bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial communities and functions changed in rhizosphere soil of Pinus massoniana provenances with different carbon storage
Authors: Huang Zichen , He Xin , Zhang Chi , Zhang Mengyang , Wang Jiannan , Hou Yanqing , Wang Dengbao , Yao Sheng , Yu Qiong , Ji Kongshu
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The average carbon storage of Pinus massoniana is much higher than the average carbon storage of Chinese forests, an important carbon sink tree species in subtropical regions of China. However, there are few studies on the differences in rhizosphere microorganisms of P. massoniana with different carbon storages.

Methods

To clarify the relationships between plant carbon storage level, environmental parameters and microbial community structure, we identified three carbon storage levels from different P. massoniana provenances and collected rhizosphere soil samples. We determined chemical properties of soil, extracellular enzyme activity, and microbial community structures at different carbon storage levels and examined how soil factors affect rhizosphere microorganisms under different carbon storage levels.

Results

The results revealed that soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) contents all increased with increasing carbon storage levels, while pH decreased accordingly. In contrast, the available phosphorus (AP) content did not change significantly. The soil AP content was within the range of 0.91 ~ 1.04 mg/kg. The microbial community structure of P. massoniana changed with different carbon storage, with Acidobacteria (44.27%), Proteobacteria (32.57%), and Actinobacteria (13.43%) being the dominant bacterial phyla and Basidiomycota (73.36%) and Ascomycota (24.64%) being the dominant fungal phyla across the three carbon storage levels. Soil fungi were more responsive to carbon storage than bacteria in P. massoniana. C/N, NH4+-N, NO3−-N, and SOC were the main drivers (p < 0.05) of changes in rhizosphere microbial communities.

Discussion

The results revealed that in the rhizosphere there were significant differences in soil carbon cycle and microorganism nutrient preferences at different carbon storages of P. massoniana provenance, which were significantly related to the changes in rhizosphere microbial community structure. Jiangxi Anyuan (AY) provenance is more suitable for the construction of high carbon storage plantation.
Full-lung simulations of mechanically ventilated lungs incorporating recruitment/derecruitment dynamics
Authors: Ma Haoran , Fujioka Hideki , Halpern David , Bates Jason H. T. , Gaver Donald P.
Published: November 2023

This study developed and investigated a comprehensive multiscale computational model of a mechanically ventilated ARDS lung to elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to the development or prevention of VILI. This model is built upon a healthy lung model that incorporates realistic airway and alveolar geometry, tissue distensibility, and surfactant dynamics. Key features of the ARDS model include recruitment and derecruitment (RD) dynamics, alveolar tissue viscoelasticity, and surfactant deficiency. This model successfully reproduces realistic pressure-volume (PV) behavior, dynamic surface tension, and time-dependent descriptions of RD events as a function of the ventilation scenario. Simulations of Time-Controlled Adaptive Ventilation (TCAV) modes, with short and long durations of exhalation (TLow- and TLow+, respectively), reveal a higher incidence of RD for TLow+ despite reduced surface tensions due to interfacial compression. This finding aligns with experimental evidence emphasizing the critical role of timing in protective ventilation strategies. Quantitative analysis of energy dissipation indicates that while alveolar recruitment contributes only a small fraction of total energy dissipation, its spatial concentration and brief duration may significantly contribute to VILI progression due to its focal nature and higher intensity. Leveraging the computational framework, the model may be extended to facilitate the development of personalized protective ventilation strategies to enhance patient outcomes. As such, this computational modeling approach offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of VILI that may guide the optimization of ventilation strategies in ARDS management.
Cauchy non-convex sparse feature selection method for the high-dimensional small-sample problem in motor imagery EEG decoding
Authors: Zhang Shaorong , Wang Qihui , Zhang Benxin , Liang Zhen , Zhang Li , Li Linling , Huang Gan , Zhang Zhiguo , Feng Bao , Yu Tianyou
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The time, frequency, and space information of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals is crucial for motor imagery decoding. However, these temporal-frequency-spatial features are high-dimensional small-sample data, which poses significant challenges for motor imagery decoding. Sparse regularization is an effective method for addressing this issue. However, the most commonly employed sparse regularization models in motor imagery decoding, such as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), is a biased estimation method and leads to the loss of target feature information.

Methods

In this paper, we propose a non-convex sparse regularization model that employs the Cauchy function. By designing a proximal gradient algorithm, our proposed model achieves closer-to-unbiased estimation than existing sparse models. Therefore, it can learn more accurate, discriminative, and effective feature information. Additionally, the proposed method can perform feature selection and classification simultaneously, without requiring additional classifiers.

Results

We conducted experiments on two publicly available motor imagery EEG datasets. The proposed method achieved an average classification accuracy of 82.98% and 64.45% in subject-dependent and subject-independent decoding assessment methods, respectively.

