bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
U.S. manure methane emissions represent a greater contributor to implied climate warming than enteric methane emissions using the global warming potential* methodology
Authors: Beck Matthew R. , Thompson Logan R. , Rowntree Jason E. , Thompson Terra N. , Koziel Jacek A. , Place Sara E. , Stackhouse-Lawson Kim R.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

It is important to relate different greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to a carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalence (CO2-e) basis. This is typically done by multiplying the emissions of a GHG by its global warming potential (GWP), usually on a 100-year basis (GWP100). For methane (CH4), the predominant GHG from livestock production, the GWP100 value is 28. The GWP100 method has been shown to not adequately relate CH4 emissions to actual climate warming due to CH4′s short atmospheric lifespan (~12 years). As such, a newer method has been developed, termed GWP*. This method relates current emission rates to previous emission rates, typically on a 20-year time horizon. To date, the implications of using GWP* rather than GWP100 have not been discussed for manure emissions and have not been discussed for enteric and manure emissions relative to different livestock species or geographical regions of the United States.

Methods

Using emission estimate data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we assessed how national manure and enteric CH4 emissions changed from 1990 to 2020.

Results

The average rate of change was analyzed by regression. Enteric CH4 emissions remained relatively constant with a non-significant slope (P = 0.51), whereas manure CH4 emissions have been increasing (P < 0.01; R2 = 0.96) by 0.03-MMT/year. Furthermore, investigation demonstrated that the increase in manure CH4 emissions was largely driven by the dairy (25.9-kt increase in manure CH4 per year; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.98) and swine (5.4-kt increase in manure CH4 per year; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.50) industries. Due to the increasing emission estimates, manure CH4 [90.8-MMT CO2-warming equivalence (CO2-we) on average] was a larger contributor to climate warming than enteric CH4 (89.2-MMT CO2-we on average) from 2010 through 2020, when calculated with the GWP* methodology. This stands in contrast to the GWP100 methodology, which suggests that enteric CH4 emissions (191-MMT CO2-e) from 2010 to 2020 were on average 206% greater contributors to warming than manure CH4 emissions (62.3-MMT CO2-e).

Discussion

These results suggest that manure CH4 emissions may be contributing more to climate warming than enteric CH4, and more effort may be required to mitigate this source of emissions.
Unveiling the combined effect of nano fertilizers and conventional fertilizers on crop productivity, profitability, and soil well-being
Authors: Upadhyay Pravin Kumar , Singh Vinod Kumar , Rajanna G. A. , Dwivedi Brahma Swaroop , Dey Abir , Singh Rajiv Kumar , Rathore Sanjay Singh , Shekhawat Kapila , Babu Subhash , Singh Tarunendu , Kumar Yogendra , Singh Chandu , Rangot Meenakshi , Kumar Amit , Sarkar Sayantika , Dash Sukanta , Rawat Satyam
Published: September 2023

It is widely accepted that deficiency of macro (nitrogen) and micronutrients (zinc, copper etc.) affects the plant growth and development which cause a significant threat to crop production and food security. The Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO) developed nano-urea (nano-N), nano-zinc (nano-Zn), and nano-copper (nano-Cu) liquid fertilizer formulations to enhance the crop yields, simultaneously addressing the nutrient deficiency, without causing toxicity. Therefore, this study was formulated to evaluate the effectiveness of nano-N (nano-urea), nano-Zn, and nano-Cu at varying N levels [0, 50, 75, and 100% of the recommended rates of nitrogen (RRN)] on maize-wheat and pearl millet-mustard systems during 2019–20 and 2020–21. The results exhibited that the application of nano-N + nano-Zn with 100% RRN exhibited significantly higher grain yields in maize (66.2–68.8%), wheat (62.6–61.9%), pearl millet (57.1–65.4%), and mustard (47.2–69.0%), respectively, over absolute control plots and combinations of three nano-fertilizers like nano-N + nano-Zn + nano-Cu applied plots. This was mainly attributed to the higher N and Zn uptake by the crops. However, 75% RRN with nano-N + nano-Zn also produced comparable yields. Thus, applying nano-N and nano-Zn via foliar applications, in conjunction with conventional urea, has the potential to reduce the required nitrogen fertilizer amount by up to 25%, while simultaneously maintaining equivalent yield levels. Similarly, 100% RRN and 75% RRN + nano-N + nano-Zn registered comparable profitability, soil mineral N, dehydrogenase activity (DHA), and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), during both the study years. However, further research and field trials on nano fertilizers alone or in combination with conventional fertilizers are essential to fully unlock its benefits and ascertain its long-term effects which may offer a pathway to more efficient and eco-friendly crop nourishment.
Mathematical modeling at the livestock-wildlife interface: scoping review of drivers of disease transmission between species
Authors: Hayes Brandon H. , Vergne Timothée , Andraud Mathieu , Rose Nicolas
Published: September 2023

