bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuance intention to use mobile learning for second language acquisition based on the technology acceptance model and self-determination theory
Authors: He Limin , Li Chunming
Published: June 2023

Introduction

This study examines the factors that predict Chinese students’ continuance intention to use mobile learning for second language acquisition based on the technology acceptance model and self-determination theory.

Method

One hundred seventy undergraduates have participated in the survey and the structural equation modeling is conducted to assess the validity of the integrated model and hypotheses.

Results

The findings show that instructor support can significantly predict autonomy, competence and relatedness. Autonomy and competence are positively related to perceived ease of use and continuance intention to use mobile learning for English acquisition. Relatedness significantly correlates with perceived ease of use but is not directly related to learners’ continuance intention. The relationship between perceived ease of use and continuance intention to adopt mobile learning is positive and significant. In addition, the results show that instructor support, autonomy, relatedness, competence and perceived ease of use can predict Chinese students’ continuance intention to use m-learning for second language acquisition, with 70.5% of the total variance in continuance intention being explained by these five variables.

Conclusion

These results thus empirically support the integrated model, which can be used as a theoretical framework in future studies on mobile learning in higher education contexts. Moreover, the results of this study have a number of practical implications for universities and instructors.
Technostress and academic motivation: direct and indirect effects on university students' psychological health
Authors: Vallone Federica , Galvin John , Cattaneo Della Volta Maria Francesca , Akhtar Athfah , Chua Stephanie , Ghio Emilie , Giovazolias Theodoros , Kazakou Zoe , Kritikou Marina , Koutra Katerina , Kovacevic Sanja , Lee-Treweek Geraldine , Mašková Ivana , Mavritsaki Eirini , Nastic Jelena , Plassova Michala , Stuchlíková Iva , Zurlo Maria Clelia
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Research has well demonstrated that the pandemic entailed several implications among university students worldwide in terms of increased use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), technostress, disruptions in academic goals and motivation processes, and growing psychological suffering. Responding to the new research need to go in-depth into the processes linking technostress and motivation dimensions to inform current research/interventions, the present study aimed to explore the direct effects of perceived Technostress dimensions (Techno-Overload, Work-Home Conflict, Pace of Change, Techno-Ease, Techno-Reliability, and Techno-Sociality) and Academic Motivation dimensions (Amotivation, Intrinsic, and Extrinsic Motivation dimensions) on students' perceived levels of Anxiety/Depression and test the potential indirect effect (mediating role) of Academic Motivation dimensions in the associations between Technostress and psychological health conditions.

Methods

Overall, 1,541 students from five European countries (Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Serbia, United Kingdom) completed a survey comprising a Background Information Form, the Technostress Scale, the Academic Motivation Scale-College, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Hayes' PROCESS tool was used to test direct and indirect (mediating) effects.

Results

Data revealed that Techno-Overload, Work-Home Conflict, Amotivation, and Extrinsic Motivation-Introjected had a direct negative effect, whereas Techno-Ease, Techno-Reliability, Techno-Sociality, all Intrinsic Motivation dimensions, and Extrinsic Motivation-Identified had a direct protective role for students' psychological health. The significant indirect role of motivation dimensions in the associations between Technostress dimensions and Anxiety/Depression was fully supported.

Discussion

Findings allow gaining further insight into the pathways of relationships between technostress, motivation, and psychological health, to be used in the current phase, featured by the complete restoration of face-to-face contacts, to inform the development of tailored research and interventions, which address lights and shadows of the technology use, and which take into account the necessity to enhance its potentials yet without impairing students' motivation and psychological health.
The influence of social alienation on maintenance hemodialysis patients’ coping styles: chain mediating effects of family resilience and caregiver burden
Authors: Liu Qiaoling , Zhang Li , Xiang Xia , Mao Xiaoying , Lin Ying , Li Jingfeng , Cui Wen
Published: June 2023

Objective

Research on the possible impact of social alienation, family resilience, and caregiver burden on the coping styles of Chinese patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) is scarce. We explore the influence of social alienation, family resilience, and caregiver burden on the coping styles of MHD patients, both directly and indirectly.

Methods

We invited 173 MHD patients and their primary caregivers for a cross-sectional study; the study using convenience sampling method at the hemodialysis center of the First People’s Hospital of Foshan. The Chinese version of the generalized social of alienation scale, the Chinese version of the simplified coping style questionnaire, and a sociodemographic questionnaire were completed by the MHD patients, while their primary caregivers had filled out the Chinese family resilience assessment scale, the Chinese version of the Zarit caregiver burden interview, and provided socio-demographic information. SPSS macro program PROCESS v3.3 Model 6 were used for analyses of chain-mediated effects.

Results

In the mediating effects model, the direct influence of social alienation upon coping styles was significant (95% CI −0.050, −0.014), and social alienation indirectly impacted coping style by family resilience in a significant way (95% CI −0.012, −0.001) or caregiver burden (95% CI −0.013, −0.001). In addition, social alienation significantly impacted coping style by both family resilience and caregiver burden (95% CI −0.008, −0.001).

