bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching programming and computational thinking in early childhood education: a case study of content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge
Authors: Zeng Yue , Yang Weipeng , Bautista Alfredo
Published: October 2023

Programming and computational thinking (CT) have been progressively incorporated into early childhood education to prepare children for the digital age. However, little is known about the content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical knowledge (PK) possessed by early childhood teachers in this domain. To address this gap, we conducted a case study of an early childhood teacher in China who had experience developing and implementing an unplugged programming and CT curriculum. The triangulation of data sources was established to collect evidence from videotaped observations, interviews, and lesson plans. For the CK, analysis of these findings revealed that the teacher had a more robust understanding of CT concepts (e.g., sequences, conditionals, and loops) compared to CT practices (e.g., decomposition, debugging) and CT perspectives (e.g., perseverance, choices of conduct). In terms of PK, the teacher could apply the general pedagogical knowledge but was relatively weak in using content-specific pedagogical knowledge. As the first endeavor to investigate an early childhood teacher’s CK and PK in teaching programming and CT, this study provides significant implications for improving teachers’ professional knowledge and teaching effectiveness in this burgeoning area.
Lexical density, lexical diversity, and lexical sophistication in simultaneously interpreted texts: a cognitive perspective
Authors: Liu Zhibo , Dou Juhua
Published: October 2023

Simultaneous interpreting (SI) is a cognitively demanding task that imposes a heavy cognitive load on interpreters. Interpreting into one’s native (A language) or non-native language (B language), known as interpreting directionality, involves different cognitive demands. The cognitive requirements of simultaneous interpreting as well as interpreting directionality affect the interpreting process and product. This current study focused on the lexical features of a specially designed corpus of United Nations Security Council speeches. The corpus included non-interpreted speeches in US English (SubCorpusE), and texts interpreted from Chinese into English (A-into-B interpreted texts, SubCorpusC-E) and from Russian into English (B-into-A interpreted texts, SubCorpusR-E). Ten measures were used to analyze the lexical features of each subcorpus in terms of lexical density, lexical diversity, and lexical sophistication. The three subcorpora were regrouped into two pairs for the two research questions: SubCorpusR-E versus SubCorpusE and SubCorpusR-E versus SubCorpusC-E. The results showed that the interpreted texts in SubCorpusR-E exhibited simpler vocabulary features than the non-interpreted texts in SubCorpusE. In addition, compared with the A-into-B interpreted texts, the B-into-A interpreted texts demonstrated simplified lexical characteristics. The lexical features of the interpreted texts reflect that experienced simultaneous interpreters consciously adopt a simplified vocabulary approach to manage the cognitive load during simultaneous interpreting. This study provides new insights into the cognitive aspects of simultaneous interpreting, the impact of directionality, and the role of lexical strategies. These findings have practical implications for interpreter training, professional growth, and maintaining interpreting quality in diverse settings.
Effect evaluation of a comprehensive sexuality education intervention based on socio-emotional learning among adolescents in Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Todesco Marina , Breman Josephine , Haryanto Naura Nabila , Kok Gerjo , Massar Karlijn
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The field of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) has switched from a focus on adolescents’ health to a more holistic approach, embracing the concept of sexual development with the aim of improving adolescents’ sexual well-being. The growing interest in the link between CSE and socio-emotional learning (SEL) competencies led to the development of the Journey4Life (J4L), a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum based on socio-emotional learning. In the current research, we evaluate the effectiveness of this program on perceived behavioral control, gender equality attitudes, norms, and intentions related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Methods

To this end, we conducted a Cluster Randomized Trial among 14 senior secondary schools in Jakarta, Indonesia. A questionnaire was administered before and after implementation of the J4L program among 16–17 year old pupils; n = 906 completed baseline measurement, n = 771 completed endline measurement. With a final matched sample of N = 466 (65.5% girls) we conducted a mixed model repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Unfortunately, only limited and inconsistent results were found. We found that at endline, girls had stronger positive gender equality attitudes than boys; that overall attitudes towards reporting sexual violence were stronger for girls than for boys. However, contrary to our expectations, respondents had more positive attitudes toward child marriage at baseline than at endline.

Discussion

Inconsistency and non-statistical significance of results limit our ability to draw firm conclusions about the effectiveness of the Journey4Life. We discuss how complex comprehensive sexuality education interventions could best be evaluated, since our study highlights the need for better conceptualization, operationalization and measurement of the interconnection between comprehensive sexuality education and socio-emotional learning.
Finding functionality: Rasch analysis of the Functionality Appreciation Scale in community-dwelling adults in the US
Authors: Feng Sarah , McDaniel Sydney , Van de Winckel Ann
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) measures an individual's appreciation for the functions their body can perform, regardless of the individual's physical limitations. Prior studies reported on internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and exploratory or confirmatory factor analyses, but Rasch analysis has not yet been performed to evaluate the structural validity of the FAS.

