bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Manifestations, Macrolide Resistance, and Treatment Utilization Trends of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children and Adolescents in South Korea
Authors: Lee Joon Kee , Lee Taekjin , Kim Yae-Jean , Kim Doo Ri , Shin Areum , Kang Hyun Mi , Kim Ye Ji , Kim Dong Hyun , Eun Byung Wook , Choe Young June , Lee Hyunju , Cho Young Min , Cho Eun Young , Kim Kyung Min , Kwak Byung Ok , Park Su Eun , Jo Kyo Jin , Choi Jae Hong , Kang Dayun , Choi Eun Hwa , Yun Ki Wook
Published: September 2024

A resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)—the leading cause of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, particularly in children—occurred following the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations, macrolide resistance patterns, and therapeutic approaches related to the MP pneumonia epidemic. Children and adolescents diagnosed with MP pneumonia in September–December 2023 were screened. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from 13 major hospitals using concordant microbiological criteria, including either a positive PCR result or four-fold increase in serological markers. Demographic characteristics, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Of the 474 screened patients, 374 (median age: 7.7 [IQR, 5.4–9.6] years; hospitalization rate: 88.6%) met the microbiological confirmation criteria. Most patients experienced fever (98.9%), and lobular/lobar consolidation (59.1%) was the dominant radiological finding. The macrolide resistance rate remained high at 87.0%; corticosteroids were widely used (55.6%) alongside macrolides, despite resistance. Patients with consolidation had prolonged fever (median 8 vs. 7 days, p = 0.020) and higher hospitalization rates (92.3% vs. 83.0%, p = 0.008). Macrolide resistance did not significantly influence radiological outcomes. This study highlights the ongoing challenge of macrolide resistance in MP pneumonia and need for tailored therapeutic approaches. Despite high resistance, macrolides remain commonly prescribed, often concurrently with corticosteroids.
Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Means of Bacteria and Bacterial Enzymes
Authors: Davletgildeeva Anastasiia T. , Kuznetsov Nikita A.
Published: September 2024

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread, persistent, and toxic environmental pollutants. Many anthropogenic and some natural factors contribute to the spread and accumulation of PAHs in aquatic and soil systems. The effective and environmentally friendly remediation of these chemical compounds is an important and challenging problem that has kept scientists busy over the last few decades. This review briefly summarizes data on the main sources of PAHs, their toxicity to living organisms, and physical and chemical approaches to the remediation of PAHs. The basic idea behind existing approaches to the bioremediation of PAHs is outlined with an emphasis on a detailed description of the use of bacterial strains as individual isolates, consortia, or cell-free enzymatic agents.
Bacillus subtilis and Rhizophagus intraradices Improve Vegetative Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Fragaria × ananassa var. San Andreas
Authors: Huasasquiche Lucero , Alejandro Leonela , Ccori Thania , Cántaro-Segura Héctor , Samaniego Tomás , Quispe Kenyi , Solórzano Richard
Published: September 2024

Strawberry cultivation requires strategies that maintain or improve its yield within a scheme in which reducing fertilizers and other chemical products can make its consumption safer and more environmentally friendly. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtilis and Rhizophagus intraradices on strawberry growth, yield, and fruit quality. B. subtilis and R. intraradices were inoculated and co-inoculated under three fertilization levels of 225-100-250, 112-50-125, and 0-0-0 kg∙ha−1 of N, P2O5 and K2O. Vegetative growth was evaluated in plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2), aerial fresh weight (g), aerial dry weight (g), and plant coverage (%) variables. Fruit quality parameters such as total acidity (g∙100 mL−1), soluble solids (Brix°), and firmness (kg) were also determined, as well as the number of fruits per m2 and yield (t∙ha−1). The results showed that the pre-treatment of root immersion in a nutrient solution with B. subtilis and the fractionation of 6 L B. subtilis inoculation per plant at a concentration of 107 CFU∙mL−1, in combination with 225-100-250 kg∙ha−1 of N, P2O5, and K2O, achieved the highest accumulation of dry matter (12.9 ± 1.9 g∙plant−1), the highest number of fruits (28.2 ± 4.5 fruits∙m−2), and the highest yield (7.2 ± 1.4 t∙ha−1). In addition, this treatment increased the soluble sugar content by 34.78% and fruit firmness by 26.54% compared to the control without inoculation. This study highlights the synergistic effect of mineral nutrition and microbial inoculation with B. subtilis in increasing strawberry yield and fruit quality.
Description of Short-Range Interactions of Carbon-Based Materials with a Combined AIREBO and ZBL Potential
Authors: Li Jing , Shi Tan , Sun Yichao , Cai Xintian , Gao Rui , Peng Qing , Lu Peng , Lu Chenyang
Published: September 2024

