bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mediating role of trust in government in intergenerational transmission of fertility intentions
Authors: Zheng Jiansong , Wang Xi , Xie Sujun , Wang Hao , Shen Junxian , Zhang Tao
Published: March 2024

China's one-child policy was in effect from 1982 to 2015. However, the literature examining the association between people's trust in local government and intergenerational transmission of fertility intentions is scarce. To fill this gap, we investigated the impact of individuals' sibship size on their ideal number of children, the mediating effect of their trust in local government on the issue of fertility between two successive generations, and the moderating effect of education level on sibship size related to trust in local governments. Based on the 2019 Chinese Social Survey data, 2,340 respondents aged 18–35 participated in the analysis. The results showed that (i) individuals' number of siblings significantly positively predicted their ideal number of children; (ii) individuals' number of siblings significantly negatively predicted their trust in the local government, which in turn significantly negatively influenced fertility intentions; (iii) the mediating mechanism was significant in residents with higher levels of education, but not in people with lower degrees of education. Fertility-boosting incentives can prioritize couples who are the only child in their family. It is necessary for local governments to improve their credibility and strengthen their pregnancy-related communication with groups with higher levels of education.
How does mobility and urban environment affect the migrants’ settlement intention? A perspective from the intergenerational differences
Authors: Liang Xiaoxiang , Li Qingyin , Zuo Wen , Wu Rong
Published: March 2024

Introduction

With China embracing a new people-centered urbanization stage, the problem of migrants “flowing without moving” has become increasingly prominent, and settlement intention has gradually garnered attention.

Methods

Our research, based on questionnaire data from the China Labor Force Dynamic Survey 2016, uses a multilevel linear regression model to explore the influence of mobility, social environment, built environment, and demographics characteristics on settlement intention in the migrants and discusses differences between settlement intention of new and old generations and their internal influence mechanism.

Results

The findings are as follows: (1) Compared to the old generation, the new migrant generation generally has higher settlement intention. (2) The migrants’ settlement intention is influenced mainly by mobility, social environment, built environment, and demographic characteristics. (3) For the new migrant generation, social and demographic characteristics significantly influence their settlement intention. (4) The floating and built environment of the old generation significantly influence their settlement intention.

Discussion

Finally, this paper argues that there are differences in the influence mechanism of the same factors on the settlement intention of the new and old generations of migrants. It proposes differentiated policy suggestions for the migrants to promote city social integration. Finally, this paper argues that there are differences in the influence mechanism of the same factors on the settlement intention of the new and old generations of migrants. It proposes differentiated policy suggestions for the migrants to promote city social integration.
Human-centered AI through employee participation
Authors: Haipeter Thomas , Wannöffel Manfred , Daus Jan-Torge , Schaffarczik Sandra
Published: March 2024

This article examines the role of employee participation in AI implementation, focusing on a case study from the German telecommunications sector. Theoretical discussions highlight concepts of employee participation and workplace democracy, emphasizing the normative basis for human-centered AI in Europe. The empirical analysis of the case study demonstrates social practices of human-centered AI and the importance of employee representatives and labor policies in sustainable technology. The contribution is structured into two main parts: first, discussing sociological concepts of employee participation and summarizing the role of works councils in shaping digital technology implementation. Second, focusing on a case study of AI regulations at Deutsche Telekom, highlighting the significant effects of employee participation and co-determination by the group works council in promoting socially sustainable AI implementation which is done via qualitative case analysis. The article highlights the significance of participation and negotiations and gives an example for social partnership relations in AI implementations.
Cascaded Semantic Fractionation for identifying a domain in social media
Authors: Danowski James , Riopelle Ken , Yan Bei
Published: March 2024

Searching social media to find relevant semantic domains often results in large text files, many of which are irrelevant due to cross-domain content resulting from word polysemy, abstractness, and degree centrality. Through an iterative pruning process, Cascaded Semantic Fractionation (CSF) systematically removes these cross-domain links. The social network procedure performs community detection in semantic networks, locates the semantic groups containing the terms of interest, excludes intergroup links, and repeats community detection on the pruned intragroup network until the domain of interest is clarified. To illustrate CSF, we analyzed public Facebook posts, using the CrowdTangle app for historical data search, from February 3, 2020, to March 13, 2021, about the possible Wuhan lab leak of COVID-19 over a daily interval. The initial search using keywords located six multi-day bursts of posts of more than 500 per day among 95 K posts. These posts were network analyzed to find the domain of interest using the iterative community detection and pruning process. CSF can be applied to capture the evolutions in semantic domains over time. At the outset, the lab leak theory was presented in conspiracy theory terms. Over time, the conspiratorial elements washed out in favor of an accidental release as the issue moved from social to mainstream media and official government views. CSF identified the relevant social media semantic domain and tracked its changes.
A dataset without a code book: ethnography and open science
Authors: Khan Shamus , Hirsch Jennifer S. , Zeltzer-Zubida Ohad
Published: March 2024

