bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Interval Neural Network Method for Identifying Static Concentrated Loads in a Population of Structures
Authors: Cao Yang , Wang Xiaojun , Wang Yi , Xu Lianming , Wang Yifei
Published: September 2024

During the design and validation of structural engineering, the focus is on a population of similar structures, not just one. These structures face uncertainties from external environments and internal configurations, causing variability in responses under the same load. Identifying the real load from these dispersed responses is a significant challenge. This paper proposes an interval neural network (INN) method for identifying static concentrated loads, where the network parameters are internalized to create a new INN architecture. Additionally, the paper introduces an improved interval prediction quality loss function indicator named coverage and mean square criterion (CMSC), which balances the interval coverage rate and interval width of the identified load, ensuring that the median of the recognition interval is closer to the real load. The efficiency of the proposed method is assessed through three examples and validated through comparative research against other loss functions. Our research findings indicate that this approach enhances the interval accuracy, robustness, and generalization of load identification. This improvement is evident even when faced with challenges such as limited training data and significant noise interference.
Performance and Stability for Grain Yield and Its Components of Some Rice Cultivars under Various Environments
Authors: El-Aty Mohamed S. Abd , Abo-Youssef Mahmoud I. , Sorour Fouad A. , Salem Mahmoud , Gomma Mohamed A. , Ibrahim Omar M. , Yaghoubi Khanghahi Mohammad , Al-Qahtani Wahidah H. , Abdel-Maksoud Mostafa A. , El-Tahan Amira M.
Published: September 2024

Refine current agricultural practices considering environmental changes are crucial for finding tolerant rice varieties that can meet the demands of human consumption. To this end, stability analysis assesses a crop genotype’s ability to adapt to various conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to (1) examine the interaction between rice genotypes and environmental conditions; (2) evaluate the stability of twelve rice genotypes using various stability methods; (3) identify representative environments for multi-environment testing; and (4) determine superior genotypes for specific environments. The evaluated rice cultivars were Sakha 101, Sakha 104, Sakha 105, Sakha 106, Sakha 107, Sakha 108, Giza 177, Giza 178, Giza 179, Giza 182, Egyptian Yasmine, and Sakha super 300. The experiment followed a strip-plot design, with three replications. The findings revealed significant differences among the rice varieties across various environments for the majority of the assessed characteristics. The joint regression analysis of variance demonstrated highly significant differences among rice cultivars for all the studied traits in terms of genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E). The statistical significance of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors was evident for all variables demonstrating heritable variation among the rice cultivars, specifically Sakha 108, Sakha 104, Giza 177, and Giza 178, concerning grain yield per feddan. These rice cultivars exhibited stability parameters that were not significantly different from unity for the regression coefficient (bi) and from zero for the deviations from regression (S2di) for those traits. Overall, stability criteria are essential for ensuring reliable rice production, meeting human consumption, advancing genetic improvement, and promoting environmental sustainability in agriculture.
A Comparison of the Cecal Microbiota between the Infection and Recovery Periods in Chickens with Different Susceptibilities to Eimeria tenella
Authors: Tang Jianqiang , Wang Qi , Yu Hailiang , Dong Liyue , Tang Meihui , Arif Areej , Zhang Genxi , Zhang Tao , Xie Kaizhou , Su Shijie , Zhao Zhenhua , Dai Guojun
Published: September 2024

To investigate the effect of Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) infection on the cecal microbiota, resistant and susceptible families were screened out based on the coccidiosis resistance evaluation indexes after E. tenella infection. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of cecal microorganisms among control, resistant, and susceptible groups as well as between different periods following the E. tenella challenge was conducted using metagenomic sequencing technology. The results showed that the abundance of opportunistic pathogens, such as Pantoea, Sporomusa, and Pasteurella in the susceptible group and Helicobacter and Sutterella in the resistant group, was significantly higher on day 27 post-inoculation (PI) (the recovery period) than on day 5 PI (the infection period). Additionally, the abundance of Alistipes, Butyricicoccus, and Eubacterium in the susceptible group and Coprococcus, Roseburia, Butyricicoccus, and Lactobacillus in the resistant group showed a significant upward trend during the infection period compared with that in the recovery period. On day 5 PI, the abundance of Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus was decreased in both the resistant and susceptible groups when compared with that in the control group and was greater in the resistant group than in the susceptible group, while Alistipes in the susceptible group had a relatively higher abundance than that in other groups. A total of 49 biomarker taxa were identified using the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) method. Of these, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus aviarius, Lactobacillus salivarius, Roseburia, and Ruminococcus gauvreauii was increased in the resistant group, while Bacteroides_sp__AGMB03916, Fusobacterium_mortiferum, Alistipes_sp__An31A, and Alistipes_sp__Marseille_P5061 were enriched in the susceptible group. On day 27 PI, LDA scores identified 43 biomarkers, among which the relative abundance of Elusimicrobium_sp__An273 and Desulfovibrio_sp__An276 was increased in the resistant group, while that of Bacteroides_sp__43_108, Chlamydiia, Chlamydiales, and Sutterella_sp__AM11 39 was augmented in the susceptible group. Our results indicated that E. tenella infection affects the structure of the cecal microbiota during both the challenge and recovery periods. These findings will enhance the understanding of the effects of changes in the cecal microbiota on chickens after coccidia infection and provide a reference for further research on the mechanisms underlying how the intestinal microbiota influence the growth and health of chickens.
Double-Needle Meniscal Suture Technique: Technical Description and Clinical Application in Dogs
Authors: Rovesti Gian Luca , Böhme Beatrice
Published: September 2024

