bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the impacts of sustainable land management practices on water quality in an agricultural catchment in Lower Austria using SWAT
Authors: Musyoka Francis Kilundu , Strauss Peter , Zhao Guangju , Strohmeier Stefan , Mutua Benedict Mwavu , Klik Andreas
Published: March 2023

Managing agricultural watersheds in an environmentally friendly manner necessitate the strategic implementation of well-targeted sustainable land management (SLM) practices that limit soil and nonpoint source pollution losses and translocation. Watershed-scale SLM-scenario modeling has the potential to identify efficient and effective management strategies from the field to the integrated landscape level. In a case study targeting a 66-hectare watershed in Petzenkirchen, Lower Austria, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was utilized to evaluate a variety of locally adoptable SLM practices. SWAT was calibrated and validated (monthly) at the catchment outlet for flow, sediment, nitrate-nitrogen (NO3–N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4–N), and mineralized phosphorus (PO4–P) using SWATplusR. Considering the locally existing agricultural practices and socioeconomic and environmental factors of the research area, four conservation practices were evaluated: baseline scenario, contour farming (CF), winter cover crops (CC), and a combination of no-till and cover crops (NT + CC). The NT + CC SLM practice was found to be the most effective soil conservation practice in reducing soil loss by around 80%, whereas CF obtained the best results for decreasing the nutrient loads of NO3–N and PO4–P by 11% and 35%, respectively. The findings of this study imply that the setup SWAT model can serve the context-specific performance assessment and eventual promotion of SLM interventions that mitigate on-site land degradation and the consequential off-site environmental pollution resulting from agricultural nonpoint sources.
Machining tool identification utilizing temporal 3D point clouds
Authors: Zoumpekas Thanasis , Leutgeb Alexander , Puig Anna , Salamó Maria
Published: March 2023

The manufacturing domain is regarded as one of the most important engineering areas. Recently, smart manufacturing merges the use of sensors, intelligent controls, and software to manage each stage in the manufacturing lifecycle. Additionally, the increasing use of point clouds to model real products and machining tools in a virtual space facilitates the more accurate monitoring of the end-to-end production lifecycle. Thus, the conjunction of both, intelligent methods and more accurate 3D models allows the prediction of uncertainties and anomalies in the manufacturing process as well as reduces the final production costs. However, the high complexity of the geometrical structures defined by point clouds and the high accuracy required by the Quality Assurance/Quality control parameters during the process, pave the way for continuous improvements in smart manufacturing methods. This paper addresses a comprehensive analysis of machining tool identification utilizing temporal point cloud data. Specifically, we deal with the identification of machining tools from temporal 3D point clouds. To do that, we propose a process to construct and train intelligent models utilizing such data. Moreover, in our case study, we provide the research community with two labeled temporal 3D point cloud datasets, and we experiment with the pioneering PointNet neural network and three of its variants demonstrating an accuracy of 95% in the identification of the utilized machining tools in a machining process. Finally, we provide a prototype end-to-end intelligent system of machining tool identification.
Adiabatic small polaron hopping conduction in nanostructured Bi2O3–Fe2O3–PbTiO3 prepared by high energy planetary ball mill
Authors: El-Desoky M. M. , Gazouly N. A. , Hannor Ahmed E. , Yousef Hesham. A.
Published: March 2023

Nanostructured 0.52 Bi2O3–0.18 Fe2O3–0.30 PbTiO3 (BFPT) mol% sample was prepared via a high-energy planetary ball mill. To obtain nanostructured materials, the mixture was mechanically milled for 1, 2, 5, and 25 h. The heat treating process was applied to the milled BFPT sample at 673, 873, and 1073 K for 5 h. The amorphous natures of the as-milled and crystallized formed phases of the heat treated samples are examined using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. HRTEM and XRD were used to confirm the amorphous nature and nanocrystallization of the milled and the heat treated BFPT samples, respectively. The effect of the heat-treatment temperature of BFPT samples on their dc electrical conductivity (σ), density (ρ), and oxygen molar volume (Vm) was studied. The results of the thermoelectric power indicate a p-type semiconducting behavior of the BFPT samples. The high temperature (above θD/2) dependent on conductivity was explicated by the small polaron hopping (SPH) model. While Greaves’ variable range hopping (VRH) model was studied at intermediate temperatures. The physical parameters determined from the best fits of these models were thought to be reasonable and consistent with the BFPT samples. The hopping carrier mobility was found to be the dominant factor for determining the conductivity in the BFPT samples. The electronic transport between Fe ions was primarily responsible for the conduction, which was shown to obey the adiabatic SPH.
Collective negative shocks and preferences for redistribution: Evidence from the COVID-19 crisis in Germany
Authors: Luna Bellani , Andrea Fazio , Francesco Scervini
Published: March 2023