Modeling of infectious diseases at the livestock-wildlife interface is a unique subset of mathematical modeling with many innate challenges. To ascertain the characteristics of the models used in these scenarios, a scoping review of the scientific literature was conducted. Fifty-six studies qualified for inclusion. Only 14 diseases at this interface have benefited from the utility of mathematical modeling, despite a far greater number of shared diseases. The most represented species combinations were cattle and badgers (for bovine tuberculosis, 14), and pigs and wild boar [for African (8) and classical (3) swine fever, and foot-and-mouth and disease (1)]. Assessing control strategies was the overwhelming primary research objective (27), with most studies examining control strategies applied to wildlife hosts and the effect on domestic hosts (10) or both wild and domestic hosts (5). In spatially-explicit models, while livestock species can often be represented through explicit and identifiable location data (such as farm, herd, or pasture locations), wildlife locations are often inferred using habitat suitability as a proxy. Though there are innate assumptions that may not be fully accurate when using habitat suitability to represent wildlife presence, especially for wildlife the parsimony principle plays a large role in modeling diseases at this interface, where parameters are difficult to document or require a high level of data for inference. Explaining observed transmission dynamics was another common model objective, though the relative contribution of involved species to epizootic propagation was only ascertained in a few models. More direct evidence of disease spill-over, as can be obtained through genomic approaches based on pathogen sequences, could be a useful complement to further inform such modeling. As computational and programmatic capabilities advance, the resolution of the models and data used in these models will likely be able to increase as well, with a potential goal being the linking of modern complex ecological models with the depth of dynamics responsible for pathogen transmission. Controlling diseases at this interface is a critical step toward improving both livestock and wildlife health, and mechanistic models are becoming increasingly used to explore the strategies needed to confront these diseases.
Pancreatic Allograft Thrombosis: Implementation of the CPAT-Grading System in a Retrospective Series of Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Petruzzo Palmina , Ye Haixia , Sardu Claudia , Rouvière Olivier , Buron Fanny , Crozon-Clauzel Jullien , Matillon Xavier , Kanitakis Jean , Morelon Emmanuel , Badet Lionel
Published: September 2023

Pancreatic graft thrombosis (PAT) is a major surgical complication, potentially leading to graft loss. The recently proposed Cambridge Pancreas Allograft Thrombosis (CPAT) grading system provides diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic recommendations. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively assess computed tomography angiography (CTA) examinations performed routinely in simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) recipients to implement the CPAT grading system and to study its association with the recipients’ outcomes. We retrospectively studied 319 SPK transplant recipients, who underwent a routine CTA within the first 7 postoperative days. Analysis of the CTA scans revealed PAT in 215 patients (106 grade 1, 85 grade 2, 24 grade 3), while 104 showed no signs. Demographic data of the patients with and without PAT (thrombosis and non-thrombosis group) were not significantly different, except for the higher number of male donors in the thrombosis group. Pancreatic graft survival was significantly shorter in the thrombosis group. Graft loss due to PAT was significantly associated with grade 2 and 3 thrombosis, while it did not differ for recipients with grade 0 or grade 1 thrombosis. In conclusion, the CPAT grading system was successfully implemented in a large series of SPK transplant recipients and proved applicable in clinical practice.
A Framework for Determining Collision Likelihood Using Continuous Friction Values in a Connected Vehicle Environment
Authors: Xie Qian , Kwon Tae J.
Published: September 2023

Jurisdictions currently provide information on winter road conditions through qualitative descriptors like bare and fully snow-covered. Ideally, these descriptors are meant to warn drivers beforehand about hazardous roads. In practice, however, discerning between safe and unsafe roads is sometimes unclear due to intermediate RSC classes covering too wide a range of conditions. This study aims at solving this safety ambiguity issue by proposing a framework for predicting collision likelihood within a road segment. The proposed framework converts road surface images into friction coefficients, which are then converted into continuous measurements through an interpolator. To find the best-performing interpolator, we evaluated geostatistical, machine learning, and hybrid interpolators. It was found that ordinary kriging had the lowest estimation error and was the least sensitive to changes in distance between measurements. After developing an interpolator, collision likelihood models were developed for segment lengths ranging from 0.5 km to 20 km. We chose the 6.5 km model based on its accuracy and intuitiveness. This model had 76.9% accuracy and included friction and AADT as predictors. It was also estimated that if the proposed framework were implemented in an environment with connected vehicles and intelligent transportation systems, it would offer significant safety improvements.
Exploring the Potential of Open Innovation for Co-Creation in Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Portuguez-Castro May
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the concept of open innovation has garnered interest among companies due to its potential for generating new models and practices. This study aimed to explore the potential of open innovation for co-creation in entrepreneurship. To achieve this, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, analyzing 53 scientific articles from the Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) databases. The analysis focused on the characteristics related to co-creation and open innovation, the actors involved in these processes, the strategies employed, and the benefits and challenges encountered. The results revealed that: (a) co-creation and open innovation activities enable entrepreneurs to expand their knowledge base through collaboration with diverse stakeholders; (b) the strategies implemented by entrepreneurs have been beneficial in promoting innovation and the creation of shared value, particularly in the development of technologies and new markets; (c) despite recognizing the importance of this collaboration, there are still challenges to be addressed to maximize the advantages of co-creation and open innovation, such as resource scarcity and collaboration skills. Therefore, this study aimed to provide value to entrepreneurs, organizations supporting entrepreneurship, decision-makers, and the community at large in designing programs and mechanisms that foster co-creation and open innovation competencies.
Phosphorus Balance in Sandy Soil Subjected to 12 Years of Successive Applications of Animal Manure and Mineral Phosphate Fertilizer in Subtropical Climate
Authors: Marchezan Carina , Ferreira Paulo Ademar Avelar , Boitt Gustavo , Palermo Natalia Moreira , Thoma Ana Laura , Vidal Ricardo Fagan , Scopel Gustavo , Lourenzi Cledimar Rogério , Ceretta Carlos Alberto , Brunetto Gustavo
Published: September 2023

