bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Few-Shot Scene Classification with attention mechanism in Remote Sensing
Authors: Li Xuanye , Li Hongguang , Yu Ruonan , Wang Fei
Published: July 2021

Remote sensing scene classification is a hot research topic in computer vision and it is of great significance to the semantic understanding of remote sensing images. At present, remote sensing scene classification methods based on deep learning occupy a dominant position in this field. However, it suffers from the lack of samples and poor model generalization ability in actual application scenarios. Therefore, this paper proposes a few-shot remote scene classification method based on attention mechanism, and designs a structure of dual-branches similarity measurement. This method is based on the meta-learning training strategy to divide the dataset into tasks. At the meantime, the input images are divided into blocks to preserve the feature distribution in the remote sensing image. Then the lightweight attention module is introduced into the feature extraction network to reduce the risk of overfitting and ensure the acquisition of discriminative features. Finally we add a dual-branches similarity measurement module on the basis of Earth Mover’s Distance to improve the discriminative ability of the classifier. The results show that compared with the classic small-sample learning method, the few-shot remote scene classification method proposed in this paper can significantly improve the classification performance.
Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Variation in Habitat Quality Based on the InVEST Model- A Case Study of Shangri-La City, Northwest Yunnan, China
Authors: Sun Xingqi , Yu Yuanhe , Wang Jinliang , Liu Weidong
Published: July 2021

Habitat quality is an important spatial dynamic factor for evaluating the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to understand the characteristic variation of habitat quality in Shangri-La City, which can provide a basis for decision-making by relevant departments to protect the biodiversity of the area. The spatiotemporal variation of habitat quality of Shangri-La City in 1989-2015 was estimated based on the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model. The results showed that: (1) The overall habitat quality presented a decreasing trend from 1989 to 2015, with Jiantang, Naxi, Xiaozhongdian, the northern part of Hutiaoxia and the southern part of Sanba the most significant. (2) The highest value of the average habitat quality of Shangri-La City was located in the middle-elevation regions, while the lowest value was located in the low-elevation areas, and the average habitat quality of the two regions showed a decreasing trend from 1989 to 2015. (3) The average habitat quality of the steep and extremely steep slopes in Shangri-La was higher than that of the slight slopes. This study was useful for biodiversity conservation policy-making for ecological fragile region in China.
The Limited-FCMSPCNN algorithm for image defogging
Authors: Guo Chenxi , Lian Jing , Kang Yuan , Zheng Li , Zhang Mingxuan
Published: July 2021

In order to address the problem of defogging images of foggy scenes, this paper proposes a parameter-tunable image defogging algorithm based on the FC-MSPCNN model. Firstly, we simplify the traditional PCNN model and also propose the Limited-FCMSPCNN (LFC-MSPCNN) model. Secondly, we give the five key parameters in the model. There are five key parameters in the model: α, β, V, G and a modulation parameter q, and how they are set. Thirdly, we verified that the algorithm in this paper has good defogging effect on foggy sky images by comparing with the Dark Channel Prior algorithm, the Retinex algorithm and the FC-MSPCNN algorithm, showing that the LFC-MSPCNN method proposed in this paper has robustness.
Design of an Intelligent Alarm System Based on Multi-sensor Data Fusion
Authors: Wen Chunming , Li Kechang , Liao Yikui , Xiao Zhanpeng
Published: July 2021

The fire alarm system plays a very important role in life, but the system has problems such as false alarms and false alarms. Therefore, this paper proposes the application of fire detection based on GA-BP neural network. Firstly, the algorithm takes temperature, smoke concentration and CO concentration as the input of BP neural network, and the output is whether there is fire or not. Secondly, it combines the characteristics of genetic algorithm with strong global search ability and strong robustness. The algorithm has achieved 100% correct classification on the test set through simulation experiments. At the same time, the absolute error of the sample prediction is only 0.006, which proves that it has strong robustness, reliability and generalization ability. Finally, the model was transplanted to STM32 to prove its feasibility. This method provides a new method for intelligent identification of fire signals for early warning of fires and accurate identification of non-fire signals.
Research Progress in Remote Sensing Image Texture Analysis
Authors: Sun Changqing , Wen Zhenwei
Published: July 2021

Current remote sensing image texture analysis and research is based texture feature. Specialist, who home and abroad, has been continuously explore an optimal extraction process and texture analyze method or through a variety of methods to realize extraction of remote sensing texture information. There are three directions, which including the research of optimal scale, the fusion of method, the proposal and improvement of new algorithm, could comprehensive summary about recent research progress in remote sensing image texture analysis by sorting and analyzing information extraction of remote sensing texture features, the progress of texture analysis methods and the application of analysis methods in recent years. At the same time, a prediction was made for future development of remote sensing image texture analysis. Five development directions are summarized: fusion method, scale selection, continuation and improvement of traditional methods based on symbiotic gray matrix and wavelet analysis, research and exploration of object-oriented and deep learning methods, and research of new algorithms to improve the information extraction effect.
Automatic end-to-end veneer grading system based on machine vision
Authors: Ma Fengying , Zhang Jiyin , Ji Peng
Published: July 2021