Using new data from a three-wave panel survey administered in Germany between May 2020 and May 2021, this paper studies the impact of a negative shock affecting all strata of the population, such as the development of COVID-19, on preferences for redistribution. Exploiting the plausibly exogenous change in the severity of the infection rate at the county level, we show that, contrary to some theoretical expectations, the worse the crisis, the less our respondents expressed support for redistribution. We provide further evidence that this is not driven by a decrease in inequality aversion but might be driven by the individuals’ level of trust.
Help-seeking for Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse: Experiences of Serving and Ex-serving UK Military Personnel
Authors: Lane Rebecca , Alves-Costa Filipa , Gribble Rachael , Taylor Anna , Howard Louise M. , Fear Nicola T. , MacManus Deirdre
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPVA) is as a major health concern globally. The prevalence of IPVA perpetration and victimisation has been found to be higher in military compared to civilian populations. Of concern, help-seeking for other psychosocial difficulties among military communities has been shown to be both limited and challenging, and military personnel could face additional or amplified barriers to help-seeking for IPVA than their civilian counterparts. This study aimed to use qualitative methods to explore the experiences of, and barriers to, help-seeking for IPVA victimisation and perpetration among UK military personnel.

Methods

Thematic analysis was conducted on 40 one-to-one semi-structured interviews with military personnel (29 male, 11 female).

Results

Four superordinate themes were derived, thematically organised according to different levels of the social ecological model: Military cultural factors; Support service factors; Interpersonal factors; and Individual factors. At a military cultural level, participants described difficulties in help-seeking for IPVA resulting from widespread stigma and hypermasculine attitudes in military communities, minimisation of violence, perceived pressure from chain of command, and fear of consequences of reporting. At a support-service level, participants’ negative views or experiences and lack of awareness of services were also significant in deterring help-seeking. At an interpersonal level, participants recounted how relationships with military colleagues, their partner and their family could be both instrumental or a hindrance to help-seeking for IPVA. At an individual level, lack of insight into IPVA and different forms of abuse were suggested through minimisation of violence and described to contribute to delay in help-seeking. Shame, compounded by multi-layered stigma present at each social ecological model level, was a key reason for delaying or avoiding help-seeking.

Conclusions

The findings indicate the added challenges in help-seeking for IPVA experienced by military personnel and highlight a need for a whole systems approach to improve the provision of support for IPVA in the military serving and ex-serving community to instil meaningful change.
What Is the Role of the Body in Science Education? A Conversation Between Traditions
Authors: Kersting Magdalena , Amin Tamer G. , Euler Elias , Gregorcic Bor , Haglund Jesper , Hardahl Liv Kondrup , Steier Rolf
Published: March 2023

Bodily engagement with the material and sociocultural world is ubiquitous in doing and learning science. However, science education researchers have often tended to emphasize the disembodied and nonmaterial aspects of science learning, thereby overlooking the crucial role of the body in meaning-making processes. While in recent years we have seen a turn towards embracing embodied perspectives, there persist considerable theoretical and methodological differences within research on embodiment in science education that hamper productive discourse. What is needed is a careful examination of how different traditions and disciplines, among them philosophy, social semiotics, and cognitive science, bear on embodiment in science education research. This paper aims to explore and articulate the differences and convergences of embodied perspectives in science education research in the form of a dialogue between three fictitious personas that stand for the cognitive, social-interactionist, and phenomenological research traditions. By bringing these traditions into dialogue, we aim to better position the role of the body in the science education research landscape. In doing so, we take essential steps towards unifying terminology across different research traditions and further exploring the implications of embodiment for science education research.
Michael Selections and Castaing Representations with càdlàg Functions
Authors: Perkkiö Ari-Pekka , Treviño-Aguilar Erick
Published: March 2023

It follows from Michael’s selection theory that a closed convex nonempty-valued mapping from the Sorgenfrey line to a euclidean space is inner semicontinuous if and only if the mapping can be represented as the image closure of right-continuous selections of the mapping. This article gives necessary and sufficient conditions for the representation to hold for càdlàg selections, i.e., for selections that are right-continuous and have left limits. The characterization is motivated by continuous time stochastic optimization problems over càdlàg processes. Here, an application to integral functionals of càdlàg functions is given.
Recommending on graphs: a comprehensive review from a data perspective
Authors: Zhang Lemei , Liu Peng , Gulla Jon Atle
Published: March 2023

