bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Appropriateness ratings of everyday behaviors in the United States now and 50 years ago
Authors: Eriksson Kimmo , Strimling Pontus , Vartanova Irina
Published: October 2023

Introduction

A crucial aspect of social norms pertains to determining which behaviors are considered appropriate. Here we consider everyday behaviors. Some everyday behaviors are rated as more appropriate than others, and ratings of the appropriateness of a given behavior may vary over time. The objective of this study is to elucidate the reasons behind variation in appropriateness ratings of everyday behaviors in the United States. Our theory focuses on how the evaluation of the appropriateness of a behavior is influenced by its potential for externalities and internalities, and how this influence may cause a change in norms over time.

Method

Employing a preregistered design, we asked American participants to rate 37 different everyday behaviors based on their appropriateness in a range of common situations, as well as their potential negative externalities (e.g., being loud, being aggressive, taking up space) and positive internalities (e.g., pleasurability). Changes over time were calculated as the difference between mean ratings obtained in this study and ratings of the same behavior in a similar study conducted 50 years ago.

Results

As expected, overall appropriateness ratings of everyday behaviors are associated both with their externalities and their internalities, so that the least appropriate behaviors tend to have considerable potential for negative externalities and little potential for positive internalities. Moreover, behaviors that have considerable potential for negative externalities are perceived as less appropriate now than 50 years ago.

Discussion

By describing how social norms for everyday behaviors depend on the externalities and internalities of behaviors, this study contributes to theories about the emergence and change of social norms.
Socioeconomic inequality in organized and opportunistic screening for gastric cancer: results from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey 2009–2022
Authors: Luu Xuan Quy , Lee Kyeongmin , Jun Jae Kwan , Suh Mina , Choi Kui Son
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic inequality in gastric cancer (GC) screening in Korea. Socioeconomic inequality was assessed using both organized and opportunistic screening according to income and educational level.

Methods

GC screening data were obtained from the 2009–2022 Korean National Cancer Screening Survey. The final analysis included 47,163 cancer-free men and women. The weighted cancer screening rate was estimated using joinpoint regression. The inequality indices were measured in terms of both the absolute slope index of inequality (SII) and the relative index of inequality (RII) using the Poisson regression model.

Results

The organized screening rate for GC increased from 38.2% in 2009 to 70.8% in 2022, whereas the opportunistic screening rate decreased from 18.8 to 4.5%. Regarding educational inequality, a negative SII value was observed [−3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI), −7.63–0.83%] in organized screening, while a positive SII (9.30%; 95% CI, 6.69–11.91%) and RII (1.98%; 95% CI, 1.59–2.46) were observed in opportunistic screening. Furthermore, income inequality was not found in organized GC screening; however, overall SII and RII for opportunistic screening were 7.72% (95% CI, 5.39–10.5) and 1.61 (95% CI, 1.42–1.81), respectively.

Conclusion

Organized screening rates have grown gradually over time and account for the majority of GC screenings in South Korea. While no socioeconomic inequalities were found in organized screening, significant socioeconomic inequalities were found in opportunistic screening.
Myth of objectivity and the origin of symbols
Authors: Rahman Shagor
Published: October 2023

An age-old challenge in epistemology and moral philosophy is whether objectivity exists independent of subjective perspective. Alfred North Whitehead labeled it a “fallacy of misplaced concreteness”; after all, knowledge is represented elusively in symbols. I employ the free energy principle (FEP) to argue that the belief in moral objectivity, although perhaps fallacious, amounts to an ancient and universal human myth that is essential for our symbolic capacity. To perceive any object in a world of non-diminishing (perhaps irreducible) uncertainty, according to the FEP, its constituent parts must display common probabilistic tendencies, known as statistical beliefs, prior to its interpretation, or active inference, as a stable entity. Behavioral bias, subjective emotions, and social norms scale the scope of identity by coalescing agents with otherwise disparate goals and aligning their perspectives into a coherent structure. I argue that by declaring belief in norms as objective, e.g., expressing that a particular theft or infidelity was generally wrong, our ancestors psychologically constructed a type of identity bound only by shared faith in a perspective that technically transcended individual subjectivity. Signaling explicit belief in what were previously non-symbolic norms, as seen in many non-human animals, simulates a top-down point of view of our social interactions and thereby constructs our cultural niche and symbolic capacity. I demonstrate that, largely by contrasting with overly reductive analytical models that assume individual rational pursuit of extrinsic rewards, shared belief in moral conceptions, i.e., what amounts to a religious faith, remains a motivational cornerstone of our language, economic and civic institutions, stories, and psychology. Finally, I hypothesize that our bias for familiar accents (shibboleth), plausibly represents the phylogenetic and ontogenetic contextual origins of our impulse to minimize social surprise by declaring belief in the myth of objectivity.
Food laborers as stewards of island biocultural diversity: reclaiming local knowledge, food sovereignty, and decolonization
Authors: Marrero Abrania , Nicoson Christie , Mattei Josiemer
Published: October 2023