Methods

We recruited community-dwelling adults at the Minnesota State Fair and through contact lists of participants identifying interest in research done in the Brain Body Mind Lab (University of Minnesota). Community-dwelling adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) completed the FAS over Zoom. We analyzed the FAS using Rasch Measurement Theory, which produced the following outputs: item, and person fit, targeting, unidimensionality, person separation reliability (PSR), local item dependence (LID), principal component analysis of residuals (PCAR), and differential item functioning (DIF).

Results

We recruited 567 participants (average age 52.15 ± 17.5 years, 63.84% women), among which 14 adults with SCI. After rescoring 3 items and deleting 1 item, the FAS had good person and item fit (except item 4). The PCAR and subsequent paired t-tests (3.53%) confirmed the unidimensionality of the scale. There was no DIF and only one item pair had LID (item 5–6). PSR was 0.75, reflecting a capacity to differentiate groups of people with high or low functionality appreciation levels. However, there was a significant ceiling effect (28.04%) and the person mean location was 3.06 ± 2.07 logits, indicating the FAS is too easy for community-dwelling adults in the US.

Discussion

The 6-item Rasch-based FAS demonstrated unidimensionality, good item fit (except item 4) and person fit, but the FAS will require more difficult items to be added to improve the targeting of the scale, and better reliability.
Comparative analysis of intestinal flora at different overwintering periods in wild relict gulls (Larus relictus): first evidence from Northern China
Authors: Yao Hongyu , Zhang Zeming , Wu Nan , Wang Mengping , Wu Qian , Wu Hong , Zhao Dapeng
Published: October 2023

The migratory bird’s gut microbiome composition and function change during the overwintering period, helping the host to adapt to different environments. Our study investigated the gut microbiome of migratory relict gulls (Larus relictus) in the early and late wintering stages from their overwintering grounds in Tianjin, China. We collected 24 and 29 fecal samples at the early and late stages, respectively, and analyzed the samples using high-throughput sequencing technology to find the relationship between diet, living environment, and gut microbiome of migratory birds. The results showed that the diversity and abundance of microbial communities (alpha diversity) increased during the overwintering period and significantly differed between both groups (beta diversity). Based on the gut microbial taxonomic composition, the relative abundance of Firmicutes decreased during the overwintering period, and Proteobacteria increased significantly. Furthermore, Catellicoccus and Breznakia were the main genera in both the early and late stages. Prediction of KEGG functions based on the PICRUSt2 method showed that changes in the gut microbiome resulted in an increased abundance of bacteria associated with amino acid metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, energy metabolism, and environmental adaptation in the late stage. Differences in diet and environment at different stages during the overwintering period may have led to the differentiation of microbial communities, and their adaptive mechanisms need to be further investigated. This is the first in-depth study of the gut microbial composition of L. relictus during the overwintering period in northern China. These findings may contribute to the protection of migratory birds.
Hashcash Tree, a Data Structure to Mitigate Denial-of-Service Attacks
Authors: Alviano Mario
Published: October 2023

Client puzzle protocols are widely adopted mechanisms for defending against resource exhaustion denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Among the simplest puzzles used by such protocols, there are cryptographic challenges requiring the finding of hash values with some required properties. However, by the way hash functions are designed, predicting the difficulty of finding hash values with non-trivial properties is impossible. This is the main limitation of simple proof-of-work (PoW) algorithms, such as hashcash. We propose a new data structure combining hashcash and Merkle trees, also known as hash trees. In the proposed data structure, called hashcash tree, all hash values are required to start with a given number of zeros (as for hashcash), and hash values of internal nodes are obtained by hashing the hash values of child nodes (as for hash trees). The client is forced to compute all hash values, but only those in the path from a leaf to the root are required by the server to verify the proof of work. The proposed client puzzle is implemented and evaluated empirically to show that the difficulty of puzzles can be accurately controlled.
Data-Driven Analysis of Student Engagement in Time-Limited Computer Laboratories
Authors: Cagliero Luca , Canale Lorenzo , Farinetti Laura
Published: October 2023

Computer laboratories are learning environments where students learn programming languages by practicing under teaching assistants’ supervision. This paper presents the outcomes of a real case study carried out in our university in the context of a database course, where learning SQL is one of the main topics. The aim of the study is to analyze the level of engagement of the laboratory participants by tracing and correlating the accesses of the students to each laboratory exercise, the successful/failed attempts to solve the exercises, the students’ requests for help, and the interventions of teaching assistants. The acquired data are analyzed by means of a sequence pattern mining approach, which automatically discovers recurrent temporal patterns. The mined patterns are mapped to behavioral, cognitive engagement, and affective key indicators, thus allowing students to be profiled according to their level of engagement in all the identified dimensions. To efficiently extract the desired indicators, the mining algorithm enforces ad hoc constraints on the pattern categories of interest. The student profiles and the correlations among different engagement dimensions extracted from the experimental data have been shown to be helpful for the planning of future learning experiences.
Purpose and Mattering as Dimensions of Meaning for Young People in Residential Care from Romania
Authors: Bunea Ovidiu , Cojocaru Daniela
Published: October 2023