Recent advances in graph-based learning approaches have demonstrated their effectiveness in modelling users’ preferences and items’ characteristics for Recommender Systems (RSs). Most of the data in RSs can be organized into graphs where various objects (e.g. users, items, and attributes) are explicitly or implicitly connected and influence each other via various relations. Such a graph-based organization brings benefits to exploiting potential properties in graph learning (e.g. random walk and network embedding) techniques to enrich the representations of the user and item nodes, which is an essential factor for successful recommendations. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey of Graph Learning-based Recommender Systems (GLRSs). Specifically, we start from a data-driven perspective to systematically categorize various graphs in GLRSs and analyse their characteristics. Then, we discuss the state-of-the-art frameworks with a focus on the graph learning module and how they address practical recommendation challenges such as scalability, fairness, diversity, explainability, and so on. Finally, we share some potential research directions in this rapidly growing area.
A Test to Distinguish Monotone Homogeneity from Monotone Multifactor Models
Authors: Ellis Jules L. , Sijtsma Klaas
Published: March 2023

The goodness-of-fit of the unidimensional monotone latent variable model can be assessed using the empirical conditions of nonnegative correlations (Mokken in A theory and procedure of scale-analysis, Mouton, The Hague, 1971), manifest monotonicity (Junker in Ann Stat 21:1359–1378, 1993), multivariate total positivity of order 2 (Bartolucci and Forcina in Ann Stat 28:1206–1218, 2000), and nonnegative partial correlations (Ellis in Psychometrika 79:303–316, 2014). We show that multidimensional monotone factor models with independent factors also imply these empirical conditions; therefore, the conditions are insensitive to multidimensionality. Conditional association (Rosenbaum in Psychometrika 49(3):425–435, 1984) can detect multidimensionality, but tests of it (De Gooijer and Yuan in Comput Stat Data Anal 55:34–44, 2011) are usually not feasible for realistic numbers of items. The only existing feasible test procedures that can reveal multidimensionality are Rosenbaum’s (Psychometrika 49(3):425–435, 1984) Case 2 and Case 5, which test the covariance of two items or two subtests conditionally on the unweighted sum of the other items. We improve this procedure by conditioning on a weighted sum of the other items. The weights are estimated in a training sample from a linear regression analysis. Simulations show that the Type I error rate is under control and that, for large samples, the power is higher if one dimension is more important than the other or if there is a third dimension. In small samples and with two equally important dimensions, using the unweighted sum yields greater power.
Centenarian clocks: epigenetic clocks for validating claims of exceptional longevity
Authors: Dec Eric , Clement James , Cheng Kaiyang , Church George M. , Fossel Michael B. , Rehkopf David H. , Rosero-Bixby Luis , Kobor Michael S. , Lin David TS. , Lu Ake T. , Fei Zhe , Guo Wei , Chew Yap Ching , Yang Xiaojing , Putra Sulistyo E. Dwi , Reiner Alex P. , Correa Adolfo , Vilalta Adrian , Pirazzini Chiara , Passarino Giuseppe , Monti Daniela , Arosio Beatrice , Garagnani Paolo , Franceschi Claudio , Horvath Steve
Published: March 2023

Claims surrounding exceptional longevity are sometimes disputed or dismissed for lack of credible evidence. Here, we present three DNA methylation-based age estimators (epigenetic clocks) for verifying age claims of centenarians. The three centenarian clocks were developed based on n = 7039 blood and saliva samples from individuals older than 40, including n = 184 samples from centenarians, 122 samples from semi-supercentenarians (aged 105 +), and 25 samples from supercentenarians (aged 110 +). The oldest individual was 115 years old. Our most accurate centenarian clock resulted from applying a neural network model to a training set composed of individuals older than 40. An epigenome-wide association study of age in different age groups revealed that age effects in young individuals (age < 40) are correlated (r = 0.55) with age effects in old individuals (age > 90). We present a chromatin state analysis of age effects in centenarians. The centenarian clocks are expected to be useful for validating claims surrounding exceptional old age.
Policy choices and compliance behavior in pandemic times
Authors: Calcagnini Giorgio , Pavlinović Mršić Slađana , Policardo Laura , Sanchez Carrera Edgar J.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we model an evolutionary noncooperative game between politicians and citizens that, given the level of infection, describes the observed variety of mitigation policies and citizens’ compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Our results show that different stable equilibria exist and that different ways/paths exist to reach these equilibria may be present, depending on the choice of parameters. When the parameters are chosen opportunistically, in the short run, our model generates transitions between hard and soft policy measures to deal with the pandemic. In the long-run, convergence is achieved toward one of the possible stable steady states (obey or not obey lockdown rules) as functions of politicians’ and citizens’ incentives.
Higher education teachers' digital competencies for a blended future
Authors: Howard Sarah K. , Tondeur Jo
Published: March 2023

