bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethylene: Management and breeding for postharvest quality in vegetable crops. A review
Authors: Cocetta Giacomo , Natalini Alessandro
Published: November 2022

Ethylene is a two-carbon gaseous plant growth regulator that involved in several important physiological events, including growth, development, ripening and senescence of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental crops. The hormone accelerates ripening of ethylene sensitive fruits, leafy greens and vegetables at micromolar concentrations, and its accumulation can led to fruit decay and waste during the postharvest stage. Several strategies of crops management and techniques of plant breeding have been attempted in the last decades to understand ethylene regulation pathways and ethylene-dependent biochemical and physiological processes, with the final aim to extend the produce shelf-life and improve the postharvest quality of fruits and vegetables. These investigation approaches involve the use of conventional and new breeding techniques, including precise genome-editing. This review paper aims to provide a relevant overview on the state of the art related to the use of modern breeding techniques focused on ethylene and ethylene-related metabolism, as well as on the possible postharvest technological applications for the postharvest management of ethylene-sensitive crops. An updated view and perspective on the implications of new breeding and management strategies to maintain the quality and the marketability of different crops during postharvest are given, with particular focus on: postharvest physiology (ethylene dependent) for mature and immature fruits and vegetables; postharvest quality management of vegetables: fresh and fresh cut products, focusing on the most important ethylene-dependent biochemical pathways; evolution of breeding technologies for facing old and new challenges in postharvest quality of vegetable crops: from conventional breeding and marker assisted selection to new breeding technologies focusing on transgenesis and gene editing. Examples of applied breeding techniques for model plants (tomato, zucchini and brocccoli) are given to elucidate ethylene metabolism, as well as beneficial and detrimental ethylene effects.
The reasons for its effectiveness, however, remain in dispute—A tribute to Irving Kirsch
Authors: Gaab Jens
Published: November 2022

Irving Kirsch’s work spans over four decades and provided science and clinical practice with as much invaluable insights in the inner workings of treatments as it provided us and patients with their rights and our duties. Here, two early publications of Irving Kirsch on the topic of psychotherapy and its relation to placebo are revised and put into both a historical and contemporary context to pay tribute to the work of Irving Kirsch.
The relationship between pre-service kindergarten teachers’ professional identification and career adaptability: A chain mediation model
Authors: Qiao Tianqi , Song Zhanmei , Huang Jie , Yan Jingfeng , Zhang Xueying , Wang Yixuan , Liu Cong , Wang Yang
Published: November 2022

Background

The healthy development of preschool education requires the support of stable and high-quality preschool teachers. However, there are still many deficiencies in preschool teachers in China at present. For pre-service kindergarten teachers, it is very significant to improve their career adaptability and enter professional positions smoothly. Numerous studies have found the effect of professional identification on the career adaptability of pre-service kindergarten teachers, but few studies have explored the potential influencing mechanisms among variables. On the basis of previous studies, this study explores the chain mediating effect of teacher efficacy and self-leadership on the relationship between professional identification and career adaptability of pre-service kindergarten teachers.

Methods

Three hundred eighty-eight participants were recruited from two schools in Zhejiang Province. After screening, 377 questionnaires for pre-service kindergarten teachers were used for data analysis. The questionnaire included self-reported demographic information, professional identification, teacher efficacy, self-leadership, and career adaptability. We collected information on variables by using PISNS, TSE, RSLQ, and CFI, and analyzed the data using SPSS.

Results

(1) Professional identification and career adaptability have a significant positive correlation. (2) The influence of occupational identification on the career adaptability of pre-service kindergarten teachers was carried out in three different ways: professional identification → teacher efficacy → career adaptability, professional identification → self-leadership → career adaptability, and professional identification → teacher efficacy → self-leadership → career adaptability.

Conclusion

Teacher efficacy and self-leadership may mediate the relationship between professional identification and career adaptability of pre-service kindergarten teachers. This study highlighted the complexity of the link between preschool teachers’ professional identification and career adaptability. The paper also discussed the limitations and implications of this study.
The effect of employee mindfulness in the new media industry on innovative behavior: The chain mediating role of positive emotion and work engagement
Authors: Kuang Ting Yue , Hu Yue , Lu Yan
Published: November 2022

Mindfulness has long been concerned and emphasized by scholars in the field of psychology, but there is still a lack of research on mindfulness in management in China. In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 483 employees in the new media industry in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, China. After modeling and analysis, it was found that employee mindfulness has a positive influence on innovative behavior. Employee mindfulness and innovative behavior are mediated by positive emotions. Employee mindfulness and innovative behavior are mediated by work engagement. Employee mindfulness and innovative behavior are mediated by a chain of positive emotions and work engagement. Enterprise managers should improve the level of mindfulness of employees in the new media industry through mindfulness training and courses for mindfulness training, create an organizational environment that can arouse positive emotions and improve the positive emotions of employees, pay attention to arousing the enthusiasm of the staff, and promote the innovative behavior of staff while enhancing work engagement.
Impact of organization decision making styles and safety accountability on occupational health and safety implementation: The moderating role of mimetic motives
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad Aamir , Surienty Lilis , Haque Md. Mahmudul
Published: November 2022

