bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Stocking Density, Size, and External Stress on Growth and Welfare of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) in a Commercial RAS
Authors: Baßmann Björn , Hahn Lisa , Rebl Alexander , Wenzel Lisa Carolina , Hildebrand Marc-Christopher , Verleih Marieke , Palm Harry Wilhelm
Published: January 2023

The effects of semi-intensive (100 kg m−3), intensive (200 kg m−3), and super-intensive (400 kg m−3) stocking densities on the growth and welfare of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were investigated under commercial production conditions. Plasma cortisol, glucose, and selected transcripts following a stress challenge, lactate, as well as skin lesions, were analyzed at regular intervals (from 12 g juveniles to 1.5–2.0 kg). The fish grew well, but after 23 weeks, the semi-intensively stocked fish had a mean final weight of 1830.5 g, significantly higher than the super-intensively stocked fish with 1615.4 g, and considerably higher than the intensively stocked fish with 1664.8 g (p > 0.05). Cortisol and glucose responses significantly differed between stressed and unstressed fish, but not between treatment groups. An unforeseen external stressor (nearby demolition noise) caused stress responses among all treatment groups, but was similarly coped with. Mortality ranged between 3.8–9.2%. In the juveniles, skin lesions were reduced under intensive or super-intensive densities, with the least under semi-intensive densities in outgrown fish. Expression profiles of 22 genes were compared in the spleen at semi-intensive and super-intensive densities. The transcript concentrations of most genes remained unchanged, except for slc39a8 and mtf1, which were significantly downregulated in stressed catfish under semi-intensive conditions. We demonstrated that African catfish growth performance and welfare depend on age and stocking density, also reacting to demolition noise. This supports farm management to optimize stocking densities during the grow-out of African catfish in RAS and suggests avoiding external stress.
Turbulence Modeling for Physics-Informed Neural Networks: Comparison of Different RANS Models for the Backward-Facing Step Flow
Authors: Pioch Fabian , Harmening Jan Hauke , Müller Andreas Maximilian , Peitzmann Franz-Josef , Schramm Dieter , el Moctar Ould
Published: January 2023

Physics-informed neural networks (PINN) can be used to predict flow fields with a minimum of simulated or measured training data. As most technical flows are turbulent, PINNs based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations incorporating a turbulence model are needed. Several studies demonstrated the capability of PINNs to solve the Naver–Stokes equations for laminar flows. However, little work has been published concerning the application of PINNs to solve the RANS equations for turbulent flows. This study applied a RANS-based PINN approach to a backward-facing step flow at a Reynolds number of 5100. The standard k-ω model, the mixing length model, an equation-free νt and an equation-free pseudo-Reynolds stress model were applied. The results compared favorably to DNS data when provided with three vertical lines of labeled training data. For five lines of training data, all models predicted the separated shear layer and the associated vortex more accurately.
High-Speed Digital Photography of Vapor Cavitation in a Narrow Gap Flow
Authors: Reinke Peter , Beckmann Tom , Ahlers Caroline , Ahlrichs Jan , Hammou Lamyaa , Schmidt Marcus
Published: January 2023

Digital photography of cavitation in narrow gap flows, e.g., lubrication films in journal bearings or squeeze film dampers, demands a high time-resolution and a solution to approaching the particular spatial restrictions. Typically, the lubrication film thickness is in the range of a few microns and the characteristic time for vapor bubble generation and collapse is about one millisecond, respectively. The authors have developed a Journal Bearing Model Experiment, which is designed according to similarity laws providing fully similar flow conditions to real journal flows while offering ideal access to the flow by means of optical measurement equipment. Compared with other methods, e.g., pulsed laser, electrical discharge, tube arrest, applied to produce vapor bubbles, the work on hand applies a dynamic variation of the minimum film thickness to produce suction cavitation, which proves the applicability of this novel approach to study vapor cavitation in fluid films similar to lubricant flows. The results are obtained by means of digital high-speed photography of vapor bubbles from inception to implosion triggered by the dynamic variation of the minimum film thickness of a narrow gap flow. Moreover, the results are set in relation to a general overview of cavitation processes.
Experimental Study of Wave Processes in Main Gas Pipelines under Normal Operating Conditions
Authors: Sukharev Mikhail , Kochueva Olga , Zhaglova Anna
Published: January 2023

