bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recognition and Location of Pepper Picking Based on Improved YOLOv5s and Depth Camera
Authors: Liu Sixing , Liu Mingmiao , Chai Yan , Li Shuang , Miao Hong
Published: April 2023

Highlights

An improved YOLOv5s deep learning model was used to identify peppers in complex background.

The deep-level features on 3D (O-XYZ) coordinate of peppers were extracted using RealSense depth camera.

An image database set of pepper in different scenes was established.

A pepper recognition and location system were constructed based on improved YOLOv5s network.

The proposed method achieved a mean average precision of 95.6% and minimum depth error of 0.001 m.

Abstract. In order to investigate the impact of different scenes on the recognition performance and obtain the location information of picking targets, the recognition and location system based on improved YOLOv5s network and RealSense depth camera was constructed in this study. An image database in different scenes was established including light intensity, occlusion and overlap degree of pepper. An improved YOLOv5s deep learning model with bidirectional feature pyramid network (BiFPN) was used for the deep feature extraction and high-precision detection of pepper, and the effects of different scenes on recognition accuracy of the model were studied. The results showed that mean average precision (mAP) of YOLOv5s model reached 0.956, which was respectively 6.1%, 9.3%, 44.4%, and 8.2% higher than that of YOLOv4, YOLOv3, YOLOv2, and Faster R-CNN model. The model had good robustness under daytime and evening scenes with the mAP value higher than 0.9. The detection accuracy of the model in the leaf occlusion scenes was better than that of fruit overlap. The detection error was 0.001m which could not affect the picking positioning precision when the Z value of three-dimensional coordinates (O-XYZ) of pepper was 0.2 m. The improved algorithm can accurately recognize and extract three-dimensional coordinates of pepper, which reduces the calculations by eliminating lots of duplicate and redundant prediction boxes and provides a reference for trajectory planning of pepper picking operation. Keywords: Different scenes, Pepper recognition and location, Picking operation, YOLOv5s.
Intramedullary Fibula with Rigid Osteosynthesis in Revision of Neglected and Multiple times Operated Non Union of Long Bones
Authors: Tanna Dilip D , Gawhale Sangeet , Shinde Kaustubh , Gondalia Viral , Park Hayoung , Shyam Ashok
Published: April 2023

Background: Plates with Intramedullary Fibula as Strut graft(IFSG) in Non- union of long bone fractures provides most stable construct overall as fibula acts as second implant, screws have better anchorage and very high pull out strength due to penetration of four cortices and osteogenic property of the fibula is most helpful. The aim of this paper is to re-focus the importance of non-vascularised intramedullary fibula as a second internal biologic stable splint along with rigid osteosynthesis for the treatment of difficult and neglected non -union of long bones. Methods and Material: 15 cases (13 :2,males: females) of revision surgery for the neglected and multiply operated non-union of the long bones were treated with the debridement, decortication and shingling of the fracture site with addition of the trimmed fibula (as intramedullary strut). Liberal cancellous bone graft was added subperiosteally with stable and rigid internal osteosynthesis by using LCP. DASH Score was used for upper limb and VAS for lower limb for assessment. Results: Union was achieved in all patients in 12 months (range 9-12 months). Preoperative DASH score averaged 40.86(range 42.6-52.6). DASH score at the last follow-up averaged 20.38 points (range 16.4-24.2).difference was significant. (p=0.0001) Conclusions: Intra medullary fibula almost works mimicking double plate and adds in the stability as it works as second plate. Its osteogenic property helps in the healing, not only at the fracture site but proximal and distal to it. This prevents slow union at the ends of bone which are usually avascular because of the lysis. Screws have a better hold around osteoporotic bones due to four cortices hold in presence of fibula. Strong bony union can be successfully achieved in almost all cases with rigid compression at the fracture site & additional extensive cancellous bone grafting. Keywords: Intra- medullary Fibula ,revision non union, rigid osteosynthesis.
A Critique of the Simultaneist Interpretation of Work Intensity in Marx’s Value Theory from the TSSI perspective
Authors: Deytha Mon Alan A. , Sebastián Hdez. Solorza A.
Published: April 2023

This article makes an analytical critique of the position of Basu, Haas, and Moraitis, who, by extending the conventional linear system for the simultaneous determination of value, argue that in Marx’s economic theory the intensification of work generates absolute surplus value and is not relative. This position is also contrasted with the original theory of Marx to verify its incompatibility. As an alternative in search of a rectification of the role of labor intensification as a generator of relative surplus value, this work incorporates labor intensity into the Temporal Single System Interpretation (TSSI), showing its full compatibility with Marx’s original theory.
Balance between the diffraction efficiency and process robustness for plasmonic lithographic alignment technology considering the Fabry–Perot resonator effect
Authors: Song Zhen , Zhang Libin , Yang Shang , Su Yajuan , Wei Yayi , Ye Tianchun
Published: April 2023