In order to realize automatic grading of veneers of different quality during the processing of veneer veneers, an end-to-end veneer automatic grading system based on YOLOV3 was designed. Using YOLOV3 network as the defect detection model, self-made veneer defect data set for model training. Firstly, the system obtains the veneer surface image; then the trained model detects the obtained veneer surface image, identifies scars and cavities in the surface defects, and marks the scars and cavities with rectangular boxes respectively; finally, the quality level of the veneer is determined according to the characteristic information of the detected scars and holes, and the level signal is transmitted to the PLC system to drive the grading actuator for grading. Experiments show that the end-to-end veneer automatic grading system based on machine vision can effectively carry out the automatic veneer grading, which is helpful to realize the intelligent and automated production of veneer processing and improve work efficiency.
Research on Integrated Navigation Algorithm Based on Radial Basis Function Neural Network
Authors: Liu Hang , Li Kaicheng , Fu Qiang , Yuan Lei
Published: July 2021

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. Due to its harsh climatic conditions and geographic environment, the line currently uses the Global Position System (GPS) to achieve train positioning. However, the navigation satellites are easily blocked by obstructions such as tunnels, resulting in a decrease in positioning accuracy. The conventional solution is to use multiple sensors such as an inertial navigation system (INS) for data fusion. But in the INS/GPS integrated navigation system, when the GPS signal is lost, the navigation accuracy will still decrease. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a radial basis function (RBF) neural network-assisted integrated navigation filtering algorithm. When the two systems are working normally, the measured raw information is used to train the RBF neural network. When the GPS fails, the measured and calculated values of the inertial navigation system are input to the trained network model to obtain the predicted error value, which is corrected to the inertial navigation system to obtain the final navigation information. The MATLAB simulation results show that when the short-term GPS information is missing, the integrated navigation system assisted by the RBF neural network has better estimation accuracy.
Ecological Vulnerability of Lake Basin by Integrating Human Activity Indicators based on RS and GIS: A Case of Fuxian Lake in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Zhou Jing , Tang Jinli , Yang Yanjun , Yang Hailan , Li Lan , Wu Li
Published: July 2021

The variation of landscape pattern and vulnerability can indicate the ecological environmental state. This study established a model for landscape pattern vulnerability based on human activity intensity by taking five sets of land use data (1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015). Landscape sensitivity index, landscape adaptability index and human activity intensity of land surface were all used to compute the landscape vulnerability index. In virtue of Fragstats 4.2 and ArcGIS 10.5, landscape index can be obtained and spatial-temporal distribution and evolution of landscape pattern vulnerability were analysed. Results showed that, (1) from 1995 to 2015, the human activity intensity and landscape pattern vulnerability in the Fuxian Lake Basin deteriorated gradually, the area of higher intensity/vulnerability and high intensity/vulnerability dramatically expanded with time. (2) the spatial heterogeneity of landscape pattern vulnerability increased, there are significant differences between the north, south ends and east, west sides of Fuxian Lake. (3) The global spatiality of landscape pattern vulnerability exhibited strong positive correlation with the significant form of spatial agglomeration, and the positive spatial autocorrelation continued to keep on but the tendency of spatial concentration was slightly decreasing over time. The local autocorrelation mainly based on high-high accumulation zone and low-low accumulation zone had stronger spatial autocorrelation among neighbouring space units. Due to the implementation of the protection policy, the landscape pattern vulnerability in the east sides of Fuxian Lake had expressed declining trend, but that in the north need more attention and protection.
Progress of Surveying and Mapping Science and Technology in the Information Age
Authors: Zhang Wen , Sun Changqing
Published: July 2021

With the further improvement of my country’s current information technology level, the development of China’s surveying and mapping has inevitably shifted from digital mapping to computerized information mapping. This article expounds the important role of surveying and mapping science and technology in the construction of the country and society, and from this leads to a better construction of national security and convenient governance system. then information-based surveying and mapping will be the future development prospect of surveying and mapping. From the perspective of informatization surveying and mapping, this article expounds its characteristics, development trends and application status, and explains the basic role of informatization surveying and mapping in my country’s surveying and mapping industry.
Optimization and Simulation of DMC Algorithm with Terminal Weight Based on LQR Controller
Authors: Tian Kai , Xiao Zhongjun , Ji Peng
Published: July 2021

