bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ultrasound-based cardiac output monitoring is a useful tool to define baseline hemodynamic parameters in healthy permanent residents at high altitude: results of a monocentric pilot study
Authors: Viruez-Soto Antonio , Molano-Franco Daniel , Merino-Luna Alfredo , Bairam Aida , Aliaga-Raduán Fernanda , Sanchez Lida , Arias-Reyes Christian , Soliz Jorge
Published: January 2024

Previous studies on the cardiac data of healthy permanent residents living in high-altitude regions such as Tibet and the Andes have yielded inconsistent findings and significant disparities. These discrepancies can be mainly attributed to the invasive methods conventionally used for parameter evaluation. However, with the introduction of cutting-edge ultrasound technology, there is now an innovative approach to addressing and reconciling these variations. In this pilot study, we employed an ultrasound-based cardiac output monitoring (USCOM) device to evaluate cardiac output and related hemodynamic variables in a group of 20 healthy high-altitude Andean residents (comprising 10 men and 10 women) aged between 26 and 35 years old. The monocentric study was carried out in La Paz, Bolivia, located between at an altitude of 3,600–4,000 m. A total of 60 hemodynamic measurements were evaluated, accounting for three technical replicates per subject. Our results showed strong intrasubject reproducibility and revealed important differences related to both sex and hemodynamic parameters in highlanders compared to individuals residing at sea level. We conclude that USCOM represents a highly reliable technology for performing hemodynamic measurements in high-altitude residents. Our preliminary findings underscore the need for larger studies, encompassing larger sample sizes, specifically tailored to gender considerations, and extendable to broader highland populations. These findings have special significant implications for the management of hemodynamics in intensive care and postoperative settings, warranting further comprehensive research efforts.
Effect of swelling agent treatment on grape fruit quality and the application of electronic nose identification detection
Authors: Qiao Jianlei , Su Guoqiang , Yuan Liang , Wu Lin , Weng Xiaohui , Liu Shuang , Feng Yucai , Jiang Dan , Chen Yuxuan , Ma Yuan
Published: January 2024

The swelling agent is a plant growth regulator that alters the composition and content of nutrients and volatile gases in the fruit. To identify whether grape fruit had been treated with swelling agent, the odor information and quality indexes of grape berries treated with different concentrations of swelling agent were examined by using electronic nose technology and traditional methods. The contents of soluble sugars, soluble solids, soluble proteins and vitamin C were significantly increased in N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea (CPPU) treated fruit. The contents of hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, and nonanal aldehydes decreased significantly. Similarly, the levels of phenyl ethanol, 1-octanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate alcohols and esters also decreased noticeably. Additionally, the levels of damascenone, linalool, and geraniol ketones and terpenoids decreased. However, the contents of benzaldehyde, D-limonene, acetic acid and hexanoic acid increased. In addition, the electrical signals generated by the electronic nose (e-nose) were analyzed by linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF). The average recognition rate of SVM was 94.4%. The results showed that electronic nose technology can be used to detect whether grapes have been treated with swelling agent, and it is an economical and efficient detection method.
KASP-IEva: an intelligent typing evaluation model for KASP primers
Authors: Chen Xiaojing , Huang Longyu , Fan Jingchao , Yan Shen , Zhou Guomin , Zhang Jianhua
Published: January 2024

KASP marker technology has been used in molecular marker-assisted breeding because of its high efficiency and flexibility, and an intelligent evaluation model of KASP marker primer typing results is essential to improve the efficiency of marker development on a large scale. To this end, this paper proposes a gene population delineation method based on NTC identification module and data distribution judgment module to improve the accuracy of K-Means clustering, and introduces a decision tree to construct the KASP-IEva primer typing evaluation model. The model firstly designs the NTC identification module and data distribution judgment module to extract four types of data, grouping and categorizing to achieve the improvement of the distinguishability of amplification product signals; secondly, the K-Means algorithm is used to aggregate and classify the data, to visualize the five aggregated clusters and to obtain the morphology location eigenvalues; lastly, the evaluation criteria for the typing effect level are constructed, and the logical decision tree is used to make conditional discrimination on the eigenvalues in order to realize the score prediction. The performance of the model was tested by the KASP marker typing test results of 2519 groups of cotton varieties, and the following conclusions were obtained: the model is able to visualize the aggregation and classification effects of the amplification products of NTC, pure genotypes, heterozygous genotypes, and untyped genotypes, enabling rapid and accurate KASP marker typing evaluation. Comparing and analyzing the model evaluation results with the expert evaluation results, the average accuracy rate of the four grades evaluated by the model was 87%, and the overall evaluation results showed an uneven distribution of the grades with significant differential characteristics. When evaluating 2519 KASP fractal maps, the expert evaluation consumes 15 hours, and the model evaluation only uses 8min27.45s, which makes the model intelligent evaluation significantly better than the expert evaluation from the perspective of time. The establishment of the model will further enhance the application of KASP markers in molecular marker-assisted breeding and provide technical support for the large-scale screening and identification of excellent genotypes.
DSCA-PSPNet: Dynamic spatial-channel attention pyramid scene parsing network for sugarcane field segmentation in satellite imagery
Authors: Yuan Yujian , Yang Lina , Chang Kan , Huang Youju , Yang Haoyan , Wang Jiale
Published: January 2024