Different from traditional lithography, metal material with high absorptivity and high reflectivity is introduced into plasmonic lithography technology. In particular, a silver/photo resist/silver film stack can form a Fabry–Perot (F-P) resonator structure, which can greatly change the behavior of the light reflection and transmission. Since the silver layer has a strong absorption ability to the alignment probe light with a wavelength of 532 or 633 nm, the quality of the alignment signal is seriously affected. In this paper, a thin film Fourier transfer model is established to quantitatively calculate the amplitude and phase information of the diffraction light with different orders. The results show that the diffraction optical power can be enhanced by the thickness optimization of all film stacks, and the maximum wafer quality (normalized diffraction efficiency) can be increased to 25.7%. The mechanism analysis of alignment signal enhancement is based on the F-P resonator phase oscillation amplification effect. However, it can also bring the reverse of both the power and phase for the alignment probe signal when the thickness fluctuation of the F-P resonator exists, which will be a great challenge for through-the-mask moiré fringe alignment technology. To obtain the optical power distribution of the structure surface and image of moiré fringes, a transfer matrix method is given to point-by-point calculate the incidence and reflection of the probe light in the vertical direction. The finite-difference time-domain method is also used to demonstrate alignment performance. It is proved that the subtle fluctuation of the photoresist thickness can make a huge difference to moiré fringes. A balance between the diffraction efficiency and process robustness can be achieved for plasmonic lithographic alignment technology by controlling the thickness range of the F-P resonator structure. In addition, the metal-insulator-metal structure has excellent thickness sensitivity and is applicable to optical signal detection and material property monitoring.
Adjacency effect correction of the GF-1 image in coastal waters of Hangzhou Bay and Taihu Lake, China
Authors: Cheng Chunmei , Qin Peng
Published: April 2023

For coastal waters, the radiation signals received by the sensor are affected by the high reflectance of the coastal land, inducing reduced image contrast and significant adjacency effect. Eliminate the atmospheric attenuation and adjacency effect, and obtain the accurate remote sensing reflectance above water surface is an important prerequisite for the quantitative water color remote sensing. Based on the in situ spectral data of the coastal Hangzhou Bay, China on July 23, 2017 and the Taihu Lake, China on April 29, 2016, as well as the synchronous Gaofen-1 wide field-of-view camera (GF-1/ WFV) images, the 6S model was used to eliminate the atmospheric attenuation, and a point spread kernel function was used to correct the adjacency effect. The experimental results show that the images after adjacency effect correction are clearer, with increased image contrast and more abundant information of the water body. Compared to the atmospheric correction results only after the 6S model, the average relative errors of three in situ synchronous samples in Hangzhou Bay after adjacency effect correction are reduced by 8.39%, 10.81% and 7.29%, and that in Taihu Lake after adjacency effect correction are reduced by 10.8%, 5.24% and 0.39%, respectively. The adjacency effect correction improves the radiation detection accuracy of the remote sensing reflectance above water surface and can be a reference for quantitative water color remote sensing in coastal waters.
Vernier microcombs for high-frequency carrier envelope offset and repetition rate detection
Authors: Wu Kaiyi , O’Malley Nathan P. , Fatema Saleha , Wang Cong , Girardi Marcello , Alshaykh Mohammed S. , Ye Zhichao , Leaird Daniel E. , Qi Minghao , Torres-Company Victor , Weiner Andrew M.
Published: April 2023

Recent developments in Kerr microcombs may pave the way to a future
with fully stabilized ultralow size, weight, and power consumption
(SWaP) frequency combs. Nevertheless, Kerr microcombs are still
hindered by a bandwidth/repetition rate trade-off. That is, the octave
bandwidth needed for self-referencing is typically realized only with
∼THz repetition rates
beyond the range of standard commercial photodetectors. The carrier
envelope offset frequency is often likewise
too high for detection. Dual-comb techniques for the measurement of
THz repetition rates have made exciting progress, but the
fCEO detection problem
remains largely unaddressed. In this work, utilizing a Vernier
dual-comb configuration, we demonstrate simultaneous detection of the
electronically divided repetition rate and
fCEO carrier envelope
offset frequency of an octave-spanning microcomb. This, in turn, could
help usher optical atomic clocks, low-noise microwave generators, and
optical frequency synthesizers into various real-world
applications.
Frequency noise of laser gyros
Authors: Mecozzi Antonio
Published: April 2023

Laser gyros are powerful tools to test the predictions of the general theory of relativity. The precision of a measurement of the rotation rate with a laser gyro is limited by the frequency noise of the beat between two counterpropagating modes of a ring laser. The frequency noise of a single mode of a laser is limited by quantum mechanical constraints because it is related to the maximum precision with which the phase of a coherent state can be measured. If two modes are uncorrelated, the variance of the fluctuations of the difference of the their frequencies is the sum of the variance of the frequency noise of the two modes. If two modes are correlated, this result does not hold any longer. In this paper, we show that there are mechanisms in a laser gyro that are capable to dynamically lock the two modes together without forcing the two modes to the same frequency. The lock of modes decouples the noise of the beat note from the frequency noise of the individual modes, and allows the realization of sub-shot noise laser gyros. These mechanism may explain the recent observation of sub-shot noise performance of the GINGERino laser gyro recently reported in the literature.
Metabolic alterations of the immune system in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases
Authors: Blanco Luz P. , Kaplan Mariana J.
Published: April 2023