Based on the multivariable dynamic matrix control algorithm, there are many similarities between the dynamic matrix control algorithm and LQR in the form of state equation, state variable and objective function. We can use the objective function of LQR to improve the objective function of DMC and improve the control effect of the system. Using the given mathematical model, the terminal weighting matrix of LQR is applied to DMC algorithm, and the optimized multivariable dynamic matrix control algorithm is simulated. The results show that the algorithm can effectively reduce the response time of the system, make the system sink faster and reach the given value faster.
Research on dynamic ocean surface simulation based on 3D sonar image
Authors: Li Menglei , Jiang Hejun , Rong Yingjiao , Wang Shirui , Sun Ping
Published: July 2021

The motion state of the ocean surface is changeable and has special irregularity. It is impossible to describe these characteristics in detail, which leads to the low accuracy of simulation for the sea surface. A simulation method of realistic dynamic ocean surface based on 3D sonar image algorithm is proposed. The number of adjacent points iteration of two adjacent images is calculated, and all the dynamic shallow surface sonar images are matched and combined. According to the edge coordinate information between the nearest adjacent images, the overlapping part between the two sonar image frames is analyzed. The two frames of sonar images beyond the threshold range of overlap are registered by ICP algorithm, The simulation of the dynamic ocean surface with the statistical model and FFT based wave generation method is carried out. The simulation results show that the research method of 3D sonar image algorithm is more accurate and can achieve more real simulation results.
Comparison of spatial interpolation methods based on ArcGIS
Authors: Liu Zenglu , Yan Tianfeng
Published: July 2021

Spatial interpolation algorithm is based on known data to predict the study area, its accuracy is of great significance to research. In different application scenarios, the interpolation method with higher accuracy should be selected. Based on ArcGIS, this paper conducts experimental analysis on inverse distance weighting method and Kriging method, so as to provide a reference for the selection of interpolation method in different application scenarios.
Design of Diagnostic strategy for Radar System Based on Rollout Algorithm
Authors: Du Xiaoshuai , Hu Bing
Published: July 2021

To solve the problem of how to detect and isolate the fault of radar system with low test cost, a design method of diagnostic strategy for radar system based on rollout algorithm is proposed. This method takes the greedy search method based on information heuristic as the benchmark strategy, and uses the rollout strategy to iterate on the benchmark strategy, so as to overcome the problem of poor optimality of greedy search method. Taking the radar system dependency model as an example, this paper uses rollout algorithm to generate the diagnostic strategy of the radar system, which verifies the effectiveness of the method.
The spatial connection network pattern of urban agglomerations in the Pearl River Delta
Authors: Zhou Chenjie , Liu Zhiqian , Li Peihong
Published: July 2021

Urban agglomeration is a spatial form of highly developed comprehensive cities and an important driving force for regional economic development. Based on the data of highways, regular-speed trains, high-speed trains and Baidu index data among 9 cities in the Pearl River Delta, this paper uses spatial visualization and social network analysis to study the spatial connections and network patterns of urban agglomerations from multi-factor flows. The results show that the spatial connection between cities in the Pearl River Delta mainly radiates outward from Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Dongguan, and connects with the network formed by secondary cities such as Foshan, Huizhou and Jiangmen. A multi-core development urban network pattern is formed by an absolute core circle and a peripheral low-density circle. The core circle is consist of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Dongguan, and the low-density circle is consist of 6 city nodes with low degree value. The development of regional integration can strengthen the cooperation and exchange among cities, and it also can optimize the spatial structure of the urban agglomeration network.
Research on Computer Two-dimensional Animation Creation Tools and Processing and Editing Technology
Authors: Zheng Xiaoqing
Published: July 2021

This article analyzes the creation process of two-dimensional computer animation. The research content of this paper includes key frame generation, production of intermediate images, layered production, coloring and rehearsal processing, reasonable use of library images, combined with specific applications of authoring tools such as Flash software, animo software, TOONZ software, and FlipBook software. The author studies the specific application of computer two-dimensional animation processing and editing technology. The purpose of this article is to optimize the process of computer two-dimensional animation creation and improve the application effect of the two-dimensional animation produced.
Research on Application of Computer 3D Modeling Technology in Ceramic Tea Set Design
Authors: Zheng Dongmei
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the concept of computer modeling technology is first analyzed, and then several common instruction commands in computer 3D modeling are expounded. Finally, the application of advanced and basic modeling techniques in ceramic tea set design is analyzed in depth, including detailed discussion and planning on lofting modeling, turning modeling and extrusion modeling. Based on the present situation of ceramic tea set design in China, computer 3D modeling technology is introduced into it, which makes the ceramic tea set design perfect in the development.
Human pose estimation based on Improved High Resolution Network
Authors: Bao Ying , Zhang Manlin , Guo Xiaoming
Published: July 2021