Creating nutritious and ecologically regenerative food cultures depends on the local knowledge of food system laborers. Food producers in small island developing states center socioecological interdependence in their livelihoods and, as such, conserve biocultural diversity. Amid burgeoning health, economic, and climate crises brought on by colonialism, reclaiming food sovereignty requires a critical and embodied scientific approach, one that considerswhattraditional ecological knowledge is andwhocreates and sustains it. This study positions laborers as the primary sources of knowledge in island food systems; discusses declines in nutrition and agrobiodiversity as consequences of food labor loss; and proposes laborers' stewardship as essential to regenerating self-determination. Using critical quasi-ethnographic methods, this report synthesized primary data from narrative interviews in Guam (Guåhan,n= 13) and Puerto Rico (Borikén,n= 30), two former colonies of Spain and current territories of the United States, as specific examples of place-based knowledge production, interwoven into critical discussion of broader literature in this space. Our findings show that local food laborers combine intergenerational, ecosystem-specific knowledge with robust human value systems, negotiating across competing economic, cultural, and ecological needs to sustain livelihoods and regenerate biodiversity. As well-connected nodes in family and community networks, laborers serve as the scaffolding on which compassionate and relational care can thrive. Trade policies and the market dominance of transnational food corporations have severely reduced local food production in favor of food import dependence in islands, aggravating labor shortages and augmenting food insecurity. Through waves of out-migration and cash remittance, social care relationships have become monetized, reinforcing mass-produced food consumption and dietary diversity loss as islanders, both at home and in the diaspora, transition to an industrialized diet. The loss of local labor similarly poses threats to agrobiodiversity, with export-oriented agribusiness simplifying landscapes to streamline extraction. This study demonstrates that to reclaim food systems in Guam, Puerto Rico, and similar island settings, laborers must be valued as stewards of cultural and agrobiodiversity and can be integral to efforts that preserve cultures, agroecosystems, and health.
Screening and detection of antibiotic residues on broiler meat based on trade system variations, seasonal differences, and the impact on final consumer safety in Romania
Authors: Pogurschi Elena Narcisa , Grigore Daniela-Mihaela , Ianitchi Daniela , Bahaciu Gratziela , Popa Dana Catalina , Dragomir Nela , Pet Ioan
Published: October 2023

Introduction

One key factor contributing to microbial resistance is the deliberate and inappropriate use of antibiotics in human and animal health management. Recent studies point out various ways to tackle this controversy to mitigate the unnatural rapid evolution of pathogenic bacteria. Chicken meat remains at the top of Romanian consumers' preferences, being the most consumed type of meat, desired for its nutritional and dietetic attributes.

Methods

This research was conducted in 2022, aiming to evaluate the antibiotic residues (quinolones, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, and sulfonamides) in broiler chicken meat with various trade strategies [retail market (RM), n = 40, traditional market (TM), n = 185, and door-to-door vendors (DTD), n = 121] during two seasonal periods, spring (March–April) and summer (July–September). An efficient and precise protocol was employed for determining the meat organoleptic attributes, qualitative screening, and quantitative assay antibiotic of six antibiotics (enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, and sulfamethoxazole), consumers' antibiotic exposure (estimated daily intake), and potential risk assessment (hazard quotient).

Results

The antibiotic quality assessment revealed an overall antibiotic residue presence in groups TM (75%) and DTD (82%), while no antibiotic residues were detected in the RM group. Our results show that 32% (n = 110) of the total chicken meat samples were free of antibiotic residues, 4.5% (n = 16) contained antibiotic residues belonging to one class of antibiotics, 40% (n = 139) had two antibiotics groups, 22% (n = 77) had three antibiotics groups, and 1.5% of the chicken meat samples presented four groups of antibiotics.

Discussion

During the spring season, the enrofloxacin antibiotic residue present in the meat samples was higher, showing an 84% presence in TM meat samples group when compared with the DTD meat sampled group (75%). The analysis data processing showed a strong correlation between the antibiotic residue's meat samples origin (trade market and door-to-door traded meat antibiotic residue variations) and seasonal variations. As a result of the hazard quotient assay, the meat antibiotic residue levels had subunit values, indicating the meat quality was proper for consumption. It is mandatory to strengthen the level of knowledge by continuously monitoring and providing updated information to each group of farmers to increase their understanding of and adherence to the proper handling of antibiotics when growing chickens. Regarding the use of prohibited growth-promoting antibiotics in chicken-rearing systems, local authorities should increase the guard level, at antibiotic supplier and end user levels.
Silicon Spraying Enhances Wheat Stem Resistance to Lodging under Light Stress
Authors: Chang Yonglan , Cui Haixing , Wang Yuanyuan , Li Chunhui , Wang Jiayu , Jin Min , Luo Yongli , Li Yong , Wang Zhenlin
Published: October 2023