Assessing the phosphorus (P) balance in agricultural soils is crucial for optimizing its use and reducing contamination risks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different animal wastes on the distribution of P in soil profiles subjected to 12 years of successive applications of animal wastes and mineral phosphate fertilizer, within a crop rotation system under no-till system. The study was conducted from 2004 to 2016 in the southern region of Brazil. The treatments were the applications of pig slurry (PS), cattle slurry (CS), pig deep-litter (PD), mineral fertilizer (MF), and a control treatment without application. The highest accumulation of P and its movement was observed in the 0–40 cm layer, in the soil submitted to applications of all P sources. The inputs of P via MF, CS, PS, and PD promoted the accumulation of 18, 42, 48, and 100 kg P ha−1 year−1. The P mass balance showed that between 77 and 98% of the P added by animal manure and MF was accounted for in grain exports (17–34%), soil storage (41–72%), and post-harvest residues (<1%), with the remaining 2–33%, unaccounted for, which was attributed, especially, to P transfer at the soil surface.
Influencing Mechanism of Rural Households’ Livelihood Capital on Entrepreneurial Behavior: Evidence from the CFPS
Authors: Wang Fang , Mao Jingyi , Liu Yafu , Cai Qihua
Published: September 2023

The livelihood capital of rural households is an essential basis for their selection of livelihood strategy. This paper uses rural household data from the 2018 CFPS to construct a “hexagonal” framework for the analysis of livelihood capital. Natural capital, material capital, financial capital, social capital, human capital, psychological capital, and total livelihood capital are measured using entropy weight method. The paper uses logit and tobit models to analyze how livelihood capital affects rural households’ entrepreneurship. Finally, the heterogeneous impact of livelihood capital on rural households’ entrepreneurial behavior is discussed from the view of household head gender, household education level, and regional differences. The results show that rural households’ livelihood capital distribution in each dimension is uneven and the difference is great. Rural households’ capital of livelihood and finance have positive effects on their entrepreneurial behavior. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the increase in livelihood capital impacts entrepreneurship in female-headed households more positively and significantly. Livelihood capital can significantly promote the entrepreneurial behavior of rural households with lower education levels. The impact of livelihood capital on rural household entrepreneurship presents a decreasing distribution pattern from east to the middle to west. The results of the robustness test show that the conclusion of the positive impact of livelihood capital on rural household entrepreneurship is reliable. The main conclusions provide guidance and a foundation for further optimizing rural household entrepreneurship policies and promoting rural household entrepreneurship.
Enhancing the Extraction Process Efficiency of Thyme Essential Oil by Combined Ultrasound and Microwave Techniques
Authors: Gavrila Adina I. , Chisega-Negrila Ciprian G. , Maholea Laura , Gavrila Mircea L. , Parvulescu Oana C. , Popa Ioana
Published: September 2023

In this paper, the essential oil (EO) extraction from thyme by the consecutive use of ultrasound and microwave treatments is presented. The aim of this study was to apply an ultrasound pre-treatment of thyme leaves to enhance the thymol content and the extraction yield of the EO obtained by microwave-assisted hydro-distillation (MWHD). Compared with conventional hydro-distillation (CHD), the consecutive use of ultrasound pre-treatment and microwave extraction resulted in a 72% lower extraction time. When the ultrasound pre-treatment (using the ultrasonic processor with an amplitude of 70%) was applied, the EO content was 23% higher compared to the extraction without pre-treatment (2.67 ± 0.06 g EO/100 g DM for the MWHD with ultrasound pre-treatment compared with 2.18 ± 0.07 g EO/100 g DM for the MWHD without pre-treatment). The EO samples were analyzed by GC/MS. The results showed that the major component, thymol, varied from 43.54% (by CHD) to 65.94% (by the consecutive use of ultrasound and microwave treatments).
Visually Assessing Equine Quality of Movement: A Survey to Identify Key Movements and Patient-Specific Measures
Authors: Bowen Annette G. , Tabor Gillian , Labens Raphael , Randle Hayley
Published: September 2023

