bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Dietary Fiber and Measures of Physical Fitness with High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein
Authors: Su Ming-Zhen , Lee Suyeon , Shin Dayeon
Published: March 2024

Dietary fiber intake and physical fitness are independently associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Nevertheless, the association between dietary fiber intake, measures of physical fitness, and hs-CRP levels has not yet been fully evaluated. We investigated the influence of a combination of dietary fiber intake and measures of physical fitness, including hand grip strength, resistance training, and metabolic equivalents of tasks, on hs-CRP levels. Data collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) spanning 2015 to 2018 were used in this study. A total of 16,934 participants (7434 men and 9500 women aged ≥19 years) were included in this study. After adjusting for confounding factors (age, education, income, marital status, smoking status, drinking habits, total energy intake, and aerobic physical activity), we employed a multivariable logistic model to examine the association of dietary fiber intake and measures of physical fitness with hs-CRP levels. Among women, the odds of high hs-CRP levels were lower in those with the highest dietary fiber intake and superior grip strength compared to in women with the lowest dietary fiber intake and weaker grip strength (odds ratio [OR] = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.24–0.68). The highest dietary fiber intake who participated in resistance exercise at least three times per week had a reduced odds of high hs-CRP levels compared with those with the lowest dietary fiber intake who did not engage in resistance exercise in both men and women (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.32–0.89; OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.19–0.84, respectively). Our findings indicate that dietary fiber intake and high levels of physical fitness were associated with reduced odds of elevated hs-CRP levels.
Identification and Development of BRD9 Chemical Probes
Authors: Colarusso Ester , Chini Maria Giovanna , Bifulco Giuseppe , Lauro Gianluigi , Giordano Assunta
Published: March 2024

The development of BRD9 inhibitors involves the design and synthesis of molecules that can specifically bind the BRD9 protein, interfering with the function of the chromatin-remodeling complex ncBAF, with the main advantage of modulating gene expression and controlling cellular processes. Here, we summarize the work conducted over the past 10 years to find new BRD9 binders, with an emphasis on their structure–activity relationships, efficacies, and selectivities in preliminary studies. BRD9 is expressed in a variety of cancer forms, hence, its inhibition holds particular significance in cancer research. However, it is crucial to note that the expanding research in the field, particularly in the development of new degraders, may uncover new therapeutic potentials.
Investigation of the Effects of a Novel NOX2 Inhibitor, GLX7013170, against Glutamate Excitotoxicity and Diabetes Insults in the Retina
Authors: Dionysopoulou Stavroula , Wikstrom Per , Walum Erik , Georgakis Spiros , Thermos Kyriaki
Published: March 2024

Glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress represent two major pathological mechanisms implicated in retinal disorders. In Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), oxidative stress is correlated to NADPH oxidase (NOX), a major source of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and glutamate metabolism impairments. This study investigated the role of NOX2 and the novel NOX2 inhibitor, GLX7013170, in two models of a) retinal AMPA excitotoxicity [AMPA+GLX7013170 (10−4 M, intravitreally)] and b) early-stage DR paradigm (ESDR), GLX7013170: 14-day therapeutic treatment (topically, 20 μL/eye, 10 mg/mL (300 × 10−4 M), once daily) post-streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DR. Immunohistochemical studies for neuronal markers, nitrotyrosine, micro/macroglia, and real-time PCR, Western blot, and glutamate colorimetric assays were conducted. Diabetes increased NOX2 expression in the retina. NOX2 inhibition limited the loss of NOS-positive amacrine cells and the overactivation of micro/macroglia in both models. In the diabetic retina, GLX7013170 had no effect on retinal ganglion cell axons, but reduced oxidative damage, increased Bcl-2, reduced glutamate levels, and partially restored excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT1) expression. These results suggest that NOX2 in diabetes is part of the triad, oxidative stress, NOX, and glutamate excitotoxicity, key players in the induction of DR. GLX7013170 is efficacious as a neuroprotective/anti-inflammatory agent and a potential therapeutic in retinal diseases, including ESDR.
Metformin and Breast Cancer: Current Findings and Future Perspectives from Preclinical and Clinical Studies
Authors: Corleto Karen A. , Strandmo Jenna L. , Giles Erin D.
Published: March 2024

