bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Complete Genome Sequence of Podosphaera xanthii Isolate YZU573, the Causal Agent of Powdery Mildew Isolated from Cucumber in China
Authors: Wang Ziyi , Du Yujiao , Li Suhao , Xu Xuewen , Chen Xuehao
Published: April 2023

Podosphaera xanthii is a well-known obligate biotrophic pathogen that causes powdery mildew (PM) disease on cucurbitaceous plants and is one of the most important limiting factors for cucumber production worldwide. To better understand the avirulence effector proteins in this species that are known to be involved in host-pathogen interaction, the draft genome assembly of P. xanthii isolate YZU573 from cucumber leaves with symptoms of PM was obtained with a hybrid approach, combining nanopore long-read and llumina paired-end sequencing. The final P. xanthii YZU573 genome assembly of 152.7 Mb consists of 58 contigs, with an N50 value of 0.75 Mb and 6491 predicted protein-coding genes. The effector analysis using the whole-genome sequence information revealed a total of 87 putative effector candidates, and 65 of them had their analogs, whereas the remaining 22 were novel ones. The new P. xanthii genome provides valuable resources to better understand plant-microbe interaction in cucumber PM disease.
Relevant Brachycera (Excluding Oestroidea) for Horses in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review
Authors: Frisch Vicky , Fuehrer Hans-Peter , Cavalleri Jessika-M. V.
Published: April 2023

In equine stables and their surroundings, a large number of insects are present that can be a nuisance to their equine hosts. Previous studies about dipterans transmitting infectious agents to Equidae have largely focused on Nematocera. For the preparation of this systematic review, the existing literature (until February 2022) was systematically screened for various infectious agents transmitted to Equidae via insects of the suborder Brachycera, including Tabanidae, Muscidae, Glossinidae and Hippoboscidae, acting as pests or potential vectors. The PRISMA statement 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. The two concepts, Brachycera and Equidae, were combined for the search that was carried out in three languages (English, German and French) using four different search engines. In total, 38 articles investigating Brachycera as vectors for viral, bacterial and parasitic infections or as pests of equids were identified. Only 7 of the 14 investigated pathogens in the 38 reports extracted from the literature were shown to be transmitted by Brachycera. This review clearly shows that further studies are needed to investigate the role of Brachycera as vectors for pathogens relevant to equine health.
Random Blood Glucose, but Not HbA1c, Was Associated with Mortality in COVID-19 Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus—A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kandinata Stefanus Gunawan , Soelistijo Soebagijo Adi , Pranoto Agung , Triyono Erwin Astha
Published: April 2023

Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results on whether glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and random blood glucose (RBG) are associated with mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to assess the association of HbA1c and RBG with mortality among COVID-19 patients with T2DM. A retrospective study was conducted on 237 patients with COVID-19 and T2DM (survival (n = 169) and non-survival groups (n = 68)). Data on socio-demography, comorbidities, clinical symptoms, laboratory examination, and mortality were collected. Patients in the non-survival group had an older age range as compared with those in the survival group (60 (52.3–65.0) vs. 56.0 (48.5–61.5) years, p = 0.009). There was no statistical gender difference between the two groups. After matching was done, chronic kidney disease, NLR, d-dimer, procalcitonin, and random blood glucose were higher in the non-survival group compared to the survival group (p < 0.05). HbA1c levels were similar in survivors and non-survivors (8.7% vs. 8.9%, p=0.549). The level of RBG was independently associated with mortality of COVID-19 patients with T2DM (p = 0.003, adjusted OR per 1-SD increment 2.55, 95% CI: 1.36–4.76). In conclusion, RBG was associated with the mortality of COVID-19 patients with T2DM, but HbA1c was not.
Addressing the Opioid Crisis—The Need for a Pain Management Intervention in Community Pharmacies in Canada: A Narrative Review
Authors: Cid Ashley , Ng Angeline , Ip Victoria
Published: April 2023

Background: The opioid crisis is a public health concern in Canada with a continued rise in deaths and presents a significant economic impact on the healthcare system. There is a need to develop and implement strategies for decreasing the risk of opioid overdoses and other opioid-related harms resulting from the use of prescription opioids. Pharmacists, as medication experts and educators, and as one of the most accessible frontline healthcare providers, are well positioned to provide effective opioid stewardship through a pain management program focused on improving pain management for patients, supporting appropriate prescribing and dispensing of opioids, and supporting safe and appropriate use of opioids to minimize potential opioid misuse, abuse, and harm. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and grey literature to determine the characteristics of an effective community pharmacy-based pain management program, including the facilitators and barriers to be considered. Discussion: An effective pain management program should be multicomponent, address other co-morbid conditions in addition to pain, and contain a continuing education component for pharmacists. Solutions to implementation barriers, including pharmacy workflow; addressing attitudes beliefs, and stigma; and pharmacy remuneration, as well as leveraging the expansion of scope from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act exemption to facilitate implementation, should be considered. Conclusions: Future work should include the development, implementation, and evaluation of a multicomponent, evidence-based intervention strategy in Canadian community pharmacies to demonstrate the impact pharmacists can have on the management of chronic pain and as one potential solution to helping curb the opioid crisis. Future studies should measure associated costs for such a program and any resulting cost-savings to the healthcare system.
Study on the Expansion Kinetics of Plasma and Absorption Wave Induced by Millisecond-Nanosecond Combined Pulse Lasers in Fused Quartz
Authors: Geng Congrui , Cai Jixing , Liu Yubo , Zhang Zequn , Mao Hongtao , Yu Hao , Wang Yunpeng
Published: April 2023