An accurate description of short-range interactions among atoms is crucial for simulating irradiation effects in applications related to ion modification techniques. A smooth integration of the Ziegler–Biersack–Littmark (ZBL) potential with the adaptive intermolecular reactive empirical bond-order (AIREBO) potential was achieved to accurately describe the short-range interactions for carbon-based materials. The influence of the ZBL connection on potential energy, force, and various AIREBO components, including reactive empirical bond-order (REBO), Lennard–Jones (LJ), and the torsional component, was examined with configurations of the dimer structure, tetrahedron structure, and monolayer graphene. The REBO component is primarily responsible for the repulsive force, while the LJ component is mainly active in long-range interactions. It is shown that under certain conditions, the torsional energy can lead to a strong repulsive force at short range. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the collision process in configurations of the C-C dimer and bulk graphite. Cascade collisions in graphite with kinetic energies of 1 keV and 10 keV for primary knock-on atoms showed that the short-range description can greatly impact the number of generated defects and their morphology.
Comparative Study of Cu Ion Adsorption by Nano-Hydroxyapatite Powder Synthesized from Chemical Reagents and Clam Shell-Derived Calcium Sources
Authors: Wu Shih-Ching , Hsu Hsueh-Chuan , Ji Hong-Yi , Ho Wen-Fu
Published: September 2024

The increasing contamination of water sources by heavy metals necessitates the development of efficient and sustainable adsorption materials. This study evaluates the potential of nano-hydroxyapatite (HA) powders synthesized from chemical reagents (Chem-HA) and clam shells (Bio-HA) as adsorbents for Cu ions in aqueous solutions. Both powders were synthesized using microwave irradiation at 700 W for 5 min, resulting in nano-sized rod-like particles confirmed as HA by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Bio-HA exhibited higher crystallinity (67.5%) compared to Chem-HA (34.9%), which contributed to Bio-HA’s superior adsorption performance. The maximum adsorption capacities were 436.8 mg/g for Bio-HA and 426.7 mg/g for Chem-HA, as determined by the Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic studies showed that the Cu ion adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order model, with Bio-HA achieving equilibrium faster and displaying a higher rate constant (6.39 × 10⁻4 g/mg·min) than Chem-HA (5.16 × 10⁻4 g/mg·min). Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, with Bio-HA requiring less energy (ΔH° = 39.00 kJ/mol) compared to Chem-HA (ΔH° = 43.77 kJ/mol). Additionally, the activation energy for Bio-HA was lower (41.62 kJ/mol) than that for Chem-HA (46.39 kJ/mol), suggesting better energy efficiency. The formation of a new Cu2(OH)PO4 phase after adsorption, as evidenced by XRD, confirmed that the Cu ions replaced the Ca ions in the HA lattice. These findings demonstrate that Bio-HA, derived from natural sources, offers environmental benefits as a recyclable material, enhancing heavy metal removal efficiency while contributing to sustainability by utilizing waste materials and reducing an environmental impact.
An Optimization Path for Sb2(S,Se)3 Solar Cells to Achieve an Efficiency Exceeding 20%
Authors: Xiong Xiaoyong , Ding Chao , Jiang Bingfeng , Zeng Guanggen , Li Bing
Published: September 2024

Antimony selenosulfide, denoted as Sb2(S,Se)3, has garnered attention as an eco-friendly semiconductor candidate for thin-film photovoltaics due to its light-absorbing properties. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells has recently increased to 10.75%, but significant challenges persist, particularly in the areas of open-circuit voltage (Voc) losses and fill factor (FF) losses. This study delves into the theoretical relationship between Voc and FF, revealing that, under conditions of low Voc and FF, internal resistance has a more pronounced effect on FF compared to non-radiative recombination. To address Voc and FF losses effectively, a phased optimization strategy was devised and implemented, paving the way for Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells with PCEs exceeding 20%. By optimizing internal resistance, the FF loss was reduced from 10.79% to 2.80%, increasing the PCE to 12.57%. Subsequently, modifying the band level at the interface resulted in an 18.75% increase in Voc, pushing the PCE above 15%. Furthermore, minimizing interface recombination reduced Voc loss to 0.45 V and FF loss to 0.96%, enabling the PCE to surpass 20%. Finally, by augmenting the absorber layer thickness to 600 nm, we fully utilized the light absorption potential of Sb2(S,Se)3, achieving an unprecedented PCE of 26.77%. This study pinpoints the key factors affecting Voc and FF losses in Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells and outlines an optimization pathway that markedly improves device efficiency, providing a valuable reference for further development of high-performance photovoltaic applications.
Circulating miRNAs in the Plasma of Post-COVID-19 Patients with Typical Recovery and Those with Long-COVID Symptoms: Regulation of Immune Response-Associated Pathways
Authors: Timofeeva Anna M. , Nikitin Artem O. , Nevinsky Georgy A.
Published: September 2024