Welcome to this special issue, focussing on teachers’ digital competencies in Higher Education. The articles in this special issue explore the question of how digital competencies in higher education are conceptualized after the Great Online Transition, during and after the pandemic. A few of the topics addressed in the special issue are: new competency frameworks, the issue of disciplines and artificial intelligence and looks into the future of higher education learning and teaching. In this preface to the special issue, we first present a brief introduction to the context and the problem statement. We then provide a summary of each of the ten papers included in this special issue, we present how they are related and how each article makes a unique contribution to the main goal of the special issue. Finally, the implications are discussed together with suggestions for future research.
Economic Impact of Potato Virus Y (PVY) in Europe
Authors: Dupuis Brice , Nkuriyingoma Pacifique , Ballmer Theodor
Published: March 2023

As the fourth most prevalent food crop, potato is very important in the global economy, but it is affected by numerous pests, and by many bacterial, viral and fungal diseases. Among these diseases, potato virus Y (PVY), which is transmitted from plant to plant by aphids, causes significant yield losses, but as far as we know, the economic impact of PVY in Europe has not been quantified. Our economic study covers a period of 13 years between 2004 and 2017 and is based on an analysis of statistical, economic and agronomic data, obtained from various stakeholders in the potato sector in Switzerland and the European Union, as well as from field experiments. In Switzerland, the economic loss due to PVY for seed and ware production was estimated at about 2000 and 200 CHF/ha, respectively. For the European Union, the annual losses were estimated at 187 M EUR, respectively 96 and 91 M EUR for seed and ware. These losses were due mainly to the cost of chemical treatments applied in seed potato production and the yield drop in ware potato production. However, based on literature, these significant losses are lower than those caused by potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans), which is considered to be the most economically damaging potato disease in Europe.
Clinical and functional outcome following robotic Heller-myotomy with partial fundoplication in patients with achalasia
Authors: Rabe Sebastian M. , Burmeister Eva , Niebisch Stefan , Gockel Ines
Published: March 2023

Robotic-assisted myotomy with partial fundoplication for patients with achalasia has been established as a safe and effective procedure with similar short-term results and lower rates of intraoperative esophageal perforations. Our aim was to investigate a defined patient cohort undergoing robotic-assisted and laparoscopic surgery providing pre- and postoperative symptom score and high-resolution manometry to evaluate the clinical and functional outcome.All patients underwent clinical, endoscopic, radiological and manometric investigation to verify the diagnosis of achalasia. High-resolution manometry was performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively and categorized according to the Chicago Classification (v4.0). We used the Eckardt Score to evaluate symptomatic outcome. All patients underwent either robotic-assisted or laparoscopic myotomy with partial anterior fundoplication (180° Dor) using the DaVinci Xi surgical system (Intuitive, Sunnyvale, California, USA). From a total amount of 101 patients, we analyzed the data of 78 (47 robotic and 31 laparoscopic) procedures between 2015 and 2020. All patients showed a significant decrease of the Eckardt Score in the robotic group (median 6 vs. 2) as well as in the laparoscopic group (median 7.5 vs. 3). The postoperative LESP and 4 s-IRP was significantly reduced in all patients in the robotic group [median LESP (mmHg) 34.16 vs. 16.9; median 4 s-IRP (mmHg) 28.85 vs. 14.55], as well as in the laparoscopic group [median LESP (mmHg) 35.34 vs. 17.3; median 4 s-IRP (mmHg) 25.6 vs. 15.9]. There was no significant difference for these parameters between the groups. There was no event of intraoperative esophageal perforation in the robotic cohort, whereas there were 2 in the laparoscopic group. Our data support the safe and effective robotic approach for the surgical treatment of achalasia. Not only the clinical outcome but also the functional results measured by high-resolution manometry are similar to the laparoscopic procedure. Further investigations in larger prospective multicenter studies are needed.
Entrepreneurship innovation using social robots in tourism: a social listening study
Authors: Callarisa-Fiol Luis J. , Moliner-Tena Miguel Ángel , Rodríguez-Artola Rosa , Sánchez-García Javier
Published: March 2023

The tourism sector has been one of the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to restrictions on mobility and fear of social contact. In this context, business innovation through digital transformation is presented as a great opportunity for the tourism industry and the inclusion of social robots in service tasks is an example. This transformation requires new methodologies, skills and talent that must be promoted to improve the innovative tourism ecosystem. With this research, we try to determine how the inclusion of social or service robots in hotels can improve the image and perception held by clients or guests. For that, we first analyse the degree of knowledge and sentiment generated by social robots through a social listening study in social networks. In addition, we determine whether these perceptions on the subject are in tune with other more formal fields, such as scientific research, or with the strategies followed at a national or international level by companies, agencies and organisations related to the technology and innovation of social robotics. For both objectives, we use the Simbiu social listening tool, a software-based program on Talkwalker, and we obtain interesting results. Basically, people on Twitter have a neutral or positive feeling about the use of social robots, and people who write in English have a more positive attitude towards social robots than Spanish speakers. After COVID-19, are necessary changes in strategic decisions of the hospitality and it is essential to continue investigating the role of social robots in this new context.
Open innovation: status quo and quo vadis - an analysis of a research field
Authors: Bertello Alberto , De Bernardi Paola , Ricciardi Francesca
Published: March 2023

