bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of a substituted topography-based model to forecast rainfall and tide-induced lowland flooding
Authors: HUANG PIN-CHUN
Published: September 2023

A variety of factors such as rainfall distribution, downstream tide levels, upstream contributing areas, and terrain characteristics can affect the level of flooding disasters. The objective of this study is to build a hybrid model that combines the analysis of hydrological and geomorphological factors in the catchment with machine learning algorithms to efficiently provide flooding information and simultaneously eliminate the problem of numerical instability. Various environmental factors are investigated to determine the model inputs used to forecast the spatial distribution of inundation depths by running the proposed AI-based hybrid model. The main contribution of the proposed model is to apply informative indexes for preprocessing a large amount of input data before model training to enhance the accuracy in forecasting inundation depths. Another approach of preprocessing input data by using a classification algorithm, known as the self-organizing map (SOM) network, is also adopted and discussed to emphasize the physical significance of the proposed methodology. On the other hand, to provide reliable inundation-depth data for the stage of model training, a numerical integration model based on theoretical governing equations for floodplain simulations in lowlands is also applied in this study. The proposed methodology can be deemed an alternative for real-time coastal flooding simulation and forecast because of its advantages in efficiency, stability, and predicted accuracy.
Mucosal prime-boost immunization with live murine pneumonia virus-vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is protective in macaques
Authors: Buchholz Ursula , Kaiser Jaclyn , Nelson Christine , Liu Xueqiao , Park Hong-Su , Matsuoka Yumiko , Luongo Cindy , Santos Celia , Ahlers Laura , Herbert Richard , Moore Ian , Wilder-Kofie Temeri , Moore Rashida , Walker April , Lijuan Yang , Munir Shirin , Teng I-Ting , Kwong Peter , Dowdell Kennichi , Nguyen Hanh , Kim JungHyun , Cohen Jeffrey , Johnson Reed F. , Garza Nicole , Via Laura , Barber Daniel , NOUEN CYRIL LE
Published: September 2023

Immunization via the respiratory route is predicted to increase the effectiveness of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. We evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of one or two doses of a live-attenuated murine pneumonia virus vector expressing SARS-CoV-2 prefusion-stabilized spike protein (MPV/S-2P), delivered intranasally/intratracheally to rhesus macaques. A single dose of MPV/S-2P was highly immunogenic, and a second dose increased the magnitude and breadth of the mucosal and systemic anti-S antibody responses and increased levels of dimeric anti-S IgA in the airways. MPV/S-2P also induced S-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in the airways that differentiated into large populations of tissue-resident memory cells within a month after the boost. One dose induced substantial protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, and two doses of MPV/S-2P were fully protective against SARS-CoV-2 challenge virus replication in the airways. A prime/boost immunization with a mucosally-administered live-attenuated MPV vector could thus be highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication.
Research on the maintenance system of farmland water conservancy facilities based on the consciousness evolution model
Authors: liu chuang , Dai XiaoPing , Li JinGang , Ding Zhe
Published: September 2023

Irrigation and drainage engineering is a safeguard for agricultural production, and the management and maintenance of its terminal channels and ancillary works are often the responsibility of village collectives, water user associations, and other organizations. However, farmers generally lack the enthusiasm to participate in maintenance and management, coupled with a lack of capital investment, the relevant engineering maintenance difficulties. Therefore, how to establish a sustainable and stable farmland water conservancy facility maintenance management system is a major problem. For this reason, this paper establishes an "awareness evolution model" based on the theory of cultural multilevel selection, embeds the social system simulated by this model into the dike agricultural system through the method of Multi-agents, and simulates the evolution of awareness change and the agricultural system under different dike initial height scenarios. The results show that proper exposure of agricultural systems to flood risks can reduce the flood losses suffered by agricultural systems, and the social factors behind them are discussed. Further, how to establish a set of sustained and stable social maintenance management systems for farmland water conservancy is explored, and relevant suggestions are given.
Fairness Resource Allocation Based on Blockchain for Secure Communication in Integrated IoT
Authors: Liang Wei , Zhao Jun , Liu Yan , Liang Yan , Li Jingwen
Published: September 2023

The emerging Space-Air-Ground, Artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and Vehicle-toeverything (V2X) technology in Integrated Internet of Things (IoT) enables vehicles to communicate with other vehicles and roadside units (RSU), which improves communication efficiency and driving safety. Due to the rich data in the Integrated IoT, it is easy for illegal persons to steal data or deceive users. While reasonably allocating resources to complete the transmission task, it is still a challenge to ensure the communication security of vehicle users in Integrated IoT. In this paper, we study the cost of vehicle users transmitting tasks by Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) and Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) in Integrated IoT. In order to protect the information security, we establish the identity authentication and matching model to obtain a better channel environment of Integrated IoT. Moreover, we consider dynamic pricing based on bandwidth resource occupancy to ensure user experience and server load in Integrated IoT. Under the constraints of task tolerable delay, we fix the bandwidth on the V2V side and decouple the task decomposition and bandwidth allocation in Integrated IoT. Then, we propose algorithms Blockchain based Vehicle Identity Authentication (BVIA) and Delay Weight Fairness Bandwidth Allocation (DWFBA). In this way, vehicle users and RSUs entering the Integrated IoT system are authenticated and matched with devices with good trust value, and the fairness of users resource allocation is guaranteed. Simulation results show that BVIA algorithm can reduce communication overhead, DWFBA algorithm can control user costs, and effectively reduce the number of task failures in Integrated IoT.
Resilience Analysis of the Local Communities from a Political Economy Perspective in the Central Region of Zanjan
Authors: Zarghami Saeid , Kaleji Lotfali Kozehgar , Abhari Maryam
Published: September 2023