The transient temperature field, the velocity and pressure of plasma, and the absorption wave of fused quartz induced by millisecond-nanosecond combined pulse lasers are simulated. The theoretical model of plasma and absorption wave produced by fused quartz irradiated by a millisecond-nanosecond pulsed laser is established, in which pulse delay and laser energy are essential variables. The results show that the damaged effect of the millisecond-nanosecond combined pulse laser is different under the damaged effect of different pulse delay conditions. When the energy densities of millisecond-nanosecond combined pulse lasers are 800 J/cm2 and 20 J/cm2, respectively, the range of pulse delay is 0 ms <  Δt  ≤ 3 ms, and the energy coupling efficiency is the highest when Δt = 1 ms. The addition of a nanosecond pulsed laser causes more obvious thermal damage and optical breakdown to fused quartz. The high pressure is concentrated at the plasma expansion interface or the shock wave front. The results can optimize the simulation parameters and be applied to laser plasma processing technology.
Nomenclature Survey of the Genus Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae): 12 Questions about Amaranthus caudatus
Authors: Iamonico Duilio
Published: April 2023

Nomenclatural and taxonomic issues concerning Amaranthus caudatus and the related taxa are presented. Types are designated for names A. caudatus var. albiflorus (neotype at RO), A. caudatus var. atropurpureus (neotype at GH), A. caudatus var. gibbosus (neotype at RO), A. dussi (neotype at NAP), and A. edulis (lectotype at LP). Holotypes are indicated for the names A. caudatus var. pseudopaniculatus f. oblongipetalus (EA), A. caudatus var. pseudopaniculatus f. pseudopaniculatus (EA), A. caudatus subsp. saueri (PR), and Amaranthus edulis var. spadiceus (CORD). The names A. caudatus var. albiflorus, A. caudatus var. atropurpureus, A. caudatus subsp. saueri, A. dussi, and Amaranthus edulis var. spadiceus are considered as hererotypic synonyms of A. caudatus. On the basis of morphological, cytological, and molecular data, the taxa caudatus, mantegazzianus, and gibbosus are here proposed to be treated as different species. A new name—Amaranthus baileyanus—is proposed for A. caudatus var. gibbosus because of a previous and validly published Amaranthus gibbosus.
Identification of Candidate Genes Involved in the Determinism of Pollen Grain Aperture Morphology by Comparative Transcriptome Analysis in Papaveraceae
Authors: Mazuecos-Aguilera Ismael , Suárez-Santiago Víctor N.
Published: April 2023

In the last decade, certain genes involved in pollen aperture formation have been discovered. However, those involved in pollen aperture shape remain largely unknown. In Arabidopsis, the interaction during the tetrad development stage of one member of the ELMOD protein family, ELMOD_E, with two others, MCR/ELMOD_B and ELMOD_A, can change the morphology of apertures from colpus (elongated) to pore (round). Here, comparative transcriptome analysis is used to identify candidate genes involved in the determination of pollen aperture morphology in Papaveraceae (order Ranunculales). Furthermore, the role of ELMOD genes in the genetic determinism of aperture shape was tested by comparative analysis of their expression levels using RNA-seq data and RT-qPCR. Two pairs of species belonging to two different subfamilies were used. Within each pair, one species has colpate pollen and the other porate (Fumarioideae—Dactylicapnos torulosa, 6-colpate, and Fumaria bracteosa, pantoporate; Papaveroideae—Eschsholzia californica, 5–7 colpate, and Roemeria refracta, 6-porate). The transcriptomes were obtained at the tetrad stage of pollen development. A total of 531 DEGs were found between the colpate and porate pollen species groups. The results from RNA-seq and RT-qPCR indicate that pollen aperture shape is not determined by the relative expression levels of ELMOD family genes in Papaveraceae. However, genes related to callose wall formation or cytoskeleton organisation were found, these processes being involved in pollen aperture formation. In addition, transcriptomes from anthers with pollen during the tetrad stage of three species (D. torulosa, R. refracta, and F. bracteosa) were obtained for the first time. These data will be available for further studies in the field of floral evolution and development.
NPK Accumulation, Physiology, and Production of Sour Passion Fruit under Salt Stress Irrigated with Brackish Water in the Phenological Stages and K Fertilization
Authors: de Lima Geovani Soares , da Silva André Alisson Rodrigues , Torres Rafaela Aparecida Frazão , Soares Lauriane Almeida dos Anjos , Gheyi Hans Raj , da Silva Francisco Alves , Nobre Reginaldo Gomes , de Azevedo Carlos Alberto Vieira , Lopes Kilson Pinheiro , Chaves Lúcia Helena Garófalo , de Lima Vera Lúcia Antunes
Published: April 2023

