bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Service Quality and Related Factors in Primary Health Care Services: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Değer Mehmet Sait , İşsever Halim
Published: May 2024

Primary health care services aim to prevent diseases and improve health efficiently and effectively. This study measures perceived service quality in a primary healthcare organization and examines the effect of personality traits on service quality. The cross-sectional study population comprised individuals over the age of 18 who applied to the Bingöl Central Community Health Centre. A total of 460 participants were included in the study between November 2018 and March 2019. The participants completed a face-to-face questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics, the SERVQUAL Scale, and an abbreviated form of the revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. This study is based on doctoral research in public health. The study found median values for personality trait sub-dimensions as follows: neuroticism: 2, psychoticism: 2.65, extraversion: 4, and lying: 5. The SERVQUAL Score was −0.02. The study revealed that the quality of primary health care services did not meet the participants’ expectations. The study findings also indicated that age, educational attainment, and extraverted and psychotic personality traits were significantly associated with the satisfaction of service quality expectations (p < 0.05). It is recommended to provide primary health care services in facilities with good physical characteristics, with sufficient and competent health personnel, and in a timely and accurate manner to improve service quality.
The Effect of Hot Application Applied to the Breast with the Help of the Thera Pearl in the Postpartum Period on Mothers’ Milk Perception and Postpartum Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Ozkan Hava , Uzun Ozer Betül , Arı Ozlem
Published: May 2024

Breastfeeding difficulties are often present in the first weeks of the postpartum period, and various factors can cause a mother’s early cessation of breastfeeding. Such factors include mothers’ self-efficacy and perception of insufficient milk. This study aimed to examine the effect of a hot application on the breast with the help of the Thera Pearl in the postpartum period on milk perception and breastfeeding self-efficacy. This was a randomized controlled trial. This study was completed with 64 puerperal mothers, 31 of whom were control and 33 were experimental. A Personal Information Form, Breastfeeding Observation Form, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, and Insufficient Milk Perception Scale were used to collect data. The average breastfeeding self-efficacy scale scores of the experimental group were 42.46 and 62, respectively, at the first and last follow-up, while the control group’s mean scores were 57.42 and 47. The average scores of the experimental group on the insufficient milk perception scale were 19, 28, and 48, respectively, from the first to the last follow-up, while those of the control group were 28, 24, and 34, respectively. As a result, self-efficacy and milk perception are important factors affecting breastfeeding. In this study, we found that Thera Pearl application increased breastfeeding self-efficacy but did not affect milk perception.
Economic and Social Impact of Huanglongbing on the Mexico Citrus Industry: A Review and Future Perspectives
Authors: Villar-Luna Hernán , Santos-Cervantes María Elena , Rodríguez-Negrete Edgar Antonio , Méndez-Lozano Jesús , Leyva-López Norma Elena
Published: May 2024

The citrus industry is of great importance in Mexico, with an estimated production value of USD 2.4 billion and the potential to generate up to 28 million employees per year. Approximately 69,000 Mexican families depend on this sector. However, it is under serious threat from the disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB). The rapid spread of this disease has caused significant economic losses, impacted the livelihoods of citrus growers, and led to substantial job losses. Currently, HLB is not under control in Mexico, and as the management strategies applied have proven to be ineffective, yields have not been recovered to pre-HLB levels, and production costs have significantly increased. Therefore, it remains the most destructive citrus disease. This review paper describes the current situation of the disease, its economic and social impact, and the measures adopted for its management in Mexico. Future perspectives highlight advances in research based on new biotechnological tools as an eco-friendly management alternative. Practical suggestions to address HLB are also mentioned in our analysis.
Protocol for Evaluating Remote Patient Blood Pressure Monitoring Adapted to Black Women and Birthing Persons
Authors: Patchen Loral , McCullers Asli , Budd Serenity , Blumenthal H. , Evans W.
Published: May 2024

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal death among Black women in the United States. A large, urban hospital adopted remote patient blood pressure monitoring (RBPM) to increase blood pressure monitoring and improve the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) by reducing the time to diagnosis of HDP. The digital platform integrates with the electronic health record (EHR), automatically inputting RBPM readings to the patients’ chart; communicating elevated blood pressure values to the healthcare team; and offers a partial offset of the cost through insurance plans. It also allows for customization of the blood pressure values that prompt follow-up to the patient’s risk category. This paper describes a protocol for evaluating its impact. Objective 1 is to measure the effect of the digitally supported RBPM on the time to diagnosis of HDP. Objective 2 is to test the effect of cultural tailoring to Black participants. The ability to tailor digital content provides the opportunity to test the added value of promoting social identification with the intervention, which may help achieve equity in severe maternal morbidity events related to HDP. Evaluation of this intervention will contribute to the growing literature on digital health interventions to improve maternity care in the United States.
The Impact of Value Creation (Tobin’s Q), Total Shareholder Return (TSR), and Survival (Altman’s Z) on Credit Ratings
Authors: de Oliveira Nazário Augusto , Basso Leonardo Fernando Cruz
Published: May 2024