Sugarcane plays a vital role in many global economies, and its efficient cultivation is critical for sustainable development. A central challenge in sugarcane yield prediction and cultivation management is the precise segmentation of sugarcane fields from satellite imagery. This task is complicated by numerous factors, including varying environmental conditions, scale variability, and spectral similarities between crops and non-crop elements. To address these segmentation challenges, we introduce DSCA-PSPNet, a novel deep learning model with a unique architecture that combines a modified ResNet34 backbone, the Pyramid Scene Parsing Network (PSPNet), and newly proposed Dynamic Squeeze-and-Excitation Context (D-scSE) blocks. Our model effectively adapts to discern the importance of both spatial and channel-wise information, providing superior feature representation for sugarcane fields. We have also created a comprehensive high-resolution satellite imagery dataset from Guangxi’s Fusui County, captured on December 17, 2017, which encompasses a broad spectrum of sugarcane field characteristics and environmental conditions. In comparative studies, DSCA-PSPNet outperforms other state-of-the-art models, achieving an Intersection over Union (IoU) of 87.58%, an accuracy of 92.34%, a precision of 93.80%, a recall of 93.21%, and an F1-Score of 92.38%. Application tests on an RTX 3090 GPU, with input image resolutions of 512 × 512, yielded a prediction time of 4.57ms, a parameter size of 22.57MB, GFLOPs of 11.41, and a memory size of 84.47MB. An ablation study emphasized the vital role of the D-scSE module in enhancing DSCA-PSPNet’s performance. Our contributions in dataset generation and model development open new avenues for tackling the complexities of sugarcane field segmentation, thus contributing to advances in precision agriculture. The source code and dataset will be available on the GitHub repository https://github.com/JulioYuan/DSCA-PSPNet/tree/main.
Current status of the cryopreservation of embryogenic material of woody species
Authors: Ballesteros Daniel , Martínez María Teresa , Sánchez-Romero Carolina , Montalbán Itziar Aurora , Sales Ester , Moncaleán Paloma , Arrillaga Isabel , Corredoira Elena
Published: January 2024

Cryopreservation, or the storage at liquid nitrogen temperatures (-196°C), of embryogenic cells or somatic embryos allows their long-term conservation without loss of their embryogenic capacity. During the last decade, protocols for cryopreservation of embryogenic material of woody species have been increasing in number and importance. However, despite the large experimental evidence proved in thousands of embryogenic lines, the application for the large-scale conservation of embryogenic material in cryobanks is still limited. Cryopreservation facilitates the management of embryogenic lines, reducing costs and time spent on their maintenance, thus limiting the risk of the appearance of somaclonal variation or contamination. Somatic embryogenesis in combination with cryopreservation is especially useful to preserve the juvenility of lines while the corresponding clones are being field-tested. Hence, when tree performance has been evaluated, selected varieties can be propagated from the cryostock. The traditional method of slow cooling or techniques based on vitrification are mostly applied procedures. For example, slow cooling methods are widely applied to conserve embryogenic lines of conifers. Desiccation based procedures, although simpler, have been applied in a smaller number of species. Genetic stability of the cryopreserved material is supported by multiloci PCR-derived markers in most of the assayed species, whereas DNA methylation status assays showed that cryopreservation might induce some changes that were also observed after prolonged subculture of the embryogenic lines. This article reviews the cryopreservation of embryogenic cultures in conifers, fruit species, deciduous forest species and palms, including a description of the different cryopreservation procedures and the analysis of their genetic stability after storage in liquid nitrogen.
Changing effects of energy and water on the richness distribution pattern of the Quercus genus in China
Authors: Sun Shuxia , Zhang Yang , Wang Naixian , Yang Wenjun , Zhai Yinuo , Wang Hui , Fan Peixian , You Chao , Zheng Peiming , Wang Renqing
Published: January 2024