In recent years, the decrease in solar radiation has led to insufficient light, resulting in a shading effect on crops and a deterioration of stem quality, which seriously affects wheat yield. In this experiment, two different lodging-sensitive wheat varieties, SN16 (SN16) and SN23 (SN23), were selected as experimental materials, and two treatments were set up, with 50% shade (S1) and natural light as control (S0) from the jointing stage to the maturity stage. Two treatments, spraying 400 mg L−1 (C1) silicon fertilizer and spraying water as control (C0), were set up at the jointing stage of wheat. The effects of spraying silicon fertilizer on the yield, morphological and mechanical characteristics of the stem, and lignin content of winter wheat under low-light stress were investigated. The results showed that spraying silicon fertilizer increased the lignin content of the stem and improved stem lodging resistance mainly by improving the degree of lignification. An effective cultivation measure for wheat’s resistance to lodging can be provided by spraying silicon fertilizer when future low-light stress occurs.
Irrigation Water and Nitrogen Fertilizer Management in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.): A Review
Authors: Shrestha Bhimsen , Darapuneni Murali , Stringam Blair L. , Lombard Kevin , Djaman Koffi
Published: October 2023

Intensive irrigation and nutrient management practices in agriculture have given rise to serious issues in aquifer water depletion and groundwater quality. This review discusses the effects of irrigation and nitrogen management practices on potato growth, yield, and quality, and their impacts on water and nitrogen use efficiencies. This review also highlights the economics and consequences of applying deficit irrigation strategies in potato production. Many researchers have demonstrated that excessive irrigation and nitrogen application rates negatively impact potato tuber yield and quality while also increasing nitrate leaching, energy consumption, and the overall costs of production. An application of light-to-moderate deficit irrigation (10–30% of full irrigation) together with reduced nitrogen rates (60–170 kg/ha) has a great potential to improve water and nitrogen use efficiencies while obtaining optimum yield and quality in potato production, depending on the climate, variety, soil type, and water availability. There is an opportunity to reduce N application rates in potato production through deficit irrigation practices by minimizing nitrate leaching beyond the crop root zone. The best irrigation and nitrogen management techniques for potato production, as discussed in this review, include using sprinkle and drip irrigation techniques, irrigation scheduling based on local crop coefficients, soil moisture content, and crop modeling techniques, applying slow-release nitrogenous fertilizers, split nitrogen application, and applying water and nitrogenous fertilizers in accordance with crop growth stage requirements.
Guanidinoacetic Acid Attenuates Adipogenesis through Regulation of miR-133a in Sheep
Authors: Zhao Jia-Min , Li Fan-Qin-Yu , Li Xv-Ying , Jiao Dan-Rong , Liu Xiang-Dong , Lv Xiao-Yang , Zhao Jun-Xing
Published: October 2023

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is an amino acid derivative, previously described in the skeletal muscle of vertebrates, that serves as an important regulator of cellular bioenergetics and has been widely used as a feed additive. Nevertheless, the effect of GAA on adipose tissue growth remains unclear. Here, we hypothesized that dietary GAA negatively affected adipose tissue development in lambs. Lambs were individually fed diets with (0.09%) or without GAA for 70 d ad libitum, and the subcutaneous adipose tissues were sampled for analysis. The results showed that dietary GAA supplementation decreased the girth rib (GR) value (p < 0.01) of lamb carcasses. Both real-time PCR and Western blot analysis suggested that dietary GAA inhibited the expression of adipogenic markers, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ, p < 0.05), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα, p < 0.01) and sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1C, p < 0.01) in subcutaneous adipose tissue. In vitro, GAA inhibited sheep stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cell proliferation, which was associated with downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA, p < 0.05), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK 4, p < 0.05) and cyclin D1 (p < 0.01). GAA suppressed adipogenesis of SVF cells. Furthermore, miRNA sequencing revealed that GAA affected the miRNA expression profile, and real-time PCR analysis confirmed that miR-133a expression in both subcutaneous adipose tissue and SVF cell was downregulated by GAA. Meanwhile, miR-133a promoted adipogenic differentiation of SVF cells by targeting Sirt1. miR-133a mimics alleviated the inhibitory effect of GAA on SVF cells’ adipogenic differentiation. In summary, GAA attenuated adipogenesis of sheep SVF cells, which might occur through miR-133a-modulated Sirt1 expression.
Recombinant Expression in Bacillus megaterium and Biochemical Characterization of Exo-Mannered Glycosyl Hydrolase Family 43 α-L-Arabinofuranosidase from the Korean Black Goat Rumen Metagenome
Authors: Toushik Sazzad Hossen , Ashrafudoulla Md.
Published: October 2023