This research explores the impact of financial indicators on the credit ratings of companies listed on the S&P 500, employing a Sys-GMM model to address endogeneity concerns. Three independent variables categorized as market and survival factors alongside seven control variables sourced from leverage, liquidity, interest coverage, profitability, market, survival, and macroeconomic domains were investigated. The sample consisted of 2398 observations from Capital IQ Pro, spanning nine years (2013 to 2021) and encompassing 240 public companies. The findings suggest that neither Tobin’s Q (TQ) nor Total Shareholder Return (TSR) lack significant correlations with credit ratings, implying that stock market performance and total shareholder return do not directly impact credit ratings. In contrast, the Altman Z-score (AZS) emerged as a significant predictor, indicating its importance in assessing credit risk. These insights enhance the understanding of financial indicators’ impacts on credit ratings, aiding financial institutions and companies in prudent lending and financing decisions.
The Elevated Inflammatory Status of Neutrophils Is Related to In-Hospital Complications in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Has Important Prognosis Value for Diabetic Patients
Authors: Barbu Elena , Mihaila Andreea Cristina , Gan Ana-Maria , Ciortan Letitia , Macarie Razvan Daniel , Tucureanu Monica Madalina , Filippi Alexandru , Stoenescu Andra Ioana , Petrea Stefanita Victoria , Simionescu Maya , Balanescu Serban Mihai , Butoi Elena
Published: May 2024

Despite neutrophil involvement in inflammation and tissue repair, little is understood about their inflammatory status in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with poor outcomes. Hence, we investigated the potential correlation between neutrophil inflammatory markers and the prognosis of ACS patients with/without diabetes and explored whether neutrophils demonstrate a unique inflammatory phenotype in patients experiencing an adverse in-hospital outcome. The study enrolled 229 ACS patients with or without diabetes. Poor evolution was defined as either death, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%, Killip Class 3/4, ventricular arrhythmias, or mechanical complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify clinical and paraclinical factors associated with in-hospital outcomes. Neutrophils isolated from fresh blood were investigated using qPCR, Western blot, enzymatic assay, and immunofluorescence. Poor evolution post-myocardial infarction (MI) was associated with increased number, activity, and inflammatory status of neutrophils, as indicated by significant increase of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and, interleukin-6 (IL-6). Among the patients with complicated evolution, neutrophil activity had an important prognosis value for diabetics. Neutrophils from patients with unfavorable evolution revealed a pro-inflammatory phenotype with increased expression of CCL3, IL-1β, interleukin-18 (IL-18), S100A9, intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), matrix metalloprotease (MMP-9), of molecules essential in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production p22phox and Nox2, and increased capacity to form neutrophil extracellular traps. Inflammation is associated with adverse short-term prognosis in acute ACS, and inflammatory biomarkers exhibit greater specificity in predicting short-term outcomes in diabetics. Moreover, neutrophils from patients with unfavorable evolution exhibit distinct inflammatory patterns, suggesting that alterations in the innate immune response in this subgroup may exert detrimental effects on disease progression.
MerTK Drives Proliferation and Metastatic Potential in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Iida Mari , Crossman Bridget E. , Kostecki Kourtney L. , Glitchev Christine E. , Kranjac Carlene A. , Crow Madisen T. , Adams Jillian M. , Liu Peng , Ong Irene , Yang David T. , Kang Irene , Salgia Ravi , Wheeler Deric L.
Published: May 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and receptor tyrosine kinase HER2 expression. Due to the limited number of FDA-approved targeted therapies for TNBC, there is an ongoing need to understand the molecular underpinnings of TNBC for the development of novel combinatorial treatment strategies. This study evaluated the role of the MerTK receptor tyrosine kinase on proliferation and invasion/metastatic potential in TNBC. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated MerTK expression in 58% of patient-derived TNBC xenografts. The stable overexpression of MerTK in human TNBC cell lines induced an increase in proliferation rates, robust in vivo tumor growth, heightened migration/invasion potential, and enhanced lung metastases. NanoString nCounter analysis of MerTK-overexpressing SUM102 cells (SUM102-MerTK) revealed upregulation of several signaling pathways, which ultimately drive cell cycle progression, reduce apoptosis, and enhance cell survival. Proteomic profiling indicated increased endoglin (ENG) production in SUM102-MerTK clones, suggesting that MerTK creates a conducive environment for increased proliferative and metastatic activity via elevated ENG expression. To determine ENG’s role in increasing proliferation and/or metastatic potential, we knocked out ENG in a SUM102-MerTK clone with CRISPR technology. Although this ENG knockout clone exhibited similar in vivo growth to the parental SUM102-MerTK clone, lung metastasis numbers were significantly decreased ~4-fold, indicating that MerTK enhances invasion and metastasis through ENG. Our data suggest that MerTK regulates a unique proliferative signature in TNBC, promoting robust tumor growth and increased metastatic potential through ENG upregulation. Targeting MerTK and ENG simultaneously may provide a novel therapeutic approach for TNBC patients.
Starch Sodium Octenylsuccinate as a New Type of Stabilizer in the Synthesis of Catalytically Active Gold Nanostructures
Authors: Tim Beata , Konował Emilia , Modrzejewska-Sikorska Anna
Published: May 2024