Conclusion

The experimental results show that the proposed method can significantly improve the performance of motor imagery decoding, with better classification performance than existing feature selection and deep learning methods. Furthermore, the proposed model shows better generalization capability, with parameter consistency over different datasets and robust classification across different training sample sizes. Compared with existing sparse regularization methods, the proposed method converges faster, and with shorter model training time.
Differential expression of immunoregulatory cytokines in adipose tissue and liver in response to high fat and high sugar diets in female mice
Authors: Weiner Juliane , Dommel Sebastian , Gebhardt Claudia , Hanschkow Martha , Popkova Yulia , Krause Kerstin , Klöting Nora , Blüher Matthias , Schiller Jürgen , Heiker John T.
Published: November 2023

A comprehensive understanding of how dietary components impact immunoregulatory gene expression in adipose tissue (AT) and liver, and their respective contributions to metabolic health in mice, remains limited. The current study aimed to investigate the metabolic consequences of a high-sucrose diet (HSD) and a high-fat diet (HFD) in female mice with a focus on differential lipid- and sucrose-induced changes in immunoregulatory gene expression in AT and liver. Female C57BL/6 J mice were fed a purified and macronutrient matched high fat, high sugar, or control diets for 12 weeks. Mice were extensively phenotyped, including glucose and insulin tolerance tests, adipose and liver gene and protein expression analysis by qPCR and Western blot, tissue lipid analyses, as well as histological analyses. Compared to the control diet, HSD- and HFD-fed mice had significantly higher body weights, with pronounced obesity along with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance only in HFD-fed mice. HSD-fed mice exhibited an intermediate phenotype, with mild metabolic deterioration at the end of the study. AT lipid composition was significantly altered by both diets, and inflammatory gene expression was only significantly induced in HFD-fed mice. In the liver however, histological analysis revealed that both HSD- and HFD-fed mice had pronounced ectopic lipid deposition indicating hepatic steatosis, but more pronounced in HSD-fed mice. This was in line with significant induction of pro-inflammatory gene expression specifically in livers of HSD-fed mice. Overall, our findings suggest that HFD consumption in female mice induces more profound inflammation in AT with pronounced deterioration of metabolic health, whereas HSD induced more pronounced hepatic steatosis and inflammation without yet affecting glucose metabolism.
Association between oxidative balance score and kidney stone in United States adults: analysis from NHANES 2007-2018
Authors: Ke Runjiang , He Youhua , Chen Chaohao
Published: November 2023

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) and kidney stone risk using NHANES 2007-2018 data, and to explore potential mechanisms and population-specific effects.

Materials and methods: Data from the NHANES 2007-2018 were analyzed. OBS was calculated based on 16 dietary components and 4 lifestyle components. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to investigate the relationship between OBS and kidney stone. Further stratified analyses were conducted to examine the associations across different subgroups.

Results: A total of 19,799 participants were included in the study. There was a consistent inverse association between OBS and the risk of kidney stones (OR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96–0.99). After dividing the participants into quartiles based on OBS, compared to the lowest quartile of OBS, the risk of kidney stones in the highest quartile of OBS was reduced by 33% (95% CI 0.50–0.89; p = 0.002). This association was consistent across both dietary and lifestyle OBS scores. The protective effect of OBS was notably pronounced among Non-Hispanic white and Other race groups, and among individuals with a higher level of education. However, the association was not significant among individuals with diabetes.

Conclusion: A higher OBS, indicating a balance skewed towards antioxidants, is associated with a reduced risk of kidney stones, especially among specific population subgroups. These findings underscore the potential role of oxidative balance in kidney stone pathogenesis and highlight the importance of considering individual and population-specific factors in future research and preventive strategies.
Towards practical object detection for weed spraying in precision agriculture
Authors: Darbyshire Madeleine , Salazar-Gomez Adrian , Gao Junfeng , Sklar Elizabeth I. , Parsons Simon
Published: November 2023