This paper reflects upon calls for “open data” in ethnography, drawing on our experiences doing research on sexual violence. The core claim of this paper is not that open data is undesirable; it is that there is a lot we must know before we presume its benefits apply to ethnographic research. The epistemic and ontological foundation of open data is grounded in a logic that is not always consistent with that of ethnographic practice. We begin by identifying three logics of open data—epistemic, political-economic, and regulatory—which each address a perceived problem with knowledge production and point to open science as the solution. We then evaluate these logics in the context of the practice of ethnographic research. Claims that open data would improve data quality are, in our assessment, potentially reversed: in our own ethnographic work, open data practices would likely have compromised our data quality. And protecting subject identities would have meant creating accessible data that would not allow for replication. For ethnographic work, open data would be like having the data set without the codebook. Before we adopt open data to improve the quality of science, we need to answer a series of questions about what open data does to data quality. Rather than blindly make a normative commitment to a principle, we need empirical work on the impact of such practices – work which must be done with respect to the different epistemic cultures’ modes of inquiry. Ethnographers, as well as the institutions that fund and regulate ethnographic research, should only embrace open data after the subject has been researched and evaluated within our own epistemic community.
Design factors promoting the benefits of an edible campus in China
Authors: Ding Xiaoying , Zhao Shuqi , Yue Xiaopeng , Xing Yangang , Zhao Zhiyuan
Published: March 2024

Currently, most university campuses in China are plagued by issues such as high food demand, imbalanced diets, serious food waste and poor environmental quality. Research has shown that the multiple benefits of an edible campus, which may also be referred to as a school garden or farm catering to various educational levels, can help alleviate the aforementioned problems. However, there is limited research on how to promote the benefits of an edible campus through design. Therefore, taking the South Campus of Hebei University of Technology in China as an example, this paper aims to explore the correlation between design and benefits of an edible campus. The design factors and benefit factors related to an edible campus are extracted through literature search. The design preferences and benefit predictions are obtained through 261 questionnaire surveys and interviews with 30 participants. During the statistical analysis phase, principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis are applied to analyze the correlation between design factors and benefit factors. The results indicate: (1) The design factors of an edible campus can be categorized into seven categories: spatial location, spatial carrier, size, space function, facility configuration, planting and crop varieties, and technology application. (2) The benefits of an edible campus include environmental education, physical and mental health, social interaction, ecological protection, and economic output. (3) There are significant differences in design factors that positively or negatively correlate with different benefits. Among them, the strongest positive correlation exists between planting function and the five benefits, followed by central landscape and container planting. Furthermore, the causes behind the correlation between design factors and benefit factors are analyzed, and design strategies for an edible campus under different benefit orientations are proposed. The findings of this study can contribute to the sustainable development of university campuses in China.
Embroidering care and reciprocity: contributions to food sovereignty by feminist peasant women from the mountains of Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Pontes Thelma Mendes , Merçon Juliana , López Binnqüist Citlalli , Cerdán Carlos Roberto , Illescas Palma Gisela , García Moreno Denisse , Severiano Hernández Mónica , Morales Helda
Published: March 2024

Different authors from academia and social movements point to agroecology as a path to food sovereignty and as a way out of multiple social-ecological crises. Peasant feminism (feminismo campesino) informs the daily practice of women, and has contributed to broaden the meanings of food sovereignty as a political framework. Vinculación y Desarrollo Agroecológico en Café (VIDA) is a Mexican coffee growers’ organization that is centrally guided by principles of agroecology, food sovereignty, and peasant feminism. A transdisciplinary study held with VIDA members shows how food sovereignty is based on more dimensions than the official ones. In this paper, we use the Mexican art of embroidery as an integrating metaphor to analyze how female coffee growers’ practices around integral health, food gathering, and bartering contribute to food sovereignty. Our intention is also to analyze how these activities expand from the family unit to the territory, as well as from human to more than human beings. Based on their agroecological knowledge and practice, VIDA’s feminist peasant women invite us to consider agroecology and food sovereignty as key dimensions of Earth stewardship.
Safety study of cannabidiol products in healthy dogs
Authors: Bookout William , Dziwenka Margitta , Valm Kaiti , Kovacs-Nolan Jennifer
Published: March 2024