Here, starch derivatives, i.e., sodium starch octenylsuccinate (OSA starch, hereinafter referred to as OSA), were employed as both reducing and stabilizing agents for the unique, inexpensive, and simple synthesis of gold nanoparticles (OSA-AuNPs) in an aqueous solution with gold salt. The obtained OSA-AuNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the obtained gold colloids was studied in the reduction of organic dyes, including methylene blue (C.I. Basic Blue 9) and rhodamine B (C.I. Basic Violet 10), and food coloring, including tartrazine (E102) and azorubine (E122), by sodium borohydride. Moreover, OSA-AuNPs were utilized as signal amplifiers in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The obtained results confirmed that gold nanoparticles can be used as effective catalysts in reduction reactions of selected organic dyes, as well as signal enhancers in the SERS technique.
Wall-Proximity Effects on Five-Hole Probe Measurements
Authors: Vasseur Adrien , Binder Nicolas , Fontaneto Fabrizio , Champion Jean-Louis
Published: May 2024

Wall proximity affects the accuracy of pressure probe measurements with a particularly strong impact on multi-hole probes. The wall-related evolution of the calibration of two hemispheric L-shaped 3D-printed five-hole probes was investigated in a low-speed wind tunnel. Pressure measurements and 2D particle image velocimetry were performed. The wall proximity causes the probe to measure a flow diverging from the wall, whereas the boundary layer causes the probe to measure a velocity directed towards the wall. Both angular calibration coefficients are affected in different manners. The error in angle measurement can reach 7°. These errors can be treated as calibration information. Acceleration caused by blockage is not the main reason for the errors. Methods to perform measurements closer to the wall are suggested.
Simulation of Indexing and Clocking with a New Multidimensional Time Harmonic Balance Approach
Authors: Junge Laura , Frey Christian , Ashcroft Graham , Kügeler Edmund
Published: May 2024

Alongside the capability to simulate rotor–stator interactions, a central aspect within the development of frequency-domain methods for turbomachinery flows is the ability of the method to accurately predict rotor–rotor and stator–stator interactions on a single-passage domain. To simulate such interactions, state-of-the-art frequency-domain approaches require one fundamental interblade phase angle, and therefore it can be necessary to resort to multi-passage configurations. Other approaches neglect the cross-coupling of different harmonics. As a consequence, the influence of indexing on the propagation of the unsteady disturbances is not captured. To overcome these issues, the harmonic balance approach based on multidimensional Fourier transforms in time, recently introduced by the authors, is extended in this work to account for arbitrary interblade phase angle ratios on a single-passage domain. To assess the ability of the approach to simulate the influence of indexing on the steady, as well as on the unsteady, part of the flow, the proposed extension is applied to a modern low-pressure fan stage of a civil aero engine under the influence of an inhomogeneous inflow condition. The results are compared to unsteady simulations in the time-domain and to state-of-the-art frequency-domain methods based on one-dimensional discrete Fourier transforms.
A Simple and Low-Cost CRISPR/Cas9 Knockout System Widely Applicable to Insects
Authors: Cao Jun , Wu Keli , Wei Xin , Li Jiaojiao , Liu Chun , Cheng Tingcai
Published: May 2024

The CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system is a standard technique in functional genomics, with widespread applications. However, the establishment of a CRISPR/Cas9 system is challenging. Previous studies have presented numerous methodologies for establishing a CRISPR/Cas9 system, yet detailed descriptions are limited. Additionally, the difficulties in obtaining the necessary plasmids have hindered the replication of CRISPR/Cas9 techniques in other laboratories. In this study, we share a detailed and simple CRISPR/Cas9 knockout system with optimized steps. The results of gene knockout experiments in vitro and in vivo show that this system successfully knocked out the target gene. By sharing detailed information on plasmid sequences, reagent codes, and methods, this study can assist researchers in establishing gene knockout systems.
Correlation between Depth of the Curve of Spee and Some Specific Malocclusion Characteristics in a Population from Sibiu County, Romania—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Arcas Vasile Calin , Tig Ioan Andrei , Moga Doru Florian Cornel , Vlad Alexandra Lavinia , Saceleanu Adriana , Fratila Anca Maria
Published: May 2024

