bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sources of trust in the healthcare context. A multilevel relationship with work engagement and organisational outcomes
Authors: Olvera Juana , Acosta-Antognoni Hedy , Llorens Susana , Salanova Marisa
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The present study analysed the mediating role of interactional justice and horizontal trust between transformational leadership and organisational outcomes (i.e., job performance and service quality) at the work team level and the cross-level relationship of team horizontal trust with job performance at the individual level, controlling for work engagement based on the HERO Model.

Methods

Through structural equations and hierarchical linear models, the proposed hypotheses were addressed. The sample corresponds to 1,638 workers grouped into 109 work teams belonging to 28 hospitals in Spain.

Results

First, Structural Equation Modelling analysis revealed that, as expected, at the team level, interactional justice and horizontal trust mediate positive and significantly the relationship between transformational leadership and organisational outcomes (i.e., job performance and service quality). Secondly, the results of the Linear Hierarchical Models showed a positive relationship between work engagement and individual level performance. Finally, the multilevel analysis revealed that horizontal trust at the team level is positively related to work engagement at individual level; however, there is no cross-level relationship between horizontal trust at the team level and individual performance controlled by work engagement.

Discussion

Horizontal trust, at the team level, is positioned as a mediating variable between resources and organisational outcomes. Furthermore, it proves to be a key cross-level element for generating work engagement and job performance. The theoretical and practical implications of the study based on the HERO Model are discussed.
Golden years happiness: analyzing the nostalgic aspect of leisure
Authors: Onal Levent , Bedir Fatih , Turan Murat , Mavibas Muhammet , Savaş Buğra Çağatay , Yasarturk Fatih
Published: September 2024

Retirees face numerous challenges, particularly in countries with lower socio-economic conditions. Perceived social isolation and happiness levels are seen as significant factors that significantly affect the quality of life in old age. Perceived social happiness levels can disrupt the quality of life in old age and contribute to mental disorders. Recent studies on leisure have suggested a direct impact of individuals’ leisure attitudes on happiness. In this context, leisure nostalgia stands out in the relationship between leisure attitude and happiness levels among retirees. In this study, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the relationship between leisure attitude, leisure nostalgia, and happiness levels in a sample of 210 retirees. The findings revealed that leisure nostalgia fully mediated the relationship between leisure attitude and happiness. It was concluded that previous experiences significantly shape retirement, and leisure attitude offers valuable opportunities for enhancing happiness through effective leisure utilization.
Resilience and relapse risk in Emirate adult patients with substance use disorder: a national cross-sectional study from the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Mhaidat Ibraheem , Al-Yateem Nabeel , Al-Mamari Samya , Al-Suwaidi Fatima
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The United Arab Emirates is among the countries affected by substance use disorders (SUDs), which have economic and social impacts. Relapse after successful rehabilitation is a major issue in the treatment of SUD. Several factors increase the risk of relapse in patients with SUD, such as craving and negative social experiences. Resilience could empower patients struggling with SUD. This study aims to explore levels of resilience and relapse risk in adult Emirati patients diagnosed with SUD, and also the possible correlation between the two variables.

Methods

Two hundred eighty-six Emirati adult patients with SUD completed a self-administered questionnaire for demographics, resilience (Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale), and relapse risk (Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale). Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, SD, etc.) were used to describe study participants and variables. Inferential statistics were used to analyze the relationships, associations, and correlations between resilience and relapse risk, the main variables, and the participants demographics.

Result

Participants’ mean total score for resilience was 72.92 out of a maximum possible score of 100 (SD = 16.99), while their mean total score for relapse risk was 59.07 out of a maximum possible score of 105 (SD = 12.23). Furthermore, examining the correlation between the resilience subscales and the relapse risk subscales revealed similar significant, negative, low-to-moderate correlations between all the subscales (r = -0.486).

Discussion

Protective and risk factors to enhance resilience and reduce relapse risk in patients with SUD were discussed.
Robust identification key predictors of short- and long-term weight status in children and adolescents by machine learning
Authors: Liu Hengyan , Leng Yang , Wu Yik-Chung , Chau Pui Hing , Chung Thomas Wai Hung , Fong Daniel Yee Tak
Published: September 2024

Background

Early identification of high-risk individuals for weight problems in children and adolescents is crucial for implementing timely preventive measures. While machine learning (ML) techniques have shown promise in addressing this complex challenge with high-dimensional data, feature selection is vital for identifying the key predictors that can facilitate effective and targeted interventions. This study aims to utilize feature selection process to identify a robust and minimal set of predictors that can aid in the early prediction of short- and long-term weight problems in children and adolescents.