Human pose estimation has become a hot problem in human-computer interaction and other intelligent application technologies, but the results obtained by previous deep learning networks are not very satisfactory when facing small-scale human instances. Therefore, in order to solve the problem of scale variation in human pose estimation, especially to pinpoint the keypoints of small-scale human instances, an improved High-Resolution Network (Improved HRNet) is proposed in this paper. The main improvement work in this paper is as follows: In this paper, a double attention mechanism is added in the forward transmission of the parallel sub-network, with the aim of assigning weights to the propagated information without changing the number of channels, assigning the information with high weights as useful information and reducing the interference caused by irrelevant information. In this paper, the network structure is validated using COCO dataset, and the average accuracy (Average Precision, AP) of Improved HRNet is 66.4, which is 2.3 higher than the average accuracy of High-Resolution Network (HRNet) with only 0.4% increase in parameters.
Multi-scale Salient Features for Person Re-identification
Authors: Dong Yachao , Liu Hongzhe
Published: July 2021

Person re-identification is a technology that uses computer vision to match and retrieve the same target person across cameras, which has a wide range of applications in the fields of intelligent video surveillance, intelligent security, and unmanned driving. Aiming at the problem of low accuracy caused by complex background information, occlusion and other factors in person re-identification, the extracted features are not discriminative and robust, resulting in low accuracy, a person re-identification method based on multi-scale saliency features is proposed. Firstly, the saliency detection is used to extract the distinctive feature areas with discriminative power in person, so that the features of distinguishing person inages are more prominent. Secondly, these saliency features are merged with global features and the fused features are divided into different scales, and the global features are divided into three different scales to enhance the expression of features. Finally, according to the difference of global and local features, three kinds of loss functions are combined for learning. In the inference stage, the global feature and the local feature are fused into a new feature vector for metric learning. The proposed method has been used in the person re-identification public datasets Market1501 and DukeMTMC-reID to do a lot of effective verification experiments. The experimental results show that the features extracted by the proposed method have strong distinguishability and robustness.
Influence of Oceanic Parameters on Aquarius L-Band Sea Surface Emissivity
Authors: Li Yanyan , Wang Zhenzhan , Hu Yiqiang , Tong Xiaolin
Published: July 2021

A systematic assessment of the effects of various oceanic parameters on sea surface emissivity based on Aquarius measurements is presented in this paper. The results show that the influence of wind speed on wind-driven emissivity increment ΔE is most significant. The magnitude of change in ΔE related to W can be as large as 8.02 K. The wind direction signal has been found to be small at low and moderate wind speeds, whereas it is significant at high wind speed and reaches a maximum of 1.37 K at 22.5 m/s. The influence of backscatter under HH polarization is notable and as large as, or larger than backscatter under VV polarization. The effects of the SST and SWH on ΔE are relatively small with the max magnitude of change in ΔE of 0.86 K and 0.49 K, respectively. Furthermore, strong correlations are found among wind speed, microwave backscatter under VV and HH polarization, which are higher than ninety percent. Therefore, the decorrelation of oceanic parameters is recommended to be considered in the process of emissivity correction because of the high correlations among oceanic parameters.
Research on Reliability Demonstration of Naval Gun Weapon System
Authors: Sun Shiyan , Tu Jichao , Li Chunlai
Published: July 2021

Combined with the relevant national military standards, this paper analyzes the problems existing in the selection and determination of the reliability index of naval gun weapon system, and puts forward the determination method of the basic reliability of naval gun equipment and the threshold value and target value of the mission reliability combined with the life profile and mission profile of Naval gun equipment. This method has a certain reference significance for the reliability design of naval gun equipment in the development stage, and the research of this paper has a certain practical value.
Research on Reliability of Information Push Robot Based on Image Self-learning
Authors: Xong Qi
Published: July 2021

In order to improve the intelligent control ability of information push robot, an output reliability control method of information push robot based on image self-learning is proposed. The parameter identification model of robot output reliability positioning is constructed, and the pose correction and adaptive adjustment of information push robot are carried out by combining fuzzy constraint parameter control method. Adaptive learning control law is adopted to carry out adaptive feedback correction of robot spatial distribution parameter error under computer image vision, and computer image vision information tracking fusion method is adopted to realize adaptive positioning and fuzzy control of information push robot, and improve the ability of pose correction and error feedback adjustment. The simulation results show that the output reliability control accuracy of the information push robot is high and the adaptive control ability is good.
Mobile Robot Full Ergodic Path Planning Algorithm for Power Equipment Fault Detection
Authors: Zhang Xiaoye , Xie Zhiwen , Wu Hui
Published: July 2021

In order to reduce the abnormal operation of mobile robot caused by collision, a full ergodic path planning algorithm for power equipment fault detection is proposed. Based on the grid method, the workspace of the robot is divided, and the mathematical model of path planning is established. The bb-pso algorithm is introduced to calculate the path. On this basis, the mutation operator is used as the optimization iteration power of the bb-pso algorithm. Therefore, the collision avoidance calculation is carried out to improve the feasibility of the path. The simulation results show that the distance between the path and the obstacles of the proposed algorithm is basically stable between 30-40 cm, and the fluctuation range of the path running time is only 3 min, the average time is 40 min, which has high feasibility.
Development and characterization of polyethylene and deuterated polyethylene targets for nuclear physics experiments
Authors: Mondal Saha R. , Banerjee K. , Manna S. , Kundu S. , Rana T.K. , Gayathri N. , Mukherjee G. , Karmakar P. , Ghosh T.K. , Roy P. , Pandey R. , Sen A. , Saha A. , Bhattacharya C.
Published: July 2021