The agriculture sector is a traditional economic pillar of many emerging economies. However, it is facing greater occupational health and safety (OHS) challenges in Pakistan, and its performance is continuously decreasing. An effective OHS implementation provides better control over OHS challenges and may help to restore its former glory. Therefore, this study aims to explore different organizational decision-making styles and safety accountability to put OHS into practice in this sector. Based on institutional theory, a theoretical framework was developed. Two hundred and eighty-seven agriculture farms in Punjab, Pakistan were surveyed and analyzed using SmartPLS 3.3.7. The findings revealed that implementation styles (rational and incremental) and safety accountability positively impact OHS implementation. Similarly, the moderating role of mimetic motives was found positively significant in the relationship between rational style and OHS implementation, and negatively significant in the relationship between incremental style and OHS implementation. While no moderating effect of mimetic motive was found between safety accountability and OHS implementation. This study suggested that OHS implementation should not be viewed as a social or technical issue alone. Strategic arrangements should be made at the organizational level to gain better control over OHS challenges by considering the institutional environment in which the organization operates.
Perception of pharmacy students toward numeracy: An observational study from King Saud University, Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alrabiah Ziyad , Arafah Azher , Rehman Muneeb U. , Syed Wajid , Babelghaith Salmeen , Alwhaibi Abdulrahman , Alghadeer Sultan , Alhossan Abdulaziz , Al Arifi Mohamed N.
Published: November 2022

Background and objective

Numeracy is the branch of mathematics involved in understanding basic calculations, quantitation, estimation, reasoning, and execution of multistep operations. It is very imperative that pharmacists understand and apply numeracy skills in their routine work in the interest of their profession and patient care. This observational study was designed to assess the pharmacy student's perceptions of numeracy.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted by the Department of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between December 2021 and February 2022. All the enrolled subjects pursued a 5-year Pharma degree course at the university using a 9-item instrument, which accessed the perception of students toward numeracy. The data were analyzed using the statistical software statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 26.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used to derive an association between various parameters of the study subjects. A P-value of < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

Results

A total of 550 pharmacy students were approached in this study, out of which 21 (3.8%) students were excluded due to incompleteness of the responses; thereupon, 529 students were included in the study. We learned that almost 90.0% of students had excellent and/or good mathematical ability, but at the same time, they were frequent users of calculators. Most of the students endorsed the importance of numeracy and showed their interest in attaining more knowledge of numeracy. Similarly rating the perceptions of mathematical ability is significantly associated with the frequency of use of a calculator for calculations (p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

Pharmacy students showed interest in numeracy and correspondingly showed excellent perceptions toward mathematical ability. Although the role of numeracy has been well accepted, inciting changes in teaching-learning practices through mathematically focused teaching approaches throughout the pharmacy program will increase its applicability in healthcare.
Global health-based virtual exchange to improve intercultural competency in students: Long-lasting impacts and areas for improvement
Authors: Case Stuart J. , Collins Sarah L. , Wood Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

As public health expands its role in global settings, the need to develop intercultural competency for public health students also grows. One initiative being applied to promote global awareness is the use of virtual exchange (VE) programs. VE programs promote collaborative online international learning (COIL) and allow students from different countries to connect and work together on projects related to their field of study; however, there is little research around the long-term impacts of these programs.

Methods

Undergraduate pre-health students from the United States who participated in a VE program a year prior were interviewed about their experiences engaging with undergraduate medical students in Egypt. They were asked if the experience impacted their current behaviors, skills, or knowledge, and what improvements could be made to the program. Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) served as the theoretical framework, grounding interview instrument development and directed content analysis procedures. Researchers also engaged in inductive analysis to capture other salient themes.

Results

Ten students were interviewed with a majority engaging in either of the two final stages of Mezirow's TLT: “building of self-confidence and self-competence” (60%) and “reintegration” (50%). Other salient themes found were intercultural interactions, VE appreciation, and VE improvements. When describing their experience in one word, students overwhelmingly provided words with positive connotations (80%), with the negative responses being explained by the structure and presentation of the VE.

Discussion

Students were able to apply lessons they learned during the VE within a 1-year follow-up period. This is beneficial, as health professionals require intercultural competency to promote and provide improved health outcomes. Results from this study indicate the need for structure when conducting a VE, addressing the need to increase the number of direct interactions and thereby promoting more intercultural exchanges. Likewise, the interviews demonstrated that changes in course instruction need to be implemented gradually to allow for students to adjust to unfamiliar teaching methods.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria by metagenomic next-generation sequencing: Three cases reports and literature review
Authors: Liu Ying , Ma Xiaoxu , Chen Jiajun , Wang Huifen , Yu Zujiang
Published: November 2022

Background

The increasing worldwide incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD) and the similarity of its manifestations to those of tuberculosis (TB) pose huge challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of NTM-LD, which is commonly misdiagnosed and mistreated as TB. Proper diagnosis and treatment at an early stage can greatly improve patient outcomes.