Methods

We utilized demographic, physical, and psychological wellbeing predictors to model weight status (normal, underweight, overweight, and obese) for 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods. To select the most influential features, we employed four feature selection methods: (1) Chi-Square test; (2) Information Gain; (3) Random Forest; (4) eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with six ML approaches. The stability of the feature selection methods was assessed by Jaccard's index, Spearman's rank correlation and Pearson's correlation. Model evaluation was performed by various accuracy metrics.

Results

With 3,862,820 million student-visits were included in this population-based study, the mean age of 11.6 (SD = 3.64) for the training set and 10.8 years (SD = 3.50) for the temporal test set. From the initial set of 38 predictors, we identified 6, 9, and 13 features for 1-, 3-, and 5-year predictions, respectively, by the best performed feature selection method of Chi-Square test in XGBoost models. These feature sets demonstrated excellent stability and achieved prediction accuracies of 0.82, 0.73, and 0.70; macro-AUCs of 0.94, 0.86, and 0.83; micro-AUCs of 0.96, 0.93, and 0.92 for different prediction windows, respectively. Weight, height, sex, total score of self-esteem, and age were consistently the most influential predictors across all prediction windows. Additionally, several psychological and social wellbeing predictors showed relatively high importance in long-term weight status prediction.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the potential of ML in identifying key predictors of weight status in children and adolescents. While traditional anthropometric measures remain important, psychological and social wellbeing factors also emerge as crucial predictors, potentially informing targeted interventions to address childhood and adolescence weight problems.
Horizontal ecological compensation and urban inclusive green growth: evidence from China
Authors: Wang Hengli , Li Weiyi , Xiao Hongce , Wang Daoli
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Horizontal ecological compensation (HEC) has the potential to incentivize inclusive green growth in cities.

Methods

Using the multi-stage difference-in-differences (DID) method, this study examines the impact of HEC policies as a quasi-natural experiment. Panel data are analyzed; the data pertain to 87 cities in the Yangtze River Basin, from 2007 to 2020.

Results

The findings indicate that HEC policies significantly contribute to inclusive green growth, with consistent effects across different estimators. The moderating effect test reveals that urban industrial pollution levels and green innovation are key pathways through which HEC policies influence inclusive green growth. Further analysis shows that the positive impact of HEC is more pronounced in watersheds with high marketization and in downstream regions, suggesting that HEC may exacerbate regional disparities in inclusive green growth.

Discussion

This study offers insights for China and also for other developing countries seeking to promote urban inclusive green growth and achieve sustainable development goals.
Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the media health literacy questionnaire (MeHLit-SV)
Authors: Navas-Echazarreta Noelia , Juárez-Vela Raúl , Martínez-Sabater Antonio , Gea-Caballero Vicente , Chover-Sierra Elena , Echaniz-Serrano Emmanuel , Ruiz de Viñaspre-Hernández Regina , Jodrá-Esteban Blanca , Sánchez-Conde Pilar , Fernández-Rodrigo María Teresa , Rodríguez-Calvo Antonio , Satústegui-Dordá Pedro José
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Media health literacy emerges as a response to the vast array of informational disorders prevalent in media communications. Given the absence of a measurement tool for this type of literacy in Spanish-speaking communities, the aim of the present study is to conduct a cross-cultural adaptation of the Media Health Literacy (MeHLit) questionnaire into Spanish and to analyze its psychometric properties in a sample of nursing students.

Methods

The Spanish version of the MeHLit questionnaire (MeHLit-SV) was obtained through a process involving translation, back-translation, evaluation of the proposed items by a group of 22 experts, and a pilot study with 80 Spanish nursing students. Content validity was assessed using each item’s content validity index (CVI) and Aiken’s V (VdA), while internal consistency was evaluated through Cronbach’s Alpha.

Results

Following the translation and adaptation process, the final version of the MeHLit-SV comprised 21 items organized into five dimensions. The CVI values exceeded 0.82 for all items, and the overall content validity index (S-CVI) was 0.9. Furthermore, the results of Aiken’s V surpassed the threshold considered acceptable (0.70). After piloting, the questionnaire demonstrated high internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.936.

Conclusion

The findings of this research support the reliability and validity of the MeHLit-SV for use among nursing students to measure their level of media health literacy. This questionnaire, with satisfactory psychometric properties and ease of administration, is an useful tool for assessing whether individuals possess the necessary skills to accurately analyze health information they encounter on a daily basis.
From rationality to identity: the impact of using community health services for the aged on the well-being of older adults in China
Authors: Yang Liu , Wang Lijian
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To better understand the outcome benefits of community health services for the aged (CHSA) and provide bottom-up identity for development, this study examined the impact of using CHSA on well-being of older adults from both objective and subjective dimensions.