The tolerability of different cannabinoids given orally to dogs was evaluated in a randomized, non-blinded, negative controlled, parallel design 90-day repeat dose study with a 14-day recovery period. Healthy beagles (16 males and 16 females) were randomized into four treatment groups and treated with either medium chain triglyceride oil as the control or one of the following: broad spectrum cannabidiol, broad spectrum cannabidiol with cannabigerol, or broad spectrum cannabidiol with cannabidiolic acid at 5 mg total cannabinoids/kg body weight/day. Animals were observed daily with detailed clinical examinations conducted weekly. Animals were monitored for an additional 2 weeks after dosing. Body weights, food consumption and clinical pathology evaluations were included in the study. Cannabinoids were well tolerated when healthy male and female beagles were dosed for 90 consecutive days. Annual post-market surveillance data for hemp-derived supplement products sold for use in dogs from 2010 to 2023 (partial year) shows that the rate per 1 million administrations sold is 2.10 for adverse events and 0.01 for serious adverse events. Based on the results of this study, other published studies, and data from extensive post-market surveillance, hemp-derived cannabinoids are well tolerated in healthy dogs at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day.
An Experimental Analysis of the Seed-Filling Mechanism of Maize-Precision Hole-Planter Clamping
Authors: Ma Jinhu , Sun Sheng , Wang Jian , Hu Bin , Luo Xin , Xu Xiaoyun
Published: March 2024

Because the operating speed of current mechanical maize hole seeders is low and their ability to adapt to the seed is poor, an active clamping-type precision hole planter for corn was designed. Here, we explain its structural composition and working principle. According to the maize kernel size, the combination of hole parameters is based on the principle of virtual work on analyzing the seed extraction disc assembly’s static mechanical model. The model was imported into the ADAMS simulation for validation and the parameters and ranges affecting the seed-filling performance were identified. By further analyzing the results of the coupled ADAMS–EDEM simulation, the “arching” process of the seeds during leakage charging was revealed, and an arch-breaking method was proposed with the help of a swinging seed-collecting slider. The speed of the hole planter, the diameter of the outer edge of the gravity ring, and the angle of the block installation were used as test factors. The Box–Behnken center-combination simulation test was conducted using the sowing pass index, re-seeding index, and missed sowing index as evaluation indices. The experimental results show that the optimal parameter combination was as follows: gravity ring = 174.3 mm, stopper installation angle = 131.9°, and hole seeder speed = 85.2 rpm. At this time, the qualified seeding index was 94.53%, the multiple indices were 4.30%, and the leakage index was 1.18%. Under these conditions, the row seeding performance bench test was conducted to obtain the qualified seeding index of the hole seeder, which was 93.36%, while the multiple indices were 5.20% and the leakage index was 1.44%, which satisfied the agronomic requirements of precision seeding. This provides a theoretical reference for mechanical seeding methods for irregular seeds, as well as a basis for the research and development of maize precision sowing machinery and equipment.
Enhancing Cowpea Tolerance to Elevated Temperature: Achievements, Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Mohammed Saba Baba , Ongom Patrick Obia , Togola Abou , Boukar Ousmane
Published: March 2024

Despite its ability to thrive in high-temperature environments, cowpea productivity can be hampered by heat stress, particularly when night air temperatures exceed 17 °C. The crop’s germplasm pool potentially possesses significant genetic variability that can be harnessed to breed for heat-tolerant varieties. Progress in improving the crop for heat tolerance has been limited, especially under the hot, short-day environments typical of sub-Saharan Africa. Only a few heat-tolerant varieties have been released, partly due to the limited understanding of heat stress tolerance mechanisms and environmental interaction effects on genotypes, as well as imprecise phenotyping. This review contributes to the literature on cowpea heat stress by highlighting key achievements, challenges, and future directions in breeding heat-tolerant cowpea genotypes and by providing additional information from the recent literature. We opine that the genetic variability for heat tolerance-related traits in cowpea has not been sufficiently exploited in developing varieties adapted to the target production environments. Therefore, attention should be given to assessing the crop’s genetic repository by targeting adaptive, morphological, and physiological traits that enhance heat stress tolerance. We propose that breeding programs integrate phenotyping of whole-plant physiological traits and molecular breeding to identify breeder-friendly markers for routine selection. This should be followed by introgression of the heat-tolerant favourable alleles to adapted susceptible varieties using rapid and precise approaches that take advantage of modern genetic and genomic resources such as innovative genetic resources, genomic selection, speed breeding, and genome editing technologies. These tools hold great promise in fast-tracking the development of improved heat-tolerant varieties and incorporating the must-have traits preferred by cowpea farmers and consumers. In view of the likely increase in atmospheric temperature to be occasioned by climate change, there is an urgent need to develop heat-tolerant cowpea varieties to ensure the sustainability of current and future cropping and agri-food systems.
Identification of SWI/SNF Subcomplex GBAF Presence, Intra-Complex Interactions, and Transcriptional Dynamics during Early Porcine Development
Authors: Innis Sarah , Alpsoy Aktan , Crodian Jennifer , Tseng Yu-Chun , Dykhuizen Emily , Cabot Birgit , Cabot Ryan
Published: March 2024