Climate varies along geographic gradients, causing spatial variations in the effects of energy and water on species richness and the explanatory power of different climatic factors. Species of the Quercus genus are important tree species in China with high ecological and socioeconomic value. To detect whether the effects of energy and water on species richness change along climatic gradients, this study built geographically weighted regression models based on species richness and climatic data. Variation partition analysis and hierarchical partitioning analysis were used to further explore the main climatic factors shaping the richness distribution pattern of Quercus in China. The results showed that Quercus species were mainly distributed in mountainous areas of southwestern China. Both energy and water were associated with species richness, with global slopes of 0.17 and 0.14, respectively. The effects of energy and water on species richness gradually increased as energy and water in the environment decreased. The interaction between energy and water altered the effect of energy, and in arid regions, the effects of energy and water were relatively stronger. Moreover, energy explained more variation in species richness in both the entire study area (11.5%) and different climate regions (up to 19.4%). The min temperature of coldest month was the main climatic variable forming the richness distribution pattern of Quercus in China. In conclusion, cold and drought are the critical climatic factors limiting the species richness of Quercus, and climate warming will have a greater impact in arid regions. These findings are important for understanding the biogeographic characteristics of Quercus and conserving biodiversity in China.
Online misinformation can distort witnesses’ memories. Analysis of co-witness discussions using an online version of the MORI-v technique
Authors: Kękuś Magdalena , Szpitalak Malwina , Polczyk Romuald , Barzykowski Krystian
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The memory conformity effect occurs when people witness a given incident and then talk to each other about it, and the statement of one person affects the memory account of another person with respect to that incident. The main objectives of this experiment were (1) to examine the effectiveness of a modified version of the MORI-v technique in inducing the memory conformity effect and (2) to investigate how the manner in which participants discuss the observed event influences the magnitude of this effect. In general, the modified online MORI-v technique consists of the following main elements: (1) original material, that is, two versions of a short film which are identical except for certain critical details; for example, in one version, a thief puts on a red cap, but in the other version it is black; (2) the collaborative recognition test, that is, a discussion about the original material which leads to mutual misinformation; and (3) an individual recognition test that checks the effect of the discussion on the memory account of the original material.

Methods

A total of 72 participants (36 pairs) aged 18–54 took part in the research. Participants were tested using the online MORI-v technique: They were familiarized with the original material on their computers at home, and then they talked about it via a video communication app and completed an individual recognition test on their computers. Importantly, the discussions were recorded and analyzed in detail after the experimental session.

Results and discussion

Using the online MORI-v technique, the effect of memory conformity was demonstrated, that is, in the individual recognition test, the proportion of correct answers to questions about discussed details (related to misinformation) was lower than the proportion of correct answers to questions about non-discussed details. It was also demonstrated that if one participant introduced misinformation during the discussion about a particular item and the other did not question it, the latter’s answer to that item during the individual recognition test was most often incorrect. However, if one participant introduced misinformation during the discussion about an item and the other questioned it, the latter’s answer about that item during the individual recognition test was most often correct.
Arousal dysregulation and executive dysfunction in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Isaac Valeria , Lopez Vladimir , Escobar Maria Josefina
Published: January 2024

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition, that continues to have an elusive etiological background. A number of extant models and theories have historically intended to explain the many factors contributing to ADHD behaviors. One of the most accepted hypotheses has been the executive dysfunction theory associating reduction in executive control to abnormalities in structure and operational dysfunction of dopaminergic signaling networks. Nevertheless, executive functions are not always impaired in ADHD, and the literature describes other symptoms commonly reported suggesting individuals with ADHD would appear to suffer from a more general deficit. Another existing line of research, that has gained much attention recently, establishes that ADHD would have dysregulated states of brain arousal that would account for its commonly observed cognitive deficits and behavioral symptoms, described as the state regulation theory, which has now included measures of autonomic function. This article describes some important aspects that compose and challenge these two most influential theoretical constructs, executive dysfunction and state-regulation, based on their empirical evidence, implying the need to reevaluate the norms used to classify individuals and establish ADHD diagnosis. Large number of controversial results continue to exist within the study of ADHD biological and/or performance markers, possibly due to such heterogeneity and variability within the same diagnosis. The need to resolve these issues and establish newly revised diagnostic criteria for ADHD is critical, as therapeutic success depends on having accurately identified underlying neurophysiological factors in order to appropriately address them in treatment.
Integrating health intervention into existing program structure of the neglected tropical diseases: lessons learned from Yobe and Ebonyi states
Authors: Atobatele Sunday , Sampson Sidney , Jimoh Akolade U. , Isiaka Saheed D. , Ayodeji Oluwafisayo , David Joshua C. , Daniel Victor , Dehinbo Oluwafunmilayo
Published: January 2024

Background

Nigeria has a national policy on neglected tropical diseases (NTD) which is coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health and integrated into the health system at all government levels. A network of grassroots mobilizers, named community drug distributors (CDDs), deliver NTD drugs and commodities to rural and hard-to-reach communities throughout Nigeria.