Following the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, certain individuals experience persistent symptoms referred to as long COVID. This study analyzed the patients categorized into three distinct groups: (1) individuals presenting rheumatological symptoms associated with long COVID, (2) patients who have successfully recovered from COVID-19, and (3) donors who have never contracted COVID-19. A notable decline in the expression of miR-200c-3p, miR-766-3p, and miR-142-3p was identified among patients exhibiting rheumatological symptoms of long COVID. The highest concentration of miR-142-3p was found in healthy donors. One potential way to reduce miRNA concentrations is through antibody-mediated hydrolysis. Not only can antibodies possessing RNA-hydrolyzing activity recognize the miRNA substrate specifically, but they also catalyze its hydrolysis. The analysis of the catalytic activity of plasma antibodies revealed that antibodies from patients with long COVID demonstrated lower hydrolysis activity against five fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide sequences corresponding to the Flu-miR-146b-5p, Flu-miR-766-3p, Flu-miR-4742-3p, and Flu-miR-142-3p miRNAs and increased activity against the Flu-miR-378a-3p miRNA compared to other patient groups. The changes in miRNA concentrations and antibody-mediated hydrolysis of miRNAs are assumed to have a complex regulatory mechanism that is linked to gene pathways associated with the immune system. We demonstrate that all six miRNAs under analysis are associated with a large number of signaling pathways associated with immune response-associated pathways.
Evaluating Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) as a Natural or Alternative Host for Piscine Myocarditis Virus (PMCV) Infection
Authors: Nyman Ingvild B. , Wessel Øystein , Bjørgen Håvard , Alarcon Marta , Tengs Torstein , Rimstad Espen
Published: September 2024

Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) caused by piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV) has emerged with the rise of the aquaculture of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The lack of cell culture cultivation has hampered the study of this infection. In this study, samples from naturally PMCV-infected Atlantic salmon from different commercial farms were collected and used. In situ hybridization (ISH) revealed intense staining of PMCV RNA in myocardial cells in the spongiform layer of the heart ventricle but almost no staining in the compact layer. In the kidneys, only sporadic staining was seen. Viral RNA was present in all organs, with the highest loads in the heart, kidney, and spleen. The high viral PMCV RNA loads in the heart were due to extensive viral mRNA transcription. The high ratio of viral mRNA to viral genomic dsRNA indicated active transcription but limited production of new viral particles. This suggests that the histopathological changes in the heart are caused by viral mRNA and corresponding viral proteins and not by virus particle formation. The production of full-length transcripts is regulated, with a reduction in the relative number of ORF3-containing transcripts at high transcription rates. Efforts to identify alternative hosts, such as fungi, were inconclusive, as fungal sequences were found inconsistently in the salmon tissue samples. The results of this study reinforce the need for further research to fully understand PMCV’s life cycle and potential alternative hosts and its whereabouts when it is not infecting the hearts of the Atlantic salmon.
Adult Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: Defining Incidence, Risk Factors for Hospitalization, and Poor Outcomes, a Regional Cohort Study, 2016–2022
Authors: Brosh-Nissimov Tal , Ostrovsky Daniel , Cahan Amos , Maaravi Nir , Leshin-Carmel Daniel , Burrack Nitzan , Gorfinkel Rotem , Nesher Lior
Published: September 2024

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of illness in adults, especially older adults and those with underlying conditions. This study aimed to assess the incidence of RSV hospitalizations in adults and identify risk factors for hospitalization and poor outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from two hospitals in southern Israel from 2016–2022. We calculated incidence rates of RSV and influenza hospitalizations. Risk factors for hospitalization were analyzed using Poisson regression. We evaluated poor outcomes (death, ICU admission, or mechanical ventilation) among RSV-hospitalized patients. Results: The median annual incidence of RSV hospitalization was 28.2/100,000 population, increasing with age to 199/100,000 in those ≥75 years. Significant risk factors for RSV hospitalization included pulmonary diseases (RR 4.2, 95% CI 3.4–5.2), cardiovascular diseases (RR 3.3, 95% CI 2.6–4.2), and chronic renal failure (RR 2.9, 95% CI 2.3–3.7). Among hospitalized RSV patients, 13.9% had poor outcomes. Renal failure (RR 1.81, 95% CI 1.23–2.66), neutropenia (RR 2.53, 95% CI 1.19–5.35), neutrophilia (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.81–2.34), and lymphopenia (RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.37–3.0) were associated with poor outcomes. Conclusions: RSV causes a substantial burden of hospitalizations in adults, particularly among older adults and those with comorbidities. Identifying high-risk groups can help target prevention and treatment strategies, including vaccination.
Effects of Compound Fertilizer and Branch Fertilizer on Population Construction and Yield of Machine-Transplanted Rice
Authors: Ma Peng , Liao Xuehuan , Zhang Keyuan , Aer Lise , Deng Jun , Yang Erluo , Zhang Rongping
Published: September 2024

