfunctions were significantly improved (both P < 0.0001). The cyst recurrence was noted in only 1 (3.1%) case.

Conclusions

Sacral terminal filar cysts are rare, representing a distinct variant of SMCs. Typical MRI features, including filum terminale within the cyst and low-lying conus medullaris, may suggest the diagnosis. Although the optimal surgical strategy remains unclear, we recommend a combination of resection of the cyst wall and dissociation of the filum terminale. The clinical outcomes can be favorable.
Seven governing principles in biology
Authors: Moon Tae Seok
Published: November 2023

In physical science such as physics and chemistry, there are governing principles that are universal and applicable to all relevant systems, including energy conservation, entropy increase, uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics, and chemical equilibrium. However, what are governing principles in biology that are unique to all living systems? After collecting opinions and thoughts from diverse scientists and engineers all over the world, I summarize seven governing principles or laws in biology: central dogma, evolution, biological robustness, regeneration, reproduction, development, and causality. Some of these are not necessarily unique in biological systems from a reductionist’s point of view (e.g., causality), and others are applicable predominantly to eukaryotes (e.g., reproduction and development). Notably, many engineering systems have mimicked biological systems to enhance their performance. In this perspective article, I discuss these principles to better understand the rules of life and help construct improved engineering systems that we can use and control in an ethical, safe, and rational way.
Adaptive Fuzzy Power Management Strategy for Extended-Range Electric Logistics Vehicles Based on Driving Pattern Recognition
Authors: Wei Changyin , Wang Xiaodong , Chen Yunxing , Wu Huawei , Chen Yong
Published: November 2023

The primary objective of an energy management strategy is to achieve optimal fuel economy through proper energy distribution. The adoption of a fuzzy energy management strategy is hindered due to different reasons, such as uncertainties surrounding its adaptability and sustainability compared to conventional energy control methods. To address this issue, a fuzzy energy management strategy based on long short-term memory neural network driving pattern recognition is proposed. The time-frequency characteristics of vehicle speed are obtained using the Hilbert–Huang transform method. The multi-dimensional features are composed of the time-frequency features of vehicle speed and the time-domain signals of the accelerator pedal and brake pedal. A novel driving pattern recognition approach is designed using a long short-term memory neural network. A dual-input and single-output fuzzy controller is proposed, which takes the required power of the vehicle and the state of charge of the battery as the input, and the comprehensive power of the range extender as the output. The parameters of the fuzzy controller are selected according to the category of driving pattern. The results show that the fuel consumption of the method proposed in this paper is 5.8% lower than that of the traditional fuzzy strategy, and 4.2% lower than the fuzzy strategy of the two-dimensional feature recognition model. In general, the proposed EMS can effectively improve the fuel consumption of extended-range electric vehicles.
Ensuring Safety for Artificial-Intelligence-Based Automatic Speech Recognition in Air Traffic Control Environment
Authors: Pinska-Chauvin Ella , Helmke Hartmut , Dokic Jelena , Hartikainen Petri , Ohneiser Oliver , Lasheras Raquel García
Published: November 2023

This paper describes the safety assessment conducted in SESAR2020 project PJ.10-W2-96 ASR on automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology implemented for air traffic control (ATC) centers. ASR already now enables the automatic recognition of aircraft callsigns and various ATC commands including command types based on controller–pilot voice communications for presentation at the controller working position. The presented safety assessment process consists of defining design requirements for ASR technology application in normal, abnormal, and degraded modes of ATC operations. A total of eight functional hazards were identified based on the analysis of four use cases. The safety assessment was supported by top-down and bottom-up modelling and analysis of the causes of hazards to derive system design requirements for the purposes of mitigating the hazards. Assessment of achieving the specified design requirements was supported by evidence generated from two real-time simulations with pre-industrial ASR prototypes in approach and en-route operational environments. The simulations, focusing especially on the safety aspects of ASR application, also validated the hypotheses that ASR reduces controllers’ workload and increases situational awareness. The missing validation element, i.e., an analysis of the safety effects of ASR in ATC, is the focus of this paper. As a result of the safety assessment activities, mitigations were derived for each hazard, demonstrating that the use of ASR does not increase safety risks and is, therefore, ready for industrialization.
Echoes of a Stressful Past: Abiotic Stress Memory in Crop Plants towards Enhanced Adaptation
Authors: Lagiotis Georgios , Madesis Panagiotis , Stavridou Evangelia
Published: November 2023