Conclusion

Social alienation can exert both a direct and indirect influence on coping styles through the mediating factors of family resilience and caregiver burden. Clinicians can take interventions to strengthen family resilience and reduce caregiver burden, which may be useful in improving socially isolated behaviors and coping skills in MHD patients.
EPD1504: a novel μ-opioid receptor partial agonist attenuates obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)-like behaviors
Authors: Youngblood Beth , Medina Julio C. , Gehlert Donald R. , Schwartz Neil
Published: June 2023

Low doses of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists rapidly ameliorate symptoms in treatment-resistant obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) patients (10–50% of OCD patients). However, the utility of MOR agonists is limited by their safety liabilities. We developed a novel MOR partial agonist (EPD1540) that has an improved respiratory safety profile when compared to buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a MOR partial agonist primarily used in the treatment of opiate-use disorder, which in investigator-led trials, has been shown to rapidly ameliorate symptoms in treatment-resistant OCD patients. In this study, we show that doses of EPD1504 and buprenorphine that occupy small fractions of MORs in the CNS (approximately 20%) are as effective as fluoxetine at ameliorating OCD-like behaviors in two different rat models (an operant probabilistic reversal task and marble burying). Importantly, effective doses of EPD1504 did not impair either locomotor activity, or respiration under normoxic or hypercapnic conditions. Additionally, EPD1504 had effects comparable to buprenorphine in the conditioned place preference assay. These results indicate that EPD1504 may provide a safer alternative to buprenorphine for the treatment of OCD patients.
The role of kurtosis and kurtosis-adjusted energy metric in occupational noise-induced hearing loss among metal manufacturing workers
Authors: Liu Shuangyan , Zou Hua , Lei Song , Xin Jiarui , Qian Peiyi , Liu Yun , Chen Yingqi , Yu Kuai , Zhang Meibian
Published: June 2023

Background

Noise energy has been well-established to increase the risk of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, the role of noise temporal structure (expressed by kurtosis) or its combination with energy metrics (e.g., kurtosis-adjusted cumulative noise exposure, adj-CNE) in occupational NIHL was still unclear.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 867 Chinese workers, including 678 metal manufacturing workers and 189 workers exposed to Gaussian noise, was conducted. Noise energy metrics, including LAeq,8h and CNE, kurtosis (β), and adj-CNE were used to quantify noise exposure levels. Noise-induced permanent threshold shift at frequencies 3, 4, and 6 kHz (NIPTS346) and the prevalence of high-frequency NIHL (HFNIHL%) were calculated for each participant. The dose–response relationship between kurtosis or adj-CNE and occupational NIHL was observed.

Results

Among 867 workers, different types of work had specific and independent noise energy and kurtosis values (p > 0.05). HFNIHL% increased with an increase in exposure duration (ED), LAeq,8h, CNE, or kurtosis (p < 0.01), and there were strong linear relationships between HFNIHL% and ED (coefficient of determination [R2] = 0.963), CNE (R2 = 0.976), or kurtosis (R2 = 0.938, when CNE < 100 dB(A)∙year). The “V” shape notching extent in NIPTS became deeper with increasing kurtosis when CNE < 100 dB(A)∙year and reached the notching bottom at the frequency of 4 or 6 kHz. The workers exposed to complex noise (β ≥ 10) had a higher risk of NIHL than those exposed to Gaussian noise (β < 10) at the frequencies of 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz (OR > 2, p < 0.01). Moreover, HFNIHL% increased with adj-CNE (p < 0.001). There were strong linear relationships between NIHL and adj-CNE or CNE when β ≥ 10 (R2adj-CNE > R2CNE). After CNE was adjusted by kurtosis, average differences in NIPTS346 or HFNIHL% between the complex and Gaussian noise group were significantly reduced (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Kurtosis was a key factor influencing occupational NIHL among metal manufacturing workers, and its combination with energy metrics could assess the risk of NIHL more effectively than CNE alone.
Sex differences in cognitive function among Chinese older adults using data from the Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Xiao , Deng Jiahui , Liu Wenbin
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare the sex differences in cognitive function and its influencing factors among Chinese older adults.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional study by using data from the China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). According to the 32 provinces and 4 municipalities directly under the Central Government of China, 3–5 counties or districts were randomly selected in each province or city (except Tibet), and then 1–3 villages or streets were randomly selected in each county or district, from which the target population was sampled. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess the cognitive function of 9,262 older adults aged 65 and above in China. Descriptive analysis was applied to demonstrate the participants’ demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, social and non-social activity, disease status, mental and sleep condition. And then, univariate and multifactor analyses were performed to validate different risk factors for cognitive function, respectively in the general population, male older adults and female older adults.