Case presentation

Mycobacterium avium was identified by mNGS in lung tissue of case 1 and bronchioalveolar fluid from case 2 that was not identified using conventional microbiological methods. Multiple NTM species were detected in the blood mNGS samples from case 3 who had disseminated NTM infection. Although NTM was isolated from blood culture, conventional methods failed to identify the organisms to the level of species. All three patients were suffering from and being treated for myelodysplastic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or acute lymphoblastic leukemia, making them immunosuppressed and susceptible to NTM infections. Case 1 and Case 2 significantly improved after anti-NTM treatment, but case 3 succumbed to the infection due to her underlying medical illness despite aggressive treatment.

Conclusions

The cases in this study demonstrate the effectiveness of mNGS in facilitating and improving the clinical diagnosis of NTM infections. We propose combining mNGS with traditional diagnostic methods to identify pathogens at the early stages of the disease so that targeted treatment can be implemented.
Active learning for data efficient semantic segmentation of canine bones in radiographs
Authors: Moreira da Silva D. E. , Gonçalves Lio , Franco-Gonçalo Pedro , Colaço Bruno , Alves-Pimenta Sofia , Ginja Mário , Ferreira Manuel , Filipe Vitor
Published: November 2022

X-ray bone semantic segmentation is one crucial task in medical imaging. Due to deep learning's emergence, it was possible to build high-precision models. However, these models require a large quantity of annotated data. Furthermore, semantic segmentation requires pixel-wise labeling, thus being a highly time-consuming task. In the case of hip joints, there is still a need for increased anatomic knowledge due to the intrinsic nature of the femur and acetabulum. Active learning aims to maximize the model's performance with the least possible amount of data. In this work, we propose and compare the use of different queries, including uncertainty and diversity-based queries. Our results show that the proposed methods permit state-of-the-art performance using only 81.02% of the data, with O(1) time complexity.
The Weird and Wonderful World of Worms
Authors: Gadeken Kara J. , Kiskaddon Erin , Moore Jenna M. , Dorgan Kelly M.
Published: November 2022

Animals with long, skinny bodies are often called “worms,” but there are many kinds of worms—even in the ocean. Annelids (segmented worms) include garden earthworms, but their ocean relatives come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Some are so small that they live between grains of sand, while others can be longer than a human and eat fish! Marine worms are essential to the ocean food web, as both predators and prey. They help create homes for plants and animals by burrowing and building tubes in ocean sediments. Scientists are still discovering new worm species, and there are still many mysteries about how worms eat, why they live in the places they do, and what roles they play in ocean ecosystems. Worms are a fascinating and important part of ocean communities.
The “SPectrogram Analysis and Cataloguing Environment” (SPACE) labelling tool
Authors: Louis Corentin , Jackman Caitriona , Mangham Sam , Smith Kevin , O’Dwyer Elizabeth , Empey Aaron , Cecconi Baptiste , Boudouma Adam , Zarka Philippe , Maloney Shane
Published: November 2022

The SPectrogram Analysis and Cataloguing Environment (SPACE) tool is an interactive python tool designed to label radio emission features of interest in a time-frequency map (called “dynamic spectrum”). The program uses Matplotlib’s Polygon Selector widget to allow a user to select and edit an undefined number of vertices on top of the dynamic spectrum before closing the shape (polygon). Multiple polygons may be drawn on any spectrum, and the feature name along with the coordinates for each polygon vertex are saved into a “.json” file as per the “Time-Frequency Catalogue” (TFCat) format along with other data such as the feature id, observer name, and data units. This paper describes the first official stable release (version 2.0) of the tool.
Theoretical spectra and energetics for c-C3HC2H, l-C5H2, and bipyramidal D3h C5H2
Authors: Watrous Alexandria G. , Westbrook Brent R. , Fortenberry Ryan C.
Published: November 2022