Plants can develop stress memory as a response to various abiotic stresses, but the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Most of the knowledge concerning the mechanisms of stress memory development and inheritance in plants is primarily based on research in the model plant Arabidopsis. While shared mechanisms exist across plant species, it is crucial to expand our understanding of epigenetic regulation in crops. Stress priming, or prior exposure to mild stress, can enhance a plant’s adaptation to future stress events and the development of stress memory. During stress priming, plants undergo physiological, biochemical, molecular, and epigenetic changes that can be transient or maintained throughout their lifespan, and in some cases, these changes can also be inherited by the offspring. In this review, we present the current state of knowledge on the development of priming-induced stress memory in agronomically important crops towards stress resilience. The most prominent abiotic stresses, namely, heat, cold, salt, drought, and waterlogging, are highlighted in relation to stress cis-/trans-priming and memory development at the intra-, inter-, and transgenerational levels. The cost for developing stress memory in plants along with the duration of these memory imprints and stress memory fading are also discussed. This review is particularly important in the era of climate change, which necessitates the development of agricultural sustainability strategies.
Precision Location-Aware and Intelligent Scheduling System for Monorail Transporters in Mountain Orchards
Authors: Lyu Shilei , Li Qiafeng , Li Zhen , Liang Hengmao , Chen Jiayu , Liu Yuanyuan , Huang Huixian
Published: November 2023

This study addressed the issue of the real-time monitoring and control of the transporter in a mountain orchard terrain characterized by varying topography, closed canopy, shade, and other environmental factors. This study involved independent research and the development of a series of electric monorail transporters. First, the application requirements of “Where is the monorail transporter?” were examined, and an accurate location-aware method based on high-frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) technology was proposed. In addition, a location-aware hardware system based on STM32 + RFID + LoRa was designed to determine the position of the monorail transporter on a rail. Second, regarding the application requirements of “Where is the monorail transporter going?”, a multimode control gateway system based on Raspberry Pi + LoRa + 5G was designed. An Android mobile terminal can obtain operational information about the transport plane in real time through the gateway system and remotely control its operation. The track-changing branch structure enables multimachine autonomous intelligent avoidance. Based on the experimental results of monorail transporter positioning in mountain orchards under various typical terrains, such as flat surfaces, turning paths, and uphill/downhill slopes, the road section average relative error of the 7ZDGS–250-type monorail transporter was 1.27% when the distance between benchmark positioning tags was set at 10 m on both flat and turning roads, and that of the 7ZDGS–300-type monorail transporter was 1.35% when the distance between benchmark positioning tags was set at 6 m uphill/downhill. The road section relative error of the 7ZDGS–250-type monorail transporter was 21.18%, and that of the 7ZDGS–300-type monorail transporter was 9.96%. In addition, the experimental results of monorail transporter communication control showed that the combination of the multimode control gateway control system and track-changing branch structure can achieve multimachine cooperation and autonomous avoidance function, ensuring that multiple monorail transporters can operate simultaneously without collision. The findings of this study establish the communication link of “monorail transporter-gateway system-control terminal” and form a precise positioning and real-time control scheme applicable to the operating environment of monorail transporters, thereby improving the intelligence and safety of mountain orchard monorail transporters.
Dynamic of Grassland Degradation and Its Driving Forces from Climate Variation and Human Activities in Central Asia
Authors: Yang Yue , Xu Mengjia , Sun Jie , Qiu Jie , Pei Wenming , Zhang Kun , Xu Xiaojuan , Liu Dong
Published: November 2023