Result

The older adults with cognitive impairment accounted for 10.4% of the total population. There are significant differences in cognitive function between male and female older adults. The odds of cognitive impairment in older adult women was 1.291 times that of older adult men (OR = 1.291, 95%CI: 1.084–1.538). Among the male older adults, those who were older, highly educated, spouseless, had depressive symptoms, and lacked social activities were more likely to have cognitive impairment, whereas among the female older adults, those who were older, highly educated, and lacked social activities were more likely to have cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

Overall, there are subtle differences in potential influencing factors for cognitive function between the male older adults and female older adults. Attention should be paid to the different cognitive protection measures for the older adults with different sexes.
The role of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups in advising COVID-19 immunization policy during the pandemic: lessons from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Musa Sanjin , Jacques-Carroll Lisa , Palo Mirza
Published: June 2023

A National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) is a multi-disciplinary body of experts that provides evidence-based recommendations on immunizations to policy-makers to assist them in making immunization policy and program decisions. NITAGs faced challenges in making evidence-based recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the new vaccine products available in a short time period and limited available data on vaccine effectiveness and vaccine safety. The authors reviewed the process used by the NITAG in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, called the expert body, to develop COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. The article reviews the evidence that was considered by the expert body when developing 23 recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination and describes the challenges and successes faced by the body. The expert body recommendations led to the successful roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines and provided guidance for COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic. The expert body plans to improve its work and procedures for developing routine immunization recommendations with the support of the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
How well do policymakers address stigma surrounding substance use disorders: lessons from a qualitative review of Scottish Alcohol and Drug Partnerships’ strategic plans
Authors: Falconer Robin , Tang Jason
Published: June 2023

Background

Stigma is a significant barrier to the successful implementation of public health policies which aim to reduce harm from substance use disorders. Despite attention being given to stigma in the literature for at least a decade, evidence on what works to reduce it is limited and inconclusive. Without clear guidance, policymakers could be limited in their ability to develop evidence-informed strategies for reducing stigma. In response to a steep incline in drug-related deaths in Scotland since 1996, the Scottish Government has committed to tackling stigma in national drug policy. Scotland’s 31 Alcohol and Drug Partnerships are responsible for developing local strategies that aim to tackle harm from substance use disorders. This qualitative review explored how well these strategies respond to stigma and identified approaches mentioned that could have implicit implications for tackling stigma.

Methods

The strategic plans of Alcohol and Drug Partnerships across Scotland were identified and thematically analysed to identify key themes relating to stigma. Content of strategic plans was initially coded under a coding scheme of four broad categories: content that explicitly mentioned stigma; identity, status and power; deservedness of support; and attribution of responsibility for SUDs.

Results

Twenty-four strategic plans were identified and analysed, with four themes emerging: (1) limited clarity and consistency on how stigma will be directly tackled by ADPs; (2) recognition of the positive contribution that people with substance use disorders can make towards decisions about treatment and support; (3) diversion of people with substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system towards quality support underpinned by human rights; and (4) recognition of the complex determinants of substance use disorders and that everyone has a role to play.

Conclusion

Alcohol and Drug Partnerships acknowledged the importance of tackling stigma in their strategic plans but provide limited clarity on how this will be done. This review calls for the inclusion of more evidence-informed strategies for tackling stigma within the Scottish local policymaking context. This requires academic, policymaking and lived experience communities to collaborate to test and evaluate innovative responses to tackling in stigma to strengthen understanding of what works in which contexts.
Differences in pharmacologic and demographic factors in male and female patients with vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and mixed vascular dementia
Authors: Stanley Madison , Poupore Nicolas , Knisely Krista , Miller Alyssa , Imeh-Nathaniel Adebobola , Roley Laurie Theriot , Imeh-Nathaniel Samuel , Goodwin Rich , Nathaniel Thomas I.
Published: June 2023

Background

Increasing evidence suggests that demographic and pharmacologic factors may play a significant role in the epidemiology of dementia. Sex differences in prevalence also depend on dementia subtypes, such as Alzheimer's dementia (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and mixed vascular-Alzheimer's dementia (MVAD). Therefore, studies are needed to investigate sex-specific differences, and identify potential therapeutic targets for both sexes.

Methods

Data was collected from the Prisma Health-Upstate Alzheimer's registry from 2016 to 2021 for 6,039 VaD patients, 9,290 AD patients, and 412 MVAD patients. A logistic regression was used to determine demographic and pharmacological factors associated with gender differences in patients with VaD, AD, and MVAD.