The study follows the interaction between the individual and the social context regarding the development of adolescents protected in residential houses from the child protection system in Iasi County, Romania. Starting from the evidence that in situations of providing relatively identical material and social resources, the results obtained by these children vary greatly, we examine how the meaning (understood mainly as purpose and mattering) can constitute a developmental resource. Considering theoretical models and previous research, the study aims to describe, through a qualitative approach, how these young people see themselves and the external environment (family and residential care), how they project their future (their purpose and objectives), and how these constructions and perceptions can influence their quality of life and social integration. We conducted three focus groups with 35 young people (the ages 13–21) protected in and for different periods in residential houses (period 1–20 years). The results highlighted that a specific meaning is reconfigured as compensatory when affected by a trauma or adverse external event and thus can be a resource for resilience. On the other hand, the research highlighted that the existence of goals alone is insufficient to generate action, and the unrealistic meanings given to own persons, experiences, and resources can be dangerous because it risks accentuating some social vulnerabilities of these young people.
A Reduced Order Model for Monitoring Aeroengines Condition in Real Time
Authors: Rodrigo Jose , Sanchez de Leon Luis , Montañes Jose L. , Vega Jose M.
Published: October 2023

A very fast reduced order model is developed to monitor aeroengines condition (defining their degradation from a baseline state) in real time, by using synthetic data collected in specific sensors. This reduced model is constructed by applying higher-order singular value decomposition plus interpolation to appropriate data, organized in tensor form. Such data are obtained by means of an engine model that takes the engine physics into account. Thus, the method synergically combines the advantages of data-driven (fast online operation) and model-based (the engine physics is accounted for) condition monitoring methods. Using this reduced order model as surrogate of the engine model, two gradient-like condition monitoring tools are constructed. The first tool is extremely fast and able to precisely compute the turbine inlet temperature ‘on the fly’, which is a paramount parameter for the engine performance, operation, and maintenance, and can only be roughly estimated by the engine instrumentation in civil aviation. The second tool is not as fast (but still reasonably inexpensive) and precisely computes both the engine degradation and the turbine inlet temperature at which sensors data have been acquired. These tools are robust in connection with random noise added to the sensor data and can be straightforwardly applied to other mechanical systems.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Pattern Analysis of Polyphenol Oxidase Gene Family in Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Chen Yanan , Mao Jingxiu , Zhang Lanlan , Zhu Changjun , Qin Qiaoping , Li Nanyi
Published: October 2023

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is the key enzyme in the melanogenesis pathway of enzymatic browning that converts phenolic substrates to quinones and eventually polymerizes to form melanin. In this study, the genome-wide characterization of the Abppo gene family was performed, and six Abppo genes were identified. These genes were divided into three groups based on sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, with members of the same group possessing similar motif structures. Expression analysis showed that the Abppo genes demonstrate diverse expression patterns at different growth stages and postharvest storage. In addition, the expression of Abppo genes could be significantly induced by abscisic acid, salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, and gibberellic acid 3, indicating their potential roles in response to abiotic stresses. These results provide insights into the potential functions of the Abppo gene family, offering a theoretical reference in the future for mushroom breeders.
The Effect of Sowing Date on the Nutritional Quality of Kernels of Various Maize Varieties in Northeast China
Authors: Liu Jiahong , He Qijin , Wu Yixuan , Xiao Xiao , Sun Weiwei , Lin Yujing , Yi Rui , Pan Xuebiao
Published: October 2023

Suitable sowing dates are crucial in plant production to cope with climate change and ensure high-quality crop production. We hypothesize that the analysis of the effect of sowing date and climatic resources on maize kernel nutritional quality (KNQ) (crude fiber, starch, crude fat, and crude protein) might contribute to selecting appropriate sowing dates according to different production requirements and meteorological conditions. The study was based on five main local varieties in three experimental stations (early-maturing variety: Zengyu1317, Hongshuo298, Keyu15; medium-maturing variety: Xianyu335; late-maturing variety: Danyu405) in Northeast China from 2018 to 2021. The results showed that: (1) the average starch content (67.7%) and crude protein content (9.1%) of early-maturing variety maize and the crude fiber content (3.3%) and crude fat content (3.6%) of late-maturing variety maize were the highest in Northeast China; (2) the sowing date had no significant effect on the starch content, but significantly affected the crude protein and crude fiber contents, the kernel protein content of early-maturing variety maize was the highest when the sowing date was delayed for 5 days (9.8%), and the crude fiber content of medium-maturing and late-maturing variety maize (4.3% and 5.39%, respectively) was the highest when the sowing date was advanced by 10 days; (3) during the reproductive growth stage, the more light and heat resources, the less starch content and crude protein content and the more crude fat content; when the diurnal temperature range increased by 1 °C, the crude fat content decreased by 0.28%, and the crude protein content increased by 0.77%; for every 100 mm more precipitation, crude fiber and crude protein content decreased by 0.68% and 0.73%, respectively, and fat content increased by 0.15%. Our results provide a meaningful reference for maize production to cope with climate change and improve kernel quality.
Effect of a Bacillus-Based Probiotic on Performance and Nutrient Digestibility When Substituting Soybean Meal with Rapeseed Meal in Grower–Finisher Diets
Authors: Gracia Marta I. , Cano Guillermo , Vázquez Patricia , Hansen Lea H. B.
Published: October 2023