The article presents the results of processing non-emergency pressure measurements that are transmitted via the SCADA hardware and software system to the control center of the main gas pipeline. SCADA is widely used for real-time control of the modes of gas transmission systems. However, the data provided by SCADA contain some information that is not fully analyzed. The performed processing of pressure measurements is a passive experiment aimed at a deeper understanding of the flow processes that occur during the flow of gas in industrial pipelines of high power. As a result of the experiment, four types of wave phenomena were found: single waves of (a) compression and (b) decompression that were both damped as they moved along the pipe, (c) oscillations with an amplitude and frequency practically unchanged in a fixed section within a period of about 2 h, and (d) wave phenomena with a sharply changing amplitude and frequency within a period of several minutes. The characteristics of wave processes, such as the speed of movement and the decreasing or attenuating amplitude of oscillations, were evaluated. For evaluation, models were built that take into account the specifics of information transfer procedures, namely, SCADA’s representation of continuous functions in a discrete form. The results obtained can be used as an additional tool for searching for leaks, such as in fistulas and unauthorized tie-ins, allowing us to more accurately separate the useful signal from the noise. The question is raised about the adequacy of the one-dimensional model for describing the flow processes in the zones of large gradients of regime parameters. The reasons for possible inadequacy and ways to overcome it are indicated.
Application of Empirical Bode Analysis for Delay-Margin Evaluation of Fractional-Order PI Controller in a Renewable Distributed Hybrid System
Authors: Biswas Soumen , Mahata Shibendu , Roy Provas Kumar , Chatterjee Kalyan
Published: January 2023

For an uninterrupted power supply, renewable energy promises to be a suitable alternative compared to the conventional sources. System delays or communication delays may cause significant synchronization imbalances between various components in big electrical grids. Since the properties of solar and wind generation constantly change with climatic circumstances, engineers encounter many difficulties when substituting sustainable power with conventional electricity. The computation delay margin may be leveraged to handle a time-delayed automatic generation control (AGC) system. In order to regulate a distributed hybrid renewable energy system in a three-area AGC configuration, this paper investigates the influence of the fractional integral order on the stable system’s delay parameter region. By changing the fractional order range, the delay margin can be increased, potentially broadening the time-delayed system’s stability region. The controller’s stability region has dependency on the order of fraction and the time delay. For this purpose, the asymptotic Bode diagram of the time-delayed fractional proportional-integral controller is determined. The gain and phase margins are used to calculate the delay margin for the application in discussion. The Honey Badger algorithm helps to adjust the controller parameters. It is also confirmed that the suggested controller is resilient to random load perturbations, nonlinearities, and parameter variations.
Diversity and Distribution Characteristics of Viruses from Soda Lakes
Authors: ZeinEldin Ramadan A. , Ahmed Marwa M. , Hassanein Wael S. , Elshafey Naglaa , Sofy Ahmed R. , Hamedo Hend A. , Elnosary Mohamed E.
Published: January 2023

Viruses are the most abundant living things and a source of genetic variation. Despite recent research, we know little about their biodiversity and geographic distribution. We used different bioinformatics tools, MG-RAST, genome detective web tools, and GenomeVx, to describe the first metagenomic examination of haloviruses in Wadi Al-Natrun. The discovered viromes had remarkably different taxonomic compositions. Most sequences were derived from double-stranded DNA viruses, especially from Myoviridae, Podoviridae, Siphoviridae, Herpesviridae, Bicaudaviridae, and Phycodnaviridae families; single-stranded DNA viruses, especially from the family Microviridae; and positive-strand RNA viruses, especially from the family Potyviridae. Additionally, our results showed that Myohalovirus chaoS9 has eight Contigs and is annotated to 18 proteins as follows: tail sheath protein, tco, nep, five uncharacterized proteins, HCO, major capsid protein, putative pro head protease protein, putative head assembly protein, CxxC motive protein, terl, HTH domain protein, and terS Exon 2. Additionally, Halorubrum phage CGphi46 has 19 proteins in the brine sample as follows: portal protein, 17 hypothetical proteins, major capsid protein, etc. This study reveals viral lineages, suggesting the Virus’s global dispersal more than other microorganisms. Our study clarifies how viral communities are connected and how the global environment changes.
A Novel GNAS Mutation in a Patient with Ia Pseudohypoparathyroidism (iPPSD2) Phenotype
Authors: Gorbacheva Anna , Pogoda Tatyana , Bogdanov Viktor , Zakharova Victoriya , Salimkhanov Rustam , Eremkina Anna , Melnichenko Galina , Mokrysheva Natalia
Published: January 2023