Current treatments for medial meniscus lesions in association with CCL ruptures have shown disappointing long-term outcomes. Meniscal suturing may improve the outcome, but their clinical application remains limited. This study aims to assess the practicability of a minimally invasive DNT to facilitate meniscal suturing in dogs. Ten stifles of eight client-owned dogs with arthroscopically confirmed CCL disease and medial meniscal tears in the abaxial third of the meniscus were included. The described suture technique was applied under joint distraction using the Titan joint distractor. Surgical stabilization of all stifles was then accomplished via an X-Porous TTA procedure. The DNT allowed for the precise placement of meniscal sutures. Minor intraoperative complications included reduced arthroscopic visibility (n = 2) and suture breakage during its passage through the meniscus (n = 3). No complications related to the meniscal sutures were noted throughout the six-month follow-up period. The described DNT proved to be a viable and effective method for suturing lesions of the caudal horn of the medial meniscus, provided there is adequate visualization during the procedure. Appropriate stifle stabilization postoperatively is mandatory for protecting the suture and avoiding concomitant meniscal lesions due to joint instability.
Numerical Modeling of Scholte Wave in Acoustic-Elastic Coupled TTI Anisotropic Media
Authors: Chen Yifei , Wang Deli
Published: September 2024

Numerical modeling of acoustic-elastic media is helpful for seismic exploration in the deepwater environment. We propose an algorithm based on the staggered grid finite difference to simulate wave propagation in the interface between fluid and transversely isotropic media, where the interface does not need to consider the boundary condition. We also derive the stability conditions of the proposed method. Scholte waves, which are generated at the seafloor, exhibit distinctly different propagation behaviors than body waves in ocean-bottom seismograms. Numerical examples are used to characterize the wavefield of Scholte waves and discuss the relationship between travel time and the Thomsen parameters. Thomsen parameters are assigned clear physical meanings, and the magnitude of their values directly indicates the strength of the anisotropy in the media. Numerical results show that the velocity of the Scholte wave is positively correlated with ε and negatively correlated with δ. And the curve of the arrival time of the Scholte wave as a whole is sinusoidal and has no symmetry in inclination. The velocity of the Scholte wave in azimuth is positively related to the polar angle. The energy of the Scholte wave is negatively correlated with the distance from the source to the fluid-solid interface. The above results provide a basis for studying oceanic Scholte waves and are beneficial for utilizing the information provided by Scholte waves.
Conservation Agricultural Practices Increase Soil Fungal Diversity and Network Complexity in a 13-Year-Duration Conservation Agriculture System in the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Wang Yajie , Zheng Rongchun , Dong Wanqing , Gao Ping , Duan Tingyu
Published: September 2024

Agricultural practices can affect the diversity and community structure of soil fungi. This study investigates the impact of long-term agricultural practices on soil fungal diversity in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China. Different tillage practices have been implemented for 13 years, and their impact on soil fungi is assessed using high-throughput Illumina Sequencing. This study found a total of 2071 fungal Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs), and these were assigned to 25 different phyla, 372 families, and 496 genera. The fungal communities were dominated by Ascomycota (52.1%), followed by Zygomycota (14.3%) and Basidiomycota (9.0%). In general, the soil exhibited higher fungal community abundance, richness, and diversity in winter than in summer. Notably, no-tillage or stubble retention resulted in greater diversity than conventional tillage, with no-tillage combined with stubble retention resulting in the highest fungal richness, diversity, and network complexity in both summer and winter. These findings indicate that no-tillage with stubble retention is beneficial for biological soil components, which favors the establishment of abundant and diverse soil fungal communities in the Loess Plateau of China. The present study expands the knowledge of fungal communities in agro-ecosystems and the long-term ecosystem benefits of tillage practices.
Analyzing Traditional Building Materials: A Case Study on Repair Practices in Konuralp, Düzce-Türkiye
Authors: Sallı Bideci Özlem , Sabuncu Büşra
Published: September 2024