Local community resilience has been a solution to reduce human and natural origin damages for several decades in global studies. Various studies have addressed different aspects of resilience. However, the concept of resilience, especially in developing countries such as Iran, which has a rent-based economy and relies on oil, needs attention to other dimensions of resilience. In these countries, the institutional environment is highly influenced by political economy, and political economy affects all aspects of planning and governance systems. This study evaluates the resilience of the central region of Zanjan in terms of institutional environment, physical structure, and residents' perspectives. The method of research is mixed. Qualitative analysis was evaluated for institutional environment. It is also quantitative analysis was investigated to measure physical vulnerability and resilience. The results show that the resilience situation is relatively low. The policy-making influenced by political economy, in addition to increasing social and physical damages in this region, leads to the formation of rent housing, a decrease in social capital, an increase in poverty, and ultimately a decrease in the resilience of the central region of Zanjan. Therefore, to create resilience, we need to transition from the current institutional environment and take steps towards institutional evolution and development.
Simulation of the climate variability effects on sediment production in a river basin using the Erosion Potential Method model integrated with climate models
Authors: Bueno Lucas Olegário , Bolleli Talyson de Melo , Mauad Frederico Fábio
Published: September 2023

Integrated modeling systems are used to identify the effects of climate variability on future sediment production, assisting in watershed management. In this study, an integrated modeling system composed of erosion and climatological models was used to evaluate the effects of climate variability on sediment production in the Itaqueri river basin, state of São Paulo (Brazil). For this, we used climate data generated by the ETA-MIROC5 and ETA-HadGEM2-ES models for future estimation of sediment production using the Erosion Potential Method (EPM) model under RCPs 4.5 and 8.5. The Itaqueri river basin presented an average annual production of sediments equivalent to 9.41 Mg. ha-¹. year-¹, which considering the total area of ​​the basin is equivalent to 208,467 Mg. year-¹. Considering the sediment retention rate, the actual sediment loss in the current scenario (2019) was 22,306 Mg. year-¹. Regarding the effects of the variability of climatic elements, in the medium term (2070) the average annual production of sediments in the basin may increase by up to 61.8% (RCP 4.5) and 30.5% (RCP 8.5). In this same period, the actual loss of sediments could reach 36,076 Mg. year-¹ and contribute to the silting and reduction of the useful life of the Lobo reservoir. The EPM model proved to be effective in identifying areas with the highest production of sediments and, in an integrated manner with climate models, it can help in a preliminary and preventive way in identifying the effects of climate variability. However, uncertainties related to the adoption of climate elements are regularly included as part of the risk in water resources management.
Heterologous Expression, Characterization, and Fish Matrix Performance of a Shark-Derived Single-Domain Antibody Fusion Protein against Enrofloxacin
Authors: jia chengyu , Liu Chang , Lin Hong , Cao Limin , Wang Kaiqiang , Sui Jianxin
Published: September 2023

The abuse of enrofloxacin (ENR) in aquaculture and the lack of monitoring of other metabolites may lead to unknown harmful effects on human health. In this study, a shark-derived single-domain antibody fusion protein 2E6-SUMO, which was specific to ENR, was heterologously expressed. The indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) using 2E6-SUMO as the recognition element was established to detect ENR in fish samples. The results showed that the 2E6-SUMO fusion protein has good thermal performance compared to traditional IgG antibodies. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2E6-SUMO to ENR was determined as 42.08 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 3.84 ng/mL and a linear range (IC20 − 80) of 9.94–376.17 ng/mL, respectively. In our experiments, the ENR-negative fish matrix did not seriously interfere with the recognition of the 2E6-SUMO to ENR, with the matrix index between 3.31% and 6.85%. The recovery experiment indicated that the recovery rates of spiked samples ranged between 83.33% and 123.06%. Our study broadens the application scenario of shark-derived single-domain antibodies, providing new immunoassay method for detecting ENR.
Enhancing Child Dietary Diversity through Cooking Demonstration and Nutritional Education in rural Lao PDR
Authors: SATO YU , Khamphithoun Somboun , Saiyachak Khamphanavanh , Ando Hisao , Ishizuka Takaaki , Saeki Shinjiro , Miyoshi Miki
Published: September 2023