Over the last several decades, a growing body of research has investigated the potential to repurpose the anti-diabetic drug metformin for breast cancer prevention and/or treatment. Observational studies in the early 2000s demonstrated that patients with diabetes taking metformin had decreased cancer risk, providing the first evidence supporting the potential role of metformin as an anti-cancer agent. Despite substantial efforts, two decades later, the exact mechanisms and clinical efficacy of metformin for breast cancer remain ambiguous. Here, we have summarized key findings from studies examining the effect of metformin on breast cancer across the translational spectrum including in vitro, in vivo, and human studies. Importantly, we discuss critical factors that may help explain the significant heterogeneity in study outcomes, highlighting how metformin dose, underlying metabolic health, menopausal status, tumor subtype, membrane transporter expression, diet, and other factors may play a role in modulating metformin’s anti-cancer effects. We hope that these insights will help with interpreting data from completed studies, improve the design of future studies, and aid in the identification of patient subsets with breast cancer or at high risk for the disease who are most likely to benefit from metformin treatment.
Analytical Insights into Protein–Alum Interactions and Their Impact on Conformational Epitope
Authors: Corrado Alessio , Toppazzini Mila , Vadi Alessandro , Malzone Carmine , Galasso Rosy , Donati Alessandro , De Ricco Riccardo , Berti Francesco
Published: March 2024

Several alum-adjuvanted vaccines have been licensed in the past 40 years. Despite its extensive and continuous use, the immune mechanism of action of alum adjuvants is not yet completely understood. Many different variables during the formulation process have been assessed as critical for alum-adjuvanted vaccines, although most of them are still not yet fully understood. The absence of a clear understanding of all the possible variables regulating the mechanism of action and the behavior that alum adjuvant imposes on the protein antigen may also be related to analytical challenges. For this reason, there is an urgent need for a fast and simple tool that is possible without a preliminary sample manipulation and is able to control the amount and the degree of antigen adsorption levels and their consistency across different production processes. This work attempts to develop new analytical tools with the aim of directly quantifying and assessing both the content and/or the purity of formulated alum-adsorbed antigens, without any preliminary sample manipulation (e.g., antigen desorption) being reported. In addition, the different confirmation/behavior in terms of the response to specific monoclonal antibodies in the presence of different ratios of alum-OH adsorbent antigens have been investigated. As a proxy to develop new analytical tools, three recombinant protein adsorbed models were used as follows: Neisseria adhesin A (NadA), Neisserial Heparin Binding Antigen (NHBA), and factor H binding protein (fHbp) as antigens, as well as aluminum hydroxide (AH) as an adjuvant system. The selection of the adjuvanted system model was dictated due to the substantial quantity of the literature regarding the protein structure and immunological activities, meaning that they are well characterized, including their adhesion rate to alum. In conclusion, three different analytical tools were explored to quantify, detect, and study the behavior of antigens in the presence of the alum adjuvant.
The Non-Arbitrary Link between Feeling and Value: A Psychosemantic Challenge for the Perceptual Theory of Emotion
Authors: Ballard Brian Scott
Published: March 2024

This essay raises a challenge for the perceptual theory of emotion. According to the perceptual theory, emotions are perceptual states that represent values. But if emotions represent values, something should explain why. In virtue of what do emotions represent the values they do? A psychosemantics would answer this, and that’s what the perceptual theorist owes us. To date, however, the only perceptual theorist to attempt a psychosemantics for emotion is Jesse Prinz. And Prinz’s theory, I argue, faces an important difficulty: It makes the pairing of any given emotion with its respective value entirely arbitrary. But that’s a problem. It seems—and this is a major contention of this essay—that an emotion, in virtue of how it feels, bears a natural or non-arbitrary link to the value it represents. And this datum makes it all the more difficult to provide a viable psychosemantics for the evaluative content of emotion.
Applications and Development of Multi-Core Optical Fibers
Authors: Chen Weiping , Yuan Lei , Zhang Bo , Yu Qianqin , Lian Zhenggang , Pi Yabin , Shan Chongxin , Shum Perry Ping
Published: March 2024

The rapid development of information and communication technology has driven the demand for higher data transmission rates. Multi-core optical fiber, with its ability to transmit multiple signals simultaneously, has emerged as a promising solution to meet this demand. Additionally, due to its characteristics such as multi-channel transmission, high integration, spatial flexibility, and versatility, multi-core optical fibers hold vast potential in sensing applications. However, the manufacturing technology of multi-core fiber is still in its early stages, facing challenges such as the design and fabrication of high-quality cores, efficient coupling between cores, and the reduction of crosstalk. In this paper, an overview of the current status and future prospects of multi-core fiber manufacturing technology has been presented, and their limitations will be discussed. Some potential solutions to overcome these challenges will be proposed. Their potential applications in optical fiber sensing will also be summarized.
The Effects of Microcrystalline Cellulose Addition on the Properties of Wood–PLA Filaments for 3D Printing
Authors: Krapež Tomec Daša , Schöflinger Manfred , Leßlhumer Jürgen , Gradišar Centa Urška , Žigon Jure , Kariž Mirko
Published: March 2024