Weeds pose a persistent threat to farmers’ yields, but conventional methods for controlling weed populations, like herbicide spraying, pose a risk to the surrounding ecosystems. Precision spraying aims to reduce harms to the surrounding environment by targeting only the weeds rather than spraying the entire field with herbicide. Such an approach requires weeds to first be detected. With the advent of convolutional neural networks, there has been significant research trialing such technologies on datasets of weeds and crops. However, the evaluation of the performance of these approaches has often been limited to the standard machine learning metrics. This paper aims to assess the feasibility of precision spraying via a comprehensive evaluation of weed detection and spraying accuracy using two separate datasets, different image resolutions, and several state-of-the-art object detection algorithms. A simplified model of precision spraying is proposed to compare the performance of different detection algorithms while varying the precision of the spray nozzles. The key performance indicators in precision spraying that this study focuses on are a high weed hit rate and a reduction in herbicide usage. This paper introduces two metrics, namely, weed coverage rate and area sprayed, to capture these aspects of the real-world performance of precision spraying and demonstrates their utility through experimental results. Using these metrics to calculate the spraying performance, it was found that 93% of weeds could be sprayed by spraying just 30% of the area using state-of-the-art vision methods to identify weeds.
High correlations between plant clonality and ecosystem service functions after management in a chronosequence of evergreen conifer plantations
Authors: Song Ping , Xu Yu-Han , Yuan Yuan , Xu Ke-Qin , Yao Jia-Bao , Chen Shao-Zhi
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Climate change and mono-afforestation or mono-reforestation have continuously caused a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services on forest plantations. Key plant functional traits in forests or plantations may affect ecosystem functions after forest management practices. Plant clonality, a key functional trait, frequently links to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and affects the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship. However, little is known about how plant clonality affects ecosystem functions and services of plantations after forest management.

Methods

We conducted a field experiment to discuss the diversity and proportion of clonal plants, plant diversity of the communities, and ecosystem service functions and their relationships under 10 years of close-to-nature (CTN) management, artificial gap management, and control (i.e., without management) in the three stages of C. Lanceolata plantations.

Results

Our results showed that CTN and gap management modes significantly facilitated diversity of clonal plants, plant diversity of the communities, and parameters of ecosystem service functions in C. lanceolata plantations. Moreover, CTN management promoted plant community diversity, soil water conservation, and carbon storage the most in the earlier stand stages. Diversity of clonal plants was significantly positively correlated with ecosystem service functions after forest management. Structural equation modeling analysis indicated that forest gap or CTN management indirectly positively affected ecosystem service functions through increasing diversity of clonal woody plants and plant diversity of the communities.

Conclusion

Our results indicate a highly positive effect of gap or CTN management on diversity and proportion of clonal plants and on plant diversity of the communities, which link to improvements in ecosystem service functions (i.e., water and soil conservation and carbon storage). The link between forest management, diversity, and ecosystem functions suggests that key functional traits or plant functional groups should be considered to underline the mechanism of traits–ecosystem functioning relationships and the restoration of degraded plantations.
The association between social media use and well-being during quarantine period: testing a moderated mediation model
Authors: Zhu Leling , Xiao Shuaijie , Yan Xinyu , Zhou Shuijia , Yang Jiemin , Yuan Jiajin
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Social media use (SMU) increased dramatically during COVID-19 due to policies such as long-term quarantine. Given that SMU has complex effects on individuals’ well-being, this study aimed to explore the relationship between SMU and subjective well-being and the influencing factors in the context of the pandemic in China.

Methods

A total of 895 adults (413 males) in different risk areas across China participated in this study. They provided self-reported data on subjective well-being, social media use, adaptive humor, and other demographic variables.

Results

It revealed that SMU was positively associated with individual well-being, an effect partially mediated by the score of adaptive humor. Furthermore, the effect of SMU on adaptive humor was moderated by trait optimism, with the effect more robust in high (vs. low) optimistic individuals.

Conclusion

This study explored the positive effects of SMU on individuals’ well-being, suggesting that individuals may better cope with negative experiences and maintain well-being under quarantine by showing more adaptive humor on social media.
Vaccine hesitancy and related factors among South African adults in 2021: unpacking uncertainty versus unwillingness
Authors: Sewpaul Ronel , Sifunda Sibusiso , Gaida Razia , Mokhele Tholang , Naidoo Inbarani , Reddy Sasiragha Priscilla
Published: November 2023

Background

Amidst widespread public health recommendations and availability of COVID-19 vaccinations, half of South African adults are vaccinated against COVID-19. This study investigated the socio-behavioral determinants of vaccine hesitancy in South Africa, where vaccine hesitancy was separated into unwilling ness and uncertainty to take a COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods

Data was collected from a large-scale public survey during June–October 2021 that included online and telephonic surveys. Vaccination hesitancy was based on the question “When available, would you take the COVID 19 vaccine?,” with responses categorized into those who were willing, unwilling, and uncertain about taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Multinomial regression examined the association between socio-behavioral variables and vaccine hesitancy.

Results

Overall, 73.8% reported they would definitely or probably take the vaccine, 16.4% were uncertain and 9.9% reported they probably or definitely would not (n = 16,988). Younger age, White and Colored population groups, no influenza vaccination history, previous vaccination refusal, knowing someone who experienced a serious vaccination side-effect, misperceptions about vaccine benefits, cultural or religious discouragement from taking a COVID-19 vaccination, lack of governmental confidence, concerns about side-effects, perceived lack of safety information, and lack of trust in the pharmaceutical industry and in the information from health care providers were all associated with higher odds of being uncertain and unwilling to take a COVID-19 vaccination. Strengths of association for unwillingness and uncertainty varied by the explanatory variables. Concern about effectiveness due to fast development was associated with uncertainty to take the vaccine but not with unwillingness. Concerns about side-effects had stronger associations with uncertainty than with unwillingness, while previous vaccine refusal, misperceptions of the protective benefits of vaccines, White population group, religious/cultural discouragement, and lack of trust in the pharmaceutical industry and health care providers’ information had stronger associations with unwillingness than uncertainty.