In order to study the effects of combined application of compound fertilizer and branch fertilizer on the growth and yield of machine-transplanted rice, four hybrid rice varieties were used as experimental materials, and four fertilization treatments were set up by completely random design: compound fertilizer (T0), compound fertilizer + conventional branch fertilizer (T1), compound fertilizer + (branch fertilizer − 20%) (T2), compound fertilizer + (branch fertilizer + 20%) (T3). The results showed that the branch fertilizer could effectively promote the early growth and rapid development of tillers, and increase the agronomic traits such as chlorophyll content, LAI and dry matter accumulation. Among the four varieties, the yield of the V4 variety was the highest under T3 treatment, which was 11,471.15 kg·hm−2, which was 37.34% higher than that of the control, and the yield increase effect was the most significant. The correlations showed that dry matter accumulation and LAI were significantly or highly significantly positively correlated with the number of effective spikes and yield, and the number of effective spikes was highly significantly positively correlated with the yield. In general, the application of pitchfork fertiliser increased the effective number of spikes and the number of grains per spike of each variety to different degrees, which effectively promoted the improvement of the rice yield.
Research on the Thermal Aging Mechanism of Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel
Authors: Chen Chunkun , Liu Xiangyang , Wang Jiangtao , Guo Haoran , Chen Yingjun , Wang Ningfei
Published: September 2024

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels find applications in various fields, including machinery and tissue engineering, owing to their exceptional mechanical properties. However, the mechanical properties of PVA hydrogels are subject to alteration due to environmental factors such as temperature, affecting their prolonged utilization. To enhance their lifespan, it is crucial to investigate their aging mechanisms. Using physically cross-linked PVA hydrogels, this study involved high-temperature accelerated aging tests at 60 °C for 80 d and their performance was analyzed through macroscopic mechanics, microscopic morphology, and microanalysis tests. The findings revealed three aging stages, namely, a reduction in free water, a reduction in bound water, and the depletion of bound water, corresponding to volume shrinkage, decreased elongation, and a “tough-brittle” transition. The microscopic aging mechanism was influenced by intermolecular chain spacing, intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and the plasticizing effect of water. In particular, the loss of bound water predominantly affected the lifespan of PVA hydrogel structural components. These findings provide a reference for assessing and improving the lifespan of PVA hydrogels.
Influence of Aeration, Introduction of Probiotics, and Supply of Water on Landfill Gas Production—Study of Models
Authors: Vaiškūnaitė Rasa , Zagorskis Alvydas
Published: September 2024

When municipal solid waste (MSW) is placed in a landfill, it undergoes anaerobic decomposition, leading to the production of landfill gas, which primarily consists of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Reducing methane emissions is essential in the fight against climate change. It must be implemented at global and European levels, as set out in 2030 in the impact assessment of the climate goal plan. This assessment states that to achieve the goal by 2030 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55%, the methane emissions must be reduced, considering the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Glasgow Climate Pact includes a global mitigation target of the year 2030: to reduce CO2 emissions by 45%, and the emissions of methane and other greenhouse gasses. For that purpose, looking for new, more advanced ways of managing such waste is necessary. The main objective of this experimental study was to evaluate the influence of aeration, probiotic introduction, and water supply on the production of landfill gasses (CO2, CH4, N2, H2, etc.) in five different landfill models during the management of MSW and to propose the best solutions for reducing environmental pollution. The results of the research showed that the first and second models of landfills, using only anaerobic conditions, can be used for the treatment of MSW for the production of biogas (CH4, CO2), as up to 40–60% of it was released during the 120-experiment period. The third landfill model can be applied in old, already closed landfills, where the rapid stabilization and aeration of MSW are required to minimize pollutant emissions (N2, etc.) and unwanted odors and shorten biodegradation processes. The results of the fourth and fifth landfill models, in which aerobic–anaerobic conditions were applied, showed that the developing nitrification–denitrification processes resulted in complete nitrogen removal (from 20% to 0%), and overall waste stabilization improved the biodegradation of the MSW. Later, relatively good (on average, 30%) results of biogas (CH4, CO2) emissions are achieved during anaerobic condition formation results. Summarizing all experiment results of all landfill models for the further evaluation of the processes, all models can be applied in real practice depending on where they will be used and what result they want to achieve.
Research on Optimization of Intermittent Production Process System
Authors: Xiong Jie , Zhang Ting , Yang Jian , Sun Fengjing , Liu Jianyi , Wen Yimin , Pan Gongheng
Published: September 2024

As gas wells enter later production stages, the formation pressure decreases and liquid accumulates at the bottom of the gas well. The formation pressure is insufficient to lift the accumulated liquid from the bottom of the well to the surface. At this time, a large number of gas wells need to undergo intermittent production to maintain their production capacity. This article focuses on the four stages of intermittent production in gas wells, considering the changes in slip gas holdup, pressure, and gas–liquid flow in and out of tubing and casing, and establishes a transient mathematical model for intermittent production in gas wells in stages. By using the dynamic tracking technology of moving liquid slugs to divide the wellbore grid and solve it in stages, the optimal shut-in time for intermittent production of gas wells was obtained. The transient mathematical model developed for intermittent gas well production achieved a high historical fit accuracy of over 90%. This indicates that the simulation results are in line with the actual situation of gas well intermittent production and can effectively guide intermittent production. The optimized intermittent production system of gas wells has a higher cumulative gas production compared to the original system, achieving the optimization of intermittent production system. This method is beneficial for guiding efficient production of gas wells in low-pressure formations.
Trajectory Tracking of Unmanned Logistics Vehicle Based on Event-Triggered and Adaptive Optimization Parameters MPC
Authors: Qiu Jiandong , Lin Dingqiang , Tang Minan , Zhang Qiang , Song Hailong , Zhao Zixin
Published: September 2024