There is no doubt that ruminants have the capability to digest lignocellulosic compounds and to utilize them as an absorbable form of energy by tapping into enzymes produced by the microbial population in their rumens. Among the rumens of various ruminants, this study focused on Korean goat rumens because of their unique digestibility of lignocellulosic biomasses. Therefore, a novel Gene12 gene was screened and unmasked from the constructed rumen metagenomic library of a Korean black goat and expressed in a Bacillus megaterium system. The recombinant protein was distinguished as a novel α-L-arabinofuranosidase enzyme from glycosyl hydrolase family 43 (GH43) for its capability to hydrolyze the non-reducing end of α-1,5-L-arabinofuranose linkages in α-L-arabinofuranosyl groups. The enzyme can also break apart α-L-arabinofuranosidic linkages and act synergistically with other hemicellulolytic enzymes to release α-1,2- and α-1,3-L-arabinofuranosyl groups from L-arabinose-comprising polysaccharides. In silico, phylogenetic, and computational analyses proclaimed that the Gene12 gene encodes a novel carbohydrate-active enzyme possessing a V-shaped indentation of the GH43 catalytic and functional domain (carbohydrate-binding module 6). The recombinant Gene12 protein has shared 81% sequence homology with other members of the GH43 family. Enzymic synopses (optimal pH, temperatures, and stability studies) of the recombinant Gene12 enzyme and its substrate specificity (synthetic and natural substrates) profiling were considered. The recombinant Gene12 α-L-arabinofuranosidase works best at pH 6.0 and 40 °C, and it is stable at pH 4.0 to 7.0 at temperatures of 20 to 50 °C. Additionally, 5-blended β-sheets were identified through a tertiary (3D) structure analysis along with the high substrate specificity against p-nitrophenyl-D-arabinofuranoside (pNPA). The highest substrate specificity of pNPA for Gene12 α-L-arabinofuranosidase indicated its confirmation as an exo-type arabinofuronidase. The results thus propose using the Gene12 protein as an exo-mannered GH43 α-L-arabinofuranosidase (EC 3.2.1.55) enzyme.
Development of a Multifunctional Oral Dosage Form via Integration of Solid Dispersion Technology with a Black Seed Oil-Based Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System
Authors: Sherif Abdelrahman Y. , Shahba Ahmad Abdul-Wahhab
Published: October 2023

Lansoprazole (LZP) is used to treat acid-related gastrointestinal disorders; however, its low aqueous solubility limits its oral absorption. Black seed oil (BSO) has gastroprotective effects, making it a promising addition to gastric treatment regimens. The present study aims to develop a stable multifunctional formulation integrating solid dispersion (SD) technology with a bioactive self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) based on BSO to synergistically enhance LZP delivery and therapeutic effects. The LZP-loaded SNEDDS was prepared using BSO, Transcutol P, and Kolliphor EL. SDs were produced by microwave irradiation and lyophilization using different polymers. The formulations were characterized by particle apparent hydrodynamic radius analysis, zeta potential, SEM, DSC, PXRD, and in vitro dissolution testing. Their chemical and physical stability under accelerated conditions was also examined. Physicochemical characterization revealed that the dispersed systems were in the nanosize range (<500 nm). DSC and PXRD studies revealed that lyophilization more potently disrupted LZP crystallinity versus microwave heating. The SNEDDS effectively solubilized LZP but degraded completely within 1 day. Lyophilized SDs with Pluronic F-127 demonstrated the highest LZP dissolution efficiency (3.5-fold vs. drug) and maintained chemical stability (>97%) for 1 month. SDs combined with the SNEDDS had variable effects suggesting that the synergistic benefits were dependent on the formulation and preparation method. Lyophilized LZP-Pluronic F127 SD enabled effective and stable LZP delivery alongside the bioactive effects of the BSO-based SNEDDS. This multifunctional system is a promising candidate with the potential for optimized gastrointestinal delivery of LZP and bioactive components.
Ablative and Immunostimulatory Effects of Histotripsy Ablation in a Murine Osteosarcoma Model
Authors: Hay Alayna N. , Imran Khan Mohammad , Hendricks-Wenger Alissa , Gannon Jessica M. , Sereno Jacqueline , Simon Alex , Lopez Victor A. , Coutermarsh-Ott Sheryl , Vlaisavljevich Eli , Allen Irving C. , Tuohy Joanne L.
Published: October 2023