Conclusion

The determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy should be addressed in interventions to improve vaccine uptake. Public health interventions and health communication can be prioritized and tailored to the different forms of vaccination hesitancy.
Self-medication and medication storage practices among Lira University students in Lira city, Northern Uganda
Authors: Ikwara Asher Emmanuel , Atwijukiire Humphrey
Published: November 2023

Background

Self-medication (SM) is a global public health concern, particularly prevalent in developing nations. It involves the consumption of drugs without professional guidance, encompassing both over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Responsible SM can alleviate healthcare burdens, reduce costs, and empower individuals to manage minor ailments independently. However, improper SM practices can lead to adverse effects, contribute to antimicrobial resistance, and pose various health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SM and related practices of storing medications among students at Lira University, located in Lira City West Division, Northern Uganda.

Methods

This study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional design, focusing on students from various faculties. The sample size comprised 422 students, determined using the Kish Leslie formula. Data collection involved the administration of self-administered questionnaires, and subsequent data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.

Results

The study involved participants from Lira University, primarily women (51.2%) with an average age of 23.82. A majority were Christians (59.7%) and single (87.9%). Most were from the Faculty of Health Sciences (63.7%), with third-year students being the largest group (48.3%). Regarding SM, 74.2% practiced SM, with antibiotics (69.2%) and tablets (69.2%) being commonly self-administered. In terms of medication storage, 93.4% kept medicines at home, mostly in cupboards (76.5%), but many were unsure about proper storage practices. Participants exhibited good knowledge of SM's risks and measures to reduce them. There was a significant association between the faculty of study and SM practices (p = 0.015), while other demographic factors showed no significant associations.

Conclusion

This study sheds light on the prevalent SM practices among students at Lira University in Northern Uganda. Notably, antibiotics were frequently self-medicated, raising concerns about antibiotic resistance. Additionally, medication storage practices emphasize the need for proper education on storage guidelines. However, the participants exhibited good knowledge of the risks associated with SM, suggesting the potential for effective awareness campaigns. The study recommends targeted health education programs, stricter regulations on medication sales, improved healthcare access, proper medication disposal, further research on the factors driving SM, collaborative efforts, and monitoring of antibiotic use to address this public health issue effectively.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards thyroid nodules and cancer among patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Wei , Deng Jian , Xiong Wei , Zhong Yangyan , Cao Hong , Jiang Guoqin
Published: November 2023

Aim

This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards thyroid nodules (TN) and thyroid cancer (TC) among patients.

Subject and methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with TN or TC at the Second Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China between September 2022 and February 2023. A self-administered questionnaire was developed to collect demographic information of the participants, and their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards TN and TC.

Results

A total of 510 valid questionnaires were collected. Among the participants, 102 (20.00%) were male, and 197 (38.63%) had the diagnosis of TC. The knowledge, attitude and practice scores were 5.76 ± 3.09 (possible range: 0–12), 31.07 ± 2.73 (possible range: 9–45), and 18.97 ± 2.92 (possible range: 5–25), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age of above 50 years old (OR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.12–0.64, p = 0.003), junior college or bachelor’s degree and above (OR = 4.97, 95%CI: 1.74–14.20, p = 0.003), monthly income of 5,000–10,000 CNY (OR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.09–3.74, p = 0.025) and > 10,000 CNY (OR = 5.67, 95%CI: 2.49–12.94, p < 0.001) were independently associated with knowledge. The good knowledge (OR = 3.87, 95%CI: 1.89–7.95, p < 0.001), high school or technical secondary school (OR = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.30–0.88, p = 0.016), and monthly income of 5,000–10,000 CNY (OR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.13–3.63, p = 0.018) were independently associated with practice.