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of salt stress, varying the phenological stages, and K fertilization on NPK concentrations, physiology, and production of Passiflora edulis Sims. The research was carried out at the University Farm of São Domingos, Paraíba, Brazil, using a randomized block design with a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement. Six irrigation strategies were evaluated (use of low electrical conductivity water (0.3 dS m−1) during all stages of development and application of high-salinity water (4.0 dS m−1) in the following stages: vegetative, flowering, fruiting, successively in the vegetative/flowering, and vegetative/fruiting stages) and two potassium levels (207 and 345 g K2O per plant), with four replications and three plants per plot. The leaf concentrations of N, P, and K in the sour passion fruit plants found in the present study were below the optimal levels reported in the literature, regardless of the development stage and the cultivation cycle. The relative water content, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis were reduced by salt stress in the first cycle. However, in the second cycle, irrigation with 4.0 dS m−1 in the vegetative/flowering stages increased the CO2 assimilation rate. Passion fruit is sensitive to salt stress in the vegetative/flowering stages of the first cycle. In the second cycle, salt stress in the fruiting stage resulted in higher production per plant.
Comparison Study on the Water-to-Biomass Ratio in Hydrothermal Carbonization of Fresh Seaweed
Authors: Soroush Sepideh , Ronsse Frederik , Park Jihae , Heynderickx Philippe M.
Published: April 2023

Upgrading wet biomass to char via hydrothermal carbonization is a promising method to produce valuable resources for adsorption of organic impurities. In this work, a fresh green seaweed, Ulva pertusa, was investigated to demonstrate the effects of pre-drying and pre-washing on the process and the hydrochar production. Surface moisture and bound moisture were found to affect this process. Hydrochar produced from fresh seaweed with additional water showed similar adsorption capacity to fresh seaweed without additional water and 38% higher than hydrochar from soaked dry seaweed. This was supported by FTIR spectra analysis, which showed that these hydrochars produced from fresh seaweed without additional water have the highest proportion of carboxyl functional groups.
Analysis of the Influence of Micro-Pore Structure on Oil Occurrence Using Nano-CT Scanning and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technology: An Example from Chang 8 Tight Sandstone Reservoir, Jiyuan, Ordos Basin
Authors: Song Xinglei , Gao Hui , Feng Congjun , Yi Ping , Wang Chen , Li Teng
Published: April 2023

The micro-pore structure of a tight sandstone reservoir remarkably impacts the occurrence characteristics of the tight oil. The micro-pore structure of the Jiyuan Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoir in the Ordos Basin was examined in this research using a core physical property test, an environmental scanning electron microscope, thin section identification, and high-pressure mercury intrusion. Using nano-CT scanning and nuclear magnetic resonance technologies, representative core samples were chosen for studies evaluating the tight oil occurrence statically and dynamically. The micro-pore structure effect of a tight sandstone reservoir on the occurrence of tight oil was investigated, and the occurrence of tight oil in the reservoir forming process was discussed. It was significant to the study of tight oil in the reservoir forming process in Ordos Basin. Findings indicated that the Chang 8 reservoir in Jiyuan, Ordos Basin has poor physical properties and exhibits a high degree of heterogeneity. In addition, the oil charging simulation experiment (oil charging) can be separated into the following three stages: fast growth, gradual growth, and stability. In the process of crude oil charging, oil always preferentially entered into medium pores and large pores. These pores were the primary areas of tight oil distribution. Furthermore, the occurrence of tight oil was affected by pore type, pore structure parameters, throat parameters, and combination mode of pore and throat. First, substantially large and medium pores lead to effective pore connectivity and generate a considerable amount of tight oil. The occurrence morphology includes oil film, cluster, porous, and isolated. Second, the greater the degree of intergranular pore growth and soluble feldspar pore development, the thicker the throat, the more developed the effective throat, and the greater the quantity of tight oil. Finally, oil saturation was negatively correlated with median pressure and displacement pressure and positively correlated with sorting factors, median radius, maximum pore throat radius, and efficiency of inverted mercury.
A Bootstrap-Based Tooth Surface Errors Statistics Methodology for Batch Hypoid Gears after Heat Treatment
Authors: Li Jubo , Sun Weihao , Zhao Yan , Su Jianxin , Li Tianxing , Zhao Hengbo , Zhang Huijie
Published: April 2023

