bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of non emergent acute care utilization and cost among patients receiving Medicaid
Authors: Patel Sadiq Y. , Baum Aaron , Basu Sanjay
Published: January 2024

Patients receiving Medicaid often experience social risk factors for poor health and limited access to primary care, leading to high utilization of emergency departments and hospitals (acute care) for non-emergent conditions. As programs proactively outreach Medicaid patients to offer primary care, they rely on risk models historically limited by poor-quality data. Following initiatives to improve data quality and collect data on social risk, we tested alternative widely-debated strategies to improve Medicaid risk models. Among a sample of 10 million patients receiving Medicaid from 26 states and Washington DC, the best-performing model tripled the probability of prospectively identifying at-risk patients versus a standard model (sensitivity 11.3% [95% CI 10.5, 12.1%] vs 3.4% [95% CI 3.0, 4.0%]), without increasing “false positives” that reduce efficiency of outreach (specificity 99.8% [95% CI 99.6, 99.9%] vs 99.5% [95% CI 99.4, 99.7%]), and with a ~ tenfold improved coefficient of determination when predicting costs (R2: 0.195–0.412 among population subgroups vs 0.022–0.050). Our best-performing model also reversed the lower sensitivity of risk prediction for Black versus White patients, a bias present in the standard cost-based model. Our results demonstrate a modeling approach to substantially improve risk prediction performance and equity for patients receiving Medicaid.
Study on the propagation characteristics of methane-air explosion under the promotion of crushed gangue
Authors: Liu Zhenqi , Zhong Qiu , Lu Yansen
Published: January 2024

Methane-air explosion is one of the major disasters in industrial process. The explosion strength could be influenced by the crushed coal gangue, which is widely distributed in coal mine gob and roadway. To understand the influence of the coal gangue on gas explosion, an experimental system with a 0.2 × 0.2 × 3.0 m3 pipeline was designed and explosion experiments of coal gangue with 5 blockage length-diameter ratios (ratio of axial blockage length to pipeline equivalent diameter) were carried out. The results show that coal gangue can cause significant disturbances to the flame front, resulting in a violent acceleration of the explosion flame. The overpressure ratio presents a negative exponential function distribution with the blockage length-diameter ratio. The influence range increases with the blockage length-diameter ratio under the condition of rich fuel, and reaches the maximum when equivalent ratio is 1.237. The explosion intensity is more sensitive to the blockage length-diameter ratio for the equivalent ratio equals 1.0 and 1.237. The formation of high-intensity explosion should be avoided by controlling the accumulation state of the overlying rock in coal mining.
Bilingual disadvantages are systematically compensated by bilingual advantages across tasks and populations
Authors: Dentella Vittoria , Masullo Camilla , Leivada Evelina
Published: January 2024

Bilingualism is linked to both enhanced and hampered performance in various cognitive measures, yet the extent to which these bilingual advantages and disadvantages co-occur is unclear. To address this gap, we perform a systematic review and two quantitative analyses. First, we analyze results from 39 studies, obtained through the PRISMA method. Less than 50% of the studies that show up as results for the term “bilingual disadvantage” report exclusively a disadvantage, that shows bilinguals performing worse than monolinguals in a task. A Bayesian analysis reveals robust evidence for bilingual effects, but no evidence for differences in the proportion of advantages and disadvantages, suggesting that when results from different cognitive domains such as executive functions and verbal fluency are analyzed together, bilingual effects amount to a zero-sum game. This finding was replicated by repeating the analysis, using the datasets of two recent meta-analyses. We propose that the equilibrium we observe between positive and negative outcomes may not be accidental. Contrary to widespread belief, advantageous and disadvantageous effects are not stand-alone outcomes in free variation. We reframe them as the connatural components of a dynamic trade-off, whereby enhanced performance in one cognitive measure is offset by an incurred cost in another domain.
Temporal patterns of bacterial communities in the Billings Reservoir system
Authors: Marcondes Marta Angela , Pessôa Rodrigo , José da Silva Duarte Alberto , Clissa Patricia Bianca , Sanabani Sabri Saeed
Published: January 2024

In this study, high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons and predictive PICRUSt functional profiles were used to perform a comprehensive analysis of the temporal bacterial distribution and metabolic functions of 19 bimonthly samples collected from July 2019 to January 2020 in the surface water of Billings Reservoir, São Paulo. The results revealed that most of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences belonged to Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria, which accounted for more than 58% of the total bacterial abundance. Species richness and evenness indices were highest in surface water from summer samples (January 2020), followed by winter (July 2019) and spring samples (September and November 2019). Results also showed that the highest concentrations of sulfate (SO4–2), phosphate (P), ammonia (NH3), and nitrate (NO3-) were detected in November 2019 and January 2020 compared with samples collected in July and September 2019 (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis suggests that physicochemical factors such as pH, DO, temperature, and NH3 are the most important environmental factors influencing spatial and temporal variations in the community structure of bacterioplankton. At the genus level, 18.3% and 9.9% of OTUs in the July and September 2019 samples, respectively, were assigned to Planktothrix, while 14.4% and 20% of OTUs in the November 2019 and January 2020 samples, respectively, were assigned to Microcystis. In addition, PICRUSt metabolic analysis revealed increasing enrichment of genes in surface water associated with multiple metabolic processes rather than a single regulatory mechanism. This is the first study to examine the temporal dynamics of bacterioplankton and its function in Billings Reservoir during the winter, spring, and summer seasons. The study provides comprehensive reference information on the effects of an artificial habitat on the bacterioplankton community that can be used to interpret the results of studies to evaluate and set appropriate treatment targets.
Study on safe crossing in the dry season and an anti-floating drainage scheme in the wet season: a case study in Guiyang, Southwest China
Authors: Ren Fangzhou , Liu Ning , Zhang Cong
Published: January 2024