This paper describes the use of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as an additive in wood-polylactic acid (PLA) filaments suitable for 3D printing. Filaments prepared with PLA, thermally modified (TM) wood, and three different MCC loadings (1, 3, and 5 wt%) by two-step melt blending in the extruder were characterized with respect to their rheological, thermal, and mechanical response. The analyses demonstrate that a low MCC content (1%) improves the mobility of the polymer chains and contributes to a higher elasticity of the matrix chain, a higher crystallinity, a lower glass transition temperature (by 1.66 °C), and a lower melting temperature (by 1.31 °C) and leads to a higher tensile strength (1.2%) and a higher modulus of elasticity (12.1%). Higher MCC loading hinders the mobility of the polymer matrix and leads to a rearrangement of the crystal lattice structure, resulting in a decrease in crystallinity. Scanning electron micrographs show that the cellulose is well distributed and dispersed in the PLA matrix, with some agglomeration occurring at higher MCC levels. The main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a filament containing an optimal amount of MCC to improve compatibility between wood and PLA, optimize melt processability, and improve mechanical properties. It can be concluded that a 1% addition of MCC favorably changes the properties of the wood–PLA filaments, while a higher MCC content does not have this effect.
Preliminary Assessment of Tara Gum as a Wall Material: Physicochemical, Structural, Thermal, and Rheological Analyses of Different Drying Methods
Authors: Moscoso-Moscoso Elibet , Ligarda-Samanez Carlos A. , Choque-Quispe David , Huamán-Carrión Mary L. , Arévalo-Quijano José C. , De la Cruz Germán , Luciano-Alipio Rober , Calsina Ponce Wilber Cesar , Sucari-León Reynaldo , Quispe-Quezada Uriel R. , Calderón Huamaní Dante Fermín
Published: March 2024

Tara gum, a natural biopolymer extracted from Caesalpinia spinosa seeds, was investigated in this study. Wall materials were produced using spray drying, forced convection, and vacuum oven drying. In addition, a commercial sample obtained through mechanical methods and direct milling was used as a reference. The gums exhibited low moisture content (8.63% to 12.55%), water activity (0.37 to 0.41), bulk density (0.43 to 0.76 g/mL), and hygroscopicity (10.51% to 11.42%). This allows adequate physical and microbiological stability during storage. Polydisperse particles were obtained, ranging in size from 3.46 µm to 139.60 µm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy characterisation confirmed the polysaccharide nature of tara gum, primarily composed of galactomannans. Among the drying methods, spray drying produced the gum with the best physicochemical characteristics, including higher lightness, moderate stability, smaller particle size, and high glass transition temperature (141.69 °C). Regarding rheological properties, it demonstrated a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behaviour that the power law could accurately describe. The apparent viscosity of the aqueous dispersions of the gum decreased with increasing temperature. In summary, the results establish the potential of tara gum as a wall material applicable in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Mobilising a Decolonial–Islamic Praxis: Covenants in Islam and Muslim–Indigenous Relations
Authors: Rane Halim , Bargallie Debbie , Meston Troy
Published: March 2024

Islam was an important factor in the decolonisation of Muslim countries from European colonial rule during the 19th and 20th centuries. However, Muslims are among the migrant-settler populations of Australia, Canada, the United States, and other British colonial states that continue to dispossess and disenfranchise Indigenous populations. This article contributes to the debate on “decolonising Islam”. It contends that covenants with God and between people in Islam’s pre-eminent sources, the Qur’an and sunnah, are antithetical to colonialism and reinforce a praxis-orientated decolonial–Islamic agenda. This article focuses on three aspects of decolonisation, addressing: (1) supremacist ideology; (2) human existence and coexistence; and (3) claims of entitlement. Using Australia as the primary case study, it examines Islamic obligations towards Indigenous peoples in settler-colonial states, emphasising the potential of covenants to promote mutual recognition and dialogue towards redressing injustices and building respectful coexistence.
DCEF2-YOLO: Aerial Detection YOLO with Deformable Convolution–Efficient Feature Fusion for Small Target Detection
Authors: Shin Yeonha , Shin Heesub , Ok Jaewoo , Back Minyoung , Youn Jaehyuk , Kim Sungho
Published: March 2024

Deep learning technology for real-time small object detection in aerial images can be used in various industrial environments such as real-time traffic surveillance and military reconnaissance. However, detecting small objects with few pixels and low resolution remains a challenging problem that requires performance improvement. To improve the performance of small object detection, we propose DCEF 2-YOLO. Our proposed method enables efficient real-time small object detection by using a deformable convolution (DFConv) module and an efficient feature fusion structure to maximize the use of the internal feature information of objects. DFConv preserves small object information by preventing the mixing of object information with the background. The optimized feature fusion structure produces high-quality feature maps for efficient real-time small object detection while maximizing the use of limited information. Additionally, modifying the input data processing stage and reducing the detection layer to suit small object detection also contributes to performance improvement. When compared to the performance of the latest YOLO-based models (such as DCN-YOLO and YOLOv7), DCEF 2-YOLO outperforms them, with a mAP of +6.1% on the DOTA-v1.0 test set, +0.3% on the NWPU VHR-10 test set, and +1.5% on the VEDAI512 test set. Furthermore, it has a fast processing speed of 120.48 FPS with an RTX3090 for 512 × 512 images, making it suitable for real-time small object detection tasks.
Evaluation of Leaf Chlorophyll Content from Acousto-Optic Hyperspectral Data: A Multi-Crop Study
Authors: Zolotukhina Anastasia , Machikhin Alexander , Guryleva Anastasia , Gresis Valeria , Kharchenko Anastasia , Dekhkanova Karina , Polyakova Sofia , Fomin Denis , Nesterov Georgiy , Pozhar Vitold
Published: March 2024