The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis supplementation to a negative control diet in comparison to a standard control diet, had the potential to improve the performance and nutrient digestibility of growing–finishing pigs. For this purpose, 384 fattening pigs of 85 d of age were allotted to three treatments: a standard diet, a negative control (NC) diet (5% soybean meal replaced by 5% rapeseed meal), or a NC diet + probiotic. After reaching a body weight of approximately 110 kg, all animals going to the slaughterhouse (87% of total pigs) were selected to measure carcass quality. Moreover, the apparent total tract digestibility of protein was evaluated at the end of the grower period. The results of this study indicate that supplementation of the tested Bacillus-based probiotic significantly improved average daily gain (ADG, +14.6%) and Feed:gain ratio (F:G, −9.9%) during the grower phase compared to the NC diet. The improvement observed during the grower phase was maintained for the whole fattening period (ADG, +3.9%). Probiotic supplementation significantly improved the total apparent faecal digestibility of dry matter and crude protein in pigs at the end of the grower period. The improvements observed with the additive tested could indicate that supplementation of the Bacillus-based probiotic was able to counteract the lower level of crude protein and standardised ileal digestible amino acids in the NC diet by means of improved protein digestibility.
Multi-Trait Single-Step Genomic Prediction for Milk Yield and Milk Components for Polish Holstein Population
Authors: Önder Hasan , Sitskowska Beata , Kurnaz Burcu , Piwczyński Dariusz , Kolenda Magdalena , Şen Uğur , Tırınk Cem , Çanga Boğa Demet
Published: October 2023

The objective of our study was to evaluate the predictive ability of a multi-trait genomic prediction model that accounts for interactions between marker effects to estimate heritability and genetic correlations of traits including 305-day milk yield, milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, milk lactose percentage, and milk dry matter percentage in the Polish Holstein Friesian cow population. For this aim, 14,742 SNP genotype records for 586 Polish Holstein Friesian dairy cows from Poland were used. Single-Trait-ssGBLUP (ST) and Multi-Trait-ssGBLUP (MT) methods were used for estimation. We examined 305-day milk yield (MY, kg), milk fat percentage (MF, %), milk protein percentage (MP, %), milk lactose percentage (ML, %), and milk dry matter percentage (MDM, %). The results showed that the highest marker effect rank correlation was found between milk fat percentage and milk dry matter. The weakest marker effect rank correlation was found between ML and all other traits. Obtained accuracies of this study were between 0.770 and 0.882, and 0.773 and 0.876 for MT and ST, respectively, which were acceptable values. All estimated bias values were positive, which is proof of underestimation. The highest heritability value was obtained for MP (0.3029) and the lowest heritability value was calculated for ML (0.2171). Estimated heritability values were low for milk yield and milk composition as expected. The strongest genetic correlation was estimated between MDM and MF (0.4990) and the weakest genetic correlation was estimated between MY and ML (0.001). The genetic relations with milk yield were negative and can be ignored as they were not significant. In conclusion, multi-trait genomic prediction can be more beneficial than single-trait genomic prediction.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Maternal Genetic Effects on Intramuscular Fat and Fatty Acid Composition in Rabbits
Authors: EL Nagar Ayman G. , Heddi Imen , Sosa-Madrid Bolívar Samuel , Blasco Agustín , Hernández Pilar , Ibáñez-Escriche Noelia
Published: October 2023

