bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, Best Practice Use, and Member Engagement on School Mental Health Teams
Authors: Wargel-Fisk Katelyn , Kerr Amy M. , Hall Margaret D. , Litvitskiy Nicole S. , Flaspohler Paul D. , Meyer Amanda L.
Published: August 2024

School mental health (SMH) teams have been widely recommended to support multi-tiered mental health program implementation in schools. Available research suggests emerging best practices that promote effective SMH teaming and indicates the importance of having team members who are highly engaged (e.g., actively involved, retained on the team). Despite evidence that these factors improve team functioning, there is limited knowledge of SMH team prevalence, best practice use, and factors impacting member engagement among a diverse sample of elementary schools. This study surveyed a cross-sectional sample of elementary principals (n = 314) across the United States whose schools implement multi-tiered SMH programs. Most principals (89%, n = 280) reported using teams to organize these programs. Schools in urban/suburban communities, with 300 or more students, or with specific school funding for SMH activities were more likely to have SMH teams. Only one-third of principals reported that their team members participated in related training. Other SMH team best practices were commonly reported (by two-thirds or more teams). Results of a linear regression model indicate that larger teams (six or more members) and teams with access to resources had significantly higher member engagement scores. The study’s findings provide recommendations for practice and future research directions.
Classification of Student Leadership Profiles in Diverse Governance Settings: Insights from Pisa 2022
Authors: Görgülü Deniz , Coşkun Fatma , Sipahioğlu Mete , Demir Mustafa
Published: August 2024

Student leadership prepares students for responsibilities, such as taking on specific tasks and assuming leadership roles in their future personal and professional lives. Developing students’ leadership profiles is among the important goals of educational systems aiming for future generations to take responsibility and advance their countries. With this perspective in mind, the PISA assessment includes items to measure students’ leadership behaviors. This study aims to extract student leadership profiles from the leadership-related items in the PISA 2022 application, using data from Cambodia, Peru, Paraguay, and Guatemala, which have different governance systems and cultural characteristics. The second purpose of the research is to determine the distribution of the identified leadership profiles in these countries and explain them in the context of governance and cultural characteristics. Latent class analysis was used to determine student leadership profiles. Accordingly, two-class and three-class latent models were found to be the most suitable models to explain student profiles. While the distinction between student profiles is more pronounced in the two-class model, the three-class model provides more detailed information about student profiles. In this respect, two-class and three-class latent models are reported comparatively. In the two-class latent model, students are labeled as the “Shy or Lack of Self-Confidence Group” and the “Active Leader or Influential Group”. In the three-class latent model, students are labeled as the “Moderate or Passive Leader Group”, the “Strong Leader or Influential Group”, and the “Avoidant or Leadership-Uncomfortable Group”. In both models, it is one of the striking findings that Cambodian students are in the low leadership profile, and Peruvian students are in the high leadership profile.
The Relationship between Meaning in Life and Mental Health in Chinese Undergraduates: The Mediating Roles of Self-Esteem and Interpersonal Trust
Authors: Zhang Benyu , Wang Anna , Ye Yuan , Liu Jiandong , Lin Lihua
Published: August 2024

To explore the association and the underlying process between meaning in life and psychological health, a stratified random sampling was conducted on undergraduate students from five universities in Fujian Province from March to April 2022, with the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the Self-Esteem Scale, the Interpersonal Trust Scale, and the Kessler10 Scale. The results indicated that 34.5% of Chinese undergraduates were in poor or worse mental health. There were significant positive correlations among meaning in life, self-esteem, and interpersonal trust; meaning in life, self-esteem, and interpersonal trust were all significantly and positively correlated with mental health. Self-esteem and interpersonal trust played a chain mediating role between meaning in life and mental health. Schools and families should conduct appropriate activities to help them enhance meaning in life so as to improve the level of mental health.
Analysis of Construction Process and Configuration Automatic Monitoring for the Spoke-Type Single-Layer Cable Net Structure
Authors: Wang Fei , Di Zenghui , Zhang Ningyuan , Ruan Yangjie , Luo Bin , Wang Yiquan , Liu Xin
Published: August 2024

As a full tension structural system, the spoke-type single-layer cable net structure has a light graceful shape and superior mechanical properties. During construction, the structure will gradually be tensioned from the flexible unstressed state to the formed state with stiffness, and the structural configuration changes greatly, making construction difficult. This study focused on the spoke-type single-layer cable net structure of the Linyi Olympic Sports Center Stadium. The structural finite element model was established in ANSYS, and the construction scheme was selected and simulated using the nonlinear dynamic finite element method (NDFEM). Most of the existing structural automatic measuring systems are suitable for measuring points with gentle deformation. However, there is the lack of a stable and reliable automatic configuration monitoring system for the construction of single-layer cable net structures. Based on the Lecia TS16 robotic total station (RTS), the configuration automatic monitoring system (CAMS) was developed to obtain the coordinate data of key nodes on the ring cable and compression ring during the construction process. The original finite element model of clamps was refined to obtain the corresponding data in ANSYS. The results indicate that the selected construction scheme has a rational mechanical response according to the finite element simulation. The radial cable force when anchoring the traction cables is smaller than or equal to that in the formed state, which proves that the construction method of anchoring in batches is safe. The results of the ANSYS simulation is basically consistent with those obtained by CAMS, proving that the simulation method is credible. CAMS has good stability and measurement accuracy and can achieve the automatic monitoring of large structural deformation. The research findings provide valuable guidance for practical construction and other similar projects.
Changing Rules in Subway Tunnel Thermal Environment and Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Heat
Authors: Tong Li , Zhang Mingzhi , Hu Songtao , Ji Yongming
Published: August 2024