Understanding the complex interplay between genetics and environmental factors is vital for enhancing livestock production efficiency while safeguarding animal health. Despite extensive studies on production-specific genes in livestock, exploring how epigenetic mechanisms and heritable modifications govern animal growth and development remains an under-explored frontier with potential implications across all life stages. This study focuses on the GBAF chromatin remodeling complex and evaluates its presence during embryonic and fetal development in swine. Immunocytochemistry and co-immunoprecipitation techniques were employed to investigate the presence and interactions of GBAF subunits BRD9 and GLTSCR1 in porcine oocytes, preimplantation embryos, and cell lines, and transcriptional dynamics of GBAF subunits across these key developmental stages were analyzed using existing RNA-seq datasets. BRD9 and GLTSCR1 were identified across all represented stages, and an interaction between GLTSCR1 and BAF170 was shown in PTr2 and PFF cells. Our findings highlight the ubiquitous presence of GBAF in porcine early development and the potentially novel association between GLTSCR1 and BAF170 in swine. The transcriptional dynamics findings may suggest GBAF-specific contributions during key developmental events. This study contributes to the growing understanding of epigenetic regulators in both swine and mammalian development, emphasizing the implications of GBAF as a modulator of key developmental events.
A Cryptic Subterranean Mammal Species, the Lesser Blind Mole Rat (Nannospalax leucodon syrmiensis)—Retreated but Not Extinct
Authors: Bugarski-Stanojević Vanja , Đokić Marko , Stamenković Gorana , Barišić Klisarić Nataša , Stojković Oliver , Jojić Vida , Savić Ivo
Published: March 2024

Blind mole rats (genus Nannospalax) attract a great deal of attention because of their cancer resistance and longevity. Due to the high rate of chromosome rearrangements, 74 Nannospalax chromosomal forms have been discovered. The convergence of their external morphology complicates their taxonomy, and many cryptic species remain unrecognized. Thus, the European N. leucodon supersp. is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with “Data Deficient” status. It is crucial for the conservation of biodiversity to clarify its taxonomy, to recognize each cryptic species, and assign to them the correct conservation status. Of the more than 20 chromosomal forms described within N. leucodon, five cryptic species occur in Serbia. The most threatened among them—N. l. syrmiensis, described and named 50 years ago in the regions of Srem, Belgrade and Mačva—has been declared extinct in the literature, which may have negative consequences for the conservation of wildlife genetic diversity. Through five years of fieldwork and comparison of 16SrRNA and MT-CYTB gene segments between old, archived teeth and recently collected material, we show that N. l. syrmiensis is not extinct. However, its habitat has been fragmented and reduced, owing primarily to anthropogenic impact. Therefore, detailed surveillance, population-structure studies, risk assessment, and appropriate conservation measures are needed.
The Direct Effects of Climate Change on Tench (Tinca tinca) Sperm Quality under a Real Heatwave Event Scenario
Authors: Fernández Ignacio , Larrán Ana M. , de Paz Paulino , Riesco Marta F.
Published: March 2024

Global aquaculture growth will most probably face specific conditions derived from climate change. In fact, the most severe impacts of these changes will be suffered by aquatic populations in restrictive circumstances, such as current aquaculture locations, which represent a perfect model to study global warming effects. Although the impact of temperature on fish reproduction has been characterized in many aspects, this study was focused on recreating more realistic models of global warming, particularly considering heatwave phenomena, in order to decipher its effects on male gametes (spermatozoa). For this purpose, thermal stress via a heatwave simulation (mimicking a natural occurring heatwave, from 24 to 30 °C) was induced in adult tench (Tinca tinca) males and compared with a control group (55.02 ± 16.44 g of average body wet weight). The impact of the thermal stress induced by this climate change event was assessed using cellular and molecular approaches. After the heatwave recreation, a multiparametric analysis of sperm quality, including some traditional parameters (such as sperm motility) and new ones (focus on redox balance and sperm quality biomarkers), was performed. Although sperm concentration and the volume produced were not affected, the results showed a significant deleterious effect on motility parameters (e.g., reduced progressive motility and total motility during the first minute post-activation). Furthermore, the sperm produced under the thermal stress induced by this heatwave simulation exhibited an increased ROS content in spermatic cells, confirming the negative effect that this thermal stress model (heatwave recreation) might have had on sperm quality. More importantly, the expression of some known sperm quality and fertilization markers was decreased in males exposed to thermal stress. This present study not only unveils the potential effects of climate change in contemporary and future fish farming populations (and their underlying mechanisms) but also provides insights on how to mitigate and/or avoid thermal stress due to heatwave events.
Effects of Early Weaning on Performance and Carcass Quality of Nellore Young Bulls
Authors: Abitante Gabriela , Leme Paulo Roberto , de Paula Carlis Matheus Sousa , Ramírez-Zamudio Germán Darío , Gomes Bianca Izabelly Pereira , de Andrade Luiza Budasz , Goulart Rodrigo Silva , Pugliesi Guilherme , Saran Netto Arlindo , Dahlen Carl Robertson , Silva Saulo Luz
Published: March 2024