Self-supported polyethylene and deuterated polyethylene targets of thickness in the range of 0.3 mg/cm2 to 2.5 mg/cm2 were prepared using the solvent casting technique. A quantitative estimation of material required for the solvent casting technique has been presented. Overall target preparation time has been reduced from the earlier reported methods. Comparative studies between polyethylene of the two different isotopes (hydrogen/deuterium) were performed in terms of their different characteristic properties e.g. target thickness, uniformity in the target thickness, infrared transmission and melting temperature. The effect of deuteration is clearly seen in the infrared transmission and melting point of the polyethylene, which may have potential applications in other fields of research. Target prepared in this work has been used for an in-beam experiment, where yield of the deuteron produced is found to be sensitive to the hydrogen isotope present in the polyethylene target.
The Venting System for Ultrahigh Pressure Sulfur Gas Wells in the Northwestern Sichuan Basin
Authors: Jiang Tao
Published: July 2021

Due to the high pressure, large gas handling capacity and high acid medium content in the development and construction of high-pressure sour gas fields, the conventional venting system cannot meet the demand of production. By investigating the relevant standards and specifications of natural gas venting system at home and abroad, the main methods and principles that should be followed in the design process of the venting system of ultra-high pressure sour gas wells are summarized. Combined with the technological characteristics of venting and venting of ultra-high pressure sour gas wells, the two technological processes are integrated, and the integrated venting/venting process of ultra-high pressure sour gas wells is obtained.
Effect of freeze-thaw treatment on the quality and flavor of Nang
Authors: Shuping Zou , Ju Qiu , Xintao Meng , Yina Meng , Yan MA , Mingqiang XU , Qian Zhang
Published: July 2021

Freezing processing has been used widely to improve the sensory quality and solve the problems induced by fungi. In this study, the effects of frozen temperature (−20, −30, −40, −50, −60°C), frozen time (30, 40, 50, 60, 70 min), thawing temperature (25, 30, 35, 40, 45°C) and thawing time (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 min) on sensory quality, texture characteristics and flavor of Nang were studied. The results showed that the order of the factors affecting the sensory quality of Nang was frozen temperature > thawing time > frozen time > thawing temperature. The optimum processing conditions were to freeze at −50°C for 50 min and thaw at 40°C for 20 min. The correlation analysis between sensory quality and texture profile analysis (TPA) showed that the highest or the lowest TPA values of the core and edge of Nang did not correspond to the best sensory quality. Frozen treatment affected the characteristic flavor of Nang obviously. There were 15 of flavor substances with a significant increase or decrease among the 41 characteristic ones identified. This study is of great significance for the production and promotion of traditional staple food in Xinjiang.
Antifungal activity screening for 32 essential oils against Rhizopus stolonifer
Authors: Xie Yongdong , Jiang Linhong , Li Juan , Zhu Jiawen , Tu Caihong , Guo Qiliang , Liu Ji
Published: July 2021

In order to screen out essential oils with better inhibitory effects on Rhizopus stolonifera and their appropriate concentrations, an in vitro antibacterial and drug susceptibility tests was conducted to determine the effects of 32 essential oils on the growth of grape R. stolonifera. The results showed that 1000 μl/L of clove, geranium, agilawood and lovage essential oils could completely inhibit the growth of R. stolonifera within 48 hours. Through follow-up verification, it was found that 1000 μl/L of clove, geranium and lovage essential oils had a continuous inhibitory effect on the growth of R. stolonifera, and the inhibition rate was continuing to 100% from 2 to 8 days. When the concentration was 250 μl/L, only lovage essential oil had high inhibition rate. Therefore, lovage essential oil can effectively inhibit the growth of R. Stolonifer on grape, and the appropriate concentration should not be less than 250 μL/L.
Analysis of alcohol dehydrogenase activity and fermentation characteristics of Acetobacter pasteurianus JST-S strain
Authors: Pu Shunchang , Wu Xuefeng , Yao Hongli , Li Xingjiang , Zheng Zhi , Jiang Shaotong
Published: July 2021