Outcome measures are essential for monitoring treatment efficacy. The lack of measures for quality of movement in equine physiotherapy and rehabilitation impairs evidence-based practice. To develop a new field-based outcome measure, it is necessary to determine movements most frequently observed during assessment of rehabilitation and performance management cases. An online survey of 81 equine sports medicine veterinarians and equine allied-health clinicians was conducted. The key movements identified included walk and trot on both firm and soft surfaces in a straight line and on a small circle, plus step back, hind leg cross-over, transitions and lunging at walk, trot and canter. The main barriers to observing some movements are access to suitable surfaces and the training level of the horse and handler. Subjective visual assessment of live or videoed horses was the most common method used to track progress of complex movements. The majority (82%) of survey participants agreed or strongly agreed that a modified Patient-Specific Functional Scale would be useful for measuring complex movements. Comments from all professions show a desire to have outcome measures relevant to their needs. This survey identified 24 in-hand movements, which can be used to form the foundation of a simple field-based outcome measure for quality of movement.
Animal Health and Productivity of Organic Greek Pig Farms: The Current Situation and Prospects for Sustainability
Authors: Papakonstantinou Georgios I. , Arsenakis Ioannis , Pourlis Aris , Papatsiros Vasileios G.
Published: September 2023

A review of organic pig production in Greece was carried out. The aim was to present updated information on the production, development and health status of organic pig farming in Greece and potential prospects for sustainability and future development. The indigenous Greek Black Pig is the main breed reared in Greek organic pig farms. All the reasons why Greek Black Pig breeding is ideal for organic farming are mentioned. Furthermore, respiratory and parasitic infections are the most common health problems, while high piglet mortality rates are the main welfare issue in Greek organic pig farming. Concerns about how farmers and authorities should utilize the demands of modern consumers are discussed.
In Vitro Effect of Three-Antibiotic Combinations plus Potential Antibiofilm Agents against Biofilm-Producing Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare Clinical Isolates
Authors: Batista Sara , Fernandez-Pittol Mariana , Nicolás Lorena San , Martínez Diego , Rubio Marc , Garrigo Montserrat , Vila Jordi , Tudó Griselda , González-Martin Julian
Published: September 2023

Patients with chronic pulmonary diseases infected by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) often develop complications and suffer from treatment failure due to biofilm formation. There is a lack of correlation between in vitro susceptibility tests and the treatment of clinical isolates producing biofilm. We performed susceptibility tests of 10 different three-drug combinations, including two recommended in the guidelines, in biofilm forms of eight MAC clinical isolates. Biofilm developed in the eight isolates following incubation of the inoculum for 3 weeks. Then, the biofilm was treated with three-drug combinations with and without the addition of potential antibiofilm agents (PAAs). Biofilm bactericidal concentrations (BBCs) were determined using the Vizion lector system. All selected drug combinations showed synergistic activity, reducing BBC values compared to those treated with single drugs, but BBC values remained high enough to treat patients. However, with the addition of PAAs, the BBCs steadily decreased, achieving similar values to the combinations in planktonic forms and showing synergistic activity in all the combinations and in both species. In conclusion, three-drug combinations with PAAs showed synergistic activity in biofilm forms of MAC isolates. Our results suggest the need for clinical studies introducing PAAs combined with antibiotics for the treatment of patients with pulmonary diseases infected by MAC.
Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Output on Antimicrobial Resistance among Pneumonia Pathogens (2013–2023)
Authors: Ablakimova Nurgul , Smagulova Gaziza A. , Rachina Svetlana , Mussina Aigul Z. , Zare Afshin , Mussin Nadiar M. , Kaliyev Asset A. , Shirazi Reza , Tanideh Nader , Tamadon Amin
Published: September 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global concern, posing significant challenges to the effective treatment of infections, including pneumonia. This bibliometric analysis aims to investigate the research output on AMR among pneumonia pathogens from 2013 to 2023. Data were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOS-CC) using an inclusive search strategy. The analysis included 152 relevant studies published in 99 different sources, involving 988 authors and yielding an average of 16.33 citations per document over the past decade. The findings reveal a notable increase in research on AMR among pneumonia pathogens, indicating a growing awareness of this critical issue. Collaborative studies were prevalent, with the majority of authors engaging in joint research efforts. Bradford’s Law identified twelve core journals that were instrumental in disseminating research in this field, with “Medicine” emerging as the most prolific journal. The USA and China emerged as the leading contributors, while Germany displayed a strong inclination towards collaborative research. Intermountain Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, and Udice-French Research Universities were the most productive institutions, and Yayan J. and Rasche K. were the top authors. Furthermore, the analysis identified commonly encountered microorganisms such as Acinetobacter baumanii and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the context of AMR. Time-based analysis of keywords highlighted the significance of terms like “community-acquired pneumonia” and “ventilator-associated pneumonia”. Overall, this comprehensive study sheds light on the global research landscape of AMR among pneumonia pathogens. The insights gained from this analysis are essential for guiding future research priorities and collaborative efforts to combat AMR effectively and improve treatment outcomes for pneumonia and related infections. As the frequency of reports concerning resistance among pneumonia pathogens, notably A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae, continues to rise, there is an immediate requirement for pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers to respond proactively and ready themselves for the forthcoming implications of this matter. It also underscores the importance of knowledge dissemination and evidence-based interventions to address this growing public health challenge. However, the study acknowledges the limitations associated with using a single publication database and encourages the inclusion of data from other sources in future research.
Antifungal Use and Resistance in a Lower–Middle-Income Country: The Case of Lebanon
Authors: Hassoun Nesrine , Kassem Issmat I. , Hamze Monzer , El Tom Jad , Papon Nicolas , Osman Marwan
Published: September 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Antifungal resistance is often underestimated in both healthcare and non-clinical settings. In LMICs, it is believed that the inappropriate use of antifungals, limited surveillance systems, and low diagnostic capacities are significant drivers of resistance. Like other LMICs, Lebanon lacks antifungal use and resistance surveillance programs, and the impact of antifungal resistance in the country remains unclear, especially during the unfolding economic crisis that has severely affected medical care and access to safe food and water. Interestingly, the widespread use of antifungals in medicine and agriculture has raised concerns about the development of antifungal resistance in Lebanon. In this light, we aimed to survey available antifungal drugs in the country and evaluate susceptibility patterns of prevalent fungal species to guide empiric treatments and develop antifungal stewardship programs in Lebanon. We noted that the economic crisis resulted in significant increases in antifungal drug prices. Additionally, a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases identified 15 studies on fungal infections and antifungal resistance conducted from 1998 to 2023 in Lebanon. While data on antifungal resistance are limited, 87% of available studies in Lebanon focused on candidiasis, while the remaining 13% were on aspergillosis. Overall, we observed a marked antimicrobial resistance among Candida and Aspergillus species. Additionally, incidences of Candida auris infections have increased in Lebanese hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a uniform resistance to fluconazole and amphotericin-B. Taken together, a One Health approach, reliable diagnostics, and prudent antifungal use are required to control the spread of resistant fungal pathogens in healthcare and agricultural settings.
Resource Allocation Strategy for Satellite Edge Computing Based on Task Dependency
Authors: Liu Zhiguo , Jiang Yingru , Rong Junlin
Published: September 2023