Maternal genetic effects (MGE) could affect meat quality traits such as intramuscular fat (IMF) and its fatty acid composition. However, it has been scarcely studied, especially in rabbits. The objectives of the present study were, first, to assess the importance of MGE on intramuscular fat and fatty acid composition by applying a Bayesian maternal animal model in two rabbit lines divergently selected for IMF. The second objective was to identify genomic regions and candidate genes of MGE that are associated with the traits of these offspring, using Bayesian methods in a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS). Quantitative analyses were performed using data from 1982 rabbits, and 349 animals from the 9th generation and 76 dams of the 8th generation with 88,512 SNPs were used for the GWAS. The studied traits were IMF, saturated fatty acids (total SFA, C14:0; myristic acid, C16:0; palmitic acid and C18:0; stearic acid), monounsaturated fatty acids (total MUFA, C16:1n-7; palmitoleic acid and C18:1n-9; oleic acid), polyunsaturated fatty acids (total PUFA, C18:2n-6; linoleic acid, C18:3n-3; α-linolenic acid and C20:4n-6; arachidonic acid), MUFA/SFA and PUFA/SFA. The proportion of phenotypic variance explained by the maternal genetic effect ranged from 8 to 22% for IMF, depending on the model. For fatty acid composition, the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by maternal genetic effects varied from 10% (C18:0) to 46% (MUFA) in a model including both direct and additive maternal genetic effects, together with the common litter effect as a random variable. In particular, there were significant direct maternal genetic correlations for C16:0, C18:1n9, C18:2n6, SFA, MUFA, and PUFA with values ranging from −0.53 to −0.89. Relevant associated genomic regions were located on the rabbit chromosomes (OCU) OCU1, OCU5 and OCU19 containing some relevant candidates (TANC2, ACE, MAP3K3, TEX2, PRKCA, SH3GL2, CNTLN, RPGRIP1L and FTO) related to lipid metabolism, binding, and obesity. These regions explained about 1.2 to 13.9% of the total genomic variance of the traits studied. Our results showed an important maternal genetic effect on IMF and its fatty acid composition in rabbits and identified promising candidate genes associated with these traits.
Genetic and Phenotypic Characteristics of Belted Pig Breeds: A Review
Authors: Giovannini Samira , Strillacci Maria Giuseppina , Bagnato Alessandro , Albertini Emidio , Sarti Francesca Maria
Published: October 2023

Belted pig breeds have unique, distinguishing phenotypic characteristics. This review summarises the current knowledge on pig breeds displaying a belted coat pattern. Belts of different widths and positions around the animal’s trunk characterise specific pig breeds from all around the world. All the breeds included in the present paper have been searched through the FAO domestic animal diversity information system (DAD-IS), Every country was checked to identify all breeds described as having black or red piebald coat pattern variations. Advances in genomic technologies have made it possible to identify the specific genes and genetic markers associated with the belted phenotype and explore the genetic relationships between different local breeds. Thus, the origin, history, and production traits of these breeds, together with all the genomic information related to the mechanism of skin pigmentation, are discussed. By increasing our understanding of these breeds, we can appreciate the richness of our biological and cultural heritage and work to preserve the biodiversity of the world’s animals.
Efficacy of Edible and Leisure Reinforcers with Domestic Dogs
Authors: Lazaro Xenabeth A. , Winter John M. , Fernand Jonathan K. , Cox David J. , Dorey Nicole R.
Published: October 2023

Preference assessments are often used to identify stimuli that function as potential reinforcers for training or intervention purposes. Specifically, various preference assessment formats have been used to identify preferred stimuli for humans, cockroaches, cotton-top tamarins, tortoises, and wolves, to name a few. However, to date, no study has evaluated the differential efficacy between food and leisure stimuli within domestic dogs. The current study aimed to compare the reinforcing value and efficacy between food and leisure stimuli for domestic dogs by comparing rates of behavior when receiving access to either their top-preferred food or leisure items. Overall results suggest (1) domestic dogs prefer food over leisure items, and (2) food is more likely to function as a reinforcer than leisure items for domestic dog’s behavior. These results suggest that dog owners and trainers should consider using food reinforcers over leisure items as reinforcers when attempting to train dogs.
Detection of Pig Movement and Aggression Using Deep Learning Approaches
Authors: Wei Jiacheng , Tang Xi , Liu Jinxiu , Zhang Zhiyan
Published: October 2023

Motion and aggressive behaviors in pigs provide important information for the study of social hierarchies in pigs and can be used as a selection indicator for pig health and aggression parameters. However, relying only on visual observation or surveillance video to record the number of aggressive acts is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and lasts for only a short period of time. Manual observation is too short compared to the growth cycle of pigs, and complete recording is impractical in large farms. In addition, due to the complex process of assessing the intensity of pig aggression, manual recording is highly influenced by human subjective vision. In order to efficiently record pig motion and aggressive behaviors as parameters for breeding selection and behavioral studies, the videos and pictures were collected from typical commercial farms, with each unit including 8~20 pigs in 7~25 m2 space; they were bred in stable social groups and a video was set up to record the whole day’s activities. We proposed a deep learning-based recognition method for detecting and recognizing the movement and aggressive behaviors of pigs by recording and annotating head-to-head tapping, head-to-body tapping, neck biting, body biting, and ear biting during fighting. The method uses an improved EMA-YOLOv8 model and a target tracking algorithm to assign a unique digital identity code to each pig, while efficiently recognizing and recording pig motion and aggressive behaviors and tracking them, thus providing statistics on the speed and duration of pig motion. On the test dataset, the average precision of the model was 96.4%, indicating that the model has high accuracy in detecting a pig’s identity and its fighting behaviors. The model detection results were highly correlated with the manual recording results (R2 of 0.9804 and 0.9856, respectively), indicating that the method has high accuracy and effectiveness. In summary, the method realized the detection and identification of motion duration and aggressive behavior of pigs under natural conditions, and provided reliable data and technical support for the study of the social hierarchy of pigs and the selection of pig health and aggression phenotypes.
Salmoneus chelocrassus sp. nov., a New Morphologically Distinctive Species of the Genus Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955 (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) from Taiwan
Authors: Ashrafi Hossein , Lin Chia-Wei , Ďuriš Zdeněk
Published: October 2023