Conclusion

Patients demonstrated poor knowledge, moderate attitude, and proactive practice towards TN and TC.
Humans and cyber-physical systems as teammates? Characteristics and applicability of the human-machine-teaming concept in intelligent manufacturing
Authors: Bocklisch Franziska , Huchler Norbert
Published: November 2023

The paper explores and comments on the theoretical concept of human-machine-teaming in intelligent manufacturing. Industrial production is an important area of work applications and should be developed toward a more anthropocentric Industry 4.0/5.0. Teaming is used a design metaphor for human-centered integration of workers and complex cyber-physical-production systems using artificial intelligence. Concrete algorithmic solutions for technical processes should be based on theoretical concepts. A combination of literature scoping review and commentary was used to identify key characteristics for teaming applicable to the work environment addressed. From the body of literature, five criteria were selected and commented on. Two characteristics seemed particularly promising to guide the development of human-centered artificial intelligence and create tangible benefits in the mid-term: complementarity and shared knowledge/goals. These criteria are outlined with two industrial examples: human-robot-collaboration in assembly and intelligent decision support in thermal spraying. The main objective of the paper is to contribute to the discourse on human-centered artificial intelligence by exploring the theoretical concept of human-machine-teaming from a human-oriented perspective. Future research should focus on the empirical implementation and evaluation of teaming characteristics from different transdisciplinary viewpoints.
Share buybacks: a theoretical exploration of genetic algorithms and mathematical optionality
Authors: Osterrieder Joerg
Published: November 2023

This article exclusively formulates and presents three innovative hypotheses related to the execution of share buybacks, employing Genetic Algorithms (GAs) and mathematical optimization techniques. Drawing on the foundational contributions of scholars such as Osterrieder, Seigne, Masters, and Guéant, we articulate hypotheses that aim to bring a fresh perspective to share buyback strategies. The first hypothesis examines the potential of GAs to mimic trading schedules, the second posits the optimization of buyback execution as a mathematical problem, and the third underlines the role of optionality in improving performance. These hypotheses do not only offer theoretical insights but also set the stage for empirical examination and practical application, contributing to broader financial innovation. The article does not contain new data or extensive reviews but focuses purely on presenting these original, untested hypotheses, sparking intrigue for future research and exploration.

JEL Classification

G00.
The effect of human autonomy and robot work pace on perceived workload in human-robot collaborative assembly work
Authors: van Dijk Wietse , Baltrusch Saskia J. , Dessers Ezra , de Looze Michiel P.
Published: November 2023

Collaborative robots (in short: cobots) have the potential to assist workers with physically or cognitive demanding tasks. However, it is crucial to recognize that such assistance can have both positive and negative effects on job quality. A key aspect of human-robot collaboration is the interdependence between human and robotic tasks. This interdependence influences the autonomy of the operator and can impact the work pace, potentially leading to a situation where the human’s work pace becomes reliant on that of the robot. Given that autonomy and work pace are essential determinants of job quality, design decisions concerning these factors can greatly influence the overall success of a robot implementation. The impact of autonomy and work pace was systematically examined through an experimental study conducted in an industrial assembly task. 20 participants engaged in collaborative work with a robot under three conditions: human lead (HL), fast-paced robot lead (FRL), and slow-paced robot lead (SRL). Perceived workload was used as a proxy for job quality. To assess the perceived workload associated with each condition was assessed with the NASA Task Load Index (TLX). Specifically, the study aimed to evaluate the role of human autonomy by comparing the perceived workload between HL and FRL conditions, as well as the influence of robot pace by comparing SRL and FRL conditions. The findings revealed a significant correlation between a higher level of human autonomy and a lower perceived workload. Furthermore, a decrease in robot pace was observed to result in a reduction of two specific factors measuring perceived workload, namely cognitive and temporal demand. These results suggest that interventions aimed at increasing human autonomy and appropriately adjusting the robot’s work pace can serve as effective measures for optimizing the perceived workload in collaborative scenarios.
A leadership-based framework for improving Saudi Arabian female participation in sports
Authors: Alruwaili Mamdouh Dawish
Published: November 2023

Study purpose

To analyze the relationship between the leadership styles and sports engagement among female sport persons in Saudi Arabia and proposes a framework model for improving Saudi Arabian female participation in sports.

Methods

This study adopted an online cross-sectional survey design for achieving the research aim. Survey instruments included multi-factor leadership questionnaire (MLQ) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). The study participants included adult female sports persons from various sports clubs in Saudi Arabia. A total of 329 responses were received, out of which 35 were incomplete; therefore, a total of 294 responses were considered for the data analysis.