Background: Efforts to prevent malnutrition in children under five are crucial for both short-term and long-term impact, especially in resource-constrained low- and middle-income countries where ensuring minimal food diversity remains an urgent challenge. Our organization implemented initiatives to improve dietary diversity among children under five in rural areas of Laos.
Methods: We conducted educational and awareness-raising activities targeting caregivers of children under five, as well as healthcare workers and educated community volunteers, in selected regions of Xaybouathong District, Khammouane Province. We conducted surveys at baseline and endline, using the Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS) through a 24-hour recall method to compare the food diversity of all children under five residing in the intervention area.
Results: By comparing 232 children at baseline and 225 children at endline, we observed a significant increase in IDDS among children aged 6 to 23 months (from 3.36 to 4.22) and children aged 24 to 59 months (from 3.29 to 3.83). Evaluation of food groups showed significant increases in the consumption of miscellaneous vegetables and fruits, eggs, legumes and nuts, and breastfeeding.
Conclusion: Identifying locally available foods and those contributing to improved dietary diversity and ensuring access to information promoting their dietary diversity is crucial for securing minimal dietary diversity.
Short-term clinical results of bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty using functional alignment
Authors: Inui Hiroshi , Yamagami Ryota , Kono Kenichi , Kawaguchi Kohei , Kage Tomofumi , Murakami Ryo , Nakamura Haruhiko , Saita Kazuo , Taketomi Shuji , Tanaka Sakae
Published: September 2023

Background
Bicruciate-retaining (BCR) prosthesis has been introduced to recreate normal knee movement by preserving both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. However, the use of BCR total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is still debatable because of several disappointing reports. We have been performing BCR TKAs with functional alignment (FA). This study aimed to reveal the limb alignment and soft tissue balance of FA-BCR TKAs and compare the clinical outcomes of FA-BCR TKAs with those of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).
Methods
This study evaluated the joint component gap of BCR TKA intraoperatively and measured the postoperative hip–knee–ankle (HKA) angle, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) using full-length standing radiography. The short-term clinical outcomes of BCR TKAs were compared with those of UKA at an average of 2 years postoperatively (1-4yeras).
Results
The coronal alignment values of FA-BCR TKA were as follows: HKA angle, 177.9° ± 2.3°; MTPA, 85.4° ± 1.9°; and LDFA, 87.5° ± 1.9°. The joint component gaps at flexion angles of 10°, 30°, 60°, and 90° were 11.1 ± 1.2, 10.9 ± 1.4, 10.7 ± 1.3, and 11.2 ± 1.4 mm for the medial compartment and 12.9 ± 1.5, 12.6 ± 1.8, 12.5 ± 1.8 and 12.5 ± 1.7 mm for the lateral compartment, respectively. The patient expectation score and maximum extension angle of FA-BCR TKA were significantly better than those of UKAs.
Conclusions
The short-term clinical outcomes of FA-BCR TKA were comparable or a slightly superior to those of UKAs.
Down’s syndrome (DS) in France: a nationwide observational study on prevalence <65 years, mortality, comorbidities, and healthcare use in 2019 relative to non-DS individuals
Authors: Tuppin Philippe , Barthelemy Pauline , Debeugny Gonzague , Rachas Antoine
Published: September 2023

Background: We investigated the mortality, social deprivation, comorbid conditions and healthcare use of Individual with Down’s syndrome (IDS) relative to the non-IDS general population.
Methods: We selected 98% of the 52.4 million people <65 years of age present in the national health data system for a cross-sectional study in 2019. IDS (35,342) were identified on the basis of an ICD-10 code (Q90) for hospital diagnosis or long-term disease (LTD) status qualifying for 100% reimbursement of healthcare. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated for the comparison of frequencies between the IDS and non-IDS groups.
Results: The prevalence of IDS <65 years old was 0.07% (48% were female). Mortality was high for IDS (<65 years 4.6%, RR=10.2; <1 year 4.3%, RR=18.9). The proportion of IDS was higher in the most disadvantaged quintile of municipalities than for the least disadvantaged (<1 year: 0.08% vs. 0.05%). Comorbidities were most frequent among IDS (23.9% of those <1 year old had another LTD, RR=20.1). Tumors were diagnosed less frequently among IDS (1.2%, RR=0.7), except for myeloid leukemia (0.1%, RR=4.6), lymphoid leukemia (0.2%, RR=6.1) and testicular tumors (0.3%, RR=4.5). Dementia (1.2%, RR=28.7), mental retardation (4.7%, RR=20.7), epilepsy (4.2%, RR=9.1) and cardiac malformations (5.2%, RR=52.2, especially before the age of 4 years (16%), cardiac insufficiency (1.2%, RR=6.7) and valvular disease (0.9%, RR=5.8) were more frequent in IDS.
Hospital admissions were more frequent among IDS for aspiration pneumonia (0.7%, RR=89.2), respiratory failure (0.4%, RR=16.9), sleep apnea at any age (1.1%, RR=8.3), cryptorchidism (0.3%, RR=5.9), iron deficiency (0.1%, RR=1.4), protein-energy malnutrition (0.1% RR=7.5), type 1 diabetes (0.2%, RR=2.8) and hypothyroidism (0.1%, RR=71.8). IDS were more likely to have had at least one visit to the emergency room (9.1%, RR=2.4), a short hospital stay (24.2%, RR=1.6), or home hospitalization (0.6%, RR=6). They were more likely to visit certain specialists,: ENT (22.1%, RR=3.0), cardiologist (17.2%, RR=2.6), neurologist (5.1%, RR=2.4), pediatrician (2.1%, RR=3.1) and thoracic surgeons (0.3% RR=1.9).
Conclusions:This study is the first detailed national study comparing IDS and non-IDS by age group, for comorbid conditions and healthcare use. These results could help to optimize counselling, prenatal healthcare and medical and social support.
The Prevalence and Public Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors in Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Alemayehu , Debela Dejene Tolossa , Tegene Elsah , Workicho Abdulhalik , Shemsedin Muhidin , Desu Gadissa
Published: September 2023