The recent astronomical detection of c-C3HC2H and l-C5H2 has led to increased interest in C5H2 isomers and their relative stability. The present work provides the first complete list of anharmonic vibrational spectral data with infrared intensities for three such isomers as well as including the first set of rotational data for the bipyramidal C5H2 isomer allowing for these molecules to serve as potential tracers of interstellar carbon. All three isomers have fundamental vibrational frequencies with at least one notably intense fundamental frequency. The l-C5H2 isomer has, by far, the highest intensities out of the three isomers at 2076.3 cm−1 (738 km mol−1) and 1887.5 cm−1 (182 km mol −1). The c-C3HC2H isomer has one intense peak at 3460.6 cm−1 (84 km mol−1), and the bipyramidal C5H2 isomer has one intense peak at 489.3 cm−1 (78 km mol−1). The relative intensities highlight that while l-C5H2 is not the lowest energy isomer, its notable intensities should make it more detectable in the infrared than the lower energy c-C3HC2H form. The bipyramidal isomer is firmly established here to lie 44.98 kcal mol−1 above the cyclic form. The explicitly correlated coupled cluster rovibrational spectral data presented herein should assist with future laboratory studies of these C5H2 isomers and aid in detection in astronomical environments especially through the newly operational James Webb Space Telescope.
Negative effects of heat stress on ovarian tissue in female rabbit
Authors: Tang Lipeng , Bai Xue , Xie Xiaohong , Chen Guanhe , Jia Xianbo , Lei Ming , Li Congyan , Lai Songjia
Published: November 2022

Numerous studies have highlighted the role of miRNA in the deformation and necrosis of cells of ovarian tissue caused by heat stress (HS), which ultimately affects ovarian function. Although the role of small RNAs has been investigated in alterations in ovarian tissue functioning in response to HS, the expression profile of ovarian miRNA has been explored to a lesser extent. In this study, female rabbits were subject to HS treatment by using electrical heater. The current work demonstrated that HS could significantly change physiological performance of female rabbits including body weight, rectal temperature and relative ovary weight, and significantly reduce serumIL-2, IL-8, CAT, andGSH-Pxconcentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. As a result, an increase in apoptosis in ovarian cells, as well as unhealthy follicles, were observed by Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and TUNEL staining. Additionally, small RNA-seq revealed changes in the miRNA expression profile of rabbit ovaries under HS. Five hundred fourteen miRNAs were obtained including known miRNAs 442 and novel miRNAs 72. Among these miRNAs, 23 miRNAs were significantly expressed under HS. Eleven differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs) and 9 their predicted targets were confirmed by qPCR, which were expected miRNA–mRNA negative regulation pattern. Among the DE miRNAs and targets, miR-141-39 may targetCOQ6, miR-449a-5p and miR-34c-5p may controlRFC5andRTN2together, miR-449a-5p may targetACADVL, miR-34c-5p potentially targetsBcl-2and miR-196b-5p potentially regulatesCASKandHOXB6. Thus, the current work suggested the negative effects of HS on the ovarian tissue of female rabbits, and in conclusion these changes could be caused by decreased serumIL-2, IL-8, CATandGSH-Pxlevels, increased ovarian apoptosis, and changed the expression of miRNAs.
Evaluation of in vitro starch digestibility and chemical composition in pasta former foods
Authors: Vastolo Alessandro , Cutrignelli Monica I. , Serrapica Francesco , Kiatti Dieu donné , Di Francia Antonio , Masucci Felicia , Calabro Serena
Published: November 2022

Former food products include various leftovers from the food industry which, although they have lost values for human consumption, could be safely used for livestock, thus limiting environmental impact of food waste, and reducing feeding costs. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional characteristics of different types of former foods from pasta industry. Four types of dry pasta refusal (wholemeal, semolina, purple, and tricolor) and whole barley grain (control) were analyzed for chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility; the energy content was also estimated. For each product type, samples collected in three different times at a pasta plant were analyzed. All products showed higher (p < 0.001) protein contents and lower (p < 0.001) fat contents than barley. The amount of NDF varied between the samples (p < 0.001), while all samples reported high starch content (>60% DM). The energy content was higher (p < 0.05) in pasta former food compared with whole barley grain. Purple pasta showed different in vitro starch digestibility compared to the other former foods (p < 0.001). However, all products showed higher values of resistant starch, whereas barley was mainly composed by slowly digestible starch. The results indicated that dry pasta former foods could be suitable energy sources for feeding pig, but their inclusion in diets must consider the slow digestibility.
Sequence-based detection and typing procedures for Burkholderia mallei: Assessment and prospects
Authors: Brangsch Hanka , Singha Harisankar , Laroucau Karine , Elschner Mandy
Published: November 2022

