bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
At the Same Table: A Delphi Consensus-Based Model of Health-Promoting Eating Behaviors
Authors: Rodgers Rachel F. , Goutama Valerie , Sonneville Kendrin
Published: August 2023

Eating behaviors and patterns are one of the key behavioral indicators of health, and as such these behaviors are a focus of interest across different areas of scholarship. Yet, to date, work in this area is impeded by the lack of a collective theoretical framework to conceptualize, assess, and intervene upon eating behaviors. The aim of this study was therefore to establish a consensus-based framework for health-promoting eating behaviors using a Delphi methodology. An initial systematic search identified constructs that yielded 150 items grouped into three topic areas: (1) the content, types of food and nutrition provided; (2) eating behaviors; and (3) thoughts and feelings related to eating and foods. Over the course of three iterative rounds of rating by a panel of n = 37 experts, a consensus was reached that included eight of the original items that represented the three topic areas. The findings from this study result in a novel consensus-based framework for health-promoting eating behaviors that can form the basis for collaborative work towards the integration of physical and mental health promotion.
Concordance between Dash Diet and Hypertension: Results from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study
Authors: Hussain Bridget Murphy , Deierlein Andrea L. , Kanaya Alka M. , Talegawkar Sameera A. , O’Connor Joyce A. , Gadgil Meghana D. , Lin Yong , Parekh Niyati
Published: August 2023

High blood pressure is an important predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), particularly among South Asians, who are at higher risk for ASCVD when compared to other population groups. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern is established as the best proven nonpharmacological approach to preventing hypertension in adults. Using data from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) cohort, we calculated a DASH dietary score to examine the association between adherence to the DASH diet and its components, and prevalent and incident hypertension and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, after five years of follow-up. We found that the relative risk ratio (RRR) of incident hypertension was 67% lower among participants in the highest DASH diet score category (aRRR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.82; ptrend = 0.02) compared with those in the lowest DASH diet score category in fully adjusted models. These findings are consistent with previous clinical trials and large prospective cohort studies, adding to evidence that supports the diet-disease relationship established between DASH diet and hypertension. This study is the first to examine DASH diet adherence and hypertension among South Asian adults in the U.S.
Naked Oat and Fusarium culmorum (W.G.Sm.) Sacc. Responses to Growth Regulator Effects
Authors: Temirbekova Sulukhan K. , Polivanova Oksana B. , Sardarova Irina I. , Bastaubaeva Sholpan O. , Kalashnikova Elena A. , Begeulov Marat Sh. , Ashirbekov Mukhtar Zh. , Afanasyeva Yuliya V. , Zhemchuzhina Natalya S. , Ionova Natalya E. , Statsyuk Natalia V. , Kirakosyan Rima N. , Saleh Abdulrahman
Published: August 2023

The antioxidant defense system can be stimulated by growth regulators in plants when they are under stress, such as exposure to pathogens. There are a lot of natural growth regulators on the market, but no research has been carried out yet to determine how effective they are. This field and laboratory study examines the impact of two commonly used Russian growth regulators, Crezacin and Zircon, along with artificial infection with Fusarium culmorum on the antioxidant system of naked oat. The results show that, compared to the control, Crezacin-treated plants had higher contents of low molecular weight fructose and nonenzymatic antioxidants like proline, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. Zircon-treated plants had a lower content of proline, carbohydrates, and lower total antioxidant activity than the control plants. The obtained data show that Crezacin treatment mainly affected nonenzymatic systems of the antioxidant defense. This treatment was more successful than the Zircon application, which did not show any appreciable effectiveness and was typically associated with an improvement in oat productivity. The treatment with growth regulators and a fungal suspension performed at the flowering phase provided the best effect on the biochemical parameters and productivity of naked oats. Moreover, oat treatment with the pathogen promoted the reproductive capabilities of the plants, while growth regulators helped in avoiding infectious stress.
Biopolymer-Based Nanosystems: Potential Novel Carriers for Kidney Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Hao , Dai Wenni , Xiao Li , Sun Lin , He Liyu
Published: August 2023

Kidney disease has become a serious public health problem throughout the world, and its treatment and management constitute a huge global economic burden. Currently, the main clinical treatments are not sufficient to cure kidney diseases. During its development, nanotechnology has shown unprecedented potential for application to kidney diseases. However, nanotechnology has disadvantages such as high cost and poor bioavailability. In contrast, biopolymers are not only widely available but also highly bioavailable. Therefore, biopolymer-based nanosystems offer new promising solutions for the treatment of kidney diseases. This paper reviews the biopolymer-based nanosystems that have been used for renal diseases and describes strategies for the specific, targeted delivery of drugs to the kidney as well as the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles that affect the targeting success.
Comparative Evaluation of the Powder and Tableting Properties of Regular and Direct Compression Hypromellose from Different Vendors
Authors: Mawla Nihad , Alshafiee Maen , Gamble John , Tobyn Mike , Liu Lande , Walton Karl , Conway Barbara R. , Timmins Peter , Asare-Addo Kofi
Published: August 2023