In the manufacturing and production of hypoid gears, it is a necessary key problem to improve the tooth surface heat treatment precision and production efficiency of the hypoid gears. How to use advanced statistical theory and methods to evaluate the whole batch machining quality of the tooth surface after heat treatment is particularly urgent. In this connection, for the same batch of hypoid gears with the same gear material, numerical control gear milling method, and heat treatment specifications, a bootstrap-based statistics scheme of tooth surface errors after heat treatment is proposed in this paper. The bootstrap statistics model of the tooth surface errors for the batch hypoid gears is established. The bootstrap probability eigenvalues and confidence intervals of the measurement sequence points on the tooth surface errors are solved, and the optimizing selection of the single sampling numbers and the repeated sampling times is completed. On this basis, by applying the cubic NURBS surface fitting method, the mean value difference surface of the batch tooth surface errors data is constructed, the statistics laws of the whole batch tooth surface errors after heat treatment is determined, and the effective evaluation of the whole batch tooth surface accuracy is realized. Finally, the feasibility and correctness of the bootstrap-based statistics scheme are verified by the tooth surface errors bootstrap statistics application experiment of one kind of hypoid gear. The results show that with the help of the bootstrap statistics method proposed in this paper, it is not necessary to accurately measure the tooth surface errors of the whole batch of hypoid gears one by one. Only by randomly selecting 10 tooth surface samples and repeatedly sampling 2000 times, the original sample characteristic values of the whole batch tooth surface errors can be accurately estimated, and the heat treatment deformation statistics laws of the whole patch tooth surfaces can be also counted.
Experimental Optimization of High-Temperature-Resistant and Low Oil—Water Ratio High-Density Oil-Based Drilling Fluid
Authors: Shen Zhenzhen , Zhang Heng , Yu Xingying , Wang Mingwei , Gao Chaoli , Li Song , Zhang Haotian
Published: April 2023

Problems such as well loss and collapses in deep shale gas drilling are most often due to the development of cracks in the shale formation, resulting in significant leaks of drilling fluid, the sticking and burrowing of drilling tools, and other engineering accidents. In addition, the horizontal sections of wells are very long and issues of friction, rock transport, and formation contamination loom large. As a result, the performance of drilling fluids directly affects drilling efficiency, engineering accident rates, and reservoir protection effects. We first analyze the mechanisms of each emulsifier in an oil-based drilling fluid formulation and the filtration reduction mechanisms, taking into account the collapse-prone and abnormally high-pressure characteristics of shale formations. We undertake an experimental evaluation and optimization of polymeric surfactants, such as primary and secondary emulsions for high-performance oil-based drilling fluids. The design of rigid and deformable nano-micron plugging materials with a reasonable particle size range was achieved, and we obtained a low Oil—Water ratio and high-density oil-based drilling fluid system, with temperature resistance of 200 °C, an Oil—Water ratio as low as 70:30, compressive fracturing fluid pollution of 10%, and a maximum density of 2.6 g/cm3. The reuse rate reached 100%. The developed oil-based drilling fluid system with strong plugging, a high density, and a low Oil—Water ratio suitable for deep shale gas can effectively seal the well wall, reduce liquid invasion, prevent the wall from collapsing, reduce mud leakage, reduce the consumption of oil-based drilling fluid, improve the utilization rate of old mud, and reduce drilling costs.
Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Automatic Anchoring Preloaded Energy Absorbing Anchor Rods
Authors: Tang Zhi , Zuo Wenbo , Cai Xiaoqiao , Chang Dezhi , Wu Chunye
Published: April 2023

In order to enhance the anti-impact mechanical properties of the roadway support system, an automatic anchoring pre-tightening energy absorbing anchor composed of rod body, tray, constant resistance energy absorber, energy-absorbing casing bulging block, pre-tightening force warning washer, and nut and anchorage force warning stopper was designed and developed for the special requirements of rock burst roadway support. The anchor can automatically judge the anchoring force and pre-tightening force of the anchor, and also has the functions of energy absorption and early warning. The static load tensile test and impact test are used to study the mechanical properties of the energy absorbing anchor, such as the displacement distance, energy absorption, and impact time, and they are then compared with the mechanical properties of the conventional anchor. It is concluded that under static load, the yielding distance of the energy absorbing anchor is 1.67 times that of conventional anchor. The absorbed energy is 1.61 times that of the conventional anchor. Under the impact load, the displacement distance of the energy absorbing anchor is 2.02 times that of the conventional anchor. The absorbed energy is 1.85 times that of the conventional anchor, and the anti-impact time is 1.47 times that of the conventional anchor. The energy absorbing anchor increases the constant resistance deformation stage of the energy absorber during the deformation process, so that the anchor has better deformation ability, energy absorption, and anti-impact ability than the conventional anchor, and it can thus effectively guide and control the release and transformation of surrounding rock deformation energy.
Adversarial Training Collaborating Multi-Path Context Feature Aggregation Network for Maize Disease Density Prediction
Authors: Yang Wei , Shen Peiquan , Ye Zhaoyi , Zhu Zhongmin , Xu Chuan , Liu Yi , Mei Liye
Published: April 2023