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the Curve of Spee (COS) depth and malocclusion characteristics in a population from Sibiu County, Romania. The research sought to understand how the COS’s anatomical dimensions correlate with different classes of malocclusion and the position of the frontal teeth. Methods: A total of 265 participants from the Dentistry Ambulatory of the Military Hospital of Sibiu were included in this study. It employed digital intraoral scanning technology to measure the COS, overjet, and overbite, with malocclusion classification. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression, were conducted to examine the relationships between COS depth, frontal teeth position, and malocclusion characteristics. Results: The average COS depth measured was 1.0564 mm, presenting variability when compared to existing literature. Most of the study participants had Class I malocclusion. A significant positive correlation between COS depth and overjet was identified, with no notable gender-based differences in these occlusal parameters. Conclusions: The findings affirm the integral role of COS in occlusal dynamics and malocclusion diagnosis. The COS measurement of a mean of 1.0564 mm, when compared to other results emphasizes the differences in occlusal curvature among various populations. The results contribute to a refined understanding of occlusal relationships, supporting the need for personalized orthodontic and prosthetic treatments based on precise anatomical measurements.
The Role of POCUS to Face COVID-19: A Narrative Review
Authors: Sartini Stefano , Ferrari Lorenzo , Cutuli Ombretta , Castellani Luca , Cristina Maria Luisa , Arboscello Eleonora , Sartini Marina
Published: May 2024

COVID-19 has been a challenging outbreak to face, with millions of deaths among the globe. Acute respiratory failure due to interstitial pneumonia was the leading cause of death other than prothrombotic activation and complications. Lung ultrasound (LUS) and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) are widely used not only to triage, to identify, and to monitor lungs involvement but also to assess hemodynamic status and thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, mainly in critically ill patients. POCUS has gained growing consideration due to its bedside utilization, reliability, and reproducibility even in emergency settings especially in unstable patients. In this narrative review, we aim to describe LUS and POCUS utilization in COVID-19 infection based on the literature found on this topic. We reported the LUS patterns of COVID-19 pulmonary infection, the diagnostic accuracy with respect to CT lung scan, its prognostic value, the variety of scores and protocols proposed, and the utilization of POCUS to investigate the extra-lung complications.
Does the Anastomosis Recipient Vessel Have an Influence on Free Flap Perfusion in Microvascular Head and Neck Reconstruction—A Retrospective Analysis of 338 Cases with Comparison of Flap Perfusion between Different Arterial and Venous Recipient Vessels in Radial Free Forearm Flaps, Anterolateral Thigh Flaps, and Fibula Free Flaps
Authors: Ooms Mark , Winnand Philipp , Heitzer Marius , Katz Marie Sophie , Peters Florian , Bickenbach Johannes , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali
Published: May 2024

Background: Flap perfusion is a prerequisite for microvascular free flap survival and a parameter routinely used for flap monitoring. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the anastomosis recipient vessel on flap perfusion. Methods: Flap perfusion was retrospectively analyzed in 338 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction with microvascular free flaps between 2011 and 2020. The Oxygen-to-see tissue oxygen analysis system measurements for intraoperative and postoperative flap blood flow, hemoglobin concentration, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation at 8 and 2 mm tissue depths were compared between arterial anastomosis recipient vessels (external carotid artery [ECA], facial artery [FAA], lingual artery [LIA], and superior thyroid artery [STA]) and venous anastomosis recipient vessels (internal jugular vein [IJV], combination of IJV and IJV branches, IJV branches, and external jugular vein). Results: The postoperative hemoglobin concentration at 2 mm tissue depth differed significantly between arterial anastomosis recipient vessels (ECA, 41.0 arbitrary units [AU]; FAA, 59.0 AU; LIA, 51.5 AU; STA, 59.0 AU; p = 0.029). This difference did not persist in the multivariable testing (p = 0.342). No other differences in flap blood flow, hemoglobin concentration, or hemoglobin oxygen saturation were observed between the arterial and venous anastomosis recipient vessels (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: The arterial and venous recipient vessels used for anastomosis did not influence microvascular free flap perfusion. This underlines the capability of the studied recipient vessels to adequately perfuse free flaps, may explain the observed indifferent flap survival rates between commonly used anastomosis recipient vessels, and implies that the recipient vessel is not a confounding variable for flap monitoring with the Oxygen-to-see tissue oxygen analysis system. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in the Elderly: A Focus on Disease Characteristics and Biological Therapy Patterns
Authors: Talar-Wojnarowska Renata , Caban Miłosz , Jastrzębska Marta , Woźniak Małgorzata , Strigáč Aleksandra , Małecka-Wojciesko Ewa
Published: May 2024

Background: The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) in elderly patients is constantly increasing. It results from the combination of an aging population with compounding prevalence of IBD, as well as the growing burden of elderly-onset IBD. The clinical characteristics of elderly patients differ from young subjects with IBD due to the multimorbidity or polypharmacy, affecting the choice of adequate therapeutic options. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical aspects and biological therapy safety in elderly Polish IBD patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study aimed at describing the demographic, clinical, and management characteristics of IBD patients treated with a biological therapy in two referral centers within the National Drug Program in Poland. Results: Out of the entire group of 366 studied patients, 51 (13.9%) were aged over 60—32 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 19 with Crohn’s disease (CD). The disease location was predominantly ileocolonic (57.89%) in patients with CD and pancolitis for patients with UC (56.25%). Most of the elderly IBD subjects were characterized by significant comorbidities, with Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥ 1 in 66.67% patients. The probability of stopping biological therapy due to adverse events had the tendency to be higher in the CCI ≥ 1 group (20.58% vs. 5.88% in CCI = 0; p = 0.087). The main reasons for the therapy discontinuation included hypersensitivity reactions and liver enzyme abnormalities. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results underline the importance of assessing the comorbidity status instead of the age prior to initiating biological therapy, analyzing additional safety risks, and close monitoring in IBD patients with multiple comorbidities.
Resilience, Burnout and Mental Health in Nurses: A Latent Mediation Model
Authors: Suazo Galdames Iván , Molero Jurado María del Mar , Fernández Martínez Elena , Pérez-Fuentes María del Carmen , Gázquez Linares José Jesús
Published: May 2024