Karst formations in Southwest China are significantly developed. With the increase in tunnel construction year by year, constructing tunnels in areas of karst geology is inevitable. There are great safety risks associated with exposed karst caves, and the water inside the caves can seriously impact the tunnel structure and its filling materials. Traditional cave disposal technology mainly focuses on safe crossing treatment at the construction stage; however, problems such as backfill collapse and floor floating caused by karst water erosion during the service period are not considered. Therefore, proposals for a new construction scheme to ensure the stability and safety of the tunnel during the service period are urgently needed. Using Huangchongyan Tunnel as an example, we propose a safe crossing scheme of ‘plate–pile–bedrock’ for karst caves, based on a comparison of karst cave treatment schemes at home and abroad. In addition, considering the impact of karst water on the tunnel, we developed a ‘bottom to top’ reverse drainage structure, which solved the problem of floating during tunnel service. In our study, we developed a full life cycle disposal scheme to enable safe passage through tunnels in karst caves, providing a reference for the design and construction of similar projects.
Variovorax sp. strain P1R9 applied individually or as part of bacterial consortia enhances wheat germination under salt stress conditions
Authors: Acuña Jacquelinne J. , Rilling Joaquin I. , Inostroza Nitza G. , Zhang Qian , Wick Lukas Y. , Sessitsch Angela , Jorquera Milko A.
Published: January 2024

Endophytes isolated from extremophile plants are interesting microbes for improving the stress tolerance of agricultural plants. Here, we isolated and characterized endophytic bacteria showing plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits from plants in two extreme Chilean biomes (Atacama Desert and Chilean Patagonia). Forty-two isolates were characterized as both halotolerant auxin producers (2–51 mg L−1) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC)-degrading bacteria (15–28 µmol αKB mg protein−1 h−1). The most efficient isolates were tested as single strains, in dual and triple consortia, or in combination with previously reported PGP rhizobacteria (Klebsiella sp. 27IJA and 8LJA) for their impact on the germination of salt-exposed (0.15 M and 0.25 M NaCl) wheat seeds. Interestingly, strain P1R9, identified as Variovorax sp., enhanced wheat germination under salt stress conditions when applied individually or as part of bacterial consortia. Under salt stress, plants inoculated with dual consortia containing the strain Variovorax sp. P1R9 showed higher biomass (41%) and reduced lipid peroxidation (33–56%) than uninoculated plants. Although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive, our data suggest that the application of Variovorax sp. P1R9, alone or as a member of PGP consortia, may improve the salt stress tolerance of wheat plants.
Accurate measurement of the bond stress between rebar and concrete in reinforced concrete using FBG sensing technology
Authors: Ahmed Murshalin , Matsumoto Yukihiro , Yoon Rokhyun , Takahashi Susumu , Sanada Yasushi
Published: January 2024

Recent earthquakes in several developing countries have shown that reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with improper structural detailing experience severe damage under seismic motions. Using low-quality construction materials such as brick aggregates, resulting in low-strength concrete, significantly impacts the bond between rebar and concrete. Accurate evaluation of the bond performance of such low-strength concrete is one of the key issues for seismic safety assessment of RC buildings, especially in Bangladesh; thus, the bond performance is usually evaluated through laboratory tests. However, conventional measurements of bond stress based on rebar strains measured by electrical resistance strain gauges are likely to negatively impact the bond behavior/performance because of the reduced total contact area between rebar and concrete as well as the changing rebar surface boundary conditions. Under the above social and academic backgrounds, in this study, a new measurement technique that applies fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors embedded in optical fiber to rebar strain measurements is developed, and its effectiveness is investigated to realize more accurate measurements of the bond stress between rebar and concrete. Two 70% scaled RC beam-column joint specimens in which the beam rebar was anchored in a straight manner were constructed with identical detailing, except for the beam rebar strain measuring methods. The specimens were then subjected to cyclic lateral loading until failure. By comparing the experimental data acquired by the above two different devices (the FBG sensors and conventional strain gauges), it was found that the experimental bond strength on the beam rebar based on the strain data measured by the FBG sensors was much higher than that from the data measured using conventional strain gauges. Which negatively impacted the test data on the beam-column joint’s capacity in the specimen applied the conventional measuring method, indicating the necessity of the presented method not only for accurate evaluation of the bond stress between rebar and concrete but also for seismic safety assessments of RC buildings.
Heterogeneity in response to treatment across tinnitus phenotypes
Authors: Niemann Uli , Boecking Benjamin , Brueggemann Petra , Spiliopoulou Myra , Mazurek Birgit
Published: January 2024