Maize is one of the world’s major food crops, and its yields are closely related to the sustenance of people. However, its cultivation is hampered by various diseases. Meanwhile, maize diseases are characterized by spots of varying and irregular shapes, which makes identifying them with current methods challenging. Therefore, we propose an adversarial training collaborating multi-path context feature aggregation network for maize disease density prediction. Specifically, our multi-scale patch-embedding module uses multi-scale convolution to extract feature maps of different sizes from maize images and performs a patch-embedding operation. Then, we adopt the multi-path context-feature aggregation module, which is divided into four paths to further extract detailed features and long-range information. As part of the aggregation module, the multi-scale feature-interaction operation will skillfully integrate rough and detailed features at the same feature level, thereby improving prediction accuracy. By adding noise interference to the input maize image, our adversarial training method can produce adversarial samples. These samples will interfere with the normal training of the network—thus improving its robustness. We tested our proposed method on the Plant Village dataset, which contains three types of diseased and healthy maize leaves. Our method achieved an average accuracy of 99.50%, surpassing seven mainstream models and showing its effectiveness in maize disease density prediction. This research has theoretical and applied significance for the intelligent and accurate detection of corn leaf diseases.
Optimization of Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (HPAM) Utilized in Water-Based Mud While Drilling
Authors: Sid Asma Nour El Houda , Kouini Benalia , Bezzekhami Mohammed Amin , Toumi Selma , Ouchak Khadidja , Benfarhat Sara , Tahraoui Hichem , Kebir Mohammed , Amrane Abdeltif , Assadi Aymen Amine , Zhang Jie , Mouni Lotfi
Published: April 2023

Water-soluble polymers are becoming increasingly important in various applications, such as stabilizer fluids and drilling muds. These materials are used as viscosifiers and filtration control agents, flocculants, and deflocculants due to their superior properties in increasing viscosity and gelling ability in the presence of crosslinkers. In general, studying the rheological behavior of drilling fluids is of paramount importance to ensure successful well drilling operations. Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide is one of the polymers widely used in water-based muds. The main objective of this study is to optimize the rheological properties of drilling muds through a characterization study of various parameters, including rheological behavior, viscosity, temperature (23 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C), salinity using KCl and NaCl contents, aging, pH, solubility, and structural analysis using infrared of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide. The study aims to demonstrate the importance of using polymers in drilling muds. The findings revealed that a rate of 3% of HPAM gave better rheological behavior, the influence of KCl (1.5%, 3%, and 4.5%) was greater than that of NaCl (1.5%, 3%, and 4.5%) on polymers, and the aging test showed that the different formulations are stable and maintain their behavior up to 110 °C. The solubility test results confirmed the maximum amount absorbed by polyacrylamide ([CHPAM] = 66.42 g/L) in order to avoid aggregation, gelification, and enhance the drilling mud by utilizing the prescribed contents.
Fostering the Global Common Good: The Relevance of Catholic Social Teaching to Public Health Debates
Authors: Lustig Andrew
Published: April 2023

Given the scope and intensity of its impact, the COVID-19 pandemic proves instructive as an example of the shortfall in regnant legal and policy approaches to global health issues. Secular discussions of such issues tend to rely on a perspective best described as “policy realism”, with current international arrangements and institutions viewed as the acceptable context for future reform. Much of recent Catholic social teaching (hereinafter, CST) has challenged such realism in fundamental ways. While CST is often dismissed as merely prophetic in its tone, I defend its salience by assessing several aspects of its distinctive perspective: (1) the broad theological and anthropological vision reflected in the Catholic framework of basic norms, especially the norm of solidarity; (2) issues that arise in identifying different modes of moral discourse in modern CST; and (3) an effort to resolve such apparent tensions that unifies a distinctively Catholic approach to global health even as it suggests a series of “talking points” between the Catholic theological vision and various secular philosophical and political perspectives.
Trans Women’s Body Self-Image and Health: Meanings and Impacts of Sex Work
Authors: Topa Joana , Moreira Eduarda , Neves Sofia , Silva Estefânia
Published: April 2023

This paper aims to present and discuss the results of a qualitative study conducted in the city of Porto, Portugal, aiming to understand the self-determination process and the meanings and impacts of sex work on trans women’s body self-image and health. Between January and July 2019, six individual interviews were performed with participants aged between 23 and 57 and then analyzed using thematic analysis. The results suggest that the participants were subjected to several experiences of discrimination and violence since childhood, negatively impacting their health and social integration. In their narratives, a conflict between the idea of an idealized body, congruent with gender identity, and the idea of a profitable body, compatible with the requirements of sex work clients, emerged. As a consequence, several tensions are experienced, both in personal and professional domains. Additionally, the difficulties felt in accessing the National Health System, to receive specialized support and treatment, increase the risk of being exposed to clandestine procedures, which exacerbates their vulnerability. The findings point to the importance of comprehending trans women sex workers’ needs and reanalyzing how their health conditions might be improved.
The Importance of Engagement in the Dissemination of Audio-Visual Content by Spanish Health Influencers on Instagram
Authors: Almela-Baeza Javier , Guercetti Julián , Febrero Beatriz
Published: April 2023