Hypromellose, a widely used polymer in the pharmaceutical industry, is available in several grades, depending on the percentage of substitution of the methoxyl and hydroxypropyl groups and molecular weight, and in various functional forms (e.g., suitable for direct compression tableting). These differences can affect their physicomechanical properties, and so this study aims to characterise the particle size and mechanical properties of HPMC K100M polymer grades from four different vendors. Eight polymers (CR and DC grades) were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy automated image analysis particle characterisation to examine the powder’s particle morphology and particle size distribution. Bulk density, tapped density, and true density of the materials were also analysed. Flow was determined using a shear cell tester. Flat-faced polymer compacts were made at five different compression forces and the mechanical properties of the compacts were evaluated to give an indication of the powder’s capacity to form a tablet with desirable strength under specific pressures. The results indicated that the CR grades of the polymers displayed a smaller particle size and better mechanical properties compared to the DC grade HPMC K100M polymers. The DC grades, however, had better flow properties than their CR counterparts. The results also suggested some similarities and differences between some of the polymers from the different vendors despite the similarity in substitution level, reminding the user that care and consideration should be given when substitution is required.
Evaluation of the Antifungal Potential of Grape Cane and Flesh-Coloured Potato Extracts against Rhizoctonia sp. in Solanum tuberosum Crops
Authors: Gómez Francisca , Bravo Catalina , Ringler Isidora , Santander Christian , González Felipe , Viscarra Franco , Mardones Claudia , Contreras Boris , Cornejo Pablo , Ruiz Antonieta
Published: August 2023

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most important food crops worldwide, and Rhizoctonia solani infection is one of the most common diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of Vitis vinifera byproducts (VIDES) and flesh-coloured potato (FCP) extracts against Rhizoctonia sp. in potato crops. Photosynthetic traits, phenolic profiles, and antioxidant and enzymatic activities were determined. The VIDES extract showed a 151.4% improvement in stomatal conductance and a 258.5% improvement in the photosynthetic rate compared to the plants without infection. Regarding the enzymatic antioxidant activity, the best response was found in the FCP treatments with 30 min of application, with increases of 25%, 161%, and 450% in ascorbate peroxidase, catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities, respectively, compared to plants without infection. For the VIDES extract, a 15 min application produced an 83% increase in CAT activity, whereas a 181% increase in GR activity compared to plants without infection was produced after a 30 min application. A similar behaviour was observed for antioxidant compounds, where FCP had a higher concentration of compounds and antioxidant activity. This finding suggests that FCP and VIDES promote the synthesis of plant-defence compounds against Rhizoctonia sp. in potato crops, in which the application time is a determining factor.
Comparison of Quality, Antioxidant Capacity, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Adlay [Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen (Rom. Caill.) Stapf.] Sprout at Several Harvest Time
Authors: Lee Eun-Song , Kim Yong-Il , Lee Jeong-Hoon , Kim Yong-Goo , Han Kyung-Sook , Yoon Young-Ho , Cho Byoung-Ok , Park Kyungtae , Lee Hamin , Cho Ju-Sung
Published: August 2023

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the consumption of plant-based foods such as vegetables and grains for the purpose of disease prevention and treatment. Adlay seeds contain physiologically active substances, including coixol, coixenolide, and lactams. In this study, adlay sprouts were cultivated and harvested at various time points, specifically at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 days after sowing. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using assays such as DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power, and total polyphenol contents. The toxicity of the extracts was assessed using cell culture and the WST-1 assay. The aboveground components of the sprouts demonstrated a significant increase in length, ranging from 2.75 cm to 21.87 cm, weight, ranging from 0.05 g to 0.32 g, and biomass, ranging from 161.4 g to 1319.1 g, as the number of days after sowing advanced, reaching its peak coixol content of 39.38 mg/g on the third day after sowing. Notably, the antioxidant enzyme activity was highest between the third and fifth days after sowing. Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, the inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression was most prominent in samples harvested from the ninth to eleventh days after sowing, corresponding to the later stage of growth. While the overall production mass increased with the number of days after sowing, considering factors such as yield increase index per unit area, turnover rate, and antioxidant activity, harvesting at the early growth stage, specifically between the fifth and seventh days after sowing, was found to be economically advantageous. Thus, the quality, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory activity of adlay sprouts varied depending on the harvest time, highlighting the importance of determining the appropriate harvest time based on the production objectives. This study demonstrates the changes in the growth and quality of adlay sprouts in relation to the harvest time, emphasizing the potential for developing a market for adlay sprouts as a new food product.
Aronia melanocarpa Flavonol Extract—Antiradical and Immunomodulating Activities Analysis
Authors: Bushmeleva Kseniya , Vyshtakalyuk Alexandra , Terenzhev Dmitriy , Belov Timur , Nikitin Evgeniy , Zobov Vladimir
Published: August 2023