This study compared early weaning (EW; 150 days) with conventional weaning (CW; 240 days) in Nellore young bulls, evaluating performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. A total of 74 non-castrated male calves were divided into two weaning strategies: EW (n = 37) and CW (n = 37). During the growth phase, which lasted 454 ± 14 d for EW calves and 359 ± 16 d for CW calves, animals received a protein-energy supplement at a ratio of 5 g per kg of body weight while grazing Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. The animals were managed for an 87d finishing phase in three collective feedlot pens, with a 3-week adaptation protocol, starting with corn silage to a concentrate ratio of 55:45 and reaching a ratio of 30:70 in the final diet. Body weight, average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (FE), carcass characteristics, and meat quality were evaluated. The EW group was approximately 44 kg lighter than the CW at the time of conventional weaning (p < 0.001). However, this weight difference did not influence ADG, DMI, and FE in the finishing phase. No significant differences were observed in carcass characteristics such as yield percentage, loin area, subcutaneous fat thickness, and meat quality, except for the weight of primal cuts, which was greater in the CW group (p < 0.001). Thus, although calves weaned early are lighter throughout subsequent production phases than those weaned conventionally, performance, efficiency, carcass yield, and meat quality are not affected.
Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Boccabella Lucia , Palma Elena Gialluca , Abenavoli Ludovico , Scarlata Giuseppe Guido Maria , Boni Mariavirginia , Ianiro Gianluca , Santori Pierangelo , Tack Jan F. , Scarpellini Emidio
Published: March 2024

Background and aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a chronic issue of our Westernized society, mainly because of the uncontrolled and improper use of antimicrobials. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered and expanded AMR diffusion all over the world, and its clinical and therapeutic features have changed. Thus, we aimed to review evidence from the literature on the definition and causative agents of AMR in the frame of the COVID-19 post-pandemic era. Methods: We conducted a search on PubMed and Medline for original articles, reviews, meta-analyses, and case series using the following keywords, their acronyms, and their associations: antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment. Results: AMR had a significant rise in incidence both in in-hospital and outpatient populations (ranging from 5 up to 50%) worldwide, but with a variegated profile according to the germ and microorganism considered. Not only bacteria but also fungi have developed more frequent and diffuse AMR. These findings are explained by the increased use and misuse of antibiotics and preventive measures during the first waves of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, especially in hospitalized patients. Subsequently, the reduction in and end of the lockdown and the use of personal protective equipment have allowed for the indiscriminate circulation of resistant microorganisms from low-income countries to the rest of the world with the emergence of new multi- and polyresistant organisms. However, there is not a clear association between COVID-19 and AMR changes in the post-pandemic period. Conclusions: AMR in some microorganisms has significantly increased and changed its characteristics during and after the end of the pandemic phase of COVID-19. An integrated supranational monitoring approach to this challenge is warranted in the years to come. In detail, a rational, personalized, and regulated use of antibiotics and antimicrobials is needed.
Numerical Design and Analysis of Advanced Roof Systems in Architecture with Environmentally Friendly Low-Carbon Materials
Authors: Tahmasebinia Faham , Zeng Wenxi , Macaraniag Bernadette , Skrzypkowski Krzysztof
Published: March 2024

This research explores the viability of bamboo as a green replacement for timber in building practices. Bamboo’s advantages lie in its renewability, sustainability, and resilience to disasters, despite possessing mechanical properties similar to timber. The study proposes using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations, a potent instrument for designing and analyzing intricate structures under varying loads. The research explicitly employs FEA simulations to examine the application of bamboo in complex rooftop systems, using two commercial 3D CAD software—Rhino7 and Strand7. Rhino7 is responsible for 3D model creation and the member’s division into minuscule elements, whereas Strand7 is used to assign material properties, establish boundary conditions, carry out simulations, and analyze the outcomes. This research includes case studies of bamboo grid-shell structures and implements the suggested methodology. The study’s objective is to augment the scarce engineering data and to analyze bamboo as a material and the impact it can have on construction. The study’s results underscore the potential of eco-friendly, low-carbon materials, such as bamboo, in the construction industry. It also illustrates the effectiveness of FEA simulation in analyzing elaborate structures.
Raster Angle Prediction of Additive Manufacturing Process Using Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Ulkir Osman , Bayraklılar Mehmet Said , Kuncan Melih
Published: March 2024