Objectives: Knowledge, attitude, and practice gaps of cardiovascular disease risk factors are significant obstacles to prevention and care. This study assessed the magnitude of cardiovascular diseases’ risk factors and public knowledge, attitude, and practice towards it in Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: A Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma town southwest Ethiopia, from November 1 to 28, 2021. A multi-stage sampling technique was utilized to get a total sample size of 332. All Jimma town individuals of age 18 years or above who fulfilled inclusion criteria were included. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data entry was done by Epidata, version 3.2 software and analysed with SPSS, version 26.
Results: About 56.4% of the participants had good knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors. They had a poor attitude toward cardiovascular disease risk factors. About 70.2% didn’t do moderate intensity and 85.2% didn’t do vigorous-intensity exercise. Only 2.4% and 8.7% of the participants had consumed vegetables and fruits daily respectively. About 17.8% drank alcohol, 19.9% chewed khat and 11.4 % were either active or second-hand smokers. Only 22.3% had normal blood pressure. About 55% of females and 39.9% of males had central obesity. The average measured cardiovascular disease risk was 1.44±1.19 which 6.1 % of them had a family history of cardiovascular disease.
Conclusion & Recommendations: The knowledge, attitude, and practice of this population toward cardiovascular disease risk factors were low. We recommend that the local health bureau, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders should find a way to increase the knowledge, attitude, and practice of this population, through media campaigns, promotions &others.
Investigation of Microplastics and Microplastic Communities in Three Waterbody Basin Soils of Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, India
Authors: Krishna Anjana B S , Madhu Maha , Jayadev Ayona
Published: September 2023

Riparian areas are highly dynamic bio-geophysical settings with a surge of waste deposition predominantly including land-based plastic discards. These polymer discards are destined to be the prime constitution of marine ‘plastisphere.’ The polymer fate is determined by waterbodies, where the chances of plastic retention are higher, eventually mediating the formation of Microplastics (MPs) in years or decades. Such formed MPs are a potential threat to the aqua bio-regime. A systematic investigation of three waterbody basin soils (Karamana River, Killiyar and Akkulam-Veli Lake) showed the presence of MPs in all the samples analyzed with varying sizes, shapes, colors and compositions. MPs of the shapes flakes, fragments, filaments, sheets, foams and fibers were observed with dimensions 0.3 mm - 4.7mm. Most of the particles were white in hue (WT), followed by Colorless (CL), Light Yellow (L.Y), Light Brown (L.B), Orange (OR), Red (RD) and Blue (BL) respectively. The polymer communities were identified as High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polystyrene (PS) and Nylon. The highest average MP density was identified in the basin of Killiyar (799±0.09 pieces/Kg) followed by Karamana River (671±3.45 pieces/Kg), indicating the closeness of the sampling station to the city center compared to Akkulam-Veli Lake (486±58.55 pieces/Kg). The majority of the sampling sites belonged to the slopy areas and came under the highly urbanized land category. A close association was observed between particle abundance and urban activity. The study foresees possible threats inflicted by MP abundance upon the area-wide hydro-biological system.
Direct Monetary Cost of Obesity in Patients: A Study from a Health Economics Perspective
Authors: Eren Furkan Alp , BOZ CANSER
Published: September 2023

Objective:It is a fact that obesity, which is a global public health problem, is not just a medical condition, but should be evaluated together with its economic and social consequences. The aim of our study is to calculate the direct monetary cost caused by obesity based on the individual and to determine the factors affecting the cost.Methods:The observational, cross-sectional study was conducted who applied to the obesity polyclinics of a tertiary hospital in Istanbul. Totally 276 subjects included in 6 months and their data collected with the "case report form" developed by the researchers. To analyze the obtained data Independent sample T-test were used with normal distribution; If not provided, Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis tests were used; and chi-square test with categorical data. In all analyses, 95% confidence intervals and p<0.05 values were considered statistically significant.Results:Obesity was found to be more common in those who unemployed, had a large family type, did not have exercise habits, had any chronic disease, had an individual with obesity in their family, and had overweight or obesity in childhood. The mean monthly cost attributable to obesity for all participants was 1,042.50 ± 1,755.30₺, 2,433.48 ± 2,472.94₺ for those who only used drugs, and 3,556.90 ± 2,371.64₺ for those who only used liraglutid. When the participants are grouped according to the expenditure/income ratio, 30.1% of them spend 5% or more of their income due to obesity; and the ratio was 20.7% for %10 threshold. The fact that there are a large number of participants in terms of financial catastrophe risk compared to both 5% and 10% reveals that obesity has serious costs to individuals.Conclusion:Obesity has social and economic consequences. The main determining factor in the economic burden of obesity on individuals is treatments that are not covered by insurance reimbursement.
RETRACTED: Turkish Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Physical Activity and Social Support Scale
Authors: SADIKOĞLU Büşra AKSAN , AKBABA Yıldız ANALAY , MENENGİÇ Kübra Nur , ATAKAN Meltem BESİM , TONGAR Doğukan , TOKGOZ Gulfidan , AYAS Alper , CAN Sahra Şirvan , AKGÜLLER Tuğba
Published: September 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Geostatistical design for optimal sampling of spatially correlated environmental variables using spatial mixture copulas
Authors: Abraj Mohomed , Wang You-Gan , Thompson M. Helen
Published: September 2023