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a heterogeneous orphan disease characterized by multihormonal resistance and several phenotypic features. In some cases, PHP is caused by a mutation in the GNAS that encodes the alpha subunit of the G protein, one of the key transmitters of intracellular signals. A correlation between the genotype and phenotype of patients with GNAS mutations has not yet been described. This often makes diagnosis, drug prescription, and timely diagnosis difficult. Information about GNAS functioning and the impact of specific mutations on the clinical course of the disease is limited. Establishing of the pathogenicity by newly identified GNAS mutations will expand the understanding of this gene functioning in the cAMP signaling pathway and may become the basis for personalized treatment. This paper provides a clinical description of a patient with the Ia PHP phenotype caused by a previously unknown mutation in GNAS (NC_000020.11(NM_000516.7)): c.719-29_719-13delinsACCAAAGAGAGCAAAGCCAAG in the heterozygous state. Verification of the pathogenicity of the detected mutation is also described.
Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Barbo Maruša , Ravnik-Glavač Metka
Published: January 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is described as a fatal and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the degeneration of upper motor neurons in the primary motor cortex and lower motor neurons of the brainstem and spinal cord. Due to ALS’s slowly progressive characteristic, which is often accompanied by other neurological comorbidities, its diagnosis remains challenging. Perturbations in vesicle-mediated transport and autophagy as well as cell-autonomous disease initiation in glutamatergic neurons have been revealed in ALS. The use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be key in accessing pathologically relevant tissues for ALS, as EVs can cross the blood–brain barrier and be isolated from the blood. The number and content of EVs may provide indications of the disease pathogenesis, its stage, and prognosis. In this review, we collected a recent study aiming at the identification of EVs as a biomarker of ALS with respect to the size, quantity, and content of EVs in the biological fluids of patients compared to controls.
An In-Depth Analysis of Providers and Services of Cancellation in Anesthesia Reveals a Complex Picture after Systemic Analysis
Authors: Laudanski Krzysztof , Wain Justin , Pizzini Mark-Alan
Published: January 2023

The variances in operating room (OR) cancellation rates between different service lines and operators within these service lines were assessed by reviewing the electronic medical record (EMR) covering 34,561 cases performed by 199 OR operators in 2018. We assumed that cancellations would differ between different service lines, but the between-operators variance was minimal within the service line. We hypothesized that most variability would be secondary to patient-specific (weekdays, time of year, and national holidays), seasonal and administrative issues. Of 4165 case cancellations, the majority (73.1%) occurred before the patient arrived at the hospital. A total of 60% of all cancellations were within gastroenterology, interventional cardiology, and orthopedics. Cancellation rate variability between surgeons operating within the same service line greatly varied between services from very homogenous to very diverse across providers. The top reasons for cancellation were: date change, canceled by a patient, or “no show”. The highest cancellation rates occurred on Mondays and Tuesdays, in January and September, and during weeks associated with national holidays. In summary, cancellation variability must be analyzed at the level of individual specialties, operators, and time variability.
Meat Supplies at the Ribadeo I Shipwreck (San Giacomo di Galizia galleon): Preliminary Results from Three Small Faunal Samples
Authors: Moreno-García Marta , San Claudio Santa Cruz Miguel , Crespo Solana Ana
Published: January 2023

The 78 faunal remains recovered from the Ribadeo I shipwreck, identified as the San Giacomo di Galizia galleon found at the Ribadeo estuary of north-west Spain, represent a very small part of the meaty provisions that this 16th-century warship would have originally carried on board. Cattle, sheep, pig, goose and hake are the species identified in the three samples analysed. The number of cattle bulk-meat cuts from the axial skeleton and fore/hind leg quarters suggest beef was an important source of protein for the crew, with mutton and pork occupying a secondary position. Aging data demonstrate the consumption of meat from sub-adult and young individuals while the frequency and location of butchery marks indicate extensive processing of the carcasses into small manageable portions, particularly in the case of cattle. Recovery of a goose tarsometatarsus (low-yield meat bone) may point to live poultry on board, while a hake vertebra evidences the likely provision of stockfish. In sum, the archaeozoological analysis provides interesting information to gain some knowledge on foodways and the types of meat available on board this Spanish galleon.
Adherence to Cervical Cancer Screening Programs in Migrant Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rosato Isabella , Dalla Zuanna Teresa , Tricarico Valentina , Barbiellini Amidei Claudio , Canova Cristina
Published: January 2023

Organized cervical cancer screening programs to promote the early identification of precancerous lesions have proven to be effective in decreasing the burden associated with cervical cancer, but knowledge regarding screening adherence among migrant women compared to that of native women has not been summarized. A systematic search of the literature on PubMed, Scopus and Embase led to the identification of 772 papers that were published up to July 2022 and reported population-based data regarding adherence to cervical screening. The screening participation rates among migrant women, compared to native women, were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. A total of 18 papers were included in the review, with most of them being conducted in Europe (83.3%). Overall, migrants showed a significantly lower participation rate compared to native women (OR for screening adherence: 0.54, 95% CI = 0.42–0.70). This discrepancy was especially evident for migrant women from North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.35–0.63, and OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.24–0.49, respectively). The results of this systematic review emphasize the importance of increasing cervical cancer screening adherence among migrant women. A significant heterogeneity in screening adherence was observed based on the country of origin. Interventions aimed at reducing the disparities in screening participation should specifically consider how to improve the recruitment of migrant women.
Acute Effects of a Session with The EXOPULSE Mollii Suit in a Fibromyalgia Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Rubio-Zarapuz Alejandro , Apolo-Arenas María , Clemente-Suárez Vicente , Costa Ana , Pardo-Caballero David , Parraca Jose
Published: January 2023