The deteriorating thermal environment of tunnels and the increase in energy consumption of environmental control systems has become highlights in the subway field. In existing research related to analysis of subway tunnel thermal environments and thermal accumulation; there is no predictive law that accounts for thermal accumulation or the long-term change in subway tunnel thermal environments. In this study, a combination of simulations and experiments is used. First, the long-term evolution of tunnel thermal environments with and without thermal interference are predicted and analyzed. Then, the changes in the tunnel thermal environment after the use of capillary heat exchangers are explored. The research results indicate that the model of the system has high accuracy and reliability. When there is a capillary heat exchanger installed in the subway tunnel, the anti-seasonal heat storage characteristics of the system result in the tunnel temperature increasing significantly in summer and decreasing significantly in winter, with a small decrease in the average annual temperature. This study provides a theoretical reference for environment-based subway tunnel construction and the comprehensive utilization of tunnel waste heat.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics and Genealogical Framework of Shaanxi’s Industrial Heritage
Authors: Lv Jing , Yang Haozhong , Zhang Xiaozhen , Wang Yuxin , Zhang Hua , Zhao Yifan
Published: August 2024

A large amount of industrial heritage has been preserved owing to the wide recognition of its value as part of urban renewal and rural revitalization. Shaanxi’s industrial heritage is unique because of its rich historical resources. However, research on Shaanxi’s industrial heritage has been of point and piecemeal form rather than systematic. In this study, through the collection of historical data and study of the academic literature, we analyzed 385 industrial heritage sites in Shaanxi in time and space from 1840 to 1978 using a geographic information system (GIS) to reveal their evolution patterns. We comprehensively examined the influence of factors such as natural resources, traditional ancient industry inheritance, transportation conditions, and historical policies, and found that the distribution of industrial heritage in Shaanxi resulted from the interaction of these factors. We have constructed the first ever level categorized and quantified multilevel industrial heritage atlas of Shaanxi in the form of a Sankey diagram using GIS spatial maps, which provides a traceable historical record for each industrial heritage site. We not only reveal the spatial evolution law of industrial heritage in Shaanxi but also provide an overall view of the practice of industrial heritage protection and renewal, thus helping avoid the homogenization of future design. Our findings are also of academic and practical significance for the study and protection of industrial heritage.
Effect of Steel Support Cross-Section and Preloaded Axial Force on the Stability of Deep Foundation Pits
Authors: Jin Yang , Zhao Hanzhe , Zheng Chuanfeng , Liu Jian , Ding Chong
Published: August 2024

To investigate the effects of steel support cross-section dimensions and preloaded axial force levels on the stability of foundation pits, numerical simulations were conducted for open-cut deep foundation pits based on monitoring data from Changchun Metro Line 9. Results show that increasing the wall thickness and diameter of the steel support significantly reduces the horizontal displacement and axial force of the enclosure pile. When the wall thickness increases from 14 mm to 25 mm, the horizontal displacement of the enclosure pile can be reduced by up to 7.63 mm, and the axial force of the steel support can be reduced by 11.4–15%. When the diameter of the steel support changes from 609 mm to 800 mm, the axial force of the second steel support is reduced by 3.2–5.5%. The change in preloaded axial force results in a horizontal displacement change of about 3–5 mm and a surface settlement change of about 0.6–4.2 mm. The preloaded axial force meets pit stability control requirements when it reaches 60% of the design axial force.
Molecular Diagnostic Yield and Safety Profile of Ultrasound-Guided Lung Biopsies: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: D’Agnano Vito , Perrotta Fabio , Stella Giulia Maria , Pagliaro Raffaella , De Rosa Filippo , Cerqua Francesco Saverio , Schiattarella Angela , Grella Edoardo , Masi Umberto , Panico Luigi , Bianco Andrea , Iadevaia Carlo
Published: August 2024