Some wrong decisions and faulty practices applied during the repair and restoration of traditional buildings cause more damage to the structures due to the materials used in the repair. The aim of this study is to establish a scientific basis for material selection in the repair of traditional buildings in the Konuralp region through chemical and petrographic analyses. In this study, brick, mortar, plaster, and wood samples were taken from one registered building in the Konuralp neighborhood of Düzce Province that has survived to the present day by preserving its original structural features and reflecting the characteristics of traditional housing. Chemical and petrographic analyses were carried out on the samples. In line with these analyses, a scientific basis was created for selecting material properties in the repair and reuse processes of traditional buildings and suggestions are made for the analysis of materials specific to traditional buildings in Konuralp.
Empathy and Listening in Research-Based Theatre
Authors: Cook Christina , Belliveau George , Bokenfohr Luke
Published: September 2024

This article shares excerpts from the playscript Unload, which brings to life research on military veterans and the lived experience of civilians carrying trauma. Co-developed by veterans, artists, researchers, and counsellors, the play follows a veteran’s journey to overcome challenges in and out of uniform and sees him guide a civilian friend through unspoken grief that has been haunting him for decades. This research-based play artistically synthesizes extensive data collected from focus groups, interviews, and surveys conducted with veterans, artists, counsellors, and audiences involved in a five-year research project. This article begins by situating the research-based play within the literature on theatre and empathy. Then, alongside excerpts from the playscript, the authors, who were co-writers of the script and members of the cast, offer insights gleaned from the performance of Unload.
Dynamic Analysis and Optimal Control of a Fractional Order Fishery Model with Refuge and Protected Area
Authors: Gao Wenjun , Jia Xiu , Shi Ruiqing
Published: September 2024

In this paper, a mathematical analysis of fractional order fishery model with stage structure for predator is carried out under the background of prey refuge and protected area. First, it is demonstrated that the solution exists and is unique. The paper aims to analyze predator-prey dynamics in a fishery model through the application of fractional derivatives. It is worth emphasizing that we explicitly examine how fractional derivatives affect the dynamics of the model. The existence of each equilibrium point and the stability of the system at the equilibrium point are proved. The theoretical results are proved by numerical simulation. Alternatively, allocate harvesting efforts within an improved model aimed at maximizing economic benefits and ecologically sustainable development. The ideal solution is obtained by applying Pontryagin’s optimal control principle. A large number of numerical simulations show that the optimal control scheme can realize the sustainable development of the ecosystem.
An Evaluation Modeling Study of Thermal Runaway in Li-Ion Batteries Based on Operation Environments in an Energy Storage System
Authors: Lee Min-Haeng , Choi Sung-Moon , Kim Kyung-Hwa , You Hyun-Sang , Kim Se-Jin , Rho Dae-Seok
Published: September 2024

According to the green growth and carbon-neutral policy in Korea, the installation of large-capacity ESSs is rapidly being increased, but a total number of 50 ESS fire cases have occurred since the end of 2023. ESSs are typically composed of series-parallel connections with numerous Li-ion batteries, and when the temperature of a deteriorated cell increases due to thermal, electrical, and mechanical stress, thermal runaway can occur due to additional heat generated by an internal chemical reaction. Here, an internal chemical reaction in a Li-ion battery results in the different characteristics on the decomposition reaction and heat release depending on the operation conditions in the ESS, such as the rising temperature rate, convective heat transfer coefficient, and C-rate of charging and discharging. Therefore, this paper presents mathematical equations and modeling of thermal runaway, composed of the heating device section, heat release section by chemical reaction, chemical reaction section at the SEI layer, chemical reaction section between the negative and positive electrodes and solvents, and chemical reaction section at the electrolyte by itself, based on MATLAB/SIMULINK (2022), which were validated by a thermal runaway test device. From the simulation and test results based on the proposed simulation modeling and test device according to the operation conditions in ESSs, it was found that the proposed modeling is an effective and reliable tool to evaluate the processing characteristics of thermal runaway because the occurrence time intervals and maximum temperatures had almost the same values in both the test device and simulation modeling. Accordingly, it was confirmed that the rising temperature rate and the convective heat transfer coefficient were more critical in the thermal runaway than the C-rate of charging and discharging.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and Biomechanical Variables That May Be Related to Knee Functions Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Seymour Hannah , Chen Fangjian , Zheng Naiquan (Nigel)
Published: September 2024