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and associated fatigue, sleep disturbances, and other cognitive and somatic symptoms. A multidisciplinary approach including pharmacological therapies along with behavioral therapy, exercise, patient education, and pain management is a possible solution for the treatment of this disease. The EXOPULSE Mollii® method (EXONEURAL NETWORK AB, Danderyd, Sweden) is an innovative approach for non-invasive and self-administered electrical stimulation with multiple electrodes incorporated in a full-body suit, with already proven benefits for other diseases. Therefore, the present case report study aims to evaluate the effects that a 60 min session with the EXOPULSE Mollii suit has on a female fibromyalgia patient. After the intervention, we can conclude that a 60 min session with the EXOPULSE Mollii suit has beneficial effects on pain perception, muscle oxygenation, parasympathetic modulation, and function in a female fibromyalgia patient.
The Impact of Migration Experience on Rural Residents’ Mental Health: Evidence from Rural China
Authors: Deng Li , Hou Xiaohua , Lu Haiyang , Li Xuefeng
Published: January 2023

Migration experience is considered to be an important factor affecting mental health. With the increasing number of rural-to-urban migrant workers returning to their hometowns, the impact of migration experience on rural residents is worthy of noting. Using the data from the 2018 China Labor Dynamics Survey, this paper took migration experience as the identification criteria for returning migrant workers and empirically examined the impact of migration experience on rural residents’ mental health. Our results indicated that migration experience had a significant negative impact on the mental health of rural residents. That is, returning migrant workers had a worse mental health status than that of rural residents who never left their hometowns. Mechanism analysis showed that social support and social comparison played an intermediary role in the impact of migration experience on the mental health of rural residents. We also detected considerable heterogeneity in the effects of migration experience: the short-term returning migrant workers and the passive returning migrant workers are more likely to be negatively affected by the migration experience. Our results emphasized the mental health problem faced by returning migrant workers. The policy makers should strengthen psychological education and mental health consultation according to the intergenerational differences and individual characteristics of returning migrant workers.
Intersectionality-Informed Sex/Gender-Sensitivity in Public Health Monitoring and Reporting (PHMR): A Case Study Assessing Stratification on an “Intersectional Gender-Score”
Authors: Mena Emily , Stahlmann Katharina , Telkmann Klaus , Bolte Gabriele ,   on behalf of the AdvanceGender Study Group
Published: January 2023

To date, PHMR has often relied on male/female stratification, but rarely considers the complex, intersecting social positions of men and women in describing the prevalence of health and disease. Stratification on an Intersectional Gender-Score (IG-Score), which is based on a variety of social covariables, would allow comparison of the prevalence of individuals who share the same complex intersectional profile (IG-Score). The cross-sectional case study was based on the German Socio-Economic Panel 2017 (n = 23,269 age 18+). After stratification, covariable-balance within the total sample and IG-Score-subgroups was assessed by standardized mean differences. Prevalence of self-rated health, mental distress, depression and hypertension was compared in men and women. In the IG-Score-subgroup with highest proportion of males and lowest probability of falling into the ‘woman’-category, most individuals were in full-time employment. The IG-Score-subgroup with highest proportion of women and highest probability of falling into the ‘woman’-category was characterized by part-time/occasional employment, housewife/-husband, and maternity/parental leave. Gender differences in prevalence of health indicators remained within the male-dominated IG-Score-subgroup, whereas the same prevalence of depression and self-rated health was observed for men and women constituting the female-dominated IG-Score-subgroup. These results might indicate that sex/gender differences of depression and self-rated health could be interpreted against the background of gender associated processes. In summary, the proposed procedure allows comparison of prevalence of health indicators conditional on men and women sharing the same complex intersectional profile.
The Expression of TGF-β1, SMAD3, ILK and miRNA-21 in the Ectopic and Eutopic Endometrium of Women with Endometriosis
Authors: Zubrzycka Anna , Migdalska-Sęk Monika , Jędrzejczyk Sławomir , Brzeziańska-Lasota Ewa
Published: January 2023

The molecular pathogenesis of endometriosis has been associated with pathological alterations of protein expression via disturbances in homeostatic genes, miRNA expression profiles, and signaling pathways that play an essential role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. TGF-β1 has been hypothesized to play a key role in the development and progression of endometriosis, but the activation of a specific mechanism via the TGF-β-SMAD-ILK axis in the formation of endometriotic lesions is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of EMT markers (TGF-β1, SMAD3, ILK) and miR-21 in ectopic endometrium (ECE), in its eutopic (EUE) counterpart, and in the endometrium of healthy women. The expression level of the tested genes and miRNA was also evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in women with and without endometriosis. Fifty-four patients (n = 54; with endometriosis, n = 29, and without endometriosis, n = 25) were enrolled in the study. The expression levels (RQ) of the studied genes and miRNA were evaluated using qPCR. Endometriosis patients manifested higher TGF-β1, SMAD3, and ILK expression levels in the eutopic endometrium and a decreased expression level in the ectopic lesions in relation to control tissue. Compared to the endometrium of healthy participants, miR-21 expression levels did not change in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis, but the RQ was higher in their endometrial implants. In PBMC, negative correlations were found between the expression level of miR-21 and the studied genes, with the strongest statistically significant correlation observed between miR-21 and TGF-β1. Our results suggest the loss of the endometrial epithelial phenotype defined by the differential expression of the TGF-β1, SMAD3 and ILK genes in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium. We concluded that the TGF-β1-SMAD3-ILK signaling pathway, probably via a mechanism related to the EMT, may be important in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. We also identified miR-21 as a possible inhibitor of this TGF-β1-SMAD3-ILK axis.
Capacity of Linguistic Communication Channels in Literary Texts: Application to Charles Dickens’ Novels
Authors: Matricciani Emilio
Published: January 2023