The clinical heterogeneity of chronic tinnitus poses major challenges to patient management and prompts the identification of distinct patient subgroups (or phenotypes) that respond more predictable to a particular treatment. We model heterogeneity in treatment response among phenotypes of tinnitus patients concerning their change in self-reported health burden, psychological characteristics, and tinnitus characteristics. Before and after a 7-day multimodal treatment, 989 tinnitus patients completed 14 assessment questionnaires, from which 64 variables measured general tinnitus characteristics, quality of life, pain experiences, somatic expressions, affective symptoms, tinnitus-related distress, internal resources, and perceived stress. Our approach encompasses mechanisms for patient phenotyping, visualizations of the phenotypes and their change with treatment in a projected space, and the extraction of patient subgroups based on their change with treatment. On average, all four distinct phenotypes identified at the pre-intervention baseline showed improved values for nearly all the considered variables following the intervention. However, a considerable intra-phenotype heterogeneity was noted. Five clusters of change reflected variations in the observed improvements among individuals. These patterns of treatment effects were identified to be associated with baseline phenotypes. Our exploratory approach establishes a groundwork for future studies incorporating control groups to pinpoint patient subgroups that are more likely to benefit from specific treatments. This strategy not only has the potential to advance personalized medicine but can also be extended to a broader spectrum of patients with various chronic conditions.
Impact of a deep learning sepsis prediction model on quality of care and survival
Authors: Boussina Aaron , Shashikumar Supreeth P. , Malhotra Atul , Owens Robert L. , El-Kareh Robert , Longhurst Christopher A. , Quintero Kimberly , Donahue Allison , Chan Theodore C. , Nemati Shamim , Wardi Gabriel
Published: January 2024

Sepsis remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Algorithms that assist with the early recognition of sepsis may improve outcomes, but relatively few studies have examined their impact on real-world patient outcomes. Our objective was to assess the impact of a deep-learning model (COMPOSER) for the early prediction of sepsis on patient outcomes. We completed a before-and-after quasi-experimental study at two distinct Emergency Departments (EDs) within the UC San Diego Health System. We included 6217 adult septic patients from 1/1/2021 through 4/30/2023. The exposure tested was a nurse-facing Best Practice Advisory (BPA) triggered by COMPOSER. In-hospital mortality, sepsis bundle compliance, 72-h change in sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score following sepsis onset, ICU-free days, and the number of ICU encounters were evaluated in the pre-intervention period (705 days) and the post-intervention period (145 days). The causal impact analysis was performed using a Bayesian structural time-series approach with confounder adjustments to assess the significance of the exposure at the 95% confidence level. The deployment of COMPOSER was significantly associated with a 1.9% absolute reduction (17% relative decrease) in in-hospital sepsis mortality (95% CI, 0.3%–3.5%), a 5.0% absolute increase (10% relative increase) in sepsis bundle compliance (95% CI, 2.4%–8.0%), and a 4% (95% CI, 1.1%–7.1%) reduction in 72-h SOFA change after sepsis onset in causal inference analysis. This study suggests that the deployment of COMPOSER for early prediction of sepsis was associated with a significant reduction in mortality and a significant increase in sepsis bundle compliance.
Diagnostic reasoning prompts reveal the potential for large language model interpretability in medicine
Authors: Savage Thomas , Nayak Ashwin , Gallo Robert , Rangan Ekanath , Chen Jonathan H.
Published: January 2024

One of the major barriers to using large language models (LLMs) in medicine is the perception they use uninterpretable methods to make clinical decisions that are inherently different from the cognitive processes of clinicians. In this manuscript we develop diagnostic reasoning prompts to study whether LLMs can imitate clinical reasoning while accurately forming a diagnosis. We find that GPT-4 can be prompted to mimic the common clinical reasoning processes of clinicians without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy. This is significant because an LLM that can imitate clinical reasoning to provide an interpretable rationale offers physicians a means to evaluate whether an LLMs response is likely correct and can be trusted for patient care. Prompting methods that use diagnostic reasoning have the potential to mitigate the “black box” limitations of LLMs, bringing them one step closer to safe and effective use in medicine.
Modular subgraphs in large-scale connectomes underpin spontaneous co-fluctuation events in mouse and human brains
Authors: Ragone Elisabeth , Tanner Jacob , Jo Youngheun , Zamani Esfahlani Farnaz , Faskowitz Joshua , Pope Maria , Coletta Ludovico , Gozzi Alessandro , Betzel Richard
Published: January 2024

