bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum IgE levels are a risk factor with prognosis of pediatric minimal change disease
Authors: Han Tingting , Xue Mei , Guan Yafei , Ju Tao , Shi Kaili , Fu Mengzhen , Jia Lili , Gao Chunlin , Xia Zhengkun
Published: July 2023

Background

Minimal change disease (MCD) is one of the most common primary glomerular disorders with high serum IgE levels. This study was aimed to investigate the clinical features of different serum IgE levels in pediatric MCD and evaluate the prognostic significance of serum IgE levels with regard to remission and relapse in pediatric cohort.

Methods

This study enrolled 142 new-onset children diagnosed with biopsy-proven MCD from January 2010 to December 2021 at the Jinling Hospital in Nanjing, China. These cases were divided into three groups according to serum IgE levels. MCD patients’ demographics, clinical parameters, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. The primary and secondary outcomes were defined as the time to the first complete remission (CR) and the first relapse.

Results

The results manifested that 85.2% (121/142) of MCD children had high serum IgE levels (IgE > 90.0 IU/ml). A total of 142 patients were divided into the normal-, low-, and high-IgE groups based on the normal reference value level (90.0 IU/ml) and median serum IgE level (597.5 IU/ml). The high-IgE group had a significantly lower cumulative rate of the first CR (log-rank, P = 0.032) and a higher rate of the first relapse (log-rank, P = 0.033) than the normal-IgE and low-IgE groups. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that IgE ≥597.5 IU/ml was independently associated with the delayed first CR [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.566, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.330–0.972, P = 0.039] and the early first relapse (HR = 2.767, 95% CI = 1.150–6.660, P = 0.023).

Conclusions

Serum IgE levels were an independent correlation factor for pediatric MCD-delayed remissions and early relapses.
Adaptive consensus tracking control of non-affine non-linear MASs based on Taylor decoupling technology and an event-triggered design strategy
Authors: Wang Li , Liu Chaoda , Shang Zihao
Published: July 2023

This research paper studies the consensus tracking control problem for a class of uncertain non-affine non-linear multi-agent systems (MASs). First, different from the separation design scheme using the mean value theorem in previous works, this research paper not only uses the mean value theorem but also introduces the Taylor decoupling method to decouple the complex unknown non-affine structure. Second, to solve the difficulty of unknown non-linear functions in non-linear MASs, an intelligent technique based on neural networks was used. In addition, compared with the existing traditional event-triggered control strategy based on the relative threshold, an improved event-triggered control strategy based on the decreasing function of error variables was introduced to reduce the waste of unnecessary resources. The theoretical result shows that the whole closed-loop system is stable under the action of the proposed control protocol. Finally, the simulation experiment verifies the effectiveness of our control method.
Salicylic acid-mitigates abiotic stress tolerance via altering defense mechanisms in Brassica napus (L.)
Authors: Ali Essa , Hussain Sayed , Jalal Fazal , Khan Muhammad Ali , Imtiaz Muhammad , Said Fazal , Ismail Muhammad , Khan Salman , Ali Hayssam M. , Hatamleh Ashraf Atef , Al-Dosary Munirah Abdullah , Mosa Walid F. A. , Shah Farooq
Published: July 2023

Under the changing climate due to global warming, various abiotic stresses including drought (D) and salinity (S) are expected to further trigger their devastating effects on the already vulnerable crop production systems. This experiment was designed to unravel and quantify the potential role of exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) in mitigating both D and S stresses and their combination (D+S), with three replications using CRD (Completely Randomized Design). The obtained results of the current study demonstrated significant effects of all three types of stresses (D, S, and D+S) on various parameters in Brassica napus plants. Quantifying these parameters provides a more informative and precise understanding of the findings. Current results revealed that all three stress types (D, S, and D+S) resulted in a reduction in leaf area (13.65 to 21.87%), chlorophyll levels (30 to 50%), gaseous exchange rate (30 to 54%) and the concentration of mineral ions compared to non-stressed plants. However, application of SA helped in mitigating these stresses by ameliorating the negative effects of these stresses. Moreover, Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, an indicator of lipid per-oxidation and oxidative stress, the levels of antioxidants, proline content, an osmolyte associated with stress tolerance, and sugar content in the leaves were elevated in response to all stress conditions. In addition, the ultra-structures within the leaves were negatively affected by the stresses, while an application of SA considerably minimized the deterioration of these structures thus providing protection to the brassica plants against the stresses. In a nutshell, the findings of this study suggest that SA application in S, D and S+ D stresses provides evasion to the plants by improving different physiological and growth indices. The application of Salicylic Acid (SA) mitigated the negative effects of the stresses on all the above parameters, reducing MDA contents (47%), antioxidants (11 to 20%), proline (28%), sugar contents (20.50%), and minimizing the deterioration of ultra-structures. The findings emphasize the potential mitigatory role of SA in mitigating D and S stresses and highlight the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms in detail and explore its practical application in farming practices.
Survey and toxigenic abilities of Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Alternaria fungi from wheat and paddy grains in Shanghai, China
Authors: Meng Jiajia , Li Ruijiao , Huang Qingwen , Guo Dehua , Fan Kai , Zhang Jingya , Zhu Xueting , Wang Min , Chen Xinyue , Nie Dongxia , Cao Chen , Zhao Zhihui , Han Zheng
Published: July 2023