Background: The recent advances in precision oncology for lung cancer treatment has focused attention on the importance of obtaining appropriate specimens for tissue diagnosis as well as comprehensive molecular profiling. CT scan-guided biopsies and bronchoscopy are currently the main procedures employed for tissue sampling. However, growing evidence suggests that ultrasound-guided biopsies may represent an effective as well as safe approach in this diagnostic area. This study explores the safety and the diagnostic yield for cancer molecular profiling in ultrasound-guided percutaneous lung lesion biopsies (US-PLLB). Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with suspected lung cancer, between January 2021 and May 2024, who had ultrasound-guided lung biopsies have been retrospectively analyzed. Molecular profiling was conducted with next-generation sequencing Genexus using Oncomine precision assay or polymerase chain reaction according to specimen quality. Qualitative immunohistochemical assay of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was evaluated by the Dako PD-L1 immunohistochemistry 22C3 pharmDx assay. The co-primary endpoints were the molecular diagnostic yield and the safety profile of US-guided lung biopsies. Results: From January 2021 to May 2024, 100 US-guided lung biopsies were carried out and 95 were considered for inclusion in the study. US-PLLB provided informative tissue for a histological evaluation in 93 of 95 patients with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 96.84% [Sensitivity: 92.63%; Specificity: 96.84%; PPV: 100%; NPV: 100%]. Sixty-Six patients were diagnosed with NSCLC (69.47%) and were considered for molecular diagnostic yield evaluation and PD-L1 testing. Four patients had malignant lymphoid lesions. US-PLLB was not adequate to achieve a final diagnosis in three patients (3.16%). Complete molecular profiling and PD-L1 evaluation were achieved in all patients with adenocarcinoma (molecular diagnostic yield: 100%). PD-L1 evaluation was achieved in 28 of 29 patients (96.55%) with either SCC or NOS lung cancer. The overall complication rate was 9.47% (n = 9). Six patients (6.31%) developed pneumothorax, while three patients (3.16%) suffered mild haemoptysis without desaturation. Conclusions: According to our findings, US-guided lung biopsy is a safe, minimally invasive procedure in patients with suspected lung malignancies, providing an excellent diagnostic yield for both comprehensive molecular profiling and PD-L1 testing. In addition, our results suggest that US-guided biopsy may also be an effective diagnostic approach in patients with suspected lung lymphoma.
The Advancement of Supported Bimetallic Catalysts for the Elimination of Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds
Authors: Lin Hongxia , Liu Yuxi , Deng Jiguang , Jing Lin , Wang Zhiwei , Wei Lu , Wei Zhen , Hou Zhiquan , Tao Jinxiong , Dai Hongxing
Published: August 2024

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) are persistent pollutants and harmful to the atmosphere, environment, and human health. The catalytic elimination of CVOCs has become a hotspot of interest due to their self-toxicity, the secondary generation of chlorinated by-products, and the Cl poisoning of catalysts. The development of high-performance, highly selective, and anti-poisoning catalysts is a critical issue. Bimetallic catalysts exhibit an improved dechlorination performance, poisoning resistance, and product selectivity through the modulation of geometrical and electronic structures. The present review article gives a brief overview of the recent advancements in the preparation of bimetallic catalysts and their catalytic CVOC elimination activities. In addition, representative case studies are provided to investigate the physicochemical properties, CVOC conversion, COx and inorganic chlorine species selectivities, and by-product control so that the structure–performance relationships of bimetallic catalysts can be established. Furthermore, this review article provides a fundamental understanding of designing bimetallic catalysts with specific active components and the desired physicochemical properties for target reactions. In the end, related perspectives for future work are proposed.
Functionalized Congeners of 2H-Chromene P2Y6 Receptor Antagonists
Authors: Oliva Paola , Pramanik Asmita , Jung Young-Hwan , Lewicki Sarah A. , Mwendwa Jamie M. , Park Jong Hwan , Jacobson Kenneth A.
Published: August 2024

The P2Y6 receptor (P2Y6R), a Gq-coupled receptor, is a potential drug discovery target for various inflammatory and degenerative conditions. Antagonists have been shown to attenuate colitis, acute lung injury, etc. In the search for competitive antagonists, we have investigated the SAR of 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromene derivatives, although high affinity is lacking. We now reveal that long-chain amino-functionalized congeners display greatly enhanced affinity in the antagonism of UDP-induced Ca2+ mobilization in human (h) P2Y6R-transfected 1321N1 astrocytoma cells. A 6-(Boc-amino-n-heptylethynyl) analogue 30 (MRS4940) had an IC50 of 162 nM, which was a 123-fold greater affinity than the corresponding unprotected primary alkylamine, 107-fold greater than the corresponding pivaloyl derivative 30, and 132-fold selective compared to the P2Y14R. However, similar Boc-amino chains attached at the 8-position produced weak µM affinity. Thus, the P2Y6R affinity depended on the chain length, attachment point, and terminal functionality. Off-target activities, at 45 sites, were tested for acylamino derivatives 20, 24, 26, 30, 31, and 37, which showed multiple interactions, particularly at the biogenic amine receptors. The more potent analogues may be suitable for evaluation in inflammation and cancer models, which will be performed in future studies.
Mechanical Properties of an Extremely Tough 1.5 mol% Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Material
Authors: Kern Frank , Osswald Bettina
Published: August 2024