Although glanders has been eradicated in most of the developed world, the disease still persists in various countries such as Brazil, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran, Bahrain, UAE and Turkey. It is one of the notifiable diseases listed by the World Organization for Animal Health. Occurrence of glanders imposes restriction on equestrian events and restricts equine movement, thus causing economic losses to equine industry. The genetic diversity and global distribution of the causing agent, Burkholderia (B.) mallei, have not been assessed in detail and are complicated by the high clonality of this organism. Among the identification and typing methods, PCR-based methods for distinguishing B. mallei from its close relative B. pseudomallei as well as genotyping using tandem repeat regions (MLVA) are established. The advent and continuous advancement of the sequencing techniques and the reconstruction of closed genomes enable the development of genome guided epidemiological tools. For achieving a higher genomic resolution, genotyping methods based on whole genome sequencing data can be employed, like genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms. One of the limitations in obtaining complete genomic sequences for further molecular characterization of B. mallei is its high GC content. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the widely used detection and typing methods for B. mallei and illustrate gaps that still require development. The genomic features of Burkholderia, their high homology and clonality will be first described from a comparative genomics perspective. Then, the commonly used molecular detection (PCR systems) and typing systems (e.g., multilocus sequence typing, variable number of tandem repeat analysis) will be presented and put in perspective with recently developed genomic methods. Also, the increasing availability of B. mallei genomic sequences and evolution of the sequencing methods offers exciting prospects for further refinement of B. mallei typing, that could overcome the difficulties presently encountered with this particular bacterium.
A Review of Research on the Vacuum Plume
Authors: Cai Guobiao , Liu Lihui , He Bijiao , Ling Guilong , Weng Huiyan , Wang Weizong
Published: November 2022

Chemical and electrical thrusters are generally utilized to control the attitude and orbit of spacecraft in aerospace. When they are firing, the exhaust expands into the vacuum environment, known as the vacuum plume. The plume flow can collide with spacecraft surfaces due to sufficient expansion, exerting adverse effects on the spacecraft, such as heating load, force/torque, contamination, and sputtering. Therefore, it is vital to investigate the vacuum plume to ensure the function and safety of the spacecraft. This review introduces the ground test and numerical simulation methods of the vacuum plume for chemical and electrical thrusters. The vacuum environment, invasive, and non-invasive (optical) measurements of the ground test are concluded. Numerical simulation of plume flow and its effects is exampled. The hybrid CFD-DSMC (computational fluid dynamics and direct simulation Monte Carlo) algorithm is employed to simulate the gas plume flow spanning continuum and transitional and free molecular flow regimes for chemical thrusters. By contrast, the PIC-DSMC (particle-in-cell plus direct simulation Monte Carlo) algorithm is used for the plasma plume flow containing charged particles exhausted by electrical thrusters. Moreover, the topics of fast prediction of the vacuum plume, plume–surface interaction, and plume–Lunar/Mars regolith interaction are proposed for future research.
Differences and Factors of Raw Milk Productivity between China and the United States
Authors: Bai Yuhang , Han Kuixing , Xiong Lichun , Li Yifei , Liao Rundong , Wang Fengting
Published: November 2022

In order to explore the differences in the productivity level and influencing factors of raw milk between China and the United States, this study uses the stochastic frontier production function and is based on the input and output of factors of raw milk in China and the United States from 2005 to 2020 to measure the impact of factor inputs on raw milk output and the output differences. The results of the study found that: the inefficiency term of raw milk production technology in China is higher than that in the United States; feed costs and fuel power costs have a significant positive role in promoting the growth of raw milk output in China and the United States; health and epidemic prevention costs, as well as maintenance costs, have significant impacts on the output value of raw milk in China, but they have no significant impact on the output value of raw milk in the United States. In terms of the contribution of each input factor, the contribution share of feed costs to the output value of raw milk in China is 52.53% and 25.74%, respectively, compared to the value of raw milk in the United States; The contribution share of technological progress to the output value of raw milk in China is 34.92%, and 53.77%, respectively, compared to U.S. raw milk production value. In order to narrow the productivity gap with the United States dairy industry, China’s dairy industry must pay attention to the moderate-scale breeding of dairy cows; develop an integrated production mode of planting and breeding; promote the development of grain to feed; accelerate the genetic improvement of dairy cattle populations; and learn from the pasture management experiences of foreign countries.
Development of a Novel Seat Suspension Based on the Cubic Stewart Parallel Mechanism and Magnetorheological Fluid Damper
Authors: Ma Teng , Li Tiejun , Jing Guoxi , Liu Hai , Bi Fengrong
Published: November 2022

To alleviate the impact and vibrations to a driver in multiple directions during the driving of non-road vehicles, the authors of this paper proposed a multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) seat damping suspension that was based on the cubic Stewart mechanism and magnetorheological fluid (MRF) damper. A kinematics analysis of the cubic Stewart mechanism was carried out. The relative motion velocity of each leg of the Stewart mechanism was calculated from the center velocity of the upper and lower platforms, according to a reverse kinematics equation. Furthermore, forward and inverse dynamic models of the MRF damper were established, which laid the foundation for semi-active control of the seat suspension. Finally, a semi-active control method for multidimensional damping based on the optimized fuzzy skyhook control method was proposed. The research results showed that using this method could simultaneously improve the vibration damping performance of a seat suspension in the vertical, horizontal, and roll directions.
Average Energy Transfer Characteristics and Control Strategy of Active Feedback Sound Insulation for Water-Filled Acoustic System Based on Double-Layer Plate Structure
Authors: Wang Likang , Huo Rui , Liu Shuqing , Li Yuanbo , He Dewen
Published: November 2022