Alcohol dehydrogenase activity (ADH), acetic acid yield, and tolerance to temperature and acid-induced stress are important bacterial strain parameters for the industrial production of acetic acid or vinegar. In this study, we evaluated and compared multiple features between A. pasteurianus JST-S strain, screened in the laboratory, and A. pasteurianus CICC 20001, a commonly used industrial strain. The ADH enzyme activity peaked at 8.22 U mg−1 for JST-S compared with the 7.62 U mg−1 for CICC 20001. Further, the ADH protein level was higher in JST-S than in the CICC 20001 strain. Comparative analysis of growth and cell morphology of the two strains indicated that the acetic acid tolerance of JST-S is superior to that of CICC 20001. Further, when the two strains were used for semi-continuous fermentation in 4 batches, the total acid production in fermentation broth with the JST-S peaked at 62.96 ± 1.42 g L−1 compared with 56.83 ± 1.12 g L−1 for the CICC 20001 strain. Thus, the JST-S strain seems to have better fermentation characteristics than the commonly used industrial strain. Based on all our observations, we propose that A. pasteurianus JST-S may be applied for cost-effective industrial production to obtain a high concentration of acetic acid.
Theory of Planned Behavior Analysis of Social Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focusing on the Intention–Behavior Gap
Authors: Gibson Laurel P , Magnan Renee E , Kramer Emily B , Bryan Angela D
Published: July 2021

Background

As COVID-19 continues to spread globally, it is important to understand psychological factors that may influence compliance with social distancing.

Purpose

The present study examined whether Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs were associated with social distancing, with a focus on exploring moderators of the intention–behavior relationship.

Methods

Using a longitudinal design, U.S. adults (N = 507) self-reported TPB constructs and social distancing behavior at baseline and 3 months later. Participants were from 48 U.S. States and the District of Columbia and were on average 50.39 years old (SD = 15.32, range = 18–80). The majority were Non-Hispanic White (71.6%), had a bachelor’s degree or higher (55.3%), and resided in suburban areas (55.8%).

Results

While positive attitudes toward social distancing increased over time (p = .002), subjective norms weakened (p < .001) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) remained stable (p = .22). Interestingly, despite an increase in intentions from baseline to follow-up (p < .001), there was a significant decrease in social distancing behavior over time (p < .001). Consistent with the TPB, baseline attitudes (p < .001), subjective norms (p < .001), and PBC (p < .001) for social distancing were all associated with baseline intentions to social distance. In turn, baseline intentions were significantly associated with social distancing behavior at follow-up (p < .001). Younger adults (p < .001) and non-White participants (p = .002) displayed a greater intention–behavior gap relative to older and White participants. In contrast, participants with more stable intentions over time displayed a stronger intention–behavior relationship (p < .001).

Conclusions

Targeting individuals’ attitudes, norms, and PBC may effectively promote protective behaviors intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and similar viral outbreaks. Future research should examine effective strategies for translating social distancing intentions into actions.
Applying the RISE Model of Resilience in Partners Post-Stroke: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Anderson Miranda A , Buffo Corinne , Ketcher Dana , Nguyen Hop , MacKenzie Justin J , Reblin Maija , Terrill Alexandra L
Published: July 2021

Background

Resilience is dynamic and influenced by internal and external factors. In persons with chronic illness and/or disability, resilience is viewed as the ability to adapt to new life circumstances. Existing models of resilience typically focus on the absence of deficit and pathology in the individual, overlooking resources, well-being, and broader social impacts. Our proposed novel Relational, Intrapersonal, Social and Environmental (RISE) Model of resilience incorporates and describes the interconnection and influence of constructs that impact resilience and affect the quality of life.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the fit of the RISE Model against original interview data obtained from persons with stroke and their partners.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of qualitative data collected from post-intervention interviews that were part of an intervention pilot study designed to promote resilience in couples coping with stroke. Interviews were coded to examine relationships between RISE Model constructs.

Results

The study included 36 interviews from 18 cohabitating couples; mean participant age was 53.33 years (SD ±14.70). Examples of each construct within the RISE Model appeared in transcribed interviews and common patterns of co-occurring constructs were identified.

Conclusion

The constructs within the RISE Model were supported by the interviews. The impact of disability does not remain confined to a single individual and instead branches out into the broader social context, including close interpersonal relationships. A deeper understanding of resilience and its relationship with intrapersonal, interpersonal and socio-ecological constructs would add value to our understanding and fostering of resilience in persons with disabilities and/or chronic illness.

Clinical Trial information

NCT03335358.
Sarcopenia is associated with 3-month and 1-year mortality in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients: RESORT
Authors: Xu Jane , Reijnierse Esmee M , Pacifico Jacob , Wan Ching S , Maier Andrea B
Published: July 2021

Background

Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in geriatric rehabilitation patients and can worsen prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the association of sarcopenia and components of sarcopenia with 3-month and 1-year post-discharge mortality in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients.

Methods

REStORing health of acutely unwell adulTs (RESORT) is an observational, prospective longitudinal cohort of geriatric rehabilitation inpatients. Sex-stratified Cox proportional-hazards analyses were used to associate sarcopenia (and its components) at admission, by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP, EWGSOP2) and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS 2019), with 3-month and 1-year post-discharge all-cause mortality.