Chlorophyll plays a crucial role in the process of photosynthesis and helps to regulate plants’ growth and development. Timely and accurate evaluation of leaf chlorophyll content provides valuable information about the health and productivity of plants as well as the effectiveness of agricultural treatments. For non-contact and high-performance chlorophyll content mapping in plants, spectral imaging techniques are the most widely used. Due to agility and rapid random-spectral-access tuning, acousto-optical imagers seem to be very attractive for the detection of vegetation indices and chlorophyll content assessment. This laboratory study demonstrates the capabilities of an acousto-optic imager for evaluation of leaf chlorophyll content in six crops with different biophysical properties: Ribes rubrum, Betula populifolia, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Prunus padus, Hordeum vulgare and Triticum aestivum. The experimental protocol includes plant collecting, reference spectrophotometric measurements, hyperspectral imaging data acquisition, processing and analysis and building a multi-crop chlorophyll model. For 90 inspected samples of plant leaves, the optimal vegetation index and model were found. Obtained values of chlorophyll concentrations correlate well with reference values (determination coefficient of 0.89 and relative error of 15%). Applying a multi-crop model to each pixel, we calculated chlorophyll content maps across all plant samples. The results of this study demonstrate that acousto-optic imagery is very promising for fast chlorophyll content assessment and other laboratory spectral-index-based measurements.
High-Resolution Remote Sensing of the Gradient Richardson Number in a Megacity Boundary Layer
Authors: Yang Simin , Ma Yongjing , Zhang Wenyu , Ren Xinbing , Peng Kecheng , Ahmad Masroor , Jia Danjie , Zhao Dandan , Kong Lingbin , Ma Yining , Xin Jinyuan
Published: March 2024

The Gradient Richardson Number (Ri) is an important parameter for appraising the stability and turbulence exchange at the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). However, high-resolution measurements of Ri profiles are rarely reported, especially in megacities. In this study, a Doppler wind lidar and a microwave radiometer were simultaneously utilized to measure the 2 km Ri vertical profile in downtown Beijing. These measurements were verified to have high accuracy compared with observations from a 325 m meteorological tower, with root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of less than 1.66 K, 7.9%, and 1.45 m/s for the temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed (WS) for all altitudes and corresponding Pearson correlation coefficients (R) of 0.97, 0.93, and 0.81. The inter-comparisons of different spatial (25 m, 50 m, 100 m) and temporal resolutions (1 min, 30 min, 1 h) form a 3 × 3 resolution matrix of Ri, in which the 1 h temporal resolution of Ri overestimates the intensity and active area of turbulence. The Ri value retrieved from the 100 m spatial resolution data overestimates these by half as it misidentifies the height of the stable area at the near surface. There are significant differences between the data with a 1 min temporal resolution and a 25 m spatial resolution (defined as the standard resolution of Ri), and the rest of the data in the resolution matrix (defined as data at other resolutions), with an RMSE > 1 and an R < 0.8. The difference between data at the standard resolution and data at other resolutions increases with elevations, which results from frequent weather processes or from water-vapor blocking at higher altitudes. The Ri profiles reveal that the atmospheric layer at altitudes from 100 m to 500 m in daytime is unstable, with Ri < 0, while it is neutral, with 0 < Ri < 0.25, at night-time from 200 m to 400 m. The atmosphere above the ABL in a megacity is rather stable, with Ri > 0.25, whereas below the ABL, it is neutral or unstable, which is due to drastic changes in the WS and temperature that are affected by the topography and surface friction.
Machine Learning for the Design and the Simulation of Radiofrequency Magnetic Resonance Coils: Literature Review, Challenges, and Perspectives
Authors: Giovannetti Giulio , Fontana Nunzia , Flori Alessandra , Santarelli Maria Filomena , Tucci Mauro , Positano Vincenzo , Barmada Sami , Frijia Francesca
Published: March 2024

Radiofrequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications serve to generate RF fields to excite the nuclei in the sample (transmit coil) and to pick up the RF signals emitted by the nuclei (receive coil). For the purpose of optimizing the image quality, the performance of RF coils has to be maximized. In particular, the transmit coil has to provide a homogeneous RF magnetic field, while the receive coil has to provide the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Thus, particular attention must be paid to the coil simulation and design phases, which can be performed with different computer simulation techniques. Being largely used in many sectors of engineering and sciences, machine learning (ML) is a promising method among the different emerging strategies for coil simulation and design. Starting from the applications of ML algorithms in MRI and a short description of the RF coil’s performance parameters, this narrative review describes the applications of such techniques for the simulation and design of RF coils for MRI, by including deep learning (DL) and ML-based algorithms for solving electromagnetic problems.
How Can Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises Improve Green Innovation Performance through Innovation Ecosystems?
Authors: Li Qian , Gao Qingyun , Zhang Yan , Gou Chennan
Published: March 2024

Under the fierce business competition and sustainable development pressure, the pattern of enterprise innovation has gradually changed from independent innovation to cooperative innovation. As a collection of multi-type innovation actors, the innovation ecosystem provides opportunities and platforms for cooperative innovation among government–industry–university–research institutions. While the present studies on innovation ecosystems are mostly from the perspective of the system level, few studies pay attention to the innovation mechanism of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs) in the innovation ecosystem. Therefore, this study takes SMMEs embedded in innovation ecosystems as research objects and explores the factors affecting green innovation. We constructed a theoretical model to explain the effect of innovation eco-embeddedness on green innovation performance based on ecosystem theory and network embeddedness theory; we then collected 363 samples of SMMEs in China through surveys and further tested the data empirically. The results show that the innovation eco-embeddedness (IEE) of SMMEs has a positive effect on their green innovation performance (GIP), and their green value co-creation practices (GVCCPs) partially mediate the relationship between IEE and GIP. Moreover, ecological norms (ENs) in the innovation ecosystem not only positively moderate the impact of IEE on GVCCPs but also positively moderate the mediating role of GVCCPs. This study enriches the relevant research on innovation ecosystems from the perspective of non-core enterprises and provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for SMMEs to implement green innovation practices and realize growth through innovation ecosystems.
Short-Term Load Forecasting Method for Industrial Buildings Based on Signal Decomposition and Composite Prediction Model
Authors: Zhao Wenbo , Fan Ling
Published: March 2024

Accurately predicting the cold load of industrial buildings is a crucial step in establishing an energy consumption management system for industrial constructions, which plays a significant role in advancing sustainable development. However, due to diverse influencing factors and the complex nonlinear patterns exhibited by cold load data in industrial buildings, predicting these loads poses significant challenges. This study proposes a hybrid prediction approach combining the Improved Snake Optimization Algorithm (ISOA), Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD), random forest (RF), and BiLSTM-attention. Initially, the ISOA optimizes the parameters of the VMD method, obtaining the best decomposition results for cold load data. Subsequently, RF is employed to predict components with higher frequencies, while BiLSTM-attention is utilized for components with lower frequencies. The final cold load prediction results are obtained by combining these predictions. The proposed method is validated using actual cold load data from an industrial building, and experimental results demonstrate its excellent predictive performance, making it more suitable for cold load prediction in industrial constructions compared to traditional methods. By enhancing the accuracy of cold load predictions. This approach not only improves the energy efficiency of industrial buildings but also promotes the reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the industrial sector.
Analysis of the Contribution of Home Gardens to Household Food Security in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Gwacela Mbalenhle , Ngidi Mjabuliseni Simon Cleopas , Hlatshwayo Simphiwe Innocentia , Ojo Temitope Oluwaseun
Published: March 2024

Addressing food security is one of the national priorities in South Africa, enshrined under the country’s constitution, yet there is a growing percentage of households struggling to meet their food requirements. Food insecurity and malnutrition remain severe problems in rural communities and can be addressed through home gardening. This study aimed to assess the contributions of home gardens to food security in Limpopo Province. This study employed a quantitative research methodology. A total of 2043 rural households were selected using multistage stratified random sampling. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to measure household food insecurity levels of home garden participants. Results showed that 46% of participants were food secure, 24% were severely food insecure, 17% were moderately food insecure and 13% were mildly food insecure. The results from the endogenous switching Poisson regression model showed that gender, household size, wage/salary, access to land, agriculture-related assistance and market distance had a positive influence on household food security of home garden participants. On the other hand, employment status and receiving any social relief had a negative association with household food security of home garden participants. The results also showed that employment status had a positive influence on the food security of home garden non-participants, while education, access to land, wage/salary and age had a negative influence. The results from average treatment effects (ATEs) showed that households that participated in home garden production had a negative and significant (p-value < 0.05) impact on household food insecurity. This study concludes that involvement in home gardening improves food security. Household food security can be enhanced through agricultural training and skills enhancement directed at increasing participation in home gardening in rural areas, thus addressing income and food security challenges. Agricultural education needs to be introduced and facilitated at school levels so that an understanding of food systems, nutrition and food security can be attained from younger age groups.
Has Artificial Intelligence Promoted Manufacturing Servitization: Evidence from Chinese Enterprises
Authors: Chen Daxing , Xu Helian , Zhou Guangya
Published: March 2024