A spatial sampling design for optimally selecting additional locations should capture the complex relationships of spatial variables. Spatial variables may be complex in the following ways: non-Gaussian spatial dependence, spatially nonlinear, and there may be multiple spatially correlated variables. For example, multiple variables are sampled over forests to understand the spatial distribution of the forest biomass. The (non-spatial) relationships between the variables can be non-linear, and the spatial distribution of each variable can be spatially non-linear. Spatial sampling designs that can account for these complexities permit increased accuracy in forest biomass prediction, which supports more informed forest management decisions.This article presents a new methodology for identifying additional locations to sample multiple correlated variables using multivariate spatial mixture copulas, with the aim of increasing prediction accuracy. Our multivariate design is compared to corresponding univariate designs to demonstrate the benefits of using a multivariate framework and cokriging to demonstrate the advantages of copula over kriging methods. Our proposed design approach was applied to two environmental datasets: forest biomass, and heavy metal concentrations in soil. The predictive performance of our method was assessed through simulated partial redesigns of the original sampling designs. For the forest biomass data, 99% of the simulated designs resulted in greater prediction accuracy, and 92% of the simulated soil sampling designs produced more accurate predictions than the original design.
Clinical and Metabolic Factors Affecting the Proportion of Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate and Dihydrate in Pure Calcium Oxalate Stone Formers
Authors: Porto Joao G. , Katz Jonathan , Blachman-Braun Ruben , Acharya Vendant K. , Marcovich Robert , Shah Hemendra N.
Published: September 2023

Objective: To investigate the association of different clinical and metabolic factors on the presence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) subtypes - CaOx monohydrate (COM) and dihydrate (COD) - in pure CaOx stone formers.
Material and Methods: We assessed patients with pure CaOx nephrolithiasis found after endourological stone removal at a single center between January 2017 and December 2019. Inclusion criteria comprised patients who had a 24-hour urinary stone risk profile within three months of their stone analysis and before initiating any medical management. Two correlational analyses were performed: linear regression to predict the COD percentage in the specimen, and logistic regression to predict the presence or absence of ≥ 20% COD. Predictor variables included age, body mass index (BMI), gender, race/ethnicity, chronic medical conditions, and 24-hour urinary metabolic abnormalities.
Results: Of 120 patients with CaOx stones, 38 (31.7%) contained ≥ 20% COD. We found significant associations between percentage of COD and several variables, including age (p=0.015), BMI (p=0.034), 24-hour urinary pH (p=0.001), as well as supersaturation of CaOx (p=0.019), brushite (p<0.001), and uric acid (p=0.011). Additionally, we found a significant association between younger patients (p=0.012), BMI (p=0.039), urine pH (p=0.027), potassium in urine (p=0.015), CaOx supersaturation (p=0.046), and brushite supersaturation (p=0.001) with the presence of significant percentage (≥ 20%) of COD.
Conclusion: Patients with elevated proportion of COD are often younger and have a lower BMI. Additionally, as urinary pH becomes more alkaline, or the supersaturations of CaOx or brushite increase the relative proportion of dihydrate increases.
Robust Residual Generator Design for Sensor Fault Detection in Twin Rotor Aerodynamic System
Authors: Ahmad Masood , Azeem Fawad , Zidan Hasan A. , Ali Sadaqat
Published: September 2023

The twin rotor aerodynamic system (TRAS) reflects the dynamics of vertical take-off rotor systems. Controlling such systems for reference tracking and stabilization is difficult due to the nonlinear nature of the system and the significant cross-coupling between the main and tail rotor inputs and outputs. The TRAS considers the coupling effect and gyroscopic disturbance torque as unwanted signals. For TRAS safe and reliable operation, proper control input is vital along with fast fault indication. This paper addresses the problem of a robust residual generator design to detect the output sensor fault in the linear model of TRAS subjected to \({l}_{2}\)-norm bounded disturbance. For fault detection (FD) purposes, a robust observer is proposed using a co-inner-outer factorization approach to maximize the sensitivity/robustness criterion. Observer-based residual generator design is formulated as H-/H∞ optimization problem and a solution is obtained by solving the Riccati equation. The factorization technique overcomes the computational cost and minimizes H∞ norm which guarantees observer stability and robust performance. Furthermore, a linear quadratic regulator-based state feedback controller is proposed to meet the system's desired transient response requirement. The controller and residual generator designs' effectiveness are validated through MATLAB simulations. Successful fault detection in the output sensor of TRAS depicts the good performance of the proposed observer.
SiamFDA: Feature Dynamic Activation Siamese Network for Visual Tracking
Authors: Gu Jialiang , She Ying , Yi Yang
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we present a novel anchor-free visual tracking framework, referred to as Feature Dynamic Activation Siamese Network (SiamFDA), which addresses the issue of ignoring global spatial information in current Siamese network-based tracking algorithms. Our approach captures long-range dependencies between distant pixels in space, which enables robustness to unreliable regions. Additionally, we introduce a hierarchical feature selector that adaptively activates features at different layers, and an adaptive sample label assignment method to further improve tracking performance. Our extensive evaluations on six benchmark datasets, including VOT-2018, VOT-2019, GOT10k, LaSOT, OTB-2015, and OTB-2013, demonstrate that SiamFDA outperforms several state-of-the-art trackers in various challenging scenarios, with a real-time frame rate of 40 frames per second.
The importance of creating the right conditions for group intervision sessions among medical residents– a qualitative study
Authors: Jorissen Anouk , de Kant Kim van , Ikiz Habibe , Eertwegh Valerie van den , Mook Walther van , de Rijk Angelique
Published: September 2023