During a faunal investigation using SCUBA in Taiwan in 2014, a single ovigerous specimen of an alpheid shrimp belonging to the genus Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955, was collected. Notably, the specimen stood out due to its extremely robust major cheliped compared to other species within the genus. Detailed examination of the specimen unveiled its morphological distinctiveness from all known Salmoneus species, confirming its novelty to science. Apart from the remarkably inflated major cheliped devoid of depressions along the ventral margin, the characteristics of S. chelocrassus sp. nov., include the markedly reduced arthrobranch on the third maxilliped and the absence of microserrulate setae on the propodus of the fifth pereiopod.
Boundedness and Essential Norm of an Operator between Weighted-Type Spaces of Holomorphic Functions on a Unit Ball
Authors: Stević Stevo , Ueki Sei-Ichiro
Published: October 2023

The boundedness of a sum-type operator between weighted-type spaces is characterized and its essential norm is estimated.
Application of TiS2 as an Active Material for Aqueous Calcium-Ion Batteries: Electrochemical Calcium Intercalation into TiS2 from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Seong Sujin , Lee Hajin , Lee Sangyup , Nogales Paul Maldonado , Lee Changhee , Kim Yangsoo , Jeong Soon-Ki
Published: October 2023

This study explores the potential of titanium disulfide (TiS2) as an active material for aqueous calcium-ion batteries (CIBs). We investigate the electrochemical redox reactions of calcium ions within TiS2 and assess its suitability for use in aqueous CIBs. Additionally, we examine the impact of varying electrolyte concentrations, ranging from 1.0 to 8.0 mol dm−3, on TiS2 electrode reactions. Our findings reveal that TiS2 exhibits distinct charge–discharge behaviors in various aqueous calcium-ion electrolytes. Notably, at higher electrolyte concentrations, TiS2 effectively suppresses the hydrogen generation reaction caused by water decomposition. In situ X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the intercalation of Ca2+ ions between the TiS2 layers during charging, which is a groundbreaking discovery, signifying TiS2’s applicability in aqueous CIBs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis further supports the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the TiS2 electrode surface, contributing to the suppression of electrolyte decomposition reactions. Furthermore, we investigate the influence of anions in the electrolyte on charge–discharge behavior. Our findings suggest that the choice of anion coordinated with Ca2+ ions affects the SEI formation and cycling performance. Understanding the role of anions in SEI formation is crucial for optimizing aqueous CIBs. In conclusion, this research underscores TiS2’s potential as an active material for aqueous calcium-ion batteries and emphasizes the importance of the electrolyte composition in influencing SEI formation and battery performance, contributing to sustainable and efficient energy storage technologies.
Impact of Multiple Module Collectors on the Cell Current Distribution within the Battery Pack
Authors: Yu Zhihao , Sun Zhezhe , Chang Long , Ma Chen , Li Changlong , Li Hongyu , Luan Chunxiao , Al-saidi Mohammad Y. M.
Published: October 2023

Lithium-ion batteries are usually connected in series and parallel to form a pack for meeting the voltage and capacity requirements of energy storage systems. However, different pack configurations and battery module collector positions result in different equivalent connected resistances, leading to pack current inhomogeneity, which seriously reduces the lifetime and safety of the pack. Therefore, in order to quantitatively analyze the influence of the connected resistance on the current distribution, this study researched the initial cell current distribution of the parallel module by developing mathematical models of different configurations. Then, this study explored the influence of multiple module collector positions on the current inhomogeneity of the pack under the dynamic current condition. The results show that the inhomogeneity of cell current and discharge capacity in the pack with parallel modules connected in series can be improved by keeping each cell in a parallel module with the same distance to its module collector. Furthermore, the current homogeneity of the edge parallel modules in the pack is seriously affected by the position of the single module collector. Therefore, this study innovatively proposes the symmetrical multiple module collectors of the pack, which can greatly improve the current homogeneity of the edge parallel modules, thereby improving the lifetime and safety of the pack.
Efficacy of a Diode Vaginal Laser in the Treatment of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
Authors: Barba Marta , Cola Alice , De Vicari Desirèe , Costa Clarissa , Castelli Arianna Petra , Volontè Silvia , Fruscio Robert , Frigerio Matteo
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) are the most frequent menopause-related clinical entities and are consistently included in the definition of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). Nonhormonal therapies, such as lubricants and moisturizers, are indicated as first-line treatments, while the “gold standard’’ is represented by topical estrogen products; however, in cancer survivors hormonal treatment is not indicated. For this reason, energy-based therapeutic approaches—for instance, through laser technologies—may be employed as alternative options in this kind of patient; however, there are no studies evaluating the efficacy of a pure diode vaginal laser in the treatment of GSM. As a consequence, with our study, we aimed to evaluate outpatient nonablative diode laser treatment in sexually active women, with contraindications, no response, or refusal of local estrogenic therapy. Methods: This prospective study included patients with GSM, aged ≥ 18 years old, with contraindications, or refusal of local estrogen therapies. Women were evaluated via the use of their Vaginal Health Index (VHI) scores, which consists of five measures: elasticity, fluid volume, pH, epithelial integrity, and moisture. Moreover, the intensity of VVA symptoms (vaginal burning, vaginal itching, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and dysuria) was measured using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS), where the left extreme of the scale (score = 0) indicated “absence of symptom” and the right indicated “symptom as bad as it could be” (score = 100). Sexual function was evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-19) questionnaire. The treatment was performed using a Leonardo Dual diode laser (Biolitec Italia Srl, Milano, Italy). The laser treatment consisted of three sessions, one per month. One month after the third session, the VHI, symptom VAS, and FSFI-19 were re-evaluated. In addition, the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire was collected. Results: Our study enrolled a total of 26 consecutive patients. All patients were either in menopause or under treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). None of the patients reported adverse effects after laser treatment. In total, 19 (73.1%) patients referred improvements of their symptoms according to PGI-I scores. All domains of the FSFI-19 questionnaire, significantly improved after the diode laser treatment. The mean VHI score increased by 3.2 points, from 12.2 to 15.4 (p < 0.001). Additionally, we documented a significant improvement in symptoms affecting the VAS score, from 69.2 to 43.5 points (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A diode vaginal laser is an effective and easily tolerated ambulatory procedure for vaginal functional restoration in the treatment of GSM and VVA.
Empowering Cancer Therapy: Comparing PEGylated and Non-PEGylated Niosomes Loaded with Curcumin and Doxorubicin on MCF-7 Cell Line
Authors: Saharkhiz Shaghayegh , Zarepour Atefeh , Zarrabi Ali
Published: October 2023