Influencers are the main source of disseminated health-related content, and this content is also more accepted by the population compared to content disseminated by health institutions. The objective of this study is to determine the communication strategies and content that generate more engagement with users who follow health and pharmacy topics. We analysed six Instagram accounts of Spanish influencers related to science and health communication with more than 30,000 followers. We evaluated user interaction metrics, the type of content shared, and calculated the degree of engagement based on the number of followers and interaction with the content. The accounts with the highest degree of engagement, such as @Farmacia_enfurecida with 166,000 followers, an engagement of 3.7% of likes per publication and 0.91% in comments, are accounts with a smaller number of followers. Communication techniques such as health product sweepstakes are the most effective in achieving user interaction. Engagement is a determining variable in the impact of health-related content dissemination and is not necessarily linked to a greater number of followers; the profiles that use a greater number of reels and infographics are those with a higher engagement value.
Analysing and Transforming Graph Structures: The Graph Transformation Framework
Authors: Schuler Andreas H. , Praschl Christoph , Pointner Andreas
Published: April 2023

Interconnected data or, in particular, graph structures are a valuable source of information. Gaining insights and knowledge from graph structures is applied throughout a wide range of application areas, for which efficient tools are desired. In this work we present an open source Java graph transformation framework. The framework provides a simple fluent Application Programming Interface (API) to transform a provided graph structure to a desired target format and, in turn, allow further analysis. First, we provide an overview on the architecture of the framework and its core components. Second, we provide an illustrative example which shows how to use the framework’s core API for transforming and verifying graph structures. Next to that, we present an instantiation of the framework in the context of analyzing the third-party dependencies amongst open source libraries on the Android platform. The example scenario provides insights on a typical scenario in which the graph transformation framework is applied to efficiently process complex graph structures. The framework is open-source and actively developed, and we further provide information on how to obtain it from its official GitHub page.
The Impact of Industrial Intelligence on Carbon Emissions: Evidence from the Three Largest Economies
Authors: Zhang Xiekui , Zhu Hongfei
Published: April 2023

Many studies are exploring the generated factors of carbon emissions to make a contribution to environmentally sustainable development as carbon emissions have increased by more than 5% in the past ten years. However, few investigations have considered the effects of industrial intelligence on carbon emissions. In order to discover whether the development of industrial robots will influence the environment, this paper employs the IFR data of industrial robots from 2006 to 2021 to investigate their impacts on carbon emissions in the three largest economies by using the classical linear regression model, OLS (Ordinary Least Squares), from the factors of robot installations and robot density, which are measured by ownership per thousand manufacturing people, respectively. The positive correlation coefficients of robot installation and density in the USA are 0.010 and 0.011; they are 0.185 and 0.204 in China; and 0.156 and 0.142 in Japan. To ensure the reliability of the results, we also do a robustness test and an endogeneity test by using the two-way fixed effect model, and they show the same results. The main findings of our study show that industrial intelligence can have significant positive impacts on carbon emissions in the three economies and this means that the application of industrial intelligence not only accelerates economic growth, but also causes the pressure on the environment. Moreover, the verification results also indicate that the impacts of industrial intelligence on carbon emissions are dominated by driving effects, and the higher the robot density, the stronger the driving effects on carbon emissions. Based on the findings, corresponding policy suggestions are proposed to guide governments in trimming their environment protection policies more efficiently.
Medical Imaging and Image Processing
Authors: Zhang Yudong , Dong Zhengchao
Published: April 2023

Medical imaging (MI) [...]
Acute Toxicity Assessment and Prediction Models of Four Heavy Metals
Authors: Zheng Xin , Wei Chao , Fan Juntao , Liu Xinyu , Hou Yin , Ling Jianan , Wei Jian , Liu Peiyuan
Published: April 2023