Systemic autoimmune diseases are characteristically associated with aberrant autoreactive innate and adaptive immune responses that lead to tissue damage and increased morbidity and mortality. Autoimmunity has been linked to alterations in the metabolic functions of immune cells (immunometabolism) and, more specifically, to mitochondrial dysfunction. Much has been written about immunometabolism in autoimmunity in general, so this Essay focuses on recent research into the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the dysregulation of innate and adaptive immunity that is characteristic of systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Enhancing the understanding of mitochondrial dysregulation in autoimmunity will hopefully contribute to accelerating the development of immunomodulatory treatments for these challenging diseases.
Varying molecular interactions explain aspects of crowder-dependent enzyme function of a viral protease
Authors: Ostrowska Natalia , Feig Michael , Trylska Joanna
Published: April 2023

Biochemical processes in cells, including enzyme-catalyzed reactions, occur in crowded conditions with various background macromolecules occupying up to 40% of cytoplasm’s volume. Viral enzymes in the host cell also encounter such crowded conditions as they often function at the endoplasmic reticulum membranes. We focus on an enzyme encoded by the hepatitis C virus, the NS3/4A protease, which is crucial for viral replication. We have previously found experimentally that synthetic crowders, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and branched polysucrose (Ficoll), differently affect the kinetic parameters of peptide hydrolysis catalyzed by NS3/4A. To gain understanding of the reasons for such behavior, we perform atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of NS3/4A in the presence of either PEG or Ficoll crowders and with and without the peptide substrates. We find that both crowder types make nanosecond long contacts with the protease and slow down its diffusion. However, they also affect the enzyme structural dynamics; crowders induce functionally relevant helical structures in the disordered parts of the protease cofactor, NS4A, with the PEG effect being more pronounced. Overall, PEG interactions with NS3/4A are slightly stronger but Ficoll forms more hydrogen bonds with NS3. The crowders also interact with substrates; we find that the substrate diffusion is reduced much more in the presence of PEG than Ficoll. However, contrary to NS3, the substrate interacts more strongly with Ficoll than with PEG crowders, with the substrate diffusion being similar to crowder diffusion. Importantly, crowders also affect the substrate-enzyme interactions. We observe that both PEG and Ficoll enhance the presence of substrates near the active site, especially near catalytic H57 but Ficoll crowders increase substrate binding more than PEG molecules.
A changing landscape: Tracking and analysis of the international HDV epidemiology 1999–2020
Authors: Fallon Braden S. , Cooke Elaine M. , Hesterman Matthew C. , Norseth Jared S. , Akhundjanov Sherzod B. , Weller Melodie L.
Published: April 2023

The international epidemiology of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is challenging to accurately estimate due to limited active surveillance for this rare infectious disease. Prior HDV epidemiological studies have relied on meta-analysis of aggregated and static datasets. These limitations restrict the capacity to actively detect low-level and/or geographically dispersed changes in the incidence of HDV diagnoses. This study was designed to provide a resource to track and analyze the international HDV epidemiology. Datasets analyzed collectively consisted of >700,000 HBV and >9,000 HDV reported cases ranging between 1999–2020. Datasets mined from government publications were identified for Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and United States. Time series analyses, including Mann-Kendall (MK) trend test, Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and hierarchal clustering, were performed to characterize trends in the HDV timelines. An aggregated prevalence of 2,560 HDV/HBV100,000 cases (95% CI 180–4940) or 2.56% HDV/HBV cases was identified, ranging from 0.26% in Canada to 20% in the United States. Structural breaks in the timeline of HDV incidence were identified in 2002, 2012, and 2017, with a significant increase occurring between 2013–2017. Significant increasing trends in reported HDV and HBV cases were observed in 47% and 24% of datasets, respectively. Analyses of the HDV incidence timeline identified four distinct temporal clusters, including Cluster I (Macao, Taiwan), Cluster II (Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Thailand), Cluster III (Bulgaria, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States) and Cluster IV (Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden). Tracking of HDV and HBV cases on an international scale is essential in defining the global impact of viral hepatitis. Significant disruptions of HDV and HBV epidemiology have been identified. Increased surveillance of HDV is warranted to further define the etiology of the recent breakpoints in the international HDV incidence.
Phytochemical profiling and allelopathic effect of garlic essential oil on barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.)
Authors: Bai Haodong , Ni Xianzhi , Han Jincai , Luo Dingfeng , Hu Yihong , Jin Chenzhong , Li Zuren
Published: April 2023