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) ceramics with a drastically reduced yttria content have been introduced by different manufacturers, aiming at improving the damage tolerance of ceramic components. In this study, an alumina-doped 1.5Y-TZP was axially pressed, pressureless sintered in air at 1250–1400 °C for 2 h and characterized with respect to mechanical properties, microstructure, and phase composition. The material exhibits a combination of a high strength of 1000 MPa and a high toughness of 8.5–10 MPa√m. The measured fracture toughness is, however, extremely dependent on the measurement protocol. Direct crack length measurements overestimate toughness due to trapping effects. The initially purely tetragonal material has a high transformability of >80%, the transformation behavior is predominantly dilational, and the measured R-curve-related toughness increments are in good agreement with the transformation toughness increments derived from XRD data.
Reverse Polarity-Based Soil Electrokinetic Remediation: A Comprehensive Review of the Published Data during the Past 31 Years (1993–2023)
Authors: Abou-Shady Ahmed , El-Araby Heba
Published: August 2024

Soil restoration by exploiting the principles and basics of electrokinetic (EK) has been extended to involve several categories, such as electrokinetic remediation in soil (SEKR), soil consolidation, the prevention of soil pollution, reclaiming salt-affected soil, the dewatering/dryness of wet soils, water reuse, seed germination, sedimentation, etc. As an extension of our recently published review articles on the soil electrokinetic (SEK) process intensification/optimization, the present review illustrates the effect of a reverse-polarity mode (RPM) on the efficiency of the SEK. Based on several searches of six database search engines, we did not find any relevant reviews focused on SEK improvements using the RPM. The influences of the RPM are described by various features, including (a) pollutant removal (organic, inorganic, and mixed pollutants) and (b) integration with other processes (phyto/bioremediation and Fenton oxidation), geosynthetics (consolidation, stabilization, and sedimentation), SEK operation conditions, and soil properties. Most of the RPM studies have focused on the remediation of organic pollutants. Several benefits can be gained from applying the RPM, such as (a) controlling the soil’s temperature, pH, and moisture values at desirable levels, (b) reducing a large number of chemical additives, (c) high remediation efficiency, (d) maintaining the indigenous fungal community’s appropriate diversity and abundance, (e) a stable and higher electric current, (f) enhancing microbial growth, etc. However, the hindrances to applying the RPM are (a) reducing the electroosmosis flow, (b) relatively high energy consumption, (c) reducing the diversity of soil microbes with a prolonged experiment period, (d) providing oxygen for a microbial community that may not be desirable for anaerobic bacteria, etc. Finally, the RPM is considered an important process for improving the performance of the SEK, according to experimental endeavors.
Facile Fabrication of Bio-Nanohybrid Electrode with Guanine/Cytosine-Modified Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide Electrode and Its Application in Doxorubicin Analysis
Authors: Cho Yoojin , Oh Da Eun , Kim Myungeun , Lim Ahran , Lee Chang-Seuk , Kim Tae Hyun
Published: August 2024

Graphene, known for its outstanding physical and chemical properties, is widely used in various fields, including electronics and biomedicine. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is preferred for electrochemical applications due to its enhanced water solubility and dispersion. Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ErGO) is particularly advantageous as it can be prepared under mild conditions and simplifies sensor fabrication; however, ErGO-based electrochemical sensors often lack specificity. Bioreceptors like proteins, enzymes, and DNA/RNA aptamers are incorporated to provide high specificity. This study introduces a guanine (G)/cytosine (C)-modified ErGO electrode (G/C@ErGO-GCE) for the sensitive electrochemical detection of doxorubicin (DOX) with good selectivity. The G/C mixture acts as a bioreceptor and is anchored on the ErGO-GCE surface via π-π interactions. The G/C@ErGO-GCE was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurement, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods. The sensor demonstrated excellent dynamic range (DPV: 10 nM to 1 µM, CA: 30 nM to 1.3 µM), sensitivity (DPV: 2.17 µA/µM, CA: 6.79 µA/µM), limit of detection (DPV: 84 nM, CA: 34 nM), and selectivity for DOX detection, highlighting its potential for biomedical applications and pharmacokinetic studies.
Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Liver Transplantation: Opportunities and Challenges of a New Era
Authors: Fuchs Juri , Rabaux-Eygasier Lucas , Guerin Florent
Published: August 2024

Historically, pediatric liver transplantation has achieved significant milestones, yet recent innovations have predominantly occurred in adult liver transplantation due to higher caseloads and ethical barriers in pediatric studies. Emerging methods subsumed under the term artificial intelligence offer the potential to revolutionize data analysis in pediatric liver transplantation by handling complex datasets without the need for interventional studies, making them particularly suitable for pediatric research. This review provides an overview of artificial intelligence applications in pediatric liver transplantation. Despite some promising early results, artificial intelligence is still in its infancy in the field of pediatric liver transplantation, and its clinical implementation faces several challenges. These include the need for high-quality, large-scale data and ensuring the interpretability and transparency of machine and deep learning models. Ethical considerations, such as data privacy and the potential for bias, must also be addressed. Future directions for artificial intelligence in pediatric liver transplantation include improving donor-recipient matching, managing long-term complications, and integrating diverse data sources to enhance predictive accuracy. Moreover, multicenter collaborations and prospective studies are essential for validating artificial intelligence models and ensuring their generalizability. If successfully integrated, artificial intelligence could lead to substantial improvements in patient outcomes, bringing pediatric liver transplantation again to the forefront of innovation in the transplantation community.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health of Parents of Children with Pediatric Abdominal Tumors
Authors: Zierke Kira , Boettcher Michael , Behrendt Paulina , Najem Safiullah , Zapf Holger , Reinshagen Konrad , Wößmann Wilhelm , Boettcher Johannes
Published: August 2024