Methods

Data from 1,411 people aged 60+ in Shaanxi, China was used in this study. The OLS estimate was used to analyze the impact of using CHSA on well-being of older adults. Then, the instrumental variable estimate was further hired to examine associations among variables to address the potential endogeneity concerns. The heterogeneity among disabled and non-disabled group was also estimated.

Results

For objective well-being, the mental health (β = 0.44) and financial well-being (β = 0.59) of older people using CHSA were significantly higher than those not using any service. The impact on objective well-being were more significant in non-disabled group. For subjective well-being, life meaning (β = 0.54) and security (β = 0.72) were positively associated with CHSA utilization, while independence index (β = −0.33) was negatively related with CHSA utilization. The subjective well-being of disabled group using services increased more than non-disabled group.

Conclusion

Findings underscore the positive, albeit group-selective, role of CHSA in improving well-being of older people in China and imply the necessity of high-quality development of CHSA and the targeted differentiation strategy.
Escalating costs of innovative medicines: perspective and proposals
Authors: Vallano Antonio , Pontes Caridad
Published: September 2024

Public healthcare systems are challenged by the soaring costs of medications that require increasing resources, often at the expense of other investments. The increasing pharmaceutical budget poses a threat to the allocation of funds for essential preventive and primary healthcare services while also raising concerns about equitable access, particularly in models where patients bear part of the costs out of their own pockets. Proposals on how to ensure ongoing and long-term accessibility, efficiency, and financial stability are required. The escalating costs of medicines may be explained in part by the mismatch between the traditional value-based pricing and reimbursement frameworks and the type of clinical development of targeted therapies and precision medicine in clinical practice. New appraisal methods and managed access strategies should be adapted to therapies targeting small populations and addressing increased uncertainty. Fair pricing strategies, transparent healthcare investments based on problems and outcomes, regulatory reforms, international cooperation, and critically examining the drug acquisition model are potential solutions. Transitioning from an industry-driven pricing approach to a health-driven payment model can help align the cost of treatments with actual health outcomes, establishing a foundation for a healthcare system that addresses immediate challenges and fosters long-term well-being. Acknowledging the lack of a universally applicable solution, the practical implementation of interventions requires a reframing of the pricing and access system and adaption to the targeted therapeutic approaches. Balancing innovation with financial sustainability necessitates a collaborative, adaptive, and transparent approach, as well as transitioning toward health-driven payment models, moving the focus from the cost of medications to the well-being of populations worldwide.
Aging mitochondria in the context of SARS-CoV-2: exploring interactions and implications
Authors: Delpino M. Victoria , Quarleri Jorge
Published: September 2024

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has presented global challenges with a diverse clinical spectrum, including severe respiratory complications and systemic effects. This review explores the intricate relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction, aging, and obesity in COVID-19. Mitochondria are vital for cellular energy provision and resilience against age-related macromolecule damage accumulation. They manage energy allocation in cells, activating adaptive responses and stress signals such as redox imbalance and innate immunity activation. As organisms age, mitochondrial function diminishes. Aging and obesity, linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, compromise the antiviral response, affecting the release of interferons, and worsening COVID-19 severity. Furthermore, the development of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long COVID has been associated with altered energy metabolism, and chronic immune dysregulation derived from mitochondrial dysfunction. Understanding the interplay between mitochondria, aging, obesity, and viral infections provides insights into COVID-19 pathogenesis. Targeting mitochondrial health may offer potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate severe outcomes and address long-term consequences in infected individuals.
Practices and determinants of urban land governance in Sheger City, Ethiopia
Authors: Nigatu Degu Bekele
Published: September 2024

While there have been numerous global discussions on urban land governance, a lot remains to be done and serious urban land related obstacles remain to be overcome. This article identifies the most important governance principles for improving land governance for urban development and growth. The governance principles assessed in this study include participation, responsiveness, efficiency, openness, rule of law, rule of ethics, completeness, innovation, sustainability, sound financial management, sound human rights and accountability. Source of primary data is 458 respondents selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method from the six sub cities and secondary data was collected from policy documents and regional government reports. The governance level is measured by using seven point likert scale and the results reveal that the status of land governance in Sheger City is lower (3.445) than the average level which is 3.5 (50%). Out of the twelve independent variables, the mean score of only four, meaning innovation and openness to change (3.74), openness and transparency (3.68), competence and capacity (3.51), and rule of law (3.52), is more than 50%. The remaining eight variables are below the average, indicating poor land governance in Sheger City. Regarding the determinants, 76.21% of the variation in land governance in Sheger city is explained by the model applied. The highest beta value is registered for responsiveness, and the next highest is for innovation and openness to change. These findings have important implications for policymakers and urban planners in Ethiopia, highlighting the need for continued efforts to improve urban good governance and land management practices to ensure sustainable and equitable urban development.
The impact of high intensity training and sports on recipients of solid organ transplants: a narrative review
Authors: Kayeye A. , Triantafyllou I. , Mathur S. , Janaudis-Ferreira T.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

High intensity exercise in individuals post solid organ transplant (SOT) remains a largely understudied phenomenon, with potential risks and benefits. Additionally, the optimal training protocols are still unclear. This narrative review aimed to explore the impact of high-intensity exercise training and strenuous sports on solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs).