Background/Objectives: The burnout syndrome in nurses has been related to the development of mental health problems. On the contrary, resilience is related to adequately coping with stressful situations and better mental health. The objective was to analyze the relationship between resilience and mental health problems in nurses and estimate the proportion mediated by burnout in the association. Methods: In 2021, a total of 1165 Spanish nurses were selected through a stratified random sampling method. Participants anonymously filled in the Resilience Scale (RS-14), the Maslach Burnout Inventory Survey, and the General Health Questionnaire. To test the hypothesis proposed and explain the mediating effect of burnout empirically, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied. A latent mediation model was computed. Results: Resilience was negatively related to burnout and mental health problems. The direct relationship between burnout and the latent health variable was positive. In addition, in view of the total effect of resilience on mental health problems and the magnitude of the indirect effect, we stated that the proportion of this effect mediated by burnout ranged from 0.486 to 0.870. Conclusions: This study reveals that fostering resilience in nurses directly and indirectly reduces burnout and improves their mental health. The implementation of resilience programs and supportive institutional policies is recommended to improve working conditions and the quality of patient care.
Spinal Cord Injury Management Based on Microglia-Targeting Therapies
Authors: Schreiner Thomas Gabriel , Schreiner Oliver Daniel , Ciobanu Romeo Cristian
Published: May 2024

Spinal cord injury is a complicated medical condition both from the clinician’s point of view in terms of management and from the patient’s perspective in terms of unsatisfactory recovery. Depending on the severity, this disorder can be devastating despite the rapid and appropriate use of modern imaging techniques and convenient surgical spinal cord decompression and stabilization. In this context, there is a mandatory need for novel adjunctive therapeutic approaches to classical treatments to improve rehabilitation chances and clinical outcomes. This review offers a new and original perspective on therapies targeting the microglia, one of the most relevant immune cells implicated in spinal cord disorders. The first part of the manuscript reviews the anatomical and pathophysiological importance of the blood-spinal cord barrier components, including the role of microglia in post-acute neuroinflammation. Subsequently, the authors present the emerging therapies based on microglia modulation, such as cytokines modulators, stem cell, microRNA, and nanoparticle-based treatments that could positively impact spinal cord injury management. Finally, future perspectives and challenges are also highlighted based on the ongoing clinical trials related to medications targeting microglia.
A New Dataset and Comparative Study for Aphid Cluster Detection and Segmentation in Sorghum Fields
Authors: Rahman Raiyan , Indris Christopher , Bramesfeld Goetz , Zhang Tianxiao , Li Kaidong , Chen Xiangyu , Grijalva Ivan , McCornack Brian , Flippo Daniel , Sharda Ajay , Wang Guanghui
Published: May 2024

Aphid infestations are one of the primary causes of extensive damage to wheat and sorghum fields and are one of the most common vectors for plant viruses, resulting in significant agricultural yield losses. To address this problem, farmers often employ the inefficient use of harmful chemical pesticides that have negative health and environmental impacts. As a result, a large amount of pesticide is wasted on areas without significant pest infestation. This brings to attention the urgent need for an intelligent autonomous system that can locate and spray sufficiently large infestations selectively within the complex crop canopies. We have developed a large multi-scale dataset for aphid cluster detection and segmentation, collected from actual sorghum fields and meticulously annotated to include clusters of aphids. Our dataset comprises a total of 54,742 image patches, showcasing a variety of viewpoints, diverse lighting conditions, and multiple scales, highlighting its effectiveness for real-world applications. In this study, we trained and evaluated four real-time semantic segmentation models and three object detection models specifically for aphid cluster segmentation and detection. Considering the balance between accuracy and efficiency, Fast-SCNN delivered the most effective segmentation results, achieving 80.46% mean precision, 81.21% mean recall, and 91.66 frames per second (FPS). For object detection, RT-DETR exhibited the best overall performance with a 61.63% mean average precision (mAP), 92.6% mean recall, and 72.55 on an NVIDIA V100 GPU. Our experiments further indicate that aphid cluster segmentation is more suitable for assessing aphid infestations than using detection models.
Improved YOLOv8-Pose Algorithm for Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) Fork Length Extraction and Weight Estimation
Authors: Liu Yuqing , Fu Zhou , Song Liming , Sui Hengshou , Li Bin
Published: May 2024