Background: Abdominal tumors rarely occur in childhood but are associated with great psychological stress for patients and their families. Parents playing a central role in their children’s treatment may experience adverse effects on their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and mental health due to the children’s illness and required treatment. Given the limited knowledge of the psychosocial burden of parents with children suffering from solid abdominal tumors, this study aims to assess their HRQoL and mental health along with the impact of various psychosocial factors. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was carried out involving 54 parents of children with solid abdominal tumors who had surgery at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany. The results were compared with 46 parents of children undergoing routine surgeries without a prior tumor diagnosis, and with normative values. Data were obtained using standardized questionnaires. Results: Parents of the index group showed significantly worse HRQoL and limited mental health. Furthermore, they showed significantly higher parental burden in several subscales and less social support in comparison with the control group. Conclusions: Considering the lower parental HRQoL and the central role parents play in their children’s lives, it is crucial to include prevention and intervention measures for parents as part of a multimodal treatment regime for children with solid pediatric abdominal tumors.
Clinical Application of Custom Neck Collar with Negative Sensory Feedback in Children with Intractable Torticollis
Authors: Yoon Jeewon , Yun Rayu , Huh Sungchul , Baik Jisoo , Lee Jae Meen , Kim Soo-Yeon
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a custom neck collar with negative sensory feedback for the treatment of torticollis that was previously unresponsive to conservative or surgical treatment. Methods: Twenty-four children diagnosed with unresponsive or intractable torticollis were enrolled in this two-stage, single-arm study. The ipsilateral aspect of the orthosis is adjustable in height and designed to provide support between the clavicle and the mandibular angle on the tilted side. In stage 1 (the adjustment period), the orthosis with a smooth surface was applied for 2 h per day for 3 months. In stage 2, a rough surface with a hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro©) was attached to the collar, and it was worn for a further 2 h a day for 3 months. Twenty children (mean age 63.95 ± 13.44 months) were included in the analysis. Results: The mean torticollis angle was 17.60 ± 5.65° (mean ± SD) at baseline; 14.15 ± 3.62° directly after stage 1; and 6.00 ± 3.67° directly after stage 2 (X2 = 36.685, df = 19, p = 0.000). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility, therapeutic effect, and safety of a novel tactile feedback orthosis for the treatment of children with torticollis. The use of a custom neck collar with negative sensory feedback may be a viable therapeutic option for the treatment of unresolved or intractable torticollis.
The Association between Social Isolation and Physical Activity among Korean Adolescents
Authors: Jang Sarang , Park Na-Young
Published: August 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of structural isolation within peer relationships on physical activity levels among Korean adolescents, exploring how different types of social isolation within classroom networks influence physical activity. Methods: This study utilized cross-sectional survey data. Specifically, using data from the 8th Korean Children and Youth Happiness Index survey (2016), which included 3356 middle and high school students in Korea, the study employed binary logistic regression and social network analysis to assess the relationship between social isolation and physical activity. Based on types of isolation, adolescents were categorized into social avoidant, actively isolated and socially indifferent groups. Results: The analysis demonstrated significant differences in physical activity based on social isolation status (χ2 = 13.0, p < 0.001) and types of social isolation (χ2 = 18.3, p < 0.001). Key variables such as gender, household subjective economic status, and self-rated health significantly influenced physical activity. The number of physically active friends had a considerable impact on both non-isolated groups (OR = 1.31, p < 0.001) and the actively isolated group (OR = 1.42, p < 0.05). The actively isolated group exhibited the highest explanatory power in the logistic regression models (Nagelkerke R² = 0.230). Conclusions: This study has highlighted that not only social isolation but also the type of isolation significantly influences physical activity among adolescents. Understanding these distinctions and tailoring interventions accordingly are crucial for promoting physical activity among socially isolated adolescents.
The Oral Administration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 557 (LDL557) Ameliorates the Progression of Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis
Authors: Huang Li-Wen , Huang Tzu-Ching , Hu Yu-Chen , Hsieh Bau-Shan , Lin Jin-Seng , Hsu Han-Yin , Lee Chia-Chia , Chang Kee-Lung
Published: August 2024