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequently occurring malignant bone tumor in humans, primarily affecting children and adolescents. Significant advancements in treatment options for OS have not occurred in the last several decades, and the prognosis remains grim with only a 70% rate of 5-year survival. The objective of this study was to investigate the focused ultrasound technique of histotripsy as a novel, noninvasive treatment option for OS. Methods: We utilized a heterotopic OS murine model to establish the feasibility of ablating OS tumors with histotripsy in a preclinical setting. We investigated the local immune response within the tumor microenvironment (TME) via immune cell phenotyping and gene expression analysis. Findings: We established the feasibility of ablating heterotopic OS tumors with ablation characterized microscopically by loss of cellular architecture in targeted regions of tumors. We observed greater populations of macrophages and dendritic cells within treated tumors and the upregulation of immune activating genes 72 h after histotripsy ablation. Interpretation: This study was the first to investigate histotripsy ablation for OS in a preclinical murine model, with results suggesting local immunomodulation within the TME. Our results support the continued investigation of histotripsy as a novel noninvasive treatment option for OS patients to improve clinical outcomes and patient prognosis.
Investigating Behavioral and Neuronal Changes in Adolescent Mice Following Prenatal Exposure to Electronic Cigarette (E-Cigarette) Vapor Containing Nicotine
Authors: AlHarthi Alaa , Alasmari Fawaz , AlSharari Shakir D. , Alrasheed Nouf M. , Alshammari Musaad A. , Alshammari Tahani K.
Published: October 2023

A substantial percentage of pregnant smokers stop using traditional cigarettes and switch to alternative nicotine-related products such as e-cigarettes. Prenatal exposure to tobacco increases the risk of psychiatric disorders in children. Adolescence is a complex phase in which higher cognitive and emotional processes undergo maturation and refinement. In this study, we examined the behavioral and molecular effects of first-trimester prenatal exposure to e-cigarettes. Adult female mice were divided into normal air, vehicle, and 2.5%-nicotine-exposed groups. Our analyses indicated that the adolescents in the 2.5%-nicotine-exposed group exhibited a significant lack of normal digging behavior, elevated initial sucrose intake, and reduced recognition memory. Importantly, we identified a substantial level of nicotine self-administration in the 2.5%-nicotine-exposed group. At a molecular level, the mRNAs of metabotropic glutamate receptors and transporters in the nucleus accumbens were not altered. This previously undescribed work indicates that prenatal exposure to e-cigarettes might increase the risk of nicotine addiction during adolescence, reduce cognitive capacity, and alter normal adolescent behavior. The outcome will aid in translating research and assist healthcare practitioners in tackling addiction and mental issues caused by toxicological exposure. Further, it will inform relevant policymaking, such as recommended taxation, labeling e-cigarette devices with more detailed neurotoxic effects, and preventing their sale to pregnant women and adolescents.
The Role of the Multiparametric MRI LiverMultiScanTM in the Quantitative Assessment of the Liver and Its Predicted Clinical Applications in Patients Undergoing Major Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastasis
Authors: Chouari Tarak , Merali Nabeel , La Costa Francesca , Santol Jonas , Chapman Shelley , Horton Alex , Aroori Somaiah , Connell John , Rockall Timothy A. , Mole Damian , Starlinger Patrick , Welsh Fenella , Rees Myrddin , Frampton Adam E.
Published: October 2023

Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for the histological assessment of the liver. With clear disadvantages and the rise in the incidences of liver disease, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and an explosion of surgical management options available, non-invasive serological and imaging markers of liver histopathology have never been more pertinent in order to assess liver health and stratify patients considered for surgical intervention. Liver MRI is a leading modality in the assessment of hepatic malignancy. Recent technological advancements in multiparametric MRI software such as the LiverMultiScanTM offers an attractive non-invasive assay of anatomy and histopathology in the pre-operative setting, especially in the context of CRLM. This narrative review examines the evidence for the LiverMultiScanTM in the assessment of hepatic fibrosis, steatosis/steatohepatitis, and potential applications for chemotherapy-associated hepatic changes. We postulate its future role and the hurdles it must surpass in order to be implemented in the pre-operative management of patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis. Such a role likely extends to other hepatic malignancies planned for resection.
Effectiveness of Physical-Literacy-Based Online Education on Indices of Physical Fitness in High-School Adolescents: Intervention Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period
Authors: Gilic Barbara , Sunda Mirela , Versic Sime , Modric Toni , Olujic Dragana , Sekulic Damir
Published: October 2023

There is a global consensus that physical literacy (PL) is an important determinant of physical fitness (PF), but studies have rarely examined the effects of PL-based interventions on PF. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of specific online video-based PL intervention on PF indices in high-school students from Croatia. Participants were 423 high-school adolescents (295 girls, 128 boys; 14-to-18 years of age), divided into an intervention group (n = 230) and a control group (n = 193). The intervention lasted 12 weeks. Educational video materials were disseminated to the intervention group by the closed social network during the pandemic period. Variables included height, mass, BMI, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and power, strength, and flexibility indices. Pre- to post-testing design was applied, with two-way analysis of variance for repeated measurement (Time × Group). Applied intervention induced positive effects in CRF (the intervention group improved their capacities, while no changes occurred in the control group) and BMI (the intervention group retained their BMI levels at the pre-testing level, while BMI of the control group slightly increased over the course of the study), with better effectiveness in girls than in boys. No effects were evidenced for other variables. The positive effects of applied educational intervention on BMI and CRF are encouraging knowing that both indices are related to health status.
On the Efficacy of a CBT-I-Based Online Program for Sleep Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Eigl Esther-Sevil , Hauser Theresa , Topalidis Pavlos I. , Schabus Manuel
Published: October 2023

