bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrete spatiotemporal network synchronization based on adaptive control
Authors: Wang HaiFeng , Xu BiGang
Published: November 2022

This paper first introduces the basic concept of network synchronization and several common synchronization types. Secondly, aiming at the synchronization control problem of a class of discrete spatiotemporal networks, a standard synchronization control strategy and a synchronization controller are proposed based on Lyapunov stability theory. In order to further verify the effectiveness of the synchronization theory, the spatiotemporal network model is selected, the coupling matrix and the identification rate of unknown parameters are designed for numerical simulation. Finally, the simulation results show the feasibility of the theory.
Development and Application of Vibration Comfort Detection Device for Escalator Based on MEMS Acceleration Sensor
Authors: Chen Jianxun , Qi Zhengwu , Yang Ningxiang , Luo Weili
Published: November 2022

Vibration comfort is an important indicator for evaluating escalator riding experience. The measuring principle of vibration comfort of escalator step and armbands was analyzed. The calculation methods of vibration acceleration extraction, frequency meter weight, root mean square (RMS) and vector sum were summarized. A wireless triaxial acceleration data acquisition module was developed based on micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) acceleration sensor, MCU and high-speed WIFI module, and a vibration comfort detection application (APP) based on the Android operating system was developed. The calibrated detection device was applied to escalator field test. The results showed that the maximum vibration RMS and average RMS of the step and the armband on both sides can be quickly calculated, and the vibration comfort level can be divided, which provided important data reference for equipment maintenance.
Design and Application of Seabed Sediment Temperature and Pressure Measurement and Control Software
Authors: Chen Shaowei , Zhang Qian , Wu Lei , Pan Mengyao , Jiang Yongjun
Published: November 2022

Taking the temperature-pressure controllable acoustic measurement system for the seabed sediment as the object, according to the HostLink communication protocol of the Omron CP1H type PLC, FINS and C-mode commands are used to design and realize the control and monitoring of PLC by temperature-pressure monitoring software for seabed sediment. Moreover, SerialPort, Timer, and Chart controls in Visual Studio 2010 platform are used to realize the communication, data acquisition, and real-time curve drawing of the industrial field, developing, and realizing the automatic measurement of seabed sediment based on automatic detection and control of temperature and pressure. In addition, the actual measurement and application verify the reliability and stability of the system design.
Stress analysis of gantry crane cylinder structure
Authors: Jiang Aihua , Wang Xinhua , He Shan , Chen Min
Published: November 2022

By building three finite element analysis models for its four-bar metal structure under different amplitudes (the boom span is 13.5m, 22.5m and 34.5m), the relationship between stress, amplitude and load at key parts is established by linear interpolation method; At the same time, the relationship between the measured strain data of key parts and the load and amplitude is linearly fitted. The analysis and comparison between the finite element calculation data and the measured data are well verified. In order to provide a feasible analysis method for solving the working performance of four-bar linkage structure of portal crane. At the same time, it provides a more convenient method for the compilation of typical load, which is the important basic data for the calculation and analysis of residual fatigue life of later structures.
Reliability Evaluation Method of Pseudo-failure Life Distribution for Industrial Robot Servo System Based on The Generalized Lambda Distribution
Authors: Tang Shaomin , Liu Guixiong , Li Xiaobing
Published: November 2022

A reliability evaluation method of pseudo-failure life distribution for Industrial Robot Servo System (IRSS) based on The Generalized Lambda Distribution (GLD) was proposed in the paper. The IRSS pseudo-failure life GLD distribution was established. Quantile estimation method was applied to estimate the GLD parameters. The proposed method had no need of presetting specific distribution morphology, and thus improve the accuracy of IRSS pseudo-failure reliability modeling. In the application experiment, the IRSS pseudo-failure life distribution reliability evaluation method based on GLD was used to obtain the IRSS failure life, the reliability evaluation result was consistent with the design failure life, which indicated the validity of the proposed method.
Time Difference Correction and Location Method for USB Asynchronous Microphone Arrays
Authors: Wang Zhisheng , Yu Hanze , Cui Junning
Published: November 2022

To address the problem of asynchronous delay caused by combining at least two array platforms in 2D/3D location, in this paper, we analyze the impact of time difference between asynchronous devices on time-delay estimation from the experimental phenomenon. Then, we propose a USB asynchronous correction algorithm which takes the known propagation delay as the benchmark, the time difference of asynchronous equipment is calculated by offseting the time delays on the left and right sides. The experimental results show it can correct the time difference for USB asynchronous microphone arrays, which achieve a great location accuracy.
A Super-Resolution Altitude Measurement Technology for VHF Radar Based on Synthetic Steering Vector and Model Matching
Authors: Le Yi , Tang Ji , Huang Qiang , Guan Linhai , Zhou Jianyang , Dong Xiaoxuan
Published: November 2022