As additive manufacturing (AM) processes become integrated with artificial intelligence systems, the time and cost of the fabrication process decrease. In this study, the raster angle, an important parameter in the manufacturing process, was examined using fused deposition modeling (FDM), an AM method. The optimal value of this parameter varies depending on the designed product geometry. By changing the raster angle, the distribution of stresses and strains within the printed object can be modified, potentially influencing the mechanical behavior of the object. Thus, the correct estimation of the raster angle is essential for obtaining parts with high mechanical properties. The focus of this study is to reduce the fabrication time and cost of products by intertwining machine learning (ML) systems with mechanical systems. Its novelty is that ML has never been applied for FDM raster angle estimation. The estimation and modeling of the raster angle were performed using five different ML algorithms. These algorithms include a support vector machine (SVM), Gaussian process regression (GPR), an artificial neural network (ANN), decision tree regression (DTR), and random forest regression (RFR). Data for training were generated using various shapes and geometries, then trained in the MATLAB software, and a prediction model between the input parameters and the raster angle was created. The predicted model was evaluated using five performance criteria. The RFR model predicts the raster angle in the FDM test data with R-squared (R2) = 0.92, an explained variance score (EVS) = 0.92, a mean absolute error (MAE) = 0.012, a root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.056, and a mean squared error (MSE) = 0.0032. These values are R2 = 0.93, EVS = 0.93, MAE = 0.010, RMSE = 0.051, and MSE0.0025 for the training data. RFR is significantly superior to the other prediction algorithms. The proposed model predicts the optimum raster angle for any geometry.
Research on Chinese Fire Station Optimal Location Model Based on Fire Risk Statistics: Case Study in Shanghai
Authors: He Qize , Xue Lin , Yang Yun , Ding Pengfei , Liu Min
Published: March 2024

With the rapid development of urbanization in China, the gap between urban and rural areas is decreasing. The traditional approach of constructing fire stations based on urban built-up areas is no longer suitable for the needs of modern fire rescue. Therefore, a comprehensive fire station location model is proposed based on fire risk assessment. This method divides the protected area units based on the urban road network. By evaluating different regions based on spatial position, land attributes, population density, floor area ratio, and fire incident indicators, the fire rescue risk levels and categorize regions into four risk levels are assessed. Corresponding response times were determined, and an objective model was developed to maximize the coverage area for fire response. The Baidu API was utilized to accurately calculate driving distances and times, and Gurobi optimization software was used to solve the model. Taking Shanghai as an example, the fire station location and layout from two perspectives—re-planning based on overall station placement and re-planning based on existing stations—were analyzed. The results suggest that constructing around 150 fire stations in Shanghai would effectively meet the fire rescue needs, which aligns with the actual situation in Shanghai and demonstrates the strong applicability of this model. This approach enables the meeting of new demand for fire station construction due to the significant increase in the coverage area while effectively utilizing firefighting resources.
Advancing Content-Based Histopathological Image Retrieval Pre-Processing: A Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Color Normalization Techniques
Authors: Tabatabaei Zahra , Pérez Bueno Fernando , Colomer Adrián , Moll Javier Oliver , Molina Rafael , Naranjo Valery
Published: March 2024

Content-Based Histopathological Image Retrieval (CBHIR) is a search technique based on the visual content and histopathological features of whole-slide images (WSIs). CBHIR tools assist pathologists to obtain a faster and more accurate cancer diagnosis. Stain variation between hospitals hampers the performance of CBHIR tools. This paper explores the effects of color normalization (CN) in a recently proposed CBHIR approach to tackle this issue. In this paper, three different CN techniques were used on the CAMELYON17 (CAM17) data set, which is a breast cancer data set. CAM17 consists of images taken using different staining protocols and scanners in five hospitals. Our experiments reveal that a proper CN technique, which can transfer the color version into the most similar median values, has a positive impact on the retrieval performance of the proposed CBHIR framework. According to the obtained results, using CN as a pre-processing step can improve the accuracy of the proposed CBHIR framework to 97% (a 14% increase), compared to working with the original images.
The Influence of Visitors on Heritage Conservation: The Case of the Church of San Juan del Hospital, Valencia, Spain
Authors: Galiano-Garrigós Antonio , López-González Concepción , García-Valldecabres Jorge , Pérez-Carramiñana Carlos , Emmitt Stephen
Published: March 2024

One of the greatest challenges in heritage management is to find a balance between the demands of visitor access and heritage conservation. The income generated prevents decay and benefits the conservation of buildings. At the same time, cultural tourism can accelerate the deterioration of buildings from increased use and an increase in agents harmful to conservation. This unique research analyses the influence of building use at San Juan del Hospital, the oldest church in the city of Valencia. Its architectural characteristics and the climate of the city mean that visits to the building put the conservation of its heritage assets at risk. Monitoring data from the summer months were put into a digital twin generated from a heritage building information model (HBIM), and the modelling of visitor numbers and the impact on indoor environmental quality was conducted. Monitoring and simulations confirmed that visitor numbers need to be reduced or mechanical conditioning systems need to be installed to prevent damage to the heritage artefacts within the building. This research provides building managers with information to make informed decisions about the preventive maintenance of heritage buildings. This research also demonstrates for the first time the value of using monitoring and a digital twin for conservation management.
In Vivo Biosynthesis of Au and Ag NPs Using Two Medicago sativa L. Genotypes
Authors: Kokina Inese , Plaksenkova Ilona , Jankovskis Lauris , Jermaļonoka Marija , Galek Renata
Published: March 2024