The double-layer plate structure in passive sound insulation systems can improve the high-frequency sound insulation performance, but it is still not ideal in the low-frequency region. The actuator of the active sound insulation system can adjust the stiffness and damping in real time, with strong adaptability and adjustability. Therefore, in this paper, active actuators and feedback control strategy are applied to a double-layer plate structure to improve the low-frequency sound insulation performance of a water-filled acoustic cavity system. The theoretical model of a sound insulation system with a double-layer plate structure and active feedback control strategy is established for a water-filled acoustic cavity. The average energy transfer is used as an evaluation index for the active sound insulation effect of the system, and the calculation method of this index is derived. Then, the MATLAB numerical simulation is used to analyze the effect of six feedback control parameters on the average energy transfer of the system. Finally, it is concluded that when the feedback parameters are within the effective range, all six feedback control methods can produce significant effects on the low-frequency sound insulation of the system, but the effective range of some parameters is narrow.
Relationship between Body Composition and Performance Profile Characteristics in Female Futsal Players
Authors: Castillo Mónica , Martínez-Sanz José Miguel , Penichet-Tomás Alfonso , Sellés Sergio , González-Rodriguez Estela , Hurtado-Sánchez José Antonio , Sospedra Isabel
Published: November 2022

Futsal is classified as a high-intensity intermittent sport or repeated-sprint sport. Explosive and very fast movements are performed with short reaction time, interspersed with playing time of 3 to 6 min during the 40 min match, at intensities of 85–90% of maximum HR. Performance factors such as agility, sprint repetition capacity, aerobic endurance capacity, lower body power, and speed are associated with the game actions. These performance factors can be affected by the athlete’s body composition. The aim is to determine the relationship between the different physical and physiological performance parameters and body composition in top-level women’s futsal players. The subjects of the study were 12 elite female futsal players (25.17 ± 4.75 years old) competing in the First Division Spanish League. An anthropometric assessment was conducted by an ISAK level III anthropometrist for three days during the competitive period. The sum of 4, 6 and 8 skinfolds and body composition were calculated with anthropometric data. Performance tests were conducted to evaluate agility, ability to repeat sprints, velocity and the explosive power of lower extremities in the playing court with specific warm up and previous explication during 2 days in the same week as the anthropometric tests. The tests used for that purpose were: t-test, Yo-Yo test, repeat-sprint ability (RSA), speed test, and jump test (JS, CMJ and ABK). Pearson correlations were used to establish the different associations with a p-value < 0.05. The results showed a negative correlation between agility and the fat component, and a positive correlation between the muscle component and aerobic capacity, agility, speed, and ABK jump. Body composition plays a fundamental role in the development of performance-related skills in women’s futsal.
A Neuro-Symbolic Classifier with Optimized Satisfiability for Monitoring Security Alerts in Network Traffic
Authors: Onchis Darian , Istin Codruta , Hogea Eduard
Published: November 2022

We introduce in this paper a neuro-symbolic predictive model based on Logic Tensor Networks, capable of discriminating and at the same time of explaining the bad connections, called alerts or attacks, and the normal connections. The proposed classifier incorporates both the ability of deep neural networks to improve on their own through learning from experience and the interpretability of the results provided by the symbolic artificial intelligence approach. Compared to other existing solutions, we advance in the discovery of potential security breaches from a cognitive perspective. By introducing the reasoning in the model, our aim is to further reduce the human staff needed to deal with the cyber-threat hunting problem. To justify the need for shifting towards hybrid systems for this task, the design, the implementation, and the comparison of the dense neural network and the neuro-symbolic model is performed in detail. While in terms of standard accuracy, both models demonstrated similar precision, we further introduced for our model the concept of interactive accuracy as a way of querying the model results at any time coupled with deductive reasoning over data. By applying our model on the CIC-IDS2017 dataset, we reached an accuracy of 0.95, with levels of satisfiability around 0.85. Other advantages such as overfitting mitigation and scalability issues are also presented.
Learning Motion Constraint-Based Spatio-Temporal Networks for Infrared Dim Target Detections
Authors: Li Jie , Liu Pengxi , Huang Xiayang , Cui Wennan , Zhang Tao
Published: November 2022

Efficient infrared dim object detection has been challenged by low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Traditional methods rely on the gradient difference and fixed-parameter model. These methods fail to adapt to sophisticated and variable situations in the real world. To tackle the issue, a deep learning method based on the spatio-temporal network is proposed in this paper. The model is established by the Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory cell (Conv-LSTM) and the 3D Convolution cell (3D-Conv). It is trained to learn the motion constraint of moving targets (spatio-temporal constraint module, called STM) and to fuse the multiscale local feature between the target and background (deep spatial features module, called DFM). In addition, a variable interval search module (state-aware module, called STAM) is added to the inference. The submodule decides to conduct a global search for images only if the target is lost due to fast motion, uncertain obstruction, and frame loss. Comprehensive experiments indicate that the proposed method achieves better performance over all baseline methods. On the mid-wave infrared datasets collected by the authors, the proposed method achieves a 95.87% detection rate. The SNR of the dataset is around 1–3 dB, and the background of the sequence includes sky, asphalt road, and buildings.
The Λ-Fractional Hydrocephalus Model
Authors: Lazopoulos Anastasios K. , Karaoulanis Dimitrios , Lazopoulos Kostantinos A.
Published: November 2022