As radar is a kind of measuring device, the altitude measuring accuracy is a quite important core tactical indicator. In engineering practice, the altitude measuring accuracy deteriorates significantly in low elevation range, especially for low frequency radar such as VHF radar. This urgent problem to be solved is what we focus on in this article. After building a multipath reflection model, a method of altitude super-resolution measurement based on synthetic steering vector and model matching is proposed. Then some simulation analysis is finished, and some validation experiments are carried out on a practical VHF radar prototype. The results of theoretical simulation and prototype experiments show obviously improved altitude measuring performance compared with traditional measuring methods, verifying the correctness and engineering feasibility of the super-resolution altitude measurement technology proposed in this article. This study should have certain practical guiding significance for the theoretical and application research of related fields.
Development of a reducer geared mechanism: performance analysis on a full-actuated adaptive finger application
Authors: Villegas-Jiménez Ernesto Alonso , Aranda-Herrera Miguel Alejandro , Macedo-Chagolla Fernando
Published: November 2022

The human hand is a manipulator with extraordinary capabilities, the elements that constitute it make its emulation too complex. There are manipulators with amazing and outstanding abilities that have become too complex and costly. Alternatively, there are under-actuated and self-adaptive manipulators that are simple and affordable, have appropriate performance, although their functions and gripping modes are limited and may not be entirely reliable. This paper exposes the proposal of a 12-gear reducer mechanism in 3 phases with linear array, designed to maintain a constant link transmission, amplifying the torque while the angular speed is reduced exponentially. The mechanism is attached a finger casing based on anthropomorphic aspects and is replicated twice, turning the finger into a fully actuated mechanism and with the possibility of being adaptive to different grip modes. A broad description of the system elements and their design rationale is presented. A mathematical model is developed to know the performance of the finger as a function of torque, force, angular speed and execution time of the movement, the results obtained are shown graphically accompanied by their respective concept expressions. Subsequently, the conclusions are presented. Finally, future works are described.
Compressive properties and energy absorption of rigid polyurethane foam
Authors: Zhang Zexiong , Zhong Weizhou , Chen Junhong , Luo Jingrun
Published: November 2022

Rigid polyurethane foams (RPUF) are mainly used as a buffer energy absorption material for the protective structure in buildings, ground vehicles, and aircraft. Its mechanical and energy absorption performance is a vital evaluation basis for its use design. Based on uniaxial compression experimental tests, The stress-strain curve of the mechanical behavior of RPUF at different strain rates and temperatures were obtained. The law and mechanism of strain rate and temperature on mechanical behavior and energy absorption are quantitatively analyzed based on experimental results. It was found that the mechanical properties such as yield stress, plateau stress and energy absorption of RPUF at low temperature and high strain rate all have a high improvement, but neither temperature nor strain rate affected the optimal energy absorption state of RPUF. Combined with the experimental results (stress-strain curves of RPUF at different temperatures and strain rates) and the framework of the sheerwood-frost constitutive model, the relevant parameters of the RPUF shape function, strain rate influence term and temperature influence term are obtained. This relationship and parameter can provide accurate material property simulation analysis.
Study on shear performance of multiple-bolt joints of Bamboo curtain plywood
Authors: Tang Gan , Ye Ziheng , Sun Ping , Jia Zelong , Li Peng
Published: November 2022

In this paper, five sets of multi-bolted joint shear tests are designed to study the effect of bolt middle distance on the bearing performance of multi-bolted joints, and analyze the failure modes of the specimens. The main conclusions are as follows: For M10 bolts (grade 8.8) and bamboo curtain plywood connections. When the spacing increases to 50mm, the ultimate bearing capacity of the nodes increases and tends to be stable; For the initial stiffness of the joint, the distance has no obvious effect on the initial stiffness of the joint. However, the increase in the number of bolts significantly increases the initial stiffness of the joint; For the nodal yield load, the yield load increases with the increase of the distance, and the yield load is 67%~73% of the ultimate bearing capacity; The main failure mode of the multiple-bolt joint double shear specimen is that the middle of the test piece first reaches its pin groove bearing strength and fails, and the failure modes of bamboo curtain plywood mainly include shear breakout failure and hole wall bearing failure.
Comparison of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation effect under different experimental conditions
Authors: Cheng Fangfang , Yang Yina , Xu Su , Wang Chao , Liu Han , Liao Wenchao
Published: November 2022

Sulfonamides are an important class of synthetic antibacterial medications that is widely utilized and pollute many water bodies. In this study, sulfamethoxazole was selected as the representative of sulfa antibiotics. A molybdenum disulfide-based catalyst was synthesized by hydrothermal method and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of sulfamethoxazole in water. Co@MoS2 was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimental conditions, Cobalt ion concentration, and light effect have been investigated. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the concentration of sulfamethoxazole. The results showed that the Co@MoS2 /PMS experimental conditions could effectively degrade sulfamethoxazole wastewater.
Experimental study on mechanical properties and porosity and permeability of rock in high temperature environment
Authors: Hou Bingchang , Sun Feng , Xue Shifeng , Zhang Xudong
Published: November 2022