Results

Transformational leadership style was identified to be the most preferred style compared to transactional and laissez-fare leadership styles. Older participants (>25 years) perceived transformational leadership scales including inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration to be more effective (p < 0.05) compared to younger participants. Transformational leadership has strong positive correlation with all engagement scales (as correlation coefficient “r” was greater than 0.7, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Inspirational motivation could be an effective approach in increasing the female participation in Saudi Arabia, as they are mentally unprepared due to the experience of socio-cultural restrictions for decades.
Business and Regional Innovation Culture: An Overview of the Conceptualization of Innovation Culture
Authors: Katimertzopoulos Fotios , Vlados Charis , Koutroukis Theodore
Published: November 2023

The primary aim of this paper is to identify key similarities and differences in the conceptualization of culture across the major theories of regional socioeconomic science, including economic, business, administrative, social, cultural and political dimensions acting at the regional and local scales. The second goal is to present an overview of the knowledge base and third to cohesively examine and partially recreate the topic using the semi-systematic review method. The final objective of examining the aforementioned issues is to clarify the dynamic correlation in the structuring of business and innovation culture, as well as to identify the characteristics that contribute to the sustainable culture of business and regional innovation systems, including long-term sustainable development. The research shows that the coexistence and combination of innovative culture at the business and regional levels should be perceived as a dynamic and co-evolutionary process involving a variety of factors. Local organizations and institutes that foster entrepreneurship are among the elements that enhance the innovation culture; however, having all of the resources in isolation is insufficient for an efficient ecosystem. This study proposes the establishment of a framework that will enhance the growth of innovation, cultural evolution and regional ecosystem performance. The Institutes of Local Development and Innovation (ILDI) are a policy idea that might give effective micro–meso-level solutions for the region. These policy proposals will diagnose the regional business culture under the prism of strategy, technology, and management levels. The specific investigation attempted in this paper demonstrates that several converging fruitful paths have already been created in the relative international literature. These paths could be combined and deepened further by studying the close evolutionary interconnection between business and regional innovation culture as it emerges at a global scale in the present.
Early Staphylococcal Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) Treated with Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention (DAIR): Inferior Outcomes in Patients with Staphylococci Resistant to Rifampicin
Authors: Eriksson Hannah K. , Lazarinis Stergios , Järhult Josef D. , Hailer Nils P.
Published: November 2023

It is unknown how rifampicin resistance in staphylococci causing a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) affects outcomes after debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR). We thus aimed to compare the risk of relapse in DAIR-treated early PJI caused by staphylococci with or without rifampicin resistance. In total, 81 patients affected by early PJI were included, and all patients were treated surgically with DAIR. This was repeated if needed. The endpoint of relapse-free survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and Cox regression models were fitted to assess the risk of infection relapse for patients infected with rifampicin-resistant bacteria, adjusted for age, sex, type of joint, and type of index surgery. In patients with rifampicin-resistant staphylococci, relapse was seen in 80% after one DAIR procedure and in 70% after two DAIR procedures. In patients with rifampicin-sensitive bacteria, 51% had an infection relapse after one DAIR procedure and 33% had an infection relapse after two DAIR procedures. Patients with rifampicin-resistant staphylococcal PJI thus had an increased adjusted risk of infection relapse of 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1–3.6, p = 0.04) after one DAIR procedure compared to patients with rifampicin-sensitive bacteria and a 4.1-fold (95% CI: 1.2–14.1, p = 0.03) increase in risk of infection relapse after two DAIR procedures. Staphylococcal resistance to rifampicin is associated with inferior outcomes after DAIR. These findings suggest that DAIR may not be a useful strategy in early PJI caused by rifampicin-resistant staphylococci.
Melatonin Alleviates the Impairment of Muscle Bioenergetics and Protein Quality Control Systems in Leptin-Deficiency-Induced Obesity
Authors: Potes Yaiza , Díaz-Luis Andrea , Bermejo-Millo Juan C. , Pérez-Martínez Zulema , de Luxán-Delgado Beatriz , Rubio-González Adrian , Menéndez-Valle Iván , Gutiérrez-Rodríguez José , Solano Juan J. , Caballero Beatriz , Vega-Naredo Ignacio , Coto-Montes Ana
Published: November 2023

Leptin is critically compromised in the major common forms of obesity. Skeletal muscle is the main effector tissue for energy modification that occurs as a result of the effect of endocrine axes, such as leptin signaling. Our study was carried out using skeletal muscle from a leptin-deficient animal model, in order to ascertain the importance of this hormone and to identify the major skeletal muscle mechanisms affected. We also examined the therapeutic role of melatonin against leptin-induced muscle wasting. Here, we report that leptin deficiency stimulates fatty acid β-oxidation, which results in mitochondrial uncoupling and the suppression of mitochondrial oxidative damage; however, it increases cytosolic oxidative damage. Thus, different nutrient-sensing pathways are disrupted, impairing proteostasis and promoting lipid anabolism, which induces myofiber degeneration and drives oxidative type I fiber conversion. Melatonin treatment plays a significant role in reducing cellular oxidative damage and regulating energy homeostasis and fuel utilization. Melatonin is able to improve both glucose and mitochondrial metabolism and partially restore proteostasis. Taken together, our study demonstrates melatonin to be a decisive mitochondrial function-fate regulator in skeletal muscle, with implications for resembling physiological energy requirements and targeting glycolytic type II fiber recovery.
Insights into the Structure–Capacity of Food Antioxidant Compounds Assessed Using Coulometry
Authors: Siano Francesco , Sammarco Anna Sofia , Fierro Olga , Castaldo Domenico , Caruso Tonino , Picariello Gianluca , Vasca Ermanno
Published: November 2023