Aiming at the problems of large statistical error and the poor real-time performance of catch weight in the ocean fishing tuna industry, an algorithm based on improved YOLOv8-Pose for albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) fork length extraction and weight estimation is proposed, with reference to the human body’s pose estimation algorithm. Firstly, a lightweight module constructed using a heavy parameterization technique is used to replace the backbone network, and secondly, a weighted bidirectional feature pyramid network BIFPN is utilized. Finally, the upper and lower jaw and tail feature points of the albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) were extracted using the key point detection algorithm, and the weight of the albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) was estimated based on the fitted relationship between fork length and weight. The experimental results show that the improved YOLOv8-Pose algorithm reduces the number of model parameters by 13.63% and the number of floating-point operations by 14.03% compared with the baseline model without decreasing the accuracy of the target detection and key point detection and improves the model inference speed by 374%. At the same time, it reduces the drift of the key point detection, and the error of the comparison with the actual albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) body weight is not more than 10%. The improved key point detection algorithm has high detection accuracy and inference speed, which provides accurate yield data for pelagic fishing and is expected to solve the existing statistical problems and improve the accuracy and real-time performance of data in the fishing industry.
A Methodology for Susceptibility Assessment of Wave-Induced Seabed Liquefaction in Silt-Dominated Nearshore Environments
Authors: Wang Yueying , Guo Xingsen , Liu Jinkun , Hou Fang , Zhang Hong , Gao Han , Liu Xiaolei
Published: May 2024

Wave-induced seabed liquefaction significantly jeopardizes the stability of marine structures and the safety of human life. Susceptibility assessment is key to enabling spatial predictions and establishing a solid foundation for effective risk analysis and management. However, the current research encounters various challenges, involving an incomplete evaluation system, poor applicability of methods, and insufficient databases. These issues collectively hinder the accuracy of susceptibility assessments, undermining their utility in engineering projects. To address these challenges, a susceptibility assessment method with the safety factor was developed as the key assessment parameter, allowing for a comprehensive susceptibility assessment across the silt-dominated nearshore environment using Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK). The safety factor is determined by combining the cyclic stress ratio (CSR) and the cyclic resistance ratio (CRR), which characterize wave loadings and sediment properties in the study area, respectively. This method was applied in the Chengdao region of the Yellow River Estuary, China, a typical silt-dominated nearshore environment where wave-induced liquefaction events have been reported as being responsible for multiple oil platform and pipeline accidents. By collecting the regional wave and seabed sediment data from cores spanning from 1998 to 2017, the safety factors were calculated, and a zonal map depicting the susceptibility assessment of wave-induced seabed liquefaction was created. This study can serve as a valuable reference for the construction and maintenance of marine engineering in liquefaction-prone areas.
Impacts of Streetscape Features on Individual Social Capital: Applying Korea’s Neighborhood Data to Street View Images to Improve Lives of the Socially Vulnerable
Authors: Kim Sunmin , Jeon Junehyung , Noh Youngre , Woo Ayoung
Published: May 2024

Neighborhood social vulnerability is a dimension of vulnerability that influences society’s response to external factors, encompassing various social factors tied to socioeconomic and demographic attributes at the neighborhood level. While previous studies have explored the associations between vulnerable neighborhoods and stressors like environmental hazards, understanding of their impact on residents’ social capital remains limited. Moreover, the role of built environments in mitigating these effects is uncertain. This study investigates the impact of neighborhood social vulnerability, alongside streetscape features, on individual social capital in Seoul, South Korea. Using a stratified random sampling method, we surveyed 1000 Seoul residents, assessing their social capital and demographics. In particular, six questionnaires based on a four-point Likert scale were used to measure the individual level of social capital: two questions for social networks, three questions for social participation, and one question for sense of community. Additionally, we employed a deep learning-based model to analyze Google Street View images for detailed streetscape features. Our analysis, utilizing multiple and ordinal logistic regression models, reveals that walkable environments and neighborhood prosperity, indicated by factors like income, education, and street greenery, are linked to higher social capital. Moreover, less urbanized areas with lower land prices and greater openness to the sky also show positive associations. These findings underscore the potential of improving streetscape features to mitigate the negative impacts of neighborhood vulnerability, particularly in neighborhoods where low-income and less-educated residents are concentrated, offering insights for urban planners and community leaders.
Feasibility of Using SWIR-Transformed Reflectance (STR) in Place of Surface Temperature (Ts) for the Mapping of Irrigated Landcover
Authors: Abuzar Mohammad , Sheffield Kathryn , McAllister Andy
Published: May 2024