Previous studies have adopted an edge-centric framework to study fine-scale network dynamics in human fMRI. To date, however, no studies have applied this framework to data collected from model organisms. Here, we analyze structural and functional imaging data from lightly anesthetized mice through an edge-centric lens. We find evidence of “bursty” dynamics and events - brief periods of high-amplitude network connectivity. Further, we show that on a per-frame basis events best explain static FC and can be divided into a series of hierarchically-related clusters. The co-fluctuation patterns associated with each cluster centroid link distinct anatomical areas and largely adhere to the boundaries of algorithmically detected functional brain systems. We then investigate the anatomical connectivity undergirding high-amplitude co-fluctuation patterns. We find that events induce modular bipartitions of the anatomical network of inter-areal axonal projections. Finally, we replicate these same findings in a human imaging dataset. In summary, this report recapitulates in a model organism many of the same phenomena observed in previously edge-centric analyses of human imaging data. However, unlike human subjects, the murine nervous system is amenable to invasive experimental perturbations. Thus, this study sets the stage for future investigation into the causal origins of fine-scale brain dynamics and high-amplitude co-fluctuations. Moreover, the cross-species consistency of the reported findings enhances the likelihood of future translation.
Warmer Antarctic summers in recent decades linked to earlier stratospheric final warming occurrences
Authors: Choi Hyesun , Kwon Hataek , Kim Seong-Joong , Kim Baek-Min
Published: January 2024

Since the 2000s, the pause of the strong Antarctic cooling and later stratospheric final warming onset trends has been identified. Here we employ composite and congruence analysis using reanalysis and in-situ data to propose a linkage between pivotal changes in the surface temperature trends and the timing of stratospheric final warming events. In early stratospheric final warming events, the positive polar cap height anomaly developed in the stratosphere in early October, descending to the troposphere and surface in late spring and summer, resulting in high-pressure anomalies, which led to warmer surfaces in most of Antarctica. In late stratospheric final warming occurrences, opposing or weaker behaviors were observed. The trend toward earlier stratospheric final warming appears to play a considerable role in warmer summers over parts of interior Antarctica through the strengthening of the anti-cyclonic surface pressure anomaly. This could influence the regional sea-ice modulation over the Southern Ocean.
Dual-channel synthesis of H2O2via photoelectrocatalytic water oxidation and oxygen reduction over a TaON/Ta3N5/CuI/Cu foam electrode
Authors: Wang Shaomang , Wang Jie , Wu Haokang , Guan Yuan , Li Zhongyu , Yan Shicheng , Zou Zhigang
Published: January 2024

A novel type-II heterojunction TaON/Ta3N5/CuI powder is loaded on the surface of the Cu foam by electrophoresis assisted one-step calcination, which is used for the synthesis of H2O2 by photoelectrocatalysis (PEC).
Efficient photocatalytic chloride dehalogenation by planar conjugated microporous polymers with enhanced charge separation and transport
Authors: Zhang Hao , Li Sizhe , Qian Zhuangfei , Yin Jie , Wei Wenxin , Zhao Yan , Zhang Kai A I
Published: January 2024

Modulation of charge separation and transport in conjugated porous polymer photocatalysts by altering molecular planarity to better address the challenges of the chloride dehalogenation reaction.
Advancements in aqueous zinc–iodine batteries: a review
Authors: Bai Zhongchao , Wang Gulian , Liu Hongmin , Lou Yitao , Wang Nana , Liu HuaKun , Dou Shixue
Published: January 2024

This review provides an update on various strategies and perspectives for the development of aqueous zinc–iodine batteries, with a particular emphasis on the regulation of I2 cathodes and Zn anodes, electrolyte formulation and separator modification.
Methane conversion for hydrogen production: technologies for a sustainable future
Authors: Hameed Safia , Comini Elisabetta
Published: January 2024

We review state-of-the-art technologies and processes of catalytic decomposition of methane (CDM) to produce hydrogen, a COx free technology with carbon nano materials (CNMs) as a byproduct, in view of the circular economy.
Preparation of novel heat-resistant and insensitive fused ring energetic materials
Authors: Zhu Teng , Lei Caijin , Li Chengchuang , Yang Hongwei , Xiao Chuan , Cheng Guangbin
Published: January 2024

Compared with traditional polycyclic-based heterocyclic energetic compounds, the synthesis of fused ring compounds is more challenging since only a few substrates meet the structural requirements for a fused cyclization reaction.
Ce3+-doped alkaline-earth sulfide nanocrystals for X-ray scintillation imaging screens
Authors: Liu Yuying , Han Kai , Zhao Shihao , Zhou Xinquan , Gao Song , Wang Yexin , Xia Zhiguo , Jiang Shangda
Published: January 2024

The uniform SrS:Ce3+ and CaS:Ce3+ nanocrystals provide new possibilities for large-area and fast X-ray scintillation imaging screens.
Discourse Task Type–Specific Linguistic Characteristics in Anomic Aphasia and Healthy Controls: Evidence From Mandarin–Chinese AphasiaBank
Authors: Deng Bao-Mei , Gao Jing , Liang Li-Si , Zhao Jia-Xin , Lin Feng , Yin Ming-Yu , Zheng Hai-Qing , Hu Xi-Quan
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

This study was designed to examine the hypothesis that discourse task types influence language performance in Mandarin Chinese–speaking people and to reveal the discourse task-specific linguistic properties of persons with anomic aphasia compared to neurotypical controls.