Artificial intelligence, as a novel form of infrastructure with both generality and knowledge spillover characteristics, plays a crucial role in facilitating the profound integration of the manufacturing and service industries, and achieving economic transformation. This paper empirically investigates the impacts of artificial intelligence on the process of manufacturing servitization, utilizing merged data from the OECD-ICIOT (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Intercountry Input-Output Tables) industry data, the Chinese industrial enterprise database, and the customs trade database. The empirical findings of this research demonstrate that artificial intelligence has significant and positive effects on manufacturing servitization. These positive effects primarily occur through two channels: enhancing total factor productivity and optimizing the labor skill structure. Furthermore, this study examines the variations in the impact of artificial intelligence on the transformation of embedded services and blended services. The analysis reveals that artificial intelligence significantly promotes the transformation of embedded services, while its impact on the transformation of blended services is comparatively less pronounced.
Cotton Fiber Strength Measurement and Its Relation to Structural Properties from Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Characterization
Authors: Liu Yongliang
Published: March 2024

There has been an interest in understanding the relationship between textile cotton fiber strength (or tenacity) and structure for better fiber quality measurement and enhancement. This study utilized coupled Stelometer and high volume instrument (HVI) measurements with attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy methods to relate fiber strength and associated properties (Stelometer elongation and HVI micronaire) with structure properties on six Upland (as A, B, C, D, E, and F) and one Pima cultivar. Although Stelometer tenacity agreed with HVI strength in general, the Upland D cultivar (immature) was observed to show the lowest HVI strength value, while the Upland F cultivar (larger infrared crystallinity index) was found to possess the smallest Stelometer tenacity value. A few strong and significant correlations were noted, for example, between infrared crystallinity and Stelometer elongation for the Upland A fibers, between infrared maturity and Stelometer tenacity for the Upland C fibers, and between infrared maturity and HVI strength for the Upland D fibers. Furthermore, there were apparent distinctions in regressions and statistics of examined correlations between each Upland cultivar and their combined fiber set, addressing the challenge of understanding the unique response between fiber physical and structure properties from different measurements even within one cotton cultivar.
Energy Poverty Impact on Sustainable Development of Water Resources in China: The Study of an Entropy Recycling Dynamic Two-Stage SBM Model
Authors: Li Ying , Du Liu , Chiu Yung-Ho
Published: March 2024

Water scarcity is increasingly being recognized as a global concern. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) was established by the United Nations to address water resource governance within its sustainable development framework. This study employs the entropy weight method and a two-stage cyclical dynamic slacks-based measure (SBM) model to scientifically evaluate water resource utilization and governance across various regions in China. The findings reveal notable disparities in both the production and governance efficiency of water resources. Recognizing governance efficiency is crucial for promoting sustainable water resource utilization and socioeconomic development. The eastern, central, and western regions encounter unique challenges in attaining sustainability. The eastern region exhibits minimal potential for enhancing technical efficiency, necessitating interventions in management strategies and resource allocation. Conversely, the challenges in the central and western regions are more pronounced, demanding immediate implementation of new technologies and equipment. The data analysis in this study yields conclusions that offer targeted improvement recommendations to address disparities across China’s eastern, central, and western regions, and this is achieved by considering various developmental stages and regional contexts. These recommendations cover areas such as technical support, financial investment, and policy incentives, with the aim of enhancing the sustainable utilization of water resources in the country.
Large-Scale Performance Evaluation of Various Woven Silt Fence Installations under Nebraska Highway Conditions
Authors: Roche Brian G. , Perez Michael A. , Donald Wesley N. , Whitman Jarrell Blake
Published: March 2024

Sediment barriers are used on construction sites to protect downstream waterbodies from the impacts of sediment-laden stormwater runoff. Although ubiquitous on construction sites, many sediment barrier practices lack performance-based testing to determine effectiveness and treatment mechanisms, with previous evaluations being limited to conditions local to the Southeastern U.S., with conditions in other regions remaining untested. Testing was conducted to determine the effectiveness of woven silt fence barriers and provide structural improvements to common installation methods. Testing was conducted using a large-scale sediment barrier testing apparatus at the Auburn University—Stormwater Research Facility. The results from testing indicate that Nebraska DOT standard silt fence installations can be improved to reduce the risk of structural failures such as undermining, complete installation failure, slow dewatering, and overtopping. To improve structural performance, four modifications (a 15.2 cm [6 in.] offset trench, wooden posts, a dewatering board with an overflow weir, and a dewatering board with an overflow weir with adjusted post spacing) were tested. On average, 83% of introduced sediment was retained behind the tested barriers. The water quality results across the testing of standard and modified installations indicated that stormwater treatment was due to sedimentation within the impoundment formed by silt fence installations and not filtration through geotextile fabric.
Large-Scale Hydrological Models and Transboundary River Basins
Authors: Skoulikaris Charalampos
Published: March 2024