Results

In patients with VaD, African Americans (OR = 1.454, 95% CI, 1.257–1.682, p < 0.001) with increasing age (OR = 1.023, 95% CI, 1.017–1.029, p < 0.001), treated with aripiprazole (OR = 4.395, 95% CI, 2.880–6.707, p < 0.001), were associated with females, whereas patients treated with galantamine (OR = 0.228, 95% CI, 0.116–0.449, p < 0.001), memantine (OR = 0.662, 95% CI, 0.590–0.744, p < 0.001), with a history of tobacco (OR = 0.312, 95% CI, 0.278–0.349, p < 0.001), and ETOH (OR = 0.520, 95% CI, 0.452–0.598, p < 0.001) were associated with males. Among AD patients, African Americans (OR = 1.747, 95% CI, 1.486–2.053, p < 0.001), and Hispanics (OR = 3.668, 95% CI, 1.198–11.231, P = 0.023) treated with buspirone (OR = 1.541, 95% CI, 1.265–1.878, p < 0.001), and citalopram (OR = 1.790, 95% CI, 1.527–2.099, p < 0.001), were associated with females, whereas patients treated with memantine (OR = 0.882, 95% CI, 0.799–0.974, p = 0.013), and with a history of tobacco (OR = 0.247, 95% CI, 0.224–0.273, p < 0.001), and ETOH (OR = 0.627, 95% CI, 0.547–0.718, p < 0.001) were associated with male AD patients. In patients with MVAD, rivastigmine (OR = 3.293, 95% CI, 1.131–9.585, p = 0.029), memantine (OR = 2.816, 95% CI, 1.534–5.168, p < 0.001), and risperidone (OR = 10.515, 95% CI, 3.409–32.437, p < 0.001), were associated with females while patients with an increased length of stay (OR = 0.910, 95% CI, 0.828–1.000, p = 0.049), with a history of tobacco (OR = 0.148, 95% CI, 0.086–0.254, p < 0.001) and ETOH use (OR = 0.229, 95% CI, 0.110–0.477, p < 0.001) were more likely to be associated with males.

Conclusions

Our study revealed gender differences and similarities in the demographic and pharmacological factors of VaD, AD, and MVAD. Prospective studies are needed to determine the role of demographic and pharmacological factors in reducing sex-based disparities among VaD, AD, and MVAD patients.
Responsibly shaping technology innovation for the energy transition: an RRI indicator system as a tool
Authors: Buchmann Tobias , Wolf Patrick , Müller Matthias , Dreyer Marion , Dratsdrummer Frank , Witzel Bianca
Published: June 2023

Efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions have had limited success. For many, the hopes rest on new energy innovations to advance the energy transition process. In this paper, we develop a Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) base indicator system to steer the design of innovations in the field of energy transition innovations and, thus, improve social acceptance of these innovations. We propose a guideline for its application to assist R&D performing organizations and funding organizations in the design, selection, and communication of research proposals. The indicator system is intended to promote early integration of environmental and social aspects, support the formation of teams aware of the different responsibility aspects of innovation, and monitor progress in regard to relevant RRI dimensions.
Recent streamflow trends across permafrost basins of North America
Authors: Bennett Katrina E. , Schwenk Jon , Bachand Claire , Gasarch Eve , Stachelek Jemma , Bolton William R. , Rowland Joel C.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Climate change impacts, including changing temperatures, precipitation, and vegetation, are widely anticipated to cause major shifts to the permafrost with resulting impacts to hydro-ecosystems across the high latitudes of the globe. However, it is challenging to examine streamflow shifts in these regions owing to a paucity of data, discontinuity of records, and other issues related to data consistency and accuracy.

Methods

Recent trends for long-term periods (1990–2021, 1976–2021) in observed minimum, mean, and maximum seasonal and annual streamflow were analyzed for a range of watersheds across North America affected by varying degrees of permafrost coverage.

Results

Streamflow trend analysis revealed that areas affected by permafrost are changing variably over the periods in terms of maximum, mean, and minimum seasonal and annual streamflow. These changes indicate a significant shift occurring in the most recent 46 years towards increasing mean streamflow for the dominant (> 50%) permafrost systems. Meanwhile, minimum streamflow increases for all permafrost-dominant systems and many of the other permafrost-affected systems across the seasons and annual periods considered, with the greatest number of significant changes in streamflow over other metrics. Maximum streamflow is shifting variably with significant increases in the permafrost-dominant systems in winter and fall over longer time periods of analysis. Our analysis suggests that streamflow trends are driven by climate (precipitation, followed by temperature), while variables such as permafrost coverage only appear important in the most recent 32-year period.

Discussion

The increases in streamflow trends observed in this study are reflective of deepening active layers and thawing permafrost, indicating that the entire hydrograph is undergoing change within permafrost-dominant streamflow systems as the Arctic moves towards a warmer future under climate change. Despite the many challenges to understanding changing streamflow in cold regions, there are new products and datasets in development that are increasingly allowing researchers to better understand the patterns of change in Arctic and subarctic systems affected by permafrost, offering a range of new tools, which, along with continued observational records, may help in improved understanding of changing Arctic streamflow patterns.
E-prescription and invisible work in genomics in France
Authors: Froger-Lefebvre Juliette , Lade Quentin , Vallier Estelle , Bourgain Catherine
Published: June 2023