In order to explore the mechanical characteristics and porosity and permeability parameter of three kinds of rock (sandstone, granite and limestone) in high temperature environment, conventional triaxial compression experiments and porosity and permeability tests were conducted on three kinds of rocks under 25°C, 300°C and 500°C. The experimental results show that the high temperature environment increases the development degree of microcracks and pore structures in sandstone and limestone. As the temperature rises, the interpenetration length of triaxial compression shear crack of sandstone decreases gradually, and the angle between shear crack and horizontal direction increases gradually. Change of damage mode from single shear damage to tension shear damage (shear-dominated) in granite and limestone. The three rocks’ permeability and porosity increase as ambient temperature rises, and the permeability exhibits clear pressure-constricting sensitivity in a range of temperature settings. The results provide a reference for understanding and predicting the mechanical properties and porosity and permeability characteristics of rocks in high temperature environment.
Development and Application of Energy-Saving System for Academic Buildings
Authors: Lian Jiaxing , Huang Shaofen , Lin Shengguang , Qiu Guangping
Published: November 2022

Through the active investigation of load conditions and energy consumption of most academic buildings, combined with the characteristics of routine use of academic buildings, we designed and developed an energy-saving system for academic buildings. This project uses a microcontroller as the control chip to control the energy saving of the lighting system and temperature and humidity control system in the classrooms and hallways of the teaching building. Under the premise of meeting the daily needs of teaching and normal operation, the wasteful status of unoccupied lights and long-lasting lights is reduced. Experiments show that the design runs stably and causes a beneficial energy-saving effect, realizing energy-saving control in other stages of the teaching building.
Improved Lightweight YOLOv3 model for Target Detection Algorithm
Authors: Hu JianSheng , Ma JunJie , Xiao Bin , Zhang Rui
Published: November 2022

When detecting small objects in interior situations, the classic object detection algorithm performs poorly in terms of real-time detection task and high precision detection task. This paper suggests an optimized tiny-YOLOv3-Shufflenetv2 light-weight model based on indoor scenes. The scheme adopts the fusion light-weight network which combines ShuffleNetv2 and YOLOv3, it reduces the complexity of the model to meet the lightweight requirements while ensuring good detection results for deployment to mobile robots. Also in this paper, an indoor small target object dataset, indoor-2022, is created to improve and optimize the model for the data images. YOLOv3, YOLOv3-Shufflenetv2, and tiny-YOLOv3-Shufflenetv2 are trained and tested on the indoor-2022 small target dataset in the Pytorch framework. The experimental findings indicate that in the indoor-2022 dataset. Compared with the single YOLOv3 model for object detection tasks, the fusion improved model used in this article improves the recognition ability of small objects in indoor images, With a 10-fold reduction in model size and a 4-fold increase in detection speed, only results in 1.6% reduction in the mean accuracy (mAP), and the comparison experiments with the current stage of traditional target detection algorithms validate the proposed tiny-YOLOv3-Shufflenetv2 model is verified to be superior and feasible. The optimized model in this article reduces mannequin parameters and model size while additionally ensuring the accuracy and velocity of inspection, and meets the requirements for deployment on indoor mobile robots.
Theoretical Study on Gas Sensing of SO2 on TH-SixCy
Authors: Li Rukun , Yang Ying , Luo Guihong , Zhang Mengyang , Zhang Tingting
Published: November 2022

The adsorption process of SO2 on TH-SixCy is studied using first principles and the adsorption behavior is evaluated by parameters such as adsorption energy, band structure, and DOS. By analyzing the adsorption properties of SO2, it is found that the chemical adsorption of SO2 on TH-SiC makes TH-SiC change from semiconductor to metal. Thereby changing the electrical conductivity of TH-SiC and enabling sensing becomes feasible. However, SO2 and TH-SiC2 are formed with physical adsorption, and the band structure of TH-SiC2 is not changed, so it can effectively resist the pollution of SO2.
Structural and photoelectric properties of Sn-doped ZnO thin film with the co-sputtering method
Authors: Liu Yantao , Wang Wenxia , Ma Jianping
Published: November 2022

Sn-doped ZnO thin films have been prepared with magnetron co-sputtering. The results indicate that this method can improve the micro-structure of films and enhance its photoelectric performance. The structure and surface morphology results indicate that all the doped films show the preferred orientation (0 0 2), the roughness can decrease to 1.81 nm at 15 W with increasing DC power, the carrier concentration, resistivity decreases, and mobility can reach 7.99×1019 cm−3, 1.27×10−4 Ω·cm and 1047.5 cm2/Vs, respectively, and the observed optical band gap can increase to increase to 3.85 eV.
Simulation of Special Distribution of energy of plasma in a High-speed Changing Magnetic Field
Authors: Wei Xijie
Published: November 2022