Methods

We conducted a narrative review of intervention studies of any design that included high-intensity exercise training and cross-sectional studies of strenuous sports and activities. Additionally, we reviewed individual reports documenting post-SOT performance at highly competitive or physiological levels. We used MEDLINE to search for relevant articles followed by a manual search for additional articles. Data were extracted and results were summarized.

Results

High-intensity and strenuous exercise appears to be safe among stable SOTRs. High-intensity protocols consistently demonstrated improvements in VO2peak and a reduction in coronary artery disease prevalence, though findings related to body composition, health-related quality of life outcomes, and cardiovascular exercise variables were inconsistent. Pre-transplant athletes showcase notable achievements and physiological adaptations post-transplantation, highlighting the capacity for athletic performance among this population. However, caution is warranted in interpreting the findings from these studies due to limitations in generalizability and other methodological limitations.

Conclusion

As evidenced by current literature, high intensity exercise emerges as a promising exercise method for safely improving various physiological parameters, and reducing the prevalence of coronary heart disease in SOTRs. It can induce similar or greater effects to moderate intensity exercise, however follow-up studies indicate low retention. Further research of higher methodological rigor is warranted in this field to advance understanding, and to guide evidence-based practice.
Carbon emission measurement and regional decomposition analysis of China’s beef cattle farming industry
Authors: Wang Jun , Liang Yuan , Cao Jianmin
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Warming caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has become a global environmental issue of widespread concern, and China, as a responsible power, has the pressing task of reducing carbon emissions. China is one of the world’s major beef producers and consumers, and at the same time, beef cattle, as a large livestock, is the largest source of GHG emissions in the livestock industry.

Methods

This study considered the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2008 to 2022. The kernel density estimation and Dagum Gini coefficient were used to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamic evolution patterns and influencing factors of carbon emissions from China’s beef cattle farming industry.

Results

(1) The carbon emission trajectory of beef cattle production follows a distinctive “ascend-descend-ascend” three-phase pattern. By 2022, the sector’s cumulative carbon emissions had burgeoned by 37.62% relative to 2008, reflecting an average annual escalation of 2.31%. Despite the overall upward trend in carbon emissions, significant regional differences were observed. The Central Plains region has witnessed a consistent decline, in stark contrast to the Southwest and Northeast regions, which have emerged as hotspots for heightened carbon emissions and intensified emission densities within China’s beef cattle production landscape, underscoring the intensifying significance of carbon mitigation measures. (2) The kernel density curve shows an overall rightward shift with a specific gradient effect on carbon emissions. In addition, the range of the right drag of the curve in 2022 was significantly reduced, which laterally reflects the narrowing of the difference between the provinces with the highest and lowest carbon emissions from beef cattle farming. The principal source of variance in the overall carbon emissions from beef cattle production is the disparities between regions, which accounts for an average annual contribution rate of 52.52%. Conversely, the within-region contribution rates have remained relatively stable, while those for the intensity of transvariation have witnessed a substantial rise, with annual averages of 18.31 and 28.96%, respectively. (3) Regarding the factors influencing carbon emissions reduction, environmental regulations and production efficiency significantly drive carbon emissions reduction in beef cattle farming.

Discussion

Relevant government departments should actively guide farmers toward green production, establish perfect policies and regulations for low-carbon beef cattle farming, and promote low-carbon beef cattle farming models based on local conditions.
Potential mammary carcinogens used in food contact articles: implications for policy, enforcement, and prevention
Authors: Parkinson Lindsey V. , Geueke Birgit , Muncke Jane
Published: September 2024