The study of Aronia melanocarpa’s (A. melanocarpa) biological activity is focused on obtaining the crude extract and separation of the flavonol compounds. The extraction and fractionation of A. melanocarpa fruits, followed by quantitative analysis, were accomplished using high-performance liquid chromatography and Darco G-60 filtering. This approach enabled the quantification of flavonoids within each fraction. The antioxidative, immunomodulating activities and cytotoxicity with respect to the lymphoblast cell line RPMI-1788 were studied. The flavonol extract of A. melanocarpa has been shown to have a high capacity to neutralize free DPPH and AAPH radicals in vitro. It also caused an accelerated ‘respiratory burst’ formation of neutrophils and an increase in the metabolic reserves of cells in rats exposed to cyclophosphamide. The reference solution (an equivalent quercetin-rutin blend) contributed to a decrease in lipid peroxidation, intensifying phagocytosis processes. The studied compounds demonstrated their low influence on the leukocyte blood profile in animals.
A Novel Approach about Edible Packaging Materials Based on Oilcakes—A Review
Authors: Petraru Ancuţa , Amariei Sonia
Published: August 2023

Due to the growing global population and subsequent environment degradation, as well as changes in the climate, changing consumers’ dietary habits is necessary to create strategies for the most efficient use of natural resources to eliminate waste in the food supply chain. The packaging of food is essential to preserve the food’s properties, extend its shelf life and offer nutritional information. Food products are packaged in various materials of which the most used are plastics, but they have a negative impact on the environment. Various efforts have been made to address this situation, but unfortunately, this includes recycling rather than replacing them with sustainable solutions. There is a trend toward edible packaging materials with more additional functions (antioxidant, antimicrobial and nutritional properties). Edible packaging is also a sustainable solution to avoid food waste and environment pollution. Oilcakes are the principal by-products obtained from the oil extraction process. These by-products are currently underused as animal feed, landfilling or compost. Because they contain large amounts of valuable compounds and are low-cost ingredients, they can be used to produce materials suitable for food packaging. This review covers the recent developments in oilcake-based packaging materials. Special emphasis is placed on the study of materials and technologies that can be used to make edible film in order to research the most suitable ways of developing oilcake-based film that can be consumed simultaneously with the product. These types of materials do not exist on the market.
Effect of Janus Nanosheets in Polypropylene on Rheological Properties and Autoclave Foam Performance
Authors: Xu Yaohui , Guo Peng , Zhang Hengyuan , Ren Minqiao , Lyu Mingfu
Published: August 2023

Our experiment revealed that the addition of Janus nanosheets to polypropylene (PP) has a significant impact on the viscoelasticity of the composite system. Specifically, when 0.10 wt% of Janus nanosheets were added, the complex viscosity of the composite system increased. However, when we added less than 0.05 wt% of Janus nanosheets, there was a reduction in complex viscosity, which is known as the non-Einstein phenomenon. The Cole–Cole plot showed that the nanosheet network structure did not have a significant effect on the viscosity of the composite system. Additionally, we used carbon dioxide as a foaming agent to autoclave foaming using modified PP from Janus nanosheets, and the results demonstrated that increasing the number of Janus nanosheets decreased the apparent density and strengthened the cell structure of foaming beads, resulting in improved closed porosity.
A Postmodern (Singularity) Future with a Post-Human Godless Algorithm: Trans-Humanism, Artificial Intelligence, and Dataism
Authors: Al-Kassimi Khaled
Published: August 2023

The objective of this manuscript is to reveal that the challenge in understanding the ethical consequences of a post-human condition characterizing trans-humanist ontology is linked to postmodern epistemology lacking any metaphysical and theological essence. The introductory section provides an overview of trans-humanist thought and the concerns deliberated against it at the recent conference titled A.I Ethics: An Abrahamic Commitment to the Rome Call, charting a path ensuring that technological innovations do not undermine the ethical, spiritual, and moral values animating the telos of the human being. The second section traces the philosophical genealogy of trans-humanism from the Age of Reason (i.e., modern epistemology) to our current Age of Feeling (i.e., postmodern epistemology). This section also stresses that the ontology accenting both periods—the death of God and the death of human—is latent in trans-humanist ideology, which seeks to extinguish the quest of knowing God with an ateleological state that crucifies the human in pursuit of worshipping technology. The third section scrutinizes the conceptual framework of trans-humanism by deconstructing concepts structuring its worldview such as Singularity, Artificial Super Intelligence, and the pseudo-religion known as Dataism. Additionally, this section examines how trans-humanist proponents—while adhering to postmodern philosophy—alter the definitions of sacred concepts that exclusively animate a human state of being, such as consciousness, intelligence, and awareness, by anthropomorphizing AI. The final section recalls the wisdom of the Nicomachean Ethics and the Alchemy of Happiness, composed—respectively—by Aristotle and Al-Ghazali. It highlights the immoral significances of choosing to ignore the implications of Dataism and its techno-scientific objectives, which obscure the use of techne in a virtuous manner attaining eudaimonia and the essence of humanness seeking a path—using God-given sensoria—knowledge of Divine Beauty.
Relationship between Ovarian Reserve Markers and Body Mass Index in Infertile Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Retrospective Case–Control Study
Authors: Casadei Luisa , Nacci Ilaria , Vicomandi Veronica , Sorge Roberto Pietro , Ticconi Carlo
Published: August 2023