Open innovation is now a widely used concept in academia, industry, and policy-making. According to the recent report “The Open Innovation Barometer”, released by the Economist, 90% of organizations have either adopted or are planning to implement key open innovation practices by opening up their organizational boundaries to collaborative innovation in the next three years (The Economist Group 2022). However, the social and economic changes imposed by the emerging processes of transition towards a more digital and sustainable society raise questions on how the open innovation field of studies is evolving to meet new, emerging needs. By combining bibliometric techniques and content analysis, this study illustrates how this research community has evolved in the last 12 years. More specifically, this study provides a descriptive analysis of the literature on open innovation, defines its knowledge structure, and illustrates a representative picture of the theoretical landscape. Our analysis shows that attempts to consolidate established topics and theoretical approaches in this field of studies go hand in hand with the emergence of new conversations about unexplored dimensions of open innovation. We conclude this article by outlining some avenues for future research on how to conceptualize, theorize, and research (methods and analytical techniques) open innovation.
Antibody–Drug Conjugate Revolution in Breast Cancer: The Road Ahead
Authors: Grinda Thomas , Rassy Elie , Pistilli Barbara
Published: March 2023

Opinion statement

Antibody drug-conjugates (ADCs) have revolutionized the treatment of many types of cancer, including breast cancer. Recently, two new ADCs have been approved, trastuzumab deruxtecan and sacituzumab govitecan; both have demonstrated impressive improvements in overall survival, trastuzumab deruxtecan in all three subtypes of metastatic breast cancer and sacituzumab govitecan in luminal and triple negative metastatic breast cancer. These drugs are the results of significant progress and innovation in the construction of the three components of an ADC, the monoclonal antibody, the payload, and the linker, and of the discovery of new target antigens. ADC engineering has profoundly changed the paradigm of cancer treatment, on one side being effective on tumors considered inherently resistant to the payload class of drugs and on the other side demonstrating activity in tumors with very low target expression. Yet, it is likely that we are just at the beginning of a new era as the identification of new targets and the introduction of new ADC constructs and combinations will expand the field of ADC rapidly over the coming years.
Robotic painting: mimicking human applicators
Authors: Bansal Karan , Du Yayun , Palan Eric , Quadir Mohiuddin , Khalid Jawed Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Robotically assisted painting is widely used for spray and dip applications. However, use of robots for coating substrates using a roller applicator has not been systematically investigated. We showed for the first time, a generic robot arm-supported approach to painting engineering substrates using a roller with a constant force at an accurate joint step, while retaining compliance and thus safety. We optimized the robot design such that it is able to coat the substrate using a roller with a performance equivalent to that of a human applicator. To achieve this, we optimized the force, frequency of adjustment, and position control parameters of robotic design. A framework for autonomous coating is available at https://github.com/duyayun/Vision-and-force-control-automonous-painting-with-rollers; users are only required to provide the boundary coordinates of surfaces to be coated. We found that robotically- and human-painted panels showed similar trends in dry film thickness, coating hardness, flexibility, impact resistance, and microscopic properties. Color profile analysis of the coated panels showed non-significant difference in color scheme and is acceptable for architectural paints. Overall, this work shows the potential of robot-assisted coating strategy using roller applicator. This could be a viable option for hazardous area coating, high-altitude architectural paints, germs sanitization, and accelerated household applications.
Who are ‘Multi-Helpers’? Profile of Older Adults Engaging in Multiple Help-Giving Activities
Authors: Hämäläinen Hans , Tanskanen Antti O. , Danielsbacka Mirkka
Published: March 2023

This study considers older adults providing multiple types of support toward different parties in both public and private domains, referred to as ‘multi-helpers’. Although individuals involved in multiple help-giving activities can be important actors at individual, community, and societal levels, few studies have evaluated their characteristics. Using population-based data for older Finns (n = 2,174) we explored the profiles of multi-helpers for provision of: (1) instrumental help to friends and relatives; (2) financial aid to friends and relatives; (3) volunteering; and (4) charitable giving. Of the respondents, 75% provided instrumental help, 44% provided financial aid, 21% participated in volunteering, and 58% made charitable donations. Overall, 7% were considered multi-helpers, as they were engaged in providing all four types of support. Having a partner, being a widow, having a higher level of education, living in rural area, being religious, and having a larger number of friends increased the probability of being a multi-helper. The findings are interpreted in light of opportunity structures and role extension approaches.
Bioleaching of Scandium from Bauxite Residue using Fungus Aspergillus Niger
Authors: Kiskira Kyriaki , Lymperopoulou Theopisti , Lourentzatos Ioannis , Tsakanika Lamprini-Areti , Pavlopoulos Charalampos , Papadopoulou Konstantina , Ochsenkühn Klaus-Michael , Tsopelas Fotios , Chatzitheodoridis Elias , Lyberatos Gerasimos , Ochsenkühn-Petropoulou Maria
Published: March 2023