CDAC (coulometrically determined antioxidant capacity) involves the determination of the antioxidant capacity of individual compounds or their mixtures using constant-current coulometry, with electrogenerated Br2 as the titrant, and biamperometric detection of the endpoint via Br2 excess. CDAC is an accurate, sensitive, rapid, and cheap measurement of the mol electrons (mol e−) transferred in a redox process. In this study, the CDAC of 48 individual antioxidants commonly found in foods has been determined. The molar ratio CDAC (CDACχ, mol e− mol−1) of representative antioxidants is ranked as follows: tannic acid > malvidin-3-O-glucoside ≃ curcumin > quercetin > catechin ≃ ellagic acid > gallic acid > tyrosol > BHT ≃ hydroxytyrosol > chlorogenic acid ≃ ascorbic acid ≃ Trolox®. In many cases, the CDACχ ranking of the flavonoids did not comply with the structural motifs that promote electron or hydrogen atom transfers, known as the Bors criteria. As an accurate esteem of the stoichiometric coefficients for reactions of antioxidants with Br2, the CDACχ provides insights into the structure–activity relationships underlying (electro)chemical reactions. The electrochemical ratio (ER), defined as the antioxidant capacity of individual compounds relative to ascorbic acid, represents a dimensionless nutritional index that can be used to estimate the antioxidant power of any foods on an additive basis.
Infiltration Grouting Mechanism of Bingham Fluids in Porous Media with Different Particle Size Distributions
Authors: Xu Baojie , Zhang Hualei , Yin Jiadi , Xue Yonglin
Published: November 2023

Although permeation grouting technology has been widely used in engineering practice, there has not been sufficient research on how the distribution of pore sizes in porous media affects the diffusion of grout. In this study, based on the fractal theory of porous media and the Bingham fluid rheological equation, a Bingham fluid permeation grouting mechanism considering the distribution of pore sizes in porous media is proposed. The mechanism is validated through laboratory experiments and numerical simulations using COMSOL 6.0. During the experiments, parallel electrical resistance imaging is employed to monitor the diffusion range of the grout. Furthermore, the effects of grouting pressure, porosity, and water–cement ratio on the diffusion radius of the grout are analyzed. The results show that the Bingham fluid grout diffuses in a semi-spherical shape in the gravel. Additionally, parallel electrical resistance imaging can analyze the diffusion range of the grout in the gravel. The diffusion radius of the Bingham fluid grout in the gravel is smaller than the diffusion radius obtained by considering the particle size distribution theory, with an average difference of 31.8%. Compared to the diffusion radius obtained without considering the particle size distribution theory, the diffusion radius obtained by considering the distribution of pore sizes is closer to the experimental results. The numerically simulated program, which was developed for this study, can effectively simulate the diffusion law of the Bingham fluid in the gravel. So far, the Bingham fluid seepage grouting model considering the different particle size distribution of porous media has been built. The findings of this study can provide theoretical support and technical reference for practical grouting projects.
Developing an Intelligent Fiber-Optic System for Monitoring Reinforced Concrete Foundation Structure Damage
Authors: Mekhtiyev Ali , Neshina Yelena , Alkina Aliya , Yugay Vyacheslav , Kalytka Valeriy , Sarsikeyev Yermek , Kirichenko Lalita
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the results of complex scientific research aimed at developing a prototype fiber-optic system for controlling the technical condition of buildings, structures, and extended objects. The aim is to develop a quasi-distributed type of fiber-optic control system without electrical signals, with the minimum possible cost of one measurement point. The fiber-optic sensors are based on a new method of controlling the parameters of the light spot by means of a hardware-software complex. The proposed monitoring system is quasi-distributed, is able to determine the damaged and most stressed and deformed areas of load-bearing reinforced concrete structures of buildings at the stage of their occurrence, and will allow for the taking of preventive measures for their protection. The research was carried out on a laboratory bench working together with the hardware-software complex; pixel analysis of changes in the area of the spot and its intensity was used as a fiber-optic sensor. A single-mode optical fiber of the G.652.D 9/125 μm standard was used, with a wavelength of 650 nm. The monitoring system can perform the function of pressure measurement on the building structure, establish the damage zone, and signal in case of an abrupt change in parameters in case of structure destruction. Laboratory tests have shown that the number of channels can be increased to 16 or 32. With the help of this system, it is possible to monitor the technical condition of the underground and above-ground parts of buildings or structures and control their integrity in real-time.
Predicting Students’ Outcome in an Introductory Programming Course: Leveraging the Student Background
Authors: Köhler Jacqueline , Hidalgo Luciano , Jara José Luis
Published: November 2023