In agriculture, barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) is one of the most harmful weeds in rice fields now. In order to identify active ingredients which had inhibiting effect on barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.), we evaluated several possible natural plant essential oils. Essential oils from twelve plant species showed inhibitory activity against barnyard grass seedlings and root length. The garlic essential oil (GEO) had the most significant allelopathic effect (EC50 = 0.0126 g mL-1). Additionally, the enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased during the first 8 hours of treatment at a concentration of 0.1 g mL-1 and then declined. The activities of CAT, SOD and POD increased by 121%, 137% and 110% (0–8h, compared to control), and decreased (8–72h, compared to the maximum value) by 100%, 185% and 183%, respectively. The total chlorophyll content of barnyard grass seedlings decreased by 51% (0–72h) continuously with the same dosage treatment. Twenty constituents of GEO were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the herbicidal activity of two main components (diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide) was evaluated. Results showed that both components had herbicidal activity against barnyard grass. GEO had a strong inhibitory effect (~88.34% inhibition) on barnyard grass growth, but safety studies on rice showed it did not have much inhibitory effect on rice seed germination. Allelopathy of GEO provide ideas for the development of new plant-derived herbicides.
Less demand on stem cell marker-positive cancer cells may characterize metastasis of colon cancer
Authors: Kaida Takeshi , Fujiyama Yoshiki , Soeno Takafumi , Yokota Mitsuo , Nakamoto Shuji , Goto Takuya , Watanabe Akiko , Okuno Kota , Nie Yusuke , Fujino Shiori , Yokota Kazuko , Harada Hiroki , Tanaka Yoko , Tanaka Toshimichi , Yokoi Keigo , Kojo Ken , Miura Hirohisa , Yamanashi Takahiro , Sato Takeo , Sasaki Jiichiro , Sangai Takafumi , Hiki Naoki , Kumamoto Yusuke , Naitoh Takeshi , Yamashita Keishi
Published: April 2023

Background

CD44 and CD133 are stem cell markers in colorectal cancer (CRC). CD44 has distinctive isoforms with different oncological properties like total CD44 (CD44T) and variant CD44 (CD44V). Clinical significance of such markers remains elusive.

Methods

Sixty colon cancer were examined for CD44T/CD44V and CD133 at mRNA level in a quantitative PCR, and clarified for their association with clinicopathological factors.

Results

(1) Both CD44T and CD44V showed higher expression in primary colon tumors than in non-cancerous mucosas (p<0.0001), while CD133 was expressed even in non-cancerous mucosa and rather decreased in the tumors (p = 0.048). (2) CD44V expression was significantly associated with CD44T expression (R = 0.62, p<0.0001), while they were not correlated to CD133 at all in the primary tumors. (3) CD44V/CD44T expressions were significantly higher in right colon cancer than in left colon cancer (p = 0.035/p = 0.012, respectively), while CD133 expression were not (p = 0.20). (4) In primary tumors, unexpectedly, CD44V/CD44T/CD133 mRNA expressions were not correlated with aggressive phenotypes, but CD44V/CD44T rather significantly with less aggressive lymph node metastasis/distant metastasis (p = 0.040/p = 0.039, respectively). Moreover, both CD44V and CD133 expressions were significantly decreased in liver metastasis as compared to primary tumors (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.0006, respectively).

Conclusion

Our transcript expression analysis of cancer stem cell markers did not conclude that their expression could represent aggressive phenotypes of primary and metastatic tumors, and rather represented less demand on stem cell marker-positive cancer cells.
Potential contribution of Helicobacter pylori proteins in the pathogenesis of type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumor and urticaria. In silico approach
Authors: Sánchez Caraballo Andrés , Guzmán Yenny , Sánchez Jorge , Munera Marlon , Garcia Elizabeth , Gonzalez-Devia Deyanira
Published: April 2023

Background

Helicobacter pylorihas been linked to several diseases such as chronic urticaria, gastritis, and type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors (type 1 gNET). Although these diseases seem to have different mechanisms, their relationship withH.pylorisuggests a common inflammatory pathway.

Objective

To identify potential cross-reactive antigens betweenH.pyloriand humans involved in chronic urticaria and type 1 gNET.

Methods

Alignment was carried out among human proteins associated with urticaria (9 proteins), type 1 gNET (32 proteins), andH.pyloriproteome. We performed pairwise alignment among the human andH.pyloriantigens with PSI-BLAST. Modeling based on homology was done with the Swiss model server and epitope prediction with the Ellipro server. Epitopes were located on a 3D model using PYMOL software.

Results

The highest conserved sequence was found between the human HSP 60 antigen and theH.pylorichaperonin GroEL with an identity of 54% and a cover of 92%, followed by the alpha and gamma enolases and twoH.pyloriphosphopyruvate hydratase, both with an identity and cover of 48% and 96%, respectively. The H/K ATPase (Chain A) showed high identity with twoH.pyloriproteins (35.21% with both P-type ATPase), but with low cover (only 6%). We observed eight linear and three discontinuous epitopes for human HSP 60 and three lineal and one discontinuous epitope for both alpha-enolase and gamma enolase, high conserved withH.pylorisequences.

Conclusion

Some type 1 gNET antigens shared potential cross-reactive epitopes withH.pyloriproteins, suggesting that molecular mimicry could be a mechanism that explains the relationship between the infection and this disease. Studies evaluating the functional impact of this relationship are needed.
Protective effects of calorie restriction and 17-β estradiol on cardiac hypertrophy in ovariectomized obese rats
Authors: Hajializadeh Zahra , Khaksari Mohammad , Dabiri Shahriar , Darvishzadeh Mahani Fatemeh , Raji-Amirhasani Alireza , Bejeshk Mohammad Abbas
Published: April 2023