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a commonly performed surgery aimed at alleviating pain and improving functionality. However, patients often face uncertainties in selecting the timing, location, and type of TKA implant that best meets their needs. This study aims to comprehensively compare various variables, explore trends, and identify factors potentially influencing TKA outcomes. A cohort of 40 TKA subjects received either unilateral posterior stabilized (Persona) TKA or bi-cruciate stabilized (Journey II) TKA. Additionally, 20 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and BMI were included. Participants underwent patient-reported outcome assessments, range of motion evaluations, balance assessments, proprioception tests, and biomechanical analyses. These analyses covered motion, loading, and electromyography during five daily activities and two clinical tests. Multifactor ANOVA was utilized to compare 283 variables and assess their impact on TKA outcomes. A knee biomechanics index was formulated to evaluate deviations from healthy norms. Significant differences were observed in EMG varus/valgus rotation during both ramp-up and ramp-down phases between the two implant groups. Although significant improvements were noted post-TKA for both implants, the results remained below those of the control group. Gender, age, and BMI exhibited noticeable effects on TKA outcomes across several biomechanical variables and demonstrated significant disparities compared to the controls.
Biomolecular Dynamics of Nitric Oxide Metabolites and HIF1α in HPV Infection
Authors: Matei Clara , Nicolae Ilinca , Mitran Madalina Irina , Mitran Cristina Iulia , Ene Corina Daniela , Nicolae Gheorghe , Georgescu Simona Roxana , Tampa Mircea
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Viral infections cause oxygen deprivation, leading to hypoxia or anoxia in certain tissues. The limitation of mitochondrial respiration is one of the major events during hypoxia that induces alternative metabolic activities and increased levels of certain biomolecules such as nitric oxide (NO) metabolites. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of NO metabolites and hypoxia in HPV infection. Materials and Methods: We included 36 patients with palmoplantar warts and 36 healthy subjects and performed serum determinations of NO metabolites (direct nitrite, total nitrite, nitrate, and 3-nitrotyrosine) and HIF1α, a marker of hypoxia. Results: We found elevated serum levels in NO metabolites and HIF1α, and decreased direct nitrite/nitrate ratios in patients with warts versus controls. Additionally, we identified statistically significant positive correlations between NO metabolites and HIF1α levels, except for 3-nitrotyrosine. Conclusions: Our findings show that HPV infection causes hypoxia and alterations in NO metabolism and suggest a link between wart development and cellular stress. Our research could provide new insights for a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of cutaneous HPV infections.
Lactylation: A Novel Post-Translational Modification with Clinical Implications in CNS Diseases
Authors: Liu Junyan , Zhao Fengyan , Qu Yi
Published: September 2024

Lactate, an important metabolic product, provides energy to neural cells during energy depletion or high demand and acts as a signaling molecule in the central nervous system. Recent studies revealed that lactate-mediated protein lactylation regulates gene transcription and influences cell fate, metabolic processes, inflammation, and immune responses. This review comprehensively examines the regulatory roles and mechanisms of lactylation in neurodevelopment, neuropsychiatric disorders, brain tumors, and cerebrovascular diseases. This analysis indicates that lactylation has multifaceted effects on central nervous system function and pathology, particularly in hypoxia-induced brain damage. Highlighting its potential as a novel therapeutic target, lactylation may play a significant role in treating neurological diseases. By summarizing current findings, this review aims to provide insights and guide future research and clinical strategies for central nervous system disorders.
Characteristics of Mucosa-Associated Microbiota in Ulcerative Colitis Patients with 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Intolerance
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroshi , Sasahira Momoyo , Go Tei Tei , Yo Shogen , Ninomiya Takehiro , Osawa Motoyasu , Handa Osamu , Umegami Eiji , Inoue Ryo , Shiotani Akiko
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: 5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is a first-line therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC). This study examined the mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) in UC patients, distinguishing between those who were 5-ASA tolerant and intolerant. Methods: Brushing samples were collected from the sigmoid and ileal end of patients with UC during endoscopic procedures. The samples were profiled by using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The V3–V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene (460 bp) were amplified by using tailed PCR. Results: A total of 15 patients with 5-ASA intolerance, 38 patients with 5-ASA tolerance, and 19 healthy controls were recruited in this study. The α-diversity indices were remarkably different among the three groups in the ileum mucosa but not in the sigmoid colon. In the ileum mucosa, Alistipes, Ruminococcaceae, and Odoribacter were less abundant in the 5-ASA-intolerant group than in the control and 5-ASA-tolerant groups. On the contrary, Merdibacter, Brevundimonas, and Porphyromonas were more abundant in the 5-ASA-intolerant group than in other groups. Conclusions: The present study showed that the changes in MAM were characterized by a decrease in mucoprotective bacteria rather than an increase in harmful bacteria.
Parallelization of Three Dimensional Cardiac Simulation on GPU
Authors: Li Qin , Zhu Xin , Chen Wenxi
Published: September 2024

Background: The simulation of electrophysiological cardiac models plays an important role in facilitating the investigation of cardiac behavior under various conditions. However, these simulations often require a lot of computational resources. Methods: To address this challenge, this study introduced a method for speeding up three-dimensional cardiac simulations using GPU parallelization. A series of optimizations was introduced, encompassing various aspects such as data storage, algorithmic enhancements, and data transfer. Results: The experimental results reveal that the optimized GPU parallel simulations achieve an approximate 50-fold acceleration compared with their CPU serial program. Conclusion: This investigation substantiates the considerable potential of GPUs in advancing the field of cardiac electrophysiology simulations.
Influence of Trabecular Bone Presence on Osseodensification Instrumentation: An In Vivo Study in Sheep
Authors: Stauber Zachary , Wu Shangtao , Herbert Justin E. , Willers Amanda , Bergamo Edmara T. P. , Nayak Vasudev Vivekanand , Mirsky Nicholas A. , Castellano Arthur , Jabori Sinan K. , Parra Marcelo V. , Bonfante Estevam A. , Witek Lukasz , Coelho Paulo G.
Published: September 2024