In the first part of the article, we recall our general theory of linguistic channels—based on regression lines between deep language parameters—and study their capacity and interdependence. In the second part, we apply the theory to novels written by Charles Dickens and other authors of English literature, including the Gospels in the King James version of the Bible. In literary works (or in any long texts), there are multiple communication channels. The theory considers not only averages but also correlation coefficients. The capacity of linguistic channels is a Gaussian stochastic variable. The similarity between two channels is measured by the likeness index. Dickens’ novels show striking and unexpected mathematical/statistical similarity to the synoptic Gospels. The Pythagorean distance, defined in a suitable Cartesian plane involving deep language parameters, and the likeness index correlate with an inverse proportional relationship. A similar approach can be applied to any literary corpus written in any alphabetical language.
Clinical Reasoning: A Missing Piece for Improving Evidence-Based Assessment in Psychology
Authors: Wilcox Gabrielle , Schroeder Meadow , Drefs Michelle A.
Published: January 2023

Clinical reasoning is a foundational component of conducting evidence-based psychological assessments. In spite of its importance, limited attention has been paid to the teaching or measurement of clinical reasoning skills relative to psychological assessment, as well as how clinical reasoning develops or how its efficacy can be measured. Improving clinical reasoning throughout the assessment process, from initial case conceptualization to hypotheses testing, to recommendation writing, has the potential to address commonly noted concerns regarding diagnostic accuracy, as well as the accessibility and utility of psychological reports and recommendations, and will, ultimately, lead to improved outcomes for clients. Consequently, we provide a definition of clinical reasoning in relation to psychological assessment, followed by a critique of graduate training assessment and the current challenges of measuring clinical reasoning in psychology. Lastly, this paper provides suggestions for how to incorporate clinical reasoning throughout the assessment process as a way to answer client questions more effectively and provide meaningful recommendations to improve outcomes.
Personalized Treatment Decisions for Traumatic Proximal Finger Amputations: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dastagir Nadjib , Obed Doha , Dastagir Khaled , Vogt Peter M.
Published: January 2023

Ray and proximal phalanx amputations present valid surgical options for the management of severe traumatic finger injuries. However, among these procedures, the superior one for optimal functionality and quality of life for patients still remains unknown. This retrospective cohort study compares the postoperative effects of each amputation type to provide objective evidence and to create a paradigm for clinical decision-making. A total of forty patients who had received either ray or proximal phalanx-level amputations reported on their functional outcomes using a combination of questionnaires and clinical testing. We found a decreased overall DASH score following ray amputation. Particularly, Part A and Part C of the DASH questionnaire were consistently lower compared with amputation at the proximal phalanx. Pain measurements in the affected hand were also significantly decreased during work and at rest in ray amputation patients, and they reported decreased cold sensitivity. Range of motion and grip strength were lower in ray amputations, which is an important preoperative consideration. We found no significant differences in reported health condition, evaluated according to the EQ-5D-5L, and blood circulation in the affected hand. We present an algorithm for clinical decision-making based on patients’ preferences to personalize treatment.
Enhancing Clinical Data Analysis by Explaining Interaction Effects between Covariates in Deep Neural Network Models
Authors: Shao Yijun , Ahmed Ali , Zamrini Edward Y. , Cheng Yan , Goulet Joseph L. , Zeng-Treitler Qing
Published: January 2023

Deep neural network (DNN) is a powerful technology that is being utilized by a growing number and range of research projects, including disease risk prediction models. One of the key strengths of DNN is its ability to model non-linear relationships, which include covariate interactions. We developed a novel method called interaction scores for measuring the covariate interactions captured by DNN models. As the method is model-agnostic, it can also be applied to other types of machine learning models. It is designed to be a generalization of the coefficient of the interaction term in a logistic regression; hence, its values are easily interpretable. The interaction score can be calculated at both an individual level and population level. The individual-level score provides an individualized explanation for covariate interactions. We applied this method to two simulated datasets and a real-world clinical dataset on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). We also applied two existing interaction measurement methods to those datasets for comparison. The results on the simulated datasets showed that the interaction score method can explain the underlying interaction effects, there are strong correlations between the population-level interaction scores and the ground truth values, and the individual-level interaction scores vary when the interaction was designed to be non-uniform. Another validation of our new method is that the interactions discovered from the ADRD data included both known and novel relationships.
How Wearable Sensors Can Support the Research on Foetal and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Scoping Review
Authors: Maugeri Andrea , Barchitta Martina , Agodi Antonella
Published: January 2023