Methods

Interviews with state and local government coordinators of Nigerian NTD programs and focus group discussions with CDDs in Yobe and Ebonyi states were conducted to understand the working modalities of NTD programs in Nigeria to identify the potential of leveraging the NTD structure for additional health interventions such as COVID-19 vaccine rollouts. Collected data was coded and managed on NVivo version 12 using content analysis.

Results and discussion

The study found that the NTD committee had the following: a structured planning and coordination process, a community mobilization approach for the effective delivery of routine Mass Administration of Medication (MAM) activities. Challenges encountered included little or no incentives for the CDDs, insecurity, transportation and logistics, and lack of equipment and drug commodities. Nigerian NTD health structures have a wide reach, with a presence in all states and local government areas (LGAs), and this has previously been leveraged to deliver commodities and interventions to rural and hard-to-reach communities for non-NTD health programs and could thus be used similarly for COVID-19 vaccination programs. The enablers of integrating health interventions into the NTD structure are increased availability of finances and manpower, while lack of financial incentives and partners’ buy-in were identified as possible. challenges.

Conclusion

The study suggests that integrating COVID-19 interventions into the NTD program in Nigeria would be a significant accomplishment, as the existing structure can support future interventions. The study also highlights the efficiency of the NTD program’s modalities and processes, indicating that an organized structural system for public health interventions can. increase the services of existing interventions while allowing for the integration of future interventions.
Agent-based social simulations for health crises response: utilising the everyday digital health perspective
Authors: Tucker Jason , Lorig Fabian
Published: January 2024

There is increasing recognition of the role that artificial intelligence (AI) systems can play in managing health crises. One such approach, which allows for analysing the potential consequences of different policy interventions is agent-based social simulations (ABSS). Here, the actions and interactions of autonomous agents are modelled to generate virtual societies that can serve as a “testbed” for investigating and comparing different interventions and scenarios. This piece focuses on two key challenges of ABSS in collaborative policy interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. These were defining valuable scenarios to simulate and the availability of appropriate data. This paper posits that drawing on the research on the “everyday” digital health perspective in designing ABSS before or during health crises, can overcome aspects of these challenges. The focus on digital health interventions reflects a rapid shift in the adoption of such technologies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the new challenges this poses for policy makers. It is argued that by accounting for the everyday digital health in modelling, ABSS would be a more powerful tool in future health crisis management.
HPV vaccination in Africa in the COVID-19 era: a cross-sectional survey of healthcare providers’ knowledge, training, and recommendation practices
Authors: Fokom Domgue Joel , Dille Issimouha , Kapambwe Sharon , Yu Robert , Gnangnon Freddy , Chinula Lameck , Murenzi Gad , Mbatani Nomonde , Pande Mala , Sidibe Fatoumata , Kamgno Joseph , Traore Bangaly , Fazazi Hicham El , Diop Mamadou , Tebeu Pierre-Marie , Diomande Mohenou Isidore , Lecuru Fabrice , Adewole Isaac , Plante Marie , Basu Partha , Dangou Jean-Marie , Shete Sanjay
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Although the burden of cervical cancer in Africa is highest, HPV vaccination coverage remains alarmingly low in this region. Providers’ knowledge and recommendation are key drivers of HPV vaccination uptake. Yet, evidence about providers’ knowledge and recommendation practices about the HPV vaccine against a backdrop of emerging vaccine hesitancy fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking in Africa.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021–2022 among healthcare providers involved in cervical cancer prevention activities in Africa. They were invited to report prior training, the availability of the HPV vaccine in their practice, whether they recommended the HPV vaccine, and, if not, the reasons for not recommending it. Their knowledge about the HPV vaccine was assessed through self-reporting (perceived knowledge) and with three pre-tested knowledge questions (measured knowledge).

Results

Of the 153 providers from 23 African countries who responded to the survey (mean age: 38.5 years, SD: 10.1), 75 (54.0%) were female and 97 (63.4%) were based In countries with national HPV immunization programs. Overall, 57 (43.8%) reported having received prior training on HPV vaccine education/counseling, and 40 (37.4%) indicated that the HPV vaccine was available at the facility where they work. Most respondents (109, 83.2%) reported recommending the HPV vaccine in their practice. Vaccine unavailability (57.1%), lack of effective communication tools and informational material (28.6%), and need for adequate training (28.6%) were the most commonly reported reasons for not recommending the HPV vaccine. While 63 providers (52.9%) reported that their knowledge about HPV vaccination was adequate for their practice, only 9.9% responded correctly to the 3 knowledge questions.

Conclusion

To increase HPV vaccination coverage and counter misinformation about this vaccine in Africa, adequate training of providers and culturally appropriate educational materials are needed to improve their knowledge of the HPV vaccine and to facilitate effective communication with their patients and the community.
Assessing soil moisture variability in a vineyard via frequency domain electromagnetic induction data
Authors: De Carlo Lorenzo , Turturro Antonietta Celeste , Caputo Maria Clementina
Published: January 2024

Introduction

In agriculture, accurate hydrological information is crucial to infer water requirements for hydrological modeling, as well as for appropriate water management.