Central Asia is one of the most sensitive regions to climate changes in the world and the grassland degradation of this region has attracted considerable concern. Quantifying the driving force of grassland degradation is important for understanding the effects of climate variation and human activities on grassland. In this study, net primary productivity (NPP) was selected as an indicator to quantitatively evaluate the relative role of climate variation and human activities in Central Asia from 2000 to 2020. This study used the global NPP product MOD17A3 as actual NPP and estimated the potential NPP using the Thornthwaite memorial model. The potential NPP and the difference between the potential NPP and actual NPP were used to represent the influence of climate variation and human activities. The grassland degradation or restoration can be demonstrated by the slope of actual NPP (SA). A positive slope value (SA) suggested that restoration occurs, whereas a negative slope value suggested that degradation occurred. The results showed that 23.08% of the total grassland area experienced grassland degradation, whereas 2.51% of the whole grassland underwent grassland restoration. Furthermore, 53.8% of the degraded grassland areas were influenced by climate variation, and 14.5% were caused by human activities. By contrast, the relative roles of climate variation and human activities in grassland restoration were 25% and 47.9%, respectively. The NPP variation also could be calculated by assessing the effects of these factors and the results showed that 55.7% of the NPP decrease was caused by climate variation, whereas 9.6% was a result of human activities. On the contrary, climate variation and human activities resulted in 19.8% and 37.3% of grassland restoration, respectively. Therefore, climate variation was the dominant factor of grassland degradation, and human activities were the main driver of grassland restoration in Central Asia.
Antimalarial and Antileishmanial Flavonoids from Calendula officinalis Flowers
Authors: Al-Huqail Arwa A. , Bekhit Adnan A. , Ullah Hammad , Ayaz Muhammad , Mostafa Nada M.
Published: November 2023

Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as English or pot marigold, is an herbaceous plant with edible flowers. In this study, UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis was used for tentative identification of compounds in marigold flower methanol extract (MFE). In addition, RP-HPLC-DAD analysis was used to quantify the flavonoids hesperidin and rutin in MFE. The antileishmanial potentials of the crude extract and compounds were evaluated against Leishmania major promastigotes and amastigotes. Further, in vivo 4-day antimalarial testing of the extract and compounds was carried out at doses of 25 mg kg−1 per day using mice infected with ANKA strain of Plasmodium berghei, following standard procedure. Molecular docking studies were carried out to assess the binding mode of flavonoids against the vital targets of L. major, including pteridine reductase 1 and farnesyl diphosphate synthase enzymes. The in silico antimalarial potentials of flavonoids were evaluated against wild-type Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase and phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase enzymes. Twenty compounds were tentatively identified by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of MFE, of which, seven flavonoids, six saponins, three phenolic acids, three fatty acids, and a triterpene glycoside were identified. MFE phytochemical analysis revealed that hesperidin content was 36.17 mg g−1 extract, that is, 9.9-fold their content of rutin (3.65 mg g−1 extract). The method was validated to ensure reproducibility of the results. The tested samples exhibited antileishmanial potentials against L. major promastigotes, with IC50 values of 98.62, 118.86, and 104.74 ng µL−1 for hesperidin, rutin, and MFE, respectively. Likewise, hesperidin showed inhibitory potentials against L. major amastigote with an IC50 value of 108.44 ± 11.2 µM, as compared to miltefosine. The mean survival time, parasitemia, and suppression percentages showed similar results for the three samples against ANKA strain of P. berghei. The docking studies showed good binding affinities of rutin and hesperidin with numerous H-bonding and van der Waals interactions. Marigold flowers are nutraceuticals, presenting important sources of bioactive flavonoids with potential against neglected tropical diseases.
Antimicrobial Activities of Aztreonam-Avibactam and Comparator Agents against Enterobacterales Analyzed by ICU and Non-ICU Wards, Infection Sources, and Geographic Regions: ATLAS Program 2016–2020
Authors: Piérard Denis , Hermsen Elizabeth D. , Kantecki Michal , Arhin Francis F.
Published: November 2023