Tokamak and inertial confinement fusion(ICF) are two kinds of devices to achieve fusion. Magnetic and gravitational fields are the drivers used in tokamak and ICF, respectively. In other fusion devices like MIF, both of them are used. In this work, different from these fusion devices mentioned above, a new promising method to confine plasma is proposed. Spacial distribution of energy of plasma in a high-speed changing magnetic field is simulated. This method is expected to achieve fusion.
Developability assessment at early-stage discovery to enable development of antibody-derived therapeutics
Authors: Zhang Weijie , Wang Hao , Feng Nan , Li Yifeng , Gu Jijie , Wang Zhuozhi
Published: November 2022

Developability refers to the likelihood that an antibody candidate will become a manufacturable, safe and efficacious drug. Although the safety and efficacy of a drug candidate will be well considered by sponsors and regulatory agencies, developability in the narrow sense can be defined as the likelihood that an antibody candidate will go smoothly through the chemistry, manufacturing and control (CMC) process at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable timeline. Developability in this sense is the focus of this review. To lower the risk that an antibody candidate with poor developability will move to the CMC stage, the candidate’s developability-related properties should be screened, assessed and optimized as early as possible. Assessment of developability at the early discovery stage should be performed in a rapid and high-throughput manner while consuming small amounts of testing materials. In addition to monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, multispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates, as the derivatives of monoclonal antibodies, should also be assessed for developability. Moreover, we propose that the criterion of developability is relative: expected clinical indication, and the dosage and administration route of the antibody could affect this criterion. We also recommend a general screening process during the early discovery stage of antibody-derived therapeutics. With the advance of artificial intelligence-aided prediction of protein structures and features, computational tools can be used to predict, screen and optimize the developability of antibody candidates and greatly reduce the risk of moving a suboptimal candidate to the development stage.
Can native predators be used as a stepping stone to reduce prey naivety to novel predators?
Authors: Van der Weyde Leanne K , Blumstein Daniel T , Letnic Mike , Tuft Katherine , Ryan-Schofield Ned , Moseby Katherine E
Published: November 2022

Predator naivety negatively affects reintroduction success, and this threat is exacerbated when prey encounters predators with which they have had no evolutionary experience. While methods have been developed to inculcate fear into such predator-naïve individuals, none have been uniformly successful. Exposing ontogenetically- and evolutionary-naïve individuals first to native predators may be an effective stepping stone to improved responses to evolutionarily novel predators. We focused on greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) and capitalized on a multi-year mammalian recovery experiment whereby western quolls (Dasyurus geoffroii) were reintroduced into parts of a large fenced reserve that contained a population of naïve bilbies. We quantified a suite of anti-predator behaviors and measures of general wariness across quoll-exposed and quoll-naive bilby populations. We then translocated both quoll-exposed and quoll-naïve individuals into a large enclosure that contained feral cats (Felis catus) and monitored several behaviors. We found that bilbies can respond appropriately to quolls but found only limited support that experience with quolls better-prepared bilbies to respond to cats. Both populations of bilbies rapidly modified their behavior in a similar manner after their reintroduction to a novel environment. These results may have emerged due to insufficient prior exposure to quolls, inappropriate behavioral tests, or insufficient predation risk during cat exposure. Alternatively, quolls and cats are only distantly related and may not share sufficient similarities in their predatory cues or behavior to support such a learning transfer. Testing this stepping stone hypothesis with more closely related predator species and under higher predation risk would be informative.
Barbeques and shiny numbers: micro-ethical encounters in Sydney social housing estates
Authors: Massola Cate , Howard Amanda
Published: November 2022

Micro-ethical practices are at the heart of community development work, however they are often subsumed within descriptions and reports focused on projects and outcomes. In this article, we examine the critical role played by micro-ethical practices in addressing exclusion and misrecognition with community members experiencing social disadvantage. In three vignettes drawn from a weekly food and social support programme, we discuss the ways in which micro-ethical practices in community development can address exclusion at a fundamental level in the everyday environment using relation-based principles and a framework of recognition.
The Association Between Prebooster Vaccination Antibody Levels and the Risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection
Authors: Barda Noam , Canetti Michal , Gilboa Mayan , Asraf Keren , Indenboim Victoria , Weiss-Ottolenghi Yael , Amit Sharon , Zubli Daniel , Doolman Ram , Mendelson Ella , Freedman Laurence S , Kreiss Yitshak , Lustig Yaniv , Regev-Yochay Gili
Published: November 2022

The correlation between anti–severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody levels and infection was reported. Here, we estimated the role of pre–fourth dose levels using data from 1098 healthcare workers. The risk of infection was reduced by 46% (95% confidence interval, 29%–59%) for each 10-fold increase in prebooster levels. Prebooster antibody levels could be used to optimally time boosters.
Renal arcuate vein thrombosis–induced acute kidney injury: a rare multiple-Hit–mediated disease
Authors: Pardinhas Clara , Filipe Rui , Vergnaud Paul , Grapin Mathilde , Ferrière Elsa , Jamet Anne , Fourgeaud Jacques , Da Rocha Nicolas , Pérot Philippe , Boyer Olivia , Rabant Marion , Van Huyen Jean-Paul Duong , Isnard Pierre
Published: November 2022

Background

Renal arcuate vein thrombosis (RAVT) is a rare and recently recognized cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in young adults. However, the precise incidence and underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to AKI in these patients remain elusive.