Methods

To achieve this purpose, geophysical frequency domain electromagnetic induction (FDEM) measurements are increasingly used for integration with traditional point-scale measurements to provide effective soil moisture estimations over large areas. The conversion of electromagnetic properties to soil moisture requires specific tools that must take into account the spatial variability of the two measurements and the data and model uncertainties. In a vineyard of about 4.5 ha located in Southern Italy, we tested an innovative assessment approach that uses a freeware code licensed from USGS, MoisturEC, to integrate electromagnetic data, collected with a CMD Mini-Explorer electromagnetic sensor, and point-scale soil moisture data.

Results

About 30,000 data measurements of apparent electrical conductivity (sa) allowed us to build a 3D inverted electromagnetic model obtained via an inversion process. Soil properties at different depths were inferred from the FDEM model and confirmed through the ground truth sampling.

Discussion

The data analysis tool allowed a more accurate estimation of the moisture distribution of the investigated area by combining the accuracy of the point-scale soil moisture measurements and the spatial coverage of the electrical conductivity (EC) data. The results confirmed the capability of the electromagnetic data to accurately map the moisture content of agricultural soils and, at the same time, the need to employ integrated analysis tools able to update such quantitative estimations in order to optimize soil and water management.
Optimizing tea waste as a sustainable substrate for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation: a comprehensive study on biological efficiency and nutritional aspect
Authors: Ahmed Raisa , Niloy Md. Asif Hasan Mazumder , Islam Md. Shafiqul , Reza Md. Selim , Yesmin Sabina , Rasul Shahriar Bin , Khandakar Jebunnahar
Published: January 2024

Introduction

In Bangladesh, rice straw (RS) and sawdust (SD) substrates have traditionally been used in the production of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). However, the rising costs of these substrates have led many to look for alternatives.

Objectives

The present study thus focuses on the potential of waste tea leaves (WTL) for mushroom farming.

Methods

We prepared various substrate mixtures by combining WTL with SD and RS, subsequently evaluating mushroom yield and various quality parameters such as amino acid concentration, mineral content, and biological efficiency.

Results and discussion

Our investigation revealed that WTL alone is not a suitable substrate for mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) growth. However, when combined with SD at a 50% ratio, it significantly boosts mushroom yield and biological efficiency (BE). Conversely, a reduction in yield was noted when WTL was mixed with RS in all tested treatments, although BE surpassed 50%. In summary, incorporating WTL into both substrates proves economically viable from the BE standpoint. According to PCA analysis, the minerals and amino acid content varied based on the different substrate formulations involving WTL blending with both SD and RS at different ratios. Remarkably, mushroom fruiting bodies exhibited lower levels of Na and Fe despite these elements being present in higher concentrations in the growing substrates, suggesting the inability of P. ostreatus to bioaccumulate Na and Fe. Conversely, we observed higher bioaccumulation of Zn and P, even exceeding substrate levels. Importantly, our findings showed that mushrooms cultivated on WTL-based formulations consistently contained elevated Zn levels irrespective of substrate types, indicating that WTL enriched Zn in mushrooms. Additionally, the Fe level increased specifically in RS + WTL-based formulations. All essential and non-essential amino acids were detected, with the highest concentration of histidine, isoleucine, and methionine found in the WTL + SD formulation. Non-essential amino acids (NEAA) like alanine and glutamic acid were more prominent in formulations combining WTL with RS. This study represents the first documented exploration of the impact of WTL on the accumulation of intracellular metabolites including minerals and amino acids, in P. ostreatus.
Autonomous Obstacle Avoidance and Trajectory Planning for Mobile Robot Based on Dual-Loop Trajectory Tracking Control and Improved Artificial Potential Field Method
Authors: Zheng Kunming
Published: January 2024

In order to better meet the practical application needs of mobile robots, this study innovatively designs an autonomous obstacle avoidance and trajectory planning control strategy with low computational complexity, high cost-effectiveness, and the ability to quickly plan a collision-free smooth trajectory curve. This article constructs the kinematic model of the mobile robot, designs a dual-loop trajectory tracking control strategy for position control law and attitude control law algorithms, and improves the traditional artificial potential field method to achieve a good obstacle avoidance strategy for mobile robots. Based on the dual-loop trajectory tracking control and the improved artificial potential field method, the autonomous obstacle avoidance and trajectory planning scheme of the mobile robot is designed, and closed-loop stability verification and analysis are conducted on the overall control system. And through the detailed simulation and experiments, the advantages of the proposed method in trajectory tracking accuracy and motion stability compared to the existing methods are verified, showing good effectiveness and feasibility and laying a good foundation for the application of mobile robots in practical complex scenes.
Effects of Different Water Storage and Fertilizer Retention Substrates on Growth, Yield and Quality of Strawberry
Authors: Tang Xiaofei , Li Yonghui , Fang Mengying , Li Wei , Hong Yong , Li Yucheng
Published: January 2024