The nano size as well as physical and chemical properties of Au and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) allow them to be used in medicine or plant protection, but chemical solvents used during synthesis makes them toxic and pose a threat to the environment. Chemical NP synthesis can be replaced by in vivo synthesis in which independently growing plants such as alfalfa take up and then split the precursor in their cells down to nano size using synthesis-promoting solvent-biomolecules, which can break down materials without free radicals and have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, making NPs environmentally benign. In this study, two-week-old seedlings of two Medicago sativa L. genotypes, ‘Kometa’ and ‘la Bella’, were exposed to two precursors (AgNO3, HAuCl4) for 24 and 48 h to determine whether in vivo synthesis is possible. Two-beam and certain wavelength spectrophotometry and confocal microscopy confirmed statistically significant (p < 0.05) changes in light absorption and light fluorescence compared to the control. Confocal microscopy showed both precursors visible in the roots of both genotypes. Currently, NP synthesis and visualisation methods require a complex, expensive, and time-consuming sequence of methods. It is important to find an effective, environmentally friendly, and as cheap and simple as possible method for the biosynthesis of NPs.
Moderate-Intensity Swimming Alleviates Oxidative Injury in Ischemic Heart
Authors: Börzsei Denise , Kiss Viktória , Nagy András , Hoffmann Alexandra , Török Szilvia , Almási Nikoletta , Veszelka Médea , Varga Csaba , Szabó Renáta
Published: March 2024

The global burden of cardiovascular diseases is indisputable, as it claims nearly 18 million lives a year. In this current study, we aimed to prove that exercise, a cornerstone in cardiovascular disease management, emerges as a powerful tool in the pathology of myocardial ischemia. Male rats were divided into three groups: pre-swimming training + isoproterenol (ISO) treated, isoproterenol-treated, and control-sedentary. Myocardial infarction was induced by the subcutaneous injection of 1.0 mg/kg ISO. After the subsequent rest period, the animals swam for 3 weeks, every day for 25 min. At the end of the experiment, the serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), as well as the cardiac concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. Our results indicate that both cardiac injury biomarkers (ANP, BNP) and ROS levels were significantly lower in swimming rats compared to the sedentary animals. Moreover, the level of enzymatic components of the intracellular antioxidant system, CAT, SOD, and GPx were increased in swimming animals after ISO-induced myocardial infarction. Our findings support the fact that moderate-intensity swimming training can be efficiently used to prevent myocardial infarction-induced ischemic injury, by inhibiting ROS production and strengthening intracellular antioxidant defense.
Calibration and Experimentation of Discrete Elemental Model Parameters for Wheat Seeds with Different Filled Particle Radii
Authors: Ma Duanxu , Shi Song , Hou Jialin , Zhou Jilei , Li Hui , Li Jiafeng
Published: March 2024

A Gas–solid two-phase flow coupling simulation is widely used to study the working process of pneumatic seed dischargers. Due to the demand for deterministic particle orbit numerical calculation models, seeds are mostly modeled using the particle aggregation method, where the seed model is formed through particle aggregation bonding without overlapping. The smaller the radius and the more filled ball particles used in this method, the closer they resemble the real morphology of the seed. However, this results in the over-consumption of simulation computational resources and simulation time growth. In this study, we used wheat seeds as the research object, studied the effect of seed models with different filled ball radii on the kinetic response characteristics between the particles, and searched for the optimal number of filled ball particles for the seed model. With the help of three-dimensional scanning and inverse fitting methods to obtain the seed profile, we used different radii (0.2 mm, 0.24 mm, 0.28 mm, 0.32 mm, 0.36 mm, and 0.4 mm) to fill the ball particles, and formed a wheat particle bonding model for a gas–solid coupling simulation. We used a combination of real tests and simulation measurements of bottomless cylinder-lifting and slip-stacking. The interspecies static and dynamic friction factors in seed models with different radii of filled spherical particles were first calibrated using the angle of repose as an index. Then, the parameters were verified using bottomless cylinder lifting and slip stacking tests, which used the coefficient of variation for the simulation test’s angle of repose as an index. Our results show that the smaller the radius of the filled ball, the closer the simulation results were to the real value. Validation was conducted using a gas–solid coupling simulation of an air-blown wheat seed discharger, with the seed filling rate as an index. Our results showed that the simulation length and simulation accuracy were optimal when the radius of the filling particle was 0.32 mm.
Black Carbon along a Highway and in a Residential Neighborhood during Rush-Hour Traffic in a Cold Climate
Authors: Andradóttir Hrund Ólöf , Hjartardóttir Bergljót , Thorsteinsson Throstur
Published: March 2024