Results

Patients (n = 1,406) had a median interquartile ranges [IQR] age of 83.0 [77.4–88.2] years (58% females). Sarcopenia was significantly associated with 3-month and 1-year mortality in females (EWGSOP, EWGSOP2 and AWGS 2019) and males (EWGSOP2, AWGS 2019). In females, low muscle mass (EWGSOP, EWGSOP2 and AWGS 2019) was significantly associated with 3-month and 1-year mortality; low muscle strength (EWGSOP, EWGSOP2 and AWGS 2019) was significantly associated with 1-year mortality. For males, low muscle mass (EWGSOP2, AWGS 2019) was significantly associated with 3-month and 1-year mortality; low muscle strength (EWGSOP2, AWGS 2019) was significantly associated with 3-month mortality. The association between physical performance with mortality was not analysed due to less than five events (death) in patients with normal physical performance.

Conclusions

Sarcopenia, low muscle mass and low muscle strength at admission are associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality post-discharge from geriatric rehabilitation, highlighting the need to measure muscle mass and strength in clinical practice.
Addressing the burden of student loan debt: A case-based review of influencing considerations
Authors: Greene Elisa M , Greene W Nathan , Greene William L
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The following review is offered as an aid for encouraging deeper understanding by pharmacy graduates of approaches to debt management.

The phenomenon of growing debt for pharmacists and other professionals has been well described. Significant debt is widespread with both pharmacy students and graduates; a recent study described the debt-to-income ratio for pharmacists to have risen by 141% between 2010 and 2016. This increasing debt burden causes significant pressure for these individuals—whether while in training, early in their career, or, increasingly, even in midcareer. Dealing with debt has become a major consideration in the profession. Given that financial education is addressed only minimally, if at all, in pharmacy curricula, pharmacists find it challenging to understand and fully consider the myriad factors influencing the accumulation and repayment of debt in the context of their financial goals. Personal financial, repayment, behavioral, and emotional/psychological factors must be considered to choose an optimal strategy to address debt. This article describes various repayment plans, particularly focusing on those offered with direct loans, and it reviews in some detail 5 comprehensive repayment strategies (using these plans). Three case studies derived from real-life pharmacist-planner interactions illustrate the many factors that must be considered as a pharmacist chooses the optimal approach to debt repayment in their unique life situation.

Conclusion

Education of students and pharmacists regarding the various factors related to handling student debt may facilitate decision-making that is both financially and personally beneficial.
Subthalamic and pallidal deep brain stimulation: are we modulating the same network?
Authors: Sobesky Leon , Goede Lukas , Odekerken Vincent J J , Wang Qiang , Li Ningfei , Neudorfer Clemens , Rajamani Nanditha , Al-Fatly Bassam , Reich Martin , Volkmann Jens , de Bie Rob M A , Kühn Andrea A , Horn Andreas
Published: July 2021

The subthalamic nucleus and internal pallidum are main target sites for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease. Multiple trials that investigated subthalamic versus pallidal stimulation were unable to settle on a definitive optimal target between the two. One reason could be that the effect is mediated via a common functional network.

To test this hypothesis, we calculated connectivity profiles seeding from deep brain stimulation electrodes in 94 patients that underwent subthalamic and 28 patients with pallidal treatment based on a normative connectome atlas calculated from 1000 healthy subjects. In each cohort, we calculated connectivity profiles that were associated with optimal clinical improvements.

The two maps showed striking similarity and were able to cross-predict outcomes in the respective other cohort (R = 0.37 at P < 0.001; R = 0.34 at P = 0.032). Next, we calculated an agreement map, which retained regions common to both target sites. Crucially, this map was able to explain an additional amount of variance in clinical improvements of either cohort when compared to the maps calculated on each cohort alone. Finally, we tested profiles and predictive utility of connectivity maps calculated from different motor symptom subscores with a specific focus on bradykinesia and rigidity.

While our study is based on retrospective data and indirect connectivity metrics, it may deliver empirical data to support the hypothesis of a largely overlapping network associated with effective deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease irrespective of the specific target.
The Deubiquitinating Enzyme OTUD5 Sustains Inflammatory Cytokine Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Dinallo Vincenzo , Di Fusco Davide , Di Grazia Antonio , Laudisi Federica , Troncone Edoardo , Di Maggio Giulia , Franzè Eleonora , Marafini Irene , Colantoni Alfredo , Ortenzi Angela , Stolfi Carmine , Di Daniele Nicola , Monteleone Ivan , Monteleone Giovanni
Published: July 2021

Background and Aims

The inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]-associated immune response is marked by excessive production of a variety of inflammatory cytokines, which are supposed to sustain and amplify the pathological process. OTUD5 is a deubiquitinating enzyme, which regulates cytokine production by both innate and adaptive immune cells. Here, we investigated the expression and role of OTUD5 in IBD.