A systematic study was carried out on 638 wheat and paddy grains (including fresh and stored samples) collected in 2021 from Shanghai, China, to identify the major mycobiota and their toxigenic abilities. A total of 349 fungi, namely, 252 Fusarium, 53 Aspergillus, and 44 Alternaria, were characterized by morphological and molecular identification. Fusarium and Aspergillus were more frequently isolated in paddy with Fusarium sambucinum species complex and Aspergillus section flavi as the predominant species, respectively. The genus Alternaria was the most frequently isolated fungal species in wheat. The toxin-producing potentials of the identified fungi were further evaluated in vitro. Deoxynevalenol (DON) was produced by 34.5% of Fusarium isolates and zearalenone (ZEN) was produced by 47.6% of them, and one isolate also processed the abilities for fumonisin B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2), and B3 (FB3) productions. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), and G1 (AFG1) were only generated by Aspergillus section flavi, with the production rate of 65.5%, 27.6%, and 13.8%, respectively. Alternariol (AOH) was the most prevalent Alternaria toxin, which could be produced by 95.5% of the isolates, followed by alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) (72.7%), altenuene (ALT) (52.3%), tenuazonic acid (TeA) (45.5%), tentoxin (TEN) (29.5%), and altenusin (ALS) (4.5%). A combinational analysis of mycobiota and toxigenic ability allowed us to provide comprehensive information about the production mechanisms of mycotoxins in wheat and paddy in a specific geographic area, and will be helpful for developing efficient prevention and control programs.
Innovative moments in low-intensity, telephone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression
Authors: Drüge Marie , Staeck Robert , Haller Elisa , Seiler Cara , Rohner Valentin , Watzke Birgit
Published: July 2023

Background

Innovative moments (IMs), defined as moments in psychotherapy when patients’ problematic patterns change toward more elaborated and adaptive patterns, have been shown to be associated with a clinical change in patients with depression. Thus, far IMs have been studied in face-to-face settings but not in telephone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (t-CBT). This study investigates whether IMs occur in t-CBT and examines the association between IMs and symptom improvement, and reconceptualization and symptom improvement.

Methods

The therapy transcripts of n = 10 patients with mild to moderate depression (range: 7–11 sessions, in total 94 sessions) undergoing t-CBT were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Symptom severity (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and IMs (levels and proportions) were assessed for each therapy session. Hierarchical linear models were used to test the prediction models.

Results

The rating of IMs was shown to be feasible and reliable using the Innovative Moments Coding System (IMCS) (84.04% agreement in words coded), which is indicative of the applicability of the concept of IMs in t-CBT. Only reconceptualization IMs were shown to have a predictive value for treatment success (R2 = 0.05, p = 0.01).

Discussion

The results should be interpreted with caution due to the exploratory nature of this study. Due to the telephone setting, it was necessary to adapt the IMCS. Nonetheless, the extent of IMs identified in the low-intensity t-CBT investigated was comparable to IMs in face-to-face therapy. Further studies are needed to clarify the association between IMs and treatment success as a change process, especially for low-intensity treatments.
Investigating the relationship between language teachers’ occupational self-efficacy, satisfaction and meaning at work, and their subjective wellbeing
Authors: Chamani Samaneh , Safaeizadeh Farzaneh , Xodabande Ismail
Published: July 2023

Despite the growing interest in the well-being of educators, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the specific factors that influence the well-being of language teachers. To address this gap, this study explored the relationship between Iranian language teachers’ occupational self-efficacy, satisfaction and meaning at work and their subjective well-being. The study involved 120 EFL teachers, and data were collected through self-report questionnaires. The results pointed to significant positive correlations between subjective well-being and occupational self-efficacy (r = 0.625, p < 0.001) as well as satisfaction and meaning at work (r = 0.493, p < 0.001). Regression analyses further indicated that occupational self-efficacy, satisfaction and meaning at work were significant predictors of subjective well-being. Notably, occupational self-efficacy emerged as a stronger predictor, outweighing the influence of satisfaction and meaning at work. Furthermore, the ANOVA results demonstrated that the regression models significantly contributed to the prediction of subjective well-being, indicating the relevance of these factors in understanding language teachers’ well-being. The coefficients analysis supported the significance of occupational self-efficacy (β = 0.625, p < 0.001) in predicting subjective well-being, while satisfaction and meaning at work also made a significant contribution (β = 0.258, p = 0.003). These findings suggest that enhancing teachers’ occupational self-efficacy, satisfaction and meaning at work could promote their subjective well-being. The study contributes to understanding the relationship between teachers’ job-related factors and their subjective well-being and could have implications for developing interventions to enhance their well-being.
Characteristics and correlation of gray matter volume and somatic symptoms in adolescent patients with depressive disorder
Authors: Mo Daming , Guo Pengfei , Hu Shuwen , Tao Rui , Zhong Hui , Liu Huanzhong
Published: July 2023