Short-term exposure to ultra-fine Black Carbon (BC) particles produced during incomplete fuel combustion of wood and fossil fuel has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, hospitalizations and premature deaths. The goal of this research was to assess traffic-related BC in a cold climate along an urban highway and 300 m into an adjacent residential neighborhood. BC was measured with an aethalometer (MA350, Aethlabs) along the main traffic artery in geothermally heated Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland (64.135° N–21.895° W, 230,000 inhabitants). Stationary monitoring confirmed that traffic was the dominant source of roadside BC in winter, averaging 1.0 ± 1.1 µg/m3 (0.6 and 1.1 µg/m3 median and interquartile range; 28,000 vehicles/day). Inter-day variations in BC were primarily correlated to the atmospheric lapse rate and wind speed, both during stationary and mobile campaigns. During winter stills, BC levels surpassed 10 µg/m3 at intersections and built up to 5 µg/m3 during the afternoon in the residential neighborhood (adjacent to the highway with 43,000 vehicles/day). The BC penetrated deeply into the neighborhood, where the lowest concentration was 1.8 µg/m3 within 300 m. BC concentration was highly correlated to nitrogen dioxide (r > 0.8) monitored at the local Urban Traffic Monitoring site.
The Fall Armyworm and Larger Grain Borer Pest Invasions in Africa: Drivers, Impacts and Implications for Food Systems
Authors: Mlambo Shaw , Mubayiwa Macdonald , Tarusikirwa Vimbai L. , Machekano Honest , Mvumi Brighton M. , Nyamukondiwa Casper
Published: March 2024

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major biosecurity threat affecting globalisation and the international trade of agricultural products and natural ecosystems. In recent decades, for example, field crop and postharvest grain insect pests have independently accounted for a significant decline in food quantity and quality. Nevertheless, how their interaction and cumulative effects along the ever-evolving field production to postharvest continuum contribute towards food insecurity remain scant in the literature. To address this within the context of Africa, we focus on the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), two of the most important field and postharvest IAS, respectively, that have invaded Africa. Both insect pests have shown high invasion success, managing to establish themselves in >50% of the African continent within a decade post-introduction. The successive and summative nature of field and postharvest damage by invasive insect pests on the same crop along its value chain results in exacerbated food losses. This systematic review assesses the drivers, impacts and management of the fall armyworm and larger grain borer and their effects on food systems in Africa. Interrogating these issues is important in early warning systems, holistic management of IAS, maintenance of integral food systems in Africa and the development of effective management strategies.
Three-Dimensional Numerical Study of Hydrodynamic Interactions between Pectoral Fins and the Body of Aquatic Organisms
Authors: Morifusa Kotaro , Fukui Tomohiro
Published: March 2024

Fish swimming has attracted attention as a locomotion system with excellent propulsive efficiency. They swim by moving their body, fins, and other organs simultaneously, which developed during evolution. Among their many organs, the pectoral fin plays a crucial role in swimming, such as forward–backward movement and change of direction. In order to investigate the hydrodynamic interaction between pectoral fins and fish bodies, we examined the asymmetric flapping motion of the pectoral fin concerning the body axis and investigated the effect of the pectoral fin on the propulsive performance of the body of a small swimming object by numerical simulation. In this study, the amplitude ratio, frequency ratio, and phase of the body and pectoral fin varied. Therefore, although propulsive performance increased in tandem with the frequency ratio, the amplitude ratio change had negatively affected the propulsive performance. The results revealed that the propulsive performance of the fish was high even in low-frequency ratios when the phase difference was varied. The highest propulsion efficiency increased by a factor of about 3.7 compared to the phase difference condition of 0.
Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation Increases NR4A1 Expression and Promotes Its Extranuclear Translocation in Mouse Astrocytes
Authors: Moriyama Kengo , Horino Asako , Kohyama Kuniko , Nishito Yasumasa , Morio Tomohiro , Sakuma Hiroshi
Published: March 2024

Hypoxic–ischemic brain injury induces metabolic dysfunction that ultimately leads to neuronal cell death. Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, play a key role in brain metabolism; however, their response to hypoxic–ischemic brain injury is not fully understood. Microglia were removed from murine primary mixed glial cultures to enrich astrocytes. Next, we explored genes whose expression is altered following oxygen–glucose deprivation using a microarray. Microarray analysis revealed that the expression of Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 is markedly increased in astrocyte-enriched cultures after 15 h of oxygen–glucose deprivation. The expression of both Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 was regulated by HIF-1α. At the protein level, NR4A1 was translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm following oxygen–glucose deprivation and co-localized with mitochondria in apoptotic cells; however, its localization was restored to the nucleus after reoxygenation. Oxygen–glucose deprivation causes an increase in NR4A1 mRNA in astrocytes as well as its nuclear to cytoplasmic transfer. Furthermore, reoxygenation enhances NR4A1 transcription and promotes its nuclear translocation.