Bauxite residue (BR) is the main by-product of the alkaline production of alumina from bauxite containing significant amounts of valuable metals such as scandium that belongs to rare-earth elements (REEs), classified by the European Community as critical raw materials (CRMs). BR is considered a hazardous waste due to its huge volume and high alkalinity making its disposal a serious universal environmental problem. The recovery of scandium from Greek BR can be an excellent approach for waste management and resource efficiency of the waste using environmentally friendly biometallurgical methods. In this work, bioleaching of scandium from bauxite residue using the fungus Aspergillus niger was studied. Bioleaching experiments were performed using the Taguchi experimental design, in batch cultures with BR at various pulp densities (1, 5 and 10%, w/v), sucrose concentrations (40, 90 and 140 g/L) and fungus suspension of 2, 4, and 6% v/v under one-step bioleaching condition and subculturing. The highest Sc recovery equal to 46%, was achieved in 20 days at 1% pulp density. Biosorption phenomena were observed during the leaching process. Lactic, acetic, oxalic and citric were the main organic acids identified.

Graphical Abstract
A unified approach to designing sequence-based personalized food recommendation systems: tackling dynamic user behaviors
Authors: Zhang Jieyu , Wang Zidong , Liu Weibo , Liu Xiaohui , Zheng Qiusheng
Published: March 2023

The recommender system (RS) is a well-known practical application of the state-of-the-art information filtering and machine learning technologies. Traditional recommendation approaches, including collaborative and content-based filtering techniques, have been widely employed to provide suggestions in RSs, where the user-item interaction matrix is the primary data source. In many application domains, interactions between users and items are more likely to be dynamic rather than static, and thus dynamic user behaviors should be taken into account when solving recommendation tasks in order to provide more accurate suggestions. In this work, we consider the sequentially ordered information from user-item interactions in the RSs where a sequence-based recommendation model is put forward with applications to the food recommendation scenario. Furthermore, the long short-term memory (LSTM) network is employed as the building block to establish such a recommendation model, and a collaborative filtering unit is adopted to make personalized food recommendation. The proposed LSTM-based RS is successfully applied to a real-world food recommendation data set. Experimental results demonstrate that the developed method outperforms some currently popular RSs in terms of precision, recall, mean average precision and mean reciprocal rank in food recommendation.
Evaluating the Effects of Information Sources on Innovation Outcomes: Are There Differences between KIBS and Manufacturing Firms from a Latin America Country?
Authors: Moya-Fernández Pablo J. , Seclen-Luna Jean Pierre
Published: March 2023

The aim of this paper is analysing the relationships between sources (internal/external) of information and innovation outcomes (product, service and process) in Peruvian companies. Furthermore, we explore differences and similarities in these relationships when comparing manufacturing firms and knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) firms. This study presents evidence based on the application of a logit model to a sample of 1141 Peruvian companies, comprising 830 manufacturing firms and 311 KIBS firms. Despite the fact that Peruvian companies do not tend to turn to external sources of information or invest in internal R&D activities, we find positive relationships between sources of information and innovation outcomes in both manufacturing firms and KIBS firms—predominantly process innovation in both cases, followed by product (goods) innovation for manufacturing firms and service innovation for KIBS. Our findings indicate that not all external sources of information have positive effects on product, service and process innovation. Thus, managers should consider proper management of the company’s external relations in order to take advantage of these relationships. Moreover, policymakers should promote interrelationships between the actors in the innovation system (e.g., companies, research centres, universities, etc.) thereby generating opportunities for innovation. This paper provides evidence that the configuration of sources of information (especially internal R&D) plays a significant role in innovation outcomes in both manufacturing firms and KIBS firms, specifically in the context of Latin American countries.
Hydrological characteristics and water quality change in mountain river valley on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Li Dongsheng , Cui Buli , Zuo Fenglin , Zong Hehua , Yu Wanxin
Published: March 2023