Low-grade body inflammation is a major cause of osteoarthritis (OA), a common joint disease. Gut dysbiosis may lead to systemic inflammation which can be prevented by probiotic administration. The Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 557 (LDL557) has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects for anti-inflammation. This study investigated the effects of LDL557 on OA progress using monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA of rats. Live or heat-killed (HK)-LDL557 of a low or high dose was administrated for two weeks before MIA-induced OA, and then continuously administrated for another six weeks. After taking supplements for eight weeks, OA progress was analyzed. Results showed that MIA induced knee joint swelling, chondrocyte damage, and cartilage degradation, and supplementation with a high dose of LDL557 reduced MIA-induced knee joint swelling, chondrocyte damage, and cartilage degradation. Additionally, MIA increased serum levels of the matrix-degrading enzyme MMP-13, while a high dose of HK-LDL557 decreased it for the controls. Simultaneously, bone turnover markers and inflammatory cytokines of serum were assayed, but no significant differences were found except for a TNF-α decrease from a low dose of live LDL557. These results demonstrated that supplementation with high doses of live LDL557 or HK-LDL557 can reduce the progression of MIA-induced OA in rats.
Climatic Favorability to the Occurrence of Hemileia vastatrix in Apt Areas for the Cultivation of Coffea arabica L. in Brazil
Authors: Rizzo Moreira Taís , Rosa dos Santos Alexandre , Polonini Moreli Aldemar , dos Santos Gomes Willian , Macedo Pezzopane José Eduardo , de Cássia Freire Carvalho Rita , Barbosa de Souza Kaíse , Pautz Clebson , Louzada Pereira Lucas
Published: August 2024

In Brazil, coffee leaf rust (CLR), caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix, was first detected in Coffea arabica in January of 1970 in southern Bahia. Now widespread across all cultivation areas, the disease poses a significant threat to coffee production, causing losses of 30–50%. In this context, the objective of this study was to identify and quantify the different classes of occurrence of CLR in areas apt and restricted to the cultivation of Arabica coffee in Brazil for a more informed decision regarding the cultivar to be implanted. The areas of climatic aptitude for Arabica coffee were defined, and then, the climatic favorability for the occurrence of CLR in these areas was evaluated based on climatic data from TerraClimate from 1992 to 2021. The apt areas, apt with some type of irrigation, restricted, and with some type of restriction for the cultivation of Arabica coffee add up to 16.34% of the Brazilian territory. Within this 16.34% of the area of the Brazilian territory, the class of climatic favorability for the occurrence of CLR with greater representation is the favorable one. Currently, the disease is controlled with the use of protective and systemic fungicides, including copper, triazoles, and strobilurins, which must be applied following decision rules that vary according to the risk scenario, and according to the use of resistant cultivars. This study provides a basis for choosing the most suitable cultivars for each region based on the degree of CLR resistance.
Effects of Mixed Microcapsules in Different Proportions on Aging Resistance and Self-Healing Properties of Waterborne Coatings for Tilia europaea L
Authors: Xia Lingran , Han Yan , Yin Taiyu , Zhu Ye , Yan Xiaoxing , Li Jun
Published: August 2024

In order to prolong the effective time of the self-healing properties of waterborne coatings containing shellac microcapsules coated with melamine rice husk powder (MRHP), three kinds of MRHPs with better microscopic morphologies, which contain 2.8% (type A), 5.5% (type B), and 8.0% (type C) of a rice husk powder (RHP), in shell materials were mixed according to three different proportions, and added to the waterborne coatings based on Tilia europaea L., under the conditions of the most proper addition amount of 6.0% microcapsules. The results indicated that the waterborne coatings containing mixed microcapsules can still maintain the best state in terms of optical properties and mechanical properties, with a chromatism of 1.10, an adhesion of zero, a hardness of 4H, an impact resistance of 7 kg·cm, and an elongation at break of 35.28%, respectively. According to the aging resistance test, the waterborne coating containing microcapsules “type A + type B + type C” demonstrated a longer effective time. After aging for 200 h in the UV climate resistance test chamber, the light loss rate at an incident angle of 60° was 2.91%. Through scratch testing, it is verified that the mixed microcapsules can prolong the self-healing time, reduce the crack size, and achieve a coating self-healing rate of 41.11%. They can also inhibit the crack growth rate to a certain extent. Roughness tests indicated that the surface roughness of the coating with mixed microcapsules increased by 0.038 μm in comparation with the single microcapsule, but the surface can still remain smooth after being covered by the topcoat without the microcapsules. Studying the ratio of mixed microcapsules provides new ideas for the optimization of a wood-based coating self-healing effect.
Study on the Thermal Radiation Characteristics of Tungsten Surface Grating Structures Prepared by Femtosecond Laser Direct Writing
Authors: Guo Ruxue , Zhou Ping , Zhang Wanyun , Song Haiying , Liu Shibing
Published: August 2024