Methods

This study included all patients who underwent a kidney biopsy over a 40-month period sent to the pathology department of Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, with evidence of RAVT. We performed coagulation tests, genetic testing for thrombophilia, complete urine toxicologic screening and kidney metagenomic sequencing to identify an underlying cause of thrombosis.

Results

We report five pediatric cases of RAVT discovered on kidney biopsy performed in the setting of unexplained AKI. Investigations did not reveal an underlying cause of thrombosis but only a significant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use was reported in 4/5 patients, supporting a potential link between NSAIDs use and RAVT. By performing metagenomic sequencing on kidney biopsy samples, we detected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in the kidney of one patient. These results suggest that systemic SARS-CoV-2 infection may also be a key contributing factor of renal thrombosis, particularly by inducing potential endothelial disruption.

Conclusions

In conclusion, RAVT-induced AKI appears to be a multiple hit–mediated disease in which NSAIDs consumption and viral infection such as SARS-CoV-2 may be crucial contributing factors. These findings may have significant public health implications given the prevalence of NSAIDs use in the general population. Increased awareness and additional study of future cases may lead to a better understanding of this rare cause of AKI in children and young adults.
FDRdb: a manually curated database of fibrotic disease–associated RNAome and high-throughput datasets
Authors: Wang Chengyu , Chen Tingting , Mu Yuchen , Liang Xuan , Xiong Kai , Ai Liqiang , Gu Yunyan , Fan Xingxing , Liang Haihai
Published: November 2022

Fibrosis is a common and serious disease that exists as a complicated impairment in many organs and triggers a complex cascade of responses. The deregulation of Ribonucleic Acids (RNAs) plays important roles in a variety of organ fibrosis cases. However, for fibrotic diseases, there is still a lack of an integrated platform with up-to-date information on RNA deregulation and high-throughput data. The Fibrotic Disease–associated RNAome database (FDRdb) (http://www.medsysbio.org/FDRdb) is a manually curated database of fibrotic disease–associated RNAome information and high-throughput datasets. This initial release (i) contains 1947 associations between 912 RNAs and 92 fibrotic diseases in eight species; (ii) collects information on 764 datasets of fibrotic diseases; (iii) provides a user-friendly web interface that allows users to browse, search and download the RNAome information on fibrotic diseases and high-throughput datasets and (iv) provides tools to analyze the expression profiles of fibrotic diseases, including differential expression analysis and pathway enrichment. The FDRdb is a valuable resource for researchers to explore the mechanisms of RNA dysregulation in organ fibrosis.

Database URL: http://www.medsysbio.org/FDRdb
High complication rate with titanium plates for chest wall reconstruction following tumour resection
Authors: Bergovec Marko , Smolle Maria , Lindenmann Jörg , Fediuk Melanie , Leithner Andreas , Smolle-Jüttner Freyja-Maria
Published: November 2022

OBJECTIVES

The reconstruction of the chest wall defect after tumour resection presents a challenge. Titanium rib plates were presented as a reconstruction option due to its biocompatibility, flexibility and pliability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of single-centre cohort treated with chest wall reconstruction after tumour resections, with a focus on the titanium rib plates reconstruction.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 26 patients who underwent wide resection for malignancies of the chest wall, where reconstruction was performed using polypropylene mesh, porcine dermal collagen mesh with or without titanium rib plates, operated on between 2012 and 2019. Events being associated with the surgery requiring revision were rated as complications.

RESULTS

Most of the patients had primary tumours (n = 19; 73%). A mean of 3.7 ribs (range: 1–7) was resected. Reconstruction was performed with titanium rib plates (13 patients, 50%), of these 11 were performed with additional mesh grafts. The remaining 13 patients (50%) underwent reconstruction with mesh grafts only. Fourteen patients (54%) developed a complication requiring surgical revision, after a median of 5.5 months. The most common complication was wound healing deficit (n = 4), plate fracture (n = 2), mesh rupture (n = 2), infection (n = 2) and local recurrence (n = 2). The only factor being associated with the development of complications was the usage of a plate (P = 0.015), irrespective of defect size (P = 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

The high complication rate is found when using titanium plates for chest wall reconstruction after tumour resection. A high caution is recommended in choosing the chest wall reconstruction method.
Development of a health-promoting sports club’s intervention in France applying participatory action research
Authors: Tezier Benjamin , Guillemin Francis , Vuillemin Anne , Johnson Stacey , Lemonnier Fabienne , Rostan Florence , Van Hoye Aurélie
Published: November 2022