Water quality criteria (WQC) are developed to protect aquatic organisms. Toxicity data of local fish are essential to improve the applicability of WQC derivatives. However, the paucity of local cold-water fish toxicity data limits the development of WQC in China. Brachymystax lenok is a representative Chinese-endemic cold-water fish, which plays an important role in the characterization of metal toxicity in the water environment. Whereas, the ecotoxicological effects of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium, as well as its potential as a test species for the metal WQC, remain to be investigated. In our study, acute toxicity tests of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium were performed on this fish according to the OECD method and 96 h-LC50 values were calculated. The results showed that the 96 h-LC50 values of Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+ and Cd2+ for B. lenok were 134, 222, 514 and 734 μg/L, respectively. Toxicity data for freshwater species and Chinese-native species were collected and screened, and the mean acute values of each metal for each species were ranked. The results showed that the accumulation probability of zinc by B. lenok was the lowest and less than 15%. Thus, B. lenok was sensitive to Zn and can be considered as the test cold-water fish for derivation of Zn WQC. In addition, B. lenok in comparison with warm-water fish, we found that cold-water fish are not always more sensitive to heavy metals than warm-water fish. Finally, the models for toxic effects prediction of different heavy metals on the same species were constructed and evaluated the reliability of the model. We suggest that the alternative toxicity data provided by the simulations can be used to derive WQC for metals.
Vector Competence of Culex quinquefasciatus from Brazil for West Nile Virus
Authors: Reis Lúcia Aline Moura , Silva Eliana Vieira Pinto da , Dias Daniel Damous , Freitas Maria Nazaré Oliveira , Caldeira Rossela Damasceno , Araújo Pedro Arthur da Silva , Silva Fábio Silva da , Rosa Junior José Wilson , Brandão Roberto Carlos Feitosa , Nascimento Bruna Laís Sena do , Martins Lívia Caricio , Neto Joaquim Pinto Nunes
Published: April 2023

West Nile virus is characterized as a neurotropic pathogen, which can cause West Nile fever and is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Culex. In 2018, the Instituto Evandro Chagas performed the first isolation of a WNV strain in Brazil from a horse brain sample. The present study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of orally infected Cx. quinquefasciatus from the Amazon region of Brazil to become infected and transmit the WNV strain isolated in 2018. Oral infection was performed with blood meal artificially infected with WNV, followed by analysis of infection, dissemination, and transmission rates, as well as viral titers of body, head, and saliva samples. At the 21st dpi, the infection rate was 100%, the dissemination rate was 80%, and the transmission rate was 77%. These results indicate that Cx. quinquefasciatus is susceptible to oral infection by the Brazilian strain of WNV and may act as a possible vector of the virus since it was detected in saliva from the 21st dpi.
Views and Challenges of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Primary Health Care Sector. A Qualitative Study
Authors: Moudatsou Maria , Stavropoulou Areti , Rovithis Michael , Koukouli Sofia
Published: April 2023

COVID-19 has affected the global community as it has severely raised population mortality and morbidity rates. Vaccination was seen as a mechanism against the spread of the pandemic. Yet, there are still several reservations about its adoption. Professionals in the field of health care have a crucial frontline role. The present study uses a qualitative research approach to examine Greek health professionals’ views on vaccination acceptance. According to the key findings, health professionals largely accept vaccination. The main reasons cited were scientific knowledge, a sense of obligation to society, and protection from disease. However, there are still numerous restrictions to adhering to it. This is due to the lack of knowledge of certain scientific disciplines or to misinformation, as well as to religious or political convictions. The issue of trust is central to the acceptance of vaccinations. According to our research, the most adequate strategy to enhance immunization and ensure that it is widely accepted is to promote health educational interventions for professionals working in primary care settings.
Reply to Kapur, V. Is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis a Cost-Effective Intervention to Avert Rabies Deaths among School-Aged Children in India? Comment on “Royal et al. A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to Avert Rabies Deaths in School-Aged Children in India. Vaccines 2023, 11, 88”
Authors: Royal Abhishek , John Denny , Bharti Omesh , Tanwar Ritesh , Bhagat Deepak Kumar , Padmawati Retna Siwi , Chaudhary Vishal , Umapathi Reddicherla , Bhadola Pradeep , Utarini Adi
Published: April 2023

Thank you so much for forwarding the critical analysis the author (VK) conducted on our recently published modelling study ‘A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to Avert Rabies Deaths in School-Aged Children in India’ in your reputed journal [...]
Research on Hierarchical Control Strategy of Automatic Emergency Braking System
Authors: Wang Zhi , Zang Liguo , Jiao Jing , Mao Yulin
Published: April 2023

In order to improve the active safety of vehicles, the control strategy of the vehicle automatic emergency braking system is studied. The hierarchical control idea is used to model the control strategy. The upper controller is a collision time model for the decision-making of vehicle braking deceleration, and the collision time threshold is determined under the condition of considering comfort. According to the braking deceleration output by the upper controller, the lower controller controls the vehicle by adjusting the throttle opening and braking pipeline pressure through PID control. Based on the typical test conditions of C-NCAP, a joint simulation test of CarSim and Matlab/Simulink for hierarchical control strategy is carried out. In order to achieve further verification, several groups of test conditions are conducted, and finally its effectiveness is verified, which can ensure the safety of drivers.
Accelerated and Refined Lane-Level Route-Planning Method Based on a New Road Network Model for Autonomous Vehicle Navigation
Authors: He Ke , Ding Haitao , Xu Nan , Guo Konghui
Published: April 2023