Background
The burn-out rates among residents urge for adequate interventions to improve resilience and prevent burnout. Peer reflection, also called group intervision sessions, is a potentially successful intervention to increase the resilience of young doctors. We aimed to gain insight into the perceived added value of intervision sessions and the prerequisite conditions to achieve this, according to residents and intervisors. Our insights might be of help to those who think of implementing intervision sessions in their institution.
Methods
An explorative, qualitative study was performed using focus groups and semi-structured interviews with both residents (n = 8) and intervisors (n = 6) who participated in intervision sessions in a university medical center in the Netherlands. The topic list included the perceived added value of intervision sessions and factors contributing to that. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using NVivo. Thematic analysis was subsequently performed.
Results
According to residents and intervisors, intervision sessions contributed to personal and professional identity development; improving collegiality; and preventing burn-out. Whether these added values were experienced, depended on: (1) choices made during preparation (intervisor choice, organizational prerequisites, group composition, workload); (2) conditions of the intervision sessions (safety, depth, role of intervisor, group dynamics, pre-existent development); and (3) the hospital climate.
Conclusions
Intervision sessions are perceived to be of added value to the identity development of medical residents and to prevent becoming burned out. This article gives insight in conditions necessary to reach the added value of intervision sessions. Optimizing preparation, meeting prerequisite conditions, and establishing a stimulating hospital climate are regarded as key to achieve this.
Does listening to audiobooks affect gait behavior?
Authors: Atakanova Aisuluu , Laurentius Thea , Bollheimer Cornelius , Hildebrand Frank , Siebers Hannah Lena
Published: September 2023

Background: The effect of listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio files while walking on gait performance has not been well studied. Although the number of audio users is growing annually. Evidence suggests that a posture-first strategy contributes to gait stability in healthy individuals during dual-task conditions, but this effect may be diminished when the cognitive task is consciously prioritized. Objectives: To study the effect of listening to an audiobook while walking, as a real dual-task, on spatiotemporal gait parameters.
Methods: Forty young healthy (24.05±3.66) subjects participated in the study. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured for 5 minutes on a treadmill once without (single-task) and once while listening to an audiobook through headphones (dual-task). Measured parameters included spatiotemporal parameters, gait phases, maximum pressure, and dual-task cost. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: There were no significant differences in any of the studied parameters between the single- and dual-task conditions, even though the subjective cognitive load of listening to audiobooks while walking was high. However, participants with different habits had significant differences in gait phases and maximum pressure. Rare listeners had a shorter stance phase, a longer swing phase, and a higher maximum pressure on the dominant heel. They also had significant differences in dual-task costs.
Conclusion:No differences in the spatiotemporal gait parameters for walking with and without listening to audiobooks, as a reality-based dual-task, were observed. However, the difference between participants who listened rarely and participants who listened often may confirm the "posture first" strategy in young healthy people.
Trial registration: DRKS00025837
U-bearing syenitic rocks found at the Mbanga Massif (South Region, Cameroon): Geochemistry, mineralogy, radiometry and ore processing
Authors: FODJO Raoul Pierre , KANOUO Nguo Sylvestre , NDONG Francois Bidzang , BASUA Emmanuel Afanga Archelaus
Published: September 2023