Cancer remains an enduring challenge in modern society, prompting relentless pursuits to confront its complexities. However, resistance often emerges against conventional treatments, driven by their inherent limitations such as adverse effects and limited solubility. Herein, we spotlight a remarkable solution; a niosomal platform engineered to tandemly ferry two potent agents, doxorubicin (DOX) and curcumin (CUR). Notably, we delve into the pivotal role of PEGylation, unraveling its impact on therapeutic efficacy. These niosomes consist of Span 60, Tween 60, and cholesterol with a molar ratio of 5:2:3, which were prepared via a thin film hydration method. The physicochemical characterization of particles was performed using DLS, zeta potential measurement, SEM, and FTIR analysis. In addition, their encapsulation efficiency and release profile were determined using the HPLC method. Finally, their cytotoxicity and biocompatibility effects were checked by performing an MTT assay test on the MCF7 and L929 cell lines. The obtained results confirmed the successful fabrication of co-loaded niosomal structures with and without PEG coating. The fabricated nanoparticles had sizes in the range of 100 to 200 nm with a surface charge of about −18 mV for particles without PEG coating and −40 mV for coated particles. Notably, DOX encapsulation efficiency leaps from 20% to 62% in the transition from uncoated to coated, while CUR exhibits an impressive surge from 80% to 95%. The drug release was more controlled and slower in the coated sample. Finally, the MTT results confirmed the biocompatibility and synergistic effect of the simultaneous use of two drugs on cancer cells in the PEGylated niosomal particle. Based on the results, PEGylated niosomal particles can be considered adept vehicles for the simultaneous delivery of different chemotherapy cargoes with synergic interaction to overcome cancer.
Whole-Body Dynamics-Based Aerial Fall Trajectory Optimization and Landing Control for Humanoid Robot
Authors: Zuo Weilong , Gao Junyao , Cao Jingwei , Xin Xilong , Jin Mingyue , Chen Xuechao
Published: October 2023

When humanoid robots work in human environments, falls are inevitable due to the complexity of such environments. Current research on humanoid robot falls has mainly focused on falls on the ground, with little research on humanoid robots falling from the air. In this paper, we employ an extended state variable formulation that directly maps from the high-level motion strategy space to the full-body joint space to optimize the falling trajectory in order to protect the robot when falling from the air. In order to mitigate the impact force generated by the robot’s fall, during the aerial phase, we employ simple proportion differentiation (PD) control. In the landing phase, we optimize the optimal contact force at the contact point using the centroidal dynamics model. Based on the contact force, the changes to the end-effector positions are solved using a dual spring–damper model. In the simulation experiments, we conduct three comparative experiments, and the simulation results demonstrate that the robot can safely fall 1.5 m from the ground at a pitch angle of 45°. Finally, we experimentally validate the methods on an actual robot by performing a side-fall experiment. The experimental results show that the proposed trajectory optimization and motion control methods can provide excellent shock absorption for the impact generated when a robot falls.
Intelligent Breast Mass Classification Approach Using Archimedes Optimization Algorithm with Deep Learning on Digital Mammograms
Authors: Basheri Mohammed
Published: October 2023