This article aims to analyze the transformations in medical prescription work and infrastructures brought by digitalization. Our fieldwork takes place in the context of precision medicine development based on genomics High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) in France, through the Plan France Médecine Génomique (PFMG 2025). The Plan aims at industrializing the production of genomic testing in clinical context at a national scale, particularly in oncology. To ensure the intensified flow of information between hospitals and HTS platforms required, a centralized process has been organized around two sequencing platforms and the introduction of a new e-prescription software (E-PRES). We start by analyzing how the e-prescription software changes the practices of health professionals by imposing new technological and professional standards. We show that, more than a mere prescription tool, this software is also a monitoring tool for the platforms and prescribers' work, and a support tool for the logistical and work organization. Secondly, we question the division of labor among the different professionals involved in the organizational or technical tasks required. We show that the feasibility of this new form of digitalized prescription relies on an importantdatawork performed by “small hands” to select, translate and process a vast amount of heterogeneous data.
Ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of a bone-screw-fastener for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy
Authors: Kettleman William S. , Jaffe Michael H. , Wills Robert W. , Dietz Sara J. , Elder Steve H.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a novel screw type on stiffness and failure characteristics of a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) construct under cyclic loading conditions. The authors hypothesized that bone-screw-fasteners (BSF) would result in superior biomechanical stability compared with locking buttress screws (LBS).

Materials and Methods

Twelve pairs of canine cadaveric pelvic limbs were included in thisex vivobiomechanical study. A TPLO was performed using a 3.5mm locking TPLO plate and stabilized using either LBS or BSF. Cyclic loading was performed for 30,000 cycles at 4Hz with a peak-load of 1000N (50N valley). The cyclic test was then continued by stepwise incremental increase of peak-load at a rate of 75N per 500 cycles until failure.

Results

Cycles to failure for LBS (44,260 ± 5,770) and BSF (41,540 ± 7,686) were not significantly different (p = 0.36). Maximum force for LBS (3,134 ± 797N) and BSF (2,940 ± 831N) was not significantly different either (p = 0.58). Dynamic stiffness for LBS (1,778 ± 932 N/mm) and BSF (1,574 ± 677 N/mm) was not significantly different (p = 0.58).

Discussion

Stabilization of the TPLO with BSF provided similar biomechanical stability under cyclic axial loading conditions as the LBS. BSF may be an acceptable alternative to traditional locking screws for TPLO.
First waikavirus infectious clones and vascular expression of green fluorescent protein from maize chlorotic dwarf virus
Authors: Stewart Lucy R. , Willie Kristen , Xie Wenshuang , Todd Jane , Tran Hong Hanh
Published: June 2023

Plant viruses classified in the genus Waikavirus, family Secoviridae, are positive sense single-stranded RNA viruses that include important pathogens of maize (maize chlorotic dwarf virus; MCDV) and rice (rice tungro spherical virus; RTSV). Many aspects of the molecular biology of waikaviruses remain unexplored because of experimental challenges and lack of infectious clones for low titer, phloem-limited, and obligately vector-transmitted waikaviruses. Here we report the first development of waikavirus infectious clones for two MCDV strains, MCDV-S and MCDV-M1, and insect-free launching of infections from these clones in maize by vascular puncture inoculation. We further developed a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged MCDV clone by replacing the viral p27-encoding sequence with GFP-encoding sequence. GFP-tagged virus moved systemically in plants and caused symptomatic infection similar to wild type virus, with vascular expression of GFP. Development of waikavirus infectious clones is a major advance for this group of agriculturally significant viruses.
A Surprisal-Based Greedy Heuristic for the Set Covering Problem
Authors: Adamo Tommaso , Ghiani Gianpaolo , Guerriero Emanuela , Pareo Deborah
Published: June 2023

In this paper we exploit concepts from Information Theory to improve the classical Chvatal greedy algorithm for the set covering problem. In particular, we develop a new greedy procedure, called Surprisal-Based Greedy Heuristic (SBH), incorporating the computation of a “surprisal” measure when selecting the solution columns. Computational experiments, performed on instances from the OR-Library, showed that SBH yields a 2.5% improvement in terms of the objective function value over the Chvatal’s algorithm while retaining similar execution times, making it suitable for real-time applications. The new heuristic was also compared with Kordalewski’s greedy algorithm, obtaining similar solutions in much shorter times on large instances, and Grossmann and Wool’s algorithm for unicost instances, where SBH obtained better solutions.
Reinforcement Learning Applied to AI Bots in First-Person Shooters: A Systematic Review
Authors: Almeida Pedro , Carvalho Vitor , Simões Alberto
Published: June 2023

Reinforcement Learning is one of the many machine learning paradigms. With no labelled data, it is concerned with balancing the exploration and exploitation of an environment with one or more agents present in it. Recently, many breakthroughs have been made in the creation of these agents for video game machine learning development, especially in first-person shooters with platforms such as ViZDoom, DeepMind Lab, and Unity’s ML-Agents. In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art of creation of Reinforcement Learning agents for use in multiplayer deathmatch first-person shooters. We selected various platforms, frameworks, and training architectures from various papers and examined each of them, analysing their uses. We compared each platform and training architecture, and then concluded whether machine learning agents can now face off against humans and whether they make for better gameplay than traditional Artificial Intelligence. In the end, we thought about future research and what researchers should keep in mind when exploring and testing this area.
Non-Special Loudspeakers as Speech Test Sources in Natural Acoustics Speech Intelligibility Investigations
Authors: Gomez-Agustina Luis , Aygun Haydar , Mohan Liji Suseela Thankom
Published: June 2023