Background

Adolescent patients with depressive disorders commonly exhibit somatic symptoms, which have a significant negative impact on their treatment and prognosis. Despite this, specific brain imaging characteristics of these symptoms have been poorly studied.

Methods

The Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAMD-17), Children’s Functional Somatization scale (CSI), and Toronto Alexithymia scale (TAS) were used to evaluate the clinical symptoms of adolescent depression. We analyzed the correlation between brain gray matter volume (GMV) and clinical symptoms in adolescent patients with depression and somatic symptoms.

Results

The depression subgroups with and without functional somatic symptoms (FSS) had higher scores on the HAMD-17, CSI, and TAS than the normal control group. The group with FSS had higher HAMD-17, CSI, and TAS scores than the depression group without FSS (p < 0.05). CSI and TAS scores were positively correlated (r = 0.378, p < 0.05). The GMV of the right supplementary motor area was higher in the depression groups with and without FSSs than in the normal control group, and the GMV was higher in the group without FSS than in the group with FSS (F = 29.394, p < 0.05). The GMV of the right supplementary motor area was negatively correlated with CSI in the depressed group with FSS (r = −0.376, p < 0.05). In the group with depression exhibiting FSS, CSI scores were positively correlated with GMV of the middle occipital gyrus (pr = 0.665, p = 0.0001), and TAS scores were positively correlated with GMV of the caudate nucleus (pr = 0.551, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Somatic symptoms of adolescent depressive disorder are associated with alexithymia; moreover, somatic symptoms and alexithymia in adolescent patients with depressive disorders are correlated with GMV changes in different brain regions.
The association of problematic usage of the internet with burnout, depression, insomnia, and quality of life among Hungarian high school students
Authors: Feher Andrea , Fejes Eva , Kapus Krisztian , Jancsak Csaba , Nagy Gabor Daniel , Horvath Lilla , Tibold Antal , Feher Gergely
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The extensive availability of the internet has led to the recognition of problematic usage of the internet (PUI) or so called internet addiction (IA), probably mostly involving adolescents.

Aim

Here we present a study focusing on the incidence and consequences (including burnout, which is relatively rarely studied) of internet addiction among high school students using a questionnaire-based non-random sampling cross-sectional survey. Included questionnaires were the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey for Students MBI-GS (S), the 9-item short version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-SF), the Athens Insomnia Questionnaire and the EQ-5D (quality of life) questionnaire. Data were evaluated the exertion of Student’s t-test, chi square test and Pearson’s rank-order correlation. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the significance of the different parameters as independently associated with PUI.

Results

Overall 3,000 paper-based questionnaires were successfully delivered and 2,540 responses received (response rate of 84.6%). 1,309 males (mean age 17.6 ± 1.43 years) (51.5%) and 1,231 females (mean age 17.5 ± 1.4 years) (48.5%) took part in our study. Problematic usage of the internet was detected in 486 (19.1%) students (232 males, mean age 17.6 ± 1.35 years and 254 females, mean age 17.34 ± 1.37 years). In a logistic regression analysis sleep disturbance (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.83–2.03), depression (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.77–2.02) and burnout (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.16–1.94) were significantly associated with PUI.

Conclusion

Nearly one fifth of our study population suffered from PUI, which was strongly associated with school burnout, insomnia and depression, which underlines the importance of this phenomenon.
Development of a novel hybrid securing actuator for a self-securing soft robotic hand exoskeleton
Authors: Hernandez-Barraza Luis , Fraiszudeen Azmall , Yuan Lee Daniel Lim , Chen-Hua Yeow Raye
Published: July 2023