Methods

OTUD5 expression was evaluated in mucosal samples of patients with Crohn’s disease [CD], patients with ulcerative colitis [UC], and controls, as well as in mice with trinitrobenzene-sulphonic acid [TNBS]-induced colitis by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Moreover, OTUD5 was assessed in lamina propria mononuclear cells [LPMC] stimulated with inflammatory cytokines. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were evaluated in LPMCs of IBD patients and in colitic mice transfected with a specific OTUD5 antisense oligonucleotide [AS].

Results

OTUD5 protein, but not RNA, expression was increased in inflamed ileal and colonic mucosal samples of patients with CD and patients with UC as compared with controls. In IBD, OTUD5-expressing cells were abundant in both epithelial and lamina propria compartments, and non-CD3+, HLA-DR+ LPMC were one of the major sources of the protein. OTUD5 expression was enhanced by IFN-γ through a p38/MAPK-dependent mechanism, and the AS-induced knockdown of OTUD5 in LPMCs of IBD patients and colitic mice reduced TNF-α.

Conclusions

Our data show that OTUD5 is overexpressed in both CD and UC and suggest the involvement of such a protein in the amplification of the aberrant cytokine response in IBD.
Technology-Skill Complementarity in Early Phases of Industrialisation
Authors: Franck Raphaël , Galor Oded
Published: July 2021

This research explores the effect of early industrialisation on human capital formation. Exploiting exogenous regional variations in the adoption of steam engines across France, the study suggests that, in contrast to conventional wisdom that views early industrialisation as a predominantly deskilling process, the industrial revolution was conducive for human capital formation, generating wide-ranging gains in literacy rates and educational attainment. However, this increase in human capital formation was limited to basic literacy and numeracy and did not entail an increase in the share of pupils in middle and high schools in the population.
Effectiveness and feasibility of smoking counselling: a randomized controlled trial in an Italian emergency department
Authors: Castello Luigi Mario , Airoldi Chiara , Baldrighi Marco , Bortoluzzi Sara , Cammarata Liborio Martino , Franchetti Pardo Livia , Gardino Clara Ada , Payedimarri Anil Babu , Giorchino Matteo , Pistone Giovanni , Stampini Viviana , Avanzi Gian Carlo , Faggiano Fabrizio
Published: July 2021

Background

5A’s counselling is recommended for screening and treating patients with smoking addiction. The emergency department (ED) setting might be a suitable environment for conducting interventions for smoking cessation. The present study aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness on smoking cessation of 5A’s counselling administered to ED patients by nurses.

Methods

Parallel group randomized trial assessing 5A’s counselling for smoking cessation vs. usual care at a University Hospital in the North of Italy. The primary end-point was prevalence of tobacco-free patients. The secondary outcomes at 6- and 12-month follow-up were (i) consecutive past 30-day smoking abstinence; (ii) past 7-day 50%, or more, decrease in daily tobacco consumption over baseline; and (iii) number of attempts to quit smoking.

Results

A total of 480 patients were randomized to intervention (n = 262) or usual care (n = 218). Intention to treat analysis displayed no differences in primary and secondary outcomes between groups. A slight but not statistically significant enhancement in cessation was recorded in the intervention group [relative risk (RR) = 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.58–1.87] at 6 months, whereas a reversed observation at 12 months (RR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.50–1.47). Similar results were obtained for the secondary outcomes. Per protocol analysis increased the size of the results. Of the 126 smokers receiving counselling, 18 were visited and treated at the local smoking cessation centre, with 12 of them successfully completing the treatment.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that the ED is not a suited environment for 5A’s counselling.
Conditional impairment of Coxiella burnetii by glucose-6P dehydrogenase activity
Authors: Sanchez Savannah E , Omsland Anders
Published: July 2021

Coxiella burnetii is a bacterial obligate intracellular parasite and the etiological agent of query (Q) fever. While the C. burnetii genome has been reduced to ∼2 Mb as a likely consequence of genome streamlining in response to parasitism, enzymes for a nearly complete central metabolic machinery are encoded by the genome. However, lack of a canonical hexokinase for phosphorylation of glucose and an apparent absence of the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway, a major mechanism for regeneration of the reducing equivalent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), have been noted as potential metabolic limitations of C. burnetii. By complementing C. burnetii with the gene zwf encoding the glucose-6-phosphate-consuming and NADPH-producing enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), we demonstrate a severe metabolic fitness defect for C. burnetii under conditions of glucose limitation. Supplementation of the medium with the gluconeogenic carbon source glutamate did not rescue the growth defect of bacteria complemented with zwf. Absence of G6PD in C. burnetii therefore likely relates to the negative effect of its activity under conditions of glucose limitation. Coxiella burnetii central metabolism with emphasis on glucose, NAD+, NADP+ and NADPH is discussed in a broader perspective, including comparisons with other bacterial obligate intracellular parasites.