To address the problems of inadequate water and fertilizer retention performance of the substrate, which results in the waste of water and fertilizer resources and then contributes to existing agricultural non-point source pollution, this study selected raw materials with different water retention performances for substrate compounding and explored their water retention performance and impact on the growth, yield and quality of strawberries. The experimental setup utilized the strawberry cultivar ‘Hongyan’ as the test subject and incorporated different proportions of vermicompost, coconut bran, biochar and humic acid into the organic fertilizer. A total of 12 treatment groups were formed across three gradients, involving different proportions of vermicompost with 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 proportions of coconut bran/biochar and 0.05, 0.15 and 0.20 proportions of humic acid. To evaluate the water retention performance, uniform water and fertilizer regulations were applied. The results revealed that the treatment groups T4 (vermicompost:coconut bran = 0.5:0.1) and T5 (vermicompost:biochar = 0.5:0.1) exhibited higher water absorption multiplicity, lower water infiltration rates, and better water retention performances, but there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Among them, T4 could effectively improve the nutrient content of the substrate, and the substrate nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) increased by 5.80% compared with CK2. Also, plant total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) uptake increased by 81.18% and 4.74%, respectively, compared with CK2, which in turn promoted the growth and development of the plant and improved the fruit yield and quality to a certain extent. Meanwhile, T4 had the highest urease and catalase activities, with sucrase activity ranking second only to T1. In contrast, T5 demonstrated greater effectiveness in improving the average fruit weight and maximum fruit weight, registering increases of 22.98% and 36.22% compared to CK2, respectively, but the effect on the total yield was less pronounced. A comprehensive evaluation of strawberry growth found that the T4 treatment was superior. In conclusion, the ratio of vermicompost and coconut bran at 0.5:0.1 improved and promoted the substrate water retention performance and strawberry growth.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus: Etiology, Epidemiology, Antigenicity, and Control Strategies in China
Authors: Lei Jianlin , Miao Yongqiang , Bi Wenrui , Xiang Chaohui , Li Wei , Zhang Riteng , Li Qian , Yang Zengqi
Published: January 2024

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a porcine enteric coronavirus, which is one of the main causative agents of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), with 100% morbidity and 80–100% mortality in neonatal piglets. Since 2010, large-scale PED caused by highly pathogenic variants of PEDV has occurred successively in China and other countries in the world, posing a great threat to the global pig industry. It has been demonstrated in many investigations that the classic attenuated vaccine strain, PEDV CV777, is insufficient to fully protect against the PEDV variants. Moreover, the maternally derived antibodies elicited by inactivated vaccines also cannot completely protect piglets from infection. In addition, feedback feeding poses a risk of periodic PEDV recurrence in pig farms, making it challenging to successfully limit the spread of PEDV in China. This review focuses on the etiology, epidemiology, antigenicity, and control strategies of PEDV in China and provides information for the formulation of effective control measures.
Association between Oxidative Stress with Psychological and Biochemical Variables in a Sample of Healthy Mexican People: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Saldaña-Cruz Ana Míriam , Gallardo-Moya Sergio Gabriel , Campos-Medina Liliana , Brambila-Tapia Aniel Jessica Leticia
Published: January 2024

Oxidative stress (OS) has been linked to cell damage and chronic disease development; however, the study of psychological factors related with OS has been limited, as has its relationship with biochemical and personal variables. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between a wide variety of personal, psychological, and biochemical factors with OS in a sample of healthy Mexican people. A total of 134 participants, from which 70 (52%) were women, without known chronic conditions were included in the study, and the molecule 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was also measured as a marker of OS. We observed in the multivariate analysis of the whole sample that depressive symptoms (measured with CES-D scale) were the only psychological variable significantly associated (positively) with 8-OHdG. In addition, the following sociodemographic variables were associated with 8-OHdG: age, schooling (positively correlated), and the frequency of vitamins/antioxidant consumption (negatively correlated). The biochemical variables of erythrocytes in urine and amylase were positively correlated with 8-OHdG, while glucose was negatively correlated with it. Additional biochemical variables were associated in the multivariate analysis of each sex, including the positive correlation of LDL-cholesterol, LDH enzyme, lymphocytes, and the negative correlation of phosphorus and eosinophils in women’s samples, as well as the positive correlation of potassium, uric acid, and leucocytes in urine and the negative correlation of erythrocytes and lipase in the men’s samples. In conclusion, depression was the only psychological variable positively correlated with 8-OHdG after adjusting for confounders, and new associations with biochemical variables were found with some differences between sexes.
Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Link between Obesity and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Balan Alkora Ioana , Halațiu Vasile Bogdan , Scridon Alina
Published: January 2024