There is an urgent need for easily accessible treatment options for sleep problems to reduce the current treatment gap in receiving cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Using a randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the efficacy of a CBT-I-based online program on sleep. Fifty-three volunteers (21–71 years; MAge = 44.6 ± 12.5; 27 female) suffering from impaired sleep were randomly allocated either to the experimental group (EG, n = 27) or to an active control group (CG, n = 26). The EG participated in a 6-week CBT-I-based online program, while the CG received psychoeducation and sleep hygiene instructions. Sleep was assessed both objectively via ambulatory polysomnography (PSG) as well as subjectively via questionnaires at three time points (baseline, pre- and post-intervention). A one-month follow-up assessment was performed using questionnaires. The EG showed small but reliable improvements from pre- to post-intervention in PSG-derived wake after sleep onset (from 58.6 min to 42.5 min; p < 0.05) and sleep efficiency (from 86.0% to 89.2%; p < 0.05). Furthermore, subjective sleep quality (assessed via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) improved significantly during intervention (p = 0.011) and follow-up (p = 0.015) in the EG alone. The Insomnia Severity Index decreased from pre- to post-intervention in both groups (EG: p = 0.003, CG: p = 0.008), while it further improved during follow-up (p = 0.035) in the EG alone. We show that a CBT-I-based online program can improve sleep not only subjectively but also objectively and can be a viable alternative when face-to-face interventions are not available.
A Multi-Constraint Guidance and Maneuvering Penetration Strategy via Meta Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Zhao Sibo , Zhu Jianwen , Bao Weimin , Li Xiaoping , Sun Haifeng
Published: October 2023

In response to the issue of UAV escape guidance, this study proposed a unified intelligent control strategy synthesizing optimal guidance and meta deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Optimal control with minor energy consumption was introduced to meet terminal latitude, longitude, and altitude. Maneuvering escape was realized by adding longitudinal and lateral maneuver overloads. The Maneuver command decision model is calculated based on soft-actor–critic (SAC) networks. Meta-learning was introduced to enhance the autonomous escape capability, which improves the performance of applications in time-varying scenarios not encountered in the training process. In order to obtain training samples at a faster speed, this study used the prediction method to solve reward values, avoiding a large number of numerical integrations. The simulation results demonstrated that the proposed intelligent strategy can achieve highly precise guidance and effective escape.
The Potential of Platanus orientalis L. Bark for High-Grade Resource Utilization
Authors: Li Hanyin , Zou Yunming , Liang Jingyi , Zhao Zijie , Zhou Na , Gao Yan , Yan Ruohan , Zhou Qiongqiong , Li Cheng
Published: October 2023

Forest wood biomass can be used as a renewable resource for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. In this study, the methanol, methanol/ethanol, and ethanol/benzene solvent extracts of Platanus orientalis L. bark were analyzed using FTIR, IH NMR, 13C NMR, 2D-HSQC NMR, GC-MS, and TOF-LC-MS. The results revealed that the bark of Planus orientalis contained a wide variety of chemical compounds, such as 30-triacontanol, 1-Hexanol, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, 2-ethyl-, γ-Sitosterol, and 3,4,5-tri methoxy-Phenol. In addition, the fast pyrolysis of P. orientalis L. bark (POL-B) with nano-catalysts (Co3O4, Fe2O3, and Co3O4/Fe2O3) was investigated using pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with an FTIR spectrophotometer (TG-FTIR). The TG results revealed that the nano-catalysts significantly affected the pyrolysis of P. orientalis bark. The nano-Fe2O3 catalyst was shown to increase acid and ketone compound production during the catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose. According to the Py-GC-MS results, the pyrolytic products contained several value-added chemicals and high-quality bio-oil. The nano-catalysts promoted the production of aromatics, phenols, ketones, olefins, furans and alkane compounds. These natural-product active molecules and bio-oil, as high-grade raw materials, could be used in many industrial and agricultural fields for the production of wetting agents, stabilizers, plasticizers and resins. In addition, a number of active molecules could be used as drugs and biomedical active ingredients for anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory purposes.
Environmental Factors Affecting Volume Growth of Yellow Poplar Plantations in South Korea
Authors: Jang Kyunghwan , Lee Il Hwan , Oh Changyoung , Byeon Siyeon , Cheong Eun Ju
Published: October 2023