Objective speech intelligibility estimations undertaken in natural acoustics speech communications (NAS) scenarios require the utilization of a speech source that approximates the acoustic characteristics of a human talker. Only a limited number of special speech sources that conform to the specifications in the relevant guidelines are available in the market; however, they can be deemed expensive by professional practitioners and other users. Non-special and affordable loudspeakers are often used in NAS investigations in place of standardized special speech sources without the knowledge of their suitability and results validity. This study aims to examine the suitability of a range of representative common and affordable non-special loudspeakers as a potential alternative to standardized speech sources in NAS indicative or pilot investigations. Frequency response and Speech Transmission Index Public Address (STIPA) experimental results obtained from a reference standardized speech source were compared against results from various non-special loudspeakers measured utilizing diverse and real-world representative combinations of NAS acoustic conditions under controlled laboratory conditions. STIPA mean absolute errors for the alternative speech sources were generally lower than the STIPA method uncertainty and one Just Noticeable Difference (0.03 STI). The findings of this study will inform practitioners of the suitability of affordable loudspeakers when standardized special test loudspeakers are not available.
Analysis of the Possibility of Using the UR10e Cobot in Neurological Treatment
Authors: Wolański Wojciech , Michnik Robert , Suchoń Sławomir , Burkacki Michał , Chrzan Miłosz , Zadoń Hanna , Szaflik Piotr , Szefler-Derela Justyna , Wasiuk-Zowada Dagmara
Published: June 2023

Due to the increasing number of people requiring rehabilitation and an aging society, the need to streamline, improve, and, above all, increase the availability of rehabilitation has been identified. In the present study, research was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of adapting an industrial robot to assist in the rehabilitation process. The study included four measurement series, which consisted of ten repetitions of Proprioception Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) movements. The first two series were performed with the assistance of a physiotherapist, the next two with the support of the Cobot UR10e. The lower limb movement was analyzed using the Noraxon Ultium Motion system using inertial sensors (IMU). The study analyzed the following parameters: hip flexion and abduction angles; knee flexion and rotation angles; ankle dorsiflexion angle; and motion cycle. Based on the results, it can be seen that the robot reproduces physiotherapeutic movements more precisely and with greater repeatability. The robot reproduced the movements in the hip and knee joints very well. From the analysis, it can be concluded that with proper adaptation, the robot could be used in the rehabilitation process.
Extraction of CD&R Work Phases from Eye-Tracking and Simulator Logs: A Topic Modelling Approach
Authors: Nordman Aida , Meyer Lothar , Klang Karl Johan , Lundberg Jonas , Vrotsou Katerina
Published: June 2023

Automation in Air Traffic Control (ATC) is gaining an increasing interest. Possible relevant applications are in automated decision support tools leveraging the performance of the Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) when performing tasks such as Conflict Detection and Resolution (CD&R). Another important area of application is in ATCOs’ training by aiding instructors to assess the trainees’ strategies. From this perspective, models that capture the cognitive processes and reveal ATCOs’ work strategies need to be built. In this work, we investigated a novel approach based on topic modelling to learn controllers’ work patterns from temporal event sequences obtained by merging eye movement data with data from simulation logs. A comparison of the work phases exhibited by the topic models and the Conflict Life Cycle (CLC) reference model, derived from post-simulation interviews with the ATCOs, indicated that there was a correspondence between the phases captured by the proposed method and the CLC framework. Another contribution of this work is a method to assess similarities between ATCOs’ work strategies. A first proof-of-concept application targeting the CD&R task is also presented.
Effect of Bamboo Vinegar on Control of Nitrogen Loss in Vegetable Waste and Manure Composting
Authors: Liu Cenwei , Lin Yi , Ye Jing , Price Gordon W. , Wang Yixiang
Published: June 2023

The large-scale generation of vegetable waste in China has become a significant environmental concern. The traditional method of composting results in high nitrogen losses during the process and in the final product. To address this issue and shorten the composting period, this study investigated the effects of bamboo vinegar (BV) and a microbial inoculant (MI) on the physical and chemical properties of the compost and bacterial community composition during the composting process. The results revealed that the addition of BV and BV + MI decreased the time required to reach thermophilic temperatures and conserved nitrogen in the final product. Furthermore, it was found that the dominant nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, as identified through 16S rDNA analysis, belonged to Nitrosomonas and Proteobacteria, respectively. BV and BV + MI reduced NH3 and N2O emissions, which suggested that BV is a beneficial composting agent that preserves nitrogen during the composting process.
Modeling Land Use and Climate Change Effects on Soil Organic Carbon Storage under Different Plantation Systems in Mizoram, Northeast India
Authors: Sahoo Uttam Kumar , Ahirwal Jitendra , Giri Krishna , Mishra Gaurav , Francaviglia Rosa
Published: June 2023