This study, carried out on 94 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 176 controls without it, investigated the influence of body mass index (BMI) on serum levels of antimüllerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and 17ß-estradiol (E2) in infertile patients. Patients were assigned to four subgroups according to age (<35 or ≥35 years) and BMI (<25 kg/m2 or ≥25 kg/m2). Significant differences between PCOS-affected and control women were observed with respect to most of the parameters of interest. In both PCOS-affected and control women, age was inversely correlated with AMH. In the control patients, age was directly correlated with FSH and LH. In women affected by PCOS, no correlation was found between BMI and serum levels of AMH, E2, and LH, except FSH. No correlation was found between BMI and markers of ovarian reserve in control women. BMI was not correlated with AMH in any of the four subgroups considered regardless of the presence of PCOS. An inverse correlation was found only in PCOS-affected women aged ≥35 years between a BMI < 25/FSH and a BMI ≥ 25/LH. The possible association between BMI and ovulation disorder (OD) was investigated in 96 control women aged ≤37 years. In women with OD, the BMI values were significantly higher and FSH and E2 levels were lower than those of patients without OD. Taken together, our data suggest that BMI is not related to hormonal parameters of ovarian reserve, irrespective of the presence of PCOS, and could influence ovulation disorder rather than cause a decrease in ovarian reserve.
An Efficient BDS-3 Long-Range Undifferenced Network RTK Positioning Algorithm
Authors: Zhu Huizhong , Zhang Jie , Li Jun , Xu Aigong
Published: August 2023

In 2020, the BeiDou-3 global navigation satellite system (BDS-3) was officially completed and put into service. Currently, network real-time kinematic (RTK) technology is considered the main means through which to improve the positioning accuracy of the BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS). This paper proposes a long-range undifferenced network RTK (URTK) algorithm, based on multi-frequency observation data of the BDS. First, the multi-frequency phase integer ambiguity resolution (AR) model considering atmospheric error parameters is designed, and the multi-frequency phase integer ambiguity of the long-range BDS reference station is determined. Then, the undifferenced integer ambiguity of each reference station is obtained, using linear variation based on the accurately determined phase integer ambiguity between reference stations, and the undifferenced observation error of each reference station is calculated. Considering the weakening spatial correlation of the observation errors between long-range stations, undifferenced classification error corrections of a reference station network are separated, according to different error characteristics. Finally, the inverse distance weighting method is employed to calculate the classification undifferenced error correction of the rover station. The rover station corrects the observation error through applying the undifferenced error correction to achieve high-precision positioning. The measured data of a long-range continuous operation reference station (CORS) network are selected for an experiment. The results show that the proposed algorithm can quickly and accurately realize the resolution of the BDS integer ambiguity of a reference station network and establish an undifferenced area error correction model in order to achieve accurate classification of undifferenced error correction values for a rover station. In China, the BDS-3 is superior to the global positioning system (GPS) in terms of the satellite number, position dilution of precision (PDOP) value, AR success rate, stability, and convergence time. The results show that the AR success rate, stability, and convergence time increase with the operational frequency, and the BDS-3 can achieve centimeter-level positioning of single-system rover stations without relying on the GPS.
Estimation of High-Resolution Soil Moisture in Canadian Croplands Using Deep Neural Network with Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 Images
Authors: Lee Soo-Jin , Choi Chuluong , Kim Jinsoo , Choi Minha , Cho Jaeil , Lee Yangwon
Published: August 2023