Many nations have food contact material (FCM) legislation purporting to protect citizens from hazardous chemicals, often specifically by regulating genotoxic carcinogens. Despite such regulations, cancers that are associated with harmful chemical exposures are highly prevalent, especially breast cancer. Using the novel Key Characteristics of Toxicants framework, Kay et al. found 921 substances that are potential mammary carcinogens. By comparing Kay et al.‘s chemicals list with our own Database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCmigex), we found that 189 (21%) of the potential mammary carcinogens have been measured in FCMs. When limiting these results to migration studies published in 2020–2022, 76 potential mammary carcinogens have been detected to migrate from FCMs sold in markets across the globe, under realistic conditions of use. This implies that chronic exposure of the entire population to potential mammary carcinogens from FCMs is the norm and highlights an important, but currently underappreciated opportunity for prevention. Reducing population-wide exposure to potential mammary carcinogens can be achieved by science-based policy amendments addressing the assessment and management of food contact chemicals.
Flow cytometry of non-hematopoietic cells in canine effusions
Authors: Sini Federica , Melega Maverick , Cannizzo Francesca Tiziana , Miniscalco Barbara , Valenti Paola , Riondato Fulvio
Published: September 2024

The identification of non-hematopoietic cells in effusions is a diagnostic challenge in cytology. Biopsies from mesothelium or primary lesions are infrequently performed in clinical settings and immunochemistry on smears or immunohistochemistry on cell blocks are the most common ancillary test to refine the cytological diagnosis. Cavitary effusions are an ideal matrix for flow cytometry and the availability of a cytometric panel to describe non-hematopoietic cells would represent a useful tool. Here we present the results of the flow cytometric and immunohistochemical determination of cytokeratin (CK), vimentin (VIM) and desmin (DES) in 36 canine effusions. The concordance between the two methods was perfect for CK (100%), substantial for VIM (77.8%), and almost perfect for DES (97.2%). The panel was interpreted to define the epithelial (CK+VIM-DES-), mesothelial (CK+VIM+DES+), or mesenchymal (CK-VIM+DES-) origin of the cells. Unexpected profiles were considered doubtful and observed patterns were individually discussed. The concordance of the panel interpretation between two methods was 75%. The evaluation of discordant and doubtful cases suggests a lower sensitivity of flow cytometry in detecting VIM expression and revealed a high frequency of VIM+ epithelial cells, variable expression of VIM in mesothelial cells, and an important role of DES in excluding an epithelial origin when positive. Multicentric studies based on histopathological diagnoses are necessary to confirm these findings and evaluate the diagnostic utility of the panel to refine cytological diagnosis. Our results show that flow cytometry can be a timesaving alternative to IHC on cell blocks in clinical settings to detect CK, VIM and DES expression. The interpretation of the panel is similar in most cases; however, occasional discordant results, particularly for VIM, may occur.
MRSO: Balancing Exploration and Exploitation through Modified Rat Swarm Optimization for Global Optimization
Authors: Abdulla Hemin Sardar , Ameen Azad A. , Saeed Sarwar Ibrahim , Mohammed Ismail Asaad , Rashid Tarik A.
Published: September 2024

The rapid advancement of intelligent technology has led to the development of optimization algorithms that leverage natural behaviors to address complex issues. Among these, the Rat Swarm Optimizer (RSO), inspired by rats’ social and behavioral characteristics, has demonstrated potential in various domains, although its convergence precision and exploration capabilities are limited. To address these shortcomings, this study introduces the Modified Rat Swarm Optimizer (MRSO), designed to enhance the balance between exploration and exploitation. The MRSO incorporates unique modifications to improve search efficiency and robustness, making it suitable for challenging engineering problems such as Welded Beam, Pressure Vessel, and Gear Train Design. Extensive testing with classical benchmark functions shows that the MRSO significantly improves performance, avoiding local optima and achieving higher accuracy in six out of nine multimodal functions and in all seven fixed-dimension multimodal functions. In the CEC 2019 benchmarks, the MRSO outperforms the standard RSO in six out of ten functions, demonstrating superior global search capabilities. When applied to engineering design problems, the MRSO consistently delivers better average results than the RSO, proving its effectiveness. Additionally, we compared our approach with eight recent and well-known algorithms using both classical and CEC-2019 benchmarks. The MRSO outperformed each of these algorithms, achieving superior results in six out of 23 classical benchmark functions and in four out of ten CEC-2019 benchmark functions. These results further demonstrate the MRSO’s significant contributions as a reliable and efficient tool for optimization tasks in engineering applications.
A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach to Injection Speed Control in Injection Molding Machines with Servomotor-Driven Constant Pump Hydraulic System
Authors: Ren Zhigang , Tang Peng , Zheng Wen , Zhang Bo
Published: September 2024