The development of soft robotic hand exoskeletons for rehabilitation has been well-reported in the literature, whereby the emphasis was placed on the development of soft actuators for flexion and extension. Little attention was focused on developing the glove interface and attachments of actuators to the hand. As these hand exoskeletons are largely developed for personnel with impaired hand function for rehabilitation, it may be tedious to aid the patients in donning and doffing the glove, given that patients usually have stiff fingers exhibiting high muscle tone. To address this issue, a hybrid securing actuator was developed and powered pneumatically to allow for rapid securing and release of a body segment. As a proof of concept, the actuator was further adapted into a self-securing glove mechanism and assembled into a complete self-securing soft robotic hand exoskeleton with the attachment of bidirectional actuators. Our validation tests show that the self-wearing soft robotic hand exoskeleton can easily conform and secure onto the human hand and assist with manipulation tasks.
Exercise and autism: exploring caregiver insights on exercise participation and sleep patterns in autistic children in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Bruce Olivia , Sajjadi Sayedeh Fatemeh , Galland Barbara , Gross Julien , Dainty Gloria
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Autistic children experience sleep disturbances at a higher rate than do neurotypical children. It has been argued that sleep disturbances negatively impact behavior, exacerbate learning difficulties, and decrease the quality of life among autistic children. Increasing exercise has been proposed to address sleep disturbances, however, little is known about how exercise might best be promoted for autistic children in Aotearoa New Zealand. Here, we explored caregivers' lived experiences of their autistic child's sleep disturbances and participation in exercise.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 mothers of autistic children aged between 5 and 10. Mothers also completed the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC).

Results

Scores on the SDSC indicated that there was considerable variation in sleep disturbance severity. Eight themes were identified from the interviews: sleep disturbances, the impact of exercise on sleep, exercise activities, whānau involvement in exercise, barriers for participation in exercise, support for participation in exercise, sensory considerations for participation in exercise, and activities specifically for children with special needs.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight how challenging sleep disturbances can be for autistic children and their families and how participation in exercise can be promoted to potentially minimize their negative impact.
An Optimized Design of the Soft Bellow Actuator Based on the Box–Behnken Response Surface Design
Authors: Auysakul Jutamanee , Booranawong Apidet , Vittayaphadung Nitipan , Smithmaitrie Pruittikorn
Published: July 2023

Soft actuator technology is extensively utilized in robotic manipulation applications. However, several existing designs of soft actuators suffer from drawbacks such as a complex casting process, a multi-air chamber configuration, and insufficient grasping force. In this study, we propose a novel soft bellow design featuring a single air chamber, which simplifies the fabrication process of the actual model. To enhance the performance of the proposed design, we employ the Box–Behnken response surface design to generate a design matrix for implementing different levels of design factors in the finite element model. The FEA response is then subjected to an analysis of variance to identify significant factors and establish a regression model for deformation and stress response prediction. Among the considered responses, the wall thickness emerges as the most influential factor, followed by the divided ratio of radians and the number of bellows. Validation of the optimized soft bellow actuator’s deformation response is performed through comparison with experimental data. Moreover, the soft bellow actuator is capable of exerting a pulling force of 8.16 N when used in conjunction with a simple gripper structure design, enabling effective object manipulation. Additionally, the soft bellow design boasts cost-effectiveness and easy moldability, facilitating seamless integration with different gripper frames for diverse applications. Its simplicity and versatility make it a promising choice for various robotic manipulation tasks.
Augmented Reality Based Distant Maintenance Approach
Authors: Simon János , Gogolák László , Sárosi József , Fürstner Igor
Published: July 2023

This paper focuses on the implementation of Industry 4.0-based maintenance approaches using AR technology. The primary objective is to highlight the benefits of AR in maintenance and provide a framework for implementing AR-based maintenance systems. AR can assist maintenance personnel in performing maintenance tasks more efficiently by providing real-time instructions and information. By overlaying virtual information on real equipment, AR can guide maintenance personnel through maintenance procedures, reducing human errors and improving the quality of the work. AR can also provide remote assistance to maintenance personnel, allowing experts to remotely guide less experienced personnel through complex maintenance procedures. The proposed application provides motorcycle service assistance using AR and telepresence technologies. It enables remote monitoring of the service flow and performs an automated identification of parts. The system provides instructions for disassembling more complex mechanical components, provides a 3D model of the object, and enables ordering of the necessary parts.
Seasonal Abundance of Various Hymenopteran Parasitoids of Leafminers in Beans and Comparative Abundance in Bean, Tomato, and Squash
Authors: Seal Dakshina R. , Liburd Oscar , Li Jian
Published: July 2023

The composition and seasonal abundance of hymenopteran parasitoids of Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) was investigated on snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and squash (Cucurbita pepo L. ‘Enterprise’) from 2010 to 2016 in South Florida in two studies. In the first study (2010–2016), 13 species of parasitoids were collected from the snap bean crop. Opius dissitus Muesebeck (Braconidae) was the most abundant parasitoid throughout the study period from September 2010 to February 2016. Diaulinopsis callichroma Crawford (Eulophidae) was the second most abundant parasitoid on bean in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Other parasitoids included Euopius sp. (Braconidae)., Diglyphus begini (Ashmead), D. intermedius (Girault), D. isaea (Walker), Neochrysocharis sp., Closterocerus sp., Chrysocharis sp., Zagrammosoma lineaticeps (Girault), Z. muitilineatum (Ashmead), Pnigalio sp. (all Eulophidae), and Halticoptera sp. (Pteromalidae). In the second study on the comparative abundance of parasitoids in three crops conducted in 2014 and 2016 using bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) arranged in a randomized complete block design, bean attracted more parasitoids than tomato and squash irrespective of parasitoid species and years. This information will help in devising a biocontrol-based integrated program for managing leafminers in beans and other vegetable crops.
Negative Contrast: A Simple and Efficient Image Augmentation Method in Crop Disease Classification
Authors: Li Jiqing , Yin Zhendong , Li Dasen , Zhao Yanlong
Published: July 2023