Osseodensification enhances the stability of endosteal implants. However, pre-clinical studies utilizing osseodensification instrumentation do not account for the limited presence of trabeculae seen clinically. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of osseodensification instrumentation on osteotomy healing in scenarios with and without the presence of trabecular bone. A ~10 cm incision was made over the hip of twelve sheep. Trabecular bone was surgically removed from twelve sites (one site/animal; negative control (Neg. Ctrl)) and left intact at twelve sites (one site/animal; experimental group (Exp.)). All osteotomies were created using the osseodensification drilling protocol. Each osteotomy received an endosteal implant and was evaluated after 3 or 12 weeks of healing (n = 6 animals/time). Histology revealed increased woven and lamellar bone surrounding the implants in the Exp. group relative to the Neg. Ctrl group. The Exp. group demonstrated the presence of bone fragments, which acted as nucleating sites, thereby enhancing the bone formation and remodeling processes. Bone-to-implant contact (%BIC) and bone area fractional occupancy (%BAFO) were significantly higher in the Exp. group relative to the Neg. Ctrl group both at 3 weeks (p = 0.009 and p = 0.043) and 12 weeks (p = 0.010 and p = 0.008). Osseodensification instrumentation in the presence of trabecular bone significantly improved osseointegration. However, no negative influences such as necrosis, inflammation, microfractures, or dehiscence were observed in the absence/limited presence of trabeculae.
A Novel Ferrocene-Linked Thionine as a Dual Redox Mediator for the Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine and Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Palinci Nagarajan Manikandan , Ramalingam Manikandan , Subbiah Arivuthilagam Ilakeya , Paramaguru Vishwa , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Park Jongdeok , Asiam Francis Kwaku , Lee Byungjik , Kim Kwang Pyo , Lee Jae-Joon
Published: September 2024

We introduce a novel dual redox mediator synthesized by covalently linking ferrocene dicarboxylic acid (FcDA) and thionine (TH) onto a pre-treated glassy carbon electrode. This unique structure significantly enhances the electro-oxidation of dopamine (DA) and the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), offering a sensitive detection method for both analytes. The electrode exhibits exceptional sensitivity, selectivity, and stability, demonstrating potential for practical applications in biosensing. It facilitates rapid electron transfer between the analyte and the electrode surface, detecting H2O2 concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 60 µM with a limit of detection (LoD) of 0.49 µM and DA concentrations from 0.3 to 230 µM with an LoD of 0.07 µM. The electrode’s performance was validated through real-sample analyses, yielding satisfactory results.
Clinical Evaluation of AMNIODERM+® Wound Dressing Containing Non-Viable Human Amniotic Membrane: Retrospective-Perspective Clinical Trial
Authors: Schmiedova Iveta , Slama Petr , Dembickaja Alena , Kozova Beata , Hyneckova Vendula , Gogolkova Sona , Stastna Elen , Zahradnicek Michal , Savic Stefan , Davani Arash , Hulo Edward , Martinka Emil
Published: September 2024

Chronic wounds result from the body’s inability to heal, causing pain, pathogen entry, limited treatment options, and societal burden. Diabetic foot ulcers are particularly challenging, often leading to severe complications like leg amputation. A clinical study tested AMNIODERM+®, a new device with a lyophilized human amniotic membrane (HAM), on chronic diabetic foot ulcers. Participants had diabetic neuropathic or neuroischemic leg wounds (2–16 cm2) unhealed by 20% after six weeks of standard care. This study showed significant wound healing improvements with AMNIODERM+®. The median wound size reduction after 12 weeks was 95.5%, far exceeding the null hypothesis of 20% change. Additionally, 65% of patients achieved complete ulceration healing, surpassing the 50% efficacy requirement. The median time to full closure was 11.4 weeks, with the proportion of completely healed patients rising progressively, reaching 55% by week 11. These findings, from the clinical trial “Freeze-dried amniotic membrane in the treatment of nonhealing wounds”, suggest AMNIODERM+® as a promising future treatment for chronic diabetic foot ulcers. The published results were obtained as part of a clinical trial entitled “Freeze-dried amniotic membrane in the treatment of nonhealing wounds: a single-arm, retrospectively-perspective clinical trial”, EUDAMED Nr. CIV-SK-22-10-041146.
Abnormal Dynamic Reconfiguration of Multilayer Temporal Networks in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Lai Luyao , Li Dandan , Zhang Yating , Hao Jianchao , Wang Xuedong , Cui Xiaohong , Xiang Jie , Wang Bin
Published: September 2024