U-bearing syenitic rocks cropping at the Mbanga Massif in the South Region of Cameroon were geochemically and mineralogially charactarized, before determination of their radiometric data, and processing of their uranium ores by H2SO3 acid leaching. The syenitic rocks are alkaline syenite, high-K syenite, and alkaline quartz syenite, with the first two rocks being metaluminous and the third, peraluminous. Both rocks show a compositional difference in uranium abundances (133- 447 ppm) and those of other elements in wt.% (e.g., SiO2 : 61.6-66.6, Al2O3: 16.9-17.9, Fe2O3: 1.9-3.9, MgO: 0.4-1.3, CaO: 1.5-3.4, Na2O: 4.7-9.7, and K2O: 0.1-6.4) and in ppm ( e.g., Zr: 111-599.7, Rb: 4.5- 287, Ba : 100.1-399, Sr: 157.1-999, V: 16.1-131, Pb:30.9-121.5, and Th: 12.0-27.6). The ƩLREE (37.3- 168 ppm), ƩHREE (8.7- 22.2 ppm), ƩLREE/ ƩHREE (1.6-13.8), and Eu/Eu* < 0.4 values are also variable. U-ore minerals (uraninite, uranophane, autunite, coffinite, carnotite, torbernite, and/or coffinite) are associated with other ore minerals (U-rich titanium oxide, zircon, magnetite, and/or ilmenite) in a gangue made up of chlorite, calcite, quartz, alkaline feldspar, albite, plagioclase, and/or biotite. The uranium contents (< 465 ppm) in the studied U-bearing syenites classified them within low grade ores; suggested to have formed with the aid of circulating hydrothermal fluids source of the precipitated OH, H2O, and OH-H2O bearing uranium ore minerals. The measured raw radiometric values range from 3542-6600 c/s and U3O8, from 0.33-0.59 wt.%. Samples with U3O8 ≥ 0.54 wt.% were found interesting for uranium industries. The presence of some minerals in the studied ores and the use of oxidant such as manganese dioxide during the H2SO3 acid leaching, provided elements which positively impact the process by increasing the U extraction with a total recovery of 80-90 %. The maximum leaching temperatures 40-60 oC were less compared to those used to process some other low grade uranium ores.
Distribution and bioconcentration of seven Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Hu Jinlin , Jin Hangbiao , Zhu Haibao , Chen Rongrong , Qu Jianli , Hu Shilei , Zhao Meirong
Published: September 2023

Poly Brominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are typical persistent organic pollutants (POPs), but studies on their distribution in terrestrial ecosystems at various trophic levels are scarce. The concentrations of PBDEs in soil, grass and rat liver ranged from 29.1 to 91.6, 71.5 to 644.4 and 43.2 to 519.0 ng g-1 dw, respectively, with BDE-154 predominating in all samples. A clear enrichment occurred from soil to grass in the soil-grass-plateau pika food chain, and a less clear trend of enrichment from grass to plateau pika. By correlation analysis, pollutants in soil and grass are not strongly correlated, so it can be assumed that some of the contaminants in grass come from other sources. A correlation comparison of contaminant concentrations in grass and liver, the majority of the substances (BDE-47, BDE-100, BDE-154, BDE-183) were found to be strongly correlated, this is related to the fact that grass is the main source of food for plateau pika in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau region. Highly brominated contaminants are generally more concentrated in each medium than lowly brominated contaminants. Only three contaminants (BDE-28, BDE-153 and BDE-154) be detected in all soil sample, yet 7 PBDEs detected in grass and liver samples, PBDEs are widely found in soil, grasses and plateau pika on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. According to the principal component analysis, the distribution pattern of pollutants is affected by many factors, and the pollutants in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau may have the same source.
Adaptive Nonsingular Finite-Time Sliding Mode Control for a Class of Second- Order Nonlinear Systems and Its Application for Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Boukattaya Mohamed
Published: September 2023

This paper presents an adaptive nonsingular finite-time sliding mode control, for a class of second-order nonlinear systems in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances. The core idea involves employing an adaptive mechanism to estimate the unknown upper bounds associated with system uncertainty. These estimates are then utilized as controller parameters, effectively neutralizing the impact of uncertain dynamics and external disturbances. Importantly, this technique ensures finite-time convergence of errors without encountering singularities. Consequently, the control inputs remain smooth and bounded throughout the entire tracking process. Additionally, the proposed algorithm offers an appropriate coordinate transformation, enabling its adaptation for a broad spectrum of electromechanical systems, with particular emphasis on robotic manipulators. The closed-loop system's stability is substantiated through the Lyapunov stability theorem. Through simulation results, the paper substantiates the effectiveness of the approach by showcasing its capacity to achieve good tracking performance.
The beneficial effect of empathy on work related quality of life among oncology nurse:mediating role of resilience
Authors: Wang Lijuan , Wang Tingting , Yang Jinhong , Wang Wei
Published: September 2023

Objective:To investigate the relationship between mediating effect of benefit finding between psychological resilience, empathy and work related quality of life in oncology nurse. Design：This study is a cross-sectional, observational study.Methods:A study was conducted between November 2022 and November 2022, 321 oncology in a tertiary grade hospitals at Weifang, China, completed questionnaires including demographic,Interpersonal reactivity index for China,Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and Work-related Quality of Life Scale-2.Results:Oncology nurses' scores for work-life balance and job satisfaction were (2.70± 0.47) and (2.66±0.76), respectively; Their resilience, empathy, and work-related quality of life are all positively correlated with each other, and resilience partially mediates the relationship between empathy and work-related quality of life (β= 0.419, P<0.001).Conclusion:Oncology nurses have poor work-life balance and low job satisfaction; their empathy status can predict their quality of life at work and also have an impact on it through resilience's mediating role. Nursing decision-makers should work to create a resilient organizational climate that can sustain hardship, adapt, and recover in addition to taking steps to foster empathy and resilience among nurses.
Mapping the susceptibility of reefs to rubble accumulation across the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: LEUNG Shu Kiu , MUMBY Peter J.
Published: September 2023