Lane-level route planning is a critical issue for a lane-level navigation system for autonomous vehicles. Current route-planning methods mainly focus on the road level and applying them directly to search for lane-level routes results in a reduction in search efficiency. In addition, previously developed lane-level methods lack consideration for vehicle characteristics and adaptability to multiple road network structures. To solve this issue, this study proposes an accelerated and refined lane-level route-planning algorithm based on a new lane-level road network model. First, five sub-layers are designed to refine the internal structure of the divided road and intersection areas so that the model can express multiple variations in road network structures. Then, a multi-level route-planning algorithm is designed for sequential planning at the road level, lane group level, lane section level, and lane level to reduce the search space and significantly improve routing efficiency. Last, an optimal lane determination algorithm considering traffic rules, vehicle characteristics, and optimization objectives is developed at the lane level to find the optimal lanes on roads with different configurations, including those with a constant or variable number of lanes while satisfying traffic rules and vehicle characteristics. Tests were performed on simulated road networks and a real road network. The results demonstrate the algorithm’s better adaptability to changing road network structures and vehicle characteristics compared with past hierarchical route planning, and its higher efficiency compared with direct route planning, past hierarchical route planning, and the Apollo route-planning method, which can better support autonomous vehicle navigation.
Fuzzy Logic Control of External Heating System for Electric Vehicle Batteries at Low Temperature
Authors: Zhang Shupeng , Li Tao , Chen Liqun
Published: April 2023

The reduction in driving range and the degradation of vehicle performance in cold weather has become one of the challenges in vehicle electrification in recent years. The root cause of this phenomenon is the property of lithium-ion batteries with capacity and power capability reduction at low temperatures. In this study, an external battery heating system was developed by employing an electrothermal film affixed to the surface of each cell, and the heating process was performed during driving. An equivalent circuit model combined with a thermal model was established for the simulation and control design. A fuzzy logic control strategy was developed to optimize the external heating power provided by the battery pack, and to achieve the maximum range by the end of discharge. A global optimal control strategy obtained by dynamic programming and a constant maximum power heating strategy were used for comparison. Simulation and experimental validations show that the proposed fuzzy logic control algorithm can achieve a 3.6% to 5.3% improvement in driving range than the maximum power heating method, and has close performance to the global optimal solution. Furthermore, the vehicle equipped with the proposed heating system can have up to 150.4% of the range recovery under different driving conditions.
Development of a digital shirography device
Authors:   Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Burkov M. V.
Published: April 2023

A model of a digital shirography device is presented, which will increase the speed of non-destructive testing in real time (with the frequency of video image registration). The device allows you to explore large areas in one pass while maintaining the same spatial resolution. With the use of specialized lenses (the universal design of the device allows the use of a wide range of lenses), the device will also allow solving research tasks that require high accuracy and resolution values. The advantage of the device being developed is the possibility of flexible adaptation of the optical circuit and software for the needs of a specific customer, which is impossible when buying a ready-made complex from foreign manufacturers.
Selection of the optimal hydraulic drive for the press
Authors:   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Kaluga, Antsifirov A. A. , Krivoshein V. A. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Kaluga
Published: April 2023

The research given in the article is devoted to the selection of the electric motor of the hydraulic press drive with a nominal force of 5MN. The article presents the main characteristics, a description of the operation of the press using the means of mechanization of the technological process of pressure treatment. When using the Deform-3D software package, a simulation of the stamping process of the ZIL 130 cardan shaft crosspiece was carried out. Based on the presented hydraulic scheme of the press, its topological model is formed in the PA-9 software package. The deformation force obtained during the simulation of the stamping process was used in the topological model of the press. With the help of a tabular cyclogram, the sequence of actuation of the final switches and hydraulic distributors during the stamping process is given.
The role and place of land management in the strategy of social and economic development of the Russian Federation aimed at low greenhouse gas emissions
Authors:   State University of Land Management, Moscow, Ivanov N.I. , Kosinskiy V.V. ,   State University of Land Management, Moscow, Korostelev S.P. ,   State University of Land Management, Moscow
Published: April 2023

Recently, a lot of work has been done at the federal level to launch and implement the adopted strategy for the socio-economic development of the Russian Federation with a low level of greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as “Strategy 2050”). Today we can state that the necessary regulatory and legal framework has been created. The next step is to analyze and, possibly, revise the role and place of the established scientific and technical disciplines for the implementation of the strategy. The article analyzes this role in relation to one of the oldest scientific and technical disciplines – land management. The historical stages of the formation of the discipline and its place at the present stage in urban planning are considered in this paper. Using specific examples, the article shows that strict adherence to the principles of urban planning is not always able to ensure the sustainable development of territories in accordance with the Strategy 2050. Hence, the importance of land management based on new principles taking into account ESG factors is increasing. Such a new direction is designated by the authors as a “carbon land management”. The article gives the suggestions for the theoretical and practical implementation of this new scientific and technical direction.