The control of the injection speed in hydraulic injection molding machines is critical to product quality and production efficiency. This paper analyzes servomotor-driven constant pump hydraulic systems in injection molding machines to achieve optimal tracking control of the injection speed. We propose an efficient reinforcement learning (RL)-based approach to achieve fast tracking control of the injection speed within predefined time constraints. First, we construct a precise Markov decision process model that defines the state space, action space, and reward function. Then, we establish a tracking strategy using the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient RL method, which allows the controller to learn optimal policies by interacting with the environment. Careful attention is also paid to the network architecture and the definition of states/actions to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed method. Extensive numerical results validate the proposed approach and demonstrate accurate and efficient tracking of the injection velocity. The controller’s ability to learn and adapt in real time provides a significant advantage over the traditional Proportion Integration Differentiation controller. The proposed method provides a practical solution to the challenge of maintaining accurate control of the injection speed in the manufacturing process.
Numerical Investigation on the Thermal Characteristics of Lightweight Metal Mesh-Based Reflector Antenna with Various Knitting Conditions
Authors: Son Min-Young , Chae Bong-Geon , Sung Hyun-Mo , Oh Hyun-Ung
Published: September 2024

Proper prediction of the temperature variation in a metallic wire mesh for spaceborne large deployable reflector antennas is essential for evaluating the dimensional stability of the antenna under extreme on-orbit thermal environments. However, predicting the temperature of a mesh is difficult because of its complex yarn configuration. To analyze the thermal behavior of the spaceborne mesh antenna reflector, the thermal optical characteristics with various knitting methods of the metallic mesh were obtained experimentally in this study. Subsequently, to analyze the thermal sensitivity of the reflector based on its optical properties, an on-orbit thermal analysis of the mesh reflector was performed based on measurements of the mesh specimen. We also investigated the influence of deployable solar panels on the thermal gradient of the reflector.
Numerical Investigation on Electromagnetic Scattering Characteristics of Circulation Control Wing Surface
Authors: Wang Dechen , Cui Peng , Du Wei , Liu Hao
Published: September 2024

In order to study the effect of the circulation control technology on the electromagnetic scattering characteristics of the wing, a variety of low-scattering carrier models were designed based on the characteristics of the circulation control wing and the mechanical rudder surface. The radar scattering cross sections of the different models were then calculated by using the multilayer fast multipole algorithm. A comparative analysis of different models revealed that the use of the circulation control technique can reduce the front RCS level of the wing. Furthermore, the scaling effect was found to be more significant for the HH-polarised RCS at high frequency and the VV-polarised RCS at low frequency. The air source cavity structure of the jet system will increase the front and back RCS levels of the wing. Conversely, the back RCS level can be reduced by the oblique design of the jet nozzle. In the process of achieving attitude control, the wing applying the circulation control technique can significantly reduce its own front and side RCS levels, as well as the fluctuations of RCS levels throughout manoeuvres, in comparison to the usage of mechanical rudders. The findings of the study elucidate the scattering characteristics of the circulation control wing, which can serve as a reference for the stealth performance of unconventional layout aircraft.
Control of a Circular Jet with a Disk-Type Bluff Body Using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuator
Authors: Akimoto Masato , Nakagawa Hiroyuki , Kimura Motoaki
Published: September 2024

In this study, a disk-type bluff body was installed at the upper part of a nozzle exit, and the circular jet inside the nozzle was controlled using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator (DBD-PA). The effects of the changes in the excitation frequency of the jet induced by the DBD-PA on the jet diffusion were elucidated. The experiments included visualization of the jet cross-section, particle image velocimetry analysis, and velocity measurements using an I-type hot-wire anemometer. When the DBD-PA was driven at a specific burst frequency (900–1400 Hz), a lock-in phenomenon occurred, in which the frequency of vortices generated in the initial jet coincided with the burst frequency. This lock-in phenomenon suppressed the merging of vortices by generating vortices at regular intervals. When vortex merging was suppressed, the jet was less likely to be entrained into the recirculation flow generated by the bluff body, thereby increasing the downstream jet width and average flow rate.
Can Agricultural Support and Protection Subsidy Policies Promote High-Quality Development of Grain Industry? A Case Study of China
Authors: Zhu Meijun , Zheng Kengcheng , Liu Baoliu , Jin Fang
Published: September 2024

The issue of grain quality has attracted increasing attention with the gradual growth and stabilization of grain output. We take the successive agricultural support and protection subsidy policies introduced in 2015 as a quasi-natural experiment and use a multi-period double-difference model to analyze a panel of data from 298 prefecture-level cities in China from 2007 to 2020. Our findings confirm that implementing agricultural support protection subsidy policies has had initial success regarding grain output growth and quality improvement at the point of contradiction. This success is also due to its scale and technology effects, which can ensure that grain output and quality have achieved growth. The level of agricultural machinery also plays a crucial positive role in the impact of the subsidy policy on food production and food security. Further heterogeneity analysis shows that the impacts of agricultural support and protection subsidy policies on food quality and yield security differ significantly across different geographic regions, food crop production, and pollutant type levels. Therefore, the positive impact of subsidy policies on the food industry should be better promoted to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of agriculture.
Exploring the Ecological Structure of Agricultural Industry School Partnership Systems in the Gippsland Region, Australia
Authors: O’Dea Molly , Cosby Amy , Manning Jaime , McDonald Nicole , Harreveld Bobby
Published: September 2024