Disturbance-induced rubble accumulations are described as “killing fields” on coral reefs as coral recruits suffer high post-settlement mortality, creating a bottleneck for reef recovery. The increasing frequency of coral bleaching events, that can generate rubble once coral dies, has heightened concerns that rubble beds will become more widespread and persistent. But we currently lack the tools to predict where rubble is most likely to accumulate. Here, we developed a modelling framework to identify areas that are likely to accumulate rubble across the Great Barrier Reef. The algorithm uses new high-resolution bathymetric and geomorphic datasets from satellite remote sensing. We found that 47 km of reef slope (3% of the entire reef), primarily in the southern region, could potentially reach 50% rubble cover. Despite being statistically significant (p < 0.001), the effects of depth and aspect on rubble cover were minimal, with a 0.2% difference in rubble cover between deeper and shallower regions, as well as a maximum difference of 0.8% among slopes facing various directions. Therefore, we conclude that the effects of depth and aspect were insufficient to influence ecological processes such as larval recruitment and recovery in different coral communities. Maps of potential rubble accumulation can be used to prioritise surveys and potential restoration, particularly after major disturbances have occurred.
Burnout, Life Satisfaction, and Work-Related Quality of Life among Psychologists
Authors: Ferreira Silvia Morais de Santana , Zaia Victor
Published: September 2023

Background
Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQoL) is a multidimensional concept that is difficult to measure owing to the challenge of reaching a consensus on the factors involved. Although the WRQoL Scale has been proven effective in evaluating the construct in several countries, it has not been translated into Brazilian Portuguese until now. The aim of this study was to measure burnout, life satisfaction and WRQoL in psychologist, beyond validate the Brazilian Portuguese version of the WRQoL Scale, using psychology professionals as the target population.
Methods
610 psychologists participated in this study, who responded to the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Life Satisfaction Scale and the WRQoL Scale. Spearman's correlation and group comparison analyzes were performed. Bilingual translators translated the scale into Portuguese, then English, and finally back into Portuguese. Adjustments to the final scale were made through a focus group comprising psychology professionals. The scale was administered online using SurveyMonkey. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to test the existing models in the sample WRQoL Scale. Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to examine the potentially improved model fits.
Results
42% indicated adequate levels of satisfaction with life, 53% had burnout for Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization. Protective factors for the mental health of psychologists were identified. The final model to WRQoL Scale comprised 21 items distributed across 4 factors. The Cronbach's alpha reliability index was 0.94 and CR = 0.95.
Conclusions
This study provides evidence that the WRQoL Scale is a valid tool that can measure work-related quality of life.
Sustainable Road Network Design considering hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
Authors: Liu Hongxi
Published: September 2023

Environmental pollution and energy shortages have brought about an increased focus on new energy vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) have experienced rapid development due to the potential to alleviate energy pressures and reduce pollution emissions. Near zero-carbon emissions offer a promising avenue for promoting sustainable transportation development. To evaluate the impact of HFCVs on the transportation environment, this paper investigate the problem of sustainable transportation network design including HFCVs. Specifically, the problem is formulated as a bi-level multi-objective programming problem, with the upper level aimed at determining the optimal network design scheme considering multiple objectives, while the lower level addresses the mixed traffic flow that comprises both HFCVs and fuel vehicles (FVs). To solve the multi-objective sustainable network design problem, an integrated solution framework that combines the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with the Frank-Wolfe algorithm (FW) is developed. Specifically, the PSO algorithm is utilized to solve the upper-level model and identify the optimal network design schemes, while FW algorithm is adopted to handle mixed traffic flow assignments. Finally, the proposed model and algorithm are implemented in two numerical experiment to demonstrate their effectiveness and efficiency.
The single-cell and spatial landscape of plasma cells in muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Zhou Lin , Zhu Jinchao , Yu Guopeng , Li Minglun , Xu Bin
Published: September 2023

B cells in tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) may undergo clonal expansion, somatic hypermutation, isotype switching, and tumor-specific antibody production, suggesting that antibody-producing plasma cells may be involved in anti-tumor immunity. This study used a combination of single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptome research methods to investigate the relationship between TLSs and the immunoglobulin repertoire in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). MIBC patients (n = 405) with MIBC from TCGA and 348 patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma on PD-L1 inhibitor treatment from the IMvigor210 trial were included in this study. We identified IGHA1− low IGHG1− high patients who could benefit more from cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy and PD-L1 inhibitor. Further analyses revealed that the IGHA1− low IGHG1− high subgroup was linked to an anti-tumor immune microenvironment with highly immune effector cells. Spatial architecture unveils areas of B cell-rich hot spots in TLS + tumors. We found that some IGHG1 clonotypes appeared inside the TLS, and most IGHG1 clonotypes were distributed in the tumor bed after treatment. The diversity of the immunoglobulin repertoire, especially the IGHG1 clonotype, was higher after treatment. IGHA1low IGHG1high patients were associated with anti-tumor immune microenvironment and the therapeutic response to adjuvant chemotherapy and PD-L1 inhibitor in MIBC. This study presents a spatial map of TLSs, where plasma cells of IGHG1 clonotypes mature within and disseminate around tumors. Plasma cells of IGHG1 clonotypes may cooperate with iCAF, macrophages and NK cells to kill tumor cells and improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.