For a lot of beginners, learning to program is challenging; similarly, for teachers, it is difficult to draw on students’ prior knowledge to help the process because it is not quite obvious which abilities are significant for developing programming skills. This paper seeks to shed some light on the subject by identifying which previously recorded variables have the strongest correlation with passing an introductory programming course. To do this, a data set was collected including data from four cohorts of students who attended an introductory programming course, common to all Engineering programmes at a Chilean university. With this data set, several classifiers were built, using different Machine Learning methods, to determine whether students pass or fail the course. In addition, models were trained on subsets of students by programme duration and engineering specialisation. An accuracy of 68% was achieved, but the analysis by specialisation shows that both accuracy and the significant variables vary depending on the programme. The fact that classification methods select different predictors depending on the specialisation suggests that there is a variety of factors that affect a student’s ability to succeed in a programming course, such as overall academic performance, language proficiency, and mathematical and scientific skills.
Characterization of Cardiac Fat in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Prior to Ablation Treatment
Authors: Peer-Zada Feham , Hamze Dima , Garcia Julio
Published: November 2023

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) contribute to the development of left atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study is to determine the factors influencing cardiac fat, evaluate its impact on heart function, and evaluate its role in the recurrence of AF. Cardiac MRI exams of n = 198 patients with paroxysmal AF were retrospectively analyzed to quantify EAT and PAT. Body mass index (BMI) showed significant associations with increased EAT, PAT, and total cardiac fat, particularly with the total end-systolic area (p < 0.001). Males were associated with increased PAT (r = −0.331, p < 0.001) and EAT (r = −0.168, p = 0.019). Increased PAT end-diastolic volume was also associated with an increase in LV mass (r = 0.249, p < 0.01). An inverse relationship between EAT end-systolic area and cardiac index (r = −0.220, p < 0.01) was observed. Although BMI did not significantly affect AF recurrence, overweight patients (36%) experienced slightly more AF recurrence than obese patients (33%). Obesity is substantially associated with an increase in EAT and PAT, while sex appears to play a greater role in PAT than EAT and decreased cardiac function.
Effective Method to Collect Indoor Floating Aerosols Using Cooling Equipment
Authors: Minakuchi Kosuke , Kikuta Koki , Hagiwara Hisashi , Miyazaki Kenji , Hayashi Motoya
Published: November 2023

If we collect aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2 with condensed water and obtain the solution, a sensing device can detect the viruses, and we can easily take prompt countermeasures. First, we predicted a condensation mass flow rate on a cooling surface. Next, we sprayed saltwater in a chamber and collected the aerosols using a collector equipped with a cooling unit and a fan. We defined Δt′ based on the difference between the dew point and cooling surface temperatures. The collected liquid mass had a linear relation with Δt′. There were slight differences related to the airflow rate. For evaluating the collection efficiency, ηc was determined as the ratio of the salt concentration of the collected liquid to that of the sprayed. As the liquid mass reduced, ηc increased. When the airflow rate increased by 40 m3/h, ηc increased from 10% to 28%. The airflow rates did not affect the one-pass collection efficiencies much. We also confirmed that the condensation prediction was accurate. When the airflow rate was 140 m3/h, the coefficient of determination was 0.97, and the maximum residual error was −0.85 mg/s. Based on the prediction, the concentration of test substances can increase by controlling the cooling capacity.
No Response of Surface-Level Atmospheric Electrical Parameters in Israel to Severe Space Weather Events
Authors: Yaniv Roy , Yair Yoav , Price Colin , Reuveni Yuval
Published: November 2023

We report ground-based measurements of the atmospheric electric field (Ez = −potential gradient (PG)) and current density (Jz) that were conducted at two locations in Israel. One is at the Emilio Segre cosmic ray station located on Mt. Hermon (34.45° N, 2020 m AMSL) in northern Israel near the Syrian-Lebanon border, and the other is at the Wise astronomical observatory in the Negev desert highland plateau of southern Israel (31.18° N, 870 m AMSL). We searched for possible effects of strong, short-term solar events on the potential gradient and the vertical current density, as disruptions to the global electric circuit are often observed following strong solar events. The first case study (St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March 2015) was classified as the strongest event of 2015. The second case study (8 September 2017) was categorized as the strongest event of 2017 and one of the twenty strongest events on record to date. The results show that the electrical parameters measured at ground level at both stations were not affected during the two massive proton events and the ensuing geomagnetic storms. The magnetospheric shielding in lower latitudes is strong enough to shield against the flux of energetic particles from solar events, obscuring any impact that may be noticeable above the local daily variations induced by local meteorological conditions (aerosol concentrations, clouds, high humidity, and wind speed), which were investigated as well.