Management and protection of regional water resources requires an understanding of the hydrological characteristics and water quality changes. In this study, we combined isotopic, geochemical and hydrometric measurements to investigate hydrological characteristics and water quality changes during the interactions between surface water and groundwater in mountain river valley. Our results showed that the stable isotope values in most of the groundwater and river water samples were located above the middle of the local meteoric water line in a mountain river valley. The hydrochemical types of most of the groundwater and river water samples were Ca–Mg–HCO3 and were primarily dominated by rock weathering. The hydrochemical compositions of groundwater and river water were mainly affected by carbonate dissolution and cation exchange, but influences of saltwater intrusion and human activity were found at the lakeside. Precipitation was the main factor affecting the changes in hydrological processes at these groundwater and river water sites and they were also affected by meltwater, soil water and the interaction between groundwater and surface water. The water level of the river increased, and the recharge of the groundwater by river water increased in river valley during the rainy season, which led to an increase runoff path in groundwater. The interaction between the river water and groundwater was affected by the rainfall frequency and intensity, the recharge time of the soil water and the pressure of the river on both sides of the river channels. Additionally, our results indicated that the flow of groundwater into the river will lead to water quality deterioration. The increasing pressure of the river on the groundwater will cause the deterioration of groundwater quality, which will also be affected by saltwater intrusion and human activity. Our results detailed the hydrological characteristics, water quality changes and main influencing factors of the interaction between surface water and groundwater of river valley in mountain, which will be beneficial to promote the reasonable protection of water resources under climate change in the future.
Exposure risk to heavy metals through surface and groundwater used for drinking and household activities in Ifite Ogwari, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Okafor Vincent N. , Omokpariola Daniel O. , Obumselu Onyeka F. , Eze Chiadikaobi G.
Published: March 2023

Surface and groundwater are the most common sources of water in Nigeria's rural communities, which are used for a variety of purposes ranging from farming to industrial processes and other domestic household activities including drinking. Water that contains heavy metals in excess of the maximum permitted levels poses a risk to human health. This study aims to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in surface and groundwater in Ifite Ogwari, a rural community in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, as well as their ecological indices and human health risks assessment. The concentration levels of Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu were determined in fifteen water samples from the major water sources in the study area, viz., streams, river, and hand-dug wells. The water samples were collected using precleaned 500 cm3 glass bottles and were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) technique. The results showed that four metals (Cr, Cu, Mn, and Pb) out of the eight heavy metals were not detected in all the samples. The concentration levels of total Ni had a range of 0.029–0.11 mg/L with highest concentration occurring at Isiachala stream, Onowulugbe well, and Omambala river (0.11 mg/L). The Cd levels in the water samples had a range of 0.001–0.036 mg/L, with Isiachala and Iyiutu having the highest values (0.036 mg/L). The concentration of Fe ranged from 0.01 to 0.047 mg/L. Mn was detected at a concentration level of 0.003 mg/L in Iyiutu stream only. The Pearson correlation deduced a strong correlation (> 0.75) and a medium correlation (0.50–0.75) for sample locations and analytes, while three factors (principal component analysis) were produced, which indicates the influence of anthropogenic release rather than natural release. Ecological indices showed the impact of multi-elemental matrices on the ecology, while health risk assessments showed that there was no adverse cancer risk or non-cancer risk across respondents (adults and children). The obtained results showed that anthropogenic release has an extensive mobility influence on the natural level of metals in surface and ground water in Ifite Ogwari, and so proper treatment is advocated. This study has shown that the water sources from Ifite Ogwari pose no adverse health risk to the residents. Consequently, additional research on Ifite Ogwari water is needed to characterize “forever chemicals,” per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which are ubiquitous, cancerous and have been linked to reproductive and immune system harm, and suggest routes for remediation.
Equivariant homotopy equivalence of homotopy colimits of $$G$$-functors
Authors: Villarroel-Flores Rafael
Published: March 2023

Given a group G and a G-category $${\textbf{C}}$$
C
, we give a condition on a diagram of simplicial sets indexed by $${\textbf{C}}$$
C
that allows us to define a natural action of G on its homotopy colimit, and some other simplicial sets defined in terms of the diagram. Well-known theorems on homeomorphisms and homotopy equivalences are generalized to equivariant versions.
Prehabilitation in Adult Solid Organ Transplant Candidates
Authors: Quint Evelien E. , Ferreira Manoela , van Munster Barbara C. , Nieuwenhuijs-Moeke Gertrude , te Velde-Keyzer Charlotte , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Annema Coby , Mathur Sunita , Pol Robert A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose of Review

To highlight the importance of biological age in the context of prehabilitation and to present relevant research regarding prehabilitation prior to solid organ transplantation.

Recent Findings

Studies on the effect of prehabilitation have been performed in kidney-, lung-, liver-, and heart transplant patient populations. Prior to kidney transplantation, exercise interventions have been shown to improve cardiopulmonary- and physical fitness and result in a decreased length of hospital stay postoperatively. Among lung transplant candidates, various methods of prehabilitation have been studied including home-based, outpatient and in-patient programs, consisting of physical training, psychological support, education, and nutritional interventions. Overall, prehabilitation seems to improve or maintain quality of life and exercise capacity in this patient population. Patients undergoing liver transplantation seem to benefit from prehabilitation as well. Not only does it seem safe and feasible, but significant improvements in aerobic and functional capacity have also been found. Regarding heart transplant candidates, both inpatient and outpatient, supervised prehabilitation programs show promising results with improvements in exercise capacities and quality of life.