Crop disease classification constitutes a significant and longstanding challenge in the domain of agricultural and forestry sciences. Frequently, there is an insufficient number of samples to accurately discern the distribution of real-world instances. Leveraging the full potential of the available data is the genesis of our approach. To address this issue, we propose a supervised image augmentation technique—Negative Contrast. This method employs contrast images of existing disease samples, devoid of disease areas, as negative samples for image augmentation, particularly when the samples are relatively scarce. Numerous experiments demonstrate that the employment of this augmentation method enhances the disease classification performance of several classical models across four crops—rice, wheat, corn, and soybean, with an accuracy improvement reaching up to 30.8%. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of attentional heatmaps reveals that models utilizing negative contrast focus more accurately and intensely on the disease regions of interest, thereby exhibiting superior generalization capabilities in real-world crop disease classification.
The Impact of Internet Use on the Well-Being of Rural Residents
Authors: Huang Longjunjiang , Liang Xian , Li Lishan , Xiao Hui , Xie Fangting
Published: July 2023

With the full penetration of the Internet, the Internet has had a great impact on the production and life of rural residents. The article takes a rural residents’ group as its research object to explore the impact mechanism. Leveraging data from the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2016, we employ a multivariate ordered logit model as an empirical approach to delve into the various dimensions of Internet usage. By examining different facets of Internet utilization, we aim to assess the effects of these distinct uses on the well-being of rural residents. Furthermore, we investigate the mediating role of social capital in understanding the collective well-being of this demographic. The findings of this study are as follows: (1) The utilization of the Internet yields a positive impact on the well-being of rural residents. (2) Social networks exhibit a significant positive influence on the well-being of rural residents; social solidarity demonstrates a significant negative impact on the well-being of rural residents. Additionally, social trust is found to have a significant negative effect on the well-being of rural residents. (3) Regarding mobile phone access, we identify a positive and significant effect on the well-being of rural residents when mediated by social networks and social trust. In contrast, social mutual aid does not exhibit a significant mediating effect. Among the patterns of mobile phone usage, social network and social mutual aid within the realm of social capital emerge as intermediate variables that affect the well-being of rural residents through Internet usage. However, it is worth noting that social trust does not have a significant effect in this regard. These results contribute to our understanding of how Internet usage and social capital interact to shape the well-being of rural communities.
Analysis of Hotspots in Subsurface Drip Irrigation Research Using CiteSpace
Authors: Xiao Yatao , Sun Chaoxiang , Wang Dezhe , Li Huiqin , Guo Wei
Published: July 2023

To investigate the research hotspots and development trends of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) over the past 20 years, this study analyzed relevant literature from the Web of Science Core Collection spanning from 2002 to 2022. The data were visualized using CiteSpace, showcasing the publication volume trends, countries, keywords, cited references, authors, and affiliated institutions. Based on 1079 articles, the annual publication volume showed an overall upward trend. The United States had the most extensive research coverage and highest publication volume, whereas China had the fastest growing publication rate in recent years. However, relatively little cooperation occurred among research teams and institutions. Over time, research topics became increasingly diverse, with water conservation and yield increases being the primary research objectives. In addition to improving irrigation and fertilizer use efficiency, SDI has also been applied in research on the safe utilization of unconventional water resources (wastewater and salt water) and the optimization of soil conditions. Among these, aerated irrigation technology—aimed at improving root growth in the rhizosphere—may become a new branch of SDI research. Currently, the main research focus in the field of SDI is the diffusion and distribution of water in the crop root zone, for which Hydrus model simulation is a particularly important method.
Vegetative Endotherapy—Advances, Perspectives, and Challenges
Authors: Ferreira Jordana Alves , Esparraguera Llorenç Baronat , Queiroz Sonia Claudia Nascimento , Bottoli Carla Beatriz Grespan
Published: July 2023