The recognition of sports clubs (SC) as health-promoting settings is increasing, as well as the number of health promotion (HP) interventions implemented in this setting. However, minimal understanding of their development process and the persistent gap between theoretical knowledge and real-life practice is a major limitation to their implementation. This article describes a participatory research approach, implicating 29 stakeholders in sports and HP (6 HP researchers, 9 HP professionals, 6 representatives from regional and national sports organizations and 8 representatives from SC), leading to the co-construction of a health-promoting SC intervention. Stakeholders were mobilized through four stages: (i) analysis of effective programs, (ii) co-construction workshops, (iii) evaluation of relevance and acceptability, and (iv) beta-testing of a massive open online course (MOOC). A qualitative analysis was carried out on data collected through notetaking, recordings, transcripts, email exchanges and produced documents. This work led to the development of an HP intervention, including an MOOC, as well as a seven-step SC-tailored program. The convergence of theoretical knowledge and contextual real-life practice made it possible to respond to the specific needs and implementation problems encountered by SC actors and to develop acceptable strategies and tools.
Examining COVID-19 vaccine attitude using SEM-Artificial Neural Networks approach: a case from Reddit community
Authors: Sun Yao , Hamedani Moez Farokhnia , Javidi Giti , Sheybani Ehsan , Hao Feng
Published: November 2022

As new coronavirus variants continue to emerge, in order to better address vaccine-related concerns and promote vaccine uptake in the next few years, the role played by online communities in shaping individuals’ vaccine attitudes has become an important lesson for public health practitioners and policymakers to learn. Examining the mechanism that underpins the impact of participating in online communities on the attitude toward COVID-19 vaccines, this study adopted a two-stage hybrid structural equation modeling (SEM)-artificial neural networks (ANN) approach to analyze the survey responses from 1037 Reddit community members. Findings from SEM demonstrated that in leading up to positive COVID-19 vaccine attitudes, sense of online community mediates the positive effects of perceived emotional support and social media usage, and perceived social norm mediates the positive effect of sense of online community as well as the negative effect of political conservatism. Health self-efficacy plays a moderating role between perceived emotional support and perceived social norm of COVID-19 vaccination. Results from the ANN model showed that online community members’ perceived social norm of COVID-19 vaccination acts as the most important predictor of positive COVID-19 vaccine attitudes. This study highlights the importance of harnessing online communities in designing COVID-related public health interventions and accelerating normative change in relation to vaccination.
Vales+Tú: a cluster-randomized pilot study to reduce workplace injuries among US Latino day laborers
Authors: Fernández-Esquer Maria Eugenia , Atkinson John S , Hernandez Rodrigo A , Aguerre Cecilia F , Brown Louis D , Reininger Belinda , Ojeda Martha A , Field Craig , Rhoton Jayson M , Da Silva Cristina Espinosa , Diamond Pamela M
Published: November 2022

Latino day laborers (LDL) are a vulnerable population of workers facing considerable risk for occupational injury. Under the guidance of our Community Advisory Board, we developed and tested the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of Vales+Tú (You Are Worth More), a workplace injury risk-reduction program implemented by promotores on street-corners where LDL seek employment. The program was informed by theoretical perspectives emphasizing individual and group agency and self-determination. A pilot three-arm cluster-randomized community trial was conducted among 75 LDL. The intervention arms consisted of an individualized Brief Motivational Interview, a Group Problem Solving activity and a standard of care control (OSHA safety cards). We met our study goal of 25 LDL per intervention arm, and contacted 88% of participants post intervention. Participants evaluated the interventions favorably. At post-test, the Brief Motivational Interview group reported significant reductions in exposure to workplace hazards and increases in risk-reduction practices. The Group Problem Solving participants showed significant reductions in exposure to hazards (t-test −4.16, p < 0.001). Both intervention groups increased their reliance on corner peers, a measure of social support. Standard of care participants increased in self-efficacy to work safely. Overall, the only significant different between the three study conditions was in self-efficacy. These findings provide evidence of the feasibility and acceptability of Vales+Tú and show preliminary program efficacy. A large-scale replication trial will permit a more formal modeling of the study findings. Clinical Trial Registration (ClinicalTrials.gov): NCT04378348.
A teacher professional development programme to enhance students’ critical health literacy through school-based health and physical education programmes
Authors: Peralta Louisa R , Cinelli Renata L , Marvell Claire L , Nash Rosie
Published: November 2022