Soil moisture (SM) is a crucial hydrologic factor that affects the global cycle of energy, carbon, and water, as well as plant growth and crop yield; therefore, an accurate estimate of SM is important for both the global environment and agriculture. Satellite-based SM data have been provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite missions, but these data are based on passive microwave sensors, which have limited spatial resolution. Thus, detailed observations and analyses of the local distribution of SM are limited. The recent emergence of deep learning techniques, such as rectified linear unit (ReLU) and dropout, has produced effective solutions to complex problems. Deep neural networks (DNNs) have been used to accurately estimate hydrologic factors, such as SM and evapotranspiration, but studies of SM estimates derived from the joint use of DNN and high-resolution satellite data, such as Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2, are lacking. In this study, we aim to estimate high-resolution SM at 30 m resolution, which is important for local-scale SM monitoring in croplands. We used a variety of input data, such as radar factors, optical factors, and vegetation indices, which can be extracted from Sentinel-1 and -2, terrain information (e.g., elevation), and crop information (e.g., cover type and month), and developed an integrated SM model across various crop surfaces by using these input data and DNN (which can learn the complexity and nonlinearity of the various data). The study was performed in the agricultural areas of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, and the in situ SM data for these areas were obtained from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Real-time In Situ Soil Monitoring for Agriculture (RISMA) network. We conducted various experiments with several hyperparameters that affected the performance of the DNN-based model and ultimately obtained a high-performing SM model. The optimal SM model had a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.0416 m3/m3 and a correlation coefficient (CC) of 0.9226. This model’s estimates showed better agreement with in situ SM than the SMAP 9 km SM. The accuracy of the model was high when the daily precipitation was zero or very low and also during the vegetation growth stage. However, its accuracy decreased when precipitation or the vitality of the vegetation were high. This suggests that precipitation affects surface erosion and water layer formation, and vegetation adds complexity to the SM estimate. Nevertheless, the distribution of SM estimated by our model generally reflected the local soil characteristics. This work will aid in drought and flood prevention and mitigation, and serve as a tool for assessing the potential growth of crops according to SM conditions.
A Global Systematic Review of Improving Crop Model Estimations by Assimilating Remote Sensing Data: Implications for Small-Scale Agricultural Systems
Authors: Dlamini Luleka , Crespo Olivier , van Dam Jos , Kooistra Lammert
Published: August 2023

There is a growing effort to use access to remote sensing data (RS) in conjunction with crop model simulation capability to improve the accuracy of crop growth and yield estimates. This is critical for sustainable agricultural management and food security, especially in farming communities with limited resources and data. Therefore, the objective of this study was to provide a systematic review of research on data assimilation and summarize how its application varies by country, crop, and farming systems. In addition, we highlight the implications of using process-based crop models (PBCMs) and data assimilation in small-scale farming systems. Using a strict search term, we searched the Scopus and Web of Science databases and found 497 potential publications. After screening for relevance using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 123 publications were included in the final review. Our results show increasing global interest in RS data assimilation approaches; however, 81% of the studies were from countries with relatively high levels of agricultural production, technology, and innovation. There is increasing development of crop models, availability of RS data sources, and characterization of crop parameters assimilated into PBCMs. Most studies used recalibration or updating methods to mainly incorporate remotely sensed leaf area index from MODIS or Landsat into the WOrld FOod STudies (WOFOST) model to improve yield estimates for staple crops in large-scale and irrigated farming systems. However, these methods cannot compensate for the uncertainties in RS data and crop models. We concluded that further research on data assimilation using newly available high-resolution RS datasets, such as Sentinel-2, should be conducted to significantly improve simulations of rare crops and small-scale rainfed farming systems. This is critical for informing local crop management decisions to improve policy and food security assessments.
Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation of PM2.5 in Winter over North China and Its Leading Circulation Patterns
Authors: Zhu Xinsheng , Yao Chenyu
Published: August 2023

Persistent pollution often occurs in North China in winter. The study of the sub-seasonal evolution characteristics of fine particles (PM2.5) can provide a theoretical basis for the prediction and prevention of persistent pollution. Based on the high-resolution gridded data of PM2.5 and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, the sub-seasonal variation in PM2.5 in North China in winter and its dominant circulation patterns from 1960/61 to 2019/20 were analyzed. The results show that, in winter, PM2.5 in North China shows a dominant period of 10–20 days, and persistent heavy pollution occurs at the active phase of oscillation. Based on the PM2.5 quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO) events, the 850 hPa wave train can be classified into four categories. It was found that, during the active phase of PM2.5 QBWO, the wind speed is weak and humidity is high in the low-troposphere for all of the four event types, while the quasi-biweekly 850 hPa wave train and the track of geopotential height anomaly are significantly different. Based on the characteristics of circulation evolution, these four types of events can be named as eastward, split southward, southeastward, and merged event. The energy conversion between the basic flow and the quasi-biweekly disturbance, and the mean flow difference are responsible for the circulation diversity for different PM2.5 QBWO events. The above research results can provide a theoretical basis for pollutant prediction.
Frequency Increment Design Method of MR-FDA-MIMO Radar for Interference Suppression
Authors: Wu Zhixia , Zhu Shengqi , Xu Jingwei , Lan Lan , Li Ximin , Zhang Yiqun
Published: August 2023