Vegetative endotherapy has shown satisfactory results in replacing conventional techniques for crop production material applications, such as spraying or via soil, in trees of perennial species. This review presents an overview of concepts and classifications for existing injection methods and covers applications from articles published in the last eighteen years on endotherapeutic techniques. An Excel interactive dashboard with data segmentation and filters to facilitate understanding of the data is provided. The indicators more relevant to researchers and producers, including the tree species evaluated, which were deciduous trees (24%), conifers (11%), ornamental (11%), and fruit trees (54%), are outlined. The most used products were insecticides, fungicides, and antibiotics, which are discussed. Pressurized and nonpressurized technologies were evaluated based on trunk opening, interface, and injection methods. And finally, an approach to good practices in precision agriculture is also discussed.
Exploring the Agronomic Performance and Molecular Characterization of Diverse Spring Durum Wheat Germplasm in Kazakhstan
Authors: Tajibayev Daniyar , Mukin Kadyrzhan , Babkenov Adylkhan , Chudinov Vladimir , Dababat Abdelfattah A. , Jiyenbayeva Karlyga , Kenenbayev Serik , Savin Timur , Shamanin Vladimir , Tagayev Kuttymurat , Rsymbetov Askhat , Yessimbekova Minura , Yusov Vadim , Zhylkybaev Ruslan , Morgounov Alexey , Altaf Muhammad Tanveer , Nadeem Muhammad Azhar , Baloch Faheem Shehzad
Published: July 2023

Spring durum wheat occupies over 0.5 M ha in Kazakhstan and represents an important domestic and export commodity. This study aimed to characterize 151 durum wheat cultivars and advanced lines originating from eight breeding programs of the Kazakhstan–Siberia Spring Wheat Improvement Network (KASIB) between 2003 and 2018. The phenotypic characterization was performed in two contracting evaluation sites more than 1000 km apart (Almaty in the Southeast and Shortandy in the North) for two years and a total of 11 agronomic traits were recorded. Field trials at both locations followed regional agronomy practices, including sowing, harvesting, and genotype evaluation using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The growing season was longer in Almaty, resulting in a higher number of grains per spike. Though grains are smaller in size with an overall higher yield, 243 g/m2 versus 170 g/m2, there was no correlation between germplasm performance at the two sites. Molecular characterization was performed with 10 iPBS-retrotransposons primers that resulted in a total of 345 bands and showed a mean polymorphism of 91.9%. Mean values of gene diversity (0.251), Shannon’s information index (0.388), and expected heterozygosity (0.233) revealed a relatively high level of genetic diversity in the KASIB set. AMOVA revealed higher genetic variations due to differences within the populations. Marker-based cluster analysis, including STRUCTURE and neighbor-joining algorithms, divided the material into two populations with clear differences in geographic origin. Superiors and diverse germplasm identified in the study are recommended for marker assisted selection and breeding.
Urolithin A in Health and Diseases: Prospects for Parkinson’s Disease Management
Authors: Wojciechowska Olga , Kujawska Małgorzata
Published: July 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a complex pathophysiology and a range of symptoms. The prevalence increases with age, putting the ageing population at risk. Disease management includes the improvement of symptoms, the comfort of the patient’s life, and palliative care. As there is currently no cure, growing evidence points towards the beneficial role of polyphenols on neurodegeneration. Numerous studies indicate the health benefits of the family of urolithins, especially urolithin A (UA). UA is a bacterial metabolite produced by dietary ellagitannins and ellagic acid. An expanding body of literature explores the involvement of the compound in mitochondrial health, and its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. The review organizes the existing knowledge on the role of UA in health and diseases, emphasizing neurodegenerative diseases, especially PD. We gathered data on the potential neuroprotective effect in in vivo and in vitro models. We discussed the possible mechanisms of action of the compound and related health benefits to give a broader perspective of potential applications of UA in neuroprotective strategies. Moreover, we projected the future directions of applying UA in PD management.
The Impact of Renewable Energy Tax Incentives on Electricity Pricing in Texas
Authors: Rudolph Mary , Damien Paul
Published: July 2023

Texas has abundant natural resources, making it a good place for renewable energy facilities to build. Unfortunately, property taxes are the highest tax on an incoming renewable energy facility in the state. In order to increase renewable energy in the state, Texas tax code Chapter 313 was introduced. Chapter 313 allows school districts the opportunity to offer a 10-year limit, ranging from USD 10 million to USD 100 million, on the taxable value of a new green energy project. With Chapter 313 ending in 2022, the following question is raised: how do tax incentives that increase the number of applications for producing renewable energy in Texas impact the wholesale, real-time pricing of electricity in the state? Skew-t regression models were implemented on a large dataset, focusing on the designated North, Houston, and West regions of the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), since these regions account for 80% of the state’s energy consumption. Analysis focused on the hours ending at 3 AM, 11 AM, and 4 PM, due to the ERCOT’s time-of-day pricing. Three key findings related to the above question resulted. First, tax incentives that increase the number of active wind and solar facilities lead to a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in wholesale electricity price (USD/MWh), ranging between 2.31% and 6.6% across the ERCOT during different hours of the day. Second, for a 10% increase in tax-incentivized green energy generation, during a 24-hour period, there is a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in the generation cost (USD/MWh), ranging between 0.82% and 1.96%. Finally, electricity price reductions from solar energy are much lower than those from wind generation and/or are not statistically significant.
Artificial Neural Network for Indoor Localization Based on Progressive Subdivided Quadrant Method
Authors: Kim Kyeong Ryong , Lim Aaron , Cho Jae Hyung
Published: July 2023