The application of innovative technologies, and in particular of wearable devices, can potentially transform the field of antenatal care with the aim of improving maternal and new-born health through a personalized approach. The present study undertakes a scoping review to systematically map the literature about the use wearable sensors in the research of foetal and pregnancy outcomes. Online databases were used to identify papers published between 2000–2022, from which we selected 30 studies: 9 on foetal outcomes and 21 on maternal outcomes. Included studies focused primarily on the use of wearable devices for monitoring foetal vital signs (e.g., foetal heart rate and movements) and maternal activity during pregnancy (e.g., sleep patterns and physical activity levels). There were many studies that focused on development and/or validation of wearable devices, even if often they included a limited number of pregnant women without pregnancy complications. Although their findings support the potential adoption of wearable devices for both antenatal care and research, there is still insufficient evidence to design effective interventions. Therefore, high quality research is needed to determine which and how wearable devices could support antenatal care.
The Influences of Procedural Justice on Turnover Intention and Social Loafing Behavior among Hotel Employees
Authors: Edrees Hussein N. E. , Sobaih Abu Elnasr E. , Gharbi Hassane , Abu Elnasr Ahmed E.
Published: January 2023

This study examines the influences of procedural justice on the turnover intention and social loafing behavior among employees in the hotel industry. Despite a growing body of literature regarding the relationship between organizational justice, turnover intention and social loafing, there is limited published research on the influence of procedural justice on social loafing behavior among hotel employees with the mediating effect of turnover intention. For this purpose, a questionnaire was self-administered to employees working at different hotels in Saudi Arabia. AMOS software was employed for structural equation modeling (SEM) data analysis. The results show that procedural justice significantly and negatively influences social loafing behavior. Furthermore, procedural justice significantly and negatively influences turnover intention, whereas the turnover intention significantly and positively influences social loafing behavior. Turnover intention partially mediates the link between procedural justice and social loafing. The study outcomes confirm that procedural justice is important for any organization; nevertheless, it is not enough to decrease social loafing behavior among hotel employees, especially when turnover intention exists. The results have implications for hotel practitioners and scholars in relation to reducing turnover intentions and social loafing behavior among employees.
Industrial Spatio-Temporal Distribution of High-Speed Rail Station Area from the Accommodation Facilities Perspective: A Multi-City Comparison
Authors: Niu Bingjie , Yin Ping , Shen Pengxia
Published: January 2023

As a new engine of urban development, the high-speed rail (HSR) station area is an emerging location where the service industry is concentrated. This study aims to reflect the development of accommodation facilities in transport hub areas through the spatial distribution and agglomeration characteristics of the lodging industry in HSR station areas. HSR stations in Beijing, Tianjin, Nanjing, Jinan, Kunshan, and Xuzhou are selected. The Geodetector model is applied to analyze the pertinent driving factors. The findings indicate that: (1) The smaller the population size of the city, the closer the high agglomeration area of the accommodation industry in the HSR station area is to the HSR station. (2) The longer the HSR station is open, the stronger the agglomeration intensity of the accommodation industry is. (3) At HSR stations in various cities, the driving factors affecting the accommodation industry are heterogeneous. The interaction between the factors has a synergistic enhancement effect.
Induction of Chirality in Atomically Thin ZnSe and CdSe Nanoplatelets: Strengthening of Circular Dichroism via Different Coordination of Cysteine-Based Ligands on an Ultimate Thin Semiconductor Core
Authors: Kurtina Daria A. , Grafova Valeria P. , Vasil’eva Irina S. , Maksimov Sergey V. , Zaytsev Vladimir B. , Vasiliev Roman B.
Published: January 2023

Chiral nanostructures exhibiting different absorption of right- and left-handed circularly polarized light are of rapidly growing interest due to their potential applications in various fields. Here, we have studied the induction of chirality in atomically thin (0.6–1.2 nm thick) ZnSe and CdSe nanoplatelets grown by a colloidal method and coated with L-cysteine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine ligands. We conducted an analysis of the optical and chiroptical properties of atomically thin ZnSe and CdSe nanoplatelets, which was supplemented by a detailed analysis of the composition and coordination of ligands. Different signs of circular dichroism were shown for L-cysteine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine ligands, confirmed by different coordination of these ligands on the basal planes of nanoplatelets. A maximum value of the dissymmetry factor of (2–3) × 10−3 was found for N-acetyl-L-cysteine ligand in the case of the thinnest nanoplatelets.
Formation of Metal-Oxide Nanocomposites with Highly Dispersed Co Particles from a Co-Zr Powder Blend by Mechanical Alloying and Hydrogen Treatment
Authors: Yakovlev Ilya , Tikhov Serguei , Gerasimov Evgeny , Kardash Tatiana , Valeev Konstantin , Salanov Aleksei , Chesalov Yurii , Lapina Olga , Lomovskii Oleg , Dudina Dina
Published: January 2023