Unmanned logistics vehicle (ULV) realize the automation and intelligence of cargo transportation, which improves the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety of logistics and distribution, while the trajectory tracking control of ULV is the key technology to ensure their safe and efficient delivery of goods. In order to solve the trajectory tracking problem of ULV in the process of delivering goods, this paper proposes a model predictive control (MPC) method based on event-triggered and fuzzy adaptive optimization parameters. Firstly, the dynamics model of the ULV is established. Secondly, an event-triggered mechanism is introduced to establish ET-MPC, while a disturbance observer is designed considering the external disturbance and the controller calculation discarding the nonlinear term. Thirdly, the advantages of fuzzy control and MPC algorithms are integrated, and the four important parameters in the MPC controller are adaptively optimized by fuzzy control, and the improved MPC control strategy is designed. Finally, the CarSim-Matlab/Simulink co-simulation platform and the experimental vehicle platform are constructed to verify the effectiveness of the improved MPC trajectory tracking controller proposed in this paper. The results show that the improved MPC control strategy can reduce the computation time of the controller, and the total number of triggering times of the controller is reduced by 46.44% compared with the classical MPC, which reduces the computational complexity of the controller and improves the accuracy and smoothness of the trajectory tracking of the ULV.
Influence of Rotation and Viscosity on Parallel Rolls of Electrically Conducting Fluid
Authors: Srinivas G. , Rameshwar Y. , Laroze D.
Published: September 2024

Rayleigh–Bénard convection is a fundamental fluid dynamics phenomenon that significantly influences heat transfer in various natural and industrial processes, such as geophysical dynamics in the Earth’s liquid core and the performance of heat exchangers. Understanding the behavior of conductive fluids under the influence of heating, rotation, and magnetic fields is critical for improving thermal management systems. Utilizing the Boussinesq approximation, this study theoretically examines the nonlinear convection of a planar layer of conductive liquid that is heated from below and subjected to rotation about a vertical axis in the presence of a magnetic field. We focus on the onset of stationary convection as the temperature difference applied across the planar layer increases. Our theoretical approach investigates the formation of parallel rolls aligned with the magnetic field under free–free boundary conditions. To analyze the system of nonlinear equations, we expand the dependent variables in a series of orthogonal functions and express the coefficients of these functions as power series in a parameter ϵ. A solution for this nonlinear problem is derived through Fourier analysis of perturbations, extending to O(ϵ8), which allows for a detailed visualization of the parallel rolls. Graphical results are presented to explore the dependence of the Nusselt number on the Rayleigh number (R) and Ekman number (E). We observe that both the local Nusselt number and average Nusselt number increase as the Ekman number decreases. Furthermore, the flow appears to become more deformed as E decreases, suggesting an increased influence of external factors such as rotation. This deformation may enhance mixing within the fluid, thereby improving heat transfer between different regions.
Advanced-Functional-Material-Modified Electrodes for the Monitoring of Nitrobenzene: Progress in Nitrobenzene Electrochemical Sensing
Authors: Ahmad Khursheed , Oh Tae Hwan
Published: September 2024

Nitrobenzene (NB) is one of the nitro-aromatic compounds that is extensively used in various chemical industries. Despite its potential applications, NB is considered to be a toxic compound that has significant hazardous effects on human health and the environment. Thus, it can be said that the NB level should be monitored to avoid its negative impacts on human health. In this vein, the electrochemical method has emerged as one of the most efficient sensing techniques for the determination of NB. The sensing performance of the electrochemical techniques depends on the electro-catalytic properties and conductivity of the electrode materials. In the past few years, various electrode materials, such as conductive metal ions, semiconducting metal oxides, metal–organic frameworks, and two-dimensional (2D) materials, have been used as the electrode material for the construction of the NB sensor. Thus, it is worth summarizing previous studies on the design and synthesis of electrode materials for the construction of the NB sensor. In this mini-review article, we summarize the previous reports on the synthesis of various advanced electrode materials, such as platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs), silver (Ag) NPs, carbon dots (CDs), graphene, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), zinc stannate (ZnSnO3), cerium oxide (CeO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and so on. Furthermore, the impacts of different electrode materials are systematically discussed for the sensing of NB. The advantages of, limitations of, and future perspectives on the construction of NB sensors are discussed. The aim of the present mini-review article is to enhance the knowledge and overall literature, working towards the construction of NB sensors.
The Non-Duality of the “Conditioned” and “Unconditioned”: Hongzhou Chan Buddhism on Reconciling the Morality/Prudence Distinction
Authors: Bender Jacob
Published: September 2024