The exterior location of a user can be accurately determined using a global positioning system (GPS). However, accurately locating objects indoors poses challenges due to signal penetration limitations within buildings. In this study, an MLP with stochastic gradient descent (SGD) among artificial neural networks (ANNs) and signal strength indicator (RSSI) data received from a Zigbee sensor are used to estimate the indoor location of an object. Four fixed nodes (FNs) were placed at the corners of an unobstructed area measuring 3 m in both length and width. Within this designated space, mobile nodes (MNs) captured position data and received RSSI values from the nodes to establish a comprehensive database. To enhance the precision of our results, we used a data augmentation approach which effectively expanded the pool of selected cells. We also divided the area into sectors using an ANN to increase the estimation accuracy, focusing on selecting sectors that had measurements. To enhance both accuracy and computational speed in selecting coordinates, we used B-spline surface equations. This method, which is similar to using a lookup table, brought noticeable benefits: for indoor locations, the error margin decreased below the threshold of sensor hardware tolerance as the number of segmentation steps increased. By comparing our proposed deep learning methodology with the traditional fingerprinting technique that utilizes a progressive segmentation algorithm, we verified the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of our method. It is expected that this research will facilitate the development of practical indoor location-based services that can estimate accurate indoor locations with minimal data.
Finite Element Method (FEM) Modeling of Laser-Tissue Interaction during Hair Removal
Authors: Klanecek Zan , Hren Rok , Simončič Urban , Muc Blaz Tasic , Lukač Matjaž , Milanič Matija
Published: July 2023

In this study, a comprehensive and realistic model of laser light interaction with skin and hair was constructed. The model was applied to study the characteristics of laser-tissue interaction for the deeply penetrating Nd:YAG laser. Three types of finite element method (FEM) models were developed. In the first model, the hair shaft grew straight out of the follicle; in the second model, it grew at a variable angle; and in the third model, an array of hair was considered. The transport equation and heat diffusion equation were solved with the mesh-based Monte Carlo method and partial differential equations, respectively. The results of the simulations indicated that the area of necrosis increased with increasing fluence; cooling had a limited effect on the extent of necrosis, particularly at a fluence of 80 J/cm2. The thermal damage to hair follicles on the periphery of an irradiated array of hair may be insufficient for achieving necrosis. The pulse itself and the short cooling-down period after the pulse contributed the most to the final thermal damage to the hair follicle. The FEM modeling of laser-tissue interaction has proven to be a useful tool for studying the influence of different therapeutic parameters on the resulting hair and skin damage.
Health State Assessment of Road Tunnel Based on Improved Extension Cloud Model
Authors: Cui Hongjun , Chen Guang , Zhu Minqing , Su Yue , Liu Jingxuan
Published: July 2023

A scientifically accurate assessment of tunnel health is the prerequisite for the safe maintenance and sustainability of the in-service road tunnel. The changing trend of tunnel health is not considered in existing research. Most evaluation indicators are static and the ambiguities or randomness at the boundary of the health level intervals is neglected in most evaluation methods. In this paper, the evaluation index system combined with dynamic, and static is set to solve these problems. The changing trend of the health state of tunnels is analyzed through the cubic b-spline function. The weights of evaluation indicators are calculated based on the AHP-improved entropy method. The health evaluation method is proposed based on combing the extension theory and the cloud model improved by the cloud entropy optimization algorithm. Finally, the evaluation results of the proposed method are compared with the detection data of the Beilongmen Tunnel of Zhangzhuo Expressway. The results demonstrate that 80% of the evaluation results in the sample tunnel data are consistent with the standard results, and the remaining 20% show a lower level of health than the standard results. This reflects the evaluation results are impacted by the trend of tunnel health status changes. The health state can be more accurately evaluated by dynamic indicators. The improved extension cloud model is feasible and applicable in the health assessment of tunnels. This work provides innovative ideas for the evaluation of the health state of tunnels and theoretical support for the formulation of reasonable maintenance measures.
Novel Technological Advances to Protect People Who Exercise or Work in Thermally Stressful Conditions: A Transition to More Personalized Guidelines
Authors: Ioannou Leonidas G. , Ciuha Urša , Fisher Jason T. , Tsoutsoubi Lydia , Tobita Kunihito , Bonell Ana , Cotter James D. , Kenny Glen P. , Flouris Andreas D. , Mekjavic Igor B.
Published: July 2023