Background: Multilayer networks have been used to identify abnormal dynamic reconfiguration in bipolar disorder (BD). However, these studies ignore the differences in information interactions between adjacent layers when constructing multilayer networks, and the analysis of dynamic reconfiguration is not comprehensive enough; Methods: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 46 BD patients and 54 normal controls. A multilayer temporal network was constructed for each subject, and inter-layer coupling of different nodes was considered using network similarity. The promiscuity, recruitment, and integration coefficients were calculated to quantify the different dynamic reconfigurations between the two groups; Results: The global inter-layer coupling, recruitment, and integration coefficients were significantly lower in BD patients. These results were further observed in the attention network and the limbic/paralimbic and subcortical network, reflecting reduced temporal stability, intra- and inter-subnetwork communication abilities in BD patients. The whole-brain promiscuity was increased in BD patients. The same results were observed in the somatosensory/motor and auditory network, reflecting more functional interactions; Conclusions: This study discovered abnormal dynamic interactions of BD from the perspective of dynamic reconfiguration, which can help to understand the pathological mechanisms of BD.
The Effectiveness of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) on Children’s Speech and Voice: A Scoping Review
Authors: Papadopoulos Angelos , Voniati Louiza , Ziavra Nafsika , Tafiadis Dionysios
Published: September 2024

Background: This scoping review had as a primary goal a review of the literature and the an analysis of the possible effectiveness of the LSVT LOUD approach in children with voice and speech deficits. Methods: A search was conducted in the Scopus and PubMed databases in May of 2024. Eleven articles were obtained from the search. The standards of PRISMA recommendations were used for scoping reviews and the PCC framework was used for the eligibility criteria. Furthermore, the study used the instructions in the Cochrane Handbook for a quality assessment. The Mendeley Reference Manager software collected the studies and removed duplicates. Results: The reviewed studies employed formal and informal measures to assess voice and speech abilities in the children. Regarding the sample’s characteristics, the studies mostly included children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and also those with Down Syndrome (DS). All the studies reported that children with CP and DS undertook a total dose of the LSVT LOUD treatment. Significant post-treatment findings indicated increased speech function and sound pressure level, regarding the auditory–perceptual ratings of voice and speech improvement. In many studies, parents’ and expert listeners’ ratings of voice, perception of vocal loudness, speech, and communication indicated improvement. Conclusions: The majority of the included studies provide positive evidence for the LSVT as an approach. However, the small sample size that featured in the studies, as well as their limitations, made these conclusions uncertain. Moreover, the study’s findings provided recommendations that speech language therapists and other clinicians need to follow when setting a treatment plan with children with CP and DS.
How Socially Sustainable Is the Institutional Care Environment in China: A Content Analysis of Media Reporting
Authors: Wang Kun , Ke Yongjian , Sankaran Shankar
Published: September 2024

The multiple changes in population, economy, and social structure have significantly impacted China’s traditional home-based elderly care and social welfare. The importance of institutional care is becoming increasingly prominent. One of the critical considerations for the development of institutional care is its social sustainability, which pursues the realization of human well-being and aims to bring about good quality of life. However, this issue has not received due attention. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the social sustainability of the institutional care environment. Based on stakeholder theory and content analysis, this research identified and discussed the problems of the institutional care environment mentioned in the news coverage on eight major Chinese portal websites. The results indicate that seven of the eight problems that employees, the elderly, and their relatives encounter in providing and receiving elderly care services in the institutional environment are related to social sustainability. Employees’ health and safety is a concern; they lack education and training opportunities and have been unequally treated in the employment process. The elderly’s psychological, physical, and safety needs should also be further satisfied. Unequal access to institutional care and the inaccessibility of elderly care institutions is another problem that needs to be solved urgently. These findings will help government departments and investors become aware of the issues and implement countermeasures to create a successful, socially sustainable institutional care environment. They can also provide valuable insights for the elderly and their relatives in choosing appropriate elderly care institutions.
Optimizing Construction Spoil Reactivity for Cementitious Applications: Effects of Thermal Treatment and Alkaline Activation
Authors: Wang Kai , Zha Xiaoxiong
Published: September 2024