Prehabilitation is an effective and safe intervention for improving functional outcomes of solid organ transplant patients. Future studies should evaluate whether prehabilitation translates into improved pre- and post-transplant clinical outcomes.
Caregiver and adolescent intuitive eating behavior: associations with weight change during family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa
Authors: Nelson Jillian D. , Trojanowski Paige J. , Aarnio-Peterson Claire M. , Fischer Sarah , Adams Leah , Matthews Abigail
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Intuitive eating (IE) is an adaptive eating construct for which little research exists in eating disorder (ED) samples. IE is negatively correlated with disordered eating behaviors in healthy adolescents and adults, and similar associations have been found in adults with EDs. This study aims to examine IE in a treatment seeking sample of adolescents and their caregivers to understand the role of IE in weight gain during FBT.

Methods

Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations were calculated in a sample of 47 pairs of adolescent patients and their caregivers who initiated outpatient FBT at a large academic medical center. Analyses examined associations between caregiver and adolescent IE on the Intuitive Eating Scale (IES), change in percent expected body weight (%EBW) by session 4 and end of treatment (EOT), clinical impairment, and ED pathology.

Results

Significant correlations were found between aspects of adolescent IE, ED symptoms, and clinical impairment. Caregiver IES scores (Reliance on Hunger and Satiety Cues, Body-Food Choice Congruence, IES Total) were negatively related to adolescent ED symptoms (EDE-Q Weight Concerns, EDE-Q Shape Concerns, EDE-Q Global) at baseline. Caregiver IE (Eating for Physical Rather than Emotional Reasons) was positively associated with adolescent weight gain at FBT session 4 and EOT, even when statistically adjusting for gender and initial level of care.

Conclusion

Study results were consistent with past research indicating adolescent IE is negatively associated with ED behaviors, cognitions, and impairment. This study is the first to provide evidence that caregiver IE is positively associated with adolescent weight gain in FBT and is the first to provide evidence that caregiver IE is negatively related to adolescent ED symptoms. Future research should examine adolescent and caregiver IE throughout FBT to understand the role of IE in treatment response.

Level of evidence

Level III: Evidence obtained from cohort or case-control analytic studies.
Influence of quick release valve on braking performance and coupler force of heavy haul train
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Jun , Zhao Xubao
Published: March 2023

We establish a simulation model based on the theory of air flow to analyze the accelerated release effect of the quick release valve inside the air brake control valve. In addition, the combined simulation system of train air brake system and longitudinal train dynamics is used to analyze how the parameters of the quick release valve in the 120/120–1 brake control valve affect the propagation characteristics of the train brake pipe pressure wave, the release action range of the accelerated brake, and the longitudinal coupler force for a 20,000-ton heavy haul train on the section of the Datong–Qinhuangdao Railway. The results show that the quick release valve can effectively accelerate the rising speed of the train brake pipe pressure during the initial release, as the accelerated release effect is evident before the train brake pipe pressure reaches 582 kPa. The quick release valve can effectively accelerate the release of the rear cars, reducing the longitudinal coupler force impact due to time delay of the release process. The quick release valve can effectively reduce the tensile coupler force in the train by as much as 20% in certain cases.
Low-Profile Capacitive Load Cells for Underground Mining Material and Wear Classification to Promote Worker Safety
Authors: Oltmanns Austin F. , Petruska Andrew J.
Published: March 2023

This work proposes a capacitive load cell for conical picks to enable underground continuous mining machine operators to perform their roles away from known hazardous regions near the machine. The load cell is embedded in commercially available flexible printed circuit board, integrates with the target tooling, and demonstrates in situ force sensing of vibration signatures for continuous mining cutting tools. Changes in material constitution, tool mass, and tool geometry cause modal variations in vibrational response measurable with force sensors at the cutting interface. Time-series measurements are captured during rock cutting tests using a linear cutting machine. These measurements are segmented into small windows, less than 0.25 s, and are preprocessed using the fast Fourier transform, which highlights the modal variations. The transformed measurements are then classified into different material and wear categories using support-vector machines with the radial basis function kernel. Different normalization schemes and Fourier transform methods are tested for signal preprocessing. Results show that the power spectral density measurements with normally distributed coefficients give good results for material classification, while the normalized time-domain measurements give better results for wear classification. Under laboratory conditions, this technique is shown to classify material and wear categories with F1 score above 0.85 out of 1.0 for our experiment. This technology could be used to assist operators in assessing material and wear conditions from a safer distance. It has applications in the coal mining industry as well as other applications which use conical picks such as road milling.