This paper illustrates how Hongzhou Chan Buddhism provides valuable resources for dealing with issues in contemporary moral philosophy. In particular, when philosophers adopt the Hongzhou Chan Buddhist’s non-dualistic account of reality, we can see how their teachings provide us with important resources needed for resolving philosophical problems that were originally undertaken by philosophers like the American Pragmatists John Dewey and Richard Rorty. When the pragmatists hoped to extirpate traditional metaphysics from moral philosophy, one of their focuses was on providing an alternative to the morality/prudence distinction. As this study illustrates, by overcoming the metaphysical dualism between the “unconditioned” and the “conditioned”, the Hongzhou Chan Buddhist can provide an account of compassion that is unconditionally grounded. Their account of compassion can then be understood as bridging the divide between “morality” and “prudence”.
Hospes venit, Christus venit: Hospitality, Healing, and the Opera Misericordiae in the Ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala
Authors: Labrecque Cory Andrew
Published: September 2024

For almost a thousand years (1090–1990), Santa Maria della Scala in Siena—arguably one of the oldest surviving hospitals in the world—opened its doors to pilgrims, travelers, the sick, the poor, and the gittati (children who were “cast off” and left on its steps). Making manifest the traditional adage of hospitality, all the guests who presented themselves there were to be welcomed as Christ himself. In this paper, I explore this broadening of the Church’s vision of its healing ministry (that is, beyond care for the sick) alongside the increasing dedication of the laity to the opera misericordiae (the works of mercy) in the late and high Middle Ages with the Ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala in Siena as a case in point. I will make reference to the mid-fifteenth century fresco cycle in the Pellegrinaio of the hospital that bears witness to its celebrated functions and speaks to how and by whom these were carried out.
Towards Prosthesis Control: Identification of Locomotion Activities through EEG-Based Measurements
Authors: Zafar Saqib , Maqbool Hafiz Farhan , Ashraf Muhammad Imran , Malik Danial Javaid , Abdeen Zain ul , Ali Wahab , Taborri Juri , Rossi Stefano
Published: September 2024

The integration of advanced control systems in prostheses necessitates the accurate identification of human locomotion activities, a task that can significantly benefit from EEG-based measurements combined with machine learning techniques. The main contribution of this study is the development of a novel framework for the recognition and classification of locomotion activities using electroencephalography (EEG) data by comparing the performance of different machine learning algorithms. Data of the lower limb movements during level ground walking as well as going up stairs, down stairs, up ramps, and down ramps were collected from 10 healthy volunteers. Time- and frequency-domain features were extracted by applying independent component analysis (ICA). Successively, they were used to train and test random forest and k-nearest neighbors (kNN) algorithms. For the classification, random forest revealed itself as the best-performing one, achieving an overall accuracy up to 92%. The findings of this study contribute to the field of assistive robotics by confirming that EEG-based measurements, when combined with appropriate machine learning models, can serve as robust inputs for prosthesis control systems.
Urban Parks and Office Workers’ Health: Considering the Influence of Marital Status and Different Qualities of Urban Parks
Authors: Chen Xuanxian , Hedayati Marzbali Massoomeh , Abdullah Aldrin
Published: September 2024

This study addresses the impact of urban parks on the self-rated health of office workers under 40, a demographic experiencing significant increases in depressive symptoms during the pandemic. This study in Baise City, China, aims to fill this gap by exploring the relationships between landscape quality, leisure time spent in parks, place attachment, and self-rated health among 411 office workers aged 18 to 40. Structural equation modeling was used to assess these relationships, and multigroup analysis (MGA) in SmartPLS evaluated differences between subgroups. The findings reveal a strong link between urban park landscape quality and leisure time spent in parks, place attachment, and self-rated health. Although the old-fashioned park showed lower overall performance in the study variables compared to the modern park, it had a stronger relationship between landscape quality and place attachment. Leisure time spent in parks did not directly impact self-rated health but was mediated by place attachment. MGA results indicated that while leisure time in parks positively affected self-rated health for single participants, it had a negative effect for married participants. These results underscore the importance of tailoring urban park design and management to accommodate the varying needs of different demographics. This research provides new insights into enhancing office workers’ self-rated health through environmental design and supports the objectives of the Healthy China strategy and Sustainable Development Goal 11.
Backyard Activities as Sources of Social and Personal Well-Being: A Study of the Mexican Population (Guasave, Sinaloa)
Authors: Peinado-Guevara Víctor Manuel , Peinado-Guevara Héctor José , Sánchez-Alcalde Mary Cruz , González-Félix Griselda Karina , Herrera-Barrientos Jaime , Ladrón de Guevara-Torres María de los Ángeles , Cuadras-Berrelleza Aldo Alán
Published: September 2024

Isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened daily tension, leading to stress and other illnesses. This research examined the impact of backyard activities on social and personal well-being, focusing on agricultural (gardens, vegetables, medicinal plants) and livestock activities (chickens, goats, sheep, cows). An exploratory study was conducted using a Likert-scale survey of 387 people, with 22 items covering economic growth, social well-being, and human development. The results showed that 50% of the respondents experienced pleasant emotions through sensory engagement with home gardens, leading to well-being, reduced anxiety and stress, better concentration, and improved family harmony. McDonald’s Omega (ω) value for item consistency was 0.964. Strong correlations were found between economic growth, social well-being, and human development with social and personal well-being, at 0.719, 0.819, and 0.812, respectively. These results are validated by an exploratory principal component factor analysis, which shows the correlation of the classes that integrate backyard activities on a principal axis. Backyard livestock activities had a lesser impact on personal and social well-being compared to agricultural activities, which were valued more for their economic and nutritional contributions. Thus, backyard activities, especially those involving home gardens, significantly enhance social and personal well-being alongside their economic and food benefits.
Slap a Label on It—Civic Registration Categories for (Non)Citizens and the Digital Promise
Authors: Veikou Mariangela
Published: September 2024