Breast cancer (BC) has affected many women around the world. To accomplish the classification and detection of BC, several computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems have been introduced for the analysis of mammogram images. This is because analysis by the human radiologist is a complex and time-consuming task. Although CAD systems are used to primarily analyze the disease and offer the best therapy, it is still essential to enhance present CAD systems by integrating novel approaches and technologies in order to provide explicit performances. Presently, deep learning (DL) systems are outperforming promising outcomes in the early detection of BC by creating CAD systems executing convolutional neural networks (CNNs). This article presents an Intelligent Breast Mass Classification Approach using the Archimedes Optimization Algorithm with Deep Learning (BMCA-AOADL) technique on Digital Mammograms. The major aim of the BMCA-AOADL technique is to exploit the DL model with a bio-inspired algorithm for breast mass classification. In the BMCA-AOADL approach, median filtering (MF)-based noise removal and U-Net segmentation take place as a pre-processing step. For feature extraction, the BMCA-AOADL technique utilizes the SqueezeNet model with AOA as a hyperparameter tuning approach. To detect and classify the breast mass, the BMCA-AOADL technique applies a deep belief network (DBN) approach. The simulation value of the BMCA-AOADL system has been studied on the MIAS dataset from the Kaggle repository. The experimental values showcase the significant outcomes of the BMCA-AOADL technique compared to other DL algorithms with a maximum accuracy of 96.48%.
Human Posture Transition-Time Detection Based upon Inertial Measurement Unit and Long Short-Term Memory Neural Networks
Authors: Kuo Chun-Ting , Lin Jun-Ji , Jen Kuo-Kuang , Hsu Wei-Li , Wang Fu-Cheng , Tsao Tsu-Chin , Yen Jia-Yush
Published: October 2023

As human–robot interaction becomes more prevalent in industrial and clinical settings, detecting changes in human posture has become increasingly crucial. While recognizing human actions has been extensively studied, the transition between different postures or movements has been largely overlooked. This study explores using two deep-learning methods, the linear Feedforward Neural Network (FNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), to detect changes in human posture among three different movements: standing, walking, and sitting. To explore the possibility of rapid posture-change detection upon human intention, the authors introduced transition stages as distinct features for the identification. During the experiment, the subject wore an inertial measurement unit (IMU) on their right leg to measure joint parameters. The measurement data were used to train the two machine learning networks, and their performances were tested. This study also examined the effect of the sampling rates on the LSTM network. The results indicate that both methods achieved high detection accuracies. Still, the LSTM model outperformed the FNN in terms of speed and accuracy, achieving 91% and 95% accuracy for data sampled at 25 Hz and 100 Hz, respectively. Additionally, the network trained for one test subject was able to detect posture changes in other subjects, demonstrating the feasibility of personalized or generalized deep learning models for detecting human intentions. The accuracies for posture transition time and identification at a sampling rate of 100 Hz were 0.17 s and 94.44%, respectively. In summary, this study achieved some good outcomes and laid a crucial foundation for the engineering application of digital twins, exoskeletons, and human intention control.
Does the Effect of Stress on Smartphone Addiction Vary Depending on the Gender and Type of Addiction?
Authors: Tu Wei , Nie Yangang , Liu Qingqi
Published: October 2023

Stress is closely associated with smartphone addiction. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of studies investigating the potential variation in the effect of stress on smartphone addiction based on the specific addiction type and gender. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among 596 high school students. The results revealed that the effect size of stress on smartphone addiction varied across different types of addiction. The strongest relationship was observed between stress and social media addiction, followed by the relationship between stress and information acquisition addiction. Furthermore, gender played a significant moderating role in stress and three types of smartphone addiction. Specifically, stress was strongly associated with information acquisition addiction overall, with no significant gender differences observed. In contrast, stress exhibited a strong correlation with social media addiction, which was significantly more prevalent among females. On the other hand, game addiction and short-form video addiction were both strongly associated with stress, but showed significantly higher prevalence among males. This study enhances current research by offering supplementary insights into the correlation between stress and smartphone addiction, as well as exploring the potential implications of intervening in smartphone addiction.
Interplay between Tradition and Modernity: Stress and Coping Experiences among Parents of Children with Autism in Beijing, China
Authors: Wang Xiaoran , Zhai Fuhua , Wang Yixuan
Published: October 2023

In traditional Chinese culture, specific beliefs and values can influence parents’ experiences of stress and coping while raising children with autism. However, as China undergoes rapid social changes amid globalization, are these cultural influences still significant for today’s parents of young children with autism? This study delves into this question through 12 in-depth interviews with parents of children with autism in Beijing. Content analysis indicated that while influences from traditional culture remain, modern parents often diverge from them. They adopt Western views on autism to mitigate stigma, establish boundaries with grandparents to ensure effective early interventions, address imbalanced professional dynamics, adjust authoritarian parenting styles, and broaden their social networks. A mix of traditional and contemporary parenting characterizes their experiences. The discussion elaborates on the findings, emphasizing the importance of family support.