(1) Background: A simple approach to map irrigated landcover has been introduced by using measures derived from the optical spectral range as an alternative to the thermal range. It has been demonstrated that substituting surface temperature (Ts, ‘thermal approach’) with SWIR-transformed reflectance (STR, ‘optical approach’) to detect surface moisture is feasible with comparable results. (2) Methods: Using an iterative thresholding procedure to minimize within-class variance, the bilevel segmentation of variables derived from Landsat-8 representing surface moisture and vegetation cover was achieved for the 2020–2021 summer for a key irrigation district in Australia. (3) Results: The results of irrigated landcover by the optical approach were found to be comparable with those obtained by the thermal approach. The classification accuracy was assessed using water delivery records at the farm level. Although the overall accuracy was high in both cases, the optical approach (97.6%) performed slightly better than the thermal approach (93.9%). (4) Conclusions: The feasibility of using STR to map irrigated landcover has been confirmed by a high-level overall accuracy assessment. This has broader implications in terms of irrigated landcover assessment, as the use of satellite imagery in these applications may not necessarily be limited to microwave or thermal sensors.
Spatiotemporal Pattern and Spatial Convergence of Land Use Carbon Emission Efficiency in the Pan-Pearl River Delta: Based on the Difference in Land Use Carbon Budget
Authors: Fan Zhenggen , Xia Wentong , Yu Hu , Liu Ji , Liu Binghua
Published: May 2024

Research on land use carbon emission efficiency (LUCEE) in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) can aid in formulating regional differentiated carbon reduction strategies. In this work, the inversion of carbon emissions using night-time light (NTL) data and the modified Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) model were used to measure the net carbon emissions from land use (NCELU). On this basis, the SBM-undesirable model was used to assess the LUCEE. Additionally, the exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), Dagum Gini coefficient, and spatial convergence model were further introduced to analyze the spatial correlation, regional differences, and convergence trend of the LUCEE. Findings indicate that: (1) The NCELU showed an increasing fluctuation. During the period of 2006–2020, the NCELU increased from −168.58 million tons to −724.65 million tons. (2) The LUCEE exhibited a three-phase fluctuating downward trend of “decrease–rise–decrease”. The LUCEE first decreased from 0.612 in 2006 to 0.544 in 2008, then gradually increased to 0.632 in 2016, and finally decreased to 0.488 in 2020. Spatially, the LUCEE manifested a distribution characteristic of “high in the north and south, low in the middle”, with distinct spatial clustering features. (3) The overall Gini coefficient in the study period increased from 0.1819 to 0.2461. The primary contributor to the overall difference over the entire sample period was hypervariable density. (4) The PPRD and its various subregions displayed significant features of absolute and conditional β convergence. The speed of regional convergence from fastest to slowest was central > west > east, with the absolute convergence speeds of 0.0505, 0.0360, and 0.0212, respectively. Finally, policy recommendations are proposed to achieve regional carbon neutrality for the PPRD.
Everolimus Treatment for Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction in Lung Transplantation
Authors: Iturbe-Fernández David , de Pablo Gafas Alicia , Mora Cuesta Víctor Manuel , Alonso Moralejo Rodrigo , Quezada Loaiza Carlos Andrés , Pérez González Virginia , López-Padilla Daniel , Cifrián José M.
Published: May 2024

Our study aims to evaluate the effect of everolimus treatment on lung function in lung transplant (LT) patients with established chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Methods: This retrospective study included LT patients in two reference LT units who started everolimus therapy to treat CLAD from October 2008 to October 2016. We assessed the variation in the maximum forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) before and after the treatment. Results: Fifty-seven patients were included in this study. The variation in the FEV1 was −102.7 (149.6) mL/month before starting everolimus compared to −44.7 (109.6) mL/month within the first three months, +1.4 (63.5) mL/month until the sixth month, and −7.4 (46.2) mL/month until the twelfth month (p < 0.05). Glomerular filtrate remained unchanged after everolimus treatment [59.1 (17.5) mL/min per 1.73 m2 at baseline and 60.9 (19.6) mL/min per 1.73 m2, 57.7 (20.5) mL/min per 1.73 m2, and 57.3 (17.8) mL/min per 1.73 m2, at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively] (p > 0.05). Everolimus was withdrawn in 22 (38.6%) patients. The median time to withdrawal was 14.1 (5.5–25.1) months. Conclusions: This study showed an improvement in FEV1 decline in patients with CLAD treated with everolimus. However, the drug was withdrawn in a high proportion of patients.
Preparation and Tribological Performance of Multi-Layer van der Waals Heterostructure WS2/h-BN
Authors: Fang Yunqi , Sun Yang , Shang Fengqin , Zhang Jing , Yao Jiayu , Yan Zihan , Shen Hangyan
Published: May 2024