Method:

Language samples from persons with aphasia (
n
= 31) and age- and education-matched controls (
n
= 31) across four discourse tasks (sequential-picture description, single-picture description, story narrative, and procedural discourse) were collected from Mandarin AphasiaBank. Task-specific distributions of parts of speech were analyzed using mosaic plots. The main effects of tasks in each group and the between-group differences within each task for several typical linguistic variables were evaluated, including the mean length of utterance, tokens, moving-average type-token ratio, words per minute, propositional density, noun–verb ratio, noun percentage, and verb percentage.

Results:

The results revealed an impact of discourse tasks on most language variables in both groups. In the healthy controls, story narratives yielded the highest total words and lowest verb percentage. In the aphasia group, procedural discourse elicited the fewest total words and densest expressions, whereas their single-picture descriptions had the highest noun–verb ratio. For all tasks, the aphasia group performed worse than the control group in the mean length of utterance, tokens, moving-average type-token ratio, and words per minute. For noun–verb ratio, noun percentage, and verb percentage, only one task (i.e., single-picture description) showed significant between-group differences.

Conclusion:

The selection of discourse tasks should be addressed in assessments and interventions for Mandarin Chinese–speaking individuals with aphasia to obtain more accurate and feasible outcomes.
Authorial concept for the selection of an internal combustion engine for the diesel-electric generator set of a two-unit rail vehicle
Authors: Daszkiewicz Pawel , Far Mariusz
Published: January 2024

An alternative to the diesel-powered vehicles in use today is the light rail vehicle with a dual power train (i.e. with both diesel and electric traction), which can be operated on both electrified and non-electrified lines. The article presents assumptions for the selection of the power unit, taking into account current emission standards, for a vehicle which design solutions are innovative in relation to the rolling stock currently in service. The vehicle takes into account the possibility of driving in electric and diesel traction, the use of an electric transmission (engine + traction transmission), the use of two generators (combustion engine + traction generator), which will increase the reliability of the light rail vehicle and its readiness for operation. By using the electrodynamic brake on the vehicle in electric and diesel traction, energy savings will be achieved, also thanks to recuperation during braking when operating in electric traction, there will be a reduction in fuel consumption in diesel traction through the use of an engine load algorithm depending on the current traction power demand.
Energy-efficient means of transporting oil products to Ukraine during martial law
Authors: Zelenko Yulia , Cherkudinov Volodymyr
Published: January 2024

Carrying out transportation of oil products, there is a danger of having a negative impact on the environment - a leak of liquid can create an environmental problem for a certain area. Transportation of oil-containing cargoes to Ukraine, during martial law, is carried out by multimodal transport, namely, road, sea and rail modes of transport.As of June 2023, there are 14 border railway stations connecting Ukraine with five countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. International railway transshipment stations were studied, which allow oil products to be transshipped into tankers for further customs clearance and transportation to warehouses, civilian or military recipients. The distance of the transportation path is not always decisive in the matter of energy saving. Environmental friendliness and energy consumption during the transportation of petroleum products are also affected by the topography of the road, the landscape of the area where the roads pass, and the traffic on the roads with other vehicles.
Possibilities of forecasting bus average speed on city route
Authors: Zhuk Mykola , Hilevych Volodymyr , Kovalyshyn Volodymyr , Pivtorak Halyna
Published: January 2024

Average bus speed analysis plays a key role in transit operations planning. Such analysis makes it possible to perform forecasting more accurately, especially taking into account the possibility of automated monitoring of a large database. The paper offers a new approach to forecasting the average bus speed on the city route, taking into account the “skip-stop” method. For the convenience of data processing and comparison, four main time periods were selected. The corresponding array of data was organized for each of time periods in the software environment “Statistica”. The conducted analysis characterizes a significant difference in the values of the speed indicators. It has been established that the change in speed leads to non-compliance with traffic schedules and indicates difficult traffic conditions during peak hours. It was studied and compared the deviation of the speed from the average value during the day. It is proposed a new scenario for the operation of buses with skipping stops in the hour when the speed on the route is lower than the average value. According to the results of speed modeling in peak years, it shows the possibility of reducing the negative effects of speed on the schedule. This forecasting of the average buses speed will enable system operators to more accurately design traffic schedules and minimize disruptions in them.
Solving the problem of switching from one track gauge to another in the context of the requirements of interoperability specifications for classical infrastructure
Authors: Arbuzov Maxim , Andrieiev Volodymyr , Kosturechko Stanislav
Published: January 2024