Health literacy is a critical asset for adolescents to develop given its positive impact on health outcomes. The few studies that have targeted teacher knowledge and attitudes show that teachers themselves find it difficult to: navigate the multi-modal nature of health information; critically evaluate the different modes and texts; and apply health-related information in a variety of contexts. This research study aimed to address this issue through developing and implementing a teacher professional development (PD) programme for three Australian secondary schools and nine Health and Physical Education (HPE) teachers to improve health literacy, particularly critical health literacy, content and pedagogies embedded in current HPE programmes. Fifteen HPE programmes were analysed using Nutbeam’s health literacy hierarchy and the Australian Curriculum: HPE outcomes and content, with this analysis informing a personalized PD programme. To evaluate how teachers experienced the personalized PD programme, interviews conducted at the completion of the PD programme were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic approach. According to the teachers, the PD had improved their knowledge and understanding of the three levels of HL, including how to implement it into their practice. The personalized nature was a key strength of the PD programme as it allowed for changes to be made in a time-efficient manner, a known challenge for teachers. Teachers recommended the provision of additional resources that foster students’ critical health literacy levels and an additional session to ensure sustainable changes in planning and teaching practices.
Impact of a community-based diabetes self-management support program on adult self-care behaviors
Authors: Dietz C J , Sherrill W W , Ankomah S , Rennert L , Parisi M , Stancil M
Published: November 2022

Diabetes is a chronic condition that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting nearly 34 million adults, and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, such as ethnic minorities, the elderly and individuals with low socioeconomic status. This study addresses the impact of the Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) program, a community-based diabetes self-management support program, on adult diabetes self-care behaviors. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) was utilized to evaluate improvement in diabetes self-care behaviors. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariable regression models were conducted. Significant increases were observed among program participants (N = 149) in all five subscales of the SDSCA (general diet, specific diet, blood glucose testing, exercise and foot care; P-values < 0.001). A priority of this diabetes education program was helping underserved populations; over half (62%) of participants self-identified as Black/African Americans. After program participation, scores on all SDSCA subscales increased significantly among Black/African Americans (n = 93) by approximately 1 day per week. White/other races (n = 56) showed similar increases in four of the SDSCA subscales post-HED program participation. This study shows that increasing participation in community-based, diabetes self-management support programs, such as HED, can increase engagement in diabetes self-care behaviors among underserved groups.
A Novel Approach for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Valproic Acid Using FT-IR Spectroscopy and Nonlinear Support Vector Regression
Authors: El Orche Aimen , Cheikh Amine , Johnson Joel B , Elhamdaoui Omar , Jawhari Samira , El Abbes Faouzi Moulay , Cherrah Yahia , Mbarki Mohamed , Bouatia Mustapha
Published: November 2022

Background

Recent technological progress has bolstered efforts to bring personalized medicine from theory into clinical practice. However, progress in areas such as therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has remained somewhat stagnant. In drugs with well-known dose-response relationships, TDM can enhance patient outcomes and reduce health care costs. Traditional monitoring methods such as chromatography-based or immunoassay techniques are limited by their higher costs and slow turnaround times, making them unsuitable for real-time or onsite analysis.

Objective

In this work, we propose the use of a fast, direct, and simple approach using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) combined with chemometric techniques for the therapeutic monitoring of valproic acid (VPA).

Method

In this context, a database of FT-IR spectra was constructed from human plasma samples containing various concentrations of VPA; these samples were characterized by the reference method (immunoassay technique) to determine the VPA contents. The FT-IR spectra were processed by two chemometric regression methods: partial least-squares regression (PLS) and support vector regression (SVR).

Results

The results provide good evidence for the effectiveness of the combination of FT-IR spectroscopy and SVR modeling for estimating VPA in human plasma. SVR models showed better predictive abilities than PLS models in terms of root-mean-square error of calibration and prediction RMSEC, RMSEP, R2Cal, R2Pred, and residual predictive deviation (RPD).

Conclusions

This analytical tool offers potential for real-time TDM in the clinical setting.

Highlights

FTIR spectroscopy was evaluated for the first time to predict VPA in human plasma for TDM. Two regressions were evaluated to predict VPA in human plasma, and the best-performing model was obtained using nonlinear SVR.
Interindividual differences in crop foraging behavior of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at a forest–agriculture interface
Authors: Couturier Chloé , Lacroux Camille , Okimat John Paul , Asalu Edward , Krief Sabrina
Published: November 2022

The expansion of agriculture in equatorial areas is fragmenting and reducing wildlife habitats. For primates, it also increases opportunities to consume crops as high-energy resources, exacerbates conflicts with farmers, and increases exposure to diseases and agrochemicals at the edge of protected areas. In species with sex differences in ranging behavior, individual exposure to such opportunities and threats may vary by sex. Chimpanzees show a great feeding flexibility and are territorial species with varied ranging patterns according to site, sex, or individuals. Within a community whose territory is crossed by a high-traffic road and partially bordered by maize gardens, we tested hypotheses of interindividual differences in access to crops based on age, sex, ranging behavior, and kinship. By analyzing the presence of Sebitoli chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, Kibale National Park, Uganda) on video clips from 16 camera traps, we estimated the individual dispersion range across the community’s territory and the crop foraging frequency along maize gardens over 16 months. While all age and sex classes were represented at the forest–garden interface, large intrasex differences were observed: some mature males and females were not observed to participate. The crop foraging frequency of adult females in maize gardens was significantly correlated with the location of their ranging areas. Related individuals revealed similar range patterns within the forest territory without sharing crop foraging habits. However, social learning and energy and risks–benefits trade-offs as potential drivers of crop consumption are not excluded.
Senescent endometrial stromal cells transmit reactive oxygen species to the trophoblast-like cells and impair spreading of blastocyst-like spheroids
Authors: Deryabin P I , Ivanova J S , Borodkina A V
Published: November 2022