Obesity and menopause lead to cardiovascular diseases. Calorie restriction (CR) can modulate estrogen deficiency and obesity-related cardiovascular diseases. The protective effects of CR and estradiol on cardiac hypertrophy in ovariectomized obese rats were explored in this study. The adult female Wistar rats were divided into sham and ovariectomized (OVX) groups that received a high-fat diet (60% HFD) or standard diet (SD) or 30% CR for 16 weeks, and then, 1mg/kg E2 (17-β estradiol) was injected intraperitoneally every 4 days for four weeks in OVX-rats. Hemodynamic parameters were evaluated before and after each diet. Heart tissues were collected for biochemical, histological, and molecular analysis. HFD consumption led to weight gain in sham and OVX rats. In contrast, CR and E2 led to body weight loss in these animals. Also, heart weight (HW), heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) ratio, and left ventricular weight (LVW) were enhanced in OVX rats that received SD and HFD. E2 reduced these indexes in both diet conditions but reduction effects of CR were seen only in HFD groups. HFD and SD feeding increased hemodynamic parameters, ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) mRNA expression, and TGF-β1(transforming growth factor-beta 1) protein level in the OVX animals, while CR and E2 reduced these factors. Cardiomyocyte diameter and hydroxyproline content were increased in the OVX-HFD groups. Nevertheless, CR and E2 decreased these indicators. The results showed that CR and E2 treatment reduced obesity-induced-cardiac hypertrophy in ovariectomized groups (20% and 24% respectively). CR appears to have almost as reducing effects as estrogen therapy on cardiac hypertrophy. The findings suggest that CR can be considered a therapeutic candidate for postmenopausal cardiovascular disease.
Performance of some early-maturing groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes and selection of high-yielding genotypes in the potato-fallow system
Authors: K Gangadhara , BC Ajay , Kona Praveen , Rani Kirti , Kumar Narendra , Bera S. K.
Published: April 2023

India imports the most edible oils because domestic demand exceeds production. Horizontally expanding groundnut production in non-traditional areas especially in the potato-paddy rice-fallow system is possible for increasing production and it requires trait-specific cultivars. Only 1% of oilseeds are grown in non-traditional regions. Nine interspecific groundnut derivatives were tested in potato-fallow system at Deesa, Gujarat, and Mohanpura, West Bengal, and non-potato fallow areas in Junagadh during Kharif 2020 to examine their performance and adaptability. Genotype-by-environment (G×E) interaction significantly affected pod yield and its components in the combined ANOVA. "Mean vs. stability" showed that the interspecific derivative NRCGCS 446 and variety TAG 24 were the most stable and valuable genotypes. GG 7 yielded more pods in Junagadh, whereas NRCGCS 254 yielded more in Mohanpur. Low heritability estimates and strong G×E interaction for flowering days showed complicated inheritance and environmental effects. The shelling percentage was significantly correlated with days to 50% blooming, days to maturity, SCMR, HPW, and KLWR, demonstrating negative connections between maturity, component characteristics, and seed size realisation.
Servant leadership and employee prosocial rule-breaking: The underlying effects of psychological safety and compassion at work
Authors: Khan Naqib Ullah , Zada Muhammad , Estay Christophe
Published: April 2023

The study intends to investigate the impact of servant leadership on pro-social rule-breaking directly and through the intervening mechanism of psychological safety. More, the study also plans to investigate whether compassion at work moderates the effect of servant leadership on psychological safety and pro-social rule-breaking and the indirect intervening effect of psychological safety between servant leadership and pro-social rule-breaking. Responses were collected from 273 frontline public servants in Pakistan. Using social information processing theory, the results revealed that servant leadership positively influences pro-social rule-breaking and psychological safety and that psychological safety influences pro-social rule-breaking. Results also revealed that psychological safety acts as an intervening mechanism in the relationship between servant leadership and pro-social rule-breaking. Moreover, compassion at work significantly moderates the relationships of servant leadership with psychological safety and pro-social rule-breaking, and that compassion at work ultimately alters the size of the intervening effect of psychological safety between the connection of servant leadership and pro-social rule-breaking.
Addressing a critical need: A randomised controlled feasibility trial of acceptance and commitment therapy for bariatric surgery patients at 15–18 months post-surgery
Authors: Barley Elizabeth A. , Bovell Marie , Bennett-Eastley Kate , Lee John Tayu , Lee-Baggley Dayna , Skene Simon S. , Tai Michael Z. , Brooks Sue , Scholtz Samantha
Published: April 2023

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity. However, around one in five people experience significant weight regain. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches acceptance of and defusion from thoughts and feelings which influence behaviour, and commitment to act in line with personal values. To test the feasibility and acceptability of ACT following bariatric surgery a randomised controlled trial of 10 sessions of group ACT or Usual Care Support Group control (SGC) was delivered 15–18 months post bariatric surgery (ISRCTN registry ID: ISRCTN52074801). Participants were compared at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months using validated questionnaires to assess weight, wellbeing, and healthcare use. A nested, semi-structured interview study was conducted to understand acceptability of the trial and group processes. 80 participants were consented and randomised. Attendance was low for both groups. Only 9 (29%) ACT participants completed > = half of the sessions, this was the case for 13 (35%) SGC participants. Forty-six (57.5%) did not attend the first session. At 12 months, outcome data were available from 19 of the 38 receiving SGC, and from 13 of the 42 receiving ACT. Full datasets were collected for those who remained in the trial. Nine participants from each arm were interviewed. The main barriers to group attendance were travel difficulties and scheduling. Poor initial attendance led to reduced motivation to return. Participants reported a motivation to help others as a reason to join the trial; lack of attendance by peers removed this opportunity and led to further drop out. Participants who attended the ACT groups reported a range of benefits including behaviour change. We conclude that the trial processes were feasible, but that the ACT intervention was not acceptable as delivered. Our data suggest changes to recruitment and intervention delivery that would address this.
Offline text-independent writer identification using a codebook with structural features
Authors: Ahmed Bashar Q. , Hassan Yaser F. , Elsayed Ashraf S.
Published: April 2023