This paper aims to explore the structure of agricultural industry school partnerships (ISPs) by applying Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to partnerships delivered in Gippsland, Australia. Agricultural ISPs are one potential setting for industry-relevant learning and career education to occur. This may assist in alleviating agricultural workforce shortages and addressing educational issues related to student career outcomes. A mixed methods case study methodology was employed, with data analyzed through frequency counts and Braun and Clarke’s method of thematic analysis. Surveys (n = 111) and semi-structured interviews (n = 57 pre-participation, n = 68 post-participation) were used with educators (n = 56) and industry participants (n = 62) from ISPs delivered through CQUniversity Australia’s Raising Aspirations in Careers and Education—Gippsland project from 2021–2023. This research finds that the agricultural ISPs studied function as interdependent ecological systems. The facilitator played a crucial role in delivering the ISPs, including connecting educators and industry partners. The study is limited by the number of agricultural ISPs explored and by only collecting data from two stakeholders within the system. However, these findings contribute to a greater understanding of the complex structure of agricultural ISPs, which can help those creating ISPs to consider and understand all stakeholders’ needs. Exploring ISPs as ecological systems also provides a lens to approach research improving similar educational practices. Further research could deepen our understanding of these systems.
Genomic Instability in the Lymphocytes of Dogs with Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wójcik Ewa , Kot Emilia , Wójcik Iga , Wysokińska Anna , Matusevičius Paulius
Published: September 2024

Genome instability is a characteristic trait of tumours and includes changes in DNA and in chromosomes. The aim of the study was to identify chromosome damage using the sister chromatid exchange assay and DNA fragmentation by the comet assay in dogs with cancer, as well as to determine the suitability of these techniques for the assessment of chromatin stability in healthy and sick dogs. The assays identified genomic instabilities in dogs with cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) and in healthy dogs. The genetic assays are very sensitive and can be used as biomarkers of normal DNA replication and repair potential and the maintenance of control over the entire cell cycle. The use of the cytogenetic tests will enable the more precise assessment of genome stability and integrity in animals and make it possible to determine the number of chromosomal instabilities generated in a given individual, which can be indicative of its health status. The identification of instabilities can be used in routine diagnostic examination in dogs with cancer for more accurate diagnosis and prognosis.
E Pluribus, Unum: Emergent Redox Harmony from the Chaos of Blood Cells
Authors: Anastasiadi Alkmini T. , D’Alessandro Angelo
Published: September 2024

Blood cells play a fundamental role in maintaining systemic homeostasis, by responding dynamically to various physiological and environmental stimuli [...]
Valorization of Strawberry Tree Berries and Beeswax from Montesinho Natural Park for Cosmetic Industry—A Case Study Formulation
Authors: Lamas Mariana , Silva Ana Margarida , Moreira Manuela M. , Maia Maria Luz , Domingues Valentina F. , Delerue-Matos Cristina , Amaral Maria Helena , Fernandes Virgínia Cruz , Rodrigues Francisca
Published: September 2024

Consumers are increasingly concerned about cosmetic ingredients’ origin, looking more than ever to sustainable and greener formulations. The Natural Park of Montesinho, located in Portugal, is characterized by an enormous fauna and flora diversity. Among them, beeswax and strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo) have attracted the cosmetic researchers’ interest due to their bioactive compounds’ richness, particularly fatty acids and phenolic compounds. The main goal of this study was to develop an innovative cosmetic product with antioxidant properties composed by both matrices. Briefly, samples were obtained in the Natural Park of Montesinho in October 2022. Beeswax was analysed for lipid profile and contaminants, while extracts were obtained from fruits by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using water as a solvent. The effect of extraction time (15–90 min) was studied on the total phenolic content (TPC), in vitro antioxidant/antiradical activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity. The beeswax lipid profile presented a high incidence of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids. The extract obtained at 60 min presented the highest TPC (30.27 mg GAE/g dw) and antioxidant/antiradical activities (ABTS = 30.36 mg AAE/g dw; DPPH = 43.83 mg TE/g dw; FRAP = 415.61 µmol FSE/g dw). An IC50 of 19.78 µg/mL was achieved for the hypochlorous acid, while for superoxide radical and peroxyl radical the IC50 were, respectively, 90.51 µg/mL and 0.19 µmol TE/mg dw. The phytochemical profile revealed a high content of gallic acid, and catechin and its derivatives. The hydrophilic cream developed revealed ideal technological parameters, particularly its stability.
Protective Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate against Hepatic Oxidative Stress Induced by tert-Butyl Hhydroperoxide in Yellow-Feathered Broilers
Authors: Ma Xinyan , Ni Junli , Wang Wei , Zhu Yongwen , Zhang Yuqing , Sun Mingfei
Published: September 2024