Increasing antimicrobial resistance among multidrug-resistant (MDR), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE), in particular metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-positive strains, has led to limited treatment options in these isolates. This study evaluated the activity of aztreonam-avibactam (ATM-AVI) and comparator antimicrobials against Enterobacterales isolates and key resistance phenotypes stratified by wards, infection sources and geographic regions as part of the ATLAS program between 2016 and 2020. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The susceptibility of antimicrobials were interpreted using CLSI and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints. A tentative pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic breakpoint of 8 µg/mL was considered for ATM-AVI activity. ATM-AVI inhibited ≥99.2% of Enterobacterales isolates across wards and ≥99.7% isolates across infection sources globally and in all regions at ≤8 µg/mL. For resistance phenotypes, ATM-AVI demonstrated sustained activity across wards and infection sources by inhibiting ≥98.5% and ≥99.1% of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, ≥98.6% and ≥99.1% of ESBL-positive isolates, ≥96.8% and ≥90.9% of carbapenem-resistant (CR) isolates, and ≥96.8% and ≥97.4% of MBL-positive isolates, respectively, at ≤8 µg/mL globally and across regions. Overall, our study demonstrated that ATM-AVI represents an important therapeutic option for infections caused by Enterobacterales, including key resistance phenotypes across different wards and infection sources.
Influence of Mild Chronic Stress and Social Isolation on Acute Ozone-Induced Alterations in Stress Biomarkers and Brain-Region-Specific Gene Expression in Male Wistar–Kyoto Rats
Authors: Valdez Matthew C. , Freeborn Danielle L. , Valdez Joseph M. , Henriquez Andres R. , Snow Samantha J. , Jackson Thomas W. , Kodavanti Prasada Rao S. , Kodavanti Urmila P.
Published: November 2023

Individuals with psychosocial stress often experience an exaggerated response to air pollutants. Ozone (O3) exposure has been associated with the activation of the neuroendocrine stress-response system. We hypothesized that preexistent mild chronic stress plus social isolation (CS), or social isolation (SI) alone, would exacerbate the acute effects of O3 exposure on the circulating adrenal-derived stress hormones, and the expression of the genes regulating glucocorticoid stress signaling via an altered stress adaptation in a brain-region-specific manner. Male Wistar–Kyoto rats (5 weeks old) were socially isolated, plus were subjected to either CS (noise, confinement, fear, uncomfortable living, hectic activity, and single housing), SI (single housing only, restricted handling and no enrichment) or no stress (NS; double housing, frequent handling and enrichment provided) for 8 weeks. The rats were then exposed to either air or O3 (0.8 ppm for 4 h), and the samples were collected immediately after. The indicators of sympathetic and hypothalamic–pituitary axis (HPA) activation (i.e., epinephrine, corticosterone, and lymphopenia) increased with O3 exposure, but there were no effects from CS or SI, except for the depletion of serum BDNF. CS and SI revealed small changes in brain-region-specific glucocorticoid-signaling-associated markers of gene expression in the air-exposed rats (hypothalamic Nr3c1, Nr3c2 Hsp90aa1, Hspa4 and Cnr1 inhibition in SI; hippocampal HSP90aa1 increase in SI; and inhibition of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) Cnr1 in CS). Gene expression across all brain regions was altered by O3, reflective of glucocorticoid signaling effects, such as Fkbp5 in NS, CS and SI. The SI effects on Fkbp5 were greatest for SI in BNST. O3 increased Cnr2 expression in the hypothalamus and olfactory bulbs of the NS and SI groups. O3, in all stress conditions, generally inhibited the expression of Nr3c1 in all brain regions, Nr3c2 in the hippocampus and hypothalamus and Bdnf in the hippocampus. SI, in general, showed slightly greater O3-induced changes when compared to NS and CS. Serum metabolomics revealed increased sphingomyelins in the air-exposed SI and O3-exposed NS, with underlying SI dampening some of the O3-induced changes. These results suggest a potential link between preexistent SI and acute O3-induced increases in the circulating adrenal-derived stress hormones and brain-region-specific gene expression changes in glucocorticoid signaling, which may partly underlie the stress dynamic in those with long-term SI.
Numerical Evaluation Using the Finite Element Method on Frontal Craniocervical Impact Directed at Intervertebral Disc Wear
Authors: Trejo-Enriquez Alfonso , Urriolagoitia-Sosa Guillermo , Romero-Ángeles Beatriz , García-Laguna Miguel Ángel , Guzmán-Baeza Martín , Martínez-Reyes Jacobo , Rojas-Castrejon Yonatan Yael , Gallegos-Funes Francisco Javier , Patiño-Ortiz Julián , Urriolagoitia-Calderón Guillermo Manuel
Published: November 2023