Understanding handwritten documents is a vital and challenging problem that attracts many researchers in the fields of forensic and authentication science. This paper presents an offline system for text-independent writer identification of handwritten documents. The system extracts a handwritten connected component contour, which in turn is divided into segments of specific length. The system utilizes the concept of a bag of features in the writer recognition domain and considers handwritten contour segments to extract two conceptually simple and effective structural features. These features are the contour point curve angle and the CONtour point CONcavity/CONvexity. The system uses the proposed features to train a k-means clustering algorithm to construct a codebook of size K. The method then uses occurrence histograms of the extracted features in the codebook to create a final feature vector for each handwritten document. The effectiveness of the proposed features is evaluated in the writer identification domain using two widely used classification methods: the nearest neighbor and the support vector machine techniques. The proposed writer identification is evaluated on two large and public datasets from different language domains, the Arabic KHATT and English IAM datasets. The experimental results show that the proposed system outperforms state-of-the-art methods on the IAM dataset and provides competitive results on the KHATT dataset with respect to the identification rate.
Enterprise negotiation and communication management system under the guidance of the Internet of Things
Authors: Chen Huijun
Published: April 2023

The multi-agent system is used to study the negotiation problem of virtual enterprises in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT) to strengthen the decision-making ability of enterprises and improve the negotiation efficiency between different enterprises. Firstly, virtual enterprises and high-tech virtual enterprises are introduced. Secondly, the virtual enterprise negotiation model is implemented using the agent technology in the IoT, including constructing the operation mode of the alliance enterprise agent and the member enterprise agent. Finally, a negotiation algorithm based on improved Bayesian theory is proposed. It is applied to virtual enterprise negotiation, and the effect of the negotiation algorithm is verified by setting an example. The results show that: (1) When one side of the enterprise adopts a risk-taking strategy, the number of negotiation rounds between the two sides increases. (2) High joint utility can be achieved when both parties to the negotiation adopt a conservative strategy. (3) The improved Bayesian algorithm can improve the negotiation efficiency of enterprises by reducing the number of negotiation rounds. This study aims to achieve efficient negotiation between the alliance and the member enterprises to improve the decision-making ability of the alliance owner enterprise.
Public safety messaging during super bowl LVI: A pilot study and modified framework
Authors: Cadet Janine , Sutherlin Soraya , Burke Rita V.
Published: April 2023

Objective

The Super Bowl is one of the most widely attended sporting events and requires proper communication to ensure emergency preparedness for everyone in the city. This pilot study used Super Bowl LVI as a setting to inform future research evaluating the effectiveness of the public health messaging during mass-gathering events.

Methods

This pilot study modifies past theoretical frameworks and research tools to create a novel survey instrument focused on public safety message effectiveness. This survey was sent to all of those that opted-in to the Joint Information Center’s notification platform during Super Bowl LVI.

Results

The results show that message comprehension, source credibility, and perceived risk might not be associated with proactive behavior for public safety messaging. However, modality preference results showed that individuals might prefer to receive public safety and emergency alerts by text message.

Conclusions

Factors that influence proactive response towards public safety messaging might differ from emergency alerts. This pilot study has yielded results from a major mass-gathering event that can be used to understand errors that arise during public health and emergency preparedness and strengthen future disaster planning and research.
Rotavirus infections and their genotype distribution in Rwanda before and after the introduction of rotavirus vaccination
Authors: Kabayiza Jean-Claude , Nilsson Staffan , Andersson Maria
Published: April 2023

Rotavirus vaccination has reduced mortality and hospital admissions due to rotavirus diarrhoea, but its effect on rotavirus infections and the impact of rotavirus genotypes are still unclear. Real-time PCR was used to detect rotavirus and other pathogens in faeces samples from children below five years of age with acute diarrhoea, collected before (n = 827) and after (n = 807, 92% vaccinated) the introduction of vaccination in Rwanda in 2012. Rotavirus was genotyped by targeting VP7 to identify G1, G2, G3, G4, G9 and G12 and VP4 to identify P[4], P[6] and P[8]. In vaccinated children, rotavirus infections were rarer (34% vs. 47%) below 12 months of age, severe dehydration was less frequent, and rotavirus was more often found as a co-infecting agent. (79% vs 67%, p = 0.004). Norovirus genogroup II, astrovirus, and sapovirus were significantly more often detected in vaccinated children. The predominant rotavirus genotypes were G2P[4] and G12P[6] in 2009–2010 (50% and 12%), G9P[8] and G1P[8] in 2011–2012 (51% and 22%), and G12P[8] in 2014–2015 (63%). Rotavirus vaccination in Rwanda has reduced the severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis and rotavirus infection frequency during the first year of life. Rotavirus infections were frequent in vaccinated children with diarrhoea, often as co-pathogen. Rotavirus genotype changes might be unrelated to vaccination because shifts were observed also before its introduction.
Understanding Reproductive Health among Survivors of Paediatric and Young adults (URHSPY) cancers in Uganda: A mixed method study protocol
Authors: Kayiira Anthony , Zaake Daniel , Xiong Serena , Balagadde Joyce K. , Ghebre Rahel , Wabinga Henry
Published: April 2023