Satellite edge computing has attracted the attention of many scholars, but the limited resources of satellite networks bring great difficulties to the processing of edge-computing-dependent tasks. Therefore, under the system model of the satellite-terrestrial joint network architecture, this paper proposes an efficient scheduling strategy based on task degrees and a resource allocation strategy based on the improved sparrow search algorithm, aiming at the low success rate of application processing caused by the dependency between tasks, limited resources, and unreasonable resource allocation in the satellite edge network, which leads to the decline in user experience. The scheduling strategy determines the processing order of tasks by selecting subtasks with an in-degree of 0 each time. The improved sparrow search algorithm incorporates opposition-based learning, random search mechanisms, and Cauchy mutation to enhance search capability and improve global convergence. By utilizing the improved sparrow search algorithm, an optimal resource allocation strategy is derived, resulting in reduced processing latency for subtasks. The simulation results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is better than other baseline schemes and can improve the processing success rate of applications.
Movement Time and Subjective Rating of Difficulty in Real and Virtual Pipe Transferring Tasks
Authors: Li Kai Way , Nguyen Thi Lan Anh
Published: September 2023

An experiment was performed to investigate the movement time (MT) and subjective rating of difficulty for real and virtual pipe transferring tasks. Thirty adults joined as human participants. The HoloPipes app in a Microsoft® Hololens 2 augmented reality (AR) device was adopted to generate virtual pipes. The participants performed pipe transferring trials, from one location to another on a workbench, in both lateral and anterior–posterior directions. For the lateral transferring tasks, pipes in three diameters with three transferring distances and two origins were tested. For the anterior–posterior transferring tasks, pipes with a diameter of 2.2 cm with three transferring distances and two origins were tested. It was found that the MT of transferring a virtual pipe was significantly (p < 0.0001) shorter than that of transferring a real pipe. Moreover, male participants transferred the pipe significantly (p < 0.0001) faster than their female counterparts. Thus, the hypothesis that transferring a virtual pipe is less efficient than transferring a real pipe was rejected. It was also found that the MT of transferring both a real and a virtual object was dependent upon gender, handedness, and the transferring direction. In addition, the subjective rating of difficulty in pipe transferring is positively correlated (r = 0.48, p < 0.0001) with the MT. Based on Fitts’ law, additive MT models were proposed. These models could be used to predict the MT between handling real and virtual pipes under gender, handedness, and transferring direction conditions.
Comparative Analysis of Peer-to-Peer PV Trading Strategies under the Influence of Network Constraints with Prosumer Sensitivity towards Network Coefficients
Authors: Liaquat Sheroze , Hussain Tanveer , Kassab Fadi Agha , Celik Berk , Fourney Robert , Hansen Timothy M.
Published: September 2023