Traumatic cervical pathology is an injury that emerges due to trauma or being subjected to constant impact loading, affecting the ligaments, muscles, bones, and spinal cord. In contact sports (the practice of American football, karate, boxing, and motor sports, among others), the reporting of this type of injury is very common. Therefore, it is imperative to have preventive measures so players do not suffer from such injuries, since bad practices or accidents can put their lives at risk. This research evaluated cervical and skull biomechanical responses during a frontal impact, taking into consideration injury caused by wear on the intervertebral disc. Intervertebral disc wear is a degenerative condition that affects human mobility; it is common in people who practice contact sports and it can influence the response of the cervical system to an impact load. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the effects caused by impact loading and strains generated throughout the bone structure (composed of the skull and the cervical spine). The numerical evaluation was developed using the finite element method and the construction of the biomodel from computational axial tomography. In addition, the numerical simulation allowed us to observe how the intervertebral disc’s wear affected the cervical region’s biomechanical response. In addition, a comparison could be made between a healthy system and a disc that had suffered wear. Finally, the analysis provided information valuable to understanding how an impact, force-related injury can be affected and enabled us to propose better physiotherapeutic procedures.
Controlled Creation of Contact Cracks in Additive Manufactured Components
Authors: Preston Daniel , Ashour Ahmed , Wright Julian , Watts James , Sanmartin Daniel , Wood Jacques
Published: November 2023

Techniques for the controlled seeding and growth of cracks are urgently required for non-destructive testing technique evaluation, particularly for additive manufactured (AM) samples. This paper describes a method that uses a combination of the tensile load and the resonance excitation of notched AM samples, with in situ monitoring of the resonance frequency serving to track the crack dimensions. Mechanical low-cycle fatigue cracks, ranging in length from ~0.3 mm to ~5 mm, were successfully created in five AM samples using this technique. The samples were non-destructively characterized using optical microscopy and Nonlinear Resonance (NLR) testing. The exploitation of resonance enabled the concentration of a significant number of stress cycles on the samples in much shorter timespans than conventional fatigue testing, enabling a high throughput while utilizing compact components. Furthermore, the tracking of the resonance frequency shift throughout the process enabled non-invasive and no-contact real-time condition monitoring.
Explainable Data-Driven Ensemble Learning Models for the Mechanical Properties Prediction of Concrete Confined by Aramid Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Wraps Using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Cakiroglu Celal
Published: November 2023

The current study offers a data-driven methodology to predict the ultimate strain and compressive strength of concrete reinforced by aramid FRP wraps. An experimental database was collected from the literature, on which seven different machine learning (ML) models were trained. The diameter and length of the cylindrical specimens, the compressive strength of unconfined concrete, the thickness, elasticity modulus and ultimate tensile strength of the FRP wrap were used as the input features of the machine learning models, to predict the ultimate strength and strain of the specimens. The experimental dataset was further enhanced with synthetic data using the tabular generative adversarial network (TGAN) approach. The machine learning models’ performances were compared to the predictions of the existing strain capacity and compressive strength prediction equations for aramid FRP-confined concrete. The accuracy of the predictive models was measured using state-of-the-art statistical metrics such as the coefficient of determination, mean absolute error and root mean squared error. On average, the machine learning models were found to perform better than the available equations in the literature. In particular, the extra trees regressor, XGBoost and K-nearest neighbors algorithms performed significantly better than the remaining algorithms, with R2 scores greater than 0.98. Furthermore, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method and individual conditional expectation (ICE) plots were used to visualize the effects of various input parameters on the predicted ultimate strain and strength values. The unconfined compressive strength of concrete and the ultimate tensile strength of the FRP wrap were found to have the greatest impact on the machine learning model outputs.