Successful implantation requires a fine-tuned dialog between the invading embryo and the maternal endometrium. Recently, we discovered that premature senescence of endometrial stromal cells (EnSC) might mediate improper decidual transformation of endometrial tissue and impair endometrial–blastocyst interaction. Here, we show that senescent EnSC are characterized by elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels that originate from mitochondrial dysfunction and insufficient antioxidant defense. Decidualization of senescent EnSC is defective and is accompanied by the elevated intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels. Antioxidant defense during decidualization is significantly less efficient in senescent EnSC compared to healthy ones. Senescent EnSC secrete increased amounts of ROS into the extracellular space. Elevated ROS released by senescent EnSC shift the redox balance and induce DNA damage in the neighboring trophoblast-like cells. In an in vitro implantation model, we observed impaired spreading of blastocyst-like spheroids into a monolayer of decidualizing senescent EnSC, which could be compensated by pretreatment of the senescent cells with the antioxidant, Tempol. Hence, we propose a possible mechanism that might be responsible, at least in part, for the defective embryo implantation realized via ROS transmitting from senescent EnSC to trophoblast cells. Such transmission results in the accumulation of ROS and subsequent DNA damage in trophoblastic cells, which might lead to improper migration and invasion of an embryo. In light of these findings, the application of antioxidants prior to implantation might be a promising strategy to improve implantation efficiency.
Single-cell transcriptomic Atlas of mouse cochlear aging
Authors: Sun Guoqiang , Zheng Yandong , Fu Xiaolong , Zhang Weiqi , Ren Jie , Ma Shuai , Sun Shuhui , He Xiaojuan , Wang Qiaoran , Ji Zhejun , Cheng Fang , Yan Kaowen , Liu Ziyi , Izpisua Belmonte Juan Carlos , Qu Jing , Wang Si , Chai Renjie , Liu Guang-Hui
Published: November 2022

Progressive functional deterioration in the cochlea is associated with age-related hearing loss (ARHL). However, the cellular and molecular basis underlying cochlear aging remains largely unknown. Here, we established a dynamic single-cell transcriptomic landscape of mouse cochlear aging, in which we characterized aging-related transcriptomic changes in 27 different cochlear cell types across five different time points. Overall, our analysis pinpoints loss of proteostasis and elevated apoptosis as the hallmark features of cochlear aging, highlights unexpected age-related transcriptional fluctuations in intermediate cells localized in the stria vascularis (SV) and demonstrates that upregulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperon protein HSP90AA1 mitigates ER stress-induced damages associated with aging. Our work suggests that targeting unfolded protein response pathways may help alleviate aging-related SV atrophy and hence delay the progression of ARHL.
TCDD alters essential transcriptional regulators of osteogenic differentiation in multipotent mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Watson AtLee T D , Carmona Baez Aldo , Jima Dereje , Reif David , Ding Jun , Roberts Reade , Kullman Seth W
Published: November 2022

Differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into bone-forming osteoblasts requires strict coordination of transcriptional pathways. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), have been shown to alter osteoblast differentiation in vitro and bone formation in multiple developmental in vivo models. The goal of the present study was to establish a global transcriptomic landscape during early, intermediate, and apical stages of osteogenic differentiation in vitro in response to TCDD exposure. Human bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were cultured in growth media (GM), osteogenic differentiation media (ODM), or ODM containing 10 nM TCDD (ODM + TCDD), thus enabling a comparison of the transcriptomic profiles of undifferentiated, differentiated, and differentiated-TCDD-exposed hBMSCs, respectively. In this test system, exposure to TCDD attenuated the differentiation of hBMSCs into osteoblasts as evidenced by reduced alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization. At various timepoints, we observed altered expression of genes that play a role in the Wnt, fibroblast growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein/transforming growth factor beta developmental pathways, as well as pathways related to extracellular matrix organization and deposition. Reconstruction of gene regulatory networks with the interactive dynamic regulatory event miner (iDREM) analysis revealed modulation of transcription factors (TFs) including POLR3G, NR4A1, RDBP, GTF2B, POU2F2, and ZEB1, which may putatively influence osteoblast differentiation and the requisite deposition and mineralization of bone extracellular matrix. We demonstrate that the combination of RNA-Seq data in conjunction with the iDREM regulatory model captures the transcriptional dynamics underlying MSC differentiation under different conditions in vitro. Model predictions are consistent with existing knowledge and provide a new tool to identify novel pathways and TFs that may facilitate a better understanding of the osteoblast differentiation process, perturbation by exogenous agents, and potential intervention strategies targeting those specific pathways.