With the increase in rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems at the residential level, customers owning such renewable resources can act as a source of generation for other consumers in the same network. Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading refers to a local trading platform where the residential customers having excess PV power (prosumers) can interact with their neighbors without PV resources (customers) to improve the social welfare of society. However, the performance of a P2P market depends on the power system network constraints and trading strategy adopted for local energy trading. In this paper, we compare different trading strategies, i.e., the rule-based zero intelligent (ZI) strategy and the preference-based game theory (GT) approaches, for a constrained P2P platform. Quadratic trading loss and impedance-based network utilization fee models are suggested to define the network constraints for the P2P system. Additionally, a reluctance-based prosumer-sensitive model is developed to adjust the trading behavior of the participants under the heavy distribution losses/network fee. The presented results show that the suggested trading strategies enhanced the average welfare of the participants by approximately 17%. On average, the customers saved about $33.77 monthly, whereas the average monthly earnings of the prosumers were around $28.3. The ZI strategy enhanced the average monetary advantages of all the market participants by an average of 7% for a system having small distribution losses and a network fee as compared to the GT approach. Contrarily, for a system having high losses/a utilization fee, the GT approach improved the average welfare of the prosumers by around 75% compared to the ZI strategy. However, both trading strategies yielded competitive results compared to the traditional market under the standard values of network coefficients.
Effectiveness of Bonding Steel Elements with Polyester-Coated Paint
Authors: Rudawska Anna , Gola Arkadiusz , Pizoń Jakub , Capała Paweł , Wójcik Łukasz
Published: September 2023

The aim of the paper is to assess the impact of the effectiveness of bonding steel elements with paint coating. The adhesive joints were made using two types of the adhesives: two-component epoxy resin adhesive based on Bisphenol A and polyurethane. Three types of adhesive joints were made: (i) reference samples, (ii) samples with a paint polyester coating, and (iii) samples with a zinc primer and paint polyester coating. These coatings were applied using the electrokinetic method. A shear strength test of the adhesive joints (EN DIN 1465 standard), a coating adhesion test (ASTM D3359-B standard), and surface wettability tests (based on contact angle) were used. Through analyzing the test results, it can be seen that the strength of the adhesive joints of the reference samples made with epoxy adhesive is 46% lower than that of the specimens with primer and paint coating applied. However, in the case of the adhesive joints made with the polyurethane adhesive, the aforementioned difference in the strength value of the adhesive joints of the reference samples and paint-coated samples with an applied primer is 76%. Adherends with a paint coating and a previously applied primer obtained the lowest value of the contact angle (38.72°) and are characterized by good wettability.
Source-Specific Health Risk of PM2.5-Bound Metals in a Typical Industrial City, Central China, 2021–2022
Authors: Liu Ziguo , Zhan Changlin , Liu Hongxia , Liu Shan , Quan Jihong , Liu Xianli , Zhang Jiaquan , Qu Chengkai
Published: September 2023

In order to study the pollution characteristics, sources, and health risks of heavy metals in urban atmospheric PM2.5, samples were collected in Huangshi City from June 2021 to May 2022. The contents of 16 kinds of metal elements were analyzed by XRF, and the pollution degree and sources of elements were analyzed by the enrichment factor method, correlation analysis, and cluster analysis. The health risk of heavy metal elements was evaluated by the USEPA health risk assessment model. The results of enrichment factor analysis show that the metal elements carried by PM2.5 were affected by human emissions except for Ti. Heavy metals mainly come from industrial sources, motor vehicle sources, mixed combustion sources, and dust sources, according to correlation analysis and cluster analysis. Mn had a non-carcinogenic risk to children, and the non-carcinogenic risk of other elements to the human body was generally acceptable. The carcinogenic risks of Cr, As, Cd, and Co exceeded the acceptable carcinogenic risk threshold (10−6 ~10−4), and there were potential carcinogenic risks.
Determination of Sage Tea Polyphenols and Their Antioxidant Effects Using an Electrochemical DNA-Based Biosensor
Authors: Tomac Ivana , Budić Lea , Bobovec Josipa , Jakobek Lidija , Matić Petra
Published: September 2023

This study describes two polyphenols, caffeic acid (CA) and (+)-catechin, as well as their antioxidant effects, detected by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using an electrochemical deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based biosensor in sage tea. Square-wave voltammetry (SWV) was applied to investigate CA, as one of the derivatives of phenolic acids, and (+)-catechin, a representative of flavonoids, in sage tea. Square-wave voltammograms (SWVs) of CA showed one peak (0.197 V) and the presence of anodic and cathodic peaks, which suggests an unfolded reversible process on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Furthermore, SWVs of (+)-catechin showed two peaks, which proposes a reversible process at the first peak (0.232 V) and an irreversible process at the second peak (0.6 V) on the surface of the GCE. The determination of the antioxidant effects of sage tea polyphenols was carried out by a DNA-based biosensor. The obtained results indicated that the addition of sage tea to the cleavage solution significantly reduces the degree of DNA degradation. The adopted methods have proved to be simple and applicable tools for the electrochemical characterization of sage tea polyphenols and their antioxidant effects. The study also discusses total phenolic content.
GNN-surv: Discrete-Time Survival Prediction Using Graph Neural Networks
Authors: Kim So Yeon
Published: September 2023