Background

Although reproductive failure after cancer treatment in children and young adults has been extensively described in high-income countries, there is a paucity of data in low-income settings. In addition, patient, parent, or health worker experiences, perspectives, and attitudes toward the risk of reproductive failure among young cancer patients in these settings are unknown. This study will describe the extent of reproductive morbidity associated with cancer treatment among childhood and young adult cancer survivors in Uganda. In addition, we aim to explore the contextual enablers and barriers to addressing cancer treatment-related reproductive morbidity in Uganda.

Methods

This is an explanatory sequential mixed-method study. The quantitative phase will be a survey among childhood and young adult cancer survivors recruited from the Kampala Cancer Registry (KCR). The survey will utilize a Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) platform on a minimum of 362 survivors. The survey will obtain information on self-reported reproductive morbidity and access to oncofertility care. The qualitative phase will use grounded theory to explore contextual barriers and enablers to addressing reproductive morbidity associated with cancer treatment. The quantitative and qualitative phases will be integrated at the intermediate and results stage.

Conclusion

Results from this study will inform the development of policy, guidelines, and programs supporting reproductive health among childhood and young adult cancer survivors.
In-store apparel shopping and sustainability communication: The interplay between attitudes and context
Authors: Vlasenko Larisa , Grubbström Ann
Published: April 2023

Behaviour can be conceptualized as the product of interaction between attitudinal and contextual factors. While there are studies focusing on either one of these determinants, research into the interaction between them is still scarce. This article aims to address this gap by exploring the interplay between consumers’ attitudes and the context of apparel shopping. The theoretical framework of the study is based on goal-framing theory. Interviews with young consumers about their shopping experiences as well as their views on fashion stores’ sustainability initiatives and communication are combined with observations in fashion stores. As a result, three patterns of the interplay between attitudes and context have been identified. The first pattern, extreme and sceptical, includes those who either strongly dislike or greatly enjoy shopping and tend to view sustainability communication in fashion stores negatively. People who are more ambivalent about apparel shopping and may respond positively to in-store sustainability communication make up the second pattern, ambivalent and favourably disposed. The third pattern, susceptible and concerned, comprises individuals who strive to reduce their apparel consumption and therefore are more prone to associate shopping with guilt and regret. They may welcome more sustainability communication in fashion stores but can be suspicious of the brands’ motives behind it. The findings indicate that some customers may construe the presence of sustainability communication in the store as an attempt to shift responsibility for environmental issues to consumers. Hence, apparel brands should try to communicate more clearly how they see their role in tackling environmental issues.
Cyproheptadine Treatment of COVID-19-Induced Enteritis: Implications for Hyperinflammatory Phase Management
Authors: Weinstock Leonard B. , Reiersen Angela M. , Jain Anshu , Konstantinoff Katerina , James William , Jalali Farid
Published: April 2023

A patient presented with COVID-19-induced enteritis and colitis associated with a high D-dimer. Serotonin released by activated platelets can lead to inflammation and multiorgan failure in COVID-19 infection. Cyproheptadine blocks serotonin receptors. In light of a prior report that showed that cyproheptadine successfully treated neurologic sequelae in COVID-19, we applied this treatment to this patient. Rapid clinical improvement and reduction of D-dimer occurred after 3 doses of cyproheptadine. This inexpensive, well-tolerated, oral medication may be applicable to treat hyperinflammatory sequelae of COVID-19 infection.
Effect of operating parameters on the sludge settling characteristics by treatment of the textile dyeing effluent using electrocoagulation
Authors: Prajapati Abhinesh Kumar , Sharma Deepak , Pal Dharm , Patidar Jitendra , Sen Shamal
Published: April 2023