In the present complex electromagnetic environment, radar target detection is threatened by different kinds of interferences, especially mainlobe deceptive interference, which occupies the same energy distributions of targets spatially, meaning that targets and interferences cannot be discriminated. To make matters worse, the number of suppressible interferences is limited by the number of physical array elements, leading to the degradation of the suppression performance of traditional radar. In this work, we propose a frequency-increment-based interference suppression method for minimum redundancy frequency diverse array multiple-input multiple-output (MR-FDA-MIMO) radar, which effectively solves the aforementioned two problems. The interference suppression method consists of two steps: (i) in the sidelobe barrage interference suppression stage, the interference-plus-noise covariance matrix is reconstructed to overcome the influence of the true targets and mainlobe deceptive interference on the performance of the beamformer; (ii) in the mainlobe deceptive interference suppression stage, a nonadaptive beamforming method is employed to suppress mainlobe deceptive interference and overcome the impact of insufficient virtual samples on interference suppression performance. Additionally, we design a frequency-increment-based MR-FDA-MIMO radar, fully utilizing the advantages of the virtual array to enhance interference suppression performance and increase the number of interferences. Numerical experiments undertaken demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm under different scenarios.
An Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Characteristics and Mechanism of Spacing Cracks in Loess Considering the Size Effect
Authors: Wei Xin , Zhou Yunru , Chen Xuanyi
Published: August 2023

Loess is a special soil with high water sensitivity which covers a large area in Northwest China. Cracks are prone to generate in loess under the arid and semiarid climates, which will provide a preferential channel for water and reduce the mechanical properties of soils. It is of great significance to understand the evolution characteristics and mechanisms of the cracks in loess areas. At present, research on cracks in soils mainly concentrates on the characteristics of different cracking patterns. However, spacing cracks are mostly discussed in materials like rock and concrete rather than soils. The cracking characteristics and mechanisms of spacing cracks in loess are still inadequate. In this research, drying tests of loess are carried out with different sizes of specimens. The parameters of spacing cracks and local strain distributions of the loess samples are obtained via PCAS and DIC methods during desiccation, respectively. The cracking modes, spacing cracking laws like insertion, and the saturation of spacing cracks are revealed. Finally, the size effect on the characteristics of spacing cracks is verified with the discrete element software MatDEM.
Sustainable Use of Pennisetum sinese: Effect on Nutritional Components and Fermentation Quality of Stylosanthes guianensis in Tropics
Authors: Yang Yuanting , Wu Qun , Liu Hu , Wang Ke , Zeng Meng , Han Xiaotao , Peng Weishi , Zhou Hanlin , Han Jiancheng
Published: August 2023

Mixed ensiling of Stylosanthes guianensis and Pennisetum sinese is an alternative method to improve the nutrient composition of feeds for healthy and green ruminant production in the tropics. This study examined the fermentation quality, nutritional composition, and microbial population in silage to select the most suitable ratio of mixed silage containing different proportions of S. guianensis and P. sinese. It was completely randomized and consisted of four treatments with five replications based on fresh weight as follows: S0, 100% P. sinese; S15, 85% P. sinese + 15% S. guianensis; S30, 70% P. sinese + 30% S. guianensis; and S45, 55% P. sinese + 45% S. guianensis. The silage samples were opened and detected after ensiling for 30 days. The results showed that the content of dry matter and crude protein in mixed silage increased with the increase in S. guianensis, while the content of acid detergent fiber decreased significantly, and the maximum or minimum value appeared in the S45 group. As the proportion of S. guianensis increased, the pH, ammonia nitrogen, and acetic acid in mixed silage gradually increased, but the lactic acid content decreased. In addition, the content of lactic acid bacteria and yeast showed a significant downward trend. Further study showed that there was a complex correlation between nutrient compositions, fermentation characteristics, and microbial numbers in mixed silage, especially dry matter, crude protein, and lactic acid bacteria. From the sensory evaluation of silage, S30 was excellent and exhibited an aromatic smell, a hazel color, and the loosest texture. However, from the results of the proportion of organic acids in mixed silage fermentation and further principal component analysis, the highest comprehensive score was in the S15 group. Considering the nutritional compositions and fermentation quality, the optimum ratio of mixed fermentation between S. guianensis and P. sinese in this experiment was 30:70.
Empirical Analysis of China’s Agricultural Total Factor Productivity and the Reform of “County Administrated by Province”: Insights from Agricultural Enterprise Data
Authors: Huang Haibing , Xu Yinliang , Sun Ying , Liu Jianxu
Published: August 2023