Van der Waals heterostructures with incommensurate contact interfaces show excellent tribological performance, which provides solutions for the development of new solid lubricants. In this paper, a facile electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly (LBL) technique was proposed to prepare multi-layer van der Waals heterostructures tungsten disulfide/hexagonal boron nitride (vdWH WS2/h-BN). The h-BN and WS2 were modified with poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) to obtain the positively charged PDDA@h-BN and the negatively charged SDBS@WS2, respectively. When the mass ratio of PDDA to h-BN and SDBS to WS2 were both 1:1 and the pH was 3, the zeta potential of PDDA@h-BN and SDBS@WS2 were 60.0 mV and −50.1 mV, respectively. Under the electrostatic interaction, the PDDA@h-BN and SDBS@WS2 attracted each other and stacked alternately along the (002) crystal plane forming the multi-layer (four-layer) vdWH WS2/h-BN. The addition of the multi-layer vdWH WS2/h-BN (1.0 wt%) to the base oil resulted in a significant reduction of 33.8% in the friction coefficient (0.104) and 16.8% in the wear rate (4.43 × 10−5 mm3/(N·m)). The excellent tribological property of the multi-layer vdWH WS2/h-BN arose from the lattice mismatch (26.0%), a 15-fold higher interlayer slip possibility, and the formation of transfer film at the contact interface. This study provided an easily accessible method for the multi-layer vdWH with excellent tribological properties.
(E)-1-(5-(Hydroxymethyl) furan-2-yl)-4,4-dimethylpent-1-en-3-one
Authors: Wang Zhongwei , Zhou Luxiao , He Peng , Qin Yukun
Published: May 2024

This study presents a novel approach in the realm of catalytic organic synthesis by integrating biomass catalytic conversion with organic synthesis techniques. Utilizing N-acetylglucosamine as the primary feedstock, the first phase of the research involves its catalytic transformation into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The subsequent phase employs a condensation reaction between HMF and 3,3-Dimethyl-2-butanone to synthesize a new compound, (E)-1-(5-(hydroxymethyl) furan-2-yl)-4,4-dimethylpent-1-en-3-one. This two-step process not only demonstrates the feasibility of converting biomass into valuable chemical precursors but also exemplifies the synthesis of novel compounds through green chemistry principles. The successful execution of this methodology offers fresh insights and opens new avenues for advancements in catalytic organic synthesis, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency.
Temperature Evolution of Composition, Thermal, Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Ti3C2Tx-MXene
Authors: Srivatsa Shreyas , Tokarz Waldemar , Przewoźnik Janusz , Strączek Tomasz , Grabowski Krzysztof , Rutkowski Paweł , Uhl Tadeusz , Kulawik Jan , Kata Dariusz , Madej Dominika , Lis Jerzy , Kapusta Czesław
Published: May 2024

MXenes are a family of two-dimensional nanomaterials. Titanium carbide MXene (Ti3C2Tx-MXene), reported in 2011, is the first inorganic compound reported among the MXene family. In the present work, we report on the study of the composition and various physical properties of Ti3C2Tx-MXene nanomaterial, as well as their temperature evolution, to consider MXenes for space applications. X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and mass spectroscopy measurements confirmed the structure and terminating groups of the MXene surface, revealing a predominant single OH layer character. The temperature dependence of the specific heat shows a Debye-like character in the measured range of 2 K–300 K with a linear part below 10 K, characteristic of conduction electrons of metallic materials. The electron density of states (DOS) calculations for Ti3C2OH-MXene reveal a significant DOS value at the Fermi level, with a large slope, confirming its metallic character, which is consistent with the experimental findings. The temperature dependence of electrical resistivity of the MXene samples was tested for a wide temperature range (3 K–350 K) and shows a decrease on lowering temperature with an upturn at low temperatures, where negative magnetoresistance is observed. The magnetoresistance versus field is approximately linear and increases its magnitude with decreasing temperature. The magnetization curves are straight lines with temperature-independent positive slopes, indicating Pauli paramagnetism due to conduction electrons.
Effect of Process Parameters on Welding Residual Stress of 316L Stainless Steel Pipe
Authors: Jiang Xiaowei , Wang Wenhui , Xu Chunguang , Li Jingdong , Lu Jiangquan
Published: May 2024

316L stainless steel pipes are widely used in the storage and transportation of low-temperature media due to their excellent low-temperature mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, due to their low thermal conductivity and large coefficient of linear expansion, they often lead to significant welding residual tensile stress and thermal cracks in the weld seam. This also poses many challenges for their secure and reliable applications. In order to effectively control the crack defects caused by stress concentration near the heat-affected zone of the weld, this paper establishes a thermal elastoplastic three-dimensional finite element (FE) model, constructs a welding heat source, and simulates and studies the influence of process parameters on the residual stress around the pipeline circumference and axial direction in the heat-affected zone. Comparison and verification were conducted using simulation and experimental methods, respectively, proving the rationality of the finite element model establishment. The axial and circumferential residual stress distribution obtained by the simulation method did not have an average deviation of more than 30 MPa from the numerical values obtained by the experimental method. This study also considers the effects of welding energy, welding speed, and welding start position on the pipe’s circumferential and axial residual stress laws. The results indicate that changes in welding energy and welding speed have almost no effect on the longitudinal residual stress but have a more significant effect on the transverse residual stress. The maximum transverse residual stress is reached at a welding energy of 1007.4~859.3 J/mm and a welding speed of 6.6 mm/s. Various interlayer arc-striking deflection angles can impact the cyclic phase angle of the transverse residual stress distribution in the seam center, but they do not alter its cyclic pattern. They do influence the amplitude and distribution of the longitudinal residual stress along the circumference. The residual stress distribution on the surface of the pipe fitting is homogenized and improved at 120°.