Infant hydrocephalus is a clinically abnormal clinical state with an accumulation of fluid in cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain. Hence, pressure is increased inside the skull. The ventricles widen due to the excess fluid applying pressure upon the (parenchyma) brain tissues. The infant brain tissue is described by a biomechanics model as a hyperelastic, Λ-fractional viscoelastic material, trying to describe the various conditions developing hydrocephalus. Λ-fractional continuum mechanics is applied with time variables due to viscosity and space fractional variables due to porosity. The simultaneous influence of both the viscosity and porosity of the membrane material (parenchyma) increases the cerebrospinal fluid’s pressure, causing the fluid’s accumulation in the brain.
The Dilemma of C-Rate and Cycle Life for Lithium-Ion Batteries under Low Temperature Fast Charging
Authors: Gao Zhenhai , Xie Haicheng , Yang Xianbin , Niu Wanfa , Li Shen , Chen Siyan
Published: November 2022

Electric vehicles (EVs) in severe cold regions face the real demand for fast charging under low temperatures, but low-temperature environments with high C-rate fast charging can lead to severe lithium plating of the anode material, resulting in rapid degradation of the lithium-ion battery (LIB). In this paper, by constructing an electrode–thermal model coupling solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth and lithium plating, the competition among different factors of capacity degradation under various ambient temperatures and C-rates are systematically analyzed. In addition, the most important cause of rapid degradation of LIBs under low temperatures are investigated, which reveal the change pattern of lithium plating with temperature and C-rate. The threshold value and kinetic law of lithium plating are determined, and a method of lithium-free control under high C-rate is proposed. Finally, by studying the average aging rate of LIBs, the reasons for the abnormal attenuation of cycle life at lower C-rates are ascertained. Through the chromaticity diagram of the expected life of LIBs under various conditions, the optimal fast strategy is explored, and its practical application in EVs is also discussed. This study can provide a useful reference for the development of high-performance and high-safety battery management systems to achieve fine management.
A Critical Analysis of Helical and Linear Channel Liquid Cooling Designs for Lithium-Ion Battery Packs
Authors: Lloyd Rob , Akrami Mohammad
Published: November 2022

Thermal management systems are integral to electric and hybrid vehicle battery packs for maximising safety and performance since high and irregular battery temperatures can be detrimental to these criteria. Lithium-ion batteries are the most commonly used in the electric vehicle (EV) industry because of their high energy and power density and long life cycle. Liquid cooling provides superior performance with low power draw and high heat transfer coefficient. Two liquid cooling designs-the Linear Channel Design (LCD) and Helical Channel Design (HCD)-underwent multiple numerical and geometrical optimisations, where inlet mass flow rate, channel diameter, and inlet and outlet locations were analysed using CFD (computational fluid dynamics). The primary objectives were to maintain maximum temperatures and thermal uniformity within the operational limits derived from the literature. These were both achieved with the LCD using a mass flow rate of 7.50E-05 kgs−1. The Tmax goal was met for the HCD but not the thermal uniformity goal. The LCD achieved 1.796 K lower in maximum temperature and 8.740 K lower in temperature difference compared to the HCD, proving itself superior in both metrics. The HCD required a higher mass flow rate than the LCD to regulate temperatures, resulting in an undesirably high power consumption.
Online Identification of VLRA Battery Model Parameters Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Olarte Javier , Martinez de Ilarduya Jaione , Zulueta Ekaitz , Ferret Raquel , Garcia-Ortega Joseba , Lopez-Guede Jose Manuel
Published: November 2022

This paper introduces the use of a new low-computation cost algorithm combining neural networks with the Nelder–Mead simplex method to monitor the variations of the parameters of a previously selected equivalent circuit calculated from Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) corresponding to a series of battery aging experiments. These variations could be correlated with variations in the battery state over time and, therefore, identify or predict battery degradation patterns or failure modes. The authors have benchmarked four different Electrical Equivalent Circuit (EEC) parameter identification algorithms: plain neural network mapping EIS raw data to EEC parameters, Particle Swarm Optimization, Zview, and the proposed new one. In order to improve the prediction accuracy of the neural network, a data augmentation method has been proposed to improve the neural network training error. The proposed parameter identification algorithms have been compared and validated through real data obtained from a six-month aging test experiment carried out with a set of six commercial 80 Ah VLRA batteries under different cycling and temperature operation conditions.
Improving Natural Language Person Description Search from Videos with Language Model Fine-Tuning and Approximate Nearest Neighbor
Authors: Yuenyong Sumeth , Wongpatikaseree Konlakorn
Published: November 2022