The use of metal powders produced by mechanical treatment in various fields, such as catalysis or gas absorption, is often limited by the low specific surface area of the resulting particles. One of the possible solutions for increasing the particle fineness is hydrogen treatment; however, its effect on the structure of mechanically treated powders remains unexplored. In this work, for the first time, a metal-oxide nanocomposite powder was produced by mechanical alloying (MA) in a high-energy planetary ball mill from commercial powders of Zr and Co in the atomic ratio Co:Zr = 53:47 in an inert atmosphere, followed by high-pressure hydrogenation at room temperature. The initial powders and products of alloying and hydrogenation were studied by XRD, 59Co Internal Field NMR, SEM, and HRTEM microscopy with EDX mapping, as well as Raman spectroscopy. MA resulted in significant amorphization of the powders, as well as extensive oxidation of zirconium by water according to the so-called “Fukushima effect”. Moreover, an increase in hcp Co sites was observed. 59Co IF NMR spectra revealed the formation of magnetically single-domain cobalt particles after hydrogenation. The crystallite sizes remained unchanged, which was not observed earlier. The pulverization of Co and an increase in hcp Co sites made this nanocomposite suitable for the synthesis of promising Fischer–Tropsch catalysts.
Effect of Polydopamine Coating of Cellulose Nanocrystals on Performance of PCL/PLA Bio-Nanocomposites
Authors: Kelnar Ivan , Kaprálková Ludmila , Krejčíková Sabina , Dybal Jiří , Vyroubalová Michaela , Abdel-Mohsen A. M.
Published: January 2023

In bio-nanocomposites with a poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix with neat and polydopamine (PDA)-coated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCd), the use of different mixing protocols with masterbatches prepared by solution casting led to marked variation of localization, as well as reinforcing and structure-directing effects, of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). The most balanced mechanical properties were found with an 80/20 PLA/PCL ratio, and complex PCL/CNC structures were formed. In the nanocomposites with a bicontinuous structure (60/40 and 40/60 PLA/PCL ratios), pre-blending the CNC and CNCd/PLA caused a marked increase in the continuity of mechanically stronger PLA and an improvement in related parameters of the system. On the other hand, improved continuity of the PCL phase when using a PCL masterbatch may lead to the reduction in or elimination of reinforcing effects. The PDA coating of CNC significantly changed its behavior. In particular, a higher affinity to PCL and ordering of PLA led to dissimilar structures and interface transformations, while also having antagonistic effects on mechanical properties. The negligible differences in bulk crystallinity indicate that alteration of mechanical properties may have originated from differences in crystallinity at the interface, also influenced by presence of CNC in this area. The complex effect of CNC on bio-nanocomposites, including the potential of PDA coating to increase thermal stability, is worthy of further study.
Topological Overview of Auxiliary Source Circuits for Grid-Tied Converters
Authors: Amar Nissim , Ziv Aviv , Strajnikov Pavel , Kuperman Alon , Aharon Ilan
Published: January 2023

This paper reviews different types of capacitors and auxiliary source circuit topologies and presents an introduction to control strategies used for circuit applications reducing DC-BUS capacitance. The paper argues in favor of replacing bulky electrolytic capacitors in capacitor-supported power electronic systems with auxiliary source circuits. DC-BUS capacitors are widely used in grid-tied power converters (rectifiers) and utilized for power balance, voltage ripple limitation, and short-term energy storage. The electrolyte capacitor is the Achilles heel of any rectifier and power converter due to its higher rate of failure than other circuitry components. Auxiliary source circuits are key components to qualitatively improve the reliability of the DC links, where they divert the instantaneous pulsating power into extra reliable storage components. Unlike previous work, this review serves to provide a clear picture of an auxiliary source circuit design, in favor of optimal solution selection according to the specific application. Therefore, energy storage components (capacitors), topologies, and control strategies of auxiliary source circuits are comprehensively reviewed in this paper. Additionally, detailed explanations, comparisons, and discussions of auxiliary source circuits are offered.
Optimality of a Network Monitoring Agent and Validation in a Real Probe
Authors: Zabala Luis , Doncel Josu , Ferro Armando
Published: January 2023

The evolution of commodity hardware makes it possible to use this type of equipment to implement traffic monitoring systems. A preliminary empirical evaluation of a network traffic probe based on Linux indicates that the system performance has significant losses as the network rate increases. To assess this issue, we consider a model with two tandem queues and a moving server. In this system, we formulate a three-dimensional Markov Decision Process in continuous time. The goal of the proposed model is to determine the position of the server in each time slot so as to optimize the system performance which is measured in terms of throughput. We first formulate an equivalent discrete-time Markov Decision Process and we propose a numerical method to characterize the solution of our problem in a general setting. The solution we obtain in this problem has been tested for a wide range of scenarios and, in all the instances, we observe that the optimality is close to a threshold type policy. We also consider a real probe and we validate the good performance of threshold policies in real applications.
Application of Artificial Intelligence for Better Investment in Human Capital
Authors: Ammer Mohammed Abdullah , Ahmed Zeyad A. T. , Alsubari Saleh Nagi , Aldhyani Theyazn H. H. , Almaaytah Shahab Ahmad
Published: January 2023