The study focuses on examining how the total factor productivity (TFP) of China’s agriculture-related enterprises is affected by the reform of “County Administrated by Province” (CAP). Using panel data from 1998 to 2013, with a sample size of 292, 423 agriculture-related enterprises, the study investigates the influence of CAP reform on the TFP. The findings reveal a significant dampening effect of the CAP reform on the TFP of agriculture-related enterprises. These results are further supported with a series of robustness tests including placebo test, multidimensional fixed effects test, and clustering of cities or counties. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the CAP reform has significantly restrained the TFP of agriculture-related enterprises in high level cities, while showing no significant impact on cities with lower administrative levels. In the eastern region, the impact of the CAP reform on the TFP of agriculture-related enterprises is significantly negative, whereas it is not statistically significant in the central and western regions. the study on mechanisms elucidates that the inhibitory impact of CAP policy on the TFP of agriculture-related enterprises is enhanced by urban property prices, labor resource allocation, and banking competition. The research conclusion is of significance in guiding the practices of agriculture-related enterprises and deepening the reform of “County Administrated by Province”.
Study on the Influence of Wet Backfilling in Open Pit on Slope Stability
Authors: Chen Qiusong , Niu Yufeng , Xiao Chongchun
Published: August 2023

The residual open pit left in the wake of open-pit mining poses significant safety hazards, with backfilling being an effective strategy to wholly eliminate these risks. The stability of the slope following wet backfilling, however, should not be overlooked. This paper examines the impact of the seepage field conditions and backfill height on the stability of open-pit slopes using a case study of cemented backfill in a specific open pit in Anhui Province. Moreover, it utilizes onsite research, Slide simulations, and similar simulation tests. The study findings suggest that as the height of the tailing solidification backfill increases, the safety factor of open-pit slopes gradually elevates. When the backfill height exceeds 10 m, all profiles of the studied open-air slope fulfill the stability prerequisites. Furthermore, when the solidification backfill reaches 20 m, all profiles of the studied open-pit slope satisfy the stability requirements. The research outcomes offer a methodology for mining corporations to avert slope instability and destruction, thereby providing effective safeguards for the extraction of scarce resources in mines.
Protein Fishmeal Replacement in Aquaculture: A Systematic Review and Implications on Growth and Adoption Viability
Authors: Macusi Edison D. , Cayacay Melanie A. , Borazon Elaine Q. , Sales Anthony C. , Habib Ahasan , Fadli Nur , Santos Mudjekeewis D.
Published: August 2023

Aquaculture is growing rapidly as a food-producing sector and in recent years fishmeal prices have climbed more than two-fold on a global scale. This review of previous studies was performed to contribute to the extant literature on the aquaculture sector to aid cost reduction of aquafeeds by identifying substitute proteins that can replace fishmeal. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) using the SCOPUS and WOS (Web of Science), DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals), Academia, and PubMed Central databases. A total of 59 articles were included in the synthesis after screening for duplicates and articles that did not conform to the criteria. Results have shown that the 100% replacement of fishmeal with blood meal (BM) did not affect the growth of fish, nor did the 75% to 100% combination of poultry-by-product (PBM), feather meal (FEM), and BM. Moreover, a 10% replacement of fishmeal using seaweed (Gracilaria arcuata) had no adverse effect on the feed efficiency and growth performance of tilapia. Similarly, a 50% replacement of fishmeal using black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), and a 25% replacement using soybean (Glycine max) also showed better results for fish growth. Our review shows that alternative protein can replace fishmeal in the aquaculture sector and reduce the cost of aquafeeds since alternative proteins are much cheaper than the usual fishmeal. Adoption of these alternative protein sources hinges on financial support, start-up incentives for companies, and ongoing studies on waste-to-feed production, which the government can also support.
Exploring Changes in Epistemological Beliefs and Beliefs about Teaching and Learning: A Mix-Method Study among Chinese Teachers in Transnational Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Wang Jing , Kim Eunyoung
Published: August 2023

When teachers engage in transnational higher education, exposure can challenge their existing beliefs and expand their understanding of effective pedagogical approaches. Collaborative teaching can influence teachers’ beliefs through collaboration and interactions. Thus, this study investigated changes in Chinese university teachers’ epistemological beliefs and beliefs about teaching and learning by addressing the following research questions: Are there any changes across time in beliefs about epistemology, learning, and teaching among teaching faculty members working in transnational higher education (TNHE)? To what extent do epistemological beliefs and beliefs about teaching change among teaching faculty members working in TNHE? Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used during the 2018–2022 academic years. A paired sample t-test revealed significant improvements in constructivist teaching (CT), innate ability (IA), and authority knowledge (AK). The semi-structured group interviews provided supporting evidence. The findings demonstrate that sharing and collaboration can promote changes in teachers’ epistemological beliefs and their beliefs about teaching and learning. Chinese teachers tend to develop more constructivist and student-centered beliefs after working with foreign colleagues. Transnational faculty collaboration promotes professional growth and diverse thoughts. By using mix-method examination of teachers’ epistemological and pedagogical beliefs within the TNHE context, this study provides empirical evidence supporting the development of tailored professional development opportunities.
Regional Disparity in the Educational Impact of COVID-19: A Spatial Difference-in-Difference Approach
Authors: Jeong Dohyo , Kim Dohyeong , Mohiuddin Heba , Kang Seokmin , Kim Sungyeun
Published: August 2023