Large-scale hydrological modeling is an emerging approach in river hydrology, especially in regions with limited available data. This research focuses on evaluating the performance of two well-known large-scale hydrological models, namely E-HYPE and LISFLOOD, for the five transboundary rivers of Greece. For this purpose, discharge time series at the rivers’ outlets from both models are compared with observed datasets wherever possible. The comparison is conducted using well-established statistical measures, namely, coefficient of determination, Percent Bias, Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency, Root-Mean-Square Error, and Kling–Gupta Efficiency. Subsequently, the hydrological models’ time series are bias corrected through scaling factor, linear regression, delta change, and quantile mapping methods, respectively. The outputs are then re-evaluated against observations using the same statistical measures. The results demonstrate that neither of the large-scale hydrological models consistently outperformed the other, as one model performed better in some of the basins while the other excelled in the remaining cases. The bias-correction process identifies linear regression and quantile mapping as the most suitable methods for the case study basins. Additionally, the research assesses the influence of upstream waters on the rivers’ water budget. The research highlights the significance of large-scale models in transboundary hydrology, presents a methodological approach for their applicability in any river basin on a global scale, and underscores the usefulness of the outputs in cooperative management of international waters.
Wireless Charging for Electric Vehicles: A Survey and Comprehensive Guide
Authors: Rabih Mohammad , Takruri Maen , Al-Hattab Mohammad , Alnuaimi Amal A. , Bin Thaleth Mouza R.
Published: March 2024

This study compiles, reviews, and discusses the relevant history, present status, and growing trends in wireless electric vehicle charging. Various reported concepts, technologies, and available literature are discussed in this paper. The literature can be divided into two main groups: those that discuss the technical aspects and those that discuss the operations and systems involved in wireless electric vehicle charging systems. There may be an overlap of discussion in some studies. However, there is no single study that combines all the relevant topics into a guide for researchers, policymakers, and government entities. With the growing interest in wireless charging in the electric vehicle industry, this study aims to promote efforts to realize wireless power transfer in electric vehicles.
Increasing the productivity of hunting lands on the base of upgrading the quality of trade furs
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Irkutsk State Agrarian University named after A. A. Ezhevsky”, Russia, Irkutsk region, Molodezhny village, Vasilyeva L. V. , Vashukevich Yu. E. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Irkutsk State Agrarian University named after A. A. Ezhevsky”, Russia, Irkutsk region, Molodezhny village
Published: March 2024

A decrease in the productivity of hunting lands is often associated with a drop in the income of hunters who are not informed about the main changes in the requirements of buyers for the quality of fur. This is explained by the lack of up-to-date reliable information among the majority of hunters and game users about the system of modern international sorting of commercial sable, on the basis of which auctions are carried out, export prices are formed, which determine the prospects for the exploitation of such a valuable species. For this reason, the number of fur market subjects who understand the possibilities of increasing profi ts from the sale of sable skins by improving their quality is small. The purpose of the research was to consider the possibilities of increasing the productivity of hunting lands through increasing the level of development of sable resources based on improving the quality of commercial furs. The main natural and anthropogenic factors aff ecting the quality of commercial sable skins have been discussed in the article. The dependence of the auction price of skins on the degree of their defectiveness has been traced. An analysis of the dependence of fur quality on the geographical distribution of the species was carried out. The main defects of anthropogenic origin have been identifi ed, aff ecting the cost and the possibility of improving the quality of the product through additional processing. The economic effi ciency of complex additional processing of raw materials was shown. For example, eliminating fur defects and increasing the size of individual skins contributed to an increase in their selling price at auction by 20–30 %.
Phitosomin drug and its use in poultry farming
Authors:   Krasnodar Scientifi c and Research Veterinary Institute – a separate structural unit of the Federal State Budgetary Scientifi c Institution “Krasnodar Scientifi c Center for Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine”, Russia, Krasnodar, Vasiliadi O. I. , Kuzminova E. V. ,   Krasnodar Scientifi c and Research Veterinary Institute – a separate structural unit of the Federal State Budgetary Scientifi c Institution “Krasnodar Scientifi c Center for Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine”, Russia, Krasnodar
Published: March 2024