Survival prediction models play a key role in patient prognosis and personalized treatment. However, their accuracy can be improved by incorporating patient similarity networks, which uncover complex data patterns. Our study uses Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) to enhance discrete-time survival predictions (GNN-surv) by leveraging relationships in these networks. We build these networks using cancer patients’ genomic and clinical data and train various GNN models on them, integrating Logistic Hazard and PMF survival models. GNN-surv models exhibit superior performance in survival prediction across two urologic cancer datasets, outperforming traditional MLP models. They maintain robustness and effectiveness under varying graph construction hyperparameter μ values, with performance boosts of up to 14.6% and 7.9% in the time-dependent concordance index and reductions in the integrated brier score of 26.7% and 24.1% in the BLCA and KIRC datasets, respectively. Notably, these models also maintain their effectiveness across three different types of GNN models, suggesting potential adaptability to other cancer datasets. The superior performance of our GNN-surv models underscores their wide applicability in the fields of oncology and personalized medicine, providing clinicians with a more accurate tool for patient prognosis and personalized treatment planning. Future studies can further optimize these models by incorporating other survival models or additional data modalities.
Discriminative-Region Multi-Label Classification of Ultra-Widefield Fundus Images
Authors: Pham Van-Nguyen , Le Duc-Tai , Bum Junghyun , Kim Seong Ho , Song Su Jeong , Choo Hyunseung
Published: September 2023

Ultra-widefield fundus image (UFI) has become a crucial tool for ophthalmologists in diagnosing ocular diseases because of its ability to capture a wide field of the retina. Nevertheless, detecting and classifying multiple diseases within this imaging modality continues to pose a significant challenge for ophthalmologists. An automated disease classification system for UFI can support ophthalmologists in making faster and more precise diagnoses. However, existing works for UFI classification often focus on a single disease or assume each image only contains one disease when tackling multi-disease issues. Furthermore, the distinctive characteristics of each disease are typically not utilized to improve the performance of the classification systems. To address these limitations, we propose a novel approach that leverages disease-specific regions of interest for the multi-label classification of UFI. Our method uses three regions, including the optic disc area, the macula area, and the entire UFI, which serve as the most informative regions for diagnosing one or multiple ocular diseases. Experimental results on a dataset comprising 5930 UFIs with six common ocular diseases showcase that our proposed approach attains exceptional performance, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve scores for each class spanning from 95.07% to 99.14%. These results not only surpass existing state-of-the-art methods but also exhibit significant enhancements, with improvements of up to 5.29%. These results demonstrate the potential of our method to provide ophthalmologists with valuable information for early and accurate diagnosis of ocular diseases, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.
From Reward to Anhedonia-Dopamine Function in the Global Mental Health Context
Authors: Dresp-Langley Birgitta
Published: September 2023

When “hijacked” by compulsive behaviors that affect the reward and stress centers of the brain, functional changes in the dopamine circuitry occur as the consequence of pathological brain adaptation. As a brain correlate of mental health, dopamine has a central functional role in behavioral regulation from healthy reward-seeking to pathological adaptation to stress in response to adversity. This narrative review offers a spotlight view of the transition from healthy reward function, under the control of dopamine, to the progressive deregulation of this function in interactions with other brain centers and circuits, producing what may be called an anti-reward brain state. How such deregulation is linked to specific health-relevant behaviors is then explained and linked to pandemic-related adversities and the stresses they engendered. The long lockdown periods where people in social isolation had to rely on drink, food, and digital rewards via the internet may be seen as the major triggers of changes in motivation and reward-seeking behavior worldwide. The pathological adaptation of dopamine-mediated reward circuitry in the brain is discussed. It is argued that, when pushed by fate and circumstance into a physiological brain state of anti-reward, human behavior changes and mental health is affected, depending on individual vulnerabilities. A unified conceptual account that places dopamine function at the centre of the current global mental health context is proposed.
Economic Seismic Performance of Buildings with Peer Methodology and Fema P-58
Authors: Ramírez Wladimir , Mayacela Margarita , Contreras Luis , Iza Nestor , Quishpe Evelin , Rentería Leonardo
Published: September 2023