Selecting candidates for a specific job or nominating a person for a specific position takes time and effort due to the need to search for the individual’s file. Ultimately, the hiring decision may not be successful. However, artificial intelligence helps organizations or companies choose the right person for the right job. In addition, artificial intelligence contributes to the selection of harmonious working teams capable of achieving an organization’s strategy and goals. This study aimed to contribute to the development of machine-learning models to analyze and cluster personality traits and classify applicants to conduct correct hiring decisions for particular jobs and identify their weaknesses and strengths. Helping applicants to succeed while managing work and training employees with weaknesses is necessary to achieving an organization’s goals. Applying the proposed methodology, we used a publicly available Big-Five-personality-traits-test dataset to conduct the analyses. Preprocessing techniques were adopted to clean the dataset. Moreover, hypothesis testing was performed using Pearson’s correlation approach. Based on the testing results, we concluded that a positive relationship exists between four personality traits (agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness), and a negative correlation occurred between neuroticism traits and the four traits. This dataset was unlabeled. However, we applied the K-mean clustering algorithm to the data-labeling task. Furthermore, various supervised machine-learning models, such as random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and AdaBoost, were used for classification purposes. The experimental results revealed that the SVM attained the highest results, with an accuracy of 98%, outperforming the other classification models. This study adds to the current literature and body of knowledge through examining the extent of the application of artificial intelligence in the present and, potentially, the future of human-resource management. Our results may be of significance to companies, organizations and their leaders and human-resource executives, in addition to human-resource professionals.
Outlier Detection of Crowdsourcing Trajectory Data Based on Spatial and Temporal Characterization
Authors: Zheng Xiaoyu , Yu Dexin , Xie Chen , Wang Zhuorui
Published: January 2023

As an emerging type of spatio-temporal big data based on positioning technology and navigation devices, vehicle-based crowdsourcing data has become a valuable trajectory data resource. However, crowdsourcing trajectory data has been collected by non-professionals and with multiple measurement terminals, resulting in certain errors in data collection. In these cases, to minimize the impact of outliers and obtain relatively accurate trajectory data, it is crucial to detect and clean outliers. This paper proposes an efficient crowdsourcing trajectory outlier detection (CTOD) method that detects outliers from the trajectory sequence data in both spatial view and temporal view. Specifically, we first use the adaptive spatial clustering algorithm based on the Delaunay triangulation (ASCDT) algorithm to remove the location offset points in the trajectory sequence. After that, based on the most basic attributes of the trajectory points, a 6-dimensional movement feature vector is constructed for each point as an input. The feature-rich trajectory sequence data is reconstructed using the proposed temporal convolutional network autoencoder (TCN-AE), and the Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) channel attention mechanism is introduced. Finally, the effectiveness of the CTOD method is experimentally verified.
Delicate Comparison of the Central and Non-Central Lyapunov Ratios with Applications to the Berry–Esseen Inequality for Compound Poisson Distributions
Authors: Makarenko Vladimir , Shevtsova Irina
Published: January 2023

For each t∈(−1,1), the exact value of the least upper bound H(t)=sup{E|X|3/E|X−t|3} over all the non-degenerate distributions of the random variable X with a fixed normalized first-order moment EX1/EX12=t, and a finite third-order moment is obtained, yielding the exact value of the unconditional supremum M:=supL1(X)/L1(X−EX)=17+77/4, where L1(X)=E|X|3/(EX2)3/2 is the non-central Lyapunov ratio, and hence proving S. Shorgin’s (2001) conjecture on the exact value of M. As a corollary, an analog of the Berry–Esseen inequality for the Poisson random sums of independent identically distributed random variables X1,X2,… is proven in terms of the central Lyapunov ratio L1(X1−EX1) with the constant 0.3031·Ht(1−t2)3/2∈[0.3031,0.4517), t∈[0,1), which depends on the normalized first-moment t:=EX1/EX12 of random summands and being arbitrarily close to 0.3031 for small values of t, an almost 1.5 size improvement from the previously known one.
Transcendence and the Expression of the Spectral Series of a Class of Higher Order Differential Operators
Authors: Xie Bing , Li Jing , Qi Jiangang
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a relationship between the spectral zeta series of a class of higher order self-adjoint differential operators on the unit circle and the integral of Green functions is established by Mercer’s Theorem. Furthermore, the explicit expression and the transcendental nature of the spectral series are obtained by the integral representation. Finally, several applications in physics about differential operators’ spectral theory, yellow some further works, and the transcendental nature of some zeta series are listed.