As we experience a sudden leap forward with machine learning models put into the decision-making apparatus of the state, social scientists are putting scrutiny on what actually goes into these datasets. Issues of ethics and representational harms are relevant questions that come up in the present day. Against this background, there has been little work thus far, bringing together various trajectories about the interplay between forms of contemporary citizenship and the politics of migration and diversity. Despite the persistent presence of diversity and migration as constructs that shape social relations in modern society, this gap is notable. Given their importance, it is crucial to continue analyzing these factors. This will contribute to more progressive ways of thinking about the relationship between the individual and the state. In this article, I draw attention to the civil registry identity categorizations in The Netherlands to explore some of the complexities surrounding the relationship between digitization and the often absent dynamics in public policy debates about migration and diversity. Drawing on cultural and political themes, I look at the digital as a language that can offer new perspectives on migration. I suggest that technology and its uses may work to enable the state to address and possibly resolve tensions in policy and practice between the intersection of regimes of rights (legal status) and diversity (forms of social cleavages).
Can Green Credit Policies Promote Fund Investment? Evidence from China
Authors: Gao Jiarui , Xia Tongshui
Published: September 2024

Fund investment, as a type of financial investment in the capital market, is designed to attract more social capital towards the green environmental protection sector and foster a harmonious relationship between economic development, social advancement, and ecological conservation. Therefore, as a significant policy instrument, will implementing the green credit policy impact the investment preferences of fund investors? How does it influence their participation in the market? This study utilizes microdata from Chinese Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share-listed companies from 2004 to 2020 to establish a DID model based on the Green Credit Guidelines introduced in 2012. The research delves into the effects of the green credit policy on fund investment and its underlying mechanisms. The green credit policy was found to favor the entry of fund investment, and the results are still valid after a series of robustness tests. The attraction effect of the green credit policy on investors is more evident in non-state-owned enterprises, small and micro enterprises, and non-green industries. Green credit policy can positively influence investor entry through the financing constraint effect and productivity effect. The study theoretically supplements the literature in the field of evaluating the effect of the green credit policy, and practically provides practical guidance and inspiration for strengthening the synergy of the government, banks, and enterprises in implementing green credit policy, promoting industrial transformation, and upgrading, and realizing high-quality economic development.
An Investigation into Lean Implementation Preparedness in the Engineering Projects Sector
Authors: Karimulla Uzayr , Gupta Kapil , Kallon Daramy Vandi Von
Published: September 2024

Lean methodologies, a system widely used in the manufacturing industry, have demonstrated numerous benefits and added significant value to the industry. In the same way that other industries have benefitted from the application of Lean techniques, the engineering projects sector can also realise significant improvements by integrating Lean principles into its processes and operations. The study aims to gain a comprehensive insight into the application of the Lean concept, with a focus on the South African engineering projects sector. The findings of a thorough literature review, focussing on Lean techniques, technology, and the projects sector, examined key variables that have an impact on the effective implementation of Lean methodologies within this industry. The variables studied are skills and expertise, active work methods, and leadership style. The study also explores the impact of digital technologies on Lean implementation, exploring how these technologies enhance the integration of Lean practices. The study includes descriptive statistical analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and a confirmatory factor analysis of the data. A significant relationship is found between variables influencing Lean implementation and the effectiveness of Lean practices within the South African engineering projects sector.
A Study on the Design of Incentive Contracts for Platform Economy Regulation Based on Dual Principal–Agents
Authors: Zhang Ruibi , Zhu Jinhe , Lei Ming
Published: September 2024

A system of incentives can be established to encourage several parties to unite as a community of interest and become jointly committed to the platform economic governance. The platform economy involves progressively more complex subjects of interest and relationships, which are not the typical principal–agent one-time cooperative relationship. This study investigates the problem of regulatory incentives in the platform economy, specifically focusing on the relationship between the government, platform enterprises, and merchants. It analyzes this issue under conditions of asymmetric information by constructing and solving a dual principal–agent model. The findings indicate the following: (1) the government’s incentives and regulatory mechanisms can be considered as interchangeable to some extent, with decisions made by evaluating their respective costs; (2) the government’s optimal incentives and regulations ultimately shape the self-regulatory behavior of merchants through platform enterprises; and (3) the optimal level of incentives for both the government and the platform enterprise is influenced by factors such as the ability coefficient, the social transformation coefficient, and the merchants’ reliance on the platform enterprise. Additionally, the optimal effort level of the platform enterprise and the merchants increases with higher levels of the regulatory effort, risk sensitivity coefficient, and ability coefficient. A win–win scenario and a long-term, stable cooperative partnership can be reached by the three parties under the ideal incentive intensity. The study’s conclusions can serve as a theoretical foundation and support for the creation of incentive contracts for platform economy regulation.
Training Artificial Neural Networks to Detect Multiple Sclerosis Lesions Using Granulometric Data from Preprocessed Magnetic Resonance Images with Morphological Transformations
Authors: Ponce de Leon-Sanchez Edgar Rafael , Mendiola-Santibañez Jorge Domingo , Dominguez-Ramirez Omar Arturo , Herrera-Navarro Ana Marcela , Vazquez-Cervantes Alberto , Jimenez-Hernandez Hugo , Cordova-Esparza Diana Margarita , Cuán Hernández María de los Angeles , Senties-Madrid Horacio
Published: September 2024