In this paper, using laser direct writing technology, a femtosecond laser was used to process a periodic grating structure on a 99.99% tungsten target. The specific parameters of the laser are as follows: a center wavelength of 800 nm, pulse width of 35 fs, repetition rate of 1 kHz, and maximum single pulse energy of 3.5 mJ. The surface morphology of the samples was characterized and analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM, Coxem, Republic of Korea) and atomic force microscope (AFM, Being Nano-Instruments, China). The thermal radiation infrared spectrum of the tungsten target with grating structures was measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (Vertex 70, Bruker, Germany). The results show that as the laser fluence increases, the depth of the groove, the width of the nanostructure region, and the width of the direct writing etching region all increase. The peak thermal radiation enhancement appears around the wavenumber of 900 cm−1 when the laser fluence is sufficient. Additionally, its intensity initially increases and then decreases as the laser fluence increases. If the grating period is too large, the impact on thermal radiation is not clear. The heating temperature significantly affects the intensity of thermal radiation but does not have a noticeable effect on the position of thermal radiation peaks. Moreover, the relative weighting of different wavenumbers changes as the temperature increases.
Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow Characteristics and Heat Transfer Performance in Graphene Foam Composite
Authors: Bi Jinpeng , Zhou Rongyao , Lv Yuexia , Du Tingting , Ge Juan , Zhou Hongyang
Published: August 2024

Graphene foam composite is a promising candidate for advanced thermal management applications due to its excellent mechanical strength, high thermal conductivity, ultra-high porosity and huge specific surface area. In this study, a three-dimensional physical model was developed in accordance with the dodecahedral structure of graphene foam composite. A comprehensive numerical simulation was carried out to investigate the fluid flow and convective heat transfer in open-cell graphene foam composite by using ANSYS Fluent 2021 R1 commercial software. Research results show that, as porosity increases, the pressure gradient for graphene foam composite with circular and triangular cross-section struts is reduced by 65% and by 77%, respectively. At a given porosity of 0.904, when the inlet velocity increases from 1 m/s to 5 m/s, the pressure gradient is increased by 11.3 times and 13.8 times, and the convective heat transfer coefficient is increased by 54.5% and 43% for graphene foam composite with circular and triangular cross-section struts, respectively. Due to the irregularity of the skeleton distribution, the pressure drop in Y direction is the highest among the three directions, which is 8.7% and 17.4% higher than that in the Z and X directions at the inlet velocity of 5 m/s, respectively. The convective heat transfer coefficient in the Y direction is significantly lower than that along the X and Z directions. Furthermore, triangular cross-section struts induce a greater pressure drop but offer less effective heat transfer compared to circular struts. The research findings may provide critical insights into the design and optimization of graphene foam composites, and promote their potential for efficient thermal management and gas/liquid purification in engineering applications.
Fabrication of Vanadate-Exchanged Electrodeposited Zn-Al Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Coating on a ZX21 Mg Alloy to Improve the Corrosion Resistance
Authors: Hsiao Wei-Lun , Chu Peng-Wei
Published: August 2024

This study presents a vanadate-exchanged Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) coating on a ZX21 Mg alloy (Mg-2.15 wt%Zn-0.97 wt%Ca) by electrodeposition and immersion anion-exchange post-treatment. With the prepared vanadate-exchanged electrodeposited Zn-Al LDH coating, the corrosion resistance of the ZX21 Mg alloy improves with a decrease in the corrosion current density from 62.4 μA/cm2 to 3.32 μA/cm2. The fabricated vanadate-exchanged electrodeposited Zn-Al LDH coating contains complex anions in the interlayers, including mainly nitrate (NO3−), carbonate (CO32−), and different vanadates. The coating not only serves as a physical barrier on the ZX21 Mg alloy but also absorbs chloride ions in the environment through anion exchange and inhibits corrosion with the reduction of the interlayer vanadates. Furthermore, the vanadates can also be released into the damaged area of the coating.
Training and Certification of Competences through Serious Games
Authors: Baptista Ricardo , Coelho António , Vaz de Carvalho Carlos
Published: August 2024

The potential of digital games, when transformed into Serious Games (SGs), Games for Learning (GLs), or game-based learning (GBL), is truly inspiring. These forms of games hold immense potential as effective learning tools as they have a unique ability to provide challenges that align with learning objectives and adapt to the learner’s level. This adaptability empowers educators to create a flexible and customizable learning experience, crucial in acquiring knowledge, experience, and professional skills. However, the lack of a standardised design methodology for challenges that promote skill acquisition often hampers the effectiveness of games-based training. The four-step Triadic Certification Method directly responds to this challenge, although implementing it may require significant resources and expertise and adapting it to different training contexts may be challenging. This method, built on a triadic of components: competencies, mechanics, and training levels, offers a new approach for game designers to create games with embedded in-game assessment towards the certification of competencies. The model combines the competencies defined for each training plan with the challenges designed for the game on a matrix that aligns needs and levels, ensuring a comprehensive and practical learning experience. The practicality of the model is evident in its ability to balance the various components of a certification process. To validate this method, a case study was developed in the context of learning how to drive, supported by a game coupled with a realistic driving simulator. The real time collection of game and training data and its processing, based on predefined settings, learning metrics (performance) and game elements (mechanics and parameterisations), defined by both experts and game designers, makes it possible to visualise the progression of learning and to give visual and auditory feedback to the student on their behaviour. The results demonstrate that it is possible use the data generated by the player and his/her interaction with the game to certify the competencies acquired.
Time Series Forecasting via Derivative Spike Encoding and Bespoke Loss Functions for Spiking Neural Networks
Authors: Manna Davide Liberato , Vicente-Sola Alex , Kirkland Paul , Bihl Trevor Joseph , Di Caterina Gaetano
Published: August 2024