Construction spoil (CS), a prevalent type of construction and demolition waste, is characterized by high production volumes and substantial stockpiles. It contaminates water, soil, and air, and it can also trigger natural disasters such as landslides and debris flows. With the advent of alkali activation technology, utilizing CS as a precursor for alkali-activated materials (AAMs) or supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) presents a novel approach for managing this waste. Currently, the low reactivity of CS remains a significant constraint to its high-value-added resource utilization in the field of construction materials. Researchers have attempted various methods to enhance its reactivity, including grinding, calcination, and the addition of fluxing agents. However, there is no consensus on the optimal calcination temperature and alkali concentration, which significantly limits the large-scale application of CS. This study investigates the effects of the calcination temperature and alkali concentration on the mechanical properties of CS–cement mortar specimens and the ion dissolution performance of CS in alkali solutions. Mortar strength tests and ICP ion dissolution tests are conducted to quantitatively assess the reactivity of CS. The results indicate that, compared to uncalcined CS, the ion dissolution performance of calcined CS is significantly enhanced. The dissolution amounts of active aluminum, silicon, and calcium are increased by up to 420.06%, 195.81%, and 256.00%, respectively. The optimal calcination temperature for CS is determined to be 750 °C, and the most suitable alkali concentration is found to be 6 M. Furthermore, since the Al O bond is weaker and more easily broken than the Si O bond, the dissolution amount and release rate of active aluminum components in calcined CS are substantially higher than those of active silicon components. This finding indicates significant limitations in using CS solely as a precursor, emphasizing that an adequate supply of silicon and calcium sources is essential when preparing CS-dominated AAMs.
Assessing the Reliability of Truss Structures Based on the Bound Method and Collectively Exhaustive Events
Authors: Zhang Limei , Yi Tao
Published: September 2024

Damage to long-span truss structures may cause structural deformation, load-capacity reduction, and even collapse. The design service life of truss structures is usually 50 years, so evaluating their reliability is the utmost importance. Reliability considers the probability of failure as an analysis index. In calculating the probability of structural failure, important components are first selected to form a failure path, and then the failure probability corresponding to the failure path is calculated. A truss structure has many important components and failure paths, so calculating this probability requires extensive and thorough work. As a result, we propose selecting the important components via the approximation method to reduce the influence of the threshold of approximation. Collectively exhaustive events were established using the differential equivalent recursive algorithm to calculate the probability of structural failure. This process was considerably simplified, and validity was verified via a reliability analysis involving a three-bar truss structure, a plane truss structure, and a square pyramid truss structure. This method is suitable for selecting important components of regular truss structures.
Propagation Effect Analysis of Existing Cracks in Box Girder Bridges Based on the Criterion of Compound Crack Propagation
Authors: Chen Yong-Jian , Huang Xian-Cheng , Chen Shi-Zheng , Wang Li-Yuan , Zhong Ji-Wei , Cheng Hui
Published: September 2024

Cracking in concrete box girder bridges will have a significant impact on the safety and durability of the structure, and many box girder bridges which are in service have undergone varying degrees of cracking. Currently, the safety design of actual bridge projects place an emphasis on the stress or the load value of a cross section at the limit value specified in the code for safety control. This design method assumes that the member itself is of uniform and continuous material and is internally undamaged. However, the bridge structure is more or less cracked to varying degrees during the period from casting to construction to operation of the concrete members. In this paper, a finite element computational model of a three-span prestressed concrete box girder bridge with existing cracks is established based on the fracture mechanics theory, and the critical parameters of crack extension are introduced to evaluate the extension state of cracks. At the same time, the extended stability of the existing cracks of the box girder bridge is analyzed by considering the temperature effect, vehicle loading, and prestressing loss, and the sensitivity of crack extension under each working condition is investigated. The results show that, with the increase in crack length and depth, the crack expansion is promoted, but the effect is relatively small, and the maximum stress intensity factor is only 6.48 MPa mm1/2. Under the multi-factor coupling effect, the cracks show a composite crack expansion dominated by type I cracks, the longitudinal cracks of the existing base plate are in a stable state, the maximum value of the crack expansion critical parameter of the vertical cracks of the webs reaches 1.087, and there is a tendency to expand locally. The maximum value of the critical parameter for crack extension of the vertical crack in the web plate reaches 1.087, and there is a tendency towards local expansion. The crack extension evaluation criteria proposed in this paper have a certain reference value for crack extension research on similar concrete box girder bridges and provide a scientific basis for the optimized design of similar bridges.
Bridge Surface Defect Localization Based on Panoramic Image Generation and Deep Learning-Assisted Detection Method
Authors: Yin Tao , Shen Guodong , Yin Liang , Shi Guigang
Published: September 2024

Applying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and vision-based analysis methods to detect bridge surface damage significantly improves inspection efficiency, but the existing techniques have difficulty in accurately locating damage, making it difficult to use the results to assess a bridge’s degree of deterioration. Therefore, this study proposes a method to generate panoramic bridge surface images using multi-view images captured by UAVs, in order to automatically identify and locate damage. The main contributions are as follows: (1) We propose a UAV-based image-capturing method for various bridge sections to collect close-range, multi-angle, and overlapping images of the surface; (2) we propose a 3D reconstruction method based on multi-view images to reconstruct a textured bridge model, through which an ultra-high resolution panoramic unfolded image of the bridge surface can be obtained by projecting from multiple angles; (3) we applied the Swin Transformer to optimize the YOLOv8 network and improve the detection accuracy of small-scale damages based on the established bridge damage dataset and employed sliding window segmentation to detect damage in the ultra-high resolution panoramic image. The proposed method was applied to detect surface damage on a three-span concrete bridge. The results indicate that this method automatically generates panoramic images of the bridge bottom, deck, and sides with hundreds of millions of pixels and recognizes damage in the panoramas. In addition, the damage detection accuracy reached 98.7%, which is improved by 13.6% when compared with the original network.
Recent Research Progress on Surface Modified Graphite Carbon Nitride Nanocomposites and Their Photocatalytic Applications: An Overview
Authors: Li Shuhan , Tan Juntao , Liu Jiatong , Li Yang , Sun Liang , Huang Zhijie , Li Jiaming
Published: September 2024