South Korean forests need hardwood tree species that can produce timber, as global warming progresses and the habitats of conifers dwindle. For the past 30 years, exotic yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) has been planted to replace some of the pine-dominated forests, as there is a lack of native hardwood tree species that produce large and good quality timber. However, yellow poplar growth has varied among planting sites across the country. We studied how environmental factors affect the growth of 49 stands of yellow poplar trees, with 945 dominant trees across 129 plots. To identify the optimal conditions for yellow poplar growth, we assessed 28 environmental variables, including geographic, climatic, topographic, and soil properties, for their correlation with volume growth. We estimated the optimal conditions for yellow poplar growth by averaging the values of the variables for the top five performing stands. To calculate the relative distance of any stand from the optimal conditions, we divided the difference between the stand’s values for the environmental variables and the optimal conditions by the standard deviation of those variables. We then calculated Spearman rank correlation coefficients between these distances and volume growth rankings. Wind exposure (WE), growing season temperature (GT), Latitude (LN), soil phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) content, low extreme temperature during January and February (LT), and spring humidity (SH) were the most important environmental factors governing growing sites for yellow poplar in Korea, with WE being the most critical. Some variables showed synergistic effects and correlated slightly more strongly with volume growth when combined with the WE variable. Our study provides crucial insights for optimizing plantation management and site selection in non-native ranges, enhancing overall success in establishing yellow poplar plantations in South Korea.
RepVGG-YOLOv7: A Modified YOLOv7 for Fire Smoke Detection
Authors: Chen Xin , Xue Yipeng , Hou Qingshan , Fu Yan , Zhu Yaolin
Published: October 2023

To further improve the detection of smoke and small target smoke in complex backgrounds, a novel smoke detection model called RepVGG-YOLOv7 is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the ECA attention mechanism and SIoU loss function are applied to the YOLOv7 network. The network effectively extracts the feature information of small targets and targets in complex backgrounds. Also, it makes the convergence of the loss function more stable and improves the regression accuracy. Secondly, RepVGG is added to the YOLOv7 backbone network to enhance the ability of the model to extract features in the training phase, while achieving lossless compression of the model in the inference phase. Finally, an improved non-maximal suppression algorithm is used to improve the detection in the case of dense smoke. Numerical experiments show that the detection accuracy of the proposed algorithm can reach about 95.1%, which contributes to smoke detection in complex backgrounds and small target smoke.
FDS-Based Study of the Fire Performance of Huizhou Fire Seal Walls in Traditional Residential Buildings in Southern China
Authors: Wu Yunfa , Hua Bin , Chen Sarula , Yang Jimo
Published: October 2023

In the history of human civilization, traditional villages and buildings have been significantly threatened by fire. As an essential part of Huizhou traditional architecture, fire seal walls play a crucial role in preserving Huizhou architecture by effectively blocking the spread of fire. However, with economic and social development, the Huizhou fire seal wall’s original fire prevention function has been unable to meet the needs of modern fire protection. This study aims to explore the fire performance of different types of Huizhou fire seal walls to provide a reference guide for future fire protection, optimization, and transformation of traditional buildings. In this paper, 3D models of traditional buildings with fire seal walls were built with FDS, and the performance of the different kinds of fire seal walls was simulated under the influence of wind speeds, building spacing, and the height of the vertical ridge of the fire seal wall. The results showed that, under the same conditions, a fire seal wall with a single eave is superior to fire seal walls with quintuple eaves in terms of performance, and fire seal walls with quintuple eaves are superior to fire seal walls with triple eaves in the middle and late stages of a fire. In addition, wind speeds, building spacing, and the height of the vertical ridge have different effects on the fire performance of seal walls. Lower wind speeds can reduce the fire performance of fire seal walls, and no wind and higher wind speeds have no significant effect on the fire performance of fire seal walls, while increasing the height of the vertical ridge and fire spacings appropriately can improve the fire performance of fire seal walls. This study provides a reference guide for future fire protection, optimization, and transformation of Huizhou fire seal walls, which can help improve the fire safety of traditional buildings.
Behavior Recognition of Squid Jigger Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Song Yifan , Zhang Shengmao , Tang Fenghua , Shi Yongchuang , Wu Yumei , He Jianwen , Chen Yunyun , Li Lin
Published: October 2023

In recent years, with the development of pelagic fishing, the working environment and monitoring of crew (squid jigger) members have become increasingly important. However, traditional methods of pelagic human observers suffer from high costs, low coverage, poor timeliness, and susceptibility to subjective factors. In contrast, the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) has advantages such as continuous operation under various weather conditions; more objective, transparent, and efficient data; and less interference with fishing operations. This paper shows how the 3DCNN model, LSTM+ResNet model, and TimeSformer model are applied to video-classification tasks, and for the first time, they are applied to an EMS. In addition, this paper tests and compares the application effects of the three models on video classification, and discusses the advantages and challenges of using them for video recognition. Through experiments, we obtained the accuracy and relevant indicators of video recognition using different models. The research results show that when NUM_FRAMES is set to 8, the LSTM+ResNet-50 model has the best performance, with an accuracy of 88.47%, an F1 score of 0.8881, and an map score of 0.8133. Analyzing the EMS for pelagic fishing can improve China’s performance level and management efficiency in pelagic fishing, and promote the development of the fishery knowledge service system and smart fishery engineering.
Taxonomic Diversity of Fish Species in the Lower Reaches of the Yellow River
Authors: Sun Lufeng , Li Xiuqi , Dong Guancang , Cong Xuri
Published: October 2023