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) are determined by the location of demyelinating lesions in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most common tool used for diagnosing MS, understanding the course of the disease, and analyzing the effects of treatments. However, undesirable components may appear during the generation of MRI scans, such as noise or intensity variations. Mathematical morphology (MM) is a powerful image analysis technique that helps to filter the image and extract relevant structures. Granulometry is an image measurement tool for measuring MM that determines the size distribution of objects in an image without explicitly segmenting each object. While several methods have been proposed for the automatic segmentation of MS lesions in MRI scans, in some cases, only simple data preprocessing, such as image resizing to standardize the input dimensions, has been performed before the algorithm training. Therefore, this paper proposes an MRI preprocessing algorithm capable of performing elementary morphological transformations in brain images of MS patients and healthy individuals in order to delete undesirable components and extract the relevant structures such as MS lesions. Also, the algorithm computes the granulometry in MRI scans to describe the size qualities of lesions. Using this algorithm, we trained two artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict MS diagnoses. By computing the differences in granulometry measurements between an image with MS lesions and a reference image (without lesions), we determined the size characterization of the lesions. Then, the ANNs were evaluated with the validation set, and the performance results (test accuracy = 0.9753; cross-entropy loss = 0.0247) show that the proposed algorithm can support specialists in making decisions to diagnose MS and estimating the disease progress based on granulometry values.
The Fungicide Ipconazole Can Activate Mediators of Cellular Damage in Rat Brain Regions
Authors: Villaorduña Carlos , Barrios-Arpi Luis , Lira-Mejía Boris , Ramos-Gonzalez Mariella , Ramos-Coaguila Olger , Inostroza-Ruiz Luis , Romero Alejandro , Rodríguez José-Luis
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of the fungicide ipconazole on oxidative status, cell death and inflammasome complex activation in the hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of rats. Female albino rats were randomly divided into a control group and four groups treated with ipconazole at doses of 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg b.w., administered for six days. Ipconazole significantly increased MDA and ROS levels in all brain regions studied, while reducing catalase enzyme activity. The molecular expression of cell death-related genes (AKT1, APAF1, BNIP3, CASP3 and BAX) and the inflammasome complex (CASP1, IL1β, IL6, NLRP3, NFĸB and TNFα) was also assessed, showing increased expression in at least one brain region. The findings demonstrate that ipconazole induces central nervous system toxicity in mammals, highlighting its potential role as a risk factor in the development of neurodegenerative disorders in individuals exposed to this contaminant.
Cadmium Exposure and Noncommunicable Diseases in Environmentally Exposed Brazilian Population: Cross-Sectional Study without Association of GSTP1 Polymorphism
Authors: Perini Jamila Alessandra , Silva Yasmin Marinho Henriques da , Silva Mayara Calixto da , Silva Beatriz Pegado , Machado Daniel Escorsim , Moreira Maria de Fátima Ramos
Published: September 2024

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal which is harmful to humans and the environment. Cd levels and adverse effects may be associated with genetic polymorphisms in genes involved in its toxicokinetics. This study investigated Cd levels in 198 residents of a condominium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, built on industrial steel slag waste and the influence of glutathione S-transferase pi isoform 1 (GSTP1) rs1695 A>G polymorphism. Polymorphism was genotyped using a validated TaqMan assay; Cd levels were measured in blood (BCd) and urine (UCd) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Associations were evaluated by multiple logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The mean Cd levels were 0.70 ± 0.20 µg L−1 (BCd), 0.58 ± 0.57 µg L−1 (UCd), and 0.61 ± 0.65 µg g−1 in urine corrected by creatinine (UcCd), and the Cd results were above tolerable levels (BCd > 0.5 µg L−1) in 87.4% of subjects. Higher blood Cd levels (>0.69 µg L−1) were associated with respiratory disease (OR = 2.4; 95%CI = 1.2–5.0), as almost 30% of people with respiratory diseases had higher Cd levels. The GSTP1 rs1695AA genotype frequency was 38.1%, and there were no significant differences between the SNP and Cd levels. High Cd levels and a high prevalence of diseases highlight the importance of implementing public policies and the continuous monitoring of this at-risk population.