Due to the ubiquitous nature of CCTV cameras that record continuously, there is a large amount of video data that are unstructured. Often, when these recordings have to be reviewed, it is to look for a specific person that fits a certain description. Currently, this is achieved by manual inspection of the videos, which is both time-consuming and labor-intensive. While person description search is not a new topic, in this work, we made two contributions. First, we improve upon the existing state-of-the-art by proposing unsupervised finetuning on the language model that forms a main part of the text branch of person description search models. This led to higher recall values on the standard dataset. The second contribution is that we engineered a complete pipeline from video files to fast searchable objects. Due to the use of an approximate nearest neighbor search and some model optimizations, a person description search can be performed such that the result is available immediately when deployed on a standard PC with no GPU, allowing an interactive search. We demonstrated the effectiveness of the system on new data and showed that most people in the videos can be successfully discovered by the search.
3D-Printing for Critical Sized Bone Defects: Current Concepts and Future Directions
Authors: Mayfield Cory K. , Ayad Mina , Lechtholz-Zey Elizabeth , Chen Yong , Lieberman Jay R.
Published: November 2022

The management and definitive treatment of segmental bone defects in the setting of acute trauma, fracture non-union, revision joint arthroplasty, and tumor surgery are challenging clinical problems with no consistently satisfactory solution. Orthopaedic surgeons are developing novel strategies to treat these problems, including three-dimensional (3D) printing combined with growth factors and/or cells. This article reviews the current strategies for management of segmental bone loss in orthopaedic surgery, including graft selection, bone graft substitutes, and operative techniques. Furthermore, we highlight 3D printing as a technology that may serve a major role in the management of segmental defects. The optimization of a 3D-printed scaffold design through printing technique, material selection, and scaffold geometry, as well as biologic additives to enhance bone regeneration and incorporation could change the treatment paradigm for these difficult bone repair problems.
Experimental Research on New Developed Titanium Alloys for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Jimenez-Marcos Cristina , Mirza-Rosca Julia Claudia , Baltatu Madalina Simona , Vizureanu Petrica
Published: November 2022

The mechanical properties and electrochemical behavior of two new titanium alloys, Ti20Mo7Zr and Ti20Mo7Zr0.5Si, are investigated in this paper. The alloys have been manufactured by vacuum arc remelting (VAR) technique and studied to determine their microstructure, corrosion behavior, and mechanical properties. Metallographic observations and quantitative microanalysis by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy SEM, and energy dispersive X-rays spectroscopy EDX were performed. Data about the three-point bending test and microhardness are presented. For electrochemical properties, three different environments were used: Ringer solution at 25 °C, Ringer solution at 40 °C simulating fever condition, and 3.5% NaCl solution. Metallographic investigation revealed the biphasic and dendritic structure of both samples when the procedures were performed. Electrochemical testing in body simulation fluid, fever conditions, and saline medium showed that the lower the proportion of silicon in the samples, the higher the corrosion resistance. The formation of a titanium oxide layer on the surface of both samples was noticed using quantitative EDX analysis. The three-point bending test for the two samples revealed that the presence of silicon decreases the modulus of elasticity; the surface of the samples displayed soft and hard phases in the microhardness test. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were carried out at different potentials, and the obtained spectra exhibit a two-time constant system, attesting double-layer passive film on the samples.
Acute Hypoxia Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Gill of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) by Modulating the Epas1/Bad Pathway
Authors: Li Guangling , Liu Binghua , Yang Jun , Li Xiaohui , Wang Hao , Wen Haishen , He Feng
Published: November 2022

The physiological responses and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis in Japanese flounder under hypoxic stress remain unclear. In the present study, we performed acute hypoxia stress on Japanese flounder (2.39 ± 0.84 mg/L) and detected gills responses in histomorphology and molecular mechanisms. The results showed that the volume of the interlamellar cell mass decreased and the gill lamellae prolonged, indicating the expansion of the respiratory surface area. Additionally, the fluorescence signal of apoptosis increased under hypoxic stress. In addition, the expression of two genes (EPAS1 and Bad) related to apoptosis increased about four-fold and two-fold, respectively, at 6 h of hypoxia. Meanwhile, the result of the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that EPAS1 is a transcription factor, which could regulate (p < 0.05) the expression of the Bad gene, and we identified the binding site of EPAS1 was the AATGGAAAC sequence located near −766. DNA methylation assay showed that hypoxia affected the methylation status of CpG islands of EPAS1 and Bad genes. All results indicated that hypoxia could activate the EPAS1/Bad signal pathway to induce gill apoptosis of Japanese flounder. Our study provides new light on understanding the molecular mechanism of hypoxia-induced apoptosis in Japanese flounder.