In order to study the community of fishery resources, five sampling sections were set up in the lower Yellow River from 2019 to 2022 to investigate the diversity of fishery resources. A total of 54 fish species were identified in the survey, belonging to 9 orders, 19 families, and 48 genera. The number of species reached its highest level since the Integrated Water Regulation of the Lower Yellow River in 1999. The original rare and endangered fish species in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, such as Coilia nasus, Rhinogobio nasutus, and Pseudobagrus ussuriensis, have reappeared in the lower reaches. The population and abundance of main economic fish and common small-sized fish in the lower reaches of the Yellow River have increased. These signs all indicate that, and the fishery resources are recovering slowly in the lower Yellow River. By comparing the fish resources of various investigation sections, it was found that there are differences in fish diversity: the closer to the estuarine waters, the higher the variety of fish in the Yellow River at the upper level of the taxonomic category. However, that section of the lower Yellow River where species evenness, species diversity, and community structure of fishery resources were most stable was the confluence of Dongping Lake into the Yellow River, which has the most significant number of fish species, the smallest Λ+ value, and the most extensive G-F index. The above results indicate that Dongping Lake, as the only lake connected to the lower reaches of the Yellow River, plays an essential role in replenishing fish resources in the lower reaches of the Yellow River.
Impact of Processing and Preservation Methods and Storage on Total Phenolics, Flavonoids, and Antioxidant Activities of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)
Authors: Al-Dabbas Maher M. , Moumneh Majd , Hamad Hani J. , Abughoush Mahmoud , Abuawad Balkees , Al-Nawasrah Bha’a Aldin , Al-Jaloudi Rawan , Iqbal Sehar
Published: October 2023

Very few studies have thus far evaluated the impact of various processing and preservation techniques (blanching, frying, freezing, dehydration, and sun drying) on the levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities of okra. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different processing and preservation methods on the levels of phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities of okra. The ethanolic extracts of each sample were analyzed before and after preservation and storage for a period of three months. The results showed a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in total phenolic content (134.1 mg GAE/100g) and DPPH (1-1-diphenyl1-2-pricrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity (IC50 value of 3.0 mg/mL) in blanched okra when compared to fresh okra (86.35 mg GAE/100g and IC50 value of 3.8 mg/mL, respectively). Fresh okra exhibited the highest flavonoid content (105.75 mg QE/100g), while sun-dried okra samples stored for three months exhibited a decrease in total phenolic content (14.45 mg GAE/100g), total flavonoid contents (13.25 mg QE/100g), reducing power activity (23.30%), and DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 value of 134.8 mg/mL). The DPPH inhibition activities of all okra treatments showed a significant and positive correlation with the okra phenolic and flavonoid content (r = 0.702 and 0.67, respectively). The reducing power activity (%) of okra treatments exhibited a strong correlation (r) with phenolic contents (r = 0.966), and the correlation with flavonoid contents was 0.459. Generally, different processing and preservation methods of okra revealed that the impact on total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activities, was slightly significant among samples preserved using the same method during storage. In addition, blanched and frozen okra resulted in the highest retention of phenolic contents and antioxidant activities.
New Fractional Integral Inequalities via k-Atangana–Baleanu Fractional Integral Operators
Authors: Kermausuor Seth , Nwaeze Eze R.
Published: October 2023

We propose the definitions of some fractional integral operators called k-Atangana–Baleanu fractional integral operators. These newly proposed operators are generalizations of the well-known Atangana–Baleanu fractional integral operators. As an application, we establish a generalization of the Hermite–Hadamard inequality. Additionally, we establish some new identities involving these new integral operators and obtained new fractional integral inequalities of the midpoint and trapezoidal type for functions whose derivatives are bounded or convex.
Continuous Dependence on the Initial Functions and Stability Properties in Hyers–Ulam–Rassias Sense for Neutral Fractional Systems with Distributed Delays
Authors: Kiskinov Hristo , Milev Mariyan , Veselinova Magdalena , Zahariev Andrey
Published: October 2023

We study several stability properties on a finite or infinite interval of inhomogeneous linear neutral fractional systems with distributed delays and Caputo-type derivatives. First, a continuous dependence of the solutions of the corresponding initial problem on the initial functions is established. Then, with the obtained result, we apply our approach based on the integral representation of the solutions instead on some fixed-point theorems and derive sufficient conditions for Hyers–Ulam and Hyers–Ulam–Rassias stability of the investigated systems. A number of connections between each of the Hyers–Ulam, Hyers–Ulam–Rassias, and finite-time Lyapunov stability and the continuous dependence of the solutions on the initial functions are established. Some results for stability of the corresponding nonlinear perturbed homogeneous fractional linear neutral systems are obtained, too.