The article discusses issues related to solving the problem of switching from one gauge to another. A progressive solution to the problem of different track gauges is the use of a combined gauge design. The combined track solves the problems of overloading, downtime, and wheel set problems. The design of the combined gauge has set new challenges for track infrastructure workers and scientists. The first task is the strength of the combined track structure. The second task is the stability of the combined track plates. The third task is to lay switches in the combined track and determine the permissible train speeds.
SWOT analysis of Ukraine’s transport industry
Authors: Novikova Alla , Lytvynenko Sergiy , Yashchenko Tetyana , Voitsehovskiy Viktor , Dehtiar Zoia , Ovchar Petro
Published: January 2024

The study conducted a critical analysis of scientific research and methods of strategic planning and determined that SWOT analysis is one of the effective tools. Based on this, the methods of statistical analysis, system-structural methods, comparative method, as well as the SWOT analysis method were used. The scientific novelty of the proposed innovations is determined by the complexity of the assessment of development trends and consequences of transformation of national transport sector in the period of dynamic changes, as well as the authors' SWOT analysis of country transport sector as a national economic system component. In the course of the study the possibility of effective use of the proposed tools and further taking into account the current changes has been established.
Searching for optimal routes for mixed road-rail freight transportation
Authors: Gera Bohdan , Hermaniuk Yuliia , Fedun Taras
Published: January 2024

The main direction for improving the efficiency of cargo transportation is the implementation of combined road-rail transportation. The difficulty in of solving this problem arises from the various conditions that occur when transporting goods by different modes of transport. There are several options for organizing transportation, namely: Option 1 - transporting goods to the railroad, transshipment and further transportation by rail, Option 2 - transportation by road in parallel with rail. The aim of this research is to develop a mathematical model for combined transportation on the transport network, using both road and rail transport with transshipment from one type of transport to another. The research was conducted using the methodology for dual problems of linearly constrained optimization, makes it possible to establish the existence and finding a solution to the stated problem. The results of this work can be used in information systems for decision-making by cargo shippers regarding route selection in the field of cargo transportation under conditions of competition or interaction between different modes of transport.
Prioritization of urban public transport on streets with high pedestrian volumes
Authors: Royko Yurii , Bura Romana , Hrytsun Oleh , Yevchuk Yurii
Published: January 2024

The paper investigates the improvement of methods of time-based prioritization of public transport buses on city routes, taking into account pedestrian traffic indicators. A method of non-stop passing the stop-lines at signalized intersections and pedestrian crosswalks by buses in places of high generation of pedestrian traffic has been developed. A study was conducted at three signalized intersections and pedestrian crosswalks in Lviv city in places of high generation of pedestrian flows with dedicated lanes for public transport. Pedestrian speed of movement while crossing the roadway in such locations was studied, and the value of the speed of movement of 15% of the pedestrian flow, which potentially will not have time to cross the roadway during the time of the activated permissive signal, was found. The time parameters of extending the restrictive signal for traffic flows for the safe and unobstructed passage of pedestrian flows at the traffic light object are defined. The distance at which public transport should be located from the signalized facility to extend the restrictive signal to public transport, is also determined.
Evaluation of Dynamic and Energy parameters of a Tower Crane with a Frequency-Controlled Drive
Authors: Kovalenko Valentyn , Kovalenko Oleg , Stryzhak Vsevolod , Vöth Stefan , Stryzhak Mariana
Published: January 2024

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the energy parameters of tower cranes when using a frequency-controlled drive mechanism. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that existing tower cranes quickly become obsolete. However, there is an alternative to buying new cranes – the modernization of existing ones with the improvement of their parameters and the scientific justification for increasing the efficiency of work. The following methods are used for research: method of equivalent power and the methods of metal fatigue theory. The main scientific novelty is the approach to assessing the possible increase in the service life of crane elements when using a frequency drive based on the theory of fatigue. Also presented are examples of equivalent power calculations for the working cycles of the turning mechanism with various forms of speed change in acceleration and deceleration modes. Numerical estimates are given for increasing the service life of the main types of welded joints with different values of stress concentration factors. Showing ways to further improve the efficiency of tower cranes and their mechanisms due to more optimal transients. The proposed approaches can be used when choosing the type of drive for the designed crane or to evaluate the economic efficiency of replacing the drive.
Studying the diagrams “force - deformation” of a pneumatic spring of a modern rolling stock at increased speeds
Authors: Kuzyshyn Andrii , Kovalchuk Vitalii , Sobolevska Yulia
Published: January 2024

The research object is a pneumatic spring of a modern rolling stock. Using a two - mass calculation scheme, the diagrams “force-deformation” of a pneumatic spring are designed at driving speed of 160-200 km/h and high-speed driving of 201-250 km/h. It is determined that when the diameter of the connecting pipeline is changed from 20 to 35 mm, the inclination angle of the diagram “force - deformation” of the pneumatic spring is changed at speed driving from 32 degrees up to 57 deg.; at high-speed driving from 30 deg. up to 48 deg. It is proposed to determine a pneumatic spring operation coefficient using the forms of the designed diagrams “force - deformation.” Studying the specified coefficient in the speed range from 160 to 250 km/h, and the connecting pipeline diameter from 20 to 35 mm showed that the values of the pneumatic spring operation coefficient vary from 0.089 to 0.24, and the dependencies are nonlinear. Using the pneumatic spring operation coefficient will make it possible to further evaluate the pneumatic spring suspension system operation depending on the operating conditions of the railway vehicle.
Exploring phase formation and magnetic transitions in Sm(Fe1−xMnx)14B by Mössbauer spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Shengyu , Xue Jijun , Zhang Bo , Wu Peng , Dong Yiwen , Li Zhiwei , Li Fashen , Qiao Liang
Published: January 2024