The adipose tissue has long been thought to represent a passive source of triglycerides and fatty acids. However, extensive data have demonstrated that the adipose tissue is also a major endocrine organ that directly or indirectly affects the physiological functions of almost all cell types. Obesity is recognized as a risk factor for multiple systemic conditions, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disorders, and many others. Obesity-related changes in the adipose tissue induce functional and structural changes in cardiac myocytes, promoting a wide range of cardiovascular disorders, including atrial fibrillation (AF). Due to the wealth of epidemiologic data linking AF to obesity, the mechanisms underlying AF occurrence in obese patients are an area of rich ongoing investigation. However, progress has been somewhat slowed by the complex phenotypes of both obesity and AF. The triad inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction are critical for AF pathogenesis in the setting of obesity via multiple structural and functional proarrhythmic changes at the level of the atria. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive view of the close relationship between obesity-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction and the pathogenesis of AF. The clinical implications of these mechanistic insights are also discussed.
Full-Scale/Model Test Comparisons to Validate the Traditional Atmospheric Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Tests: Literature Review and Personal Perspectives
Authors: Cheng Xiao-Xiang , Zhao Lin , Ge Yao-Jun , Dong Jun , Peng Yang
Published: January 2024

For this paper, full-scale/model test comparisons to validate the traditional atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) wind-tunnel simulation technique performed until now by the wind engineering community are systematically reviewed. The engineering background includes some benchmark low-rise buildings specifically established for use in wind engineering research (the Aylesbury experimental buildings, the Texas Tech University experimental building, the Silsoe buildings, etc.), several high-rise buildings in North America and East Asia, long-span bridges, large-span structures, and cooling towers. These structures are of different geometries, are located in different wind environments, and are equipped with various transducers and anemometers. By summarizing the different articles in the literature, it is evident that notable discrepancies between the full-scale measurement and the model test results were observed in most full-scale/model test comparisons, which usually took certain forms: the mean and/or the peak negative pressures at the flow separation regions on buildings were underestimated in the wind tunnel; differences in the root-mean-square (rms) values of the acceleration samples between the full-scale measurements and the force balance model tests were non-negligible; the vertical vortex-induced vibration amplitudes of bridges measured using section models and aero-elastic models were much lower than those observed on the prototypes, etc. Most scholars subjectively inferred that inherent technical issues with the ABL wind tunnel simulation technique could be responsible for the observed full-scale/model test discrepancies, including the Reynolds number effects, the turbulent flow characteristics effects, and the non-stationarity effects. However, based on the authors’ years of experience and after discussion with experienced researchers, it was found that some of the full-scale measurements performed in earlier research were inherently less accurate and deterministic than the wind tunnel experiments they were supposed to validate, which could also be a significant cause of the full-scale/model test discrepancies observed. It is suggested herein that future studies in this field should regard full-scale measurements only as benchmarks, and that future works should focus on synthesizing the results from different schools of physical experiments and formulating universal empirical models of high theoretical significance to properly validate future wind tunnel tests.
Last-Mile Optimization Using Neural Networks
Authors: Kalboussi Eya , Ndhaief Nadia , Rezg Nidhal
Published: January 2024

In the era of extensive data acquisition from manufacturing and transportation processes, the utilization of machine learning and deep learning techniques has emerged as a potent force for informed decision-making and optimized deliveries in contemporary urban landscapes. This study presents a novel approach grounded in deep learning, where product data are systematically gathered to construct a multilayer perceptron neural network model. This model proves instrumental in efficiently classifying product flows within the urban milieu. To validate its efficacy, machine learning classifiers are deployed, and their performance is juxtaposed with the neural network model. Addressing the critical question of the paper’s significance, our experimental evaluation unequivocally demonstrates the superior classification accuracy of the proposed multilayer perceptron model when compared to traditional machine learning models operating on the same product dataset. This advancement is not merely a theoretical achievement but translates into tangible improvements in last-mile delivery processes, marked by significant cost reduction and the mitigation of delays. The transformative potential of our approach is further underscored by the strategic application of a deep learning algorithm for optimization and illustrative purposes. This holistic methodology not only positions our work as a noteworthy contribution to the realm of product classification but also establishes a concrete pathway for enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of urban logistics. This paper, thus, goes beyond the conventional application of machine learning models, offering a paradigm shift in the intersection of deep learning, urban logistics, and sustainable development.
Species Diversity, Nitrogen Fixation, and Nutrient Solubilization Activities of Endophytic Bacteria in Pea Embryos
Authors: Hao Junjie , Zhang Xiaoyan , Qiu Shizuo , Song Fengjing , Lyu Xianghua , Ma Yu , Peng Hao
Published: January 2024