Soil carbon sequestration is vital to reduce the atmospheric carbon concentration, which is expected to increase within future climatic scenarios. The present study aims to investigate the effects of land use changes to different plantation systems on SOC stocks, and simulate these changes using the RothC model in Mizoram, India. With this aim, four land uses, viz., secondary forest, oil palm, orange, and arecanut plantations, established on degraded shifting cultivation lands, and a control natural forest were selected for this study. The soils were sampled 0–30 cm in the secondary forest, plantations, and the natural forest, at an interval of five years. Measured SOC stocks were the highest in the secondary forest (67.0 Mg C ha−1) and the lowest under the oil palm plantation (37.4 Mg C ha−1), 10 years after land use conversion. The climate change projections for 2021–2035 and 2036–2050 indicated that temperature and rainfall changes, projected to increase by 0.8 and 2.0 °C, and 5.9 and 5.4%, respectively, will affect SOC stocks in the future differently, depending on the land use and carbon input from vegetation. Baseline climate simulations under land use change showed the highest increase in the SOC stock under the secondary forest (116%), and the lowest in the oil palm plantation (27%). Overall, the model predicted that SOC stocks would increase, but the rate of change (0.23–1.86 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) varied with different land uses, plant species, and land management practices. The model results indicated that restoring secondary forest following the abandonment of a shifting cultivation and orange plantations are the best options to improve SOC stocks within future climate change scenarios. Conversely, arecanut and oil palm need to be reduced because the SOC storage is lower.
Research and Validation of Vibratory Harvesting Device for Red Jujube Based on ADAMS and ANSYS
Authors: Hu Yaohua , Feng Junzhe , Qiao Yichen , Yu Chenhao , Luo Wenkai , Zhang Kaili , Liu Runfeng , Han Runzhe
Published: June 2023

The mechanization of red jujube industry is a high-potential agricultural research field in China. In this study, a vibration harvesting device has been developed for jujube trees that features adjustable vibration frequency and amplitude. The device is designed to make jujube trees vibrate with varying diameters by utilizing different vibration frequencies and amplitudes according to the tree’s size such that jujubes can be harvested efficiently. The study completed the structural design of excitation and fruit collection mechanisms based on the working principle of vibration harvesting. The red jujube excitation mechanism was dynamically simulated using ADAMS, and it was found that the acceleration at the end of the vibration rod of the mechanism had a tendency to sharply increase and decrease, which was conducive to the vibration shedding of red jujube. A collision model between the red jujubes and the fruit collection umbrella was constructed, and the fruit collection mechanism was structurally simulated using ANSYS. The tests showed that the device effectively harvested red jujubes from nine types of jujube trees with diameter ranges of 29.15–31.26 mm, 49.56–52.34 mm, and 65.23–73.25 mm. The average net harvesting rates were 93.98%, 94.71%, and 94.33%, and the average fruit collection efficiencies were 95.78%, 89.43%, and 85.04%, respectively. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the excitation and collection mechanisms and provide a theoretical basis for the development of vibratory harvesting devices for red jujubes.
Digital Twins in Plant Factory: A Five-Dimensional Modeling Method for Plant Factory Transplanter Digital Twins
Authors: Chen Kaikang , Zhao Bo , Zhou Haiyan , Zhou Liming , Niu Kang , Jin Xin , Li Ruoshi , Yuan Yanwei , Zheng Yongjun
Published: June 2023

To address challenges such as the complex correlations among multiple parameters during the modeling process of plant factory transplanters, the large differences between simulations and actual models, and the difficulties in data acquisition and processing, this paper proposes the concept of a Plant Factory Transplanter (PFT) digital twin five-dimensional model based on research of plant factory transplanters. The PFT digital twin five-dimensional model builds on traditional 3D modeling and includes physical entities, virtual models, services, twin data, and connecting interactions. This study delves deeply into the connotations and construction methods of the PFT five-dimensional model from the five aspects of PFT physical entity, virtual entity, services, twin data, and connections, and illustrates the implementation steps and effects of each link. Finally, practical examples of the application of the PFT digital twin five-dimensional model are presented in actual scenarios. The five-dimensional modeling approach for plant factory transplanters based on digital twins can monitor the working status of transplanters online and evaluate the effectiveness of transplantation. This method overcomes problems such as poor adaptability and difficulty in updating physical models, thus improving the efficiency of monitoring and optimizing configuration parameters. Moreover, the generated virtual entities are more intuitively reflected in the control interface, significantly reducing the reliance of equipment operators on relevant professional skills. In the future, the proposed digital twin five-dimensional model is expected to be further refined and optimized, with creation tools and application scenarios studied. Application research will also be conducted to meet different application requirements.
Family Identity, Place Identity, and Chinese Farmers’ Environment-Friendly Production Behavior
Authors: Li Hao , Li Tiantian , Chang Wei-Yew
Published: June 2023