The transmission of COVID-19 suddenly shifted most school classes to online lectures, and these unexpected changes often exacerbated existing imbalances by region and school. Our study used land price data as a proxy for regional wealth and empirically examined the inflation of education inequality between the areas with high and low land prices during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. The gaps in the average high school Math and English scores between 2019 and 2020 (Y1 effect) and 2019 and 2021 (Y2 effect) are used as the main educational outcomes. We utilized the spatial difference-in-difference (DID) method to reflect the spatial autocorrelation on the school-level distribution of the score changes. The impact of the online class conversion on student performances was found to be significantly different between the regions with low and high land price and was more noticeable for the Math score during the first year of the pandemic. During the second year of the pandemic (2021), the scores increased in both regions, but the regional gap remained persistent. Evidence-based policies should be implemented to enhance regional educational conditions and resources, which, in turn, should prevent educational inequality across the regions stemming from the conversion to online classes.
Rural Development Policy in Germany Regarding Coworking Spaces and Effects on Vitality and Versatility of Rural Towns
Authors: Hölzel Marco , de Vries Walter Timo
Published: August 2023

Remote rural areas have been declining in population for decades, partly permanently as people move away and partly temporarily, owing to commuting. This increasing paucity of inhabitants is causing these places to lose vitality and versatility; this, in turn, renders them less attractive overall. In terms of spatial development, policies devised for rural areas have long been concerned not only with agriculture, but also with holistic development. For some years now, ICT has work become increasingly location-independent. This is often seen as an opportunity for rural development. In addition to the general facilitation of remote working, i.e., working from home, coworking spaces make it possible to separate out our private and professional lives. The aim of this research is to find out to what extent public authorities position themselves on this topic and express their views on coworking spaces. Policies in this area have been promulgated by various federal ministries (Bundesebene) and federal states (Länderebene). Thus, we have collected relevant policies from the websites of federal ministries and three federal states (Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony-Anhalt), examined them for their keywords, and read and analyzed the documents that were found. Further, we have interviewed the founders and operators of particular coworking spaces. At the federal level, it is noteworthy that the ministry responsible for rural areas has published the greatest number of policies in which coworking spaces are mentioned. At the state level (Landesebene), the picture is more diverse, between the various state governments and the respective states. However, the contribution of coworking spaces to the vitality and versatility of rural towns is mentioned only rarely, and the importance of location is seldom pointed out. Comparing the results of this study with previous research in the literature, it can be concluded that public authorities should pay more attention to the opportunities and risks of coworking spaces in rural areas. Based on this, clearer objectives for coworking spaces in these areas can be formulated. When subsidies are disbursed, they should be accompanied by a mandatory evaluation to check what the subsidies have achieved and whether the subsidies have been used in a targeted manner. In addition, a larger database could be created for further research.
Does Vaccine Confidence Mediate the Relationship between Vaccine Literacy and Influenza Vaccination? Exploring Determinants of Vaccination among Staff Members of Nursing Homes in Tuscany, Italy, during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Collini Francesca , Bonaccorsi Guglielmo , Del Riccio Marco , Bruschi Mario , Forni Silvia , Galletti Giacomo , Gemmi Fabrizio , Ierardi Francesca , Lorini Chiara
Published: August 2023

Background: Low coverage of influenza vaccination in nursing home (NH) staff may be attributed to factors such as vaccine confidence (VC) and vaccine literacy (VL). Our study aimed to evaluate the role of VL and VC in predicting the intention to get the influenza vaccine in a sample of employees of NHs in Tuscany, Italy. Methods: Data from staff members in Tuscany were collected using an online questionnaire that examined influenza vaccination history, intentions, demographic information, health status, and VL. Statistical analyses explored the relationships between VC, VL, and vaccination intentions. Results: The study included 1794 respondents, (86.3%) and assistants/aides (58.1%), with a median age of 46 years. The intention to get vaccinated was significantly higher among those with health risk conditions, and there was a positive association between VC and VL, specifically its interactive/critical component. The mediation analysis showed that VC completely mediated the relationship between VL and the intention to get vaccinated, with significant effects observed in different subgroups. Conclusions: VC is a key factor that mediates the effect of VL on vaccine intention. These results suggest that interventions aimed at improving VL alone may not be sufficient to increase vaccine uptake unless VC is also addressed.