The potential of neuromorphic (NM) solutions often lies in their low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) capabilities, which often drive their application to domains that could benefit from this. Nevertheless, spiking neural networks (SNNs), with their inherent time-based nature, present an attractive alternative also for areas where data features are present in the time dimension, such as time series forecasting. Time series data, characterized by seasonality and trends, can benefit from the unique processing capabilities of SNNs, which offer a novel approach for this type of task. Additionally, time series data can serve as a benchmark for evaluating SNN performance, providing a valuable alternative to traditional datasets. However, the challenge lies in the real-valued nature of time series data, which is not inherently suited for SNN processing. In this work, we propose a novel spike-encoding mechanism and two loss functions to address this challenge. Our encoding system, inspired by NM event-based sensors, converts the derivative of a signal into spikes, enhancing interoperability with the NM technology and also making the data suitable for SNN processing. Our loss functions then optimize the learning of subsequent spikes by the SNN. We train a simple SNN using SLAYER as a learning rule and conduct experiments using two electricity load forecasting datasets. Our results demonstrate that SNNs can effectively learn from encoded data, and our proposed DecodingLoss function consistently outperforms SLAYER’s SpikeTime loss function. This underscores the potential of SNNs for time series forecasting and sets the stage for further research in this promising area of research.
Evaluation of Inflammatory Cellular Model by Advanced Bioanalytic and Artificial Intelligence Analyses of Lipids: Lipidomic Landscape of Inflammaging
Authors: Aiello Gilda , Tosi Davide , Aldini Giancarlo , Carini Marina , D’Amato Alfonsina
Published: August 2024

Lipids are emerging as important potential targets for the early diagnosis and prognosis of several inflammatory diseases. Studying the lipid profiles is important for understanding cellular events such as low-grade inflammation, a condition common to many human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and obesity. This work aimed to explore lipid signatures in an inflammation cellular model using an advanced bioanalytical approach complemented by Machine Learning techniques. Analyses based on the high-resolution mass spectrometry of extracted lipids in TNF-α inflamed cells (R3/1 NF-κB reporter cells) versus lipids in control cells resulted in 469 quantified lipids, of which 20% were phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), 10% were sphingomyelins (SMs), 6% were phosphatidylinositols (PIs), 7% were ceramides (Cer), 6% were phosphatidylglycerols (PGs), and 5% were phosphatidylserines (PSs). TNF-α induced a significant alteration compared to the control, with a fold change higher than 1.5; of the 88 lipids, 71 were upregulated and 17 were downregulated, impacting various pathways as revealed by network analyses. To validate the inflammation model, the TNF-α induced cells were treated with polyphenols from thinned young apples (TAPs), which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. The dysregulation of ceramides (Cer(d18:1/23:0), Cer(d18:1/23:0), and Cer(d18:1/22:0)) observed in TNF-α inflamed cells was completely reverted after TAP treatment. Network analyses showed the alteration of arachidonic acid and TNF signaling, which were modulated by polyphenols from thinned young apples. The results highlighted the potentiality of the inflammatory model and the bioanalytical approach to describe lipid profiles in complex biological matrices and different states. In addition, the quantified lipids were interpreted by an Artificial Intelligence approach to identify relevant signatures and clusters of lipids that can impact cellular states. Lastly, this study underlines both the potential applications of lipidomics combined with Machine Learning and how to build and validate Machine Learning models to predict inflammation based on lipid-related pattern signatures.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Construction Project Performance: A Case Study in Pakistan
Authors: Bukhari Syed Rafay Ali , Nasir Abdur Rehman , Greco Roberto , Mollo Luigi
Published: August 2024

COVID-19 has had unprecedented effects on construction markets globally due to supply chain disruptions and workforce restrictions, etc. However, construction industries in developing countries are more vulnerable to the obstacles associated with the pandemic. As such, the goal of this paper is to capture the impact of COVID-19 on construction projects’ performance in developing countries by taking the Pakistani construction sector into perspective. A multistep project-based research methodology was adopted, including a literature analysis and questionnaire survey with 20 construction professionals to assess factors affected by COVID-19; formulation of open-ended questions against each factor; collecting data using semi structured interviews; and presenting challenges and adopted mitigation strategies to examine the perceived impact. Results showed that the pandemic has caused a total of 13 factors to impact the project performance, which are grouped under four construction groups, including material and equipment, human resource, occupational health and safety, and financial and contracts. The factors impacted the most by the pandemic are cash flow management, supply chain disruptions, increased overheads, construction safety measures, material shortage, contractual issues, and construction workforce. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a foundation for researchers to enhance investigating the impact of the COVID-19 in developing countries.