Background: Prevention plays a key role in ensuring health and safety and is particularly important in scenarios when life is threatened. Adverse thermal conditions are experienced by billions of people daily, affecting the human capacity for thermoregulation and increasing the risks of life-threatening accidents, diseases, and fatalities. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new, freely accessible method that will ultimately allow health, as well as exercise and labour organizations, to predict and potentially mitigate the physiological strain experienced by people who exercise or work in thermally stressful environmental conditions. Methods: First, we used concurrent technological advances and thermophysiological modelling to (i) develop a mobile phone application that predicts the physiological heat strain experienced by individuals conducting physical activity in adverse environmental conditions, and (ii) provide them with individualized heat mitigation strategies. Second, to examine the construct validity of the newly developed mobile phone application, core body temperature was recorded using gastrointestinal thermometry in 37 healthy soldiers during different activities. These data were used to examine the predictive capacity of our application in pre-classifying individuals with an increased risk of experiencing elevated physiological heat strain during work based on the guidelines (core body temperature ≥ 38 °C) of the World Health Organization. Results: The core body temperature predictions made by the mobile phone application were positively related (r = 0.57, p < 0.05) with the actual physiological measurements taken by our participants (mean absolute error: 0.28 °C). More importantly, our application correctly predicted 93% of occurrences of elevated physiological heat strain and 90% of those that were not (overall accuracy: 92%). Conclusions: Mobile phone applications integrating thermophysiological models can predict the physiological heat strain experienced by an individual, but it remains to be studied whether the suggested heat mitigation strategies can reduce or prevent adverse impacts.
Stability of Stochastic Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Ashyralyev Allaberen , Okur Ülker
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we study the stability of the stochastic parabolic differential equation with dependent coefficients. We consider the stability of an abstract Cauchy problem for the solution of certain stochastic parabolic differential equations in a Hilbert space. For the solution of the initial-boundary value problems (IBVPs), we obtain the stability estimates for stochastic parabolic equations with dependent coefficients in specific applications.
An Aquaporin Gene (KoPIP2;1) Isolated from Mangrove Plant Kandelia obovata Had Enhanced Cold Tolerance of Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Fei Jiao , Wang Youshao , Cheng Hao , Wang Hui , Wu Meilin , Sun Fulin , Sun Cuici
Published: July 2023

Aquaporins (AQPs) are essential channel proteins that play central roles in maintaining water homeostasis. Here, a novel aquaporin gene, named KoPIP2;1, was cloned from the mangrove plant Kandelia obovata by RACE technology. The KoPIP2;1 gene was 1404 bp in length with an open reading frame (ORF) of 852 bp, encoded with 283 amino acids. Database comparisons revealed that KoPIP2;1 protein shared the highest identity (91.26%) with the aquaporin HbPIP2;2, which was isolated from Hevea brasiliensis. Gene expression analysis revealed that the KoPIP2;1 gene was induced higher in leaves than in stems and roots of K. obovata under cold stress. Transient expression of KoPIP2;1 in Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells revealed that the KoPIP2;1 protein was localized to the plasma membrane. Overexpressing KoPIP2;1 in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced the lateral root number of the transgenic lines. KoPIP2;1 transgenic Arabidopsis demonstrated better growth, elevated proline content, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared with the wild-type Arabidopsis when exposed to cold stress. The findings suggest that overexpression of KoPIP2;1 probably conferred cold tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis by enhancing osmoregulation and antioxidant capacity. This present data presents a valuable gene resource that contributes to the advancement of our understanding of aquaporins and their potential application in enhancing plant stress tolerance.
Prompt-Based Tuning of Transformer Models for Multi-Center Medical Image Segmentation of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Saeed Numan , Ridzuan Muhammad , Majzoub Roba Al , Yaqub Mohammad
Published: July 2023

Medical image segmentation is a vital healthcare endeavor requiring precise and efficient models for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Vision transformer (ViT)-based segmentation models have shown great performance in accomplishing this task. However, to build a powerful backbone, the self-attention block of ViT requires large-scale pre-training data. The present method of modifying pre-trained models entails updating all or some of the backbone parameters. This paper proposes a novel fine-tuning strategy for adapting a pretrained transformer-based segmentation model on data from a new medical center. This method introduces a small number of learnable parameters, termed prompts, into the input space (less than 1% of model parameters) while keeping the rest of the model parameters frozen. Extensive studies employing data from new unseen medical centers show that the prompt-based fine-tuning of medical segmentation models provides excellent performance regarding the new-center data with a negligible drop regarding the old centers. Additionally, our strategy delivers great accuracy with minimum re-training on new-center data, significantly decreasing the computational and time costs of fine-tuning pre-trained models. Our source code will be made publicly available.