Endophytic bacteria, especially those that participate in nitrogen fixation, play critical roles in supplying essential nutrients for legume plant growth. Despite that there have been numerous investigations targeting bacterial microbiomes in legume roots and nodules, little is known about embryonic bacteria that facilitate plant nutrient utilization after seed germination. Here, we collected and investigated endophytic bacterial microbiome in edible pea (Pisum sativum) embryos using five representative cultivars and a pea sprout (shoot of pea [SHP]) control. Twenty-six nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) were isolated from pea embryos, with three strains found in fresh grain pea (FGP) and snow pea (SP) exhibiting the strongest nitrogenase activity of above 85 nmol C2H4/mL/h. Some NFB isolates are also potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) or phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) utilizing inorganic and/or organic phosphorus. All 26 NFB showed variable levels (0.41 to 7.10 μg/mL) of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) secretion. The nutrient-solubilizing NFB identified in our research are potential targets for biofertilizer development. They could be useful in converting nitrogen, potassium, and/or phosphorus into usable forms for the plants. At the microbiome level, high-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing of 40 bacterial collections from pea embryos generated 4234 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using 97% identity as the threshold for clustering high-quality effective reads (valid tags). Analysis of OTU annotation results revealed similar species community structures, abundance, and diversity in most samples. Our embryo-derived endophytic bacterial pool provides a microbiome platform for seed dormancy and germination research of edible peas, as well as for digging new biofertilizer resources in general.
Simultaneous Identification of Multiple Parameters in Wireless Power Transfer Systems Using Primary Variable Capacitors
Authors: Liu Chang , Han Wei , Hu Youhao , Zhang Bowang
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes a novel approach to simultaneously identifying multiple critical parameters in a wireless power transfer (WPT) system, such as the resonant frequency, mutual inductance, and load resistance, solely from the primary side. The key is to adopt a primary-side-switch-controlled capacitor (SCC) to ensure that the imaginary part of the input impedance is only caused by the secondary-side reflected impedance at three predesigned frequencies. The DSP controller then samples and processes the primary voltage and current using a gradient descent algorithm to derive the above parameters. After the identification, the SCC adjusts its equivalent capacitance based on the secondary-side practical resonant frequency to ensure a zero-phase angle (ZPA), thereby significantly improving the compatibility of the WPT system with unknown receivers. Compared to the previous frequency-sweeping method, the proposed approach is simpler and more suitable for deployment on the controller. Finally, experimental results demonstrate that the identification error of mutual inductance and resonant frequency are within 7.5% and 2.68%, respectively.
Power Positioning System Control Study of “Intelligent Research and Internship Vessel” Based on Terminal Sliding Mode
Authors: Wei Zhenghao , He Zhibin , Wu Xiaoyu , Zhang Qi
Published: January 2024

As most of the current dynamic positioning systems are based on model ships, they cannot accurately reflect the motion state, position changes, and mutual influence of each part of the dynamic positioning system of actual ships in complex environments. Other actual ships such as cargo ships cannot add various sensors and auxiliary equipment to verify and analyze the positioning system. This article takes the intelligent research and training dual-use ship of Dalian Maritime University, which integrates scientific research and training, as the object of study. This ship will not be affected by the voyage period and route and can choose a suitable sea area for research. Therefore, in order to improve the accuracy and reliability of the dynamic positioning system, research on the ship’s dynamic positioning system was carried out. Firstly, an accurate mathematical model was developed to simulate ship motion, focusing on the use of the Dalian Maritime University’s intelligent and practical training dual-purpose vessel as the modeling object. Through this approach, a more detailed understanding of the effects of actual environmental perturbations on ship control and positioning can be obtained, as well as more realistic ship control and positioning results. The hydrodynamic derivatives of ship model motion were obtained by numerical calculation and applied to the three-degree-of-freedom model of the intelligent research and training dual-use ship. Then, the model was used as part of the closed-loop simulation model of the ship’s dynamic positioning system, and the terminal sliding mode controller was used for simulation and emulation, thereby obtaining ideal simulation test results. Our results deepen the understanding of DPS accuracy and are consistent with the theory of terminal slip modes for ship power positioning control systems. This has implications for improving the accuracy of ship power positioning systems, as previously discussed in previous authors. In conclusion, this study not only improves the accuracy and reliability of the DPS but also proposes the use of the terminal slip film for a ship power positioning control system modeled on the Dalian Maritime University intelligent and practical dual-purpose vessel. These contributions are significant in improving the efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability of ship operations.