The performance-based seismic design pretends to take care of the lives of the occupants and reduce the cost of damage caused by earthquakes. Several ways of estimating damage and economic losses have been developed, but most of them lack objectivity and have great dispersion in the results. In the last decade, the advancement of technology has allowed the appearance of new methodologies, such as the one developed by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER methodology). However, the information regarding application and scope is scarce. In the present investigation, the economic seismic performance for a steel building was determined by applying the PEER methodology with different levels of seismic intensity. A multi-family residential model of special moment frames (SMF) was used, and the structure was designed by means of modal analysis. Spectral, incremental dynamic non-linear analysis was performed where the structural response was determined, with the help of the PACT software. The seismic performance, expressed as the repair costs, repair times, deaths, and injuries, was defined. The results obtained indicate that buildings designed with traditional structural standards can be demolished after the action of an earthquake because the repair costs exceed 40% of the replacement cost. Rare and very rare seismic events can cause the total suspension of the service and a considerable number of deaths and injuries.
Influence of Porous Structure of Non-Autoclaved Bio-Based Foamed Concrete on Mechanical Strength
Authors: Mohamad Abdelrahman , Khadraoui Fouzia , Chateigner Daniel , Boutouil Mohamed
Published: September 2023

This study examines the impact of the porous structure on the density and mechanical behavior of a new foamed concrete incorporating hemp shives. The specific aim is to gain a better understanding of how the inclusion of hemp shiv, as well as different additions and foaming methods, influence the density and mechanical strength of the concrete. A total of eight batches of foam concrete were produced and tested, made with a protein-based surfactant agent, with cement, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and metakaolin as binders and hemp shiv as natural aggregates. The effect of several parameters is studied, including elaboration method (direct and preformed), amount of pozzolanic additions (0% and 30 of cement weight%), and incorporation of hemp shiv (5 and 15 vol%) on the resulting physical properties, microstructure, porous structure and mechanical behavior of the concrete. Pozzolanic additions improve slightly the uniformity of pore sizes, which increases the mechanical resistance, especially at 28 days. While hemp shiv incorporation results in increased concrete porosity and air bubble radius, it also decreased uniformity, mechanical strength, and lower cohesion with the cement matrix compared to standard concrete. The results contribute to the development of eco-friendly construction materials and promote the utilization of agricultural waste in the construction industry.
Surgical Anatomy of the Microscopic and Endoscopic Transorbital Approach to the Middle Fossa and Cavernous Sinus: Anatomo-Radiological Study with Clinical Applications
Authors: Serioli Simona , Nizzola Mariagrazia , Plou Pedro , De Bonis Alessandro , Meyer Jenna , Leonel Luciano C. P. C. , Tooley Andrea A. , Wagner Lilly H. , Bradley Elizabeth A. , Van Gompel Jamie J. , Benini Maria Elena , Dallan Iacopo , Peris-Celda Maria
Published: September 2023

Background: The transorbital approaches (TOAs) have acquired growing notoriety, thanks to their ability to offer alternative corridors to the skull base. However, the limited access and the unfamiliarity with this surgical perspective make recognition of key landmarks difficult, especially for less experienced surgeons. The study wants to offer a detailed description of the anatomy to comprehend the potential and limitations of TOAs. Methods: Measurements of the orbit region and the surrounding areas were performed on two hundred high-resolution CT scans and thirty-nine dry skulls. Five specimens were dissected to illustrate the TOA, and one was used to perform the extradural clinoidectomy. Three clinical cases highlighted the surgical applications. Results: A step-by-step description of the key steps of the TOA was proposed and a comparison with the transcranial anterior clinoidectomy was discussed. The mean work distance was 6.1 ± 0.4 cm, and the lateral working angle increased 20 ± 5.4° after removing the lateral orbital rim. Conclusions: TOAs are indicated in selected cases when tumor involves the lateral portion of the cavernous sinus or the middle skull base, obtaining a direct decompression of the optic nerve and avoiding excessive manipulation of the neurovascular structures. Comprehension of surgical anatomy of the orbit and its surrounding structures is essential to safely perform these approaches.
Serum Paraprotein Is Associated with Adverse Prognostic Factors and Outcome, across Different Subtypes of Mature B-Cell Malignancies—A Systematic Review
Authors: Cox Maria Christina , Esposito Fabiana , Postorino Massimiliano , Venditti Adriano , Di Napoli Arianna
Published: September 2023

The presence of a serum paraprotein (PP) is usually associated with plasma-cell dyscrasias, Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, and cryoglobulinemia. However, PP is also often reported in other high- and low-grade B-cell malignancies. As these reports are sparse and heterogeneous, an overall view on this topic is lacking, Therefore, we carried out a complete literature review to detail the characteristics, and highlight differences and similarities among lymphoma entities associated with PP. In these settings, IgM and IgG are the prevalent PP subtypes, and their serum concentration is often low or even undetectable without immunofixation. The relevance of paraproteinemia and its prevalence, as well as the impact of IgG vs. IgM PP, seems to differ within B-NHL subtypes and CLL. Nonetheless, paraproteinemia is almost always associated with advanced disease, as well as with immunophenotypic, genetic, and clinical features, impacting prognosis. In fact, PP is reported as an independent prognostic marker of poor outcome. All the above call for implementing clinical practice, with the assessment of paraproteinemia, in patients’ work-up. Indeed, more studies are needed to shed light on the biological mechanism causing more aggressive disease. Furthermore, the significance of paraproteinemia, in the era of targeted therapies, should be assessed in prospective trials.