In response to the sustainable development goal of agriculture put forward by the United Nations, countries have introduced a series of agricultural environmental protection policies. However, the effectiveness of these policies has been hindered by insufficient responses from farmers. This study begins with the fundamental logic of farmers’ production behavior and first introduces family and place identities into the theoretical analysis framework of farmers’ environment-friendly production behavior (EPB). Using primary survey data for farmers from the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu, a hierarchical regression and simple slope analysis models were developed to verify how family and place identities affect farmers’ EPB. The potential moderating effect of place identity on the relationship between family identity and farmers’ EPB is further investigated. The results show that improving family identity has a significantly negative effect on farmers’ EPB, while improving place identity can significantly promote farmers’ EPB. Compared with respondents who have a low place identity, the inhibitory effect of family identity on farmers’ EPB is significantly weakened for those who have a high place identity, which suggests that farmers with a high place identity are more likely to engage in EPBs in agricultural production. This study highlights the importance of considering the economic logic toward maximizing family economic interests and the social logic oriented toward collective interests in the decision-making process of agricultural environmental policies.
Genome-Wide Identification, Classification and Expression Analyses of MADS-Box Genes Reveal Their Role in Stem Gall Formation and Expansion of Zizania latifolia
Authors: Zhang Zhiping , Xiao Meng , Song Sixiao , Jiang Yifeng , Zhu Xinrui , Shi Lingtong , Zheng Xiaomeng , Jiang Jiezeng , Miao Minmin
Published: June 2023

MADS-box genes are important transcription factors in eukaryotes that are involved in regulating the growth and development of many plants. Jiaobai is a special aquatic vegetable formed through the stem expansion of Zizania latifolia infected by Ustilago esculenta and is wildly cultivated in Southeast Asia. To date, the biological function of MADS-box genes in Z. latifolia remains largely unknown. In this study, a genome-wide search for MADS-box genes in Z. latifolia was performed, and 87 MADS-box genes were identified. According to the phylogenetic analysis, there were 27 type I genes and 60 type II genes. The type I genes were mainly distributed in the Mα, Mβ and Mγ subfamilies, and the type II genes were divided into 14 subfamilies and unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes. The encoded protein sequences ranged from 91 to 433 amino acids, the number of exons was 1~14, and most type I genes did not contain introns. The promoter region contained a large number of functional domains related to light response, plant hormones, stress and the meristem. An analysis of the expression patterns showed that there were massive differences in the expression of the MADS-box genes in different tissues, with six genes highly expressed in leaves and eight genes highly expressed in the stem apical meristem. Photoperiod and temperature were found to regulate the formation of the stem gall (SG) of Z. latifolia, and short-day (SD) conditions had an obvious promoting effect. ZlMADS57 and ZlMADS85 were significantly increased in SG under SD. Further analysis of the expression levels of MADS-box genes during the developmental stages of Z. latifolia found that the ZlMADS45, ZlMADS57, ZlMADS81 and ZlMADS85 were highly expressed 10 days before the SG formation, and ZlMADS66 reached its highest value on the day when the SG began forming. ZlMADS14, ZlMADS15, ZlMADS32, ZlMADS36, ZlMADS59 and ZlMADS71 were highly expressed after SG expansion, indicating that the MADS-box gene may play an important role in regulating SG formation and the subsequent expansion of Jiaobai. This study provides a reference for the functional identification of the MADS-box gene family and establishes a foundation for regulating the maturity of Z. latifolia.
A Ginseng Appearance Quality Grading Method Based on an Improved ConvNeXt Model
Authors: Li Dongming , Zhai Mengting , Piao Xinru , Li Wei , Zhang Lijuan
Published: June 2023

In order to solve the problem of the small degree of variability between the features of ginseng grading classes and the resulting need for heavy reliance on professionals, this study established a ginseng dataset containing 5116 images with three classes in different contexts and proposed a ginseng-grading model based on an improved ConvNeXt framework. Firstly, a Channel Shuffle module was embedded in the backbone network after down-sampling to fully fuse the channel features and improve the model’s grading accuracy. The model’s characterization ability enriched the feature space of the convolutional block and further improved the model’s accuracy. Finally, the original activation function, GELU, was replaced with the PreLU activation function to increase the nonlinear variability of the neural network model and improve the model’s accuracy and efficiency. The experimental results show that the method demonstrated accuracy improvements of 2.46% and 4.32%, respectively, compared with the current advanced networks, Vision Transformer and Swim Transformer. Furthermore, the accuracy, precision, recall, and specificity of ginseng classification reached values of 94.44%, 91.58%, 91.04%, and 95.82%, respectively, and the loss rate was reduced to 0.24. A comparison with expert appraisal results showed high consistency, thus verifying our model’s accuracy and reliability in ginseng quality assessment and its ability to provide technical support for intelligent ginseng quality grading.