Semiconductors with visible light catalytic characteristics can realize the degradation of pollutants, CO2 reduction, and hydrogen preparation in sunlight. They have huge application value in the fields of environmental repair and green energy. Graphite phase nitride (g-C3N4, CN) is widely used in various fields such as photocatalytic degradation of pollutants due to its suitable gap width, easy preparation, low cost, fast visible light response, and rich surface activity sites. However, the absorption rate of ordinary CN on visible light is low, and the carriers are easy to recombination, making the lower optical catalytic activity. Therefore, in order to improve the photocatalytic characteristics of the CN, it is necessary to make the surface modification. This article first introduces several main methods for the current surface modification of CN, including size regulation, catalyst embedding, defect introduction, heterostructure construction, etc., and then summarizes the optical catalytic application and related mechanisms of CN. Finally, some challenges and development prospects of CN in preparation and photocatalytic applications are proposed.
A Study Based on the First-Principle Study of the Adsorption and Sensing Properties of Mo-Doped WSe2 for N2O, CO2, and CH4
Authors: Dong Mingqi , Wu Yingyu , Zhou Shiqi , Zhang Shuai , Peng Junzhe , Tian Shuangshuang , Liu Benli
Published: September 2024

As industry continues to develop rapidly, the greenhouse effect is becoming increasingly severe. CO2, CH4, and N2O are the three primary greenhouse gases, making their effective monitoring a crucial step in reducing emissions. This paper investigates the gas sensing performance of Mo-doped WSe2 for these three gases, through a theoretical study. First, using first-principles calculations, the doping behavior of Mo in WSe2 is examined. Subsequently, the adsorption properties of Mo-WSe2 for CO2, CH4, and N2O are analyzed by calculating adsorption energy, charge transfer, the electron localization function (ELF), Hirshfeld partition (IGMH), and the density of states (DOSs), culminating in an analysis of its sensing properties. The results indicate that when Mo is positioned above the upper Se atom, the structure is most stable. Therefore, this position is selected as the optimal adsorption site for studying the adsorption of the three gases. The adsorption energies for CO2, CH4, and N2O are 1.349 eV, −1.194 eV, and −0.528 eV, respectively, with corresponding charge transfers of 0.418, 0.450, and 0.115. In the N2O and CO2 adsorption systems, significant adsorption energy and charge transfer are observed, leading to relatively better adsorption compared to the CH4 system. Additionally, considering the adsorption performance, Mo-WSe2 demonstrates good sensor response and desorption times for N2O and CO2 at temperatures above 298 K. The findings of this research provide theoretical guidance for the application of Mo-WSe2 as a gas sensing material for detecting greenhouse gases.
Comparison between Liquid and Tablet Formulations in the Treatment of Congenital Hypothyroidism up to 3 Years of Age: The First Italian Study
Authors: Ortolano Rita , Cantarelli Erika , Baronio Federico , Assirelli Valentina , Candela Egidio , Mastrangelo Carla , Vissani Sofia , Alqaisi Randa S. , Lanari Marcello , Cassio Alessandra
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Levothyroxine (L-T4) is available for use in congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in three formulations: tablets, drops, and oral solution. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of all three L-T4 formulations. Methods: We enrolled 63 children born between January 2019 and April 2023 in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy) and diagnosed with CH by newborn screening. They were divided according to the L-T4 formulation used: drops (Group D), oral solution (Group S), and tablets (Group T). Clinical and laboratory data were collected up to 3 years after the start of replacement therapy. Results: Serum-free thyroxine (sFT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (sTSH) normalization occurred within the first month of treatment in most patients of all groups. No negative effects on growth and cognitive development were observed. At 7–15 days we found higher median sTSH levels (p = 0.031) and a greater percentage of patients with sTSH > 5 µU/mL (p = 0.011) in Group S than in Group T, but comparable sFT4 levels. At 12 months, a greater percentage of patients of Group D showed sFT4 values below the normal range than Group S (p = 0.011) and Group T (p = 0.038); Conclusions: Overall, our study reported an equal efficacy of the L-T4 oral solution compared to drops and tablets in CH treatment. A larger series of patients and a long-term follow-up are needed.