The Sm2(Fe1−xMnx)14B (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) rare earth alloy was prepared by a reduction-diffusion method, and a corresponding reduction-diffusion model was established. The crystal structure, microscopic morphology, and magnetic properties were systematically characterized to investigate the effect of Mn doping. The results show that the diffusion of Sm into FeB proceeded with the formation of the Sm2Fe14B phase from the very beginning of the reaction. Sm2(Fe1−xMnx)14B alloy undergoes a transition from the ferromagnetic phase (x = 0) to the paramagnetic phase (x = 0.2), and the average magnetic moment of Fe decreases from 2.066 to 0.719 µB as observed by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. In addition, the Curie temperature decreases rapidly from 620 to 230 K. In other words, a wide temperature-regulation of TC can be achieved by adjusting the Mn content, which is attributed to the fact that Mn doping greatly weakens the atomic exchange interactions. These results provide value for potential applications of Re–Fe-based alloys in room temperature magnetic refrigeration.
Effects of lithium addition on structural and magnetic properties of M-type strontium hexaferrite
Authors: Yoon Sunghyun
Published: January 2024

Effects of Li2CO3 addition on structural and magnetic properties of M-type strontium hexaferrite have been studied by using crystallographic and magnetic measurements. The samples were prepared thru the flux-aided solid state reaction by adding small fractions of Li2CO3 powder to the SrFe12O19 precursors. The key action of a flux salt is strongly dependent upon solubility and dispersion of the salt ions over the grain. So, the crystallographic, microstructural, and macroscopic magnetic characteristics have been explored in relations with the role of flux salt by means of XRD, FE-SEM, VSM, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Finally, the result strongly suggests that most of the flux salt Li1+ ions distribute throughout the grain surface and act like a surfactant that enhance the degree of grain separation and thereby reduce the coercivity of the sample.
Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the multi-component Mn0.5Fe0.5Ni0.95Cr0.05Si0.95Al0.05 intermetallic compound
Authors: Bhatta Ashika , Casey Jacob , Bhattacharjee Sharmistha , Pathak Arjun K. , Khan Mahmud
Published: January 2024

The first-order phase transition and associated magnetocaloric properties of Mn0.5Fe0.5Ni0.95Cr0.05Si0.95Al0.05 have been studied by x-ray diffraction and dc magnetization measurements. The diffraction data for the sample showed that both the orthorhombic and hexagonal crystalline phases coexisted at room temperature. The temperature dependence of magnetization was measured at a constant field of 0.2 T. The first-order phase transition was observed at 325 K during heating and at 306 K during cooling, showing a thermomagnetic hysteresis of 19 K. For magnetic field change of 5 T, the entropy changes evaluated from the isothermal magnetization data peaked at 322 K during warming and at 313 K during cooling, showing a thermomagnetic hysteresis of 9 K. This difference in the magnitude of the thermomagnetic hysteresis was attributed to the virgin effect due to stress and crack formation during the first cooling from hexagonal to orthorhombic phase. Peak entropy changes of −16 J kg−1 K−1 and −42 J kg−1 K−1 were observed on heating for field changes of 2 and 5 T, respectively. The related refrigeration capacities were 74 J/kg (2 T) and 194 J/kg (5 T).
Mechanisms driving spatial and temporal changes in soil organic carbon stocks in saline soils in a typical county of the western Songnen Plain, northeast China
Authors: Liang Bing , Wei Jianbing , Zhao Haiqin , Wu Shangyu , Hou Yongxia , Zhang Susu
Published: January 2024

Context The Songnen Plain is a crucial grain-producing region in China, and its western area, influenced by natural conditions and long-term human activities, faces severe issues of soil salinisation. In recent years, soil organic carbon (SOC) in saline-alkali soils has gained increasing attention as a material foundation for grain production and an essential carbon sink for mitigating climate change. However, the driving factors behind regional-scale changes in SOC in saline-alkali soils remain unclear. Aims This research was conducted to assess changes in soil organic carbon stocks and identify main driving factors in saline soils at 40-years scale. Methods Taking Tongyu County in the western part of the Songnen Plain as a case study, this research explored the spatiotemporal variation of soil organic carbon density (SOCD) and soil organic carbon storage (SOCS) from 1982 to 2022 using GIS. Random forest regression and structural equation modelling were employed to identify environmental factors influencing SOCD distribution in different soil layers. Key results (1) From 1982 to 2022, the average SOCD in the surface, subsurface, and bottom soil layers decreased by 0.65, 0.34, and 0.46 kg m−2, respectively, resulting in a total carbon storage reduction of 12.93 Tg C. (2) In 1982, the vertical distribution of SOCD was higher at the top and bottom layers and lower in the middle; however, by 2022, it exhibited a gradual decrease layer by layer. (3) Topographic factors only influenced surface SOCD, while the influence of environmental humidity and land use on SOCD decreased with increasing depth. Conclusions These findings provided valuable scientific insights for implementing regional soil carbon sequestration and soil nutrient conservation measures.
Predicting maximum scour depth at sluice outlet: a comparative study of machine learning models and empirical equations
Authors: Le Xuan-Hien , Thu Hien Le Thi
Published: January 2024