Recent studies have shown that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), as an effective antioxidant, could attenuate the oxidative damage, inflammation and necrosis in the liver in response to oxidative stress. The present study investigated whether oral administration of EGCG could effectively alleviate the hepatic histopathological changes and oxidative damage in yellow-feathered broilers induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). Broilers were exposed to 600 μmol t-BHP/kg body weight (BW) to induce oxidative stress by intraperitoneal injection every five days, followed by oral administration of different doses of EGCG (0, 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg BW) and 20 mg vitamin E (VE)/kg BW every day during 5–21 days of age. The results showed that t-BHP injection decreased (p < 0.05) body weight and the relative weight of the spleen; the enzyme activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD); and gene mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), CAT, SOD1, SOD2 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACACA); as well as increased (p < 0.05) necrosis formation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, reactive oxygen species (ROS)accumulation, and peroxisome proliferator activates receptor-α (PPARα) mRNA expression in the liver of yellow-feathered female broilers at 21 days of age. Treatment with 60 mg EGCG/kg BW orally could enhance antioxidant enzyme activities and reverse the hepatic damage induced by t-BHP injection by reducing the accumulation of ROS and MDA in the liver and activating the Nrf2 and PPARα pathways related to the induction of antioxidant gene expression (p < 0.05). In conclusion, intraperitoneal injection of t-BHP impaired body growth and induced hepatic ROS accumulation, which destroyed the antioxidant system and led to oxidative damage in the liver of yellow-feathered broilers from 5 to 21 days of age. It is suggested that EGCG may play an antioxidant role through the Nrf2 and PPARα signaling pathways to effectively protect against t-BHP-induced hepatic oxidative damage in broilers, and the appropriate dose was 60 mg EGCG/kg BW by oral administration.
Antioxidant Activity and Hypoallergenicity of Egg Protein Matrices Containing Polyphenols from Citrus Waste
Authors: Gil María Victoria , Fernández-Rivera Nuria , Gutiérrez-Díaz Gloria , Parrón-Ballesteros Jorge , Pastor-Vargas Carlos , Betancor Diana , Nieto Carlos , Cintas Pedro
Published: September 2024

This study reports on the interactions of egg proteins, which represent a major health concern in food allergy, with polyphenols obtained from orange and lemon peels. The antioxidant properties of such citrus peel extracts prior to protein binding were evaluated. The resulting edible, and therefore inherently safe, matrices exhibit reduced IgE binding compared to pure proteins in indirect immunological assays (ELISA) using individual sera from patients allergic to ovalbumin and lysozyme. The reduced allergenicity could arise from the interactions with polyphenols, which alter the structure and functionality of the native proteins. It is hypothesized that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the polyphenols, described as inhibitors of the allergic response, could add immunomodulatory features to the hypoallergenic complexes. A docking analysis using lysozyme was conducted to scrutinize the nature of the protein–polyphenol interactions. An in silico study unravelled the complexity of binding modes depending on the isoforms considered. Altogether, the presented results validate the antioxidant properties and reduced allergenicity of polyphenol-fortified proteins. Lastly, this study highlights the upgrading of vegetable wastes as a source of natural antioxidants, thus showing the benefits of a circular economy in agri-food science.
Targeting NADPH Oxidase as an Approach for Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction
Authors: Silveira Tammyris Helena Rebecchi , Silva Fábio Henrique , Hill Warren G. , Antunes Edson , de Oliveira Mariana G.
Published: September 2024

Diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) is the most prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), affecting >50% of all patients. Currently, no specific treatment is available for this condition. In the early stages of DBD, patients typically complain of frequent urination and often have difficulty sensing when their bladders are full. Over time, bladder function deteriorates to a decompensated state in which incontinence develops. Based on studies of diabetic changes in the eye, kidney, heart, and nerves, it is now recognized that DM causes tissue damage by altering redox signaling in target organs. NADPH oxidase (NOX), whose sole function is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a pivotal role in other well-known and bothersome diabetic complications. However, there is a substantial gap in understanding how NOX controls bladder function in health and the impact of NOX on DBD. The current review provides a thorough overview of the various NOX isoforms and their roles in bladder function and discusses the importance of further investigating the role of NOXs as a key contributor to DBD pathogenesis, either as a trigger and/or an effector and potentially as a target.