Solving the problem of normalizing metabolic processes and the morphological and functional state of the liver in poultry through the use of pharmacological agents seems to be an important reserve for increasing the effi ciency of industrial poultry farming and food production. Promising in this regard are studies on the development of medicines based on plant resources, which are characterized by structural diversity, multifunctionality of pharmacological action and low toxicity. The purpose of the research was to develop the liposomal drug Phitosomin, study its pharmacological and toxicological properties and substantiate the eff ectiveness of its use in poultry farming. Biopharmaceutical research has been carried out to develop a liposomal drug for veterinary use with a multifunctional pharmacological eff ect. The component composition of the drug Phitosomin represented by lecithin, dihydroquercetin, extracts of milk thistle, common agrimony and hare’s-ear, has been substantiated. A liposomal dosage form of the drug has been developed. Its physicochemical properties and shelf life have been established. The toxicological characteristics of the drug Phitosomin were studied, which made it possible to determine the degree of safety of its use in rearing of broiler chickens. Data were obtained experimentally on the pharmacological eff ects of Phitosomin on laboratory animals and broiler chickens when modeling various pathologies. The pharmacodynamic eff ect of the drug on blood parameters and productive traits of broiler chickens has been established, and the eff ective dose of its use in rearing broiler chickens has been determined. It was established as a result of the production inspection that when Phitosomin was introduced into the main diet of poultry of the experimental group at a dose of 5 g/kg of feed during the growth and finishing periods of feeding, there was an increase in the live weight of broiler chickens by 12,6 % and the livability of livestock by 1,6 abs.% compare with the control group.
Feed additive “Amylocin” and its infl uence on the metabolism and productivity of the wether hogs of Kalmyk fat-rumped breed
Authors:   Kalmyk Scientifi c and Research Institute of Agriculture named after M. B. Narmaev – a branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientifi c Institution “Pre-Caspian Agrarian Federal Scientifi c Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Russia, Republic of Kalmykia, Elista, Appaev B. V.
Published: March 2024

The purpose of the work was to scientifically and production substantiate the possibility of using the new generation probiotic feed additive “Amilocin” in feeding young sheep of the meat-fat type of productivity and to study the effect of its various dosages on the metabolism, meat and wool productivity of wether hogs of Kalmyk fat-rumped breed. Under the conditions of the arid zone of Southern Russia, the possibility of using the probiotic feed additive “Amylocin” in the rations of young sheep of Kalmyk fat-rumped breed was experimentally substantiated. The optimal dose of its introduction into the ration of wether hogs, the effect on the digestibility and use of nutrients in the ration, growth energy, meat and wool productivity, hematological parameters, as well as on the eff ectiveness of use in rations have been established. It was established as a result of the research that among the various dosages of the probiotic feed additive “Amylocin” studied in rations, the optimal and eff ective dose was 10 g/head/day. The inclusion of the probiotic “Amylocin” in the optimal amount in the ration of wether hogs ensured their more stable and intensive growth by 8,1 %, and contributed to better formation of meat and wool productivity in animals by 10,9 and 9,0 %, respectively. The use of the probiotic feed additive “Amylocin” in the ration of the wether hogs in an amount of 10 g/head/day improved the morphological composition of the carcasses; the amount of meat in them signifi cantly increased by 11,2 % and the weight of the fat tail by 15,2 %. The use of the probiotic feed additive “Amylocin” in the rations of wether hogs of Kalmyk fat-rumped breed in optimal dosages was economically beneficial, which helped reduce feed intakes by 15,2 % and generate additional profit in the amount of 355,9 rubles from each realized head.
Pharmacists' Knowledge, Attitudes And Beliefs About Attention Deficit And Hyperactivity Disorder And Medical Treatment
Authors: Mercan Işık Cansu , Uzun Cicek Ayla
Published: March 2024

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common and devastating disorder that poses a significant burden on families and society.ADHD treatment is multifaceted and requires long-term care and support. As pharmacists are directly involved in the distribution of medication, they are well positioned to collaborate with patients, support their treatment, highlight the importance of adherence to medication, and explain the medicine. This survey study aimed to identify pharmacists' knowledge gaps, attitudes and beliefs about ADHD and its medical treatment, and their experience in ADHD management. In our study, a questionnaire was prepared for pharmacists in Sivas Center, covering descriptive questions such as the pharmacist's age and professional year, what pharmacists do when they encounter children and adolescents with attention problems and/or mobility, and their thoughts on the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, and applied face-to-face. The study involved 113 pharmacists. Respondents were asked to assess their level of knowledge regarding ADHD. It was observed that 29.2% of the participants had limited knowledge about ADHD and 14.2% had good knowledge. Nearly half (48.7%) of the respondents acknowledged their lack of knowledge on psychostimulants. It was revealed that 41.6% of the pharmacists consider ADHD treatment medication to be potentially addictive. When comparing survey responses on ADHD among participants based on their professional experience, it was discovered that there is a statistically significant relationship (p