Estimating the maximum scour depth of sluice outlets is pivotal in hydrological engineering, directly influencing the safety and efficiency of water infrastructure. This research compared traditional empirical formulas with advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms, including RID, SVM, CAT, and XGB, utilizing experimental datasets from prior studies. Performance statistics highlighted the efficacy of the ML algorithms over empirical formulas, with CAT and XGB leading the way. Specifically, XGB demonstrated superiority with a correlation coefficient (CORR) of 0.944 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.439. Following closely, the CAT model achieved a CORR of 0.940, and SVM achieved 0.898. For empirical formulas, although CORR values up to 0.816 and RMSE values of 0.799 can be obtained, these numbers are still lower than most ML algorithms. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis underscored the densimetric Froude number (Fd) as the most crucial factor in ML models, with influences ranging from 0.839 in RID to 0.627 in SVM. Uncertainty in ML model estimates was further quantified using the Monte Carlo technique with 1,000 simulations on testing datasets. CAT and XGB have shown more stability than the other models in providing estimates with mean CORRs of 0.937 and 0.946, respectively. Their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are [0.929–0.944] for CAT and [0.933–0.954] for XGB. These results demonstrated the potential of ML algorithms, particularly CAT and XGB, in predicting the maximum scour depth. Although these models offer high accuracy and higher 95% CI than others, the empirical formulas retain their relevance due to their simplicity and quick computation, which may still make them favored in certain scenarios.
OP11 Exploring the potential clinical utility of NUDT15 pharmacogenetic testing in clinical practice: a ‘focused reverse phenotyping’ study in the UK IBD Bioresource
Authors: Roberts C , Sazonovs A , Smith R , Bishara M , Lin S , Neil C , Bewshea C , Warden S , Pele L , Cocking L , Goodhand J , Kennedy N , Parkes M , Ahmad T
Published: January 2024

Background

In a previous study we recruited patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a history of thiopurine induced myelosuppression (TIM) and identified associated variants in NUDT15. This widely used phenotype-first approach, is limited by ascertainment and recall bias, which impacts understanding of penetrance, expressivity, and variant pathogenicity that are key to clinical implementation. The United Kingdom (UK) National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) IBD Bioresource allows investigators to select large numbers of subjects based on genomic variants of interest, rather than phenotypes, to overcome these biases. Using this ‘focused reverse phenotyping’ approach we sought to investigate the cumulative 6-month risk of myelosuppression in patients with NUDT15 variants.

Methods

Cases and controls were identified from whole exome sequencing data. Cases included all participants with a loss of function NUDT15 variant (*2, *3, *4, *5, *6 and *9). Control subjects were selected based on wild-type carriage of NUDT15 and TPMT, matched for ethnicity. Our primary outcome measure was time to TIM.

Myelosuppression was defined as a white cell count (WCC) <3.5x109/L or a neutrophil count <2.0x109/L that occurred within six months of achieving the maximum thiopurine dose, or in the absence of blood test results, a decision to reduce the dose of or withdraw the thiopurine due to myelosuppression. Severe myelosuppression was defined as a WCC <2.5x109/L or neutrophil count <1.0x109/L and a decision to either reduce the dose of or stop the thiopurine.

Results

We screened 23,082 patients recruited to the UK NIHR IBD bioresource with whole exome sequence data and identified 451 patients with a loss of function NUDT15 variant. We matched, based on ethnicity, these patients to 916 controls. Overall, 271/21,136 (1.3%) Caucasians and 127/1,089 (11.7%) South Asian carried an NUDT15 variant allele. 239/451 (60%) cases had a history of thiopurine exposure. The median weight-adjusted maximum thiopurine dose amongst cases and controls was 1.78 and 1.79 mg/kg/day, respectively.

The time to myelosuppression was shorter in patients with NUDT15 variants as shown in Figure 1. The risk of myelosuppression, severe myelosuppression, and hospitalisation was also higher in patients with NUDT15 variants as shown in table 1.

Conclusion

In this reverse phenotyping study, the time to myelosuppression was significantly shorter in patients who carried a loss of function NUDT15 variant. The overall risk of myelosuppression was lower than previously observed in phenotype-first studies. Prior to implementation further analysis of the cost-effectiveness of NUDT15 testing is required.