This study invested the impact of the operational parameters (pH, Current Density (CD) and Electrode Gap (EG)) on the sludge generated after electrocoagulation treatment of textile dyeing effluent (TDE) by studying sludge settleability and filterability characteristics of EC generated sludge. Electrocoagulation treatment evaluated at laboratory scale with aluminum as electrode material at operating condition of parameters of pH, CD and EG. (pH-5.5, CD-105.12 A/m2 and EG-2.5 cm). Under these operating conditions, maximum COD reduction was achieved 88.45 % and maximum color reduction was about 66.92 %. Settling characteristics of TDE was studied by sludge volume index (SVI) and Centrifugal settleability index (CSI). From disposal point of view, filterability characteristic was also studied by simple gravity filtration method. Specific cake resistance, α (m/kg), filter medium resistance, R
m(m−1) was also studied. The specific cake resistance was found in the order of 38.4 × 1013 >34.13 × 1013 >22.25 × 1013 >11.19 × 1013 >7.30 × 1013 (m/kg) at the pH 9.5, 7.5, 1.5, 5.5 and 3.5 respectively. While filter medium resistance was found to be 111.22 × 109, 92.28 × 109, 82.33 × 109, 41.38 × 109 and 13.87 × 109 m−1 at pH 7.5, 9.5, 3.5, 5.5 and 1.5 respectively.
Safety, immunogenecity and effectiveness of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine during the second wave of pandemic in India: a real-world study
Authors: Chavan Preeti , Dey Rajashree , Castelino Renita , Kamble Akshay , Poladia Pratik , Bagal Rajani , Jadhav Monica , Shirsat Aditi , Chavan Ashish , Dhumal Sachin , Kumar Sharath , Krishnamurty Manjunath Nookala , Bhat Vivek , Bhattacharjee Atanu , Gota Vikram
Published: April 2023

Objectives

This real-world study was conducted to assess the adverse effects following immunization (AEFI) and immunogenicity of ChAdO×1 nCoV-19 vaccine in terms of neutralising antibody titers and to study the effects of covariates such as age, sex, comorbidities and prior COVID status on these outcomes. Also, the effectiveness of the vaccine based on interval between the two doses was also investigated.

Methods

A total of 512 participants (M/F=274/238) aged 35(18–87) years comprising a mixed population of healthcare workers, other frontline workers and general public were enrolled between March and May 2021. Records for adverse events if any were collected telephonically by following up with participants up to 6 months post first dose and graded as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5. Blood samples for measuring antibody titers against the receptor binding domain (RBD) were collected serially using a convenient sampling strategy up to 6 months after the first dose. Data on breakthrough COVID infection was collected telephonically till December 2021.

Results

Incidence of local reactions was higher after first dose at 33.4 % (171/512) compared to those after second dose at 12.9 % (66/512). Commonest side effect observed was injection site pain after the first (87.1 %; 149/171) and second (87.9 %; 56/66) dose respectively. Among systemic reactions, fever was the most common manifestation followed by myalgia and headache. Female sex (p<0⸱001) and age less than 60 years (p<0⸱001) had significantly higher predilection for systemic toxicities. Age ≤60 years (p=0.024) and prior-COVID (p<0.001) were found to be significantly associated with higher antibody titers, however, no association was found between these variables and breakthrough COVID infection. Longer spacing between the doses (≥6 weeks) was found to offer better protection against breakthrough infection compared to a spacing of 4 weeks. All breakthroughs were mild-moderate in severity, not requiring hospitalization.

Conclusions

The ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine is apparently safe and effective against SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Prior COVID infection and younger age group achieve higher antibody titers, but no additional protection. Delaying the second dose up to at least 6 weeks is more effective compared to shorter spacing between doses.
“Literally I Grew Up” Secondary–Tertiary Transition in Mathematics for Engineering Students beyond the Purely Cognitive Aspects
Authors: Vinerean Mirela , Liljekvist Yvonne , Bengü Elif
Published: April 2023

High dropout rates in the first year of undergraduate studies are an expression of the secondary–tertiary transition problem and they seem to be particularly high in those degree programs where specialized mathematics courses are taught in the first year of study. Research shows that students’ difficulties during the transition period cannot be reduced to purely cognitive factors. In this article, we address the secondary–tertiary transition problem in mathematics for engineering students. Based on a questionnaire with focus beyond the purely cognitive aspects, a comparison of the transition problem at three European mid-sized universities is carried out, to identify common challenges and difficulties, as well as differences. The questionnaire concentrates on the four dimensions (personal, organizational, content related, and social) and corresponding critical requirements for a successful transition described in Trautwein, C., & Bosse, E. (2017). The first year in higher education – critical requirements from the student perspective.Higher Education,73, 371–387. A group of 308 first-year engineering students partook in the study. In the presentation, we highlight students’ perceptions regarding the transition, changes, and challenges they experienced under the above-mentioned four dimensions and discuss similarities and differences between countries.
Industrial gas turbine performance prediction and improvement – a case study
Authors: Mzad Hocine , Bennour Fethi
Published: April 2023

The gas turbines (GTs), model M3142R/GE MS 3002, equipping the natural gas compression and crude oil pumping stations of SONATRACH’s pipeline transport of hydrocarbons activity are robust despite their dilapidation and state of service, but mediocre in terms of energy efficiency and power output. According to the manufacturer, for temperatures ranging from 15 to 47 °C, the efficiency of these machines drops from 26.78 to 25.03 % and their power drops from 11.29 to 8.9191 MW. It should be noted, however, that the number of these turbines exceeds 80 units and that their operation dates from 1974. The intention of this paper is to improve the gas turbine performance, mainly the efficiency and shaft power, by an evaporative cooling process of the compressor intake air. Besides, it is proposed to lower the upper limit power in periods of high temperatures to reduce gas consumption. To achieve these objectives, a mathematical model was implemented under Matlab R16, which reproduced the real behavior of these machines. It follows that this simulation made it possible to highlight relevant gains in terms of power and efficiency of the order of 1.361 MW and 3.4 % at a temperature of 47 °C.